fhort look to the principle, the conduct, or the fins of the coalition, Debrett. It is propofed by the author of this Retrofpective View, to confine himself to a clear and exact, though not circumftantial rela tion of facts. He endeavours to fhew the confequences of every military and political effort, and the advantages and difappointments refpectively produced by them, without minutely deferibing the operations of the campaign, or the intrigues of the cabinet, farther than may be neceffary to point out the errors of the parti cular fyftems from which the latter may have originated, and to prove the misfortunes that have ultimately flowed from them. The conclufion he draws from the whole of his narrative, is, that the Marrhatta war was begun without neceffity, and conducted without ability.This performance is not diftinguished by any profundity of obfervation or elegance of compofition. The author very properly disclaims all literary rewards, or reputation; but he repeatedly profeffes the utmost candour and zeal for the good of the community.-Notwithstanding thefe profeffions, he manifeftly writes under the influence of ftrong prejudices. Art. 35. Thoughts on the Idea of another Coalition 8vo. IS. Faulder. The writer of this little tract allows that the people have as right to call for the fervice of the ableft, and most powerful men in the kingdom. But then, he afferts that the fervices of all the ableft men cannot be obtained at once. He thinks too, that a coalition between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox would be deftructive to the honour and reputation of the former, because it could not be formed without Mr. Pitt's falling in with all the abfurdities of Mr. Fox's tyrannical and fraudulent Eaft-India bill. He very juftly ebferves that Mr. Pitt's chief fupport, at prefent, is his character, for, as a Minifter he has not been fairly tried, "this country," he fays, "would purchafe a coalition at a vaft expence: for a "coalition, he thinks, would drive the lords North and Shelburne into a junction for their mutual fecurity; and it would entail upon this country all the miferies and calamities of a moft unjust and dangerous Eaft-India bill, by which the Houfe of Commons would be under the direction of one man, and the nation in perpetual apprehenfion of being enflaved;" he wishes to fee Mr. Pitt's abilities and virtues put to trial, and he would have him, rather then coalefce with Mr. Fox, to appeal to the people by a diffolution of Parliament. We have felected fome of the most striking obfervations of this performance as fpecimens of it. The idea of Lord North and Lord Shelburne forming a coalition for mutual fecurity is almost the only one that appears to us new or original. The thoughts are indeed indeed written in a very lively manner, but they convey little inftruction to ftatesmen. Art. 36. Thoughts on Opening the Trade to the Eaft-Indies; addreffed to the Merchants of Great Britain and Ireland. By Thomas Parker of Lincoln's-Inn Efq; London. 4to. 6d. T. Evans, Paternofter-Row. The hints fuggefted by Mr. Parker, appear to be just, liberal, and humane. Art. 37. Thoughts on Eaft-India Affairs, Moft humbly fubmitted at this Critical Juncture to the Confideration of the Legif lature, and the Proprietors of East-India Stock. By a Quondam Servant of the Company. 8vo. IS. Debrett. To the Thoughts or Remarks which compofe the main body of this performance, an addrefs is prefixed to the noble lord who was at the head of the miniftry in 1773. The object of that address was, to correct these three capital errors in the conduct of the Company's affairs; their aiming at new territorial acquifitions; the advantages they had omitted to take in a treaty with the Mogul; and their ungenerous treatment of the Emperor, in obliging him to accept a fmall ftipend for the grant of the Dewannee. On these heads the author makes feveral pertinent obfervations. The author complains that his addrefs was not duly attended to, and to that circumstance he afcribes many of our public difafters. He propofes a general plan for the government of India, without violating the Company's copyhold, and fome of his hints deferve attention. Art. 38. Secret Influence, Public Ruin! An Address to the young Premier, on the Principles of his Politics and the Caufes of his late Promotion: With a Speech by Mr. Fox, on the Spirited Refolution of the Houfe of Commons, December 17, 1783; occafioned by the daring MANDATE, which produced that Effect. 8vo. Is. 6d. Debrett. In a very flattering Addrefs to George Byng, Efq; the author obferves, that "thefe are times in which no man ought to be idle," in confequence of this maxim he employs his leifure in writing an addrefs, in which there is neither juftnefs of argument, nor novelty of information. He poffeffes however, a talent for drollery, and a lively manner of calling names: fo that the malicioufnefs of the reader prompts him to go through the pamphlet, in hopes of finding more and more of fuch defcriptions as thefe "the faturnine Dr. Price,' "the Prefbyterians have fucceeded to a miracle in fouring, your phyfiognomy," or, "and fcrewing up your puerile features into all the dignity of ftarchnefs and aufterity "Lord Mahon, the living caricatura of a Mendicant miffionary, or a Switzerland evange lift, who to compenfate for an emaciated body, is bleffed with a voice of thunder and lungs of brafs, collects his fury and froth, as rattle fnakes do their venom when about to bite, from all his extremities; and even thrufts like a gladiator with his fifts, in proportion as he foams at the mouth, and bellows, like a mad dog, with his tongue." As to the Speech fubjoined to this very bold and Billingfgate Ad ENG. REY. Vol. III. Feb. 1784. drefs, K drefs, which the author pronounces to be "the most fplendid and mafterly ever delivered in Parliament," although very far from meriting fuch exaggerated praife, it is a very good one for an extemporary harangue, and feems to be faithfully and ably reported. Art. 39. The Effects to be expected from the Eaft-India Bill, upon the Conftitution of Great Britain, if patted into a Law. By William Pultney, Efq. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Stockdale. . Mr. Pultney, having ftated at length and with candour the different views which might naturally occur to men of different fentiments, concerning the East-India Bill, proceeds to confider the intention of those who bring it in; and the effects which it will produce on the conftitution of this government. Having clearly ftated the power which the bill gives to the Seven Directors, he fays, the effect of this is, to veft in thefe Seven Directors the whole Influence of the Offices of every kind in India, and at home, belonging to the Company; and the whole Influence arifing from the tranfactions of their Trade here, in the purchase of goods for exportation, furnifhing fhipping, ftores, and recruits; the Influence arifing from the method of felling their goods, by bringing forward or keeping back goods at the fales, or giving indulgencies as to payments, fo as to accommodate thofe who are meant to be favoured; the Influence arifing from the favour they may fhew to those who are now in England, and have left debts or effects in India, as to the mode of bringing home and recovering their fortunes; the Inftuence of contracts of all kinds in India; of promotions, from step to ftep; of favour in the Inland and Export Trade; of intimidation with refpect to every perfon now there, who may come home with a fortune; both with regard to recovering his debts, and the means of remittance, and with regard to enquiries into his conduct; the Influence upon foreign Companies, or foreign States, who have eftablishments in that Country,-who, in return, may have the means of acting upon Individuals in this Country; the Influence upon the native Princes of India, fome of whom have already found the way of procuring the Elections of Members of Parliament; many other means of Influence, which it is impoffible to forefee, or to trace. and The amount of the whole cannot be computed. It has been called equal to two or three millions a year, for the `fum paid in cash to the Civil and Military Officers, is alone faid to amount to more than one million a year; but there can be no doubt that its magnitude is very great and extenfive indeed, and that it may pro duce very remarkable confequences.' Having reafoned very clearly on the fubject, he is of opinion, that no perfon can feriously doubt that it is the intention of the prefent Ministers to renew this Bill in fuch a manner, as to preferve the full power of India Patronage in their own hands; and I have no doubt that the utmoft pains will be taken, during these four years, to reconcile the Nation to the measure: I am perfuaded moft fully, that great exertions will at firft be made, to reform all glaring abufes in India; but when once the power here is fully fixt, and applied to Political Influence, we may be fure, that no complaints will come home from India to this country against Favourites; for who who will dare to make a complaint? and every circumftance in the conduct of this Bill convinces me, that the prefent plan decidedly is, to veft the whole Power and Patronage of India in the Members of the prefent Adminiftration, not only during four years, but as long as India fhall belong to this kingdom. If it is faid, that Parliament, at the end of four years, may interpofe; it is to be confidered, that an Administration poffeffed of the Power of India, is not removeable in time of Peace, either by the Crown or by the voice of the People; and as a General Election must come on in four years, and may come on much fooner, they muft know very little of the ftate of Elections in this Ifland, who think that, with the whole power of Government, and the whole power of India, fo powerful a Party in this kingdom, will not be able to take their measures fo, as to have nothing to fear from a fụture Parliament.' He goes on to fhew the fatal effects which this change would have on the conftitution. His obfervations on this subject are striking, and command attention. Art. 40. A Letter to the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Paymafter General of his Majefly's Forces. By Major John Scott, 8vo. Is. 6d. Stockdale. Major Scott, in this, as in his other publications on India affairs, difplays that accurate and comprehenfive knowledge of his subject, which might naturally be expected in a gentleman who enjoyed fuch happy opportunities, as were prefented to the Major, of acquiring it. He writes too, though not with the inimitable vigour and elegance of his principle Mr. Haftings, yet in a very perfpicuous, lively, and convincing manner. The prefent pamphlet is an answer to Mr. Burke's Speech on Mr. Fox's laft Eaft-India bill, as it is commonly called, delivered in the Houfe of Commons on the first of December. But, as it is only an answer to that fpeech as it appeared in the news papers, where it cannot be supposed to have been very accurately ftated, it is rather an attack on Mr. Burke's political principles refpecting Eaft-India affairs in general, than a refutation of particular charges. Of thele however, a few are mentioned, and answered in a very ingenious and fatisfactory manner. We discover, it must however be allowed, in the productions of Major Scott's pen the partiality of the agent and friend of Mr.' Haltings: hence it is, that we never find him acknowledging a fingle fault to have been committed by any fervants of the Company abroad, except by fuch as are engaged in an interest oppofite to that of the governor. Art. 41. A Complete and authentic Detail of the feveral Debates in the Houfe of Commons, on the East-India Bill, on Thursday the 27th of November, on Monday the 1ft of December, and on Mon day the 8th of December. Together with authentic Copies of the two Eaft-India Bills; the Arguments of Counfel against One of them; the feveral Papers, containing a true Statement of the Company's Affairs; Lifts of the Divifions, of the Abfentees, K 2 and and of those who retired before the Divifion commenced. Stockdale. This is one of the most curious examples of book making that has ever fallen under our observation; the debates are, excepting fome trifling additions, the fame with thofe given in the news papers; and the papers fubjoined are to be had in almost every morning paper and monthly magazine. Art. 42. A full and complete Account of the Debates_in_the Houfe of Commons on Tuesday, November 18, Wednesday, December 17, Friday, December 19, Monday, December 22; and Wednesday, December 24, 1783. Together with Correct Lifts of the Members who divided for the Eaft-India Bill; and also of the Abfentees upon the first Reading. 8vo. 3s. 6d. Stockdale. Of this octavo volume, which is exactly fuch another example of book-making as that before mentioned, the most interesting part is, the lifts of the members who divided for the East India bill. As to the speeches, we meet with as bright examples of eloquence every day in the news papers, pofleffing, at the fame time, the advantage of novelty. Art. 43. Some Confiderations in Regard to the dangerous Confefequences which might enfue to the Conftitution from the paffing of the Eaft-India Bill. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Stockdale. ས The refult of thefe very judicious Confiderations is, that "either this bill will be likely to throw fuch an influence into the hands of the Minifter, as to render him fo abfolute as to unite at once in the fame hands, the executitive and legislative part of government, or to throw the state in fuch a convulfion by the oppofition of its parts, as to make us apprehend the most dangerous confequences." The following practical conclufion is addrefied to the people of England, and it is worthy of their attention. It may be intimated to the people, that the act of the throne in diffolving at this time the parliament is an arbitrary measure, yet let them know that it is that which defends them from the ambitious projects and dangerous views of an intriguing minifter: that it is that only, to conclude with the words of a beautiful writer, which can make him equally interested with his fellow citizens, to maintain the laws on which public liberty is founded." * "He knows in the midft of his plans for enjoying or retaining "his authority, that a court intrigue, or a caprice, may at every inftant confound him with the multitude; and the rancour * I need only instance an Act which was done the other day to fhew the corruption of the prefent Parliament:-When the important bufinefs of the day was over it was previoufly agreed that forty of the members, just neceffary to form a houfe, fhould remain behind. After the bufinefs was over, and the other members had left the houfe, it was immediately moved that Sir Thomas Rumbold's bill fhould be deferred till the 26th of July, which is in effect quafhing it entirely. The members came each laughing out of the house, and young Rumbold cried. "Go tell my father". -This is a plain fact which can be attested by every one who was prefent. ६ of |