Sir John sent in next day a paper, containing the heads of what he would propose for the improvement of the troops. He counselled that the whole should be assembled in the neighbourhood of Palermo; that they should be formed into brigades, proper officers commissioned, and full authority given to General Bourrand to discipline and organize them. This officer was capable of the business, if confided in, and had lately been appointed commander of the forces.

News now came from the north of Europe, of the most melancholy tenor: Dantzic had capitulated, the Russian army had again been overthrown, and the Emperor Alexander and the King of Prussia forced to sign a most humiliating peace with France at Tilsit. The Bocca di Cattaro and the Ionian Islands being ceded to France, were articles in the treaty most alarming to the court of Palermo, and sunk the Queen absolutely into despair.

She sent to Sir John Moore, requesting that he would see her. He found her dis

solved in tears, with the Treaty of the Peace of Tilsit lying before her. She burst out

bitter reproaches against the sovereigns of Europe: she supposed they would oblige her to quit Sicily, and offer for her residence Dalmatia, or some miserable island. She longed to resign her crown, and become à simple individual.

Certainly, had this Queen been born in a private station, she might have been much happier; for she possessed neither moderation nor fortitude to enable her to rule in prosperity, or to support adversity. Moore stayed with her Majesty nearly two hours, and did all in his power to console her. Her former dislike was now converted into warm regard. She concluded by saying,* Great pains have been taken to prejudice me against you, and not without effect; but your plain, frank manners have removed every unfavourable impression, and nothing 'shall make me think ill of you again.

* Journal, MS.

For I perceive, Monsieur Moore, that

you are an upright man, who flatters no'body; you are a little reserved, and don't 'give your confidence easily: I esteem you ' on that account the more. I hope, however, 'at last to acquire your confidence, and I 'shall be flattered by it.' This atonement made by the Queen was no corrective of the slanderous representations sent formerly to the English ministers.

After leaving her Majesty, Moore had a visit from Circello, who addressed him with the utmost cordiality. He requested that he would correspond with General Bourrand, to instruct him in military matters; and hoped also, that in future there should be between themselves the best understanding, and a frequent communication of each other's sentiments on the affairs of government. Such sudden alterations, from open enmity to seeming amity, are no way singular in this court; for no well-poised, well-oiled weathercock shifts more nimbly with the slightest breath of wind, than a versatile

Italian courtier, when the will of his sovereign changes. Moore replied politely to his amicable protestations, and returned to Messina, to occupy himself sedulously in putting the fortresses in good order, and in taking measures for the defence of Sicily. From this time there continued the utmost concord between Moore and the Sicilian government; and the minister assured him that every military regulation which he recommended was implicitly adopted.

While thus engaged, an order came to Sir John Moore from England to embark a number of regiments, which formed seven thousand men, and proceed with them to Gibraltar, where he should receive further directions.

Before he sailed, the garrison of Alexandria was brought back for the security of Sicily; and he left the command to General Sherbrock, to whom he imparted his opinions relative to the disposition of the troops, and the measures to be taken for the defence of the island.

CHAPTER XIV.

AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL AND SWEDEN.

WHEN Sir John Moore arrived at Gibraltar, he was informed by Sir Hew Dalrymple, the Lieutenant-Governor, that he had been sent for in aid of Portugal. No actions of Bonaparte, either previous or subsequent, surpassed in perfidy his treatment of the Prince Regent who governed that kingdom. He had been forced to pay an exorbitant annual tribute to France for six years, for permission to remain neutral. But as soon as all Germany to the Baltic, and Russia, were prostrate at Napoleon's feet, his boundless ambition prompted him to turn his arms to the south, to subject the Peninsula of Spain and Portugal. He commenced with the latter; which, by lying on the western flank of Spain, would facilitate his future operations. And as he always employed artifices in aid of aggressions, he compelled the degraded Spanish