POLITICAL SUMMARY. 



WITH the exception of the Iberean Peninsula, Europe has, during the last 

 month, been in a state of political quietism. Even diplomacy appears to 

 have relaxed something of its wonted energies, and to be reposing from the 

 toils of its last campaign. In Spain, however, the aspect of affairs is becom- 

 ing daily more complicated. Carlism is gaining ground, rearing, hydra-like, 

 its heads in almost every province. The position of the Queen-Regent is, it 

 must be confessed, a difficult one ; if, on the one hand, she throws herself 

 into the arms of the Constitutionalists, she loses the support of the juste- 

 rnilieu party ; and, upon the other, if she demands the interference of the 

 French, she will, by one blow, throw the whole nation into the opposite 

 scale. The major part of the Spanish people, we firmly believe, care little 

 about political liberty ; but they are a haughty race, and the interference of 

 a foreign power would popularize the cause of Don Carlos, which would be 

 associated with that of national independence. Both the ruling government 

 of Spain, and that of Louis Philippe, see the danger of such a measure be- 

 sides, there is no doubt that, on the crossing of the Bidossoa by the French, 

 the armies of Russia, Austria and Prussia, would advance upon the Rhine, 

 and thus would be kindled that fearful war of principles, the eruption of 

 which it has been the great effort of European diplomacy for the last three 

 years to prevent. In the mean time Spain appears destined to pass through 

 the same fiery ordeal that has been the fate of Portugal for the last eighteen 

 months. By the last accounts from that country, Miguel's, prospects look 

 better. He is showing an imposing front at Sartarem recruits even flock- 

 ing to his standard from the Northern Provinces in fact, if he only uses 

 with skill the resources he has yet at his disposition, the u Iterior success of 

 his niece is not so certain as many fondly imagine. 



In the North, the only political event of importance is the tripartite alli- 

 ance between Russia, Prussia, and Austria, for preserving the statu quo in 

 Poland. In Germany considerable opposition is offered by the smaller States 

 to the Prussian tariffe system. In France, no question of importance will be 

 mooted until the opening of the Chambers, fixed for the 3d December ; while 

 in Turkey we have a continuation of the old story internal revolt, venality, 

 and corruption, fostered by Russian intrigue 



DOMESTIC SUMMARY. 



LORD DURHAM and Mr. O'Connell have been the lions of the month. 

 Both have been making known to the public their aspirations after fame 

 the Rent of the Irish orator has not been so productive this year as 

 formerly. The people are well enough pleased with patriots so long as they 

 keep their hands out of their breeches pockets ; but when " stump up" 

 is the cry, people double-lock their strong boxes like a crowd round a 

 Punch-and-Judy shew, they are delighted to see the dog thumped, and the 

 thwacks dealt by Punch's cudgel ; but the moment the cap goes round, off 

 they walk. 



The Tithe and Tax uproar has subsided like the ancient Pistol, people 

 grumble and eat their leeks. 



The Corporative Inquiry has been progressing with great effect. The 

 Merchant Tailors' Company, however, have been contumacious. They beg 

 to offer their particular respects to the king, and assure him of their duty, 

 but beg to deny his authority, Tailors are, proverbially, 9 pugnacious race. 

 Poor Sir Richard Birnie used to say, that he had more difficulty with tailors 

 than all the operatives of the metropolis put together. This is very repre- 

 hensible, and we trust the company may be brought to reason without the 

 aid of the treadmill or any other equally disagreeable exercise. 



