_Berlin_, _February 23, 1859_.
The great event of the season was the birth of a prince to the crown of
Prussia, and the first grandchild of Queen Victoria. Demonstrations,
congratulations, and addresses have been made to the royal parents by
the Lord Mayor, and other dignitaries of London. The street upon which
I live, leading to the Palace, was crowded with vehicles, containing
the nobility, civil, and military officers in full uniform, advancing
to the royal residence to inscribe and present themselves in honor of
the happy event. Crowds of persons were standing upon the sidewalks for
many days afterwards, gazing up at the windows and walls which inclose
this precious jewel of a monarchical people. The students have since
had their torchlight celebration for the occasion.
In these reverences and a thousand other ways, through titles and
orders given to all persons of any distinction, wealth, or merit,
is the aristocratic band so linked together, that the very children
imbibe that love and respect and awe for the royal family till it seems
engrafted in their very natures.
In political matters you are kept fully advised through the
European journals. As I suggested in my last, things look ominous
for the future. The money and commercial marts are still agitated,
and uncertainty prevails. France continues steadily her military
preparations; Sardinia the same. Austria is stubborn, and sends further
supplies of troops into Italy. Diplomacy is hard at work to prevent a
general European war, and, if the issue must come, to confine it to the
Peninsula. A slight outbreak at the present moment would put all Europe
in a blaze. The demand for saltpetre in the London markets, even from
the smaller powers, and the prohibition of the sale of horses shows
that they fear the result, and must be prepared, if not against the
enemy, against their own people. Cannon foundries and manufactories of
arms are in full blast in different countries.
The horrors of a European war, the destruction of life and property,
the anguish of widows and orphans, the demoralization of invading
armies, the cost of maintaining the same, and the entailment of debt,
are not to be portrayed. Already Austria and Sardinia are in the
market for loans, consequently there is a depreciation of the whole
outstanding debt in the hands of the public.
Since I visited the Crimea I feel myself better able to judge of
consequences. The ruined and battered fortresses and public and private
edifices of Sebastopol, Kertch, and other points, the graveyards of the
half million of souls of Inkerman, Alma, and the Malakoff, all testify
to the melancholy results. However, the question of the whole Italian
race, suffering under the bonds and chains of tyrants, cannot be longer
delayed, and we shall probably soon know the decision. Either the
evacuation by Austria of the Papal States, and the duchies of Modena
and Parma, and abandonment of her tutelage, with a system of reform, or
war, must be the result.
Some persons contend that war, like cholera, or other epidemics, in
over-populated countries, is as necessary as a thunderstorm to clear a
sultry and vitiated atmosphere, to sweep off a part of the redundant
population, lessen competition, and give the survivors a chance to earn
their bread. More humane means can be substituted in the favoring of
emigration to the vast regions of unoccupied territory, not only in
Europe, but in both Americas.
While all Europe is in uncertainty, America stands without anxiety, as
a looker-on. In the event of a European war her breadstuffs would find
a ready market. Capitalists, looking at the uncertain tenure of things
here, would turn their attention to investments on the other side.
Emigrants, to escape army duty and save what little they have from
destruction, would take refuge in this land of liberty. Her Mexican and
Cuban question could be settled without the interference of foreign
powers, who would have occupation at home.
Our Treasury it seems is exhausted, and loans are made in time of
peace. We pay our President twenty-five thousand dollars a year. I
notice the French Senate have granted Prince Napoleon eight hundred
thousand francs, or one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, as expenses
for his marriage to the daughter of Sardinia’s king, and two million
francs, or four hundred thousand dollars yearly. In the event of
widowhood she is to have forty thousand dollars, our currency, and a
palace to her use. All that for a cousin of the Emperor. What would our
honest yeomanry think of such outgoes with us, which are mostly made up
by indirect taxation upon each and every article consumed by rich and
poor?
Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of Washington at a splendid dinner
given by our minister, at which assisted some sixty persons of both
sexes--Americans residing in or passing through Berlin, naturalized
Germans, Consuls and Senators from Bremen, Stettin, &c. Baron Humboldt
sat vis-à-vis with Gov. Wright under the folds of the American flag.
Toasts and speeches, as customary on such occasions, were made, and
all passed off to the satisfaction of guests. Some fifteen or more
of our states were represented, and were called upon for a sentiment
or a toast, which, under the exhilarating influence of champagne,
was generally well responded to, and brought forth some amusing and
historical reminiscences of the American revolution. Portraits of
the Father of his country, of Humboldt, Webster, and others, and the
beautiful engraving of Washington crossing the Delaware, were suspended
from the wall. An artist gave a toast which was rather a strong one
in a monarchical government, and in a less enlightened age perhaps we
would not have had the privilege of meeting together to commemorate
the birthday of a republican victor; it was to “Humboldt, the King
of Science, whose shoes most kings are not worthy to unloose.” The
venerable old man is now in his ninetieth year; he is fond of ladies’
society, who adore him as a traveller and writer. He has remained
a bachelor. His memory is fresh and vigorous; I asked him if he
recollected my presentation by Gov. Vroome, some four years since, and
the conversation about the island of Ceylon. “Yes,” replied he briefly,
“and Singapore also,” and then recounted information derived from other
sources since.