Britannia, suddenly aroused from her trance, screams out, ‘Doctors and ministers of disgrace defend me,’ and attempts to rise. Addington is attempting to recover her, by holding a bottle of gunpowder to her nose, saying ‘Do not be alarm’d, my dear Lady! The Buggabos (the Honest Gentlemen, I mean) are avowedly directed to Colonial service, they can have nothing to do Here, my lady--nothing to do with US! do take a sniff or two to raise your Spirits, and try to stand, if it is only upon one leg.’ Lord Hawkesbury is presenting, in a feeble manner, to Britannia, her spear--with broken point, and her shield, which is sadly cracked, and bleats forth, ‘Yes, my lady, you must try to stand up, or we shall never be able to march to Paris.’ Fox, who is wilfully screening his face with his hat, exclaims, ‘Dear me--what can be the reason of the old lady being awaked in such a fright? I declare I can’t see anything of the Buggabos!’ On the ground lies the treaty of peace torn. On March 13, Napoleon behaved in a very rude, and intemperate, manner to Lord Whitworth respecting the non-evacuation of Malta--which scene is thus versified:-- Our hero now, with great chagrin, Begg’d of Lord Whitworth to call in. Agreeably to his request, Th’ Ambassador became his guest, And in the Cab’net of the Thuilleries, Napoleon play’d off all his fooleries. ‘What is the cause,’ he cried, ‘of this? How comes it England acts amiss? I swear that every provocation, Daily augments my indignation; Why are these libels to annoy me, Pensioned assassins to destroy me? Why Malta’s non-evacuation, And Alexandria, by your nation? You’d fain keep Malta--I believe you, But part of France I’d rather give you. Why all these provocations? why o’ late, The Amiens treaty dare to violate?’ Nap ask’d so many questions now, That not an answer he’d allow. Lord Whitworth moved his lips, but then Our hero wagged his tongue again. It seems Lord Whitworth wish’d to say, France for infringements led the way; But when that she was pleased to stop, And all her base aggressions drop, The treaty England would fulfil, For that, indeed, was England’s will. In spite of Nap’s vociferation, His Lordship made this observation: ‘My sovereign’s actions ne’er have been Insidious, treacherous, or mean, Because it is the king’s desire More to _preserve_ than to _acquire_.’ CHAPTER XXV. GENERAL UNEASINESS--CARICATURES THEREON--ADDINGTON’S NEPOTISM--NAPOLEON’S DISCOURTESY TO LORD WHITWORTH--TRIAL OF JEAN PELTIER.