The Demetian Mirror

Jijmgti Intelligence. FRANCE.—Although we are unable, whilst writing this, to say whether or not we are actually involved in war, we fear there is every probability that the French nation will choose rather to convulse society for the sake of their own ambition, than to rest satisfied with the enjoyment of the blessings which it has obtained through that spirit of true freedom which seeks not to make converts abroad, or to extort unjust concessions from authority at home. Verily the French, though an ardent and impassioned people, are a people deeply impregnated with the spirit of political fana- ticism. The mass of suffering; the unseen and untold wretchedness the ruin to the innocent, and impunity to the guilty; the destruction to virtue and triumph to crime, all arising from the revolt of the THREE GLORI- OUS DAYS, are by the French too soon forgotten; or if remembered at all, but for the purpose of exciting public enthusiasm on the subject. In five and twenty years since the fall of Na- poleon, when every state has made greater advances in wealth and civilization than in any half century of the preceding history of Eu- rope and real freedom has been spreading its roots fir and wide during the tranquillity of peace; knowledge is secretly diffusing its treasures; and with the growth of opulence, and the spread of industry, those habits are becoming general, which are alone capable of rendering either nations happy, liberty practi- cable, or institutions durable ;—from these few years of regained tranquillity, we are to be again awakened by discharges of cannon. Al- though the French Government may avoid war for the present, the belief which appears by the French papers to prevail in Paris is, that the ultimate intentions of the French are warlike indeed the vast preparations they are making on all sides would dispel all doubt on the subject: and amongst these preparations, the fortifica- tion of Paris is not the least important. One of the Paris Journals of Saturday, (The Temps,) affirms that on the preceding day a Royal Ordonnance was signed for opening a credit of 100 millions of francs to the Minister of war for the fortification of Paris, and that the works will be immediately commenced by 50,000 workmen. Paris "is to be surrounded by a bastioned wall, with fosse, counterscarp, and glacis, and it is to include faubourgs exterieurs. The wall will be eleven leagues around. There is to be a second line of forti- fications, a league or a league and a half dis- tant, with from sixteen to eighteen forts on the heights." A camp also, composed of 50,000 men, is to be formed under the walls of Paris. Notwithstanding these warlike preparations, however, there are not wanting parties who state, with a great deal of confidence, that "means will be found to prevent a collision between France and the Great Powers of Eu- rope." What these means are, the sanguine parties have not been sufficiently communica- tive to state. The Constitutionnel, the confi- dential organ of M. Thiers, declares that France will interfere actively the moment a British force lands in Egypt or Syria, and only then. The Courrier Francais says that no British force will be landed in Egypt, the colleagues of Lord Palmerston having set their faces against such apian.—War, or no war, however, France is determined to be prepared for it. We trust England will be equally prepared, though we pray that such preparations may prove unne- cessary, although the policy of being prepared for such an emergency cannot be questioned. SPAIN.—The Insurrection at Madrid was put an end to on the 1st of September, a day thus spoken of by the correspondent of The Morning Chronicle. The day of the 1st of September will leave glori- ous and indelible remembrances. It belongs not only to Spain, but to modern civilization. That party which has been called revolutionary, Exaldo, and said to be reduced to plots in clubs, has suffered during three years the persecutions of its opponents, and for three months a series of incredible insults. One day, one glorious day has just put an end to a reaction which threatened to invade all, and on that day the people, the real people arose, and demanded with dignity and with energetic resolution, the justice which they obtained at the price of their blood, and forgave their enemies, all the leaders of whom were in their hands. Not one cry of vengence was raised, not one act of persecution took place. Madrid de- sired liberty, the people desired it even for their ty- rants. We do not know a brighter page than this in the history of the struggles of freedom. I The regiment of Luredo has joined us. THE METAMORPHOSES OF MEHEMET ALI.-A PENDANT FOR THOSE OF OVID. (From the Charivari.) Two months since when power smiled at the notion of war, and had an interest in stimulating MEHEMET AI1 to resistance, the Constitutionnel called him "a sublime old man." Ten days after, as his warlike effervescence evaporated, the Constitutionnel qualified the epithet down to an august old man. Becoming more and more indisposed to war, the Constitutionnel dubbed him a remarkable old man. Less and less warlike still, 20 days after the sign- ing of the treaty you wot of, the Constitutionnel called MEHEMET ALI that honourable old man. Three weeks ago he was nothing more than ce ferme vieillard." The Government, approximating still closer to pa- cific views, and consequently dreading the obstinate character of MEHEMET ALI, he received no higher title than of old man of the East. The Juste milieu being still more resolutely bent on the maintenance of peace, on whatever terms, MEHEMET ALI became last week an obstinate old man." The following day he was a rash wiong-headed old man." Three days since he was a mulish, visionary old man. Beware to morrow of ce vieillard stupide.