extravagant hopes; they have set no limits to their desires. True to their proverb, they "have taken an arm when only a finger was held out to them.” May their well-meaning rulers be aware, that the only remedy against licentiousness is to be found in the establishment of legal liberty. Let their concessions be cautious and gradual; but let the rights of their subjects be well defined and positive. The Italians, we were told till yesterday, are not ripe for unconditional liberty. Granted! an enslaved nation can only be regenerated by the exercise of strong discipline. Let the law gain strength in proportion as despotism abates from its intensity. It is not mildness or even wisdom on the part of the prince that will have power to dignify and redeem a degraded race. Their regeneration must begin with themselves ; it must arise from the consciousness of their own responsibility as rational beings; and this again from the free exercise of their most undeniable, most inalienable rights in that capacity. < But even the enfranchisement of public opinion cannot be deemed of such great and urgent importance in Italy as the organisation of a popular armament. The Italians are by no means blind to their real wants. The papal subjects are mustering and drilling in hot haste; St. Peter's will soon be turned into an arsenal ; every convent is sending forth its inmates to swell the ranks of the defenders of the country. The Grand-Duke of Tuscany has been coaxed, or bullied, into a more liberal decree, for the calling together of a bona fide national guard. The Italian part of Italy will presently be converted into a vast camp. The moderate patriots do not palliate the extremity of the case. War with Austria, however remote, is, even with them, an inevitable contingency. “We admit as a fact,” says the peace-breathing manifesto of the Mar: chese d'Azeglio, " that the interests of the Austrian and Italian governments are diametrically opposed. The object of the former has ever been the extension of her dominion in Italy; and she is studiously preparing for, and patiently awaiting opportunities to accomplish her purpose. The latter ought to hold opposite views and make opposite efforts. “Although we are firmly convinced that justice is the safest guide in all transactions, whether between nations or individuals, we do not con sider it fitting to apply this principle between Austria and Italy.' “If it does not please God to grant us this blessing before, we declare it to be the object of our endeavours to prepare for, and seek, and to obtain, our absolute and complete independence, whenever it is God's pleasure to grant it.” Mors tua, vita mea, is, then, the mutual compact between Austria and Italy. No compromise with the Northern Usurper, even from the most discreet and temporising Italian patriot. Every effort at local amelioration must lead to this great national purpose. It may be the work of long years, of untiring perseverance ; so it must end, nevertheless, whenever it may be found consistent with the dispositions of Providence. Austria feels it, and tries to ward off its fate. She has, in vain, resorted to intrigue and intimidation. Will she venture on more decisive strokes? Metternich an his familiar kno best. Meanwhile, it is for the Italians to profit by every minute of hesitation on her part. Nothing it is plain, can more efficiently contribute to keep her in check, than a firm and unflinching attitude on the part of her opponents. Let the Italians show themselves ready at least for a defensive war. Whenever they feel strong enough to guard the bank of the Po they will soon find more than sufficient courage to cross it. The poet speaketh concerning assizes at Macclesfield. The people looked out of the window, &c. I. With solemn pomp and show, II. From house-top, window, door, III. The criminals to try, To puzzle the yeomanry, To aid their clients, sat by. After what manner the assizes were ordered. IV. The poet tells what became of the prisoners. And some they tried for forgery And some for theft or slaughter, And some they fined, and some they hanged, And sent some beyond the water! v. Fit punishment of crime--for life Were some from their country driven, VI. To the whip and to labour hard As their guilt's most just reward. VII. When before the judges standing, Would their daily dinner to dance constrain“Down the middle and up again,' And they be made with lash and chain To dance themselves at landing. VIII. Speaketh concerning the des patch of business. Cause after cause, with but small pause, As long as they were able : Off to the dinner-table. XIX. But a pettifogger can nothing change Let him try however he will, For he'll look (despite his hypocrisy) Like a pettifogger still. Describeth a very common bird, which it is dangerous to make game of. Containeth a hint to trustees and executors. Containeth a hint to profane old gentlemen. How the lawyer farmed his ground. And how those who had no thing better to do made their remarks upon it. XX. Against this man of Sin XXI. In crime, till grace was passed, XXII. From the town, in a quiet village, XXIII. About these “leisure hours," XXIV. Each morn he bent his way, XXV. From the fresh green fields to come, Of the trumpet and the drum, XXVI. Than to think as on he came, XXVII. Upon his brows could find, And he switched his cane behind. What seasons the lawyer chose for agricultural experi. ments. Babbles of green fields, and digresseth to trumpets and drums. Showeth how the lawyer “ cared for none of these things :" But conteuted himself with exercising social courtesy, And general philanthropy. XXVIII. He gloated in his soul, XXIX. Gleamed in his keen grey eye, Condemn some wretch to die. How the lawyer delighted in “ the Master of the Sentences." XXX. When the court was closed he hied, XXXI. And ask his kind protection. Bespoke--and gave direction- XXXII. Back starting with affright, XXXIII. The house was fully crammed ; XXXIV. With aspect sour and stern ; XXXV, Droop'd around beauteous faces ; XXXVI. Nothing correct was lacking ; With Day and Martin's blacking. And also in Shakespeare. And thereby acquired reputation as a gentlemau of great critical discernment. Also how he bespoke a play. And frightened the manager, Mr. Higgs, and the walki gentleman, nearly into fits. Stateth what a Yankee manager would call “a considerable jam," And how the lawyer looked like a wet blanket. Describeth scenes of temptation, in order that the reader may eschew them. The poet maketh sundry anachronisms, as when one telleth us that Julius Cæsar signed Magna Charta after the Battle of Waterloo." More descriptions. The poet waxeth naughty. Historic doubts raised by the relator of the legend: But satisfactorily settled by the same. |