gerous formalities. An embargo has been laid on our vessels, and a squadron sent into the Scheldf, to interrupt our operations in the Low Countries.

"Let one idea, therefore, electrify your fouls. Remember you fight, not merely for yourselves, but for every nation in Europe. Let the trader forget his commerce to become a privateer; and let thofe, who can furnish corn and other provifions, renounce all fpeculation, and carry plenty into our markets. Let every citizen be ready to march, like a Roman foldier, not only with his arms, but also with provisions for a given time.

"Let Frenchmen compofe but one great army. Let all France be one camp. Let us prepare for ruins and misfortunes, and accuftom ourselves to live without thofe comforts, which we once might have deemed neceffary. The moment is approaching, when it will be a crime for one citizen to have two coats, whilft one fingle brother or foldier fhall be uncloathed.

"A declaration of war against England, is, at the fame time, a declaration of war against the ftadtholder, who, during the whole courfe of the revolution, has favoured the emigrants and Pruffians, and treated with infolence the French government, and now joining his veffels to thofe of England, again favours our enemies, in reftraining the importation of corn into France."

The

The most remarkable late events befides, are, a declaration of war on the part of his holiness the pope, the maffacre of the French ambaffador at Rome, and the arrival of Dumourier at Dunkirk, to put himself at the head of the French troops, for an immediate invafion of Holland.

About eight days after the king's execution, monfieur, his brother, iffued a proclamation at Ham in Weftphalia, declaring himself regent of France, during the minority of his nephew; and foon after the dauphin was proclaimed king of France, under the title of Louis XVII. at Coblentz, and acknowledged as fuch by the king of Pruffia and emperor,

On the 24th of February, the foot guards, commanded by the duke of York, embarked for Holland, in order to affift the Dutch, who had opened their fluices, and laid part of their country under water, to prevent the invafion of the French.

The fame day Breda furrendered to the French, after a great number of bombs were thrown into it, which made confiderable havoc among the houses.

On the firft of March, the Auftrian army, under general Clairfait, repulfed the, French army, and compelled them to retreat beyond Aldenhaven, with the lofs on the fide of the French of 2000 men killed, wounded or taken prifoners, 12 pieces of cannon, 13 ammunition waggons, and the military cheft. K 6

On

.

On the following day, his royal highness the archduke attacked feveral French batteries, and took nine pieces of cannon..

On the third of March, the prince de Saxe Co-. bourg obtained a moft complete victory over the French, chafing them out of Aix la Chapelle, as far as Liege, with a lofs, on their part, of 4000 killed,. 1600 priföners, and more than 20 pieces of

cannon..

On the fame day prince Frederic of Brunswicktook fome batteries at Zwalme, killed 1300 of the French at Brugge, took 700 prifoners,, and marched towards Ruremonde..

The French retired from before Maeftricht: with precipitation, and left some baggage and cannon. They had thrown above 6000 fhells into the

town.

A

CHA P. LXXXV..

ON RHETORIC.

RH HETORIC is the art of speaking with pro

priety on any subject, being derived from the

Greek word reo, I fpeak. Its principal end is to inftruct, perfuade, and please.

I

The

The words rhetoric and oratory are nearly of the fame fignification. They are often used indifferently for each other, though fome diftinguish between them as between theory and practice, making it the bufinefs of a rhetorician to lay down rules and precepts for fpeaking elegantly, and of an orator to use and apply them judiciously in practice.

The art of rhetorie, if taken in its full extent, is almost as ancient as the use of speech; for eloquence moyed men to live in fociety, to give mutual affistance and inftruction to each other, to fubmit to laws, and seriously to consider and regulate their affairs..

Hence it is plain there must be two forts of eloquence, the one more fimple, fuited to familiar intercourse, or conversation, and to the ordinary dealings and commerce of the world; the other of a higher nature, and more proper for discourses and harangues in public.

Eloquence has always flourished amongst a free people. Greece was remarkable for it, before it was over-run by Alexander, and his captains; as was Rome, before the introduction of defpotifm by the Cæfars. I am far from thinking that either freedom or eloquence are confined to a republicanform of government. The riches, the honours,. and the glorious recompences attending it in Athens

and

and Rome, made it flourish there, and rife to a furprising height; and accordingly its credit failed. and funk, as it loft its encouragement and reward. In every age and country, therefore, where oratory is properly esteemed and encouraged, men will be excited to the study of eloquence, and make vigorous efforts to bring it to its ancient perfection.

Some may think that the art of rhetoric is a matter of little importance, and not worth the labour and application it demands. But let them confider of what ufe it is, on many occafions, efpecially at the bar, in the pulpit, and in the fenatehoufe. Let them confider, that Eloquence, that fair enchantrefs, that univerfal miftrefs of hearts, has been feen to calm and affuage, in a moment, an unruly and mutinous people. She has been feen, in the public deliberations of a confused assembly, to make unhoped for impreffions upon the moft obftinate and prejudiced minds. She has been feen in camps and armies, going from rank to rank, giving life and vigour to the foldiers by the mouth of their generals, and at last triumphing by the arms of thofe, whoin fhe had first conquered by her reafons.

CHAP.