One circumstance demands pecu- fess to be protestants, we shall be the liar attention. Wherever Bona- last probably to acknowledge that a parte has gene, religious intole- difference in religious opinions is no rance has fled before him. Freedom reason for a difference in civil rights; of religion has been established by and that there is no connection behim at home, and it is made a part of tween eating bread and drinking wine the terms of peace with other nations, in a church with certain ceremonies, Poland had been torn to pieces by re- disgusting perhaps to the receiver, ligious dissentions. In that country and the occupancy of a post in the the reformation was carried farther by army, or navy, or the law. The flotthat eminent body of martyrs, com- tentots have an odd ceremony in marmonly called the Polish brethren, than riage, which creates the disgust of the Luther and Calvin, and their adhe- civilized European: this rite of eating rents would acknowledge. The Po- bread and drinking wine, when forced lish bethren hated tyranny over them- upon a person, is infini ely more so in selves, and they would not tyrannize the eye of reason, and of its repugover others. It is not to be wondered at, nancy to christianity, there cannot be that popish zeal and barbarity should a doubt in the mind of any one who plot and accomplish their ruin, and considers the origin of the institution, that the Calvinists should rejoice at At Paris, Bonaparte has received the it, for the Polish brethren abominated heads of all the constituted authorithe cruelty of Calvin, in the murder ties, and addresses of congratulation of Servetus, as much as if it had been from every part of the kingdom. The committed by popish priests. The protestants and the Jews have equally Polish brethren were driven, after had access to him. What his active suffering extreme hardships, from spirit has planned, or is planning, it their country; but their works have is not easy to conjecture. In his own enlightened all Europe. The decree empire he is patronising every thing, of Bonaparte, by which Warsaw is which can be for its benefit. We are erected into a dutchy, establishes now the only power in hostility to completely the freedom of religion; him, and he has accepted the mediaand the successors of the Polish bre- tion of Russia to bring about a reconthren may now worship without fear ciliation. What his terms will be, or restraint the God of their saviour. we know not: yet, it is very probable, The circumstance of religions free- that they will not be so high as are ge dom springing up from France may nerally imagined. He who has used justly astonish us. This country had his victories so mildly, and restored been above all others noted for its to the conquered so much more than cruelty against the protestants. The they had reason to expect, will from day of St. Bartholomew and the revo- mere motives of policy accede to mo cation of the edict of Nantz presented derate terms with the only nation scenes, at which humanity shudders, which presents an obstacle to his France has nobly wiped away these wishes.

stigmas, by the freedom in religion The restoration of peace to the conwhich it has not only established in its tinent of Europe would be hailed after own dominions, but has introduced so many years of tumult as a great into so many other countries on the blessing: but it is not yet complete, continent. Spain and Portugal will and new wonders threaten its repose, soon feel the effect of this disposition The little opposition made by the in Bonaparte; and, as the inquisition chivalrous King of Sweden cannot be has been for some time deprived of of long duration. His doom is fixed. much of its authority, we may expect He must quit Pomerania and his Gerto hear that it is entirely abolished, man dominions. The Pomeranians and all its trumpery of monks and will feel not one sentiment of grief at nuns driven away as completely as it the separation. His conduct in alterhas been done in France. The Eng- ing their constitution is not forgotten; lish nation will longer retain the pre- and his vapouring manifestos, howjudice. We did not reform the ca- ever satisfactory they may be to his lendar, till the shame of ignorance supposed high spirit, are no compen forced us into it; and, though we pro- sation to his German subjects, for the

calamities they have suffered, in con- is sufficient to mention this, and th re sequence of the part which he has will remain no doubt of his personal taken in the war. Stralsund is still in bravery. We have had frequent ochis possession; but it is closely be- casions of noticing the great prudence sieged, and probably before this writ- and wisdom of this prince, during the ing shall appear in public, it will be confusion that has prevailed in Esurrendered to the French. The rope; and we heartily wished, that this English troops that went to its relief, kingdom at least might be saved from and the greater part of the inhabitants the horrors of war. We are writing in will escape to the Isle of Rugen, and the moment of anxious suspence, there by means of our fleet they may whether the lives of many brave men remain for some time in a state of may have not been sacrificed before inactive s curity. an object is obtained, which may be The determination of the King of of very great importance to the interSweden to resist to the last, where no ests of this country. It is melancholy hope seems to remain of gaining auy to think, that the course of events thing by the contest, will probably should give a plea of necessity to the bring upon him more evils than the measure; but, if it is necessary, we loss of his German dominions. If we cannot doubt, that every precaution believe the foreign papers, he has ad- has been taken to make this measure ded to this another indiscretion, that as little injurious as possible to the of entering into a conference with the country, which circumstances may French general, in which he endea- have forced us to treat in a hostile voured to shake his fidelity to his mas- manner. ter. It might be naturally expected,

The destination of our expedition that a king would entertain very strong to the Baltic is now well known. The notions of the hereditary right of his propriety of the measure will be difbrother kings; but the moment, which ferently appreciated in this island, and he took to expatiate upon them, was on the continent. In consequence of assuredly unfavourable to his views. the treaties between the magnanimous To talk of the right of a Louis XVIII. Alexander of Russia and Bonaparte, to the crown of France, now enriched the designs against this country ap by jewels, purchased by the labours, pear to be of a very dangerous nature; and fatigues, and cares, and wisdom and not only our exclusion from the of an emperor, to a general who was Baltic, but the employment of the participating in his master's triumphs, fleets of the northern powers against and expecting far greater rewards than us was to be apprehended. In this it was in the power of a King of Swe- case, what were we to do? Were we den to bestow, was completely absurd. to remain quiet, till Bonaparte had The world is not to be gulled by such completed his plans, and was prepared ridiculous and foolish notions: and to attack us with a naval force? Of as well might Bonaparte attempt to were we to obtain possession of these seduce the richest peer in this king- fleets ourselves, to prevent the foes dom from his allegiance to our law- from making use of them? But these ful king, by the offer of the greatest fleets belong to friendly powers. Denrewards, on the King of Sardinia's mark has been neutral during the coming to the possession of the crown whole war; but a treaty of peace and of England, on the pretence of his commerce subsists between us. hereditary right to it, as the King of we without any provocation on the Sweden gain over a French general to part of Denmark, and merely from assert the rights of a family which had our own apprehensions of an expected been set aside by the general voice of danger, to treat that country as a foe, the people. seize its fleets, and run the risque of Whilst the King of Sweden is in shedding the blood of the inhabitants jeopardy from the arms of the French, in a conflict, in which they will think his neighbour of Denmark is threat- that they are standing up only in their ened, and, we fear, is likely to be a self-defence, and in defending the sufferer from a new and unexpected honour and dearest interests of their enemy. The Crown Prince, as he is country.

Are

called, is the nephew of our king. It The dilemma is difficult; and it is

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out of the line of commen politics. averse to our measures, and the effect The authority of a Mr. Vattel, or a of them on the intercourse between Mr. Van Groetz, commonly called the two countries is very alarming. Grotius, is of no avail in a case like We know what our countrymen sufthis. The right of the strongest will fered from the late emperor the prevail; and, if we are not successful, magnanimous Alexander inay resent no arguments that we can urge will an insult, as he would term it, in the satisfy the country which we have in- same manner; and our countrymen vaded. Our expedition sailed for the may have a chance of visiting the inBaltic, and by the last intelligence it terior of Siberia. What have been has completely surrounded the island the secret articles between the two of Zealand. An interview has taken Emperors, we cannot tell; but all acplace between the Crown Prince and counts lead us to believe, that our our minister. The Prince is deter- countrymen are not in the same famined. He is not at war with us; he desires not to be at war with us, but he will resist any hostile attack, and consider hin, whosoever he may be, as an enemy, who lands with an hostile Prussia is beginning to arrange its intention on his country. The prince affairs.. The sovereign has written a does not use words only; he is deter- very affectionate letter to the subjects mined to die in the defence of his whom he has lost. The regrets on his country. He has found means to get part we cannot doubt: whether his to Copenhagen: the country receives late subjects will participate in them, him with enthusiasm: and we have is another question. The fable of the no reason to expect that the fleet shall ass loaded with paniers is particularly be surrendered without a conflict. applicable to them; and it cannot be

voured state that they used to be.The events of this summer will determine whether Russia shall continue to be our ally or in hostilities with us.

What a strange eventful history a matter very much lamented by them will posterity read of these times. that their allegiance is transferred England was to be the great deliverer from one prince of Germany to anoof Europe. Against whom then have ther. The Westphalians will perhaps her most powerful expeditions been rejoice, that they now have a king of directed? At the moment that Bona- their own; and may expect that their parte has completely subdued the con- barren sands may be improved by their tinent, the force of our arms is turned new sovereign. The new king of against a neutral power. If we suc- Westphalia has not yet fixed on his ceed, Bonaparte will not feel the blow: royal residence; though Hanover is if we are foiled, how will he triumph determined, it is said, to make part over us! The Danes have not for- of his new dominions. The rest of the gotten our former expedition against states of Germany are fully occupied Copenhagen: they cry out upon our in recognizing their new sovereigns countrymen, whom business carries and their new subjects; but it will be to their coasts-Cowardly English- some time before the new arrangemen! why do you not fight the French ments can be completely ascertained, why do you attack by surprise poor and we may see under one aspect the Spaniards and Danes, who are not in condition of Germany. The loss of the condition to resist you ? its petty princes will be a great

If the Danes, from vexation, may benefit. use such expressions, the Russians Austria had, previously to the concan scarcely be entitled to so much ference at Tilsit, offered her mediation compassion from us. Their fleet, it to the powers at war. It has been acis to be apprehended, may form as cepted, either conditionally or not, dangerous a resource for Bonaparte, by all; but the battle of Friedland as that of the Danes; and, on the com- will place Bonaparte in the condition pletion of the business at Zealand, of demanding that a separate peace we may naturally expect that Cron- should be made between us and stedt will be the next object of our France, and in his treaties with Russia expedition, now increased by the ad- we are allowed a month to accept the dition of the Danish fleet. In this case mediation of Russia. It is not unthe Russians will, we fear, be more likely, hat the peace which is to esta

blish the general tranquillity of Eu- forbid our ships of war access to her rope, will still be managed under the shores: but she has not declared war mediation of Austria. She is not against us, nor have we followed up the likely assuredly to enter into new blow. Our fleet is still upon the coast, wars, and negociation may give her and messages have passed between some new territory to be stripped from

the Turks.

the commander of our squadron and the magistrates of Norfolk. It is eviNothing has as yet transpired respect- dently not for the interest of either ing the feelings of Turkey on the late country that a rupture should take peace. It must put an end to hostili- place: for, on the one hand, America ties between Turkey and Russia; but would lose all the advantages of comthe arrangements may require some merce; and, on the other, England time. We cannot doubt that Turkey would be deprived of a great market must be a loser by them; and it is for her manufactures and commodities. generally thought that Greece will Negociations and explanations will have a king. Indeed Bonaparte is de take place; and, unless America should termined to wipe off every stigma rise in her demands, from the troubled attached to his name, as having been state of Europe, it is not improbable once a Jacobín. His fondness for that a good understanding will again regal government is so strong, that he take place between the two countries. will not permit a republic to exist. It is against our men of war only that Even Switzerland, it is said, is to be the prohibition of supplying their a kingdom; and there cannot be a wants has taken place; our merchantdoubt that persons will easily be found men have still free access to the ports to ascend the new throne, and con- of the United States, and comme ce vince the Swiss of the great excellence is unshackled. It will depend on the of a regal over a republican govern

ment.

Spain and Portugal seem to be quite passive in this new order of things.Apprehensions for the safety of the latter are great; and it is even said, that an army of French is prepared to take possession of it, and re-unite it to Spain. The policy of such a conduct may be called in question. At present, Portugal is tributary to Bonaparte, and the tribute is paid by us. If the tribute is increased, an additional duty will be put by the government of Portugal on their wines; but, if the country is taken by the French, there may be more difficulty in collecting the income. So far is certain, that our merchants continue their trade in the usual manner, and preparations are making, as usual, for the purchases of the produce of the ensuing vintage.

If we have little reason to be pleased with the aspect of affairs on the continent of Europe, the western shores of the Atlantic alford us slender hopes of consolation. The unfortunate affair, which has created such an alarm in America, is not so easily settled. We have fired into an American frigate, seized some men in it, and left her to regain the port whence she came. In retaliation, America has

intercourse between the cabinets of Washington and St. James's, whether hostilities should follow the blow that has been struck the populace of America feel it with indignation, but the wiser part of the community, not having such wild sentiments of honour as are entertained in Europe, it is probable that there will be open room for reconciliation.

In South America, our success is not so certain as we had at first reason to expect. The imprudent conduct of our first expedition to Buenos Ayres has had two bad effects: urst, it has alienated the Spaniards, who might have rejoiced in our assistance to shake off the yoke of the mother country; and it has, in a great measure, taken off the impression which had originally been made of our courage, our power, and our discipline. Our army has suffered greatly at Monte Video; the Spaniards are incessantly upon the alert. It is not certain that we have taken Buenos Ayres; and it is doubtful, if we have done it, whether we have sufficient troops to keep possession of the country.

Such being the situation of affairs abroad, it is well, that at home we have no subject of disquiet. The parliament is prorogued, and the whole management of the cards is with his

Majesty's ministers. It is believed, house a most insolent letter, and exthat an intercourse has taken place pected, that, upon the intimation of between them and the French govern- their sentiments, he should remove ment. The proffered mediation of the offensive medallion. The gentleAustria, and the mediation of Russia man, however, was not in the humour from the treaty of Tilsit, would na- to be dictated to by such a set of faturally lead to it: what has been the natics. He answered their letter with result, we shall probably learn first becoming spirit, pointing out to them from the French papers. Bonaparte their ignorance, impudence, and will doubtless be glad to have his folly. His letter for some time was arrangements in Germany ratified by circulated, and much approved of in us; but such are his pretensions, re- private, and afterwards found its way specting the freedom of the sea, that it into the newspapers. The society has is very doubtful whether they can be published a vindication of its conbrought into any tolerable shape of duct, in which we cannot discover the negotiation. We must, in a time remorse which they ought to feel upon like this, be firm, and be careful of such an occasion. The example of surrendering on vain expectations this gentleman will, however, we hope, any of our privileges. Ireland, not- have a due effect; and, if the lower withstanding the severity of the late classes are doomed for some time lonbills, has manifested no spirit of con- ger to bear the insults of the spics and fusion; and we can see no reason for informers of this self-created inquisitheir having been past from the pre- tion, there will be a rising spirit of sent state of affairs in that country: enquiry to pierce through the veil, but we must bow to the superior which covers the proceedings of this means of information possessed by body, and a determination to prevent those in power, especially when it has it in future from breaking in upon not only not been contradicted, but the peace and comfort of the public. even supported by the members of op- This conduct in the Society for the position from that country. Suppression of Vice puts us in mind

A trifling circumstance has lately of a similar thing that happened to a taken place, which makes some noise society of the same nature in Moscow, in the higher circles, and corroborates some years ago:-A surgeon was playour opinion of the proceedings of a ing upon the flute one day, in a room, society which we have frequently with a door opening to the surgery, in noticed. The Society for the Sup- which was a skeleton, suspended alpression of Vice, as it calls itself, has, most opposite to him, and near the in its search after vice, found out in a window that looked into the street. A house that has been erected above spy of the society passing by at that thirty years, something to shew its time, was first struck with the music, zeal and activity. The house was and then with the motions of the skebuilt by a very eminent architect, and leton, which was agitated by the wind by way of ornament he placed three of the window. Off he ran to the atmedallions in the front. Long had torney, who was secretary to the sobeen these medallions unnoticed by ciety, and both went to a stock-brothe generality of people; and to ker, a zealous member; and it was men of taste, only bringing to their agreed upon, that this was a good minds what they had seen on a most thing to bring the society into repute. magnificent antique vase. The sub- They came to the surgeon's, who was ject was perfectly innocent,- -a pro- amusing himself, as he thought, very cession of Bacchanals with their innocently, and not heeding the gaThyrsi; and there might be about thering crowd, which the three meinhalf a dozen figures, men and women. bers of the vice society were collectThe depraved and abominable taste of ing: and it wanted very little art to the Society for the Suppression of persuade the ignorant multitude that Vice here figured to their imagina- the poor surgeon was a wizard, who tion, what the medallion never was in- made the skeleton dance to the sound tended to, nor could, suggest, and what of his flute. In an instant their paswe shall abstain from mentioning. sions were up: they dash into the They wrote to the gentleman of the house, tear the poor musician to