will be hereafter seen, was taken boldly and
successfully. France again submitted to the rule of one man, a man whose
little finger proved to be thicker than the loins of the monarchs of the
house of Bourbon.

MEETING OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

The newly returned parliament met on the 16th of November. The speech
from the throne seemed to intimate that the renewal of war was probable,
by his majesty saying, "that notwithstanding his desire for peace, it
was impossible for him to lose sight of that system of policy by which
the interests of other states were connected with our own welfare; and
by which he was obliged not to be indifferent to any material change in
the relative condition and strength of the European powers." His majesty
also recommended the adoption of all those means of security which
were best calculated to preserve the blessings of peace. The responsive
addresses, both in the lords and commons, were carried without a
division; Fox at the same time expressing a hope, that ministers would
not be influenced by those politicians who would rush into a war without
necessity.

Augmentations both of the navy and of the army were proposed by
ministers a few days after the commencement of the session: 50,000
seamen were voted, and 128,000 men for the army. On this occasion,
Sheridan, who was fast falling away from the Foxite party, made a
notable patriotic speech, declaring that the time had arrived when it
was necessary for England to adopt vigorous measures of defence. He
concluded his speech in the following language: "I wish Buonaparte not
to mistake the cause of the people's joy; he should know, that if he
commits any act of aggression against them, they are ready to enter
singly into the contest, rather than suffer any attack on their honour
and independence, I shall proceed no further; I perfectly agree with
my honourable friend, that war ought to be avoided, though he does not
agree with me on the means best calculated to produce that effect. From
any opinion which he may express, I never differ but with the greatest
reluctance; for him my affection, my esteem, and my attachment are
unbounded; and they will only end with death; but I think an important
lesson is to be learned from the arrogance of Buonaparte. He says, he is
an instrument in the hands of Providence, an envoy of God; he says, he
is an instrument in the hands of Providence, to restore Switzerland
to happiness, and to elevate Italy to