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fpect of peace is more remote than fome had 

 ventured to hope. The Auftrlans, we are for- 

 ry to find, have been checked on the Rhine, 

 and defeated under General de Vins in Pied- 

 mont. Before we failed from England appear- 

 ances were fomewhat pacific, and we were 

 not without the hope of foon returning to our 

 friends — indeed the delay in the departure of 

 the fleet had been explained, by many, upon 

 the probability of an approaching peace ! But 

 things again look more hoftile, and it feems 

 likely that our tropical fojourn may be of 

 longer duration than was at firfh expeded. 



The papers we have received having, been 

 printed during the Chriftmas holidays, furnifli 

 us with no parliamentary news ; but we learn 

 from them, with much regret, that our country 

 experiences a fcarcity of corn, and of fpecie. 

 Without money, and without bread John Bull 

 would make Vv^ar very badly indeed ! Wheat 

 we find is at the extravagant price of thirteen 

 fliillings per bufiiel, and bread as high as 

 thirteen-pence half-penny the quartern loaf. 

 This, we fear, may create diffatisfadlion, and 

 lead to commotions or ill-judged exceifes, 

 from the people erroneoufly attributing events 



