Selections from Speeches of Earl Russell, 1817 to 1841, and from Dispatches, 1859 to 1865. with Introductions (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870. Excerpt: ... INTRODUCTION. I Was Elected a Member of Parliament for the borough of Tavistock in July 1813, just a month before I became of age. The state of public affairs at that moment was one, if not of anxiety, yet of the highest interest. The great Revolutionary War, which had continued with intervals from the invasion of France by the Duke of Brunswick in 1792, was evidently drawing to a close. That war may properly be divided into two very distinct periods. First, the vain, weak, and ineffectual struggle of the Powers of Europe against the insane strength of the French Revolution, terminated by the Treaty of Campo Formio, and the Treaty of Ratisbon, on the Continent of Europe, and by the Peace, or more properly, the Truce of Amiens, between England and France. Secondly, the struggle maintained on the one side by Napoleon Bonaparte with infinite ability, infinite ambition, and an entire disregard of moral or religious scruples, with a view to make himself despotic master of every country in Europe; on the other side, by the resisting power of England, and by the spirit of national independence, first roused on the Continent in the breasts of the Spanish people, and extending from them, as opportunity arose, to the people of Russia, of Germany, of Holland, and of Northern Italy. For some years the conduct of the war on the part of the Allies, forms a strange contrast to the skill with which Vol. 1. B William ill., Marlborough, and Prince Eugene, had conducted the Grand Alliance against France, and to the spirit and military talent, which Frederick the Great and Lord Chatham had displayed in the Seven Tears War against the forces of France, Austria, and Russia. In 1792, the Duke of Brunswick, in contradiction to his own views and opinions, had issued a proclamatio...