HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. RETROSPECT OF 1816. (From Felix Farley's Bristol Journal.) We have at last attained a period of universal peace. The tumult of events has subsided, and the task of the historian resumes that comparative insignificance which generally announces less brilliant, but happier times - which, though not yet arrived, we have no doubt ultimately await us. The features of 1816 wear, though not an extraordinary, yet an interesting appearance. Our glance had hitherto been diverted by the movements of other Nations: now it is more confined to our own. Born in the midst of hopes and pledges of economy, 1816 seemed destined to realize them all. But, in an unfortunate moment, Ministers subjected themselves to much reflection and very general attack, by proposing to continue the Property-Tax, though only on a reduced scale of five per cent. This impost had been supported with patience, during the protracted vicissitudes of an arduous contest: but the Nation now called for its repeal; its voice was at length heard and attended to; and Parliament, on this, as on all great occasions, faithful to its trust, decided the question in favour of the prayer and petition of the people. In consequence of this decision, the estimates previously put forth by Government were withdrawn, immediately re-considered, and materially reduced. Public confi. dence was thus regained, public good humour restored, and the power of administration secured. While the present interests of the Country were guarded with so much vigilance and success, a measure affecting the future welfare and security of the empire in the succession to the throne, was negociated and carried into execution. The union of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, with the brave and amiable Prince of Saxe Cobourg, holds forth the hope of a long succession of constitutional monarchs. Sincerely attached to the family of a Monarch, whom neither age nor infirmities, nor even his secession from power, have torn from the hearts of his subjects; the Country also beheld with pleasure the union of his respected daughter, Princess Mary, with the Duke of Gloucester. These domestic arrangements were no sooner completed, than our Country was called upon by the European world for an exertion of that power which she alone possessed, and which had never been put forth unjustly or in vain. The piracies of the Barbary Powers carried desolation to the Christian shores of the Mediterranean. Poor in spirit and in means, the Italian States beheld their trade destroyed, and their subjects carried into captivity, with impotent affiction.-A British fleet appeared in the Mediterranean, and all the African Regencies bowed to its behests. But this submission was extorted by fear. Scarcely had our fleets returned to our shores, than Mahomedan good faith broke the treaties,and by the general massacre of the Christians at Bona, pledged itself to resume its course of piracy and devastation. Another British Beet, more powerful than the former, was assembled and equipped in a few weeks. Entrusted to the same Cornmander it sailed.--The contest was the bursting of a tempest. Led and animated by Lord Exmouth's heroism, it continued till he had annihilated the barbarians' power. He then dictated terms, and loaded with emancipated slaves, borethem rejoicing, to the lands, the friends, and the altars, from which they thought they had been torn for ever. To their honour, the Netherlands' warriors fought in our ranks on that memorable day, and while France sat in peace, deriding our efforts, they nobly shared the dangers and the glories of the conflict. While France sat in peace, did we say ?-She was indeed at peace with all her neighbours, but not with herself. Retaliatory vio lence between the Government and the people; divisions between the King and his family, the Ministers and the Chambers; a dissolution of the Legislative Assembly, followed by furious electioneering contests,-form nearly the whole history of France during 1816. To this may be added, a scanty harvest, and an impove rished treasury. The other States of Europe have presented a more tranquil picture, though perhaps only to appearance. The promises of free Constitutions made by the Allied Sovereigns to the Nations of Germany, when they wanted their assistance, have not been forgotten by those Nations, though they are now unattended to by the promising, Monarchs. The King of Prussia has but just recollected that he had promised a Constitution to his brave subjects, and now assures them that he will dedicate his thoughts to the undertaking. The Bavarian Monarch, himself an innovation on the list of Kings, boldly sets up against all innovations. Fortified by the alliance of his daughter with the Emperor of Austria, he braves the resentment of his people. Meanwhile the French Government views that union with jealousy. It conceives that a marriage which makes the Emperor Francis bro ther ther-in-law to Beauharnois, as well as father-in-law to Buonaparte, may bode no good to the stability of the Bourbon Dynasty. The Ex-Empress Maria Louisa, and her son, have resumed all their share in the affections of the Austrian Monarch. His wife encourages all those sentiments; and a thousand rumours already begin to agitate the minds of men and of Nations on the Continent. In Spain, the Restorer of the Inquisition has also afforded to his loving subjects the hope of seeing a worthy successor of his virtues fill his throne, by his marriage with the Infanta of Portugal. Occupied in settling and administering her new Polish kingdom, Russia has borne no prominent part in the events of the year. Her new Tariff has disappointed the hopes of the traders; and her future plans of policy or aggrandisement remain at present quiescent. She, like other nations, feels the necessity of a calm; but let it not be supposed that her ambition is extinct, because it is dormant. Her new possessions fully naturalized and consolidated, she will awake like the lion from his sleep.-Let Europe beware of the future irruptions of the Northern hordes. Russia is now the giant to be watched, and she will be watched.-With America, by a wise Commercial Treaty, we are now enjoying all the reciprocal advantages of Trade, as much as the confusions produced by the War will yet permit. In India our immense empire is at rest. If in the West Indies a negro insurrection roused the apprehensions of our planters, it was only a momentary danger, which has passed away with its explosion. In Asia peace also generally prevails.-Turkey is at rest with human powers. And is it in thee, Britain, whom Nations cannot injure, and from whom the visitations of Heaven have in a great measure been turned away is it in thee, that discord and discontent shall prevail! Because temporary distresses assail thee, must thy misguided people take up arms, deride the sanctity of the laws, and threa ten the happiness of the land! You have sunk, it is true, into a state of lassitude from overstrained exertions, and must wait the healing influence of time to recruit your strength. Expending your principal instead of your revenue, you have been able for a time to make an effort which could neither have been much longer continued, nor speedily repeated, without positive ruin. The sudden stoppage of this forced expenditure has palsied the industry it had created; nor until new channels are discovered for the disposal of the produce of such industry, can it again be placed in activity. The thrifty accumulations of individuals, which have been lent to Government, have formed the capital that has paid such a prodigious quantity of labour; these accumulations will find their way but slowly into commercial channels, from the inadequacy of the present returns and the security of its employment.-You must be therefore prepared for some continuance of the present depression, and consider, that you have now to suffer a small share of the waste and desolation of the War you have so long waged; and what claim have you for an exemption from evils which all the Belligerent Powers have in their turn experienced? While patiently and firmly suffering these evils, you have the consoling reflection, that there is in this land such a mass of industry, of intelligence, of integrity, of capial, that it will doubtless prove sufficient to overcome your difficulties-and enable the Country finally to settle in a state of permanent ease. In the meau time, if because the exuberance of trade has been repressed, and the abundance of the harvest refused, much individual suffering exists, are not the hearts and the purses of the opulent open to their suffering brethren! Read the list of their subscriptions, see the blessings which they scatter around them, and when the interested and the traitor shali call upon your sons to burn your capitals and devastate your fields, hurl the incendiaries from among you, ABSTRACT OF FOREIGN OCCURRENCES. FRANCE. Au In the Chamber of Deputies on the 8th inst. the whole Election Law, consisting of twenty articles, was passed, by a majority of 32, viz. 132 against 100. amendment was proposed, to send back members who had accepted situations under Government, to their Constituents, for re-election, as in England; but it was not adopted. It has been often observed, even in the British Parliament, that when close divisions have been predicted, a debate has ended in the most quiet manner possible, without any trial of the strength of the contending parties. This has been the case with respect to the French Election Law. Its most important clauses-those by which the principle of the bill is sanctioned have been carried in favour of the Ministers, without an appeal to the vote. This is a most important change in the constitution of the French monarchy. The Deputies are to be elected in future in one single assembly, as in England. All Frenchmen who are thirty years of age, and pay 500 francs of taxes per annum, are to be allowed to vote. The The French Journals of the 11th inst. brought a report of the proceedings of the Chamber of Deputies on the 9th; when M. de Serre brought up the Report of a Committee on the Law for securing personal liberty. Our readers must observe, that by the term liberty is, in truth, meant personal restraint; and the object of the present law, which is a modification of that of last year, is, to enable the Crown to confine, under specific forms, persons suspected of conspiring or attempting the overthrow of the established Constitution. The picture of France, drawn by M. Serre to justify a continuance of this measure, bears many very dark shades and melancholy tints : "Notwithstanding the powerful example of the Monarch (he observes), religion resumes her empire but slowly Revolutionary doctrines are to a certain period disgraced in the public opinion-but sound doctrines have not yet sufficiently confirmed those who were misled, and fixed the anchor that is to check them; the Prevotal Courts, a measure of circumstance, do not present the force that was expected from them; extraordinary tribunals do not take well in France; and Justice has there lost her dignity. The French army, re-organized, is faithful, but not numerous; extreme vigilance must keep out of it men who might try to mislead it. In all the public services the necessity of economising, and political causes, have brought about numerous reforins; a great number of individuals are without employ, and consequently discontented. This discontent, and necessary preferences, revive those heated passions which the war carried out of the country, and which an iron sceptre kept down within. In fine, two grievous circumstances complicate and embarrass the situation of France in a very afflicting manner. The first is the consequence of the dispositions of the Treaty of the 20th November. The second, the diminution of part of the harvest of this year by the intemperance of the season. The Allied Powers have proved, by deeds more than by words, their serious intention to ensure the repose of France, and unite her interest to that of Europe. They had calculated on the abuudauce, the richness of the produce of our soil, the revival of commerce, the impulse of our industry, equal to that which had taken place at the end of 1814. Had these calculations been realised, it is certain that it would have been possible, though painful, for the French to make head by increase of taxes to an increase of three hundred millions of expences.-Events have destroyed these calculations. French industry and commerce are in a state of languor and stagnation; her richest produce has entirely failed, and even the produce of articles of the first necessity is moderate. The care of Government, and, above all, the activity of trade, will prevent all scarcity, but will not prevent dearness; and it is often from indigence that one must demand tribute, In proportion as these things deprive Government of its natural force, in that same proportion they furnish food and pretext to injustice and ill-will. lu consequence of these consideratious, the Commission deemed it necessary that Government should have a police armed with great authority; and though the suspension of a constitutional right is always an evil, yet under the present circumstances it will prevent greater evils." This picture, though a melancholy one, is certainly not worse than the general circumstances of France, and of Europe, have naturally led us to anticipate. A hope is entertained, and expressed, of some alleviation arising from favourable negociations. The negociations alluded to are, proposals made by France to certain monied men for a Loan. The houses of Lafitte, of Paris; Barings, of London; Parish, of Hamburgh; and Hopes, of Amsterdam, are understood to have taken upon them the advance of the sum wanted, which is 12,000,000 British, or 300,000,000 millions of francs. Report adds, that one half will be required in money, and the other half in provisions and clothing: of this point, however, there is not the same certainty of correctness as in the outline above stated*. According to official accounts communicated to the two Chambers, the present population of France (without including Corsica and the colonies) is 28,818,041. The King of France has instituted an Order of St. Michel for the reward of Merit in Literature and the Arts and Sciences. This example does great honour to the King; it is the only order of Knighthood, we believe, in Europe, that pays such a tribute of honour and respect to those who may well be called the benefactors of mankind.-The King has also granted an annual pension of 2,400 francs to the widow of the celebrated poet Delille, whom the French writers call the Virgil of France. The French Government, to compensate for the loss they have sustained by the Mauritius not being restored to them, is reported to be equipping some ships for the purpose of proceeding to the coast of New Holland, and completing that survey of it which was begun by Mons. Baudin in Le Geographe and Le Naturaliste, in 1802; for the purpose, it is added, of forming a settlement. Captain Freycinet, of the French navy, is about to embark at Toulon, in the There are reports of obstacles baving arisen to prevent the completion of the Loan, but they are, probably, unfounded. King's Corvette, the Uranie; his voyage is, to determine the form of the south hemisphere of the earth; collecting also in his journal the various remarks that may occur to him on general physics, meteorology, and natural history. The number of the Allied troops quartered upon France is to be forthwith reduced, by the marching homeward of 30,000 men; of these, 6,000 are British. The impoverished state of the frontier coun. tries, together with the improved political condition of France, is said to be the cause of this change of system. On the 12th, Marshal Lefebvre, Duke of Dan zic, who was one of the most devoted adherents of the Ex-Emperor, was presented to the King; when his Mar. shal's staff was restored to him. The Duke of Reggio (Oudinot) is appointed Inspector General of the National Guards of the Department of the Seine, and, as such, a Member of the Committee over which Monsieur the Count d'Artois, the Colonel General, presides. The Paris Papers of the 23d inst. are principally occupied by the debates in the Chamber of Deputies on the Law for suspending Personal Liberty. The UltraRoyalists, who, in 1815, were the first to propose the law, now oppose it with great pertinacity, as a violation of the liberty of Frenchmen. In the course of the discussion, M. Corbieres declared, that its object was, to substitute the arbitrary government of the police for the regular government of the laws; and that, independent of its attack upon public liberty, it would injure the public morals.-Such is the freedom with which the Legislators of France can now deliver their opinions! -After several days' debate, the Law was carried, by 136 against 92. In the German Papers we find the following statement:-The Paris papers are no longer allowed to mention the hunts of the Princes. The following accident is stated to have been the cause::-On a late occasion, as the Princes, at an early hour in the morning, were proceeding through the Fauxbourg St. Marceau, accompanied by a brilliant train of picqueurs, who carried flambeaux, they passed several bakers' shops, where the people were waiting in expectation of bread when it came to their turn. The contrast between this splendid procession and the misery of the people was so striking, that a loud murmur arose, and the train was saluted with showers of mud." A conspiracy is stated in private letters to have been detected at Bourdeaux, to dethrone the Bourbons, and declare Maria Louisa Regent during young Napoleon's minority.The French papers indirectly confirm this information; but the plot is described as contemptible, and the parties engaged in it of no weight or consequence. An individual, named Ran don, who was at the head of the conspiracy, has been arrested, with several others. The value of landed property is so exceedingly deteriorated in France, that large purchases are made for the sole purpose of dismantling the mansion and other houses on the estates, and selling the materials. The private letters from Paris communicate a variety of particulars on the state of France, and of parties; some of which are rather interesting: Extract of a letter from Paris, dated Dec. 26.-"All that is now done in France for the Priests and the Old Noblesse is looked upon with a very evil eye by the people. The misery prevailing is still very great; and there are loud complaints of the burthens, and especially the heavy contributions paid to foreigners, whose yoke we would throw off. It is not, therefore, surprising, that in general the Bourbons are not loved; because the opinion is, that to them are to be attributed all the misfortunes of France. There is much disturbance in La Vendée; and it is supposed to be excited by persons attached to the Princes, to keep that province ready to act if there should be commotions in France." Extract of a letter from Paris, Jan. 1.— "I was yesterday night at the Theatre Français, at the representation of Hamlet. When Norceste, who arrived from England, observes "That Island where perhaps even now plots are about to produce trouble and great changes"— there was a cry of oui! oui! c'est vrai: but shortly after, when Claudius, dissuading Hamlet from the analogy he is willing to establish between the regicides of the two countries, exclaims "Leave we to England her mourning England was too often fruitful in the pit unanimously rose, and drowned the actor's voice with cries of approbation, which lasted several minutes. They demanded the repetition of the verse; but the actor prudently declined acquiescing." Extract of a letter from Paris, Jan. 5."The King continues ill Contrary to his custoin, he spends the greater part of his time in bed. He attends but little to business, but much to conversation; and there are not courtiers wanting, M. de Cazes among the first, to supply him with entertainment suited to his state of mind. His voice fails him; mental exertion fatigues him; and his memory, hitherto so faithful, forsakes him; on the other hand, his appetite is good, and vegetative life is still strong within him. This impaired condition of his health has given rise to a report among the Ultras, of his 1 having fallen into a state of infancy, and of Monsieur being about to be appointed Lieutenant-General of the kingdom. Speculation is busily employed here upon the object and result of the Duke of Wellington's sudden journey and speedy return. Its object is pretty plainly understood to relate to the financial embarrassments of France, and to the relieving her of a part of the burthen of a foreign army of occupation. Its result is conjectured to be favourable, from the very gracious reception met by the Duke from the King, as well as the Count d'Artois.-The late circumstance, so honourable to the Duke of Orleans, that of his recalling to mind bis humble employment at one period of the French Revolution, on the occasion of the dinner given by the Society of Schoolmasters in London, was not suffered to appear in the French papers." Extract of a letter from Paris, Jan. 6. "The French, at present, flatter themselves that a war is inevitable between Russia and England. The Emperor of Russia has, it is believed, proposed not only to abandon his pecuniary claims, but to withdraw his troops from France, and to co-operate with a force of 600,000 men, which he has actually on foot, in checking the influence of Great Britain upon the Continent! France too is about to assume a military attitude!! and Marshal Macdonald has arrived in Paris, to assume the command in chief of the French armies!!!-Such are the illusions with which the French indulge their animosity against England at the present moment." *****“ The Duke of Wellington has been joined here by the most numerous and brilliant staff with which he has hitherto kuown to be attended. It amounts to near three hundred persons, and is composed, in a great proportion, of foreign officers. The appearance of so many foreign uniforms gave rise to a report, that the commanders of all the foreign corps of the army of occupation had arrived, which was instantly laid hold of by the French, as an additional proof of the want of concord between the Allied Powers." Extract of another letter, dated Jan. 7. "The arrival of the Duke of Wellington, with a numerous Etal-Major, at Paris, is viewed with some jealousy. His Grace did not meet, yesterday night, at the Opera, with all the respect his illustrious name entitles him to. Arriving a little late, a laugh was heard to proceed from his box, which was re-echoed by the pit in chorus; and on the same incident occurring a second time, instead of the usual cry of silence, it was met with a similar rebuff." NETHERLANDS. Intelligence has been received at Amsterdam, that the Dutch Commissioners Intelligence from Parma announces the intended departure of the Archduchess Maria Louisa, for Vienna, to which, it is said, she has been invited by her father. On the 15th of December, a Catholic priest proceeded on foot to the Cathedral of Adria, in Lombardy, and returned thanks for having attained his 110th year, without infirmities or sickness! He was accompanied by an immense concourse of people, and chaunted the Cathedral service in a firm, manly, and dignified voice. The German papers have brought us a document of greater importance than usual, in the shape of a new Constitution for Sicily. That interesting portion of Europe has lost nothing by the restora tion of the legitimate Sovereign to the Throne of his ancestors.-The King of Naples, unlike his namesake and cousin, the Sovereign of Spain, has signalized his restoration by confirming the blessings of a free Constitution already enjoyed by Sicily, and conferring others equally solid. By it none but Sicilians are to be permitted to hold offices in the Sicilian church. One-fourth of the Neapolitan Council of State is to be composed of Sicilians: the abolition of feudal rights, a boou which was granted several years since, is fully confirmed. A sinking fund is established, to place the finances of Sicily on the same respectable footing with those of other European States; and, in short, the civil and religious liberties of every individual in the island are pro tected by the usual bulwarks of a free Constitution. We need scarcely observe, that when measures thus calculated to ensure the happiness of the people emanate spontaneously from the Throne, they promise a double harvest of blessings, both to Sovereign and people. |