The magnitude of the allied armies, and still more, the general and universal zeal with which they all embraced the common cause, gave well-founded hopes that the infuriate career of France might at length be arrested, and that her weak and divided government would not have the strength to support itself against the combined armies of Europe. The King of Naples very well understood the situation in which he was placed. He knew that France had granted him a peace only for the more effectual fulfilment of his ultimate ruin. He, therefore, correctly concluded, that it was rather an armistice than a peace; and an armistice of that kind, which the person who had granted it would have no hesitation in rescinding the moment it could be done with convenience to himself.

It is certain, that in this conclusion he was, as we have just observed, correct; for at the close of the German campaign which followed the infraction of the peace, a French army was ordered to march to Naples. The King was, consequently, compelled to place himself immediately under the protection of the English in Sicily. Naples was, of course, conquered as soon as entered, and Joseph Bonaparte seated on its throne.

It is not necessary here to state either the conduct of the French, or the resistance of the brave Neapolitans but it may still be proper to add, that the latter became so formidable to their oppressors, as to occasion an army of 32,000 men, commanded by Massena and Regnier, to be sent for their subjugation.

In consequence of the efforts of those patriots, the English government ordered General Stuart, at that period in Sicily, to watch his time and opportunity, and under the guidance of his own discretion, act for their relief as the exigency of the case required. Shortly after, the General deemed that this time and opportunity had arrived. In the month of July, (1802), the fortress of Gæta, which

had been long besieged by Massena, and most bravely defended by its commandant, the Prince of Hesse Philipsthal, still held out. Its situation in the gulf of Gæta rendered it, in some measure, accessible from the sea, therefore, the operations of Sir Sidney Smith, whose character, in a great degree, resembled that of the brave governor, most admirably seconded the astonishing exertions of the gallant garrison.

In the whole course of the war, no fortress was more strongly attacked, or more bravely defended. The activity of the governor was every where; he was busy in the fortifications night and day. This example animated his men to a courage and enthusiasm similar to his own. Though his garrison did not exceed sixteen hundred men, he made a sortie, to demolish the works, defended by twice as many thousands. Massena at length brought 100 pieces of cannon to bear on the castle. The governor, however, was still undismayed. Massena, irritated at this brave resistance, though at the same time he testified his respect for it, put the whole country under martial law, and erected military commissions in all the towns. Under this administration, the kingdom, from one end to the other, became a scene of rapine, massacre, and devastation.

At this point of time General Stuart, with a force of 4,500 men, embarked from Sicily, and, on the 3d of July, landed at St. Euphemia, on the opposite, or Calabrian shore.

General Regnier was at Reggio when he was informed of General Stuart's haying effected his landing. Without loss of time, he collected whatever force was within his immediate reach; and commanding whatever further force should come up, to form itself into a second division, and instantly to follow him, he marched towards the coast to meet the English.

On the night of the third he reached the village of Maida; and, to wait for his second division, took up a strong position. The French gene

rals were formerly thought to excel in the choice of such positions. This of General Regnier's resembled almost an entrenched camp. It was as follows; and cannot be explained too distinctly, as it is a main feature in the battle.

A little beneath the village of Maida, is a long woody hill, every part of it almost, being covered with brushwood, and more particularly on the flanks. His front was extended along the brow of this hill, his flanks being protected by the underwood. At the bottom of the hill was a marshy meadow; through which, along the whole front of his line. flowed the river Annato; a stream small and fordable, but protected by its marshy banks. Such was the position in which General Regnier encamped on the night of the 3d July, with the purpose of waiting the arrival of his second division, and whatever other force might come up. He intended to march against General Stuart on the follow ing morning. In the mean time, General Stuart, on the same day, the 3d, was informed that General Regnier had made his movement; that he had arrived, and was encamped at Maida and, that his present force consisted only of about 4,000 infantry and 300 cavalry; but, that he expected to be immediately joined by at least 3,000 more, and that, in order at once to wait for this junction, and to cover himself till their arrival, he had taken up the above-mentioned strong position at Maida.

:

ly, did view them, and, in consequence, resolved on a movement on his part, which was as fortunate as unexpected to the British.

It has been mentioned, that General Regnier, on the night of the 3d, encamped on the heights of Maida, for the purpose of waiting for the reinforcements which he expected to come up to him on the second division. General Stuart hastened up to him on the morning of the 4th, with the hopes of reaching him before the arrival of these reinforcements. The second division, had arrived and joined General Regnier in the night, who, thus reinforced, had an army of at least 7,000 men; a number nearly double the amount with which Sir John Stuart was approaching him. This superiority of force, and that force consisting of French veterans, added to the impregnable strength of his position, might very justly excite some apprehensions as to the issue, in the mind of the English commander.

"Had the French remained in their position," said the general, in his official despatch, "the advantages of the ground were so favourable, and all access to them so impracticable, that I could have done nothing. But, being animated by his superiority of caval ry, which I totally wanted, General Regnier quitted this advantage, and crossing the river in his front, with his entire force, he came down to meet us on the open plain."

It was now 9 o'clock in the morn. ing of the 4th July. Both armies fired a few loose shots to conceal their mutual manœuvring; this lasted, however, but a few minutes; both were equally eager to engage, and in a moment, as if by mutual consent, suspended the firing on both sides; in close compact order and awful silence, they marched up to each other. "The prowess of the rival nations," says Sir John Stuart, in the same official despatch above quoted, and he says it with equal justice and military en

The battle was now commenced in earnest; the bayonets of the two armies fairly crossed each other; and an Englishman and a Frenchman, looked each other full in the face. At this awful crisis the enemy became appalled; they broke and endeavoured to fly; but their previous daring had rendered it now too late. The English were upon them, and rushed into their ranks whenever they divided.

General Ackland availed himself of this opportunity, to press them with his usual vigour, and the 78th and 81st regiments, by their conduct on this occasion, confirmed, and indeed, augmented their former reputation. The enemy's left fled before them in all directions, and the plain, on all sides, was covered with the dead and wounded.

The French commanders have generally distinguished themselves by their dexterity in rallying after a defeat. Their right wing now made a noble effort to recover the fortune of the day. Brigadier-general Cole, how ever, gave them a suitable reception, and the 27th regiment much distinguished themselves in this part of the battle. The French cavalry, endeavouring to turn their left, were sharply opposed by lieutenant-colonel Ross, who had that morning landed from Messina, with the 20th regiment; and happening to come up during the action, while observing the attempted movement of the French cavalry, he threw his regiment opportunely into a situation near a small river, upon their flank, and there, by a heavy and well-directed fire, entirely disconcerted their scheme.

The battle was now over. The field was covered with a most horrible carnage. Thirteen hundred of the enemy were killed, and eighteen hundred taken prisoners.

"When I oppose this immense loss of the enemy to our own small com

parative loss," says General Stuart, "his majesty will, I hope, discern in this fact the happy effects of that established discipline, to which we owe the triumphs by which our army has been latterly so highly distinguished."

The intelligence of this battle was received in England with the enthusiasm which it merited. It most certainly made a splendid addition to the long catalogue of British deeds of valour. It augmented our military character and renown, inspirited our allies, and animated the universal body of our country. It taught the enemy a very useful lesson, namely, that we did not owe our superiority to our mere maritime dexterity; but that our soldiers had hands and hearts, had nerves and courage, which those who chose to stand the proof would feel, and those who survived, however reluctantly, must acknowledge.

The thanks of Parliament were accordingly voted to all the general officers concerned, as likewise to the whole body of the army; and certainly no army had ever more bravely earned them.

His majesty was likewise pleased to signify his peculiar satisfaction, by investing General Stuart with the military order of the Bath. All the regiments concerned were permitted, by a general order, to bear the word "Maida" in their colours, and medals were issued and distributed to the officers.

Very shortly afterwards, General Stuart was appointed to the command of the 74th regiment, and, nearly at the same time, made Lieutenant-governor of Granada.

He is at this time in Sicily, the safety of which kingdom depends entirely upon him and his army; though it is to be observed that the events which have since occurred, events to which, in the proem to this memoir, we exultingly alluded, have not only increased the security of that kingdom, but of every other to which the protecting arms of Great Britain have been extended.

IN London city late did dwell
A merchant, rich and known full well,
Who had a daughter fair and young,
With beauty bright, with beauty bright,
and charming tongue.

At Hackney she did board last spring,
Only to learn to dance and sing.
Her father he a 'prentice had,
Which was in love, which was in love,
with this fair maid.

But when the father found it out,
There was a heavy scolding bout,
He did command his 'prentice sure
Never to see, never to see,

his daughter more.

The 'prentice and his darling love
Found new ways to keep on their love,
The secret is a pretty joke,
'Twas manag'd by, 'twas manag'd by
the father's cloak.

For when the father he did go
To see his daughter, you must know,
The 'prentice would a letter poke
Within the cape, within the cape
of master's cloak.

So when to Hackney he was got.
The weather being something hot,
The daughter to the father said,
Pray give your cloak, pray give your cloak
unto the maid.

Then straightways from the cape would they

Her lover's letters soon convey,
Wherein the daughter she did find
That still her love, that still her love
was true and kind.

The daughter writ an answer then,
And put it in the cape again,
The father said, my daughter dear,
Ne'er entertain, ne'er entertain
my servant here.

The 'prentice said, oh master pray,
What made you thus angry this day,
To chide your daughter so severe,
And say, that I, and say, that I

must ne'er come there.

He said, a wizzard you must be,
Or how could you know this by me?
But yet when he to Hackney went,
The 'prentice still, the 'prentice still,
a letter sent.

So when he to his daughter came,
She ask'd him questions of the same,
Which made her father stamp and stare,
And cry'd a witch, and cry'd a witch
I'm sure you are.

At length the merchant he would know,
How 'twas his man had tidings so,
And then he did protest and swear,
That he should have, that he should have,
his daughter fair.

The man reply'd, will you not blame
The messenger that brought the same;
He then began to curse and ban,
That he would ne'er, that he would ne'er,
forgive the man,

In the cape of your coat then know,
You brought our letters to and fro :
Which made the merchant smile and say,
My daughter you, my daughter you
shall wed, this day.

Printed by and for A. M.*

AVAUNT, gay mockery of truth!
Thou canker in the bud of youth!
Thou gilded serpent, whose bright show
Conceals the poison bags below;
Consumption, hence! thou, hand in hand
With madness, broodest o'er the land:
Bright mischief, hence! the churchyards
groan

With victims by thy power o'erthrown.
Insatiate thou of human blood,
Most delicate glutton in thy food,
The best and fairest choosing still,
And breaking hearts thou cans't not kill.

Thine ear drinks heirless father's groans;
And childless widow's hollow moans;
And plighted maiden's agony ;
And this to thee is harmony.

Thou seest the parent first awaking, Through hope's fond dreams seest terror breaking;

Seest doubt and fear come rushing on;
And markest, when all hope is gone,
Despair's fix'd look, and careless eye,
And quiv'ring lips, that breathe no sigh,
And this to thee is ecstasy?
O smiling mischief! angel bright,
Thy victim seems to human sight!
Beauty, her only warning given,
Thou trickest out a bride for heaven.
So thin, she floats upon the eye
Like light clouds o'er the evening sky;
It seems as no terrestrial creature
Could so throw off all earthly feature.
Bright vision of the element,
"Tis now thy dazzling fairness lent
The sky thy veins of softest blue;
The rainbow thy cheek's rosy hue;
The sun the lambent flames that fly,
Dazzling and burning from thine eye.
So beautiful thou art. 'Tis sad
To view thee. Beauty makes us glad:
But still as grows thy loveliness
Dread signs of wo our joys repress.
The panting breath; the ghastly smile;
The short and frequent cough; the toil
With which thy gayest speeches come;
All have a tongue to speak thy doom:
The lightning flashes of thine eye,
Tell in their brightness thou must die!

O many a mother who has trod
O'er one fair victim's funeral sod,

Watches, with sad and fearful glance,
The sister beauty's charms advance;
She trembles at the form's light grace,
At youth's pure blush and lovely-face;
Shivers to mark those eye beams clear;"
Deems thee, thou cruel spoiler near,
And dies a living death in fear:
As he, once wreck'd in summer's breeze
Dark rocks and hovering tempest sees.

Dreadful that fear: more dread the hope
When nought the husband's eyes can ope,.
Which hang enraptur'd on the charms
That tear the lov'd one from his arms.
Thy shaft is sped; she dies not yet,
Consumption soon thou❜lt claim thy debt
Stay thy fleet course, art can no more,
Love cannot heal, nor skill restore.-
The woodbine thus, when some rude
shower

Has snapp'd the fair but fragile flower,
Suspended by one slender thread,
Hangs mournfully its drooping head:
Then, if some maid in pitying guise,
To its lov'd tree the blossom ties,
Awhile it lives beneath her care
As sweet in scent, in form as fair.
Again the fair one seeks the tree
Her renovated flower to see;
But drooping now the pallid head,
Which late in flaunting beauty spread;
But wither'd now, the tubes whose store
Of sweets the humming pilgrims bore;
But shrunk and curl'd, the leaves whose