number.  Some ran thirty miles, to Pesara.  The peasantry took up arms, even the women, to defend their country.  However, the runaways are not only collected, but advanced to Arcoti; which they took from the French, cutting open the gates with hatchets.  It is said, they have got a good general; Cetto, a Neapolitan prince; and, I hope, will be ashamed of their former conduct.  General Micheux is bringing a prisoner to Naples.  This failure has thrown Mack backward.  It is the intention of that general to surround Civita Castellana.  Chevalier Saxe advanced th Viterbi; General Metch to Fermi; and Mack, with the main body, finding his communication not open with Fermi, retreated towards Castellana.  In his route, he was attacked from an entrenchment of the enemy, which it was necessary to carry.  Finding his troops backward, he dismounted, and attempted to rally them:  but they left their general, and basely fled.  The natural consequence was, he was sorely wounded; but saved by some gallant cavalry, and carried off by the bravery of a coachman:  and is safe, poor fellow, at Rome; and, hopes are entertained of his recovery.  The fugitives are fled to Rome, fancying the French at their heels; who never moved from their entrenchment, which was carried by another party of troops, under General Dumas.  It is reported, that the king has stripped the Prince di Tarante, Duc di Tranoulle, of his uniform, and disgraced him.  He commanded under Saxe; and fled, among the first, to Rome.  It is for the traitorous and cowardly conduct of these scoundrels, that the great queen is miserable, knowing not whom to trust.  The French minister, and his legation, went off by sea yesterday.”

On the 14th, the King of Naples returned home; and notice was immediately given, by Lord Nelson, through the medium of Sir William Hamilton, with as much secrecy as circumstances would admit, that three English transports, then in the Bay of Naples, had directions to receive on board such valuable effects as could be stowed in them, from British merchants, and other residents, and that the whole squadron would be ready to receive their persons, should such a measure be found necessary, in consequence of the kingdom’s being invaded by a formidable French army.  The Marquis De Niza, at the same time, was desired, by his lordship, to spare a number of Portuguese officers and seamen, for the purpose of assisting to fit some of the Neapolitan ships for sea.  He wrote, also, to Captain Ball, at Malta, for the Goliath, Captain Foley, to be sent immediately; and to Captain Troubridge, at Leghorn, whom he desired to join him without one moment’s loss of time; leaving the Terpsichore in Leghorn Roads, to bring off the Grand Duke, should such an event be necessary.  “The King,” writes he, “is returned home, and every thing is as bad as possible.  For God’s sake, make haste.  Approach the place with caution.  Messina, probably, I shall be found at; but you can enquire, at the Lipari Islands, if we are at Palermo.  Caution Gage to act with secrecy; and desire him to write to Windham, and give him those instructions which may be necessary, at this time, for his guarded conduct and secrecy.”