sane

we know that his ambition is grand, system- those in whose estimation war is too terrible atic, consistent, and because we an evil to be encountered for any cause short know that he understands thoroughly the in- of national independence — who regard the terests of Russian greatness and supremacy, obligations of alliance, the safety of our comand holds it a solemn duty to pursue them merce, and the preservation of our distant daringly and unremittingly - that we enter-dependencies, as unimportant considerations tain not the smallest doubt as to the ulterior when weighed against the horrors of a bloody designs which dictate his present proceedings and protracted strife. But we do not comand lie bid under all his protestations. prehend how those who stop short of this ex

We can perfectly understand the ideas and i treme conclusion ; who admit that hostilities arguments of those who hold that we ought to though to be deprecated as costly, to be have no continental alliances whatever; that shunned as vulgar, to be avoided as foolish we should abstain from all interference either and unchristian

- may yet become wise, just, in the internal or the international affairs of and necessary, even when national existence Europe ; that when we see barbarous and des- is not immediately and visibly at stake ; and potic sovereigns oppressing and murdering who are prepared to face a grievous evil for their subjects, or powerful states bullying and sacred and adequate considerations- can hespartitioning their weaker neighbors, we should itate to approve of the resolute and unflinchsimply " look on and pass by on the other ing attitude of England at the present crisis. side ;' that we should hold ourselves aloof If she is not to risk war in defence of a faithfrom what concerns no material interests of ful and unoffending ally ; if she is not to risk ours,

and pursue our course of sublino and it to prevent the perpetration of a great selfish isolation, regardless of the fate of wrong; if she is not to risk it to prevent Rusothers. But what we cannot understand is, sia from subduing Turkey, and, now or soon, that politicians who do not hold this hideous seizing Constantinople she must proclaim and shallow doctrine in all its nakedness, and that she has sheathed her sword 'forever. who are not prepared to carry it out to all its It is not likely that any dearer or more urgent consequences, should not at once perceive case will arise in Europe. In the warning that if there ever was a case in which we language of our marriage service : -"Let her could not honorably refuse to interpose - if speak now, or ever after hold her peace.” there ever was an ally whom we were bound But, in truth, this is not the question we to support

if there ever were engagements have to decide. If England flinches now, she which, on every principle, both of wisdom and may bid adieu to peace forever. She has integrity, we must adhere to such have announced her conviction that Turkey is now presented themselves in this Eastern right, and her resolution to support her; and dispute.

if she now backs out of the controversy, she We can understand, too, the reasoning of proclaims to all the world, in language which those who are of opinion that our Indian pos- the world will not be slow to take advantage sessions are a burden and not a treasure to of, either that she will not, or dare not, or us ; that we should be richer, happier, more can not, maintain what she deems right, or peaceful, and inore powerful, were we to cast carry out what she has resolved to do. This them to the winds, or to surrender them to is what Russia is now anticipating, and what Russia ; that our influence in the Levant is has emboldened her to a course which a few mere moonshine ; and that as long as we can years ago she would scarcely have ventured sail our ships and sell our manufactures by to take. She is deliberately calculating on reason of their superior cheapness - an ad- our weakness, our love of peace, our hatred of vantage of which no potentate can deprive us expenditure ; and if, by receding now before - we need wish for nothing more, and need her, we show that her calculation is correct, not care who possess this territory or that the same calculation will be made, the same port. But that any one who values India, game will be played, and the same result exand is prepared to retain and defend it, who pected, whenever any one of the great powers regards England :18 a great empire and not as finds it desirable to bully an ally or to trample a little workshop, and who knows how much on an interest of England. We shall not even of our safety depends upon our naval avoid war by such a course of yielding; we and especially our Mediterranean supremacy, sball invite it - entail it — necessitate it. should profess willingness to permit Russia to The only difference will be that, whereas now plant herself on the Bosphorus and the Ægean, we have a good cause, a high prestige, an and regard it as a matter of indifference honorable character, a formidable name - on whether the key of our Eastern communica- future occasions, if we yield now, we shall tion be held by a harmless friend or by a for- enter on our inevitable and self-incurred midable rival — this, we confess, passes our struggles with damaged reputation, with dipowers of comprehension.

minished strength, and with the odds against Wo can understand, finally, the feelings of us fearfully increased.

STAND AGAINST RUSSIAN ENCROACEMENT.

lity of trade; and, as a final result, all our

efforts should be directed towards the attainTo the Editor of the Spectator.

ment at last of an entire reciprocity of the Pimlico, 2d August, 1853. privileges of citizenship between the two SIR — I, in common with many of your nations. readers, have been much pleased with the The Anglo-Saxon race would then form the decided tone in which you have shown the greatest federal union the world has yet seen, duty and necessity of making a firm stand and constitute the surest bulwark of liberty against the encroachments of Russia ; and it against despotism that has ever yet been is to be hoped that a very short time will now erected. suffice to inform us either that the Czar is Hoping that your powerful pen may be diabout to disgorge the prey that he has seized, rected to these objects, I am your obedient or that we are at once to take the most deci- servant,

DAVID THOMSON. sive measures to make him do so. But even if the present crisis is got over

From the Spectator, 30th July. pacifically, it is quite clear that the equilibrium of European affairs will still be far from NEW RUSSO-DANISH QUESTION. stable ; and, with your permission, I wish to

WHILE the Danish government appears to direct

your attention to some points to which be taking steps which might, in certain not I think the efforts of diplomacy should be improbable events, precipitate the Russian turned.

succession to the throne of Denmark, references 1st. I think that we should not go out of our way to secure the alliance of Austria ; forth a wish that the relation of our own

to official papers inade in Copenhagen call because any assistauce that she can render

government to the whole affair were more would be nearly counterbalanced by our bav- distinctly explained. Our readers have aling our hands tied in regard to Hungary and ready been made to understand the order in Italy, and perhaps we might thus be almost which the succession is fixed for the Danish compelled to lend our active aid in support- throne - how, if the direct issue fail, as very ing tyranny and misgovernment in these coun- likely it will, the Prince Christian of Glückstries. 20. In opposing the Emperor of Russia, we should fail, as it may,

burg is appointed ; and how, if his issue also

the case is once more ought to take care that we do not commit to be referred to the powers who

were parties ourselves to the achievement of impossibili- to the treaty of London.* The King of Denties; amongst which, I am afraid, we must mark, however, has proceeded a step further now reckon the upholding the independence than the convention of London, and bas enof the Turkish Empire, and perhaps also driv- deavored to procure the repeal of the “ lex ing the Russians out of the Danubian Prov- regia" of 1665; the result of which would have inces. But we might perbaps, without doing been, that if no proposition had been made either, find some means of establishing by to the Allied Powers, the Emperor of Russia degrees a better régime at Constantinople, and would step in to take the succession. The securing at once the free navigation of the ostensible object of the London convention Danube.

was to prevent that diversity in the succession 3d. In the event of another European war, to the Duchies, where the Salic law is enforced, it seems certain that the United States will and to the Danish succession, where the Salic have a powerful influence on its fortunes law is suspended by the lex regia, and thus either directly or indirectly; and our efforts to prevent the separation of the Duchies from ought to be directed to securing their being Denmark. That purpose was wholly answered at once received into the councils of the " Great Powers, so that, whether it is to be and the repeal of the lex regia, therefore, is

by the arrangement under the convention ; war or peace, they may take their proper surplusage, unless it is intended to answer place in the affairs of the world.

another

purpose, which has perhaps been If this can be accomplished, I believe it made now too plainly to appear. Should the would do more for securing the peace and

present Turkish quarrel be hushed up, it is general progress of the human race than all not to be denied that Russia, by having the peace societies that have ever existed. weakened the Porto, will still have made good The more numerous the great powers entering a considerable advance in her encroachments into any guarantee, the less likely is it that towards the Dardanelles; she is now making any one could venture to set the rest at defi- covert approaches by a dynastic channel to the anco ; and we would at the same time be no command of the Sound. longer left alone as the only state attached

The extract which the Copenhagen corroto principles of liberty and progress.

spondent of the Times draws forth is one from In every point of view, our true policy seeins to be to draw closer our connection with

* Living Age, No. 480, artiole “ Tho Darda the United States; first, by an entire reciproco nelles and tho Sound."

13

for "

a despatch by the Danish envoy in London to In Beyout, and the parts of Lebanon adjacent, the Danish winister of foreign affairs, dated there are declared Protestants to the number, on the 20th May last; in which the writer perhaps, of three hundred or more. There are also reports Lord Clarendon to have made light of professed Protestants in considerable numbers in the alarm expressed by“ good Danish pat

Palestine, riots," when the Reichstag thought

it neces

But the success of the mission is not to be sary to reject the royal proposition.

church memestimated solely by the number Lord

bers, or by the number of declared Protestants Clarendon, says the report, insisted that the

now known. treaty of London would remove those dan- various public and private discussions, have bad

Their books and schools, their gers by making the Danish succession an Eu- a wider influence. There are many, besides the ropean question.' Russia, however, has classes of persons just referred to, whose minds shown so great a pertinacity and skill in are much enlightened, whose prejudices are making use of accidents, that it is natural weakened, and who acknowledge the Bible as the

good Danish patriots' to dislike the supreme authority, in matters of faith and idea of removing any barrier which exists practice. against her encroachinents; and when an Thus, in various ways, light and truth hare English minister is reported to make light of been gradually but widely diffused, and an imapprehensions on this subject, such a report portant work accomplished, preparatory to still lends color of a disagreeable kind to other further results, which may hereafter be looked reports on the subject of Turkey. We do

for among the inhabitants of this interesting

country. not attach the slightest credit to the representations that Lord Aberdeen and Lord Claren

The direct influence of the American schools, dun have shown favor to Russian ideas in public mind in the Lebanon, is sufficiently en

publications, and religious services, on the the East; but many circumstances in the couraging to warrant increased exertions, and course of the Oriental question incline us to to excite well-grounded bopes that the cause of doubt whether English ministers are on their evangelical truth will at length be crowned with guurd against such surprises as Russia is but the most cheering success. The spirit of inquiry wo evidently preparing in the Baltic.

has been largely awakened. Copies of the Arabic Bible may be seen in most of the villages,

in the Druse mountains, and the religious conFrom the Spectator, 6th Aug. troversial discussions which are uow so common, The exposure of the intrigues in Denmark particularly amongst the lower orders, afford has at last had the effect of calling attention unquestionable evidence that they are anxious, to the movements of Russia in that quarter, whatever may be the result, to have reasons for covert as those movements may have been the faith that is in them. Hundreds, though There bas indeed been a disposition to make openly acknowledging the errors and a feigned attack upon the Danish government christian practices of their church, yet excuse for its irregular proceedings, 80 us to cover themselves from an outward declaration in the real attack, and to pass off the intrigues favor of the purer tenets to which their conof the court as much lighter matters than sciences cousent, on the plea of the difficulties of they really are. But a knowledge of the sub- and relations, which would be consequent on

their position, and the disruption of family ties ject has gone beyond any single efforts to dis- their devinting from the usages and customs of guise it. Many of the journals are now taking their forefathers. up the discussion, upon the whole, with sound

Such a state of feeling, however, cannot long knowledge and clear insight.

exist in any Christian community, for it entails Here again an explanation is due from our upon its possessors the painful necessity of government. Whatever reasons might have attending religious ceremonies which they regard been advanced, some months back, to justify as fictitious inventions, and submitting to prac& convention which collaterally tended to tices which their enlightened understandings remove intermediate claims between the Rus- have learned to reject as vain and superstitious. sian dynasty and the Danish throne, the And, indeed, a very general opinion exists to whole subject is now presented in a different this day, in the southern portion of the Lebanon light; and, deceived as our statesinen may dencies of the people who have just been adverted

- grounded, no doubt, on the remarkable tenhave been, north and south, it becomes a ques- to - that not many years will elapse before tion of great interest to know what they are Evangelical Protestantism will have reclaimed doing in Denmark at the present moment. within its fold, provided the means for its organi.

zation be ample and complete, no inconsiderable PROTESTANTS IN SYRIA. - The number of pro- portion of its Christian population. fessed Protestants in Syria it is not easy to state Moreover, the disgraceful dissensions which with exactness, inasmuch as no complete census exist in the Greek and Greek Catholic communihas yet been taken. In Hasbeya, at the foot of ties, tend greatly to alienate their flocks from a Mount Hermon, there is a Protestant community, system of church government, which gives scope distinctly acknowledged and enrolled by the to irregularities so utterly at variance with the government, and embracing, it is supposed, not commonest principles of decency and decorum. far from two hundred souls.

Mount Lebanon, by Col. Churchill.

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE. - No. 487.—17 SEPTEMBER, 1853.

.

CONTENTS. 1. Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence of Thomas Moore, Quarterly Review, 707 2. A Literary Lady's Maid,

Household Words, . 745 3. The Cachette of Nantes,

Chambers' Journal, 748 4. William Macgillivray, the Naturalist,

Eliza Cook's Journal, 752 5. Salad for the Solitary, by an Epicure,

New York Tribune, 757 6. New Chinese “ Shaster,

The Press,

761 7. The Isthmus of Darien,

Alexander Von Humboldt, 763 8. Some Account of a Singular People - The Szeklers, British Journal,

765 POETRY: The Listening Angels — The Little Shoe, 705; The Englishman in Venice - A

Good Night, 706; The Sonnet, 747. SHORT ARTICLES : Demise of Lady Sale — Passage in Burial Service, 744; Encyclopedia

Britannica, 751; Angelica, 756 ; The Fettered Press - Portrait of a Ci-Devant Jeune

Homme, 764 ; Disk Steam Engine - Effigies with Folded Hands, 767. New Books : Poems by Meditatus, Notes on Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Wigwam and tho

Cabin, &c., &c., 768.

:

From Household Words.

THE LISTENING ANGELS.

BLUE against the bluer heavens

Stood the mountain calm and still ;
Two white angels, bending earthward,

Leant upon the hill.
Listening leant those silent angels,

And I also longed to hear
What sweet strain of earthly music

Thus could charm their ear.
I heard the sound of many trumpets,

And a warlike march draw nigh ;
Solemnly a mighty army

Passed in order by.
But the clang had ceased ; the echoes

Soon had faded from the hill ;
While the angels, calm and earnest,
Leant and listened still.

But the chant was done ; and, lingering,

Died upon the evening air ;
Yet from the hill the radiant angels

Still were listening there.
Silent came the gathering darkness,

Bringing with it sleep and rest ;
Save a little bird was singing

In her leafy nest.
Through the sounds of war and labor

She had warbled all day long,
While the angels leant and listened

Only to her song.
But the starry night was coming,

And she ceased her little lay ;
From the mountain-top the angels

Slowly passed away.

From the Louisville Journal.

THE LITTLE SHOE.

BY MARY NEAL.

Then I heard a fainter clamor :

Forge and wheel were clashing near,
And the reapers in the meadow

Singing loud and clear.
When the sunset came in glory,

And the toil of day was o'er,
Still the angels leant in silence,

Listening as before.
Then, a8 daylight slowly vanished,

And the evening mists grew dim,
Solemnly from distant voices

Rose a vesper hymn.
QOCCLXXXVII. LIVING AGE. VOL. II. 45

I FOUND it here — a worn-out shoe,
All mildewed with time, and wet with dew.
'Tis a little thing ; ye would pass it by
With never a thought, or word, or sigh ;
Yet it stirs in my spirit a hidden well,
And in eloquent tones of the past doth tell.
It tells of the little fairy child
That bound my heart with a magic wild,
Of bright blue eyes and golden hair,
That ever shed joy and sunlight there -