Star.
London, England, 1829-08-20 00:00:00

PRICE SEVENPENCF.

THE NEW FRENCH MINISTRY.

The following article from the French Globe, is said,
in private circles at Paris, to be from the pen of the
Duke de Broglie:—
Whence mmes this anxiety of all France? Whence this tumult
of opinion? A few days ago we were in profound peace. and
France, half contented, appeared full of hope , she felt that her
efforts would have an end, and her labours a reward. How muck
has every thing changed in a few days! what restless spirit has ar-
rived to disturb a nation so MU of peace ? what hand has rekindled
the fire of suspicion sad hatred? Must we say it? it is power
itself—power which. by an inconceivable fancy, breaks the bonds
which united it with society. It is ;tower which, without provo-
cation, without pretext, in the midst of order and universal repose,
resumes its menacing arms, again raises its irritating standards. re-
peats dreaded noises, and, changing suddenly its form, unveils to
the astonishment of France a bog-meditated project, which in the
words of a noble orator now no more (Camille-lottlan). who ap-
pears to have foreseen the WNW, " is the most imPfsgent—the
most fatal. parity., which ow km the councils of
Kings since those councils, ofdeplorable memory, kehielt sur-
rounded and destroyed the unfortunate race of the Stuart.."
During the last session it was frequently announced that as soon
as it should be closed M de Polipac would arrive at the Ministry
with his escort ; this. however, was not beireved even by those
who said it : the Ministers repeated it, but still they doubted it, for
the decision of the last week appears to have confounded them. As
for us, nothing short of the Menitesse would have conquered our in-
credulity. By a sort of blind confidence in reason, in evideuee, in
necessityme refused to believe in designs which are even more stupid
than they are criminal. How great was our simplicity ! We had
forgotten that there is a place in which reason has no voice, in
which evidence is without light, sad necessity is without empire—
in which caprice. and prejudice, and folly. and obstinacy, bear the
sway ; in which the must striking lessons are wither attended to
not understood ; in which have been decided so many times be-
twice courtiers and supper-hunting parties and confessors, strokes
of state policy which agitate nations and carry away whole dynas-
ties—this place is the Court : from thence, in fact. and thence only.
springs the new Ministry. Intrigue prepared it, and mere self-will
has formed it. Its accession has divided France in two—the Court
on nee side, the nation on the other.
(The Globe then proceeds at some length to comment on the pro-
ceedings which led to the appointment of the new Ministry, and
resume', as follows) :
But let us say no more about the past, for the future is too se-
rious. At this time nobody can make a mistake. and the deathly
of the new Ministry can escape no one's observation. It has heel.
often said, that when a new Administration is created, we should
wait to see what it does before we judge it. This is a species of
politeness which gives an air of impartiality; but in this case any
reserve wouldlie pore deception, and the names of the Alinipters
render it unnecessary to wait roc experience before we judge of
their government; and would to HIATIOI that experience may be
for ever wanting—that we may only prejudge them before, and
from their reputation!
This reputation. in fact, has made known to us that we have at
least a Ministry of the extreme right—that is to say, a Ministry of
the Congregation and of emigration. It has taught us that the two
men regarded as chiefs of absolutism. one of the priestly party and
the other of the provincial vistecracy, have just been placed at the
head of the Government. What do we want to know more? Is
not their future conduct to be inferred from their past opinions ?
France bas become 14 years younger than she was; and the recol-
lection of 1815 will serve as a sort of programme of what may be
expected from the Government.
Messrs. de Polignac and Lsbourdonnaye are the most con-
siderable men in the Dry Cabinet. Among their colleagues, M.
de Bourmoot alone is worthy of remark. The choice of such a
Ministry is an act of insanity, if it is not the sign of some new and
audacious project. Every one knows the desperate situation of
M. de Bounnont. Hr had, it is true. a certain reputation for
capacity. but his conduct is-lipain did not tend to *oily it; soil
indeed, if it had been a master-piece of prudence and talent, the
choke of such a Minister would always be a declaration of war
against the honour of the French army.
There is very litde tp say about the three others; kl. de Rigny
must net be counted, for it is said he will refuse to accept once, and
we willingly believe it. for the glory of the conqueror at Navarin
interests us. As to M. de Chanel, who bas not gained any vic-
tory, be is more free in his actions. Nobody ever thinks of re.
Marking that he has hitherto been ranked among the men Of the
centre right, and that his accession to the Ministry is a desertion.
M. de Courvoiske certainly belonged to the centre left in 1119 e, but
since then he pretends to a degree of piety not of the most en-
lightened character; and if religious sentiments are in general a
guarantee for honesty, what is called devotion is it:compatible with
political good sense. As to M. de Msntbel, he is an ignorant
man ; his only merit is that becomes from Toulouse, and that he
Is a sort of counterpart to M. de Villele. In the fine year he ac-
quired (it is not known hew) a reputation which vanished in the
second. He Is now charged with the public education ; we shall
see what will be thought of his reclamation' in favour of the dif-
fusion of knowledge.
To return to Messrs. Polignac and Laboardonnaye :—AU the
weight of the Government will be in their hands, for they
represent the whole policy of the Ministry. The: one is a
pourtier whose devotion alone gives him a serious cbaracter.—
Without this devotion, which is fervent, and • carried into
practice, be would be regarded as a man without stability—of
simple manners, and cold and restrained politeness. For a
,buss Ili, It stranger to France, it is neither in the school of
conspkaey, nor ins the school of diplomacy, that be has learnt
to know her. He thinks himself constitutional, because he
;has lived in Ragland. He has declared himself the friend of the
liberty of the press, hat be is not aware of she .embarrassments
and the vexations which he prepares for it ; and it is by the proof
. alone that we can judge of the solidity of the sentiments which he
has towardsit. Backing the Duke of Wellington in foreign policy,
and the Church in domestic, be enjoys. besides, the credit of being
a favourite with his Prince. He must be regarded as the head of
the Cabinet—not on his own account, butter the position which
he occupies.
That of M. de la Bourdoimaye is different. France knows him ;
be Is one of those men who are marked with recollections which
never perish. In his conversation be professes, it is said, pretty
openly, that force is the whole secret of Government, and that re-
ligion is only a means. He alone is evidently charged to give a
character to the new council Without him the ministry would be
ridiculous; with him it may become formidable ; wilt it he so long
and what must It do to become so these are terrible questions which
France puts with anxiety, and of which she awaits the solution an
agony. Hitherto we knew nothing but the projects of the party ;
the principal of these would be in change the elective system, if
not by a law, atleast by an ordinance: in order to emitted in it, if
the liberty of the press stands in the way, the censorship will be
re-established—still by an ordinaisce t and if such boldness should
Ind obstacles in the law and in justice. recourse would be had to a
force above justice and above the law. Absolute power would be
restored by usurpation. .. ... . •
Perhaps, however, M. de Polignac entertains, as his friends say.
the chimerical idea of seducing France by some great liberal mea-
sure—imitating, in abort, in every thing, the Duke of Wellington,
who gave to England emancipation of the Catholics. But these
presumptuous ideas will be soon dissipated in the presence of the
reality; it will soon be found that statesmen are governed by their
position ; and it will soon be felt how impetuses that is into which
the Administration, and the Monarchy with it, base been thrown.
Every day difficulties, or, more properly meeting, inepossibiKie.,
will manifest themselves, and perils will accumulate on all side..
Then, if they do not fall in time, they will be led by necessity to
the adoption of party measures and violent eiaterprives—to that. an
short, which snakes with Guvernmeuts. the illusion of strength
and attempts, which were not perhaps meditated, will appear the
natural consequences of their situation. . •
.We should have preferred slow amelioration and pacific improve-
ments; bat if this is not to be the destiny of our country, if the
rambling of approaching storms is heard, it is nut us that they menace
—we know where is the strength, the youth, and the. due:dime.
Perhaps we may have topes, some bad days yet ; but Goo will grant
courage to those to whom he has already given jtotice—we may have
to defend what appeared to us unattickeble. Perhaps liberties
dearly acquired may be in danger; hut they are st least protteted
by some laws, mid that is enough to place legality ono. the side of
resistaoce. The name of Hampden has already spread abroad •
may his example guide us in the hour of combat. Of all our
rights the Mercy of the press is mosoexposed. May, those whom
it annoys Ittain.thet.it will not -surrender without defence! The
liberty of the press Is the knits ckowis of nations—it ban in•
scribed Gore doodle hoelat.