The National Register.
London, England, 1809-12-03 00:00:00

VIE NATIONAL itEdISTFR,

770

avowing an error, it boldly adheres to its first sentiments;
and was, predetermined to blame; whether the object was
right or wrong. The *titer, it must be confessed,

displayed a great deal of. bfirlosque pathos, and affected
to have shed a torrent of tears---it was so distressed,
poor, tender-hearted thing, at the disclosure of the
circumstances, which inthbeticed Mr. CANNING'S con-

duct. With ail this parade of sensibility, his mode of attack
was jesuitical in the extreme; and if he did net display the
antplieity be charges Mr: Cmonirto•with, he was not' defi-
cient in the. intahliou4nettiaiut corruptness of heart he alludes
to on the same occasion. His mode of criminating, Mr.
irmixo,and the reasons he afterwards puts into the mouth
of Lord CAMDEN:, to jelltify his Lordship's concealment,
and prove the simplicity of the former, would do honour
to the most distinguished disciple of Loyola. What ! does
this man dare advance, that the most unbounded delicacy,
a reluctance to credit the duplicity of others, an anxiety
tb give pain, a certain yieldiUgness, even simplicity of
heart, may ndt be united in the same individual, with the
most brilliant talents, extensive knowledge of men, and an
invincible pertinacity in the-pursuit and execution of a useful

naeasure. He does not seem to comprehend the alliance of
these apparent extremes, iu characters of the greatest, when
they are, at the same time, gond men. This writer has a
curious method of judging : he looks into his own heart,

and draws from that source his conclusions in favour of
unalloyed +depravity. We will tell him what he seems un-
sible to comprehend, That this very union of the most
tender and delicate qualities, with the greatest expansion
of mind and integrity r f principles, strongly marked the
otharacter of one of the greatest men that modern Europe
produced—the great Marshal TVRENNE.
In one thing, however, we coincide with this writer,that
we sincerely regret that Mr. CANNING did net display more
of the fortiter than of the suaviler, in enforcing the re-
moval of Lord CASTLEREAGH ; and we deplore, with great-
er sincerity, the circumstance of his having ever acted
with his late colleag-ucs. He was the sole support of that
crazy, despicable Junto; and well, and with flagrant con-
sistency, have they rewarded him for the existence and
currency he gave them.

That Mr. CANNNLNG has been completely duped, we can-
not deny ; and we find some difficulty in•reconciling, with
his acknowledged penetration the confidence he has unfor-
tunately reposed in his late colleagues. Men hacknied in
intrigue, and bankrupts in reputation. But, upon a little
reflection, we find it leps unaccountable ; for persons of a
generous, upwright, and ardent temper are most liable to
iinposition ; and, without the least detraction on the score
Qt intellectual merit, may be easily overreached by beings
of very limitted, but very invidious minds. This is, no
doubt, the true state of the case, and -a more than satisfac-
tory solution of the difficulties which offer, upon a slight
view, of the several circumstances. Mr. CANNING has raised
himself solely by the force of merit. Talents, like .his,
seldom run into the obliquity, or stoop to the baseness, which
too often insure success to candidates for political emolument.

His impetuous spirit spurned at such means : and this the
,ila3sa seems.ot►able, or unwilling to comprehend. Does this

DEC. S.

snit/Understanding arise from principle, or passion I if it ori-
ginates in the former, bow despicable must the individual be,
who traces all human actions to base and insidious motives ;
and if it arise from prejudice, bow deplorable is it, that

the character of men and things should depend upon the
humour of a capricious or irritated partizan. It is easy
to trace the violence of the writer to the rancour of poli-
tical opposition, or to perversion of moral feeling ; but
the rage of party hostility, and the venom of moral de•
pravity, though they may affect for a time, can make no
permanent bad impression upon a character, which com-
biaes genius with integrity. Mr. CANNING, through the
means resorted to by his adversaries, may be misunder-
stood, and even suspected : but we form a very erroneous
opinion of the judgment and equity of a British Public,.
if they will remain long a party oa the side of intrigue
and envy, against merit and innocence. Let us examine
Mr. CANNING'S conduct since his first entrance into public
life. Let us observe Lim in the character of husband,
friend, and subject. Let us analyse his speeches ; peruse-
his writings, and examine his public acts, and do we find
a single trait to justify the malice and imputations of his
opponents? Not one! But if a s;tnilar analysis were to be
made of the latter ; their actions, and their speeches,
what a decompositiooof folly, meanness, intrigue, and pro.
fligacy should we discover ! It is impossible to deny, that
Mr. CANNING is not the momentary yid:J:l of this cabal,.
and of his own independence, delicacy, and candour. Bu t
the persecution he is now exposed to, cannot fail to excite
in has favour, the well known sympathy of a British public.

The following Circular Letter has been sent to the Mein.
hers of the House of Commons supL;osed to be in the in.
tersst of Ministers :

_______
Downing-street, gov. 28.
" Sta.—The meeting of Parliament having been fixed for
Thursday, the 23d of January, and the present situation of aN
fairs rendering a full attendance desirable, I take the liberty of
earnestly requesting your presence on that day.
" I (rust you will excuse my expressinga wish that you would.
let me know whether it will be consistent with your convenience .
to attend at the opening of the Session.
6 I have' tilt honour to be, Sir,
• " Your most faithful and obedient Servant,

" SPENCER P,ERCEVAL,"

In observing upon the above letter, we must take the,
liberty of saying, that we can easily excuse Mr. Perceval's,
expressing a great many " wishes," and feeling a great
deal of anxiety respecting the number of Members who'
may be disposed to afford him their support at the com-
mencement of the Session. The conclusion of the epistle
is a very singular one ; but so are the circumstances under,
which the present Administration„ if it may yet be called
one, is to meet Parliament. _ _

Letters from Walchereu speak of nothing. else but the
approacliing evacuation of that Island. Tie following is
an extract of a letiCe, dated—

" MIDDLEBURGH, Nov. 17.—" I hale been informed from*
persons coming from the opposite coast that the French troops
have been accumulating in Smith Lieveland since the 20th,,
and are now in very considerable force at Tergoes. It is reported
here that General Don has sent a message to the Commander-of
the French on the opposite side, informing him that he intendr
to evacuate the island; at the same time acquainting him, that
if any attempt is made-to oppose the embarkation of the troops;
he will open the sluices and inundate the whole island, which he
has the means of accomplishing in the small space of an hoar.
The answer of the French General has not as yet arrived
nor have the fear Magistnites'retarhetl-who waited upoti Gen..,
Don."

••••wiiiMM