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    of his own country , and whose views are derived from the pure source of reason and of truth . " If Mr . Bright does not get the Legion of Honour after tlm it will not be from not having earned it . The most violent libeller of England—not even the infamous Pelet—never met with such eulogy as this from those -who hate our common country and pray for its decline . As few Frenchmen read the English papers , and as French journals are allowed to quote no . more than is set down for them , the public here is in profound ignorance of the true details respecting the misconduct of the French Government towards Portugal in the case of the French slaver Charles-et-Georges , captured by a Portuguese cruiser . Coercion was used towards Portugal

    the cause of public safety compromised or betrayed , reassure the good and frighten the wicked , inaugurate a new era of security , of grandeur , and of glory , and uniting hardihood of resolution to matured designs , carry th , e name of France into the ramparts of thunderstricken towns , as well as into the councils of ' Europe , at a height never before reached . " Strange language in a-law court , and not arguing much for the proximate advent of Mr . Bright ' s millennium . M . Chaix d'JEst-Ange ' s speech I must defer noticing till next -week .

    by France , and English aid > as withheld . I care nothing for the denial of the French ministerial papery for they are obliged to print whatever the minister may think fit to order . They would deny , if so commanded , that the earth revolves , or -was anything more than a flat surface . In fact , they -would deny anything and everything . As for the three English morning papers , I regret to say that they are as little to be relied upon as the Pays or the Consthutiorinel . Two of them are reported to receive subventions from the French Government in the shape of subscriptions for so many hundred copies . The third is the organ of a nobleman ¦ who is infatuated with a dynastic alliance , and is more imperialist than the Emperor . The correspondents of

    these papers receive their instructions from the French Foreign-office , and , therefore , -whatsoever M . " Walewski's secretary m 3 . v please to tell them . GalignanVs Messenger is in the same category . It is valuable property which exists on sufferance , and may be destroyed by a police or ministerial decree to-morrow , and you may , therefore , easily imagine how nervously anxious the proprietor is not to offend the Government . There are reasons , personal to the editor , to which I do not wish to refer more in detail , but they are of such a nature as to fetter considerably his free action . You will now understand of what value is the contradiction given to the Times by these four journals . We may not always agree with the Times in the views taken in home politics , but no

    one doubts its-anxiety to be exact and to settle the question as to fact ; it cannot-be so very , difficult y a matter for the Post , Herald , and Chronicle to obtain permission from their patron , M . Wa ' lewski , to publish the nnmutilated correspondence which passed between the French and Portuguese Governments : The service they have endeavoured- ' to render must scarcely be worthy of such a trifling recompense , and the opportunity would be highly esteemed to be able to prove the title of " misrepresentation" with which GalignanVs Messenger heads a quotation from the Times . It would be further desirable that these journals should explain how it came to pass that voluntary negro emigrants

    on board the Anna rose against the crew , massacred all but two men , and hoisted an Arab flag . The occurrence is said to have taken place off Comores , and to have been reported to the Ville d'Angers . It was mentioned in the Journal du Havre , with a promise of further details , which I have not seen . If M . de Cessena did really wish for proofs of the decline of England , he might find some semblance of foundation for his outrageous proposition in the barefaced venality of a section of the English press , and in the melancholy fact that literary men are to be found in England to prostitute their pen in the servico of a foreign potentate and against the libertv and independence of their

    country . Yesterday was celebrated the opening of tlio law courts after the vacation . The' judges , preceded by MM . Troplong , Dupin , Chaix d'Est-Ange , and Devienne , and heralded by drums , went to hear mnss in tho Sainte-Chapelle ; it was eolobrated by the Cardinal Archbishop of Paris , Monsignor Morlot . Subsequently tho courts were opened . M , Raynal , Advocato-Gonoral , mado a speech to tho Court of Cassation , and M . Ohaix d'Est-Ange , Procurour Imperial , pronounced a discourse to tho Court Imperial . Both are said to have boon remarkably eloquent . I subjoin a few specimens , to continue my illustrations of imperial literature . Tho first is from tho epeecli of M . Kavnal , who took for hia thoino tho Oltm

    du Parlemcnt do Paris ; "But inepito of tho revolutions which have swept away three great things of tlio pasttho ancient monarchy , feudalism , and parliament—the character so profoundly impressed upon French nationality—monarchical form— -has remained , Jtlie only one which suits its genius , which replies to its traditions , and which places in brilliant relief its noblo and imporialiablo qualities that fructify and dlroct ita inexhaustible resources . "We know how lively and profound a sentiment our fathers had of it when , at tho Issue of our civil troubles , in the midst of nnarcliy without glory , wherein struggled tlio country , the news w « s suddenly spread abroad Mutt tho young conqueror of Italy had left tlio land of the Pharaohs to eome and ask tlio

    Directory what it had done for Franco ; when , aftur tho 18 th Brumuire , was soon to open so quickly the sources of public prosperity , all the aor . es to heal over , and soon unrol In a splendid epic the miyvels of tho . Consulate . and tlio Empire . Wo understood , as did our fathers , when , nftar events , which soemed a prelude to social dissolution , on ( ho eve of menacing eventualities which ought never to bo forgotten , wo saw a prince of tho aamo blood , inliorUov of tho same destinios . take in hand In his turn .

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    GERMANY . { From our own Correspondent . ) November 3 . To those of your readers who peruse the daily papers the following account of the final act of the Regency inauguration will be somewhat out of date , but as the public were excluded from the proceedings , I could not procure a report iri time for the post . The two Houses of the Diet , after acknowledging the necessity of the Regency , as reported in my last , received a special message from the Prince to meet at one o ' clock on Tuesday to witness his oath upon the Constitution .

    At half-past twelve o ' clock the state carriages of the Royal Princes issued from the gates of the residence and were received with the usual shouting of the dazzled multitude . Shortly' after one o ' clock the Prince , preceded by the Ministers , and accompanied by the Princes of the Royal House , entered the White Hall , and took his seat beside the throne ; upon the right stood the Royal Princes—upon the left the Ministers . All being arranged , his Royal Highness addressed the two Houses as follows : — ¦ " Illustrious , noble , and gentle Sirs of both Houses of the Dier .,- ^ -1 behold before me on this grave occasion the united Houses of the Diet of the monarchy assembled to

    in contact with persons in Prussia professing i strong love of the country or its institutions . Such lovt may exist amongst the officials , and possibly amongst the soldiers , who are pleased with the military life * but ] am sure the mass of the people detest the officials and would gladly escape from the conscription . On the Rhirie , 'tbe people openly express a preference for France and her institutions , i . e . without the Emperor . In passing through Westphalia the traveller is struck , perhaps , with the evidence of patriotism in this last acquired country of Prussia , shown in the white-and-black coloured cottages—white and black being the national colours of Prussia . I was astonished at it myself on my first arrival , but I was informed by natives that the inhabitants were obliged by the provincial authorities to paint their houses with these colours along the roads and

    lines of railway , but more especially the latter , and if the peasants could not afford to buy the paint it was supplied to them by the police . The object of it was to make a good impression upon travellers . Perhaps the persons who volunteered this statement were only quizzing me , but I am inclined to think they spoke the truth , because the houses are all painted alike , and display a uniformity and a unanimity on the part of the owners very rare in other countries . I doubt whether there is a country in the world whose people have less patriotism than those of Prussia . The parts of Germany , even , of which Prussia is composed , have too often , changed masters , and have traditions too much at variance to allow of an amalgamation into a mass of patriotic Prussians . The great majority , I think , would prefer the national appellation of German to Prussian .

    The Court party were resolved not to be deprived of their address , for , not having succeeded in obtaining an omcial one from the Diet , they drew up two private ones , the first to the King , the second to the Prince . The first expressed sentiments of ardent loyalty and sympathy , and gratitude fo , r the blessings which his Majesty's Government liad conferred upon the land by his bravery in suppressing anarchical attempts against the internal peace of Prussia , and further , that they relied with firm confidence upon the Prince ' s carrying put the noble work of his Majesty . The second address , to the Prince , ¦ ' was merely an echo of the first .

    The Ministerial or-g . an ,- £ We Zeit , contain * an article which may be regarded as expressing the sentiments of the present Ministry : —" The oath just taken by the Prince has put an end to the anomalous position of the Ministry . By the Constitution the Ministers were responsible for every act dpne prior to this ceremony . The Diet , however , did not see any occasion to call any act done by the Ministry during the interregnum in question , and ** herein lies an admission that Ministers employed the powers entrusted to them in a legal and beneficial manner . Yet we think the nation owes some ^

    thing more than a mere exculpatory silence to the advisers of the Crown . The trials with which it has pleased Providence to afflict our country placed the Ministry in a situation the difficulties of which could only be overcome by great caution and conscientiousness . They may claim , not alone the merit of having kept the machinery of Government in motion , but also , by their advice and exertions , of having brought about the happy settlement of the Regency , so that the kingly authority was as completely maintained as the prescriptions of the Constitutional Charter . "

    The following circular , addressed to tho district authorities , will afford your readers a better insight into tho management here of past and present elections than any random remarks of a correspondent in a country where tlio press is enthralled and public opinion merely teaparty gossip . Mr . Flottwoll says : — " Sir , —You will shortly receive the enactments of the Minister of tho Interior respecting the next elections for the House of Delegates next to be assembled . I consider it my duty to point out my views , which I recommend to your reflection , and also to that of the district authorities . It need hardly be observed that his Majesty ' s Government must ever sot a high value upon the steadfast loyalty , truth , and \ iprightncss , as also upon

    the political qualifications of tho delegates , and that therefore it becomes the bounclon duty of tho royal officials who may bo concerned direct or indirect with the elections , to exert themselves to bring about tho election of men who are known undoubtedly to possess such qualifications . On the other hand , it must bo clearly understood that thoy are not to interfere in any way with the entire freedom of election by exorcising any official influence . Thoy are not to overstep tho bounds prescribed by their official duties , and must avoid employing tho slightest intimidation cither by threatening to withdraw any advantages doponding

    upon tho favour of tho Authorities or otherwise I therefore think it proper to forbid most strictly any activity or iuterforonco in tho elections on the part of the police agontB . But on the othor hand , thoro is a fruitful field opon to tho commendable efforts ot twoprovincial authorities , in -svWoh thoy may advanco tlio just and paternal desires of Ida Royal Hlgnnosathe Prince Regent for the wolfuro cf the country . Jhuro can bo no doubt that men ore known Jo you u > oa whrto assistance and active fiifluonoo youJiavo ft rlgpt to rolv . To placo yourself In communication with such men , and In conjunction with them to prepare for the elections In tho several district * , and to direct their

    witness a solemn act . Ere I proceed to perform it , I must give utterance to the longings of my heart , to thank you , gentlemen , for the patriotic unanimity with which you have assisted in the establishment of the Regency . You have given an elevating proof of " what Prussian patriotism is capable in troublous times . By your unanimity I am convinced of it . You have " rejoiced the heart of our beloved King and master in his retirement . In nie 3 ou have softened the pangs with which I undertook the Regency , and you-have strengthened ine in the conviction that nry endeavours to promote thfihonour and we'lfare of our dear country during the continuance of my Regency will be crowned with success . Blay God g ¥ zhrt it ! _ ¦ ¦

    " And now , gentlemen , I will confirm-with my oath the assurance which I gave you at the opening of the Session . " The Prince hereupon raised his hand according to the custom of the country , and spoke as follows : — " I William , Prince of Prussia , swear herewith as Regent , before God the Omniscient , that I will firmly and inviolably maintain the Constitution of the kingdom , and that ' I will govern in accordance with the same and the laws of the land . So help me God . " The President of the Upper lfouse , Prince

    Hohenlohe Ingelfirigen , then advanced , and said : —" lout Royal Highness has now sealed the sublime act of again devoting yourself to the government of the country , with all its heavy burdens , by tho oath which you have taken . The country and its representatives acknowledge that the chief guidance of its affairs has been regulated in a constitutional manner , and with grateful hearts we , tho members of the Diet , feel bound to tender your Royal Highness our reverential thanks ; and with the same sentiments that wo yesterday enunciated , wo pray that God will bless tho government of your Koyal Highness . "

    The President of tho Lowor House , Graf Eulenberg , then advanced , and said : —" The act which wo havo just witnessed is that upon which the thoughts of our country arc fixed , Lot that rallying cry , which alone corresponds with the feelings of our souls , resound from our breasts t ' Long live his Majesty tho King and his Royal Highness the Prince Regent !"' Herewith termiiiatoa the Regency Question , and the existences of the Diet . Tho elections for the noxt will commonco this month , al Berlin , on tho 12 th . During the past week , the journals have filled their columns with rumours of a change of Ministers , but up to

    this date they havo all proved fulso . It is asserted that tho Prince is withheld from immediately dismissing them by a sort of chivalrous pity , There is no doubt that tho groat mass of newspaper renders arc violently enraged against them ; but tho Ministers well know , as does likewise the Prince , that newspaper readers in Prussia are tho least active and least to bo feared of tho population ; thoy nro porsons who are afraid of chango— . merchants and tradesmen ; the politically active , and eventually dangerous , part of tho people are the whisperers in boor " Hal Ion" and wino-eollArs ; hut as thoy are kopt well down by the army" anil police , it matters little at ifresent what either think .

    A groat deal has been salU lately About Prussian patriotism , and the correspondent of u London daily paper has remarked * upon it as being something very eingular in a people composed of so many dlfforont nationalities ; but I , for my part , havo never come

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    Wn MO . November 6 , 1858 . 1 T H B L B . ADBB ,. 1197

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 6, 1858, page 1197, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2267/page/21/