no law, held no public office, and was ignorant of his offence, he was found guilty; sentenced to pay a fine of 1001. and to be imprisoned for three months. A panegyrick at the time was pronounced on the " peculiar purity of modern statesmen," not only by the counsel for the prosecution, but by Mr. ERSKINE, who was council for the defendant. Comparing that sentence with a recent decision, surely every one must exclaim with SHAKSPEARE: "Plate sin with gold,

"And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks :

"Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it."

The people, however, we trust will not be discouraged at these repeated attempts on the part of ministers to support those abuses which have so long attached to, and disgraced the government of the country. On the contrary, such attempts ought to inspire them with new ardour, more especially when they perceive the influence which sound popular opinion has recently had on those in the highest rank of society, although in direct opposition to the opinion of all of his Majesty's ministers, and a majority of the house of Commons. The resignation of the Duke of YORK presents a striking lesson to the country, and affords abundant encouragement to the friends of virtue to persevere in their honourable career, The motto to the arms of one of our noblemen ought to be constantly impressed on their minds-Aut nunquam tentes, aut perfice. At some of the late meetings, we perceive notices of future meetings to be held by the persons who have already assembled, on the subject of public abuses. Let us recollect that all our complaints of the cor▾ ruptions of the times, and of the pressure of taxes, will scarcely deserve attention, if we do not make use of those means authorised by the laws of our country, to express at all times our opinion of public measures, and to address either, or all the branches of the legislature on the subject: and we hope our countrymen at their future meetings, will vote their thanks, not only to Mr. WARDLE and the 125 members who supported him in his resolutions respecting the Duke of YORK, but likewise to Lord FOLKESTONE, and the THIRTY ONE members who supported him in his motion," That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the existence of the corrupt disposal of offices in the state; of the dis"posals of commissions in the army, contrary to the regulations; "and also into the practice of levies; and to report the minutes of "their evidence from time to time to the house."

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE AFFAIRS OF EURope.

We have selected from the voluminous mass of papers which have been presented to the two houses on the affairs of SPAIN, those which are generally acknowledged to be the most interesting

The Letters of the late Sir John Moore, and those of Mr. Frere: by these our readers may be somewhat enabled to judge of the probability of any effectual resistance being opposed to the arms of France, on the part of the Spaniards, and of the wisdom of our ministers in encouraging a continuance of the contest.

Sir JOHN MOORE's letters, whilst they display the credulity of the British nation in receiving the exaggerated and false accounts of Spanish Juntas and Generals, afford melancholy evidence, how unwilling they are to be undeceived, and of the painful sacrifice which has been made to undeceive them. The British commander expressed his persuasion to our ministers," That no efforts would be "made by the Spaniards to aid the army under his command, or to "favour the cause in which they were engaged; but" he adds, "it was necessary to risk the British army to convince the people of "England, as well as the rest of Europe, that the Spaniards had "neither the power nor the inclination to make any efforts for "themselves." Thus it appears, that 7 or 8000 of the British army were sacrificed by way of "convincing" us that our efforts, effectually to assist men who were unwilling to assist themselves, were useless! Whether our countrymen are yet" convinced" on this subject, we cannot determine; but it appears that ministers so far from receiving any "conviction" of the important truths incul cated on them by Sir J. MOORE, seem "convinced" that all he has said is not worth their attention. In the debate respecting the late Spanish campaign, Lord LIVERPOOL" described in terms of ex"ultation, the little that BONAPARTE with his 200,000 men had "been yet able to effect; and held out sanguine hopes of the ultimate "deliverance of Spain. The country was not subdued. The spirit "that had prevailed at Baylen, that defended Sarragossa, was still "alive, and was again to conquer, and to be ultimately victorious." From these observations, we suppose that it will be necessary to sacri, fice another British army in order that the people may obtain further conviction of the truth of Sir J. MOORE's remarks. We, however, cannot help expressing our firm conviction, that after the unfeeling indifference with which our last army was treated by the Spaniards, after the assistance so liberally afforded them met with such an ungrateful return, not another shilling, nor another man, ought to be sent to a people who have been distinguished by apathy to their own cause, and by ingratitude to the army of their ally. The spirit which has been stirred up by the priests aud the monks, in a few places, are only exceptions to a general rule, and notwithstanding the Emperor of France is again embroiled in a war with Austria, we little doubt that victory will finally crown his arms with complete success, both in SPAIN and GERMANY,

With respect to AUSTRIA the die is at length cast, and that power has commenced hostilities by invading the dominions of the king of BAVARIA. There is one question which the writers in all our public prints seem on this occasion wholly to overlook, but which we deem of the utmost importance, namely-WHO IS THE AGGRESSOR? Neither of the parties have yet published their appeal to the world; except a proclamation of the Arch Duke Charles, is to be considered in that light. Unless however the Emperor of Austria, has some better reason to assign for his conduct than that proclamation affords, we fear he has no just excuse for re-opening the wounds of his country, so lately closed, and for inflicting on his own subjects, and on the subjects of neighbouring powers, the complicated calamities of war.

From the documents which have hitherto been published respecting the REVOLUTION in SWEDEN, little can be learned concerning its genuine principles. At present, the war seems to have been the principal cause. The new government by its anxious endeavours for the restoration of peace with its enemies, and for the preservation of that invaluable blessing with its friends, appears to have acquired popularity. As the Diet is about to assemble, we shall at present only express our hopes that this revolution may be the means of restoring to the people those rights of which they were robbed by the father of the late king, and of which his deposed son continued to deprive them.

The Capture of Martinico from the French, and the destruction of 4 sail of the line, and 2 or 3 frigates, part of the French fleet in Basque roads, and the capture of Vigo from the French-the piety of the British Admiral Lord GAMBIER, in ascribing the success ofhis fire-ships and of Mr. CONGREVE's rockets, to the ALMIGHTY'S“ fa"vour to his MAJESTY, and to this nation," in much the same language as he used on his former famous burning exploit at Copenhagen -the equally distinguished PIETY of JOSEPH BONAPARTE, the new king of Spain on his entering Madrid-are topics on which we intended making a few observations, but we are prevented by our limits from enlarging.

Harlow, April 28.

B. F.

We have received communications from various places enclosing Resolutions of Thanks to Mr. Wardle, &c. &c. but such has been the pressuré of other important matter, that although we gave in our last number a sheet and a quarter extraordinary, and have this month exceeded our usual number of pages, we have not been able to insert any of the Resolutions alluded to. It is, however, our intention to present to our Readers a concise account of the proceedings which have taken place at the different public meetings on a subject of the last importance to the welfare of the British empire,

POLITICAL REVIEW.

No. XXIX.]

FOR MAY, 1809.

REVIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

[Vol. V.

WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND AUSTRIA.

THE war which has recently commenced between FRANCE and

AUSTRIA, has been long predicted by our ministerial writers, who noticed with exultation the armaments set on foot by the latter power during the summer months of last year, when the major part of the French forces were preparing to enter Spain. This it appears was thought by the Emperor of Austria, a proper season for preparing to renew the contest with France. The supporters of former coalitious have since amused us with pompous accounts of the recruited armies of Austria, and the excellent state of discipline at which they had arrived: the editor of the Morning Post in particular, assured us, that the Austrian Emperor had an army of 400,000 men, all inspired with patriotism the most ardent, and determined to sacrifice their lives for the honour of their beloved sovereign. The flattering, but hitherto delusive prospect of the recovery of the former dominions of the Austrian Emperor, and of the attainment of that grand object which the ministers of this country have been eagerly pursuing for these fifteen years past-The Deliverance of Europe, was again held up to view; notice was duly given of the assistance expected by Austria from this country, and our countrymen were again encouraged with the hopes of effecting by the help of Austria, and Spain, what had hitherto baffled the united efforts of the major part of the sovereigns of Europe.

Whilst these pleasing speculations were floating in the brain of those who appear determined not to profit by experience, however repeated, or dearly purchased, sober men, who contemplated past events, beheld with pain the attempts of Austria to provoke a renewal of the contest with an enemy who had hitherto proved triumphant; who within these three years, after reducing her to the lowest ebb, restored to the Emperor his capital, and the greater part of his dominions. It was hoped, that his Imperial Majesty would have profited by the opportunity afforded him of acquiring and securing the hearts of his subjects, by ameliorating their condi

L

VOL. V.

tion, granting them the rights and privileges of a free people, and thus rendering them truly sensible of the value of a country, and of a Sovereign worth fighting for, and with whom they might possess one common, united interest.

It is melancholy to observe the eagerness with which our senators, as well as public writers, encourage every power to take up arms against France, without pausing for a moment, to inquire whether JUSTICE will warrant such conduct. They are clear sighted enough when the "vaulting ambition" of Bonaparte, overleaps the boundaries of justice; but when any of the sovereigns of Europe wage tvar against him, they consider the grand question of RIGHT or WRONG as unworthy of notice. Mr. WHITBREAD in a recent debate expressed a suspicion whether Austria was perfectly justifiable in re-commencing hostilities, or rather expressed his wish that the Emperor might be fully able to justify his conduct. This aroused the indignation, not merely of ministers, but of Mr. PONSONBY, who was so certain that the Austrian Emperor was to be commended for his conduct, and that he deserved the assistance of this country, that Mr. WHITBREAD, expressed his suspicions, (and well he might) "whether the right hon. gentleman was not forming a treaty of sub"sidy for himself with his Majesty's ministers." There have been some reports, although they have since died away, that a partial change was expected to take place in the cabinet: should these reports, however, be realised, we know not a more suitable person to coalesce with ministers, than the present leader of the opposition, Mr. PONSONBY. He has uniformly opposed the efforts of the friends of peace: he has lately, in very warn language, asserted the purity of the house of Commons, and of our statesmen in general, whether in or out of administration; and has strongly expressed his indignation against "modern reformers"; there is, therefore, good reason to believe, that the points of difference between the right hon. pensioner and ministers, arise principally from their being in different stations; the one in, and the other out of place: both parties appear to be the staunch friends of war and corruption, and the inveterate enemies of radical reform.

There is, however, a question demanding the most serious consideration, not only of sovereigns, but of subjects, previous to their taking up arms-Is the war in which they are about to engage, warranted by motives of JUSTICE and POLICY?-Without the union of these motives, WAR, as it is an abomination in the sight of God, so it ought to be held in equal abomination by every honest

man.

With these principles in view, let us briefly inquire into the NATURE of the war now subsisting between France and Austria. The appeals to the world, customary on these occasions, have been