Atlantic with the South sea. His other discoveries are, his plunder, and the circumstance of being the first the two islands las Desventuradas, the islands Saypan, commander who began and accomplished a circuit of Tinian, and Aguigan, of the Ladrones, and the Archipe- the globe, has acquired everlasting fame. It is not lago of St. Lazarus, afterwards included in the name of supposed that he, any more than Axnam, had a the Philippine islands. By the ship La Trinidad, under Espinosa, four islands were added to the written commission from Queen Elizabeth, who, group called the Ladrones.'-(p. 118). however, in the duplicity of her policy, gave him enIn Europe the discoveries made by Magalhanes became couragement by words, which she could afterwards the cause of much contention and dispute. The new pas-interpret as she should find most convenient. Though sage to the Indies was regarded by all the European nations, except Spain, as a common benefit. By Spain it was claimed as their [an] exclusive property.'-(p. 121.)

It was still believed in Europe, that there was an inlet to the South sea, near the Isthmus of Darien; and in 1542 a vessel was sent to attempt the supposed passage, which returned with a cargo of Indians kid-performed by a chief of the west coast of America, napped in direct violation of the emperor's orders.

It is but justice to Captain Burney, to observe, that he possesses the various qualifications of the geographer, the navigator, the classical scholar, and the critical examiner, all of which, though very rarely found The seventeenth chapter contains the desperately-united, are indispensibly necessary to the execution of bold adventures of John Arnam, the first English plunderer of the Spanish treasures in the South sea, and the prototype of the buccaneers, who, if he had had a commission, would have been honoured as a hero, but for acting without one, and being finally unsuccessful, was executed as a pirate.

for the subsequent parts of his work, which, we doubt not, will be conducted with equal ability.

The embellishments of this book are only five useful charts, slightly engraved. It stands in no need of meretricious ornaments.

their preparations, and tameness in their remonstrances or whether, on the contrary, the nation has not to thank them for a wary attention to their interest and honour, and for a moderate, upright, and manly system, equally remote from intemperate irritability, and unpatriotic apathy?" He stops the enquiry, however, to detail the reception of general Lauriston, the illuminations on the peace, the sentiments of Mr. Windham and his followers on the treaty, the sailing of the French fleet to the West Indies, and other instances of forbearance on the part of ministers, while Bonaparte shewed no symptom of cordiality, but declared his design of excluding Great Britain from all communication, political or commercial, with the continent of Europe. From this again he draws the conclusion, that ministers were very sincere in their endeavours to preserve || peace.

Reflections on the Causes of the present Rupture with France. By John Adolphus, Esq. 1803. 185 p. 8vo. We have already, in the LITERARY JOURNAL, declared our opinion that all the discussion in both houses of parliament, concerning the nature of the present dispute with France, has added very little, or rather nothing at all to the light communicated in the King's declaration, either as to the discovery of facts, or as to the conclusions to be drawn from them. After this declaration it will not excite surprize, if we say that we have not received much new information from this pamphlet. As to the facts, Mr. Adolphus professes to receive them only from the official papers Then commences his account of the matters conwhich have been published, either by our own govern-tained in the official papers. The first is the usage ment, or that of France. For these therefore few practised toward some British ships. On this subject persons have occasion to look into his pamphlet ; and he details the particulars of one of the cases mentioned we are obliged at the same time to declare that if any in the papers; and then relates the account given at one look into it for new or profound remarks, they that very time, by the Moniteur, of the alacrity with will not be very amply gratified. In fact, though which the British commander at Porto Ferrajo exMr. Adolphus entitles his book Reflections on the tended his protection to French ships; and the indigcauses of the rupture with France, he is not very nation which that paper expressed that some persons profuse in his reflections. We would rather denomi- in England entertained suspicions with regard to the nate the production a chronological history of the dis- French squadron sent to the West Indies. pute with France. It is a statement, in order, of the The second is the requisition with regard to the different particulars which have occasioned remon- French emigrants. The chief passages in the pubstrance and discussion, or suspicion and alarm be-lished papers, relative to this point, are here extracted. tween the two governments, with an account of the language held, and the spirit manifested by each, on these different occasions, since the signing of the preliminaries of the treaty of Amiens. Nor do we deny that the industry of Mr. Adolphus has been useful. He has carefully examined the papers which have been given to the public, and by bringing cotemporary transactions together, and exhibiting facts united in his recital, which were united in point of time, he will enable many persons to form a clearer idea of the circumstances in question, than from an examination of the papers themselves they would pro- | bably take the trouble of doing. They will derive some advantage too from the diligence with which Mr. Adolphus has brought into his narrative several cotemporary occurrences, not contained in the official papers, but which are ultimately connected with the questions, to the resolution of which these papers refer.

The author begins with a general reflection, not very intimately connected with the subject of his pamphlet, that governments are greatly dependent upon public opinion. This he states, and illustrates in three or four pages. He then shews that this is in some measure connected with his general design, by drawing from it as a conclusion, that the ministers of Great Britain were very earnest for the maintenance of peace, and exhausted all proper means for that purpose. He proceeds to examine the papers before the public for the proof, whether "they have committed the dignity of the nation, by languor in A parliamentary cant phrase which no good writer admits.

Mr. Adolphus' reflections are, first, on the fretful anxiety of an usurping potentate, and his apostate minister, respecting the native princes, and unperjured* bishops of their land;" secondly, on the impropriety on the part of Great Britain of complying with this requisition; and thirdly, on the impropriety there would have been of renewing the war on that account.

The next subject of dissention is the freedom, or licentiousness, of the English press. The steps of the different governments are stated in chronological order; and the chief passages in the official papers, relating to the subject, are extracted. Mr. Adolphus loses no opportunity of paying his tribute of applause to the ministers. We heartily join with him in the eulogium he pronounces on the answer of Lord Hawkesbury to the pretensions of the French government.

66

This eloquent, wise, and able state paper," says he, "is worthy the most attentive perusal, and entitles the individual who composed, and the ministry who sanctioned it, to the praise and gratitude of every British subject."

We think, however, that after pronouncing it "eloquent," and "wise," he might have spared the word able; since, if it was eloquent and wise, his readers might have been left to infer that it was able. This indeed is one of the vices of Mr. Adolphus's stile. It is loaded with superfluous epithets; and without being peculiarly distinguished, either for strength or vivacity, it has an affectation of eloquence, which does not always produce the most agreeable effect.

+Does Mr. Adolphus mean to say, that all the clergy of old. France, except those who remain exiles, are apostates, and perjured?

The conclusion which the author draws from all the || particulars, is, that the French government was extremely captious" in making such complaints, "extremely arrogant in proposing such remedies; and that the reasoning of Lord Hawkesbury was calm and temperate, yet firm and conclusive.”

Sebastiani's report is published, which our author declares to be a complete proof of the designs of France with regard to Egypt. A long extract is made from the dispatch sent from England to Lord Whitworth, explaining the reasons for which Malta could not be evacuated. Mr. Adolphus then mentions the stateMr. Adolphus makes an addition to the materials mant in the Moniteur of the finances of England, contained in the papers presented to parliament, on and in eight days more of the finances of France; this point, of which we approve. He extracts the and supposes that this was made to raise the spirits of scurrilous and defamatory articles against English- the French people, with a view to the commencement men, and the English nation, which are to be found of hostilities. Next is noticed the conversation of in the Paris papers, at the time the complaints were Lord Whitworth with Talleyrand, on the subject of made against the British press. And he justly asks,|| Lord Hawkesbury's letter, respecting the demand to if exercising retaliation, or rather taking the lead in evacuate Malta; and then the celebrated conversation injury, the French nation had any title to seek redress? with Bonaparte, on which Mr. Adolphus thinks all With regard to Malta, the article in the treaty of comment unnecessary. The answer sent by minisAmiens relating to it is extracted; a speech of Gal- ters to the pretensions of France is quoted at length. lais to the legislative body is quoted; the steps which An extract is then made from the celebrated paper, had been taken by the different governments with re- the Exposé, or view of the state of the republic, pregard to it, up to the end of August, are related in sented by Bonaparte to the legislative body, in which order; and the author concludes, that from the events || he said, that England by herself was not able to contend which had already taken place, and the spirit which with France. A few other parts of the different conthe French government had already disclosed, "delay versations are related; and then comes the King's on the part of the British ministry, with regard to Message The renewed instances of Andreossi, and the evacuation, was wisdom; and their only prudent answers of ministers respecting Malta are mentioned; course was to permit the designs of France fully to the behaviour of Bonaparte to Lord Whitworth on heardisclose themselves. They could not be justified in ing of the message; and the explanation given respectdemanding explanations in terms which mighting Sebastiani's mission, on the futility of which engender declarations of hostility, but sufficient motives had arisen to justify their acting with circumspection, and viewing passing events with an eye of suspicion."

On the affair of Switzerland, Mr. Adolphus reprobates the conduct of Bonaparte, condoles with the | Swiss, relates the application made to Mr. Merry by the Swiss deputy at Paris, extracts a great part of the correspondence on this subject, relates the interference of the English government, and the mission of Mr. | Moore, and pronounces the interference to be "neither unsolicited nor intemperate."

It was the prospect of a war, in conjunction with the Swiss, for the protection of Swiss independence, in the opinion of our author, which occasioned the order for the retention of the Cape of Good Hope; and it was the alteration of that prospect which occasioned the counter-order for giving it up. We wish he had offered some proofs of this opinion.

We cannot follow our author, with such detail, through the miscellaneous and more minute circumstances which followed till the commencement of hostilities. We shall mention, however, those particulars which enter into his narrative, and our opinion of the remarks which are occasionally interspersed. Large extracts are made from a violent and abusive article

Mr. A. makes some very just remarks. Observations are made on the suspicious nature of the preparations at Helvoetsluys. Next are mentioned the instructions given to Lord Whitworth, to intimate the necessity of his departure, unless satisfaction were granted. Then are related the suggestions offered by France about a temporary possession of Malta, and the negociations respecting that matter; and finally the departure of Lord Whitworth. The general conclusion from all this is stated in the following words :

"The details so amply given in the preceding pages, must place beyond dispute the continual aggressions of France, and render it indisputable that during the whole period of the peace, she was continually watching for an advantageous moment to renew hostilities. It is among the most insidious of her attempts to have placed the latter. portion of her diplomatic correspondence in such a form. as to found an argument, though feeble, that the possession of Malta, by the British government, is the sole cause of this point, because to all the principal states the minister the dispute. All Europe can judge between the parties on of each power has made representations; but the inference to be applied to the feelings of the people of Great Britain would direct itself to the value of the possession, and be supported by the quession, whether a miserable rock is worth the expence of a war ?"

The latter part of this paragraph, since we have which appeared in the Moniteur, on the 29th of Oc-quoted it, deserves some observations on account of tober. The arrival of the French ambassador in London is noticed. Sebastiani is mentioned, as pursuing his journey. The degree of oblivion is remarked into which the question about Malta seemed at this time to be sunk. The directions given by Talleyrand to the mercantile agent in Dublin are related. The violent remarks made by the French papers on the mission of Mr. Moore are extracted. The renewal is mentioned of the demands about Malta. At this time

the language. It is a striking specimen of that mode of writing which employs words with little reference, we had almost said no reference to the meaning intended. "The inference to be applied to the feelings," &c. What inference? The inference to be drawn from the detail of the dispute between the two countries? The only inference to be drawn from that is whether the provocation of hostilities is chargeable on France or England? But what is here meant, is

15

LITERATURE.

16

whether Malta be worth the expence of a war. But || have subsided; and time has been given to put merthis is not an inference; it is a question; and altoge-cantile affairs in order. The pamphlet concludes with ther independent of the other question, whether the opinion, that however inveterate and daring our France or England be the aggressor in this case? enemy, if the spirit which is now excited shall be "The inference to be applied to the feelings of the maintained by the uninterrupted flow of public opipeople of Great Britain." To apply an inference to nion that the contest is just, honourable, inevitable, the feelings of a man is a strange phrase. But not we have nothing to fear. only is this inference applied to feelings; it "directs itself to the value of a possession." In what manner, however, we confess ourselves utterly unable to understand. Something not less extraordinary follows; this inference is supported, not by facts, nor by legitimate deductions from facts, or established principles, it is "supported by a question" which itself remains || Such sentences are very common in

to be decided.

Mr. Adolphus's book.

The Life of Richard Earl Howe, by George Mason, Author of an Essay on Design in Gardening, and of the Supplement to Johnson's English Dictionary. 8vo. (Pages 111.) 1803.

The lives of eminent naval officers, composed from authentic materials, enriched by manuscript documents from either the individual himself, or his family, will always prove a most acceptable present to the For the decision of the question that Malta is an public. Granger has already shewn, that history adequate cause of war, Mr. Adolphus states his opi- never appears to greater effect, than when represented nion of its utility, but without any addition of proof, under the garb of biography; and the smallest reexcept that he asks, who would give up Gibraltar?flection is sufficient to convince us, that the only He then asks, whether the cause of Bonaparte's zeal method to form the basis of an ample and accurate is desire to restore the Order of Knights, or concern naval history, is in the first place to collect from all for the honour of treaties? For an answer to the first quarters the memoirs of individuals, of which the of these questions he cites the capture from the outline has been traced by themselves. Knights by Bonaparte; and for an answer to the second he pronounces a violent invective against his character.

This task, difficult as it appears, was attempted during the year 1799; and the three first volumes of the Naval Chronicle, which, we now learn, were writHe alludes to the opinion of Mr. Fox, and his party. ten by the Rev. J. S. Clarke, presented a fund of But instead of refuting it, he only charges them with copious information, drawn from sources which had an outrageous fondness for the foes of their coun- not previously been open to the public. The first try, whatever their description," and with being "in-biographical memoir in this Chronicle was that of flamed with a love of singularity." We cannot help remarking, that while Mr. Adolphus shows a most laudable desire to load all the other parties in the state with his praises, however inconsistent their principles, and opposite their conduct, he seems to have chosen this party as the peculiar object of his patriotic abuse; and appears as anxious to omit no opportunity of pouring it upon them, as he is of pouring his applauses upon the others.

Earl Howe, who was then alive; we therefore hoped that when a posthumous life appeared, the sketch already published would have been completed, and that light and shade given to the outline which could not with propriety be inserted during the life-time of the gallant veteran.

For the space of twenty-seven years, Mr. Mason, according to his own words, "was honoured not barely with the kindest friendship, but also with a He opposes the opinions of Windham and his fol- considerable share of confidence by Earl Howe. Enlowers, with regard to the earlier period at whichjoying these advantages, he was so particularly taken war should have been begun, not so much by saying with many testimonies of unusual good sense, which that they are wrong, as that the ministers would not pervaded this noble Earl's most familiar conversations, have got the country sooner to go along with them. that he deposited all his anecdotes, maxims, and opiHe then recapitulates the different causes of offence nions, in the cabinet of a faithful memory. Thence, given to this country; and declares them to be a just with due selection, to be now produced to the cause of war. public."

He opposes the objections to the abilities of ministers, by saying that people who thought themselves very sagacious, entertained such opinions erroneously, with regard to the late ministry; and that the present behaved well with regard to the Egyptian expedition, and that to Copenhagen. He makes light of the opinion that this war will require extraordinary abilities on account of the danger from invasion. He draws additional consolation from the known state of the French finances.

To leave nothing imperfect in the vindication of ministers, he states the advantages of the peace. It deprives the French government of the means of stirring up the people by the belief that Great-Britain wanted to impose upon them their old government. All the feuds and dissensions raised by the last war

After such a declaration, the public in general, and the naval profession in particular, will certainly be disappointed with the scanty information contained in this volume. Little is added to what has already appeared in the memoir by Mr. L'Epine, published in the British Magazine for June 1783, in the life printed by Mr. Charnock, and in the biographical memoir composed by Mr. Clarke, who appears to have drawn his information from the Journals, and conversation of officers who had served under Lord Howe.

Mr. Mason dedicates his life with great propriety to the Right Hon. Sophia Charlotte Baroness Howe, and to the most noble Louisa Catharine Marchioness of Sligo, the only surviving daughter of their illustrious father. Our author then informs us that Lord Howe was born in the parish of St. George Hanover Square,

on March 8, 1725-6, O. S. or by the change of Style, March 19, 1726. The following extract, as it relates to a most interesting part of the gallant veteran's life, will give the reader no unfavourable idea of Mr. Mason's publication: we can only lament, that he did not follow the example of Mr. Coxe, and with the zeal and industry of that writer favour the public with copious extracts from the private papers and correspondence of Earl Howe:

"Before we take our leave of the above-mentioned expeditions, I would just say a word or two, relative to Prince Edward, from what was heard by myself many years after in conversation with Earl Howe. When his

admiration and disgust: and is tinctured with the lassitude and feeble exhaustion of the weary days in which it was written." It is added, that nothing could be farther from the writer's mind, than the idea of thus appearing before the public. His highest ambition was to insert his Tour in a monthly publication, with which we are unacquainted, "but when the manuscript was presented to the editors, it was recommended to bring it forward in its present form, as the best means of promoting the effect intended," namely, "to gratify the anxious curiosity of friends." Then follows the author's modest opinion of the design of revisiting the continent rendered impracticawork, with an apology for not correcting it, which a ble; and we are inclined to join the author in doubtwhether "the result would have been worth the the pains."

All information proves that there is an uncommon proportion of inconsistency in the French character; and from this as well as other Tours lately published, we begin to be of opinion that that inconsistency is of an infectious tendency, and that it distracts the Tourist, not only when he is penning his memorandums, but when under an English climate he is soberly com

Royal Highness first engaged in the service, the Commodore asked him "what station he would choose." The reply was "to be always where you are." This request was uniformly complied with, till the Commodore saw it necessarying to brave the most menacing front of danger himself, for rescuing the British troops from destruction. On this occasion he told the Prince (then in the barge with him) that he must desire him to go immediately back to the ship. This request beyond description disconcerted Prince Edward, who most earnestly desired to be suffered to remain in his promised station. The Commodore answered, "he should be happy to have his Royal Highness still at "his side; but that the due attention to such a charge "would unavoidably draw off his thoughts from the im-mitting them to the revisal of an English public. "portant business of the moment." Prince Edward, demonstrating a judgment equal to his spirit, acquiesced, and withdrew to the ship.-Notwithstanding this proof of the Commodore's vigilance over the personal safety of his royal naval pupil, the tattling Duke of Newcastle (then at the head of the treasury) remonstrated to George the Second, on the perils to which his grandson was exposed by his commander. But the Sovereign replied with indignation," how shall the boy be trained to sea-service with"out being inured to its dangers ?"

The author of the work before us has certainly caught the disorder in no common degree; and it appears in alternate fits of elevation and depression, passion and temperance, for which no other excuse can be found. Even his title of Reverend has cost us many a conjecture; it is evident he is not of the churches of Rome, England, or Scotland, and we know no class of dissenters with which he can assimilate. In his politics, he makes the tour of all known principles, without "Previously to the Commodore's setting out on one of residing an hour with any; we have sometimes lanthe expeditions already recited, being always attentive to guage which would do honour to the British parliaverbal exactness, he found himself unable to comprehendment, and sometimes ravings, as in pp. 189-203, one particular passage in his written instructions, which he which would not have disgraced the French Convenhad received from the great William Pitt. To him there- tion in 1792-3.-But it is time we should descend to fore he repaired, and mentioned, that he did not perfectly a few particulars. understand his orders. "Not understand your orders !" The places he visited are Rouen, Lissieux, Caen, (exclaimed the Secretary in his haughty tone)" that's very strange indeed." The Commodore perfectly understand-Sablé, Laval, La Flêche, Angers, Tours, Blois, OrFalaise, Argentan, Sées, Alençon, Beaumont, Mans, ing the real purport of this exclamation, instantly replied: leans, Estampes and Paris. The predominant feature "Sir, do not mistake me. When I shall be thoroughly "acquainted with my errand, you may depend upon my in most of those places is said to be filth, and in his executing it to the utmost of my power." This softened descriptions of this, he is so truly picturesque and at once the minister's features: with the readiest compla-impressive, that the result must be, with every reader cence he condescended to be expositor of his own instructions-which, but for habit of haughtiness, he might as easily have done at first. This anecdote is also given from the mouth of Lord Howe."

"

A Tour through several of the Midland and Western
Departments of France, in the Months of June,
July, August, and September, 1802. With Remarks
on the Manners, Customs, and Agriculture of the
Country. By the Rev. W. Hughes. Illustrated by
Engravings. 8vo.

This Tour, we are told in the preface," is neither more nor less than a series of memorandums and reflections penned sometimes upon the road, sometimes at the inns upon it; and that it commonly partakes, as will be expected, of pain and pleasure, of

VOL. II.

of delicacy, complete disgust; these details indeed occur so frequently, that we question whether, in some constitutions, they may not produce something more than a nausea of the mind. A Frenchman, if we may credit Mr. Hughes, is an animal that is born, lives, and dies in nastiness, nasty in his streets, nasty in his house, and nasty in his person and family. We trust the picture is overcharged, and should have been glad to have hinted as much from evidence to be found in other parts of the work, but in truth we know not whether the author likes or dislikes the French.

P. 180.- - With all these national and uninviting peculiarities, it must be confessed, that the French are, upon the whole, an amiable people-there is an urbanity-a good nature-a readiness to oblige which is highly interest

B