Retrospect of the Political World,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1801.

PEACE having returned into the bosom of

those nations which had been distracted with the din and confusion of war, we, of course, are more limited in our communications. Events are less numerous, and of less notoriety. It is, how. ever, with greater pleasure, that we detail the less clamorous events of tranquillity which are now des tined to bless our country.

The mission of Lord Cornwallis, to settle, on our part, the definitive treaty at Amiens, seems to have engaged, in a very considerable degree, the public attention. The preparations for his departure have been great, and no expence has been spared to render his embassy honourable to Great Britain. His reception in France has been extremely flattering by persons of all descriptions. The Chief Consul, BOUNAPARTE, has shewn him great attention.The manner in which he has been treated must tend to banish that mutual hatred which has too long subsisted between those two great nations. We are in hopes, indeed, that both parties will conduct themselves towards each other with increasing re◄ gard and humanity.

On the 9th of this month, the French Republic displayed the most splendid tokens of joy in behalf of the peace, which has lately commenced. PARIS was in a blaze with its illuminations, on the eve of the day. All carriages were excluded from the scene of the fete, after five o'clock in the afternoon. Sentiments of high respect, however, suggested that the carriage of Lord Cornwallis should not be included in the restriction. He, therefore, visited all the places destined for the celebration of the fete. -In every quarter he saw order and civility pre

served, without the assistance of force to secure it. Every where his presence excited that attention which does not originate from mere curiosity, which is able to describe, in a rational manner, its emotions, and which is an expression of pleasure, while it is, at the same time, a testimony of high respect for the character, and the reputation of him to whom it is addressed. At Calais, the expres sions of joy were so great, that the firing of the cannon was heard at Dover during most part of the day!

PARLIAMENT having again assembled, on the third of this month, a grand debate took place concerning the Preliminaries of Peace! Many excellent speeches were made, and considerable were the displays of oratory. It appears that three parties exist, of which it may be proper to say a few words. The first consists of Lord Grenville, the Marquis of Buckingham, Mr. Windham, &c. who condemned the peace altogether, in terms of great severity. The second consists of Lord Hawksbury, Mr. Addington, Mr. Pitt, &c. who contend strongly in behalf of the peace, and extol the terms on which it has been accomplished. The third party is made up of Mr. Fox and his friends, who approve of the peace, but insist that it might have been made on much better conditions at a former period. Such are the different and contradictory opinions by which the great council of the nation stands divided. For our own part, waving all political conjectures, we are persuaded that the PEACE must be pronounced an inestimable blessing to this nation.May the united kingdom of Great Britain and IreLand, experience every possible good which can re sult from it, down to latest posterity!

Nov. 1.

MONTHLY CHRONOLOGIST,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1801.

LUMINOUS Meteor was observed at

A Chelsea, which rose in the west, and emitted so splendid a blaze of azure light for about a minute, that the smallest print could be read by it-it then took a south-east direction, when it divided into small balls, or globes, and instantly disappeared, without any explosion.

2. Accounts received, that of the 54 persons, who, in addition to the 29 killed, were wounded by the falling in of Kilmarnock church, during divine service, some are dead, and others also so bad, no hopes can be entertained of their recovery.

3. Marquis Cornwallis landed at Calais, amid a grand salute of artillery, the ringing of bells, a general illumination of the town, and every possible demonstration of joy and respect.

7. The Court of King's Bench, during the time of business, was thrown into the greatest confusion, by the sudden appearance of a woman disordered in her dress, with dishevelled hair, and exhibiting every symptom of phrenzy. The doorkeepers had attempted to keep her out, but notwithstanding their utmost exertions, she had found means to rush past them. However, one of them immediately pursued her, and laid hold of her just as she had come opposite Lord Kenyon. For some moments it was impossible to carry her back. She struggled violently, and exclaimed "Justice! justice! they have murdered my children-they have murdered my children! I will be heard! They have murdered my children!" At last she seemed overcome by her feelings, and was dragged out in a state of insensibility. A gentleman at the bar said

that he knew her well. She was an unhappy maniac belonging to the part of the country from whence he came, at the distance of many miles from London.

9. This being Lord Mayor's day, the procession to Guildhall was more splendid than it has been for many years. Sir John Eamer fills the magisterial chair-besides the usual attendants in their carriages on these occasions, the man in armour was revived! A dragoon undertook to be champion, and was fitted with armour from the tower. He was dressed up in the curiass and helmet of William the Conqueror, the gloves of John of Gaunt, and the hose of Henry the Eighth! The militia of the city were drawn out, of which the Lord Mayor is se cond in command. He was also attended by the Salter's Company. The company at Guildhall was large, and very respectable. In going thither, the old Lord Mayor, Sir William Staines, Alderman Coombe, and Lord Nelson, had their horses taken from their carriages, and were drawn by the mul- ' titude. Contrary to custom, the day was remarkably fine, so that it was auspicious to the pageantry of the exhibition.

10. Sir Sydney Smith arrived at the Admiralty from Egypt-he landed at Portsmouth, and was received with acclamations by his grateful country.

men.

11. Accounts received from New York, that a fever was raging there, and in the vicinity. It is not, however, the yellow fever, which has proved so pernicious to the rising prosperity of that country.

12. A magnificent dinner was given at the London Tavern by the Levant Company, the Governor Lord Grenville in the chair. The company consisted of Lord Nelson, Sir Sydney Smith, &c. The whole was conducted with great conviviality.

15, Vice Admiral Sir William Parker having

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been tried by a court-martial, at Portsmouth, the court was of opinion, that he was justified in sending the America and Cleopatra to the West Indies, but that he was indiscreet in the detailed instruc tions for their return within the limits of their sta tion. The court, however, declared, the character of Sir William, to be such as to preclude the idea of his having been influenced by any motive not connected with the good of his majesty's service, and therefore most honourably acquitted him.

17. Lord Hawkesbury received a most magnificent snuff-box from the Emperor of Russia; the lid contains his Imperial Majesty's miniature, and is ornamented with a profusion of diamonds, dispersed with great taste into branches of laurel and olive over the portrait. The box is valued at 1600l. sterling.

19. The Fishmonger's Company gave an elegant entertainment, to which M. Otto, Lord Hawkesbury, Earl St. Vincent, and other celebrated characters were invited, in order to celebrate the Peace between France and Great Britain.

20. A coal porter exhibited his wife in Smithfield, with a halter round her neck for sale; he demanded a guinea for her, but she hung on hand for some time, until a man of good appearance made the purchase, and packing her halter and all into a hackney coach, drove for Blackfriar's bridge, amidst the huzzas of the mob. These disgraceful scenes are too frequent in the present day. Both the seller and buyer richly deserve to be whipped; and there is surely some law in the country, by which such outrages on decency may be chastised.