Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-10-31
w.,,. from Abroad-No. is.-

sNf~N~
sum of ffty-four thousand francs labeat
$40 5Oo), which is . large outlay when
the average rate of wages and price OF
materials is so low. This, however, is
in part explained by the fact that all OF
the outer works are defended by q sys-
tenn OF mines, Of the most complicated
nature, and Numbering nearly 400. IL
requires seventy thousand pounds Of
powder 600 quintau1) to explode these
mines, and the total humiliation OF
an attacking or besieging foe can be
more readily imagined than described.
1t has been previously observed that the
garrisonipg Of the fortress was allowed
to Prussia. Awaiting herself of this
privilege, that nation has expended five
million of thalers (sS,7500ool in the
erection of new and outer fort, upon
the country side OF the large fortress,
which appears to be the only possible
point of approach and attack. Two
thousand men were at work upon this,
and the reparation Of the older, two
months prior to Englsnd's Intervention.
This action OF Prussia aroused the sensi-
tive, jealous suspicious OF Louis Napo'
leon, and more justifable in this than in
most Of his ambitious, selfish and I'M
warrantable policies, he demonstrated,
in no mistakable terms, against this
questionable proceeding. War clouds
were in the not far distant political
horizon, and were dissipated by the ar
bitration of neutral power. With
Me,aing good faith, when the kilograms
announced the result of arbitration,
every stroke of the hammer and the
trowel was arrested, and the half-placed
brick and irregular-shaped earth-work
bear testimony to the almost instanta-
neous suspension of labor and skill.
The outer fertilization is to be leveled
with the earth In its destruction. The
gates swing open to the pressure OF the
peasant, and deep, significant silence has
interrupted reign, where 80 recently the
more active effort and earnestness Of
purpose expressed the intensity of mean
ing its existence told. The significance
OF this silence, what Is it? What means
1t When, after the intensity Of heat
OF midsummers day, the dried, parched
earth refracts the ratification OF the
heated atmosphere; when man and
beast are painting for breath and re-
Cuperatior; when the brouzed heavens
cast no sympathetic hue of moisture
and relief when life wanes, and ex.
hausted nature ceases almost to react
at such an hour there comes low,
murmuring, deep. moaning across
the plain, who is there that trembles not
in awful suspense at the coming storm
And as the distant thunder-tones come
nearer, and nearer still, and the light
ning's lurid glare flashes in the rising
cloud of darkness and power, the hea-
vens grow black, the leaves tremble, the
air moves, and man and beast, bewil-
dered, seek for shelter and safety, who
so wise as to measure the strength and
power of the coming conflict Who
can mark Its bounds or stay its progress =?
Who shall know what OF the mighty
forest and massive structure shall stand
erect? How much of destruction and
desolation shall usurp the place and
beauty of peace and prosperity? What
means this silence Won Bismarck, the
rising star of eastern splendor, power
and progress Louis Napoleon, the
waning light Of craftsmanship and d.
plomacy! The fallen hero, mistaken
ruler and guide! Austria's deep weeds
o. mourning Maximilian's career o.
glory, dishonor and almost criminals
death The victim of duplicity and de
sertien Italy's aspiring hopes and prom
ised resurrection! Liberty of conscience
thought and action struggling with tn,
Vatican! Temporal power lost, anc
spiritual sway clinging In a death-lik'
tenacity to the Pope! Holland quie
and happy. Denmark disrupted ant
dishonored. Russia emerging from serf
dom and ignorance into the bright ligh
of dawning mind and action. England
proud and arrogant Of the past, simpl
and almost childlike in the present, Ii
mind, energy and accomplishment, sat
listed with the troubles of nobility ant
aristocracy, as assumptive as weak
foolishly, if not stupidity blind to tn
future, upon history will be her all, ant
the faded laurel wreath shall droop ant
wither in the cypress shade! Wha
means this silence of the eastern world
From the western horizon there comes
in almost antagonistical light to th
eastern skies of dawing day, the prom
Use Of worlds redemption from dark
ness, superstition and inaction. As il
religion, so in the worlds progress. TIL
missionaries from the more enlightened
christianized humanity go forth an
nouncng mans salvation and highe