III. Libraries belonging to the Minister of Public In

Three Polish libraries were carried off in the reign of Catherine; three also since the last Revolution, that is to say, of the University of Warsaw, of the Society of Friends of the Arts and Sciences, and the greatest part of the Library of the Prince Czatoryski; all have been transported to St. Petersburgh by the Cossacks, who neglected every precaution necessary for the conservation of this inestimable treasure.

PROGRESS AND PRESENT POSITION OF RUS

SIA IN THE EAST.*

Scarcely more than a year has elapsed since the remarkable pamphlet," England, France, Russia, and Turkey," came at an opportune moment to awaken the Statesmen of this country, from a torpor of twenty years, to a sense of the danger with which all the interests of civilization were threatened by the progress of Russian aggression in the East. The interest which that extraordinary publication excited, not only in England, but in every portion of Europe, could hardly fail to exercise a powerful influence on the policy of this country.

To this cause may be attributed the increase in our naval establishment, and the adoption of a line of foreign policy more consonant with our national character, and the station we are called upon to maintain, by our position in the world.

The beneficial results of this change in our system have been apparent in the ascendency acquired by our Ambassador at Constantinople, and the moral support which the Sultan has thereby derived for the prosecution of his reforms in the internal administration of his empire.

• London: John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1836.

The firmness and consummate judgment displayed by Lord Ponsonby, amidst difficulties of no ordinary character, are matters for national congratulation. His success in obtaining the dismissal of Akif Effendi was due to his personal qualities alone, and the just confidence which is generally felt in England in the Embassy at Constantinople is in itself an additional support to our national influence in Turkey.

Yet, notwithstanding the numerous and able articles which have appeared of late on the East, it is evident that our public men have shrunk from the task of examining into the whole question of our foreign relations.

It has been objected to those who have so strenuously advocated the defence of the Ottoman Empire against Rus sian ambition, that it shows a narrow-minded and prejudiced view to consider Russia as a power inimical to Great Britain, and that the apprehensions entertained against Russia are exaggerated, unfounded, and absurd.

We cannot, therefore, but rejoice at the appearance at this moment of a work which presents to view the entire historic series of Russian encroachment, from the time of Peter the Great down to the present hour, illustrating, in the most temperate language, with the most beautiful method, and in the most condensed form, the whole tissue of fraud by which that Power has been marching onwards during the last century and a half to universal dominion.

We regret that time prevents us from offering, in our present number, an analysis of this deeply important work.

To every one interested in the prosperity of England, and in the preservation of those advantages for which peace is alone desirable, this publication cannot fail to present attractions of the highest order, and matter for the most serious reflection.

ERRATA.

Page 131, lines 14 and 15, instead of " England, Russia, and France," read

England, France, and Russia."

Page 132, line 11, for "being," read “having.”

CONFIDENTIAL DESPATCH

FROM

COUNT NESSELRODE TO PRINCE LIEVEN,

DATED ST. PETERSBURG, JANUARY 9TH, 1827.

We have postponed, until the departure of a courier, who will be sent to you in eight or ten days, the explanations which we reserve to ourselves to make to the Cabinet of London on the affairs of the Peninsula, on the circumstances which have given rise to the expedition of British troops to Portugal, and on the position of the Infant Don Miguel. It is, nevertheless, impossible for us to conceal from you at once the deep feeling of regret

Copie d'une Dépêche confidentielle au Prince de Lieven, en date de St. Petersbourg, le 9 Janvier, 1827.

Nous avons remis au départ d'un prochain courier, qui vous sera expedié dans huit ou dix jours, les explications que nous nous reservons d'avoir avec le Cabinet de Londres, sur les affaires de la Peninsule, sur les circonstances qui ont motivé l'envoi des troupes Anglaises en Portugal, et sur la position de l'Infant Don Miguel. Il nous est néanmoins impossible de ne pas vous faire connaître des à présent la vive impression de regret et de peine

VOL. IV.NO. XXX.

U