GNOROWSKI'S INSURREC"TION OF POLAND.

THIS volume contains a very lively and readable narrative of the insurrection in Poland, from the first outbreak at Warsaw in No- vember 1830, till the final suppression of the war fbr independence in the October of the following year; preceded by a sketch of the Polish Constitution as settled at the Congress of Vienna, and its administration by the Archduke CONSTANTINE. The author, how- ever, appears to be too closely connected with the events and their authors, to have produced a history; which, discarding all but the essential causes of events, exhibits an epic connexion of' actions and results, whilst it critically estimates characters, and passes an un- biassed judgment on affairs. On the contrary, his work has the looseness of annals, with something of the spirit of a party pamph- let. In his descriptions CONSTANTINE figures as a monster of' bar. barism, cruelty, ignorance, and incapacity approaching to idiotey, Yet he speaks of him as having a " studiously polished manner;" his plans for enslaving Poland seem the effect of consummate art • and when shown in action he appears without decision or: capacity equal to the occasion, but not devoid of temper, modera- tion, or judgment. In describing the consequences of Russian rule, it would appear from I. GNOROWSKI, that the whole country had been bound together in secret societies organized for conspi- racy at any moment, and sometimes conspiring; yet they did nothing; they seem to have attempted nothing, to have thought of nothing ; and when a few military cadets rashly rose in War- saw, it was not any definite and practical object, common to all because discussed and thought of' by all, which rallied Poland, but an enthusiastic. feeling of nationality:. These remarks mainly apply to the introductory parts: the narrative, from the time of the open insurrection, is more consistent, and furniebes fuller materials for a judgment upon the character of the event and the causes ef its limilure. Let us also note, as in Isteena's ease, the singularity of the style—a foreigner wr:ting English with so much spirit luta ease, then his work, if' published anonymously, would have passed as the production of a native. It is generally lucid that Western Europe, especially France and England, committed a grand as in 1831 by their nsn-inter. ference between Poland and Russia ; as, by esteblisbing Polish in. dependence, they might have erected a barrier to Russian barbarism. Were action in polities and war like an experiment in physics or a question in reasoning, svherein if we fail we are but where We were, this would have been welt enough ; but since no man can Imrediet the consequences which follow a national blow, we suspect that Eu- rope was wise in its quiescence, even upon the showing of the friend to Polzuni whose volume is before us. The insurrection was not the effect of any distinct general grievance, such as prompted the American Colonies first to remonstrance and then to open resist- ance, and which loss the pracieal eflben of combining all men for one e0t11111011 tangible object and animating them by one common mind. In the Polish insmarrectism there was nothing of this. It originated in a canspisaen, chiefly planned by One Wystmem, as officer of SUM ability 1;',IC 1,110W1e4e tliThirS, with the military cadets in training under CoNSTA::TINE himself. It Was conducted in such n buaglieg mid eegligent manner, that it had nearly fulled three or ibur times on the night of its execrit■htieloaiensd, even Wysoemst mVa3 an hour behinl his appointment. both uoblee and citizens, Were ;.1; mmmcli :surprised as CONSTANTINE at the alarm in the capital,—the higher classes doing nothing, or fimvounng the Russians ; the lower assembhnn m mobs, to disperse on the apnearance of danger : and had not flit: Russian authorities been paralyzed by the sense Cl' a peril whose extent W■18 unknown, the outbreak might have Nem easily crushed in the shell. All this, it men be said., ehows the imprudence of the authors of time insurrection, but has nothing to ei m with the insurrection itself when it grew strong. In reality, lea-ever, it never.grew strong as regards its polities] orgauizetion ; tbr time, and even seccess, only developed the :seeds of' i's original weakness. The first leaders, the members of a suet of provielomd government, Were men hold- mg office under Russian rule, or else " moderate " persons : some were true Poles—grant that all NVere; but, knowing nothing of the nature, extent, or purposes. or the outbreak, their first objects were to get sennething out of CONSTANTINE it' they could, but above all, not to compromise their satiny by committing themselves. The pre udnce or apathy of the Archduke, and the clamours of the people, modified this system without imparting to it a new elm-

racier. The next Government, s' 'ii with, sometimes without

Cumaymem as Dictator, temporized, and trusted to negotiation; not appealing, may forbiddiug appeals, to Lithuania and the old partitionized provinces of Poland ; cautiously avoiding hostilities, scarcely preparing in a darge sense for war, sending Deputies to St. Petersburg, mei endeavouring to avoid offending the Emperor. Similar weakness and indecision, partially overcome during the enthusiasm or vict.ry, was visible at time close of the insurrection. They had fbur or live Comnemdess-in-Chief during as many weeks—two or three Governors of Warsaw in less time. had PAezannvicz amid his army shared the flute of Dinner en, it nen; be quest holed whether a (hirable nevem:mit could have been esta- blished, either by Polish or lbrdgn exertions. It may timrther be questioned—but this is more a problem fbr Sweden, Prussia, and Austria—whit Item'Poland dissatisfied is not a better barrier against Russia than Polend imm rum mime] Festering in her side, Poland must always set es a check upon "Russia ; or, should niebition get the better of' her prudence, whenever a German force eeters Po- land with a proelamation of freedom, no Russian twiny great or small will ever return—a European war will be the time lbr esta- blishing the eationality of' the Poles. The spirit of her people amid the valour of her soldiers is, how- ever, one bright spot in the insurrection of Poland. With the In- tuitive sagacity of common sense, the mitss of the Poles saw from the first, that the sword niust decide between them and their oppressor; and, so far as in them lay, they prepared heart and soul for the contest. Time, property, labour, and life, were lavished on the public cause : checked by cautions, differing, and diplomatizmg leaders, they laboured of themselves as well as they were able, and promptly answered every call when the Government was at last roused to action. The soldiers, who had a scanty supply of powder, begged on their knees to be allowed to fight with the bayonet only; those who had not muskets 'blight with seithes. At Grechow, 145,000 Russians were baffled by 3500 Poles ; DEMBINSKI,. with 300 raw soldiers, successfully retreated before 8,000 troops, through a country studded with fortresses, and with two armies between hint and 'Warsaw; and deeds of valour were constantly perform ed by individuals or flying corps, which recall to mind the heroic age, though they say but little for the courage or morale of Russian troops. Criticisms have been, and are in the volume be- fore us, offered upon. the field stra t en' of the officers : which we leave with the re:eerle :11tit. is tile flee of a soldier to be judged by the result, thuagh mly of the lith‘s of conduct laid down for hint after the event might have led to the same end. But it must be borne in mind, that ENIIZYNECE1 would probably have attacked Etszioswiez on his fend: march towards Mock, or during his passage of the\ istula, had he not been restrained by an irregular communication feeni SEWonANI, requesting him to avoid a battle for the next two months, as " France would save Poland." A successful action would have delayed, it might have averted, the fall of Peland : the contingenciei nee elutembic to the treachery of the French :Ministry, er perluei; of the Irench 31011811.11.

One of tile most stelkiug clia:ecrs in the volume is that which

narrates the iesurrection at Warsaw-. The dare-devil courage of the cadets, or"ensigns" as they \vere called, with Wrsoeict at their head, driving detachments Jr'? cavalry before them at the bayonet-point, and the uneertaimy end cenfusion in the city, am well indicated t. as are zdso the hop.: in the populace, the silent ex- peciatiee ill tne respectable chm.c s, and an activity blended with a sharp look-out es to which way the wind was likely to set from the more responsible characters. With these things too were initialed other deeds, sone; ludierous; some bloody : as this

15 A co:is:PIRACY.

After this extraordinary achievement, tile yottog heroes marched unreeisted hao the city, through the New Worhi 5: met. Muth:4 with General Stanis-

law, Potoeisi, they entreated hint to pst elf at their head. On his refusal thee ailmeal him im pass on not being ;loam that it tras he who hail ..ent to II; e companies of int'ontr;e. :o:•1 thus endangered the :ARTVSS of the it WIliTection. As deep a siiihoss prevo:led in the city as though nothing had (Relieved ; the very houses seenad m,d,T1): the brave youths began to sus- pect that they Lad risen clime. To break the appalling eilence they shouted again mei egaie, " erne.: " 1:1 vain ; alroady et into their hearts. V, onid deo; it aim.e roe, the capita:: rirmt blood stain their virgin laurels ? t, moo steps further they emomaniler, Utiltral Trombicki, one of Coi,..tanrim.:s aides-de-camp, mot him ',bey enteeated, as they Lad done Putucki, to keut than on. I r:pl'ili):11■L a end mined them to submit

to the tiraml Duke's iii rev. Tem. thr Ids military aequire- molts, 1:ay siill ri,,ues; ; mei on hie persisting in his refusal,

forced him to join them. Trembicki, a lismelLy DEM, rChlVtallily accompanied theM, still continuing his reprinmnds, when they unexpectedly came upon three Polish geinvals, avowet partisans of 1111,-.ia, who were immediately Aretehed deed. Omm move they athireesed Trendicki, " General, you have witnessed the fate of traitors ; we coojure ;s0,.1 to join the nation." He :till With per.lmt CVU'olVSS: ".7.•;1), 1 will not command ;.ou ; you are wretehes—s.o. ere nitbsit rers." They nem still unwillino. to part \ vith their tutor, and again tslling biro, " We anew yen time for reflection," they eon- dm:ten:et through toll 1011,4 SAI'vel:., al :.1 noosed at the Bielaneki Street. lle then resehitmy said, " You, may av..:1,y my 111e, but cannot force me to break my cell of allegiance." Ile 1:1:, and. would Imre deeerved a better fate, had not his heroism been that a a s'atve.

Three days passed, and the people became impatient of the nego-

tiations or gossip with CoNSTANTINE, ;111(1 the little that Was settled either way. The Poles scent to have had a narrow escape from a reign of terror, with its certain in-filmy and blood, its probable tbverish though potent energy. This is something like the scenes of the French Revolution.

" Meantime a storm Ives get-liming in fie city which threatened the govern-

ment. The leaders to' the Patriotic ChM had succeeded in collecting &mut a thousand persons, military end civil, v. it h e hom the assembly-rooms hail been crowded since two o'clock, ehilst multitudes of armed persons gathered around. Towards night the sittim, cell:name; d. .1 few dim lamps scattered through the vast chambers, sceecely served to een.ler visible the corpse-pate COUllie.• MOMS of the conspirators, exhensted y o protracted vigil, by toil and anxiety. They were all armed, end loohed like the phantoms a a dream. A table served for the tribune. Brood:wee:A presided amidst deep silence. 3.1oelmacki (a horn revolutionist, who bad alnwet lived in prison) mounted the table; his speech was violent, and full of invectives agninst the moderstion of tlw government. Each word uttered against tyranny, against the omnipotent Czar, betbre whom all from the Neva to the Vistola trembled, was deemed an act of heroism, and welcomed by tremendous cheers, by grounding muskets and. clashing swords. The priecipl theme of Mochleicki's diecouree o as the neceesity of disarming the It ussian (mops, :ma making Constantine prisoner."

After the passing of certain reeolutions, :Mociixaciti proceeded

with a deputation to the 11111k, Where the Provisional Government was sitting. The members Le assailed with such violence as to induce Cueomeet to withdraw, and others to resign. Incidents as various and rapid as phantasmagoric changes followed ; and :Moen- xmaii and two or three other clubbists were nominated members of the Goverament. Lot 2.10e n NAelaS power was of a day. Ile medi- tated the ovcrthrew of the 1,1(AI:rates, by refusiug to act with them.

" The club held a le:et-Mg thet eveniog, whielt was numerously attended, hut

under all vices I. m• Iii rent fmni limey on limner occasions. The return of the troops and Cunstantice:s 1 ilut had et moved all fear of the enemy, and all suspicion of the patriots in power. Convord unity, were the watchword ; and wo tO hint who should dare ta doubt. Moe!; acki mistook the temper of the assembly, when he thus mhlreesed them; " 1 ;entlemen, 1 bring you ill news. Your demands hare betm ineffectual. It is trite the Council is dissolved; but

I think the nmv governmebt will prove no better. The Czarewitch retires un-

molested. Men, aeknowledged patriots, do not arrest their march. Friends of liberty have allied themselves with our enemies. Let tis not trust men for theirlistorie names. Let us not trust in fame or reputed merits General Chlopirki does not fulfil his duty." Alter a pause, occasioned by loud and general hisses, the speeker continued— " Gentlemen, Chlopicki betrays the insurrection. I came here to announce that 1. have refused to take any part in a government which hurls the nation into the abyss of destruc- tion. Let us complete what we have tegon. Let us go again : let us all go with arms In our hands, and proclaim a revolutionary power."

At these words the iudignatiou of the assembly burst forth. Threats of death were vociferated against Mochnacki from every quarter. Still he did not lose courage. Again jumping on the table, and shaking his musket, he strove to silence the hisses and thishing of arms, and to vindicate his treason- able words. But in vain. He was dragged down, and many swords were pointed at his breast. Tranquillity being restored for a moment, the Vice- President, Bronikowski, who was also a member of the Council, was called

upon to declare, upon bis honour, whether the government acted in the spirit of' the insurrection. His answer decided Mochnucki's fate. All present rose against him ; and be would have been cot to pieees but for the exertions of his friends, who fwilitated his escape. " Slanderer, terrorist, the Polish Robes- pierre," were the opprobrious epithetslavished upon him. Other clubbists were then expelled, mid an end was thus put to the existence of the society, amidst remonstrances and threats against the exalladoes. Still Mochnacki could not !,al- -u himself vanquished. Early in the morning, December 4th, he betook himself to the cosines, ond represtnted to them that their first glorious effort would but bring ruin on the courtry if they should persist in not taking the power into thew own betide; that Chlopiekl was betraying the hopes of the nation ; that Litheeki employed the credit of Czartoryski and Niemcewicz to the peejlolice at' the insurrection, and that to avert so winch evil they must folios- him to the Bank. The VOIII:g warriors loaded their moskets and set off with bill I. On their way, Moe'boacki reiteroted his previous argument, "that not ooly dend men could no longer make deceiving stitches. but more impor- tant still, they could mate no blooders, nor previpitate their conntry into a political greets" The bloody tin ore was about to he acted upon. Theo were aleemly nem. the Bank, when they :lief Wysoeki, their beloved chief. fie eli- de:nem-lel to dissunde them lison their meditated violence. " Whom," he neked, " shall we esteem, if not those who acted with Luhecki? 1 know that oi! leis not been well done ; the flout is ours, and now we cannot repair it wIthout Touch bloodelied." The ensigns professed the highest respect for

s, -add, vet they they besitettst im \wen imitut and 3loclioneki, and looked

anxienslv ioweeds the Bank. The latter then whispered to Wysocki—" Let us I o t blow out the rid is of one fonowier, and the others will be less stub- born." At these 1; Wysocki %melt before his pupils, exclaiming, " Only over my lifelesmi body shall yon march to the Bank." Ills firmness prevailed, and they returned to their post."

11-of !iiN A CK 1 Was den01111CC(1. (MCI hunted for his life. CHLOPICKI WaS appointed or rather appointed himself. Dictator, with a kind of Council over him ; amid in six days matters were settled. There was a play in the evening, with sonic

'WASTE ENTIICSTASM.

The national theatre was opened for the first time since the insurrection. I The nudience waic immense. At the sight of the Polieh and Lithuanian ban- ners, the Cult tutu siesta was unbounded. They were heiled as at Fymbol of the Dictatorship, promieing the retorlen of the sister countries. The performers t7losteriug roond them. ell :toted mm solemn national hymn. The italic joined. in the chorus, and serf, with the performers the concluding words of the strophe—" To arms, Poles " A patriotic play long, since prohibited, " The Croeovians and Highlanders," fedlowed; after which the orehestra revived the hitherto tbrgottemi. melodies, the stately polonnise of Koseinszko, the solemn march of Dumbroweki, and the famous II:semi:dm of the Polish legions in Italy. dust then the curtain fell, and the performers advancing to dance the maze:irks, tlte sight inspired the pis. and in an inetant everybody joined. All distinetio»s were laid aside : patriotism eqoalized all. Two grave senators gave the cYample ; and officers, soldiers, ensigns, academical guards, professors, deputiee, high-bred ladies, all partook in the rejoicing, continuing the air with their voices, when the orchestra :save over from Eitigue. With such expansion ci il.ding did the citizens of Waeee welesene the Dictatorship. I In a drama the whole series of events must be considered before we can decide upon the poetic:el justice of the catastrophe; so, in the great drama of history, it is not a single action, however exciting in itself or distressing in its circemstances, which can be allowed to prove that justice does not obtain, in the long run, even in politel anirs. Disastrous as was the fall of Poland—heroic as was the courage, harrowing as is the late of her noble sons—we must remember that a single year is a brief space in the life of a netion ; and that her former dismemberment, and the present efibrts for her national extinction, coeld not have taken place by the mere wickedness of her se:tonna foes, had not her own actions furnished them the opportunity. We epealt not altogether of the fac- tions and jeahme:es of her nobles; which weakened their power, and prevented the development of a state, or the establishment of any thing worthy of the name of government. These, though obvious evils, were perhaps only symptoms of a deeper disease—the degra- dation of their 1CILiw men—the oppression of their serfs—or the neglect amounting to worse than oppression, for it has reduced them, according to the evidence of travellere, almost to the level oft. brutes. When WC hear Or "millions" of Poles, it means hundreds of thousands of Polish tin peasants been brought to the condition and spirit offreemeca, there lied been no dismember- metit ; or if victorious Europe Led etreeted by force a geographical "partition," the country weaid 11,1Ac 11111ted on the first difficulty, as the kingdoms of NAnoi.edx melted away on his defeat. or little Belgium in our own day bade defiance to the treaties of Vienna, with diplomatic Europe at their back. Rusela probably does not exercise an unwonted (if any) tyranny over the serfs ; but if these seri,: \mere minions of freemee, she could not tyrannize over Poland tbr en hour. Were the powers fel' Eueope to dismember America, we cen conceive the c:;st,.. Plenzers lighting with as much gallantry as the Poles, in p..eie,rii011 to their circumstances; but what v.-ould the Ne.;r0CS C:11... for the oppression of their oppres- sors, or the nationality of the Carolinas ? The fate of Poland is pregnant with a profound moral lesson to the aristocracies and middle classes of the world.