Star.
London, England, 1805-08-23 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP 7HE STAR.

Expertlngni aliquando, et capeffite
kappa&am.

Sir—Some time fine I read in your paper an ad
mirable Letter, under the fignature of Wat.sraoHAM.
The efforts of that eloquent writer will, I truft, be
continued. Such genuine public fpirit, coupled with
fuch found judgment and fine talents, are calculated
to render infinite fervice at a crifis, when every indi-
vidual is called upon, not only by his allegiance, but
by every confideration of fellprefervation, to exert
himfeif to the utmoft in whatever way he can be
molt ufeful, to ferve his King, and to lave his Coun-
try.
If I fhould appear to you to over rate the danger
with which we are threatened, you are not to let me
down as one of thole perfons commonly called
Alarmifts. Were I fore that the people at large felt
our fituation as they ought, my fears would vanifh :
however lowering our profpeas, could I peurade
myfelf that all was found wifdom in our CAncils,
and that a becoming ardour pervaded the mats of my
countrymen, the bell hopes would animate my breaft.
As free men, we are unanimous in our abhorrence of
an ufurper ; and the generous nature of Britons
unites us one and all, in a common deteftation of the
barbarous and bloody courfe which has marked the
footfteps, and Rained the political career of the ene-
my of Europe and of mankind. But vainly than
we look for a fuceefsful termination to the prefent
ftruggle, unlefs our unanimity thews Mill in alive
and unfleeping exertion—is animated by the pure
fpirit which fired our anceftors in their refillance to
oppreffion or invalion—unchilled by felfifh views, and
unadulterated by party feeling. Alting under fuch
impreffions, we might look forward with confidence,
not only to fecurity, but to triumph ; and, under the
bleffing of PROVIDESCI, to whofe favours we might
ret our title on upright motives, we might defy the
moil perfeveting efforts of multiplied and inveterate
I enemies.
But, Sir, is that at prefent suite the cafe ? Where
do we find that enthufiaftic devotion to the caufe of
our country, unpolluted by fome alloy ? Has it
(hewn itfelf among( our fuperiors, to whom we are
bound to look up, as they are to let 115 an example
worthy of being followed ? Did it exhibit itfelf in a
very (biking manner during the laft Seffion of Par-
liament ? While Bonaparte was looking (trait for.
ward to his great objeft, namely our annihilation,
and planning and preparing the means of its accom-
plithment ; deliberately meditating the vat fcheme
of (tripping us of our foreign poffeffions, or, perhaps,
of thundering at our gates, how were we principally
employed ? The country fav, with flame, as Eu.
rope mull have done with Armament, days, weeks,
and months confumed by a high alfembly in all the
management of attack and defence, in the expofure
or proteeion of the guilt of an individual, enading
and refcinding, voting and unvoting ; or in dragging
from the tomb itfelf, in whit they had been 4o years
interred, and reftoring to de and light the long-
buried claims of a Duke of Athol. Let me not be
underftood to doubt the propriety of punifhing pub-
lic delinquency, or to (peak difrefpeetfully of thole,
whofe decifions I am bound to refpeet, however I
may lament and condemn their wane of time, and
manner of proceeding. Nothing could be more fatal
to the public welfare, than that Parliament lhould

ever forfeit its claim to the eßinsation of the people,
by s direliEtion of its dignity or coufitlency.
The Englilh, Sit, are a difcriminating people, and
form a pretty accurate judgment of the motives
which guide pdhlic chateaus. They think for them.
(elves ; and looking headily at conchal alone, are not
to be blinded by the perverted reprefentations, and
falfe colouring which the venal part of the prefs
furnithes the means of employing to whatever party
may hoop to make ufe of them. True patriotifin ss
to them eafily diainguifbable from a lull of power,
whatever garb it may affume, and however fplendid
and impofing its exterior. They can difeover the
difference between folid wifdom, and the ofientatious
difplay of anfubßantial vigour. Such meaftwes will
not appear to them ftrong, with what-ever parade they
may be uthered in ; nor will a Government be inef-
ficient in their ellimation, becaufe declamation in one

quarter, and calumny in another, are employed to
affail it with the unfounded charge. However
gfoffed over, they can fee through a felem of job•
bing, felfiihnefb, and corruption, wherever they are
to be inund ; and will not (offer real merit to be de-
preciated in their eves, however perievering may be
the efforts of the ffanderous and the wicked to ob•

ferve and opprefs it.
• Merles profundo, puteltrior evenit ;
* Lu&re—multa perontet integrum
" Cum laude vidatern."
This is a confolatific which the man of integrity,
whether in or out of office, will derive no lefs from

the generous nature, than the difcernment of his coun-
trymen; and which, next to the confcions fatisfac-
tion of his'own mind, will blunt the edge of calum-
nies, however foul and malignant. Of this let the
upright Statefman and his oppofite be well convm-
ced, that no efforts of the mod corrupt peers can fup-
port the one, or truth the other.
In adverting to the ;refs, I am brought back more
immediately to the fuhjea with which I let out.—
You, Sir, and your fellow-labourers in that refpee-
able line, are placed in moa refponfable fituations.—
You owe very important duties to the Public. As
you conduit yourfelves, efpecially in times like the
prefent, you may do great fervice or great injury to
your country, and may earn the molt exalted praife
or the fevered reprobation—" Nullus addial jurare
in verba magiari." If you think public men or
meafures entitled to applaufe, give them your fup-
port ; if not, point out their errors and defeas.—lf
danger threatens, and the country does not appear
fufficiently fenfible of it, it is your duty to endeavour •
to route ; where it may be over rated, to compote
and affuage. Where exalted charafters are hourly
run down, to maintain them will be the part of the
honourable journalift ; and no lefs to tear off, with-
out violence, the covering of thofe whom party (pi-
th may have arrayed with a fpleodor to which they
are not entitled. If to fupport the caufe of lour
country be the firs of your duties, you, Sir, will
not be difpofed to deny the next to be that (and
clofely allied to it) of Rending forward the friend of
integrity, difintereftednefs, and honour, and the
enemy of intrigue, prodigality, and fation. To me
it i 3 matter of ationiflirnent how the oppofite courfe,
though it may fuit the feelings, can permanently an-
fwer the interelt of any Editor : one would think
that " the crime would cart,' the puniffiment along
with it."
Happy would it be for the country, and its effects
would be (non vifible, if the conditelors of daily
publications, inftead of fubmitting to the unworthy
talk, perhaps, impaled on them, of vilifying public
charaaers, and deceiving the public by the molt
lhamelefs falfehoods, wonld manfully Rand for ward as
rivals in the fame honourable fervice of exciting and
encouraging the national fpirit. The prefent mo-
ment is fufficiently pregnant with materials to admit
of grave refleftions on the difficulties which furround
us, and of animating topics to call forth a determi-
nation to face them with fortitude and perfeverancz.
Let it not be vainly fuppofed, that we have not yet
feverer facrifices to make, greater privations to fob-
mit to, than any we have yet been called upon to
endure. In my view of the prefent sate Of things,
as formed by recent occurrences, there is a danger
now aOually approaching, of a defcription and map
nitude, which hitherto we have not encountered.—
What poffible conaration can be pot on the late naval
expeditions of the enemy, but that they were demon.
Orations to deceive our Government, and to occa-
lion large detachments to our foreign territories, with
a view to profit of our diminifhed means of refin-
ance and defence, that a blow might he attempted
here or in Ireland ? This deception has indeed partly
failed, but was on the point of fucceeding : NaLsow
might have been at the Brafils, CoLnarrowoon at
Barbadoes, and Sir EYR, Coors, wish 8000 of our
bell troops, at Jamaica. But though the feint has
happily mifcarried, the great object of it may not be
abandoned. The capture of two (hips, and impend-
ing hoailities on the Continent, will neither prevent
or retard it : by the expectation indeed of the latter,
which cannot be attempted this year, it would pro•
bably be accelerated. The rapidity with which a
formidable auxiliary navy has been produced, ought
to create in us, if not alarm, at leaf} circumfpeaton
as to the defigns of the enemy. Great gallantry can-
not always be a match for great fupetiotity : the
impoffibility of militant blockade is demnnffrated :
nay, accident might prefent oceafient, which neither
exertion or forefight could command. Government
itfelf feems to fanaion this expeaation by its recent
order for a general infpeflion of our whole volunteer
force, at this molt inconvenient feafon of the year. I
trull, therefore, the frenzy for foreign expeditions
will fubfide, at leaf} for the prefent, and that our
military ftrength may be allowed to remain entire
for home defence.
Poflibly, Sir, fume of .he opinions which I have
hazarded may not coincide with your own ; and
that you may not he difpofed to encourage any fur-
ther communications from an unknown Correfpon-
dent. THEMISTOCLES Strike, but hear :"
I fay—" Burn, but confider." NESTOR.
ram Ausult 7, iB:4.

MIER'