Star.
London, England, 1830-12-23 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

FRAZER'S MAGAZINE—FRAZER.
We have deferred rather later than usual our notice of this period,.
cal, which has not arisen from its matter being inferior to that of fanner
numbers, but rather from an opposite cause. We have observed all the
Alagozones this month treat more on polities than has been their general
habit,—we conclude, for this very good cause, that little else forms, at
present, the subject of conversation. In thi‘ number there is a very in.
telligent article on the " State of the Labouring Classes," an analysis
and some remarks on which on firitt reading, we had intended for another
deportment of the Paper ; but, during the sitting of Parliament, we can
tint now and then accomplish the insertion of what we intend—and,
among other objects this we have found it necessary to relinquish.—
We have to recommend that article to all enquirers on the causes
of the present political crisis. The Essay on Mr. Owen we
do not think either exactly in good taste or very cogent
in its reasoning. We never like to see an author's argu-
ments replied toby remarks on the author individually. We should like
to se- Mr. Owen opposed by reasoning, but not to see objects attributed
to him which do not accord with the well.known character of the man.
There is an able paper on Parliamentary Reform, containing some cu-
rious facto about Cinque Port elections, strongly elucidatory of the exist.
ing system. The first article, a review of " Sir Walter Scott on Demo-
nology," is judicious and interesting. "Some pswga in the Life of an
Idler," is perhaps the most amusing article. We do not agree with Mr.
Galt on the slave question. A characteristic sketch of this gentleman,
is given in this nutnber. From a very interesting account of the
Belgian troubles, we give, as an extract, the following account of
De Potter :
De Potter is a native of Bruges, and the head of a noble family of
competent fortune. He is about forty years of age, short in stature, dry
in temperament, perfectly bald, with an acute expression of coyote-
riar.ce. His youth has been a studious one : during Napoleon's iron
reign, he spent his time in Italy—at Rome chiefly, where he had free
admission to the records of the Vatican. He has since, in his History
of the Church,' and in his Life of Scipio de Ricci,' (translated by Mr.
T. Roscoe, and published by Colburn,) made such a use of these re-
searches, as to subject him to the charge of unfairness. The friends of
the church have urged, he would never have been permitted to peruse
and copy the documents he has availed himself of, had he not given the
Court of Rome to understand that his views were friendly. His repo.
ration at Rome stood deservedly high : in the absence of the Belgian
amba'sador, his friend, he officiated in his place, and altogether, front
his birth, fortune, talents, and learnieg, bore a high consideration at
Rome.

On his return home, under the reign of a constitutional monarch, he
scents to have abandoned theology and history for polities, and to have
engaged warmly in the controversies of the day. Belgium was a com-
plainant : it had never ceased to be so under the present king from the
time he was imposed upon them by the allies. Her grievant:ea were
not serious, but they were vexatious, and, above all, the Belgiar.s
felt that Holland was preferred by the Dutch king, and that a full
measure of justice was not dealt out to it. The Belgians are a jealous
and irritable race, and it was an unlucky measure to couple them with a
rival people, under an alien sovereign, and what is more, a heretic. Dr
Potter took up the cause of his countrymen, and all that man could do
by pamphlet and newspaper he did. Ile may be said to have been an
agitator. but he tock none of the measures of the great Irish disturber ;
he neither made speeches, nor went on missions, but at last he proposed
a rent, and was banished for it. Certain members of the States, who
had voted against ministers, were turned out of the posts they tilled, and
some were deprived of pensions. De Potter proposed, that a fur.d
should be established to indemnify all persona who suffered for patri.
otism's sake t he was already In prison for a libel en the government,
and he was now brought out to be tried for a conspiracy and high trea-
son. In less than three months after his condemnation, he and his two
advocates were the chiefs qf the provisional government, established
on the ruins of the authority that persecuted hint. This circumstance
alone is a strong Indication of the immediate causes of the revolution in
Belgium.