soldiers came-too late to prevent the havoc, in time only to seize and secure thirteen of the rioters.

Next morning the town was, to all appearance, perfectly tranquil. The house of lords met in the forenoon; and on the motion of earl Bathurst, agreed to an address for prosecuting the authors and abettors of the recent outrages. The angry taunts that followed between the government and opposition members may be readily conceived, and need not be detailed. But it is well worthy of note with how much of political foresight and sagacity lord Shelburne suggested the idea of a new police. "Let their lordships," he said, "at least those that are in administration, recollect what the police of France is; let them examine its good, and not be blind to its evil. They would find its construction excellent, its use and direction abominable. Let them embrace the one, and shun the other."

Notwithstanding the general and confident belief that the disturbances were over, they recommenced, in a slight degree, that very evening in Moorfields. On the next afternoon, that is, on Sunday, the 4th, they became far more serious in the same quarter. Unhappily, Kennett, the lord mayor, was, as Wilkes afterwards complained, a man wholly wanting in energy and firmness. The first outrages within his jurisdiction being unchecked and almost unnoticed, tended to give rise to many more. Again assembling in large bodies, the mob attacked both the chapels and the dwelling-houses of the Roman catholics in and about Moorfields. The houses they stripped of furniture, and the chapels of the altars, pulpits, pews, and benches, all which served to make bonfires in the streets.

On the ensuing afternoon, that is, on Monday, the 5th of June, a drawing-room had been appointed at St. James's in celebration of the king's birthday. Previous to the drawing-room a privy council was held, at which the riots were discussed. But as yet they were deemed of so slight importance, that no one measure was taken with regard to them, beyond a proclamation offering a reward of £500 for a discovery of the persons concerned in setting fire to the Sardinian and Bavarian chapels. Even lord Mansfield, who had not only seen but felt the fury of the mob, fell into the same error of under-rating it. When in the course of this day Mr. Strahan, the printer, who had also been insulted, called upon his lordship to express his fears from the licentiousness of the public, the chief justice, as we are told, treated it as a very slight irregularity.

That delusion, however, was dispelled by the events of the same day. The blue cockades growing bolder and bolder by indulgence, mustered in high spirits, and with increased numbers. While some parties proceeded to destroy the Romanist chapels in Wapping and East Smithfield, others broke open and plundered the shops of Mr. Rainsford and Mr. Maberly, two tradesmen who had given evidence against the rioters secured on the Friday night. But the principal object of attack was the house of sir George Savile, obnoxious as the author of the first relaxation in the penal code. Savile house, which stood in Leicester fields, was accordingly carried, as it were, by storm, and given up to pillage. Some of the furniture derived from the chapels or the private dwellings was, previously to its being burned in the adjacent fields, dragged in triumph and displayed through Welbeck street before the house of lord George Gordon. That foolish young fanatic now began to shrink from the results of his own rashness. In the name of his protestant association he put forth a handbill disavowing all share in the riots; but he soon found how far easier it is to raise than to allay the storm.

By this time the alarm had spread far and wide. Burke, who had most zealously supported Savile in the good work of religious toleration, found it requisite, with his family, to take refuge beneath the roof of his friend, general Burgoyne. Throughout these troubles, and amidst all the anxious scenes of the

Upon this occasion, from the timidity and negligence of magistracy on the hand, and the almost incredible exertions of the mob on the other, the first pris. of this great country was laid open, and the prisoners set free; but that Mr. Ak man, whose house was burnt, would have prevented all this, had proper aid be sent him in due time, there can be no doubt.

Many years ago, a fire broke out in the brick part which was built as an additi to the old gaol of Newgate. The prisoners were in consternation and tumult, calle out, "We shall be burnt-we shall be burnt! Down with the gate!-down wi the gate!" Mr. Akerman hastened to them, showed himself at the gate, and having after some confused vociferation of "Hear him-hear him!" obtained a silent atter tion, he then calmly told them, that the gate must not go down; that they we under his care, and that they should not be permitted to escape: but that he co assure them, they need not be afraid of being burnt, for that the fire was not the prison, properly so called, which was strongly built with stone: and that they would engage to be quiet, he himself would come in to them, and conda them to the farther end of the building, and would not go out till they gave li leave. To this proposal they agreed; upon which Mr. Akerman, having first ma them fall back from the gate, went in, and with a determined resolution order». the outer turnkey upon no account to open the gate, even though the prisone (though he trusted they would not) should break their word, and by force bri himself to order it. "Never mind me," said he, "should that happen." T prisoners peaceably followed him, while he conducted them through passages which he had the keys, to the extremity of the gaol, which was most distant fro the fire. Having by this very judicious conduct fully satisfied them that there no immediate risk, if any at all, he then addressed them thus: "Gentlemen, are now convinced that I told you true. I have no doubt that the engines -soon extinguish this fire; if they should not, a sufficient guard will come, and shall be all taken out and lodged in the Compters. I assure you, upon my and honour, that I have not a farthing insured. I have left my house that I mig take care of you. I will keep my promise, and stay with you if you insist upon but if you will allow me to go out and look after my family and property, I sh be obliged to you." Struck with his behaviour, they called out, "Master Ake man, you have done bravely; it was very kind in you: by all means, go and tai care of your own concerns. ." He did so accordingly, while they remained, and we all preserved.

Johnson has been heard to relate the substance of this story with high praise, which he was joined by Mr. Burke. My illustrious friend, speaking of Mr. Aker man's kindness to his prisoners, pronounced this eulogy upon his character:-"H who has long had constantly in his view the worst of mankind, and is yet emine¦ for the humanity of his disposition, must have had it originally in a great degree. and continued to cultivate it very carefully."

THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE, 1794.

ALISON.

A glorious triumph was awaiting the British arms. The French governmeri having, by great exertions, got twenty-six ships of the line into a state fit for service at Brest, and being extremely anxious to secure the arrival of a large fle laden with provisions, which was approaching from America, and promised to reliev the famine which was now felt with uncommon severity in all parts of France, seri

positive orders to admiral Villaret Joyeuse to put to sea. On the 20th of May, the French set sail; and on the 28th, lord Howe, who was well aware of the expected arrival of the convoy, hove in sight, with the channel fleet of England, consisting of twenty-six line-of-battle ships. The French were immediately formed in line, in order of battle, and a partial action ensued between the rearguard of their line anl the vanguard of the British squadron; in the course of which, the Revolutionaire was so much damaged that she struck to the Audacious, but not being taken possession of by the victors before night-fall, was towed the following morning into Rochefort. During the next day, the manœuvres were renewed on both sides, each party endeavouring to obtain the weather gage of the other; and lord Howe, at the head of his fleet, passed through the French squadron; but the whole ships not having taken the position assigned to them, the action, after a severe commencement, was discontinued, and the British admiral strove with the utmost skill to maintain the wind of the enemy. During the two following days, a thick fog concealed the rival fleets from each other, though they were so near, that both sides were well aware that a great battle was approaching, and with difficulty restrained the ardour by which they were animated.

At length, on the 1st June, a day ever memorable in the naval annals of England, the sun broke forth with unusual splendour, and discovered the French feet in order of battle, a few miles from the English, awaiting the combat, while an agitated sea promised the advantage of the wind to an immediate attack. Lord Howe instantly bore down, in an oblique direction, upon the enemy's line, designing to repeat the manœuvre long known in the British Navy, but first traced to scientific principles by Clerk of Eldin, and so successfully carried into execution by Rodney on the 12th April. Having the weather gage of the enemy, he was enabled to break their line near the centre, and double with a preponderating force on the one-half of their squadron. The English admiral, in the Queen Charlotte, engaged the Republican commander in the Mountain, but such was the superiority of his fire, that before the combat had continued an hour, the French admiral was compelled to fall out of the line with such of his ships as were able to move, leaving twelve in close action to their fate. Though overpowered by superior forces, they bravely maintained the combat, and several of the vessels on both sides were speedily dismasted, and lay like logs in the water. The heroism of the crew of the Vengeur is worthy of eternal remembrance; though sinking rapidly in the water, and after the lower deck guns were immersed, they continued vehemently to discharge the upper tier; and at length, when she went to the bottom, the crew continued to cheer, and the cries, "Vive la Republique," ," "Vive la Liberté," "Vive la France," were heard as she was swallowed up in the waves.

So severely was the British fleet injured, that several of the vessels which had struck escaped, and two or three even under a sprit-sail, or a small sail raised on the stump of a foremast, could not be detained. Six ships of the line, however, beside the Vengeur, which sunk, remained in the possession of the British admiral, and were brought into Plymouth; while the remains of the French squadron, liminished by eight of their number, and with a loss of eight thousand men, took refuge in the roads of Berthaume, and ultimately regained the harbour of Brest, shattered, dismasted, riddled with shot: how different from the splendid fleet which had so recently departed amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants! The loss of the British was two hundred and ninety killed, and eight hundred and fifty-eight wounded, in all eleven hundred and forty-eight, being less than that sustained in the ix French ships alone which were made prizes.

The Republicans were in some degree consoled for this disaster, by the safe arrival of the great American convoy, consisting of one hundred and sixty sail, and valued

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PP

at £5,000,000 sterling; a supply of incalculable importance to the wants of a population whom the Reign of Terror and civil dissension had brought to the verge of famine. They entered the harbour of Brest a few days after the engagement, having escaped, as if by a miracle, the vigilance of the British cruisers. Their safety was in a great degree owing to the sagacity of the admiral, who traversed the scene of destruction a day or two after the engagement, and judging from the magnitude and number of the wrecks which were floating about, that a terrible battle must have taken place, concluded that the victorious party would not be in a condition for pursuit, and resolved to hold on his course for the French harbour.

Lord Howe gained so decisive a success from the adoption of the same principle, which gave victory to Frederic at Leuthen, to Napoleon at Austerlitz, and Welling ton at Salamanca, viz. to bring an overwhelming force to one point, and reduce onehalf of the enemy's fleet to be the passive spectator of the destruction of the other. } To a skilful and intrepid squadron, who do not fear to engage at the cannon mouth with their enemy, such a manœuvre offers even greater chances of success at ser than at land, because the complete absence of obstacles on the level expanse water enables the attacking squadron to calculate with more certainty upon reachir. their object; and the advantage of the wind, if once obtained, renders it proper tionally difficult for one part of the enemy's line to be brought up to the relief d

the other.

Never was a victory more seasonable, than lord Howe's, to the British gover ment. The war, preceded as it had been by violent party divisions in England, had been regarded with lukewarm feelings by a large portion of the people; and the friends of freedom dared not wish for the success of the British arms, lest should extinguish the dawn of liberty in the world. But the Reign of Terror hal shocked the best feelings of all the respectable portion of this party, and the victory of 1st June captivated the affections of the giddy multitude. The ancient but ha extinguished loyalty of the British people wakened at the sound of their victorious cannon; and the hereditary rivalry of the two nations revived at so signal a triump over the Republican arms. From this period may be dated the commencement of that firm union among the inhabitants of the country, and that ardent enthusiast in the contest, which soon extinguished the seeds of former dissension, and ulti mately carried the British empire triumphant through the severest struggles which h engaged the nation since the days of Alfred.

TAKING OF SERINGAPATAM.

JAMES MILL

A breaching battery of six guns was erected on the night of the 28th; and the morning of the 30th it began to fire. On the first day it demolished part of th outward wall at the west angle of the fort, and made an impression on the masonry of the bastion within it. On the second its fire was attended with increased effect An additional battery, constructed on the night of April the 30th, opened in th morning of the 2nd of May. On the 3rd, the breach appeared to be practicable, an preparations were eagerly made for the assault. On the morning of the 4th, th troops destined for the service were placed in the trenches before day-light, that extraordinary movement might serve to put the enemy on their guard. of the day, when the people of the east, having taken their mid-day repast, giv themselves up to a season of repose, and when it was expected that the troops in the

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fort would be least prepared to resist, was chosen for the hour of attack. regiments, and ten flank companies of Europeans, three corps of grenadier sepoys, and 200 of the Nizam's troops, formed the party for the assault. Colonels Sherbrooke, Dunlop, Dalrymple, Gardener, and Mignan, commanded the flank corps ; and the conduct of the enterprise was entrusted to major-general Baird, who had solicited the dangerous service. At one o'clock the troops began to move from the trenches. The width, and rocky channel of the river, though at that time it contained but little water, its exposure to the fire of the fort, the imperfection of the breach, the strength of the place, the numbers, courage, and skill of its defenders, constituted such an accumulation of difficulties, that nothing less than unbounded confidence in the force and courage of his men could have inspired a prudent general with hopes of success. The troops descended into the bed of the river, and moved, regardless of a tremendous fire, towards the opposite bank.

From the time when general Harris sat down before the fort, the sultan had remained on the ramparts, varying his position according to the incidents of the siege. The general charge of the angle attacked, was given to Seyed Saheb, and Seyed Ghoff hår, the last, an able officer, who began his career in the English service, and was in the number of the prisoners at the disaster of colonel Brathwaite.

The angle of the fort which the English attacked was of such a nature, that a retrenchment to cut it off might have been easily effected; and this was counselled by the most judicious of the Mysorean officers. But the mind of the sultan, which was always defective in judgment, appears to have been prematurely weakened by the disadvantages of his situation. By the indulgence of arbitrary power, and the arts of his flatterers, his mind was brought into that situation in which it could endure to hear nothing but what gratified the will of the moment. He had accordingly estranged from his presence every person of a manly character; and surrounded himself with young men and parasites, who made it their business not only to gratify his most childish inclinations, but to occupy him with a perpetual succession of wretched pursuits. He seems, therefore, when adversity came upon him, to have been rendered too effeminate to look it steadily in the face, and, exploring firmly the nature of the danger, to employ in the best manner the means which were in his power for averting it. The flatterers were able to persuade him, partly that the fort was too strong to be taken, partly that God would protect him; and they maintained successfully that indecision which was now congenial to the relaxed abit of his mind. "He is surrounded," said Seyed Goffhâr, who was wounded early in the siege, "by boys and flatterers, who will not let him see with his own yes. I do not wish to survive the result. I am going about in search of death, and cannot find it."

On the morning of the 4th, Seyed Goffhår, who from the number of men in the renches inferred the intention to assault, sent information to the sultan. The ultan returned for answer, that it was good to be on the alert, but assured him, as persuaded by the flatterers, that the assault would not take place till night. And n the meantime he was absorbed in religious and astrological operations; the one, o purchase the favour of heaven; the other, to ascertain its decrees. Seyed Goffar, says colonel Wilks, "having satisfied himself, by further observation, that one our would not elapse before the assault would commence, hurried in a state of age and despair towards the sultan: 'I will go,' said he, and drag him to the reach, and make him see by what a set of wretches he is surrounded; I will comel him to exert himself at this last moment.' He was going, and met a party of ioneers, whom he had long looked for in vain to cut off the approach by he southern rampart. 'I must first,' said he, 'show these people the work