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CONTENTS
OF THE
FOURTH VOLUME.
CHAP. XXXII.
General election.--Meeting of parliamento-crid commence-
ment of Mr. Pitts administration, The King's speech.
State of the empire when Mr. Piti's ministry commenced.-
Objects which he proposes io purje-Fish efforts directed to
finance.--Bill for the prevention of janúggling.–Commuta-
tion act.- Arguments against and for it.-Regulation on du-
ties for British spirits.-Preliminary motions for the relief
of the East India company. Bill for the regulation of In.
dia.--Arguments against it. Arguments for it. - Compa-
rison of the two bills as resulting from the characters of their
authors.-Debate on the Westminster election.--Mr. Dun-
das proposes the restoration of the forfeited estates.-A law
passed for that purpose.--Labours of Mr. Pitt in investi-
gating the public accounts.--Supplies.- Loan and taxes.-
Sellion clofes.
Page 1
CHAP. XXXIII.
Britain resumes her attention to the affairs of the continent.--
State of foreign powers. Situation and views of Catha-
rine.-Character and conduct of the emperor Jofeph.--Ca-
tharine courts his alliance.-Treaty between these princes.
Catharine's
A 3
-Catharine's invasion of tbe Crimea.- Seizure of that
country.--Measures of internal improvement. It is the
interest of Rusia to cultivate amity with Britain.—Catha-
rine's conduct to Britain not confiАent with her usual
wisdoin.-Reforming projects of the emperor.- Suppression
of religious orders. Schemes of naval and commercial ag-
grandisement. —- Dismantles the fortresses of the Nether-
lands.- Proposes to open the Scheldt.—The emperor prefers
his claims. - Arguments on both sides.- Joseph's allegations
entirely contrary to justice.— The Dutch prepare to defend
their rights.-Rusia supports the pretenfions of the emperor.
-Prussia and France unfriendly to the emperor's demands.
-Britain disposed to protect Holland. Britain's speedy re-
covery from the evils of war.-Flourishing commerce.-
Miscellaneous occurrences.--Death of doctor Johnson, and
a foort vjew of: hiterutaye, and stiệace at his decease:— Im-
provemenis of the preferiti age : in natural philosophy and
chemistry.- Invention of aitaballoons.- Ascent of Lunardi
from the Artillery.ground. --General astonishment of the
metropolis at this phenomerton.
Page 27
CHAP. XXXIV.
Meeting of parliament.-Confideration of the Westminster scru-
ting.- Debts of the Nabob of Arcot.-Mr. Burke's speech on
the subject. --Mr. Pitt's plan of parliamentary reform-
introduced into parliament-negatived by a great majority.
-State of Ireland.- Propositions of Mr. Pitt to settle trade
on the basis of mutual reciprocity. - Rrfolutions for that pur-
pose.- Additional propositions. ---Petitions against them.-
After considerable modification they are pafed inio o lnw.-
Sent over to the Irisi parliament. – Meffrs. Flood and Grattan
oppose the propositions. Their eloquence firs up their coun-
trymen to rage and indignation. They are abandoned by the
Briti government. -7?eir real merit. Mr. Pitt's Late-
mients of finance, and intimction of a plan for paying the
national debt.--The Selfion rises. - Affairs of Europe.-
Defigns
Defigns of the emperor upon Bavaria-supported by Russia
-opposed by Pruffia and Hanover.– France, though in
alliance with Austria, adverse to Joseph's ambition. The
emperor relinquishes his designs upon Bavaria.---Abandons
the navigation of the Scheldt, and concludes peace with Hol-
land. - Treaty between France and Holland.- Internal
State of France. Projects for diminishing her enormous
debts.-Theories of the philosophical ceconomists.- Influence
the practice of politicians and statesmen. - Multiplicity of
ingenious writers.-Votaries of innovation.-Doctrines of
Voltaire and Rousseau regarded with enthuhastic admira-
tion.- Prevalence of infidelity.—Great and increasing pro-
Sperity of Britain.- Confidence of the monied interests in the
talents and integrity of Mr. Pitt. Supporters of the Mi-
nister.—Butts of opposition, wit, and satire.-The Rolliad
and birth-day odes.- Quefiion of literary property.--
Return of Mr. Hastings.--A great subject of temporary
literature.
Page 64
CHAP. XXXV.
Meeting of parliament.--King's speech.Views of Mr. Fox
concerning continental alliances. The duke of Richmond's
scheme for fortifying the dock-yards-submitted to parlia-
inent- Arguments for and against.-Speech of Mr. She-
ridan on the fortifications. ---The bill is rejected by the casting
vote of the speaker.--Alteration in the mutiny bill.—Mr.
Pitt's plan for appropriating an annual million to the pay-
ment of the national debt.-Mr. Sheridan takes the most
active part in controverting the ininister's financial prope-
sitions.-Farther measures of the minister for preventing
frauds against the revenue.-
Proposes to fubject foreign
wines to the excise. A bill for the purpose' is passed into a
law.—Bill appointing commissioners to examine the crown
lands. The conduct of Mr. Hastings becornes a subject of
enquiry.--Public opinion concerning Mr. Hastings.-Mr.
Burke opens the subject.-His introductory speech.- Proposes to proceed by impeachment.- Presents a summary of the
alleged criminal acts.-A majority, including Mr. Pitt,
finds ground of impeachment in the proceedings against
Cheyt Sing.–Mr. Dundas's bill for improving the
government of British India. - Supplies.— Session termi-
Page 87
nates.
CHAP. XXXVI.
Continental affairs.-Death and character of Frederic of
Prufia.—His provisions for the security of his fucceffor.-
Revolution in Denmark.- Queen dowager disgraced, and
the reins of government assumed by the prince royal.- Phy-
fical calamities in various parts of the continent.--Com-
mercial and political pursuits of France. Amiable charac-
ter of Louis XVI.-Britain ;--Alarming attempts against
our fovereign,--providentially prevented.-Magnanimous
humanity of the king.–The person proves to be a lunatic
named Margaret Nicholson.-General consternation on
hearing of the attempt:--Anxious affection of all ranks for
their revered sovereign.-Congratulatory addresses. I14
CHAP. XXXVII.
Mr. Pitt's enlarged views on the relation between this country
and France. -Perceives that peace and amicable intercourse
is the interest of both countries.-Thinks paft enmity not an
unsurmountable bar to permanent reconciliation.—Projects a
commercial intercourse, to be mutually beneficial by a reci-
procal exchange of surplus for supply. - Seeks the best aflift,
ance, and employs the most skilful agents. - Principle and
details of the treaty.—Meeting of parliament and the king's
Speech.---Treaty submitted to parliament.--Mr. Fox and
his co-adjutors oppose the treaty.- Arguments. - France the
unalterable enemy of Great Britain.-Mutual interest can
never eradicate that sentiment.-- Every commercial connec-
tion with France has been injurious to Britain.-- For the
treaty,