Poets. But his literary career, though brilliant, was short. The rupture of a bloodvessel, occasioned by too violent exercise, closed the earthly scene of this amiable and ingenious young man, at the age of twentytwo.-CRITO.] Sweet ev'ning star! whose placid ray O hear a song devoid of art! Hush'd are the woods, the groves, the vales, The mellow beams of moon-light fall. From life's gay morn to closing age! No fame I wish, no wealth require, No sigh for grandeur heaves my breast; Do they who climb AMBITION's height, That soothes the swain's unruffled hour? Safe in life's vale, from harsh alarms, He turns to bliss whate'er he sees; Him NATURE's sweetly simple charms, And all her varying scenes can please. Dear to my heart the village green,. When drest in Ev'NING's pensive beams; O may I there, unknown, unseen, Feel sorrow but in FANCY's dreams! Yes! may my life there glide away, Smooth as the stream that murmurs near; And from my home, if e'er I stray, May all I see that home endear! When death shall close my wearied eyes, And friends around my bed shall weep, May I, ('tis all I then shall prize,) Beneath the hallow'd church-yard sleep! And may the morn my lonesome grave Gem with the sparkling dews of heav'n; And may the breeze the green grass wave, And o'er it beam the Sun of even! And nought be heard near my low cell, Save village-sounds at day-light's close; Then may the softly pensive bell* Soothe, sweetly soothe, my last repose! THE DEPARTURE.+ By THOMAS FURLONG. Oh, Slaney! lovely are the smiling scenes That wide around thy winding borders lie, The spreading hills, the cultivated plains, And cheerful hamlets rising on the eye. * Curfew. The writer prefaces these lines with the following remark:-"Nothing is more frequent in this country (Ireland) at present, than the sight of whole families quitting their residence: the fall in the value of lands is the principal cause of it.”—Editor. NEW MONTHLY Mag.--No, 26. 161 "Where yonder venerable groves appear, Rais'd by my poor forefathers' virtuous hands, [care, Remote from noise, from tumult, and from In simple state a lowly cottage stands. "There first these eyes the light of heav'n survey'd ; There the gay period of my youth was past; 'Twas there through manhood's fleeting [last. years I stray'd, And there I fondly thought to breathe my "But Fate the idle, childish wish denies; The scenes of early life I must resign: Some stranger's hand shall close these aged [consign. eyes, Some stranger's care this form to earth "Yet once again let me this spot survey; Let me retrace each circumstance gone by; Mark ev'ry flatt'ring hope now fled away, And o'er their mem'ry pour a parting sigh. "How oft, when loit'ring near that little 162 Digest of Political Events. "Ah! little thought we 'midst these cheery scenes Of future evils, or of future cares! "Where now are gone this interesting train? A younger race now occupies the plain; "And why should I in anguish wander here, A brighter, better world appears in view! "There free from pain the pilgrim shall repose; There shall the child of virtue and of truth Drink at the fount of bliss, forget his woes, And bloom unchang'd in everlasting youth!" Bolton-street, Dublin, GLORY GAINED AND PEACE A Gratulatory Address to the British Army and Navy returning Home from the War. BY JOHN MAYNE, Gallant troops from Waterloo, [March 1, Glory gain'd, and peace restor'd, When the French, a fiend-like band, Was Europe's deadly foe- And laid the tyrant low! Sailors of great Nelson's crew, See, brave heroes of the Nile, The war with glory crown'd! Should the foemen, bold again, In our minds a leading star, Shall urge to victory! For wonders he hath done! DIGEST OF POLITICAL EVENTS. GREAT BRITAIN. THE new session of the British Parliament was opened on the 1st of February by commission, on account of the indisposition of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, with the following speech to both Houses, which was read by the Lord Chancellor : My Lords and Gentlemen, We are commanded by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent to express to you his deep regret at the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition. The Prince Regent directs us to acquaint you, that he has had the greatest satisfaction in calling you together, under circumstances which enable him to announce to you the restoration of Peace throughout Europe. The splendid and decisive success obtained by his Majesty's arms, and those of his Allies, had led, at an early period of the campaign, to the re-establishment of the autho rity of his Most Christian Majesty in the capital of his dominions; and it has been since that time his Royal Highness's most earnest endeavour to promote such arrangements as appeared to him best calculated to provide for the lasting repose and security of Europe. In the adjustment of these arrangements it was natural to expect that many difficulties would occur; but the Prince Regent trusts it will be found that, by moderation and firmness, they have been effectually surmounted. To the intimate union which has happily subsisted between the Allied Powers, the Na tions of the Continent have twice owed their deliverance. His Royal Highness has no doubt that you will be sensible of the great importance of maintaining in its full force that alliance, from which so many advantages have already been derived, and which affords the best prospect of the continuance of Peace. 1816.] Speech of the Prince Regent. 163 The Prince Regent has directed copies of vantageous to our interests in that part of the several Treaties and Conventions which the world. have been concluded to be laid before you. The extraordinary situation in which the Powers of Europe have been placed, from the circumstances which have attended the French Revolution, and more especially in consequence of the events of last year, has induced the Allies to adopt precautionary measures, which they consider as indispensably necessary for the general security. As his Royal Highness has concurred in these measures, from a full conviction of their justice and sound policy, he relies confidently on your co-operation in such proceedings as may be necessary for carrying them into effect. Gentlemen of the House of Commons, The Prince Regent has directed the Estimates for the present year to be laid before you. His Royal Highness is happy to inform you, that the manufactures, commerce, and revenue of the United Kingdom, are in a flourishing condition. The great exertions which you enabled him to make in the course of the last year, afforded the means of bringing the contest in which we were engaged to so glorious and speedy a termination. The Prince Regent laments the heavy pressure upon the country which such exertions could not fail to produce: and his Royal Highness has commanded us to assure you that you may rely on every disposition on his part, to concur in such nieasures of economy as may be found consistent with the security of the country, and with that station which we occupy in Europe. My Lords, and Gentlemen, The Negotiations which the Prince Regent announced to you at the end of the last Session of Parliament, as being in progress, with a view to a Commercial Arrangement between this country and the United States of America, have been brought to a satisfactory issue. His Royal Highness has given orders, that a Copy of the Treaty which has been concluded shall be laid before you; and he confidently trusts, that the stipulations of it will prove advantageous to the interests of both countries, and cement the good understanding which so happily subsists between them. The Prince Regent has commanded us to inform you, that the hostilities, in which we have been involved, in the island of Ceylon, and the Continent of India, have been attended with decisive success. Those in Ceylon have terminated in an arrangement highly honourable to the British character, and which cannot fail to augment the security and internal prosperity of that valuable possession. The operations in India have led to an armistice, which gives reason to hope that a peace may have been concluded on terms ad At the close of a contest so extensive and momentous as that in which we have been so long engaged in Europe, and which has exalted the character and military renown of the British nation beyond all former example, the Prince Regent cannot but feel, that under Providence, he is indebted for the success which has attended his exertions, to the wisdom and firmness of Parliament, and to the perseverance and public spirit of his Majesty's people. It will be the Prince Regent's constant endeavour to maintain, by the justice and mo deration of his conduct, the high character which this country has acquired amongst the nations of the world; and his Royal Highness has directed us to express his sincere and earnest hope, that the same union amongst ourselves, which has enabled us to surmount so many dangers, and has brought this eventful struggle to so auspicious an issue, may now animate us in peace, and induce us cordially to co-operate in all those measures, which may best manifest our gratitude for the Divine Protection, and most effectually promote the prosperity and happiness of our country. In the debate on the address moved in the House of Commons, Mr. Vansittart avowed his intention of proposing the continuation of the Property Tax at the reduced rate of 5 per cent.; and Lord Castlereagh added, that ministers did not mean to break in upon the Sinking Fund, for the current services of the state. On the 2d, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that he should propose the tax as a continuation of the it to the wisdom of parliament at the exwar-taxes for two or three years, leaving piration of that time to decide whether any part of it should be made perma nent. Without intending to enter into a discussion on the merits or demerits of the Property Tax, the inquisitorial nature of which, rather than the actual burden imposed by it, have excited a deep-rooted aversion in the bosom of every man of independent feeling, we shall merely state that this intelligence thus officially communicated, has operated as an alarm to has taken the lead in preparing a petition the whole kingdom. The city of London deprecating the continuance of this im post under any shape whatever, and as the provincial towns are generally following its example, it seems probable that the unanimous expression of the sentiments of the whole country will induce the minister to abandon this ob noxious measure. The most important subject hitherto 164 revenue. Statement of the Finances. was brought before the House of Commons has been that of the supply for the service of the present year. On the 12th of February the Chancellor of the Exchequer in calling the attention of the House to this topic entered into the following statement respecting the national The amount of the produce of the customs for the year ending the 5th of Ja uary, 1815, was 11,059,000l.; in January, 1816, the amount 10,487,000); being smaller by almost 600,000l. But the Ilouse should remember, that not only was the year 1814 more productive than any preceding, but that the war taxes were higher, by almost the amount of the difference. The next great head is the excise, which in all its branches produced, in 1814, 25,145,000l.; and in 1815, 26,562,000l.; exceeding the former (which had itself exceeded all preceding years) by 1,400,000l. In the year 1815, there had been no increase of taxes in the excise, but what had proceeded from an increase of licenses, which may have produced from 2 to 300,0001. This, therefore, must be deducted; but the excess still remains very considerable. The stamps produced, in 1815, 5,865,000l. and the post-office 5,448,000l.; each exceeding considerably those of the preceding years. But the assessed taxes, which, in 1814, produced 6,411,000l., amounted, in 1815, only to 6,213,000l.; making a diminution of nearly 200,000l. This, however, should be rather attribured to delay of payment, than to any insufficiency in their operation. The property tax produced, in 1814, 14,218,000l. in 1815, 14,318,0001 The land tax, in 1814, was 1,159,000l.; and in 1815, 1,189,000!.: causing a diminution of 20,000.-The grand total, however, for both years, leaves a considerable balance in favour of the last-which, considering that 1814 was extremely productive, cannot fail to be received as a very flattering proof of the flourishing condition of our finances. The grand total for 1814, was 65.430.0001.; and that for 1815, amounted to 66,443,000l.: being an increase of something more than one million. The grants of last year included 20 millions not intended for the service of that year, but to satisfy preceding deficiencies. Not only have these been liquidated, but the total unfunded debt which in 1811, amounted to 68,548,000l. has been reduced by the payment of 21 millions, to 47,548,000. By the docunents laid upon the table, it appeared [March 1, that the amount of British manufactures exported in the three quarters, ending Oct. 10, 1814, was S7,167,000, and in the corresponding the corresponding period last year, 42,425,000l. Of cotton manufactures, the amount exported during the three quarters mentioned in 1814, was 15,169,000l. and for the same period in 1815, 15,367,000). In linen there has been a great increase, and the amount of the exports of woollen manufactures is augmented by 1,200,000l. Though it was thus evident, that the great sinews of our national strength were unimpaired, yet the Rt. Hon. gentleman was ready to admit that the country was at this moment in a situation of great difficulty, chiefly on account of the low prices of agricul tural produce. Having taken a review. of the causes which produced this em barrassment, he thus proceeded :- In the course of last year, parliament added 54 millions to the funded debt; but if in this year, without adding, any thing to the debt, we pay 14 millions, we shall by this effect a revulsion of capital, and the assistance given to the country, will not be violent or unnatural-it will be afforded by the customary channels, and money will be created in those places where the public will naturally seek it. To effect these combined objects, I will propose to continue the property tax at five per cent. which, calculating on the estimate of the year just concluded, may be expected to produce seven millions. Of these, four millions will fall on the agricultural interest, as in the former estis mates it bad borne eight. To balance this inequality, I shall propose a remiss sion of taxes, now pressing on the agricultural interests to the amount of one million, so that the present weight on agriculture will be lightened by a decrease of five millions of taxes. It will be for the house to consider on what subjects this remission shall take place. In my opinion it would be prudent that it should fall on schedule B, by reducing the te nant's tax and the tax on farmers' horses, thus affecting chiefly the arable part of the agriculture, The proportions of these diminutious, must, however, be the subject of future consideration, but whatever part they may more especially affect, they cannot fail to offer a most important assistance. I would particu larly recommend abstaining from pressing on the money market by a loan-it is much more desirable to meet the wants of the year by the usual means of supply. Thus, instead of pressing on the money market, as we did for the three last years 1816.] Supplies, Ways and Means for 1816. to the amount of 142 millions, and for the last year only to the amount of 54 millions, we were to throw into it 14 milfions, we must improve the funds, re-establish public credit, and in a few months relieve the distresses of the country. The seamen necessary for the service of the year will amount to $3,000, requiring an expense of about 7 millions, and the army 12,238,000l. The military establishment for Great Britain, Jersey, and Guernsey, will amount to 25,000 men, and in Ireland to the like number, to which may be added 3,000 kept afloat for foreign garrisons. The colonial garrisons require a large force; Gibraltar, Malta, and the Ionian Isles, demand 11,000; the British possessions in North America 10,000; the West India Islands 15,000. These, with others of inferior amount, form a grand total of 99,000 men, to which may be added 20,000 required for the service of the East India Company. The army of 53,000 men, which circumstances oblige us to keep on the French frontiers, though large, will be no expense to the country, as it will be wholly supported by France.The miscellaneous services may be taken at two millions and a half. Independent of these items, there is a sum to be paid to the East India Company, on account of arrears for money advanced by it for war charges, to be defrayed by Great Britain. The total sum due under this head is two millions. Of this we have aleady paid between five and six hundred thousand pounds. But in addition to this sum, I now propose that we shall pay them a further sum of one million. The general totals will then stand thus: L. 12,238,000 1,000,000 The Army part 165 there was a pledge given to consolidate the Irish and English debt, and such a proposition will ere long be submitted to the House; I do not think, however, that it would be either just or discreet to accomplish this, till time has been given for the full investigation of the subject; and until that be done, it will be proper to keep the expenses of Ireland and England separate. Deducting, therefore, the Irish proportion, amounting to about three millions, the total charge to be defrayed by Great Britain will be 24,487,000l. The Ways and Means with which it is proposed to meet these demands are as follows: Unapplied Grants of last year L. 3,000,000 Land and Malt Taxes Lotteries Surplus of the Consolidated Fund 2,500,000 200,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 In regard to the loan from the Bank, the right hon. gentleman explained that the whole sum will be obtained at 4 per cent.; the advance to be for two years certain, with the power of extending it beyond that period, if deemed expedient by the Treasury. He entreated the House to consider the statement which he had submitted as not exhibiting the de tails of a permanent peace establishment. He assured it of the disposition' of his majesty's government to study economy as far as it is consistent with the public security; and concluded with de claring, that the revenue is in a most flourishing condition, in spite of the desponding notions circulated by those who are accustomed to consider only the gloomy side of the question. Lord Castlereagh, in reply to the speeches of several members on the other side of the House, insisted that the proposed supplies were totally distinct from the real peace establishment, and showed that in another year, deductions to the amount of 8 or 9 millions were likely to be made from this estimate. On the 15th Mr. Brougham called the attention of the House to the state of af fairs in Spain; and concluded a speech of considerable length with moving an address to the Prince Regent, entreating his Royal Highness to take into conside ration the sufferings of the late Spanish |