tion of deputies which is about to take place; when parties are in search of professions to win the suffrages of the constituencies. If Guizot and his moderate policy find sufficient support, the peace of Europe will be preserved; but should Thiers triumph, a general conflagration may be lighted up; unless Indeed the safeguard of peace lie in the extreme division of parties. But not to speculate where so much uncertainty exists, let us recur to the period when the Bastion fever was at its height, and labourers were invited from Paddyland to forward the fortifications. Says Captain Pepper, "The great multiplicity of labourers required the for fortification of Paris, and the comparative scarcity of French labourers as compared with the soil which they have to cultivate, occasioned directions to be some time since transmitted. to the French consul at Dublin to ascertain whether any disposable number of irish labourers could be induced to proceed to Paris, with a certainty of procuring regular employment for a year to come. The result, as may readily be conceived, was that a number of the "finest peasantry" jumped at the offer as nimbly as a salmon-trout at a summer-fly. Under the special superintendence of the consul they were shipped in disorder and ragged condition for Havre, felicitating themselves on the gentility of the excursion, and the unlooked-for opportunity of "makin" the tower to France, all as one as the foremost quollity --and that upon vilvit, and be paid for their pleasurin' into the bargain! Since the memorable period when the inmortal hero of the Gridiron, "bein❞ is distress in regard of the 'atin'," thought a 'solitary "Parley voo Fransay?" a passport to all the mysteries of the French mind, nothing more bizarre and provocative of laughter has been witnessed, than the landing of these stray sons of St. Patrick at Havre, and their journey on foot to Paris. It was my lot to meet with one of them in the centre of the Palais Royal at the magnificent Gallerie d'Orleans. There he stood beneath the splendid glass roof, reflected in a hundred mirrors along the walls, stared at by scores of moustached loungers, and giggled at by a dozen magasin-grisettes in their exquisitely soigneuses toilets, looking like Houris in a Paradise. Paddy had changed in no respect the costume of his native hills. The corduroy smalls were patched and repatched, yet broken at the knees. The buttons enjoyed a sinecure" for convaynience,' the long strings which held the place of knee-buckles fluttered down to the ancle. Like Lord Hamlet, he appeared in the midst of that emporium of fashion. "With his doublet all unbraced, No hat upon his head," but a very stunted and straw-bound caubeen, with the immemorial short and blackened pipe stuck on the dexter side; and to complete his parallel with "The glass of fashion and the mould of form," Pat had "His stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down gyved to his ancle." When to this I add that his hardy and sinewy leg was thickly matted with heir of a dusky hue, and that his face was bespread with some ten days' growth of beard of a foxy-brown colour, that his brogues loosened by the journey were made fast around the instep by hay-ropes, that his coat was of aboriginal blue frieze, and that in his hand he wielded a stout "alpeen" which had been his firm support for many a rood, I need scarcely wind up his resemblance to the Danish prince by saying that he was "The observed of all observers !" When I first espied him in that attitude of upward gazing, which according to philosophers distinguishes man from the beast (a distinguishing characteristic which is sometimes very requisite), I drew closer to him, impelled by an irresistible curiosity, and was no little astonished at hearing him ejaculate, "Holy Virgin, if that disn't bang Banagher. Eh, then, it's with glass they thatches their houses in Paris. ART. XIV. The Book of Thought: with an Index. “THE Book of Thought; or Observations and Passages relating to Religion, Morals, Manners, and Characters; selected from various writers." The volume therefore contains a collection o such passages as particularly struck the compiler's mind in the course of his miscellaneous reading, there being a few poetical extracts. The value of such a collection must depend first, on the range of the compiler's reading, and secondly, on the judgment and taste he has exercised in selection,—the question being rather, what to leave out, than what to insert. We think that in both respects the volume is really what it is called, a "Book of Thought," and also of sound and profitable thought, well calculated for the exercise and the improvement of an elegant mind. ART. XV.- Hoel the Hostage, and other Poems. BY M. E. JEFFREYS. WE have in these Poems sweet, often vigorous thoughts, expressed flowingly and harmoniously. The author sometimes makes too much of his subject, or does not know when to have done, when he should be condensing. Some thirty years ago his volume would have been talked of, and flatteringly. But it is difficult now, even for a person possessed of genius and an originalist in manner, to command that attentiou on a first appearance that will encourage to perseveranee. ART XVI.-Bees: their Natural History and General Management. By ROBERT HUISH, F.L.S. 66 a full and ex THIS handsome and beautifully illustrated volume comprises perimental examination of the various systems of native and foreign apiarians ; with an analytical exposition of the errors of the theory of Huber; containing also the latest discoveries and improvements in every department of the apiary, with a description of the most approved hives now in use." Parts of the volume, it would appear, have previously been given to the world, Mr. Huish being manifestly an enthusiast both practically and theoretically regarding the busy bee. He writes in a colloquial and very free style, and will no doubt carry along with him even the novice who consults the book; so curious and yet so feasible are his views as well as alleged facts. One of the most interesting portions of the book is that in which our apiarian purposes to carry out with him colonies of the honey-makers to New Zealand, which he confidently hopes to establish as thriving settlers in that temperate and fertile country. ART. XVII.-The Life and Labours of Adam Clarke, L.L.D. 2nd Edition. THIS edition differs from the former, in that it has received many retrenchments and many additions. The narrative, we are told, has been divested of the somewhat controversial aspect which in several parts it bore; while nume. rous transpositions, with a view to stricter chronological arrangement, have been made. The fresh matter has been derived principally from letters and other documents published since the appearance of the first edition. The work, it is said, "now contains nothing that need give offence to the most sensitive partisan of any class of opinions." This is a broad saying; and perhaps, is not perfectly safe, seeing that several instances of the special interference of Heaven are mentioned. ART. XVIII. Thoughts at Whitsuntide, and other Poems. BY LORD LEIGH. Lord Leigh has a classical, gentlemanly, subdued tone in his poems, which, we suppose, is held in esteem in high-bred aristocratical circles. He does not patronize the ecstatic vein; and yet is much less common-place than the decorous style of his verse may induce the reader at first sight to imagine. These pieces may be termed, elegant essays on a variety of subjects, framed according to a poetic model. ART. XIX.-The Cottage Farmer's Assistant. By C. W. JouNSON, ESQ., F.R.S. "THE Cottage Farmer's Assistant in the Cultivation of his Land, and Book of the Household," is one of a number of works which have been written by Mr. Johnson in order to furnish useful and the latest information in regard to rural economy. This small publication is particularly calculated to instruct and interest persons who fall within the allotment system, the tenants of "the Cottage Homes" of this country. Besides directions as to the improvement of the cottager's land, which will generally be cultivated by the spade, advice about the rotation of crops, a calendar, &c., there are receipts for every-day articles for eating and drinking, and a few remedies for common accidents. The cheap but neat pamphlet should be in the hands of every person whose dwelling has attached to it a morsel of ground. ART. XX.-The Marchioness: a Strange, but True Tale. BY MRS. THORNTON. THIS tale is said to be founded on a fact which occurred in France in the seventeenth century, the abduction of the Countess St. Germ's child, at the moment of his birth, by the sister of the husband, in order that her own daughter might inherit the estate. From this starting incident, Mrs. Thornton is readily enabled to introduce a variety of striking vicissitudes in the life, not only of the heir who has been abandoned, but of her who has been substituted in his place, as well as the authoress of the abduction, who naturally gets more deeply steeped in crime to prevent discovery. The story is managed with skill, simplicity, and earnestness, and will rivet the attention of every one who makes but a dip into one of its pages; a result which does not often occur, when fictions are said to be founded on fact. ART. XXI.-Belgium since the Revolution of 1830. By the REV. W. TROLLOPE, M.A. MR. TROLLOPE professes to furnish "a Topographical and Antiquarian description of the Country, and a Review of its Political, Commercial, Literary, Religious and Social Relations, as affecting its present condition and future prospects." The work therefore contains much that is of a statistical nature, as well as what may be regarded to be a guide to travellers; the author having gathered many of the descriptions, as well as notices of manners and character, from his own observation. The produc tions of the soil, the manufactures, the political and economical features of the country, are treated of at due length; there being, however, such a jumble of the whole, and such a constant running from one thing to another, as to distract, if not to perplex the reader, who is not in search of any particular branch of information. In so far as the intelligence and opinions of the author are concerned, the work is not of a high order. At least he does not appear to have a penetrating mind, or to have cultivated such habits as would prevent him from coming to hasty and harsh conclusions. His prejudices indeed are characteristic of John Bull; and accordingly he is apt to measure things in the lump and with a sweep. He does not like the Belgians;—at least, his picture of them is repulsive. Take, for example, his wholesale accusations against a particular class, that must be numerous,—we mean domestic servants. He says, "With the principle of dishonesty so deeply rooted in the national character, it cannot be surprising that there is not a domestic servant in the country who is worthy of trust and confidence. From the greater facility with which they can impose upon the English, they are peculiarly anxious to get into their service; and cooks especially, through the connivance of the tradespeople, who share in the profits, contrive to fleece their employers to an incredible extent. So well aware are the Belgians of the pilfering propensities of the whole tribe, that a servant is never allowed to enter a room alone, even to clean it. In the genteelest families, the mistress rises at the same time with her maids, and remains in each chamber during the necessary operations of the broom and the scrubbing-brush; after the completion of which she puts the keys in her pocket, and returns to her dressing-room. Without this precaution, every work box would be rummaged, and the chimney-ornaments examined and probably broken; nor would a lady's-maid hesitate for a moment, during the absence of her mistress, to fit on every one of her dresses, as well as to appropriate any piece of finery which might be less likely to be immediately missed." Surely there must be exceptions; there must be exaggeration in this account. We pass to another topic, viz. that of religion, upon which Mr. Trollope, of course, bestows particular attention; while, no doubt, he has his strong leanings to the church of which he is a minister. Therefore our readers will take the following account of the Belgian Romanists, and the particulars of the alleged schism, with more or less reserve:— "The most important Protestant communion in Belgium, and one to VOL. II. (1842.) No. III. K K which considerable interest attaches, originated in the secession of the Abbé Helsen, a few years since, from the Romish communion. Without entering at large into the immediate causes of his secession, it will suffice to enumerate the chief particulars of the culte reformée, which it is his object to introduce. His grand attack is directed against the scandalous immoralities of the clergy; and, with a view to strike at the root of the evil, he would do away with the necessity of clerical celibacy, and, giving still the preference to a single state, allow to the priesthood the option of marriage. He would abolish the supremacy of the Papal see, scouting the idea of its assumed infallibility; and, in the hope of restoring religion to its primitive purity, he would interdict the worship of relics and the invocation of saints; he would make fasting and confession not obligatory, but discretionary; and he would restrain the Romish clergy in their shameless prostitution of the altar, and in their power of exacting the most outrageous fees for the performances of masses, and the other exercises of their ministerial functions. A point upon which he also lays considerable stress, is the importance of an educated priesthood: and truly he has reason to complain, not only of the low acquirements of the generality of the Belgian clergy, but of the ordinary character of the instructions which they deliver from the pulpit. Seldom, if ever, are the great doctrines of Christianity brought into view; and even if the preacher ventures upon some precept of his own jejune morality, it sinks into nothing before the supreme momentousness of the external ceremonies of the church. The sacrifice of the mass, the duty and efficacy of fasting, the absolute necessity of auricular confession, the observance of the set festivals, the merit of pilgrimages, the delights of paradise, and the horrors of purgatory, intermingled with denunciations of eternal vengeance against those who presume to dispute the authority of Mother Church, form the staple material of nine-tenths of the discourses, which are thundered forth, with all the vehemence of fanatical frenzy, against the ignorant listeners, whom it is the interest of their pastors to delude and to terrify. On the other hand, the fundamental doctrines of faith and repentance, the necessity of Divine grace, the all-sufficiency of the atonement, and the great rule of love to God and Christian charity towards one another, seem to be included in a sort of index expurgatorius of pastoral instruction. "It is gratifying to know that the exertions of the Abbé in the cause of genuine Christianity have been attended with a degree of success which could scarcely have been anticipated under the peculiar difficulties with which he has had to contend. Universally intolerant as the Romish Church is, and ever will be, by its very nature and constitution, the Belgian portion of it is, with the single exception, perhaps, of the Papal States themselves, most pre-eminently so; and, notwithstanding the chartered promise of tolerance of all sects and denominations whatsoever, no means have been spared, no threats withheld, no devices untried, to thwart the endeavours of this conscientious and indefatigable reformer. Yet, in the midst of the severest trials and persecutions, he has maintained his stand with courage and decision, and more than ten thousand have already embraced the reformed worship which he has introduced. In its main features, his institution does not materially differ from that of the Abbé |