evident, indeed, that,
unless checked by the popular voice or by government, the revolutionary
societies in England would one day produce corresponding fruits to those
of France. Happily the nation at large and the government joined in
stemming the onward tide of revolutionary principles. Among the first
to take the alarm at the political societies and publications, were the
established clergy, who sent up addresses from all parts to his majesty,
thanking him for his late wise and provident proclamation. Towards the
close of the year the alarm became general; and clubs and associations
began to be formed with the avowed object of counteracting the baneful
influence of those which were founded upon revolutionary principles.
These societies came to certain resolutions, and made certain
declarations, which they caused to be published both in the newspapers
and in the form of pamphlets. One grand end at which they aimed was to
expose the fallacy that all men are born equal and must remain so; an
argument which the revolutionists had ever on their lips, and which
was the very root and life of their factious disposition. Nor did these
societies labour in vain. Their spirit spread rapidly throughout
the kingdom, and in every county, and almost every town and village
resolutions were subscribed, expressive of loyalty and attachment to
the king and constitution. It became manifest that though the French
had some few thousands of admirers in England, yet the great mass of
the people abhorred their proceedings; that, though there were many who
wished to bring about a revolution in their own country, yet there were
more who were ready to maintain the constitution as it existed, against
all its enemies, native or foreign. The public feeling encouraged
government, at the close of the year, to assume a hostile appearance
towards the French. Alarmed at the circumstances that the national
convention held out the hand of fraternity to other countries, and
especially to England; that Savoy was now incorporated with France, in
contradiction to the formal renunciation of all plans of conquest, that
Belgium was declared independent, under the protection of France; that
the navigation of the Scheldt was opened, in disregard of all existing
relations between European states; and that a decree of the 16th of
November ordered the French troops to pursue the Austrians, whom
they had recently defeated, into the Dutch territories, the British
gover