Previous to the 18th Feb. a great number of persons had been executed at Madrid, under charges of treason against the person and authority of the sovereign. Nothing yet has transpired concerning the fate of the unfortunate Arguelles and his companions, who have been transported to a desert island of the Mediterranean. To those who know the true character of the present Spanish government, it will be no matter of surprise if this notice conclude their history.
An edict for the prohibition of certain books, divided into two principal classes, was published at Madrid on the 2d of March. In the first are comprehended those which are prohibited, even to the persons to whom the Inquisition may have granted licenses or particular permissions; the other comprises works which are only prohibited to such persons as have not obtained those licenses. The works of the first class are eight in number, and are prohibited as defamatory of the supreme authority of the pope and clergy The second prohibition falls upon forty-seven works, which are described as full of a corrupt and revolutionary spirit. In this last class, M. De Constant's Principles of Policy—La Croix's Elements of the Rights of the People—Blanchard's Felix and Paulina—and Adelaide and Theodore, or Letters on Education,—are included.
ITALY.
On the 15th of December, a catholic priest proceeded on foot to the cathedral of Adria, in Lombardy, and returned thanks for having attained his 110th year, without infirmities or sickness! He was accompanied by an immense concourse of people, and chanted the cathedral service in a firm, manly, and dignified voice.
The German papers have brought us a document of greater importance than usual, in the shape of a new constitution for Sicily. That interesting portion of Europe has lost nothing by the restoration of the legitimate sovereign to die throne of his ancestors. The king of Naples, unlike his namesake and cousin the sovereign of Spain, has signalized his restoration by confirming and extending the blessings of a free constitution.
The emigration of our countrymen to Italy is so extensive, that 400 English families now reside at Naples alone. Between 500 and 600 English are now resident at Rome, including branches from the noble families of Devonshire, Jersey, Westmoreland, Lansdown, Beresford, King, Cowper, Compton, Dunstanville, Denbigh, Carnarvon, and Breadalbane.—The dutchess of Devonshire gives parties every week, and is a great patroness of the fine arts.
Canova.—The pope had attached to the title of Marquis of Ischia, which he conferred on the sculptor Canova, an annual pension of 3000 crowns. This celebrated artist has disposed of this revenue in the following manner: First, a fixed donation to the Roman academy of archeology of 600 crowns. Second, 1070 crowns to found annual prizes, and a triennial prize for sculpture painting and architecture, which the young artists of Rome and the Roman states only are competent to obtain. Third, 100 crowns to the academy of St Lue. Fourth, 120 crowns to the academy of the Lynx; and fifth, 1010 crowns to relieve poor, old, and infirm artists residing in Rome.
Foreign papers, dated in March, reckon above 800 English families to be resident in the three cities of Florence, Leghorn, and Pisa. The number of young English who are receiving their education in various schools in Italy may be estimated at 1500.
GERMANY.
By the new regulations in the Prussian dominions, heavy taxes are to be imposed upon English goods, while the manufactures of other countries are to be subject to smaller duties. The continental system, seems to have created manufacturers, who are now in danger of being ruined by the competition of England.
A German paper contains the following, as it is asserted, accurate account of the Austrian army.
| Infantry, | 349,200 |
| Light Infantry, | 85,800 |
| Cavalry, | 75,000 |
| Artillery, | 20,000 |
| Total, | 530,000 |
The king of Wirtemberg has abolished the censorship of the press; and by conciliatory firmness towards his people, is likely to become one of the most popular sovereigns in Europe. The States were opened on the 3d March, at Stutgard, by the king in person, when the project of the new constitution was presented to that body. It consists of 337 articles, and is highly favourable to the liberty of the subject.
SWEDEN.
By the latest accounts, the present government of this country appears to stand on very slippery ground; and something more than even all the characteristic prudence and worldly wisdom of Bernadotte will be required to support him on the Scandinavian throne.—Stockholm, March 18: alarming reports of a political nature have arisen. One Lindhorne, a publican, denounced, on the 13th, certain seditious language which he had overheard. The affair, of which the object was no less than a total subversion of the present order of government, has immediately given rise to the strictest investigation, and has appeared sufficiently important to induce all the high colleges (or public boards), and deputations of the armed force,—the nobility, the citizens of Stockholm, and the peasants,—to wait on the Crown Prince, and assure him of their fidelity and attachment.
