be the ultimate and permanent result of our military operations in that part of the world, all must acknowledge that the character of British officers and soldiers has risen very highly; and that while we can appeal to the battles which they have won, we may challenge for our country as decided and glorious a superiority for military courage and skill, as it has long undeniably possessed on its own peculiar element. If proofs of cool determined and irresistible bravery are called for, we may cite the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz; if proofs of the rarest and most useful talents of a great commander are demanded, we may appeal to Lord Wellington's conduct at the battle of Salamanca.

But the operations in the Peninsula, hówever great and glorious, were comparatively of confined extent and interest; and the attention, even of the British nation, was drawn off from Lord Wellington to the campaign in the north of Europe. The preparations which Bonaparte had long been making for his intended war against Russia, were unequalled in magnitude, and in the care and attention that had been bestowed upon them. These, when completed, exhibited an army of at least 300,000 men, composed of troops who never marched but to victory; and these troops led on by officers of the utmost skill, and in whom they placed the greatest confidence. Moreover, this immense and perfect army was commanded by a man, whom, from his uniform and unchecked success, his soldiers believed to be invincible:all these circumstances directed the attention of the civilized world to the campaign in the North and its results were most extraor

dinary.

dinary. A nation half barbarians laying waste their territory; opposing the legions of France with the most obstinate courage; and when compelled to retire, opening to the advancing army,. reduced in numbers, and straitened in its resources, only a desolate and barren country; and at last offering up their homes, their domestic comforts, and even their ancient and almost sacred capital, on the altar of national indepeudence, shamed the refined nations of Europe, who had been seduced by the promises, or overcome by the arms of France. But if the conduct of the Russians, in this war, was calculated to create great interest, that of Bonaparte was no less important in the estimation of all who had long looked in vain for symptoms in him of that selfdestructive rashness, which uniform success, when acting on an impetuous and violent disposition, must sooner or later produce. In this campaign the symptoms were unequivocal; and when the rashness of his character did break out, it involved him in despair, broke the charm of his invincibility, and stripped him of the finest army that he ever led to battle. It would be in vain to consult the pages of ancient or modern history, in order to parallel the destruction of the French army, during its campaign in Russia; whether the extent, or the variety of the misery which they endured and sunk under, is considered; never before did hunger, fatigue, excessive cold, and a continually harassing enemy, unite so completely and effectutually in the work of destruction.

August 13, 1813.

CONTENTS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN HISTORY.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION-Reasons for assembling Parliament-Abstract of the Prince Regent's Speech-The Earl of Shaftesbury's Motion for an Address in the House of Lords-Lord. Holland's Inquiries respecting the Caraccas Debate on the Address in the House of Commons, proposed by Sir F. Burdett, and amended by Lord Jocelyn-Debate on the Report of the Address-Report on His Majesty's Health-Mr. Creevey's Motion on Pensions, Sinecures, c. -Motions of Thanks to Lord Minto, &c. for the Successes in Java-Mr. Perceval's Motion on Distillery from Grain-Debate on Mr. Perceval's Motion respecting the Royal Household.

3

CHAP. II.

Hr. Rose on the Population of England, Scotland, and Wales-Debate on Mr. Ryder's Motion respecting the Nightly Watch-Debate on Mr. Brougham's Motion respecting the Droits of the Admiralty—Lord Folkestone's Motion on the state of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction-Debates on Earl Fitzwilliam's Motion on the State of Ireland, and on Mr. Grattan's Motion on the same Subject-Debate on Mr. Lockhart's Motion on Bankrupt Members of Parliament-Debate on Lord Morpeth's Motion on the State of Ireland-Mr. Whitbread on the Riots at Nottingham-Mr. Grant on the Extension of commercial Intercourse with India-Bill for preventing the granting Offices in Reversion-Motion in both Houses of Thanks to Lord Wellington-Mr. Creevey's Motion on the 4 per Cent. Duties-Mr. Whitbread's Motion on America-Mr. Ryder's Motion for a Bill to punish the Rioters of Nottingham-Debate on Lord Wellington's PensionMonument

Monument to General Crauford-Debates on the Army Estimates, and Colonel McMahon's Pension-Expulsion of Mr. Walsh-Motion for a Bill to punish fraudulent Bankers.

58

CHAP. III.

Debate on Sir Thomas Turton's Motion on the State of the Nation-in the House of Lords, on the Marquis of Lansdowne's Motion on the Orders in Council in the House of Commons, on Mr. Brougham's Motion on the same subject-Debate on the Mutiny Bill-Nottingham Riots-Debate on the allowance to Maynooth College-On Lord Folkestone's Motion respecting Foreigners employed in the English military Service-on Mr. Abercrombie's Motion on the Enlistment of Convicts-Ön Sir F. Burdett's Motion on the Mutiny Bill-on an Address to the Prince Regent.

126

CHAP. IV.

Debate on Lord Boringdon's Motion on the Prince Regent's Letter-On Mr. Perceval's Motion for a Provision for the Princesses-Mr. Bankes's Motion for regulating Sinecure Places-Debate on the Sicilian Subsidy—on_the Gold-Coin Bill-on the Expenses of the Barrack Department-on Earl Grey's Motion respecting Forgeries on the Bank of England-on Mr. Wynne's Motion respecting Colonel McMahon's Appointment-Sir John Newport's Motion on Pullic Defaulters-Debate on Mr. Bennet's Motion on corporal Punishments in the Army-On the Earl of Donoughmore's Motion for a Committee to consider the Laws imposing civil Disabilities on Catholics.

172

CHAP. V.

Debate on Mr. Ryder's Motion for a Bill to make it Felony to take or administer unlawful Oaths-on Mr. Brand's Motion for a Parliamentary Reform-Proccedings on the Assassination of Mr. Perceval-Debates on the Necessity of a change of Ministerson French Officers (Prisoners) breaking their Parole on the Marquis of Wellesley's Motion in favour of the Catholic Claims-On the Amendment of the Toleration Act-on Mr. Sheridan's Motion for Papers relating to the overtures for peace-on other miscellaneous Subjects.

216

CHAP. VI.

Change in the Opinions and Conduct of the Regent with respect to Mr. Perceval-that Change becomes more evident and marked as the Period for taking off the Restrictions approaches-The Opposition_still retain their Hopes of coming into Power-The Prince becomes a Favourite with the Court Party-Awkward and embarrassing Situation in which the Opposi

tion are placed-Expectations formed by the Popular Party of the Prince their Disappointment-Feelings of the reflecting and impartial Part of Nation with respect to the Regent—Disposed to make some allowances for his youthful Follies, but do not entertain very sanguine Notions either of his Talents or of his political Consistency-The Regent takes no step toward the Arrangement of a Ministry till the Restrictions are very nearly expiring -His Letter to the Duke of York-Remarks on his not communicating directly with his old Friends-On the Manner in which Lord Grenville is mentioned in the Letter-on the Letter itself, as indicating a change in his political Opinions-On the probable Sincerity of his Wish to take Lords Grey and Grenville into Power-The answer of these Noblemen-Remarks upon it-Feelings of the Nation on Mr. Perceval's being retained in Power -Little Sympathy for the Opposition-Resolutions and Petition of the Livery Instruct their Representatives Remarks on their Proceedings→→→ their Address not received on the Throne-Proceedings of the Common Council.

258

CHAP. VII.

State of Parties at the Commencement of unrestricted Regency-The Ministry divided Lord Wellesley at the Head of one Part of it, and Mr. Perceval at the Head of the other-Character of Lord Wellesley as displayed in India-Inquiry into the Nature and Degree of his Talents - Daults respecting their Utility in the Circumstances of Great Britain-Grounds of his Difference with Mr. Perceval, partly from private and partly from public Causes His Statement Examination of it, as developing his political Principles and Views, and his Talents--Character of his State Papers and Speeches-The Nature and Extent of the political Information which they display-The Faults of his Style Mr Canning-View of his Politics and Talents-The lutter compared with the Talents of Lord WellesleyThe Consideration of Mr. Fercer al's Politics and Character deferredLord Liverpool his chief Supporter-Character and Talents of that Noblen-The old and regular Opposition-Lords Grenville and Grey-Their Difference of Opinion at the Beginning of the French War Points in which their Opinions have mutually approached-The Character and Talents of each considered-Causes of their declining Popularity-Lord Holland and Mr. Whitbread between the Opposition and the Popular Party-Their Character-Sir Francis Burdett-Maxims of his Party-His Character 281

man

CHAP. VIII.

Alarm excited by the Murders in the Metropolis-Different Plans for improving the Police-Remarks on them-Disturbances in the Manufacturing Districts their probable Origin and Causes-Extent an Object-Oath taken by the Insurgents-Report of the Committee on this Subject-Distress occasioned by the Orders in Council--Petitions against them-Declaration of the British Government on this Subject-Mr. Perceval agrees to heur Evidence against the Orders in Council-Points at issue between the Defenders and Opposers of them-Evidence begun interrupted by the Assassination of Mr. Perceval-Particulars of that horrid Event-Bellingham's Motives and Defence of his Conduct-the Grievances of which he com

plained