and in a short time
the plan of an invasion was settled between them and the French rulers.
This invasion was the subject of familiar conversation both in England
and Ireland; yet the British government, either doubting or disregarding
the intelligence, neglected to take suitable measures for defence. In
the meantime mutual injuries between the society of United Irishmen and
the Orangemen, many of whom on both sides were desperate and abandoned
characters, engendered a fixed hatred between them; and these
dissensions rapidly increased, till the whole country exhibited a scene
of terror, consternation, and blood. In their encounters the Orangemen
were generally victorious; and in the end, in the county of Armagh,
where the Association was first formed, they succeeded in expelling
several thousands of Catholics from the county. During the latter part
of this year and the commencement of the next, the roads leading from
the city of Armagh presented the most heart-rending scenes: groups
of miserable families were seen endeavouring to escape from their
persecutors into the south and western districts of the country. So
strife and tumult prevailed among brethren.

NAVAL AFFAIRS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, ETC.

The French government made great exertions to put their navy on a
respectable footing; but all their efforts on the ocean led only to
disaster. On the 28th of February their commander, Rear-Admiral Pierre
Martin, sailed out of the harbour of Toulon with fifteen sail of the
line, six frigates, and three corvettes, having positive orders to
engage the English fleet under Vice-Admiral Hotham, if he met it, and to
drive the English out of Corsica. At that time the Mediterranean
fleet under Hotham, which consisted of thirteen sail of the line, four
frigates, and two sloops, with two or three Neapolitan ships, was
at Leghorn; and the enemy succeeded in capturing the Berwick, of
seventy-four guns, which found itself suddenly surrounded by the enemy.
On discovering the intentions of the enemy, Admiral Hotham instantly
unmoored and went in search of them. The two fleets came in sight
of each other on the 12th of March, between Corsica and Genoa, and a
partial engagement ensued, in which two French ships of the line, the
Ca Ira and the Censeur, fell into the hands of the British, principally
through the skill and courage of Nelson, who commanded the Agamemnon.
This action saved Corsica for the time; but the victory was incomple