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THE trait of Russian frankness in one of our late numbers, where a French writer represents Admiral de Rigny as listening to the most gross and brutal threats of the Russian admiral against the English squadron, at a period not only of alliance but of intimate concert-this singular exhibition has indeed awakened some slight indications of shame in that country which was once so jealous of its national honour.

M. Michaud has published in the Quotidienne the following letter, addressed to M. Laurentie.

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In a letter written in 1831, and dated from the lazaretto of Malta, I repeated some energetic expressions used in the presence of Admiral de Rigny, by the commandant of the Russian station at Nauplia. The question then was not concerning the prejudices of the French and English against Russia, but the haughty defiances which English policy was throwing out against the French and the Russians. The collection, entitled The Portfolio, in its 17th number, quotes a passage of the Correspondance d'Orient, in which the very words of the Russian admiral are recorded; but as this detached quo

tation tends to alter the true sense of my account, and seems to associate me with the paper war which has been for some time carried on against the Russian cabinet-a war with which I wish to have nothing to do—I have thought it right to give a correct statement of facts, and therefore I request you to insert, in the columns of the Quotidienne, my letter, just as it was written and published.

"Though a great deal has been said about the affairs of the East, and events have proceeded very rapidly, I do not see that we have got much further than we were in 1831. What was true then is still true at this day, and the way in which enlightened persons view things has not changed during the last five years. I hope then that my ideas have not become too obsolete, and that I shall again find myself very nearly on a level with all the questions of the day but I am determined not to mix myself up with the passionate quarrels which have lately arisen, and, happen what may, to remain neuter between the Thames and the Neva.

"Passy, April 26."

We did not quote the

"MICHAUD."

passage for the purpose

of exposing the doublefacedness of the French

admiral, or of the French cabinet, to whom such language must have been communicated. We did not think it worth while to speak of honour or honesty as regards the pitiful policy of France, the subservient tool at her own expence, no less

than at the expence of others of that cabinet which may have equally misled the intelligence, but, thank God, has never yet corrupted the integrity, of this country. Our opinions of the policy of France under the restoration have been so repeatedly expressed, and illustrated by so many extraordinary facts and documents, that this new and characteristic instance required no comment. We quoted that incident for the purpose of showing to our numerous naval officers, who, in the frankness of their own character, have not dreamed of suspecting others, how erroneous their estimate had been of the character of the "frank old Dutchman," Admiral Heyden. Not indeed that Admiral Heyden did not personally deserve, and fully deserve, all the respect that was paid him, but he was a servant of Russia. He was chosen, no doubt, for the purpose of conciliating the good will of the English officers on the station ; and, while full latitude was therefore allowed

him for the expression of feelings and affections wholly English, any, the slightest indiscretion on his part was carefully guarded against by a censor's being placed over him in the person of M. Catacazy, who never quitted his side on occasions of importance, and without whose presence he could conduct none of the political business connected with his station.

The gallant and distinguished Admiral, then Captain Hugon, in the heat of the action of Navarin, seeing the "Talbot" in imminent danger from the fire of a Turkish seventy-four, by a no less bold than dexterous manœuvre, ran the

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Armide" between the "Talbot" and the Turkish line-of-battle ship, and thus rescued the former, to the admiration of the English squadron. After the action, on calculating the loss of his men and the direction of the shot that had hit the "Armide," the French officers found, to their amazement, that their principal loss had been caused by the fire of the Russians, which had been directed upon the "Armide" at the moment in which she placed herself in this perilous situation. This may serve to illustrate the caricature which accompanies this number.

LETTER FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.

May 5, 1836.

It seems, then, that at home they are determined to maintain the status quo respecting Turkey and Egypt, which they twist, by some sleight of hand requiring no small dexterity, into something about the peace of Europe. The status cannot be maintained, and can only be maintained at the expense of Turkey-maintain the status,you suffer Turkey to be occupied by the moral force of Russia, (immoral would be better). The ministers of Turkey must fall under the influence of Russia, and she has already made alarming progress in what I call moral occupation. Mehemet Ali has overcome resistance in Syria, and he now begins to utilize this most magnificent country. He had anticipated his revenue, and in a short time he will not only be out of debt, but will have a disposable revenue for offensive purposes. His attitude will soon again be one of aggression, and not either of submission or defence.

The loss of Egypt and Syria palsies the operations

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