THE

STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE bombardment of Copenha. united against France. She has trigen is variously appreciated at umphed over all, and gives laws to all, home and abroad. Our plunder is except this country. Of all the counnot yet arrived; that is, at the mo- tries in Europe, none are in friendment we are writing: but it is pre- ship with us, but Portugal and sumed, that early in the next month Sweden. From Portugal our merwe shall have the ships secured in our chants are hastening away in dread of harbours, and immense naval stores the French, and Sweden can be of no in our yards. All this may be, and manner of use to us. She will stand in yet the question is continually recur- need of our protection, but her doom ring to an Englishman; Is this an is probably fixed, and the Russian action worthy of my ancestors? Is arms may ere long penetrate to Stockthis an action worthy of the English holm. Every thing portends a war character? Could it have been between Russia and this country. thought a dozen years ago, that Eng- The conference on the raft has proland, the boasted deliverer of Europe, duced consequences which begin to the seat of national honour, the throne be developed. The Russian fleet in of liberty, should prove the greatest the Mediterranean has been employed violator of the rights of neutral na- in transporting French troops to the tions that the world has hitherto republic of the Seven Isles, now seen, and should add to the calamities placed under the protection of France; of Europe, by hurling destruction on and thence it is not improbable, that that nation, which had so long es- in due time an invasion of Greece caped from the horrors of the abomi- will be made, and a new order of nable war in which Europe has so things will be formed under French long been engaged? influence.

The justification of the conduct of The war between Turkey and Russia England in this melancholy affair is is at an end, or rather there is a susbefore the public. The manifesto of pension of arms. Each party has rethe King of England has made its treated to its own proper territories, appearance, and however great our and a kind of neutral ground is formed deference to the authority under between them. This state of things which it appears, the continent of cannot last long. Something has Europe reads for itself, and draws its positively been fixed upon between own conclusions. Unfortunately for Russia and France; and when the us also, these conclusions, whether time comes, each power will take its true or false, are a sufficient justifica- allotted share out of the spoils of tion for the conduct which they intend Turkey. We are endeavouring to to pursue and every thing bears the aspect, that we shall be severely punished for that haughty language which so many in this country held at the beginning of the French revolution, and for our interference to prevent an order of things, which was not to be resisted. The change is wonderful. At this moment probably, there is not a part favourable to us on the continent of Europe: from the North Cape to Gibraltar, and from Gibraltar all round the shores of the Mediterranean, till we come back to the other pillar of Hercules, and thing that is calamitous. thence sail to the southward to the allies have each in their turn carried utmost extremity of the empire of war and devastation into their counMorocco. try. In the midst of peace, without Great Britain, Sweden, Russia, any provocation whatever on the part Turkey, Italy, Spain, were once of Turkey, both English and French

make our peace with the latter power; but it is said that our overtures are rejected, and our ambassador is not permitted to enter Constantinople. Our adventure at Copenhagen will not assist us: for the Turks must be sad fools, after the specimen they have witnessed of our conduct to our allies, to give us an opportunity of bombarding their capital., What indeed-can they do? On the one hand is their ancient enemy. On the other two perfidious allies, the French and English. Froin their enemy they expect every

Their

have attacked her. We have treated progress in loading his ships with her most roughly, and added the his stores; and he would, if he posgreatest insult to the injuries she has sibly could, prevent us from carrying Sustained. We have played the bravo away all the means of defence he has under her very nose; destroyed her hitherto enjoyed. Strange inconsi fleet close to her capital. We retain derate man! Why will you not shake possession of part of her territory, hands with us again? Our hands and we are soliciting her friendship. are indeed stained with the blood of Indeed nothing can be more curious your countrymen; but we will not kill than our mode of conducting busi- any more; and now we have got your ness. If Bonaparte sends a troop of ships and your arms, we will only horse into the territories of a petty carry them away to our own country, prince of Germany, which go along and you may be sure that we will do the road without doing any injury to you no more harm. But perhaps the any person, and at the end of a few nephew of our king is not so much to miles ride seize a single person who is blame as we imagine. Bonaparte has plotting at his life, and aiming to de- made the daughter of our king a queen; stroy him by assassination; What an and he may intend to extend his infamous wretch is this Bonaparte! kindness still farther, by giving the every body cries. He pays no regard nephew of our king a kingdom greater to the rights of neutral nations. Bo- than he now possesses. It may be the naparte under a form of trial, and interest of Denmark to make common legal forms of condemnation, has this cause with France, and the destruc individual executed; this individual, tion of its capital will be compensated who, if he could, would have done by a part of Sweden; and we shall the same thing by Bonaparte. Oh! indemnify ourselves by seizing her what a murderer this Bonaparte is! West India islands.

is the general cry. But if we find But this plundering and burning

some frigates on the seas coming of Copenhagen has not been so benehome peaceably to their own coun- ficial to this country as is generally try, and pour a broadside into them, imagined. In consequence of the shedding the blood of men, women, prey we have seized, it was necessary and children; if we sail to the capital to send all the men and transports of an allied power, and meet its fleet we could collect into the Baltic. In suspecting no harm, and send some the mean time the court of France to the bottom and take others, and was playing her part with a neutral threaten the capital itself with utter power; and she, with somewhat more devastation; if we surround a friendly politeness than we chose to use on island with our fleets, land a large such an occasion, inakes a civil debody of troops, bombard its principal mand, that Portugal should exclude town, destroy men, women, and chil- the English from all intercourse dren, and make an immense booty; with that country. A proper numthen we can investigate the rights of ber of troops, it was intimated, neutral powers; we can settle when was at hand to enforce the demand. they are to be respected, when they The property of the English in Portuare to be invaded. Bonaparte is a gal is worth as much as the plunder villain for violating the neutrality of we have seized at Copenhagen: and one power, and destroying the life of it requires men and transports to one man: we are justified in spreading bring it home. But the men and destruction and desolation amongst transports are gone to Copenhagen: our friends. Who shall decide in this and thus it happens, that all we gain controversy? Talk as we please, there by the plunder of Copenhagen on the is one higher than the highest of this one hand, we shall lose by the confisearth, who regards it. He will not be cation of English property in Pormocked; and when he maketh inqui- tugal.-Oh mores hominum! Oh! sition for blood, the greatest may quantum est in rebus inane. tren.ble. The reigning prince of The court of Portugal is as incom Denmark is not yet satisned. He can- plying as the crown prince of Dennot look over this little affront. He mark. It does not give up with a vie with the greatest anxiety, our good grace. The talk is, that it is

to retire to the Brasils, to which coun- How can the French justify this try the seat of government is to be conduct towards Portugal? How they transferred. Should this project be will do it we may casily imagine. They realized; should the court and chief will call us the tyrants of the seas, and nobility move off, they may perhaps assert that no other way is open to retain the government of the Brasils, bring us to our reason, but to leave but all connection with their ancient to us that empire, and exclude us country is lost in a month after they entirely from Europe. Our conduct have left it. To transfer a govern- towards the Danes will be pleaded in ment is not an easy matter. The their justification; and they will say, prince regent and his friends may set that if they had not threatened Porsail, but the land and the people must tugal, we should in a short time have remain. Difficulties are also said to secured their ships. What the French have been started. The clergy, who will do with Portugal, time must have great influence in Portugal, re- shew. It is not improbable that it will sist the scheme They cannot carry be restored to Spain; though France their livings, and their prebends, and will hardly consent to such an intheir bishopricks with them. The crease of the Spanish power, without new comers too, may not be very fa- some strong compensations in anovourably received by the Brasilians. ther quarter. The emperor may find In short, time alone must decide their some favourite also, on whom to confates; and they think, that they shall fer a kingdom: though hitherto he be better off by staying at home, and seems resolved, to appropriate the enjoying what the conqueror leaves regal dignity to his own family. them, than by trusting their all to the Another sovereign has since our seas, and exploring new seats in South last quitted his dominions. This we America. long expected. The claims of the

The alternative is a terrible one king of the two Sicilies on the allefor the court, the nobility, and clergy giance of his subjects were too slight of Portugal: but whether it is disad- for him to expect a very vigorous vantageous to the country at large support from the inhabitants of the may justly be doubted. The people island of Sicily. He is said to have have been kept in the grossest igno- taken refuge on board of one of our rance. Popery there reigns triumph- ships and to have made sail for Malta, ant. They have monks, and nuns, It is not improbable that the connecand priests, and abbeys, and nunne- tion between his former subjects on ries, and monasteries, to eat up the the main land of Italy, with those of whole land; and they have also the the Island of Sicily, has been kept accursed inquisition to prevent every up. The courtiers sighed for their one from being a dissenter. These property on the main land. They will disappear when the troops of saw no probability of Sicily being Bonaparte enter. Religious tolera- formed into a kingdom; and if it were, tion accompanies their march: and its resources were not, in their estias to civil despotism, that will not be mation, sufficiently great to maintain increased. The inhabitants will suf- royalty in proper splendour. The fer a temporary loss; but it is not Neapolitan and Sicilian dominions likely that many lives will be lost. require one lord. The French soThe government and clergy have suf- vereign could maintain his authority: ficiently extinguished the spirit of the Sicilian monarch was but feebly patriotism. Our trade will be ruined: supported. It was better that a and, as the French are not fond of peaceable arrangement should be the Portugal wines, the inhabitants of made, than bring on ruin, for the the wine countries, who are very rich, sake of supporting a feudal governmust turn their lands to other culti- ment, which was tottering on its base. vation. Who can think of the inroads. It is easy to find arguments, when the on the happiness of man, without la- sovereign has lost the argument of imenting his folly, and that we are so constantly contending against those principles, which are best adapted to human nature, and which secure our intellectual and physical comforts.

force, and has not provided himself with the argument of affection. We are led to expect the ci-devant king of Naples in England, or perhaps he may take refuge in Spain. If he goes

to Madrid, he may not be secure from They have shewn step by step the the troubles which seem to be hang- causes, and they verify the great truth, ing over that kingdom. This is in- that thrones which are not founded in deed the hour of the shaking of na- wisdom, are in a tottering state: and tions. They are struck with wonder kings who resist truth, however they and amazement; but they will not for may be applauded by courtiers, and all this turn to true wisdom. are addressed under the most flatterWe cannot rejoice over the cala- ing titles, are near to destruction. mities of any man, Whether king As Sweden has lost the whole of or beggar, man in every state is en- Pomerania, and has wasted its strength titled to our respect, and unfortu- in the late idle contest, its sovereign nately neither situation is duly appre- is reduced to a smaller territory, and ciated. The head of the Bourbon awaits the decision of Russia on his family is again a wanderer. That fate. It has been rumoured strongly family has created much mischief in that Russia has declared war against the world: the horrible day of the us. We can hardly give credit to revocation of the edict of Nantz has this assertion. Russia may have cause, brought on severe calamity on the or pretend cause of complaint against fourth generation of the impious us: it has no point to meet us. Her tyrant, who delared this atrocious and fleets cannot as yet come against us, bloody war against liberty in religion, nor can we injure her. She will be Yet Louis XVIII. as he is called, has content probably, with prohibiting us borne his faculties most meekly. He from all intercourse with her shores, has submitted to the times. Russia and her arms will be turned against offered him her protection: he is now Sweden. Prussia even has prohibited in Sweden. He also must come to us from entering her ports: but what England: and we, by shewing him could this miserable kingdom do? the rites of hospitality, will return It must obey the nod of the great emthe obligation, conferred by the sup- peror. The wounds inflicted upon port given by Louis XIV. to our James it, by the folly of its cabinet, cannot the second. Happy shall we be, if easily be healed: yet some good will we do not attempt to restore Louis to spring out of the evil that has befallen a throne; and happy will Louis be, if this country is a quiet refuge to his declining years.

this unhappy country. It will no longer be a military country. It will no longer be a country covered with We might moralize for a long time barracks, and filled with soldiers. Its on these events; and these events miserable nobility will learn, that indeed occur to make us moralíse: providence did not intend one rank and, if we really did moralise, such of men to be slaughterers of another, events would not occur. They bring and that the highest distinctions us, however, to the great lesson should be produced by something which the great men of the earth are better than the wearing of a sword, too proud to learn. Actions are in When the soldier is separated from their power, but the consequences of the citizen, he is a miserable being; those actions are not. If they consult unworthy of praise; a mere me. only the wretchedness of their capricious fancies, that wretchedness will produce calamity to themselves and to their offspring. The last moments of the tyrant Louis XIV. were embittered by the pangs and groans of his tortured subjects: and when he was in the height of his glory, and stiled himself the sun of France, it was prognosticated, that within, a hundred years this sun would set in vapour and smoke and bloody redness. All the writers of any note of the last century have pointed out these times,

chanic, in the eye of reason infinitely inferior to the meanest person, who is employed in producing the least thing to the comfort of human life. The military system of Prussia is overthrown; and its king, however unwillingly, must cultivate the arts of peace. He has seen to what his military reviews have brought him. His soldiers have been tried. Let them now aim at a higher glory; to culti vate their territory; to live by honest industry, and not like drones, on the labours of others,

But what is France doing. The the West Indies. Our fleets cannot sovereign has abolished the tribunate, prevent the march of their troops into and made some new changes in the Upper Canada; and it is not in our legi-lature. It matters not what he rower, engaged as we are likely to be commands, it must be obeyed. France with all the world, to send sufficient is a military government, but its sove- troops to preserve the province. The reign is attentive to its interests. He population of Upper Canada is not is pursuing his object, and the humb- capable of any great exertion. The ling of England is his grand design. French natives of Lower Canada will What he can effect time will shew; be easily seduced, from their allegibut he cannot ruin us if we are united, age. At the same time that they atif our citizens have the courage of tack us in two vulnerable places in the those of Buenos Ayres; if they know north of America, they have the what they are to expect from the con- means, they say, of pouring in from queror, and have spirit to defend all Louisiana and Virginia, a great quanthat is dear to them. tity of blacks, to excite the slaves in our West India islands to rebellion. But our writers at home overlook all these things. We are to fight all the world. We can do it, and no doubt they say right, that we can do it upon the sea, but what will the tak ing of a few ships be, if it is attended with the loss of the Canadas, and the destruction of the West India islands,

The contest is indeed drawing near to its close. England and France have now the eyes of Europe upon them, on whom its wishes are it is painful to reflect. The system we are in future to pursue, whether of peace or war, is fraught with difficulties. Buenos Ayres, Constantinople, Alexandria, Copenhagen, have presented strange scenes for an Englishman to contemplate. Our troops are returning from Buenos Ayres, but the rumours which precede their arrival are very unfavourable to the British character. We trust that the whole of this wretched business will be fully developed. If we have given just ground for the indignation of the natives of South America against us, those men who have degraded the English character ought to be called to the strictest account. If the scheme was merely a marauding scheme, to get as much plunder as possible, the authors of it are as much to be despised for their want of policy, as for their meanness and their avarice. In the ancient times of Roman discipline, a father put his son to death for fight ing against his orders, though he returned laden with the spoils of his enemy.

Our American differences are not, as far as we know, adjusted. The Americans use high language. They are not afraid of us, but they would not willingly come to blows. They know the injury that in the first instance will be sustained by their commerce; but they know also that that injury will be amply avenged by the mischief they can do us. If we declare war, they say, the inevitable consequence is the loss of the two Canadas, and of UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. Vill.

How far this country is willing to concede may be conjectured by a late proclamation of the king, declaratory of the right of search, with the manner in which that search is to be exercised. With respect to merchantmen, who have any subjects of Britain on board, our men of war are to take them without violence; and if any are on board ships of war of neutral powers, proper application is to be made, and the mode of application will render it difficult for our naval officers to secure the deserters. The declaration also states, in strong terms, the right of the sovereign over the natives of this country, who, it is said, cannot transfer their allegiance; and all persons in the service of other countries are ordered to return to the defence of their own, under the penalties attached to high treason in case of disobedience to this order. How far this doctrine of the immutability of allegiance can be defended, may admit of some doubt; but as we have asserted it in such terms, we could wish that we observed it fully with respect to other nations, and dismissed from our service that motly crew of Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Swiss, Haroverians, Hessians, Austrians, &c. &c. which are as improper among our land forces as British sailors in American ships.

The horrors of war are not confined 2 Y