preference for certain cargoes to Europe, which foreign ships obtain over the British, is overstrained as relates to the ports on the Pacific-and to protect merchant seamen from the rascality of the crimps, the Government has brought in a measure, which, before it is printed and discussed, it would be unfair to criticize. But the House of Commons has also printed a return, of which it is impossible to omit some notice; because it is such authoritative corroboration of one at least of the arguments which we have ventured to adduce. We refer to the Return of the name and description of all steam-vessels registered in the United Kingdom, shewing when and where built, tons, horse-power, length, breadth, draught of water, and what armament capable of carrying. Now let the most transient glimpse scan this important document, and let it be seen what an enormous-what an overwhelming force of steam-vessel armament, and at comparatively how cheap a cost, the Mercantile Marine of this country might contribute, if the regulation which we have suggested that all steamers shall, in proportion to their tonnage, be built with a scantling equal to bear some guns of that calibre, and to admit the cutting, if need be, of those ports, which the corresponding sized steamer would be armed with, if they had been constructed in the Royal yards, were enforced let him perceive in the countless number of those steamvessels returned as unable to carry any armament of guns what a power is lost: and let us learn in season to be wise. Any evidence more àpropos or more clinching to our argument, it is impossible in time of profound peace to obtain. In a war, of course, stronger, or, we rather should say, more striking, may be anticipated; but then, it would be, either, in the safe return of deep-laden merchantmen, and in the undisturbed tranquillity of our maritime towns, owing to the protection from our steam navy; or, in the captured traders of our merchants, and in the smoking ruins along our coasts, left defenceless to the enemy. There is not an eye, at all capable of estimating our exposed insular situation, and the nature of the naval warfare which our detesting allies-witness the Joinville brochures-are already meditating, but can clearly foresee, that we inevitably shall owe gratitude in security to precaution, or reflection in calamity to supineness; nor can there be a doubt, of how much better it is to make these easy provisions for safety while we can do so in the seriousness of circumspection and forethought, the resources of opulence, and the coolness of leisure; than in the seriousness of selfreproach and sorrow, the impoverishment of war, and the exasperated hurry of disaster. 159 ART. VI.-Memoirs of Prince Charles Stuart, commonly called The Young Pretender, &c. By Charles Louis Klose, Esq. London: Colburn. AN interesting, though melancholy subject for contemplation, is the unhappy fate of the royal Stuarts. Much of the fatality which appeared to dog their footsteps, may undoubtedly be attributed to their own errors, both of thought and action. Still, after making all due allowances for weakness, selfishness, and indiscretion, the unprejudiced observer will be compelled to admit that their lot was cast in hard times, and that their fall was as much the work of outward circumstances, as the result of their own shortcomings. Perhaps the most interesting to us of all the Stuart line, is the royal martyr, Charles the First. Our pity, our sympathy, and our love, are in turns called into being while we peruse the annals of his sufferings; and well may our indignation be excited when we hear his long-loved fame aspersed, and a false and malicious bearing given to all his thoughts, and words, and actions. Such has been the course pursued by a brother reviewer, who has recently collected his essays, and adopted them publicly as his own. We cannot wonder, however, that an author, who appears actuated by a morbid hatred to the Church of England, which warps his reason and feelings most strangely, wherever her interests are concerned, we cannot feel surprised that the reviler of Elizabeth, and the bitter adversary of the modern churchman, Southey, should not have spared the church's martyr, in his examination of his principles and actions. We trust to expose the virulence of spleen which this author has exhibited, in connection with our subject, on some future occasion. For the present, suffice it to say, that even as we are prepared to vindicate Elizabeth from many of the scurrilous charges brought against her, as we are prepared to maintain the true catholicity of spirit and the high poetical merits of the great Southey, so too are we perfectly ready, when occasion shall require, to enter the lists in behalf of Charles the First, and even to show (strange to say), that Archbishop Laud was not necessarily a fool because he inclined to believe that Heaven might make dreams (upon some occasions) the medium of preparing us for the future. Pass we to the hero of the work before us, perhaps the next in point of interest, of his line, to Charles the First; at least to us Englishmen in the nineteenth century. There is so much of romance in the position of this prince, so much too of apparently contradictory bearing in his character, that his history cannot fail to interest all men. James, the bigoted Romanist, we can neither truly love nor reverence. His son, the old Pretender, excites little sympathy, from the comparative inertness and dulness of his nature. The young Chevalier, on the contrary, comes to us with the primâ facie recommendations of chivalric spirit and impetuosity, high and princely bearing, and manly beauty. He displayed so much ardent daring on his first landing in Scotland, so much generosity in the treatment of his fallen foes, that we cannot well fail to sympathise with him, nay, to wish him success as we read the narrative of that valiant enterprise which so nearly placed his father upon the throne of his ancestors. This, indeed, is not strange; human nature is naturally inclined to take the part of the weaker or the losing. There are few, generous readers at least, who have not wished the Trojans all success against their Grecian foes, and longed that Hector might defeat his haughty conqueror few, again, who have not sympathised with Hannibal in his gigantic effort to crush the tyrant power of Rome; few, who have not espoused the cause of the unfortunate "Red Roses," while perusing the annals of our country's wars. Thus, we repeat, it is not strange that a young, gallant, and unfortunate prince, with legitimacy on his side, accomplishing all but miracles at first in the pursuit of his goal, and eventually only failing through the moral cowardice of his followers, it is not wonderful that he should command our ardent sympathies whilst we read the history of his deeds; though we may be well aware that the maintenance of the present royal race in the possession of Great Britain was requisite to the well-being of our country, and that the accession of a Roman Catholic Stuart might have sealed that country's overthrow. Reason and feeling take different parts in this intestine quarrel: but, upon the whole, knowing that all possibility of a Stuart's success is for ever past, we feel inclined to give vent to our romantic sympathy, and wish without restraint what we know can never be accomplished. : The work now under our consideration is a highly interesting one. The facts embodied in it are compiled from the best sources, and the narrative is told after an unassuming, straightforward, and sensible fashion. Much, indeed, of what is here narrated, is already known to the general public, through the medium of the Waverley Novels. Lord Mahon, too, in his History of England, has done full justice to this interesting and most romantic episode in the annals of our country. Still the work before us occupies a place which has not been before filled, and constitutes a real desideratum. The history of this memorable enterprise is in itself so completely a thing apart, as to be peculiarly adapted to such a separate treatment as Mr. Klose has given it. He has introduced this narrative, indeed, by a clear and well-written résumé of the fortunes of the Stuart race up to the appearance of Prince Charles on the political arena, including a brief narrative of the Rebellion of 1715, under the auspices of Charles's father, James. He has also given us an account of the private life of the young Pretender, and his equal but obscure fortunes during the last forty years of his earthly being. However, the real interest of the book concentrates itself in and about the year 1745; and we, for our own part, have read the history of that "royal rebellion" with almost as much interest again, as if the leading facts had not been already well known to us. Let us now trace with a hasty pen the truly dramatic points in Charles's brief career of daring, from that period onward, when he resolved, alone and unsupported, to throw himself upon the generosity of his Scottish followers. At this era we find that France and the other governments of Europe all stood aloof, all refused to lend any succour to this last scion of a royal line in his attempt to reconquer his ancestral domains. Even his father was averse to so hazardous an undertaking, and opposed to any active course without the assistance of France, an assistance which (as the historical student will perceive) it was almost idle for the youthful Stuart to expect. Yet more than this. His Scotch adherents, one and all, concurred in dissuading Charles from entering Scotland. They represented his enterprise as absolutely mad, if unsupported by the whole power of France. And when he landed in the Hebrides, the first follower of his house whom he beheld, Macdonald, at first implored, and at last almost commanded him to return to France again. Nay, when the prince refused to abandon his enterprise, the faithful Macdonald turned from him, and refused to sacrifice the children of his clan in so desperate, so hopeless a cause. Even later, when other adherents met him, the same language was held. Every attempt was made to dissuade him from his undertaking-to break his princely resolution. When he persisted, the Scottish chieftains turned from him. One youthful Highlander alone, fired by the gallant bearing-the royal courage of his prince, evinced a desire to maintain his cause. "Will you then assist me?" cried the deserted Stuart, in that manly and generous tone which all but commands enthusiasm. "I will," replied the young Highlander. "Though none other draw a sword for you, I will die for my prince.' Generously did the prince requite the generous speech, with that noble commendation which spoke daggers to the desponding chieftains. A vigorous emulation fired all hearts: loyalty at last prevailed, and the youthful enthusiasm which had communicated itself to one kindred breast, ran through that iron circle, and enflamed the souls of all. These were the nucleus of the Chevalier's forces. On and on rolled the stream, gathering volume in its course. Mighty chiefs flocked to the Stuart standard. Cope, the royal general, retreats before his advancing army. The prince enters Edinburgh. He occupies the palace of his royal ancestors. Oh! a proud hour was that for old Edina, when a royal Stuart returned to her, to give England a Scottish monarch. Then had the justice of Charles's anticipations become evident. Then was it indeed clear that foreign aid would only have diverted the sympathies-have weakened the affections-of the British people. Yes, Charles was right: despite the doubts of his friends, the anticipations of his father, alone and unsupported, he had entered Scotland with nought but an ancient cause, a glowing zeal, and a youthful arm. Like attracts like-enthusiasm had begotten enthusiasm. Now the capital of his ancestors was in his possession, a gallant army awaited his commands, a nation sympathised with his successes. In the palace were gladsome gatherings held, though the foes were without, approaching. Ardent anticipation of victory spoke in every word-shone in every glance of the youthful Chevalier. Woman he enchanted by his gallant bearing. Scotland was already his in heart. But he did not loiter idly. The day of joyous festival was followed by the toilsome, but hope-inspired, advance on the approaching royal army. For the first time, at Prestonpans, the rival forces meet. The advantage of numbers is in favour of the Royalists: but what is this to the enthusiasm which fires the souls of their adversaries? Charles, glowing with youthful zeal, himself confident of victory, inspires all with a like assurance. The armies join in battle. Soon are his anticipations realised. In less than a quarter of an hour (mirabile dictu!) is the English host defeated. Charles is the conqueror! Wildly had the Highlanders assailed their foes, sweeping all things to earth before them. Cope flies. Seven hundred prisoners are taken. And now Charles again displays the generosity of his nature: all the wounded of both parties are treated with the utmost care. Now like a triumphant conqueror he returns to his ancestral city. All voices hail him with loud |