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peal to our consciences, and lays us under obligations, not easily evaded, to a proportional degree of piety and virtue."

WILTS AUXILIARY' BIBLE SOCIETY. A numerous and most respectable meeting of the inhabitants of this county was held in the town-hall, at Devizes, on Wednesday, the 19th of August last, for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Bible Society, Thomas Grimston Estcourt, Esq. M. P. in the chair, The expectations excited by the interest which this gentleman had taken in all the measures preparatory to the general meeting, were fully realised, when, by the avowal of his own sentiments, in a dignified and eloquent address, he opened the business of the day. The Rev. Mr. Owen and the Rev. Mr. Hughes, who had been invited to attend, having addressed the meeting with their usual eloquence and effect, the resolutions for forming the society were moved by the Rev. T. A. Methuen, and unanimously adopted. The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of the diocese was announced to have accepted the office of president to this society. The vicepresidents are:-The Marquis of Lansdown; Viscount Bolingbroke; Lord Bruce; Sir Eyre Coote, K. B.; Sir John Methuen Poore, Bart.; Richard Long, Esq. M. P.; Thomas Grimston Estcourt, Esq. M. P.; and Joshua Smith, Esq. M. P. : —- the treasurers, Mr. Salmon and Mr. Hughes: and the secretaries, Rev. T. A. Methuen and Rev. R. Elliott.

The proceedings of the day afforded a display of the most pleasing unanimity and of feeling which only the object of such a mecting could inspire. Clergy and laity, churchmen and dissenters, male and female, all seemed fervently to unite in the benevolent wish, that every poor family in the county might be furnished with a Bible; and that this might, in process of time, be the happy case of every family in the world. A considerable sum was immediately subscribed. A poor labouring girl was found to have contributed a guinea.

For the furtherance of this great object, the inhabitants of Westbury (in this county) most liberally furnished this society with a donation of 94/, 16s. 6d. and with an annual subscription of 631. 8s. The Westbury Society is now become a branch of that established for the county. A Branch Society has also been formed at Warminster, in this county, which has been most liberally sup ported.

SUPPLY OF BIBLES AND PRAYER-BOOKS TO THE NAVY.

. We insert, with pleasure, the following

paragraph, which we have reason to believe is authentic.

"A distribution of books of devotion is to take place in the Navy, in the following proportions, viz one copy of the New Testa ment, two Common Prayer-books, and twoPsalters, for a mess of eight men; and one Bible to every two messes.”

YEARLY MEETING OF THE QUAKERS. We have been favoured with a copy of the letter, addressed by the Yearly Meeting, to their brethren throughout the world; from which we extract a few passages.

H

Seeing the infinite value of love, that indispensable qualification of a true disciple, we are desirous of pressing it on every indi vidual, to examine impartially, how far he feels it to flourish in his own mind, and to influence all his actions, thus inducing others to follow him, as he is endeavouring to fol→ low Christ. And we believe that nothing will be so favourable to the preservation of this holy disposition as humility of heart, a temper in which we constantly see ourselves unworthy of the least of the Lord's mercies, and dependent only on his compassion for our final acceptance. Seeing also, that no awakened mind can be without a view to better and an enduring state, and that no one knows how soon he may be called 10 pur off mutability; let us bear in perpetual re collection, that in the state to which we aspire, there is nothing but eternal love, joy, and adoration, in the presence of Him through whose love we were first awakened."

"Before we quit the subject of Christian love, let us remind you that no limit of name can bound its influence. In this season of almost unprecedented pressure on some of the poorer classes of our countrymen, we deem it particularly desirable, that our dear friends every where should not be backward in examining into their distresses; but liberal in contributing a due proportion of relief. Many are allowed to have temporal possessions sufficient to do this with comparative ease.

Let these, therefore, remember that they are but stewards, and let them seek to be good and faithful stewards. And it is probable that others, not equally abounding in the good things of this life, may find that, in using moderation in their own expenditure, they may have wherewith to supply the wants of others, and to make the heart of the poor man sing for joy. O, the blessing of clothing the naked and feeding the hungry? Who would not desire to be entitled to a share in it!

"Moderation in personal and domestie

expense, every way becomes the followers of a lowly-hearted Saviour. We are therefore engaged to press it upon our young friends just setting out in life, to beware of needless expense in the furniture of their houses, and in their general domestic habits. Even those who think their property may entitle them to abundance or to elegance, by indulging in costly habits are setting but an ill example to those of more contracted means; and as we are but too apt to copy that which coincides with our natural disposition, our want of circumspection may prove an incitement

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VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

SPAIN.

In our last number we traced Lord Wellington's progress to the 4th of August, when his head-quarters were at Cuellar. His lordship having ascertained, that the army of Marmont (who it seems is not dead, as was reported), which had retired on Burges, would not be in a condition to take the field again for some time, determined on advancing to Madrid. He moved from Cuellar on the 6th of August, reached Segovia on the 7th, and St. Ildefonso on the 8th, In passing through the mountains, no opposition was experienced; near Magalahonda on the 11th a large body of French cavalry was driven off, but afterwards returned. The Portuguese cavalry were ordered to attack them; but as they advanced, they appear to have been seized with a panic, and turned back before they reached the enemy. Their flight was arrested by a body of German cavalry, who likewise stopped the farther progress of the enemy, though with some loss to themselves; and some more of our troops appearing in sight, the French cavalry finally withdrew. On the 12th, the army moved forward and entered Madrid. Joseph Bonaparte retired with his army towards Toledo, leaving a garrison in the Retiro. On the evening of the 13th, the Retiro was completely invested, and preparations were made for an attack on the succeeding morning, when the governor offered to capitulate. The garrison, to the number of 2,500, surrendered as prisoners of war, and were allowed its honours and their baggage. The stores found in the place were immense; 189 pieces of brass ordnance in excellent condition, 900 barrels of powder, 20,000 stands of arms, the eagles of two re

giments, and very large magazines of cloth ing, provisions, and ammunition. Lord Wel lington says, it is impossible to describe the joy manifested by the inhabitants of Madrid on the arrival of his army. Our loss, in all these operations, did not exceed sixty killed, and about one hundred wounded. On the 18th, Lord Wellington was still at Madrid. Joseph's army had at that date abandoned Toledo, which was taken possession of by a party of Guerillas, and was on its march ap parently to Valencia. In the mean time, General Maitland, with the army from Sicily and Minorca, had effected his landing at Alicante, and was in communication with Lord Wellington.

The event which stands next in point of importance to the capture of Madrid, is the raising of the siege of Cadiz, which took place on the night of the 24th, and the morning of the 25th of August. The enemy left behind a, very numerous artillery, and a large quantity of stores and powder most of which, however, was rendered useless; and he appears to have retreated with very great precipitation. Col. Skerrett, with a body of troops, both British and Spanish, had previously landed at Huelva, with the view of distracting the attention of Marshal Soult, and he has since taken possession of Seville. Soult'sjmotions, and those of General Drouet, are closely watched by General Hill, who had advanced northward of the Sierra Morena,

Astorga, Bilboa, Tordesillas, and Guada. laxara, have fallen into the hands of the Spaniards. It appears, however, that the Spanish army of Murcia, commanded by General O'Donnell, had sustained a severe

defeat on the 21st of July, from a body of French troops inferior in number. The Cortez had determined on bringing this General to trial.

The French appear to be making great efforts to retrieve their losses in Spain. Massena is said to have marched across the Pyrennees with 10,000 men, to reinforce Marmont's shattered army, and to resume the chief command; and a part of this army has already been making advances as far as Valladolid. The troops employed in the siege of Cadiz will make a large addition to the forces under Soult and Drouet; Joseph's corps will probably connect itself with Suchet, and the garrisons in every part of Spain will be drained to swell the numbers of these different armies. We have, however, a strong confidence, that, with the blessing of Providence continued to our arms, we shall yet succeed in defeating this formidable combination of hostile means; though perhaps, after all, the question, whether Spain will be finally freed from the yoke of Bonaparte, may turn as much on the result of the campaign in the plains of Muscovy, as on that in the Peninsula.

WAR IN THE NORTH.

Since our last number went to press the series of French Bulletins from the 13th to the 17th, inclusive, have been received in this country. The first of these announces the capture of Smolensk, after a long and sanguinary contest, in which each side, with the customary proneness to exaggeration, affects to have obtained great advantages over the other. The loss of men was probably equal, the ground having been well contested, and the Russians retiring without disorder. The fruits of victory, however, were, without doubt, reaped by the French. They entered as conquerors into Smolensk, but not till the magazines, and indeed a great part of the town, had been destroyed. On the day after the evacuation of Smolensk, Bonaparte made a great effort to turn one of the wings of the Russian army, as it was retiring. His purpose, however, was frustrated, and a severe contest ensued, in which it is evident, from Bonaparte's own bulletin, that no material advantage was obtained by him. The Russians retired unbroken and without losing a gun. The French general, Gudin, who commanded, was killed, and the bulletin admits a loss of 3200 men in killed and wounded. A loss of about 4000 had been admitted in the battle of Smolensk. The Russians in their account make the French jose amount to 20,000 men. After this affair,

down to the September, when the 17th Bulletin is dated at Ghjat, jabout half way between Smolensk and Moscow, no battle of any moment had taken place. The Russians continued their retreat to Moscow, destroy. ing the magazines in their way; the French advancing in pursuit. The Russians are said to be preparing for a vigorous stand at Moscow. Should any reverse overtake Bonaparte at this point, he will be placed in very perilous circumstances indeed: winter will have commenced, with an immense extent of hostile territory in his rear.

Battles have occurred in other parts of Russia, in which both sides claim the victory. In one fought at Polotsk, the French general, the Duke of Reggio, was severely wounded; and from the French not having since advanced in that quarter, it may be presumed the Russians had the advantage. The siege of Riga has not yet commenced.

The conduct of Sweden has hitherto ap peared dubious and vacillating. It is at length said to have been decided, at an interview between the Emperor Alexander and Bernadotte, at Abo, in Finland, at which Lord Cathcart assisted, that Sweden should take part in the war against the French, and that a body of Swedish troops will be forthwith landed in Germany.

SICILY.

The constitution of the government of this island, has undergone an entire change. A parliament assembled at Palermo on the 20th July, which has adopted the constitu tion of Great Britain for its general model, and has abolished the feudal laws and baronial rights and monopolies. This favourable chauge has been owing principally to the moderation, good sense, and firmness of Lord William Bentinck, who is both our ambassador and commander in chief in that island.

UNITED STATES.

The news of the repeal of the Orders in Council had been received in America, but was not likely to produce those conciliatory effects which were by some so confidently anticipated. The National Intelligeucer, the organ of the Government, declares, that this repeal will not satisfy the just expectations of America. They must have indemnity for the past, and security for the future. What is the nature of the indemnity they require is not stated; but we presume it to be pecuniary payment for all the losses incurred under the Orders in Council. They leave us in less doubt as to the nature of the security which must be given as the price of peaces.

the flag of the United States is hereafter to protect every person and every thing over which it waves. No right of search, no impressment of English seamen, no examination as to the contraband nature of the cargo or its hostile character, is hereafter to be allowed. The American merchantman on the high seas is to be as sacred as the altars of old, which served to screen the criminal from the hand of justice. The intimation of such extravagant expectations on the part of the American Government, assuming it to express the mind of the Government, proves incontestably the inveterate hostility of that mind towards Great Britain, and the entire coincidence of its views with those of Bonaparte. They now adopt his language, and urge his extravagant pretensions in regard to maritime rights, as the gage for which they are to continue a war, avowedly begun on grounds which have since been removed by the concessions of Great Britain. It, then, we must have war with America, notwithstanding the revocation of those Orders in Council which had long been proclaimed by America, and by the friends of America in this country, as the only obstacle to the return of a state of perfect amity between the two nations; if we must have war with her solely in the defence of those maritime rights on which our very existence as an independent power is allowed by all our political parties to depend; we shall at least have the satisfaction of thinking that there will not be one dissenting voice in our senate as to the justice on our part of such a contest. On this ground the language of Mr. Pon

sonby, Mr. Whitbread, and Mr. Brougham, has been as strong as that of Lord Liverpool, Mr. Canning, and Mr. Stephen. All are equally convinced of the vital importance of the question which now seems to be at issue; and here, if ever, they will all agree that

Toto certandum est corpore regni. Hostilities have feebly commenced on the part of America, by the advance of a body of troop within the Canadian lines. The details of their operations are somewhat ludicrous. They vaunt their entrance into Canada, as if it had been achieved by the most brilliant victories; and yet the facts turn out to be, even on their own shewing, that all the losses incurred have been incurred by themselves, and that their army has been in great peril of starvation. They have been several times repulsed in an attack on Fort Malden. On the other hand, Mi chillimakinac has surrendered to our troops. A number of captures continue to be made at sea by the ships of both countries. An American sloop of war has been captured by the Shannon frigate; and an English sloop of war is said to have been taken by the Ame rican frigate Essex. A great many American privateers have also been taken. We presume, as soon as it is ascertained that the United States are not to be propitiated by the sacrifice of the Orders in Council, that our Government will deem it incumbent on them to pursue a more vigorous system of warfare than they have hitherto thought it right to adopt.

GREAT BRITAIN.

THE only point in our domestic policy which it is necessary for us to notice at present, is the expected dissolution of Parliament. We believe that there is now little doubt of the mear approach of that event; and in the view of it, we cannot but feel anxious that all who bear the Christian name should acquit themselves on that occasion as becomes their sacred profession. We need not now enter on the various obligations which belong to the situation of British electors. We have often adverted to them. At the present moment, however, it seems peculiarly incumbent on them to fix their choice on men of uprightness and independence; on men who, unbiassed by the warmth of political animosity, will consider only how they can best discharge their duty to God and to their country, in the exercise of their delegated trust. Nothing can be added to the recommendation which was given, on a similar occasion, to the leader of God's chosen people

by his judicious relative: "Thou shalt provide out of all the people ABLE MEN, SUCH AS FEAR GOD, MEN OF TRUTH, MATING COVETOUSNESS," except it be, that they should also be men who have time to give to the discharge of their parliamentary duties. If the electors cannot every where find men who exactly correspond to this standard, they should at least look for them, and prefer those who approach to it the most nearly. We assume, that all who have any claim to the title of Christian, will strenuously set themselves against every kind and degree of immorality, whether it take the shape of intemperance, or undue influence; of misre presentation, or outrage; and that, however such things may have the sanction of the world's ordinary practice, they will shey themselves in this, as in other respects, not to be of the world.We have often endea voured to expose to our readers the insidious Exod. xviii. 21.

defeat on the 21st of July, from a body of French troops inferior in number. The Cortez had determined on bringing this General to trial.

The French appear to be making great efforts to retrieve their losses in Spain. Massena is said to have marched across the Pyrennees with 10,000 men, to reinforce Marmont's shattered army, and to resume the chief command; and a part of this army has already been making advances as far as Valladolid. The troops employed in the siege of Cadiz will make a large addition to the forces under Soult and Drouet; Joseph's corps will probably connect itself with Suchet, and the garrisons in every part of Spain will be drained to swell the numbers of these different armies. We have, however, a strong confidence, that, with the blessing of Providence continued to our arms, we shall yet succeed in defeating this formidable combination of hostile means; though perhaps, after all, the question, whether Spain will be finally freed from the yoke of Bonaparte, may turn as much on the result of the campaign in the plains of Muscovy, as on that in the Peninsula.

WAR IN THE NORTH.

Since our last number went to press the series of French Bulletins from the 13th to the 17th, inclusive, have been received in this country. The first of these announces the capture of Smolensk, after a long and sanguinary contest, in which each side, with the customary proneness to exaggeration, affects to have obtained great advantages over the other. The loss of men was probably equal, the ground having been well contested, and the Russians retiring without disorder. The fruits of victory, however, were, without doubt, reaped by the French. They entered as conquerors into Smolensk, but not till the magazines, and indeed a great part of the town, had been destroyed. On the day after the evacuation of Smolensk, Bonaparte made a great effort to turn one of the wings of the Russian army, as it was retiring. His purpose, however, was frustrated, and a severe contest ensued, in which it is evident, from Bonaparte's own bulletin, that no material advantage was obtained by him. The Russians retired unbroken and without losing a gun. The French general, Gudin, who commanded, was killed, and the bulletin admits a loss of 3200 men in killed and wounded. A loss of about 4000 had been admitted in the battle of Smolensk. The Russians in their account make the French jose amount to 20,000 men. After this affair,

down to the September, when the 17th Bulletin is dated at Ghjat, about half way between Smolensk and Moscow, no battle of any moment had taken place. The Russians continued their retreat to Moscow, destroy. ing the magazines in their way; the French advancing in pursuit. The Russians are said to be preparing for a vigorous stand at Moscow. Should any reverse overtake Bonaparte at this point, he will be placed in very perilous circumstances indeed: winter will have commenced, with an immense extent of hostile territory in his rear.

Battles have occurred in other parts of Russia, in which both sides claim the victory. In one fought at Polotsk, the French geutral, the Duke of Reggio, was severely wounded; and from the French not having since ad vanced in that quarter, it may be presumed the Russians had the advantage. The siege of Riga has not yet commenced.

The conduct of Sweden has hitherto ap peared dubious and vacillating. It is at length said to have been decided, at an interview between the Emperor Alexander and Bernadotte, at Abo, in Finland, at which Lord Cathcart assisted, that Sweden should take part in the war against the French, and that a body of Swedish troops will be forthwith landed in Germany.

SICILY.

The constitution of the government of this island, has undergone an entire change. A parliament assembled at Palermo on the 20th July, which has adopted the constitu tion of Great Britain for its general model, and has abolished the feudal laws and barnial rights and monopolies. This favourable chauge has been owing principally to the mo deration, good sense, and firmness of Lord William Bentinck, who is both our ambasssdor and commander in chief in that island.

UNITED STATES.

The news of the repeal of the Orders in Council had been received in America, but was not likely to produce those conciliatory effects which were by some so confidently anticipated. The National Intelligencer, the organ of the Government, declares, that this repeal will not satisfy the just expectations of America. They must have indemnity in the past, and security for the future. What is the nature of the indemnity they require is not stated; but we presume it to be pecuniary payment for all the losses incurred under the Orders in Council. They leave us in less doubt as to the nature of the security which must be given as the price of peace

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