The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-09 00:00:00

EUROPEAN PROSPECTS.

A PROPHET OF EVIL.

The Lii.ertg looks on the calm which at present
pervades Europe as the precursor of some political tempest,
although as to what quarter it is to burst forth, the writer
seems totally ignorant. Starting from the fact that Henry
Heine, in 1833, declared that " the second half of the pre.
sent century would behold a drama played in Germany and
in Europe, in comparison with which the tragedy of 'A
would be only an innocent idyl," the Librrff avows its fall
belief in that sinister prophecy, and affirms that the late
events in Germany will be thrown altogether is the shade
by what time is preparing. The writer then says :
" As centuries succeed each other the pulse of humanity
beats more strongly and quickly, and with • constant pro
gression. Heavy and methodical Germany herself marches
with a rapidity which makes one giddy. After the war of
Thirty Years came that of Seven ; and after the war of
Seven Years that of seven days. The same phenomenon
is observable in social disturbances. Of the three French
revolutions, the first took three years to overthrow a
throne ; the second, three days; and the third three
hours. The great territorial ameliorations take part,
also, in this singular steeplechase. Seven centuries
dragged slowly on in the formation of Ham
unity ; more than four hundred years were re.
quired for that of France ; little wore than foe:
years was occupied in forming a united Italy; said kw
months sufficed for that of Germany. Diplomacy Ia ih
turn enters upon this same road: the proverbial slower+
of a congress is no more than a recollection; the can
Terence of London, convoked on the lit of May, meta
the 7th and finished its work on the 11th. The sperm&
ing (Ecumenical council will doubtless condense iou
eighteen days the labour of the eighteen years of the
Council of Trent. Congresses, great empires, revolo
time, wars, feel the influence of steam and elect'
city. Humanity seems in such a burry to lies that Oaa
would believe it was near its end. This giddy dance d
the living resembles Holbein's Dance of Death. The yd
11367 marks • pause in the feverish movement which cunt
away societies. It is the year of meditation, adjourniums,
and compliments ; all the woad embraces, awaiting tA
moment when every one will fly at his neighbour's thins.
Thu left hands cordially press each other while the tut,
hold revolvers loaded to the muzzle. All these fact 1.,`,
something illusive, like the parties given by a fioaeoer
on the eve of a disaster ; and Europe eceel'le*
eently displays all her riches as the aril, 01
• capitalist exhibit. all her diamonds to re,'
oral her husband's situation. In the midst of this mat.
sion of galas, reviews, balls, the event of the Itith Jon
has appeared as the Merle, Mene, Tekel Uphardn' of the
banquet of old. Let us not deceive ourselves ; invitations
accepted, journeys accomplished, grips of the band 01.
changed, even dangers incurred in connuon, do not change
one iota of the general situation of Europe.
are the hackneyed acts of politeness which ca.:,
only deceive shortsighted minds or blinded In•
telligences. The stay of the Sultan, the I,"
come of the crowned excursionists. will not cave
1 a deviation of one single hair's breath in the hue of march
which the Eastern question has to follow, any more than
the visit of the King of Prussia will delay for one tale
day the complete unification of Germany. The Contla•
gration avoided in May last will ',mat out by the force
of things next spring, so much the more terrible that
the fire will have smouldered longer under the ago.
Just Ls it was in the Middle Agee, with the ' Truce eh,
God,' the Conference of London has imposed on Eller, 1
Truce of Industry. Like private in.lividu.o4, isopim•
the solemn hour which is to decide their fate, their le:.
tune, and their life, fall into a general posh-Aim...al
affect an ind fference, a carelessness, an unre..l serenity. s•
fictitious calm, • false gaiety, which deceive. nobs!),
There is nothing more smiling than the phy.i.rgnomf of
man who is going to kill himself or to fight a duel. .
merchant who is going to be made bankrupt, or of a gm:*
star who stakes his Lot napoleon. Such is very neatly l•••'
actual appearance of Europe."

Some persons are employed at l'aria in coll'
ing the proclamations of Marshal Rantine, in a loch
exercised the most cruel severities towanls the repo}'.'
party, whilst it is intended to give a list of the pew•di
shot by the imperialists.
A Moscow paper states that in 1853 tho RllO.ll
army consisted of 580,000 men. At the present tisse.4
consists of 800.000 men. This number con hl be awe Ira
creased to 1,180,000, besides 300,000 irregular troops "IP
Czar has, therefore, • total military force of nearly I,o°
men.