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CONTENTS.
CHAP. I.
Opening of the Session of Parliament. Prince Regert's Speech. Debates on the Ad-
dress. Supplies for the Year. Ways and Means for Great Britain and Ireland.
Vote of Credit,
PAGE
3
CHAP. II
Rank of England. Renewal of Restrictions on Cash-payments. Proceedings as to
the Profits of the Bank on its Transactions with Government. Bill for putting an
end to the exclusive Privilege of the South-Sea Company. Bill to make Freehold
Estates liable for simple Contract Debts. Bill to Amend the Laws respecting In-
solvent Debtors. Abolition of Gaol Fees. Bill for Abolition of the Pillory. Act
for extending Jury Trial in Civil Causes to Scotland,
23
CHAP III.
Proceedings in Parliament on the Bill for Restricting the Importation of Corn,
CHAP. IV.
Observations on the Policy of the Corn-Bill,
CHAP. V.
Domestic Affairs. Imposture of Joanna Southcote. Fanaticism of her Disciples. Her
Death and Interment. Extension of the Order of the Bath. Classes into which
it is divided. Remarks on the Measure, and its Tendency. Trial of Sir John
Murray. Riots on Account of the Corn Bill. Members of the House of Com-
mons attacked and insulted. Houses attacked and Property destroyed. Conti-
nuation of the Riots on the 7th. Persons Shot in Burlington Street. Petition of
the Electors of Westminster against the Corn Bill. Conduct of Sir Francis Burdett
in moving it, and Debate which ensued, in the House of Commons. Acquittal of
34
57
the Soldiers indicted for Murder in defence of Mr Robinson's House. Liberal Feel-
ings of the Populace towards them. Anecdote of a Private Soldier of the Guards,
CHAP. VI.
Internal State of France. Defects of the Administration. Count de Blacas. State
of Parties. Royalists, comprehending the Nobles, and Clergy, and Vendeans.
Tumult at the Funeral of Mademoiselle du Raucour. Sepulchral Honours paid to
Louis XVI. and his Queen. Jealous Fears of the Possessors of National Domains.
Republicans. Buonapartists. Discontents of the Army. Constitutionalists. Pur-
chasers of National Domains. Resemblance between the State of France and of
England after the Restoration,
72
87
CHAP. VII.
Report on the State of France. The Finances. The War Establishment. The Navy.
Moral State of the Country. Debate on the Liberty of the Press. Faure's Motion
for a previous Censorship. Opposed by Marshal Macdonald. Adopted in a mo-
dified State. Reflections on these Restrictions. Petition of Ferru, and other Book-
sellers, to the Chamber of Deputies. Characters of some of the Censors. Conduct
of Incendiary Authors and Publishers to evade the Law. Affairs of the Maire of
Darnae, and the anoient Seigneur, Marshal Macdonald's Plan for granting In-
demnities to the Emigrants, and paying the Pensions of the veteran Soldiers,
CHAP. VIII.
Leaders of the Jacobins. Carnot-His History-His Memorial against the Bourbons.
Fouché His Share in the Massacres of the Revolution-His Conduct on the King's
Restoration. Intrigues and Misrepresentations of the Disaffected under these
Leaders. Warlike Preparations in France. National Dislike to the English.
Duke of Wellington's Residence in Paris. Policy of Talleyrand at the Congress.
He endeavours to direct the Resentment of the Allies against Bernadotte-Against
Murat. Arrest of Lord Oxford, and Seizure of his Papers. Affair of General Ex-
Gelmans. His Petition to the Chamber of Deputies-That of General Grissoles.
Excelmans is tried by a Court Martial, and acquitted. Insubordination of the Army.
Life of Napoleon at Elba. His Conversations with his Visitors. His Character
begins to be more favourably considered. Arts of his Emissaries to fix the public
Mind of France upon him. His Correspondence with Murat-With France. Fe-
males engaged in the Plot. Organization of the Conspiracy. Imperfect State of
the Parisian Police. Correspondence with Elba maintained through the Royal
Post Office. Every thing is prepared for the bursting forth of the Conspiracy,
CHAP. IX.
Buonaparte embarks at Elba-And lands in France-And marches to Gap. Suspi
cions of Treachery in the War Department, Labedoyere joins Buonaparte with his
Regiment. Revolt of the Troops at Grenoble. Measures of the Royal Party.
Soult is displaced from the Ministry. The Treason of Lefebvre Desnouettes and
Lallemand is discovered, and prevented. Defection of the Troops under Macdo-
nald. Decrees of Lyons. Buonaparte's progress to Auxerre. His Interview with
the Vicar-General. Ney is appointed to command against Buonaparte. He de-
serts and joins him. The King visits the Chamber of Deputies. Their Enthusiasm
in the Royal Cause. A Camp formed at Melun-But its Fidelity is doubted. The
King leaves Paris-Is expelled from Lisle-And compelled to retreat to Ghent.
Disasters of his Followers. Defection of the Army at Melun. State of Affairs at
Paris. Buonaparte enters the Capital and completes the Revolution. Fickleness
of the People and their Leaders,
107
125
142
CHAP. X.
The Cities and Provinees of France declare for Buonaparte. Failure of the Duke of
Bourbon's Enterprize in La Vendee. Duchess of Angouleme 'driven from Bour-
deaux. Duke of Angouleme compelled to surrender in the South. Buonaparte
proposes Peace to the Allies. Declaration of the Congress at Vienna. Treaty of
Alliance between Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain. Message of the
Prince Regent to the House of Commons, and Debate which followed thereupon.
Motion respecting Buonaparte's Escape from Elba-And Debate which ensued.
Mr Whitbread's Motion against War with France, and the Debate. Debate on the
Treaty of Alliance. Mr Whitbread's Amendment.
CHAP. XI.
Situation of Murat. Debate concerning him in the House of Commons. Disaffec
tion in the Milanese Territory. Riots in the Theatre. Murat puts his Army in
motion-His dubious Policy-He occupies Rome, and commences offensive Opera-
tions against the Austrians-His Proclamation from Rimini-He attacks the Lower
Po, and is defeated at Occhiebello-Commences his Retreat-Solicits an Armistice,
and is refused. Battle of Tolentino. Murat's Defeat and disastrous Retreat-He'
is intercepted at Saint Germano by General Nugent-His Rear-guard destroyed.
Flies alone to Naples-And from thence to France. General Insurrection in Na-
ples and Calabria. The Queen surrenders to the British The Austrians occupy
Naples. Surrender of the Neapolitan Army. Restoration of King Ferdinand.
Murat in danger of being killed by the Royalists-Flies to Corsica-Refuses a
Retreat offered to him in Austria-His Proclamation to the Neapolitans-Lands
near Pizzo-But is defeated and made Prisoner-And tried and executed by a
Neapolitan Court-Martial,
CHAP. XII.
Buonaparte attempts to conciliate Foreign Powers. His Decrees for educating
Youth, and abolishing the Slave Trade. A Plot to carry off the Empress and her
Child is detected at Vienna. Versatility of the French Men of Letters. Disputes
between Buonaparte and his Ministers. Proclamation of Louis XVIII. Activity
of the Royalists of Paris. Buonaparte pays Court to the Federates. Their Pro-
session and Review. Preparations for War. Commissioners sent into the Depart-
ments. Disinclination to the War, and Disaffection, prevail generally. Fouché's
Report on these Particulars. Buonaparte leaves the Tuilleries, and goes to the
Palace of Elysée-Bourbon. He Publishes the Additional Act to the Constitutions
of the Empire. Objected to as not originating with the Nation-And as being only
an Appendix to the Imperial Code of Constitutions. It is generally disliked-But
subjected to the Votes of the French People. Illusory Nature of the Sanction thus
obtained. Buonaparte's Brothers arrive at Paris. Ceremony of the Champ de
Mai. Acceptance of the Constitution. Delivery of the Eagles to the Troops.
Meeting of the Legislative Chambers. Character of the Chamber of Peers-Of
Representatives. The Chamber of Representatives disputes with Napoleon on
Points of Form. Speech of Buonaparte to the Chambers. Address of the Peers.
Address of the Representatives. Buonaparte's Reply to that Address,
CHAP. XIII.
Insurrection of La Vendee. Motion of Seguevel. Death of La Roche-Jaquelein,
and Capitulation of the Royalists. Preparations of the Allies. The Position of
their Armies. Forces of Wellington-Of Blucher. Preparations of Buonaparte.
His Plan of Attack. He fortifies the Frontier on the Austrian Line. Calls his best
159
185
200
Generals around him. Concentrates his Army at Avesnes. His Address to them.
Commences the Campaign. Takes Charleroi, and compels Ziethen to retire. Bat-
tle of Ligny under Fleurus. Dreadful Conflict. Prussians finally defeated. Im-
minent danger of Blucher. He effects his retreat unmolested. Ney attacks the
Advanced-Guard of Wellington at Quatre Bras. The British Army comes up. Se-
vere Action. The French take the Wood-But are dislodged by the Guards
And finally compelled to retire. Loss on either Side. The Duke of Wellington
retreats. Is pursued by the French. Skirmish at Genappes. The British arrive
on the Field of Waterloo, and bivouac for the Night,
CHAP. XIV.
PAGE 219
Disposition of the British Army. The French come on the Ground. Their Disposi-
tions. The Action commences, Attack on Hougoumont-And on the British
Right. The Mode of receiving it. It is finally unsuccessful. Attack on the British
Centre and Left. Death of Picton. Cavalry Engagement, Bulow's Corps begins
to enter into Action. Reiterated Attacks of the French. Personal Conduct of the
Duke of Wellington: Great Loss of the British Troops. Attack by the Imperial
Guards. It is totally defeated. The British Attack in Line. The Prussians come
up in Force. The French are totally routed. Flight of Buonaparte. Movements
of the Prussians. Affair at Wavre. Pursuit of the French by Blucher. Loss of
the Armies engaged,
234
CHAP. XV.
The Army. Grant to the Duke of Wellington. Motion respecting Corporal Punish-
ments in the Army. Thanks to the Duke of Wellington and the Army for the
Victory of Waterloo. National Monument in Honour of that Victory. Monu-
ments to Generals Ponsonby and Picton. Honours and Privileges conferred on the
Troops. Waterloo Subscription. Vote of Thanks to the Duke of York,
CHAP. XVI.
Buonaparte's Return to Paris. His Motives for this Measure. Rise of the Funds at
Paris. Meeting of the Chamber of Deputies. Motion of La Fayette. They com-
mand the Attendance of the Ministers. Debates in the Secret Committee. The
Chamber intimate their Desire that Buonaparte should abdicate. Reflections on
their Right to require this Sacrifice. Conduct of Napoleon, and his indecision.
He holds a Council. Ferment in the Chamber of Deputies. The Emperor's Abdi-
cation is presented to them. Their Address on the Occasion. Ney's Speech in the
House of Peers. Furious Debate on acknowledging Napoleon II. Labedoyere's
violent Harangue. Debate on the same Subject in the other Chamber. Napoleon
II. is indirectly acknowledged. Buonaparte's farewell Proclamation to the Army.
He is removed to Malmaison. His situation there. Placed under the Superinten-
dance of General Beker, and removed to Rochefort. Proclamation of Louis
XVIII. Reflections on the Principle of Legitimacy, as applied to Monarchical
Right,
249
256
CHAP. XVII.
Military Movements, Flight of the French to their own Frontiers, Retreat of
Grouchy's Division. Battle at Namur. Grouchy escapes to Laon. Advance of
the Allies. Capture of Avesnes by the Prussians-Their Severity to the French.
Moderation of the British-Who take Cambray and Peronne. French Commis-
sioners come to treat of Peace. Armistice refused. Conference at Haguenau.
Fouché secretly embraces the Interest of the Bourbons. Advance of the Allied