a

bribery,.corruption, and perjury? If you , Allied armies are about to undertake ? are, to reason with you is useless. You They are going to contend against the are destined passively to, be carried along greatest military genias in the world, who by the current of those events, which is is to fight for his own existence. This is daily and hourly becoming stronger and an important circumstance. It is his life stronger, and which the Borough-faction thæt is to be the object of the war, ariel will not be able to resist.

for which he is to be made to fight; and WM. COBBETT. who does not know the strength of this

extraordinary motive! Such is the first

stroke of the wisdom of the Allies, who by CONSEQUENCES OF A WAR with FRANCE. this declaration have given to Napoleon,

a great accession of real power. But NaMr. COBBETT.-I never had any doubts poleon is not alone ; he is at the head of 3 about the wishes of the Allied Powers to or 400,000 veteran troops, strongly atgo to war against France. When we con- tached to their General, fighting on their sider the rooted hatred which the corrupt native land, for the right to choose their Gorernments of Europe bear against li- own government and chief. They burn berty and the rights of men, how could for revenge, they feel how much they have we imagine for a moment that they would been insulted, and remember how often suffer France to remain in a state of peace, they have triumphed over the same kind to form her own constitution, which will of coalitions. Add to all this, apwards of be too favourable to that liberty which 2,000,000 of National Guards, contendthey always detest. The wars against the ing for the same cause, on' the same soil, French Republic, the recent war against and under the impulse of the same ani. America, and the approaching war against mating and powerful motives. Is not France, are all founded on the same bad France alone, thus circumstanced, able to principles and passions. In the name of the resist the world? But if we further add koly and undivided Trinity, the Allies now the King of Naples with his 100,000 Neagain arm themselves and make public politans and some other states, which declarations of their intentions. This is have been offended by the Congress at another coalition of the old regular cor- Vienna, it appears next to impossible that rupt governments, against the rights of the Allied Powers should succeed. The men to choose their own constitution and French are not ignorant Barbarians, but rulers. The French have unequivocally an enlightened people, who know the difdeclared in favour of Napoleon, who now (ference between liberty and slavery, bereigns, if any monarch ever did reign, by tween choosing their own government, the will of his people. He has also shown and having one imposed upon them by himself anxious to preserve general tran- foreign armies. Let us not forget who are

quility, and is willing to abide by the least the aggressors and invaders on this occafavourable terms that can be proposed to siop. If it should be the Allies, (which

him, by the Treaty of Paris, What can I hope will not be the case,) and if these „we do more? And is it possible to think should happen to meet with defeat, let us that the French vation, powerful and en- not afterwards be told of the tyranny and lightened as they are, will be insulted with cruelty of Bonaparte when he invades their impunity? The High Allied parties, how territories and capitals in return. Though ever, seems to be solemnly engaged, with decidedly the approbation of the French the assistance of the Trinity, never to People, yet Napoleon is held up as in out

" lay down their arms, until the object law. After the Declaration of the High « of the war shall have been attained”; Contracting Parties, what if the Empethat is, not until Bonaparte the choice of ror of France succeed, and demolish

his people, shall be dethroned, and incas the continental governments of Europe ! - pacitated from doing further mischief. But whether we prosper in a military Why has not experience, severe experience, point of view, or not, it is certain that our tanght the Allies the lesson of modesty: debt and tuxes must be greatly increased. Do they not know that he has entered Are the people of England desirous of entheir Capitals as a Conqueror? And who tering into a contest so unjust in its obwill venture to say that he will not act the ject, and so ruinous in its consequences ? same tragedy again? What is it, that the If there ever was a time, when the people

should meet constitutionally together, and, corruption is, that we must go to War to endeavour to do some good, it is the pre- attempt to pull him down. I say attempt, seut period. It is so selfish and so stupid for he is now firmer on his throne than to complain of taxation, after we have ever he was before. The French people quietly acquiesced in an unjust and un have tried one whom the Allies presented riecessary war which is the chuse of the to them; but, after the elapse of ten taxes. Now is the time to petition, if we months, they have shewn to the World ever wish to serve the cause of humanity that they like the Detested Napoleon betand liberty.

G. G. F. ter than Louis the Desired, whom they Sandon, April 25, 1815.

have bid to fly. I say firmer, because Napoleon has agreed to accept such a Con

stitution as will unite all parties, particuWAR WITH FRANCE.

larly if another invasion of France' is at.

tempted, for that will cement those parties Mr. COBBETT—We have heard of the which ve now united so strongly at tyrannizing, oppressive Napoleon, from Death alone will be able to separate them. whom mothers were ready to tear his eyes But why should we go to War? lIas Nam for dragging their sons to battle; whom poleon threatened to invade our country, every man abhorred; whose rash actions or to infringe on our liberties, or even on made even the soldiers wish for another those of our Allies? No; bis language is leader; whom, in fact, every person, man, Peace with all. Why then should we go woman, and child, hated and detested; to War? Peruse the Hireling prints, the

l and the pulling down of whom we prided Ministerial speeches, and still inquire, Why ourselves on, because Frenchmen wished must we go to war? The reason may be, it, and because we wished them to be able that Napoleon is not of Royal blood, and

to make free choice of a Ruler. While those that have not that blessed blood are op influenced by armies, in the heart of their not considered capable of holding the reins

country, they fixed on Louis the Desired. of any Government; and why? because “Happy, happy Frenchmen! the day he the Sovereigns of Europe are supposed to “came to sit on your throne. Happy, be possessed of Wisdom, of Magnanimity, “happy Frenchmen! the day the Tyrant of Generosity, of Humanity, and of Vir

was hurled from his throne, which gave tue so great that po one that has not Royal

you a free choice.” Such was the lan- blood flowing in their veins can possess it, guage of almost every one, not only in this But wherefore go to war with France be. but in other countries.- Napoleon goes cause she will not have Royalty and all its to Elba; the foreign armies are withdrawn virtues? If the French people do not wish from France, and the Emperors, Kings, to have one of the Royal Brood; if they and Ambassadors are found quarrelling do not wish to have a wise man at the head about the division of conquered countries of their Government, let them have a fool; at Vienna. Napoleon once more appears if they wish not to have a generous, paterin that land which, it is said, he ruled with nal, humane, Magnanimous, and Virtuous a rod of iron; not, however, with six hun- Sovereign, let them have, if they will, a dred thousand men, but with hardly six cruel, mean-spirited, wicked wretch; if hundred.' He marches towards the Capi. they are fond of tyranny, let them have a tal without opposition; arriving within tyrant: and as long as ever such a charactwenty miles of it, he hears that a hundred ter as that keeps peace with us, what shall thousand are sent to oppose him; he we gain by going to war with him? But, counts his army, which is increased to Sir, Napoleon's character will ever rank sixty thousand; he leads them, not to high in the annals of History; he will ever battle, but in an open carriage he ap- be considered as a Great Man. It is jeaproaches the supposed enemy; at the sight lousy which is the real cause of the War of whom the cry of Vive l'Empereur re- with which we are threatened. Are not sounded from rank to rank; the people of the advocates of war angry that the rench Paris flocked to him, and this Detested people should dare to dispute their right being, this Tyrant, this Demon, as he is of choosing a Ruler for them? Are they called, was hailed with joy by upwards of not a little angry that Napoleon should 200 thousand Frenchmen, who followed have surpassed them in Magnavimity and him to the Capital.-Yet the language of' Generosity? for cau' we forget, that the

66

inoment it was known Bonaparte had set PRESENT STATE OF FRANCE. his foot on the sands of Frejus, the Bour

(Continued from Page 476.) boos proclaimed him throughout the country a Rebel, a Traitor, whose Head was One of the principal objects which the forfeited. We know, however, that he Revolution in France had effected, was reascended the throne in spite of all these the overthrow of the reign of superstition, proclamations, and that when one of his and the subversion of the paralyzing ina Generals took a Noble Duke prisoner and fluence of priesteraft; an influence which informed him of it, he said “Guard him has proved more fatal to the progress of

to the coast, set him off, but take care useful knowledge and of liberty, than all 6

that he is well treated.” Was this done other causes combined. After the dearas a reward for the kind treatment part of bought experience which the Bourbon fahis family are now receiving in being mily had had; after the fatal error iuto marched as prisoiters to Hungary ?-Are which they had been led; after the depth not the enemies of Napoleon also jealous of misery into which they had been plunged at his having surpassed them in tolerance by the implicit confidence they reposed in of Religion, and in the Freedom of the the clergy, and the thoughtless manner in Press? When we look at Bigoted Spain, which they gave themselves up to their with our Beloved Ferdinand at her head, controul, one would have thought, ou and consider the rapid strides that Louis their restoration to the throne of France, was making to re-establish popery with all whatever may have been their own private its appendages, who can say that the con- sentiments as to religion, that they would duct of Napoleon did not put them to have been careful to avoid every thing shame when he said, Let Religion be free; tending to disquiet the inhabitants, or to let the Press be free. Are not his enemies excite in their minds apprehensions of a likewise jealous that he has gurpassed them restoration of that spiritual tyranny unin humanity? What was the answer of der which the sovereign as well as the Spain when requested to Abolish the Slave people had, for so many ages, groaned..

, Trade? What was the answer in general | But 'a strange infatuation seems to have of the Allies? Why some wanted ten, seized the Bourbons. Every where their some two, and even the humane Louis return to power was attended with the rehimself could not Abolish it under five turn of bands of monks, friars, and other years; yet Napoleon, with one breath, religious fraternities, all armed with deexclaims, Slavery shall be no more en- termined resolution to re-assume their couraged by France; she shall have nought former usurped authority over the human to do with slavery. Jealousy is, I own, a mind. Although the measures which had poor excuse for deluging the Continent been taken in France to rid that delightful with blood, and most likely it will be dis- country of these infamous pests, rendered owned as the reason. If it is, we must it a dangerous experiment to restore them recollect that we said, We fought before at once, as the beloved Ferdinand had for the Independence of Nations, for the done in Spain, to the plenitude of their SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE. What power, it will be seen by what Mr. Birk. then, must we go to war to pull down beck * says on the subject of religion, that those principles which we have spilt so the steps authorized by the new governmuch blod to set up? What, must we ment were calculated to lead to this, and dictate to the French Nation what Ruler to create a general alarm throughout the we please? What, must we force on them country. On his arrival at Dieppe, an oba a King which they declare they cannot ject of superstition was among the first love and will not obey? No; while Na- that presented itself: poleon Bonaparte, the present Emperor of Near the landing-place the most prominent ob. France, acts wisely, prudently, and just-ject is a newly erected gaudy crucifix; the figure ly, he will reign even if all the Powers of large as life, and painted flesh colour; a naked Europe league against him. But putting body, writhing iu torture : the Virgiu Mary be justice and equity out of the question, it neath in gay attire, and a crown surmounting all. will be in vain we squander our money, in Snch exhibitions must excite horror and disgust; vain we shed our blood, in endeavouring any thing but reverence, to put on the throne Louis the Desired. I remain, Sir, A FRIEND

This gentleman's name was printed Birbeck xo Prace, JUSTICE, AND EQUITT. 'by mistake iu a former Number of the Register.

un

A dirty fellow with a good voice, and a filolie fresorted to by the enemies of Napoleon, with three strings, alternately chainting and was that of representing the soil of France preaching to the crowd in one of tlie market to be in a state of complete desolation, ocplaces at Ronen, attracted my attention. The casioned by the operation of the ConscripMorale was the collection of three sous cachi from tion Laws, which, it was said, had so his hearers, for a sacred charm : being much much drained the population, that there aroused and somewliat edified, I purchased a were none left to cultivate the ground but parket. It contained two papers of prayers and old men, women, and children. In fact, saintly histories ; a sınall crucifix, and a very according to the representations of these sinall bit of the real cross. When I displayed vile calumniators, it was impossible that my treasure at the hotel, onr landlady's son, a France could "recover from the terrible boy of about thirteen, who spoke a little broken effects of this c scourge of human nature" English, cries out, on seeing the crucifix, “ Dat in less than halfa century. Cities, towns, is God-dat is Goul."

and villages ; vineyards, corn fields, and We found the town (Avignon) in a grand bnstle gardens; all were laid waste by this abont a Saint's processioni. What Saint we conld principled marauder!" yet, strange to renot make out very easily, as we received a dif. late, no sooner has the road to France ferent report from every person we asked. The been thrown open, than it is discovered streets were crowded with women and military. that her people possess one of the finest All their church.doings are under military pro- countries in the world, that the land is in tection. The church, where they were fitting a progressive state of cultivation, that the ont the Saint for exhibition, lad two files of sol. vineyards, the orchards, tlie gardens, the diers from the door to the altar: bayonets fixed-corn fields, everywhere present the most For this there seems no occasion, as the women luxuriant aspect; and that nothing is are safficiently devout, and the men' entirely in. wanted to draw thither a rast number of different. To judge from appearances merely, settlers, from almost every other nation, the political cliaracter of the French nation is at but a state of settled

peace

and security. present rather low. First prevails the military On leaving Dieppe for Rouen (says Alr. Birls. spirit which seems to be the only spirit sliiuing beck), we enter on a vast expanse of country, among the men, next come the priests, followed by covered with luxuriant crops. Not a speck of the women, What will France become under the waste to be discovered. The road itself is a mag. agency of an overwhelming military establishi nificent object; wide, well formed, and in excel. ment, and a King devoted to the church? The levt order; running in a right line for leagues papal palace at Avignon is used as barracks. before ns, and planted on each side with apple

In speaking of parties, I had forgotten the brood and pear trees. As we pass along we perceive, of priests which is hatching in all quarters to right and left, in all directions, the cross roads These are objects of derision and disgust where marked by similar rows of luxuriant fruit trees, ever they appear. Their contracted shoulders, as far as the eye can reach. No hedges, and few jaclined heads, and liands dangling from their villages or habitations in sight. The soil, a deep weak wrists, together with their immense hats Hazel monld upon c!alk, with little variation for and long camblet gowns, give them a sneaking many miles. demeanour, which contrasts most infavourably Aug. 12.-Took boat for Vienne altogether with the erect gait and manly air of all other dea delightful! Sweet air-exhilirating mountain tgriptions of people. It is a miserable thing that scenery: the clear, and rapid, and majestic a class of men, born like their fellows, “Vultn Rhone; rocks, woods, vineyards; chateaux on erecto conspicere cælum,” should be so debased commanding emninences; cottages, embosoined in by bigotry and hypocrisy. Religion, that most trees, retiring from the view; the busy traffic of sublime relation, which connects man with his the river, and prosperous villages on its banks. Maker, must enoble the character; yet, strange Embarked for Valence, on board a large tra. to tell, these crioging attitudes have been a suc- ding barge, which bad taken a cargo of wine te cessful mean of operating on the imaginations of Lyons, and was returning, nearly empty, to the ignorant a belief of their sanctity. I am Avigion. The crew were five fiue yonng men, bappy in the conviction that-no' pretensions of much superior in dress, manners, and conversathis, or any other sort, will reconcile the people tion, to the bargemen of onr own country.-A of France to the restoratiou of tithes or ecclesi- glorious view of the High Alps, all the aftervoon. astical domination.

The mountains bordering the Rhone are covered One of the chief means of" detraction with vines on every part wiere {ue decomposing granite furnishe's a little culturable soil: especi., limestone. Tliese valleys are poliet gardens, ally as we approach Tournon, from whence comes In the evening we walked to a furge about fons the funwuns Hermitage wine. I had no concep les west of the town); we reached it abont suntion of a country so entirely cultivated as we have set, but unfortunately it was not at work. How. found France from Dieppe to this place. ever, the beauty of the scenery amply repaid us.

From Nismes to Montpellier is the finest and We were completely among the mountains; the best-cultivated district we have seen. Every suow remaining in many of the hollows neaptheir thing bears tlie marks of prosperity. l'ertile summits. "They are chiefly calcareous in this fields, welj-built villages, a thick and happy po- neighbourhood; and covered with viveyards alpalation). --The well-cultivated vineyard, planted most to the edge of the show. The contrast is so with rows of olives, is the chief appropriation of great between the products of the soil, and the this fine country; indeed, it is so nearly universal rugscd wildness of the surrounding crags; bethat you wonder low fodder is obtained for the tween tbe baliny air you are breathing, and the few horses required in its culture. We see, here wintry prospect; that you are ready to suspect and there, a little patch of lucerne.-From Di- an illusion of the seuses. ou our return, whilst eppe to this place we have seen scarcely a work the rich tint of the departed sim remained ju the ing animal whose condition was not excellent. west, with a glow unknown in our chilly latitude; Oxen, horses, and now mules and asses, fat and the moon, appearing over a dark cloud, threw well looking, but not pampered. This looks like the shadow of one lange cliff upon the bosom of prosperity. And when I add that we have not another, and produced suali a scene of sublinie seen, among the labouring people, one such fa- tranquillity as no poet or painter conld describe. - mished, worn-out, wretchell object, as may be met | The ear too partook of the enchautnent from the with in every parisha of England, I had almost roaring of the mountain streams. saiil on every farm; this, in a country so popul- As to the present state of agriculture, lous, so entirely agricultural, denotes real prospe manufactures, and the arts, our author rity. Again, froin Dieppe to tbis place, I could gives the following information : not easily point out an acre of wasie, a spot of

By the Revolution, every oppression on agriland that is not industriously cultivated, though cultnre was done away; titles, game laws, cor. not always well, according to our notions. = vées, &c. Since that time, mnch new ground has France, so peopled, so cultivated; moderately been brought into cultivation, and noue of the taxed; without paper money, withont tithes, old abandoned. The modes of husbandry have without poor lates, almost without poor ; with improved in many districts, by the introduction excellent roads in every direction, and overflow- of fallow crops and artificial grasses. Royen and ing with corn, wine and oil,—must be, and really its neighbourhood is a principal seat of the cotton is, a rich country. Yet there are few rich indivi- manufactory; the Manchester of France. These duals.

great works have been wholly at a stand during From Perpignan to Prades, 21 miles : ascend the later years of the war, owing to the scarcity ing towards the mountains, or rather between and enormous price of the raw material: they are tiiem, up a charming valley, cultivated like a now recovering their activity. I was admitted garden, and watered through its' whole extent. into a cotton mill at Deville, which employs.600 The people are collected into large villages. people: the neatụess and regularity of arrangeThese mountains are not dotted over with little ment, and the decept appearance of the worka happy dwellings like those which border the people, bespoke a well-managed and prosperous Rhone; but they are cultivated to their summits, concern. I thoạght the machinery good; of this, exhibiting wonderful instances of persevering in- however, I am not a competept judge. Twist is dustry. The inhabitants of a frontier district completed by four operations from the carding ; would be likely to establish themselves in groups, and the weaving costs only, Zd, per yard. 'WOfor mutual protection.-The vale farmers are men who attend the Jooms carns 15d. per day, busy sowing lupines or annual trefoil, ou their equal to eleven pounds of bread; therefore the wheat stubbles, for winter food for their flocks dow price is not the result of low wages ; a fact Wany of the hedges on this road are composed which deserves tụe attention of the promoters of chiefly of pomegranate.

Corn Bills in England. It is the opinjou bere, From Ax we descended about 12 miles: to Ta that the high price of provisions, with us, will rascon, a little town delighitfully situated on the 8000 give the French manufacturers the means of Arriège, at the conflnence of several valleys and exceeding ours in cheapness. Lonviers, famous their stream)s. Here the granite and sehist of the for its fjöe cloths, is favourably situated on a higher regions give place to stratified rocks of beautiful clear stream, of which ull advantage