CHRONOLOGICAL SKETCH OF THE MOST REMARKABLE EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1809. THE year 1809 has been a year of mighty import; war has desolated every quarter of Enrope, from the frozen ocean to the furthest south. The glorious struggles of Spain have marked many a day with bloody records for remoter times. British valour has been pre-eminently conspicuons: British exertions pre-eminently great; and British blood and treasure pre-eminently lavished in arduous conflicts, of which few have satisfied the hopes and expectations of the country. The following summary shews the varied scene, and discloses the progress of events during the year: 11. Four French ships of the line destroyed in Basque Roads by the boats of the British fleet, under the command of Lord Cochrane. 14. The Hautpoult French ship of war captured in attempting to escape from the Saints, where it and several more French ships had been blockaded by Sir Alexander Cochrane. 17. The Island of Saints, in the West Indies, captured by the forces under General Maitland. 20. Battle of Abensberg between the French and Austrians. 23. After the French and Austrian armies had had several skirmishes, the latter retreated upon Bohemia, and the former took Ratisbon. MAY. 1. The Duke of Sudermania created King of Sweden. 11. Mr. Maddox brings forward a charge of corruption against Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Perceval in the House of Commons. 12. Sir Arthur Wellesley, after beating the forces under Marshal Soult, delivers Oporto, where he found a large quantity of French ordnance. 12. The French take possession of Vienna. 17. Bonaparte, by a decree, united the Papal States to the French empire; and puts an end to the temporal jurisdiction of the Sovereign Pontiff. 18. The fort of Trieste taken by the French under Macdonald. 21. & 22. Fattle of Aspern, in which the French army, under Bonaparte, is defeated by the Austrians under Prince Charles; the loss on both sides was immense. 31. Stralsund assaulted and taken by the Dutch troops, and Colonel Schill and one-third of his brave followers killed, after he had raised contributions upon the territories of Jerome Bonaparte. JUNE. 1. Captain Barclay, the celebrated pedestrian, commences the undertaking to walk 1000 miles in 1000 successive hours, at the rate of a mile in eacla and every hour. This he performed at Newmarket, and won immense bets on the performance. 7. Expedition against St. Domingo sails from Kingston, and soon after takes the city of St. Domingo. 10. The Pope issues a protest against the usurpation of his dominions by Bonaparte, and apostolically excommunicates him. 14. The Austrian army under the Archduke John defeated at Kaab by a division of the French army, under the Viceroy of Italy. 25. Capture of the Island of Ithaca, by Sir John Stuart. 27. Riots at Liverpool, occasioned by a party of dragoons having quarelled with a press-gang. JULY. 1. Trial of Miss Mary Yorke, who was capitally indicted for maliciously firing a gun at R. Coombi, 3. Wright, te upholsterer, recovers a bill against Colonel Wardle for upwards of £1200, for furniture to Mrs. Clarke. 8. Defeat of the Austrian army at Wagram, 6. The Archduke Charles, at Vienna, published after the severest couflict during that and the two declaration of war against France. preceding days. 8. Reduction of the French settlement of Senegal and Gorce. 12. Armistice concluded between the French and Austrian armies. 20. Cobbet, the reformer and stickler for freedom and the rights of man, convicted of cruelty and oppression to a poor boy in his service. epoch similar to this has only occurred in our history twice in twelve centuries, viz. in the reigus of Henry III, and Edward III. 25. Glorious achievement in the Bay of Rosas. The Toulon squadron is destroyed, three sail of the line and a frigate by Admiral Martin, and afterwards the armed ships and transports des 22. Sailed from the Downs the Grand Expeditined for the relief of Barcelona by the boats from tion to Holland, under Lord Chatham. our ships under Captain Hallowell. 30. Duke of Portland died at Burlington-house, 26. Lord Gambier's trial on charges brought against him by Lord Cochrane, connected within the 72d year of his age. the attack in Basque Roads; he is acquitted. 28. Defeat of the French at Talavera by the combined British and Spanish armies under Sir A. Wellesley and General Cuesta. AUGUST. 1. Meeting of the Court of Common Council, for the purpose of coming to a division on a motion for rescinding the Vote of Thanks to Col. Wardle, in which resolutions were adopted confirming the former vote. 3. Siege of Flushing commenced by the British. 9. A meeting of the Freeholders of the county of Middlesex at Hackney, to consider of the propriety of petitioning for a Reform in Parliament. 16. Surrender of Flushing to the British arins. 13. Joseph Bonaparte by decree suppresses religious orders in Spain, abolishes the class of grandees, and all old titles. 27. Gallant attack on the fort and shipping of Cortolezzo, between Venice and Trieste, by the crew of the Ampon, in which the fort is blown up and all the vessels destroyed or taken. SEPTEMBER. 4. Eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 16. Arrived in London the Earl of Chatham, from the island of Walcheren. 17. Treaty of Peace between Sweden and Russia concluded. NOVEMBER. 1. Battle of St. Colama; Elake's position forced by Castiglione, in Catalonia, 3. Mr. Kemble made his motion in the Common Council for rescinding the resolutions of the Court respecting the Vote of Thanks to Col. Wardle, which was negatived. 13. Kupture of the Negociation in America, in consequence of an altercation between Mr. Smith, Secretary of State to the United States, and Mr. Jackson, who had succeeded Mr. Erskine as British Minister. 14. Bonaparte arrives in Paris with the Kings of Westphalia, Saxony, and other vassals in his train. 3. Bonaparte, in an address to the Legislative Body, developes his future prospects. 5. The Cominon Council of London agrees to an Address to the King, which is afterwards rejeeted, as containing language personally disrespectful to his Majesty. 17. Eleven of Schill's Officers tried by a mili-T tary tribunal at Wessel, and executed as robbers 18. The new Theatre of Covent-Garden opened for the reception of the public. 21. Duel fought between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, in which our Minister for Foreigu Affairs is wounded by our Minister of War. 23. Increasing riot at Covent-Garden Theatre; it closes for the purpose of referring the points in dispute (raising the price of admission) to a Select Committee. 24. Received intelligence of the conclusion of the war in Travancore. 25. The celebrated fortress of Ismail surrenders to the Russians without resistance. 25. Lord Grenville and Lord Grey invited to co-operate in the formation of a new Administration. OCTOBER. 4. Mr. Perceval kissed bands on being appointd First Lord of the Treasury. 4. Covent-Garden Theatre re-opened; serious and alarming trays in the Pit. 11. Lord Bathurst kissed hands as Secretary of State for Foreign Aflairs. 14. Peace signed between France and Austria. 19. The defeat of the Freach in Spain by the Duke del Parque. 25. The day of Jubilee, on which his Majesty entered upon the fiftieth year of his reign. An 3. Trial relative to Covent Garden Theatre, between Henry Clifford, Esq. and Mr. Brandon. Verdict in favour of Mr. Clifford, which renews the almost subsided tumults at the Theatre. 3. Accounts received of the surrender of the islands of Zante, Cephalonia, Ithaca, and Cerigo to his Majesty's arms. 7. A dreadful Wreck of ships in the Seaford quarter, 32 seamen lost. 10. The arsenal and works about the bason of Flushing destroyed. 11. Court of King's Bench. The indictment of Macy Anne Clarke and Daniel and Francis Wright, for a conspiracy against Col. Wardle, Verdict Not Guilty. 14. Fermination of the disturbances at CoventGarden Theatre. 14. Lord Grenville elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford. 15. The Empress Josephine and the Emperor Napoleon dissolve their marriage. 18. Subscription in behalf of Colonel Wardle opened at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. 20. The Persian Ambassador, his Excellency Mirza Abdul Hassan, presented his credentials to his Majesty. 23. Evacuation of Walcheren by the British forces. 23. The navigation of the Canal from the river Thames to the town of Croydon was opened. London: Printed by and for J. BELL, Southampton-street, Strand. 1. An Elegant PORTRAIT of her GRACE THE DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE. 2. Three WHOLE-LENGTH FIGURES in the FASHIONS of the SEASON, COLOURED, 3. An ORIGINAL SONG, set to Music for the Harp and Piano-forte; composed exclu sively for this Work, by Mr. Hook. 4. Two elegant and new PATTERNS for NEEDLE-WORK. CONTENTS. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ILLUS BEAUTIES OF THE BRITISH POETS. Hymenæa in search of a Husband 60 Paradise Lost. Book II. (continued)...... 9 LA BELLE ASSEMBLEE, .... 97 Explanation of the Prints of Fashion ... the Persian Ambassador in London, to Osman Cali Beg, his friend at Ispahan.. 65 MONTHLY MISCELLANY-Including Va A few Particulars of the late Mr. Wortley History of the Oldcastle family 67 rieties Literary, Critical, and Historical..... .. .. 98 99 70 INCIDENTS-Occuring in and near Lon- 73 PROVINCIALS. -Including Remarkable .. 93 85 &c. &c. .....104 93 Supplementary Advertisements for the Month. LONDON: PRINTED BY AND FOR JOHN BELL, PROPRIETOR OF THE WEEKLY MESSENGER, ALL Persons desirous of commencing Subscribers to the New Series of this Work, are respectfully informed, that an EXTRA QUANTITY of the First Number of the New Series was published, for their convenience, and which may be had of every Bookseller in town and country. Prophecy," and the " Select Maxims of Lord Hale," will be |