Meantime, except by a small party, who thought that England should never make peace unless the Bourbon family were restored to the throne of France, this news was received with universal satisfaction throughout Great Britain. "It was," as Mr. Sheridan summed up the matter, "a peace which all men were glad of, and of which no man could be proud." The definitive treaty was signed on the 25th of March, 1802: and nothing could surpass the demonstrations of joy on this occasion, both in London and in Paris--or the enthusiastic display of good-will with which the populace of either capital welcomed the plenipotentiaries.
[Footnote 41: For the details of the battle of Copenhagen see Southey's _Life of Nelson_. That conflict has been celebrated, in a noble lyric, by Campbell--
"Of Nelson and the North Sing the glorious day's renown, When to the battle fierce came forth All the might of Denmark's crown," &c. ]
Peace of Amiens--The Concordat--The Legion of Honour--Buonaparte President of the Cisalpine Republic--First Consul for Life--Grand Mediator of the Helvetic Confederacy--St. Domingo--Toussaint L'Ouverture--Dissatisfaction of England--Trial of Peltier--Lord Whitworth--Rupture of the Peace of Amiens--Detention of English Travellers in France.
The peace of Amiens, like that of Campo-Formio, turned out a mere armistice. It was signed in the midst of mutual suspicion; and the audacious ambition of the French government, from the very day of its ratification, accumulated the elements of an inevitable rupture. The continent, however, had been virtually shut against the English for ten years; and now, in the first eagerness of curiosity, travellers of all ranks, ages, and sexes poured across the Channel, to contemplate, with their own eyes, the scenes and effects of the many wonderful deeds and changes which had been wrought since the outbreaking of the French Revolution. The chief object of curiosity was Napoleon himself; and English statesmen, of the highest class, were among those who now thronged the levees of the Tuileries. Mr. Fox, in particular, seems to have been courted and caressed by the Chief Consul; and these two great men parted with feelings of mutual admiration. Our countrymen, in general, were received in Paris with extraordinary attentions and civilities; and for a brief space, the establishment of friendly feelings between the two nations was confidently expected.