The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-04-18
FRANCE AND HER REVOLUTION-LET
TER FROM AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
TO HON. JOHN P. HALE.
Correspondence ofthc Tribune.
WASHINGTON, April ., ls4s.

WASHINGTON, April ., ls4s.
have inst been favored with the perusal of an
interesting letter, addressed to Hon. JOHN p
HALE, by ar eminent New England Clergyman,
now in Paris, and who was 4 spectator to the in
teresting events recently occurring in that city
He says:
n mo one who is not fully aware of the
supposed strength and resources of Louis Philippe
can conceive how wonderful these events have
been. Perhaps there never has been monarch
more shrewd and worldly-wise than he, or who
has been more successful in all he undertook a
fine family subservient House of Peers and
Deputies: immense wealth all his policy in re-
gard to other national affairs successful; Belgi-
um ruled by his son-in-law; Spain destined to be
ruled by his daughter-in-law; Austria, Russia
England, offering no opposition TO his schemes
the war in Algiers just ended. and 100000 troops
within call and thus girt with Notifications
which his craft had erected-what had he to fear
Nothing he thought. Tuesday, Feb %, he ex-
pressed to an English gcntleman-all the time in
the highest spirits-the confidence that these facts
inspired, nor dreamed of change of policy
Thursday, Mt noon, he fed from his palace and
departed in an omnibus, unattended save by two
or three followers, in such haste that he took moi
even change of clothes and was obliged to have
subscription taken up TO defray his expenses &c
England, where he has just arrived-weary and
worn with his journey-in fishing-boat and a
borrowed pca-iacket. Ills palace is hospital fol-
poor workmen; Il saw them the other day smo-
king their pipes in the throne-room,) and men in
smock frocks sit in the seats of Peers delberatng
on the affairs of the Republic.
More wonderful still, l. C. TO those who have
no faith in the people, property is as safe. thus
far,) and order and peace prevail everywhere
as fully as was the case when at every turn one
met en- armed policeman.
''No language can do justice (even the English
who love not Republics, say this to the whole
conduct of the people When the tidings came
on Thursday night that Paris lay as absolutely al
the mercy of the mob as it was possible to con-
ceive; that some 5OOO0,O00, mostly Of the low
est class, and who had been for the last few
months VIGOROUSLY in great distress, were para
ding the streets, and that nothing under Heaven
at least for that night, was between them and al
the wealth of Paris but their own will many
though none of us were in any fear-must have
felt frightened enough. Every store was cleared
every door barred. That night passed off, and
so have subsequent nights, in perfect security
and now Paris. as respects business and pleasure
is very much as it always was. We are protect
cd by those Of whom almost every one was a.
fraid. The royal palaces were roughly treated
at first, but quarter of an hour had not passed
before men lin tatters and probably hungry were
posted to protect the property, and no one was al
lowed to carry away anything. Valua5les, worth
thousands of dollars, were carried to the public
treasury, by men who probably knew not whers
to get q inorsel for the morrow. Valuable
Church ornaments were rcverently carried to a
neighboring place of security "Chiist is the
master of us ALL brethren" said one, and the rest
bowed their heads as the articles were borne by
Sixty thousand dollars, or more, were carried
through the ranks of the mob, the next day
guarded by some half-dozen workmcn. These
are but two or three out of hundred of such IL
lustrations Then too, their mercy was wonder
full. The Municipal Guards acted with the most
atrocious cruelty: they killed several las 1 saw
with my own eyes), who were advancing with
none but the most friendly intentions. Yet the
people, in almost every instance, when they col