national life, or are their laws to be respected by toe, and strawberries for the red beads of us, and is our rulership over them to be limited the shining holly? And think of lovely to equal government and not extended to co- June, and more gorgeous and matronly July, ercion? In a word, are they conquered slaves to being the eldest born of hoary-headed winter, be repressed, or native free men to be treated with naked boughs and starved fields, and all with? These questions, founded as they are on the teeming wealth of nature chained up in the inalienable laws of truth and justice, and frost and snow, instead of the dark blue skies, the natural rights of humanity, do not seem and the wreaths of trailing roses, and all the very difficult of answer to men at a distance lavish luxury of fruit and flowers, which belong, unexcited by passion; but to the settlers, stirred as by natural right, to these bonny seasons of by fear and blinded by anger-fired, too, by our summer! We are now in the depth of the Englishman's tremendous pride of name winter, and must be content with occasional and antipathy to other races-they naturally rains alternately with bright days, succeeded wear a very different aspect, and are by no by sharp frosts at night," says the Southern means so easy to be set to rights. Fortunately Provinces Almanac, under the heading of July, for that brave family of our savage brethren, adding also a recommendation to "risk a small not all the colonists take the exclusively Eng- sowing of cress, mustard, radish, and spinach, lish side; a kindly handful join with the the first sowing of sweet peas for early bloomMaori, and demand for them the justice and ing, and even now you may risk the first sownational recognition which in olden times one ing of mignionette." The beginning of August Caractacus demanded for us, and one Boadicea marks the first awakening of spring, and the died to maintain. Thus we may reasonably whole month is like the English February; hope that matters will get amicably adjusted, while February itself is hot and dry, and March and that our old friend Tamihana will be no begins to show the golden sheaves of autumn longer compelled to assume a hostile attitude shining through the dark green leaves of sumtowards Queen or Governor, but will be brought mer. This masquerade of the months would be back into the bonds of peace and good fellow- the most foreign bit of all New Zealand life to ship, and left to his proselytising and his schools, us, and even a native chief stalking by the drawunmolested and unchecked. Sir George Grey, ing-room window in his hidalgo-looking blanket, who is going out to smoothe down difficulties, or gliding past the little creek at the foot of the knows all about the Maori. He can speak their garden, steering his strangely-carved canoe with language, has learnt their songs, their usages, his still more strangely-carved paddle, would not and their legends; and both we ourselves, safe seem much more unusual than Christmas in Midfrom the scene of danger, as well as those im- summer, and the dog-days in a fall of snow. mediately on the spot, may rejoice if he proves Among her other attractions, New Zealand, too, that he can play the part of the modern, but a has spaces of Tom Tiddler's ground, where gold more merciful Agricola, and restore peace where can be picked up by the diligent possessed peace ought never to have been disturbed. of sharp eyes and firm muscles; very likely, future explorers will find precious stones among the rocks and where old volcanoes have fused and melted earths and common clays into their priceless crystals. Some countries seem destined from the beginning for great works and stirring histories, and New Zealand is one of those countries consecrated by nature to the ministry of the world's future.

Everything points to a great future for New Zealand. The country which has bred the most capable race of aborigines known to modern times, will be sure to act no stepmother's part by the children of her adoption, from what source soever they may be drawn. A climate healthy and temperate-a soil fertile and producing all the growths of the old European countries, save the half tropical growths of Sicily and Southern Italy-scenery bold, luxuriant, beautiful-nothing is wanting to the material influences by which strong souls are fed and nourished. So " English," too, in its general outside features, with such thoroughly English capabilities and characteristics, not cold enough to stint, nor hot enough to enervate, it seems to be specially marked out as the Great Britain of the Southern hemisphere, the supplemental Albion destined to carry the thread of English history clear round the globe. But the thread will start with an awkward knot that will take a vast deal of unnecessary unravelling, if the just right of the aborigines be disallowed, and if such a race as the Maori be not civilised and made one with the invading settlers.

New Zealand has great capabilities. The inversion of the seasons in Antipodean countries is strange to us. What can we say to a Christmas in Midsummer, with roses for mistle

LIFE'S BALANCES.
Draw nearer, dear, and let me rest my head,
THE Autumn day is dying. So am I.
Upon your breast; perchance I may be dead
My weary weary head, where it may lie
Ere it rests thus again. So, let me speak
My full heart out. It is so full to-night,
That though I am so worn, so faint and weak,
That words come slowly, and the evening light
Of life is wavering, still I cannot rest
Till I have spoken.

Philip dear, you know
The story of my life: it was confess'd
When first you spoke of love. How long ago,
Though Heaven is shining near, I scarce can feel
How distant seems the day! But, oh! how sweet!
As if its joys divine were more complete
Than those that blessed moment did reveal!

Yet then came fear and trembling; for I knew
That I had that to tell which might perchance
Change into instant darkness all the blue

as belonging to Catholic Europe, belongs now to whom? Neither to Europe nor even to Italy. It lies at the mercy of half a dozen adventurers from the Campagna of Rome, who have become what they are, by the means indicated in Scribe's comedy of La Camaraderie.

Of the august personage around whom the ooterie weave their toils, Liverani sketches a sad and striking portrait. Pure and innocent habits, a love for religious ceremonies, great facility and charm in speaking and improvisation, unction and grace in prayer, a melodious chant, a great air of majesty while officiating at the altar, a constant zeal for the glory of God which never shrinks from the boldest enterprises, are a slight specimen of Pius the Ninth's good qualities. Moreover, no favouritism towards members of his family; not a shadow of greediness, or avarice; caring nothing for wealth except to pass it on to the hands of the poor, or to employ it in adorning the sanctuary.

of anger, and other acts, which are neither more nor less than human weaknesses. For instance, when he tore from his seat the virtuous Monsignor Gigli; or when he forbade Monsignor Campodonico to enter his presence during a visit he paid to the University; or when he ordered a pauper to be arrested for the sole crime of asking him for alms. Such actions as these he is sorry for, immediately afterwards, when his passions are not made to rankle by the insinuations of others. The examples cited were, in reality, the result of the intrigues and cabals of Cardinals Altieri and Patrizzi.

These defects might be developed into virtues and noble actions, with faithful and able ministers. But, for the last fifteen years, Pius the Ninth has been the dupe of adventurers of all kinds, from all countries, of every party and every faction, incessantly occupied in robbing each other of his favour, in order to profane and outrage it themselves.

Patient in giving audience, an indefatigable And who are these "intriguers and knaves ?” listener; but at the same time anxiously inquisi--to make use of Liverani's plain expressions. tive after the most trifling tales, the most child- First, there is the Cavaliere Filippani, a combiish gossip; judging men and things by their nation of contractor and papal house-steward, accessories and circumstances, rather than by taking a deep interest in railways. As steward, themselves; very acceptable both to sinister he seizes the opportunity, during meal-times, of impressions and to ill-natured prejudice; hasty advancing individuals, intended for promotion, in his resolutions, obstinate in his decisions, but in the esteem and good will of the Pope (exactly also inexorable in his aversions and his with- as he would serve a pheasant or a hare); as drawals of favour; subject to be smitten with contractor, he does not forget to receive consudden sympathies and violent likings; inca- siderable money-payments. He spreads his nets pable of dissimulating his tastes, his repugnances, around every vacant bishopric; he bird-limes his inmost sentiments, and thus handing over with promises, threats, and cajoleries, the asthe key of his heart to profligate courtiers and pirants to the vacancy; he monopolises priviknaves, who read his soul on his countenance. leges and favours, to the detriment of other There they stand in front of him, with anxious agents who are no better than himself, but who, look, half-open mouth, outstretched neck, in order to have their revenge, blacken him as straining every muscle, at hand to approve as the worst of the whole lot. He builds hotels, soon as the Pontiff's visage gives the signal; whose approaches the innocent Cardinal Milesi ready to flatter his every desire, even if those causes to be paved, with a view to the legation desires were sure to cause his ruin. of Bologna. He distributes money by handfuls, but in such a way that no account can be taken of it; for he tempers his passion for feathering his nest, by a skilfully assumed appearance of moderation.

Pius the Ninth's judgments of the merits of men are somewhat summary; he founds his opinion on their external gifts-a grave mien, a bald head, a harmonious voice-rather than on their qualities of heart and mind. He is chary of his favour, unless one knows how to seize it with skill; suspicious and constantly distrust. ful with honest people, he is constantly unarmed and unprepared, in his intercourse with the skilful and cunning. He is virtuous, but it is a virtue of parade, pompous, like his clear and sonorous voice. He is charitable and fond of doing good; but he requires the newspapers to repeat the echo to the world, and likes indifferent or forgetful persons to be reminded of his beneficent acts by so many inscriptions, medals, and legends. He changes his views and plans according to the temperature, the direction of the wind, the state of the weather, the agitation of his nerves and arteries, the pathological condition of a sickly body; in short, his intellect shares all the impressions of his feeble constitution.

Kindly and tender-hearted, he yet is unable to abstain from insulting speeches, sudden bursts

Another of his Holiness's intimates is the Signor Baladelli: an ambiguous personage, an amphibious engineer, a courtier clerk, who has no determinate individuality, but whose office is, by his foolish prating, to prepare the Pontiff's mind for master-strokes and decisive thrusts, to be given by bolder and stronger assailants.

And now comes the good Stella, a man whose virtues might be taken for vices, and whose vices have a look of virtue. He has the air of a person possessed by demons, and talks the stilted nonsense of an astrologer. He is an insupportable narrator of the miracles of Saint Philomene, the prophecies of hermits, and the visions of nuns; which did not prevent his introducing, with the utmost politeness, Montanelli to the Holy Father. His conversation is more terrible to the traveller than a hurricane in the desert. It is a series of sudden sighs, violent enough to turn a windmill, of abrupt interruptions and cautious pauses, of questions

voice of the public charged Marulli with having been suborned: an accusation which was supported by facts. Marulli paraded his shame so openly that he was discovered at last, degraded from his office, and dismissed for ever without title or pension. His successor was one Monsignor Manari, and under him the three abovenamed individuals continued their career, and prepared for future conquest. Not long afterwards, one of the three was made a prelate and deputy secretary of state; he soon drew after him his two companions; and Mertel and Berardi became prelates also. A few eventful years occurred; Antonelli rose to be Pius the Ninth's secretary of state; Mertel soon was a cardinal; and Berardi is awaiting the highest honours.

which do not expect to be answered, of re-neously judges at the tribunal of Montecitorio. joinders which are a reply to nothing, of The latter had, as his secretary, the advocate skippings from one train of thought to another Theodulf Mertel (without a client or a brief), without gaining anything in respect to good and as pupils, James Antonelli and Joseph sense, of grimaces with the mouth and eyes Berardi. The famous lawsuit between the obliquely fixed on the ground, of astounding Dukes Torlonia and Cesarini was then being allusions to the Scriptures, or of reminiscences tried. The great wealth of the parties might of eclipses, comets, constellations, and lunar be a source of gain; their influence and auphases, in which the hearer can trace no con-thority, of favour and advancement. Pentini nexion either with the speaker or the speech escaped all suspicion of corruption; but the which he is making, or with any which he would or could make. He then all at once puts his finger to his lips, and sets off running from one room to another, as if he were making his escape from some spectral persecutor. He halts in the middle of a large saloon, listening attentively; then, walking on the tips of his toes, he disappears by one door, coming in again directly by another. The spectator fancies all this to be the manoeuvres of a cunning courtier, or the tricks of an ill-mannered buffoon; whereas they are simply the feverish fancies of a weak mind, which is not qualified as being out of its wits only, because madness supposes intervals of reason. However that may be, Stella, although one of the most fantastic and extravagant beings at the papal court, is, nevertheless, the most honest and the most inoffensive person in it. Antonelli could not have dispensed with such There are, besides, Monsignor Cenni, train-associates as Mertel and Berardi. He required bearer, verifying the proverb, In caudâ ve- them for satellites, supporters, screens; for nenum (There is poison in the tail); Mon- agents and go-betweens; and also for confidensignor Talbot, whose sole occupation is to de- tial successors who would not dare to betray nounce all the pictorial angels he can catch com- him in case of his one day falling from power. mitting the offence of nudity; and others. All In dealing with so constantly distrustful a sovethese men put together, do not weigh an ounce; reign, it would have been bad and even dangerbut they exercise a constant and decisive influous policy to allow solicitations in favour of his ence on the Pontiff's mind, although he feels no respect for any of them.

own friends to proceed directly from himself. By making use of Count Rossi as the tool, the elevation of the prelate Mertel was made to appear as a voluntary and spontaneous act on the part of the Pope instead of a reinforcement given to Cardinal Antonellis' party.

As to the more prominent actors on the papal stage, everybody knows Cardinal Antonelli from the life-like portrait given by a well-informed writer, although with apparent levity. Liverani confirms most of the features of M. About's According to Liverani, the ruin of Rome has sketch, with facts to prove the truth of the been the Bank of Rome. Its establishment likeness. During the summer of 1860, Prince dates from the Antonellis' taking charge of the Torlonia went one day to kiss the feet of his government affairs. It is the origin and the Holiness. The court of Rome, just then, was symbol of their fortune. To force the hesi in a state of extreme financial embarrassment. tating Pope to grant it, no less was required Pius the Ninth asked him, in the most delicate than the crisis of 1849 and the exile to Portici way possible, whether he could not assist the and Gaeta. The atmosphere of Naples inspired urgent wants of the treasury, as his father had the rescript which allotted to the bank a capital done, and he himself also under other circum- of several hundred thousand crowns, and the stances. The prince replied that most assuredly order to draw up its statutes. A couple of men he was just as well disposed as ever towards the of law were charged with the revisal of its Holy See, or as his father had been before him, clauses, to give the business a more serious apbut that his aid was quite uncalled for, so long pearance. Man of law the first, was Monsignor as the Pope had at his elbow a cardinal minister Mertel; the second was the advocate Villani: worth so many millions of francs; and he re- a conscientious person, but so docile and so related how Cardinal Antonelli had just invested spectful to authority that he was always disseveral millions through a London banker, trustful of his own proper judgment, preferring offering, whenever his Holiness chose, to show to act on the opinion of the prelate, his colleague, him the receipts and other papers connected and of the secretary of state. It was easy, bewith the transaction. The history of this sides, to sound him beforehand. And thus it colossal fortune is striking: his Eminence was that the Bank of Rome was authorised to started from a very low stage of the social issue paper to an indeterminate amount and ladder-under-clerk to a magistrate. Mon- without restriction of any kind. The Roman signors Pentini and Marulli were simulta-money-market was inundated; rents rose to a