cargoes, which, with the exception of tract with Mr. Robert Morris for the the hard-ware, went nigh to rival purchase of tobacco.- Such was the the English merchandises. Here- posture of affairs between France and upon the French manufacturers be- the United States during the first years gan to appear zealous for the support of the peace. of this commerce, and gave extensive After a considerable lapse of time, credit to the merchants established in the French government undertook to the ports, insomuch that one house renew the original connection beat Lorient shipped French merchan- tween the two countries; and this dises to the United States, during new arrangment we shall class under this period, to the value of seven the head of the Fourth period. million livres tournois! The registers The first advances which the French of the French customs prove to what government made towards regenea flourishing state the commerce with rating the commercial intercourse, the United States had arrived at the were not apparently designed for the period in question, the annual imports formation of a commerce between being of the amount of 3,494,000 the two countries, but rather between francs, and the exports of 11,460,000 the French West Indies and the francs. The efforts of the French United States. What the real intenminister in America, together with the tions of the French were will however measures pursued by the department appear very evident from the 2d and of the marine for the security of those 3d articles of the Order of Council, navigating to America, produced sen- in the month of August 1784. The sible and salutary effects; to which, second article gives permission to however, the peace between England American vessels, of burthens not and the United States soon gave a mor- exceeding sixty tons, equally_laden tal stab. Just as the French had begun with wood, dyes, coal, beasts of every to reap advantages from her inter- kind, salted beef, (but not pork), course with the latter, all her ports cod and other salted fish, rice, maise, were filled with English, German, vegetables, hides in the hair, leather, and Dutch vessels, and the continent rosin, pitch, and tar, to go into ports of America was glutted with the of the French colonies, and there to commodities of those nations. This sell said commodities; and the third took place in 1783. The year 1784 article says, that for such commodities only presented France with fresh said vessels may take in a cargoe conprospects of the decline of her com- sisting not only of West-India promerce: during this year, merchan- duce, but also of the merchandises, dizes to no less an amount than produce, and manufactures of France. £4,166,670 sterling were brought Such were the effect of these allowinto the ports of Philadelphia and ances, that the French and American Charles-town from various countries, merchants renewed that mutual conbut more especially from England.fidence which the bankruptcies of the Credit alone could serve to diffuse latter had broken; in consequence this mass of merchandise in America; whereof, by an order dated December and consequently (as might be ex- 1787, liberty was given to the Amepected) the manufacturers of all Eu- rican vessels to proceed directly to the rope felt the fatal effects of thus over- ports of France, into which their oils doing commerce; innumerable bank- and fish were admitted in preference ruptcies were the consequence in the to those of other nations; it was also United States, and few of the insol- enacted, that American vessels, devents could give their creditors more stined for sale, should be brought than the value of their household into and sold in the French ports, furniture. The French merchants without being subject to any duty and manufacturers having suffered whatsoever; that turpentine pitch, materially about this time, nearly and tar should only pay 2 per cent. dropped all kind of intercourse with upon their value; and that wood, the United States; a measure which, grain, vegetables, pot and pearl ash, in effect, they were obliged to adopt hides, leather, should only pay per towards the end of 1784, when the cent.; on condition, however, of their Farmers General entered into a con- being brought in French or American bottoms. The only advantages grant- vicious opinion might possibly guide ed to the French in return for their one to God as well as the law of Moses; liberality, consisted in permission to for what these got by the law, those carry into the ports of the United might get without it, and come to the States, fire-arms, gun-powder, and same perfection that the Jews came paper of every description, without to, seeking the same end: nor was paying any duty. their difference other than if one traWhat advantages the two countries veller should carry an itinerary of his have derived from their renewed in- way with him, and the other trust tercourse will appear by the following only to his memory. So may he also statements. For three years preced- now-a-daies that liveth in the faithing the Revolution, the imports into lesse isles of the ocean and never France, from the United States, an- heard of Christ, attaine the glory of nually, amounted to about 9,500,000 a Christian by keeping the two abfrancs, and the exports from France, stracts of all the law and the prophets, for the said States, at the same period, perfect love to God and his neighbour; to nearly 1,800,000 francs per annum, He remembereth the name of the Lord whereof 1,200,000 francs were the in the night, and keepeth his lowvalue of wines and brandies. The This hath he that seeth the Lord's imports of the French Antilles from righteousnesse: so great a blessing it the United States, at said period, a- is to be good, although you have none mounted to 11,050,000, and their to teach you goodness. And what exports to about 5,200,000 francs. wanteth here but water? For here This commerce, for some years sub- is the holy spirit as well as in the sequent to the French revolution, apostles: as Peter witnesseth of some miserably declined; but of late it has who received that, before the water regained no small share of its former had touched them. So the nations vigour. that have no law but nature's, are a Jaw to themselves, the light of their living well is the gift of God comming ROBERT BARCLAY, not the Original THE from his Sonne; of whom it is said: He is the light that lighteth every one that cometh into the world." HE following extract will con. After quoting the above-cited as vince some of your readers, sertion from St. Augustine, Barclay, that Voltaire was, as in many other in his "Apology for the Quakers," instances, not very correct, when he only observes, Upon this place Luasserted that Robert Barclay (whose dovicus Vives saith, That thus the representative is now the subject of Gentiles not having a law were a law so much conversation for attainments unto themselves, and the light of so liv not very spiritual), had solved every ing is the gift of God, proceeds from difficulty concerning the salvation of the Son; of whom it is written, that the heathen world by his doctrine of he inlightneth every man that cometh the Inward Light, in a manner as into the world." satisfactory as Sir Isaac Newton had accounted for the different phenomena in the natural world by his doctrine of gravity. In the folio edition of St. Augustine's "City of God," printed at London, in 1620, with the Commentary of Lodovicus Vivez, a native of Spain, and Latin preceptor to our first Queen Mary, the author says, "Nor do I think the Jews dare ayerre, that no man was ever saved after the propagation of Israel but Israelites.' Upon this passage Vivez has the following note: Nature being unpolluted with Had the above note been shewn to Dr. Johnson, he probably would have said, "Barclay, Sir, only ramified and expanded through two tedious propositions what Vivez had expressed with more clearness and precision in one short paragraph. After all, Mr. Editor, the doctrine in question is not a discovery of St. Augustine, nor of his commentator, nor of Barclay; but a position plainly laid down by St. Paul, in the second chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, and clearly intimated in many other passages of holy scripture; so that we may conclude, that, Latius se diffundit spiritus Christi quam nos interpretamur; et was afterwards discovered that they multi sunt in consortio sunctorum, qui non sunt apud nos in catalogo. Your's, &c. Oct. 19, 1807. SUUM CUIQUE. had were hired villains, who had bargained for a reward to their families in case they were taken and executed. The mistress of the post assured them that no chaise had passed, and that it was impossible for it to get on with, out post horses. Douglas, after having rested a long time at the door, went with another on the road towards Bretagne, leaving the other two in the house. FOR Dr. Johnson Mrs. Cartrays a madent, senos pusillion by the spoke in high terms of his constant at- back court on the road, to Paris, to tention to religious duties, and the conduct the chaise to the house of ansoundness of his moral principles. In other lady, her friend. While one of one of their latest conversations she the men had thrown himself on a was expressing this opinion of him to himself; he took her by the hand, and said with much eagerness, "You know this to be true, and testify it to the world when I am gone." ESCAPE OF THE PRETENDer. an bed, the other acted as centinel at the door, but she engaged a trusty postillion to ply him with liquor to intoxication. She then locked the door of the chamber on the sleeping villain, and sent for the Marechausee, who At Nonancourt, a little town be- arrested the two Englishmen, though yond Dreux, a singular event happen- they claimed the protection of the ed which might find its place in his- British ambassador. It was tory. The British ambassador, Lord swered that, until they gave proofs Stair, having learned that the Preten- that they belonged to the ambassador, der was to leave Chaillot, where he they should remain in prison. Meanwas concealed,, to proceed to Bre- while the Pretender arrived, and was tagne, in order to embark for Scot- conducted into the house chosen by land, and put himself at the head of Madame L'Hospital, whither she his adherents, applied to the regent went, and informed him of what had Duke of Orleans, to arrest that unfor- passed. This prince, full of gratitude, tunate prince, who was to pass by did not affect to deny himself, but reChateau-Thierry. Contades, who mained concealed at Nonancourt, was very acute, divined the intentions of the duke, in the firm resolution of not finding him whom he was to seek. waiting till measures were taken against those who were not arrested. Douglas, informed of what had happened, returned with all speed to PaStair, on his side, distrusting the ris; and in a few days the Pretender regent, determined on a vigour be- again set out in the disguise of an ec yond the law." He charged Douglas, clesiastic. He gave to the mistress of an Irish colonel in the service of the post a letter for the falleu queen France, to place himself in ambus- of England, to whom she passed at cade, with three assassins, at Nonan- St. Germain, and related the advencourt. On their arrival they enquir- ture. This princess gave the geneed with so much eagerness, if a partí- rous hostess her portrait; and the Precular post-chaise had passed, that they tender sent her his; the situation of became suspicious to the mistress of the mother and son not permitting the post-house, Madame L'Hospital, more efficacious marks of gratitude. a woman of sagacity and resolution. Madame L'Hospital, contented with Nor must it be forgotten, that the re- doing a worthy action, did not deport of the Pretender's journey had mand from the regent the re-payment spread abroad, since he had disappear- of her expenses. She continued mised from Bar. The inquietude of these tress of the post for twenty-five years men, easily known to be English, led after, and her family still hold that her to suspect bad designs; and it situation. UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VIII. 3 F A SINGULAR SERMON By the Rev. Mr. Hyberdin, which he made at the request of certain thieves who robbed him on a hill, in Hampshire, in their presence, and at that instant. [Extracted from he Cottonian Library, before the fire which happened at Ashburn ham-house in 1731.] self, when he was here on earth, did take an ass and a colt that was none of his; and yet God said, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Thus you see God delighted in thieves. But most of all I marvel that men can'dispraise you thieves, whereas in many points you be like unto Christ himself; for Christ had I greatly marvel that any man will no dweiling-place, no more have you; dispraise thieving, and think that the Christ went from town to town, and doers thereof are worthy of death, so do you; Christ at length was considering it is a thing that cometh caught, and so will you: he went near unto virtue, being used in all down into hell, and so will you. In countries, and commanded and al- this you differ from him; for he lowed by God himself; the which arose, and went into heaven. So you thing I cannot compendiously shew will never do without God's great unto you at so short a warning, and mercy, which God grant you. To on so sharp an occasion. I must de- whom, with the father, son, and holy sire you, gentle audience of thieves, to ghost, be all honour and glory, for take in good part what at this time ever and ever. Amen. cometh into my mind; not doubting money. The sermon being ended, struck but that you, through your good with remorse, they returned the knowledge, are able to add much more unto it than this which I shall now offer unto you. BLASPHEMY OF MILTON. SIR, First-Fortitude and stoutness of courage, and also boldness of mind, is BEG leave to contradict the assercommended of some men to be a vir- tion of your Oxford Correspondtue: which being granted, who is ent, which appeared in a late Magathere then that will not judge thieves zine, concerning a passage in the "Pato be virtuous ?-For they are of all radise Lost," which is now the subject men the most stout and hardy, and of a controversy, carried on through most void of fear; for thieving is the medium of your respectable and a thing usual among all men; for not independent publication. He asserts only you that are here present, but that Doctor Newton, in his edition of also many others in divers places, the above poem, has taken no notice both men, women, and children, rich of the passage in question. I beg and poor, are daily of the faculty, as the hangman of Newgate can testify; and that it is allowed of by God himself, is evident from scripture; for if you examine the whole course of the bible, you will find that thieves have been beloved of God; for Jacob, when he came out of Mesopotamia, did steal his uncle Laban's kids :-The same Jacob also stole his brother Esau's blessing; and yet God said, "I have chose Jacob, and refused Esau." The children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt, did steal the Egyptian's jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, as God commanded them to in days of Abiather, the High Priest, came into the temple, and stole the hallowed bread; and yet God said, "David is a man after mine own heart." Christ him leave to assure him that the Doctor Yours sincerely, Leicester, Nov. 5, 1807. THE COMET. I. S. H. T bright as a star of the first magnitude. The first scientific account of it is contained in the following letter from : Bath: the east. This Comet was also seen on the 28th, at Vizhoul, and M. Flaugergues perceived it on the 26th, at Viviers. It seemed to him like a white nebulous spot, very brilliant, "Circus, Bath, Oct. 1, 1807. and similar to a star of the second. "SIR,-The appearance of the Co- magnitude. It was surrounded by a met having excited much curiosity, a nebulosity of about six minutes in difew words on it, however inaccurate, ameter, and had a tail about a degree may not be unacceptable. It was and a half in length. It is the opi first seen here by a Gentleman emi- nion of the Institute, that this Comet nent for astronomical knowledge, on is different from any with which we Monday, Sept. 28, about eight at are acquainted.-A letter from Munight. It seemed then to be near the nich, dated Oct. 8, says, "On the star in Libra, in about five deg. S. de- 1st inst. a Comet was observed in the clination, and about 218 right ascen- North West of the horizon; it is sion. On Wednesday, about the large, and rather pale. Its tail apsame time, it appeared about 21 deg. pearing directing toward the earth, north of the Equator, and in about prevents a correct judgment being 216 right ascension; so that it had formed of its length. Yesterday, at changed its declination about 7} deg. seven o'clock in the evening, that and its right ascension about 1 deg. phenomenon again appeared. In the in that time. The coma, or tail, was last century three Comets were seen, about 5 deg. long, and the nucleus one in 1709, one in 1740, and the very distinct and bright. It probably other in 1768." set about nine, or a little later, and This Comet was also seen at Macabout 3 deg. to the north of the west farlane Observatory, Glasgow, on the point. These observations are very 25th, at seven o'clock P.M. situated inaccurate, but may serve to direct to the North-east of the star Beta in your readers a little where to look for the constellation Hercules, distant it, as it is perfectly visible to the naked eye." 黃營養 Places seen At Edinburgh, London Day. - R. A. Decli. 2279 5°N. 6. 229 7. from that star 2 deg. 15 min. Its right ascension 247 deg. 30 min.-its But from the Moniteur of Oct. 8, declination 22 deg. 45 min. North. it seems that Mr. Pons, of the Obser- The following information may not vatory of Marseilles, discovered this be unacceptable to the young astroComet on the 20th of September; nomer. It is composed of observaand that from the observations which tions made at the Macfarlane Obserhe and some other astronomers com- vatory and elsewhere, and will enamunicated to those of Paris, M.Burck- ble such as have access to a Celestial hardt determined the following orbis, Globe, or Map of the Heavens, to which he presented to the class of trace the progress of the Comet for mathematical and philosophical sci- the last three weeks: ences of the National Institute, on the 5th of this month. Passage to the Perihelion, 25th Sept. 3 A. M. distance of the Perihelion, 0,6151; Perihelion 291 deg. 4 min.; Nucleus, 267 deg. 47 min.; inclination 48 deg. 4 min.; movement direct. These hints, says M. Burckhardt, will be sufficient to calculate the route of the 25. 247 23. Comet, but it may be discovered with- Another astronomer, who dates out any trouble, being distinguish- from Glasgow, Oct. 30, observed, able by the naked eye, as soon as night with respect to the Comet, that it aphas closed. It is now (Sept. 25th) to pears to have been nearest the earth the left of Arcturus, between the stars about the 10th of October, when its of the boreal crown and those of Li- apparent diameter equalled that of bra to the west. Its motion is one Jupiter, and its tail stretched nearly degree per day towards the north, and four deg. With respect to its real rather more than a degree towards magnitude, nothing can yet be said vatory, Glasgow, S Macfarlane Obser- Ditto dito } 8. 231 9. 9. 232 10. 13. 234 15. 21. 243 20. - 23. 245 21. |