It is the emblem of Russian despotism and American freedom.

Austria, Prussia, Poland, Sicily, Spain, Sardinia, and many of the small governments of Germany, look up to the eagle on their standards; while, upon the other side of the Atlantic, it waves over the great nations of the United States and Mexico, as well as several of the smaller republics.

Why, a general war among the nations of the world would be almost exclusively a war among the eagles! It is not improbable that the _lion_ would insist upon having a claw in the quarrel; although his honesty and nobility of disposition are very much doubted, particularly by the jackal and some other animals.

He is, therefore, no better qualified to act as the representative of a pacific people than the very worst of the eagles; but he fortunately has a wise keeper, called Public Opinion, who of late has held him under some restraint.
-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "What a chain of destruction!" exclaimed Lucien.

"One creature preying upon another." "Ay," added Francois; "and how curious it should begin with a bird and end with a bird.