New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-22

The writer of these letters occupied pecunar
rosltion at the time of the French Revolution.
Without being a regularly accredited agent Of
the English Government, his services were awaited
of nv Pitt on the Continent; and his own singular
caoerncss carnestness and unsclfsh desire to pre-
vent war between France and his own country
made him an acceptable envoy long as the
Minister continued in a pacific frame of mind
Miles was. in fact, an amateur diplomat He was
one of those men who, we'll connected, moving
in the higher circles of society," being highly
educated, thoroughly versed in European politics,
and animated by strong convictions have fire.
quently eAerted more influence upon events than
far wider known individuals. The first point TO
be noted in this correspondence is that Miles was
notwithstanding his allegiance 10 Pitt what would
now be called an ADVANCED Liberal. Ills Judg-
ment Of that old regime which the Revolution
was to sweep away was far beyond BurKeS Ill
breadth and insight He knew what the old
regime really was, and cherished no illusions
concerning it, lie had marked the proilisacy, cor
ruption tyranny and faulty of all the Continental
Governments long before the outbreak occurred III
France. 1t may he said of him with literal truth
that he a sympathizer with the Revolution
of 1889. Ii NAV also Oe said that even the en-
cesses of the Terror did little to mitigate the
reluctance and regret with which he gave up the
hope that tins revolution would be carried out
upon the original lines to salutary ends. His
letters show that he was a sngulaIly keen OBJ
server, cool rcasoner, and gifted with rare pre-
science. surprisingly large percentage of his
predictions were verified by the event, and his
analysis of character proved as shrewd as his
Vaccinations, with few exceptions
Where he erred was where everybody erred, and
where, as a rule, every body always crrs. There IS,
perhaps. a stage in such movements as the trench
Revolution at which, if the right action be taken,
the forward impetus may ne checked. Up to That
point individual influence counts for much, and
IT is possible 10 effect useful combinations But
that point once passed, the direction of the move
ment ceases to be practicable. Thenceforth il
assumes the character of a force OF nature, and
drawing to itself all influences with which it has
aninitcs, it sweeps onward with ever accnmuat-
ing energy until its wild work is done Miles made
the common mistake of believing that the Rcvolu-
ton could have been stayed after the death
of Mirabeau. lie thought that it possible
to avert war with France after the Terror. He
did not realize how irresponsible nominal popular
leaders became who are acting with a revolutionary
epidemic at their backs. When the emigration
filed England with "ci-devants.' sinister and
misleading influence brought to bear upon
Pitt These representatives of the old regime
were naturally the last to understand what was
passing in France. Not one of them OWNED the
meaning of the Revolution Not one Of them
perceived that the past was gone finally They
thought the revolution but a summer shower
They believed that it could be put down with a
little effort and severity. They dcspised the
French people, and by this their attitude they
justified the overthrow of the system they repre-
scented. Pitt who naturally knew nothing Of
the matter personally, was unfortunate enough
TO give credence to the vapOrings and bOaSting5
OF the cowardly cOurtiers who had made haste
10 desert their king and their duties. and from
THAT moment lie ceased TO desire peace. and turned
n deaf ear to the urgent advice of men like Mills.
This unfortunate for Pitt, but still for
England all EdrOpe, for it led TO years OF war
in which the anti-Revolutionary side was dstin-
guished mainly by lavish expenditures upon
futile enterprises and ministerial incapacity
scarcely ever eIuallcd III history.
In this correspondence we see Miles frettng
more and more over the perversity and imbecility
OF his own Government, and the intracability Of
his Revolutionary friends. Mirabeau he esti-
mated at his true value, recognizing both his
houndless venality and his marvellous popular in
fuence. In like manner he realized tie hopeless
stupidity of the Court and it's advisers and while
his chivalrous spirit prompted him to urge upon
Marie Antoinette flight which would have saved
her at least, and in which he ready TO assist
her. he saw that after the affair Of Varcnnes thu
monarchy doomed. During the earlier stage
of the Revolution he so generally recognized
its friend that he acquired leading infuenc,
in the Jaoobin Club which was the headquarter
of agitation and the focus of daring innovation
Here he made the acquaintance of Robcspierr,
and Danton and Marat, and all the leading vic
tins of the movement and by none of them doe
he appear to have been at any time suspected
though there is evidence enough that he made II,
secret of his status and his object. In lette
written during 1870 he gives a curious account o
the manner in which the public mind msle,
by deliberate Measurements in those days, tn
purpose being to persuade France that all EurOp
was following its footsteps and throwing off TIT
old system of government. Miles says: "A lctte
from London was read last Friday to a hctcrOgene
Gus assembly of nearly two thousand pcrsonS-men
women and children-at which the audience wa
gravely assured that, owing TO the patriotism ant
perseverance of Mr.. Sheridan. Great Britain wa
on the eve of following the glorious example o
France; that already the populace supported b!
that virtuous and intrepid Senate, had compelled
the Minister to consent to a reform in Parliament
that the Prince of Wales persuaded by Mrs. Fitz
herbert, had consented to the measure, and ever
10 the abolition of hereditary distinctions; that tn
Nation had received every assurance of supper
and protection from that lady, and that no doub
whatever remained but that the English wOulc
soon give themselves constitution as flee and a
perfect as that of France"
Miles is naturally disguised by this PARTICULAR,
gross and impudent Misrepresentation, and OBJ
serves that; The senseless herd made the con
cave ceiling resOund with their vulgar and erin
inal applause at this coarse and sorry compliment
and with q ferocious JOY in their cOuntenance
they cast their eager eyes around to see if they
could discover native of the country that haC
been so scandalously libelled Creiulous and in
fatuated people They believe that the vagabond
in London, in imitation of those in Paris, have
usurped the employment and abused the office o
the hangman by discriminating truth and virtue
ond driving all that is 0reat and Cood into nx ile