A Hundred Years Ago

THE " SPECTATOR," FEBRUARY 5TH, 1831.

FRANCE.

The tone of the French, the Government now as well as the people, becomes more warlike. We hope their acts will not keep pace with their words. " We do not fear war," said M. Mauguin, one of the most popular deputies of the Chamber, in a discussion on the interference respecting Belgium, which took place on Friday last. " And if Belgium should offer herself, I would say, even at the risk of war, Accept her.' It would be a deadly war, I know, but it would be to the honour and glory of France. And, besides, who would dare to attack us ? Would it be Russia ? She his Poland and Turkey to contend with. Would it be Austria ? She knows that with 50,000 men we should give her occupation in Italy. Would it be England ? With steam-boats we could carry arms and battalions into Ireland." The English of this is, that, to accomplish the favourite object of their territorial cupidity —to make the Rhine once more the boundary of France—there is no hazard that France ought not to encounter, and no wrong which she would not attempt.

BELGIUM.

The Belgian Congress are still employed in choosing a King : and when their labours may end, or whether they ever will, until the people or some powerful neighbour step in to settle them, we do not pretend to guess. The Duke of Nemours seems the favOurite : and he will probably be allowed to accept of the honour if it be proffered to him, notwithstanding the coquetry of his family. In fact, Sebastiani has admitted that the union of France and Belgium would be most desirable, were not Europe opposed to it. To anticipate any difficulty from the French themselves would, therefore, be absurd.

PEITTIONS PRESENTED DURING THE WEEK.

Fast Day.

For an address to His Majesty that a day be set apart for fasting and prayer. Officiating minister and inhabitants of Raithby and inhabitants of Swinton.

Rindoo Widows.

For the abolition of the practice, in India, of widows burning themselves on the funeral piles of their husbands. Inhabitants of Hanley and Shelton.

THE KING.

The fete of Friday, last week, Was one of the most splendid and numerously attended that ever took place at Brighton. The King retired, as is his usual custom, early : but the Queen continued to honour the company with her presence until nearly two o'clock. The ball did not finally break up until about five. Numerous as were the invitations, it appears that the selections were con- sidered to have been improperly made. The greatest possible displeasure has been manifested by those that were not invited. Among those is said to be the Duchess of St. Albans. Her Grace gave a large party the same evening. His Grace of St. Albans, as Hereditary Grand Falconer, was invited, and refused to attend. He could not well do otherwise, unless he preferred obedience to the King to obedience to his wife—which no man that loves his ease -would rashly do.

BON MOT OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. It appears from the following anecdote that the Duke can be witty in his element. " When the British were storming Badajoz, his Grace rode up, and, observing an artilleryman particularly active, inquired the man's name. He was answered ` Taylor.' A very good name too,' remarked Wellington : ' cheer up, my men, our Taylor will soon make a pair of breaches!'"

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE ON A GREAT SCALE.

On Sunday morning, the Policeman on duty near the Asylum. Westminster Road, being directed thither by the groans that issued from it, opened the doors of the show of the " Scotch Giantess," and found the interesting lady and her husband stretched on the floor of the vehicle in which the exhibition is made, appa- rently dying. It seems the husband was jealous of a tall lover of his enormous wife, who passes under the name of the " Spanish Giant." The quarrels that ensued at last induced the Scotch Giantess to swallow poison : and, in his despair for the apprehended loss of his spouse, or his show, the jealous husband drank the remains of the cup. - PRICES OF PROVISIONS.

Geneva, Hollands .. per gallon, 2s. Gd. to 2s. 8d. Brandy, Cognise, 1st quality .. per gallon, 5s. 4d. to 5s. ed. Wheat .. per quarter, 71s. 8d.

Barley .. per quarter, 41s. 8d.