The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1808-12-01 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

LON DON,
THURSDAY, DEctmeLa i.

We stated, en Tuesday, that the accounts of the
'fisilitary operations in Spain, received by Goveni-
ment through the medium of the Mediatur, did
not notice the victory said to have been gained over
the Frencliby Gelikrill BLASS at Reynosa, nor that
said where been achieved by the English and Spanish
forces at Burgos. Weals° stated, that the intelli-
gence thus received by Government consisted not
of dispatches direct from our military or civil officers
in Spain. bat of private letters and other accounts
inclosed by the Port Admiral at Plymouth to the
Admiralty. From these it appears, that the latest
new► which had been received at Sandman from Go.
Fiera! B►.AKE was of the 13th last. The General
bud written a letter to the Magistrates of Sautona,
dated on the morning of the 13th, in which he
says, •• that after TWELV6 DAYS bard lighting be liutl
retired from Valminietla to Reynosa to concentrate
his troops, receive reinforcements and supplies, and
to give his men rest aryl refreshment after the 14-
tigue they had borne, with a constancy and a cou-
rage beyond all praise." This letter from BLAKE
was received on the night of the 13th at &listen:a,
which is distant from Reynosa about 46 miles; and
as intelligence could reach the former lilac:: in one
day, it is to be supposed that nothing of moment
had happened front the 13th to the Will. The
Mediator sailed oa the afternoon of the it.ith.

There is a species of internal evidence, which
:amounts almost to negative proof, in the silence of
the Foreign Papers, that no very brilliaut, or im-
portant advantage. had been by BON A•
PARTE over the Seiaiiiimls, i tttt neiliately subservient
to his arrival in the province of Alava. We know
that he reached Bayonne on the Jd of November,
said the latest accouuts which our Government pos-
sess. of hi. personal movetneuts, only come down
to the 7th, aliens be was at Vittoria. These facts
constitute landmarks, which may almost infallibly
direct oer seasonings, and inn some measure even
authorise ear eseclations. It is assumed by those,
who anticipate his subjugation of Spain, as certain,
that he wadi not enter that country all the neces-
any arrangements and preparations far subjecting
it had been previously made. That the velocity of
his operations wouki surmount or remove all oppo-
sition. That his troops, furnished with provkions
hie sixteen days, would iu that time either infallibly
elites Madrid ; or. if he directed his march against
our forces under MOORS and Luau, he could with
facilitl4 come up with them. and cut them in pieces
befofti they were united ; &lament's. Zamora.
Beeavente, and Amami, being all rather less die-
taut than Madrid, from the place of his departure,
Vittoria.

To this ingenious cha►a of deduction, the silence
of the Cootinental papers may he safely considered
as an answer and a refutation. For if, down to
the 20th or November, near a fortnight after the
arrival of NAPOLEON at Vittoria, he had obtained
any signal victory over the English, or over the
Spaniards, it must have been known at Bayonne
by the 24th or 25th, from whence a few hours
would convey it to Paris by the telegraph. And
we are too well acquainted with his promptitude in
transmitting favourable intelligence, to doubt that
he would order it to be forwarded in some shape to
this country, as he did in 1805 and in tao 6. If to
these probabilities, for they undoubtedly are no-
thing more, we add, that the Mediator's report",
down to the 17th, are favourable, we have at least
good ground for hope, till we can arrive at certainty,
It BLARE had been defeated up to the 15th of No-
vember, the noise of the artillery might almost have
been heard at Santona, or at St. Aodero ; both
which places would have been full of runaways, or
inhabitants tlyiog before the French. With still
stronger reason may we consider the reports trans..
mitted from Logo and Coruna., of the iSth and
19th, its originating in error, or as exaggerated. It
is probably from Paris, or from St. Atidero, not
from (-Witch', that we shall receive the first tri-
umphant accounts of BONAPARTt's progress and
•►►eves beyond the Pyrenees.
Whether he shall, however, succeed to the extent
of his utmost wisher, or whether he is destined to find,
lit his present most nefarious enterprize, the termi-
nation which Providence has assigned to
whether l►e fulfil his menace of plating the Spanish
Crown on Joscru's head, and planting his eagles
on the fortresses of Lisbon, or whether lie shall ex-
perience a reverse of fortune, it is equally certain,
that new conflicts, and renewed struggles, SW It him
at the other eatreinity of Europe. We see in the Con-
tineotal Journals, that Austria continues to arm her
vast pcmailatiou, acid to prepare for war. She well
knows, that as soon as Spain is devoured, her turn
is &wine to he immola►ed. That she has nut been so

hitherto, she owes solely to the necessity of Naito-
'mu's marching against the Spaniards. Of the
fittest Moment in which to declare, and to coin.
mence hostilities, the Cabinet of Vienna will lona
its own judgment. But, in additiou to the delimit-
strations manifested by that Court, we know that
Count METTF.RN ICH, the Austria's Ausbossador at
Paris, has quitted that city, and is Hot expected
to return to it again. ‘Ve know likewise, that the
Nobleman; who is considered by our Admistis-
tration as the Representative and Agent of the
Emperor Faaucts, in London, from terror of NA-
POLEON's resentment, is hot invested with any di-
plomatic character or credentials. Notwithstand-
ing this bar to a diplomatic intercourse between the
two nations, we believe that Government look
with increased confidence to exertion and en-
operation on the part of Austria. Nor is the
arrival of Mr. ADAIR, at Constatstioople, au event
destitute of interest. That power, whose Eon-
peals dominioas, on the Lower Danube, confine
upon the territories of Austria; whose retonnses,
moral, as well as physical, are far greater, is called
out, than we usually suppose, and who cannot mis-
take the intentions of the Corsican and the Musco-
vite EMPERORS, to divide her possessions us soon as
JOSEPH is established at Madrid ; that Power ail
infallibly make common cause with Austria, Swe-
den, Spain, and Great Britain, against the com-
mon euetuies of the human race. It is then, and
not till then, that AI. EX AN DER will find the founda-
tions of Isis Throne shaken and crumbling under
lint). We believe that the period is by no means
distant, thought it may be retarded or accelerated
by a variety of circumstances. We shall return to
this subject soon, which offers mutter of the great-
est interest.

A Gottenburgh Mairhas merited with letters
and papers from Stockholm to the lath last.
11. CLVALLOS had arrived in Sweden, and pub-
lished his narrative of the intrigues of the French
in Spain. This history of the baseness and perfidy
of IN APOLLOX is said to have excited a great sen-
sation among the Swedes. A considerable degree
of activity prevails in the Swedish dock yards.
There is no farther account of the military opera-
tions in Finland.

The communication with Hamburgh has been
for a long time very difficult and uncertain. The
latest Papers received from that city and Minna,
came Gown only to the 13th last. In them we
notice an attempt to revive the farce of invasion.
The French army io he employed on that service,
is not, however, to be called " The Army of
England," but 66 The Army of the Coast of the
Channel." Marshal EELLErtus sr, Didie of Vainly,
is appointed Coiniumider-iii-Chief, and was shortly
expected at head-quarters at Boulogne.,

It is stated in private letters from ILlland of the
23d last, that it was the determination of the Go-
vernment to enforce the Einbargo on all shipping
in the Dutch ports, with the greatest possible rigour.
Yesterday a Court of Directors was held ■t the.
East India House, when the under-mentioned
Commanders took their fuel leave of the Court,
previous to departing for their respective destina-
tions, vis.—

Captaiss T. Larkins, Warren Hastings, for Bengal and
Clans.
Captain W. Donaldson, Neptune; and J. Kirkpatrick,
Henry Addiugton, for Bombay and Unita.
Captain Enwvan BALSTON was sworn into the
command of the ship Princess Amelia, consigned
to China direct. The Court adjourned at 6 o'clock
till this day.
The lion. 'GEORGE VILLIERS left his hnu.e in
North Andley-street, at eleven o'clock yesterday
morning, for Portsmouth, to embark for Portugal.
The 4th Dragoons have heen ordered immediate-
ly to Portsmouth to embark for Spain. Two aqua-
drons, forming the first division, marched from
Canterbury on Monday ; the remaining
also. of two squadrons, proceeded on Tuesday. It
was intended that the 3d Dragoons should have
proceeded first, but their march is suspended, from
a deficiency in their number of black horses ; the
3d Dragoon Guards have, in colltletillellCE, been or-
dered from Winchester to Portsmouth to embark.
and it is expected will be brigaded with the 4th
Dragoons. a

Sunday afternoon, an express arrived at General
LINNIPMEN'S, at Weymouth, ordering the ibt mid
2d Regiments of ainoveriasit Light Horse to march
at an hones notice.

BRITISH PORTY.-..8y the Nit All. RE-Mimi cor-
rected to this day, there appear to be—AT SEA, 84
sail of the line, 8 from 50 to 44, 127 frigates, unit
346 smaller vessels. The TOTAL number of ships,
IN CO/OMISSION, amounts to 160 sail of the line,
get from 50 to 44, 182 frigates, )91 sloops, anal
888 gun-brigs. There are also, as ORDINARY, and
REPAI NI NO FOR SERVICE, SO soil of the line, 11
from Su to 44, 62 frigates, 49 sloops, and 23 gust-
brigs, &r.—And there are at, I I.DING, 54 sail of the
line, 18 frigates, 2u sloops, cad 7 gun-brigs, &e.
—Making a GRAND ToTA I. of 1,123 vessels Or war.
Depredations to a very large extent have lately
been conniiitteil on the stores of the Victualhiig
)(Flee at Chatham, which have fortunately been
detected in the following m Saturday
night the Agent Victualler coining home at an un-
eiciwcteil hour, saw one of the wutchinen in the act
of carrying n quantity of cheese from the store-
house, and immediately scized the robber. The
man, in the first impulse of his terror, mimed that
he was not the only one concerned, and (114cmeyed
who were his askmiatcs iu iniquity : lie al.() ;;ere
information of those who purchased the stolen
geinls, 'among whom we are sorry to hear the mime
of one person in a large wry of business. Severnl
of the persons concerned were. on Monday, exa-
mined before J. Tuomrsos, Esq. Mayor of
cheater, mid were remanded for a further liestriisg
ust morning.

41 -4 7 4
tjt
FICIIIONS FOR DECEMBER.

The P.aile cap and pi:tic/A, at present we arch so
admired, promise to hr the prevailing Mess fur the
unearth. They are generally made of Spanish Mown
cloth, to fit light to the figure. This dress has berm,
universal fmutirlte, Si well from being so hee,,,,,i„E,
the novelty of its appearance. The dress,
either coloured cloth or velvet, with white 'still slei ,
putIMI with the same round the bottom, in the Sprilds s,
the high ruffs are also much worn with them, trimmed
Vandyke lair. The whole has a very pretty and ale,.
effect. The Spanish bats am more worn t ban cr. r lia I ,
Etreaeter of the haul ten, composed of velvet and s ask,
various descriptions of colours, fastened op of an is,
with gold or silver buttons and loops, and with one or
ostrich feathers; and, of a morning, with wade, Or 1.
made of the amine velvet. Caps of crape satin au rd.
ontansessied with silver or pearls, with tiara, to eswer,p,„
are becoming very fashionable. The trittaria mliao
hat still continue to he very lunch worn, and ere
f:11/0111^ with the Exile. White crape, over mum 1.14 a.
considered the most elegant dancing dress, tenons.,
white or coloured ruses, or eisdnoidered ist estowei/.., mist eat
beers. The waists, wa are sorry to say, are greatly
creased in length within this lost mouth ; and,
dies, who wish lobe considered part icidarly firshinnalsie,
are wont a soar ter of a yard loug, with atuoiarlors, ar
were seen souse yawn since. Ti.ey have the nowt oro4r
ing appearance, nod are the greatest disguise toff." t 71
figure that can be possibly especially as
nut yet to lie seen, which certaialy adds peat grace r.ua its
game to dress in general. The hair h thvgiett mails to •
same style, although we observe that is degrees it
to be worn over the shoulders, sod will, no doulit, in s
time, he seen to corer them entirely, which will be se,-
improvement to ladies who expose themselves too ft',,.
ably. Cloth pelisses are also muds worn, yak shaise.l
trimming, histerad of fur; it Las a novel effect; with
the Pyrenees hat prevails, which is of needle work, i.
steds, the edge trimmed alaawith rug ; they are
warm. Velvet innetles, mitt rapes, still prevail, sad
trimmed with black late, half e yard deep•
trimmed with fur, and lace veil.

Flo
ER.
Novell • no,
its for %LC
11,
s bas herons,
rcuutilig, as ft
sli dress, wads
'lila %de, ers, •
for Spa•L.L ca i
m, trimmed •
ttty mid plat:
ban errs 6i 641 i
iltret and sit's,
op of an
will une or
sable„ or ikrs
mitin an Irks
Iraq to towepsi,,,4
usria ••
If• MINA:6
IV!? lithe *le.
MI, ii,lllll4tia •
lII,' Vt.,
91 me Mails
Mk% lb! aaar
V
,amLrrs,
the MOM nark,
nigr to efie (4,3.
chilly as trains
Pat grace null eau
lied musks is
cream it is gel
ilnulit, in
46 will be a
wives Na tt,L.,,
...tit slaws:ad
effect; aith it
Idle work,
cy are benv..
prevail, sad p
Bonnet to matcL,

latOlt •
ttl
la as
gh,
xl
Itito%
R
ryh b
I !awl
riled h.
ENTRV
of ti.
i4tok