'was on the 12th of August, and on the 18th, he was proclaimed King of Westphalia.

Nel. Another AUGUST Sovereign, another divorced wife, why Buonaparte wanted a Hospital for divorced wives, as much as a Hospital for Invalidesbut tell me more of the new king.

Wel. "The conduct of King Jerome," says an historian, "was every way contemptible. Plunged in dissipation, and heedless of the duties attached to the station which had been thrust upon him, he abandoned the burden of administration to profligate adventurers. The taxes which he levied on his unfortunate subjects were intolerable. His imbecility caused him to be despised, his rapacity to be hated. On more than one occasion, he was severely lectured by his imperial tutor, but to no effect, he continued as weak and wicked as before. The joy of the people was great when he was summoned to attend Napoleon in the Russian expedition, and they were left to the mild administration of his excellent Queen. But their joy was of short duration. He suffered himself to be surprised by the enemy at Smolensko, and was ignominiously dismissed as a fool and coward."

Nel. An affectionate brother truly. I dare say if the truth was known, Jerome had no will of his own.

Wel. After he was dismissed he returned to Cassel, to continue his profligacy and exactions, but the following year his own subjects rose against him, and aided by some Russian and Saxon troops, compelled him to flee with his wife, whom neither his vices nor his misfortunes could estrange, he hastened to Paris.

Nel. She had something of Josephine in her composition.

Wel. She had. After the downfall of Buonaparte, the King of Wurtemberg endeavoured to prevail on his daughter to seperate from the worthless husband whom she had been compelled to accept. The Princess wrote, in reply, an affectionate, noble, and touching letter, asserting her irrevocable resolution to live and die with one to whom she was bound in honour and duty, and whom neither could permit her to leave-least of ali in his misfortunes.

Nel. What a noble, generous woman, messmate. These Buonapartes have had some first-rate creatures thrown in their way; with all their faults they seem to have possessed the art of making their ladies love them; and in the case of Jerome, Austerlitz Sun could certainly have had no influence in fascinating the lady.

Wel. Truly so. Napoleon, when at St. Helena, boasted that he possessed the love of both his wives. The King of Wurtemberg renewed his endeavours, but to as little effect. She appealed to her past irreproachable conduct as a child, to prove that she was no stranger to the voice of duty; that as a wife and mother, her behaviour might be expected to be equally blameless. She acknowledged that the match was originally one of policy, but affirmed that her husband possessed her heart, and that her happiness was concerned in her remaining with him.

Nel. Yes, yes, messmate, it is evident that if Jerome failed as Admiral and General of Division, he had certainly captured the heart of the Princess.

Wel. So it seems. "Best of fathers," she continues, "I conjure you to desist from your purpose; for in this case my resolution and principles are alike inviolable. It would be cruel to continue a contest I should be compelled to oppose a father whom I love and esteem more than my own life." Nel. That, messmate, was a devoted broadside for the king; it's seldom a king's daughter lectures her papa in that style.

Wel. True; the historian then remarks, "It would be unjust to deprive Jerome of this evidence in his favour; it would imply that with all his weakness, cowardice, and profligacy, his head is more to blame than his heart. Yet this little accords with his base abandonment of his first wife-a woman

of superior talents, the mother of his son, who had ever been a faithful and affectionate companion."

Nel. I say, messmate, had Buonaparte succeeded in melting Europe into one code of laws, I think on the question of royal divorces, he would not have troubled the House of Lords to have read them three times.

the Tower or Newgate

Nel. No doubt of it—but go on with my brother Admiral Jerome. Wel. When Jerome and his wife reached Paris, they found they could not remain after the abdication of the Emperor Frederica returned to her father, and was followed by Jerone; but his conduct having rendered him odious to that prince, both he and his faithful wife proceeded to Italy.

Nel. She'd nailed her colours to the mast.

Wel. The ex-king was at Trieste, when Napoleon returned from Elba; Jerome was supposed to be privy to the invasion, and was watched by the Austrian Governinent; yet he contrived to reach Faris, and took his seat in the Chamber of Peers; he assisted at the farce of the Chainp-de-Mai. Nel. What was that?

Wel. After Napoleon reached Paris, from Elba, he assembled his troops, presented them with eagles, and endeavoured to animate them for his last struggle at Waterloo.

Nel. I understand.

Wel. The historian says "Jerome looked on-we will not say he fought at Waterloo, and after the second abdication, assuming a disguise.

Nel. Another Buonaparte in a bustle.

Wel. He wandered from place to place, until permission was at length given him by his father in law, to rejoin his wife at Wurtemburg, in July, 1816, he was created Prince of Montfort, but was not allowed to appear at court, nor to enjoy unrestrained liberty. In two years afterwards, however, he and his Princess asked and obtained leave to settle in the Austrian dominions; he had a fine estate near Vienna and a palace at Trieste.

Nel. Had he any children?

Wel. Yes, he had a son and daughter by the princess; the historians says, "Jerome is the least indebted to nature of any of his brothers, he was noticed as a blundering stupid youth, nor was this radical defect mended by education. The coarseness of his incliuation, led him to prefer the lowest haunts while in Paris, continually engaged in scenes of debauchery, he carried disorder into every place, and insulted every woman he pleased.

Nel. A pretty fellow for a King.

Wel. Jerome," said Napoleon one day, "they say the majesty of Kings is stamped on the brow, you may travel incognito to doomsday without being recognised." By the Emperor he was usually designated a little blackguard. Nel. A rare brace of imperials; was not their brother Joseph designed for the law?

Wel So I have read, he studied at the University of Pisa, but the invasion of Corsica by the English in 1793. compelled the whole family to seek refuge in France. When the child of Destiny seized the Imperial sceptre, Joseph was laden with honours, both military and civil.

Nel. Buonaparte certainly carried out the old saying that "Charity begins at home."

Wel. Perfectly so. "When Napoleon entered on the campaign of 1805, he was entrusted with the presidency of the Senate, and with the direction of government; these marks of confidence were but the precursors of a much, higher dignity. An imperial decree announced that the King of Naples "had ceased to reign," and Joseph was placed at the head of the army destined to invade that kingdom. Though little resistance could be expected from perhaps the most cowardly people in Europe, he was accompanied by two able lieutenants, Massena and Gouvion St. Cyr.

Nel. Two able men. Wel. Perfectly so; "The week Ferdinand fled, the worthless soldiery disbandoned themselves, and the rabble delighted with a change, no matter of what sort-welcomed the approach of the French army with every demonstration of joy, the country was conquered with scarcely any loss of life, and the vacant crown conferred upon Joseph.

Nel. Crowns indeed! Why crowns in the hands of his brother Nap, were mere Dollars,

Wel. Truly so, he was literally coining sovereigns for all Europe.

Nel. But the worst of it, messmate, they turned out Brummagem ones; Bonny was a perfect smasher in more senses than one.

66

Wel. Good, Nelson, he certainly did not seem the man fitted to nanufacture one coinage for all Europe" his sovereigns at all events, would not long pass Nel. And his crowns not worth a dump, bnt tell me how Joe got on?

Wel. His Historian says, "If he had little ability, he had probably also little taste, for the duties of royalty, plain in his attire, and still plainer in his manners, he was strongly attached to the enjoyments of domestic life, the only sphere for which nature had qualified him, whether he accepted the glittering gift with much satisfaction is doubtful.

Nel. I should say very doubtful; that is, messmate, if Joe had the common average of common sense, he must be aware of the worthlessness of his brother's CROWNS, the NAP was so soon off.

Wel. Very soon; Joseph found a Spanish crown was not worth a Spanish dollar. We are told "He clearly saw, that without the constant aid of his brother, he should be unable to maintain himself on the throne; and he knew enough of that brother's character to feel assured that he should never Le more than a vassal of F'ranoe.

Nal. Perfectly so.

Wel. Hark! Do you hear that?

Nel. Yes, listen, it's the workmen.

(A VOICE)-Poor Nelson would not have done this; well, if you doubt it, Tom, here it is in black and white (reads)" On Wednesday, a court-martial was held at Plymouth, on board the Impregnable, Captain Lowe, on James Henry Hall, surgeon of the Star, Commander Warren, on the charge of drunkenness. Rear-Admiral Corry presided. It appeared from the evidence, that a party of friends had visited the ship, and had taken luncheon in the guu-room, at which two bottles of champagne were drunk between seven or eight persons, and the prisoner was observed drunk on the quarter-deck soon after their departure. It was shown in defence, and on cross-examination of the witnesses, that the prisoner was a man of temperate habits, but peculiarly liable to fits of excitement on very slight causes. This was supported by medical evidence. The prisoner put in a number of testimonials from the different captains with whom he had served, but the court, much to the surprise of the public, sentenced him to be dismissed the service.'* Will the base, brutal, and bloody Whig (as Dan O'Connell called them) Lords of the Admiralty sanction this, Tom.

(A VOICE) - No doubt of that; the scoundrels, they have done worse than this; I should like to have them at the gratings, I'd make the Whig rascals sing out.

Nel. And so would I, Tom. Really, messmate, I cannot help thinking the glory of Britannia has departed.

Wel. What punishment, then, would you have given this surgeon?

Nel. Wby, a reprimand; and, under the circumstances, quite enough too. To ruin this man's prospects in life for taking with his friends a glass of cham

* Dispatch, May 29th, 1853.

pagne too much, and not on duty either, and good testimonials from captains he had served with; why, I doubt if that Father Matthew, you spoke of, had presided, that he, with all his horror of champagne, would have passed a sentence like this; really, I begin to think your Whig leaders, on the score of cruelty and tyranny, must make the Corsican look to his laurels-but who was this Dan O'Connell that designated the Whigs

66 Base, brutal, and Bloody?"

Wel. From his name, I need scarcely tell you, he was an Irishman, and few men have had more influence over his countrymen than he possessed; he was mainly instrumental in getting up the excitement in Ireland in favour of Catholic Emancipation; in fact, he was returned to Parliament for the County of Clare, before the Catholic Relief Bill was passed.

Nel. But he could not take his seat?

Wel. No; but a Roman Catholic being returned to Parliament by a county, had great influence in forcing the bill through Parliament.

Nel. I understand.

Wel. His exertions in getting up the steam were so great, that he was called by his countrymen "The Liberator." So great was the influence of O'Connell in Ireland, that he was enabled to return a great many members to the House of Commons. He kept up a continual agitation (he was called the "Great Agitator") for a Repeal of the Union with England.

Nel. Which, of course, you conceded.

Wel. No, no, Nelson, not quite so bad as that.

Nel. Why, I don't know, messmate, you seem to have been extremely liberal in some things.

Wel. Parties in the House of Commons were, for several years so nearly equal, that O'Connell, and his Irish "tail," as it was called, was instrumental in keeping the Whigs in Downing Street for several years.

Nel. Is it possible; in what way, then, did the Whigs repay O'Connell for this?

Wel. In permitting him for many years to keep Ireland in a state bordering on Rebellion, to levy money from them in the shape of Rent, under the promise of getting a Repeal of the Union; the Romish Priests being on his side, they had great infinence over the people, which they used in goading them, to subscribe to O'Connell's Rent.

Nel. Gracious heavens! Could the Whigs submit to be kept in office by such means as this!

Wel. Indeed they did, and even worse than this, for after O'Connell designated them as "BASE, BRUTAL, and BLOODY," they rewarded him. Nel. With a prosecution.

Wel. No; but offered him the second judgeship in Ireland, "Master of the Rolls,"

Nel. Wellington, can this be true?

Wel. As true that you and I repose under the dome of St. Paul's.

Nel. Repose, indeed; such a recital messmate, prevents my reposing. Tell me more of King Joseph, even the Buonapartes are a relief, after the " BASE, BRUTAL and BLOODY." By what you have told me, messmate, that Dan O'Connell drew a very faithful portrait of the Whigs. If old Johnson, opposite, was living, moving, and having his being among the modern Whigs, I think Doctor would come to the conclusion, that if tke Devil was the first Whig, he was not the last.

Wel. I agree with you, Nelson. I assure you, on my [honour, whatever I had to do with them on earth, I ever found them hollow, selfish, and void of all

ROMANISM IN LONDON-A PRIESTS CONFESSION-Price Twopence!!

pity for the poor; they made use of the peopls as a ladder to help them to power by fine speeches and promises, goad them almost into open rebellion, but when they found themselves seated in Downing street, they became most heartess oppressors.

Nel The scoundrels !

Wel. Were I to relate to you, Nelson, a thousandth part of modern Whig infamy, I have no doubt.

Nel. You would put my fin in motion, so go on with King Joe.

Wel. The government of Joseph, or, I may rather say of Napoleon's creatures who governed him, was a compound of good and evil. He made some important alterations in the constitutions, and introduced as many elements of that of France as the people could bear. He suppressed the monastic orders, appropriated the revenues to his own use, abilished feudal rights, and made other changes injurious to the higher and favourable to the lower classes. He would, perhaps, ' have become popular; indeed, any government, after that of the contemptible dynasty which had fled, was likely to be hailed as a blessing,

Nel. No doubt of that.

Wel. His own necessities, and still more the exactions of Napoleon, compelled him to levy oppressive contributions on his subjects; while some defects of his personal character exposed him to their ridicule.

Nel. Poor Joe!

Wel. Too feeble to exert any moral force, he was the passive instrument of Napoleon's most unpopular measures; too idle to trouble himself with the affairs of his kingdom, he abandoned the reins to a set of needy and profligate ministers. The only occasions in which he shewed any thing like activity, was in upholding the pageantry of royalty.

Nel. Like master, like man, messmate, as with Nap. so with Joe, clinging to the purple, and worshipping Brummagem crowns. I have heard of "Reckoning without your host," but I never knew it more perfectly exemplified than in Joseph and his brethren.'

Wel. Very good, Nelson, they certainly were a striking illustration of the old adage. In 1808, Joseph was called to a more brilliant, but also to a more thorny destiny in Spain, he was well aware that the fierce Spaniard was somewhat more difficult to manage than the slavish Neapolitan, and he had the good sense to refuse the proffered dignity.'

Nel. What did Nap say to that?

Wel. We are told, that Joseph's inclinations were not thought worth consulting, and he was forced to pass the Pyrenees.

Nel. Poor Joe!

Wel. His reign at Madrid was not, as far as depended on himself, much unlike what it was at Naples; the passive agent and mere tool of his brothers will, he was neither oppressive nor cruel in his character; the same idleness the same incapacity, the same habits of dissipation.

Nel. "Wiid oats

are not confined to England, messmate; poor Joe, it seems, had not yet done sowing.

Wel So it appears. His general character, in short, rendered him, with his new and high-minded subjects, an object rather of redicule than of hatred. The military defence of his kingdom was intrusted to Generals, who, oftener disputed than obeyed his commands.

Nel. They would not have done so with NAP.

Wel. Indeed they would not, he was said to be "the mere shadow of a monarch. One portion of the country was in continual insurrection; another was possessed by a powerful foreign enemy, so than his authority extended no farther than the space actually occupied by the French army; even then it was merely nominal; the real power was invested first with the Emdernr, next with the Marshals.

To be continued.