Literary Loss by Fire.-Monday night, Feb. 8, soon after ten, a fire broke out in the premises of Messrs. Nichols and Son, printers, in Featherbed-lane, at the extremity of Red Lion-court, Fleet-street, by which the whole of that entensive concern is consumed. We have seldom been more shocked than we were at this disaster, which it was our lot to witness. The conflagration was not only distressful in itself, by the usual causes of distresss on such occasions: but it affected us the more strongly, as we had every reason to fear that learning was suffering severely by the loss. Our fears were but too true for the labours of a life, have perished; and the long continued accumulations of the respectable SYLVANUS URBAN, have been a prey to the flames. It is remarkable that Mr. Nichols sen. was preparing for a sale to the probable amount of many thousands, when this calamity befell him, and two days more would have realized his intentions. The collections for Mr. N.'s History of Leicestershire, are consumed, with various other works of value and research. It is impossible but what, under such circumstances, Mr. N. must feel as a man, and a man of learning, as well as the depositary of property, entrusted to him by others; but he bears his misfortune with fortitude, and we are happy to understand that his friends, and his brethren of the profession, accommodate him to the utmost of their power. This conduct is equally honourable to themselves and to him. We presume therefore that the Gentleman's Magazine and the other parts of his business will suffer no interruption; and we hope that Mr. N.'s spirits will be supported, and his literary labours be long continued as an ornament to his profession, and a benefit to the republic of letters.

A remarkable circumstance is related :--a ser

vant girl was in the kitchen, almost suffocated

with the smoke, and unable, through terror and deprivation of her breath, to more; a fireman discovered it, broke open the window, and at the risk of his own life saved the girl's. The concern, we understand, was insured, but by no means in any proportion

to cover the loss.

Influx of Theatrical Foreigners.—The newspapers have informed us that a meeting has been lately held by several distinguished noblemen and gentlemen, for the purpose of erecting a new Opera-liouse; the continual disputes of the present nursery of intrigue not having sufficiently disgraced the first inctropolis in the world!--But, we have a better opinion of our countrymen, and particularly of such elevated and noble patrons as they have hinted at, than to suppose that at such a time as this, they would be inveigled to promote any plan likely to increase the influx of foreigners into this country, and such foreigners too, as may, it is not unlike

ly, endeavour to acquire every possible knowledge of the means to injure us hereafter, thereby making themselves useful to our enemy when they leave us. The state of Europe never was so critical, and though this country has a powerful protection in its maritime strength, yet accidents have often defeated wisdom and force, and it becomes us all, but most particularly the High, the Noble, the Antient Nobility of the Land, at this awful and eventful period, to exert increasing vigilance in defence of their country. We therefore cannot for a moment believe the possibility of such intelligence. Can any of our Nobility endeavour to raise either a troupe des comédiens Italions, or corps of foreign dancers, fiddlers, singers, and their virtuous attendants, in hopes of exhilarating the people of England, NOW, when the preservation of even their own property wisely advises them to raise corps of armed peasants, to prevent foreigners from overwhelming us, as they have other nations? This business has most certain

ly been set afloat for the purpose of libeiling some distinguished personages, and to disgrace "their long galleries of ancestors" by reflec tion on their posterity.-Of a similar tendency no doubt is the report of French players being introduced into the capital to amuse the higher circles.-If however any thing further should transpire, we shall deem it our bounden duty to keep a watchful attention to it.

Cultivation of Hemp in England.-The following is an extract from Lord Somerville's speech at Smithfield Cattle Club dinner at the Freemason's Tavern, in December last.—“ I cannot help acknowledging the propriety of confining the business of the present meeting as much as possible to its original objects, yet land-owners present, for a moment to the great must beg leave to divert the attention of the importance of supplying our navy with hemp, the importation of which from the Baltic is unhappily interdicted; and although an excellent substitute is known in Bengal Sunn hemp, should this hereafter fail in supplying the wants of our navy, I trust that as hemp is proved to be an excellent preparation for a wheat crop and to interfere but little with the soils, except in the growth of beans, for system of husbandry upon strong which it must be substituted, that the landowners will be found ready to forward the

#

established

views of government in raising this most es sential article upon our own soils, by relinquishing the restrictions in their leases against the growth of a vegetable which is now proved by experience not to exhaust the soil more than other cips when not left to ripen its

seed."

Compare Panorama, Vol. III. p. 905..

Duke of Cumberland

Duke of Sussex....

Duke of Clarence

Duke of Gloucester..

Princess of Wales..

Transfer.

SLOOPS.

Sarne

we believe, stands

To be called.

£20,000

Glommen

Britomart.

Legere,

Mercure

.20,000

.20,000

.19,500

.20,000
20,000

Duke of York.....

Flying Fish
Elvin

To be called. Voltigeur. Venteur.

Harlequin.

out suspicion, that some of the principles of Lord Sidmouth's motion in the House of Lords, respecting this fleet, have had their effects.

SCOTLAND.

The foregoing list of names has been handed about, with asserted authority: but whether it will really be carried into execution private information leads us to doubt. There seems to be much propriety in taking time to revise such a measure, and to execute it gradually, as the ships are brought into the scrMinorily renders Marriage null and void.vice, if that be designed. We are not withConsistory Court, Doctors' Commons, Feb. 3. Husband v. Husband.--This was a suit of nullity of marriage, instituted. by the busband against the wife, on a ground of minority. The leading facts were briefly these :the parties were married by licence April 23, 1792, and there was one child living, the issue Migration of Ecls.-The Rev. Mr. Hall, of that marriage: that there was no consent lately while at Elchies, on the north-west of parents or guardians appointed, and in bank of the Spey, about fifteen miles from support of the fact of minority, alleged on Elgin, witnessed a most extraordinary mithe part of the husband, the register of bap-gration of Eels. For three successive days he tism of the wife was exhibited, which stated, that she was born July 1, 1771, and baptized July 18 in the same year. To support these facts, several witnesses were examined, particularly those who were present at the ceremony, and shortly after it took place as to the apparent age of the child. The Court (Sir Wm. Scott) in pronouncing judgment, observed, that it was bound under the Marriage Act (provided the evidence established the fact of minority, if the party wanted but one day to complete the age of 21), to pronounce the marriage to be null and void. It was clearly of opinion, that the fact was supported by the evidence produced, and accordingly pronounced for the remedy which the husband prayed.

observed a number of small eels, which he estimates at 280,000, pass up the Spey, in lines of about 10 abreast, at regular distances and guarded by larger eels. The small cels were about three and a half inches long, and moved near the surface of the water, close to the bank; their guards were about six incl.es long, and kept in deeper water. They began their journey cach day an hour before sun rise, and terminated it before dark, when by a kind of signal, they all at once hid themselves in the sand or mud for miles at the same instant. Mr. Hall could not ascertain whence they came, or whither they were going, but reports the order and regularity of their progress to be equal to that of any body of troops he ever witnessed.

Mr. Canning defended the conduct of ministers in every point alluded to in the royal An address of thanks was moved, in the speech. No angry discussion had taken place usual form, by lord Galloway, and seconded with the court of Vienna. Strictly speaking, by lord Kenyon.-The duke of Norfolk ob- there was no negotiation through the medium jected to that part of the speech which re- of Austria, nor any distinct offer from Tallated to the attack upon Copenhagen, on the leyrand. No remonstrances had been receivground that no information whatever haded from Prussia. Every hostile appearance on been laid before parliament to justify that measure. He therefore moved, as an amendment, to leave out that paragraph in the addition to the Dardanelles had been undertaken dress which related to the attack on Copenhagen.

on board said ships, for 13 months, at-7s. per man per month."

FEBRUARY 1-Mr. Canning laid before the House of Commons several papers, containing the official correspondence relative to the Russian mediation with Denmark.

House certain state papers, relating to the proffered mediation between this country and France; on the motion of Mr. Ponsonby, other papers on the same subject were ordered. --In answer to a question from Mr. Whitbread, Mr. Canning stated, that the secret treaty with Portugal could not be published; FEBRUARY 2-In the upper House, lord as it contained an article stipulating secresy, Moira brought forward a bill for the better retill such time as its publication should be mu-gulation of the laws between debtor and cretually agreed to by the contracting parties. ditor, and for the punishment of fraudulent debtors.

On the same evening, the Chancellor of the Exchequer laid before the House the late Orders in Council respecting neutral commerce. He stated, that an indemnity would not be required for issuing those orders, but for what might have been done by virtue of their operation. February 5, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which was carried without a division, these orders were referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. On the 15th of that month, lord Auckland, in the upper house, moved that the House should resolve itself into a committee on them, and afford them their early consideration. After long debate, negatived, 106 against 48.

JANUARY 28.-The thanks of both Houses were voted to the naval and military commanders, officers, seamen, &c. employed in the late expec edition to the Baltic. Lord Hawkesbury propose the resolutions, in the upper House, and lord Castlereagh in the lower. The motion was opposed in both, simply on the ground, that the enterprise was not of a nature to merit the proposed honours, for the officers by whom it was accomplished. The policy of the enterprise was not discussed. The motion was carried without a division in the Lords; in the Commons it was carried by 300 against 19.

FEBRUARY 3.-Mr. Ponsonby, after entering into an extensive review of the conduct of ministers, respecting the Copenhagen expedition, and the negotiations with Russia, moved, "That an humble address be presented to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give directions that the substance and dates of all information sent by our officers from the coast of Copenhagen, last year, respecting the Danish fleet, the repairing, improving, and manning of the same, together with all accounts that were transmitted relative to the improvement thereof, and received by his Majesty's ministers, should be laid before the House."

Mr. Canning, in reply, delivered a most luminous and argumentative speech; into the details of which, our limits will not permit us to enter. He observed, that if ministers were called upon to defend themselves, it was for a measure which generally had been considered as the salvation of the country; a measure which, to him, would always be a source of satisfaction, not of dismay. There could be no controversy with regard to the designs of France; the most importent enquiry remained as to the dispositions of Denmark; and, if they could make out a want of power, on her part, to maintain her neutrality, that On the same evening, in the lower House, would sufficiently vindicate the conduct of the revival of the Committee of Finance was ministers. But, to talk of the Danish nation agreed to; the members to be the same as as being previously friendly towards this counbefore, excepting Mr. Ryder, to be succeed-try, would argue the most complete blindness. ed by Mr. C. Ellis.

JANUARY 29.-In a Committee of Supply, the following resolutions were severally agreed

From the armed neutrality, in 1780, down to nearly the present period, though, for the most part, there had been peace between the two countries, very little cordiality had sub"That the number of 130.000 men besisted. At the end of the late war, in 1801, employed in the sea service for the year 1808, including 31,400 marines.

to:

"That a sum not exceeding £3,126,500 be granted to his Majesty for wages for said seamen, for 13 months, at the rate of £1, 17s. per man per month.

"That the sum of £3,311,000 be granted for victualling them for the same period, at £1, 18s. per man per month.

"That the sum of £5,170,000 he granted for the wear and tear of ships in which said men are to serve, at the rate of £3 per man per mouth.

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the heart of Denmark remained firm to those machinations against the maritime rights of England into which she had entered in 1780; and though, in the year following, she signed a treaty with this country, that treaty, instead of being regarded as a disavowal of her designs, ought to be considered as proving her h.competency to support them.-At the present crisis, it had been said, that the Danes had a considerable force in Holstein, to oppose the intentions of the French, and to protect their own neutrality; but, when the occupation of Hanover and Hamburgh had brought a French force into the immediate vicinity of Holstein, Denmark was under so

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were preparing to act, perhaps, the same part towards Denmark, that had been subsequently pursued. Lord Howick, then at the head of the foreign department, had said, officially, that it would be impossible to acquiesce in the surrender of the Danish fleet to the power of France. It had not appeared absurd to his lordship, to suppose that the occupation of Holstein, and the seizure of the Danish fleet, were closely connected. At least, there was as much connexion between them, as between the seizure of the Turkish fleet at Constantinople, and the capture of Alexandria! Lord Howick, continued Mr. Canning, had, in his official dispatches to our minister at Copenhagen, gone on to add, that, if Denmark submitted to France, his Majesty could not refrain from taking such measures as were imperiously called for by the safety of his king

little alarm, that she did not send a single man thither. When England, however, co-operated witli Sweden, in sending a force into the north of Germany, a Danish force was immediately assembled in Holstein. Did this shew that France was the particular object of the hostility of Denmark; and this country of her friendship?-After the battle of Auerstadt, the neutrality of Holstein was violated by a party of French troops; a skirmish with the Danish force ensued, and a Danish general who was taken was treated with every possible mark of contempt; but these events, instead of inspiring a steady determination to resist, were followed by an immediate retreat of the Danish force.-After the dispersion of the Prussian army, in consequence of the battle of Anerstadt, a Prussian corps took refuge in the city of Lubeck, where, with some Swedish troops, they were made prison-dom-As to the feeling of injured and insulters. The Swedish commander was received ed honour on the part of the Danes, by our in the most flattering manner by General proposing to them the surrender of the fleet, Murat, who requested him to invite the it was a well known fact, that, not more than king of Sweden to make a common cause with twelve months ago, the Danes wished to reFrance; hinting, that it was a pity, and al- duce their navy, and even proposed to treat most unnatural, that Norway should belong for the sale of part of it to Russia.-Soon afto Denmark instead of Sweden! What was ter the negotiations at Tilsit, general Berna the answer of the king of Sweden to such in- dotte arrived at Hamburgh; and there was sidious proposals?-He immediately commu- strong reason to believe, that he had an internicated then to the prince royal of Denmark, view with the crown prince, at Kiel, July and offered him 20,000 men for the defence 29; at which a demand was made, that the of Holstein. The offer was rejected. The ports of Denmark should be shut against Bridecree of Buonaparte, of Nov. 20, 1806, tish commerce, and that Holstein should be placing this country in a state of blockade, teniporarily occupied by a French force.-It met with no remonstrance whatsoever on the had been asked-why put questions to Russia, part of Denmark; but, when an order, in- as to the articles of the treaty of Tilsit, when forcing only partial retaliation, was issued by we professed, upon other occasions, to be acthe late ministers of this country, the most quainted with them? But it should be ob angry and furious complaints came from the served, that it was our policy to conciliate Danish government The contemptuous that state. Supposing ministers to have had light in which Buonaparte considered Den- full proof of the hostile disposition of Russia, mark, was strikingly evinced, by his remark it did not follow, of necessity, that it was to the Hainburgh deputates, who applied their duty to attack her. The seizure of the for commercial relief from the decree just inenDanish feet was necessary, and purchased tioned: let that little prince (speaking of security for England; but an attack on Denmark) take care of himself, otherwise I Cronstadt, though it might have been glorious shall teach him how to act."-Mr. Garlicke, and sanguinary, would have been useless.our then envoy at Copenhagen, informed the The hostility of Russia did not arise from our late ministry, that the Danish troops were to attack upon Denmark, but originated from be withdrawn from Holstein, for fear of giv- the disappointment of her expectation of sucing umbrage to France; and that, from a ge- cours from this country. He could confident neral view of the sentiments of that court, itly state, that out of the twenty-five dispatches did not appear that the Danish government was prepared to resist a sudden attack on their territory, or to make any effectual opposition to the demand of a surrender of the Danish ships. Every thing indicated a blind attachment to France. Under these circumstances, how great would have been the responsibility of ministers, had they looked with unsuspicious confidence on the conduct of Denmark. But he would do the justice to his predecessors to say, that they were roused by the representations which were made to them; and

which the Marquis of Douglas had sent to this country, while ambassador at the Russian court, there were not five in which the proposition was not reiterated.-Send assistance, or Russia will fuil you!-Mr. Canning next defended ministers on the ground of precedent, alluding to the former capture of Madeira, in 1801, and to the voyage of lord St. Vincent to Lisbon, in 1806.-To those who preached morality, without exception, he pointed out the conduct of Denmark, in seizing on the neutral territory of Hamburgh, in 1801.