Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Text enclosed by equal marks is in bold (=bold=). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. * * * * * [Illustration: titlepage] BLACKWOOD'S Edinburgh MAGAZINE. VOL. LXVII. JANUARY-JUNE, 1850. [Illustration: Buchanan] WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS, EDINBURGH; AND 37 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. 1850. BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH. BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. NO. CCCCXI. JANUARY, 1850. VOL. LXVII. CONTENTS. THE YEAR OF REACTION, 1 MY PENINSULAR MEDAL. BY AN OLD PENINSULAR. PART III., 15 AMERICAN ADVENTURE, 34 HOWARD, 50 THE DARK WAGGON. BY DELTA, 71 THE GREEN HAND--A "SHORT" YARN. PART VII., 76 BRITISH AGRICULTURE AND FOREIGN COMPETITION, 94 =SECOND EDITION.= EDINBURGH: WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET; AND 37, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. _To whom all communications (post paid) must be addressed._ SOLD BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH. BLACKWOOD'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. NO. CCCCXI. JANUARY, 1850. VOL. LXVII. THE YEAR OF REACTION. If the year 1848--"THE YEAR OF REVOLUTIONS" was one pre-eminent among all others for the magnitude and interest of the events it brought forth, the year which has just expired--THE YEAR OF REACTION--is still more worthy of serious reflection, and affords subjects for more cheering meditation. If the first exhibited the whirlwind of anarchy let loose, the second showed the power by which it is restrained; if the former filled every heart with dread at the fierce passions which were developed, and the portentous events which occurred in the world, the latter afforded reason for profound thankfulness, at the silent but irresistible force with which Omnipotence overrules the wickedness of men, and restrains the madness of the people. "Celsâ sedet Æolus arce, Sceptra tenens, mollitque animos, et temperat iras. Ni faciat, maria ac terras coelumque profundum Quippe ferant rapidi secum, verruntque per auras. Sed Pater Omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris, Hoc metuens; regemque dedit qui foedere certo Et premere et laxas sciret dare jussus habenas."[1] [1] _Æneid_, i. 56.