of a large wolf; the youth was but eighteen, unarmed, but he endeavoured to rescue the woman, who was already torn; the wolf turned on him, and he in his turn cried out for help; his mother heard him, and ran to his succour the danger of her son inspired her with unusual strength, and she overthrew the beast; the animal instantly recovered its feet; but the lad had seized a hatchet, and struck him; the beast fought desperately and screamed hideously; but the youth was undaunted, repeated his blows, and the wolfwas killed., France is a large country; it has in some parts extensive woods, thick with trees, and almost impregnable, from whence, these animals sometimes visit the villages, and commit great devastation.

The more we learn of the history of the public or private life of Orleans, we have occasion to execrate him: but there is one little trait of him that may be told to his

advantage; and as it is the only one I ever heard in his favour, trifling as it is, (and from a motive, perhaps, not as laudable as the act would indicate) I mention it. It is known that he affected English fashions, had hunters and grooms, and all imitated the English dress; one day a groom fell into the river, the Prince saw the man could not swim, plunged in after him and reached him; but being a crop, he had great difficulty in taking hold of him; he at length succeeded, and brought him to shore; the man fell on his knees, and blessed and thanked his saviour, Orleans said, "My friend, you are: welcome to what I have done for you; but the next time you are in the humour to throw yourself into the water, be so good to wear longer hair."

LETTER XIX.

Paris, September 25, 1802.

THE Council General of the Department of the Seine, (I speak in French terms; their epithets are always grand, and their de scriptions pompous) decreed a monument in honor of the First Consul. It is of little importance to sycophants who have ascended the pinnacle of power; their homage is to him who can remunerate it; whether he was successful by accident or discretion,whether he has soared on the wings of his own talents, or on the borrowed plumes of others, weigh nothing in their estimation.

The humble obsequious department of the Seine, once so famous for its revolutionary ardor, decreed this honor to the First Con-· sul, to be erected where the grand Chatelet formerly was. Bonaparte's answer to the flattering compliment is as artful and hypocritical as their offer was servile and abject: "Citizens, Members of the Council General of the Department of the Seine, (he re-echoes the ostentatious sounds) I see with gratitude the sentiments that animate the Magistrates of the city of Paris. The custom of dedicating monuments to men who have rendered themselves useful to the people is honorable to nations: I accept the of fer of the monument you would raise to me; but let us leave to posterity the care of rearing it; let us leave its construction to after ages, if they ratify the opinion you entertain of me." Profound consummate dissimulation! How he rejects the shade while he seizes the essence! What are monuments, statues,

pedestals, addresses, and orations, but entblems of qualities, or effusions of adulation? Bonaparte was not to be amused and deluded with vain honors and empty titles; he aspired at solid power, and his conquer ing soldiery enabled him to obtain it. This is the inevitable misfortune of Revolution; the instruments by which liberty is gained are generally its destruction; the army that conquers the enemy at last recoils on its

friends; and the General that has fought the nation's battles, ends his career by arrogating the supreme authority.

No one has been able to dive into the dark and impenetrable temper of Bonaparte; his designs cannot be inferred from his declarations, and he never condescends to interpret his actions: no one can account for the sudden death of four hundred and seventy sick French soldiers in Egypt, nor the cold-blooded murder of the three thou