The Guia del Comercio is a weekly commercial paper, about the size of the Literary Gazette, published at 5 reals a month, every Wednesday. It has a considerable circulation in the maritime towns of Spain, but few advertisements. Having now gone through the newspaper press of Spain, it remains for us to say a few words as to its characteristics. present year. Both the ex-ministers write | vocacy of the Montemolino marriage. in it; and indifferently ill, it must be con- The Conde de Cuba Faledo, and others, fessed, they write. Pidal is a species of were the proprietors, and Bestieres, Roselrustic pedant, brutal and vehement in lo, Sierra, and Fort, editors. Some say manner; and Mon, though not pedantical, the circulation amounted to 3000, while is certainly not a very polished or literary others state it at only half the amount. It person. He has a good deal of adminis- was almost without advertisements. trative and financial knowledge, but is very ambitious, insincere, tricky, and not to be depended on. Pidal, too, is jesuitical after the fashion of a paysan du Danube. Both the one and the other have attacked the Queen in the tenderest point, and insinuated all sorts of foul paragraphs in reference to her Majesty and Serrano. The government having, at the end of September, taken up the matter, an apologetic para- A newspaper in Madrid does not, as in graph appeared in consequence in the Fa- Paris, represent great parties, as the Débats To. The day following, Don Cayetano and Conservateur, the Ministeral partyCortes, retired from the editorship. Don the Presse, the discontented young ConF. Ormachea sent a letter to the Español, servatives-the National, the Republicans announcing the cessation of his connexion the Constitutionnel, the party of Thiers, with the journal. Señor Seijas Lozano, who was a member of the Sotomayo Cabinet, also left, and Señor Tasaro, a writer in it, has fought a duel with Colonel Gandara, each firing two shots. What men of straw have since filled the places of these writers we are not in a condition to know. Nobody believes that they were the authors of the incriminated paragraphs, or that they were really the guilty parties. The real delinquents have been in higher situations than as scissors-men to newspapers. a and the Siècle, the party of Odillon Barrot, all numbering many thousands of readers, and having, therefore, deep hold on the opinions and feelings of the country. Still less does a newspaper represent, as in England, wealthy individual proprietors, as the Times, with capital, enterprise, energy, industry, admirable organization, and adaptation of means to end to catch the popular breeze. Neither does any newspaper in Madrid come within fifty degrees, in point of the capital, of the Herald, or the Chronicle, or the Daily News; or within thousand degrees of the talent, skill, and literary ability of these able journals, or The Pensamiento de la Nacion, was a their untiring zeal in the cause of their weekly absolutist print, in the Viluma and respective parties. The fact is, that jourMontemolino interest, which also died a nalism is a poor and profitless thing in short while ago. Señor Balmes was the Spain; and because it is profitless as a editor, or, as he called himself, the direct-mercantile speculation, it stands below par or. It never circulated above 300 copies. in every way, whether in reference to menThe Catolico, a church and state absolutist tal, moral, or mechanical resources. evening paper, we believe still exists. It is edited by an obscure priest, and circulates only among certain of the clergy and farmers. The Conciliador, the exponent of the Viluma opinions, died from inanition about a year and a half ago. The Postdata was an evening print, the organ of ministers during the Narvaez, Mon, Pidal, Mayans, and Armero Cabinet. Collantes was the proprietor, and Collantes Andneza and others, writers. One of the editors, Lasheras, obtained a good place, about a year and a half ago. It never circulated above 200 or 300. The subscription was 10 reals a month. The Esperanza was an evening paper, which distinguished itself chiefly by its ad A newspaper in Spain is too often the speculation of a handful of needy and unprincipled individuals to promote their own political and personal views, in which speculation they embark equally without money or without character. But if, seventy years ago, an English tradesman, or a couple of them, did embark in speculations of this kind, they took care to keep their engagements, and to be provided with a reasonable capital, to pay their way," to use a vulgar phrase, much current and well understood eastward as well as westward of Temple Bar. There is nothing disreputable in a tradesman turning journalist, if he have the wherewithal to conduct his estab- and some of them indifferently translated. Occasionally, in many of the papers, there are humorous articles and pasquinades. This is a species of cleverness in which Spaniards have never been deficient. So much, indeed, does this talent abound, that there have been two or three journals devoted to such trifles, among which the Fray Gerundio and the Tarantula may be named. But the humor is often very savage and truculent, for a Spaniard will lishment; but for grandees or princes of the blood-like the father of the present king, Don Francisco di Paula-to embark in a newspaper speculation and be found wanting on the days of call was not creditable. The multitude of journals in Madrid-six morning and seven evening papers--or a population in round numbers of 210,000 inhabitants, of whom not 30,000 can read, and not 15,000 can afford to buy the luxury of a paper, is a monstrous waste « Burns with one love with one resentment glows." of literary labor, of type, paper, pens and If he is not violently for you, he is despe ink, and paragraph and leading-article material. It follows that able political rately and to the death against you, and writers are not encouraged, for they canwage guerra al cuchillo." Somenot be paid, and hence the indifferent times, too, for the taste of the nation is not writing of the journals. A great many very refined, the humor is coarse and obcontributions are sent in gratis by political scene, with filthy and disgusting allusions. men who desire to spread their political To witty refinement, the Spaniards are for opinions, or to serve their party. The the most part strangers, but some of the writers by profession are badly paid, and Andalusians are pleasant banterers, and they make up in turgidity what they want write what Brantome calls readable Rodoin thought. Men will not take the trouble montades Espagnolles. of thinking on and well weighing a subject, when they are not adequately paid for their pains. Declamation is so easy, and the Spanish language so gracefully and sonorously lends itself to flowing and fine sounding phrases, that column after column is spun out, full of sound, but signifying nothing. If Spanish newspaper establishments were prepared to pay as proprietors and editors pay their writers in England and France, we do not say they would get such writing as can be procured in London and Paris, but we do say they might find sensible and instructed men, like Condé, the author of the Historia de la Dominacion de los Arabes en España; like Llorente, the author of the celebrated History of the Inquisition, written during his exile, and published in Paris in 1818; like Quintana, author of Vidas de Españoles Celebres; like de Larra, author of España desde Fernando VII. hasta Mendizabal ; like Caballero; like old Burgos, the ex-minister and translator of Horace; or like old Martinez de la Rosa, who, though somewhat too faded and flowery, ruined and broken down, is yet as the vase of Moore "You may break, you may ruin the vase if you But no; there is an indolence and a stagnation among proprietors and editors which are extraordinary. All the feuilletons are translated at second hand from the French, The stenographer's art is tolerably well known at Madrid, and is brought to play an important part in the Spanish journals during the sitting of the Congress and Senate. The reporters of the Spanish press are a very hilarious, hirsute, filthy-looking race, smelling rancidly of garlic, tobacco, and bad aguardiente. You may see a dozen of them in the reporters' box, laughing, chattering, and playing at horse-play and practical tricks before and during the debates. A low-lived, boozy, debauched, jolly set of dogs are these Spanish stenographers, somewhat resembling the British penny-a-liners. In size and arrangement of matter, the Spanish press resembles the French very exactly. But in outward form and collocation of matter lies all the likeness; for the soul as well as the substance of the French press, are wanting. NAVAL PREPARATIONS IN FRANCE.-The following naval constructions are announced as being intended to be executed in the port of Cherbourg in the year 1848:-The Seine, steam-frigate, of 540horse power, is to be completely fitted out; the steam-corvettes the Colbert and the Newton are to be launched; a steam-corvette of 200-horse power, named the Milan, is to be placed on the stocks, and carried to 8-24ths. A 20-gun brig, the Obligado, is to be commenced and carried to 12-24ths; the Austerlitz, man-of-war of the 2d class, is to 12-24ths; the Tilsit, of the 3d class, to 16-24ths; the Bellone frigate, of the 3d class, to 16-24ths; and the Euryfrigate, of the 2d class, to 18-24ths; the Resolue dice corvette to be terminated within 3-24ths. From the London Quarterly Review. LIFE OF ELIZABETH FRY. Memoir of the Life of Elizabeth Fry. Edited by two of her Daughters. Vol. I. 8vo. London, 1847. asm regulated but never chilled by judgment; and we have a character armed at all points, ready to take up the gauntlet of every conceivable obstacle that could impede her in the accomplishment of her great We do not disguise the increasing hesita- zeal which governed the whole, an enthusition with which we receive biographies founded on private notes and diaries that record, or seem to do so, the thoughts and struggles of the inmost heart. Any one of eminence, in the present day, who commits these things to paper, must do so under désign. Among subordinate, yet very real the full conviction that, like Castor and advantages, we cannot fail to count the sucPollux, as he himself sets his journals will cor she derived from her connexion with rise; and that whatever he has written in the Society of Friends. A little eccentricihis closet will be proclaimed on the house- ty of action was considered permissible, and tops. Such a prospect of envied or unen- even natural, in the member of a body alvied fame cannot but give a tinge to the ready recognised as eccentric in opinions, sentiments and language; cause the inser- eccentric in dress, eccentric in language. tion of some incidents and reflections, and Philanthropy, too, had been the distinthe suppression of others; bring forward guishing characteristic of this respectable art at the expense of nature; and, in short, brotherhood; a devious effort for the interprompt every one to wear his best for the est of mankind passed in one of them without eyes of posterity. The autobiography in- censure-almost without observation. The cluded in the present work must, however, Quaker-habit and Quaker-renown disarmed be considered as in great measure exempt hostility, nay, propitiated favor; it sefrom this criticism. The larger proportion cured first the introduction to magistrates, of it was written in early days, before jour- to nobles, to ministers, to emperors. When nalizing had been reduced to a system, and so much was effected, the rest was sure; secret cogitations forced into notoriety, like her simple dignity of demeanor, her singureluctant Speakers of old into the chair of larly musical voice, her easy unaffected lanthe Commons. Yet, while the stamp of guage, the fit vehicle of her unfailing good originality remains, we discern the traces of sense, her earnest piety and unmistakeable a revising hand--a hand guided by the ex- disinterestedness, enchained the most relucperience and feelings of maturer years, which tant; and to every Cabinet and Court of apparently has spared in candour much Europe where religion and humanity could be that it might otherwise have been wished to maintained or advanced, she obtained ready erase, and retouched the remainder, far less admission as a herald of peace and charity. in vanity than in graceful timidity, so soon But, we must repeat, we take her as the as Mrs. Fry had perceived beyond a doubt exception, not as the rule. The high and that, alive or dead, in true or false colors, holy duties assigned to women by the deshe was destined to afford a repast to the crees of Providence are essentially of a sepublic appetite. In truth, however, we cret and retiring nature; it is in the privashould be loath to subject this publication cy of the closet that the soft, yet sterling to any ordinary criticism; it deals with wisdom of the Christian mother stamps common life, and yet soars above it; asso- those impressions on the youthful heart, ciates with man, and yet walks with God; which, though often defaced, are seldom never so elevated as when grovelling in the wholly obliterated. Whatever tends to mire, it exhibits a career that cannot be sur-withdraw her from these sacred offices, or passed-but which, we venture to add, ought even abate their full force and efficacy, is not in all its parts to be generally followed. high treason against the hopes of a nation. That this admirable woman had a special We do not deny that valuable services may vocation for the office she undertook is mani-be safely, and indeed are safely, rendered fest in every step of her progress; her in- by many intelligent and pious ladies who tellectual constitution was singularly adapt- devote their hours of leisure or recreation ed to the peculiar task; add to this the1 to the Raratongas and Tahitis of British Christendom-it is not to such that we would longer blessed by the tender guidance of make allusion; our thoughts are directed his own admirable parent, his spirit might to that total absorption which, plunging have assumed in some measure the practiwomen into the vortex of eccentric and self- cal character of Elizabeth Fry, and preyed imposed obligations, merges the private in less fiercely and systematically on itself. the public duty, confounds what is princi- Every page of her early journal exhibits pal with that which is secondary, and with- the traces of this first direction to her juvedraws them from labors which they alone nile thoughts. The desire of personal usecan accomplish, to those in which at least fulness, though for some time feeble and inthey may be equalled by others. We may distinct, runs like a vein through all her question whether, even here in the instance reflections and aspirations. She exhausts before us, the indulgence of a special and herself in conflicts, in hopes, and in fears; manifest superiority was not sometimes proves her heart like Solomon's with mirth, purchased by the postponement, or delega- and finds it vanity; braves sacrifices, contion to substitutes, of those minute and un-jures up doubts, and finally embraces the ostentatious offices which constitute the or- realities of Gospel truth as the only assurder, the preciousness, nay, the life itself ance for herself, and the exclusive instruof domestic discipline. Much, no doubt, ment for the lasting welfare of mankind. was easy, and also permitted, to a lady Every reader will be struck by the precociwhose notions and habits were founded on ty she exhibits of mental power, and asthe practice of female ministration in mat-cribe the originality of her remarks less to ters ecclesiastical. It is beside our purpose to examine the Scriptural legality or social expediency of such a system: we glance at it now, merely to show the very peculiar circumstances which fitted her, from her earliest years, for her public task. her experience of others than to her study of herself. It was the clear perception of her own weakness that brought her to the one thing needful,' and which gives a catholic value to the whole, as a guide and prop to those who may hereafter tread the thorny Elizabeth Gurney was born of an ancient path of moral and social benevolence. We and honorable race in the county of Nor- are amused, we confess, by her struggles folk. Her own immediate family, having with Quakerism, and her ultimate surrenmaintained the highest respectability for der to a pedantic system, by which her many generations, has latterly become con- inner being could never be ruled. Though spicuous by all the gifts of talent, munifi- a member of a sect, she in truth was no cence, and picty. To the care and under-sectarian; but, underneath the ostentatious standing of their admirable mother (and is singularity of the mob-cap and light grey it not always so?) must be ascribed the de- mantle, bore a humble heart-and a heart velopment of their moral and intellectual that could give honor to whom honor capacities; the future character of Eliza- was due, whether he wore an ermine robe, beth owed not a little to that parent's sleeves of lawn, or the foulest rags. We thoughtfulness and providential discipline are at a loss for her reasons; the 'Con--the unwearied patience, the chastened cern,' such is the term, is not alleged in sensibility, the habit of prayer, and expan- her journal to have offered spiritual adsive love to all God's works, that shone so vantages unattainable elsewhere. She may eminently throughout her career. She have yielded to the persuasions of her piously acknowledges the filial debt in a many relatives, to the suggestions of conshort memoir (p. 7), which is well worthy venience; but, whatever the motive, she of perusal, not only as illustrative of the embraces, with true self-devotion, the disposition of the writer, but for the singu- whole; adopts without reserve, the Friends' larly sensible and appropriate remarks on ceremonial law; and finds various philothe minute and considerate care required in sophical arguments to fortify the usage of the education of children. Much in it re- Thou and Thee' (pp. 56, 61). "I concalls the early history of William Cowper, sidered,' she observes, there were certainand exhibits the almost inconceivable suf-ly some advantages attending it; the first, ferings endured by youthful susceptibility that of weaning the heart from this world, and imagination, the sources of genius, but by acting in some little things differently oftentimes the elements of sorrow. Here is the special province for the action of the discriminating mother; and doubtless, had the infancy of that exquisite poet been 6 from it.'-' Vain science all, and false philosophy!' Our deep respect for many Quakers will not beguile us into a fulsome conceit of the elevating and purgative pow which the women's division consisted. These four rooms comprised about 190 superficial yards, into which nearly 300 women with their numerous children were crowded; tried and untried, misdemeanants and felons; without classification, without employment, and with no other superintendence than that given by a man and his son, who had charge of them by night and by day. Destitute of sufficient clothing, for which there was no provision; in rags and dirt, without bedding, they slept on the floor, the boards of which were in part raised to supply a sort of pillow. In the same rooms they lived, cooked, and washed. With the proceeds of their clamorous begging, when any stranger appeared amongst them, the prisoners purchased liquors from a regular tap in the prison. Spirits were openly drunk, and the ear was assail necessary for safe custody, there was little restraint Although military sentinels were posted on the leads of the prison, such was the lawlessness prevailing, that Mr. Newman, the governor, entered this portion of it with reluctance. pp. 205, 206. over their communication with the world without. ers of Quakerism. They are men of like passions with ourselves; they may be seen in Mark Lane and on the Exchange, and pursue their wealth and enjoy it with similar zeal and relish. Nor are they fully weaned from the rougher and more stimulating diet of political ambition. With the vow of separation upon them, they have recently shaved their heads, and entered the world of parliamentary service: how far they or the public have gained by this invasion of the Nazarites is beyond our experience: One of them, however, must have imbibed the humanizing influence of Thou and Thee;' since the friend who knew him best noted by the most terrible language. Beyond that long ago declared, that if John Bright had not been born a Quaker, he would most assuredly have become a prize-fighter.' The second period of Mrs. Fry's history may fairly be dated from her first adventure to survey those scenes of degradation and neglect, which she was afterwards so efficiently to rebuke. Hitherto her Jour-1813, 16th day, second month' (anglicè nal has presented much sameness both of February). Yesterday we were some hours event and observation; it was perhaps in- at Newgate with the poor female felons, evitable in so limited a sphere. We are, attending to their outward necessities; we nevertheless, of opinion that a freer use of had been twice previously.' 'Thus simply an editorial pruning-knife would have and incidentally,' continues the editor, is brought some advantage to the book, and recorded Elizabeth Fry's first entrance upon comfort to the student. We pant amidst the scene of her future labors, evidently the ceaseless rush of new publications-ex-without any idea of the importance of its citement and distraction are the order of ultimate results." the day; and if the memory of every one who has figured in the world is to be embalmed in three stout octavos, or two with numerous pages and close type, we must either, excluding all the past, surrender ourselves to the study of our deceased contemporaries; or take the other extreme, and, like Parson Adams, intermeddle with 'nothing since the days of Eschylus.'. The state of Newgate at this time would have been a shame to any fifth-rate duchy, the population of which could boast but little beyond poachers and cut-throats; it was a fearful dishonor to the metropolis of the British empire, a city as rich in means as in pretensions. The heroism that conducted her steps into such scenes may be inferred from these few sentences of her amiable biographers : All the female prisoners were at that time confined in the part now known as the untried side. The larger portion of the quadrangle was then used as a state-prison. The partition wall was not of sufficient height to prevent the stateprisoners from overlooking the narrow yard, and the windows of the two wards and two cells, of VOL. XIII. No. III. 26 Her Journal contains the following entry: Some time elapsed before Mrs. Fry set herself in good earnest to the prosecution of her great design; but meanwhile tribulation worked in her patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. The loss of property, of relatives and friends, and, above all, the death of a dearly beloved child, were providential instruments to adapt her to the work ;to stir up and strengthen in her heart a tender sympathy for the suffering of others; and convince her that in their spiritual improvement alone could be found for them an effective consolation. She has recorded in some touching passages her grief and resignation in the deaths of her brother John and her daughter Betsey; and we recommend them to the perusal of all who may be tried in a similar manner, beautiful illustrations of the extent to which religion permits sorrow, and of its sole and glorious remedy (pp. 225, 237, 241). a8 Nor was she without her minor vexations, those crosses and annoyances that dog the march of the Samaritan. It is the |