soon as the foot of a French soldier has been planted upon any portion of her soil. If Russia should abstain from all interference (which is not impossible, for the recent change in the Austrian ministry, by the substitution of Rechberg for Buol, seems to point towards a reconciliation), we are hopeful that Germany may escape being implicated in the quarrel, at all events for the present. What ever may be the future designs of Louis Napoleon for the extension of the French Empire, he cannot be desirous that the forces of Germany should be arrayed against him until the Italian campaign is concluded. For, despite French courage and confidence, which are always tinctured with a little of the gasconading spirit, the task which he has undertaken may not prove an easy one; nor are his chances of success, when weighed against the probability of failure, so very great as to give anything like an assurance of victory. Notwithstanding all his preparations and undoubted military force, it may yet be some time before he takes up his quarters at Milan; and even were he there, he has still to break through the strongest line of fortresses in Europe before he can call Lombardy his own. Austria has a magnificent army, well disciplined and officered; and her soldiers, in point of endurance, are second to none in Europe, though they may be deficient in the dash and rapidity of movement which is the peculiar characteristic of the French. Throughout the last great war the French found the Austrians to be most formidable opponents; and for their victories they were more indebted to the consummate military genius and quick tactics of the first Napoleon, than to the superiority of their men. What the military talents of the nephew may be, we cannot tell. He is said to have diligently studied the strategic art, and to have made himself a thorough master of its principles. But theory is one thing, and practice another; and we have yet to find out whether a man who has attained the age of fifty without having seen a shot fired on the field of battle, is competent to direct extensive military operations. It is a daring attempt, which some might call presumptuous, and which, if unsuccessful, may be attended with disastrous consequences to himself. But we cannot wish that it were otherwise. It is fitting that the main disturber of the peace of Europe should go forth at the head of his armies. So long, therefore, as Italy is the sole field of military operations, and no other states enter the arena as combatants, Britain may be able to remain a passive spectator of the strife. If France and Sardinia should be baffled in their attempt to wrest Lombardy from Austria, there is, so far as human foresight can reach, even a fair prospect that the war may not become general; and could we reckon on a cordial reconciliation between Russia and Austria, and an abandonment of her aggressive schemes in the direction of Turkey by the former power, such hopes would be materially strengthened. On the other hand, should the Austrians be driven out of Lombardy, a very serious question will be forced upon the consideration of the neutral states. Are the provinces so redeemed, or rescued, or emancipated it is difficult in this case to find a term perfectly appropriate and descriptive of their situation-to be regarded as conquest, and as such to be appropriated or divided solely at the will of the captors? It is not likely that France and her coadjutor would broadly assert so much; for a war of liberation is something very different from a war of conquest, and implies a due regard to the wishes of the rescued people. But it is quite easy to manage things so, that an expression of opinion by a coerced or purchased junta may be made to pass for the deliberate resolution of a people; and, under bayonet rule, it is highly improbable that any would be found daring enough to gainsay the will of the liberators. Are we then prepared to allow Lombardy and Venice, as also the Duchies-for their fate is inseparable from that of the Austro-Italian provinces-to be partitioned by France and Sardinia? We do not press for an immediate answer to that ques tion-we do not think that the time for discussing it has yet arrived but we wish that the gravity of the situation, and the extent of the interests involved, should be made apparent to all. Also it must be remembered that the scheme of liberation includes the southern as well as the northern part of Italy. The Pontifical states and Naples must also be revolutionised and overrun. We have no sympathy to expend upon either the Pope or the Neapolitan tyrant, but their expulsion would leave a further tract of splendid territory to be divided. The question, when fully propounded, will be this Shall Italy, from the Alps to Calabria, along with fair and blooming Sicily, become the appanage of the Gaul? Firmly as we entertain the belief that the hearts of kings, as well as the destinies of nations, are in the Divine rule and governance, and are disposed and turned as seemeth best to the godly wisdom, and that mere human sagacity is unavailing to aid us in the time of perplexity, we must nevertheless remember that we are instruments in the hand of God, who has given us a rule of duty, and that we must endeavour to shape our conduct in accordance with that rule, under circumstances however trying, leaving the issue with confidence to His determination. We cannot hope to remain inactive spectators of a general war in Europe. Rashly to provoke war, or to rush into it head long, without due cause and deliberation, would be a deep national crime; but to defend the rights of ourselves and others, when these are clearly ascertained, against unprincipled ambition and daring outrage, is a duty so manifest that none but fanatics would venture to deny it. In the midst of the general doubt and dismay which pervade Europe, arising mainly from the tortuous policy of Russia, the grasping ambition of France, and the selfish obduracy of Austria, it is cheering to know that we can reckon upon the co-operation of one great power, against whom no charge of having violated treaties, since the last general settlement, has been made. The interests of Prussia seem to be in all respects the same as ours. Liberal in her tendencies and Protestant in her faith, Prussia is our natural ally; and her influence in the councils of the Germanic Diet has been wisely and salutarily exerted. We are next to certainly assured that nothing whatever can occur to weaken this fortunate alliance, which is founded upon reciprocity of sentiment, family union, and the mutual respect of the people. And so, not confiding in our own strength, but in divine blessing, let us endeavour to fulfil our duty, and patiently expect a gracious answer to the daily prayer of the Church of England-"Give peace in our time, O Lord; because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God." Forty shilling freeholds, proposed change Franciscans, propagandist efforts of the, Frederick the Great, Carlyle's History French and English navies, comparison French passport system, the, 77. Gladstone's Homer, remarks on, 196. Gold, alleged effects of the increased Gonds, the, in India, 310. Granville, lord, on the Italian question, 377. Great Britain, unanimity in, on the Grey, earl, on the Italian question, 379. Hale, Sir M., trial of witches before, 567. 248 et seq. Heber, bishop, in India, 476. Japan, 248-notices of, 394, 396. Holland, dress in, 285. Holyoake, Mr., the secularist, 528. Indian civil service, the competitive sys- Indian mutiny, fidelity of the native Indo Chinese race, seat of the, 33. Infusoria, importance of the, 595. Ireland, difficulties connected with edu- Italian question, discussions on the, at Jainism, rise of, in India, 327. JAPANESE WATERS, A CRUISE IN, Part II., Jats, the arrival of, in India, 312. Jesuit missions to India, the, 466 et seq. Jones, Mr. R., on a drop of water, 595. 462. Khonds, the, in India, 310. Koolies, race of the, in India, 310. Kublai Khan, invasion of Japan by, 62. Latin classics and the Greek, 199. Ceylon, early Christian church in, 463. Chauncy, Sir Henry, and the witch of Chevalier, M., on the probable fall in CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA, 462. Clarendon, Lord, on the Italian ques- Clarke, Jane, the trial of, for witch- Classics, importance of study of the, 198. 662. Cleveland, the duchess of, and Marl- CLOTHES AND SCARECROWS, 274. Combination, the power of, 521. question, 378-defence of his dissolu- De Tocqueville on the press, 183, 193. Digestion, what, in the Hydra, 588. Drama, the alleged decline of the, 110. Dutch bazaar, the, at Decima, 49, 52. East India Company, the, close of the rule of, 113 et seq.-history of, in con- Educated classes, measures for extend- Ehrenberg, the observations of, 593. COMPETITIVE SYSTEM, THE, AND THE PUB- Enchanted Pot, the, a Norse legend, 177. Conybeare, Mr., on the press, 191. Cottager's religious meditations, the, 173. Courtesans, class of, in Japan, 408. DASENT'S TALES FROM THE NORSE, 366. Decima (Japan), sketches at, 49. Engineers, the French, 259. England, the war between Burmah and, English and French navies, comparison FALSELY ACCUSED, 208. Fancy ball, picture of a, 282, 283. Financial Reform Association of Liver- Firando, English factory at, 69-aban- Fire, early worship of, in India, 317. Forty shilling freeholds, proposed change Franciscans, propagandist efforts of the, Frederick the Great, Carlyle's History French and English navies, comparison French passport system, the, 77. Gladstone's Homer, remarks on, 196. Gold, alleged effects of the increased Gonds, the, in India, 310. Granville, lord, on the Italian question, 377. Great Britain, unanimity in, on the Grey, earl, on the Italian question, 379. Hale, Sir M., trial of witches before, 567. 248 et seq. Heber, bishop, in India, 476. Holland, dress in, 285. Holyoake, Mr., the secularist, 528. Indian civil service, the competitive sys- Indian mutiny, fidelity of the native Indo Chinese race, seat of the, 33. Ireland, difficulties connected with edu- Italian question, discussions on the, at Jainism, rise of, in India, 327. Japan, the houses of, 51-sketch of the JAPANESE WATERS, A CRUISE IN, Part II., Jats, the arrival of, in India, 312. Jesuit missions to India, the, 466 et seq. Jones, Mr. R., on a drop of water, 595. 462. Khonds, the, in India, 310. Koolies, race of the, in India, 310. Kublai Khan, invasion of Japan by, 62. Latin classics and the Greek, 199. |