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there were marks of greater intelligence and moderation among them, and less of a disposition to copy from the model of the French National Assembly. We mean to take an early opportunity of giving a summary view of their proceedings and enactments.

The complete defeat of Murat's forces, in their attempt on Sicily, which we had anticipated from the style of his own gazette on the subject, has been confirmed by the official dispatches of Sir John Stuart. A landing was effected at the extremity of our line of defence, by about 3500 men; but they were so briskly attacked by such British troops as could be hastily collected to oppose them, that they very soon gave way, and made for their boats. A good many officers, and upwards of 800 men, were made prisoners. The boats also suffered considerably in their retreat. Our loss amounted only to three men slightly wounded. The prisoners consisted chiefly of a Corsican regiment, whose standard fell into our hands, and was presented to his Siciliau, Majesty. The pea, santry manifested the utmost alacrity in as. sisting our troops, and annoying the French.

Bernadotte, the new Crown Prince of Sweden, has solemnly professed the tenets and principles of the pure Lutheran reli gion, and answered several questions which were put to him on the subject by the arch. bishop. What course will be pursued by the Swedish government relatively to British commerce, we can only conjecture; but, judging by the course which has been recently taken by France, and all her other vassal states, we should expect a system of the severest restriction. In France, Holland, Germany, Prussia, and Russia, decrees have been issued, and rigidly enforced, for confiscating British manufactures and colonial produce wherever they can be found; and in some cases they have been ordered to be burnt. The confiscations are represented as very extensive, especially in the ports of the Baltic belonging to Russia and Prussia.

And here we cannot help again lamenting that our own government did not, at an earlier period, interpose, by the refusal of the requisite licences, to prevent the injury which has occurred from our present system, not only to the interests of the merchants and underwriters of this country, but to the cause of morality and the well being of the state. We need not dwell on the pecuniary losses which have been sustained, in consequence of the depredations of the enemy, and of the rash and injudicious speculations

in which the facility of obtaining licences led men to engage; nor shall we recur to that important feature of the case, the la mentable depravation of right moral feeling in the mercantile classes, which has attended this fraudful system; neither shall we think it necessary, at present, to enlarge on the opportunity which has been lost, of essentially advancing the improvement of Ireland, and quieting, at the same time, the turbulent spirit of its inhabitants, although it be ob vious that our large importations, during the last year, of hemp aud flax from Russia, and of linens from Germany, must have operated directly as a check to the rapid growth of both the agriculture and the manufactures of that country, which the year 1808 had exhibited. We wish more particularly to call the attention of our readers to another injurious effect of this system, which now begins to shew itself. We ventured, in our number for May last, to hazard an opinion, that the trade which was carried on by means of our licences with the continent, would serve as a nursery of seamen for Bonaparte; as it gave employment almost exclusively to continental ships and conti nental seamen. This apprehension we now see realized. The trade of Great Britain with the continent has been suddenly interrupted it may be considered indeed, as having nearly ceased. At the very time that Bonaparte issues his fresh prohibitory decrees against our trade, namely, in September last, he issues also a decree, requesting of the city of Bremen, and other places of the same description, a certain number of able seamen for the imperial service. "All," it is said, in a proclamation accompanying the decree," who shall devote themselves to this service, are assured, in the strongest manner, that every scaman, entering as a volunteer, shall receive down ninety francs, and also a bounty to an equal amount." An expectation is then expressed, "that the present distresses, and the general stoppage of trade, will induce seamen to embrace the present invitation, and not reject the opportunity of providing subsistence for themselves, and those who depend upon them." Many seamen have, doubtless, accepted this invitation, who had been employed, during the two preceding years, in navigating our seas and sounding our harbours, and who are now manning either the ships of war in the Scheldt, or the privateers, which swarm, like locusts, in all parts of the Channel. We apprehend that it would prove a moderate computation, were we to assume, that our commercial policy, during the two last years (we mean only in what respects the granting

of licences), besides that it has done ourselves no good, has placed 40,000 additional seamen within Bonaparte's reach.

Bonaparte seems, if we may judge from the measures of a precautionary kind, which he deems it right to adopt, to labour under the tyrant's curse, a constant apprehension of some blow aimed at his life or power. What else could have dictated a decree which issued from his palace at Fontainbleau, on the 3d of October last, requiring that all servants, whether male or female, under whatever name, hired for a longer or a shorter period, within the city of Paris, shall be inscribed in registers, and receive, if approved, cards from the prefect of police, without which cards they cannot, under severe penalties, be employed as domestics, even for a day. The moment a servant quits his or her service, the card must be transmitted by the

GREAT

REPORT ON SINECURE OFFICES.

Our readers will recollect, that a report was made, by the Committee on Public Expenditure of a former session of Parliament, on the subject of sinecure offices, and offices executed wholly or chiefly by deputy. In consequence of that Report, some motions for the abolition and regulation of such offices have been made in the House of Commons, and some resolutions, moved by Mr. Bankes, were carried late in the last session of Parliament, by a small majority, for the general abolition of offices in the nature of

sinecures. The ministry, on that occasion, were in a minority. For the sake of carrying into effect these resolutions of the House, another committee was appointed, of which the Hon. Mr. Ward was made the chairman; which was instructed to consider what offices came within the purview of the resolutions in question; and having investigated the subject, as far as the time would permit, they have reported accordingly. The following is a summary of their suggestions. It being assumed that Parliament will provide some other and sufficient means for enabling his Majesty duly to recompense the faith

master to the prefect, with the exact time of departure inscribed on it. Within eighteen hours the servant must appear before the prefect, to make certain declarations. This system of domestic interference, which we doubt not is intended as the foundation of a system of universal espionage, is anxiously fenced by minute regulations. One of them is strongly indicative of that distrust which we have supposed to haunt the mind of Bonaparte. "Every domestic, out of place for more than a month, and who cannot give a good account of his means of subsistence, shall be obliged to depart from our good city of Paris, under pain of being arrested and punished as a vagabond." Let Britons, high and low, learn to value their liberties,

and to thank God for them.

Bonaparte has formally announced the pregnancy of his empress, and directed prayers to be offered up for her safety. BRITAIN.

ful discharge of high and effective civil offices, the reward of which would, by the proposed measure, otherwise become inadequate, it is proposed, first, that the following offices, having revenue without employments might, at the expiration of the existing interests, be abolished.

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Register of the High Court of Ap

peals, &c.....

......

Prothonotary of Common Pleas of

12,558

9,530

lonies, cannot be brought in aid of the resources of the empire. The Committee report at present upon offices of this description amounting together to 11,8181. per annum.

The following is an abstract of the

Ireland.

......

Ditto King's Bench ditto...

8,904,

Clerk of the Common Pleas Exche

quer, Ireland

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Muster Master General ditto

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Chief Remembrancer of Exchequer ditto..

whole :

First Head

......

3,694

Keeper of Privy Seal ditto

Second..

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Third

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Clerk of the Parliament

Four Tellers of the Exchequer, 27001.
each....

King's Remembrancer, Exchequer..
Clerk of the Exchequer of Pleas
Sundry other offices...

...

663

3,238

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The Committee conclude by bobserving, The sum of 81,5807. being the amount of savings under the L. 68,983 first, second, and third heads of the Fourthly, it is submitted that the foregoing abstract, would therefore following offices, after the existing accrue to the public, in proportion interests, should be brought under as the several offices enumerated the management of the deputy: but under those heads might fall in. And some addition to the salary being this sum, together with whatever deemed adviseable, the whole amount saving might accrue from regulations would not be a saving to the public. under the fourth head, would be to Teller of the Exchequer, Ireland 2,000 be placed against the expense of Clerk of the Pipe ditto 750 any fund which Parliament shall have instituted, in pursuance of the resolution of the House, " for ena267 bling his Majesty duly to recompense the faithful discharge of high 2,251 and effective civil offices."

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Our readers will perceive, from the Report of this Committee, that the brief summary we have given of Parliament has begun to give its serious attention to the measure, we doubt not a very popular one, of retrenching offices being either in whole or in part of the nature of sinecures, and that practical economy is likely to be consulted in the measures to be adopted. They will, however, also see, that the saving to be effected must necessarily fall extremely short of the expectations of some of our reformers. The Report of the Committee does not, indeed, embrace all the offices which may be subjected to reform, but it in cludes, as we believe, a very great proportion of them. Those in the courts of law are submitted to a separate examination. We cordially rejoice in this manifestation of zeal for economical reform in the House of Commons, and are persuaded that a more exact adaptation of the emo

Juments of office to the duties of it, even though no great saving should be the result, will contribute at once to the reputation of the Parliament and Government, and to the good of the public service.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE,

At the close of last month the nation were alarmed by a report of the. King's illness. This elligence was unhappily confirmed by the unexpected meeting of Parliament on the 1st instant. It had stood prorogued to that day, and a proclamation had appeared in the Gazette, declaring that his Majesty had resolved on a farther prorogation. Before, however, the commission for this purpose had received the royal signature, the state of the king's health was such as to incapacitate him for the performance of this official act. Parliament, therefore, assembled as a matter of course. On this occasion it was stated by the Lord Chancellor in the House of Lords, and by Mr. Perceval in the House of Commons, that it was owing to the severity of the King's indisposition that Parliament had now met. His disorder, they said, had originated from his constant and unremitting anxiety and attention during the protracted sufferings of a dearly beloved child, the Princess Amelia. They added, that the best hopes had been given by the physicians of a speedy removal of his disorder. Under these circumstances, the attendance also being necessarily thin, an adjournment of both houses to the 15th instant was unanimously agreed to.

On the 15th both houses met, when a favourable report having been made of the hopes entertained by the physicians of his Majesty's recovery, all of whom, it was said, concurred in the assurance that his Majesty was in a state of progressive amendment, considerable amendment having alreadytaken place, a second adjournment of a fortnight was agreed to. In the House of Lords, Lord Grenville made some objections to the course which had been pursued by ministers, and recommended to them a strict adherence to the precedent of 1788. In the House of Commons, Sir F. Burdett felt it his duty to divide the house on the motion of adjournment for a fortnight, proposing rather to adjourn from day to day. The numbers on the division were 343 to 58. The propo

sition of Sir Francis was supported by Mr. Whitbread, Sir S. Romilly, and Mr. Tiemey; but it clearly appeared, in the course of the debate, that no useful purpose could be a swered by its adoption.

For some days after this meeting the health of the king was said to have greatly improved. The more recent accounts have not been equally favourable, and we greatly fear that Parliament must again meet on the 29th under the embarrassing circumstance of not being legally authorised to proceed to business. We look with confidence, lowever, to the wisdom of Parliament, for the adoption of such wise and constitutional measures as the peculiar exigency of the case requires: and we would anxiously press en our readers the duty which lies on them, tu engage in earnest and unceasing supplicetion to the Throne of Grace in behalf of eur beloved sovereign, that God in his infinite mercy would restore him to the enjoyment of health, and long preserve him, the object of his people's affection, the guardian of their rights, and the nursing father of the church.

The Princess Amelia, whose dissolution had been long expected, breathed her last un the 2d instant. It is generally known that it was the long continued and painful illness of this amiable daughter which had the effect of producing on the mind of his Majesty the melancholy impression which the universal nation have now to deplore. Her Royal Highness was the youngest of the royal family. She was in the 28th year of her age.

The King of Sweden has at length found his way to England, a circumstance which must afford pleasure to every mind which can value magnanimity, or compassionate misfortune. He will doubtless experience in this country all the respect and attention which are due to his distinguished rank, and to his faithful adherence to our commen

cause.

Our trade continues to suffer severely fram the enemy's privateers; and although fre quent captures are made by our cruisers, the evil does not seem to diminish. Two French frigates have been driven ashore near Cherburgh by some British men of war, and, it is said, cannot be got off.

The distresses of the commercial world seem to continue. The bankruptcies of late have been very numerous, not only in London, but in all parts of the kingdom.

(For "Answers to Correspondents" see 2d page of the Cover.)

ERRATUM.

Present Number: p. 714, col. 2, l. 27, for "Juan Fernandez," read " Alexander Selkirk on the island of Juan Fernandez."

THE

CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

No. 108.]

DECEMBER, 1810. [No. 12. Vol. IX.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

EXTRACTS FROM THE CORRESPOND-
ENCE OF THE FIRST PROTESTANT
MISSIONARIES TO INDIA.

(Continued from p. 668.)

HE following are extracts of

Ziegenbalgh and Grundler, either to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge,or to Mr. Henry Newman, whom, since I last addressed you, I find to have certainly been their secretary.

Tranquebar, Jan.13, 1713.-"The state of our church and schools continues the same as we have described in our former, viz. The number of persons baptized, two hundred -and seven; of catechumens, twentysix; of boys and girls in the several schools, seventy-eight; of persons deceased, thirty-five; of servants, twenty-five; and persons dieted, sixty-five.

"Besides the book, entitled The Order of Salvation, we have put to the press a Primer, and an Exposition of Luther's Catechism.

"About three months ago, we began a correspondence, by letters, with the Damulians or Malabarians. This, for many reasons, we judged not only useful to the design in hand, but we also thought their letters deserved to be translated from the Damalian, into the German language, with proper notes annexed thereto. This we have done accordingly, and we make no doubt but many persons will be inore and more excited by these Damulian letters, as well as by the former accounts, to give their charitable assistance to the Pagans, towards promoting their conversion.

"The Protestants are in possesCHRIST. OBSERV. No. 108.

sion of many fair plantations and cities in India, and, we hope, not without the Divine Will and Providence. We do most earnestly wish that those Protestants in Europe, who have the propagation of the Gospel

not only to send able missionaries to their several plantations; but that also the governors of the same may receive such instructions, as to count it an honour and joy to apply themselves to the glorious work of promoting religion, and of enlarging the kingdom of the Lord Jesus in these parts*. The Roman missionaries themselves confessed to us at Madras, that their congregation in that place consisted of twelve thousand members. And truly, what was possible for them and their predecessors to do, will be much more possible for the Protestants to effect, if they be but armed with the Divine assistance; and if the governors be prevailed upon to lend them their hand, in the external management of such things as are necessary for furthering the design. May the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ effectually bless your councils, that the corrupted state of the church in Europe be reformed to such a degree, as to reach at last India itself, and to rescue the Heathen from eternal destruction!”

"We cannot but remember you once more to recommend this affair as much as possibly you can, to the English governor at Madras. This perhaps might pave the way for attempting in time something at

Nearly a century has passed, since this solemn appeal was made; how unayailingly need not be said. 5 A

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