fourteen days expedition, is called by Bonaparte in his official despatches, his second campaign in Egypt. And in truth, the campaign which he had begun, was also at end, as it respected him. For upon this, he secretly left his army, dispersed all over Egypt, in the most wretched state, and surrounded by a furious enemy.

In three little ships under vice admiral Gantheaume, Bonaparte and his suite eluded the English cruizers, and landed safe at Frejus, on the 1st of of October, 1799.

CHAP. III.

Warlike Preparations on the Continent.---Transactions in Italy.---Dreadful Battle in the City of Naples, which is taken by the French.---Advance of the Russians into Germany.---Defeat of General Jourdan.---Murder of the French Plenipotentiaries at Rastadt.---Extended Military Operations of the contending Parties, &c.

WE have before had occasion to notice the specious attempts at negociation of the British ministry-mere deceitful political engines by which Mr. Pitt meant to draw millions from the pockets of a deluded, injured people, for the promotion of the least provoked, most unjust, and most ruinous contest that ever did, or ever will disgrace the page of English history. All the time lord Malmsbury was in France, in the character of a British negociator, Mr. Pitt was endeavoring by all possible means to incite Paul I. of Russia (distinguished for absurdity) to become a principal in lighting up anew the flames of continental war. As the Russian autocrat was whimsical and capricious, so his fits favorable to war were made the most of accordingly, and it was not long ere he was induced to enter into a contest which his mother had prudently avoided, and which, though at first

apparently successful, was ultimately attended with neither profit nor glory to the Russian arms.

Nor was it to the north of Europe alone that the English minister confined his views of alliance-he also persuaded the king of Naples to lend his feeble assistance in so just a cause, viz. to force the French to replace the Bourbons, or perhaps adopt some other form of government more suitable to the gloomy disposition and sinister views of that obstinate spirit, which England will long deplore, which so often deluged the continent with blood, and which, like an enraged and disappointed serpent, perished by its own poison.

However, we must at least allow the merit of industry to the soul and mainspring of this continental coalition, as the utmost activity was used, and no means left unessayed to raise the world against the French republic. British influence preponderated in the tardy negociations carrying on at Rastadt; and the moment the German emperor was secure of the assistance of Russia, insurmountable obstacles were thrown in the way of the final arrangement of the definite treaty between him and the French republic, the deputies of the latter were peremptorily ordered to quit the place, and most of them murdered almost under the very walls of the city.

A concurrence of circumstances too, much favored and facilitated the hostile views against France :As the generals and armies of the republic had latterly shown a disposition for cruelty and plunder, so

its rulers became equally notorious for cupidity and direliction of duty: the consequences might be expected the most essential means for preserving the conquests (though unjust) or even the independence of France were neglected; and while the directory fed the vanity of the French with the glory of their arms, the greater part of the people, intoxicated with this unprofitable vanity, appeared totally unconscious that they had committed their honor and safety to a few ruffians, who, while they outwardly affected republicanism, were rendering the nation contemptible in the eyes of all Europe.

Nor was it perhaps the least incitement to action against France, that Bonaparte, and the flower of that army, with which he had over-run Italy, and which had enabled him to dictate the treaty of Campo Formio, were waging war in a distant part of the world. Also the reduction of Malta and Minorca, in the latter end of the year, 1798, swelled the list of British conquests. In addition to these inauspicious circumstances, on the part of the republic, the glitter of English subsidiary guineas dazzled the eyes of the needy despots of the continent, and, like the lurking rattle-snake, fascinated them to their own destruction.

The pleasure which Mr. Pitt manifested at the return of lord Malmsbury, his exultation in the house of commons, and the secret satisfaction which seemed to play round a brow apparently formed by nature to forbid the approaches of social friendship, were

strong indications, that, notwithstanding the congress of Rastadt, the demon of desolation was again to stalk forth with gigantic strides, and the horrid din of human destruction to resound from one end of Europe to the other.

The hired phalanx against the French republic consisted of the chief powers of the Gerinan empire, backed by Russia and assisted by the king of Naples; while England, triumphant on the ocean, was to render every possible assistance on laud. At the same time, as corruption and venality had infected the rulers of France, so the military and all other establishments calculated for the safety of the republic (surrounded as she was by enemies) had been neglected; and such had been the tyrannical rapacity exercised by French agents in the conquered countries, that much dissatisfaction was testified, and the Belgians in particular were loud in their complaints. This latter circumstance most likely induced the British government, in May, 1798, to send 4000 men, including a great number of officers, under general Coote, to make a descent at Ostend: they landed accordingly; but so far from being joined

by the whole country" had just time to blow пр the sluices, and were then, after a short resistance, in which a few were killed, made prisoners. However, insurrections broke out in the Netherlands, and much blood was shed; but they were finally quelled in January, 1799.

The victorious thunder of admiral Nelson at the