where it was determined, by the unanimous opinion of the captains, to force their way into the port, the entrance of which, either through neglect or want of skill in the engineers, was not blocked up in the manner at first proposed. The project was as gallantly executed as it had been wisely concerted: five of the enemies' ships were taken; several of them run aground and were much shattered; and none would have escaped being entirely demolished, if the soldiers from the Lacedæmonian camp, on the shore, had not entered the sea with their arms, and recovered some of their vessels, at the sword's point, out of the hands of the Athenians. In consequence of this success, supplies of men and provision were immediately thrown into Pylus, the coast cleared of the Peloponnesian gallies, and four hundred and twenty natives of Lacedæmon shut up in the island of Sphacteria, and deprived of all possibility of relief, whilst the Athenians continued masters at sea. The news of this action no sooner reached Sparta, than the magistrates, in the deepest concern for the danger to which so many of their bravest and most distinguished citizens were exposed, repaired in person to the Peloponnesian camp; and finding it impracticable, from the disposition made by the Athenian commanders, to give any assistance to their distressed countrymen in the island, proposed a suspension of arms to NICIAS and DEMOSTHENES. They agreed to it on the following conditions: First, That embassadors should be sent from Sparta to Athens, with full powers to conclude a definitive treaty. Secondly, That the Lacedæmonians should deliver up all their ships of war, at that time lying on the coasts of Laconia, to Athenian commissioners, who should be instructed to restore them at the expiration of the truce, which was to last till the return of the embassadors. Thirdly, That the Athenians should give leave for a daily stated portion of bread, flesh, and wine, to be conveyed into the island for the use of

the

the garrison there. Fourthly, That if any one of these articles were broken, the whole should be void. Thou mayest imagine, noble scribe, with what joy conditions so honourable to this state were ratified by the people. NICIAS's conduct is much applauded; and the general opinion of him strengthened, that though he is slow in resolving, yet when once engaged in action, he wants neither address nor vigour in executing. The Lacedæmonians have nominated three of their principal citizens for embassadors, who are shortly expected to arrive here. This full tide of fortune flowing in at once upon the Athenians, has greatly exalted their spirits; and from that very circumstance, I should conjecture they would not make a right use of it. They have this day sent an express to PYTHON, with an answer to the points complained of by our court. As to the depredations on our merchants, they assert the right which all nations have, in time of war, to prevent supplies being carried to their enemies; and endeavour to shew, that the far greater number of vessels on the list delivered in to their minister are included under that head. For the rest, they offer satisfaction in general terms, when a more particular inquiry has been made into the losses. As to the receiving ZOPYRUS, they allege, that they could not have secured his person, without violating all the laws of hospitality in use among the Grecians, and making a most ungrateful return to the kindness and regard which his mother had always shewn to the republick of Athens. That, however, he had communicated none of his projects to the state, had received no encouragement from them, and was alone answerable for the consequences of his misconduct. These instructions conclude, by representing the fresh grounds of alarm which they have taken at the king's designs against the Greek colonies, by the encampment of the army near Sardis, and the discovery of several Persian agents in Miletus and Smyrna, who have

confessed,

confessed, upon examination, that they were employed to bring over the citizens to submit, without opposition, to the government of ARTAXERXES.

These paper-weapons, potent lord, give me no uneasiness, as they can produce no obstruction to the king's measures. But the prospect of a general peace amongst the Grecian states fills me with apprehensions, which, I wish, for the sake of Persia, may be entirely chimerical. Will they not, in this case, unite to disconcert the views which our master may have formed upon the maritime cities of Asia Minor, and the isles of the Ægean Sea? Will they not lay hold of the slightest pretence to transport an army to the opposite continent, and spread desolation over the neighbouring provinces ? And to what hazards may not our commerce and our navy, which have within these few years begun to recover themselves, be exposed from the united force of a nation inured by education and experience to continual toils and warfare?

A strong party in this republick, composed of the men of substance, the elder citizens, and the husbandmen, declare strongly for peace. They cry out, that the present opportunity should not be lost, of delivering Athens, as well as the rest of Greece, from the calamities under which they have long laboured, and of establishing their general happiness and security on lasting foundations. NICIAS is the principal labourer in this good work; a man of piety, inclining to superstition, and a gravity something formal. He has long been the champion of the aristocratical faction against CLEON and the popular demagogues, and for that reason stood the mark of their calumnies and ridicule; but he is so universally acknowledged to be a disinterested lover of his country, and a prudent conductor of business, that he possesses no small share in the esteem of the people.

VOL. II.

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