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them. If really they do attaek this country, there 

 will certainly be bloody work, unless the French 

 show their heels, as they sometimes do, at a first 

 onset. I am close to the frontiers (at about seven 

 miles). Now to speak openly, all my uneasiness at 

 this moment arises from my having a wife to whom 

 I am much attached : were it not for this, and see- 

 ing my books, my herbarium, my hearth, and every 

 thing at stake, I should not hesitate one moment to 

 make one among the number, shoulder a musket if 

 necessary, and be cut to pieces (if Heaven would have 

 it so), with the hope of cutting down a wretch or two 

 in the fields, where I am accustomed to look for 

 plants and think of you ; rather than see my books 

 and plants burnt, and be quietly carved to pieces in 

 my study. As things are, come what come may, I 

 shall not stir from hence. These French in fact, as 

 noxious insects, are only to be feared from their 

 immense numbers. Nothing can be more delight- 

 ful than the disposition of the common people here. 

 We have had (not being on the high road) only two 

 bataillons who have passed here, among them many 

 men who have left their home without having done 

 sowing, yet no appearance of discontent. Those of 

 the German part, i. e. true Swiss, have a grave and 

 manly appearance, are perfectly well armed, their 

 artillery of the best sort, and all in the most excel- 

 lent order. From what I can conjecture we have, 

 or shall have shortly, between 30,000 and 40,000 

 men stirring. I had yesterday a young man with me 

 who has escaped from the massacre of the Swiss 

 Guards at Paris, in a manner almost miraculous. 



