410 MEETING OF MUNCHEN-GRATZ. 



attack but by a progressive movement. Protestations have already 

 Commenced in many places. We hope the example will not be lost, 

 and in proportion as individual discussion, so powerful in Germany, 

 increases the circle of propagation, we shall perhaps see energy 

 arise along with conviction. The system of intellectual prohibition 

 can for some time stop on the frontiers of kingdoms, the powerful 

 commerce of ideas but once imported among the people they will 

 take root, fructify, and spread themselves like the green bay tree. 

 It will be interesting to consider the part which each individual state 

 of the Germanic Confederation will have to act in future. The intel- 

 lectual statistics of the country will not be less important. 



Wurtemberg, which has been so quiet during the present time, 

 occupies notwithstanding the first rank among the people of Ger- 

 many. The pretensions of the prince who wished to infringe the 

 charter, were obliged to yield before the unanimity of his subjects, 

 who acquired for their country a constitution the most popular and 

 liberal in Germany. The reception given at Stutgard to the decla- 

 ration of Frankfort is a happy omen of what may be expected of 

 them by and by. 



The people of Hesse Cassel have shewn no less firmness. Op- 

 pressed since 1815 by the most odious despotism, they have almost 

 emancipated themselves during the last two years. Their constitu- 

 tion is a victory which they have gained over the prince, and a jewel 

 over which they watch with the greatest solicitude. If any thing is 

 to be feared, it is rather that they will be compromised by their 

 ardour. The position of this country, and its mountainous nature, 

 are advantages which in the event of a general war would not be 

 without importance. 



Of all the constitutional states of Germany, Bavaria is the most 

 powerful from its extent. It has possessed a constitution since 1818, 

 but the body of the people is in general much less enlightened than 

 in Wurtemberg. In the north, political knowledge is widely disse- 

 minated, and in these latter times Rhenish Bavaria, so often placed 

 in advance upon the scene of contest, seems to have forgotten its un- 

 importance in its eagerness and activity. The cause of freedom will 

 have a powerful position on the Rhine. The liberal institutions 

 which the Duchy of Baden possesses have given it great importance, 

 but we are sorry that this seems to have degenerated into a narrow 

 and absurd opinion of its own nationality. Its government, however, 

 pronounced in favour of the Diet. 



In the Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, the people are poor and 

 miserable , insurrections of the peasantry a little after the revolution 

 of July, took place every where, indicating their disaffection. The 

 Chambers of this State have however resolved to resist the interfe- 

 rence of the High Commission with their freedom of debate. They 

 have remonstrated with the Sovereign, and it has to be seen which 

 party will give way. The Chambers could hardly have proceeded 

 to this step without the hope or prospect of support from the rest of 

 Germany. 



The people of Nassau are prevented by the force of their powerful 

 neighbours alone, from rising. No constitution has ever been more 



