century of their European existence, still sit like
barbarous conquerors on the lands they won,
though they retain in servitude and degradation
millions of Christian subjects, though they per-
petuate the hopeless desolation of vast provinces,
and though these provinces are the very fairest
regions of the known world, and the most famous
scenes of ancient story ;—yet, for all this, in the
event of an invasion, they would command the
sympathy and favor of thousands to whom the
"balance of power" would be a strange and unin-
telligible proposition. For the conclusions of
statesmen there would no doubt be sufficient war-
rant in the obvious danger to public peace and
freedom from the aggrandizement, by such vast
acquisitions, of a power already so menacing and
aggressive as Russia; but their main source, we
think, must be sought in that popular instinct
which naturally inclines to the weaker side-and
with a stronger and more decided bias as the
violence attempted to be exercised is more gratu-
itous-and cruel. The considerations which now
tend to the disparagement of the Turks are feeble
and inoperative, compared with those which are
acting in their favor. They are semi-barbarians,
and they are misbelievers; they have not im-
proved, by the policy or enlightenment of their
rule, the title which they originally derived from
conquest. But they are as they were made.
They retain their native impress of character, and
they have repeatedly shamed states of more lofty
pretensions, by their magnanimity, their gener-
osity, their unswerving adherence to their plighted
faith and presumptive duties, and by that disdain-
ful grandeur of soul which refuses to avail itself
of another's error, and renders to misfortune a
homage which had never been extorted from them
by power. Very recent events have shown that
the communication of European forms to Ottoman
institutions, however it may have affected the
vigor and elasticity of the national strength, has,
at least, not impaired the national virtues; nor
has there, probably, been any period since the
war, at which the encroachments of an overgrown
power upon its defenceless neighbor would excite
more general indignation or induce more serious
results. These are things within the daily obser-
vation of all; what we have previously deduced
from the less obvious facts of history may
date, we hope, the character of the long-pending
crisis, and facilitate the comprehension of the
great problem which will be one day solved.

DR. BETHUNE ON HOLLAND.

and prejudices of historians, their injustice towards foreign nations, and their almost universal neglect The staid, sober, quiet, trading, common-sense of the common daily affairs of peaceful citizens. Dutchman had never received justice from the hands of those, who had presumed to write respecting his country, its laws, institutions, literature and history. The great mass of readers were indebted for what little knowledge they have of these people, to those who had viewed them through the distorted medium of English or French prejudice, and national rivalry.

The lecturer gave an interesting sketch of the early history of the Hollanders, their national characteristics, their early devotion to popular rights, their attachment to religious toleration, their homely virtues, peaceful habits, and commercial enterprise. By reference to their laws, it was dom, those sacred rights of man, for which Vane, shown that most which is valuable in English freeHampden, Eliot, Pym, Russel, and Milton contended, those

Glorious dreams of Harrington,
Aud Sidney's good old cause,

were proclaimed, and incorporated into the Dutch
laws, years anterior to their triumph in England.

The mercantile character and enterprise of the Dutch people were traced by Dr. Bethune in a In the treatment of this most masterly manner. interesting portion of his subject, the speaker evinced the most profound insight in the field of practical statesmanship, and the highest and broadest range of philosophical Christian ethics. It was refreshing to listen to his elevated exposition of the national effects resulting from peaceful commercial enterprise, universal religious toleration, and the absence of a spirit of conquest and aggrandizement. Hollanders in the departments of learning, manuA rapid but graphic survey of the progress of the factures, the arts and sciences, the various branches of trade and banking, was given in a manner both interesting and instructive.

But it was when the lecturer treated of the religious history of the Hollanders, through the period of the Roman supremacy, and the stormy times of theme which enlisted his sympathies, and met with the Protestant reformation, that he touched upon a a warm response from his hearers. The speaker seemed to have caught the broad and tolerant spirit of the people of whom he spoke, and to have become inspired with their lofty Christian virtues and moral heroism. The English Puritans, who sought shelter in Holland from the persecutions of their own countrymen, were justly censured for eluci-hearted hosts. It is very rare, in New England, to their impertinence and bigotry towards their kindhear the Puritans spoken of in terms of even and exact justice. Excessive adulation, or gross caricature, seem to be the only terms employed in depicting these men. It requires a bold man to speak the truth upon this subject; and we honor the speaker who has the courage to do it.

THE fame of this distinguished orator and divine attracted an immense audience at the lecture before the Mercantile Library Association last evening. The subject selected by Dr. Bethune was "Holland and the Hollanders." The lecture commenced with some general remarks respecting the errors

Towards the close of the lecture, specimens of Dutch poetry were recited in a very effective manner. The rare oratorical gifts of Dr. Bethune were displayed to the evident delight of his crowded audience. His full, clear voice, rich modulation, and distinct pronunciation, are admirably calculated for a large popular audience.-Transcript.

ernment.

more

From the Examiner, 29 Dec. What does self-government mean applied co
SELF-GOVERNMENT."
Hindostan? The very notion is chaotic.

As a SELF-GOVERNMENT for colonies is one of the remedy even for the crown colony of Ceylon, most important and perplexing questions of the day. what does self-government mean? What would In principle nothing can be better; nothing more it mean at the Cape, where the Dutch and the liberal, or more to be desired. But strongly as Hottentots far outnumber the Englishmen? Or we have advocated the principle, it must be ap- at the Mauritius, where we are but a few offiplied carefully, and with prudent regard to the cials amidst a population of Frenchmen. circumstances of each special case. Where dif- In Australia and its group, on the other hand, ferent parties and classes in any country are pretty self-government really does mean something. equally divided, self-government without a control. Here it is feasible, expedient, inevitable. There ling power might mean neither more nor less than is no native race in its way; no slaves, no plantcivil war.

Look at France in 1848; that was a ers, no Orange or ascendency men; no family specimen of such self-government. Look at Hayti compact, no Dutch, no French-nothing but a at present for another specimen of such self-gov- multitude of industrious and enterprising Eng

lishmen, and a few officials who pretend to masBut these parties may not be equally balanced. ter and direct them, but who are as inadequate to There may be a very large proportion of the the task as England was to reconquer North Amerpoor, the ignorant, the uncultivated, smarting ica in the last century without an army. with wrongs, and unenlightened by wisdom or In short—and this is the point we seek to arreligion. Beside them may be a very small rive at—in order to talk with precision and jusnumber of the more intelligent and educated— tice of the colonies, our reformers and agitators a wealthier, proprietorial class. In such cases ought to divide them into classes, and harangue the latter has ordinarily been accustomed to dom- separately upon each class. This is Mr. Roeinate, by means of the support of the mother- buck's plan, and the only just one.

It is quite country; whilst the mother-country has checked absurd to predicate the same thing, and recomabuse of power and exaggeration of tyranny. mend the same remedies, for Canada as for JamaiIreland and Jamaica are both instances in point ; ca, for Guiana as for New Zealand.

Before we both are

or less what we describe ; in inconsiderately counsel uncontrolled self-governboth the dominant class is that of the minority, ment for all, it would be well to ask if self-govyet not without control. Pass a decree estab-ernment would have emancipated the negro, would lishing absolute self-government. Give the un

have voted freedom and reciprocity of trade, or controllable power which numbers wield to the would have given the French on the St. Lawrence, Irish peasant or the emancipated negro.

That or the Boers at the Cape, their necessary and just is to say-establish self-government, and what rights. would be the necessary consequence ?

In certain epochs of nations it is not the popuGuiana is ruled by a very singular constitu- lar but the kingly power that is the reforming tion ; by a Court of Policy consisting of few in- impulse. By destroying superior power too soon, dividuals. The power of the mother-country a dominant proprietary is only confirmed in the alone upholds such a constitution. The planters, prejudice and the tyranny of injustice, which it however, and their friends, clamor for self-gov- loves and practises with the complete impunity ernment, that is, for themselves to govern in the and irresponsibility of what is called, but misinterest of their class. This would be unmiti- called, “self-government." gated oppression, for they would reïnslave the negroes. On the other hand, destroy the constitution, and grant universal suffrage, and the

AMERICA. negroes would soon drive the buckras into the We are not disposed to think the hubbub raised

Both of these cases answer to the idea by the American newspapers against British interof uncontrolled self-government. Which do you ference in Honduras worth more than the so many prefer?

columns of type it fills. The affair of the island Of self-government in the Canadas we have of Tigré is a mere offshoot of the already existing lately spoken. It is at present in the course of Nicaraguan dispute. In the heat of rivalry for trial, and certain of the Canadians seek to escape the privilege of precedence in the construction of from it. They wish to be annexed to the United the proposed canal to the Pacific, (which surely. States. Would that bring them more freedom, admits of that easy and honorable compromise of or a veritable self-government ? Just the contrary, no exclusive privilege to either country, thrown as we before attempted to show. The victorious out not many weeks ago by Mr. Abbot Lawrence, creeds and parties would by annexation to the the new minister from Washington,) Mr. Squiers, states be subject to stronger coercion. The Or- and Mr. Chatfield, who respectively represent the angeism and the Gallicism of the Canadians would interests of the United States and Great Britain at be overwhelmed in an instant by the stronger cur- the Central American republics, have found it rent of Yankeeism. Hardly an indulgence for easy and not unpleasant to fall by the ears on a which they now struggle as Englishmen would be new form of what is really the same dispute. But vouchsafed them as Americans.

there is no substantial interest of either country

From the Examiner.

ocean.

engaged, and it can hardly be doubted that the fault is in our laws, in the organization of our propriety of at once disavowing the intemperate courts, or with those who plead law in the cours, proceedings taken on both sides will be frankly that the evil exists, and that its removal is de

and render judgment from the bench. It is enough acted upon by both governments.

manded by every member of the community who The reader would be amused if we laid before values justice or his own safety and the well-being him some specimens of patriotic fervor in behalf of society. It is nearly seven months since a of Mr. Squiers indulged in by his literary fellow- number of persons were indicted for participating citizens. The contrast of these demonstrations in the Astor-place riots—an offence against the with the ordinary tone of public morality prevalent law, order, and character of the entire city ; yet, in the same quarters is very curious. In the with one or two exceptions, those persons have not balance of such judgınents nothing weighs against they will be for months to come, if at all."

been brought to trial, nor does it seem likely that the possible acquisition of an additional square- The truth of the above remarks, which we find mile of territory. The most necessary safeguards in the Sun, no one will, we think, be disposed to of civilization kick the beam.

deny. We did hope, from the good beginning One of Washington's celebrated associates in the made by Judge Daly, that the evil so justly comwar of independence dwelt often on the instability plained of was in the course of removal; but it apof the laws as what he feared would prove the pears that, in that instance, Justice assumed a posi

tion she could not, or dared not, maimain; and that greatest blemish in the character and genius of the reckless lawlessness is only to be punished in the government he was helping to establish. Seventy persons of those whose positions in life, os as poyears' experience has shown that the fear was litical partisans, cannot purchase for them imingwell-founded. We hear nothing, at the present nity for their crimes. day, so commonly or unblushingly repeated

We do not charge that Judge Daly ingloriously throughout the Union, as that the laws are a dead shirked the responsibility of trying the rest of the letter when public feeling is against them. Nor Astor-place rioters ; but we do say that the excuse is even this plea of public feeling at all times court,) for failing to perform what the community

offered in his name, (a press of business in his own necessary to weaken or impair their efficiency. expected from him, was a trivial and unsatisfactory Private interests will serve very well upon oc- one. There are three judges to perform the busicasion. In a melancholy case which occurred a ness of the Court of Common Pleas, and rarely, or few years back, when the son of a distinguished never, we believe, are they all engaged, either in American statesman was hanged without trial at court or chambers, at the same time. And why is the yard-arm of an American frigate for a medi- it, if, as Judge Daly's conduct would indicate, they tated act of mutiny, Captain Slidell Mackenzie ness of this couri, that they do not meet before tes

are so very scrupulous about neglecting the busijustified the deed in a remarkable narrative after- or eleven o'clock in the morning, or sit after two wards published with his name, in the course of or three o'clock in the afternoon? or that one week which he stated that it would not have been in out of four the court is closed altogether? or that nature for the culprit's father not to interpose to a vacation of several weeks can be taken, when the save him, and that for those who had money and atmosphere renders the performance of their duty friends in America there was no punishment for off when it suits the convenience of the judges et

oppressive? Surely, if suitors can be so easily put the worst of crimes."

counsel, they might have been, with more reason An article in one of the newspapers brought by and propriety, told to wait when the public interes, the last packet has recalled this incident to our and the public safety perhaps, demanded the sacrirecollection. Have our readers forgotten the riots fice. which drove Mr. Macready from America, and

But we quarrel not with Judge Daly in particgratified the spleen of a bad American actor at the ular, for we consider every one highly censurable cost of between twenty and thirty lives? Those delaying the trials of those rioters and incendiaries,

who has been directly or indirectly instrumental in disgraceful scenes are now seven months old, and the consequences of whose guilt were so serious though indictments were preferred and found at and so much to be deplored ; and Judge Edmonds' the time against the principal rioters, only one conduct in again procrastinating them, we think, man has been punished, and that slightly. The calls for severe reprehension. There was a degree most guilty still walk about unpunished, and do of petulance, too, in his remarks, in announcing not scruple to assert that the authorities dare not the fact that no criminal business would be taken bring them to trial. This state of things has sug-judicial officer. Seven months have elapsed since

up before the January term, altogether unworthy a gested a course of rernark to the New York Sun the indictments against these rioters were found, and the New York Mirror, which we think ex- and the most guilty of them yet go unpunished, and tremely creditable to both journals, and a remark- impudently boast, we understand, that the authorable exception to the tone generally taken in such ities dare not bring them to trial ; and, from presmatters by our transatlantic contemporaries. We ent indications, such would really appear to be the quote from the last-named journal of the 8th De- case: indeed, we have very serious doubts if it be cember :

intended to try any more of them. From month to

month some excuse will be found for delay, until “There is a laxity in the administration of crim- the event will be almost forgotten, and then nolle inal justice, and of every other kind of justice, in prosequis will be quietly entered, which may or the courts of this city, that is derogatory to the may not come to the knowledge of the reporters, welfare of society, and disgracefal to the name of and the public know nothing of the matter. justice. We are not prepared to say whether the It is about time that it was known where the

a

fault lies. It is certainly not in our laws—they are river which runs S.S.E. ; a beautiful stream, in sufficient for all purposes; no, it is in the adminis- some parts very like the Clyde, but frequently tration of them that the evil exists—in that want of broader. The water was rising, and seems to come impartiality, moral courage, independence, and in- from the north, from melted snows, it is so clear tegrity, that should ever characterize ministers of and soft. Two large rivers run into the lake, both justice. This is a serious matter; one, too, in from the north. The Batauana are a numerous which the public are deeply interested ; and when tribe ; the chief a youth. Many Makoba or Bayeiye such gross neglect of their interests is exhibited as fish and float on the river; darker in complexion in the case of the Astor-place rioters, it behoves than Beckuenas, and speak a language which has a them to adopt unmistakable measures to mark the slight klick. Canoes hollowed out of one tree, very conduct of such unworthy servants with severe and fine scenery on the banks of the river, splendid trees, indignant condemnation. Men who can thus violate mostly new to me, one the fruit like a small yellow the oaths they took when assuming office are totally pumpkin, about three inches in diameter. Mr. unworthy to hold it.

Oswell and I go on horseback to-morrow. The What most surprises us in all this is the sur-the track when we have seen Sebetoane's tribe.

wagons go on with Mr. Murray. We follow on prise expressed by the American journalists. We The Bayeiye are very numerous, but villages all confess that we look upon the existing condition of small. Last observation of sun gave about 19 deg. the affair as the unavoidable sequel to its com- 7 min. We are N.N.W. of Kolobeng ; but we mencement. These things move in a circle, which expect when at Sebetoane's to be considerably furin the iastance before us is not yet complete. Let ther north. I may add to the above, by way of us wait. A more abominable outrage, at a much explanation, that the Batauana tribe are Bechuanas,

and originally of the Bamanuato, which lie eight greater sacrifice of life, will in due course more days' journey north of the Bakuena, among whom broadly exhibit the results of impunity to crime. Mr. Livingstone has his station (Kolobeng.) The The riots began in that way, and will end in that tribe of Sebetoane (the chief 's name) are also Beway. The deplorable deaths of more than twenty chuanas; the Makoba (which means slaves) are a

different race. persons were originally and solely attributable to a

They possess no cattle, but live on tardy vindication of the law. If the first riot had fish. Bayeiye seems to mean eaters. beea firmly repressed, there would have been ao months. I am sending direct to Colesberg in order

that he expected they would reach Kolobeng in two second riot to call for a bloody repression.

to forward a letter from Mr. Murray to Mrs. Murray, The more intelligeat classes in America would care of Messrs. Dixon and Co., as he expects Mrs. do well to consider the inevitable consequence of M. to be out at the Cape in November or December. thus disabling and disarming the civil power. The party were very friendly received at the lake. What has occurred upon a small scale in these Mr. L. says the canoes are poor things—very Astor-place riots will some day find itself a wider numerous: they go pretty quickly in them, and theatre, and more intolerable indulgence. The had it very cold all the way.

cook and sleep too in them (the Makoba.) They

Country neighboronly security for freedom is the strength and cer- hood of the lake beautiful and fertile. 'All peace tainty of the laws.

in that part of the world."

Mr. L. says

The South African Commercial Advertiser of the STATISTICS OF LONDON MORTALITY.-The aver30 November contains the following interesting in- age mortality of England at the present time may formation

be stated at 350,000, and that of London 47,000 per

As the population of England and Wales Among the opening prospects of Africa, if is nearly sixteen millions, and that of London Lord Grey's blight can be arrested, the grandest 1,900,000, this gives an annual average mortality geographical discovery of modern times has just of one out of every forty inhabitants for the me been announced--that, namely, of the great inland tropolis, and one out of every 45 for the whole lake, so long supposed to exist, to the north of the country. This is an astonishing decline in the rate Cape. The following extract of a letter from the of mortality, compared with the experience of for Reverend Mr. Moffat to Mr. Rutherfoord, announc- mer ages, and it presents, at the same time, a most ing this discovery, has been kindly given for general favorable picture of the value of life in this as com information. “I embrace the few minutes which pared with other countries. The annual mortality remain before sending a packet to Colesberg to in England, in the year 1700, was about one in inform you of Friend Oswell and companions. I twenty-five. About the middle of the last century, shall give you the substance of a short letter received from causes not well understood, it increased to one from the lake, dated the 20 August. It only came in twenty. From that time to this it has slowly Jast night, and has afforded us real pleasure, as it but steadily declined. In 1801, it was 1 in 35; in will doubtless do to yourself. Mr. L. calls the lake 1811, 1 in 38 ; and now it is 1 in 45; so that, in Noka ca Nama, or Ngama. We reached this a the space of about eighty years, the chances of exday or two ago, after a journey of about 556 miles istence have been exactly doubled in London, a from Kolobeng, and feel thankful that our path has progress and final result which may fairly be conbeen one of safety and pleasure. We are now at sidered as without a parallel in the history of any the Batavana town, and yesterday rode down about other age or country. six miles to look on the broad blue waters of the In Paris, about the middle of the last century, lake. We cannot tell how broad it may be, for we the mortality was 1 in 25; at present it is about i could not see a horizon, except one of water, on the in 32 ; in Rome the annual deaths are as one in south and west. Traversed through much desert 25; at Amsterdam, as 1 in 24 ; at Vienna, as 1 in country, and were looking for the lake for two 22. The inhabitant of London, therefore, has hundred miles before we came to it. We traversed twice as good a chance of living as the burgher of about two hundred miles along the banks of a large Vienna.-George Gregory, M.D., &c.

From Fraser's Magazine. THE BRIGHT ROOM OF CRANMORE.

"You shall hear! My mother knew this place well in youth. She knew the heroine of the story that I mean to tell you; but get up, walk "A MIXTURE of a lie doth ever add pleasure," with me round the quaint old gardens. Look at saith Bacon. Once at least in thy lifetime, imag- the long, sharp lights that dart through the grand, inative reader, thou wouldst have granted the wide shadows. Look down the dim, tangled truth of the aphorism hadst thou spent the closing walk, overarched with evergreens flourishing in hours of a summer's day in rambling through the the untrimmed glory of neglect. See beyond manor-house and vast old pleasure-grounds of there, over to the pleasant meadows-further to Cranmore, under the bewitching influence of the the wide old woods and ferny dells of Baronsward Scheherazade, from whose lips the following tra--and let your eye wander round till it reaches ditionary tale was gathered.

No one need apologize for telling a ghost story -no one can be so sure of a good reception (in theory) as a probable ghost. Amid the number of modern conveniences, comforts, and luxuries, it is truly amazing that no speculative man has set up as purveyor of ghosts and goblins for the advantage of those proprietors (nouveaux riches, for example) who, having purchased an ancient and noble-named house, find themselves unprovided in the way of a dignified family spectre, to whom they could safely entrust the terrifying of the country neighbors by any of the different modes adopted by ghostly personages for the perfecting of that end.

Cranmore has all the requisites for the scene of a strange old legend and tradition. "She of the seraph tongue" has richly embellished and enhanced its picturesque interest by weaving around real family records a web of romantic fiction, and thus making of truth and falsehood that "mixture of a lie" which thou hast been assured, reader, doth give pleasure.

It was about six o'clock in the afternoon of one twenty-seventh of July that I sat down with my companion beneath the ample shade of the two lime-trees that stand a few hundred yards from the front entrance of the manor-house. The sunset lights were stealing lovingly round the gray walls, and peering into the latticed and ivied windows that face the west. By degrees each diamond-shaped pane glittered like gold, and at last the illumination was complete, and the pale, deserted dwelling seemed of a sudden to have assumed an air of festal life.

the sudden silver gleam of the many-winding river. Follow the bright lacing of the water through the low, rich fields, till it is spanned by a three-arched bridge, and then look along the white road that leads to the village with a gilt-tipped spire shining in the sun; and let your eye and fancy wander onwards to the wide-roofed, treeshrouded dwelling, that has stood there for three hundred and twenty years. That is Hallwoodthe place belongs to the Herberts. But it is of the manor here that we must now speak."

Cranmore belongs to the H- family. About five-and-thirty years ago Lord H. lent it to a widowed relation, who, having been left almost penniless with six children, was very glad to sit down at Cranmore rent free. The place had been once a stately old dwelling of the family to whom it still belongs; but when Mrs. D. took possession thereof it was almost devoid of furniture, though the walls and windows were in sound repair. Lord H. had kindly and considerately replaced a good many missing things, and early in the antuma of the year 1804 Mrs. D. took possession of her new home. She was a woman of strong nerveno imagination, and blessed with plenty of cheerfulness and vigor. Her establishment consisted of a nurse, a cook, and a girl of eighteen, who acted the part of housemaid; this last-named servant had only been hired about six weeks before Mrs. D.'s arrival at Cranmore. From her last place she had brought a good character for sobriety, honesty, and veracity, and there was no reason to suppose from her manner that there was about her any flightiness or excitement of mind; on the contrary, she was a quiet, steady, and industrious servant, and in as large a house as Cranmore it may be supposed that her time was fully occupied by her daily work.

"What a pity that we cannot get in!" I said, for the thirty-first time since my eyes had rested on the interesting face of the old house. "I should like to hear more of its history. There must be a legend, a story, a prophecy, a some- It must be mentioned that Mrs. D., on coming thing connected with it, surely." to Cranmore, had fixed on a small suite of rooms "Look up," said my companion, drawing me fronting the south which she intended to occupy; a few paces to the left of the lime-trees. Do the other apartments were many of them locked you see that window beneath the turret now in up to prevent the chill draughts, from open doors shadow? Well, that is the Bright Room of and windy corridors, sweeping through the great Cranmore! A bright room lit by no earthly building to the discomfort of the inmates. One candle. Every night a supernatural radiance or two large state-rooms were, however, left open gleams on the oak-panelled walls. By the last to serve as playground to the children on wet and proprietor everything was done to find out the wintry days when they might not be able to get trick, (everything must be supposed trick now-a-out. These rooms were above those inhabited by days,) but night after night the ghostly gleam returns, and

"Who is the proprietor?" I said.

Mrs. D. and her children. Two stairs led up to them; one with a wide and handsome carved oak balustrade, the other was a winding and narrow