against the French in the north of Germany. This was the basis laid down by the English plenipotentiaries for the re-establishment of peace with Great Britain, upon the conclusion of which, the Danish colonies were to be restored, but not the island of Heligoland; and there was to be no indemnification for the loss of the fleet. These propositions (the Gazette says) were answered, by his Majesty's command, in a manner corresponding to the dignity of the crown, and the interests of his states. The flag of truce returned on the afternoon of the 2nd. It is announced as the King's unalterable determination to maintain the union of his kingdoms.

The Danish declaration of war against Sweden was published at Copenhagen on the 5th of September. It begins with complaints of the maritime conduct of that power in suffering, contrary to the treaty of Jonkoping, the ships and cruizers hostile to Denmark to make prizes of Danish ships close to the coasts, and even in the ports of Sweden. The failure of the restitution of Danish property sequestered in Sweden pursuant to the stipulations in the treaty above-mentioned, is next adverted to; after which the agreement between Russia and Sweden for the seizure of Norway is touched upon, and remarks are made on the insidious conduct of the latter in distributing proclamations to detach the Norwegians from their allegiance to their lawful sovereign. A heavy complaint against the Swedish government is then brought for its detention of a great number of ships laden with

corn dispatched by the Danish government, and by individuals, for the relief of the scarcity under which Norway was labouring in the Swedish ports into which they had been driven by stress of weather. It then relates the successive steps by which Sweden withdrew all friendly intercourse with Denmark, and at length proceeded to actual hostilities by sea: and it concludes with an appeal to the justice of the defensive war in which Denmark finds itself unavoidably engaged. This declaration was met on the part of Sweden by a counter-declaration of war against Denmark, dated September 15th, chiefly remarkable by its brevity. It recites in general terms injuries inflicted on the Swedish commerce by the Danish privateers; and regarding a state of war as actually commenced, it formally notifies the same to all the land and sea officers of Sweden. From the subsequent operations, it has appeared that the Crown Prince, after effectually fulfilling his obligations of acting with the other allied powers in the expulsion of the French from Germany, made use of the first opportunity to turn his arms against the Danes; and from the state to which they were reduced at the close of the year, the necessity of their compliance with such terms of peace as may be imposed upon them may readily be anticipated.

Among the faults with which Napoleon has been charged in the conduct of this campaign, is enumerated that of leaving behind him on his last retreat from the Elbe, a number of garrisons in an insulated state, which could not

fail in the end of falling into the power of a superior enemy, and the deduction of which would make a very serious diminution of his veteran troops. The most considerable body of these was remain ing in Dresden after the fatal battle of Leipzic, under the command of Marshal Gouvion St. Cyr, when, indeed, it probably was incapable of joining the main army of the retreating French. An addition was made to it of the relics of Vandamme's army, driven in by the Russians. The great number of soldiers, with the town's people, and many from the country, who took refuge within its walls, made a superabundant population, which was soon visited with all the calamities attendant upon disease and scarcity. A private letter from Dresden during its investment by the allies, gives a most distressing narrative of the evils endured. "The French soldiers (says the writer) like spectres were wandering about the streets, and had often scarcely strength to beg: others were seen laying hold of the corners of streets, falling down through weakness, and dying on the spot. Every day more than a score of these victims were found in the streets, on the dunghills, or under carriages. Pious Catholic priests were often seen kneeling by their side, and giving them extreme unction." The Marshal for a time thought of nothing but resistance, and incessantly caused new entrenchments to be thrown up around the city, and the streets and suburbs to be barricaded. He then at tempted to march away with the greater part of his troops by the left bank of the Elbe, but the

Russian commanders drove him: back into Dresden. On November 6th, he attacked the blockading corps on the right bank of the Elbe, with the intention of penetrating to Torgau, but in this he was also foiled. Reduced to a state of despair, he now proposed a capitulation to general Klenau, on the condition of declaring his troops prisoners of war, but to be marched to France and there exchanged, with an engagement not to serve against the allies for six months. The proposal was accepted,__and the French began to quit Dresden on the 12th; but the commander-in-chief, Prince Schwartzenberg, refused to ratify the treaty, and made the offer to the Marshal of re-entering the place. This he declined, and submitted to the condition of surrendering himself and his men absolutely as pri soners of war. By a return given as accurate, the number thus capitulating amounted to 1,759 officers (among whom were 13 generals of division, beside the Marshal) and 38,745 privates.

The town of Stettin, with its dependent forts, surrendered to the allies by a capitulation signed on November 21st, on the same leading condition, that the garrisons should be detained in Germany as prisoners of war. They marched out on December 5th, to the number of 7 generals, 533 officers, and 7,100 privates. Of these 1,400 were Dutch, who immediately mounted the Orange cockade, that they might be sent to the assistance of their countrymen. The French were conducted across the Oder.

Another example was presented, in the case of the Swiss Cantons,

of a proposed neutrality being compelled to give way to the plans of superior power. It was an obvious piece of policy in the French emperor, who had before him the prospect of invasion from different quarters, to secure an important line of frontier by the interposition of a neutral territory; and being by title protector of the Helvetic confederacy, he might expect that his influence would engage that nation so far in his cause, as to maintain their own right to prevent the entrance of any foreign army on their territories. Doubt less, therefore, through his sug gestion, the Landamman and members of the diet of the 19 Swiss Cantons, issued, on Nov. 20th, an address to their constituents, informing them that it had been determined in the diet to notify to all the belligerent powers a declaration of the neutrality of Switzerland. For the purpose of maintaining this neutrality, an army of 45,000 men was to be raised, and to form a line on the frontiers: and posts with inscriptions marking the limits of the Swiss territory were placed along the northern boundary. It is probable that the troops were chiefly nominal, and that there was no serious intention of measuring forces with the allied powers if they should refuse to admit of the assumed neutrality. The trial soon arrived; for the army of Prince Schwartzenberg appeared upon the Swiss frontier, and that general, on December 21st, addressed a proclamation to the inhabitants of Switzerland. In this paper, he refers to a declaration in the name of the allied powers, of the motives producing his entrance upon the Swiss terri

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tories; and says, that he expects the most friendly dispositions from all true patriots who feel how much the object of the present war, namely, the re-establishment of a just and wise political system for all Europe, is connected with the future destinies of Switzerland. He concludes, "We enter among you as the friends of your country, of your name, of your rights; confident of your good-will and co-operation, we will act as such under all circumstances; we trust also, that we shall evacuate your country as friends, carrying along with us your gratitude and benedictions, when we shall have attained the great object at which we aim." The declaration alluded to, is contained in a note addressed to the Landamman of Switzerland by the count de Capodistria, and the chevalier de Lebzeltern. ter reciting the means by which the emperor Napoleon had subverted the ancient constitution of the country, and destroyed its independence, they declare that the allied powers cannot admit of a neutrality, which, in the actual circumstances of Switzerland, exists only in name that their Imperial and Royal Majesties solemnly engage themselves not to lay down their arms before they ensure to the republic those places which France has torn from itthat they will never suffer that Switzerland shall be placed under a foreign influence-and that they will recognize her neutrality on the day that she shall become free and independent. The result of these measures is communicated in the despatches of lords Cathcart and Aberdeen. The Austrian forces crossed the Rhine at Schaffhausen,

Basle, and intermediate places, and proceeded on their march to the French frontier, observing the strictest order and discipline. The Swiss regular troops retired, and the militia expected to be disembodied, and no act of hostility occurred. Count Bubna entered Bern on December 24th, with a strong body of cavalry, and on that day a revolution took place by which the ancient government of that canton was re-established, with the acclamations of the people; and it was not doubted that the other cantons would follow the example.

The fate of Saxony is left undetermined, and it is probable that its sovereign will be one of the principal sufferers for the part taken in the contests of the year. The government has for the present been conferred upon prince Repnin, who, on December 9th, made a speech to the deputies of all the colleges of the administration at Dresden, in which he acquainted them, that the allied sovereigns had ordained that the kingdom of Saxony should be governed in their names until a general peace; and that the continued enmity shown by the Saxon government to their cause till the last moment, had obliged them to take this step.

Frankfort has the pleasing prospect of being restored to its ancient prosperity and independence in the vicissitude of events. The high powers who have honoured it with their presence, published, on December 14th, an ordinance, by which the city with the territory formerly belonging to it is declared a separate government, with a free constitution peculiar to itself, un der their protection.

The electorate of Hanover has obtained an addition of territory by the annexation of the principality of Hildesheim, in virtue of a convention between the king of Prussia and the Prince Regent of England. The Prince, in an address to the inhabitants, in the name of king George III. informs them of the change which it styles the most desirable and natural state for them, their country being surrounded on almost all sides by the German provinces of his house, which it resembled in usages and ancient constitution, and of which it once, for more than a century, made a part. It is probable they will not find themselves losers by the transfer. It seems to be intended that the electorate shall henceforth be the residence of a prince of the blood as its governor. The duke of Cambridge has been appointed to that office, who made his entrance into Hanover on December 19th, accompanied by count Munster, and was received with every demonstration of the public joy.

Mention has already been made of an exhortatory address from an Austrian minister to the Tyrolese, for the purpose of rendering them tranquil during the present state of things. It was doubtless suggested by an indication of some revolutionary movements, and it afterwards appeared that they were not to be suppressed by such means. A hatred to the Bavarian dominion, and a desire to return under that of Austria, seem to have been the incitements which drew a number of young men from the valleys of the Tyrol, who set up the standard of insurrection, and advancing to Inspruck, attacked the Bavarian troops in that capital, and obtained