NEWS FROM i:ngland. 139 



rest ; copies of each speech were translated 

 into Spanish without delay, handed about 

 with all possible despatch to every house, 

 and perused with the utmost avidity. The 

 main tenor of the speeches gave satisfaction, 

 though that of Mr. Canning was deemed 

 very diplomatic. The most generally re- 

 ceived opinion was, that it admitted of a 

 double construction ; that if France attacked 

 South America with any intention of appro- 

 priating it to herself, then England would 

 lend her aid to repel the attack ; but if 

 France should invade South America in the 

 name of Ferdinand the Vllth, and Spain 

 would guarantee to the powers of Europe 

 that she would not cede her claim to 

 France, in that case, England would remain 

 neutral. I endeavoured to combat these 

 opinions, by arguing that it was (as it really 

 is) the interest of Great Britain to prevent 

 France from subduing the country, under 

 any pretext whatsoever. 



