Literary Cadet And Rhode Island Statesman

England and France

The following editorial paragraph of the London Courier, is strikingly contrasted with the spirit and tone of the same journal, with regard to France, some years ago:

"England and France have been too long pitted, as it were, against each other, as if some natural antipathy divided them. Eminent, alike, in warlike glory—competitors, alike, in the fair fields of science—renowned, alike, in literature—and France now advancing rapidly upon England in the improvement of her political institutions—are they not marked out as associates, rather than as rivals? United, for just and honorable objects, they may command the world; divided, and in conflict, the shock of their collision must be felt in its remotest quarters. The most inattentive observer must have noticed, during the last ten years, various instances wherein simple justice has been reciprocally rendered to both countries, under circumstances which, less than half a century back, would have elicited some paltry display of national feelings—or rather of national prejudices. For ourselves, we are never better pleased than when, as on the present occasion, we can contribute towards promoting those sentiments of mutual esteem and respect which should subsist between two countries so closely identified in their general interests."