1830.] The French Revolution of July, 1830. 261 



twenty-four hours' sail ; there, after some negociations with the English 

 government, the late king was permitted to take up his residence in 

 England ; but as a private subject ; and it is understood that he has fixed 

 upon Lulworth, the house of Mr. Weld, who had been lately made a 

 cardinal, and who will of course consider himself much honoured by 

 the presence of the great friend of the Jesuits, his Most Catholic Ma- 

 jesty. 



It is creditable to the people of the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and 

 Poole, that they received the French exiles with respect. A proposal to 

 wear the tri-coloured cockade was put down by an universal expression of 

 displeasure, as an ungenerous insult to fallen dignity ; and the feeling 

 of England towards them all, is as it ought to be, one of commiseration. 

 They have looked to us for refuge, and refuge must be granted to them 

 they have relied upon our hospitality, and we must not disgrace our 

 national character by refusing it. To us the Bourbons have done no 

 evil, and we have no right to revenge the wrongs of others on exiles now 

 helpless, and punished by their fall from one of the highest stations to 

 which human weakness can be raised. We entirely rely upon the manly 

 feeling and native generosity of our country, to treat those unfortunate 

 people with the decorum due to their original rank, and their memorable 

 misfortunes. 



But what is to be the consequence of this great revolution to France 

 and Europe ? Every man has a theory of his own ; and the general 

 voice is, that it must be the parent of many revolutions. Reports have 

 been already spread of a Spanish insurrection, and sanguine specula- 

 tors calculate the hour in which shall be added to this, a Portuguese 

 one, a Prussian, an Austrian, a Russian, a Polish, a Hungarian, an 

 Italian, and a Belgian, &c. &c. 



However we cannot trust our speculations so far. This " march" of re- 

 volution seems premature. The Spanish report is not true; though there 

 it is most probable ; and it is true that many of the Spanish emigrants are 

 preparing to return to their country with arms. We much doubt the 

 prudence of this step for awhile, and shall probably hear some disastrous 

 story of their adding to the victims of Ferdinand's despotism. 



It is undeniable that the continent abounds with the spirit of revolu- 

 tion, and that a great popular insurrection in any one of its kingdoms 

 would overthrow any of its thrones. But we wait for the proof that 

 such tremendous experiments are necessary. Austria is the most com- 

 plete despotism of the continent ; yet her government is gentle, for it 

 follows the character of the monarch, as in all complete despotisms, and 

 the character of Francis is gentle. In the other German governments 

 the discontent exists chiefly among the professors of the colleges, and no 

 man loves a professor of a college well enough to follow him to the field, 

 where even escape from that may lead to the scaffold. Besides, the 

 governments are not practically oppressive to the multitude, and they 

 are all improving. Italy may be shaken ; but without French aid Italy 

 will not rise in a body ; and unless it does, insurrection will only fill 

 additional dungeons ; French aid will not be given for the purpose, at 

 least, while France is a monarchy, under the present king. 



The distinction between the case of France and that of the other 

 continental powers, is, that after having obtained a free code, and 

 brought in the Bourbons on the faith of its acceptance, the Bourbons 

 denied their own acts, violated their oaths, and menaced the people 



