enditure and
increased taxation. Fox then adverted to the affairs of Ireland; the
recall of its lord-lieutenant, which had recently taken place; and
to the general irritation of its inhabitants. He then alluded to the
dissatisfaction which prevailed in England, asserting that an opinion
was gaining ground among the people, that, since the commons complied
with every measure proposed by ministers, they could not fairly
represent the nation. He asked what were the grounds for confidence in
men whose schemes continually miscarried? And, supposing the war to
be just, did the succession of plans and events afford any reason for
reposing unlimited confidence in his majesty's present counsellors, as
wise, energetic, and effective war ministers? In conclusion, he said,
that if ministers really deserved confidence, they would not resist
inquiry, as no man, conscious of an able and upright discharge of his
duty, would shrink from an investigation into his actions. Pitt
allowed that some of the subjects proposed by Fox were of the highest
importance; but he objected to inquiry as being incompatible with other
parliamentary business. Part of the proposer's objects, also, he said,
were inexpedient and unreasonable; he had exaggerated our losses,
detracted from our advantages, and on the whole exhibited an unfair
statement of our situation. Mr. Canning followed on the same side as
Pitt, and argued with reference to Ireland, that its turbulent situation
was a sufficient excuse for declining all such discussions at present.
Fox and Sheridan replied, that the minister, instead of meeting, had
only shifted the question; that if the state of the country had been
misrepresented, the means of refuting this misrepresentation lay in a
fair investigation of conduct. The motion was rejected by two hundred
and nineteen against sixty-three; and a similar motion made six days
after in the lords, by the Earl of Guildford, was negatived likewise by
a large majority. Motions were subsequently made in both houses for an
inquiry respecting Irish affairs, but with the same ill-success.

MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

The marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Princess Caroline of
Brunswick took place on the 8th of April. At the time it was generally
supposed that his royal highness was influenced in forming this
connexion by the promise of an ample provision to pay his debts, now
amounting to the enormous sum of L600,000. Be that as it may,