Star.
London, England, 1830-08-06 00:00:00

SPIRIT OP THE JOURNALS.

Ttusts.—When it was first our duty to speak of the late events
in Fiance we spoke of them exultingly : perhaps our readers were
more exuberant in joy than ourselves, for an unintermitted attention
to political affairs and popular movements has taught us the un-
certain Josue of all such things: we did, therefore, along with our
sincere congratulations, instil one little word of caution against the
too ready belief that all was ended. Whatever was done was well
done, and such, we hope, will be the case with whatever is to fol-
low. But our doubts are not entirely removed. Charles X. had ab-
dicated, and the Duke of Orleans accepted the Lieutenancy of the
kingdom. But now it seems that the former, whose crimes against the
State would have justly entitled him to the death of a traitor, had
he not been protected by the law, which shifts all responsibility
upon the ministers, and whom it was intended to convey respectfully
out of the kingdom, has started back, and pleads, as we learn, that
his abdication was only in favour of the young Duke of Bordelaux,
whose interests have also been warmly espoused by M. de Chateau-
Wand and Hyde de Neuville. In fact, the affair of the abdication
asserted by the Duke of Orleans. and its non-appears:webs the Mi.
tsiterr, now appear to be explained. The abdication was made in
favour of the Duke of Bordeaux. But the Duke of Orleans, who
had accepted the bientenang of the kingdom, coaceived, pro.
hably, that a conditiostal abdisadsu required the sonetion sf

the legislative body before it should be promulgated. In
the midst of the conflicts and debates on this subject,
the party of the Republic in opposition to the Duke of Or-
leans is increasing : nor is the situation of Charles and of hit. fa-
mily at Rambouillet without danger, a very numerous assemblage
of people having set off thither from Paris, with the most hostile
intentions. A strong body of troops had, indeed, been ordered to
protect the ex-King, but their competence or disposition was
doubted. To speak our opinion freely, we cannot help thinking
that the affairs of our neighbours are becoming somewhat more com-
plicated and dark. The port is, however, still within their view,
and our hope is that they will et,ter into it ; that is, that tran-
quillity may be restored, and the constitution settled.

CIIRONICLE.-All eyes are still anxiously turned towards
France. The intelligence from Paris comes down to Tuesday af-
ternoon. when that City was in considerable agitation on account of
the refusal of the King to give effect to the Act of Abdication,
which, in his Speech on opening the Chambers, the Duke of Or-
leans stated had been placed in his hands on the 2d of August. It
would appear that Charles has been led to believe that he might
still preserve the Throne for the Duke of Bordeaux, and it is said
that the Duchess d'Angottleme is his adviser. This refusal is of a piece
with his consent to dismiss his M inisters after the blood of the people
had been poured out like water, and when the only question was whe.
ther there should be a Republic, or the Duke of Orleans should be
called to the Throne. And the happiness of 32 millions of people is
dependent on the caprice of a poor imbecile creature like
this 1 The Correspondent of an Evening Paper (The Standard)
states that on Monday, July 26, when all Paris was
in agitation, " Charles X. was alone apparently unagitated. He
went with the Duke d'Angouleme on a shooting excursion, and even
received visits from the Grand Master of the Ceremonies, and fixed
the next day and Wednesday for other shooting parties. Letters
have been found which render this fact unquestionable." This is
the insensibility of idiotcy. No man three degrees from idiotcy
could have preserved this indifference to the weal or woe of so many
human beings, whom his measures were compelling to resort to arms
in their defence.—The obstinacy of this weak old malt may create a
little momentary agitation, but can have no effect on the result. An
armed force has been dispatched to Rambouilkt, which is about 30
miles to the south.west of Paris, and the next accounts from Paris
will, in all probability, announce the arrival of the Royal Family,
prisoners, in that capital. But though, in the present state of the
French population, everywhere organised, everywhere hostile to
Charles and his family, we are utterly without apprehension as to the
result; yet the absurd conduct of the King must add considerably to
the difficulties of those now at the head of affairs. Our Correspondent
says, that " Reports are afloat of the preparation of a Prussian armed
force on the frontiers. Couriers are said to have arrived from Vienna
and Berlin to Charles X. The former is however impossible, and
the latter not probable." France is not a country into which any
power would think of moving less than a great army ; and neither
Austria nor Prussia is in a condition at present to move such a
force into France as would not instantly be destroyed. The reports,
however, may serve to inflame the people, who, after what they
have suffered, may well be justified in feeling uneasy. We trust
that all parties will agree in calling the Duke of Orleans to the
Throne. He will be of use to the new order of things, both in
disarming the jealousy of the European aristocracy who dread the
very name of republic, and in defeating the machinations of the
different Couto. He is a wise, prudent, and estimable man, who
will consider himself as exercising a trust for the benefit of the pea,
plc. Under his conscientious observance of the Charter, and his
liberal interpretation of its provisions, the nation cannot fail to make
a rapid progress in social improvements. He tells the Chambers,
" All rights must be solemnly guaranteed, all the institutions neces-
sary to their full and free exercise must receive the developments of
which they have need. Attached by inclination and conviction to
the principles of a free government, I accept beforehand all the con-
sequences of it. I think it my duty immediately to call your atten-
tion to the organization of the National Guards, to the application
of the Jury to the crimes of the Press, the formation of the Depart-
mental and ilunicipal Administrations; and, above all, to that
fourteenth article of the Charter, which has been so hatefully inter-
preted." With these guarantees, what have the French to fear ?
Our Correspondent indulges in a tone somewhat sombre. " I tell
you," he says, " that the question is not settled. Every half hour
convinces me more and more of this. I hope and believe we shall do
without more bloodshed ; but, even this is not certain. The Duke
of Orleans, however, is a wise, prudent, and esteemed Prince. He
has the veterans in the cause of public liberty around him. I will
hope that he will be prudently advised." We trust all will soon
be settled, though it is not yet settled. When men are only actuated
by a desire to promote the public welfare, differences of opinion will
not be so obstinate as to resist all compromise. The unbought
decision of the Chambers will be the decision of the nation. As for
the poor imbeciles whom the Holy Alliance imposed on France, their
day is over, and with their power their memory will depart from
the country which was humiliated by their presence.