Greece presents a scene of greatness contrasted with littleness. The
ancient sun of Greece, with its freedom and intellectual vigour, twain is dawning. The National Assembly to model the constitu- tion sets about its task with energy and dignity. For its President is chosen Nomos, whose patriotism "more than a century of life" has not quenched ; its Vice-Presidents are COLETTI, Malmo- CORDATO, METAXA, and Lownos, leaders of different parties. Even King Onto, having consented to be really Greek, at least in appearance and for the time, shares the general glory : the Times avers that the judicious speech which he delivered was "the original and unaltered production of the pen of King Otho himself." If so, as the production of a man who has been esteemed treacherous and stupid, it is not more remarkable for its propriety than for its au- thorship. And the Greeks are said to be one of the best-educated peoples of modern Europe. If these signs are to be trusted, here is true greatness, which must soon be recognized throughout the world.
The contrasted littleness is Russian. The Emperor NICHOLAS is not only busy in transporting to the interior of his dominions certain Jew communities on his frontier, who are accused of smuggling,—to the admiration of certain antiquated English politicians,—but he manifests his disgust at political progress, by turning sulky with Greece. He has withdrawn his Ambassador, M. KATARASI, and in a characteristic manner. "On the 23d November, a Russian steamer of war arrived at the Pirwus. The Minister was summoned on board the vessel, to receive his des- patches; but no sooner had he set foot on the deck than a sig- nificant touch on the shoulder warned him that be was under arrest ; and he returned on shore no more ! All the Legation, with the exception of one Secretary, was embarked in the course of the afternoon ; and the steamer bore away its freight of diplomatic con- victs, without so much as a parting salutation to the King, the Court, the National Assembly, or the Diplomatic body." Thus NICHOLAS manifests his august displeasure : Greece and its King are alighted; his power is displayed by treating his Ambassador like a menial ; and, if some stories are true, he is benevolently doing Greece all the harm he can by forcing Turkey and other conter- zninous countries to be hostile. If a monarch desired to appear cruel, mean, little, vulgar, and odious, let him do just such things as these, and he will succeed to a marvel. The Russian Emperors are very skilful in such arts.
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