The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-12

Rev. DIR. Bairst's Lectures on Europe.
The Rev DR.. Baird commenced series Of lectures
the present state of Europe, political, social and
religious, at the Central Presbyterian Church, in
Broome street, on Friday evening last The proceeds
of the lectures to be devoted to the promotion Of
the gospel in France The present lecture which was
Introductory to tho course he said would be In
the style Of familiar conversation than anything
ee upon the present state Of things in Europe gene
rally; and his remarks that occasion would neces-
sarly be of general nature His lectures would be
much the same as those given by him on the same
subject three four years ago, when he lsctured
Europe at the request Of number of gentlemen, who
suggs sed that he might be able without interfering
with his proper work, to give a course of lectures
which would impart good deal Of information the
state of Europe to the American public. lie spent O
number of years in that part Of the world and has
visited it sss than Eve times within the last twelve
years.
Europe is quarter of the world with which the PEG.
pie Of the United States should be well acquainted
from the intimate relations existing between 1t and
this country 1t is to be sure, but small portion Of
the world but, owing to its great civilization, its
commerce. it's literature and its great military force
saoud be we'll acquainted with it. 1t operates on
by its commerce. it's arts its religion its literature
and by the immense emigration which it pours on
shores, as no other part Of the world does
or probably can do. And the probability is that
1t will continue to do so. The emigration to this
country from Europe, during the past year, will
not fall far shtrt OF quarter Of million few
and when it reached sixty thourand, we thought it
quite alarming. Now, however. it amounts to two
ing, long North America offers the advantages
which 1t to the millions of the old world or until
an eanlibrium The population of Europe is two hun
and fifty millions, and while it comprises not
than fourteenth part Of the area of the world, its
population 10 nearly nefourth. The population is
principally the west.rn side that on the eastern
side scarcely exceeds sixtyfve millions which little
than fourth part of the whole In regard to
civilization, the highest is confined to the westera
sde the ride with which we have the most intimate
little show Of civilization in comparison with Gsrma
ny, Italy or Englsnd the first named countries being,
in fact more Asatio than European in their charac
ter. AS to Russia 1t was not considered part of Eu
rope until within the last hundred and fifty years
and to this day the Greeks and the people of Turkey
in Europe. If man goes from Greece to Italy or
England, he will say be is going to Europe because the
people Of those cou nt1iss as has before been said
fecting to think that civilization should be confined
to the western side Of Europe and that II add to
have almost the whole Of the civilization Of the
world. No one can travel over Europe without
population Europe Caucasian It's descent there
are still great many Varieties among them. In the
parts ths and h"as Of III the people
Their compexions are lighter and they have light blue
eyes In the central parts Of Europe Russia Germa
faces very different from those of the others
The faces round with the exception of those Of the
ranked smong the Soandinavians, and resemble very
much the people Of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark
In the middle parts Of Europe the faces are the
size If you descend into the southern parts of Eu
rope into France, Spain, Portugal Italy, Greece or
complexion than the others with faces still oval
the hair much darker, and the complexion the same
Of Europe There is African race in Europe worth
mentioning The races are almost wholly Caucasian.
cially among the lower classes and in retired places
The middle and higher classes dress pretty much alike
and get their fashions from Paris which city governs
teHof costume which prevail In Europe, you must 60
down to the lowest classes of society in the different
oeuntrss and there you will see It, For instance take
which contains twenty two Of
which has different variety Of costume. This manfs.ts
Observable In portion Of the dress Of the men, but
affecting oftener little things, which very striking
terespg objects Of contrast The only philosophi
cal view to be taken Of these varieties Of costume
that they are landmarks to point out the
fused the varieties Of origin may be traced BY the
rietes of costume For instance find the varieties
ing; and the in Russia; and it is quite certain
that these things indicate diversity Of origin, and
are landmarks pointing out the variety Of tribes long
after Language became difused. So you will fnd =
great variety Of languages In Europe perhaps great
those ages wSios contain .s,shns Of III literature
do not exceed thirteen in number. These the
French, the German, English, Spanish, Italian, Rus
sian, Turkish, and the modern Greek; and IL you go
further, you can take the Dutch the Danish and the
Swedish, which are really rich in literature. There
which ia very little kno the greater part of the
people OF this country but the great languages are
markabie, that numerous as the languages are, they
can all be classified There are three great languages
You have the Latin, spoken by about seventy five
similar number; and the great Slavonic, spoken by
the remainder. 1t singular fact that this great
the human race. This division does not, however,
include the whole Of the Languages Of Europe,
old languages which have not been extirpated by the
three great classes to which reference has been made
Thur in Ireland there lie the old Celtic dialect still
naming and not yet extirpated by the English lam
gusge. STILL the language of Europe may be classified
in this way; and what is just as remarkable, the
bgion OF the people Of Europe corresponds in much
the same way. The Teutonic nations for the most
part, are Protestant the Slavonic of the Greek
gentleman then referred to the various forms Of 60
vernnentin Europe, the number of which is greater
than many people are apt to suppose. The entire
the number will be year or two hence, no one
tell twenty-five years age, the number was sixty
eight; but since that time two have been destroyed
The republic Of Cracow was absolved by Austria and
the duchy Of Lucca has been united with Tuscany.
The tendency Of things in Europe, is towards con-
foldation by the abortion of smaller governments
by the larger. Yet the number Is great has been
observed and those governments are divided as fol.
lows:-There are twenty-one kingdoms, not all indie
pendent, however, for nineteen only Of them
Two Of them are not Independent, Norway belonging
to Sweden and Hungary which Is united with Austria
The people of Norway the freest in Europe. Po
land aswe are all aware is no longer kingdom IL
is, however in great degree governed by its
old laws and ssages; but there is over it viceroy
Of Russia, and it has longer its govern
meIt. here are, therefore, nineteen iniepen sent
kingdoms. Then there are thirty.two duchies, Of
which twenty nine are in Germany, and three
in Italy 10 Is singular that there should be so
many duches in Germany; and to find out their orr
gin, We must go back to the middle ages. and trace
them from the downfall Of the Roman empire to the
reign of Charemagne 1t is difficult to tell the diff
ference between duchy and kingdom, for the
dukes which reign over them as much ouarchs
as the Emperor Of Russia is Some OF them are very
insignificant, while others are of great Importance