From The Examiner, 27 May. THE LOCUS PENITENTIÆ FOR RUSSIA, consent, but was not even to risk it by independent policy or isolated acts to which Prussia had not consented. WHATEVER may be the effect of the Austro- The inference inevitable from such a treaty Prussian Treaty of the 20th April, the terms is, that neither Austria nor Prussia has the of which are now made public, we do not least idea of going to war with Russia. They think there can be any doubt of its intention, both indeed complain of, they both condemn or of the object with which the new Protocol, the occupation of the Danubian Principalities, signed last Tuesday at Vienna, has been and they both point with still greater dislike framed to bring within the scope of one and to any further advance of Russian troops bethe same instrument this Treaty of the Ger-yond the Danube. But that Austria and man Powers and the Treaty of England and Prussia would have committed themselves to France. even this declaration, if they had not first The gratifying spectacle is again exhibited been perfectly certain that Russia did not to Europe, by these makers of Vienna Proto- wish to advance beyond the Danube, no one cols, of so-called "accord" between the Four will believe. Had Austria and Prussia signed Powers in regard to the Eastern quarrel. such a treaty, and made known its contents, France and England, at war with Russia, are six or eight months ago, Turkey and the Westhus to tell the world that though they have tern Powers might have been obliged to them. thought the resort to war necessary, they are But their affected adherence now is too obvistill on the best possible terms with Prussia ously a trick to help Russia out of her scrape. and Austria who don't think it necessary at It is an attempt to paralyze the efforts of all. Austria and Prussia, at Peace with everybody, are by this means to make their friendly offices available between Russia and the powers at war with Russia, on terms and conditions which they hope to render agrecable to all parties. France and England to bring the quarrel to so decisive a conclusion that it shall never be able to break forth again. In a word, however apparently directed against Russia, however pleasantly foisted into a French and English Protocol, this treaty is What is the first thing manifest in this Trea- really pointed against France and England. ty of Berlin, for which it is understood that It tells them plainly that the aim of the Gerthe diplomatic people have been active, and man Powers is solely and exclusively to get the armies inactive, for so long a time? Does the Russians out of the Principalities, and in. it suggest any nearer approximation to an hon-nowise either to permit or take other guaranest alliance with England and France? Is it, tees against them. Let General Canrobert as we were led to believe, a compact only for and Lord Raglan drive Paskiewitsch behind such mutual protection as might leave liberty the Pruth, and thenceforward Austria and of action to each? No such thing. What is Prussia, no longer the negative antagonists of most prominent and manifest upon the face of Russia, become its active allies. it is, that we have no longer anything to hope from Austria to set off against the pusillanimity of Prussia. It is an utter explosion of the hopes entertained in that direction. This, then, is what we have to guard against. The danger now is that the war should terminate, after the fashion of the diplomacy that preceded it, in a fiasco. Such a result would recoil upon the Governments of the West in a way to shake their strength and credit far more than any loss of fleets or battles. We are surprised that any other construction should be drawn from it. Its express tenor is that what Prussia does, Austria will do; that, whatever their differences in opinion They have now, however, timely warning. may be, there is at least to be no difference in The Berlin treaty puts an end to all the fine act; that one is not to think of making war hopes that were built upon the Emperor of without the other. Each country guarantees Austria's sudden levies of 95,000 men. To to the other its German and non-German do- the command of those levies, it will be rememminions. The Polish, Rhenish, and Italian bered, it was made matter of much marvel provinces, are to be secure under this treaty. that Schlick and another general, both noted Any attack upon one is to be resented by the for their attachment to Russia, should have other party. Such is the agreement. Of been named. Of course, as things turn out course nobody dreams that Austria can go to they were the exact generals to take such a war with Russia, or in any way provoke hos-command. In precisely the same spirit of the tilities from the Czar, without exposing some Prussian war minister was lately dismissed. of her provinces to invasion; and in that case The whole thing is a mock defiance. Under Prussia stipulates to march to her help. But pretence of a hostile summons to force the Prussia would make no such stipulation if it Czar from the Principalities, it is a friendly was not fully understood that Austria was not artifice to help him out of them. Even in only not to rush into war without Prussian larming, these German Powers have no pur pose but to deceive. They have done nothing, from first to last, that has not been a sham and a pretence. and England understand their pusillanimity and dishonesty. Greatly should we regret if any assent has already been given to Austria's But surely all confidence in them must come proposal to occupy Montenegro and a portion to an end, now that their position is clearly of either Bosnia or Albania. We might just defined. They have come forward at last, as well allow the King of Prussia to garrison but it is only to succor Russia in her distress, Athens and hold it for the interests of his imit is only to pretend to impose upon her a for-perial brother-in-law, the Czar. A well-timed bearance which they very well know it to be official statement has just issued from Servia, now her policy and her necessity to adopt of fully exhibiting the duplicity of Austria, and her own accord. Let us hope that they may expressing a fixed resolve to resist any occuat last, also, be made to feel how fully France pation by the troops of that power. PEACE AT WHAT PRICE. From the Examiner, 27 May. clever or stupid. The function of the Czar is merely to marshal and guide that general propensity of the Tartar race to armed emiTHE Times informed us the other day that gration which Peter points out as having, at a single mistaken resolution of Sir Robert previous epochs, achieved such great results Peal's on railroads had cost the country at in human affairs, though aiming at no defileast a hundred millions, and what is worse, nite object. Peter defines what that object that it has left the thing still to be done which should be for the future, and points out the he shrunk from doing. We do not think this means his successors should take for compassan exaggerated view of the true state of the ing it. case. We, however, blame the public far more than Sir Robert; and our posterity will blame us rather than any minister, if such overtures for the conclusion of the war should be accepted as it appears not improbable may be now proposed. No peace that this or any other Czar can or will make, can or will involve a voluntary abandonment of this system. But France and England can now wrest out of their hands the power to follow it up for the future in the manner they have for the past. The question for the French and English public therefore is, "Shall we wrest this power from their hands now that we have them at an immense disadvantage, or shall we leave them enough of it to enable them in a few years to renew the struggle If this were a war on our part and that of France for aggrandizement, or for necessary defence of our respective commercial or territorial interests, we should say, abandon the former, and as soon as the latter are secured, let the sword be sheathed. But such is not with us? " the character of this war. This is a war Such, at this moment, is the question on against the Russian system-a system pro- which the French and English, now so hap pounded and developed in the testament of pily united, have to decide; and if it is, as we Peter the Great, and which the Czars his entirely believe, the great governing point, successors have, as he exhorted them, regu- there can be no doubt that the only possible larly and without any deviation carried into security for future peace lies in their deprivaction ever since. As he proposes, they have ing the Czars of the power to prosecute this leagued with Austria and Prussia, and ab- system for the future. Even the Prime Minsorbed Poland; they have connected them- ister, we imagine, would agree to this, but selves by so many alliances with the petty then he would doubt whether it is the pointGerman princes as to become almost their he would take a different view of the reality liege lords; they have sown divisions every-or the tendency of this Russian system. Here where between the European Powers, great he stands on similar ground to that which and small, and by the invention of the Holy Sir Robert Peel occupied when he took his Alliance have established and widened divis- disastrous resolution on the railroad question. ions between princes and their subjects every- Sir Robert stood on the threshold of a fuwhere, until Austria and Prussia have become ture, and did not beleive it would realize itlittle more than their vassals; they have muti- self into that present which we now deplore. lated Sweden; and they have done all this Lord Aberdeen stands similarly on the threshand more, not as they happened individually old of a future, and acts as if he believed no to be men of great ability, as Napoleon, or repression to be needed in order to render it Cromwell, or Frederick, but as agents of a less dangerous than the past. He may be system which, founded as it is on the nature right, but if he is wrong-how awfully moof society in Asiatic and European Russia, mentous will be the consequences to England, imperiously constrains them successively to to France, to Europe, to civilization, to manuniform action, whether they happen to be kind, should he accept peace unaccompanied by that security for its continuance which the destruction of the power of Russia to do future harm can alone afford. object will this be a means or a step? We know not, but we are entitled to know, and we want to learn. We therefore hold that the paramount in- We hope the country will insist on knowterests of the country_require this point to be ing, and at once. It is understood that the cleared up at once. The nation is entitled to session will certainly not extend beyond the have the means without further delay of judg- latter end of next month. The Houses ought ing upon it. Our future prosperity depends not to separate until we ascertain in a precise upon a right decision in regard to it, in a and definite manner whether or not it is meant higher degree than in regard to any other that we should accept a peace that shall leave which has occurred in our time. If our min- Russia the power to pursue the course she isters are of opinion that there is no future has taken systematically for the last hundred danger to England and to Europe from a years. If the ministry is prepared to accept peace that shall leave Russia pretty much as a peace having this character, and the nation she is, let them say so. If they are of a con- acquiesces in its decision, we have nothing trary or different opinion, let them announce further to say. If, on the contrary, it is not it. In either case we shall know where we so prepared, then the sooner France and are, what we are aiming at, and what we England proclaim the independence of Pohave to do. At present the public is entirely land, and the restoration of Finland to Swein the dark on these points. We are like den, the less of our blood shall we shed, children looking out of a window, who ex- and the sooner will a certain and permanent pect some procession, of some sort or other, peace be established, bottomed on the only at some time or other, to pass by. We are sure ground. Thus alone can the moral sense looking out every day for news from the Black of the European mind find that repose and Sea, from the Baltic, from the Danube. What, satisfaction, which protocols, treaties, congressif we hear to-morrow that Sebastopol is bat- es, and holy alliances can never give. tered down? To what previously defined! From The Examiner, 27 May. OPERATIONS ON THE DANUBE. their successes have been, unprovided and unassisted as they have remained until now. Notwithstanding all the blustering and lies of It is reported that the French and English the Russian bulletins, every scheme of Prince generals at the seat of war have at last agreed Gortschakoff strikingly failed. When at the upon a plan of active operations, and it is to very commencement, the troops of Omar be hoped that this may promptly be confirm- Pasha took their bold stand behind no very ed. After reading the Austro-Prussian treaty, formidable entrenchments at Oltenitza, the no one can be certain any longer of the pre-courage of the Russians failed them. Again cise designs of Russia, or that her armies have at Kalafat they were found unable to force any other intention than retreat. But it is hostile breastworks. And there is now no our duty to render this retreat a necessity doubt that it was originally the intention of and a disgrace. If we would render the eva- the Russian commander to cross the Danube cuation of the Principalities any security for higher up than Widdin, in order to take that the future, we must make it in all respects fortress in the rear and compel the abandoncompulsory. We must not in this matter leave ment of Kalafat, when the attempt was resisteven so much opportunity for a boast as was ed by the gallantry of Ismael Pasha, so defurnished by the dismantling of the guns and servedly created Mushir the other day. Isthe blowing up of the magazines at Odessa. mael attacked General Auret at Citate, carried Whatever is to be done, therefore, ought to his position, and drove the Russians back to be done quickly, seeing that the German Krajova with slaughter and disgrace. So it Powers have been busy opening posterns for has been throughout, and so it continues. In the enemy, and that their decrees for raising the partial rencontres which have since taken armies turn out to be mere covers for his re- place along the Danube, the Turks maintain treat. We are now, it seems, engaged in de- the superiority. General Luders occupies the stroying the Russian forts on the Circassian Dobrudscha-but if he cannot advance upon coast; but it is three months since this was either Varna or Shumla, if he cannot carry talked of, and full six weeks since it might the siege of Silistria, if he cannot facilitate the have been done. Not only the English but the European public is justly impatient for results. Wherever the Turks have yet had an opportunity on the Danube, the news has been encouraging. It is remarkable how steady passage of the Danube to the other corps left in Wallachia, of what advantage will it have proved to him to have passed with 30,000 men into one of the most unwholesome and unprovided countries of Turkey? The Russians have their armies on both sides of the river, in a region where its left passing the Danube for an advance into Bulbank is one extensive and complete barren garia, the Turks were manifestly not in a swamp, extending from Hirshova to Silistria, position to prevent them, Omar Pasha having with only a narrow road across it at Rassova. concentrated his army at Shumla. The reaThe Dobrudscha itself is marshy, barren, and sonable inference has been, therefore, that the unwholesome, but is nothing in these respects invaders had in reality no serious intention compared with the tract from Hirshova to Si- of attack. But in that or in any case it is listria. It is impossible for two portions of an now for the Anglo-French and Turkish armies army to be in a worse position, and we last to assume the offensive. Austrian or Prussian week gave terrible proof of the decimation by co-operation they do not want. They are disease of the ranks of the invaders. strong enough to fling the Russians behind Yet here they have remained inactive for the Pruth, and to inflict all due punishment several weeks. The movement at present re- upon the Czar; and not to do so would be to ported against Silistria might have been made connive at the policy of Austria and Prussia, more than a month since. The fact has been who have been merely feigning disapproval obvious all this time that, if they were really to protect him from disgrace, and to facilitate in the force that pretended around Buchar- that retreat to which it is now evident he must est, and if they had seriously the intention of be driven. men seldom sing, and probably consider it unmanly. If they sometimes commence, they generally leave the women to finish the ditty. Their province seems rather to invoke the muse of the women at the games.-Musical Transcript. MUSIC OF THE ESQUIMAUX.-The voices of | known. From the occasional introduction of the the women are soft and feminine, and when word "sledge, canoe, spear," and others of that singing with the men, are pitched an octave class, it is conjectured that their own exploits, by higher than theirs. They have most of them so sea and land, form the principal subjects. The far good ears, that in whatever key a song is commenced by one of them, the rest will always join in perfect unison. After singing for ten minutes, their key usually falls a full semitone; but few of them can catch the tune as played by an instrument, which makes it difficult with most of them to complete the uniting of the notes; for if they once leave off, they are sure to recomANECDOTE OF CHIEF JUSTICE ELLENBOmence in some other key, though a flute or violin be playing at the time. There is not, in any ROUGH.-Lord Ellenborough, at a large dinner of their songs much variety, compass, or melody. party at the Chancellor's, was seated next to the Unharmonious as they may appear to musical Countess Lieven, a lady in that age of considérears, they are pleasing when sung in good time able fashion, but of very lean proportions, and by a number of female voices. The most com- much remarked upon for displaying to an unnemon is that in which the well known Greenland Cessary degree a neck not lovely to look upon. chorus, "Amna Aya," commences the performance, and is introduced between each verse, constituting five-sixths of the whole song. When the words of the song are introduced, the notes rise a little for three or four bars, and then relapse again into the same hum-drum chorus as before, which, to do it justice, is well calculated to set the children to sleep. The words of the composition are as interminable as those of "Chevy Chase;" for the women will go on singing them for nearly half an hour, and then leave off one by one-not with their story, but their breath exhausted. They have a song second in popularity to the preceding, varying from it very slightly in the tune, and accompa nied by the same chorus, but with different words. One is astonished at turning over the pages That which ranks third in their esteem is the of this well-compiled Gazetteer to perceive the most tuneful of any of their melodies. The termi- immense number of territories, districts, counnation, which is abrupt and fanciful, is usu- ties, towns, villages, &c.. &c., which have received ally accompanied by a peculiar motion of the names after the heroes of America. Many pages head, and an expression of archness in the coun- are filled with Washingtons, Jacksons, Munroes, tenance, which cannot be described by words. Madisons, and Adamses, and derivatives from There is only one verse in the song, and that, their names, forming perhaps an instructive ilfrom its commencing with the word "pilletay," lustration of the manner in which names have is supposed to be a begging one. Of the mean- been applied in ancient as well as modern times, ing of their songs in general, from the imperfect and being themselves historical records of no knowledge of their language, little is accurately ordinary importance. Information concerning By some accident the Chief Justice remained un- A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States. these different places is essential to foreigners if "which are delineated its vast works of internal they wish to know which of the many Washing-communication," routes across the continent, &c. tons they are reading of in any work or para- It is one of the most useful literary productions graph referring to America; and, therefore, this we have yet received from the States, though Gazetteer will be very acceptable in Europe, and latterly they have sent us many; proving that it especially in England. It is minute and elabo- was only the necessity of attending to more urrate, contains the latest information, including gent wants than books, which the old country statistics of many places to 1853, and comprises supplied, that formerly prevented them from in its 1.300 pages much topographical, statis- rivalling us in this as in so many other departtical, and historical information. It is accom- ments of art.-Economist. panied by a very distinct map of the States, on CHAPTER XIV. THE PLAY BEFORE THE CURTAIN. "ARE you sure, Sara, your letter for Robert was despatched in proper time?" said the captain, as he entered the breakfast-room simultaneously with his sister the next morning. "Yes, dear uncle," replied Sara; Molly put it herself into the post-office: but it probably reached his address when he was from home. He came here last night, but at too late an hour for me to see him." "Too late for you to see him!" echoed the captain-"why, Sara, what is this? Would you not see poor Bob at any hour of the day or night, if you had not gone to bed?" He looked at her anxiously. She was pale and listless, like one who had not slept. "Let it be camomile this morning, love!" Sara smiled faintly, and assured them that she was now better, and all impatience to see something of this wonderful London. "We will first, dear uncle, go to "- Here there was a knock at the street-door, and she stopped abruptly. tally, but not till the night was far advanced, that they were in town. Even then his informant would not give him the address, but compelled him to wait and attend her home. "To me," added Sara, "she behaved still worse, for she gave me to understand that you had received our letter, but were determined not to sacrifice the evening's amusement." "And did you believe that, Sara?" said the captain, sternly-"you who have so much sense and thought?" "I have told you, dear uncle, that I felt unwell." But she had not told him that the gay apparition of the night, with her fluttering ring lets and snowy shoulders, had described Robert as the cynosure of all eyes in the ball-room; and, moreover, that she had included a name in the list of his admirers which made her heart stop "I was not very well," replied Sara, in a low and her brain reel, and so rendered her wholly voice. Her aunt glided up to her, and putting incapable of thought-the name of Claudia Falher arm round her waist with uncomfortable ten-contower. This was in reality what had deprivderness, whispered: ed the country-girl of her night's rest, by closing her mind against all impressions but those of astonishment and terror. It now seemed to her that this must be as untrue as the rest-includ ing the fantastic story of Robert's noble origin, which had somehow gained admission into the ball-room; but still she felt a superstitious oppression whenever the idea recurred to her, and she could not have mentioned that formidable name, if it had been to save her life. However agreeable, therefore, the éclaircissement may have been, it did not restore the full unbounded confidence of earlier years, and after a time she saw only too clearly that whatever her own feelings might be, there was something in Robert's manner which rose like a wall between them. So far from being less kind, she saw, on more than one occasion, that there was even passion in his feelings towards her; but a spectre seemed to warn him away whenever he seemed about to fall into the old familiar mode of address; and in walking out, it was always to her aunt he offered his arm, leaving her to the care of the captain. Go where?" asked the captain. "To-to". Sara had forgotten; she was motionless, breathless; and when at length the room-door opened, she sat suddenly down in a chair. The sight of Robert reassured her. She watched his meeting with her aunt and uncle, and saw the flush of joy and yearning affection fade instantaneously into habitual paleness: How changed! Stronger, firmer, more noble-looking than ever, he bore, notwithstanding, like an unshaken rock, the tokens of the thunder and the storm. His brow was written over with ineffaceable memories, and his look seemed without hope as well as without fear. When he turned to Sara, who was behind backs, she rose slowly, and not without some maiden reserve, for she felt that her eyes were full. Robert knew at a glance that he had done her injustice, and his throb of joy was mingled with self-reproach for the feeling which, in his desperate circumstances, seemed ungenerous. And so they met again, this young pair, with a pressure of the hand, a long look, silent lips, and fall hearts. While they were at breakfast their attention was arrested by a noise of a peculiar kind in the hall as the street-door opened. Some disturb ance had taken place. There was shuffling of feet, shrill but choked voices, crying, sobbing, and laughing, and then the noise rolled away and sunk beneath the surface of the earth-probIn reply to the captain's questions, Robert ex-ably down the kitchen stairs. When the servant plained that he was at a dancing party the came into the room the captain asked her anxevening before, where he had learned acciden-iously whether there was anything the matter. |