, 1868-02-25

remarking that Il for one-who now keep
aloof'' and implying that he would also be
ready to contribute his SHARE, to the furthering
of such an object.
Baron A. Breton (another gentleman whom
the writer also ~respects) comedies with Secre-
tary RosenStand land ventures to go Il step
further and declares as his opinion, chat it
is high time for us not only to deliberate and
discuss, but TO ACT" and recommends as
the only lawful course open to us to be "to petit
ton HIS Majesty the King, to negotiate with
the United States or other Governments con-
cerned, to secure our transfer to the United
States of America" AND, VERY WISELY sUG-
GEsTs to Secretary RoSenStand that HE w0uld
be tie most proper person to take tie tnitiatice
IN such u matter. Nearly two weeks have now
however elapsed, and the community has been
anxiously expecting, that this proposition from
the latter gentleman would have been taken
some notice of by the former but, it would
not seem that he has, to the present time, taken
any steps in this respect.
Under existing circumstances, there is not a
subject which is more deserving of a prompt de-
liberation, discussion and action, than what is
to be the future fate of st. CroiX, after it has
been severed from the sister islands, but it APP
pears to be a subject so fraught with Difficult
ties, for certain parties here to take any active
measures III, i1dU lLIS ildOl6T, DIS lar DIS UIlO pre-
sent propositions are concerned, can be viewed
pretty much in the same light, as the fable, of
the "M:ce in Council" A community of Nice,
convened a meeting among themselves, for the
purpose of arriving at Some conclusion, how they
were to become aware of the proximity of their
mortal enemy the Cat, which was so continually
preying upon their numbers, that they would in
the course of a short time, be exterminated
thereby. Many things were suggested by the
learned among them, which did not however
seem to meet the approval of the majority of
the members Of the Council; but, one who boosted
of a better education, than most of the members
of the Council gave as his opinion, that the only
way they could ever become aware of the proxim-
ity of the Cat, would be to attach a bell around
his neck and, any of his movements would
then be heard by them, when they would be
warned thereby, to look for their safety in flight.
WE'LL SAID! cried most of the Members of
the Council, and, a vote OF thanks, was about
to be proposed, as a compliment to the last
speaker for his ford speech, when a more ex-
perienced member remarked, that while he
considered the proposition a very excellent one,
he could not applaud the last speaker for what
he had said, until he informed him whether
HIMSELF or one of THE OTHER LENDERS in the
present Council, would undertake to fasten tie
bell around the neck Of the Cat. The result
was, that the meeting was closed, without any
further deliberation and discussion on the mat
ter, as none of the members mot even he who
had made so bold a speech) would consent to
act the PATRIOT, for the benefit of his fellow
subjects; By hanging the bell around the neck Of
the Get. Thus the matter was allowed to con-
tinue as it had hitherto done, and the Nice find
ing their numbers decreasing daily, each one
felt the necessity of looking after his own vel
fare and not leaving it to others, who, while
they may be very willing (and ~capable) to give
advice to their fellow subjects when action
is to be taken to carry out their own sugges-
tions, would rather like to be free from the re-
sponsibility and danger, which might be attend
ant on any important undertaking.
"Take this in good part, whatsoever thou be
And scish me no worse than I wish unto thee.''
Thus, our question now is, WHO WILL
UNDERTAKE TO HANG THE BELL !