nembers, 125, who each pay their penny or more a week.

The advantages arising to society in geneal, and to the poor in particular, from habitu al cleanliness, and a decent appearance, are so obvious, that they need little explanation. Whilst dirty and ragged children, on the Sabbath day, are idling about in lanes and ields, breaking the farmers' hedges, engaged n noisy and mischievous play, and frequently profaning the name of their Creator-the others are to be found at Church or at home: and, in the week days, they are adding to the general stock, by the effects of industry.

When Sunday schools, and other benevoent institutions, do not produce their proper Fruits, the defect will be found to originate in he want of that attention which is the duty of the higher orders of society In this repect, the parish of Harborne hath been, and till is, highly favoured. The boys' schools have bad the constant attention and superinendance of Thomas Green, Esq. (a gentlenan of considerable property in this parish) nd of a young gentleman now educating for holy orders, who has for some years taken pon him almost the whole charge of one chool.

In the girls' schools, which are in the highest order of discipline, every thing has been produced by the unwearied attention of a lady, esident there, and her daughters. For some ears back she has spent many hours in the care of the children, every Sunday; she has personally attended them to Church, and she as bestowed unwearied pains in forming their nanners, and their moral and religious chaacter. Her place in the schools is now supplid by the eldest daughter; while the two ounger sisters have taken the charge, at the nother's house, of a number of the children, whom they attend to Church, but have not ufficient room to accommodate in the schools. 1st March, 1802.

We have been under the necessity f somewhat abridging this account, ut we have preserved enough, we rust, to impress upon our readers the dvantages of such benevolent exerons as are here recorded, and of stimlating those whom Providence has lessed with the means of emulating hem, to GO AND DO LIKEWISE.

There is in the same report, another ccount by Miss Masters, which is ighly interesting, and which we shall Iso endeavour to compress for the inormation and instruction of our rea

ers.

In the year 1795, a free-school, for the eduation of the children of the industrious poor, the village of Weston, near Bath, was estalished there by a lady; who has since suceded in forming and supporting four other

The

similar schools, in the same village. children are admitted at a very early age. They are kept very clean and neat; and, as soon as possible, are taught the Lord's Prayer, the Gloria Patri, and the Cathechism. Their in. struction proceeds until they can read, knit, mend and make family apparel, and do all sorts of plain work. They attend the church regularly on Sundays; and those who are able join in singing psalms in the church; forming themselves in a circle round their patroness, and vying with each other in exemplary decency of conduct. Her allowance for each child's schooling is 3s. a quarter; a sum, though small, yet supplying a very acceptable charity, and contributing to the maintenance of five widow women, who receive £8. or £10. a year each (the five schools contain near 80 children) and are also put in the way, by their situation, of receiving additional benefit.

The children attend the schools so early as at two years old: each of the little ones being put under the care of one of the elder chil dren, and, as soon as they can speak, being taught the Lord's Prayer, and to be attentive and quiet during school hours. Their parents are, in consequence of their admission to the schools, enabled to go out to work, and to carry their labour to the best market.

She never keeps a girl in the schools after the age of twelve. By that time they are sufficiently advanced to be of great benefit at home, or to obtain situations in service. None are allowed to take pay for sewing for their poor neighbours That is all done gratis: the children assisting in mending and making for all the industrious poor of the village. One of the primary objects of the lady is thus attained; the making of them, and of the other poor of the village, habitually kind and affectionate to each other. When, however, a girl can read and work well, and is able to make a shirt complete, she is then allowed to make a profit, of her skill in needlework.

In 1795, there was only an evening service at the parish church on Sunday; and that so ill attended, as to afford little encouragement to add a service in the morning. The regular attendance, however, of so great a number of children in the church, the introduction of psalmody by them, and the consequent attendance of many of their parents and friends, did so increase the congregation, that the rector added a morning service. The parish church is now well attended twice every Sun

day. A few weeks back, many of the parish

ioners never even entered the church doors.

At present, small as is the parish, such is the regular attendance, that forty-four poor persons yesterday received the sacrament.

The whole of the Sunday this lady devotes to the children: she hears and explains to them the catechism, and makes them repeat the collects: but she provides no other books of religious instruction than the Bible and the Prayer Book, and some selections from them; reserving the rest for oral communication. The infant age at which this lady receives

the children, and the very early period at which she returns them to their families, or enables them to go into service, are features peculiar, in some degree, to the schools established at Weston, by Mrs. Hocker, for that is the lady's name. But those who have attended much to children must have observed, that they are much more liable to good and bad impressions, at a very early age, than any general system of education in this country seems to provide for. Many young persons, as well in low as in high life, prove decidedly vicious and hopeless, for want of an early and active occupation, in something useful.

If there be one object, with which hardly any other can be placed in competition, it is EDUCATION; not that which is ornamental, but that which serves to supply principle, to induce active industry, to promote the love of God and of our neighbour, and to prepare us for our duty in our allotted station of life: these are objects of attainment to be rich as well as to the poor: objects, which attained (however lost and hopeless may be the mature age of many in every class of life) will for ever supply renovated youth and unexhausted vigour to the political body, and will protract to a distant period, otherwise beyond hope, the duration and prosperity of this favoured empire.

It is worthy of observation, that the supply of these schools is not fed by the overflowings of affluence; but by the prudent and self-denying economy of a small, and very limited income, aided by the subscriptions of the rector of the parish, and of a few personal friends of Mrs Hocker. The great sacrifice in undertakings of this nature, where one individual ventures singly to take the charge of so large an establishment, is time and attention; but, in the present instance, there must also have been a considerable self-denial in what is

FRANCE.

usually termed "gratification;" in order to obtain, with means so limited, objects so desirable Those, however, who are inclined to try the experiment on the scale of a single school, will find it a matter neither of expense nor trouble; and of all the amusements they pay for, this will be the most economical and productive. The union of any three ladies, in this work of pious charity, will, at the expense of £4. a year to each of them, afford education to twenty children, will give comfort, relief, and attachment, to almost as many poor families, will assist the present, and improve the rising generation, and will, at the same time, provide for some poor and honest widow, those means of occupation and livelihood, without which she might have been compelled to be a burden to herself and the parish.

There are some well-intentioned persons, who rather seek to mortify the soul by acts of penance, than to occupy it in works of utility. "But in order to dispose the heart to devotion" (says a pious and eminent bishop) "the active life is to be preferred to a life of contemplation. To BE DOING GOOD TO MAN

KIND, DISPOSES THE SOUL MOST POWER

FULLY TO DEVOTION. The poor are designed to excite our liberality, the miserable our compassion, the sick our assistance, and the ignorant our instruction." What has been done at Weston affords a lively comment upon this truth. The benefit there is not confined to the succession of those who are educated in the schools: the effects pervade every part of the parish. The church is more frequented, the sabbath better observed, the cottager more thriving and comfortable, his family better clothed, and every individual improved by the example of those, who have received benefit from these schools.

THIS month has exhibited fresh proofs of the reality of those projects of aggrandizement and dominion which have been attributed to Bonaparte. With a steady and inflexible purpose of extending the territory of France, he avails himself of every shadow of a pretext which offers itself of absorbing into her vortex, any of the smaller states with which she is surrounded.

On the 23d of October, a decree was published at Parma to the following effect:

"In the name of the French Republic, Mederic-Louis-Elbe Moreau Saint Mery, Counsellor of State, Administrator-General of Parma, Placentia, &c. A Convention concluded between France and Spain, on the 30th of March, 1801, places at the disposal of France the States of the Duke of Parma; and the death of that Prince having happened on the 9th of October last, the First Consul has decreed, that from that moment the exercise of Sovereignty it by right transferred to the French

Republic; and he has appointed us Administrator-General of the Kingdom."

This preamble is followed by several regulations, appointing every public act to be done in the name of the French Republic.

It is impossible to contemplate the geograph ical position of this new annexation to the pow er of the Great Nation, without relinquishing the hope of preserving the independence of any of the Italian States. Situated in the cen tre of Italy, it can only be viewed as a convenient place of arms, by means of which the newly formed Italian and Ligurian govern ments may be retained in a state of vassalage: and the ecclesiastical dominions, together with the kingdoms of Naples and Etruria, may, under pretence of some hostile act, or of some forced bequest, be made integral parts of France.

The introduction of a powerful French force into Switzerland has terminated, for the present, all opposition to the Gallo Helvetic Government. The Chief Consul has endea

voured, by the moderation of his language, to diminish the indignation which his proceedings are calculated to excite in Europe; and he continues to assure the Swiss, whom his arbitrary measures must by this time have taught the real value of such assurances, that he has no intention of interfering with their independence. The Swiss Consulta are speedily to assemble at Paris.

The First Consul's visit to the sea-port and manufacturing towns in the Department of the Lower Seine, seems to have excited much attention in France. In the course of his tour, he is said to have been every where re ceived with acclamations of joy, and with every possible demonstration of gratitude and respect, and the official paper of the government is filled with the addresses made to him at the different places through which he passed. The object of this excursion seems to have been to encourage commerce and manufactures, and to add to his own popularity, which he probably feels to be in the wane.

We are assured from sources. which we deem authentic, that the general course of Bonaparte's administration has been far from giving satisfaction to the sober and reflecting part of the French nation. His measures are deemed to be more the result of an insatiable lust of power, than of a patriotic desire of promoting the happiness of the people. They consider themselves, it is true, to be under many obligations to him, for rescuing them from that most insupportable of all political evils, the tyranny of a mob, and for restoring to the mass of the community a degree of security both for life and property, to which their experience of the miseries of revolutionary violence has taught them to affix no mean value. They are said, however, rather to tolerate than to approve his government: it cannot, therefore, be expected, in case of any insurrectional movement, that they should be very cordial, or expose themselves to much personal hazard in his support. The dread of the renewal of the bloody scenes already acted, we understand to be very general throughout France; and next to the fidelity of the army, which must necessarily be his principal reliance, probably forms the main ground of Bonaparte's security. A feeling of national glory, when they view the extent of power possessed by their country, may, likewise, mix itself with this sentiment, and contribute to produce an acquiescence in the present order of things.

But, notwithstanding these pledges of tranquillity, it appears, that all the vigilance of a military government is necessary to curb the spirit of turbulence and insubordination. In the south and west, so many symptoms of disaffection have been manifested, that it has been deemed necessary, by a decree of the Conservative Senate, to suspend for two years the trial by jury in several of the departments. A measure of so harsh a nature, would scarcely have been resorted to, had not a very large body of the people, in these departments, been Christ. Observ. No. 11.

decidedly averse to the consular government. The Roman Catholic priests, it is said, are suspected of fomenting this spirit of disaffection; they have evidently been, for some time, the objects of the First Consul's distrust; and it is not unlikely that this circumstance, and the consequent preference of Protestants in the appointment to places of trust, may have fomented, if it has not generated, discontent and disaffection in those provinces where the ancient religion is most rigidly adhered to.

The French official journal has lately published, under the form of unofficial animadversions on the English news-papers, several articles which may be considered as in some measure indicative of the views and wishes of the First Consul with regard to this country. The drift of these articles is entirely to exclude England from all continental interference, and to persuade the other powers of Europe to avoid her connection as dangerous to their peace, and destructive of their interests. But the argument employed by the writer to prove the impolicy of admitting Britain to a share in continental politics, is perhaps the very circumstance which ought to make those powers who wish to preserve their independence, desirous of a more intimate union with her. "A continental war," observes the Moniteur, "would have no other effect than to concentrate all the riches of commerce, all the colonies of the world, in the hands of a single nation." Here then we have the reluctant confession, that the naval power of Great Britain is, in fact, under Providence, the great security for the peace of Europe; and that if France is restrained in her schemes of conquest, it is probably by the fear of producing a rupture, which must have the effect of annihilating her own commerce, and indefinitely extending that of Great Britain.

An English news-paper has lately been set on foot at Paris, under the title of the Argus, the object of which, if we may judge by the specimens already afforded, is, by means of gross misrepresentation and calumny, to avenge the French government for the freedom with which the journalists of this country have reprehended their measures. The large quotations which the Moniteur has made of those passages in it, which tend most to vilify the British government, give a colour to this supposition. The conductors of it are said to be United Irishmen; and Arthur O'Connor has been named as a principal writer. We have beard with considerable regret, that Mr. Fox, during his stay at Paris, had several interviews with this self-convicted traitor, and even dined publicly in his company. have been slow in giving credit to facts which so materially affect the character of that distinguished senator; but as they have been asserted with a strong appearance of truth, and have remained wholly uncontradicted by his friends, we cannot but believe them. This circumstance will, to our readers, require no comment. It indicates, if true, a disregard

5 D

We

of decorum, which they well know how to appreciate.

A decree has passed for encouraging foreign manufacturers to settle in France; but we do not apprehend that it will produce any very powerful effect in seducing those of this country to migrate thither.

Great exertions are said to be making in deepening the harbour of Boulogne, and constructing a bason capable of containing a number of frigates.

SWITZERLAND.

This country, as we have already observed, has submitted to the dictation of Bonaparte. In a note addressed to the minister of Bavaria, in which he professed to state the reasons of his interference, he disclaimed any intention of establishing with Helvetia those relations which unite him to the Italian Republic; asserted, that his only object was by a powerful mediation to secure the peace of that coun

try, and to put her in a condition of exercising the right she had acquired, of organizing her own government; and alleged, in evident contradiction to the fact, that the late disturbance was the work of a few emigrants, whose object was to deprive their countrymen of their rights. In this way he endeavoured to justify to Europe his menace of sending

40,000 men into Switzerland.

In the reply of the Diet of Schwitz to that menace, they observed" We shall yield to force; no one thinks of contending with the First Consul; but there remain in our possession arms which he himself esteems-these are the justice of our cause, the voice of the people, and posterity" These weapons, however, seem not to have retarded the purpose of Bonaparte, whose troops having taken possession of the country, have proceeded to disarm the inhabitants, and to re-establish the former government. They have dissolved the Diet of Schwitz. The Diet, on its dissolution, published the following proclamation : "The members of the Diet return their powers to the hands of their constituents, having been checked in their proceedings by a foreign armed force, and by the influence of extraordinary circumstances; they do not renounce the right guaranteed to the different Cantons by the Treaty of Luneville, of giving to Switzerland a suitable constitution, and they protest before hand against all that other inhabitants of Switzerland are about to do to renounce that right" [That is to say, what the Helvetic Consulta, which is to assemble at Paris, shall decree relative to the future constitution of Helvetia.]

Unmoved by this protest, the restored government have ordered the cantonal diets to nominate deputies who shall repair to Paris, "in order to point out the means of restoring union and tranquillity, and conciliating all parties," Some of the chiefs of the popular party have been arrested.

GERMANY.

The affair of the indemnities is not yet finaly adjusted, but it now appears to be drawing

to an amicable conclusion. The second plan of indemnities presented by the mediating powers, was indeed little if at all more favourable to the Emperor than the preceding; but such modifications are said to have been since admitted, in order to secure to the Grand Duke of Tuscany the indemnities promised by the Treaty of Luneville, that it is expected the Emperor will no longer oppose the definitive arrangement of this intricate and perplexing business. The plan pursued with respect to the prince bishops, as well as the inferior ecclesiastics, has been to deprive them of their territories, and to afford them salaries for life, proportionate to the losses they sustain in consequence. Our king has taken possession of the Bishopric of Osnaburgh, agreeably to the plan of indemnities.

EAST INDIES.

It is stated in some late accounts, that the

Emperor of China has shewn very favourable dispositions towards the British, and has remitted some duties which operated as a check

on commerce.

Mulker Row, had made an attack on some of A Mahratta free-booter, of the name of the Company's troops, stationed in the Guzbeen sent against him from Bombay, he judgzerat country, but a strong detachment having ed it prudent to submit; and he has, in consequence, been treated with great indulgence, a policy which is said to be attended with happy effects.

"

The troubles in the Carnatic seem to be at an end. Forty-seven principal natives concerned in fomenting these disturbances, are said to have been executed pursuant to the sentence of a court marshal, and two others to have received 1000 lashes each.

An ambassador from the King of Persia has arrived at Bombay, in order, it is said, to carry into effect all the commercial regulations between him and the Company which had been previously agreed upon.

FRENCH WEST INDIES.

The latest accounts received in France from St. Domingo, are stated, we know not with what truth, to announce the extention of disease among the troops and of revolt throughout the island. The shameful treachery practised towards Toussaint and his followers must necessarily excite the distrust of all the negroes, and indispose them to continue faithful to France longer than they are restrained by the dread of superior force. The American accounts strongly confirm the above report. They state, that the negro force had greatly increased in numbers and in confi. dence, the black general Bellair, who commanded at Port au Prince, having joined them; and that they had got possession of Fort St. Louis, and had driven the French troops within four miles of Cape Francois The Reports, however, are very contradictory. One states. the defeat and capture of Bellair, another the capture of Madam Leclerc, by the Blacks, who offered to exchange her for Toussaint.

AMONG other points of importance rendered particularly interesting by the expected meeting of parliament, the question of peace or war, at all times a momentous one, but at present involv. ing consequences of a very unusual magnitude, has excited, during this month, no small degree of public solicitude. The tone of many of the public journals has indeed been of a very warlike kind; but we by no means think, that they speak the general sentiment; on the contrary, we have been happy to perceive a great averseness to renew the war with France, merely on the ground of Bonaparte's continental usurpations, to prevail. Of the views and intentions of his Majesty's ministers, much to their praise, nothing has transpired from which we are authorized to form an opinion; but we think we are justified by experience, in giving them credit for prudence, moderation, and forbearance.

But let us not be misunderstood. We do not mean to insinuate, that in no supposable case would it be allowable for this country to employ the powerful interposition of her arms, in restraining the progress of French aggrandizement, or in maintaining the safety and independence of the other European powers. Such an interference might even be imperiously required, as the most effectual means of providing for our own security. It will be readily allowed however, even by the most zealous advocate for war, that for Great Britain to renew hostilities in order to defend the rights of continental states, unless an extensive continental coalition were previously formed, whose efforts she might, in that case, powerfully second, would be the very height of political quixotism. But what hope exists of such a coalition!

Allowing, however, for the sake of argument, that such a combination of the great powers of Europe, as would be likely to oppose a successful barrier to the ambitious designs of France, were already formed; and that Austria, Russia, and Prussia, for instance, had united for this purpose; we should still

greatly question, whether even in that case, it would be the policy of Great Britain to join herself to the confederacy. Circumstances might, no doubt, require it; but the requisition ought to be clear and unequivocal. For what security shall we obtain for the permanence of this new coalition? What pledge of their good faith shall the powers who coalesce afford us, which they have not already violated? Let us at least learn caution from experience. It is not likely that there should now, or at any future period, exist a greater identity of aim, sentiment, and interest, among the potentates of Europe, than when the alarming fraternizations of revolutionary France made every throne to tremble; and the outrages committed on the person of Louis had armed every generous feeling of the human heart in favour of insulted monarchy. And yet what a succession of acts of base tergiversation, of shameless deceit and perfidy on the part of our continental allies, did the progress of the former coalition exhibit, though formed under circumstances so favourable, and for purposes in the highest degree justifiable!

Scarcely had the accession of Great Britain to the confederacy been obtained, when Prussia, in despite of the most solemn engagements, retired from the contest. The Emperor of Russia, after a campaign crowned with almost uniform victory, just as he seemed on the point of reaping the fruit of many a hard fought battle, capriciously withdrew his troops; and in no long, time giving himself up to the guidance of France, he became the head of a confederacy, formed for the express purpose of destroying the naval greatness of England. If we examine also the conduct of the Emperor of Germany, though it was not marked by treachery quite so gross as that of the other powers, we shall find it directed generally to very selfish ends, and greatly wanting in that candour and good faith to which this country was entitled.

But even if we had not to retrace any glaring instances of faithlessness on the