I do not know that the Law of Nations (as explained by the Publicists of France) may not sanction such proceedings: but I am satisfied, if it is admitted to me that it was reserved for the Friends of the Human Race, for the Apostles of General Liberty, to impose in modern times this new badge of submission, to adopt this new species of plunder, and promulgate this new Code of Confiscation. It is said, however, in justification of such conduct; that Private Property has been scrupulously respected, and that it is the GOVERNMENT, and not the PEOPLE, that delivers these pledges of submission, to appease the wrath of an offended and indignant Conqueror. But it is worth asking, in what manner these remains of Sculpture and Painting were in fact considered by the PEOPLE of Italy? It is not the mere ipse dixit of a powerful and rapacious Conqueror that can stamp them as the concern of the GOVERNMENT alone. We must take into the consideration of the question, the prejudices and the pride of the Inhabitants; that well-founded and honourable pride, that does not arise from the mere possession of these invaluable Relics, but from a consciousness that they were the stimulatives to effort and exertion; that they were the means by which they arrived at that glory and perfection in which they have not been equalled by any other Nation in Europe. Do the Inhabitants of Rome feel no interest or pride in contemplating those Works which rivetted the attention and inspired the labours of RAPHAEL and MICHAEL ANGELO? Or, can any man of sense assert, that they are to be considered as the mere ornaments of the Belvedere, the furniture of the Vatican, and the exclusive property of the POPE? It It appears also from other instances, that the French have not been very scrupulous in consulting these prejudices of the people. It is said, that in the plunder of every thing that was valuable at VENICE, they have taken away the four horses that were originally transported from CONSTANTINOPLE, and which remained at VENICE the proud monuments of former grandeur, the memorials of prosperity and power. By their exertion of revolutionary violence, they have not only transferred dominion, and abolished independence, but in the true spirit and aggravation of insult, have attacked the feelings and destroyed the pride of every one who felt a spark of national honour, or was in any way alive to national disgrace. With respect to the pictures of which the churches and monasteries have so universally been despoiled, a consideration presents itself, which I am well aware may be treated with levity by those to whom religion is merely an object of ridicule and contempt. It is impossible for men, educated as many were (especially in the lower ranks of life) in the strict observance of the external forms of devotion, frequenting the churches with assiduity, and regarding THE CROSS, as conveying most forcibly to their minds the idea of the Divinity, not to feel more than common indignation at the sacrilegious plunder of those works of art which, by their magic excellence, kindled their zeal and exalted their devotion. It was not, however, to be expected, that considerations of this nature could have arrested the strong arm of Jacobin power. This union of irreligion and insult must, on the contrary, have added activity to pillage, and have enhanced the value of the spoil. But I will not trespass longer upon your time, by pursuing the subject into the many considerations which it VOL. I. B b naturally naturally presents. It requires but little discernment to observe in these proceedings of the French, the operation of that system which, though varied in its means, is perfectly consistent in its end; which tends, in one instance by open attacks, in another by endeavours to create disunion and discontent, in a third by oppression and insult, to reduce the WHOLE CIVILIZED WORLD to one level of degradation and submission. I remain, &c. &c. &c. ITALICUS. SIR, To the Editor of the Anti-Jacobin. GIVE the Devil his due. In a note in the last Number of your excellent Paper, you say that you believe the Murderer LEBON is still living in France. I am happy to set you right. There is every reason to believe that the French have done at least one good action, in paying him in his own coin. I find by the Moniteur, that LEBON was condemned to death on the 14th of October, 1795; and, on the 30th of the same month, there is a report to the Convention, which contains these words; -"Voici enfin les noms des autres assassins de la France, "qui ont expiés leurs forfaits." Among them is the name of JOSEPH LEBON. I trust this is the same Gentleman: but I do not find any where a particular account of his execution. I am, Sir, your Admirer, MONITOR. POETRY. POETRY. WE have said in another part of our Paper of this day, that "though we shall never begin an attack, we "shall always be prompt to repel it." On this principle, we could not pass over in silence, the EPISTLE TO THE EDITORS OF THE ANTI-JACOBIN, which appeared in the Morning Chronicle of Wednesday, and from which we have fortunately been furnished with a motto for this day's Paper. We assure the Author of the Epistle, that the Answer which we have here the honour to address to him, contains our genuine and undisguised sentiments upon the merits of the Poem. Our conjectures respecting the authors and abettors of this performance may possibly be as vague and unfounded as theirs are with regard to the EDITORS of the ANTIJACOBIN. We are sorry that we cannot satisfy their curiosity upon this subject but we have little anxiety for the gratification of our own. TO THE AUTHOR OF THE "Epistle to the Editors of the Anti-Jacobin"*. Nostrorum sermonum candide judex ! BARD of the borrow'd Lyre! to whom belong The shreds and remnants of each hackney'd Song; Whose It is hardly to be expected, that the character of the Epistle should be taken on trust from the Editors of this volume: it is thought best, there Whose Verse thy Friends in vain for Wit explore, Whoe'er fore, to subjoin the whole performance as it originally appeared: a mode of hostility obviously the most fair, and, in respect to the combatants in the cause of Jacobinism, by much the most effectual. They are always best opposed by the arms which they themselves furnish.-Jacobinism shines by its own light. To the respectable names which the author of the following Address has thought proper to connect with the "ANTI-JACOBIN," no apology is made for thus preserving this otherwise perishable specimen of dullness and defamation. He who has been reviled by the enemies of the “ ANTIJACOBIN," must feel that principles are attributed to him, of which be need not be ashamed: and when the abuse is conveyed in such a strain of feebleness and folly, he must see that those principles excite animosity only in quarters of which he need not be afraid. It is only necessary to add, what is most conscientiously the truth, that this production, such as it is, is by far the best of all the attacks that the combined wits of the Cause have been able to muster against the "ANTIJACOBIN." EPISTLE TO THE EDITORS OF THE ANTI-JACOBIN. Hic Niger est; bunc tu, Romane, caveto ! To tell what gen'rals did, or statesmen spoke, Hail, justly famous! who in modern days At once detect MISTAKES, MIS-STATEMENTS, LIES; |