NEW GENEVA. The fine tract of country which forms to make myself acquainted with all the the barony of Gaultier, in the county circumstances connected with it, several of Waterford, lies near the estuary of of which struck me as exceedingly the river Suir; and not far from its curious. shores, a few miles from the town of Among the first communities which Passage stands a large enclosure, with showed a spirit of independence in the remains of houses on the inside, Europe was the little city of Geneva, indicating what was once a considerable in Switzerland. It was ruled, during town. The aspect of the place has the dark ages, by bishops and counts, something singularly sad and inte between whom there were continual resting in it—as, at Nicæa, in Asia disputes, while the people, by alterMinor, there are still the remains of a nately uniting with one or the other, city now ruined and depopulated, extorted considerable privileges as the reposing in solitary magnificence on price of their adherence. They passed, the shore of a noble sheet of water, the however, at length to the house of walls that surrounded it still perfect, but Savoy, by whom the rights conceded the houses and all their inhabitants to them were gradually obliterated, almost as completely obliterated as if and an arbitrary authority established they had been swallowed up in an in their room. The exactions of their earthquake. There is not a tree near rulers became at last so intolerable, that it, to vary the desolate and naked the citizens rebelled, and having formed appearance of the long, bare walls ; an alliance with the people of Berne and, though one inhabited house is and Fribourg, they deprived the Duke still standing within the tottering gate- of Savoy of bis authority, drove the way, its shattered windows and broken bishop from the town, adopted the roof, if possible, increase the melancholy principles of the Reformation, and from and ruined appearance of the place. That tiine a republican form of governEven the tenant of this lonely and ment was established. The house of scarcely habitable dwelling seemed in Savoy made several ineffectual efforts perfect keeping with the objects about to regain its authority, the last of him : : we were informed he was a tithe- which was in 1602; from which time defaulter ; and the open resistance to the city and its little territory adthe laws, exhibited by this last inbabi- vanced surprisingly in prosperity. It tant of what seemed once to have been was constantly resorted to by strangers the abode of the peaceful and indus- of intelligence, and was remarkable for trious, formed a sad contrast with its the number of learned men it prooriginal intention. duced. Among its tolerant laws was The ruin has little to excite the one on which its prosperity greatly curiosity of the antiquary, being, evi- depended. Rejecting the exclusive dently, a comparatively modern struc- practice of the other Swiss towns, the ture, but is, nevertheless, connected Genevans adopted the wiser policy of with incidents as interesting as any to admitting discerning strangers to the be found in the annals of Ireland to freedom of their city, and conferring recommend it to the historian. It was on them the rights and privileges of once the refuge of a persecuted people, burghers, so that the causes of prosand the asylum to which art, science, perity at home were continually aug, and literature had retired when they menting by fresh accessions of skill were expelled from their own abode and industry from abroad. The reit is all that now remains of New formed religion had been finally estaGeneva, that once promised to confer blished under the preaching of Calvin such benefits on Ireland. The building and Theodore Beza. of this place was an event which excited 1780, the town contained but 24,000, considerable interest for a time, but and the territory annexed 16,000 iuhaving, like many other plans for the habitants, making the whole population improvement of this country, ended of this small state but 40,000 people ; in sudden disappointment, was soon distinguished, however, by an extraorforgotten, and the history of its rise dinary degree of industry and activity, and fall is now but little known. Being and excelling in the mechanical arts, on the spot, I took considerable pains particularly in the nice and delicate In the year manufacture of watches, and having a commerce in these articles which extended all over Europe. The population consisted of four classes-citizens, burghers, inhabitants, and natives. The governing body was composed of the two first; the third consisted of strangers who had settled in the town, with certain privileges; and the last comprised their sons, who, being born in the state, possessed many additional advantages. The inhabitants and natives were a large majority of the whole. Among the evils which attend too popular a form of government, are the factions and dissensions which are ever its inseparable concomitants. Notwithstanding its general prosperity, party disputes were continually convulsing this little state. They had all, however, been happily appeased or compromised, and in the year 1776, France, Zurich, and Berne, became guarantees to preserve the existing order of things then established. It was hoped that this arrangement would be final, but it lasted only five years, when a crisis took place which nearly ended in the total destruction of the state and the transfer of its intelligent and industrious population to a foreign country. The two great factions then existing in the state were the " negatives" and the "representants." The negatives were the aristocrats, who were discontented at the privileges extorted from them on former occasions, which they were eager to resume or recall at the first favourable opportunity. The representants were the democrats, who were determined to support and exercise to the very utmost all the rights they had acquired. There was a third class which, as yet, was allowed but little share in the government, but had grown into importance during the commotions, whom, therefore, each of the rival parties endeavored to gain over by lavish promises of future privileges and immunities. This was the order of the natives, who formed a very large proportion of the populace, and as they took different sides in the dispute, and each party encouraged their adherents to violence against their opponents, the city became a scene of constant tumult and disturbance, till at length the public safety was supposed to be seriously compromised. This induced the aristocrats to apply for external interference, and call on the guarantees for the existing order of things, as before established; and they were not backward in availing themselves of the pretext for interposing. On the 5th of Feb. 1781, matters were brought to a crisis in consequence of a very trifling incident. Some natives, who were neighbours, but of opposite sentiments, began to discuss their respective opinions, and proceeded from hostile language to personal violence. The Syndics interposed, and the angry disputants were separated and were retiring home, when a discharge of musketry was heard proceeding from the arsenal. It was occasioned by some young men who, siding with the negatives, had fired by mistake, and killed some of their own party; it was, however, considered by the representants as an organized attempt of their opponents to crush them. The result was a general insurrection, which ended by the representants seizing on the arsenal, and making themselves complete masters of the city. This was at once the signal for foreign interference; deputies were despatched from Zurich and Berne to act, as was said, as mediators, and they obtained a show of acquiescence on the part of the democrats, who seemed inclined to lay down their arms. But fresh elements of discord soon arose. A second insurrection was the consequence. democratic party were again successful; and now, as a precaution against the probable consequence of their violence, they seized on and imprisoned some of the magistrates and the principal negatives. They expected, of course, that the aristocrats would apply to France, by whom it was known they were particularly favoured; and their adversaries proposed keeping these persons as hostages and making them responsible for the public safety. They then proceeded to place the town in a posture for defence in case of attack, and made such further arrangements as inspired the people with a perfect confidence in their own strength and their capability of resisting any foreign interference. The Immediately on the rumour of this second disturbance, Zurich and Berne interdicted their subjects from any intercourse with the turbulent inhabitants of Geneva; and the French minister returned unopened the dispatches of their senate. But though they were thus abandoned and menaced, they continued inflexible in their determination; and for two months remained shut up within their ramparts, prepared for an assault, and fully confident that they would be able to repel it. Meantime the storm was gathering from without. The king of Sardinia, supposing that his interests were compromised in the present state of things, because much of his revenue was derived from the industry and wealth of Geneva, and was now considerably diminished by the disturbances which interrupted the usual avocations of the citizens; he, therefore, without any pretext, volunteered his interference with the French and Swiss; and thus an alliance of three powerful states was formed against the independence of this small but spirited community, to dictate what laws they should make, and by what forms they should be governed. But this fearful combination was so far from intimidating the Genevans, that they continued their preparations for resistance with indefatigable ardour and the peasantry flocked in from their little territory to share their dangers; and such was the general enthusiasm in this hour of peril, that even the women provided themselves with arms, and determined to abide by their brothers and husbands, and take part with them in all their military duties. : The allied armies now advanced on all sides; the town was blockaded, and a plan formed for a general attack; but, in the meantime, as a act of moderation and mercy, they proposed the following terms, as the only means of averting the threatened calamity that the chiefs of the representants should all leave the city in twenty-four hours that all the arms should be surrendered; and that no person should appear in the streets on pain of military punishment. These humiliating terms, as might have been expected, excited the highest indignation, and were at once rejected with scorn by the Gene vans. But notwithstanding the ardour of the citizens, it soon became evident to the wiser among them, that a contest against such fearful odds must terminate in favour of their enemies. The Syndics, terrified at the consequence of an assault which might involve the whole city in carnage and destruction, sent privately to the besiegers and demanded an extension of the time, secretly promising to use all their exertions with the citizens to induce them to comply with the terms proposed. In the meantime one hun dred persons were selected from among the people who were on military duty, as a council to deliberate on the best means of conducting their defence. It was proposed by some of them, that the hostages in their hands should be brought to the front of the batteries, and placed in a conspicuous place, in order to deter their assailants from firing; but this was over-ruled by the influence of the Syndics, and they even prevailed on the council to dismiss the hostages, and permit as many of the negatives as chose to avail themselves of the opportunity, to seek safety in the camp of the besiegers. It was insidiously and plausibly argued by them, that such a generous proceeding would, at once, have its proper effect on their enemies, and obtain for them the most favourable terms, if they were inclined to accept of them. The hostages and negatives proceeded to the camp, and the people of Geneva anxiously, but resolutely, awaited the result of their arrival. They expected every moment that some pacific and moderate overture would be made in return; but the evening closed—no mitigation of the former terms was offered-and the citizens had no alternative but to await the sanguinary assault, which was to take place at day-light in the morning. At midnight, however, another deliberation was held by the council of one hundred, and the Syndics artfully impressed on the minds of the most timid in the assembly, the utter hopelessness of resistance to such an overwhelming force as surrounded the town; and dwelt upon the utter ruin which must follow, involving not only the destruction of their properties, but endangering the lives of their wives and children. Wrought upon by these suggestions, they were at length brought to listen to a proposal for general emigration; to seek in another country, with their families, that freedom and independence which they could now no longer find in their own. A declaration was drawn up to this effect; the keys were delivered to the Syndics, who secretly opened the gates, and the body of the principal citizens, with their families, and such effects as they could hastily collect together, silently left the town. When the day dawned, and the circumstance was made known, nothing could equal the rage and disappointment of the Genevans; they found the senate they had chosen to provide for their protection gone from the city, and the cannon for its defence dismounted and useless. Left thus unarmed and without leaders, they could devise no better expedient than to follow the example of the council who had deserted them. They determined almost unanimously to leave the city, and before noon a mixed crowd of all ranks, ages, and sexes, amounting to 30,000 people, were seen on one side issuing from the gates, with so much of their property as they could carry with them, prepared to abandon their homes for ever; while an equal number of foreign soldiers, French, Swiss, and Sardinians, were seen entering on the other, to take possession of the deserted city. They marched in triumph through the streets, and the party who had first invited their assistance, succeeded in establishing their authority, supported by an army of strangers. Meantime the high-spirited emigrants were scattered in various places. An immense number of them, who had not and could not procure the means of living abroad, were, of course, compelled to return and seek their usual subsistence at home; but a great and most respectable body abandoned their native place for ever. Some established themselves at Brussels, and some at Constance and other places. But by far the most important and interesting portion of them proposed to take refuge in Ireland. Ireland had at this time just established a free trade and independent legislature. Hither, therefore, the Genevans resolved to come as to a kindred country, of whose sympathy and support they thought they might assure themselves. A memorial was drawn up and signed by above 1000 persons, who were either men of property or skill in manufactures, expressing a strong desire for an asylum in this country, and praying that some situation might be allocated to them to form a settlement. This memorial was presented to Earl Temple, then Lord Lieutenant. The advantage of so many enlightened Protestants importing their fortunes and talents into the country, was at once seen; many of them were known to have consider able property already vested in the English and foreign funds; and the skill and industry for which they were celebrated, were considered acquisitions of the last importance to the then state of Ireland. The proposal was, therefore, eagerly received, and on the VOL. XII. 27th September following it was submitted to the privy council of Dublin, who readily acceded to it; and it finally received the full approbation and assent of George III. The circumstance soon excited intense interest; and all classes vied with each other in assisting and promoting the project. The Irish Parliament voted £50,000 towards defraying the expenses of the emigrants, and building a town for their reception, The site selected was a very eligible one, near the mouth of the noble river Suir, about eight miles from the city of Waterford, and nearly opposite the port of Duncannon. Before it was the spacious harbour, and behind it a naturally fine but unimproved champaign country. Of this about twenty-seven acres of crown lands were allotted to the new colony, and all the existing interests of them purchased for the sum of £8000. Ten acres in the centre of this tract were selected as the site of the future town, a plan of which was drawn out, and the building of the different edifices immediately commenced. To superintend and direct the whole, a deputation of the emigrants proceeded, as commissioners, to Waterford, and arrived there in July, 1783. They were men of great intelligence, and a good specimen of the people, by whose accession the society of Waterford was about to be improved. One of them was Mons. Chalons, a tall, thin man of the most indefatigable activity both of mind and body. He was a simple manufacturer of watches; but to improve himself in the mysteries of his mechanical science, he had travelled all over Europe on footworking, like Peter the Great, in every place where science or skill could throw any light on the curious art in which he studied to excel. He was a remarkably well informed man, and spoke most European languages with perfect ease and fluency. English was so familiar to him, that he could not be detected, either by his idiom or pronunciation, to be a foreigner. Claviere was another of these commissioners. He afterwards went to France, where some singularly acute speculations in the funds recommended him to the notice of his countryman, Neckar, who took him into his confidence, and determined to profit by his abilities. He afterwards became himself minister of finance under the 2 F lace itself round with a double wall of circumvallation; but honest men will walk in the bloomy vale of human charities, and trample upon no flower. It is time, however, that we should proceed to business. Here is a letter from Wieland, very interesting and very edifying in more respects that one: for it tells us something, not only about himself, about human nature, and about the nature of Critics and Reviewers, but also something about Goethe and Herder, which may afford matter for useful meditation. "Weimar, February, 1777. "Your letter, dear friend, could not have come to me more opportunely. This cursed opera, Rosamond — half too good, and half too bad to see the light, which, however, nolens volens, I must bring to a conclusion - has check-mated me altogether, and I sit here and eat my thumbs, cursing the day, and the hour, when I was seized (no doubt as a punishment for my sins) with the idea of trying to do what Í do not understand, and what all masters of the craft tell me I have no turn for. Besides this, dear brother, I am much in want of a present friend to help me on my way; for, of my excellent worthy friends, here, there is not one who can communicate to me heat enough for the laying of two eggs. Even Goethe and Herder are, for me, as if they were not. With Goethe, when he first came here, what a year of blessed hours and days did the gods gift me withal! Now, however, the court relations in which he has encircled himself seem to have extinguished his genius altogether-his fancy is deadthe all-animating warmth that used to go out from his presence, has been succeeded by a political frost. He is always good and harmless as of yore; but he is not communicative, and one can make nothing of him. We see one another seldom; although I am quite convinced that he has no objections to me, and is convinced also that I love him. As to Herder, everything that you prophesied to me has gone into complete fulfilment. The particular circumstances of my various collisions with the learned dean,* I shall reserve till we meet. In the meanwhile, matters lie thus ;- - my love and good for the planet may be best observed from its satellite, and the valet often tells secrets that could not be extracted from the master) will nevertheless be willing to seek edification from the words of great men that came to him, as to the focus of an acoustic chamber from all parts of Germany. Doubtless there is much trash among the letters of their great men, which the Germans have lately been publishing in such profusion; but he who cannot find the primest jewels amid that rubbish, has no eyes for literary history. There is, besides, a certain air and atmosphere about the most trifling letters, as about the most trifling conversation of a great man, from which an accurate observer can glean more profound insight into his character, than can be obtained from the study of his most perfect works, or the witnessing of his most important public exhibitions. If you wish to know what sort of a man the actor is, you must go to the green-room, and not to the stage. You must see him in dishabille, lying upon a sofa, smoking a pipe, eating a good dinner, fighting with a bad digestion, or croaking with a bad cold. Any man who is not a very clod may be a hero once in his life, when a heroic occasion excites him; but shew me a man who on all the small occasions of life, the domestic πράγματα, and περι πραγματων that are not sung in any Iliad, and I will shew you, once in your life at least a thing worthy to be seen--a true Christian, and a great philosopher. Even so in letter writing. If a man does not let out the cloven foot now and then to his familiar friends and confidants in a private time and place, then most certainly he is not a devil. Much, for instance, has been said and written against Christopher Martin Wieland, by people of nice and prime moralities. Of this much we are free to say for ourselves, that we never be lieved one word; but if any man will sit down in a Christian spirit, and read the threescore excellent letters, from the poet of Oberon, that this correspondence contains, and after that still continue to believe that Wieland was a sensualist and a bad man, some Oedipus may explain what he understands by Christian love and charity, for we cannot. Narrow-souled pedantry may Of all authors and men Herder had the greatest partiality for Dean Swift, and we were therefore willing to baptize him, Der Dechant."-GOETHE, ans, n. l. thl. III. s. 111. Herder himself seems to have been conscious of a certain keness between his own character and that of Swift. In a letter to Merck, (p. 37, |