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80*] ANNUAL REGISTER

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dreadful scourge of providence, the pestilence, has happily ceased in the Russian dominions, after having swept away above 60,000 of the inhabitants. Bohemia, has still suffered a greater loss, from some dreadful distempers, as fatal, though perhaps not so contagious, as the plague, and which seem to have been the offspring of famine. Posterity will be at a loss which to admire most, the great power of Russia, or the magnificence of its Empress, when they are informed that in the course of so long, so expensive, and so widely extended a war, her expences, whether in rewards to her generals and officers, in presents to learned men, in the encouragement of arts, or in the purchase of libraries, statues, pictures, antiques, and jewels, infinitely exceed those of any late or present European prince, except Lewis the Fourteenth. Among many instances of this nature which might be given, a diamond of an enormous size which she purchased this year, may be sufficient. This diamond, which weighs 779 carats, was brought some years ago by a Greek gentleman from Ispahan to Holland, and deposited for security in the Bank, till he could meet with a purchaser; the greatness of the price would have been this difficult, if the Empress of Russia had not existed. She has paid upwards of 100,000 l. sterling for it, besides settling a pension for life, of 4000 rubles upon the gentleman, which amounts to little less, than a thousand pounds sterling a year.

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CHAP. VII.

Situation of the ministry. State of public affairs. Remonstrance from the city of London. State of parties. Marriages in the Royal Family. Parliament meets. King's Speech. Augmentation of Seamen. Petition from certain of the Clergy, &c. Debates thereon. Church Nullum Tempus bill. King's message. royal Marriage-bill. Great debates thereon. Protests. the bill passes both houses.

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THE prodigious majority that attended the continued victories which administration gained in the last session, particularly towards the close of it, as it seemed to render every idea of an opposition to their measures futile, so it also seemed to promise them a security and permanence in their places, which nothing but some unforeseen, or unknown cause could interrupt. This appearance of things was not delusive; and no change took place in the public departments during the recess, except those that proceeded from the death of the Earl of Hallifax, and of Lord Strange, both of which happened nearly at the same time, and not long after the rising of parliament. In consequence of the former of these events, the Earl of Suffolk was appointed secretary of state for the northern department, in the room of the Earl of Hallifax, and the Duke of Grafton succeeded Lord Suffolk in the Privy Seal. [["June 12th. 1771" wrapped within the text]] Lord Hyde was appointed, a few days after, Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster,

For the YEAR 1772.   [*81

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Lancaster, in the room of Lord Strange.
 With respect to foreign affairs, peace seemed now to wear as permanent an aspect, as was consistent with the present critical state of Europe in general. Spain, during the recess, fulfilled her engagement in the convention, by the restoration of Port Egmont, which was delivered up to Capt. Stott, who was sent thither with a small squadron for that purpose. [["Sept. 16th." wrapped within the text]]
 As to domestic matters, a sullen languor, (perhaps in such a government as this not the most desirable of events) began in general to prevail with those who had hitherto opposed, and still disapproved, of the general measures of administration. They said that in the present state of affairs, all farther applications for a redress of grievances, would be ridiculous in themselves, and disgraceful to those that made them; that though no hopes remained in that quarter, there were as few to be placed in any other; and that it was as futile to persevere in an opposition to power, which every day's experience shewed to be irresistible, as it would be shameful and degrading to make supplications, when it was known beforehand, that they would at least be disregarded. That in such a situation, public matters must be left to run their own course, until they were productive of such events, as must from their nature work a reformation; and that in the intermediate time, it was not the part of a wise man, either to disturb his mind, about evils which could not be remedied, or to make a tiresome and fruitless opposition, to measures which he could not prevent.
 In the mean time, we are sorry to acknowledge, that the popular part of the legislature, had from various causes, lost much of that influence with the people, and of that respect and reverence, with which it was usually regarded; and which it is not more essential to its dignity, than even to its power and independence, at all times to preserve. Much of this may be attributed to the late ill-judged contest with the printers, and the ridiculous issue of that affair. Every circumstance of that transaction, was productive of effects, directly contrary to those that were wished or intended; and instead of supporting dignity, or establishing privilege, were equally subversive of both. Many of the addresses, which had been presented to the city magistrates during their confinement in the Tower, were direct libels upon that assembly, and in other times would have been severely punished as such. Even the public rejoicings which were made upon the enlargement of those magistrates, and the public marks of approbation and honour, which they received from other cities and corporations, as well as their own, were all so many tacit but severe reflections, upon the conduct of that body under whose power they had suffered.
 Its effects were similar in respect to the licentiousness of the press. the printers, now that the impotency of the house was discovered, laughed at an authority, which had been so much dreaded, before it was wantonly brought to a test that exposed its weakness. This discovery

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