The National Register.
London, England, 1809-03-19 00:00:00

178

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER,

virtue. It is unexpected ; but, therefore, the more daz-
xl:ng ; and assisted by the artificial heat of the treasury
and Lord CASTLEREAGH'S Office, must produce a growth
of patriotism which may tend to lessee its present extiorbit-
ant price.
It is painful to reflect that Governments never grow sen-
sible of the abuses which undermine, and threaten to sub-
vert them, until the explosion has taken place ; or think
of reforming until the project is impracticable. There is
not a courtier, a placeinan, or an ex-prince, who once,
rioted in the corruption which overturned the thrones oi
the BOURBONS, that has not shed many an unavailing tear
at the folly and extravagance of his former conduct. They
were reminded of the volcano on which they were dancing,
singing, feasting with their parasites and mistresses; but
they laughed at the absurdity of the advice, and thought
Bicetre a fit mansion for such an extravagant wight ; or corn-
plained of the licentiousness of the press, got the adviser
immured in the dungeons of the bastile. They continued
to carouse and to debauch the public morals, till one huge
explosion swallowed themselves, the Sovereign and coun-
try in one common inexpressible ruin.
We did exult sincerely and ardently in the investigation, and '
we bestowed our most unqualified approbation on !tir.Wsit-
DLE for his patriotism, courage, and constitutional indepen-
dence. His example, as we forsaw, would create emulation
and an imitation of his manly conduct. However the pub-
lic may have been disappointed in the result of the proceed-
ings, they affori greater cause fit triumph than depression.
The accused-has been acquited, and we bow with due de-
ference to the decision; but when we reflect on the number
of respectable Members who voted for Mr. 'WARDLE'S ori-
ginal motion, we think we have-
cause to congratulate the
country, that it possesses 124 individuals in the list of its
Representatives who consider its interest as paramount to
every other obligation. Even this circumstance, impor-
taut and consolatory as it is, we regard as a secondary con-
sideration, when compared with the salutary impression !
which the precedent leaves on the minds of the public.
There is no character so exalted in rank, but may be brought
to trial on charges of misdemeanours; and this advantage
should outweigh, even in the opinion of the alarmists, any
inconvenience which the I):-hi or YoaK may have suffered '
in consequence of the pznlicity of his amours. We would
advise them, however, not to let the idea prey too much on 1
their feelings, as if his Ro!.11 Highness sliffered very poig-
nantly from the disclosure ; for we are very much mistaken
is that Illustrious Personage, if he k not as completely in-
different to their sympathy as he is to our strictures. The
great fault in his character is not excessive delicacy : his
contempt of Mrs. Clarke's menaces, his conscientious in-
difference to the claims of a female who, for four years was
the object of his dearest atlections, the centre of all his
happiness, his solace amidst the anxiety and embarrass-
ments of his arduous office, leave little doubt of the stoicism
of his princely mind.
There is no observation so supremely true as—that no-
thing is so dangerous as an imbecile friend. The DUKE, of
YORK must have felt the full force of this remark ; for his
pretended advocates, from an intemperate wish to displzay
their zeal in his behalf; have represented him as one of
the weakest, silliest, and most culpable men on the surface
.)f our globe. Their defence reminds us of the bear in the
fabie, and his au kward, clumsy zeal for his sleeping
friend.. Tht:y also knocked out the DUKE'S brains
(and some persons insist that brains are a very useful
article to a Commander -in Chief) when they re-
presented him, for four years, as the miserable dupe
of the worst of women... If she was the despicable wretch,
the insa depict her, what
opinion the man, who sa-
crificed the esteem of so
worthie of curious specu-
lation before the
Sena red by Mr: WAa-

MARCH 19

DIX. To be convinced of an impartial decision on the part
of that illustrious body, we will go back to the period of
the second Punic War; and consider the e:der AFRICANUS
as the party accused. The choice is rather auk ward, we
acknowledge ; for our Readers will probably recollect au
adventure of that hero whilst he commanded in Spain,
which, whatever similarity there may be in military talents,
raises some doubt whether the two commanders were
equally sensible to the fascinating powers of beauty. But
we will not press the speculation too far ; and will confine
ourselves to the observation, that if this supposed occur-
rence had taken place, even on the anniverary of the battle
of Zama, the order of the illustrious Roman to his Judges
to follow him to the capitol, in order to return thanks to
the Gods for that memorable event, would not have been
so implicitly obeyed.
We will now close our strictures on this subject for ever.
They have caused us some paiu, and we never undertook a
task with greater reluctance. But every motive, which
could influence the citizen and the man, forced us to pur-
sue the path we have taken.

Great energy and great courage are requisite in the pre-
sent crisis; and the tendency of our age, in direct contra-
diction to a flippant assertion of Mr. CANNING and his
friends, is rather to flatter, than to defame, men vested with
power. But in the hour of danger, should it ever arrive, it
will be then seen that the persons who arc now branded wit h
the epithet of Jacobins, will display as much ardour in the
defence of their country, and perhaps more, than those very
mon who are now in the possession of its highest honours. It
is the most revolting insolence, as well as the most danger-
ous abuse of authority, to accuse individuals, who benefit
the state by their labours and talents, of disaffectionsto the
establishment ; because they are too independent, or too
honest to bestow indiscriminate approbation on every act
of a Minister. The impartiality of their censnre is the test
of their disinterestedness, for the road to ministerial favour
is neither freedom of judgment nor an avowed abhorrence
of corruption. But there is a reward far above the smile
of a Court and the patronage of a Minister; and that re-
compence every man may find in the applause of his own
conscience. There is, besides, in some bosoms a consum-
ing love of freedom, an intense hatred of corruption ;
their loyalty is not fashioned nor calculated according to
the profits it may produce; they love their country pas-
sionately, and detest such as dishonour it.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FROM TILE DUTCH PAPERS.

ItfILLETIN Or Tyr r ARMY OF SPAIN.

44 The Duke of Dalmatia arrived at Toy on the 10th of
February. The whole province is subdued. He collected
all his forces in order to cross the Minim on the following
day. lie ♦vas to reach Oporto between the 13th and 20th,
and Lisbon between the 20th and 28th.

66 The English have embarked at Lisbon,. in order to
abandon Portugal. The rage of the Portuguese was at its
utmost height, and every day considerable and bloody con-
flicts between the Portuguese and English took place. In
Gallicia the Duke of linchingen had completed the organiza-
tion of the province. Admiral :',lassaredo is arrived at Fer-
ro!, anti has begun to revive the labours of fiat important
arsenal. Peace is restored in all the provinces under the
command of the Duke of Istria, which lie between the Py-
renees, the sea, Portugal, and the chain of mountains
which cover Madrid. Security follows days of disorder and
desolation. Daily deputations repair on all sides to the
King., at Madrid. Re-organization and public spirit are
quickly springing mp under the new Administration. The
Duke of Beluno has marched to Badaios ; IR: has restored
to peace and disarmed the whole of Lower £strema.dura.

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