[173] "Before his departure from Vienna, Napoleon received intelligence of the entry of the Russians, jointly with some English, into Naples. He immediately made dispositions for marching troops thither. He had an old grudge against the Queen of Naples, and on receiving this news, he said, 'Ah! as for her, I am not surprised at it; but woe betide her if I enter Naples; never shall she set foot there again!' He sent from the staff of his own army officers to compose that which was about to assemble on the frontiers of Naples, and ordered Prince Joseph, his brother, whom he had left at Paris, to go and put himself at the head of it."--SAVARY, tom. ii., p. 152. [174] "General St. Cyr is advancing by forced marches towards Naples, to punish the treason of the Queen, and to precipitate from the throne this culpable woman, who has violated, in so shameless a manner, all that is held sacred among men. It was endeavoured to intercede for her with the Emperor. He replied, 'Were hostilities to recommence, and the nation to support a thirty years' war, so atrocious an act of perfidy cannot be pardoned.' _The Queen of Naples has ceased_ to reign."--_Thirty-seventh Bulletin of the Grand Army_, Dec. 26. [175] Jomini, tom. ii., p. 237; Annual Register, vol. xlviii., p. 144. CHAPTER XXXIII. _Relative situations of France and England--Hostilities commenced with Spain, by the Stoppage, by Commodore Moore, of four Spanish Galleons, when three of their Escort were taken, and one blew up--Napoleon's Plan of Invasion stated and discussed--John Clerk of Eldin's great System of Breaking the Line, explained--The French Admiral, Villeneuve, forms a junction with the Spanish Fleet under Gravina--Attacked and defeated by Sir Robert Calder--Nelson appointed to the Command in the Mediterranean--BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR fought 21st October, 1805--Death of Nelson--Behaviour of Napoleon on learning the Intelligence of this signal Defeat--Villeneuve commits Suicide--Address of Buonaparte to the Legislative Body--Statement of M. de Champagny on the Internal Improvements of France--Elevation of Napoleon's Brothers, Louis and Joseph, to the Thrones of Holland and Naples--Principality of Lucca conferred on Eliza, the eldest Sister of Buonaparte, and that of Guastalla on Pauline, the youngest--Other Alliances made by his Family--Napoleon appoints a new Hereditary Nobility--Converts from the old Noblesse anxiously sought for and liberally rewarded--Confederation of the Rhine established, and Napoleon appointed Protector--The Emperor Francis lays aside the Imperial Crown of Germany, retaining only the Title of Emperor of Austria--Vacillating and Impolitic Conduct of Prussia._