ness.

men are supposed in England to be very "liberal" in all such matters, but they are rigid enough in their own way, though it is not our way, and the very men who throng to a play the chief attraction of which is stripped actresses, sneer bitterly at the Court which can make of such people

knowledge of the foibles of his countrymen, | excessive luxury of the great, the recursaid the other day, "The Empire is burning rence of incidents like the invitation of itself out;" and so strong is the impression Thérèse to sing before the Court. Frenchthat Corsican advisers, men as devoted to the great Corsican House as Legitimists are to the descendant of St. Louis, are said to have warned the Emperor plainly that the departments were growing cold. Both stories may be untrue, though we believe the first, but the invention of them in Paris bears testimony to the growth of the feel-guests. The bourgeoisie are very prospering officially expressed in this amendment ous, and very pleased to see France raised to the Address. France is restless, troubled in Europe, but the duties are heavy, rents with a myriad of minute discontents, every terrible, M. Haussman a troublesome despot, one of which is fanned by the immense and mere comfort has never yet been suffinumber of persons whom in fourteen years cient to reconcile Frenchmen to a lot they the Empire has irritated beyond forgive- cannot approve. Throughout the brilliant We are apt to forget the effect of history of France the one antiseptic which the gradual accumulation of personal ha- has visibly preserved a race always prone treds against a Government like the to license is its fidelity to sentiment, exagFrench. They accumulate in every coun-gerated, or tawdry, or vicious sentiment try, and even in England exercise a most perhaps, but still sentiment, and therefore perceptible effect in accelerating the fall of outside the corruption of material temptaMinistries. But in France they level themselves not at the individual ruler, but at his régime, which is changeless, and cannot therefore disarm hatreds by occasional gratifications. Then the genuine French politicians, the few men who really care for France, and the French race, and the French genius, men who are of De Tocqueville's spirit, though not of De Tocqueville's force, and who, though without direct authority, exercise through society much of the influence a few rigid Calvinists will exercise through a religious community, are alarmed by a growing danger. They thought the Empire would last but a few years, and it is lasting many. The lads who were ten years old when the coup d'état was struck are now grown men, and have lived their educational life under a system of political obscurantism, which has enfeebled their judgments, hardened their fixed ideas, and embittered their tempers. The wild ideas uttered in Belgium, the eager voluptuousness of the cities, the mixture of indifference and hardness observed in the departments, frighten careful observers for the "future of France." That seems to Englishmen a very vague phrase, but Frenchmen feel it, and a danger to the future of their country once realized would stir them to more than protest. Classes less honest but still cultivated fret under the unyielding repression, the extinction of discussion, the prohibitions placed even upon news, and though they seem so powerless, it is they who have hitherto led all revolutions. The bourgeoisie, again, do not like the growing contempt for family life, the

tion. The bourgeoisie once alienated from the Empire cannot be expected to defend it, will by the slow filtration of their dislike downwards help to sap its foundations. The peasantry are disturbed as to Rome, frightened many of them at the coming danger to the last Mexican loan, which was distributed in very small sums, annoyed at what they are told is a failure in Mexico. They see no papers, but the curés hear what concerns their Church, and the cures have no motive to conceal their dislike of the Imperial policy in America. Finnally, the artizans in the great cities, though not pressed for work, and immensely benefited by the Imperial policy on strikes, see their rents rising, their walks to and from the factory growing longer, themselves surrounded by unattainable and flaunting luxury, and ask whether equality-the one object except food for which they will overthrow any institution whatever- does not imply, if not some equality of condition, at least some equality of external life. These sources of inquietude roll together till in the provinces every Imperial success at the hustings is secured by a strained effort, till in the centre of Imperial power, amidst a Chamber almost nominated and entirely "devoted," there are signs of mutiny, hints of the possibility of a protest from the Legislature against the régime it has tolerated so long.

It may all come to nothing. The conservative forces which support the Empire are of almost unknown strength. The army, though annoyed at the turn of events in Mexico, and more annoyed at many recent promotions, has given no reason for suspi

cion of its fidelity. The peasantry, though this is undoubtedly loyalty of a very sincere recalcitrant, can still be brought up to the and beautiful form. But is it the loyalty polls. The artizans of the cities, though which was felt for the Stuarts? Is it the uniformly electing opponents of the Gov- loyalty which led the poor Highlanders to ernment, are not pressed either by hunger follow an unknown and untried young or the fear of it, and in their relations with prince through endless difficulties and dancapital have the Emperor on their side. gers, to be finally butchered at Culloden? Paris, though her whole representation is In a word, is the popularity personal or dyhostile, is driving a magnificent trade, and nastic? Does it belong to the Queen her if oppressed by rents, is proud of her reno- self, or to the illustrious house represented vated beauty. The Church has not broken in her person? absolutely with its "eldest son," and amidst the doubtful or conflicting rush of opinion the power of the sword held in strong hands by a man who can give an order, and who in contingencies which he has had time to consider does not waver, must remain supreme. The Emperor, too, may distract the population by new enterprises, or promises, or even concessions of liberty, and it is far too soon to pronounce the words fatal to so many French rulers-too late. But the more perfect the organism the greater the disturbance caused by any intrusion the grain of sand which destroys the eye is hardly felt by the foot, and the machine he guides is vast and complicated almost beyond human control. A hostile vote in the Chamber would be a terrible blow struck at its mechanism, and even a hostile resolution, if numerously supported, will be like an intruding body. If a third of the Chamber really demands more liberty for France, Napoleon must either concede it, in which case the Empire changes its form; commence a war, in which case all Europe is interested; or risk the rapid growth of that kind of hostility which only immovable men excite, and which in France no Government has ever yet survived. There is a possibility that such a minority may pronounce itself, and therefore we call attention to the coming amendment, praying for more air.

or

From The Saturday Review.
HOW TO PACIFY IRELAND.

No reasonable being needs to be told that Queen Victoria is, beyond question, the most popular Sovereign that ever reigned over these islands. One or two of her predecessors may have produced short, momentary bursts of greater enthusiasm; but for deep, quiet respect and love, felt in all classes and conditions, none of our former rulers can compare with the present Queen. Now,

Upon the proper answers to these questions grave issues depend-graver than, in our fat contentment and prosperity, we are apt to suppose. In consequence of the attractive and exceptional virtues of the reigning sovereign, a whole generation has acquired the attitude and language of a loyalty which it is quite possible might be exchanged for something very different were those virtues conspicuous only by their absence in another occupant of the throne. We are constantly being told that these islands have never been so loyal as they are at this moment; and nothing can be truer, if by loyalty is meant respect and attachment to Queen Victoria. But a misconception is in these circumstances very possible; nay, we believe, is actually very often entertained. Does any one believe that the monarchical principle is more esteemed now than formerly? The personal representative of that principle receives on all hands unbounded honour honour as merited as it is unbounded; but may we hence conclude that the principle itself is honoured in the same degree? the distinction is very great, and its importance cannot be exaggerated. Noisy protestations of a rather boisterous loyalty, such as are of daily occurrence, are apt to mislead, not because they are necessarily insincere, but because it is obvious that they confound an individual with an officeone of the most certain results of which confusion would most probably be a sudden and vehement recoil of popular feeling, and even possible hostility to that office, should it at any future time be less admirably filled. Let any one conjecture what would now be the language of the Radical and revolutionary press if, instead of a virtuous woman of cultivated mind and exemplary life, a George IV. were seated on the throne. Let any one remember or read of the state of public opinion during the Regency, and inquire, should anything similar ever again occur, whether, with the rush and m mentum now acquired by popular and liberal views, an explosion altogether unprecedented might not very probably be the result. And supposing that matters stopped

much short of any such untoward consumma- | objecting to this, though it is scarcely in action, is it not presumable that in any case the transition from a Queen to a King will be most trying? Many a prosperous Briton, we fancy, whose bosom under present circumstances is ready at any moment to swell with the most gushing loyalty, would experience a sudden and remarkable change of sentiments and emotions were he to witness only a few of the most ordinary of royal vagaries in the person of a male Sovereign.

cordance with our notions of sport; but we may at least ask, now that the shootingseason is over, whether it is not possible, by an easy effort, to do something even more calculated to secure the affection and admiration of the country. The Prince has hitherto shown, not only such a desire, but such a capacity of imitating the example of his illustrious parents in the punctual discharge of every obligation and duty appertaining to his station, that the public would We confess that the above train of thought receive with extreme regret even a hint of a was not entirely absent from our minds change in this respect. Vague and unstimuwhen we read a paragraph which appeared lating as are the duties of an heir-apparent in the Times of February the 2nd. We to the British Crown, he has had, in his own there read that "His Royal Highness the experience, one striking example of the good Prince of Wales arrived at Windsor on Wed- which it is in his power to effect. It is nesday evening, by the 7.10 ordinary train, acknowledged on all hands that his visit to on the Great Western Railway, having trav- Canada was attended with the most happy elled direct from Sandringham, attended by and solidly beneficial results. How much Major Grey, for the last day of pheasant of the loyalty of the colony, where it smoulshooting in Windsor Great Park." We dered before, burst out into a steady flame were further told that the Royal shooting at the approach of the eldest son of party bagged 137 pheasants, 494 rabbits, the Queen of England! That gala trip 1 patridge, 1 woodcock, and that "the saved us probably the cost of transporting a Prince has shot this season upwards of good many regiments in the troubled epoch 26,000 head of game." Now in no Eu- which has since intervened. An analogous ropean nation is a taste for field sports effect was produced by the Prince's visit to more genuine and vigorous than in the Eng- the United States, and no one can doubt lish. A simple, unsophisticated, almost that, but for the calamitous civil war, a new boyish delight is taken in all the accessories era of international amity was approaching involved in the pursuit of game- in the for England and America. It is impossible fresh open air, in the hard muscular exercise, to think of these happy past events without in the cleverness and sagacity of the dogs. being mournfully reminded of the present. Shooting with us is its own exceeding great An Irish member, on the first night of the reward. We do not follow it for the sake of session, complained that his country had victual, like the Esquimaux; nor for the sake been so rarely visited by the Royal Family of putting on a fancy costume fearfully and and had received so little attention from wonderfully made, as is occasionally done them; and the complaint is not ill founded. in certain foreign parts. To see our Princes It is well known that, whatever may be the share and delight in a strong national taste, faults of the Irish national character, incacannot be otherwise than gratifying to Eng- pacity of personal attachment is not one. lishmen. Nothing creates a readier bond of It is well known that devotion to a chief or sympathy and mutual understanding than a leader is so marked a trait in their nature community of amusements. You may do that they will, faute de mieux, fabricate, out business with a man, and know all the time of the first adventurer that offers, an obhe is your enemy; but it is not easy to have ject of almost religious veneration. Beyond a bit of fun with any one whom you cordial- almost any race pretending to civilization, ly dislike. We say, therefore, that it is a they are open to personal influence and kindsource of pleasure to a large section of the ness, and indifferent to abstract principles public merely to hear of the Prince follow- and cold passionless justice. But the method ing the hounds, or shooting grouse in Scot- has been to give them nothing but princiland and pheasants at Windsor. The more ples and those far enough from the bestour Princes share our tastes the more we like and withhold to the uttermost that personal them, and we trust the more they will like us. influence to which they are so susceptible. But est modus in rebus. If the figures in the Since the accession of George I. the time above quotation are correctly given, His spent by the Princes of the House of HanRoyal Highness must have shot upwards of over in the sister island might conveniently 150 head of game every day, Sundays inclu- be reckoned by days, we had almost said by ed, for the last five months. We are far from hours. The sad result is only too evident. Å

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few weeks spent in the autumn by one or more | families seems to break down the most comof our Royal family, and particularly by the pletely. There is a great deal to be said in Prince of Wales, among the poor misguided but truly warm-hearted Paddies, would do more for the sister country than fifty debates in Parliament and a score of constitutional measures. Could not the Prince spare those few weeks before, or from, the next shooting season? What he did in Canada was productive of the best effects. Is there any reason why a visit to Ireland should not have the same happy results? An autumn season which should present the grand total of 26,000 Irish hearts won from treason and disaffection to loyalty and selfrespect would be a triumph to the Heir of England more enduring and more satisfactory, both to the country and himself, than the remembrance of that vast bag of fur and feathers which courtly newsmen consider so wonderful and creditable.

From The Saturday Review.
HAPPY FAMILIES.

THE old saying, that parents are wiser than their children, is chiefly true so far as wisdom means knowledge of the world. But whether parents are or are not wiser than their grown-up children, it is tolerably clear that they are not always nobler or better. And though it may be a searching discipline for a gushing young creature of twenty or twenty-one to submit to the incessant rule of those who are her inferiors in self-control, or in generosity and unselfishness, it is not a discipline that daily becomes more attractive. It is no credit to the agent that up to a certain point it is wholesome for the patient. A great deal of the unselfishness and consideration and tact of women is the result of long days spent in humouring the moods, and noting the caprices, and studying the tastes of those with whom they have been thrown into contact during their girlhood and their youth. Little things at such a time make or mar the precarious sunshine of each day, and at a very early part of their life women thus begin to learn to be delicate tacticians and diplomatists of no mean skill. Hence comes, perhaps, their keen power of observing and remembering trifles, not to mention their habit of judging of character from small outward peculiarities.

But it is when we consider the case of married people that the theory of happy

favour of living on cheerfully in the house where one has been reared, and putting up with the faults and failings that have been familiar to us almost from our infancy. In the first place, if natural instincts mean anything, nature is in favour of it. Reason and duty certainly teach us the lesson, whether instinct is silent on the point or not. But it is not so easy to define the precise duty men and women owe to those with whom they have connected themselves by marriage. Let us take the case of a woman who marries the man to whom she is attached. She takes him after some observation, or it may be with some accurate knowledge, of his tastes and disposition. She has had the opportunity of guessing or of judging about them, and, if she is flagrantly mistaken, it must be either because she is hasty or because he has been a hypocrite. As the marriage service tells her, she takes him for better and for worse. But she does not take all his relatives, and his aunts, and his cousins, for better and for worse also; nor does she promise to respect and love them except so far as they deserve it. Why is she bound to love and venerate a set of people who, in spite of their worldly position, may be peevish or ignoble or mean? That by her marriage she contracts certain duties towards them is certain. She ought to respect the feelings of her husband, and not to give him pain or anxiety in her relations with his friends; nor, again, so to conduct herself as to create a coldness within a family circle which has hitherto been friendly, and to which she thenceforward has undertaken to belong. The converse may be said of the husband. He endows her with all his worldly goods, but he does not endow her with all his worldly uncles and all his worldly aunts, and does not agree to be endowed with hers. Any such arrangement would not merely be unwise, but in nine cases out of ten would be impracticable. At the time when people marry, and especially when men marry, they have arrived at an age when new friendships are not so easily made, and when difference of education and of tastes constitutes an insurmountable obstacle wherever it exists. The happy-family system ignores all this, and proceeds upon the assumption that admiration for a beautiful young woman entails the necessity of feeling and affection for every one who is connected with her. All of us whose experience of life has not been unfortunate know many instances where both may easily go together.

From The Examiner.

But domestic theories ought to be framed out, as elsewhere, that it is not so simple a not for exceptional instances, but with refer- matter to ingraft oneself happily on a ence to their probabilities of average success; strange and grown-up household. The and it is mathematically clear that the failure, under such circumstances, of the exchances of a man's happening to love both his ception, proves the soundness, under similar wife and his wife's relations are less than the circumstances, of the rule. chanceof his loving his wife only. The happy-family principle would be a triumphant success in any ideal region where characters were all perfect and tempers all equable; but under less Utopian conditions it may be demonstrated to be a blunder. It makes a woman's future welfare depend not only on the disposition of her betrothed, but on the difficult and insoluble problem whether every single member of his and her home circle will turn out for years together to be pleasant and good-tempered companions in family life. If marriage under present conditions is a lottery, what would marriage be under conditions such as these? Matrimonial felicity is supposed by the sceptical to be as it is, a rare spectacle, but it would become rare indeed if it were capable of being imperilled by incompatibility of temper or tastes between the married pair on the one hand, and their new connections on the other.

There is, indeed, one sort of happy family which always will continue to exişt, and to merit, if not to command, respect. Long before the Christian era it was a by-word among poets, and it is not yet relieved from an unjust reproach. It is the happy family formed by a stepmother and her husband's former children; and if we are to believe books, nothing can be more wretched; while, if we trust to common experience of life, nothing has ever been more undeservedly abused. Occasional cases, where interests have conflicted or jealousies been aroused, are overbalanced by a vast number of happier histories; yet poets and philosophers have professed to dwell on the dramatic interest that belongs to the exception, rather than to acknowledge the less romantic but more invariable rule. It is to be observed that the elements of disturbance which might threaten the unanimity of other happy families in this one instance seldom exist. The stepmother is not planted, on her arrival, in the centre of an adult group with trained and formed characters or developed tastes, and bidden to get on with them as best she can. Usually she may mould her adopted offspring as she pleases, and at any rate she is not parted from them by any barrier of previous education and habit. When the reverse happens, the ordinary rule revives, and it turns

MR. PEABODY'S NEW GIFT. To his gift of 150,000 for the poor of London, of which we lately showed how the Trustees were making the best use, Mr. Peabody now adds a second gift of 100,000l. raising the fund thus furnished to a quarter of a million, of which only 80,000l. are yet spent. As we pointed out the other day, the manner of investment chosen by the Trustees establishes perpetual enlargement of the benefit conferred. Magnificent as the gift is, and great as are the immediate advantages secured by it, the administration of it promises that it may be a leaven leavening in course of time the whole lump of our ill-housed London poverty, and making decent and well-ordered homes, with the amended character their wholesome influence produces, not the exception but the rule with our poor population. The Trustees will doubtless hold by their present scheme, and spend their resources to the utmost on the business of doing one thing well. Mr. Peabody's noble generosity has not benefited London only. America has reason to be grateful to him as well as proud of his good deeds. But for his benefaction to London Mr. Peabody's name is destined, we believe, to grow in honour with every succeeding generation of Englishmen. The quarter of a million invested for perpetual advantage of the London poor is so substantial a capital, that by the time it has been all invested in pleasant homes for poor tenants in different districts of the town, the income from those first built will have accumulated into a new building fund. So there will probably be no year to the end of our future history in which the ring of the bricklayer's trowel will not be heard in some quarter of London as Peabody Buildings rise continually to take the place of the wretched habitations which, by their own material growth and by the growing influence of their example, such well-ordered homes may at last wholly supersede.