ed to him the horror of assassination, which the French, he informed him, could easily punish, by delivering the whole of the garrison up to the savages; but he added, he would give the English a proof of moderation, and of the sincere desire of the French governor to preserve peace between the two nations; he would make no prisoners, because he did not believe they were at war; all he required was the delivery of the persons that accompanied M. de Jumonville, and that they should then evacuate the fort.

The articles of capitulation being agreed and signed, stipulated that the English should march out with the honours of war, and that the French should undertake to prevent the English settlers from receiving any harm from the savages. To recover the French prisoners by this treaty was impossible; they had been sent to England, where indeed the Duc de Mirepoix reclaimed them, and had them sent over to France.

However, since this epocha, the English squadrons never fall in with ours, without capturing them. French vessels are now daily brought into all the British ports richly ladea. The moment they arrive, they begin by giving up their victuals, of all kinds, to the populace, during which time the officers as well as the passengers, are exposed to the most brutal treatment.

What the wretched seamen suffer in the infected dungeons into which they are thrown, in order to induce them to enter into the English service is shocking. Deprived of wholesome food, and the sick and the healthy being confined together, are means most fatal in reducing the number of the sufferers.

But amidst the threatening preparations for a sanguinary war, Portsmouth supplies me with a very elevated idea of the naval strength of England. All that we read of in the once superb Tyre, and in antiquity, sacred and prophane, appears to me re-united in this magnificent port, which exhibits a rampart opposed to the

fury of the waves, a shelter for vessels exposed to the tempests; a species of dominion gained over an ele ment the most independent and unconquerable; an entrepot of that opulence which commerce spreads through the country, and a common centre of correspondence and society, where the funds of divers kingdoms are exchanged and multiplied; where, after leaving their original source under one form, they re-enter under another, rendering all parts tributary and pouring into one world, as it would appear, the riches of many. And yet till the reign of Charles II. Portsmouth was of small note.

Upon the whole, to the eye of a politician and a philosopher, there is scarcely any spectacle more interesting than England. The spirit of grandeur and opulence has become the predominant character of its inhabitants; and from their morals and their operation upon the state, much may be hoped, and much may be feared. The unwearied application, and the indefatigable courage of the English, and their skill in all the branches of calculation, have, in a great measure, rendered them the masters of other nations. And as the English were really the inventors of most of the instruments used in navigation; it would appear, also, that they have in a manner, the exclusive use of them.

In this portrait, which I have traced of the English I have endeavoured to hold the just medium between that fanaticism which always declaims most furiously against the nation; and that enthusiasm, which on the other hand blindly admires the English even in their vices. I have to be sure, described the people with their ferocity, and the great with their benevolence. An English peer is an ardent defender of the rights of his country, because he is the depository of them. At the same time he supports the just prerogatives of the crown; because it is from this sacred source, that his rank and dignity are derived.

cing the progress of General Stuart through the subordinate commissions to which he was, in gradation, promoted, during the interval of peace which succeeded the American war. At the commencement of hostilities by the French, it appears that he was a field-officer, and that the reputation for which he had laid so good a foundation at his entrance into military life, had expanded with his rank, or rather, we should say, that every opportunity afforded him for exertion produced an accession to his fame.

In the year 1795, the atrocities of the French in the West Indies, most energetically demanded repression. Victor Hugues not only retained possession of Guadaloupe, but extended his arms and his influence to the neighbouring isles. St. Vincent's was, at that period, exposed to all the calamities of civil war; the inhabitants of St. Domingo were also instigated to revolt; and the revolutionary infection seemed to catch from island to island, and from man to man, and to envelop every system in confusion.

To endeavour to stop this metaphorical conflagration, we find that Sir John Stuart, now a brigadier-general, was employed his opposition to the most savage chief, and his conduct in the most trying situations of the most horrid war, that perhaps, ever raged, were such as greatly increased his military reputation.

Egypt, which has, from the earliest periods of commerce, been consider. ed as the direct road to its Oriental emporium, became, at this time, an object of ardent contemplation to the French, determined upon its subjugation, because they saw in it two advantages; the first, the foundation of a new empire, the renovation of Theban grandeur, and the re-establishment of ancient cities, ports, and every appendage to commercial opulence. Through their visionary eyes, they beheld the revival of the government of the Caliphs, the kingdom of the Mamelukes, or the domination of the Soldans, as each dynasty passed

in review; but still, in the second instance, the prospect which its conquest afforded of impeding our East Indian commerce, and smoothing the way to its source, seemed to present more solid, because more immediate, advantages. The preparations, consequently, made on the part of France to obtain its possession, stimulated the jealous sensibility of the Directors of the East India Company to active efforts. Under the auspices of this government, an expedition was set afloat: the command of the land forces which it included, was given to Sir Ralph Abercrombie. This armament sailed from Marmorice on the 22d of February, 1801, came in sight of Alexandria on the 1st of March; and, on the morning of the 8th, having experienced considerable delay, in consequence of fresh winds and a high surf, the troops began their debarkation.

It is here unnecessary to state the minute particulars of their regimental divisions; the whole of the British force consisted of 15,330 men, who, we must observe, displayed the most consummate skill and gallantry in effecting their landing, though exposed to a most severe cannonade, and under the close-directed fire of incessant showers of grape-shot.

On the morning of the 12th, the whole army having been collected, reviewed, and found to be in excellent spirits and a high state of discipline, moved forward towards Alexandria. They shortly came within sight of the enemy, who had taken up, across the line of the English march, one of those skilful positions, the choice of which displays a thorough knowledge of military tactics. This position was on a long rough ridge, with his right to the canal of Alexandria, and his left towards the sea. Strong, however, as was this position, it was deemed necessary to force it; and General Abercrombie resolved accordingly to attack the foe on the following morning.

Early, therefore, on the morning of the 13th, the British army, in two lines, marched to the attack. The first plan

was, to turn the enemy's right flank. The French, however, perceiving their purpose, and impelled by their characteristic confidence and alertness, quit ted their advantageous position, descended from the heights, and attacked the leading brigades of both the advancing lines. The 90th regiment formed the advanced guard of the front line; and the 92d that of the 2d line: those brave regiments received the first charge of the enemy, and repelled it with a firmness, courage, and discipline, which at once secured the fortune of the day, and put these regiments very high in the list of those who have so widely extended the military glory of their country. The remainder of the army followed the example thus set them, and evinced equal coolness, discipline, and skill, by an immediate change of position, which the unexpected movement of the enemy rendered necessary, Having thus repelled the French charge, the English army continued to ad vance, and ultimately forced the French to put themselves under the protection of the fortified heights of Alexandria.

Upon reviewing this battle, and remembering at the same time, that the Gallic army were as yet entire, it is impossible not to feel a sentiment of admiration, at the courage and firmness of our own men. The French charges are always formidable, not so much on account of their weight, as from their spirit and alertness. This charge was received in the manner above described; and the celerity and good order with which our whole army changed its position, on the unexpected movement of the enemy, was equally honourable to their discipline and to their courage.

From this affair till the morning of the 21st of March, General Aber crombie remained encamped in a position about 4 miles from Alexandria, having a sandy plain in their front, the sea on their right, and the canal of Alexandria and the lake of Aboukir on their left.

On this memorable morning, the enemy, having collected all his force in the country, again descended from his heights, and marched, or rather rushed forwards, to attack the British.

The action was commenced about an hour before day-light, by a false attack on the British left. In a few minutes, amidst the scattered firing of the manoeuvring band, the real charge, and one of the most dreadful attacks during the whole course of the war, was directed against our right. With the most admirable skill, without detracting any thing from their deceptive genius, the French contrived to bring their whole force to bear on the British right. Their infantry were sustained by their cavalry, and both seemed to vie with each other in maintaining their former reputation. Twice were they repulsed by the firmness of our brave army, yet they again returned to the charge. Infantry were mixt with cavalry as the columns gave way on either side. The celebrated French regiment, the Invincibles," fought with a spirit almost worthy of their name. After piercing the line, and carrying every thing before them, they attempted to storm a battery three different times, but were repulsed with great slaughter; having been received not only by repeated vollies of grape-shot, but what was still more terrible and unexpected, by a charge with screwed bayonets; which nearly annihilated this celebrated corps, 'the soldiers appertaining to which fell exactly in the same position in which they had fought.'

Meanwhile that portion of the British army which had been thrown into some confusion rallied, and immediately proceeded to attack the enemy. The 42d regiment of foot, which had fought with the most heroic gallantry, having, in consequence, suffered beyond its proportion. Brigadier-general Stuart, with his wonted promptitude, flew to its assistance. He accordingly pushed on the foreign brigade; and the Queen's German regi

ment, being on the right, commenced its operations in a well-directed and most dreadful fire by files, at a distance of about forty yards from the front rank of the French infantry; but as both sides kept advancing, they were soon within the length of a musket of each other.

This conduct of Brigadier-general Stuart contributed much to the fortune of the day. He timely supported the 28th and 42d regiments, which, having supported the main brunt of the battle, had suffered exceedingly, and were almost exhausted of their physical powers to stand pr move. These regiments composed a part of the reserve under the late Sir John Moore, who was wounded on this occasion. Never, indeed, was a battle fought, in which both armies, and indeed almost every individual concerned, exhibited such astonishing valour, and such a durable firmness and constancy. The battle of Alexandria, in a word, was one of those in which nations fight for something more valuable than a mere present purpose, and in which the whole spirit of the nations is infused into their armies. The subject of contest was for national glory, and each army fought with a courage, a discipline, and enthusiasm, concomitant to so splendid a prize.

In summing up the narrative of this battle, it would be unpardonable to omit, that General Abercrombie received a mortal wound; of which he a few days afterwards died, equally loved and lamented. In this place we can say no more of him, than to repeat the just and striking words of Lord Hutchinson-" As his life was honourable, so was his death glorious. His memory will be recorded in the annals of his country, will be sacred to every British soldier, and embalmed in the recollection of a grateful posterity."

The conduct of Brigadier-general Stuart, and of the brigade under him, received due notice and thanks in the general orders issued by the commander-in chief, shortly after the bat

tle.

General Stuart continued to take an active part in the remainder of the Egyptian campaign; but our limits will not permit us to follow him through these detailed operations. In 1802, he was promoted to the rank of major-general; and for his service in Egypt was presented by the Turkish government with the order of the Crescent.

The peace of Amiens soon followed, and gave a short repose to mili. tary men and to the nation. The war, however, recommenced, and Major-general Stuart was sent in command to Sicily.

We now arrive at another period of the life of General Stuart; that era, indeed, that has raised him to the reputation which he at present enjoys. In all the former circumstances of his military career, he acted subordinately to others. He had merely to exe. cute orders and plans which had not originated in his own mind. He had certainly opportunities of exhibiting great talents in their execution; but no scope had as yet presented itself, in which, having to act alone, and as chief in command, he could display his own independent powers and absosolute talent. In the battle of Maida he acted by himself; and by his valour and conduct, by his skilful arrangements and his invincible confidence in himself and his army, achieved a reputation which will live as long as the name and glory of the British nation exist.

The king of Naples had been compelled to sign a peace with the government of France; and as the French leaders had, at that time, enough on their hands, they were contented to accept this submission, and to wait for the conquest of Naples till they had released themselves of some of their present embarrassments. The vigorous diplomacy of England, seconded by some partial, but brilliant, military success, again animated the nations of the continent, and in the year 1805, Europe became the scene of an universal effort to resist the common oppressor.