The National Register.
London, England, 1819-05-10 00:00:00

No. 1180.—VoL. XII.]

FRANCE.
-.Co-

NEXT to the consideration of affairs at home, the
political state of France oaght to engage an Eiv-
lishman's attention. Even the growing power and
prosperity of the United States, derived as they are
in part from the frame and spirit of the government,
have less claim to his notice. It may be asserted
with still greater confidemaa, that the revalutiu,ns.
which are in progr*:s or in preparation in the rest:
of that vast continent, sail] hear no it-tanner of com-
parison. And as to Russia, wpm: whose arms and
policy so much laboured declamation has been em-
ployed of lute, it will no more stitriti•in competition
with France, as to the inflaence.its movements may
lave upon this country, than the ordinary powers of
man would with those of a steam-engine in lifting
a weight. There is not a vibration in French poli-
tics that does not cause ,one in the prlities of Eng-
land. The two States, from causes we shall not
stop here to examine, are•so connected, that as soon
as a shock happens to one, it is instantly felt, and
almost with the same degree of violence, in the
other. The same cannot be absolattly &aid of the
United States ; fur the most violott concussion
there would not have any thing like u corresponding
• effect upon this country. The convulsion, that
should cause desolation there, would -not malice
any very alarming rise and agitation in the waters ;
of our policy. The wreck of American liberty
would be a just subject of lamentation to England,
whereas the growing power of the commonwealth •
may serve, mind usefally, too, to exereise the vigi-
-7:11ICC of the Bi itish govornment, and atiniulate the'
crer2i.s of the- British public. But hare the inte-
rest positively ends; though attempts are not want-
jag to produce a very ditrerent impressin. On the
contrary, this country has more to hopc.. than fear,
more to gain than lose, by the spread of civi!ization •
and the trittatpli of sound principles in America.
The intlncm:e of South American transactions is still
less perceptible. And Russia, notwithstanding the
strength of her army, the ambitious character of her
councils, and the magnitude of her resoorc-s of
every description &Ten no serious cause of alarm to
this country. Her government may thwart ours in
some point of negotiation ; or may raise envy
against us by exaggerating our power. But as to
'striking influence she has none, and will long have
none, upon the vital interests of this country.
Whereas when a pulse beats more strongly than
usual iv. the body politic of Francs. it instantly
causes a sensation in England—it affects her lands ; •
alarms the government, and inflames the feeliags of
the public.
••It is of the utmost importance therefore %to obtain
the most accurate information respecting a nation in
whose concerns we have at, deep an interest. This
information is kept bast ns touch possible ; and,
though we shall not throw all the light that is
requisite on the subject, we hope to convey some ;
and, in doing this, we shall promote as .useful an
object, as conies under the denomination of those
produced by free discussion. There is nothing at
the same time would thew in a clearer or stronger
point of view the policy pursued by the British
government, than a full knowledge upon this sub-