and the husband's misfortune will be aggravated in the extreme. His wife is declared an adultrefs by the laws of his country, and yet the children begotten by her, even at the time when the adultery is proved, are to be palmed upon him as the legal claimants of his fortune and estate. The injury becomes doubled. His peace is wounded; and his property is taken from him. Mr. Burke appealed in Williams's behalf to the humanity of the Houfe; and, fuppoing that Mr. Fox's propofition of keeping the matter open till the children fhould come of age to conteft their right in a court of juftice fhould gain the confent of the Houfe, he put the following cafe:A man of forty years of age obtains a divorce, and the wife hath had children in adultery; in that cafe the man cannot marry with any degree of fafety to another generation of children untill he is fixty-one. This, he observed, though a fafe time in one refpect, would be very unfafe in another. The claims of the children might be over-ruled; but there might be other claims which a man of fuch an age would not find it very eafy to anfwer!-He at length feriously obferved that he faw no reafon, why he should fcruple, as a legiflator, to pronounce thofe children illegitimate who had been proved to be fuch; and who, from the evidence given in fupport of the bill, he was fully convinced in his own mind were indeed bastards.

The matter was adjourned to a future day, on its being difcovered that there was not a fufficient number to form a committee.

March 31. The great debate relative to a new adminiftration was refumed with fresh fpirit, and profecuted in a form fomewhat new and fingular.

On Mr. Pitt's entering the Houfe, Lord Surrey arofe and expreffed a wifh to be informed, on official authority, of the effect of the addrefs to the throne, with refpect to the formation of a new miniftry.

Mr. Pitt declared that it was out of his power to fatisfy the Houfe. All he could venture to fay (for he would not amufe the Houfe with private conjectures) was this, that his Majesty had

been gracioufiy pleafed to accept of the refignation of that office which he had the honour of filling in his, govenment. This was all he could with certainty declare. The rest he must leave to the wifdom of the royal breaft, and he doubted not but his Majesty would do every thing to meet the wifhes of his people, and fulfill the request of his faithful Commons.

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This anfwer not proving fatisfactory to the noble Earl, he thought himfelf fully juftified in bringing forward his motion. The refignation of a perfon fo high in office as Mr. Pitt enforced its neceffity with additional weight. The ftate was without any director that could be denominated refponfible. The common routine of bufinefs was neglected for want of oftenfible managers; or was flackened through an indifference that is always the effect of an interregnum in adminiftration- men had fpur to activity. There were no rewards to ftimulate; no punishments to controul. The want of an adminiftration was injurious to our intercourfe with foreign courts; and to the settiement of our concerns at home. It af fected our credit; it left our army and our navy in an unfettled and precarious ftate; it in fhort involved in it every evil that was prejudicial to our honour, to our intereft, and to our tranquility; and called aloud for instant and effectual redrefs.

After haranguing the Houfe for fome confiderable time on thefe general topics of declamation, his lordship read the following motion: viz,

"That a confiderable time having elapfed without an adminiftration refponfible for the conduct of public affairs, the interpofition of this Houfe on the prefent alarming crifis is become neceffary."

His lordship obferved, that, if this refolution fhould pass, he would make it the bafis of another motion: and he conceived it the moft refpectful mode of proceeding to addrefs his Majefty a fecond time, but in words more strong and exprefs than the laft address contained; ftating, at the fame time, fpecifically the grounds of fuch a proceed ing, and the abfolute neceflity of it,

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both to fecure the prerogatives of the crown and the interefts of the people. The motion for the firft propofition was feconded by Sir Jervoife Clerke Jervoise.

Mr. Pitt oppofed it, though he gave the noble mover ample credit for the uprightnefs of his intentions. But, after his Majefty's meffage to the Houfe, in confequence of the addrefs, he confidered it as indecorous and unneceffary. The language of the motion was unconftitutional. It expreffed in words more than the Houfe was authorized to do, without violating the very effentials of royalty. It talked of an interpofition in a bufinefs to which only the wisdom of the fovereign was prefumed to be competent: and in which there could be no interference without a manifest encroachment on the regal right. We ought to reft fatisfied with his Majefty's gracious meffage. To repeat the addrefs would infinuate a fufpicion of the royal affurance.

Lord North viewed the refolution in the fame unfavourable light with Mr. Pitt: and wished the noble earl to withdraw the motion. It was (though with fome reluctance and hesitation) withdrawn, and Lord Surry moved as follows:" That an humble addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, to exprefs the dutiful and grateful fenfe which this Houfe entertains of the gracious intentions expreffed in his Majefty's meffage of the 26th inftant.

"To affure his Majefty that it is with a perfect reliance on his paternal goodness, and with an entire deference to his royal wifdom that this Houfe again fubmits to his Majefty's confideration, the urgency as well as the importance of affairs, which require the immediate appointment of such an adminiftration as his Majefty, in compliance with the wishes of his faithful Commons, has given them reafon to expect.

To affure his Majefty that all delays in a matter of fuch moment have an inevitable tendency to weaken the authority of his government, to which this Houfe is not more bound by duty, than led by inclination to give an ef fectual and conftitutional fupport.

"To reprefent to his Majefty, that the confidence of foreign powers may be weakened by the failure of the ordinary means of a conftant communication with them-that the final execution of treaties, the important and decifive arrangements of a commercial and political nature, in confequence of a late revolution-that a provifion for the heavy expences and important fervices voted-that the orderly reduction of the forces, and the expences of a new establishment - the fettlement of the national credit, feriously affected by the critical ftate of the East-India Company; with other important concerns, do feverally, and much more collectively require an efficient and refponfible administration, formed upon principles of ftrength and ftability, fuited to the ftate of his Majefty's affairs, both at home and abroad; and this House most humbly repeats its fupplications to his Majefty, that he will take fuch meafures towards attaining this object, as may be agreeable to his own gracious difpofition, and fuch as will quiet the anxieties and apprehenfions of his fubjects."

This motion, like the former, was feconded by Sir J. Clerke Jervoife.

Sir William Dolben allowed that the country was at prefent in a very diftracted state; but he was fearful that the new arrangements fo much talked of would not harmonize it. The difficulties which retarded the formation of a new miniftry at prefent were only a matter of probable conjecture. But he was afraid the main obstacle lay in a ftruggle for power among the members who form the boafted coalitiona ftruggle that would even wreft from the fovereign the regulation of his own. domestic concerns, as well as reduce him to a mere cypher in the state. If the ftruggle was about meafures of government, he was certain that the conceffions of one fide or the other muft be very ample before men of fuch oppofite principles could act in concert. He reminded Lord North of the grounds on which his former adminiftration was fupported; and warned him not to forfeit the esteem of the independent part of the community,

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Lord North protefted very folemnly that no fuch caufes as had been ungenerously infinuated prevented the arrangement. He, and those with whom he had the honour to be connected, were fuperior to fuch political meannefs. There had been a difference in opinion between a noble duke and himfelf; which, however, was happily got over; and there was no obftacle in the way of a cordial and firm coalition. He never bargained for the privilege of filling up the petty offices of the ftate: much lefs did he or thofe with whom he was connected attempt to interfere in the economy of the royal household. The caufes that delayed the formation of a ministry, he apprehended to be of too delicate a nature to be a proper fubject of parliamentary inveftigation. Hecould, how ever, fay with great truth, and the Houfe might reft affured of the declaration he made, that neither the Duke of Portland, Mr. Fox, nor himself were the caufes of the delay complained of.

The Lord Advocate agreed with Mr. Pitt on the impropriety of the addrefs, after his Majefty's meffage to the House. It would convey an oblique cenfure on the royal affurance. Suppofe his Majefty, fince the refignation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had thought proper to raife that gentleman to the first poft in the government, and had not abandoned the idea till the prefent day, the Houfe would fee that this circumftance would give the whole arrangement a new turn. Would the Houfe, in a cafe fo delicate and peculiar, with to prefs on his Majesty with an indecent forwardnefs? Would it with to limit him in the free fcope of his prerogative? Would it not be moft refpectful to wait the event; and not attempt to precipitate it by hafty refolutions? The learned lord ftated his Suppofitions with great caution. He did not pretend to fpeak on any certain grounds; nor attempt to offer any proof. He gave them as conjectures but conjectures that having fome foundation in probability, deferved fome attention from the Houfe, and fhould LOND, MAC, Aug. 1783,

to counteract any rafh and hafty refolutions. Refpect for the noble lord who moved the addrefs would not, however, fuffer him openly to negative it; but he fhould move the previous queftion.

Sir Harry Houghton feconded the Lord Advocate's motion for the order of the day; lamented the lofs the nation would fuftain by the refignation of Mr. Pitt; and confidered the addrefs as needlefs in itfelf, and highly difrefpectful to his Majefty. If the throne must be addreffed again, let it be for the prefent poftponed. If the royal word thould not be deemed a fufficient fecurity, let us give it a fair trial before we exprefs our doubts of it.

If it

Mr. Percival thought the addrefs was both ill-timed and defective. fhould, however, be judged neceffary he wished to have it amended by affuring his Majefty that the Houfe would fully fupport any adminiftration he might be pleafed to form, as long as they acted conftitutionally."

Mr. Fox deemed this amendment' fuperfluous. The addrefs itfelf included the whole fenfe of what the honourable gentleman offered by way of amendment. He animadverted on fome parts of the Lord Advocate's fpeech; and was by no means of opi nion that the refignation of Mr. Pitt fhould caufe the addrefs to be poftponed. In reality Mr. Pitt had been out of office for thefe fix weeks by his own declaration, and could only be confidered in the light of a locum tenens, to tranf aft the neceffary business of the state till his poft fhould be filled by another perfon. He was, however, glad that Mr. Pitt confidered himself as refponfible fo long as he held the feals of office: and if Lord North had not pressed him to fpeak explicitly on that head, he himself intended to have done it. As to the caufes of delay, he was not forward to acquit or condemn any clafs of men. He had his fufpicions, though he was not warranted to pronounce with certainty. The Houfe had voted an addrefs becaufe they confidered the delay of forming an adminiftration as culpable. Delay becomes more and

more

more fo every day. Why then fhould the prefent addrefs be deemed ill-timed or improper? He wifhed, however, to have the motion withdrawn, rather than to have the House divide on it. He wifhed for unanimity, and thought it right on the prefent occafion to avoid the appearance of contention. As to the fecret influence which Mr. Jenkinson difclaimed, we can only judge of it by its effects. It is difficult to fix the charge; it may be impoffible to prove it; but, when we fee wrong measures, we may very reasonably attribute them to wrong councils. This included in it a reflection on the politics of Lord North; and Mr. Fox faid that he was not furprized that his lordfhip had exculpated the man who had taken fo active apart in his adminiftration. Secret influence did not counteract the adminiftration that owed its being and fupport to its power. He again expreffed a wish to have the motion withdrawn, if it was not likely to pafs unanimously. Mr. T. Pitt voted against the addrefs, on the ground of its being difrepectful to his Majefty, and tacitly fignified a fufpicion of the royal word. From the junction of Mr. Fox and Lord North, he forefaw little good to this country: he thought it unnatural, and was fearful that events would fhew it to be pernicious.

Mr. William Pitt again avowed his refponfibility, and declared that he was ready to face the fevereft fcrutiny to the last moment of his being in office. At the fame time, he declared himfelf unconnected with party, and fhould referve himself to act according to the dictates of his own confcience, independent of every confideration, but the welfare of his country. The addrefs he thought precipitate; but if there hould appear a culpable delay in forming an administration (which, however, he was not by any means apprehenfive of) he humfelf would be the firft to complain; and, though he would not pledge himfelf to abide by the exact words of the prefent addrefs, yet he would vote for one that fhould be carried to the throne, to know the caufe of delay.

When Mr. Martin called upon Lord North to inform the Houfe what were the main points in ich he agreed

with the party that had uniformly oppofed his meafures, his lordship faid, that though fome points of difference ftill fubfifted, yet in the effentials of government they were fo united (efpecially as the grand object of contention was now out of the way) as to be in fufficient harmony of difpofition to direct the affairs of state on a plan of mutual concord. Perfect uniformity of opinion between even two perfons never did exift, and perhaps never would: much less could it be expected amongit feveral. If an arrangement was not to be formed till all the members of it were perfectly agreed in every point,. government would be at a fland.

Mr. Fox declared that his motive in forming the coalition was truly patriotic. He was impelled to it by neceflity. He knew that without it the bufincfs of the ftate could not be profecuted. He alfo faid, that, as the caufe of contention between him and Lord North was removed by the termination of the American war, he faw nothing left that could be an obftacleto their union. Smaller differences might fubfift; but they were fuch as exilted in every adminiftration; and particularly in Lord Shelburne's. He inftanced in Lord Thurlow and the Duke of Richmond; Lord Grantham and Lord Sydney, &c. &c. They have always differed: and differed too in matters of great conftitutional import.

Sir Charles Turner was not fatisfied. Lord' North, in his opinion, deferved to be expelled the Houfe: for all the calamities and difgraces which have befallen this country of fate years may be traced up to his wicked adminiftration!

Mr. Burke defended his own parlia mentary and political conduct: and took a pride in having always voted in good company.

After fome further debate of not fufficient confequence to be recorded, Lord Surrey withdrew his motion: but declared that if an adminiftration was not formed fo fpeedily as he had been given to understand in the courfe of the debate, he would infift on bring ing the fame motion forward again on Thurfday, and he doubted not of the warmeft fupport from all fides of the Houfe.

MATHEMATICS.

HE properties of numbers difpofed in magic fquares, though perhaps of no real ufe, are, nevertheless fome of them fo furprifing and curious, that it is not wonderful fo many ingenious men have amufed themselves in ftudying them. Amongst those who have turned their thoughts to this fubject, M. de la Hire and M. Sauveur, both of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, certainly ftand foremoft; and indeed it was thought by fome that they had even exhaufted the fubject. The following method, however, does not appear to have fuggefted itfelf to them. It is chiefly, perhaps folely, applicable to fquares in which the number of cells is odd: but no method, hitherto propofed, that I know of, is fo direct and expeditious, as it requires no primitive fquare or calculations of any kind; but the cells may be filled up as faft, and almoft with as little trouble as the figures could be written down in a ftraight line.

Let ABCD be a magic fquare, the fide of which is 9, and, of confequence, the number of its cells 81. Begin by

IF

placing unity in that cell which is immediately under the center one, and proceed diagonally down, towards the right hand lower corner, in the order of the natural numbers. When you get out of the limits of the fquare at the bottom, go to the top cell of that column where you would have written the next figure, if there had been a cell within the limits of the table to receive it; and proceed again diagonally downwards towards the right hand.

When you happen to meet with the limit of the fquare towards the right hand fide, go to that cell on the left hand fide of the fquare which is directly oppofite to that where you would have written the number, if there had been a cell for it on the right hand; and proceed again diagonally from thence towards the lower right hand corner, as before.

If you meet with a cell which has a figure in it already, the figures which you would have put there, if it had been empty, must be placed in the next cell to it in a diagonal direction towards the left hand lower corner; and thence you muft proceed, diagonally, towards the right hand lower corner again.

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In that particular inftance where you go out at the right hand corner cell, to the uppermoft cell but one in the right hand column; and thence you must proceed as before. And in this manner you are to go on until all the cells are occupied, let them be ever fo many.

We shall, in some future number of our work, prefent our readers with fome of the more remarkable properties of numbers difpofed in fuch fquares as thefe.

let

q2 + djg + ef

b; where fix of the