The United States and Russia.
The friendship which has grown up between the United States and Russia is a subject worthy of study. It is certainly a remarkable fact that the freest, and what is generally esteemed the most iron-clad despotism on earth, should be drawn into friendly union, and when no particular self-interests are involved. It is one of those events for which we have no sufficient present explanation, and which, therefore, we are inclined to think, must be a preparation for something in the future. Notwithstanding the present strength and promise of Germany, it seems probable that Russia and the United States are to be the two great powers of the future; but how they are to co-operate for any common purpose does not yet very clearly appear. At any rate, it is by no means settled yet that Germany is to control Europe—a question, however, if we may trust reports, which the two giants of the North are preparing to adjust in the usual kingly method by arms and blood. Germany, in making an army of her whole adult male population, has set Russia an example of which she has not been slow to avail herself; and she, too, is disposed to make of every able-bodied man a soldier, prepared at any moment at the command of the emperor to appear in camp or field. Other powers are learning the same fearful lessons, and Europe will soon be but one series of enormous camps or military schools. When the nations are thus armed and ready, will there not be, from necessity, war? And what the result may be when these most gigantic forces that ever shook the world shall meet in hostile collision, is a question which no one can answer now. This young prince [Alexis], as the representative of one of the mightiest of these future combatants, is an object of peculiar interest; for if his life is spared he must be an important figure in the coming conflicts.