The National Register.
London, England, 1817-04-14 00:00:00

alto nit t icittr+

OUt• ititta, eOtiiStfttition ant natug.

MONDAY, Al

L 14, 1817.

ed to others the advantages of purchases, of extending
their trade, of increasing their stock, and offered to ad-
vance whatever money might•bc required. This appear-
ed most kind add flatteringin the bankers, who took
as security a general running►mortgage, riding over the

whole effects of the borrower. The banker obtained 5
per cent. en his paper, the attorney his profits on the
law deeds ; the gentry were tempted to speculate in the
purchase of lands, the fernier to double his stock or buy
his farm, the tradesman to extend his business. Specu-
lation increased on all sides. The country banker lodged
the mortgage deeds with his banker in London as se-
curity for the money he might draw, and the London
banker found no difficulty in having his bills discounted
at the Bank of England, the fountain head of the whole
circulation."

Here, then, is the grand cause ; and we had almost
said the only cause, of our present embarrassments. It
is very justly added, that the pressure would have been
gradual and constant if it had arisen from gradual and
constant taxation. But, on the contrary, the pressure
was sudden and excessive, like a storm, like the deso-
lation by a hurricane in the West Indies.
The taxes are less by 17 millions than they were a
few years ago, when very little complaint was made
against them.
We hope, however, our disorder has arrived at the
crisis—nay, we hope the crisis is past, and that returning
convalescence will convince all ranks of people that Eng-
land is not, as some have mischievously predicted, yet
upon the decline.

hunbap ltinudnuctiti.

_maw -
ON DUELLING.

IN our last week's REGISTER but one, we had occa-
sion to notice, with approbation, a volume of ' Dis-
courses on the Apostles' Creed,' by the Rev. Mr. Stec-
yens. We have great pleasure, on the present occasion,
in having to notice another of that gentleman's works,
published prior to the one here referred to. This is
the third edition of " Sermons, on our Duty towards
God, our Neighbour, and Ourselves ; and on other
Subjects."
These Discourses are fraught with the same rational
piety, the same orthodox consistency, the same elegance
of diction, and purity of language, which so eminently
characterize the Discourses on the Creed. We have
room for few extracts ; and shall therefore confine our-
selves to what Mr. Steevens ads on the too prevalent
practice of Duelling ; or, whit is ridiculously enough
called " settling an affair of, honour," or, still inure
ridiculously, " giving an ()Tended person the satisfac-
tion of a gentleman," by blowing out his brains: not
that the brains of duellists, in ninety-nine cases out of
a thousand, are of any very great use to society ; or
that it matters much whether the small portion of that
commodity which usually falls to the lot of such gen-
tlemen arc concealed within their craniums, or arc blown
into the empty atmosphere, with which, were it not
certain that, although small in quantity, they possess
considerable specific gravity, they would speedily eva-
porate, and become as " less than nothing and vanity."
But hear what Mr. Sterver.s advances, in more seri- '
ens moot], on this sinful practice :—.-
"Dueiliug is onr of those evil practices, which it is impos-
!lade to justify upon any ground of deity or precept of reli-
gion. It is iii direct opposition to the law of God, which
says,' Thou shalt not kill." Surely 'says the Lord God, 'at
the hand ofs-very maw's brother with require the life of man.
bout slieddigh Inati'S blood, by man shall his blood be shed.'
It is sin in any way to attempt the life of a fellow-creature;
for the life of man is the gift of God. It is sin unnecessarily
to risk or throw away our own: for tioil, when he gave as
our existence, did not at the same time grant us the liberty
to part With it when we please. It is siu to rush out of the
world with blood-guiltiness on our heads, and unchari-
tableness in our hearts. It is sin, the very aggravation
of slot, to send a brother violently out of lite, and de-
prive him of that spisoe to repent. in which be mil:111, per-
haps, have made satisfaction to find for his utlritee, and have
wetked ow at last the salsa of big

" We are commanded,' to toy, one another, to five place
onto wrath, to enditie patiently, thungh we suttee oronc-
lolly, to foreive the injuries that hakt b-en done us, and as
mock in 114, to live peaceably with all nieti,' When a
nun lifts his hand against a brutlicr's lift, dues tie observe
thou iiiiteeptsl does he AO% his real of God in submittiog
to !.is %ill Most asscreilky aut. Oa the coalsary,

PRICE lAA.

obeys the word of God ; for although he may pi evinnsly dis
avow all malice of heart, and plead in his justification t! at he
yields to an imperious necessity, which his nobler feelines
will not permit hint to reset, set the commission of th.. pro-
hibited act is a proof, that the brotherly love, the self-cnn-
quest, the patient endurance, the forgiving spirit, and the
disposition of charity and peace, which the Gospel enjoins,
have failed to influence his conduct. God in giving us laws,
meant that those laws should be obeyed. It cannot, there-
fore, he right nor safe, under any circumstances, howevee
trying, nor under any provocations, however undeserved, to
violate or disregard them.
" It is tweed, perhaps, that cases are sometimes of so aggra-
vating a nature, and the trials so great and overpowering,
that there is no possible way to avert the evil, but by sub-
mitting to a degradation past all !initial, sufferance. But in
this assertion there is both impiety and error; impiety, be-
cause it contains an inf.rence that ('sod will permit us to be
tempted above that we are able; and error, because it at-
taches degredation to a forbearance which 004 has enjoined,
and which exalts the creature in Ids sight. Those, who ad-
vance this plea, should consider, that the stronger the trials,
and the greater the privations and sacrifices they require.
the richer will be the recompense,' if we faint and
dnre unto the end.'
" Duelling is likewise contrary to the laws of Irian. It bat
ever been considered by wise legislators as an evil of the
most dangerous tendency, as an enemy to the peace of civil
society, and as the bane of every thing that is good in morals,
sod pure in religion. No pious man could ever bring himself
to defend it; nu true believer in Chi ist Jesus has ever written
upon the subject, without pronouncing it to be neither more
nor less than deliberate murder; without condemning it as
an act, that impiously attempts to wrest the prerogative of
lite and death out of the hands of the Ahuighty.
"As a convincing argument, that the general sentiment is
directly against this evil custom, and that every heart in its
private sense and judgment condemns it, suppose that, in-
stead of holding it up to reprobation, I were now to preach
in its defence, and to justily ohedieuce to it, wheuever a
wrong is done us ; what would be the effect I should produce ?
It would be this. Every ear that heard me would receive
the shock of offence; every good feeling of your .hearts
would be outraged; and every voice would indignantly pro-
claim use the preacher of ourighteolisness, the advocate of
evil, the minister of ratan, and not of God. I ask you se-
riously, if this would not be the effect of such defence alai
exhortation? What then must that practice be, the vindica-
tion of which would do so great violence to the best feelings
of your hearts, and draw down so strong an indignation on its
advocate? Mug it not be wicked and indefensible is the ex-
treme? Were I indeed to preach in its justification, or to
otter an excuse for it in any case whatever, you alight be
angry with me, and yet not sin.

" But not only is duelling contrary to the laws of God and
man ; it is likewise contrary to the law of honour. Never
was there a term so perverted, sn prostituted as this; Dever
an exalted principle so often and so ingeniously tortured to
serve the worst passions, and answer the vilest purposes of
the human heart. Without nobleness of mind there can be
no true honour. Rut where, I would irk, is the nobleness
ofmind in revenging an injury i Where the nobleness of mind
in deliberately spilling a brother's blood? Where the nobleness
of mind in suddenly sending a fellow- creature to appear before
his judge with all his Sills upon his head? Where the noble.
KIS of mind in plunging As bolo families into afiliction and
disgrace, and causing the affectionate wife to drink the
widow's tears, and the helpless orphan to coil in vain for a
father's blessing? Ry attaching honour to deeds, which laws
hunian and divine forbid, which the wisdom of ages has con-
de ... ed, and at which every sense of justice and every feel-
ing of humanity results, we degrade what is good in attempt-
ing to connect it with what is evil, and diminish, the turpi-
tude of an action iii bringing a right principle to justify or
palliate sabot is wrong.

" He is a man of honour, a man of a truly great and noble
mind, who is above committi►rg a bad action, who will not do
what God has forbidden, though it be to Isis own temporal
detriment, who will not in any way injure his I'ellow•creatures,
and who will not surrender his virtue, uor sacrifice his duty,
at the call of fashion and custom, nor barter the satisfaction
of a gaud conscience before God, for the empty and mistaken
applanses of a wicked world. But he who, in defiance of
the commands of heaven, yields to the impulse of a siolent
passion, and consents to do a wrong action in compliance
with a prevailing folly, has no more claim to be ranked
ainong Ike sons of honour, tban the unprincipled despoiler of
another's property, or the unworthy ealumniatua of du honest
fame.

" Mulling has also been called a proof of courace. Here
again a uoble quality of the soot is pressed into the service
of sin. What! is it courtier to do veil, because we dread the
reproaches of a misjudging world? Is it courage to murder
a fellow-creature, perhaps a fornwr friend, in cold blood, be-
cause we are afraid of bring culled cowards? Is it courage
to be ashamed of Christ and his religion? Is it courage to do
that from which nothing but misery and mischief must en.
stir, and which never can produce. and nes er has produced,
a single benefit to a single mills idnal in Ally view or shape
whatever? No, it is not courage, bid cowardice; for lie who
surrenders his will to wicked actions in order to escape the
censure, and receive the approbation, of the thoughtless and
-...-
profane, gives proof a little Mlll,l, 1111)41.,e41 by a false shame,. s
and incapable of bold exertion iu the trial of duty. He is
..' t—: 'f,., ,
the truly courageous man who resists temptations to evil, whet" 11— - 1-• •
fears God snore than men, and who, whatever may be thoughg '4, )•. f
or said of him, nobly resolves, and as nobly dares, to (lifts f .1—.4
,r---,
..4ci
charge his (boy, whi titer it lic in action or in anti.-ring,s '',.."—
4lrt
obedience ti) the commando of the Lord his Girt Like t , • •i. ••• ~
oak, he stands firm amidst the storm, defies the importglig. , '-
blasts that rage around his head, and oodives the lacy tilaj .N. --.
Liman:tied to root lane from Liz boil." s -
--.:. •.. (,_„.lis

Ili

ORLIGN INTELLIGENCE.

EARTHQUAKES AND REMARKABLE. PHENOMENA.

The French papers which arrived yesterday supply
the following particulars, in addi:ion to those which we
have formerly published under this head :

The earthquake which was felt at Barcelona on the
18th ult. at eleven o'clock in the morning, was likewise
felt en the same day at Lerida, ut Saragossa, and at
Madrid. At Seragossa it was experienced some minutes
before, and at M:alrid some minutes after the shock at
Barcelona ; but in the two latter cities much more
strongly than in the fbrmer. At Saragossa the concus-
sion v: as so violent as to throw down a painting in the
chapel of the Virgin of the Pillar, during the perform-
ance of mass : the people were frightened, and fled from
church. At Madrid the commotion was still more
alarming, and W :IS felt particularly at the royal manu-
fr.ctory of porcelain at the Retiro, an edifice almost
Tuined during the war. There it overthrew a wall that
killed two men. A violent shock was likewise felt at
the Palace of Justice. The Judges, wl:o were s:ttirg.
deserted the hall, which trembled around them.
was believed to come from the west, and it is fearefl
that Lisbon has suffered by this convulsion. News
from that town are therefUre expected with impatience.
The weather at Barcelona continued clear and serene,
sand the air had recovered its usual temperature.—The
journal of Barcelona publishes an article, dated Alcocir,
in the province of Guadalaxara, the Bth of February,
which details circumstances formerly noticed, but with
such additions as induces us to present it to our
readers:—

e have just witnessed a phenomenon seldom ex,.eri•
cured in regions from the coast. On the 2I Is of the
month the weather wis raM, from the nio:.teng
an 11" e warmth w-is greate than is o•eal at tit. season. At
thri o'c'iick in the evening th. re was seine lightning, ac-
companied with thurdei, which soon ceased; lint at lialf-past
six o'clock their silikleiny arose a violent wind, like those
which commonly piers-de in slimmer violent storm,. There
fell at de: same time hail and rein alone with the thimiler and
lightning. The heaven was brielitened, and there ooh• re-
mained a black cloud, wh;rh increasing instantly, in an ex-
traordinary manner, discharged f-out its skirts, about a quar-
ter before 7 o'clock. arch a flash of lightning, and such a clap
of thunder, that people who were in the streets, or in the
country, fel! to the earth f iulvcned with the terrible noise;
with the glare which *truck their sight, and the stil-
phiiroini smell which extended to the mast retired recesses of
their thsellii.gs. _

" Some seconds afterwards, there was another clap of
thunder, not so strong as the former, and the cloud opening,
dischareed an immense globe of fire, which, fallimr on the
tower of the convent of Francis( ans, overturned the iron
cross on its summit, and set on five the woodwork, a portion
of which, in a state ofermihnstion, having entered the church,
destroyed a part of it; while the rest, tie.eendinz by the
walls, kindled the different doors and windows of the con•
vent, broke, tore up, and divided the cells, overturned and
destroyed the furniture which they contained. and excited
such terror in the monks, who were in the choir, flint they
fell to the earth, and would perhaps have been elloaked by
the sulphorous vaponr which surrounded them, had they not
i m»ediately received assistance. This e xplosion was follow.
ed by a heavy fall of hail, which lasted more than a minute;
alter which the heavens recovered (Itch. serenity."
By letters recently received from Pampelitna, we learn
that not only some villages have suffered by the earth-
quake, but that the whole town of Arnedillo, in Old
Castile, has been buried under the fall of a neighbour-
ing mquntain ; that the whole inhabitants have perished,
a,ul that nothing but the top of the belfry is seen above
the ruins.

The intelligence that has arrived from the higher
districts of the Grisons excites the most lively fears.—
Never were the snows in greater quantity : the tops of
the houses are no longer seen, and some of the roofs
have Ulm in from the weight of the snow. Some vil-
lages, particularly in the valley of Taveseh, are entirely
abandoned. A frightful avalanche has dcstrryed the
village of Nueras in this valley. By reports from Dis-
sentis, a little distant from that village, eleven houses
and mills, along with the inhabitants and stables, have
been swallowed up. On the Bth, the rector anti twenty-
four other persons, wounded, were dug ont of the rub-
bish alive. Many dead bodies were bk.:wise found, and
28 persons are still mi'sing. Avalanches have likewise
caused frightful disasters in the valley of Dischmah.—
We learn likewise from th:.!cantoa of Uri, that at Mav-
en, an avalanche overwhelmed two men, and that ano-
ther threatened the village of llealp. The passage of
Mont St. Gothard is shut up.

• On the 10th, an avalanche destroy:Nl a house at
Gadmenthal, in the province of Bern. The news from
the Tyrol utt equally afflicting: fair avalanches have
succeeded each other in one plqc,,, At Nanders, the
ri off filled the whole valley to the height of a tower.
A. Ischgcl, in the l'insgau, twenty one houses were
destroyed. At six leagues from Inspruck, ten persons
were killed. The course of the Inn is interrupted.

PARTS, APIIM 7.—By intelli,:xnce from Carlsruhe,
sf the 3ist of March, we learn that the Priactss of
Wales has left that plac., for Erlangen, where her
Royal Diglow s pays a visit to the Dowager Margra-
vine of Myren' h, her aun•. Her coming to Paris soon
is talked of. If she does arive, the Court will be maw--
raved how to receive her.

Several of our journalis-: have given the addresses of
the Cmwn Prince of Swed .1 (Bernadotte) almost com-
l.) s )ppressing only (by ordcr of the
,public censure-