the patrimony of St. Peter with the duchy of Tuscany. Need we add the deplorable state of the fine provinces of Naples, Spain, and Portugal ?

"If we pass from the culture of lands to that of minds, Switzerland offers the same contrasts. How many celebrated men of letters have sprung from Geneva, and the Protestant cantons! The antiquarian Morel; Haller, the creator of physiology, and also a great poet; the Buxtorfs; Euler, the Wetsteins, and all the booksellers and printers of Basle, who, from the dawning of the sixteenth century, have undertaken enterprises so immense and so fruitful in results; Gesner, the naturalist: Gesner, the bucolic poet; and, in short, a multiplicity of authors whom it would be superfluous to name. Catholic Switzerland, on the contrary, has not a single man of eminence, of any description, to

mention.

"The more liberty of thinking and public spirit are diffused through a nation, the more also the communications become free and active between all the parts which compose the public, and between all the classes of the nation. The journals, newspapers, and periodical writings in the protestant countries, exhibit those general dispositions in the highest degree, which are common both to the authors and readers of these productions. There they are the objects of an attention much more universal and more serious, than they are in Spain or Italy, and than they were in France until 1789. For which reason I do not fear being contradicted by facts, when I state, that the journals, whether political or literary, of England, Holland, and Saxon Germany, have a consistence and organization, of which, perhaps, a very just idea is not generally found in other countries. It will not, I am of opinion, be thought a very inconsistent paradox, to say that there is more real knowledge in one single university, such as that of Gottingen, or Halle, or Jena, than in the eight Spanish Universities together.

We conclude with another striking argument in favour of Protestantism: it is a certain fact, that more crimes are committed in catholic than in protestant countries. M. Rebmaun, in his Coup-d'œil sur l'Etat des quatre Départemens du Rhin, says, that the number of malefactors in the catholic and protestant cantons, is in the proportion of four, if not six, to one. At Augsburg, the territory of which offers a mixture of the two religions, of 946 malefactors, convicted in the course of ten years, there were only 184 protestants, that is to say, less than one in five. The celebrated philanthropist, Howard, observed, that the prisons of Italy were incessantly growded; at Venice, he saw 300 or 400 prisoners in the principal prison; at Na

ples,* 980 in the Succursal prison alone; while he affirms, that the prisons of Berne are almost always empty; that in those of Lausanne he did not find a single prisoner; and only three individuals in a state of arrest at Schaffhaussen. Here are facts! The reader may draw his own conclusions.

The manners of the protestant are also incontestibly better, and more grave, than those of the catholic nations. Is it because thee nations are protestant, that they have acquired this character; or, is it because they have this character that they become protestant?

"Finally, it is very deserving of notice, that the two most sublime epic poems, in which the God of Christians, and the inhabitants of heaven are the actors, and in which these actors speak a language worthy of them; the two most wonderful pictures of celestial innocence and virtue, that of the fall of the first of human beings, and that of their redemption, are protestant productions. If the too-short golden age of Italian poetry had not produced the Jerusalem of Tasso-Milton's Paradise Lost and Klopstock's Messiah would have been the only two epic poems of which modern literature could have boasted."

What is said above, on the subject of newspapers and political journals, has lately received a demonstration from causes which could not possibly have been in the contemplation of M. Villers: we mean, the awkward mismanagements of the newly established ve hicles of public intelligence in Spain and Portugal. Without designing to charge their conductors with intentional misconduct, we may affirm, that we have seen the most palpable untruths stated as credible and serious facts; though in Britain a child would have exposed them: and the echo of a battle has, within our observation, been repeated three times, from as many different quarters, with varying circumstances, by which it has been passed on the public as so many distinct and independent actions. We have the authority of the Spanish representatives at London, for the justice of this sentiment; and having received a caution from that deputation on the subject, we have omitted allusions to various battles, and other incidents, said to have taken place in Spain, by the reports of which stated in the Provincial Spanish papers, our English newspapers have been often times misled. That such events were reported we do not deny; but we affirm that those reports were echoes not realities.

* Assassination is carried to a dreadful pitch in that kingdom. If our memory does not fail us, we think that we have heard Sir W. Hamilton say, than on an average the king of Naples lost 800 subjects annually by the knife of the assassin!

THE DOMINION OF THE SEA. Let us be back'd with God, and with the SEAS, Which he hath given for fence impregnable, And with their helps alone defend ourselves; In them, and in ourselves, our safety lies.

SHAKESPEARE.

"This," says Dr. Johnson has been the advice of every man who in any age understood and favoured the interest of England." Indeed the Sovereignty of the Sea, which Great Britain lays claim to, and which it is the grand object of our enemies to subvert, is no new pretension; for it has been claimed and maintained through many ages; but what is rather curious, it was first asserted by a poet. A little treatise in verse is preserved in Hackluyt, intitled, De Politicia Conservativa Maris, the author of which is unknown, but is supposed to have lived about the beginning of the reign of Edward IV. It contains souie admirable reasoning, to prove the use and necessity of a Sovereignty on the Ocean to this nation, and is thus introduced: "Here beginneth the prologue of the processe of the libel of England's policie, exhorting all England to keep the sea, and namely, the narrow sea shewing what profite cometh thereof, and also what worship and salvation to England and to all Englishmen "—In the course of his remarks this spirited writer attempts to deduce our claim to the sovereignty in question from the time of Edward III. by thus explaining a device on our noble, a gold coin struck by this prince, and representing the monarch in a ship, with a sword in his right hand :

"Four things our noble sheweth unto me, "King, ship, and sword, and power of the sea." Voltaire, (says the Prince de Ligne) was carnestly desirous of obtaining the character of a profound statesman, or of a man of un common learning. He was even tedious and tiresome in his endeavours for that purpose. The Constitution of England was at that time in the highest favour with him. I remember that I said to him: "Mons. Voltaire, ac"knowledge that its support is THE OCEAN! "without which it would not have lasted so "long."—"The Ocean!" said he, "your "observation will lead me to make many "reflections on that subject."

Voltaire was but little acquainted with the Ocean; yet he was the first who explained to continental Europe some of those circumstances, which contribute to maintain the British naval power, in its spirit, and which we now see transmitted, as if by hereditary right, and as the portion of British seamen, who have,

.... o'er green Neptune's back With Ships made Cities.....

What would our commerce and trade be without our good friend the Ocean? It is that which continually harrasses and haunts the Corsican ruffian. "Pray," said he to General Armstrong, the American ambassa dor, at a levee day, (as related by Lieut. Col. Pinkney, who was present and heard him) Pray, cannot America live without foreign commerce as well as France?" and then added, without waiting for his answer, "There is one nation in the world which must be taught by experience, that her merchants are not necessary to the existence of all other nations, and that she cannot hold us all in commercial slavery: England is only sensible in her compters-(or compting houses)."

The proportion of vessels on the seas, says Mr. Pinkney," is about 200 English to one French "-and speaking of Paris, he has this curious remark." Scarcely had we reached our first stage before every appendage of a metropolitan city had disappeared.-The scenery and objects were as retired as in the most remote corner of England."—We think, from our own observations, that the number of vehicles of all kinds, may be in the proportion of about 1 to 100, in the ingress and egress of Paris and London.-Compare page 835, et seq. of present Number.

POETRY.

To the Editor of the Literary Panorama.

Margate, July 11, 1809.

I wish, Mr. Editor, you would turn your eyes once a year to this delightful spot, where most of our citizens and their families occasionally repair: I assure you your time would not be lost, for you would behold gay scenes which you little dream of. To say nothing of donkey-riding, a dip in the sea and a visit to Dandelion would enliven your facul Bousfield and Pallister, Garner's boutique for ties. Besides the elegant libraries of Bettison, Poetry (which he reads with expression thea trale!) would occasionally excite the risible muscles of your face, notwithstanding its sternness and austerity. If I should not have the pleasure of seeing you here, you shall hear from me again-En attendant, I send remain yours truly, a little specimen of our amusement, and Quiz.

you

MARGATE IMPROMPTU Addressed to GARNER, July 7, 1809, previous to his drawing the Card Loo Prizes, which consist of a variety of jolis bijoux for the Ladies. In vain I've strove, in vain essay'd To gain a prize for my fair maid,

To deck her lovely form!
The Muse, alas! her pow'r has try'd!
Fate still her efforts has defy'd,

And rais'd the adverse storm.

Oh, GARNER, grant me, then, one prize! 'Tis for a Fair, whose sparkling eyes

Will twinkle forth her joy-
Will think of you the live long day,
While here at Margate she does stay,
Thou fickle, gay, old Boy!

SONG.

upposed to be written by Alfred the Great dur ring his Retirement in the Neatherd's Cottage. Sweet is the silence softly shed

Around the peasant's humble bow'r!
Sweet is the beech-tree's cooling shade,
His refuge in the sultry hour!

The thunder of wide wasting war
Is deaden'd ere it strikes his ear;
Nor may the echo from afar,

Faint pealing, fill his soul with fear,
Gigantic dread, and gloomy care,
With danger's ghastly form combin'd,
The regal seat imperious share,
And prey upon the regal mind.
Ye lovely days of youthful joy!

How mem'ry rouses at the thought!
New pleasures spring without alloy
With no reviving anguish bought.
Adversity a moment cease:

A moment vanish from my view: And the sweet scenes of early peace, Oh! let me for a while renew. Again, methinks, 'mid forests wild,

With lyre of infant minstrelsy,

I wander lone, whilst echo mild
Makes answer to my melody.

I hear again the mighty tale

Revibrate on my raptur'd ear,
Of gleamy sword, of vision pale,

And warriors stretch'd on bloody bier:
My thoughts by day, my dreams by night,
And fancy working on my mind,
Breath'd a full stream of fresh delight,
For I to future woes was blind.
Alas! those bliss-crown'd days are o'er!
Swift as the summer bird they flew :
Now murky griefs and sorrows low'r,
And many a thorn around me strew.

R. KENNEDY.

ON THE APPROACH OF SPRING.

"Time will your sprightliness destroy, "Then give the present hours to joy, "Assemble all!-convivial join; "The sacred carpet sell for wine! "And while you feel the fanning breeze, "Which whispers through the waving trees, "Pray that beside you may be laid "Some playful, laughter-loving maid. "And to her health and charms divine, "Quaff glasses of enliv'ning wine. "Is fortune cruel?-Then go suit, "To querulous complaint, the lute; "From the touch'd strings make music float "On air in soft melodious note.

"When first you see in fragrant bowers "The rose-resplendent queen of flowers; "Then let the goblets brimful shine "With bright nectareous racy wine! "Wine can the tender pangs remove, "And cause forgetfulness in love, "The sweetly warbling nightingale, "With melody fills every dale. "How can she cease, sweet bird of spring! "'Mid budding roses perch'd, to sing?

THE DOVE AND THE GOOSE.
To Eliza, with a Dove.
Accept, dear maid, the must delightful bird
That ever Venus to her chariot bound:
By Love adopted, and by peace preferr'd,

For meekness valu'd, and for faith renown'd.
A bird, in which such rare perfections meet,
Alone is worthy to be counted thine:
His beauty, fair one, is like your's, complete,
And his fidelity resembles mine.

JULIUS.

To Julius, with a Goose. Swain, I accept your all accomplish'd Dove, With rapture listen to his plaintive moan, And vow with constancy the bird to love, Whose beauty thus reminds me of my own. I cannot prove my gratitude too soon,

For such a mark of tenderness conferr'd; So song for song be thine, and boon for boon, Kinduess for kindness, swain, and bird for bird Lo! the best fowl that Lincoln can produce,

My choice has singled from a tuneful group; Accept, sweet Bard, from me as great a Goose As e'er was fattened in a poult'rer's coop. Your verse the merit of the Dove displays: The compliments I pay my bird are few;

Now is the seasop, roses gay
Light purple-tinctur'd blooms display:
When fires thus jovial youths invite,
To the fair gardens of delight,

To say how strongly he resembles you.

ELIZA

* Upon which the Mahomedans prostrate themselves at the time of prayers.

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

to suppose he would demean himself to truths.

The motion was adjourned for a fortnight The House in a Committee of Supply, Mr Robert Ward stated, that the ma

House of Commons, Monday, Feb. 27.

CHAP. VI. Sir G. Brograve's Divorce Bill -Bermuda-Golden Lane Brewery-Ply mouth Dock Police-Gen. ClaveringSupplies Campaign in Spain and Portugal-Exchequer Bills-America-Duke of York.

-

House of Lords, Wednesday, March 8. Order of the day read for cominittal of Sir George Brograve's divorce bill. Lord Auckland, on rising to move the postponement of this bill for a week, expressed his pain and indignation at the number of divorce bills this session: it was an evil of the first magnitude; it deeply affected the character of the higher ranks and called loudly for a remedy; perhaps by fine and imprisonment, with prohibition of intermarriage between the criminal parties.

House of Commons, Thursday, March 2. Mr. Rose gave notice of a motion for placing Bermuda on the same footing, with respect to its commercial relations with Canada, as the other West India Islands.

Friday, March 3.-Mr. Lockhart obtained leave to bring in a bill for enabling the proprietors of the Golden-Lane Brewery to sue and be sued in the name of their managers, Messrs. Brown and Parry: also, a bill for enabling the clerks of the Crown-Office to act as attornies.

The House in a Committee on the Plymouth Dock Police.

The Attorney-General proposed that the Chairman should move for leave to bring in a bill for establishing a new police for Plymouth-Dock, for preventing depredations on the king's stores.

Mr. C. Wynne called the attention of the House to the case of General Clavering, whose prevarication in giving evidence on the charges against the Duke of York, he affirmed, was evident.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought, that whatever witnesses had been guilty of prevarication, should be punished: but he thought the proper time for it would be after the main question had been disposed of.

Mr. Wilberforce thought the sooner this examination was proceeded on the better it would prove for all parties.

Sir M. W. Ridley imputed the discrepaneies between the parts of the General's evidence, not to intention, but to misunderstand ing. He thought too highly of him as a man,

charge for saltpetre £000,000; for the depe of artillery and ammunition, £200,000 and that the miscellaneous service for Irelan

might be estimated at £123,000. He the moved, for the Ordnance of Great Brita for the current year, a sua not exceedin £450,366. 12s. 9d.

General Tarleton rose, and reviewed th military operations of the last twelve month the campaign in Spain and Portugal, and was answered by Sir Arthur Wellesle who was ready to assert, that, under the e cumstances of the victory of Vimiera, a chi would have perceived the probable advant ges of a pursuit of the enemy. In reply an observation from Mr. Whitbread, Sit Ap thur Wellesley answered, that, as he pr had, so he never would, hold himself out ast accuser of Sir Harry Burrard. Mr. Husk son asserted that 200,000 stand of arms ha been sent by the British Government to Spanish people, and were distributed in Ast rias, Gallicia, Andalusia, and Catalonia.

The annual estimates, with respect to Ordnance service in Ireland, were then voted also, the annual votes for the Americ loyalists, the transportation of convicts stationery and printing.

Monday, March 6.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved funding of £8,000,000 of Exchequer bil giving the holders their option of £103, 54 in the 5 per cents. or £81. 8s. in the stock, and £26. 4s. in the 4 per cents.

AMERICA.-Mr. Whitbread introduced speech comprizing a great variety of matter by observing, that the history of the Ameri can war, it might have been thought, woul have been a salutary lesson to every statesm England had flourished greatly as unexpecte since the separation of America; and Amen had made a most rapid progress. The union the two countries might defy the world, yet government had foolishly neglected bet offers of conciliation, and added insult to reg sal. Mr. W. reminded the House, that he had differed from his friends even on the Orders in Council of Jan. 7, 1807: but what were they, to those of Nov. 11, 1807? He said the Custom-House returns would prev deficit of eleven millions. Were the denkit only 8, or 7, or 6 millions, what delive policy were it to incur this mischief! Bee these orders, Britain imported 32,000,000. of cotton wool, from America: when.ce could we now obtain a supply? We proci • red indeed from Asia, and from the Portugues settlements, 5,000,000lbs: still the deficcsy

was 27,000,000lbs! The stress laid on the operation of the Berlin decree was absurd; it had no operation. It was false to say, that the American government had determined on the embargo before it knew of our Orders in Council. Let ministers look to the starving manufacturers: to the condition of the very extensive town of Manchester, where the greater part of 49,000 persons, who formerly lived by the cotton trade, were now starving, where thirty-two cotton mills are idle, and six only at work. Look at Ireland-no linen manufacture, for want of flax-seed. What had we done to remove these evils? We had apologized for the affair of the Chesapeake, very property; but this we had coupled with the President's proclamation forbidding the admission of British vessels: preposterously enough! America had not submitted to the Berlin decree: for the moment it was enforced against her vessels, her ambassador remonstrated.

Reports have reached me, said Mr. W. that conciliatory measures are in progress.Proceed at all events: make America your friend: take no advantage of embargo-breakers your tax laid on American vessels has been paid in only one instance; and that vessel the American populace burnt. The Americans are not popular in this country; nor 'treated with respect. What will the state of the West India islands be, in case of a war? Are we sure of being able to retain Our American possessions?-Be at peace with America and you may defy all the world. Mr. W. concluded a very long speech, by moving for an address to his majesty, recommending the re-establishment of intercourse with America, amicable negociation, &c.

:

Mr. Stephens rose, and stated in a speech [which has since been published, and reviewed in PANORAMA, Vol. VI. p. 452] his reasons for differing from Mr. Whitbread on some points-especially as to fucts. He would sacrifice a great deal to America. Mr. W. had not noticed the. evidence collected during last session; nor adverted to our situa tion before the Orders in Council were issued. The Berlin decree had certainly been executed in respect to America; and insurance had risen accordingly, even in our direct trade to America, much more on American ships which had dared to touch at this infected island; insomuch that our trade to the Continent was stopped; especially during forty days, from Sept. 1, to Oct. 10. Mr. S. was surprized that any gentleman could doubt, whether, under a new and unjustifiable situation, we might not adopt a new measure. The law of nations warranted us. In the war between Philip II. of Spain, and the Dutch, when Philip decreed the seizure of Dutch vessels sailing under neutral colours, the Dutch seized all Spanish vessels wherever

found; and the French King announced that if any of his subjects traded with Spain, it would be at their own risk. America had not acted equally to the two belligerents: What security had she offered that when the embargo was raised as to Britain, the vessels pretending to sail for this country, should not proceed to France? He did not desire America should go to war with France, but, that while we could not trade with America, neither should our enemies. In spite of the prophecies as to the ruin of our colonies, they were not ruined, nor were our colonists starved. He was anxious for peace, but could not consent to the ruin of our commerce, manufactures and navy.

Mr. A. Baring asserted, that the intention of our government to issue the Orders in Council was fully known in America before the embargo was laid.

Mr. Rose proved, that the non-importation act was passed prior to the issuing of our Orders in Council; that in the President's message to Congress, the remotest allusion to our Orders was not made; and, but a week afterwards, Mr. Maddison transmitted to the into by the Congress. He laid the following President a copy of the resolutions entered

statement before the house :

Exports to American States from England, for the years ending March 1805, and 1807.......

Ditto in 1808........

Decrease in 1808 Ditto to all parts of America, exclusive of the American States, but inclusive of the British and French West Indies, in 1808.......

Ditto in 1806 and 1807....

L 11,774,000 5,781,000

£5,990,000

12,859,000

8,529,000

4,230,000

Leaving a decrease of ...........£1,750,000 Against that decrease, should be taken the mercantile profit on the £4,230,000 which before was entirely to the profit of the Americans; and the profit (with all the conse quences attending it) on the British shipping employed, instead of American.

The British goods exported to
America in 1808
£4,781,000
The consumption in America as by

accounts from thence in 1808..5,157,000 In the mean while we deprived the enemy of the whole of their colonial produce, to the amount of more than £9,000,000.