those papers, but without any reference to the measure of an impeachment. On the question of the Carnatie, Mr. Sheridan, and Mr. Whitbread both pledged themselves to give to the gentleman, who should submit it to the consideration of the House, their most active and cordial support.

at

JANUARY 2-Lord Henry Petty moved the Order of the day for the House of Commons going into a committce on the state of the Public Finances. He then addressed the chairman, by confessing that it was unusual to open a knowledge of the supplies prior to the negociation of a Loan; but he hoped to satisfy the Committee of the propriety of this procedure, by the nature of the statement he should make to it. His Lordship then enumerated the various services, the expences for which, had been voted. Navy, £16,977,837, Army, £10,202,907, Army in Ireland, £3,445,131, Barracks, £506,237, ditto Ireland, £469,450, Extraordinaries, £2,718,474, Ordnance, £3,264,469, ditto Ireland, £+79,246, which, with various other items amounted to £43,811,340, to which must be added, £200,000, Deficiency of Malt, £280,000, Discounts to Lottery and Loan, Interest of Exchequer Bills, £1,200,000, and some other andicles, making the grand total, £45,841,340. Deduct the proportion of Ireland 2-17ths, £5,314,275, left charge on Great Britain, £40,529,065. To meet these expences, his Lordship enumerated as Ways and Means, the Duties on Malt and Pensions, £3,500,000, War Taxes, £19,900,000; the Property Tax, formerly stated £10,500,000, will it is expected produce £11,500,000, Customs and Excise, £9,000,000; but his Lordship thought proper to take the whole of these at only £19,900,000, Lottery, £450,000, Exchequer Bills, £2,400,000, Loan, £12,200,000, the total £41,500,000. But the Committee ought to look forward, not only to the supply of the ensuing year, but to the future exigencies of the state. We might continue borrowing on the present system, taxes might be imposed, though this has its difficulties; but the system was, he hoped, capable of variaation for the better, especially by a proper attention to two great objects, the War Taxes, and the Sinking Fund. The War Taxes are intended to raise a great proportion of the Public Expenditure within the year. The Sinking Fund was first adopted by Mr. Pitt, in 1786, and I cannot advert to that great statesman, on this or any other occasion, without feeling all that satisfaction, and warm enthusiastic approbation, which naturally arise in the contemplation of extraordinary talents." (hear! hear! hear!) In 1786, £1,000,000 was appropriated to the Sinking Fund, when the National Debt was £238,231,248, being 1-238th part of the whole. It continued to

operate gradually till 1792, when £400,000 was voted in addition it, and £200,000 annually. In 1793, there was another Sinking Fund created, of 1 per cent. on the capital borowed, which, it was calculated, would redeen the principal in forty-five years. Lord Sidmouth united this Sinking Fund with the former. In February, 1803, the Debt was, 400,872,476, the whole Sinking Fund, 0,311,622, being 1-77th part of the Debt. The Debt at present is £580,351,684, the Sinking Fund, £8,339,709, being one 1-63d part of the Debt; or in other words, 1-42d part of the money value of the Stocks which form that Debt. The attempt at raising the War Taxes, was first made in 1797, taking the Assessed Taxes for the basis of impost; but this was laid aside the following year, and the principle of Income was substituted. The taxes so raised, were charged with the interest of the Loan by way of mortgage, intended only to continue during the war; so that in 1801, there was charged on the Income Tax a debt of £56,000,000, which by its interest swallowed up the whole produce of the Income Tax.

If in

This rendered it necessary, when the Peace took place, to find in one year, £96,000,000 of Stock, in order to free the country from the Income Tax. Afterwards when war again broke out, the Property Tax was resorted to; and though certainly an unequal and vexatious tax, yet it was found productive, and a large proportion of the War Taxes were raised within the year. They amounted last year to £18,000,000. His plan, therefore, was that the Loan for the present year should be charged on the War Taxes for its interest and security; and the succeeding Loans in the same manner, taking 10 per cent. of the produce of these taxes; 5 per cent. for the interest, and 5 per cent. as a Sinking Fund for the redemption of the principal; which would hereby be effected in fourteen years. deed the War should continue fourteen years, the Loans in the latter part of that period might increase from twelve to fourteen or sixteen millions; but at that period, the loan of the present year would be redeemed, and the Loan of the following year, at the year succeeding that, so that the resources of the country would continue unimpaired. would, however, be necessary to have a small Supplementary Loan of about £200,000; but in the year 1807, annuities would fall, in £13,056,-in 1808, £83,000, -in 1809, £173,343, in all, £279,999; the surplus of this sum over the interest of the Supplementary Loan, to be divided among the next scven years; and if expences should increase, there was a prospect of the income increasing also; and at the end of ten years, stating things very unfavourably, the new taxes would not exceed £3,459,000. The too sudden re

It

duction of the National Debt, he considered as a great evil, as it would depress the value of all goods, wares, and merchandizes; and ruin both Stock-holder and Merchant. According to the plan now suggested, in the course of ten years, the proposed Sinking Fund will be increased to 1-17th part of the present debt; and the excess, by means of the proposed plan, will amount to £90,000,000 more than by the present system, shortening the period of complete redemption five years. Upon the whole the Property Tax would be carried no further, and he hoped that the War Loans, and War Taxes would shortly be raised without infringing on this tax; and that at the end of ten years, should the War last so long, that tax might be repealed. His Lordship afterwards observed, that beside the Resolutions which he moved should be read, and taken into consideration on a future day, there would be delivered to each member a table, which could not with propriety be laid before the House.

[Our Readers will observe, that these Tables referred to by the Noble Lord, with other papers on the subject, which we have been so fortunate as to procure, are the foundation of those reasonings which we have submitted in the first article of the present Number; and as the plan is confessedly of great import ance, we have given specimens of these calcu lations, with some other papers entire. that article, therefore me must refer, for a view of the subject at large.]

Το

Mr. Johnstone observed on the omission of the Irish finances, and the poverty of that country, [denied by Mr. Corry, and the next day by Sir John Newport], and cautioned the proposer of the plan against being led away by the usual partiality of projectors. Lord Henry Petty replied, that there being no War Taxes in Ireland, this system of course could not apply. Mr. Parnell observed, that the revenue of Ireland had lately increased half a million, in consequence of regulations.

Mr. Wilberforce introduced the subject of the abolition of the Slave Trade, by moving that the Resolution of the House passed May 9, should be read; he concluded that no definitive ineasures would be taken on this subject, till the House had received communications from another branch of the Legislature," which was understood to be occupied with it. But if any delay should arise, he should think it his duty to propose additional Resolutions on the subject.

The Bill has since been passed by the House of Lords; and has been read in the House of Commons.

Mr. Wilberforce has since published a Work on the subject, for a report on which, vide Panorama, p. 1209.

York

Norfolk

Oxford

Pembroke

Our readers are requested to turn to pages 235, 236 and 237 of Panorama, where they will find the abstract quotas of armed men, &c. furnished by the nation in Edward VI's and Elizabeth's reigns: for comparison with the present.

POETRY.

EPILOGUE TO ASSIGNATION.

[Vide page 1228.]

SPOKEN BY MISS DUNCAN.

"What foe to Genius, in an evil hour, "That make-weight threw into the Muse's pow'r "An Epilogue! That extra, useless jest, "Like garnish lavish'd on an ample feast, "Which neither proves it good, nor better drest." Thus cries our fretted author-" Custom, Madam, "Creeps into law among the sons of Adam; "And here, in treating, as in greater places, "The uti possidetis forms a basis; "Else why should we such beaten paths retread, "Why say again the things so often said?" But who so sweet'y says-" then, only try:" Her flattery had its charms-for here am I. Say, in which character shall I appear? The playful wife, who rails her heart's fond fear? Or sapient dealer in predictions bold, Who only tells you what she first was told?

Oh, you would all your fortunes gladly learnWell then, I wave my wand-and now discern A fair horizon there-no stormy tracesDelightful sight! whole rows of happy faces ! Eager for mirth, in social pairs ye came, Your hopes, fears, prospects, still thro' life the

same:

To you I nought can promise, and but pray,
Fortune such sweet content may never take away.
Thus to survey you, Lords of the Creation,
Will you not say-I quit my sex's station?
"Tis dangerous looking, Sirs, tho' I'm a spouse,
Along the potent circle of your brows;
So prudence bids me, as the matter stands,
More humbly to implore of you your hands:
Those hands that bid the trembling Poet live,
And to the Patriot nobler plaudits give.
Could I in your's my Country's fortune tell,
How proudly would I try my strongest spell.
Ev'n with the glorious thought my bosom fires,
And forms the vision which it most desires.--
Oh! while you grace the bust of Dead Renown,
For Heroes yet to come prepare a crown-
Britannia's spear inclines not to the grave,
But upward points--a magnet to the brave.
And ye surrounding fair, with eyes so bright,
Ye wou'd not, sure, resort to second sight,
When to secure such sight of beauty's throne,
I need but bid you well employ your own.
Our author wishes I her fate would tell,
But oh! 'tis now your turn to cast a spell;
This wand has lost its power, and thus I break it,
Her fortune I but promise-you can make it.

* Want of room, obliges us to defer the insertion of the Prologue and Epilogue to THE CURFEW till our next Number.

VERSES BY A LADY ON HER LITTLE GIRL.

I love thee, dear Mary, I know not how well,
On each little feature with fondness I dwell;
May infantine graces expand with thy years,
And smiles on thy face be more frequent than

tears.

To form thy sweet mind may it still be my part, And to know thou art good, what delight to my heart!

When age shall steal o'er me, what joy will it be To derive all my comfort and pleasure from thee! When summer enchanting wafts health in the gale,

May thine be the rosiest cheek in the vale;

Yet beauty of feature I do not desire,

Good sense and sweet temper I value much higher.

In winter, when icicles hang all around,
Thy voice sweetly soothing the page shall èx-

!

And has thy gentle spirit wing'd its flight?
Is Susan summon'd to the realms of light?
Mild as soft gales which Zephyr lightly blows
To fan the bosom of the fragrant rose
Thy accents fell like music from thy tongue,
While friendship on thy voice enamour'd hung;
Thy form replete with elegance and grace,
The soft'n'd charms that play'd aronnd thy face,
Thy polish'd wit, that shone devoid of guile,
Thy lips of coral, and thy graceful smile,
All swept away by Death's relentless power,-
As the fierce storm uproots the tender flower!
Could fond affection, or fraternal care,
Or the strong pleadings of a parent's pray'r,
Avail to deprecate thy early doom,

Then hadst thou triumph'd o'er the fatal tomb.
But Death's cold ear no cloquence can charm;
Nor Love, nor Beauty can arrest his arm:
Yet spotless Innocence his power defies,
And mounts on Faith's bright pinions to the skies.
So, lovely maid, and as thy spirit fled,
Did kindred seraphs watch around thy bed;
With pious care assuag'd thy suff'ring pains,
And softly sooth'd thee with melodious strains.
Sweet maid, whom Heav'n, in its bounty kind,
Sent for awhile to captivate mankind:
But form'd to bloom beneath a purer sky,
Withdrew from Earth to happier realms on high.
The tender blossom wither'd ere 'twas b'own-
Sought brighter worlds, and leav'n reclaim'd its

own!

New street, Birmingham,

Funded Debt in

of circulating coin piasters

improvement had been made in their produce tions.

Effect of Criticism.

The Society of Sciences and Arts at Montauban, have proposed among other questions or 1807, the consideration to what degree harsh criticism is injurious to the progress of talent. This subjest is of considerable importance to literature, especially if the opinion of our English bard may be taken, that

Ten censure wrong, for one who writes amiss: Critics from Heaven myst derive their light, These born to judge, as well as those to write. More Instances to Return of former Ideas.

The Council General of the department of the Upper Loire, has lately solicited from the Prefect, the restoration of the ancient tomb of Bertrand du Guesclin, who died during the siege of Chateau-neuf-Radnor, near the town of Puy. The Council General has voted the sum of 3,000 francs to repair this monument, which was erected July 28, 1380.

The citizens of Niort, propose a subscription for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of Du Plessis Mornay, the loyal and faithful friend of Henry IV. The subscription is 12 francs (half-a-girinea). Prisoners of War. English, Russians, Prussians, Swedes.

A letter from Lorraine dated January, 1807, describes the towns in that province as derive

CHINA.

Vaccination.

Sir George Staunton, son of the secretary who accompanied Lord Macartney to China, resides alternately at Canton and Macao. He has translated into the Chinese language a work on Vaccination; a report affirms, that the Chinese at Canton have adopted the practice. Whether this usage will become permanent, or will spread in other parts of this immense empire, time will shew.-(Compare Panorama, p. 978.)

FRANCE.

Prize Questions.

Paris. The distribution of the Prizes on account of the exposition of the productions of French industry, lately took place. The rewards decreed to the manufacturers who had not been rewarded on any former occasion of the like kind, were divided into five classes; 1. Those deserving of gold medals to the number of twenty-six. 2. Those deserving of silver medals of the largest size, to the number of sixty-four. 3. Those who received silver medals of the second size, in number fifty-four. 4. Honourable mentions. 5. Citations. The number of manufacturers present at this fair, was much greater than on former occasions; and the reporter stated that evident

of officers prisoners of war resident among them; some of these officers, are doubtless under the necessity of maintaining the strictest frugality, but others are in better circumstances, and some spend their money freely.

These

The English are fixed at Verdun. have preserved their national character, as well as manners and customs, more tenaciously than the officers of any other nation. They live very much to themselves, and associate but little with the inhabitants; but as they spend considerable sums, their residence is extremely beneficial to this town, which suffered severely in 1792, and 1793.

Metz is the residence of the most part of the Russian officers: many of them are setled in small towns in the neighbourhood. Some of them are very rich, but many are in deep distress. This is the more wonderful, as their appointments are punctually paid; and all of them moreover receive directly, or indirectly, assistance from their court; but gambling ruins most of them. It is almost the only occupation of the officers, whether Russians, English, or Prussians.

Nancy, is the principal establishment of the -Prussian officers; but as their number is great and surpasses by far that of the prisoners of the other nations, they are divided among sundry of the adjacent towns. These are more familiar among the inhabitants, and

Religious Impostors.

Mount Cenis.-Not long since, a number of swindlers professing themselves to be religious of the hospital of St. Bernard, on this mountain, perambulated the southern, and other parts of France; also some places in other countries; they solicited charity for the support of the institution, and especially of the buildings. The government has thought it necessary to give notice, that the monks of Mount Cenis never quit their monastery exeept to assist travellers lost in the snows, or to procure articles with which they cannot be supplied by agency. Vide Panorama, p 734.

GERMANY.

Theatrical Diversions.

The state of public taste for the Theatre in different towns of Germany, may he partly inferred from the profits of benefits lately given in favour of the heirs of Schiller, the poet: at Riga, a city of 35,000 inhabitants, the receipt was 1800 florins, at Hamburgh, a city of 11,000 inhabitants, four times at least as rich as Riga, 800 florins, that is to say, half of an ordinary receipt; at Berlin, a city of 160,000 inhabitants, but few very great fortunes, and no commerce, the receipt was nearly 5,000 florins.

Haydn.

Towards the end of the month of August, Music suffered a great loss, in the death of John Michael HAYDN, the brother of the famous Joseph Haydn. This professor had consecrated his talents particularly to Church Music.

Discovery in Physic. Suabia.-The late M. Stutz, physician at the little town of Gnund, was famous for a new method of treating the tetanus, or those horrible convulsions which prove fatal to great numbers of wounded soldiers. The analogy of a simple fact led M. Stutz to this valuable discovery. M. de Hurmboldt had reported,

in his work on the nerves, that in subjecting the nervous fibre to the alternate action of opium and carbonate of pot-ash, it may be made to pass four or five times, from the highest degree of irritability to the state of absolute privation of that power. The method employed by M. Stutz, and adopted with the greatest success in the Austrian Hospitals, consists in administering the opium and carbonate of pot-ash alternately and internally.

Cases have occurred in which 36 grains of opium administered in the space of twentyfour hours, produced no effect; but the alkaline solution being given, 10 grains of opium have afterwards greatly relieved the patient The German Journals speak highly in praise of this practice; whence it may be thought to be justly entitled to great attention from the faculty.

New University.

Dusseldorf.-A University is spoken of as likely to be established in this city. The Council of State has already been occupied, during several sittings, on the plan and particu

lars of this institution.

Astronomical Observations.

Munich.-The Counsellor Seyffer, during a late eclipse of the sun, made sundry very curious observations on the heights of the mountains of the northern hemisphere of the Moon. These observations have lately been verified by the celebrated astronomer Schroe ter of Lilienthal, near Bremen. He determined that the highest of three mountains seen by him, was nine-tenths of a geographi cal mile in height. It is singular that of the many observations of this eclipse made in different places in Germany, this should be the only attention paid to the Lunar mountains.

French Requisitions.

Schwerin, January 24-The French have not laid any contributions on Mecklenburg, horses, 1500 oxen, 100,000 pairs of shoes, but they have made requisitions of 1500 40,000 bushels of wheat and rye, 75,000 gallons of brandy, 18,000 quintals of hay, 12,000 quintals of straw, 84,000 bushels of oats, 2,000 pairs of boots, 1,200 harnesses.

Loss of Privileges.

Leipsic. By the new order of things in Germany, this city has lost its privileges; and among others, that of having its garrison composed of troops raised, paid, and officered by itself.

Dr. Gall's Lectures.

On the 14th of August, Dr. Gall commenced his Lectures on Craniology in Marburg, which continued until the 22d of same month; but his philosophy, so called, finds few advocates. On the 24th, he went accompanied by some learned friends to the Hospi