The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-10 00:00:00

TIM ABERDEEN CABINET

Whatever might have been the Conservative antecedents
of some members of the cabinet, we could not forget that
these were the men who, in almost every instance, had
adopted expediency as their guide, instead of following the
straight and undeviating path of honour. It appeared to
us evident that the Radical section could not, supposing
its component members to be honest and earnest in their
views, avoid the opportunity of pressing their peculiar
tenets upon the consideration of their colleagues; and,
believing in the thorough elasticity of consciences which
have once submitted to the doctrines of expediency, it
seemed to us exceedingly probable that the former main-
tainers of a Conservative policy would become as supple in
the hands of their new allies as the heart of a democrat
could desire. Besides all this, it was evident that the
'head of the Administration, Lord Aberdeen, was unfitted
to deal with the new complications which the altered state
of European affairs has introduced. At no one period of
his life did the Premier ever occupy a place in the fore-
most rank of statesmen. He was neither acute enough in
his intellect, nor adroit enough in his management of
affairs, to entitle him to such a position. He might be a
useful colleague, but he never was qualified to be a leader.
In prescience, the most valuable attribute of a diplomatist,
he has always shown himself to be defective. Obstinacy,
which he mistakes for firmness, and craft, which he con-
ceives to be wisdom, have made him the unconscious tool
of far superior men, who, in the palmy days of European
congresses, were his associates. Strange as it may' appear,
Lord Aberdeen, who at home is confederated in council
with Sir James Graham and Sir William Molesworth, is
universally regarded abroad as the last prop in Britain of
the absolutist policy and dominion. Russia is delighted
to see him Prime Minister of this country, because, so long
as that arrangement lasts, she anticipates no active check
to her designs. Austria, while acting the hypocritical
part of mediator, and keeping up the farce of negotiation
after the hour for action has arrived, chuckles at the
credence which is given to the sincerity of her concocted
notes, and forwards, at proper intervals, fresh projects for
the maintenance of peace to Downing-street, in order to
divert attention from the boom of the Russian-cannon.
With regard to France, Lord Aberdeen has not cultivated
those friendly relations which were established by Lord
Malmesbury, and which, especially at the present time,
are so important for maintaining the influence of the two
great western powers. Forgetting the adage that nations
have no cousins, and the maxim against foreign cabals in
behalf of rejected dynasties, he is well known to regard
with favour the pretensions of the house of Orleans, which
has not even the abstract merit of legitimacy to recom-
mend it ; and not only that portion of the press which is
under ministerial control, but even members of the
cabinet, were allowed, without contradiction or reproof, to
Indulge in unmeasured obloquy and invective directed
against the present Emperor of the French.

AUSTRIA.

Austria may be despotic—whether from inclination or
necessity it is beyond our purpose here to inquire—but,
in her relations with Great Britain, she has heretofore
acted with fairness. She may be deceitful—that it is too
often the characteristic of despotisms—and truth compels
us to admit that Austrian statesmen have never been re-
markable for sincerity. That virtue is no part of their
system ; perhaps it cannot co-exist with institutions such
as theirs. But in dealing with states, as with individuals,
'we must take them with their faults, as well as their vir-
tues. We do not inquire too closely into the character of
the man who is punctual in his payments, and regular in
redeeming his engagements. Now, apply that principle—
universallyobserved in so far as individuals are concerned—
to Austria, and mark what we have done. Oar old re-
lations are undoubted, and there was, at all events, amity
between us. Years roll on, and at last there occurs a
rebellion in the hereditary states of the house of Haps-
burg. The infection spreads from the provinces to the
`mother state. The capital, Vienna, is taken, pillaged,
' and subjected to the usual ordeal of democratic libertinism.
The army remains true to the Emperor—retakes the
'capital—puts down the insurgents, and restores trn-
''quillity to Austria. Does England—a country which
abhors, or ought to abhor, revolutions, and which, but
live years ago, was threatened with a like visitation from
chartism, besides Irish outbreaks—does England, we say,
exhibit any symptoms of rejoicing at that event? Quite
the contrary. Marshal Haynau visits London, and he is
immediately made the object of a brutal personal attack,
such as would disgrace the Coromantees, or any other
heathen tribe of Africa. Next comes Kossuth, the leader
and instigator of the Hungarian rebellion ; and he is re-
ceived with almost superhuman honours by mayors, and
aldermen, and other civic idiots, none of whom could,
even if threatened with the penalty of instant death, tell
you where Hungary is situate on the map of Europe. No
wonder if Austria, thus insulted in the person of one of
her chief commanders, takes umbrage—no wonder if she
interprets the ovations lavished upon a rebel, into dis-
tinct proofs of the. entire sympathy of the British people
with the cause of insurrection and democracy. And the
result is that Austria, thus repulsed, turns away from us,.
and lends her influence, whenever that is required, to
forward and assist the ambitious projects of the Czar.

The Mercantile Marine Magazine. Liverpool:

.
Cameron. -
The first number of a magazine, devoted, as its
name implies, to the important interests of the
mercantile marine. How far this object will be
carried out remains to be seen, but we may state
that the
:-....“
principal contents of the number just pub-
lished are
sed
Meteorological observations at sea,
and the propo
system of maritime co-operation."
"Our
mercantile Marine. N 0.1.," "Sailing Direc-
tions from the Archipelago to the Danube," " Pas-
sage from Hong-Kong to Shanghae' " "Changes in
Lights and Buoys," " Nautical Memoranda," Bx.

Tlie Lffe of Martin Lugker, the German. Re-
former. In 50 pictures from designs by Gustav
Konig. London : Nathaniel Cooke.
The trulf'splendid and really elegant volume
before us is an attempt, and by no means an unsuc-
cessful one, to bring before the eye, and to sustain

I before.the mental vision, a complete and connected
I series of the events which chiefly distinguished the
remarkable and interesting life of the great Chris-
tian Reformer. It consists of pictorial represen-
tations of those striking incidents which marked
the character and gave emphasis to the career of
Luther, delineated with touching simplicity and
artistic truth. The engravings are cleverly and
effectively rendered rather than elaborately finished,
the intention being obviously to create an impres-
sive and edifying solemnity of feeling in accordance
with the important and elevating nature of the
subject ; yet at the same time scrupulously to
avoid an ostentatious display of details, or the
unnecessary parade of minor incidents. The des-
criptive letter-press is written in a kindred spirit
of truthful severity. Breadth of effect and telling
earnestness have been the aim of artist and author,
and the result is worthy of the united efforts.
The great apostle of the Reformation is traced from
his cradle to his coffin through all the vicissitudes
which chequered his eventful life. We find him
represented as the simple student, the ardent
worshipper, the darinc, assailant of ecclesiastical
abuses, the bold and uncompromising leader of
intellectual and religious freedom, the zealous
champion of truth. In the bosom of his family we
find him the leader of its domestic joys, the pro-
moter and participator of its innocent delights, yet
in all tinctured with that holiness of life and
sincere humility of spirit which at all times charac-
terised the public and private life of Luther. The
pictures, from their style and the interest inherent
in the subjects they represent, attained au exten-
sive popularity in Germany,—a distinction which
we have no doubt also awaits them in the present
transcript. The letter-press, by its tolerant spirit
and its unaffected truthfulness of narrative, also
obtained much and deserved approbation. In addi-
tion to the life of Luther, the volume contains
likewise a brief but comprehensive sketch of the
rise and progress of the Reformation in Germany.
Having said thus much of the labours of the artist
and the author, we cannot conclude without high
commendation of the style of beauty in which its
spirited publisher, Mr. Cooke, has brought it
before the English public. In point of typography,
paper, and the general attributes of publishing
excellence, it has few rivals and no superiors in the
numerous Christmas souvenirs which at the present
time load the shelves of the booksellers.

Poems. By John Francis Waller, LL.D. Dublin :
James M`Glashan.
Fully a century has elapsed since it was written.
with equal truth and beauty, by the great critical
poet—
" Waller was smooth ; but Dryden taught to
"join
The varying verse, the long resounding line ;
but in our days we are favoured with the effusions
of a Wailer, whose verse is enriched with the best
attributes of both the poets whose names are im-
mortalised in the above couplet, and to those are
added a grace, tenderness, and purity of sentiment,
unknown to either of the elder bards. The small,
though beautiful, and charming volume, which has'
just been issued by Dr. Waller, under the imprima-1
fur of Mr. M'Glashan, is, we learn with much
satisfaction, from the hand of that cunning wizzard,
who, under the nom de plume of Jonathan Freake
Sling,sby, has for numerous years past delighted
and astonished the readers of the Dublin Univer-
sity Magazine. In the volume before us, how-
ever, the poet occupies a more elevated position
than he has heretofore assumed, and from his lyre
he throws off notes of higher inspiration, giving
utterance to a song of more sustained beauty,
than are to be found in the wild and fitful, though
melifluent strains, in which, with the careless ease
of a poetic master, he rung each change—
" From grave to gay, from lively to sincere;"
and yet was seductive, charming, delightful in all.
The present volume opens with a narrative, or
story poem in three parts, entitled " Ravenscroft
Hall," which is marked by a truthful simplicity of
design, and a vigorous beauty of action, evolved in
sweet and graceful language. The story, as we
have already said, is simple. Two brothers, Ralph
the elder, and Walter, unknown to each other, love
the same maid, Alice ; she prefers the elder, and
agreeably to the preference and to previously
arranged family intentions, Ralph and Alice are
made one—
" And two fair children blessed their happy home—"
Walter fled, a wayward, disappointed youth ;
but, after long wanderings, he returns, an un-
known visitant to the scenes of his nativity and early
years. The time of his return is Christmas eve,
and in the morning his troubled spirit is soothed
by a Chrismas carol, chaunted by the village
children under his window. He goes to the church,
and is ultimately reconciled to his father, his
brother, and to his lost though still beloved :Alice.
Ultimately the curtain of death closes round all the
original actors in the simple drama, the " two fair
children" being only left : but, not• before the
serenity of Christian love has lent its solace to the
re-united family. The chief beauty of this " artless
tale" will be found in the delicate pencilings of
its accompanying incidents. It aims not at taking
the passions by storm, but sways, by gentler
means, the heart's emotions. Beauty of imagery,
tenderness and purity of sentiment, are the ma-
chinery by which our poet seeks to win our sym-
pathies, and in the use of these he is highly success-
ful. We regret we cannot give copious extracts
from this bouquet of seasoned sweets, but must
content ourselves with the following :
Alice and 'Ralph, in the hot noon of day,
Paced a sweet alley where the birch, and oak,
And light-sprayed ashes, interlacing close
Their lofty branches in an arch o'erheal,
Barred out the sun-gyre. Carolled wild the birds
Deep in the underwood, or on the heights
Of rocking branches, where they basked in light.
Alice and Ralph alone paced to and fro,
So silent both that ye might hear the tread
Of their slow feet upon the shell-strewed walk,
Or the low chirping of the shrill cicada.
The young man gazed upon the gentle girl,
Intent and long, as though his eyes would pry
Deep through her orbs into her heart of hearts,
And read the lived sweetness of her love.
She the while
Curtained her blue eyes with their fringed lids,
And gave not entrance to his passionate gaze.
Woman's defensive instinct ! like the flower
That closes quick its sensitive leaves if even
An infant's finger touch them.
And thus they walked. happy, yet ill at ease,
For they were lovers, though as yet no word
Of formal courtship told the young man's love.
But ere the shadows of the western hills
Stretched far into the vale at eventide,
Their hearts stood all contest. It skills not how—
By words, or something tenderer still than words—
'Tis the old tale—old, yet still ever new—
The mode still varying, but the end the same.
In all times—in all places—in the halls
Of princes—in the peasant's lowly but—
In crowded cities—in the lone savannahs—
The same mysterious, subtle, potent instinct,
That guided Adam in primeval bowers,
And shook with troublous joy the beating heart
Of his most beauteous God-gift; and that now,
In this old, sin stained, and degenerate world,
Wakes in man's heart the one lone feeling left
That links him still to God. and makes him holy.
Mortal, beware how thou dolt use this gift !
If with a reverent joy—a holy awe—
Thou entertainest in thy purest soul
This angel sent from God as unawares,
'Tis well, for thou art sanctified thereby;
But if thou stain with one unhallowed thought
The crystal fount of that divinest essence—
If thou dost throw on that bright holy flame
Even but the thousandth part of aught that's gross,
Then dost thou grieve God's Spirit, quench his light,
Anti cause, it may be, even to go forth
From the heart's temple that thou hast defiled,
As erst from God's own Pane on Sion's Mount,
The dread decree—" Let us depart from hence.”
Besides the poem to which our remarks have
been chiefly confined, the volume contains nume-
rous small pieces, each characterised by beauty of
thought, appropriateness of imagery, and sweet-
ness of diction. By the publication of this volume,
its author has added very substantially to the
claim he had, under his assumed pro-namen,
established to a favourable public recognition of
poetic talents of a very high order.

The History of Servia,ancl the Servian Revolution.
By Leopold Ranke. London : Henry G. Bohn.
This valuable and opportune work contains not
merely the history of Servia and its revolution ; it
is also enhanced by a sketch of the insurrection in
Bosnia, and, it has further added to it, an account
of the slave provinces of Turkey, the whole forming
a mass of information peculiarly suited to the pre-
sent position of eastern affairs. The Servian revolt,
if any revolt could do so, was one peculiarly fitted
to rouse the sympathies of a free Christian nation,
and to secure a lively interest in the bosoms of the
British people. The struggles of a simple, hardy,
and intrepid people, contending for religious free-
dom and national independence, was indeed a spec-
tacle deserving of warm sympathy and support.
The geographical position, and Christian profession,
of the Servians and Bulgarians, confer on their
movements and social *tate, more especially under
the present aspect of affairs, an importance worthy
of the deepest consideration; and at the handsof Pro-
fessor Ranke these peculiarities have been treated
with a calmness and penetration worthy of the sub-
ject. The past and the prospective, as well as the ex-
isting troubles of the Ottoman Empire, are weighed
with scrupulous care, and the overbearing policy of
Turkey, and its opposition to Christian toleration,
are displayed with great .ability .and candour ;
while the importance of having an independent
Christian state in the locality occupied by Servia is
duly insisted on. In point of translation, the work
has received every justice at the hands of Mrs.
Alexander Kerr, In that portion of the work which

treats of Bosnia, a portion comparatively but little
known in England, there are some remarkable pas-
sages ; the writer's views, though expressed long
since, seem to have been so well digested, and so
completely in consonance with the course of realised
events, as to appear almost prophetic ; and from
the great and still increasing interest of the Eastern
question, and its complications, the publication of
the work is peculiarly well-timed.