1019 Europe in the Autumn of 1830. union of many mighty states, hastening to wreak their vengeance upon one, and erase it suddenly from the list of nations? No! In a form erewhile unknown, war suddenly unfolds his person. Behold a multitude: these are peaceable citizens and loyal subjects of a potent state, each following his several avocation in peace. Suddenly they perceive the arm of legal power suspended over and menacing their rights: alarm pervades the mass; they arise and congregate; in an instant they become a tumultuous mass of rebels-a mob resisting regal power; and the sun goes down upon their wrath. He arises again, and behold these are soldiers-waging with disciplined armies, under a dignified and experienced commander, doubtful war! The sun sets upon the field of battle, crimsoned with their gore, and the gore of the veterans with whom he beheld them contending. He arises, and behold these are conquerors; veteran armies quail beneath their potence. Post after post is abandoned, and at his retiring in the west he views a city won and lost-won by its citizens, and lost by a veteran army. He arises again, and the tricoloured standards of these new-born soldiers wave over the field of battle, their own; no foe appearing to contend !!! Is this the finger of God? 1020 the enjoyment of that which lies within their reach, by the dread of losing on the one hand, and on the other, by the anticipa tion of gaining all that each holds dear. Brunswick has succeeded Paris, and Brussels Brunswick, in a revolution as sudden as astonishing; to say nothing of Dresden and other states. A few short months have witnessed conflicts the most appalling, and victories the most romantic: blood has flowed to blood-the blood of the citizen with that of the soldier; and strange to reflect upon, the citizen, evenhanded, has been more than a match for the soldier. Furnished with cannon and ammunition, with muskets and bayonets, with swords and pistols and all the material of modern warfare, with able officers and commanders of title and experience in the field, determined to conquer, firing balls and grape, bombs and bullets, in whole voilies, charging with horse and foot, and manœuvering to bear down to destruction all who opposed, we beheld a French and a Dutch disciplined army, each in its turn defeated, and all but annihilated by citizens called forth on the spur of the moment to assert their cause. noeuvering of armies, perpetually obtruded themselves upon the population of every nation: and not a few witnessed those sanguinary conflicts which, ever and anon, fattened the fields of Europe with slaughters, while they thinned the population of the nations, and ravaged the fairest provinces of every land. To what source can this sudden, this universal, this mighty hubbub be traced? This generation has witnessed the existence From this scene, as a common centre, of numerous armies throughout Europe. revolutionary miasmata, like plagues from Every state had its regulars, its militia, and a rank population, have gone forth, ravaging volunteers; many states, in addition to cities, shaking the thrones of mighty mo- these, had gens de arms, national guards, narchs, distracting the councils of princes, and even levies en mass; military schools battering down ancient institutions, com- abounded, and the study of arms became bating modern innovations, overturning all but general; while the marching and privileges with the privileged orders; put-counter-marching, the reviews and mating into question rights of long prescription, and causing huge alarm throughout a continent extending from the pillars of Hercules to the frozen oceans, and from the cliffs which menace Albion, to the thousand Grecian isles. Suddenly every mountainglen has its horde, every plain its agitators, every city its bands, and almost every court its spectres, which haunt and menace princes, and rise up with spears to pierce through and through the repose of men. The news of every day is fraught with tu. mults: the cities and mountains of Spain and Italy, the plains and forests of Germany, Prussia, and Poland are full of alarms; armies are mustered and marched into their garrisons, and out to their frontiers; urged by rulers to uphold their sway, and by subjects to assure their liberties. A secret blow seems to hang, from an invisible arm, suspended over every institution and order of men, every where at the same moment; and the hearts of multitudes are turned from The wars of Europe were universal; not a nation, except Albion, having escaped their desolating scourge. These spectacles, widely spread and long continued, affected the public mind, and had an awful influence upon public manners. Youths at academies were taught to march to the sound of martial music, and the affectation of being trained to arms, pervaded men, as well as youths, of every order and degree. Arms and ammunition, indeed, all the munitions of war have been fabricated, magazined and expended, in action or in preparatory exercise, incessantly; and military and naval tactics studied and imitated upon 1021 Europe in the Autumn of 1830. the widest scale. The action and the counter-action of the awful revolution, which began in France during the year 1789, have been the fruitful source of this military mania, which has raged throughout Europe, and afflicted the world: for where is the country which has altogether escaped the infliction of its woes? An universal peace, like balm to the wounds of the nations, had disbanded these numerous armies, and returned to the bosom of every state, in the quality of citizens and artisans, these men of arms, by whatever name they erewhile went forth to war: but tens of thousands of these men exist, many of them robust and hardy, in the prime of life, and fraught with every quality and energy of the veteran soldier. In every city and almost every village a large portion of the population is made up of these ex-military men. When the call of war was made, these men seized upon the arms within their reach, fell into military order, and fought with the steady valour of veteran battalions: these were seconded by men far less military than themselves; but even these, taught to rally beneath the support of the most expert, and knowing the theory of war, were disciplined in action, and from desultory soon learned a regular warfare. The abundance of arms and ammunition, every where magazined for use, became first the prey and ultimately the strength of these self-constituted bands: and where these were wanting, printers' types, and metals in any portable form became shot, and that which was intended for sportsmen in the field, powder for their battles. In place of regular trenches and ramparts, paving stones were torn up from the streets, and trees cut down from the public walks, and piled up in order across the streets; and instead of hand-grenades, stones were carried to the upper rooms and roofs of the houses. While the regular troops assailed these ramparts from without, they were fired upon from their rear; and upon such as succeeded in forcing these barriers, were hurled the ponderous stones from on high, which bruised, mutilated, or slew outright multitudes of their most courageous foes. Instead of flying like a mob, at the sound of a musket, the men stood firm before the fire of cannon; yea, even bombs failed to dislodge them from their posts; and while numbers fell on every hand, the living pressed forward in the combat, and finally achieved the victory. Here we beheld a cause equal to the effect, in the turbulent spirits of these wartrained myriads who survive the battles, 1022 and long for the havoc of by-gone wars. Alas, for the years to come! revolution and woe yet hang upon their swords, and men yet unborn may mourn over the terrible energies of the military mania of Europe, amidst the awful inflictions of its scorching powers. There is a Being on high, above the heavens is His throne, and this round world and every sphere are His footstools; the hearts of men are in His hands, and all their potence; whatsoever He wills He doeth in the armies of heaven, and all things serve His sovereign pleasure. "The voice of his thunder is in the heavens, the lightnings lighten the world, the earth trembles and shakes. Thy way, O God, is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known." Yet, however clouds and darkness may surround and render Him invisible to us, He reigns in His providences over every age of man, and He out of every evil brings forth good. To Him therefore we refer this awful series of providential inflictions; well knowing that His power is equal to the mighty task of overruling this military mania, and even out of all its evils to produce good. If the awful revolution which commenced in France, in the year 1789, is the vial of the fourth angel, poured out upon the sun, the entire of Christendom, and power is given unto the angel to scorch men with fire, then, as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, in one simultaneous flash, we cease to wonder that simultaneous movements, in unison, result from a movement in the centre of this action of fire upon men. God worketh not as man worketh, and, holding in His hand all power both in heaven and in earth, to us invisible, it is ours only to behold Him in His acts; and while we behold these, to confide in Him, and rest in peace. For who can arrest His providences, or say unto Him, what doest Thou? Upwards of a century ago, Mr. Robert Fleming, in his work on Scripture Prophecy, referred the pouring out of the fourth vial to France. The time of its accomplishment he calculated to be about the year 1794. The revolution in France commenced in the middle of the year 1789, and it arrived at its height about 1793 and 1794. This is a remarkable coincidence as to time. The resemblance between this prophecy and the leading features of the revolution in France, at its commencement, and during its eventful progress, led me to conclude, even in the first years of its action upon the nations of Europe, as well as subsequently, that this prophecy and 1023 Europe in the Autumn of 1830.-Description of the Eolina. 1024 revolution are one event. The prophecy | This character also appears upon all the operations of the arms of France; they inflicted direful calamities, but destroyed nothing; for no sooner were their victories consummated, than all the nations returned to their pristine state, or nearly so; and France itself has ultimately gained no territory worth notice. In the scale of liberty, France sat down with solid acquisitions, viz. a representative constitution, and liberty of conscience; but these were not acquired at the expense of other nations: nor has France acquired these for other nations. Buonaparte himself, the terrible leader of this infliction, was a Roman Catholic; and in establishing his favourite Cisalpine Republic, he declared, "The Roman Catholic religion is the religion of the State ;" and in France at this day, the Roman Catholics, who form an immense majority of the French people, enjoy privileges in the formation of churches not enjoyed by the Reformed Churches. To scorch is the character of this vial; and what of scorching yet remains, it is not in man to say; but that the tone of this wo, the power to scorch, reigns unimpaired, appears from the simultaneous lightning-like movements throughout Europe which took place at the moment of the recent revolution in France. We behold the fire unquenched, yea unimpaired, and look with no small anxiety to the consummation of this plague. W. COLDWELL, King Square, Oct. 20, 1830. DESCRIPTION OF THE EOLINA. AMONG the numerous musical toys which have been invented from time to time, to please the juvenile amateur, none have been found to approach in excellence that The reputation of these instruments soon spread very widely, till, at length, amateurs of more mature judgment and science began to consider them worthy of notice. They examined narrowly into the construction of the Æolina, with a view to its improvement, and application to higher purposes. In a paper of great credit, called the "Liverpool Mercury," the following intimation appeared, dated on the 15th Aug. 1828. "We have seen this singular invention, and we venture to predict, from the speci- cid men, that we shall soon see that great desideratum, a key'd instrument which shall remain perfectly in tune.” How far this prediction has been verified, the following account will shew. At a lecture upon sound, delivered in May last, by Mr. Faraday, at the Royal Institution, several musical instruments, constructed upon entire new principles, were produced in illustration of his discourse, under the following names: viz. the Erophone (by Dietz, of Paris); Dow-E biss' Glossophone; Day's Eolian Organ; and the Symphonia, (by Wheatstone); of all which, Day's Æolian organ was stated to be by far the most perfect. The whole were performed upon by the younger Wesley, who made such a selection of pieces as would best shew the comparative merits of the several instruments. That four persons, in different places, should set about the construction of an instrument exactly upon the self-same principle, and all at one time, without the least knowledge of each other, is extraordinary, yet such is the fact. To these I have to add another strange coincidence of invention, communicated to me by a friendly correspondent, the recording of which in your esteemed publication, as opening a new era in music, I judged might prove a choice article for such of your readers as are lovers of that enchanting science. To give you the whole of my friend's letter, would be trespassing too much upon your pages; I shall therefore merely abstract his account of a successful attempt of Mr. Nixon (a native of, and resident in, Liverpool) in 1025 Best Mode of obtaining a Knowledge of Languages. - he construction of an instrument of a similar description to those just mentioned, but, in some respects, more remarkable :Mr. Nixon is represented as an enthusiast in music, but his other avocations, as a private literary tutor, have prevented his extending his knowledge beyond the theoretical principles of the science. At its earliest introduction, one of the little toys, before mentioned, by chance came in his way, and, delighted with the sound, an improvement thereon, upon a grand scale, instantly suggested itself to his mind. After two years' perseverance, (assisted by the best artificers under his own immediate direction) he has produced an instrument, which, in the opinions of all who have been privately to hear it, bids fair to astonish the world with its powers of harmony. Thus far speaks my friend's letter, and for a description of the instrument, he refers me to "The Liverpool Mercury," of the 11th June last. It is there stated to be six feet long, four feet high, and two feet six inches deep; and has six octaves, and an odd note, or thirteen æolians. Though very powerful, it is sweet, and clear in its tone. The bass notes resemble the human voice closely; the upper notes are very fine. It has bellows, a wind chest and three swells, one the common organ swell, the others are of Mr. N.'s own invention. The instrument, in its present unfinished state, produces a most delightful combination of sounds, in which the finest tones of the trombone, horn, bassoon, hautboy, clarionet, and other instruments, are so associated, as to baffle all power of description in its harmonic effect. There is one grand difference between Mr. Nixon's Eolian and the ordinary church organ; some of the metal pipes of the bass of the latter are fifteen feet long, nine or ten inches in diameter, and weigh about 100 pounds, at a cost of £10 and upwards each. One of the metallic pipes of the Eolian, producing the same note, is only seven inches long, and weighs no more than two pounds and a half. This instrument, it is fairly presumed, will never deviate in tone from the effects of changes in the temperature of the atmosphere, as Mr. Nixon, after heating one of the pipes, found that the tone was not perceptibly changed. Some arrangements, it is understood, are now making by Mr. Nixon, with the aid of his friends, for a public display of the powers of his instrument, immediately upon its completion. It is therefore to be hoped, 143.-VOL. XII. 1026 SOCIETY is divided into three classes; those who are inimical to change and innovation, those who are fond of novelty and variety of systems, and those who can duly appreciate the merits of experience and the suggestions of modern genius. Now, if we consider how rapid and extensive has been the progress of improvement from the commencement of civilization down to the present time, we shall see to which of these classes we may be grateful for those advantages which we enjoy, Experience has shewn that due respect must be paid to the customs and regulations of our ancestors, in order that a numerous class of innovators may be discountenanced; but the same experience has shewn, that an undue prejudice in favour of either party would be highly detrimental, not merely to individuals, but to societies. In nothing, perhaps, has this been more exemplified, than in the different systems of education. According to the old system, an unnecessary course of drudgery must be submitted to, in order to obtain what may be easily acquired with an incalculable reduction of labour, and in a far less time. In opposition to this, there is a numerous class of persons who seem to suppose, that the mind, like a machine, may be propelled without any labour to the individual. But, whatever may be the improvement in the arts and sciences, in trade and manufactures, and even in the systems of education, the powers of the mind will always be the same. Learning is valuable, and can never be acquired but by diligence and self-research. It is in vain to expect that human inventions will be able to impart powers to the intellect which it does not possess, or to induce knowledge but by process and gra. dation. 1027 Best Mode of obtaining a Knowledge of Languages. increased or diminished by indolence or exercise, while there is a point beyond which the bodily efforts of man will fail. Thus is the mind circumscribed in its powers, and however assisted and improved, from its very nature it defies the controverting systems of art. These remarks were necessary to be premised before entering into an examination of the different methods of teaching languages. And as there have been many distinguished names enrolled on the opposite sides of the long-established plan of instruction, and the modern one, it will not appear so presumptuous to differ or agree with either party, according as the advantages or disadvantages of each may present themselves to our notice. In the old system, the first step in acquiring languages is to learn the grammar by heart. This, with the regular routine of education, engages the attention of a child six or twelve months. The pupil will then write exercise, and begin to translate. All these things are generally done without the least assistance or explanation, lest he should be encouraged in idleness. His progress, therefore, is slow and painful, and he cannot expect to read Virgil, if he is studying Latin, before the third or fourth year, or to acquire a proficiency in the language, before the sixth or seventh. Here is a great deal of time and labour lost for the acquisition of what, to the average number of individuals, is not very important; for, of those who study the languages at school, not many can remember what they have learned beyond a few years; and of those who still retain the knowledge, a very limited number find this knowledge of practical use. According to the modern system, though we can scarcely call it modern, since it received its suggestions from various individuals, even centuries since, the languages are professed to be taught in a much more rapid manner. Yet here the advantages are rather specious than solid, since they are so dependent on circumstances; and though its theory may attract, experience and practice will lessen our partiality in its favour. This, perhaps, we shall observe, as we pass along. While the ancient plan centres its importance in grammar, the modern one rejects it almost altogether. The literal translation of an easy author is its first class-book, and if grammar is thought necessary, it is to be studied afterwards, since words are thought to be the most important acquisition. But it will be found by experience, that though the latter plan is certainly the more imposing, and the pupil may appear to have made a more 1023 rapid progress, yet, in fact, he will not Another cause of its inefficiency in teach- Grammar is the reducing of languages to We have said that this system is displayed more advantageously in teaching modern languages, than in teaching Latin or Greek. |