Star.
London, England, 1830-11-05 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF TIM JOURAULS.

Cnioxicut.—As republics are to be now the bugbear, M. de Pot.
ter's preference of a republic for Belgium, as most suited to the state of
property in that country, is of course the object of pest vituperation.
What have we to do with the inclinations of the Belgians? Have not we
a monarchy ? Are we not gratified with its splendour ? If our neigh.
hours have more bumble taxes, why should we quarrel with them on
that account ?

Tilans.—The public generally will learn with some surprise what
was the opinion In the city yesterday in consequence of the several
debates on the King's speech. It was, that the Duke of Welling-
ton was about to resign, or even must resign, in consequence of the
differences between himself and his colleagues on the subject of Par.
liamentary reform. However, between Sir Robert Peel's opinion,_
who " does not at present see any prospect that sucks measure of
safe. moderate reform ma his Maiaty's Government might be in-
clined to unction would satisfthe demands and expectations of
the reformers;
—and of the Duke of Wellington, who thinks the
present system the best,—though there may be a great theoretic.
we do not see that there is much practical difference and something
similar may be said, on a comparison of his Gram's opinion with
that of Sir George Murray. The three statesmen will probably think,
vote, and act together, upon any proposition of reform brought for-
I ward by another, and none of them has a system of his own to introduce
or recommend. The subject of Belgium is another Ministerial touch.
stone. In the King's speech all the Ministers, no doubt, united; but
the principle of non-interference ha been mom strongly avowed since
by Si, Robert Peel and Sir George Murray, than it is in that docu-
ment : and non-interference is all, we presume, that the public want,
whether evened or not. But an °pinion is given an the merits of the
question, inasmuch as the Belgians are said, in the King's speck, to have
"revolted," and the adatinistradoo Odle Rink styled am "enlightened"
one. The animal that bears the burden knows best where it pinches and
presses; and if a whole nation determines with uneasily 00 linger
endure a particular form of government, without assigning my cause
whatever fat the change, we know not who has a right to cestreul Its
will, olwayierrided the peace °f other states be re But we can
bring to m me instance wherein so few muses in to other na-
tions were assigned for a revolution; and we well the fragment
and uncentradicted praises whisk were bestowed by all poetise upon the
Ring of Holland (his affability, his modesodos, his frugality) below the
ea*sion took place. However, that it km taken place must be as.
cepted as a proof that something was materially ming.

Cuitowter.r.san the House of Lords, last night, the Earl of MA-
chilies hoped Government " would have the good sense to adhere to
the great principle of non-interference." This observation was loudly
cheered. His Lordship, adverting to the Duke of Wellington's famous
declaration as to the impossibility of improving Parliament, which
as at present constituta, was all exa.. ce, all perfection, ob-
served, " that if Reform—moderate Reform—did not take
I place, be would himself speedily witness the destruction of the
bat institutions of the country." He added, that "if that pas.
sage of the Noble Duke's speech which related to Parliamentary
I Reform bad been framed with a view of conciliating the high-minded
Noblemen with whom he was usually united, he could tell the Noble
Duke that he might as well attempt to take high heaven by storm."
The Noble Earl has a very exalted idea of the high.minded men
with whom be usually acts. We suspect, however, that the Duke
of Wellington has formed a more accurate adulate of their virtue ;
and admitting, with his Lordship, that without the influence of of-
fice his Grace might not obtain fifty votes, he will not on that ac-
count experience any want of votes so long as he is in office. We
will answer for it, at all events, that he will not lose many votes
by his declared hostility to Reform in every shape.

POOT.—Though the apprehersions of approaching war. now so ge-
nerally expressed, and which have operated a coosiderable depression
of the Funds, are not in our opinion unreasonably or groundlessly
entertained, it is certain they have received no countenance either from
the Royal Speech or from the declarations of Ministers. The
maxim is, indeed, announced in some quarters, that England has
no concern whatever In foreign politics, and is bound to abstain,
under all circumstances, from any interference in the internal
affairs of other countries. This, as an abstract proposition, may
be partially correct, but surely it will not be reseeded that
England, after her unparalleled exertions and the expenditure of
so many millions of money in adjusting the balance of Europe, as it
lately existed, should not be at liberty even to express an opinion upon
its future settlement. But the proposed intervention of Great &hale
and her Allies, as is clearly intimated by his Majesty, sod expressly
declared by the Members of the Government, will be undertaken with
the view of preserving the repose of Europe, not of disturbing it. The
people of England desire the maintenance of peace, and Ministers are
too well acquainted with the true interests of the State to disregard this
universal feeling. We may be assured that, as far at least as our Go-
vernment is concerned, no honourable expedient will be neglected by
which the calamities of war may be averted. How far the temper of
the and the Government of France may render practicable the
successful adoption of this course, we do not wish at present to consider.
The prospect must be admitted to be sufficiently gloomy. It is re-
markable that the same factious politicians, who accuse the Duke of
Wellington of a desire to embroil us in foreign dissensions, have till
now strenuously insisted upon the utter inability of this country to un-
tertake a war, or even to resent an insult.

CnitoniCt.i..—What is this that I hear about General Lafayette ?
I hear on)he authority of persons present at the review on Sunday last,
that when the old general passed one of the legions, some of the guards
having showed " Ifire Lafayette!" the major part of the legion said.
" Hush !" "Hush !" and the general paned without a cheer. Aad
what is this that I hear on the walls of Paris? When his name is
written and printed on placards or official orden,:l find the people have
struck it out with sticks or pencils, or haunts:ed it with mud ! When be
appears in public the crowd do not follow after him, and though none in.
Isult him, yet none cry aloud, " Vive Lafayette!" These are facts. They
are facts which merit attention, and which may be taken as the /WC signs
of the times. I must explain this state of things in a few words. Well, then,
the old General has too much identified himself with the Guizot and
Louis Administration to please the people ; he has called the meetings
of the citizens" mobs ;" and be has abandoned too much his Rels.
licanism. These are the charges against him. His hinds den,
and maintain that he has refused to remain at the head of the National
Guards if Odillon Barrot shall be dismissed as Prefect, and if Dupont
de PlCure shall not remain Minister of Justice. If this be really so, 'de
well, and the old General is not too late to regain all his popularity —I
But, for the sake of " order," the General must not forget his prin.cl.
pies—and, for fear of anarchy, be must not forget that the Revolution
was commenced 40 years ago, and has been continued in 1830, to effect
something more than a change of dynasty. 0. P. Q.