creases in size, and near twelve hundred vessels are now said to be collected there.

HOLLAND.

On the seventh of February last an order was issued by the French government for seizing all English commodities in the warehouses, shops, and cominercial houses, particularly in the maritime towns, in Dutch Brabant and in Zealand; and all goods esteemed such were carried off to places belonging to France. In various places detachments of French troops supported the officers of the customs by whom the order was enforced. By this violent measure many of the inhabitants, particularly in Flushing, have lost a great part of their property. These are some of the happy effects of French alliance.

TURKEY.

The last accounts from Constantinople state, that Abdul Wechab, who headed the rebellion which lately broke out in Arabia, and which threatened the safety of a great part of the Turkish dominions, had been murdered, together with his brother, while at prayers. The assassin was cut into a thousand pieces by the partisans of Abdul Wechab. It was expected that this event would extinguish the rebelllon, and that the followers of Abdul Wechab would quietly disperse.

ALGIERS.

A misunderstanding has for some time subsisted between Mr. Falcon, the British consul, and the Dey, which was widened by some Moorish women having been found in the consul's house, introduced

there, it is said, in Mr. Falcon's absence, by means of the French consul. In consequence of this circumstance, Mr. Falcon was ordered away, and otherwise treated with much indignity. Lord Nelson being instructed to procure the re-instatement of Mr. Falcon, proceeded to Algiers, and requested to be allowed to explain the business; but the Dey refused. Lord Nelson then threatened to use force, but the Dey declaring his intention of repelling force by force, and Lord Nelson having no instructions to proceed to extremities, the matter has ended here for the present. It is supposed that orders will go out to bombard Algiers. In the mean time all ships are cautioned not to approach the coast of Algiers, or to suffer themselves to be boarded by Algerine cruisers.

EAST INDIES.

The accounts received of the progress of the war in CEYLON Continue to be of a disastrous nature. The Candians are said to have been so successful in their attacks as to endanger, in some degree, the safety of our principal possessions in that island. The ravages of war had been greatly aggravated by those of disease; great nuinbers of officers and soldiers having been carried off by the fever of the country. Reinforcements are said to be proceeding both from Madras and from this country for the protection of the island.

AMERICA.

Louisiana has been formally taken possession of by the government of the United States. We are happy to learn that they have prohibited the importation of slaves into that province.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. A COMMITTEE of the House of Commons has been appointed to investigate the state of the paper currency of Ireland, and the causes of the unfavourable exchange between that country and England.

A motion brought forward on the 7th inst. by Sir John Wrottesley, for the house resolving itself into a committee to enquire into the conduct of the government of Ireland relative to the insurrection of the 23rd of July, was negatived by a majority of ninety-six, the noes being one hundred and seventy-eight, and the ayes eighty-two.

On the 14th inst. a motion was made by Mr. Creevey for the production of a variety of papers, with a view to the institution of an enquiry into the circumstances of the existing war in Ceylon, which he contended had been impolitic in its com

mencement, and highly disastrous in its consequences. A part only of the papers moved for, viz. "Copies of dispatches received from the governor of Ceylon respecting the causes of the war," was granted: the rest were withheld on the ground that, if granted, they might convey dangerous information to the enemy.

The same day Mr. Francis moved for the following papers, in order to ascertain the causes of the present Mahrattah war, viz. "Copies of all dispatches from the Governor General relating to the rise and progress of the war; copies of all correspondence with the Mahrattah chiefs or states; and copies of all orders from the court of directors relative to the war." He grounded his motion on the express letter of an act of parliament, prohibiting all wars of ambition, or which were not strictly defensive. Lord Castlereagh having assured the house that the necessary infor

mation on this subject had not yet reached this country; and having promised that as soon as it was received it should be laid before parliament, Mr. Francis agreed to withdraw his motion.

On the 15th instant Mr. Pitt moved for certain papers, intended to furnish materials for an enquiry into the conduct of the naval department. The general ground on which he placed his proposition was that the means of naval defence, employed by the admiralty, were inadequate to the demands of the present perilous crisis. In this view of the subject he was supported by Admiral Berkeley, Mr. Wilberforce, and Mr. Sturges Bourne. Mr. For, and Mr. Ponsonby voted on the same side, but professedly on a different ground, viz. that the conduct of the admiralty was in no respect censurable, and that it was due to the character of Earl St. Vincent to grant the papers which were called for. The motion was opposed, however, by Mr. Tierney, Sir Charles Pole, Sir Edward Pellew, Captain Markham, Mr, Sheridan, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who argued that there existed no reasons for acceding to a measure which implied a suspicion of neglect on the part of the first lord of the admiralty, the character of that noble lord placing him above suspicion; and endeavoured to shew that every exertion had been made for the naval defence of the country which the exigency required, or our means would support. On a division the numbers were for Mr. Pitt's motion one hundred and thirty, against it two hundred and one, majority seventy-one.

The subject which has principally occupied the attention of parliament during the present month, has been the regulation of the volunteer system. A bill was brought into parliament for that purpose on the 8th of February by Mr. Secretary Yorke, and it has since undergone numerous and long discussions, which embraced not only the principle and the detail of the proposed regulations, but the comparative advantages and disadvantages of combining with our regular army either a volunteer force, such as is now on foot, or an armed peasantry, calculated for a more desultory and less regular species of warfare. Upon this last question, the arguments of all parties seemed to us to shew, that in addition to our present volunteer force, (to which it would be expedient to give as high a degree of discipline as may be compatible with general convenience,) a very large proportion of our population, perhaps the whole of the first and second classes under the defence bill, (viz. unmarried men from seventeen to fifty), not already enrolled in any volunteer corps, should be so far trained to the use of arms, as to be able to act against an invading army as irregular troops, lining hedges and ditches, cutting off foraging parties, hanging on CHRIST. OBSERY. No. 27.

According to an account presented to the House of Commons, the produce of the permanent taxes for the year ending the 5th of January last, was £.30,710,747 14s. 04d. besides the war tax of 1803, amounting to £.1,874,672. 2s. 112d. making altogether the sum of £.32,585,419. 17s. old.

A bill is to be brought into the House immediately after the recess, in order to adjust the claims of the loyalty loan hold. ers to repayment; the act of parliament on this subject being wholly at variance with the original resolution on which the loan was founded.

We are truly happy to have it in our power to congratulate our readers on the progressive restoration of his Majesty to nearly a perfect state of health, which has taken place during the present month. On the 22d instant he was considered to be so much recovered, that notice was given that no more bulletins should be issued. As soon as there was a fair prospect of his Majesty's recovery, the following form of worship was ordered to be used in all the churches and chapels in the kingdom.

"O Almighty God, we render unto Thee our unfeigned thanks and praise, that Thou hast vouchsafed to be merciful and gracious to this kingdom, in granting to Thy servant, our sovereign, the hope and prospect of a speedy recovery from his dangerous sickness. Confirm and establish, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the work which thou hast begun. Make the light of Thy countenance to shine upon him, and renew in him his perfect strength. Grant that he may long continue a nursing father to Thy Church, and Thy minister for good to all his subjects; and that, in the present crisis, he may be Thy blessed instrument of restoring peace to the distracted world. And when Thou hast lengthened Bb

his days on earth, in the enjoyment both of domestic happiness and of public peace and prosperity, crown him, O Lord, with everlasting glory in the life to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen."

Of the state of political parties at the present moment, it is not easy to give a very accurate account. In one or two instances, particularly on the motion for a naval inquiry, Mr. Pitt and his friends have evinced strong disapprobation of the conduct of ministry; and the general tenour of his remarks on the volunteer bill shew, that he conceives them deficient in that energy which the present crisis calls for. There appears, however, as yet no further symptom of an alliance between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Windham than arises from their occasionally dividing on the same side. Strong symptoms, indeed, of a friendly union between Mr. Windham and Mr. Fox have been observed; and it has even been supposed, we know not on what foundation, that a coalition would be formed of their respective parties with a view of opposing ministers. Mr. Sheridan, on the other hand, takes occasionally an active part in defending ministry, while he continues to profess a friendship for Mr. Fox, and, in common with Mr. Fox, a dislike to Mr. Pitt. On the motion for a naval enquiry, the minority, which was very formidable, was composed chiefly of the friends of Messrs. Pitt and Windham, and a part of those of Mr. Fox, with the addition of many members who attach themselves to no party.

The squadron which blockades Boulogne has been frequently engaged with detachments of the enemy's gun-boats, making their way to that harbour. Only three or four, however, have fallen into our hands, such being the shallowness of the water near the French coast, and the strength of the batteries on shore, as to render it nearly impossible to make any impression on the enemy's vessels, which are likewise escorted along the coast by flying artillery.

A plan is said to be in agitation, if not already attempted, for blocking up the mouth of Boulogne harbour and other ports of the enemy, by means of large ships

loaded with stone well put together with iron clamps, which are to be sunk in the entrance of the harbours. This expedi ent, however, even if it succeed, is likely to present only a temporary obstacle to the designs of the enemy.

Admiral Cornwallis still continues to watch the motions of the French fleet in Brest, which is now said to consist of eighteen sail of the line and fourteen frigates, besides gun-boats and transports.

A report has been prevalent, that the Toulon fleet had escaped the vigilance of Lord Nelson, but its truth seems still doubtful.

An embargo was laid on all vessels bound to any other ports than Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean, Africa, America, and the East and West Indies; but was taken off in three or four days after. The object of this measure is not known.

In our miscellaneous department for this month we have already shortly adverted to the story of Mrs. LEIGH, and to the trial which took place at her instance, of the Reverend Lockhart Gordon and Mr. Lauden Gordon, charged with forcibly carrying her away from her own house for the worst purposes. We do not mean to enter into the particulars of this trial, which ended in the acquittal of the pri soners, and in the course of which the lady appeared to be little less criminal than they. Our object in noticing it is to introduce the following paragraph copied from a newspaper, which contains a very just and useful reflection on the character and conduct of that lady.

"Mrs. Leigh's story," says the journal

ist, "affords a very delicate satire upon modern sceptics. This philosophical lady, so much devoted to study and meditation, was much too wise, it seems, to believe in the christian religion. Her enlightened mind and vigorous understanding rejected such doctrines, as repugnant to her pure reason. Mark, however, the inconsistency of this female age. She disbelieved christianity, but she had a perfect faith that a bit of camphire attached to a steel necklace was an all-powerful charm to defend her virtue! Truly has it been said, that infidels are the most credulous beings on earth, and believe every thing but the Bible."

laying a full account of them, accompanied by some observations of our own, before our readers.

Lord Camelford is reported to have been engaged in several duels; and on one occasion, at least, he deprived a fellow-crea

tore of his life: It ought not, therefore, to be a matter of surprise that he should at length fall a victim to that spirit of duelling which he had himself so much encouraged. It often pleases providence to cause men thus "to eat the fruit of their own ways," and to become the means of warning others against the practices to which they had themselves yielded.

The circumstances of this duel, as detailed in the newspapers, were as follows:

On the 6th instant, Lord Camelford went into the coffee-room of the Prince of Wales's Hotel, and enquired if Mr. Best had been there, and finding that he was expected to dinner, waited for him. At half past six this gentleman entering with two friends, Lord Camelford walked up to him, and said "Mr. Best, I understand you have been traducing my character, and insulting my girl Fanny in a most ungentismanlike manner. Such conduct, Sir, is infamous, and you must be a scoundrel." Mr. Best replied"My Lord, I do not understand what you mean by the first remark, but the last no one can misunderstand." High words followed. An apology was demanded by Lord Camelford, but refused by Mr. Best, who denied having said any thing to his Lordship's prejudice. In consequence of what had passed a meeting took place between these gentlemen, attended by their seconds, on the following morning near Holland-house. On the ground, Mr. Rest entreated his Lordship to retract the of fensive expression he had made use of at the Prince of Wales's hotel. His Lordship said Mr. Best, I do not come here to be trifled with, take your ground, and prepare yourself." They then took their distance. Lord Camelford's pistol was fired first but without effect, and Mr. Best's immediately after. When Lord Camelford fell, Mr. Best ran up and said- "Camelford, I hope you are not seriously hurt." His Lordship replied-"I suspect I am, but I forgive you." Mr. Best rejoined again declare I am innocent of the charge you made against me." Lord Camelford replied" I believe you are not to blame, but you had better provide for your safety." Mr. Best and the seconds then left his lordship, and instantly rode off in a postchaise and four which waited for them. The man belonging to the Hammersmith turnpike, who had witnessed the whole affair, then came up, and said"Shall I get assistance and pursue them.” Lord Camelford said-" No, help me up.' His Lordship was then conveyed to Mr. Ottey's house, about a hundred yards from the spot where he fell. He was then put to bed, where he remained for a short time insensible, and much convulsed with pain. Surgical aid having been procured, it appeared that the ball had passed into the right breast, between the fourth and

fifth ribs, and made its way through the right lobe of the lungs, having divided the spinal marrow. All the parts, therefore, below the spinal marrow were motionless. The wound when examined was pronounced to be mortal. Lord Camelford continued in agonies of pain during the first day. Towards the evening it pleased God to moderate his torture; by the help of laudanum he got some sleep during the night, and awoke much relieved. His hopes revived during the second day, and he conversed with some cheerfulness. The surgeons, however, never gave his friends the slightest hopes. He lingered free from acute pain till about half past eight in the evening of the tenth when he expired. The coroner's inquest has since sat on the body and brought in a verdict of wilful murder against a person or persons unknown. Mr. Best* has disappeared.

The Reverend W. Cockburne, Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, who appears to have been an intimate friend of Lord Cameltord's, and to have attended him in his last illness, has published an account of his death, from which some of the latter part of the preceding detail has been taken Mr. Cockburne states that before Lord Camelford left his lodgings on the evening of the 6th instant, he inserted the following paper in his will, which, says Mr. Cockburne, strongly marks the nobleness of his disposition. "In the present contest I am fully and entirely the aggressor, as well in the spirit as in the letter of the word; should I, therefore, lose my life in a contest of my own seeking, I most solemnly forbid any of my friends or relations from instituting any vexatious proceedings against my antagonist; and should, notwithstanding the above declaration on my part, the laws of the land be put in force against him, I desire that this part of my will may be made known to the king, in order that his royal heart may be moved to extend his mercy towards him.”

Mr. Cockburne accuses, and with some appearance of justice, the officers of the police, who had been regularly informed of the intended meeting, of a want of vi gilance in the discharge of their duty. "Before the fatal meeting," he adds, "I have been told that several overtures were made to Lord Camelford to produce a reconciliation, but they were rejected with some obduracy. The fact was, his Lordship had an idea that his antagonist was the best shot in England, and he was,

Mr. Best is a native of Barbadoes, and it is said possesses a handsome fortune in that island. His acquaintance with Lord Camelford took place about three years ago through Mrs. S-, a lady who is said to live in a very dashing style, and to have been the occasion of this fatal quarref: she is also said to have cohabited with both the gentlemen.

therefore, extremely fearful lest his reputation should suffer if he made any concession, however slight, to such a person. This was the probable cause of the violent language which he is reported to have used, and the principal cause of the lamented meeting."

We have ourselves marked with italics the words "lest his reputation should suffer;" and we cannot help expressing our sincere regret that a minister of the gospel should have suffered such a motive to pass without any comment. The love of reputation, or, in other words, the dread of shame, is, as we believe, the common source of duels; but it is a principle decidedly unchristian. The motive, therefore, which is commonly thought to apologize for the crime of duelling, is equally contrary to the gospel with the crime itself. The fear of man," said one of the wisest of our race, "bringeth a share," and true courage consists in a superiority to this fear, not in a readiness to kill or be killed in deference to the mistaken opinions of our fellow-creatures. It evidently appears from the account of this clergyman, that Lord Camelford was afraid of encountering that reproach, which, as he thought, would have attended him if he had made the apology which he, in his conscience, knew to be due to the gentleman whom he had insulted. Is this true valour? Is it true uprightness, true generosity, or true honour? Is it true nobleness of disposition? These would surely have been more clearly shewn by a frank and manly acknowledgment of his error, than by wilfully persevering in it, from a slavish dread of shame. We do not wish to seek occasion of censuring the deceased. But for the sake of the living, we deem it important to seize such opportunities as the present of noticing the plain injustice of even those principles which are assumed to form some apology for the duellist; as well as the cowardice and pusillanimity of submitting to that tyranny of the world, which requires a mau to risk both his own life and that of his unoffending neighbour, rather than revoke a hasty word which he may have uttered.

What a contrast in this respect is the conduct of the men of the world to that of the first followers of Jesus Christ? The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. They passed undaunted through evil report and good report. They reckoned the love of the praise of men to be a proof of indifference to the praise of God, and to be one of the chief characteristics of an unbeliever. "How can ye believe," said our Saviour, "who receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"

On the subject of Lord Camelford's religious views, Mr. Cockburne remarks, The world will, perhaps, with difficulty

vour."

We think it our duty to remark in this place, that the course of life, in whic Lord Camelford habitually indulged himself, appears to us to have formed a stronger obstacle to the belief of christianity, than any difficulties in either the Old or New Testament. Men do not commonly believe in the book which condemns their own practice; and the best mode, perhaps, of answering some able and ingenious sceptics, is to attack plainly their vicious habits, their licentiousness, their profaneness, their pride, and their violence of spirit. The scriptures describe a true faith as connected with purity of conduct, and accompanied with deep repentance. The fullest admission of the credibility of the gospel is one thing; submission to its doctrines and precepts is another.

Lord Camelford, Mr. Cockburne remarks, "was a man whose real character was to the world but little known: his imperfections and his follies were often brought before the public, but the counterbalancing virtues were but seldom heard of. Though too violent to those whom he imagined to have wronged him, yet to his acquaintance he was mild and affable and courteous; a stern adversary, but the kindest and most generous of friends+." Mr. Cockburne adds, that his benevolence was very active, and that he was often the reliever of sorrow and the soother of

woe.

Mr. Cockburne closes his account of his dying friend in the following manner:

*Surely there is something laboured in this kind of apology for infidelity.

+ Contrast this account with Matt. v. 43-46.