Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-26
From the London Times, May S.
THE ASPECT OF EuROPE.

der the severe control of despotic government
has succeeded to the hurricane which lately aei-
tated Europe, it would imply very superficial
observation of the continental States to imagine
that they have recovered their natural condition
resumed policy at stable 10 its PRINCIPLES
and progressive in its results. On the contrary,
it may we'll be doubted whether any of the
States which were lately convulsed by anarchy
have sufficient confidence 10 their own resources
and 10 the attachment of their subjects to engage
with success 10 any energetic political combina-
ton, or even to encounter, without extreme dan
ger, the difficulties which it is the duty of gov
vernments to surmount in the ordinary course of
human affairs. In France every thing remains
indefinite and obscure. The destinies and the
policy Of that nation are for thu present en-
veloped in the mystery of single mind, and cir.
cumscribed by the force of single will From
time to time some adventurous conception or
abrupt determination seems likely to change the
of affairs, aud to renew the turmoil of the
age. But more habitually taste for luxurious
indulgencies, aphegmatic Incidence of charac-
ter, which only gives way to the pressure of
great excl tement. and perhaps consciousness of
failing health, tend to keep the Emperor of the
French in the passive enjoyment OF the extraor-
binary gifts of fortune. In this respect the pre-
vaiing mood of the French nation corresponds
with that of its ruler, and he would probably ind
it as perious and as difficult rouse that people to
the pursuit of any great undertaking, as it has been
sometimes to restrain them from such ENTERPRISES
The petty mishaps which have here and there be.
fallen the diplomacy of the Empire, have nos vet
rufled the surface, and the reflection that apy
important change abroad would place France
alone, aud in opposition to the whole of Europe,
has thus far proved an effectual check to her
ambition. In truth, as the nation is kept in pro-
found ignorance of the policy of the government
nd IF tho ~
of the world. that spring of popular excitetaens
which had Of late years performed so great
part 10 the affairs of France both at home and
abroad. is unbent and at rest. But, by the same
rule, the imperial government would not find it
easy to call forth the energies of the nation with
out some very palpabe emergency. because the
same causes which render it submissive to abso-
lutte power, and Indifferent to political questions
have directed its activity to other objects, and
more especially to the pursuit of wealth. In
some respects government a government con-
Quoted by men with nicer sense OF honor, with
more acute political insight, with livelier SYM
patty in those great questions that agiate the
world, and with greater freedom of discussion.
is more likely to put the peace of the world and
the tranquility of the country in jeopardy than a
government which acts like an anodyne after
fever fit; and although it is impossible to reckon
in such country France the duration of
this period Of suspended animation, which is
obviously the result of the immoderate tension
and alarm of the preceding years, it is, as long
it lasts, inofensive to the rest of the world.
But if we take rapid survey of the rest of
Europe, and especially of the minor States,
where the existing order of things is not sup
ported by vast military establishments it is Gu
rious to observe Ia how many instances the gov
ernments of those countries are struggling with
difficulties which are considerable in proportion
to their respective maguitudes. In Portugal the
declining health of Marshal Saldanha seems like.
ly, ere long, to renew the contest of parties for
that power which he obtained by military res
volt, though he has since exercised it with mod
Grafton. In Spain, blow has twice been all
but struck at the fundamental principles Of the
constitution. Every man of eminence in politics
is arrayed against the extraordinary and des-
tructive policy of the court. Narvaez himself is
kept in Punishment and in disgrace. The palace
is the scene of intrigues between Christiana,
Munoz, and their creatures, which can only be
compared with the scandalous excuses of Godoy
The Queen herself has than once been
ON the point of destroying that constitutional
character which is her best title o the throne,
and the house of Bourbon seems only to have
prolonged its existence in Spain, to exhibit to
the world the degradation of race of kings
Another member of that house, the King of Ma
pies. has made himself the ackey and the tool
of Louis Napoleon. His Minister in Paris was
the first to run with his ready made credentials
to recognise the new Empire; and the late pro-
secuton instituted in France against several per-
sons for their expressions contained in their pri-
vate letters, were assisted by the reports of the
police in Naples to the Minister of Police
in Paris. The Papal Government continues
to exhibit the total aud irretrieveable de-
cay OF its temporal authority, 10 direct con-
nexion with unlimited and unprecedented
claims to spiritual supremacy. A French br
gade is its only defence in Rome; but in
France it prohibits books, impugns the ecclesias-
tical law, suspends the clergy from their func-
tons, and publishes edicts which are received
by French bishops their knees with the full
some ejaculation 'Peter has spoken by the lips
Of the immortal Plus IX'' In Piedmont the
government struggles manfuy in defence of the
rights ofthe house of Savoy, the independence of
the State, and the constitutional franchises of the
people. But, with all its ability and zeal, it is
the government of an intelligent minority,
deserted by large portion of the upper classes
aud OF the clergy, i'll supported 10 some parts of
the kings dominions, and liable to be betrayed,
in an emergency, by the Italian people. Be-
tween Austria and Piedmont, as we'll IS between
Austria and Switze rand, the seeds OF hostility
and i'll neighborhood have been snwn by Mazzn's
mischievous insurrecton; and the cabinet of
Turin has once more been led to expose itself to
peril, by a spirited defence of men who have
done nothing to win the respect of the country.
ln Switzerland the old sore has broken afresh in
the canton of Friburg. Tesin has been openly
menaced by Austria; the effect of the Aus
TRAN minister's last note at Berne was such
that the Swiss Federal Council was on the
point of sending him his passports; and France
holds herself in readiness to make counter
demonstration on the western frontier. To
Belgium the French cabinet has despatched
Nj. His de Butenva, who had recently proved
himself at Turin to be one of their most I'M
scrupulous agents; and some W eeks since intima
ton reached the little court of Brussels to the eff
feet that any serious acquisition made by Rus
STA in the East would be held by France to con-
stitute sufficient ground or pretext for the abo-
lition of existing territorial treaties on her own
Immediate frontier. At any rate the language of