conscious of having, in any instance, suffered his mind to be biassed, or his narrative tinctured, by any thing approaching either to national antipathies or to party asperity. Impressed for several years with a persuasion, that a history of his own times would be an acceptable tribute, both to the present age and to posterity, he waited only for the arrival of that period, when the termination of the war should render the annunciation of such an undertaking expedient; and no sooner had the long-distracted nations of Europe begun to repose under the olive, than he addressed himself with unremitting assiduity to the completion of a duty, which he had contemplated with mingled feelings of hope and apprehension. Rising into manhood at the memorable epoch when the French revolution burst upon an astonished world, he has in effect witnessed the events which it has fallen to his lot to record; and, engaged in a pursuit which necessarily fixed his attention upon the military and political occurrences of the world, he has brought to his voluntary task a portion, at least, of the necessary qualifications for collecting and arranging the materials, which lie scattered. through immense masses of state papers, official despatches, and periodical publications; and it is to the honour of having faithfully discharged this humble but laborious duty, that he aspires. To every class of readers, a publication of this nature must be acceptable. To those who are sufficiently advanced in life to have witnessed the rise, progress, and consummation of the scenes here brought under review, this work will serve as a remembrancer, and present a tablet on which they will find inscribed the topics that fixed their attention in the morning of life, when impressions are the most vivid and durable, and which will afford an inexhaustible theme for conversation and reflection in their more mature years. Those who entered the theatre after the rising of the revolutionary curtain, and when the great drama had made some progress, will here be able to learn why they found a world in arms, and to take a clear and comprehensive view of the early as well as of the latter stages of the contest; while those, whose youth has hitherto prevented them from feeling any interest in the affairs of nations, will be brought acquainted with events which have stamped the features of gigantic greatness upon the days of their fathers. A better defined period of history than that embraced in these volumes, it is impossible to imagine. It comprehends every thing that gives dignity, interest, and importance to the historic page. The opening scenes are calculated to impress the mind by their magnitude and grandeur; the progress of the narrative is marked by a rapid succession of events, rising in importance as they advance in the order of time; and in conclusion we behold the world emancipated, by an agency more than human, from a tremendous military despotism, that had nearly drawn into its vortex all the states of continental Europe; while Great Britain, after braving the revolutionary storms of a quarter of a century, has come out of the contest, not merely with her liberties and invaluable institutions unimpaired, but with her national character exalted, and her army and navy irradiated by wreaths of imperishable renown. Spire taken by the French-Surrender of Worms, Mentz, and Francfort-War declared against Sardinia by France-Conquest of Savoy-Of Nice Geneva acknowledges the French Republic-Unsuccessful attack of the Austrians upon Lisle-Dumouriez's successes in the Netherlands-Battle of Gemappe-Privations of the French army-Evacuation of Francfort by the French-Dumouriez repairs to Paris to save the life of the King 58 CHAPTER VI. Observations-Discovery-Contents of the concealed documents-Trial of Louis XVI.-His conduct subsequent to the Trial-His Execu tion-His last Will and Testament 64 CHAPTER VII. All the principal States of Europe likely to become involved in the War-The Government of France disinclined to a War with EnglandChauveland and Talleyrand arrive from France -Disputes relative to the opening of the Scheldt -Political clubs-Maret's Missions-Sensations produced in England by the execution of the French King-Declaration of War CHAPTER VIII. Irruption into Holland-Siege of WilliamstadtDefeat of the French in Flanders-Dumouriez retreats from Holland-Battle of NerwindenDefection of Dumouriez from the cause of the Republic-Enters into a Treaty with Prince de Cobourg Commissioners sent to arrest Dumouriez-The French General sends them as Hostages to the Austrians-The French army desert Dumouriez-His flight · Page 81 CHAPTER IX. Congress at Antwerp-Renewal of hostilitiesDampierre appointed General-Action at Famars-Death of Dampierre-Surrender of Valenciennes, Conde, and Mentz-Custine arrested-The French driven from Cæsar's camp 90 CHAPTER X. Insurrection in Vendee-Convention overawed by the Mountain party-Gironde members proscribed-New Constitution of France-Departments arm against the Jacobins-Revolt of Marseilles and Lyons-Assassination of Marat 93 CHAPTER XI. The allied Courts agree to divide their ForcesThe Duke of York makes an unsuccessful attempt upon Dunkirk-Is obliged to retreatAction at Maubeuge-Capture of QuesnoyCampaign on the Rhine-Victories of Pichegru and Hoch-War in La Vendee, and on the Frontiers of Spain and Italy-Siege and Evacuation of Toulon-Cruel Treatment of the inhabitants of Toulon 99 CHAPTER XII. Horrible despotism of the Mountain [arty-Decree against Public Worship-French Ecclesiastics abjure the Christian Religion-Execu tion of Custine-Trial and execution of the Queen Of the Gironde Members-Madame Roland-New Calendar-Energetic Measures adopted by the Committees for carrying on the War 108 CHAPTER XIII. Preparations for the Campaign of 1794--The King of Prussia subsidized-Surrender of Landrecies-Decree of the Convention, that no quarter should be given-Battle of Fleurus-Actions at Mons and Soignes-French enter Brussels 111 CHAPTER XIV. Recapture of Landrecies, Valenciennes, and Conde-Defeat of Clairfayt-Coblentz takenAustrians driven beyond the Rhine-Campaign in Holland-Campaign on the Rhine-In Spain and Italy-Progress of the war in La Vendee - 117 CHAPTER XV. Cruise of the Channel Fleet-French Fleet sails-74 The two adverse Fleets meet-Obstinate Con British History-Meeting of Parliament-Discussions on the King's Speech-Public Feeling strongly excited-Alien bill passed-Parliamentary proceedings on the French declaration of War-Traitorous Correspondence Bill passedAlarming Failures-Motion for Parliamentary Reform negatived-Charter of the East India Company renewed-Supplies voted for the Public Service-Concessions to the Catholics of Ireland-Prosecutions for Sedition in Scotland -Alliances formed with foreign Powers-Debates on the expediency of continuing the War -Augmentation of the Army and Navy-Precautions against Invasion-Subsidy voted to the King of Prussia-Political Societies Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act-Trials for High Treason-Poland overwhelmed by foreign Despotism 138 Retrospect of the triumphant progress of the French Arms-Dissolution of the first Coalition -The Republic recognized, and peace concluded with Tuscany, Prussia, Hesse Cassel, and Spain-War in La Vendee; its origin, sanguinary progress, and temporary cessationThe Vendean War resumed-Expedition to Quiberon; its disastrous result-French Civil History:-State of the finances; Conflicts of parties; Insurrections of the 1st of April, and the 20th of May-Death of Louis XVII.Exchange of the Princess, his Sister, for the arrested Deputies-New Constitution-Insurrection of the Sections of Paris-Dissolution and Character of the National ConventionThe new government 155 CHAPTER XXI. BRITISH HISTORY. Session of Parliament of 1795 his Majesty's Speech; Address; renewed Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act; Ways and Means; Motion for Inquiry-Affairs of Ireland; Earl Fitzwilliam appointed Lord-lieutenant, Measures of his Government; his Recall; Discussions thereon in the British ParliamentMarriage of the Prince of Wales-Motion for the Abolition of the Slave-trade lost-Acquittal of Warren Hastings-Termination of the Session of Parliament-Distracted state of Ireland -Treaties with America and Russia-The Duke of York appointed Commander-in-chiefPetitions for Peace-Riots in WestminsterRevival of the Charge against Higgins, Smith, and Le Maitre; their Trial and AcquittalAlarming Scarcity-Outrageous attack on the King, on his way to open the Session of Parliament; Proclamation thereon-Treason and Sedition Acts-Ways and Means-Message from his Majesty-Birth of the Princess Charlotte of Wales-Motion for peace; for the Abolition of the Slave-trade-Second Loan-Motion for the Appointment of a Committee of finance; for Censure on Ministers-Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliament - 169 CHAPTER XXII. Italian Campaign of 1796: General Bonaparte ap- CHAPTER XXIII. Foreign History: Differences between France and CHAPTER XXIV. the Archduke-The Emperor accepts the proposal to negotiate-Suspension of Arms-Treaty of Leoben-Campaign on the Rhine-Conquest of the Venetian Territory by the French-Subversion of the Governments of Venice and Genoa-Peace of Campo Formio-Bonaparte returns to Paris-Retrospect of the military movements of the six years' War-See Charts - 195 BOOK II. CHAPTER I. Naval Campaign of 1797: Battle of Cape St. Vincent-Battle of Camperdown-Capture of Trinidad-Unsuccessful attack on Porto RicoFailure of an attempt to capture the Island of Teneriffe-Descent on the Coast of WalesThe Invaders made Prisoners of War - - 203 CHAPTER II. British History: Opening of the new Parliament -Earl Fitzwilliam's Protest-Lord Malmsbury's first Negotiation-Its progress and failureDebate on the Negotiation-Preparations against Invasion-Ominous Aspect of Public Affairs at the commencement of the year 1797-Stoppage of the Bank-Mutiny in the Fleets-Concessions to the Seamen-Suppression of the Mutiny-Trial and Execution of Richard Parker and his principal associates-Motions in Parliament on the state of Ireland-For the dismissal of Ministers-For Parliamentary Reform-Prorogation of Parliament-Death of Mr. BurkeMarriage of the Princess Royal CHAPTER III. - 208 Foreign History The French Directory announce that their Finances are approaching to a state of ruin-Reply of the Council of Five Hundred -Royalist Conspiracy-Election of the New Third-Conduct of the Directory censured by the Council of Five Hundred-The two Bodies become decidedly hostile-The Army espouses the Cause of the Directory-The bloodless Revolution of the 18th Fructidor-Pichegru's Conspiracy-Synodical Assembly-The Sect of the Theophilanthropists-Negotiations between the French Republic and the United States of America-Death of Frederic William II.Further encroachments made upon the rights of the Council, and the elective franchise of the People-Revolutions in Holland CHAPTER IV. - 219 Congress at Radstadt-War renewed in ItalyThe Pope overcome, and Rome proclaimed a Republic-The French enter SwitzerlandConquer that Country, and change the Federal States into an united Republic-The attention of the French Government turned from the Conquest of England to the Invasion of Egypt -Brilliant Theories-Bonaparte with an Army of forty thousand Men, and a Fleet of three hundred Sail, embarks at Toulon-Conquest of the Island of Malta-The French Forces reembark for Egypt-Description of that Country and its Inhabitants-The French attack and carry the city of Alexandria-Rosetta takenBattle of Chebreisse-Battle of the PyramidsThe Gates of Cairo opened to the InvadersCurious Proclamations of the French Chief 222 CHAPTER V. Naval Campaign of 1798: Sir Horatio Nelson sent in pursuit of the French Fleet; touches at Malta: proceeds to Alexandria; and returns to Sicily without meeting with the enemy-Sails again to the Coast of Egypt-Battle of the Nile, its glorious Termination-Influence of that memorable Event upon the Courts of Europe· The Porte declares War against France-The King of Naples invades the Roman Republic, suffers a signal defeat, and is driven from his Dominions-The King of Sardinia obliged to abdicate his Throne-Expedition against Os. tend, and its disastrous result-Minorca captured by the British-St. Domingo evacuatedGoza taken-Summary - 229 CHAPTER VI. British History: Ministers again express a wish to enter into Negotiation with the French Government-Correspondence on that Subject-The Negotiators assemble at Lisle-Progress of the Negotiation-Its rupture-Meeting of Parliament-Secession of the Members of Opposition -Joint Address of both Houses of Parliament on the Rupture of the Negotiations-New Measures of Finance; triple AssessmentVoluntary Contributions; Redemption of the Land Tax-National Defence-Motion for calling out the supplementary Militia; for the encouragement of voluntary Associations: for more effectually manning the Navy-Duel between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Turney-The name of Mr. Fox erased from the Council-books by his Majesty-Second Estimate of Supplies-Motion for the abolition of the Slave-trade-Discussions on the state of Ireland CHAPTER VII. 235 IRISH REBELLION: The predisposing_CausesDisaffection arising from exclusive Privileges, and defective Parliamentary RepresentationFrench Connexion-The arrival of Mr. Jackson, a French Emissary-His Conduct and Fate -Progress of the spirit of disaffection-Trial of Arthur O'Connor and his Associates at Maidstone-Conviction and Execution of QuigleyArrest of the Irish Directory-Arrest and Death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald-Arrest of John and Henry Sheares-Origin and object of the White Boys Of the Defenders-Of the Peep-of-day Boys-Constitution and organization of the Society of United Irishmen-Institution of Orange Lodges-Excess of contending Factions 243 CHAPTER VIII. IRISH REBELLION: Insurrectionary Movements in Dublin; in the counties of Kildare and Carlow -Attacks on Naas, Killcullen, Rathfarnham, and Prosperous-Defeat of the Rebels at Carlow, Hacketstown, and Tara-Surrender of two thousand insurgents to General Dundas-Insurrection in the County of Wexford-The Insurgents vanquished at Kilthomas, Victors at Oulart -Fall of Enniscorthy and Wexford into the hands of the Insurgents-Attack on BunclodyDefeat of the rebel Force at BallicannooPathetic incident-Defeat of Colonel Walpole, and retreat of General Loftus-Signal Victory obtained by General Johnson at Ross-Massacre at Scullabogue-Defeat of the Rebels at Arklow-Their retreat to Vinegar Hill-General Lake advances with an army of thirteen thousand Troops against that station-Recap ture of Enniscorthy, and Battle of Vinegar Hill -Murders on the Bridge of Wexford-Wexford abandoned by the Rebels-Bloody FridayExpiring Efforts of the Wexfordian InsurgentsDefeat of the Revolters in Ulster and MunsterSurrender of the Chiefs-Extinction of the Re bellion - 251 CHAPTER IX. CONSEQUENCES OF THE IRISH REBELLION: Trial and Execution of several of the rebel Chiefs- The Marquis Cornwallis called to the vice-re- gal Office in Ireland; adopts an enlightened and humane System of Policy-The principal Con- spirators obtain the royal clemency, on condi- tion of making certain Disclosures to Govern- ment-The Object of the Rebellion, as explained by its Instigators-Ireland still scourged by Bands of Marauders, "The Babes in the Wood" -Military Excesses-Estimate of the Loss sus- tained by the Country from the Rebellion- General Humbert invades Ireland, obtains a Victory at Castlebar, but is subsequently obliged to surrender himself and his Forces prisoners of war to the Marquis Cornwallis-Description of the Battle of Killala, by an Eyewitness- Napper Tandy, attended by General Rey, lands from a French Brig, on the small Island of Rut- land, and after an ineffectual attempt to excite the People to rise in arms, re-embarks for France -A French Fleet equipped for the Invasion of CAMPAIGN OF 1799: Invasion of Naples by the French-Establishment of the Parthenopean Republic-Ehrenbreitstein capitulates to the French-The Austrians, under the command of the Archduke Charles, again take the CAMPAIGN IN GERMANY: The French Army un- der Jourdan, and the Austrians commanded by the Archduke, meet near Pfullendorf-Battle of Stokach-Battle of Leiblingen-Retreat of the French across the Rhine-Assassination of the French Plenipotentiaries on quitting Rad- CAMPAIGN IN ITALY: Tuscany invaded by the French under Scherer-Battle of Castle of Nuovo-Battle of the Adige-Arrival of the Russians at Verona-Field-marshal Suworow assumes the command of the allied Armies in Italy-Defeats the French Army, and enters Milan-The Allies besiege the principal For- tresses of Italy, and advance into Piedmont- The kingdom of Naples re-conquered by an Army under Cardinal Ruffo, and the Partheno- pean Republic dissolved-The People of Italy rise against the defeated Army of France- Rome capitulates to Captain Trowbridge-Sig- nal Defeat of the French Army on the banks of the Trebia-Turin, Bologna, Alexandria, and Mantua surrender to the Allies-Suworow, having conquered the principal part of Italy, menaces the south of France-Battle of Novi, General Joubert killed, and the French Army defeated-Dissensions in the Courts and Camps CAMPAIGN IN SWITZERLAND: Schaffhausen and Peterhausen fall into the hands of the Allies- The French expelled from the Grisons-Defeat of the French Army at Zurich-Vigorous Efforts made by the French Directory to retrieve the Disasters of the Campaign-Massena, having received fresh supplies, becomes the assailant- The French, after obtaining possession of the Pass of the Devil's Bridge, and of St. Gothard, seize on the Valais-The French Armies again cross the Rhine, and oblige the Archduke to re- turn to the German Frontier-Suworow quits Italy, and advances into Switzerland-His disas- trous March-Arrives in the Valley of Mutten, CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT: Policy of Bonaparte-Intro- duction of the institutions of civilized society into Egypt-New Form of Government-Insurrec tion at Cairo-Dessaix's Expedition into Upper Egypt-Bonaparte's Expedition into Syria-Sur- render of El Arisch to the French-Surrender of Jaffa-Charges preferred by Sir Robert Wil- son against Bonaparte (note)-Battle of Corsup -The memorable Siege of St. Jean d'Acre- Battle of Mount Tabor--Victory over the Angel Mahdi-Siege of Acre raised-Retreat of the French Army across the desert to Cairo-Signal Victory obtained over the Turks at Aboukir- CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND: The Expedition under General Sir Ralph Abercrombie sails from Eng- land-Debarks at the Helder Point-Defeats the Batavian Troops under General Daendels, and enters the Helder-Admiral Mitchel takes possession of the Dutch Fleet in the Nieuve Diep -Surrender of the Dutch Squadron in the Texel to the British-Repulse of the Gallo-Ba- tavian Army, in an attack made on the British Lines-Arrival of the second division of the British Troops, and of the auxiliary Russian Force, in Holland-The combined Army placed under the command of the Duke of York- General but indecisive Battle at Bergen- Victory of Alkmaar-Battle of Baccum-Re- treat of the Anglo-Russian Army-Failure in the political and military Objects of the Expedi- tion, and disastrous issue of the Campaign- BRITISH HISTORY: Opening of the Session of Parliament of 1798-9-Rejection of Mr. Tier- ney's motion for Peace-Renewal of the Ha- beas Corpus Suspension Act-Introduction of a Bill for imposing a Tax upon Income-Annual Supplies-Message from the King relating to Ireland-Animated Discussion on the Subject of a Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland-Vehement Debates in the Irish House of Commons-State of the Public Feel- ing in Ireland-Mr. Pitt's Resolutions, contain- ing Overtures of Union-Carried in the British Parliament-Joint Addresses of the two Houses to his Majesty-Motion for the Abolition of the FRENCH HISTORY: Portentous Situation of the Government-The Rights of Election violated -Schisms between the Directory and the Coun- cils-Revolution of the 30th Prairial-Efforts to retrieve the Affairs of the Republic-Law of Hostages-The Country plunged into a state of general Insurrection-Sieyes projects the over- throw of the Directorial Constitution-REVOLU- TION OF THE 18th AND 19th of BRUMAIRE- Decree transferring the Sittings of the Councils |