manic eight letters, we have penned these few lines on the philosophy of autographs; not expecting to convert any body, but none the less determined to relieve our mind by their time and attention. In justice to our youthful friend, we cannot refrain from adding that he replied to this missile by a very polite note, begging pardon for having made so great a mistake, and returning the auto-protesting against the popular fallacy, that graph. It seems a small matter to take up a pen and trace a certain number of letters on paper; but how if one does this a dozen times a day? Now, if it would be rather troublesome to write twelve notes, for the sake of signing one's name to each, to gratify the whim of twelve persons whom one has never seen, it is certainly something for each of the dozen to ask, and compliance ought to be somewhat esteemed. Is it so Is not the maker of autographs considered rather the obliged party? Let us whisper to the world that he very seldom feels so, at least after his wings are quilled. Not that he would not be ashamed to refuse, but that he is half ashamed to comply. There is a secret sense of the ridiculous inseparable from this affair, except with people hopelessly sentimental, and a man does not willingly come into sentimental relations with strangers. it is a compliment to ask for an autograph. From the London "Examiner." THE GERMAN CRISIS. ABOUT a fortnight since we stated that the balance of power in Europe, lately so seriously menaced, was at least to some extent restored, and that Austria's over-vaulting ambition had raised up hostility even where it had hitherto relied on for support. A month since, the tide of reaction was so strong that both Piedmont and Switzerland were seriously threatened; and it was even feared that all the remonstrances of both France and England would not be able to preserve the independence and constitutional rights of these states. All of a sudden we learn that there is a hitch in absolutist projects, that menaces have ceased, and that the despotic powers experience again too great a difficulty in agreeing, to admit of their undertaking a crusade in common against the liberties of other states. The truth of this matter, as of many others of the same kind, is that, in things connected with the imagination, we cannot force circumstances. If, in our desire to possess a butterfly, we grasp him with main The public, we are sorry to say, are exstrength, that which made him attractive is ceedingly ill-informed as to what is taking gone for ever. There is something furtive place in the affairs of Germany. When about a true autograph; we should come at Prussia and Austria, with their respective it obliquely, and not by direct attack. A allies, were at open variance, the truth oozed name written at the request of a stranger is out from one side or another; but, since only about as valuable as the same name Manteuffel and Schwarzenberg have laid stamped by machinery. To have any char- their heads so closely together, news has acter, it should have been written in a become mere conjecture. There has also careless or confidential moment, without the been a regular manufacture of forged diplorecollection that there was a collection in thematic and political documents, which have world. As the iron grasp of the daguerre-imposed upon the unwary, and much deotype-chair magnetically empties the face of all human expression, so does the vicelike compulsion of an abrupt demand turn one's patronymic, with its baptismal additions, into a mere row of soulless letters, from which no sane clairvoyant could deduce any thing. This is our theory. In practice, we are benignity itself on this point, as many a red morocco volume can testify. In a confidential moment, and with our perceptions sharpened by an unusual rush for our talis stroyed the credit of the journals. One does not even know what credence to give to the announcement of the Journal des Débats that the King of Prussia has withdrawn his confidence from Manteuffel, and refused to sanction the last concessions to Austria. The move is attributed by the Débats and the Times to the resuscitated influence of Radowitz. Now, we too have seen letters from Berlin, written by men of influence-such letters, that is, as are carried by private hand, for the Prussian post-office is now far worse than the Austrian. Every letter is opened, and every word uttered in them is registered by the police. These accounts represent the King of Prussia as completely in the hands, not of Radowitz, but of the Ultras and the KreuzZeitung party. These Winchelseas and Polignacs of Prussia are unswervingly opposed to liberalism or constitutional government, but they fully participate in the national jealousy of Austria, whose ascendency they prompt Frederic William to resist, in order to procure a larger share of influence and power for the Prussian Monarchy. This is a kind of opposition to Austria, and this is a party to carry it on, to which the Emperor of Russia can have no dislike. Although the Czar would go the length of even marching an army to put down or oppose Radowitz and the constitutionalists, he can have no objection to a little northern forwardness and independence shown by Gerlach. This, however, will have by no means the effect of displacing or disgracing Manteuffel. This Minister has been nothing else all along than the creature of the Gerlach party, affecting some show of respect for the forms of the Constitution, but directing his policy most unmistakably against it. If the Gerlach or ultra party have won upon the King to insist on a larger share of power in the German Administration, Manteuffel will very willingly render himself the organ of such demands. Not only this, but it is equally probable that Schwarzenberg will make considerable concessions to them. There can be no doubt, however, that Wurtemberg and Bavaria are exceedingly discontented with the results of the crusade against Prussia. Bavaria, which hoped to rise to first rank by the degradation of Prussia, is now mortified to find Austria and Prussia leagued, and disposing between them of the rest of Germany. Wurtemberg, which probably expected some portion of Baden, is in open opposition, and demanding a German Parliament, or the concomitant of the Diet. The two Kings of Hanover and Saxony are said to favor the views of Wurtemberg and Bavaria. If so, Austria would lose, rather than win, by summoning the Engere Rath, or Executive Committee of the Diet: by rendering kings predominant there; and by restricting the minor princes Accord to an insignificant number of votes. ingly the project seems to have been altered; and the original seventeen votes, instead of dwindling to eleven, as first proposed, are likely, it is thought, to be augmented to oneand-twenty. How this is compatible with admitting Austria and all her outlying provinces into the Confederation, to which the minor princes were opposed, does not appear. Perhaps a compromise has been made. France and England have both protested: and, though mildly worded, their protest implies that if the new German Confederation comes forward as including Lombardy and Hungary, it, as such, will not be recognized by the Courts of either France or England. This is a circumstance that must necessarily have a very unsettling effect upon the great pacification which it was the promise of Austria, if it succeeded, to accomplish. So much uncertainty, however, still remains about these German proceedings and regulations, that we cannot be too much on our guard against the adoption of even apparently authentic reports. THE LOVE OF PLEASING. Ir may safely be taken for granted, that every one likes to please; there are hardly exceptions to prove the rule. Whatever subtle disguises this love of pleasing may put on-however it may borrow roughness, or carelessness, or egotism, or sarcasm, as its mask-there it is, snug in the bottom of each human heart, from St. Simeon Stylites shivering under the night-dews, to Jenny Lind flying from adoring lion-hunters, and Pio Nono piously tapping his gold snuff-box, and saying he is only a poor priest! The little boy who has committed his piece with much labor of brain, much screwing of body, and anxious gesticular tuition, utterly refuses to say it when the time comes. Why? Not because he does not wish to please, but because his intense desire to do so has suddenly assumed a new form, that of fear; which, like other passions, is very unreasonable. The same cause will make a young lady who has bestowed much thought on a new ball-dress, declare at the last moment, that she does not want to go! A doubt has suddenly assailed her as to the success of her costume. The dress is surely beautiful, but will it make her so? No vigor of personal vanity preserves us from these swoons of self-esteem; and they are terrible while they last. What wonder, then, that the thought of a perpetual syncope of that kind should make us behave unwisely sometimes? -Mrs. Kirkland. RAPHAEL'S PORTRAIT, PAINTED BY HIMSELF. (From the Italian.) BEHOLD great Raphael!-his idéal see Here once-indignant feeling but to make When Death beheld the two, a future day, "Take this frail mantle," was the soul's reply; ETA. DIAMOND DUST. He alone deserves to have any weight or influence with posterity, who has shown himself superior to the particular and pre dominant error of his own times. REPLYING to scurrility, is like the dandy keeping himself clean by pushing away the chimney-sweeper. MASQUERADE a synonym for life and civ ilized society. MEDITATION is the soul's perspective glass. LEISURE is a very pleasant garment to look at, but it is a very bad one to wear. IF you apply to little-minded people in the season of distress, their self-importance instantly peeps forth. NOTHING can poison the contentment of a man who cheerfully lives by his labor, but to make him rich. A CRITIC'S head should be wise enough to form a right judgment, and his heart free enough to pronounce it. NEVER consider a person unfeeling or hardhearted, because he refuses what he cannot reasonably grant. TRUE freedom consists in this-that each man shall do whatever he likes, without injury to another. TO-MORROW-the day on which idle men work and fools reform. CHRONICLE OF THE WEEK. consequence has been a reassignment of a portion of the space to native exhibitors. An extraordinary passage of the American | cargo of the St. Lawrence would fill up: the steamship Pacific within less than ten days, was the subject of much of the metropolitan talk the past week. This triumph of American naval craft seemed even greater from the fact that the fastest vessel of the rival British line, which followed three days after, occupied some twenty hours more in the crossing. The English papers are filled with accounts of the great Exhibition which is now becoming a present business with them, and is already giving the first tokens of that plethora of population which it is destined to create. It appears that the space allotted to American exhibitors was greater than the This fact, as well as others which have come to our knowledge, persuade us to think that our country will have less reason to boast, either by reason of its products, or its zeal, than we could hope. It is not, perhaps, generally known that each nation is required to fit up at its own cost, and with its own style of decoration, the spaces severally allotted. American exhibitors with little unity in their plans, and hurried as they have been in their preparation, can hardly pretend to compete in this respect with the fête-loving artisans of the continent of Europe. The Times, in a long descriptive article, gives this notice of the French compartment: "Still holding eastward on the left-hand side, and leaving the southern states of Europe behind, the visitor crosses Belgium, half warlike from the display of artillery and arms, and enters on the territory of La belle France. Our neighbors are now thor oughly in earnest about their preparations, and every day make considerable progress. Quiet, active-looking workmen, bearded and bloused, and forming a striking contrast to our mechanics in appearance, ply with assiduity and an air of great intelligence the tasks severally assigned to them. On the north side of their allotment a considerable quantity of stationary machinery has already been fixed. Handsome oak stalls, neatly The same paper makes this complacent mention of the United States: "Our cousins have had their geographical position reversed in the Crystal Palace, and occupy the extreme east instead of the far west.' But still their fortunes in part attend them, and they find themselves 'located' in a territory larger than they can occupy. Annexation,' however, is not their passion in Hyde park, and finding that the space assigned to them by the Royal Commission is larger than they want, they have very properly given up what they did not require. The consequence is, that some of our native exhibitors will emigrate to their end of the building; and when the opening of the Exhibition takes place visitors will find distinct traces of that movement which inscribed with the names of exhibitors, are is continually augmentiug the resources of run up with great rapidity, and against the the Western world from the superabundant boarding which separates the one-half of the population of the mother country. The space from the central avenue the process of process of unpacking has commenced in the sign-painting is carried on in every variety United States compartment, but the articles of color, and every imaginable kind of displayed consist chiefly of ploughs and ground. In the nave M. de Seigneur, with other agricultural implements. The show a band of assistants, incessantly labors at his of Yankee notions' will be examined with group of St. Michael and Satan; and under great interest by the public, and we trust his continuous efforts the enemy of mankind not without a kindly feeling towards the becomes every day more hideous and the exhibitors and towards the struggling inArchangel more seraphic. The work prom-dustry of a great and young community ises, when completed, to be a fine French sprung from our loins." impersonation of Milton's conception. Michael, but for his wings, would pass for Joan of Arc, and the enemy of mankind has his attributes of horns, cloven foot, and tail distinctly developed. A little beyond this group another aspirant for artistic fame makes rapid progress with his work. The subject is Godfrey of Bouillon, the great crusader, mounted on a gigantic charger. The body of the horse has been completed, but his legs have still to be supplied; and seated in the interior of the rider, whose figure has only been put together up to the waist, the artist or some one of his assistants may be observed quietly building up the shoulders and chest of the first Christian King of Jerusalem. Our neighbors are, with their usual tact, preserving wide passages for the circulation of the crowds who will visit their space; and while they have adopted the general system of distribution recommended by the Commissioners, the showy character of their display will enable them to give it increased effect. The silks of Lyons, the tapestry of the Gobelins, the carpets of Aubusson, the porcelain of Sèvres, and the fancy cabinet-work, bronzes, and jewelry of Paris, will show magnificently when concentrated on either side of the nave. We understand that the fittings of the whole compartment are to be of the most costly and tasteful description, and so far have they been carried that there is some danger of the French exhibition being late." The Miss TALBOT, of whom there has been latterly much mention in the London Journals, as the victim of priestly seduction, has made her appearance at length in the town; and by report, is engaging in the gayest festivities of the season. Punch and the Jesuits together have made her the lionne of every salon. The Times indulges in a strain of irony in reply to a flimsy article of the NewYork Herald, in reference to a new revolution. The Times intimates that there are no special fears of a descent of the socialists upon Manchester; and that there is no increase proposed at present of the standing army. A recent criminal trial in England has attracted considerable attention, and is the subject of one or two strong articles in the leading papers. The point which has excited discussion, is the virtual escape of the real culprit-Smith, who gave evidence for the crown;-while his accomplices-Harwood & Jones,-who prove to have been ignorant dupes, suffer the full penalty of the law. The Times makes the following remarks thereupon :— "We cannot imagine a more injudicious use of the power of admitting accomplices to betray the secrets of their companions in crime. Perhaps it may be urged that the admitting an accomplice to give evidence is at all times a most unwelcome and distasteful expedient, only to be resorted to or justified by necessity, and that where that necessity exists such a practice tends to prevent the perpetration of crime by sowing mutual distrust among its perpetrators and by preventing their ultimate impunity. We may grant this; but where was the necessity here? In the first place, the approver was, as we have shown, not likely to be believed, nor, indeed, deserving belief from a jury; and, in the next place, except as to the matter of the fatal shot and the incrimination of Samuel Harwood, he did not carry the case any further than the circumstantial evidence and the direct testimony of Mrs. Hollest. The result has proved that the admitting Hiram Smith as an approver was unnecessary; for the jury, totally disbelieving him, and putting his evidence aside as of no value whatever, has yet found sufficient evidence to convict Harwood and Jones. The judge has not hesitated to sentence them on that evidence, and the Secretary of State is most properly about to suffer the law to take its course. The admission, therefore, of such a person as Hiram Smith as an approver, the placing him before a jury as a person on whose evidence any one in any matter would be justified in reposing the slightest reliance is a most deplorable error in itself, and one which in its consequences tends to bring contempt on the administration of justice, and has caused no little risk of defeating its ends altogether." Every one has heard the story of ABDEL-KADER the African Emir, who was taken captive at one of the French victories in Algeria; and who has ever since been in close confinement, notwithstanding a direct pledge to the contrary from the general to whom his surrender was made. It appears that Lord LONDONDERRY has been latterly making an effort in his favor, through direct petition to Louis NAPOLEON. The President declines acceding to the petition from a fear for the security of his Algerine possessions, and the poor Emir still solaces himself as he best can, with his pipes and his wives. An account of the visit of Lord LONDONDERRY is worth quoting: "Before leaving Paris I applied to the Minister at War to have permission from the President and the Government to present my respects to the ex-Emir. There was some delay in obtaining the order of admission, I know not from what cause; but it at length reached me at Tours on the 5th of March. The drive along the banks of the Loire from Tours to the Chateau d'Amboise is more grand and vast than actually picturesque. The two fine stone bridges, and a third on the suspension principle, are striking objects in the route. The town of Amboise is a second-rate old French country town, consisting of a collection of houses, with narrow, dirty streets. The chateau rises from a very lofty height or rock close to the Loire, on the right bank of the river. To enter the castle here is a steep zig-zag carriage way from the bottom of a very dirty, narrow lane; and, indeed, though it was partially opened for Lady Londonderry, I question much if the Emir himself, on his arrival at his prison, did not enter it on foot. By some confusion as to the day of our arrival, (we espied our annonce unopened on the commandant's table, interspersed with various other papers, inkstands, pens, cigars, &c.,) we were not only kept for a long period in the street, but when arrived at the summit of the Castle-terrace we were hustled into a small, cold chapel, where it was proposed we should await the commandant's arrival. The day not being propitious, we were all shivering from the cold. At length the Algerine capitaine appeared by whom we were introduced to a suite of three or four very dirty and close waitingrooms, the end one of which, where we at last arrived, appeared to be the sanctum sanctorum of this very ill-accommodated guard. All sorts of writing materials in confusion covered small tables-bird-cages, dirty books, and a few old chairs alone graced the saloon of the unhappy guard; and while we were asked to sit down for another half-hour's waiting, the commandant, a most obliging officer, had the great civility himself to set to work, with some matches and dry sticks, to kindle a fire in a white china clay stove, which formed the only and somewhat awkward embellishment in the centre of the room. At length an Algerian slave appeared to conduct us to Abd-el-Kader's apartments. This man was dressed in the costume worn by the native Moors at Tangiers, and reminded me much of our former friends when campaigning in led us through the winding terraces of the the East. We followed this guide, and he garden, which are clothed with tall cypress and other trees, to the most elevated part of the chateau, when, passing through an outward ante-hall or guard-chamber, we came to a door where all shoes, &c., were left. Upon this door being thrown open the interesting old warrior stood before us. His bourmoose is as white as the driven snow, his beard as black as jet, his projecting huge eyebrows of the same hue, with teeth like ivory, and most expressive dark eyes, showing peculiarly the white liquid tinge surrounding the pupils. His stature |