DIPLOMATIC DOUBLE DUEL.

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bons have since been forced to pay the debt. Napoleon had egged on Murat to attack Sicily , but gave secret ordersto Grenier to prevent the actual execution of the landing.Napoleon had views of the most extensive and decidednature, to revive the nationality of all Italy . He, an Italian,wished to see an end to the distinctions and the petty jea-lousies between Venetians, Genoese , Milanese, Romans, andNeapolitans. Murat began to suspect and to fear that hemight be found in the way of such a devoutfully to bewished for consummation. Murat had also given offenceto Napoleon by his opposition to the divorce from Josephine and the marriage with the Austrian. I have not space forparticulars on this, and many other important matters.The lawyers would say I was running out of the record,although such matter is of the highest historical and socialimportance: so I must push forwards with my simplerecital.

I will not forget to mention a curious quarrel that, on thefirst day of 1812, took place between the Russian ambassador,Prince Dolgorouky, and the French plenipotentiary, Durant.At the grand levee of new year’s day, the King being seatedon his throne, received the homage of the Foreign ambassa-dors, his ministers, nobles, See., &c., &c. The right ofprecedence was equal between the Russian and the French ambassadors: both started towards the throne abreast, butDolgorouky, thinking that he held a point or peg of dignityover the other “plenipotentiary,” and being a huge, giganticfellow, stretched out his legs so as to put little Durantliterally upon the trot. Finding himself in danger of being-headed, Dolgorouky reached out his long arm as a barrier tohis adversary who, taking the hint, seized it to detain him.On this the Russian stopped, and, looking unutterable things,clapped his hand to the pommel of his sword! At this climaxthe King, rising from his throne, advanced towards the rivals,