done to the Grandees, in not allowing them a representation in Cortes. My next Espanol is almost printed, and I can say but few words about these points; but I will endeavour to prepare the way to useful discussions. What they want first of all is rules of proceeding. I intend to insist upon this topic. Mr. Bentham has written me a very polite letter, and made me a present of part of his work upon the Tactics of Popular Assemblies, which was printed as a specimen of the rest. I shall endeavour to find room for a short extract of his six rules of debate, which are very near the same as those of the House of Commons. How is it that Quintana is not in the list of the Deputies? I am intimately ackwainted to Zorraquin and Rodrigo, and I intend to write them a letter; but I scarcely have time, as over the Espanol I have always some little work from some friend or other, which takes the moments I could otherwise spare. I am, my Lord, J. BLANCO WHITE. (Vol. I. p. 202-4.) 26th Oct. 1810. My Lord, Nothing but the kind interest you have the goodness to take for me could sooth the smartness of the wound I have received from a beloved hand, in that cruel libel published in the Observador. I really dont know what an honest man can answer to the enormous injuries contained in that paper. My prevalent feeling is a kind of stupefaction, considering how has it been possible that my name should be published at Cadiz with the epithets of a monster, and a corruptor of the public morals, in a town crowded with my former friends. But now I am practically convinced that I had not one among them. You will soon see my 7th number. I insist on my arguments, and only allow myself an allusion to the ill-treatment of some of my countrymen. There is even a new, and a very powerfull reason for the Cortes to decide the question in favour of the Americans: that is, the insurrection of the New Kingdom of Granada. I suppose you must have seen the proclamation of the people of Sta. Fe, published in the Morning Post of the 21st. It is a matter of surprize to me, to see this subservient Ministerial Paper hastening to forward this piece of information. I suppose the Ministers feel the necessity of liberal measures in this important affair. I have seen Mr. Dumont. His conversation has been very consoling in my situation. The papers you have had the goodness to send me have been of great service for my next number. I am sorry I have neither room, nor time, to say what occurs to me upon the Cortes. It will be always said in time if they proceed as they have begun. Pray remember me to Lady Holland. I depend upon her pitying this poor Spanish Outlaw. I remain, my Lord, 2, Carleton Place, St. Alban's St. J. BLANCO WHITE. 7th Nov. My Lord, I am very sorry I was at my Printer's when you did me the honour to call this morning. overwhelmed by Have you heard of I will begin to write about the Reglamento for the liberty of the press as soon as I can have an original copy in Spanish. Will you have the goodness to send it to me if you have one? The papers you did me the favour to lend me are now ready for you again, and I will send them back as soon as possible. Some other newspapers from Spain have arrived lately in town, if I am not mistaken, but I have seen none. My uneasiness about the liberty of the Press has increased when I have heard the names of some of the members comprising the Tribunal. Arguelles and his enlightened supporters must have been the dreadfull influence of the Clergy. Lasauca? He was the man who, being Regente of Oviedo, imprissoned Jovellanos, and took him as a criminal through the streets of that town in the middle of the day. He was the Judge appointed to pass sentence on the Vizcayans who rose against the tyrannical influence of the Prince of the Peace. Together with a man of this character, Riega, and the Bishop of Palencia, Bejarano-the first the prototype of ignorance and stubborness, the second of fanaticism—are chosen to support the liberty of the Press. And Quintana is with them! I long to see the names of the other members; but am almost sure that the bad party will be by far the strongest. Have you seen a pamphlet lately published in London against me? It is a master piece of Mr. Arriaza's wit. I am entirely decided not to mention a word about such lampoons. To answer the injuries, and sarcasms with which they abound, must be very tedious to my readers. As to reasons or arguments, they state nothing that I have not answered beforehand a thousand times. What can I say to people who are determined to see every thing upside down? What I am very sorry for is, the sad turn which the affairs of America have taken; it will be overflowed with blood. I remain, with sincere respect, My Lord, Ever yours, J. BLANCO WHITE. Edgeware Road, May 22nd, 1813. My dear Lord Holland, I live so much out of the world that I did not know you were gone to Brighton until this very moment, when I have received your letter. It is, indeed, exceedingly kind of you to remember me among the bustle of a watering-place, when I thus appear to forget you in my retirement. But I assure you that I have scarcely had time to take a walk in the fields for the sake of my health; such has been the number of translations which I have had to make this last month, besides the never-ending Espanol.-But as soon as this month is over, if you should still be at Brighton by the beginning of the next, I shall, positively, do myself the pleasure of paying you a visit: so that if I do not hear from you to the contrary, I shall be with you on the 2nd of June. The political honesty of the Liberales is, in my opinion, doing away so fast that I shall wonder at nothing they may do to keep the power in their hands. Their vanity has no limits, and I cannot believe that they will quietly submit to VOL. III. retire again into private life, or to hold any charge under the sway of others. What may be their plans I am not able to guess; but I don't expect to see the next Cortes fairly assembled. The good of the country and the dangers to which the Constitution is exposed, will be, no doubt, the pretext of their usurpation, and I do not doubt but that they still believe they have no other inducement but the establishment of liberty. However, I am convinced that they are thoroughly ruining the country. Spain cannot form a Republic, and those people have no other object in view. It is now one, in fact; but we begin to see the sad consequences of such a government. The country is in a state of anarchy: the majority of the people are very ready to give their assent to every Article of the Political Creed of the Cortes, but they will not lend their hands to any thing which they are desired to do. The natural indolence of the people has hitherto prevented popular commotions; but the parties are now running very high, and it is difficult to foretell what rancour and animosity will lead to. Do you know that the Anti-Anglican party has appeared with fresh vigour at Cadiz, I suspect under the protection of the new Government? I have just answered a most insolent and scandalous libel on the English Government, which has been published in the second number of a new journal called El Espanol Libre. The title makes me think that it is meant as a counter-poison against the Espanol Esclavo en Londres! I perfectly agree in your opinion of the Duke of Infantado. He has more sense than all the other Grandees put together; but his indecision has made him unpopular; and with many excellent qualities, I fear he has not a friend. I am very glad to hear that the Dutchess has been gratified |