On both sides there existed the strongest motives for accommodation; and, in effect, after a tedious negotiation, the preliminaries of peace were signed, on the 10th of October, at Amiens.

By this treaty England surrendered all the conquests which she had made during the war, except Ceylon and Trinidad.

France, on the other hand, restored what she had taken from Portugal, and guaranteed the independence of the Ionian Islands.

Malta was to be restored to the Knights of St.John, and declared a free port: neither England nor France was to have any representatives in the order; and the garrison was to consist of the troops of a neutral power.

This article was that which cost the greatest difficulty--and Malta was destined to form the pretext, at least, for the re-opening of the war at no distant date.
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.