"From the commencement of the revolution, those who rule the aristocratical cantons of Switzerland have secretly aided the powers leagued against France; and they have not failed to assert, that we intended to subjugate Helvetia: but neither ambition nor avarice shall ever dishonor the steps I now take in the name of the republic.

"Friends to the generous descendants of William Tell, it is only to punish the criminal invasion of your rights, that we now appear in arms among you. Banish from your minds all uneasiness relative to the political independence and integrity of your territories! The government of which I am the organ, will guarantee these to you: its intentions shall be religiously seconded by my companions in arms. Be free France invites, nature commands it: and to enjoy this precious advantage you have only to express the wish.”

Some unsuccessful attempts were now made to obtain a truce, but a body of the invaders having advanced against the castle of Dornoch, seized without any difficulty on that little fortress, March 2, while 13,000 troops summoned Soleure, which immediately opened its gates. Friburg, better prepared for resistance, determined to oppose the French; but Brune having advanced at the head of a column, notwithstanding the gallant resistance of the garrison, headed by Verrer, the avoyer, who perished upon this occasion, took it by assault.

On the 4th of March, General Brune sent a large detachment against and carried Guimene, a post defended by numerous batteries, while another column, under General Pigeon, forced the pass of Neveneck on the succeeding morning, after an engagement of five hours, during which both sides displayed considerable valor.

The advances of the French army were seconded by a spirit of disaffection, too apparent in the army of General d'Erlach, and a proclamation was made by the council of Berne, that the levy of the Landsthurm (rising in a mass) was ready for action; but it was a measure productive of pernicious effects. When possessed of arms, the people soon dissolved, their own government, established a pro tempore regency, stated their proceedings to General Brune, and ordered the army to be dismissed, on condition that the French troops did not advance beyond their present positions. These concessions, however, met not the views of the republican commander; for he demanded that the town should be garrisoned by the soldiers of France. Mutiny broke out in the army of Switzerland, which put to death a number of their officers, who were unfriendly to their views; it appears that no fewer than 11,500 men had abandoned this army. About 8000 of the regular troops were stationed at Newepeg,

while 6,400 maintained their station at Frauen- BOOK III. bron, to bron, to carry which General Schawenburg marched from Soleure with 18,000 men.

Both places were attacked by the French on the 5th of March, when the glorious resistance of the Swiss troops, stationed at Neweneg, seemed to portend a future victory; but those at Frauenbron were under the necessity of retreating. General d'Erlach rallyed his troops at Uteren, four miles and a half south of Frauenbron, when another action took place, which also terminated in favor of the republicans. The Swiss again faced the enemy at Grauholtz, about five miles north-east of Berne, but were driven to the very gates of the metropolis, and totally defeated. In this engagement the Swiss are computed to have lost 2000 men killed and wounded, and the French not less than 1800.

On the evening of March 6, the city of Berne capitulated, and was entered in triumph. The Swiss troops at Neweneg and Guminen were forced to retreat; the soldiers, at the latter place, put their officers to death in a fit of despair, and the unfortunate General d'Erlach was murdered by his own men, in escaping from the field of battle. This noble general, on being summoned by Brune to deliver up Morat, where some of his progenitors had fallen in a battle that proved fatal to the invaders, transmitted the following gallant reply:-"My ancestors never surrendered, and were I such a coward as to think of it, the bones of the Burgundeans, now before my eyes, would preclude the possibility of such an humiliation." The conquest of Berne led to the surrender of almost all Switzerland, though many parts of that free country seemed determined to resist to the last extremity.

The French were now determined to triumph over the Bernese, as the following menacing demands, which had been made on the Swiss cantons in general, had not been complied with:1. The free navigation of the lake of Lugano for the Cisalpine republic.

2. A passage for 25,000 troops; (which would have completely violated the neutrality of the cantons.)

3. The dismission of Mr. Wickam, the English minister; (which must have involved them in disputes with Great Britain.)

And certain other pretended grievances were required to be immediately redressed; particularly the countenance "notoriously afforded to emigrants of distinction; who, not content with enjoying the rights of hospitality, were perpetually plotting and intriguing against the new form of government adopted by their native country."

Now triumphant, the French exacted a bloody retaliation for the insults offered to themselves, as well as for the assistance afforded by the aristoeracy of Berne against them. After displacing the

CHAP. IV.

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BOOK III. ruling families, and sending the most violent of their opponents into exile, the directory, actuated CHAP. IV. by a selfish policy, determined on the subjugation of Switzerland, and, accordingly, changed the form of government, from a federal into an united republic, which, by means of a close and intimate union with France, might be held in continual dependence, and be advantageous to the latter, in case of a renewal of hostilities.

The cantons of Berne, Zurich, Soleure, and Friburg, intimidated by recent events, willingly acceded to the proposition; deeming themselves fortunate in escaping complete subjection, and conscious, that in consequence of their wealth and numbers, they would still retain great influence in this general diet. The smaller states of Uri, Schwitz, Underwalden, Glaris, and Appenzel, attached to that system of government which had so long guaranteed their liberty and secured their happiness, were not desirous of change, anticipating, perhaps, the superior consequence of their more wealthy neighbours. Instead therefore of sending deputies to the meeting assembled at Arau, their commissioners met at Brennen, and transmitted a memorial to the French general, in which they stated:

"That there was only one objection in the government of their cantons, relative to which the republic, in conformity to her own principles, could desire a change: this has been obviated, and we no longer recognise any portion of the people as subjects; all are henceforth to enjoy equal franchises. A nation which, amidst its native mountains, possesses no other property than its flocks, religion, and liberty, solemnly promises every mark of attachment, not incompatible with its independence.

"We are ready to enter into a secret engagement never to take up arms against France; and we demand, in return, the maintenance of a constitution which recognises, for its basis, the sovereignty of the people, and has conferred upon us ages of happiness.

These exalted sentiments had no effect, either in disarming the inflexible severity of the directory, or even meeting with the assent of such of the inhabitants of the greater cantons as had determined on a complete revolution throughout the whole of Switzerland. The latter having chosen a legislature, Arau was appointed to be the scene of its deliberations; and one of the first operations that took place was the nomination of an executive, consisting of five members, who were to be entrusted with the government of the whole of Helvetia, the country of the Grisons alone excepted, the inhabitants having determined to admit of no kind of innovation.

The democratical cantons refused to send deputies to the new assembly, or to acknowledge its authority, and the assembly consequently in

voked the assistance of France, to enforce obedience to its decrees, while the mal-contents entered into a mutual league for the preservation of their ancient franchises. The latter accordingly assembled in arms, and, having appointed Paravicini their leader, they seized on Lucerne, and menaced Zurich. Finding it impossible to awaken the slumbering spirit of resistance among their countrymen, and by one grand patriotic effort expel the invaders, they thought proper to retire to the fastnesses of their native mountains, and took post near the lake of Zug.

A great force, commanded by General Schawenburg, immediately marched against them, and commenced an attack. The leaders of the confederates, perceiving that valor alone could be of no avail against superior numbers, had recourse to stratagem, and, by a feigned retreat, expressly calculated to punish the characteristic impetuosity of the foe, enticed the assailants into an ambuscade, in consequence of which a complete defeat ensued. The career of the French was now, for the first time, stopped in Switzerland by a hardy peasantry, warmed with the love of liberty. The battle was sanguinary, and several thousands perished. The loss of General Schawenburg was 3000 men.

Soon after, a treaty was proposed and assented to, in which, although it was agreed to accept the new constitution as a bond of general union, yet an express stipulation was entered into, that the internal government of the smaller cantons should continue as before, and they were at the same time exempted from any contribution whatever. Had the superior cantons been inspired with that laudable spirit which their inferior neighbours evinced, the selfish views of the French government would, in all probability, have been entirely baffled.

This treaty, however, which was dictated partly from policy and partly from necessity, was neither agreeable to the Helvetic nor the French directory; and, unfortunately, a pretext was soon found for the renewal of hostilities, as Underwalden, exhibiting a fastidious perseverance, obstinately refused to accede to any conditions whatever.

The French accordingly, in the beginning of September, marched a large body of troops, accompanied by artillery, to Standtz; and, after a violent battle of two days' duration, (September 8 and 9,) during which clubs and spears were in vain opposed to muskets and bayonets, and fragments from the rock to a regular artillery, the hardy mountaineers were overcome, the town of Standtz taken by assault, the houses in its beautiful valleys destroyed by fire, the inhabitants nearly exterminated, and neither age nor sex spared by a furious and implacable enemy.

All the Swiss now subscribed to the new con

stitution, which was styled the "Helvetic Republic." Lucerne was chosen as the seat of government, and an alliance, offensive and defensive, entered into between the Gallic and Helvetic republics. This circumstance, however, did not prevent the rapacity of the French directory, for they still continued to levy contributions and impose exactions with a most unpardonable severity: and those once happy regions, instead of enjoying some consolation from the conciliating manners of their diplomatic agents, experienced a new subject of complaint in the arrogant demeanour and insolent demand of Mengaud and Rapinat, whom they had entrusted with their confidence.

Thus the federate republics of Switzerland, after enjoying the sweets of independence since the commencement of the fourteenth century, when the fortunate issue of a contest with Albert of Austria laid the foundation of their liberties, were at length overcome by a foreign foe, and

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obliged to change the form of their government. BOOK III. The pretext for their ruin originated in the notorious injustice of the canton of Berne to the little CHAP. IV. states subjected to its dominion; and this intolerable yoke, instead of being lightened, was increased, during a war which had effected so many remarkable changes. The magistrates, the chief of whom either perished in the field or sought refuge in the dominions of Austria, endeavored, when too late, to obtain the confidence of those whom they had so long deceived.

The fate of the five smaller cantons was truly lamentable. Formed into little independent societies, on the declivities or amidst the recesses of the mountains, they first resisted the encroachments of the house of Austria, and made the last effort against the injustice of France. They were less fortunate than their ancestors, and fell, not because they had degenerated, but because they retained their original character, while every thing around them was changed.

THE territorial and commercial greatness of Britain, in the East Indies, had long been the envy of France; and every thing, on her part, was contrived to entangle her rival in constant hostilities with the native governments. In these views, Hyder Ally, who had usurped the throne and territory of Mysore, entertained a similar hatred to the English, from obstacles which their power opposed to his enterprising schemes. An alliance between France and Hyder obliged the English to be constantly on the alert in the EastIndies; and though the British arms were triumphant in every contest, the danger increased with the progress of time, inasmuch as the French officers and engineers instructed their allies in all the mysteries of European tactics.

Tippoo Saib, son and successor to Hyder, evinced the same dislike and attachment, and, being severely beaten by the English, just before the war which took place with the republic, thought that war likely to afford him an opportunity of gratifying his resentment; mutual convenience drew the two powers together, and the army of the sultan was officered by Frenchmen. The designs of Tippoo were not doubted, but, occupied as France was with the combined powers of Europe, she could spare no force to co-operate

with him. When the continental war finished, this difficulty was removed; but there was another, and that was the superiority of the British navy, now triumphant in every sea.

It was resolved by France to attack the British possessions in India, and the enterprising spirit of Bonaparte was suited to the hazard of the undertaking. It was also determined to seize upon the territory of Egypt, that by moving the commerce of the East through the Red Sea, the new French colony should become the grand mart, where all Europe might be supplied with Indian articles, cheaper than they could be had from the English; while, as a military post, it could at all times transport auxiliaries to the coast of Coromandel. This plan was imparted to Tippoo, and the government in India knew it nearly as soon as it was known in London.

Bonaparte, convinced that the subjugation of Britain was too arduous a task, averting his eyes from the north, turned all his attention to the east; and the army of England, as it was called, was now to be transported to Egypt, for the purpose of reserving its inhabitants from the vassalage of the Turks and Mamelukes, and restoring the country to its ancient splendor. The object of this expedition was so artfully concealed, that it

however, was not effected until seven o'clock at night, when the soldiers were landed at the roadsted of La Madealine, the only place in the island where the rocks were neither mined nor cut into mortars: notwithstanding, ample means of defence presented themselves, and the progress of the enemy might have been instantly arrested, had courage and inclination been united. After After firing a single cannon, the knight who commanded the town of St. George deserted with his garrison to the enemy. The battery at the point of St. Julian was also abandoned, and the regiment of militia of Birkarhara, posted there, took refuge under the cannon of Fort Manuel.

These unexpected events having produced general terror and distrust, a report was suddenly spread and believed, that all the French, Spanish, and most of the Italian knights, had entered into a conspiracy with the enemy, who, by this time, had advanced into the entrenchments of Nesciar, and seized on all the artillery, now abandoned by the fugitives. A picquet of cavalry, sent by the grand master to the old city, was nearly at the same time refused entrance by the governor, who, as well as the regiment stationed there, stated, that they were determined not to quarrel with the French.

The grand seneschal, notwithstanding this general defection, established his head-quarters at Floriani, the Bailli de Clugny assumed the command of Fort Ricasoli, the Bailli Tomasi remained firm at his post, and the fire of the forts St. Elmo and Tigné produced great execution; while a sally was made with a galley and two galliots, which cannonaded the French shallops, still employed in carrying fresh troops, and sent two of them to the bottom.

The morning of the 10th of June discovered that the enemy had encircled the city, stopped the supplies of provision and aminunition, and were erecting redoubts to batter the place. Hereupon a general confusion took place; 900 of the regular troops refused to attack a post occupied by the enemy; whole companies of militia expressed a determination not to be shut up within the fortifications; and it was found necessary to relieve all the posts commanded by the French chevaliers.

On the approach of evening the nobles, the advocates, and the burghers, who had returned from different parts of the island into the city, surrounded the palace of the grand master, and stated, that as there could no longer be any doubt of treachery, they had drawn up a declaration, and presented it to the Dutch consul, intimating their resolution of surrendering to the French; and it was added, that they had requested him to transmit the capitulation to Bonaparte, either with or without the consent of the order. Several of the knights were, at the same time, massacred;

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the chevaliers De Valin, Montazet D'Arnice, and BOOK III. D'Andelard, were put to death; and the chevaCHAP. V. liers De Roux, Du Quesnoi, Rigaud, De Cornet, De Guebriant, and the bailli De Nevew, experienced a similar fate. A bloody head was carried about on a pike, and it was with great difficulty that the chevaliers of the priories of Castile and Bavaria could prevent the minister of Russia from being killed during the tumult, The doors of the council-chamber were soon after burst open, the bodies of the murdered chevaliers presented to the members, and the sovereign himself threatened with death.

During this dreadful period of suspense and apprehension, Ransijeat, who had been released from prison; Formosa, the consul of Holland; Doublet, the under-secretary of state; the bailli Frisari; and the chevalier Amati, minister from Spain; were sent by the insurgents to the French camp, where they obtained an armistice during twenty-four hours, and the terms of capitulation were immediately debated upon and agreed to; but neither the grand master, nor the council, nor the congregation of state, affixed their signatures.

On the 12th of June, at half-past eleven, the French entered the city of Malta, and seized on all the ports; while Ransijeat and Doublet presided over the municipality, and regulated the internal police. The grand master, Hompesch, deprived of all authority, and anxious to abandon a place where he no longer found any respect, was permitted to leave the island, and take refuge in the dominions of the emperor. This unfortunate chief embarked on the morning of the 17th of June, and arrived at Trieste, after a passage of thirty-nine days. He was not allowed to carry away either his plate or jewels; all that he received, or, more properly, was to receive, under the title of an indemnification for so many losses, was the sum of one hundred thousand livres, (about 4,5007. sterling.) Though the French legislature passed a vote for a pension of three hundred thousand livres during his life, (a poor compensation for a chief, ranked as a sovereign) he never obtained any portion of it. Had this nobleman betrayed the interests of his order, (as had been pretended) he might have experienced more munificence; and in that case he would have assuredly retired to France, and not sought an asylum in the territories of the Emperor of Germany.

In the course of about eight days, Bonaparte contrived to obtain possession of Valetta and the whole island of Malta; while the ancient order of St. John of Jerusalem beheld itself bereaved of its territories, after being upwards of two centuries and a half in possession of them. In the orders issued by Bonaparte at Malta, there was one more barbarous than the Greek in which it was