Road.

Events of domestic interest to France have been treated at this length
under the head of our own foreign relations, because upon the event just
related turned the European policy of England during many years. The
closing events of 1851, in France, influence materially the foreign
relations, and even the domestic policy, of England, while these sheets
are passing through the press, at the close of 1859. Eight years have
rolled away, and yet the power of Louis Napoleon in France, achieved by
the revolution which he effected by the _coup d'etat_ of 1851, was the
hinge upon which turned the foreign policy of the United Kingdom, even
in 1860, not only in Europe, but in Asia, not only in the eastern but in
the western hemisphere.

When the tidings arrived in England of the strange, sudden, and daring
occurrences at Paris, men's minds were greatly agitated. A conflict of
opinion arose in parliament and throughout the nation. Some regarded
the _coup d'etat_ as Montalembert regarded it in 1859, as a violation of
conscience, a treason, a perjury, a sanguinary violation of the rights
of the French people; others deemed it an advantage gained by order, and
even freedom, over anarchy and the despotism of red republicanism;
they spoke of it as Montalembert did in 1851, when he addressed his
countrymen, and told them that "to vote against Louis Napoleon would be
to declare in favour of the socialist revolution, the only thing which
can at present succeed the existing government." It will, however,
belong to other chapters of this history to depict the effect upon
English affairs, and English public opinion, of the policy and power of
him who seized the reins of government, in France, with a hand as daring
as that of his renowned uncle.

DISCUSSIONS IN THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT CONCERNING THE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT
NAPLES.

Throughout the year 1851 the state of the kingdom of Naples attracted
the attention of the civilized world, but made most impression in
England. The King of Naples was a bigot and a tyrant, a man of obstinate
will, and he exhibited a fierce hatred to both civil and religious
liberty. During the European struggle for freedom, in 1848, he swore to
give a constitution to his subjects, and to observe it for ever.
Utterly faithless in his own character, he violated his oath when the
opportunity of power permitted. The description Milton gives as
the probable result of restoring Satan and his fallen host to th