military, the great Lord Chesterfield foretold, that they would one day become the easy prey of the first armed potentate who should think fit to attack them. When the French Revolution broke out, in so degraded a light was the military profession viewed by the Venetians, that " Signor Ufficiale," mister officer, was actually a term of reproach and utter contempt. At that period, a noble Venetian would no more think of sending, or of accepting a challenge, than a general would think of having a tilting bout with a subaltern, an admiral with one of his midshipmen, or a member of parliament with his own valet-de-chambre. If an English gentleman in a crowd had happened to jostle a Venetian Don, and a quarrel ensued, the latter, in answer to a challenge, would merely desire the former to go about his business, after calling him "un' elefanto!" At present, however, things are somewhat different; and well attested instances are not rare, in which the youthful descendants of the Venetian Peers have displayed a courage and a magnanimity of character, worthy of the best days of the Republic.

In all ages, the Venetians have been distinguished for an over-cautious policy—a quality which is necessarily unfriendly to the growth

of true courage. A governor of men may not inaptly be compared to a palafreniere, or groom of the stable. The over-cautious gentry of whom I am speaking resorted too much to ordinances, serving as curbs, snaffles, and bits, which deprived the noble animal of that due portion of mettle, which was actually necessary to render him useful, Not that I am, by any means, an advocate for that rude barbarism, which, after a short effort, sinks back into listlessness; but rather that Roman union of intellect with moral refinement and intrepidity.

As for the stigma cast on the Fine Arts, imputing to them a direct tendency to sensual irregularities, like many other subterfuges of depraved understandings, false in one instance, it is generally erroneous in every other. The subversion of kingdoms is occasioned by vice; and never by the introduction of the elegant arts, which uniformly tread in the footsteps of nature. No one, possessing a grain of common sense, can be made to believe, that political decline can be compatible with an approximation to Nature, every property of which is firm, continuous, and enduring;

"Unerring Nature, still divinely bright,

"One clear, unchang'd, and universal light!"

But, more of this hereafter.

Now, if we turn our view but a few years back, we shall find, that the mighty empire of Austria had so far dwindled before the arms of Napoleon, that Francis condescended to acknowledge that he held it in vassalage; thereby retrograding, as it were, at least seventy years. The Corsican compelled him to assume the title of Francis the First; a title which had been already borne by the husband of Maria Theresa, so far back as the year 1745. Although Buonaparte had made numerous Kings, whom he held in a state of abject subjection, Francis was his first Emperor; and the frail tenure of their power, and their tame submission to the fiat of the Gallic Chief, may be gathered from the far-famed decrees which he issued from Berlin and Milan, ordaining the destruction by fire of British merchandize, of whatever description, not only immediately throughout his own dominions, but, by implication, in every country dependent upon him. Like the Grand Signior, he had only to send about the silken cord-the Turk's hint; a sort of Irish insinuation, not easily to be misunderstood, and which was every where attended to. But, what was the ultimate effect of this measure? Why this: it inspired Great Britain with redoubled strength; and accordingly, unaided by the rest of Europe,

single-handed she overturned the plans which had been laid for her destruction; and, instead of sinking in the tremendous conflict, she overwhelmed her opponents, and rose, like another phoenix, out of the ashes.

So much for Buonaparte's burning system : the sole effect of which was, to kindle the fire of the British lion. Whenever the French ruler wished to draw money out of the pockets of his subjects-whose hatred of the English nation he always took especial care to excite-he had only to say that it was wanted for the purpose of attacking us, and the necessary supplies were immediately forthcoming. So great was the animosity against this country, which at that time rankled in the bosoms of our opposite neighbours! And, that animosity, I am sorry to say, still subsists: "è cambiato il maestro di capella, ma la musica è sempre quella,”—the ruler is changed, but the system continues the same. It was, however, the rock on which Napoleon's greatness at last foundered. To British perseverance, then, in the contest, do the monarchs of Europe, yclept "legitimate," owe, in no small degree, their salvation. And, what is the return they have made us? They have persevered in the prohibitory system, to the great injury of their own subjects. Instead of

conforming themselves to the obligations imposed on regular sovereigns, bound to consult wise counsellors and to adopt salutary laws, they have chosen to walk in the footsteps of a lawless military chief. An inconsistency this, which is past comprehension !

CHAPTER III.

VENICE.

Buonaparte's Plans for the Establishment of his Power......His Vandalic Mutilations of Public Edifices at Venice, and elsewhere.....His Judicial Code......And Schemes of Government......His Conference, after the Battle of Austerlitz, with the Monarchs of Russia and Prussia......Reflections on his Downfall......Short-sighted Policy of the Holy Alliance, exemplified in their Conduct towards the People of Italy, and especially towards the Venetians......A short Fable.

HAD Buonaparte continued to reign, every vestige of popular commotion would have been obliterated, and every record of revolutionary tumult would have been destroyed. The prisons, of which the world has heard such shocking descriptions, no longer exist. Napoleon had determined never to enter the walls of the same dungeon, in which the unfortunate Louis and his