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,STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

JUDICIAL blindness seems, at with the main part of his force, and times to be spread over parti- the strength of the Russian army folcular nations-a blindness of under- lowed him to prevent the catasstanding as bad as the Egyptian op- trophe. Bloody fighting ensued; the thalmia to the eyes. The causes and Russians retreated, or fed eastward, the cure of this blindness merit the passed a great river, and in that posiattention of all who are interested in tion are supposed to be at present. political science; though it may be The French did not follow them, it justly doubted, whether the ruin of is said, from want of means of passone nation ever prevents another from ing this river, the enemy having pos following the course which brought sessed himself of them all; and the destruction on its neighbour. The weather presented other obstacles, last month has brought to our notice which made it prudent for them to most bloody battles and domestic con- close the campaign, and return into fusion. Abroad, the arms of Bona- winter quarters. Whatever may parte are the universal theme of admi- have been the cause, Bonaparte reration, or contempt and horror. To turned from Eylaw, the place where resist them seems to be the fittest sub- the bloodiest rencontre was fought, ject for the union of all parties. No to Warsaw, having left a sufficient other thought could divert the mind. force north of him, to keep all the Yet a point of more importance em- country, between him and Kounisbarrasses our statesmen at home-a berg, in order. His army is in winpoint so extremely ridiculous that it ter quarters, and he is preparing his can scarcely be mentioned without schemes for the next attack on the exciting a smile; that at a time when Russians, or to make a solid peace France has given up its religious quar- for the mutual advantage of France rels, and protestants and papists can and Russia. The latter conjecture' each unite cordially in the defence of is not by any means the least probathe state, we should be afraid of giv- ble; for he may not find it difficult ing a legal right to our Catholic bre- to persuade the Russian emperor that thren to assist us in our battles against both parties may employ their forces the common enemy. to greater advantage, than in the destruction of each other.

How must Bonaparte triumph when he hears of such contemptible pro- It is contended, however, that the ceedings! Little will he trouble him- Russians were victorious; and some self with the interference of a cabi- expect that they will appear again, net, in the disputes of Europe, when and drive the French to the west of it has such an employment at home. the Vistula. This to be sure is to be His present situation is differently re- expected, if they have been victorious. presented. We know only that hardy They would hardly rest a moment; battles have been fought, that the car- but not having done this, they can nage has been immense, that both obtain less credit for their boasts. sides claim the victory, and that both We shall soon know the real fact. retreated to some distance from the If Bonaparte remains unmolested in field of battle. We are inclined to think his winter quarters, the fact will not that the advantage lies with the French be longer in dispute. It is most proarms: and that Bonaparte,when at War bable that the Russians have been Saw, planned the scheme for making heartily sickened, and will not come the Russians fight him near Konings- again to the combat till they are berg. What brought on the battles forced to it.

seems to have been the retreat of a The king of Prussia is still a king; French force from near the mouth of and not only a king, he has territory the Vistula, on its eastern bank, belonging to him. A little nook to which was followed by a Russian the north-east of his late kingdom, array. This latter army Bonaparte acknowledges his sovereignty. He is resolved to cut off. For this party he said to have been at Koningsberg at marched northwards from Warsaw, the time when the great battle was UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VII.

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fought at Eylaw, and received con- spect which that prudence has imgratulations on the event of it, which, pressed on the great ravager of other ff true, would have made him a tri- countries, has preserved her from butary prince to Russia. His reign sharing the fate of her neighbours. at Koningsberg will probably be of She is said to have offered her sernot much longer duration. The vices to mediate between Sweden and French are strengthening themselves France; but the chivalrous king was in at quarter; and the siege of the not to be brought to listen to a propocity will be one of the earliest under- sal so much to his interest. He could takings of the spring. The infatuat- not have been in better hands; for if ed sovereign has received eighty thou- folly has reigned paramount in the sand pounds from us, for his support; other cabinets of Europe, and in cona sum which may do very well for sequence kingdoms have been laid the subsistence of himself and his waste, wisdom has been predominant household, but will produce very lit- in the councils of Denmark, and tle effect in military operations. Thus every effort has been used for the this unhappy man, who not many happiness of the people. Strange, months ago aggrandized himself by that such an instance should be held the seizure of a territory belonging out to us, in a country which has to his ally, and provoked, unnecessa- none of the checks of our boasted rily, a war, is obliged to that ally for constitution. his pittance of daily bread-an example worthy of the painter's art, and to be presented to the daily view of the princes of Europe. But where is the prince who will learn by these examples-who will give himself the trouble of examining how nearly he is to a similar fate. Splendor disguises truth; and he who sits on a throne to day, may deservedly sit on a dunghill to-morrow.

Swedish Pomerania is not alienated from its lord. The French have overrun great part of it, and have begun their operations against Stralsund, The chivalrous king does not seem to act up to his famous manifestoes. We should have expected to have seen him at the head of his troops, fighting half a dozen battles, before he permitted the enemy to lay siege to his principal fort in Pomerania. But he is in Sweden, probably endea vouring to arrange matters for his future safety, and to retain, if possible, his crown. Pometania will soon probably be wrested from his grasp; and his residence at Stockholm is preca

rious.

It must be a matter of joy to all, who can interest themselves in the welfare of good men, that in the midst of the calaraitics of Europe, Denmark is still preserved from the common destruction. We trenabled for her fate on the near approach of the French to her territories; but either her usual prudence, or the re

The quiet of Germany, if that may be called quiet which is the result of the mad councils of its princes, and the bayonet of its enemies, is not disturbed by the letter of General Benningsen, who, on the strength of his supposed victories, calls upon the Germans to rouse as one man, attack the French in the rear, and render their return impossible. To our coffee-house readers, this seems a very feasible thing, and very much to be desired by the Germans; but they have to learn, that the Germans are 2 reflecting people-that the overthrow of their former system is not a matter of sorrow to them--and that they would much rather see their country overrun, as it is by the French, than admit into their houses half the same number of Russians, to defend their liberty and property, the respect of the aged, and the chastity of their wives and daughters. The Germans are now aiding the French against the Russians; and when the war is over, the affairs of Germany will be much better regulated than they were be fore the revolution, and much better than they could possibly be by the barbarians of the north.

Switzerland does uct seem, by any means, to have settled its government. Its contingent ariny, amounting to sixteen thousand men, has not mached. Bonaparte has sent an expostulbeneg to Zurich. What are the causes of the delay we are yet to learn ; for the

real state of that country is little blows; and the States are employknown. It is possible that the diffi- ed in judicious councils for their culty of maintaining such a number welfare, both in domestic and foreign of troops is much greater than can be affairs. imagined in this country; and Switzerland wishes to adopt its ancient mode of hiring out its inhabitants to any one who will pay for their services.

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But the affairs of England are of the greatest importance to Englishmen; and we recur to the great point which has occasioned so much confusion in our cabinet, and conversation In Turkey the holy standard is in the higher circles. Lord Howick raised. A great army is forming. brought a bill into parliament to perThe holy men of the land have sanc- mit his Majesty to employ his Caihotioned the just and necessary war lie subjects in the army and navy, which Turkey wages against Russia. The bill, on its entrance, gave general Mahometans can, as well as Chris- satisfaction; scarcely any opposition tians, use the terms just, and neces- was made to it; the second reading sary; and the people of both sects are was ordered for an early day, and it equally fools in being led away by was expected to pass in a very short terms. As Turkey is still under a time through both houses. Circumfeudal government, its troops are stances occasioned a little delay in the not easily levied. The Asiaticks are first instance; rumours afterwards pouring into Constantinople; and we escaped of certain difficulties respectmay in a month or two expect to hear ing this bill; these difficulties were of their operations. This diversion of a serious nature, involving a total will be greatly in favour of the change of the administration. French, as a considerable body of last, Lord Howick himself, in his Russians will be wanted towards the place, informed the House, that cernorth-eastern region of the borders tain circumstances had occurred of the Danube, to secure those terri- which must postpone the measure. tories from Mahometan plunder. It was not at that time expedient to The Turk has also shut up the straits give the house and the public the of the Black Sea against neutral na- information which both tions-a prohibition not likely to be right to expect; but he hoped for much regarded by an English fleet; the indulgence of the House, till he and if an English and a Russian fleet should be authorised to give a farther should co-operate before Constantino- explanation. Thus the order for the ple, the Crescent on the dome of second reading of the bill being dropSanta Sophia would be in danger. ped, the measure may be considered The Turkish provinces on the south to have dropped for the present sesof the Danube are in commotion, sion; and if persons are divided on but will probably unite with vigour the propriety of the measure at first, against the common enemy, the there can be little doubt that a minis Russian. ter who brought such a measure be America affords to us the news of fore the public, must be highly culour having taken Curacoa, but does pible if he had not sufficient reanot hold out any thing very encon- sons for the concurrence of those raging on the retaking of Buenos persons in the measure, without Ayres. The troops we have sent to whom it could not be expected to that quarter may find more difficul- succeed. ties than are imagined; if, from the The bill for permitting the king to specimen the natives have had of the use the services of our Catholic breEnglish, an armed population should thren, that is, the services of about be prepared to defend its property, one-fifth part of our fellow subjects, and preserve its independence. Mi- roused the indignation of Mr. Deputy randa's expedition, it is now decided, Birch, a celebrated pastry-cook in the has absolutely failed. The Spaniards city; and one who, from his educahave not settled their differences with tion and his talents, might have been the States of America, but it is most expected to be free from such idle probable that they will not come to prejudices. The deputy is a well in

formed man, but, unhappily, subject tion, now a days, are not to be led to those prejudices about church and away, by such bugbears. The insigking, which might have suited the nificance of the Pope, in the eyes of days of Charles the Second. He sum- Catholics, is visible enough. Whatmoned the Common Council on the ever spiritual authority they allow to alarming danger to Church and State, him, they take special care that he if Catholics should be permitted to shall not interfere in political conenter into the army and navy, and cerns; and many a minister of a methere promulgate their pernicious thodist meeting has far more sway doctrines. It was impossible, he said, over the consciences of his hearers, for Catholics to keep faith with here- than the Pope has over our Catholic tics, and read a great quantity of trash brethren. It may be ridiculous upon this subject, from various au- enough to bow down before a wafer, thors; not recollecting, at the same to make a God and then eat him; time, the various treaties in which but a man with these crotchets in his we had been engaged with Catholic head may perform, very honourably, Powers, whose fidelity was not, by all the duties of a good soldier, a good any means, more questionable than sailor, and a good citizen. It will be that of the Protestant Powers. The an indelible disgrace on the English subject was ably argued in the Com- character, if idle prejudices, about mon Council; Mr. Quin. Mr. Slade, religious opinion, should remain. Mr. Waithman, Aldermen Watson among us, and obstruct our union in and Coombe, reprobating the depu- the common cause of our country. ty's language, and shewing how idly Let priests battle, as they please, he argued from the opinions of book- about their conundrums; it does not men, to the real situation and know- become a good citizen to give them ledge of modern Catholics. On the a place in political discussions. question being put, there appeared In France they understand these 35 for the Deputy, and 53 against things better; and a writer at Paris, him; and thus his idle nonsense was at the close of last year, being engaged exploded. We are only surprised in a controversy on some point of that he should find so many support- divinity, expresses himself in the fol ers; but the rejection of his motion lowing manner, on the religious liproves that the base cry of no popery, berty which he enjoyed: "We can will not do in the present times, and not testify too much gratitude to God, the Deputy attempts, in vain, to for the inestimable privilege we enemulate the fame of Lord George joy, of inhabiting a country where Gordon; and not even the display persons of opposite religions may of no popery on his tarts will re- equally claim the protection of the new the disgraceful scenes of the year 1780.

laws, and enjoy the same advantages under the shield of the protecting goBut these gentlemen, who are so vernment. Hence, they who are led zealous to prevent the king from em- by an examination of the holy scripploying his Catholic subjects, should tures, whether Catholics or Protes. inform us, why they have not taken tants, may publish, with perfect secuumbrage at the employment of foreign rity, the result of their enquiries, Catholics in our service; why they without dread of the interference of did not exert their eloquence to im- government. The spirit of persecu peach the minister who permitted tion, which desires protection only for them to be brought into the coun- itself, exists no longer. We have no try; and why they viewed with- longer, thanks to Heaven, any Calout any apparent disgust or hor- vins! and none of us fears the tragi ror, the honours conferred on the cal end of Servetus." twelfth regiment of dragoons, by Shall France, which was once so the Pope, for the protection they bigotted a country, go before us in had rendered to his holiness? Are Catholics more dangerous because they are our countrymen? The tale is too ridiculous. Men of informa

religious liberty? Shall our enemy boast of manly freedom, and we be found incapable of understanding its worth? The difference between Ca

tholics and Protestants is not so great tention of the capital of Ireland. A as is generally imagined. In both meeting has there been held of the sects the understanding of men is sub- principal Catholics, to consider the jected to idle traditions; and authorita- propriety of petitioning parliament to tive decisions on scripture are equal- restore to them the enjoyment of ly culpable, from whatever quarter their civil rights. The chair was they may come. If the outcry against taken by the Earl of Fingal, and the the Catholics is true, let our army measure was adopted. Their object and navy be purged of them; but it will scarcely be attained this session; is ridiculous, that in one part of the but they do right to persist in it; and kingdom it should be allowable to en- we, who cannot unite with them in list a Catholic, and that at another, religious sentiments, shall be happy the Catholic so enlisted, should be to see every obstacle removed, which liable to a prosecution for being in his prevents their sharing in the blessings Majesty's service. We trust, that of the British Constitution. the good sense of this nation will not be duped by speeches of pastry-cooks, but consign them to the proper place, to the counter, to wrap up tarts and confectionary.

In our last we presumed that Sir Home Popham would be brought to trial for his conduct on the Buenos Ayres expedition. The court-martial has taken place, and the proceedOne farther observation deserves ings have been published. The senattention; namely, that in the trans- tence has given general satisfaction. action, relative to Lord Howick's He was found guilty of the charges bill for permitting the king to use the brought against him, and was severeservices of his Catholic subjects, the ly reprimanded. The term severely, king's name has been frequently in- ise very expressive; and was very troduced; and it is even said, that he properly introduced, to abate the conhas entered into the discussion of the fidence with which the accused justisubject. Now it would be impro- fied his conduct. We are astonished per in us to give credit to any such that any person should find fault with reports, because the king has nothing the court-martial, since it it errs, the to do, according to our constitution, error is on the side of too much with bills in parliament, till they are nity; and we read with surprise, brought to him for his assent or nega- that the condemned admiral should tive. It may be said, that members have made a visit to Lloyd's Coffeeof parliament, who are ministers, are house, and been received with cheers in duty bound to consult the king of acclamation. If this is true, it will upon every subject they bring into only shew what unfit judges the peoeither House; but if this were really ple at Lloyd's are of military merit. the case, our objections to ministers being in parliament would be increased tenfold. They cannot always do, in such a case, their duty to their master and their country; and we are persuaded, that, if the spirit of our constitution was adhered to, and every minister of the crown should be excluded, during the time he is in office, from holding a seat in either House, the king's business would be better executed, and the interest of the nation better consulted.

If the question of permitting the king to employ the services of his Catholic subjects has produced so much confusion in the higher circles of this country, the question of enlarging still more the bounds of religious toleration has engaged the at

A melancholy circumstance has occurred, which ought to excite an enquiry into the propriety of the change which has taken place in the execution of criminals in London, and which has been adopted in many other places. The place of execution was formerly out of London; the criminal was drawn through the streets in a cat, and was hanged in the sight of the public, standing in a large open space around him. He is now brought from his cell to the front of Newgate, stands a few minutes on a scaffold, and is, by a mechanical contrivance, dropped into eternity. The space in which the spectators stand is a confined street; a small part of them only can be in front of the stage; they cannot stand