THE CAPABILITY OF MINISTERS. 17 the nerves, &c. rendering it impossible to remove the patient from his place of residence. Ty Ch—rs, W-M H-SS—N, Treasurer and Secretary to the Royal College. P. S. Should not any medicine have been discovered to remove the complaint, the secretary has directions from the royal college to recommend a trial of the following recipe: Rub the palms of the hands gently three or four times a day with the Tinctura Aurea, or Golden Drop, mixed with a decoction of Roses, which has hitherto been found most efficacious in all cases arising from the bite of the Hanover, English, Irish, and Scotch rat. The decoction is sold as usual in pint or half-pint bottles, by the patentees, George R-e and Sons, at their warehouse, Old Palace Yard.N. B. Beware of counterfeits. The genuine decoction. is sealed on the cork with a Rose, and G. R. "under the Rose," THE CAPABILITY OF MINISTERS, OR "THE TALENTS" OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION. MR. EDITOR, THE [From the same.] HE charge of incapacity is the most groundless that can be urged against the present Ministers. I will venture to assert, that they are the most capable of any that have for a long time presided at the helm; when out of place, capable of doing any thing to get in, and, having got in, capable of doing any thing to remain there. Nay, Sir, they have done so much, that it has become matter of great doubt, whether any set of men can be found who will venture to succeed them. This is the great reason of their continuing in office; and I do not hesitate to affirm, that every member of the Cabinet is thoroughly convinced of it. I am, Sir, &c. VERAX. IMPROMPTU. IMPROMPTU. [From a New York Paper.] SAYS Canning to Pinkney," Our Orders remain As long as there shall be a link in the chain." "Aha!" retorts Pinkney," is that, then, your cue? I thank you for giving me so clear a view. A chain! very good. But take care, Master Canning, My country loves peace and will strive to maintain it→→→ We shall saw off your horns, and muzzle your snout." FLASH. IMPROMPTU. FN ANSWER TO A CERTAIN LADY WHO WAS ENGAGED TO DANCE, AND REFUsed, SAYING SHE WAS MIS TAKEN. [From the Morning Post-] FAITH, so, I find, I was myself, To quit each sprightly Fay and Elf, J. D. A. TO THE MUCH MISTAKEN MAN. HOW! [From the same, Jan. 14.] OW!" Quit each sprightly Fay and Elf, And then presume to think your-self A match for Elf-in-stone ! ! ! Pray ne'er again mistake yourself, A TRIED A TRIED ADMINISTRATION. TO THE EDITor of the moRNING CHRONICLE. SIR, [January 14.] IT appears to be generally agreed, that some change, radical or partial, must speedily take place, ex neTessitate rei, amongst the well-meaning, good-natured gentlemen, who now conduct, under His Majesty, the affairs of this kingdom. And although I cordially agree, that a wiser administration than the present might be selected, without difficulty, from the common council and livery of London; yet, as the crisis is confessedly arduous, if a still better administration can be fixed on, the country has an indisputable claim to their services. The gentlemen now in power acknowledged, on the death of Mr. Pitt, their utter incapacity to steer the vessel of state. The nation felt the propriety, if not the candour, of their conduct, and permitted them quietly and modestly to retire into political oblivion. The splendid abilities which were then called into action, bade fair, in the opinion of many, to be long employed to the benefit of their country. Unfortunately, however, so rooted an antipathy had been formed against corruption and abuse, and so uncourtly an attachment to economy and reform, that the whole host of pensioners, jobbers, and expectants, flew to arms. John Bull was assured that even religion itself was in danger, and All the Talents were superseded in an instant by All the Blocks, thus unexpectedly roused from insignificance and lethargy. These gentry have prevailed nearly two years; and their reign, as must naturally be expected, is now drawing rapidly to a close. As a well-wisher then to my country, permit me to enter my protest against any speculation or experiment of re-introducing these innovators innovators and reformers. Let us, Mr. Editor, have tried men to fill the most important offices of state, and the happiest consequences will inevitably result. The Marquis Wellesley has been tried in the House of Commons-let him be Prime Minister. Lord Melville has been tried by the House of Lords-let him superintend the Admiralty. Sir Home Popham was tried by a naval court-martial-let him command the Channel fleet; and as he is known to be a man of enterprise, indulge him with a trading ship or two on a roving commission, for his own special purposes. Gen. Whitelocke was tried by a military court-martial, and not being found particularly happy in attack, to him be intrusted the defence of Portugal. The present Secretary at War was tried at Ferrol-let him retain his situation and all his honours. General De Lancey was tried by the Commissioners for Military Inquiry-let him be reappointed Barrack-master General. Alexander Davidson, Esq. was tried before the Court of King's Bench-let him be contractor general for all stores, military or naval. George Rose, Esq. was tried for corruption at a Westminster electionlet him continue dictator general in Hampshire, and be undisturbed in the few lucrative situations he otherwise enjoys. Lastly, if the present illustrious Commander in Chief should not altogether approve of the arrangement proposed, or, from other causes, should. wish to retire, let his office be put into commission, and let the zeal" of Sir Arthur Wellesley, the "firmness" of Sir Harry Burrard, and the happy union of the two qualities in the character of Sir Hew Dalrymple (each of whom have been tried by a court of inquiry), be the ample pledges for its good management, and for its responsibility. Thus, Sir, may All the Talents, for their presumption, and All the Blocks, for their stupidity, alike be excluded THE APPROACHING SEASON. 21 excluded from the public service, and none but a tried administration govern us in future. Jan. 14, 1809. E THE APPROACHING SEASON. [From the Morning Chronicle, Jan. 17] season QUIZ. VERY species of preparation is now making for the approaching season of fashion, and such preparations as our ancestors could never have dreamt of. Houses fitted up to be seen only once or twice in half a year, and then converted into places of public entertainment. What was in former days a banquet is now a spectacle, and hospitality is little more than the temporary gratification of the eye and ear. The exercise of the understanding is suspended along with the social enjoyments of friendship and conversation; but ample provision is made for the external senses, which are dazzled with light or oppressed with noise. In former days, an entertainment, in which plenty, liberality, and convivial enjoyments were consulted, could be got up with no other arrangements than employed the attention of the cook and the butler. The house was never turned upside down, nor abandoned to the whims of floor-painters, lamp-lighters, and florists. The same edifice that contained the family was sufficient for the guests; temporary erections, temporary magnificence, and temporary destruction, were not necessary to procure respect; for there was then no rivalship in seeming prodigality; no effort to produce a great effect by the fewest means; and the host and hostess had the conscious satisfaction of having maintained the honours of rank and hospitality, without being obliged to count the number of coach-pannels that were broken, or of ladies who fainted. But times are altered, and we have no very serious objection to the alteration, although we have thus stated |