a. Calvinistic Minister-Warlike disposition of the Assembly-Their hostile language and aggressive conduct -Violent speech of Isnard-Address to the KingAnacharsis Clootz recommends a general revolution of the neighbouring States (including England) to the Assembly -Memorable Answer of the President - Brissot insists on the policy of War-Insulting Manifesto issued-Addresses of some seditious Dutchmen, and of certain obscure Englishmen, favourably received by the AssemblySimilar Address from Liegè and the Austrian Netherlands -The Assembly encourages Rebellion in those States→→→ Prudent and pacific conduct of the German PrincesBrissot again insists on the necessity of War-Death of the Emperor Leopold-The Assembly compel the King to propose a Declaration of War against Austria, which they vote by acclamation-Object of the Brissotin Faction in promoting War-Difference between them and the immediate followers of Robespierre-They concur in their object, but differ as to the means of obtaining it-Annexation of Avignon and the Comtat to France-Commencement of Hostilities in Flanders-Cowardly flight of the French Troops from Tournay-They murder their General, Theobald Dillon-Acts of atrocious Barbarity-Flight of the French troops in the neighbourhood of Mons-Change of Ministers-Manifestoes of Austria and Prussia-Brissot writes a Libel on the King-The Ministers refuse to prosecute him-M. Bertrand resigns-Narbonne is dismissed A Brissotin Ministry formed-Progress of Anarchy -Persecution of Non-juring Priests-Horrible acts of Barbarity-Influence of the Press in the destruction of the Monarchy-Treasonable Speech of Isnard in the Assembly -Remarks on it-Decree for suppressing the King's Guard -Impeachment of the Duke de Brissac-Treacherous conduct of the Ministers-Decrees for forming a Camp of 20,000 Jacobins-and for banishing the Non-juring Priests

-The King refuses to sanction them-Inconsistent conduct of Dumourier on this occasion-Addresses threatening the Life of the King-Well received by the Assembly -Insurrection of the 20th of June-The King's opinion of that Event-Expects to be murdered-Refuses to quit the Capital-Attempt to assassinate the Queen-The Assassin rescued-Atrocious conduct of the FederatesFresh Plots-Addresses from the Sections demanding the Deposition of the King-Conspiracy of the 10th of August The King and Queen made Prisoners-Committed to the Temple-Judicial Murders-Atrocious opinion of Helen Maria Williams-Inhuman massacre of the Priests, on the first days of September-A wretch murders his own Parents, and carries their heads in triumph to the Jacobin Club-Sketch of Military Affairs-The allied Armies enter France-Their dilatory movements— Crooked policy of the King of Prussia-Suspension of Hostilities-Treacherous conduct of the Prussian Monarch to the French Emigrants-Different accounts of the respective numbers of the hostile Armies-False assertions of General Arthur Dillon-Retreat of the Allies from the territory of France.

[1792] A great part of the continent of Europe, during this period, exhibited a scene which could not fail to attract the attention, to interest the feelings, and to excite the apprehensions, of those nations which did not take an immediate part in it, but which must have perceived, that, in its proximate or remote consequences, it was calculated to affect them all, In Poland, a country always bordering on a state of anarchy, and subject to the undue influ

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ence of the neighbouring powers, the efforts of a patriot King, and of a nobility and clergy, prepared to make every sacrifice for the promotion of the public welfare, were rendered abortive, when exerted for the laudable end of meliorating the condition of every class of the people, by the unjust and unwarrantable interference of Prussia and Russia. The latter power, in particular, whose ambition carried her to the most unjustifiable lengths, assumed a tone of command, and a conduct correspondent therewith, utterly incompatible with the independence of the state to which it was addressed. The alterations which the Poles made, in the internal government of their country, affected only themselves, and were adopted with the free consent of all the parties who had authority to adopt them.--They were the result of no arbitrary assumption of power, either by the King or by any class of his subjects; but were the fruits of the combined and deliberative wisdom of the constitutional representatives of the nation; and were not, in any degree, calculated, either by their influence or example, to excite commotions in the neighbouring states, or to afford any reasonable ground of offence or uneasiness to their rulers.* There existed, therefore,

*This observation is, perhaps, liable to one exception ;— for, in a part of the constitution, there was an indirect invitation

no pretext for interference, except what arose out of views too unjust to acknowledge, and out of designs too dishonourable to reveal.

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The principal change thus effected in the constitution of Poland, was the substitution of an hereditary for an elective monarchy;-a change highly favourable to national independence, constitutional stability, and social order, The destined successor of Stanislaus was the Elector of Saxony, a prince to whom no rational objection could be raised by any one. The King communicated the result of this bloodless revolution to the Emperor Leopold, and to the King of Prussia, both of whom expressed their general approbation of the event, and their particular congratulations on the wise choice which had been made of a successor. The Empress of Russia, however, indignant at every attempt to remove the shackles which she had imposed on this devoted country, openly expressed her high

to the peasantry of surrounding states, to seek, in Poland, for that freedom which they were not suffered to enjoy in their own country.---It proclaimed "A perfect and entire liberty to all people, who may either be newly coming from whatever part of the world to settle, or who, having emigrated, shall return to their native country." But it is worthy of remark, that the Empress of Russia had issued a similar edict, in 1766; she, therefore, had no right to object to a measure of which she had furnished the example herself. Still the article was objectionable and ought to have been rescinded.

displeasure at the presumption of its King and its representatives, in their resolution to assert their own independence, to consult their own happiness, and to act for themselves. The rebellious nobles of Poland, who would not submit to a curtailment of their own power for the general good, she assembled around her in the capital of her Empire.

Nothing could exceed the wisdom, temperance, and judgment, displayed by Stanislaus throughout the whole of these events.-He encouraged the timid, he restrained the violent, he was the first to make sacrifices, and the last to

claim privileges or power. But the arrival of a minister plenipotentiary from France, a M. Descorches, who was lately the Marquis de Sainte-Croix, but who seemed to have lost his honour with his titles, and who had become a furious jacobin, gave courage to the few violent and factious men at Warsaw, who wished to avail themselves of the present disposition to change, in order totally to subvert the constitution, and to introduce a new order of things after the French model. Against these Stanislaus had set his face; but, having formed themselves into a club, and assumed the appellation of "The Friends of the Constitution of the third of May," 1791, Descorches paid his court to them, increased their rage for innovation, and stimulated them to proceed to extremities, that they might