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FRANCE Although the affairs of France may have become less interesting than they were previous to the fall of Napoleon, it ought not to be forgotten, that she is still a mighty nation; that she possesses immense resources, capable of enabling her to command respect; that her people enjoy greater freedom than they did under any of her former Kings: and that the long war from which she has just emerged, and which has brought so many calamities on other States, has created in her so efficient a spirit of industry, that she can supply herself with almost every neces sary article, equally well manufactured, and at as low a rate, as other nations on which she used to depend for supplies. The envy which this prosperous state of things has excited, particularly in this country, has led our base and corrupt press to say all manner of abusive things of the people of France, to reprobate the measures of the new Government, and to foretell the most fearful consequences and frightful convulsions as the result of these measures. Were we to credit the tenth part of what has lately been put forth in our newspapers, about the convulsed and fermented state of the public mind in France, we might be preparing ourselves to witness the revival, almost every hour, of those dreadful and sanguinary scenes that disgraced the early part of the Revolution.-Present appearances do not lead me to think there is any cause for these apprehensions; nor does it appear that a change more favourable to liberty is likely soon to take place in France. All the clamour and expectation that has been excited on these topics seem to have originated from mere envy. The renewal of the intercourse with the Continent was looked to as an event that would revive our drooping manufactures, and give life and vigour to our almost expiring commerce. But these hopes have proved falJacious, and every day furnishes us with fresh proofs, that the French people consider themselves not only independent of our manufactures, but able to rival us in the different markets of Germany, where nothing but British goods were formerly in request. The former of these facts is established by the testimony of every Englishman who has been in France since the return of peace; and the latter is rendered indisputable by the following official document recently published by the Chamber of Rouen:

Copy of a Letter from the Director General of Agriculture, Commerce, Arts, and Manufactures, to the Chamber of Com merce of Rouen.

GENTLEMEN,-I have required of the Consuls of bis Majesty in foreign coun tries to acquaint me with the situation of our commerce in the places of their residence.--The information I have already received from the North is satisfactory, and it seems that our trade and industry are fitly appreciated In the different markets of Germany our manufactures, and particularly those of cotton, have been in great demand this year, and have been preferred to those of England. This preference conceded by strangers to the produce of our industry ought to be considered as an important victory gained over our rivals in trade. It proves the rapid progress of our manufacturers, and will no doubt be a new ground of encouragement to those who engage in them. They will perceive that, to preserve this superiority, it will be convenient to improve in the quality, and to reduce the prices.-The Consul General of France in Denmark, informs me that little of our merchandize has been sent thither this year, and that our cottons, with the excep tion of shawls, of which there has been a considerable sale, are very little known in that country.-Although this commodity should be liable to a custom-house duty of 30 per cent. he thinks that if our travelling merchants should make known in the country the new articles manufactured, the taste would be soon adopted, and that they would not regret the trouble they should take in exhibiting samples of the several varieties.-I have thought it might be useful to transmit you this intelligence, that you may disclose it to the commerce of your town, which will perhaps induce the dealers to increase their stock, and in a suitable proportion to augment their exports.-The Director General, Counsellor of State -(Signed)-BECQUEY.-A true Copy-RIVEX.

To the calumny of those who represent France as having been utterly ruined by the Emperor Napoleon, the above document is a sufficient reply. It is indeed a pretty clear proof that he must have left it in a flourishing condition, when we hear these unprincipled revilers, although they have got the ports of the Continent open, complaining of the stagnation of trade, and venting all their spleen against

ing was never designed for a receptacle of sick persons, but only as a prison and a house of correction; and that it is not, in its establishment, or in any other way, fit

France, which they would see beggared and ruined a thousand times over, even by a Bonaparte, rather than yield a part of that commerce which this country has so long arrogated as its exclusive right.for an hospital. Ill adapted as this prison -It is France these sycophants have is to receive sick persons, it seems cruel to always hated, and not her rulers.— commit women to it, who, having been Napoleon, it is true, was personally held guilty of no other offence than that of proup as the cause of their hatred; but this stitution, at the time of their commitment was a mask to cover their enmity against are known to be diseased, and who, indeed, the measures he was pursuing to render have sometimes been apprehended on that France what she now is our suc- very account. Surely, some other place cessful and powerful rival in commerce should be found for such women, where and manufactures. This was the true se- they might receive that accommodation cret of the hostility against the French which their disease may require. They Emperor. He was the ostensible cause. should not be confined in a building, where The real cause was the rivalship he was an unavoidable exposure to cold and damp creating, and that cause exists at this mo- prevents the proper and safe operation of ment in as full vigour, though it shews it- the only medicine known to effect a cerself with some shades of difference. It tain cure of their complaint; and consewas felt that it would have been inviduous quently, where there is a probability that to censure the conduct of a King, whose they will be discharged in a worse state restoration they had hailed with so much than when admitted. Attention and regard rapture. But they would be no way to the health of the students should induce displeased to see all France reduced the officers of the University to use their to a state of anarchy and confusion, best endeavours to check a disease, which sufficient to disqualify her from cul- in this place is very common, and of which tivating her soil, improving her manu- the ruinous consequences are severely felt. factures, and extending her commerce. In the sister University, when information This envy, and spite, and malice, never had is received by the proctors of a woman any other source than the rising greatness being ill, inquiry is immediately made into of France. Our cunning and corrupt the circumstances of the case; and if the press have always been extremely careful charge be true, she is not unfeelingly comto keep this fact in the back ground; and, mitted to a damp and cold prison, but sent instead of attributing the obstructions that to an infirmary and cured. This method now exist to our trade and commerce, to has been found, by experience, to be the the true cause--the immense load of taxes, best security of the health of the students; for and the consequent high price of labour, as no severity is exercised against the wothey have constantly misled the public by man, they feel no reluctance to lay the inidle pretences about the tyranny and am- formation. Hence it is, that, in Cambridge, bition of the French rulers, to which they the disease alluded to is now never known falsely ascribed those difficulties that every to rage to any extent; an advantage, where counteract the commercial enter- which, by parents and all persons interested prise of our merchants. This deception in the welfare of young men, must be duly is still carried on. It may have the desired appreciated. A Ward for venereal patients effect for a time; but it is scarcely possible, in the Radcliffe Infirmary, where there is now that the channels of accurate informa-sufficient room for the purpose, would be a tion, and the intercourse with the Continent, is, to all appearance, about to be cleared of the rubbish which so long choaked them, that the people of this country can remain long in their present state of blindness.

most useful and charitable institution. The University would receive much benefit from it, and would doubtless contribute very largely from their fund to effect so humane a purpose. It might otherwise be supported by private subscription; by a subscription separate and distinct from that which is apUNIVERSITY OF Oxford. propriated to support the other objects of SIR-With respect to the city prison the charity, and which there is little doubt at Oxford, on which there are some re- would be an ample one. Should any marks in your last Register, it may be said, unforeseen circumstances prevent the exeand said with great truth, that that build-cution of this plan, a house might be taken

been set on fire, and roused to action, by their tenets being disrespected or denied. It must also be readily confessed, that those whose opinions are the result of mature deliberation, after having exercised the most serious reflection and critical inquiry on the notions they have adopted, so as to give them a decided confidence in their mind that they are right, seldom or ever conduct themselves in that violent and unbecoming manner towards those who differ from them in speculative points, as the superficial zealot, when the system he has been nursed

for the purpose in Oxford, or its environs, subject to the controul and inspection of the Vice-Chancellor, and other officers. The expense of this establishment would not be so great but that a sufficient sum might be raised by private subscription, if unfortunately the University (which can scarcely be supposed) should not think proper to support a plan in which the health and constitution of the younger students and inhabitants of Oxford are so intimately concerned. Whatever may be the immediate event, it is hoped that the discussion of this business will be ultimately produc-in is attacked, or, as the deluded enthutive of much good; that the health of the students will be less exposed to danger; and that recourse will no longer be had to a cruel and useless severity, as repugnant to our feelings, as it has been found inefficient in producing its intended effects. Oxford, Dec. 26, 1814.

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ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.

LETTER III.

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siast, when the new doctrine is rejected which he has just received, without examination, from some experienced adept in the Trade of Preaching. The industrious searcher after truth knows the pains and difficulty of acquiring it, and can make allowance for the ignorance and prejudices of others, while they who take every thing for granted, and pin their faith implicitly to the sleeve of others, wonder that every body cannot plainly see the merits of what they have so easily embraced.

It is an execrable heresy and crime to endeayour to compel by force, by blows, and by imprisonment, those who cannot be convinced by reason. Sr. ATHANASIUS, Lib. I. But perhaps I may be told, that whatSIR,-HUME says, that" the prac- ever may be urged in favour of toleration, "tice of persecution is the scandal of all and against persecution upon broad prinreligion; and the theological animosity, ciples, it will by no means quadrate with so fierce and violent, far from being an the narrow scale called POLICY, by which argument of men's conviction in their the servants of the public, in their great opposing tenets, is a certain proof of the wisdom, think fit to rule their masters. contrary; and they have never reached I shall be informed, that the national worany serious persuasion with regard to ship ought always to be supported; that "these remote and sublime subjects. the Christian is a part of the common law "Even those who are the most impatient of this land, and is carefully protected by "of contradiction in other controversies, the statutes of the realm: consequently, mild and moderate in comparison of that no person should be suffered to appugn polemical divines; and wherever it. This mode of argument, however ridi"man's knowledge and experience give culous, is by no means uncommon; nay, it "him a perfect conviction of his own it constantly resorted to by weak and ig"opinion, he regards with contempt, rather norant persons, who do not possess suffi"than anger, the opposition and mistakes cient ingenuity to defend our faith against "of others."-This sentiment, I think, the aspersions of infidels. Well," they'll will bear the test of strict examination, exclaim, " if our religion is a human instiand be found to tally with the observation "tution, and fraught with absurdities, it and experience of all those who have im-" is nevertheless the religion of our fathers, partially noticed the history of religious "established according to law, the safest persecution, both in past and present times." to follow, the most generally respected, They will be compelled to acknowledge, "the easiest road to preferment; it would that the annals of the world do not present" be dangerous to alter it; and, therefore, us with examples of domestic strife, or political controversy, ever being carried to that degree of virulent acrimony, and unrelenting implacability, with which religious disputes and persecutions have been conducted, whenever the passions of infufiated bigots, or infatuated fanatics, have

"it ought not to be abused." This doc-
trine may suit the taste of tyrants and
slavish formalists, but it can never meet
the approbation of impartial reason, nor
accord with the interests of society--

"Should we a parent's faults adore,,
"And err because our fathers errid before."
CHURCHILL

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If we sanction a principle like this, there" are noble, your promises inviting; but I is an end to all improvement; every in- cannot resolve upon quitting the religion vention or discovery, for the benefit of" of my ancestors, for one that appears to mankind, would be discouraged; and theme supported only by the testimony of intellectual faculty, the most glorious orna- persons that are entire strangers to me. ment with which NATURE has endowed "However, since, as I perceive, you have man, would be of little use if Priests and "taken a long journey on purpose to imDespots were to accomplish their desire in part to us what you deem of most imthus attempting to cramp its exertions. portance and valuable, you shall not be sent away without some satisfaction. I

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If we admit for one moment so arbitrary" a mode of reasoning, we must approve the will take care that you are treated civilly persecution of the celebrated Ganico, who," in my dominions, and supplied with all in consequence of his assertion concerning things necessary and convenient; and if the carth's motion, was cited to appear be-" any of my subjects, convinced by what fore the Inquisition at Rome, charged with " you shall say to them, desire to embrace heresy for maintaining propositions con- your religion, I shall not be against it." trary to the astronomical system of the In fact, the enemies of toleration and sacred Scripture, thrown into their dun- free discussion have no solid ground to geon for two years, and only escaped with stand upon; for, if they act consistent to his life by compliance with their decree in their principles, they must, in reading abjuring what he believed to be true, history, find fault with Ethelhert for his promising to perform the penance enjoined mildness, and deprecate the Christians for as an atonement for his errors, and repeat- coming to interfere with our then peaceing the seven penitential psalms every able heathen worship. When Catholicism week for three years. Thus we see, that became firmly established, they must what is now universally adopted, was once, then approve of their intolerance toas Helvetius observes of most new truths, wards those whom we now revere for "treated as an error, cited as a paradox, lighting the candle of reformation in a "and rejected without being understood." dark age, and those who ultimately acHow cautious ought this to make us of in- complished it, to the destruction of the dulging such a captious and intolerant dis- former system. They must give their position, or a method or argument so ex- approbation to the tragedies of Smithfield, tremely fallacious; one, indeed, which and deny their commisseration to the Prowould oblige us to condemn our blessed testant Martyrs. They must equally veSaviour as an inflamatory demagogue, who nerate the murderers of Socrates, Vanimi, broached doctrines contrary to the State and Servetus. When they turn over the religion of his country, and applaud the pages of history, and find the reformed sysJews for justly executing him as an en- tem established by law, they must then thusiastic heretic, whose conduct was cal- view with admiration the disgraceful pains culated to disturb the public peace, subvert and penalties which the mild and amiable Judaism, and ruin the priests by bringing Protestants, in their turn, inflicted on their trade into disrepute. It would lead us the Catholics, and those poor deluded creato praise every Heathen Government who tures who would fain presume to reform had persecuted the first propagators of still further the Reformed Church, to imChristianity, to admire Nero, and to re- prove upon the improved system, and, in probate St. Paul.-How amiable, com- short, who have had the impudence, at pared to such a temper, was the disposi- last, to refuse conformity to all the subtion of Ethelbert, King of Kent, during lime and useful rites and ceremonies of the the Saxon Heptarchy, when Pope Gregory Church of England. I will not bring them the First sent the Monk Austin, afterwards to the present time, lest they should blame called St. Austin, or Augustin with his themselves for sending Ministers to India 40 missionaries to plant the Gospel in this to preach the Gospel, and censure the country. That Prince, though an idolator, Blacks for not rejecting the intruders; went out to meet them with the greatest because it might give some sceptic an opcourtesy, sat in the open air to hear their portunity of asking me whether the Blacks leader preach, and after listening to them were made on purpose to be damned, if attentively, made the following handsome they never had an opportunity of believing and liberal reply, which we have preserved or rejecting our Revelation And if so, by the venerable Bede:-"Your proposals how I could reconcile it with some of the

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subject to all the variations of language, diversity of idiom, mis-translation, or wilful interpolation; and yet make implicit faith in it indispensable to the salvation of his creatures, notwithstanding so many obstacles to perplex and embarrass them.

attributes which Christians generally give their God? Or, whether I thought a system, which has split people into a thousand sects, embroiled them in doctrinal controversies, divided the father from the son, and the husband from the wife, would be more beneficial to them than the one in which they are at present all agreed? deavoured to give a feint outline of the I have thus, for the sake of candour, enSuch questions, I confess, would puzzle opinions entertained by those mistaken me exceedingly to answer in a popular men; but have forgotten to say, at the manner. I shall say nothing, therefore, outset, that they agree with us in all the here that might lead to their discussion. But, after all, there is no set of peo-to the Deity. They will not, however, algrandest titles or qualities which we give ple against whom the Government of this low, that the character of the God of the country are so severe, as those wretched Jews, whom they seem to reflect persons who have been so unfortunate as to horror, and to consider the creature of have had their hearts hardened by God, or imagination, can be at all consistent with upon with their understandings perverted by the the sublime perfections of the Supreme Devil, as, the Scriptures tell us, was the Being, because they have no other evidence case sometimes in days of old, which has of his existence than what they term the rendered them incapable of duly appreciat- Voice of Nature. I am aware, that many ing the divine truths of our holy religion, religious people dwell with rapture on the and induced them to reject the whole as a human invention, set up to terrify and en- proof of the being, wisdom, and goodness wonders of the universe as a corroborative slave mankind, and monopolise power and of its Grand Architect, and of the genuineprofit; to ridicule the idea of Three Gods, ness and authenticity of the Bible and to acknowledge only one supreme are other pious and learned Christians who Being, whom they denominate the great contend, that when man gives up Divine 3 yet there Author of Nature. They admit no other Revelation as a fable, he can have no cerrevelation than the volume of the Creation, tain or infallible demonstration that there which they assert speaketh alike to all, exists an all-just, merciful, wise, and powand cannot be altered or defaced by man; erful, God; to which opinion I must confor no mortal, they say, can darken the fess myself a convert. sun or the moon, neither can he pluck down the stars. They regulate their con- Theists, or Deists, from their believing in This numerous body of people are called duct by those simple fundamental princi-only one God; and, however wrong I may ples of morals, which all mankind, both consider them, I am so anxious for the hoindividually and collectively, find essential nour of pure and simple Christianity, that to their happiness, and which experience I shall consider it my duty to defend them necessarily dedu ces from the order of the from persecution; and, I hope (God willuniverse, and the physical constitution of ing) in my subsequent letters, by an appeal to the earliest Fathers of the Church, and the most respectable Ecclesiastical Historians, such as Tillimont, Dupin, and Mosheim, to shew how grossly inconsistent it is for us to molest or interfere with them on account of opinions which they cannot help entertaining.. Your's, &c. London, Dec. 28.

man.

They erroneously conceive that Christian morality is rendered almost, if not quite, nugatory, by, what they term, the mass of rubbish with which it is encumbered; assigning as a chief ground of their disbelief, that they deem it a libel upon the Almighty to represent him as revealing his will in so strange and obscure a manner; that those for whom it was intended cannot comprehend it, and quarrel with each other about the construction of ît; that he should suffer it to be framed in so elastic and dubious a phraseology, that interested knaves may stretch and interpret it to answer their own purposes; that he should permit it to be handed about, for so many ages, in manuscript, liable to all the blunders of careless or ignorant scribes,

ERASMUS PERKINS.

MEETING.-
PROPERTY TAX.-WESTMINSTER
been so much occupied with Meetings
-The country has lately
about the Repeal of the Property Tax,
that they have forgot almost every thing
else. They seem to think that this is the
only obnoxious burden, the only oppressive
exaction, of which they have a right to
complain, and that deliverance from it

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