The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-08 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 8, 1850.

Venetian kingdom, might be maintained. But when
I we consider the independent spirit of the Hungarians,
the heartburnings which must naturally prevail in
consequence of the cutting in of the Russians, the
atrocities committed in Galicie, the distrust of Austria
on the part of the Bohemians and Transylvanians, and
the events which have occurred from the death of
Francis the First until 1848, ariting from disregard
to the signs of the times, when reform, without revo-
lution, was certainly practical, and when we take into
account the event of the late revolutions, ani the
conduct of the Government since that event; and,
above all, the notorious poverty of the Imperial trea-
sury, we may well be amazed at the warlike move-
ments and the enormous numbers of the Austrian
army. A war in such circumstances must end in a
total disruption of the empire.

in which, although there has been no fighting,
there has been a signal victory. Constitution-
alism and its party are crushed, aad we may depend
upon it, that the victors will not be content
without adding prize money to their laurels and pro-
ceeding to share the spoils of the dupes. We may
dept-Lnd upon it that the Conferences at Vienna will
not he spent in constitution-mongering. The three
powers that met in the last century for the partition
of Poland are now to meet for nothing less than the
partition of Germany. And the Ministerial revolu-
tion which has taken place at Berlin merely means
that Prussia, instead of being the victim, is to be one
of the victimisers. We have little doubt that one of
the terms of accord between the rival empires of the
north and south will be an exchange of Baden for
Hesse, the Prussians withdrawing from the former,
th

e Austro-Bavarians from the latter. Holstein will
no doubt be thrown to Denmark ; but we are much
mistaken if Hamburgh be not at the same time flung
to Prussia. Bavaria cannot be contented with less
tha❑ the possession of Frankfort, which, by the by,
has been already delivered up to Bavarian troops.
And free cities, we may be certain, will be no longer
tolerated in the new absolutist federation. What part
in the spoil Russia is to have does not appear. But
no doubt the moment will be chosen for completing
the autopsie of Poland. Its complete division into
Russian provinces, and absorption in the Russian
empire, has been for some time in progress. Poland
has been already divided into Greek bishoprics, not as
Cardinal Wiseman has divided England, but with
large landed property attached to them. The Greek
churches, which otherwise would have remained
empty, have been filled by the Russian military and
employes. And the transkr of the imperial residence
for a large portion of the year to Wareaweivill com-
plete the work begun. Whether there may not be
some advance of the Russian frontier westward seems
doubtful, Prussia, of course, receiving indemnity west-
ward; and whether Russia, by virtue of this ad-
vance, may not insist, on her old pretension, of be-
coming one of the German Confederation, is another
question. But, indeed, as acknowledged arbiter and
suzerain over the two great German monarchs, Rus-
sia already rules that Federation. As to Prussia, we
admit that there was no medium policy open to it.
Belong it must either to the constitutional west or
the absolutist east. If supported by neither, it must
have fallen a prey to both. And whilst democracy
undermined it on one side, the great military powers
would have overrun it on the other. The noble words
of Condorcet are well known, in which he said he was
left no choice but to be either executioner or victim:

On me laissa le choix d'etre bourreau ou victime;
Je choisis le malheur, et leur laissai le crime.
To Prussia was presented a similar alternative. In-
stead of choosing to be victim, however, that monarchy
has preferred to enact executioner. And in that
capacity we shall no doubt soon see Prussia at work.
The Times, which has an appetite for devouring a
Schleswig-Holsteiner for breakfast every morning,
draws a formidable picture of an Austrian army
marching from the Maine into the Danish peninsula.
The Times need be in no alarm for any such expe-
dition, which would be more disgraceful to the Prus-
sians than for themselves, to put down their friends of
Holstein. But it is the rule of the Diet to commis-
sion neighbours to put down each other. And Ger-
many has always a tame elephant ready to belabour
and crush a wild one. The accord of Warsaw allow-
ing the Frankfort Diet to fairly represent all the
states which adhere to the Diet, Hesse and Holstein
being amongst them; the Bavarians have been com-
missioned to pacify Hesse, and no doubt the King of
Hanover will be empowered to do the same by the
Holsteiners, which he can do without crossing the
Prussian territories. What will be the feelings of all
Germans whilst this is going on we leave all who
know or who have lately seen them to imagine. Nor
is it only the feelings of the peasant or the citizen
that are to be considered, but those of the soldier. The
Hessian officers and soldiers, discarded and proscribed,
will no doubt quit the electorate, and be hospitably
entertained and supported throughout Germany.
What feelings, what judgments, will be universally
excited by such a spectacle ? There will be no up-
rising, we believe. Parties are too deeply separated,
the democrats too ulceratedjand for the moment enjoy
too heartily the disgrace of Prussia and the constitu-
tionalists, to think of helping either. But the nature
and mass of their sentiments are dangerous and in-
flammatory to a degree beyond comprehension. Talk
of the French mind being in a dangerous state of
irritability and restlessness : what is it to the choke
damp that now invades and circulates through every
crevice and passage of the German mind, waiting for the
flame that is to produce the explosion? Politicians may
call this a reconciliation, journalists may call it peace,
and the dealers in public funds may think it a most
auspicious and pacific settlement. But there is not
an experienced or thinking man that does not regard
it as the most perilous and uncertain state, into which
the population and the fortunes of Central Europe
could be thrown.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

Last evening M. Jullien inaugurated his return to
this theatre with a grand bal masque, conducted on a
scale of splendour and elegance for which these
kind of entertainments under his management have
long been remarkable. The house was throughout
fitted up with exquisite taste, and when crowded by
the motley votaries of the dance presented a spectacle
of really gay magnificence. Cut-glass chandeliers
and lustres of all shapes and sizes were fixed to the
boxes or pendant from the ceiling. Banners with
brilliant devices and garlands of artificial flowers
chequered the roof and panelling of the building,
which was festooned very daintily with white and
gold draperies. Immediately over the commencement
of what is usually the stage, and consequently
directly in front of the orchestra, hung the
gorgeous crystal curtain, which a year ago excited
for the first time so much admiration. The lord of
the revels was as a matter of course the " cynosure
of neighbouring eyes" directly he made his appear-
ance, and was greeted with genuine and prolonged
enthusiasm. He wielded his baton with his accus-
tomed dexterity, and kept the attendant company in
almost perpetual motion, either with the quadrille, the
valse, or the polka. The lighting, the flowers, the
crystal curtain, the flags, the music, the dance, and
the various costumes (some beautiful, and some fan-
tastic), rendered the whole scene one of splendour
and animation. Added to the numerous dancers, the
boxes and galleries were crowded with spectators.