e; and wishes, he says, the
French to be the aggressors. It is aggression, if this court
knows--all the world knows--that the French are collecting an army
to over-run Naples; in a week, destroy the monarchy; plunder, and
make it a republic. As this is fully known; surely, it is an
aggression of the most serious nature. The emperor's troops have
not yet been in the habits of retaking kingdoms; and it is easier
to destroy, than restore. I ventured to tell their majesties,
directly, that one of the following things must happen to the King,
and he had his choice--"Either advance, trusting to God for his
blessing on a just cause, to die with _l'epee a la main_; or remain
quiet, and be kicked out of your kingdom." The king replied, that
he would go on, and trust in God; and desired me to stay till noon,
to consult with Mack on this new face of affairs.

"November 15. I came from the king after dinner; and their
majesties both told me, that things stood precisely as they did
before the receipt of the dispatches from London and Vienna. There
was, evidently, a great disappointment at not getting money from
England. That they want, is certain; nor do the ministers, I
believe, know how to get it. Their paper money is at forty per
cent. discount. I long ago told the queen, I did not think Mr. Pitt
would go to parliament, and ask money of the country, in the
present moment; that, if England saw every exertion made, in this
country, to save themselves, John Bull was never backward in
supporting his friends in distress. Good God, my lord, can the
emperor submit to this!

"November 18. Last evening, Lady Hamilton received a letter from
the queen, full of the idea that money was indispensable: and
desired her ladyship to shew it to me; and, that I would say what I
saw. That I can do, very soon. I see the finest country in the
world, full of resources; yet, without enough to supply the public
wants: all are plundering, who can get at public money or stores.
In my own line, I can speak. A Neapolitan ship of the line would
cost more than ten English ships fitting out. Five sail of the line
must ruin the country. Every thing else is, I have no doubt, going
on in the same system of thieving: I could give your lordship so
many instances of the greatest mal-conduct