51 



tainly derive strength from discharging my mind 

 with the person of all others I most love, and in 

 whom I have the greatest confidence. If I expe- 

 rience great uneasiness and some degree of melan- 

 choly from what I am going to relate, I no doubt 

 must attribute it in a great measure to the sad state 

 of my health ever since my last serious illness. 



I have often returned my warmest thanks to Pro- 

 vidence for the state in which I am placed, — able to 

 pursue the study which, with your friendship and 

 the attachment of my wife, are the three great and 

 only objects which make me value my existence. I 

 hoped ever to enjoy these blessings in peace and 

 security ; yet God only knows whether I shall be 

 in that state when you receive this. You probably 

 know that our restless neighbours are in possession 

 of the greater part of Savoy. The Genevans, seeing 

 them at .their gates and fearing the same lot, have 

 called on their allies the Swiss for succour ; near 

 2000 Swiss, or rather 2140, (1500 of Berne and 640 

 of Zuric,)have entered Geneva. The French resident 

 remonstrated against this admission, and has left 

 Geneva, leaving a letter, in which he says " the ad- 

 mission of the Swiss cannot be considered by the 

 French but as a coalition with the other powers 

 against Liberty !" The end of this letter is a direct 

 declaration of war. There are a great number of 

 French close to Geneva, with artillery for a siege, 

 &c. &c. ; and it is expected they will shortly begin 

 firing on that place. The Swiss march in every di- 

 rection towards the frontiers of our French neigh- 

 bours, and are admirably well disposed to receive 



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