whilst pillaged and burning towns and villages marked, at the same time, the ferocity with which he conducted himself.The number of the dead bodies on the road had been considerably augmented, from a resolution that had been taken to carry off all the sick and wounded, not resulting surely from any principle of humanity, but probably as matter of boast, in the relations that might be given to the world of the event, as several of these men were found abandoned on the road, in the last gasp of hunger and disease, the dead and the dying frequently mixed together, lying in groups of six or eight, by half-extinguished fires, on the road side. Several of these men must have been compelled to move on foot, as their bodies were found on the road with the sticks with which they had endeavoured to support their march, lying by their sides.

Bonaparte, however, at last escaped from his pursuers, and carried the remains of his guard, and some other corps, to the left bank of the Rhine, leaving but few troops in Frankfort, before which the advanced guard of the allies soon appeared.

The Emperor Alexander made his entry into the city of Frankfort on the Maine, at noon, on the 8th October, at the head of the horse artillery and about 50 squadrons of the cavalry of the Russian Imperial guard and reserve, and some squadrons of the Prussian guard, amidst the loudest acclamations of many thousands of inhabitants. His imperial majesty stopped near the quarter prepared for him to see his cavalry pass, which they did in the most perfect parade order, after a march of one hundred English miles (cantoning and assembling from cantonments included), which they performed in 48 hours; viz. from Schwinfurth, by Wutzburgh and Aschaffenburg, to this place. On the following day the Emperor Francis arrived. The Emperor of Russia met his imperial and royal apostolic majesty at some distance from Frankfort, and both sovereigns proceeded to the cathedral, where divine service was performed, and Te Deum sung. The remains of the French army having reached Cassel, opposite Mayence, Bonaparte hastened to Paris with his usu

sual rapidity. For the first time he appeared astounded and humbled. His language implied despondency. His fond dreams of universal empire were dissipated; and the preservation of his throne now became the object. On Thursday, December 30th, Bonaparte, being seated on the throne, rereceived the senate in a body; when Count Lacepede, the president, presented the following address :—

'SIRE,―The senate comes to offer to your imperial majesty, the tribute of its attachment and gratitude for the last communications which it has received by the medium of its committee. Your majesty adheres to the proposals even of your enemies, which have been transmitted by one of your ministers in Germany. What stronger pledges could your majesty give of your sincere desire of peace? Your majesty certainly believes that power is strengthened by being limited, and that the art of favouring the happiness of the people, is the chief policy of kings. The senate thanks you for it in the name of the French people. It is also in the name of this same people, that we thank you for all the legitimate means of defence which your wisdom may take to insure peace. The enemy has invaded our territory; he designs to penetrate to the centre of our provinces. The French, united in sentiment and interest, under a chief like you, will not suffer their energy to be cast down. Empires, like individuals, have their days of mourning and of prosperity; it is in great exigencies that great nations shew themselves. No, the enemy shall not tear asunder this beautiful and noble France, which for these fourteen centuries has maintained itself with glory through such diversities of fortune, and which for the interest of the neighbouring nations themselves, ought always to throw a considerable weight into the balance of Europe. We have for pledge your heroic firmness and the national honour. We will fight for our dear country between the tombs of our fathers, and the cradles of our infants.

'Sire, obtain peace by a last effort, worthy of yourself and of the French; and let your hand, so often victorious, let fall

your arms, after having signed the repose of the world. This, Sire, is the wish of France, the wish of the senate,-this is the wish and want of the human race.'

Napoleon replied-'I am sensible of the sentiments which you express towards me. You have seen by the documents which I have caused to be laid before you, what I do for the sake of peace. I will make without regret the sacrifices implied by the preliminary basis which the enemy has proposed, and which I have accepted; my life has but one object, the happiness of the French. Meantime, Bearn, Alsace, Franche Comte, Brabant, are invaded. The cries of this part of my family rend my heart; I call the French to succour the French. I call the French of Paris, of Bretagne, of Normandy, of Champagne, and of the other departments, to the succour of their brethren. Shall we forsake them in their distress? Peace and the deliverance of our territory ought to be our rallying cry-at the sight of all this nation in arms, the enemy will fly, or will sign peace on the basis which he has himself proposed. The question is now no more, to recover the conquests we have made.'

From Frankfort the allies published a declaration, which, from its moderation and good policy, is perhaps the noblest production that ever issued from the cabinets of conquerors. Its promulgation was no doubt of infinite service to their

It unnerved the arm of France, by opening the eyes of the nation to appreciate the folly and ambition of their leader, whose entreaties and proclamations could no longer rouse his subjects to oppose a partition, which they believed was not in contemplation. It runs thus:--

"The French government has ordered a new levy of 300,000 conscripts. The motives of the Senatus Consultum to that effect, contain an appeal to the allied powers. They, therefore, find themselves called upon to promulgate anew, in the face of the world, the views which guide them in the present war, the principle which form the basis of their conduct, their wishes, and their determinations.

The allied powers do not make war upon France, but against that preponderance, haughtily announced,—against that preponderance, which, to the misfortune of Europe, and of France, the Emperor Napoleon has too long exercised beyond the limits of his empire.

"Victory has conducted the allied armies to the banks of the Rhine. The first use which their imperial and royal majesties have made use of victory, has been to offer peace to his majesty the Emperor of the French. An attitude strengthened by the accession of all the sovereigns and princes of Germany, has had no influence on the conditions of that peace, These conditions are founded on the independence of the French empire, as well as on the independence of the other states of Europe. The views of the powers are just in their object, generous and liberal in their application, giving security to all, honourable to each.

The allied sovereigns desire that France may be great, powerful, and happy; because the French power, in a state of greatness and strength, is one of the foundations of the social edifice of Europe. They wish that France may be happy,that French commerce may revive,—that the arts, those blessings of peace, may again flourish; because a great people can only be tranquil in proportion as it is happy. The allied powers confirm to the French empire an extent of territory, which France under her kings never knew; because a valiant nation does not fall from its rank, by having in its turn experienced reverses in an obstinate and sanguinary contest, in which it has fought with its accustomed bravery.

But the allied powers also wish to be free, tranquil, and happy, themselves. They desire a state of peace, which, by a wise partition of strength, by a just equilibrium, may benceforth preserve their people from the numberless calamities. which have overwhelmed Europe for the last twenty years.

The allied powers will not lay down their arms until they have attained this great and beneficial result, 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.'

CHAP. XLVII.

HANOVER EVACUATED-DENMARK MAKES PEACE WITH THE ALLIES-THE PRINCE OF ORANGE RESTORED-THE VICEROY OF ITALY DEFEATED—muraT'S DEFECTION

FROM BONAPARTE-ST. CYR CAPITULATES AT DRESDEN -DANTZIC SURRENDERS-SUCCESSES OF WELLINGTON.

BONAPARTE's affairs at this time appeared to be completely deranged. One disaster followed another with unexampled rapidity, and every courier brought news of some unexpected defection, some disastrous engagement, or some fresh instance of internal dissatisfaction.

After the battle of Leipsic, the Crown Prince of Sweden directed his march to the north, in order to cut off Davoust from Holland; and to free Hanover from the remaining French troops. On the entry of the allies into his majesty's electoral dominions, Jerome Bonaparte fled, and the inhabitants received his royal highness the Duke of Cumberland, with enthusiasm, loyalty, and unbounded joy. The old authorities were instantly restored, and measures adopted for arming the people, and supplying the allies with every requisite necessary. At the same time the Duke of Brunswick was reinstated in his territories.

The Crown Prince continuing his march, took possession of the mouths of the Weser and the Elbe, in which he was ably assisted by a squadron of English ships. On entering Holstein, Davoust shut himself up in Hamburgh; while