and no one knows the route he has taken." Such, it appears, was the
uncertainty of the royal family of Naples, with regard to it's fate, on
the 28th, at Palermo; though, in reality, it had then been already
determined.

In fact, on the 25th, the following curious advertisement, for a grand
Te Deum, in consequence of this desirable event, was actually published
at Naples; and the archbishop, with the rest of the clergy, solemnly
assured the people, that great faith, and extraordinary prayers, had
induced their saint to testify his entire approbation of the measure.

"All the faithful citizens of Naples are invited to be present this
day, (Friday, the 25th of January 1799,) at two in the afternoon,
at the celebration of Te Deum; which the archbishop, accompanied by
the chapter, the clergy, the general in chief and staff of the army
of Naples, will sing in the cathedral church, to thank the Most
High for the glorious entry of the French troops into this city;
and who, protected in a peculiar manner by Providence, have
regenerated this people, and are come to establish and consolidate
our happiness. St. Januarius, our protector, rejoices in their
arrival. His blood miraculously liquified on the very evening of
the entry of the republican troops."

Lord Nelson, in the letter last mentioned, thus speaks of the state of
Sicily--"As to this island, I cannot take upon me to say much: that they
all hate the French, is certain; but, still, they feel themselves an
oppressed people. On the 20th, at Augusta, a French vessel, with a
hundred and forty officers and soldiers, arrived from Egypt. The boat
people, and those of the town, attacked them. Eighty-seven were killed;
the remainder escaped on board a Neapolitan frigate, who protected them.