Sympathy in Ireland for the French Revolution—Intrigues with the French—Attitude of the Roman Catholics—Failure of Fitzwilliam's Efforts at Reform—Open Rebellion begins—The Mission of Fitzgerald and O'Connor to France—Disclosure of the Conspiracy2—Arrest of Fitzgerald and his Confederates—Outbreak of the Rebellion—Battle of Vinegar Hill—Arrival of Humbert's Expedition—Its brief Success and Surrender—Suicide of Wolfe Tone—Desire of France to invade England—Napoleon advises the Expedition to Egypt—He gives Nelson the slip—His gigantic Projects—Surrender of Malta—Nelson's Pursuit—Napoleon's Campaign—Battle of the Pyramids—Surrender of Cairo—Battle of the Nile (or Aboukir Bay)—Pitt's second Coalition3—The Income Tax—Projected union of Great Britain and Ireland—Proclamation of the Parthenopean Republic—Italy regained5 by the Coalition—Suppression of the Revolution in Naples—The Allies in Holland—Napoleon's March into Syria—His Defeat at Acre—Battle of Aboukir—Napoleon returns to France—Coup6 d'état of the 18th Brumaire—Death of Tippoo Sahib—Napoleon's Letter to the King—The union with Ireland—Means by which it was carried—Its Reception in England—Napoleon Crosses the Alps—Battle of Marengo—The French recover Lombardy—Battle of Hohenlinden—Treaty of Lunéville—Corn Riots—Breach7 with Russia—Pitt's Resignation—The King's Illness—The Addington Ministry8—Revival of the Armed Neutrality—Battle of Copenhagen—Peace between Britain and the Northern Powers—The Expedition to Egypt—Battle of Alexandria—Evacuation of Egypt by the French—Negotiations9 for Peace—Treaty of Amiens.
Britain had seen her Continental11 Allies fall away one by one. The time was now approaching when some good allies might have been very useful to herself, if such people were ever to be found. We have seen that, during the American Revolution, the rebellious12 colonists13 found admirable allies in the Irish. They had no difficulty in exciting disturbances14 amongst that ardent15 Celtic race, and thus greatly to augment16 our difficulties. No sooner did the French commence the work of revolution than the Irish became transported with admiration17 of their doings. Not all the bloodshed and horrors of that wild drama could abate18 their delight in them, and their desire to invite them over to liberate19 Ireland, as they had liberated20 Belgium. These views found expression in the north of Ireland, especially in Belfast and other places, where the population was Presbyterian and to a certain extent Republican. The Roman Catholics were inert21, and disposed to wait patiently. Ever since the American revolt the necessity of conciliating the Irish had been impressed on the British Government, and many important concessions23 had been granted them. They had not yet obtained Catholic emancipation24, but the public mind was ripening25 for it, and the chief difficulty was the opposition26 of the extreme Protestant party in the Irish Parliament. Whatever were the evils which England had inflicted27 on Ireland, they were nothing compared with those which French fraternity would have perpetrated. But the United Irishmen, as the revolutionaries called themselves, could see nothing of this, not even after all the world had witnessed the French mode of liberating28 Belgium, and French waggons29, guarded by soldiers, were day after day, and month after month, bearing over the Alps the priceless chefs-d'?uvre of the arts from ravaged30 Italy. In the spring of 1798 the preparations of the French Directory for the invasion of Ireland were too open and notorious to be overlooked by anybody.
The British Government had employed the best portion of the Session of Parliament between the commencement of November and Christmas, 1797, in receiving the report of the insults of the French Commissioners33 at Lille to our Ambassador, and his summary dismissal from the place of meeting without any chance of peace, and in voting money to carry on the war at our own doors. Pitt called for the grant of twenty-five million five hundred thousand pounds, and for trebling all the assessed taxes. All this was readily granted. In April, 1798, he called for three millions, and that was as freely conceded. In fact, by that time, the Irish were on the very verge36 of appearing in arms to cast off the yoke37 of England and accept the boasted fraternity of France. Lord Edward Fitzgerald, brother of the Duke of Leinster, one of the leading members of the Society of United Irishmen, had spent some time in France during the Revolution. He had married Pamela, the daughter of Madame de Genlis. To him, on his return to Ireland, French emissaries of revolution were secretly sent over, and he introduced them to the leading members of the projected revolt. In 1794 a Jacobinised Irishman, the Rev1. William Jackson, came over from Paris, at the time of the fiercest raging of the Reign38 of Terror, to concert with Wolfe Tone and his fellow-conspirators39 the plans of insurrection. At the very time that some of these—Bond, Simon Butler, and Hamilton Rowan—were[461] tried as accomplices40 of the Scottish reformers, Muir and the rest, and acquitted41 as men only seeking reform of Parliament, they were deep in this scheme of French invasion. Jackson was arrested in Dublin, was tried and convicted of high treason, but anticipated his sentence by suicide. The most public display of sympathy with his views and mission was made by a vast attendance of carriages at his funeral, and the features of rebellion became so undisguised that a stop was put to all questions of political concession22 and amelioration.
DUBLIN CASTLE. (From a Photograph by W. Lawrence, Dublin.)
[See larger version]
Hitherto the United Irishmen had obtained little support from the Catholics, who were entirely42 out of sympathy with the Protestantism of one section of the party, and the irreligion of Wolfe Tone and his immediate43 associates. They preferred to look to the British Government, and especially to Pitt who was known to be favourable44 to the Catholic claims. But the Protestants in the Irish Parliament were too strong for him, and only a few remedial measures were passed and those inconsiderable in extent. In 1792 Sir Hercules Langrishe, with the consent of the Government, succeeded in carrying a Bill which admitted Catholics to the profession of the law, removed restrictions45 on their education, and repealed47 the Intermarriage Act. In 1793 the Irish Secretary, Major Hobart, succeeded, after much Government pressure, in carrying a second Catholic Relief Bill, admitting Catholics to the grand juries, magistracy, and finally to the franchise48, though not to Parliament. Further than that Pitt could not be induced to go. He would neither consent to the admission of Catholics to Parliament, nor would he consent to a measure of Parliamentary reform, though the state of the representation was about as rotten as could possibly be conceived. From an inquiry49 instituted some years earlier it appeared that out of a House of 300 members 124 were nominated by 53 peers, while 91 others were chosen by 52 commoners. The British ascendency was, in fact, maintained by a system of organised corruption51 and place-holding, which failed only when religious bigotry52 carried the day.
Disappointed in their hopes from England, educated Roman Catholic opinion in Ireland began to drift towards the United Irishmen, in spite of the[462] peasants' war that was rife53 in various parts of the country between the members of the two religions. Suddenly their expectations received an unlooked-for impulse. During the spring of 1794 Pitt determined55 to send over Lord Fitzwilliam, who was heir to the Marquis of Rockingham and a prominent member of the Portland Whigs, as Lord-Lieutenant. It was clearly understood that Fitzwilliam should be allowed to inaugurate a policy of reform, but Pitt wished that reform to be gradual and cautious. It is plain that he gave Grattan intimation to that effect, and that Grattan thought the stipulation56 a reasonable one, but it is equally clear that he somehow or other failed to make much impression upon Fitzwilliam. No sooner had the new Lord-Lieutenant arrived in Ireland than he proceeded to dismiss Castle officials before he could possibly have had time to inquire into the rights and wrongs of their cases, and with equal abruptness57 turned out the Attorney, and Solicitor-General, and Mr. Beresford, the Commissioner32 of Revenue, the head of the most powerful of the Protestant families. The result was a violent outcry, which was increased when he proceeded, in conjunction with Grattan, to draw up a Bill for the immediate granting of the Catholic claims. The Ascendency party clamoured for his recall, and the Lord Chancellor58 Fitzgibbon represented to the king that to admit Roman Catholics to Parliament would be to violate his Coronation Oath. Pitt was obliged to give way, and on March 25th, 1794, Fitzwilliam left Ireland, amidst every sign of national mourning. The incident is a melancholy59 one, but a calm review of the circumstances produces the conclusion that the indiscretion of Lord Fitzwilliam was very much the cause of it.
After the departure of Fitzwilliam an open rebellion began. But the measures of his successor, Lord Camden, were at once moderate and prompt. A vigilant60 eye was kept on the agents of sedition61 and the Democratic clubs, which swarmed62 all over Ireland, as much in the Presbyterian north as in the Catholic south. Wolfe Tone and Hamilton Rowan had escaped to the United States; but there they fell in with Dr. Reynolds, Napper Tandy, and other enthusiastic Irish revolutionists. Tone was supplied with money, and dispatched to France to stimulate64 the Directory to the Irish invasion. He arrived at Havre in February, 1796, and on reaching Paris he presented letters from M. Adet, the French Minister to the United States, and was warmly received by Carnot, General Clarke, acting65 as Minister of War, and the Duke de Feltre. He was assured that General Hoche should be sent over with a resistless army as soon as it could be got ready, but the Directory desired to see some other of the leading members of the United Irishmen before engaging in the enterprise. Tone promised General Clarke one thousand pounds a year for life, and similar acknowledgments to all the other officers, on the liberation of Ireland; and he solicited66 for himself the rank of Brigadier-General, with immediate pay, and obtained it.
Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Mr. Arthur O'Connor, nephew of Lord Longueville, went over to Paris to arrange the invasion. In London, Fitzgerald, his French wife, who accompanied him, and O'Connor, were entertained by members of the Opposition, and dined at the house of a peer in company with Fox, Sheridan, and several other leading Whigs; and Thomas Moore, in his Life of Fitzgerald, more than hints that he made no secret to these patriots68 of the object of his journey, for he was of a very free-talking and open Irish temperament69. The friends of Fox have been inclined to doubt this discreditable fact, but no one was more likely than Moore to be well informed about it; and when Fitzgerald and O'Connor were on their trial, not only Fox, but Sheridan, Lord John Russell, the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk, Lords Thanet and Oxford70 came forward, and gave them both the highest character as excellent, honourable71 men. These emissaries reached Basle, by way of Hamburg, in the spring of 1797, and there, through Barthélemy, negotiated with the Directory. The Directory objected to receive Lord Edward Fitzgerald at Paris, on account of his connection with the Orléans family through his wife, lest the people should imagine that it was with some design on the Orléans estate; he therefore returned again to Hamburg, and O'Connor proceeded to Paris and arranged for the expedition under General Hoche, whose disastrous72 voyage we have already related. Fitzgerald and O'Connor did not reach Ireland again without the British Government being made fully73 aware of their journey and its object, from a lady fellow-traveller with Fitzgerald to Hamburg, to whom, with a weak and, as it concerned the fate of thousands, unpardonable garrulity74, he had disclosed the whole. Almost simultaneously75 the arrest of the revolutionary committee of the North disclosed a systematic76 and well-organised conspiracy. In March, 1797, General Lake proceeded to disarm77 the revolutionaries in Ulster, and accomplished78 his task with ruthless severity.
[463]
Still, emissaries continued to pass to and fro, and notwithstanding that the promised armament had failed to reach Ireland, the impatient Irish were determined to rise. In February, 1798, they sent appeals to the French to come over, assuring them that they had three hundred thousand men banded to receive them, who only wanted arms; and Talleyrand sent them word that a fresh armament was preparing. But on the 28th of that month, O'Connor, one O'Coigley, an Irish priest, and Burns, a leading member of the London Corresponding Society, were arrested at Margate as they were about to embark79 for France. Papers found on O'Coigley, or Quigley, proved his treason. One was a direct invitation to the French to send an army into England, as certain to prevent the sending of British forces into Ireland, and thus to make the descent there sure. He was condemned80 and executed, but Burns was acquitted, and O'Connor remanded for fresh evidence. That was soon forthcoming; for one Thomas Reynolds, who had been the treasurer82 for the insurgents83 in his county, and also a colonel in the intended revolutionary army, being pressed for money, betrayed his associates. In consequence of the information which he gave, a number of the conspirators were arrested at their place of meeting. The four chief leaders, however, were not there, as expected, namely, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Emmet, Sampson, and MacNevin, but they were afterwards secured. Lord Edward Fitzgerald was surprised at one Murphy's, 153, Thomas Street, Dublin, and made a desperate resistance. He attacked Major Swan, who presented the warrant, with a dagger84, and, being a powerful man, was very formidable. Major Swan discharged a pistol at him, but missed. Captain Ryan, next entering, was stabbed mortally by Lord Edward, and a bloody85 struggle ensued, Captain Ryan, who was, practically speaking, unarmed, behaving with great courage and self-sacrificing heroism86. Major Sirr, who had surrounded the house with soldiers, then rushed in and fired at Fitzgerald, and wounded him in the shoulder. He was then overpowered and secured by the soldiers, and conveyed first of all to Dublin Castle and then to Newgate. This took place on the 19th of May. Captain Ryan died of his wounds on the 30th. Lord Edward died of fever, the consequence of his wounds, and of mortification87 at the failure of the enterprise (June 4).
On the 23rd, the day fixed88 for the rising, the insurgents turned out in many places, notwithstanding the arrest of their leaders. They did not succeed at Carlow, Naas, and Kilcullen. But, on the 25th, fourteen thousand of them, under one Father Murphy, attacked Wexford, defeated the garrison89 which came out to meet them, took a considerable number of prisoners, whom they put to death, and frightened the town into a surrender on the 30th. They treated such Protestants as remained in the place with the utmost barbarity. They took Enniscorthy and, seizing some cannon90, encamped on Vinegar Hill. On the 31st they were attacked by General Lake, who drove them from their camp, made a great slaughter91 of them, and then retook Wexford and Enniscorthy. General Johnson attacked another party which was plundering93 the town of New Ross, killing94 and wounding two thousand six hundred of them. On this news reaching Scullabogue, the insurgents there massacred about one hundred Protestant prisoners in cold blood. These massacres96 of the Protestants, and the Presbyterians in the north having been too cautious to rise, after the betrayal of the plot, caused the whole to assume the old character of a Popish rebellion. Against this the leading Catholics protested, and promptly97 offered their aid to Government to suppress it. Of the leaders, MacCann, Byrne, two brothers named Sheares, the sons of a banker at Cork98, were executed. The success of the soldiers was marked by worse cruelty than that of the rebels; for instance, at Carlow about 200 persons were hanged or shot. Arthur O'Connor, Emmet, MacNevin, Sampson, and a number of others, were banished100. Lord Cornwallis was appointed Lord-Lieutenant in place of Lord Camden, and pardons were assured to those who made their submission101. All now seemed over, when in August there appeared at Killala three French frigates102, which landed nine hundred men, who were commanded by General Humbert. Why the French should send such a mere104 handful of men into Ireland, who must inevitably105 be sacrificed or made prisoners, can perhaps only be accounted for by the assurances of the disaffected106 Irish, that the whole mass of the people, at least of the Catholics, were ready to rise and join them. But if that were true—if, as Wolfe Tone assured them, there were three hundred thousand men already disciplined, and only in need of arms, it would have been sufficient to have sent them over arms. But then Tone, who had grown as utterly107 reckless as any sansculotte Frenchman, described the riches of Ireland, which were to repay the invaders108, as something prodigious109. In his memorial to the Directory he declared that the French were to go shares with[464] the nation whom they went to liberate, in all the church, college, and chapter lands, in the property of the absentee landlords, which he estimated at one million pounds per annum, in that of all Englishmen, and in the income of Government, which he calculated at two millions of pounds per annum. General Humbert, who had been in the late expedition, and nearly lost his life in the Droits de l'Homme, no doubt expected to see all the Catholic population flocking around him, eager to put down their oppressors; but, so far from this, all classes avoided him, except a few of the most wretched Catholic peasants. At Castlebar he was met by General Lake, with a force much superior in numbers, but chiefly yeomanry and militia110. Humbert readily dispersed112 these—the speed of their flight gaining for the battle the name of the Castlebar Races—and marched on through Connaught, calling on the people to rise, but calling in vain. He had made this fruitless advance for about seventeen days when he was met by Lord Cornwallis with a body of regular troops, and defeated. Finding his retreat cut off, he surrendered on the 8th of September, and he and his followers113 became prisoners of war. But the madness or delusion114 of the French Government had not yet reached its height; a month after this surrender Sir John Warren fell in with a French line-of-battle ship and eight frigates, bearing troops and ammunition115 to Ireland. He captured the ship of the line and three of the frigates, and on board of the man-of-war was discovered the notorious Wolfe Tone, the chief instigator116 of these insane incursions, and who, before sailing, had recorded in his diary, as a matter of boast, that every day his heart was growing harder, that he would take a most dreadful vengeance117 on the Irish aristocracy. He was condemned to be hanged, but he managed to cut his throat in prison (November 19, 1798). And thus terminated these worse than foolish attempts of France on Ireland, for they were productive of great miseries118, both at sea and on land, and never were conducted on a scale or with a force capable of producing any permanent result.
Meanwhile, Buonaparte, summoned by the Directory to take the command of the army of England, had arrived in Paris on the 5th of December, 1797, and had taken up his abode119 in his former residence, in the Rue99 Chantereine, which the Commune immediately changed, in honour of the conquest of Italy, into the Rue de la Victoire. But it was necessary that Buonaparte should prepare for the invasion of England, for which purpose he had been called home. All France was in transports of joy at the thought of seeing England at last overrun. The Directory had raised their cry of "Delenda est Carthago!" "It is at London," they said, "that all the misfortunes of Europe are manufactured; it is in London that they must be terminated." On the 8th of February, 1798, Napoleon left Paris to obtain information as to the coasts of the English Channel, preparatory to the sailing of the armament. He visited étaples, Ambleteuse, Boulogne, Calais, Dunkirk, Furnes, Nieuwport, Ostend, and Walcheren, making at these different ports the necessary surveys, and holding long and earnest conversations with sailors, pilots, smugglers, and fishermen. He returned to Paris on the 22nd, having, in a fortnight, quite satisfied himself that the attempt had better be relinquished121 so long as England commanded the sea.
But though the abandonment, for the present, of this enterprise, so fondly cherished by France, was calculated to cast a damp on the country, Buonaparte had another project ready which flattered the French pride of conquest. This was to seize on Egypt, as the preliminary to the fall of Britain. He had for some time entertained this idea, and had written from Italy to the Directory on the subject in the previous September. To insure the real destruction of England, he said, they must make themselves masters of Egypt. Malta and Corfu must be seized first, and for this purpose he conceived eight or ten sail of the line and twenty-five thousand men would suffice. The possession of Egypt, he contended, would draw all the commerce of the East thither123, instead of taking the circuitous124 route by the Cape63 of Good Hope. He had thoroughly126 inspired Talleyrand with his scheme. Egypt was imagined to be much more wealthy than it was, and there were monuments of ancient art for Buonaparte and his right-hand bandit, Monge, to lay hands on. The Directory, which was extremely unpopular, uneasy at the presence of so popular and daring a person, were glad to be rid of him anywhere, the farther off the better. There were not wanting counsellors who already advised him to perpetrate a coup d'état, and place himself at the head of affairs; but Buonaparte, not at all averse127 from the prospect128, replied, "The pear is not ripe." He knew that, however popular with his own army, he was looked on with jealousy129 by the army of the Rhine, which served under, and prided themselves in, Moreau. He knew that the middle classes hated him for sweeping130 them away with grape-shot in the affair of the Sections. He hoped to make[465] himself yet more popular and more necessary, and that in the meantime the Directory would have completed their full measure of odium. He now therefore plunged131 into arrangements for this grand conquest of the East.
CAPTURE OF WOLFE TONE. (See p. 464.)
[See larger version]
The preparations for invasion turned the attention of the British Government to ports where it was supposed the troops would be embarked132. Ostend was regarded with particular suspicion, and Sir Home Popham was sent in May with a small squadron, conveying a thousand men, under Colonel Coote, to destroy the ships and sluices133 of the Bruges canal there. The troops were landed, and did their work, but found themselves unable to regain4 the ships from the violence of the wind and the surf, and were surrounded and compelled to surrender. In the autumn of this year Admiral Duckworth sailed for Minorca, and landed eight hundred men, under Sir Charles Stuart, who readily made themselves masters of the island.
Meanwhile, the fleet which was to bear Buonaparte to Egypt was lying in various squadrons in the ports of Genoa, Civita Vecchia, and Bastia, ready, when any adverse134 wind should drive the British fleet from the coast, where it blockaded them, to drop down to Toulon and join the main body. On board of these vessels135 were thirty thousand men, chiefly from the army of Italy. Nelson, with a numerous fleet, was maintaining the blockade, though the secret of the fleet's destination had been so well kept that it was only surmised137 that Egypt might be its destination. Buonaparte himself had been recalled to Paris. A sudden message sent him back to Toulon. A gale138 had driven Nelson's fleet from the coast, and so much damaged it that he was obliged to make for Sardinia to repair. The moment was come; the different squadrons joined from the Italian ports, and the Egyptian armament issued on the 19th of May from Toulon. Napoleon was on the mission destined139, he believed, to conquer Egypt, and thus to place not only a powerful barrier between us and our Indian possessions, but, having established a strong empire in Egypt and Syria, to enable France to maintain a large fleet in the Persian Gulf140, and to accomplish the invasion and conquest of British India by land or sea, with the aid of Tippoo Sahib, who was once more at war with[466] Britain. Nay141, like another Alexander, the boundless142 ambition of Buonaparte—an ambition which was his final ruin—contemplated143 the conquest of all Asia and the founding of a giant empire there. "If St. Jean d'Acre," he said to Las Cases, "had yielded to the French arms, a great revolution would have been accomplished in the East. The general-in-chief would have founded an empire there, and the destinies of France would have undergone different combinations from those to which they were subjected." He would have come back and proceeded to the conquest of Europe.
With such chimerical144 fancies, the young Corsican saw the fleet, on a splendid morning, stand out into the Mediterranean145, the line-of-battle ships extending for a league, and the semicircle formed by the convoy146 six leagues in extent. On their way to Malta, the first object of their enterprise, they were joined by a large fleet of transports, bringing the division of General Desaix. On the 10th they were before Valetta, a fortress147 which, properly defended, would have set the French at defiance148 for months, before which time the British Admiral would have been upon them, and destroyed the whole scheme of the expedition, and probably its commander and projector149 with it; but the surrender of the place had been bargained for with the Grand Master, Hompesch, before starting. The once formidable Knights150 of Malta were now sunk in indolence and sensual sloth151, and the French agent had agreed for the surrender for a bribe152 of six hundred thousand francs to the Grand Master. As General Caffarelli passed through the most formidable defences with Napoleon on their way to the house of the Grand Master, he said to him, "It is well, General, that there was some one within to open the gates for us. We should have had more trouble in entering if the place had been altogether empty."
A strong garrison was left in Malta, under General Vaubois, and on the 16th the fleet was again under sail. As they were off the coast of Crete, and the savants were gazing on the birthplace of Jupiter, and speculating on the existence of the remains153 of the celebrated154 labyrinth155, Nelson, who had missed the French fleet, and had sailed in quest of it, was near enough to be perceived by some of the frigates on the look-out, and created a terrible panic. But Nelson, not having frigates to send out as scouts156, did not observe them, and suspecting that Egypt was their destination he made all sail for Alexandria. Finding no traces of them there, in his impatience157 he returned towards Malta. If he had but waited a while they would have come to him; but on reaching Malta and finding that they had taken and manned it, he again put about and made for Alexandria. He had actually been seen by some of the French frigates as he was crossing their track on his return from Alexandria, and Napoleon was impatient to reach land before he could overtake them again. On the 1st of July the French fleet came in sight of Alexandria, and saw before them the city of the Ptolemies and Cleopatra with its pharos and obelisks158. The landing was effected at Marabout, about a league and a half from Alexandria.
As soon as five or six thousand of his troops were landed, Buonaparte commenced his march on Alexandria. The Turks manned the walls, and resisted furiously, incensed159 at this invasion by a Power with which they were nominally160 at peace. But the walls were ruinous; the French forced their way over several breaches161, and commenced an indiscriminate massacre95. The place was abandoned to pillage162 for four hours. As the Mamelukes were hated by the Arabs and the Copts, and were the military mercenaries of the country, chiefly recruited from Georgia and Circassia, Buonaparte determined to destroy them. He considered that he should thus rid himself of the only formidable power in Egypt, and at the same time conciliate the Bedouins and Fellahs. On the 7th of July he set out on his march for Cairo with his whole force. He marched up the bank of the Nile, but at such a distance as to prevent the soldiers from getting any water to quench163 their burning thirst. It was all that Buonaparte could do to keep his troops in subordination. For fourteen days this melancholy march was continued, when they came at once in sight of the Pyramids, not far distant from Cairo, and of the army of the Mamelukes, drawn164 up across their way, headed by Murad Bey. This force consisted of five thousand cavalry165—Mamelukes, mounted on the finest Arabian horses in the world, trained to obey the slightest touch of the rein120, to advance, wheel, or fly with wonderful rapidity. The riders were all fine men, armed with sabres, pistols, and blunderbusses of the best English workmanship. They were deemed invincible166 and were ruthlessly cruel. They presented in appearance the finest body of cavalry in the world, the plumes167 of their turbans waving in the air, and their arms glittering in the sun. There were, moreover, twenty thousand infantry168 lying in a slightly-entrenched camp on their right;[467] but these were a mere rabble—fellaheen, or, in other words, peasantry, brought from their fields, and armed with matchlocks. They had forty pieces of cannon to defend the camp, but these had no carriages, being mounted on clumsy wooden frames. Buonaparte drew up his army so as to keep out of gunshot of the camp, and to deal only with the cavalry first. He formed his troops into squares to resist the onslaught of the cavalry; and as he saw the Mamelukes come on, he called to his men, "From yonder Pyramids twenty centuries behold170 your actions!" The Mamelukes came thundering on like a whirlwind, and sending before them the most horrible yells. Murad Bey said he would cut up the French like gourds171. One of the French squares was thrown into confusion, but it recovered itself, and the battle was instantly a scene of the most desperate fury. The Mamelukes fought like demons172; but, finding that they could not break the French ranks, whilst they and their horses were mown down by musketry and artillery173, in despair they flung their pistols at their foes174, backed their horses up to them to break them by kicking, and finding all unavailing, fled. Such as were left wounded on the ground crept forward to cut at the legs of the French soldiers. Both cavalry and infantry then, by swimming their horses, or in boats, attempted to cross the Nile, but the greater part were drowned in the attempt. Murad Bey, with the residue175 of his Mamelukes, escaped into Upper Egypt.
To give to this action greater importance in the eyes of the world, Buonaparte called it the Battle of the Pyramids. He then marched to Cairo, which surrendered without opposition. Napoleon called together a council of about forty of the most distinguished176 sheiks, who were to continue the government of all Lower Egypt, as before his arrival. He professed177 to listen to their counsels, and in fact to be a Mahometan; he said he was not come to destroy the practice of the doctrines178 of the Koran, but to complete the mission of Mahomet; he celebrated the feast of the Prophet with some sheik of eminence179, and joined in the litanies and worship enjoined180 by the Koran.
But Nelson had now tracked the French to their goal, and was preparing to annihilate181 their fleet. Admiral Brueys, unable to enter the harbour of Alexandria, had anchored his ships in the Bay of Aboukir, in a semicircular form, so close in shore that he deemed it impossible for ships of war to thrust themselves between him and the land. He had altogether thirteen ships of war, including his own flagship of one hundred and twenty guns, three of eighty, and nine of seventy-four, flanked by four frigates and a number of gunboats, with a battery of guns and mortars182 on an island in the van. Nelson had also thirteen men-of-war and one five-gun ship, but the French exceeded his by about forty-six guns, three thousand pounds' weight of metal, considerably183 more tonnage, and nearly five thousand men. No sooner did Nelson observe the position of the French fleet than he determined to push his ships between it and the shore. No sooner was this plan settled than Nelson ordered dinner to be served, and on rising from table said, "Before this time to-morrow I shall have gained a peerage, or Westminster Abbey." It was half-past five o'clock on the afternoon of the 1st of August, 1798, when this celebrated battle was commenced. As the British vessels rounded a shoal, to take up their position, the battery of the island played upon them; but this ceased as they came near the French line of vessels, lest they should damage their own countrymen. Unfortunately, Nelson lost the use of the Culloden, a seventy-four, commanded by Captain Trowbridge, which struck on a ledge184 of rocks, and could not be got off in time for the engagement. Nelson's own vessel136 was the first that anchored within half pistol-shot of the Spartiate, the third ship of the French line. The conflict immediately became murderous, and Nelson received a severe wound on the head, which compelled him to go below. The battle continued with a terrible fury till it was so dark that the only light the combatants had to direct their operations was the flashes of their own broadsides. At ten o'clock the Orient, Admiral Brueys' own great ship, was discovered to be on fire. He himself had fallen, killed by a cannon-shot. The stupendous ship continued to burn furiously, lighting185 up the whole scene of action. At eleven it blew up, with an explosion which shook the contending fleets like the shock of an earthquake, and with a stunning186 noise that caused the conflict instantly to cease. A profound silence and a pitchy darkness succeeded for about ten minutes. Nelson, wounded as he was, had rushed upon deck before the explosion, to order every possible succour to be given to the shrieking187 sufferers in the burning ship, and many of the crew had been got into boats and saved. The cannonade was slowly resumed, but when morning dawned two French ships and two frigates only had their colours flying and were able to get away, none[468] of the British vessels except the Zealous188 being in a condition to give chase. The two ships of the line and one of the frigates were afterwards intercepted189 by our Mediterranean fleet, so that of all this fine fleet only one frigate103 escaped. Had Nelson not been wounded, and had Captain Trowbridge been able to bring up his ship, probably not even that frigate would have got away. The British took eight vessels of the line; the rest were destroyed in one way or other. The loss of the British, in killed and wounded, was eight hundred and ninety-five; of the French, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was nine thousand eight hundred and thirty. Brave Brueys, as has been stated already, was slain190. Captain Westcott, of the Majestic191, was the only commander of a ship who fell. Such was the victory of Aboukir; but "victory," said Nelson, "is not a name strong enough for such a scene—it is a conquest!" Fortunately for the French, Admiral Brueys had secured the transports and store-ships in shallow water in the port of Alexandria, where Nelson could not come at them for want of small craft. Half-a-dozen bomb ships would have destroyed them all, and have left Buonaparte totally dependent on the Egyptians for supplies. And these he must have collected by force, for now the news of the destruction of his fleet was spread over all Egypt by bonfires, kindled192 by the Arabs, along the coast and far inland. He was cut off from communication with France. On the 22nd of October the people of Cairo rose on the French, and endeavoured to massacre them; but the French took a bloody vengeance, sweeping them down with grape-shot, pursuing them into their very mosques193, and slaughtering194 in one day five thousand of them.
Nelson, having blockaded the port of Alexandria, sailed to Naples to repair. There he received the news of the intense rejoicing his victory had spread through England, and that he was raised to the peerage by the title of Baron195 Nelson of the Nile. He found Ferdinand of Naples already collecting an army to drive the French from Rome and Tuscany. Austria, Switzerland, and other countries were again in arms. The Treaty of Campo Formio was at an end by the French violation196 of it everywhere, and as it was supposed that Buonaparte would never be allowed to get back again, the spirit of Europe had revived. Nelson, allowing himself as little repose197 as possible, in November had made himself master of the Island of Gozo, separated only by a narrow channel from Malta. He had blockaded Malta itself, and it must soon surrender. Pitt, elated by Nelson's success, and in consequence of the death of the old czarina, Catherine, some two years earlier, now entered into a treaty with her successor, Paul, who was subsidised by a hundred and twelve thousand pounds a month, and great expectations were raised of the effect of his victorious198 general, Suvaroff, leading an army into Italy. The other members of the second grand coalition were Austria, the Princes of Germany, and the Ottoman Empire. Prussia weakly held aloof199. When the British Parliament met on the 20th of November, the late victory and this new alliance with Russia were the themes of congratulation from the throne. Twenty-nine million two hundred and seventy-two thousand pounds were granted with alacrity200 for the ensuing year, and the nation willingly submitted to the imposition of a new impost—the income tax.
The year 1799 opened by the discussion of this new scheme of revenue. It was a mode of making every man tax himself by stating the amount of his income, on which he was to be charged ten per cent., with the exception only of such persons whose incomes were less than two hundred pounds per annum, who were to be charged less than ten per cent. It was to include all who had more than sixty pounds a-year. Pitt calculated the income of the nation at a hundred and two million pounds, which would thus produce a revenue of ten million pounds. To make this excellent device the more palatable201, the increase in the assessed taxes made in the preceding Session was to be repealed. To such a degree did the nation trust the great Minister, that this tax was carried through both Houses with comparatively little difficulty.
A still more important proposition was laid before Parliament by royal message, on the 22nd of January—the union of Ireland with Great Britain. It was argued that the late attempts to bring in a French army, and to alienate202 Ireland from Great Britain altogether, showed the necessity of drawing closer the bonds between the two countries. On the 31st of January a series of resolutions was agreed to as the basis of this union, but for the present year the matter ended in a joint203 address on the subject from both Houses being presented to the king.
LADY HAMILTON WELCOMING THE VICTORS OF THE NILE.
From the Picture by Robert Hillingford.
[See larger version]
[469]
On the Continent the struggle against the French was renewed. The King of Naples and the Emperor of Austria, in alliance with Russia, determined to free Italy of them in the absence of Buonaparte; but without waiting for the arrival of the Austrians and Russians, Ferdinand mustered204 nearly forty thousand men, badly disciplined, and worse officered, and set out to drive the French from Rome. General Mack, still in high repute, was sent from Vienna to command this army, and Ferdinand, a most self-indulgent and unwarlike monarch205, was advised to march with them in person. Nelson was employed, with an addition of some Portuguese206 ships, to land a division of five thousand men of this army at Leghorn. Mack, in true Austrian style, then divided the remaining thirty-two thousand men into five columns, and marched them by different routes towards Rome. Nelson had narrowly watched the man?uvres of Mack, and pronounced him incompetent207, and that the whole would prove a failure. This was speedily realised. Ferdinand, with a portion of his forces, entered Rome in triumph on the 29th of November; but Championnet, the French general, who evacuated209 Rome to concentrate his forces at Terni, soon defeated the other divisions of the Neapolitan army in detail, and Ferdinand fled from Rome back to Naples. But there was now no security for him there. Championnet was marching on that capital with twenty thousand veteran soldiers, and Ferdinand availed himself of Nelson's fleet to get over to Palermo. The lazzaroni defended the deserted210 city for three days with incredible bravery against the French, but they were betrayed by a republican party in the city, which hoisted211 the tricolour flag, surrendered the forts to the enemy, and fired on the defenders212 from the Castle of St. Elmo, which commands the town. Championnet took possession of Naples on the 23rd of January, 1799, and proclaimed a republic under the title of "Respublica Parthenopea."
LORD NELSON. (After the Portrait by Sir William Beechey, R.A.)
[See larger version]
[470]
The Austrians and Russians by this time were in full march for Italy. Leaving the Archduke Charles to cope with Jourdain, who had made himself master of the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein in January, and menaced a march on the Danube, an army of Austrians, under Generals Bellegarde and Hotze, entered Switzerland, re-occupied the Grisons country, drove the French from the St. Gothard, and menaced Massena at Zurich. Another army of Austrians, under old General Mélas, issued from the Tyrol and drove the French General, Scherer, from post to post in Upper Italy, till he took refuge behind the Mincio. Moreau was then sent to supersede213 Scherer, but found himself in April confronted not only by Mélas, but by Suvaroff, with an addition of fifty thousand men. On the 27th of that month he was attacked by this combined force and beaten. Brescia and Peschiera surrendered, Mantua was invested, and Suvaroff entered Milan. Moreau was compelled to retreat upon Genoa, and await the arrival of Macdonald, who was rapidly marching from Naples to his aid. But Macdonald was confronted on the banks of the Trebia, and after a fierce battle of three days he was routed, and escaped only to Moreau with the remnant of his army. Moreau now stationed himself in the entrance of the Bochetta Pass, in the Apennines, behind the town of Novi; but there he was superseded214 by General Joubert, the Directory having lost faith in him. Joubert, however, had no better success than Moreau. Suvaroff attacked him on the 16th of August, routed his army and killed him; the French abandoning nearly all their artillery on the field, and flying in disorder215 towards Genoa.
Leaving Mélas to complete the subjection of Italy, Suvaroff then turned his army towards Switzerland, where Massena had effectually opposed the Austrians under Bellegarde and Hotze, and defeated a Russian force under Korsakoff, sent to reinforce them. But Suvaroff found himself unable to unite with Korsakoff till after much fighting with Massena; and the two Russian generals retreated to Augsburg, leaving Massena master of Switzerland.
The French were driven again out of Naples by the end of July. Cardinal216 Ruffo brought down a wild army of Calabrians, and an army made up of Russians, Turks, Portuguese, and British, completed the expulsion of the Republicans and restored the king. In this restoration Nelson and his squadron took a most effective part; but unfortunately for his fame, he at this time became acquainted with Lady Hamilton, the wife of the British ambassador, and gave himself up entirely to her fascinations217. Lady Hamilton was the friend of the Queen of Naples (a sister of the unfortunate Marie Antoinette), and she was said to have instigated218 Nelson to take a melancholy part in the savage219 retaliations of the court on the Neapolitan Republicans, but the charge has since been completely disproved. Nelson sent Commodore Trowbridge to Civita Vecchia to blockade it, and both that port and the castle of St. Angelo soon surrendered, and Captain Lewis rowed up the Tiber in his barge220, hoisted the British colours on the Capitol, and acted as Governor of Rome till Pius VI., ejected by the French in the previous year, was nominally restored. The poor old man, however, never returned to his kingdom; he died at Valence, on the Rh?ne, on the 29th of August of this year. The election of the new Pope, Pius VII., did not take place till March, 1800. Before the end of the year, nearly all Italy, except Genoa, was cleared of the French.
While these changes were being made in Italy, the British, with their new allies, the Russians, made an abortive221 attempt to drive the French from Holland. An army of seventeen thousand Russians and thirteen thousand British was assembled on the coast of Kent, and Sir Ralph Abercromby, who was destined to fall on a more memorable222 field, taking the command of a division of twelve thousand men, Admiral Mitchell put them across to the coast of Holland. Abercromby landed, and took the fort of the Helder, and our fleet, occupying the Texel, compelled the Dutch fleet to surrender and mount the Orange flag. So long as Abercromby commanded, he repelled223 all the attacks of the French general, Brune, with a force more than double in number; but on the 13th of September the Duke of York arrived with the remainder of the Anglo-Russian army and took the chief command. From that moment all went wrong. The old want of success followed the royal duke, who, whatever his courage, certainly possessed224 no abilities as a general. By the 17th of October, notwithstanding the bravery of his troops, he was glad to sign a convention by which he was allowed to withdraw his army, on condition of the liberation of eight thousand French and Dutch prisoners of war in England. In Switzerland, too, Massena defeated Korsakoff at Zurich, and Suvaroff, believing himself to have been betrayed by the Austrians, effected a brilliant retreat over the mountains.
Buonaparte in Egypt, now cut off from all[471] communication with France, soon found himself threatened by the attack of two Turkish armies, one assembling at Rhodes, and one in Syria. To anticipate this combination, he determined to march into Syria, where he expected to startle the Turks by the progress that he should make there. He therefore commenced his march through the desert at the head of ten thousand men, easily routed a body of Mamelukes, and took the fort of El Arish, reckoned one of the keys of Egypt. He set out in February and, passing the desolate225 wilderness226, not without experiencing some of the sufferings which might be expected, entered Gaza, where he found plenty of provisions. He then attacked Jaffa, the Joppa of the Gospels, carried it, and put three thousand Turks to the sword, giving up the town to licence and plunder92 and brutally227 massacring some two thousand prisoners.
He next marched to St. Jean d'Acre, and summoned it to surrender. The pacha, named, from his fierce cruelties, Djezzaar, or the Butcher, instead of returning an answer, cut off the head of the messenger. Buonaparte vowed228 an awful revenge. But the pacha had warned Sir Sidney Smith, who was off the coast ready to convey the Turkish army to Egypt, of the appearance of the French before Acre; and Sir Sidney, so famous already for his exploits at Toulon, where he and Buonaparte had met, sailed into the port with two ships of the line, the Tigre and the Theseus. Scarcely had Sir Sidney arrived, when he heard of the approach of a French frigate flotilla bringing to Buonaparte artillery, ammunition, and machines for the siege. He captured seven vessels out of the nine, and turned the artillery on the walls against the French themselves. A French royalist officer, General Phillippeaux, took charge of these cannon. The siege began on the 17th of March, and ended on the 21st of May—a period of sixty-five days, during which eight desperate assaults had been made, and eleven as desperate sallies. At one time Buonaparte had to march to Mount Tabor to disperse111 an army of Moslems; at another, he succeeded in making himself master of a tower which commanded the rest of the fortifications; but Sir Sidney Smith, himself leading on a body of his seamen229 armed with pikes, drove the French, in a hand-to-hand fight, from the tower. Buonaparte, one day walking on the hill still called C?ur de Lion's Mount, pointing to Acre, said to Murat, "The fate of the East depends upon yonder petty tower." Buonaparte had now, however, lost several of his best generals, and retreat was inevitable230; but he endeavoured to cover the disgrace of it by asserting that it was the plague raging at Acre that drove him from it. On the march he proposed to Desgenettes, the surgeon, to end the lives of some of the wounded who encumbered231 him, by poisoning them with opium232. Desgenettes replied indignantly that his art was employed to save, and not to kill. But the proposal soon grew into a rumour233 that it had been carried into execution, and that not on a few dozens, but on several hundreds—a rumour which continued to be believed for many years, not only by the other European nations, but by Buonaparte's own army. He continued his march back to Cairo, burning the crops and villages by the way, in revenge for the hostility234 of the natives. He reached Cairo on the 14th of June, his reputation much diminished by his repulse235.
Buonaparte found that, during his absence in Syria, Egypt had been disturbed by insurrections, which Desaix had put down, and had again defeated, and driven back into Upper Egypt, Murad Bey, who had made a descent thence. Soon after his return, however, Murad was once more in motion, descending236 the Nile in two bodies, and Ibrahim Bey was moving on the frontiers of Syria, as if to form a union with Murad. Lagrange was despatched against Ibrahim, and Murat against Murad. Scarcely were they repulsed237 when the cause of their man?uvres became evident. A Turkish fleet, containing eighteen thousand men, appeared in the Bay of Alexandria, commanded by Mustapha Pacha. They seized the fort, and, landing, began to fortify238 themselves, expecting the arrival of the Mamelukes, as had been concerted. On the 25th of July Buonaparte attacked them, and drove in all their outposts; but on coming within reach of their batteries and their gunboats in the bay, the French were checked, and the Turks, rushing out, with their muskets239 slung240 at their backs, made terrible havoc241 amongst them with their sabres, poniards, and pistols. The defeat of Napoleon must have been complete had not the Turks stopped to cut off the heads of the slain, for which they were offered a reward. This gave time for the French to rally. It was now the turn of the Turks to give way, and Murat, who had fought at the head of the troops, followed them so impetuously with the bayonet that the confusion and panic became general. The Turks threw themselves en masse into the sea to regain their ships; and by drowning and the bayonets and bullets of the French, ten thousand out of the eighteen thousand perished. Mustapha Pacha himself was taken, and carried in triumph before[472] Buonaparte. This battle had been fought at Aboukir, near the spot where Nelson had so signally triumphed over them. The victory was the event which Buonaparte needed to enable him to return with credit to France. He immediately embraced it. All his plans and brilliant visions of empire in the East had perished for the present, and private letters from his brothers in Paris, and a number of newspapers, which Sir Sidney Smith had furnished him with to mortify242 him, roused him to instant action. From these he learnt that the Directory had, as he expected, consummated243 their unpopularity; that Italy, which he had won to France, was again lost by the other generals. To remain in Egypt was to sink into a sort of provincial244 or proconsular general; to return to Paris was, by a bold and adroit246 stroke, to make himself the master of France. He immediately ordered Admiral Gantheaume to have ready a couple of frigates, which lay in the harbour of Alexandria; and, taking with him his favourite generals, Murat, Lannes, Marmont, Berthier, Desaix, Andréossy, and Bessieres, and the two principal savants, Monge and Denon, to give an account of the scientific results of the expedition, he rushed on board. He had left the care of the army to Kleber and Menou; and he issued a short proclamation, saying that events in Paris demanded his presence there, but that he would return with all possible expedition. He arrived in Paris without mishap247.
Though Buonaparte had been absent, his family had taken care to keep public opinion alive to his importance. His wife, Josephine, lived at great expense, and collected around her all that was distinguished in society. His brother Lucien had become President of the Council of Five Hundred; and Joseph, a man much respected, kept a hospitable248 house, and did much to maintain the Buonaparte prestige. Talleyrand and Fouché were already in Napoleon's interest, and Bernadotte, now Minister of War, Jourdain, and Augereau, as generals, were prepared to act with him. The Abbé Siéyès, with his perpetual constitution-making, had also been working in a way to facilitate his schemes. He had planned a new and most complicated constitution, known as that of the year Eight, by which the executive power was vested in three Consuls249. Of the five Directors Buonaparte left in office, the most active had been removed; Abbé Siéyès had succeeded Rewbell, and two men of no ability, Gohier and Moulins, had succeeded others. Roger Ducos, also in the interest of Buonaparte, made the fifth. All measures being prepared, on the 18th Brumaire, that is, the 10th of November, Buonaparte proceeded to enact250 the part of Cromwell, and usurp251 the chief authority of the State, converting the Republic into a military dictatorship. The army had shown, on his return, that they were devoted252 to his service. Jourdain, Bernadotte, Moreau, and Augereau were willing to co-operate in a coup-de-main which should make the army supreme253. He therefore assembled three regiments255 of dragoons on pretence256 of reviewing them, and, everything being ready, he proceeded to the Council of Ancients, in which the moderate, or reactionary257, party predominated, on the evening of the 10th of November. They placidly258 gave way in the midst of a most excited debate on the menaced danger, and every member, including Lucien Buonaparte, who was the President, had just been compelled to take an oath to maintain inviolable the Constitution of the year Three, when Napoleon entered, attended by four grenadiers of the Constitutional Guard of the Councils. The soldiers remained near the door, Napoleon advanced up the hall uncovered. There were loud murmurs259. "What!" exclaimed the members, "soldiers—drawn swords in the sanctuary260 of the laws!" They rushed upon him, and seized him by the collar, shouting, "Outlawry261! outlawry! proclaim him a traitor262!" For a moment he shrank before them, but soon at the instigation of Siéyès returned, and quietly expelled them. Thus Buonaparte, with an army at his back, was openly dictator. He removed to the Palace of the Luxembourg, and assumed a state little inferior to royalty263. He revised the Constitution of the Abbé Siéyès, concentrating all the power of the State in the First Consul245, instead of making him, as he expressed it, a personage whose only duties were to fatten264, like a pig, upon so many millions a-year.
NAPOLEON'S COUP DE MAIN: SCENE IN THE HALL OF THE ANCIENTS. (See p. 472.)
[See larger version]
[474]
In concluding the remarkable265 events of this year, we must turn to India, and witness the termination of the career of Tippoo Sahib. This prince, for ever restless under the losses which he had suffered from the British, though nominally at peace with them, was seeking alliances to help him once more to contend with them. He sought to engage the Afghans in his favour, and to bring over the British ally, the Nizam of the Deccan. Failing in this, he made overtures267 to the French Republic through the Governor of the Isle268 of France. Buonaparte, as we have said, had Tippoo in his mind when he proposed to march to India and conquer it, but only a few hundreds of French of the lowest caste reached Seringapatam from the Isle of France. Lord Mornington, afterwards the Marquis of Wellesley, determined to anticipate the plans of Tippoo, and dispatched General Harris with twenty-four thousand men into Mysore, at the same time ordering another force of seven thousand, under General Stuart, from Bombay, to co-operate with him. To these also was added a strong reinforcement of British troops in the pay of the Nizam, and some regiments of sepoys, commanded by English officers. The united forces of Harris and the Nizam came into conflict with Tippoo's army on the 22nd of March, 1799, when within two days' march of Seringapatam. In this action, Colonel Wellesley, afterwards the Duke of Wellington, greatly distinguished himself, and the success of the action was ascribed to his regiment254, the 34th. On the 5th of April General Harris invested Seringapatam, and on the 14th General Stuart arrived with the Bombay army. Tippoo soon made very humble269 overtures for peace, but the British, having no faith in him, continued the siege, and the city was carried by storm on the 4th of May, and Tippoo himself was found amongst the slain. Two of his sons fell into the hands of the victors; his territories were divided between the British and the Nizam. The former retained Seringapatam and the island on which it is situated270, and the whole of his territory on the Malabar coast, with Coimbra, and all the rest of his possessions stretching to the Company's territories west and east, thus completing their dominion271 from sea to sea. The Nizam received equally valuable regions in the interior, and a province was bestowed272 on the descendant of the Hindoo rajah who had been dispossessed of it by Hyder Ali, Tippoo's father. Thus was the British empire of India freed from its most formidable enemy, and thus was it enabled, soon afterwards, to send an armament up the Red Sea to assist in driving the French from Egypt.
The year 1800 opened in the British Parliament by a debate on an Address to the king, approving of the reply to an overture266 for peace by Buonaparte, as First Consul of France. The letter addressed directly to the king was a grave breach of diplomatic etiquette273, and was answered by Lord Grenville, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in a caustic274 but dignified275 tone. A correspondence ensued between Lord Grenville and M. Talleyrand, as French Minister for Foreign Affairs; but it ended in nothing, as the British Minister distinctly declined to treat. If Buonaparte had been sincerely desirous of peace, he must have withdrawn276 the French army from Egypt, as it was there with the open declaration of an intention to make that country a stepping-stone to India. But, so far from this, Buonaparte was, at the same moment, preparing to make fresh and still more overwhelming invasions of Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, and the proposal was simply made to gain time.
In July of the present year the union of Ireland with Great Britain was carried. Pitt and Lord Cornwallis had come to the conclusion that a double Government was no longer possible, and that unless the Irish were to be allowed to exterminate277 one another, as they had attempted to do during the late rebellion, the intervention278 of the British Parliament was absolutely necessary. A resolution had passed the British Parliament in 1799, recommending this union, and the news of this created a tempest of indignation in Protestant Ireland. In January, 1799, the speech on the Address to the throne in the Irish Parliament was, on this account, vehemently279 opposed, and an amendment280 was carried against the Government by a majority of one; yet in January, 1800, a motion was carried, at the instigation of Lord Castlereagh, the Secretary, in favour of the union, by a majority of forty-two. Whence this magical change in twelve months? On the 5th of February the whole plan of the union was detailed281 by Lord Castlereagh, the principal Secretary of State for Ireland, in the Irish Commons. He stated that it was intended to give to Ireland in the Parliament of the United Kingdom four lords spiritual sitting in rotation282 of sessions, and twenty-eight lords temporal elected for life by peers of Ireland, and that the Irish representatives in the united House of Commons should be a hundred. The motion for this plan was carried in the Irish Commons by a majority of forty-two in spite of a magnificent speech from Grattan, and by a great majority in the House of Lords; but this was in the face of the most unmitigated amazement283 on the part of the opposition, and of the people, who were not in the secret. Their rage was beyond description. On the 13th of March Sir John Parnell declared that this measure had been effected by the most unexampled corruption, and moved for an Address to his Majesty284, imploring285 him to dissolve this Parliament, and present the question to be decided286 by a new one. But the Solicitor-General declared that this motion was "unfurling the bloody flag of rebellion;" and Mr. Egan replied that the Solicitor-General and other members of the[475] administration had already "unfurled the flag of prostitution and corruption." But the measure was now passed, and that by the same Parliament which, only a year before, had rejected the proposition in toto. But what were the means employed by the British Government to produce this change? The answer is simple; a million and a quarter was devoted to the compensation of borough287 owners, lawyers who hoped to improve their prospects288 by entering the House, and the Dublin tradesmen.
The names and prices of all the purchased members of the Irish Parliament were preserved in the Irish Black and Red lists. A selection of a few of them will interest the reader:—
J. Bingham, created Lord Clanmorris; £8,000 for two seats, and £15,000 compensation for Tuam. Had first offered himself for sale to the anti-unionists.
Joseph H. Blake, created Lord Wallscourt.
Sir J. G. Blackwood, created Lord Dufferin.
Sir John Blaquiere, created Lord de Blaquiere, with offices and pensions.
Lord Boyle, son of Lord Shannon, father and son received each £15,000 for their boroughs289.
Charles H. Coote, created Lord Castlecoote, with a regiment, patronage290 in Queen's County, and £7,500 in cash.
James Cuffe; his father made Lord Tyrawley.
Lord Fitzgerald, a pension and peerage.
Luke Fox, made judge of Common Pleas.
William Fortescue, a pension of £3,000 a year.
J. Galbraith, a baronetage.
Richard Hare, made Lord Ennismore, with patronage.
Colonel B. Heneker, a regiment, and £3,500 a-year for his seat.
Hon. J. Hutchinson, made Lord Hutchinson, and a general.
Hugh Howard, made Postmaster-General.
William Handcock, an extraordinary instance. He made and sang songs against the union, in 1799, at a public dinner, and made and sang songs for it in 1800; for which he was made Lord Castlemaine.
W. G. Joscelyn, promotion291 in the army, and his brother made Bishop292 of Lismore.
William Johnson, according to his own statement, "returned to Parliament by Lord Castlereagh, to put an end to it;" a judgeship.
Rt. Hon. Sir H. Langrishe, £15,000 for his patronage of Knocktopher, and a commissionership of revenue.
T. Lingray, £1,500, and a commissionership of stamps.
T. Lingray, junior, £1,500, and made usher293 at the Castle.
J. Longfield, made Lord Longville.
Lord Loftus, £30,000 for boroughs, and made an English marquis.
H. D. Massey, £4,000 in cash.
Rt. Hon. Lodge294 Morris, made a peer.
Sir R. Musgrove, made receiver of customs, with £1,200 a year.
James M'Cleland, made Baron of Exchequer295.
Sir W. G. Newcomen, a peerage for his wife, etc.
H. F. Prittle, made Lord Dunally.
Sir Richard Quin, made a peer.
The Hon. H. Skeffington, made clerk of Paper Office at the Castle, with £7,500 for his patronage.
H. M. Sandford, made Lord Mount Sandford.
John Stewart, made Attorney-General and a baronet.
Hon. B. Stratford, £7,500, as half compensation for Baltinglass.
Hon. J. Stratford, £7,500 for the other half of Baltinglass, and paymaster of foreign troops, with £1,300 a year.
Rt. Hon. J. Toler, a peerage and chief justiceship.
Hon. R. Trench169, made a peer and ambassador.
This is a mere fragment of a list of a hundred and forty persons thus bought up. Amongst the most prominent pickings were those of—
Lord Shannon, for his patronage in the Commons £45,000
The Marquis of Ely " " 45,000
Lord Clanmorris " " 45,000
Lord Belvidere " " 45,000
Sir Hercules Langrishe " " 45,000
Then follows a long list of lawyers. We may select a few of the most lavishly296 paid:—
Mr. Charles Osborne, made judge of the King's Bench £3,300
Mr. St. John Daly, ditto 3,300
Mr. Williams, made Baron of the Exchequer 3,300
Mr. M'Cleland, ditto 3,300
Mr. Robert Johnson, made judge of Common Pleas 3,300
Mr. William Johnson, ditto 3,300
Mr. Torres, ditto 3,300
Mr. Vandeleur, made judge of Queen's Bench 3,300
Mr. Charles Ormsby, counsel to commissioners, value 5,000
Mr. Henry Deane Grady, ditto ditto 5,000
Mr. Jemison, as commissioner for distributing a million and a half of this compensation money! 1,200
Besides this, there remains a number of other lawyers, amounting, in the whole, to thirty-four, bought up at from four and five hundred to six and eight hundred a year.
Such were the means by which the union of Ireland with Great Britain was accomplished, and it would be idle to argue that a majority in the Irish Parliament was not purchased by places, pensions, peerages, and compensation for suppressed seats. But it was a bargain, made above-board, and in the open market. It was, moreover, in agreement with the sentiment of the age, a borough-owner was thought to have a right "to do what he willed with his own," and Pitt, in one of his own Reform bills, had acted on the theory that boroughs were a species of property. Lord Cornwallis, though he acknowledged that he was engaged in dirty work, declared that the union was imperatively297 necessary, and could be accomplished only by those means. The Irish Parliament was profoundly corrupt50, and from no point of view could its extinction298 be regretted, but that extinction could be accomplished only by further corruption. Nor is there any proof that the Irish nation as a whole were opposed to the union. It was, of course, hard on a pure patriot67 like Grattan to be involved in the fate of a corrupt gang of placemen, but, as a Protestant, he only[476] represented the minority. The Catholics were either indifferent, with the indifference299 resulting from long oppression, or in favour of the measure. They knew that from the Irish Parliament it had become, since the Rebellion, hopeless to expect Catholic emancipation; they believed the assurances of Pitt that a measure for their relief would speedily be introduced in the British Parliament. Had he been able to fulfil his promise, the union would have been—to use Macaulay's familiar phrase—a union indeed.
The British Parliament accepted the measure without much debate, regarding it as a simple case of necessity. It passed the House of Lords with only three non-contents—Lords Derby, King, and Holland. In the Commons it was passed by a majority of two hundred and thirty-six against thirty. Mr. Grey moved an amendment, praying his Majesty to suspend the question till the sentiments of the Irish people at large could be ascertained300 regarding this measure. He said that twenty-seven counties had petitioned against the measure; that seven hundred and seven thousand persons had petitioned against it, and only three thousand for it. But this amendment was swept away by a vast majority; the Act was passed, and received the royal assent301 on the 2nd of July. This and the vote of the necessary moneys being the great business of the Session, Parliament was prorogued302 on the 29th of the same month.
Napoleon Buonaparte, who had appeared so anxious for peace with Britain, was, in truth, greatly rejoiced at the rejection303 of his proposals, for it furnished him with the pleas which he desired, for the still more extended schemes of military ambition that he entertained. He issued a proclamation complaining of the obstinate304 hostility of Britain, and called on the people to furnish men and arms to conquer peace by force. Having placed Moreau at the head of the army on the Rhine, Buonaparte prepared for his favourite project of reconquering Italy. He had judged right in sending Moreau to Germany, who took care to prevent the Austrians from sending reinforcements to Italy to increase Buonaparte's difficulties; and another circumstance, most auspicious305 to the Chief Consul, was the fact that Paul of Russia, offended at the Austrians for not better supporting his generals, Korsakoff and Suvaroff, had withdrawn his army from the campaign. The Austrians, under Mélas, in the north of Italy, amounted to one hundred and forty thousand men. They had spent the winter on the plains of Piedmont, and contemplated, in the spring, reducing Genoa, by assistance from the British fleet, and then, penetrating306 into Provence, to join the Royalists there, ready to take arms under Generals Willot and Pichegru. Massena, freed by the retreat of the Russians from his confinement307 at Zurich, lay, with an army of forty thousand, between Genoa and the Var; but his troops had suffered great distress308 from want of provisions, and whole regiments had abandoned their posts, and, with drums beating and colours flying, had marched back into France. Buonaparte first arrested their desertion by several stirring appeals to the soldiers, and then prepared to march with a strong army of reserve through the Alps, and to take Mélas unexpectedly in the rear. To effect this it was necessary to deceive the Austrians as to his intentions; and for this purpose he assembled a pretended army of reserve at Dijon, as if meaning to obstruct309 the march of the Austrians southward. To favour the delusion, Buonaparte went to Dijon, and reviewed the pretended army of reserve with much display, he then got quietly away to Lausanne, and pushed across the Great St. Bernard, amidst incredible difficulties.
Mélas, who had been besieging310 Genoa, had left part of his army to reduce that city, defended by a strong French division under Massena and Soult, and advanced to Nice, which he had entered, and was contemplating311 his descent on Provence, when the news of Buonaparte's entrance of Piedmont reached him. He directed his march now to meet him. In the meantime, Massena and Soult, worn out by famine, the fort being blockaded by Admiral Lord Keith, had surrendered Genoa to General Otto, whom Mélas had ordered to raise the siege and join him. Mélas summoned his scattered312 forces to make head against Buonaparte, and was himself pursued from the neighbourhood of Nice by Suchet. Buonaparte deceived Mélas by false movements, making him imagine that his object was Turin, and so entered Milan in triumph on the 2nd of June. After various encounters and man?uvres between Buonaparte and Mélas, the First Consul crossed the Po at Piacenza, drove back the advanced guard of the Austrians, and took up a position on the plains of Marengo, on the right bank of the little stream, the Bormida, and opposite to Alessandria, where Mélas was lying. The next day—the 14th of June—Mélas drew out his forces, and attacked the French with great spirit. The Austrians amounted to about forty thousand, including a fine body of cavalry, for which the ground was highly[477] favourable; the French were not more than thirty thousand, posted strongly in and around the village of Marengo, in three divisions, each stationed about a quarter of a mile behind the other. After two or three attempts the Austrians drove the French out of the village of Marengo, threw the second division, commanded by Lannes, into confusion, and put to rout125 the left wing of Buonaparte's own division, threw his centre into disorder, and compelled him to retreat as far as St. Juliano. The whole tide of battle was running against Buonaparte, and a short time must have completed his rout, when the strength of the old general, Mélas—more than eighty years of age—gave way, for he had been many hours on horseback. He retired313 from the field quite secure of the victory, and left General Zach to finish it. But, at this moment, General Desaix, who had lately arrived from Egypt, and had been sent by Buonaparte to make a diversion at Rivolta, came back with his detachment of twenty thousand men. Kellermann, also, who was posted in the rear with a body of reserve, marched up at the same time. A new and desperate charge was made on the fatigued314 Austrians, and they were broken and put to the rout. They retreated across the Bormida, towards Alessandria, in a panic, the horse galloping315 over the infantry. Mélas, dispirited by his defeat, but more by his age, gave up the struggle and on the 16th of June concluded an armistice316, resigning not only Alessandria, where he might have stood a longer siege, but Genoa, which had just surrendered to the Austrians, and all the Genoese territory, agreeing to retire behind the line of Mantua and the Mincio, and leaving to the French all Lombardy as far as the Oglio. The French themselves could scarcely believe the reality of such a surrender.
GENOA.
[See larger version]
During this brilliant campaign in Italy, Moreau, in Germany, had beaten General Kray in several engagements, advanced to Ulm, and there, crossing the Danube, had overrun a great part of Bavaria, and had made himself master of Munich and menaced Vienna. On hearing of the armistice in Italy, the Emperor demanded one for Austria, to continue till September; and Buonaparte, seeing that the Czar Paul had ceased to support Austria, recommended the Emperor to make peace with[478] France. The Emperor required that Britain should be included in it. But Napoleon demanded a separate negotiation10, which Austria was afraid to grant. No sooner was this answer received in Paris than Buonaparte gave the word for renewed and vigorous action, both in Italy and Germany. Moreau advanced by Salzburg towards Vienna, whilst Brune drove the Austrians from the Mincio, and over the Adige and the Brenta to the very vicinity of Venice, whilst Macdonald occupied the passes of the Tyrol, ready to march to the support of the army either in Italy or Germany. The Archduke John met Moreau near Haag, and for a moment worsted him; but on the 2nd of December the two armies came to a general engagement at Hohenlinden, between the rivers Iser and Inn, in which the Austrians were routed, with a loss of ten thousand men. Moreau advanced and occupied Salzburg, and trembling for the safety of Vienna itself, the Emperor hastened to make peace. An armistice was signed on the 25th of December, and the treaty was concluded at Lunéville on the 9th of February, 1801. By this treaty all the conditions of the Treaty of Campo Formio were renewed, and the frontier of the Rhine was again ceded35 to France.
In Britain there were terrible outcries in consequence of the scarcity317 of bread. There were rioting and plundering of corn-factors' and bakers318' shops, and Government passed a number of Acts giving premiums319 on the importation of grain, and forbidding the making of any but mixed and coarse breads. Had not large subscriptions320 been raised, and private benevolence321 been called forth81 to an immense extent for the relief of the distress, the consequences would have been more terrible. Pitt was in favour of remedial legislation, but Grenville was against interfering322 with the laws of supply and demand.
On the 22nd of January, 1801, the first Imperial Parliament met, and Addington was re-elected Speaker. The king did not meet this Parliament till the whole of its members had been sworn; his opening of it for business took place on the 2nd of February, and his speech had no cheering topics to give spirit to its first proceedings323; on the Continent there had been nothing but defeat on the part of the Allies, of triumph on that of France. Our late ally, Paul, had not only seized our merchant vessels in the ports of the Baltic, and the property of our merchants in the Russian towns, but he had entered into a league with Sweden and Denmark to close the Baltic altogether to us, and to compel us to relinquish122 the right of search. This confederacy, by stopping the supplies of corn from the North, threatened us with great aggravation324 of the distresses325 at home; and some members advocated the surrender of the right of search, or the acceptance of the principles of an armed neutrality, such as Catherine of Russia had endeavoured to establish. But Pitt plainly showed that to allow neutral vessels to carry arms, ammunition, and commodities of life into the ports of our enemies would render all blockades of their forts useless, and enormously increase our difficulties during war. Orders were immediately issued to send a powerful fleet into the Baltic to chastise326 the insane Czar.
But there was another topic started in this first Imperial Parliament which was as odious327 to George III. as the perfidious328 conduct of his late Russian ally. As one means of bringing about the union with Ireland, Pitt held out to the Irish Catholics the argument that by having Irishmen in the united Parliament they would be most likely to obtain a repeal46 of the Catholic disabilities. Both he and Lord Cornwallis had sent circulars to this effect, anonymous329, it is true, but with a secret avowal330 of their authorship, amongst the leading Catholics, which had a great effect in procuring331 their assent to the union. Lord Castlereagh, who as Secretary of State for Ireland had helped to carry the union, claimed the redemption of this pledge. The matter was talked over in the Cabinet during the autumn of 1799, and again in September, 1800. Pitt introduced the subject about the middle of January in the Privy332 Council. But in the interval333 the Chancellor, Lord Loughborough, had betrayed the plan to the king, and in conjunction with Lord Auckland had convinced his Majesty that it would involve a violation of the Coronation Oath. George was indignant, and almost furious. At the levee on the 28th of January, when Lord Castlereagh was presented, he said to Dundas, "What is this which this young lord [Castlereagh] has brought over to fling at my head?" He alluded334 to a plan for Catholic emancipation, and added, "I shall reckon every man my personal enemy who proposes any such measure! This is the most jacobinical thing I ever heard of." Dundas replied that his Majesty would find amongst those friendly to the measure some whom he had never supposed to be his enemies. On the 31st of January Pitt wrote to the king, assuring him that the union with Ireland would render it absolutely necessary that important questions regarding the Catholics and Dissenters335 should be discussed; but, as he found how extremely such[479] topics were disliked by his Majesty, and yet how just it was that Catholics should be admitted to Parliament as well as Protestant Dissenters, who were already admitted, he begged to be permitted to resign. At the same time, not to inconvenience his Majesty, he was willing to hold office till his Majesty had reconstructed a Cabinet wholly to his mind. George replied, the very next day, that Mr. Pitt's letter had occasioned him the liveliest concern; that, so far from exposing him to the agitation336 of this question, he had flattered himself that the union, by uniting the Protestants of both kingdoms, would for ever have excluded the question of Catholic emancipation. He expressed his ardent wish that Pitt should continue to be his Minister as long as he lived; and he only required, as a condition, that he should stave off this question. Pitt replied, on the 3rd of February, that his Majesty's determined tone on the subject of Catholic emancipation left him no alternative but to resign, in compliance337 with his duty; and that, as his Majesty's resolve was taken, it would certainly be best for the country that his retirement338 should be as early as possible. On the 5th the king wrote, accepting Pitt's resignation, though with expressions of deep regret.
Five days after this, February 10th, the matter was made public by Lord Darnley rising in the Upper House, and moving for an inquiry into the conduct of the Ministry. This roused up Lord Grenville, who candidly339 avowed340 that, in consequence of their failure to introduce the question of Catholic emancipation, the Ministers had resigned and only held office till a new Cabinet was formed. On this, Lord Darnley postponed341 his motion. On the same day, in the Commons, a letter from Addington, the Speaker, was read, announcing his resignation of the Speakership in consequence of the king's proposal to nominate him to a situation incompatible342 with that post. Pitt then rose and confirmed this, and proposed an adjournment343 till the next day in order to prepare for the nomination344 of the new Speaker. The House adjourned345 accordingly, and next day, the 11th of February, elected Sir John Mitford, the Attorney-General, as Speaker. Before the House could resume business, it was announced that the king was ill—confined to the house by a severe cold; but it was soon known that it was a return of his old malady346, lunacy, in consequence of his extreme agitation on the proposal of the Catholic question and the resignation of Pitt. The report was soon augmented347 into the startling rumour that the king was dangerously ill, and that a regency must take place—if not superseded by his death. At this news Fox, who had for some time absented himself from Parliament, on the plea that all endeavours to carry sound and prudent348 measures were hopeless with Pitt's great martial349 majority, hastened up to town from St. Anne's Hill; and the Whig body was in a flutter of expectation that he would soon be the Minister of the prince regent, or of George IV. But all these hopes were speedily overthrown350 by the news of the rapid improvement of the king, and on the 12th of March the royal physicians announced him perfectly351 recovered. He attributed his illness to Pitt's conduct, and the ex-Premier thereupon wrote and promised never to re-open the question again.
The new Ministry consisted of Addington, son of Chatham's old physician, Dr. Addington, as First Lord of the Treasury352 and Chancellor of the Exchequer: the Duke of Portland, President of the Council; Lord Eldon, Chancellor; Earl St. Vincent, First Lord of the Admiralty; the Earl of Chatham, Master-General of the Ordnance353; Lord Pelham, Secretary of the Home Department; Lord Hawkesbury, the eldest354 son of the Earl of Liverpool, Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Lord Hobart, Secretary for the Colonies. Several of Pitt's Ministers remained, but the important members, Grenville, Dundas, Woodham and Spencer retired with him. It was soon seen, however, that though Pitt was out of office his principles dominated in it, and that there was no chance of a change of system. The Cabinet was one of mediocrities, and was probably regarded by Pitt as a convenient makeshift until he could return to power.[480]
NELSON AT THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. (See p. 481.)
[See larger version]
But long before this—as early, indeed, as the 15th of April—news had reached London of the death of the erratic355 Emperor Paul, and of the bombardment of Copenhagen by the British fleet. Paul had been won over by Buonaparte to his views, and had been flattered by him by being elected—though irregularly and illegally—Grand-Master of the Knights of Malta. He had been persuaded that the conquest of Malta by the British was an invasion of his rights, and by these and other flatteries Buonaparte had influenced his weak mind to become the agent of his plans in destroying the British ships in the Baltic, and in closing that sea to British commerce. Paul pretended that we had captured Danish convoys356, these same convoys being engaged in guarding vessels loaded with materials of war for France, and that thus the independence of the North was menaced by us. On this ground, and on that of the invasion of Malta, he immediately laid an embargo357 on all British vessels in Russian ports, and as two vessels in the harbour of Narva resisted the attempts to seize them, in consequence of the embargo, he ordered all the British vessels in that port to be burned. In consequence of this sudden and unwarrantable order, contrary to all the laws of nations, about three hundred British vessels were seized, and the officers and crews dragged on shore, put into irons, and sent up the country under menaces of Siberia. Paul next ordered all property of Englishmen in Russia to be seized and sold. Denmark—with whom we had various rencontres, on account of its men-of-war convoying vessels laden358 with stores for French ports—soon joined Russia. We sent Lord Whitworth to Copenhagen to endeavour to come to some understanding on these matters in 1800, but though a convention was signed, it was not satisfactory. Sweden followed the example of Denmark, and the three Northern Powers entered into a treaty of armed neutrality to resist our search of their vessels in any circumstances. As the consequence of this policy would be to shut us out of all trade with the ports of the Baltic, it was resolved to send a fleet to chastise these Powers and break up their co-operation with France. Mr. Vansittart was despatched to Copenhagen, accompanied by a fleet of eighteen sail of the line, with several frigates and smaller vessels, under command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, with Vice-Admiral Nelson as second. The fleet left the Yarmouth Roads on the 12th of March, 1801, and arriving at the mouth of the Sound, Nelson recommended that they should sail directly up to Copenhagen, and be prepared, on the refusal of our proposals, to bombard the place, as this would not allow them time to get ready their batteries, and thus do all the more damage to our ships and men. But this was deemed too offensive before any attempt at negotiation, and accordingly Mr. Vansittart was sent forward in a frigate with a flag of truce359, leaving the fleet at the Scaw. He returned without effecting anything more than what Nelson anticipated. Sir Hyde Parker wasted time in making[481] the needless inquiry by a flag of truce of the Governor of Elsinore, whether the passage of the Sound would be disputed, who replied that it would. It was then proposed to enter by the Belt. Nelson said:—"Let it be by the Sound, or the Belt, or anyhow—only don't let us lose an hour."
COPENHAGEN.
[See larger version]
On the 30th of March the British cast anchor before Copenhagen, between it and the island of Huen. On reconnoitring, the defences of the place were found to be very formidable. Nelson was appointed to make the attack with twelve line-of-battle ships, and some smaller craft. He had asked for ten. The next morning—the 2nd of April—the wind was favourable, and Nelson weighed and drew nearer to the town—Sir Hyde Parker on the outside threatening the batteries and vessels at the mouth of the harbour. At ten o'clock the firing commenced, and at eleven it was general. Three of the British vessels—the Agamemnon, the Bellona, and the Russell—stuck fast on the shoal. For three hours the battle raged fiercely, for the Danes fought with their well-known valour. It was necessary for Nelson to silence or destroy the floating batteries and gunboats before he could come at the ships of the line and the great land batteries. He had ordered five hundred seamen, under the Hon. Colonel Stuart and Captain Freemantle to storm the Kroner Battery as soon as it was silenced; but at this moment Sir Hyde Parker, seeing the signals of distress flying at the mast-heads of the three vessels aground, and that three others, which he had sent forward as a reinforcement, were making but slow way to the front, signalled for the fleet to draw off, and cease the engagement. But Nelson took no notice of the signal: he continued to walk the deck, and asked if his signal for close action was still hoisted, and, being told it was, said:—"Mind you keep it so." About half-past one o'clock the fire of the Danes slackened, and by two it had nearly ceased. But the vessels that had struck their flags recommenced firing on our boats sent to take possession of them, and the fire of the batteries on land and on Amager Island struck these surrendered vessels on one side, and that of our ships on the other. To prevent the destruction of the unhappy Danes placed in this fatal situation, Nelson sent on shore[482] Sir Frederick Thesiger with a flag of truce, and a letter to the Crown Prince, entreating360 him to put an end to a contest that was uselessly wasting the lives of the brave Danes. Within half an hour after Thesiger's departure, the firing from the Kroner Battery ceased, and Adjutant-General Lindholm came on board to learn the precise object of Nelson's note. Nelson replied that his object was humanity. He demanded that the action should cease, and that the wounded Danes should be taken on shore; that then he would burn or carry away the surrendered vessels, as he should think fit. It was agreed that the combat should cease for twenty-four hours, during which negotiations should be entered into. After five days' arduous361 discussion, an armistice was concluded for fourteen weeks, during which the treaty of armed neutrality with Russia was to be suspended. Nelson was to have full liberty to purchase any necessaries for his fleet, in Copenhagen or along the coast, and in case of renewal362 of hostilities363 all the Danish prisoners were to be again surrendered.
The ships being got afloat again, on the 12th of April Parker sailed away with the main body of the fleet, leaving the St. George (with Nelson) and a few other ships to repair their damages. Sir Hyde Parker went in quest of the Swedish fleet, which consisted only of six ships, and which had taken refuge behind the forts of Karlskrona. Parker sent in a flag of truce, informing them of the armistice with Denmark, and demanding an answer as to the intentions of Sweden. Gustavus, the King of Sweden, hastened to Karlskrona, and on the 22nd informed the English admiral that he was ready to treat with an envoy364 accredited365 to the Northern Powers. Admiral Parker then proceeded towards the Gulf of Finland to attack the Russian fleet, but was soon overtaken by a dispatch boat from the Russian ambassador at Copenhagen, announcing that the Emperor Paul had been murdered by his courtiers, and that his son, Alexander, had accepted the proposals of Britain to treat. Parker considered the news of Paul's death as tantamount to the conclusion of peace, and proposed sailing down the Baltic again; but Nelson, who had joined him at Karlskrona, thought very differently. He had blamed Parker's slowness and easiness all through the affair of Copenhagen, and he now wanted to push on to Revel366, and destroy the Russian fleet before the ice allowed it to retire into Cronstadt. Sir Hyde Parker refused; and the fleet was on its way down the Baltic when an order came recalling Parker and giving the command to Nelson. He immediately put about and proceeded to Revel, but the thaw367 had allowed the Russian fleet to get into Cronstadt. Nelson, however, opened communications with the Emperor Alexander, and proposed to land and terminate a convention with him at once. Alexander, not liking368 to have Nelson's fleet too near, declined the proposal in terms of courtesy, and Nelson took his leave in no complimentary369 mood. The emperor thought it best to send after him Admiral Tchitchagoff, to assure him that Alexander regretted that any misunderstanding had ever taken place between Russia and Britain; that all the British subjects seized by Paul should be immediately liberated, all their property restored, and that the Czar would be glad to see Nelson at St. Petersburg in any style which he liked to assume. But Nelson had now resolved to return at once to Britain, his shattered health ill bearing the severity of the northern climate; nor was his presence necessary, for on the 17th of June, two days before Nelson went on board the brig which took him to Britain, Lord St. Helens, who had proceeded to St. Petersburg as ambassador, had signed a convention, by which all subjects of dispute between the two countries were ended. Denmark and Sweden came into the convention as a matter of course.
General Kleber, whom Buonaparte had left in command of the Egyptian army, was an excellent officer, and he had improved the condition of the forces there. Instead of the French army in Egypt being weaker than when Buonaparte left it, it was much stronger. In 1800 Kleber was attacked at the fort of El Arish, in the Desert, by a strong Turkish force, supported by the British squadron under Sir Sidney Smith. Being defeated, he agreed to a convention, by which he promised to evacuate208 Egypt, on condition of his army being allowed to return unmolested to Europe; but no sooner were these terms communicated to the British Government than they disavowed them, declaring that Sir Sidney had no authority to propose them. Kleber, therefore, resumed hostilities and returned towards Cairo; but being attacked by the Turks, he fought and routed them with great slaughter, on the 20th of March, 1800, near the ruins of the ancient city of Heliopolis. The Moslems of Cairo, encouraged by Murad Bey, who still hovered370 about with his Mameluke cavalry, rose on the French there, and massacred such as could not escape into the citadel371. Kleber hastened to Cairo, relieved the forces in the citadel, and entered into a truce with Murad Bey, but whilst thus busily engaged he was assassinated372 by an[483] Arab, who declared he was commissioned by Allah to free the country of the infidels. The command was taken by Menou, whose administration of the army and general affairs was far inferior to that of Kleber. At the time that matters were changing thus for the worse, amongst the French, Dundas, now Lord Melville, urged upon Ministers the good policy of sending an army to Egypt and compelling the surrender of the French. He contended that, whilst one army was sent from Britain, another should be brought across the Persian Gulf from India, and success made certain. The plan was much too bold, even for Pitt; and the king opposed it energetically, as "a dangerous expedition against a distant province." But the danger of having this French army transferred to Europe at some critical moment—as it would have been had the Convention of El Arish been carried out, by which these twenty thousand seasoned men could have been landed in Italy to act against Suvaroff—at length brought the British Ministry to dare the attempt.
On the 8th of March, 1801, General Sir Ralph Abercromby landed in Egypt, where Nelson had fought the battle of Aboukir. Menou brought down against the British twelve or fourteen thousand men, including a fine body of cavalry. Sir Ralph Abercromby landed only about ten thousand in effective order, but these were men full of ardour and disciplined to perfection. On the 8th of March they landed in face of the French, five thousand being put on shore at once, these returning no single shot whilst in the boats, though assailed373 by fifteen pieces of artillery from the opposite hill, and by grape-shot from Aboukir Castle. They were led on by General (afterwards Sir John) Moore; and running, or climbing on hands and knees, up the steep sand-hills, they drove the French from their cannon, and seized them. The French retreated, and posted themselves on some heights between Aboukir and Alexandria. On the 19th, having compelled Fort Aboukir to surrender, General Abercromby advanced, and found Menou had concentrated all his forces between them and Alexandria. On the 21st of March a general engagement took place. It commenced as early as three o'clock in the morning, whilst quite dark, by an attack on the British left, which was meant to draw all attention to that quarter, then a desperate charge was made on the right by the main body of the French cavalry, which hoped to get into the rear of the British infantry; but the attempted surprise failed: the French were driven back with great loss. As the day dawned the battle became general, and the French found themselves opposed not only by accustomed British doggedness, but by a precision of fire and an adroitness374 of man?uvre which astonished them. By ten o'clock the French were in full flight for Alexandria, leaving seventeen hundred men on the field. The loss of the British was stated at fourteen hundred killed and wounded; and, unfortunately, the brave Abercromby was killed. To complete the success, the Capitan Pacha's fleet in a few days brought a Turkish army of between five and six thousand men, and the Grand Vizier, posted at El Arish, began to march towards Cairo. General Hutchinson, now chief in command of the British army, hastened to join the Grand Vizier; but before he could accomplish this, he had to drive four thousand French from a fortified375 camp at Ramaneeh, and meanwhile five thousand French rushed out of Cairo and attacked the Grand Vizier. On the 27th of June Cairo capitulated, General Belliard obtaining the condition that his troops should be conveyed to the ports of France on the Mediterranean with their arms and baggage; yet they left behind them three hundred and thirteen heavy cannon and one hundred thousand pounds of gunpowder376. On the 8th of June General Baird had landed at Cosseir on the Red Sea with his Indian army, and was marching through the burning desert for Cairo. Menou, cooped up at Alexandria, found it useless to contend further and, before Baird could join the main army, capitulated on the same terms as Belliard, and the Egyptian campaign was at an end. The news of the French expulsion reached France sooner than it did England, and created a strong sensation.[484]
SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY. (After the Portrait by J. Hoppner, R.A.)
[See larger version]
Britain was everywhere successful on the sea, and Lord Nelson, on the 1st of August, made an attempt on the French flotilla lying at Boulogne for the invasion of England. He was furnished with a flotilla of gunboats for the purpose, and he was able to destroy two floating batteries and a few gunboats, but found the fleet too strongly posted under the batteries of the harbour to make further impression. However, Napoleon saw that for the present an invasion was out of the question, and the autumn of this year was employed in endeavours to arrange a peace. Lord Cornwallis proceeded to Paris for this object, and went to Amiens, which was appointed as the place for the conference. The preliminaries were signed on the 1st of October, and General Lauriston, the schoolfellow and first aide-de-camp of Buonaparte, brought them over to London. The negotiations progressed slowly, being arrested now and then by the conduct of the First Consul. Without waiting for the ratification377 of peace, he sent off, on the 14th of December, 1801, only ten days after the signing of the preliminaries, a strong fleet and army to the West Indies to reduce the independent black Republic in St. Domingo. Britain was obliged to send reinforcements to her own West Indian fleet by Admiral Martin—so that it looked much more like war than peace. Again, in January, 1802, came the news of the election of Buonaparte to the Presidency378 of the Cisalpine Republic, directly contrary to the Treaty of Lunéville, and betraying the ambitious aims of Napoleon. Immediately followed the news that Buonaparte had exacted from Spain a treaty by which Parma and the island of Elba were made over to France on the death of the present, already aged31, duke; that Spain had been compelled to cede34 part of the province of Louisiana in North America, by the same treaty; and that Portugal, though the integrity of her dominions379 had been carefully guaranteed by the preliminaries of peace, had by a secret article given up to France her province of Guiana. A Republican constitution was forced on Holland, and in Switzerland instructions were given to the French Minister to thwart380 all efforts at the formation of a stable constitution. These revelations startled the British Ministers, but did not deter54 them from concluding the peace, with the full approbation381 of Pitt. It was not that the First Consul, who every day betrayed some fresh symptom of an insatiable ambition, was disposed to offer them tempting382 terms; on the contrary,[485] though we were never more able to dictate383 measures at sea, and he never less so, he was as haughty384 and dictatorial385 in his demands as if Great Britain had been completely under his feet. Yet the treaty went on, and was concluded and signed on the 27th of March, 1802. It settled nothing, as Britain refused to acknowledge the newly organised Republics, and declined to entertain Napoleon's preposterous386 suggestion that Malta was to be occupied by Neapolitan troops, under a neutrality guaranteed by all the chief European Powers; since it was well known that Napoleon, when it suited him, would cease to respect the conditions, and would readily dispossess the troops of Naples. Though Pitt believed him to have been sincere, Grenville, Windham, and Spencer saw that the ambition of the "Little Corporal" was insatiable, and denounced the treaty.
点击收听单词发音
1 rev | |
v.发动机旋转,加快速度 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 conspiracy | |
n.阴谋,密谋,共谋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 coalition | |
n.结合体,同盟,结合,联合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 regained | |
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 coup | |
n.政变;突然而成功的行动 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 breach | |
n.违反,不履行;破裂;vt.冲破,攻破 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 ministry | |
n.(政府的)部;牧师 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 negotiations | |
协商( negotiation的名词复数 ); 谈判; 完成(难事); 通过 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 negotiation | |
n.谈判,协商 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 continental | |
adj.大陆的,大陆性的,欧洲大陆的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 rebellious | |
adj.造反的,反抗的,难控制的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 colonists | |
n.殖民地开拓者,移民,殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 disturbances | |
n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 );打扰;困扰;障碍 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 augment | |
vt.(使)增大,增加,增长,扩张 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 abate | |
vi.(风势,疼痛等)减弱,减轻,减退 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 liberate | |
v.解放,使获得自由,释出,放出;vt.解放,使获自由 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 liberated | |
a.无拘束的,放纵的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 inert | |
adj.无活动能力的,惰性的;迟钝的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 concession | |
n.让步,妥协;特许(权) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 concessions | |
n.(尤指由政府或雇主给予的)特许权( concession的名词复数 );承认;减价;(在某地的)特许经营权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 emancipation | |
n.(从束缚、支配下)解放 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 ripening | |
v.成熟,使熟( ripen的现在分词 );熟化;熟成 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 inflicted | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 liberating | |
解放,释放( liberate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 waggons | |
四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 ); 铁路货车; 小手推车 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 ravaged | |
毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 ); 蹂躏; 劫掠; 抢劫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 aged | |
adj.年老的,陈年的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 commissioner | |
n.(政府厅、局、处等部门)专员,长官,委员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 commissioners | |
n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 );长官;委员;政府部门的长官 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 cede | |
v.割让,放弃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 ceded | |
v.让给,割让,放弃( cede的过去式 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 verge | |
n.边,边缘;v.接近,濒临 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 yoke | |
n.轭;支配;v.给...上轭,连接,使成配偶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 conspirators | |
n.共谋者,阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 accomplices | |
从犯,帮凶,同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 acquitted | |
宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 ); 使(自己)作出某种表现 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 favourable | |
adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 restrictions | |
约束( restriction的名词复数 ); 管制; 制约因素; 带限制性的条件(或规则) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 repeal | |
n.废止,撤消;v.废止,撤消 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 repealed | |
撤销,废除( repeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 franchise | |
n.特许,特权,专营权,特许权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 inquiry | |
n.打听,询问,调查,查问 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 corrupt | |
v.贿赂,收买;adj.腐败的,贪污的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 corruption | |
n.腐败,堕落,贪污 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 bigotry | |
n.偏见,偏执,持偏见的行为[态度]等 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 rife | |
adj.(指坏事情)充斥的,流行的,普遍的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 deter | |
vt.阻止,使不敢,吓住 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 stipulation | |
n.契约,规定,条文;条款说明 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 abruptness | |
n. 突然,唐突 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 chancellor | |
n.(英)大臣;法官;(德、奥)总理;大学校长 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 vigilant | |
adj.警觉的,警戒的,警惕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 sedition | |
n.煽动叛乱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 swarmed | |
密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 ); 云集; 成群地移动; 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 cape | |
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 stimulate | |
vt.刺激,使兴奋;激励,使…振奋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 acting | |
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 solicited | |
v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 );(指娼妇)拉客;索求;征求 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 patriot | |
n.爱国者,爱国主义者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 patriots | |
爱国者,爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 temperament | |
n.气质,性格,性情 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 Oxford | |
n.牛津(英国城市) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 honourable | |
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 disastrous | |
adj.灾难性的,造成灾害的;极坏的,很糟的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 garrulity | |
n.饶舌,多嘴 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 simultaneously | |
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 systematic | |
adj.有系统的,有计划的,有方法的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 disarm | |
v.解除武装,回复平常的编制,缓和 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 embark | |
vi.乘船,着手,从事,上飞机 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 condemned | |
adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 treasurer | |
n.司库,财务主管 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 insurgents | |
n.起义,暴动,造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 dagger | |
n.匕首,短剑,剑号 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 bloody | |
adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 heroism | |
n.大无畏精神,英勇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 mortification | |
n.耻辱,屈辱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89 garrison | |
n.卫戍部队;驻地,卫戍区;vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 cannon | |
n.大炮,火炮;飞机上的机关炮 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91 slaughter | |
n.屠杀,屠宰;vt.屠杀,宰杀 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92 plunder | |
vt.劫掠财物,掠夺;n.劫掠物,赃物;劫掠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
93 plundering | |
掠夺,抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
94 killing | |
n.巨额利润;突然赚大钱,发大财 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
95 massacre | |
n.残杀,大屠杀;v.残杀,集体屠杀 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
96 massacres | |
大屠杀( massacre的名词复数 ); 惨败 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
97 promptly | |
adv.及时地,敏捷地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
98 cork | |
n.软木,软木塞 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
99 rue | |
n.懊悔,芸香,后悔;v.后悔,悲伤,懊悔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
100 banished | |
v.放逐,驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
101 submission | |
n.服从,投降;温顺,谦虚;提出 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
102 frigates | |
n.快速军舰( frigate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
103 frigate | |
n.护航舰,大型驱逐舰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
104 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
105 inevitably | |
adv.不可避免地;必然发生地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
106 disaffected | |
adj.(政治上)不满的,叛离的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
107 utterly | |
adv.完全地,绝对地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
108 invaders | |
入侵者,侵略者,侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
109 prodigious | |
adj.惊人的,奇妙的;异常的;巨大的;庞大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
110 militia | |
n.民兵,民兵组织 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
111 disperse | |
vi.使分散;使消失;vt.分散;驱散 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
112 dispersed | |
adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
113 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
114 delusion | |
n.谬见,欺骗,幻觉,迷惑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
115 ammunition | |
n.军火,弹药 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
116 instigator | |
n.煽动者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
117 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
118 miseries | |
n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 );痛苦的事;穷困;常发牢骚的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
119 abode | |
n.住处,住所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
120 rein | |
n.疆绳,统治,支配;vt.以僵绳控制,统治 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
121 relinquished | |
交出,让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 ); 放弃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
122 relinquish | |
v.放弃,撤回,让与,放手 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
123 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
124 circuitous | |
adj.迂回的路的,迂曲的,绕行的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
125 rout | |
n.溃退,溃败;v.击溃,打垮 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
126 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
127 averse | |
adj.厌恶的;反对的,不乐意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
128 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
129 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
130 sweeping | |
adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
131 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
132 embarked | |
乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 ); 装载; 从事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
133 sluices | |
n.水闸( sluice的名词复数 );(用水闸控制的)水;有闸人工水道;漂洗处v.冲洗( sluice的第三人称单数 );(指水)喷涌而出;漂净;给…安装水闸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
134 adverse | |
adj.不利的;有害的;敌对的,不友好的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
135 vessels | |
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 );船;容器;(具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的)人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
136 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
137 surmised | |
v.臆测,推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 );揣测;猜想 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
138 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
139 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
140 gulf | |
n.海湾;深渊,鸿沟;分歧,隔阂 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
141 nay | |
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
142 boundless | |
adj.无限的;无边无际的;巨大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
143 contemplated | |
adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
144 chimerical | |
adj.荒诞不经的,梦幻的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
145 Mediterranean | |
adj.地中海的;地中海沿岸的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
146 convoy | |
vt.护送,护卫,护航;n.护送;护送队 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
147 fortress | |
n.堡垒,防御工事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
148 defiance | |
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
149 projector | |
n.投影机,放映机,幻灯机 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
150 knights | |
骑士; (中古时代的)武士( knight的名词复数 ); 骑士; 爵士; (国际象棋中)马 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
151 sloth | |
n.[动]树懒;懒惰,懒散 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
152 bribe | |
n.贿赂;v.向…行贿,买通 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
153 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
154 celebrated | |
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
155 labyrinth | |
n.迷宫;难解的事物;迷路 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
156 scouts | |
侦察员[机,舰]( scout的名词复数 ); 童子军; 搜索; 童子军成员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
157 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
158 obelisks | |
n.方尖石塔,短剑号,疑问记号( obelisk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
159 incensed | |
盛怒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
160 nominally | |
在名义上,表面地; 应名儿 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
161 breaches | |
破坏( breach的名词复数 ); 破裂; 缺口; 违背 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
162 pillage | |
v.抢劫;掠夺;n.抢劫,掠夺;掠夺物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
163 quench | |
vt.熄灭,扑灭;压制 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
164 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
165 cavalry | |
n.骑兵;轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
166 invincible | |
adj.不可征服的,难以制服的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
167 plumes | |
羽毛( plume的名词复数 ); 羽毛饰; 羽毛状物; 升上空中的羽状物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
168 infantry | |
n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
169 trench | |
n./v.(挖)沟,(挖)战壕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
170 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
171 gourds | |
n.葫芦( gourd的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
172 demons | |
n.恶人( demon的名词复数 );恶魔;精力过人的人;邪念 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
173 artillery | |
n.(军)火炮,大炮;炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
174 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
175 residue | |
n.残余,剩余,残渣 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
176 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
177 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
178 doctrines | |
n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 );教义;学说;(政府政策的)正式声明 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
179 eminence | |
n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
180 enjoined | |
v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
181 annihilate | |
v.使无效;毁灭;取消 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
182 mortars | |
n.迫击炮( mortar的名词复数 );砂浆;房产;研钵 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
183 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
184 ledge | |
n.壁架,架状突出物;岩架,岩礁 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
185 lighting | |
n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
186 stunning | |
adj.极好的;使人晕倒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
187 shrieking | |
v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
188 zealous | |
adj.狂热的,热心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
189 intercepted | |
拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 ); 截住; 截击; 拦阻 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
190 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
191 majestic | |
adj.雄伟的,壮丽的,庄严的,威严的,崇高的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
192 kindled | |
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
193 mosques | |
清真寺; 伊斯兰教寺院,清真寺; 清真寺,伊斯兰教寺院( mosque的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
194 slaughtering | |
v.屠杀,杀戮,屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
195 baron | |
n.男爵;(商业界等)巨头,大王 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
196 violation | |
n.违反(行为),违背(行为),侵犯 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
197 repose | |
v.(使)休息;n.安息 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
198 victorious | |
adj.胜利的,得胜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
199 aloof | |
adj.远离的;冷淡的,漠不关心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
200 alacrity | |
n.敏捷,轻快,乐意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
201 palatable | |
adj.可口的,美味的;惬意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
202 alienate | |
vt.使疏远,离间;转让(财产等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
203 joint | |
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
204 mustered | |
v.集合,召集,集结(尤指部队)( muster的过去式和过去分词 );(自他人处)搜集某事物;聚集;激发 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
205 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
206 Portuguese | |
n.葡萄牙人;葡萄牙语 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
207 incompetent | |
adj.无能力的,不能胜任的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
208 evacuate | |
v.遣送;搬空;抽出;排泄;大(小)便 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
209 evacuated | |
撤退者的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
210 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
211 hoisted | |
把…吊起,升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
212 defenders | |
n.防御者( defender的名词复数 );守卫者;保护者;辩护者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
213 supersede | |
v.替代;充任 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
214 superseded | |
[医]被代替的,废弃的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
215 disorder | |
n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
216 cardinal | |
n.(天主教的)红衣主教;adj.首要的,基本的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
217 fascinations | |
n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 );有魅力的东西;迷恋;陶醉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
218 instigated | |
v.使(某事物)开始或发生,鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
219 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
220 barge | |
n.平底载货船,驳船 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
221 abortive | |
adj.不成功的,发育不全的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
222 memorable | |
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
223 repelled | |
v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 );使厌恶;排斥;推开 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
224 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
225 desolate | |
adj.荒凉的,荒芜的;孤独的,凄凉的;v.使荒芜,使孤寂 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
226 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
227 brutally | |
adv.残忍地,野蛮地,冷酷无情地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
228 vowed | |
起誓,发誓(vow的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
229 seamen | |
n.海员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
230 inevitable | |
adj.不可避免的,必然发生的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
231 encumbered | |
v.妨碍,阻碍,拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
232 opium | |
n.鸦片;adj.鸦片的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
233 rumour | |
n.谣言,谣传,传闻 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
234 hostility | |
n.敌对,敌意;抵制[pl.]交战,战争 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
235 repulse | |
n.击退,拒绝;vt.逐退,击退,拒绝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
236 descending | |
n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
237 repulsed | |
v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 );驳斥;拒绝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
238 fortify | |
v.强化防御,为…设防;加强,强化 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
239 muskets | |
n.火枪,(尤指)滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
240 slung | |
抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 ); 吊挂; 遣送; 押往 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
241 havoc | |
n.大破坏,浩劫,大混乱,大杂乱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
242 mortify | |
v.克制,禁欲,使受辱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
243 consummated | |
v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 );使完美;完婚;(婚礼后的)圆房 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
244 provincial | |
adj.省的,地方的;n.外省人,乡下人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
245 consul | |
n.领事;执政官 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
246 adroit | |
adj.熟练的,灵巧的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
247 mishap | |
n.不幸的事,不幸;灾祸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
248 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
249 consuls | |
领事( consul的名词复数 ); (古罗马共和国时期)执政官 (古罗马共和国及其军队的最高首长,同时共有两位,每年选举一次) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
250 enact | |
vt.制定(法律);上演,扮演 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
251 usurp | |
vt.篡夺,霸占;vi.篡位 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
252 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
253 supreme | |
adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
254 regiment | |
n.团,多数,管理;v.组织,编成团,统制 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
255 regiments | |
(军队的)团( regiment的名词复数 ); 大量的人或物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
256 pretence | |
n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
257 reactionary | |
n.反动者,反动主义者;adj.反动的,反动主义的,反对改革的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
258 placidly | |
adv.平稳地,平静地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
259 murmurs | |
n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 );低语声;怨言;嘀咕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
260 sanctuary | |
n.圣所,圣堂,寺庙;禁猎区,保护区 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
261 outlawry | |
宣布非法,非法化,放逐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
262 traitor | |
n.叛徒,卖国贼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
263 royalty | |
n.皇家,皇族 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
264 fatten | |
v.使肥,变肥 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
265 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
266 overture | |
n.前奏曲、序曲,提议,提案,初步交涉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
267 overtures | |
n.主动的表示,提议;(向某人做出的)友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 );(歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的)序曲,前奏曲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
268 isle | |
n.小岛,岛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
269 humble | |
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
270 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
271 dominion | |
n.统治,管辖,支配权;领土,版图 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
272 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
273 etiquette | |
n.礼仪,礼节;规矩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
274 caustic | |
adj.刻薄的,腐蚀性的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
275 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
276 withdrawn | |
vt.收回;使退出;vi.撤退,退出 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
277 exterminate | |
v.扑灭,消灭,根绝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
278 intervention | |
n.介入,干涉,干预 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
279 vehemently | |
adv. 热烈地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
280 amendment | |
n.改正,修正,改善,修正案 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
281 detailed | |
adj.详细的,详尽的,极注意细节的,完全的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
282 rotation | |
n.旋转;循环,轮流 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
283 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
284 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
285 imploring | |
恳求的,哀求的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
286 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
287 borough | |
n.享有自治权的市镇;(英)自治市镇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
288 prospects | |
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
289 boroughs | |
(尤指大伦敦的)行政区( borough的名词复数 ); 议会中有代表的市镇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
290 patronage | |
n.赞助,支援,援助;光顾,捧场 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
291 promotion | |
n.提升,晋级;促销,宣传 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
292 bishop | |
n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
293 usher | |
n.带位员,招待员;vt.引导,护送;vi.做招待,担任引座员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
294 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
295 exchequer | |
n.财政部;国库 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
296 lavishly | |
adv.慷慨地,大方地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
297 imperatively | |
adv.命令式地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
298 extinction | |
n.熄灭,消亡,消灭,灭绝,绝种 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
299 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
300 ascertained | |
v.弄清,确定,查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
301 assent | |
v.批准,认可;n.批准,认可 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
302 prorogued | |
v.使(议会)休会( prorogue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
303 rejection | |
n.拒绝,被拒,抛弃,被弃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
304 obstinate | |
adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
305 auspicious | |
adj.吉利的;幸运的,吉兆的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
306 penetrating | |
adj.(声音)响亮的,尖锐的adj.(气味)刺激的adj.(思想)敏锐的,有洞察力的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
307 confinement | |
n.幽禁,拘留,监禁;分娩;限制,局限 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
308 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
309 obstruct | |
v.阻隔,阻塞(道路、通道等);n.阻碍物,障碍物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
310 besieging | |
包围,围困,围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
311 contemplating | |
深思,细想,仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 ); 注视,凝视; 考虑接受(发生某事的可能性); 深思熟虑,沉思,苦思冥想 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
312 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
313 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
314 fatigued | |
adj. 疲乏的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
315 galloping | |
adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
316 armistice | |
n.休战,停战协定 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
317 scarcity | |
n.缺乏,不足,萧条 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
318 bakers | |
n.面包师( baker的名词复数 );面包店;面包店店主;十三 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
319 premiums | |
n.费用( premium的名词复数 );保险费;额外费用;(商品定价、贷款利息等以外的)加价 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
320 subscriptions | |
n.(报刊等的)订阅费( subscription的名词复数 );捐款;(俱乐部的)会员费;捐助 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
321 benevolence | |
n.慈悲,捐助 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
322 interfering | |
adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
323 proceedings | |
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
324 aggravation | |
n.烦恼,恼火 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
325 distresses | |
n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 );痛苦;贫困;危险 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
326 chastise | |
vt.责骂,严惩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
327 odious | |
adj.可憎的,讨厌的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
328 perfidious | |
adj.不忠的,背信弃义的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
329 anonymous | |
adj.无名的;匿名的;无特色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
330 avowal | |
n.公开宣称,坦白承认 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
331 procuring | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的现在分词 );拉皮条 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
332 privy | |
adj.私用的;隐密的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
333 interval | |
n.间隔,间距;幕间休息,中场休息 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
334 alluded | |
提及,暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
335 dissenters | |
n.持异议者,持不同意见者( dissenter的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
336 agitation | |
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
337 compliance | |
n.顺从;服从;附和;屈从 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
338 retirement | |
n.退休,退职 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
339 candidly | |
adv.坦率地,直率而诚恳地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
340 avowed | |
adj.公开声明的,承认的v.公开声明,承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
341 postponed | |
vt.& vi.延期,缓办,(使)延迟vt.把…放在次要地位;[语]把…放在后面(或句尾)vi.(疟疾等)延缓发作(或复发) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
342 incompatible | |
adj.不相容的,不协调的,不相配的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
343 adjournment | |
休会; 延期; 休会期; 休庭期 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
344 nomination | |
n.提名,任命,提名权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
345 adjourned | |
(使)休会, (使)休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
346 malady | |
n.病,疾病(通常做比喻) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
347 Augmented | |
adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
348 prudent | |
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
349 martial | |
adj.战争的,军事的,尚武的,威武的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
350 overthrown | |
adj. 打翻的,推倒的,倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
351 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
352 treasury | |
n.宝库;国库,金库;文库 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
353 ordnance | |
n.大炮,军械 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
354 eldest | |
adj.最年长的,最年老的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
355 erratic | |
adj.古怪的,反复无常的,不稳定的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
356 convoys | |
n.(有护航的)船队( convoy的名词复数 );车队;护航(队);护送队 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
357 embargo | |
n.禁运(令);vt.对...实行禁运,禁止(通商) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
358 laden | |
adj.装满了的;充满了的;负了重担的;苦恼的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
359 truce | |
n.休战,(争执,烦恼等的)缓和;v.以停战结束 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
360 entreating | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
361 arduous | |
adj.艰苦的,费力的,陡峭的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
362 renewal | |
adj.(契约)延期,续订,更新,复活,重来 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
363 hostilities | |
n.战争;敌意(hostility的复数);敌对状态;战事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
364 envoy | |
n.使节,使者,代表,公使 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
365 accredited | |
adj.可接受的;可信任的;公认的;质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 );委托;委任;把…归结于 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
366 revel | |
vi.狂欢作乐,陶醉;n.作乐,狂欢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
367 thaw | |
v.(使)融化,(使)变得友善;n.融化,缓和 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
368 liking | |
n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
369 complimentary | |
adj.赠送的,免费的,赞美的,恭维的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
370 hovered | |
鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 ); 靠近(某事物); (人)徘徊; 犹豫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
371 citadel | |
n.城堡;堡垒;避难所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
372 assassinated | |
v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 );中伤;诋毁;破坏 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
373 assailed | |
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 );困扰;质问;毅然应对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
374 adroitness | |
参考例句: |
|
|
375 fortified | |
adj. 加强的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
376 gunpowder | |
n.火药 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
377 ratification | |
n.批准,认可 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
378 presidency | |
n.总统(校长,总经理)的职位(任期) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
379 dominions | |
统治权( dominion的名词复数 ); 领土; 疆土; 版图 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
380 thwart | |
v.阻挠,妨碍,反对;adj.横(断的) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
381 approbation | |
n.称赞;认可 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
382 tempting | |
a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
383 dictate | |
v.口授;(使)听写;指令,指示,命令 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
384 haughty | |
adj.傲慢的,高傲的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
385 dictatorial | |
adj. 独裁的,专断的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
386 preposterous | |
adj.荒谬的,可笑的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |