how beneficial for you in every respect, the im-ness at Lyons, which, certainly, was not expedited pression which this manifestation of your means by the recent exploits of the garde mobile of that and energies has left on the world. To resume city. The pay of these youth not having been the topic of paper currency. The French, in gen- duly received, they took possession of the Hotel eral, are sensitive bullionists; their prejudice de Ville, and kept prisoners, for some hours, the against paper is inordinate, and M. Chevalier, prefect and other authorities. After two days of himself, has often striven to correct the popular military array and defiance on both sides, the arnotions, by detailing the advantages which may rival and distribution of the money terminated the accrue from a currency duly mixed. In revolu- revolt. Detachments of the garrisons of the intetionary times, the antipathy of the commercial rior are employed, yet, in several of the provinces, and proprietary classes becomes, naturally keener and more distrustful. It operates on the exchange specially, since the political mystagogues and the oracles of the red republic have entered into a sort of conspiracy to inundate France with bank-notes, and fantastic bills of credit. Some of their projects require an emission beyond the amount of the total of the circulating medium of Europe. France is believed, however, to possess now half the sum of all the specie-circulation of this quarter of the globe, which is estimated at six billions of francs. Yesterday afternoon, the Assembly undertook the bill submitted by the committee on agriculture, for an emission of notes guaranteed by real property, to the extent of two milliards-four hundred millions of dollars. M. Thiers discussed this vexed question of credit foncier, in the negative, in a speech of two hours, which enchained the attention and determined the already adverse opinions of the house. The bill is rejected by 578 to 210 The exchange is quieted by this result, and the repeated declarations of the minister of the treasury, that he will inflexibly resist any further issues of paper-money as a legal tender. More, hereafter, of this very instructive and strange debate. Socialist Proudhon is getting up a rather It is affirmed, to-day, that he will at once recomical Bank of the People-capital, four mil-move the interdicts; every friend of order and selions of francs; shares twenty-five; a hundred curity may regret this practical interpretation of and thirty-five articles in the scheme; none ex- the vote. Nuisances enough were tolerated. He cept manual laborers or artisans to be stockhold-is personally assailed-bitterly reviled-by La ers; a hundred functionaries-socialists or politi- Presse and a few other sheets of consequence. cal convicts-to wear a uniform and a glazed hat | Every advantage is taken of his declaration that with the inscription, Bank of the People; to rendezvous every morning and march under Proudhon's command.

votes.

Paris, 12th Oct., 1848.

in putting down resistance of the peasantry to the tax-gatherers. Yesterday afternoon, the National Assembly rescinded the old decree of banishment of the Bonaparte family, without dissent. But the organs of the red republic complain, this day, of the imprudent lenity. An animated debate followed on a motion, long pending, that no journal should be suspended by the executive, even during the maintenance of the état de siège, or martial law. It was argued again that the Draconian laws lately passed about the press, should suffice; and the common-places touching liberty of opinion and publication were vehemently declaimed. Cavaignac remained silent; his minister of justice argued that the Assembly had already refused to interfere in the matter, and had sanctioned the procedings of the executive; the circumstances which compelled the government to resort to them, existed without sensible improvement; there was the same necessity for absolute control; he moved the previous question. The affirmative vote was 315 to 336-very close, and very significant for the executive. If Cavaignac had exercised less partiality in his visitations, his majority would have been large.

he would disregard what related to himself or his family alone. Our garrison, this winter, is to consist of fifty thousand troops, including the garde mobile, and the republican guard; it is dubbed the army of occupation. The larger the better. Our THE weather has continued beautiful and warm. municipal councils announce that they need an We enjoyed the sun of May in September; at this eleemosynary fund of nine millions of francs for the rate, observe some of the scribblers, we may have interval ending April next, and that the number of July in December. All the parterres of the garden the distressed to share the fund may reach three of the Tuileries, which I see from the window of hundred thousand. The cholera, being in London, my study, exhibit the richest verdure; between 3 will probably cross the channel. What will then and 5 o'clock the garden swarms with well-dressed be the situation of Paris? The climax is fearful. children and their nurses, and ladies and gentlemen Yesterday it was widely believed that substitutions in in fashionable attire, with a multitude of mere the ministry of Cavaignac would be proclaimed this loungers of respectable aspect. The blouses ap- morning. The general was to relieve himself in pear there no longer. In an hour's walk, yester-part from the influences and associations of the day, between 4 and 6, over the boulevards, I noted National, and enlist such coadjutors as Bedeau, the crowds of pedestrians, as of yore, with the old Dufaure, Vivièn, De Tocqueville, who now comvivacity of step and mien; the open shops were mand a majority in the Assembly. But, methinks, frequented, but the number closed is everywhere affairs are not quite ripe for the coalition. Lamarmore considerable than within the thirty or thirty-tine's organ, Le Bien Public, recommends it this five years past. We are told of a revival of busi-day, strenuously. The colored gentlemen, elected

in Martinique, to the Assembly, are not quite sure of their seats; an inquiry is to be prosecuted into the regularity of the proceedings. There was some curiosity on the first entrance of one of them, but it has wholly ceased. The caricatures of the representatives from the menagerie of the garden of plants are as facetious as they are impudent. Satire and burlesque have not been spared with reference to the recent peace-congress at Brussels, where Mr. Burrit, of Massachusetts, held a conspicuous station. The purpose of such a convocation, though deemed chimerical, should be esteemed; I would not find fault, except, perhaps, in relation to the eulogy, without stint, which the members of these philanthopic congresses always begin by pronouncing on each other's superlative labors and merits.

From the Examiner, 7th Oct.

AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. To all who take an interest in the well-working of American institutions, indirectly to every nation in which liberal principles are struggling to maintain their ground, and directly to ourselves, whose natural desire it is to stand well with the kindred republic, the present aspect of the impending election in America should be far from unpleasing or distasteful.

Chancellor Kent called the presidential election the experimentum crucis of the republican form of government, and claimed for it, not without strong faith in the discretion, moderation, and integrity of his countrymen, a certain period of probation. The time has not expired, but we cannot say that hitherto its success has offered ground for conYou have marked, no doubt, the material Eu- gratulation. Worse than even the predominance ropean events of the month-the mob-march on of unreflecting and rabid party spirit has been the the National Assembly at Frankfort, like the inva- ascendency of trading politicians. Even when a sion of our Assembly in May—and with like re- successful rally had been made round a chief like sults; the conflicts at Cologne and imposition of the Jackson, who, with all his crotchets and coarseness, law-martial; the military riots at Potsdam; the had purpose and a manly energy, the fact has troubles at Vienna; the successful rebellion at been painfully obtrusive that the election was a Leghorn; the republican and abortive enterprise mere scramble for places. The proscription of all in the grand duchy of Baden; the remonstrances holders of the most insignificant office, who were of Austria, backed by the German imperial gov- not members or time-servers of the ascendant facernment, with Switzerland; the fresh revolution- tion, and the avowed bestowal of emolument and ary or anti-Russian combinations in Moldavia and place as the reward for serviceable canvasses, have Wallachia, destined to be speedily and fully sup- placed the mob-courtiers of America on as low a pressed; the repugnance and argumentative resist-level as the old king-courtiers of France. Every ance of the court of Naples to the British and dignity and duty of the state has been lowered to French mediation in behalf of the Sicilians, and an election bribe, and the highest as well as the clouds which have thickened over the negotia- meanest appointment counted but as payment for tions concerning the fate of Italy. past or retainer for future service. The appearOur most important foreign scene is the struggle ance of Mr. Tyler and Mr. Polk in the seat once between Austria and Hungary; the Journal des occupied by Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, Débats, of this day, thinks, from its direct advices, seemed really to be almost decisive against any that the Hungarians must succumb; the National future possible realization of the hopes or faith of -pretending to information of equal authority-Chancellor Kent.

thinks otherwise. Enclosed you have the decisive We rejoice to think that matters are mending. rescript of the emperor. The National Assembly The nomination of General Taylor, and the course at Frankfort becomes more and more hostile to re- of his relations with the party of which he is now publicanism and anarchy; the dispositions of the the declared representative, indicate better prosAssembly at Berlin are growing more favorable to pects in the republican horizon than have been the royal cause. On the 8th inst., the new and liber- visible for many years. It is yet possible that we al constitution for Holland was adopted by two thirds may see 'discretion, moderation, and integrity," of the second chamber, and will be immediately prevail in the choice of the chief magistrate of ratified by the first chamber and the king. The America. General Taylor is not a trading poliastronomical controversy in the Paris Academy of tician. The qualities he lately displayed in the Sciences may be considered as at an end. The field, and the judgment with which he kept himCompte Rendu, of the sitting of the 2d inst., con- self aloof from the extreme party that had obtained tains Leverrier's second memoir on the planet his service as a soldier, concentrated public attenNeptune. Those high authorities, Biot, Cauchy, tion and esteem upon him. He is the only man, and Faye, sided with him emphatically and entire- we believe, since the greater race of American ly; the English luminaries, Herschel, Hind, Gra- presidents, who so at once united many parties. ham, do the same; Mr. Maury, the director of the By democrats and whigs in primary assemblies, in observatory at Washington, was cited in the list separate and mixed meetings, he seems to have of "the eminent auxiliaries who had refuted the been nominated; these nominations he appears to paradoxes by which it had been attempted to per- have accepted, one after the other, without convert public opinion on Leverrier's discovery." cealing or suppressing the fact that he held the The scientific reporters of our journals declare M. opinions of the whigs; and now that the whigs as Babinet to be vanquished. Herschel is preparing a body have named him their candidate, he frankly a thorough disquisition and final sentence. tells them that he will not be a party president.

We have here the promise of a brave and honora- | lamentable mistake yet committed by the extreme ble man, uncontaminated with party madness. faction in America.

The election of General Taylor, on the other hand, will show that as men unquestionably still survive in the United States not unworthy to be

so the large majority of the American people are still able to appreciate and worthy to be served by them.

A letter just published by General Taylor to correct some misconceptions that had gone abroad concerning him, confirms our impression of his worth. There is nothing in the letter which in-named with Washington, Franklin, and Adams, dicates genius or imaginative impulse, but it is marked by strong good sense and excellent feeling. Its writer understands and discriminates the position and duties of the chief magistrate of a great republic. He can combine the honest mainIRON CARRIAGES.-The tendency of the last few tenance of his own opinions with constitutional years to substitute iron for wood has been shown deference to the national will. General Taylor in ships, ploughs, and other machines. It has even declares that he will not be a candidate in a strait- been attempted in houses; but here, we believe, ened and sectarian sense. Having no wish to be without that success which is shown in extensive a partisan president, he refuses to be a party can- Scotland is now experimenting, with good ground use or practice. A gentleman of the north of didate in the sense that would make him one. of hope, on the introduction of iron carriages. He He does not engage to "lay violent hands indis- proposes that the bodies of such vehicles should be criminately upon public officers, good and bad, formed entirely of an iron frame, the panels of who may differ in opinion" with himself. He plates of galvanized iron, and the axles of iron will not force Congress, by the coercion of the tubes filled with wood; the wheels to have for veto, "to pass laws to suit him or pass none." spokes double rods pyramidally arranged, or on what is called the suspension principle. The adAre we not justified in regarding the probable vantages proposed are-first, a lightness as about choice of such a ruler as of good omen both for two to three; second, a saving of cost in about the England and America? Public opinion may work same proportion. Thus, a pony-carriage, which, itself clear under such auspices, and the better of the usual materials, would weigh five hundredparts of republican government develop and per- weight, is only about three when constructed of fect themselves. He may save us at once from iron; an omnibus, which, of the ordinary constructhe war factions of democracy, and the protection-weight, can be formed of iron at about eleven. The tion, would be twenty to twenty-four hundredist divisions of the whigs. We look upon such a presidency, now we hope almost certain, as full of promise for the internal prosperity and happiness of America, and for perpetuation of amicable intercourse between the two great Anglo-Norman

nations.

same in respect of external decorations and internal comforts. A carriage of this kind effects an important saving in the motive power. If successful as an invention, it must be of no small importance to humanity, both in sparing the muscles of individual horses, and allowing of a greater share of General Cass is the only rival candidate with the fruits of the earth being turned to the use of human beings. For use in tropical countries, there the shadow of a chance against him. Mr. Van is a further advantage in the non-liability to crackBuren will hardly go to the election, and Mr. ing and shrinking, and the unsuitableness of an Clay has not sanctioned the use of his distinguished iron frame for becoming a nest of noxious insects. name. Mr. Cass is the nominee of the extreme Apart from the mere substitution of one material democratic party, and is reported to have secured for another, which is the leading feature of the inthe ardent support of all the Irish in the Unionvention, much is claimed for it on the ground of by his sympathy with the cause of repeal, and by They are spiral, and vertically arranged, working the superior springs employed in these carriages. his known determination, in case the rebellion of in a case, with an apparatus which precludes their Ballingarry had succeeded, to have marched forth-falling from the perpendicular. with into Canada. Mr. Cass duly proclaims these extreme opinions, of course, and makes a long arm across the Atlantic to fraternize with the Flocons and Ledru-Rollins. Yet it may not be amiss to remind his countrymen that it is not six years since this same brawling Mr. Cass wrote a book to disparage the English government and exalt the government of Louis Philippe, in which he branded as a traitor every Frenchman who opposed himself to that despicable system, and offered the most prostrate adulation to the citizen king. This was while the worst of the Orleans' invasions of liberty were in progress; and yet the institution specially singled out for praise by General Cass was that slavish Court of Peers, which was doing precisely the service for Louis Philippe that our Star-Chamber did for Charles the First. The election of this despot democrat, this busy fomenter of the jealousies of nations, would be the most

We have seen one of Mr. Aitken's carriages, and taken a drive in another, without being able to detect any point in which they are likely to prove a failure. Their success, however, must be matisfactory issue.-Chambers' Journal. ter for larger experiment, requiring time for a sat

HEIGHT OF THE ATMOSPHERE.-Sir John W. Lubbock, according to the hypothesis adopted by the density and temperature for a given height above him in his Treatise on the Heat of Vapors, shows the earth's surface. According to that hypothesis, at a height of fifteen miles the temperature is 210 6' Fahr. below zero; the density is .03573; and the atmosphere ceases altogether at a height of 22.35 miles. M. Biot has verified a calculation of light, the altitude of the atmosphere to be about Lambert, who found, from the phenomena of twieighteen miles. The condition of the higher regions of the atmosphere, according to the hypothesis adopted by Ivory, is very different, and extends to a much greater height.

SHORT ARTICLES.-Animalcules; Changes in Solid Forms, 329.-Iron Carriages; Height of

TERMS. The LIVING AGE is published every Satur- Agencies. We are desirous of making arrangements day, by E. LITTELL & Co., corner of Tremont and Brom-in all parts of North America, for increasing the circula field sts., Boston; Price 124 cents a number, or six dollars a year in advance. Remittances for any period will be thankfully received and promptly attended to. To insure regularity in mailing the work, orders should be addressed to the office of publication, as above. Clubs, paying a year in advance, will be supplied as follows:

Or all the Periodical Journals devoted to literature and science which abound in Europe and in this country, this has appeared to me to be the most useful. It contains indeed the exposition only of the current literature of the English language, but this by its immense extent and comprehension includes a portraiture of the human mind in the utmost expansion of the present age.

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 236.-25 NOVEMBER, 1848.

From the Dublin University Magazine.

HISTORY OF THE Twentieth CENTURY, WRIT

TEN IN 1730.

revolution "

sagacity may learn to divine the future, with a certainty very little short of that derivable from strictly

scientific demonstration.

fer, the same truth will appear different to different minds. The ardent and the sanguine will take one prognostic from events or measures, which, to the "HISTORY," Lord Bacon tells us, "is philoso- will often anticipate good, where the desponding cold and cautious, suggest another. The hopeful phy teaching by examples." How few the numcan only see coming evil. And thus men's temperber who are qualified to extract from it lessons of true wisdom! Lord Plunket seldom exhibited the aments will influence their judgments; so that the sardonic sargacity, of which he is possessed, more site senses, and the same data lead to opposite consame propositions may often be understood in oppohappily, than when he said, of some of his antiqua-clusions. Thus, when Mr. Fox talked of the French rian antagonists on "the Catholic question," that their references to history, in its application to pres-erty," Mr. Burke could only regard it “as a wall as a glorious edifice raised up to Libent events, were no better than references to an old daubed with untempered mortar." almanac; and he would himself, perhaps, now acknowledge, that those whom he so severely cen- which the master-mind alone is competent to disBut there are certain broad principles of action sured, were not then more ill-judging in their retrospect of the past, than he was himself errone-human affairs; and by the aid of which human cern, amidst all the confusion and perplexity of ous and unhappy in his anticipations of the future. To see, in their principles, the processes by which society is modified, so as to discern the future from the past; to take in, at one steady and comprehensive glance, the various, contradictory, ual hits, which have been verified by events, and We speak not of those lucky guesses, those casand subtle influences, which determine, in any look like prophecies. Of these, the instances are given country, the condition of the human race; to sufficiently numerous, and may excite our surprise possess such a grounded knowledge of the nature without moving our wonder. But what we allude of man, in all his moral, social, and political combinations, as may lead to just deductions respecting discovery into the future, which has sometimes reto is, that projection of the mind upon a voyage of the working of any given system of polity, the sulted in the ascertainment, by anticipation, of accidents to which it is exposed, and the tendencies which it is calculated to foster and generate-frame-work of government, and the nature of man, changes wrought in the constitution of society; the this may be pronounced to be one of the rarest gifts by the tendencies of principles which were but reof the human mind, and to raise the possessor of it to the very nearest approach to inspired humanity, into their working and influence was first entercently discovered, or adopted, when the inquiry or even the angelic nature; leaving far behind him tained. Here we have a moral phenomenon somethe most successful of those whose labors have ob- what analogous to that which would be presented tained for them high distinction in those sciences of which the principles have been already deterto us, if human sagacity should, from the contenimined, the paths already pointed out, and where plation of the seed, be enabled to deduce its succeseach succeeding investigator has been enabled to sive developments, until it arose and expanded into build upon the foundation laid by another.

When we consider the steady lights which guide the discoverer in the exact sciences, and the settled and certain rules which he must follow, if he would arrive at truth, as compared with the chaotic mass of facts, the "rudis, indigestaque moles," in which the moral investigator is involved, and out of which he must deduce his prescient conclusions, in the mental labors of each the difference is almost as great as that between working by instinct, and working by reason.

a tree.

Of isolated facts, discerned in the remote future,. the poet, George Herbert, who lived in the reign of James the First, furnishes us with a striking. instance, when he says—

I see religion on tiptoe stand

Ready to fly to the American strand. How came he to vaticinate with so much correctness? Manifestly because he saw the working of principles which, sooner or later, must rise in their antagonism, to such a height, that the That moral propositions could be demonstrated one must either yield to, or overthrow the other; with the certainty of the physical and mathematical and that the monarchical and the high church sciences, is a notion which no one now entertains. principle was far too strong, in his day, not to The chameleon shiftings of aspect under which they compel a treatment of their opponents similar to may be viewed, must impart, to any definitions that which Abraham was compelled to adopt towhich may be formed of the terms employed, some-wards Hagar, when the latter was driven into the thing of their own mutation and instability; so that wilderness. It was not given to the poet to see as men, intellectually, or even complexionally, dif- further into futurity; to see Puritanism, at first,

CCXXXVI. LIVING AGE.

VOL. XIX. 22