66 in the interval, purfued his ambitious career, by annexing Genoa (one of the most ancient ftates of Europe) to France. The author then proceeds to anfwer the charge against the treaty of concert, that it had no precife or definite object in view, quoting the 2d Article, and fhowing that it must have been the real, not the nominal independence of Holland and Switzerland, which was meant to be fecured; and that (as to the former) it might have been fecured by withdrawing the French troops from all the Dutch, fortreffes, feveral of which are so ftrong as to form a very powerful barrier to her territory. This ignorance of the Dutch frontier, in the author of the Inquiry, upon which we also animadverted, is dwelt upon with just triumph by his adversary. In defending the late ministry from the accufation of hurrying on the allies to a premature conteft, this author appears to us, upon the whole, fucccfsful; and certainly points out fome inconfiftencies in the author of the Inquiry. But on this part of the fubject the arguments are too numerous to be purfued by us in detail. One remark, however, in the Anfwer, we cannot forbear repeating, which is, that on the developement of the late extenfive confederacy," the Oppofition preffes", (now fo loud in cenfuring it as ill-digefted and premature) while they termed it a glorious coalition, made every exertion to deprive Mr. Pitt of the merit of its formation." In difcuffing the question whether the co-operation of Pruffia, or at least her neutrality, fhould not have been secured, previously to the commencement of hoftilities, the Anfwerer is, we think, lefs fuccefsful than in almost any other part of his work. This is, indeed, a point upon which different opinions may be entertained, by perfons the most impartial, and the leaft tinctured with party prejudice. On the fubject, however, of the propofed mediation of Pruffia, the facts generally known feem to negative the allertions and cenfures in the Inquiry. The injuftice of the author of the Inquiry, in imputing all the errors of Auftria to British counfels is, of course, Arongly reprobated by his opponent; who alfo, on very probable grounds, defends the late adminiftration from the charge of not having made an early diverfion by an attack on Holland, or the north of France, and efpecially on Boulogne. After having difcuffed a few other topics refpecting the conduct of the war, the author of the Anfwer proceeds to the fecond part of the Inquiry, which relates to the confe quences of our late foreign policy." The great value of the ceffions made by Auftria to France (fo much infifted upon in the the Inquiry) is in fome measure denied in the Anfwer. Without entering into the merits of this difcuffion, we cannot but coincide with the Anfwerer, in reprobating the terms of extreme defpondency adopte! by his adverfary, and still more the reproachful expreflions fo frequently applied o the character and conduct of his own countrymen. We are, it feems," to offer equitable terms of peace, in order to obtain, for the first time, the character of moderation!" What then, has the author of the Inquiry forgotten the peace of Amiens, fupported by Mr. Pitt? Did not that treaty bear a fufficient character of moderation? And can there be a doubt that it would have been religiously obferved by Great Britain, had a fimilar moderate conduct, and a truly pacific difpofition, been manifcited by her enemy? The remainder of the Anfwer is employed in combating the opinions of the author of the Inquiry, refpecting our conduct towards Sp. in, and refpecting the prefent flate of Holland; after which the author expreffes his opinions as to the caution neceffary to be obferved in treating for peace, admitting, that if Mr. Fox fhould fucceed in negotiating a peace honourable to us and fafe for the continent, he will deferve the thanks of the country." A recapitulation of the anfwers which have been given to the feveral parts of the Inquiry, and a fummary vindication of the late minifter, conclude this part of the work. We will extract the latter, as it is brief, energetic, and, in our opinion, perfectly just. "When the prefent confederacy, the greatest which for nearly a century had been formed againft France, firft developed its ftrength, the Oppofition prefs loudly refufed Mr. Pitt the merit of its formation; but fince Mack's infatuation marred our fairest profpects, every epithet of cenfure has been caft upon that diftinguifhed minifter. He is accufed of not having exercifed in foreign ftates an extent of power which a fovereign often finds difficult in his own kingdom-of not having controlled from Lendon the ope rations in Bavaria. The faults of every court are afcribed to him, as if he had ruled Europe with defpotic fway. Is it not obvious that England, remote from the theatre of war, must leave the conduct of military operations to the powers who are near them, whofe force confifts in armies, and who are more immediately interested in the iffue of the campaign than herfelf? Were the permitted to direct the movements of the league, what could enfue from her distance but delay and difafter? The province of the British minifter was therefore to employ the refources of his country to unite as large a part as poffible of the commonwealth of Europe against its oppreffor; to conciliate the jarring interests of thofe powers, and bind them together in a folid league, definite in its objects, and upright in its views; to conduct this arduous negotiation hegotiation with fecrecy, and by every poffible precaution to avoid awakening the fufpicion of a vigilant enemy; and finally, after having agreed upon a general plan of operations, to commit the detail to thofe who were to execute them, avoiding that interference in particular objects which involves the ruin of confe deracies by the distraction of their views, and the divifion of their force. "In whatever way we examine the conduct of these important measures on the part of Mr. Pitt, we shall find the most folid grounds of approbation. The alliance was formidable in magnitude beyond example, the cordiality of its members has been evinced by their conftancy under difafter, and the whole scheme was concealed from the enemy until the Ruffians were approaching to Germany. England therefore amply fulfilled her part in the coalition, and its failure was occafioned by caufes beyond her controul. "The career of the illuftrious ftatesman we have loft, has been uniform; it was no lefs great in its clofe than promifing in its commencement. The hiftorian of his life will be under no neces fity to call in to his panegyric the aid of eloquent or impaffioned language: let him endeavour to elevate his mind to the conception of Mr. Pitt's views, to inveftigate his meafures by their own merits, to weigh his motives and conduct in filent meditation, without attending to the reports either of friends or enemies, and he will pourtray a character equally admirable in all that en lightens the mind, and dignifies the heart." P. 103. The remainder of this work is employed in "Strictures on the Conduct of the prefent Miniftry;" the juftice of which we do not deem it proper, at prefent, to examine. Neither the extravagant praifes in the Inquiry, nor the vehement cenfures in the Anfwer, may appear to have been deferved; though, for the fake of the country, we hope the former may be found most juft. But, while we unite with all good and unprejudiced men in vindicating the fame, and lamenting the lofs of our late "excellent minifter," we are not fo uncandid as to deny the abilities and the virtues of fome, at least, among his fucceffors; nor fo weak as to conclude, that talents and public fpirit do not yet remain, adequate to meet the difficulties in which we are placed, and finally to fecure the honour and welfare of our country. Ο BR. CRIT, VOL, XXVIII, AUG, 1806. BRITISH BRITISH CATALOGUE. ART. 12. POETRY. Victory in Tears; or, the Shade of Nelfon. A Tribute to the Memory of that immortal Hero, who fell in the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805. 4to. 2s. 6d. Murray. 1805. This Poem would have been fuppreffed, or at leaft delayed, if the author had not conceived that it might be accepted, in the generous fenfibility of the moment; and that the feelings of the patriot might fufpend a while, in his favour, the judgment of the Critic." Let not the reader be deterred by this modeft introduction, which, like true modefty in general, announces merit. The Poem is, in truth, the best we have yet read on the animating fubject of Nelfon. It is full of fpirit and patriotic feeling; the parts well varied, and the whole well verfified. The fhade of Nelfon fpeaks in it as such a shade should speak, and we will copy a part of his words. "Hear, awful Power!-celestial Sov'reign hear! "For ages cherish'd there, a glowing guest! Exhales Exhales high feelings from her glowing hearts, Sole hope, and refuge, of a fuff'ring world!" P. 13. We feel some surprise that so able a writer fhould fall into the unclaffical error of making manes, "the manes of Nelfon," a monofyllable; like the plural of a horfe's mane. (p. 16.) But this overfight, from whatever caufe it arofe, may eafily be removed and it is the only material blemish we perceive in the Poem. ART. 13. Verfes on the Death of Lord Nelfon. 4to. Clarke. Price 18. 1806. This is among the moft fpirited effufions in honour of our de. parted hero, and evidently compofed by a writer of fuperior taste and talents. It opens with the following nervous lines: s; "Are these the ftreams of wailing ghosts But thefe the Victor's cries, the Victor's groans For on the blood-ftain'd deck the Warrior lies." ART. 14. This is really a very entertaining and well chofen collection of Epigrams. The reader will find most of thofe which are popular from their point and wit, and a great many lefs noto. rious, which, however, deferve to be preferved. We fubjoin a few fpecimens from thefe latter. |