The Sun.
London, England, 1822-01-02 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

PRESENT STATE OF EUROPt.—(LETTER I.)
Alfa. Eorroa----The opening of a new year
naturally awakens in the mind serious and moral
reflections. There is something singularly awful
in the close of each of these divisions of time.
On the eve of a new year we are reminded, most
forcibly, not only of the rapidity with which
time passes away, but of the brevity and uncer-
tainty of our existence. Although always aware
that whenever we sink into the arms of sleep, our
eyes, which close with the night, may never more
open to the light of day, this idea seems more
forcibly impressed upon the mind on the last
night of the year. We are naturally led to re-
flect upon the many millions of human beings
who will never see the following morning ; and
we call to mind the innumerable plans and spe-
culations which, on this awful night, will be
frustrated by the hand of Death. If we are thus
led to reflect upon the uncertainty of human pro-
jects, and upon the very precarious tenure upon
which we hold our existence ; if we look forward
with secret awe towards that future, which we
may never•possess, we are no less naturally in-
duced to cast, a retrospective glance upon that
portion of our life which is now for ever passed.
Happy, thrice happy, the man, who can look
back upon the past without feelings of either
regret or 'dismay : who feels proudly, and de-
lightfully conscious, that during the whole period
which is about to close, lie has conscientiously
discharged his various duties, and spent his
time in a manner worthy of amoral and a rational

being.
If the close of one year, and the commence...
meta of another, be highly interesting in a moral
point of view, they are no less so when consi-
dered in a political light. Whilst we look back
with interest upon the events that have che-
quered the departing year, we look forward, with
mingled sentiments of hope and of fear to those
which it has bequeathed to its successor, and by
attentively
_examining what has happened, we
endeavour to pierce the gloom which conceals
what will happen, from our view. It is our lot
to live in awful times. At no previous period
do we find so many and such important events
crowded within such narrow limits, as have been
witnessed from the commencement of the Revo.,
lution of France to the present day. But if the
changes which this event produced upon the po-
litical affairs of Europe be considerable, the con-
sequences to which they may, and, perhaps,,must
eventually lead, are of much greater importance.
The same causes are now actively employed ;
but as the sphere of their action is greatly in-
creased, the effects will not be now confined to Eu-
rope ; they will extend nearly throughout the
four quarters of the globe. It cannot indeed be
doubted that some crisis is now slowly, but in-
evitably, approaching. Wherever we turn our
eyes, the political horizon is girt with heavy
clouds, which seem to portend a violent and
alarming storm. Amidst the fierce and angry
waves of popular disaffection, the frail bark of
Royalty appears threatened with unavoidable de-
struction. Scarcely is there- one nation that is
not dissatisfied with the conduct of its Rulers.
Scarcely is there one Sovereign who has not to

dread the total ross, or the diminution, of his au-
thority. To counteract this dispositiOn of their
subjects, the Kings of Europe have indeed en-
tered intora singular and anomalous compact, to
which they have given the captious name of
Holy Alliance. This institution, the merit of
which I will not here discuss, has crushed the
flames of rebellion which broke out in Naples;
but it has not done, it cannot do, any, thing either
for Spain or for Portugal : neither is it quite cer-
tain that it will, eventually, succeed in keeping
Lombardy under the domination of Austria.—
The members of this asociation, who were not
desirous of sheaving an utter contempt for poli-
tical consistency; have been_ not a little puzzled
by the revolt of the Greeks. It is not diffi-
cult to foresee that au open rupture between
one or more of the leading members of the
Holy Alliance, and the Porte, is inevitable. Am-
bition %% ill be at no loss to hit upon some specious
pretext for any violation of avowed principles.
The most obvious plan, and that which will be
without doubt adopted, is to cast upon the Porte
the whole odium of the rupture. That this will
be the case, it is, scarcely possible to deny. What
the consequences of such a war may be it is dif-
ficult to foresee. As Christians, nay as men, it
is scarcely possible not to wish well to the Cause
of the Greeks. Gratitude for the benefits man-
kind has received from their fordathers, would
alone prompt us to wish them emancipated from
the degrading and oppressive yoke of the Mus-
sulmans. But, however assimi heed to them they
may be by religion, &c. we should see them
with serious feelings of alarm for the future in-
dependence of Europe, pass under the domination
of the Russians. Unless assisted by some of
the Powers of Europe, the Greeks, ardent as
they may prove in the cause of liberty and of
independence, will scam ly be able to cope with
success against the immense forces of the infu-
riate and fanatical Mussulmen. Humanity shud-
ders at the bare idea of the deadly and sangui-
_ _

nary contest which is now raging in Turkey. v It
will be a war of extermination, and that it will
prove singularly atrocious in its nature is evident,
both from the conduct of the Turks upon several
occasions, and from the horrid massacre commit-
ted by their opponents at Tripolizza. The Empe-
ror of RusstA has warmly espoused the cause of the
Greeks, not only as protector of their religion,
but, it is said, in compliance with the general
wish of his subjects. The Russian armies assem-
bled along the frontiers of Turkey, are. ready to
pour down upon that devoted country ; and
should this event take place, the Austrian force
II ill no doubt, ere long, take the field. However
disinterested we may suppose these two Emperors
to be, we must still recollect that the Cabinets
of Vienna and of Petersburg lave not only
upon every occasion exhibited a spirit of
aggrandizement, somewhat incompatible with
the political equilibrium of Europe, but have,
moreover, always had an eye upon some of
the provinces of the Turkish Empire.—As
sound politicians, and drawn as it were, re,
luctanny, into a contest with 'the Porte: it can

scarcely be expected that they will not seize so
favourable an opportunity of expelling the Turks
from Europe, of establishing a new Greek Mu,
narchy, and of effecting the long wished-for
dismemberment of Turkey. The advantages of
such a, partition to each of the above mentioned
Powers, are no less obvious than the jealousy
with which such an event must 'and should
be viewed by England and France. It would
increase the possessions of Austria along the
shores of the Adriatic, whilst the maritime im-
portance of Russia would receive very consider-
able. addition from the entire command of the
Black Sea, and perhaps from the- occupation ty
Constantinople itself. That such measures are
contemplated by the Cabinets of Vienna and
StVetersbu rgh, a ppears to me more than probable:
but .what English or French l‘linister, who has
the welfare of his country sincerely at heart,
can consent to see them carried into execution ?
The situation of the four Courts I have men-
tioned is singularly awkward; two of them,
bound by the pledge of protecting legitimate,
Governments, are nevertheless about to fight in
defence of rebellious subjects ; whilst The others,
connected with them by treaties and alliances,
are nevertheless called upon to oppose, in some
measure, the selfish policy by which this depar-
ture from avowed principles is dictated, and,..at
the same time, to join with them in good wishes,
and perhaps in something more effectual, for the
complete emancipation of the Creek- front the
detestable yoke of the Mussulmans.
Paddiw;ton.

A. P.