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National Register :

FOREIGN.

has been known to leave the ports of France to annoy our trade.

Theatres deserted: gloomy token. Some idea of the state of Paris, during the late short reign of Buonaparte, may be AMERICA: UNITED STATES. formed from the circumstance, that toBotanical Valuable: Urtica Whitlowi? wards the conclusion of it all the theaGerard, a Botanical author, speaks of an tres were shut up. They opened again for Asclepias imported from Virginia, in his the first time, on Sunday July 16. time, p. 899. His account of it is, "There of the Theatre Francais, is, we are told, A celebrated actress, surnamed the Pearl groweth in Virginia a kind of Asclepias, or Swallow-wort, which the savages call Wiabout to exchange that appellation for the sanck. The cods of the plant are not only is simple and modest, as the violet ; or that, Violet of the stage. Not that this actress full of silk, but every nerve or sinew where-like that flower, she "wastes her sweetwith the leaves be ribbed are likewise most pure silk: and the pilling of the stems, even ness in the desert air;" but it has been obas flax is torn from its stalk. This consi-served that this fair lady has a peculiar dered, behold the justice of God, that as predilection for the violet, and that it he has shut up those people and nations in blossoms in the month of March. infidelity and nakedness, so hath he not as yet given them understanding to cover their nakedness, nor matter wherewith to do the same; notwithstanding the earth is covered over with this silk, which daily they tread under their feet, which were sufficient to apparel many kingdoms, if they were carefully manured and che

rished."

A Picture of the State of America, 1815.
Extract of a Letter from Montreal,

March 7.

"I left Carolina two months since on account of the dead state of the trade, to come here; but I find it no better. America is quite altered by the war; credit, both public and private, is at a very low ebb. Paper is every where substituted for gold, silver, and even copper and every article very dear, payment of any kind very difficult to get. Land is the only cheap article. You can any where buy good land at two dollars per acre, onefourth paid in hand, and four years credit for the remainder.-In Canada, I am of fered 200 acres for 36 dollars, or £8 sterling. As a farmer I should like to settle on the pleasant shore of Lake Erie. Ohio is the best state in the Union for agriculture. In this tract I have noticed vestiges of regular fortifications, apparently of great antiquity, that shew it to have been once inhabited by a people of civilized and war

like habits and manners.

FRANCE.

No Naval Exertions, warlike.

It may be considered a little extraordinary, and, probably, as speaking the opinion of a certain class of persons in France on the character of the war,-that not an individual privateer or national ship VOL. I. Lit. Pan. New Series. Aug, 1.

The Theatres.-Two popular performers at the Comedie Francais, Fleury and Mademoiselle Mars, found themselves lately in an awkward predicament, on account of the sentiments formed respecting their political conduct during the late events. A very strong party obliged them to make a confession of faith, concluding with the cry of Vive le Roi, which dispiece (Tartuffe) was suffered to proceed. armed the severity of the pit, and the

There is scarcely any thing, from which the feelings of the French people may be duct, in and towards the Theatres. When so satisfactorily gathered, as from their conthese are a blank, Paris is a blank with them : the whole city is a scene of distress. That we apprehend has been the fact; and the truth is delared as strongly by the circumstances alluded to, as it is by all the contributions laid on by the Parisian Commandant of the city.

[Contents of the Moniteur of 11th July,] 1st. Debates in the English Parliament. mony at the Royal Mass on Sunday. 2d. Repetition of the account of the cere

Prefecture of Police.

sented for the inspection of Colonel Phull
All passports must in future be pre.
for the roads on the left bank of the Seine;
Staff, for the roads on the right bank.
and to Colonel Bernard, of the English

Commandant of Paris; and Baron Muffling,
M. Phul, a Prussian Colonel, is the
a Prussian also, is Governor: he occupies
the Hotel of the Prince Berthier.

An English Journal called Galignane's Messenger, will re-appear on the 15th of

this month.

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tion and regard when in England, has given her hand to the gallant Crown Prince of Wirtemburgh; the marriage took place at Stutgard.

| horse. The boy was instantly cut down by the side of his mother, who fled.

Wurtzburg, July 5.-Yesterday seven French officers, and 27 soldiers, taken at Saarbruck, were brought here to the Cashap-fired at Prince Wrede out of the corn; tle; among them was a lad of 16, who

Iron Bridge broken down. The following fatal accident lately pened at Baden, two posts from Vienna: A newly-built iron bridge, of only one arch, broke down when irst opened to the public; the consequence of which was, that about 100 of the people assembled upon it either lost their lives or were dangerously hurt.

The Tomb of Klopstock.

Hamburgh, June 30.-This day took place the ceremony of the setting up again the tomb of Klopstock, which was thrown down last year. The ceremony was very interesting. Among other persons present were the English Consul, Mr. Mellish, the personal friend of Klopstock, Schiller, Wieland, and Goethe, with his family, and Madame Shuar, the Lady of the Russian Chargé d'Affaires. The honoured President of the Hamburgh Ladies' Union, with her children stood round the grave of the poet, and crowned his tomb with flowers.

Frankfort, July 6.-For these six days the sky has been red every night with the flames of burning villages. Where a single shot is fired from them upon the Allies, all is levelled to the ground. A dreadful judgment hangs over France; the crimes of preceding times are visited on their descendants, who rival them in the commission of enormities perpetrated by men whose duty it was to remain quiet, and bear with resignation the temporary burthens of a war which has been brought upon them by their idol and his boasting army, to which it was not safe to announce its greatest defeat otherwise than as a victory.

The villages of Hegenheim and Mulhausen, gave the example of the most shocking excesses. In the former, a German soldier, after having his eyes put out, was hung up alive. The most dreadful punishment followed instantly. The aged, the women, and the children, suffered with the wicked perpetrators. At Mulhausen, two soldiers were shot by a man whose duty (we are ashamed to say) was very different, and who ought to have preached peace.

His house was surrounded and destroyed. Half a league beyond Mulhausen, six Hulans riding by a farm-house, one of them asked a boy of twelve years of age, the name of the next village instead of answering, the man was shot from his

the ball happily passed over the horse. the Prince had him whipped and sent with They were going to shoot the lad; but the rest.

GOOD HOPE: CAPE OF.

Extract of a Letter from the Cape of Good Hope dated the 26th of April last:-" I have the satisfaction of announcing to you the safe return to this place of that very extraordinary young man, Mr. Win. Burchell, after an absence of more than six years, traversing and exploring the extreme parts of South Africa, The dangers and privations he has thus voluntarily endured to gratify his thirst after knowledge, far surpasses all I have ever met with in the history of other travel'ers for similar purposes. The joyful and interesting reception he met with from his old friends and acquaintances at the Cape, who went out to meet him, and who had several times given him up as lost, was most gratifying to his feelings, and must also afford great consolation to his relatives and friends in England. He has brought home with him an immense collection of the uar tural productions of that heretofore unexplored country, particularly birds; and as there is in an eminent degree combined in this man the philosopher, the botanist, the artist and the scholar, the Public may fairly calculate upon receiving, on his return, information of the most valuable and interesting description. I understand he is preparing to sail with the first ship; be may therefore be expected in England about the latter end of August."

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caught have large tusks; indeed, of the three descriptions of elephants, natives of Ceylon, the greater proportion consists of those without tusks; the elephant with

small tusks ranks next in number, and the least common is that with large tusks. A correspondent observes, who was present on the night of their being caught, that the blazing of torches and loud shouting of the people, driving in close ranks through the jungle, and the deep roaring of the frightened elephants, presented a scene to the eye, and a concert to the ear, which had altogether a romantic and awful effect.

ITALY.

PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

CHAP. I. Sitting resumed.-Militia kept em

bodied. Corn Laws.-Finances.-Navy, &c. On Thursday, the 9th of February, both Houses of Parliament met, pursuant to adSeveral petitions were prejournment. sented to the House of Lords against the continuation of the Slave Trade: and to the House of Commons, very many against the continuation of the Property Tax. Pe titions to the same effect were received during many days, from different towns and places.

Feb. 13.-The subject of the Corn Laws Lords, by Lord Grenville. was partly introduced in the House of

Trieste, June 8.-The Queen of Naples is arrived with her children on board the In the House of Commons, in a ComTremendous. Her lodging not being ready,mittee on discussion of the Civil List, va

she came on shore for a week, and then went on board again. This morning she went to the lodging prepared for her Each time on her landing she was saluted with 21 guns, and received by the Magistrates in their state dress. They say she has brought much treasure with her. There was no end of the trunks that were landed.

It is understood, that she has been since removed to Gratz, in Hungary: which is a strong fortress: but some say, she has obtained permission to abide at Presburgh with her children.

rious questions asked by Mr. Whitbread concerning the Congress at Vienna:-not answered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

14.-Sir Sam. Romilly proposed a Bill to subject freehold property to pay ment of debts owing by persons deceased. Discussion on the surrender to the govern ment of Spain of several persons who had sought shelter in Gibraltar. This was proceeded in; and the conduct of the Governor was found to be irregular, though not unprecedented.

15. In the House of Lords, a question was started on the legality of keeping any part of the Militia embodied, after proclamation of peace. Also, on the hardship of those counties whose regiments were kept embodied. Answered by suggestions of prudence on the part of Go

on the matter of disembodying. That the present was not strictly a time of peace, since peace was not ratified with America. That the Continent of Europe had yet many interests to settle, and was not in a state altogether definitive. Against interfering with Government, 27. For the question, 12.

Naples. A proclamation issued by Ferdinand IV. &c. of Naples, after a proper Introduction, says—“ "We solemnly engage in our own name, and that of our successors, to give, as the basis of the laws cu which shall be raised the system of our Government, the following guarantees,vernment:-also that, the law was silent which we irrevocably concede to our beloved subjects-1. We confer on all, civil and personal liberty,-2. Property shall be sacred and inviolable. The sale of the effects of the state shall be valid.-S. Taxes shall be imposed according to the forms which shall be prescribed by law.-4. The public debt is acknowledged.-5. The pen ions, rank, and military honours, shall be preserved, both of the old and new nobility.-6. Every Neapolitan is admissible to civil and military employments.-7. No individual shall be molested for his opinions and public conduct prior to our restoration to our Neapolitan Dominions: and in pursuance of this article, we grant a full and general amnesty, without any quali fication or exception whatever.

-In the House of Commons the question on the necessity of a new Postoffice was warmly debated. The expence, it was stated, would be enormous. This question was brought on by a petition from the City of London. For receiving the petition, 71. Against it, 24.

CORN LAWS.

Mr. Robinson opened the discussion, by acknowledging the difficulties attending the question; the prejudices by which it was surrounded; &c.-But he relied on Published at Naples, 4th June, and dated proving-that it is not wise or safe to

"FERDINAND."

Messina, May, 1815,"

depend on foreign supply; that, if it

were safe, it would diminish our own power; that such dependance might, at an unfortunate moment, bring extreme misery on the people of these kingdoms. He proposed that foreign corn and meal should at all times be admitted into this kingdom duty free, to be warehoused: but if taken out of warehouses for sale, in this kingdom, then to pay duty. That such foreign corn, meal, or flour, shall be permitted to be imported into the United Kingdom, for home consumption, without payment of duty, whenever the average prices of British corn shall be at or above

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per Qr. Wheat 80s. Barley, beer, big 40s. Rye, Peas, beans 53s. Oats 26s. But that, whenever the average prices of British corn shall be respectively below these prices, no foreign corn shall be allowed to be imported, or taken out of warehouse for home consumption; nor shall any foreign flour be, at any time, importable into Ireland.--Also,

That, if the average prices of British corn, in the six weeks immediately succeeding the 15th Feb. 15th May, 15th Aug. and 15th Nov. in each year, shall have fallen below the prices at which foreign Corn, meal, or flour, are by law allowed to be imported for home consumption, no such foreign corn, meal, or flour, shall be allowed to be imported into the United Kingdom, for home consumption, from any place between the rivers Eyder and Garonne, both inclusive, until a new average shall be made up and published in the London Gazette,for regulating the importation into the United Kingdom, for the succeeding quarter. That, corn, meal, or flour, the produce of any British colony or plantation, in North America, as may now by law be imported into the United Kingdom, may hereafter be imported, for home consumption, without payment of any duty, when-ever the average price of British corn shall be at

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it was contended, that importation of Corn occasioned exportation of manufactures that the landed proprietors had considered themselves only, in these propositions, and had forgot the interest of the manufacturer, who ought in time of peace to eat his bread at a cheaper rate. That beside the price of corn, the circulation of the country; country banks, &c. ought to be considered. That a graduated scale would be preferable; the price to decrease as peace became established. That rents were exorbitantly high, and must be reduced; although they could not be reduced to what they formerly were.

It was answered, that the poor engaged in Agriculture, were entitled to equal attention with those engaged in manufac tures ;-that, these were absolutely starv. ing in many places, having no employment;-consequently, they were all thrown on the poor-rates ;-that manufactures enjoyed an unlimited number of prohibitory laws, excluding foreign goods; why, then, should not Agriculture have its prohibitory laws, also, excluding foreign produce? -That the Manufacturing interest was indebted to the Agricultural for many things, beside consumption ;—as maintaining the clergy, the poor, the soldier's families, the highways, &c. &c.

FINANCES.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in a Committee of the whole House, pronounced a warm eulogium on the immense advantages which the Country had derived from the Property Tax; a measure to which, at any future period of emergency, Parliament would be at liberty to resort. At present, however, it was to be abandoned.

He observed, that the expence of the peace establishment would be eighteen or nineteen millions, including the Irish establishment. To meet this demand, there were, in the first place, about 6 millions of permanent and annual taxes: he should propose a continuance of the war taxes, the customs, and excise, for a limited time, which would produce a further sum of six | millions; and he should lay before the house a plan for new taxes, to the amount of five millions, making in the whole 17 But, the house would millions and a half. recollect, that the charges of the loan must be defrayed out of these taxes and indeed, even if the expenditure could be reduced to 18 millions, still there must be a necessity for new taxes, unless the sinking fund were to be resorted to, an expedient particularly to be avoided. After every war there was a winding up of great amount, and of considerable duration

The present war expences could not be wound up within a shorter period than four years, that is, till 1819, and till that time he supposed that some loan might be necessary each year. The first resource, then, would be a continuance of the war taxes. Part of these had already expired at Christmas, namely, the tax on tonnage of goods carried coastwise: no renewal of these was intended; nor was it the intention of the Government to continue the duty on cotton-wool, if imported in British ships. The total amount of the war taxes was 9,867,000l. from which, deducting the amount of the expired taxes, and the 2,632,000l. pledged for the loan, the amount to be continued would be 6,516,000l. He now came to the new taxes:

Produce.

Rate.
Customs-Tobacco, 24 per lb.
Excise-Tobac. 6d. per lb. 150,000

Licences-Double fixed

Rates, 50 per. cent.

150,000

progressive,

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Wine, 201. pertun

$00,000
500,000

-950,000

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396,500

80, to 90 per cent.

S08,500

Under Gardeners, &c.

various

101,500

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148,000

Progressive Servant's Tax,

Trade Servants, and Ser

Carriages about 75 pr. ct. $63,000
Horses for Pleasure,

about 75 do .

632,000

Trade Horses about 40 do. 85,500
Dogs, about 30 do.
105,500
Game Certificates, do. 42,000

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amount of all the taxes now detailed would be 8,728,000l. but, five millions were wanted. A considerable advance was inproceedings) which it was calculated tended on stamp duties (not relating to law process of collecting the amount of stamps would produce about 700,000l.; but the was so complicated, that no schedule could yet be completed. About 600,000l. still remained to be supplied, and he hoped that the system of bounties and drawbacks would be able to meet it. He proposed particularly, a continuance of this system, as to printed cottons and sugars. siderable increase had some time ago been A conimposed on the price of beer: the public at present seem to be convinced, and he was disposed to agree with them, that this price was now too high. He was certainly unwilling to increase the price of this article, and would rather relieve the public, than add to their burthen. The Right Hon. gentleman concluded with moving his resolutions.

Mr. Whitbread said, the trade of which he had the honour to be an humble member, had waited to see what the Right Hon. Gentleman would do, before they could say what they should do. Now they were possessed of that, they would take their measures within 48 hours; and had the Right Hon. Gentleman condescended to be a little more communicative, the business would perhaps have been settled, and the public acquainted with the intentions of the trade before this time.

After a long conversation, the resolu tions were agreed to.

The Finance Resolutions, respecting the Duty on the Excise and Customs, on Tobacco and Wine, and on the postage, were agreed to; but the War Taxes, and the Assessed Taxes, were postponed.

Feb. 21.-In the House of Lords, the Naval Administration of the country was severely attacked by the Earl of Darnley. His Lordship congratulated the House on the continued spirit and superiority of our naval officers and seamen; but insisted that to mal-administration our former naval disgraces had been owing. Our frigates -2,508,000 had not been large enough to carry a 24 pounder, and therefore could not meet the large frigates of America. Many of our ships also were sent to sea weak in hands, very short of their complement. Neither were our vessels so well built, as they ought to be. of 73 seamen, 20 boys, 20 marines,-and A crew of 127 men was made up these had to cope with 180 picked men. No wonder the combat proved unequal. in Chatham dock yards of American timWe had sent vessels to America, constructed

50,000

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75,000

125,000 £3,728,000 Other measures which would hereafter be detailed, were in contemplation, with respect to the Post Office, as to the foreign postage, and especially regarding the carriage of letters to the East Indies. The

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