interests, presented him an address on the 29th of February, in which they expressed their entire concurrence in the justice and necessity of the war, their admiration of the plan of the campaign, the heroic energy with which it was carried into effect, and the wise, humane, and liberal policy which dictated the conditions of peace. But, not contented with this manifestation of their respect and gratitude, in a few days afterwards they voted, that a marble statue of the governor general should be erected at Calcutta, as a lasting memorial of his eminent public services. It was also agreed, at the same time, to present swords of considerable value to generals Lake and Wellesley, as testimonials of their high sense of the distinguished merit evinced by these officers in the late campaign ;measures were immediately adopted to carry these resolutions into effect. At home, the public gratitude was not less alive to the extraordinary ability and exertions of the marquis Weilesley, and the troops in India. The thanks of parliament were voted to the governor general, and the commanders, officers, and soldiers of the several armies, which had shared in the glory of the contest. His majesty was also further pleased to create general Lake a peer of the realm, and general Wellesley a knight of the Bath, to mark, in the strongest possible manner, the royal approbation of their signal services. We have gone so much into de tail in the preceding chapter, up. on the origin and policy of the Mahratta war, that it is only necessary here to observe, that every object for which it had been found necessary to contend, was obtained in a campaign of five months, against the two most powerful of the native princes in India, without a single reverse of fortune or serious disaster befalling the British arms. In the terms of peace, the British government was as moderate as in war its force had been irresistible; every point being abandoned and every conquest restored, that did not belong to the principles of justice and security upon which hostilities had been resorted to. In a word, the combined exertion of the talents and wisdom of the marquis Wellesley, the true military genius of generals Lake and Wellesley, and the invincible courage of the troops, have produced most lasting benefits to their native country; by their result, the best interests of humanity have been served ; our enemies discomfitted; our allies protected; our military superiority confirmed; our dominion enlarged; the subjects of other European powers excluded from the peninsula, and a secure and durable peace, founded upon the general good as well as our own, established throughout India. the CHRONICLE. CHRONICLE. 1st. JANUARY. bers, and encouraging to these grand national undertakings, that the pro AMIDST the warfare in which fits warrant a dividend of 10 per cent we are now engaged for our preservation and existence as a Nation, it is matter of exultation and self-confidence to reflect, that the most considerable and most important of our public works suffer, comparatively speaking, but little interruption. A scarcity of hands will naturally rather retard the completion of them; and such materials as are wanted must be purchased at an increased price, particularly the artitles of timber and bricks. THE WEST INDIA DOCKS, occupy ing a surface of 30 acres for unload'ing all vessels coming from the West India Islands and Colonies, have been completed some time since, and there is now sufficient accommodation in the substantial and extensive stacks of warehouses for such merchants as wish to bond or to house their commodities within the walls, unexposed to fire or plunder, as no lights are suffered at any time, nor any person allowed to remain on board, or within the walls after dark. The excavation of the dock for loading, which is to occupy 24 acres, is proceeding in with great spirit. In the mean while, it is highly gratifying to the subscriVOL. XLVI. on the sums already subscribed, and which the subscribers have begun to receive. THE LONDON Docks, forming in Wapping, for the accommodation of shipping, bringing wines, spirits, rice, and tobacco, and for the whole trade of the port (West and East India shipping excepted) of such as choose to avail themselves thereof, are in a very advanced state of forwardness; and there is every reason to believe that the Dock for Imports will be ready to receive vessels in the course of the ensuing summer. warehouses are forming; and, in parImmense ticular, a most stupendous stack for housing bonded tobaccos, which Goevery encouragement in its power vernment are to rent, besides giving to the concern, with a view to the security and increase of the public revenue, and to the safety and dispatch of the property of the merchant. THE EAST INDIA DOCK, for the use of the East India shipping exclusively, is as yet in a state of infancy. The Dock Company have purchased Mess. Perry's and Wells's Wet Dock, for the purpose of forming part of the Dock for loading outwards; and the Dock for unloading is excavatA a ing with all possible dispatch, on a site or marsh above, and is to occupy a surface of about 18 acres, and is likely to be completed in the Spring of next year. The capital subscribed is 200,0001. There are 13 Directors, of which four must always be Directors of the East India Company. COMMERCIAL ROAD. In addition to these immense accommodations to trade, a wide road, called the Commercial Road, is nearly paved and finished, commencing at the Northwest corner of the West India Dock, and coming out into Whitechapel near Aldgate. This road has been used since the opening of the West India Dock, and the tolls received weekly from 701. to 80l. and are daily increasing; and, with the profits of houses and lands purchased by the trust and let, will very shortly yield the subscribers their limited 10 per cent. profit on the capital of 50,0001. subscribed. The road is intended to be carried on to the East India Dock, and to communicate with the London Dock. THE GRAND JUNCTION CANAL, a concern of immense importance to the commerce of the country, is now pretty well known to the public. The company have lately experienced some impediment from the drought during the summer; but, on the other hand, it has enabled them to repair and cleanse the bottom in some parts where it wanted. The sum subscribed for this concern is about 1,350,000l.; and, when the tunnel and aqueduct at Blisworth are completed, which, it is expected, will be so at the end of this year, this immense under taking may be considered as quite complete, and well supplied with water, without interruption; then the subscribers will begin to look forward for a gradual and rapid in. crease of their dividends, which, there can be no manner of doubt, will very amply remunerate them for their long patience and spirit of perseverance in assisting a work of this national consequence. What a splendid contrast do these proud facts furnish to the condition of our enemy! France is driven to acts of unqualified robbery to collect the momentary means for carrying on her war; her army is unpaid, and held to its obedience by the hope of plunder; her commerce is annihilated; she has now no trade but that of murder and rapine: while in England, the confidence and the wealth of the people are such, that, after every sacrifice which the safety of the empire demands, we find millions embarked in commercial speculations. 4th. The splendid and interesting spectacle of the presentation of colours to the Queen's Royal Volunteers, which was this day displayed at Ranelagh, fully answered the expectation which had been formed of it. Its effect was greatly heightened by the ease and adroitness with which the Queen's Royal Volunteers performed their part of the ceremony, together with the great regularity observed in all the other proceedings of the day. At nine o'clock the Westminster Cavalry mustered in Hyde-park: their accoutrements were in excellent order, their horses in high condition, and they exhibited a very striking military appearance: they then proceeded to Ranelagh, to take the different stations which had been appointed for them. A party of them were stationed at the end of Ranelagh-lane, close to the Green, and at the beginning of it, and others patroled the road leading from Ranelagh to Buck Buckingham-gate. The corps being thus judiciously disposed, no large body of people could assemble, or carriages accumulate, to obstruct the general arrangements. The St. Margaret and St. John's Volunteers assembled at an early hour in Westminster-hall, and thence proceeded to Ranelagh-green. A detachment of them formed a line across the green, to keep the doors free from the pressure of curious intruders; another party was stationed to examine persons on foot, as they passed, to ascertain if they had tickets, and to prevent those who were not so fortunate from passing the line. A small detachment was posted at the carriage-gate leading into the gardens, to prevent any person passing that way, and to keep a clear passage for the royal carriages. At a quarter past 12, the trumpet announced the arrival of the courtly party in three of his Majesty's carriages. They were preceded by two noblemen's carriages, and followed by five. When they reached the gate leading into the garden, which it was necessary for them to pass through, Major Rolleston rode before them uncovered, and ushered them into it. As the first of the royal carriages was passing through the gateway, the horses became restive for some time, till one of the St. Margaret and St. John's volunteers seized the bridles, and led them along. The royal retinue having reached the entrance at the west side of the Rotunda, Major Rolleston alighted from his horse, and handed the countess of Harrington and her attendants from their carriages. In the first were Miss Vernon, Miss Coleman, and Miss Digby, maids of honour to her majesty; in the second, the vice-chamberlain and Mr. Vincent; and in the third, lady Harrington and her daughter, lady Anna-Maria Stanhope, lady Cardigan, and lady Aylesbury, two ladies of the queen's bedchamber. The company having all quitted their carriages, lady Harrington was conducted to her box by the vice chamberlain, and followed by her attendants, in the same manner as the queen would have been. Her ladyship was dressed in a black pelice, and a scarlet sash. Her head-dress was a rich velvet hat, highly decorated, and with four very elegant coquelicot feathers. Her ladyship also wore an antique necklace of great value, and a fine cameo of his majesty, being a large beautiful onyx, set as a medallion, which was presented to her by her majesty a few days ago, as a memorial of the event. Lady Anna-Maria Stanhope appeared in a dress of white satin, ornamented with pearls. The company in the rotunda, assembled as spectators, were numerous, and added to the splendour of the scene. Ranelagh has seldom exhibited so distinguished a display of beauty, elegance, and fashion. On the arrival of the countess in the box fitted up for her reception, two regiments of the queen's royal volunteers, under the command of lord Hobart, having taken their station two hours before, presented arms, with the bands playing. As soon as the corps had shouldered arms, two pair of colours were introduced, and placed on each side of the royal box. The king's colours of each regiment was a plain union standard; but the county or regimental colour, which has been de signed and executed by the princesses, was a superb piece of needle work. The ground was a rich purple silk, A a 2 the and and in the centre of the colours were her Majesty's arms, embroidered and surrounded with sprigs of variegated colours and designs. At the lower corners were the letters C. R.; and under the coat of arms were the words Queen's royal volunteers.” Prayers were read by the Rev. Weeden Butler; after which the Duke of York's band quitted its situation before lady Harrington's box, and went to assist at the orchestra. At this period the coronation anthem was sung by Incledon, Sale, and a full chorus, the boys from Westminster-abbey attending. The colours were removed from lady Harrington's box to the pulpit; when the rev. Mr. More delivered an animated and appropriate discourse, from Nehe miah iv. 9: "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night." At the front of lady Harrington's box were assembled lord Hobart, general Burrard, lord Amherst, the right hon. Mr. Secretary Yorke, and several general officers. When the discourse was concluded, Mr. Butler stood ready, by the colours, to read the consecration prayer, a copy of which had been previously presented to the countess of Harrington; but, from some momentary inadvertence in the very zealous and respectable conductors of this interesting business, no signal having been given to Mr. Butler, the colours were taken back to their former station; and the officers from each battalion, who were to receive them, were ordered by lord Hobart to place themselves before lady Harrington. The chamberlain then descended from the box, and gave the colours to major Rolleston, who was in the box with her ladyship, and on his knees held them by a piece of purple ribband, which tied them together, two and two. Her majesty's representative then delivered the following address: "Gentlemen, Her majesty having been graciously pleased to confer upon me the honour of presenting to you these colours, I am anxions to express how highly I am flattered by this distinguished mark of the queen's favour. At a time of all others the most awful, when our country is threatened with the unprovoked attack of a most implacable enemy, and when you have evinced your readiness to stand forward in the defence of every thing that is most dear to us all; what can be more gratifying, or more honourble to you, than being peculiarly distinguished by her majesty, and receiving your colours from her? Animated as your hearts must be by gratitude to the queen, in addition to every other noble sentiment that has guided you from the moment of the first offer of your services, it would not only be superfluous, but presumptuous in me, to add any thing upon the occasion, than the expression of every fervent wish for your success in the event of the enemy carrying his threats into execution; confident that no power, however strenuously exerted, will ever wrest these colours from you, while there is yet left a man in your corps to defend them," To which lord Hobart replied in the following words: "Madam, in the name of the corps, which I have the honour to command, I am to convey our humble and grateful acknowledgledgments for the distinguished favour with which her majesty has been pleased to honour us upon the present occasion: and, encouraged by so flattering an instance of her majesty's condescension, I am the more |