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Miscellany: Europe: Dr. Baird's Seventh Lecture

Miscellany: Europe: Dr. Baird's Seventh Lecture image
Parent Issue
Day
16
Month
June
Year
1845
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Dr. liaird delivered bis scventh mid last Ir c tnre on Thursday evening, uiihe Odcon.Thclecturer commenccd wiih somc genert remarksj ba ving rofercncc to the pteviou kcturcs, m ordo; (o eimble those of his au dicnce wh hac not attended Ihe conro-e, l better undeistand tin; rcmarks tic had V mnke on t!ie subject of liis last lecture. Ih next proceedcd to njte the vnrieties ho ha seen atiioiig the people of Europe; nud tl)i first variety of which he made mcniion va the variety f languages, which prevailed o that continent TJiis vnriet) of largungcs i? of itsclf, a striking proof tfml ciril2ition lia not renched that high poiut in Eur pe, whicl il ehould altoin to, orihe nunvrout dialects o 1 he vnnoiió onuntries would long sino have disappeared andonly the great Inngungp; have been spoken. Tlicre are three grea fami.ies of langungcs wliich prevail. Ist. The Jonguages dcrivcd from llio L'itin, Which are spoken in Franco, Spain, Por luga], arid Italy - tliere are difibrent dialect; or patois epoken n thusc countries. li Fronce, n the province of Butlany, aböiii 2,000,000 of people speak the (Britton oi Bretagnp, we can't sny whtch) langiiage.- Tiiere are thrce difibrent languagcs spoken in Spain, bul the Castilian tongue 9 the prevailing lanjuoge- froni 70 to 75,000,000 spcak lilis langiage. 21. The Iunguages of Teutonio origin, which are spoken in Germnny, Denmark, lioland, Sweden, and England. About C0,000,000 speak these languages. Sd. TJie languages which are derived from the Sclavic, which are spoken in Russiu Polaud, Hungary, and to some extent in Soot Jand, and in Bohemia - thai is the Eohemian. Abont 7i,000,000 speak theee Jangunges. The iilcrature or Eurjpe is ahnost enürely wrüten in the Jonguages derived from ihe Lntin and Teutonic longues - there is lit wrilten iu the Sclavic langnages, thbtfgh Russia and Poland have produced soiue few gootl writers. The second variety isas to figure and complexión. Ir. the north of Europe the people have Vghl fair complexions, flaxen or sandy colored hair, end very light blue eyes. In the een' re of Rusiia, in Germany, Holland, nnd Great Britain a great change is observable - the complexion and hair are darker, and the eyes of a detp blue; the face is more r.carly round, ond you did not observo tiie high chcek bones, the sunlten eyc, aud projecting chin of the more norihern In France, Spain, Poitugal, Ital}-, and the soulh of Russia the complexión is quite darle, the hair and eyes nlmoet invariably black, the face quite round. There also exists a wondcrful difierence in the comparative genius of the peopie of the north and soulh of Europe. Dr. Bairt' had read a report made by a commiltce of the British Parliament, conslilutcd to enquire into the comparalive genius of the mechanics of the vnrious countries, employed in the manufuctories of Great Britain. One manufacturcr, who employed 200 mechanici of diöerent nations, was askcd whjcli people he considered the most talentcd, the quickesl of com prehensión in the mechanic arts? His reply was, the Itaiians - next cam. Ihc French, the Swiss, the Gerrnans, the Scotch, and lastly the Englih. The Englisij are Blower to comprehend than all the others. The Doctor .?aid tho manufacturer was nol cxamined ns to the Yankees - if he had been. be was fully satisfied that they would not have brought up the foot of the scale. The third variety is as to costume. TJiere j s no costuino in tliis country. Indeed there I 8 no co&tume amonnr he hijrher classrs c.f .Kurope. All cJrcss ncar'y oüke. Buttliecasc is far different with the laboring classes, or peasunts - thcy have a costume of their own which they most r'igidly adlierc to- il is the costumc of their futhers. The eervanls ol Europe are easily distinguished by their dres from the higher classes. The difference oí coslumes would indicate the origin of the modern nalions of Europe lonsr aficr all lan guage has been fused, and other dïsüactivc marks have disnppeared. Dr. Baird srid the Btudy of costumc afibrdcd a rich and unexplored field, in which a full hurvest of curious imeresting, and ueeful information tnight bc reaped. In the 22 Caulons of'Switzerland tljere are 22 varieties of costume - they do not, by any mean?, coincide with the geographical divisions of the Cantón- the costumes run into each othcr, to some exlent, bui are ncver completely lost one with another.- To account for thia variety of coslumes, and for iheir being relamed through all the changes and vicisitudes which Swilzcrland hos undergone, we musí assign a different origin to the different people, who mako use oí Ihem. Tbere are also great varielics of costumes in Uoiland. Dr. Baird next took up the consideration of the6ubject of the progress cf civilization in Europe for the past century, and referred to inatterö even moreremote in time than that. The first improvement which he noticed is in the common roads of Europe. Fifty years ngo Ihere was hardlv a pood road, of any extent, in all Europe. YVithin the time, a number of very fine roadá Lave been conetructed in the different countries. Napoleon gave tlie greateat impulse to road-mnking-, be ing an imperial road moker himseJf. The besl roads now, generally speaking, are those con the largor cities. Thcre is etill great need of goud country roads in most of the countries of Europe. i Tho eecond mprovcment is in the struction ofrailroada. The progrpes of rai - road éystcm was blow ol first, btii now it is pervading all Jarope, and raiíróáás I are in the course of conêtruction in most coun tries. Even Russia is biiild'mcr one. Nol mnny years vvill pass, ere they beenme the ' general means of travel. Many of theee ( roada connect difibrent countrioe, and ihe I tem will require gener.-il Icgislation to carry c on their cperations. In Uu's way ihe bonds of r imion will be more firmly stiengthcned, and c the dangor of a general war more remote than a evr. t The third improvement is Ihe employmcnl Cof steumboals. Tliere s hnrdly a. nver i ._ Europr, of any size ihat has nol one plyin upo it. Oreai Brilai hnjnbout 900 steam boat!- France from L50 to S00- Austri qiii;ca niinibcr - Russia had GO in 1310, on - nm.st haveas maitj as 100 ii'uv. Norway au ui Swedon Imvo quite a nuníber. is The íoiiuli i:urovciiici)t iá (he manifes '- (usion oí" lunguagcá. Fur a long porhxj, tli 0 minor laitguajga and uinlccis nf IJiírojio hav " been d isa ppea ring, ui l Lfae moro important e general lanjjiwyes are laking llifir placee - lli d reat laiijjitoesure much mure reneinlly ?pn e l;en at tlio prosenl timo than tliey weie fii': s yen rs sin ce. ]n Iinly lite Iialian langung !1 uJcne prevail-'. ' Tlicrc are1, to be sur?, 10 diolects, roniain s of ancient Inniitin-cs, ppnfjfn, btit tiiey ar li more dinlccls, and in usé by eomparative! f few pen)V. Tm!v3 patpfs re ftoken i 0 France, but tlie Fioncli Iai)í.riii)pH is epokei by tlic ma=sof the pojjulation- tlierc aie no 1 niany palois in Öcnnaiiy, - lliere a g,reut va ' riety i;i ibe pronunciaiion oftlie Germán, bu - the people ol' diSofCDl, (üóirieis uiiilerálantl eacl - otlier witliüul mucli difliculty. Tur Bolienii s an l&üuage lias nmrly dwindled nway. It i: ii n singular fact thaf. fuur diíFureot langu:ie I arestill spoken in Ëngfenri: There aresome r iliMicr like two milliohs in England vvlio sp:al - írisli, and cannol speak English - some 100,1 000 in Wales who do not speak Englísh- ■ many in Scotland al.-o who do niit spoak En glish. In tho Lie of Man tlierc is a popula tion uiiich Fpeuks a branch of Ihe Teulonic p tongue. In Uussia SO diíl'erent langiiageí % are spoken. It is the poÜcy of ail the g-overnments to Iiasten the fusión of longues. - A difiercuco of language is much opposed to ihe progress of civiliz'ilion. The fiúh improvcnicnl is in thc consolidation of power- -ihe meroing of the smnl! stalcs into the largor. Foxmerly Itnly was divided inlo -JO diOercnt slates. Now therc are but 3 - n a s'iort time there will be but sevérij the Duke of Lucca t uceceding to JLhe Dutchy of Parma, ond Lucca being united to the Dulcliy of Tuscany. France is now one reat oaiion, and observing men are looking Ibrward to ihe lime, wliich Ihey deem not far distant, when Germany will becme one grand power, The sixth improvement is the increased comfort of the lower classes, who are now much better fed. ciothed and bdged than they wcre 25 yenrs ago. The average duration of lifc has been lengthened iu consequence of thia increased comfort of the lower chsses. The eeventh mprovement is the spread of education amon the people - Ihia s becomng general. Rupsia and Poland hjve tnade great ndvonces tbis particular. Sweden and denmark are ao warinly engaged in the vvork. The eightli improvoment is tlie nlmost universal amelioration of the laws of Europe. - The progress has been slow in some countrief - in others it has been rnpid. There is no capital punishir-ent in Russia - persons are sent to Siberia for their crimes. Some yeare since Tuscany abolished Capital punishment, but during ils aboütion murders increased lo so alarmiog an rxtent, tJiat the gevemment was obliged to adopt capiial punishment again. The ninlh improvement is in the progrese of the Temperance cause, which in all the northern countries of Europe is going on finely. In Holland it was sometime before lie people uould move in the matter, but tbc Outch are now under way, and there is very ittle doubt of their going ahead- t may be slowly but surcly. i)r. Baird spoke of the eport thaf the Empcror of Russia hnd forbidden the formation of Tempcrance Societicü in Polond. He eaid the facta in the case were' undoubtedly these. The Minister of Ilnancc a Germán frotn Honover, a mon of acknowl r edged talent os a financier, and inordinatel 1 bent on mnking the most of the revenues ( ?. the empire, and willial bitterly opposed t 1 temperance, has done m Poland what wa p done n the Baltic province3, viz: forbid th f iormoiion of Temporáneo Societies. On liundred and twenty million dollars revenu are anniiaily mised m Russia, one fifth c whicb comes froni the traffic in brandy. Th formation of Temperance Societies wouli tena to inj-ire this iraflic, and henee the de cree that bas gonc forth against Ternperanc Societiea. The Dr. had receivcd letters fron sotncof'tho wormest frier.ds of Tcmperanci in Russio, and not one word was said of thi Emperor's opposilion to ihe cause of Tem perance. Tlie tenth improvement was in the decidet progress of Religión, in the circularon of the Scripturcs and religious books. Within thf lust twenty-five years, 7,000,000 oT copiet of ihe Scriptures hnve been circulated. The elevenlh and last improvement nol eed was the improvcd character of t!ie piinccs of Europe. Dr. JJaird expressed it os lus belief, that Europe had never had a roce of rèignjng princea whosc characlers for wisdom and vittue genera'ly stood eo high as do thosc of the princes who now preside over the destinies of that continent. IJjs remarks were jroner al and applied to all the eovcreigns, dukes, 5cc. The point led Dr. Baird to classify the rulers of Europe, and to sgeajc somewhat ín detail nf several of ihe monarchs. There are 52 governments in Europe, independent of eacb other- 50 Alona rchies, and L RepubÜCF, Switzerland & San iMarino. Of the Monarchies, 0 are governed by Sovereigns, Sü by Dtikes and Grond Dukes. [The Duke.and Grand Dukes re as much Sovereigus their own dominions as any monarch in Lu. rope.] 20 Dul chics nre in Gennany--4 in Itn]y-23 of the Gennn Dukes are Protestant - lof the Italian Dukes is Prolestant-thc olbcrs are CkthoL'c. As to Constitutional liberty there is no such thing m Italy. Several of the Dutchins in Germuny are constituiional monarchles, while others are abiolute. The conttitutions of somcof the sta,tes of Germany have been granJcd tince ihe Revolution of Praijce ia 1830, and were gnuKed in consrquence of it. Eleven of the monarchie, ruled by sovereigns are constilutional monarchies; the remtining nine are absoluto monjrchies. E.ght of the eovereigns are Protestant, nine Roman Catholic, two bclong to the 3rcck Church, aod one to the AInhomctanin Cburcli; and tiirce of the sovcreigns are la ig dice. Dr. Baird h.id scep nnd converged with l a of ihcSoitaonurclis of Encope. He Imd takei ld inucli pauid to íorm a right opinión of tüatn iü but had not relied on the nccounts of nitive of the country of whose monarch he wishei st for iiilbrnmtion, I ut had t.ikcn ihe opinión o ie intelligent forcigners who luid long reíided ii 'e the country, nnd wiio had enjoycd opportu &L nilits of gaining information and of formiiu ie a liyiil csiimale of choracter. He had litmi elf enj'iyed pecuÜar aovantafics in this re v speet. In point of talents (ihough not nutur [è ;il talenis) nnd c.rporcnce, he placed Louis Phillippp, King of Frailee, tit the head of th s list of monarcis. Ile pronoimccd him a mai e of vast acquiruiiontp, of the utmost firmneti y - one who governed con.scienliously for th gnod of Jiis people. Hia age is 72. Dr ii Bnird expressed the hope tliat ho might liv i till Ii is grandson en me of age. (A hope whicl - cvery wcll wisher of the peace of JOurope wil 11 secoud.) I' The lOmperor of Rnssia was named nexi by Dr. Baird. Ile pronounccl liirn n mar s who governed for the good of hia vast empire. s Acts of injustice might be done, and in his " name, of which he wns ulterly ignorant. Il l{ was entirely ont of the qiiCHtion that lie shouhl ■ knokv one tilhe of the details of government. His government is the on!y one suited to his people - they are (oo ignoraHt to enjoy more freedom. Dr, Baird said the Emperor was a c kind father and most nfleclionate husband. 3 A man who was trtily these; could not be at " he.nr. a tyrnnt. Dr. Baird next ppoke of the King of Prus1 sin, now 53 years of age. He is a very able monarch, and a truly píouá one he is " possessed of great Icarning. 'The Kings of Prnssia are never cowncd- they mercly as1 eend thethrone.) The King of weden, 46 ycars of nge, is a most accompliehed prince. He is a fery fine scbolar. He has written a work on Prison Discipline, inwhicii, said Dr. Baird, he displas as intímate knowledge of the reports of Prison Discipline Society of thiscity, as cotild the most intelligent man in ibis country. Dr. Baird spoke m high terms of the oM King, Bernadotte. He also spoke favorably of the Kings of Holland, Wirternbcrg, and Jaxony; the latler of whom, he remarked, is a most amiable and pleasant man. The Pope, now 80, Dr. Baird said, is an amiable old gentleman, not ïemark-ible for his abilities. The lecturer remarked that the mproved character of the reigning Princcs of Europe, as well as ihe method pursucd ia the education ofthosc who are to succeed lo the thronee, augured most favornbly for the good gorernruont of the different counlries. The sons of the King of Franco were educatcd with oiher atudents at the College of Menry IV., in Paris, mir.gling among them in perfect freedom. Oscar, King of S weden, was educated at the University of Upsula. If we must have Kings, Dr. Baird Ihoughi we ehould pray that they might be poeh of true religious feeling, who would govern in the fear of the Lord. That we nmst have Kirgs is most certain, as the nations of Europe are too ignorant, and have too Iitile of true religión among them, co live nder any form of government but monarchial- most oí them are not fitted even for a constitutionnl monarchy. Dr. Baird, in closing, remarked, that be was nol fully prepared to deliver the course of lec tures, as he had not the requisite maps, &c. that in order to do full jnstice to the subject, the course ougit to have been extended to ' eight or ten JecJures. Ho said he had [ ded eome eight years in Europe, and had '- roceiveü no personal favor from any monarch, and was aware of no motive which could h' prompt him to mnke any wrong or partial "f statement of mattcrs aud Ihings which had to come under his observaron. i a

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