the career of his victories will end. troops have sailed round Cape Hom, But the purposes, for which he has and are assisting in revolutiorizing been raised to so great an height, do Peru. But, whether we succeed on not yet seem to have been accom so extensive a scale as is by some applished; and we must remain in an prehended, if we can only keep posawful suspense, till the whole scheme sesion of Monte Video, the place will of Providence has been unravelled. be of material benefit to us. Aleady The Swedes seem to have been out- immense quantities of merchandize manœuvred. The French obtained have been shipped o: for that place, an armistice, and this armistice was which will be made the depôt for our to remain till ratified by the king of goods, and thence find their way over Sweden; and, if refused by him, the whole of the Brazil. Though should continue for ten days from the the Portuguese are our very good alnotice that it was not ratified. During lies, they take special care that we this time, it may be presumed, that shall not enter their ports in South the French were drawing off their America; but, as we are now near troops to join the main body, and, neighbours, they will find it very difhaving the advantage of the ten days, ficult to prevent the access of British would not be fearful of any operations industry to the remotest corner of in their rear by the Swedes. The their territories in that part of the king of sweden has refused the armis- world. tice; and, most probably, the troops that we are sending for some expedition are devoted to his assistance in Pomerania. They will get there too late to be of any effectual service. For the Russians will either have done the essential business, or have been so completely defeated that any thing to be elected by the joint co-operation of British and Swedish troops will be of little avail.

But all speculations on the affairs of the world in distant regions have been for the last month totally set aside, by what have appeared to be far more important concerns, electioneering contests. London has been thinned, and candidates have been whisked to every part of the kingdom, to supply the demands of towns, beroughs, cities, and counties. With The suspense, in which Europe them they carried the usual supplies is kept by the state of Poland and of money, promises, and protestations. Prussia, seems to have given internal The former was the only solid part, tranquility to many other parts. and in general the only thing to be France, Spain, Portugal, and italy depended upon. By the advertiseare perfectly quiet; and the king of ments of the candidates, you would Sicily enjoys his little kingdom for suppose that the country possessed the present unmolested. Even the a band of the firmest patriots the piratical states of Africa do not seem world ever saw; that they united to have made, as yet, common cause to patriotism, condescension, atiabiwith the Porte. If their subjection to lity, and kindness; that they would hi is merely noninal, the alliance is ever be glad to see their constituents, sufficiently strong to countenance a and desirous that the firmest union project of war by the marine Maho- should subsist between them. All inetan powers; and their hopes will this a stranger would imagine, and all be strengthened, when they hear of this in fact is uttered in their extravathe-failure of our attempts in the Bosphorus. The utmost efforts, however, of the Afrin states will create in us little alarm. With Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria in our hands, it will be our own fuits if we are not masters of the Mediteranean.

The result of our successes at Monte Video has not reached this country. Every day news is expected of the retaking of Buenos Ayres; and there is room for conjecture, that some of our

gant encomiums on our constitution. But the fact is, that, however good our theory may be, the result in practice is totally opposite. Our elections stand in need of great reform; and, it is to be hoped, that the king, by making short parliaments, will teach the representatives their duty to the people.

The sudden dissolution of parliament has oilended extremely the late ministers; and, though we wish for

short parliaments, we fear that this the ministry in its various bands, and
dissolution may be attended with per- of the great aristocratical families in
nicious effects. The only excuse that Westminster, the whig party succeed-
the preset ministers can have for ad- ed in placing Mr. Sheridan the second
vising the king to this measure is, on the poll. His triumph was poor
that they could not carry on the busi- and mean, or rather degrading to a
ness of the nation without it, the two man who stood once upon such high
parties being too nearly balanced in ground, and might have been the first
the House of Commons to permit the in popular favour. But whatever the
necessary business to go on without triumph was, the whigs rejoiced in it
interruption. This may have been as in a victory of the highest conse-
the case; for it is a misfortune arising quence: but the popular party were by
from the breach of our constitution, no means subdued, and the king,
by permitting placemen to hold a seat whose interests and theirs are essen-
in the House of Commons, that a tially united, gave them an opportu-
change made by the king among his nity, by dissolving the then parlia-
servants is an interruption to public ment, of re-assuming their rights.
business. The old law ought to be An untoward event took place
restored and maintained in all its which might have destroyed all their
force; and that modern law, the source hopes. Mr. Paull, who had been ta-
of great grievance to the country, ken up by them for his vigorous con-
which permits a man, on accepting a duct in parliament at the preceding
place under the crown, to be re-elect- election, was, it seems, a person of
ed, ought to be abrogated. But where very headstrong disposition; and some
is the man that will bring forward this misunderstanding had taken place on
measure? the ins are too fond of their the mode of Sir Francis Burdett's as-
places to think of it; the outs enjoy sistance to him. Too precipitately
the hopes of getting them, and would he had placed the baronet's name to
not by any act of their own frustrate
these hopes.

preside at one of his previous election
dinners, and this led to an explanation
The new parliament will see en- given by Mr. Bu dett at the table af-
rolled among its members one person ter dinner. The explanation iritated
fully qualified to undertake the task. Mr. Paull; and, taking one gentleman
Like another Hercules he must cleanse with him, he drove off to Wimbledon,
the Augcan stable. His election is the knocked up Sir Francis Burdett's fa-
most singular thing that has taken mily between one and two in the
place in the history of elections; and morning, and carried on a correspon-
he really goes into parliament fairly, dence of an hour with Sir Francis by
honourably elected, the man of the means of this gentleman, who had ad-
people. The events of the preceding mission to the baronet, and carried
Westminster election are ripe in the backwards and forwards the messages
recollection of us all. There were between the bedchamber and the cha-
then three parties: the court party un- riot on the common. Mr. Paul de-
der Sir Samuel Hood; the whigs un- manded an apology, which was refused,
der Mr. Sheridan, and the popular and it was determined that the parties
party under Mr. Paul. The whigs should meet to settle, in the vulgar
and the court party coalesced, and phrase, the point of honour, or what
brought in the commodore and Mr. we phrase the point of dishonour.
Sheridan; and during the election the
virulence of the whigs against the po-
pular party exceeded all bounds: their
sentiments were exactly those of a Co-
riolanus; and the adherents of Mr.
Paull were alike with him abused, in
sulted, and stigmatised, for belonging
to a class of life in which honesty is

still held to be a virtue.

With the utmost difficulty, with the subscriptions of the majority of the then cabinet, with all the influence of

About ten, the parties met at a wood near Wimbledon, and at the second shot both fell, neither inortally wounded, but both not without danger, Mr. Paull in his leg, the ball going through the bone; Sir Francis in his thigh, the ball going round the outer part: a small deviation would have made the wound fatal. Both were brought to town in the same carriage,, and Mr. Paull, in agony both of hedy and mind, lamented the circumstance

which had so precipitately raised his poll. Nothing could be wiser framed arm against the life of his friend.. than this determination. A very few Whilst these transactions were going days shewed the difference between on in the country, Mr. Paul's com- their mode of acting and that of the mittee in town were weighing the con- young Coriolanusses at the last elecduct of their principal, and were se- tion. The Sheridans came to implore riously dissatisfied with it. The news the assistance of the men they had beof the duel and its result made the fore treated with such contempt and step, to which they had previously insolence; but the uniform answer been approaching, absolutely neces- was, that their determination was sary; and the next day the connection fixed, they could not recede from it, was put an end to a new committee they did not interfere with the second was formed, with the determination to votes of the electors, they thought put Sir Francis Burdett in nomina- Burdett to be the man of the people, tion, and to take, in the fullest man- and they trusted that the close of the ner and in the cheapest and most re- poll would completely justify their gular mode, the sense of the city. Of conduct. this and the subsequent proceedings The fifteen days, during which the Sir Francis Burdett had no knowledge election lasted, held out to England a for several days; and his brother, with memorable instance of what may be some other personal friends, deter- done by the people, and how unjust mined for him and themselves that the accusation against them is, which they would not directly or indirectly the parties in possession or in expecinterfere with the election. The con- tation of places bring against them. duct of it rested then entirely with The riots at Westminster in preceding the committee, and the result would elections are well known. The con depend on the sense of the people. test has generally been between the The first business of the committee court and the whig factions, and bludwas to find a person capable of stand- geon men were introduced to settle ing on the hustings for Sir Francis the controversy. The heads of the Burdett, and him they found in Mr. respective parties looked on and enJennings, a gentleman, educated at couraged the maddening conflict; Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and of great each reproached the other for their skill in the profession of the law, of conduct, and both stigmatised the which he is a barrister. They could people as incapable of being regunot have made a better choice: for in lated of the principles or order.the fifteen days, on each of which he This stigma is now entirely removed. addressed the public, and followed From the first to the last day of the Mr. Sheridan, reputed the best ora- poll, it cannot be said that the poputor for a popular audience, he never lar party were guilty of the least oututtered one absurd sentence, kept rage. The committee brought up closely to his point, maintained the their voters without riot and without dignity of his situation, disregarded tumult; every thing was arranged the buffoonery of the two Sheridans; and, as he was himself seriously affected with the arduous task he had to perform, he infused that seriousness into the people, and made them duly sensible of the importance of choosing their own representative.

with the utmost prudence: each man knew his post: every voter seemed to feel the interest he had in his country's welfare.

A Mr. Elliot, a brewer of Westminster, was the head of the court party. Lord Cochrane, a gallant captain, The committee made a subscription took the place which is generally asfor the necessary expenses of the elec- signed to naval commanders: hus tion, and arranged every thing in the speeches made it evident that he was completest manner for canvassing the hostile to the late administration, and city, and bringing up most conve- he was accused of being supported by niently the voters. They made a re- the present ministers. Mr. Sheridan solution alse not to interfere with any headed the whigs. Mr. Paull gave up other candidate; to adhere closely to their own purpose, and to place Sir Francis Burdett at the head of the

so soon, that it is needless to enquire into his conduct. On the first day of election the parties were nominated

by their respective friends. Sir Fran- processions: Mr. Jennings, with his cis Burdett by Mr. Glossop and Mr. party, paraded on foot through some Adams, both members of the commit of the principal streets, preceded at tee. Lord Cochrane at first gave intervals by bands of music, and accountenance to the idea that he would companied by an immense multitude, be an excellent candidate; but his congratulating each other on their subsequent speeches degenerated, and success. The procession closed at the he brought forward questions relative Crown andAnchor,wi ere a large comto the navy, which ought not to be pany assembled at dinner, and after agitated in a popular assembly. Mr. dinner the letters of Sir E. Burdett aud Elliot could say but little for himself, the committee were read, and the reand in that little he conveyed the idea solutions also of the committee, detailthat he should always vote with those ing the principle and the mode on ministers whom the king might please which the election had been conductto appoint. Mr. Sheridan, as he was ed. In the sentiments of these resobrought up to the stage, acted the part lutions the company unanimously which he undertook admirably, but it was one of the low parts of a comedy or farce; and if he succeeded in rais ing a laugh, which he repeatedly did, with this success he ought to be amply compensated, for he deserved no other. Mr.Jennings, as we mentioned before, stood for Sir Francis Burdett, and was the only one who seemed fully to appreciate the nature of his situation. He was listened to with the ut most attention, and the mild but dignified rebuke which he gave to the Sheridans for their buffoonery was universally felt. He regretted that such high talents should be employed for the purpose only of creating a laugh, when so fair an opportunity was offered of conveying great and important truths to the people.

At the close of the poll Sir F. Eurdett stood the highest, having upwards of five thousand votes in his favour; at a great interval came next the noble Captain; and very far behind Mr. Sheridan, who on the last day only passed Mr. Elliot, who had taken his name from the board some days before, and thus prevented Mr. Sheridan from being the lowest on the poll. Indeed there was great reason to believe, that he would have been the lowest on the poll, unless some particular exertions had been made, which created the bun mot-that his latter voters were Frost-bitten: and if Mr. Elliot and Mr. Sheridan came to a scrutiny, we should very much fear for the success of the latter.

After the High Bailiff had declared Sir F. Burdett and Lord Cochrane to be the two burgesses elected to serve the city in parliament, the friends of the respective parties made the usual

concurred, and their thanks were given with the enthusiasm which the occasien required. One sentiment is highly worthy of them: that is, their solemn determination to use every legal means in their power to bring back the Louse of Commons to its original state, that of being the representatives of the people, not the livery-servants of the minister, or a few noble and opulent families. They unanimously agreed also to keep the anniversary of that day; and the company separated between ten and eleven, having spent their time with the utmost harmony. enjoying their mutual congratulations, listening at one time to speeches and reports, at the end to some excellent songs and music. Among other things, the striking manner in which the memory of Mr. Fox was celebrated deserves peculiar notice. After a solemn silence, a solemn dirge was played, and the resolution was immediately after proposed, with due allusion, for keeping the anniversary of this election.

The elections for London and the Borough afforded but little interest. Indeed all election histories must appear vapid after the account of that at Westminster. Even that for Yorkshire, though likely to be most violently contested, and to wasto an enormous sum of money, is deserving of but little notice. The two noble families of Lascelles and Fitzwilliam are contending for an object on which much more is pending than at most horseraces. Whoever wins, both will have enough to pay; and the only satisfaction one will receive is that he has beat the other. These and similar elections shew the necessity of cor

recting the present mode of taking the orthodoxy; and the members are a poll in large counties. very numerous body, dispersed over Liverpool had done itself the greatest all England. The concerns of this honour in the last parliament, by send- body are managed in a small room, in ing to it the elegant historian of the Ba tlett's Buildings, by a very few house of Medicis; but he voted against people, whose names would not give the slave trade, and the supporters of weight to any undertaking. Upon the that trade took the advantage of this revival of the cry of No Popery, and circumstance and the cry of NoPopery, the dismissal of the late ministry, Dr. to excite the mob against him, and he Gaskin and his associates thought it in a very spirited letter declined to be a good opportunity to recon.mend a candidate for a place where he could themselves to the new ministry, and not obtain his election without riot or they issued an advertisement, expresperhaps bloodshed. His friends, how- sive of the opinion of the society on ever, brought him forward, and polled the late measures, and declaratory of a few hundred votes for him, and there their zeal for the constitution in church is some probability that they will be and state, supposed by thein to be ressufficient to seat him. For Cambridge cued from the most imminent danger. University there was a most violent Lord Grenville is a member of this contest, which ended in Lord Henry society, and he naturally feels himPetty, now no longer chancellor of the self much hurt by the stigma thus Exchequer, being the lowest upon the cast upon him. In consequence of poll. A similar fate awaited Lord these feelings, he has written a good Howick, who was under the necessity letter to the secretary, protesting of resigning his pretensions to the against the interference of the society county of Northumberland, after hav- in electioneering squabbles, and the ing figured away at the hustings with countenance given by it to groundless a very long speech. But Lord Howick calumnies. His arguments are good; had been just long enough in power and, if the members of the society had to shew that he was no longer that concurred in the advertisement, they Mr. Grey who, early in life, had such would justly deserve to be stignati ed strong pretensions to popular favour, as the fomenters of civil discord, and Lord W.Russell lost Surry; and these, unworthy to promote christian knowwith some minor losses, will afford to ledge. But the society at large took the ex-ministers sufficient food in very little part in this transaction. their retirement for reflection. It is The merit or demerit of the measure not improbable that they will cry out belongs solely to Dr. Gaskin and about against the people's ingratitude; but a dozen other persons resident in and before they venture to make that near London; and Lord Grenville charge, they will do well to consider would have done well by exhibiting what right they had, from their con- their names to the public. The whole duct in power, to expect popular is a mere clectioneering trick, and a favour. But we must not press too very efficacious one it is: for this sohard upon these unfortunate men, ciety for promoting christian knowespecially as the country has so little ledge is a species of corresponding reason to expect better things from society, much better arranged than their successors; we must not, how the society under that name, which ever, overlook a circumstance which some years ago excited so much alarm has called forth the principal of the in the public mind. The advertiseex-ministers to make a defence before ment, and any thing relative to No the public of his conduct in the Popery, Dr. Gaskin can circulate in catholic question. the most efficacious manner throughThere is a society in London, called out the kingdom. Under his direction The Society for promoting Christian it accompanies every order for bibles Knowledge, whose avowed object is and prayer books; pervades every to distribute bibles and religious tracts, crook and cranny; is read in every and to assist in the maintenance and village school; and is stuck up in formation of charity schools. The every cottage. What danger must not secretary to this society is a Dr. Gas- a poor country parson think both kin, a great advocate for what is called church and state to be in, when the

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