The National Register.
London, England, 1809-10-08 00:00:00

posed to greater end-greater limitations. It must, in the
mean- time, have been remarked by the most superficial
observers, that a daugerous fermentation exists thia:ghout
the country; encouraged by men of desperate principles ;
and originating iu our military reverses and a late ever to
.be lamented investigation. If we add to this catalogue of
difficulties, the moral and physical resources of the enemy,
with whom we are engaged in a calamitous and intermin-
able warfare, we shall find that no ministry had more dif-
ficnlties to surmonut, more pas:ions to appease, and
greater dangers to encounter, than the present. We have
Already acknowledged that, to administer, even in ordinary
times, .the affairs of this, cr any other country well, we
mean to the advantage and the satisfaction of the people,
is very arduous task ; but, at the present juncture, it
pre-supposes, on the part of the Executive, the greatest
expanse of mind, vigour of principle, variety of talent,
and popularity of character: There is no itivariab!e stan-
dard to judge the writs and efficacy of an Administration.
It changes with the fluctuation of events; and rises, or
falls, in proportion to the embarassineeti of situation.
An Administration, which might be perfectly competent at
one season, may, at auother, he extremely incomiietent.
Some years ago, when the machiue of Governmeet was -
so little embarrassed, that it would have gone on almoit':
spontaneously, any body of limiest men, possessed of. mo,
derate capacity, might have been perfectly able to regu-
late its movements. But shall we therefore conclude, that
in a crisis of uuprecedeated peril, when the widest range
of genius told virtue is scarcely equal to the task, the
same persons wontd.be tit to be entrusted with the honour
and destinies of a mighty empire? Certainly not. The
question is now, v.hether Mr. Peaces, AL, at the head of
the remnant of the late ministry, with an accession of some
person, or persons yet unknown, inspires such confidence
in the breasis of his countrymen, that they may be willing
to meet, without dismay, the eventful occurrences:of the
next succeeding years? This is a question which speaks .
home to the feelings of us all; for on its •decision may
possibly depend tlie freedom of this. and of the following
generation. We should go-about the examination :nunedi.
lady—for the destructive malof our time is the rapidity
of its occurrences. We still preaerve, unimpaired; 'the
freedom. we received from our forefathers as an unalienable
right. Let us not, from Mistaken zeal for persons, or •
party, trice with the sacred deposit, which ice. are pledeatd
to hand down to our children. Let us decide the question
t.ispassiorately ; but instantly ; for procrastination on such
a subject is .a mark. of unpardonable, levity, and ominous
of the fate we shtiuld justly merit.

We have been h4berto not engaged singly with_ the
enemy. His ambition had another field ; and his atten-
tion was divided by various objecia of pursuit. Of his ae.
tivity during that time, be has left terrific memorials.
The several states of Italy nnti Germany, Holland and
Switzerland, bow to his sceptre. The splendid edifice,
which the genius of fit F,DCRICK the Second rai4ed, is
levelled iu the dust; and of alt the provinces he gained by