this indulgence an ordinance was published declaring that those who should return to the town after once leaving it were to be considered as rebels and accomplices of the enemy, and as such condemned to death by a prevotal court.  But this was not enough.  At the end of December people, without distinction of sex or age, were dragged from their beds and conveyed out of the town on a cold night, when the thermometer was between sixteen or eighteen degrees; and it was affirmed that several old men perished in this removal.  Those who survived were left on the outside of the Altona gates.  At Altona they all found refuge and assistance.  On Christmas-day 7000 of these unfortunate persons were received in the house of M. Rainville, formerly aide de camp to Dumouriez, and who left France together with that general.  His house, which was at Holstein, was usually the scene of brilliant entertainments, but it was converted into the abode of misery, mourning, and death.  All possible attention was bestowed on the unfortunate outlaws; but few profited by it, and what is worse, the inhabitants of Altona suffered for their generosity.  Many of the unfortunate persons were affected with the epidemic disease which was raging in Hamburg, and which in consequence broke out at Altona.

All means of raising money in Hamburg being exhausted, a seizure was made of the funds of the Bank of that city, which yet contained from seven to eight millions of marks.  Were those who ordered this measure not aware that to seize on the funds of some of the citizens of Hamburg was an injury to all foreigners who had funds in the Bank?  Such is a brief statement of the vexations and cruelties which long oppressed this unfortunate city.  Napoleon accused Hamburg of Anglomania, and by ruining her he thought to ruin England.  Hamburg, feeble and bereft of her sources, could only complain, like Jerusalem when besieged by Titus:  “Plorans, plorcatrit in nocte.”

CHAPTER XXXII.

1813-1814.

Prince Eugene and the affairs of Italy—­The army of Italy on the frontiers of Austria—­Eugene’s regret at the defection of the Bavarians—­Murat’s dissimulation and perfidy—­His treaty with Austria—­Hostilities followed by a declaration of war—­Murat abandoned by the French generals—­Proclamation from Paris—­Murat’s success—­Gigantic scheme of Napoleon—­Napoleon advised to join the Jacobins—­His refusal—­Armament of the National Guard—­The Emperor’s farewell to the officers—­The Congress of Chatillon—­Refusal of an armistice—­Napoleon’s character displayed in his negotiations—­ Opening of the Congress—­Discussions—­Rupture of the Conferences.

I wars now proceed to notice the affairs of Italy and the principal events of the Viceroyalty of Eugene.  In order to throw together all that I have to say about the Viceroy I must anticipate the order of time.