minister, Mr. Gerard, then in Philadelphia, where congress were in Session, immediately presented a memorial on the subject; and it was with much difficulty that the affair could be compromised. Notwithstanding the alliance with France had at this time been formed, still as the French court had made a formal denial to the British government of having any concern in this transaction, the exposure of Mr. Paine, although induced by the purest motives, must be pronounced indiscreet and ill-timed.

MISCELLANIES

IN PROSE AND VERSE.

INTRODUCTION

To the first Number of the Pennsylvania Magazine.

The design of this work has been so fully expressed in the printed proposals, that it is unnecessary to trouble the reader now with a formal preface; and instead of that vain parade with which publications of this kind are introduced to the public, we shall content ourselves with soliciting their candour, till our more qualified labours shall entitle us to their praise.

The generous and considerate will recollect that imperfection is natural to infancy; and that nothing claims their patronage with a better grace than those undertakings which, besides their infant state, have many formidable disadvantages to oppress them.

We presume it is unnecessary to inform our friend, that we encounter all the inconveniences which a magazine can possibly start with. Unassisted by imported materials, we are destined to create what our predecessors in this walk had only to compile.-And the present perplexities of affairs have rendered it somewhat difficult for us to procure the necessary aids.

Thus encompassed with difficulties this first number of The Pennsylvania Magazine entreats a favourable reception; of which we shall only say, like the early snow-drop, it comes forth in a barren season, and contents itself with foretelling that choicer flowers are preparing to appear.

Philadelphia, Jan. 24, 1775.

REFLECTIONS

ON

THE LIFE AND DEATH

OF

Lord Clive.

AH! the tale is told-the scene is ended-and the curtain falls. As an emblem of the vanity of all earthly pomp, let his monument be a globe, but, be that globe a bubble; let his effigy be a man walking round it in his sleep; and let Fame in the character of a shadow, inscribe his honours on the air.

I view him but as yesterday on the burning plains of Plassey,* doubtful of life, health or victory. I see him in the instant when "to be, or not to be," were equal chances to a buman eye. To be a lord or a slave, to return loaded with the spoils, or remain mingled with the dust of India.-Did necessity always justify the severity of a conqueror, the rude tongue of censure would be silent, and, however painful he might look back on scenes of horror, the pensive reflection would not alarm him Though his feelings suffered, his conscience would be acquitted. The sad remembrance would move serenely, and leave the mind without a wound-But oh, India! thou loud proclaimer of European cruelties! thou bloody monument of unnecessary deaths! be tender in the day of enquiry, and show a Christian world thou canst suffer and forgive.

Departed from India, and loaded with plunder. I see him doubling the Cape and looking wistfully to Europe. I see him contemplating on years of pleasure, and gratifying his ambition with expected honours. I see his arrival pompously announced in every newspaper, his eager eye rambling through the crowd in quest of homage, and his ear listening lest an applause should escape him.

Battle of Plassey in the East Indies, where Lord Clive, at that time Colonel Clive, acquired an immense fortune, and from which place his title is taken.

Happily for him he arrived before his fame, and the short interval was a time of rest. From the crowd I follow him to the court, I see him enveloped in the sunshine of sovereign favour, rivalling the great in honours, the proud in splendour, and the rich in wealth. From the court I trace him to the country, his equipage moves like a camp; every village bell proclaims his coming; the wondering peasants admire his pomp, and his heart runs over with joy.

But, alas! (not satisfied with uucountable thousands,) I accompany him again to India. I mark the variety of countenances which appear at his landing-confusion spreads the news-every passion seems alarmed-the wailing widow, the crying orphan, and the childless parent remember and lament;-the rival Nabobs court his favour;-the rich dread his power-and the poor his severity. Fear and terror march like pioneers before his campmurder and rapine accompany it-famine and wretchedness follow it in the rear

Resolved on accumulating an unbounded fortune, he enters into all the scheme of war, treaty and intrigue. The British sword is set up for sale; the heads of contending Nabobs are offered at a price, and the bribe taken from both sides. Thousands of men or money are trifles in an Indian bargain. The field is an empire, and the treasure almost without end. The wretched inhabitants

are glad to compound for offences never committed, and to purchase at any rate the privilege to breathe; while he, the sole lord of their lives and fortunes, disposes of either as he pleases, and prepares for Europe.*

* In April 1773, a Committee of the House of Commons, under the name of the Select Committee, were appointed by the House to enquire into the state of the East India affairs, and the conduct of the several governors of Bengal. The Committee having gone through the examination, General Burgoyne, the chairman, prefaced their report to the House, informing them, "that the reports contained accounts of crimes shocking to human nature, that the most infamous designs had been carried into execution by perfidy and murder. He recapitulated the wretched situation of the East-Indian princes, who held their dignities on the precarious condition of being the highest bribers. No claim, however just on their part, he said, could be admitted, without being introduced by enormous sums of rupees, nor any prince suffered to reign long, who did not quadrate with this idea; and that Lord Clive, over and above the enormous sums he might with some appearance of justice lay claim to, had obtained others to which he could have no title. He, (General Burgoyne) therefore moved, That it appears to this House, that Robert Lord Clive, baron of Plassey, about the time of deposing Surajah Dowla, Nabob of Bengal, and establishing Meer Jaffier in his room, did, through the influence of the power with which he was intrusted, as member of the Select Committee in India, and Commander in Chief of the British forces there, obtain, and possess himself of two lacks and 80,000 rupees, as member of the Select Committee; a further sum of two lacks of rupees, as Commander in Chief; a further sum of 16 lacks of

Uncommon fortunes require an uncommon date of life to enjoy them in. The usual period is spent in preparing to live; and unless nature prolongs the time, fortune bestows her excess of favours in vain.

The Conqueror of the East having nothing more to expect from the one, has all his court to make to the other. Anxiety for wealth gives place to anxiety for life; and wisely recollecting that the sea is no respecter of persons, resolves on taking his route to Europe by land. Little beings move unseen, or unobserved, but he engrosses whole kingdoms in his march, and is gazed at like a comet. The burning desart, the pathless mountains, and the fertile valleys, are in their turns explored and passed over. terial accident distresses his progress, and England once more receives the spoiler.

No ma

How sweet is rest to the weary traveller; the retrospect heightens the enjoyment: and if the future prospect be serene, the days of ease and happiness are arrived. An uninquiring observer might have been inclined to consider Lord Clive, under all these agreeable circumstances: One, whose every care was over; and who had nothing to do but sit down and say, Soul take thine ease, thou hast goods laid up in store for many years.

The reception which he met with on his second arrival, was in every instance equal, and in many, it exceeded, the honours of the first. It is the peculiar temper of the English to applaud before they think. Generous of their praise, they frequently bestow it unworthily; but when once the truth arrives, the torrent stops, and rushes back again with the same violence. Scarcely had the echo of applause ceased upon the ear. than the rude tongue of censure took up the tale. The newspapers, fatal enemies to ill-gotton weath, began to buz a general suspicion of his conduct, and the inquisitive public soon refind it into particulars. Every post gave a stab to fame-a wound to his peace,―and a nail to his coffin. Like spectres from the grave they haunted him in every company, and wispered murder in his ear. A life chequered with uncommon varieties is seldom a long one. Action and care will in time wear down the strongest fame, but guilt and melancholy are poisons of quick despatch.

Say, cool deliberate reflection, was the prize, though abstracted from the guilt, worthy of the pains? Ah! no. Fatigued with victory he sat down to rest, and while he was recovering breath, he lost

rupees, or more, under the denomination of private donations; which sums amounting together to 20 lacks and 80,000 rupees, were of the value, in English money, of £234,000, and that in so doing, the said Robert Lord Clive abused the powers with which he was entrusted, to the evil example of the servants of the public.'