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THE

SCOTS MAGAZINE.

MARCH,

1757.

CONTENTS.

HISTORY. The fummary or recapitulation of || The dramatic story of the tragedy of DOUGLAS the public affairs of laft year, concluded 113.

Adm. Byng's trial concluded. A fummary of the evidence, viz. that which relates to general facts 127. that against the Admiral 128. and that for him ib. The Admiral's defence 130. The refolutions of the court-martial 135.

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The plague broke out at Conftantinople 154. Preparations making by the Austrians and Pruffians 155. A neutrality to be obferved in Tuscany 156. The Antigallican's prize forcibly feized by the Spaniards ib. France in a distracted condition ib. Proceedings against Damien the affaffin 157.

Proceedings of prefbyteries, in confequence of letters wrote by the prefbytery of Edinburgh, concerning minifters who had been in the playhoufe 158. Subftance of the libel against Mr Carlyle 159. and of his answer 160.

Premiums to be given by the Edinburgh fociety for 1757 160. Their managers and officers 163. Questions treated in their meetings ib.

138.

EXTRACTS of a pamphlet, intitled, A ferious inquiry into the nature and effects of the flage. Difficulty in treating this fubject 143. The argument ftated 144. Four things implied in the idea of even a well-regulated stage ib. Three general arguments against the stage, viz. That it is an improper amusement 145. That it is fo far from being a proper method of instruction, that it is pernicious 146. That none can attend plays, without partaking of the fins of others, and contributing to their pollution

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A fummary of the PUBLIC AFFAIRS of 1756, continued from p. 18.

I

T is well enough known, that tho' the Swiss cantons conftitute a kind of republic, yet fome of them are Proteftant, and others Popifh. Suppofing that the war begun in Germany may probably end in a religious one, they held a general affembly towards the end of the year, in which they unanimously agreed to obferve a ftrict neutrality. In confequence of this they wrote to the colonels of their regiments in the French, Sardinian, and Dutch fervice, not to act offenfively; and alfo informed thofe powers of their

refolucion.

VOL. XIX.

The republic of VENICE likewise refolved to maintain a neutrality with refpect to both the German war and that between G. Britain and France; in the mean time fending out fome armed frigates, to protect her trading veffels from any inconveniencies to which the mifapplication of the marine laws might expose them. Early in the year, the republic ceded to the Emprefs-Queen the property of the road that croffes her territories from the Mantuan to the Tyrolefe, in confideration of receiving what belonged to the latter between the river Adda and the fort of Fuentes. This

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exchange appears to be advantageous to conclufion of the alliance between the both powers. The Emprefs-Queen can Emprefs-Queen and the French King now march troops between Germany there has been no occafion for talking and Italy, without being obliged to afk in that manner. The King of Sardinia a paffage for them through the Venetian has put his dominions in the best posture dominions. On the other hand, the of defence, and waits quietly to fee republic has got what is intrinfically what turn affairs will take elsewhere, the more valuable than that the parted with, peace of Italy not appearing to be in imand will not be obliged to be under dif- mediate danger. ficulties with respect to other states, in granting or refufing the favours which the houfe of Auftria had fo often occafion to request.

His SARDINIAN Majefty has long kept a close connection with the courts of Vienna and London. It is not probable that he is fond of the late alliance between the Emprefs-Queen and his Moft Christian Majefty. In the last war, he was able to make the balance in Italy at length incline towards the Auftrian fide, against the troops of France and Spain in that country, with thofe of Genoa and the Duke of Modena, befides the Neapolitans, who at firft joined their fovereign's family the Bourbonites, but after fome time ftruck out as neutral. By that means he was fo refpectable, that if one party pretended to treat him ill, he was fure of finding protection and affiftance from the other. But now that the courts of Vienna and Verfailles are united, if they should agree to carry any meafure into execution, however detrimental it might be to his Sardinian Majesty's intereft, it does not appear that he could make any oppofition of confequence, furrounded as he is by their dominions and those of their allies. The Duke of Savoy, his fon and apparent heir, is indeed married to the King of Spain's half-fifter, from whence it may be fuppofed, that the Bourbonites would not willingly fee him oppreffed; yet ftill it is natural to think, that his Sardinian Majefty would rather wish himself able to command refpect, than that he should be obliged to hold his poffeffions and privileges on fo uncertain a tenure. Early in the year we heard of a treaty between the courts of Turin and London, in virtue of which the former was to act for the latter with 35,000 men, in cafe of need. Since the

The GENOESE have for a confiderable time adhered firmly to the intereft of France, from which they expected protection and fuccours in return. They have lately furnished his Moft Chriftian Majefty with fome thoufands of failors and fhipbuilders; befides engaging to. keep a body of troops ready for his fervice, and not to permit any British men of war to enter their ports. Several differences have happened between them and the courts of Vienna and Turin, fome of which still subfift.

In June 1753 the inhabitants of St Remo, a town and district dependent on Genoa, oppreffed, as they said, with taxes impofed contrary to the convention made when they became fubject to that. republic, attempted to throw off the yoke, and put themfelves under the protection of the Emprefs-Queen, afferting their place to be a fief of the empire. Being attacked, however, before receiving any affiftance, they were foon obliged to fubmit at difcretion to their old mafters; who treated them with great feverity, and refolved to build a citadel for commanding the whole town. Upon this many of the inhabitants took the firft opportunity of retiring privately to other places. The year after, those who remained at St Remo, not able to bear the hardships put upon them, were on the point of making a like attempt, but were prevented. This induced more of the leading men to retreat, with their best effects, to Oneglia; where the King of Sardinia received them as unfortunate oppreffed people. The government of Genoa at different times fummoned all who had quitted the place to return to their habitations; but without effect. Application having been made to the court of Vienna, the Emperor's aulic

council,

think fit. Strong remonftrances against the erecting of it were made by the King of Sardinia in particular; who received a fmooth anfwer, but had not influence fufficient to hinder the carrying on of the works. Another difference happened between his Sardinian Majefty and the Genocfe that year, the former having made prize, near Oneglia, of a veffel from Ventimiglia, as being laden with contraband goods; in revenge of which, the inhabitants of Ventimiglia plunder

nian Majefty's territories. We have not heard of that affair being yet accommodated. As the cafe ftands at present, the King of Sardinia has not a great chance of getting fuch matters adjusted much to his fatisfaction, without falling in more thoroughly with the schemes of France than we have yet heard of his doing. Whether the court of Vienna, at the time of forming her alliance with that of Verfailles, had any thing ftipu lated concerning the fortress at St Remo we know not, but do not remember to have feen ought in the public papers relating to the erection of it during the laft fummer or fince.

council, after fome deliberation, paffed an act in their favour; to which the republic paid no regard, as the court of Verfailles had caufed her minifter at Vienna remonftrate against the decree, and kept about 60,000 men cantoned in Dauphiny and Languedoc, ready to fupport her ally. That fame year the inhabitants of Campo Freddo, another territory dependent on Genoa, and an acknowledged fief of the empire, reckoning themfelves unjustly treated, carried their complaints directed and burnt two villages on his Sardily to Vienna. Though the French mi nifter there reprefented, that the affair ought to have been firft judged of by the regency of Genoa, yet the aulic council likewife gave fentence in favour of the inhabitants of Campo Freddo; which was formally notified to the republic. In the beginning of 1755 it was again intimated, that if the government of Genoa did not quickly do juftice to both St Remo and Campo Freddo in regard to their grievances, the Emperor would take measures, for which they might blame themselves if they did not like them. The Genoefe, knowing how near their affiftance was at hand, caufed their minifter at Vienna make a firm and refolute declaration; and there the matter refted without more words. In the mean time, as the members of the former parliament of St Remo refused to return, they established a new one. They also gave orders for augmenting their forces by fea and land; and fet in earnest about building the citadel at St Remo previously refolved upon. Inftead of a small fort on the fea-fhore at firft spoken of, there now appeared the scheme of a large fortrefs, capable of containing 5 or 6000 men; in order to the erecting of which a great number of churches, palaces, and private houfes, were to be pulled down. So extenfive a scheme gave umbrage to feveral powers of Italy, and those interested in its fecurity, among which the court of Vienna was one. They fufpected that this fortress was to be built with French money, and that it was intended to facilitate the entrance of French troops into Italy, whenever that crown fhould

Before the conclufion of the treaty between France and the house of Austria, letters had come from Genoa, bearing, that the community of St Remo had fent deputies thither, who had expreffed a fincere repentance in their conftituents for what they had done, and promifed, that, for the future, they should yield an entire fubmiffion to the republic; alfo, that the community of Campo Freddo had declared a renunciation of its application to the aulic council of the empire. Thefe were immediately followed by accounts, that the inhabitants of St Remo had diftributed a proteft, against the pretended act of fubmiffion which the Genoefe forcibly extorted from three deputies whom they had detained at Genoa, and who had greatly exceeded their powers. With refpect to Campo Freddo, we had no further advice. It is not probable that the affair is yet over. Perhaps the Genoefe may not be quite fond of the new connections between the courts of Vien

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na and Verfailles, as it is hardly to be expected that the latter will now uniformly make public, or even private oppofition to the claims of the former.

The Genoefe have had a long ftruggle to maintain with the malecontents of Corfica, in which the fuccefs on either fide has, at different times, been confiderably various. The infurgents, however, though at the expence of much blood and many fatigues, have continued to keep the greatest part of the island from under that yoke to which the whole was for merly fubjected. It has for fome years been afferted, that their old mafters, quite wearied out with the difficulties they met with in reducing them to obedience, had refolved to fell the fovereignty of the island, at one time to Spain, at another to France. Formerly it was reckoned, that fuch a measure would be difagreeable to the courts of Vienna and Turin, and confequently to that of London, as then connected with them both. Early last year we were told, that the malecontents had offered to put themselves under the protection, first of the Pruffian monarch, and then of his Britannic Majefty. At the fame time the Genoefe fuggefted, that the money with which the infurgents were fupplied, came from G. Britain. Once it was given out, that the French had engaged to fecure Corfica to the Genoefe, without pretending to any other intereft in it. In autumn it was pofitively afferted, that the republic had formally fold the ifland to his Moft Chriftian Majefty, for twelve millions of livres, to be paid in equal moieties within ten years. Whe

ther of these two accounts was nearest the truth, we cannot pretend to know; but it is most probable that the court of Verfailles would rather avow the former to the house of Auftria, her new ally, which can fcarcely be fuppofed even now to be quite divefted of the jealoufy fhe used to be ftruck with, in regard to any acceffion of power to the Bourbonites in Italy or the adjacent iflands. Though it is no uncommon thing to find treaties take to themselves the character of everlasting; yet every one knows, that the most folemn of them

are often of but very fhort duration. Whatever may turn out in the cafe before us, the French, on the 2d of November, actually landed 4000 men in Corfica; who immediately took poffeffion of the harbours and forts of Ajaccio, Calvi, and St Fiorenzo. Part of the republic's troops had formerly gone home. Upon the arrival of the French, the Genoefe who garrisoned those places retired, part of them going to Bastia, and the reft being imbarked in order to return to Genoa. In the end of the year the malecontents were said to have so effectually blockaded Bastia, that it was with difficulty the inhabitants could procure the neceffaries of life. It is very probable, that these islanders would wish to be rather under the dominion of France than that of their old masters, which they have long been accustomed to look upon as unfupportable.

Moft of the troops in Austrian LOMBARDY have marched to Bohemia; and the Duke of MODENA continues to fuperintend the Emprefs-Queen's affairs in Italy, as well as his own.

Not long after the alliance between the courts of Vienna and Verfailles was made public, it was obferved that the Emperor's fubjects in TUSCANY began to treat the Britifh in a manner different from what had been ordinary, One Fortunatus Wright, the captain of a Britifh privateer, against whom the French had particular refentment for his bravery, was reckoned to feel the first effects of the change at Leghorn. Next we were told, that the court of London was obliged to use folicitation after folicitation, before she could obtain leave for any of her men of war to put into Leghorn in the winter, if there fhould be occafion for it. Afterwards it was afferted, that they were putting that port in a good pofture of defence, left e vents in Germany might tempt the British men of war to pay them an unfriendly visit.

Little news of importance arrived from ROME during the year, which will not come in more properly in another place; except that, near the conclufion of it, the Pope, generally reckoned the

beft

best who has filled the chair for hundreds clared that they had no hoftile intenof years, had feveral fits of the gout, tion, but only to be prepared against all attended with fuch fymptoms as made events in fo critical a conjun&ture. In his phyficians fufpect that his life was fact we were told at different times, that in imminent danger every time. they had thirty or thirty five men of war ready to put to fea on the shortest notice. The whole royal navy of Spain is faid to confift at prefent of one ship of 114 guns, fix of 80 each, thirty-five of 70, four of 64, fix of 65, nineteen frigates from 30 to 16, thirteen xebeques of 24, four bomb-veffels of 12, and four fire-fhips, all which may be ready for the fea in a fhort time.

At the beginning of the year his SiciLIAN Majefty's troops were reckoned at 55,000 men. Notwithstanding this a new tax was laid on the clergy, in order to augment his forces both by fea and land. In fummer there was an eruption of Mount Vefuvius, and another of Mount Etna, both of which did confiderable damage.

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The British and French minifters at MADRID have both been very diligent, the latter in making propofals tending to caufe that court declare for his Moft Chriftian Majefty, the former in endeavouring to keep her in the humour of obferving an exact neutrality. As dif. putes concerning American boundaries gave rife to the present war between G. Britain and France, we have formerly given it as our opinion, that it is by no means for the interest of Spain to join the latter, because the carrying of her fchemes in America into execution, would at length enable her to feize the rich Spanish fettlements there whenever she should come to a refolution to do it. The court of Madrid appear to have been of the fame fentiments: for not withstanding the fuccefs which the French had in the Mediterranean, and which put into their hands a powerful means of tempting the Spaniards to join them; yet his Catholic Majefty continued to declare, that he perfifted inviolably in his defign of affifting neither fide; and that he would willingly undertake the office of a mediator, if any favourable circumftances fhould offer for overtures of an accommodation. We were alfo told, that the King of G. Britain actually folicited his Catholic Majefty to mediate a peace, and that he remained difpofed to do fo; but no terms were propofed that could fatisfy both the contending parties. Sometimes it was taken notice of, that the Spaniards were augmenting their forces by fea and land. When reprefentations were made on that fubject by the British minifter, they deVOL. XIX,

Little news of importance came from PORTUGAL during last year, except further accounts of the confequences of the dreadful earthquake on the ift of November 1755, and of other earthquakes which have from time to time happened fince, and hitherto prevented the rebuilding of Lifbon, that formerly flourifhing city. About a third part of it, confifting of the outskirts, which it would be a great lofs to abandon, being still ftanding, the refolution to build it again on the fame fpot feems to be fixed. It will greatly excel its late condition, and be more fafe in cafe of future earthquakes, by the regularity and largeness of its streets and fquares, and the lownefs of the houses, which are not to exceed two ftories. Many tradesmen were difappointed in going thither last year for employment; but the earthquakes having greatly abated for a confiderable time, the general opinion is, that the rebuilding of the city will be carried on with vigour during fummer next. The royal family is living in a wooden palace; and great numbers of the people in wooden huts till better accommodation can be provided.

The religious difputes which were revived in FRANCE about the beginning of May 1752, have hitherto been carried on with much warmth, fometimes one fide, sometimes the other appearing to have the afcendent. For an account of the nature, origin, and progrefs of thefe difputes, we muft refer the reader to our preceding fummary.

Through the whole of this affair his Moft Chriftian Majesty has difcovered a great

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