A LESSON FROM HISTORY.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.")
think some sentences in your interesting "Lesson from History " may convey a wrong impression to your readers. The aggressions of France after Vainly in September, 1792, were surely bound to rouse opposition in Europe. Could England, for example, have allowed Belgium, and probably Holland, to remain in French hands? The occupation of Belgium in November, 1792, followed by the Decrees of Novene ber 19th and December 15th, were in themselves an ample justification for a declaration of war on the part of England. But the declaration of war came from France in February, 1793, and not from England. That the results of the outbreak of war were in many ways unfortunate may be granted, though it is by no means certain that Europe was not benefited in the end by Napoleon's conquests—at any rate up to the
Treaty of Tilsit.—I am, Sir, &e., ARTHUR HASSALL. Christ Church, Oxford.
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