London, April 25, 1849.

My Dear Friend:ーBlaise Pascal, in one of his provincial letters, says as an apology for a long letter, "that he had not time to write a short one." So if you find this too long and too meagre, assure yourself that want of time was the cause.

And now, before I become garrulous upon other matters, let me hold up Thomas Clarkson as a beacon to you, who, by "a correspondence with 400 persons, writing books, traveling thousands of miles, and keeping his mind bent on one subject, shattered to pieces his nervous system.

What an anomaly is a Yankee! Worshipping at the shrine of woman, yet remaining unsusceptible of her refining influences. The lips that hymn her praises are defiled with the rank juice of the slave-tilled plant of Virginia, and its smoke ascends with the incense of her votary's adulation.

But you will gently rebuke me for writing about America to those who, being there, are more desirous of hearing about England. Wellーtrade remains stagnant, giving the Protectionists an occasion to charge the depression to the account of free trade: and meetings of the landholders, and tenant farmers, are being held in all parts of the country, in which gatherings Mr. Colden is denounced as a mischievous demagogue.

The Navigation Laws Abrogation Bill is also fiercely opposed, and a triple alliance is forming between agriculture, ship owners, and merchants for the overthrow of the bill and its authors. And the general opinion is that the House of Lords will reject this bill, and also that for the Ireland "rate in aid." If this happens it is thought the ministry will retire. But the Navigation Laws bill has passed the Commons. It is certainly unlucky for the advocates of free trade that the inertness of commerce should be coincident with the abolition of the Corn Laws, for it has the semblance of being a verification of the predictions of the Protectionists.

The imagination can hardly picture what Ireland's condition would now be, if the New Englanders, when invited by Cromwell to emigrate to that country, had not proposed stipulations which it was impracticable for him to grant and unreasonable for them to demand.

Had the Protector's terms been accepted, spring might now behold the bogs of Ireland adorned by orchard blossoms; the summer, her pastures teeming with flocks and herds; the autumn, her fertile soil exuberant with yellow crops; and winter, snug New England cottages, instead of disgusting mud cabins.

Europe, since November, 1848, has been a political Kaleidescope, changing its aspect daily.
The battle of Novarra having thrown Piedmont at the feet of Austria, Charles Albert preferred abdication and exile to the wearing of a crown by the sufferance of a Hapsburg.

These events, so disastrous to the independence of Italy, have caused a reactionary revolution in Tuscany, and the movement of French, Austrian and Neapolitan troops into the Roman territories, with the object of restoring the Pope, and the overthrow of the Roman Republic. What a charm in this name! It exhilerates, whilst that of Pope-dom benumbs.

The first calls up from the sculptured ruins around the "Consuls," the "Senate," the "Tribunes of the People," and the shades of Cato and Cicero. But the last parades before us a meretricious array of Priests following a huge wooden cross, and the canopy surmounted pix, the symbols of superstition and mummery.

In turning one's eyes to beautiful Sicily, the heart turns sick. The "Modern Attila," Filangieri, delivering over Catania to pillage, massacre, and female violation! Worthy agent of the Neapolitan Caligula.

The fall of Messina, Catania and Syracuse I fear are the precursors of that of Palermo. Patriotic Sicilians! ye deserve a better fate!

But the achievements of the brave Hungarians in the Northeast, revive one's fainting hope. The Austrians, Croats and Cossacks have been driven across the Danube, and even Vienna is menaced.

The discomfiture of Denmark by the combined Germans must cause even the obstinacy of the Dane to waver. Their maritime measures are mischievous to commerce. Blockade is a cowardly mode of warfare.

The failure of mediation between Denmark and Germany, Naples and Sicily, and Piedmont and Austria, is a sad discouragement to the advocates of arbitration.

From the booming of cannon, the explosion of bomb-shells, the clashing of swords, the volleys of musketry, and the shrieks and groans of the wounded abroad, it is reviving to turn to the anniversary gatherings at home, which are now giving a salutary animation to this illimitable metropolis.

Here the peace lovers, the temperance urgers, the mercy dispensers, the animal protectors, the slavery haters, the education promoters, and the gospel promulgators, assemble to stimulate each other to effort and to encourage by reports of past success.

Abroad, tyranny is warring against freedom, and bigotry against light.

At home, instruction is fighting against ignorance, moral goodness against vice, beneficence against penury, and truth against unbelief.

The atmosphere and skies which have paid no respect to spring, show no kindliness to the opening meetings; and if atmospheric influences opreate, their ardor will be damped and their hope chilled.

With best wishes to yourselves and best respect to Mr. Douglass, I am, faithfully yours.

E. B.