the army, which is under the command of the Crown Prince, moves forward to cooperate in the invasion of France. In the mean time the allies are gradually contract ing the circle from which Bonaparte can derive the means of maintaining his lawless power. He is evidently alarmed at the progress of their armies, but probably still more so at the supineness with which France seems to respond to his loud and reiterated calls for exertion. He has exhausted all the ordinary topics of appeal on the subject of hostile invasion, with the view of rousing the population. The levée en masse has been called for; but there has hitherto appeared no symptoms of a willing obedience to the call. The allies have traversed more than a hundred miles of French territory, and have hitherto scarcely met with the sha dow of resistance, except from walled towns. At the same time there can be no doubt that the compulsory measures adopted by Bonaparte will bring together a large and for midable force, not sufficient indeed, we trust, either from its number or its discipline, to arrest the victorious course of the allied arms, or to prevent their final triumph, but, doubtless, sufficient to render the struggle which is to close the protracted sufferings of the universe, both severe and sanguinary.

In his distress Bonaparte has had recourse to the policy of the National Convention, in appointing thirty Commissioners, selected from the Legislative Body, to whom he has committed the superintendance of the conscription, and of the other means of defence in the different provinces of France; and to whom he has delegated an almost unlimited power of acting according to circumstances. What has been the success of their mission is not as yet very apparent. Much indeed is said of armies about to be formed; but, except the army under Soult, by which Lord Wellington is kept in check, and in advance of Paris, where Bonaparte has drawn together a large body of troops of the line and national guards, we cannot discover that there is any considerable army as yet on foot in France.

Bonaparte's hope of escape appears to us to depend entirely on his succeeding to prevail with the allies to grant him peace. He loses no opportunity of declaring his willingness to submit to any terms they may dic tate, which will leave him possessed of the sovereignty of France; and he complains loudly, that, notwithstanding this declaration, the allies, regardless of his pacific overtures, continue to advance into the heart of his empire. The allies have declined replying to these overtures until Lord Castlereagh shall have reached their head quarters; and

in the mean time they are lessening every hour the debatable ground. We may possibly be too much influenced by our own feelings and wishes, in the speculations we indulge respecting the present extraordinary state of Europe; but we cannot help hoping. and believing that the allies are unalterably fixed in the determination not to make peace with Bonaparte; and that this determination proceeds on grounds which will fully justify it even to our most squeamish patriots--to all, in short, who do not love Bonaparte for his own sake; we mean, on the ground that France, in all her coasts and all her provinces, groans for deliverance from his iron dominion. If this be, indeed, the purpose of the allies, and there is a great variety of circumstances which lead us to conclude that it is, it must necessarily be connected with the restoration of the Bourbons. That that event is a consummation of the existing conflict which is most devoutly desired by the great bulk of the French nation, we cannot entertain the smallest doubt. Independently of those sentiments of loyalty which have all along been cherished by multitudes, and which a retrospect of the hor rors produced by the revolutionary phrensy cannot fail to reanimate in the nation at large; independently of the agonizing solicitude which every parent in France must feel, to save from the inexorable couscription and the wasting sword, what the sword and the conscription have yet spared to them; independently of the consideration of all the sufferings, and sacrifices, and privations, which France, bleeding at every pore, has had to undergo, to glut the pride and ambition of a merciless usurper, and that still severer pressure which she has in prospect if she weds her fortunes to those of her tyrant: independently of all this, is it no: obvious that there exists in France no such attachment to Bonaparte personally as would incite them to fight for his title to the throne in preference to that of their lawful monarch? Even the terrors of an invasion seem incapable of rousing them to one voluntary effort which may tend to the maintenance of the existing usurpation. On these grounds, among others, we are disposed to believe that the allies are bent on the re-establishment of the ancient dynasy of France; and we anticipate also that ere long its re-establishment will be effected. If any proof were wanting that such an event is seriously contemplated by the allied powers, it would be found in this circumstance, that all the French princes who have been residing in this country have either departed or are on the eve of departing for the theatre of war. Now it is not merely from a compassionate wish

that this exiled and persecuted family may be restored to the inheritance of their fathers, that we desire to see Louis XVIII. seated on the throne of France; but from a strong conviction, that neither with Bonaparte, nor with any kindred spirit who might be expected to grasp the sceptre of revolutionized France, are we warranted, by the experience of two and twenty years,in indulging the hope of permanent peace. The fabric of military despotism, which has sprung from the revolutionary convulsion, cannot possibly coexist with the liberty and independence of neighbouring nations. It has become essential to the tranquillity and security of the great commonwealth of Europe that it should be crushed; and the time seems now to have arrived, through the Divine mercy, when the groans of suffering humanity, having entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, are about to be converted into anthems of praise and songs of grateful exultation for that

event.

We should be false, however, to our principles, as well as unfaithful to our readers, if we did not avow that many fears, on the pre-, sent occasion, mingle themselves with our joy and gratitude. If the Allies should be led by the intoxication of continued success, and the extinction of the power of their adversary, to transgress the bounds of that moderation which has hitherto marked their conduct;-if they should begin to think of personal aggrandizement, instead of thinking how best to achieve the peace and happiness of mankind; if the Bourbons should lose the salutary impressions which the wonderful scenes that have been acted on the theatre of Europe are so well calculated to convey to the minds of princes, and should indulge a thought or wish of reigning otherwise than by law, or of exercising their renovated power otherwise than for the well-being of their subjects;-if, forgetful of His hand, who, for the wisest purposes, has been exposing them and their people to the chastising scourge, and who in mercy has at length staid the desolation, and afforded them an opportunity of manifesting their penitence, and their submission to his will; the rulers of liberated Europe should fail to turn to Him who has so signally cast them down and raised them up again should fail to make righteousness the stability of their thrones; what can the Christian Observer expect, but that the judgments which have been so mercifully averted will, ere long, be fully executed? Let us all enite in humble and earnest prayer to God, that he would avert from us these evils; that he would establish his empire in the hearts of the kings of the earth; that he would

make them the nursing fathers of his Church; and hasten the glorious period when all kingdoms shall become his.

Having thus taken a connected view of the present posture of affairs on the Continent, we shall return to some particulars on which we could not sufficiently dwell without breaking the continuity of our exposition.

1. The treaty of peace with Denmark, which includes this country, stipulates that Norway shall be ceded to Sweden, in return for Swedish Pomerania; Stralsund being continued as a depôt for British merchandize;-that Denmark shall join the Allies with 10,000 men, provided Great Britain shall grant her a subsidy of 400 0004;—that all our conquests shall be restored, excepting Heligoland;-and that Denmark will do afl in her power to effect the entire abolition of the Slave Trade. This last clause holds out a cheering prospect to the friends of the African race. It shews that the British Government has constituted itself their advocate and guardian; and leaves no room to apprehend, that when the peace of Europe shall come to be signed, the claims of suffering Africa will be forgotten. It were indeed a gem in the diadem of Louis XVIII., if the day which sees him ascend the throne of his progenitors, should witness the everlasting extinction of the French Slave Trade. That Holland, Spain, and Portugal would concur in following the great example, can hardly be doubted.

2. The situation of Hamburgh is beyond measure affecting. Davoust had ordered the inhabitants to supply themselves with provisions for six months. Those who did not (probably could not) comply with this order, were driven out of the city, to the number of 30,000, in a state of dreadful destitution. The inhabitants within the walls are scarcely less the objects of commiseration, exposed to all the horrors of a bombardment and assault. The Crown Prince has shewn every humane attention in his power to the wretched Hamburghers who have been driven cut to encounter every form of privation in this dreadfully inclement season. We rejoice to perceive that a subscription has been set on foot in this country for the relief of these wretched Hamburghers, and of the suffering Germans generally. And when we consider, that to their sufferings we owe in a great measure our immunity from suffering, we trust that the aid afforded will be such as the occasion so loudly demands. We should rejoice to see a collection for this purpose in every church in the kingdom, Hamburgh is completely invested.

3. A series of severe actions took place between the armies of Lord Wellington and Marshal Soult, on the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of December, in which the Jatter was uniformly repulsed. The French were in general the attacking party, and their object was, by flank movements, to dislodge our forces from their positions. They completely failed, however, in their object, and the result was, that Lord Wellington was enabled to establish himself in advance between the Nive and the Adour, with the command of the navigation of both these rivers, and that Soult withdrew to Dax. The loss of the French is stated to have been very great: that of the allies was also large: it consisted of 270 British, 365 Portuguese, and five Spanish, killed; 1510 British, 1690 Portuguese, and 21 Spanish, wounded; 200 British and 300 Portuguese missing. No occurrence of moment had taken place in this quarter, from this time to the 10th of January; the weather and the state of the roads being adverse to all move

ment.

Lord Wellington had opened the ports of France which were in the hands of the allies to British and neutral ships, and this measure has since been sanctioned by an order in council.

4. The seat of the Spanish Government has been transferred from Cadiz to Madrid. The Regency were to arrive there on the 5th, and the Cortes on the 15th inst. It is rumoured that Bonaparte has liberated Fer

UNITED STATES.

The Canadian campaign has been closed without the attainment of any material object on either side. The Americans have got a considerable footing indeed in Upper Canada. They have also a decided supe riority on Lake Erie, and an equality of naval force on Lake Ontario; but their attempts on Lower Canada have been completely foiled for this season.

The President's Message to the Congress, on the 7th of December, when the session commenced, has reached this country. It is marked by a spirit of inveterate hostility to England. He complains of our rejection of the Russian mediation; of our employment of the savages; and of our daring to punish our own natural-born subjects, for fighting against us in the American ranks; and he expresses strong hopes of future success, as well as of great benefit to the United States, from the consequences direct and collateral of the present war. Mr. Madison expresses the fixed determination of the American Government to retaliate the punishment which may be inflicted on British traitors found in arms against their country, on the persons of British prisoners of war.

The weather has been remarkably severe and inclement during the whole of the present month. The falls of snow have been such as greatly to interrupt the communication of the metropolis with all parts of the Kingdom; and the frost has been so intense, that, for several days, the mercury in the therinometer varied from 14 to 18 degrees, and even sunk at one time to five degrees. In and about the metropolis much sympathy

has been excited for the state of the poor, and great exertions have been made to alle viate their miseries. We trust that the feeling and the exertion have been universal.

Our cruizers have been particularly active in the Elbe, in the Scheldt, and in all parts of the Mediterranean, particularly in the Adriatic. They have rendered most essential services to the common cause.

HELNA's letter has been received,

tuted to the living of Barby in Northamptonshire; on which he Constantly resided till his death, and never employed a curate. Here he distinguished himself as a diligent,

from a highly respectable family in Kent. He was educated at the Charter-house, where for a considerable time he was a head scholar. From thence he was entered at University College, Oxford, where he successively took the degrees of A. B., A. M., B. D., and D. D. While he was at college, his conduct and attainments procured him the marked esteem of his tutors, one of whom is now head of the Charter-house.

His first exercise of the ministry was in London, where he served a church for some years. During this period he seemed deeply to feel the obligation he was under of preaching the great truths of the Word of God in their primitive purity; and he did, in fact, deliver the sound doctrines of our Reformers from the pulpit, even before he had experienced much of their power in his own heart. Hence, when some of his hearers at that period came to him for spiritual. counsel, under trouble or perplexity of mind, he knew not at first what to reply. Indeed his own progress in the divine life was very gradual. He was in the habit of examining very carefully every doctrine, before he adopted it as an article of his creed; and he thus became at length thoroughly grounded in the principles he embraced.

In the year 1795 he was insti-
CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 146.

Christ. He preached twice every Sunday, besides delivering occasionally a catechetical lecture in the evening. He established, also, a weekday lecture in the church; and besides this, many of his parishioners were accustomed to come to his own house for pastoral instruction.

In these exercises he appeared as the able, laborious, yet humble servant of Christ and his church. His sermons were prepared with so much care, yet delivered in a style so clear and plain, and with a voice so distinct and harmonious, that while they proved acceptable to the scholar, they were the delight of the pious cottager. They were characterised by sound argument conveyed in simple, yet fluent, and impressive language; and they possessed a force, which rivetted the attention and won the hearts of the hearers. His preaching was particularly directed to the consciences of his hearers. The "suaviter in modo", and the " fortiter in re" were each happily exemplified in his discourses. He possessed considerable powers of mind, and readily comprehended any subject to which his attention was directed. But his chief praise was, that all his talents; all he was, and all he possessed; were consecrated to the service of God.

His theological sentiments were strictly in unison with those of the church of which he was a minister; K