year be compared with those periods which afforded no other prospect than that of interminable war, with increasing foes, and failing allies, it must be regarded as culpable discontent to be insensible of the meliorated condition of our country, when nothing is probably wanting to restore the enjoyment of the advantages so largely bestowed upon it, except patience, prudence, and economy. CONTENTS. GENERAL HISTORY. CHAPTER I. Parliamentary Transactions-Debate relative to delivering up Spaniards from Gibraltar.-Debate on keeping Militia embodied. Transfer of Genoa to the King of Sardinia.-Proceedings on the Corn Laws.-Trial by Jury in Civil Causes in Scotland.-Motion for a Committee of Inquiry respecting the Bank of England. - Continuation of the Bank Restriction Act.-Arrest of Lord Cochrane in the House of Commons. [1 CHA P. II. Prince Regent's Message on the landing of Buonaparte in France: Address and Debates.-Lord Wellesley's Motion respecting the Escape of Buonaparte from Elba, and Debates ou the subject.-Discussion of the Treaty with America.-Motions and Debates respecting the Transfer of Genoa to the King of Sardinia.-Mr. Whitbread's Motion for an Address against a War with France. [10 CHAP. III. Mr. Tierney's Motion on the Civil List.-Renewal of the Property Tax. Foreign Slave-trade Bill.-Bill for preventing the illicit Importation of Slaves-Motion for a Committee on the Catholic Question-Prince Regent's Message concerning the Treaties with the Allied Powers.-Lord Castlereagh's Motion respecting Subsidies. 22 CHAP. IV. The Budget, English and Irish. CHAP. V. [35 Additional Grant to the Duke of Wellington: Thanks to him and to Marshal Blucher, and the Armies.-Motion for a National Monument of the Victory PREFACE. THE prospects with which the year 1814 terminated were those of durable peace to this country, and of a general settlement of the affairs of the Continent, which, if not altogether framed upon those principles of consent and independence which alone can satisfy the feelings of a friend to national rights, seemed upon the whole to promise much practical improvement in the system of Europe. There were, indeed, appearances which a boding mind might regard as presaging an interruption of the calm succeeding a tempest so dreadfully and widely extended; but that a single event should produce an immediate change in the state of things which would again set in motion all the armed force of Europe, and re-commit its destinies to the chance of war, was scarcely within the compass of the imagination. Such an apprehension could only be suggested by an intimate knowledge of the character and disposition of the French nation, and especially of that army, which, though no longer in activity, still held the fate of France in its hands; and the result has afforded an awful example of the danger attending the : |