been left to private merchants, it is not doubted that the articles would in some way have obtained admission. On the whole, it could not be questioned that the inclination of the court of Russia, at the close of this year, was more friendly towards England than towards France; but the same dread of the overbearing power of the latter country, which rendered her an object of aversion, also operated to inspire great caution in adopt-, ing measures which might afford a pretext for converting her into an open enemy. All confidence, however, was at an end between the two courts, and a cloud was manifestly gathering, which threatened again to involve the north in the horrors of blood and devas

tical estates has been adopted; an expedient which, in a court habitually so devoted to the church as that of Vienna, was a convincing proof of the public necessity; as the readiness with which such property met with purchasers was an evidence of the alteration in the sentiments of the people upon subjects of that kind. The produce of these sales, in Bohemia, is stated as amounting at the beginning of October to 1,230,000 florins.

The acquiescence of the hereditary dominions of the house of Austria in the plans of the imperial cabinet, might be calculated upon; but there was some uncertainty how they would be received by the more independent states of Hungary. The diet of that kingdom was opened with the usual solemnities on August 29th, under the presidency of the Archduke Palatine, whose prudent conduct is said to have inspired the Hungarians with affection and confidence towards the government. The emperor repaired thither in the beginning of September, and made a speech in the Hungarian language to the magnates, to whom he read a paper containing the proposals of government. They appeared to be well disposed to assist in relieving their sovereign under his financial difficulties; and at a later period we are informed, that the nobility and clergy had consented that all the gold and silver plate in the churches, as well as that belonging to private individuals, should be delivered up to government, on condition that bank bills to an equal amount should be withdrawn, from circulation. The em

peror afterwards met with some opposition from a party in the diet, which produced from him a declaration that he was determined not to suffer any resistance to his measures on the part of the Hungarian states. If he was led to employ this language in confidence of aid from his sonin-law, Napoleon, in case of a quarrel with his own subjects, it will exemplify the near alliance between despotism and meanness. Meantime the emperor Francis had displayed his subserviency to the designs of the French emperor, by directing, in a note to the Stadtholder of Austria, that free passage should be given to the French troops through his territory, with all necessary supplies on their march.

The rest of Germany, in part annexed to France, and the remainder in close league with it, or under slavish dependance on the French emperor, has contributed little of importance to the political history of the year. The annexation of Hamburgh, and of the other Hanse towns, including the once flourishing cities of Bremen and Lubeck, has been mentioned under the head of France. The vestiges of their former freedom have been abolished, and their municipal government has been reduced to the French model. The general usurper also laid his grasp upon the duchy of Oldenburgh, the unfortunate sovereign of which, after publish ing a farewell address to his subjects, couched in strong and indignant terms, and refusing a pension from his oppressor, repaired to the court of his relation, the Emperor of Russia,

in order to seek redress; but his complaint only served to add another cause of difference between the courts of Petersburgh and Paris.

If sympathy could be excited for the degradation of a power which had itself risen by usurpation, the condition of Prussia was such as to call forth the emotions both of compassion and indignation. Its trade nearly annihilated, its public offices under the direction of Frenchmen, its finances over-burthened to pay the exacted contributions, every political motion an object of suspicion to one of the two great powers by which it was encompassed, it had lost its prosperity and independence, without obtaining the compensation of security. Its sovereign, who had been unwillingly accessary to the fall of his country, preserved the affection of his subjects by his readiness to undergo personal privations for the public welfare; but melancholy preyed on his mind, and of all the humbled monarchs he was probably the most deserving of pity.

His inclination led him to a family connection with the Russian emperor, but superior power obliged him to submit to the political interests

of

France. After much reluctant delay, he was compelled to join the confederacy of the Rhine, and to place a considerable body. of his troops under the orders of Gen. Rappe, the French commander on the southern coast of the Baltic.

That confederation, the masterpiece of Napoleon's policy, now possessed a power which rendered

it of leading consequence in the balance of Germany-if such a thing can be mentioned as still existing. At the beginning of this year, the states composing the Rhenish confederacy were said to contain a territory of 5,703 square leagues, with a population

of near 15 million souls; and the contingent of troops, fur nished by its 39 members, was fixed at 118,682 men. This body was taken in the autumn into the pay of France, and an army composed from it was assembling in the neighbourhood of Mentz.

F the other northern states, SWEDEN has been the principal object of political interest, on account of the peculiarities of her situation. Under the nominal rule of a native king, but declining in years and constitution, she was really governed by an adopted successor, a Frenchman, formerly one of Napoleon's officers, and generally supposed to have been elected to the station of crown prince through his influence. It was therefore natural to expect that Sweden through his means would be wholly devoted to the French interest; and the declaration of war against England, with the exclusion of its commerce, were apparent proofs of this subserviency. But these measures were manifestly unpopular with the Swedish nation; and Bernadotte, the crown prince, soon began to exhibit symptoms of looking more to the honour and security of a crown which he was destined to wear, than to the gratification of a former masterin short, to be changed from a Frenchman to a Swede. It is true, all demonstrations of this kind were long suspected to be hypocritical, and to be intended to enable him with the greater facility to subjugate his adopted country to the will of the despot; but the consistency of his conduct at length gained him credit for sincerity. In

the expected conflict between France and Russia, Sweden evidently inclined to the cause of the latter, doubtless perceiving more danger to its independence from the overbearing power and dictatorial spirit of the French ruler, than from the moderate temper and defensive views of the court of Petersburgh. To proceed, however, to particulars. A jealousy on the part of the French of an intercourse between the Swedes and the English appeared early in the year, from a complaint transmitted to Stockholm by the French consul at Gottenburgh, importing that the governor of that town connived at a clandestine communication with the British shipping; and although upon an inquiry the allegations were declared to be unfounded, it was thought proper to remove the governor. Soon after, a peremptory order arrived from Paris for the return of all the French officers in the suite of the crown prince, which was regarded as an indication of some displeasure conceived by Napoleon against Bernadotte. The prince was at this time so unpopular in Sweden, that an attempt was made on his life, from which he narrowly escaped.

A royal proclamation was issued at Stockholm, dated March 17th, apprizing the public that his Majesty, on account of ill health,

had thought it necessary for the present to withdraw from the management of state affairs, and had appointed the crown prince to administer the royal authority in his stead and in his name, but under the restriction of not creating any noblemen or knights. A conscription voted by the late diet was at this time putting into execution, by virtue of which, 20,000 men were to be raised and incorporated with the regular army. The English fleet under Sir J. Saumarez being in the Baltic in the month of June, a negotiation took place between him and the Swedish government respecting some detained ships with colonial produce, and the taking possession of the ships was explained as being merely a measure ofretaliation against Prussia, which had detained Swedish ships in her ports. The conduct of the English admiral to the Swedes was highly satisfactory to that nation, as he not only suffered their coasting vessels to pass unmo lested, but even gave them all the protection in his power.

The internal state of Sweden was by no means tranquil during this summer. The military conscription now so general an object of dread throughout Europe, had occasioned insurrections among the peasantry in various parts. In the neighbourhood of Malmoe a body of men from 1,200 to 1,500 assembled on June 17th and 18th, armed with forks, scythes, and other rustic weapons, where they plundered the stores of Count Morner, and insulted persons of rank and the crown officers. It became necessary to call in the military, and a number of the peasants were

killed and wounded, and more made prisoners. Similar outrages took place in other parts of the kingdom, several of the perpetrators of which were delivered over to the rigour of the law. A remaining attachment to their deposed king, is supposed to have joined with aversion to the conscription, in exciting these disturbances among the common people.

The terms upon which Sweden stood with some of its neighbours are shown by a royal order to the magistrates of Carlsham, dated June 27th. It declares all cargoes with colonial goods belonging to the subjects of Prussia and Denmark to be confiscated; and orders that cargoes belonging to other foreign nations, those of the North American states alone excepted, be not allowed to leave the kingdom, nor the ships having them on board to set sail. It further directs that the captains, owners, or commissioners, who are not disposed to wait the determination of his Majesty respecting those cargoes, may deliver them to the custom house, where they shall lie under strict guard till his Majesty has decided upon them.

It is stated as a certain fact, that a demand of 8,000 men to serve in the armies of Spain was made by the French court upon that of Sweden; and that the answer returned was, that Sweden,' not being a member of the Rhenish confederacy, was under no obligation to furnish a quota of troops, and that it maintained no more than were necessary for its own security. From this reply it would seem that it was called upon only on account of its possessions in Pomerania.