The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1803-02-03 00:00:00

MP I • t. • • I'l .~_' .~1 MENF I / 4 - LITRIUTUBE. Est less praising co:non - ere. Hot. Posms, Lyrical and Miscellaneous," by the late Reverend FITNay Mooms, of Liskeard. The history of the Author, ,whose works we thus Afißounce, is short and affecting. With talents of a superior order, he was doometittn pass a !nag life in obscurity ; and, when accident was'on the point of producing his merits to the world, death intercepted his just hope of literary fame, and offered a " dull cold car" to the plaudit which was soon to ensue. Henry Moore, as his Editor and Biographer, 1)r. Aikin informs us, was born at Plymouth, on the 30th of March 1732 ; was educated in the Academy of Dr. Doddridgc at Northampton, was elected in 1755 or 1756 Minister to a dissenting congregation at Dulverton in Somersetshire, and, after an inter mediate removal to Modbury in Devonshire, was finally established in 1787 at Liskeard in Cornwall, wheee he completed, on the 2d of November 1802, his useful but silent course, unknown to all but to a few obscure individuals, and to that Supreme Being whose favour alone he solicitously sought, and whose cause he seems always to have zealously promoted. In the last Summer, confided to an Intelligent relation a volume of MS. Poems, with a request that they might he submitted to the judg-, meat of some person qualified to ascertain their merits, and to determine the question re•pecting their fithess for publication. The MSS. were sent en this occasion to Dr. Aikin, who was so sensible of their value, that he not only gave his immediate voice for their being printed, but also made an offer of his assistance, unacquainted as he per sonally was with the Author, to prepare them for the press. No subsequent delays occurred. From a respect to the Author's age and broken health, the business of publishing was conducted with all the expedition of which at was susceptible : but, alas! before it could be accomplished, the poet was removed to that place which human praise cannot reach, or in which it is lighter than " the dust of the balance," or " than vanity itself." We hang with much melancholy interest over the life of this respectable man, and feel disposed to drop a weak tear on the spot, where his ashes re pose : but we think, that the volume, now in our hands, will plant it with a bay, to point it to the ob servation of future times, and to raise it above the level of a vulgar grave ! The only difficulty which we find, in selecting from these productions of the Muse a passage for the information of our reader's judgment, or tte .. , gratifitatiin of his taste, is occasioned by the length of the principal compositions in the collection, and by our unwillingness to extract less than an entire poern.The fowing Ode is chosen from its fel lows, solely with a view to the number of its lines, and to the limits of our column. ODE, OCCASIONED RT THE ATHEISTICAL TENETS !VD. LICELY AVOWED IN TRANCE. " Is there a GOD ?" the Sceptic cries, Profanely) daring, and absurdly wise. Ask theliond thunder ! Ask the lightning's glare ! • When Terror riding on his fiery car. F aching thro' the blue pmfound, Shakes the vaulted heavens aroefid : Or ask the troubled Deep, When o'er the surge the dire tornados sweep, BA the vext surface :ntu mountains ree, And wild Confusion mingles waves, and skies; While the poor Pilot, pale with dread, Sees ghastly Death hang foaming o'er his head ; Trembling she'll tell, what Awful Powe Fres:des Tn sink, or swell to rage her hoarse-resounding tides. Ask of the seies, who firmed tau it ,hieing frame' Who tenet: the starry legions in array ? Who thro' the void elaned the comet's flame, And from its golden fountain poued the day Who beads the rencave of the sev'n-fold bow' Whn gi%t-.4 the fitirg mein its rcseat glow; In tenfold darkness now involves the sphere; While stalk terrific three the dreadful night Ravetitig Death, aril pale Affright, And ileac the sliiv'riug heart with frantic fear ? Are proofs of Pnw'r too weak? Behold around Bounty profuse, and Lose, that knows no hound ! Int thee, ungrateful Man his far rite care, He sited a teoueand charms on Nature's face, All sweetie bletideil—the sublime, the fair, Order theme, and smut-enchanting grace. Cl. th'rl the gay pastures with enliv'ning green, .Arcli'd with einhow'rine shades the sylvan scene; Sweled the high moautAin with maiestic pride, elope! the deep vale, and down its winding siiie Bid many a fresh rill flow, that murmeing strays Most musical in maey a waving maz... For thee his vernal Zephyrs play, And in rich colours blooms the flow'ry May ; For thee his handmaid Nature show'rs aretond Her ample stores, and loads the glacklered ground; For thee his Moons their silver beasts unfold, And Suns with regal grandeur blaze in gold. Yet Man, with reason Wind, perverse of will, Caprice his guide, and lust his law, Still prone to iiiderdieted Nor Low call melt, nor Powr' ran awe. Ileas'n's unnurnbeed leonine. while poseest The goodness he blaspheme, that makes him blest : Weak Reptile ! dares with impious pride Oppose tle I hnniporente command, Nor sutlers his uplifted hand To lay the vengeful bolt aside. Insatiate Famine, flame-ey'd Wee Foul Disease's ghastly train, And pining Grief, and agonizing Pahl, Outrageous Frenzy. sullen-eyel Ikspair, Whose hand detcrmin'd grasps the dart To drive it to her heart, Pele-cheek'd Anxiety, that knows no rest, Anil fell Remorse with snaky tresses crown'd, With all her thousand Fiends of horror round, Teat pierce with guilty pangs the secret breast, And that dread Voice, that dogs the godless crew, Which silent long, at length with awful roll, Like thunder pealing thm' the shuddeing Soul, Compels it to believe, and tremble too, AU at his footstool wait his dread command : Grim-viiag'd Vengeance heads the grisly band Arwed with her iron rod, V.'ith alt the Names and diuruP,rs of her COP. Her host of marshaled Ills she leads below, • And deals veinal variety of woe. Had Greatest ! Wisest ! Best ! While peal thy thunders, and thy liehtnings glow, Let the bold tremble, and the haughty bow, And thrilling terms chill the Tyiesit's breast ! But blest the pious, gentle, geterous Race, ten whom, loopiest in many a lovely line, The beaming. of thy beauty shine, With full reflected grace ! Theirs n heart-chearing Hope of eye serene, Mill as some smiling Angel's placid mien ; Thews is strong-pinion'd Faith. that dares the sky ; Their' Peace etberial ever calm, and even ; l'heirs the rapt Seraph's soul-entrAneing joy ; Theirs the fair dawnings of the day of Heaven. To them thy flaming bolts no terrors hear, While in their eread Almighty King they view The tender Father ton, Joy in thy love, and trust thy faithful tare. Tow some bright Cherub stands before thy Attar, Fearless bit Maker's awful form servile, Securely solo his dreadful glories shine, • And in hi/lightning's living flashes plays. - - ~ ---~ ,~' • ' firTil TIME. TREATRE-ROYAL, DRUIIr-LANE. THIS EVENING wiU be presented a Neter Comedy called HEAR BOTH SIDES. The Characters by Mr. Dowtost, Mr. 8411111484 Jun. Mr. C. Kemble, Mr. Raymond, Mr. Suett, Mr. Wroughton, Mr. Cherry, Mr. Wewitzer, Mr. Collins. Mn. Pope, atirt Mrs. Jordan. The Prologue to be spoken by Mr. Bannister, Jett. 311(1 the Epilogue by Mrs. Jordan. To which wilt be added, LOVE AND MAGIC. The Gentleman who made his Third Appearance in Richard the Third, on Friday night, was again received with universal applause. Due notice wall be given of his next Performance. THEATRE.-ROYAL, COVENT-GA R DEN._ THIS EVENING will he performed the Conii•Opera of FAMILY QUARRELS. The principal Characters by Mr. II raham, Mr. Mandell, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Emery, Mr. Beverly, Mr. Simmons, and Mr. Incledon; Mrs. Mattocks, Mrs. tit. Leger, Mrs. Indin, Miss Waddy, And Sigulunt Storacr!. To which will be added, HA R LEQUIN's HABEAS. The Gentleman who performed the Character of Ilamlet, last night, f..r the tir.i they, a s received with unbounded applause, and will repeat that Chat•atter on Wednesday next. THE BRITISH PRESS. LONDON, THURSDAY, Fxs. S. A good deal of reasoning has been recently em ployed in the public prints, to slew that a system of moderation was the fittest to be partued for the sup pression of the disturbances that agitate some of the principal counties in the South of Ireland. The argument, as founded upon general principles of policy, is perfectly correct; but all the information tl-at has hitherto been laid before the public, has steered quite clear of the particular nature of the evil to which the general principle of Government is thus applied. It has indeed been almost universally acknowledged, that these disturbances have nothing of a rebellious taint ; but this discovery is but a poor consolation, when we consider how many other formidable, if not fatal diseases, may destroy the health and happiness of a State.—An extract of a letter from Dublin, inserted in a subseittierit part of our Paper, in which the cause and progress of this afflicting malady are satisfactorily accounted for, cannot, therefore, fail to prove deeply interesting to our readers. It comes from a quarter sufficiently re spectable and well informed, to intitle it to implicit credit, and it has all the corroborating testimony in its favour that can be derived from perfect concordance with the observations and knowledge of all persons acquainted with the local customs cf the south of Ireland, and the peculiar state of its peasantry. The county of tiMerick being a very rich soil, and 'its capital a great exporting city, it follows of coutse that provisions, and consequently the pi ice of labour, must be higher there than in neighbouring counties not possessing the same advantages. The county of Kerry is, on the contrary, a wild county, thinly in habited, and in which the price of labour is com paratively small. It appears then, from cur Correspondent's letter, that the labourers of the latter have bee:: tempted, by the increase of wages, t o migrate to the county of Limerick ; severll of the landholders of which have been selfish and impolitic enough to invite and encourage these new settlers. The consequence has been, that the native labourers, fired with jealousy, and obliged to put themselves out of bread, unless they should agree to a reduCtion of their wages, have become discon tented, and have wreaked their vengeance upon the intruders, and the landholders who support them. Such being the real state of the Country, it is al most impossible to reflect, without indignation, upon the conduct of those rash and short-sighted politicians, who cry out for martial law as the only mode of restoring tranquillity; and on the otherhand it is impossible to contemplate, without applause, the temper, the wisdom, and the humanity of the Go vernment, that has refused to apply so desperate a remedy !—lt is a solecism to give the name to that which could only aggravate the evil and inflame the disorder. The Irish peasantry have been represent ed by their native libellers, as having something so vicious in their nature and constitution, that no kind ness could conciliate their affections—no treatment but force could restrain their ferocious and sangui nary temper. From the moderate and cautious conduct of the Government, we should hope that this prejudice had ..assed away; that a new system will in future be observed towards that hitherto ill fated country ; and that in p.mishing the disorders of the tenant, it will not act as if the landlord must be of necessity guiltless. Indeed we cannot read the accounts of the conduct of the native gentry, on this occasion, without attaching to them some blame for rashness and severity. They call for the Insur rection Act in the first instance, a remedy which should be resorted to only in the last extremity ; and disappointed in that hope, we find several of them forming associations, of which it is a principal rule to discourage all labourers of bad or doubtful character. Now this, far from being a measure that could pro duce a salutary effect, must be attended with the mast lamentable consequences. It is, in fa& to give up every man of bad or doubtful character, as irreclaimable and incorrigible, to the arm of the law, f-r if he be refused the means of earning an l.o:iest livelihood he can only acquire it by rapine. rt - By a curions coincidence, on eke ♦ery day an which 1 we received the Dublin Papers with an account of resolutions to this effect against bad and doubtful labourers, we also received American Papers, stating measures of great severity taken against dorkfri 1 Negroes in St. Domingo. From every ac count which we have received, we are confident that a vigilant government, aided by a spirit of con ciliation, upon the part of the landholders, will be found fully adequate to the testoration of tranquil lity, without having recourse to measures of extra ordin.iry rigour. A report has been for some days in circulation, that several British merchants, in the city, have con tracted with the French Government, to convey French troops and stores to St. Domingo. Upon the most diligent enquiry yesterday, we found the report to be perfectly correct. French agents have been employed for some !hoe past in the city, on that business, and -:ts e contracted lOr a large quan tity of shipping. The policy of this accommoda tion, on the rart of our Government, is much ques tioned. The West-lndia merchantc, we under stand, consider it essential to the rrescr:•ation our colonies. :New York papers, up to the 25th December, re_ ceived yesterday, state, that a rupture has taken place between Spain and America, in consequence of the Intendant of New Orleans having issued a proclamation s which deprives the Americans of the right that they hold by treaty of 1795, of depo siting there the merchanalze s'...hich comes down the rivers Ohio and IdiJsiitypi; until sold or ex ported to the West-Indies or eleswhere.—The River Missisiippi receives the whole of . the naviga ble rivers, which skirt the 'Western Botmdary of the United States, and at its outlet into the Gulpli of Mexico stands New Orleans. The river has a very quick descent, and consequently a - very rapid current, which obliges the Americans to sell the vessels or rafts in which *they bring their goods down to New Orleans, and to deposit the goods for sale dr exportation at a certain per centum. As this river is the only outlet of the western parts of America to the Atlantic ocean, and it is utterly : impossible fot the inhabitants of those parts to bring their produe to market by any other channel, the Kentucky Legislature have delivered a very energetic Memorial to Government, praying It to take prompt and decisive measures to redress the grievance; upon which, it is said, the American Government has made a very spirited remonstrance to that of Spain. When it is recollected, that Louisiana runs from the point opposite to New Orleans, up towards the source of the Mississippi, until it meets the Ameri can territory, it will serve to explain the jealousy which the Americans appear to entertain of the French acquiring possession of Louisiana, and even of New Orleans. his latter event, the following extract of a letter from New Orleans, taken from a Ncw York Paper, shows to be in contemplation. " There is no doubt whatever, but that the French arc to possess this country (New Orleans); this event will, in all probability, take place in the course of the Spring." Thus Spain, at the very moment she relinquishes her territory, draws upon herself all the odium of a dispute with America; in which she can have no intcrest, and of which France will reap all the advantage. Yesterday, at three o'clock, Mr. HUNTER, his Ma jesty's Messenger, left town with Government Dis patches Si R for _ORLAEZ WARREN, Rear Admi ral of the White, and Ambassador at St. Peters burgh. A New York Paper, under head of St. Domingo, says, " The French at Port Republican have in. vented a new way of getting rid of the Blacks—. They have got a ship called a " Styer," on board of which vessel they shut down a hold full of Blacks, and stifle them to death by burning brimstone. The morning after, they discharge the bodies into boats and launches, carry them of the harbour, and throw thorn overboard. The Whites have erected a gal lows in the market place, and the Blacks one upon the hill, where executions on both sides were hourly taking place in sight of each other. Another New York Paper says, under head of Cape Francois, there is no probability of getting any thing to cat on shore, at this time (Nov. '29) owing to the Brigands cutting off all intercourse with the country. They were nearly in possession of the town, about three weeks ago, but in an action about that time there were nearly 2000 of them taken prisoners, who were tied hands and legs to gether, and hove overboard into the sea on the out side of the reef. There is no possibility of landing any thing here at present, owing to orders from General Rochambeau, which were issued on Mon day last, hut for what reason we cannot conceive. Both Houses of Parliament meet this day, pur suant to ad l journment. Mr. Wick it AM is expected to appear in his place in the House of Commons, upon the presumption that some information will be immediately demanded, respecting the disturbances in the south of Ireland. Yesterday a Court of Diretclors was held at the East India House, when the following Officers were sworn into the command of their respective ships, viz. Capt. PRICE, new ship Torin ; Coutts, CHARLES LENNOX. Lord WILLIAM BENTINCK took the usual oaths and his leave of the Court, upon being appointed Governor of Fort St. George. His Lordship afterwards dined with the Members of Administration and the Directors, at the London Tavern. The Court adjourned at five o'clock till Friday neat. XING', LEVEE. His MAILSTY came yesterday to St. James's at half-past twelve o'clock. Among the company present we noticed, Ambassador—lmperial, French, American, Swedish, P..itttt gorse, Danish, liatiover an, Bavarian, Neapolitan and Dutch. _ . _ hishops—taridon, Bath and Wells, Fly, Rochester, Hereford, St. Asaph, Litchfield and Coventry, and Winchester. The Secretaries of State. Rererends—Dr. Moore, G. Pitt, Dr. Pelham, F. H.Comwal Dukes—Portland and Roxburgh. Marcuisses--Sallsbury, Lorne and Douglas. Eiudo—.Moira, Westmoreland , Sandwich, Chatham, Har rington, Dartmouth (Steward of the Household), lifts, Spencer, Chesterfield, Selkirk, and Galloway. Vivounts—Agltritn, Sydney, Bulkeley, Andover, Falmouth, and Malmsbury. Lards—Paget, Cathcart, Wodehouse, Monntnorris, Selsea, Castlereagh, Craven, Gardner, Owydir, Digby, Bay n in g , C. Somerset, Arden, %iley, G. L. Gower, F. Campbell, Moles worth, and Stoiford. Generati—Sir F. Conte, Harcourt, Phipps, Leland, DundaF., KennfF, Mahone, Poynts, Elliot, and Murray. Admiral Sir H. Parker. (Wench—Calvert, De Grey, Stanley, and Monsoo. The Hon. Major Moleswort h. Capittins-...Sir Sidney Smith, and Effingo.o. Sits—F. Wills, T. Trigg., T. Carnegie, S. Cottrel, C. Hal los; av, and J. Vide. i 1 urs—Elliot, Addington, W.:t, Bond, Williams, ho pe stein, Hope, brodetiak, FauUcner, Wallis, 'Anson Gower, Butler, Nair, Kinnaird, Stratton, Penn, Parrit, G. Pitt, Moore, Manning, Sawbririge Baiike4, Rigby Colfiefel, Miller, Digby, H. George Caulfield, Detaynes, Whitbread, Sloine, Fulltu Forsyth, Peck, Finch. The gentlemen introduced to his MAJESTY were : General licrkfr, Prursian Envoy. General Mahony, by his Ex( tailesicy the Neapolitan A ill bafgador. Th e H e n. Male*" Mofesworth, by Lord Molesworth. Tice Rev. Dater Goddard, by the Chaneettos of the ti chAluer. Mr. Robinson, by the Marquis of Lorne. Mr. St. Arden, by the Neapolitan Arn'xissador. Mr: C. More, son of the Archbishop of Csiiterbury, on 1.,s return from France. It being the Purification of the P;',gin .I'c y, the .':oblerrieta, who were Knights of tLe Garter. dc... appeared in their respective regalins. His Grace the Archbishop of CANTERRI:RY, at tended bit the Bishops, presented their,Address of COnvocation, on the assembling of Parliament. Lord FREDERICK BENT INCIC kissed the King's hand, on being appointed Governor General of Madras. Captain WA t.sti, who was i Aid du Camp to Major-General Sir E. Court, n Egypt, had the honour of presenting to His MAJESTY the first cow of his journal of the campaign in that country. The Rev. Mr. TATTER9AL, author of Psalmody. kissed the Kit4G's hand, on being appointed one of His MAJESTY'S Chaplains. General Sir T. TRIDGE took leas = e, on going att: as Deputy Governor of Gibraltar. The Bishop of HEREFORD did homage before his MAJESTY, on being appointed to that See. Mr. Et tinT took lcrre on going to Naples. The Kt:lo, after holding a Council; gave ' tu t caence. The Levee closed soon, after three o'clock. MAJESTY then kve private auclicnce-t; the Swedish Ministet, Lord HawitEsrititY, LorciPtutam, Lord . CHATHAM, and Lord FIFE. At five o'clock the KING returned to the Qncen'e, house. His.Merzsry does not go to Drury-lane Theatre- this night. He will visit `Windsor to-morrow. Lord PELHAM gives a Cabinet dinner this d. , y at his house in Stratton-street. Lord CAMEL/01(D is studying chemistry under Mr. HACKHAM of Compton-street. HOLCROFT'S Comedy, which has been furinuslir attacked by the critics, is likely to triumph over opponents, as was manifested by the flattering ap plause which it received last night. A new college is shortly to be erected at Cam_ bridge, by the name of Downing College. The of ficers are appointed, and the ground is measured our on that part of the town called the Lep. Two Opera sin_gers having lately fought a d ue l i n Verona, it was thus announced in the public prints: " Yesterday a duel was fought between two V o lurk They were attended by two conumanti. This affair raised the laugbter of the whole al/haler." M‘LEAIr, Esq. is appointed Paymaster of the forces in the West Indies, in the room o ISAAC PHIPPS, Esq. who has retired. KELLY'S new Opera is receiving some toucht , from the pcn of Mr. SHERIDAN. Yesterday a splendid dinner was given at the Lon don Tavern, on the occasion of Lord WILLIAM BENriscK's appointment to the Government of FORT Sr. GORGE.—The company amounted to upwards of 70 in number, among whom we ob served the Duke of PORTLAND, Mr. ADDINGTON, Lord W. BENTINCK, Lords limier, CASTLE.. REACH. and GLENBERVIE, Sirs F. BARING, H. IN GUS, Pr. METCALF, and L. DARELLI COI. MON. SON ; Messrs. MARSDEN, BRAGG, WALLACE, W. I)uNDAs, and most of the India Direetors.—Mesre_ Dignum, Lees, Gore, and Master Sot:th, favoured the company with several exquisite airs. If the Habeas Corpus Act be suspeuded for n while, all England is in an uproar; while France waits with the utmost sang froid for the time when all its liberties shall be exchanged for un spectacle. If the fair sex were to bring skaiting into familiar practice among themselves, their characters would be infinitely more legible from their performance , , than from Lavater's system of physiognomy. Fc r instance, the sensible fair one would be recognised; by keeping the straight law ; the coquette, by flAnntiog upon the outer edge ; the prude, by affecting to keep the linter one ; and the frail fax, by her frectuent sip and faux pas. The East India ships frind6c,N: and Ilialpole, row at Gravesend, will sail in a few days, having on board detachments of the Royal Regiment of Artil lery, and Corps of Royal Engineers for the island of Ceylon. • The Officers are per Windham—Lieut. Col. Debrissay, Cap tains Colebrook and WoNelev, and Lieutenants Grant, John ston and Stephens, of the Royal Artillery ,• Captain and Lieutenants Henderson and Wade, of the Royal 1:14/,;,- mem. Per Walpole—Lieut. Col. 13 "es, and Lieutenants and Ellicombe, of the Royal Engineers ; Captains Roiecs Narier, and Lieutenants Cowper, •Alms, Gordon, and Mallets, of the Royal Artillery and Mr. Hobbs, Military I).oftsman, under Lieut. Col. Brydgcs Lord TR ustow, and the Earl of RosstYm, were both seriously indisposed before Christmas, but we understand they are each of them much recovered, and may, it is to be hoped, be able to assist the LORD CHANCELLOR, in hearing causes of 4ppeal, at the Bar of she douse of Lord 4. l;