which he observed in India, to have illustrated some of the most difficult parts; the laws of exchange, the theory of money, and the intricate details of coinage. But though the structure of his mind, as well as the nature of his occupations, chiefly directed him towards those branches of oriental knowledge which are immediately referable to the business of life, he was by no means insensible to the allurements of those parts of the literature of the East, which are chiefly valuable as objects of liberal curiosity, and sources of elegant amusement: but he was fearful of devoting to them that large portion of time which the study of them exacts, lest they might impair his relish for the polite literature of the West; of which he never doubted the superiority, and which he valued and cultivated as the literature of that beloved country where he vainly hoped to have passed the larger portion of his life. He was employed in collecting materials for an Abridgment of the Mahratta History, which would have furnished the European historians with an useful model in the critical examination of authorities, in the selection of those facts which characterize the moral and political state of a country, and in the successful investigation of the causes of its prosperity or decay. All his projects of usefulness, and hopes of enjoyment, have now been cut short by an early death. He has left no memorial of what he was, or what he could have done; but he has left friends, some of whom in distant times and countries will occasionally devote a pensive moment to his memory. They will call to mind, with a melancholy pleasure, the excellent talents and endowments which have been slightly noticed here. But they will reflect more often, and with other feelings of pleasure, on his modesty and benevolence, his mild sincerity, his firm friendship, and inflexible inte grity. At Vienna, on the 3d of May, the Hon. John Theophilus Rawdon, brother of the Earl of Moira.-On board his Majesty's frigate Tartar, aged 28, Capt. Bettesworth, commander of that vessel. The frigate lying off Bergen, watching the motions of some Danish vessels in the harbour, it was deemed possible to cut some of them out by means of the ship's boats. They accord ingly proceeded under the direction of Mr. Sykes, the First Lieutenant, when four Danish gun-boats and a schooner made a sudden and unexpected attack upon her. The action continued upwards of an hour, during which time Lieu. tenant Sykes succeeded in capturing one of the boats, but was compelled to relinquish his prize. By the very first shot the Captain was unfortunately killed, while in the act of firing off one of the guns. Mr. Fitzhugh, a Midshipman, and several of the crew were also slain. The enemy, however, had reason to repent of their attack, for one of their vessels was sunk and the remainder dispersed, having sustained considerable damage. The loss of the enemy is supposed to be great in killed and wounded. Captain Bettesworth had often distinguished himself by his gallant conduct on former occasions; particularly on the 4th of February, 1804, while Lieutenant of the Centaur, with Sir S. Hood. In conjunction with Lieut. R. C. Reynolds, of the same ship, he boarded and cut out from under Fort Edward, Martinique, Le Curieux, of 16 guns. In this enterprize Lieut. Reynolds was killed, and his gal lant companion so dreadfully cut and shot in various parts, that his recovery was some time extremely doubtful. For this atchievement he was promoted to the rank of Commander, and to the command of the vessel he had so gallantly captured. He remained in the West Indies, capturing the enemy's craizers, until the arrival of Lord Nelson in quest of the Toulon feet. He was the officer who, when comma ider of the Curieux brig, brought the dispatches from Lord Nelson, when in pursuit of the combined fleet in the West Indies, in 1805, on which occasion he was promoted to the rank of Post Captain. Capt. Bettesworth was lately married to Lady Hannah Grey, sister to Earl Grey, (see Vol. II. 430.) and had just fitted out the frigate in which he so prematurely lost his valuable life.-At Quebec, aged 46, the Hon. Henry Allcock, his Majesty's Chief Justice of the province of Lower Canada. In the exercise of his judicial duties he evinced the advantages which attend the forming of a legal scholar at the English bar; and in the various high offices which he filled he acquitted himself with the utmost credit. He was an upright, assiduous, and able judge; his memory was retentive, his judgment clear and penetrating;

his

his mind irradiated the dark code of provincial jurisprudence; his language was singularly select and perspicuous, and his judgments and decision cannot be remembered without a pleasure tempered by regret. In the habitudes of private life his manners were characteristic of an Englishman-sincere and unaffected, yet affable and conciliatory. In a word, his public and private virtues will have a long continuance in the hearts of the old and of the new subjects of this province, and his death will be mourned with general and unfeigned sorrow. -Drowned, off Memel, at the same time with Lord Royston, Colonel Pollen. This gentleman was the only son of the Rev. George Pollen, of Little Book ham, in Surrey. He was in the 33d year of his age; and, possessing a fine and vigorous understanding, highly improved by education, and by his very exten sive and interesting travels, there is no doubt, if he had returned to his native country (as he was attempting to do when this dreadful accident put a period to all his hopes) but he would have proved a distinguished ornament of it. His fortune would have been large, and his abilities and his experience would have amply qualified him for a seat in parliament. In 1796, on his coming of age, he opposed the interest of the Duke of Norfolk, for the representation of the populous borough of Leominster, which he carried by a majority of one. He afterwards raised a regiment of Fencibles at his own expence, for the service of Government, and attended with it on its being ordered to Halifax, in Nova Scotia; but for several years he has been constantly travelling on the continent, At St. Petersburgh he married one of the daughters of Sir Charles Gascoigne (sister to the Countess of Haddington, now married to Mr. Dalrymple) who was with him when the wreck took place, but appears to be happily saved. -At his seat, at the head of Lake Ontario, Capt. Joseph Brandt, the celebrated Indian Chief, of the Six Nations.-At Claverack, aged 52, General Samuel B. Webb. In the year 1775, General Webb was a volunteer at the battle of Bunker's Hill, and soon after was appointed aid-de-camp and private secretary to General Washington. In 1776, he was promoted to the command of a regiment. In 1782, and until the close of the revolutionary war, he commanded the light infantry of the American army, with the rank of Brigadier General. General Webb was greatly esteemed for his social virtues-hospitable and benevolent, his loss will long be lamented by his friends and acquaintance At Charleston, South Carolina, aged 25, Mr. George Woodham, late of Covent-garden Theatre. This young man's powerful retentive faculty and brilliant musical abilities enabled him to take Mr. Braham's part in "The Cabinet," on that gentleman's secession, at three hours notice, in which he displayed great science, and received general approbation. He came by his death in an encore, where his exertion burst a blood vessel; after which he sur vived but a few days. At Philadelphia, aged 87, Dr. John Red.-At Petersburgli, Mr. J. D. Burke, a native of Ireland. While dining at a tavern, the present politics of France becoming the subject of discourse, Mr. B. in the course of conversation said that the French were all a pack of rascals. A Frenchman named Coquebert, who happened to be dining there at the time, took the matter as an insult offered to him, a challenge and a duel was the consequence. On the second fire, Mr. C.'s ball passed through the heart of his antagonist, who expired without a groan. Mr. Burke was buried with military honours, and, in consequence of a request contained in his will, without any religious ceremony.

RETROSPECT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

On June 30th the Act for a Local Militia in England received the royal assent. The purpose of it is to provide a body of trained men throughout the kingdom for internal defence, in addition to the former standing militia, and in VOL. IV.

2 B

aid

It

aid of, or, as the case may require, supplementary to, the volunteer force is enacted that the number of the local militia shall not exceed such as with the addition of the volunteers and yeomanry will amount to six times that of the militia as levied under the act of the 42d of the present reign; and that it is to make up deficiencies in the volunteers and yeomanry to that proportion. The men for this service are to be ballotted from those between the ages of 18 and 30 who are returned in militia lists, and no substitutes are to be allowed. They are to be enrolled to serve for four years. Persons who are ballotted and do not appear to be enrolled are to be fined in sums of 50, 20, and 10 pounds, according to their incomes; which fines are to exempt them from ballot for two years only. The local militia-men are to be trained for 28 days in the year in their own county, or, if they amount to less than a battalion, in some adjoining county. In case of invasion they may be embodied and marched to any part of Great Britain; and they may also be called out for the suppression of riots. Counties are made liable to a fine of 151. per man for all deficiencies in number.

From this sketch it appears that two consequences will ensue from the act→ It will (as it has already done) fill again the thinned ranks of the volunteers, for the purpose of procuring exemptions; and it will operate as a tax upon the opulent who have not entered among the volunteers, by the allowance of fines instead of service. What real addition it will make to the effective force of the country remains to be tried.

Parliament was prorogued on July 4th with a speech from the Lord Chancellor in his Majesty's name. After expressing approbation of all the measures of the ministers, and adverting to the flourishing state of the public revenue and credit, it touches upon the circumstances of the king of Sweden, and then proceeds to the affairs of Spain. That nation, struggling against the tyranny of France, is represented as no longer the enemy of Great Britain, but is recognized as a natural friend and ally. Parliament is informed that several of the provinces of Spain have applied to his Majesty for aid, which has been liberally promised, and his Majesty gives assurance that he will continue to make every exertion for the Spanish cause.

In conformity with these communications, a proclamation was published on July 5th, declaring the kingdom of Spain in a state of peace and amity with the British dominions. The public feeling had anticipated this result; and never was there an instance of greater unanimity of sentiment through all ranks and parties, than in the enthusiasm with which the patriotic efforts of the Spaniards is regarded in this country.

Spain has indeed been a scene of extraordinary interest during the past and preceding months. The resistance to French usurpation has pervaded every part of the peninsula not immediately possessed by the French arms, and has been conducted with a spirit and resolution worthy of a nation second to none in the annals of patriotic valour. The Council of Seville, availing itself of an article in the constitution relative to the case of the capital being possessed by foreign troops, has assumed sovereign jurisdiction, and formally declared war against France. It is the medium of union between all the south of Spain and the provinces of the North, and proceeds with great regularity in organizing a military force and performing other acts of government. The Spanish patriots

have

have happily concurred in regarding Ferdinand VII. as their king; and his name will probaby be of as inuch service to them as his person would have been.

Cadiz has been the theatre of some of the most important transactions, When the popular insurrection against the French authority broke out in that city, the governor, the Marquis de Solano, attempted to quell it, and treache rously put to death two of the delegates of the people whom he decoyed to a conference. The exasperated populace thereupon burst into his palace, seized and massacred him. The Spanish military and naval force having declared for the patriotic cause, the French admiral took all his men on board, and withdrew with his squadron of five ships of the line and a frigate to a detached part of the harbour. The Spaniards prepared to attack them, and declined an offer of assistance from the commander of the English blockading squadron. After a cannonade of two or three days, the French admiral was obliged to surrender his ships and men on June 14th.

A body of French troops, under the command of General Dupont, advancing from the frontier of Portugal to the succour of his countrymen in Cadiz, after sustaining some loss from the armed peasantry in passing the Sierra Morena, threw itself into Cordova. Dupont has since marched from thence to Andujar, where he is entrenched, the force of the country being collected against him. A reinforcement has been sent to him from Madrid, but it is doubtful whether it can join him; and in the meantime he remaius in a perilous situation.

In the north, the town of St. Andero has been occupied by a French detachment, but has since been evacuated.

The most considerable action which has hitherto taken place was in the neighbourhood of Saragossa, between the General of Arragon, Palafox, and the French General Lefevre, about June 25. Several accounts of it have been received. That published by the Supreme Council of Seville states that the French, to the number of 12,000, meaning to enter Saragossa, were engaged by the patriots, and were all put to the sword, not a single man remaining to tell the tale. In this account there is probably some exaggeration, since we learn by a gazette extraordinary, printed at Saragossa, that on July 1, the French army encamped in the neighbourhood of that city began to bombard it with great fury, and made an attack on the gates, and that the attack was renewed at all points on the 2d, but that it was repulsed with great loss to the assailants from the fire of the Spanish batteries. It is also mentioned in the same gazette, that on June 28th the French army under General Moncey approached the city of Valencia, where they were received with a very destructive cannonade, in consequence of which they retreated by the road to Madrid.

Various other actions in Spain have been spoken of to the advantage of the Spaniards, but the particulars have not been sufficiently authenticated. It appears probable that in the different towns which have risen to shake off the yoke of France, many French have been sacrificed to the popular rage, or been made prisoners.

In the meantime Portugal has also asserted her independence. Oporto, which first threw off the French dominion, was recovered by them, but has again obtained its liberation, and has opened its port to the English. The neighbouring provinces followed the example, and the kingdom of Algarve in

the

the south has entirely expelled the French, and proclaimed the Prince Regent. Lisbon only is in the hands of Junot, who will, doubtless, find it difficult to maintain his post, especially if the natives are assisted, as may be expected, by an English army.

In the whole peninsula the ardour of the people and their inveteracy against the French are scarcely to be described. The clergy seem to take the lead in inspiring patriotic zeal and hatred to their oppressors, and the religious turn of the nation is displayed in their public addresses. The day of trial, however, is fast approaching, and the contest will doubtless be severe and sanguinary. Joseph Bonaparte has entered Spain, and been proclaimed in some of the towns possessed by the French, but, it is said, with no acclamations. The patriots have received a temporary check, a considerable body having been defeated on July 14th by the French near Valladolid with the loss of their cannon. They seem, however, to have made an orderly retreat. Their misfor◄ tune was owing to an inferiority of cavalry in an open country.

The events in the north of Europe have afforded little interest. The seat of war has been confined to Finland. An attempt made by the Swedes to reco ver the capital, Abo, was defeated with loss; but the Russians have been gradually losing ground in the northern part of that province, and are said to have evacuated Wasa. The English armament, from which much was expected, has returned from Gottenburgh without attempting or effecting any thing, the cause of which has been a difference between the King of Sweden and Genera Moore, or rather the English cabinet, concerning plans of operations. The circumstances of it have not been given to the public; but it is impossible that another addition to our too numerous abortive expeditions can pass without a parliamentary enquiry. That some unreasonable proposal from the Swedish monarch has occasioned this breach is not improbable; but his character ought to have been well understood, before a co-operation so expensive, and in which the honour of the British arms was so much compromised, had been agreed upon. The King has since embarked for Finland, and it is conceived that a reconciliation between him and the Russian Emperor is not far distant.

Although the rest of Europe presents a temporary calm, yet all eyes are undoubtedly fixed upon Spain, and the events in that country cannot fail of influencing the state of general politics. Austria is said to be augmenting her military establishment, and there are rumours of disagreement between Russia and France on account of Poland. Prussia is not yet likely to be relieved from French troops, notwithstanding all the contributions imposed have been paid. Napoleon has declared that the present circumstances will not permit him to withdraw his troops; and he has reinforced his garrisons in Silesia.

An expedition that has been long lying at Cork has at length sailed, under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley and Major General Spencer. It has been joined at Portsmouth by the transports with the troops from Gottenburgh, now under the command of General Burrard. The number of troops in the whole amounts to upwards of 29,000. The most vigorous efforts seem to be intended by administration for improving to the utmost this new chance of an effectual resistance to the insatiable ambition of our formidable foe.

In the United States of America the embargo is continued, though apparent. ly