t of keeping down the growth of the law
expenses, by drawing public attention to them, and by establishing the
rule, that the solicitors should continue to present, from time to time,
an account of all money spent in the prosecution. Had this rule not
been laid down, the cost of this prosecution would probably have been
enormous; and, as it was, they must have been great, for the expenses
already amounted to L4300, exclusive of the erections in and decorations
of Westminster Hall. The expenses which Hastings had incurred was much
greater; and yet of twenty charges only two had been heard; and he then
had to make his defence.

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED.

Parliament was prorogued on the 11th of July, by a speech from the
throne, in which his majesty complimented the two houses on their
attention and liberality. The king mentioned that the Emperor of Germany
had joined the Empress of Russia in a war against the sultan; and he
referred to treaties into which he had entered with the King of Prussia
and with the States-general of the United Provinces, which he trusted
would be productive of the happiest results both to England and to all
Europe.

CONTINENTAL ALLIANCES.

The treaties to which his majesty alluded had been concluded early in
this year. That between England and Holland embraced a mutual guarantee
of dominions; a security for the existing form of government in the
United Provinces; and regulations by which the commerce of each country
was placed on the footing of the most favoured nations. The treaty
between the kings of Great Britain and Prussia was one of defensive
alliance; in which, besides the usual articles of mutual agreement, the
contracting parties bound themselves to act at all times in concert,
for the maintenance of the security, independence, and government of
the United Provinces. The object of these treaties was not so much
to preserve the balance of power in Holland against the influence of
France, as to secure that country from any attempts which might be made
against it by the Emperor of Germany and the Empress of Russia, whose
forces were now banded together. It was supposed that the object of
the alliance of the Austrian and Russian courts was conquest and
aggrandizement; a supposition which seemed confirmed by their known
characters, and by the war which they were carrying on against the
Ottoman empire. From France, at this period, there was now nothing to
fear, for it was a house