The National Register.
London, England, 1816-03-03 00:00:00

I

great contests, anti to exult in great sneeesses, that a
tendency to admire deeds of arms, and military establish-
ments, is in danger of being produced, crud ought to be re-
pressed, rather than encouraged. The march of our
army in Portugal, Spain, France, anti the Netherlands,
has been distinguished by the most astonishing victories.
During the period of three or four successive campaigns,
every packet or arrival from the scene of action was ex-
pected to bring us news of important military movements;
and public curiosity WILY kept on the stretch, or public
admiration gratified, by the report or occurrence of great
triumphs. The news of battles spread from the coast to
the War-oflice; from the IVar-office, to the journals ; and
front the journals, to the lowest and most sequestered
par,s of our population. The guns of one fortress or eas-
tle told them to another; illuminations and rejoicings
followed the passage of the mail ; and the towns unit vil-
lages of our empire rung with the praises of our gallant
countrymen, who were reaping for us such a harvest of
glory. Amid the labours of the field; at church ; and in
the common intercourse of life, the fame of our troops be-
came the common topic of conversation and pride. But
the clergy, we are convinced, did not lend their aid to
diffuse this military spirit, or to invest the character of
the soldier, with attractive attributes. They did not, to
any considerable Extent, recommend war and glory, by
descanting on our successes ; or imitate the martial bi-
shops and cardinals of thriller times, by inculcating on
their flocks ; the necessity of becoming a church militant,
by forming themselves into an army. But, it is to be
feared, that on oceasionsof thanksgiving fin. victories, and
on the bite occasion of raising a contribution on charity,
for the relief of those who suflered in our greatest victory,
they may inconsiderately have lent their sanction to the
prevalent and growing taste of the times, instead of op-
posing it. Nothing can be more pernicious to the morals
of society, or more dangerous to its liberties, than a mili-
tary spirit; and nothing of course can be more inconsis-
tent with the character of a Christian teacher, as a friend
to both, than any attempt to difilise it. The character
of soldiers seperated from the laxly of the people, and liv-
ing in annparative indolence, has been pmverbial, in all
ages, for dissoluteness in morals ; for disregard of religion,
and neglect of social ties ; and therefore, however much
we may be grateful for their exertions; when made for
onr defence, we ought never to inculcate an admiration
of their distinguishing qualities. The very efficiency of
an army depends upon its passive obedience to superior
command, and its renunciation of many of the feelings of
citix,ns ; and, therefore, we ought never, if we have any
regard to freedom, to render its existence popular beyond
the period of active service against a fitreim enemy. Let
us bestow the laurel, or more substantial reward, upon
our soldiers, when they fight successfully in our cause ;
let us be grateful to God for the victories, which, under
his superintendance, they achieve for us; but let us never,
as Christians, or as freemen, sanction a taste for the trade
of war and bloodshed; or a passion for military parade
and estab:ishments. We carry a sword where our per-
sons are in danger ; we may raise batteries where we
dread attacks ; but no man would encumber himself or
his property with these things; when he might live in
security without them ; or when there was a danger that
they might be turned against his family, or his interests.
It was not necessary to introduce the subject of war, or
the defence of the military profession, for the purpose of
attaining the end proposed, of succouring those who bled
or lost their relatives in a battle,
.which we trust in God
will render a military attitude less prevalent in Europe.
The gospel has commanded ns to relieve the wants and
bind up the wounds of our fellow men ; and surely,
when they have suffered in our service, their claim upon
our sympathy and benevolence is strengthened. We tra-
vel the nearest way to the place of happiness, when we
pass through the hospitals and prisons, where our fellow
mortals languish, and distribute to them the greatest re-
lief that we have in our power.—We arrive most se-
curely when on the road we disencumber ourselves of our
superfluous wealth for the benefit of less fortunate pil-
grims. To raise u contribution, therefore, for the aid of
the soldier, we are not bound to admire his character, any
more than, by assisting the .penitent, we arc required to
imitate his example. (We shall make a few further oh-
semations on this subject, and give a few extracts in
our next Number.)

FRENCH PAPERS.
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES.—SITTING or Frs. 22.

The Minister fin• Poteign Affairs and General Police, who
WWI introduced iota the Chamber while ~J• de Seems was at
the Tribune, after that member hail concluded his speech, re-
quested to be heard. He ascended the tribune, and ice a tone
which announre.l the profound emotion produced in his mind
by the met iticholy cOmoutilication with svleiele he was charged,
e>,pres•cd hine>elf in yearly the following tereees:—
•' Gentlemen, the Kum has elimged us with 4 communica-
tion to yon, which most deeply lout tt your hearts."
A profound silence now preyailed. The Chamber seemed
to anticipate the object of the enutinuoication—A sentiment of
emotion was impressed me every imuottmauce.
Cunt-A.& Cataes continued —'"l'he death of the just is never
lost to posterity. It always coos eys grave and sadue v lessons.
Providence hail permitted that a written trace oh' the last
thoughts, the last wishes formed far his people, by a monarch
whose name is tier ever consecrated in the ri nit itibiante of
mankind:should be preserved. It was its se ill that the testa-
ment eA Louis X% t. should mast.

t.
But ?nelasielioly consolation had not been granted to
te,, aiming the touching recollections left by the nio.it
and must untOcttumte of mothers, of wives, and of queens, Um