session of these facts, the reader will enter on the following interesting contrast with peculiar advantage. When he has read

one paragraph, we request him to read the opposite one, paying great attention to the dates.

On Mr. Addington's clear and satisfactory statement of the naval strength of Great Britain we congratulate the country. In case of any sudden emergency, what can we have to apprehend? If fifty additional sail of the line could be equipped in a month, how much larger a proportion of frigates, sloops, cutters, gun-boats, &c. might not, even, in a less time, be prepared, (Dec, 2. 1802.)

We are happy to learn that the alacrity with which seamen re-enter the service is absolutely without example. This is, indeed, a genuine proof of British spirit! especially as immediate views of gain, in case of a renewal of the war, cannot be their inducement.-(11th March, 1803.)

The reports which have been so industriously circulated of the intended resignation of Earl St, Vincent, are wholly without foundation. (March 8, 1803.)

They [the ministers] need not deprecate the continuance of an opposition, which has so recently stigmatized itself by its resistance to a measure for the reform of abuses, which was so loudly called for, and the necessity of which has been so long ackowledged. (Feb. 4, 1803.)

We are the sincere friends and zealous support. ers of the government, though we disdain to become like the Times, the mean panegyrists of the Admiralty, the only department of the public ser. vice, to which the charge of incapacity and misconTM duct can truly attach. (pril 8, 1803.)

Several more ships of the line have within these two days been commissioned; but there is a great complaint of want of men, The reign of terror at the Admiralty must cease, before either officers or men will come forward with alacrity. (April 8, 1803.)

It is quite certain that Earl St. Vincent will, very shortly, resign his office as First Lord of the Admiralty. The only cause of delay is the diffi culty of finding some one to accept of the office in his room. We would earnestly recommend to whoever is his successor, to tread back most of the steps which his Lordship has taken since he has been at the head of that department. (April 19.)

The Commissioners appointed to inquire into the abuses of the navy, are called upon by Parlia ment for a report of their proceedings, but the three naval officers having long lost the aid of the two legal commissioner, they are at a loss whether to form the line a-breast, or throw out a signal of distress. (April 29.)

It is understood that Lord Grenville means to attack the financial statement made by the minister in December last. In the statement alluded to we

Our minister is highly respected abroad. His talents, are of the very first rate description. None better than him knows the value of the blessings of peace; but if forced into a war, an event not at all 1robable, he will possess the fullest confidence of the nation. (November 20, 1802).-To those who have hazarded the idle and unfounded accusation of want of energy and vigour against our ministers, we answer by a single question-What solitary instance can be adduced, since his Majesty called them to their present situations, that can furnish even a colour for it? (JAN. 1, 1803).—We know, that we have a government, able, observant, vigilant, and firm; and (wholly indifferent to the charge of adulation and subserviency) we readily leave to the public to determine, whether our confidence does or does not sympathize with the feelings and opinions of our countrymen at large. (Feb. 28, 1803).

Whatever may be the issue of the present me、 gotiation with France, A STRONG ADMINISTRA◄ TION will be NECESSARY FOR OUR SECURITY, In whatever way the prescut negotiation with France ends, the country will naturally look to a strong administration, because experience has taught us that we have only difficulty to expect. It is hardly necessary for us to say, that among the present ministers there are some whom we most highly respect-in whose talents and whose characters we have great confidence: but these are times in which every department should be filled with the ablest men in the country. We have already expressed our disappointment and regret, in observing the conduct of the Naval Depart→ ment, and when we look round, much as we respect some of his Majesty's ministers, we must own, that UNLESS SOME CHANGES take place, ou best consolation will rest in the faint hope of secuYO Peace." (Apr. 29).

That consistent statesman, Lord Grenville, is pleased to tell us, that Mr. Pitt is the ONLY person, at the present crisis, capable of saving the country!!!-The measures of a Government may be very wise and highly salutary to the country, whose affairs are intrusted to its management, though unaccompanied with the display of extrardinary ORATORICAL talents. Like the powers of mechanism, the affairs of state may generally be considered as going on the most correctly and satisfactorily, when there is the least appearance of effort.

Stillest streams

"Oft' water fairest meadvus, and the bird

"That flutters least is longest on the wing." Of this quotation we willingly leave to the judgment of our readers, and to the course of time, the justice and propriety of the application. (February 4, 1803).

To attempt a becoming expression of the indignation and disgust, excited by this loathsome picture of political servility and perfidy, would be vain, and, we trust, useless; for who is there that can view it, without entertaining those feelings in an inexpressible degree! But, we do hope, for the sake of MR. PITT's reputation, that he will use some means or other to prevent the longer continuance of this most shameful traffic. To be eulogized, to be called for, in publications like these, implies every thing that is mean and suspicious. That he does not sanction, that he does not view with pleasure, the parasitical conduct of the persons who dictate the sentiments of these prints is certain; but, his character requires, that he should prevent the promulgation of such sentiments through such channels. The tone, now taken by the True Briton and the Sun, is regarded, by many, as a prelude to the return to office of all those low and selfish persons, who formerly hung so heavily upon Mr. Pitt, and who, when he retired, dropped off, gorged with the wealth of the nation. Apily enough do they compare themselves to the ivy clinging round the oak:

"See there the selfish world pourtrayed
"In that dark look, that creeping pace!
"No flower can bear the ivy's shade;

"No tree support its cold embrace. "The oak that rears it from the ground, "And bears its tendrils to the skies, "Feels at his heart the rankling wound, "And in its poisonous arms he dies." Such is the illustration of the figure,

As the ivy that embraces the oak, is sheltered by its proud height and spreading branches from the ravages of the storm, so we cling to the gcnius of Mr. Pitt, as the surest saviour of our country. It is he alone that, in our opinion, can suecessfully cope with the duplicity, the cunning, and the rooted enmity of France towards the British EmpireIt is he alone, that can curb and defeat its hostile views in the deceitful calm of nominal peace, or direct our efforts with effect during the less dangerous storm of open and declared warfare.

We really believe, that Mr. Pitt is himself disinclined to the resumption of official situation; but it is only a small part of the true patriotism of his soul, to sacrifice all personal considerations to the public welfare. Were he called to the chief management of the public affairs by the mandate of his Sovereign, he would, no doubt, feel it his duty to draw around him the best talents which the country can afford; but these arrangements are with us but very secondary considerations-let but the genius of Mr. Pitt preside, and we shall think ourselves secure.-(May 4, 1803).

SPLENDID HUMBUG. Referring our readers to the Domestic head for an account of the facts, relative to the waggish trick, which was, on the 5th instant, played upon the ministry and the stock-jobbers, through the medium of those two sapient personages, Lord Hawkesbury and the Lord Mayor of London, we have to observe here on a circumstance or two, which, in the bustle, seem to have escaped the attention of the public.-And, first, that the charge of an

infamous fraud," of a " daring forgery," which have been so confidently preferred against the person who played off the joke are entirely unfounded, unless his intention was to obtain money thereby, which is by no means apparent, or even probable, since he must have known, that any speculations made in consequence of the news, would be rendered of no effect. Forgery, according to the statutes, it is none. Lord Hawkesbury may, indeed. bring an action, at common law, against the person who has counterfeited his name; but no jury, unless composed of unprincipled stock-jobbers, would give him more than sixpence damages. The fact is, that it is a jest, very mortifying, we allow, to the dignified inhabitants of Downing Street and the Mansion House, but no more criminal, either in a legal or a moral point of view, than any of the innumerable tricks that are constantly played off on the first of April; and, therefore, if the wag wants money, we would advise him to turn informer himself, and demand the 5,000 pounds, so "liberally offered by the gentlemen of the Stock Exchange." If he be a weak-bodied person, indeed, some caution may be necessary in making himself

VOL. III. No. 19.].

[ Price 10D

MALTESE DEPUTATION.

SIR, I have seen with great satisfaction, in your Register, the memorials of the Maltese deputies, and think that not only the Maltese, but the British nation are obliged to you, for laying before the publick, documents of such great national concern, that a shameful violation of public faith may not be imputed to a country so justly proud of its honour, which, according to the senti ment of Mr. Fox, is its "proudest posses"sion," but that the infamy may attach only to those few individuals, who, abusing the power intrusted to them, have dared to do that which, from the British throne to the British cottage, must, when heard of, be held in contempt and abhorrence.-But, the reason why I have taken up my pen, is to furnish you with the sequel of the history of the Maltese deputies, which I had an opportunity of knowing, as I saw one or other of them almost every day while they remained in England. When the deputies had an unofficial audience of Lord Hobart, at his private house, the Abbé Riccaud, who spoke French more fluently than any of the others, found himself so much hurt by the little impression the statement of their claims made on his Lordship, that he suffered himself to be carried away by the violence of his indignation, and expressed himself in terms the most energetic, and perhaps the most uncourtly. He said, in short, every thing that a man devoted to his country, and regardless even of life, which he, though a priest, had often risked in its defence, can be supposed to say when he feels the fulness of its injuries. His Lordship heard all with great patience, but the next day he sent a gentleman to the Abbé to remonstrate with him on the impropriety of his language. He confessed, his feelings had made him forget every consideration but the cause of his injured country; that, though his language might be blameable, the sentiments he had uttered were such as he never should disavow, and that he should adhere to them as long as he had life, conscious that his God must approve them.- -An excuse for his having," perdu là téte" was carried back to Lord Hobart. From that day however

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(it is not for me to insinuate why) the treatment of the deputies was very different; they were in a private manner, caressed.Sir Alexander Ball accompanied them every where, and shewed them the Lions, St, Paul's, the Tower, &c. and their expenses were defrayed by government. Before they left England, they wished to be presented to his Majesty. This was promised them, and they were carried to Windsor, where they saw the King on the terrace, who certainly spoke to them with such gracious condescension, that, when they returned to London they related it with tears in their eyes.-A few days after the definitive treaty was signed, they resolved to return to Malta, and accordingly they were, at the expense of government, sent to Portsmouth, and carried to Malta in the Acasta frigate. At their de parture cach of them received a handsome present in money,-and they expressed to Lord Hobart, as gentlemen would on such au occasion, their "gratitude for all the PER "SONAL FAVOURS they had received." Soon after their departure, Sir Alexander Ball, who had all along attended them, with the greatest assiduity, was appointed his Majesty's minister to the Grand Master and Order of St. John of Jerusalem.-It is wel known to me, and it is well known to Lord Hobart, that since the return of these deputies, the Maltese have, if it be possible, been more violent in their opposition to the Order, than they were before. The deputies were enjoined by their constituents to represent and enforce all the memorial contained. It must therefore be considered as their instructions and full powers. Never was any deputation from a nation more legitimate than this, for, as soon as the deputies had been appointed, it was announced to the people in the whole island by a written notification (as his Majesty's civil commissioner refused to allow them to print it,) stuck up at the churches, public offices, and corners of the streets, &c. and all those who had any objection to any one of the depu ties, or to any part of the object of the miss sion, were required to signify the same within three days to the public notary, and it is a most singular circumstance, that there

was not one dissenting voice; as appears by the formal certificates given to the deputies by the notaries.-The deputies, assured me, that, before their departure from Malta, they gave a copy and a translation of their memorial to his Majesty's civil commissioner, to transmit officially to the King's ministry. Amongst other circumstances, I recollect, their having assured me, that on the arrival of the preliminary articles of peace at Malta, so far from any public rejoicings having taken place, a mournful consternation was visible in every countenance. I have since heard by letter, that, when the people were informed of the final decision of their fate, by the publication of the 10th article of the definitive treaty of Amiens, (printed at Malta, with an Italian translation) it was torn down from all the places where the government bad caused it to be affixed, and, the people became almost furious; but no kind of riot or disorder whatever took place. At length a sad funeral silence ensued, and people moved through the streets as in mournful procession to the interment of their dear-bought liberties.--No cannon were fired. No windows were lighted in Malta!—On his Majesty's next birth day, the cannon were fired as usual. In the evening the ships in the port fired the musketry and the garrison several running fires round the works. There were also fire-works and a general illumination. The repeated and animated huzzas of the Maltese in the streets were louder than the musketry. It is impossible that a more enthusiastic attachment could be testified by any people to their Sovereign, than was shewn by the Maltese on this occasion; and it as plainly spoke their sentiments of his Majesty, as the deputies did of his ministers. Now, let it be asked, whether those people are worthy to be incorporated into the British empire, or whether they deserve, by its ministers, "to be sold as slaves for a political consideration."- -I am, &c. xc.

having heard of the extensive works, which have been carrying on in Portsmouth Yard for some years; such as the constructing new docks, basins, &c. I was lately induced to visit that place, hitherto the great repository of the British navy.-I was shewn two new docks for repairing the largest ships, and told that a canal, which I saw, was next to be converted into docks for smaller ships. There are two new basins for repairing line of battle ships and frigates; planned, as I was told, by General Bentham, together with other immense works, all of which are solely of his plan, and under his direction, and not by the Navy Board, as ever heretofore. These works, I find, have been in hand, constantly employing a great number of workmen, for 11 or 12 years. The first thing which strikes the mind upon surveying these great works is the national expense: judge then of my ideas and surprize when told by my conductor, that it was not only an enormous but positively useless expense. Not leaving me in suspense he explained himself directly; he reverted as far back as the glorious war of 1759, and said at the commencement of that war, the ordinary of the post included 49 sail of the line, with frigates in proportion: these were kept in repair and brought forward for commissioning, all through that war, faster than men could be procured to man them, waiting always for men, so remarkably the case at this day. In the peace concluded in 1763 the docks were greatly improved and additional slips for the building of ships were added: and consequently in the next war, called the American, the Dock yard was always beforehand, so that ships were repaired much faster than men could be found for them. What more then could be wanted, there being ample docks, ample building slips? Here expense should have stopped, but novel and extensive works were to be formed without regard to expenditure, urged by wild speculation to gain a name, and specious representation unhappily succeeded.That the same readiness of equipment again was found in the last war is recent enough for every one to know, and to the list of ships continuing at Spithead in the years 1793 and 1794 in want of men, every underwriter at Lloyd's of that day can bear feeling testimony: while the enemies cruizers were cutting up our trade, and uninterruptedly enriching themselves, having nothing to oppose. Where then, said my conductor, was the occassion for the enormous expense of new docks, new basins, new works of various descriptions! He then added, eleven or twelve years have these works been carrying on, and one of the docks and