The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-17 00:00:00

A YEAR OF ANNEXATIONS.

We find the following sketch in the Bien tiro
Social of Bruxelles, one of the most able oonlucted weekly
journals of the Continent ; the Bien titre quotes it from
the Poet Heiri, of Poleaxe :
March.—The Empire annexes Savoy and Nice, this an-
nexation having become a " geographical necessity?
Austria stirs not ; she is delighted that this trick is played
against Victor Emmanuel. Prussia says nothing, reserving
to herself "freedom of action."
April.—ln order to obtain its "natural frontiers" the
Empire annexes the Rhenish provinces. Austria stirs not ;
she is delighted at seeing this trick played against Prussia,
who had deserted her in Lombardy. Prussia pockets the
affront, reserving to herself "freedom of action " in regard
to Hanover.
May.—lf Venetia is annexed to Lombardy " because the
Venetians speak Italian," Prussia stirs not ; she rejoices to
see this trick_ played against Austria, who had abandoned
I het Slk tie RAM,. Austria is beaten, as last year, having
sent her army into battle without their breakfasts.
atine.._l":e Empire annexes Belgium "because the Bel-
. speak crouch." England protests. Austi ia and
.:
th..• revenge themselves of England `s
Isia stir not.
abandonment in Italy anti on the Ku—. "°:
July.—The Empire re-claims Baden an.. is t. ph " to,
mum the majority of the inhabitants are cathu:Nli hays
already formed part of the great Empire." Austria stirs
not; for she is delighted to see Prussia lose Westphalia ;
Prussia stirs not, for she prefers Baden to be French rather
, than Austrian.
- - - - -

August.—ln oonsequenee of the annexationof Baden, that
also of Wurtemberg and of Bavaria hoe become a " geogra-
phical necesaity" to the empire. Austria is delighted tome
Prairie lose the support of protestant Wurtemberg. and
Prussia is delighted to see Austria lose the support of
catholic Bavaria ; Germany stile not. M Jena, the students
sing, o What is the fatherland?" Napoleon =ewers this
question.
September. —The empire annexes Hanover, Oldenbourg.
and Necklenbourg, "because the possession of the northein
sea coast hes become neceseary to France as a natural hon.
tier." At Berlin they seriously propose to exchange the
pointed helmets of the army for the kepis. The Germanic
but, after the annexational Frankfort, have hid themselves
in the Warbourg ; they refer to &committee the question of
the organisation of the federal army.
• - - • - - -

October.--The possession of the kingdom of Saxony and
of the Duchies has, become for the empire " • political se-
oassity," because the European equilibrium requires that
Prussia and Austria should be held in check by a third
great power. The Diet dim to Rugen, and in order to calm
public opinion, now awakened, vote the erection of a statue
to Arndt. The committee appointed by the Diet are not
yet ready to report on the organisation of the army ; there-
ices the troops cannot be marched against Napoleon.
November. —The empire reaches to the Vidal& The
annexation of Prussia has become for the empire " a moral
necessity,' as the Emperor must at any price keep his word.
Models rubs her hands with joy, being rid of other rivals
in Germany. Russia stands aghast at seeing the French
on the Vistula, and exclaims, ' This is not what I embed."
December.—All the territory reaching from the Alp to
the Carpathians in Hungary has become for the empire "a
geographical necessity." 'I he (;ermanie Diet has completed
the military organisation. The statue of Arndt in unveiled
on " le Jour des Innocents," in the Ills of Urfa.