when occasion shall present itself. If You read the account which I rendered to the Emperor, of the situation of Italy, and of the motives which have determined You to negociate with the coalesced powers, You would be convinced that I have no need to be encouraged to dare to speak the truth. I have always thought, that it is betraying princes to conceal it from them.

You think that Your alliance with the coalition is the only means of preserving the throne, and that that alliance will serve the true interests of France better than Your arms. It would be superfluous to repeat to You the objections which I have made to You on this subject; but I ought to insist on the necessity which exists for Your establishing a good army. It is Your security; it is the means of possessing influence in the coalition. Do not fear defections among Your officers and Your soldiers when you shall be at their head, when they

shall be convinced that You serve Your country. Who has more than You exposed his life for it, and in a manner more glorious? Make it known that You put Your army in motion only for the good of France and that of Your own country.

You have been thought indecisive until now, and therefore all opinions, all sentiments, have had no center, no support, no direction. Your army, instead of acquiring moral power and discipline, has lost its time in political contentions. Your generals have themselves thrown doubt into their minds, by demanding what could neither be granted to them, nor refused. I conjure You, think above all of creating for Yourself a high consideration; make Your character esteemed; that will ultimately be Your only power, that will be the only barrier which they will not dare to cross. What sovereign would wish to draw upon himself the odious reproach of having violated the faith which he had pledged to

you? Ambition is not blind to such a degree; people dare not always do all that they can.

You desire me to defend You against calumny; do not render Yourself uneasy respecting the judgment which will be passed on the part that You have taken. It was my duty to divert You from it; I have fulfilled that duty conscienciously. But now when your decision is interrupted, I owe to the friendship which You have for me, to tell You, that the slightest hesitation would be fatal.

It would give to Your new allies the right to mistrust You, and to require of You guarantees. Your conduct, in this case, will be appreciated, like every thing in this world, by its success. If You can contribute to the general pacification; if Your name acquire sufficient weight in the balance of the affairs of Europe, to elevate the dignity of thrones and the independence of nations, You will be blessed over all the earth.

Hasten to proclaim that You have made

an alliance with the coalition only because it Fends its assistance to that noble de

sign. Shew to Italy the extent and the solidity of Your real views for its prosperity. Vague hopes would only agitate it, and would not obtain its confidence.

I see with pain the insurrections in the country; they will destroy Your resources, and will produce an anarchy which You will no longer be able to repress. If You are obliged to make levies en masse, You must do so with circumspection. Order and discipline do no harm to activity. Be watchful to stir up only those passions which You will be able to satisfy.

Pardon the frankness of my counsels, in consideration of the desire which I have to see You happy and sufficiently powerful to restore to France what You have received from her.

I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)

THE DUKE OF OTRANTO.

F

P.S. I have this moment received the letter in which You request me to commit to writing the reflections which I have had the honour to make to You respecting the constitution which is required of You. I shall immediately occupy myself with that work. Do not suffer Yourself to be induced, 1 intreat You, to throw out among the Neapolitan people ideas for which they are not prepared. Treat them as You have treated Your children; grant them nothing but what is suitable for them. I fear that this word constitution, which I hear throughout my journey, is, in the majority, only a vague desire not to obey.

Buonaparte had just abdicated when the Duke of Otranto arrived at Paris. It was generally regretted that he was not a member of the provisional government; his knowledge, his definite views, might have prevented, perhaps, many evils. He wished to give a last proof of his interest to Bonaparte,