4

After all, I have no doubt that, in the eyes of British
critics, the articles of this most absurd fellow, are very
sound and rational productions.

ITA LY .

Gaeta, I believe, is going to hold out till the spring;
though our Anglo-Saxon friends are in such haste to have
it taken. Spring will see gigantic war in Italy; and
poor Francis II. does not know but some lucky chance
may befal him. Certainly, his presence still, on Italian
ground, is a sore cinbarrassinent to the “ King of Italy,”
as the English call Victor Emanuel. Gaeta, too, is
very strong, well furnished with artillery, and.(through
the benevolence of the French Emperor,) open to the sea.
The only available mode of access, by way of storm. is
by an isthmus 850 yards across, and this is made inipus-
sable by tremendous batteries. By sea, King Francis re-
victunls his garrison, replenishes his animunition, and
fears no bombardment; for a French fleet keeps the
approaches open, so that in reality there is nothing to
hinder the king from holding his ground till spring, or
till autumn, or till after an European Congress, or bet-
ter still, an European war. While he holds Gaeta, too,
and his lieutenant holds Pile;-“sin-a, in Sicily, there is still
a centre and a sanction for Bonrbonist movements; and
in truth, the greater part of Continental Naples is this
moment subject to coercion at the hands of the Galen-
tuomo, as much as even Tipperary was when the county
was proclaimed. The peasants of the Abruzzi, and of
La Pouilla (that is, half of the kingdom,) now that they
begin to know what the matter is, are exceedingly un-
grateful to their deliverers, the Sardinians; nay, eager to
rise everywhere to drive away the Galantziomo, and let
Francis have his own again. I translate textually the
orders of the day of General Pinelli, the Sardinian, who
is intrusted with the task of pacifying the Abruzzi :

“ The Major-General commanding the troops orders:

“ 1st. Whosoever shall be taken, having in his posses-
sion firearms, knives, poniards, or any weapons with
point and edge, without being able to justify it by per-
mission of the constituted authorities shall be immediately
shot.

“ 2d. Whosoever shall be convicted of having, by

words, money, or other means, incited the peasants to in-
surrection, shall be immediately shot.

“FERDI.\'Ai\‘D PINELLI."

The honest peasants of the Abruzzi really believe that
the right “ constituted authority ” is at Gaeta ; and they
cannot form any clear idea what “insurrection” means
against their lawful sovereign.

Italian unity seems as far off as ever; and I am not
sorry for it, for two reasons—first, the Italians themselves
do not seem to relish that idea, now when it comes near
to them; and second, Italian unity is a British idea, with
a view to combinations against France: and whatsoever
arrangements the British Government desires or designs
in Europe are necessarily evil.

Much urgency has been shown by the Sardinians to in-
duce the Cardinal Archbishop of Naples to return to his
diocese. It appears that the Sardinian Government
there required some additional moral support, and not
yet been able quite to make up its mind to shut up the
churches, declare religion suppressed, and enrich ‘science
by a chemical analysis of St. Janai-ins’ blood. The
Archbishop protests that he was driven from his diocese
and his duty by the Garibaldians—that he is willing to
come back and take charge of his flock; but on the con-
dition that he is not to be expected to treat the first filli-
buster who comes as king, nor to sing Piedmontese Te
.Deums. So much does Naples want an Archbishop, that
the Cardinal is likely to be solicited to come back, even
on these terms ; but it looks gloomy for Italian unity.

Once for all, this Italian unity is a dream: there never
was an united Italy since the invasion of the Ostrogotlis ;
and seeing that the Italians of Naples are as unlike to the
Italians of Piedmont as the English are unlike the Irish,
I can see no good end to be attained by the artificial and
forced unification. Union is not always a good thing—
for example the union between Great Britain and Ireland ;
and I am clearly of opinion that liberty and indepen-
dence are better than unity. Certainly Venice should
be free of Austria ; certainly, also, Naples were well rid
of the Bonrbons, unless they were wonderfully reformed ;
but why Venice and Naples should be urged, badgered,
coerced, into becoming one nation afterwards, I confess
myself unable to perceive. It is said that an united Italy
would be stronger against foreign invaders and foreign
influence. Why so ‘2 Was Greece united when she over-
threw the hosts of Persia? Switzerland is but a handful
of federal valleys, with no unification at all ; and is
Switzerland feeble? Endeavor to clear your minds of
cant ; above all, British cant, which, of all the cants that
is canted, is the basest.

HUNGARY.

The Hungarians are in utter terror lest British policy
succeed in inducing Austria to sell Venice before spring.
If there be not war next spring. in Italy, Hungary will
wring her hands in sorrow and disappointment. At pre-
sent, indeed, the Hungarians are preparing for that con-
fidence. Numerous arrests are made ; but this only exas-
perates the affair. The Count Karolys passes through
Debreezin; inhabitants and students i'usl_i to serenade
him with national Sclavonian music; this is committing
“ exceesses” in Austrian language ; a number of gentle-
men are arrested ; and Debrcezin is supposed to be tamed
——bnt the arrests are now so numerous that it is said the
Emperor of Austria is going to get out of the difficulty
by a general amnesty: the worst of it is that nobody
will thank him. _ _

What is far more significant than the Debreezin affair
is a late festival at Agram, capital of Croatia, not in
Hungary at all, but as Sclavonic as the Magyars : it was
in honor of the national poet, Bogovitch. We all re-
member how effectually the Croats, under Jellachich,
helped to crush their Hungarian brethren in 1849. They
seem to have ‘\.llSCOVCI‘6d that this was a blunder. And
accordingly crowds of Croats and Hungarians iii frater-
nal procession flocked to do honor in common to their
Sclavonic board. Bogovitch addressed them in an em-
passioned speech ; told them to bury and forget the
feuds which made Sclavonians shed Sclavonian blood in
’49, and to be brothers indeed for the time to come. At
all this counsellors of state in Vienna tear their hair.

Thus, over all Europe, the pride of race is aroused
and blood waves to brother’s blood. To be rid of alien
domination-—-this is the great want of problem of the
age. Shall the Gael also not have a share in that best
and most gracious of revolutions?

THE NEW DEGREES.

The new arrangements for the transaction of public
business in France, without shifting the responsibility,
and without really conferring substantial power on any
man, or body who had it not befcre_is still regarded as
an important step in France. The principal features of
it are——1st, that the Chambers are to vote a reply to the
Empcroras addl'(-353,---2d, that the _debates_are to be ‘pub-
lished,——and 3d, that certain i_ni_niste_rs without portfolio,
and therefore without real ministerial functions, are to
sit in the Chambers, and defend, ex oflicio, all the acts of
the g.;)Ver[1[nCl’ll'.. 1 see but little in all this, either one
way or the othei‘, France is very well governed at pre-
sent : and I doubt not will be well governed under these
ngvy appangemiylltg‘ so lgug as ti-llC'-pl'€.S€l1t_1'l1lCl' l.lVCS.
The change is only significant as indicating his oonscious_

THE PHCENIX.

ness that his power and his dynasty are established ; and
that his general policy. being intensely and especially
French, may invite criticism and shine the better for it.
I incline also to believe that the Emperor means by this
new decree to throw himself more iiiireservedly upon the
people, with a view to call on them for an effort more
grandly French at some early day. .

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

MY DEARLY LOVED NORA.

MY dearly loved Nora, how truly I long

To meet you in the evening, ere twilight is gone,

And with you to rove on the banks of that stream,
Where bloom the May-flowers of lovc’s happy dream ;
There t’ leaven with you, dear, the sweets that doth flow
From th’ hearts of true lovers, on Zl-‘pllyl‘8 that blow.

But, 0, dearest Nora, there’s sonietliing, I vow,
Which keeps me from coming I‘l}:‘lli on to you iiow.
’Tis n’t distance, nor danger, nor iect for the road,
Nor yet, dearest Nora, that you're not adored,

But ’tis the land of our fathers tliat’s clothed in wo,
And with those who will free it, I’m sworn to go.

And now, my dear Nora, I’ll not say adieu,

For, were I in heaven, my heart ’s still with you ;
Not here, dear, nor there, do I love one more true.
The angels above could not win me from you ;
Still on we must go, thus, on hope’s flowing wave,
Determined to die, or our country to save.

Nor long o’er our hills shall the tyrants’ flag wave——
The hated of brave men now cold in the grave 3

For th’ flow’r of the chieftains, that bloomed long ago,
Reforms again to smite down the foe.

And we must soon rally on high hill and dale,

There t’ win or to die for the sons of the Gael.

San Francisco, 1Vovember, 1860. BRENAGH.

THE ORPHAN ASYLUMS.
On Christmas-Day, as usual, the collections will be
taken up in all the Catholic churches of this city, for the
benefit of the Orphan Asylums.

PATRICK MCSHANE, OF BELFAST.

The present address of Mr. Patrick McShanc, formerly of
Belfast, is No. 209 East Twelfth street, New York.-
McShane had to leave his native land at the time of the
late “State arrests” in Belfast, on account of his sup-
posed connection with the Ribbon Society, in which
organization he is said to have long held oflices of high
trust. His exertions in starting the “Belfast Gun Club,”
for the protection of his Catholic fellow-townsmen against
the periodical and murderous outrages of Orange rut'fian-
ism, rendered him specially obnoxious to the hirelings of
the British garrison in his native district. He was highly
esteemed by his friends and acquaintances, and was one
of the most energetic among Directors, and one of the
first originators of the “Catholic Institute,” which Bel-
fast now boasts. All who wish to communicate with
him will please to direct their correspondence to the
address above given. We give it this publicity in order
to satisfy numerous friends inquiring for him from Ire-
land, Scotland and England, as well as from various
parts of these States.

Ball of the National Cadets, 69th Regiment,
AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC,
ON TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 15, 1861.

The proceeds will be equally divided between the
houses under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy, Houston
street, and the Catholic Orphan Asylum, in Prince street.

Music by Dodsworth’s full Band. Tickets, $2, admit-
ting Gentleman and Ladies, to be had of all the ofiicers
of the Regiment, at Edward Dunnigan &',Brother’s, 599
Broadway ; Robert Coddington’s, 366 Bowery ; at the
Oflice of the PH(ENix, and at all the principal music stores
and hotels.

FLAG COMMITTEE.

THE members of the Flag Committee, First Regiment
Phoenix Brigade, are requested to meet at the Pucuxrx
Otficc at 2 o’clock on Sunday, the 30 December.

THE PHCENIX.

NEW YORK,'SATURDAY, DEC. 29, 1860.

CHRISTMAS.

Goon readers! many and many a happy
Christmas! but, above all, the next one, in a
free home, with free lands, and laws, and liber-
ties, won and guaranteed by your own hands.
It is the Redeemer’s day, and the first and
holiest thought is of redemption——redemption, in
our case, from an abysmal more deep, damning,
and degrading, than any ever suffered by man
since sin brought death into the world. Re-
demption! oh when shall it come ?

A year has gone by since we greeted Christ-
in-as before, and the first duty to-day is, to look
back and view dispassionately that year, count-
ing and scrutinizing all its months, weeks, days,
nights, hours and minutes. Have we turned
them to account? Have we wasted none?
Have we mis-spent any? Have we done all it
was our duty to do? Have we done aught
which should be left undone? . Is there any

kind counsel which we have left unoifered?
Have we uttered any harsh strictures which we
ought to rccant and recal? If the retrospect be
sincere and unbiassed, the wrong step, whether
an error organ omission, will be a beacon on our
future way, and may be of much advantage
hereafter ; but if we do not look it straight in
the face, and measure it unspai-ingly, it never,
never can be redeemed.

So far, as to ourselves. Looking outside,
what auspices of good, what assurances of a
bright future does this Cliristinas-day bring us?
Wli:it evil auguries does it present in respect to
the po-wet‘ and prospect of our tyrants?

Since last year the face of Europe is materi-
ally changed. A great revolution has been
siiccessful in one kingdom, and great conces-
sions have been wrung from tyranny in another.
These two changes have been wrought upon a
principle (whether fraudulently applied or not,
does not matter), the principle that govern-
ments are only legitimate when they are the
embodiment of the people’s will. Whether the
people of Naples or Sicily will be better go-
verned by the new government, happier, freer,
more prosperous and enlightened, is a question
that affects only them, and even l/zem but tempo-
rarily, while the principle is true, everywhere
and always, immutable and imperishable.

Is this principle available to us ? Or rather,
are we strong enough, resolved enough, bold
enough, to realize it in our own regard ‘.7 Is it
to us but the holly bough, cut from the trunk,
to glisten in the unnatural air, and pine away
under the noxious influence of a hot room, the
stream of life being cut off at the fountain? If
so, better it had never been plucked, never
glistened in a false and sickening light, on a
cheerless hearth. Ohl better, better far.

And if we be not strong, resolved, bold and
ready, as we should be, are there any means,
organization,_ discipline, study, care, thought,
toil, sacrifice, or self-steeling, by which we may
become so ?

Let us answer.

We have all the strength, resolution and dar-
ing needful, but they are scattered, uncombined,
ill regulated, and ill directed. There are in
Ireland a quarter of a million of young men who
long for no‘ nobler destiny than to share in the
grand struggle, which must end in making Ire.
land the free inheritance of the Gael and the
honest Gaul, or make it the grave of the old
race for ever ; a quarter of a million of young
men who wish for no holler death than to lie on
the field where the green flag would be upper-
most. There are, in this country, nearly as
many more, of the same faith, heart, resolution,
purpose and yearning. Besides being strong in
numbers, strong of resolution and unchangeable
in purpose, they have been proved, through
themselves and kindred, to be inferior in the
hottest fields to no men in all creation.

Nor does the anomaly stop here. These half
million of men walk the earth with a yoke upon
their necks, and the iron of shame hissing hot
in their hearts. They traverse, some of them
at least, the circle of the globe, afraid to raise
their eyes to the eyes of men, because they al-
ways expect a glance of contempt in return.
They are ever plotting, ever thinking, ever
burning at the heart, ever yearning for a day
of vengeance. At home, abroad, on the land
and on the sea, the same yearning lives and
gnaws away the vitals of generation after gene-
ration immutable, imperishable and iiidestructi-
ble. And yet they are kept in subjection, by
a few policemen, fewer spies and yet fewer hang-
men. Magna Charta and the gallows are twin
English institutions in Ireland-—the former be-
longing to the garrison and the latter being
the special use of the garrisoned. Magna. Charta
consecrates the robbery, and the gibbet si-
lences the last complaints of the robbed.

There are, to be sure, other auxiliary agencies.
There has been the perjured chief, who betrayed
kith and clan, and justice, right and honor,
to secure an estate and a beggarly foreign
badge in the guise of a title. There is to-day
the patriot who bleats in formal phrase, (intelli-
gible enough for the man buyers,) that he wants
a. purchaser. And worse than all, and more
pestilent and perfidious, there are the organizers
of orgaiiiza'tions. Of all the curses that ever
befel a fated land, organizations are the most
withering and deadly.

Of course, we will be understood here, as al-
luding to talking, resolving, petitioning, and
remonstrating organizations. There is need,
indispensable need, of organization ; that is,
combination, unity of accord and purpose,
directness of action, and singleness of design_
But it must be, or death is in its very germ,
based upon'_no recognized principles—recognized
as “ constitutional”-—govcriied by laws or funda-
mental resolutions. There must be but one
canon——tlie deliverance of the island from for-
eign thrall, and of its soil from the gripe of the
ro'bber—-—and one theatre of actioii—the battle-
field.

The simpler this conibinatioii, the better.
Even if it be imperfect, in unimportant respects,
it is wiser, safer, truer, more like what earnest
men would do, to leave it so; to endeavor to
cure the defects by taking measures to neutral-
ize their evil effect, than to endanger all by a
change, radical in its nature and more radical in
its danger. Whose remains inactive while one
combination is being formed and perfected, and
when it is in working order, interferes to make
another class, indeed, give strength to the enemy
—is the enemy. Ilia niger est liwne tu Romaine
cavclo.

But, perhaps, these are not Christmas thoughts.
Perhaps they may be taken to be too fierce for a
day of infinite love, kindly sympathy, and family
associations ; a day on which heaven and earth
were reconciled, and o-n which the whole family
of man ought to be but one. Is it so? Are
we bound, in love, to our crucifiers? Have
they not broken in upon our Christmas-days of
centuries, on which love and mercy, and pardon,
and reconciliations, approached as near as mor-
tal acts could do to the infinite love that forever
consecrates Christmas-day—have they not bro-
ken in upon—and turned them into a hissing ‘.7’

The great act of redemption is not alone a
boon, but a lesson. It redeemed man, and it
taught them to redeem themselves. We will
best fulfil its design by elevating ourselves, as far
as we can, to the lofty destiny which it pre-
figures and points to. Once again, dear read-
ers, we bid you a merry and a happy Christmas,
wishing in our heart of hearts that it may never
dawn more on your, or our, weary, weary exile.

>-4Q>4<—-——._.

THE NATIONAL MEETING IN DUBLIN.

A LARGE meeting was held in the Rotundo on
the 4th of December to pronounce against Brit-
ish rnle in Ireland, and promote the National
Petition. The O’Donohue, M. P., of the Glens,
occupied the chair, and the following gentlemen
were observed on the platform :

‘John Martin, Rostrevor ; J. F. Maguire, M P ; W. J.
gN§ill_ Dannlg, KilIcéar(]iznuCastle; J. ‘F. Lombard, J P,
Baltrmiues, . ev. . u izln, Catholic Administrator,

a inacargy, Rev. P. Lave e, Partry; John_O’Donnell,
Barrister, Limerick ; James Plunkett, T C ; Richard Fin-
{?l1dLal0I‘,dTéltaktl)ll, Qhefins County; Thomas Neilson,

n erwoo ,, ra ane, enis Holland, Irishman; _Very
Rev, Dr. 0 Connor, P P,_ Loughglyn; A. M. Sullivan,
Nation; M. Dwyer, MOT7l2ng News; M. A. O’Brennan,
Oonnaughl Patrzot; Rev. J. P. Farrel, St. Audeon’s;
Professor Kavanagh, C U; Isaac Varian,_J. Watters, B
%, llFllB , Ifin1i~)y.Lawi§)ii_,uM Iga; DG.eorge Sigerson, M D;
O-yN _ynn. _, — 61 y, , — Cahalan, M D;

eill Russell, — Murdoch; Rev. J. M’Dermott, Pro-
fessor, All Hallow’s; Adjutant Mulhall;_ Archdeacon
gpchlan, P P,‘Kll!Il0I‘€D; Rev. James Siunott, 0 C,
ane, Rev. Mi. Duncan, Mullingar, P. Delauy, Joseph
Butler, T G; Edward Quaid, Esq, Rosevilla; Rev. Mr.
Corbett, Quin, county Clare; Thomas Faulkner, Lower
Bridge street; John M’Evoy, Lower Bridge street; John
Plunkett, John W. Foley, L_ondon ; Rev. James Fay, C
C ; Ambrose Plunkett, Adjutant Kiernan, J. German,
Kgngstown; ‘J’. H. Parker, Shamrock Lodge; Tully
M Kenny, solicitor ; Timothy D. Sullivan.

The audience appeared to_ be of the right
stamp, and loudly cheered any allusion to phy-
sical force, but we must say that the orators
were exceedingly cautious in treading on such
proscribed ground. Some of the old Repeal
fossils turned up on the occasion, amongst whom
was the interminable and windy O'Neill Daunt.
We do not observe the names of Tom Arkins
and John Reynolds amongst those present, which
is, in itself, a very healthygsign. The chair-
man, in recapitulating the different epochs in

Irish resistance to British rule, said :

Next came 1848 (cheers).

A Voice. —A cheer for John Mitchel ;(prolonged
cheering).

The O‘Donoghue continued: The object of the men of
’-18 was to Repeal the Union (cheers). They failed, as
brave men had often failed (renewed cheers). They
were imprisoiied—they were condemned by packed juries
(hear, hear, and cheers). But he availed himself of that,
the first public demonstration in favor of Repeal since
’48, to tell the patriots of that year that those who con-
demned them did not represent the opinions of Ireland
(loud cheers). .

To the exiles who have toiled and suffered so
much for Ireland, it must be extremely gratifying
to hear this testimony borne to the gratitude