HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
% Be stirring as the time, be fire with 
« fire; 
« Threaten the threatener, 
« face the brow 
« Of bragging horror !”” 
We must boldly look our danger in 
the face; and be prepared to mect 
it in its worst form.— No man could 
more sincerely wish for peace than 
himself; no man regreted war 
more as a great calamity; but con- 
stantly to submit to the domineer- 
ing arrogance of an implacable r- 
val, is positive ruin, to which war 
in its worst shape was preferable ! 
He considered, that an uniform,con- 
sistent, manly tone, might prevent 
war, by throwing all the blame up- 
on the transgressor; and there was 
no man, however great his power, 
that was independent of public 
opinion ; and above all, of the opi- 
nion of the people he governed. 
Whoever considered the history of 
the man who now governed France, 
would not consider attempts im- 
practicable, because they are difli- 
cult. We should prepare our 
minds for an attempt upon this coun- 
try. Ifit could only produce mis- 
chief and confusion, the person at 
the head of France, is the man who 
would coolly calculate upon the 
total destruction of an army, to 
accomplish a mighty mischiet. But 
when he said, that England was not 
able, single handed to contend with 
France, where did he get his infor- 
mation? Was it from the noble 
lords near him, whom he was proud 
to call his friends? (lords Nelson 
and Hutchinson) or at what period 
of our history was it, that he disco- 
yered England was not able to 
grapple with France? Should the 
enemy land, they would undoubt- 
edly push for the capital ; and cer- 
fainly a pitched battle would be 
and guat- 
89 
fought, which should end in the des 
struction of one army or the other, 
before he should be permitted to 
reach it. He concluded by ex- 
horting ministers, in a very forci- 
ble manner, to make a common 
cause with the people, in the defence 
of their common country. 
After some observations from 
lord Westmoreland and lord Auck- 
land, in support of the motion, the 
address was carried nemine dissen- 
tiente. 
On the same day in the house of 
commons, after Mr. Erskine had, 
as already mentioned, given up on 
the part of the prince of Wales, any 
farther demand on parliament, in 
consequence of the situation of the 
country, 
Mr. Addington rose to move the 
address to his majesty, in conse~ 
quence of the message: he felt con- 
vinced that the appeal made by his 
majesty to the wisdom and public 
spirit of the house, would not be in 
vain. Although the armaments 
now preparing in the ports of France 
and Holland, were ostensibly for 
colonial objects; yet, as there 
were important discussions between 
France and this country, the issue 
of which was very doubtful; no 
one could foresee, whether those 
armaments might not be diverted 
from their original object, to the at- 
tack of this country. He hoped 
still for the continuance of peace, 
but should that be impossible ; eve- 
ry communication, that could throw 
light upon the subject and bring it 
level tothe judgment of that house, 
should unreservedly be produced. 
The whole object of the prepara- 
tions, which he now recommended, 
were for precaution and inter- 
nal security ; and not directed to 
‘ offensive 
