24 RUSSIA AND TURKEY. 



pared for war than at the present moment ; but never, on the other 

 hand, had the nation more just and powerful motives for throwing 

 away the scabbard than now. It would be idle here to recapitulate 

 the reasons which so imperatively entail on this country the necessity 

 of bridling the ambitious designs of Russia at any cost ; to hesitate 

 any longer would be to disregard national honour, national great- 

 ness, national existence. Constantinople is the palladium, not only 

 of England, but of Europe. Were this central position of the globe 

 once in possession of that ambitious power were those boundless 

 resources, which have so long slumbered beneath Turkish sloth and 

 ignorance, to be developed by Russian skill and industry then fare- 

 well a speedy farewell to England's greatness ! The ocean queen 

 may then bury her trident in the deep bosom of the waves, the scene 

 of her former glory, and, from her proud station among the nations 

 of the globe, must dwindle into the rank of a third-rate power. By 

 some we may be taxed for drawing too gloomy a horoscope by 

 some the advents of a collision may be deemed more remote than we 

 imagine. As we said before, the efforts of diplomacy may possibly 

 effect the farther adjournment of the question, but an adjournment it 

 will only be. His plans once finally matured, the Emperor Nicholas 

 will return as an answer to our elaborately drawn up protocols 



Sic volo, sic Jubeo, 



SIT pro ratione voluntas, 



and march boldly en avant. Convinced as we are, then, that the 

 Turkish question, however defined by the wiles of diplomacy, will ulti- 

 mately disturb the peace of Europe, we hope that the nation will see 

 the necessity of boldly seizing the initiative, and will come forward 

 with a firm determination of supporting his Majesty's Government, 

 in a war that will be undertaken, certainly, on the soundest principles 

 of national policy. Embarrassed as we are, our resources are still 

 immense, and our patriotism, we should hope, as devoted as ever. 

 Backed by her gallant army and her invincible navy, England will 

 come forth like a veteran gladiator to the fight, with the stern deter- 

 mination of not sheathing the sword till she has raised up an imposing 

 and effectual barrier against the all-devouring ambition of the Russian 

 Autocrat. 



STORM IN THE ALPS. 



[BY SIR EGERTON BRYDGES.] 



THE solemn wind again in gusts is rising, 



And speaks with hollow meanings to mine ear ! 



How musical are all theelements 



And Nature's voice for ever charms the soul ! 



But mark the shriek of spirits that, surprising 

 Night's deadly silence, comes with awful fear ; 

 It is some mournful agony that vents 

 Its torments in a cry beyond control. 



The blast comes sweeping o'er the foamy lake, 



Gathering its strength from mountain-gorges sprung. 

 Our crazy tenements beneath us shake, 

 And echoes up to Jura's heights have rung ; 

 Now the gust sinking to a softer tone, 

 In musical accord the spirits moan ! 

 Geneva, December, 1833. 



