The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-05
Letters OF Mr.. Bennett from Europe.

Since The sailing of the last steamer, nothing
very important has taken place, either in this me-
| ;ropolis, or on the continent. So far as regards
opinions expressed by the various organs of pub
lie opinion in this country upon American affairs,
/ | have seldom ever witnessed so little excite
ment or so little enquiry. The settlement of the
Oregon question appears to have closed up all de-
sire IN the public press to take any special inte-
res in American affairs. On the arrival of the
last steamer, the newspapers, both here and in
France, gave copious details of the military ope-
rations in Mexico; and it really appears to be the
desire, if not of the government, at least of the
great commercial public here, to allow the Ame-
ricans to form and fashion their own destiny upon
the Western continent. There is not single feel
ing OF sympathy, in any quarter, expressed to-
wards Mexico, when people talk OF, make
ference to, her affairs. 1t appears to be the OPT
Mon that the preponderance of the United States
over Mexico, in any shape, is better for European
interests than any other destiny which might be
devised for that unhappy country. From intima-
tons already given, am much disposed to think
that already the British government, under the
Premiership of Lord John Russell, does not APP
prove OF the recent movement Of the British and
French fleets in South America. / shall not be
surprised if we sec the new Ministry withdraw
all interference to the of events in the Ri
yer Plata land if it should allow the republics Of
that region to shape their own destiny, and take
of their own affairs. Such appear to be the
ideas put forth by the organ of the new Ministry
in this metropolis. The truth Of the matter is
plain enough-the governing classes in this coun-
try, who are at the head of highly artificial sys-
TEN of society, do not wish to disturb the present
state of things in which they enjoy the world, by
provoking, if it can be avoided, any collision with
our American republic and policy. Hereafter it
will probably be that they will avail themselves of
every possible commercial intercourse with the
people, both of South and North America, with
out, however, intermingling with their political
revolutions with their future political destinies.
The ideas put forth year ago, in relation to the
establishment of monarchy in Mexico, are now
completely exploded; and the more polite views,
both of the commercial and manufacturing inte-
rests, viz to allow the American republics to
shape their own governments, and TO avail them
selves here Of all possible advantages OF trade and
commerce with them-seems to be the policy
which will be adopted both by France and Eng
land.
The great interest felt here during the last few
weeks among the upper classes, has been in rela-
The fall of Sir Robert Peel. and the rise of Lord
John, present a complete anomaly in the history
of British parties. After agitations of various
/ kinds during the last twenty years, all parties in
this country appear to have reached a perfect
| calm, central point, in which there is scarcely
a breeze which now ruffles the surface. 1t is,
however, only the beginning OF a new period of
fresh agitations, which must gradually spring up
e e c.
the State and condition of the country.
During the fashionable season, which will close
in a few weeks, the west end of London presents a
greater display ofwealth grandeur and luxurythan
perhaps any other similar spot the surface ofthe
earth The Queen and the nobility, including
also the House of Commons, with all their re-
tanners, numbering probably not over 5000 per-
sons, have the monopoly of the soil and the
wealth of this wonderful country; and spend in
the enjoyment of life an amount which would
probably feed three, or even six millions of peo-
| pie in the middle circles of human life. The
wealth Of this small portion of the British public
is unbounded, and can scarcely be believed in
other countries Their whole existence is spent
among gorgeous displays and splendors for few
months of the year, in princely residences in
town, recruiting afterwards in the country for
| travelling on the continent. In the immediate
] neighborhood where am writing there is one OF
these noble people, (and have selected him only
as specmen,) who spends annually 500 900 dol
lars, and others two millions while the null
ttude of dependents ON their estates in the coun-
try live upon eight shillings week. on which
they have to support their wives and families.
Hitherto this state of society ha. been supported,
increased and extended, by taking within its vor-
tex, all those who have become immensely rich
by manufactures commerce. individuals
from among the manufacturing or commercial
population, springing from the middling or lower
classes, when they get rich it is their highest am
bition to be countenanced by the upper classes, to
be invited to their sources and dinners, and to be
tolerated by those who enjoy the hereditary
rights and hereditary privileges of the empire.
This state of society-ths singular and unequal
condition of human circumstances is increasing
every year, and the natural tendency of such an
artificial system, must lead to agitations upon agi
tons, every succeeding one fiercer than the for
mer, until some sort of equality shall be restored
among all classes of the empire. But when this
time shall arrive is buried in the bosom of flturi.
ty. In the mean time, it is astonishing to see the
quiet and order which prevail, the apparen,
content, and absence of all tumult and agitation
in country in which there is such an unequal
distribution OF honors, property and offices, and
even of the common necessaries of life.
During the last ten days, society here has been
principally occupied with the movements of Ibra.
him Pacha, eldest son of Mahemet Ali, who has
been looking and examining into everything con.
nected with the arts, manufactures and system Of
this country. He left town yesterday for South.
ampton, and will embark immediately in YES.
sci prepared by the government to take him to
his own country. All sorts of entertainments
have been given TO him here, all sorts of speeches
made in his praise toasts drunk, and compli.
ments showered down upon him from the high
est to the lowest ranks Ibrahim himself accor-