in England." It is, we believe, constantly on sale in London: and may be rendered very tame. We remember to have seen one of the kind, bought when young, which was accustomed to run about a large table; but would not venstare to jump down from such a height, though she often peered over the edge. She would feed from the hand, drink ittle drops of cream, or lick the edges of tea-spoon, with great pleasure. She had everal broods: and after the young were separated from her, she would enter their eping places, and arrange their beds. She became at last swollen and heavy; her eye-sight failed her; and she died, apparently according to the course of naure, when about two years old. We once aw a squirrel run up the perpendicular brick wall of a house, at least three stoes in height: he seemed to have drawn all the air into his body and tail, that his kia could hold. The rumination of the hare is a fact of importance: as it vindicates both Aristotle and Moses. A hint on behalf of the latter writer from Mr. B. would have been acceptable: as that particular has been made a difficulty among sportsmen-critics. So also has the feeding of foxes on grapes; yet Mr. B. informs us that besides the grapes, The wall-fruit in the Marquis of Buckingham's gardens at Stow, was one suminer nearly all destroyed by a fox, which was at length caught in the garden, in the presence, as I am informed, of the Marquis. The Orders in Council and the American Embargo beneficial to the Political and Commercial Interests of Great Britain. By Lord Sheffield. London: 8vo. pp. 51. Price 2s. 6d. G. and W. Nicol. 1809. LORD Sheffield is a nobleman of extensive information and perfectly acquainted with the value of documents in support of propositions and discussions of a statistical nature. His former publications on politico-commercial subjects were deservedly respected, as valuable authorities. The present has the appearance of being a more rapid production: indeed, the author describes it as "hastily written, after the debate in the House of Lords, Feb. 17." We are not, therefore, to expect in it very accurate arrangement, very logical precision: it is enough, if the scope of the reasoning be clear, and the documents adduced support his lordship's statement of the question. Lord S. complains that the annual loss to this country by stopping the American trade, should be estimated so highly as at fourteen millions sterling; and, it must be owned, that this sum is so alarming, as to justify a Briton's anxiety to present a correct view of the fact. But what shall we think of the state of error which could adopt such a romantic representation? We must, in justice, make great allowances for the different qualities and habits of thinking minds. The most considerate do not always see alike, nor draw the same inferences from the same premises. The opponents of the Orders in Council predicted, immediately on their appearance, the commencement of an extensive scene of ruin, desolation, and distress in every shape, throughout Britain. Has the event justified those predictions? Is it true, that all our labourers are idle, our sailors starving, our ships rotting, our revenues suspended? Inconvenience is one thing, destruction is another: Suspension of intercourse is trying, it is even injurious; but it is not annihilation. The direction of commercial endeavours into courses not hitherto, or usually, followed, may be felt as a disadvantage, but time and perseverance will convert these new courses into old ones; and they will be found to have some recommendations, on account of which, they in their turn, shall be quitted with reluctance. the years 1806, 1807, is given succinctly by his lordship, to this effect. The history of the State of Trade for Although the French government had, previously to the invasion of Prussia and the endeavours to prevent the introduction of occupation of Hamburgh, exerted its utmost British manufactures and of our colonial produce, into France, and every other country under its controul or influence, yet they still continued to find their way to the continent, where the demand for them was considerable, though not to the extent which would have obtained in times of peace. Even the French themselves found it necessary to import, through the medium of neutrals, large calicoes and cambric-muslins, for the mainquantities of cotton yarn or twist, and of tenance of their printing works. Hence, the exportation of our printed calicoes and cotton yarn had progressively advanced, from the commencement of the war; but, in cousequence of competition in the foreign markets, the export of other cotton articies had somewhat decreased. The continent furnished several at a lower rate; and, the quantity of East India goods which, with such bad polito be brought to cy, had been suffered Europe, by foreign Americans, contributed in a great degree to that decline. But, subsequently to the invasion of Prussia, and the consequent occupation of Hamburgh, the exports from this country to the continent diminished; and our trade through Tonningen and other ports in the North of Germany ceased, a few months afterwards, except, in the article of cotton yarn, which continued to be admitted until the latter end, of the year 1807. The demand from Russia, however was then much more considerable than it had been for many years preceding; and goods, to a large amount, were suggled into Holland. Early in the summer, the French had abated their rigour in respect to the execution of their prohibitory decrees; but, our merchants wisely distrusted the relaxation, which was only intended to deceive, and to entice ; them to make more considerable consignments, which would have been seized and confiscated.* Considerable quantities of hardware, cotton, woollen, and other goods were sent to Sicily, Malta, and even the Italian states. The greater part of the consiguments to Malta were re-exported, in neutral vessels, to the ports of Fiume and Trieste, for the supply of Germany, Hungato the Adriatic, the Greek islands, Turkey and the Levant; where they found a ready market. Towards the autumn of 1807, that island and Sicily afforded the chief opening to the continent of Europe for our manufactures and merchandize and our exports, thither, of cotton and woollen goods exceeded that to any other part of Europe. ry, &c. and Thus, it will appear that, if the demand for British manufactures and inerchandize from one part of Europe declined, our exports to other places proportionally increased and, upon the whole, the amount of our commerce, in the year ending the 5th of January 1808, suffered only a very trifling diminution, whilst the export of British manufactures and produce, was greater than in the year ending the 5th of January 1806; as will be seen by the following comparative statement. An Account of the Total Official Value of all Im ports into, and Exports from, Great Britai for Three Years, ending 5th January. This is the official value, which Lord S thinks less fluctuating for the purpose o comparison, than the real mercantile va lue. He is also of opinion, that a state ment of the trade of Britain from Octube to October is no fair representation of ou commerce : He wishes it had been or dered to include from January to January; and, perhaps, it would be better regularly to adhere to this date, as a fixed period We know, too, that under the rapidity of late events, a few months may exhibit : very sensible difference, whether favour able or unfavourable. A principal part of this pamphlet, i that which controverts the opinion, that we are under obligation to America foi trading with us -But the advantages accruing to America, should be well understood, in order to a just determination of the question on which side the obliga tion lies. We may be assured, says his lordship, that they never have, and never will, take from us any article which they can procure cheaper or better from other countries They find it highly advantageous to take our manufactures and produce to enable them to carry on their commerce with other nations; especially on account of the long credit which they obtain here, and which no other country can afford. They have the advantage of drawing immedi ately for the produce received from them, though they require and are allowed from 12 to 18 months credit from us. Indeed, so per tinaciously are the magnified advantages of the American trade insisted upon, with the view of intimidating us into measures highly inju rious to British interests, that they require even further contradiction. It has the cha In the year 1807, upwards of one hun-racteristics of the worst trade. The apparent dred sail of vessels arrived direct from France, balance in our favour becomes nearly a nonladen with brandy, wines, grain and drugs of entity. various sorts, in considerable quantities; but on the return of those vessels, no British manufactures or other merchandize were sent direct to that country. Immense sums have been continually lost to our merchants and manufacturers, by the insolvency of their American customers; the payment of any part of their accounts is, and always, very slow and uncertain: otherwise, they would not have it in their power to hold qur, the threat of confiscating an estimated debt due to us of ten million pounds sterling; which is, however, over-rated. It is well worthy of notice that, the goods merchandize which had heretofore been carried to the foreign colonies, by the citizens of the American States, were last year carried, in British bottoms, and, on British account: and that, by this transfer, not only our merchants acquired all the profits arising from the in erchange of their commodities with the foreign colonies; but, our shipping-interest was, also, benefitted to the full amount of the profits of the freight accruing from the posession of the carrying trade. This is further authenticated by the folJowing statement, made by Mr. Rose, in the House of Commons, on the 6th of March. The estimated real value of exports from England to the American States, on average of two years ending Oct. 10, 1807 ...... 11,774,000 Ditto, the year ending Oct. 10, 1808...... Decrease in 1808 £ 5,784,000 £ ..5,990,000 .4,230,000 ..£1,760,000 But to set against that decrease, there should be taken into the account, the mercantile profit on the £4,230,000; and also, the profits derived from the British shipping employed, with all the beneficial consequences attending it; which, in the way the trade was before carried on to those countries, were entirely engrossed by the Americans. The estimated real value of British goods exported to the American States, in 1808, was......, Ditto, of British goods consumed in that country, according to accounts from thence, in 1804, 5,158,000 5,784,000 So that, under all the embarrassments of the non-importation and embargo-laws, im posed in the American States, we did, in fact, last year, send goods there to the amount of their consumption. The supplies received from America, were deemed of such singular importance, that Great Britain could not exist without them! But, this assertion required several qualifications:-knowledge of the stock on hand, and the length of time for which it might suffice ;-the proportion exported to other parts, in whatever state; this being no longer exported augmented the quantity applicable to home consumption :-the supply that might be procured from elsewhere. These considerations, with others, have contributed to moderate those alarms which some were too ready to indulge. The principal articles we received from America, were cotton wool, linseed, lumber, fish, and provisions of various. descriptions. At least one half of the cotton-wool received into England, was exported, in the state of yarn, or other partly manufactured form, to the continent of Europe: the continent therefore would be deprived of its accustomed supply, rather than England, by the importation of this commodity in its raw state being stopped. The embargo acted also as a relief to the great stock already on hand and to the accumulation of Indian goods of a like description; which was immense, and selling at prices below the import cost. These have lately been demanded in the North of Europe, and the Mediterranean, at an advance of 15, 20, or even 30 per cent. Lord S. covertly hints at speculation, as becoming too extensive among us; and considers the check it has received by the embargo as salutary. The ports of the continent being locked up from exportation as well as importation, has occasioned an advance in Irish linens of 40 to 50 per cent. they having now no rival in the market; and the demand being increased by that of the quantity required for exportation. Our colonies in North America, have supplied much timber, and will supply more: also, fish, flour, pork, and other provisions. Jamaica has been so well supplied with flour through our remaining colonies that, of one thousand barrels shipped to that island from hence, about six months ago, instead of 20,000 which were ordered under the ex pectation of deficient supply from America, less than one half had been with difficulty sold in December last, under prime cost. Flour has even been cheaper at Kingston than at Philadelphia. The American States cannot prevent the supply of flour, and other provisions in small coasting vessels, through the British North American colonies. Flour, pork, beef, but ter and cheese are now smuggled into these provinces, in vessels, from 14 tons and upwards. The number of islands in the bay of Fundy; the numerous ports in those waters, only a very few hours' sail distant from each other, the incalculable means of meeting on Nantucket shoals, and at the uninhabited islands in Penobscot Bay (where they shift their cargoes), and the short navigation, over Lake Champlain, between Canada and Vermont, render the prevention of the illicit trade, by armed vessels, or by any other means which the American government can put in action, absolutely impossible. Not a vessel, of any description, leaves an American port, that does not contrive to carry away some flour. It is known, from the best authority, that 44,000 barrels of flour from Halifax, and 36,000 from St. Andew, New Brunswick, were sent to the West Indies during the latter part of last year. Our fisheries have been suffered to lan guish, in an extrenie degree; But, monied people are now vesting their capitals in this important branch of trade; and by the spirit and animation which they have infused into it, and the exertions which they are making, the supply will very shortly become much more than equal to the demand of the West India islands. The colonists were constrained to dispose of the products of their fisheries and forests, on the most disadvantageous terms, to the people of the American States, who re-exported, or rather shipped, them to the West Indies; so that, in fact, the greater part of the supplies which were imported into those settlements, in foreign shipping, was the growth and produce of British North American colonies. The extensive forests of Cape Breton lying immediately contiguous to the sea coast and to the banks of navigable rivers; the yet unexplored and inexhaustible forests of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick; the facilities of water carriage for transportation, and the improved and powerful machinery, which has been established, for the purpose of preparing their timber, boards, staves, &c.; all these circumstances united, render those provinces peculiarly competent to supply the greatest quantities of lumber that can be required. If the case before us were that friendly powers consulting each othe prosperity, we would be the last perse in the world to encourage a spirit of s question is, to determine which of t lenness and opposition; but when t parties can longest support privation, ' conceive, that we are not acting contr to the duty which we owe to our count in shewing that Britain, though conf sedly dependent in some degree, on st plies of foreign productions, yet is not dependent on an individual state, as i be reduced to distress by the obstinacy that party. She is not in the, power any quarter of the globe, though certai if any quarter of the globe breaks off the results in some of her connexions. tercourse with her, she cannot but The Orders in Council have recent been modified, and their rigour abated many respects which interested Americ we trust, that harmony will be restor between the "Old Country," and new; and that the political lessons of year 1803, will be remembered as many cautions to the headstrong and considerate, for a long time to come. The Speech of James Stephen, Esq. in t Debate in the House of Commons, Mate 6, 1809, on Mr. Whitbread's Motion reli tive to the late Overtures of the America Government: with Supplementary R marks on the recent Order in Counci Pp. 126. Price 2s. 6d. Butterworth London, 1809. Before the diffusion of literature in ou country was so general as it is at present, it might be proper enough that the senti ments delivered by members of the National Council, during the discussion of an important subject, should be confined to that assembly to which they were addressed, lest they should be misunderstood; while the public was made acquainted with the result, only by the acts of authority. But of late, since almost every individual takes an interest in the reasonings which influence the transactions of Parliament, and ventures also to judge on those reasonings, we are surprized that they do not more frequently appear in an authenticated form. The daily newspapers are wonderful instances of rapidity and exertion; and generally speaking, they contain a passable sketch of what has occurred in | Yes, wherever the French could send their our legislative assemblies. But they omit much; and they certainly must be deemed fallible, even when free from suspicion of party zeal. It is therefore, an act of jus=tice, to the speaker and to the public, when an argumentative speech is published by its author. Nor is it a disadvantageous form of publication; as the precision of regular divisions is not looked for, while the inferences may be strictly logical, or explanatory, as suitable to the subject under discussion. Mr. Stephen is a gentleman who has favoured the public with his sentiments on former occasions; and is understood to have excited no little attention in res pect to the Dangers of the Country" from the abuse of the neutral flag. He was therefore, expected to throw considerable light on the question relative to the overtures made by the American government, in order to induce a repeal of the British Orders in Council. The main question is at this moment deprived of much of its interest, by the modifications which those Orders have undergone. Mr. S. explains these recent alterations; but, in our opinion, that is not the strongest part of his pamphlet. custom-house officers, or their excise officers. Q. Before the Orders in Council were issued here in November, all trade to the Continent was literally stopped?-A. My last invoice was made out in the month of June and the I smuggled some British fine goods to Holland, beginning of July. In the month of August but my own trade stopped on the 28th of June; that was the final stroke to our invoice book, except a little trading business to Holland in fishing-boats or something of that kind.-Q. Then the Orders in Council of this country had no effect at all upon the trade to the Continent?-A. No, it was gone. Mr. Alewyn, of the house of May and Alewyn, was the third witness-and I cite these passages from his evidence. Q. Did you export any goods to the Continent after the month of August 1807?—A. none whatever. Q. Your trade was totally at a stand, then, before the Orders in Council ships in the month of August were either were issued?-A. Totally so; and several stopped on this side of the water, and are still here, or were seized in Holland. Mr. S. adduces other evidence also. The account returned by the inspector-general was laid on your table; and it appears from it, that in those two months no less than sixtybeen made, on the ground that, in conse five such applications (to reland cargoes) had quence of the execution of the Berlin Decree, the ships could not prosecute their intended The experiment has been tried, whe-voyages. ther the despot of the continent could If, Sir, the fact stood on the evidence of affect the British trade to those extensive this account alone, what could be more decicountries that were under his yoke. It is sive!Is it to be supposed, that while so maproved that he conld. He issued the Ber-ny cargoes, on which all the charges of shipment had been incurred, were relanded, because the adventures were found to be im lin decree in November 1806. It was for continent were not diminished: it was you have rea practicable, other shipments were made at the tions? If not, this official return alone would same period, on the same hopeless destinafully suffice to prove, that our trade with the Continent, prior to the Orders in Council, was, in consequence of the French Decrees, wholly at a stand. Mr. S. is of opinion that a very fallaci ous statement of the effects of the Berlin decree, when it was executed, had reached America, and misled her merchants: they thought that Britain suffered nothing under the operation of that declaration; whereas, in fact, her trade, to some parts of the continent was completely at a stand. It was necessary, therefore, to counteract the operation of the Berlin decree, which forbad the Continent from receiving any thing from Britain, by directing, that from Britain only should the Continent be sup plied. If the Continent could wholly do |