eration of a clause
which proposed to convert gamekeepers into soldiers, passed without a
division. A bill was also brought in and carried by Mr. Dundas, to raise
a militia in Scotland. The total number of land-forces voted for the
year 1797 was 195,694; that of seamen, 120,000.

PITT'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Pitt opened the budget on the 7th of November. The money he required was
L27,945,000; and among the ways and means which he proposed was a loan
of L18,000,000. There seems to have been a universal spirit of loyalty
in the house, for all that was said by Pitt as to the courage and
resources of the nation, and our capability of withstanding the power
of France and our various enemies, was loudly cheered, while Fox, who
opposed him, was heard in dead silence. The propositions were agreed
to, and this loan was soon followed by a second of equal amount, and
including a vote of three millions for the Emperor of Austria. On
opening the budget, Pitt stated that ministers had made an advance of
L1,200,000 to the emperor; and on the 13th of November, Fox moved "That
his Majesty's ministers, having authorised and directed at different
times, and without the consent and during the sitting of parliament, the
issue of various sums for the services of his Imperial Majesty, and
also for the service of the army under the Prince of Conde, have acted
contrary to their duty, and to the trust reposed in them, and have
thereby violated the constitutional privileges of this house." At first
Pitt admitted that it was an irregular act, but afterwards he attempted
to bring what he had done within the authority of the ordinary vote of
credit, and endeavoured to find a principle in other discretionary and
indefinite expenditures. Pitt was manifestly in a dilemma; but he was
rescued by the Hon. Charles Bathurst Bragge, who moved as an amendment
to Fox's resolution, to the effect that the advance made to the Emperor,
"Though not to be drawn into precedent but upon occasions of special
necessity, was, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, a
justifiable and proper exercise of the discretion vested in his
Majesty's ministers by the vote of credit, and calculated to produce
consequences which have proved highly advantageous to the common cause,
and to the general interests of Europe." This amendment was carried by a
majority of two hundred and eighty-five to eighty-one.

MISSION OF LORD MALMESBURY TO PARIS.

As intimated by t