19 JANUARY 1934, Page 21

A Hundred Years Ago

" THE SPECTATOR," JANUARY 18TH, 1834.

The momentous question of Peace or War occupies the thought a of -almost every Englishman who gives himself any concern about the great interests cf his country. The subject is -forced upon us by all that we see or hear, at hone and abroad. We aro abso- lutely threatened by t leo wars at the present time.---one with Russia, for Turkish independence ; another With Don Miguel. for the pacification of Portugal. The Cabinet- is said to be as much divided in opinion with regard to both these questions, as those whose business it is to watch, not to direct, the affairs of Government : and both the Times and the Morning Post aro supposed to represent, the views of' one portion or 'another of tho

Ministers. •