Star.
London, England, 1805-08-26 00:00:00

LETTER 11

, •
Sir—Before the difaftrous birth Of the Fredch Re-
public, Europe was divided into a number of inde-
pendent communities, of unequal ltrength ; but their
political relations were fo interwoven with their politi-
cal exillenes, that an equipoife of power was carefully
maintained among& them. By the obfervance of this
poky, it followed, that when any fecondary power
was afTailed by one
.of primary magnitude, its want
OF eleCtive nrengtla was compenfated by the au xiliar y
proteßion of forms more potent neighbour. Hence,
it was forefeen by the prudent &adman of former
times, as it Is regretted by every enlightened pad-
a= of the prefent day.. that, if any Engle power ob-
tained a greater degree of preponderance than could
be coonteratted by the refinance of any other power,
of the fira, or of two or more powers of a fecondary
order, the liberties and independence of all the States
in. Europe would be endarvred. This fy nor, corn•
molly known by the name of the balance of power,
derived its exiftence from one of the molt natural pre-
cepts of human wifdom—the love of nem ity ; and
all thole wars which the civilized world have witnef-
fed for nearly two centuries, were the effeas of as
many cordials between this dente of fecurity, and the
defire of conqueft. From an habitual attention to
the principle, a fpirit of national jealoufy was excited;
which, in defpight of any occafional aberrations,
proved highly favourable to the progrefs of civiliza-
tion, and to the promotion of fcience, arts, and learn-
ing. The emotions which blazed forth at every pub-
tic crifis, and brought the States of Europe to range
themfclves on different fides, according to their ap-
rl'encront of their refpeetive dangers, were the na-
tural refults of this deltic of fecurity. Hence, the
irnroilioned fentiments of the peafants on different
fides at the Rhine, the Pyrenees, the Alps, and the
E•itilh Channel, were limply the expreffions of their
habitual prejudices in bthalf of this grand conferva-
tive principle of the federative ccnttitution of Eu-
rope. And thus, the maxims that influenced the
dio'ifions of Princes, became naturalized with their
6bieEts, and gave uncommon vigour to their
Moral and•political obligations. To have a country
woich he could emphatically call his own, was as
much the theme of Konen pride with the peafant, as
of glory with the ennobled &Ned ; and indepen-
&rce, however humble, fmoothed down the brow
of holkile antipathy, and as nations ftruggled in con-
cert together, or were oppofei to each other in arms,
for the bmiuelts of their forefathers, they affumed
the tone of .affeition or diflike, which was moderated
itno an honourable national jealoufy, when the fword
of war had been returned into its fcabbard.
In a confiderable portion of Europe, there fend-
mots have been torn up by the violence of conqueft ;
and, eonfequently, the principle of focial fecurity has
Lot only been invaded, but it is every where menaced
with diffolution. The afeendancy which France has
acquired by frauds, as well as by viOories, has ena-
bled her to place every Rate not yet incorporated
into her colorTal dominion, or influenced by her will,
in a condition of imminent infectrtity. In the pleni-

tude of augmented power, the difdains to linen to
any other voice than the voice of unconditional fob-
million ; and while the greater Rates of Europe
(hive to enforce a refpeft for the law of nations by
pralanimous appeals to her juftice and moderation,
the derides their pacific admonitions, and continues
to march and to devour. The finger of Sorrow can•
not point to any era in the hillary of mankind, fo
pregnant with events of dreadful intereft, as the age
in which we live. Society Wilt- is on the eve of mak
ing a retrograde motion ; for, if the plans of French
ambition be not inftantly and univerfally refilled,
there fcems to be no human probability of averting
the calamity which mutt accompany the fpread of
tniveri4l empire, and the extiation of all the ele-
ments of legillative policy.
The wifhes of all mankind are directed to the
means of preventing this overwhelming eatattrophe
and with equal troth, it may be alerted, that their
fupplications are offered up to HEAVEN for the re.
moval of iLis arcuPfid thing from tbr caw. Ordinary
precaution; will not fufficc to meet extraordinary
dangers ; nor will the attitude of defence, how-
ever judicirms, afford any permanent rellitance
to the defolating tempeß that (weeps every thing
before it. The foul of the world mutt be quick-
ened into new life, and inftead of aroggling to con-
tain the form within Tome limits, it mould be driven
back into its own elemental regions, to fpend its vio-
lence amidfl thole by whom it was railed. All the fo-
cial virtues, the warlike energies, the confummate
prudence of human nature, fhnuld be collated againft
tht perfidious dillurbers of the repofe of mankind;
then, after thefe adverfe tempeAs {hall have met in
dreadful collifion, we (hall fee the fuperiority of Vir-
tue over Vice, and acknowledge with gratitude, that
the Providence of GOD has been abfolved.
Abflulit Lune tandem Rufini prena tumultum,
Abfolvitque Deos. Jam non ad eulmina return
injuftos creel& geezer. Tolluntur in akum,
Ut lapfu graviors ruant.
There is no circumftance which more forcibly con-
firms the truth of thefe obfervations relative to the
importance of the &condor), powers, than the mani-
FA lois which the greater Rates of Europe have lof-
t:lined by the incorporation of thole ufeful auxiliaries
into theFrenchEmpire. The fakty and honour of Eu•

tope depended *ft a few coinitiandirtg Powers r
but wonderful were the advantages which they dc-
tired from thofe inftriont lines that ate• now ex.
tinguithed. It was the policy of the ancient Romans
to intru(t to the legions the prefervarion of the Em-
pire, but they did not difdain to adopt every ufefal
iititrument of war. Many dependant Princes and
Communities difperfed round the frontiers, were in-
vited to marlhal themfelves under their vietorious
eagles r and when a RoMan army took the geld, the
auxiliaries always &tned the front line.

A fimilar policy prevailed in Europe, as long as
its Princes refpeeted the principle of the balance of
power. Take for an itillance, the Sovereign of Pied-
mont. In all the great continental wars, the
influence of that inferior Bate was fo ennfiderable,
that its alliance was courted by all the belligerent
parties. From the peculiar fituation of the Princes
of the Houfe of Savoy, continually expofed to the
ambitious defigns of formidable neighbours ; they
were often reduced to the neceflity of fbeltering them-
(elves beneath the wing, fometimes of one power-
ful neighbour, and fometimes under that of its rival.
From this teeming verfatility in their polities, they
have been reprefented as mendicant politicians, or
'military mercenaries. Never was an imputation moil
union : I fpeak generally. The predominant poli-
cy of the Houfe of Savoy, like that of every other
State, was the defire of fecurity ; and its refinement
confined in ftruggles to uphold its independence
in the 'nicht of the norms that frowned from either
fide of the Alps. With equal courage and capacity
its illuftrious princes fuccefsfully repelled the en-
croachments of perfidious :Allies, and the footfteps of
hoftile invaders. The iecords of hillory will ttanf-
mit to future generations the names of thofe dexte-
rous negociators, and thole renowned Ilatefinen and
warriors who, nurfed in the fchool of Turin, by their
fagacity and their valour raifed a comparatively (mall
Rate to a degree of importance which kingdoms of
much greater means and magnitude had never then
attained. That power is annihilated : the Gitirtfian
of the Alps it no more. The barriers which nature had
planted for his fecurity ; the magnificent and mailer-
ly fortifications which the power of genius bad fu-
peradded to his natural means of defence, are now
in the poiliflion of the remorfekfs enemy; and with
them, that enemy is maker of Italy.
How melanchlly are the refleElions, to which this
dinocation of one of the nobleß bodes of Europe
gives rife ! How lowly does human wifdom appear,
and how poor the chance of public virtue, when placed
ir. competition with the knavery of difciplined thar-
pers and extortioners, bearing in one hand the olive of
peace Beeped in poifon, and is the other the brand that
is defined to let on fire the molt facred treaties, and
the molt folemn covenants of fecnrity and indepen-
dence

This fubjedt will demand more of our attention,
when I come to confider the means by which the fa-
cial edifice of Europe may be repaired. It has been
adverted to, in this place, folely to illuftrate my
reafonings on the importance of the fecondary powers
in former confederacies. As far as Great Britain is
concerned, the incorporation of the Netherlands into
the French Empire, and the influence which the latter
exerts over Holland in c.nfequence of it, is a point of

fuch extenfivc and alarming magnitude, that it is
enough of Will to jußify a war. The occupation of
thefe naval and military Rations by the French, is of
more perilous moment to us, than the feizure of Pied•
mart is to the Emperor of Auftria. Our anceftors,
in this refpeft, manifefted the deepeft policy, fore.
light, and the greateft courage, when they refolved
to rifle every thing, rather than to permit the barrier
in the Low Countries to be thrown down. With
prophetic prefage, they calculated the confequences
of fuch an event.
One hundred and thirty•fir years have elapfed fence
Sir WILLIAM Tar/rut, in one of his difpatches from
the Hague*, afferted, that, " within two years after
France were well polreffed of that little fpot of ground,
I diiubt no Prince or State in Chriftendom would
pretend'to difpute any more with him then." The
accuracy of that able negotiator's judgment has been,
r unhappily, junified by the event ; for, until thefe
puny times, it was obvious to every one who fiudied
the political geography of the Continent, that France,
'once Po' (relied of the Netherlands, would become the
dictator of Holland. What Piedmont was to the red
of Italy, the Netherlands were to Holland, and the
Northern States ; outworks that checked the firft im-
pulfes of the enemy, until the great powers could
coiled and bring their forces into the field. In ano-
therletter from Holland, Sir WILLIAM TCMr46 has
detailed with mathematical precifion, the probable
Rate of the Continent and of this country, from the
lofs of that barrier. " If," lays he, 41 the French
(hall-carry Flanders, as they very well may in
another campaign, by the weaknefs and diforders
in the Governme:q here; the Dutch are fenfible
that they mull fall to be a maritime province of France,
upon the left fermi they can. The Empire will ezpe& to
fee them loon at the Rhine, and thereby augers of four
Eletior: ; and what a condition England will be left in by
AA as accfffion of maritime for': , at well as province:, to
fwh a power as France is already, is but too ency and toe
melancholy a rdlellion." Eary and melancholy it is
indeed ! for we have not only lived to fee it realized
but all.° to breathe in conliant perturbation from its
effects. In the micift of our embarraffments and dif-
ttefres arifing from it, there is loan confolatioa. bow

. ,
ever, in booking tacit to die wifdom, Penetration,
and good fenfe of our forefathers ; it is gratifying td
the mind and refreliting to the clejeEled fpirit, to
contemplate thofe charatiers, who thought and aged
like men, and who, riling far above the grovelling
prejudices and WM policy of the day, eatended
their generous Views in behalf of pofierity.
Happy would it have been for the tranquillity of
mankind, if that pollerhy had profited by their ad
vice and example! But, alas, a ruinous indifference
to the balance of Power took poffelnan of the public
'mind at the clofe of the late war ; and, like an epi.
demic contagion, fpread its malignity from Cleat
Britain over all Eirope. Onr derelieion of the in.
wrens of the Continent was enough to make our de-
parted fathers break troth their earthly prifon, to re-
proach oar felfifh and miflaken politics. The re.
newal of the war has happily removed this deadly
diftemper, and there are folid grounds for believing
that the Blades of a TEMPLE, a Gonothity, and a
Maatioaotron, may yet be appeared. ut it is
right that we Mould fmart for our Rupor ; and it is
equally proper, that we fhould be continually re-
minded of its dials. This fhall be the fubjeft of my
next letter. watsitroartat.
• To Lord ARLINGTON, dated Auguft 7, 16E9.
ETo Sir J. Tsarrx.r, October to, 1657.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCR.

YORK AUGUST RACES, THURSDAY, AUGUST sz.

The Produce Stakes of wogs. each, h. ft. for 3 year
old colts and fillies. Two miles. (Seven Sub-
fcribers.)
Mr. W. N. W. Hewett's br. may, Mits Hornpipe Teazle, by
Sir Peter, 7ft. nib. - - - z
Lord Fltzwilliam's h e. Caleb i'otem, by Sir Peter, dam
by Diomede, ett.zlb. . - a
Lod Stratbmorc's bay colt, by Sir Petcr, out of (been Mab,
Bft. alb. - - - - - 3
Lord Fitzwilliam's b. c. Sir Paul, by Sir Peter, out of Paret,
ift. 331 b. - - - - 4

Even betting and 5 to 4 that either Caleb Q2otem
or Sir Paul won, 3 tot agit the Queen Mab colt, and
9to I agft Mifs Hornpipe Teazle. Won eafy.
Fifty Pounds added to one-third of a Subfcription
Purfe for 6 yr olds, BR. zolb. and aged, 9ft. Four
miles. (Twentylour Subfcribers of ans. each.)
Mr. Garforth's gr. m. Marcia, by Coriander, aged -
Mr. Pdrfe's b. h. Fergufoa. 5 yrs old .. a
Mr. W. N. W. Hewett's br. h. Black Strap, aged 3
Five to ton Marcia. Won cafy.

Famar.—The Gold Cup, value loop. for honks,
&c. Four miles. (Five Subfcrihers.)
Mr. Garforth's gr. in. Marcia, by Coriander, aged.Blt. Ob. a
Mr. Mellifh's bay colt, Diddles', 4 yrs old, 71t 81b.
Ten to ron Marcia. A very fine race for three
miles, loon after which Diddler broke down.
Fifty Pounds added to one-third of a Subfcription
Pork for 4 yr old colts, RR. 71b. and fillies, RR. 41b.
Four miles. (24 Subfcribers of 25gs. each).
Mr. Garfortles gr. f. Vette, by Delpini
Mr. Melblia's b. e. Otsid. by Star -
Sir H. T. Vane's b. a Betty • 3

Two to I and 5 to 2 on Mafter Betty, ♦ and g to
agft. Vella, 5 to t agft. Quid, and even betting be
tween Vega and Quid. Vella went off at (core, was
never beaded, and won eafy.

Sweep(lakes of sogs. each, aogs. ft. for 3 yr old fil-
lies, 811.—Laft mile and half.
Mr. W. N. W. Hewett's br. f. Mita Hornpipe Teazle, received
ft. from Mr. Watt's bay, out of Mifs Judy.

MRS. THORNTON.

YORK, Selma Day, Avo. 24.—The Public will be
pleafed to hem., that though Mr. BROUFORD who was
to undertake the difficult talk of rivalling Mrs.
Tito am Tom in Yodel/hip, does not ride the match made
between them, yet they will have a fight of the mon
intereiling nature this day, as the high acknowledged
!kill of Bucaut, of Newmarket, is to be difputed in
competition with the fair Lady, who has the public
favour moll wrongly in their willies for fuccefs.

Mrs. Tut:mums walks over the Courfe for the
match made with Mr. lilsoarrneo, but rides againit
BUCILB over the Two• Mile Courfe.

As Mrs. THORNTON was exercifmg her mare early
on Thnrfday morning, on the York race courfe, the
again difplayed ber fuperior (kill as a horfewoman,
by extricating herfelf from the molt perilous fitua-
tion ; for at coming in at full (peed, the mare bolted
oppoGte to the Grand Stand, and made towards the
railing, and before Mrs. T. could manage the mare,
one of its fore feet was literally under the railing, over
which the mull have been inevitably precipitated, had
the not turned the mare, which the effefted, norwith-
ftanding the (hock fuftained, which had nearly thrown
her from the Caddie. It was allowed by every one
prefent that few jockies could have extricated them-
(elves in a flmilar predicament. The jockey who rode
againft her was nearly thrown off alto.

PONET Raca.—Mr. C. THOMSON'S bay poncy,
Gay Lafi, (forted at four o'clock precifely, on Friday
morning, from the place fixed on, fituate about four
miles on this fide of Cambridge. The match was to
trot twenty miles in one hour and a quarter, for 300
guineas. Owing to the very early hour, there were
but few fpeeators, exclufive of the amateurs and bet-
ters, prefent. The bets at Ratting were two to one
againit the poney. She came in at the winning poll
in finer Ryle than when fhe went nut, which is the
bill proof that can be advanced of the goodnefs of
her bottom. She came in with great cafe within one
minute and ten feronds of the time allowed, to the no
fmall mortification of manyof the knowing ones prefent,
who confidered the race as an impraelicable attempt.
Gay Left, however, proved the was thorough bred,
for every Rep The took difplayed lbnng and com-
manding powers, and fhe was better in wind. The
great odds at Ratting aride from the difiance being
looked upon as an infurmottntable barrier to the Inc-
cefs of the undertaking. The day and the hour were
kept a profound fecret except among the (porting
men, the objeft of which was to prevent any oblituc-
tion from the country people who, drawn thither in
fhoals by motives of curiolity, would probably have
impeded the race. From this judicious arrangement
all croffing and joftling were avoided, and the courfe
left quite free from Interruption. The bettings on
the race courfc amounted to a confiderable furn. The
boy, who rode has won so guineas on his own bets.