4 
ways recur. The attempt ought, 
therefore, to be resumed, as the op- 
‘portunity stil! continued as inviting 
as ever. It was ignominious for 
rhree such powers as France, Spain, 
and Holland, to desist from so prac- 
ticable a design, which they had 
every reason to prosecute, and 
none to abandon. The fleets of 
Great Britain were, not superior to 
those of the potent confederacy, 
formed against it; and so many 
advantages would result from the 
accomplishment of the object pro- 
posed, that it ought, in good policy, 
to be persisted in, against all diffi- 
culties, and at. all hazards. Such 
was the language of the French, 
Animated by motives of this kind, 
the three allied. powers resolved to 
exert themselves, without intermis- 
sion, inthe equipment of such a na- 
val force, as might effectually con- 
front the British marine, and make, 
at the same time, a successful im- 
pression upon that part of the em- 
pire of Great Britain, which appear- 
ed most vulnerable. Such was the 
plan. in the contemplation of the 
enemies of England, and of which 
they formed the most s@nguine ex- 
pectations. Nor did the most saga- 
.cious politicians look upon it as il- 
founded, though they were equally 
persuaded, that it would meet with 
every gbstruction from the'long no- 
ted valeur and skill of their adver- 
saries.. ‘Lhus, all circumstances con- 
tributed to render the present year 
productive cf eyents, not less, if not 
more, important and striking than 
those thathad preceded. “Thecyes of 
all the Euiupean nations, were anxi- 
‘ously. fixed “on the vast prepara- 
tions making egainst a pow er, 
which, if it resi. ted them, would 
become greater than, ever: bul of 
which the destiny seemed uncer- 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1797. 
tain, when the rooted hostility, and 
the prodigious efforts of such for- 
midable enemies, were duly and 
impartially considered. 
The readiness with which the 
French government broke off the 
negociation with England, arose, 
in the opinion of those who were 
reputed the most judicious, in the 
firm persuasion that the triple alli- 
ance, as it was styled, now formed 
against it, could hardly fail to com- 
pass the ends it proposed, by prose- 
cuting them with the energy and 
perseverance, of which they were 
deserving. 
While France was so busily in- 
tent on the means of effecting the 
downfall of England, it was no 
less occupied in preparing, as it 
hoped, the final destruction of the 
power of Austria. The spirit with 
which this latter sustained the succes- 
sive disasters that had befallen its re- 
peated endeavours to maintain its 
ground in Italy, had kept. alive 
the courage of its subjects and 
well-wishers to such a degree, that 
ihey all concurred in a resolute 
determination to’ stand by it as 
long as the least prospect, remain- 
ed of any possibility to retrieve 
its affairs. 
‘Lhe theatre, to which the atten- 
tionot Europe was chiefly turned, at 
the énd of the last and beginning of 
the present year, was Italy. “Lhe 
exploits of Buonaparte had not yet 
terminated, as he had long expected, 
and many labours awaited him be- 
fore the accomplishment of that ob- 
ject, without which, both heand his 
foes well foresaw that his views 
would be. frustrated, and the fruits 
of his victories lost. This was the 
capture of Mautua, which held out 
with an obstinacy that had never 
been exceeded in the defence of 
any 
Y 
