x] LETTER TO MR. BRIGHT. 473

nding in it an ally to be depended on against other Powers, iad
would be as easy to gain such an object with the Bedouins Ar. 43.
°F the Desert, with whom, by the way, the Spaniards have no
light affinity of character. No one who knows the people,
10body who has read their history, can doubt this; and yet
ur diplomatists and newspaper-writers are pretending alarm
it the marriage of the youngest son of Louis Philippe with
the Infante, on the ground of the possible future union of the
“Wo countries under one head, or at least under one influence.
Nobody knows the absurdity of any such contingency better
han Louis Philippe. He feels, no doubt, that it is difficult
Mough to secure one throne permanently for his dynasty, and
less hig sagacity be greatly over-rated, he would shrink
from the possibility of one of his descendants ever attempt-Ng
 t wear at the same time tho crowns of Spain and France.
believe the French King to have had but one object,—to
Secure a rich wife for his younger son. He is perhaps a little
"aricions in his old age, like most other men. But I care
Uothing for his motives or policy. Looking to the facts, I
Ask why should the French and English people allow them-%lves
 to be embroiled by such family manceuvres? He may
“ave been treacherous to our Queen, but why should kings
ind queens be allowed to enter into any marriage compacts
I the name of their people? You will perhaps tell me when
YOU write that the bulk of the middle class, the reflecting
Portion of the people of England, do not sympathize with the
London daily press on the subject of the Marriage question
“0d I know that there is a considerable portion of the more
telligent, French people who do not approve of all that is
Written in the Paris papers. But, unhappily, the bulk of
Mankind do not think for themselves. The newspapers write
0 the name of the two countries, and to a great extent they
form public opinion. Governments and diplomatists ack
pon the views expressed in the influential journals.