The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1803-02-25 00:00:00

-„ yr vre it chiefly resides in the most retired situations o oody and marshy regions. 4 It was, in all probability, an enormous speci en of this very serpent that once diffused so vio lent a terror amongst the most valiant of mankind, #• d threw a whole Rtiaan r.rmy into dismay. istorians relate this surprising event in terms of nsiderable luxuriance. Valerius Maximus thus mentions it from Livy, in one of the lost books of whose history it was related more at large. 4 1 And since we are on the stihjeet of uncommon phienomena, we may here mention the serpent so eloquently and accurately recorded by Livy ; who ' says, that near the river Bagrada, in Africa, a snake -was seen of so enormous a magnitude as to prevent the Army of Attilius Regulus from the use of the river; and after snatching up several soldiers with its enormous mouth, and devouring them, and killing several more by striking and squeezing them with the spires of its tail, was .at length destroyed by assailing it with all the force ((military engines and sh(nvers of stones, after it had withstood the attack of their spears and darts ; that it was re garded by the whole army as a more formidable enemy than even Carthage itself; and that the whole a•ijacent region being tainted with the pesti lent effluvia proceeding Hai its remains, and the waters with its blood, the Homan army was obliged to remove its station ; he also adds, that the skin of the monster, measuring l'2o feet in length, was sent to Rume as a trophy." IMPERIAL PARLLIMEAT. HOUSE OF LORDS. TIIERSDAY, FEB. 21% The House assembled at one o'clock, and pro ceeded to St. James's with their Address of Congra tulation to his Majesty, on his late escape from the traitorous designs of his enemies, which was pre sented, and received a gracious answer. HOUSE OF COMMONS. TIIURSDAY, 'tD. 21 The SPEAKER took the Chair, about twenty mi mutes past Two o'Clock. Lord STOPFORD brought down a Message from his Majesty, informing the House, that it was his Majesty's pleasure to receive their Address this day, at three o'clock. Some private business having taken place, The CHANCELLOR of the EXUIEQUER moved, that Mr. Wm. Dundas should have leave to bring up the Report Of the Resolutions of the Committee appointed for taking into consideration his Majesty's most gracious Message. On the question being put, Mr. FON BLANQUE arose, and stated his tm ailling at the present moment to detain the House, when he knew they were about to proceed in the performance of an important duty, particu larly as the observations he had to make would go to a greater extent than he perhaps at that moment was justified in proceeding to. But he fch it his duty to declare his sentiments upon the subjefl, un less the Right Hon. Gentleman (the Chancellor of _Exchequer) or some other of his Majesty's confi dential Ministers, would satisfy him with regard to some points on which he wished to gain informa tion. He perfetily agreed with the Report as far as it went, but it certainly did not go far enough for the purpose intended, and for which the sum men tioned was totally inadequate. He, therefore, was anxious to know, if the Report was intended to eon the opinion of the House, as fully made up, with r...gard to the assistance to be granted to his Royal liighness the Prince of Wales, to the exclusion of -any amendment for increasing the same ? If so, he -wadi wish to have the Report brought up To -mot-row instead of to-day ; and he trusted his motive -for postponing the consideration of the Resolutions • contained therein, would not be construed into dis resped for the Prince, as it proceeded from a zeal for his interests and comfort, and from a desire of llaviai the measure come up to the extent of his iloyal Highness's wishes. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assured the House, it was not his intention to de tain them many moments, but he could not but express 'hi., surprise at the objection now started by the Hon. Gentleman to the bringing up of this Report, to the Hon. Gentleman gave no op positton last night, when he had a full opportunity ,of doing so in the Committee ; and now, when we are about to proceed on the important and so lemn duty, of laying our Address, agreed upon on former day, at the foot of the Throne, we are to be impeded by those objections which the Hon. Gentleman had a proper opportunity of stating in the Committee ! And surely, the Hon. Gentleman can propose what amendments he may think proper on a future discessien, when a Bill will be brought in. He could not help observing, that the mention in this House, of the wishes of any person whatever out of the House, even of the r asonage alluded to, was, in the highest degree, unp it rliamentary. And - notwithstanding the deference he felt for tne Hon. and Learned t e entleman, he roust request of him .not to press hilt o bservations at p re sent. Mr. TYRWI-ircr said, it w it s his intention to a few obsee rs ions on the bringing up of the Report; but in con fence of whAt fell from the Right Hon. C'entlern ioi (the ClN o eellor of the Ex chequer) he should rte them f u r a future stag e cf the business. The Report was then br ou ght up, and the Res()lu ions read a first and second agreed to, a n j cave given to bring in a Bill 4 c cordingly• The SOLWI lOR GEN6RAL m oved, th a t George Wood, Esq. should have l e ave of absence to go the Northern Circuit. Leave g iven. Mr. THORNTON observed, tl.e number of (...ommireer. for .encrsiring into Ne merits of the petitions complaining of undue eleßions, rendered it ditlienh to form a Commiree to take into consi deration the petition of the Grand-Junelion Canal- Company, praying for leave to bring in a bill for raising ceistain sums of money for extending the Canal fmm Paddailton-Balon to the Loudon- Docks. Ile Aercfore moved, that the said Com mittee be au open 'Committee, fur the purpose .of experlitinr the objeets of the same. Agreed to. The other orders of the day were then read and deferred, and the :House adjourned till to-inur sanw. • ' '7 rr-mtmr.itor.ll., DRURMANE. TO-MORROW EV FAIN(' will be iwese;iterl a New Ilisto ri 'Plav, in Tlevee Via, called THE HERO OF THE NORTH. To whieki will be added, THE DEVIL TO PAY. Till' New Play of the Fiero of the North, having born re throughout with univerial ain)lawe, will be veto. Toed every Monday, Toemlay, Thursday, and Saturday, tits further notice. THEATRE-ROYAL, COVEAT-GARDEN. TO-MORROW EVENING will be performed the Comic Opera of "THE CABINET. To wbol will b. add.:d, Tie 'REVIEW; or, The WAGS OF WINDSOR; On Monday;the Tragedy of Hamlet—llamiet, by a Young Gentleman, being his sixth Appearance. To winch will be added (for the last time this season) Harlequin's Kitten. Next Taiesday, a new Comedy will be produced, called John Eull ; ur, An Englishman's Fire-Side. THE. BRITISH PRESS. LONDON, FRIDAY, rE a. 25. Last night we received Paris Papers to the 21st inclusive. A long supplement to the Moniteur of that date contains the Aa of Mediation of the Ft RST CoNsul., delivered to the two Committees of the Helvetic Consulta. This long-expeifted document proves to be a plan of a new Constitution for Swit- ' zerland. The whole country is made to consist of nineteen Cantons, which are divided into three classes; Ist, the Democratic Cantons, consi,ting of Uri, Schmitz, Unterwalden, Zug, Glaris, Ap penzel, and the Grisons, all of which are to be re instated in their former limits, except Uri, a valley of which will be linked to the Canton of Tessin the Cantons formerly Aristocratic ; these are to resume their old constitutions. .The titles of their Chief Magistrates are changed, and also the num bers of the Members of the several Councils. The Members of the Grand Council are for life, and nominate the Petit Council. The new Cantons of Argovie, Leman, Thurgovie, Saint Gall, and Tessin, constitute the third class. In these last, the places are not for life, and the Grand Council will be nomi nated by the Petit Council. The mode of election will be regulated in them, as also in the old aristo cratic Cantons, after a manner suited to a represen tative Government. Having detailed the organiza tion of each particular Canton, the AR of Media tion proceeds to the general dispositions that affect the whole.—The principal are these.—The Nine teen Cantons are federal, and mutually guarantee their territory, their liberty, their independence, and their respeaive Constitutions. The contingents of troops and money, will be furnished by each Canton proportionally. All privileges, attached to place, birth, and family, arc abolished. No Can ton can form a separate alliance with Foreign Powers. The Diet shall meet every year in the six principal cities, in turn—namely, Fribourg, Berne, Soleure, Basle, Zurich, and Lucerne. The Cantnn in which it shall meet, shall be called the Direfling Canton, the ilvoytr or Boirgue mestre of which, shall add to his title that of Landamman of Switzerland.—The Diet is to consist of a Deputy from each Canton, with full. powers and instructions, which shall be binding upon him. The Deputies of the nineteen Cantons have thirty-five votes. Those of Berne, Zurich, Vaud, Argovie, St. Gall, and the Grisons, have each three ; those of Fribourg, Thurgovie, Lu cerne, and Tessin, two, and the rest otte.— The Diet will assemble every year, in the beginning of June, and will sit only a month. It has power to conclude treaties of peace and alliance with foreign Powers ; hut to discharge any one of there executive functions, the consent of three-fourths of the Can tons is necessary. Inorder that this new Constitu tion may be put into immediate activity, die Aet of Mediation proceeds to appoint a provisional Go vernment confnrmable therewith, in which Fri bourg is named the Directing Canton for the year 1803, and Citizen Louis D'Ar Fay, Landamman of Switv.erland. It expressly undertakes, se l pon the part of the Fiiisr Co son, that as soon as its regulations shall be carried into execution, the French troops shall be withdrawn ; and con cludes with an acknowledgment of Helvetia so constituted as an independent power, and guarantees it against the disturbers of the system thus esta blished, whoever they may be. This consti tution is represented as the labour of enlighten ed minds, and ardent friends to the happiness of Switzerland. It certainly displays more mo deration and regard for the manners of the people than we expelled. There is no attempt to wound the native pride of the country, with an assurance that it does not contain a single individual worthy of being ,I...andanunan of Helvetia. It does not af fed a total disregard of national prejudices and feelings, by Wanton innovations and changes;-4n the contrary, its reforms appear to have been dic tated in fairness and impartiality, and do not em brace, in the detail, any provision either revolting or disgusting. Were we then to limit our view to the simple abstract constitution before us, we might, perhaps, have just grounds for congratulation. We might appeal to the Aft of Mediation, as a • proof of a change in the disposition of the French Government. Ws might say, that BoK atAar ~-.-.; was learning moderation ; that he is not indiffer ent to public opinion, and that he asks no more titles or dominions in Europe. But if we examine below the surface of things, we will not find any one of these conclusions. The fate of Switzerland excited a very strong sensation in Europe. In England we know its sufferings were not beheld with indif ference by the Government or the people.— The Swiss themselves were in arms. If then the FIRST CONSUL, in such circumstances, has thought fit to proceed cautiously, moderately and advisedly, the merit to which he would hare been otherwise entitled is lost in the motive. He has not made himself Landammaa of Switzerland. He has not placed Switzerland within the " natural limits" of France ; but what credit can we give him for his forbearance, when we find by the Proclamation of General Nr. , that the mass of the people are adverse to a new order of things, even before they know its particular nature, or detail. This is to preserve the charaEter of the Swiss. Whether the new Constitution from the grand French manufadory be good or bad, is to freemen matter of indifference. It is planned, executed, proposed, tendered, and enforced by foreign hands, and as such, whatever may be its excellenze, it is unfit for the Swiss. To qualify or temporise, would be, in such a case, to abandon the principle. The Swiss know it, and will not easily recognise the right of a foreign power to dietate a Government to them, however specious the form in which it is presented. And it is Fere we find the test of the Ft RST CONSUL'S principles, with all his affected moderation. "As soon," says he, " as this Constitution shall be put into real aaivity, the French armies shall be with drawn from Switzerland, and I shall recognise Hel vetia an independent power." In the present state of Switzerland, in great part disarmed, and in all parts covered with French troops, what is this but to force a Government upon her, and to mock her with a promise of independence, upon condition she shall forfeit her claim to it by an unqualified ad of sla very and submission ! The Helvetic Government has just addressed the National Prefeas of the Cantons of Basle, Soleure, Berne, Fribourg and Leman, a circular letter, to enjoin them to guard, with the greatest circum spection against every importation of English mer chandizes ►nto Switzerland. For this purpose they were to watch the depo'ts of merchandize which were in their respective districts, and to establish guards along the French frontiers, &c. This step has taken place in consequence of the protests made, on that subject, to the Executive Council, by General NLY. In the Sitting of the Tribunate of the 18th Feb ruary, Citizen Cocos presented a memoir on the necessity of spreading the Vaccine inoculation in France. A paper of yesterday says—" We understand a remittance has been made from Russia, for the plunderage of cabin and other stores of the British ships which were there during the late embargo ; but no allowance, we regret to hear, has been made either for the wages of our poor seamen, who were detained there six months, or for the demurrage of their ships." The Austrian Commissary, Count BrssiNc, who lately arrived at Venice, has made every prepara tion fur placing the Venetian territory on the same fo , ,ting with the rest of the Austrian Hereditary States'. The commercial people at Venice have likewise agreed to accept Vienna Bank -notes, to the amount of 300,000 florins, which now circulate there, as in the other Austrian States, as ready money. The changes which have taken place in the War Department, in Germany, have produced the hap piest effects. Every thing proceeds with as much rapidity as precision, under the direaion of an I Zero, to whom the Austrian Monarchy owes a new benefit. Other changes and ameliorations are pre paring, which prove more and more the determina tion, of our Govornment to abandon the old syEtern for a new one, better adapted to the present state of things in Europe. The manufaaures are enriched by an useful in vention. A Paper-Merchant of Burythan, near Nuremberg, named Loeschge, has, after many essays, succeeded in employing tan, that has been used, and a small quantity of common rags, in making very good wrapping-paper. To avoid the inconveniences which would result to Merchants of the Bata vian Republic, if they were obliged to expose to the Commissaries the state of their fortune, by the production of their books, the Legislative Body has decreed, on the proposition of the Government, that the inhabitants of the county may declare the state of their for tunes, in order to fix their quotas towards the im positions and revenues, only confirming their decla ration by an oath. But if this sieclaration appears suspicious to the Departmental Diredorv, it shall nominate five Commissaries, who shall be autho rized to enquire into the truth of such deposition. The Leyden Gamte contains another summons to Admiral S'roaT to appear before the High Mi litary Tribunal. Two Dutch captains are also cited. A Concordat is preparing at Rome, between the Holy See and the Catholic part of the German em pire. Letters received from Genoa, dated Feb. 22d,say, " If we may believe the reports in circulation, some new subject of misunderstanding has arisen between France and the Regency of Algiers. It is said, that a ship of Marseilles, dispatched to Algiers for a cargo of grain, has been obliged to depart without ob taining it, and arrived in five days at Toulon, with a letter delivered to the Captain by the French Com missary at Algiers. It is added, that the Dey has intimated to the Commissary an order to quit that residence, but he refused to do so without the autho rity of .his Government. Perhaps these reports have no other foundation tha* the slight difference which took place with regard to Denmark, in which the Eceach Government Interfered." CO URI'. Ye3terday, at a quarter before twelve o'cloc his NIAJEsr Y arrived at Buckingham-house, in his travelling-chariot and four, from Windsor, escorted by a party of the Light-Horse. Soon atter twelve o'clock his Royal Hihness the Duke of YORK Ar rived, and had a con ference with his Matitsr v for a considerable time. At one o'clock his MAJESTY Went to St. James's Palace, to receive the Addresses of both Houses of Parliament, on his escape from the late conspiracy. At a quarter before two o'clock the Address of the House of Lords arrived. It was attended by the Loan CHANCELLOR in his full robes, who came in state ; the Deputy Csher of the BLACK ROD, and several Officers belonging to the House of Lords ; the ARCHBISHOP Or CAN.. T LRBURY, the Lord CHIEF JUSTICE of the Court of Common Pleas.— Dakes—Ronb irgh, Montrose, Athol, Bronti, Pnrtland. Fteis•kiansittre, Warwick, Winehelsea, Sand.vich, Har court, Chesterfield, Courtoen, Spetiver, Caicilis , Romney, Murray Moira, Amherst, Mount- Edgecntribe, Westmoreland, Chatham, Northam] ton, Max.:le:field, Coventry. l'atrounts—Falmouth., Hood, Wentworth, Grimston, Syd ney, Bulke'ey. Lords—Boston, Selsea, W:llouehby de Broke, Pelham, Ketth, Napier, Cathcart, Gwyder, Woslehoose, Charlton ' Ar den, Sheffield, Walgingharn, Alvauley, Grantley, St. Helen's, Bay ning, Grenville, Stopford, Hobart. ksitops--Bath and Wells, London, Carlisle, Durham, Dub lin,Litchtieltl, St. 2t,aph . . . . . About three o'clock the SPEAKER arrived, in state, to present the Address of the House of Contr.:lolly. He was attended by the CitANcELLuit of the Ex.- CHEQUER, the SECRETARIES of STATE, the SECRE TARY at WAR, the ATTORNEY GENERAL, the So- LICtTUR GENERAL, and by lludgiai. Larl—Euston. Lords—Newburough, Crleubcry t , Portchester, Caßlereach, Has4k..,sbitry. Efford, T MPtcalf, S Srn'th, If. Inglis, I. Pul teney, W. Pulteney, L. Parsons, %V. Welbcy. - - Aki;airut—Lord (..;rinitter. Generals—Sir E. Coutr, Phippc, Lenox, Tarleton, Mait land, Norton. Messrs—W. Dundas, Tyrwhitt, M. Pitt, Leyceter, Long, Jekyll, Cockerel, Egerton, W. Smith, Blackburn, R. Thorn ton, Faulkner, Buirowi, Fordyet., Hunter, Yorke, S. Smith. After . 111 L LORDS had presented their Address. the Rix ER of LONDON made his Report to his MAJcsrt in Council of the convias capitally con victed at the January sessions, at the Old Bailey. We understand they were all respired during his NIAJEsTv's pleasure. The Privy Council then sat on other business tor a considerable time. This being a Collar-day, all who have been in stalled Knights of the Bath wore their insignia of that noble Order. A few minutes before four o'clock his MAsEstit set off from St. James's Palace for Windsor, to dinner. His MAIFSTY will hold a Levee nerWednesday. Her MA.msry has been indisposed during the whole of the time since her arrival at Windsor. Yesterday her MAjtcrv's :,1d was much better. During her Majzsty's in position, she has been attended by Sir Lucas PEPYS and Sir FRANCIS . .s.l:l.l.ltAs. The Princess MARY'S cold was much better yesterday. Yesterday being the birth-day of the Margrare of ANSPACH, the MARoR A viris gave a play, in honour of his birth-day, to a crowded and fashion able audience, in the evening, in an elegant theatre, ereaed in the gallery of Erandenhourg-house. The Marchioness of SALISBURY will give her second grand rout on Monday next. Lord W. RUSSELL, Lady ORKNEY, and TRO. MAS W. COKF, Member for Norfolk, arrived yes terday at MILLER'S Hotel, Jermyn-street ; C. MILLS, M. P. and Lord ROcSMORE, arrived at York Hotel, and Earl CasszLis, at Albemarle. street. The I lon. Mr. BUTLER, brother to Lord OEMOND, arrived yesterday at BLAKE'S Hotel, Jerrnya- street. RICIIARD BRINDSLEV SHERIDAN removed OTIL Wednesday to his elegant town-mansion in George street, Hanover-square. The Duke of PORTLAND'S Cabinet Dinner is fixed for March the Od, at Burlington-house, Picca dilly. Lady CARIIANIIITON gave, last night, a rout to a large party of fashionables, in Bruton -street, and has announced her second rout for Monday, March the 3d. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE gave a grand Din ner yesterday, at his house in Berkeley-square, to a large party of fashionables. Sir JOHN DASHWOOD KING will return to town this day from High Wycombe to MILLER'S Hotel, Jermyn-street. The Earl and Countess of DERBY arrived in town yesterday, to the' great joy of their numerous friends. The Countess looked beautiful, and ap peared in high health and spirits. Of all our fashionable nobility, there is not one female who spends her time in more rational plea sure, than the Countess MOUNTNORRIS. Her days are passed in a sele,ft circle of fii ends, at Ealing grove ; to the neighbourhood of which her Lady ship is an example of every domestic virtue. The Countess of CLARE is fitting up her elegant town-residence, in the style of Madame BONA-. PARTE% apartments at St. Cloud. One room is lined with nankeen in compartments, with black velvet frames. The curtains are also nankeen, edged with black velvet. A smart young man made a very handsome col leaion of boots and shoes in the neighbourhood of Charing-cross, on Tuesday morning last. He vi sited .various lodging-houses, as the deputy of the shoe-blacks, &c. who usually attend them; and hav ing colleaed all the dirty boots, &c. made his escape with his booty clear and clean of all pursuit. Yesterday the chariot of Mrs. Davis, of Sunning hill, standing at Mr. HOOKHAM'S, in New Bond street, was unfortunately overset by the whee of another carriage. Miss STUART was in die dial riot, and, we are happy to say, received no injury.- A new elegant carriage has just been launched for Sr. GEORGE KNUDSON, Esq. with oval win dows, and painted yellow ; the cypher on the rails, and the carriage, painted vermillion, and ornament ed to correspond with the body ; lined with blue cloth, with a handsome figured-silk lace ; morocco cushions, silk curtains, &c. ; the body ornamented with plated mouldings, sham joints to the sides, lamps, &c. ; a Salisbury budget, with a rich bear skin hammer-cloth, high hind standards and cushion behind. Splashing frames to the sides of the win dows, and a sword-case in the back. This carriage was built by Mr. Houlditch. t At • •