The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-08-04 00:00:00

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.
Moe lb. journal dos Coisiteres.)

It is not always death that terminates the lives of
great men; for a long time previous to the Sth May,
193 1. the destiny of Napoleon was closed in the plains
of Waterloo; posterity, however, has not yet arrived
for him, and we doubt whether up to this moment the
hour of justice has struck. Too much hatred, too
much friendship, too much admiration still surround
his shade, to authorise the hope that the language of
inexorable but impassable troth can yet be heard.
These passions will cool with his ashes, but his
ashes are still warns. We must therefore wait the
time for that impartml judgment which futurity will
accept and ratify. It is, perhaps, possible, to succeed
in some points in sketching what posterity will pro-
nounce upon Nupoleou. Who can fear to deceive
himself, for instance, its affirming that he will
be placed, without eoritradiction, in the rank of
the greatest warriors, the recollection of whom the
annals of all times has preserved. whether we con-
sider the wonderful results of his warlike exploits,
or look to the fertile variety of invention by which
they were effected. Undoubtedly we must re-
cognise a man of superior genius in the brave
soldier who threw himself, covered alone by his
otaudards, in front of the thunders of Lorin, in
the young European, who, without cavalry, dis-
persed, at the foot of the Pyramida, the most
formidable cavalry in the universe ; iu that ardent
Captain. who overthrew in a few hours, Brunswick,
the old Prussiatt bands, and the lklostarchy of Fre-
derick ; in the consummate General, who, a ith a
handful of heroes, defended, hunt by foot, the ter-
ritory of the country which was only torn front him
by shreds. Doubtless, in this great military career
Commenced at 45,5, dulls may he pointed out ; but
how many laurels are there to conceal a few cy-
presses; how many liiumplis are there to compen-
sate for a few reverses ?
Less great than the warrior, the legislator will
still be great; if the Penal Code, scourging with
a rigour sometimes barbarous, does not sufficiently
protect innocence or misfortune; if the code of
criminal proceedings unceasingly reveals the pre.
cautions of a jealous tyranny, how much the admi-
rable body of our cis il laws, to which, in adopting
them, enlightened nations have rendered a just
homage, will still leave, in spite of some blemishes,
a high idea of the man, who in the interval of his
victories caused to be discussed in his presence, and
himself discussed the moat important arrangemeots.
The administration which Napoleon created in
the bosom of a country which lie found in the great-
est disorder, may be admired by the partisans of
absolute power, which in fact was deliberately com-
bined in the system of Government that be sought
to establish, and under this view it is a now proof
of the varied resources of his genius ; it is that also
for which we cornett award him any praise. But in
condeinisher the principle on which that adininis-
tnitioa wasi.ouritied, it would be unjust to pass over
its benefits—what public monuments, ',talked,
streets, quays, canals, and ports, attest the prodi-
gious activity of a mind, which did not waste itself
in sumptuous festivities, bat which always embraced
with ardour useful uudertokings.
The sciences and the arts flourished under Napo-
I. on; he was desirous of patronising them, because
he loved them, and also because he knew that his
personal glory would be augmented by the glory of
the age.
Internal commerce and manufacturing industry,
which, since the Revolution, have taken Wrest a
stride, owe their developement generally to causes
anterior to the Government of Napoleon ; it must
be confessed, however, that he did much for their
prosperity. The continental blockade, considertd
in ell the generality of its principle, and in all the
rigour of its cousequences, was, perhaps, an error,
otherwise that gigantic measure. which Napoleon
alone could have conceived, has not been without
useful results ; and those who give an opinion upon
it will doubtless not forget the maritime blockade
which had preceded it—the active rivality of the
industry of a neighbouring powers—the obstinacy of
its jealousy—and the implacable enmity which it
hill avowed towards Napoleon.
Grave political charges are made against Napo-
Imo. History will judge them with its rigorous
equity. At present, we are better acquainted with
the inelanclmly results than the causer of his errors.
There are, doubtless, those who will find some ca-
cti/s for them, and at least a little intoxication may
be pardoned in him upon whom fortune had don.,
to heap the must enervating favours.
One of the greatest faults of Napoleon, and that
which was atomic sufficient to his destruction, was his
not estimating men at their proper value, in ludic •
imagined that he could induce the greater part's,
them to prostrate themselves before an idol, instead"
of inspiring them with a just pride in themsehes.
and with the noble enthusiasm of liberty ; iu having
forgotten that a free people always know how to
defend their rights, but that an enslaved people
have nothing to defend.
That singular destiny which acesmpanied
Napo-
Icon in his youth, followed him lino the prison where
fortune lisel Buono him. There every thing still
bore testimony to the profound inipression which
bad been left by the remembrance of his renown.
Relegated to a burning rock, a squadron was
employed to guard him, and the Powers of Europe
deputed Representatives to this great power, who
were to witness his captivity and his death.
His death—the deliverer has come at last, and
the tomb of St. Helena will remain in the midst of
the ocean to give au eternal lesson to the masters of
the earth, that lie, who had received from nature
all the gifts of genius, who bad displayed the stand-
ard of the victor from the Tagus to the Boris-
thenea, who gave laws to twenty nations, and
reigned over twenty Kings, yet fell when he was
not defended by the love of nations, and by the
institutions of their choice. Europe conspired
against Napoleon—and despotism has overthrown
both. Europe would hare fled before Napoleon
and liberty.
ssa So eager and universal was the demand in Parls for
the Journal in which the oboe, article appeared, that mans
copies of it sold at 30 francs each.

On Monday the entire of the garrison, consisting of two
Dragoon Regiment►, two Lancer ditto, and three Infantry
Regimen's, with the Royal Artillery, were •eviewed in the
Paik by the Commander of the Forces. His Excellency the
Lord Lieutenant, Sir Benjamin Bloomfield, with many per-
sons of distinction, were present.—(Dublin Paper.)

011 S, per Tun, of 252 Gallons.
New Green!. Whale.. 241—_ Spermaceti
Old
Pale Seal . 301 --11 Pale Rape .. 401 —.

COAL MARKET, Auovir 3.
Ships a' Market. Ships Sold. Prieto.
304 Neueastle
5t Sunderland
1 Cinders

[From the " London New Pries Current.")

FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 3.

COTTOW.—The Cotton minket has greatly improved this
week : the purchases since our last are extensive, they eon.
sist of-
-1,800 Bengal sld. a fild. in hoed.
3,100 Surat
270 Pernambuco... ....And. • 1211. ....
10 Demerara ll/d. duty paid.
37 St. Vincent loid.•
150 Smyrna

Imports, from the 27th July to the 24 August inclusive :
Calcutta
Grenada 22
Drmerars
Lisbon ..
New South Wales
The letters received this morning from Liverpool state