Russian
troops had entered Poland, and there was no means of defence against
their combined operations. So that whatever Russia and Prussia chose to
demand, that they were sure of obtaining; for what, it has been asked,
can feeble justice do against exorbitant power? But it was not till the
spring of the succeeding year that the diet were called upon to give
their consent to this second spoliation of their fatherland.

STATE OF THE PUBLIC MIND IN ENGLAND.

At the commencement of this year, and even as late as the month of
August, when it was known that the French monarch was deposed, there
appears to have been no disposition on the part of government to take
part in the war against France. On the contrary, in pursuance of a
recommendation from the throne, the army and navy were reduced; and when
our ambassador was ordered to leave Paris, on the virtual extinction of
monarchy, he was directed to renew his assurances of British neutrality.
But there were many causes at work which, before the year closed,
induced the government to exhibit signs of a change of policy. Although
the generality of the people were struck with terror at the deposition
of the monarch, and the horrid massacres which preceded and followed
that event, yet the revolutionary societies in England, grew daily
bolder and bolder in their proceedings. Some there were, it is true, who
were convinced of their evil tendency, and who, in consequence, gave up
all connexion with them; but still they existed in all their original
vigour. So enthusiastic were these societies in their admiration of the
French revolution, all stained with blood as it was, that they even
transmitted addresses of applause to the national convention. The
London Corresponding Society, the Manchester Constitutional Society, the
Norwich Revolution Society, the Society for Constitutional Information
in London, and the London Constitutional Whigs, these all joined in
addresses of congratulation on the victory which the French people had
gained over their hapless and ill-fated monarch. All these addresses
received a warm response from those to whom they were addressed. For
once in the annals of history the French hailed Englishmen as brethren;
and a hope was expressed that the day would soon arrive when they
might join the hands of fraternity. But these addresses and responses
contained something more than mere compliments; they breathed
destruction to the English constitution. It was