472 Notes of the Month on [APBIL, 



become an assiduous and valuable advocate of popular rights). The 

 writer observes " Parents and guardians are, at all events, the most 

 dangerous species of statemen that a nation can be afflicted with ; and 

 we can see no hope of effectually cutting down sinecures and salaries 

 until the peers are compelled, as the priesthood used to be, to take a 

 vow of perpetual and patriotic celibacy. Instead of asking a nobleman 

 who is about to enter into office, what his qualifications are the num- 

 ber of his cousins should be carefully inquired into ; and, instead of ad- 

 miring his great talents, we should have an eye to his great aunts." 

 People who advertise for any places, save those under government, are 

 in the habit of setting forth their eligibility, by declaring that they are 

 et without incumbrances ;" what a pity is it, that we have no statesmen 

 of this stamp. Why does not some patriotic person insert an advertise- 

 ment in the Times " Wanted a minister, without relations." 



THE STATE OP THE CONTINENT. The whole surface of society 

 on the Continent is swelling and heaving with the agitation of a moral 

 earthquake, which, in a short space of time, will overthrow the strong- 

 holds of superstition and tyranny in Europe. Poland, though weighed 

 to the earth, feels her spirit of freedom still uncrushed ; it breathes 

 like a smouldering fire, fanned by hate, and kept alive by continued 

 wrongs. Let but the neighbouring nations display the banner of 

 liberty around her hills, and Poland will again rise the resuscitation 

 from the living grave, where she has been kept by her relentless task- 

 masters. 



In France Casimir Perier has enough to do to discover conspiracies. 

 Scarcely a day passes without a plot, and arrests and imprisonments 

 are continually growing more numerous. But these conspiracies seem 

 to be of the most frivolous nature, and people are daily accused on the 

 most ridiculous grounds. 



From a letter which we have received from a distinguished foreigner, 

 we make the following extract : 



" The French papers speak with great confidence of the approaching downfal 

 of Casimir Perier ; the public opinion having shewn itself against him, both 

 before the jury and in the Chamber of Deputies. The president of the French 

 Council is a man of abilities, but of an obstinate and unsympathizing temper. 

 Self-esteem and great presumption are his striking characteristics. In giving 

 up again the seals of foreign affairs to General le Castiani, Perier returns 

 them less powerful ; and, indeed, during his interim, France has by no means 

 maintained her honour abroad. The occupation of Ancona with so small a 

 force will certainly prove fatal, both to the Romagna and to the French govern- 

 ment. The pope is a monk, and the cardinals are all vindictive. The people 

 will soon become hostile to the French, and in one day the citizens of Ancona 

 may repeat the Sicilian vespers. France seems advancing towards a new 

 change. Louis Philippe becomes daily less popular : the Carlists, the Republi- 

 cans, and the Napoleonists, fight for the same object that is to say, for the 

 overthrow of the present government ; and Casimir Perier, with his impolitic 

 obstinacy, accelerates their projects." 



Yet Italy has something to hope. Plots have penetrated into the 

 sacred precincts of the Imperial City, and conspiracies would have 

 been hatched during the Carnival, had not his Holiness thought proper 

 to make the citizens of Rome dispense with the mask. 



It appears that the French soon made themselves great favourites 

 with the people of Ancona, though one Cardinal was exceedingly shocked 



