Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

and was speedily beset by members of the Whig party, then in opposition, who offered to undertake his case in Parliament. It is impossible to speak too highly of the wisdom and firmness with which he acted at that trying period. He saw the hollowness of the zeal professed, resolved to retain in his own hands the cause he had undertaken, refused to involve himself in the meshes of party, and placed his trust in the justice aud humanity of the British people. His 'Researches in South Africa' produced a marvellous impression. The nation responded to his appeal, it was gratified by his confidence, and sent him back, the herald of glad tidings to the calumniated and oppressed. On his subsequent visit to England, we had frequent opportunities of personal intercourse, which led to a high estimate of his sound judgment, unswerving fidelity, and intense hostility to what he deemed mean, temporizing, or assumptive. His opinions were freely expressed in the confidence of friendship. He had felt some things deeply, and his self-respect and large-heartedness were offended at them. We shall never forget the solemn charge he gave us at parting. May we be able, in a better world, to show him that that charge has not been forgotten or unproductive. There are few men, with whom we have been thrown into personal intercourse, whose memory we hold in higher veneration.

FRENCH POLITICS ARE A PERFECT RIDDLE-at least, they possess all its uncertainty without its power to amuse. Louis Napoleon is evidently prepared, at any cost, or by any sacrifice of principle, to secure an extension of his lease of power. Elected President by universal suffrage, he soon began to coquet with the self-styled friends of order. A common interest had united various parties in his support. They cared nothing about him, and in many cases were thoroughly hostile to the polity of which he was the nominal head. Few French politicians, however, trouble themselves about principles, and they were, therefore, ready, through guile or through fear, to assume the garb of Republicanism, and to give to Louis Napoleon their temporary support. The effect of this was visible in the Roman expedition, and in the retrograde policy steadily pursued. Raised to office by the voice of the people, the President soon sacrificed them for the friendship of others. The law of the 31st of May was the price paid, and we know of no evidence to show that it was grudgingly or even reluctantly yielded. By this law the constituency was reduced more than two millions, and the Government press has panegyrized it as the safety of the State. So long as there was hope of retaining the support of the more wealthy and higher classes, this law was not only wise, but was absolutely needful; but now that such support cannot be relied on, the President turns shamelessly round, and calls for the repeal of the law. Last year, he sacrificed the people to their political opponents; and now, for a purely selfish end, he denounces the policy of those opponents, and calls for the restitution of that franchise which he had not scrupled to wrest from the people. Should France accredit him in this matter, it will sink to a lower depth than has yet been attained. The repeal of the law of May the 31st may be perfectly right, but the motive of Louis Napoleon, the complexion and aim of his policy, cannot be misunderstood. Any

thing lower or more discreditable we have never known. As the immediate result of his determination to recommend to the Assembly the repeal of this law, his Ministers have resigned. What may be the result we cannot say. It would be as wise to prophesy respecting the wind, as concerning the immediate direction which French politics will take. The ultimate tendency we see-the issue is certain; but what may be the intermediate steps no mortal wisdom can predict.

6

THE ILLUSTRIOUS EXILE, KOSSUTH, LANDED AT SOUTHAMPTON on the 23rd, and, notwithstanding the audacious calumnies propagated by the Times' and other journals, he received a thoroughly English welcome. Thousands assembled on the occasion, and, by the report of all witnesses, the enthusiasm displayed was at once intense and universal. He arrived by the Madrid steamer from Gibraltar, whither he had proceeded on the refusal of the French authorities to permit his passing through France. Anything more wanting in self-respect, more ignominious or contemptible, than such a refusal, we have never known. Happily, it has worked otherwise than was intended. By delaying his arrival on our shores, opportunity has been afforded to vindicate his fame from the gross libels circulated by mercenary scribes ; and the voice of a united people is, in consequence, raised at once to congratulate and to sympathize with the Magyar patriot. London, Westminster, Southwark, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Coventry, and many other towns, have already adopted addresses expressive of their admiration and sympathy. The country at large is deeply moved. The true chord has been struck, and the despots of Europe, wherever they dwell, and by whatever name they are called, will learn that their character is known and their policy abhorred by the people of this country. The moral influence of this persuasion will be one of the elements of the regeneration of Europe. It may be despised for the moment, but its influence will be wide-spread and lasting. We have no sympathy with the objection put forward by Mr. Anderton in the Common Council of London, and whispered by a few others, that being on friendly terms with Austria we ought not to give a public, much less a corporate, reception to a man whom she has proscribed as a rebel. M. Kossuth is the representative of a principle dear to the English people. He has struggled for the constitutional independence of his country; and the manner in which he did so was indicative of the highest order of administrative talent, and of a magnanimous spirit entitled to claim brotherhood with our own Pyms, Hampdens, and Vanes. He is the Washington of Hungary in all but success; and the fact of his having been overwhelmed by

No words can adequately express our view of the course pursued by the 'Times.' It has not been ungenerous or malevolent simply. Such words convey a very inadequate notion of its obliquity. Its leaders of the 9th and 17th, are full of gross, and, we fear we must say, wilful falsehoods; while its hostility derives additional turpitude from the magnanimity which was extended by Kossuth to an unprincipled agent of the leading journal.” Anything more crushing than a pamphlet just published by Mr. Gilpin, under the title of Kossuth and the "Times,"' we have never read; and we strongly recommend it to the immediate perusal of our friends.

[ocr errors]

Russian interference only strengthens his claims on our sympathy. His maintenance of the old rights of Hungary against the tyranny of Austria is his great virtue. It is this which gives him a title to the cordial greeting of our people, and we look, therefore, with indignant contempt on any effort to deprive us of the right to express our admiration and sympathy for the illustrious exile who has visited our shores. Let us by all means maintain peaceful relations with Austria and all other powers, but let the kings and rulers of the earth know that we must be free to express our judgment on their policy, whether in the way of newspaper comment, of publications like the Letters of Mr. Gladstone, or of the cordial greeting which was tendered at Southampton to one of the most able, high-minded, and immaculate of patriots.

Literary Jutelligence.

Just Published.

The Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed. By Joseph Butler, LL.D; A New Edition, with an Introductory Essay by the Rev. Albert Barnes, and a complete Index.

The Wesleyan Almanack for 1852.

An Essay on the Local or Lay Ministry, as exercised by the Wesleyan and other Branches of the Methodist Family. By Richard Mills, Wesleyan Local Preacher, Rugely, Staffordshire.

The Local Ministry; its Character, Vocation, and Position considered, with Suggestions for promoting its more extended Usefulness. By John Henry Carr, Wesleyan Local Preacher, Leeds.

Homer's Iliad. Books I., VI., XX., and XXIV. With a Copious Vocabulary. For the Use of Schools and Colleges. By James Fergusson, M.D., F.E.I.S.

Olympus and its Inhabitants. A Narrative Sketch of the Classical Mythology. With an Appendix, &c. For the Use of Schools and Private Students. By Agnes Smith. Edited by John Carmichael, M.A.

England before the Norman Conquest.

Scenes in Greenland, Iceland,' &c., &c.

By the Author of 'Domestic

Cases of Conscience; or, Lessons in Morals. For the Use of the Laity. By Pascal the Younger. Second Edition, with a Prefatory Letter to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P.; and other Additions.

The Elements of Grammar taught in English. With Questions. By Rev. Edward Thring, M.A.

The Triumph; or, the Coming Age of Christianity. Selections from Authors chiefly Religious and Philosophical. Edited by J. M. Morgan.

Travellers' Library-Ranke's History of the Popes, and Gladstone on Church and State. By Thomas Babington Macaulay. Reprinted from Mr. Macaulay's Critical and Historical Essays.

What is to be done with our Convicts? Sketch of a System of Penal State Servitude, an efficient Reformatory and Economic Substitute for Transportation and Imprisonment.

Russell v. Wiseman; or, Reason v. Opinion. An Appeal to the Lords. By John Pym the Younger.

The Rhyme Book. By Hercules Ellis.

Encyclopædia Metropolitana. Early Oriental History, comprising the Histories of Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Phoenicia. Edited by John Eadie, D.D., LL.D.

Hours and Days. By Thomas Burbidge.

Funeral Address and Sermon, delivered in West Orchard Chapel, Coventry, on the Death of the Rev. J. Jerrard. The Address at the Interment, on Monday afternoon, July 28, 1851, by Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham. The Sermon by the Rev. E. H. Delf, on Sunday Evening, Aug. 3, 1851.

A History of the English Railway. Its Social Relations and Revelations, 1820-1845. By John Francis. 2 vols.

A Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica. By Philip Henry Gosse, A.L.S. Assisted by Richard Hill, Esq., Cor. M.Z.S., London.

The Papacy. Its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects, being the Evangelical Alliance's First Prize Essay on Popery. By Rev. J. A. Wylie. Exposition of the Gospel according to St. Luke. Vol. III. By James Thomson, D.D.

Notes, Critical, Illustrative, and Practical, on the Book of Job. By Rev. Albert Barnes. Printed from the Author's revised Edition; with a Preface by Rev. E. Henderson, D.D. 2 vols.

The Apocalypse popularly explained.

The Progress and Prospects of Christianity in the United States of America. With Remarks on the Subject of Slavery in America, and on the Intercourse between British and American Churches. By R. Baird, D.D.

Eastern Manners, illustrative of the New Testament History. By Rev. Robert Jamieson, D.D.

The Island World of the Pacific; being the Personal Narrative and Results of Travel through the Sandwich or Hawahen Islands and other Parts of Polynesia. By Rev. Henry J. Cheever.

A Letter to the Rev. E. B. Elliott, A.M., showing that his Exposition of the Seven Seals in his 'Hora Apocalyptica' is without any solid foundation. By Rev. R. Gascoyne, A.M.

The Protestant Dissenter's Illustrated Almanack for 1852.

The Freeholder's Catechism. The Speeches of James Taylor, Jun., Esq., the Founder of the Movement, and James Beal, Esq., at a Public Meeting of the Finsbury Freehold Land Society, held at the Mechanic's Institute, Southampton-buildings, January 28, 1851, T. Wakley, Esq., M.P., President in the

chair.

A Contribution towards an Argument for the Plenary Inspiration of Scripture, derived from the Minute Historical Accuracy of the Scriptures of the Old Testament as proved by certain Egyptian and Assyrian Remains as Preserved in the British Museum. By Arachnophilus.

The Rhymer's Family. A Collection of Bantlings. By Thomas Watson. The Young Man's Counsellor. By William Mackenzie.

The Antidote to Popery and Priestcraft, forming incidentally a Refutation of Cardinal Wiseman's Appeal' and 'Lectures.'

The Wolflee Series of Tracts. Nos. 2-6.

The History of Greece. By Connop Thirlwall, D.D., Bishop of St. David's. Vol. VI.

Bibliothecæ Sacræ and American Biblical Repository. Conducted by B. B. Edwards and E. A. Park. October, 1851.

THE

Eclectic Review.

DECEMBER, 1851.

ART. I.-1. The Achill Herald.

June, 1851.

2. The Irish Ecclesiastical Journal. October, 1851. Dublin: James M'Glashen.

3. Letter to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Dublin, on the subject of the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, and the Charge addressed to the Clergy of Dublin in 1851. By Lord Monteagle, F.R.S. Dublin: Hodges and Smith. London: Ridgway. 1851. AFTER a fruitless experiment of three hundred years, the Irish Established Church is beginning to make some impression on the native population. Every attempt to convert the people, from the Reformation down to the present time, had proved an utter failure. The failure was nowhere so signal as in Connaught, where the old Irish retained their primitive habits and superstitions intact, while groaning under the double tyranny of the landlord and the priest. A recent visitor to that part of Ireland has remarked, that the only buildings which remain unaffected by the desolations of the famine and the consequent clearances' are those which indicate the power of these two classes-namely, the pound, an enclosure surrounded by a high wall, in which cattle and sheep seized for rent were confined; and the chapel, in which souls were enthralled by the terror of a system of religion more liberal of curses than of blessings.

There is no doubt that these terrors are fast disappearing. The papers have lately contained reports proving that there is a

[blocks in formation]
« НазадПродовжити »