66 66 sink her for a century in the scale of "puted fact with posterity, by leaving it power. If you could entertain the smallest "robed in all its unprincipled acquisitions. doubt, that their first wish is the degrada- " Neither in liberality nor in policy, is it tion of France, as the means of giving 66 a matter of mean consideration, that the England a complete preponderance against" princes and nobles of the plundered her. If you could entertain the shadow kingdoms should be remitted to the bare of a doubt, that this is the main drift of" walls of the ravaged temples and gutted all their present efforts, the proofs I am palaces. What is modern Italy without now about to produce, must remove even "her monuments? To the grave Italian, that shadow. "his country has no existence but in her V.-I charge these writers with sug- "annals. Why take from him the congesting to the Allies the idea, and, indeed, "solation of beholding the proofs of what actually recommending the measure, of "he has been? Why break away the fine stripping the Museums and Galleries of" associations of every classic and cultiParis of the statues, pictures, and other" vated mind, which connects the once invaluable curiosities brought by the French" estimable treasures of the Vatican with armies from countries which they had" the antiquity of letters and of arts, while conquered. My proof of the truth of this "in Florence it delights to meditate their charge is in the following extract from the "revival? It may, to be sure, hurt someTIMES newspaper of the 2d of May.-" what of the Parisian vanity, to find the After noticing, that the Emperor of Russia" Louvre dissected by its emigrant Gods. had expressed the intention of the Allies "The hall of the Apollo may affect the to be, to leave Paris in possession of all "French connoisseur and savant with its curiosities; after censuring this, and "sombre feelings, when the Belvidere paadding a suitable quantity of observations" lace has recovered its immortal guest. on the "robberies," the " rapacity, "and". -The Hall des Hommes illustres," the 66 vanity" of the French nation, the "the Hall' des Romains,' the Hall du writer proceeds thus:-" As the coalesced "Laocoon," the Hall of the Muses, may "Powers have fairly conquered all the "have fewer admirers, when these splen "armies of that nation, who had so long "did appellations become terms of ridiindulged themselves in every species of "cule, as they now are of reproach. But rapine throughout Europe-and since "let us hope that cur Allies may not imi"these victorious Powers, by the capture "tate our enemies, by confounding the "of Paris, have, at their absolute disposal, good and bad passions of mankind. Let "the whole magazine of revolutimary us hope that, for the sake of the French plunder, 'wrenched by fraud or violence" people themselves, an act of high and im "from its just possessors, who can avoid | “ perious justice may not be set aside from asking, how that plunder is to be dis-"regard to their unworthy vanity to that posed of? Can any man doubt, that if "sentiment, by pampering which, more "the public and private property of France" mischief has resulted to France and to the "be respected by the conquerors, the same world, than centuries of peace and peconquerors are bound, by a ten-fold obli- "nitence can repay; that sentiment to gation, so far as to respect the public "which we may fairly trace the paroxysms "and private property of Flanders and" of their military ambition, their fever of "Venice, of Florence and Rome, as to" empire, and prodigality of blood." "demand it peremptorily from those who Here there is no disguise. There is "have stolen it, and give it back to those nothing crafty. The design and the mo"from whom it was so iniquitously stolen? tive are openly avowed. But, be the event “Not even a statue, not a medal, not a pic-what it may, what must be the envy, the ture capable of removal, ought to be hatred, the rancour; how inveterate, how "left where it can only serve to reward diabolical, the malice of the minds, in "the systematic robberies of the French which such advice to the Allies could oriGovernment, and to stand the glittering ginate? Your Majesty will, probably, evidence of successful crime. It is as not have forgotten the glee of these same "the advocate of consistency, that one persons, when they saw a prospect of "might call upon the triumphant defen- Paris being burnt to ashes. It is the "ders of public justice and honour, not to same spirit that is at work here. It is "leave their triumph incomplete, not to a spirit of ervy and of malice, that leave the downfall of oppression a dis- robs the mind of its reflecting powers, It 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 STILL THE SAME; that she is ra dically and systematically our enemy; and that suspicions and jealousies of France ought FOR EVER to be awake in the breast of a Briton. Ample proof of the truth of these will be found in the following article from the COURIER newspaper of the 6th of May, which article, from the whole of its appearance, became worthy of particular notice. It is written in a style above that of the ordinary style of the Paper. It had a distinct and conspicuous place allotted to it. Its tone is such as to induce one to believe,. that it was intended to give a decided direction to public opinion upon the important subjects of which it treats. It would seem that the writer was afraid, that, in the hurry of the late scenes, public feeling, had carried people away too far, and had is a rancour against France and against Frenchmen, which knows no bounds; which loses sight of all consequences; which thinks nothing of wars, or of civil strife, in the pursuit of its gratification. Was there ever before heard of, in the whole world, such a thing as confounding booty in war with highway, or any other robbery? And, did ever any nation in the world make war for the recovery of such booty? The Allies, in their treaty concluded at Chaumont, no longer ago than the 1st of March lest, stipulate in these words :---" The troΕσ phies and booty taken from the enemy, "shall belong to the troops who take them." And yet have these malignant writers the impudence to advise the stripping of the Muscums of Paris, upon the ground, that their contents were the fruit of robbery, though the terms of the capitulation of Paris expressly forbid any such act of spo-led them, in their joy at the fall of Napoliation. However, it is not so much for leon, to forget that antipathy which he the purpose of exposing the want of reason wished to see kept alive against France, at in these writers, and their associates and all times, and under any dynasty, or any approvers, that I have noticed this part of possible order of things." Most of our their efforts, as for the purpose of clearly" cotemporarics are talking of the prepashewing, that the main object of this de- "rations for the celebration of the scription of persons is to degrade, to beg-"neral peace. That a general peace is gar, to cripple France. They see in these " indeed a subject for congratulation we do famous Museums, and Libraries, and Gal- "not of course mean to deny; but let us leries, the source of an immense and con- "first have an insight into the terms. We stant resort to Paris; they perceive that "know enough to be able to state that resort will tend to the advantage of France" they will be founded upon the bases of in a pecuniary way, at the same time that "the ancient limits of France, so far as it cannot fail to extend and perpetuate the "they relate to France upon the Continent; fame of the French armies. And, so hit-" France as she was in 1789 or 1792. ter is their malice, that they would, I" But is this principle meant to be extendverily believe, plunge us into another long "ed to her Colonies? This is what conand bloody war, rather than leave this advantage to France. The exclusive possession of all the trade of the world is not sufficient for them. The means of paying all the armies in Europe to fight against France is not enough. A twenty years alliance against France, even that does not glut these men. They wish to leave" where the reins are so fully given to her absolutely nothing but rags and dirt; and even of her soil we shall, I dare say, see, by and bye, that they wish to have all the fruit for nothing.-Your Majesty will" surely admire their generosity, whatever you may think of their prudence. 66 cerns us. ge Russia will get an exten"sion of territory, Prussia get back her own with additions, so will Austria— "But what are we to have? It may per "haps appear somewhat ungracious to sug"gest a single thought which might damp "the general joy, or awaken a single fear, "hope. The line of discussion we have "pursued, does, however, on this occasion, "require us to express some fears that the glow of generous feeling which has been "excited by so many important, and, as to many of the circumstances, unlcoked-for We now come to my two last charges, occurrences; the satisfaction which a namely:"virtuous people feels on the fall of cleVI. Endeavouring to prevent, in the pend-"vated villainy, and the pleasure which ing negociations, the restoratim of the" the restoration of a legitimate and reold French Colɔnies to France. And, spectable covereign to his throne could "not fail in this country to excite, may VII. Inculcating the doctrine that France, 46 66 though Napoleon is overthrown, is" have tended to lull those suspicions and joicings? Why have we wasted so many even then.-But, how could a generous candles, such rivers of oil, and stripped people expect it, after having approved of the laurels off the few leaves which the winter had not turned brown? If France a treaty to pay for 600 thousand men to We be "radically and systematically our ene- be kept on foot against France? " my," to what end have we spent 800 mil- cannot eat the cake and have it too. We lions of additional debt and 400 millions in taxes? To what end have we saddled cannot expect to have all these services our great great grand-children (if Bank- and all this glory without paying for it. notes last) with such an enormous load? "What!" exclaim the patriotic maidens. What! Have we done this to restore to of fixed incomes, 66 are we to still pay the France a paternal government? Have we incurred all this expence, and shed ri"Property Tax, now that the monster vers of blood to give happiness, as we pre"Bonaparte is overthrown?" But, my tend, to our radical and systematic enemy? dear ladies, pray bear in mind, that you From this mass of inconsistency, falsehood, vanity, envy, and malignity, I turn must expect to pay the Reckoning. There are to conclude, in a few words addressed to 600,000 Austrians, Prussians and Russians, your Majesty. You will now clearly see, Croats and Cossacks, who have been fightthat, in this country, no very small por-ing for us in defence of freedom, social tion of that powerful instrument, the Press, is employed in endeavours to pre-order, and religion; and would you not vail upon the Allied Powers to impose hard pay for their return home to their own and disgraceful terms upon you and your happy countries? Do you consider what people; that this same press is beginning might have been the consequence, if a already to endeavour to revive and perpetuate deadly animosity in the breasts of Englishmen against France. When you have seen the clear proof of these facts, only wish you, your ministers, and your people, to observe and to bear in mind, I will not believe, that you will grudge to that it is this same press which is weary-pay the Property Tax for the rest of your ing the very air with their advice to you, lives. Besides, will not this tax go, in to slight and degrade your army, to break your promised amnesty, and to adopt all those vindictive measures calculated to plunge France into long and bloody civil I wars. N. B. The King of France having put off the final arrangement of the Constitution, until the 31st of May, I shall postpone, till after that time, my proposed comparison between it and our happy thing of the same name. SUMMARY OF POLITICS. THE RECKONING. This is a most copious subject, and I can only just notice here, that it is said, in the Parliamentary Debate Reports, that the War Taxes, except the trifling duty on goods going from one part of the coast to the other, are to be kept on for another year, at any rate; or, at least, there is no promise that any part of them shall be sooner taken off; por, indeed, that they shall be taken off French army had got into England? Reflect; pray reflect a little upon the terrible risk which you ran. And, if you do that, ed? 66 Have part, into the pockets of those, who, as Some mention has been made of this in Parliament; but I paper for gold; a measure open also to any must put off remarks till my my next. JOHN BULL'S SECOND THOUGHT. MR EDITOR-It is now said France is subjugated, and restored to the Bourbon family in a crippled state.-Norway, we are told, is bartered away to Sweden, whom we are to assist in securing possession of it. America, we are assured, is to be abandoned by the Allies for us to RECOLONIZE it! The Allies, our Allies, will have gloriously fought for, and obtained, the Liberties of Europe. Peace is to be universal and permanent. They boast that we shall all be happy under the paternal sway of our own legitimate Sovereigns!and that discontent will not exist, or at least will be compelled to hide its head! But it has happened, before now, that a man, after struggling hard with a disease, has, even after the disease has been subdued, miserably fallen a victim to the medicines which have been administered!-We have seen a coalition of different Sovereigns overcome the most powerful nation, and the most skilful General in Europe. Whatever may be the ostensible pretence for this, the real cause will be found in the French having first made laws for their Monarch, and next having beheaded him crimes most unpardonable in civilized Europe, and among regular Governments. In cases of murder, it is well known that length of time does not occasion prescription. If we look into our own history, then, it will be seen that we have been equally guilty as the French. Did we not behead Charles? did we not confiscate the church land? Did we not send James and his family a packing? How come we, then, to throw the first stone? By means of a Coalition we succeeded-aye, and another Coalition may speedily inflict a similar punishment on us.-Coalitions may now become the order of the day; and if interest, sometimes denominated public good by Princes, should step in, a Coalition against England would be full as practicable as one against France. It may be said that such Coalition would fail for want of money; that, in the present war, we had been the bankers of the Allies. Yes, with a vengeance, we have sent them our money and reserved only our bills; so that this very argument overturns itself; for if we have given the Allies money, they, or their subjects, are now in the actual possession of it, while we are compelled to substitute new Coalition that might be formed against us. If it be argued, that the nation is still very rich, it is answered, that the greater will be the incitement for plunder. The resources of the Allies in men are immense, and as we cannot prevent the increase of their shipping, they may shortly, and very shortly too, make the liberty of the seas their pretence, and prove equally successful as when fighting for the liberties of the land! perhaps even now the storm is gathering!-The expected arrival of the Allied Sovereigns in this country may tend to accelerate the event. They will be received with pomp, with ceremony, with acclamations, with illuminations, and with fêtes. To them, as was done by Hezekiah to the ambassadors of Belodack Baladan, Prince of Babylon, will be shewn, in full display, all our riches and their sources. The very magnificence of their reception by their princely host; the luxury of a Lord Mayor's feast, and the splendid appearance which will be assumed by all those who will be permitted to approach the royal visitors, will give birth to reflections as to the manner in which such wealth was acquired, and the means employed for securing its immense influx. Some deep-sighted politician may whisper, that it is all owing to the sovereignty of the seas. To the Sovereign of all the Russias, he may add, that this little Island might have room to dance in one of his Imperial Majesty's provinces. Why, then, he may ask, should not Russia have as extended a commerce, and an equal share of the sovereignty of the seas? It may also be hinted, that a certain portion may be granted the confederates, for their assistance in recovering the whole.- -With the aid of England, might these confederates argue, we have just conquered a country containing thirty millions of inhabitants; with the aid of these we may easily subdue a population of ten millions, and of these ten millions a twentieth part, at the least, will gladly transplant themselves and their manufactures to the Continent. Thus we may free the seas and increase our commerce, &c. &c. As the visit of the two Emperors, however, is unavoidable, it may, perhaps, be more to the profit of the country, if, in their reception, we display less of our luxury and more of our poverty. Let them be conducted to our prisons and our poor-houses, and to our decaying manufacturing towns let them enter the peasant's half-thatched The Conscription.-The continuar of the Conscription is abolished.—The Peace and War Establishments of the Army will be fixed by the law, which will in like manner determine the modes and extent of the recruiting servicc.-The military expendi ture of each year. The way in which advances shall be made. Similar regulations with respect to the mariac establishments. The provision for the army retained in active service, and that for retired or pensioned officers, and soldiers, will be takon into serious consideration.-The marines will experience a similar attention. cottage-let them be made acquainted with | diture of the brother of the King is calthe magnitude of our National Debt-with culated at one-fourth, exclusive of the pri the immense sums annually collected by vate property and the appendages.-That Government, and the way in which it is dis- of the nephews at the sixteenth part.-tributed; let them inform themselves, pro- The maintenance of the children of France, viding they do not divulge it in this coun- in the direct line from the King, male and try, of the immense quantity of paper now female, will be hereafter provided for. in circulation; and thus, after dining at a luxurious board, and when retiring to rest on a splendid couch, they will naturally conclude, that however great the commercial resources are in England, want predominates; that, though luxury abounds at Court and among the great, nine-tenths of the people have misery to their share; and that, upon the whole, England is like a certain bird, which, having more feather than flesh, is not worth powder and shot. Prudence will, however, suggest to us that we ought to keep up our large standing army and not disband our militia; that we ought to have recourse to a Conscription, a Landwher, or a Landstrum; and, at all events, that we ought to send our foreign legions out of the country, lest, in the heat of battle, they should go over in a body to the enemy. Let us by the experience of others grow wise, and avoid the fate of Napoleon at Leipsic.On the other hand, as the people are now content to bear heavy Public Liberty-The care of the extaxes, they will not murmur at their conti- ternal relations of the kingdom; the mainGovernment may, therefore, still tenance of the rights and possessions of subsidize, as usual, only changing the ob- the kingdom; the care of its political relaject, and instead of making them the cc- tions; the military preparations, with rement of a coalition, let the subsidies be con- ference to those of neighbouring States; verted to the promotion of discord; for it and the repelling imminent or incipient is much better to prevent a coalesced inva-hostilities, is entrusted to the King. But sion than to repell it: and it must be re- in cases of extraordinary movements of the membered this country has often been re- forces of the State, the King shall, withduced by invaders, and that what has here-out delay, give notice of the same to the tofore been effected by one invading nation may more assuredly be within the verge of possibility, when attempted by a COALITION OF ALL EURope. nuance. ARISTIDES. Question of Peace and War.-The rights of Peace and of War shall appertain to the Legislative Bodies conjointly, subject to the following limitation:--War cannot be decided upon but by the special decree of the Two Chambers, upon the formal and necessary proposition of the King, and sanctioned by his Majesty. Legislative Bodies, and make known the causes and objects thereof. And if the Legislature be not then sitting, the same shall be immediately couvoked by his Majesty. When the Legislative Bodies shall deem the causes and objects legiti FRANCE. The following are some ad-mate and admissible, war shall be declared ditional articles of the new French Con- by the King in the name of the French nastitution, which have transpired since Ition. It shall then be deemed national, last adverted to the progress of the revolu- and the necessary supplies shall be provided. tion in that country:- -If the Two Chambers shall decide that Civil List.-The Civil List (or the war ought not to be made, the King shall funds of the annual expenditure of the order his Ministers, on their responsibility, King) is fixed at twenty-five millions of to adopt, without delay, measures for the francs, exclusive of his private demesnes cessation or prevention of all hostility.and those of the Crown.-The King to It appertains to the King to conclude and support his civil and military household. sign all treaties of peace, alliance, and The maximum in point of number for the commerce, and other conventions with latter is determined.--The annual expen- | Foreign Powers, which he shall decm ad |
