change, proved traitors or dupes, and that the people,
organised in militia and national guards, displayed so little
self-devotion, such small zeal in defence of their newly acquired
liberties, as to be utterly disheartened by the very first conflict with
their treacherous king's supporters, and to disperse, never again to
reassemble. Such was, the case in 1821, and in vain does General Pepe
try to justify his countrymen by attributing their weakness and
defection to the machinations of the evil-disposed. The truth, we
believe, is to be found in the final words of his own proclamation,
addressed to the national guards after the disastrous encounter, in the
vain hope of once more rousing them to resistance. "Your women," he
said, "will make you blush for your weakness, and will bid you hasten
again to surround that general whose confidence in your patriotism you
should have justified better than you did on the 7th of March, when you
fought at Rieti."

His darling Constitution overthrown, Pepe wandered forth an exile. But
hope never deserted him. Baffled, he was not discouraged. He sought on
all sides for means to renew the struggle. And truly some of his
projects, however creditable to his intrepidity and zeal, say little for
his prudence and coolness of judgment. What can be thought of his
application in 1823 to Mavrocordato for a thousand chosen Greeks, with
whom he proposed to land in Calabria! Of course the chief of the new
Greek government civilly declined leading a thousand of his countrymen
for any such desperate venture. In 1830 the general's hopes were raised
high by the success of the French revolution. His active brain teemed
with projects, and in his mind's eye he again saw the tri-colored banner
floating from St. Elmo's towers. Vain delusions, not destined to
realization. The feeble attempts of the Italian patriots were easily
suppressed, and Pepe retired to Paris, to mourn the fate of his beloved
and beautiful country, doomed to languish in Austrian servitude and
under Bourbon despotism.

* * * * *

FRENCH PLAYERS AND PLAYHOUSES.[13]

[13] "_The Theatres of Paris_. By Charles Hervey." London and Paris,
1846.

In these dull days of latter winter few of our readers will quarrel with
us for transporting them to the gayest capital in Europe, the city of
pleasure, the Capua of the age. In London, at least, there is just now
little to regret; it wears its drear