Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-02-23
Lyceunn.

question: the most brilliant affair OIL the season
thus far. The land of France,-the different
ePochs which mark, its history, from Clovis
to Napoleon, were traced in smasterly
manner. Clevis, or Louis as it is in the mod
ern, the leader Of the warlike tribes Of Franks,
or frcemen. which invaded Gaul, after defeat
ing Ravigius in great battle in which the
enervated legions of declining Rome, made but
an Intellectual stand against the lmpetuous on
set of the ruthless Franks, thus giving blow
TO the western Roman empire, from which 1t
never recovered, was, By his victorious follow
ers and their chiefs, hailed the first king and
founder of the French monarchy. This was
the first great epoch in the history OF France;
in which, of the four elements, = the people,
the king, the barons, and the papacy,-the peo
pie were sovereign, the king being their crea-
lion. The descendants Of Clovis becoming
weak and imbecile, the second epoch displayed
to our view, Charlcmagne in the church Of 81.
Peters at Rome, receiving the imperial crown
oe France from Leo Ill. On this occasion
there is evidently power above the imperial
The papacy placed the crown upon the brow of
Charles, and thereafter claims the right. as the
vicegerent of God, TO dispose of crowns as it
should list. 1t was supreme.
From Hugh Capet to Louis the Saint, the
barons were possessed of the chief powers of
the State. The king, like the sculpture on the
architrave, was only an ornament which gave
little support to the fabric. Louis. crowned
at the early age ofeltve9 years, during reign
Of forty five years, contracted the power of the
barons and greatly enlarged that of the crown.
From the twelfth to near the close of the
eighteenth century, the kingly ovcrshadowed
all other powers. who talks of the State
1 am the State !" was the language of a de-
scendant and representative Of Hugh Ca pet.
Ground to the earth, oppressed and insulted,
the people again rose in their might. The
highest civilization returned to the ground of
The barbarian Franks under Clovis, and what
ever opposed their march, bit the dust. The
successful general is their IDOL the soldier is
king, and the people are again supreme, as by
their almost unanimous suffrage Napoleon is
proclaimed Emperor Of the French.
The leading characteristic of the French sis
an enthusiasm fer ideas, combined with de-
sire to perform conspicuous and splendid ac-
tons" This was illustrated by the forcible
conversion of the Saxons by Charlemagne, the
crusades. and the persecution of Albgenses
and Huguenots. AS an encouragement that
this national trait may be turned to beneficial
results, an incident Of the reign Of Louis Phil
lipe was related. A convention with England
is the subject of discussion in the chamber of
deputies. 1t attacked by Theirs, in the
opposition, with all the powers of oratory of
which he was master. So completely was he
overcome by his anxiety for the interests hon
or and glory Of France, that he sobbed audibly
and could not proceed. He has won the as
sembly, he leaves the tribune. All eyes are
turned TO the minister for reply At the
very moment when the ashes of Napoleon are
being returned to France. the sight of which,
and the veterans who had followed his stand
ards, whether they waved over Lodi and Ma
rengo or trailed from Moscow and Waterloo,
like an electric shock thrills every pulsation
of France to the highest pitch of military
aruOT. AL sucn q moment OuiZOL aScenQS the
tribune. The calm but deep and clear tones
of the young philosopher statesman at once
command attention. Il am asked what is the
object of this treaty, and what is the intention
of the ministers. l answer, Peace-pcacc,
everywhere. Peace, forever The idea thus
distinctly cnunciated from the tribune was
greeted with the most enthusiastic and pro-
longed applause. The history of the past was
said to be secure, from the future we cannot
lift the veil.
The above is but very imperfect outline Of
the prominent points of the lecture, which was
delivered in a manner not inferior to any Of its
predecessors. The easy flowing style, the ele-
CANT diction, and the clear, distinct and sono-
rous enunciation were indeed refreshing, after
some Of the infections which our people have
suffered on like occasions
To our mind there was a significant conncc-
ton between tic panoramic view Of Smyrna,
which hung behind the speaker, and the train
of ideas which he advanced. The rescuing Of
Koszta from the minions Of Austria BY the in
trepid commander Of the St. Louis, forms an
epoch in the worlds history, and proclaims
principles, in comparison with which The sub
version Of all the dynasties of Europe would
be matter Of triling account. IF