though I do not like the number of BUONAPARTE's former adherents that seem to be admitted, without a question as to their former conduct, to the same rights and privileges as those who have suffered so much for the sake of loyalty and justice; nor am I quite satisfied as to the line of connexion which seems to be establishing itself, all the way from Elba through Italy towards Vienna,' I am yet willing to trust to the good sense and patriotism of the majority of the French nation, aided by the woeful experience of what they have already suffered, to prevent the recurrence of any very serious evil; and one should hope that the very knowledge of the Corsican's unfeeling and selfish character must absolutely prevent any thing like personal attachment to a man who, in himself, is so completely incapable of friendship or affection as well as of the reasons why the chief Leader of the Revolution himself is not able to secure the permanent attachment, or prevent the defection of those who were next immediately employed under him in the transaction, that I cannot avoid saving your Lordship the trouble of referring to your library, by transcribing the whole paragraph from his third Chapter : "Spe enim meliora consequendi illecti homines, libenter statum rerum præsentium sui principis mutatum volunt: eâque opinione adducti arma in eum qui rerum potitur, capere student. Quâ in re falluntur maxime. Nam re ipsâ demum sentiunt in pejora se esse delapsos concilia. Et hoc ipsum ìtem ut fiat, ex aliâ re quæ a naturâ est et pervulgata, accidit, quæ novo principi, eos ad quorum procurationem est evectus, tum copiis alendis, tum variis incommodis, et quas nova adoptio secum trahit infinitis injuriis, semper ́lædendi causam affert: sic, ut et eos quos in occupando imperio prius, læseras, infensos habeas, et qui te in illud invexerunt, in amicitiâ retinere non possis." I refer only to the number of Buonaparte's connexions which seem to be settling in Italy,and towards Austria,and the possible influence which may hereafter arise in that quarter, without the smallest inference to any collusion implicating the present views of the Court of Vienna. Tulem progenies hominum si prisca tulisset, Pyrithoum fugeret Theseus, offensum Orestem "Since it has been thought proper, however, with what prudence I doubt, to spare his forfeit existence, may he quietly sink into the solitary insignificance, to which he seems doomed--a punishment, were it not for the sake of example, almost as severe as could be inflicted on such an overbearing, imperious, and perturbed spirit as his, experiencing, like the damned, in DANTE's Inferno, ' Nessun maggior dolore Che ricordarsi del tempo felice Ne la miseria. "But, consigning him to the oblivion he deserves, let us consider what yet remains to be done in other quarters of the globe, and especially beyond the Atlantic, where the admirable and successful exertions of the little army under the gallant PREVOST seem to entitle them to that speedy and effectual reinforcement, which you will now be so well able to spare for their assistance. Greater effects have, perhaps, seldom, if ever, been produced by so small a force; but it will now be proper to give the scale a decisive turn at once, and, adding strength to zeal and science, effectually punish the folly of American aggression, and give our excellent Commander in that part of the world an opportunity of acquiring his share of the honorable rewards, so liberally and properly bestowed on those, who have distinguished themselves in command in Europe. "And here, my Lord, before I conclude, allow me to suggest, what has often struck me, that, considering the numerous naval and military claimants in proportion to the few red ribbands to be given away, and to prevent the necessity of bestowing any of them on the meritorious servants of the public in other departments of the State, so as to keep the Order of the Bath entirely as a military honor, there seems to be a call for the institution of a new Order for such persons as have served the State conspicuously in civil employments, Claudian. but whose official or personal rank does nor entitle them to the higher distinctions of the Garter, but to rank immediately after the Knights of the Bath. Nor can any era offer a more appropriate opportunity for such institution than the conclusion of a general Peace; and to a general Peace, thank Heaven! we can now with safety look forward, nor fear to exclaim, 'At nobis, Paz alma veni, spicamque teneto !" May 10, 1814. FALKLAND. NOTE.-It was not till after the above letters were nearly all gone to Press, that the Editor was obliged with the permission to avow the author. The satisfaction the Public will experience in their perusal, cannot but be heightened by the information that they are from the pen of FRANCIS PERCEVAL ELIOT, ESQ. one of the Commissioners for Auditing Public Accounts.-EDITOR. |