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fottiP -pobemtntsu *^7na j wul war, at l...
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TO THE ELECTORS OF FRANCE
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CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
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INDIA
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LOSS OF THE BOMBAY CASTLE BY FIRE
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ADAM SMITH AND RI0ARD0
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IRELAND
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i ',-,', ". » ..g>
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THE "LIBERAL" KINGS. (From la Reform.) W...
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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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Fottip -Pobemtntsu *^7na J Wul War, At L...
fottiP -pobemtntsu *^ 7 na j wul war , at leaptin words , " j - shonld my okanca so happen—deeds , ) ^^ OthTuwbo war with Thoughtl " jjj - nk I hear a little bird , who sings " ' ^ cp k by and by vrillbe tiie stronger .- ^ -BTBfl * - .
REVELATIONS OF RUSSIA * SO . in . paring the lastfew weeks , paragraphs , repeated in tariety of -ways , have been going the round of the * jjsh press setting forth that the Autocrat , had on ii recent visit to Warsaw , publicly declared his intation of emancipating the Polish peasantry . . -ffhrtJier Kictrouaa intends anything of the sort or ^ t , there can be no misunderstanding the object -. fended to be served by putting forth this
rumour--rjttt object is to divert the attention of western jnrope from the cruel persecutions now going on in $ e kingdom of Poland . " Hundreds , if not thouanis , of unfortunate Poles are now suffering the Vnout and other tortures , perishing in Russian dungeons , or worse still , driven before Cossack whips to Siberia ; in the midst of these horrors , the above jomonr is industriously circulated for tho purpose of assuring Western Europe of the humane and excellent intentions of the tyrant .
That Nicholas will really emancipate the Polish peasants , we do not believe ; but should he really do 50 , it is perfectly easy to divine his motives . He has jitherto thrown every obstacle in the way of the Polish proprietors emancipating their serfs , he did more , he re-established serfdom after it had ceased for several years to exist in the Grand Dncby of flar saw . Should he now emancipate the Polish peasants , it will be not out of any regard for their welfare , but because he will thereby hope to , detach ftem from the revolutionary projects of tbe nobles , jje sees that the PoGsb . nobles nave to a great extent discovered that they must free the entire people , if they would be successful in a future struggle . A revolution " for all , by all , " is now the only ehanceleft to the Polish aristocracy ; and'NicuoLAS , aware of
this , may purpose , b y a grand stroke of policy , to ncal-en his enimies , by coming before tbe Polish masses in tie character of tbeir deliverer from slatery . It is possible tbat by such a politic act he jught weaken the revolutionary power in Poland for I time—but only for a time—the emancipated peajsnt would soon discover that his freedom was only iflminali and that no real freedom could be bis until fe had aided Ms countrymen in a successful struggle gainst the Muscovitedespotism , aud restored Poland * the Poles .
While the sycophant press is exhibiting the An * { eeret in the character of a " Slave emancipator , " it nav not be useless to enquire into the state of the lives of his country . We have noticed this subject Here , in reviewing "Eastern Europe and the Empejsr yfckolas , " but the repetition -will , we dare say . jai be objected to . Let us see , then , the condition H the great , body of the Russian people , in the eonntry wherethe Tsar is all powerful , as Emperor , lot b y conquest , but by " right divine . " THE KUSSIAJJ ' SERFS . "
PhvHeauj . Qte'JHnyW' has retained more of the pure Sc Uvonic than in his manners , customs , and feelings ; but pen physically he bears no small traces of his admixture TOb the Turk and Tartar , beneath whose rolehe groaned K long ; the cat-like eye standing downward from the ianples ; the nose , of which the nostrils are almost alkvs too visible ; and sometimes not only the dark hair afl complexion , but the high cheek-bone , and the regu-Ut JTongolian physiognomy . It would appear , however , « S , on the whole , the Tartar and Mongolian type
hecaneMjidly effaced in the vigorous fecundity of tbe Sclavonic ; and hence , whilst the European aspect in a far years predominates , where two-thirds of the blood TrasorJjrinaUY Tartar , the character retains all its true proportion of Asiatic spirit , though the Asiatic features may only be occasionally traced in the faces of individusls . Itisthis admixture during centuries of servitude , nKdi has made the difference between the Muscovite MO Polish character , for the language of these two peopl ? still bears as close a resemblance as the dialects of nanv of onr English counties to each other .
As regards personal appearance , the hideousness of fie women , and the comparative comeliness of the men , base caused the latter to be considered afi handsOmeby many travellers . Their dense hair , thick beard and musisehi's , white teeth , and the loose drapery of their semi-Agatic dress , are all apt somewhat to mislead ns ; but triai'sr see theseinen as soldiers , cropped , shaven , and tessedin clothes which shew the figure , the illusion utter * * vanishes ; we find the face , that appeared handsome whennidflen by tufts of hair , mean and inexpresrive ; the Herculean frames , when stripped of the sheepskin , sink into disproportioned insignificance , and are aliravs distorted by the great protuberance of the stomach , wcaaonedby the want of nutritious quality in their food , ad the consequent quantity required .
The most conclusive evidence on the subject of the per-Maal appearance of the Russians , is to be derived , in St . fHfrsbUrg , from the examination of the imperial guarda selection from sixty millions . There are many thou-Qn * sof men all up to the six-foot standard , and yet it itrald actually be difficult , when stripped of their padding , to find twenty men in a whole division equal to the fet promiscuous twenty in Queen Victoria's first or setondlafe-guards , or Blue * .. The moujik inhabits a log-house , which he builds Tiith his own axe , with which he is marvellously dexter-035 ; tbe interstices he stuflVwith moss ; and he cuts down ad planes , to a surprising smoothness , with the satre instrument .
The Russian stove is a vast stack of bricks , with a Bn » 11 oven , and intersected with flues ; the oven is filled * -itil wood or faggots , and directly tbe carbonic acid has escaped from the fuel , the chimney and the iron door ofthe oven are closed , and the place is heatedfor tbe not four and twenty hours . The bricks , amaterial very slow iu conducting heat , take several hours to heat through , after which they keep parting gradually and equably with the caloric they have absorbed , for the next tix and thirty hours . * * * - * The moujik . like all classes of Russians , 5 s inordinately
iona of a vapour bath , and learns to endure a temperature of steam approaching to 200 degrees Fahrenheit . Tfhen bis body is thoroughly heated , it is general !* laown that he rolls in the saow , or plunges in ice-cold ** ater . At night , the dvorniks , or porters , in St . PetersbtnghandiIostow , in a cold of twenty . five degrees Reaaar , the intensity of which freezes alchol , and converts hrtohail-stones boiling water thrown into the air , come eat barefooted and covered only by a cotton shirt and linen trousers , to let in the carriages of their masters the moujiks are often seen snoring , dead drunk , in the snow , in the severest weather .
From facts like these , which arrest the observation of iTery traveller , it is not surprising that an idea should ha-ebeea imbibed , that extraordinary ; ower of enduring cold characterised tlie Russian people ; but on closer examination , we find precisely tbe reverse to be the case . The most delicate English or southern child , when heated ia the vapour of the Russian bath , cannot feel the coldness of snow or ice . The pails of iced water thrown on the bather , feel merely tepid . The simple immersion in tie coldest water floss not even products a shudder , whilst tbe body has so great an excedent of caloric to part with ; to remain in it when the human temperature is reduced bevoad a certain point , which the Russians never do . might prove dangerous , or even fatal . ithe
The drunken mouj ks who are seen sleeping n scow , having always rapidly drunk a large quantity of ardent spirits , the body is in a high state of temporary fever . Their sheepskins prevent tlie rapid escape of the heat thus generated ; Snrt when this ezases , the man wakes and seeks the ins tantaneous shelter of a human habitation . In an intense cold , a few minutes only elapse between feeling chilly , and the stagnation of tbe blood ; no two evite can well be more different than to be frozen Of to be perished . When the moujik is not within reach of a human habitation , or where he has not sufficiently recoTeredhis instinct before parting with the animal heat , he freezes to death . Thousands of peasants die in this way every winter in the Russian dominions .
Themonjik grows wheat and rears cattle , of which * be rapacity of his master , during four centuries , hasalmost allowed him to forget the taste ; he lives almost entirel y on rye , fermented cabbage , aud a little rank black bano-seea oil . It is true , there are many other people b > Europe whose staplearflde of food isxye ; it is true , * " * the potato contains chemically stillless of what are opposed to be the nutritive portions of food than even -Je , audit is true tbat there are races almost fed on the Potato . Entexperience shews thatroot to be so happily ada pted , as an articleof food , to the human constitution , that man evidently thrives better reduced to the potato , ftan totherye .
But the singularly perverted taste of the Muscovite people induces them to reduce , before they consume it , a ** rge part of the watrim « wt which , even rye grain cousins . They ferment their bread to the third or acetous degree ; the black bread of Russia , unlike that of all other countries , is bitter and sour , and as nauseous in the taouth as alum . The starch and sugar of the grain is so lost by this process , that it contains far less nourish " » ent that even the rye-bread of the extreme north , when scatcity obliges the inhabitants to mix with ths grain twe-halfof thesweettender bark of the pine tree .
J «!« % ibeiM * nl " ar aridity of this bread and of the fermen ted cabbage , obliges the moujik to eat large quane "» et ofsalt . The biscuit of R ussian men-of-war * * men * a rusk made of this bread ; they may be Been « oak-*» « in the sea-water . The weak ynality of their food ' ^ " ures them to consume it in immense quantities ; its
Fottip -Pobemtntsu *^7na J Wul War, At L...
acidity seems to require much salt , and the joint salt and soid tnhen into the stomach evidently render nuci-esary a proportionate amount of liquid to wash it down . This liquid is taken in the shape of quags , or water discoloured , and rendered slightly acid , by this bread , or b y fermented rye , or else of hot water catted tea . * * * This wretched diet is the food of tbe purely Musco . vile race—the great body of the Russian people . The Tartars and Cossacs , inhabiting the steppes , where animal food is less valuable than the produce of agriculture , live principally upon flesh .
The moujik as deeply tinctured with veneration and superstition - he is -patient , cunning , " eager of gain , cUrhonest in obtaining it , and yet generous . Ha firmly bplieves that St . Alexander Nevsky ( a very prudent and truly Russian saint , ) floated down the rirer Neva npon a mill-stone ? he never enters an apartment without crossing himself before tha gaudily . framed pir . ture of the titular saint ; he is wonderfully scrupulous that the oil burned in the small antique lamp suspended before it on all holidays , should be the pure oil of the olive , as the dignity of his celestial patran requires ; . and when he has risen to the rank which the ambition of every
peasant covets—that of meschinine , or licensed to traltehe swears lustily by him , to attest the honour of a fraudulent bargain / and Inwardl * endeavours to make Heaven a participator of his deceit , by promising the saint a percentage on the gain , to be app lied to the adornment of his shrine . And where is the marvel ? He knows that he can bribe the powerful haron , his master ; that his master again bribes some one , before whom he trembles ; that his master ' s mastir bribes a still move potent superior ; and analog ic reasoning will not permit him to doubt , that as the minister is bribed , so the minister bribes t ' ie emperor , and so the saint may in the end bribe God Almighty . n := :
One striking feature in tbe character of tbe Moujiclf is , the rooted'distaste he shows for all agricul tural emp loyment , and bis natural love and aptitude for trade . The Moujiks are generous and hospitable , and a . great deal of the drunkenness chargeable to them is . what our author calls " a loving drunkenness . " In compensation for many evils , nature has bestowed upon the peasant a mirthful and contented disposition ; naturally , be is as little cruel as be is warlike or courageous , ' yet he can be , and often is , excited by unendurable wrongs to most sanguinary retaliations upon bis oppressors . Firs * , as regards the oppression he suffers under , our author says : —
Practically , the slave is , in Russia , as completely at Iris master ' s mercy as any ; slave has ever been at any period . He can sell him , he can strip him of his property , he can separate families for eyeri he can torture him to death . It is true that be must evade the law to do all these , things ; but this evasion entails not even a risk , bat merely an additional formality . - It is true , an ukase . forbids , under severe penalties , the sale of any slave without : the land to which , from protective motives , it attaches him ; but tbe owner may let out slaves , on a ninety years * lease , to work in the mines of Siberia . He may have two estates a thousand miles distant ; be may order the mother to leave the child at her breast on one , and proceed to settle on the other . The law does not give him the direct right of
seizing his slave ' s property , but he has a thousand ways of extorting it , which he may employ , without the necessity of even evading the law . since the law gives him absolute disposal over his serfs time and labour . The author has seen a nobleman amuse himself by making his slaves stand forhonrs on one leg . It is generally known thatsomeof the wealthiest men —tha larger number of the first guild merchants , whose woid is good for a hundred thousand pounds on the Exchange-a * St . Petersburg , and who are possessed of that sum . or still more considerable property—are mostly slaves . 3 bw , the proprietor of these men can to-morrow order them into his scullery or kitchen , or send them , as swineherds or miners , to their village ; so he can their children , brought up in all the refinements of luxury . The law does not allow him to strike a slave , unless he be a certain number of miles removed from a
police station ; he may then inflict any amount of cor . poral punishment , provided the slave does not die within three days of it . But if he dies upon the spot , —as no accusation of a slave can be received against his master , although surrounded by the whole village , _ witnesses to the execution , there is no means of legally convicting the cruel lord . On the other hand , if there be a police station within a given distance , the master can at any time send his male or female slaves to be beaten with rods , The slave is allowed to make no defence ; it is not even discretionary with the low police official not to inflict the punishment ; he can only limit the amount of it ; and as his real salary is derived from the annual present of the master , the latter always finds it necessary to order mo deration instead of enjoining severity . The slave may be sent back as often as the master chooses . If he die on the spot , there is no responsibility for any party .
Tbe patience of these unhappy creatures has bounds , and once these bonne ' s are passed , then al . the wrongs that have blighted their existence , seem to crowd into their present thoughts , and the ferocity of their despair has nothing wherewith one can compare it . When the peasants of an estate , or of a certain district , have been writhing beneath an oppression which the author will not venture to describe , but of . vhich , before finishing these volumes , the reader may form some faint idea , some fresh insult or injury , inflicted when the measure of their patience is full , causes it to brim over , and then is enacted , in deeply exaggerated colours , those sanguinary scenes of the feudal days of Prance , when strfs arose against their lords -with the sole view of taking one deep draught of revenge , and thea seeking refuge in the grave from the intolerable ills
of life . The unknown Siberia , with its dimly pictured horrors , ceases at last to have any terrors for the serf , when he contrasts it with his situation . "The worst that can happen is , that a few hundred shonld perish under the knout , the rest of the villagebe transported to Asia . That worst is better than his present condition . " With tliis reflection begins the bloody saturnalia ; the proprietor , the overseers , and the agents of their tyranny , together with their wives and children , old or pregnant women , and young tender gh-ls , raised in an artificial atmosphere , like exotics , to premature woman , hood , —all are made to perish in tortures which would often shame the ingenuity of the Red Indian . Thetorch is next applied to the dwellings of the lord and hia agents , perhaps to the whole village , and the drunken wretches who have plundered it perish * in the flames , and drop from the falling beams like scorched flies .
These insurrections have never any political origin ; they have no connexion ; they are not even inspired by a hope ; they are equally isolated in their rise and their
suppression . When such an insurrection has been put down , the ringleaders kuouted to death , and a few villages transplanted to Siberia , the whole aflair dies away . It may have been kno wn in tbe immediate neighbourhood ; it is known to the immediate relatives and frimds of the murdered proprietors ; but it never spreads beyond this narrow cire ' e , and is a subject on which no one cares to dwell . The press , which , even when inevitable accidents occur , is the last to circulate the public rumour , and then only does so to extenuate their extent , of ceurs & never alludes to these gloomy events . It is not allowed in the Ru-sian dominions to publish even the commonest advertisement in a newspaper , without previously obtaining the authorization of the censorship .
Within the space of about three months from each other , the author became immediately acquainted with the two following instances among the purely Muscovite population : —A young officer received by letter , while he was present , an account from his father of the utter devastation of their estate , with its usual accompaniments of incendiarism and bloodshed . In this case , the insurrection had spread over a considerable tract of country , yet he neverheard it alluded to in the capital except by another sufferer , a neighbour and friend of the first . The next instance , of which it will be as well to abridge the very horrible details , the author learned from the brother of the land steward of the estate on which it took p lace . He had himself seen this man depart with his wife from his brother ' s some months previously , to take charge of an estate said to be small and in wretched condition . To judge from his
conversation . it was evident that he would be no very merciful master . He observed , ' that there was no village so poor that something might not be / squeezed from it . " The wife seemed rather mere eager than the husband . The author saw him start in his kibitka , in which , a « otigst other things , he embarked a large violoncello , an instrument on whioh he professed himself an accomplished performer . A few months after , husband and wife had both been murdered in a rising of the slaves . The brother , in narrating it , spoke of them as the mildest of human beings , and considered the conduct of the serfs as utterly unprovoked ; but however that might be , nothing could well esceed the ferocity to which they had been roused . The old woman was scalded to deaih in a hot cauldron , the steward tortured to death , and his intestines , in derision , twisted into strings for his favourite violoncello .
The above description-of-. the Russian peasantry , does not apply to the inhabitants of Little Russia , or to the Cossacs . But we have before shown , that the Little Russians , or Ruthenians , are not Muscovites , but more Poles than Russians ; with tbe former of whom they were once united . And , as regards the Cossacs , these yet enjoy a state of savage freedomfree , as compared with the Muscovites . It is these two races tbat form tbe real military strength of the Russian empire . But -we have before shown , that " Polish ideas " are gaining ground amongst the Ruthenians , who , in their turn , are very likely to "innoculate the Cossacs ; in which case , the Muscovite empire -will be shaken to its centre . .-
The quotations above given illustrate the condition of the private serfs , the main distinction between these and the crown serfs is , that while the former are ex- osed to the rapacity and tyranny of tbeir lord or fais land steward , the latter are exposed to the ranaeity and cruelty of innumerable agents to whom is
Fottip -Pobemtntsu *^7na J Wul War, At L...
delegated the authority of the emperor . Nicholas , the promised deliverer of the Polish peasantry , is himself the greatest slaveholderin the world , lie is the possessor of upwards of twenty millions of serfs , or nearly as many as all bis nobles pat together . These serfs of the emperor stand in precisely the same relation to him as the private serfs-to their own proprietors , and thin of courge is quite independent of their relation as subjects , in which sense they onlv share with the highest in the land the degradation of being the absolute slaves of his will ,
If Nicholas desires to be an emanci pator of serfs , why does he not begin his philanthropic (?) experimMits upon his own wretched slaves ? Why doos not this imperial incarnation of hypocrisy—this signer of anti-slave trade treaties , this subscriber to Bible Soc eties , liberate his own miserable serfs ? We have shown what is the condition and character of these degraded millions , kept in barbarism and rendered brutal by the system of which Nicholas is the head , and which be could abolish at once , at least as regards his own serfs—more than twenty millions .
Men of England , listen not to the lying rnmours ' of the press j this Muscovite Moloeh is the unchanging and unchangeable enemy of human libert y ; his power is a blight and a curse upon millions of human beings , and must be got rid of . There is no real emancipation for any portion of the people of Poland but through the annihilation of Muscovite rule in that country . The Poles must emancipate themselves , and will do so , provided you do not aid their oppressor by that criminal apathy which has existed too long , but vfbich we trust-will soon give place to—Action !
To The Electors Of France
TO THE ELECTORS OF FRANCE
TUB ADDRESS OF "THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE ( ASSEMBLING IN LONDON ) FOR POLAND S . REGENERATION . " Citizens , —On the 1 st of August next , you will be cnlled upon to exercise the privilege confided to you by the institutions of your country , that of electing those to whom will be entrusted the power of making laws for thirty-six millions of the French nation ; and who will have it in their power to greatly influence , for good or for evil , the fortunes of not only the piople of France , but al « o the people of every nation in Europe .
Although believers in that sublima truth which France firm proclaimed— " The Fraternity of Nations . " we nevertheless believe that each nation is the best judge of itn own internal affairs , and tbe best fitted to legislate for its own moral and material wants ; but there are questions , not French merely , but European , which , while claiming the attention of France , must also interest us , such a qaestion Is that of " Poland ' s Regeneration . " It concerns not Poland only , but you and us , and the men of all countries , because all are interested in upholding civilization , and marataininit liberty against the encroachments of barbarism and the assaults of tyranny .
It is certainly not necessary for Englishmen to presume to inform Frenchmen of the history , of Polish wrongs . The great fact is known to every son and daughter ot France , that Poland , a nation to whom Europe is eternally indebted for the most signal services to humanity and civilisation , has been for the last seventy years the ceaseless prey of the cruel and rapacious despotisms of Russia , Austria , and Prussia ; tbat tbe most sacred rights of the Polish people—their nationality , language , religion , laws , and domeatic usages have been rudely torn from them :
that during the whole of this period the Polish people have without ceasing . continued to protest against the grievous wrongs of which they have been , and are , the victims ; and Siberia , the dungeon , the scaffold , and the battle field , have witnessed the sufferings and heroism , not of a few , but of thousands and tens of thousands com . posed of both sexes , and all ngos and conditions , in defence of their sacred rights , and that even at thismoment Poland is bleeding at every pore , the result of another struggle—but not ( he last—forthe recovery of tiat freedom of which she has been soloag despoiled .
Every Frenchman is also well aware that tbe Poles have peculiar claims upon the sympathy of his country . You do not need to be reminded of the sacrifices which Poland ' s sonshave ever been ready to make in support of the interests of France ; innumerable battle fields attest tbe fact ; and you , Citizens , cannot be unmindful , that but for the heroism of the Poles in 1830 , a second Cossack march upon France would have taken place , and the " Revolution of July" would have had to have been defended on the frontiers , as well as combatted for in the streets of Paris .
We are aware that at the time we have just spoken of the French na tion enthusiastically and spontaneously desired to inarch to the aid of Poland , but was held back by tho promises and professions of a pretended liberal Government , who , even at tho moment that Warsaw was succumbing , assured the French Army and the National Guard that the Poles were completsly victorious ; and which Government had previously promised the Polish Government the succour of French arms , which promise was never fulfilled . When Poland , betrayed by tbe French statesmen of that time , had again fallen , and wa « writhing under tbe heel of the Tsar , General Sebastian ! , with unblushing effrontery , announced that " order reigned in Warsaw "—at a moment when brave men and unhappy women and children were given up to military execution , and were expiring under the most in . fernal tortured !
That France i * not ungrateful to Poland is proved by the hospiiality afforded to the Polish exiles , the monies collected on the occasion of the recent outbreah , and the generous sentiments proclaimed by seveial of your public
man . But something more is rf quired . Poland needs all the above aids , and more . The barren vote of your Cham , bers . which annually brings forth—nothing , and the pre . tended protests of an insincere Minister , are ridiculous rather than effective . These " votes" and "protests " prove those who are parties to them to be either hypo , crites or imbeciles . Electors of France ! we desire to see a body ef French R-presentatives , who , mindful that the mission of France is to propagate and protect the principles of liberty will do something more than talk—will act for Poland , insist that , whatever Administration rules , that Administration shall act as beconu s tbe honour of the French nation towards the Polish people .
We demand for Poland not merely tbe nominal inde . pendence of an inconsiderable portion of that countrv , but the independence of the « M « as it existed previous to ths first dismemberment . We demand not fractions of rights for any section of tbe Poles , but the rights of all Poles as an independent people to establish their own institutions and form their own laws , without the leave or hinderance of any other power . We desire these , not merely for the sake of the Pohs , but for the sake also of the nations whose governments are at this time tbe oppressors of Poland , and for tbe sake of Western Europe gravely interested in re-establishing a barrier against the further encroachments of Asiatic barbarism and retrogressive despotism .
No language would be too strong to condemn the government of Great Britain for its criminal apathy as regards -Poland ; but we are confident that the British people largely participate in our sentiments on this question , and would hail with joy the commencement of that good work on the part of France which Poland has a right to expect , and Europe looks for . Citizens ! we are convinced that if all Frenchmen possessed the franchises at present confined to a class , not twelve months would pass away without seeing the French Government moving at the head of the French nation en masse for the liberation of Poland .
At present , it is upon you alone , Citizens , tbat all the responsibility rests : if therefore , you turn a deaf ear to the appeal we make to you . if you ungenerously neglect the cause of tbat heroic people to whom you owe so much , 011 you will be the responsibility of betrayins the interests and outraging the honour of France . If , on the contrary , you do your duty a > Frenchmen and free citizens , how great will be your glory , how well will you deserve and truly have the thanks of the friends of humanity , not only in France and Poland , but also in Great Britain and throughout the civilized world .
Accept our salutation . Signed on behalf of the Committee , EasEsr Jones , Chairman . July 16 th , 1846 . G . Julian Habney , Hon . See
Cape Of Good Hope
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Death of a Jewish Gextixmajj leading on the Coionists . —It having been reported that a considerable body of Kaffirs had been seen on the west side of the chain of hills skirting Graham ' s Town , a party of mounted burghers mustered to proceed to the spot , together with a company of about fifty discharged soldiers on foot , and a light field-piece . The mounted force was under the command of Mr . Joshua D . Norden , Field Commandant and Captain of the Yeomanry , who met with his death while nobl y heading his men , under the circumstances following : —Before reaching the top of the hill , Mr . Finnaughty , who was acting , in conjunction with Mr . H . Puller , as guides to the yeomanry , requested that the commandant would allow him four or five men for the purpose of look ' ng into the ravines on the opposite side of the
riuge , separating the Kareiga kloofs from those which extend up from the Kowie , in hopes of discovering three horses of his which bethought might have strayed in that direction . Thatrequest wasgranted , with instructions that they should not on any account proceed beyond the sound of recti or be long absent . Mr . Finnaughty accordingl y rode forward , and saw at the foot of the slope leading to the farm of Beggelly a horse , but not one of his own . Suspicious , from the position in which the animal stood , by the side of a tangled thicket , that it might nave been p laced there as a decoy , he declined descending ( he hill ; and on returning , perceived as he came in sight of a large ravine , called the Buffalo Kloof , several Kaffirs running along the bush in a crouchin ? posture , and taking shelter amon g a cluster of round projecting rocks , interspersed with aloes , and
Cape Of Good Hope
wj ! chltretched a-vJig tbe Bide of the hloof near which the yeomanry in two parties then were . Finnaughty instantly drew up his horse / and fitvd both barrels of his gun to attract the attention of the yeomanry , and then waved his hat to point out the position in which the enemy were . Mr . Norden immediately ordered his men to advance and , w m x , mpuI e of gallantry moved forward to wnere the . Kaffirs lay in ambush , accompanied by six of his men . During these movements he had fired both barrels of his gun . had reloaded , and ordering his men to dismount , had approached to within a dozen nacos of the rocks mentioned , when a ball from a Kaffir , crouched behind one ef them , and upon which his erun rested , nieroed
his head , and he fell without uttering a sound . This Kaffir , it is said , paid dearly for his temerity , being instantly shot by Mr . Taylor , the surgeon of the corps , and who was in turn fired en by twelve or fourteen of the enemy ' s sharpshooters , fortunately without effect . Finding themselves ambuscaded b y a su perior force , and having lost their leader , the bughers were obliged to retire ; but on the following day thev determined on an endeavour to recover the tody of the commandant , and a strong force moved from the town under th care of Colonel Johnstone . This party consisted of the Yeomanry Corps , the Sporting Club , Mr . Meurant ' s Hottentot Company , a detachment of the 90 th regiment , a considerable number of volunteers , and a three-pounder field pieceforming
, altogether a rather imposing , though irregular force . They were allowed to proceed to the spot without the Slightest interruption , and indeed without seeing a « "j ? 'e Kaffir , duriffg the whole line of march . The body of the deceased was found within about fifteen paces of the spot where ho fell , but in a most . shocking mutilated state . The ruthless savages , not content with the death of their enemy , had treated his remains with a degree of barbarity and indicnicy which language dare not describe . The mangled remains were borne to Graham ' s Town on the gun carriage , wrapped in a cloak , the mornful cavalcade retumingto town in the same undisturbed manner as they proceeded . The only incident worth naming
being an act of such good feeling as to deserve record : it seems that , the men of the 90 th regiment , being much debilitated : by . long service in a hot climate , and by their recent long overland march from Algoa Bay , manifested , on . reaching the foot of Woeat ' s Hill , ajong and toilsome ascent , excessive fatigue . On seeing this , one of the mounted civilians proposed that they should relinquish their horses to them , and that they who were so much better able to endure fatigue , should march on foot . This was most cheerfully agreed to , and in a few minutes the whole of the company , were mounted on the horses of those who thus voluntaril y exchanged places wiia . those in the line of march .
On Tuesday , the 28 th of April , " says the Graham ' s Toum Journal , "the remains of Field Commandant Norden were consi-ned to the silent tomb , and , as expected i was followed by all the military officers in garrison ; and by a large concourse of inhabitants ; Theceremnny was conducted according to the impressive ritual of the Jewish- church , io which deceased belonged . - The coffin wasentirely without ornament , and was borne from the carriage to the grave by those only of his own persuasion . Each member of his family , beginning with the eldest son . cast someearlh into the grave , and which was not quitted until it had been entirely filled in . The lamented deceased has left a widow , a natiye of New York , and several children , to mourn the loss of a * i affectionate husband and a tender parent . It is an occurrence worthy of record in the annals of British warfare , that an individual of the Jewish persuasion fell as the leader of a party fighting in'the common defence of the country . "
A Rake Boorr for the Kaffirs . —In the attack on Major Gibson ' s escort , 57 waggons were left in the bands of the Kaffirs , containing officers' baggage , and t &\ the camp equipage of the officers of the f th' Dra gonn Guards , so that many of them have nothing but the clothes they stand in . One waggon was said to have been laden chiefly with swords for the Cape Mounted Rifles . The waggon with the medical suppliesWas also captured by the enemy in the ford . Theyrifled'it of its contents , carrying away a good deal of the physic , and actually eating , as it is positively affirmed , a considerable quantity of blister salve ! A go- d deal of laudanum was also taken , and it is said , drunk .
India
INDIA
FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT LOODIANA . On the afternoon of the 20 th May a fearful storm passed over the station , and during the same the violence of the wind became so tremendous that in less than five minutes the whole of the barracks of her Majesty ' s 50 th Foot , together with the hospital , were levelled to the ground , burying man , woman , and child in the ruins . "It is quite wonderful any of tho poor creaturos escaped , but tho loss of life and the number of wounded is distressing in the extreme . " Of the truth of this remark the following frightful return will afford the most melancholy evidence : — Killed—1 sergeant , 3 corporals , 1 drummer , 45 privates , 14 women , 20 children . Total 84 . Wounded —3 sergeants , 5 corporals , 118 privates , 4 women , 5
cmidren . lotai , iso . still missing—4 privates , The loss of life in the villages adjoining Loodiana is said to be very great . The wind blew with terrific violence for a time , and it seemed to concentrate its violence on the mud or . kuchr brick barracks of her Majesty ' s 50 th regiment . The 6 th company barracks first fell a victim to the fury of the element , and within five minutes of its fall every barracks shared its fate , the only parts saved of the whole nine buildings were the ends , i . e ., tbe sergeants' quarters ; they , having some support inside , withstood the storm . It seems the barracks have been built on a new principle . It is urged they were only temporary buildings , run up hastil y to shelter the regiment .
Be it so ; but as they have been standing more than two seasons , it is to be feared that good solid brick barracks would not have been thought of again , though originally designed , had not these been blown down . This is an awful proof of the penny-wise and pound-foolish system . I never witnessed so awful a scene of desolation and death as the barracks presented this morning . That part of the station looked desolate enough before . The Sikhs having destroyed the roofs of several bungalows and one splendid looking hospital , even these filled you with gloom when you looked at them ; but to them you have now to add nine barrack * , and the recollection that numbers of human beings have perished in the ruins .
Loss Of The Bombay Castle By Fire
LOSS OF THE BOMBAY CASTLE BY FIRE
The first alarm of fire was given to the Captain at about a quarter to twelve on the night of the 27 th of May , the ship then lying at anchor off Saugor , and upon coming upon deck he found the ship was on fire on the gun deck close to the main hatch , but this , owing to the excellent arrangements of Captain Eraser and his officers , well seconded by the exertions of the crew ( Chinamen and Lascars ) was speedily got under . Shortly alter this it was discovered that the vessel was also on fire forward close to the chess trees ; and tho deck was immediately scuttled to allow of water being poured upon the burning part . All exertions were used to subdue the fire , but the Lascars became so alarmed at the progress of the flames that the control exercised by the officers
was much weakened , thought tlioy continued to exert themselves in every manner that could be looked for from British sailors . Seeing how desperate endeavours to save the ship must prove , as the flames were rushing throufih the main hatchway—the captain ordered one of the quarter boats to . be launched , and the woman and children put on board . Thanks to the excellent arrangements which had previously furnished the boats with oars , rudders , < feo ., this was done with comparatively little difficulty , and the boat safely delivered her freight on board the Ellen , of London , which was , with several other vessels , anchored near the spot where the Bombay Castle was lying . Almost immediately after the boat had left the vessel the Lascars who were in the fore part of the ship ( communication with the stern being by this time cut off by the flames ) , launched the jollyboat over the bows , but she was almost immediately
swamped by the rush made to get on board her . Others attempted to get away on spars , and such rafts as individuals on the spur of the moment could frame—and it is to be feared that many if not most of these perished , but the number had not , when I left the spot , been ascertained . Signals of distress had been made as soon as the fire forward was discovered , and those of the vessels near at hand who had boats ready forthe emergency , sent them to aid in bringing off the people . The Cove sent two boats , and the Duke one , for the purpose , and were the means of saving many lives by their exertions . Captain Fraser and some of his officers remained on board till the deck was burning beneath their feet , and quitted the vessel only when every one that could be removed had been duly eared for . It is impossible to say too much of their self devotion and gallantry throughout .
Mr . Childs , Ihe pilot , with hi- leadsman , Mr . Smyth , showed themselves as cool , zealous , and energetic as men could possibly be . Mr . Childs , who left the vessel in tbe first boat , immediately on reaching the Ellen , calhd for a volunteer crew of British sailors , which was instantly furnished from the gallant fellows on I card—and returned with them to aid in bringing aw ;» y the people from the burning wreck Every hospitalty and attention was shown to the sufferers by the vessels which received them . The
Bombay Castle at | a . jr ., was one mass of flame , and at a quarter past three the masts fell in succession brer the side , and she drifted from her anchors down upon the Caspar land . Shortly before taking the ground she blew up—the explosion destroying about one-third of the vessel—what remained of her continued to burn till daylight . Nothinghas been saved beyond tho clothes which each hurriedly put on when the alarm of fire was given—the ship ' s papers and a few instruments which Captain Fraser brought away alone excepted .
Adam Smith And Ri0ard0
ADAM SMITH AND RI 0 ARD 0
( To the Editor of the Morning Post . ) Sib , —True , the principle ot Free Trade has been sanctioned by the legislature , and the friends of that measure would now 1 'ave the question between the ndvantageousnessbfthehome and the foreign trade to be considered as finally settled . ' ¦ ' uadMr .-Cobden demonstrated the Roundness of the principle of Free Trade , there would be some cause of complaint , should the pertinacious opponents of truth still refuse obedience to the voice of T ™ . ??*• ' Sir ,- - when it is proved that Mr . Cob-& £ A * - - " tbe ' °° » e doctrines of Free Trade is tounded on Adam Smith and Ricardo , and when it SKnSrt . *? '« h her « and that either have established the truth of Free-trade princ ' Dles when also Sir Robert Peel avows his on j " autnoritv to he Mr . Cobden , surely ran may wS ^ SSSS ' ^ diet founded on such hollow and irrational Ire mises . , ' re
the august and stately Jury which has given the verdict in favour af Mr . Cobden cannot add authority to the voice of folly—it cannot give the force of truth to the promulgat ion of error ! The voice of wisdom may have been unheeded the power of truth may have been resisted—it is to & much , , however , to expect , even at the bidding of Sir . Robert . ( Poel and the The League , that tho best interests of the nation shall , without remonstrance be sacrificed at the shrine of falsehood . I am oldfashioned . J revere the wisdom of our forefathers . I love truth , although it be greyheaded . I may be obstinate— "impracticable ; " term my failing what you will . . I never can believe that the question is fina'lv disposed of , although , by a delusive trick , it is enveloped in a mist . I will not believe that wis . dom can ally herself with folly—that truth can shake hands "ith . error .
Ilen-ulean as the task may appear , it is the duty of those who believe that the decision of the legislature mid the triumph of The League is founded in error-bvst . b y irrefragable proof to establish that fact ; ami next , to propound the truth to the people . . .. ¦ .- ¦ . That the mind of the public has been abused in this matter , I think I have demonstrated in my last letter , I might leave the preraisea without further proof , until Sir Robert Peel and Mr . Cobden had shaken " the testimony I have produced . There is , however , one point on which it may be useful now to
enlarge .,, V () ' '" I have shown that Mr . Cobden rests his proof of the advantageousness of Free Trade on the testimony of Adam Smith and Ricardo . He says they have settled the question—that " they have clearly demonstrated the obvious truth , which no longer admits of doubt to the honest inquirer "—and that " therefore all attempts at further discussion should be sedulously avoided as supererogatory , and calculated onl y to mystiiy a plain and unembarrassed question . "
Now , Sir , I will place in jiixta-position the statements of these two authorities , upon whose testimony Mr . ' Cobden . so entirely relies . Let them solve the question of the , " increase of the nation ' s wealth" by home or by foreign exchange ; of the . products of our industry . If it is evident , that on this point ( the only point in issue ) they differ wide as the poles , then I have certainly proved , that , Mr . Cobden is mistaken ; that all the labours and the triumphs of the League are founded in error ; that , in fact , the " great andjompreh ' ensive measure" is neithermore nor less than , a great nationai . mistake ! Hear , then , what Adam Smith and Ricardo say , and while ypii read bear in mind it is because these two " philosophers" have demonstrated the truth of Free Trade principles that Mr . Cobden disdains to " reason" on the subject . In their hands he is content to leave the question j—4 UAM . SMITH . BICARDO .
"The capital which is " This argument ( thearemployed in purchasing in gument quoted in the oppo-Otte part of the country , in gite column from Adam order to sell in another , ' the .. Smith ) appears to me to be produce of the industry of fallacious ; for though two that country , Renerally re- capitals , one Portuguese places by every such opera- and one English , be emtion two distinct capitals ployed , as Dr . Smith sup . that had been employed in poses , still a capital will be the . agriculture or , manufac " employed in the foreign turcs of that country , and trade double of what would thereby enables them to con . be employed in the home Unite that employment . "When trade . Suppose that Scotit sends out , from theresi- land employs a capital of dence of the merchant , a one thousand- pounds In
certain value of commodi- making liaen , which she ties , it generally brings exchanges for the produce back in return at ; least an of a similar capital emequal value of other com- ployed la making- sillcs in modi ties . IVhen both are England ; two thousand the produce of bosmsTic in . pounds and a proportional dustry , it necessarily re- quantity of labour will be places , by every such opera- employed by the two coun . tiou , two distinct capitals , tries . Suppose , now , that which bad both been : em- England discovers that she ployed in supporting pro- can import more linen from ductive labour , and thereby , Germany for the b \ w » which enables them to continue that she before exported to Scotsupport . The capital which land , and that Scotland dissends Scotch manufactures covers that she can obtain
to London , and brings back more sillcs from France English corn andmanufac- in return for her linen than tures to Edinburgh , neces- she- obtained before from sAiiivr replaces by every England ;—will not Engsueh operation , two British land and Scotland iwmedicapitals which had both ately cease trading with been employed in the . agri- eachother ; andwillnotthe culture or manufactures of home trade of consumption Groat Britain ; ii he changed for a foreign "The capital employed trade of consumption ! But , in purchasing / ore & a goods although two additional cafor home consumption * pitals will enter into this when this purchase is made trade ( the capital of Gerwith the produce of domes- many and that of France ) , tic industry , replaces also , will not the same amount by every such operation , of Scotch and English catwo distinct capitals , out pita ! continue to be
emohe of them , only ts emploj / ad ployed , and will it not give in supporting domestic indus- motion to the same quan . try . The capital which tity of industry as when it sends British goods to For- was engaged in the home tugal , and brings back trade ? Portuguese goods to Great Britain , replaces , oy every sueh operation , only one British capital . Tub otbee is & POKTCGOESE ONE . ThOUgh the returns , therefore , of the foreign trade of consumption should be as quick as those of the home trade , the capital emplaned in if . will give but one-half of ike encouragement TO TBE
INDUSTBV OB PBODUCTIVE LABOCB OP TBE COUNTRV , ' Now , Sir , I wish the Protectionists carefully to mark these two extracts . For my present ' argument it matters not which author has the best and strongest reasons . It must be remembered that these are the words of the two men on whose testimony Mr . Cobden has , from the beginning to the end of his agitation for Free Trade relied . He has repudiated and condemned all argument—all " appeals to reason , " on the bare assertion that these two authors have ' clearly demonstrated" the advantageousness of Free Trade- He has succeeded , strange as it may appear— he Acwsucceeded in preventing " discussion "
—he lias convinced the Premier and the Legislature , and many of the people , that Adam Smith and Ricardo have settled the question . On that erroneous conviction the whole cede of our commercial laws has been revolutionised . And yet , Sir , the above extracts demonstrate that Adam Smith and Ricardo are at the most complete variance ! The former asserting the superior advantageousness of the home trade ; the latter declaring the "fallacious" character of the former ' s argument , and asserting ( not proving ) the advantageousness of foreign trade . The one being a Protectionist , the other a Free-trader but , according to Cobden , Sir Robert Peel and all Free-traders are bound to believe in both !
Such is Mr . Cobden ' s victory . He has been the advocate of those whose " Inextinguishable desire for gain" impelled them to seek for universal competition ; he has , in the total absence of "discussion , " succeeded in convincing his Ministerial opponent that he is right . Instead of arguments he has furnished names ; and although those names are in direct antagonism on the point at issue , he has completely bewildered and ^ mystified his antagonist , and has forced him to surrender at discretion . It is not for me to discover by what subterfuge Sir Robert Peel will excuse himself for the weakness he has manifested , by falling into Mr . Cobden ' s trap ,
His eulogy on the ' reasoning - powers of a man , who repudiates all reasoning and discussion , must pass for so much vapour ; Had Sir Robert been silent on Mr . Cobden ' s great abilities , it might have been supposed that the Premier had some " reason" for revolutionising our commercial code ; now however , we are authoritatively assured that Sir Robert Peel has been deluded by the advocate of The League—that he has no other foundation for his " great and comprehensive measure" than the contradictory theories of Adam Smith and Ricardo ! The world has never before furnished an instance of so large a stake having been committed to the award of so much
ignorance . A word or two on the theory of Ricardo , as opposed to the" fallacy" oi Adam Smith , may be use-» ul , as exhibiting the danger of committing the national interests to the management of " philosop hers . . r If . Ricardo ' a theory moans anything , it amounts to this-that Great Britain is ' no longer to remain a manufacturing nation , for it is self-evident that , ii England discovers that she can import more linen * n W '' many for the silks she before exported to Scotland , then , Germany will be the cheapest marfcettor linen , as well for other countries as for England , and Scotland must , in that case , cease to manufacture linen . And , " if Scotland discovers that she can obtain more silk from France in return for her
Ireland
IRELAND
THE ROYAL LOYALS . Ddbun , July 20 . —The usual weekly meeting of this body was held to-day , Captain Broderick in the chair . He called upon tte members to do all th . f could to put an end to the dissensions which had sprung up among them , and io rely upon O'Connell , their long-tried and able leader , and not to be led astray by men who had made great professions but had done nothing for Ireland . ¦ He called upon the people of Ireland to look to moral force alone for the repeal ot the Unien , and never listen to persons
who spoke of resorting to physical force . Those persons , if they looked to ulterior measures , got admission into the association on false pretences , In all countries where phyaicat ^ ferce had been tried , it failed , and would never be approved of by O'Connell ar . d the Catholic clergy of Ireland . Thev would accept good measures from the Whi gs ; . but would not be the less determined to obtain repeal . He called upon the people of Ireland to rally round the association , and reject the men who would create dissension in it .
Mr . O'Neill next addressed the meeting . He read a Jefcier from Airdrie , in Scotland , from a repeal warden , Mr . M'Canley , who expressed regret at the recent disputes in the association ; but the rallying cry of the repealers of that town was " O'Connell , Repeal , and moral force . The speaker then went on to say , that they acknowledged no other leader but O'Connell , and were all animated with one sentiment , the desire and the determination do achieve repeal . The association was based on ths principle that repeal was to be sought for through moral force alone . Those who advocated any other should eome forward with » substantive resolution . Mr . O ' Neill proceeded to enforce the doctrine of O'Connell ef proceeding towards repeal by . moral force alone . A voice—It was O'Connell advised the compromise at Dungarvan . ( Cries of "Order , order . " )
Mr . O'Neill—I'll allude to Dungarvan , if vou like . It the repealers had decided upon contesting Dungarvan , you should expend for the election a large amount of the funds of the association , for no candidate would himself expend some three or four thousand pounds for a few months' sitting in parliament . . ¦ !§&' . Steele—And let me add that we should be beattm . The rent for the week approached £ 160 .
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i ' ,-, ' , " . » .. g >
jmeh _ than sbe obtained { be'ore from iSngland , " ft a quite clear that France wilt be the cheapest mararid ^' t V * , we n f 0 r other countries as for Scot-Th , fs 1 , T " ? " ? t cease to manufacturo silk , on theirSr ? nd Sc ^ nd would commit suicide a"S 5 S . CtUm "WJ ? * ° gratify tho vanity of neous JeUlr clS ? - . R 1 Car , ' ™ isC 8 be era " buy tttS iner . K J J wlly 0 the 1 , nati ( » ' » " <>«•<* iV asSrdo a ^' ? nd ' > vhen tne ? cou ^ <**»» feaJoSh ^^ It is manifest that Ricardo ' a theory , whenunder-StOOd . Oaiinotbo acceptable to The league . As for Mr Cobden s other authority , on tbe point at issue the increase of the nation ' s wealth , " Adam Smith is decisive in favour of home trade , or internal exchange , and as decidedly opposed to Free Trade . No malter . Mr . Cobden was eneaeed to carrv a nnint .
and lie has been successful . Do I blame Mr . Cobden for having duped the Premier ? I view him as the chosen advocate in a bad cause , who lias succeeded in bewildering the judge and jury , and has thus obtained an unjust verdict . He might know , and no doubt did know , the weakness of his ease ; It was his business to shelter his client ' s case , and screen its defects . He has Proved himself a very adroit and clever . advocate . , What shall be said of Sir Robert Peel ? His was the place of judge ! He was sworn to protect the nation against the intrigues of The League . He has . ertner _ trom ignorance or something worse , relied upon the special pleading of an interested advocate , «?? w- ? - '• ' rea 80 » «» evidence he has sacrificed the nation s interest to those whose mottoes are-. The main source of the prosperity of this country is its manufacturing industry and enterprise . "Sir James Graham ,
And—¦ lo give capital a fair remuneration , the price of labour must be kept iown . " -WiUiam IRtskisson . Yes , Sir Robert Peel has delivered the interests of this great empire into the hands of those who , ac cording to M'Culloch , their great apostle , are governed by ' the inextinguishable passion for gain , the passion for accumulation , which has no limits !" Are we Englishmen , Christians ,, quietly to witness the triumph of that » pa 8 Sion ? " No , net even at- the bidding of a Bishop J I am , Sir , Yours respectfully , t j t i n , o . „ RlCHiiBI > Oamleb ., London , July 8 , 1846 .
x P . S . — Had the Protectionists spent one-quarter the money . in defence of the principles of the Con . stitution that has been spent by the League in order to give free scrape to . "thepassion for gain , " we should not have witnessed this disgraceful fall of so many statesmen . The question now is—How is the lost ground to be regained ? A general election must soon take place . What steps are meanwhile to be taken to remove the mist from the minds of the people ? Not a moment should be lost . R . O .
The "Liberal" Kings. (From La Reform.) W...
THE "LIBERAL" KINGS . ( From la Reform . ) We should not have thought that li ' erty was « o well protected . Ia a few days hence she will no longer stand in need of her natural defenders , since her old . enemies are now embracing her cause . We are talked to every moment about , liberal Kings . Yesterday it was in Prussia ; to-day it is in Sardinia , The spectacle is truly wonderful . We are about to see in all parts of Europe Royalty waving the banner of tho Revolution ! The value of the liberalism of the King of Prussia , with his fine promises , is well known . The liberalism of the Sovereign of Sardinia is pretty nearly of the same stamp—only that the scene is better played beyond the Alps than beyond the Rhine . It is easy to convince one ' s self of this .
It is but a very short time since tlie Royalty which reigns at Turin assumed this part . But the comedy has progressed with rapidity . King Charles Albert has found supple and docile instruments at hand , who have hastened to second him ; and certain counts and marquisses have deigned to scribble a few pamphlets to recommend the Sardinian Prince to Italian patriotism . Sueh has been act I . of the comedy ; the curtain now rises for the second . Articles have been very adroitly slipped into certain journals , whose readers have been enabled , en awaking , to learn ihe generous designs of Charles Albert . There are even being prepared lit this moment long pleadings in favour of this libt-ral Sovereign , and if we are not mistaken , they will soon be found in one of the first compilations of Paris .
Hitherto the king of Sardinia acts but little by himself . Wait a moment . . This great Monarch also ' does a little on his own account : he has permitted the publication in his states of ccrtain ; books wliicli concealed a few hordicsses ; and he is not far from restoring all its liberty to that soul of Italy which has been repressed for centuries . All these manoeuvres tend towards the same end , and are inspired by tbe same design . A generous idea has pre-occupitd for some years the attention of all the intelligent anil polished spirits of Italy . This idea istlint ot national unity . If all these
members of the Peninsula , divided and separated by diplomacy , could only be united at last—if «! 1 these branches of the old national tree were to bo re-attached one day to the same trunk—if the Appennines were to attact to them all the party of this powerful organism which have ceased to form a single body' . Such is the most ardent aspiration of Italy . This is the idea which lives in the hearts of her fine inhabitants , and which seems to be fortified there every day under the weight of those numerous tyrannies of which it is the pasture land . ThecryofMachiavelli novi . bursts forth in every Italian bosom .
Well ! the new Borgta who is to restore to Italy this unity , so precious anil so necessary , is Charles Albertthis excellent King of Sardinia , who also entitles himself , for his amusement , the King of Cyprus and Jerusalem . This is at all events what they are trying to persuade the Italians . Such is the object of those intrigues -lhich are knotted together on all sides , and which have passed frum a few boohs into tho periodical press We should have disdained to say a single word about this farce , if it did not conceal some danger . The people who suffer easily accept the hope of a better future This sentiment is to them a great source of strength , because it eternally protests against despotism ; but it also ex . poses them to illusions which too often only end in bloody disasters . :
It is possible , assuredl that Charles Albert may desire the unity of Italy in a certain point of view . We are persuaded that this fabulous Monarch of Jerusalem and Cyprus would be very glad to reign from the Alps to the sea . On this condition / he would doubtless rid Italy of the contact of foreignerg . supposing he had the power of so doing . This power failing him , there remains to him the pleasure of au ambitious dream , and why should he not undertake to arm Italy for that dream t ' ¦ The most vexatious thing that could happen to him would be to fail , but the misfortune would not be so great , after all . The Prince of Casignan la there . This heroic mask . would fall again , and tho sinister face of tho cxeeulWe * of Austria would reappear through tlie broken mask . j We do not wish that the Italians should reproach us for having insisted on these , reminisnences . What bought least to fail the victims -is . memory . It cannot Ifail in Italy after so many wounds and aftf ietions . .
But tyrannies are becoming so hostile that they can . not be too much unmasked . It is to-day especially that one may repeat the energetic words of the Scriptures ** " U » rains nets upon tbe people , "
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 25, 1846, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_25071846/page/7/
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