NOTES OF THE MONTH. 565 



which promises to draw on most important events. The combined fleets 

 of England and France are at this time assembling for the blockade of 

 the waters of Holland, and a large body of the troops of France is about 

 to enter the Belgic territory, to assist in the reduction of the citadel of 

 Antwerp. This fortress, as commanding the navigation of the Scheldt, 

 is of the utmost importance to the commerce of the people of Belgium, 

 for without a free and unshackled communication with the sea, na 

 country can in modern times exist as an independent nation, and the 

 Scheldt is the Thames of Belgium. But a more important part of the 

 present warlike demonstrations against the King of Holland is in the 

 acquiescence or opposition of the Northern powers of Russia, Austria, 

 and Prussia, to the revolutionary principle of the division of the Holy 

 Alliance kingdom of the Netherlands. For more than two years the 

 diplomatic hypocrisy of the Northern court has baffled the exertions of 

 Ministers of England and France to settle the final terms of the separa- 

 tion of Belgium and Holland ; and it is now apparent that the despotic 

 monarchs have been awaiting the progress of events in expectation that 

 the growing unpopularity of Louis Philippe, and the internal distractions 

 arising from the question of reform in England, would afford an op- 

 portunity for the re-establishment of the kingdom of the Netherlands, 

 and the throne of Charles X. We trust, however, that a continuation 

 of the firm union between England and France, and the great increase 

 of weight, energy, and ascendancy which our reformed institutions will 

 confer upon this country, will dispel the evil influence of the despotic 

 principle, and that before another year the world will witness the 

 triumphant re-establishment of the liberties of Germany, Italy, and even 

 of unhappy Poland. f >T ]/ ^fy ~gr ^gSTtefctf sirfW sifr 



The internal affairs of France continue in a threatening situation. 

 The Cabinet which, since the death of Casimir Perier, had remained 

 unsettled, has at length been new-modelled, chiefly from the party of 

 the Doctrinaires, statesmen of a nondescript genus, who bear a resem- 

 blance to no party in this country. Thus, with a Cabinet of unpopular 

 and drivelling Doctrinaires, and a monarch without courage or decision, 

 universal dissatisfaction reigns throughout France, and it is probable 

 that another great revolution is hastening to its development. The 

 Chambers meet in the early part of the ensuing month, and as a majo- 

 rity is not anticipated in favour of the court, it is not an improbable 

 event that a resignation by Louis Philippe of the crown of France will 

 be the consequence of his incapacity or unwillingness to head the march 

 of liberty. 



The decrees of the German Diet for the extinction of the liberty of 

 the press appear to meet with little opposition; and so heavy is the arm 

 of despotism in Germany, that the progress of events in England and 

 France alone appear to promise any redemption from slavery to the 

 German people. 



In Portugal the contest between the rival tyrants of Braganza remain 

 without material alteration. A vigorous assault upon Oporto, made by 

 the troops of Don Miguel on the 30th September, having proved un- 

 successful, his troops have now withdrawn, and no important movement 

 is therefore anticipated before the ensuing spring. In the interim strong 

 reinforcements are proceeding from England, Belgium, and France in 

 in support of Pedro. apototfj Sflol adT 



LitHj . B l 



