The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-01-24
ALARMING PRocrEprNos or THE La


the suffering of the Poles, and the delight
with which we should hail the dawn of
any luminary that might tend to throw a
glow Of ultimate success upon their glo-
rious enterprise. But we must admit
that rumor has arisen, during the past
week, which has somewhat startled us,
and seems calculated to "fright" half
London "from its propricty." The
whole continent might have sprung to
arms, without conveying to mind the
fiftieth part of the shock produced by
this ominous whisper. 1t communicates
to us the intelligence, that "among the
arrivals at Warsaw, is that of the Hon.
Miss Platter, commander of the Samogi-
tian Lancers, with her aid-de-camp, like
wise young lady of quality" Either
we overrate the importance ofthis rumor,
or it is one which should not be suffered
to pass by us like IA summer-cloud. Such
heroism augurs well for unhappy Poland,
but we cannot but regard it as fraught
with hidden dangers, with horrors "not
loud, but deep."-We are assured, too,
by the same authority, that there are nu-
mcrons other instances ofKosciusko-ism
III the Polish army; and that in the lst
regiment of Kracusses Give recollectl a
young girl whether of quality or not we
are ignorant, has not only raised herself to
the rank of "sub-officcr," but has sex
pressed her determination to cut her scdy
even to that of an aid-de-camp - in tok-
en- whereof cross of honor has already
been presented to her. Now there may
at first sight appear nothing in all this
but spirit of of generosity and enthusi-
asm, alike elevating and honorable to
the female character, and delightful for
us to contemplate. 1t flashed upon our
eyes. as we read it amidst the dry dull
prose of our present political discussions,
like burst of poetry in an Act of Par
lament. All the noble instances of wo-
manly daring, heroism, and magnanim-
ity, recorded in the brightest pages of the
brightest histories of the world, rushed
upon our recollection; and we felt that
here was one worthy to rank with the
most radiant, and that ours was an age
which it was indeed q glory to live in.
But the poetic light was too brilliant to
last long; dimness first and then an ut
ter darkness, fell upon our spirit, as
we reflected upon the effect which such
examples may create among our own be-
loved country-wOmen or, at least, IL
mong the more romantic portion of them.
We know well enough-for little ex-
perience teaches us this-the effect of
any great example, particularly upon the
female mind. We know that there is in
fashion leader following kind of feeling
ing in all things; and thst women being
quicker both to think and to act than
ourselves, arc generally the first to fol-
low.
Let the world recoIlect how many
fair novelists were created by "Thaddeus
of Warsaw; let it remember THE thou
sand-and-one lovely poets that followed
in the footsteps of Mrs Hemans-let it
reflect upon the infinity of elegant an
kles, and ct ceteras, ahat rose upon our
view, after Mde. Vestris had emerged in
Giovana and it will at once see that
the female portion of his Majesty's lie
ges only require an example, to set
them going with rapidity which we
should in vain attempt to rival. This is
the cause of our CONSERVATION. We are
apprehensive, that the patriotism of the
"Fair Warrior" Miss Platter, will be-
come fashionable here, and that fe-
male insurrection may be the result.
The s'lancers" will, we fear, be lrresisti-
BILE: the picturesque costume will be fa-
tai provocation. The very name of"Sa-
mogitian lancers," is enough to call all
Almack's to arms. And then how tempt
ing to those in command must be the j.
dea Of having an "aid- -de-camp;" who
is, moreover, also "young lady ofqual-
ity;" while to those of humber rank, the
'ssub-oflicers," how delightful must it be
to "cut their way through" to cross of
honor. Alas for our homes and hearths,
when the brightest ornaments of them
shall have fled to beautify our barracks,
and 10 form themselves into tender,
lovely edition Of Life Guards! They
already exceed us in most things, and
surpass in many. They rival us in nov
els-they equal us in poetry they beat
us in metaphysics--in war they require
nothing but ,muskets to drive us fairly
from the vaniage-ground of our domin-
ions. Our right divine is vanishing. Or
iftbey should not go SO far, the example
of their Polish contemporary may at least
induce them, when the Reform Bill pas
ses, to insist upon share in tho legisla-
ton, Lady Morgan will, of course, be the
female member for Dublin, and Miss
Milford will be returned for the agricul-
tural, or rural interest. The theatres
will insist upon having their MEMBERS.
Vestris will secure all the votes of her
constituents at the Olympic, and Tagli-
Oni will become M. p. for the Opera