you had " to his own. What!" no controul" over these events! Did he not choose to march into Spam? Did he not choose to pursue Victor? Did he not choose to fight with that Tartar and to " vanquish" him? Did he not choose to remain at Talavera and not push on after the " vanquished" Victor? And, lastly, docs he not expressly say, that he chose to come away from Talavera, leaving his hospital there, and that, too, under circumstances that made him think it necessary to have a capiomatic conversation with General O'Donoghue about the latter's collecting carts, in order to bring away our poor fellows, who were sick and wounded! You have been made a Baron and a Viscount for your deeds through the campaign, for your ability, valour, and military e"source;" and do you now tell us, that no controul" over the events that have occurred? Why not the same controul after, as well as before and during, your success; You must take the whole of the campaign together. If you had "no controai in the retreat, you had none in the advance; if none in your defeats, none in your victories. If you mean merely to say: "I can't help it," it is very well. The Archduke Charles could not help it, the other day; but, he did not pretend, that he had "no controul" over what was passing. He did not make use of any phrase, calculated to produce an impression, that he was, in this case, to be looked upon as having nothing to do with It is easy to see, that the blame is to fall upon Cuesta; but, as far as I have power in this way, I shall make a point of seeing that he has fair play. I have not yet forgotten the fate of poor Sir Hugh and Burrard. Any body but a Wellesley was then to be sacrificed; and we shall, I am convinced, now see some pretty work with regard to Cuesta. The thing is now, however, a little more difficult; for, it will be necessary to include, more or less, the Spanish army in the blame with Cuesta; and, then, we come to the fulfilment of my predictions, when the hirelings said, that I was “ instigated by the "Devil"- -Our Baron seems to have been seized with a wonderful degree of precaution, all at once. He talks of bridges and retreats, counts the numbers of his enemies, measures the distances they have to march before they can get at him, calculates all the chances of defeat with the greatest nicety; does not move a leg, without first looking all round him. There is the matter. a time for all things; but, with due submission to the Viscount, I am of opinion, that, when he got into the situation, described towards the close of his dispatch, the time for caution was passed, and the time for dashing arrived. The time for, caution was, when he entered Spain. It is easy to dash; it is easy to be "a dusher," when the enemy is forty leagues of, or is retreating before you with half your numbers. Any body can dash under such circumstances. But, the dasher that I like to see is, a dasher who fails on upon superior numbers, or who, when in the Centre of difficulties, resolves upon fighing, instead of marching, his way through them. That is the sort of dasher that I like; and is, I believe, the sort, which, hitherto, has been generally approved of in this country, though I will not answer for it, that in complaisance to the Wellesleys the naion may not acknowledge, that its taste, in this respect, has been erroneous.————— While these things are going on in the heart of Spain, the MARQUIS is at work in the southern part of that devoted country. I shall have no room, in my present number, to touch upon any other subject than that of Spain; but, I prefer finishing. it to the introduction of the Expedition to Holland, or any thing else, Spain be ag at this moment, the great object of cur hopes and our fears, or, rather, of the hopes of the foolish and the fears of the Wise. This war for Ferdinand Vil, was first proclaimed by Mr. Canning, at the London Tavern, amidst the shouts of loyal contractors and stock-jobbers. another set has, it seems, met to celebrate the arrival of the Marquis in Spain. The Account of this celebration is most curious, and well worthy of being recorded. I will, therefore, insert it here, just as I find it in the hireling news-papers; and, the reader may be assured, that he will often have occasion to refer to it. Just such CADIZ, 13 AUG." It is barely pos"sible to imagine a more remarkable ino"ment than that which hailed the ap"pearance of his excellency the marquis. Wellesley in this country; and, as if purposing to enrol his arrival among "the memorabilia of Spain, PROVIDENCE "seems to have fixed the hour, when overflow ing with admiration and gratitude towards "his brother, for the signal services Spain "and her cause had derived from British 66 courage and British gallantry, under sir "Arthur's command, on the 25th of July. "The day, ushered in by the ringing of "bells and the discharge of cannon, was "closed with a most brilliant and ge"neral illumination, and every other de"monstration of joy the inhabitants of "Cadiz could display.-To enumerate "the honours paid to the Marquis, would "exceed the limits of a letter; his recep 66 "and other Spanish Noblemen, the principal British Merchants, and others con"nected in the trade of both countries, "&c. &c.-The dinner on the occasion "was in the most capacious room Cadiz could afford, at the Land-gate, er Puerta de Tierra; and the whole was conducted in 66 a manner that reflects the highest credit "on the Managers, at the head of whom "were James Gordon, esq. President, and "Duncan Shaw, esq. Vice President."Two regimental bands, Spanish and Eng"lish, struck up favourite airs to welcome "the company as they alighted from their "carriages. At half-past three the table " was served, and between the removal of "the first and the introduction of the se"cond course, the President gave as a toast, which was drank with three times "three: - ""His Excellency the Most Noble the 66.66 Marquis Wellesley; and may the auspi ""cious moment of his arrival prove the presage of continued successes, and of perpetual amity and union between the two countries." 66 66 66.66 tion was distinguished by marks of enthu"siastic love and veneration for the sove"reign and nation he is come to represent, "that assuredly never have been surpassed, "if ever equalled, on any occasion'; and "which must have been to his excellency, "individually, a source of proud and gratifying sensation. An immense con"course of persons, without distinction of "rank, had assembled to meet the Mar"quis on his landing, and many were paying him the rather unusual compliment, in this country, of drawing the carriage, the doors of which were open, "the box and every part occupied pro"miscuously by those eager to greet his "arrival. His excellency selected one "out of the number, and gave him a purse "wel! stocked with gold, to distribute "among his fellow-citizens; but the ho"nest Spaniard, named Justo Lobato, by "trade a shoc-maker, instantly returned "the purse, with its contents, to the Marquis; and in the name, and amidst the "acclamations of the surrounding multi"tude,coupled their thanks for his intended "princely gift, with the assurance, as an apology for declining it, that the proofs of "respect, esteem and gratitude, he was then witnessing, were the genuine and univer"sal sentiment of the whole Spanish nation, who found the only reward they "could most value in the opportunity of "thus manifesting their feelings.-The Bri"tish subjects here, merchants and others," "were of course not behind-hand in the "attention due to the Representative of "their beloved Sovereign: through our "worthy and respected Consul, James Duff, esq. they begged permission to "wait on his Excellency in a body, by "whom they were received with aflability and urbanity, at once honourable to "him, and flattering to them.-On Monday, the 7th inst. the day fixed upon by "the Marquis, the entertainment pre " His Excellency, in a concise, but most admirable speech, took occasion to ad"dress the meeting; and concluded by expressing, in a tone of energy and "confidence, in which every one present "sympathised, his firm belief and hope, "that a perseverance in the enthusiastic spirit of attachment to their country's "cause, which he had remarked since his "arrival, would afford him the gratification, before he left Spain, of seeing the liberty of the country firmly establish"ed on the basis of their ancient institutions, improved and perfected by the ex"perience of modern wisdom.-When the desert was placed, independently of the "plateaux, ornaments, and other devices suited to the day, the table presented a "spacious saloon for the amateurs of "dancing, left the first and second range "of boxes for spectators who chose to ap65 pear in full dress. The third and upper boxes were for the accommodation of "those who came in the usual costume of the country; and the remaining parts of "the house were appropriated for the "other inhabitants, among whom tickets "of admission had also been distributed. "At the end of the saloon over the stage "a transparency was placed, with the de"vice: "The Spanish Armies, and their gallant" Commanders." The British Army, and their gallant ""Commanders." ""The British Nacy.” ""The Spanish Navy." Given by the Marquis before sitting down. 66.66 His Holiness the Pope, and may he be «"delivered from his actual state of bondage, ""as the Children of Israel were from the ""land of Egypt." ""The Supreme Central Junta of Spain, ""and may the means employed by them to place the country in its present proud sitnation, never fail them until they have accomplished the great end to which they have pledged themselves." ""The Immortal Defenders of Saragossa "" and Gerona." ""The Heroes of Baylen.” Ferdinando el mas amado, De vencer o morir "As an attempt to do justice to the splendor of the scene, to the assem"blage of rank, fashion, beauty and elegance, that graced the Theatre, is out "of all question, some faint idea may still "be formed, from the fact of between "three and four thousand persons hav"ing attended; and that, until seven "o'clock ca the morning of the Tuesday, "the merry dance was kept alive with "that vivacity so peculiar to the Spanish "fair: at this hour the house was cleared, "The loyal Inhabitants of the Spanish" and all had retired, highly pleased, Colonies, and prosperity to their Commerce and Establishments." "and in perfect good humour with each "other." The City of Cadiz, the prosperity of its Now, for my part, I should not be at all Commerce, and happiness of its worthy In-surprized if this doggerel was manufactered here in England, and carried out to Spain for the occasion. The whole thing "At about eight in the evening the "dinner party withdrew, to prepare for Ithe ball that was to follow at the The"atre; and at which not only the nobili"ty, gentry, merchants, with their ladies resident at Cadiz, but those of Puerto, "Santa Maria, Isla, Xerez, and every other place within reach of the very short notice that could be given, were "invited. The Theatre was most brilliantly illuminated, and so contrived, that the stage and pit, forming a most (2)" Long live Cuesta and Wellesley, and "the valiant defenders of the Country, on "the 28th July." (3) Ferdinand, most beloved, By a treacherous foe betrayed, With firmness undismayed. Each Spaniard's heart and hand shall join, , : afraid, I dare say, that, when Beona- is so of a piece with the precious fooleries, that are so frequently witnessed at the London Tavern, that I should not wonder, if even the toasts had been first written here and sent out, ready printed. There only wanted half a score hired singers to make the thing sterling English. -It is mightily good, to be sure, to see "the "hour fired by PROVIDENCE," in order that the reception of the Marquis might unite, in point of time, with his Brother's victories! By this time, the tone of the wretched parasites must be changed, I suppose, and it would be no wonder, if they were to abuse Providence as much as they have abused the French.Along with this account of Wellesley's reception, there has appeared, in the hireling news papers, a letter, or pretended letter, from Cadiz, of the 14th of August, which concludes thus:- Various reports are abroad "of Soult, with the wreck of his army, "without artillery, having reached the "Puerte de Almaraz and surrendered; but "there is nothing certain. The Marquis " left this on the 9th for Seville, under a grand saiute from the Muralla. Every body has a good opinion of him, and anticipate great things if he is but stationary.Pay no attention to the reports and gloomy stuff you will have in abundance per the packet. Every thing is going on as well "as can be expected in a contest with such experienced foes, and with an enemy who has so much at stake. Intrigues "were on foot, and report says Frere was "made a fool of; but the Marquis has set "to work the right way."This is curious. The reader may be assured, that this was not written without an intended effect in England. Poor FRERE!" made a fool of," indeed! I wonder who could be fool enough to set about that job? Poor fel-hero of Talavera and Douro has got his low! He that used to cap such pretty verses in the Anti-Jacobin news-paper! It really grieves me to see him handied in this contemptuous way.. Well; but there is the Marquis at Seville, then? There he is. He has taken all upon him; and, we are told, he has " set to work the 66 66 66 66 " right way." Ile has told the Spaniards, we see, that he expects, before he leaves Spain, to see the liberty of the country "firmly established." What sort that liberty is of, none of us can, perhaps, precisely tell, but, this we may be assured of, that he means to include the expulsion of the French. This is the point. I want nothing more than this. He is now where I have long wished to see him. He was, The titles, and I hope he will remain to finish his work. The hireling prints must, however, be watched; for, I clearly see, that they are endeavouring to prepare the public for something of the sort just spoken of. WM. COBBETT. Botley, Thursday, 7 August, 1809. THE EDINBURGH REVIEWERS, AND PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. have motives for being corrupt themselves, or for countenancing corruption in others. When a fair representation took place, every object of ambition would be acquired more easily by legitimate than indirect means; and we would then never see a ministry endeavouring to keep their places by appointing" any person recommended by those powerful individuals" who chuse the House of Commons, " however slenderly qualified, to any situation how"ever important," because they would have the advantage of the whole to consult, and would be necessitated to rely upon the integrity and wisdom of their measures alone, for the popularity of their administration. A few (Borough-mongers) may have an interest different from the community; but the nation could never have an interest different from its own. not so curious to learn their opinions as to ascertain the arguments by which they would support them. The article is long and elaborate, and very philosophical; and I need hardly mention diametrically opposite to your opinions. But, as Junius has remarked, much is not always proved where much is said; and I thick a very few words only will be necessary to prove the complete fallacy of their doctrines.In the first place we must agree with them that a vast influence must natural y follow the taxes raised to pay the interest of our overgrown debt and public establishments; and every person must admit that this is an evil which a Reform in Parliament may palliate but cannot cure. All patanage, they go on to demonstrate, is bstantially vested in the majority of the House of Commons; and that this House c Commons is again chosen by "certain -They conclude by remarking" the individuals who, in consequence of long "vital necessity of a certain infusion of heredi ary connection and other causes royal and aristocratical influence" not "which need not be explained, have ob- only in the House of Commons, but in the "tained the power, not only of securing election of its members, " lest the control their own election, but of several of their "of the executive should be utterly lost "friends also. But the question of the po"and abandoned, and the government be By of breaking down this monopoly they "changed into a virtual republic." But ther evade by saying that "the people supposing a Reform in Parliament to have themselves are infected with the love of taken place, is it probable that a Parlia"place and emolument;" and that pa- ment chosen by the whole people could tronage naturally begets "a proclivity in have any interest which the King ought "them to side with the executive." They to stand in the way of? Or if he did, therefore recommend to us to go on in the should he not be compelled to yield? Beold way of playing off one set of the pre-sides, the horror of such a republic must sat sort of men against another.The appear not a little extraordinary after simple answer to all this is, that in the granting, that all the power of the state present state of things, the majority of the resides at present in the House of ComHouse of Commons, by their acknowledg-mons. ment, represents only certain Borough Longers, whereas in a reformed state it would represent the nation. Few indeed Laow so little of human nature as to imaLine that men will not always be governed by their own interest; and that the people, supposing a Reform to have taken place, would not still seek place and emolument by siding with the majority of the House of Commons, or with a ministry chosen by them, which is the same thing. But in the former case that majority would be the representatives of Borough-mongers, in the latter of the nation; and in the one case the people would have to recommend themselves by doing that which was agreeable to Borough-mongers, in the other to the nation. It cannot be conceived that any representation of the whole people and property of the kingdom periodically responsible to their constituents, could Would not to reform the House of Commons only be to change a bad form of republican government for a good? and is not a republic, with a king at its head, to fill the niche of royalty and keep a tyrant out of his place, not only the theory of our constitution, but the best of all forms of government? Montrose, 31st August, 1809. D. D. OFFICIAL PAPERS. EXPEDITION TO HOLLAND. From the London Gazette, Sept. 2, 1809. A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, was yesterday morning received at the office of lord viscount Castlereagh, one of his majesty's principal Secretaries of State, from lieutenant-general the earl of Chatham, dated head-quarters, Batha, August 29, 1809: My Lord; Major Bradford delivered |