The National Register.
London, England, 1811-04-07 00:00:00

No. 159.
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POLITICAL DUPLICITY EZPO!!

We have more than once directed the attention
of our Readers to the language used by our pro-
fessedly independent writers, whilst describing the
events of the Portuguese campaign, the relative
force of the contending armies, and the abilities of
their Commanders. It is indeed singularly re-
markable. Like a two-edged swori it deals a back
blow whilst in the very act of striking in front, and
the former, because unguarded against, is far more
effective than the latter. This is the kind of writing
which, and humanity will long lament it, VOLTAIRE
has but too successfully used in his attacks on the
Christian Religion. When most ostentatiously its
defender, he was its secret, but relentless assassin.—
The political strictures to which we allude, when
tuperficially rear.:, appear fraught with true British
spirit. They seem to breathe the most ardent zeal
for the reputation of our arms and the •welfare of
our Allies. The former they extol in the most
glokving terms, the latter they deem entitled to
every kind of support. They constantly labour to
'display the superiOrity of our means, the probability,
nay, the certainty of ultimate success in the glorious
contest in which we are engaged in the Peninsula ;
but not satisfied with feeding the reasonable hopes
of the nation, they create a confidence of expecta-
tion, which is the more dangerous, as it is easily
produced in the hest intentioned minds, and if dis-
appointed, is succeeded by public despondency or
discontent. Thus are the ends of party answered,
more effectually, because unsuspectedly, than if the
writers had become the acknowledged organs of a
particular body of political sectaries. Thus are
men whose genius and activity maintain the honour
of our name abroad, and secure the integrity of our
dominions, statibed with the very sword which
they wield in our defence. Their victories, how-
ever great, are only made the prelude of future
triumphs far more transcendant, which we are told
they cannot fail to obtain, g‘ for they possess a ♦ast
superiority of force, and the dispirited numbers of
their enemy are, rapidly decreasing through disease
and debertion.o. Every advantage is placed
side, every chance of success is made our
Vol. M. CLXXL

ran ce, _
General from a natural elevation, the artful writers
not only behold with unclouded vision the fields of
war, and the operations of armies ; minutely follow
every evolution, and foresee the result of every
movement, with greater confidence, and, in their
own opinion, greater perspicacity, than the very
officer by whom they were ordered : they are not
only endowed with .the power of sight, but with
that of creation. Should they perceive :11,it the
undaunted firmness of our Commander, the happy
choke of his positions, the skill with which lie has
repelled the very possibility of an attack on his lines,
and the ability with which, in a defensive campaign,
he has contrived ►o make offensive demonstrations,

have compelled his disappointed and val., boasting
enemy to retreat, they instantly ostensibly fly to
share in his triumphs. With a stroke (If their pen,
they create allied myriads, which, with a second,
they arm and scatter so thick on the flanks and
front of the retiring battalions, that they render
their escape apparently impossible. Pursued by a
superior army : surrounded with the whole popu.
lation of a country in arms, and well taught
to use them : wasted by famine, and exhaust.
ed with fatigue, and marching besides through
provinces intersected by rivers and mountains,
which must be crossed in opposition to a nume-
rous ordenanza, and before an active and enterpris-
ing enemy, how can any doubt remain, in minds
deceived by such representations, of the easy and
total annihilation of an army so situated, so
reduced, so defenceless ? Hope, seduced by such de-
lightful prospects out of the track of reason, runs
wild. The splendour of the triumphs gained sinks
in the blaze of those which must necessa ' follow,and the aim of the writers is attained. . . ey know
that they have drawn flattering, but delusive pic.
tures. They are conscious that the only superiot ity
which our army possesses over the enemy, is that
of valour, not of numbers : that MASSENAN retreat
is not a sudden movement, springing from an un-
foreseen cause, and therefore carried on in haste
and without order ; but that it had been long pre.
meditated before it commenced, and its greatest
difficulties removed by previous preparations. They
that not only bridges have been cast over
which he has to cross, but that tetia-da

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N°:l4il. SUNDAY, APRI L. 7, 1811. . PPTcr 9d.
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POLITICAL DISQUISITIOI4;`- • that*ietory cannot be attended with honour, and
.';a .fiebre must be deemed the result of rashness, igno-
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ILT_ 1 Pet . - a .'-'l' ' rance, -and incapacity. From their desks, as a

lon our recollect t
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