Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

It is not granted by the decrees of heaven (says a late writer) for such conspiracy, against the freedom and independence of the world, as that which exists in France, and governs great part of Europe, to flourish long in security and honor. It is not possible, for impiety and crime, to lay the foundation of a towering and durable greatness. Such a power may, for a time, deceive the eye by the pomp and external decoration and the brilliancy and rapidity of its victories, but it contains within it the principles of decay; it betrays its weakness, and the slightest accident dashes its ill-acquired greatness to the ground. Here the sentiment, which Brooke puts into the mouth of Gustavus Vasa, may be applied; not as a splendid rhetorical embellishment, but as a serious and important truth :

"Tho' the structure of a tyrant's throne
Rise on the necks of half the suffering world,
Fear trembles in the casement; pray'rs and tears
And secret curses sup up its mouldering base,
And steel the pillars of allegiance from it.
Then let a single arm but dare the sway,
Headlong it turns and drives upon destruction."

Let but some sudden reverse of fortune lower the tone of his authority; let some signal defeat dispel the charm that so long has fascinated Europe : that moment his laurels wither; that moment the idolatry of his army is withdrawn and the praetorian bands give a new successor to the empire.

France nourishes in her bosom the fires of civil dissention; and, if Bonaparte did not wield a sword instead of sceptre, having in connection with the soil, the habits, the affections or prejudices of the country, he would have felt, before this, the vengeance of an injured and resentful people.