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How many innocents of mine,
To pleate that favage brat of thine,
Have been tormented, rack 'd, and torn;
Alas! that ever I was born!

For which juft Heav'n ro' him has fent
Your long-deferved punishment.

"His murd'rous fearchings to elude,
And fave my little unfledg'd brood,
Deep in a tree, that form'd a thade
Over the stream, my nest I made;
'Twas all in vain, his prying eye
Caught my fequester'd privacy;
But in th' attempt my peace to wound,
His own too lenient death he found.
Had he furviv'd to plague the earth,
You would have curs'd his hour of birth;
Filial ingratitude, that pet,

Had planted daggers in your breaft !
Hence! Ay! and on your knees thank Heav'n
That fuch a kindly exit's giv'n;
His days prolong'd to man's estate,
A halter must have been his fate.

"Had you, when Reafon's dawn began,
To goodness form'd the future man,
The weeds of vice pluck'd by the root
The moment when obierv'd to shoot,
And by example mark'd the road
That leads to Virtue's bright abode,
He then had prov'd a different creature,
For cuftom gives a fecond nature.

"You are his murd'rer;-'tis to you His crimes and death are chiefly due!"

J. R.

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And he could own, in diffelution's hour, The fource celeftraf of each hope heknew! Hence fprung the gen'rous ardour of his mind;

Oft did he liften to the tale of wo

The wretch to deepest mifery confign'd, And gave all he and Pity could bestow,

Nor paus'd he here; when Spring renew'd her reign,

He bade the husbandman his toils pm fue, While Summer frolick'd o'er the flow'ry plar,

And rip'ning Antumn deepen'dev'ry hue. And when the Winter came, no fun appear'd; [ground; To adamantine chang'd the fertile Then has his board the hapless peafant chear'd,

Then beam'd Humanity effulgent round. So fleet is life! ah! ye who sport the day, Thoughtiefs, how foon the winged mo, ments fade;

Have ye not found your joys fo seeming gay

Pourtray'd by Fancy on an empty fhade? But what awaits the virtuous and the wife? Death is to them difmantling of the fout; Eutob'd in light they reach th' etherial fkies, And taste of pleasures endless as they roll. Soutbauark. JOHN SHEPPARD, jun.

W

S ON G.

By Dr PERFECT.

HAT. rrow invades my fond bre:ft, How tranfient was Colin's delight, I cheerfully courted my reff,

When Phyllis was kind to my fight. I told her foft themes of my love,

I brought her a lamb from my fold; My reed tun'd her praise thro' the gove; And I valued her files more than gold. : A chaplet from Flora I ftole,

Compos'd of the bloffoms that grow Where the ftreamlets meand'ring roll Thro' a valley of rofes below.

I brought her a goldfinch's reft;

It hurt me to rob the poor bird; To her cheeks the fofs younglings the prefs'd, And my innocent prefent preferr'd. With pinks and with lies her crook

'Twas my cure ev'ry morning to drefs; Did he give in return « kind look,

My ftars I was ready to blefs.

But why did I dance on the lea,

Why partial to Payllis appear;
She fail'd not on love nor on we;
Was over a maid, fo levere ?
Tw& Corydon, fwan of the hill,
That Phyllis to Colin preferi'd;
My eyes hall diffolve i ke a vill,

Whenever I mention the word.
Deceit was a faake in her fmile;

Go, Phyllis, my heart fh ll not break; In turn i will learn to begale,

Anto-morrow begin at the wake.

* A premem was awarded him for au Elkay on Hufbaudry by the Agutultural Society.

PROCEEDINGS IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT

H. Q F LORDS. February 17.

On the first reading of the Bank Reftriction bill, Lord Auckland moved for an account of the outstanding Bank Notes at different periods laft ver; after which Earl Moira expreffed his fentiments at great length, and obferve, that no meafure ever more loudly called ter difcution and explanation on the part of Minifters: he confidered its continuance either as a measure of Government at the infance of the Bank, or the effect of an accommodation between thofe parties; and contended, that the refriction produced the unfavourable frate of exchange, and that no neceflity exifted for the meafure. He concluded with moving for a firing of documents relative to the affairs of the Bank.

Lord Pelham, in answer, afferted that the measure was not propofed at the inftance of the Bank; but was deemed ne ceffary by Government. He opposed the production of any papers that might tend to reflect on the validity of the Bank.

After fome farther converfation, the accounts moved for by Lord Auckland were ordered, and additional information was agreed to be given.

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The Duke of Montrofe adverted to the late Confpiracy, and defcribed the deteftation which every loyal heart felt at its difcovery, in an elegant fpeech, the object of which was to move, "That an humble Address be prefented to his Majefty, in the name of both Houfes, congratulating him on his providential efcape; expreffing their abhorrence of the plot against his Perfon and Government; and affaring him of their firm vtachment to our prefent happy Conftitution, as well as to the Perfon and Family of his Majefty."

Earl Camden feconded the motion, and the Addrefs was voted nem. dis.

BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

Certain accounts refpecting the iffue of Exchequer bills, &c. were laid before the Houfe; after which, Lord Pelham moved GENT. MAG, March, 1803.

the fecond reading of the Bank Restriction bill, and urged the fame arguments as before in fupport of the measure.

Lord King and the Earl of Moira spoke at confiderable length, to fhew that the meafure was not neceffary.

The Earl of Weftmorland and Lord Auck land argued in fupport of the bill.

In the Commons the fame day, Lord Eufton called the attention of the House to the fubject of the late extraordinary Confpiracy. In delivering his fentiments, he obferved, that upon the late trials fo much had occurred, that, unless the House and the publick were to appear guilty of a dereliction of their firft principles, they could not but confider themselves highly indebted to the Government for the wife fteps they had taken to develope that plot, and to bring its authors to punishment. He af- terwards moved the following Addrefs:

"Moft Gracious Sovereign,

We, your Maiefty's most dutiful and loyal fubjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament affembled, beg leave to offer to your Majesty our heartfelt congratulations on the detection and failure of an atrocious and treafonable Confpiracy directed against your Majesty's facred Perfon and Govern-*

ment.

The wicked machinations, which, through the goodnets of Divine Providence, have been thus happily fruftrated, afford an aðditional proof of the pernicious tendency of thofe deteftable principles which are equally adverse to the enjoyment of poetical li berty, and to the existence of regular anthority, as well as destructive of the comfort. and fecurity of all claffes of fociety.

We affure your Majefty, in our own name, and in that of all the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of the perfect and unvariable attachment of a loyal and grateful people; and that it is our fixed determination, as it is our indifpenfable duty, to fupport and maintain that form of Government, under which it is our glory and happiness to live, and to tranfmit it unchanged and unimpaired to our defcendants."

Lord Boyle feconded the motion; and the Addreis was carried.

The Secretary at War called the attention of the Committee to improvements in the Mutiny bill. The first class of amendments. were, to check or prevent the criminal practice of deferting. It was a practice which had continued during the war, and is prevalent fill; and it was a fact that nearly one fourth of the whole army has

deferted

deferted within the year. He proposed to deprive Courts Martial of the option of fending deferters to the fettlements abroad, inftead of condemning them to death. The amendment was to fentence them to "transportation for life, or for an optional term of years." He should alfo propose, "that any foldier, confined for debt, fhould forfeit his pay while in prifon." Thefe amendments, and others of an inferior nature, were agreed to.

February 23.

On the motion for confidering his Majesty's mellage, Colonel Stanley wished to know whether the difficulties of the Prince were to be removed by any new ftep, or whether the matter was like a compromife on account of certain claims. If it was to be confidered as the latter, he knew that the first law authorities were divided on the subject of the legality of fuch claims.He thought the Prince was precluded from any application in his behalf, in confequence of the King's meffage on the 21st of May, 1787.

The Speaker then left the chair; after which the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced his propofition by alluding to the conftitutional intereft of the Committee in the splendour and dignity of the heir ap arent. He referred to the proceedings refpecting the Prince in 1795, and recapitulated the different giants made to Princes of Wales fince the year 1742, in order to fhew that the income of the prefent Prince in 1795 was not greater than that enjoyed by his grandfather. He then entered into a detail of the application of the funds for the liquidation of the Prince's debts; the refult of which was, that on the 5th of January last there had been paid off 563,8951. and continuing the operation of this plan, the whole would be discharged in July 1806, leaving a balance of fomething lefs than rool. and allowing 6000l. for the charges of management: he next adverted to the mellage, and obferved, that his Highnefs had paffed a fifth part of his life in embarratfment and obfcurity. His propofition was, "That his Royal Highness fhould be placed, from the 5th of January, 1803, in the fituation in which he would have been, but for the provision which was made for the arrangement of his affairs in the year 1795, or that he should receive a grant of 60,cool. per annum." He did not wish to interrupt the plan adopted for liquidating the debts, or for preventing new oues. After taking a view of the great change in the value of money during the laft eight years, in order to fhew the neceffity of his propofition, he moved, "That it is the opinion of this Committee, that his Majefty be enabled to grant yearly any fum of money ont of the confolidated fund, not exceeding 60,0col, to take place

from the 5th of January, 1803, and to continue till the 5th of July, 1806, towards providing for the better fupport and dignity of the Prince of Wales." He observed that the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall would be free during this period to the amount of 13,000l. otherwife he should have propofed the vote for 73,000l.; and to a question put by Mr. Harrifon he faid, that the amount of the debt, liquidated by payments up to the 5th of January, 1803, was 563,8951. and that the refidue was 235,7541. including principal, intereft, and charges of management,

The Solicitor General, on the part of the Prince, ftated his Royal Highness's acknowledgement for the intereft of the King in his welfare, and his readiness to acquiefce in the determination of the House. With refpect to the Cornwall claim, the Prince, in duty to his Parent, had determined to forego it, rather than profecute fuch claim in a hoftile manner.

Mr. Harrifon withed to know the refidue of the Prince's debts; in answer to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer faid, the refidue is now 230,000l.

Mr. Sheridan made fome obfervations on the tranfactions refpecting the Cornwall claims; and observed, that the Prince did not come to the Houfe to beg, but to obtain his right; and if he relinquished the meafure, his inducements were the glorious uncertainty of the law, and a wifh not to add to the burthens of the people.,

Mr. Fox, in an elegant (peech, expreffed his opinion, that his Highness ought to receive a remuneration equal to his ftation and character.

The motion was agreed to.

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of the Militia interfered with that of the regulars.

The Secretary at War obferved, that the recruiting was nearly over, and 50,000 men had been raised.

The bill was then passed.

H. O F LORDS.

February 28.

March 2.

The House in a Committee on the Irish Revenue Acts, Mr. Corry made a propofition, the object of which was to allimilate the collection of revenue in that kingdom with this country, by moving refolutions for continuing the prefent duties, granted for the fupport of the Government, perpetually, instead of annually. On the re

The Royal Allent was given to the Bank folutions being put, a long and defultory Restriction bill.

In the Commons the fame day, Mr. Tyrwhitt acquainted the House, "That the Ponce has felt, with the most fincere and affectionate gratitude, the gracious purpose of his Majesty in recommending his prefent fruation to the confideration of Parliament :—that, having feen, by the Votes of the House of Commons, the manner in which they have received his Majesty's recommendation, the Prince deems it incumbent on him to exprefs his warmest acknowledgement of their liberality. At the fame time, the Prince, though fully convinced of the propriety of resuming his state, and greatly regretting any circumftance which tends to disappoint the wishes of his Majesty, or of the Houfe, upon that fubject, yet feels himself bound explicitly to declare, that there are still claims remaining upon his honour and juftice, for the dif charge of which he must continue to fet apart, in truft, a large finking fund, and confequently poftpone, until the period of their liquidation, the refumption of that state and dignity, which, however effential to his rank and Station, he knows, from dear-bonght experience, could not, under his prefent circumstances, be refumed, without the risk of incurring new dif ficulties. The Prince thinks that he ewes it to himself and to Parliament, to make this declaration to them with the fame diftinctnefs as he ftated it to his Majesty's goverament upon the first communication made to him of his Majesty's benign intentions. With refpect to the Prince's claim to an account of the revenues which accrued from the Duchy of Cornwall, from the year 1762 to 1783, however ftrong his confidence in the validity of his clam, a confidence fortified by the greatest legal authorities, yet, as he trufts that, through the gracious interpofition of his Majefty, and the liberality of Parliament, he shall he enabled otherwife to provide for thofe demands on his juftice which alone induced him to affert his right, he now chearfully relinquithes his fuit, and has directed his law officers to forego all furtherproceedings." The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved, a clause for altering and repealing fo much of the act of the 35th of the King, as applies the fum of 13,00. 1. annually, out of the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall, towards difcharging the Prince's debt. Agreed to.

conversation enfned, hetween Mr. Lee, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Bagwell, Mr. M'Naughton, Mr. Latouche, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, refpe&ting the precipitancy with which the meafure was attempted to be hurried through the Houfe. The principal objection was to the tax on windows, and the tax on tanners, which, Meffrs. Bagwell, M'Naughton, and Latouche, contended, were extremely obnoxious to the people of Ireland. After a reply from Mr. Corry, and fome remarks in favour of the measure hy the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the refolptions were agreed to.

The Mutiny bill was paffed.

In a Committee of Supply, the Chancellor of the Exchequer obferved, that a fum of 1,600,000l. had been voted for the Army Extraordinaries of last year: he at that time faid, that the fum would not be fufficient for the current expences of the year; and as it had fince been found neceffary to augment the Army, an increase of expence had occurred of 1,032,150l. To defray this, he moved that a fum not exceeding 1,032,1511. 45. 8d. be granted to m ke good the like fum paid for the Army Extraordinaries, from the 25th of December, 1801, to the 24th December 1802, inclufive.

After fome objections from Mr. Fullex, the refolution was agreed to.

H. OF LORDS.
March 3.

On the fecond reading of the Militia Training bill, the Duke of Montrofe fpoke at fome length, to fhew the neceflity of our being always in a strong defenfive attitude. With this view he thought, instead of 28 days training, double that time thould be enacted, and a third of the whole Militia thould be called out.

Lord Hobart denied that there was any neceffity for extraordinary expedients.

In the Commons the fame day, on the report of the Irith Revenue A&ts, Colonel Bagwell rettated his objections, particularly to the tax on Tanners.

Mr. Sheridan objected to the fhortness of the notice given, that thefe taxes were to be rendered permanent. He withed for a claufe to continue them for one year, before the expiration of which a difcuffion might be had. Some farther converfation

took

took place; after which the refolutions were agreed to.

March 4

Mr. Calcraft fubmitted bis propofition on the state of the Frince's affairs. He again difavowed any influence but what arofe from motives originating in his own bofom, and was confident that all parties would be ready to receive the motion without oppo. fition. In his construction of the King's Meffage, it went much farther than the measure grounded upon it; it must go farther than the mere application of a fum of money, as that could not bring the Prince any nearer the attainment of the object of his Majesty's Mell ge. He was not guided in his propofition by any regard to the perfonal comfort of his Royal Highnefs, for the bill itself would be adequate to that, but he looked to that state of dignity to which the community was interested in refloring him. With thefe fentiments, he moved, "That this Houfe, defirous to give fuil effect to the recommendation in his Majesty's Meflage of the 16th February, do appoint a felect Committee to demand information concerning those incumbrances that impede his Royal High. nefs from complying with the object of the Mellage, by refuming inmediately that ftate and dignity to winch he is entitled."

Mr. Ekine made fome remarks in anfwer to an allufion of the lift fpeaker as to his former obfe: vations: he took a view of the late debates refpecting the Meffage, and paid fome compliments to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who, he conceived, in his fpecific propofition, had been guided by that moderation which always characterifes him. He thought the motion of Mr. C. went to afcertain the feelings of the Houfe, and was neither a centure on the Meffage, nor a criticism on the Minifter. With refpect to the revenues of Corrwall, the Attorney Geneval had argued that they had been a fund for the fuftentation of the Heir Apparent; taking this for granted, if it should appear, on balancing the accounts, that the publick was not in debt to the Prince, nor the Prince to the publick: then he would be in a fituation different from that of any of his predeceffors, by having arrived at the age of 40 without having been a burthen to the people. Mr. E. then concluded with obferving, that he thought it would be advantageous to the publick, and juft in the Houfe, to extend the grant fo as to make it effectual.

Mr. Fuller made fome remarks on the wifdom of our ancestors, by keeping the Prince independent of the King, and ought the conduct of the prefent Prince, with refpect to his intention of fatisfying the claims of his creditors, noble and magranimous. He aflerted, that the Commffioners had deducted the furplus charge of 10 per cent, above the prime coft from the diffe

rent bills; and as this was only the fair pro fit of every tradefman, it was much to the honour of the Prince that he could not be happy till they were difcharged.

Mr. Cartwright,. Mr. Curwen, and Sir R. Barton, were for the continuance of the prefent system of economy, instead of laying additional burthens on the people.

Mr. Hilliard wes of a contrary opinion.

Mr. Jobatone faw no difference between the prefent period and that of 1795, that could make fo great an alteration. On the contrary, in 1795 there were a multitude of Jacobins in the country, to counteract whole machinations it was neceffary for every branch of the Royal Family to at tract popularity and attachment. With refpect to the Cornwall arrears, the whole fum received from the Duchy did not exceed 234,000l.; against which were to be fet off 5000l. per annum for the maintenance of the Prince, from 1771 till he came of age; or 250,000l. againți 234 2001. He therefore thought it an infult to the country, to be told of facrifices made on the part of the Prince.

Mr. H. Lafcelles, Sir W. Geary, and Mr. Dent, exprelled their opinions on the necenity of fupporting the Prince in his dignity, .

Mr. Tierney made many remarks on the illiberality of objecting to the increase of the income of the Prince, when placemen fince 1795 had mostly received an increase of one-fourth to their falaries, on account of the preffure of the times.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the precipitancy with which the business of the Address had been hurried through, the House: he was certain that the Fence had no knowledge of the prefent motion, and even doubted whether it was confiftent with order; in fhort, he thought that as much had been done as could be with propriety, and he would refift every thing beyond it.

Mr. Fox defer-led the motion, against the remarks of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

1

Mr. Sheridan, in a fpeech replete with humeur (but through which our limits will not allow us to purfue him), commented on the fpeeches of thofe who opposed the motion, but particularly that of Mr. Johnftone; he thought it a weak thing, after we had thrown away 250,000,0 ol. for the fupport of the Thrones of Europe, in which we failed, to oppofe giving too,otol. to maintain the dignity of our own, an object which we could not fail to accomplish.

Lard Hawkesbury oppofed the motion, as a friend to the Prince, the Parliament, and the People; after which the House die vided-for the previous queftion 184against it 139-niajority 45.

In a Committee of Supply, the fum of 356,000l. was voted to pay off Irish Treas fury bills. ABSTRACT

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