27 DECEMBER 1851, Page 2

It would be waste of time to canvass the probability

or merits of the policy which the new dictator or lawgiver of France is said to contemplate. He is about to promulgate a constitution ; but what is the worth of constitutions in a country where they are allowed to exist only so long as their authors can uphold them by the strong hand ? or who believes that M. Bonaparte will show more respect for a constitution of his own making than he has shown for the one he swore to maintain, but which he has de- stroyed? He is master of France, and he will act towards the conquered country exactly as his desires dictate and his power enables him to do. At present he is busy buying as many sup- porters as he can : he is dealing out promotions and gratuities to the army ; he is cutting out work for railway projectors and spe- culators ; he (or the Bank of France for him) is affording increased accommodation to manufacturers and traders ; he is devising em- ployment for artists. To gratify as many individuals as possible, is his foremost care ; his general policy in matters of finance, le- gislation, and administrative government, are kept in a discreet obscurity.

The vote of the French electors, however obtained, entitles M. Bonaparte to a tolerance and recognition on the part of foreign governments, to which for the previous three weeks he had no claim. But it is impossible that even those despotic powers, to whom he must appear to be making common cause with them, can do otherwise than watch the new Government of France with sus- picion. Much more must this be the case with governments based upon the very principles which he has trodden under foot to esta- blish his autocracy. Whatever professions may be made by the Government of France, however specious the course it may at first pursue, its head has shown that no engagements however solemn can bind him a day longer than he deems it his personal interest to observe them.