Happy would it have been for himself, and for several hundred thousands of his fellow-creatures, if he had observed in the cause of Rome the same moderation as in his own private concerns; but with sorrow must we own, that when Carthage lay at his feet, supplicating for peace, Regulus refused to grant it, except on the most oppressive terms. Shocking and inhuman was this action, but it is not certain to what cause we are to attribute it: whether to orders which Regulus received on this head from the government at Rome, or to the erroneous principles of patriotism, by which he himself probably was misled. Permit me, my dear fellow-students, on this occasion to express my wishes, that none of you may ever forget, that patriotism is a virtue far inferior to philanthropy. In your private concerns, may you continue to abhor all sentiments of avarice and ambition; nor think yourselves at liberty to encourage the far more hurtful ambition and avarice of the public, if any of you should ever be called to pre side at the helm of the British state. Permit me also to breathe a wish, that the present British government may be influenced by a Christian, not a Roman spirit, in putting a speedy end to all the miseries of this present war; a war which has stained with blood the seas and shores of the four quarters of the globe. May this dismal havoc be soon changed into a just and moderate, and therefore most wise and most honourable peace! I cannot forbear communicating to you some lines of a copy of verses, which my dear pupil composed some weeks ago on the evening of the first day of May. O gentle breeze, which from th' Egerian grot O'er Germany's waste plains, the blood-stain'd banks. More welcome thou to that afflicted land, More fragrant thou than vernal Zephyrus, Tho' scatt'ring dews benign, and flow'rs of thousand hues. Come, gentle breeze! calm all this storm of war; Breathe forth thy balm, to heal fall'n Gallia's wounds, work. But let me spare the blushes of my dear pupil (I had almost called him my dear son), and return to our Roman studies. In the hand of Providence any instrument is sufficient for any The arrival of one man at Carthage (nor was he of any considerable rank, figure, or name) changed the whole scene. The Roman pride and power were laid level with the dust by one Spartan, and this at a time when Sparta itself was in a very low state. 0 my dear sir, (in saying this Crito addressed himself to the eldest of the young gentlemen), how very similar is this catastrophe of Regulus to that of Nicias; the account of which I remember your reading at Cambridge with much pleasure, in the favourite part of your favourite author Thucydides? One single Spartan was then able to overthrow all the Athenian, as now all the Roman power. If you fhould extend your travels to Syracuse, with what pleasing melancholy will you there survey the scenes of the misfortunes of Nicias, and visit those vast caverns and quarries which were the prisons of the captive Athenians? Regulus, like Nicias, fell into the hands of his enemies, (I am sure you remember Polybius's fine reflections on the mutability of fortune, while speaking on this subject), and, notwithstanding his high rank, suffered much ill treatment during a captivity of several years. There is not indeed any part of history (answered the eldest of the young gentlemen) which more strongly attracts my attention than the unexpected falls of great men, whether civil or military: their violent deaths, or long imprisonments. But pray proceed in your paper. Fortune again changed (said Crito), and the Carthaginians also suffered an heavy punishment for their pride and cruelty. In one battle near Panormus they lost no less than one hundred and twenty elephants, the chief strength of their land-forces. Humbled by this stroke of adversity, they had recourse even to their prisoner Regulus, and sent him to Rome to negotiate their interest. But let me not trouble you (continued Crito, laying down on the sail-cloth his paper of notes) with my tedious repetition of so noted a story, as that of the behaviour of this great man when arrived at Rome. Let us rather employ ourselves in duly reflecting on his example. He supported, though to his utmost personal danger, the interest of his country; and he obeyed, even to death, the strictest laws of honour and justice. How voluntarily indeed did he resign himself again into his enemies hands! With what resolution did he take leave of his friends and country for ever! With what composure of mind did he sail along this very coast for Afric, to meet the tortures and death which that cruel nation was preparing for him! Sciebat, quæ sibi barbarus Tortor pararet. Most cruel indeed and inhuman is generally said to have been that scene; but yet it may, like all other scenes of that nature, be very instructive and useful to us. Vix ulla contra dolorem ac mortem fortior disciplina. Let not your youthful minds be disheartened or dismayed at the severe trials which sometimes (though seldom) happen to virtue. Most willingly could I, on this occasion, recommend to your use the impenetrable and invincible armour, the celestial and golden panoply of religion: but even an heathen moralist can in some degree comfort and encourage you, by observing, that there seems to be no degree of pain, whether of body or of mind, but what may be supported or overcome by resolution, when assisted by habit and example. Happy, happy are those young men, who, in preparing themselves for the labours of this short life, have even such an es triplex as this round their breasts; who direct this intrepidity to the most noble purposes, particularly, like Regulus, to the service of their country, and the cause of justice; who, like the contemporary of Regulus (the youthful Spartan Agis), temper their fortitude continually with the mildest humanity, and with the sweetest benevolence even to the last breath. IN PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE oF LORDS. N the Upper House of Parliament no material business occurred from the date of our last report till April 4. When Lord Grenville brought up a message from his Majesty, recommend. ing it to the House to take into consideration the state of the Land Revenues belonging to the Crown. His Lordship moved, that the thanks of the House be returned to his Majesty for his gracious communication, which was agreed to. The order of the day for the Lords to be summoned being read, Earl Stanhope made his promised motion, which in effect was, "That the House disclaimed having any thing to do with the internal government of France." His Lordship in his speech reprobated the language of Earl Mansfield, who, he asserted, had said in a former debate, That were it possible for this country to restore monarchy to France, by paying a body of men in that country, no sum could be too great to be expended." After a debate of some length, the motion was not only negatived, but, at the instance of Lord Grenville, expunged from the Journals. 7. The Earl of Lauderdale stated, that he had been informed, that on Friday last the motion which had been made by a noble Earl (Stanhope) had been altered when put by the Lord Chancellor. This he considered so unparliamentary, that he would withdraw his motion, which stood for the morrow, on purpose to have it brought into dis cussion. The Bishop of Rochester defended the Lord Chancellor's mode of putting the ques tion, and insisted that it had met the concurrence of the House. This drew on a conversation, in which the Earl of Caernarvon, Lord Lauderdale, and Lord Stanhope took part. The latter expressing himself with some warmth, the Lord Chancellor proposed having his words taken down, on which all strangers were ordered to withdraw. It is understood, however, that on explanations being made the matter was dropped. 8. The Marquis of Lansdowne, after a short preface, moved for the production of the circular Letter addressed to the Lords Lieutenants of the Counties, &c. in 1782, suggesting the mode of putting the country into a posture of defence against an invasion. The motion being negatived without a division, the noble Marquis next moved for all the answers to that circular letter, on which the House divided, Contents 8, Not Contents 56. The Earl of Lauderdale entered into the proceedings of the House on Friday last on the motion of Lord Stanhope; he stated the case to be, that between the time of the motion being made by his noble friend, and the time of its being put by the Chan◄ cellor, a part of that motion was dropped, so as to be read to the House in a mutilated and garbled state. He therefore moved, that no motion or amendment could be detemined on by the House but by collecting their votes as Contents or Not Contents. Lord Thurlow moved the previous question, which was carried without a division. 10. Lord Moira wished to know if the learned Judges had as yet returned an answer to their Lordships' resolution of last session, respecting the regulation of the Laws between Debtor and Creditor; or whether it was likely that answer would soon be given to the House. Lord Kenyon replied, that the Judges had not neglected the subject; and believed he might take upon himself to assure the noble Lord, that they would very shortly present their answer to the House; and he would also assure the noble Lord, that, should his military duty occasion his absence at the discussion, nothing should be wanting in him to endeavour the attainment of that desirable measure, which the noble Lord had so warmly and laudably undertaken. 34 VOL. II. 14. The bill for the encouragement and disciplining of such corps or companies of men as shall voluntarily enrol themselves for the defence of their towns or coasts, or for the general defence of the kingdom during the present war, was passed, with several amendments. 15. The Earl of Lauderdale moved for the production of the minutes of the proceedings in the trial of Messrs. Muir and Palmer. This, his Lordship declared he intended, if granted, to follow up with an address to his Majesty, upon the situation of these unfortunate gentlemen. It was negatived without a division. The Lord Chancellor then moved, "That it is the opinion of this House, that there are no grounds for any interference with regard to the sentences past on Mess. Muir and Palmer." 1 Earl Stanbope moved as an amendment, "That the several papers and documents, by which the merits of the question could be decided, have been refused," which was negatived, and the Lord Chancellor's motion immediately carried without a division. 17. The Lord Chancellor, after some introductory observations, presented a bill for the relief of insolvent debtors, which was read a first time, and his Lordship moved "That it be printed during the holidays." This bill is the same as that of 1781, except its extending the benefit to all persons confined for debts under 1000l. The former bill went only to 500l. The benefit to extend only to such as were in prison before the 1st of January last. Adjourned for the holidays. 30. The order of the day being read for taking into consideration his Majesty's message, Lord Grenville, in a long speech, recapitulated the principal articles of the Prussian Treaty. He insisted that the bargain for the subsidizing of the troops was made at as cheap a rate as could possibly be. His Lordship stated several precedents of this country having subsidized the principal Powers of Europe. The Prussian troops subsidized are to be employed in making conquests for the maritime powers. He concluded by moving an address to the King, assuring his Majesty of the readiness of this House to enable him to make good his engagements. The Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord Lauderdale opposed the motion. Lord Mansfield and Hawkesbury supported it. On the question being called for, the House divided, Contents 99, Non Con-, tents 6. HOUSE OF COMMONS. April 1. Upon the motion for the Order of the Day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee upon the bill for regulating the Volunteer Associations for the defence of this country, Mr. Francis wished to know, whether this bill was to operate as a preclusion of the abstract question, which has been so much agitated of late respecting benevolences? Mr. Pitt said, there was nothing contained in the bill which applied to the subject in any manner whatever. At the same time he had no hesitation to repeat his former assertion on the legality of such subscriptions, as applicable to the establishment of forces to be approved of by Parliament. Mr. Serjeant Adair declared he would propose a clause in the bill to legalize such subscriptions. Mr. Pitt, considering such a clause as superfluous, expressed his determination to oppose it. The House resolved itself into a Committee upon the Volunteer Bill, in which Mr. Pitt submitted several clauses, which were discussed at considerable length. The report was received and ordered to be taken into consideration on Friday, and the bill to be printed in the interim. 3. Major Maitland moved, that an humble address be presented to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to give directions, that there be laid before that House copies or extracts of the return of guns and military stores left by the British troops on their retreat from Dunkirk, and on the evacuation of Toulon, Mr. Pitt conceived the motion unnecessary, and combated it on that ground. Sir James Murray said, as to the account of the number of guns which the British troops had left behind them on their retreat from Dunkirk, which he had sent home, he had taken it from the commanding officer; the number which he had so stated he believed was thirty-two; it might be a few more or a few less; but the difference, if any, in his opinion, was not very material..> Mr. Fox, in a short speech, supported the motion, as did Mr. Grey; after which the' question was put, and negatived without a division. 4. Mr. Pitt delivered a message from the King, relative to the Land Revenues of the Crown, similar to that made by Lord Grenville in the House of Lords. After much of the ordinary business had been gone through, Mr. Dundas opened the India Budget, or rather explained the accounts that had been previously laid on the table from the India-House. He stated the affairs of the Company to be prosperous, but that it would be necessary to borrow 200,000l. In conclusion he moved several resolutions, which were agreed to, and the report ordered to be received on Monday, 7. Mr. Beaufoy presented the report of the Committee on the state of Finances in India, which was read. The resolutions of the Committee were agreed to by the House, and the bill was accordingly presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Rase presented the Lottery Bill, which was read a first time. Mr. Pitt rose to move for a bill to enable Frenchmen to enlist as soldiers in certain regiments on the Continent, and to enable his Majesty to grant commissions to French officers, to be paid by this country. These troops are never to be landed in England but for the sake of rendezvousing; and then to be confined to a certain specified, district. Those who were to be enlisted in this country were not to be formed into corps here, but immediately sent to the continent. After some very short observations from two or three members, the motion was put and carried, and the bill ordered to be brought in. -The Volunteer Corps Bill was read a third time. Mr. Serjeant Adair moved a clause to legalise the subscriptions through the country; which, after a debate of some length, was negatived without a division, and the bill was passed. i 8. The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented a bill to enable the subjects of France to enlist as soldiers in regiments to serve on the Continent of Europe, and certain other places, and to enable his Majesty to grant commissions, as officers, to subjects of** that country in the said corps, to be paid, &c. The Bill was read a first time. It was ordered, on the motion of Sir Charles Bunbury, that a bill should be brought in to amend an Act passed in the thirteenth year of the present King, for the better preservation of the public highways, as far as the same relates to the labour of poor persons thereon. The object of the Hon. Baronet's bill is to exempt the poor in future from being obliged to labour gratuitously in the repairs of the public roads. The House resolved into a Committee on his Majesty's message, recommending the consideration of a plan for the better regulation of the landed Revenues of the Crown; and Mr. Hobart having taken the chair, the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated to the committee, that what was intended in the present instance to be submitted to the consideration of the legislature was, that part of the Crown Lands which did not go under the general denomination of Woods and Forests. He moved for leave to bring in a bill. for the better management of the landed Revenues of the Crown, which was granted. Mr. Harrison rose to make a motion on the subject of sinecure places, &c. He prefaced it by observing, that in the present critical situation of the country, and the great calls which were made on its financial resources, it was necessary that every nerve should be strained on the occasion; and as much as possible in a manner that would not increase the too great burthens of the poor. With this view he was induced to bring forward his present proposition, and to call on those who enjoyed considerable emoluments furnished by the public, to contribute their share towards alleviating the burthens of that very public to which they were so much indebted. After several other observations, he moved for leave to bring in a bill to appropriate certain pro |