coast. " establishes sure communications for trade, the quickest and the cheapest, contributes at the same time to the prosperity and strength of a country." La Presse, the journal next in authority-first in circulation-(of the 23d,) devotes twelve columns to a good version of nearly the whole of the message. It holds this language: "Mr. Polk, on quitting the helm of state, submits his accounts and record. We have the history of four years; we France, abound in metallic currency, he holds | struck with the importance of the commercial and them to be the least precious of the benefits to ac- postal steam-lines, which the president mentions crue to the Union from the possession of that with fitting emphasis. The Constitutionnel observes: In the language of Mr. Polk on this On the 23d, the Constitutionnel made a compre- head, there is a useful lesson for the European hensive and satisfactory report, in upwards of four governments, which, with the exception of Engcolumns, of the contents of the message. It ex-land, do not seem to comprehend that whatever plains the amplitude by a presumed wish and purpose to provide consolation to the defeated democratic party in a plenary exposition of the marvellous fruits of his measures, and of the wisdom of the maxims by which he was directed and the party is contradistinguished. He therefore required a large space; he was forced into details, which, though somewhat oppressive and vapid for the reader in Europe, might have strong interest and polemic importance for the whole American con- are not deterred by its length; we reproduce it stituency. But the Constitutionnel adds: “Would entire. Since a government has been framed for to Heaven, indeed, that the expositions of our rulers us on the model of that of the United States, and were as long, even longer than those of Mr. Polk, we are likewise destined to have our annual mesif, like his, they could, for four successive years, sage, we exhort our president and his ministers to be commenced with thanks to Providence for read attentively that which we publish this day; matchless national prosperity; if, like Mr. Polk, they will learn by it how, without being precisely and with as much truth, our ministers could boast a man of genius, a statesman may succeed, by of addressing a people' the most favored on earth.' courage, perseverance, firmness, good faith and The United States are at peace with all the world, abnegation, in doing for his country useful, gloand American commerce expands on every side in rious, and fruitful things. Admirable efficiency of a constantly advancing ratio; thanks to the exer- an executive inspired by genuine patriotism, and tions of a skilful and persevering diplomacy, which of public spirit which is not perverted by the perhas just consummated a grand system of commer-sonal ambition and selfishness of coteries. Such cial treaties." The Constitutionnel allows that is Mr. Polk! No one had ever heard of him the president is right in treating the campaigns in when chance raised him, four years ago, to the Mexico, and the rush of volunteers, as the most head of affairs. Well-this the unknown has convincing evidence yet afforded of the resources been found an eminent man, who has managed of the Union for external war; but it argues that the most important, diversified, and complicated na"the reasoning would have been more cogent if tional concerns with admirable tact, inflexible enthe United States had not been called to deal with ergy, and with a felicity of results, which, in the a neighboring nation much weaker than them-end, even his keenest adversaries must acknowlselves, with a depopulated country, whose soldiers edge. Such men are not rare in the United had neither training, discipline, arms, nor suitable States-which accounts for the fact that each concannon, nor proper ammunition." It has pleased both the French and British chroniclers to underrate (and this from excusable feeling and policy) the military condition and means of Mexico. In time, the American narratives of the war will be perused in Europe, and the character of the fortresses and armies, so gloriously overcome, be duly estimated. secutive administration is fresh progress in national weal. In America, where good sense and good deeds occupy the place which, here, we give to phrases and discussions, you would not discover, by any search, a government, a particular administration, which has not added something to the power, glory and welfare of the Union.' You must know that the journal La Presse was the Touching the point of neighborhood, let me principal champion of Louis Napoleon, to whom answer, that the regions, the marches, the obsta- the main objection lay in the little knowledge the cles, the hardships, sacrifices, and the havoc, cannot world possessed of his faculties and principles. come within the imagination of the scribblers of Therefore it is that La Presse, and its auxiliaries Paris and London. They may reflect, but they in the same cause, studiously represent Mr. Polk do not utter what would be the display of Ameri- as having been the unknown when nominated; can maritime power in a conflict with a more dis- the world may infer that the Bonaparte-" the tant foe, such as France or Great Britain. In my nephew of his uncle"-will or can equally prove conversations here, I can seldom refrain from the a national benefactor such as they describe our remark: "If such are our exploits with volunteers president. All the revolutionary organs—those on land, judge what we should perform, under the of the mountain and socialism-do homage to the excitement and with the efforts of a year or two, message, in which they hail the mighty and saluon the ocean, and on your coasts, by all the apti-tary spell of the democratic faith and wand; and tudes, energies and improvements of naval war- it is amusing to observe how they concur in enfare our prime instinct and capacity." The dowing Mr. Polk with the humblest origin and Paris journals from which I have quoted, are all mechanical trade, and with a long obscurity, in order to illustrate the reliance due to popular in- | officially assigned. But, on the 20th, we learned, tuition and suffrage. in the afternoon, that the Assembly were engaged in the business-at five o'clock the President was despatched, clandestinely as it were, and strongly guarded, to his palace in the Rue St. Honoré. In the morning the military and political chiefs had informed the committee on the election, of a plot or notion widely diffused, to hail Louis Napoleon as emperor whenever he left the Assembly for his official domicile. Strange as it seems, the national guards were more numerously implicated than the working classes and common rovers of the pavé. The committee and Assembly followed the suggestion of the executive authorities, which was to enter upon the ceremonial at once, and thus anticipate a seditious, anti-republican inter An American abroad may rightfully and beneficially keep aloof from your domestic controversies -being sure that you are universally fond and tenacious of your political institutions and social order. The French care little for the topics of the American System, the sub-treasury, or the veto; they think the president quite patriotic and reasonable in his suggestions on the slavery-question, which, they remark, should be adjusted in a way to belie the predictions and disappoint the hopes of the European speculators hostile to republicanism, and inveterately jealous of American empire and concord. Mr. Polk may be right or wrong at home; my bosom glows when a manifesto, from a chief magistrate, of American ag-vention. The president, his family and friends, grandizement demonstrably advantageous to mankind, makes an impression in Europe the most grateful to our doctrines and sentiments, the most auspicious for our security and influence. On the evening of the 23d, in one of the most distinguished salons of this capital, and the following evening in my own parlor, Frenchmen of high authority in politics, satisfied me, by the earnestness of their admiration of our successes and resources, of what they affirmed that they had read-some in Galignani's Messenger, others in the French journals-every part of the work, in particular the historical and statistical. Paris, 28th Dec., 1848. were not themselves at all inclined to so abrupt and crude a revolution, meant, as they knew, to be a riddance of the republic rather than an exaltation of the man. Some of the journals complained of the surprise and furtiveness practised from an alarm which they deemed idle or excessive, and contrary to the dignity of the government and the office; others pretended that his enemies. in the executive department and in the Assembly contrived thus to deprive Louis Napoleon of the éclat and gratification of a more solemn and manly entrance on the stage of power. The Assembly adjourned from Thursday until Tuesday, to afford him time to determine the list of his ministers, and to consult with them on the scheme of administration, and the choice of other high functionaries. In my humble judgment, the London oracles deny the cabinet the capacity, which, on the whole, it should be acknowledged to possess. Thiers and Count Molé were parties to the arrangements; sound motives can be adduced for the absence of their names from the list. I have hitherto mentioned to you that my confidence in the abilities of the premier, Odilon Barrot, is slender he enjoys character, indeed, and will be put on his mettle so as to excite all the talents of the statesman and the energy of the individual. On Tuesday he submitted his programme to the Assembly; the galleries and the floor were crowded. It consists, for the present, of very little definite and positive engagement, save the vindication of social order and the protection of the finances-the two absorbing exigencies of the country. The posts of prefect of the department and prefect of police, and the judicial stations vacant, have been well filled. What may be called the crowning act for our security and the hopes of the business world, is the devolution of the whole military rule on 5,454,226 Marshal Bugeaud and General Changarnier the 570,119 first is appointed to the command of the army of 56,920 the Alps, seventy thousand thorough soldiers; the 17,910 latter created chief of the regular troops of this military district, sixty thousand at least, and of the national guards and garde mobile-a hundred and sixty thousand together. Bugeaud will look more to Paris than to the plains of Lombardy. The Mountain, and two or three of the moderate On Friday last we experienced a violent transition from balmy spring to severe winter. In about twelve hours the thermometer (Fahrenheit) fell some twenty-five or thirty degrees. It remained at twenty until noon of Sunday. The weather continued bright until the morning of that day. Since Tuesday morning last we have been enveloped in fogs worthy of London. For the use of the pen, we do not get more than five or six hours, in the twenty-four, of light from the heavens. This, and the imperative avocations of the season, hurry and limit me in my present epistle. Important events, since my latest dates, can, therefore, be merely noticed. The authentic details and personal anecdotes with which my note-book is stored will not be stale for the next fortnight at least. A retrospect of the year might combine utility and attraction, beyond the record of any one of the thirty antecedent. You were informed of the certainty of Louis Raspail, Lamartine, Changarnier, Bulletins nuls, 4.690 12,600 It was given out that the successful candidate would not be proclaimed by the Assembly until the 25th inst., and plausible reasons were semi journals opined that the cumulation of command | rending" shouts of Vive Napoleon; scarcely any of in the hands of Changarnier, was unconstitutional, Vive la République, and none of Vive la Constituand in the teeth of certain laws and regulations tion. The testimony of five or six gentlemen, who of the ex-monarchy, especially as the general is were near him at all points of his grand tour, allowed twenty-four hours within which to apprize and at the final defile of the troops, is the same the minister of war of any measures or dispositions as mine, concerning the acclaims in every quarter. he shall adopt with the mighty armed force. Veterans of the imperial guard constantly caught Odilon Barrot, and the head of the department of his hand and moistened it with kisses and tears the interior, replied, in the house, to the censures of joy : the blouses emulously extended their palms, and reasoning of Ledru-Rollin, that the times were which were cordially shaken. The weather restill revolutionary; the insurrectionary spirit and lented before noon; the sun came forth and condesigns-all the machinations of demagogues and tinued to shine, as if miraculously; the three clubs-must be overawed, and, if these waxed hundred thousand, or more, spectators, dispersed desperate, they must at once be overwhelmed: the before night; the government rejoiced that an executive took the responsibility even of a rigor emperor did not emerge from the glorious festival. beyond the law. The majority of the Assembly Cavaignac and Lamoricière declined the regular and nine tenths of the capital are delighted. In invitation to join the staff. the sitting of yesterday afternoon, fresh evidence tranquillity for some months. of patriotic determination-of official intrepidity-not hold on beyond March. was furnished in a speech of the new minister of finance, wherein he declared that he could not dispense with the unpopular and unfortunate salt tax; and he edified though he depressed the Assembly further by a disclosure of the awful deficit and perils of the exchequer. We count on street The Assembly canEx-king Jerome Bonaparte is appointed, by the republic, governor of the Hotel des Invalides. [Translated from the Journal des Débats of the 17th Dec., 1818.] A proposition impends to repeal the postal reform, on the ground that the treasury cannot bear the loss which it is likely to occasion. A note from the astronomer, Leverrier, has this moment On the 23d we were startled by an official an- come into my hands; he informs me that he had nunciation that President Louis Napoleon would submitted to the academy the documents transreview all the regular troops and the guards, the mitted to him by Mr. Everett, and particularly next morning, Sunday, at eight o'clock. The "the brilliant discovery" of the satellite of Saturn. cold was intense; light could hardly be expected At his instance, Mr. Bond has been elected a cor at that hour; but the Moniteur said precisely. responding member of the Philomatic Society. Many persons conjectured that the hour and the He has delivered to the academy various commu weather were selected, in order to prevent an im-nications from Boston, and will soon write fully mense concourse of spectators, and, possibly, the to his favorite, Lieutenant Maury, at Washington. raising of an emperor on the shield. The conservative journals entreated the soldiery and the people to abstain from all cries that might beget confusion and conflict. The committee of the association of extreme democrats caused it to be known that they would sit all Sunday, in order to be ready to muster the whole party for mortal resistance to the restoration of any dynasty. From my window, I saw the national guards collecting between eight and nine o'clock-regiments of regulars passed under on the Rue de Rivoli earlier -all admirably equipped. It was exactly such a temperature as that of the arrival, in all military pomp, of Napoleon's remains. The legions of guards of the banlieue or precincts started some at four, and others at six o'clock, A. M., braving utter darkness and stiffening frost; and a multitude of women and children accompanied them, pêle mêle, in the ranks. We do not know in the annals of history any greater homage rendered to glory than that which has just occurred. Fifty years ago, at the commencement of the present century, a name resounded in the imagination of men. Since that time, the liberal institutions which we have had during thirty years, and the form of government, seemed to exclude this name from the present, and to leave reference only to it in the pages of history or poetry! Many believed that it would only survive in some popular memory, and as a simple legend. There which caused the election of the president. The was in the legend a singular vitality; for it is that person was little known; the name alone spoke. The name sufficed, let them say what they please upon the skilful combinations which gained some illustrious votes in favor of Louis Bonaparte we shall keep in recollection those combinations. Good management has given Louis Napoleon in the ballot-box quality of votes; but it is his name which has given him quantity. We must never forget this; nor forget that a name makes an election, but does not make a government: this is a first glance upon the future. The greater part of the national guards formed in dense line, on the side of the garden of the Tuileries, adjacent to the Rue de Rivoli. This enabled us to see distinctly the passage of President Louis, with his numerous and brilliant staff Besides his name, Louis Bonaparte has had in -himself in the uniform of a general of the his favor the prodigious discontent which has accuguards; his hat constantly in his hand-from one mulated since six months in the minds of all. No end of the extensive line to the other. He be- person to-day can deny it; the republican party has not succeeded in France. 'Tis the second strode a noble steed, which he seemed to manage time that this has happened. We are strongly disperfectly; a strong piquet of cavalry (lancers) posed to believe that the republic is a form of govwent ahead. On my balcony, we heard "sky-ernment which has its advantages. We believe it on account of Genoa and Venice, Holland and ceeded? Because public opinion considered him Switzerland, and on account of the United States to be too closely connected with February 24; it of America; but we cannot yet believe it with re- believed him to be good among the bad. But this gard to France. In France, the republicans have relative goodness was not sufficient for his acquittal always done most injury to the republic. The ex- before the tribunal of the people. This is a singuperiment is still to be made in our country, and it lar destiny. It was not on his own account that is evident that to succeed, the republic must be General Cavaignac was called upon by the men of established by other men than the republicans de la February 24, but it was on account of his family veille, for those chiefly understand the method of antecedents-on account of his relations. That destroying the republican cause. which constituted his merit with the men de la veille became a fault in him with the crowd of the lendemain. He was not chosen, nor has he been rejected, for his own sake. But General Cavaignac knew while he was in power how to acquire claims to public estimation. He is not blamable either for his entry or for his exit, but is worthy of praise for having governed as he has done during five months. Unfortunately, five months of good endeavors have not been a sufficient compensation for five months of bad manœuvres inaugurated by one day of violence; and General Cavaignac has fallen under the unpopularity of the evil he wished to repair. We attribute the discontent more to the men than to the institutions, because we believe that France wishes more to have a good government than a fine constitution. Now, for ten months, the men have done much to irritate and injure France. It is particularly during the first five months that the government of the 24th of February seemed resolved on rendering their government odious and impossible. This government was based on error; it was the work of a minority, and the result of a coup de main. It was necessary that it should make itself popular by wise acts, not being popular in its origin. Far from that, it sought popularity in the We have said what signifies in the past the balrevolutionary spirit; it invited society to the destruc- lot for the presidency; let us say a word of what tion of social order, as to a civic feast. The day it signifies for the future. Many attempts have when society was called upon to declare its opinion been made since the 24th of February to constitute upon those destructive caprices and those immoral a moderate party and a moderate government. The apish tricks, it pronounced its opinion energetically. first was made by M. de Lamartine, under the proSuch is the fact declared by the ballot for the pres-visional government. But M. de Lamartine was ident. It is a protest against the men of the 24th wrong in supposing that the main strength did not of February, a protest against the government of lie on the side of the moderate party; he sought the minority. it then elsewhere. The moderate party was for When we advise the enlightened and moderate him the just party, but not the strong one. Hence men who are attached to the republic to make it his obstinacy to remain united to the violent party date from May 4, that is to say from the formation -an obstinacy which was fatal to him, because it of the National Assembly, and not from February ended in making him lose the affection of the mod24, we feel that the country, wounded by having erate party. It was in vain for him to repeat that been governed without being consulted, would feel he did not conspire with the wicked, but as the a rancor against February 24, and would, sooner lightning conductor conspires with the thunder; the or later, reject all those who made it, and even country has ended by distrusting the lightning conthose who too closely attached themselves to it. ductor and his courtship with the thunder; and it See how those who made the 24th February are is thus that failed, by the fault of M. de Lamartine, repelled. Look at M. Ledru-Rollin, and, above and to his prejudice, the first attempt to constitute all, at M. de Lamartine. What a fall, what an a moderate party and a moderate government, since explanation! We sincerely commiserate M. de the 24th February. The second attempt was made Lamartine, but we cannot say that he has been under General Cavaignac; it was pushed further struck unjustly, if it be true that divine justice re-than the first. Separated from the violent party by quires from every man according to what has been given to him. Who had received more than M. de Lamartine? Who had more power to do good? The admiration which we have had of old for M. de Lamartine will always defend him in our hearts against the repugnance and grief we have felt at his political conduct. We are already too well avenged. M. Lamartine, in the ballot for the presidency, is below M. Ledru-Rollin. Let us hasten to say that if M. de Lamartine is thus fallen, it is because he wished to gain the votes of the revolutionists, and we congratulate him upon it. But why had he not the votes, or at least some of the votes, of the moderate party? Because he made February 24, because he was a member of the government of February. And General Cavaignac Why, in spite of his incontestable services, his moderation, his valor, and right feelings, has he been excluded from the presidency? What is there to reproach him with? He was not one of those who made the 24th February, and he prevented the 23d June; that is, in fact, he has done no evil, and has done some good. This is not all. He, in a certain measure, joined the moderate party; he was beloved by some, and at the same time esteemed by all of this party. Why, then, has he not suc the days of June, General Cavaignac sought his support in an intermediate party which he desired to compose of the moderate men de la veille, and of the enlightened men du lendemain. Some time was necessary to form this party. Unfortunately, General Cavaignac did not wish to take time. He believed the party formed because he had the mould of it; he hastened the election for the presidency. He crushed the party when it was only in the egg. Would it have come forth? Many circumstances were opposed to this. Be the fact as it may, this second attempt to form a moderate party and government marked more clearly than the first the end necessary to attain, and the road which conducted to it; they will serve as helps to the third effort, which is begun at this moment. It is thus that we at least judge of the new presidency, and it is on this ground we hope it may succeed. If the presidency of M. Louis Bonaparte is to be an attempt at an imperial restoration, as the provisional government has been an attempt at a Jacobin restoration, when the provisional government yielded to the inspirations of M. Ledru-Rollin; if we are to return to 1810, as it has been wished to bring us back to 1793; if we are to try the imperial archæology after having tried the rev HOME EVENING SONG-COSMETICS-DELAROCHE'S PICTURE. 239 olutionary archæology, then, indeed, we shall be | Lady-bird looks down with pity from her hanging thankful for our repugnance to the candidateship of leaf, for grief. What a long, long chain of daisies little Bess has made, M. Louis Bonaparte. If, on the contrary, as we Where the glistening dew-drops are weeping sore hope, we are to have a government of our own times and habits, if the moderate party surrounds the new president, and lends him its force, if the 24th February is boldly cleared of all its most disastrous moral and material consequences, then we shall be happy to join the moderate and conservative party which we have always defended, and which we ever shall defend, to the extent of our judgment and understanding. WHAT IS HOME? WHAT IS home? in the thoughts of awakening spring, And the buds, and the birds, and the bright flowers come To the wanderer's dreams; but they are not home. Such is the change, in lapse of years, Reginald Vere. FAIRIES SUMMER EVENING SONG. HARK! 't is little children's voices singing at their play. Hark! the village bells are ringing, far, far away. Hark! the bee is homewards coming from the heather hill; Ever circling, ever humming, humming, humming In the shady coppice Mother Linnet sings, Where the merry lambs are running races in the Bring buttercups, and blue-bells, and every flow- eret fair, hair. Through which the jaded mule with noiseless tread, Moves the wan conqueror, with sunken cheeks, The chill lips blandly set, and the dark eyes Intent with fierce ambition's vast control, Sad, keen, and thoughtful of the distant prize! Grasshoppers are chirping one, two, three, and four; With the imperial robes and warlike steed, Cunning Master Spider weaves his shining snare- That face ne'er wore such blended might and need! Literary World. |