gory limbs that bestrewed the boulevards and public walks of Messina-a city larger, more beautiful, and more joyous generally than even your own, distinguished as this is in all these qualities; and we asked ourselves what was the cause of this contrast, more powerful than day and night? The answer was, "Here reigns Peace-there dwells War." That alone was the difference; and yet, if the mediation which is now entered upon, after all the misery has been accomplished, was had recourse to on the very first agitation of the dispute-as we propose the International Congress and Jurisconsults or Supreme Judges to do-the gaiety and happiness of Messina needed no more to have been disturbed, than the joyous crowds that fill your streets, preparing for the fêtes in which all are so eager to participate; and by striving to place this practice of mediation in its right position-before, instead of after an appeal to arms-we may help to save your own and every other city from any similar fate, in the future at least. (Loud applause).

Let us therefore press forward in this noble race, until we reach the goal of our ambition, which is not to light up, but to extinguish the fires that ravage the fertile earth, and consume the labours of mankind. And as the wise and liberal monarch and government of Belgium have given us friendly a reception in their territory; as they have placed at our disposal, with so much generosity, this most appropriate and beautiful Hall of Harmony; as we have been so zealously aided by the

co-operation of some of the most distinguished citizens and philanthropists of Brussels, and honoured by the presence and encouragement of the mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters of those who have to fight those bloody battles, which they, as well as we, desire to be henceforward discontinued; let us hope that here, upon the Belgic soil, which, from its having been the scene of so many sanguinary conflicts between contending armies, has been more frequently drenched with the blood of the slain, than almost any other part of Europe, may be now raised the Standard of Amity and Concord, while we invoke the winds of heaven to unfold the fluttering banner, that all may see its heavenly motto, "On earth, peace and good-will to man." (Prolonged expressions of assent.)

THE HORRORS OF WAR.

On hearing the Tower-Guns fired at Night in London, to celebrate the late Slaughters in India; and on reading the Speeches on the subject, by Members of both Houses of Parliament on the 2nd of March, 1846.

HARK! 'tis the booming cannon's roar,
Breaking the tranquil calm of Night;
While armed hosts their squadrons pour
To mingle in the gory fight.

And can it be, that life was given
To be thus wantonly destroy'd?
Can Christians lift their fronts to Heav'n,
And glory in being thus employ'd?

Forbid, forbid, the impious thought!
Great God of Mercy! God of Grace!
Whose Holy Word hath ever taught,
The brotherhood of all our race!

Can He, whose everlasting throne
Is based on Justice, Truth, and Love,
Hear with delight the victim's groan,

And Carnage, Blood, and Death approve?
The Widow's shriek—the Orphan's tear,
Will these delight th' angelic throng?
And will they cease their harps, to hear
Such sounds, as sweeter than their song?

O for a trumpet's stirring blast,

To wake the world from its false dream

Of "glory," and to bid it cast

Its idols in Oblivion's stream !

Yes, we implore Thee, Prince of Peace!
Hasten thy kingdom !-bid it come!
Let War, with all its horrors, cease,
And man enjoy his peaceful home.

Make Senates tremble, when they dare
To take thine awful name in vain,
And say

that thou, GREAT GOD! wert there, Strengthening their arms to kill the slain !

That from Thy throne Thou lookedst down
With joy upon the murd'rous blade;
And cheer'd them on, to seek renown

By slaughtering Men whom thou hast made.

O, Blasphemy! most dark-profound!-
Could but an angel from above
Descend to cast his glance around,

And answer "No!" for "God is Love."

Let hostile nations learn from Thee

That Man was made for nobler ends:

To live united, happy, free

To die as brothers, kindred, friends!

And after death to live again

In purer worlds, with higher bliss ; So that a heavenly crown to gain, Should be our highest aim in this.

To feed the hungry-clothe the meek-free the slave

Comfort the mourner

Instruct the ignorant-help the weak-
Are these not worthy of the brave?

To rescue life, and not destroy,
Forgive, as we would be forgiven :
On earth let these our deeds employ,
And thus we may prepare for Heaven.

London, March, 1846.

J. S. BUCKINGHAM.

NOTE.

As the Engraved Frontispiece to this little Volume contains a Pictorial, or Emblematic anticipation of the Great Exhibition of 1851, representing, as it does, the Representatives of different quarters of the Globe, presenting to BRITANNIA the products of their respective regions in 1829; it may not be deemed an inappropriate termination to the Volume, to occupy its few remaining pages with a short Narrative of an attempt made by me in the following year, 1830, to embody this idea in a more tangible form,-which is therefore here appended.