occurrence ; and instead of taking a hint from the revola: tions which he beholds, to retire in time, he adheres more closely to his situation, assigning as his reason for this determination, the years he has already spent in the office, and the experience which he has already acquired. Thus it was in the present instance, though nothing was more easy than to have shown that the grounds alleged for the residence of sir William Hamilton at Naples were such as proved the necessity of his recall. During his long abode in that place, the character of the court, and the state of the nation, had been greatly degraded; and of late years this deterioration had proceeded with a velocity that ought to have made an intelligent and virtuous observer more disgusted at such a sink of debauchery, than desirous of continuing to witness, its folly and its downfall. But, like the patriarch of old, the ambassador had been now so long accustomed to the scenery and manners of Naples, that he could not bear the idea of withdrawing from it, though the political hemisphere already began to give alarming symptoms of pouring down an overwhelming torrent on that and all the neighbouring states.

Wrong as it was in sir William to cling thus closely to his appointment, at a juncture which was pregnant with events, against which he could be ill provided by his studies and habits, still greater blame attaches to the councils of those who complied with his wishes in continuing him, when they ought to have been sensible that an energetic administration at home must be crippled in its exertions, if it does not employ legations of a similar character abroad. Unfortunately, however, while the greatest zeal was manifested by the English government for the preservation of social order throughout the family of Europe, the good intentions of our ministry were frustrated by the superior talents of the agents which were employed in foreign courts by the other powers. It may seem strange,

that political discussions should take place in such a memoir as the present, but as great events often spring from little causes, there will be no difficulty in showing that the marriage of sir William Hamilton, and his consequent reluctance to quit Naples for England, brought after it a train of momentous circumstances, which ended in a separation of the once united kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Our design here is somewhat above that of affording a little momentary entertainment to the lovers of anecdote, and those who take a delight in reading the details of human folly and depravity. Even the intrigues of Cleopatra, her vice and extravagance, might have been buried in oblivion, had it not been for their great political effects, the history of which could not well be understood without a minute account of her character, and a narrative of her conduct and connexions. Differing in degree, but corresponding in disposition and adventures, the wife of the English ambassador at Naples has obtained, and will continue to occupy, a place in history, which therefore gives the particulars of her life more importance than such a subject could otherwise possess.

Sir William Hamilton and his lady both choosing, for many substantial reasons, to remain in Italy rather than to return to their native country, laid themselves out with the greatest assiduity in cultivating the favour of the king and queen; who on their part were, for reasons just as liberal, equally desirous of retaining his excellency at their court. The ambassador, accordingly, did all that lay in his power to gain the personal good-will of the monarch, by presenting him with double-barrelled guns, procuring brass carronades for his yacht, and, what was worse, by spending that time in field sports which ought to have been employed in counteracting the influence of the French, German, and other agents, and in endeavouring to ipfuse an energy into the Neapolitan government, by

laying before every member of it a full exposition of the evils which threatened the existence of the state. The apathy of sir William at this eventful period was rendered still more culpable by the part which he suffered his lady to take in the private concerns and pleasures of the queen, to whose propensities and connexions he was far from being a stranger. The palace of Naples might indeed have rivalled that of Agrippina, in the nature and variety of wanton amusement, the arts made use of to gratify the worst passions, and the utter disregard of every divine and human law, with respect to the means of indulging a vitiated appetite. Nor did that goverment in tyranny and cruelty fall short of the Roman empire in its worst state; as the following instance will sufficiently prove. There was an English banker at Naples, of considerable reputation, and who was indeed equally respected by natives and foreigners. On this person the English ambassador was accustomed to draw his bills, and lady Hamilton did the same, by her husband's permission. But her demands in this way became at length so quick and exorbitant, that Mr. Mackinnon, the banker, though he had authority to advance money on a public account to his excellency, thought it prudent to refuse compliance with her ladyship's order till he should receive further instructions.

Whether this act of resistance to her will produced what followed, must be left to the judgment of the reader; but so it was, that the next day a file of musketeers surrounded the banker's dwelling, and having taken Mr. Mackinnon into custody, carried him to the castle of Uovo, where he was plunged into a dungeon, exposed to every nuisance, and suffering the alternate extremes of a burning sun in the day, and the keen severity of the cold winds during the night After remaining in this durance some time, without either knowing the cause of his confinement,

or having the means of bringing his case before a legal tribunal, a basket of iced fruit was brought him one day as a present. This article of luxury, which is always a choice treat at Naples, could not fail to prove very acceptable to one who had been compelled to live on the coarse fare of a prison. Mr. Mackinnon, however, having experienced some civilities from the officer of the guard, fortunately gave him an invitation to partake of this agreeable entertainment. The officer, looking at the fruit, and then at the prisoner, asked him how it was possible that any man, who had lived at Naples so long as he had done, should think of receiving conserves, or any thing of this kind, from unknown persons; on saying which, he gave some of the contents of the basket to an animal, which died in convulsions in a few minutes.

The worthy gentleman, whose life was thus attacked by the most infamous means, contrived to make his escape by the assistance of some friends, who sent into the castle one day a large basket, or hamper, filled with clothes. Soon after, one of the strongest porters in Naples was employed to bring out this basket, in which the banker was deposited, covered with linen so effectually as to be completely concealed. The porter staggered under his load till he came outside the castle, and on reaching a low and narrow bridge, he placed the basket on the parapet, where it actually rocked to and fro by the violence of the wind, which blew very hard from the sea. Luckily, howthe labourer, after resting a little while, and execrating his heavy burthen, took it again upon his shoulders, and arrived safely at the place appointed, without meeting with any molestation. It may naturally be supposed that Naples was no longer a safe residence for one who had thus eluded the vengeance of his enemies; and Mr. Mackinnon accordingly made the best of his way out of

ever,

a country which was overrun with spies, and wholly destitute of justice.

CHAPTER IX.

A rebellion, or an invasion, alarms and puts the public upon its defence; but a corruption of principles works its ruin more slowly, perhaps, but more surely....Berkeley.

THE murder of the virtuous but too gentle Louis XVI. and of his accomplished queen, by the wretches who profaned the name of liberty in France, seems at last to have roused the Neapolitan court to some apprehension of their danger; and when the war broke out that year, this state made a common cause with the other powers against the new republic, which threatened to annihilate every monarchy in Europe.

In August following, the inhabitants of Toulon, and the neighbouring parts, being wearied out by the sanguinary oppressions of the republican government, determined to throw off the yoke, and to put themselves under the protection of the English. For this purpose, a deputation waited upon admiral lord Hood, then commanding on that station; and that gallant veteran, having felt the importance of the proposition, very readily acceded to it, at the same time taking every step that he could to preserve the Toulonese from their inveterate enemies. Knowing the necessity of a military force under such circumtances, lord Hood despatched captain Nelson, of the Agamemnon, to sir William Hamilton, at Naples, requesting his good offices with the government there, to send such a supply of troops as could be spared. On the arrival of the English ship in the bay, the captain waited on the ambassador, who introduced him to their Sicilian majesties, by