combine and to counteract, like the drugs in an old prescription. We confess, that our late official notes exhibit to us this same complexion. Mr. Pitt, and the disciples of Mr. Burke, may differ essentially in politics, practical and theoretic, nor is it quite certain that "the king's friends" do not differ from them both. What were the real, and what ought to be the ostensible, causes of the war; under what character we ought to class the conduct of all the allies in the former, and of Austria in the latter, campaigns; with what degree of strength England is entitled to press for the restoration of the old monarchy, and with what degree of definiteness other possible conditions of peace ought to be stated; these are difficult questions, that have been prolific of dissensions among the junto in power! But finding discussion fruitless, and considering inconsistency as a less evil than inco-operation, they have at length agreed to mingle up all their notions as decorously as possible, in an olla podrida of mutual accommodation; and these official notes have been the result. The restoration of monarchy is demanded as the condition of peace with all Mr. Windham's Chouannerie; but somewhat has been conceded to the opinions and fears of Mr. Pitt, and "in explicit terms," the possibility is admitted, that other circumstances undescribed and indescribable may arise, which shall be capable of realizing the same good purpose. This admission answers two ends; it is a corps of reserve to cover some future : retreat, and it is a concession to the feelings of those, who, it is whispered, on the late discussions in the cabinet, have voted in the minority. The personal friends of a great personage, who think a government with the forms of freedom preferable to an avowed despotism, chiefly because these forms, by multiplying the modes of patronage, render power more intense; Mr. Pitt and his friends, who think that their own importance depends on the constitution, containing something more than the forms of freedom and Mr. Windham, &c. who are so panicstruck from Jacobinism and Atheism, that they do not think at all; these are heterogeneous elements, combined by reluctant affinities, easily decomponible by mere accidents, and indebted to a felicity of accident for their preservation from decomposition. They are indeed rather held in suspension, than combined; and, sooner or later, one or other of the compounds will necessarily be precipitated. Mean time, in consequence of their joint love to the people of France, they will heap taxes, even to exhaustion, on the people of England, in order to send into France almost half a million of men, commissioned to do all, that is meant by the goodly phrase of a vigorous defence! Unfortunate France, alike unfortunate in thy pretended guardians, within and without! Hylax, a wolf-dog (said the admirable Lessing, from whom we translate the fable), was guarding a sheep. Cæsar, who (like Hylax) both in hair, snout, and ears, resembled a wolf, ra ther than a sheep-dog, flew with open mouth against him, exclaiming,-"Wolf! what art thou doing with that sheep?"—" Wolf indeed! (cried Hylax) Impudent ruffian! thou art the wolf! away! or thou shalt soon find that I am placed here, as the sheep's defender!" This answer of course enraged, not convinced, the wolf-dog, Cæsar; he proceeded to take away the sheep from Hylax with force and fury; with no less force and fury, Hylax struggled to retain it; and the poor sheep (O such excellent defenders!) was torn in pieces between them! LORD GRENVILLE'S NOTE. (Probably January 22, 26, or 27, 1800.) E think in words, and reason by words. WE The man who, while he is speaking or writing his native language, uses words inaccurately, and combines them inconsequentially, may be fairly presumed to be a lax and slovenly reasoner. False reasoning is perhaps never wholly harmless; but it becomes an enormous evil, when the reasoning, and the passions which accompany it, are to be followed by the sacrifice of tens of thousands. If Numbers 22, 26, and 27 are missing in the file of the Morning Post for 1800, which I had to examine. S. C. this be a true statement, even a merely verbal criticism on an important State-paper merits the attention of the public; and believing that it is a true statement, we shall proceed to consider Lord Grenville's Note, relatively to the language and style. "Until it shall distinctly appear that those causes have ceased to operate, which originally produced the war, and by which it has since been protracted, and in more than one instance renewed." Here the simple and intelligible word "war" must have had a species of ministerial duplicity imparted to it: for how can one and the same thing be at once" protracted and renewed?" That which is protracted cannot have been finished; and that which has never been finished cannot possibly have been renewed. "The same system, to the prevalence of which France justly ascribes all her present miseries, is that which has also involved the rest of Europe in a long and destructive warfare, of a nature long since unknown to the practice of civilized nations." Here the connective word "also" should have followed the word " Europe." As it at present stands, the sentence implies that France, miserable as she may be, has, however, not been involved in a warfare. The word " same is absolutely expletive; and by appearing to refer the reader to some foregoing clause, it not only loads the sentence, but renders it obscure. The word "to" is absurdly used for the word "in." A thing may be unknown to practitioners, as humanity and sincerity may be unknown to the practitioners of State-craft, and foresight, science, and harmony may have been unknown to the planners and practitioners of Continental expeditions; but even "cheese-parings and candle-ends" cannot be known or unknown "to" a practice!! “For the extension of this system." Christ extended the moral law of Moses; but the Apostles did not extend, they propagated the system of Christ. "Germany has been ravaged: Italy, though now rescued from its invaders, has been made the scene of unbounded rapine and anarchy." Is this a figure of speech? And is the whole put for a part? We have always understood, and even the ministerial writers have not contradicted it, that Naples " though" rescued from its invaders, has been made the scene of unbounded rapine and anarchy. But that Suwarrow, “though” he had rescued the North of Italy from its invaders, should have pillaged and anarchised it in so unbounded a manner-this we did not expect to hear asserted in a State paper, written by the ministers of his good and generous ally! "it is to a determined resistance alone that is now due whatever remains in Europe of stability for property, for personal liberty, for social order, or for the free exercise of religion." This may be all excellently good Grammar, Mr. Windham! but it is most villanous English! "Such professions have been repeatedly held |