Association

.—The meaning of this word has lately undergone a revolution. In former times it was deemed legal for Englishmen to associate, for the purpose of discussing political principles and their own rights. Such meetings were once held constitutional and meritorious; Pitt, the Duke of Richmond, and other Friends of the people, were the chief supporters of them. Now, government deems them unconstitutional and seditious, and the associators stand a good chance of being confined four yuears in Newgate, or, if in Scotland, of being loaded with irons, and transported to Botany Bay. Nvertheless, on the other hand, associations are formed under the immediate sanction of this very identical P-tt, for the suppression of these once constitutional meetings, and his associatiors are regarded by him as the only true loyalists, the best friends to their country. Sir George Saville was a distinguished member of the first associations; Mr. Reeves, a placeman, the Prince of Spies and Informers, is at the head of the latter. It remains for sober-minded men to determine, on which side the truth lies; it is for them to judge, between a common hireling, and Sir George Saville, the patriot of his day. Other associations are also strictly legal, and warmly countenanced by a generous aristocracy; such, for exmple, as are united for the preservation of game, and for bringing to condign punishment the guilty culprit, who shall have dared to kill a hare, or pheasant, that laid waste his half rood of garden, and destroyed its produce, intended for support of himself and family.