A melancholy note from Mazzini to Edgar Quinet has been
published in the Journal de Gen&v. The old prophet wearies of this generation, which, he says, is a mere "instrument," 'which "has no faith, but only opinions;" which abjures God, immortality, love, the belief in an intelligent and providential law, and "receives laws as regulations, forms without substance, means without an end." Justice is regarded as utopian, and worship is reserved for success. That is not the tone of the Revolutionist, but of the religious teacher, which M. Mazzini really is. The Times asks -in what he differs from Rochefort, Ledra Rollin, or Castelar. Why, just in this,—that he believes in God, immortality, and love, and they do not. His view of this genera- tion is, as is natural, too desponding, but it is confirmed in great part by every teacher, religious and secular, around us. It grows in intelligence, but not in purpose ; wishes" the destruction of the Empire," but meanwhile "takes the oath of fidelity to it," just as it wishes wealth, but saunters, instead of working.
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