their ancient government; there are few if any perfons of that defcription in this country who wear fuch orders. It might be more proper if they all abftain ed from it, but the French government could not perfift in expecting, that even if it were confiftent with law, his majefty could be induced to commit fo harth an act of authority as to fend them out of the country on fuch an ac

count.

I have thus ftated to you his majefty's fentiments on the feveral points contained in mr. Otto's note. You will take an early opportunity of communicating thefe fentiments to the French government, and of accompanying them with arguments and explanations above ftated. And if fhould be defired, and you fhould be of opinion, that it was likely to produce any good effect, there is no objection to your putting the fubftance of what you fhall have stated in writing, and of delivering it to the minifter for foreign affairs, as a memorandum of your conversation.

Upon the general tone and ftyle of mr. Ötto's note, it is important to obferve, that it is far from conciliating, and that the practice of prefenting notes of this defcription, on any motive or fuggeftion of perfonal irritation, cannot fail to have the effect of indifpofing the two governments towards eachother, inftead of confolidating and ftrengthening the peace which happily fubfifts between them. That after a war, in which the paffions of men have been roufed beyond former examples, it is natural to fuppofe, that the diftruft, jealoufy, and other hoftile feelings of individuals fhould not immediately fubfide, and under thefe circumftances it appears to be both the intereft and the duty of the two governments, by a mild and temperate conduct gradually to allay these feelings, and not on the contrary to provoke and augment them by untimely irritation on their part, and by afcribing proceedings like thofe above noticed, to caufes to which they have no reference. His majefty has thus fully and frankly explained his fentiments, and the ground of his conduct. He is fincerely disposed to adopt every

measure for the prefervation of peace, which is confiftent with the honor and independence of the country, and with the fecurity of its laws and conftitution. But the French government must have formed a moft erroneous judgment of the difpofition of the Brtish nation, and of the character of its government, if they have been taught to expect that any reprefentation of a foreign power will ever induce them to confent to a violation of thofe rights on which the liberties of the people of this country are founded. I have the honour to be, &c. Anthony Merry, efq.

(Signed) HAWKESBURY. No. XIV. A letter from M. Otto, mentioning the departure of 2000 Neapolitan troops for Malta, and requiring the evacuation of that ifland.

No. XV. Lord Hawkesbury's anfwer, ftating that there is no objection. to the reception of the Neapolitans, but that the ftipulated gurantee must be received before it can be evacuated. No. XVI.

Extract of a dispatch from Mr. Merry to lord Hawkesbury, dated Paris, October 3, 1802.

AS foon as the Helvetic government had retired from Berne to Laufanne, the partizans of the ancient federative fyftem of the Swifs cantons, who eftablished immediately in the for mer city a provisional government, deputed a confidential agent to Paris, for the purpose of counteracting the measures of M. Stapler, and of engaging the firft conful to fuffer the inhabitants of Switzerland to fettle their affairs among themfelves. He was inftructed in any emergency to addrefs himself to the minifters here of the principal powers of Europe, and to folicit their interferences and affiftance in the objects of his miffion. He reached Paris four days ago, and had reafon to flatter himself, from the refult of an interview, which he had immediately with M. Talleyrand that the firft conful would put no obftacle in the way of any arrange ment which the Swifs might agree upon among themfelves, for the final fettlement of their government; he was therefore much furprived to learn foon

afterwards,

NOTE.

afterwards, that a change had taken a reply from any quarter, but had rea place in the firft conful's fentiments, fon to fear that his prayers would not and his aftonishment was completed be liftened to by the Auftrian, Ruffian, when he found that the latter had taken and Pruffian minifters; he therefore con fo decided and fo unfavourable a part jured me to transmit them to his majesty's in the bufinels, as that which is an government from whom only his country nounced by a refolution published in men could have a hope of deriving any yesterday's Moniteur, (which I have affiflance in the terrible conflict which we the honour to tranfmit enclofed,) in knew they were determined to fland, and the form of an address to the inhabi- which would only ceafe by the exterminatitants of Switzerland. This perfon on of every virtuous and brave man in the having, befides this public declaration, country. He then put into my hand acquired fome private information of a note which he had drawn up in a hur its being the firft conful's intention to ry, and of which I enclofe a copy.give the moft immediate and vigorous Whilft my lord, it was out of my power effect to it, loft no time in addreffing a to give him any encouragement to ex letter to the latter, in which he took pect from his majefty's government the the liberty of ftating that he must have affiftance which his petition expreffes, I been deceived by false representations have thought it my duty to lofe no time that his interference in the affairs of in making you acquainted with a flate Switzerland was as he was authorized of things which may shortly be attended to fay, entirely unfolicited by the ma- with very important confequences. jority, and the best thinking part of [Tranflation of the inclofure referred to in the inhabitants; and that he had, No. 16.] therefore, to intreat him, in the most earnest manner, to fufpend the execution of his refolution until thefe explanations could take place, which he trufted might be the means of preventing the immenfe effuffion of blood which would otherwife inevitably enfue. He at the fame time addreffed himself in the course of yesterday to me, as well as to the Auftrian and Spanish ambaffadors, and to the Ruffian and Pruffian minifters, (not having gained admittance to monf. de Cobenzel, nor to M. de Markoff or Lucchefini;) he afterwards wrote to them, foliciting, in the ftrongest terms, an interference (jointly, if poffible,) on their part, with the French government, to endeavour to avert the impending evil. I naturally obferved to him in anfwer, that the prefent ftate of political relations be tween the great powers of Europe af. forded no profpect of his obtaining their minifters at Paris to adopt a concerted measure in favour of the object which he had fo much at heart, and that of course I could not take it individually upon myself, without an exprefs inftruction from my government. He returned to me to-day, to acquaint me that he was not only as yet without

So long as Switzerland was occupied by the French armies, the wishes of the people could never be freely manifefted. The petty revolution which took place in the government were the mere tricks of certain factions, in which the nation at large took but a very trifling intereft. Scarcely did Switzerland think herself independant, when the was defirous of returning to her ancient inftitutions, rendered ftill dearer to her by her late misfortunes, and the arbitrary acts of the government furnished her with the means of doing fo. Almoft the whole of Switzerland, with unexampled una nimity and moderation fhook off the yoke. The cantons formed themfelves into conftituted bodies; and twelve of the thirteen cantons of Switzerland sent their reprefentatives to the diet of Schwitz, in order there to organize central power, which might be accepta ble to the neighbouring powers.

The aristocratical cantons renounced their exclufive rights; the Pays de Vaud was left at liberty to form its own conftitution, as well as Thurgovia and the other new cantons.

(To be concluded in our newt.)

Signe and Habor; A Gothic Romance. (Continued from page 204.)

FOUR

OURTEEN days elapfed before the two brothers returned. In the mean time Habor was conftantly at court, and took part in all the manly exercifes, and sports which were there cuftomary. He fwam, ran, leaped, and hunted, and gained the prize from all who entered into competition with him. Sigar admired and feared him, He propofed to his queen, Bera, whe ther it would not be more advisable to induce him to defift from his purpofe. 'He is immoveable,' faid he, and it is preferable that he fhould be fo, for he rushes on his own deftruction. The keen fword of Alf and Alger fhall extinguish my anger in his blood, and this fhall be but the beginning of my revenge. Hakon, frantic at Habor's death, fhall madly encounter my fons, and fall. The ravens fhall pluck out his eyes, and inflict on him the punishment he has merited, for feating himself on the throne of Odin. Habor is noble and magnanimous, I will confefs; but he is, therefore, the more worthy victim to the injured ghoft of my brother. 'Not long after, Habor engaged in the chafe with other hunters, when a furious wild-boar rushed fuddenly out of the wood, and made directly towards Bera. Sigar difcharged at him an arrow with a feeble and trembling hand, which ftruck, but fell, without penetrating his tough hide. At the fame inftant Habor fprang upon the beaft, and plunged his hunting knife into his throat the ferocious animal fell, and prinkled Bera with his blood. The haughty queen ftammered with difficulty a few expreffions of thankfulnefs, which, however, were more indicatory of fhame and implacability than of gratitude. All others who were prefent extolled the heroic deed to the fkies; Signe, alone caft down her beauteous eyes, and faid nothing.

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Such ever remain, and prove yourfelf efpecially worthy of your mother's illuftrious descent.'

Here the dialogue ended, and the queen and her daughter separated.

Habor was free and unconftrained in his carriage and converfation with all, except the princefs, with whom he was diffident and referved. He fpoke to her feldom, and faid but little. She an. fwered in a few words, and never spoke to him but in reply. He had în his train a confidential friend, named Afmund, who expreffed his furprise at the conduct of Habor.

Why,' faid he, are you fo filent when you are with Signe? Love infpires courage.'

Love,' faid Habor, caufes timi

dity.'

How often,' faid Afmund, have I feen you turn pale-pale before a woman-you, who innumerable times have faced and braved death!--Why do you not disclose the fecret of your heart?-speak, and Signe will love!'

'What say you, Afmund ?-do you not remember Signe's vow?--She may not, the cannot, love me till fhe is af fured that I am braver than her brothers.--I love her. But either I shall fall, or I fhall conquer....If I fall, I conceal my love.---In Valhalla, Signe fhall be my joy.---If I conquer, then is Signe mine.'

She will, no doubt, be yours,' faid Afmund, for vows are facred: but Why were you filent, my daughter? will the love you? Were you to avow faid Bera, when they were alone. All to her your fentiments, you would be praife Habor, and foon they may praise more certain of her affection.' the vanquisher of Alf and Alger,-Do She does not hate me.---Were Signe May, 1803. 2 M

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