eyes;

From what a burden haft thou fet me free, Amidit a copious vent of groans and fighs! [creak! Blefs'd did I hear thy op'ning hinges Bless'd hear thy echoes fwell each rumbling found! [fpeak, E'en Kings of thee, in ftrains of rapture, And drop their offerings in thy cave profound. [thy ftand; By their bed-fides each night thou tak’st They mount thee oft'ner than they mount their thrones ;

On thee full oft is lain the royal hand, Thou comforter of bowels and of hores ! (in life! All hail! thou deareft, dearest thing Full fifty pounds a-year I wafte on

be!

thee! [wife, And, if I add my children and my One hundred pounds and fifty it would [in life! Hail! then, thou deareft, dearest thing Hail cry my children; and hail! cries my wife.

Cottage of Mon Repos, near Canterbury, Kent.

RUSTICUS.

SONNET

Written at Midnight, on the Shore of Aberystwith, South Wales.

BY THOMAS ENORT SMITH.

IN dewy foftnets, on her white-wove feat, Now fhines the Moon, fweet lamp of heaven, full bright,

clear,

Cafting her robe of pure reflected light On yon calm waters, while, with fnow. tipp'd feet, [among, The deep green bofom'd waves fhe sports Flinging athwart her filvery radiance [wings the air, And nought is heard, fave the hoarie While fleep doth fold with filence, boatman's fong, [fraught tale, Chaunting at diftance rude fome loveOr oar flow dipping in the half-hush'd [turn, who gave Great Power! to thee my thoughts I Yon fair-form'd orb, and hung her taper

wave.

pale

High in the firmament to blefs our fight, A Imiling dimple on the cheek of night.

CUPID AWAKENED. PARAPHRASED FROM THE FRENCH.

s thro' a cool fequefter'd wild, A The other day, I carelefs ftray'd, I faw, by chance, a blooming child' Twas Cupid's felf-for well I knew Afleep beneath a woodbine fhade. The Urchin, by his pleafing air, His vermeil lips, and blushing hue, And golden ringlets of his hair. With cautious fteps I 'proach'd him near, And marked well his lovely charms; Examin'd too, without a fear,

His unftrung bow and barbed arms.

"Ah me!" I to my felf then cried, "Can grace like this fuch care create ? Is this the Boy I have defy'd,

Who fways with unrelenting hate? Sure, under these foft-dimpled fmiles Deception foul can never dwell? Nor can this face by artful wiles

The bofom's throbbing pulles fwell ?"? Thus mufing, in deep eager thought,

A figh efcap'd my anxious breait; The God awoke-I pardon fought,

But ftern revenge his foul poffelt. Forth, then, his odour'd wings he fpread, And from his quiver drew a dart; Twang went the bow-the weapon fled

All forceful thro' my trembling heart. "Go now," he faid, "to Rofa go,

And pity at her feet implore; There figh thy fmart and fecret wce, And all thy troubles number o'er.

For

YES-thou art gone! alas! for ever

gone, [and woe; From this vain world of wretchedness

To yon bright realms of peace thy fpirit's flown, [know. Where joys celeftial thy pure foul hall What tho' no father fhed the tender tear O'er thy poor corpfe, committed to the tomb; (appear, What tho' no mother's grief did there Thy death lamenting, and my hapless doom;

Of what avail is a proud brother's fcorn; A fifter's taunts upon thy honeft name; What tho' they leave me helpless and forlorn, [ipotlef's fame; And blait, with fland'rous breath, my Still thy afflicted wife, with forrow sweet, Each night and morn, before the throne of Heav'n, [peat, Shall thy dear name in ev'ry prayer reAnd fue to God thy fins may be for. giv❜n.

Then fhall Memory, with mournful joy,

retrace

[love

Thy tender kindness and increafing Shall call to mind that heav'nly placid face, [remove.

That fimile of patience death could not And when affail'd by Fortune's threat'ning frown, [ftate, Or Friendship cools upon my alter'd In pleasures pure I will my forrows drown, [fate. Nor murmur at the hard decrees of Pleafures unknown to the licentious throng, [mind: Who hut reflection from their fickly But, as they dance in Folly's maze along, Seek for that happiness they ne'er can find.

It is in Solitude's fequefter'd fhade, Where filent Contemplation loves to dwell, [were paid, I'll think on Him to whom our vows And learn true wisdom from each pass

ing knell.

Sw

TO SLEEP.

no more to [fkies." yon azure M. F.

WEET Sleep! destroyer of each care
That rends th' afflicted breaft,

Thy foporific draught prepare

To lull my thoughts to reft.
Sifter to Death, almighty pow'r !

Kind Nature's gentle nurfe!
Thy facred influence o'er me fhow'r.
And all my cares disperse.
For thou can't make all Nature bow,
And own thy drowsy sway;
Thou too doft ea'e the lab'rer's brow

After a toillome day.

Thou too can't clofe the Prince's eyes,
And potent warriers bind;
Before thy prefence Mem'ry flies

Swift as the winged wind.
Like as the fondling infant smiles,
Preft in its mother's arms,
Unknown to life's deceitful wiles,
And all its pregnant harms:
But when it grows to manlier years,
And feels life's keenelt darts,
Thole (miles are chang'd to joyless tears,
And Grief its pain imparts:

Sa

MONDAY, DEC. 12.

A PETITION from J. Macleod, imprifoned two years for a breach of privilege, was ordered to lie on the table.

Lord Hawkesbury, on propofing the fecond reading of the Irish Habeas Corpus and Martial Law Bills, adverted to the tranfactions of July, commended the prefent meafures on the ground of humanity, and praised the lenity of the

Irith Government.

A debate enfued; in which Lords Suffolk, Grenville, and Darnley, objected, that there was not fufficient information before the Houle, and were anfwered by the Lord Chancellor and Lord Hobart, who maintained that the Government had been fully acquainted with the projected riling.

TUESDAY, DEC. 13.

The East India Bond, Seamen's Defertion, and fome other Bills, were read a third time.

On the motion for the paffing of the Bank Restriction Bill, Lord Grenville faid, he had never conceived this meafure to be necellary, but had formerly fupported it to prevent the effects of an unfounded alarm. He obferved, that it would increase beyond all meafure the private paper of the country; and recommended the inftitution of Committees to inquire into the circulation of fuch paper.

This was objected to by Lord

VOL. XLV. JAN. 1804.

Hawkesbury, who, however, acquiefced in the principles advanced by Lord G. The Bill was paffed.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14.

The Irish Habeas Corpus Bill was read a third time, and, with fome pri vate Bills, palied.

THURSDAY, DEC. 15.

The Royal Affent was given, by Commition, to the Bills which had paffed both Houses.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16.

The Earl of Suffolk made fome ob

fervations on the Volunteer System, of which he highly approved; but objected to the attachment of Field Ocers. He took a general view of the belt means of defending the country, and recommended the establiment of a great military depot in Warwickthire: he alfo hoped that Government would pay particular attention to the formation of Kifle Corps.

Lord Grenville was of opinion, that the Bill was not calculated to anfwer the objects it had in view; but he declined a difcuffion of the plan.

Lord Hobart obferved, that there would be fufficient opportunities for confidering the question in the courie of the Seflion. It was one of great importance, and he affured the Honf that the attention of Government was already turned to it.

Some explanations took place; during which the Duke of Clarence expreffed

K

preffed his full concurrence in the opinion of Lord Grenville.

The Bill was then read.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17.

The Duke of Norfolk brought in a Bill to exempt from arreft and civil procefs, Rectors, V cars, and Perpetual

Curates. The Bill was read a firit time. His Grace then moved that the Bill be printed. He obferved, that the Bill recited several Acts of Parliament relative to the privileges of the Clergy, fome of which were paffed in the reign of Henry VIII. The question, it would therefore be perceived, involved much clerical law; on which account he would not have brought it for ward, had he not first co fulted a Gentleman of high legal authority, peculiarly converfant on the fubject. His Grace added, that he wished the Bill to ftand over till after the recefs, and in the mean time to be printed. Agreed

The Volunteer Exemption Bill went through a Committee; and, upon the Report being brought up, the Lord

Chancellor made feveral verbal amendments; to the end, that Members leaving their Corps after the palling of the Bill fhould not be entitled to exemption from the Militia and Army of Referve Ballots.-The Bill was then ordered to be read a third time, and the Houfe adjourned to

MONDAY, DEC. 19.

On the third reading of the Volunteer Explanatory Bill,

ON

Earl Fitzwilliam expreffed his opinion, that it was not fufficiently diftinct. By the Act of the 33d of the King, Volunteers were exempted from Martial Law, or from any call to march beyond their own particular district. lotes Militia-men. By the Acts of They were, however, liable to be balthe 42d and 431, it would seem that Volunteers were fubject to Martial ferving in the Militia and Army of Law, but were to be exempted from Referve. Even the laft point was not clearly defined, it being a matter of doubt to many, how far those Volunteers raised after a particular period were entitled to fuch exemption. He thould be removed. thought it neceffary that every doubt

Lord Hawkesbury obferved, that the abolish a doubt as to the right of exprefent Bill was intended merely to emption in favour of thofe Volunteers who had not been regularly fupplied with arms. It would therefore be improper to extend its object: he added, that the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown was fufficient to folve all doubts on the fubject.

The Lord Chancellor concurred in this opinion, and the Bill passed.

TUESDAY, DEC. 20.

Accounts were prelented of the Bounties paid for Fifh brought to London and Westminster in the last year, &c. And after Counfel had been heard in fome Scotch Appeals, the Houfe adjourned till the 3d of February.

MONDAY, DEC. 12.

N the report of the Army Estimates, Colonel Craufurd fuggefted the eftablishment of a Grand Military Council of Veteran Officers, becaufe he confidered the abilities of one perfonage unequal to fuch an Herculean labour: he itated the object of fuch a Council to be, to confider the various plans that might be prefented; and after enforcing, at fome length, the advantages of fuch a meafure, he proceeded to take a retrefpective view of the conduct of Minifters previous to the war, whom he cenfured for their dangerous confidence in the French Government. He next made some remarks on the best modes of defence, among which he mentioned Martello Towers, that could not be formed; and expatiated on the advantage of

throwing up numerous works in every quarter: he concluded with deprecating the exemptions granted to Volunteers, and advifed the raising of large bodies of pikemen and pioneers.

Mr. Rofe wifhed to know if it was the intention of Government to provide for all the families of Volunteers who might be called out? Without indemnification, they would be ruined; but with proper encouragement, he was convinced they would foon be able to render as effectual fervice as the regulars. He took an animated view of the ftate of the Sea Fencibles, in contradition to the ftatement of Mr. Windham on Friday; and afferted, that our coaft was guarded by upwards of 800 armed veifels, while the eftablishment on fhore was fully adequate to farther defence.

Mr.

Mr. Yorke faid, that if farther relief to the families of Volunteers, than what the Act propofed, was found neceffary, a claufe would be added.

Mr. Pitt explained, that on Friday he meant the Field Officer and Adjutant fhould be appointed to give their alfistance to the Commandants of Corps, who would thereby have the benefit of their inftructions, but without the Field Oficer having any fuperiority attached to him. He continued to reprefent, in glowing terms, the advantages to be expected from the Volunteers, and on the reading of the different refolutions, he recapitulated all his former arguments in the most ftrenuous manner.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer doubted whether the meafure refpecting Field Officers could be put in practice.

Mr. Windham repeated his objections to the Volunteer force, with the additional remarks, that he confidered it as an armed democracy, from which great mifchief might be apprehended, and that it interfered with the orders of fociety, by taking labourers from their occupation, while it depreciated military rank, by making Officers of low mechanics: in fhort, if the fyftem had been taken from the pigeon-holes of the Abbé Sieyes, it could not be more revolutionary.

Mr. Erikine feverely condemned the indulgence of fplenetic criticifms against fuch a gallant body: he was forry that Mr. W. continued to make speeches fo fraught with mischief, and to encou rage others to write what he fpoke; and added, that fuch words fpoken without that Houfe would render him liable to a profecution: he concluded with expreffing his firm opinion, that the meritorious conduct of the Volunteers would foon render the country impregnable.

Lord Caftlereagh, the Attorney-General, and Mr. Yorke, oppofed the arguments of Mr. Windham, and the Refolutions were paffed.

In a Committee of Supply, feveral fums were voted for Irish and English Miscellaneous Services.

TUESDAY, DEC. 13.

A Meffage from the Lords announced their affent to the following Bills, without any amendment, viz. Malt Duty, 5,000,000l. Loan Exchequer, Pention Duty, Irish Sugar Drawback, Qualification Indemnity, Irish Sufpenfion Pro

miffory Note, Eaft India Bond, and Seamen's Defertion B is.

Mr. Yorke fted the object of the Volunteer Exemption Bill to b, to remove the inconvenience of Oers not understanding former Acts, which required returns to be made on the ift of September. He afterwards brought up a claufe for providing for the families of Volunteers on actual fervice out of their district, during their abfence, in the fame manner as the families of Militia-men.

The evening was paffed in long and defultory converfations, confifting of a repetition of former remarks in favour of and against the Volunteer fyftem.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14.

A Meffage from the Lords announced their aflent to the English Bank Reftriction, Irish Martial Law, English Promillory Note, Irith Distillation and Crop Exportation, Sugar Drawback, Curates' Relief, and Portugal WineBonding Bills.

On the motion of Mr. Corry, 21,600). Irish was granted to the Trustees of the Linen Board in Ireland.

Mr. Yorke prefented an accurate return of the Army of Referve; from which it appeared, that the total number raifed on the 21ft of November, in England and Wales, was 26,607. Of thefe, 642 had been rejected, 70 were dead, 770 had deferted, 25,500 were effective, and a deficiency of 8000 remained to be made up. In Scotland, 5,500 had been raifed; and in Ireland, 6,000.-He then moved, that another account of the number of men railed for this army, diftinguishing the counties, &c. be prepared against the meeting after the recefs.-Ordered.

On the motion for the third reading of the Volunteer Bill, Mr. Windham fuggefted the propriety of putting a ftop to all exemptions in future; and objected to the power vested in unauthorifed perfons, fuch as Officers and Committees of Volunteer Corps, in which that fort of democratic adminiftration prevailed which determined who fhould be ballotted for the Militia and the Army of Referve, which was like impofing a fine of fifty guineas upon an individual: thefe points he preffed on the attention of Ministers; as likewife, that the army wanted a perennial fource, while the Army of Referve was only a fingle fupply.

Mr. Addington obferved, that there were multitudes of Corps which had