as long as it was good-natured; it was to the ill-natured or the dictatorial only that he was startling. Willing to see society go on as it did, because he despaired of seeing it otherwise, but not at all agreeing in his interior with the common notions of crime and punishment, he dumb-founded" a long tirade one evening, by taking the pipe out of his mouth, and asking the speaker, "Whether he meant to say that a thief was not a good man ?" To a person abusing Voltaire, and indiscretly opposing his character to that of Jesus Christ, he said admirably well (though he by no means overrated Voltaire, nor wanted reverence in the other quarter), that "Voltaire was a very good Jesus Christ for the French." He liked to see the church-goers WE are not at all surprised at what in this continue to go to church, and wrote a tale in country is most foolishly called the conceit his sister's admirable little book (Mrs. Leicester's and vanity of the Americans. What people in School) to encourage the rising generation to do the world have so fine, so magnificent a counso; but to a conscientious deist he had nothing try? Besides that, they have some reason to to object; and if an atheist had found every be proud of themselves. We have given the other door shut against him, he would assuredly chief features of their eastern and inland terrinot have found his. I believe he would have tory; if the reader has any imagination for ideas had the world remain precisely as it was, pro- of this kind, let him picture to himself what will vided it innovated no farther; but this spirit in be the aspect of things when the tide of populahim was any thing but a worldly one, or for his tion has crossed the long range of the Rocky own interest. He hardly contemplated with Mountains, and, occupying the valleys of the patience the new buildings in the Regent's western coast, has built other Bostons and New Park and, privately speaking, he had a grudge Yorks in the harbors of Oregon and California. against official heaven-expounders, or clergymen. This tide of population is now advancing along He would rather, however, have been with a a line of more than a thousand miles, at the rate crowd that he disliked, than felt himself alone. of eighteen miles a year; and each year, as the He said to me one day, with a face of great population behind becomes larger, the number of solemnity, "What must have been that man's new settlers is increased, and the rate of adfeelings, who thought himself the first deist?" vance is accelerated. This vast crowd of everFinding no footing in certainty, he delighted to onward-pressing settlers is not formed of the confound the borders of theoretical truth and same materials as the inhabitants of an Euro falsehood. He was fond of telling wild stories pean province; that is, there are not at its head to children, engrafted on things about them; a few intelligent, but delicately-brought-up men wrote letters to people abroad, telling them that of capital, while all the rest are ignorant labora friend of theirs had come out in genteel ers; but every one of these pioneers of civilizacomedy; and persuaded George Dyer that Lord tion can handle the ax and the rifle, and can Castlereagh was the author of Waverley! The "calculate." If ever these magnificent dreams same excellent person walking one evening out of the American people are realized-and all of his friend's house into the New River, Lamb that is wanted for their realization is that things (who was from home at the time) wrote a paper should only go on as they have been going on under his signature of Elia, stating, that common for the last two centuries-there will be seated friends would have stood dallying on the bank, upon that vast continent a population greater have sent for neighbors, &c., but that he, in his than that of all Europe, all speaking the same magnanimity, jumped in, and rescued his friend language, all active-minded, intelligent, and well after the old noble fashion. He wrote in the off. They will stand, as it were, the centre of same magazine two lives of Liston and Munden, the world, between the two great oceans, with which the public took for serious, and which Europe on one hand and Asia on the other. exhibit an extraordinary jumble of imaginary With such a future before him, we must pardon facts and truth of by-painting. Munden he the Yankee if we find a little dash of self-commade born at "Stoke Pogeis:" the very sound placency in his composition; and bear with the of which was like the actor speaking and digging surprise and annoyance which he expresses at his words. He knew how many false conclusions finding that we know so little of himself or of and pretensions are made by men who profess his country. Our humble opinion is that we to be guided by facts only, as if facts could not ought to know better. be misconceived, or figments taken for them; and, therefore, one day, when somebody was speaking of a person who valued himself on being a matter-of-fact man, "Now," said he, Great as is the influence which America has already had upon Europe, we conceive that this is a mere intimation of the influence which it is destined to have upon the world.-Frazer's Mag THE MONTHLY RECORD OF CURRENT EVENTS. HE DOMESTIC EVENTS of the month (which, in accordance with requests from many quarters, this Magazine will hereafter regularly record) have not been numerous or very important. The Invasion of Cuba, by a force collected, organized, armed, officered, and disciplined within the United States, and the successful repulse of that invasion, have been the leading topic of comment. The expedition, 300 in number, left New Orleans, under command of General LOPEZ, on the 25th of April and the 2d of May, and landed at Cardenas on the morning of the 19th of May. A brief struggle ensued between the invaders and the troops, in which the latter were repulsed, the governor captured, his palace plundered, and a large quantity of public money seized. The invaders had counted upon accessions to their ranks from the Spanish army, and from the disaffected inhabitants. In this, however, they were entirely disappointed, and LOPEZ accordingly re-embarked on the steamer which had taken him thither, and with a few of his followers, made his escape to the United States, leaving the great body of his adherents to the tender mercies of the authorities of Cuba. Lopez has been arrested at New Orleans, and awaits trial y charge of having violated the United States neutrality act of 1818: and a good deal of interest is felt in the disposition which the Cuban authorities will make of the prisoners who have fallen into their hands. It seems that a Spanish steamer captured two vessels in the Mexican waters, laden with men whom they suspected of having intended to join the invading expedition, and took them into Havana. The President of the United States has made a peremptory demand for the release of these prisoners, and declares that a clear distinction must be made between those proved guilty of actual participation, and those suspected of an intention to join, in the invasion. The result of this demand is not yet known. It is not believed, however, that the Cuban authorities will pursue a course of unnecessary or unjust rigor, as it could scarcely fail to involve them in serious difficulties with the United States. Both Houses of CONGRESS are still engaged in debating the various questions growing out of slavery. In the House a bill for the immediate admission of California is pending, and debate upon it has been closed; but a decisive vote is evaded from day to day. Whenever that can be reached, there will probably be found to be a majority in favor of the bill. In the Senate a bill is pending which provides: 1. For the admission of California; 2. For organzing territorial governments for New Mexico and Utah, without any provision on the subject of slavery; and 3. For paying Texas a sum not specified, for relinquishing her claim to a part of New Mexico. The bill has been very fully and very ably discussed, and votes have been taken upon a great number of amendments to it, the most important of which was one prohibiting slavery forever from these territories. This was offered by Senator Seward of New York, and rejected, 33 to 23. It is believed that the final vote will be taken upon the bill before many days: the chances are in favor of its passage. The attention of Congress has been so thoroughly occupied with these bills, that no other business of any importance has been transacted or even entertained. The general subject of slavery, which gives to them all their interest, has entered largely into the public discussions of the month. Mr. WEBSTER has written a letter to the citizens of Newburyport, Mass., upon the wrong done to the South by refusing to surrender their fugitive slaves, urging the necessity for a more stringent law, and expressing the opinion, that there is nothing, either in the spirit or the letter of the Constitution, requiring a jury trial to determine the question of slavery, when an alleged fugitive is seized. This letter has elicited a reply from Hon. HORACE MANN, of the House, also from Massachusetts, which enforces the contrary opinion, with abundant and vehement rhetoric and cogent argument. Prof. STUART, of Andover, has also published a pamphlet in support of Mr. Webster's views on the general subject. The convention of delegates intended to represent the slave-holding states, called some months since, met at Nashville, Tenn., on the 3d of June, and adjourned after a session of ten days. Judge SHARKEY, of Mississippi, presided. The attendance was thin, delegates being present from less than half the districts interested, and they having been elected by less than a tenth of the popular vote. Resolutions were adopted, affirming the claims of the slave-holding states, and the convention adjourn ed to meet again six weeks after the adjournment of Congress, then to take such action as the legislation of the present session may render necessary.- -A new paper called "The Southern Press" has been established at Washington, for the express purpose of advocating the interests of slavery. It is under the patronage of 57 southern members of Congress, and is intended to abstain from partisan discussions. ———— The subject of slavery also influences the action of the State Legislatures, which are in session, to a great extent. In the Connecticut Senate, resolutions approving of the bill pending in the U. S. Senate were rejected, 16 to 6. The Legislature has made two unsuccessful efforts to elect a U. S. Senator, in place of Mr. Baldwin, whose term expires with this session.Senator DickINSON, of New York, received from his polit 276 Several heavy fail. ures had occurred, but business generally was good. grants continued to arrive. From the Isthmus of Panama we have news ical friends the compliment of a public dinner in the city of New York, on the 17th ult.Hon. EDWARD GILBERT, Member of Congress elect from California, attended a public dinner at Albany, the place of his early residence, on the 4th. In an eloquent speech which he made upon that occasion, he expressed the ardent attachment of California to the Union, and the determination of her people not to permit slavery -A conto be introduced within her limits.vention in Ohio, to revise the Constitution of that state, is now in session. The tendency of its action, so far as it is developed, has been toward greater equality and democratic freedom.Of LITERARY and SCIENTIFIC Intelligence A similar convention is also in session in Michigan. Gov. CRITTENDEN of Kentucky, there is not much. Notices of the most imrecently visited Indiana by special invitation of portant books published during the month will The two being be found in another department of this Magazine. Gov. Wright, of that state. political opponents, and the visit being in some The question of the Unity of the Human Race sense of an official character, the circumstance has been recently revived by some incidental The remarks made at Charleston, S. C., by Prof. has attracted a good deal of attention. reception of Gov. Crittenden was public, and Agassiz of Harvard, which were opposed to very happy greetings were exchanged on both that theory. Dr. Smyth, a learned divine of sides. Gov. C. made a very eloquent speech, that city, wrote a book in refutation of the Proexpressing the value of the American Union fessor; and we observe that the latter has perand the devotion of the American people to its sued the matter still farther in a lecture subpreservation.The anniversary of the Battle sequently delivered at Boston. He does not of Bunker Hill was celebrated with great éclat enter, however, into any full discussion of the The Oration was de- subject, but takes occasion to disavow the intenat Boston, on the 17th. livered by the Hon. Edward Everett, and was tion imputed to him, of designing to question : one of his most finished and eloquent efforts. the authenticity or authority of the Mosaic -The treaty between Great Britain and the Record. United States, negotiated at Washington, has been ratified by the Senate. It is highly honorable to both countries, and advantageous to the interests of commerce throughout the world. The neutrality of the Isthmus, in case of war, is mutually guaranteed.The war between Faustin and the Dominicans is still continued: a vessel fitted out at New York, and laden with cannon and munitions of war, for the emperor, has been seized by the U. S. authorities, and detained for violation of the neutrality act of 1818. Prof. LEWIS, of Union College, has published an Address delivered there some months since, in which he reviews with great ability the theories and schemes so abundant at the present He treats them all day, of which Nature, Progress, and Ideas are the common watchwords. as branches of Naturalism and as in direct hostility to the Scriptural doctrine of the Divine The discourse is marked by the government. scholarship, vigor, and clear analysis which characterize all the productions of this distinguished writer. Bishop HUGHES has also entered the lists against the prevalent Socialism of the Our intelligence from CALIFORNIA is to the day; not, however, in an original work but by 1st of May. Trade was dull but was receiving causing to be reprinted the French work of the an impulse from the reopening of the season for Abbé Martinet, entitled "Religion in Society," mining. The Legislature had adjourned after and by writing an introduction to it.A new passing a large number of bills. One of its book on California, by Rev. WALTER COLTON, most important acts was one imposing a tax of is soon to be issued. Even in the multiplicity $25 per month upon every foreigner who should of books upon this subject that have recently dig for gold in the mines. The measure was been given to the public, one from Mr. Colton's vindicated on grounds of justice as well as from pen can hardly fail to attract and reward atten-A work on the Logic and Utility of the necessities of the state treasury: difficulty tion.was apprehended in some quarters in attempting Mathematics, by Prof. DAVIES, is announced by Prof. D. is singularly happy in to carry it out.-Public meetings had been Barnes & Co. held in regard to the unjust delay to which the presenting mathematical truth clearly and atapplication of the state for admission into the tractively to the mind, and we anticipate, in this Union, is subjected by Congress. Intimations new work upon the characteristic advantages were thrown out that the state would withdraw of his favorite studies, a production that will her application and maintain her independence, be widely useful, in promoting juster views of unless action should be had: but they do not Education and better modes for its successful Prof. BARTLETT of the West express any thing like the general sentiment prosecution. of the people.New veins of gold had been Point Academy, announces a new work on Nadiscovered-new towns commenced, and emi-tural Philosophy, for the use of Colleges, which will be of value. Mr. E. D. MANSFIELD vision, can determine its reality. If established of Cincinnnati, a c.ear, strong and judicious the revolution it would produce in the economy writer, has also in press, a Treatise on American of life would not be greater than that which would Education, which will be pretty certain to con- result from it in the received theories of science. tain a good many practical suggestions worthy of attention.- -The Reader of the opening ar- THE FOREIGN events of the past month ticle in this number of the New Monthly Maga- have not been of striking interest or importance. zine, will be glad to learn that an edition of the A diplomatic quarrel between England and writings of DE QUINCEY is soon to be issued from France is the only incident which has attracted the Boston press of Ticknor, Reed and Fields. any general attention. This misunderstanding No living English writer equals De Quincey in has grown out of the demands of British subhis peculiar department; in acute analytical jects, supported by their government, against power, and in the precision with which he uses the government of Greece, for losses sustained language. He does not write for the masses through its agency; but it is so entirely a matbut to literary men, persons of cultivated taste ter of form that no serious result can well be and a critical habit, an edition of his Essays and apprehended. For some years past the English multifarious sketches will be exceedingly accept- government has been pressing King Otho to an able. We presume, however, that nothing like adjustment of these claims. One of the most ima complete collection of his writings can be made. portant of them is that of Mr. George Finlay, -An illustrated Edition of LONGFELLOW's who, when the Turks were leaving Greece on Evangeline is also announced, and a new volume the formation of the Hellenic Kingdom, purof Poems by JOHN G. WHITTIER, one of the most chased certain portions of land from some of vigorous and masculine of living poets. Like these emigrants. This was as long ago as in other poets of the day, Mr. Whittier addicts 1830, and his right to the property thus purhimself somewhat overmuch to hobbies, and his chased and paid for was never disputed. But present volume is to be mainly made up of six years afterward King Otho seized upon these Poems upon Labor.-LowELL, also, has a lands in order to inclose them in the royal garnew Poem in press, called The Nooning.- A dens, and he has never paid for the property to new volume by Rev. HENRY GILES, entitled this day. Another claim is that of Mr. Pacifico, Christian Thoughts on Life, is announced. Mr. a British subject, born at Gibraltar, and occupyGiles is an exceedingly fluent, vigorous and ing at Athens the office of Portuguese Consul. brilliant writer. - A spicy controversy has It has been the custom for some years at Athens, grown out of a needless fling at the memory of on Easter-day, to burn an effigy of Judas Iscariot; John Jacob Astor, in a lecture delivered some but, in 1847, in consequence of the presence of months since by the Hon. Horace Mann. Mr. Baron Rothschild, the government prevented the C A. Bristed, grandson of the deceased Mr. ceremony. The idle and reckless portion of the Astor, has replied to it in a pungent letter, vin- people, to whom such public spectacles are aldicating his kinsman's character and assailing ways matters of most interest, spread the report with a good degree of vigor and success some that Mr. Pacifico, being a Jew, had occasioned of the radical theories propounded by Mr. Mann. the discontinuance of this custom. A mob was soon raised by this report, which went to the house of the obnoxious consul, beat in the door, plundered the house of money to the amount of 9800 drachmas, and destroyed papers proving claims upon the Portuguese government to the amount of £21,295. For these losses Mr Pacifico claimed restitution, and invoked the protection and aid of the British government in A new play, entitled The Very Age, by E. S. GOULD, is in press, and will soon be issued by the Appletons. It is said to be a sharp and successful hit at sundry follies which have too much currency in society.- A good deal of public interest has been excited by the announcement of an alleged scientific discovery made by Mr. HENRY M. PAINE, of Massachusetts. He claims to have established the positions that securing it. Water is a simple substance: that hydrogen gas These are the leading claims which have is produced by the combination of positive elec-given occasion to the pending difficulties. The tricity, and oxygen by the combination of nega- British government took up the subject and tive electricity, with water; and that by passing pressed the Greek authorities for payment of the the hydrogen thus obtained through spirits of claims. This was refused, and force was returpentine in its natural state, it becomes car- sorted to. The ports of Greece were blockbonized and will support combustion. The aded and a bombardment threatened. This led practical result claimed from the discovery is France to offer her mediation, and Baron Gros the ability to furnish light and heat indefinitely was dispatched by the French government to at a merely nominal expense. The importance Athens to arrange the dispute with Mr. Wyse, of it, if it prove to be real, can not well be over- the British agent. The British government, for rated. The possibility of the thing, however, is a long time, refused to allow the intervention of peremptorily denied by scientific men, and it must France, as the question in controversy was one be evident to all that it directly contradicts scien- which did not require or allow such interference tific principles that have been regarded as fun- But M. Drouyn de Lhuys being sent to London, damental. Practical experiment alone, made a negotiation was prosecuted for three or four under proper restrictions and scientific super-months, which resulted in an agreement between the two governments. Meantime Baron Gros at Athens, having interrupted proceedings there, Mr. Wyse resumes his demands upon the government of Greece, and, by strenuous coercion, secures all he had demanded. And Lord Palmerston decided that his proceedings must hold good. The French government was, of course, indignant at this disregard of the London convention, and withdrew her Minister from London. The dispute, at the latest dates, had not been settled, but it is not likely to lead to any thing more serious than a temporary estrangement between the two nations. It is generally believed that the quarrel is kept open by the French government, because it serves to divert public attention somewhat from the unpopular and unconstitutional abridgment of the suffrage, and because it has created an excitement favorable to the views and purposes of Louis Napoleon. prevarication and concealment.—The Subject of University Reform has been incidentally dis cussed in the House of Lords but without decisive results. In the House of Commons attention was called to the case of the black steward of a British vessel who had been taken out of the ship at Charleston, S. C. and imprisoned for two months simply because he was a Man of Color.-Legi PALMERSTON said that the case was not ne, that such a law as that mentioned existed n the State of Carolina; and that the British gov. ernment had remonstrated against it as a violation of the principles of international law, as well as of the treaty of 1815: but the reply had been that the Federal government was unable to revoke the law, and that, if England insisted, the American government would be compelled to terminate the treaty of 1815. The English government, therefore, had not thought it expedient to press the matter further; but it should be remembered that the law is known, and that those who go there expose themselves to it voluntarily. This acquiescence of the British government in a law and practice of ne of the United States, directly in violation of the rights of British subjects, has not escaped severe animadversion. The subject of a sinecure office in the Archdiocese of Canterbury has attracted some attention. It seems that the emoluments of the office of Register of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, have been from £9000 to £12,000 per annum, and that the office itself is a sinecure. Moore appointed his two sons, and they in succession held the office. Dr. Manners Sutton appointed his grandson, the present Lord Can Not the least important result of this controversy has been the new position which it has induced Russia and Austria to take, in regard to the rights of British subjects residing within their dominions. The sympathies of these two nations, as well as of France, are, of course, with Greece and the attempt of England to extend full protection to its subjects residing at Athens, has led the Emperor of Russia to address a note to Lord Palmerston, stating that he utterly rejects the principle on which British subjects or any other foreign residents in his own states, or those of any other government, had a right to be treated more favorably than the native subjects of such state; and he added, | The usage has been, that the archbishop for the that for his part, he should expect such strangers, time being should nominate the incumbent of the moment they came to reside in his dominions, the office and two successors. Archbishop to conform themselves to the laws and usages practiced by Russians. An old law or custom had existed in Russia to this effect; it had long fallen into desuetude; but on the present occa-terbury, to the reversion of the office-that sion it has been revived by the emperor, and is now in force. The note of the Emperor of Austria is to the same effect; and though separate from that of Russia, runs concurrently with it. Lord Palmerston replied to this note, and received an answer couched in still stronger language and concluding in the following emphatic clause: "As the manner in which Lord Palmerston understands the protection due to English subjects in foreign countries carries with it such serious inconvenience, Russia and Austria will not henceforth grant the liberty of residence to English subjects, except on condition of their renouncing the protection of their Government." These documents have not been published, but their substance is given on the authority of the London Times. grandson being then ten or twelve years old. The late Dr. Howley made a communication to the government, that, in the conscientious ful fillment of his duty he could not fill up the reversion of this sinecure when it became vacant in 1845; and it remained vacant at his death When Dr. Sumner, the present archbishop, succeeded, he found the reversion of the office vacant, and immediately filled it up, by appointing his son, a young gentleman studying in the Temple. Lord John Russell stated that the matter was under inquiry and that the office would either be abolished or greatly altered.The general subject of reducing the salaries and wages paid in every department of the public service, has also been discussed. The general sentiment seemed to be that the servants of government were not overpaid, and the motion for an address upon the subject was negatived. While the bill for the government of the Australian Colonies was up, an amendment was submitted to deprive the Colonial office of all interference with the local administration of the colonies, and to give them the uncontrolied |