ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 January 1901, Page 4

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

It is just a century ago since the threatened Napoleonic invasion of England an invasion that never came off. Those days were strenuous almost beyond our conception. There were then domiciled in England 25,000 French prisoners of war, besides hosts of refugees. Poverty and want prevailed throughout the country. Some curious details of the state of affairs are published in the November

“Leisure Hour.” 3o scarce was food, that people were publicly directed to reduce their consumption of bread, and not to exceed one quartern loaf a week each, abstaining altogether from pastry. Then the price of the loaf went up to half-a-crown, and as the crisis came nearer the sale of fine wheaten bread, unmixed with bran, was altogether prohibited, and one baker was imprisoned for supplying white bread to n dainty customer. In 1801 came the declaration of war. Immense preparations were going on in France; all classes were eager for the glory of overthrowing British power. One battle would decide the issue, said Napoleon, and he calculated that in five days he would be in London. Every other nation in Europe had by that time succumbed. England remained the last sanctuary of liberty. But, in spite of great excitement, England showed no signs of being vanquished by That nation could not alone withstand France. But as Cowper wrote, “Her soul ns an pie, though her bounds were smal:.” I lie whole land was stirred as it had not been since Armada. Great meetings were held at different places. At one of the first, that in St. Sepulchre’s Church, London, a resolution, worded in first-class Johansonian periods, passed, “That it became the patriotism of every subject of the United Kimgdom, of whatever rank, to co-operate with the general power of the Government in the destruction of any force that may attempt the invasion of this island.” All inhabitants from eighteen to forty-five, were invited to form association for training as volunteers. Alarming or nortary hand-bills were posted about, and every church door had its appeal to unite in defence. Patriotic songs were poured out in streams. A satirical cantoon represented Bonaparte at St James’s, issuing one proclamation to the citizens to keep quiet, and not interfere with the French army, and another proclamation to his soldiers, giving up London to them for three days' pillage. Kemble, at Covent Garden, made a sensation by reciting to those assembling for the defence of the coast, the lines concluding— “ Return victorious, or return no more.” A day of fasting and prayer was set apart. At Roland Hill’s Chapel an enormous multitude gathered, while thousands of volunteers were stationed outside while he preached on the text, “Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen, but wo are risen, and stand upright.”