it with pleasure—­“with thirty thousand of the finest troops in Europe,” on Saturday, the 17th, to Rome; and keep advancing, trusting to the support of the emperor.  Every hour, the French are increasing their Italian army, and two new generals are arrived at Rome.  Thus I went to bed last night; and, at six this morning, came to take leave of their majesties.  I found them in great distress.  The courier who left London on the 4th, has not brought any assurance of support from the emperor.  M. Turget is evasive; 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 of persons in office, and of those very people being rewarded.  If money could be placed in the public chest at this moment, I believe it would be well used: