The National Register.
London, England, 1814-02-06 00:00:00

Tiqr, NATIONAL lIEGISTER..

-
- •

Lord Castiereaeh arrived at Basle on the 171 h ult. and it
is supposed Cauliacourt haS reached that place also.
Accounts have been received of the arrival of the Duke
de Berri at Jersey. It is said he is conducted by Chiefs, who
in the former wins of La Vendee, exhibited the most enter-
prising and desperate valour, and who have confidently en-
gaged, that 40,000 men will be in arms as soon as the Duke
appears on his native soil.
An invitation was, it is reported, sent some time since, to
Brazil, by the Provisional Authorites in Spain, for the Infanta
Carlota, consort of the Prince Regent of Portugal, and sister
of Ferdinand VII. to return and hold the reins of govern-
ment during- the detention of the male branches of the
family in their present captivity in France.
The following further particulars have been published re-
specting the treaty s ;id to have been concluded between
Ferdinand .V 11. and Napoleon, on the reality of which, se-
veral of the daily prints iosit. Nothing official has, how-
ever, vet appeared on the subject. it is maintained that a
Duke of San Cantos, a Spanish tic bleman who has been im-
mured with Ferdinand, w.ts the person deputed to convey
the treaty to the Regency at Madrid. lle arrived at that
city on the 4th ult. with a letter from Ferdinand the Seventh,
dated from his prison at Valency. in which, after announcing
ins own good health, and that of his uncle and brother, he
expressed the satisfaction which he felt with the sacrifices
of the nation for his person, and its exertions in his behalf.
fie is farther made to praise the persevering spirit of the
English, and the admirable conduct of Lord Wellineton,
together with that of the Spanish Generals and the Allies..
After this preamble, Ferdinand is directed to sav, that he
has been spaqtaneeuily invitcd by the Emperor Napoleon,
through the Imperial Ambassador, Count Laforet, to con-
e:tide a treaty of peace with France, the basis of which shall
be, the liberation of the captive Monarch's person, and the I
ieteaa it v•of his dominioes, without any clause derogatory to
the independence, booour, or interests of Spain. For this
purpose, the Duke of San Carlos was authorised to treat with
Laforet, and a treaty of peace had been formed, which was
now transmitted to the Urgency for their ratification. The
course adopted by this body has been prompt and decisive;
they declared without a moment's discussion of the treaty,
in conformity with a Decree of the Cot tes of Jan. 1, 18 11,
as well as with the existing obligations to (teat Britain, that
they can entretain no proposition for negotiating with Buo-
naparte for the suspension of arms, or for any corn position or
compromise whatsoever, so long as their King is a prisoner,
or except its coejouction with their Allies. To this effect
the Regency are said to have. teturned a letter, by the Duke
of San Carlos to King Fel &nand, inelosing the above Decree:
and further explaining to his Majesty the impossibility of
ratifying such a treaty, which (being the work of Buonaparte
tingly) was null and void in all its parts. The Regency
thought it their duty, in full coatideneu of the rectitude of
their principles, to make a statement to the Allies of the
whole traosaction ; and such a communication was expected
to be t Fairs:nit ted to the British Government by its Minister,
Sir 11. Wellesley.--They farther intimated their natural con-
v;ction, that this nye! wry, so contral v to all the preceding
declara•ions of Buonararte, had been imposed upoa him
only by the net e-sity of his aft'airs, in which they saw an ad-
C116011;11 1.C.15011, and felt a new stimulus for devoting them-
selves to the support, of the war; hoping also that Great
Britaio would be animated by a similar conviction of the
necessity of continuing her exertions till the tyrant wile) go-
%erns France should be no longer capable of disturbing Eu-
rope, which had been so many years the victim of his ambi-
tion. The treaty is said to be dated Valance, Dec, 11, 1813,

FEB. G.

and comprised in 15 ariieles. Some of them. as to the in-
dependence of Spain, and the restitution of Ferdinand, are
of the tenour before specified. The phiccs occupied by the
Fiends are to be restored in their present state. Ferdinand -
engages to maintain the integrity of Spain in all her pos-
sessions, particularly in those of Pot t Mahon and Ceuta. A
military convention is to be concluded, whereby the English
and French troops are to evacuate the Peninsula at the same
time. Buonaparte and Ferdinand agree to in tintain the ma-
ritime rights of Europe. such as they aro said to have b
settled by the !teats' of Utrecht, ..nd to have existed in 17
All the Spaniards attached to .la=epli, are to be restored to
their country, which they have go well and faithfully served'
The gartison of Pampluna, together with the prisoners at
Cadiz, Corunna, Are. placed in the hands of the Etrzlih, to.
"be restored. Ferdinand to pay his father and moth r lin v
millions of rials annually, and, at the death of the father,
two millions of francs to he continued to the mother.. A
treats' of commerce between France and Spain, similar to
that which existed before 1792, to be concluded.

Dutch Papets received to the 26th, communiclte the fol-
lowing intelligence: Wittenburg on the rll .....)e was taken hv
assault on the Ioh. Dantzick was entercd on the ‘.:).d by
Duke 'Alexander of Wurtemberg, who caused Te Orion to
be sung on the occasion in the Cathedral. On the isth,
there was a sally trom Ilamburg, but the French were beaten
back with loss, and several houses weie burnt.
Wednesday, a mail arrived flow Heligoland, but it
brought nothing of importance, the intercourse with the Con-
tinent having been suspended in consequence of the ice. A
subscription had been made for the unfortunate inhabitants
exiled from Hamburg') by Davonst, and upwards of worth
had been contributed in one day, in that small island.
. It is reported that, in the last sitting of the French senate,
one of the Senators made a mot ion, which gave great di-,--
pleasure to Buonaparte, but which met the concur, epee of
the greater part of the Senate. On•lthe next day, when the
Senators repaired to their usual place of Meeting, they
found the doors closed, and their entrance barred by parties
of cavalry. It is further rumoured, that forty of them wet c
arrested.
The Parliament of Upper Canada have voted an Address
to the Prince Regent, prayiug for authority to make grant of
lands in that province to the relatives of the late General
' Brock, who fell so nobly in it; defence against the unprn-
cipled invasion of the :Americans.—llis Royal Highness has
acceded to the request.
A Meeting was held on Tuesday, at the City of London
I Tavern, Bishopsgate• street, to take into consideration the
best means of relieving the staei ipgs and disties-es of the
inhabitants of Danuic, when it was resolved to commence
a subscripticn for that truly benevolent purrose.
Upwards of 3600 of the burnt-down houses have been
rebuilt at Moscow. At present the number of houses in the
city is about 7500, and of inhabitants 200,000 ; and such is
the activity displayed in rebuilding the city, that in a. few
I years there will remain but few traces of the desolations cont.
initted by the modern Attila.
(1 eel. Tosv.—On Saturday ni?ht, at Brackley, a cormo-
rant in the shape of a human being, undertook for the
trifling wager of a gnat t of hzer, to cat two pounds and- a half
of fried bacon, without bread or vegetables, in twelve mi-
nutes, which he easily performed, and afterwards drank the
fat. Not hieing perfectly satisfied with his delicious 'noise!,
' he smoked a pipe and drank a quart of beer, and then took
1
another relis/i of bacon, weighing some pound and three
quarters. .

Iliniimi,

rEq.

CR pulpit.

No. 11.

Here hurst,
Ineffably benign, Redemption's ray.:,
Whilst, in a mute amaze, ardiangels hail
infinitude of mediatorial love!
Here should thy glowing oratory charm,
With an tinwont«l histie; as it meets
The meekness of the Chri‘tian, his calm eye
Wet %‘ WI the tear of gratitude.

POLWII E Lk.

REV. J. W. CUNNINGHAM, A.M.

VICAR OF HARROW-ON-THE-HILL.

" IF the history of the opinions and the modes of
preaching in this country be examined," remarks Dr. Valpy;
4. all unduLoion will he observed—sometimes rising to the
giddy flights of enthusiasm, and sometimes sinking to the
mere enforcement of moral obligations. At some periods,
the Son of God was the only object of faith and adoration ;
in the sermons of .other tittles, the name of Jesus is scarcely
mentioned. It seems that, at present, we are rising fiorn
the latter extreme: many of the Clergy, rarticularly of the
younger part, have adopted a more scriptural illustration of
the subjects of their discourses, and a nearer approximation
to the unsophisticated doctrine of Salvation by Faith."

Christians indeed, it might have been concluded, whe-
ther as preachers or hearers, could have entertained but
one persuasion with regard to the vitally-important doctrine.
of salvati;)n by faith ; and yet, as this divine tells us, there has
been au undulation, upon this great point, in which the priest-
hood have sometimes been found fearfully sinking into the
mere enforcement of moral obligations. Where are we at this

time? Pc►sons who shall accurately examine the present
sta.e of rel►gious opinions and modes of preaching, will,
perhap,, feel inclined to suspect the reality of thr faith of
too many who now confidently profess their acceptance of
the gospel. There seems great cry, with but little wool.
Volumes arc written in support of what are termed the
doctrines of grace, and
,pulpits resound with the inculca-
tion of faith : but the be!iever who should really contend
for the unsophisticated principle of f►itl►,--Iscrting, while
ire reproves those of little faith, the posstbiiity of personally
apprbmiating the faith that could remove mountains,— such
a believer as this, it is pretty plain, would either be decried
for his temerity, or pitied for his insanity ! Faith is not the
alpha and omega of our good nee►►. Rejoicing in faith, hay-
log no confidence in the flesh, living as strangers and pil-
...
ims here below, hoping against hope, seeking a better
country, and fighting the tight of faith, are charactetistics
which by no means distinguish the religionists of this ge-
nerwion,

The Rev. Jo N ILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, A. M. is, how-
ever, to be yanked with t hose of the national clergy who " have

adopt. 'd a more scriptural illustration of the subjects of their
cliscouu-es, 4,,!1d a nearer approximation to the onsophOi-
fated doctrine of Salvation by Faith." ills ft lends do not
claim tor him an higher meed.--," Is it fair," demands the
Chtis Obwiver,•frankly enumerating its worthies, " tq
make such men as Mr. Scott, or Mr. Basil Woodd, or Mr.
Cunningham, or Mr. CoopQr, responsible fur all that Dr
Crisp, or Mr. Whitfield, or Mr. Wesley, or Dr. Hawker,
may have said or wt itten ?" Now, although it is somewhat
protKrbie, to say the least, that " 611C11 (Melt" as Crisp and

THE NATIONAL R- LISTER.

91

Whitfield and Hawker, however estimated amongst man-
kind, be found in " the goodly fellowship of the Apos-
tles," still the present writer is not so perverse as to insist
on. placing the subject of this sketch in association with th s.
rejected divines of latter times. Let each man he persuaded
in his own mind. The onus lies clearly ‘rith the friends of
the Rev.Mr Cunningham, therefore, should lie happen to
think his divinity thus rated, as it were, below its proper
worth.

Notwithstanding this line of separation, tlais middle
wall of partition,' betwixt ancient and modern divines, it
must not be lamed, concerning the Rev. Mr. Cunning-
ham, that he himself does in fact halt between two opi-
nions;' since he seems, although somewhat moderated, to
be attached to those sentiments which aie commonly under-
stood to harmonise with the articles of the establishment.
His sermons arc, On the whole, composed with reference -to
the pith of those articles; though not without such cautions
and limitations, in the application of them, as ma secure the
preacher from the imputation of having promulged any thing
unadvisedly or in hate. Preaching of this statnp may be
consistoot in its diameter, and equally safe for the reputation
of those who practice it ; •but it cannot be expected to ope-
rate ou the s!uggisli conscience, to the awakening of them
that sit in darkness and the shadow of death ; and it will
be found wholly unsuited to the irrepressible cravingS of
those who are ' hungering; and thirsting af er righteousness;
—whose appetites are keen, yet whose taste is uncorrupted.
Those who imagine to theMseives the effect of the Rey.
Mr. Cenningham's pulpit labours, from the perusal of his
publl,bed works, are not likely to form the most correct
estimate of his ministerial work. The style of his sermons
is, indeed, both correct and polished, • but they are not ad-
vantaged by the graces of delivery, or the charms of voice.
He has no inflexion of times; scarcely any emphasis ; and
his action is decent—but not not striking, becoming—but
not impressive. Being tall of stature, he, nevertheless.
cairies with hint an air of authority; while his sedateness
of counteneuce, uniformly accompanied-by a corresponding
deportment, will always nspire serious hearers with feelings
of true respect, tut heneldom rises on the seraph-wing
of animation, though aiiinettion, in the pulpit„ is every
thing.
Respectable as the general
.features of Mr. Cunningliarnts
general clerical character still unquestionably are, it is the
more mital kable to perceive him at all negligent of what
are considered the minutix of eloquence. We hear him
perpetually sayin " however, instead of vas nog ;
and in the Lord's Prayer, which otherwise he delivers with
tolerable grace, he protrounces vhich art in Ileav'n," and
on which peculiar. emphasis shou!d be laid, as thotigh it
were to be sounded whwhott, and as if it were, in shoat a
• mere parenthesis in that devotional formula of sound words.
Having seen them pointed out, there can be no doubt but
that the present preacher wiil speedily endeavour to remedy
such deficiencies.

Mr. Cunningham is from St. John's College, 'Oxford; and
has been for some time Vicar of liarrow-on-the-Hill, where
his professional influence seems already to have reformed the
sabbali conduct of the :schoiars in that village. who at fit st
formed the least hopeful class of his Hock. lie is the author
of an interesting little work, entitled, " Wo;ld without
Souls :" also of 44 Observations designed as a Peply to t.
Thoughts of DE, Maltby, on the Dangers of Cliculatjng
Whole of the,;Scriptures among the Lower Oiders.," .and
publiblied a Sermon before the Homily !'•ociety.
ONESI:AUS.

THE NATIONA

IMAMA rIC REGISTER.

COVENT•GARDEN.

- - -
A new Opera, called The Farincr's Wire, Ara% ptoOtit•ed
litesday night at this Theatre. A single pen (Mr. C.
DinDlN's' furnished its plot and dialogue, whilst the abilities
a no less that s:: composers were called forth to (rive it me•
lofty.. This would have been sufficient to ter, ifs a less enter-
prisiog writer., for who wenild venture single-handed to con-
tend in favour r f sense, against a host of professors of sound
Fortunately. boss ever, Mr. C. I)innit4 was not intimid:ited,
anti II Pugh he did not infuse ranch oiiginality or. deep in-
terest into pie( e, )et be formed a I i p.eas.ng whole, tiasullied
Ly any offensive pun, anti well stored with good sentiments
which prey, tiled its degenerating into a mete vehicle for
music, and reinleied the latter, as it ought to be rea-
sonable nudienc( s are expeeed, a subordinate thougli highl
gratifying (lualification. The pkt Is not Complicated. Sir
Chnries Courtly, x fashionable iihettine (JuNEs) has met
with an accident in the neighbourhood of 11:riner Cor,fluzver'A
AWCV iT house, and been received under its root by his
Avit' M igs ST iPH ENs) dui ing the absence of her husband,
who is gone to town to prosecute a suit for the recovery of
an estate. The beauty of his hostess so far prevails over the
unprincipled Baronet, as to make him attempt to reward her
hospitality by .SC(11104)11. Ile is, hnwevcr. chnclit d ths..
course of his attentions and flattery by the arrival hkr,
husband-who has succeeded in hi; law-suit, and gives atu- •
ral festival to celehrate his tiiemph. Compelled to alter his
plan, Sir Choy/us has recomse to stratagem and force, and,
whilst Coevkl:cr is gone to purchase a present for his wife
on her bitth-day, cart les off th,.. lady in such a manner,
as to induct. a heiit f that site has voluntarily eloped. On•his
return with the pie-cut intended f,.t his wife, Cbrnfruer re-
ceives this intelligence from Williams, the (mate, (CHAP-
MAN) and a sc env et:sues INLic!,,strilogly recalls to the mind
the pathetic pas,ages of John Bki'l apd rich and Poo-.
Corrji.,w( ,t 1,4 out in pm suit
.with Robin, (1.7.1ERY) a coun-
Shil/ie, (St Afsv.iti his bailiff, and after over-
taking Cuntl/./.,'N cftvart ( Tos) on the road, finds his
way to Courtly flail, shore the innoceuee of Mrs. Corn-
/I:n:1r is clearly proved with the assistance of the Baronet
bitwelf, who s.addenly repentl. his conduct and resumes just
I:(,:nourable :.etriments. There is a kiiid of underplot,
which cons;sts of the love of Courdn's sister (Miss
M T E ; and Arm Coofiraw's brother, Captain Belton,
(511.11. Aiji,), which tnigh' he left eta( without ac"rillieHt to
the iate:est of the piece, did not such an omission rob it
of some of i:s sweetest. mettdies. The parts of Barnard
(INCLEDONJ and Dr. Poth(r„ the village Apothecary (MAT-
. ttnrws) are also mere orentaental appendages, of no use
NyllateVer in the progress or unfolding of the plot, but ren-
eleted pleasing by the excellence of their representatives.
Yet, with all its exc'escencek, this Opera is not wanting in
interest : the style is more correct and elevated than we
should have erpveted nom the pen of Mr. IL N ;
the
delitiration of modern inditfetence to morality and of fa-
shionable seduction, is well contrasted with the manly vir-
tue, quick sensibikity, and Loire affection of the honest and
unsophisticated farm( r, and there is much blunt nature in
the rustic character of Rub ;/, which lobes nothing of its
fore in the hands Em r nY. The part of Mrs. Cornflower,
itveesting in itself, is rendered still more so by the manner
in whi h it is performed by Miss STEPHENS. To
superi, r 'ante at'd vocal abilities this young lady
:Hos a cle.ir discrimination, a just and impressive delive-
ry, and a degree of nairct which throws an inexpressible

Ti REGISTER.

FEB. O.

charm over all her acting. Even Were it possible f..r her vocal
powers to she would cotoinue to delit2hr the Fithiic to
parts where artless feeling and delicacy of expression are re-
‘!uired. In an her song.: she display ed au union of Aill and no-
tut a! melody which drew down the most rapt urous applause
repeated encores; Her Polacca and -Bravura were particularly
beimtirul. SINCLAIR sang some pretty airs with ;teat eae
cud s%eetlitss. Ile wis encored in that of Love has Eves,"
which is, indeed, one of tie most p4a, in;; melodies contained
in this opera Miss MATTilliws did justice to her part,
though scarcely recovet ed from her late it I nest ; and I L
DON, M T T F W 5, and I..TsToNt 'coder, d their characters
impottant srite of the non-entity :o which the Author
seemed to have condemned them.
Variety rot ins the chief (+a; actei istie of the music of this
Opera. The number of composers entrloed cusuird it :hat
qualitielition; whilst it deprived it of that marked unity of
ctyle, which, in every at t, is &crowd 73 perfection. There
is much elegance and pleasing, o'tav throughout, hat
the most socecssful songs a: e those of Mes•rs r Ls"':end
B;snoP. These gentlemen have not been p,uil.y of imita-
tion, and in their search after novelty have not wandered at
of the path of tree lastc. tc;:cioit,n with :;Mich The
l'oribrr's Wire ‘‘.:-e, honow-ed, mgrs have hcet; in t 4.::tif• log
to the author as well a., the e,.mi...sers, v.h: sc .e,:ut.ition
not likely to sutler 110111 the appearance of successful a
troduction.

on :\tonti.uv nt,r. per‘onated Gloster, in
Mchard the THr,l. But ‘vIR-ther the remembrance of
Coot( E, in a character which he had made paiticularly his
own, too forcibly intruded epou our memory, or Mr K EM-
BT. it's qualifications were not exaetly ;,!iited to the pat t, his
performance, thow,b it tlisp:ayed occ.e.ional CNCellence, yet
failed on tie whole in point of effect. t:ad the deliberate
malignity and cold hypocrisy the usto per, but his subse-
quent foe and inivetuosity were but faintly given.
On F idaV Bight i'4ll AKt it's Tragedy of .11ClifIC Ca!Sar
was revived, and a richer ti eat wa3 never °tic-led to the ad-
mirers of the drama. Mr. Tcrtny had been ennoutv-el
to play Cassius, aid from the specimen this gentleman has
already given of his talents, he no doubt would have done
justice to the part. In the evening-, however, the public
were a.,:,,ree:bly surprised to foul th it their (al/multi" Vot:sc;
had returned from Manchester, to resume the character
ter whin] stamped his Canto two years ago as a pet former of
the very tirst eminence. Ale. K M tn.!. in Brutus, and CoN-
tti Vin Alarl, Antrum, . whiist the subordinate pat is wet e
I.ustained by such men as I'A WCt:Tr, ABBOTT, and EGER-
TON, Coined a collection of histrionic genius and abditie,,
which perhaps no other theatre iu the wfmd could surpass.,
The effect was fully commensurate with the cause, and it
would be dill-1(1dt to decide whether more excellence was
displayed on O'e stage, •than delight experienced by the au-
ditor( c. Lath of ti.e Once heroes of the night was greeted
wilt repeated bor,ts of approbation, and emulalon and suc-
cess created and cnereated each other. We have no !omit
for furtlo.r ‘'e•:lds in this parr, but, as the same play will
he repea.erl oext week, we hope we shall be able to take a
more partieular view 0f a performance which_ does the
greatest credit to the British stage.

llMimi