wealth and external power-it warns you of increasing domestic and foreign difficulties from that cause-and it adduces that fact as a proof that you ought to have sanctioned, by your voice, those overtures for peace, which have been so often made to your government. TRUTH likens the operations of your government, subject to the incumbrances of an enormous public debt-to those of a trader who has issued a large amount of accommodation-bilis. The progress of both is similar-is attended by similar difficulties-and, unless such anticipations of ineaus are liquidated by timely sacrifices, they are, in both cases, likely to be followed by similar effects. TRUTH asserts, without the hazard of refutation, that, as taxes on the people cause the people to indemnify themselves upon each other, so it is impracticable that great public debts can be overtaken by any fund growing out of taxes, because the taxes which generate the fund, augment the expenditure of the government in a higher ratio. TRUTH proclaims the precarious pur. suit and dependent character of commerce in any country where the possession of currency depends more on intrigue, sycophancy, and factitious credit, than on real trade and capital. It tells you that, in such a country, speculators overwhelm capitalists, that inerchants become the humble tools of power, and that the spirit of trade and honourable enterprize must soon be destroyed. **TRUTH declares, that increased taxes, levied to carry on wars and pay the interest of enormous public debts, have unduly increased the nominal value of all commodities; so that many of those comforts are consequently abridged which are usually enjoyed by industry in wise and well regulated communities. TRUTH indicates that the fluctua of prices, of employments, of credit of foreign trade, demand an increa sympathy towards your own poor, of whom have been created by p circumstances not within their con rather than by vice and idleness. TRUTH tells you that, as a consequence of uncertain foreign relations, and of fluctuations in trade and property, the re ward of industry and enterprize is reudered precarious; that the education of youth in trade and habits of industry has greatly abated; and that trade ceases, every day to present its usual induce ments and its advantageous prospects to industry. TRUTH reminds you that your commercial system has drawn THREE MILLIONS of your population from agriculture to manufactures, and that those manufac turers have no adequate means of subsistance till the restoration of comincrce by a general peace. TRUTH calls your attention to th pid progression of the nominal val ail commodities, at a time when yo without specie; and proves, that t vance farther or to fall back is e dangerous to your welfare. TRUTH solemnly proclaims the progression of your annual public e diture within twenty years, from 16 24,36, 48, 60, 80, and 100 millions, a ing incontrovertible evidence that few years it must advance to 120, 180, 240, and 300 millions, provide currency and the augmented taxes continue to sustain such accumul claims. TRUTH reminds you that this enor augmentation of taxes is called for moment when your foreign trade your sources of wealth are com tively annihilated. TRUTH tells you that your true mea defence and offence, lie in your grea invincible NAVY; that a mistaker licy and false notions of glory stim your ministers to emulate the ni establishments of the great contin powers; and that your condition such policy, is that of the Frog of attempting to swell himself to the the Ox. TRUTH whispers that your public my rejoices in the policy which your ministers to spend a millio week in maintaining an army in th ninsula of Spain and Portugal; a tells you that your true policy, in r to Spain under a French dynasty, is necessary to interfere in any should have been to detach from Spain its extensive colonies, and them into independent free governn TRUTH reminds you of the pri objects and principles of coloniza and teaches you to seek no other nies than islands whose dependenc produce you can secure by mea your invincible navy. TRUTH tells you that, as the most erful of free people, you ought where to sustain public liberty; a all your alliances and foreign co tions, never to support despotism as exertions of the people made to or recover their civil liberties, T TRUTH quotes the example of all his tory to prove that, to maintain your national independence, it is necessary to husband your resources, and to maintain your prosperity as the source of your public welfare and power. TRUTH declares that no great nation can ever be conquered till its resources have been drained and exhausted by the long continuance of wars; and that the strength which results from the prosperity of peace is the only perfect security which any country can acquire. TRUTH asserts, that one country has no right to meddle with or disturb the government established in another; it recognizes the peaceful authority of the Chinese and Japanese, to restrict and forbid intercourse with foreign nations; it legitimatizes the alliance of free states with the tyrants of Algiers and Morocco; and it denies the justice or necessity of wars founded on changes of other governments or dynasties, on the internal policy of other countries, or on the reported character of the heads of other governments. TRUTH solemnly declares, that, if wicked and corrupt ministers of a free people, at any time, involve those people in foreign wars, with no justifiable object; such free people, so abused, are not bound to become partizans in the war of such ministers, which is not a war of the country, or for the country; on the contrary, they are bound to exert themselves to procure the speedy restoration of peace, by all constitutional means. TRUTH declares it to be a great crime to carry on war without some assignable cause of sufficient inagnitude, and commensurate with the evils of war; and that none but defensive wars, provoked by notorious and definable aggressions of the enemy, are justifiable in a moral or religious sense. Such, O my countrymen, are the dictates of Truth! May they sink deep into your hearts and govern your practices! It is, however, too certain, that such truths, incontrovertible as they are, will find few votaries! Passion, Prejudice, and Pride, will vigorously resist and assail them! Sophistry will employ all its arts against them; and, great Truths as they are, they will be often denied before their authority is established! Unhappily they do not appear with a Royal signature, nor have they the sanction of any Church, or of any Cabinet Council. Their only recom. mendation is their absolute Verity! There 15 is, however, this prodigious difference be tween the effect of eternal truths, and the influence of frauds and falsehoods, that at the end of a thousand generations, the former will retain their originat force and vigour; while the sophistry of corruption and the trumpery of dishonest statesmen are generally detected, exposed, despised, and rejected within the passing year! Their most active enemies will be those traders in politics and great events who mislead the public, and pollute, by their sordid calculations, all the ordinary channels of Truth. These persons are the conductors of our venal newspapers, a race of people who live upon public credulity, and who foster all the unhappy prejudices and passions of mankind. Never was a blessing so perverted as the power of the press by these venal speculators in news, many of whom care not whether they blast and wither half the world, if they can but procure the sale and ascendency of their newspapers. Such are the struggles of Truth, even in its connection with its grand agent and natural guardian-the Press! Can we wonder then at the unhappy fate of men, who in different ages have had the teme rity to attack the public prejudices, aided by no weapons besides those of a good cause? Can we be surprized at the poisoning of Socrates—at the roasting of Cobham -at the perpetual imprisonment of Galilee -or at the martyrdoms of Truth and Virtue, which have disgraced all ages? Public ignorance, generating prejudice which are humoured by statesmen, cherished by the priesthood, and pampered by unprincipled writers and editors, is consequently that many-headed monster which in all ages has opposed itself to the progress and ascendency of Truth. The first considerations of every po litic statesman, are not what would be right-and what would be consistent with truth; but, what is the most agreeable to the public feelings-and in what degree can right conduct be reconciled with existing prejudices! He would be deemed a rash statesman whose measures preceded, rather than followed, the prejudices of the public; and, if his conduct is measured by any other consideration equally powerful, it is only that of his interest. A public wrong is perpetrated, but the statesman who inflicts it excuses himself by referring to the public opinion, and voice, by which he says, he is governed-the priest, who often becomes the moral apologist of the statesman, consults consults in like manner the prejudices of the public and the Journalist, the echo of the public voice, in like manner consults the public wishes! A concordant result is thus produced at the very moment in which great public errors are committed! Discords may arise, followed by repentance and mutual accusations; yet the mischief cannot be recalled. Hence the Histories of Ifuman Life, and of the Transactions of Nations, are composed almost entirely of a catalogue of Errors, Calamities, Repentance, and often of Vengeance, for crimes which arise less from the fault of individuals than from a defect in the constitution of human society. Perhaps the justice of these reasonings will be generally admitted, and the writer nay probably have credit for purity of intentions and moderation of language, in making the exposition. Far be it from him by any asperity of invective to confirm or irritate the prejudices which he is anxious to diminish and subdue by a sober appeal to the reason and good sense of his readers! Should his arguments tend further to prove the necessity of educating the whole population, as one means of eman cipating the majority from the dominion of the prejudices of crafty men-should it tend to rouse statesmen to think for themselves, and to instruct, rather than mislead, those whose interest they are appointed to direct-should it develope to pious and well-intentioned Clergymen, the mischiefs to which they may contribute by fostering prejudices; they may probably be led to think that they shall better serve their country, and obtain the more substantial gratitude of their su periors, by enlightening, rather than blinding, those whose mental powers they govern-should Journalists perceive that truth is the most easily maintained, and may, if perseveringly supported, become as advantageous to their interests, as the gratification of the public prejudices; they may perhaps be led to try the experiment for a limited period, till Truth becomes fashionable-should it lead the numerous creatures of their prejudices, the primary authors of public wrongs and errors, to examine themselves in regard to the grounds and origin of those opinions which, at any time, disturb the repose and happiness of the world should it establish more correct views of the cause of the overwhelming influence of prejudice, and illustrate the moral phenomena which accompany the rise, progress, and decay of national Errors→→→ should it, in fine, tend to promote the influence, or establish the authority, of Truth in the great questions which arise in the progress of society-the Ambition of the writer will, in either of those results, be abundantly gratified! COMMON SENSE. For the Monthly Magazine. MEMORANDA LUSITANICA; by JOHN Andrade Caminha. PEDRO ADAMSON. DE ANDRADE CAMINHA was a Fidalgo, descended from an illustrious family in Castile, from whence his ancestor Fernaō Caminha emigrated, in 1367, to Portugal, and was presented, by King Don Fernando, with the seigneury of S. Estevao, for the services which he had rendered that monarch. The family of Caminha had, after this event, made frequent alliances with the Portuguese gentry, and was, at the birth of the poet, divided into two branches. Affonso Vaz Caminha, the grandfather, had two sons. Vasco Fernandez, the elder, was Alcaide Mór* of Villa-Viçosa, chamberlain to Dom Theodosio, Duke of Braganza, and father of Affonso Vaz Caminha, a very celebrated and learned man. Joao Caminha, the younger, served under Affonso de Albuquerque, in India, where he gained great reputation, and, returning to Portugal, was nominated Comptroller of the Household of the Infanta Dona Isabel, afterwards the consort of Charles V. Joao espoused Dona Filippa de Sousa, and, after living many years with great felicity, died on the same day as his wife, leaving several children, of whom the subject of this memoir was the eldest. He entered early into the service of Dom Duarte, Duke of Guimaraes, and employed his time in the cultivation of literature, and the attentions required by his office. Dom Duarte was a prince of extensive erudition; he was a sincere friend and patron to men of ability, and his death was deeply felt and regretted. In his service, Pedro de Andrade, corresponding with some and mixing in, the society of others, secured the friendship of the most enlightened poets of Portu. gal. Enjoying a life dedicated to literature, Audrade lived contented and quite unambitious of that advancement, to which his residence in the palace of a prince might have raised his expectations. Chief magistrate. 1813. Mr. Adamson's Specimens of Portuguese Poetry. In the Royal Archives, a grant is enumerated, bearing date 15th July, 1556, from Joao III. to him, of part of the duties imposed upon the wines at Oporto, which had been before conceded to his mother, as a recompence for the services of her brother Gaspar de Andrade, who was slain by the Moors. It appears, from the singular marks of esteem conferred upon him, that Pedro de Andrade was the favourite of his princely master. Sometime previous to the death of this nobleman, he gave him the Alcaidaria of Celorico de Basto, and a pension of 200 mill-reas, both of which grants were confirmed to him by King Dom Sebastiaō. In the will of the prince, the name of Pedro de Andrade is frequently mentioned in terms highly in his favour. Besides recommending him to the Infante Cardinal Dom Henrique, amongst the Fidalgos, of whose services he approved, he desires that no account should be demanded from him of the gold, silver, and jewels, which might be entrusted to his care, and bequeaths him his favourite horse Lima. In a codicil, he leaves him seven hundred mill-reas, a pension of which the king had given him the power of alienation, and concludes with the following approving and recommendatory sentence. "Pero de Andrade hath served me, as is known to all, for a length of time, and without ever displeasing me in any thing; wherefore I beg the Senhor Cardinal, that in all things, wherein he can conduce to his advancement in the favour of my lord the king, he will. For the doing this I confide in his highness. Of this notice, Pero de Andrade is deserving, and it will be a great consolation to my Soul." Our poet survived his affectionate master nearly thirteen years, and died It is not improbable that Pedro de Andrade was indebted to his friend Antonio Ferreira, for some part of the favour shown him by the prince. Ferreira, in a letter to his Highness, and also in an eclogue, speaks of Caminha in high terms of praise and recommendation.-See Obras de Ferreira, Canta. xiii. liv. i. eclog. x. "Pero de Andrade me tem servido, como todos sabem com umita continuaçao, e sem nunca me dar desgosto em nada; peço umito per mercê ao Senhor Cardial, que em tudo o que o puder favorecer em suas cousas com el Rey meu Senhor, o faça como en de S. Altez a confio, e me Pero de Andrade merece, porque será grande consolação para Buistra alma." MONTHLY MAG. No. 237, 17 on the 9th September, 1589, as appears by a memorandum in the Chancery of Philip II. attached to a grant made by that king to him; whereby he is allowed to alienate his pension of 200 mill-reas, in moities, to his daughter Dona Marianna and his wife Dona Pascoalla de Guzmaö. The works of Pedro de Andrade remained in MS. until the year 1791, when they were arranged for publication and printed at the press of the Royal Academy, in Lisbon, in an octavo volume. They consist of almost every description of the minor species of poetry; but epigrams, of which he wrote two on the death of his parents, and several on his brothers, sisters, and relatives, appear to have been his favourite compositions. His poetry is severely cri.icised by Francisco Dias; yet that author urges, in extenuation, his ignorance of the learned languages, which conduced, at that time, so much to the improvement of Portuguese literature, and bestows upon him praise for some of his perfor mances. He studied the poetry of Sa de Miranda and Antonio Ferreira, and, where he followed these authors, he has succeeded best. Although, perhaps, no solid advantage may be derived from the publication of the works of Caminha, by the Royal Academy; yet considerable merit is due to the poet for contributing towards the advancement of his native language, at a period when every effort was required for its amelioration. The specimen which follows is a sonnet, written by Caminha, in praise of the Segundo Cerco de Diu (second siege of Diu) of Jeronimo Cortereal, a contemporary poet, of no very brilliant abi lities, though much esteemed in his day; and who, besides this poem, wrote the Naufragio de Sepulveda, and the Austriada, upon which Caminha composed a sonnet, commencing Heironymo aqui escreve, e d'aqui canta, &c. Cortereal wrote in the verso sciolto, a measure at that time much used by the poets of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. SONETO. Espritos valerosos, e esforçados, Que tanto as mundo tem de si mostiado; De hum valeroso esprito e esforçado, Deviaō dignamente ser cantados. * Memorias da Lit. Port. publicadas pela academia Real das Sciencias de Lisboa. Tom, iv. p 104. D Ea carefully instilled into her mind, thẹ principles of virtue and religion. "Lady Colambre did not think it ne cessary to make a public profession of her faith; she trusted that, in thiş 'Christian land,' none would have sọ little Christian charity, as to suspect ber of being an infidel.” Clonbrony Castle, Aug. 26, 1812. For the Monthly Magazine. LETTERS FROM ATHENS; by M. FAUVEL VICE-CONSUL of FRANCE at that CITY, and CORRESPONDENT of the IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. Athens, April 4, 1811. IR,—I have had considerable diggings made in this city, and some foreign ers have caused still greater excavations to be undertaken; we have been fortu nate enough to make some interesting discoveries. Our search took place on the great road which leads from the Hip pades gate to Acharnes, to the left, on going towards those suburbs, at about 130 fathoms from the gate just mentioned, and nearly 140 from the present gate, We there found some ancient burying grounds, about fifteen feet below the surface. It may not, perhaps, be irrelevant to inform you, that the spot in which are the remains of the Hippades gate, is still called by the Greeks and Turks the Race. gate, because it is here that the diver sion of foot-races is still performed. One circumstance worthy of notice is, that the competitors run naked, with only a simple piece of linen round the middle, There are three prizes, or, more properly speaking, two, as the third is nothing but an enormous radish, or carrot, which causes the gainer to be rewarded by the hootings of the populace. These roots. are here two feet long, and about three inches in diameter. You know that the moderns have their wrestlers, the same as the ancients had. These persons are naked, except a cloth round the loins, which is steeped in oil, with which the body is likewise rubbed, They also roll themselves in the sand, that they may take a firm hold of each other at the time of the contest. The prize is gained by him who throws his ad |