The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1822-03-13
FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

FRANCE AND ENGLAND.
We observe that those Two great critical
orscIes," tho EdinburSA and Quarterly Re-
views, 90 much sdmired BY Messrs. Walsh
and Slone, are ancessing IN their abuse OF
tho French nation, and iaboriDg through sue
cesslve numbers TO provo tina. ,he English
enjoy moro liberty, and are much happier nn.
der tho sway OF George the Founh, than the
former under tina, Of Louis tho Eighteenth.
1t was only the other day we were told in the
London Courier, THAI "the BGitsh empire In
power and strength, may be stated az the
Hreosesf fhuf ever erisfed on eath, az q (ar
suvnasses them al in kn0wledSe, moral cha
raefer and yorfA." We are not disposed 10
deny that in the higher circles, the sciences
havo mado greater progress IN Great Britain
than in any other country. But, as respects
the lsboring classes, France has uoquesuona.
bly, tho asceodsncy. Living IN comparative
case and abundance, The French lsborers and
mechanics have more ample means Tor gene.
raj education than the Enghah, and those who
have resided in both countries uhiior mly re-
max, that the latter are more imbued with
political aud religious bigotry than lhe for
mer. As to "morai character and WORTH"
We would AZ any time a. soon co0hde IN the
honor Of a Frenchman, as 10 that OF bis con-
ceited and vePoring rival.
But in order to form a correct idea OF the
relative prosperity and happiness Of the two
nations, We must look li,tle bsyond the die
som Of the hireling writer's OF tic Btisisb cab.
inet. We must compare the hoancisi condl-
,on Of both countries, and ssceuain what 10
tho price of labor--the grand text Of the
comforts Of any people.
The population Of France Is ., present es-
timated st about - millions. That OF Great
Britain and ireland at 60 millions.
In France, tho government requires only
revenue OF 8 l.. millions TO meet the neces.
sary charges Of the state. In England, tho
expenses Of tho state amount TO 81 millions.
The interest Of the national debt Of Eng
land amounts TO 48 millions. That OF France
10 only millions. In Eogland there is no
real sinking fund. In France, the sinking
fund is upwsrds Of million and half.
The French Clergy are paid on, Of the ma
national purse; consequently there are no
,ithos levied on the people. In England the
tithes exac,cd amount TO upwards oi mil-
lions annually.
The Poor rates in Eogland exceed . mil.
lions year. In France they do not amount
TO q single franc.
In Gne, while the people Of Englsod are
annually burdened with taxes, uthes, and
poor rates 10 on amount little short OF 70 mil.
lions of pounds sterling, the French nation,
with population 80 greatly exceeding, has
not TO pay more than g. Ia millions; aud
when we take into account the ptice OF labor,
which in France is tw,co as high, with refer
ence TO the price Of food, ~ in England, IL Is
put beyond oil question that the people OF
France ore in much happier circumstances
than those OF Englsnd. Whom, therefore, we
read, in the English journals, Of The great
superiority" Of that country over oil others,
this v.un,ing ought to be att,ibuled 10 sheer
v,nily, and to TINT JEALOUSY Of ell nations for
which she Is so proverb,al Tho mobiles snd
privileged orders no doubt fare better than IN
France since tho revolution. But in estimat.
ing the wealth and happiness Of a country,
this can only be fairly done BY taking prodaS.
two isbor into the account Those not en-
gagged 10 sctivo pursuits, arc nero drones 10
the hive. The revolution ip France has un.
doub,edy added to its political strength. BY
thc anpihila,ion Of the mooasieries and con-
vents, the sale and culture OF the great royal
and soigneural forests, parks and hunting
grounds, and the subdivision Of the large es-
tates, an opportunity has been given to those
jealous Of improvement, OF exertiog them.
selves tor tho benefit Of the country. Every
day sifords new proofs of tho grea, sdvanta.
ges which France is deriving feosn these
changes while IN England, in consequence
OF bigoued adherence TO cncien, institutions,
sod the introduction Of despc,cal measures
10 perpctuate those, in opposition to tho wish.
ss OF the people, the POLITICAL influence Of the
government is every whore declining, and
tho lower classes fas, vergins to s'ste Of the
mos, sbject slavery, from which nothing
short Of q revolution can possibly deliver
them. -:S:~
Bold and ingenious vil2any.
4 short time since fellow called at the
house Of Mr. D. sea captain in tho Cuba
trade, whose long absence and situation he