XXV. the parts of the Ottoman empire where the Turkish CHAP. population is most abundant, the number of Christians is in general equal to, sometimes double, and 1799. even triple, that of their oppressors, there can be little doubt, that, headed by that great general, and disciplined by the French veterans, a force could have been formed which would have subverted the tottering fabric of the Turkish power, and possibly secured for its ruler a name as terrible as Genghis Khan or Tamerlane. But there seems no reason to believe that such a sudden apparition, how splendid soever, would have permanently altered the destinies of mankind, or that the Oriental empire of Napoleon would have been more lasting than that of Alexander or Nadir Shah. With the life of the hero who had formed, with the energy of the veterans who had cemented it, the vast dominion would have perished. The Crusades, though supported for above a century by the incessant tide of European enthusiasm, were unable to form a lasting establishment in Asia. It is in a different region, from the arms of another power, that we are to look for the permanent subjugation of the Asiatic powers, and the final establishment of the Christian religion in the regions from which it sprung. The north is the quarter from whence all the great settlements of mankind have come, and by its inhabitants all the lasting conquests of history have been effected. Napoleon indirectly paved the way for a permanent revolution in the East; but it was destined to be accomplished, not by the capture of Acre, but the conflagration of Moscow. The recoil of his ambition to Europe, which the defeat in Syria occasioned, still further increased by mutual slaughter the warlike skill of the European states; and from the strife of CHAP. civilization at last has arisen that gigantic power XXV. which now overshadows the Asiatic empires, and is 1799. pouring down upon the corrupted regions of the East the energy of northern valour and the blessings of Christian civilization. CHAPTER XXVI. FROM THE PEACE OF CAMPO FORMIO TO THE OCTOBER 1797-MARCH 1799. ARGUMENT. Views of the different Parties on the War-Fair opportunity afforded to France of pursuing a pacific system after the Treaty of Campo Formio-Limited Estimates for the year in Britain-Establishment of the Volunteer System in these Islands-Its great Effects- Finances of France-National Bankruptcy there-External Policy of the Directory-Attack upon Holland-Its situation since the French Conquest-Measures of the French Directory to revolutionize that State-Tyrannical Acts of the Dutch Directory-State of Switzerland-Its Geographical Situation-Character of its Scenery-Description of it in a Military Point of View-Constitution of its Government-Great Happiness enjoyed by the People-Their Character and DispositionsTenacity of Old Customs in their Mountains-Their uniform Bravery, and custom of hiring out their youth in Mercenary Bands-Inequality of Political Rights in the different Cantons-Measures of the Discontented to bring on a Contest with the Swiss Diet-Powerful Impression which they produce in the subject Cantons-First open Acts of Hostility by the French-This is all done under the direction of NapoleonConsternation in consequence excited in Switzerland-The Aristocratic Party make some Concessions-Hostilities commence in the Pays de Vaud-Heroic conduct of the Mountaineers-Commencement of Hostilities in the Canton of Berne-Surrender of Soleure and Fribourg-Bloody Battle before Berne-Heroic Resolution of the SwissTheir dreadful Excesses after Defeat-Capture of Berne, its Treasure, and ArsenalEnormous Contributions every where levied by the French-New Constitution of Switzerland-Generous efforts of the Mountaineers-Arguments by which they were roused by the Clergy-Aloys Reding-First Successes, and ultimate Disasters of the Peasants-Heroic Defence of the Schwytzers at Morgarten-Bloody Conflicts in the Valais-Oppressive Conduct of the French to the Inhabitants-Au Alliance offensive and defensive with France is forced upon Switzerland-Glorious Resistance of Uri, Schwytz, and Underwalden-Cruel Massacre by the French-The Grisons invoke the aid of Austria, which occupies their Country-Extreme Impolicy, as well as Iniquity, of this attack on Switzerland-Great indignation excited by it in Europe-Attack on the Papal States-Miserable Situation of the Pope-Measures of Napoleon and the French Government, to hasten the catastrophe of the Papal Government-Duphot is slain in a Scuffle at the French Ambassador's-War is in consequence declared by CHAP. XXVI. 1798. CHAP. France against Rome-Berthier advances to Rome-Revolution there-Atrocious Cruelty of the Republicans to the Pope-Their continued Severity towards him-He is removed into France, and there dies-Systematic and Abominable Pillage of Rome 1798. by the Republicans-Confiscation of the Church Property in the whole Papal territories-These disorders excite even the Indignation of the French Army-Great Mutiny at Rome and Mantua-Revolt of the Roman Populace-Its bloody Suppression—The whole Papal States are Revolutionized-New Constitution and Alliance with FranceViolent changes effected by the French in the Cisalpine Republic-Excessive Discon tent excited by these changes in Lombardy-The Spoliation of the King of Sardinia is resolved on-Cruel Humiliations to which he had previously been subjected-The King is reduced to the condition of a prisoner in his own capital-He is at length forced to Abdicate, and retire to Sardinia-Affairs of Naples-Their Military Preparations-The Court enter into Secret Engagements with Austria-and are encouraged to Resist by the Battle of the Nile-On Nelson's arrival at Naples, Hostilities are rashly resolved on-Forces levied by the French in the affiliated Republics-Mack takes the Command at Naples-Dispersed Situation of the French Troops in the Reman States-The Neapolitans enter Rome-They are every where Defeated when advancing further-Fresh Disasters of the Neapolitans-Retreat of Mack-The Neapolitan Court takes Refuge on board the English Fleet-Championnet resolves to invade Naples-His plan of Operations--And surprising Success-Critical Situation of the French Army in front of Capua-Mack proposes an Armistice, which is gladly accepted-Indignation which it excites among the Neapolitan Populace-Advance of the French against Naples-Description of that City-Its Romantic Features, and Environs-Description of the Lazzaroni—Frightful Combats around the Capital-The French force the Gates and Forts-Bloody Conflicts in the Streets-Establishment of the Parthenopian Republic- State of Ireland-Reflections on the Melancholy History of that Country-Original Evil arising from Confiscation of Land-Peculiar Causes which have aggravated this evil in that Country-Its inhabitants are as yet unfit for Free Privileges-Intimate Union formed by the Irish Malecontents with France-Revolutionary Organization established throughout the whole Country-Combination of Orangemen to uphold the British Connexion- Treaty of Irish Rebels with FranceThe Insurrection at length breaks out-Various Actions with the Insurgents-They are totally Defeated at Vinegar Hill-Imminent Danger from which England then escaped-Nugatory Efforts of the Directory to revive the Insurrection-Maritime Affairs of the Year-Disputes of France with the United States-Shameful Rapacity of the French Government-Contributions levied on the Hanse Towns by the Directory-Retrospect of the late Encroachments of France-Their System rendered the continuance of Peace impossible-Leads to a general Feeling in favour of a Confederacy, in which Russia joins--Tumult at Vienna, and insult to the French Ambassador -Who leaves the Austrian Capital-Progress of the Negotiation at Rastadt-The Secret Understanding between France and Austria is made manifest-Financial Measures of the Directory to meet the approaching Hostilities-Adoption of the Law of the Conscription by the Legislature-Reflections on this Event. THE two great parties into which the civilized world had been divided by the French Revolution, entertained different sentiments in regard to the necessity of the war which had so long been waged by the CHAP. monarchies of Europe against its unruly authority. XXIV. ent parties The partizans of democracy alleged that the whole 1798. misfortunes of Europe, and all the crimes of France, views of had arisen from the iniquitous coalition of kings to the differoverturn its infant freedom; that if its government on the war. had been let alone, it would neither have stained its hands with innocent blood at home, nor pursued plans of aggrandizement abroad; and that the Republic, relieved from the pressure of external danger, and no longer roused by the call of patriotic duty, would have quietly turned its swords into pruning-hooks, and, renouncing the allurements of foreign conquest, thought only of promoting the internal felicity of its citizens. The aristocratic party, on the other hand, maintained that democracy is in its very essence and from necessity ambitious; that the turbulent activity which it calls forth, the energetic courage which it awakens, the latent talent which it developes, can find vent only in the enterprise of foreign warfare; that being founded on popular passion, and supported by the most vehement and enthusiastic classes in the state, it is driven into external aggression as the only means of allaying internal discontent; that it advances before a devouring flame, which, the instant it stops, threatens to consume itself; and that, in the domestic suffering which it engenders, and the stoppage of pacific industry which necessarily results from its convulsions, is to be found both a more cogent inducement to foreign conquest, and more formidable means for carrying it on, than either the ambition of kings or the rivalry of their ministers. Had the revolutionary war continued without interruption from its commencement in 1792 till its con |