Switzerland and Germany are the first objects of the new French politicians.  When I contemplate what they have done at home, which is, in effect, little less than an amazing conquest, wrought by a change of opinion, in a great part (to be sure far from altogether) very sudden, I cannot help letting my thoughts run along with their designs, and, without attending to geographical order, to consider the other states of Europe, so far as they may be any way affected by this astonishing Revolution.  If early steps are not taken in some way or other to prevent the spreading of this influence, I scarcely think any of them perfectly secure.

[Sidenote:  Italy.]

[Sidenote:  Lombardy.]

Italy is divided, as Germany and Switzerland are, into many smaller states, and with some considerable diversity as to forms of government; but as these divisions and varieties in Italy are not so considerable, so neither do I think the danger altogether so imminent there as in Germany and Switzerland.  Savoy I know that the French consider as in a very hopeful way, and I believe not at all without reason.  They view it as an old member of the kingdom of France, which may be easily reunited in the manner and on the principles of the reunion of Avignon.  This country communicates with Piedmont; and as the king of Sardinia’s dominions were long the key of Italy, and as such long regarded by France, whilst France acted on her old maxims, and with views on Italy,—­so, in this new French empire of sedition, if once she gets that key into her hands, she can easily lay open the barrier which hinders the entrance of her present politics into that inviting region.  Milan, I am sure, nourishes great disquiets; and if Milan should stir, no part of Lombardy is secure to the present possessors,—­whether the Venetian or the Austrian.  Genoa is closely connected with France.

[Sidenote:  Bourbon princes in Italy.]

The first prince of the House of Bourbon has been obliged to give himself up entirely to the new system, and to pretend even to propagate it with all zeal:  at least, that club of intriguers who assemble at the Feuillants, and whose cabinet meets at Madame de Stael’s, and makes and directs all the ministers, is the real executive government of France.  The Emperor is perfectly in concert, and they will not long suffer any prince of the House of Bourbon to keep by force the French emissaries out of their dominions; nor whilst France has a commerce with them, especially through Marseilles, (the hottest focus of sedition in France,) will it be long possible to prevent the intercourse or the effects.

Naples has an old, inveterate disposition to republicanism, and (however for some time past quiet) is as liable to explosion as its own Vesuvius.  Sicily, I think, has these dispositions in full as strong a degree.  In neither of these countries exists anything which very well deserves the name of government or exact police.