pine forests of the north. There is enough of vacant land to receive them, and one acre is worth fifty. Prussia and Sweden would be liberated; for the north is only formidable, because it is the seat of government. We might then trade with the new empire of the east. The new masters of the soil, like their predecessors, could only derive, profit from their fruits and oil by selling them.

But Russia is fearful that the British lion may be roused by more intelligent spirits then have of late directed his movements. Turkey is destined to be treated with apparent moderation, that no other power may have a pretext for claiming a share of the spoils. It is to be gradually humbled by insults and exhausted by exactions. The north is to be strengthened out of its spoils, while the commerce of Turkey is to be rendered unprofitable to strangers.

How all this is to end it is not for human foresight to discover. France is feeble by the weakness of its government. Britain is down by its debts, and even by the character of its present rulers. Wellington can have no inclination for war. It is one thing to spend money gaining glo

ry, and another thing to collect it as high treasurer, that others may spend it for their glory.

Meanwhile, the foreign policy of Britain has of late been unsteady and governed by no solid principle. We have become so much afraid of interfering in remote affairs, that we are fast becoming contemptible. Russia has so imposed upon our statesmen, that our friendship has been unattended by good deeds, and our enmity productive of no inconvenience. To prevent France from interfering with its ambitious projects, Russia gives countenance to the popular party there. Prussia is chained to the chariot wheels of Russia. Britain encourages the Bourbon to resist his people, but affords him not the means. The first step of the French king should have been to negotiate with Britain a treaty, by which the duty on French wines should be reduced one-half, in return for admission of the produce of the British dairy and certain cotton fabrics. This would have conciliated an immense body of cultivators, and would have given to the crown of France and to Polignac's ministry, a strong party in the kingdom. But the Catholic priesthood, though cunning are not wise, or rather, as usual,

they prefer the church to mankind. They accounted it better to overturn the British protestant constitution than to save France from revolution. They looked to the church exclusively, and hoped that a popish French and a popish British government united, might prove too much for the interests of freedom, and the diffusion of true religion and intelligence among men. The plot was cunningly devised, but a spirit is working against them, which the powers of evil strive against in vain.

In short, the world is in a revolutionary state. I cannot regret the fall of Turkey, considered as the breaking down of the Mahometan delusion, which holds in thraldom so many fine countries; but I must regret that the object should have been brought about mainly in consequence of the imbecility of Britain. As to France, it appears unfit for a republic; and, at the same time, the old royalists and the Catholic priesthood have proved themselves incapable of conducting it as a monarchy; yet, if other nations stand aloof, the coming explosion there may terminate more quietly than those would expect who look only to the former tempest, which was so grievously aggravated by foreign interfer

ence. The best adjustment for the present times would apparently be that which should restore to France the law of primogeniture, and place on the throne a remote branch of the family of Bourbon. Thus only does it seem possible to rear up a landed aristocracy to support monarchy, or to find a monarch interested to acquiesce in the arrangements consequent on the great revolution from which that kingdom has not yet fully emerged. But Britain, alas! oppressed by debt and taxes, and political economy, must gaze upon events which it can no longer control. We have ships and warriors unconquered and unconquerable; but speedily nobody will fear them, because, intriguing with Catholic priests, we are fast assuming their character.

Stat magni nominis umbra.

CATHOLIC RENT.

ANTECEDENT to the victory gained over the British protestant constitution, large sums were collected in Ireland, by weekly payments, under the name of the Catholic rent. The poorest were compelled by their priests to contribute to the fund, and in some instances foreigners also made donations.

What was done with the money? What service did it purchase? Whom did it buy?

This opens new views; but it must be reserved as matter for history.

THE END.

EDINBURGH:

Printed by J. Johnstone, 18, St. James's Square.