possessions of England in India; that in the West it has annihilated Poland; and lastly that, in America, it has, together with Prussia, concluded a triple alliance, the greatest danger that has threatened Europe since the invasion of the barbarians.
With regard to European Powers. Trampling under foot the traditions of politics, the first principles of practical politics, unmindful of the lessons taught by the past, and of attempts that have all miscarried, European Powers have welcomed Italian Unity, the introduction into their circle of a State containing twenty-five millions of people.
The Mexican Expedition of 1862 was undertaken without first treating with the Southern States; worse still, fighting troops were recalled at the mere beck of the United States (March 15, 1867).
Handing over the Latin race to the House of Savoy, General Prim was allowed to offer Queen Isabella's Spain to the Duke of Genoa.
Lastly, the King of Prussia was able in less than eight days to put an end to the German Confederation, to drive Austria out of Italy and Germany, to double his hereditary States; and, after many a bloody game, in which Prince von Bismarck had secured all the trumps, other European nations find themselves without a single card to-day.
The present theory of political laissez faire induces dreams. When reduced to practice, it makes men giddy. Fortunately neither the most cunning brain, nor soldiers, nor barracks, nor steel guns, nor countless files, nor iron ships, will ever for one moment defer the appointed hour of Providence:
"The sword of heaven is not in haste to smite,
Nor yet doth linger."
A considerable majority of men at these times in high official posts might mock and jeer, and ask whether our words are those of an inspired descendant of Jeremiah. Unfortunately, they are not; yet the hour of Providence never fails to come; and cowardice clothed in fine raiment, and turpitude disguised in the cloak of dignity oft have to decamp. Prince Napoleon, for example, left the Crimea on the plea of ill-health; and refused, to the disgust of the army, the challenge of the Duke d'Aumale,
