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words, their "insulted honour." She also knew, that nations are bound by the treaties concluded by their governments, and was determined to force obedience to this great national law.

With Napoleon at the head of the French nation, and with that party entire which had counselled them to desolate Europe, she was well aware that the kingdom of the Netherlands could not be safe; and, therefore, her own interest and security demanded that it should be made so; and if the French people resolved to have Bonaparte as their leader, in defiance of the faith of treaties, Lorraine and Alsace might become a lawful prey, and a very moderate demand made from her. Europe at the same time cared little whether Bonaparte sacrificed his life for the safety of France or not. It was her own security and safety, not the security and safety of France, which was her first object; for she knew that Bonaparte would sacrifice the life of thousands for the glory of France, before he sacrificed his own. Besides, twenty-five years of misery and wo had taught her what was the meaning of French glory and French honour, which could not be distinct from that of Bonaparte-she knew it well, and wanted no more lessons on the subject. She, therefore, wisely turned the adders' ear to all these French lamentations, accusations, and menaces. Her resolution was taken in a manner very "positive,” and her opinion pronounced in a manner very “ solemn.” That God whom her people revered was witness to their resolves. Their vows were not made to be broken.

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As usual, after the conclusion of such ceremonies, the popu lation of Paris were amused with plays, shows, and other idle works, of which they are distractedly fond. The Sabbath, as usual, was particularly set apart for that profligate purpose: and although the ceremony which we have recorded took place on Thursday, the principal rejoicings were deferred till the following Sabbath; in order that these might be entered into with greater spirit, and be more general, particularly amongst the lower classes of people. The day was so remarkable, and the occasion so memorable, that I shall trespass upon the patience of the reader, by detailing the sports, for which the French people forgot the worship of their Creator, and with which they celebrated their new dawn of liberty. In the grand square,

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there were stationed two theatres of dancers and rope dancers. two theatres of amusing physical experiments; six bands for dancing; a theatre of singers; a circus, where Franconi's troops were to exhibit; fire-works; and, above all, that most delectable, and truly French sport, two "Matts de Cocagne." The Matt de Cocagne consists of two long poles, near the tops of which are suspended various articles of cookery, such as roast fowls, ducks, &c. The poles are soaped, and rendered slippery at the bottom, and the pastime consists in the ludicrous failures of those who climb to reach the eatables. Also, in the square, Marjuy: two Matts de Cocagne; four bands for dancing; a theatre of rope dancers; a theatre of amusing experiments; a theatre of singers, &c.; and fire-works. These amusements were to commence at two o'clock, and last till night. Along the avenue of the Champ de Elysees, there were erected thirty-six fountains of wine; twelve tables for the distribution of eatables, such as pies, fowls, sausages, &c. The distribution of the wine and eatables tock place at three o'clock. At nine o'clock there was a grand fire-work at the Place de Concorde. Immediately afterwards a detonating balloon ascended from the centre of the Champ de Elysees; the detonation took place when the balloon was at the height of 500 toises. In the evening all the theatres were opened gratis, and all the public edifices were illuminated."

Such was the official list of the public amusements for the first Sabbath after France had received the greatest blessing ever had descended upon the nation. Such the way she, openly and exultingly, spent that sacred day. Such were the ways in which France was accustomed to spend the Sabbath. In most parts of Europe, such proceedings would be looked upon as the wreck of religious order, and would strike the minds of the beholders with terror and alarm. Not so are these things ordered in France-not so does she view them. The cause interests but herself alone-the consequences are felt by herself and by all her neighbours.

Although the present was about the 20th Constitution which France had received within about the same number of years, still there were persons who were weak enough to believe, that would be attended with better consequences, and be longer

Programme of the fete, Moniteur, May 50th

lived than its predecessors; as it was headed by Bonaparte, and planned by that old staunch friend of liberty, Carnot. It was described as a model of its kind; and the manner of its acceptance, was held up as a scene worthy of the utmost attention and admiration. "The mercurial character of the French people," said the Morning Chronicle, " mix the influence and exhilaration of spectacle, with the most important duties of life; and even this devotion is animated by the imposing sublimity, with which the rites of religion are solemnized. We are too apt to imagine, that these repeated shows of Constitutionmaking, make no lasting impression on the public mind of France." The world, indeed, in general, were very apt to suppose, that such scenes made no impression; nor had any thing happened in this that could make them alter their opinion. It too was to have its little day-another monument of French folly. Europe, however, was not to be deceived on the part of this new Constitution, and usual pretences which concerned her. She had been taught by experience, most dearly bought, that every act additionel to a French Constitution, and Matt de Cocagne, that was jumped at on Sunday in Paris, was only the prelude to the dislocation of her Constitution, and the precursor of a flood of iniquity, misery, and wo, which issuing from that polluted source, inundated all her borders.

The ease with which this farce was played off at Paris-the satisfaction which was displayed, amidst a multitude guarded by 23,000 regular troops, and 27,000 national guards, the latter as well as the former consisting of the firmest votaries of the Jacobinical school, all drawn up in battle array, was hailed as an incontestible sign of that awful unanimity, which was to secure France, and overthrow Europe. We were told now as we had been told before, that the wanton and unjustifiable conduct of the Confederate powers, had called forth the invincible energies of the French nation, and such a spirit of revenge, as would again bind Europe in chains, and drag her captive at the chariot wheels of Napoleon; who was alone the man of whom France made choice, the hero whom alone she would permit to lead her. The coalition against France, with Bonaparte at her head, was described as undertaken not so much against him as

• Morning Chronicle, July 7th, 1815.

against the spirit of liberty. "This," said the Morning Chronicle," the great body of the English patriots believe; and it is felt by all the considerate part of the British Empire, that it is not so much against Bonaparte, as against the spirit of Liberty, that the Potentates of the Continent unite; and every truly British bosom must feel that if they should succeed in extinguishing the last spark of Liberty in France, our own happy system would present the next object to their jealousy and fears."* When such were the ideas of an inhabitant of Britain, upon this subject, we cannot wonder at the daring attempts of the French press, to mislead the minds of the people of France and of Europe. "Let well informed men say," said the same authority, "whether from all that has been demonstrated, it is not manifest that the whole people believe, that it is not so much against the person of Bonaparte, as against the spirit of Liberty, that the potentates of the Continent are armed; and that in fact it is more for the re-establishment of feudality, of tythes, of the privileged orders, and of the Bourbon family, that they threaten to invade the territory of France."+ It baffles human reason, to discover from whence could procced such a desire, and anxiety to pervert the most obvious facts as we here witness. What the people of France might choose to believe, was a matter of no importance to the point at issue; but that there could exist one man, in any other quarter of Europe, who could deliberately and elaborately require and advise them to believe such things, may be said, but will scarcely be credited, but by those who have seen the columns which contained these statements. How far even the French people believed those things here asserted, a short period will also determine.

The finances of this country were the next object of attention and lamentation, on the part of those who viewed the deliverance of Europe with a jaundiced eye. Much, no doubt, depended upon their stability, but not all. The spirit which animated Europe, would have found means and resources, had ours been deficient and unequal; which however, they were not. On the 14th June, the very day on which Bonaparte said, • Morning Chronicle, May 29th, 1815.

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"Let us march to them," and which meeting was, as usual, prognosticated to be fatal to Europe; the Chancellor of the Exchequer contracted with the Merchants in London, for a loan of no less than £36,000,000 sterling, viz. £27,000,000 for England, and £9,000,000 for Ireland. This mighty sum, shewing in such a conspicuous light the wealth and resources of Britain, occasioned no alarm, no uncertainty in the public mind. It was sought after with avidity, and contracted for on the following terins, viz.

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The day on which this bargain was made for the public, this loan was at 4 per cent premium. In the House of Commons, on the same day, the Chancellor of the Exchequer moved their sanction to this loan; and which was granted with the addition of a vote of Credit for £6,000,000 more, making altogether £42,000,000 sterling, placed at the disposal of Government for this eventful year. The supplies requested for the year, without including the interest of the National Debt, amounted to £89,728,900, which was met by the War Taxes, Loan, &c. These stood as under,

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