5 MARCH 1831, Page 15

A CLASSIC or. 183L—in a 'conversation in the King's Bench

onMon day, touching an arrangement for taking certain cases on Tuesday, which Sir James Scarlett wished rather to stand over for Wednesday or Thursday, Lord Tenterden said he had promised to sit in the House of Lords on Wednesday and Thursday. He should be able to come here to-morrow, either at the usual hour (half-past nine), or at one or four o'clock, whichever might be most convenient to Sir James Scarlett. Perhaps, as to-morrow would be an important day elsewhere, Sir James might desire to get away early. Sir James Scarlett—" Yes, my Lord, to-morrow will be an important day—it is ' The ides of March.' Dispute who may his title to the appellation of "honourable," we think there is no man who will in future question the Ex-Attorney-General's right to the title of the learned gentleman.

FILEEHOLDS AT A DISCOUNT.—A freehold qualification in the county of Renfrew, to which there is attached a feu-duty of W. a year, was on Wednesday sold by public roup at 2804 Another, in the same county, without any feu-duty, was likewise sold, and brought 120/. From these low prices, it may be inferred that the expectation of Reform is very strong-, as independent of the feu-duty, the votes would formerly have been worth 1000/. each.—Ediabargh Observer.

NOISY Conayssy.—An order has this week issued from the Admiralty, directing all salutes fired by men-of-war belonging to foreign powers, in compliment to the flag of the commander-in-chief at the respective ports, to be returned with the same number of guns.—Hampshire Telegraph.

MORE Snips.—The Admiralty have directed a sixth-rate of 750 tons to be built in this dockyard, to carry twenty-eight 32-pounder guns, on Sir A. Dickson's plan, similar to those in the Actmon. This frigate should be allowed 200 men.—Hampshire Telegraph.

REVEREND ROBERT HALL.—Another of the " masters in Israel" has fallen, in the person of Robert Hall, the Coryphmus of the Baptists, as the wits of the Quarterly once called him. Mr. Hall died at Bristol, in the midst of his people, on the 21st of February, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. To the pious, few-men were better known ; and few of his reverend calling have better served the cause of true piety than the author of "Sermons on Infidelity." To the affections of the liberal- minded, Mr. Hall had an equal claim. His short treatise on the liberty of the press, written when he was but a young man, is still one of the most convincing, as it is by far the most eloquent, on a question which has engaged the attention of the most profound reasoners, and the most brilliant wits. There was a rumour eight or nine years ago, that Robert Hall, like some others who opened life with similar views of social liberty, had seen the error of his ways—that he who in youth had been the en- thusiastic advocate of freedom, was to exhibit another pitiable example of a mature age of twaddling intolerance. But the principles of Hall were formed and founded in a better school. The venerable clergyman spurned the base slander which represented him as falling off from the sacred cause that had so worthily engaged his pen • and to confound the gainsayers, he republished the essay on the "Freedom of the Press," with a preface, in which, while he reinforced its arguments, he declared his steady and unalterable attachment to the great principles it developed. Robert Hall was the readiest speaker in England. From bad health, and a peculiarly delicate, nervous temperament, he hardly ever, of late years at least, studied any of the orations that he delivered, or even thought of them until he had entered the pulpit. His addresses were in consequence unequal. There was at times a heaviness in his discourses, which was apt to make strangers wonder at the reputation for oratory to which he had attained ; but when his health was firm, his spirits good, and his theme congenial, no man ever rose to higher and happier flights than he did in these purely extemporaneous exhibitions. For some years before his death, his voice had failed him tc such a degree that it was with diffi- culty the thread of his discourse could be followed at a few yards distance.

ORIGIN- OF" PAUL PRY.—" The idea of the character of Paul Pry was suggested by the following anecdote, related to me several years ago by a beloved friend. An idle old lady, living in a narrow street, had passed so much of her time in watching the affairs of her neighbours, that she at length acquired the power of distinguishing the sound of every knocker within hearing. It happened that she fell ill, and was for several days confined to her bed. Unable to observe, in person, what was going on without, she stationed her maid at the window, as a substitute for the performance of that duty. But Betty soon grew wearyof the occupation. She became careless in her reports—impatient and tetchy when repri- manded for her negligence. Betty, what are you thinking about don't you hear a double knock at No. 9? Who is it ?' 'The first-floor lodger, Ma'am." Betty !—Betty !—I declare I must give you warning. Why don't you tell me what that knock is at No. 5i?' Why, Lord ! Ma'am, it is only the baker with pies." Pies, Betty ! what can they want with pies at 54? they had pies yesterday !' Of this very point I have availed myself. Let me add that Paul Pry was never intended as the representative of any one individual, but a class. Like the melan- choly of Jaques, he is 'compounded of many Simples;' and I could mention five or six who were unconscious contributors to the character. That it should have been so often, though erroneously, supposed to have been drawn after particular persons, is, perhaps, complimentary to the general truth of the ddinastion."....Mr. Poole, ii She Now Monthly Illeganin* for Match.