The higher classes never so actuated by benevoleat niotives towards their humble countrymen the middle classes emerging from temporary distress into activity and affluence, and neither poverty or privation is known, but as the punishments of crime.

The facts now replied to, did certainly to a great degree exist at the time, and were not denied; but the tone throughout assumed by the writer of 1820, is rather high coloured-to admit this, is to allow some little deduction of contrast in our reply.

Many of the causes of the distress of 1820, were beyond the controul of man. Canute could not stop the flowing of the tide. Man cannot command victory; and in a higher hand than that of mortals are the destinies of nations. Ministers never despaired; and without assuming to themselves the mantle of the prophet, argued from acknowledged principles, that when the world had had time to recover from the convulsion it had undergone, the blessings of peace would be realized.

Common-Sense concludes, by desiring the application to be made.

Far be it from us to seek to disturb the general satisfaction that now pervades the frame of so

ciety. It cannot but be evident, from the preceding contrast, that great fluctuations have taken place, of sudden, decisive, and overpowering consequences. Steadiness will depend much upon the tone of our foreign policy; much in an attitude of preparation; and of unwillingness of interference; much in the turn, and character, and object of any future war.

Having now inquired into the branches of the Constitution, and of the Administration; and supplied ample materials in a snug compass, to enable our readers to come to a clear estimate of the real state of the nation: we proceed now to more minute, but not less interesting subjects; and leaving all quiet at home, look abroad to see what can there affect us.

FOREIGN RELATIONS.

Charles the Second remained inactive whilst the French overrun Holland with impunity; but with this exception, England has always engaged in any continental wars, whether by subsidies or by the actual co-operation of arms, upon one defined and distinct principle, namely, "The defence of the weaker against the stronger party." This has been, and still continues to be, her policy; and there can be no doubt, that had she been compelled to engage in the late contest between

France and Spain, that she would have taken part with the latter country. But the moment a third party had joined in the conflict, grounds for the appearance of a fourth would have originated; and thus a general war might have again taken place in Europe, which generally longed for

peace.

The principle upon which France bottomed her invasion of, or interposition in the affairs of Spain, is such as can never be acceded to, or admitted by this Country. If for one moment it could be ascertained; upon what plea could her interference, in Ireland, be resisted? supposing France should say, "I will only step over and settle the Catholic question."

Yet, admitting this, it should be borne in mind, how greatly the continent had suffered from the effects of a revolutionary mania. In opposition to which is now set up, the doctrine of "a monarchial principle."

France had greatly to dread a reaction within herself; she had also a most tremendous experiment to make, namely; "how far she might rely upon her soldiery?"

The experiment has been made. France has remained unagitated during the conflict; and her soldiers have proved faithful to their colours. From this moment she may consider fears for her interior greatly decreased, and may proceed, as she is proceeding, to perfect her institutions, by

copying, as far as the genius of the people will admit, those of England. The trial by jury, and the representative system, are, at this moment, maturing in France, after an acute examination of the same systems existing with us.

The principle of supporting the weak against the more powerful, which has been the policy of England, will always give, to the public language of the Country, an air of liberality and magnanimity; very flattering to ourselves, but very stimulative to the passions. Thus have some of the public prints supported, by their writings, the cause of the Spaniards invaded; with a degree of virulence, misrepresentation, and confidence which has, in the end, greatly weakened the cause they advocated. For it has sunk that cause, by injudicious bolstering, into insignificance; and, indeed, language not very short of recommending violence towards the life of the King of Spain, has not been spared on the occasion. It may, therefore, be said with truth on the continent, (as it is said) that England is the centre of all continental revolutions; and that having survived her own; by her language, and the display of her institutions, she hastens others to the same catastrophe.

If indeed, the Courts of Europe were to judge of the British nation, by a part of its daily press, peace could not be maintained. The language of defiance, abuse, and irritation, is a matter of course, in order to render the leading article pi

quant. Like the ostrich, which hiding its head under its wings, believes itself to be unobserved; so the public press of England forgets, that in exciting by its language a foreign nation against its sovereign; it does virtually interfere in the internal regulation of that country, and stultifies all its arguments, aimed against France for the invasion of Spain.

Again, another set of politicians argued the case of France as one of self-defence; and had they been in the pay of France, could not have departed more than they did, from a true British feeling.

But the policy of the Country, admitted by all thinking parties, was that of neutrality; not a weak, but a powerful neutrality; not a neutrality which was to be despised and scoffed at, but one which was to be feared, and the violation of which was to be dreaded by either contending party.

A battle indeed, was fought on Spanish ground; but the prize to be obtained was the Commerce of South America. The cabinet was completing a code of navigation and of commerce, to meet the changes of time, circumstances, and revolutions; aiming thereby to soften down the chance of future contests, by the more extended and congenial pursuits of interchange. All this would have been counteracted by an European war; besides, Spain did not invite us to her assistance, and therefore