Bofwell's Tour to the Hebrides with Dr. Johnson. 37†

guish the lives of many men, his equals in learning, and in
genius his superiors.

But, allowing to Dr. Johnson all the merit which his
warmest admirers ascribe to him, was it meritorious, was it
right or justifiable in Mr. Bofwell to record and to publish his
prejudices, his follies and whims, his weaknesses, his vices?
Multiplied instances of animosity against whole orders and
nations of men: proneness to believe in ghouls and the second
fight: of superstitious veneration for ground confecrated by
the ceremonies of priests: of fullen and diabolical morose-
nefs: of egregious vanity: and of fimple and vulgar obfer-
vations conceived in turgid and bombast phrafeology.—When
Dr. Johnson was walking among the ruins of the cathedral
church at St. Andrews, he was told that one of the steebles
was in danger of falling. He wifhed that it might not be
taken down, for, faid he, " it may fall on some of the poſte-
rity of John Knox; and no great matter." He hoped, alfo
" that Knox was buried in the highway." Speaking of
the celebrated orator Mr. Pultney, he faid that " he was a
rogue, and that no whig could be honest."

In their journey towards Sky, as they advanced towards
Glenelg, Mr. Bofwell was riding forwards to the inn, that
he might take measures, before Dr. Johnson should arrive,
for his accommodation. Dr. Johnson called his purveyor
back with a tremendous shout, and was in a passion with
him for leaving him. Bofwell was terrified, and endeavoured
to apologize for his apparent dereliction of the Doctor, from
the kindreds and respects offulnefs of his intentions, in vain.
" Sir, faid the Doctor, I should as soon have thought of
picking a pocket as doing so—doing such a thing makes one
lofe confidence in him who has done it, as one cannot tell
what he may do next." When Mr. Bofwell afterwards re-
fumed the subject of his tranſgression, and endeavoured
ſtill to defend it, Dr. Johnson faid, " Sir, had you gone
on, I was thinking that I should have returned with you
to Edinburgh, and then have parted from you and never
ſpoken to you more."

Dr. Johnson was often too hard, Mr. Bofwell tells us, on
his friend, an early and constant friend, Mr. Garrick. When
Bofwell asked him, why he did not mention him in the pre-
face to his Shakespeare, he faid, " Garrick has been liberally
paid for any thing he has done for Shakespeare—he has not
made Shakespeare better known. He cannot illustrate Shake-
ſpeare."

In their way to Talisker, Dr. Johnson got into one of his
fits of railing against the Scots. " He owned that they had

A a 2

been

372 Bofwell's Tour to the Hebrides with Dr. Johnson.

been a very learned nation for an hundred years, from about
1550 to about 1650; but that they afforded the only instance
of a people among whom the arts of civil life did not ad-
vance in proportion with learning; that they had hardly any
trade, any money, or any elegance before the union." A
candid mind, where prejudice had not gained a temporary
ascendency over moral feelings, instead of venting itself in
abfurd and unjust reproach, would have gladly celebrated a
people that could advance in science without advancing in
luxury; and unite refinement of taste in letters and arts, with
simplicity of manners. As to their want of trade and money
before the union, it is well known, that previous to that
period, trade had flourished, particularly the fisheries, to a
very great degree: and, at the union, when the coin was
called in, it amounted to a million flerling. The commer-
cial spirit of Scotland during the reign of King William,
it is equally certain, was so high, bold, and adventurous,
that the Scots had not only African and India trading com-
panies, but had begun to execute, and would have accom-
plished the juſtest as well as grandest ſystem of commerce that
has yet been conceived. But the jealous interference of Eng-
land put a stop to the colonization of the Iſthmus of Panama,
and prevented the Scotch from eſtablithing an universal em-
porium.

It is not our preſent buſineſs to dispute with Dr. Johnson
concerning the former ſtate of Scotland : but what we mean
by theſe obſervations is, that Mr. Bofwell ought not to have
recorded ſuch striking inſtances of animoſity and prejudice,
in the object of his veneration: it was counteracting we
ſhould imagine his deſign; which, if we miſtake not, was to
hold up Dr. Johnson in the moſt refpeſable light.

At the Laird of Col's, Dr. Johnson and Mr. Bofwell had,
each of them, an excellent bed-room. They had a dispute
which of them had the beſt curtains. The Doctor's were
rather the beſt, being of linen; but Mr. Bofwell infiſted that
his bed had the beſt poſts, which was undeniable. " Well,
faid the Doctor, if you have the beſt poſts, we will have you
tied to them and whipped."—" I mention this flight cir-
cumſtance, ſays Mr. Bofwell, only to ſhow how ready he is,
even in mere trifles, to get the better of his antagoniſt, by
placing him in a ludicrous view."—We are afraid that here
both the Journaliſt and the Doctor appear in no very ele-
vated point of view. The repartee is unworthy of a ſchool
boy, and certainly there was no occasion to retail it as a
proof of Dr. Johnson's eagerneſs to get the better of his an-
tagoniſt.

As

373

As they paffed through Glenſhel, Mr. Bofwell faid,
" there is a mount like a cone." Dr. Johnson replied, "no
Sir; it is indeed pointed at the top, but one ſide of it is
larger than the another." Another mountain Mr. Bofwell,
in popular language, called *innenſe*. Dr. Johnson with that
depth of penetration and quickneſs of diſcernment which
have ſo singularly aſtoniſhed Mr. Bofwell, without the leaſt
premeditation replied, " no, it is no more than a confider-
able protuberance." Dr. Johnson when he loft his oaken
ſlick, which he had brought with him from England faid,
" that he intended to have made a preſent of it to ſome
Museum."

The Doctor frequently upbraided Scotland with its bar-
renneſs of wood. The nakedneſs of the country, the po-
verty, the deſects of the inhabitants are the favoured themes
on which this mentor delights to harangue to his pupil and at-
tendant. It was not in this manner that the Grecian ſage,
GALENUS, diſcourſed to the youth whom he addreſſed. In
his exhortation to the ſtudy of the arts; " if, ſays he, you give
due heed to the nature of things, you will be convinced that
citizens do not derive glory from the cities and ſtates to
which they belong, but, on the contrary, that cities and
ſtates derive their renown from the ſplendid talents and vir-
tues of their citizens. What would be the renown of Stagira,
but for Ariftotle? What that of Soli but for Aratus and
Chryſippus? And whence, above all, is the name of Athens
renowned over all the world? not certainly on account of
fertility of foil; for the foil of Athens is remarkably barren,
but becauſe numbers of eminent men were born there, who
reſlected their own glory on their native country."

The affaffiation of ideas by which we call to mind, on this
occasion, the Memorabilia of Socrates will doubtleſs appear
whimſical to many of our readers, but ideas are as naturally
affociated by *contraſt* as by agreements, and there is almoſt as
wide a difference between that philofopher and Dr. Johnson,
as there is between Xenophon and Mr. Bofwell. We can-
not, however, but obſerve how derogatory it would have
been to the fame and character of Socrates, and indeed how
injurious to the cauſe of virtue, had Xenophon haunted that
great moral teacher in all his retreats, gaping after every thing
he faid and did, and publifhed all his infirmities to the
world? The tafe of the Greeks was chafte, manly, and
ſublime: ours is impure, effeminate, and grovelling: and
Mr. Bofwell provides fuel for that paffion for minutiſe, for
trifling anecdotes, which takes place of all nobler views and
purſuits.

Aa 3

Yet

378

Fordyce's Addressees to the Deity.

changing her bed-chamber for one night to accommodate Dr. Johnfon. Yet our author celebrates this act of hoffi-tality in the highest strains of panegyric. One of his daugh-ters also is to have 500l. in addition to her fortune, for tak-ing kindly to Dr. Johnfon.

On the whole, this is a very entertaining journal; but it does by no means tend to exalt the fame either of its subject, or of its author.

ART. XII. Addressees to the Deity, by James Fordyce, D. D. small Svo. 2s. 6d. boards. Cadell, 1785.

THE worthy author of this performance, so well known by his former publications, has been compelled by want of health to leave off the ordinary labours of his profession. Attached, however, to the principles and the spirit of that religion which he formerly taught, he finds them the chief comfort of his now declining days, and earnestly wishes, by recommending them to others, to promote the highest interests of mankind. He apprehends that the character of devotion has frequently suffered from the forbidding air which has been thrown over it, by the narrowness of bigotry on one hand and the gloom of superflitition on the other. Men of liberal and clearful minds are apt to be prejudiced against piety at large, by mistaking this ungracious appearance for its genuine form. The rant of vulgar enthufiasts has contributed to beget the fame avenfion in persons of a cool and speculative temper; while on the other hand, people of tafe and sensibility have been frequently difgufted with the dry and infpid flyle employed on fuch subjects, from want of feeling in the authors, or perhaps from a fear of being thought too warm, in an age of fashionable indifference and falfe refinement. To exhibit piety in a more amiable form; to reprefen the veneration, complacence and delight, with which its genuine exercifes are accompanied; and to exprefs the spirit of that religion which while it aſcribes glory to God in the highest, announces peace on earth and good will towards men, was the design of Dr. Fordyce in thefe addressees, which he has prefented to the public. The firft addreſs turns on a view of the ſea from a temple at High Cliff, near Chriſt Church, Hampshire. The ſecond has for its ſubject falvation by Chriſt, and was intended as a ſequel to the former. The third on contemplation, grew out of both. The fourth and fifth on providence, will not be deemed an improper addition. The fixth was occasioned by the death of the late Samuel Johnſon.

As

379

As a ſpecimen of this performance, we ſhall prefent the reader with an extraſt from the firſt addreſs.

'Roll on, ye defined ages, till the plans of Providence are all fulfilled. At length the morning of the Refurrection will dawn, when the ſea shall give up its prey, and the dead shall rife incorruptible. Happy period! Conſummation moſt devoutly to be wifhed! Then ſhall I meet in perfect glory a much-loved and long-lamented brother; the flay of his father's houſe, the comfort of his widowed mother, my counſellor and example in youth; of whom the devouring waves were permitted to bereave us, at the instant that we were rejoicing in hope to welcome his return from foreign lands, full of honour, and rich in accumulated treaſuers of learning, eloquence, and wisdom. So it ſeemed good in thy fight, myfterious unerring Ruler. "Clouds and darkneſs are round about "thee; but righteouſneſs and judgment are the habitation of thy "throne." That inſtitimable man was taken from the evil to come. By an end, which ignorance or impatience would have deemed untimely, of what public diſaſters, and private forrowſs did he not eſcape the pain of partaking! With what congratulations would his venerable anceſtors, and a bright circle of feraphic ſpirits, hail his enlightened and benevolent ſoul, on gaining ſo early the ſhore of immortality! With what tranſports, till then unfelt, would his rifing faculties join that high ſtlembly, to celebrate the praeſe of his and their Parent and Lord!

'X. Nor wilt thou be angry, if emulating ſuch celestial harmo-ny, I prefume to add my imperfect note. Art thou not almo my Parent and my Lord, although I am yet "a ſojourner on earth?" Deign to receive my humble tribute of love and homage. Accept my warmest gratitude, in particular, for having formed me capable of theſe contemplations, and inclined my heart to entertain them. Let me never think of thy Majefty but with the deepſt veneration; never dare to mention thy name with rafhneſs or indifference; nor live to become a careleſs ſpectator of the beautiful and magnificent objects, in which thou haſt maniſeſted thy perfections with ſuch furpaſſing glory. May the ſpirit of devotion, they have at this time called forth, be nouriſhed and increaſed by frequent reflections on a ſcene ſo peculiarly adapted, as that which I behold, to exalt the imagination, and ſtrike the mind with inexprefſible ſolemnity. May I ever study to keep my paffions in ſubjeſtion to the awful power, " who faith to the ſea, Hither ſhalt thou come, but no farther: " here ſhall thy proud waves be flaid." And let that irrefiſible voice which ſtills their rage, command every tumult of my breast into a calm.'

The view of the ſea naturally ſuggested to the contemp-lative author the fate of his brother, who perſhed in the de-vouring waves. The feelings and reflections which rife ſpontaneously from the ſcene are expreſſed with warmth and vigour, though not without affection. The alluſion to Hamlet, " Conſummation devoutly to be wifhed," can ne-ver be forgiven in an addreſs to the Deity.

In

380 Fordyce's *Addressees to the Deity*.

In the 6th addres the author delineates the character of his
deceased friend Dr. Johnfon.

'From this awful decree there is no exemption. "The wife man "dieth even as the fool." Neither wit nor eloquence, neither rectitude nor piety, can fave from "the King of terrors." It hath pleafed thee, Almighty Diſpoſer, to number with the filent dead a man of renown, a Matter in Ifrael, who had "the tongue of the "learned," and worſhipped thee with fervour "in the land of the "living." His was "the pen of a ready writer." His was the happy power of communicating truth with clearneſs, and inculcating virtue with energy; of clothing the graveſt countels in the attractive garb of entertainment, and adding dignity to the moſt obvious maxims of prudence. To him it was given to expofe with juſt discrimination the follies of a frivolous age, and with honest zeal to reprobate its vices.'

'But "what is man, O Lord ?" or who among the fons of men
can plead innocence before the Thrice Holy ? When trouble and
anguish came upon thy aged Servant, when "his ſleep went from
"him," when in ſolemn recollection he "communed with his own
"heart upon his bed," and examined himſelf in the view of his
laft and great account, he ſaw wherein he had offended. Then it
was, that I heard him condemn, with holy ſelf-abatement, the
pride of understanding by which he had often trefpaffed againſt the
laws of courteous demeanour, and ſorgotten the fallible condition
of his nature. Then it was, that I heard him with ingenuous free-
dom commend the virtues of forbearance and moderation in mat-
ters of belief, as more conformable to reafon, and to the Goſpel of
thy Son, than he had long conceived. How deep was the contri-
tion which then penetrated his ſoul, in the remembrance of his fins,
and cauſed him to feel more ſtrongly, what indeed he had ever ac-
knowledged, that no extent of intellect, and no eminence of fame,
can arm an awakened and reflecting mind againſt the fear of thy
diſpleasure! Let it be known that this man, after confidering the un-
certainty of life, after ſtudying the ſanctity of thy law, after discover-
ing more clearly the utter inſufficiency of human attainments, and
contemplating with ardent ſolicitude the ſtupendous and unſpeak-
able importance of ſalvation, did with all the humility of faith cauſt
himſelf on thine infinite mercy through Jefus Chriſt. But for
the confirmation of the true believer, and to overthrow the deluſive
pretences and vain expectations of hypocrifiy, let it be known alio,
that while he reſſed only on this foundation, he was unalterably
aſſured it would ſupport none but the penitent and upright, the de-
vout and benevolent.'

The author has choſen the title of *Addressees to the Deity*, rather than that of *Prayers*, becauſe though they contain many petitions and interceſſions, they partake chieſly of the ſtyle of Meditation. Such a *Melange of Adoration and Anecdote, Penitence, and Politeneſs*, will ſometimes ſurprife the reader.

Upon

Campbell's *Observations on the Typhus*.

381

Upon the whole, theſe addreſſes are conceived in a liberal ſpirit, and expreſſed with warmth and animation: that is, their whole merit. The affecting simplicity, which ſo hap-
pily conveys the feelings of the heart; the awful ſolemnity which ever accompanies devotion, are unknown to our au-
thor. An accommodation to the frivolous ſpirit and tafe
of the age; an attempt at the courtly and agreeable; an af-
ſeſtation of petty graces and minute ornaments; with a falſe
glitter and pomp of expreſſion, mark and disfigure all the pub-
lieations which have come from his pen. Perhaps ſome
apology may be made for ſuch a mode of composition in ad-
dreſſes to men: But in our approaches to the Thrope of the
ETERNAL; in our ſupplications to the MAJESTY of HEA-
VEN, the graces of politeneſs, and tinfel embellilhments of
ſtyle, are, to ſay no worſe of them, at laſt highly improper.
In the preſence of the Deity every idea of ourſelves ſhould
be laid aſide, and vanity of attire rejected when we ſtand
on holy ground. The beauties of holineſs ſtand in need
of no additional allurements; and there is a difference be-
tween the modeſt ornaments of a temple and the ſuperb de-
corations of a pantheon.

ART. XIII. *Observations on the Typhus, or Low Contagious Fever*; and on the Means of preventing the Production and Communication of this Difeafe, by D. Campbell, M. D. Svo. 1s. 6d.
Johnfon.

IT appears to us, that the firſt fifty-two pages of this pamphlet might have been ſpared without any injury to the public. They contain, with very few exceptions, a de-
tail of the obſervations of other writers, to which they add
little of novelty or force. The author was perhaps afraid
that the ſolid matter might ſink unnoticed, unleſs it was
ſupplied on the ſurface of public attention, by being en-
chafed in ſomething light and bulky. But there was no cauſe
for any ſuch apprehenſion; his obſervations on one parti-
cular point alone were ſufficient to enſure him a favourable
hearing.

What we find remarkable in the deſcription of the diſeafe
is, that during its whole course it was attended with a gentle
diaphoreſis in ſeveral inſtances; that the pulſe was ſome-
times at the natural ſtandard with reſpect to frequency or
below it, and that the diſeafe proved more fatal to men than
to women, and to women than to children. The propor-
tions were the following.

I

Men

382 Campbell's Observations on the Typhus.

Men 206, died 25, which is rather left than 1 in 8. Women 235, died 13, more than 1 in 19. Children 225, died 3, which is about one in 80, upon the most unfavourable fuppposition, but perhaps not 1 in 120, as may be deduced from some circumstances mentioned by the author, which fuffeft a fufpicion that they all three did not die of fever.

Deafnefs frequently came on both in thofe who died and thofe who recovered. Hæmorrhages from the noſe were profuſe in feveral inſtances. We need only obſerve that the deſcription in other reſpects agrees pretty exaſtly with other accounts of the diſeaſe, and eſpecially in this, that the degree of danger was commonly indicated by the ſlate of the brain, though in two cafes the head did not seem to be particularly affected; but there ſeemed to take place a fatal determination to the lungs, which was accompanie with wheezing and a conſiderable expeſtoration of frothy matter, as in the baſtard peripneumony and chronic catarrh, with that leaden caſt of the complexion, which is obſerved in theſe diforders. No critical days, no intermiſſions or remiſſions could be perceived.

The plan of cure was that which has been creeping in for many years, and which though unhappily not universal, is at leaſt pretty general. Bark to the extent of an ounce a day, and wine, (in the place of which ſpirits were occasionally fubſtituted) to that of a bottle were the chief remedies, when the diſeaſe had advanced any length: emetics were confined to the firſt onſet. " In more advanced ſtages of the diſeaſe," fays the author, " in thofe inſtances where I ſaw emetics exhibited, they were attended with evidently bad effects." Moreover, the author thought that when the delirium was attended with a hard dry tongue and quick motions, theſe ſymptoms were increaſed by the exhibition of bark and wine; but he adds, that he is uncertain whether theſe unfavourable appearances may not have arife from his being unable to throw them in, in ſufficient quantity.

But there occurred a peculiar ſlate of the diſeaſe in which this practice was ineſfectual. As the account of this with what follows is the moſt intereſting part of the publication, we ſhall tranſcribe it.

After the ſymptoms of the firſt attack, ſuch as laſſitude, ſhiveriſing, pains in the back, limbs, and head, the patient takes to his bed: his nights are paffed without ſleep; or if he falls into a ſhort ſlumber, he awakes diſturbed by ſome unpleaſant dream; he starts up and wants to get out of bed; he is continually turning and changing his poſture; complains much of pain, or conſuſion in his head; of noise in his ears, and thirt. His tongue is either dry and hard, or

P83

MONTHLY CATALOGUE. Miscellaneous.

395

Art. 25. *The Omen*; or Memoirs of Sir Henry Melville and Mifs Julia Eastbrooke. A Novel. 2 Vols. 12mo. 5s. Lowndes, 1785.

What Pope has faid of women may with more justice be applied to novels; " Moſt noſels have no character at all," except we dignify a certain *fo ſoſiſneſs* with the name of character.

Of " The Omen" we can only ſay that it is not good, neither absolutely bad: it may ſerve to while away an hour or two, which perhaps would not be ſo well employed by circulating library readers.

Art. 26. *Remarks on the Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides,* in a Letter to James Bofwell, Esq; 8vo. 1s. Debrett.

This is an attack upon Mr. Bofwell's new performance, but of ſo innocent a nature, that we are almost inclined to believe that Mr. Bofwell patronizes the performance. If he does not, no emolument will be the reſult to the water-gruel author of it or his too credulous bookseller; for it contains neither ſtricture nor remark upon Mr. Bofwell's Journal worth one-penny ſterling.

Art. 27. *Letters to a Young Planter*; or, *Obſervations on the Management of a Sugar Plantation*. To which is added the Planter's Kalendar. Written on the Inſland of Grenada, by an Old Planter. London. 8vo. 1s. 6d. J. Strachan. 1785.

As far as we are able to judge, this appears to be a judicious and useful performance. It contains eight letters. In the two firſt, the different foils of the West India Islands are treated of, and the two methods (" the cloſe and the thin") of planting the sugar cane confidered. In the 3d and 4th letters the diſeaſes to which the cane is liable are mentioned, and methods of cure propoſed. The 5th letter contains rules for manuſaſturing sugar and rum, the productions of this valuable plant. What are called in the West Indies, " ground proviſions," plaintains, yams, Indian and Guinea corn, eddus, caffada, potatoes, ochra and pigeon-pea trees are the ſubject of the 6th. The 7th and 8th contain directions for the management and treatment of flaves. What he fays on theſe various matters is plain and ſenſible. The following hints for the treatment of flaves, as they ſeem equally dictated by good ſenſe and humanity, we ſhall infert as a ſpecimen of the work.

The flaves ſhould not only have a ſufficient allowance of whole-fome food, but their gardens ſhould be inſpect ed weekly by the ma-nager, to fee that they are properly cultivated; and the _negroes_ who neglect this muſt be puniſhed. On the other hand, those who are induſtrious and well diſpoſed people ſhould be rewarded and encouraged. It is the manager's duty, likewife, to fee that they are comfortably lodged, which will often prevent thofe diſlempers to which they are ſubjeſt.

The _negroes_ ought never to be deprived of any of their ufual pri-vileges, which I with I could ſay is not too often the practice; ſuch as, the time commonly allotted them for reſt or recreation. The hour of labour ſhould never be ſretched, unless there is an absolute neceſſity, and then not without compensation or reward. In crop-time, night-work cannot be avoided, but it ſhould be equally partitioned

396

National Affairs.

titioned out, that none may have reason to complain. Indeed, the
flaves, at this feafon, are always more healthy and joyous than at
any other time, owing, in a good meafure, to the wholesome
draughts of the cane-juice, and other douceurs they are permitted
to enjoy.

'The driver's principal boilers, and tradefmen, ought to be par-
ticularly encouraged, and invested with fome authority over the reft
of the negroes; but the manager fhoufd take care, however, that
this authority is not abufed; and have an eye particularly to the
drivers, who are very apt to exert their power in a partial and in-
equitable manner.

'Is it needful to obferve, that the greatest care ought to be taken
of the sick? Alas!¹ it is but too often to a shamefull neglect in this
moff interefling part of the planter's duty, that many of the flaves
fall a sacrifice. A proper attention to their diet, at this time, would
contribute as much, if not more, to their recovery, than the skill
of the physician. I cannot help obferving, in this place, that it is
also owing to a cruel indifference, or criminal parfimony, in this par-
ticular, not a few white people (I mean the inferior overfeers and
tradefmen) lofe their lives, foon after their arrival in the West-In-
dies. Surely, when the life of a fellow- creature, whether white or
black, is at flake, nothing in our power to beftow, that is proper
and requisite, should be withheld.'

A "Planter's Kalender" is subjoined to thefe letters, in which the
bufinefs to be done in every month is minutely detailed. Upon the
whole we recommend this work as a good wade mecum for the young
planter.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS,

For NOVEMBER, 1785,

GERMANY.

THE grand object which at prefent attracts the attention of gene-
ral politicians is, the agitation of the German Empire: an object
of great alarm, to all Europe, as well as of concern to the parties
interested in itsiffe and final fettlement. From the beginning of
the world to the prefent time, fome Empire or Empires have been
gradually stretching over the neighbouring nations, and fwallowing
up the liberties of mankind. Improvement in war, in policy, and
we may add in political and financial calculation have taught the
great powers on the Continent of Europe a leſſon which may be
practifed to the endangering, if not to the ſubverſion of the inde-
pendence of the nations. To divide the ſoil of ſome weaker ſtate,
to reap the fruits without incurring the miſeries and dangers of war
is the policy of France. Auffria, and Rußia. The Empreſs purſue
one project of aggrandizement, the Emperor a ſecond, the French
King a third; and a concert is formed for mutual connivance, if not
aid and co-operation. The Empreſs ſupports his Imperial Maſſety
in his claims to the Electorate of Bavaria; his Imperial Maſſety
ſupports the Empreſs in her encroachments on the Turkifh Empire;
and

National Affairs.

399

There is a triumvirate, at prefent whole union threatens greater calamities to Europe than could poffiblly flow from their diſord.

It is true, that the political vigilance, which in the preſent pe-
riod is excited by the advancement of knowledge, leaves leſs room
from an apprehenſion of univerſal dominion than would otherwise
take place. But a concert among a great number of inferior or ſe-
condary powers is difficult to be formed, and ſtill more difficult to
be maintained; whereas the unity, and perſeverance, and promp-
titude of one great power, form an engine that is prodigious.

POLAND.

The commotions in Poland might lead to an expectation of ſome
revolution in that kingdom if we did not know that it muſt follow
the motions of thate powers among whom its ſtrength is now di-
vided. The Polifh nobles are like fihes caught in a net. They
may toſs and tumble, but follow the draught of the ſilbers.

HOLLAND.

The DUTCH have extricated themselves from their embarraſſment
with the Emperor, by the mediation of Fance, who now appears in
the character of their protector, that hereafter ſhe may appear in
that of their miſtrefs, with leſs loſs and with greater honour than
were generally proſnoſticated. Ceffions, on the part of the Em-
peror, appear in oppofition to thate granted by them to his Imp-
erial Maſſety. In all this matter we behold the predominant influ-
ence and power of France. If the Emperor ſhall not be able to
obtain the poſſession of Bavaria, which it is probable that he will,
his conduct muſt appear to be nugatory, and utterly unworthy of
ſo powerful a prince.

FRANCE.

A negotiation is on foot for a commercial treaty between England and France. By ſuch a treaty, whatever it may be, the conſueut incitement to commerce in both nations muſt increaſe the abſolute wealth of both: but not, perhaps, the relative, of this the political French are, no doubt, ſenſible; and therefore they will be cautious how they add to the proſperity of the manufacturers of England. In negotiation the French excell more than in arms. In 1709, the French King, preſſed by the Confederates, ſoliſted a negoſation for peace. Prince Eugene of Savoy, ſaid, on that occafion, that he would negotiate with the French only in the field of battle.

IRELAND.

The Irifh nation, notwithstanding the efforts of the miniftry, ap-
pear full inimical to the commercial regulations propofed by Eng-
land.

SCOTLAND.

The friends to a political reform, in the constitution of the royal
burghs in Scotland, agreeably to that perſeverance which charac-
terizes the Scotch, ſill go on, and have determined to go on in
ſpite of every obſtacle, to urge their claims to freedom and equal
representation. Amidſt the fluctuation of human affairs, and the
imbeccillities of declining empire, the effects of unity and perſever-
ance are prodigious.

TO