1031.] Kin-ope at the Commencement, of the Year 1831. 127 



first spark will awaken the whole mass of combustibles into a flame, and 

 the flame will sweep the land. 



The aspect of the Continent is calculated to excite the strongest anxiety 

 in every mind that feels peace to be essential to the good of nations. 

 France, at all times the prime-mover of the Continent, is gradually 

 sinking from its monarchical attitude. Every hour gives some new 

 evidence of the growing force of Republicanism. Lafayette's abandon- 

 ment of the king, and his open declaration that he is dissatisfied with 

 the royal measures, on the ground that they are not sufficiently repub- 

 lican ; the rapid changes in the cabinet, all tending to Republicanism ; 

 the haughty and domineering spirit of the populace, who palpably 

 consider themselves as the ruling power of France ; and the fiery 

 generation of clubs in the capital and in the provinces, holding doctrines 

 directly subversive of royal authority, all combine to predict the 

 erection of a great Republic in the centre of Europe. 



The Republicanism of Belgium is still triumphant. Belgium, secretly 

 sustained by France, has wrested the recognition of its independence 

 from the European powers ; and is, like France, propagating its 

 principles through the entire extent of Europe. Touching the dominions 

 of Prussia in so many points, the influence is already felt there, and 

 the Prussian troops are kept perpetually in readiness for the field, the 

 Prussian court is kept in constant alarm ; and the most trivial squabble 

 of the populace throws the whole government into tremors. 



Even in the Hanoverian territory the revolutionary spirit has broke 

 out. On the 8th, 9th, and 10th of January, a crowd of the citizens 

 and students of Gottingen, arming themselves as a Burgher guard, 

 rushed through the streets, and demanded a " New Constitution/' The 

 Duke of Cambridge was sent for, and his arrival was alone awaited, to 

 decide the complexion of this extravagant proceeding. 



The cause of Poland is still undecided. The people are enthusiastic, 

 but powerless against the gigantic force of Russia. The Czar's mani- 

 festo leaves no hope of reconciliation, and he has directed upon this 

 most unhappy and long injured of all countries, an army to which, 

 humanly speaking, it can offer no resistance. But a formidable obstacle 

 has already interposed, in the season; whose singular mildness has 

 hitherto checked the movement of the Russian troops. The roads are 

 rivers of sleet and mire, the country is a deluge, the artillery and 

 waggons are fixed to the ground, and the campaign, which would have 

 been favoured by the keenest violence of winter, has been hitherto 

 defeated by a softness like that of spring. 



Another obstacle, whose name itself strikes terror, is reported to 

 have arisen to repel the invader. The Cholera ! is said to have dis- 

 played itself in the Russian cantonments. This dreaduil disease, acting 

 upon the crowded population of a Russian camp, would speedily 

 unstring all the sinews of war. But we may well tremble for all 

 Europe, at the announcement of an enemy that, if the sword slew its 

 thousands, would slay its ten thousands. 



Negociations on the Polish affairs have been already announced by 

 the French minister at war. French officers have already taken service 

 in the Polish levies, the popular feeling of France is eagerly turned on 

 Polish liberty, and it can scarcely be doubted that if the invasion be 

 deferred for a few months more, or if the Poles are able to resist for a 



