The National Register. — London, England, 1812-07-19 00:00:00

rff igwr7i!71.7.1 P.m!! _ M!!!"!Mr!!'"L . M. ,*" - 1 .7 31, THE NATIONAL REGISTER. Our Ling, Constitution, anD I du. PUBLISHED AT NO. 357, STRAND, CORNER 07 EXETER 'CHANGE. No. 2>3. SUNDAY, JULY 19, nim PRICE 9d. POLITICAL DIS:2UISITION: die." Thi3, though asserted in the face of the whole universe, he, after the first reverse, did not feel to be any pledge to fur ther resistance ; and it was not till after an unsuccessful at tempt to obtain terms of the tyrant that be could bring him self to risk the issue of a second battle. Austria, in her turn, now kept aloof, and smiled to see nussia humbled in the dust. Russia, after a few reverses, was cajoled at Tilsit to enter into the views of France, and her at ins were directed against Sweden, because the latter power continued the con test, and endeavoured to fulfil those engagements which she had contracted under the auspices of Russia. 111 E CON rIN EN rAL POW Lli. If we takc a retrospective view of the events which have convulsed Europe for the last twenty years, the mighty dangers which have lowered, and the fatal confusion which has prevailed among the nations of the Continent, through the effects of that political whirlwind the French Revolution, it is almost impossible, %%bile contemplating the inscrutable ways of Providence, not to exclaim with the Poet— " The ways of Heaven arc dark and intricate, Puzzled in mazes, an perplexed with errors; Our understanding traces them in vain, Lost and bewildered in the fruitless search; Nor sees with how much art the winding runs Nor where the regular confusion ends." Thus, in a few weeks, from being the friend and the Ally of England and Sweden, Russia became the foe of both, and the fiiciid and the Ally of France. Of the value of the friendship of France, perhaps we should rather say of Buo- NAP ART E t recent events furnish an awfully interesting illus tration. llu , sla found France formidable as an enemy, but she has proved her tremendous as a friend. In a war with her, Russia now feels that she may be unfortunate, but that she has a chance of success. Certain destruction, and utter ruin, must be the consequences of her strking hanger To enter at large into the causes and consequences of • Afnie changes which have occurred within the period we have named, would be to institute an inquiry more curious than useful in the present instance, and we shall, therefore, re- strict ourselves to a very general, and very cursory view of the events to which we have allude:l, anxious to say no more than is necessary to place in a proper light that which is the subject of the present Disquisition. It is a fact not less singular than it is notorious, that France ewes her present aggrandizement, in a great degree, to the dints which have been made to set bounds to the extrava gance of her ambition. To circumscribe her power has been the object of all the Continental ❑ations ; all have at tempted to accomplish it, and all in succession have failed. Roused to arms by a sense of her injustice, all in turn have set themselves in hostile array against her, and, vanquished by her power, all i►l turn have ranged themselves under her banners at once, the victims and instruments of her oppres sions. With one common object in view, the nations of the Continent have suffered partial interests to oppose an insuperable barrier to a concentration of strength. That degraded being, who sways the shadow of a sceptre in Prus sia, seated on a throne which he may be said to rent of Br; o- N AP ARTE, saw Austria vanquished, and - vanquished through an aggression on his own dominions, without making one effort to avert such a catastrophe. A calm, if not an ex ulting spectator of the overthrow of a neighbouring power, while his own authority was not immediately menaced, his selfish heart was at ease, and applauding the address with which he hc.d escaped the storm, he did not rise to oppose it till he saw himself on the point of being overwhelmed by its accumulated strength. The KING of PRUSSIA at last took up arms, and advanced against the common enemy of Europe, and of the World, mag hanimously declaring it to be his resolu!ion •' to conquer or rel. V. No. CCXXXVIII. to continue at peace. A most interesting spectacle now presents itself to our view in the North. We see BUONAPARTE about to start from that spot, were, after some months of war, he formerly closed a 'splendidly victorious career. We see him aided hy the Poles, urged to war by the nvist rancorous aLimosity which human nature, goaded to madness by oppression, can feel. These men, who rationaVy could only hope a " va riety of pain," from a change of masters, pant with ardour to destroy their former Rules, while they view their present tyrants as protecting fi icnds. In addition to these, Austria and Prussia appear, dragged forward by his threats, or allured by his promises, to hope some indemnity for their losses will be granted them out of what be may gain from Russia. These vassals, following to catch what he may disregard, like dogs, that watch for the crumbs which fall from their master's table, come for • ward, agitated by feelings, which it were no easy task to describe. We see opposed to them, the whole force of a mighty empire, brought forward, not as an auxiliary, to fight by virtue of a negotiation, or to earn a subsidy, but to contend for its very existence. Sweden, arming for the combat, is about to send forth her warriors under the command of a Chieftain, who, having greatly contributed to the elevation of 13VONAPARTE, is on the point of attempt ing to destroy the stupendous fabric be has raised. He can be regarded by his former master as no common enemy. BERNADOTTE, in th• event of meeting with a reverse, can hope nothing from the forbearance of the tyrant, and he has, therefore, no alternative but victory or death.