The National Register.
London, England, 1814-03-27 00:00:00

POLITICAL DISQUI,SITION.

THE BOUKBONS.

Little did we think, when we lately expatiated on the
eventful fertility of the times, that occurrences as new
'as important in their nature, were on the eve of taking
place, which would once more change the whole face of
the contest and the destinies of the world. We then
viewed France, invaded by all the nations of Europe, but
*till obstinately resisting, under her military chief, their
combined efforts. Faithful to the cause of her usurper,
ahe seemed resolved, with him, to conquer or to fall. Her
constancy and her attitude had checked the progress, re-
duced the hopes, and almost disarmed the hostility of her
invaders. The destruction of her Continental tyranny
had been effected, that of her Ruler at home was on the
eve of being spared. Near thirty millions still acknow-
ledged his authority ; innumerable hosts still marched
and fought under his banners, and the coalesced Princes,
doubtful of final success; and yielding to the partiality of
Austria, began seriously to think of granting peace to
the French Despot.. Such was the state of affairs at the
close of the last Week. The preliminaries of peace were
drawn, and intelligence of their being signed was momen-
tarily expected. The two parties, in which all the poli-
ticians of the land are ranged, were venting forth, the
ones their regret and the others their exultation, when on
Sunday last the thunder of the Park and Tower guns
suddenly surprised the metropolis. No doubt was enter-
tained but they announced the conclusion of hostilities,
when it was found, on the contrary, that victory had
once more crowned our arms, and that Lord WELLING-
vox, having forced the passage of the Adour, was rapidly
advancing towards Bordeaux. This intelligence, it was
at first supposed, would hasten the signature of peace, by
inducing NAPOLEON to agree to the terms proposed by the
Allies, and which be was thought to have hesitated in ac-
cepting. Later information, however, proved how un-
founded are the calculations of modern politicians. No
sooner had the British standard cast its protecting shadow
on the banks of the Garonne, than the whole population
of Bordeaux, headed by its MAYOR, advanced to meet
our warriors, and with them a Prince of that House,
whose downfall opened the gates of ruin on mankind.
The Imperial Eagles were laid prostrate, and the Royal
Lillies exalted. The white cockade re-entered the scene,
the airs of ancient loyalty hailed the descendant of a mar-
tyred King, and the name of BOURBON was proclaimed
with the enthusiasm of liberated patriots. This event, so
unexpected after the instance of indifference and sper-
VIL No. CCCIIIK

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Little did we ti
eventful fertility
'as important in tl
place, which wot
the contest and
viewed France, ii
*till obstinately r
combined efforts.
ahe seemed resolv
constancy and he
duced the hopes,
invaders. The d
bad been effected
eve of being spar(
lodged his Ruth()
and fought under
doubtful of final
Austria, began al
the French Despc
close of the last
drawn, and intell
tp.rily expected.
ticiaus of the la
ones their regret I
Sunday last the
suddenly surprise
twined but they
when it was fou
once more crow]
vox, having fore(
advancing towar
at first supposed,
inducing NAPOLk
Allies, and whit
cepting. Later
founded are the
sooner had the Bi
on the banks of
of Bordeaux, he
our warriors, ar
whose downfall
The Imperial Ea
Lillies exalted.
the airs of ancien
tyred King, and
with the enthusia
unexpected after
V.I. VII, No,