and we sincerely hope that his lordship will be at the trouble to consider seriously on the nature of the task he has undertaken, and mix something of the dashing and determined character of a Wellesley with his own.

His lordship is going to govern provinces far more populous and extensive than Great Britain; of which we have obtained possession, partly by fraud, and partly by force, without a single particle of right, or a shadow of justice. On such a promontory, honour and humanity must either gather laurels, or suffer shipwreck; and in this (to him) perilous enterprise, we give our best of wishes to one of the best of men*.

* Lord Moira certainly saved his country and the prince by objecting to the preliminary condition insisted on by Lords Grey and Grenville; but had his lordship advised the prince properly, when he first came to power, that situation of things would never have existed. The popularity of the prince would have driven Grey and Grenville to an awful distance.

COUNT DE METTERNICH.

ONE of the ministers of the emperor of Germany, who has shewn the greatest fidelity to his master, and the truest knowledge of the interests of Europe, and of the house of Austria.

Long has he, aided by the Prince de Stahremburg, laboured to bring about the state of things that now is happily effected; but the French revolution was like a great conflagration. In the first part of its progress, as well as when in its greatest force, all attempts either to resist or extinguish it were unavailing; but the period at last arrived when it was possible to make an effectual effort; and M. de Metternich has acted with a wisdom, energy, and good intention, that are beyond all praise. He is one of the most able politicians in Europe, and much will be dependent on him in the new order that is probably about to be established.

Austria is one of the greatest, and most centrical powers of Europe: it is naturally the counterpoise to France on the continent; but, owing to the jealousy of Prussia, and the hatred of Bavaria, that counter

poise was lost, and the misfortunes of Europe were more easily accomplished. Extreme of oppression and misery having made all the continental powers of Europe take up arms against France, a new order of things will probably be established; for it is impossible to place matters entirely on their ancient footing; and the house of Austria will naturally have a very important part to act in that new order of things, which must no doubt be arranged by the different powers, and fixed upon the most solid basis that can be contrived; as Europe has been exhausted by this last terrible and serious war, and has, for centuries, experienced the mischief arising from those lesser contests amongst nations that only served to impoverish the greater, and aggrandize the smaller states.

In speaking of the former state of the balance of power, as established in Europe, the following observations have been made*.

"The old balance of power in Europe was a political combination, established for the wisest of purposes, but without any regular plan. It was established nearly in the manner that old irregular cities were built.

* See Playfair's Balance of Power.

"Particular circumstances, connected with private views, and those sometimes governed by accident or intrigue; at other times by caprice; but never by a regular plan or system, guided those who arranged the balance of power that was to preserve peace, and to protect the weaker against the stronger powers.

"The natural result of such operating causes was an ill-assorted combination, a fabric of feebleness, anomoly, and confusion, in which there was nothing solid or permanent. The consequences were perpetual misunderstandings and intrigues, terminating in wars and bloodshed at short intervals, from which arose new, but still as ephemeral alli

ances.

"As the ancient balance resembled an old irregular city, so may the French revolution (which by degrees extended so as to be termed the revolution of Europe) be considered as a great conflagration, which has reduced to ashes that city which was so ill and irregularly built; and the business is now to lay the foundation of a new city, on an improved plan; to establish a balance of power in which mutual interests and wants will be duly considered, of which the peace of mankind is the object, and permanence will be the consequence.

"We are to begin as on a tabula rasa, not forgetting either those moral or physical circumstances which have operated in producing former misfor

tunes.

"Enough of evil has arisen to the present race of men from the revolution, to induce every attempt towards preventing a recurrence of similar misfortunes; and whilst it is admitted, in the fullest manner, that France should have a very great and powerful influence in Europe, it must also be considered, that, with the ambition and energies of the people, and her ancient boundaries, she possessed that great and powerful influence; and that, by means of it, she has caused more bloodshed and misery than there is any example of in history: but she has also, at last, roused a brave continental power that is not to be overcome or beat down; and very fortunately Russia, that great and brave nation, is not a rival, but a natural ally of Britain, which power alone has from the beginning resisted the despotism of France.

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Let, then, Russia and England unite to form the basis of a new balance of power, upon the plan of which we have been speaking; such as will be founded on mutual interest, so that it will not dissolve of itself; and so strong, that it cannot be