should meet constitutionally together, and Sandon, April 25, 1815. WAR WITH FRANCE. corruption is, that we must go to War to attempt to pull him down. I say attempt, for he is now firmer on his throne than ever he was before. The French people have tried one whom the Allies presented to them; but, after the elapse of ten months, they have shewn to the World that they like the Detested Napoleon better than Louis the Desired, whom they have bid to fly. I say firmer, because Napoleon has agreed to accept such a Constitution as will unite all parties, particularly if another invasion of France is at tempted, for that will cement those parties MR. COBBETT We have heard of the which have now united so strongly that tyrannizing, oppressive Napoleon, from Death alone will be able to separate them. whom mothers were ready to tear his eyes But why should we go to War? Has Nafor dragging their sons to battle; whom poleon threatened to invade our country, every man abhorred; whose rash actions or to infringe on our liberties, or even on made even the soldiers wish for another those of our Allies? No; his language is leader; whom, in fact, every person, man, Peace with all. Why then should we go woman, and child, hated and detested; to War? Peruse the Hireling prints, the and the pulling down of whom we prided Ministerial speeches, and still inquire, Why ourselves on, because Frenchmen wished must we go to war? The reason may be, it, and because we wished them to be able that Napoleon is not of Royal blood, and to make free choice of a Ruler.-While those that have not that blessed blood are influenced by armies, in the heart of their not considered capable of holding the reins country, they fixed on Louis the Desired. of any Government; and why? because "Happy, happy Frenchmen! the day he the Sovereigns of Europe are supposed to came to sit on your throne. Happy, be possessed of Wisdom, of Magnanimity, "happy Frenchmen! the day the Tyrant of Generosity, of Humanity, and of Vir<< was hurled from his throne, which gave tue so great that no one that has not Royal "you a free choice." Such was the lan-blood flowing in their veins can possess it. guage of almost every one, not only in this But wherefore go to war with France be but in other countries.-Napoleon goes cause she will not have Royalty and all its to Elba; the foreign armies are withdrawn virtues? If the French people do not wish from France, and the Emperors, Kings, to have one of the Royal Brood; if they and Ambassadors are found quarrelling do not wish to have a wise man at the head about the division of conquered countries of their Government, let them have a fool; at Vienna. Napoleon once more appears if they wish not to have a generous, pater in that land which, it is said, he ruled with nal, humane, Magnanimous, and Virtuous a rod of iron; not, however, with six hun- Sovereign, let them have, if they will, a dred thousand men, but with hardly six cruel, mean-spirited, wicked wretch; if hundred. He marches towards the Capi- they are fond of tyranny, let them have a tal without opposition; arriving within tyrant: and as long as ever such a charactwenty miles of it, he hears that a hundred ter as that keeps peace with us, what shall thousand are sent to oppose him; he we gain by going to war with him? But, counts his army, which is increased to Sir, Napoleon's character will ever rank sixty thousand; he leads them, not to high in the annals of History; he will ever battle, but in an open carriage he ap-be considered as a Great Man. It is jea proaches the supposed enemy; at the sight lousy which is the real cause of the War of whom the cry of Vive l'Empereur re- with which we are threatened. Are not sounded from rank to rank; the people of the advocates of war angry that the French Paris flocked to him, and this Detested people should dare to dispute their right being, this Tyrant, this Demon, as he is of choosing a Ruler for them? Are they called, was hailed with joy by upwards of not a little angry that Napoleon should 200 thousand Frenchmen, who followed have surpassed them in Magnanimity and him to the Capital.-Yet the language of Generosity? for can we forget, that the PRESENT STATE OF FRANCE. (Continued from Page 476.) One of the principal objects which the Revolution in France had effected, was the overthrow of the reign of superstition, and the subversion of the paralyzing in fluence of priesteraft; an influence which has proved more fatal to the progress of useful knowledge and of liberty, than all other causes combined. After the dearbought experience which the Bourbon family had had; after the fatal error into which they had been led; after the depth of misery into which they had been plunged by the implicit confidence they reposed in the clergy, and the thoughtless manner in which they gave themselves up to their controul, one would have thought, on their restoration to the throne of France, whatever may have been their own private sentiments as to religion, that they would have been careful to avoid every thing tending to disquiet the inhabitants, or to excite in their minds apprehensions of a restoration of that spiritual tyranny under which the sovereign as well as the people had, for so many ages, groaned. But a strange infatuation seems to have seized the Bourbons. Every where their return to power was attended with the return of bands of monks, friars, and other religious fraternities, all armed with de moment it was known Bonaparte had set his foot on the sands of Frejus, the Bourbons proclaimed him throughout the country a Rebel, a Traitor, whose Head was forfeited. We know, however, that he reascended the throne in spite of all these proclamations, and that when one of his Generals took a Noble Duke prisoner and informed him of it, he said "Guard him "to the coast, set him off, but take care "that he is well treated." Was this done as a reward for the kind treatment part of his family are now receiving in being marched as prisoners to Hungary ?-Are not the enemies of Napoleon also jealous at his having surpassed them in tolerance of Religion, and in the Freedom of the Press? When we look at Bigoted Spain, with our Beloved Ferdinand at her head, and consider the rapid strides that Louis was making to re-establish popery with all its appendages, who can say that the conduct of Napoleon did not put them to shame when he said, Let Religion be free; let the Press be free. Are not his enemies likewise jealous that he has surpassed them in humanity? What was the answer of Spain when requested to Abolish the Slave Trade? What was the answer in general of the Allies? Why some wanted ten, some two, and even the humane Louis himself could not Abolish it under five years; yet Napoleon, with one breath, exclaims, Slavery shall be no more en-termined resolution to re-assume their couraged by France; she shall have nought to do with slavery. Jealousy is, I own, a poor excuse for deluging the Continent with blood, and most likely it will be disowned as the reason, If it is, we must recollect that we said, We fought before for the Independence of Nations, for the SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE. What then, must we go to war to pull down those principles which we have spilt so much blood to set up? What, must we dictate to the French Nation what Ruler we please? What, must we force on them a King which they declare they cannot love and will not obey? No; while Napoleon Bonaparte, the present Emperor of Near the landing place the most prominent obFrance, acts wisely, prudently, and just-ject is a newly erected gaudy crucifix; the figure ly, he will reign even if all the Powers of large as life, and painted flesh colour; a naked Europe league against him. But putting body, writhing in torture: the Virgin Mary be justice and equity out of the question, it neath in gay attire, and a crown surmounting all. will be in vain we squander our money, in Snch exhibitions must excite horror and disgust; vain we shed our blood, in endeavouring any thing but reverence. to put on the throne Louis the Desired. I remain, Sir, A FRIEND TO PEACE, JUSTICE, AND EQUITY. former usurped authority over the human mind. Although the measures which had been taken in France to rid that delightful country of these infamous pests, rendered it a dangerous experiment to restore them at once, as the beloved Ferdinand had done in Spain, to the plenitude of their power, it will be seen by what Mr. Birk beck says on the subject of religion, that the steps authorized by the new government were calculated to lead to this, and to create a general alarm throughout the country. On his arrival at Dieppe, an ob ject of superstition was among the first that presented itself:~ This gentleman's name was printed Birbeck by mistake in a former Number of the Register. resorted to by the enemies of Napoleon, was that of representing the soil of France to be in a state of complete desolation, oecasioned by the operation of the Conscription Laws, which, it was said, had so much drained the population, that there were none left to cultivate the ground but old men, women, and children. In fact, according to the representations of these vile calumniators, it was impossible that France could recover from the terrible effects of this "scourge of human nature” A dirty fellow with a good voice, and a fiddle with three strings, alternately chaunting and preaching to the crowd in one of the market places at Ronen, attracted my attention. The Morule was the collection of three sons each from his hearers, for a sacred charm: being much amused and somewhat edified, I purchased a packet. It contained two papers of prayers and saintly histories; a small crucifix, and a verg small bit of the real cross. When I displayed my treasure at the hotel, our landlady's son, a boy of about thirteen, who spoke a little broken English, cries ont, ou seeing tùe crucifix," Datin less than half a century. Cities, towns, is God-dat is God," We found the town (Avignon) in a grand bustle about a Saint's procession. What Saint we could not make out very easily, as we received a different report from every person we asked. The streets were crowded with women and military, All their church-doings are under military protection. The church, where they were fitting out the Saint for exhibition, had two files of sol. diers from the door to the altar: bayonets fixedFor this there seems no occasion, as the women are sufficiently devout, and the men entirely indifferent. To judge from appearances merely, the political character of the French nation is at present rather low. First prevails the military spirit which seems to be the only spirit shining among the men, next come the priests, followed by the women. What will France become under the agency of an overwhelming military establishmeut, and a King devoted to the church? The papal palace at Avignon is used as barracks. 66 un and villages; vineyards, corn fields, and gardens; all were laid waste by this principled marauder!" yet, strange to relate, no sooner has the road to France been thrown open, than it is discovered that her people possess one of the finest countries in the world, that the land is in a progressive state of cultivation, that the vineyards, the orchards, the gardens, the corn fields, everywhere present the most luxuriant aspect; and that nothing is wanted to draw thither a vast number of settlers, from almost every other nation, but a state of settled peace and security. On leaving Dieppe for Ronen (says Mr. Birkbeck), we enter on a vast expanse of country, covered with luxuriant crops. Not a speck of waste to be discovered. The road itself is a magnificent object; wide, well formed, and in excel. lent order; running in a right line for leagues before us, and planted on each side with apple and pear trees. As we pass along we perceive, to right and left, in all directions, the cross roads marked by similar rows of luxuriant fruit trees, as far as the eye can reach. No hedges, and few villages or habitations in sight. The soil, a deep hazel mould upon chalk, with little variation for many miles. Aug. 12.-Took boat for Vienne-altogether delightful! Sweet air-exhilirating mountain scenery: the clear, and rapid, and majestic Rhone; rocks, woods, vineyards; chateaux on commanding einiuences; cottages, embosomed in trees, retiring from the view; the busy traffic of the river, and prosperous villages on its banks. In speaking of parties, I had forgotten the brood of priests which is hatching in all quarters These are objects of derision and disgust whereever they appear. Their contracted shoulders, inclined heads, and hands dangling from their weak wrists, together with their immense hats and long camblet gowns, give them a sneaking demeanour, which contrasts most unfavourably with the erect gait and manly air of all other descriptions of people. It is a miserable thing that a class of men, born like their fellows, "Vultu erecto conspicere cœlum," should be so debased by bigotry and bypocrisy. Religion, that most sublime relation, which connects man with his Maker, must enoble the character; yet, strange to tell, these cringing attitudes have been a suc-ding barge, which had taken a cargo of wine to cessful mean of operating on the imaginations of Lyons, and was returning, nearly empty, to the ignorant a belief of their sanctity. I am Avignon. The crew were five fine young men, happy in the conviction that no pretensions of much superior in'dress, manners, and conversathis, or any other sort, will reconcile the people tion, to the bargemen of our own country.—A of France to the restoration of tithes or ecclesi- glorious view of the High Alps, all the afternoon. astical domination. The mountains bordering the Rhone are covered One of the chief means of detraction with vines on every part where the decomposing Embarked for Valence, on board a large tra granite furnishes a little culturable soil: especially as we approach Tournon, from whence comes the famous Hermitage wine. I had no concep tion of a country so entirely cultivated as we have found France from Dieppe to this place. limestone. These valleys are perfect gardens. In the evening we walked to a forge about four miles west of the town; we reached it about sunset, but unfortunately it was not at work. How. ever, the beauty of the scenery amply repaid us. We were completely among the mountains; the snow remaining in many of the hollows near their summits. They are chiefly calcareous in this neighbourhood; and covered with vineyards almost to the edge of the snow. The contrast is so great between the products of the soil, and the rugged wildness of the surrounding crags; between the balmy air you are breathing, and the wintry prospect; that you are ready to suspect the rich tint of the departed sun remained in the west, with a glow unknown in our chilly latitude; the moon, appearing over a dark cloud, threw the shadow of one huge cliff upon the bosom of another, and produced such a scene of subline tranquillity as no poet or painter could describe. The ear too partook of the enchantment from the roaring of the mountain streains. From Nismes to Montpellier is the finest and best-cultivated district we have seen. Every thing bears the marks of prosperity. Fertile fields, well-built villages, a thick and happy population. The well-cultivated vineyard, planted with rows of olives, is the chief appropriation of this fine country; indeed, it is so nearly universal that you wonder how fodder is obtained for the few horses required in its culture. We see, here and there, a little patch of lucerne.-From Di-an illusion of the senses. On our return, whilst eppe to this place we have seen scarcely a working animal whose condition was not excellent. Oxen, horses, and now mules and asses, fat and well looking, but not pampered. This looks like prosperity. And when I add that we have not seen, among the labouring people, one such famished, worn-out, wretched object, as may be met with in every parish of England, I had almost said on every farm; this, in a country so populous, so entirely agricultural, denotes real prosperity. Again, from Dieppe to this place, I could not easily point out an acre of waste, a spot of land that is not industriously cultivated, though not always well, according to our notions.France, so peopled, so cultivated; moderately taxed; without paper money, without tithes, without poor rates, almost without poor; with excellent roads in every direction, and overflowing with corn, wine and oil,―must be, and really is, a rich country. Yet there are few rich individuals. As to the present state of agriculture, manufactures, and the arts, our author gives the following information: By the Revolution, every oppression on agri culture was done away; tithes, game laws, cor. vées, &c. Since that time, much-new ground has been brought into cultivation, and none of the old abandoned. The modes of husbandry have improved in many districts, by the introduction of fallow crops and artificial grasses. Rouen and its neighbourhood is a principal seat of the cotton manufactory; the Manchester of France. These great works have been wholly at a stand during the later years of the war, owing to the scarcity and enormous price of the raw material: they are now recovering their activity. I was admitted into a cotton mill at Deville, which employs 600 people: the neatness and regularity of arrange From Perpignan to Prades, 21 miles: ascend ing towards the mountains, or rather between them, up a charming valley, cultivated like a garden, and watered through its whole extent. The people are collected into large villages. These mountains are not dotted over with littlement, and the decent appearance of the workhappy dwellings like those which border the Rhone; but they are cultivated to their summits, exhibiting wonderful instances of persevering industry. The inhabitants of a frontier district would be likely to establish themselves in groups, for mutual protection.-The vale farmers are busy sowing lupines or annual trefoil, on their wheat stubbles, for winter food for their flocks Many of the hedges on this road are composed chiefly of pomegranate. From Ax we descended about 12 miles to Ta rascon, a little town delightfully situated on the Arriège, at the confluence of several valleys and their streams. Here the granite and schist of the higher regions give place to stratified rocks of people, bespoke a well-managed and prosperous concern. I thought the machinery good; of this, however, I am not a competent judge. Twist is completed by four operations from the carding; and the weaving costs only 2d. per yard. Women who attend the looms earns 15d. per day, equal to eleven pounds of bread; therefore the low price is not the result of low wages: a fact which deserves the attention of the promoters of Corn Bills in England. It is the opinion here, that the high price of provisions, with us, will soon give the French manufacturers the means of exceeding ours in cheapness. Louviers, famous for its fine cloths, is favourably situated on a beautiful car stream, of which full advantage appears to be taken, for working their machinery. | purchase, £8333. On this estate is an excellen Here are several noble establishments for spin- honse, and out-buildings, and a large walled garning woollen yarn. Their cropping or shearing | den, all in good repair. machines were performing their office with the greatest precision. I think they are wide awake to mechanical improvements; indeed, the quality of their cloth proves their skill too well to leave a doubt of the excellence of their implements. There is great decency and comfort in the looks of their work-people; of whom women form by far the principal part. The ci-devant priory of St. Martin is now a conservatory of arts and manufactures. Here are models of implements of agriculture, including those in common use in different districts, and the modern improvements or attempts at im provement. Among these curiosities are some models of threshing machines, in which the me chanics have proceeded no further than to put in motion a set of flails. I recognize in this col lection many implements, particularly ploughs, which I have seen at work as we passed. The spirit of invention is hardly at work among the French farmers. Poverty shifts with things as they are: capital looks for improvement. I have visited this collection twice, and it is with regret I acknowledge that I did not bring away one idea worth recording. Agricultural implements form but a small part of the establishment: it contains every machine, I imagine, which is in use in the silk and cotton manufacture. One room contains not models, but a complete set of machinery, which is under the care of a professor, and regularly at work, for the instruction of pupils in the art of spiuning cotton. Here are also deposited numberless specimens of curious inventions in mechanics, in philosophical instruments, and in every branch of arts and manufactures. It is open on particular days of the week to the publis; and every day to foreigners. Such is the liberal spirit of the nation; exemplified not in this instance only, but universally. Those of my countrymen who have been driven through the British Museum, or conducted through any other place of exhibition at home, can put a proper value on this generous treatment. I once visited the galleries of natural history in the Jardiu des Plantes on a public day: it was amusing to see the crowd, mostly of what is called the lower order, which thronged he rooms; and edifying to observe their decorum, and the interest they took in examining every thing. Nothing has a greater tendency to induce those who are possessed of a little money to take up their residence in France, than the low rate at which landed property may be purchased there when compared with its price in this country. The following statement places this in a very striking point of view: One thousand acres arable, 500 woodland, equal to 1650 acres English; one third of the arable poor cold clay, of little value; two thirds pretty good wheat land; part dry enough for turnips: is let ou lease for nine years (which the tenant would give up on receiving a fair price for his stock and crops) at 9000 franks, £375 sterling; and land-tax 1600 francs, £66 133. per ann. might be bought, as we understood, for about 22 years I have already said that Napoleon appears to be no very great favourite of Mr. Birkbeck, who not unfrequently calls him a tyrant, and speaks pretty freely of what, he considers, the oppressive acts of his government, and the madness of his ambi tious projects. Yet amidst all this tyranny, this oppression, and this mad ambition, our author is compelled to acknowledge, that " under his auspices the inter"nal government of the country was wise "crimes were rare." "and effectual; property was sacred and There was a magnificence (says he) about Bonaparte which carries you away in defiance of your sober judgment. To-day I gained a sight of the astonishing colossal elephant, which was to have been elevated on the scite of the Bastile; from which a grand street was projected to the front of the Louvre, through the whole length of the city. The canal of Ourque, a grand work of is for the supply of Paris with water, was to have formed a fountain through the proboscis of the elephant. Wherever you turn is some majestic monument of his taste. In fact, the grandeur of Paris was his creation, and you now see workmen busy in all parts, scratching out his name, and defacing his eagles. This is very pitiful. The Bourbons, in their attempts to disgrace Napoleon, by pulling down his statues and obliterating the ensigns of his power, are directing their attack against his least vulnerable part, and inviting a comparison greatly to their own disadvantage. 1 executed many great works of lasting utility, and many of amazing splendour. Under his auspices the internal government of the country was wise and effectual property was sacred, and crimes were rare because they could not be committed with impunity. It is somewhat difficult to believe any could occupy himself so much with the man to be a tyrant and an oppressor, who happiness and prosperity of a country over which he reigned, and where the effects of his good government were so conspicuous. The measures resorted to by Napoleon to recruit his armies were, without doubt, of a severe description, and might be thought rigorous by many individuals in France. But then it ought to be recollected, that they were necessary in the then state of things; much more so perhaps than the cruit their forces. measures employed by other nations to reIf we consider Napoleon fighting to maintain the integrity of the French territory, and for the mainteby those who concluded them with him, I nauce of treaties, which had been violated do not know of a better ground for going to war. I have yet to learn that the peo |