1 20 XXXII. 1784. CHAP. it but the return of their long lost patrons, and the affection and reverence which the inhabitants of that part of the island felt for their natural lords. It was obvious, that a property held for the benefit of the public, was not so well managed as if possessed by private proprietors: the restoration of the estates would tend very much to the improvement and prosperity of the country. The bill experienced some opposition in the house of lords; the objections proceeded not from the substance, but the lateness of the season, and the form in which it was introduced; all these, however, were overruled, and it was passed into a law. Labours of MR. PITT found himself necessarily engaged in the Mr Pitt in laborious business of winding up the accounts of the investiga ting the war, and was compelled, by the burden of floating debt, public acand the general state of the national finances, to negotiate counts. a loan, though in time of peace; but as this measure was obviously unavoidable, in order to make the terms as favourable as possible, instead of granting enormous profit to private or political favourites, he disposed of it to the best Supplies. bidders. The sum borrowed was six millions: the taxes were chiefly upon articles of accommodation and ornament in dress, furniture, and equipage, or postage, by the restrictions of franking, with some additional duties on liquors. The principle of impost with which he set out, was to bear as lightly as possible on the poorer classes: Loan and besides this loan, there was a large debt unfunded, chiefly in navy and exchequer bills, and ordnance debentures. Of these six million six hundred thousand pounds were funded, and the rest necessarily deferred to the following year. On the 2d day of August, the session was ended, by a speech from the throne; in which his majesty expressed his warmest thanks for the eminent proofs exhibited by parliament of zealous and diligent attention to the public service. The happiest effects were declared to be expected from the provision made for the better government of India, and from the institution of a tribunal so peculiarly adapted to the trial of offences committed in that distant country. The sovereign observed with great satisfaction, the laws which were passed for the preservation and improvement of the revenue. He applauded the zeal and taxes. XXXII. 1784. liberality with which the house of commons had provi- CHAP. ded for the exigencies of the state, though he felt and regretted the necessity in which their exertions originated. A definitive treaty, the king informed the house, was concluded between Britain and the states general; and the aspect of affairs, as well as the positive assurances from foreign powers, promised a continuance of general tranquillity. 22 CHAP. XXXIII. CHAP. XXXIII. 1784. Britain resumes her attention to the affairs of the continent.-State of foreign powers.-Situation and views of Catharine.-Character and conduct of the emperor Joseph.-Catharine courts his alliance-Treaty between these princes.-Catharine's invasion of the Cri-. mea.-Seizure of that country. Measures of internal improvement. It is the interest of Russia to cultivate amity with Britain.--Catharine's conduct to Britain not consistent with her usual wisdom.Reforming projects of the emperor.-Suppression of religious orders. Schemes of naval and commercial aggrandizement.-. Dismantles the fortresses of the Netherlands.-Propo- : ses to open the Scheldt.-The emperor prefers his claims.-Arguments on both sides.-Joseph's allegations. entirely contrary to justice.-The Dutch prepare to defend their rights.-Russia supports the pretensions of the emperor. Prussia and France unfriendly to the emperor's demands.-Britain disposed to protect. Holland.-Britain's speedy recovery from the evils of war. Flourishing commerce.-Miscellaneous occurrences.-. Death of Dr. Johnson, and a short view of literature and science at his decease.-Improvements of the present age in natural philosophy and chemistry.—Invention of air balloons.Ascent of Lunardi from the Artillery ground. General astonishment of the metropolis at this phenomenon.. FOR the last twenty years, England had been so much engaged in her own intestine and colonial dissensions, and afterwards with the American war and its conBritain re- sequences, that she bestowed much less attention on the attention to general concerns of Europe, than at any former period of the affairs her history since the revolution. From the commencefinent. ment of Mr. Pitt's administration, while recovering her sumes her of the con internal prosperity, she resumed her importance among foreign nations. During the remaining portion of our narrative, her interests became so interwoven with those of continental powers, that the general state of Europe must occupy a larger share of the history than has been. hitherto necessary. 23 CHAP. XXXIII. 1784. powers: and views THE empress of Russia had not been engaged in any State of great war since the peace concluded in 1774 with Tur- foreign key; she nevertheless was actively employed in schemes of external aggrandizement, as well as of internal improvement. Catharine's objects were to extend over Germany, and her more northern vicinity, her influence and power, so much increased by her acquisitions in Poland; on the other side to make herself mistress of the Situation Turkish empire, through the extent of coast which she of Cathashould then possess on the Euxine and the Mediterrane- rine. an in addition to her maritime territories in the north, she proposed to attain a commercial and naval eminence, proportioned to her territorial power, rapidly increase the value of her immense dominions, and become decidedly superior to every other sovereign. The end was grand, nor were the means ill adapted. At peace herself, she had carefully surveyed the circumstances, situation, and character of other states and princes. As the supreme obstacle to maritime exaltation would be Britain, the confederacy formed against the mistress of the ocean was consonant to her wishes, and, without open and direct hostilities, she endeavoured to promote its success. This naturally produced a connexion between her and France, the ancient ally of Turkey, the chief object of Catharine's ambition. The sagacious empress, penetrating into the characters of other princes, availed herself of either their strength or weakness, and applied to their ruling passions to gratify her own. The king of Prussia, she well knew, she never could render an instrument for effecting her purposes, though she might procure him as a coadjutor when cooperation with Russia suited his own. She was aware that he would instantly dive into her designs, and effectually obstruct them if they were likely ever remotely to interfere with his interests. Besides, in her principal scheme, his cooperation could not directly advance her designs, even if he were so disposed. From the situa XXXII. 1784. and pro emperor Joseph. tion and power of his dominions, the emperor would be the most effectual auxiliary; and to his personal character, she did not doubt she could apply with success. Joseph Character was fond of distinction, without the means of acquirjects of the ing it by great and meritorious qualities. Ardently desirous of increasing his power, without solid and vigorous capacity to gratify his favourite passion, he was one of those secondary characters, bustling, busy, and active, which in all ages and ranks have been efficacious tools, moved and guided by superior ability. Joseph, she well knew, from his power and vicinity, would be a most useful instrument in her designs upon Turkey, either of encroachment, which she at the time meditated, or of subjugation, which though at a more distant period she no less firmly intended. That she might the more readily win over Joseph to second her views, in the year 1780 she requested a personal conference; they met at Mohilof, and there Catharine thoroughly confirmed the opinion which she had conceived of his abilities and character, and after having impressed him with the highest opinion of her own genius and accomplishments she appeared to make Catharine him the repository of her most secret designs. She re courts his alliance, presented to him the advantages that would accrue to both empires from a close political union; and the practicability that, by such a connexion, they might share the spoils of Turkey, and each acquiring both an extensive and productive accession of dominions contiguous to their respective territories, their concert, when so increased in power, would enable them to direct the affairs of the German empire. Joseph very readily acceded, both to the expediency of the object, and feasibility of the plan. It was and a trea- agreed that Catharine should return to her capital, and that Joseph, after making a circuitous tour through the Russian provinces, should repair to Petersburgh. There they more completely digested their schemes, and a firm alliance was established between the two imperial sovereigns. ty is con cluded. invasion of Catharine's CATHARINE found that from the late cessions in Turkey the Crimea. she derived great and rapid advantages; her commerce on the Black Sea daily extended its progress; the Russian vessels passed the Dardanelles, and went to traffic at |