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1024j T]ECE L.E A D Ejl L __ _; -: [^o. ...
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GERMANY. (From our own Correspondent.) S...
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CONTINENTAL NOT^gS. FltANCIC. Prisce Nat...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Fllaxce. (From Our Vwn Correspondent.) L...
a country house , besides his earnings , and he asked the cirl to write him an account of her means . The grandmother wrote to the same effect , and stated the father had given his consent . The girl replied analogous to the Frenchman ' s letter , and said she had a fortune . The individual from Pau rashed off immediately , married , and then discovered that the girl had no more fortune than he had . He brought the action at Pan , and succeeded in obtaining the dissolution of the marriage on the plea that his father had not given his consent . The girl is enceinte . I shallreturn to the subject in my next , which illustrates one of the greatest evils of the age . But I am desirous of stating that the keeper of the Panton Hotel figures in the suit as having stated that sixteen years' experience has taught him that English fathers will do anything to avoid giving a dower , and English girls anything to catch a husband .
1024j T]Ece L.E A D Ejl L __ _; -: [^O. ...
1024 j T ] ECE L . E A D Ejl __ _; -: [^ o . 415 , Qciobeii 2 , 1858 .
Germany. (From Our Own Correspondent.) S...
GERMANY . ( From our own Correspondent . ) September 29 : " And Prussia is a constitutional state , and Austria will continue stationary & % long as her people are dumb , " said the framers of the Breslau election address , as though it were to conciliate the censors , and to remind them that all Germany and Europe regarded Prussia as a constitutional monarchy ; but the thinly-veiled and flattering ruse did not avail , for no sooner had the address been published , than the authorities took mear sures to prevent its circulation in the provinces , thinking , no doubt , that so intellectual , philosophical , and critical a people can of their own innate talent discover the men for whom they ought to vote , and the ^ measure s which these men are pledged to support . It is difficult to comprehend -why the Government should take so much trouble to check any possible electioneering excitement , when the experience of the last three elections shows that far from any discouragement being necessary , the electors require the utmost spurring on to get them to the poll . The Germans , as a people , have never been considered as a very vivacious or excitable people , Solid they may be , and as stolid as solid . This they are in every-day life , wherein their most tangible interests are affected ; how much more so , then , in political elections , of which , owing to their past and present tutelage , they cannot see the drift . The privilege of voting , or of having a voice in sending some man to some place !
in Berlin , is , apparently , such a trifling privilege There is no fun in a Prussian election , and certainly no profit , but a good deal of inconvenience ; besides , the sight of the officials frightens the voters . The German peasants have an awful dread of the officials , and the very circumstance of officials being at the polling-booth to receive their votes is quite enough to keep them away . If the Prussians be really sincere in their constitutional tendencies , they ought rather to employ persons expressly to get up a little political enthusiasm , and even offer a bounty to every elector coming to the poll . In * jfl plast I presented your readers with a specimen of anpelection address , which , in all conscience , was as mild as could well be . It sang the praises of
Germany and the glorious prospects of constitutional Prussia , yet the authorities thought it too violent in tone , and forbade its distribution . What grounds can the authorities possibly advance for this interference with the smallest right of a representative system ? Can , Prussia , with such instances of arbitrary power and contempt of public opinion , ' be looked upon as a constitutional monarchy ? The Prussian Government has sneaked into favour with the people of England under the pretence of being liberal , tolerant , constitutional ; but what is the fact ? The press is fettered as much as in France or Russia , and the people themselves ten times worse . The poor German can hardly go to bed or get up without a police certificate . But in forbidding the circulation of election addresses , what object does the
present Government seek to attain ? Is there any danger of an outbreak ? Is it presumed that the framers of the addresses have some sinister motive in the background P The men who have issued these addresses have always made it their boost never to step beyond the limits of the constitution ; these men are the most moderate of the noncontents ; they are few in number , and deserve to be encouraged . The malcontents—the rebellious—may bo counted by 'millions . The present Government of Prussia is not taking the wisest means to impart confidence in the stability of the existing order of things . Their interference with the press and elections at this time is a confession of a spirit of rebellion seeking to exert itself in the country . There is a spirit of rebellion , and a bitter one .
If I wore to . repeat the newspaper roports upon the Btato of the , King of Prussia ' s health , and the progress of the regency question , my letters would only bo mado op of assertions and contradictions . Not a word that is uttered by tho Gormnn journals Is to bo credited , for tho simple reason that they arc not permitted to publish tho truth , ovon if they could ascertain it . One day tho King Is represented by tho Court journals as being convalescing , the next as somewhat Indisposed and unable to receive visitors ; now he is out for a drive , ( ben ho is
admiring a splendid piece of sculpture ; on another occasion he is enraptured with- a masterpiece of painting , or attending divine service , or enjoying the ^ retireinent of the domestic circle , and so forth . Not a word is mentioned as to what the disease really is with Jwbich he is afflicted , nor is any notice taken of the general belief—namely , that the King is a confirmed lunatic and labouring under delirium tremens , as is asserted by most people . Others say that he has been for years past gradually sinking into idiocy . Many stories are in circulation nbont his doings , but it would be improper to repeat them , for he is kept so close that no one can see him—as , indeed , he ought to be ; not even his most intimate associates are allowed at this
access to him . Judging by the aspect of affairs moment , the Regency question will not be settled till the end of next month , or the beginning of November ; indeed , it is doubtful whether it will bo decided then even . If the Prince will not submit to a co Regency , and the Court refuse to accede to an absolute Regency , no resource remains but an appeal to the Chambers Cold or new , is the question ); but as the press is gagged , and addresses bearing upon the coming election prohibited , it is not very difficult to foresee of what elements the Chamber will be composed . The people are indifferent in political matters , and voting is a profitless annovance to them . The few who vote will be induced to do so by the officials , who are , of course , in the
interests of the Court party . Consequently , should the question be referred to the Chamber , the Court party will carry out their views , for the Liberals will be most assuredly in the minority in the next election . The Prince is the man of the people ; in him they place their frail hope , while- the Court party is held in utter detestation . The Prince has but to speak , and- the Court would be scattered in an instant ; but no violent measure will be attempted , and it was probably to hush such ah expectation that the Prince alluded to " dangers attendant upon the idea 3 of 1848 , which are not eradicated but only kept in check . " This speech has made so great an impression that the advisers of the Prince have thought it worth while to state that these
words published had been uttered by the Prince in context with others , and had been misconstrued , and that orders have been given to print the entire speech . The National Zeitung has been again ' . confiscated , as likewise the Vossisscke Zeitung , which , by the "way , is the oldest paper in Germany , and one of the most innocent . An article upon the Regency led to its seizure . These confiscations have caused so much exasperation ( it must be remembered that most German newspapers are taken quarterly and paid for beforehand , and the loss falls upon the subscribers ) that the Government has thought proper to put forth an excuse for the seizure , to the effect that " the observations of the press upon the Regency question ruthlessly overstepped the bounds of the sanctuary which the nation regarded with sentiments of grateful loyalty , and which they desired to keep from
ungentle allusion ( unzartor Berlihruiig , literally untender contact , or touch ) . This is presuming a little too much upon the blindness or stolidity of their countrymen . Do the authorities really fancy that the people have neither eyes nor brains ? Why , every one who reads knows that this question of the Regency has been under consideration for these twelve months past , during which time the journals have hardly dared to utter their views upon it , and when they did venture , they expressed their sentiments so moderately , so timidly , with reference to the authorities * and so respectfully when mentioning the King , as to bring themselves into contempt with tho people , who detest both authorities and King . When the Government talUs of the journals encroaching upon sacred ground , it is an insult to common sense , for tho press is allowed no voice at all .
The Danish question is known to be still ponding , but every avenue to information respecting the transactions of the Federal Diet is hermetically sealed . There arc rumours afloat that Denmark has lately made some concessions . This rumour has originated from tho cimtinstanoe that at tho last sitting of tho Committee the Danish Ambassador was present , and Prince Mottcrnich hastily sent for from Johanniaberg . There has been a great deal of visiting going on lately amongst Emperors , Kings , and Princoa , which is looked upon as boding no good for civil liberty hero . Tho chains of despotism nro being daily tightened more and more in ovory direction . Tho Prince of Prussia has just left tho Emperor of Russia at Warsaw , and J ' rinae Napoleon is on his way thither .
Tho Congress which was advertised to moot at Gotha has commenced its patriotic labours , and with an orderliness and dignity worthy of tho object which tlio members have in vlow . The first subjoct dlucussod was that of tho Guilds , tho evils of which have boon thoroughly oxposecl in a work just published entitled " Frolhoit dor Arboit" ( Freedom of Labour ) , bv Dr . V . Bohmert . It would , make t nn English working < man open his oyoa very - \ Vido to road'of tho present condition or * tho Gorman working man . This poor croutura in obliged to servo an apprenticeship of a aortain mimbor of yearn , at tho expiration of which ho Is forcod to travel from'town to town , in a prosarlboil direction , which ho daro not deviate from under penalty of imprisonment . At every town he comes to he has to present hlmsolf at
the town-hall , and have his papers examined . " Whil on the road he is liable to be overhauled by the Land dragoner horse-patroles , and , if his papers be " not correct sent back the way he has come . At every town he ' bound to show that he has funds sufficient to maintain himself , or that he has . a fixed employmen t , and further that he possesses money enough to carry him on hi ' way to his next destination . In some places the poor workman id obliged to deposit a certain sum , called hospital money , to cover any expenses in case of sick ness . After having worked and begged alternately his way , and having had all his spirit crushed out of him by tbd insolence of officials , he returns to his native town . Here , if he be the son of a citizen—if not , he
must buy the freedom to labour— -he makes his masterpiece , and if it prove satisfactory to the examiners , lie fc allowed to establish himself ; but not at any trade for the trades of butcher , baker , saddler , barber , and others , are closed fields , that is to say , the trades are hereditary and only a certain number are permitted ; thu . ° , in some towns—indeed most towns—a certain number only of butchers , bakers , and barbers are tolerated , and if a barber dies leaving a daughter but no son , the daughter confers the barbership upon the man who marries her It is not so long ago that the same system of miserable snobility existed in England , but , thanksjto our free press and Adam Smith , the English workman is freed from this shocking infringement upon the rights of-man . This is the first monster evil the patriots at Gotha seek
to overthrow . May success attend their efforts ! Their next subject will be the ' river tolls and transit duties , which , by the way , are still under the consideration of the Zoll Conference , and as far from a settlement as ever . I did not touch upon--the ' reported readiness of Prussia to accede to the abolition , because it was pretty clearly understood to-be more dust thrown- in the eyes of the German people . It is now reported that there b some chance of a progress being -made , as two of the chief opponents to the abolition of the transit duties , Bavaria anil Wurtemberg , have -withdrawn their demand to retain the transit duties till the river tolls were abolished .
Continental Not^Gs. Fltancic. Prisce Nat...
CONTINENTAL NOT ^ gS . FltANCIC . Prisce Natoi . kom has left Paris for Warsaw . He b expected back about the 5 th or ( ith of this ' month . Paris gossip assigns to the journey . of Prince Napoleon a matrimonial object . It is said that Princess ClotiMe , the daughter of King Victor Emmanuel , whom the Prince affects , is half engaged to the Prince , of Leuchtenberg , and that Prince Napoleon is gone to sound tho ground and see bow matters stand . On the other hand ,
it is rumoured that the Prince has gone to \\ nrsiiw tq invite his Russian Majesty to pay a visit to Paris . Another rumour assigns to hi . s journey no K ' - > an object than promoting an alliance between l- ' nuieu imd Uussia . It may safely be taken for granted that the Princes journey to Warsaw is nothing more than that of an net of courtosy , in return for the visit of tnc Grand Duko Constantino to France . A gigantic scheme for tin forLiiication of the French coasts has been decided upon by the Covcrnmcnt Havre is to be protected at a o .- > t of 0 . 000 , 000 / . ; 080 , 000 / . is to be expended on Dunkirk ; 2 * O , 0 lW . on Dieppe ; and 72 , 000 / . on 1-Vi-nmp . IVtiiicntions art nlrjp to bo subsequently constructed : it Uuulogiio ami
Calais . „ The Indepoidunoa livhje says that tho Kroncli fcoveinment is about to grant a port on the Algerian . const w ltussia , to servo aa n coaling station . SPAIN . . f The elections absorb nlmowt entirely U » o atlcl ' ' / l ' tho public , mid active preparation * for tho contest on . making by tho different parties . A royal rfecrco iinw tho elections for the 131 st inst . The garrison of Mn . liw ia lo , 000 Htrong . . . t i Tho Madrid Gazette contains tho docreo rft ^ n ' fltntoofaiogo in Barcelona ,
of Navnrro , and Catalonia . .. . t . Tho unpopularity of Queon Isabella in Mm ' ' « scribed in a privato letter , which say . 1 wt < > J Queen ' s entry into lior capital lu-r Majesty » ouWn pa * a unobHorvod tho cold reception nho met win her people . Sho i « accustomed to it , but tho ofloU m have appeared in thin instance gro . itur , m " < - 0111 „ with her recoptlon in QaUcln and tho Astiirins . * capital received it * Qiiocm with that » lh « neo wli c , cording to Mlrnhonii , li tlio most eloquent 'f '' ,. can bo given by hiiIJocIh to tholr ruler * .. 11 « li « i ' , { . , ponr that thoro wuro many who bad uvon ti >« l " , ' ,, « . to boo tliolr QuotMi on lior return to tho chid . ;| . dominions . nrtornn nb .-imva of two month . * . , / , " ,,, V eniintaiinnca dourly ox | . iivflHP . « l illnmiHi-nt «} '' *" , „ - of tnknbln oatrnn-. taniont , i < n < l tlil « t \ Un < w '" ' . » T | ro wolcomo . I lev MnJuHty ' s tour ln » to . l two n . oi . tns .
oxpoiino . nuiHt Imvo boon vary K ™» \ BOlvirn , | lliolr Tho l > ro . jro . HMl » ta parly , cnn . fi . lly ^ " J ,,, of policy from that of the Uovornnu-ut , "Iil » - » * , m koopln ff up a poaitlon Just in tho iniddlo ^ g ^ and tho Modorodos . have got leave from tho u ° y
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 2, 1858, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_02101858/page/8/
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