although he reserved the Imperial title, it was only as the Sovereign of Austria, and his other hereditary states.1

France became therefore in a great measure the successor to the influence and dignity of the Holy Roman Empire, as that of Germany had been proudly styled for a thousand years; and the Empire of Napoleon gained a still nearer resemblance to that of Charlemagne. At least France succeeded to the Imperial influence exercised by Austria and her empire over all the south-western provinces of that powerful district of Europe. In the eastern districts, Austria, stunned by her misfortunes and her defeats, was passive and unresisting. Prussia, in the north of Germany, was halting between two very opposite set of counsellors; one of which, with too much confidence in the military resources of the country, advised war with France, for which the favourable opportunity had been permitted to escape; while the other recommended, that, like the jackal in the train of the lion, Prussia should continue to avail herself of the spoils which Napoleon might permit her to seize upon, without presuming to place herself in opposition to his will. In either case, the course recommended was sufficiently perilous; but to vacillate, as the Cabinet of Berlin did, betwixt the one and the other, inferred almost certain ruin.

[See the "Act of Resignation of the Office of Emperor of Germany, by Francis, Emperor of Austria, August 6, 1806," Annual Register, vol. xlviii. p. 824.]

While Napoleon thus revelled in augmented strength, and increased honours, Providence put it once more, and for the last time, in his power, to consolidate his immense empire by a general peace, maritime as well as upon the continent.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Death of Pitt-He is succeeded by Fox as Prime Minister. -Negotiation with France.—The Earl of Lauderdale I sent to Paris as the British Negotiator.-Negotiation broken off, in consequence of the Refusal of England to cede Sicily to France.- Temporizing Policy of Prussia. -An attempt made by her to form a Confederacy in opposition to that of the Rhine, defeated by Napoleon:General disposition of the Prussians to War.-Legal Murder of Palm, a bookseller—The Emperor Alexander again visits Berlin.—Prussia begins to arm in August 1806, and, after some Negotiation, takes the field in October, under the Duke of Brunswick.-Impolicy of the Plans of the Campaign.—Details.—Action at Saalfeld.— Battle of Auerstadt, or Jena, on 14th October.-Duke of Brunswick mortally wounded. Consequences of this total Defeat.-Buonaparte takes possession of Berlin on the 25th.-Situations of Austria and Prussia, after their several Defeats.-Reflections on the fall of Prussia.

THE death of William Pitt [23d Jan.] was accelerated by the campaign of Ulm and Austerlitz, as his health had been previously injured by the defeat of Marengo. Great as he was as a statesman, ardent in patriotism, and comprehensive in his political views, it had been too much the habit of that great minister, to trust, for some re-establishment of the balance of power on the continent, to the exertions of