jury on the assault, and some difference of opinion on the O. P. worn in the hat, which was thought by a great majority to be too trifling a matter to be construed into a riot. The effect of this trial was to give vigour to the O. P.'s, and to excite a dread in the managers, that they might meet with equal ill success in all their prosecutions, and particularly that they might be batlled in the grand cause of a conspiracy.

The difficulty now was for the managers to find an opening for a reconciliation with the public: and they seized with eagerness an opportunity which presented itself of offering terms of peace. In consequence of the pro secutions entered into by the managers, a very large subscription was raised to defend the prosecuted; and with a view to consider their case, aud the farther steps to be taken to repress the insolence of the managers and their servants, a dinner was advertised to be at the Crown and Anchor, at which the name of the learned barrister was announced as president. A numerous company assembled upon the occasion: but it was soon whispered about that terms of accommodation had been proposed, and the chairman announced that Mr. Kemble himself would make his appearance, if it was thought agreeable to the company. In consequence he was admitted: sorrow was expressed for the unfortunate state of public affairs, and the concessions on the part of the managers were read. These were, that the price of the pit should remain on its ancient footing, that the private boxes should be laid open after this season, and that all prosecutions should be dropped. The secret articles were, that the managers should come forward and make their apologies, and that the whole should be ratified at the theatre. It was not to be expected, that the whole could be settled without some little turbulence in the theatre, to which the company went to spread abroad the state of the negociation. John Bull was soon pacified, till the unfortunate boxkeeper made his appearance, and his conduct was not so easily passed over. His dismission was loudly called for; and a night or two after, it was announced that he had fallen a sacrifice to popular indig

nation, and was no longer a servant of the theatre.

Thus ended the agitation which had so long disturbed the public_mind, and without the farther interference of law, which would only have made matters worse, and destroyed entirely the hopes of future profit in the theatre. The whole transaction, however, requires farther discussion. -It is certain, that many persons have been severely treated, and that very great bail has been required on one side, and that the outrages, committed on the other, were scarcely noticed. With respect to the managers and the audience, the questions concerning them may be settled as they please; but as far as the public peace has been concerned, the public has a right to interfere. To them it is of consequence to know in what manner the magistracy has conducted itself upon this occasion; and here is ample scope for animadversion. If boxers and bruisers have been admit ted into the pit; if no notice was taken of their outrages; if, to be an O. P. without violence, was in the eyes of magistracy worse than to be an N. P. committing acts of disorder; if excessive bail has been taken; if imprisonment has followed upon very trifling occasions, it is time that personal liberty should be secured upon better foundations, and that equal justice should be better administered. An enquiry into the state of the police of Westminster may justly follow that into the disasters of our late cam paigns.

Another circumstance, attending this extraordinary contest, deserves consideration. The term mob was continually applied by the manager's party to those who opposed their measures; but the fact is. that the mob, according to the usual tenor of that term, had little to do with the business. The active parties in it were chiefly to be found in those classes who frequent the pit and boxes; and if the players denominate them a mob, their audience is reduced very much in respectability, and the value of their acting is proportionably very much depreciated. The actors who perform before a mob, have very little need of talents, and will never rise to eminence in their profession. But

this term of mob is too apt to be used common council for many years, and by persons, who form a very small on the division it appeared, that the part of the community: and it was a address was carried by a majority of grand distinction of this nation, that it one. This majority was evidently possessed so large and so valuable a sufficient; but a requisition was carbody in the middle classes, as prevent- ried to the Lord Mayor, to summon ed that insolence in the higher, and another court to reconsider the prothe servility in the lower ranks, which ceedings of the last, and the strength degrade the countries upon the conti- of the parties was brought to another Bent. On this account we objected, issue. It does the Lord Mayor great very strongly, to the private boxes; to credit, that, though he was for the the separation of a British audience address, he consented to this meeting, into peculiar classes, which would and a larger body assembled. The have encouraged, in the privateers, a opposers of the address laid their stress spirit very hurtful to themselves, and on the impropriety of some of the in its effects degrading to the rest of language, and produced another, the audience. But, if the opposition which was equally strong as to the to the managers is to be stigmatised by main point, the enquiry. One of the the name of mobbing, let it be re- aldermen, Sir C. Price, who was acollected, that this mob, during sixty gainst any address at all, observed nights, was distinguished by this re- with great propriety, that the question markable feature, that the theatre re- on an address had been fairly brought ceived as little injury as possible, it before them, that it was voted, and being confined almost entirely to the that a najority of one was as valid as wear and tear of the green cloth upon that of one hundred It was a bad the seats: not a single chandelier was precedent thus to debate, over again, broken, and their marks of disappro- a question once settled, and particubation were confined to those which larly as it might lead to the inconsisoccasionally accompany the perform- tency of not knowing at what time ance of a new play. But, as the peace they were to stop. The question is now restored, let us hope that the was, however, after much debating, managers will have derived a useful brought to a vote, and an address, lesson from it; and that proper pains differing in some expressions from will, in future, be taken to make our the last, was carried. This occasioned theatres such, that no father of a fa- a requisition to the Lord Mayor for mily will be afraid of placing his another meeting, which was granted; daughters in any of the boxes, whe- and, after some debating, the previous ther public or private. question was moved and carried, and consequently the second address was established.

Whilst the theatre afforded such subjects for the animadversion of the public, its attention was called to much more important matter in the discussions of the city of London, both in its common council and its common hall. In the former a motion was made for an address to the king, for an enquiry into the causes of the dis. graces attending our late military expeditions, and for reprobation of the intrigues that had taken place in his Majesty's councils. This address was supported, with great energy and eloquence, by Mr. Waithman, and all sides spoke with approbation of an enquiry: but the courtiers were for deferring it to the parliament, and objected to the language of the address, as not sufficiently respectful to the king. A larger body of aldermen attended than had been seen in the UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. XII

In the mean time a mecting of the common hall had taken place, after the usual forms of a requisition, to take into consideration an address to the king. For this it had been well prepared by various meetings of wardmotes, where thanks had been voted to those members of the common council who had supported the original address, and this address was brought forward in the common hall. Mr. Favell, who has always been a steady, firm, and conscientious opposer of the system of venality and corruption, introduced the question, which he supported in a very able speech, detailing the injuries to the country from the disgraceful expedi tions, and the still more disgraceful intrigues of the cabinet.-Mr. Waith

to oppose it. We had indeed taken one or two islands, where there was little or no force to resist us; but the capture was purchased at an immense expenditure of life and treasure. At the very moment the king was uttering this speech, the sad remains of his unfortunate arm were crossing the seas from Flushing, and the moanments of this disastrous and disgraceful expedition remained in the ruins of walls, which we had erected, and in the graves of the English. The effect of this answer upon the common council remains to be known; it will be reported and entered on the minutes, and probably give rise to considerable discussion.

man and Mr. Quin on the same side army, not a man had been drawn were listened to with the greatest at- from any spot of military enterprise tention and applause, but the opposers of the motion, particularly one of the sheriffs, met with a very different reception. The applause bestowed on the Lord Mayor was unbounded; and on the question being put for the address, there was scarcely to be seen a hand held up against it. The Sheriff, who opposed it, came now. very handsomely forward to declare his concurrence in every thing that his colleague had said on the mode of presenting the address, declaring, that whatever his prior opinions had been, yet after the decision of the question no one should be found more zealous than himself in the support of the rights of the city. The address voted by the common council was carried up in grand style But the metropolis was not the by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and only place agitated: the death of the Commoners to the King, who held his Duke of Portland excited a commocourt on that day at the queen's tion at Oxford; and, when we say in house. The answer excited no small. Oxford University, it is felt all over surprise. The enquiry was positively England, and in some degree over the denied, and the propriety of one was whole kingdom. The members of left to the determination of parliament. this learned body are very widely disNot a single word was said of the in- persed: not a quarter of them resice trigues of the cabinet, and a singular within the precincts of the Univer expression was used on the enquiry, sity. The post of Chancellor is of as it was said, that such enquiry into great dignity, and is never conferred the conduct of the commanders, whe- but upon men of very high rank, or ther naval or military, was not thought of considerable importance in th necessary. This was the first time state. Three candidates started upon that our naval commanders were in this occasion. The Duke of Beaufort, troduced in the question; for in all depending chiefly on his birth; the the debates not the least insinuation Lord High Chancellor of England was thrown out against them; not a depending upon his present station; doubt was ever entertained of their and Lord Grenville on the remem exemplary conduct. As far as the navy brance of past, and the presumption was concerned, every thing was done of future importance. The contest that valour and skill could perform; lay between the two latter; of whom and to the navy it was entirely owing, the former was supported by all that Flushing so soon surrendered. the influence of the ministry, and Whatever than may be the merits or demerits of the expedition; whether the minister or the general; each or both were to blame, we felt exceed ingly that our naval commanders should in the slightest degree be joined with either; much less that this union should be in a speech from the throne.

Another expression excited much enquiry; the regret that the expedition had only in part succeeded, for it puzzled every reader to know in what part it had had this effect. It had not produced any upon Bonaparte or his

the latter by all the opposition. In point of personal dignity, elevation of sentiment, and literary attainments Lord Grenville was far superior. Lord Eldon, the Lord High Chancefior, raised himself on the talents requisite to form a lawyer; talents, which too generally preclude the posse-sor from any excellence in polite literature; and from those extensive views of human affairs, which become a stateman. But the Lord Chancellor hai on his side not only the present jufinence of the administration, but a bue and cry which might be expected to

be decisive in his favour. The alarm of No Popery was raised, and he was esteemed au enemy to the Church, who could give his vote for the supporter of the Catholic Petition. On this account the election excited a great degree of public attention. The decision of the University was a kind of political barometer, whence might be ascertained the presumed stability of the administration, and the real effect produced by the alarm of No Popery, Had the latter been founded on any real fears of popery, the clergy of Oxford must have participated in the highest degree in the alarm. Nothing was wanting to give effect to the cry; but the bug-bear was over; it was completely seen through, and perhaps not any even of the old women in the University were affected by it. On the poll the Duke was the lowest, Lord Grenville the highest. The Lord Chancellor lost his election by thirteen. This is, we will hope, the death-blow to superstition and bigotry, It is an important feature in the history of our times, and as such we look upon the elevation of LordGrenville to the superintendance of Oxford, as an auspicious event. May it be followed by a complete emancipation of the catholics; and the union of all men, whatever may be their religious opinions, in the common cause of their civil rights and their country's liberty, The Duke of York and the Duellists supplied matter for conversation, the former from his connection with the unhappy woman, who was now involved in law-suits with Mr. Wardle, and in the detail of the prosecutions many circumstances relative to the important case of last winter, would naturally be revived. One of them received such a degree of establishment, that we can no longer doubt of the fact, namely that the woman received ten thousand pounds for the suppression of the memoirs of her life, which were asserted to have been paid her by a noble peer; and in this transaction, if the money did not come out of the public funds, we do not see, that the public had any concern. The petty scandai, with which it is said to have been filled, might fairly in a curious age be worth the sum: but, if it contajes the anecdotes of a high family incautiously uttered,

as they have been represented to us, we do not in the least regret, that they have been kept back from public inspection. In the law-suits Mr. Wardle has been a loser, for a verdict has been obtained against him for the amount of certain goods, which he is said to have ordered at an upholsterer's, for the use of Mrs. Clarke, and he has failed to obtain a verdict against her aud the upholsterer for a conspiracy to defraud him of the money. Far be it from us to arraign the verdict of the jury, but we may be allowed to pay considerable deference to the statements of Mr. Wardle; and the difficulties belonging to a case of this kind, in a court of law, are too well known to require comment.. But we are surprised to hear, that the decision should be considered as a kind of set-off against that of the public in the case of the Duke of York. The latter remains exactly in the same state, in which it was before; and we are not inclined to detract one atom from our debt of gratitude to Mr. Wardle for his exertions in the public cause, because he is a sufferer in bis private concerns. He is still entitled to the thanks of the community; and we trust will, in spite of his enemies, and the enemies of the public, continue to exert himself as an independent member of the House. A very liberal subscription has been raised to defray the expences of his suits at law, and the verdicts obtained against him.

The subject of the duellists has been kept up by the letter of Mr. Canning, in which he attempts a vindication of himself, but without success: for he does not in any shape invalidate the charge of keeping a fair outside with his colleague at the same time he was plotting against his interests. The style of the letter is very different from that in which the author in general indulges in his speeches in parliament and his other writings. Throughout, a consciousness of his offence seems to weigh him down: we recognize no longer in him the spirit of the Microcosm, and which he has exchanged for the dry detail of a special pleader.

The scenes in France are of a very different nature. There the heroic Emperor has been indulging in the festivities of a court, graced with the

presence of kings and sovereign From Spain the news is of a most princes, or receiving addresses from melancholy nature. The Spanish all parts of his vast empire, or meeting army, that was advancing towards his states, or visiting his good city of Madrid, has met with a complete deParis. By this city he was one day feat. Their ill success is attributed to entertained in the Guildhall, and to it the misconduct of the horse, who not he carried a great assemblage of kings, only ran away from their post, but left princes, dukes, and generals. We may the foot to shift for themselves, so easily imagine the rapturous enthu- that the army was completely routed siasm, with which he was received: and dispersed. This will probably for, whatever terms of reproach we, his secure the Gallo-Spanish king from enemies, may be justified in attaching any farther interruption from the to his name, it is certain, that France South of Spain, and in bis turn he and above all Paris must look up to will soon be the assailant, acting unhim as their great benefactor. Previ- der the orders of his brother the ous to the dinner he was addressed by emperor. As to the English army the city, and he returned an answer under the command of Lord Wellingfull of affection, and we have every ton of Talavera, little is heard of it. reason to believe with sincerity; for The retreat into Portugal is secured, the fruits of his victories he has and there it will probably pass the brought to Paris, and his constant winter. Our influesce in that counendeavours have been and are to make try is very extensive at present, and it the most magnificent city in the the Portuguese will not change masworld. ters before the conquest of Spain is completed.

of the world. We have secured some islands to the West of Greece, and may for a time prevent the French interest from being paramount in that quarter; but the Turkish empire thus beset will not easily find means to defend itself.

In his speech at the meeting of the states, he entered into a review of the Russia is securing its acquisitions in causes and the consequences of the Finland and Poland, and making new late war; prognosticated the speedy fall ones to the South of the Danube. Its of the Spanish junta, dwelt with some success in the latter quarter is not degree of severity on our follies at however well ascertained, and we Walcheren, and march to Talavera, know not the troops which the Turks and concluded with an assurance to can bring into the field to defend his subjects, that notwithstanding the their metropolis. This winter will wars, in which he was engaged, no prove very interesting to that part farther burdens would be laid upon them. The truth of his prognostications relative to Spain will soon be tried, for by all accounts his troops are marching in great multitudes into that unhappy country, and the hero himself will probably join them, as soon as the number fixed on for the accomplishment of his purposes is on the southern side of the Pyrenees. Neither his diversions nor his preparations prevent him from examining the minutest concerns, Already the enquiry he instituted into the conduct of his general at Flushing is finished, and this commander is found guilty of not maintaining his post agreeably to their articles of war; and of disobeying the orders he received relative to its mode of defence.

From the western world our intelligence is unfavourable. A misunderstanding it seems has taken place between our minister and the administration of the United States of so serious a nature, as must retard the progress of negotiation, and in its final results may lead to an unhappy termination of the subsisting disputes. The circumstances of the case are not however sufficiently before the public but they will form a subject of discussion in the approaching parliament.