The National Register.
London, England, 1809-07-16 00:00:00

4 60

JULY 16

1
•

It is but seldnni we have aiLopportunity of preseutin4
to onr readers, with a satisfat.tiop,y, completely unmixed,
a doanuent, at once impurtaut from its uature, acid inte-
resting from its manner. The Austran account of the
inipaign, and particularle of ate battle of Aspern, is per-
sp cuous ai.d dignified. It is written with that kind of elem.
quenee which derives its most appropriate •ornament from
simplicity. It is at once spirited and plain, and chaltengea
our attention, as well,from time unaffected style in which it.
is written, as for the importance of the suluuct to which
it relates. The first sentiment we experience after read-
ing it, is. that of admiration. - We see the Archduke
CRARLFP,• to whom the salvation of the monarchy Iva*
entrusted, nubroken, undismayed, and confident in his
own powers, even after the battle of Abersherg, endea-•
vowing to overtake by a circuitous road, the rapid
movements of linos! A P ARTE, and to pi ice himself between
his euemy and the "(rates of Vienna. Disappoinied by
.the
activity of his rival, he pauses, at no great distance, and
concentrates himself in a position selected with the great,
est military skill and knowledge. The error of Licosa-
PASTE in possessing himself of the capital instead
of pursuing the Aactianse, is now obvious—war
seldom admits the opportunity of two great mistakes.—
But-even this is rather glanced at than pointed out. Peace
is not vet dictated by Bnosaeaaae iu Vienna—the re-
sourses of the monarchy are not exhausted—and the Arch-
duke has proved not only that he is a rival worthy of
RVOIA PARTE, but that he is equal to him in all the requi-
sites of a great General. If the one is eminently qualified
by his genius and abilities to disturb the repose of Europe
and throw it off the poise, the Archduke seems equally
calculated lo conciliate, to restore, and to save it. The
conqueror of the Continent has been defeated, his standard
is no longor invincible, the delusion is passed, the magi-
cian's wand.is broken, and his power is dissolved. All this
seems to have been effected by means that every man can
appreciate; the tale is told with a perspicuity that will
come home to every bosom ; the plan tit operations is to
he traced without confusion, the conduct of the several
parts of the army are detailed so completely, that the
most ha-military reader may follow the different corps in
the several operations. The sanguinary conflict is read
with interest, because we understand what we read, and
time geueral effect upon the mind is to produce sympathy,
edmi rat ion, and enthusiasm—And this lk VOC of the epherne-
ral Bulletins of filch Lyon %esters complains.
Gracious God how long will such it wretch he suffered to
insult the common sense, and outrage every feeling of man-
kind! When thy inscrutable, bet wi.e purposes, are ansner,
ed, and he is hurled from the giddy summit to which thou
hast raised him, then shall thy S IS(' oin he manirested, and
all the nations of the earth shall rise up and praise tree.
Compared with this, even the best productions of the
emperor of the Farsca, and how insignificant do thy ap-
pear. No inflated pretensions, no exaggerated claims des-
race this—the mind is lead on from cause to consequence,
with almos' geometrical precision, Every thing was fore-
seen and gnitided 'against, nothing, was left even to Provi-
dene.—but the surplus. After this, we feel more confident
than ever, in the power of Austria ; and we feel oui...ilves
relieved too In to a mod oppressive anxiety as to the con.-
sequences of the ensuing battle, even if it should not prove
favourable. The hero who is capable of folloeing his
rival with a beat( n ;puny, and Of effecting, not by accident,
hat by skill, perseverance, and courage, chat the A Reit-
OUR E has effected, is capable of inspiring confidence, we
bad almost said even after hope is extinguished.

The 22d Bulletin of the Fret►ch army is given in The
Alemiteur, and is flitted Vienna. Jutie 24. It announces the
,Capitulation of ,Itaab. This is the only circumstance of
importance which it contains: but tike troth of this was
derod doubtful by letters from Rotterdam, which stated that
pit had been reke,ert. We give listoms.PASTE credit for ha hiftial
oessf4esation, is tuistatemcatsi but we do not recollect