The Portfolio

learn, however, that although the principle of the revolt in Italy, and of the revolution in Greece, has been the same-Constitutional, almost Democratic-Russia is said to have been the promoter of both. An Italian paper, printed in Paris, La Jeune Italie, chiefly among the Italian refugees, states that the late attempt at insurrection in Italy failed, not because that disaffection was not general throughout that peninsula, but because that the ultra, or real Democratic party refused to concur in it. The reason given for this holding back is, that the Republicans would not aid in a movement suggested by Russia. Every thing was, it seems, prepared for a general Italian insurrection. The movement was to commence in Naples, where it was expected a portion of the army would lead or immediately enter into it. Upon the knowledge of that revolt, Lombardy, Piedmont, and the Romagna would rise; and an Italian empire, the ruler over which would be the Duke de Leuchtenberg, son of the universally beloved, nearly adored Viceroy of Italy, Eugene Beauharnais—and bear this in mind, son-in-law of the Emperor Nicholas. La Jeune Italie, like la Jeune France, would not promote the monarchical views of any man, and consequently (according to the authorities before me,) the revolt in Italy miscarried.

If this be all true, and I fear it will prove substantially so, Russia is beginning to play out her game. She would not in Italy, no more than elsewhere, propose, or support a democratic revolution; but to establish a new empire in Europe, the head of which would be a Russian Prince, would for a thousand reasons be most desirable to her. If that great end could be attained, so much the better; but there was another- an immediate, though perhaps not quite so important an advantage to be gained by any outbreak in Italy-the causing of alarm to Austria, and the withdrawal of her attention from the fearful projects of Russia on the Danube.

A SLAAVIAN MYTH.

THEN the Kings having denied Christ, made new gods and idols, and exposed them to the sight of nations, and ordered men to fall down and worship, and to fight for them.

And they made for the French an idol, and they called it HONOUR-and it was the same idol that in former times was called the Golden Calf.

And for the Spaniards they made an idol and called it POLITICAL PREPONDERANCE, and it was the same idol that the Assyrians adored under the name of Baal, the Philistines under that of Dagon, and the Romans under that of Jupiter.

And for the English, their King made an idol, and called it SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SEAS; and it was the same god that was formerly named Mammon.

And for the Germans they made an idol which they called WELL-BEING, the same that formerly had the names of Moloch and Comus.

And the people adored their idols.

And the King said to the French, be up and fight for Honour.

And the people arose and combated for 500 years.

And the King said to the English, get up and fight for Mammon. And they arose and combated for 500 years. And so the other nations, each for his idol.

And in Europe idolatry flourished-and as the Pagans had first adored different virtues under the form of Idols, and afterwards so adored different vices, and then men, and beasts, and finally trees, and stones, and figures, and geometry. So also did it happen in Europe.

For the Italians created for themselves an Idol, which they named POLITICAL EQUILIBRIUM. Now this was an

idol that the ancient Pagans had never known; and the Italians were the first to invent its worship, and in combating for it they became weak and stupid, and fell into the hands of petty tyrants.

Then the Kings of Europe seeing that this Idol had exhausted the Italian nation, caused it to be brought into their states and propagated its worship, and ordered men to combat for it.

After this the King of Prussia traced a circle and said— Behold a new God, and the circle was adored, and the worship was henceforward called ARONDISSEMENT.

Then came three Kings whose names are Blasphemy, who seeing that the people were not sufficiently corrupted, raised on high a new idol, the most terrible of all; and that idol was called INTEREST. That Idol was not known to the Pagans of antiquity.

However, all the people adored Interest, and the Kings said—if we propagate the worship of this Idol, it will happen that, as there is to-day between nation and nation, so will there happen then war between town and town, between man and man.

And men will become savages again.*

These Idols have all been broken, and a greater one has now taken their place. This Idol is CHANCE-he is propitiated with waive offerings and burnt offerings of laws, rights, usages, and traditions,—his high-priest is Diplomacy, his temple was Congress,-is Closet. By whispers he sears the heart of man. He changes all things past, corrupts all things present, and disposes all things to come. He was known among the ancient Pagans as Iniquity, but was considered a demon and not a god.

* 'The Book of the Polish Pilgrims," by Adam Mickiewicz.

SIR,

The inclosed needs your attention. The English Government is pointed out for excelling in the choice of their diplomatic agents, and for the thence resulting influence it possesses abroad! What do we see in all cases? That the English nation and its Government ignorant of international laws and right, are led to their choice of agents not surely by their possessing the qualifications of which the "Government itself is destitute. England's influence is no longer gained by her support of right and justice, but by the disposition of her Government and the fitness of her agents to infringe thereon. A French paper that boasts of being a diplomatic one, (La Presse redacteur Euril Gerardin) extols England as an example to his own country, to shew how a people may forward its interests and gain influence; indignant, as it seems, at the little progress his own country has made on this career, or the little advantage it has gained! and an English paper reprints this disgraceful praise!

A FOREIGNER,

BUT A WELL-WISHER TO England.

The article of the Presse, quoted most complacently by the London Journals, is a mixed satire on England for villany, on France for imbecility. The following is an extract, and one worth reflecting on:

"When, for instance, it entered into the policy of the English “Government to urge the Sultan to extreme measures, what envoy was sent to him? Lord Ponsonby, one of the most pas❝sionate and violent men that ever held a diplomatic post. In the 66 same way, when it was resolved to give support and confidence to Espartero, the Tory Cabinet imposed silence upon its political "sympathies, and maintained at Madrid Mr. Aston, the envoy of "Lord Palmerston, whom it would have been impossible for Sir "Robert Peel to have had in any other post, but who in Madrid "was the faithful and intelligent agent of that profoundly English policy which Sir Robert Peel could not or would not change.”

VOL. II.-No. VI.

CONTENTS.

Page

The CONNECTION of LORD PALMERSTON with the PORTFOLIO 147 LETTER of Mr. URQUHART, EXPLANATORY of his POSITION with RESPECT to RUSSIA, and of his CONNECTION With the late ADMINISTRATION