The National Register.
London, England, 1819-10-25 00:00:00

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[Pace: 9pl.

which now threatens serious injury—and, had the
latter lived and enjoyed a more general share of
public confidence, a portion of these evils would not
have been known. GL at Britain min•ati her aim
when she became a great military nati m. To ac-
quire great maratime influence, was probably con-
sistent with her policy as a commercial and manu-
facturing people; and certainly whi:e her eflbrts
were confined to the increase and nown of her
navy, she not only monopolized tradelnd commerce
but acquired a very commanding influence among
the Governmenta of' Europe. The ambition, how-
ever, of•being a great military Kai also a great na-
val Power, has been a very serious briery to the
British. England, by its position, was intended
only fiir a naval Power ; but, acilmeil by the mar-
tial display of Napoleon—by I:is battles, his viaais
'ries, arid his bulletins, the Ministry were restless,
until the nation was plunged itt all the expense, the
danger, and the doubtful issue of a military origi-
nation; they resolved, with a feverish anxiety, not
only to sweep the ocean with the flag of st. -George,
but to exhibit their scarlet coats and Tower-proof
muskets on the Continent. To accomplitili this
great end, it was necessary to stir up the Continen.
tial Powers against Buonaparte ; it was necessary
then to pay them, to subsidise each Powcr i^to hos-
tility, and this was accomplished at an inordinate
increase of the national debt, and the British, from
thi; weak ambition, became paymaster and auxili-
ary to all Europe. Well. peace and internal tran-
quility prey. it every where cseept in -England;
the pressure of' this impolitic liberality, joined to
other calms, is now felt and resisted. It is true
that Buonaparte is at St. Helena, but they ' pail
very dear fur the whistle' in getting him there.
It is true that the British fought bravely in Spain
and Portugal, but what blessings did th.y achieve
for those Governments? They drove out a King
of talents and character, because he was an intruder,
and they restored u legitimate blackhead, whose
pride of ancestry and %%hose bigotry has rediteed
the nation to a cipher ; as to the King of Portugal,
he has left his kingdom in Europe in pawn to pay
his debts, and now resides at the Brazils. In wilat
manner, then, has Great Britain been benefited by
becomin•• a military nation ? In • t manner ;it has
nearly ruined her ; she has grasped the shadow end
hlat the MOW awe .; her naval power, on which all
her dependence rested, has decreased, and her mili-
tary character, wi.ich teas worth hubs as an insular
nation, has increased ; she has made peace on the
Continent, and covered the sea with commercial ri-
vals ; :the has given an impulse to the inanutiictures,
to the agricultur..-, and to the commerce of the
Continent. This ecrtaiale is very benevolent, but
it is like pa.aing with a last sixpence iu charity to
others.

"In this s:ate of affairs, the aimours arising
from an increase of taxation, and from a want of
employment, have becorie very powerful, and the
tumultuous meetings lately held have been subjects
of real alarm to the Government. Hitherto no de-
finitive plans have been adopted ; various resoluti-
ons have been passed, ana many speeches made, yet
the Iler,rtners have mule no satisfactory proress.
They talk of wiring oil the national debt, which
would go to annillEate the existence of the Govern-
ment—a change of Ministry would produce no real
benefit—a more Car and equal representation is
Parliament might be 10,T:ea—the over,,,;rown pen-
sion list might be decreased, :nil a syst in of greater
economy inlopted. These measures might Iti; ay the
popular fitry. and pitslime tranquility ; out it is un-
questionable whether a radical ref tat can be prislu.
ced in the prcst .it disordered state of commetee and
manufactures; and, if it can, it 1110 St grow ma of a
c 04,1 xmldispc..sionate view of things ant
not by Inman or tumultuous asse,•ia

Lord and Lady CaAlereugli nrri•:cd on Tuesiloy
nt their house in St. James's-square, from th. it seta,
North Cray, Kent.
The Address voted at the County of York meet-
jog, ib to be presented to his Royal Highness by
the Duke of Norfolk, awl the Earl of Thautt.