The National Register.
London, England, 1808-07-10 00:00:00

- THE_NATIONAL REGISTER.

experienced we liaie been highly amused by the whole of
the transaction. Who indeed could contemplate without
s smile, the disinterested opposition c f parties holding large
Reversions themselves—the calm 'upport of certain of the
Ministers—the dignified interference of the Princes of the
Blood—the amiable pliability of Mr. banks—and last, mil
[bast, an unanimous Address from the Common Council-
men of London.

, We have lately entered so elaborately into the subject of
Catholic Emancipation, that nothing remains for us here,
but to notice the unusual circumstances which attended the
Debate in the Douse of Commons. Never was a question,
as to argument, carried more triumphantly. The total
absence of all force in the replies of Administration, would
countenance the idea of their division on this subject, did
.not the pertinacity with which they have carried several
miner. punts against the Catholics, too clearly show the
absence of any friend to their cause in the Cabiuet. We
allude to the curtailment of the Maynooth grant, the ap-
pointment of Dr. Dujgenan to the Privy Council, the pa-
tronage of (iffard, lice. As no pica of necessity could be
urged fur this conduct, we presume the Anti-Catholic part
of the Administration meet with little opposition from the
wel!-bred indfference of their Colleagues. In the House
of Lords the minority in favour of the Catholic Claims were
very respectable, both in number and weight. The speech
of one :if Bishop of Norwich) pranced a con-
siderab:e sensation.

The. Carnatic and other Questions, relative to the con-
duct of Lord Wellesley, in India, have at length been got
rid of—and as far as such a disposal of the facts will an-
swer the purpose, his Lordship's character has been finally
whitewashed. Of the policy of this Nobleman's conduct in
India, much doubt may be entertained, hut we cannot sec
the utility of bringing it before the country at this period.
The business has now, however, dropped, whether by its
own weight or the want of talent to support it we do not
deckle. It is a pity the Hon. Baronet who last interested
himself in these enquiries, had not been aware of the ap-
proaehin.r change of Administration, before he called the
attention of tl -1
10iitiC to the subject.
'ln consequence of a statement in the public Papers, that
his Majesty haditen the Duke of York 50,000/. out of the
Droits of the Actinically and Crown, a motion was made by
Sir Francis Burdett for an account of the amount and ap-
propriation of the funds in question. With some modifica-
tions the motion was agreed to. Setting aside the case of
Sir Home Popham, it certainly requires to be considered
how far it is eligible for such enormous forfeitures to be-
come individual property. A Charles 11. in want of mo-
ney, might make terrible use of the privilege of seizing
prizes before: the declaration of war.
The I. if!ancc thisine:s of the :'-essions has been conducted
with to:e7able ability in the way of Loan, and with respect
to 1140..1, if the regulation, or in other words the increase
of the Assessed Taxes and Stamp Duties, do not give gene-
ral setisfactiAnn, we fear few could be substitAted that would
be more successful. The Annuity Plan we consider highly
objectionable.

The measure of stopping the Distillation from Corn to
aid the consumption of West India Prod:tee has been ar-
gued in the house of Commons, with nil the zt•al which a
sense of personal interest can inspire., and probably with
more pertinacity than the point required. 'We deem it
more likely to injure as a case of precedent than of fact.
Under the head of Domestic Regulation we nave to no-
tice Lord Llienborough's Bill for the relief of small Debtors,
and that of Sir Samuel Hominy for a better classification
of crimes and punishments as entitled to considerable
praise. We wish we could say as much of the Indictment
bill.—Our. Readers already know our opinions on that
snbjecl.—The reject:on by the Douse of Lords of the Sti
peadiary Curates' Bill in its garbled state cannot be deemed
of such consequence.
• Vile union of all parties and opinions on the National
Conduct to be adopted towards Spain has given a peculiar

termination to the Sessions, and of course foi
cipal kature of the. Speech which conclui
fervently we hope the Speech destined to of
may have to dwell on the success hich has
united efforts of Spanish patriotism and Briti

REVIEW OF POLITICAL. DECL,

No. XXVII.

COBBETT ON THE AFFAIRS OF

That impartiality, discrimination, and foresigi
sential qualities for a practical Politican, will be allowed by all.
That they are perfectly unnecessary to the sarcess of a political
Journalist is equally evident—multitudes read but few combine.
Indeed, the generality are little solicitous to connect any chino
'of reasoning w hich might lead them to a discovery Of error in
what they do think, or ofcorrectuess in what they do not. One
writer is a favourite, because he defends the Party in potier
`another, because he supports that which has lost it—and a
third is read with the utmost avidity, because he zealoush la-
bours to degrade Public Alen, Measures, and Institutions. To
inculcate an opinion that the most base and sordid motives
equally operate from a Legislative Grant of the greatest
tulle 01,11 to a bonus for the discovery of Vaccination. 11.ers
consistency and connection of much consequence in this king
writing, we should have to lament that it would he difficult fa.
Any author to display more errors in judgment, in an equal
portion of time, than has been exhibited by Mr. cobbett in
one month's speculation on the Affairs of Spain. Verily, A oat-
ever obligations (in common with his couutrymen and mankind
in general) he may in future be under to. that nobly disposed
people, he cannot but he angry at their rising en maw, as it
were, to give him the lie. Scarcely a proposition of his on
Spanish conduct, which has not been contradicted by the next
intelligence, and that so opportunely, that it seemed a part of
the regular process of cause and effect, for the affirmative of Mr.
Cobbett to produce the negative of Spain.
In The Weekly Register of the II th of June, with that happy
dogmatism, so peculiarly his own, he pronounces the Revolu-
tion, dreeted by Bonaparte in that country, to he so com;-.
a matter of course, that few topics for observation could
on the subject. So convinced, indeed, is he of the apt'
indifference of the public mind in Spain, he becomes in(
at the application of the word People to its natives.—
" people of Spain, indeed !" exclaims he in his most air
manner, "There was no such thing as a people in Spain.
" were some millions of people walking about on tiv
" each; but they were in a political point of view n(
" than so many head of cattle. Gregory King's rabbit
" beings of an order rather superior to them. W hat fi
" suppose that such creatures would make a stand in Bete
" their country, &c. &c." This, it must be allowed, is
and admirable decision on the character, sentiments, energi
disposition of a population of nine millions, and is at least
hie as affording a pleasant contrast to the opinion w hide
on an individual. General Murat, it seems, is wise, breve,
soldirr—a combination of qualities and accidents (as loi
would say) which Mr. Cobbett, directed by some internal
peringq, finds in be exactly w hat is reqaired to govern a kit
The inference, worthy Sirs ! Why, that the Spaniard!
such spiritless animals, would be much amended by the G
meta of Murat; and that the transit of that General (k
CoLbett) from a cottage to a Throne, would quadrate ei
with the political fitness of things, and be one of the nu
innate Revolutions in the world for a nation which ha,
misgoverned.—All being in that unhappy predicament,
room for Hope. Courage ! the political Sancho mac y
his island.

!laving greedily imbibed, and bees fully saturated w
delectable doctrines we have detailed, with what surpri,
the admirers of The Weekly Register have read the next
her. Therein they are informed, that the resistance
Spanish Patriots to the wisdom, bravery, and soldier-tit
lities of Napoleon, and his General, not only torts—but
glorious circumstance. If the same assertion with whit
Cobbett contradicts himself, had not been dexterously
include " a tine illustration of the doctrine of Sir Frond!
Jett," a great proportion of his renders 111110 have bren e
to anger. There was also something consolatory in the
►vent, that this people, so resembling " Gregory King.
" bits," did not raise a hand to defend the authority

so completely
Hi could occur Yin
the apathy and
'ernes indignant tl
atives.—' The ti
s most admired al
Spain. There is
it on trt o legs
view no mote yv
's rabbits mere be
W hat folly to te,
id in defence of ran
wed, is a brief
5, energici, and du
at least vain- re.
hick MOWS th
ir, breve, and a tei
k (us logicians co
internal wins- ha
ern a kingdom. to;
laniards being el!
t
jy: the Govern- no
neral (or Mr. du
ad rate entirely ju,
f the most for- an,
Atich has been
icament, what
may yet have
rated with the
t surprise must
he next Num-
istance of the
abi- ter
,as—but was a
ith which Mr.
misty made to Ars
Francis Bur- Ba
e been excited pal
.y in the state- Do
'y King's rah- the
dually of the Ch
An
Vet
•