Irritated at this answer, ALBERT attempted another meth→ od. His subjects were ordered to exert themselves in gaining over to his interest the citizens of the three cantons individually, and particularly the nobility. This they were to effect by representing the advantages, which would accrue to them, if all those states, which were so intimately connected by commercial ties, were to be united under the same master. "But," says Watteville, in the true spirit of freedom, "a "people, who have no superior excepting the Laws, cannot "voluntarily submit to a despotic power, however dazzling

may appear the advantages, which are offered them. The "advantages of a free people, it is true, may be more limit"ed; but as their privileges and enjoyments depend not on "the arbitrary will of an individual, they are durable and "subject to no reverse." This spirit is worthy the best periods of the Roman Commonwealth.

Baron d'Attinghausen, the first magistrate or Landamman † of Uri, this year solicited anew at the Imperial court a confirmation of the privileges of the three cantons, and applied for an Imperial Governor.‡ He was very ill received, and told, that the cantons should be treated with the same complaisance, that they had used toward the Emperor, and that a time would come, when they would certainly repent of their conduct with regard to him; that they were in no need of a particular governor, but had only to apply to the Emperor's bailiff at Lucerne or Rottenbourg. No sooner had d'Attinghausen reported this answer, § than it was foreseen by the federate bodies, that ALBERT sought to obtain by force, what

and barons, whom it is not necessary here to name, were compelled to sell their rights, or render homage for them to him. Such were the fortunate events which encouraged him to attempt the acquisition of all Switzerland; an enterprize supported by his successors, but which turned against them, and fixed the liberty of a people, whom they sought to oppress. See Watteville and Heiss.

† German, AMMAN, Consul, burgomaster; LAND, country, territory. Called in German REICHSVOGHT, "chatelain du Roi," royal bailiff, she riff, constable, or castellan.

$"To his superiors," says Watteville, a favorite Republican idea,

his cunning had not been able to acquire, and that the Austrian bailiffs would administer the right of the sword among them, in the name of that house, and finally establish it by custom. The event justified their fears. They made equitable remonstrances to ALBERT, who seemed attentive to their complaints, and dismissed their ambassadors with the assurance, that he would send them governors on the part of the Empire, enjoining upon them to obey their orders as his own, under pain of losing their liberty,

But, in order to obtain his purposes, he named two gentlemen of a character haughty, severe, and unjust, and gave gave them instructions well calculated to excite a revolt among the people, that he might have a plausible pretext for accusing them of rebellion, and subjecting them by force of arms. The first, of the family of the Gesslers, established his residence at Altorf,* in the canton of Uri; the other, Berenger de Landenberg, at Sarne, in the canton of Underwalden. The castles, which these governors occupied, were provided with garrisons, and placed in a state of defence. Afterward the Emperor obtained another, situated in the canton of Underwalden, named-Rotzberg; in which he placed a gentleman of the house of Wolfenschiessen, of a character similar to that of the bailiffs,

The severe government of these Imperial deputies, their haughtiness and injustice soon became intolerable to the three cantons. "Our chronicles," says Watteville, "find no ex"pressions strong enough, to describe them. They con"demned the inhabitants to prison for the slightest fault; "caused them to be transported to Lucerne or Zug, under "the most trifling pretexts, demanded cruelly and without "compassion the tribute due to the Empire; imposed new

* This town is the capital burgh of Uri, and generally regarded as the cradle of the Helvetic confederacy. It is situated in a narrow vale, almost surrounded by stupendous mountains. It is small, well built, and full of inhabitants. The tops of the houses are covered with large stones, to prevent the roofs being carried away by the violent hurricanes, which frequently occur in that mountainous country. Wood.

taxes; were deaf to the complaints of the people, and "made perpetual infractions on their liberties and privileges, "These were the general complaints; many had their pecu

❝iar grievances."*

Suitable remonstrances were made by the cantons to the Emperor, but they were not heard. It was thought sufficient to advise them to follow the example of their neighbors, and to gain the Prince's favor by submission. Perhaps they would not as yet have burst forth into open violence, if Gessler had not carried his insolence to an unexampled excess. This bailiff caused a hat to be erected on a pole at Altorf,† to which he ordered the people to render the same honors, as to himself, persuaded, that men, so hostile to the yoke of servitude, would never endure such subjection. By this procedure the tyrant flattered himself, he should be able to discover those of the nation, who had sufficient firmness to oppose injustice, and intimidate others by the bloody punish ments, he should inflict on them.

Etterlin, Guillimann &c. cited by Watteville. + lidem

[To be continued.]

RETROSPECT OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY,

[written in the summer of 1800.]

No. I.

WITHOUT assuming to decide the singular question, in which century the present year is to be numbered, which has divided very learned persons and excited their mutual surprise and pleasantry, a few remarks are offered upon the eighteenth century, under the general heads of religion, science, and politics. It is an age, memorable in regard to religion; an age, Augustan in literature and science; and an age, deeply marked by political events, some glorious and happy to humanity, and some most deplorable for the present, and for the future most ominous. To the first of these heads the present number shall be confined.

The eighteenth century is memorable in regard to religion.

On the confines of a new period of its age, can we less, than acknowledge the heavenly original and divine support of the Christian religion? Meek and long suffering in its spirit, it has solicited neither carnal weapons for its defence; nor worldly power to accelerate its progress. It has had the patronage, and sustained the enmity of Kings and Emperors, It has survived the prejudice of ignorance in the dark ages, and defied the scrutiny of learned pride in the enlightened. To human eye it has appeared in perils often; in perils by the heathen, and in perils among false brethren. But, in despite of the stormy malice of infidels and apostates, and the pious fraud of heritics, supported by power manifestly divine, it has holden its majestic and resistless course through this long tract of time. So once, amid the storms of nature confounding ocean with the solid land, sailed, humble type of the gospel, the ark of Noah; it sailed in safety, for God was its Pilot,

In regard to this last age of Christianity it may be enquir ed, whether it leave the religion in as fair a state, as it found it. Its enemies have been numerous, subtile, and able not less, than in any former period. The system of attack however has been totally reversed. Instead of sword and faggot, which could never more, than carry the weakest outworks and faintest defenders of the religion, have been employed the conspired arts of intrigue; a mine of which was prepar ing for half the century, as cunningly devised and as fatally designed, as the Papal plot under the Parliament house, to spring at once in every Christian country, and by one awful explosion to extinguish the Christian name.

Associated with the politics of a revolutionary country, infidelity soon reared her horrid front with unaccustomed audacity. She harangued the Senate; she thundered in the laws; she presided over the tribunal; she wielded the sanguinary sword of the Executive, She was seen meanly stooping even at the peasants cottage, smiling in his face, while she plundered his heart of its only remaining treasure, Religion soon was driven from her sanctuary; the ministers wept between the porch and the altar; but wept not long; death with a friendly hand, though in his most terrific form, drew the curtain between them and the destruction of order and religion.

From France and Germany infidelity has made her inroads upon other countries with various success. The degenerate forms of the divine religion most feebly sustained the assault, The Papal throne, once the terror of the world, became an unconditional captive. The Sovereign Pontiff, last in order, but among the first in virtue, circumvented by his invader, insulted by popular frenzy, bending with years, and heart broken with calamity, wandered forth, as our great ancestor from Paradise, into an inhospitable world.

The Protestant States, it is believed, have suffered least by this war on religion, though regarded with resolution persevering and malicious. The United States of America, one hundred years since the asylum of religion, flying from intol