RUSSIA, AS IT REALLY IS. 429 



Ottoman fleet at the battle of Navarino would have swallowed up 

 Admiral Ricord and all his naval forces. 



We must now call the attention of our readers to a very important 

 event. Every body is acquainted with the Polish insurrection of 

 1830, when the brave but unfortunately rash and imprudent inha- 

 bitants of the duchy of Warsaw rose in arms to regain their national 

 independence. Well, here we find a population of less than four 

 millions of souls, without any pre-concerted plan, and with very 

 scanty financial and military resources, but supported by their pa- 

 triotism and valour, shaking the yoke of the autocrat, and often 

 defeating the best Russian troops commanded first by Diebitch, and 

 afterwards by Paskievitch for nearly twelve months, and placing 

 almost in danger the stability of the Russian autocrat both in Little 

 Russia, and in the whole of the Russo-Polish provinces. 



We have dwelt [perhaps rather prolixly on these historical facts; 

 but they are important, as they demonstrate almost mathematically 

 that Russia is not so formidable a military power as the alarmists 

 are pleased to suppose. 



Besides the wonderful changes which have taken place of late 

 years in Europe, both with regard to the institutions and dynasties 

 of several countries, prove that the diplomatic influence of Russia is 

 not so great as it is commonly supposed to have been. Had it been 

 otherwise would Nicholas ever have permitted the expulsion from 

 the throne of France of his beloved Bourbons of the restoration ? 

 Would he have allowed Louis Philippe to support the Belgians in 

 establishing their independence and their separation from Holland, 

 and thus deprive his own sister's children of the future possession of 

 Belgium ? Had Nesselrode and Pozzo di Borgo been so clever and 

 so powerful in diplomatical influence, would they have suffered with 

 impunity the downfall of their dear protege Don Miguel of Portu- 

 gal, and what is still worse, the establishment of constitutional insti- 

 tutions in that country ? Had the Russian tyrant been truly formid- 

 able, would he have tolerated the proclamation, acknowledgment, 

 and establishment of Isabella II. as Queen of Spain, surrounded with 

 liberal institutions, instead of his cousin despot Don Carlos, who by 

 this time must have already drawn large subsidies out of the private 

 purse of his Imperial Majesty? No, no such a thing. The will and 

 wish of Nicholas are against all that has happened ; but he cannot 

 help his friends for want of means. 



