He had no reliance upon the Neapolitan officers; who, as he described them, seemed frightened at a drawn sword or a loaded gun; and he was perfectly aware of the consequences which the sluggish movements and deceitful policy of the Austrians were likely to bring down upon themselves, and all their continental allies. "A delay❝ed war, on the part of the emperor," said he, writing to the British minister at Vienna, "will be destructive to this "monarchy of Naples; and, of course, to "the newly-acquired dominions of the em"peror in Italy. Had the war commenced "in September or October, all Italy "would, at this moment, have been li"berated. This month is worse than the "last: the next will render the contest "doubtful; and, in six months, when the

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Neapolitan republic will be organized, "armed, and with its numerons resources "called forth, the emperor will not only "be defeated in Italy, but will totter on "his throne at Vienna. Down, down with "the French! ought to be written in the

"council-room of every country in the "world: and may Almighty God give 66 right thoughts to every sovereign, is my "constant prayer!". His perfect foresight of the immediate event was clearly shewn in this letter, when he desired the ambassador to assure the empress, (who was a daughter of the house of Naples) that, notwithstanding the councils which had shaken the throne of her father and mother, he would remain there, ready to save their persons, and her brothers and sisters; and that he had also left ships at Leghorn, to save the lives of the grand duke and her sister: "For all," said he, "must be a republic, "if the emperor does not act with expe"dition and vigour."

"The

His fears were soon verified. 66 Neapolitian officers," said Nelson, "did "not lose much honour, for God knows "they had not much to lose ;-but they lost "all they had." General St. Philip commanded the right wing, of 19,000 men. He fell in with 3,000 of the enemy; and, as soon as he came near enough, deserted

to them. One of his men had virtue enough to level a musket at him, and shot him through the arm; but the wound was not sufficient to prevent him from joining with the French in pursuit of his own countrymen. Cannon, tents, baggage, and military chest, were all forsaken by the runaways, though they lost only forty men: for the French, having put them to flight, and got possession of every thing, did not pursue an army of more than three times their own number. The main body of the Neapo litans, under Mack, did not behave better. The king returned to Naples; where every day brought with it the tidings of some new disgrace from the army, and the discovery of some new treachery at home; till, four days after his return, the general sent him advice, that there was no prospect of stopping the progress of the enemy, and that the royal family must look to their own personal safety. The state of the public mind at Naples was such, at this time, that neither the British minister, nor the British admiral, thought it prudent to appear at

court. Their motions were watched; and the revolutionists had even formed a plan for seizing and detaining them as hostages, to prevent any attack on the city after the French should have taken possession of it. A letter, which Nelson addressed at this time to the first lord of the admiralty, shews in what manner he contemplated the possible issue of the storm. It was in these words:" My dear lord, There is an old "saying, that when things are at the worst "they must mend :-now the mind of man "cannot fancy things worse than they are "here. But, thank God! my health is 66 better, my mind never firmer, and my "heart in the right trim to comfort, relieve, "and protect those whom it is my duty to "afford assistance to. Pray, my lord, as"sure our gracious sovereign, that, while "I live, I will support his glory; and "that, if I fall, it shall be in a manner "worthy of your lordship's faithful and "obliged Nelson. I must not write more. "Every word may be a text for a long "letter."

Meantime Lady Hamilton arranged every thing for the removal of the royal family. This was conducted, on her part, with the greatest address, and without suspicion, because she had been in habits of constant correspondence with the queen. It was

known, that the removal could not be effected without danger; for the mob, and especially the lazzaroni, were attached to the king and as, at this time, they felt a natural presumption in their own numbers and strength, they insisted that he should not leave Naples. Several persons fell victims to their fury: among others was a messenger from Vienna, whose body was dragged under the windows of the palace in the king's sight. The king and queen spoke to the mob, and pacified them; but it `would not have been safe, while they were in this agitated state, to have embarked the effects of the royal family openly. Lady Hamilton, like a heroine of modern romance, explored, with no little danger, a subterraneous passage, leading from the palace to the sea-side through this pas