these chapters takes a retrospective view of India affairs, which in the following are continued to June 1766, and beginning with the origin of territorial acquisition in India, contain a circumstantial account of the transactions in that country to the time specified. The whole closes with the augmentation of the dividends arising from the prosperity of Indian affairs. Char. XIII. 1766, 1767, 1768.—In this chapter the account of transactions in America is resumed, and the author states, that "although the repeal of the stamp act produced much joy in that country, yet the spirit of revolt was not suppressed, which fully appeared in many of their actions. On account of a scarcity of grain in 1766, ministry laid an enbargo on ships preparing to sail with cargoes of corn, for which conduct, at the opening of parliament, ministers introduced a bill of indemnity in favour of those officers who had acted under the order of council, which produced several animated debates, in which their conduct was severely arraigned. The assumption of a prerogative to dispense with an existing law, under any circumstances, or for any motive, was derided as unconstitutional and dangerous, and tending directly to establish an unqualified and unlimited tyranny. Those who advised the measure were no less open to censure than the officers who carried it into execution; and therefore an amendment was moved, including the ministers in the operation of the bill This produced a long and spirited debate, of which the principal speakers for and against the dispensing power of the crown are named, and some of their speeches detailed. Lord Chatham and Lord Camden supported the measure, which was opposed by Lords Mansfield, Temple, and Lyttleton. 64 nity, and declared it to be the right and duty of the crown to suspend the execution of a law for the safety of the people. "Lord CAMDEN, in supporting the same opinion, argued strongly in vindication of those, who, on an obvious necessity, had done an act which no existing law could be produced to justify. The necessity of a measure, he observed, renders it not only excusable, but legal; and consequently a judge, when the necessity is proved, may, without hesitation, declare that act legal, which would be clearly illegal where such necessity did not exist. The crown is the sole executive power, and is therefore intrusted by the constitution to take upon itself whatever the safety of the state may require during the recess of parliament, which is at best but a forty days tyranny. He concluded by observing, that the power exercised on this occasion was so moderate and beneficial, that Junius Brutus would not have hesitated to intrust it even to the discretion of a Nero.", p. 309. 6 "Lord Camden's expression of a forty days tyranny was treated with great severity. Forty days tyranny!' one of the speakers exclaimed, my lords, tyranny is a harsh sound. I detest the very words, because I hate the thing. But are these words to come from a noble Lord, whose glory it might, and ought to have been, to have risen by steps that liberty threw in his way, and to have been honoured, as his country has 'honoured him, not for trampling her under foot, but for holding up ' her head. I have used my best endeavours to answer the argument, which is the foundation of the dis'tinction to which the forty days alludes, by argument founded in principles. I will now give the noble lord one answer more, and it shall be argumentum ad hominem. That noble lord has, I believe, said on ' other occasions, and he said well, that the price of one hour's English liberty none could tell but an Eng'lish jury; and juries, under the guidance of a certain noble lord, have estimated it very high, in the 'case of the meanest of the subjects, when oppressed only by the servants of the state. But forty days tyranny over the nation by the crown! Lord CHATHAM alleged, in justification of the ministry, that the necessity of the state to which every consideration of a mere legal nature must bend, required the measure. The act itself, he contended, was wise and necessary, and the prohibition a legal right of a legal prerogative... ...He maintained, that neither he nor his colleagues needed an indem--who can endure the thought? 6 they must excuse others for holding My lords, less than forty days ty- power unconstitutional, and destrucranny, such as this country has felttive of the vitals of the constitution, in some times, would, I believe, bring your lordships together with out a summons, from your sick beds, riding even upon post horses, in 'hot weather, faster than our great 'patriots themselves to get a place or a pension, or both; and for ought I know, make the subject of your consolations that appeal to heaven which has been spoken of. Yet 'establish a 'dispensing power, and 'you cannot be sure of either liberty or law for forty minutes'. "Adverting to the defence which ministers offered for their conduct, it was said: The noble and learned lord speaks of meritorious criminality as strange; and it would be so. But meritorious illegality is 'not so strange, or an action meri'torious in itself, and happy in its 'effects, though against law. The merit consists in running the risk of the law, for the public good, as in the 'instance alluded to by the other no'ble and learned lord on the cross bench, of the Roman general, who fought against orders, and was re'warded for saving his country. On the other hand, if an act is authorized by law, there can be no such risk, or consequently any other merit, than that of doing one's duty. I agree with the noble lord who holds 'the seals of secretary of state, that he would be a poor minister indeed, who would not run such a risk, when the safety of the state required. I will say, that without 'being a minister, as an inferior magistrate, or even as a private subject, I should not hesitate, upon good ground of public safety, to stop, if I could, any ship from sailing out of port, to the destruction of the state, although no embargo 'subsisted; and in this case, if ministers had held to the justification of 4 < up the barrier against such a power, and defending the constitution. I 'think prerogative is a power, and it is a duty also to protect the people; but I think a dispensing power is no part of the prerogative, and equally against the duty of the prerogative, and the safety and protection of the people; and I am astonished how a 'house of lords could have patience 'to sit and hear so much of it. The dispensing and suspending power, and the raising of money without 'consent of parliament, were declared to be precisely alike, and standing upon the very same ground; they were born twins; they lived together, and together were buried in the same grave, at the revolution, past all power of resurrection. If a 'difference were made between raising money, and the suspending or dispensing power, the suspending and dispensing power must be consider'ed as the most dangerous, as that which might do most universal mischief, and with the greatest speed, as it includes the whole. Rashly and wilfully to claim or exercise, as prerogative, a power clearly against law, is too great a boldness for this country; and the suspending or dispensing power, that edged tool which has cut so deep, is the last which any man in his wits would handle in England; that rock which the English history has warned against with such awful beacons; an attempt that lost one prince his crown and • his head; and that at length expelled their family out of this land of liberty to the regions of tyranny, as the only climate that suited their temper and genius; a power, the exercise of which branded, as the 'subversion of the constitution, in the front of that truly great charter of the particular act upon the circum-your liberties, the bill of rights. A stances they had done well. But minister who is not afraid of that nor the subject'." p. 311-314. The next subject noticed is the discussion of India affairs in parlia ment, after which is an account of the new duties laid on exports to America, and the arrangements for a new administration, with the characters of Charles Townsend and Lord North. they have justified the act by main-power, is neither fit for the sovereign Chap. XIV. 1767, 1768-Contains a description of the character, power, and total suppression of the JesuitsState of France-The war in Corsica, and between the Turks and Russians-Affairs of America,stating many acts of opposition to the authority of Great Britain-The affairs of Ireland, in which the residence of the Lord Lieutenant is made obligatory, and the passing of the bill for octennial parliaments. Chap. XV. 1768, 1769-This chapter is nearly filled with the transactions that occurred relative to Wilkes upon his return to England, with the tumults that were excited by his partisans, concluding with the affairs of America, the discharging of the arrears of the civil list, and the agreement for five years with the East India Company. Chap. XVI. 1766-1770.-The first subject in this chapter is on the affairs of India, and contains an account of difficulties, and of the war with Hyder Ally and its effects-The Middlesex and London Petitions, praying for the dismission of his majesty's ministers are next noticed. The subjects of Junius's Letters, published at this time, are described; and in detailing the affairs of Ireland, with which this chapter closes, the rejection of a money bill, with the lord lieutenant's protest, is particularly noticed. (To be continued.) CXII. ASCERBI'S TRAVELS through Sweden, Finland, and Lapland. (Concluded from page 420.) HAP.XVIII. The travellers hav May. The SUMMER commences in June, and continues three months. AUTUMN takes its beginning with September, and only extends to the end of that month. "2d. The greatest cold in winter is in January, and the greatest heat in summer commonly towards the end of July. "3d. The MIDDLE TEMPERATURE for the whole year, if we except the periods when the seasons exert their particular influence, is about the freez ing point of the thermometer, or, in other words, constant winter. "4th. The night frosts are sometimes pretty sharp, especially from about the 10th to the 20th of August. July 25th, 1785, several things in the kitchen garden were bit by the frost; for example, the potatoes (solonum tuberosum) and the beans (phaseolus). 5th. However short the summer may be in this part of the world, the grass and corn nevertheless grows sufficiently ripe. There have been instances that the corn was sown and brought in quite ripe in the space of forty-two days." p. 265. Chap. XIX. The situation at Uleaborg proved so agreeable as to induce the travellers to stay for some time. Animal magnetism has in this country several advocates. In this chapter is an account of some experiments, the manners of the inhabitants of this which closes with describing some of town. "The taste for social entertainment at Uleaborg is not very general. The merchants are a distinct Cing passed through Brakestead, class of themselves, whom you never we here find them at Uleaborg, situated on the river Ulea, the navigation of which is attended with particular danger. Such is the velocity with which ships perform their course down this river, that they generally Tun six English miles in the space of twenty minutes. The salmon fishery here is very considerable, and the salmons of Uleaborg fetch a higher price at Stockholm than those of any other place. This town is situated in 65 degrees north latitude. Its seasons are thus described in the following general remarks. Ist. The WINTER begins in October, and lasts full seven months, or till the end of April. The spring is short, and is over with the month of meet in other company; these are the most unfavourable to friendly intercourse, and also the least informed. The persons who compose the usual society of the place, are such as are in the employment of government, from the governor down to the judges of the tribunal. The governors of provinces, in Sweden, are instructed to invite and entertain at their houses all strangers of any distinction. General Curpelan not only obeys his instructions, but adds to the offices of politeness and hospitality the most flattering marks of personal friendship, insomuch that he offered to accommodate us with lodgings at his own house. We chose, however, to remain at the house of a merchant called Feldman, who did every thing in his power to oblige us, and under whose roof we found all that could contribute to render our residence agreeable. The manners of the Uleaborg society have a great resemblance to those of the capital. The people have the same inclination to play, and are fond of pompous entertainments, and of formality. As the stranger is always the principal person in company, they are at pains to consult his taste, and do every thing they fancy will be most agreeable to him. The young ladies are exceedingly pleased to be introduced to strangers, and study to profit, as much they can, in a becoming manner, by their visits among them. When you have been invited to sup at a gentleman's house, it is a custom (which I cannot say is extremely gracious), as soon as the entertainment is over, for all the ladies, young and old, who wish to testify the pleasure they have enjoyed in your company, to give you a slap with the hand upon your back, when you least expect it; and it is established as a rule, that the more forcibly the hand is applied, the more emphatic is the lady's declaration in your favour.” p. 275, 276. Chap. XX. The cheapness of living, and opportunity of shooting, induce the travellers to continue at Uleaborg. The season for the pleasures of the chase was night. The writer thus describes the way of spending their time in this place. "The nights, equally fine and clear as the day, enabled us to prolong the pleasures of the chase. We used to dine, have our party at music, sup, and at ten o'clock in the evening set out, and continue our sports in the field till about two o'clock in the morning. The light of the night was even more friendly to our pursuit than that of the day. The solar rays did not make the same strong impression on our eyes, and still we had light enough for the purpose of shooting. The birds in the course of the night were much more quiet, the wild ducks flocked from the sea on their way to the lakes and rivers, and sometimes passed directly over our heads. The rivers and lakes, as well as the marshy ground in their vicinity, swarmed with ducks and snipes of all descriptions. Our pleasure as sportsmen was not greater than what we enjoyed as naturalists, from the VOL. I. great variety of different species, to which the inhabitants of Italy are total strangers." p. 279. They were still more attached to their residence in this place from "meeting with two gentlemen, lovers of music, one of whom played the violoncello, the other the alto, thus, says the author, with the assistance of Mr. Skiöldebrand, my travelling companion, who played the violin, and myself, who played the clarinet, we were in condition to perform a quartetto tolerably well. A quartetto at Uleaborg was a phenomenon, no less out of the ordinary course of things than the appearance of the most astonishing meteor. There were not ten persons in the town who had ever heard music in four parts; nor, probably, from its foundation to the day of our arrival, had a quartetto been ever executed within its bounds. The reader will easily conceive the pleasure we derived from the simplicity of those good people, who looked up to us as the gods of music, as well as the satisfaction we enjoyed from a sympathy with their feelings." p. 281, 282. "The inhabitants of Finland have certainly a very sensitive turn both for music and poetry. Indeed it should seem that these two arts go together; but the Finlanders have not made the same progress in music as in poetry, on account of the imperfection of their national instrument, and the attachment and veneration with which they have preserved it. The "The harpu consists of five strings; and here we may observe the first step in the origin of the arts. They had no idea of giving it more chords than there are fingers on the hand. The chords are a, b, c, d, e; and c being flat, the instrument becomes turned in a minor, the favourite note of all the northern nations. chords are of metal, and not, like those of the violin and guitar, susceptible of being modulated by the fingers of the left hand. The whole compass of their music consists of five notes, and with these five notes they play, they dance, and recite their poetry or verses. It is easy to imagine the melancholy and monotonous effect of their music, as well as the impossibility of improving it, until they shall abandon this five-stringed instrument. But barbarous and civilized nations are no less frugal of 3 M enjoyments; they can dispense with the refinements of music as easily as they are reconciled to simplicity and uniformity in their diet and mode of life." 283, 284. Chap. XXI. The influence of the northern climate upon the manners and habits of the people is noticed, with the hardships of living in the north, when compared to the southern countries, and the occupations of the Finlanders in winter. Their methods of catching fish is described to be in the following manner: A couple of openings are made in the ice, and by means of ropes and long poles, they then contrive to pass their nets from one opening to the other; the draw ing out of the nets is attended with infinite labour. They have another method of fishing on the ice, which seemed to me extremely curious, at least the novelty of it excited my surprise. It is in catching fish by a stroke of a mallet or club. In autumn, when the frost begins to set in, the fisherman courses along the rivers, and when he observes a fish under the ice in shallow water, he takes a violent blow with his wooden mallet perpendicularly over the fish, so as to break the ice. The fish, stupified by the blow communicated to it by the water, in a few seconds rises quite giddy to the surface, where the man seizes it with an instrument made for the purpose." p. 287, 288. The manner of encountering the bear next follows: the description of which is accompanied by a plate. "It is but very lately that some few individuals have begun to use firearms in this chase; but there are still many among the peasantry, particularly in the inland part of the country, who will not expose their life to the uncertain shot of a musket, which is so liable to be prevented by damp, nor be possessed of an instrument which they think too costly, even when of a very ordinary quality. The favourite weapon of the Finlander, in hunting the bear, is an iron lance fixed at the end of a pole. about the distance of a foot from the At point of the lance is fixed a crossbar, which prevents the instrument from penetrating too far into the body of the bear, or passing through both sides. When the Finlander has discovered where the bear has taken up his winter quarters, he goes to the trance of his den, by which he endeavours to irritate and provoke him to quit his strong hold. The bear hesitates, and seems unwilling to come out; but continuing to be molested by the hunter, and perhaps by the barking of his dog, he at length gets up, and rushes in fury from his cavern. The moment he sees the peasant, he rears himself upon his two hind legs ready to tear him to pieces. The Finlander instantly puts himself in the attitude which is represented in the annexed plate; that is to say, he brings back the iron lance close to his breast, concealing from the bear the length of the pole, in order that he may not have time to be upon his guard, and consequently to parry with his paws the mortal blow which the hunter means to aim at his vitals, The Finlander then advances boldly towards the bear, nor does he strike the blow till they are so near each other that the animal stretches out his paws to tear his antagonist limb from limb. At that instant the peasaut pierces his heart with the lance, which, but for the cross-bar, would come out at his shoulder; nor could he otherwise prevent the bear falling upon him, an accident which might be highly dangerous. By means of the cross-bar the animal is kept upright, and ultimately thrown upon his back; but what may seem to some very extraordinary is, the bear feeling himself wounded, instead of attempting with his paws to pull out the lance, holds it fast, and presses it more deeply into the wound. · When the bear, after rolling upon the snow, ceases from the last struggles of death, the Finlander lays hold of him, and calls for the assistance of bis friends, who drag the carcase to his hut; and this triumph terminates in a sort of festival, where the poet assists, and sings the exploits of the hunter." p. 288. There is also an engraving to represent the Finlander's method of shooting squirrels, which is with blunt arrows. Chap. XXII. This chapter contains a description of some of the manners and customs of FinlandTheir modes of courtship and marriage-The use of vapour baths, of which the following account, accompanied with an engraving, is given. "Another particular, that appeared |