no very unsatisfactory refutation, if refutation were still wanted, of the opinions of those who contend, that England might, by the means of neutrality, have avoided the insolence and hostility of France.-It has been stated, in some of the foreign journals, that REDING and his associates have been set at liberty. We shall be agreeably surprised, if this intelligence should prove true; but, at present, we can give no more credit to it than to the tale of the Ministerial Paper, which represents "poor Toussaint" as kept in a dungeon "up to his knees in water!" A tale nearly as incredible as that which is related respecting the "stark naked" goddess of reason, exhibited at Nottingham. Such exaggerations do infinite injury to whatever cause they are intended to serve.

These are matters not spoken of in a corner, but promulgated and discussed in all the public papers of that country, which are not less than three hundred in number:-But, notwithstanding the discredit which disclosures of this nature may be expected to cast on the democratical party, we are sorry, for the sake of America and of the world, to perceive, that as far as the annual elections had gone, their result indicated but little decline in the influence of that party. TOM PAINE had arrived at Baltimore. If this traitor to his king and blasphemer of his God receives some encouragement from seeing a " temple of reason," where infidelity is openly preached, at New York, he must be somewhat mortified at meeting the works of -Burke, coming from an American press. The Editor of this Register sent 40 sets of the new edition of Burke's Works to America, yet the demand for it has encouraged two booksellers of Philadelphia to put it to press, preceded by the life of the author, written by Dr. Bisset. This is a fact of no small political importance. It shows, that there is yet a sound part in America: for Burke's writings are the true touchstone in polities. Indeed, as to property, morality, and even numbers, the far greater part of America is politically sound in sentiment; but, what the other small part wants in every other virtue, it has in the great and all-commanding virtues of courage and perseverance: it has the sinerus and bones of the country; its opponent has nothing but the flesh, the dull, the heavy, the soft, the tremb-honour conferred on him by the hatred of ling flesh. Was it not so in France?-And is it alas! not so in England?

The affair of his Excellency Count Stahremberg, mentioned in p. 736 of our last sheet, is, in the main, confirmed. He was ordered to quit Paris, and France; but, as to the time allowed him for so doing, report was erroneous. Six bours were given him to quit the capital, and a reasonable time to quit the Republic.-That this mandate of the Consul is positively contrary to the law of nations, it would, perhaps, be too much to assert; but, that it is a violation, and a very gross violation, of those usages of nations, which have grown al most into positive laws, no one can deny *.

The Count, however, as we observed before, must feel that, for this insult and in. justice, he is amply compensated by the

the Corsican.-As a counterpart to this act of insolence towards the Ambassador of his The plunder of Germany and the subjugation Imperial Majesty to the King of England, of Switzerland, have been prominent topics in it is intended, we are told, to send. General our political remarks for many weeks past. Lasnes back to the Court of Lisbon; and, The former goes on, and will, in all proba- indeed, we have been well informed, that bility continue to go on, with more or less the Portuguese minister, of whom Lasnes dispatch, until a complete revolution of the complained, is already dismissed from bis em Empire is effected. The subjugation of Swit-ployment!-How long will it be ere the zerland is accomplished. The senate, Buo- same sort of influence will be felt at IVbitenaparte's senate, has imposed a war-contri-ball ?-Nay, start not, reader! Has not bution on the Cantons, amounting to 900,000 livres, for the support of the French troops! This puts us in mind of the conduct of the French vessels of war, which made the Ame rican merchantmen pay, in a certain pro portion (at about three guineas per ball), for the balls, which, during a cbace, the former fired at the latter!* And, indeed, these two facts, when the neutral and even amicable conduct of Switzerland and America towards France, are considered, form, of themselves,

the hand of Buonaparté already been felt in our courts of justice? Has he not snatched a condemned traitor from the gallows? And has not his official journal signified his wish, that our present "prudent ministry" may keep their places?→ Connected with this topic is the daring act of sending hither a complete set of "com. mercial agents," after they had been refused to be received. The ministers have, through their. qfficial paper, informed the public,

* See Cobbett's Translation of Martens's Con

pendium of the Law of Nations, p. 265, 266, and 267.

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that these persons are not acknowledged by say, the next day, the same paper stated, and them in any public capacity; and that, from "good authority," that " one thousand therefore, they are subject to the Alien" five hundred only of the whole French Laws, and liable to be, at any time, sent "force remained, which had re-embarked away for mal-practices;" but, would the" with general LECLERC."-This intelliministers dare to send them away? That's gence our well-informed ministers, our “safe the question; and, for answer to this ques- politicians," received, it seems, from Adtion, we have only to remember their conduct miral Duckworth, in a dispatch dated Ja with respect to Lundberg, the Swede, who maica, 16th of October, and, it would-apcame over with Lauriston.-Another mark pear, that his news was then eight or nine of insolent contempt for other nations has days old. The intelligence was, then, dated lately been shown at Hamburgh, where at St. Domingo on the 7th of October, about RHEINHARD, the French Envoy, seeing the nine days after general BOUDET, whose reDukes of AVRAY and POLIGNAC (two port has just been published officially in the French emigrants, the former, at least, in Moniteur, left the colony for France. From the service of England) decorated with the the report of this general (which see p. 756), orders of Cordon bleu, St. Louis, and St. it appears, that, when he sailed, the French Esprit, preferred a complaint to the Senate, force consisted of twenty three thousand five who, the next day issued a mandate, forbid bundred white men and four thousand blacks, ding the wearing of the insignia of any sup- and that between eighteen and nineteen thousand pressed order, on the part of foreigners! Not of the whites were fit for duty. When this a word of remonstrance was made on the official report was received in London. part of the English Chargé-des-Affaires! which was on the 6th instant, the "prudent Thus is our mortal enemy daily and hourly rising over us in every part of the world. Why, then, will our correspondents continue to blame Sir Joseph Banks? Sir Joseph, though, by no means, overburdened with wit or learning, is a prudent man, and safe politician." Rats, by instinct, quit a falling house; and, after the Hawkesburian preliminaries, after, the surrender of Napper Tandy and the abandonment of the Chouans, who could blame Sir Joseph for laying the Royal Society prostrate at the feet of the Institute * ?

a

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ministers" looked rather abashed. Their intelligence was admirably calculated for producing effect in the debate on the army estimates, but the contradiction came too soon; Bondet unfortunately arrived before the exhibition began! The True Briton fretted, accused the Moniteur of foul play, and, in short, discovered evident marks of disappointment at the bad luck of the savage negroes and the tardy progress of the yellow fever! And these, these are the people, who deprecate irritating language!" It is absolutely impossible but Since our last there has been circulated the French government and the French peomuch pretended information, or rather ms-ple must at once suspect and despise them. information, respecting the situation of St. Domingo, and the French forces in that Island. On the 3d instant, the True Briton announced, that the government (by which was, we dare say, meant the ministry) had received accounts from Jamaica, stating most fully, the disastrous issue of the French expedition to St. Domingo;" and further stating, that, "it was understood, at Ja"maica, that LECLERC had actually re-im"barked with the remnant of bis army, and "that a body of five hundred French bad, joined the blacks."-On the 4th, that is to

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Having strayed into a mention of this knight of the Bath; we fight appear partial in omitting to notice the recent election of Mr. Fox, who, in opposition to HORNE TOOKE, is now become a professor of morals and politics" in the National Institute. An honour most justly bestowed; but,

we have our doubts, which was the worthiest object, Mr. Fox or Horne Tooke. Either of them is, perhaps, a very fit associate for Sir Joseph Banks. The election of Mr. Fox took place on the 23d ultimo.

--Unwilling to let go their hold, to give up the aid of their honourable auxiliary, the yellow fever, they have trumped up another tale, which has passed through that common sewer of news, the United States of America. This last intelligence is "dreadful" again; but, as it is ten days, at least, later than their Jamaica news, it may be relied on, so far, at least, as it completely does away the ridiculous story (which, as we said before, was merely intended for St Stephen's) about the re-embarkation of Leclere and his army.

Why the news which, relating to St. Dothe United States of America, ought sel mingo, comes through Jamaica, or through dom to be believed; and why the people of this country are so easily led to give credit to it; the causes of all this falshood, deception, credulity, and infatuation, are fully explained in the Register, Vol. I. p. 731, et seq. to which we beg leave to refer the reader. We do not say, we have never said, that the French may not have a good deal of

Printed by Cox and Baylis, No. 75, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields.

Published by R. Bagshaw, Bow Street, Covent Garden, where all the former Numbers may be had

VOL. 2. No. 24.]

London, Saturday, 18th December, 1802. [ Price 10D

CONTENTS.-Let. from Mr. Tietenser, 769. Ext. from Manit, about India, 773. Earthqu. Constantinople, Ratisbon, Mr. Moore at Constance, 774. Swiss News, Mad. Buonap. Drawing-Room, 775. Budget, 778. M. Schimmelpenninck, 783. St. Domingo and Jamaica, 784. Discussion relative to the Navy, 789, the Army, 790, the Reven, and Commerce, 792, the Stadtholder, 795, Capt. D'Auvergne, 797, Floridas, Cochin, Tobago, 800.

769]

READING BALL ON THE PEACE.

Reading, Dec. 9, 1802. SIR,-When taking up my pen in de fence of Mr. Addington, I silenced the pretended lover of truth and decorum, I did hope that we should have had no more ironical praises of our respectable minister. But a writer in the Star, under the signature of Candidus, has thought proper through my sides to make a malevolent attack on my friend and the worthy inhabitants of this place. The intention of this masked satirist is hardly disguised. For who knows not Mrs. CANDOUR in the School for Scandal? A seeming officiousness of weak palliation and excuse is the most effectual way of betraying the character to ridicule or censure.

With your permission, Sir, I shall begin by noticing his second letter, because in that he is pleased directly to apply himself to me. And he denies me to be an "inhabi"tant" of this place; not from any intrinsic evidence in my letter; not from any inquiry of the parish officers or tax gatherers; not from any information derived through the election committees of our worthy representatives Mr. ANNESLEY and Mr. SHAW LE FEVRE; but truly, because there is no "inhabitant of Reading who does not ve"nerate the public character and admire "the private conduct of Mr. Addington." What is this, but impudently to beg the question, that he is the real, and I am the "insidious defender" of that great and illustrious statesman? This boldness, however, I am sure will not deceive a discerning public. Let us come to the proof.

What a treacherous account does this candid gentleman give of the origin of the ball! On the first mention of peace he tells us, that the notion of a ball and supper was taken up from a pure abstract love of peace, by a number of gentlemen, who did not all agree in their opinion of the terms of the treaty. And this he calls "an expression of "feelings congenial to the English charac"ter," to celebrate unanimously an event about which no two of the company, perhaps, thought precisely alike. His meaning, if he has any, must be, that a ball and

[770

a supper can never come amiss to Englishmen and Englishwomen. Otherwise it is such a libel on old English sincerity and plain dealing, as can have been written by no man, but one of those admirers of the First Consul of France, who affect the warmest attachment to Mr. Addington, for their own sinister purposes. Observe too, what a foolish figure he makes of my friend, when he paints him swallowing down, with the greatest self satisfaction, as a compliment to the leading measure of his administration, an entertainment given by persons, a majority of whom, this "insidious defender" hints, disapproved, more or less, of that very measure. I leave the world to judge, whether the true and plain account which I gave, is not much more creditable to Mr. ADDINGTON, that it was a tribute of respect from some former patients of bis excellent father. Some of them, however, I am afraid, people will think not to have been perfectly cured, if CANDIDUS is one of the number, and really intends to be serious. But it is impossible that he can. Every line that I read in his letter convinces me to the contrary. Could any one who was in earnest, have passed over a whole year in silence, and told us nakedly that the proposal adopted in October 1801 was carried into effect in October 1802; just when every body knows that the minister, very wisely and spiritedly in my opinion, sent orders to stop the execution of the treaty, and began to arm again in a manner that caused an alarm of war from one end of the kingdom to the other? I accounted, satisfactorily I hope, for this interval. My account is not contradicted: but this great chasm is left by CANDIDUS, merely I believe, because it must strike every man of commen observation, as an opening to ridicule not to be resisted.Indeed, Sir, this is too glaring,

In his short abstract of my triend's speech, this writer represents him as having talked of the firmness of parliament, the valour "of our fleets and armies, and the loyalty "of his countrymen." On this part he says, "all the quiver of the arrows of invective "has been emptied." Now here, Sir, it happens that there is a very short issue be

tween us.

during the present administration. I will maintain the propriety of these strong mea sures, as necessary evils; I will maintain the peace, as Mr. ADDINGTON himself did, who declared it was the best he could do, and that he had never attempted to apply to it any epithets of praise."* But, against the imbecillity which this "CANDIDUS" ascribes to my friend, I see no defence, but

Having thusendeavoured to injure Mr. Addington, by attributing to him what he did not say, he makes a passage in his real speech the vehicle of ridicule on the inhabitants of this place. The " affectionate manner" in which he is said to have expressed his concern at the necessity of quitting the county, is represented as at once the cause and effect of "those sentiments of esteem, which were "pathetically manifested by the company." It could only have been the cause, I presume, of the pathetical manifestation which followed, and the effect of the pathetical manifestation which preceded. But, what with cause and effect, the world is thus to suppose that the whole ball and supper was a continued display of sentiment and pathos. Fiddlers pathetically scraping; misses pathetically jigging; beaux pathetically hobbling after; stewards pathetically scolding waiters; and fiddlers, misses, beaux, and stewards all pathetically eating and drinking. Now, Sir, I can assure you there was not a single tear shed from the beginning to the end of the entertainment. My friend paid a proper compliment, neither more nor less than be came him, to the neighbourhood. But it is a

Your readers, as far as I am apprized, have before them all that has been written on the subject except the idle paragraphs with which it began; and I will rest every thing on this point:-There is not any where a single syllable of invective aimed against either of these topics If I remember right, there is no direct allusion to either of them. What then could have been the possible object of such a gross mis-in denying the fact. 1 do, therefore, deny representation, so easily to be detected? it; and in the name of all the Minister's What, but that its grossness might lead to true friends, call upon this false friend to instant detection; and that under the flimsy prove his malicious imputation if he can. pretence of indignation at the attacks of insignificance and obscurity" (as he is pleased politely to characterize the writers in the Morning Post and the Political Register, the "Lover of Truth and Decorum," myself, and your correspondent N. V. who dates from WHITEHALL, all lumped together) he might thus expose my respectable friend "the Chancellor of the Exchequer to fresh "laughter." I appeal to that truth, that genuine candour, and that common sense, whose names this false and scandalous MR. CANDOUR SO boldly uses, whether the absurdity of addressing a speech on the blessings of peace to "dancing misses, and negusswigging fidlers," the charge which I originally met and confuted, is half so great as the poor, trite, common-place cant, which Mr. Addington is here said to have delivered to the same audience; for the paltry distinction, that he addressed what he said to the stewards, can only be meant to disgust the Public still more, by the meanness of the subterfuge. What a total disregard to dramatic consistency of character, what a want of all probability is there in the fiction, that a minister of peace and anti-jacobinism should remind the gentlemen and ladies of the firmness of parliament," in voting so long for war, to obtain that indemnity and security which he persuaded them to abandon; of" the valour of our fleets and "armies," in making conquests, which he surrendered; and of the "loyalty of his countrymen," evinced, I presume, by a greater number of assassination plots and attempts against the life of the King, than were ever suspected in all the former part of his Majesty's reign, or in the reigns of any of his royal progenitors; and by the whole train of strong measures, suspending or superceding the great constitutional guards of personal liberty; measures which the spirit of the times unfortunately made too necessary; and which have been all of them renewed, and some of them carried further, or introduced for the first time on our statute-book,

burlesque upon him, to hold out that there was any over-acted tenderness and regret professed by him, at having sold Woodley for several thousand pounds more than it cost him, and received, from the favour of his Sovereign, a much handsomer and more convenient residence, the like of which no former minister ever had influence to get. His old neighbours, on their part, could not but be glad of his promotion, whether they might or might not share in the good effects of it. All this was, in my opinion, just as it should be. The only impropriety was in publishing it; and that was the act of Mr. Addington's secret enemies, or injudicious friends, whose foolish paragraphs first provoked the "Lover of Truth and Decorum." Who that writer may be, I neither know nor care; but, from

* See Reg. Vol. I. p. 590. Epit.