acting conformably to its principles.

The indifference testified on this and on some preceding occasions, at the successes of Buonaparte and his companions in arms, produced both in him and them a suspicion, that malevolent designs were harboured against the republic; and that, nctwithstanding the warmth expressed by the numeroas majority in its favour, a secret party was forming that consisted of meu equally artful and persevering, who would employ every possible method of depreciating the services rendered to it, and who were at the same time so thoroughly determined to effect their purposes, that no obstacles could weary out their patience in striving to compass them.

From this persuasion of their commander-in-chief and his officers, arose the repeated assurances of inviolable attachment and fidelity to the existing government. They thought them necessary to impose a restraint upon its opposers, and to deter them from the attempts they might be meditating, by letting them see how resolutely and effectually they would be resisted.

In order to conciliate the minds of all people to the republic, Buonaparte had been particularly solicit ous, ever since his appointment to the suprane command of the French army in italy, to distinguish him self by a punctual observance of all those maxins, on which the zealous and

sincere republicans chiefly prided themselves. He cautiously avoided all ostentation, and in his personal demeanor readily put him selt on a footing of perfect equality with all persons of decent situations in society. Hence he had made himself a number of friends, not

only among the French, but among the Italians, who had hitherto experienced little of that condescension, especially from the Germans, who seldom studied to make their autho rity acceptable among the natives. The French commanderne veromitted any opportunity of ingratiating himself either in his private or public intercourse, for either of which he was equally qualified, by hiseducation and the politeness of his manners. The influence he had acquired, by these means, possibly was not inferior to that which he had obtained by hisexpioits. These made him dreaded, but the others procured him esteem and attachment. The solicitude he had manifested, in effecting and consolidating the fœderal union between the repube lies, of which he had encouraged the foundation, had, more than any other circumstance, raised his fame and credit among the Italian politicians, who had long wished for the revival of such systems in their country, recollecting how much it had torinerly flourished under them.

In compliance with this disposi tion, which was now become very general in Italy, and to give it every possible countenance and encourage ment, the French commander, while on the papal territories, availed himself of that opportunity, to take respectful notice of the little but ancient commonwealth of St. Marino, situated in the duchy of Urbino. He deputed thither citizen Monge, one of the commissioners of arts, and a member of the national insti tute, a man of genius and knowledge, The commissioner made a specch to the people of St. Marino, which seemned to be intended as an address to all Italy, and indeed to all Europe. He observed that lib ray,

which

which had transformed the ancient Greeks and Romans into heroes, and had, in latter ages, revived the arts and sciences in the republics of Italy, had, while nearly banished from the face of Europe, still existed in St. Marino, where, by the wisdom of the government, and the virtue of the people, it had been preserved for centuries. The French too, he said, after a whole age of knowledge, had at length perceived their own slavery, and asserted their freedom But the powers of Europe, shutting their eyes to the interest of mankind, had confederated against the liberty of France, and thought to partition it among them. The Frenchwere assailed on all their frontiers; and what most aggravated their calamities, many of their own countrymen united with the enemy to distress them. But they stood firm in the midst of all dangers, and gradually overcame all their enemies. Some were glad to relinquish the confederacy, and others were compelled to sue for peace. Jealousy, pride, and hatred, kept together their remain foes. The French had, in the course of the present campaign, destroyed four Austrian armies; but the enemy still rejected peace. The commissioner then assured the people of St. Marino of peace and friendship on the part of France. Were any of their possessions to be disputed, or any adjacent territory necessary to their well-being, they might freely apply to the good of fices of the republic.

The answer to this address was respectful and temperate. After expressing those sentiments of admiration, at the valour and heroism of the French general and his army, to which they were justly entitled, the citizens of St. Marino modestly de

clined those offers of addition to their small territory, which had been made by the French commissioner, telling him, that simplicity of manners, and the enjoyment of liberty, were the best inheritance transn.itted to them by their ances tors; and that, content with their mediocrity, they dreaded aggrandisement, as dangerous to their freedom. The only request they would make was the protection of Franee.

The moderation and prudence of the inhabitants of this little republic was justly rewarded by the munificence of the French commander. He presented it with four pieces of carnon, in the name of the French republic. He exempted their possessions in the Romagna, from all contributions, and refused the tender of payment for a considerable quantity of corn, of which he generously made them a donation.

Buonaparte had not only signalized himself by feats of arms: he had equally succeeded in that object which was requisite for the complete attainment of the purposes of his expedition. These were to revolationize the minds of the Italians, the better to fit them for those changes in their various governments, that would assimilate them to the system established in France. Republican principles had taken forcible root in many, if not in most of those places subdued by the French, or rather torn from their former owners, for the emancipation of the nations, to speak the language of these as well as of the French themselves, who boasted that, contrarily to the practice of crowned heads, they conquered for the benefit of mankind at large, and sought no other emolument from

their victories, than the glory of delivering nations from tyranny.

These ideas had spread far and wide among the Italians, together with the hope of seeing their country re-attain its independence and ancient splendour. The remembrance of those celebrated names, that had done it so much credit of old, was now recalled with enthusiasm. Peculiar honours were paid to the spot where Virgil was born. A monument was erected to his memory, and similar memorials were intended to perpetuate the fame of other illustrious men, who had adorned their country either in former times, or in modern ages.

Numerous were the effusions and testimonials of their gratitude to the Freuch, for reviving their expectations to recover those free governments, under which some of the Italian states had once made so flourishing a figure. While the republican army was advancing towards Rome, some of its many well-wishers in that city had already reared in their determinations a statue to its commander, with an inscription to commemorate the restitution of the senate and people to their primitive power and dignity.

At Faenza, the inhabitants actu ally erected a triumphal arch to the honour of the French, and of Buonaparte, specifying their victory over the papal army, and securing thereby the liberty of that city. The fact was, that the governments exercised over the different people of Italy, in the ecclesiastical state especially, were fallen so low in the estimation of the public, that a large proportion of the inhabitants were heartily desirous of a change.

The clergy in the pope's dominions engrossed all the authority, and the other countries were in the hands of foreigners, Hence the national spirit of the natives was extinct, and they felt no interest in the transac tions of their rulers, looking upon themselves, as wholly unconcerned either in the good or the ill success of their measures.

While Buonaparte was putting the last hand to the settlement of dif ferences with the court of Rome, and of the affairs of the newly constituted republics, the councils of the Imperial court were no less busily occupied in preparing the means of disputing, once more, the empire of Italy, with this fortunate commander. The point, that seemed chiefly in contemplation, was whom to appoint successor to those generals, whom he had successively defeated. Several were proposed, and in truth, the Austrian armies were not deficient in officers of experience and reputation; but the general voice seemed to pronounce in favour of the archduke Charles. His conduct and successes, during the last campaign, had made him very conspicuous, and his closing it with the taking of Kehl, and by compelling the French to retire within their own limits, had raised him a great name in all Germany. These circumstances determined the Imperial ministry to fix upon this young prince as the fittest rival to oppose to Buonaparte.

In order to send him to the field, with all the advantages that could be procured, every exertion was made throughout the Austrian dominions, to furnish him with an army fit to revive the hopes of his family and his country, both which, rightly considered the efforts that [C4]

were

were making for another trial of fortune, to be the last that could possibly be made. Full of this persuasion, a most formidable army was again collected, from the numerous divisions and garrisons in the Austrian service. Their patriotism and honour were equally excited by every motive that could stimulate either. To do the Austrians justice, they had displayed enough of both to preserve their character unsullied. But the extremity to which their sovereign and their country was now reduced evidently called for greater exertions than ever.

The archduke Charles, though a prince of high spirit, and of an enterprizing disposition, was not by the public reputed an adequate inatch for Buonaparte. This latter had raised himself entirely by his talents and merit; but the former owed what he was evidently to his royal birth. No expectations were formed, by those who attended to their respective characters, that he would be able to cope with the abilities of the French general.

The Austrians had been so completely defeated at the battle of Rivoli, that they had ever since been averse to take the field against the French. They were cautiously posted on the northern side of the Piava, waiting for the reinforcements of which the Archduke's army was chiefly to consist. The French, on the south of that river, and of the Lavisio, were watchful of their motion, constantly repelling them whenever they attempted to cross either. Part of February and of March were consumed in hostilities of this nature.

As soon as the archduke had assumed the command, the French determined to march against him,

before he had received a farther addition to the strength already arrived.

To this intent they advanced to the Piava, in three divisions. The first commanded by Massena, effected its passage over, near Feltri, on the tenth of March, and compelled the Austrians to withdraw to Belluno, higher up that river. The second division, under Serrurier, proceeded to Asola, in the neighbourhood of which, he also crossed on the twelfth, after putting to the rout a body of Austrians that opposed him. Several other corps were encamped near this one: but they did not venture to support it, and they all made a precipitate retreat, in apprehension of being surrounded and cut off by the two divisions that had already crossed, and by another that was then crossing the river. It was headed by general Guiaux, who advanced that very evening to 'Conagliono, and, on the next day, the thirteenth, to Sacali, where he overtook the rear guard of a large division of the Austrians, and made a number of prisoners. Massena, after taking possession of Belluno, pursued the enemy that was retreat. ing to Cadora, and took some hundreds. On the sixteenth, all the French divisions directed their march to the Tagliamento. The Austrians were entrenched on the opposite side, in hope of being more successful, in defending the passage of this river, than of the Piava. The archduke commanded them in person, and was duly sensible of the necessity of stopping the progress of the French, and that, by passing this river, they would be able to over-run a large extent of country. This action, which both he and Buonaparte considered as decisive, began at mid-day. The

French