The National Register. — London, England, 1814-04-24 00:00:00

THE No 6. .POLITICAL I)I,sQUI3II7ON. LOUIS THE EIIiHTEENTH. With grateful pride we have often thought ours:gres happy . In having to call the attention of the Public to the splendid triumphs which have blessed our arms but still more delightful is the task which now devolves upon us to invite them to exult in the consummation of the hopes founded on victory—in the tr;umph of that wise policy which dir cted our hosts against the French revo lutionary legions. This week the eves and hearts of all have been gladdened by th sp'endid spectacle of a French Monarch conducted in triumph by a British Prince, from the asylum which our country had the honour to afford him in his distress to the capital of England, on his way to that throne, which the wishes of a great people call upon him to ascend. If that scene were glorious, which, in the day; of our third Edward, was presented to the views of Englishmen and where is the man alive to the glory of his country whose breast swells not with honest pride, while he re calls it to memory, how much more sublime is that- pa geant which was reserved for us so witness. We have not seen a Monarch torn from his kiregdom to be conducted through the streets of London tc confinement, we have beheld a Sovereign to whom our firmness has restored the dominions of his ancestors ; grateful for the s , lace he has met with in adversity, and proud -to ac linewledge lie owes his all to the valour and magnanimity •f the gallant rival of his native land. Under such cir cumstances have we seen a French King pass,—Nve hepo, to commence a glorious reign over a happy people. Oe occasions like this (if its parallels can be found), tl)e best affections of men are called into action, and, in consequr.mce, the picture which presents itself to the eyes of the journalist ati the histofian, is not less interesting from its moral value, than from its political importance, It was impossible to witaess die generous feeling which pervaded all classes assembled to witness the approach of the King of Fiance to the capital on Wednesday but with the liveliest satisfaction. The 'eegerneFs which they -.vith each other to do him honour, well justified the words of the Prince Regent, addressed to his Majesty— " That the jov with which the people of this country hailed his restoration to the throne of his ancestors, could hardly be exceeded by that of his 'own subjects." T4ere are are generally to be found a multitude of per sons very happy in discovering the virtues of great men, in the days of their prosperity. Every thing advanced at such a time ought to be received with cautioa. It is FII. No cccxxvi., NATIONAL REGISTER. Off Vt nll, Constitution, AID ,acv's. PUBLISEIED AT NO. 11, NEWCASTLE-STREET ) STRAND. SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1814, PRICE 9d. said the present King of France is a man of an amiable disposition, possessing great knowledge and strong dis. criminatiou. This is stated on the authority of persons who appear well entitled to credit. If it be true, as we have good reasons to hope it is, the interests of humanity will be incalculably forwarded by his exertions at the present important aura. He has doubtless many difficul ties to encounter in his own country. He has to compose' dit7cotdant elements, and t o reconc il e clashing :nterests • but what a delightful office must a good man feel that to be r which he is required to take upon himself. It is for him to heal the wounds of his bleeding country, to bid com merce revive, and to direct the energies and the genius of his subjectl ; not to a vain pursuit of the phantom called. glory, but to the• acquisition of substantial happiness. Few Sovereigns have had a more important duty to per form, —never had man a fairer opportunity of gaining by prudence and kindne'ss—by the milder virtues, the grati tuck; of his cotemporaries, and the reverential admirat:lo of posterity. May he prove equal to the important duties which, by the interference of the Most High, have devolv•.(l upon him, and may his.declining day be cheered with the purest transports a virtuous Monarch can know, from see ing all E!trope united as one great family in bonds of lit,,t in4 friendship, and rejoicing in the prosperity of each other. From the contemplation of this illustrious character, we are naturally led to turn our eyes towards that degraded bang, WhOS:! ambition aspired to be Emperor of the West. This man's sentence, at the time Louis is hastening to his recovered kingdom, is being carried into effect. Cooped up in Elba, like Pladja:-,3t in his cage, we could almost wish •hh long to survive. It may be for the general good, that he should for many years be seen a living monument of the madness of ambition. Such a memento, should future wars arise, may give a salutary warning to conquerors, not to abuse success, nor to assume that the tide. of victory will never turn. Variou; statements are in circulation as to the sum which he annually to receive. The first account stated it to be equal to 20.0001. This is that which we think entitled to most credit. The accounts which have since made it amount to 240,0001. cannot be correct. — If such a sum were really proposed to be given to him, we should be inclined to suspect those w:fh whom the proposition originated, to be still devoted to his service, and to be thus endeavouring to pave thl way for his future'return to power. When it is considered how well skilled he is in the arts of corruption, it must at once be felt, that such an iicome may yet enable him once --..."