deemed advisable to renew pacific negociations with INTERNAL HISTORY OF FRANCE. During this year the harmony between the directory and the legislative councils vanished. The new elections produced this change; for men of a different spirit were returned by the communes. The royalist party had, indeed, obtained the control of elections; and the newly elected third entered the chambers of the representatives with plans of counter-revolution. The directory had the mortification of seeing the emigrants allowed to return, the re-establishment of priests, and a vote of censure passed upon the conduct of their emissaries in the colonies. The directory were, in fact, shorn of power, and there was a faint prospect of the whole work of the revolution being set aside. But the nation was not yet prepared for such a step. As the plans of the royalists, which were concocted in the club of Clichy, became disclosed, the government regained strength. From fear of the return of the old order of things, the patriots of 1791 united with the party of the convention; and the club of Salm was got up in opposition to that of Clichy. A contest soon followed. The directory relied upon the armies, and they assembled some troops in the neighbourhood of Paris; while the councils decreed the restoration of the national guards. The directory, however, by one fell blow, annihilated the hopes of their enemies. On the 16th Fructidor, answering to the 4th of September, troops were brought to the capital under pretence of a review, and placed under the disposal of Augereau. These troops surrounded the Tuileries, which was protected by the guards of the legislative body, which, upon the question of Augereau, "Are you republicans?" immediately laid down their arms. The contest was then decided. Augereau took possession of the palace, and arrested the opposition deputies. Barthelemy and Carnot, with forty members of the "Council of Five Hundred," eleven of the "Council of the Ancients," and ten other persons of note were condemned to be deported to Cayenne. Most of these underwent their punishment; but some escaped, and others were pardoned. Thirty-five journalists were likewise sentenced to deportation; and the elections of forty-eight departments were declared null. In the whole one hundred and forty-nine members were excluded, and the vacancies were filled up by the directory, with men willing to give them their support. The laws enacted in favour of priests and emigrants were revoked, and the oath of hatred to royalty renewed. Thus a revolutionary government returned; and the constitution was trodden underfoot by men who ostensibly were its supporters. And all this they called "Liberty." tensions of the French; the failure of the negociations CHAPTER XXIV. Redemption of the Land-Tax, &c.-Irish Rebellion-Invasion of Be gium Expedition to Minorca Battle of the Nile, &c.-Meeting of Parliament-Income Tax sanctioned, &c.-Treaty with RussiaUnion with Ireland considered-Prorogation of Parliament-Campaign in Italy. -Campaign in Egypt-Establishment of the Consular Government in FranceAffairs of India-Meeting of Parliament-Parliamentary Discussions-Union with Ireland completed-Prorogation of Parliament-Campaign in Italy-Capture of Malta-Naval Operations-Meeting of Parliament- -Motions for Peace, &c. REDEMPTION OF THE LAND-TAX, ETC. A. D. ARLY this session Pitt proposed and EARL carried a bill for the redemption of the *1798. land-tax. This was followed by a bill, proposed by Mr. Dundas, for enabling his majesty to call out a portion of the supplementary militia. A second bill was also carried, to encourage voluntary armed associations for the protection of the country, it being now considered as menaced with invasion. Another bill was brought into the house by Dundas, by which the suspension of the habeas corpus act was revived. The alien bill also was renewed; and Pitt proposed and carried a measure for more effectually manning the As in the last session, so likewise in this, the navy. chancellor of the exchequer found himself compelled to lay before the house a second estimate of supplies, to make a further demand of more and £3,000,000, which was readily voted, as were also a new increase of taxes on salt, tea, dogs, horses and carriages, &c. to meet it. Late in the session Mr. Wilberforce renewed his motion for the abolition of the slave-trade; and though his proposition was rejected, several regulations were enacted for alleviating the sufferings of the wretched Africans on their passage. These were the principal measures taken into Parliament was consideration during this session. prorogued on the 29th of June. IRISH REBELLION. than During the sitting of parliament a rebellion had broken out in Ireland. Discussions on this subject had been entered into with closed doors; and in the month of June, when the Irish insurgents had attacked and beaten several detachments of the king's troops, a message was delivered to parliament from the king, desiring that he might be enabled to take all such measures as might be necessary to defeat any enterprise of his enemies. The chief object of this message was to allow the officers and privates of different militia regiments, who had made a voluntary tender of their services to assist in the suppression of the rebellion, to go to that country and act with the royal troops; and a bill was brought in and carried for that purpose. The rebellion, which was one of a for midable nature, had its origin in the association of The British parliament met on the 2nd of November. United Irishmen, first instituted for obtaining universal In his speech his majesty dwelt on the excessive pre-suffrage. This association was afterwards re-organ MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. ized for the accomplishment of a revolution and a separation from Great Britain: parliamentary reform and catholic emancipation being demanded only as pretexts to cover ulterior designs. A correspondence had long been maintained between the leaders of this association and the French directory, and notwithstanding the failure of Hoche, and likewise of a design of another armament, an agent was still resident in Paris. Application was made to the directory for a loan to assist the revolutionists; but the French rulers refused to grant it, unless they were permitted to send sufficient forces to effect the conquest of the country. It was evident that they wanted Ireland for themselves; but the Irish "patriots" wanted to rule themselves, and not to exchange masters; whence they expressed themselves averse to this plan of invasion. The Irish indeed prepared for an insurrection without waiting for continental assistance. They had been ripe for rebellion through a long succession of ages, and no concessions made to them soothed their chafed minds. Their turbulence had manifestly increased from the time of the American war, when the Irish volunteers had been allowed to arm themselves; and, "whether acting wisely or unwisely, liberally or illiberallywhether granting concessions or withholding them, nearly every act of government had tended to augment the disaffection." For the last ten years concessions had been made to the Irish catholics, who formed about seven-tenths of the population: but it was all to no purpose-the more they obtained, the more they wanted. At length the smouldering embers of disaffection burst forth into a flame. Early in this year a military commission was appointed by the executive council of the United Irish, and nocturnal assemblies were held in various parts of the kingdom. People were, indeed, everywhere sworn in, and it was finally settled that they should take up arms. Rebellion commenced by midnight outrages. The most savage atrocities were committed on those whom the associates were taught to consider as enemies and interlopers in their domains, which outrages were severely retaliated by the Orangemen and military. In February, a pressing letter was addressed by the Irish executive to the French directory, urging them to send immediate succour, and stating that the people of all classes throughout Ireland ready to take up arms amounted to 300,000 men. It was soon discovered that mischief was afloat; and on the 28th of February, Mr. Arthur O'Conner, said to be lineally descended from Roderic O'Conner, King of Connaught, Binns, an active member of the London Correspondent Society, and Coigley, an Irish priest, were arrested at Margate, as they were on their route to France. A paper was found on the priest, addressed "To the French directory;" and this paper and the trial which followed put government in possession of many important secrets. Coigley was executed on Pennenden Heath; O'Conner was remanded on another charge of high-treason; and Binns was acquitted. Several arrests took place in consequence of the information thus gained, and some more papers were discovered in the printing-office where O'Conner had been publishing the revolutionary journal called, "The Press." But the most complete information obtained by government was from Thomas Reynolds, who was deep in the secrets of the association of United Irishmen. On his information, warrants were issued against several of the principal conspirators: as, Messrs. Emmet, Sampson, and McNevin, and Lord Edward Fitzgerald. The three former of these were soon apprehended; but Lord Fitzgerald concealed himself for some time; and when discovered he made such a desperate resistance, killing a magistrate and wounding others sent to apprehend him, that Major Sirr lodged the contents of a pistol in his shoulder, from the effects of which he soon after died. Je was the leader of the conspirators. But notwithstanding his fall, and in spite of the flight or arrest of every member of the "executive." the Irish flew to arms on the 23rd of May: that being the day appointed for their muster. A body of pikemen, amounting to 14,000, and headed by Father John Murphy, soon made themselves masters of Wexford and Enniscorthy; and having procured some artillery, they fortified a position on Vinegar Hill. Colonel Walpole with a small detachment of Cork Militia fell into an ambuscade, and was slaughtered, together with nearly all his men, by the insurgents; and encouraged by these and other successes they made a rush at Newross, where they began to plunder the inhabitants. But here they received a check. Like the London rioters, they soon became mad with drink; and being attacked by General Johnson, nearly three thousand were either slain or captured. This victory over them was followed by another more decisive: on the 21st of June General Lake attacked the fortified position at Vinegar Hill, and carried it with a frightful loss to the insurgents. The rebels, indeed, never rallied again; and though some fearful atrocities were committed by isolated bands of them, they were, in effect, from that time subdued. Soon after, Lord Camden was recalled from the lieutenancy of Ireland, and he was succeeded by Lord Cornwallis, who brought with him a general pardon to all who submitted. Four of the leading conspirators were executed; O'Conner, McNevin, Emmet, and Sampson were banished; and others were pardoned. The rebellion was somewhat revived in August, when three French frigates reached Killola, and threw on shore nine hundred troops of the line, commanded by General Humbert; but though these troops were joined by some catholics, and though Humbert defeated General Lake, and advanced into the heart of the country, he was eventually beaten by the advanced guard of General Cornwallis, who was marching against him with troops of the line, and on the 8th of September, the French laid down their arms, and became prisoners of war. Subsequently, another French armament reached the western coast of Ireland; but Sir John Borlase Warren met it there with his squadron, and captured one ship of the line, and three frigates; and the rest of the armament, consisting of five frigates, returned to France. On board the French ship of the line was Wolfe Tone, one of the Irish leaders of the rebellion: his execution was the last on account of this outbreak. Ireland was again quieted, but it was only for a brief season. It has ever been its fate to be disturbed by agitation, and to this hour it remains the same. It is, in fact, a fine field for the agitator: the ardent passions of the people are easily worked upon; and he who is bold or artful enough to address himself to those passions, is ever sure of obtaining a listening and an admiring audience. INVASION OF BELGIUM. In the month of May, after due preparations, Captain Home Popham, with a small squadron, having on board a body of troops commanded by Colonel Coote, set sail for the purpose of destroying the sluices, gates, and basin of the Bruges canal at Ostend. This town was bombarded, and the sluices were blown up; but on returning to the beach to re-embark, the soldiers were hemmed in by a superior force, and Coote found himself under the necessity of surrendering. EXPEDITION TO MINORCA. An expedition to Minorca was more successful. In the autumn Admiral Duckworth's squadron landed in Addaya Bay in that island a land-force of about eight hundred men, under General Sir Charles Stuart, which compelled the Spanish governor to surrender the whole of the island by capitulation. BATTLE OF THE NILE, ETC. The grand aim of the French directory this yeer, was the seizing and colonizing of Egypt. This idea had him during the storm, he finally set sail towards been suggested by Vergennes to the French govern- Naples. Here he learned that the enemy's fleet had ment during the monarchy, and it had for some time visited Malta; and being left by his commander to act been entertained by Napoleon. The blow was chiefly upon his own judgment, he formed a plan of attacking it aimed at England; for the project was to gain posses- there. On his arrival, however, he discovered that the sion of Egypt, with a two-fold design of obtaining the French had already departed eastward, and rightly judg riches of the Nile, and extending their sway to the ing that Alexandria was their destination, he steered banks of the Ganges, so that the empires of Turkey thither. He arrived at Alexandria on the 28th of June, and Hindostan might become annexed to the French and gaining no intelligence of the enemy, he returned to republic. It was to these ends that Napoleon pro- Sicily. By the public voice of England, he was declared posed an expedition to Egypt; and the directory were for this failure worthy of impeachment; and Earl St. well pleased with it, because if its great object should Vincent was censured for sending so young an officer on fail, they hoped thereby to rid themselves of a danger- so important a service. On arriving at Sicily, the Neaous and troublesome rival. But funds were wanting politan ministry, anxious to avoid everything which to carry this design into effect; for though Italy and could endanger their peace with the French directory, other countries had been pillaged by the French sol- declared openly to aid him; but through Lady Hamildiery, with a defiance of all principle or political honesty, ton's influence at court, Nelson procured secret orders yet was the government poverty-stricken: however, to the Sicilian governors, under which he obtained all the French directory looked around for some weak necessary supplies from Syracuse. As soon as he had ally or neutral to plunder, and their cupidity was di- re-victualled and taken in fresh water, he turned his rected towards free Switzerland. Berne had a well-power again toward Egypt, asserting in a letter to his replenished treasury; and on the flimsy pretext of its commander, that if the French were bound to the Anhaving publicly enrolled emigrants and given shelter to tipodes, or if they were anywhere above water, he deserters, a French army, under General Breme, was would discover them and bring them to action. He sent on the marauding errand of demanding the public searched for them in vain along the coast of the Morea, purse of its citizens. Success attended this armed and he took the resolution of again sailing towards banditti; the ruling families of Berne were displaced; Alexandria; and on the 1st of August, Captain Hood the government changed; the most respectable sena- in the "Zealous" signalized the enemy's fleet at antors were banished; the treasury was confiscated; chor in Aboukir Bay. No time was lost by Nelson in and large contributions likewise exacted for the supply preparing for action: he had sought them with eagerof the invading army. The money thus fraudulently ness, and he determined to conquer them now that obtained enabled Napoleon to set sail for Egypt. His they were discovered. Signals were given for battle: expedition counted thirteen ships of the line, with to attack the enemy's van and centre, as they lay at anseven frigates and smaller vessels, making in the whole chor. Nelson had scarcely taken rest or food for some forty-four sail. The fleet was commanded by Rear- days, but he now ordered dinner to be served up; and admiral Brueys, and the transports had on board about he observed to his officers as they rose from the table: 20,000 men, with a proportionable number of horses "Before this time to-morrow I shall have gained a and artillery, provisions and military stores, as well as peerage or Westminster Abbey." The enemy's ships a large body of scientific men, who joined the arma- were moored in compact line of battle, describing an ment in order to make researches into the antiquities obtuse angle, close in with the shore, flanked by gunand productions of Egypt. The capture of Malta was boats, four frigates, and a battery of guns and mortars included in the plan of the French directory, and on an island in their van. This was a formidable posiNapoleon arrived there on the 9th of June; and Hom- tion, and to some commanders one which would have pesch, the Grand Master, terrified by the threats of deterred from an attack. But it was not so with Nelsome of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jeru As soon as he discovered the enemy's position, salem in the French interest, capitulated on a summons his genius dictated what should be done. Where an to surrender. Having plundered the churches, and enemy's ship could swing, he reasoned, there was room the Alberghi, and other establishments of the order, for a British ship to anchor. Acting upon this thought, and having left General Vaubois to take care of the therefore, he determined to station his ships on the inisland, Buonaparte re-embarked for Egypt. He came ner side of the French line. In this way the two fleets in sight of Alexandria on the 29th of June, and on the joined battle. Minutely to describe this great sea-fight next day the troops landed within three miles of that would require many pages, it will be sufficient therecity. Alexandria was captured, and from its walls fore to say, that the victory on the part of the English Napoleon issued a proclamation, telling the inhabitants was complete. Of the thirteen French ships of the that he came as the friend of the Sultan, to deliver line, eight surrendered, two struck on the shore and them from the Mamelukes, and that he and his soldiers were afterwards captured, one blew up, and two only respected God, his prophet Mohammed, and the Ko- escaped. Had Nelson not received a severe wound in the head in the very hottest of the battle, it is probable that not one of the enemy's fleet would have left Aboukir Bay. The British loss in killed and wounded was 895; the French, 8330 in killed, wounded, and captured. Victory," said Nelson, "is not a word strong enough for such a scene: it is a conquest." ran. On the 7th of July Napoleon moved from Alexandria to Cairo, and on the 21st, on arriving in sight of the great pyramids, he discovered the whole Mameluke force, under Murad Bey and Ibraham Bey, ready to meet him. Battle was soon joined, and was easily won by the French. Such of the Mamelukes as escaped destruction retreated towards Egypt. The conqueror took possession of Grand Cairo, sending Desaix against Murad Bey in Upper Egypt. As the French fleet was sailing towards Egypt, it passed near an English squadron, under Nelson: a thick haze sheltered it from his observation, and favoured its progress. Nelson had been despatched by Lord St. Vincent to watch the preparations at Toulon, having under him three ships of seventy-four guns and four frigates. At the time of the French fleet's sailing he had put into the Sardinian port of San Pietro, to refit his squadron, it having been damaged by a storm. While here, he received a re-enforcement of ten line-ofbattle ships, and one of fifty guns; and with this force, -except the frigates, which had been separated from son. The effects of this battle were soon seen in Egypt. The Sultan issued an indignant manifesto, declaring war against France for invading one of his provinces in a time of peace and amity; and called upon the Pashas of Syria to collect their forces. The destruction of the French fleet was announced far and wide by fires kindled by the Arabs; and on the 22nd of September, the people of Cairo killed a great number of the French in the streets. This insurrection was put down by a dreadful massacre of the inhabitants; but the blood of the Moslems thus slain, and many of them in the great mosque of the prophet, called for vengeance, and it was easy to forsee that Napoleon, albeit he proclaimed himself to be the man of destiny foretold in the Koran, would soon be compelled to retire from Egypt. In Europe, the effects of this battle were instantaneous and surprising. It raised the drooping spirits of the AntiGallican party in every country; and it filled all England with transports of joy and triumph. Nelson was raised to the peerage with the title of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and many other honours were heaped upon him. He returned to Naples, where he found that the king was collecting a numerous army, with a view of driving the French from Rome and Tuscany; that the congress at Radstadt had been virtually broken up; that the Emperor of Austria was again arming; and that a new coalition was forming against the French; their conduct at Rome, in Switzerland, and other countries, being in direct opposition to the conditions of the treaty at Campo Formio. In November the island of Gozo, separated from Malta by a narrow channel, capitulated to a detachment of Nelson's squadron, and Malta itself was closely blockaded. MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. Parliament assembled on the 20th of November. In his speech from the throne his majesty spoke with exultation of the victory gained by Nelson; and after alluding to other successes, and to the suppression of the Irish rebellion, congratulated the country on the prospect of new alliances, by which it might be anticipated that the power of France would be humbled. This alluded more especially to Russia, where the Czarina Catherine had recently been succeeded by her son Paul, whose line of policy was different from that of his mother. The address was animadverted upon in both houses by some members of opposition; but it was, nevertheless, carried without a division. INCOME TAX. INCOME TAX SANCTIONED, ETC. During this session the primary objects of parliamentary consideration were, financial propositions, with measures for internal defence. for invigorating the European confederacy now forming, and for effecting a permanent union between Great Britain and Ireland. The estimated supplies for the ensuing year were put at £29,272,000; and Pitt proposed a new plan for raising a considerable part of them-by an A series of resolutions to this new and bold plan were passed in the house of commons before the close of the year; and the bill finally passed into a law on the 18th of March ensuing, the 5th of April being the day fixed upon for making the returns of personal property. Pitt's resolutions in substance were, that the augmentation of the assessed taxes made in the last session should be repealed, and have its place supplied by a duty upon all incomes above sixty pounds a year. If a man's income exceeded two hundred pounds a year, he was to pay ten per cent. upon it; if it exceeded one hundred pounds, he was to pay considerably less upon it; and if between sixty pounds and one hundred pounds, he was to be taxed in a diminished proportion. This bill, after undergoing some amendments of detail, passed; and Pitt anticipated a revenue from it of £10,000,000, the yearly income of the whole nation being about £102,000,000. Early in the session 120,000 men were voted for the navy, and an increase of the yeomanry and militia was sanctioned. TREATY WITH RUSSIA. On the 18th of December a provisional treaty was concluded between Great Britain and Russia; the general object of which was to oppose the progress of the French arms. In allusion to this, on the 18th of December, Mr Tierney moved, "That it was the duty of ministers to advise his majesty against entering into engagements which might prevent or impede negociations for peace with the French republic." On this Occasion Mr. Canning delivered a master-piece of eloquence, which inspired the country at large with admiration of his talents. Mr. Canning entered into a full investigation of our foreign policy, and vindicated the treaties and alliances made by government. IIe remarked:-"It is justly contended that the deliverance of Europe cannot be effected by our exertions alone, and that, unless other powers are sincerely disposed to co-operate, we are setting out on a romantic and absurd enterprise, which we have no chance of accomplishing, no duty or call to undertake. I perfectly agree, that if other powers are not disposed to co-operate, we have no chance of success; but I cannot help asking at the same time, if there be no such disposition on the part of other powers, where is the use, or what is the necessity of the honourable gentleman's motion? Why need parliament interfere to prevent his majesty's ministers from taking advantage of dispositions which do not exist, and from accepting cooperation which will not be offered? But if the powers of Europe, or any of them, are ready to do their part toward the common salvation, and want only our countenance and encouragement to begin; if the train is laid, if the sparks of resentment, which the aggressions of France have kindled in every nation throughout Europe, want but our breath to blow them into a conflagration, it is the dictate of our duty, our interest, our feeling, to save France from destruction, and not by a coarse and hasty proceeding, like that now recommended to us, to throw a wet blanket on the flames." Mr. Canning proceeded to show how an alliance with Russia and Turkey might enable us to sweep the remains of the French armament from the Levant and the Mediterranean, and how the probable accession of other allies might wrest from the republic both Italy and the Netherlands. Pitt followed in the same strain, eloquently unfolding the favourable prospects of another coalition. The picture he drew made a favourable impression on the house; and Mr. Tierney's motion was lost. Moreover, all sums required for Russia were voted, and three millions more also were granted to his majesty, for making good such other engagements as he might contract. Soon after this the Porte, Russia, and Naples signed a treaty of union with England, the duration of which was fixed for eight years. Their conditions were generally a mutual guarantee of all possessions, including Egypt in the case of the Porte; a common prosecution and termination of the war; the closing of all harbours, and especially those in the Mediterranean, against the French; with British subsidies to other states. Italy was to be the first field of action for the allied powers, the design being to save the King of Naples from French domination. UNION WITH IRELAND CONSIDERED A. D. A plan for uniting Ireland under one legislature with Great Britain, as Scotland, had 1799. been discussed and seriously entertained before the breaking out of the recent rebellion; but that event had made the necessity of such a union more apparent. The union of England and Ireland, indeed, was a favourite measure at this time with Pitt; and a pamphlet was published, under his auspices, by the under-secretary, Mr. Cooke, setting forth its advantages. The public mind was therefore prepared to discuss the question; and parliament was soon called upon to take it into consideration. On the 22nd of January a message was received from his majesty, recommending the consideration of the most effectual means of defeating the designs of our enemies to promote a separation between the two kingdoms, by settling such a complete and final adjustment as might perpetuate a connexion essential for the common security, and consolidate the power and resources of the British empire. This message was reported next day, when Mr. Dundas moved and carried an address, importing that the house would proceed with all speed to a consideration of the several interests submitted to their attention. It was agreed that the question should be considered on the 31st of January; and on that day Pitt, after explaining the grounds which would make the union as beneficial to Ireland as to England, proposed certain resolutions as the basis of the measure. Those resolutions were, that the two islands should be united into one kingdom, by the name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelands that the succession to the crown should be limited and settled as at present; that the united realm should be represented by one parliament, in which a certain number of Irish lords and commons, hereafter to be defined, should have a seat; that the churches of England and Ireland should be preserved as by law established; that the Irish should be entitled to the same privileges, in point of navigation and trade, with the English, subject to certain regulations relative to equality of duties; that the charge for payment of the interest of the debt of each kingdom before the union, should be continued to be paid by the respective countries; and that all laws in force at the time of the union, and all the courts, civil or ecclesiastical, should remain as already established, subject only to such alterations as circumstances might recommend to the united parliament. After some long and warm debates these resolutions, with some slight amendments, were agreed to, and sent up to the peers; and after another warm debate in the upper house, a joint address to the king was agreed to, presenting the resolutions as a proper basis for the union. But here, as regarded England, the matter rested for the present year. PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT. During the remainder of this session no subject of vital interest was discussed. Parliament was prorogued on the 12th of July, when his majesty declared that the decision and energy of his ally, the Emperor of Russia, and the intimate union established between them, would enable him to employ the means intrusted to him advantageously, both for the safety and honour of this country, as well as the independence of Europe. His majesty also adverted with satisfaction to the restored tranquillity of Ireland and its future security, intimating that it could only be insured by a complete union with Great Britain. CAMPAIGN IN ITALY. Before the subsidiary treaty was signed between England and the Emperor Paul, the court of Vienna had formed a close alliance with the czar; and Russian troops had begun to assemble on the frontiers of Austria, while a large German army was collecting between the rivers Inn and Lech. The great object proposed was to drive the French out of Italy, where their arms were still making great progress. In November of the last year the liberation of the states of Italy was undertaken by the King of Naples, who placed General Mack at the head of his forces. Mack succeeded in making himself master of Rome; while 5000 troops, conveyed by British ships, took possession of Leghorn. But this success was of short duration. In the month of December the Neapolitan troops suffered a signal defeat at Civita Castellana; and this disaster was followed by the evacuation of Rome. Nor did the French successes stop here. Following up their victory, under General Champiounet, by the middle of January they obtained possession of Naples; and the King of Sardinia was obliged to take refuge on board the British fleet. He afterwards went to Palermo under British protection, resigning all his continental territories to his conquerors, who also soon occupied all Tuscany; Sicily was preserved from their domination by the energy of Neison, assisted by Sir Charles Stuart, who hastened from Minorca with 1000 troops, in order to assist him in measures for its defence. While Naples was thus falling a prey to the French, Austrian and Russian troops were collecting on the other side of the Alps. After demanding from the Emperor of Germany the dismissal of all the Russian troops, the French negociators declared the congress at Radstadt dissolved. War, therefore, commenced anew with Austria; and Jourdan once more crossed the Rhine, and established himself in Suabia. In the month of March he advanced towards the Danube; but he was again met by the Archduke Charles, who drove him back over the Rhine. About the same time, also, the Austrian generals, Bellegarde and Hotze, recovered the Grison country, and poured into Switzerland, driving the French, under Massena, before them. In the meantime another Austrian army, commanded by General Melas, poured through the Tyrol, driving all the French outposts before him, and entered Upper Italy, where he obliged the French general, Scherer, to retire beyond the Mincio. Moreau subsequently took the command of Scherer's forces; but he was likewise defeated by Melas. It was while Melas was giving chase to Moreau that Suvaroff came up with 50,000 Russians, and assumed the chief command of both armies. A great battle was gained by Suvaroff at Cassano, on the 27th of April, and by that victory the fate of the Cisalpine republic was sealed; everywhere the people rose in arms against the French; and the native democrats whom the French had set up as a government, Brescia and Peschiera, surrendered; Mantua was invested; and Suvaroff entered Milan in triumph. Moreau continued his retreat towards Genoa, hoping to be joined there by the army of Macdonald from Naples. But Macdonald was already on his route to meet the Russo-Austrian army, which he found by the river Trebia. In his route he had been joined by the banks of the Trebia, he was defeated by Suvaroff; General Victor; but after three days' hard fighting on and flying thence towards the pass of Bochetta, he joined Moreau, who had recently received some re-enforcements from Nice and Genoa. Moreau had made some entrenchments on the declivities of the Apen the Piedmontese town of Novi. While here he was sunines, and in the entrance of the Bochetta pass, behind perseded in command by Jourdan, who stationed himself tended his field-works. He was attacked in this formidon the same heights behind Novi, and improved and exable position by Suvaroff; and his army was defeated and himself slain. Shortly after this victory Suvaroff struck across the Alps to make head against Massena, who had recently defeated a Russian corps under General Korsakoff, who had arrived in Switzerland to co-operate with General Bellegarde and the Austrians. There was some fearful fighting in the ravines of St. Gothard, and Suvaroff opened a way into the heart of Switzerland; but not being assisted by either the Russian general, Korsakoff, or the Austrian general, Bellegarde, he turned aside towards the lake of Constance and Germany. He was interrupted in his march by Massena; but he attained his object, and effected a junction with Korsakoff; and then the two Russian generals marched to Augsburg, leaving the French once more absolute masters of Switzerland. The Neapolitan kingdom was recovered in the course of the months of June and July by Cardinal Ruffo, assisted by Lord Nelson. A sanguinary vengeance was taken on the republicans by the Neapolitan government; and Nelson himself tarnished his fair fame by deeds at which a right-minded Englishman must shudder, and which no one will venture tc palliate. It had been guaranteed to the republican garrisons that their persons and property should be re spected; but these garrisons were delivered over to the vengeance of the Sicilian court, and that by the brave Nelson. "A deplorable transaction," says his biographer, "a stain on his memory and on the honour of England! to palliate it would be vain to justify |