London, March 10, 1848.

Dear Sir,—The great subject of interest in Europe, is the revolution which has been successfully accomplished in France. In the year 1830, Louis Philippe was borne to the throne on the shoulders of the people, and under the title of Citizen King, pledged himself to the cause of liberty and progress. But the atmosphere of a throne is trying to morality; and whatever may have been the sincerity of Louis Philippe's professions, it very soon became evident, that the great end of his exertions was, the consolidation of his power, and the advancement and enrichment of his family. In pursuance of these objects, he made common cause with the despots of Europe, in his foreign policy, and at home endeavored to curtail the liberty of the press, and opposed a steady resistance to every kind of reform.

Having thus lost the hearts of the people, he clung for support to a fraudulent representation and the physical force of armies and fortifications. He thus contrived to make it appear that he governed on constitutional principles, being always supported by a majority in the Chambers. But, in the first place, the Deputies were elected by a very limited proportion of the population; and secondly, there were at least one-third of them officers of government—men who would therefore support whatever ministry the king might prefer. Feeling the insecurity of his position, he surrounded Paris with fortifications, and filled it with armed men. The result has proved how unavailing is the strongest force and the most cunning fraud, when opposed to an enlightened people determined to be free.

The conduct of the provisional government has been beyond all praise. Their first proclamation ended with the motto of the new republic, "Liberty—Equality—Fraternity;" and all the subsequent ones have been true to this great and Christian profession. They have addressed circulars to all their ministers at foreign courts, expressing their sincere desire for the maintenance of peace. They have abolished the Chamber of Peers and all titles of nobility; have decreed the separation of the church from the state; have abolished capital punishment for political offences, and are preparing a measure for the EMANCIPATION OF THE NEGROES IN THEIR COLONIES.

What may be the ultimate form which their government will take, depends upon the decision of the constituent assembly, which has been convoked for the 20th of April. It is to be elected by universal suffrage and vote by ballot, and is to consist of 900 members, being one for every 40,000 of the population.

Such an event as this cannot fail to affect all the States of Europe. It was feared at first that warlike measures might be undertaken to embarrass or put down the new republic. The British government, however, took the earliest opportunity of declaring that they would not in any way interfere with the internal arrangements of France; and all the despotic powers, with the exception of Russia, are too much troubled with the demands of their own subjects for freedom—demands which will be greatly encouraged by the events in France, and too much embarrassed by war debts of long standing, to make any very formidable demonstration against French liberty. On the contrary, there is every reason to hope, that the progress of freedom will be greatly accelerated by these glorious events. Already, many of the lesser States of Germany have made prompt and satisfactory concessions. The Grand Duke of Baden and the Dukes of Wurtemburg and Nassau, have granted freedom of the press, trial by jury and other constitutional rights. Prussia promises well, and has convoked the States-General. The Belgian government have promised a sweeping parliamentary reform. All Italy is putting on the garb of freedom, and consolidating itself into one great nation. Austria alone, that most ruthless and miserable of all atrocious governments—a government of absolute force, fraud and barbarity, without one redeeming quality to mitigate its degradation, offers an obstinate resistance to the great movement which animates Europe. Martial law has been proclaimed in Lombardy; Hungary is putting on the attitude of rebellion; and it is to be hoped that the galling fetters of Austria are to be at last and forever broken. But the contest will be severe; for Russia and Prussia have agreed to assist the Austrian government against its oppressed subjects, who will have to suffer much, in one way or other, before their freedom is attained. But, as the poet says,

"Freedom's battle once begun,

Though often lost, always won."

It is begun from one end of Europe to the other. It may be waged through much patience and tribulation; but the day seems already to dawn with the rising of Freedom.

The great mass of the people of this country sympathise warmly, with the people of France and the noble spirit of the provisional government. Should the French succeed with their republic, no doubt England will profit by the example, and raise again the banner of reform. There has been some rioting in London and other large towns, but it has been confined entirely to the ignorant and degraded, who swarm in painful numbers in all the great centres of population in this country. It is not by any such proceeding that Great Britain will work out its freedom, but by the energetic agitation of public opinion, acting in a constitutional way on the government and parliament, and thus obtaining gradually, yet surely, all necessary reforms. The true friends of freedom here are not rioting, but holding public meetings, and sending friendly addresses to the French nation. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held last Friday in the Hall of Commerce, at which an eloquent address, which had been prepared by Elihu Burritt, was agreed to, and is to be conveyed to the provisional government by Joseph Sturge, Edward Miall, and other gentlemen.

Nothing particular has occurred in the British parliament since last mail, except the withdrawal of the proposed government measure to raise the income tax from three to five per cent. on all incomes exceeding £150 per annum. The determined resistance which the nation is making to increased taxation, is a strong guarantee for peace; and it seems now to be generally believed that it will be almost impossible to drag us into a war.

Yours respectfully,

R. S. D.