d the French
ambassadors, on the 4th of July, addressed Zurich and Bern once more.
"Some days ago," they wrote, "several respectable men from the Five
Cantons were with us, not, it is true, in an official capacity. They
gave us a lively picture of the distress in their country, and exhorted
us to beg you to exercise that charity toward them, which is due from
one Christian to another. They assured us, that by a voluntary raising
of the prohibition, you would so win upon the heart of the Five
Cantons, that any reasonable demand of yours would readily be granted,
and the most obstinate even would be obliged to give way. Therefore,
mighty lords, we have consented, for the honor of God, for the sake of
the King, and in obedience to that precept of the Gospel, which you
profess: 'Love not your friends only, but your enemies also', urgently
to beseech you: Do away with this misery! Remember, that they are your
Christian brethren, your neighbors; that they speak your own language;
that you are one nation, friends, kinsmen--were united in old times,
and must be again in the future. Show love and mercy toward them, as
you would wish them to do toward you. Withhold not from them that
blessing, which God has bestowed on you. Regard not the words of abuse,
nor anything else, by which they have injured you. Thousands among them
are innocent of these things; as was indeed abundantly shown in
Bremgarten. Truly you will follow the command of God, you will act as
the Gospel teaches; in future generations it will bring you honor. Wise
and beloved lords, we write in haste before the Diet meets again. We
wish to put an end to the famine as speedily as possible. Fulfil our
prayers, and we pledge you our King will remember the favor and repay
it gladly, as far as in him lies."

It is not surprising, that upon a portion of the councils at least,
some effect should be produced by such appeals, and no less by the
reports concerning the disposition of their own people, which reached
them from time to time. One of these was communicated to Zurich by the
commander of Hitzkirch, Albert von Muelinen. It related to an event,
that occurred in a popular assembly at Lenzburg. The government of Bern
had called it together, partly to correct false rumors by a special
deputation, and partly to explain the reasons of the prohibition and
exhort the people to perform their duty in case of need. When now they
were formally enjoined so to do, one cried out: "Wh