Edward Taylor an Louis Spohr in Kassel

paid

D^r. Louis Spohr
Hesse Cassel
Germany¹


N^o 2. Duke Street_
Adelphi_ London_


March 23. 1848_

My Dear & honoured Friend

Admidst the storms that now convulse Europe how nessessary are thoughts revert to our friend at a distance & how anxiously we wish to know how far their interests a thin comfort are effected by the changes that have taken place. That such has been my feeling with regard to yourself and all that are near & dear to with regard to you, you will readily conceive.
I confess that I was not prepared for any convulsion at Cassel, so I thought you had already obtained a representation gouvernment in your Revolution of 1830. But I suppose the unpopularity of your Prince² has occasioned the late disturbance. Any particular respecting what has taken place there, you may be afraid will be interesting to me.
The great experiment now about to be tried in France will be regarded with eager & intense interest by all the friends of rational freedom throughout Europe. In myself – I must say that my fears outright my hopes. I have no confidence in the French character. They act from impulse – not principle – and, as a nation, are destitute of the contracting influences of religion & morality. With the words ”Librety & Equality“ upon their lips, they are committing the most atrocious acts of despotiom, which we in England call ”the sole & sacred source of political freedom. While they talk about ”Fraternity,“ their practice is to drive thousands of industrious English men & women from their shous, having previously robbed them of their wages. Their interference with the rate of labour, & their premises to find work tor every body, are the acts of madmen. Depend upon it we have only seen the beginning of the struggle, which promises to be a conflict between those who have property & those who have not.
My hope is that war my be avoided; but who shall say that the will of a people so fond of war & so excitable may not goad their rulers into it? In such an event, I trust the spirit of German brotherhood will be aroused throughout the empire – and that Prussians, Austrians, Hessians, Bavarians – all will combine against the common enemy. – You will easily suppose that I am looking with great interest to the wants that are taking place throughout the empire. Its inhabitants deserve free institutions, and will know how to value & how to use them. The Revolution at Vienna was to me an unexpected event. I thought that Despotism would have lasted Prince Metternich‘s time, but its doom seems to be fixed in Europe – and the state of rational liberty is, I trust, in the ascendant both in Germany & Italy.
Here we are quiet. You may have heard of riots in London, but in truth they were nothing: a mere mob of thives & boys who were dispersed by the police with any little trouble.
Dining the time of the meeting in Trafalgar Square I was sitting at my desk, & heard nothing of it, alltho‘, so you know, Duke Street is near it. The truth is that we possess practical freedom. No Minister dares, in any matter of importance, to act contrary to the knnown will of the people. We need many reforms, but we can obtain them legally & consitutionally: without force or blood shed.
I had the pleasure of being present at the first trial of your new Sinfonia – which was greatly admired. It is really pregnant with varied beauties & excellencies. The orchestra took great pains with it, & for a first trial, I think it went admirably. Second portions were tried several times, & Costa appeared to understand its character thoroughly. Blagrove acquitted himself in a most satisfactory manner.
I know not what difference the present state of public affiars may make in the plans of my children. They will decide for themselves: but under present circumstances, I think English people are safest at home in the unsettled times. The number of foreigners who have taken refuge in England is very large. The influx is very perceptible so you walk the streets of London. Many persons of property in France have left it, and many more are preparing to quit Paris.
Remember me, most kindly, to Mad. Spohr & to all my excellent friends at Cassel, & believe me
My esteemed & honoured Friend
always Yours in all sincerity
Edw. Taylor