Earlier in the year occurred a curious page in our history, nothing less than a practical invasion of England by the French, details of which can best be learned from contemporary accounts. "London Gazette, Extraordinary, February 25. "A letter this day received by the Duke of Portland, from Lord Milford, Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Pembroke, dated _Haverfordwest, February 23rd, 5_ P.M., contains information that two frigates, a corvette, and a lugger, appeared off the coast of Pembrokeshire the 22nd inst., and on the evening of that day disembarked some troops reported by deserters to be about 1200, but without field-pieces." * * * * * "London Gazette, Extraordinary, February 26. "_Haverfordwest, February 24, 1797, 6 o'clock_ A.M.--Since I had the honour of writing last to your Grace by Express, I have received information of the French ships having sailed, and left 300 men behind, who have surrendered themselves prisoners. The great Spirit and Loyalty that the Gentlemen and Peasantry have shown on this occasion exceeds description. Many thousands of the latter assembled, armed with pikes, and scythes, and attacked the enemy, previous to the arrival of the Troops that were sent against them." "_February 24th, 9 o'clock_ P.M.--I have the honour and pleasure to inform your Grace, that the whole of the French troops, amounting to near 1400 men, have surrendered, and are now on their march to Haverfordwest." And so ends the invasion of England. On 14th February, Admiral Sir John Jervis, with fifteen sail of the line, attacked the Spanish Fleet of twenty-seven sail of the line, off Cape St. Vincent, captured four large vessels, and dispersed the fleet. The news reached England on 3rd March, when London was brilliantly illuminated. The Whigs moved heaven and earth in order to oust Pitt and his Government, but without success. On March 3rd the inhabitants of Westminster met in Palace Yard, and resolved to petition the King to dismiss his Ministry. In the City, too (the bones of whose _patres conscripti_ would shake with indignation, could they but know of the present wave of Conservatism, which has flowed over this Corporation), loud, and many, were the calls to the same purport. In vain were Common Halls convened, in vain did the Remembrancer, and the Sheriffs, wait upon his Majesty with petitions; he would have none of them, but would be glad to see them at a Levée; and so Pitt kept in, notwithstanding the growls all round.