2 NOVEMBER 1844, Page 1

Spain presents the usual aspect, of divided councils, armed in-

trigue, and latent revolution. Ministers proceed with their counter- reform ; and, so far as one can yet see, will be permitted coolly to abandon those Liberal institutions the acquisition of which cost the country so much blood. Rumours there are, however, of some re- volt brewing; and while Ministerial writers deny the danger, Mi- nisters themselves avow that they are aware of it. Their strength seems to lie in the utter paralysis of every other strength. The question occurs, what has become of that intelligence and energy which rescued Spain from FERDINAND and Absolutism ? The country attained its liberty mainly through a bad channel—not merely by force, but through a regular military profession. The early rescuers of Spain were soldiers ; the subsequent statesmen have been mostly soldiers; the policy of the day has been that of

the victor of the day ; and now we happen to have the policy of NARVAEZ—his notion of government.