BROTHER JOIINATHAN ON EUROPEAN POLITICS. (From the Times.)

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 269, 27 December 1848, Page 3

BROTHER JOIINATHAN ON EUROPEAN POLITICS. (From the Times.)

We have received a hie of American journals, whirh, like the last that we noticed, are filled with speculations on tlie probable result of tbs late Chartist demonstration. Brother Johnathan seems to have git en rein to his imagination. Long after the last of the extraordinary guardians of the public pc ice in London had Hung dovra his club at the feet of his domestic Omphale, and yielded to the proud weakness of a hero returned home, the good folks of New York gave us credit for having altered the form of our constitution. In London we were at the year 1 of the British Republic, under the auspices of President Cuffey. The " corrupt aiistocracy" had taken flight, the Dukes of Newcastle and Norfolk we. c seriously perpending by what means they could earn an honest livelihood. — The Bench of Bishops had been massacred in batches, and a receipt in full for the national debt had been tendered for signature to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This has not bten quite io, but it is amusing 1 enough to see with whal Alneschar speed the American sympathisers build up their castles in the air. Here it the first note of the trumpet :— " There is the greatest interest manifested in the city, and indeed throughout the country, to receive later advices from Europe. Tne New steamship America, which ii now in her 14th day, may arrive at any moment. She will bring one week later intelligence. Actual war, between Russia and Germany for the independence of Poland ; Austria and Prussia for supremacy in Germany ; Denmark and Prussia for the annexation of Holstein to the German Confederation, and Sardinia for the independence of Italy ; and a revolution in England and Ireland for universal suffrage, and a repeal of the union, or something more, may have broken out in even that short space of time." There is an old comparison in the literature of the United States— when it is wished to express speed, the similie of " greased lightning" is employed by the more forcible writers. We have in Europe beeu proceeding at a pace rapid enough in all conscience, without playing out on all sides such a general St. Bartholemew as thin. With the full recollection before us of the sepulchral tone* in which a few weeks back the itinerant newsmen who traversed the more d'utant squares and streets of the metropolis vied to roar out their cry of " War ! war! war ; Funds down ! Funds down 1" we must demur to these anticipations of our republican friends on the other side of the Atlantic. The passage we have just quoted relates to Europe in general — here is one which deals with the case of Great Britain in particular :— " The condition of England, or rather that of the whole British empire, has, according to the last accounts, reached a perilous crisis— one irom which there teems to be no eicapr, without either a revolution or a bloody civil war. The determined movements and demonstrations made by the Chartists, in England and Scotland, as well as those of the Repealers in Ireland, present one of the ' most menacing attitudes that the British empire has assumed for the last two centuries. There is nothing in the history of that kingdom which affords a parrallel to it, till we go back to the icei.es which preceded the old revolution of 1640. For years, it it true, the Irish Repealeis have been endeavouring, isolated and alone, to effect a legislative separation, or rather a dismemberment of the legislative union with England. The>e movements, which were hitherto under the guidance of O'Connell, were always nipped at that point of developemeut, which, once passed, would lead to a bloody revolution, O'Connell and bis faction merely used the popular passions and impulses to itifrnidate the British Government, and induce them to comply with their hungry desire for office i»nd emolument. In some respects, the popular movements hitherto attempted in Ireland and Scotland present limit tr features ; but recent events have changed tl c

aspect of Ihe scene, and it is, ns we say, an even chance, according to the 1 ist accounts, whether England ii at this moment declared a republic, or is in tlia midst of a civil and bloody war that may last for years to come." The news of die demonstration at Kennfngton-com* noon, and of the internecine battle between jhe two lections of Repealers at Limerick had not ye»-, as it should seem, reached the editorial office at New York. 'I he pat sage we have just quoted is written in a calm, philosophical tone, calculated to carry conviction to the reader's mind. The writer evidently thinks of himsplf as a man who knows what he is talking about, just as the Abbe Lami-nnais does when he speiiks of F.ns>itH>d at ttill living under the rotten borough regime. The result is somewhat calculated, we may fairly presume, to injure the prophet in the estimation of ins rii.-ci-ples. England most certainly is not a Republic, nor are we in the midst of a civil war which is like'y to last for yeare to come. The writer next day vvai ms with hit subject. Not only ha» he arrived at the conclusions just enunciated upon philosophical grourms, but superstition has added force to Ihe deductions of reason. Thunder has been heard on the left, a timely sneeze has confirmd the presumption, and, lastly, Jim. Giant, in shaving the writer, on the eventful morning in question, drew blood from his republican cheek :— " Still, with all these views and determined purposes, the question may be asked, will the Chanist demonstration end in a mere row — an utter abortion ? Our own deliberate opinion is, that it that immense multitude, which was to asaetnbls on the occasion, can stand the onset of the military for one hour, there will be a revolution in London, and throughout the British empire. Of late years, the English mob have not displayed much physical courage j but the mob of Chart, ists, at the last accounts, wa& to be led by mm of similar calibre and physical courage to those determined men who made the revolution in the 1 7th century, and established the commonwealth of that day. Ths excitement and example of France, Prussia, and Austria, including, also, that of the Italians in Lombardy, may shame and determine the English to meet the soldiery with a resolute purpose and a determined will. If this feeling prevail, and blood be shed by the onset of the military, we would not give much for the privi'e^es of lhe Britiih aristoc/acy, or even the crown of Victoria herself. The chances are decidedly in favour of the attempted revolution in England ; and, if we were inclined to superstition, we would be induced to believe that it has already taken place. Yeaterday morning 1 the immortal Jira Grant, a native of the north of Scotland — a thorough going Chartist himself, and a capital shaver of ultra republicans— for the first time in many years drew blood in performing the operation. |on our check. We jumped up ac once, and declared it to be a favourable omen for the success of the revolutionary cause ia England. The next steamer will to'ive the mystery and determine the fact." Jim Grant is, of course, decisive upon the point» With what complacency must not the philanthropic Republican have gazed upon bin blood-bedabbled shirt ! The ruddy drops were emblemat'c in his eyes of the red torrents which were then flowing down the gutters of Holborn-hill and Fleet-street. The aiistocrats of Belgravia and May fair were already appended to the lamp-posti in their several quartern, and all was going on as well as could be desired in Arkansas or Ohio. We were not a little surprised at finding our own class, the journalists of England, impressed in the next sentence under the Republican banners :—: — 11 We know it to be a (act, that the greater portion of those connected with the London press as writers or contributors, as well as those connected with the pro vincial pies* throughout the empire, are thoruguly imbued with Republican principles, and are utterly hostile to the continuance of the power which has bo long been monopolized in the monarchy, aiistocracy, and church. Free trade in commerce was the first movement of the intelligent classes, who have been preparing for several years past to carry out the s>auie principles in land, in the church, and in the privileges granted to a certain portion of the aristocracy. Free trade in every department of human existence, or, ia other words, democratic institutions, have been the purpose of Cobden and all the Charti&ts for many years past." Words and feelings roust be strangely at variance if this be so, for, as far as our recollection of the fact extends, blame to a considerable extent was heaped 8 by all the writers of the London Press upon the National Convention. The Irish Repealers, again, have not been spared, either the O' Com. ell or the pike and vitriol party. The American writer m »y, of course have at his disposal sources of information beyond our ken, but it would almost appear as though the mean of information upon thU subject were within every man's reach* Why not turn to the back fi.es of the leading London journals, and ascertain what is the quality of the opinions therein advocated ? Unless we are strangely mistaken, they will be found to be far remored indeed from Republicanism. The American writers appear to make quite as gross a mistake with regard to the movement s and motives of the party who, under the auspices of Mr. Hume for the present, are beginning to clamour for great constitutional changes. They do not, or will not see, that the) public meeting, the hustings, and the floor of the house, are the only fields to which these leaders will conduct their followers.

InEtAND.— Some very ridiculous reports, pretending to be news received from Ireland, have been industriously circulated during the last few days. As many people have been imposed upon, we notice the subject to state that the General Hewitt brought later news than has been received in any of the neighbouring coloniei ; that the latest papers brought by her were from London 10th August, and Dublin of the evening of August 8. It is possible that a Dublin paper of the 9th may have been received, but we doubt it. Thii is the Utest new* that can by any possibility have arrived in Sydney, and any reports to the contrary »re unfounded. — Sydney Herald, Dec. 7. Influence of Breathing on the Atmosphi-.tib. —It ia only the girdling and encircling air which 11 jws above and around all that makes the"whole world kin." The c irbouic acid, with which our breathing rills the air, 10-morrow will be spreading north and south, and stri»ing to make the tour of the world. The date-trees that grow round the louotains of the Nile will drink it in by their leaves ; the cedars of Lebanon will take of it to add to their stature; the cocoa-nuts of Tahita will grow riper upon it ; and the palms and bananas of Japan will change into flowers. The oxygen weare breathing was distilled for us some short time ago by the magniolias of the Susquehannah and the great trees th.it skirt Orinoko and the Amazon. The giant rhotJodsntlrons of the Hiunilayai contnbuted to it, the rotes and myrtle* of cashmere, the cinnamon-tree 1 ; of Ceylon, and forests older than the flood, buried in the heart of Afriia, far bebiud the Mountains of the Moon. The rain which « c see descending was thawed for vi out of icebergs which have watched the polar •tar for ages ; anJ loius lilies »uckwl up from the Nile and exhaled, as vapour, the snows that aie lyine; on , h» tops of our lulls.-— British Quai terly Review.