his tones, his taste and science, all found an excellent representative in combined to make an impression, and Mr. Oxberry. The part of Louisa to excite an enthusiasm, to which few was, we believe, originally intended indeed could aspire. At the com- for Mrs. Bishop, but from her illness, mencement of the third act, Mr. it devolved upon Mrs. Orger, who Phillips made an apology for the ab- played it with great spirit and vivasence of Mr. Smith, who was taken city. Mr. Penson, in Don Jeroine, suddenly ill, and requested the indul- was admirable. The dresses and degence of the audience in favour of corations were most splendid, and the Mr. Doyle, his substitute in the part coup d'œil was beautiful in the extreme. of Father Paul. The apology was well Her Royal Highness the Princess of received, and Mr. Doyle gave ample Wales, and her party, occupied the satisfaction. The Lay Brother also Lord Chamberlain's box.

STATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

WHEN Hercules was cleansing to have been ordered by him, for the

the Augean stable, the fine use of the woman, whose evidence, gentlemen of his time would exercise from her connection with the Duke their raillery on his employment: and of York, had been so instrumental to all those who had seen the accumula- the detection of a variety of abuses. tion of ordure; and they whose busi- The jury gave a verdict in favour of ness it was to have prevented it, would the tradesman; and immediately a not be backward in exciting every hue and cry was raised against Mr. opposition to the hero's undertaking. Wardle, as if his exertions, in a cause Hercules, however, persisted; and the of the greatest importance to his cleansing of the Augean stable is country, were rendered null and void, esteemed not the least of his labours. on account of a dispute about a trades. What happened in his days, we have man's bill. The whole put us in mind seen exemplified in our own. The of the articles of high treason against task perforined by Mr. Wardle has Gulliver; and the good people of created no small degree of enmity and England, who were gulled by the ill will against him. Hercules re- advocates for corruption, may be comquired only mechanical strength to pared to the Queen of Lilliput, whose get through his employment: when delicate susceptibility was shocked by he had once taken his measures, per- the means employed so successfully severance carried him through his for the preservation of her palace and labours, and every day brought him her city. Mr. Wardle had received nearer to the end. He had not a the thanks of the city of London: the Chancellor of the Exchequer to break common council of the metropolis was his wheelbarrows, nor an Attorney- thought the fittest place to begin the General to poison his horses: there attack upon his well-earned reputation. might be growlers and laughers, but Notice was artfully given of a motion they did not interfere with his task. to rescind the vote of thanks to him; Mr. Wardie had an host of enemies to contend with; and every man, who dabbled with corruption, was his foe. Gladly was an opportunity seized to attack him but we are glad to find, that it ended in the disgrace of his enemies, and a more pointed opprobrium on the advocates of that system of corruption, which every moment is endeavouring to raise its hydra head, and to ruin every man, who wishes well to his country.

A civil suit had taken place between Mr. Wardle and an upholsterer, on the subject of goods, which were said

and it was intended, that this should operate throughout the country, as a decisive proof of a change in the public opinion. As long as the question remained undetermined, the advocates for corruption made use of the argument in their favour: and they presumed, that by dint of artifice they should be able to create a prejudice against Mr. Wardle, and annihilate the effect of the previous votes in his favour. But their whole scheme was ruined by the fortitude of public spirited men, who were determined, that the country should not be so

cajoled, and that the enemies of Mr. Wardle should bring forward the arguments on which they pretended to overthrow the previous unanimous acts of the city.

them.

the ins and the outs are both against him. He has committed the unpardonable sin, that of exposing abuses with a view to their immediate correction. But the more he is the obA common council was holden for ject of the indignation of party men, the determination of this important the more ought he to be supported by question; and the speeches delivered the true friends of their country: and upon this occasion were superior to the example set by the city of Lon. the greater part of the best of those don will, we trust, so appall the advothat are heard in the house of com- cates for corruption, that, however mons. The person, who gave the they may dart their envenomed shafts, notice, did not make his appearance; they will, as in this case, be only inbut sent to the Lord Mayor a paltry juring themselves. Mr. Wardle will, letter of excuse on the subject, suf- we trust, at the meeting of parliament ficiently exposing the baseness of the renew his exertions for the cleansing motives on which the notice was of the Augean stable. He is engaged founded. The question was, however, in a noble cause; and the people, if brought forward, and the nature of they are not true to him, deserve to the previous vote of thanks sufficiently suffer all the evils which accumulated displayed. Alderman Goodbehere abuses must inevitably bring upon and Mr. Waithman were particularly distinguished, and the discussion ended in the complete establishment of the vote of thanks to Mr. Wardle, and in stronger resolutions on the subject of abuses, which he had developed, and on others which had been subsequently discovered. In these resolutions the corrupt and illegal traffic for seats in parliament, in which several of his majesty's ministers had been implicated, was particularly noticed and reprobated. Ld. Castlereagh's conduct was brought forward with peculiar and deserved censure; and it as properly noticed, that there appears to be "an unabating effort on the part of "those, notoriously under the in"fluence of government, or who participate in the existing frauds, corruptions, and peculations, to cry "down, vilify, and traduce every man "who has courage and integrity to ་་ expose such practices."

If the city of London in this manner checked the rising spirit of the cor rupt faction, and taught it that its practice would meet with severe repulse, the county of Middlesex set an example which is peculiarly worthy of imitation. Upwards of three hundred freeholders signed a requisition to the sheriff to call a county meeting, to take into consideration the repre sentative system, as it at present stands, and the propriety of petitioning for a reform. A very numerous and respectable body in consequence attended the summons of the sheriff; and Major Cartwright, the veteran, whose publications for many years have breathed the true spirit of liberty, brought forward the business in a very appropriate speech. He shewed the corrupt manner in which the seats of the House of Commons were filled, and the pernicious consequences to There cannot be a doubt of the the king and country, from the base wish of every man, interested in the system of misrepresentation, which present abuses, to prevent inquiry, rendered futile all the advantages of and to carry on the government for a representative government. He their own immediate profit. But Mr. treated with contempt the members Wardle is also in a peculiar situation. of the borough-mongering faction, He is not the cat's-paw of a party, who had usurped the government of nor did he bring forward his measures the country; whose authority, as long with a view to the expulsion of the as he had a legal king, he declared he present ministers, and the introducing would never stoop to acknowledge: of his own friends in their room.- and he assured the meeting that noThis new doctrine of aiming at the public good, without reference to party, is so adverse to the present system of politics, that the factions of

thing was wanting on its part but perseverance, and they would trample on the reptiles who had so long trampled on them. The Major then proposed

several resolutions, which were second- petition to the lower house. ed by Mr. Hare Townsend.

The

usual thanks were then given to the Sheriff, Major Cartwright, and Mr. Byng.

Mr. Mallet approved the substance of the resolutions, but did not approve of the House of Commons being called On the conduct of Mr. Mellish representatives of the people. This on this occasion there can be only one was an abuse of language: they were opinion: but his speech is the severest not representatives of the people:- sarcasm upon the present system that their true name was the Lower House can be uttered. He, the representaof Parliament. He thought the pro- tive for a county, tells his constituents per mode of proceeding to be, to pe- that he shall not mind their instructition the king not to issue writs for tions; whilst a member, who is put members to any of the rotten boroughs: in by a borough-monger, is obliged it was needless to petition the lower to quit his seat if he differs in opinion house of parliament, which was di- with his principal. Thus the people vided between ministers and an oli- are left in a very awkward state. The garchy who had usurped the rights of borough-mongers have a complete the people. Mr. Bently conceived controul upon their own members: that a petition to the king would be but the representatives of counties handed over to some favourite, and and cities are to follow their own never meet the royal attention.—Mr. opinions, without any regard to that Waithman, and several other gentle- of the people. But how contemptible men, supported the resolutions as they in the eye of reason is the state of a stood, which afterwards were passed county representative! Considering unanimously, together with a petition him as representing a large body of to the House of Commons. men, he is of great importance in the state: but, if his vote is levelled to a portion of that only of a boroughmonger, whose seat in the lower house may depend on land without an inhabitant, the county member dwindles into disgraceful insignificance. To rescue county members from this disgrace, to restore them to their true dignity, to free the king from the shackles of this borough-mongering system, is a grand object, and ought to be strenuously pursued: for the borough-mongers, like leeches, will stick to the carcase, till not a drop of blood remains; and, unless they are destroyed, the constitution may remain in name, but its real essence is lost.

Mr. Byng was then appointed to present the petition; who, in a very excellent speech,accepted the appointment; declaring his sentiments to be, and always to have been, in favour of reform; because the lower house, as at present constituted, was not a fair representation of the people. The right of voting, he thought, ought to be extended to those who kept house and paid taxes. He was a firm friend to both the monarchy and aristocracy, because these institutions were useful to the people: but to make them efficiently useful, it was necessary that the people should have their fair share in the government.

Mr. Mellish, the other member, made the most ungracious speech The resolutions of this meeting dethat ever representative uttered be- serve universal consideration. They fore his constituents. He observed, describe the state of the representathat one resolution went to instruct tion, the nature of the sale of seats, the members to support the petition. the fact that the representation has For his part, if he thought a reform been usurped by a corrupt oligarchy, necessary, he should be certainly hap- the truth that the king and people are py to support that measure: but, equally interested in the reform, bewhen his opinion differed from their's cause the faction has interests separate (his constituents), he conceived he from each and inimical to both.was under no obligation to obey their Upon these principles the petition is instructions. Major Cartwright then founded; which calls upon the wisbrought forward a petition to the dom and the justice of the house to king; but, though highly approved grant that relief as shall be consistent of, it was, upon the whole, thought with the leading principles of our better to content themselves with a happy constitution-a full and free

representation of the people in parlia- part, to be sure, were not so immement. In one resolution Sir F. Bur- diately in the action, yet were suffidett is thanked for his motion on re- ciently near to form some estimate of form in the last session, which he is the difficulties of the undertaking. requested to renew, and counties, The court-martial decided in favour cities, and towns, are urged to come of the admiral, who was most honourforward with earnest and respectful ably acquitted; and, as the trial is petitions. We are glad to see the printed, every one is at liberty to form thanks given to Sir F. Furdett, for he his own opinion of the transaction. stands in the same situation with Mr. One circumstance is to be observed, Wardle; the advocate for measures that Lord Cochrane was not the acessential to the welfare of the coun- cuser, but only an evidence; and try, and not the partisan of those, though the court-martial have differed who are, or who desire to be, in the in opinion from him, it lies entirely administration. The question, in- in the breast of his lordship to oppose deed, is so simple and clear, that no- a vote of thanks should the minister thing but the sloth of the people can ever bring it forward. Of one fact prevent their success. Yet we have we are certain, namely, that Lord seen, in the existence of the papal Cochrane did his duty to the utmost, power, how long the human mind for all concur with the admiral in tesmay, be kept in subjection to the most degrading influence; and the corrupt faction of borough-mongers may rivet their chains still faster, and, with all the forms of a free constitution, England may become the most degraded of nations.

tifying their admiration of his conduct; and he has been honoured by his sovereign with a peculiar mark of distinction, for his courage and perseverance, and skill. A vote of thanks then, in which he does not concur, will be of little value; for what are landsmen to think, when he, who was the nearest to the point of danger, condemns the conduct of his superior, who was all the time at a distance. It is probable, however, that the matter will rest here, and that the admiral will be satisfied with the testimony of the court-martial. We shall be sorry if it introduces any ill blood in the navy: for to such men as Lord Cochrane we are indebted for the superiority of our seamen over those of other nations.

A popular writer has, in his weekly lucubrations, represented the above transactions as of more importance to this country than any contemporary event, and in the opinion we agree with him; for, if our constitution is really of the importance that all parties give it, it surely behoves all parties to take care that the constitution be preserved, and not a mockery substituted in its place. Another event has occupied a much inferior degree of attention, though, in fact, many circumstances attending it, are likely to make a great impression on the most valuable part of our strength, the navy. After the engagement in the Basque Roads, it was intended to propose the usual vote of thanks to the admiral, and the fleet under his command. Lord Cochrane, who had distinguished himself so much on the occasion, declared, that if such a motion were brought forward in the House he should think it his duty to oppose it. The consequence was an enquiry by a court-martial into the conduct of the admiral, which sat for several days. Lord Cochrane gave his evidence, in which he persisted in the opinion he had maintained; but he was not supported in it by several officers of the navy, who, for the most tion? It is not of so much conse

The affairs of the Continent are marked by a transaction, which at one time would have filled Europe with horror and astonishment, but is now only an object of derision and contempt. His pretended holiness, the Pope, is not satisfied with the situation into which he is placed by Bonaparte, and scorns his bounty. He recollects the times in which a predecessor of his had an emperor at his feet; but seems to have forgotten that his bulls have lost their charms. The old gentleman, reduced to that insignificance, in which he ought always to have been kept, protests against the seizure of his territories, and excommunicates all that have had any part in it. But who cares now for his excommunica

quence as that of the Church of Eng- tered, and little able to assist each other. Still the terms of peace may be so harsh as to excite despair. Of this, however, the repeated proofs of French policy, forbid us to expect the advantages; and we cannot entertain any hopes of resistance to the French. The negociations most probably, are going on, and before this reaches the press the terms of peace may arrive. The negociations will, of course, keep every thing secret, till the whole is determined upon; but as Bonaparte is not returned to France, the arrangements, we may be persuaded, are not completely concluded.

land, which is still a terror to some country bumpkins. The world is not foolish enough to trouble its head at an excommunication tendered by this or that priest, but holds the nousense of them all in equal contempt. The bayonets of Bonaparte are too strong for the bulls of the Pope; and happy would it have been for mankind if the temporal had always maintained its jurisdiction over the pretended spiritual powers; and, if the reducing of the Pope into his proper place, had been the worst of the French acts, mankind would have great cause for gratitude to the French arms. Many protestants, indeed, feel a great degree of concern for the old impostor, but we are not of that number; we rejoice that his tricks are found out, and blown upon, and that mankind is likely to be freed from his delusions, As his power is thus fallen, it is a presage, that other impostors of the same kind will in due time meet with a siimilar fate. The usurpation of a priest is worse than the worst of civil ty

rannies.

But the intrigues of the Court of of Rome have little weight now in the affairs of Europe; the voice of the cannon is more heard, and more attended to. Indeed it has been silent on the banks of the Danube, but the shores of the Scheldt and the Tagus have resounded with its terrors. We observed in our last, that whilst the British troops are employed in taking an island, Bonaparte is settling the destiny of an empire. The result of his determinations has not, however, reached us, and reports are circulated that the armistice is broken, and that the Austrians are to try again the events of war. To do this with better chance of success, the Archduke Charles is said to have given up the command of the army, which the Prince of Lichtenstein has taken to himself. Should there be any truths in these reports, we can augur no good effects to the Austrian emperor. If he succeeded so ill after such vast preparations, what is he to expect with troops dispirited by continual ill success, diminished in numbers, and with infeFor resources. The richest parts of his dominions are in the hands of his enemies, and what remains lie scat

UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. XII.

What excited hopes in this country of renewed hostilities on the part of the Austrians, was our attack upon the Dutch coasts, and the repulse of the French in Spain. But neither of these events seem to bear at all on the affairs on the Danube. The French are there in full force. Fresh troops are daily arriving. Strong forts have been given up to them, and no impression, that is made in Spain or in Holland, can at all tend to assist the Austrians. If there had been any probability of their success, the Duke of Brunswick Oels would hardly have fled with his troops through Germany, and sought for refuge on board our transports. He would assuredly have taken the road to Bohemia, where, small as his reinforcements might be, it must have been acceptable. The fugitives with him are made up probably of all nations, who look to British pay as a much better resource than the exhausted treasures of Austria.

The part taken by Russia is not known. The French banners fly in the part of Poland seized from the Austrians, and if Austria should be deprived of all share in that country, no man can repine at its fate. Of all the acts of jacobinism, that have been perpetrated, the partition of Poland may be esteemed to rank the highest in infamy; and it is some satisfaction to see, that two of the states, engaged in it, have lost their share of the rob bery. The Russians have a consider, able army in that quarter, and are actually engaged in a war with the Turks; but we hear little of the progress of their arms. In the negocia tions, however, their interests will be