ate comparisons might be
made which would bring us still nearer home. I would ask the advocates
for putting in practice a republican form of government, and by way of
comparing the two extremes, whether all the harm the Emperors of Russia
have ever done, or are likely to do until the end of the
world,--according to whatever sect the date of that event be
calculated,--will not knock under to one week of the exploits of the
French republicans of the last century? And if we carry on the
observation to the consequences of that revolution, until we arrive at
the decimation of that fine country under the military despotism which
was necessarily its offspring, we shall not find my argument weakened.

I entreat your pardon for this political digression, which I am as happy
to terminate as yourself. I will only add, that, should the period be
arrived for the Spanish empire to undergo the lot of all human
things--decline and dissolution, it has no right to complain, having had
its day; but, should that moment be still distant, let us hope to see
that country, so highly favoured by Nature, once more prosperous under
the institutions which raised her to the highest level of power and
prosperity.

Meanwhile, the elements of discord still exist in a simmering state
close to the brim of the cauldron, and a mere spark will suffice at any
moment to make them bubble over. The inhabitants of Madrid are in
hourly expectation of this spark; and not without reason, if the
_on-dits_ which circulate there, and reach to the neighbouring towns,
are deserving of credit. Queen Christina, on her road from Paris to
resume virtually, if not nominally, the government, conceived the
imprudent idea of taking Rome in her way. It is said that she confessed
to the Pope, who, in the solemn exercise of his authority as
representative of the Deity, declared to her that Spain would never
regain tranquillity until the possessions of the clergy should be
restored to them.

Whatever else may have passed during the interview is not stated; but a
deep impression was produced on the conscience of the Queen, to which is
attributed the change in her appearance evident to those who may happen
to have seen her a few months since in Paris. This short space of time
has produced on her features the effect of years. She has lost her
_embonpoint_, and acquired in its place paleness and wrinkles. She is
firmly resolved to carry out the views of the Pope. Here, therefore, i