18 NOVEMBER 1848, Page 1

The present aspect of affairs in France is dismal enough.

The Constitution was proclaimed on Sunday, with a great military show; in a snow-storm ; and the manifestation of popular feeling was as cold as the weather. General Cavaignac has followed up the promulgation of the constituent law with a lecture to the French people, imputed to the pen of M. Dufaure,—a grave, not injudicious, but somewhat tiresome string of commonplaces and generalities. With a profession of counselling perfect freedom of discussion and perfect freedom in the choice of a President, it begs the question that -honesty in politics must be identical with Republicanism. It asserts that the Republic was not forced upon' the nation : " Qui s' excuse s' accuse"; and the obiinfis facts are against the assertion. Many, most of the respectable classes in the capital, deplore the revolution ; all are discontented ; it is with reluctance that the provinces are trusted to vote for the Pre- sident, as they are presumed to be hostile to the Republic. The Republic, said to be willed by the nation, requires the defence of immense armies.

Much of this dissatisfaction, no doubt, is da to the character and conduct Of the then who have been put- forward. Some of the ableit, like M. de Lamartine, have been 'enfeebltul by a strik- ing want of devotion and self-forgetfulness : the appetite for self-aggrandizement prevented them from throwing themselves thoroughly into the work, relying solely on the very highest motives, and risking everything, property, life, and even fame, to get the work of the nation well done. Others have been more• singleminded but leas able : General Cavaignac, perhaps the honestest of all, and capable in regard to moral qualities of taking- his standJwith Cromwell and Washington, appears to want that faculty of imagination which, in all new enterprises, enables men of leading mind to anticipate the turn of events and be prepared to seize opportunity; and he still more certainly lacks the skill to engage the affections of the sovereign people his deportment is a perpetual "snubbing" of his countrymen. Some leading then do not belong to the Republic at all, but only adapt themselves to it, like Thiers and Dufaure. The prospects of the young Repub- lic are dark.