settlement in the demarcation of empires can possibly be expected, while changes depend on the whim of the strongest, without any other rule or guide but the coloured windings of a map; while public right is only a branch of geography, and diplomacy is a mere science of curiosity, a kind of dead language, fit for the learned, rather than for negociators.

Of Louis's unprincipled political bargains, the first in magnitude is certainly the treaty which partitioned Spain, during the life of its sovereign. We shall give an abridged account of this transaction. Torcy hardly notices it in his Memoirs, Bolingbroke only mentions.it as known to him, like Henault and Mably. Voltaire is the first who gave any details on this head, but these are insufficient and inaccurate, as is too often the case with that Jively writer. The document from which we draw our information, is annexed to the collection before us, it forms a part of a secret history of the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, composed by Mr. SaintPret, keeper of the archives of the foreign department, in France; a manuscript copy of which, made in 1731 by Mr. le Dran, first clerk to this establishinent, is in the hands of the editors.

October 20, 1667, Mr. Wicka, the Emperor's ambassador at the court of France, gave a grand dinner, to celebrate the birth of a prince, son of his master. Thither Louis sent the Landgrave William of Furstenberg, to be the first to propose the health of the Emperor. During the entertainment, Mr. Wicka told the Landgrave that the court of Vienna would now listen more willingly to the proposition of an eventual treaty, than it had done before. This was enough to induce Lionne (the French minister for foreign affairs) to dispatch immediately a courier to M. Gremonville, the French ambassador at Vienna, with instructions to discover, if possible, whether such really was the intentions of the Emperor, and to say, in that case, that if the two courts could agree in this important point, the French king would willingly make peace, at present, with the Spaniards; reserving only what he had conquered in Flanders in the last campaign. Greinonville lost no time in tampering with the Emperor's ministers; he first saw Prince Lobkowitz, who denied that Mr. Wicka had been authorised in what he had said, but appeared much in favour of the project; doubting however Louis's sincerity. ineanwhile referred Mr. Gremonville to Prince Aversberg, as likely to have more weight with the Emperor. This minister,

He

like his colleague, had his doubts as to the King's real intentions; he was however induced to propose the matter to his master, by the promise of a Cardinal's hat; which he passionately desired, but which Louis never procured for him.

Four days after Prince Aversberg gave M. Gremonville the answer of the Emperor, who consented to enter into negociation on the subject; provided he could be assured of the French King's sincerity; and on condition that it should be immediately commenced, without any one else being privy to it.

Louis accepted these conditions, and lost no time in sending M. Gremonville his instructions, and full powers, enabling him to sign such a treaty, as would contain the following conditions. That his catholic Majesty should make peace with Portugal on terms already agreed between them, and acknowledge it as an independent kingdom. That in order to satisfy his most Christian Majesty, for the rights of the Queen in the Low Countries, his Catholic Majesty should confirm to the King of France the possession of what he had conquered in Flanders, in his last campaign; or some equivalent in the same country, specified in the instructions. As to the partitiontreaty, Louis gives his minister a variety of plans wherein he was successively to intrench himself in case he should be too hard pressed, rather than to break off the negociation: the last of which was, that Louis would be satisfied with the possession of Flanders (so intent was he on this point) Sicily and Sardinia; leaving to the Emperor the other vast possessions of the Spanish monarchy.

Gremonville having received his powers, began the negociations with Prince Aversperg. After as much finesse, and as many debates, as if they had been conveying the actual property of their respective sovereigns, these ministers at last signed a definitive treaty January 19, 1668. The conditions of peace with Spain were such as Louis himself proposed; such as had been already settled with the states of Holland, and which the triple alliance, concluded in January, 1668, was intended to enforce. It was moreover stipulated, that the Emperor should give the Spaniards till the end of March to accept, or refuse, these terms; in which last case, he should afford them no manner of assistance.

As to the partition treaty, in case the King of Spain should die without issue, the King of France was to have the rest of the Low Countries, Franche Comté, the kingdom of Navarre and its dependencies, the fortress of Rosas, the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily (these last were granted by Prince Aversberg in consideration of the cardinal's hat promised to him: the money lavished on the occasion is not mentioned) the Philippines, and the town on the coast of Africa; the Emperor was to have the rest of the Spanish monarchy. It was also stipulated that each of the parties should assist the other in getting possession of his respective share; and it was agreed, that for secrecy and security, the original of the treaty should be put in a sealed box, and committed to the custody of the grand Duke of Tuscany. To this, however, Louis soon after objected, fearing some indiscretion; the treaty was in consequence, made in duplicates, and Louis sent a party of his body guards to Vienna to convey the counter-part, which he was to keep.

The author affirms, that Louis XIV expressed the highest satisfaction in receiving the first copy of this treaty; saying, that the repose of Europe was now insured for a long time; this is still the language held at every new usurpation; and with as little truth now as it was then; for war broke out four years afterwards. This treaty was in the issue set aside, and the plan of partition became the cause of most sanguinary contests.

It may be observed here, how vain was the boast of the framers of the triple alliance, echoed by all historians, that this coalition had forced Louis to accede to the conditions of the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. We have seen that the treaty concluded with the emperor had rendered it perfectly nugatory; nor could he, who in 1666, contracted a secret agreement with Charles II, then his enemy, have found it a very difficult matter to separate him from his new allies. Indeed, Charles himself seems to have courted seduction, for hardly had he signed that treaty when he pettishly excuses himself for so doing, and writes to his sister, the Duchess of Orleans, "that the coolness, with which his offers had been received on one side had compelled him to take part with the other," this letter of January 23, 1668, ye quote memoriter, from Dalrymple.

Such was the craft, such were the politics, of Louis XIV! Could he have foreseen that the issue of his contrivances would have been the expulsion of his family from the throne of France, before the century was expired in which he died, what a bitter and nauseous ingredient would that anticipation have been in the cup of self flattery, and popular applause with which he was intoxicated. Fame, glory, honour, empty sounds! followed by revolution, dethronement, and murder.

In a succeeding Number we may consider this mighty monarch, as a warrior, and as a sovereign over his own people. Verzeichniss, &c. a Catalogue of Plants which grow wild in the Neighbourhood of Gættingen. By G. Londes, 8vo. pp. 80. Gottingen.

THIS is a systematic catalogue of the Phænogamiæ according to the first twenty-three classes of Linnæus, without including the Cryptogamiæ, which will probably form the substance of another volume.

Poétique Anglaise, par M. Hennet. 3 vol. in Svo. Paris.

THESE three volumes, though relating to the same subject, namely that of illustrating English poetry, differ totally in their execution, and appear to form separate works.

The first explains, not the general rules of poetry, but those which particularly belong to the English. The mechanism of English versification, the richness of expression peculiar to it, the genius and prosody of the language, are described with clearness and precision. The author runs through all the kinds of poems from the epigram to the epopea. This first part is less a cold didactic treatise, than a series of very judicious remarks, confirmed by extracts of choice pieces from the best authors.

The second volume is consecrated to

the poets. Without entering into the details of the private lives of these poets, the author brings us acquainted with their character, the species of poetry which they cultivated, those poems in which they have best succeeded, and those wherein they have not been so happy. This volume contains a fund of curious anecdote but little known.

In the third, our author turns poet,

in 8vo. Paris. Price 6s. Dulau and Co. THE discoveries of travellers receive additional importance in the eyes of sedentary readers, from the distance at which they are often placed. The savage inhabitant of a remote island, becomes, in narrative, an interesting object; accounts of his manners are perused with avidity, and the rude produce of his industry, excites the admiration of the gaping world. Less interest is raised by those remnants of ancient people, who from local or political circumstances, preserve, in the midst of Europe, some of the characteristics of its former inhabitants.

Naturalists describe the physical state of countries, and their productions; but man has been too generally excluded from their researches. Other travellers, hastening to scenes of wealth, and of polished luxury, pass unnoticed, these rough but genuine, and living monuments of former ages; as they tread in contempt the uncultivated waste while their eyes are fixed on the stately park, and the elegancies of dignified domain.

Valais, situated between France, Italy, and Switzerland, has been, till now, hardly mentioned by writers of travels. Lost in the general geography of Europe, unconnected with foreign politics, and almost inaccessible; it was only known by some slight notice in the general description of Switzerland, of which it made a part, before the French revolution.

M. Echasseriaux has undertaken to supply this deficiency: he had many opportunities for observing, having been employed in that country, by the French government; and the result of his observations, is the work before us. The first part, describing the physical state of Valais, and the manners of its inhabitants, is in the form of letters; it is followed by several landscapes as Mr. E. quaintly terms. them, or descriptions of particular sites; a superficial account of the well known natural productions of the country, terminates this small volume.

Valais, says Mr. E., is perhaps the most secluded spot in Europe by nature, and the most deficient in those communications which give life and animation to a country, by facilitating the intercourse of men, and the exchange of commodities. Two chains of

mountains extending 160 miles from east to west, from Saint Gingolph to the sources of the Rhine, form this picturesque valley, whose greatest breadth is hardly three miles; five other small lateral valleys, which appear to be branches of the first, form together the territory of Valais. On the mountains and in the plains, dwells a population of 70,000 souls, which from the difference of language, and the local influence of a varying climate, seems composed of different species of men.

The revolutions of the globe have left deep traces every where in this wild spot, which is itself in a gradual state of physical revolution. At every step, the traveller beholds, and passes over, the wrecks of nature. A river which here pours like a torrent, there expands into a spreading sheet of water, shifts alternately its bed, and its course, and rolls successively its floods mixed with ruins, over the whole tumbling from abrupt heights furrowing the valley, spreading devastation. Torrents sides of the mountain, carrying sand and large stones in their rapid descent. Huge rocks at times breaking away, and overwhelming with ruin, cultivated fields, and sometimes entire villages; such is the aspect presented to the observant traveller by this territory, which seems as if it had not been intended for the habitation of man. Nature land, has nevertheless, scattered also her which has multiplied so many evils on this choicest gifts in many places. The alternate influence of a prevailing humidity, and of the heat of the climate, quickens into life the latent seeds of the most precious and most useful plants. Hills covered with vineyards, producing excellent wine; small plots of corn, scattered here and there, a variety of temperatures, and of climates, which favours at the same time the different fruits of several seasons; such is the smiling prospect nature contrasts, or rather ningles, with the wild and rough landscape I drew before.

The same instinctive impulse which has fixed large populations in the most fertile countries, which has drawn and scattered tribes and families in the most fruitful spots, has directed the distribution of the population of this country. Wherever a verdant mantle bedecks the ground, wherever a smalharable plot appears, there you certainly find a house, a cottage, or a cabin; in every little plain you. meet with a village or a hamlet, or, if the valley opens, with a small town. The Va laisan is confined to that spot where he can lives. there he erects his dwelling, and this place is his country.

You are not, however, to expect in Valais a population adequate to the extent of its territory. The proportion of arable ground it contains, is to that of other countries of Eu rope as 1 to 18. Nature has left but few spots to the industry of inan; mountains, rivers,

torrents, and marshes, engross the rest of the country.

The Valaisan is either a husbandman, or a shepherd; the former dwells most by the valleys, the latter on the mountains. Agriculture is the only kind of industry this people exercises, or is even acquainted with, yet it is neglected, and its produce is hardly more than adequate to the wants of the inhabitants. Those speculations which create an active rivalship in industry, are unknown in Valais. There fortune is not the aim of ambition; but its allurements are powerless. Social institutions and national spirit tend to keep wealth and industry on a general level: little labour is exerted because wants are but few. The rude manufactures of the country, are entirely relinquished to foreign hands; mines of gold, silver, and copper, exist, but those rich metals remain buried in the mountains, nor tempt the cupidity of a poor and indolent people. Circumscribed in the narrow circle of his wants, the Valaisan does not envy the wealth, industry, and luxury diffused over the rest of Europe. No people in the world demands less from fortune, or puts itself less in the way of her favours; this people is a proof that there are nations whom example

cannot seduce.

Those discoveries, those great events, which in the three last centuries have given the people of Europe such impulse towards industry and commerce, have produced no sensation in Valais. Still are the people of this country strangers to those arts and to that activity, by which cities have been built, embellished, and enriched; and which have improved society, by introducing conveniencies, enjoyments, and wealth, into private

families.The Valaisan has remained stationary amid the progress of civilization; the history of the 14th century continues to be the history of this present day; the national characteristics are still the same; and the time which has elapsed has effected no alteration in his moral existence, nor improvement in his system of political economy.

Hermitages, charnel houses, chapels hewn in the rock, stationed at the foot of the mountain, on its rugged sides, and even on its dreary summit, manifest the turn of mind of the Valaisan. In this country a cross is creeted before the enormous ruins of a mountain which has given way; and a cross is also raised instead of a strong dam, against threatening torrents.

The religion of the country might appear to a foreigner tinged with the fanaticisin of former centuries; this however is not the case; for the Valaisan, in general, is incapable of strong and fervid passions. Sincerely attached in the simplicity of his heart, to a belief founded on conviction, he derives hence his virtues, his morality, and that

honesty, the first of social excellencies, which pervades all his actions; few crimes disgrace the country; it has hardly any police, and no public force; Religion seems to be the great curb; it is the first occupation, as it is the first sentiment of the Valaisan. He is poor in his humble dwelling, but the village-church is always richly ornamented; his temple is to him the universe; a multiplicity of holydays occupies the time and the passions of a people, void of industrious activity, and equally stranger to speculations and to arts.

Such is the exterior appearance of this small state, the interior of families offers nothing very extraordinary: you will only find frequently that simplicity of manners already pourtrayed in glowing colours by celebrated writer, (J. J. Rousseau).

This poor and inoffensive people, has however experienced the effects of that terrible revolution, whose focus was so near them. The political fermentation soon subsided; but to secure the French the entrance of Italy, the Valaisan has he found in his connection with Switzerbeen torn from the congenial protection land; a new constitution has been forced upon him, and Valais now forms a separate state, dependent on France. framing the new government, some of the ancient customs of the people have been respected; but they regret the loss of many former habits; and M. E. inveighs too bitterly for a man of his seeming moderation, against the attachment they still manifest for them.

M. E. was himself one of the first law-givers of France; and Valais appears to him a fine field for improvement. His ideas although expressed in rather too lofty a style, will not be deemed by some readers undeserving of consideration, for and knowledge of the Valaisans; yet he professes a wish to increase the wealth he might be asked how these doubtful advantages, even if realized, could add to the happiness of such a people? What enjoyments can riches afford to him whose wants are but few, and whose desires extend no further? What could the Valaisan expect from the more generous pursuit of science, but to discover defects of which he has never been sensible, and to awaken sentiments of a misery most the only care of its former governnew to his feelings. The great and alment, was to exclude foreign manners; strangers were not permitted to settle in