The National Register.
London, England, 1816-04-22 00:00:00

APRIL IS.

The °norther of D2pnties was employed on the 13th
instant in a Debate on the Budget. M. !Atte presided ;.
and we have observed, that since the defeat Ile sustained
in the Chamber, he has never taken the Chair, but .on
occasions when .the Budget was under ditxa4sion.

By the It Struthers, which arrived at Greenock.
on Sunday last from Rio Janeiro, we legs, that previous
•to 'her sailing (which was on the Ist of January), an
army of 8000 Portuguese troops had ass,,nribled, tier the
purpose of aiding the Spanish Royalists in South Ame-
rica, in the extinction of the spirit of Liberty and Inde-
pendence which has gone forth in that hemisphere.
This army was to sail the instant certain reinthrcements
arrived from Portugal, which were daily expected.
The North Star, of V..o.gtuts, Capt. Bentham, arrived
at Portsmouth from Jamaica and Havannah, with mails,

has brought upwards of one million .of dollars-631,000.
on account of Government—ssoo,ooo belonging to mer-
chants. She lett Jamaica on the 12th, and Havannah
on the 29th of February. The accounts she brought of
atlirirs in Spanish America are decidedly in &Your of the
royalist cause. Since the capture of Carthagena, Santa
Fe (the capital of New Granada) had -Wien into the
hands of the royalists. Gen. Morellos, who command-
ed the independent force, and was taken at Carthagena,
had been shut; and upwards of 70 Engliih and Ameri-
can subjects, who were likewise taken at the surrender
of that city, had been sentenced to the same punish-
ment ; but Gen. 'Morino utlerwards determined that they
should be sent to Old Spain, under the soretvnee, to
await the final decision of his Master, Ferdbrand VII.
All these persons were carrying on trade with Cunha-
gene when it was besieged by the royalists ; and the
Spaniards pretend, that they not only formed, by their
exertions and .counsel, the main strength of the rebel
cause, but that they prevented many of the Spanish sub-
jects front returning to their duty and allegiance to their
King. A report readied Jamaica, on the day the North
Star left Port Royal, that Christop:►e had been assassi-
nated ; but it was not generally relied upon at Jamaica.
We have seen private letters from Vera Crux of the
recent date of the 3d of February. Ott the 31st of Ja-
nuary, an order had been received by the Spanish Au-
thorities resident there, from the mother country, signed
by Ferdinand VII. declaring his determination, that no
specie whatever should in future be bought up by any
foreign power, but that the whole should be transmitted
to Spain. In consequence of this information being
made known, C. Parke, Esq. the British Commissioner
appointed for buying up bullion for this country, was
preparing to leave the settlement.

Letters from Spain state, that ten °Meer! of the regi-
ment of Catalonia have been arrested and thrown into
prison ; as it is said, in consequence of a suspicion of
their being implicated in the late Madrid conspiracy.
Owing to this extraordinary measure, all the other offi-
cers have abandoned their regiment. It appears clear,
that the torturc has in fact been inflicted on several per-
sons in Spain. In consequence of this, General O'Do-
noghue has lost the use of his hands, his fingers having
been all separately disjointed. The Intendant of Valen;•
cia died during the operation of the torture.
Maria Louisa has taken possession of her three Italian
Duchies; the title she assumes is—" Maria Louis?,
Imperial Princess, Archduchess of Austria, by the Grace of
God the Duchess of l'arma, Piacenza, Guastalla,
Brussels Papers to the 12th inst. contain accounts from
Milan, stating that Maria Louisa, now Archduchess of
Parma, joined the Emperor and Empress of Austria iu
that city on the .'2oth ult. The whole city was illumina-
ted ; and a second illumination, much more magnificent
than the first, took place on the 23d. The Emperor tra-
versed the principal streets amidst the acclamations of the
inhabitants, and honoured the theatre with his presence,
accompanied by the Archduchess his daughter. By an
Edict of the King of the Netherlands, that kingdom has
been divided into six principal military districts.
A Messenger, who .arrived at Vienna on the 3d inst.
from Verona, brought intelligence that the Empress of
Austria was so ill of a nervous fever, that her life was
despaired of.
The Duke of Wellington has left Paris for the head-
quarters of the army of observation. On his arrival at
Cambray a review of the corps composing the right wing
was to take place. The exact time of his Grace's return
is not mentioned; and it is merely stated that, on coming
back to the French capital, he will occupy an hotel in the
Rue de Bourbon.

It is stated, that the Ottoman Porte has peremptorily
refused to acknowledge the independency of the lonian
Republic. This act solves all conjecturTs about the
movements of our fleets and armies (:n tl.e Italian shores,
without having recourse to Austria, or Naples, or any
other Power.

A private letter from Paris mentions the prorogation of
the Chamber of Deputies by Louis XVIII.in consequence
the rejection of the new Luw of Elections. This is very
questionable.
A New York Mail has brought a strange report, to
which we attach no credit, that Bonaparte had made his
escape from St. on hoard of an Aru;rican vessel.

AM!, 91.

POLITIC.Vi. DISQUISITION.
INSTABILITY OF EUROPEAN ARRANGEMENTS.

ENTIRE LY wrapped up in the importance ofour omes-
iic concerns; we have fin. some time neglected to glance
beyond the limits of the British Empire, to follow the
course of foreign policy, and to study the vacillations of
the-Continental mind. Released from the consideration
of nearer interests, we may now look at that world tilled
with the monuments of our power and glory, and seek to
ascertain whether the exertions which we have made, the
triumphs which we have achieved, and the,dynasties that
we have restored, have been made, achieve& and restored
in vain.

Confidence is the natural offspring, of success. At the
sudden termination of a contest which placed our greatest
enemy in our hands, and enabled us to re-seat the Bour-
bons on the throne of their ancestors, apprehension would
have appeared unreasonable, if not criminal. Every .
heart then opened to joy, and no thoughts were enter-
tained, but thoughts of lasting and universal peace. To
secure that object, treaties were signed, alliances formed,
countries partitioned, and the power ref monarchies ba-
lanced. Who could then refuse to share in the general
intoxication ? The rapidity with which an edifice is
raised, and the magnitude of its mass, often command in-
voluntary admiration. It is only whon that feeling has
subsided, that we can soberly and justly appreciate the
beauty of its proportions, and the solidity of its nava-
cence. This was the case with the political fabrics on
the Ci'mitinent. They rose as through the force of magic,
and astonished us by theinvaddennt.‘ss and their grandeur.
But we have now attained that settled state of mind, when
judgment takes the place of feeling ; and it' our opinion
of their greatness and durability should be less favoura-
ble and sanguine, it is because it will spring from dis-
passionate investigation.
Were the voice of the press unchained on the Conti-
nent, inquiry would be less laborious, rind less liable to
error ; every country would then proclaim its wants, its
losses, its regrets, its apprehensions, and its perils. The
authority of a few individuals would not stifle the sense
of a whole nation ; exaggerated representations would
be corrected by the impartial and the well-informed ; and
danger and security would drop that doubtful existence
which they hold in the imaginations of men, to assume a
real body and a shape. Utitietmately, the policy of the
most liberal Sovereigns on the Continent becomes nar-
rowed and selfish as soon as the press is concerned. They
do not perceive, that where danger exists, the silence of the
press, like thedarkness that accompanies astorm,lry render-
ing it more indistinct, increases its awfulness and terrors.
Where danger is not, it creates its semblance, and fre-
quently its reality. This, to a great extent, may be the
case in France. The mockery of which the goVernment
of that country has been guilty towards its subjects, now
recoils upon itself. Had it not annihilated the liberty
of the press, after plighting its faith in the charter to
maintain its integrity, we should have safer grounds to
ascertain the real state of that kingdom, than the pri-
vate communications of individuals ; often unconnected,
because some of them have been intercepted and sup-
pressed before they could reach our shores. The public
papers would then be entitled to credit, and the term offi-
cial would not have acquired the significfiti:.ln of suspi-
cious. The protestations of attachment, the a.ssurances
of gener.l obedience and satisfaction, on the part of the
people, would be considered sincere. Instead of being
thought endangered by the rgacks of party writers, the
stability of the dynasty would be proved by their violence
and their inefficiency. The national mind would display
itself to the world ; and perils, which may after all prove
imaginary, would no longer be apprehended from France,
and cause her to be regarded with distrust, and treated
with hostility. Instead of this, her system of conceal-
ment has mode her an object of tenfold terror. The
facts which she endeavours to hide from all neighbouring
!states, reach them in perhaps a magnified condition, and
appear still more alarming when contrasted with the
efforts of her government to suppress their knowledge.
Her internal dissentious, the increasing dislike of
the people towards the Royal nuttily, the cabals of
the different members of that family against each other,
their total want of faith to the nation, and the awkward
imbecility of their measures, thus asuine a still more
threatening aspect.
The days of revolutions seem returning. The scene
of so many convulsions appears not to have attained its
final rest,—but, like a disturbed grave, sends forth horri-
ble visions to appal the world. With such a state of rest-
lessness and dissatisfitction in France, can it be expected
that the repose of Europe should remain untroubled, un-
less the Allied Powers themselves should make such al-
terations in their system as will dispel the gathering dun-
MTS.

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

ROYAL FAMILY.

We have the pleasure of communicating the very con-
siderable improvement which has taken place in the Prince
Regent's health. His Royal Highness on Thursday,
accompanied by the Duke of York, rode on horseback
through the three Parks, crossed into Mary-le-Bonne to
the Regent's Park, viewed the improvements, &c. and
returned to Carlton House. They were out WO hours.

On Saturday, at three o'aock, the Prince Regent held
a court at Carlton-house. The Duke de Chatre had an
audience of his Royal Highness, resigned his mission from
Louis XVIII. to the British court, and took his formal
leave. lie leaves London on his return to Fru►ce, on
Wedaesilay. The Marquis de Osmond, the successor to
the Duke de Chatre, was afterwards introduced to the
Regent by Lord Castlereagh ; as were also Baron Just, the
Saxon Minister, and Count Berolbingen, the Wertemberg
Ministers. Their Excelenries had private audiences, de-
livered their credentials, and were most graciously re-
ceived.

The Prince Castlecicala, the Minister for the Two
Sicilies, had 4111 audience in the Royal Closet ; and in the
name and in the behalf of his royal master the King, in-
vested the Regent with the principal Sicilian Order.
Sir Charles Tyler was invested with the insignia of a
Knight CouPmander of the Order of the Bath. Colonel
Sir Robert Barclay and Captain Sir Miehiel Seymour were
introduced in like manner by Sir G. hauler, and similar
honours were conferred upon them by the Regent.
Postponements of Royal Marriages arc not at all out of
the common course of things, nor can they excite wonder
with any, who consider in how many departments pre-
parations are to be made, and how many forms are to be
gone through. The Prince of Orange, previous to his
marriage with the Princess Mary, daughter of George IL
past..d more than four months in England.
It is reported, that Crown Prisoners will be liberated,
in honour of the marriage of the Princess Charlotte and
Prince Leopold of Cobourg.

The Marquis of Hertford's rental, upon his Irish estates
has fallen off no less than twenty-five thousand pounds in
the receipts of tile preceding year.
A French officer, subpcenaed on trial at Rennes was dis-
covered to have an eagle on the button of his coat—for
this offence he was immediately tried, and sentenced to
three months imprisonment, and the forfeiture of half his
half-pay for Live years!!!
Letters front Cadiz mention the apprehension of great
mercantile failures in that city. Sonic houses are known
to have already failed. Madrid, 1w the last accounts, is
perfectly tranquil. The affair of the conspiracy is no
longer talked of; mercantile distresses absorb every other
consideration for the present.
A late decision of the Pope relative to the furm of pro-
ceedings in the Inquisition, has forbiddentheapplication of
the tenure to the accused. This decision has been officially
communicated to the Court of Spain, as a hint to follow
the example.
By a Jamaica Mail we learn from St. Thomas's, that
a vessel from Baltimore had brought an account of an
American squadron, of two 74's, and other ships, prepar-
ing to sail tar St. Domingo, to blockade Christophe, the
King of Hayti, for having hanged some American seamen
at the Cape.
The following explanation of the dispute between the
French Ministers and the majority in the House of De-
puties hasbeen given. The King on his last arrivalwith the
Allies, promised amendment of the errors of his Govern-
ment: and by way of a popular concession, M. de Taney-
rand suggested the Ordonnanees of the 13th and 21st of
July, enacting that 14 articles of the Charter should be
subjected to the revision of the legislature. By virtue of
these Ordonnances, the House of Deputies lately under-
took the revision of that Article, among the 11., which
relates to the renewal of the Representative Body ; and
they passed a resolution for its entire and simultaneous
renewal at the expiration of the fifth year. This resolu-
tion was sent up to the House of Peers, and rejected.
Upon this rejection, the majority, alarmed at hints of
diisolntion, caused M. de Villele to make his motion upon
the perilous stale of the nation; which motion was after-
wards withdrawn, in consequence of M. de Vaublanc's
coming down to the House the next day with an Ordon-
fiance of the King, enacting that the Ordematnees of the
13th and 21st of July were maintained in their.disposi-
thins relating to the present composition of the Electoral
Colleges. This Ordonnancr, by its silence on the• other
enactments of those two former ones, abrogates them all;
the faculty of revising the 14 Articles of the Charter is
thus withdrawn from the Legislature, and all things arc
restored upon their original tinting established by the
Charter; that is, the House is renewed by one fifth of its
Mcinbets yearly going out of it.

EPIGRAM—BV A CURATE.
For the Rector in vain thro' the parish you'll search,
But the Curate you'll Boil v ING HARD by the Church.

A NEW INSTITUTION SUGGESTED.
" Fire hundred and vreniy-f lir" Maidens fair,
To wait on the Princess their wishes declare:—
Say, chat other Court throughout Europe can boat
Ot'%iigins so noble and nuarons a host?
If, all in a hotly, they could wait upon her,
No deubt they'll be sty I'd the Fair " I (rim of honour I"

DRAMATIC REGISTER.
DRURY-LA N E.
Wednesday night the performance of Love in a Vil-
lage, was followed by a new romantic Operatic Ballet
Spectacle, founded on the recent discovery of a numerous
' colony, formed by, and descending from, the mutineers
of the Bounty frigate called Pitcairn's Island. The story
is simple in the extreme, and contained in what we have
already stated. It is in fact, intended only as a vehicle
for the introduction of the dances, music, and scenery; the
former of which are got up wider the direction of Mr.
Byrne, and are as splendid as any thing of the kind which
we have yet witnessed on the English Stage. A Mon.
sieur Dupree made his first appearance on this occa-
sion: his dancing displayed considerable science, and
was deservedly applauded. The performance of Mr.
Oscar Byrne and Miss Smith, however, exhibited a spe-
cimen of the art which would not have disgraced the
boards of the Italian Opera. The scenery is beautiful,
and the music, which is the composition and compilatinn
of Corti, is pretty. The dialogue is, we understand, the
offspring of the prolific pen of Mr. T. Dibdin, and is ap-
propriate. The last scene is beautiful in the extreme :
and the announcement of the Piece for repetition was re-
ceived with approbation by every part of the house.
Miss Munn ty played Angela, in The Castle Spectre,
here on the same evening. We have already given an
opinion of the general merits of this lady, in which the
performance that we now notice does not suggest any ma-
terial correction. She played the character respixtably, and
is, we think, an improving actress; she has, however.
yet to learn to tread the boards with ease and elegance.
Mr. RAE'S Osmolul was much applauded.

COVENT-GARDEN.
Monday night, Mr. COBHAM, welt known at the Minor
Theatres, and in several provincial towns, where he
has for some time past been performing with consider-
able success, made his first appearance at this Theatre in
the character of Richard. The attempt was by no
means a successful one ; not that the performance was
entirely devoid of merit, but its defects very far indeed
outweighed its beauties. Mr. COBHAM posts-melt a good
stage face and figure, his voice is also powerful ; but in
general he seemed entirely to have misconceived the cha-
racter he had undertaken to support. Instead of the
deep, dissimulating, political, and aspiring Duke if (Mis-
ter drawn by our immortal Poet, we were presented
with the picture of a ferocious villain, and bare-laced
murderous ruffian; and in the place of kingly dignity,
we were in general amused with starts, and attitudes of
Melo-drama and Pantomime, The curtain ultimately
dropped amidst a mixture of applause and disapproba-
tion. It is impossible that this actor, in- his present
condition, can succeed with a respectable London audi-
ence ; but he is not destitute of talent, and therefore
not hopeless of improvement.
Among the novelties of this Theatre, on Tuesday even-
ing, the first in point of importance was the debut of a
Mr. HMV, in the character of Sir Pertinas Mae Syco-
phant. His entree was very warmly greeted; but indi-
cations of party feeling scented to embarrass hint in his
progress, until, in the fourth act, the tumult became so
violent as to excite the indignation of the better judging
portion of the audience, who, with one accord rose,
waved their hats, and uttered shouts of encouragement
for hint to proceed. The order restored by this interpo-
sition enabled us to hear distinctly, and to discover the
' most encouraging indications of the debutant's powers.
His performance was certainly cold and stiff; but a little
more discipline may warm him into considerable excel-
lence. lie retired amid loud demonstrations of ap-
plause.
A new melo-dramatic Arabian Romance, called Who
Wants a Wife? or, The Law of Ike Land, created
laughter, and charmed the eye, without leaving any de-
cided impression on the mind. The humour of it turns
on a sort of nondescript Cockney, from Beatbinder-lane
(Les roe), who, on his voyage to Bombay, has been ship-
wrecked on some part of the Arabian coast It seems,
a stranger had once saved the life of the Ruler over that
part of the country where the Cockney finds himself;
who, in gratitude, had proclaimed u law, that on every
anniversary of that day, whatever stranger might chance
to be in the kingdom should have the privilege of claim-
ing, as a bride, the first of the train of females resorting
to pay their court on the occasion, at the palace. who
might chance to be unmarried. The Cockney avails
himself of the privilege, and his good luck gives him a
Princess, who, Mier putting his fidelity to vanous
at length decides in his favour. Though the plot is
flimsy anti extravagant, yet, by the aid of scenery most
gorgeously magnificent, and the dresses and dancing,
worthy ()fa better vehicle, it was received well, and will
probably be many times repeated to good houses. Mr.
PococK is said to be the author of it.—The music, by
litstior, was excellent.

The Tragedy forthcoming at Drury Lane Theatre, on Mr.
Kea* return tsrom Scotland, is, we understand from the pen
of Mr. Mathurin, an Irish Gentleman, the author of a Novel,
The Family of Montorio, and a friend of Mr. Mnlier Scutt, to
whom he has dedicated it in the following few butt emphatic
words—" To Walter Scott, the .Reetsman—the only friend of the
Irish Author."--Mr. Bartley, of Drury-lane Theatre, has re-
linquished his engagement at that 'theatre, to he Stage M.ina•
ger to Mr. Arnold.—Fawcett is reported to have resigned the
management of Covent-garden Theatre to Farley.—Mr. Ray-
mond is about the porchuse,-it is said, of Vanikliall Gai dom.