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in the opinion of lord Orford, the patriots that saved this country. He lived to paint George I., and had the honour of being made a baronet by his majesty. Sir Godfrey continued to exercise his profession during the greater part of this last reign, and died in 1723, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. In his religious opinions sir Godfrey appears to have thought very freely, and his moral sentiments were tinctured with the licentiousness which prevailed in the reign of Charles II. He possessed, however, much goodness of heart. His wit was brilliant and his vanity excessive; nor could it be expected that Kneller should be free from this general foible, flattered as he was by Dryden, Addison, Prior, Pope, and Steele, Sir Godfrey frequently painted his own portrait. Many of his works have been engraved, particularly by Smith, who has done them the most ample justice. The first engraving of his works was a portrait of Charles II., by White. Some of his best portraits are those of king William, the czar Peter, Marlborough, Newton, Dryden, Godolphin, Somers, the duchess of Grafton, and lady Ranelagh. The portraits of lord Godolphin and the duke of Marlborough are in the possession of the earl of Chichester. Ten sovereigns sat to sir Godfrey Kneller. The most beautiful of Addison's poetic works was addressed to him on his picture of George I. in which he compares the painter to Phidias and the, subjects of his pencil to the Grecian deities. In this elegant production, the parallel between the English history and the Greek mythology is supported with a surprising ease and felicity of expression*.

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*Lowthorp, Sprat, Montucla, Biographia Britannica, Biographical Dictionary, Lord Orford's Works, &c. &c.

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BRITISH AND FOREIGN

HISTORY

For the Year 1804.

1804.

A

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

HISTORY

For the Year 1804.

CHAPTER I.

Retrospective Observations on some of the Principal Occurrences of the preceding Year-Principle and Character of the present War-Offensive and defensive Operations-First hostile Proceedings of the Enemy-Character and Extent of the Conspiracy of Colonel Despard, and of the Rebellion in Ireland--Finuncial Measures of Government-State of Parties, and Causes of Party Dissensions-Gradual Secession of Mr. Pitt from the Support of Mr. Addington's Administration-Negotiation for Mr. Pitt's Return to Office-Causes of the Failure of these Negotiations-Session of Parliament 1803-4-Address on His Majesty's Speech-India Bonds-Bank Restriction Bill-Curates' Relief Bill-Re-enactment of Martial Law, and Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, in Ireland-Debates on the Army Estimates, and the general Defence of the Country-Bill for the Regulation of Volunteer Exemptions.

PEACE

and war are the two great events which most affect the fate of empires, and the welfare of the human race. The peace of Amiens, which terminated the last of the many wars that arose out of the French revolution, cannot fail to be a prominent feature in the records of history; but, if the political interest of this occurrence be estimated by the consequences which resulted from it, it will probably be regarded as an event of far less importance than the recommencement of hostilities. For upon the issue of the present contest depend the liberties of Europe, the

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which characterized the measures of the government, place the origin of the war in too distinct a light to render it a subject of future controversy. The expediency of promptly terminating a precarious peace, will scarcely be disputed by any one capable of forming a just conception of the conduct and designs of the enemy, during the short interval of repose which preceded the recommencement of hostilities. If, then, while we reflect on the crigin of the war, we are satisfied that we have unsheathed only the sword of justice, we have also reason to congratulate ourselves on the success with which it has been employed. The first period of warfare has, upon many occasions, been chiefly consumed in preparation. But the activity and energy of government were immediately directed against the vulnerable possessions of the enemy, and many of their valuable colonies submitted, with little resistance, to the British arms. The measures adopted for the general defence and security of the empire displayed a considerable degree of systematic vigilance, and in a short time allayed the apprehension which had arisen from an opinion, that the low state of our peace establish ment would make it very difficult to provide for the safety of the country, with a celerity suited to the exigency of the times. This apprehension was by no means general, and was soon removed by the rapidity with which the ordinary and extraordinary means of defence were called forth and embodied. The militia, the army of reserve, and the volunteer force, were successively called out, enrolled, and established; and measures were resorted to without delay for a considerable augmenta tion of the regular army.

The organization of the different descriptions of military force, however necessary for the immediate security of the state, did not by any means exclusively occupy the attention of government. A system of blockade was promptly carried into execution; and the enemy, who had vain-gloriously held the insolent language of menace and invasion, saw their forces collecting for this purpose confined to their ports, or compelled to navigate their shores, under the protection of land batteries and flying artillery. Notwithstanding these exertions, which enabled this country at a very early period of the contest, not only to assume a defensive attitude, but to commence of fensive operations, the proceedings of government were exposed to much animadversion, both within and cut of parliament. The nature and object of these animadversions, it will be our duty more particularly to notice in our analysis of the proceedings of parliament.

While Great Britain thus commenced and prosecuted the war, in the true spirit of open and legitimate hostility, the first belligerent proceedings of the enemy violated the acknowledged rights and the long-established law of nations. The hereditary dominions of his majesty were invaded, plundered, and oppressed. Contrary to the liberal principles upon which former wars had been conducted, and which were respected even by the rapacious revolutionary governments of France, the electorate of Hanover, hitherto securely neutral, as an integral part of the German empire, amidst the disputes in which Great Britain was involved, was immediately over-run by the devastating armies of France. The neutrality of Germany was thus

infringed,

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