Nunc in ovilia
Mox in reluctantes dracones.
[311]. The author of The Pursuits of Literature. [Now known to be T. J. Mathias, editor of various Italian works, and teacher of Italian to the family of K. George III.—Ed.]
[312]. The Manes of Vercengetorix are supposed to have been very much gratified by the invasion of Italy and the plunder of the Roman territory. The defeat of the Burgundians is to be revenged on the modern inhabitants of Switzerland. But the Swiss were a free people, defending their liberties against a tyrant. Moreover, they happened to be in alliance with France at the time. No matter; Burgundy is since become a province of France, and the French have acquired a property in all the injuries and defeats which the people of that country may have sustained, together with a title to revenge and retaliation to be exercised in the present or any future centuries, as may be found most glorious and convenient.
[313]. The speech of General Fitzpatrick, on his motion for an Address of the House of Commons to the Emperor of Germany, to demand the deliverance of M. La Fayette from the prison of Olmütz, was one of the most dainty pieces of oratory that ever drew tears from a crowded gallery, and the clerks at the table. It was really quite moving to hear the General talk of religion, conjugal fidelity, and “such branches of learning”. There were a few who laughed indeed, but that was thought hard-hearted, and immoral, and irreligious, and God knows what. Crying was the order of the day. Why will not the Opposition try these topics again? La Fayette indeed (the more’s the pity) is out. But why not a motion for a general gaol-delivery of all state prisoners throughout Europe? [This was Fitzpatrick’s master-speech, and extorted the applauses of Pitt himself, who nevertheless resisted its arguments. Burke said that La Fayette, “instead of being termed an ‘illustrious exile,’ ought always to be considered, as he now was, an outcast of society; who, having no talents to guide or influence the storm which he had laboured to raise, fled like a dastard from the bloodshed and massacre in which he had involved so many thousands of unoffending persons and families”.—Ed.]
[314]. “Now all the while did not this stony-hearted CUR shed one tear.”—Merchant of Venice. [John Curwen—member for the city of Carlisle, from 1786 till 1812. He was a skilful agriculturist, and his operations may be said to have given a new character to the business of farming. He died in 1828, aged 73.—Ed.]
[315]. See page [72], in the note, for a theft more shameless, and an application of the thing stolen more stupid, than any of those recorded of Irish story-tellers by Joe Miller.
[316]. See Récit de mes Périls, by Louvet; Mémoires d’un Détenu, by Riouffe, &c. The avidity with which these productions were read, might, we should hope, be accounted for upon principles of mere curiosity (as we read the Newgate Calendar, and the history of the Buccaneers), not from any interest in favour of a set of wretches infinitely more detestable than all the robbers and pirates that ever existed.
[317]. Every lover of modern French literature, and admirer of modern French characters, must remember the rout which was made about Louvet’s death and Lodoiska’s poison. The attempt at self-slaughter, and the process of the recovery, the arsenic and the castor oil, were served up in daily messes from the French papers, till the public absolutely sickened.
[318]. Faciles Napeæ.