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to suggest, that it would be as wise in us not to cry up our sort of government so much. If it be better than that of France, why want them to have one like it? Moss of my neighbours are well enough content if they are but able to get good cropt themselves, without thinking much about those of other people. We are always calling the French our enemy, and representing their power as so dangerous to Europe; and, why should we, then, fret ourselves because they will not be happier than they are? It would certainly be wise to let them alone; for, by evincing such an everlasting anxiety about their form of government, I am afraid that we shall give rise to a suspicion, that it is their form of government, and not the ambition of their Chief, that we dread, and against which we are about to make

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to express; and yet we boast of the loyalty of the whole nation, the love of the people for their present glorious government, and the universal satisfaction which prevails in all quarters. One would think that forty-two millions of pounds sterling, borrowed on one day, was something of a damper to this "general content." But mind, reader, this nominal forty-two millions is, in fact, a much larger sum, for which the country will next year be called on to provide. It arises thus the subsidies, which the generous Lord Castlereagh has agceed we should pay to the Allied Kings, for the purpose of preserv ing "social order," and the legiti mate rights of princes," are to be sent, at our expence, to their respective head quarters, and to be there paid in hard cash, good sterling guineas; not the paper money, which alone is to be seen in this country, but good gold coin.--Now, in order to obtain this, the government agents are at work, in all directions, to buy up whatever coin they can meet with. The Market Price is, this day, Thursday the 15th of June, one pound eleven shil

THE NEW ERA. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent called the commencement of his reign a New Era. I think I may apply that term to the present crisis. The Emperor Na-lings and eight pence, in paper, for one poleon, it is said, has taken the field; he pound one shilling in coin. Therefore, has placed himself at the head of all those for every hundred pounds in coin, which "perjured villains," who so "basely de- we deliver to our glorious disinterested serted" the Royal Bourbons for that Allies, we pay the sum of one hundred "vile monster," their present chief. He and fifty eight pounds six shillings and has left the good city of Paris to protect eight pence in paper. Judge, then, itself, and has withdrawn the whole of reader, what is the real amount of the the regular force, leaving the volunteers, subsidies we grant to the Potentates of or the national guard, as the French call Europe, for fighting in defence of the them, to defend the metropolis of the em- rights of the privileged race: This is no pire; that very metropolis which the hire-joke: it is real serious earnest. But we ling press of this country declared Napoleon was afraid to enter in the day time, and which was defended against the Royal legitimate Monarch, by the "perjured horde who had united their crimes to those of the Usurper." I do not think our Ministers would choose to leave the good city of London to defend itself. I remember when that most obnoxious measure the Corn Bill was in progress through the Legislature, that it was the boast of the ministerial papers, how many thousands and tens of thousands of troops, of all sorts, were quartered in the immediate neighbourhood of our metropolis, to defend it against itself. The Times recorded the names of the regiments, with a sort of savage joy, as if it calculated on something which it had not ferocity sufficient

have only began our subsidies are not half granted yet. The King of Denmark says, that his troops cannot march one yard, until he receives a subsidy. The Crown Prince of Sweden says, that he must have an equivalent in money for the cession of Guadaloupe to the Bourbons. And, be it remembered, that the Bourbon soldiers, sent to take possession of that island, immediately on their landing produced each man the national tri-coloured cockade out of his knapsack, and declared for Napoleon, while it was supposed that he was still burried in his exile at Elba. Thus we paid to the Crown Prince of Sweden a large sum for transferring the Island of Guadaloupe to the Emperor Napoleon, to annihilate whom we are now going to pay all Eu

rope,

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and even this very same Crown pence, have been both killed, all their Prince of Sweden amongst the rest. Fer- stores and arms (which loaded two frigates dinand the Fourth of the Two Sicilies, has and three sloops of war) taken, and their been kept by us so long that it is an old whole rebel party dispersed in all direcstory to talk of him. But now he will be tions!-The subsidies being duly received, rather more expensive, for we shall have andthe preparations being made, it is now to keep up a large British Army to sup- said that the march to Paris will take port him in possession, besides paying his place immediately.—To be sure, it is alown army, and giving him a good round lowed that there are upwards of 600,000 sum to set up royalty, as we gave our own "Perjured Villians" on the frontiers, Prince Regent at the commencement of with the "Hellish Monster" at their his new æra." By the by, this sum, head. But what can such a Legion of (£100,000) it appears by some very im- Devils do against the Holy Louis, surpertinent questions lately asked in Par-rounded as he is by Priests; with the liament, was not applied for the purpose good Cause of Legitimate Right on his for which it was granted; and his Royal side; all the population of France ready Highness has again had occasion to apply to rise and tear the "Perjured Villains". to his faithful Commons for assistance, to pieces, and with 1,011,000 men to by whom no doubt it will be most cheer-support him. What can the "Infamous fully relieved. Besides Ferdinand the Usurper" do against such a mighty army Fourth, we have the other Ferdinand the Seventh, of the same Royal stock. Iis army too, it seems cannot march till we find money. Indeed it is shrewdly suspected, that a sum of £800,000 was advanced by us to that beloved monarch, to enable him to fit out his late Cadiz expedition to South America; and, as usual, a sort of fatality attends all that we interfere with. The Times, states that by the ship "Sarah Jane, arrived in 92 days, from "Buenos Ayres, we learn that the revolu"tionists have got possession of almost the "whole of Spanish America; that General "Orr has 40,000 troops well armed and equipped; that Admiral Brown has 8 "sail of large frigates; and that the ut"most anxiety prevailed for the arrival of "the expedition from old Spain, which, as it would of course fall immediately "into the hands of the revolutionists, "would afford them an ample supply of 66 military stores of all sorts. The British "had embarked their property," &c. &c. But the most extraordinary passage in this piece of information is, that "the King "Ferdinand has expressed the utmost in66 dignation against the province of Venezuela, for having afforded such facilities to English commerce!" Here is Royal gratitude with a vengence. So we advance Ferdinand, the beloved, £800,000 to enable him to punish those of our friends in America, who are disposed to receive our merchandize! The newspapers of to-day state, that the two Chiefs of La Vendee, who have been equipped by England at an enormous ex

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as this. He must of course be put down
immediately, and the Royal Louis will be
received with a delirium of joy by all his
Liege Subjects. In order to ensure suc-
cess, the Times declares "from a source
"of undoubted Authority," that the Em-
peror of Austria is about to bestow one of
his Daughters, the sister of the "unfortu
nate Maria Louisa, on the Duke de Berri,
nephew of the "Desired" Louis. Ong
would have thought that the Times would
have been rather cautious of adducing
this as a proof of fidelity. If so, how
does it happen that Napoleon is deserted.
And if the Emperor Francis can desert
one of his Sons in Law, what proof is there
that he will not desert another A short
time will now shew us the result of all
this. If it should happen that Napoleon
should succeed in defending his kingdom
against the prodigious force assembled to
destroy him, the effects will be incalcula-
ble! Our glorious Ministers have raised
the genius of the storm. It is impossible
to tell how he is to be appeased.
and tranquility were in their reach; they
prefered war with all its horrors. But the
leisure of peace would have brought about
reform, and that would not suit the pre-
sent system. War and its enormous ex-
penditure, is better suited to the way of
thinking of the Prince Regent's Ministers.
But it is a very fearful experiment, and
may end fatally. If Napoleon can but
resist the first onset; if he can only "hold
his own," as the phrase is, he will stagger
the Allies. But if he should gain any,
even the smallest advantage; if he should

Peace

be able to recover the late territory of France, to the Rhine, and re-occupy Belgium, the mighty confederacy of Legittimate Monarchs will at once dissolve, fall to pieces, and, each one shifting for himself, the Emperor Napoleon, recovering his former preponderance, will put an end in a short time to the whole Grand Alliance, and leave not a wreck behind!"

ing his remonstrances ineffectual, he pulled a pistol from his pocket and shot himself. The volunteers would not suffer his body to be buried at Verdun, of which the Prussians were about to take possession, but carried it to St. Menehoud. The National Assembly decreed him the honours of the pantheon, and ordered the following inscription to be engraved on his tomb: He chose to put himself to death, rather than capitulate with tyrants!"

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MR. COBBETT.-The analogy which you have so clearly shewn to exist between A young man who had joined the the present political state of France, and army of the North, met with some disapas she was in 1793, and the obvious re- pointments, which induced him to quit the semblance at the two periods, of the de- service without leave of absence. Upon his signs of her threatened invaders, are not return home, the people flocked about his more striking than the enthusiasm which aged parent, to sympathise with him in the now animates, as it then animated, the grief which he was supposed to feel for bosom of every Frenchman. All the having given birth to a son who had basely world has heard of the wonderful effects deserted the standard of liberty. His which this spirit produced. History will father refused to see him, although he was tell it to posterity, that it effected the an only son, and had been the pride of his discomfiture of the enemies of France, old age. The children pointed at him in who had dared to invade her territory, the streets, and his former companions and secured to her the unalienable right avoided his company. His father at length of choosing her own form of government. disinherited him; and divided his proWe live at a period not far distant from perty amongst the defenders of his country, those great events, which ought to give set out for the army to supply his place. us correct ideas respecting them. But as This veteran made the campaign of Flanwe are apt to lose the recollection of par-ders, and displayed the greatest heroism ticular acts of heroism, it may be useful, in a variety of engagements!" at this important and interesting moment, to bring a few of them under review. If they should fil in opening the eyes of sovereigns, or their ministers, to the folly of waging war against opinions, they may have the effect, at least, of reviving our feelings of admiration and respect for a people who so patriotically combated for liberty; they may encourage us to hope that, although tyrants may unite to subjugate nations, and although the struggle may be long, reason and truth will ulti mately triumph.

war,

"It is impossible to conceive the hard ships to which the French were exposed; to use the language of Custine, "they were without coats, without blankets, without shoes, and without breeches. In the name of humanity," says he, in a letter to the minister of 66 I conjure you to relieve them from their present painful state. It freezes very hard, and they have been seven nights under arms." Notwith. standing this lamentable situation, not a murmur was to be heard. The army was composed of volunteers of all ranks and When the Duke of Brunswick ad- all ages. Male and female were equally vanced from Longway to Verdun, after proud to suffer in defence of liberty. issuing his famous proclamation, he ex-Among the prisoners taken by the Prus pected that the soldiers of the latter place sians at Hockheim, was a French officer, would surrender on his summons. who was next day delivered of a fine boy!" garrison answered that they were ready The heroism of one of the national to die at their posts. The enemy, how-guards deserves particular notice :-early ever, appearing in great force, the magis- in the engagement he lost one of his limbs, trates determined to capitulate. Beaure- yet he refused to quit his post; and when paire, the commandant, hastened from told by the surgeon, on dressing his wound, the ramparts, where he had been encou- that he would be maintained by the nation, raging the soldiers, and endeavoured to he seemed insensible of his sufferings, and persuade them to defend the town. Find-replied, with a firm tone of voice, "I have

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still another arm to serve my country, and am perfectly contented, provided France obtains her liberty."

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In 1792, ce had ten kings coalesced against r; intestine divisions, and civil war lacerated her bosom; her Ge"On an alarm that the rebels of the nerals were traitors-her troops disorVendée were about to make an attack ganized. In 1815, the league is equally upon St. Malo, and that an English fleet formadable, and it may be admitted, to a was expected in Concale bay, to second certain extent, that France is disturbed their efforts, twelve battalions were raised by the royalists; but no political faction in haste from the sections of Paris, and exists sufficiently powerful to disturb the dispatched to the menaced spot. The in-government; the treason of his Generals habitants of the communes in Normandy by which the Emperor was exiled, is des contiguous to the rebels, rose in a mass; troyed; and, the army, animated with the and that step, together with the gallant recollection of its former victories, and behaviour of the people of Granville, re-burning with ardour to wipe of the stain pelled the assailants, without the assist-imprinted by the recent occupation of ance of those new levies. There were in Paris, is much more formidable, and in them a number of young men, who had a higher state of discipline than it was at led idle, dissipated lives; and being in- any former period. If France in 1792, sensible to the claims their country had gave such signal proofs of patriotism, and, on them in danger, refused to march; and under so many disadvantages, successfully two battalions, one of the section of the resisted all attempts to debase her, why Thuilleries, the other of the champs Ely- may she not in 1815, influenced as she is sees, broke out in open rebellion, singing, by the principles of liberty, and so fortu O, Richard, 0, mon roi. When intelli-nately situated as to her means of attack gence was brought to the fathers of families and defence, be able to bring the present in those sections, of the disgraceful con- contest to the same glorious result? duct of their children, they ran to the bar Yours, &c. of the convention, desiring a strict examination might be made into it; and if found to be such as was reported, they swore to OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. go themselves, and expiate the crimes of their guilty offspring, by shedding their own blood, and resigning the offenders up to the vengeance of the law, and their insulted country."

:

ARISTIDES.

CHAMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Sitting of June 5.-At this sitting, nothing very interesting took place. Ou the 6th, the discussions were particularly animated.

The writer to whom I am indebted for the above instances of heroism, remarks :- M. DUPIN. I have a proposal relative to "What is worthy of observation on this the form of the oath. The French people occasion is, the French, when expiring have voted the acceptance of the additional from loss of blood, consoled one another act-let us obey that act which does not with the happy prospects the revolution prejudice your right of ameliorating it in held out to posterity, and expressed a sa- the forms and under the conditions that tisfaction in losing their lives in so glori- shall be prescribed. There is another ous a cause. Such of the wounded French reflection of a nature to assure the wellas were taken proper care of, recovered disposed, and to do way before hand all in a very short time, whilst the wounds malignant interpretations. There is no of the Austrians, under similar circum-question about the substance of the oathstances, were always difficult to be cured, no difficulty-obedience to the Constiand often proved fatal. The state of the tution of the Empire, fidelity to the Chief mind had the greatest influence upon the body; the Austrians were goaded on to fight in a cause which they did not approve; the French, on the other hand, were enthusiasts for liberty. The former wept at the remembrance of their homes and families; the latter were proud to suffer in the cause of humanity, and enjoyed happiness even in death."

intimate and indissolable union of the people with the Government-but in the proper and well understood interest of the Government itself, let us recognise that the oath to be good, binding, and in a word constitutional, ought to be taken, not in virtue of a decree, which should contain nothing but the unalterable will of the nation constitutionally expressed.

them from their Chief, it is our duty to declare that the army is the nation; that the brave men composing that army are but our advanced guard; that we think as they do. Pardon, colleagues, the warmth that animates my words; can one feel strongly without speaking strongly? I see the danger near-I see it as it is. It should be known we are all devoted to our Sovereign, and in an honourable manner I demand the Order of the Day.

General SEBASTIANII oppose the Order of the day. The question is too important to be got rid of so lightly. It deserves, on the contrary, a solemn decision, after a mature examination. When Europe, still uncertain, with her

M. DE GUEVEL. The last speaker is mistaken in point of falate The form of the oath introduced in the decree of the 3d of June, is literally conformable with the dispositions of the Senatus Consulte of the 24th Floreal, year 11. The article prescribes the following form,-"I swear obedience to the Constitutions of the Empire, and delity to the Emperor." The proposed reservation would be unconstitutional. The additional act has been accepted by the French people; it is sanctioned by the Assembly at the Champ de Mai: let us prove to the nation that we are disposed to support that act with all our efforts. I demand the order of the day. (Numerous applauses.) M. Roy (of Paris)" I vote like-eyes upon us, is ready to divide itself, wise for the order of the day; but I must frankly confess that if the question was to discuss the form of the oath, I would rather that there should be added to it a promise of fidelity to the nation, for the first duty of the Representatives of the nation is obedience to their orders. On 'the other hand, this legislative power is not now constituted as it was in the year 12; I see no analogy-the Senate, the Tribunate, the Legislative Body, no longer exists. (Violent murmers.)

M. DUMOLARD called out loudly to be heard.

M. BeDoc was for the order of the day, observing, that nothing could hinder the two Chambers from employing themselves, in more tranquil times, in ameliorating the Constitution.

shall we call in question the legality of this oath ? We have an army, which is not an army of Cossacks; it will preserve both our liberty and independence; I attest its honour and its courage. I move that the deliberation of the Chamber be in favour of the oath; I do not hesitate to take it individually.

M. DUMOLARD-I renounce my demand for the Order of the Day, and adhere to the General's proposal.

M. BOULAY DE LA MEURTHE-With respect to the oath of fidelity to the Emperor, certainly I take it most willingly, and I think in doing it I do an act eminently French-for the Emperor is in my eyes the first Representative of the nation, the legitimate and established head of the State, the first tie of the Union. Hence, M. DUMOLARD-God forbid that in the when I swear to be faithful to him, I think National Tribune I should suppose any I swear to be so to the nation itself. We thing contrary to the rights and interests must here speak freely, and tell the truth. of the nation. The nation is above every There exist in France two parties--one thing with me. The Emperor exists for which is national comprises the great mass and by the nation. If it were neces- of the people, stipulates for her independsary to choose between one and the other, ence, honour, and real interest-the other my choice is not doubtful. In the pre- may be called the faction of the foreigner sent circumstances the nation must be-Yes, Gentlemen, there exist Frenchsaved with and through the Emperor men vile enough to call in the English, (great enthusiasm in the assembly). Let Russians, Prussians, &c. The Bourbons us recollect that the enemy is on the fron- are the heads of that faction; it is they, tiers, let us recollect the intrigues of Eng-who, by help of foreign bayonets, would land-the first duty of France is to re- again impose upon us an humiliating yoke. pulse the enemy (Applause). We wish We must speak out-speak out unanito march only with our invincible armies mously, for without doubt, and I am far we do not wish to isolate ourselves from suspecting, the foreigner has no refrom them. When the insidions procla- presentatives here. For myself I consult mations of Louis XVIII. attack the ho- only my conscience, and my duty; and nour of the soldiers, and depict them as to-morrow, in the presence of the Emrebels-when it is attempted to separate peror and the two Chambers, that is, in

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