XXIL 1784. payment of the debts of the crown. And the BOOK stern observation of the famous MILTON could not but forcibly recur in such circumstances to the public recollection-" That the very trappings of a monarchy were more than sufficient to defray the whole expence of a republic."* of the for estates in The last measure which came under parliamen-Restoration tary discussion during the present session was a feited bill introduced by Mr. Dundas, and of a nature Scotland. perfectly congenial to the urbanity and good humour which, notwithstanding his political frailties, characterized that able and versatile minister, for the restoration of the estates forfeited in Scotland in consequence of the rebellions of 1715 and 1745. Mr. Dundas declared the measure to be, in his opinion, worthy of the justice and generosity of parliament. He said, there was not one of the families comprehended in the scope of it, in which some person had not atoned for the crimes and errors of his ancestors, by sacrificing his blood in the cause of his country; and that the sovereign had not, for a long series of *" I would rather," said Louis XII. of France, in answer to some satirical reflections on his too rigid attention to œconomy, "that my courtiers should laugh at my parsimony than that my subjects should weep at my prodigality." This was nobly spoken: But what would that monarch, so justly celebrated for his beneficence and patriotism, have said to a conduct which united at once the extremes of parsimony and prodigality? BOOK years past, a more loyal set of subjects than the XXII. 1784. Highlanders of Scotland and their chieftains. Of this the late lord Chatham was deeply sensible, and that illustrious statesman had publicly recognized the rectitude of the measure now proposed. And he trusted, that the remains of a system, which, whether directed at first by narrow views or sound policy, ought certainly to be temporary, would be completely annihilated under the administration of his son. He did not however mean, that the estates should be freed from the claims existing against them at the time of forfeiture. This might be regarded as a premium for rebellion. He therefore proposed the appropriation of such sums, amounting to about eighty thousand pounds, to public purposes; fifty thousand of which he would recommend to be employed in the completion of the grand canal reaching from the Frith of Forth to that of Clyde. This bill was received in a manner which did honour to the feelings of the house. Mr. Fox in particular, with his usual generosity, bestowed upon it the highest encomiums, and professed himself deterred only by the lateness of the session from endeavouring to enlarge its operation to what he conceived to be its just and proper extent. `Nevertheless, when the bill was sent to the lords, it met with a most determined and malignant resistance from the lordchancellor, who expatiated with much satisfaction XXII. 1784. on that maxim of antient wisdom, which prо- BOOK nounced treason to be a crime of so deep a dye, that nothing less was adequate to its punishment than the total eradication of the person, the name, and the family, out of the community. Happily, on dividing the house, this nobleman was left in a small and disgraceful minority, and the bill finally passed with that public approbation and applause it so justly merited. An end was put to the session August 20, 1784, the king returning his warmest thanks to the two houses for their zealous and diligent attention to the public service. He predicted the happiest ef fects from the bill for the better government of India. He spoke in terms of high commendation of the laws enacted for the improvement of the revenue. He thanked his faithful commons for their provision for the arrears of the civil list; deploring, nevertheless, in the accustomed style, the unavoidable burdens imposed upon his people. He noticed the definitive treaty with Holland, and the peace concluded in India; and trusted, from the assurances of foreign powers, that the present tranquillity would prove of permanent du ration. val of hap. In the interval between the prorogation of the Short interparliament and its re-assembling in the course of piness and the ensuing winter, the nation enjoyed a flattering repose. and delightful repose. Highly gratified with the XXII. 1784. BOOK recent change which had taken place, they viewed with unbounded complacency and confidence the minister now at the head of affairs; and indulged the most fond and sanguine hopes, that under his auspices Britain would be restored to her former enviable state of prosperity and greatness: and the name of PITT, endeared by the recollection of all that can interest the feelings of a generous and grateful people, seemed anew consecrated to patriotism, to liberty, and to virtue. State of Ireland. Ireland, however, at this period, exhibited a very dissimilar picture. The political tempest which had agitated that kingdom during the latter years of the late war had not yet subsided. Much had indeed been acquired, but much also yet remained to be done. The two questions which at the present juncture chiefly occupied the public attention were those which related to the state of their commerce and the state of their representation. So long since as the 1st of July 1783, the delegates of forty-five volunteer corps had assembled at Lisburne, in the county of Antrim, to consider of the measures proper to be adopted, in order to effect a reform in the national representation. A committee was by them appointed to meet at Belfast, at the head of which presided colonel Sharman. By this committee letters were addressed to many persons in the sister kingdom SUFFRAGE. XXII. 1784. most distinguished for their talents, their virtues, BOOK and their zeal in the cause of liberty, requesting their advice and opinion on this important sub. ject; among these were the Duke of Richmond, lord Effingham, Mr. Pitt, Dr. Price, and Dr. Jebb. The most remarkable of the answers returned to this committee was that of the Duke of Richmond, who recommended with great force, and in the most decided language, the plan of UNIVERSAL "I have no hesitation in saying," such is the memorable declaration of this bold reformer, "that from every consideration which I have been able to give to this great question that for many years has occupied my mind, and from every day's experience to the present hour, I am more and more convinced that the RESTORING the RIGHT of VOTING UNIVERSALLY to every man not incapacitated by nature for want of reason, or by law for the commission of crimes, together with ANNUAL ELECTIONS, is the only reform that can be effectual and permanent. I am further convinced that it is the only reform that is practicable. All other plans that are of a palliative nature have been found insufficient to interest and animate the great body of the people, from whose earnestness alone any reform can be expected.-A long exclusion from any share in the legislation of their country had rendered the great mass of the people indifferent whether the monopoly that subsisted conti |