The National Register. — London, England, 1811-02-17 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER. same observation may apply to the facility with which the colonies of France yield to our arms. Those which nature had rendered nearly impregno. ble, and which human trt had armed with the addi tional strength which they were susceptible of ac quiring, have, when attacked, fallen almost with out a struggle. Among the latter the Isle of France ranks pre-eminent. Its natural fortifications are so strong, and its steep coasts were lined with so many forts and batteries, manned and defended by a nu merous garrison, that NAPOLEON, - vainly confident in its security, assured all Europe, in one of his yearly Exposels, that no less than 30,000 Englishmen would be requisite to make any impression upon it. It•had long become the outpost of France in the Indian ocean. There her most adventurous cruizers found a shelter for themselves and a market for their prizes. There her most skilful seamen were formed, as their distance from the centre of our naval force relieved them from an incessant blockade, and enabled them by their activity and exertions to acquire experience. Their cruizing' ground was the most favourable in the universe. Placed in the direct line with our communication with India, they hovered round our fleets, and either succeeded in cutting off most of the vessels which straggled beyond the protection of the convoy, or capturing the extra ships which went singly to our several East Indian Presidencies. Con scious of the advantages which the geographical po sition of the Isle of France afforded for annoying our trade, and resolved to improve them, NAPO LEON supplied it with such a number of large fri gates as, for a short time, to acquire a naval supe riority in the Indian Seas. This momentary success, however, only led to increased disappointment on his part. The importance of this island was well known to our Government, and an extended plan of operations was adopted for its reduction. The island of Bourbon was first taken, after a short, but unavailing resistance, and was made the point of rendezvous for the troops detach©d from our various possessions at the Cape and in the East Indies. The unfortunate capture and destruction of four of our frigates, preceded and followed by that of several. Indiamen and transports, delayed, but did not pre vent our intended attack. The unexampled exer tions of our Naval Officers tore from the enemy the prizes he had grasped, refitted them for our service, and shortly restored our usual superiority. To wards the end of last November, all the troops which had been collected at Bourbon re-embanked, and on the '29th were landed on the rocky coasts of the Isle of France without any opposition on the part of the enemy, who forsook their forts and bat teries. Having become masters of several advan tageous positions, our men continued to advance, hers, London, merchants.—John Shepherd Killocic, of Lee igridge, Middlesex, miller.—Thomas Herbert, of Dowgate-Hill, London, and of Nlanchester, cotton-merchant.—John Willats, of Gracechurch-street, stick and umbrella-maker.—Samuel Hard kcre and William Barnard, of Little St. Thomas the Apostle, znereliants.—John Ho ulding, of Liverpool, merchant.--John Smith, of Liverpool, merchant. TO SUBSCRIBERS AND THE PUBLIC. THE PULPlT.—Unforeseen circumstances have for two weeks past, unavoidably interrupted the continuation of ONE SI MU s's series of Clerical Criticisms. Enquirers are informed, how ever, that this feature of our Paper will shortly be resumed. Finding it to be in the immediate contemplation of ON E SIMU S to give critiques on the Rev. HEN ity EUDD, of Bridewell Chapel, and the Rev. Titouns RAFFLES, of Hammersmith, we are requested to solicit any authentic information respect ing these Preachers. THE NATIONAL REGBTER. 1.0111301 t. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1811. THE KING. Bulletins of his Majesty's health issued since our last : Sunday—His Majesty continues to advance towards reco very. ./1/T,nday—His Majesty remains in all respects as well as for the lust few days. Tuesday—His Majesty continues in a state of amendment. Wednesday—His Majesty goes on very favourably. Thursday—Llis Majesty remains to-day as well as be was yesterday. Friday—There is little difference in his Majesty's state since yesterday. Saturday—His Majesty continues still in the same state. We have the satisfaction to state, that on Tuesday his Royal Highness the PrZINCE REGENT Lad an inter view with his MAJESTY ; and the mu tu•.il affection which marked the meeting, was equally honourable to the feelings of the Parent and to thi ,, e of the Son. Placid satisfaction beamed on the countenance of Our venerable Sovereign, and our most excellent Prince must have received the brightest reward he can possibly expect in this sublunary world on seeing the effect his dutiful conduct had produced on his afflicted Parent, and on reflecting that the progress he had . already made towards complete i.:.covery, were in a great measure owing to hi s duti lul and affectionate behaviour. The REGENT continued wi',ll liis MAJESTY near an hour. lle afterwards visited her MAJESTY and the PntscEssEq, with whom the Duchess of YORK vas also on a visit. Universal joy prevailed in the Royal circle, and in the enjoyment of family Lippiness his Royal Highness forgot himself at Windsor till near three o'clock. CAPTURE OF THE ISLE OF FRANCE. It was stated in the account given of the battle of Trafalgar, that the rapidity •ith which the masts of the Frew+ and Spanish vessels fell overboard during the action was such, as to appear rather the effect of enchantmqd alma that of our cannon.. The