The National Register. — London, England, 1816-06-09 00:00:00

ATM , : 9. POLITICAL DISQULSITION. FRESH CAUSES OF DIssENSIONS IN EUROPE. WE lately directed the attention of our Readers to the insecurity of the European edifice; and the commotions which, originating in France, threatened once more to disturb the tranquillity of the world. These have since extettled to a diGrent part of the country ; and, religious persecution against the Protestants, has been re-kindled in all its fury in the South. It is not our intention, however, at present, to dwell on the enormities allowed, if not encouraged, against our fellow-believers at Nismes. To describe them iu adequate language, would only serve to create unavailing indignation and regret. The minors of pity arc shut against the sufferers in the only quarter in which compassion could be productive of relief: Could they have been re-opened, the miracle would have been effected by die simple and heart-rending relations of Sir Samuel Itomilly, in the House of Commons. But they were disregarded ; or, only awakened rebuke and ridicule. No effort of ours could, therefore, prove successful ; and we resign a task, in which perseverance cannot hope to render sympathy fruitful. A new source of anxiety has arisen since our last ; anti apprehensions of a rupture between Franee and Sweden ere seriously entertained. It would scarcely be supposed, that in her reduced and exhausted condition, Fmrce should court a quarrel with another nation. Her Go vernment, however, is in this instance the aggressor; and the reasons on which that aggression is grounds , will be found in the principles which it professes, and the ancient sway of which it is bent upon restoring. It is not with out alarm and jealousy, that the Bourbons have viewed the acknowledgment of Bernadotte as Crown Prince, and presumptive teir to the Swedish Crown. They dissimu lated at the time of their first restoration, because the as sistance of his arm bad been exerted to remove Napoleon, end, in that moment of political convulsions, might have proved sufficient to re-place him on the throne. Their intrigues in the Congress were directed at once against Murat, and against him ; and now that they see them solves re-established and supported, chiefly on the princi- ple of legitimacy, they arc emboldened to avow their hostility, and to adopt measures to carry it into execu tion. What could be more insulting to the King and Crown Prince of Sweden, than to put their ambassador under the survillalece of the French police ? To bribe his secretaries and servants ; and, as in the case of Sir Robert NVilson, to break open and peruse every dispatch which he sent or received before they reached their desti nation ? And when this most disgraceful practice was re vealed by one of the repenting agents to the ambassador, and he complained of this breach of faith to the French Ministers,—what could be inure decidedly hostile than to justify the outrage on the ground of expediency ? It is not astonishing that the Swedish Minister should have demanded his passports, and returned in disgust to Stock holm. But what consequences are likely to arise from the aggression of the French Government ? Is it pro bable that a war may ensue between nations so distant from each other, and who have no means of assailing their respec ive dominions ? We do not think it is : but a war of negociatiun and intrigue will be carried on, which may ultimately prove a cause of dissension between other Powers; and may re-kindle the flames which lately raged throughout the Continent. As to Bernadotte himself; however we may disapprove of the duplicity and unfair ness displayed by the French Government in the transac tion, we cannot urge any thing in his defence The man who takes up arms against his benefac tor—who assists in ravaging the land that gave him life, and sundering the hand that raised him to honours and power, deserves to meet with that ingratitude, of avhich he has himself displayed an example. His fate, whatever it be, cannot excite either regret or for row. Ile has burst asunder the dearest and most sa cred bonds upon earth, and has no claim to that faith which he has not kept towards his country. As his course has been inglorious, so may his end be an end of shame. But other Sovereigns may consider it their po licy to uphold, for a time, his tottering hopes and autho rity. The tool may still be too useful to be thrown away ; and it is on this ground alone, that the quarrel between France and Sweden may involve the rest of Eu rope in fresh dissensions. We trust, however, that even Russia, although inclined, it is said, to support the claims st,f the Crown Prince, will pause, before she exposes the world to renovated desolation, in order to maintain sk teidtary adventurer on the Swedish throne. THE NATIONAL REGISTER. THE ROYAL FAMILY. Tug KING'S HEALTII.—The following Bulletin, as agreedupon and signed by the Doctors, was on Sunday last exhibited, at St. James's Palace to the Nobility, &c. by Lord St. Helens and the Hon. F. Greying, the Lord and Groom in Waiting:— C.OlO, June 1. , t Hi s M a jesty l i , t s enjoyed rood bodily health, and has been ttuirorinly tranquil throutthnut the last month; but his 31.ijesty disorder is net diminished." Tuesday being the King's Birth-day, when he com pleted his 78th year, the morning was ushered in with its accustomed demonstrations of rejoicing by the bells ring ing, and flags flyit t g on the steeples, &c. The Guards mounted in white gaiters, with their State colours, the hand, &c. in. State uniforms. At one o'clock the Park and Tower guns fired a double royal salute. It being the determination of the Royal Family to ob serve the day as one of humiliation and affliction, on ac coeut of His Majesty's melancholy state, they went to Kew Palace, as the mast retired spot. Her Majesty left h. :r Palace, accompanied by the Princesses, soon after nine o'clock ; the Prince Regent followed, from Carlton I louse, about ; the Duke of Clarence left Clarence house at half past one ; the Duke of York did not leave York-house till nearly five. The Opera-house, Drury-lane, Covent-Garden, and the Haymarket Theatres, some of the Public Offices, and the royaktradesmens' houses, were illuminated. The an- • nual distribution of barrels of ale at St. James's Palace, , and in the front of the Admiralty, also took place. It is with regret we announce, that her Royal High ness the Princess Charlotte is so much indisposed as to be confined to her chamber. Her Royal Highness has, it appears, been troubled for several days with. a severe cold, which has prevented her from taking her usual ex- ercise of riding in an open carriage. Having, however, promised to be present at the pertinenance for the benefit of the Royal Society of Musicians, on Wednesday even ing, her Royal Highness, though worse on that day, de- tennined very benevolently, though imprudently, to attend the concert, lest her absence might affect the interests of the charity. Her cold, as might be expected, was in creased by her journey ; and the heat of the room, aug mented by the pressure of the spectators who crowded round her Royal Highness, oppressed her so much that she was under the nece.:sity of retiring. The Prince, her husband, immediately accompanied her home, and . Dr. Baillie and Mr. Walier were sent for, who pro nounesd that her Royal Highness hail a very severe cold, attended by some fever, but not at all dangerous. Thursday her Royal Highness had a vein opened in her arm ; after which she enjoyed a comfortable sleep, and became much better. The inquiries after her health on Friday were very numerous, but none but the Royal Family were admitted into Camelfcird-house. The Duke of Cumberland called there ; and the Queen, with the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary, went to Camelford-house as soon as the information respecting the indisposition of I the Princess Charlotte reached them. The Queen re mained above an hour with her. Dr. Baillie reported the state of her health to the Regent, who sent Sir Benjamin Bloomfield to be in attendance at his daugh ter's house. Prince Leopold had a long conference with the Regent at Carlton-house. At seven o'clock at night her Royal Highness was considerably better, and her physicians gave hopes of a speedy recovery. Thursday the Duke of Gloucester gave a grand dinner to the Regent, the Queen, and most of the branches of the Royal Family, at Gloucester-house, Piccadilly. The 15th inst. is the day mentioned for the marriage of the Princess Mary and the Duke of Gloucester.—The report of a third Royal Marriage, i. e. between the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Sophia of Gloucester, is untrue. It is not, perhaps, generally known, that the intended union between the Duke of Gloucester and the l'rincess May arises out of an old and faithful attachment, so ardent on the part of his Highness, that he is said to have declared that he would never marry unless he was blessed with the hand of his amiable cousin. His Highness the Duke of Gloucester has given orders to his upholder, to furnish anew his house at Bagshot, and the major part of the furniture in his HigNness's town house is to be replaced with mw. The whole is to be completed by the 15th inst. Ou the 18th inst. all the troops in the metropolis and its vicinity will have a grand field-day on Wimbledon common, in commemoration of the battle of Waterloo. his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, his Rovol Highness the Commander-in-Chief, and all the General Staff in town and itr vicinity, will be present on the. oc casion. On the f.. 131 ult. the Duke of Wellington gave a bril liant bull at his hotel at Cambray. There were but few French Ladies. The Duchers of Richmond and her two daughters, Lady Hay and Lady Maitland, embellished this fete with their presence. The Princess Nariskin (quite expressly from the Russian Qusrter General, And was admired for Ler beauty and the elegance of her manners. The assembly was surprised at hearing Russian waltzes executed with astonishing prevision, till at lust it was alsouck red that 40 Russian musicians had been sent uost ti' nn Sult'-li-('hatcan, which is nut los than 2i leagues distant front Cambray. 141 DRAMATIC REGIS7'EII. Kean had a full honse for his benefit on Wednesday night. He played Kifrlq in Every Man in his Humour, and exhibited many strokes of comic talent, which agree ably surprised even those of his friends who had seen his Abel Dragger. The Lord of the Manor, and the comic opera of Tors Thumb, were produced last night for Mr Joxxs's fit, and went off with eclat. They were succeeded by a new festive entertainment, entitled Venetian Vagaries, being a picture of the Carnival at Venice, consisting of rope-dancing, tumbling, &c. in which the Indian Jugglers were ant slued with excellent effect, and the swallow ing of the sword was execute din view of thewlr de House. The entertainment of the night terminated soon.after eleven o'clock; which, owing to some aPcidents we be lieve, was earlier than Mr. JONES intended, or the au dience expected. The great majority of them kept their • places, and symptoms of disapprobation soon began to spew themselves in cries from the gallery for Mr. JosEs, mixed with shouting and. whistling. In this state the house continued upwards of an hour, daring which the discontent threatened" serious. consequences, and two or - three chandeliers were broken. At length Mr. FAWCF.TT came forward, and said, be did not insinuate that all had been done which might have been expected, but that Mr. Jones, who lives at a distance, had gone home imme diately after the entertainments, and he was left unable to give an explanation. He promised, however, . that Mr. JONES should account and apologise for the disap.• pointment. With this statement the audience were sa-, tisfied, and retired. Drury-Lane closes for the season the last Friday in June. Covent-Garden is to continue open a fortnight_ later. At the closing- of Drury, Mr. T. Dihclin opens the Surrey Theatre, which he has recently taken for a term of years. The new Opera Hpuse, Lyceum, is also on.tho eve of commencing for a short campaign, under the direction of its proprietor, Mr. Arnold. The following is a list of the Haymarket Company. for the ensuing season Mr. Fawcett, Mr. Jones, Mr. Terry, Mr. Tokely, Mr. DIU. ruset, Mrs. Davenport, Mrs. Gibbs,. and Miss Carew, nil from Covent-Garden; Mrs. (Mover, Mics Nash, and Mr. Barnard. from Drury-Lane; Mr. Megzutt, nod several celebrated pro. vinvial performers front the miner Theattys. The Comedy of The Jealous Wife is about to be re vived at Drury-lane Theatre. The Jealous Wifi• by Mrs. Davison. We arc informed that the Princess Charlotte of Wiles► and. Prince Leopold have expressed a strong wit to see Mrs. Siddons in a few of her most distinguished charac ters, leaving it to herself to ehof:::e them. We have received• the Barbadoes Merearry of the,. SOth of April, and various letters, which Lamtain accounts of a lamentable insurrection which has egitated that island. The plot broke out on Easter Sunday ; but the most prompt measures were taken tar its suppression. So early as two o'clock on the following morning the island was placed under martial law. The militia and troops from the garrison instantly marched against the slaves, who, in large bodies, were plundering and burning the plantations in the interior. The hatter were soon dis persed, many killed on the spot, and still greater numbers tried and executed, in virtue of orders issued by the Pre sident of the Island. Notice of these occurences was scut. to Gen. Sir J. Leith at Guadeloupe, who instantly em barked in a French schooner of war, and reached Bar badoes on the 24th of April, and on the 26th issued an address of exhortation to the disaffected, and of enoou ragement to the faithful part of the slave population.— The result of all these measures was, that on the 30th ' of April Sir James was enabled to issue another Procla mation declaring the insurrection at an end. No leas than '2O estates in one parish had sustained an almost entire destruction of houses and cane-fields: and 64, number of negmes killed and executed has. been c:dcu lated at little short of 1000. A, very large proportion of the slaves, however, rallied-round their masters. and contributed their efforts to reduce their misguided coun trymen. We havq received JamaicePapers to the 14th of April. 'The Slave Trude Registry Bill lately betiwe Parliament attracts great attention in the Vest Indies. The Houses of Assembly in different islands have appointed Com mittees to report on the tendency of the Bill. The Re ports are worded in the strongest manner. That of Ito minicr. protests against the right ea.- British Parliament assume of legislattikg internally tiw the colonies.—They contend, no such right ever cs.isied over any colony which enjoys an Unit:pet:dent Legislature ; that it' it ever did exist, it was auleutnly rcinaineed by his Majesty, with the consent of Parliament, in the year 1778. The Re.. pacts attribute the agitation of the uu•asum to the wild and enthusiastic sectaries, who are totally unacquainted with the subject on witich ihcy would wish to enact laws ; and that the assumptions of the Afrieun Institu tion are vague, contradictory, and untrue. Mosernv, the sacred city, has risen with so mach dour from its rains, that on Palm Sunday, it is computed, there were more than SOO egnip.ages nu the prt•m.•nade, What a train of important refiertiJais aro as.4x.ilatea Mid. the mutlagratiou bt tits: city;