COMMENCEMENT OF HIS JOURNAL. 11

with itself and with God-we are impressed and saddened with the thought, how little even then "those who had his fullest confidence and warmest affection knew of the deep workings of his soul. His, indeed, was a hidden life! There dwelt among us a mind of superior mould, a heart of refined and delicate sensibility, a spirit of exquisite feeling and sensitiveness-and a being under the moulding of the Spirit of Grace,—but so cloistered and vailed within itself, that we scarcely knew how real and precious was our treasure!

It was at the early age of fourteen, as we have remarked, that he traced the first line of his journal. He commenced it at an exciting period of the world's history-the second French Revolution had just hurled Louis-Philippe from the throne of France. The whole of Europe, convulsed by the shock, was in a state of the utmost excitement and alarm. England-tranquil amidst the political earthquake, a calm yet interested spectator of the warring elements-alone was unmoved. It was at this crisis that Whitmore's diary commenced. It was just such a period as would most naturally quicken into fervour sensibilities like his, and produce a strong impression upon his young, ardent imagination. We find his journal opening with a rapid survey of the events thus transpiring on the

Continent of Europe, accompanied by observations on their political and moral bearings, remarkable in a boy so young.

Leamington, June 29th, 1849.—Interested in reading the journal of another, I commence one myself, and at an eventful period of the world's history. National revolutions and changes are daily occurring; wars and convulsions are shaking the foundations of the earth, and 'men's hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.' These are not times for listlessness and trifling; the stirring events which have occurred, and which are occurring, are well calculated to awaken in the minds of men thoughtfulness and consideration. And woe to him that regards not the 'signs of the times.' Every one will remember the year that is just past-the memorable year of 1848-when the Continent of Europe, thought to be composed of the most stable kingdoms in the world, felt the first sudden shock of the French Revolution, and has been shaken to its centre.

"A popular movement, sudden in its birth, and no less great in its momentous consequences, had shaken the throne which seemed so firm, and Louis-Philippe has in three short days fallen; and the king of 'La Grande Nation,' he who when in power persecuted and dethroned a noble, godly, and defenceless Queen,* afflicted by the just displeasure of an offended God, has fled with his Minister, M. Guizot, a fugitive to the shores of England. Italy, Austria, Hungary, Denmark, and numerous other * Pomare, Queen of Otaheite.

FRENCH REVOLUTION-EUROPEAN POLITICS. 13

States, struck by the panic, have felt the swelling tide of the revolution. But the only State I shall make particular mention of is, Italy. The Pope, the so-called Head of the Church and vicar of Christ, (who would have thought it a year ago?) has fallen from his pompous throne; and he who so lately was respected, reverenced, and worshipped, by almost the whole populace of Rome, has been forced to fly in the garb of a footman, to escape their indignant vengeance. Light, for so long a period chained, has burst its fetters and recovered its wonted freedom, and with its mighty power is scattering darkness with a force like the wind which driveth away the chaff. But during this period the French, ready to catch at any novelty, and without thinking of his personal qualities, have elected Louis Napoleon as the President of their Republic; and he, in concert with his ministers, has sent an expedition (under General Oudinot) to capture Rome --for what object no one knows, though it is generally believed, to reinstate the Pope, which event, I think, will be impossible without a hard struggle. If there ever was an error in French politics, it is this. However, there the French army is before the gates of Imperial Rome; and despite of an effort to treat with the Roman triumvirate, have for a whole month been kept at bay by its brave and resolute defenders. The conflict will not be without immense slaughter—and for what? to restore to his See an ignominious Pope! Europe at the present moment. taking a prominent part in the also figuring in the great drama. portant States have rebelled, and she is forced to accept

Such are the affairs of But not France only is picture, but Austria is Some of her most im

the succour of Russia. Hungary is struggling bravely for liberty which she may in the end gain, the Austrians having been beaten on several occasions, their fortresses and ammunition captured. The valiant Piedmontese, with their King Charles Albert, have also struggled to be free from the Austrian yoke; but in their case the Austrians have prevailed. Germany, too, has felt the surging of the revolution. She is maintaining a bloody warfare with Denmark. And now for Britain !—

"Clear has she steered her bark through turbulent seas covered with numerous wrecks. The foot of the invader has not touched her shores; but, on the contrary, she has been the refuge of the fugitive, and the home of the exile. While another sovereign, unseated from his throne, has sought safety on British soil, firmly enthroned upon hers and surrounded by her loyal and faithful subjects, BRITAIN'S QUEEN still wields her strong and glittering sceptre. But what has upheld England in the midst of these wars and convulsions? It is not merely her constitution, but it is the 'salt' that is in the land. And who are represented by this salt but those Christians who are struggling with their lives for the spiritual welfare of the people, and who, although few in number and feeble in influence, raise their voices against vices and sins which are getting the ascendency? But is it the abundance of the salt that has preserved and saved our land? Oh, no! God has had respect to its scarcity. What would have been the punishment of our legislators and of the country at large, if the same scourge of revolution had afflicted us,-for many are the sins of our senators and the rulers of our land! Many have been the artful bills they have

introduced into Parliament, tending to overturn the Christianity of the nation, which but for the stringent efforts of the true salt would have been eventually carried. Think of the idea of rewarding the popish priests of Ireland for upholding popery, misery, and crime *--for encouraging the people to rebellion-paying the very priests who have been the chief instigators and abettors of all this tumult. Is this their hatred of sin? Is this their regard for religion? Talk of liberty! boast of freedom! in the nineteenth century a clergyman, who for conscience' sake would not preach the erroneous doctrines of a Tractarian bishop, has been incarcerated in a common gaol.+ Truly these are the latter days' when 'signs and wonders' shall happen among the children of men. In California eighteen hundred miles of gold have been discovered, and thousands of adventurers have embarked in search of the treasure. At home equally important discoveries have been made: but I must now give a short account of my past life.

"I was born on January 27, 1835, in New York; and when about four years old accompanied my parents to England, and have resided with them in Leamington, Warwickshire, for the last ten years, my beloved father presiding over a congregation in this place, and am being educated at the Leamington College. It is at this period of my life that I commence a Journal."

Passing from this intelligent survey of public and political events, he proceeds to a matter of a

*The Maynooth Grant,

+ The Irish Rebellion.

The Rev. James Shore.