William Shakspeare (a gentleman who lived at Strate ford-upon-Avon, and occasionally in London), we have a copy of a charge given to watchmen, which, as far as I know, is the only one upon record. It has, been often reprinted, and is, to this day, delivered once, or twice every year, in a large building in Covent Gar den, No alteration having been made in it for above 200 years, I suspect it is considered as the standard body of instructions for all watchmen; and the cases. which your correspondent Civis states, and which, he calls negligence, and neglect of duty, are precisely laid down in the charge 1 allude to, as things to be carefully attended to. I shall produce an example. When Mr. Dogberry, who, I presume, was in the commission of the peace, was giving this important advice to the constable of the night, and the watch, men, among other things he said, "You shall com prehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the Prince's name. But no sooner had he given this advice, than one of the watchmen, a man, no doubt, of acute understanding, put a question to him of some importance-" How, if he will not stand?" no Mr. Dogberry's answer to this is deserving of tice, as it appears to have guided the discretion of all watchmen since his days: Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the rest of th watch together, and thank God you are rid of a knave." But what evidently proves that this charge has its weight in our day, is the advice which he subjoins- You shall also make no noise in the" streets; for, for the watch to babble and talk, is most intolerable, and not to be endured.-You are to call at all the alehouses, and bid them that are drunk get them to bed; and if they will not, let them alone till they are sober. If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man and, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why-the more is for your honesty." W. TOT AY I might quote some other passages from this charge, but it is in every body's hands; and the above may be sufficient to prove that the complaints so common against watchmen have very high antiquity on their side; and that, with respect to the proper age at which they are appointed, the vast service they perform in securing persons and property, and especially in preserving the quiet of the streets, there is nothing new under the sun! TO THE EDITOR OF THE Public ledger, &c. SIR, IN [Sept. 25.] N the present improved age, it is next to impossible to look at the most trifling article but with wonder and astonishment; and especially when one labours under the consciousness of fully deserving the appellation of my signature. I am led to this remark by a circumstance which struck my fancy most forcibly today in passing through the Tower.-I have been accustomed to listen with thrilling delight at the loud, and, what I consider, melodious, boong of the Tower guns; and, since their disappearance from the wharf appropriated to this proud national Gazette, have been anxiously waiting their return-fearful lest they might not be in time to announce to my fellow-citizens any success of the British arms-you may, therefore, judge of my disappointment, when, passing by the lowed spot, instead of the noisy bull-dogs I had taught myself to revere, I discovered two rows of machines, like so many quart pots. In my ignorance, perhaps, began to think what they could be meant. for-and have at last determined within myself that it Γ TO MIDD hal must must be a new invention; and that after firing the usual salute, the garrison is to turn out and have a jollification-making use of these instruments of war to drink, as I do,-"God bless the King."-If I am right, pray inform me; otherwise I must remain as at present, Sir, oerwise I must remain a › Your most obedient Servant, Hambro Coffee-house, Sept. 19. SALIGNORAMUS. TWO OF A TRADE. [From the Morning Chronicle, Sept. 29:] v A › FISHERMAN one morn display'd Upon the Steine, his neta anda at Corinna could not promenade, And 'gan to fume and fret. The Fisher cried, "Give o'er the spleen, 18 You spread your nets upon the Steine, no. 1. mg plaɔ das Two of a trade can ne'er agree, I fish for flat-fish in the sea, And you upon the shore.' Brighton, Sept. 27. A THE COAL-MERCHANT'S DITTY: A PUN. [From the same.] COME buy my coals; the winter's near, And of your favours every year I'll not prove unobservant; At Christmas, when you send me pelf, Your grate-full humble servant. PROPRIETY TH PROPRIETY OF RIOTS. [From the British Press, Oct. 3.1 I MR. EDITOR, HOUGH the riots at Covent Garden Theatre, after a short life of two years, may be said "to have made their exeunt; yet it is likewise said, that "the memory of a good thing never dies." On this account, I rejoice at the admirable precedent they must leave behind them. It will now be impossible for any dealer, whether in theatrical or other wares, to demand any price but what the mob may think fair and justifiable; which is precisely what the law ought to be on this subject; for it would be extremely hard if the seller of an article should have any thing to do, with fixing a price upon his own goods! But what I admire most is, the perfect non-chalance with which the Ministry have looked on, while the great town of London was in a state of uproar for above a year! Some malicious people have intimated, "that they had their reasons" for such conduct, as it drew off all attention from their own drama; and that, in consequence, they could act their own pieces with the most miserable performers, without being hissed off the stage. This at first appears plausible enough; but as they have continued acting with the same set, and have shown no disposition to improve their company, I am not led to believe they think the opinion of John Bull of much consequence. If Mr. Perceval plays "the King," Lord Chatham "the Grave-digger," and Lord Mulgrave" the Choberic Man," at a fixed salary, which they are sure to receive, good or bad, what signifies public opinion? All therefore that can be said. is, that some fear may reasonably be entertained, that while they have been smiling maliciously" at the disturbances at Covent Garden, they have been nourishing a "nest egg" of riot, which may soon discharge its contents upon themselves; and established a school for some pretty boys," hereafter to practise the lessons which they have taught them. ON MR. KEMBLE. : [From the Morning Chronicle, Oct. 5.] ACTOR and architect, he tries SHILLELAH. To please the great and charm the small; This bids the private tiers to rise, And that the public tears to fall. NOTHING-TO-DO GENTLEMEN. SH IMPROMPTU, ON READING THE EXTRACTS FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SINECURE PLACES, 9[{V} 'TIS [From the same, Oct. 8.] ! it han e IS shameful, cried Wly, R-se, and the rest, When, in their Report, it is prov'd by themselves, L Oct. 6, 1810. 122 THE WHITE HAT:-A TALE. [From the British Press, Oct. ial] "ang A N honest hearty British Tar, AN Just landed from of war, a For drubbing well foes Dutch and Spanish, That Jack was plagu'd and teas'd with doubt |