On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
v fhis and other circumstances of the samevjcind has however led many persons tothe formerly much agitated question , the reform in the House of Commons ; and it is proposed , we understand , to endeavour to procure a substantial representation of the people ,
arid the shortening the duration of parliaments . The aim is certainly good , and we cannot but applaud the intentions of those , who propose such a measure . But , let the representation be changed in any manner , to make the electors more numerous , nnd the duration of ' parliaments be . hortened , still , if the
members of the House of Commons may hold place or pension , or be the mtans of obtaining places or pensions for cther > , or for themselves within a limited time after a dissolution , the Houst : of Commons cannot possibly
perform that duty completely , for which St is instituted . It is contrary to the nature of 111 an - to suppose him to be capable of giving an unbiassed judgment on a variety of questions , * when they interfere with the views of those , with whom his interest is combined .
The petition is not before the houee , which has been expected , respecting free toleration . The excellent pamphlet , entitled , " Intolerance the di-grace of Christians , not the reproach of Christianity : " lias led many we believe-to entertain better views of this subject , than they had be <^ n used to from the prejudices of their education and manner of life . But
it will be difficult to create that interest , which the merit of the question demarfds . With a worldly politician , who cares nothing at nil about religion , Christian arguments arc of no avail . But in
a . Christian country , one would hope , that * there is a sufFuicpt number of persons , willing to accede to the commands of their Saviour , and no argument of politics can wei ^ h against them . As the abomination of the slave trade wr . s
removed by repeated efforts , so we doubt not , that by perseverance , the nation will be brought to a due sense of the unchristian spirit of those statutes , which were passed in former times in favour of intolerance ..
Abroad ^ affairs are in great uncertainty . On one side it is supposed , that the Spaniards will be able to make a strong resistance in the south of Spain : but on the other it seems decided , that almost all the north and middle are reduced to complete subjection to the French arms ,
Untitled Article
What may be esteemed worse is , that the march of the English has by no means tended to increase the friendly disposition towards the Spaniards , and from all we can . collect , the mass of the Spaniards are far from being zealous in .
the cau e of their late king . This is not to be wondered at , as they have had so little reason to rejoice in the government of * the Bourbons , and the French held out to them deliverance
from many evils , under which they at present groan , in this ituation of affairs , Buonaparte has left Sp ain , and returned to Paris , a circumstance which implies that in his opinion the ^ reat conflict is over , and nothing now remains , but a trifling war , which may easily be carried on by his general ^ .
How fur the French have got inter Portugal , we do not know , but probably by this time the whole of the country is reduced . A grand exhortation to resistance has been published at JLisbon , but the English both there and ? Jt Oporto , have either tied , or are on the point of quitting the country . The restoration
of the ancient Portuguese family r * stems novf to be impossible , and the extreme imbecility of their former government by no means renders their * return desirable . To whom the French emperor will give this kingdom is yet uncertain ; and , whether . he " will leave the Peninsula under cne head , or divide it
into separate principalities must depend entirely on his own judgment of the expediency of either measure-Kuonaparte returns to his own kingdom in triumph , and he may now revolve the future de-tiny of Europe in his mind . Turkey presents to him a scene ( f action , ' / 'he empire is torn to pieces by faction , and what is the real
state of parties cannot be ascertained . As yet they have been left tcv themselves , but every thing seem * to portend , that foreign powers will take the advantage of their dis < eations , and tear from them their European provinces . I lappy will it be for this country , it Buonapaste carries his intentions into that quarter ; but his views sc ? m to be extended farther
and the French interest is strong in Persia . By lute accounts it should seem , that the ambassador sent by the Hast Jndia company into Persia has not bet n permitted to advance towards the capita ); that a very great number of French officers arc in the country ; that they arc very assiduous in casting cannon , pre *
Untitled Article
VOL IV , P ,
Untitled Article
State of Public Affair . 105
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1809, page 105, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1733/page/49/
-