Star. — London, England, 1813-10-06 00:00:00

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NUMB4R. ‘.• _ Tn the Intervals of intelligence frnm the North and the Peninsula, we psoposeto . call the attention of our' Rvackts to the ,taie of a comics) , which will soon become ()tie c,f the most important theatres of the • war.-nr..ny causes have combined to render Italy less interesting to the parWof Xngland than it ought to hove beep, fr , Pl ttLitieat pOpiliation, wealth, and refiurnienta On tbrs'accotralp before adverting to the 'actual state of At..liists s we . shill attempt to describe ti.ose sircutastsuces which Imp contributed to de •• • .graje thero s , dis.n . proiou of the British nation, to - sw;l A degrte tbat oo 04404e:est is taken in their ' • Thew cireumsta,nces are of a very inriot origin. and d v:d themselves into two classes, political and' nr , ,r4l, the detailed consideration of which does not' - fall v.ithin the scope of our present purpose, but it if won't, perhaps, oat be overcurious to - trike . the his titory of tote political dislike to the warlike domination • of the lomans. It may have - began with the aggres sion • t Jet.tus Cicsaa, have been fostered by the sub- sequei , t coerctve attempts to civilize the inhabitants, aud h..ve early bec.sne a settled principle by t'.e re ). c.ieu ii the pot of the Roman Government of the aryu•cat:o, , for ass.stance which our ancestors made, wten in the decliue of the empire, and. after 'the le:,,ion.s had been withdrawn, they , were so molestA and di,trebsed by the inroads •of the 14orthernind!, Ecsteto s barbtriane. Tinto :events have long since hien lorgott - ca, but the colourtig which they must li.,ve ,;'vin to the pubic mind here would remain .m.lnoi the causes diet prbduced it had ceased to ope. .ate. 10.1.11 courml,f'shite that cat :wing would, no dr-obt, also tittieV6eili*.iy,' but such has been the 6. cpirent nt . trent: at something at distant and dis. • - •Kinet cocks have silWays arisen to renew it, and to give% tie strength and durability of an ingrained gik‘iona! prejudice. The sec And genital circumstance which has led to fcsrer itur antipathy to the Italians, may be consider. !d iss belonging to the mural class.. It arose out of ills iiitetcourse which began with the 1:o'y war. At .11141 period the inhabitants of this country were rude and barbarous compared to the Italians. The trade 4114.'ostr ancestors, at that time, was ant s, and the re. • creations of their leisure little different from the piac . . 1. - .1 banditti. Con.mtrce and the arts of civil lie were so imperfectly known in gngland, that when - tht crusaders embarked for Palestine, led in re s olity is much'. by the thirst of military adventure, Is by the en th usiasm oi religion, they found as they pasbe.l through Italy, a race of people with whom elteysetoted 'to have sic common sympathy. The itatians at that time, though under the domination Of the prirrstfiood, were, compared with the English, commeiciatand rn-nufacturing people:—and their mann( rs appeared to the rude soldiers of the North, as effeminate to a great and sbanwful degree. The effect of climate was not considered by the strangers ; 4n4 men accustomed only to the use of the sword, the spear, and the battering ram, naturally regarded with contempt aneldetektafion the artificers of tapestry and brocade, and viewed as worse than women those whom they saw.empliled in the use of the shuttle aed the pencil: To them the Italian artificers ap. peareJ as men who had abandoned the occupations of their st.; for in all semi-harberous countries, the women are the common labourers Of the loom, and of those tasks which require sedentary application-- To the impression which the 'civilized state of Italy produced on the northern crusaders, much of that prejudice may be ascribed which has so long continued to disgrace even modern philosophy, by alledging that proficiency in the arts tends to degrade both the moral and the physical qualities of mankind—a pre judice which The achievements, the military renown, and the public virtues of the French and Bi itish na tions ought to contradict for ever ; for of all the other kingdoms of Europe, excepting Italy, France and Eng land, have the greatest proportion of their population engaged in occupations which must appear effeminate to the Russians and Hungarians, who are probably much in the same state is our ancestors were at the beginning of the crusades; and yet what other king_ dams have shewn so much permanent energy of cha -ractet, as the fetich and English, or have submitted is great* individual sacrifices for public purpcises, or h e lm cArtied military virtue, the'only virtue of bar barians, to a greater height ? The present glory of France and England is a refutation of the assertion, that refinement destroys is the masculine energy of na tions. But in the dark ages of erusadeg, it was natu tal for our rude and plundering ancestors to infer, from the state in which they found the Italians, that efftminacy 'was the effect of commercial habits.— And it was thus afiat their ignorance tended to aug. ' ment and renew that enmity which the conduct of the ancient Romans had originally excited, The erroneous impression of the moral qualities of the Italians, derived from the reports of the Crusa recgiyeti a new and a deeper stamp from the views of the Reformation. The - corruption of t h e Atheist.cal u• tof the PI .cy was hlaiened, and, if n(ts , Magni 44 to a great degree, F rom •L oA,, ith . e minis of our father; turned with abh6r rence, - They regarded the papal city as the mouth of Wit, and tenor and ligte which their religio ti% it Ono intekt.o4 rand Oitrik ste cAntinitally ;spins 4‘4 int) %;tiktli , coinKliive.sa 144 clime sins, . tie* and fraMe, Vadat monasteries ; and against natural indignition, they Their detestationeof the of the tyrannical pretensions directed not only against whole country participated cherished against the- principles of the filer lewd men ~ Who formed the .consistory of Rome, anali whole people was regarded as incurably obnoxious io all the honest acid upright, becausethe political necessity of denying the pretensions of the Pope to interfere with our affairs, yen it expedient in our Statesmen to represent his pa • ns as men morally abominable. Thus the effect of the aggressions of Rome Mili tary, were enhanced , by the frauds of Rome Papal, and the erroneous opinions of our Crusading ances tors, were cohfirmesl,by the sinister representations_ef our Reforming Divines and Statesmen—were con- firmed by the preachers that brought CHARLIS I. to , the scaffold, and the Bishops and Statesmen that l pandered to the lusts of Huai VIII. A fourth. and still those effectual cause, operated' to confirm the prejudice which these great general ca. eualties had produced : because though in itself more obvious than the others, yet, from the way is - which it came to take effect, less likely to attract at tention.,--When the fervour of the antipathy towards Rome, produced by the Reformation, had, in some deg‘ve, abated, and general ,litenture had become ' domiciliated among us, England sent out many travellers. full of impressions derived from the pert. sal of the antient classics, who were-naturally led to eisit Italy, not on account of the existing state of things there, but as the theatre where great events had been performed. These men participating in one general national prejudice against every thing Italian and Papal, were still more unfit, by the nature of their education, to estimate, with a just judgment, the moral and political qualities of, the Italians.— they were filled with hatred for every thing connec ted with the Roman Church. and they, were enthusi-, astic admirers of every thing connected *ith anti quity. In consequence, as they were men of learning, and often men of genius, whatever they said or repor ted was so fortified by their reading, and corroborated by their ingenuity, that the commonalty amongeus, incapable of .discovering the radical and elemental error of their views, acquiesced in what they asserted, and believed ineadtements which strengthened 0' prejudices. - The English nation has thus; for upwards of on, hundred and fifty years, been, from time to time, im pressed by her learned, and some of her most inge nious authors * with a notion, that every thing great in Italy was 141 ruins, and every thing good nearly obliterated. Prior to the French Revolution, we never seem to have thought that our travellers in Italy-were of necessity always but very superficially acquainted with the state of the people. Their stay at the most interesting towns was uniformly short ; and, though they carried letters of recommendation to respectable people, they were necessitated to be. for the greatest part of their - time, associates with persons who live by 'making themselves agreeable v. all sorts of strangers; and who, more from habit than any inherent want of principle, submit to the mo.l degrading offices. The same person who has in the evening acted as the procurer to a libertine, was often seen in the morning accompanying a grave doctor to I the libraries and churches. Perhaps,. in the whole I world, there is not a more despicable race of men than the Ciceroni and the waiters in the inns of Italy. But it never seems to have occurred to the generality of English travellers to suspect that when they spoke of the profligacy of the Italians, they were misled by the impressions which they had derived from these contemptible miscreants. This much is ceitain, that ' the just inference which ought to have been drawn from the custom of employing such agents in their. meanest service, was, that decorunfmust at least be publicly respected, which would not be the case were it not privately esteemed. When we analyse the common reports of travellers as to the morals of the Italians, they resolve them selves into this, that in certain towns there are certain worthless rn - en and women, who have a mutual com pact with each other for gain. But who would esti matethe morals of English females by the conduct of the women of the town in London ?" Should we then estimate the Italian character by a standard equally unfair ? It is a curious fact, which every man of reading may confirm, that although the authors of books of travels uniformly speak of tile hospitality and the virtues of the persons in Italy to whom they had carried letters of introduction, or toy whom they were introduced by such persons, they appear to form their opinion of the Italians by that vile class to which we have ventured to allude. The consequence is, that although our travellers give innumerable in stances of the merits and good qualities of the indivi duals to whom they were recommended, their books impress us with an opinion derived from casual ad ventures with panders and strumpets ; =Obis un favourable impression has been confirmed 'As many cases by the conduct of those public Italians who come to London for the purpose of contributing to our arsusements---a description of persons which our own taws designzted as rogues and vagabonds—a designation which the good conduct of a few indivi duals does not invalidate the justice of applying to the profession collectively. Renee it is that, besides the prejldice arising from • a. • duction of poetry, but to the relish of its beauties ? Is it possible that a country, where the common people sing the verses of ARIOSTO, of Taw, of METESTA• sco, and of Palmation, as they ply their rudest la bours, that there is no delicacy of sentiment enter tained for what is beloved, no admiration felt for what is magnanimous ? Is it possible that so many exquisite artists could have surpassed all competition as the Italian painters, 'and sculptors harts done; had there not been in the society of the country, a respectfor genius, and a dit -position as well as she mean: to reward its successful efforts ? Is it possible that a nation, in which mer chants have attained the splendour, the rank, and even the name of Princes, by the magnitude of their dealings, can possess no liberality of mind ? Is it pos sible that a people who have acquired such a supre macy in magnificence, that all the occa Tonal splen dour of the British nobility is bat a distant and limp ing of their most common , style of life, can have nothing'in their character which should induce Englishmen to take an interest in assisting to rescue them from a thraldom that is felt the more severely, 23 without foreign aid it is found incapable of redress ! In a future Paper, we intend to point out the causes which have contributed to deprive the Italians of the means of a simultaneous resistance to their oppressors, and to &metope circumstances connected with the formation of the kingdom of Italy, by BONAPARTE, which point out the inevitable consequences that must ensue, were it declared and understood that he ought not to be permitted to wear the crown of Italy. , -.. , '' • - the inadvertencks of travellers, 2nd the policy of times past, are not deeply convinced dancers and singers, have tended to trtat the Spaniards of 1813 are very different from country an opinion of the Italian chit- those of other times, whether their Governm ent b e composed of three, °five, or of me. We trust that the • reverse perhaps of what it ought to English Ministry are .well aware of this truth. lof estimating it by the great men, ..But - what shall we say to the ridiculous report, ori. artists, merchants, and heroes, which ginating, probably, with some agent of the Corsican, that the Armistice will be extended to the Peninsula 4 country tas produced, we have derived our opi nion from the dregs and refuse of society. Is it pos. No: it is incredible that the English Government could even, have thought of such a measure : they sible that Italy should have afforded for so many ages, little know ns if they did. Can any one imagibe that such eminent and famous proofs of the sublimity of we can think of truce or treaty with the most falla mind in her offspring, had they not possessed at least cious being in the universe, when we m us t be con vinced that it would only tend to au g ment our mix.commen, veneration for the 'great and.noble of human fortunes ? Can Spaniards ever become such simple conduct ? Is it possible that her poets should have that to to submission els v p referable grave attained be degree of excellence that may equalled, the Tyrant but has not yet been excelled, if there had not existed and to enter into truce with him is to prepare t,he in the Italian mind associations of that high and dig means of our servitude.nified nature which is not - On the continuance of war again s t B o n a p a rt e Z e • only essential to the pro ... .ponds the salvation of Europe : he, ehcrefort. who thinks of treaties with that sionster, aids him in ri• veting the general slavery. The Cabinets of Europe, which have transactions with the SpinishGovernment, must also be told, that unless they also consult the genius and opinion of this nation, they err in their pohey, and their projects will be finitless. It is na new thing in diplomacy to coerce or to thwart the measures of a Coveinment but it is impossible, or at least very. di scult, to effect the same objects with regard to a whole people, and that people so determined as the Spanish. We feel ' convinced, however, that no such Olds stein the con templation of the British Ministry ; ar.d that-the ru. moors to which we h Ave now alluded originate In false head and refined malignity. AMERICA SECRET PROCE.EDINCS / As we conjectured, the pruceeedings which lately engaged, the two Houses of Congress, related to a communication from the President recommend ng an embargo. The itijunction of sect ety bring removed. we unit rstand that a.Bill passed the Hou.e of Re preseutatives by a majority of 22, in wb.ch was em braced all the embargo laws, with the enlacing Act to aid them. The Bill, was sent up to thl.Senate, where it rem.:ined many days, and the general opi nion was that it would pass. On Wednesday this day week) Mr. Giles made a most .abk and eloquent speech against the Bell, which produced great effect, and at six o'clock in the evening the qaestion was taken.—Ayes 16—Noes 18, and so the Bill Mils lost. We understand that the Executive took great in terest in this Bill, and made every exertion to hive it passed into a law, but the Senate do net draw with him in all measures. The debates in the reuse of Representatives were very animated', eloquent, and in some instances violent, even to personality. Now we think that a more complete embargo than we have now could not be wished or imagined ; but we have remarked for some years past that whenever the body politic becomes in a dangerous situation, embargo, the grand panacea, which cures all our public maladies, is administered as the last resort, and although it has never been successful in any in stance, nevertheless our State doctors are determined to stick to their practice. When the patient re em the poisonous drugs of the empiric, and leaves his healthful constitution to the operation of nature, his life is less in danger. We understand that both Hnuses of Congress were to adjourn on Monday. —( Publk Ledger, Asigiut 4.) IMPORTANT ADMIRALTY DECISION. The Halifax papess received at Boston contain the decision of Judge Crake in the case of the brig Orion, Gabrin, from New York, bound to Lisbon, with a licence, captured and sent in for a violation of block. ade, in w'hich he decrees the restoration of vessel and cargo, deciding, that the licence having been granted ptrvious to the blockade, it protected her and all veto eels trom condemnation with such a licence, • though they should be captured departing from such blockaded ports in the United States.—(Pubist Ledger s , Auput 4.) IR M3H OPERATIONS. IREOUSS CAMP, JULY 29.—0 n Friday the British fleet concentrated its forces opposite to Mount Al bino. On Sunday they weighed anchor, and pro. ceeded down the river, under a very light breeze, un til the evening, when they anchored against Kitty's Point. On Monday morning they landed 40 barges, with 22.50 marines, in red ; the ;Am% being reserved to manage the barges . along the shore. Admiral Cockburn and Sir Sydney Beckwith commanded the detachment. Thernarched directly for Point Lockart, driving the stock before them, which amounted to 800 or 1000 head, consisting of cattle, sheep, and horses, with x quantity of poultry. In three or four places they offered pay, which was refused by most cf the inhabitants. On Tuesday they embarked, being apprehensive of an attack from the militia from above; and to-day (Thursday) they are all on their way round Point Lockart, and are destined, probably, for Anapolis or Kentisland. They have carried all Mr. Armstrong's horses on board ; and they inquired particularly which of the inhabitants were militia men, and carried off an Officer and one man priso ners. The Commanding General said a new Admi ral was expected out, and from 16 deserters that have come in we understand that it is to be Sir Sydney Smith, and that this fleet was to begin a more san gainary war than has hitherto been waged. They also state that the land force on board at present, does not exceed 4000 men, that they left a good many marines on board, and that they landed no blue jac kets. We are in hourly expectation of militia rein forcements. The largest part of Major Harry's bat talion, the whole of Major Somerville's, and a part of Colonel Newman's regiment are encamped here, a very advantageous post, a few miles from the enemy on both sides. Colonel Asliton's regiment is eat petted from Leonard Town or Chaptico. The people have been excessively harassed with military duty for three weeks, and thus uhilst our armies are making starts in Canada to pass under tho yoke, and cover the nation with disgrace, our citizens Are obliged to abandon their domestic concerns, and lose their crops to the ruin of their families by public duties. Would it cot bo. infinitely wiser to de:end our shores with regukars, than to send them abroad for ignominious purposes.---(Fitierai Rtint6lican, Goro Iwn ) Arra 2.) wee deteeteil hi , oh ta u nt , I inst which, with an bbs,st altd iniseinduct of vowed PerPatal 10.111ty• pence in this be Papal priesthoodflpirlilid ranter, the-very ensions of the Popes; .beilrms be ; for, instead nst Rome, but all Italy. The by the authors, paced in the enmity that was si t e country las SPAIN. On the 22d of August the Spanish ships of war, the S. Pedro de Alcantara, and the Diana, arrived at Cadii from Vera Cruz and the Havannah ; the former wits 2,200,000 dollars on board, and the latter with r 50,000. General VeNzows, who, we believe, was ViEeroy of Mexico, came passenger in the former. We learn from Catlin, that the long-ccntinued Ses sion of the Extraordinary Cortes was at last about to expire, and that a certain number of the Members had been selected to form a permanent deputation, till the ordinary Cnrtes assembled. It was uncertain whether they would meet at Madrid or Cadiz ; but the renewal of the war in Germany, and the fall of St. Sebastian's, would probably give a decided weight to that portion of the leading men who were anxious to return to the cvital. _ [FROM THE CONCISE) OF AUGUST SO • Will Great Britain treat with Bonaparte, without eon salting Spain ? We, Spaniards, have become of great importance I Yes ! we ate of great importance, sluice we are the most formidable support of England, and of all Europe, against the execrable Bonaparte. Spain, in the power of Bonaparte, would draw along with it the mike of England, and the European Powers : Spain, assisted by England, will eventually cause the ruin of Bonaparte. But we can only prove an effectual support to England, while our Spanish character and that national pride are preserved, from whence hat flowed whatever we have hitherto effected; and, were they destroyed, Bonaparte would ultimately triumph. To the preservation, then, of that national pride, the whole policy of the nations friendly to Spain ought to be directed ; and every step which they take to weaken it, must counteract their own objects. Rumours have been spread that there are serious designs of a congress at Prague, .nod that the people of the Peninsula are to have a voice there ; .but it is added (doubtless gratuitously), that should the con gress actually meet,"they will be represented in it by the English ; and some even go so far as to assert, that the Armistice will be extended to the Peninsula. But we cannot for a moment listen without indigna tion to the idea of suspending those hostilities which endanger Bonaparte the most, and the cessation of which would enable the Tyrant to extricate himself from his present difficulties, and place himself in a situation to give laws to Europe. Neither can we think it possible that the British Government should consent to such a measure, precisely at the period when the triumphant arms of the Allies in the Penin sula are in a situation to co-operate most effectually ' towards the rupture of the Armistice in the North. Let us not cease to repeat it :—by the very act of listening to Bonaparte, the tyrant already triumphs. His promises are treacherous, his offeri deceitful.— But even supposing that Bonaparte is really desirous that the insurgents, as he calls them, should take a share in the Congress, and that England is satisfied on this point, can it be belieVed (as some Malignant persons would wish to insinuate) that England would wish to represent us in the Congress ? No : it would be doing an atrocious injury to the British Govern ment, to suppose it capable of inclining to such fatal impolicy. Would it not give a fatal blow' to our national character—the main instrument of our deli verance and of that of Europe—were the English Government to pretend to such a representation ? We repeat it s and it has been often repeated both in Parliament and by various English journalists, every thing that tends to weaken • our feelings of national . honour, must injure England herself; and those Ca binets are greatly deceived, which, looking only to r .