Mr. Sheridan moved, « That an Address be presented to his Majesty, praying that he would order to be laid before the House a copy of a letter written by the Secretary of State, dated Whitehall, March 14, to the Lords Lieutenants of the several counties, with the plans for raising troops, &c. thereto annexed."

Mr. Martin, in seconding the motion, expressed his disapprobation of the conduct of ministers during the present war.

Mr. Western spoke in support of the motion, and took the opportunity to animadvert, with much severity, on the conduct of ministers in the instance in question.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed, that when the papers were before the House, it would best know how to decide on the conduct of Ministers in the instances alluded to.

The motion was agreed to.

The Paper Duty Bill was read a third time, and passed.

25. The Solicitor General moved for a bill to explain and amend an act passed in the 31st year of the present King, relating to certain restrictions upon Roman Catholics; his principal view in which was, to enable persons of that persuasion to become Artornies at Law. The motion was ordered to be referred to the consideration of the Whole House.

Mr. Secretary Dundas presented a message from his Majesty, similar to that deli vered to the House of Lords by Lord Grenville, which, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was ordered to be taken into consideration on the morrow,

Mr. Adam prefaced a motion on the Scotch Law with a speech of very considerable length. His principal object was to assimilate the criminal code of Scotland as nearly as possible to that of this country; and to allow the former the benefits which result to the latter, from its excellent and admirable system of criminal laws. He concluded with moving to the following effect: "That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration so much of the criminal law of Scotland as relates to the crimes of leasing-making, or sedition, the right of appeal, of a new trial, the competency of witnesses, law of evidence, power of the Lord Advocate, the proposition of introducing a Grand Jury into that system, &c, and to report the same, with their opinions thereon, to the House,"

Mr, Secretary Dundas deemed it his duty to oppose the motion, as it tended to introduce a sudden, dangerous, and most extensive innovation into the system of laws by which Scotland had been governed for a very great length of time, and under which the people found themselves perfectly happy. He compared the legal system of both countries, and contended, that the laws of Scotland were better adapted for that

Country.

Mr. Serjeant Adair, at some length, contended for the propriety of instituting the Committee.

The Master of the Rolls replied to the principal parts in the learned Serjeant's speech, and seemed in general of the same opinion of his Right Hon. friend (Mr. Secretary Dundas).

Several Gentlemen then delivered their sentiments; when the question being loudly. called for, there appeared, Ayes 24, Noes 77.

"26. Resolved into a Committee on the Solicitor General's motion of the preceding night, for leave for a bill, the intent of which was, to enable persons of the Roman Catholic persuasion to become Attorneys at Law; which proposition being agreed to by the Committee, the House resumed, received the report, and ordered the bill to be brought in accordingly.

The Alien Bill was read a third time and passed.

Mr. Secretary Dundas presented the estimates of the expence attending the newly raised Corps, Regiments of Fencibles, Cavalry, &c. which were ordered to be printed; and also the copy of the letter transmitted by the Secretary of State to the different Lords Lieutenants.

A conversation of some length ensued between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Secretary Dundas, Mess. Fox and Sheridan, respecting an obscurity which ap peared to the latter gentleman in part of the wording of this letter, the result of which was, an assurance that the letter now before the House was the original communica vign issued from the Secretary of State's office to the different Lords Lieutenants,

Mr. Secretary Dundas moved the order for taking his Majesty's most gracious message into consideration, which being read, he prefaced a motion for an Address to his Majesty thereon with a short speech, in which he touched slightly on the topics mentioned in the message. He observed, that it was directed neither to alarm the courtry with groundless apprehensions, nor to lull it into ideas of dangerous security. The preparations on the French coast, whatever might be their object, were extensive, and of such a nature as rendered it necessary for this country to be on its guard, and to be amply prepared to resist any attack that might be made. He then moved an Address to his Majesty to the following effect: "To assure his Majesty that the House would most cheerfully concur in such measures as may be necessary to guard against any attempts of the enemy to attack or invade this country; that it is ready to make provisions for the further augmentation of the land forces; and also for an additional force to act in particular parts of the kingdom as circumstances might require; that the House would support his Majesty in the prosecution of this just and necessary war, in which it would be assisted by the exertions of a brave and loyal people, &c."

On the question being put, Mr. Honeywood (Member for Kent) took the opportunity to express his approbation of the present proceeding, which he said would enable him to go to the meeting of his county to-morrow, and contribute his assistance towards the defence of his country, in a legal and constitutional manner.

Mr. Fox observed, that with respect to the general tenor of the Address he had no objection to it. It was certainly wise in the present posture of affairs to be prepared against the worst, but he thought the Address promised too much in such unlimited assurance of support; for until the plan and estimates which were now before the House were considered, the House could not pledge itself how far it would go. He moved as an Amendment, that the words "just and necessary" be left out of the Address.

A conversation of some length took place between Mess. Dundas, Sheridan, Grey, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of what was implied in the Address; and also respecting the propriety of introducing the words "just and necessary" into it.

Sir R. Hill entreated the Right Hon. Gentleman to withdraw his amendment, as no alternative in the present instance was left to the House but to vote, that the war with France was either just or necessary, or that it was not.

Mr. Taylor thought that the abolition of sinecure places would be preferable, and he stated his intention, should the war last for any length of time, to bring forward a proposition to that effect.

The question on the amendment was then put, and negatived without a division, on which the Address was put and carried.

It was then ordered, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that a bill» should be brought in to encourage and discipline such corps or companies of men as shall voluntarily enroll themselves for the defence of their towns, on the coast of the kingdom, during the war.

27. The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented the bill to encourage and discipline such corps and companies of men as may voluntarily enrol themselves for the defence of their towns, or particular parts of the coasts of the kingcom, during the war. It was read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Long presented a bill for the better preventing of smuggling, and the regulation of the importation of cambricks, &c. which was read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Hobart presented the Report of the Committee of Ways and Means, which was agreed to by the House, and the bill: ordered in accordingly.

28. The House resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and Means; when it was moved as a resolution, that a sum of 740,000l. be raised by way of Lottery, for the service of the ensuing year.

Mr. Taylor, and several other members, reprobated the mode of raising money by Lotteries. The resolution was agreed to.

Mr. Grey moved for the papers to be printed, which contained lists of the killed and wounded in the last campaign. Motion withdrawn.

1

Mr. Sheridan made his proposed motion similar to the Earl of Lauderdale's in the House of Lords, concluding by declaring subscriptions to be illegal. The debate lasted until two in the morning, when the House divided; for the motion 204, against it 34."

POETRY.

FOR THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE.

FREEMASON PROLOGUE.

WRITTEN AND SPOKEN BY MR. WOODS,

At the Theatre Royal, EDINBURGH, in January 1783. PREVIOUS TO THE COMEDY OF WHICH IS THE MAN ¿" By Desire of the Right Honourable and Most Worshipful

DAVID STEWART ERSKINE, EARL OF BUCHAN,`
GRAND MASTER,

AND THE WORSHIPFUL FRATERNITY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.

N early times, ere Science, like the sun,

IN

Beam'd forth, and worlds from mental darkness won,

What wretched days mankind for ages knew,

Their cares how selfish, and their joys how few;

How tasteless was the cup on mortals prest,

By social arts untended and unblest.

If Nature now a brighter aspect shews,
Improv'd by graces Science only knows;
In tracing knowledge to its first essays,

How much FREEMASONRY deserves our praise!
Whose early efforts Wit and Genius lov'd-

When HIRAM plann'd, and DAVID'S SON approv'd:
HIRAM! whose name still leads enquiring youth *;
The chosen star that points the way to truth.
Cities, where Commerce keeps her golden store,
Temples, where grateful saints their God adore,
Th' abodes rever'd from whence fair Science springs,
And palaces that mark the pow'r of kings;
These stamp the MASON's fame; yet higher art
He nobly tries-t' amend the human heart.

Hence, 'midst the ruins of three thousand years,
Unhurt, unchang'd, FREEMASONRY appears.
Her tow'rs and monuments may fade away,
Her TRUTH and SOCIAL LOVE shall ne'er decay.
These she with care extends to distant lands,
'Cross frozen seas, o'er wild and barren sands † ;
All who can think and feel she makes her friends,
Uniting even foes for moral ends.

The wand'rer's drooping heart she loves to cheer,
The wretch's comfort when no aid seems near;

*Candidates for Freemasonry.

↑ Alluding to the Lodges established in remote parts of the world.

Her actions tending all to one great plan

To teach mankind, WHAT MAN SHOULD BE TO MAN.
Each selfish passion boldly to destroy,

That all the world, like us, may meet in joy.

Do sceptics doubt the Mason's gen'rous aim?
One truth beyond all cavil sets our fame :

Since to THE CRAFT A BUCHAN's care is giv'n,
It must be dear to Virtue and to Heav'n.

Till April starts, and calls around
The sleeping fragrance from the ground;
And, lightly o'er the living scene,
Scatters his freshest, tenderest, green.
New-born flocks in rustic dance,
Frisking, ply their feeble feet;
Forgetful of their wintry trance
The birds his presence greet:
But chief the sky-lark warbles high
His trembling thrilling extacy;
And, less'ning from the dazzled sight,
Melts into air and liquid light.

Yesterday the sullen year
Saw the snowy whirlwind fly;
Mute was the music of the air,
The herd stood drooping by :

Their raptures now, that wildly flew,
No yesterday nor morrow knew:
"Tis man alone that joy descries
With forward and reverted eyes.

Smiles on past Misfortune's brow,
Soft Reflection's hand can trace;
And o'er the cheek of Sorrow throw
A melancholy grace :

While Hope prolongs our happier hour;
Or deepest shades that dimly lour
And blacken round our weary way,
Gilds with a gleam of distant day.

Still, where rosy Pleasure leads,
See a kindred Grief pursue;
Behind the steps that Misery treads
Approaching Comfort view:

The hues of bliss more brightly glow,
Chastis'd by sabler tints of woe;
And, blended, form, with artful strife,
The strength and harmony of life.

See the wretch that long has tost
On the thorny bed of pain,
At length repair his vigour lost,
And breathe and walk again :

The meanest flow'ret of the vale,

The simplest note that swells the gale,

The common sun, the air, the skies,

To him are opening paradise!

CONTEST BETWEEN THE LIPS AND EYES.

ADDRESSED TO MISs R.

'N Celia's face a question did arise,

IN

Which were most beautiful, her Lips or Eyes?
We, said the Eyes, send forth those pointed darts
Which pierce the hardest adamantine hearts.
From us, replied the Lips, proceed those blisses,
Which lovers reap by kind words and sweet kisses;