crease that abhorrence of French rapacity, which prevails throughout Europe, and especially in Britain. If it be possible that the reproductive powers of land should replace the necessaries of life, of which that rapacity had despoiled a country, yet it is impossible that a state depending for existence, on commerce, should be able to support such violence. Of this Venice is a striking instance: and the state of the Venetians, as described by our author, is conformable to that of other communities, to which French liberty has proved the most crushing of despo tisms. "The most illustrious persons in Venice were reduced to the extreme of indigence, but, small was the number of those who escaped the general ruin. It was computed in 1804, no less than a thousand of the heads of noble families were begging in the streets. At every corner, on every bridge, might be seen some fair Venetian lady, covered with a veil, and on her knees imploring the aid of charity; whilst her male relations were occupied in pursuits far less honourable, in order to procure subsist ence. "The distresses of the nobles and of the wealthy, were not confined to themselves alone; for the Venetians being naturally ostentatious, thousands of menials, and of the lower classes of the people, were supported by their bounty. These, therefore, were now abandoned to all the horrours of want; for, in the general disorder and misery of the state, where was employment to be found for them? Innumerable gay gondolas were laid aside, and their skillful rowers, being utterly unqualified for any other occupation, were in a state of starvation. "It is scarcely possible to depict the miserable situation of the nobles. The abbé a man of talents and of probity, with whom I was very intimate, one morning at breakfast related to me with tears in his eyes, the following circumstance, which he said, had happened only the night before. The abbé had passed that evening at the house of a friend. In the course of it, they were attracted and charmed by the singing of a female in the street, immediately underneath the window. The pleasure of the good abbé was, however, soon converted into melancholy. He thought he recognised the voice of a friend, and hastened to the street to ascertain the truth. The person was so muffled up that he could not discover her. He ran to her house, and his repeated knocks at the door were at length answered from within by her children, who informed him, that the mother had gone out with their father and a friend, to procure something for supper, and that having now no servant, they persuaded that the songstress was his old were locked in till their return. Being now friend, he returned to her, and with the utmost regret, discovered that she was the countess Cr, who was thus singing in the streets, in the hope of collecting a few soldi, to purchase food for her starving children. "In her days of affluence, she had been a remarkably fine player on the piano-forte, as well as a charming singer. The abbé, who possesses an excellent taste in musick, had frequently joined in the concert with her. In those days, this unfortunate countess was the ornament and the delight of the society in which she lived. "Before the French quitted Venice, what they could not take away with them they destroyed. Eight fine ships of the line, and several frigates which were then on the stocks in an unfinished state, they rendered useless, cutting their stems, stern. post, and keel in different places, and taking away the shores from their starboard and larboard and quarter, so that they fell down, never more to be rendered serviceable until entirely taken to pieces. This arsenal used to furnish employment to several hundreds of workmen, now its only inhabitants are a few slaves or malefactors, who are chiefly occupied in making into fire wood the remains of those fabricks which the French have de. stroyed, and which were formerly the pride and glory of the Venetians. A large portion of the arsenal is formed into an oyster bed, which produces no small re- . venue." That the Italians did not do their duty to their country, in defending it, is notorious. Can we wonder at the consequences? And when we find the general of Roman soldiers sending his compliments to the governour of Ancona, with a message, importing that he thought the weather too cold to put his troops under arms, that morning: to which the governour replied: "as the weather was not too cold for the ladies, he thought it was not too much so for Roman soldiers," can we but recollect what and clouds full of rain topped the surRoman soldiers were? Surely! 'twas not such spawn as these, One of the pleasantest rencontres described by our author is that of Osman Oglu, a Turkish sportsman, at. Ephesus; and as this prince by his activity, contradicts the usual notion of Turkish indolence, we shall introduce him to our readers. "We had not alighted long at the Caffene, before we received a visit from one of the chief men of Osman Oglu, prince of these parts, who was here upon a shooting excursion, and had despatched this gen tleman to see who we were. He smoked a pipe and drank some coffee; and we, judging it prudent, returned the visit to the prince, without delay. "This prince, who governs over an immense tract of Asia Minor, is about twenty years of age, of manly appearance, with an open and haughty countenance. All the pride of a Turkish sovereign appears in him. His physiognomy betrayed no marks of ignorance, or want of talent however ill improved. He sat on a sofa in a mud walled room, of about fifteen feet square. On the right hand sat a falcon; on his left, lay a young pointer; before him were stretched five Spartan grayhounds. None of his people sit in his presence, save the favourite, who visited us in his name. When we entered, according to the Turkish custom, he neither got up, nor saluted us, but sat crosslegged to receive our homage. Coffee and pipes were soon introduced. Here I was amused with another Turkish cus tom. The prince and the favourite were served before the strangers. Our visit lasted only a quarter of an hour, the conversation was on the pleasures of sporting. The prince proposed a party for the morning following, we agreed to join him, and then took our leave. "The youth was surrounded by about fifty armed desperados, who formed his guard; these are never held in any estimation till they have been robbers or freebooters for many years, and have taken away the lives of a few of their fellow creatures, whether gloriously or inglorious ly, whether in battle or in cold blood; and they are often called upon by their employer to recount the deeds they have done. The morning appeared clad in sable, rounding mountains; but long ere the lazy god of day arose in the east, the youthful prince paid us a visit in our hovel, preceded by his savage band, one of whom, carrying a golden axe, demonstrative of his despotick power, paraded before him. "We proposed coffee and pipes to his royal highness, but he proposed a tumbler of rum which he drank off with great relish. He informed us of his intention immediately to proceed to the field, and left us to prepare. The regards of all followed him, although, most certainly, they were not those of admiration or love, but they followed a prince: and so prone are men to pursue dignities, even in the shape in which they now presented themselves, that we soon joined him, though every moment in danger of being shot, either by himself, or some of his banditti, none of whom would miss the chance of killing a partridge, to save the life of a Pesavenk Yahour [infidel pimp] a name with which they frequently honour us. "The morning was damp, and some rain dropped occasionally. The sport was but trifling, and few birds or beasts were taken. Again the day smiled, but it was a sarcastick smile. A gleam of sunshine fell upon the prince, which a hasty cloud soon threw on the ruins of Ephesus, while the distant thunder seemed to murmur, 'is not all vanity?' "Some grew tired of princely pleasure, others continued the tedious chace, but the prince himself at length grew wearied of unsuccessful labour, and left the field." Our author's commercial engagements presented him with a favourable opportunity of becoming acquainted with the trade of Constantinople and Smyrna; that opportunity he has embraced; and he states particulars at some length; but he gives a much less satisfactory account of the extent of trade, at the former, and of the mode of payment at the latter city, than we were prepared to expect. "The commerce of Constantinople is nothing, comparatively speaking, to what it appears to be. "But although the trade of Constantinople is limited, when compared with that of Smyrna, it is far better to prosecute on account of the difference both in the pay. ments and the returns. In Smyrna, for many articles it rarely happens that you can get the amount of your account in less than two or even three years, although the goods are nominally sold at three or six months; whereas, in Constantinople should a sale be made at three months, before the end of six you may in general depend on payment in cash, which is remitted in good bills of exchange; but from Smyrna it is seldom that funds can be withdrawn but in produce, on which, in general, the loss far surpasses the fine profits you had flattered yourself with in making your sales." What is the present state of Constantinople cannot be known, even from so late a writer as Mr. Macgill; for since his residence there, the unfortunate Selim has fallen a victim to the bigotted barbarity of his troops. That Sultan did all in his power to promote the prosperity of his subjects. We have often pitied his patriotick feelings, and his unmerited fate. "In Constantinople, and its environs, there are, at present, nearly ten thousand looms at work, This must yield no small profit to the state, as the materials are chiefly the produce of the country. "Farther up in this new town [Scutari] is the printing office, established, as I have before mentioned, by the reigning sultan [Selim] in contradiction to the ruling superstition of the people; it is upon a pretty extensive plan, for the beginning of a building of the kind; there are, at present, about ten presses going. Several persons are employed in translating useful books; and many are already printed in a very beautiful manner, upon the paper made at the sultan's manufactory upon the canal, and, before leaving the office, are bound either richly or plainly, according to the taste of the purchaser. Books of geography are printed, and also maps of all the different parts of the world, pretty accurately, in the Turkish characters. We saw, besides, captain Cook's voyages, and the elements of Euclid, in quarto. Not being versed in the Turkish language, we could not judge if they were well translated, but the translator being a man of great abilities, there is little doubt but that he has done justice to his coun. tryman, Cook. It is generally supposed that justice has been done to Euclid. "Besides the manufactories already mentioned, we found that many others, equally useful, are carried on at Scutari. of India, British, and German muslins, They print and die an immense quantity here and all over the environs of the capital; they make charming colours, which are more durable than those in almost any other country." The machinations of Buonaparte, have certainly been directed against Turkey. Whether they will fail, as his mission to Persia appears to have failed; whether his late agreement with Austria has removed the difficulties, started by that power, against their execution; or, whether the time comes for his attempt on he may quarrel with Russia, before Turkey, are subjects of speculation and guess: but not of reasonable certainty. It would be well, however, if the Turks were prepared for the worst; for to say truth, our opinion inclines rather to fear, than to hope on their behalf. But, as already hinted, the event, whatever it be, we must leave to the operation of time, and the decrees of fate. FROM THE LITERARY PANORAMA. A Sequel to the Antidote to the Miseries of Human Life, containing a further Account of Mrs. Placid, and her Daughter Rachel. By the Author of the Antidote. 8vo. pp. 175. Price 4s. London. 1809.-New York, republished by D. Longworth, 12mo. 1810. Price 621-2. THE former part of this story we noticed in our second volume, p. 826. We are by no means displeased with an opportunity of renewing our acquaintance with the widow Placid. The publick has distinguished the first volume, and has substantially expressed approbation, by an extensive and steady demand for it. The sequel is not less pleasing, or less proper to be consulted as an adviser. That the incidents it contains are not a few, to happen within so short a space as the history comprises, may be thought rather unlucky, since sudden reformations partake of the marvellous; but the writer was shackled by her first part, to which the sequel must per force conform. There is, nevertheless, considerable skill in the management of the characters, and the stations respectively assigned them at the close of the volume. As the manners and maxims of benevolence are limited to no condition of life, we may recommend the example of the widow Placid to the young, in order to prepare themselves for events and situations in which they may have occasion to exhibit the advantages arising from it; to those in middle life, whose families cannot but be gratified and improved, by beholding equal self command and calm address, with those of this pious lady; and to others who, like her, have suffered the loss of what their affections must ever regret. If the reader asks, what is her character? the volume before us shall answer the question. "Female influence is universally acknowledged, in its effects upon society as well as individuals. The influence which squire Bustle has been described; and it the widow Placid gained over the mind of only remains briefly to consider by what means it was affected. It was not by means of the adventitious advantages of youth, beauty, or accomplishment; but her unaffected piety, and sweetness of manrecommended, but too often with no other ners. The latter quality has been greatly view than that of pleasing: from the example of Mrs. Placid, we hope the female reader will be encouraged to cultivate it for use as well as ornament. Without this amiable trait in her character, even her piety might have passed unknown or unregarded. It disposed her, indeed, to speak for the honour of religion; but the manner with which she spoke rendered her words acceptable. She advised without dogmatism; she reproved without acrimony; she aimed at pleasing the ear by the correctness of her language; and, above all, when she conversed on the sublime truths of Christianity, she betrayed no party prejudices which could excite displeasure in those she was desirous to instruct. Here, then, is a character not only worthy of imitation, but which every intelligent female is capable of imitating. The rules are few and simple; but were they adopted and practised, their effects would soon be visible, by the spread of Christian principles, in the confusion of the libertine, and the conviction of the sceptick." FROM THE BRITISH CRITICK. which he relates, beyond the reach of suspicion, and distinguished by his incorruptible manners. Memoir of the Reign of James II. By John Lord Viscount Lonsdale. 4to. pp. 92. 1808. WE consider the publick as highly indebted to the noble editor, for this interesting and important addition to the historical documents of our country. It has effectually illustrated some points, which were before ambiguous; and, with respect to the rebellion of Monmouth, in particular, has clearly demonstrated some facts which were before involved in obscurity. The authority, too, is unquestionable. It comes from the confidential servant of William III. selected as well for his ability as his known integrity; from an individual, present, as it were, to all The cause of the immediate publication of this memoir, we have understood to be this: When Mr. Fox was known to be engaged in the composition of his history, this manuscript, which had been sacredly preserved in the noble family of Lonsdale, was, with the ingenuous liberality of a British nobleman, offered to his use. Mr. Fox, however, declined availing himself of this advantage, till he should have made further progress in his undertaking. He left his history in the form in which we have since received it, and it was conceived that the printing of this memoir would be a very acceptable gift to the noble editor's more particular friends, whose curiosity must naturally have been excited. We, for our parts, do not regret that it did not pass into Mr. Fox's hands. We should then, perhaps, have been debarred the gratification of perusing one of the neatest biographical sketches that have ever fallen in our way. Prefixed to the memoir is the life and character of John lord viscount Lonsdale, the author of the memoir, and lord privy seal to William III. From this we learn, that he was originally sir John Lowther, Bart. and the thirty-first knight of his family, in almost a direct line. He was, also, intimately connected with all those illustrious characters by whose exertions the revolution was accomplished. His first appearance as a publick character, was in 1675, when he was elected knight for the county of Westmoreland, which place he continued to represent as long as he continued a commoner. In this situation he pertinaciously, and from principle, opposed the designs of the duke of York, who had given unequivocal marks of his aversion to the established religion of his country. The plan for excluding him commenced in 1668, was revived in 1673, but did not finally take place till 1679, when it passed the house by a majority of 207 to 128. The lords rejected the bill by a majority of about 30. When James II. ascended the throne, sir John Lowther was, at first, inclined to confide in the king's promises to preserve the government in church and state, as by law established; but when he saw that these promises were almost immediately broken, when he perceived that the sovereign openly and boldly acknowledged his violation of the laws, he discarded all hopes, and joined himself to those great and good men who solicited the assistance of William. He secured the city of Carlisle, and induced the two counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland to declare for the prince of Orange. On the accession of king William, he was made a privy counsellor, and vice chamberlain to the household. In 1689 he was appointed lord lieutenant of Westmoreland and Cumberland. In 1690, first commissioner of the navy. After this period his health declined, and he retired to his seat at Lowther, which he adorned with paintings of the greatest artists, and amused himself with improving the general aspect of the country. We have here a most interesting detail of his private life, character, and manners, honourable to the individual to whom it relates, and no less honourable to the writer. In 1696 he was advanced to the peerage, by the style of viscount Lonsdale and baron Lowther. In 1699 he was made privy seal, and when from ill health he was compelled to retire from business, the king would not permit him to resign, but ordered him to take the seal with him into the country. The following letter is preserved and printed, with the fac simile: "Hampton-Court, ce 23e de May, 1700. dre par la lettre que vous evez escrit au 'J'ay este extremement marri d'appren Secret Vernon que vous avez trouve si peu de soulagement en vostre sante au bains que vous estes oblige de songer d'aller chez vous en esperance d'y trouver plus de soulagement, ce que je vous souhaite de tout mon cœur, et suis tres content que vous extremement souhaite de vous avoir aualliez quoy que j'aurois pres de moy en cette conjuncture ou j'ay plus besoin que jamais des personnes en qui je me fie autant qu'a vous, Et pour qui j'ay autant d'estime. J'espere que le bon Dicu vous rendra bientost vostre sante. Et que vous reviendrez le plus tost qu'il vous sera possible, Cependant vous pourez faire avec les prevy seaux comme vous |