volume of water poured out into the sea that it produces a discoloration of the water long before you can discover the low banks of the river as you enter the river.

"There is the Massissappi!" exclaimed the captain of the ship in which we made our first entrance into this wondrous stream.

"Where?" we asked, in astonishment, and look

VIEW ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI. THE Mississippi has, of late, acquired new interest from the panoramas of the immense river which have been exhibited both in this country and in Europe, and every part of the great "Father of Rivers" has become classic ground. The Queen of England and her Court, as we learn from the English papers, lately had the privilege of making a voyage down the Mississippi without being at the trouble of stiring from Windsor Cas-ing in the direction of the captain's outstretched tle. Mr. Banvard took his three miles of canvas out to Windsor, and treated her majesty to a sight of the majestic river, which is so fruitful of romantic stories, wild boatmen, steamboat explosions, snags, crevasses, flat boats, allegators, and cotton plantations. But the queen could gather only an indistinct idea of the grandeur, magnificence and solemn beauty of our great river from seeing the panorama, although it no doubt seemed to give her a general feeling of its stupenduousness, and the immensity of its ever-rolling flood.

We shall never forget the awe with which the first sight of the Mississippi inspired us, as we entered its muddy waters while yet too far out in the Gulf of Mexico to discover the delta at its mouth. So rapid is the current and so great the

hand we perceived the yellow waters of the great river mingling with the blue waves of the Atlantic.

The above sketch was made by one of the artists employed in making drawings for " Smith's Panorama of the Mississippi," and it gives a very accurate representation of the stream during a freshet, at a point some distance above steamboat navigation. The snags, which thrust their black looking heads out of the water, are those dangerous objects which, when carried down by the force of the current into deeper parts of the river, are so much dreaded by navigators, and so often cause the destruction of life and property, so that the word snag has become, in the American vocabulary, a synonym for everything that is obstinate and difficult to be avoided.

FRANCE UNDER HER FIRST REPUBLIC.

BY JAMES CARRUTHERS.

THE phases which the new formed Republic! of France-a Republic begun in alarm, founded on terror, and subjected, notwithstanding glorious promises, to a rule as arbitrary and ignoble as that which it cast off, has assumed and is assuming, enable us to institute between it and the Republic, styled the First, a ready and progressively instructive comparison.

Neither did the most extreme contrarieties in her political state or social condition fail. No nation had been so remarkable as the French for loyalty; now respect to monarchial government was either wholly suppressed, or so diminished as never since to have been formidable to the successors of revolutionary government. The constitution of France from this time has been undefinable and itself kept together by individual address or shifting influences.

Frenchman, who had received from the first consul a sabre or carbine manufactured at Versailles, was thenceforth one of the proudest beings on the earth's crust. The age of chivalry was not gone by, every month invoked honor, drafts on glory were seldom dishonored, and though for a small and pitiable amount they would generally suffice to pay for the most arduous and zealous Then, as now, the day of wonder soon passed services. Thus the battalion which had distinby, yet followed by motions so untrue to any pre-guished itself for valor in Italy, was rewarded by vious calculation, that philosophy shrank from appointment to the post of the greatest danger. noting more than their supposed extent and cer- Changed wholly were the moral qualities of the tain tendencies. With discernment of the powers people. The lower classes were noted for being striving to sap or to amalgate, to save or to trans- neither honest, obliging, or humane. This was form all that now to France is valuable, all that not all; late enormities were not only to be read to her is worthless, in their purposes or conspira- in outward lineaments; they had struck deeper cies, their demurers or necessities, interest would and scathed and furrowed the soul. Hospitality, not so have departed with our wonder. Myriads always in company with refined sentiment, and of minds are at this moment interfering in her which the humblest Greek peasant would blush fate. The crowd, though it never more guide, to be found wanting in, was no longer known in may so obstruct as to force on a disastrously cir- France. Suffering in its worst forms had become cuitous route that stream which else would min- so familiar, that wretchedness the most agonizing ister its privileges at every door. was passed by without a sigh, or, perchance, so much as recognition. Gallantry assuredly was in vogue, though reduced to grimaces or compliments, the offspring not of respect or affection, but incorrigible vanity, which deceived themselves and duped foreigners, one of whom remarks in wonder, and as a fact, in the picture of their manners, that twice, on foot, taking hold of a person's arm, and being by chance on the outside of the pavement, it was remarked with scandal, and hinted to a companion, "that the same thing happened in a boat in which the best place was left to a man of consequence." This was of the same order of vanity which begot for France such a horrid aversion of unhid poverty, an aversion which in unmitigated force still continues, as belying the idea of the perfection or apparent happiness of her state. Every beggar considered in law a blot in the escutcheon, to be rascal out; whilst no benevolence dictates an asylum! When we ourselves visited the City of Rouen, the chief gossip at the dinner table of hotels concerned a man who had been committed for several months to prison through inability to pay for a meal, which in a starving condition he had had the We will here quote the words that Mercier effrontery to order-value 3 sous! Nor, in the wrote at this time, intended to mark the distin-blood-bought dream of the first French Republic, guishing traits of either, and indicating as well the could any passions be thoroughly excited by other spirit in which the watcher was regarded.- than violent exhibitions; the people could be better "Serious as Cato; from him the French will learn moved by the supernatural than the real. This to be sedate, to respect their magistrates, to des- was especially beheld in those ready and never pise that light, airy behavior for which they have failing indicators of public morals and manners, been characterised. Since they respect him, both the theatres. The masterly productions which as a wise man and a warrior, let them imitate his had dignified these, were uncalled for and unofferreserve and demeanor, let them assume his sim-ed. The elegant Corneille, the pathetic Racine, ple and sober dignity. Fewer words will evince the laughing Moliere, were absentees. more affection and less nobility of feature, more of greatness and reason." So little had the French people of greatness or reason so much was prefered the fame to the prosperity of France, that a

Every evening the gardens of the Tuilleries, which had been improved by fountains, sculpture, and clusters of orange trees, were filled by myriads of the Parisians seeking enjoyment in forgetfulness of care and communion of thought. On them was the gaze of a man whose teatures, illumined with warm vivacity of expression, were indicative of superior mental energy. While he gazed he toiled. He would open up new paths of glory to all Frenchmen indiscriminately! He saw how they could be beguiled, and forget the soul's sufferings in outward glitter. He would change admiration into worship, and of all nations, as well as of his own, be first.

There

came, in place of what had been prepared by elegant and philosophic minds, dismal tragedies and stupid comedies, that had the merit of not having been penned by royalists and being withal very

patriotic. The authors and the public were both
to blame; but it is not for the landlord of an inn
to dispute the taste of his worshipful guests. The
audience was changed. A pure taste and solid
judgement, with their attendant refinements, were
displaced, enjoyments requiring no exercise of
mind got vogue.
The boxes were filled by people
of no character, insulting the poor by their shame-
ful luxury. The vicissitudes, too, of this Revolu-
tion were as extreme as the imagination can
picture. While receiving from the dust men
without character and talents, it pressed to suffer-
ing and beneath general view thousands who had
triumphed in the highest gifts of fortune. In a
large suspension of trade the major portion of all
classes were ruined. Then might be seen rich
and poor, the young and old, privately gabbing.
The circulation of money became unprecedentedly
rapid, for people bought and sold, and rebought
what they had sold in order to sell it again. It
was, we mean, a good time for usurers-those
bland civilized caterpillars. With fair security
they yet asked unblushingly five or six per cent.
per month. But everywhere was the absence of
principle, the removal of moral restraint. Profli-
gacy, murder and suicide, were common. They,
who before had come but at the approach of
winter to Paris to flount their gay equipages, now
came to reside permantly for the better security
of person and property. The mingling of fortunes
might be shown at the cafes, which began to pre-
sent visitants with more substantial meals than
formerly, where every absurdity, every fancy, mad
or tasteful, might be observed. Enter and gaze
on the motely guests! There sits a man who
courts notoriety, for such a one has features, man-
ners and language, indicative of the propensity;
before the revolution he was quiet and unoffensive,
and believed himself to be a most ordinary man.
Powder awoke him.

been. Her philosophy, her sympathies, her utilitarian materialism proclaim this. Even the most erring of her patriots desire that humanity be henceforth measured by hearts and minds-that the waters which have gone forth find no way of return. Coarse and stern elements, discomfort and oppression spoil the pleasant vision, for there is no fanaticism which is or will not be developed ; no passion more or less undisplayed. But whether zealots or desperadoes triumph, or a democratic system of government be imposed, in all aspects she will be altered. She is being new created in treaty and aims. A greater revolution than that which yet awaits her has probably never been recorded; facts minister to facts, and what to day thrives unnoticed may ere while present itself in gigantic form. Let us delay our judgement till the speculative theories of her majority be incorporated, and the plan at least of the structure, which is to be an available sanctuary from despotism, be presented. "Republique Francaise!" These words made up of golden letters, glared, during the period we are about to describe, from the highest dome of the palace of the Tulleries, the delightful rooms of which so many blessed tyrants had rejoiced in, and which were now occupied by the three consuls. There was not sufficient change within to indicate the change without. The furniture was yet to be used by kings.

How much is in association! By its influence the appearance of the earth itself is new resolved. The same principle of thought that led Carlyle, on looking up at a gloriously studded formament of stars, to exclaim: "It is a sad sight!" may well change what is of human fashioning. It was so in Paris. They who had been absent from the years of trouble, on returning went through its streets like strangers. It was a city standing in a new and scarcely divined light, to some enchantYonder is a man who alighted at the door from ing, to others ominous, just as the gleam of a a gay chariot; the revolution has wonderfully volcanic fire over the bay of Naples might desharpened his appetite with his wits. He has light some wondering visitant, whilst predicabeen taught to regard the whole creation as cook-ting danger, and thrilling with horror the exed; or at least created for himself, and has already perienced dweller. Towers, stores, public buildemptied four dishes. By him is one whose appe-ings, private houses were, for the showing of tite for business is paramount, an excellent specu-political respect, with obtaining of trade, or prolator, and rich, although twice a bankrupt. Yon motion of occupants, covered with patriotic emyoung man, measuring the mirrors with his eye, blems, such as liberty signs, or national coloured now balancing, with the utmost exactitude, his paint. fork upon his spoon, now microscopically examin- Do you see that man who dips the remains of ing the promiscuous company, and now peeping a roll in a glass of currant water? His old brown and re-peeping at a sparkling watch, is a thief.- coat might tell you that his fortune is not large. His mind is becoming acquainted with the princi- He is a scribe, a writer, an unacknowledged lover ple of valuation. A woman enters in company of power. At this moment he is framing a thought with several young men-themselves most spruce-which shall move thousands. The young and ly attired-she, negligent of dress, haughty in bearing, and with a careless confronting air. She is a cidevant marchionness; the gamblers who, a few weeks ago, were without a sou, are now the almoners of her wealth. What that of late pertained to France is now truth, and what is fiction? In almost every mind she takes a varied position and relation. All know her destiny to be in progression, none what its essential principle shall be. All is action, though all attempted be not practicable. On one point, however, the world may agree. It is that France will never be as she has

old, the handsome and the homely here mingle. Here is transacted the business of love, scandal and trade. We will take this opportunity to read the following gossip in the day newspapers. In Paris are 445 booksellers; 340 printers; 38 bookbinders; 41 sketchers of pamphlets; 327 engravers; 85 copper plate printers; 49 print sellers; 71 oid book shops; 240 sellers of lemonade; 240 keepers of cook shops; 630 wine merchants; 146 perfumers; 154 lottery office keepers; 975 actors, actresses, singers and dancers.

Strange customs, stranger figures, presented

themselves in public halls, saloons, streets, private | love without being revered-like an oracle, the chambers, churches, places of general resort, at night and eve. The pompousness of show was carried to the utmost available extent, not alone by private citizens but public men. Deputies, directors and state messengers, had all new fashioned robes, worn on all occasions and at all times. Legislators put on the cap and toga of the Roman senators, and were so disguised that their most intimate friends, unassisted, were often at a loss to discover them. As a consequence the most singular recontres would take place. Suppose the following in the Chamber of Deputies: "Pardon me, monsieur, the trouble by interruption; but I have for a long time been looking for my friend and can nowhere discover him. Yet I am assured that he is within these walls." "Ah! monsieur," returns the benign accosted one," ah! ah! it is I that should ask your pardon." How, monsieur? I have asked but a simple question!"

importunity and heedlessness of whose notaries suffer it not to give responses. Accordingly, while altars were built to her in the most retired and in the most public places, by rivers and in woods, in squares and in gardens, and statues of enchanting beauty and graceful mood, she was in a true sense unknown. Yet the people seemed afraid of forgetting that they had received the name of freemen; and, as though there were at active and malignant work with some corroding principle or vibrating influence, their vengeance wakened against carved wood and cold dull stone, which they defaced by axe blows or destroyed by flames that ascended as a memorial of their lost allegiance. Amidst the records of this period, are declarations to the effect that the people were happy, that peace had become the inhabitant of every house, notwithstanding general national prosperity was retarded by the revulsion of affairs. The success of Napoleon was so great, that the most zealous member of the royal confederacy became the friend and ally of republicanism. The time is about arriving for the discovery of all those secret springs, that operated that wonderful change in the political system. It was now that Ireland imitated the example of France, establishing secret confederacies, whose members were under the obligation of what was deemed an unlawful oath, in which toasts were given to Bonaparte, and the following sentiments received with cheers:

May the last of kings be strangled in the hands of the last of priests.

Religion without priests and government without kings.

A dish of fish for the English, and may they always relish an Irish pike.

Honest men at the head of affairs, and those at the head of affairs without heads at all.

With this shrinking from what was real, this heartless pantomime of life, was conjoined an aversion to consider the end of man. Medical science sought to discover a specific to prolong human life, if not to endow it with immortality. One philosopher succeeded, according to his own account, in obtaining the means of prolonging the same to that of a patriarch. Death arrested him while preparing a system of medicine, involving those which needed for success adoption in infancy.

I have lived but four and fifty years," cried he, "the great art of life is to preserve our days which are numbered even and cheerful to the No science at this period was disregarded. The Institute shone in all its glory. How interesting was the appearance of that assemblage of celebrated and distinguished men, among them Buonaparte! It was then," says a French writer, " that a calm reigned over the features of the conqueror of Italy, making men almost afraid to interrupt his meditations and the repose of his soul."

What could he answer? The people struck with the wish to see no farther than the exterior-last." to be dazzled that they might be deceived, to drain for a time the intoxicating cup of folly, and remember their miseries no more in place of working out redemption by a consolation of those elements which were present to save them. They who governed saw that all the reason of the people resided in their ages. Excitement and nothing more was needed to propel their aggrandizing

schemes.

Though poor, luxurious; though submissive, vain ;
Though grave yet trifling; zealous yet untrue.
All evils here contaminate the mind

That opulence departed leaves behind.

Notwithstanding this devotion to science, literature was marked by an enfeebled style and a corrupt taste.

Religion, too, had decayed with sensibility, and no institution encouraged its reward. The soli

Liberty was personified without being identified, tary coffin was born by hirelings, who uttered

coarse jests as they carried it along. Though the churches were crowded, and most of the women bore crosses, hardly a virtue was acknowledged. In the second year of the Republic two young men, whose appearance even at that time when most inappropriate dresses and manners were not unusual (the peasant striving to illustrate his equality with the grandee) entered a diligence which would convey them to Paris. The inhabitants of a town, which borders on the Puydedome, had commissioned them to apply for means to erect a granery in which the corn, there collected by requisition, might be deposited. A foreigner, who was their fellow traveller, and to whom they had related their purpose, inquired whether in their commune they had no public building. None, they replied. We had a large and beautiful church, but we have demolished it. Why so? asked the traveller, hurriedly. We have already told you, said they, with violent expression of countenance it was a church!

With taste for expense and wasteful profusion, love of society and passion for show, it could not be but that both the fortunes and character of the people sunk.

parents what they were in reality or restricted by their presence. In want of information they were taught to make a display of it-spoiled by vain enconiums, and fostered in trivial inclinations, betraying that tone of confidence and giddy air which disfigure every grace.

Vast sums continued to be expended on the The Louvre was decoration of the capital. literally full of statues and paintings. A gallery 480 yards in length was covered with the choicest specimens of the Flemish, French and Dutch schools. Spacious rooms were filled with Italian paintings. Of statuary were the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoon and Venus de Medici. Different workmen might be seen polishing various massive columns of granite and porphyry, and piling up scattered fragments of stone and marble-rudis indigestaque moles-reserved for the fiat of the minister of the interior.

Gardens, spacious and kept in admirable order, were opened to the public, who readily availed themselves of the privilege. They presented charming views and were embellished with run

ning water.

At Paris, as at present, few things were cheap, except bread, wine and meat, and the common necessaries of life. Manufactures of all kinds, except china and silk, were dear, as was also house rent. Fuel was enormous.

All traces of paper money had so completely vanished that it was almost impossible, even as a matter of curiosity, to procure an assignat. Taxes were extremely light, notwithstanding that imposed for war. The vigor of police officers were continued. Both the inhabitants and stran

Entertainments at private houses were in the first style of expensive elegance. The ladies would remain in company with the gentlemen longer than is now usual, and on taking leave would probably be seen no more till evening. Cards would make for the ladies some amends for this seperation; the mistress of the house took care to privide a female party above stairs, while her husband was engaged below. Tradespeople were more boastful than industrious, more spirit-gers at Paris were obliged to carry their cards, and ed than brave. They loved well the bottle, and indulged themselves after the hours of business in the delireum it bestows.

if found after twelve o'clock at night without that ægis by any of the police officers, would be likely to pass the night in the Bureau Centrale. Goyernment, while effectually restraining the people, affected to seek but their greater security and indulgement. On the fifth of every decade Buoneparte, with his staff, would descend the grand staircase and employ half an hour in a review of troops, or, to speak more correctly, in granting a splendid parade. The gaiety and brilliancy of the scene was felt by all.

The reserve and modest silence, so beautiful in the female character, had departed; consulting less the edification of those who listened to them, than the gratification of their own vanity. Dancing had become the staple art of France, and as necessary an accomplishment as reading and writing. Even the erew of a privateer, in Calais harbor, might be seen amusing themselves on board the ship in teaching each other to dance, Again, there would be foot, horse and chariot and on holidays the Champs Elysees were filled races, where the victorious were rewarded with with dancing groups, some of which would not carbines, sabres and vases, from the manufactory have disgraced the opera. The ballet was filled at Sevre. This system of rewards dispensed up with the first dancers in the world, and the with, solemnity by members of the government spectacle was both striking and magnificent. was applied to education. The merest trifle satisVocal singing was as yet unpurified by any im-fied, and knowledge bid fair to discover itself, as portation from the Italian school, but in instrumen- that which Burke meant by a cheap defence of tal music they were far advanced. The greatest nations. As informing the human race of their variety was felt essential to social life. The most rights, as instructing them in the principles of usual mode of living was at the restaurateurs, and liberty, whatever may be the different forms of the meeting so constantly in promiscuous assem-government, however tyranny may be allowed to blages abroad, diverted both men and women overrule and despotism be successful, will in the from the management of their families. The end triumph by setting the contest fairly at issue, children of France had then no home. They between the eternal principles of truth and the were dragged when infants to exhibitions, insipid will of tyrants. Notwithstanding all the privileges because not understood. On becoming conscious that France at this time possessed and boasted of, of all that was taking place around, they learnt so unenviable was its state that we can well artificial manners, and were no longer before their forgive.