contest between Russia and the Porte---Negotiations for

a Peace opened between those powers---The Empress

Catharine rejects the proffered mediation of Great Britain

and Prussia---Her hostile spirit towards Great Britain---

Her ambitious views on Poland, and on Turkey---Mr. Pitt

resolves to counteract those views---Mr. Fawkener is sent

as Envoy Extraordinary to attend the Negotiations for

Peace---Mr. Pitt moves the Address to the Throne on the

message---Explains the motives and the policy of the

proposed Measure---The Motion opposed by Mr. Fox,

who takes a very contracted and unfair view of the Ques-

tion---He is answered by Mr. Pitt---Motion carried--

The Subject revived by Mr. Grey, who calls upon the

House to adopt resolutions disapproving the very Address

which they had recently voted---Contends that the con-

quest of Turkey, by Russia, would be beneficial to man-

kind---Displays the spirit of the ancient Crusaders---

Mr. Pitt observes a profound silence on the Question---

Their supporters insist on the pernicious and ruinous

Effects of the Russian System of Policy---Mr. Sheridan

again panegyrises the French Revolution, and bespeaks

perpetual Peace with regenerated France---Mr. Grey's

Resolutions rejected by a majority of eighty---Fresh dis-

cussion on the same Topic introduced by Mr. Baker---

Mr. Pitt claims, for Ministers, the confidence of the

Country pending a negotiation---Mr. Fox pronounces

another Eulogy on the new Constitution of France---

Motion of Mr. Baker rejected by a majority of ninety-

two---A fourth debate on the Subject, on the motion

of Mr. Thomas Grenville, which is rejected by a majority

of ninety-four---Disadvantages under which the Minister

laboured, during these discussions, from his inability to

communicate all the motives of his Conduct---Reflections

on the Confidence to be reposed in Ministers---Mr. Fox

sends Mr. Adair to St. Petersburgh, as his Representative,

to thwart the designs of his Majesty's Ministers, and to

frustrate the Endeavours of his Majesty's Envoy---Mr.

Burke's account of that Transaction, aptly characterized

as a HIGH TREASONABLE MISDEMEANOUR---Favourable

reception of Mr. Adair at the Russian Court---Effects

of this unconstitutional Embassy---The Empress makes

Peace with the Porte on her own Terms-Renewed dis-

cussions on the Canada Bill---Mr. Burke's Speech---His

Analysis of the new Rights of Man."---Contrasts the

French Constitution with the British---Depicts the misery

of the French Colonies from the Importation of the New

Principles---Is called to order---Is supported by Mr Pitt---

Lord Sheffield moves that dissertations on the French

Constitution are disorderly---Mr. Fox seconds the Motion

---Mr. Pitt declares Mr. Burke to have spoken strictly in

order---Mr. Fox attacks Mr. Burke; taxes him with

Inconsistency, and reminds him that they had both

deplored the death of American Rebels---Remarks on this

and other parts of Mr. Fox's Speech---He is answered

by Mr. Burke, who disclaims the motives imputed to him,

---Exposes the fallacy of Mr. Fox's arguments, and the

duplicity of his Conduct---Describes the future Effects

of the French Revolution---His Patriotism praised---His

impressive exhortations to the two great Political Rivals---

Mr. Fox replies---Mr. Burke rejoins---Adverts to the Pro-

ceedings of the seditious Societies in England---Mr. Pitt

closes the discussion, by recommending Lord Sheffield's

Motion to be withdrawn, and expresses his gratitude to

Mr. Burke for his eloquent defence of the Constitution---

Farther discussion of the Canada-Bill---Mr. Fox modifies

some of his former opinions respecting an Aristocracy---

Remarks of Mr. Pitt---Answer of Mr. Burke---Reflections

on their respective Sentiments---Radical difference of

Principle, independent of the French Revolution, between

Mr. Burke and Mr. Fox---Generous Conduct of Mr. Pitt---

Prorogation of Parliament.

CHAPTER XVII.

The progress of Revolutionary Principles in England-Paine's

Rights of Man-Means taken to promote its extensive

circulation among the lower classes of People-Its Effect-

The Revolution Society-Justice of Mr. Burke's charges

against it, proved from the contents of its own publica-

tion Its abuse of Princes-Its wishes for the example of

France to be imitated in all countries-Dr. Priestley—

His admiration of the French Revolution-His wish for

the extirpation of the Established Church, whose clergy

he reviles as "Vermin who deserve no mercy"-Antici-

pates the destruction of Kings, Archbishops, and Bishops-

Resolves to commemorate the seizure of the Bastille at

Birmingham Seditious hand-bill circulated on that

occasion-The mob insult the commemorating Patriots-

Demolish the house of Dr. Priestley-Commit other

outrages-Are dispersed on the arrival of the troops-These

riots produced by a seditious hand-bill-Reward offered.

for the discovery of its author-The Author absconds,

but his name is known-Dr. Priestley's losses on this

occasion-Made good by the Hundred-Destruction of his

manuscripts no loss to Society-Unphilosophical lamenta-

tions of the Doctor-Echoed by the Students at Hackney

College, and by the Unitarian Preachers-Pernicious

tendency of his writings-He abjures his country,

and becomes an American citizen, after sending his

son to become a citizen of France-Injustice of his com

plaints-His rejection of the fundamental tenets of the

Christian faith-French affairs-Tyranny of the National

Assembly-All freedom of debate destroyed-Indecent

Conduct of the galleries-Persecution of the non-juring

priests-Conscientious scruples of Louis XVI.-Bishop of

Clermont's letter to his Majesty on the subject of

receiving the Sacrament at Easter_The King is insulted

by a grenadier, while at chapel-Attempts to go to St. Cloud

with his family-Is stopped by the mob-Appeals for pro-

tection to La Fayette-La Fayette's fruitless endeavours

to disperse the populace-The King is obliged to return-

Repairs to the National Assembly-Dastardly Conduct of

its Members The King resolves to escape from Paris-

Mirabeau is gained over to the court-His project for re-

storing the regal authority-La Fayette suspects him-

Curious conference between them-Death of Mirabeau-

Sketch of his character-Emperor of Germany's advice

to Louis XVI.-Indecision of the King-His extreme

imprudence-He leaves Paris for Montmedy-Is arrested

at Varennes, and compelled to return to Paris-The pre-

valence of republican principles-The King a prisoner in

his Palace, with La Fayette for his gaoler-All regal

power usurped by the Assembly-Firm conduct of the

Royalists The Sovereign attacked in the Assembly by

Petion-Who proposes a measure subversive of a

fundamental principle of the new constitution-Furious

speech of Brissot in the Jacobin Club-The King accepts

the constitution and swears to observe it-The Assembly is

dissolved-Conference at Pilmitz-Object of it-Declara-

tion of Austria, Prussia, and the French Princes-Never

carried into effect-Objectionable passage in the declaration

-Remarks upon it-The British Government take no

part in those preceedings-Motives of Mr. Pitt's conduct-

His high ideas of National Independence Is not yet

alive to the danger of revolutionary principles-Is sincerely

anxious for the preservation of Peace-Mr. Burke's expo-

sition of French Principles-State of the public mind in

England and France at the close of 1791.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Opening of the Session of Parliament-Speech from the

Throne-Motion for the Address opposed by Mr. Fox-

Applies to himself a passage in the Speech-Condemns the

interference of Government in the negotiation between

Russia and the Porte-Is supported by Mr. Grey-An-

swered by Mr. Pitt, who imputes the failure of that inter-

ference to the arts of Opposition-Mr. .Pitt opens the

budget for the year 1792-Prosperous State of the Finances

-Proposes the repeal of the taxes on female servants, on

carts and waggons; on small houses, and on candles-His

philosophical investigation of the causes of National

Prosperity-Debate on the Lottery-Motion for the gra-

dual abolition of the Slave Trade carried-New System of

Police introduced---Discussion on the Subject; its benefi-

cial effects demonstrated by experience, in the diminution

of the number of capital punishments-Society of

Friends of the People-Names of some of its Members-

Established for the avowed purpose of procuring a reform

in Parliament-Mr. Grey, a member of this Society,

gives notice, in the House, of a motion proposed to be

made in the next Session for a Parliamentary Reform-

Mr. Pitt's speech on the occasion-Deprecates the discus-

sion at such a time, and points out its evil effects-Declares

his own sentiments on the question-Avows a change, in

his opinions-Explains its cause and nature-Expresses his

resolution to oppose all wild attempts at innovation—Is

answered by Mr. Fox, who vindicates the New Society---

The Society censured by Mr. Burke and Mr. Windham-

Approved by Mr. Sheridan---Danger of such attempts at

this period---Democratic publications---The people asserted

to be the sole source of power, and the only legitimate