have been a very prevalent notion; and one which he found much difficulty in destroying. Some of the People indeed carried their absurd fears so far, as to imagine that the Roman Territory was to be given up to some other Power; that the intention of the French was, " pour en faire un trafic honteux avec d'autres puissances;" and this, though the example of Venice was before their eyes, and might have taught them, beyond a doubt, that the French" bien loin de commercer ies Peuples, en sont les liberateurs."

This "impression sinistre," however, was removed; and the Roman People themselves have proposed a Grand Fête to be given to the Glory of the French Republic. It is to be wholly in the antient style, and celebrated in the Forum.

This is the substance of what has been done at Rome. After stating these circumstances at some length, the Message assumes a tone of tenderness, and philanthropic exultation, at the prospect of seeing an Ambassador from the Five, or Seven Roman Consuls, arrive at Paris.

The Message is received with correspondent emotions by the Councils, and produces a Speech from JEAN DE BRY (a furious Jacobin, but not the less sentimental on that account) in which he expresses his apprehension, lest any remarks upon such a subject should only weaken the "delicious sensations" arising out of it, and concludes with a Moral, which we heartily adopt, « AVIS A L'AN

GLETERRE."

In SWITZERLAND, the French do not appear to have gone on so entirely to their own satisfaction. The Papers indeed contain fewer details upon this interesting subject than might reasonably have been expected; but, from their

silence,

silence, it may be inferred, that the resistence which they experience is much beyond their calculation, and that in Switzerland also, as well as at Rome, an idea has, howver unaccountably, prevailed, that the Directory specu loit sur la conquête du pays.”

66

A Note has been addressed by the Canton of Lucerne to MENGAUD, the French Minister in Switzerland, which breathes a spirit of firmness and determination, and at the same time of sober and sound reason, that affords no small hopes of the ultimate success of that Country in the struggle in which French violence and wickedness are likely to engage them. And accordingly it seems to have occasioned considerable alarm to the profligate Agent of the Directory, who has been commissioned to foster the Insurrections in the Cantons, and to prepare them, by the worn-out pretences of Liberty and Equality, for entire and unqualified subjugation to France. The Note of Lucerne represents, in strong terms, the impolicy as well as injustice of France, in provoking a Contest, which, even if it should terminate successfully for her, could add little to the glory of her arms, and nothing to her honour or grandeur; and the engaging in which, must at all events alienate from her the public opinion of all Europe. It expresses the anxiety of Switzerland, both now and at all former periods, to maintain Peace: but it professes, that if unjustly attacked, the Swiss would defend themselves with the spirit which becomes men fighting for their Country, for their Liberty, and for the Security of their Persons and Property.

The Answer of M. MENGAUD is conceived in terms of such gross and impudent falsehood, as, if the safety of a valuable Country were not staked upon the discussion, would excite no other feelings than contempt and ridicule.

To

"To give the lie (as he says) to the reports which the Enemics of the Republic have spread through the Cantons, the Citizen MENGAUD solemnly declares, that the Directory never had any intention of carrying War into Switzerland; that the Directory's desire, is only, that there should be a Constitution erected in Switzerland, founded on the Sovereignty of the People; and that as soon as that is done, he undertakes, in the name of his Government, that the French Troops shall be recalled. To destroy a vicious Oligarchy, he declares to be the fole object of France. Berne and Soleure must begin by laying down their Sovereignty," &c. &c.

France, we know, never interferes in the concerns of other Countries. We have been told so, till we are sick of hearing it. We cannot conclude this subject better than by a repetition of JEAN DE BRY's excellent adage, "AVIS A L'ANGLETERRE."

Nothing new has taken place at Paris.

It is stated to us, as a fact, that Permissions to purchase English Merchandize are publicly sold by the Agents of the Directory.

BUONAPARTE is still at Paris, preparing for the conduct of the Expedition against England. It is mentioned, as a proof that he does not think lightly upon the subject, that when an Opera in two Acts was about to be brought out, called Les François en Angleterre," BUONAPARTE interfered to procure the prohibition of it, observing, that it was unworthy of the French Nation to exhibit the appearance of la moindre jactance, on an occasion where they were employing so much vigour and

exertion.

-

We

We trust that this Country is neither to be intimidated by their jactance, nor will be found unprepared to meet their vigour.

IRELAND.

YESTERDAY Accounts were received from Ireland, of a Debate which took place in the House of Commons on the 5th inst. on a Motion of Sir LAWRENCE PARSONS, of a similar nature with that brought forward by Lord MOIRA in the House of Peers a few days before.

We have great satisfaction in being enabled to state, that the result of this Debate evinces, in the strongest manner, the perfect conviction of the Parliament of that Country, of the propriety and efficacy of that System of Vigour which has been adopted by the Executive Government. However we may deplore, in common with all men who are attached to the interests of the British Empire, and in common with the Government of that Country, the dreadful circumstances. which have called for the adoption of this System, we cannot but consider it, especially after all that has lately been brought to light of the nature and extent of the Designs of the Treasonable and Murderous Societies existing in different parts of Ireland, and of their avowed league with a Foreign Enemy, as the only means by which, at the present moment, the Kingdom of Ireland can be preserved either to this Country or to itself,

We certainly shall applaud any MEASURE of REGU LATION and MILITARY PRECAUTION, by which the Excesses, so difficult to be entirely avoided in a state of such continual irritation and disturbance, as that produced

by the Efforts of JACOBINISM in Ireland, may, as far as possible, be restrained and corrected. But we are sure, that even in pursuing this laudable end, no relaxation will be suffered, for a moment, in those vigorous exertions which the phrenzy of a desperate Faction have rendered indispensable for the public safety. On that Faction alone, are to be charged the consequences of that rigour and severity which are alone adequate to meet such daring and criminal Excesses.

We are confident that these sentiments will continue to direct the conduct of the Irish Government; and we have no doubt that their unshaken firmness, supported by the determination of the Irish Legislature, and by every thing that is respectable in the Country, will succeed in frustrating all the projects of Foreign Enemies and Domestic Traitors.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

An excellent Ballad, to the tune of Chevy Chace, has been found in our Letter-Box, without any Address, Date, or Signature, accompanying it.— We know not by whom transmitted to us, but we are fully sensible of the value of the Communication. It shall have an early place. We are extremely sorry that a former Communication, apparently from the same hand, and conveyed to us in the same manner, has been inadvertently mislaid. — Though it would not exactly have answered the purpose of this Publication, it is much too valuable to be wholly lost to the Public.

We doubt whether we can with propriety insert the Communications of our respectable Correspondent, A CONSTANT READER. We mean in the form in which they appear; for, with regard to the Information they contain, we shall, with his permission, thankfully avail ourselves of it. The APPEAL he inclosed, shall be carefully preserved.

We have again to thank W. W. V. His Hints are always useful. Some of them, which did not fall within our Plan, he has probably seen already attended to in a respectable Morning Paper.