longing to them previously to such hostilities. Both parties likewise covenanted to continue their efforts for the entire abolition of the slave trade. No notice whatever was taken of the circumstances which had occasioned the war. Having brought to a conclusion the foreign transactions of the year, particularly as connected with the interests of Great Britain, it remains to complete the narrative of domestic occurrences. The autumnal session of parliament was opened on November 8th by a speech from the Prince Regent in person. Its leading topic was the war with America, which was spoken of in no conciliatory terms, though assurances were given of a sincere desire of bringing it to a termination upon just and honourable conditions. The Commons were informed of the flourishing state of the public revenue and commerce, but regret was expressed for the necessity of a large expenditure in the ensuing year. The usual addresses on the speech were carried in each house without a division. Of the matters in debate before the parliamentary recess, the most important in a constitutional view related to the continuation of certain militia regiments in service without disembodying them. Earl Fitzwilliam brought the subject before the House of Lords on November 11th, and affirmed that there were four cases specifically stated in which the militia might be called out; namely, actual invasion; imminent danger thereof; insurrection; rebellion; none of which now existed; and he contended that the ballotted men were therefore legally entitled to return to their homes. Lord Sidmouth in reply said that it was always understood that the country's being at war was a sufficient exigence for continuing the services of the militia as long as the crown should judge it to be of public advantage. The same topic was afterwards discussed more at large in the House of Commons, where Sir S. Romilly, after a variety of observations on the intent and purpose of the militia laws, moved a resolution, which was, in substance, That as peace had been concluded for more than six months, and the country enjoyed internal tranquillity, the still keeping part of the militia embodied was obviously contrary to the intent and spirit of the 42d of the King, and a violation of the principles of the constitution. He was answered by the solicitorgeneral, whose argument was, that the militia having been legally embodied, it was legal to keep them so. This assertion was strongly controverted on the other side; and a division at length taking place, the motion of Sir S. Romilly was rejected by 97 votes against 32. The only parliamentary measure of importance in this short period was a bill brought in by Mr. Peele for amending the Irish peace-preservation act; which, though it produced some severe animadversions, passed into a law without opposition. The necessity for additional powers conferred on the magistracy was occa sioned by that spirit of outrage and lawless violence, which, prevailing in different degrees throughout the whole year in parts of that country, resisted all the ordinary methods employed for its suppression. Of its causes, and the fitness of the remedies applied, very different ideas were given according to party or personal prepossessions; but the serious evils resulting from it were but too apparent. The proceedings of the Irish catholics in this year were not calculated to promote union among themselves, or to advance their cause with others. In May a letter was made public to the Right Reverend Dr. Poynter from Monsieur Quarantotti, president of the sacred missions at Rome, communicating his opinion, and that of a council of learned prelates and theologians, relative to the proposed bill for catholic emancipation. Their determination was, that the propositions should be gratefully accepted, only desiring an explanation of the article respecting intercourse with the supreme pontiff. At a meeting of the catholic board Mr. O'Connel made a speech expressing great indignation at the interference of the "slaves at Rome" in the Irish affairs, and objected to the bill on the ground of the patronage it would confer on the ministers. The catholic priests at Dublin, also, at a convocation held for taking into consideration the rescript of Quarantotti, declared it nonobligatory on the catholic church in Ireland, and passed resolutions against granting to any non-catholic government a power, direct or indirect, with regard to the appointment of catholic bishops. The clergy of several provincial dioceses also resolved against the rescript; and finally the catholic bishops, in a meeting at Maynooth, made a declaration against it, and determined upon a communication with the Holy See on the subject. At an aggregate catholic meeting Mr. O'Connel procured a resolution to pass absolutely declaring against the right of any foreign power to exercise dominion or controul over political concerns of the Irish catholics. The proceedings of the catholic board had been so intemperate, that government at length resolved upon its suppression; and on June 3d, the lord-lieutenant, with the advice of his privy council, issued a proclamation declaring the board contrary to law, and giving notice that if it should renew its meetings, the members would be proceeded against legally. The aggregate meeting, on the other hand, denied its illegality, and rested its lawfulness on the right of petitioning existing in his Majesty's subjects. In December a meeting of the catholic committee was held at the house of Lord Fingal, at which considerable differences of opinion prevailed, but at length it was determined that the next aggregate meeting should confine itself to the business of petition. The situation of the Princess of Wales became again, in this year, a subject of public discussion, in consequence of a declaration from the Prince Regent to the Queen, to whom the Princess had applied relative to an intention of appearing at her drawing-room, that "it was his fixed and unalterable determination not to meet the Princess of Wales upon any occasion, either public or private." The Princess, regarding this declaration as of state importance, communicated all the correspondence which passed to both Houses of parliament; and in the House of Commons, motions were made for taking the correspondence into consideration. They were, however, negatived on the ground that it was a matter in which it was not the province of that House to interfere. A motion being afterwards made for an augmentation of the allowance to her Royal Highness, it was readily acceded to by the ministers, who passed an addition, raising it to 50,000l. which at her own request was afterwards limited to 35,000l. The Princess then asked, and obtained, permission for making a tour to the continent. A general expectation prevailed that the intention. would be declared of a matrimonial union between the Princess Charlotte of Wales and the hereditary Prince of Orange, of which his father had given intimation in an address to the people of the United Provinces; but some cause, of which the public has not been apprized, occasioned the purpose to be relinquished. This year was rendered memorable by a concourse of illustrious visitors to the English capital, in number and rank surpassing any modern example; at the head of whom were the Emperor of Russia and his sister, and the King of Prussia with his sons. The splendour of their reception, and the public festivities consequent upon their presence, and upon the general peace, will furnish abundant matter for the future domestic chronicles of the time, A. D. 1815. YEAR OF GEORGE III. 55 & 56. PARLIAMENT 3 & 4. -- Affairs of France: Discontents with the Bourbon Government. Bronaparte at Elba.- His Expedition to France. Received at Grenoble and Lyons. Joined by Ney. - Enters Paris. - Declaration and new Treaty of the Allied Powers. - Parties at Paris. Attempts of the Duke of Angouleme.- Royalists in Britany and La Vendee-Buonaparte's additional Act to the Constitution. -Champ de Mai. British and Prussian Armies in Belgium.· ·Buonaparte joins his Army. Attacks the Prussians.- Actions of four Days ending with the Battle of Waterloo. Advance of the Allies to Paris. Military Convention, and Possession taken of the Capital. -Buonaparte withdraws to Rochelle: received on board the Bellerophon: brought to Torbay, and thence shipped for St. Helena.Proceedings of Murat. His Advance against the Austrians, Retreat, final Attempt to recover his Crown, and Execution. Union of the Seventeen Provinces completed, and the Prince of Orange proclaimed King. Belgian Prelates. Unsuccessful Attempt of the British against New Orleans.- Reduction of Fort Mobille. Capture of the President Frigate. -Parliamentary Transactions.-Corn Bill. - Trial by Jury in Civil Causes introduced into Scotland. Regent's Message respecting Buonaparte. Subsidies to the Allies. The Budget. - Marriage of the Duke of Cumberland. Parliament prorogued. Nepaul. Revolution in Ceylon. Occurrences in Martinico and Guadaloupe.- France: Resumption of the Crown by Louis XVIII. -Final Treaty between France and the Allies. Progress in the Settlement of Europe. Indemnities to Prussia. - Emperor of Russia declared King of Poland. - Confederation of Germany.Conclusion. Constitution. - IT T might have been expected that the great events of the last year would have finally terminated the long contest between France and the rest of Europe; and that the re-possession of its throne by the House |