MEMOIRS OF THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. DIARY CONTINUED. JULY, 1796. 66 1. (Sings, with great courage,) Oh, July the first in Oldbridge-town, there was a grievous battle." We made no great figure that day, that is the God's truth of it. Well, no matter; what is past, is past. We must see and do better the next time; besides, we pulled up a little the year after at Aughrim, and made a most gallant defence at Limerick. But I am writing a history of the wars in Ireland, instead of minding my business. Suffice it to say, (God forgive me for lying) that "we are undoubtedly the bravest nation in Europe." There are, however, some brave men scattered here and there through the French army, but let that pass. "I hope to see a battle yet before I die :" huzza! generally! 2. Clarke has been confined to his room, and I believe to his bed, for these four days; he is cut down by continual labour in his bureau. This delays my affair a little. I saw his aid-de-camp to day, who told me by his orders, "that he hoped to see me the day after to-morrow; that he wished to consult me on an affair of great importance, on which he must also see another person besides, and that when we met, we should arrange certain matters," &c. This is a flourish to amuse the aid-de-camp, or perhaps he has translated Clarke into his own language; 66 else why do we wrap the gentleman in our rawer breath ?" My friend Fleury is, however, a fine lad, and I have no doubt would fight like a tiger. Apropos! I desire my readers, (viz. P. P. Miss Mary, and my dearest love,) to take notice that I recant every word I have said heretofore in these memorandums, to the prejudice of General Clarke. No. I lie! I lie!" He is a tall, handsome, proper young man, with a face like a cherubim." I would blot out all the passages which reflect upon him, but upon second thoughts, I will keep them as a memento to prevent my forming hasty judgments of people. In fact it was Aherne, Sullivan, and even Madgett, (but particularly the two first,) that turned me against him, for I am myself, "magnanimous, artless, and credulous," as P. P. used to say; whereas they have been used, I will not say to intrigue, but at least to look at people intrigu ing here a long time, which is some excuse for them. However, I have now made him the only recompense in my power, by retracting on the same ground where I gave the offence, for my remarks to his disadvantage have not travelled beyond my memorandum-book. I think that is handsome. 3. I see to-day that the Channel fleet is preparing at Spithead, to the number of twenty-one sail of the line, (d-n and sink them!) with God knows how many Admirals; that the camps are not yet formed in Ireland, but that vast quantities of arms and ammunition are daily imported into that country, as also tents and camp equipage. I am glad of that, because I hope it will appear in the event, that it is for us the worthy John Bull is putting himself to all this expense and trouble. I see likewise that the British have taken three of our best frigates, being the entire of a flying squadron, sent to cruize in the chops of the Channel; that is d-d bad; but then again the French are defending themselves in St. Lucie, like devils incarnate; that is good. There is also news to-day of another victory on the Rhine, by Moreau, "but this gentleman will tell you the perpendiculars,” which are not yet published; I hope it is true. Vive la Republique ! 4. Called to-day on Clarke; he has not yet left his room, so that I did not see him, but I saw Fleury, his aid-de-camp, who brought me word as before, that the General expected to see a person, in order to arrange my business, and begged I would call the day after to-morrow. I wrote him a polite and tender note, praying him to lose no time, and which I gave Fleury, and so we parted. Confound these delays! I am sick of them. I want to change my domicile. I am lodged in the house of a little "bossue," (Anglicè, a hunchback,) and she hangs out certain allurements which (as I pique myself upon a choice morality) I determine to resist. To tell the God's truth, there is no great merit in my resistance, for she is as crooked as a ram's horn, (which is a famous illustration) and as ugly as sin besides: rot her, the dirty little faggot, she torments me! "I will not march through Coventry with her, that's flat."-Moreover, I see to-day official news, (Buonaparte's letter,) that the King of Naples has concluded an armistice, withdrawing all his troops from Beaulieu's army, which will prejudice the latter gentleman considerably, particularly in the article of cavalry; he likewise withdraws his ships from Hotham, in the Mediterranean, which will tend somewhat to the edification of John Bull; and finally, he sends Prince Pignatelli to Paris, to negotiate a peace with the Directory.. I like that dearly. The French always oblige the enemy to come to Paris to negotiate, which, besides the triumph, gives them prodigious advantages. I hope they may make as good and as haughty a peace with him, as they have done with the King of Sardinia. Imprimis, I hope they will take care to secure the fleet; that is what they want. I see likewise that his Holiness has at last been obliged to submit, and Buonaparte, has granted him an armistice, and he also sends an |