sult, this noble object of their efforts. They will not lay down their arms, until the political state of Europe be re-established anew, until immoveable principles have resumed their rights over vain pretensions,-until the sanctity of treaties shall have at last secured a real peace to Europe.

Frankfort, Dec. 1, 1813."

Perhaps no circumstance more clearly points out the wisdom and policy which dictated this paper, than the offence which it gave to Bonaparte personally; for to the French nation it must have been very acceptable and satisfactory: but he actually complained that it appealed from the sovereign to the people; and by the tone of his objections let out his dissatisfaction that it was so moderate. Indeed, having discovered by this time that the conscription would not supply him with any force at all competent to check the progress of the allies, his only hope rested on his being able to excite the people to rise en masse but this, wearied out with war, and op. pressed with calamities of which they regarded him as the author, they were by no means disposed to, especially when they perceived that the object of the allies was their own security, and not the conquest of France. Bonaparte therefore was much perplexed; and in the midst of the difficulties with which he was surrounded, he evinced neither talents nor firmness; all that energy of mind, and promptitude and decision of conduct, for which he had been celebrated, and by means of which he had mainly risen to his high rank, seemed to have for. saken him. At one time he represented the object of the allies to be the devastation of France: they were come to avenge themselves for that disgrace and discomfiture which they had suffered from the victorious legions of France. But could Frenchmen

quietly submit to the degradation of their native soil by the presence of the savages of Asia? Had they forgotten, and, if they remembered, were they not eager to emulate the glorious defence which they had made against their invaders at the beginning of the revolution? He declared he wished for peace; but, in order to obtain a secure and honourable peace, they must be prepared for war.-At another time he assured them that he had accepted the basis of the terms proposed by the allies; by those allies whom at other times he had held out as actuated by the most revengeful and ambitious motives.

But the interest of France and of Europe was principally directed to the speech which he was to address to the legislative body. Their meeting had been put off till the 19th of November; on that day he addressed them: after again claiming victories, which the defection of his allies had converted into defeat, and dwelling on the great schemes for the prosperity and happiness of the world, which he had conceived and wished to have executed,-he declared that, as a monarch and a father, he felt that peace added to the security of thrones, and to that of families; that negotiations had been entered into with the allied powers; and that he had adhered to the preliminary basis which they had presented. He had hoped that before the opening of the session the congress of Manheim would have been assembled: but new delays, which were not to be ascribed to France, had deferred the moment which the wishes of the world eagerly called for. After again declaring his desire for peace, and adverting to the levies and taxes which it was necessary to raise, he concluded with an invective against England: he trusted that generations to come would not have to say of them that they had sacrificed the best interests. of their country; that they had acknowledged the laws

which England had in vain sought, during four centuries, to impose on France.

Such was the state of affairs in Europe at the close of the year 1813. The allies, by their proclamation, had abjured all desire to conquer France, or impose a government, or even dishonourable terms on her. Bonaparte declared that he had accepted the basis proposed by the allies; yet they continued to advance into France.-Bonaparte himself remained at Paris; nor did it appear that, either by means of his conscripts, or by the people rising en masse, he was in a condition to oppose the invaders, who pressed on him in all directions. Lord Wellington was in the south; prince Schwartzenberg on the side of Switzerland; Blucher had crossed near Cologne; and, by the liberation of Holland, the Netherlands were exposed.

CHAP. XXVI.

His Prussian Majesty receives the Keys of Frankfort.-Te Deum ordered.-The States of Hesse Darmstadt, Nassau, and Baden join the Allies.-Bonaparte's Address to the People of France on the alarming State of Affairs.-The Prince of Orange embarks at Deal.His Address to the People of Holland,-Great Rejoicings there.-A Day of General Thanksgiving ordered in England.

HIS imperial majesty made his public entry into

Frankfort November 6; he was met at some distance from the town by the emperor Alexander and his attendants. His majesty received the keys of the Hanau gate from the hands of the magistrates, and afterwards proceeded on horseback through the principal streets to the cathedral church, where Te Deum was performed, amidst the enthusiastic applause of the populace. The streets, windows, and even the tops of the houses, were crowded with spectators, vying with each other in demonstrations of joy; it was impossible to express the sincere and heart-felt emotion with which they were produced. The affectionate regard of the inhabitants was loudly testified at seeing the sovereign, who, twenty-one years ago, had been crowned within their walls, re-appear in the character of their deliverer. In the evening the two emperors went to the theatre, and were received with acclamations; every sentiment of the piece, which had reference to their exertions in the cause of Europe, was loudly applauded.

Pleasing as it is to dwell on these circumstances, it is equally pleasing to notice the progress of the allies, and of the substantial acquisitions which have been recently made by the accession of the different princes to the common cause. The states of Hesse Darmstadt, Nassau, and Baden, have respectively

addressed themselves to his imperial majesty. They have renounced the confederation of the Rhine, and, imploring his majesty's mediation with the allied powers, have expressed their desire to join the alliance. Other states of less importance have followed the same course; and we may now venture to congratulate the country of the complete dissolution of the confederacy, instituted by Bonaparte for the double purpose of proving either an impregnable bulwark to France, in the event of foreign invasion, or the instrument in his hands of the subjugation of the rest of Europe.

Bonaparte ordered his minister Massa to publish to the people of France the following (circular.).

Paris, Nov. 19.

"In this moment of alarm, when every French heart must be deeply affected by the dangers of the country, I make this communication to you, who, being honoured with the public confidence, can ex- ercise a powerful influence over the minds and feelings of your fellow citizens.-The frontiers of the empire on the side of the Pyrenees and on the north have been forced-those of the Rhine and the Alps are threatened--and it must not be concealed that the interior of France will soon become the prey of the enemy, if means equally prompt and vigorous be not adopted to frustrate his plans and disappoint his expectations.

The deliverance of the country depends upon the speedy and complete execution of the decree of the 16th of this month, by which 350,000 men are placed at the disposal of the minister at war. When this great and salutary measure shall be fully carried into operation, we shall have nothing more to fear : but it must be observed, that this object is most indispensable; for, if it be not accomplished, France