commissions were held merely at the caprice of an individual. The alarm produced an unanimity of sentiment throughout the army, and a confederacy for the purpose of mutual preservation. A charge drawn up against colonel Munro was signed by 32 out of 54 officers, and the remainder would have signed it if they had not been 'at so great a distance. The government of Madras, in opposition to the conciliating system recommended by Mr. Petrie, late governor, and still a member of council, endeavored to influence the opinions of the army, and by a system of intrigue, particularly by presents and promises to the soubadhars, to separate the inclinations of the native troops from the authority of their officers. The unprecedented and harsh measures pursued by government, raised in the minds of the military an universal hatred mingled with contempt, which rendered them indifferent to consequences.

The results arising from this singular and unfortunate conduct of sir George Barlow, will become the subject of investigation in the history of the ensuing

year.

The attention of the English people has seldom been much directed to the affairs of India. Even the trial of Hastings, important as it was, excited but little interest or curiosity; and on the present occasion every popular feeling was absorbed by the nightly scenes presented at the theatre of Covent Garden. When the new theatre was opened towards the end of September, an increase of price was demanded for admission. The advance was resisted by the public as unnecessary and unreasonable, and as an undue advantage derived from the conflagration of Drury Lane. The erection of 28 private boxes in the theatre, conveying as it did, the appearance of aristocratic monopoly and of secret licentiousness, was still more obnoxious to the visitors of the theatre. The opposition was irresistible: the clamor was outrageous and effectual; and among the other modes of disturbance and annoyance, the O. P. or (Old Price) dance was performed upon the benches.

The

Bow-street officers were vindictively and imprudently introduced. Mr. Brandon was prosecuted, and convicted of directing their illegal measures; Mr. Kemble was reduced to the humiliation of becoming a guest to the leaders of the riot; aud it was agreed that the entrance to the boxes should be raised from six to seven shil lings, while the admission to the pit should remain unaltered, and the private boxes should be reduced to the number adopted in the old theatre, so as to prevent the most trivial inconvenience to the audience.

The interest excited by a contest so unimportant, diverted the public mind from attention to politics and the intrigues of the cabinet, while the expedition to Walcheren, and the minor naval operations which had recently occurred, were regarded with comparative indifference. But the close of the theatrical season, and the public transmission of a challenge from lord Castlereagh to Mr. Canning, recalled the attention of the people to the conduct of their rulers. A duel was fought; and at the second fire Mr. Canning received a ball in his right thigh. The letter of lord Castlereagh alleged, that Mr. Canning had endeavored, by clandestine intrigues, to obtain his dismissal from office, that his place might be occupied by the marquis of Wellesley. Mr. Canning in reply, asserted his right to express his unbiassed opinion, and admitted that he had stated to the duke of Portland his intention to resign, if lord Castlereagh continued a member of the administration. Reluctant at the same time to lacerate the feelings of his lordship, and unwilling to take an invidious advantage of the facts disclosed in the house of commons respecting the sale of seats, and the appointment of Reding, Mr. Canning ceased to importune his colleagues respecting his lordship's dismissal, fully persuaded that lord Camden, his intimate friend, would communicate the wishes of the cabinet. It was not till the unfortunate termination of the expedition that Mr. Canning received information from the other ministers that lord Castlereagh remained in ignorance of the determination

which had been formed. He found it necessary, therefore, to his own character to acquaint his lordship with all the preceding transactions, and a challenge was the result. Mr. Canning and lord Castlereagh vacated their offices. The death of the duke of Portland occurred a few days after the conclusion of these disputes, and unsuccessful overtures to join the administration were proposed to lords Grenville and Gray. The marquis of Wellesley was then called from Spain to succeed his friend Mr. Canning, as secretary of state for foreign affairs; the earl of Liverpool was transferred from the home to the war department, in place of lord Castlereagh, and the situation which he had vacated was filled by Mr. Ryder. Lord Palmerstone was made secretary at war in the room of sir James Pulteney, and Mr. Perceval succeeded to the duke of Portland, uniting in himself as Mr. Pitt and Mr. Addington had done before him, the office of first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer.

In the midst of these transactions .1809. his majesty entered upon the fiftieth 'year of his reign, and the 25th of October was distinguished by a singular display of loyalty and affection towards the person of the sovereign. The JUBILEE was celebrated by festivals, illuminations, and rejoicings, and the people forgot amidst the enthusiasm of their loyalty the pressure of taxes, and the calamities of war.

In France a scene far different excited the wonder and the indignation of Europe. -A letter was received from Napoleon, by Cambaceres, duke of Parma, requiring him

to attend in the cabinet of the Thuilleries, to receive from the emperor and from the empress his dear consort, a communication of great importance. The whole of the family, except Joseph Buonaparte, was present, and Napoleon represented the necessity of providing an heir to that throne on which he had been placed by providence. For this purpose his marriage must be dissolved, and his private happiness became a necessary sacrifice to the welfare of France. His present consort, however, should retain the rank of empress, and be always considered as his best and dearest friend. Josephine returned her thanks for his goodness in exalting her to a throne, and expressed her consent to a measure so necessary to the happiness of France. On the 16th of December, a note of the transaction was laid before the senate, which agreed that the marriage should be dissolved, that Josephine should retain the title of empress queen, and that she should receive an annual income of 2,000,000 francs, (£83,333.) Nor was the bounty of the nation unjustly bestowed. She was a gentle and benevolent woman, and had frequently restrained the impetuosity and cruelty of her husband. It was not yet discovered on whom the title of empress elect would be conferred, and an alliance with the house of Austria, though reported with confidence by the Parisian journalist was generally regarded as too improbable for a moment's belief. The divorce was the last of the numerous and important transactions of this memorable year.

T the commencement of 1810, the

tonishment, anguish, and indignation, was

power. The transactions of the preceding session, the events of the year, the general conduct of the war, the disputes with America, the stagnation of commerce, the distress of the nation at large, and the recent dissentions of the cabinet, presented a humiliating and discouraging retrospect. But in looking forward to the future sessions of parliament, the ministers derived some hopes of triumph and security from the dissensions of their adversaries. The whigs, determined and strenuous in search of power, endeavored to effect such a change of administration as would place the affairs of the country in the hands of themselves, and their dependents; while the reformists asserted, that no change in the administration could be beneficial without a substantial reform in the commons' house of parliament. Though both these parties concurred in censuring the measures of ministers, there existed between them the important question of reform, which would always prevent them from acting as sincere and formidable auxiliaries, and promised on every great occasion to divide their ranks, and embarrass their proceedings.

Of all calamities, foreign or domestic, none so deeply affected the English people as the lamentable expedition to Walcheren; every consideration that could excite asVOL. II.

origin, progress, and termination were alike afflicting; it began in folly, was conducted by imbecility, and ended in disgrace. grace. The common council of London, taking the lead in the general expression of public dissatisfaction, voted an address to his majesty, praying that an early and strict inquiry might be instituted into the cause of the late failure, and the livery pursued their example, but in a different temper. The address of the latter was couched in the most intemperate language, and his majesty declined to receive 't but through the medium of the secretary of state. The livery, therefore, assembled again, and passed a series of resolutions, declaring that it was their undoubted right. to address the king upon his throne; and they resolved that the sheriffs, attended by the remembrancer, should wait upon his majesty, and deliver these resolutions into his own hand. The sheriffs accordingly addressed a letter to Mr. secretary Ryder, informing him, that they should attend at the next private levee to present the reso lutions, unless it should be his majesty's pleasure to receive them at some other time and place for that purpose. Their request. was refused in a note assuring them, that, had they been deputed from the body corporate, his majesty would have received them with the same willingness as usual; 2. C

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