In consequence of the new opinions which had produced a revolution in France, and destroyed the life of its amiable monarch in the year 1792; a number of factious spirits appeared in England, and promulgated sentiments destructive of all rational order and duty. Inflammatory publications had been diffused among the vulgar-they were taught to believe that liberty and equality were the greatest blessings of mankind, without taking into the scale, the inequalities of intellect, by which ingenious men, particularly in this country, had emerged from the lowest classes of subjects to the highest considerations in the state. Such dogmas, unaided by concomitant premises, had induced a spirit of licentiousness bordering on revolt and rebellion. At this crisis, the merchants, bankers, traders, and other well-meaning inhabitants of London, (on the 4th of December,) held a meeting in Merchant Taylor's Hall, Threadneedle Street, when the following spirited declaration was unanimously approved of, and signed in one afternoon, by no less a number than eight thousand and twelve persons:

"Declaration in Support of the Constitution of Great Britain:

"We the merchants, bankers, traders, and other inhabitants of London, whose names are hereunto subscribed, perceiving with the deepest concern, that attempts are made to circulate opinions contrary to the dearest interest of Britons, and subversive of those principles which have produced and preserved our most invaluable privileges, feel it a duty we owe to our country, ourselves, and our posterity, to invite all our fellow-subjects to join with us in the expression of sincere and firm attachment to the constitution of these kingdoms, formed in remote, and improved in succeeding ages, and under which the glorious revolution in 1688 was effected; a constitution wisely framed for the dif fusion of happiness and true liberty, and which possesses the distinguished merit, that it has on former occasions been, and we trust will in future be, found competent to correct its errors and reform its abuses. Our experience of the im4 M 2 povements

provements of agriculture and manufactures; of the flourishing state of navigation and commerce, and of increased population, still further impels us to make this public declaration of our determined resolution to support, by every means in our power, the ancient and most excellent constitution of Great Britain, and a government by king, lords, and commons; and to exert our best endeavours to impress on the minds of those connected with us, a reverence for, and a due submission to, the laws of their country, which have hitherto preserved the liberty, protected the property, and encreased the enjoyments of a free and prosperous people."

The death of the king of France, and the subversion of all regular monarchy, had, however, not only involved that unhappy country in desolation; but like a contagion, the malady had pervaded other parts of Europe. In support of her own rights, and those of her allies, Great Britain, which had been molested by French principles and practices, was induced to resort to arms; and after much anxious expectation, the victory of Lord Howe over the French fleet on the 1st of June, 1794, instilled into the minds of all, the highest sense of joy and approbation. On the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday immediately following the Extraordinary Gazette, on this occasion, there were illuminations in all parts of the metropolis, a subscription was opened at Lloyd's Coffee House, for the widows and children of the seamen, who fell in the engagement; and the proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre, gave a clear benefit, producing upwards of 1,300l. in aid of the subscription, which soon amounted to a considerable sum.

On the 25th of this month, a dreadful fire happened at Cock-hill, Shadwell, which was so extensive in its destruction, that out of one thousand two hundred houses in the hamlet of Ratcliffe, where it broke out, not more than five hundred and seventy were saved; an accident so distressing and so widely spread, had not happened since the great fire in 1666.

The

The year 1795, was distinguished by the marriage of his royal highness the Prince of Wales, with her serene highness the Princess Caroline Amelia Elizabeth of Brunswick; for the destruction of the parish church of St. Paul, Covent Garden, by fire; and for a remarkable trial for false imprisonment *. A cause

* This cause was tried on the 2d of March, before Lord Kenyon, at Guildhall, Mr. James Croome, auctioneer, being plaintiff, and Paul Le Mesurier, late lord mayor, defendant. Mr. Erskine opened the case for the plaintiff. Among other observations he stated, that the late lord mayor, who was the defendant in this action, came there on the plea of not guilty, without having tendered any thing. He conceived it would have been more becoming the dignity of the chief magistrate of the city, before he came there, to tender an amends, the extent of which, the jury, on their oaths, would have decided.

Mr. Croome, he understood, some days before this imprisonment, published a hand-bill, in these words: "A meeting will be held at Founders' Hall, Lothbury, on Friday, the 22d of August, 1794, at five in the afternoon, to take into consideration the appealing against the London Militia Act."

In consequence of that advertisement, the late lord mayor sent one of his city marshals to the house of the plaintiff, to desire him to come to the Mansion House. Mr. Croome, received the officer with propriety, and told him, he would wait upon his lordship. When he appeared, the lord mayor asked him, whether he knew any thing about the hand-bill that had been stated, and other hand-bills, which were then produced. Mr. Croome answered, that he had directed the handbills (convoking the meeting at Founders' Hall) to be printed. He could not tell who the persons were that might assemble. There was no violence—no riot. His lordship was pleased to say, 'If you cannot tell me who those people are, where they live, and who printed the hand-bills, I'll give you a night's lodging in the Compter.' The plaintiff said, I have neither offended your lordship, nor violated the laws. Have not the citizens of London a right to meet when and where they please, to consider what is proper for them?' That,' replied the lord mayor, is the question;' and, accordingly, he determined the question himself, and without even a warrant, upon which the plaintiff could have been brought up on a Habeas Corpus, neglecting all the 2 forms of law, as well as violating its substance, he sends this citizen to the common gaol, where he remained a whole night; after which he was again brought before his lordship and discharged.

Mr. Mingay rose in behalf of Mr. Le Mesurier, and reprobated the

conduct

A cause was tried in January, 1796, by which it was determined, that Dissenting Chapels, &c. are not liable to parochial dues. The action was brought by the parish of Kensington, against the trustees of the Protestant Dissenting Chapel in the same parish. A similar decision had previously taken place at Guildhall, on an appeal from the trustees of the Meeting House in Hare Court, Aldersgate Street, against the demand for rates by the parish officers.

conduct of Mr. Croome in the most severe terms. Though he was the zealous advocate of freedom, he was no advocate of licentiousness. What had these hand-bills to do with the Militia Act? He did not say that they had not a right to assemble, to petition parliament against any supposed grievance; but this was all a pretext. He thought the lord mayor, instead of deserving censure for what he had done, deserved praise. He attended to the importance of his duty at the moment: he meant to act fairly and honourably, and to do that which was to be of service to the public. He submitted to the jury, that the lord mayor was entitled to their verdict; but if he could not have their verdict in strictness of law, he was certain they would think the smallest coin in the kingdom would answer the justice of the case.

Lord Kenyon said, "I think there is not here a defence in point of law, to entitle the defendant to your verdict. The commitment of the party ought to have been by a written warrant, and not by a parole order; and, therefore, you must give your verdict for the plaintiff. But it is for you, by your verdict, to declare to the public your opinion of this cause: though not strictly legal, yet, perhaps, you may see the propriety of the conduct of the magistrate on that occasion. The history of this country affords many instances where a party, who, though he has not acted strictly conformably to law, may not only not deserve punishment, but may have merit with the public. On many occasions, the ministry of this country have ordered things to be done for which they have received the applause of all the world, and yet, not being strictly conformable to law, parliament has passd an act of indemnity.

"If you think the defendant, when he imprisoned the plaintiff, was wantonly sporting with the liberty of a fellow-subject, you will shew your indignation by the damages you give; but if you think, that, though he transgressed the strict line of the law, he was only anxious to preserve the public peace in difficult times, and was doing all he could for the benefit of the public, you will mark your opinion, perhaps, by giving the plaintiff the lowest coin in the kingdom."

Verdict for the plaintiff.-Damages ONE FARTHING, which carried

costs.

The national thanks given for the three great naval victories of Lord Howe, St. Vincent, and Duncan, took place on the 19th of December, 1797. His majesty went in procession to St. Paul's Cathedral, attended by the queen and royal family, the great officers of state, the lords and commons, naval and military officers, &c. The foot guards lined the streets from St. James's to Temple Bar; and from Temple Bar to St. Paul's, the City Militia, the East India, and other Volunteer Corps. The windows of the houses were decorated with most of the beauty and fashion in the kingdom, which, together with the clearness of day, made it one of the finest spcctacles ever remembered.

But the part which Great Britain had taken in the great contest, and the vigour she had evinced in disconcerting the ambitious views of an insidious and faithless nation, so affected the rulers of France, that they vowed eternal enmity to this country; and that they might appear to carry their menaces into effect, the invasion of Great Britain was projected.

During such an important crisis, the subjects of Great Britain were not inactive. They rallied round the basis of their glorious constitution; and that their endeavours might not be construed into mere professions of loyalty, the city of London set an example of patriotism, of loyalty, and of generosity unequalled. On the 9th of February, 1798, John William Anderson, esquire, lord mayor, attended by a numerous body of respectable merchants, bankers, &c. appeared upon a temporary hustings erected in the Royal Exchange, for the purpose of promoting voluntary contributions for the service of the country. The whole area of the Exchange was crowded with the most respectable merchants and traders of London, to the number of many hundreds. The lord mayor having declared the object of the meeting, Mr. Bosanquet, in a very animated speech, stated "the danger and difficulty, in the present crisis, and the necessity in this emergency, for every person stepping forward. The merchants of London, he was certain, would ever support their high charater for patriotism and liberality,

and