The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-01 00:00:00

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—matured all his schemes of empire. All his plans of con-
quast—ill his schemes of tyranny—had referCnee to it. lei
was the guide of all his movements, and the secret of all his
I success. As First Consul of the. French Rershlic, he
professed to value power only as it qibled him to restore
those imprescriptible rights which the usurpers of the
human race bad so long trodden under foot. Ile affected
always to make her cause the cause of the people; he
fought only for them—he conquered only for their inde-
pendence. Ile knew human nature to the bottom; from
his insight into all its vices and all its weakness, he had
taken his estimate of it very low ; and it was upon this
estimate he always acted, whether be had to deal with
Sovereigns or their subjects. Ile was born to change the
destiny of nations, but his process was extremely simple.
The corruption of the bulk of mankind, and their en-
dulity, were his great grounds of reliance. Ile watched
the progress of the republican doctrines, and when he.
found any neighbouring state ripe for revolt against its.
, administrative authoritics,—having first bribed over those
I of most weight and lead amongst them,—the inhabitants
never failed to receive front T ALLEI RAND the fraternal
despatch—" Citizens, can the First Consul give to you a
greater testimony of the affection he bears towards you?
He calls to your bosom the Representatives of an allied
I Republic. He assembles in the midst of you the principal
Chiefs of your Government. He is coming to your city--
he will know your wants, ascertain your wishes, consult
your interests, and I shall be eager to point out to him the
benefits you expect from his paternal authority." These
were new experiments upon the human character; bra
they succeeded as often as they were made. After a time,
the FIRST CONSCL found that these sits were no longer
essential : his military character and resources enabled him
to discard them; awl, in due course of intrigue, he became
NAVOLSON TER GREAT. Despotism soon superseded
every other requisite of government, whether for home or
foreign objects. His armies—whether inspired by the love
of freedom or the love of plunder—mowed down all before
them. New geographical partitions of the Continent were
made from time to time, while its respective Sovereigns
looked on appalled, till each, in their tarn, prostrated
himself at the feet of the Emreaore or FRANCE. His
military genius seemed to govern for a while the destinies of
the world. Had the kingdoms against which he fought—
and which became, one after another, his easy, and, as it
seemed, inevitable prey—had these kingdoms been free
and powerful, a spirit of enthusiastic patriotism would
hive driven him from their borders ; but they were under
the yoke of arbitrary power. They had no privileges to
Maintain, no independence to fight for; they were invaded
by armies worked up to the summit of their valour, while
they, themselves, were without any incentive that could
rouse them to exertion. Englishmen fly instinctively
to the defence of their freedom; they enjoy liberties for which
their forefathers have fought and bled; but what right, per-
sonal or political, have aGerman, a Prussian, or an Austrian
population to protect ? What have they to fear from a change
of Sovereigns? Here lay the true source of the helplessness
of these Sovereigns ; it was the abject condition of their '
own subjects, and not the military energy of the French
nation, that made them—what for a long season they were
—the suppliants of NaroLeoe, and which lay their do-
minions at his mercy. They were not the fathers of the
people, but their oppressors, and when the perils of the
State came, their thrones tottered ; the difference was
then seen and felt, between the spirit of a people ess:n-
OAR,' free, and the debased subjects of an absolute govern-
ment, who have no liberties to lose, and no institutions to
defend. When the French went forth as emancipators,
they were considered as madmen, whom their Imperial
and Royal Majesties would quickly destroy. It was not
till they beheld the King of Pnesst A forced into a peace
with the Republic—Hesse, Saxony, and Swabia, necessarily
detached froru the German League—Spain prevented from
avenging the chief of her House, and the interests of its un-
fortunate branches—Holland conquered and revolutionised
—the Austrians again and again defeated ; in a word, it was
not till they saw the invading armies of France putting the
tranquillity and indolence of Courts to the rout in all direc-
tions, that they were compelled to place to the account of
liberty that exalted energy by which alone a nation can be
rendered invincible. They found themselves forced by ne-
cessity to take a more correct view of their position. The
old routine was manifestly broken up. They could HO
longer go rolling sleepily on from age to age. Dignified,
prudent, decisive measures became indispensable ; they
were constrained to look b.ckward on the past, and for-
ward to the future. Experience, in all unfortunate con-
cerns, is a powerful remedy, for as STERNE truly says, an
ounce of a man's own sense is werth a ton of other people's,
and these Sovereigns succeeded in convincing themselves
that certain political reforms must be acceded to, to meet the
spirit and intelligence of the age. These political reforms
were accordingly promised with great zeal and devotedness;
and so long as the alarm lasted, this hope was kept alive,
but it was crushed as soon as it was thought safe to crush
it. It win not permitted to survive the apprehensions
which created it.
Vie must defer the conclusion of this sketch till out
next.

At a late hour last night we received the Paris papers
of Wednesday. They contain no foreign or domestic in-
telligence calculated to excite much interest in this coun-
try. The leading article in the Journa des Debats relates
' to a theatrical squabble, in which it appears the Parisian'
public feel deep concern. The question must, indeed, in
their eyes, be of paramount importance. It affects the
stability of the Vaudeville!
It is stated from Madrid, that the last of the French
soldiers have left that city. The two Swiss regiments are
now the only foreign troops in the capital of Spain. If
we could kucw what passes in that kingdom, we should
hear some hideous details of the excesses that will, in all
probability, follow the evacuation of Madrid. But, as it is,
if Ferdinand were to decimate his subjects, we might
almost remain in ignorance of the fact.
The French Chambers have completed their preliminary
arrangements for the Session, and it was expected that
some public business of importance would be immediately
submitted to their consideration. It was reported that the'
first project of law respecting the indemnity of the emi-
grants would be presented to the Chamber of Deputies on
Friday (yesterday). This project, or bill, as we should
call it, would, it was said, be exceedingly brief, merely
sanctioning the principle of the measure. A second would
be presented on Monday next, prescribing the mode of
carrying the plan into execution. It was also reported,
that at the same time a bill would be introduced into the
Chamber of Peers, enacting new penalties for sacrilege, and
another respecting military offenees. If these rumours be
correct, M. de Vitslt.e seems determined to give both
the Chambers plenty of employment when once he begins
hie legislative labours ; and we suppose he will push his
measures forward as fast as decency ell] permit. But it

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THE BRITISH. PRESS.

appears :;likely that the first project of law respecting the
indemnity of the emigrants could be presented on Fri-
day. It was understood that the Committee on the Address
would only make its report on Thursday. There would,
II of course, be some, debate on that subject, and in , that
case the Address, in reply to the KING'S Speech, could not
be presented before Friday. It seems, therefore, unary
probable that none of the bills would be introduced till
next week. The Report of the Special Committee of the
Chamber pf Peers would also, it was stated, be presented
on 'Thursday
On Tuesday the four Secretaries of the Chamber of De.
wits were elected: they are MM. DEI APASTURE, de
FRAGUIER, diNicoaAi, and Auntie. The President by
seniority, M. CHILIIAUD de is RICAUDIL, then required
M. RAVEZ to take the Chair. 'laving so done, be ad-
dressed the Chamber in a commonplace speech, which
was received with loud applause, and ordered to be printed
for its eloquence.

FRENCH Flat DE.—Pars, DEC. 29.—Fire per Cents. opened
at 101 f. 90c. ; hank Stack, 194 Sr. ; Rents"; d'Espagne, 1811.
Royal Spanish Loan, .572 f. Exchange on London, one month,
2.51. three months, 24f. 83c.—Cours Aathentique.

By the German Papers received yesterday, our readers
will see that his MA.11.11, as King of Hanover, has
named a Proclamation, declaratory of "a perfect equality of
civil and political rights" among all Christians, to whatever
sect or community they may belong. It was provided by
the Act of the German Confederation in ISIS; that there
should be no difference of civil and political rights
in anr part of Germany, in consequence of the differ-
ences of religious opinion that may prevail among the
Christian inhabitants. The Proclamation of his MArtsry
is therefore not a measure of original legislation ;
it is simply an ordinance to carry into execution, within
his own dominions, the wise and liberal principles on
which the German system is in that respect founded. We
feel peculiarly gratified, however, in seeing the illustrious
name of our Soy Engle x prefixed to an authoritative docu-
ment, recognising, in the face of the world, thistle all
Christian communities have a right to the unobstructed
and free exercise of their religious worship ;" and, in an-
other passage, expressly abolishing " the notion of a pre-
dominant church, and of merely tolerated sects." The ap-
pearance of this ordinance, at this moment, may, and we
trust will, hare effects highly beneficial in that part of the
United Kingdorn which is now torn with religious this-
sentions. The Kt so hail given his royal assurance to the
people of Ireland that" they should have justice, and every
measure of Government since his accession had testified his
MA.IE:STY'S anxiety to obliterate the distinctions of country
and religion that yet remained between his subjects. Un-
fortunately the Catholic leathers have since judged it ne-
cessary to press their claims in a manner which has called
forth the active hostility of their old adversaries. On
calm reflection we think the Catholics must deeply lament
the position in which they stand with regard to Govern-
ment. They must feel that whatever blame may attach to
the conduct of their antagonists, much also is justly due
to their own ; and if the success of their cause be re-
tavled, they must be conscious -that they owe the failure
principally to their own intemperance, and to the choice
they had made of instruments and allies.

In the North American Papers received last night, we
have the details of a singular transaction, denominated by I
the trans-Atlantic editors "Commodore PORTER'S exploit
at Puerto Rico." The glory of this exploit, however, was
gained rather cheaply, as the whole affair was bloodless. The
circumstances, according to the American version, appear
fully to have warranted the chastisement which we dare say
the Yankees would have given to the dastardly Spaniards, if
they would have waited to receive it. The Spanish islands
in the West Indies, arc notorious nests of piracy, and it
would not be surprising to find that they extended their
protection to common theft. In this case it seems that be-
cause two American officers went to the Governor of Puerto
Rico to request his assistance in recovering some stolen goods,
which there was reason to believe bad been conveyed into
his jut isdiction, the representative of his Catholic MAJESTY
thought fit to imprison the complainants, who we have no
doubt he considered as very troublesome fellows for inter-
fering with the petty perquisites of his station. The actual
morality of the Spanish Authorities is as low as their pre-
tensions to honour are lofty. They are worthy Ministers
of the Crown they serve ; and like their Royal Master, if
justice be required from them, the demand should be sup-
ported like that of Commodore Poit-ren, with a force ade-
quate to coerce them into a sense of duty.

South American securities yesterday experienced an ex-
traordinary advance. It was ascribed to an expectation,
that some commercial arrangement between this country
and the Governments would be shortly announced by au-
thority.
While the negociations were pending at Lisbon, which
ended in the flight of M. Hyde de Neuville, the French
Ambassador, much anxiety existed relative to the commer-
cial and political situation of the country. Pampeluna,
the Portuguese Itlinister of War, was entirely in the
French interest, and it was known that our Ambassador
had received instructions to demand a categorical answer
to the applications lie hail made on the subject of his pre-
dominating influence. The whole of the British ships of
war in the Tagus were in constant readiness to leave that
river, which certainly would have been the alternative,
had not the required concessions been made, the British
Government nut being inclined to incur a heavy expense
for shipping to support the French interest against itself.
Letters from Comma, dated the 11th instant, state that
the troops ordered fur the Havannab sailed en the 7th.—
They consisted of three regiments, amounting to about
1,800 men. They have been sent, at the urgent entreaty
of the merchants and planters of Havannah, for the pur-
pose of keeping the negroes in subjection, us it was appre-
hended that an insurr•ctionary spirit existed among them.
The planters were compelled to remit to Spain the money
tequired for the equipment of the troops before their re-
quest was complied with,
DE Mt It • R Oex. 25.—8 y an arrival from Martinique
this morning we learn, that the French fleet lately seen in
the West India seas had passed dint island to leeward,
without coining to anchor, but only sending a boat with
letters an shore.—Nov. I.—The Duke of York army
vessel, arrived here yesterday afternoqu, bronght over our
long-expected Commissioner of Colonial Inquiry, Messrs.
Ilenry and Coneys, from Barbadoes.—Guiana Chronicle.
Extract of a letter from Porto Bello, dated 29th of Oc-
tober:—" An English ship, the 'Minerva, stated to belong
to Gibraltar, has arrived here; she was taken on her pas-
sage from Gibraltar to Lima, with naval stores and pro-
visions, by a Colombian cruiser. Not one on board could
speak English, but they said. they belonged to Malta.
After several days' trial, some irregularities were found in
her papers, and she was condemned. The English flag was
immediately lowered, and the Colombian hoisted, to the
dissatisfaction of the British toniul, who has gone to Ca-
racas in a great rage. IVe expect daily the Admiral of
the Jamaica station will take notice of the transaction.—
Chester I'iper.
We are informed by a London Correspondent, who from
holding an official situation, is enabled to obtain the most
authentic information on the subject, that a Dissolution of
Parliament will certainly take place early in June next;
previously to which the :turned Taxes certainly will bo
taken off.—lrish Timer

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'FROM OUR COII6tSPOWD7NT•I
PARIS, Dac. !11.

The Minister of Finance endeavours to involve his plan
for the indemnity of the emigrants in the most profound
mystery. It is known, however, that Mehl!no NAC
has been fixed upon to bring it forward i the Chamber of
Deputies : as to its provisions, we are still left entirely to con-
jecture. It has already undergone many alterations, and
at may yet be subjected to other modifications bcfo're it is
submitted to the Chambers. The plan most generally ap-
proved was /bend' creating a new stock, bearing a divi-
dend of 4 per cent., which was to have been invested in
the names of the emigrants, in payment of the sums to be
allowed them ; but with this restriction, that the holders
of this stock should not dispose of it till the exphation cf
twelve or fifteen years. The emigrants objected to this
restriction, anal insisted on having the power of disposing
of their indemnity at what time and in what manner they '
should think proper. In whatever shape this proposed
law may be framed, it will be sure to excite innumerable
complaints and expostulations from the interested parties.
It is, however, of the greatest importance to 1111. de Vll.-
Liu; that his project should meet the approbation of the
party for whom it is made, as well as of the Chambers—for,
in fact, he is powerful only as the Minister of the Emi-
grants, and should be fail to satisfy them, his power would
fall at once into ruins.

I mentioned to you some time ago the difficulties which
existed with respect to the ki :or Petal civil, (the intended
Marriage Act,) in consequence of the Bishops' refusing to
acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Royal Courts of Jus-
tice. But this is not the sole obstacle in the way of the
demolition of our civil code. According to the new pro-
jects of law, as it was originally framed by the Ministry,
the religious celebration of marriage, which is to rrecede
the civil act before the Municipality, was to take place in
the congregations of every persuasion ; and, consequently,
Protestant Ministers, as well as the Jewish Rabbi, would,
in this respect, be invested with the same authority over
the members of their sects, as the hierarchy of the Catholic
faith would have over the individuals professing the reli-
gion of the ascendancy. This clause startled the clergy :
they considered that this provision of the law would be, as
it were, consecrating the tolerated sects; that it would be
acknowledging the sacred character and divine mission of
the Ministers of the Protestant faith, and even of the High
Priests of the Synagogue ; that, in point of rank and au-
thority, it would be assimilating them to the curates of the
Holy Catholic 'Church ; and, to use their own words, that
"it would be placing truth and falsehoA upon the same
level." This was quite sufficient to induce them to reject
this project. How is this stumbling-Mice to be got over ?
—what measures can be taken with regard to those indi-
iiduals who are not Catholics ? It will hardly be at-
tempted to force them to be married in a Catholic church.
The priests must therefore wait till some expedient is dis-
covered. Besides, it will be extremely difficult to reconcile '
our codes with the canon laws. The Church permits a
brother-in-law to marry with a sister-in-law, but our
civil codes expressly forbid the union. There arc many
other degrees of relationship in the same predicament.
Obstacles thus fortur.ately arise at every step, in the way
of those who have undertaken the task of restoring all the
evils destroyed by the Revolution. If it is difficult to esta-
blish gcod laws, it is also not an easy task to overthrow
them. It appears that M. de l'irrser had a project of
law, ready cut and dried, not affecting the rublic Journals
only, but giving him dominion over the Press in general,
It was not enough for him to be master of the periodical
papers: his control was to be absolute over every kind of
publication. Its provisions were such that M. de MAR•
TIGNAC refused to bring it forward. The Minister, how-
ever, keeps it in reserve for a favourable opportunity of
laying it before the Chambers, when he shall have ascer-
tained his influence over them.

The preliminary proceedings of the Deputies have pretty
well revealed to us the spilt by which it is likely they will
be guided. We may judge what they will do by the result
of the ballot for the Presidency. The circumstance of the
great number of votes at once obtained by M. RATE; and
above all, by M. CMILIIALD de la RI6RUDIZ and the
Prince de MON TMORENCY—persons wholly incompetent
and insignificant—proves that the great majority of the De-
puties are blindly devoted to the Mitiistcrs. M. de FELt-
Go.r•nL, the Deputy who made the motion for rendering
the functions of the President septennial, like those of the
Deputies, is a very devout man, and professedly royalist,
but lie loudly complains of the state of dependence and
abasement in which the Ministers hold the Chamber;
and he thinks that his proposal would lessen the ministe-
rial influence. M. de FELIGONDE is not the only one of
of his party who is justly scandalized at the servility of the
Chamber; and if these elements of discontent should corn-
bin,, it is not impossible that they may form the
germ of an cpposition highly beneficial to the country.
But if there is to be an opposition this Session, it must be
found in the Chamber of Peers ; there it is that the Mi-
nister may experience some serious embarrassment.
On appointing the Commission to draw up the Address
to the lira, in reply to his Speech, the candidates of the
minority were M. de CM A T EAU s RIA ND and the Archbishop
of PARIS. It was remarkable to find this prelate obtain the
suffrages of the Opposition; but it may be easily explained.
He is no favourite at Court, indeed he never goes there;
and when, according to custom, he presented his Mai ESTE
with his Discourse, on his admission into the French Aca-
demy, the Kota received it without saying a single word.

Extract of a letter dated Madrid, Dec. IB:—The fol-
lowing five Grandees of the first class have been just
brought into Madrid prisoners from the provinces, guarded
like malefactors, and lodged in the common gaol ; treated
purposely with every insult and indignity: on the road
they were conducted from prison to prison ; that is, lodged
in the town or village goal, as the escort halted for the
night :—The Duke of Frias, Duke ofAbrantes, Count Alta-
mira, Marquis Ceralvo, Marquis Alcaniaes. These Grandees,
amongst others, thirty in number, had been banished from
Court for Constitutionality. The Duke of Fries sought
quiet in Barcelona; but the King, to vex him, ordered he
should live in Burgos, which being obeyed, he now brings
him in chains to a dungeon in Madrid. The sin of this
Duke is having been Ambassador in London under the
Cones; lie is a man of very large fortune, strictly honour-
able though not remarkable for talent. The Marquis of
Alcanizes was also banished to Seville for having been a
Colonel of Militia ; a quiet character, known only from his
title and large property. What particular charge is brought
against them now the public is not acquainted with, nor
are they themselves probably. if not sent Irfore the
military tribunal, they stand a chance of being poisoned in
gaol. Fifty Grandees of the tint class, and of the largest
estates, used to reside in Madrid ; of them, thirty are
banished, and ten in dungeons.
Cass URIDGE, DEC. 31.—The prize for the Ilulsean Dis-
sertation for the veer 1524, is adjudged to James Ainiraux
Jeretnie, B.A. Satolar of Trinity College. Subject—" The
Doctrines of our Saviour, as derived from the four Gospels,
are in perfect harmony with the Doctrines of St. Paul, as
derived front his. Epistles."

Ir

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