cordingly they have taken a middle course. By exerting to the utmost their influence in the Germanic Diet, they have induced that body, by a majority of one (several of the members refusing to vote rather than support the Austro-Prussian proposal), to decree only a Federal " execution" in Holstein (instead of the "occupation" which they meant to order), and to postpone any decision on the question of succession.* In their circumstances, we believe the Austrian and Prussian Governments could do no more. To have held back altogether, would only have been to put the leadership of the movement into the hands of the ultra party; and unquestionably the Austrian and Prussian Governments regard the "execution" as a means of interposing the regular troops between the Danes and the "free corps" who are eager to attack Denmark in the name of the Pretender to the sovereignty of Schleswig-Holstein.

The Germans are in a fair way to get themselves into a trap. It is natural that they should desire to have the province of Holstein, with its purely German population, united to the territories of the Confederation, but to seize it would be a violation of international rights. As to Schleswig, it was never in connection with Germany, and even on the principle of nationality they have no claim to it. Denmark is a small State, quite unable of itself to cope with the Confederation; but if the Germans think they shall have to deal with Denmark alone, they are wholly mistaken; and the mistake is likely to be a fatal one for themselves. At the close of last ses

sion, in reply to a question put to him by Mr Fitzgerald, Lord Palmerston declared "that it is the boundenduty of this country to uphold the independence of Denmark; and that if the German Powers persevered in the course which he was sorry to see they were adopting, they would find that they would not have to deal with Denmark alone, but that there were other and greater Powers than Denmark with which the question was to be settled." But it is not the intervention of England that the Germans have to fear; for that intervention, were it to take place, would have for its object simply to shield Denmark. The danger to which they expose themselves lies in another quarter; and it is to be hoped that the influence of diplomacy, and the moderation of the Prussian and Austrian Governments, will yet suffice to avert it. The sudden announcement, on 11th December, that Sweden had withdrawn from the alliance with Denmark, instead of being an encouragement to the Germans to proceed in their aggression, ought to put them on their guard. In homely phrase, they ought to smell a rat. The Swedish Government cannot really separate itself from the cause of Denmark in this question. Depend upon it, the withdrawal is merely a show: designed to postpone a crisis, by inducing Denmark not to cross swords at once with the invaders,-perhaps, also, to tempt the Germans onwards, and commit them irretrievably to a conflict in which, King Charles XV. has been apprised, a certain potentate with whom he is on confidential terms is desirous to take part. Would not

a war with Germany in defence of Denmark, with Italy and Sweden for allies, and England favourable to the cause, be just such an opportunity as the Emperor of the French is waiting for? If Russia can be kept off by friendly overtures, and by the task of pacifying Poland, -such a game might be neatly played by Napoleon, and the Rhine frontier won with less risk than by any other way.

Meanwhile the Poles fight on. They make no progress-the insurrection even wanes; but still they fight on. They knew from the first that they could not cope singlehanded with the colossal power of Russia. From the first they have placed their hopes in foreign aid. And that aid may yet come. They have nothing to hope for from Russia now. This is the second time they have risen in fierce revolt. They know the iron despotism that followed the suppression of their first rebellion; they can be at no loss to understand their fate after a failure of the second. Russia will not allow herself to be embarrassed by the continued existence of so rebellious a nationality. Humane as the Russian Emperor unquestionably is, he cannot allow his empire to be placed in jeopardy by a repetition of such revolts. If the Poles find that movements are on foot which will bring them the expected aid

by-and-by, the insurrection may sink into its embers, and await the breath that is to arouse them again into fire. But if they have no such hope, they may be expected to play the part of desperate men more desperately than ever, and to court a struggle with their oppressors of so sanguinary a character as to compel the active intervention of other Powers. We are a staid people,— and all the good sense of England is arrayed in favour of non-intervention in the quarrels of the Continent. But, even with us, there are gusts of national excitement which bear down everything before them. The affair of Sinope decided the question of the late war with Russia. And among the contingencies of the future, there are some which would gravely affect our interests, and others which would passionately excite our sympathies. Despite the decisive No with which our Government has met his proposals for co-operation, the Emperor Napoleon does not yet despair of winning our support,-even though he knows that to some of the objects of his policy, if revealed, England will be unanimously opposed. The European crisis seems only to deepen; and it is not without anxiety, though without alarm, that we look forward to the events of the year.

"WHO said that Tony Butler had come back?" said Sir Arthur, as they sat at breakfast on the day after his arrival.

"The gardener saw him last night, papa," said Mrs Trafford; "he was sitting with his mother on the rocks below the cottage; and when Gregg saluted him, he called out, All well at the Abbey, I hope ?"

"It would have been more suitable if he had taken the trouble to assure himself of that fact by a visit here," said Lady Lyle. "Don't you think so, Mr Maitland?"

"I am disposed to agree with you," said he, gravely.

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And why, dearest mamma?" Can you ask me, Alice? Have we not pushed Mr Maitland's powers of patience far enough by our own dulness, without subjecting him to the stupidities of Tilney Park ?-the dreariest old mansion of a dreary neighbourhood."

"But he might like it. As a matter of experimental research, he told us how he passed an autumn with the Mandans, and ate nothing but eels and wood-squirrels."

"You are forgetting the prairie rats, which are really delicacies.

"Nor did I include the charms of the fair Chachinhontas, who was the object of your then affections,"

K

After all, Mr Maitland, one is not obliged to ride like a savage," said Lady Lyle.

"Except when one aspires to the hand of a savage princess, mamma. Mr Maitland was ambitious in those days."

Very true," said he, with a deep sigh; "but it was the only time in my life in which I could say that I suffered my affections to be influenced by mere worldly advantages. She was a great heiress; she had a most powerful family connection." "How absurd you are!" said Lady Lyle, good-humouredly.

"Let him explain himself, mamma; it is so very seldom he will condescend to let us learn any of his sentiments on any subject. Let us hear him about marriage."

"It is an institution I sincerely venerate. If I have not entered into the holy estate myself, it is simply from feeling I am not good enough. I stand without the temple, and only strain my eyes to catch a glimpse of the sanctuary."

"Does it appear to you so very awful and appalling, then?" said my lady.

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Certainly it does. All the efforts of our present civilisation seem directed to that

end, We

surround it with whatever can inspire terror. We call in the Law as well as the Church - we add the Statutes to the Liturgy; and we close the whole with the most depressing of all festivities-a wedding-breakfast."

"And the Mandans, do they take a more cheerful view of matters?" asked Alice.

"How can you be so silly, Alice?" cried Lady Lyle.

"My dear mamma, are you forgetting what a marvellous opportunity we enjoy of learning the geography of an unknown sea, from one of the only voyagers who has ever traversed it?"

"I have met her already. think her charming. She told me of some port, or a pair of coachhorses, I can't be certain which, her late husband purchased fortytwo years ago; and she so mingled the subjects together, that I fancied the horses were growing yellow, and the wine actually frisky."

"I see that you have really listened to her," said Mrs Trafford. "Well, do you consent to this visit?"

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Delighted. Tell me, by way of parenthesis, is she a near neighbour of the worthy Commodore with the charming daughters? Gambier Graham I think his name is."

"Yes; she lives about twelve miles from his cottage: but why do you ask?"

"I have either promised, or he fancies I have promised, to pay him a flying visit."

"Another case of a savage princess," whispered Mrs Trafford, and he laughed heartily at the conceit. "If we take the low road-it's very little longer and much prettier-we pass the cottage; and if your visit be not of great lengthmore than a morning call, in factI'll go there with you."

"You overwhelm me with obligations," said he, bowing low, to

which she replied by a curtsy so profound as to throw an air of ridicule over his courtly politeness. "Shall we say to-morrow for our departure, Mr Maitland ?"

"I am at your orders, madam." "Well, then, I'll write to dear old aunt Maxwell-I suppose she'll be your aunt too before you leave Tilney (for we all adopt a relation so very rich, and without an heir) —and_delight her by saying that I have secured Mr Maitland, an announcement which will create a flutter in the neighbourhood by no means conducive to good archery." "Tell her we only give him up till Wednesday," said Lady Lyle, "for I hope to have the Crayshaws here by that time, and I shall need you all back to receive them."

"What

"More beauties, Mr Maitland," exclaimed Mrs Trafford. are you looking so grave about?” "I was thinking it was just possible that I might be called away suddenly, and that there are some letters I ought to write; and last of all, whether I shouldn't go and make a hurried visit to Mrs Butler; for in talking over old friends in Scotland, we have grown already intimate."

"What a mysterious face for such small concerns!" said Mrs Trafford. "Didn't you say something, papa, about driving me over to look at the two-year-olds?"

"Yes; I am going to inspect the paddock, and told Giles to meet me there."

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What's the use of our going without Tony?" said she, disconsolately; "he's the only one of us knows anything about a colt."

"I really did hope you were beginning to learn that this young gentleman was not an essential of our daily life here," said Lady Lyle, haughtily. "I am sorry that I should have deceived myself."

"My dear mamma, please to remember your own ponies that have become undrivable, and Selim, that can't even be saddled. Gregg will tell you that he doesn't know what has come over the melon-bed-the plants look all scorched and withered; and it was only yesterday papa said that he'd have the schooner drawn up till Tony came back to decide on the new keel and the balloon jib!"

"What a picture of us to present to Mr Maitland! but I trust, sir, that you know something of my daughter's talent for exaggerated description by this time, and you will not set us down for the incapables she would exhibit us." Lady Lyle moved haughtily away as she spoke, and Sir Arthur, drawing Mrs Trafford's arm within his own, said, “You're in a fighting mood today. Come over and torment Giles."

"There's nothing I like better," said she. "Let me go for my hat and a shawl."

"And I'm off to my letter-writing," said Maitland.

What a calm, still, mellow evening it was, as Tony sat with his mother in the doorway of the cottage, their hands clasped, and in silence, each very full of thought indeed, but still fuller of that sweet luxury, the sense of being together after an absence-the feeling that home was once more home, in all that can make it a centre of love and affection.