LOUIS PHILIPPE. [From the Spectator; March 11.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 323, 2 September 1848, Page 3

LOUIS PHILIPPE. [From the Spectator ; March 11.]

It is easy to be wise after a whole series of events ; and all the world, who has known Louis Philippe, man and boy, for threequarters of a century, now knows him to be a sorry statesman, but a grand contriver. There are persons so refined in temperament, so symmetrical in mind and body, that the home- ; liest circumstances cannot deprive them of an air which is picturesque and romantic : there are others whom the most romantic incidents cannot redeem from a coarse homeliness. Selfishness is always vulgar. An adventurer with an eye to the main chance cannot be picturesque. Louis Philippe has run a career as adventurous as that of any man in history: i but his life will have no charms for the romance reader. It is a story of an Argonaut in green spectacles — Ulysses coming home in a comiorter. He set forth on his adventures, not in a spirit of chivalry, but of trade — not to redress wrongs, like a knight-errant; but to

find a lucrative situation, like Oil Bias ; he hat communed with nations, not as a patriot, but as a contractor. Whether we see him teaching school boys in' Switzerland, offering a sword against his country to Spain and rejectedj engaging himself to the people .of Paris as King, or playing the part of Monach and patron to English deputations at Windsor, we find the same prudent eye to the main chance. His acceptance of the throne was a speculation : it has failed. To endeavour to construct- a romantic tale out of this failure in a line of business, marked too by rather shatp practice, is as great a burlesque on penny-a-lining magnanimity as we remember. You might as well drop a tear over theDrury Lane vicissitudes of M. Jullien, or the building miscalculations of Kemp Town. Mr. Silk Buckingham's British and Foreign Institute was a more disinterested speculation. - Queen Titania making a pet out of the hay-eating Bottom was not more deluded than Lafayette in making a kingly hero of Louis Philippe ; he fell in with the humour of the stage-play of 1830; and though he always owed a grudge to the mummery, he tried to make a good thing of the estate. And Louis Philippe did much good in his time. As a commercial man, he felt the advantage of peace, and he helped to retain for Europe that great blessing. It is ill to look a gift-horse in the mouth : it is neither proper nor acute to presume merely bad motives in any man. Self-interest may not have been Louis Philippe's sole motiv* in postponing war : the philosophy of which his mercantile mind was capable probably went so far as to make him sincere in wishing peace for the sake of his country : his eye to the main chance probably made him keen sighted as to the advantages which the middle class of France — his class — would derive from peace. Bnt if Louis Philippe has a genius, or strong natural bent apart from the mere dictates of self-interest, we should say that it is for low comedy. His evasion has been marked throughout by a kind of dry humour. The French people put him out in his reckoning ; his calculations, like most political mistakes, were based too much in reliance on direct conventional motives ; he thought that pay, discipline, and promotion, were alone to sway the Array ; views of peace and order, as sources of profit, thfe shojikeeping National Guard ; prudence and fear of degradation, the respectable political agitators : he did not take into account a love for the romantic, which he did not share — an enthusiasm for the theatrical, which he only used as an engine. He could not, in spite of ex{ eriences, imagine that men should risk social position, advancement, life, nay the shop itself, because they had some abstract ideas of political right, or because they could not resist the opportunity for performing a drama. The people quite upset his calculations. But he had his revenge, by turning their heroic epic into a farce. The people would have set him aside in a cool dignified manner, or have escorted him politely to the frontier. He preferred dodging the great nation in a chase- without pursuers. The poet and minister Lamartine would have read him an exalted farewell lecture : but the poet was defeated in his high tragedy vein by the ludicrous and gratuitous panic of the dispersion. France deposes her King, and proclaims the fact with majestic pomp : the successor to Charlemagne again inverts the national dignity by appearing on our shores in aListonian costume. He comes for shelter, with his cajoling tongue. in his cheek : he returns to us, even on deposition, " with pleasure" ; he contrives to know all sorts of obscure gentlemen by name ; he shakes hands all round ; and addresses a knot of anonymous obtrusive sightseers as " the British nation." There is not a puffing advertiser, nor a Parliamentary candidate, nor even a playhouse manager, that better understands the art of humbug. No one better knows that an Englishman's most esteemed delights are — to bejuiown correctly by name, to shake hands with a king, and to be considered as " the British nation." Louis Philippe claims an old friendship with those respectable politicians the three tailors of Tooley Street. But he has flattered in a still more touching manner that large section of the British people, the gens Smith : he took out his passport of escape, and came over as " William Smith." He has fallen on his true social designation — he is properly one of the Smiths. His adventures, his crown, his French birth, his royal extraction, are but accidents : his nature is bourgeois, and eminently English : he is a respectable, "warm," bulky, alert old gentleman — a fundholder, a shareholder — prosaically, materially, and seep*tically commonsensible — comfortably contemptuous of dandified appearances. He should stick to his new name, and for ever-? more be " Mr. Smith." The Morning Chronicle correspondent relates the discovery of a spy in the Republican camp. He writes :—": — " A parcel of letters was found among the papers of M. Gabriel Delessert, the late prefect of- police, written

by a person of the name of Delthode, who it turns out was a spy of the police under the late Government. This man Delahode had contrived to acquire a considerable degree of influence among ti c Republicans. He was in possession of all their secrets, and was even an occasional editor of the Reforme, one of their principal organs. So great was the faith placed in him, that after the abdication he was appointed by the Provisional Government secretary to one of the most important commissions. The letters found are to the number of five hundred. They go back for some years, and the last is written as late as the afternoon of the 23rd of February — that is to say, the second of the three glorious days. In his last letter he informs M. Delessert that he has atiast induced the Republicans to make a stand in the streets ; that the most ardent Republicans were that evening, at eight o'clock, to be at the Port St. Martin and the Port St. Denis, and if he would send a party of the Municipal Guard at that hour he might seize the whole of them. M. Delessert acted, it appears, on this information. He sent the Municipal Guards at the hour appointed, but they, arrived nine minutes before the hour fixed, and the Republilicans consequently escaped from falling into the trap. Yesterday, on discovering this correspondence, M. Causidiere, the' Republican prefect of police, who was himself one of the persons denounced, and who had been on intimate terms with Delahode, had him taken into custody. In the evening a party of ardent patriots, who had access to the prison, took him out, and carried him before an extemporane-ously-formed military tribunal, which soon found the culprit guilty of treason, and sentenced him to be shot. It was with difficulty that some of the National Guards prevented them fromcarryingtbe sentence immediately into execution, but ultimately they allowed him to be taken back to prison, on the promise that he would be speedily brought to trial before the regular tribunals." A letter in the Atlas relates a scene that will probably be found only a prelude to similar ones, with more method in their madness :—": — " On the Monday following, the flight of Louis Philippe (says the writer), a grand council was held of all the revolutionary leaders assembled to dictate terms a huis colos to the Provisional Government. The wise and calm demeanour of Lamartine seems to have irritated in no small degree the boiling, passionate nature of Lagrange, whose excitement was so fierce and terrible that several of the members of the assembly prepared to withdraw in alarm. Lamartine alone blenched not, ami the sang-froid and self-possession displayed in his replies only served to increase the savage anger of his opponent the more. At length, exasperated beyond control, the infuriated republican, drawing a pistol from his pocket, rushed towards Lamartine, and exclaiming, 'Thou art no true patriot!' — pointed the weapon at the head of the minister — « What hinders me from taking thy life now — at onee — upon - the instant V shrieked he, with redoubled fury, as the calm glance of Lamartine met his eye. * Your own conscience,' coolly replied the minister, ' and the utter uselessness of such an outrage — for should I fall there will still remain my colleagues, who, all to a man, have resolved to die rather than submit to violence, or to return to the senseless anarchy of '93.' The words bad the effect of calming for an instant the fury of Lagrange — he dropped the weapon which he held, and turning pale as death, while his eye quailed before the steady gaze of Lamartine, he muttered between his teeth, ' Thou art not a true republican, nor yet a true patriot — but I verily believe thou art an honest man!' — and then sank again upon his seat at the council board, trembling in every limb, and apparently exhausted with the effort of passion to which he had given way. It was then that his neighbour, La Caussidiere, managed to seize the pistol which he had placed beside him, and by his presence of mind saved the assembly from a dreadful catastrophe, for in the space of a few moments Lagrange arose, and with the most frightful yells and howlings began to rend the clothes from his back and to tear the flesh from his bosom, until the blood spurted forth, all the while uttering the nost fearful imprecations and blasphemies. In an instant the whole assembly was in an uproar — the teiror of the scene was greater thau words can describe. It was evident that the fierce excitement of the last few days had turned the brain of Lagrange and produced a fit of raging madness. He was secured with difficulty, and borne to a mdison de sante at Montmartre, where he ,pirow remains, 1 believe, still a raving maniac. The assembly all gathered round Lamartine With congratulations, but the effect of the scene was Such that many were forced to retire, and the meeting broke up. Much commiseration has been felt for Lagrange, who, it cannot be doubted, is a warm and disinterested though misguided republican. His ab— sence from public affairs is considered a great relief, -violence was much dreaded by

the other members of the Government. He is one of the handsomest men whom it is possible to behold, and possessed great power over the determinations of the lower class ; therefore the accident which has befallen him is considered by many an almost providential occurrence." The Ex- Minister of Louis Philippe of Orleans and his family have, as Protestants, joined the congregation of the French Protestant Presbyterian Church in St. Martin's-le-Grand. On Sunday last, Madame Guizot. the venerable mother of the Ex-Minister, and her two grand-daugl.ters, attended the morning service ; and were, naturally, objects of interest and curiosity to a crowded congregation. On Sunday next, the annual commemoration of the opening of the new church will take place, and there is some probability of the presence of M. Guizot himself. — Times.

The Ex Royal Family or France. — The reception of the Royal Family of France in this country has been marked by sound judgment and good feeling. Everything has been forgotten except that they have fallen from the summit of human greatness to a condition so dejected that the bitterest animosity must be disarmed in contemplating it. In common with the rest of the world, we were under the impression that the Comte de Neuilly had prudently amassed and secured sufficient fuuds to support bis family in affluence and comfort, but we regret to find that this notion is the reverse of the truth. Louis Philippe, it now appears, whether from an illgrounded confidence in the stability of his Government, or from motives of nationality and patriotism — possibly from a mixture of both— had entrusted the whole fortunes of himself and his children to the soil or the faith pf Frmuce. If, therefore, the future Legislature should determine to confiscate the private -property of the House of Orleans, those unhappy Princes would be reduced to a state of destitution which would 'fill all Europe with sentiments of shame and indignation. We do no*, however, anticipate anything so merciless and unjust — so inconsistent with the magnanimity of the French character, and with those principles of equity, humanity, and moderation on which the revolution professes to be founded. — Times.

The New Coin of the French Republic. — In a few days the Mint of Paris will begin to strike coin in the name of the Republic. The old dies of Dupre representing Hercules supported between ihe Nation and, the Law, with some slight alterations, will, it is said, be used for the new coin, until a final decision shall have been come to by the National Assembly. — Constitutionnel. *' After the performance of Les Horaces, at the Theatre Francais (now Le Theatre de la Republique), Mademoiselle Rachel, who had performed the part of Canaille, was called for by a crowded audience to sing what may now be considered the national air, La Marseillaise. After a short lapse she appeared in the Roman costume which she had worn in the tragedy, but T/ith the addition of the tri-coloured riband. I have seen that great tragedian in most of her celebrated parts, but never have I seen her grander, never more sablime, than iv her acting of this song. I cannot say it was singing ; it was something above and beyond singing. It was nothing like the hooting and bellowing of the selfsame thing by mere singers. She delivered the air intelligibly— that was not to be mistaken ; but, from her management of it, it bad more the effect of a religious chant. Parts of it she gave in a low, tremulous voice, whilst her whole frame seemed quivering with patriotic fervour ; and when, at the last verse, she seized the republican flag, threw herself on her knees, and hugged it in her arms, she seemed to present at once thereal and the ideal of a Joan of Arc."

Enormous Produce of the Russian Gold Mines. — As the discovery of South America and the consequent influx of gold | into Europe from the mines and other sources, completely changed the monetary value of property in the sixteenth century, so the large amount yielded by the gold mines of Russia must, in a few more years, powerfully affect the circulating medium. It appears by a parliamentary return just issued, that fronol 837, up to 1846, the quantity obtained from the Oural mountains and from Siberia has gradually increased from the value of £900,000 in the former, to £3,414,000 in the latter year. It is from Siberia alone that this increase has been obtained, and it plainly accounts for the assistance which the Emperor of Russia has been able to afford to the Banks of France and England. The grandfather of Cerito, the favourite dancer, died at Naples some days ago, aged one hundred and two. William Thorn, the Inverury poet, died last week, at Dundee ; leaving a widow and three children utterly destitute. The good people of Dundee have opened a subscription for them. The consumption of horse-flesh as human food is increasing rapidly in Berlin ; in Ja-

nuary, 147 horses were killed for the purpose, producing about 61,000 pounds of meat. The horses are old worn-out animals. The celebrated Jesuit Padre Ryllohas been murdered, along with six companions, by the natives of Nubia, near the frontieis of Abyssinia. A shocking incident has happened at Lerida. Vincente Porta, a native of Alcarras, and Thomas Balague, of Menasques, had been tried by the Military Commission of the place, as authors of a certain -robbery, and condemned to be shot. They were led out, and received the volley ; and it having appeared that Thomas Balague was still breathing, the commanding officer ordered two discharges to finish him. Vincente Porta was buried ; but, as Balague was about to be laid in the grave, a spectator heard a smothered groan irom the coffin. The cover was removed ; the man was still living, and, in agony from his many wounds. Information was given to the Commandant-General, Senor Castellan, and he sent orders to the Town Major to put him to death. But the Alcalde, Don Ramon Puiz, interfered and prevented this. The wounded man remained bleeding in his coffin, breathing heavily and showing signs of consciousness, for three hours ; eventually he died from loss of blood, just as an order came to remove him to the military hospital. His companion was married in the capilla on the morning' of his death, to satisfy an engagement. It is stated that farmers in Gloucestershire are purchasing moles by hundreds, and turning them out on their arable lands ! Scores of the destructive wire-worm have been found in the stomach of a dissected mole. As the story goes, a Bristol bird-fancier has taught a parrot to speak to some purpose. The Lird was a fine one, and talked well ; so the owner sent it to the Queen as a present. When her Majesty entered into conversation, the parrot was at first Tather shy, but, getting bolder, she al last exclaimed, "If you don't send twenty pounds, I'll go back!" The amnnnt. was sent ta'the wily bird-fancier.

Honest Jurymen. — At an alehouse, says Lord Chancellor Eldon, giving some account of bis early days, " where some of us dined on Sunday, a person whom Sergeant Bolton treated with a good deal of milk punch, said that he was upon the jury at Carlisle, and would give him verdicts whenever he could. Another juryman told me that he gave the same sergeant all the verdicts that he could, because he loved to encourage a countryman ; they were Lancasterian born."

Curious Advertisement. — The following odd announcement recently appeared in the Times :: — •* A. lady, competent to make tea* scold the servants, and render herself agreeable and useful sometimes, wishes a situation. She could contribute to the comforts of an elderly lady or gentleman, or may be found an acquisition in the house of an old gentleman or nobleman. No objection to travel. Terms 100 guineas per annum." At the battle of Ivry, Henri Quatre assured his followers that where the danger was greatest they would find bis plume, the panache blanc. His descendant, Louis Philippe, had a similar notion ; in the moment of danger he showed the white feather. — Examinei .

Luther and the Birds. —With the birds of his native country he had established a strict intimacy, watching, smiling, and thus moralising over their habits: —" That little fellow," he said of a bird going to roost, " has chosen his shelter, and is quietly rocking himself to sleep without a care for to-morrow's lodging, calmly holding by his little twig, and God to think for him."

having Curious Coincide kce. —lt is singular that Mr. Horsman, who proposed the amendment for the equitable adjustment of the income tax, should have been the member for Cockermouth. No mouth could have been so competent to speak to Lord John Russell on the subject as the mouth of Cocker. — Punch.