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superiority if our operations had been better planned and conducted.

The author informs us that he owes the map of India, annexed to his work, and the geographical details that it contains, as well as the greater part of the historical facts, to a military gentleman, distinguished for his talents, as well as for his impartiality, and who has travelled with advantage in India, during the last war.

At the peace of 1762, the English restored to France Pondicherry, Carical, c. which could no longer be of service to the extension of their commerce. It was evident that France kept pofsefsion of these, only because it had conceived the project of a military establishment in India. They preferred Pondicherry notwithstanding the danger of its being too near Madr... They wished to rebuild this city, which was only a heap of rubbish. Instead of diminishing it, to fortify it the more easily, they laboured to rebuild it on the former plan. Difficulties having arisen in constructing the works, permitted them to finish only 900 fathoms of the fortification; there remained 4500 to inclose the place when M. de Bellecombe arrived to succeed M. de Laurieston, as governor That is to say, a little before the English, who could have nothing more than conjectures of the approaching rupture, came to besiege Pondicherry, M. de Bellecombe defended himself some time, notwithstanding the condition of the place y but he was forced to yield. The remainder of the French possessions in India were soon taken. .

It appears incredible that Pondicherry, being situated in the centre of the English forces in India, they should have allowed Franc the time and liberty to fortify it so as to be in a state to rival their power. Supposing the French government had made exertions of which it is not capable; supposing that the men whom it employed to ex

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ecute the plans resolved upon, had properly understood one another; had, in conjunction, planned their measures; had been, in short, endowed with the knowledge necefsary to prevent the commission of a single mistake, in either the project or execution, the English minister is too pene trating, too active, and has too many means of disconcerting an enterprize of this kind, at pleasure, which could not be supported with an army equal to what they have in India. According to the partisans of Pondicherry, our fortune in India depends upon the possession of this place. Nothing can be performed in India without having there a landing place where they can form magazines and hospitals. This is for want of having studied the poli tics of India in India, that they are mistaken in the instructions given to their generals. They ought to oppose this policy to the formidable power of the English.

The author, to answer this objection, which, if not well founded, is at least ungenerous, traces the military and political map of the powers of India, with which we are any way connected. This method is a kind of analysis of all Indostan, a vast country, divided into several states, vix the English East India company; the succefsor of Hyder Alican, the great Marhattas, the Subah of the Decan, the little Marhattas, and the Mogul. Among these powers the English East India company is indisputably the first, whether considered in a military or a commercial point of view, or as pofsefsing an immense extent of territory. We are informed for certain, that the English have just now in India 13000 European troops, and perhaps 100,000 seapoys. We shall not follow the author in enumerating the countries that this company, and the other powers pofsefs, nor in the muster of their forces in infantry, cavalry, and artillery. It is indeed astonishing that the Mogul empire should shut up the rear. Its immense extent once contained Indostan and the peninsula ; but such is ite

real weaknefs by its divisions and decay, that one can scarcely olafs it among the military powers of the peninsula.

There are, besides, some other sovereigns in Indostan ; but they cannot make a figure among those just now mentioned; however, the author enumerates such as merit any attention. After having stated the interests of each, he Thews the situation of India, as having still been in a tottering condition since the departure of Dupleix, the only person perhaps who understood the moral connection of affairs in this part of the world. They are wrong to establifh projects upon a foundation so unsteady. · An excellent general, a good economist of an army, numerous forces, money sufficient for two campaigns; such is the true politics to secure a triumph in Asia; these can supply the place of every other, and when the commander by sea fhall have defeated the fleet of the enemy, and when the commander in chief by land shall have taken Madras or Bombay, that will be the time for the Indian nations to study our politics, which, in this case, must regulate theirs.' The work concludes with an advice of sound philosophy and excellent policy.

'Let us be cautious not to frighten the princes of India, by a rage for great territorial possessions. What interest can they take in our efforts, if we wish to expell the English only to put ourselves in their stead? The true conqueror of this rich part of the world, shall be the man, who, after having deprived his rivals of the dominions that they have invaded, fhall restore these to the princes who ought to possess them, and who fhall annex no other terms to the resignation of these territories, except the stipulation of trade in his favour, with a liberty to admit, under moderate restrictions, the other powers of Europe. Let us be this conqueror. Let us set the world this example; it will be as glorious as beneficial. It is worthy of Frenchmen.'

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June 13, We have inserted the above chiefly with a view to let our countrymen see what were, in general, the ideas of a sensible Frenchman two years ago, respecting Indian politics. Among many circumstances that have since happened, to excite compafsion in the breast of casual observers respecting the GLORY, as we have vainly stiled it, of the French nation, fhe may congratulate herself in not being able to carry into effect those seductive plans of foreign aggrandisement which he has so long cherished. When fhall Britain have the good fortune to be unable to extend her plundering arms beyond her own little isle! for we fear it will be inability, alone, that will ever teach her that her prosperity can be most effectually promoted by domestic industry alone.

T

ANECDOTE.

HE late honourable judge Sewell went into a hatter's fhop one day, in order to procure a pair of second hand brushes, for the purpose of cleaning his fhoes. The master of the shop presented him with a couple which had become unfit for his own use. "What is your price?" says the judge: If they answer your purpose,' replies the other, you may have them, and welcome.' The judge hearing this, laid them down on the plank, and with a graceful bow directly went out at the door. At which the mechanic said to him: Pray, Sir, your honour has forgotten the principal design of your visit.' By no means," replies the judge," If you please to set your price, I stand ready to purchase. But ever since it has fallen to my lot to occupy a seat on the bench, I have studiously avoided receiving a single copper by way of donation, lest in some future period of my life, it might have some kind of influence in determining my judge

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Acknowledgements to correspondents omitted for want of room.

9.

THE BEE,

OF

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20. 1792.

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"AN ACCOUNT OF THE SOCIETY OF ARCADIA AT ROME, WITH A
SKETCH OF THE STATE OF LITERATURE IN ITALY FOR THESE
LAST THREE CENTURIES. BY ABBE TOURNER, TEACHer of
LANGUAGES, EDINBURGH, AUTHOR OF THE ANECDOTES OF POPE
GANGANELLI, &c.

Continued from p. 199.

AFTER Tafso appeared the cavalier Giambattista Marini, who was, by nature, endowed with all the gifts necefsary to form an excellent poet. His understanding was quick and methodical; his verses soft and harmonious; he had a perspicuity in his stile, joined to the most lively graces, and the most tender allurements, so as to command the pafsions. He was sufficiently acquainted with science, and abundantly stored with erudition. His first appearance in poetry, was so splendid, that it was like to obliterate the fame of all those who had gone before him in Italian poetry. He made use in his Poesie Boschereccie, e Marittime, of so laudable a moderation in his stile, that, it must be allowed, the greatest part of these pieces may serve as examples to those whe VOL. ix.

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