“The old and the new era,” said one, advocating the continuance of the existing alliance with France, “are at war with one another, and the victory cannot for the present be assigned to any particular state or people. Should the new triumph, all the social institutions of Europe will, in twenty years’ time, be established upon the basis of the Civil polity introduced by the French; but, if the old, all progress will be arrested and the new States be thrown back towards the hated condition of the past.” He goes on to remark upon the reliance to be placed upon the word of the Kings then struggling against Napoleon, “for, if kings promise to-day, they will break their words to-morrow.” The other finishes his address, in which he advises Murat to let France bleed to death by herself, thus: “Above all, I beseech you not to be caught by false glory, but to believe that there is only one way to preserve your reputation, which is to preserve your Throne!” The military element seems to have been of the same opinion as number two, but Joachim wavered—as well he might, for both parties to the discussion were right. Even if he joined himself to the Allies, it was quite likely that his throne would be taken from him at the first convenient moment. The Bourbons were everywhere, and Spain, Italy, Austria, and presently France, would be filled with them. Their clamour would rise in a hurricane, and what could those who professed to hold their own crowns as gifts from the Almighty say in answer to them? If the Emperor of Austria ruled by Divine Right, he must believe that Ferdinand did the same. If the Divine Right could be disregarded in one case, it could be disregarded in all, and there were plenty of evilly disposed persons who desired nothing better. It would be a weapon in their hands, and they had plenty of weapons already. In spite of this, and in the face of it, Francis of Austria, by a treaty concluded on the 11th of January, 1814, acknowledged Joachim’s dominion and sovereignty over the States he ruled, and Joachim, as a matter of form, returned the compliment. Thus Naples was definitely placed in the ranks of France’s enemies, Austria agreeing to furnish thirty thousand men for Italy and Naples thirty thousand, the allied forces to be under the command of the King of Naples, or, in his absence, of the officer highest in rank in the Austrian army. This, together with a promise that Francis would use his good offices to bring about a reconciliation between Naples and England, as well as with Austria’s allies, was the published treaty, but there were several secret clauses, some of which seem to indicate a lack of humour in the high contracting parties.