The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1810-04-05 00:00:00

JEMSTERIAL MINAIUTTET, 4114110 LITTLE

MAJORITY•

Among the political phenomena of the present
day, there is. perhaps, no one more extraordinary
than to witness is Ministry continuing to retain
their offices, after being left to frequent ininoritio,
and in only a little majority of 11, upon the great
question of the Expedition to the Scheldt, in the
House of Commons. We agree with Mr. hansom.
by. that there can be nothing' more fooli.li or mis-
chievous, than an attempt to delude the people;
we will nut flatter our readers with the futile hope
that these limn will resign, in consequence of sAree
divisions in one House of Representatives being
against them on Wednesday se'noight, and only a
nosninal majority of 21, on Friday last. No: they
have sheen us. that nothing but absolute Force will
cause them to rolinquialr their hold upon the public
purse. Upon them, tut upon the banger-on, who
would not discontinue his visits at a table to
which he had beets introduced, until he was kicked
down stairs, no hint, gentle or strong. has any ef-
fect. The same course, we should, therefore, re-
moment' to be adopted towards them, as to the

hefore.mentioned visitor. It is in vain to tell as,
that the division on Lord Porchester's motion, fur
a Committee of Inquiry into the Scheldt Expedi-
tion., and the three divisions on Mr. Baukts's List,
for a Committee of Finance, were mere matters of
form. Yet, even allowing this, for the sake of
argument, though we by no means subscribe
to its truth, do not niatters of form aftiord as
fair an opportunity for a trial of strength, as
more important questions world ? Indeed, they
are much more favourable to Ministers ; for,
many Members who are in the babit of voting with
the Admini►tration on immaterial points, when any

vital question crimes to be discussed, exercise their
own judgments, and give their suffrages on one
side mon the other. as tin it conscience dictated.—
These Gentlemen would never think of hampering
the Government by dividing al.Tainst Ilia Majesty's
servants on matters of Inert Jiirm. From these
premises it follows, that, to be defeated on unim-
portant questions is more indicative of weakness in
Ministry% than to be overt-erne on such as involve
great points of tuitional policy. If a Minister can-
not obtain support on occasions where votes are of
little, how can he be expeslell le premiere it where
they are of the utmost, eiteesquisee. Buttbere is
no need fur these argunittuts to ._ our position ;
let us consider for a usoineat what au Administra-
tion i., and has to perform ; and we will speedily be
convinced, that. tailless they can isteariabiy command
a majority, it matters not whether on trifling or
snore weighty oc...asions, they are not competent to
fulfil the divan of Government. A Ministry either
have, or ought to have, one settled system of po-
litics. Their view, ought to be fixed en the at-
tainment of definitive objects, end every measure
originating with them. whether great or small,
ought to bedirected to the accomplishment of those
objects. None of their propositions to the Legit,-
hues Body are isolated, but all must be connected
together ; every and each Bill, Motion. or Resolu-
tion. being but a link in the contiguous chain of
their system of Government. Destroy, then, any
one of this links. Mill, if y'n do not destroy. you,
at least, so far derange this system, Ilt4 to resister it
confused, disjointed, and inefficient. Thee all the
plaits of Ministers are defeated and discomposed,
by the appointment of a different Committee of
Finance from that with which they proposed to
carry tio the business of the nation. It is not ne-
cessary to enter into a discussion of which would be
the most able and upright Committee ; it is
enough that Government have not had strength
sufficient to procure the nomination of the one on
which they could most rely, and with which they
could best act. They are, therefore, greed this in.
stance, not our Rulers. The House of Commons
have taken the administration of affairs out of
their hands, and the country has a most important
body of men employed in the consideration of their
*Shin, acting, Dot under the controul. or with the
confidence, of those to whom the supreme power is
nominally entrusted. The some couclusions go
with tenfold force and conviction to the decision MI
the appointment of a Committee to inquire into
the disastrous failure of our Waltheren Expedi-
tiun. in direct opposition to the opinion and wishes
of Ministers. Ifere, as in the other case, the
reins are taken out of their hand% and one
of the most important acts of their Administration
diverted utterly from the course they intended
it to hold. Cam it be urged, then, by any man in
his senses, that these persons are at this moment the
*lb i-tit ruler, of the country > Surely not ; for
sit tcurisysaft,u they meet the Perlis:mint, tw a of the
mist sit I.y-iiiteri.tiag ,neantres in which the coon-
are disposed of by another power

in a manner the very reverse from that in %Oath
they proposed to conduct them. They are thwart-
ed io their opinions, and over-ruled in their plans;
their system is completely overthiown, and the
country lies at this moment two springs of most op.
ignite tendencies, directing and influencing its af-
(Airs. 011 the one part we have a Ministry carrying
on as much of the national business as it caa in its
own ivaj, and, on the other, au Opposition so strong
as to interpose in other measures, and give them as
utterly different and distinct direction from these
of Ministers. With such a medley. what can we
expect? Measure jostling measure, and extremes
crossing extremes, in the same Government. Is
this a time, when the strength of Europe is con-
centrated and consolidated under one supreme sad
undivided power, and directed against us; is this a
tune for a distracted, dissonant. impotent Admin;s-
tration ? A chance melange, who govern by tits
anal' starts, as opportunity permits them ? Good
God ! where is the Genius of Britain fled ? flare
we no superior wind ? have we ito Chatham to
start up, aed liar the treiablingliroken rod of
hewer from the hands of these ministerial dwarfs ?
Must they still he allowed to squander our trea-
sures, sad to waste our resources? Must the best
blood of our country still flow to manakin, in dis-
graceful splendour, such putty, insignificaut crea-
tures as these? Let us hope nut. Long they can-
not Withstand the force of public opinion. We
are still rich, inexhaustibly rich, in internal re-
sources ; and though the misconduct of our Mi.
niters may fret, we have ever the consolation of
knowing, that they cannot ultimately destroy as.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCP.

FROM THE FRENCH PAPERS.

BAYONNE, MARCH 30.

Tester.lay a number of prisoners (3500) were
marched in here, taken in the province of Catalonia.
in straggling treaties. We expect a considerable
number more in their progress to the interior of
France. It is imagined that within the last the
weeks 15000 prisoners have gone through here.
The arrival of reinforcements continues, and 3000
of the troops of the Confederation passed onward
three days ago. .f.iese will be followed by others,
Swiss and kali ins, to strengthen the army of Gen.
Suchet. MARCH 17.

Every thing is prepared for the urge of Cadiz:
that of Lerida hill soon commence. Yesterday a
great quantity of heavy artillery and ammunition
was forwarded from hence. A corps of mariners,
who weft: employed (luring this last war on the Da-
nube, has paused through this towu for Spain. Of-
ficers of the engineers and artillery are also cosi-
stantly passing. Twenty squadrons of gendarmerie
have marched through fur Spain, and it appears
they are d, siurd to serve in the interior of that
country. ( :en. Caulit Suclict is gone to N'alentin.
It appears that the rubbers, who ha 1 rendered the
roads insecure, are cut off, or reduced, for the cou-
riers now arrive in safety.

KAMBORGH. MARCH 23.

Gen. Kalkreuth has returned to 13erlin from Pa-
ris. whither he had been sent on • particular mis-
sion, to cougratulat.: the Emperor Napo:eon. Peo-
ple here expect the best results front this mivsion.
The letters from Petersburg!' afford ete►y proof of
the continuance of Friendly relations between the
Courts of Petershurgh sod France.

KINGDOM OF WESTPHALIA.
CASSEL, MARCH IS.

His Majesty. accompanied by his Ministers, the
great Officers of the Crown, the Civil and Military
Officers of his Household, went this day to the Pa-
lace of the States, fur the solemn reception of the
deputies of his produce of Hanover. The Kim
hieing upon his throne, the deputation was presented
to His Majesty by the Minister for Foreign Affiiirs.
The President of this deputation spoke aa fol-
lows :

" Stet—The Ilanovetians appear before your
Majesty, to lay at the foot of your throne the re-
spectful te3tinionies of their profound bU
Hanover was the tiro. portion of the north of Ger-
many that felt the et its of a renewed war, which
is at length terminated. For nest seven years
past, our ti.satur.s, our agriculture. our commerce,
population. and circulating specie, have consider-
ahly

" Divine Providence has entrusted to your Ma-
jesty the beneficent task of retrieving our woes, of
consoling us, of restoriug tranquillity to our fami-
lies, sod of insuring the general happiness. This
political regeneration, Sire, reserved fur your vir-
tues, for your exulted qualities, is particularly wor-
thy of the illustrious name which you bear. Mir
tory will perpetuate the remembrance of the prodi-
gious victories in which your Majesty shared, but
it will chiefly delight to consecrate in all hearts, the
memory of the blessings which you will have dif-
fused among all classes of your subjects. Deign,
Sire, to surround your throne with a slew people-,
happy, grateful, and faithful."

All the deputies were then presented to take
the oath by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Ills Majesty returued this ainnier to the Deputa-
tion :

" Gentlemen, Deputies of 11,11'01"er—I receive,
with satistactitui„ your first hoot Age ; 1 Ana pleased
with the eaArrours nhu•h you hlre skew it to Initag
we the tursurarice of your sulimissiou. 1 kilos; the

inevitable calamities which you have experienced;
it will be tome an agreeable task to endeavour
repair them, and to give you more happy days.—
The treaty Which unitesyou to Westphalia,, attaches
you to the Continent, from which you setiticd to b.
cut off; it places you henceforward under the tu-
telary protection of that vast system which tends to
insure, for a long time to come, its peace and
prosperity. I know the strength of the influence
of habit on the mind andyiffections; but I know
also your morality and your good sense; and I
trust to the oath of fidelity which you have just
taken on this solemn occasion. Among a people,
enlightened sad attached to honour, perjury must
be unknown. You augment tlie family which
Providence has committed to my care; you will
imitate the loyalty of my old subjects, and I will
bestow on you the same love and solicitude."

PARIS, MARCH

Many of the nobility have set out to witness the
meeting of His Majesty and the Empress at Coin-
peigne, a here it is supposed she will be on the .26t1).
The preparations for the solemnisation of the
nuptials are continued with the utmost aetivtty,and
this capital will become, in a few days, the scene of
the most splendid ceremony that was ever witnessed
by the eyes of mitu.

ii A kCII 25.

The day before the civil marriage of Ilia Majesty
the Emperor, the Chapter of Notre-Dome will re-
pair to St. Cloud, to carry thither the Imperial
mantle and the crown which was used at the coro-
tieion. The following, day after the ceremony of
the civil marriage, there will be • family dinner at
St. Cloud, which will he followed by a spectacle.
The gardens, and e.pecially the orangery, will be
illuminated in th• must brilliant manner ; .the wa-
ters which are to play io the light, will exhibit a
perfectly novel sight.
On the day of the religious ceremony, the consti-
tuted authorities of the city of Paris will repair,
about noon, to the triumphal arch of l'Etoile, there.
to receive and compliment Their Imperial Majes-
ties on their entrance into the.capital.
It is believed that Their Imperial Majesties will
go from St. Cloud to the Titilleries by the Bois de
Boulogne, the road of Neuilly, and the barrier of
l'Etoile; they wall alight from the carriage, sander
the vestibule of the palace, the steps of which have
been made passable for coaches. It seems to be
fixed that the Court will amenable in the Sa!on der
hlarechaux, and 1141 S in procession into the great
gallery of the Museum. In this immense room
ha►e been placed seats, in the form of an amphi-
theatre, for the accommodation or eight thousand
persons, who have been invited to this ceremony.—
Through these brilliant ranks, Their Majesties will
proceed to the Hall of Pictures, where a chapel
has been consecrated, in which the august maple
will receive the nuptial benediction. The high
altar, decorated with basso-reliecos, etecuted tinder
the direction of M. 'lacunas, the Emperor's gold-
smith, the candelabra, the tabernacle, all the yes-
owls and °manacles overmany for divine service, are
of the highe.t magnifiversce, and will, it is pre-
sumed, be afterward* appropriated to the use of the
chapel of St. Denis.

Woikineit ate extremely busy in erecting the
balcony from which Their Imperial Majesties will
hear the concert, •od observe the fire-works. which
will be exhibited in the Place de l'Etosle.

Some idea may already be formed of the effect
which the illumination of the Tuilleries will pro-
duce, independently of that of the buildings. The
flower-garden, the wall of l'ort Tournans, the alleys
of Indian cliestiut, and the terraces, will be stud-
ded with yew-trees and illuminated Yates.

The finest spectacle will be produced by the im-
mense portico of fire pre* nte d by the grand alley ;
on each side of this alley, including the kind of
broad vestibule formed at each extremity, are 1.50
columns, each of which will be furnished with 47
lamps ; these columns are connected by a double
frieze, which runs throughout the whole length, and
will be capable of containing 33 lamps between
each column. Thus, this single part of the illumi-
nation will exhibit 18,000 lamps, many of which have
double wicks. The thirteen triumphal arches iu-
troduced on each side between the columns, will re-
quire nearly a like number of variegated lamps.
Among the dccoraiions of the triumphal arch of
l'Etuile, we remark several inedwllions, representing
Their Majesties the Emperor and his auguit Con.
sort, the arms of the two empires of France and
Austria, the Seine and the Danube personified, Re.
The edited' which is constructing on the top of
the turrets of Notre-Dame will represent the tem-
ple of Hymen ; it will be 50 feet hiqh. These tur-
rets will not he illuminated ; but the temple above
them will be delineates" by thousands oflamps, and
seem suspended in the air. This aerial palace will
have for accessories twelve blazing comets, and a
great number of stars, which will spas kir 011 the
tops of the highest buildings of the metrnpoli•.
The illumination of the church of la Madeleine
will represent the facade of the Temple of Glory,
as it will appear in a fs w year..
The cupola of the church of St. Genevieve, will
be surrounded and surinoooted with magnificent
Above 11114 Kluiolnrient is construct-
iug au isotope tsiposl, fon, seen feet. its height,
.c 'Ts ; flame+ s ill iise from (hi • tripod.
Hound the rele-tsl will be fl ,nibeaux su.l gee.
I ands. 'the side, of this cupola will be dLs

eninated, as well as the eagles atil cyphers in the
intervals. About the suit• well he islaeed
candelabra, the cyphers of the.Etnisertir sod Eu.
press, &c. To the coltitinnsit the dove will he
suspended luatres. In the stsh-lissentrot %It he
seen simple stare, and stars of tire Lesion of llo-
nour, So. The works in the iisterior *I this Chan h
paotr.d with acti.it ; tu a few mouths it silt be
pared with black marble and Niratours stone, i)
conyarttnents, and in mosaic.

At the ends of the bridge de la Conc(irde, snit .1
the extremities of the abutments, %ill he pldell
eight obelisks, each 7(t feet high, for Man-wrist:o.;
and on the balustrades of that bridge, will le
erected columns, at intervals, surmoniated with-
crowns.

A magnificent illumination is preparing fur ILe
whole fig .tle of the garden of plants, fdyilg the
br%dge of Austerlitz. The lamps will ethn q slit
k,ures of elephants, camels, &c.

It is said that the fifes will not inimediattly sac-
teed the marri.,ge ceremony. Their Alajestia,„4
go the following (ley to Comptigne to a; efill the
month of April ; the rejoicings will hegira with tee
month of 11111, and last till the eOll4 itnion of it.
The baud of the Emperor's Chapel Lave reczeiewil
*Mem to repair to Compeigee.
It is reptrted that the two towers of the Chorch
of Notre-Dame will be speedily agate furnishes{
with bells.

NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GAR
This present Thursday, April 3, will be performed, Siak-
speares Play uf Kies MART THB PoUILTII (Pall,). Te
which will be added, PAUL • N D VIRGINS A.

LYCEOM THEATRE —This praseni Thursday, Apr*
3, will be performed, a New Serio-Comic Opera, called Tee
M•tilaci! OA, TH2 Swiss BANDITTI. To 'loci will
be added, HIT oft Miss.

bevel-al eomplaints baring been made to the Proprietors.
ise the difficulty of °Maiming seats, without feting the beg-
keepers, the frequenters of :his Theatre are respectfelly im
diquested to observe, that orders have twee given fur imme-
ately removing the inconvenience complained of, by fixes a
wne of glass in every boa-door , and that any bus-keeper
rely
asserting that places are takes, or convicted of retrie-
gamey fur the disposal of places not previously engsrd,
he immediately discharged frau the service of tits
Theatre.

ihhhhhi
tr) is casceriivel,