History of Europe: From the Commencement of the French Revolution to the Restoration of the Bourbons in MDCCCXV [i.e. 1815], Volume 3

Front Cover
Blackwood, 1849

From inside the book

Contents

Mr Grey and Mr Erskines argument for it ال Page
9
Answers of Mr Pitt Mr Burke and Mr Jenkinson Parliamentary Reform Arguments by which it was supported in 1831 note
10
It is rejected by the House of Commons
11
Bills against correspondence with France and prosecutions for sedition and treason 18
12
Preparations for war by Great Britain and the Allies
13
Vast effect of the execution of Louis in England
14
Effect of the death of Louis at St Petersburg
15
Treaty between Great Britain and Russia
16
And with Sardinia Prussia Naples and Spain
17
Secret designs of Russia
18
Divisions between the Prussians and Austrians
19
Wretched state of the French armies at the commencement of
20
Prince Cobourg appointed generalissimo of the Allies
21
Vast efforts of France
22
Mr Pitts financial measures
23
Designs of Dumourier and of the Allied generals 23 ib
24
12222222 2222222 25 Archduke Charles joins the army Repeated disasters of the Republicans
26
Battle of Nerwinde or Neerwinden
27
Defeat of the French
28
Disorganisation of the French army and retreat of Dumourier
29
Convention with Prince Cobourg
30
VOL III
33
Siege of Mayence and defeat of the attack on the covering army
36
These places taken possession of in name of the Emperor of Austria
42
Effect of general suffering in ting the army
49
Retirement of Kaunitz at Vienna and accession of Thugut to the direc
55
Henriot and St Just urge vigorous measures
59
The British besiege Dunkirk the Austrians Quesnoy
61
Vehement debate on this speech
65
The Republicans do not follow up their success with vigour
67
Secession of Prussia from the alliance
80
Abortive insurrection at Marseilles
86
Their heroic defence
95
Mitraillade of the prisoners
101
Vast numbers who thus perished
110
Buonaparte obtains the command of the artillery
116
Total loss in ships to the French
122
Ease with which France might have been conquered at first
127
Impossibility of a state without a powerful army resisting an invasion
128
Fatal effects of the conversion of the war into one of conquest
129
Vast importance of the frontier fortresses ib 124 Great errors committed by the Allies
130
Ruinous effect of the English reduction of force
131
As exemplified in this campaign ib 127 Cause to which it is owing The passion for reduction among the people
132
The selfish grasping at office by the aristocracy
133
Defects of English education in the same respect
134
CHAPTER XIV
136
Cause of this peculiarity
137
Formation of a new government by the Jacobins
138
Mournful aspect of the Convention and decree vesting supreme power in a few
139
New formation of an executive power in the Committee of Public Salvation
140
Committee of General Safety and Municipality of Paris ib 7 State of the provinces
141
Of Lyons Bordeaux and Marseilles
142
State of the other towns in the South and West of France
143
General coalition of the Departments against the Convention ib 11 And commencement of an insurrection
144
Energetic measures of the Jacobins at Paris to meet the danger
145
The Girondist combination is dissolved
146
Great effect of the federalism imputed to the Girondists
147
Formation of a new constitution
148
Vast powers of the Committee of Public Salvation
149
Formation of Revolutionary Committees over all France
150
Atrocious calculations of these inferior agents of the Revolution
151
This power was everywhere based on the support of the multitude
152
Sunday abolished new division of the Revolution ary Tribunal and decree against English commerce
153
Report of St Just on the state of the Republic
155
Decree vesting supreme power in the Committee of Public Salvation
156
Extraordinary spectacle presented by the prisons of Paris
157
Trial of General Custine
158
Denunciation of the Jolies Intrigantes at the Jacobins and the Convention
159
Situation of Marie Antoinette
160
Cruel treatment of the Dauphin
161
Decree of the Convention on the motion of Barère for the trial of the queen
162
Fatal effects of her alliance with Louis
169
State in which the bodies of the kings were found
175
Atheistical decrees of the Municipality of Paris
181
Prodigious issue of assignats Its effects
188
Page
194
Forced requisitions of grain horses and carriages
196
Excessive violence of the people from the rise of prices
202
Principles of Hébert and the Anarchists
211
Mutual reproaches of the Dantonists and Anarchists
212
Publication of the Vieux Cordelier ib 79 Efforts of Danton to detach Robespierre from the Municipality
214
Culminating point of the Revolution
215
First indication of an intention by Robespierre to destroy the Anarchists
216
Robespierre and St Just resolve to destroy both the Dantonists and Anar chists
217
Dantons speech on returning to the Jacobins
219
Robespierres perfidious speech in regard to him
220
Increase of the powers of government
221
Attacks of the Dantonists on the Anarchists
222
Secret agreement between Robespierre and the Municipality
223
Purification of the Jacobin Club
224
Announcement of the project in the Convention
225
Robespierres speech in support of it
226
Remarkable speech to the same effect by St Just
227
Proscription of the Anarchists
228
Their disgraceful death
229
Rupture between Danton and Robespierre
230
Speech of Collot dHerbois at the Jacobins
232
Arrest of Danton
233
Violent agitation in the Convention
234
Robespierres speech subdues them
235
Speech of St Just against Danton
236
Their trial and preliminary proceedings
238
Dantons defence
239
Condemnation of Danton and all his party
240
Their execution
242
Alleged conspiracy in the prisons and numerous executions under it
243
Silent proscriptions of the Reign of Terror
245
General reflections on the successive destruction of the Revolutionists
246
CHAPTER XV
248
Origin of the atrocities of the Reign of Terror
249
It springs from sacrificing justice to supposed expedience
250
Great error of dramatists and novelists in this respect
251
Examples of this
252
Principles of Robespierres government after the fall of Danton
253
Universal submission followed the death of Danton
254
Political fanaticism of the period
255
St Justs report on the state of the Republic
257
Closing of all clubs in France except the Jacobins
258
Character of St Just
259
Of Couthon and parties in the committees of government
260
Their prodigious energy ib 15 Purifications of the Jacobin Club
262
Great accumulation of captives at Paris and throughout France ib 17 Extraordinary feelings of the prisoners
263
Picture of the prisons during this period
265
Indecent searching of the female prisoners
266
Frightful condition of the prisoners in the jail
267
And of the captives who set out for execution
269
Dreadful espionage in Paris and the other towns ib 23 Robespierres speech on the Supreme Being
271
Reflections on this speech
275
Unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Robespierre and Collot dHerbois
276
Decree against giving quarter to the British and Hanoverians
279
Fête in honour of the Supreme Being and speech of Robespierre
280
The hopes it awakened are all destroyed by his concluding words
281
Great impression produced by these steps in Europe ib 30 Great power now enjoyed by Robespierre
282
Additional powers conferred on the Revolutionary Tribunal
283
Debate on it in the Convention and remarkable speech on it by Robespierre
284
Ineffectual efforts to modify the law
285
Robespierres secret motives in passing this law
286
Renewed violence of the government Means by which the support of the people was secured
289
Decree establishing the Polytechnic School
290
Admirable measures for the relief of pauperism
291
Remarkable speech of Robespierre on the principles of his government
292
Prodigious and increasing issue of assignats
294
Increased executions by the Revolutionary Tribunal
295
Excessive brevity of the trials
297
Executions still further increased
298
Agony of the prisoners Death of the Princess of Monaco
299
Heroic devotion of several prisoners
300
Lavoisier Roucher and others
302
Execution of Malesherbes and his whole family with dEspréménil
304
Trial of the Farmersgeneral
305
Of Madame Elizabeth
306
Of Custines son Luckner Biron Dietrich and Madame Du Barri
308
Execution of the young women from Verdun and Montmartre
310
Cruelties in the provinces Lebon at Arras
311
Carrier at Nantes
314
General apathy of the class of proprietors St Just at Strassburg and Tallien at Bordeaux
316
Efforts of the Committee of Public Salvation to increase the massacres
317
Horror at length excited by the number and descent of the executions
318
Opinions of the Convention on the subject
319
Affair of Catherine Theot which first shook the power of Robespierre
320
Suspicions of Robespierre awakened
321
Speech of Billaud Varennes
338
Extreme danger of the Convention
344
Arrest of Robespierre and all his party
350
Executed with St Just Henriot Couthon and all their party
352
What long supported and at length terminated this dreadful power
360
Manner in which the public mind is corrupted during a revolution
366
Similarity of the revolutionary to religious fanaticism
372
CHAPTER XVI
377
And naval weakness
378
Respective navies of the two powers ib 4 Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act Argument of Mr Fox against it
379
And of Mr Pitt in its support
380
Frightful state of St Domingo ib 16 And in the Mediterranean where Corsica is reduced
392
Preparations for the battle of the 1st June by Admiral Howe and the Channel Fleet
393
Howe breaks the French line
394
Commencement of the action
395
Desperate conflict which ensued
398
Results of the battle
400
Safe arrival of the American convoy in Brest harbour
401
Tactics by which the victory was gained ib 24 Its great moral effect in Great Britain
402
Vast military preparations of the French and their system of war
403
Talent with which their military force was wielded
404
Mr Pitts efforts to hold together the alliance
406
Efforts of the Cabinet of Vienna to prevent the secession of Prussia
407
Prussia openly begins to withdraw
408
But is at length retained in the alliance by a treaty with Great Britain
409
Discontent this excited in the Prussian army ib 32 Plan of the campaign formed by General Mack Forces of the two parties
410
Landrecies taken Efforts of the Republicans to raise the siege Defeat of the French at Troisville
411
Defeat of Clairfait
413
Jourdan ordered up from the Rhine to the Sambre ib 36 Indecisive actions on the Sambre which at length terminate to the dis advantage of the French
414
Preparations for a general battle in West Flanders
415
Battle of Turcoing
416
Fresh indecisive actions ib 40 The Austrian Cabinet in secret contemplate the exchange of Flanders for Bavaria or some Italian province
417
A Council of State is held on this project
418
The abandonment of Flanders is resolved on by the Austrian Cabinet
419
The French again cross the Sambre invest Charleroi and are driven back
420
Arrival of Jourdan with 40000 men investment of Charleroi and sepa ration of the Austrians and British
421
Pichegru attacks Clairfait
422
The Imperialists assemble to succour Charleroi
423
Battle of Fleurus ib 48 Obstinate struggle in the centre
424
Success of the Austrians on the left
425
The Allies retreat though not defeated
426
Efforts of the British government to hold together the alliance
427
Pichegru drives back Clairfait in West Flanders and advances to Brussels
428
Views of the Cabinet of Vienna at this period
429
Diverging retreat of the British and Austrian forces The British retire towards Holland
430
Inactivity of the French
431
Decree of the Convention to give no quarter ib 57 Operations on the Rhine and disasters consequent on the secession of Prussia
433
Inactivity of the Prussians
434
Operations in Piedmont Mont Cenis is carried by the French ib 60 Great success of Napoleon and Massena in the Maritime Alps
435
The Sardinians are driven over the ridge of the Alps
437
War in the Eastern Pyrenees Great financial difficulties of the Spaniards
438
Successes of Dugommier there and total defeat of the Spaniards ib 64 Dugommier follows up his successes Collioure taken
440
Invasion of Spain by the Western Pyrenees ib 66 Great successes of the Republicans in this quarter
441
Siege and capture of Bellegarde
442
Ineffectual proposals for peace by the Spaniards ib 69 Great defeat of the Spaniards near Figueras
443
And on the poor
444
71
445
They sue for peace
446
Renewal of hostilities in Flanders ib 74 British retire to the right bank of the Meuse
447
Battle of Ruremonde and retreat of the Austrians ib 76 Who cross the Rhine and Maestricht is taken
448
Active pursuit of the British by the Republicans and retreat of the for mer behind the Waal
449
Efforts of the English Opposition to decry the war and firmness of Mr Pitt
450
But the Austrian and Prussian Cabinets resolve on peace and contract their efforts
451
Siege of Nimeguen and winter campaign in Holland and misunderstand ing between the Dutch and British
452
Extraordinary fatigues and increased efforts of the French army
453
Pichegru projects a winter campaign
454
Description of Holland
455
Dreadful irruptions of the sea in former times
457
Character and habits of the people
458
Influences of this character on their national history ib 88 Immense commerce of the Dutch
460
Population and extent of Holland and its colonies
461
Magnitude and historical celebrity of their towns
462
Military and naval forces of Holland
463
Government and social institutions of the United Provinces
464
Importance of the preceding record of Holland
465
Injustice of England to Holland in recent times ib 95 Pichegru makes a general attack on the Allied position
467
Walmoden retires towards Hanover ib 97 Dutch sue for peace in vain and French cross the Waal
468
The Stadtholder embarks for England and a revolution breaks out at Amsterdam which admits the French troops
469
Fall of Utrecht Leyden and Haarlem
470
Dutch fleet captured by the French cavalry ib 101 Extraordinary discipline of the French soldiers and spoliation of their commanders
471
Concluding operations on the Rhine
472
Causes of this disaster to the Allies
473
Conclusion of the campaign in Savoy
474
Renewal of the war in la Vendée
475
Storming of Thurreaus intrenched camps
476
Chouan insurrection in Brittany and character of Puisaye
477
Immense results of the campaign
478
The prodigious forces of the Republic
479
Immense issues of assignats to uphold these great expenses
480
Progressive increase of the French forces during the campaign
481
The period of success for the Allies was past ib 113 General reflections on the campaign
482
Great military effect of the French fortresses ib 115 Sublime aspect of France at this period in external affairs
483
CHAPTER XVII
485
Physical description of Poland
486
Its great rivers
487
Great fertility of its soil ib 5 Face of the country in the northern provinces
488
Romantic scenery in the neighbourhood of the Carpathian mountains
489
Small cities in Poland
490
Causes of its continued disasters
491
It has retained the pastoral and independent character unmixed
492
The representative system arose from the Christian councils ib 11 No intermixture of foreign customs in Poland
493
Its society differently constructed from any in Europe
494
They still retain the taste and habits of the nomad tribes
495
Their early and indomitable democratic spirit ib 15 The clergy formed a different body from any in Europe
497
The nobility never engaged in any profession or trade ib 17 Which all fell into the hands of the Jews
498
Liberty and equality the early principles of the people ib 19 The crown was always elective
500
General assemblies of the people and the Liberum veto ib 21 Description of these assemblies
501
Order of the proceedings
502
Splendour of the dresses
503
Partial introduction of the representative system
504
Pledges universally exacted from the deputies ib 26 Evils of the Liberum Veto possessed by each deputy
505
Great increase of the democratic power at the close of the sixteenth century
506
Nature of the national force
507
Their long and desperate wars with the Asiatic tribes
508
And with their European neighbours
509
Their weakness early suggested the idea of dismemberment to the adjoin ing states
510
Noble exploits of John Sobieski ib 33 His prophetic anticipation of the partition of Poland from its democratic divisions
511
With him the Polish power was extinguished
512
Excessive democratic strife after his death
513
Increasing weakness and anarchy of the republic
514
Which made their partition in 1772 easy ib 38 When too late they abandon their ruinous democratic privileges Differ ence of the Polish and French r...
515
Commencement of their last struggle
517
The Poles take up arms from despair and elect Kosciusko as a leader ib 41 Character of Kosciusko who saw the futility of resistance
518
He defeats the Russians at Raslowice Warsaw is taken by the insurgents
519
The Poles in the Russian army disarmed
520
Great exertions of Kosciusko and his countrymen
521
The want of a large regular force proved fatal to them ib 46 The Russians and Prussians move against Warsaw and violent tumults there
522
The invaders are compelled to raise the siege and Suwarroff defeats a body of Poles
523
Kosciusko is routed and made prisoner at Maccowice
524
The patriots shut themselves up in Warsaw
525
Storming of Praga and Warsaw by Suwarroff Atrocious massacre by the Russians
526
Great sensation produced in Europe by the fall of Poland ib 52 It fell a victim of democratic madness and oppression
527
Striking contrast afforded by the steady growth of Russia
528
Gallant spirit of the exiled Polish bands
529
Comparison of Polish with English history
530
Just retribution on the partitioning powers ib 58 Their subsequent punishment
531
CHAPTER XVIII
533
Effects of the successes of France in the preceding campaign
534
State of the empire Oct 1794 Treaty between Holland and France
535
Fresh treaty between Austria and Great Britain
536
Arguments in Great Britain against the war
537
Mr Pitts reply
538
Great increase in the patriotic spirit of the people
539
Naval operations in the Mediterranean Combat of la Spezia
540
War in the Maritime Alps
541
French armies strongly reinforced and resume the offensive
542
Preparations for the battle of Loano
544
Commencement of the action ib 16 Disastrous retreat of the Allies and decisive consequences of the battle
545
Tactics by which the battle was gained by the Republicans
546
War in Spain Indecisive operations in Catalonia
547
Great successes of the Republicans in Biscay and accession of Spain to the treaty of Bâle ib 20 Pacification of la Vendée
548
Treaty with the insurgents
549
Gradual estrangement of the pacified parties from each other
550
Expedition to Quiberon ib 24 Running seafight at Belleisle
551
Landing of the emigrants in Quiberon bay
552
Prodigious agitation in the west of France
553
Vigorous measures of Hoche The invaders are blockaded
554
Their desperate situation
555
Abortive attempts at succour by the Chouan chiefs ib 30 The Royalists are defeated and their intrenchments stormed
556
They are driven into the sea or capitulate
557
Despair and dreadful end of the fugitives
558
Atrocious cruelty of the Republicans
559
Noble conduct and death of Sombreuil and the Royalist prisoners
560
Rapid decline of the Royalist cause in the west of France
561
War on the Rhine Extreme penury and difficulties of the Republicans
562
He attacks the lines round Mayence
569
CHAPTER XIX
575
Contests between the two parties Trial and death of Fouquier Tinville
581
Trial and execution of Carrier and dreadful atrocities divulged in
587
Convention besieged Heroic conduct of Boissy dAnglas The
600
Their destitute and deplorable condition
605
Dreadful scarcity in Paris from the abolition of the forced requisitions
608
Generous conduct of the Duke of Orleans younger sons and indulgence
614
The sections openly resolve to revolt
621
Humanity of the Convention after their victory
627
Election of the council of Ancients and the Five Hundred
628
Reflections on the history of the Convention ib 66 Slow growth of all durable human institutions
629
Reflections on the history of the Revolution and the causes of its disasters
630
Ruinous effect of Neckers duplication of the Tiers Etat
631
Dreadful effect of the emigration of the noblesse ib 70 Effects of the Allied interference
632
Causes of the disasters it induced
633
Dreadful retribution endured by France ib 73 Manner in which it was brought about
634

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Page 267 - A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames No light; but rather darkness visible Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all, but torture without end Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed.
Page 527 - Oh ! bloodiest picture in the book of Time Sarmatia fell unwept, without a crime ; Found not a generous friend, a pitying foe, Strength in her arms, nor mercy in her woe...
Page 456 - Where the broad ocean leans against the land; And, sedulous to stop the coming tide, Lift the tall rampire's artificial pride. Onward, methinks, and diligently slow, The firm connected bulwark seems to grow, Spreads its long arms amidst the watery roar, Scoops out an empire, and usurps the shore — While the pent ocean, rising o'er the pile, Sees an amphibious world beneath him smile ; The slow canal, the yellow-blossom'd vale, The willow-tufted bank, the gliding sail, The crowded mart, the cultivated...
Page 252 - And should I at your harmless innocence Melt, as I do, yet public reason just, Honour and empire with revenge enlarged, By conquering this new world, compels me now To do what else, though damn'd, I should abhor.
Page 165 - So spake the Cherub : and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible : Abash'd the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely ; saw, and pined His loss ; but chiefly to find here observed His lustre visibly impair'd ; yet seem'd Undaunted. If I must contend...
Page 248 - Vice is a monster of such hideous mien, That to be hated, needs but to be seen; But seen too oft', familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
Page 532 - Yes ! thy proud lords, unpitied land ! shall see That man hath yet a soul— and dare be free ! A little while, along thy saddening plains, The starless night of desolation reigns ; Truth shall restore the light by Nature given, And, like Prometheus, bring the fire of Heaven ! Prone to the dust Oppression shall be hurl'd, Her name, her nature, wither'd from the world...
Page 371 - What though the field be lost? All is not lost; the unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield, And what is else not to be overcome ; That glory never shall his wrath or might Extort from me.
Page 341 - Here sighs, with lamentations and loud moans, Resounded through the air pierced by no star, That e'en I wept at entering. Various tongues, Horrible languages, outcries of woe, Accents of anger, voices deep and hoarse, With hands together smote that swell'd the sounds, Made up a tumult, that for ever whirls Round through that air with solid darkness stain'd, Like to the sand that in the whirlwind flies.
Page 265 - Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved: To rear me was the task of Power divine, Supremest Wisdom, and primeval Love. 19 Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here.

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