move merely these particular objects of their enmity, without in
the least damaging the adjacent parts. In defacing armorial
bearings and things of this sort, the reformers have been at the
trouble of cutting them away, so as to leave the shield quite
plain, although they were carved in stone. I should have supposed
that mischief done in the moment of frenzy would not have been so
methodical.

Upon all the public buildings, the public offices, and many others,
is written in large characters--_Unite indivisibilite de la
republique, liberte, egalite, fraternite, ou la mort_; but in
general the last word is rubbed out. The nation took it into their
heads not to like death upon the downfall of Robespierre. Upon many
of the churches is this inscription--_Le peuple francais reconnait
l'etre supreme et l'immortalite de l'ame._ This was a decree of the
Convention for the people at large, and your Lordship will allow
that this must have a ridiculous effect upon the walls of a church
entirely in ruins, as is often the case. Another modern inscription
is--_Citoyens, respectez le bien d'autrui, c'est le fruit de son
travail et de son industrie_; and perhaps close by it you may read
_propriete nationale a vendre_, in direct violation of the other,
offering to sell property of which some unfortunate person has been
robbed by the very preachers of this doctrine.

I am obliged to break off suddenly, for reasons which will be very
soon known to your Lordship.

I have the honour to be your Lordship's most obedient, faithful,
humble servant,

JAMES TALBOT.

The last line of this letter is written in an agitated hand, which the
circumstance that compelled Mr. Talbot to break off so abruptly
sufficiently accounts for. At that moment a note had arrived at the
embassy from M. de la Croix, giving Lord Malmesbury notice to depart
from Paris in eight-and-forty hours, adding that if the British Cabinet
were desirous of peace, the Executive Directory were ready to carry on
the negotiations, on the basis they had already laid down, by the
reciprocal channel of couriers.

1797.

DISCONTENTS IN ENGLAND--THE BREST SQUADRON--MOTION ON THE STATE OF
IRELAND--AFFAIRS OF THE CONTINENT--LORD MALMESBURY'S MISSION TO LISLE.

The result of Lord Malmesbury's mission was communicated to Parliament
as soon as it becam