A correspondent, whose familiarity with Continental affairs inclines his sympathies
towards the Poles, puts the case of the refugees still among us so well, that we cannot do better than give his own words. Although we have felt bound to dissent from the thick-and-thin supporters of claims urged on behalf of Poland, the claims of many a fugitive from that un- happy land are backed by every consideration of humanity and generosity. "The annual demonstration of the charitable feelings entertained by the inhabi- tants of the Metropolis towards those Polish exiles who have sought an asylum amongst us is about to recur, and the situation of Eastern Europe is one which assu- redly does not lessen the interest attaching to the events which sent them hither. When the Corporation of London granted this year, as usual, the use of their Guildhall for the usual benefit ball, it was stated that the Poles from the Aus- trian and Prussian portions of that dismembered country had returned, permis- sion being granted to them to do so. The exiles now amongst us are, therefore, Composed exclusively of Poles from the portion occupied by Russia, and to which all ingress is debarred them. " Whether those who have left are much to be envied by those whom they have left behind, seeing the deplorable condition of their country, may be doubted; but there can be no doubt that those who have remained here in the tranquillity of their present asylum must be exonerated from all responsibility on the score of anything which their countrymen have attempted, and cannot incur even the suspi- cions of the most jealous friends of social order and peace. Nor can we feel less sympathy with our guests that many are incapacitated by age and sickness from seeking the turmoils all around them. Both these circumstances no doubt weighed with the City authorities when the grant of the hall was made; and the same consi- derations will doubtless induce many to contribute to forward the object of the ball who would have shrunk from a political demonstration. " We are averse to indulging in those generalities which suggest themselves as the just commentary on passing events; but we cannot see in the demoralized and anarchical position of the partitioning powers any motive for changing the opinion which high-minded and sound statesmen have shared with us on the treatment which Poland received at their hand, and which is still unatoned and deplorable."
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