In short, in all that regards the table, the French are some
centuries behind the English.--_Blackwood's Magazine._
* * * * *
In the last _Quarterly Review_ we find that "the safety of the British
empire is now entrusted to 130,000 men. Now France, we believe,
maintains about 200,000 soldiers. The forces of Austria and Prussia have
always been on a much higher footing than ours. Even the late King of
Bavaria kept, we know not how, 70,000 men under arms. Indeed Old England
is by nothing more happily distinguished from her neighbours than by the
silence of the trumpet and drum. At this moment, moreover, the due level
of our peace establishment is but an object of speculative research. No
man who looks to the placing of Roumelia, or whose vision reaches even
to the palace of Elysee Bourbon, would consent that this country should
lose the aid of a single right."
* * * * *
ALI PACHA'S HEAD.
Dr. Walsh tells us that the head of Ali Pacha was sent to
Constantinople, and exhibited to the public on a dish. As the name of
Ali had made a considerable noise in Europe, and more particularly in
England, in consequence of his negociations with Sir Thomas Maitland,
and still more, perhaps, the stanzas in _Childe Harold_, a merchant of
Constantinople thought it no bad speculation to purchase the head and
dish, and send them to London for exhibition; but a former confidential
agent obtained it from the executioner for a higher price than the
merchant had offered; and together with the heads of his three sons and
grandson, who, according to custom, were all seized and decapitated,
had them deposited near one of the city gates, with a tombstone and
inscription.
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