The Express. — London, England, 1847-11-05 00:00:00

- u he rpregs. The overland closed mu W, roe Mariano, to the Mediterranean Zrpt, Aden, Ceylon, Ind* Meng Kong, he., will be made up ow tht swung of the oth Nov. The mails for rum, Oporto, 11.Jahon, Meclelrs, Coil; and Glbrelta , will be made up on the morrone of the oth November. The West India Mails, excluding Bermuda, Nawu, liavaana, Honduras, New Orleans Vera Cron Tampico, oral Porto Rion, and Including three for Jar:met, Carthagens, Sonia Martha. Ch. M.. Panama, West Guest of South America, end St. Jusn.cle-Nimettllnn, will be made up on the morning of the 17th Wet. The mails for British North America, Bermuda, and the Unite States, will be mede op en this !Mali of the 15110 November. The overland mete for Gibraltar, Malta, tireeos, the loot. Islands, Egypt,i Aden, Ceylon, India, Ilong.liong, and Chloe, via Southampton , made tip on the morning of the 24th November. The mails for New South Wales, Yen Diemen'. Land. and Nee Tastand will be made up on the evening of the 30th November. The mails for the Brands, ths Itlves Plate, Monts Video, Palma. Woo, Bahia, Madeira, and Bosom Ayres, will his wade ap on the evening of the 4th Docember. TO CIOtIItSPONDENTS. •.• ki•ertoonno laos4•1 fat Tiks &way Lamle. eraeOg paper. ooso to, Gate. 10, loeverktuniet Toy Vetoes tb• 447 of ptibilvol.. SlOll WATS& ET 1.1./XDON-91111 10 E. Sass Dsv-11101•100, 44 mta..oo 00 ; Aftwoor. 36 vale. 00. , 00. 2 . 0.11 —Menge. ei nit- paw OP; Ibera6n.ll =A. pax 1. LONDON, FRIDAY, NO P. 5. - - - - - - - - - THE Indian mail now arrives each fortnight, with less and less of striking or novel intelligence; and at tention, directed periodically to our Eastern posses sions, finds in political events nothing to on. The journals are full of military movements and life —they enter eagerly into what may be called the foreign policy of the Indian empire. But of topics of really Indian domestic interest, the finances of the country, its embarrassed revenue, its decaying pro duction and trade—of them we hear little. A return has just been distributed of English ex ports and imports to the several quarters of the globe. We are sorry to see that our exports to the East Indies are on the decrease. Cotton, woollen, and silk manufactures go out in diminished quantities ; ma chinery in increased quantity. Nor are our imports more satisfactory, notwithstanding the hopes enter tained by some. Sugar does not increase, indigo de creases, cotton wool has fallen to nearer one-third than one-half of what it was. If we tarn from trade to revenue, of course we find proportionate embarrassment, notwithstanding in creased conquests, tribute, and taxable population. From certain reports laid on the table of the house daring the two last sessions of parliament, on the revenue raised in India, and its appropriation, we learn the alarming growth of the annual deficiency, &lauded for the year ending 1847 at 1,462,116/., with a debt contracted in India of 38,627,9341. The simple fact of a deficiency ofreceipts,althongh of itself sufficiently disquieting, might be regarded as a temporary pressure, which a short interval of tran quillity and exertion would allow us to recover. But concurrent with this account of the financial state of that important portion of the empire, we continue to receive such alarming statements respecting the social and economical condition of our fellow-subjects in Hindostan, as dispel all prospect of speedy financial prosperity. For many years the statements put pub licly forward, both by retired servants of the company, and officers in the service of the crown, have thrown great disrepute upon the government of India, espe cially on its fiscal legislation. These statements have been confirmed by travellers, like Bishop HEBER and others, who partly unconsciously, but always without bias, have corroborated the testimony of others who had served officially in the Indian peninsula. The rain of manufacturing districts, like that of Dacca, attested by the Bishop of Cochin, and by a peti tion of the inhabitants of that fine port recently pre sented to the Board of Control, the state of once flourishing tracts that have returned to jusgle, and the m'series of vast populations, of which the names are given, and the sites pointed out by remonstrants that only seek to provoke inquiry, are too circum stantial and well authenticated to leave a doubt of their foundation in fact. We are directed to the districts of Guzerat and Cutch, that once supplied cotton on cheap terms to all the world, to l)acca and other parts of Bengal, where a texture rivalling the invisible webs of Cos, so celebrated in antiquity, formed a lucrative and artistic manufacture for the natives. Both the growth and manufacture of cotton have disappeared from Bengal. The quantity of that exported from the other presidencies has decreased and its quality deteriorated, and when we trace this lamentable fact to its cause, we are bound to ac knowledge that to all appearance it rests with the mode of assessing and levying the land-tax raised by the East India Company. The mischievous operation of a land-tax, when re garded as the chief soarce of revenue, can be illus trated from the history of the greater part of the Eu ropean continent, where a general land-tax subsists, although in a comparatively mild form. Still the ten dency of this tax to induce governments to keep a large proportion of the population in the state of poor cottier husbandmen, is everywhere evident, and its effects are deplorable. It has been on the altar of this idol that Prussia, Austria, and France, sacrificed the manufacturing industry and the trade which they have of late years been endeavouring, with the aid of prohibitions and protecting duties, to resuscitate. A highly , rated land tax is too oppressive to be ventured where rich landowners, supported by a numerous tenantry, subsist. The collection of this description of tax is only practicable where the peasant landowner is too poor to be formidable, and too dependent upon the produce of his land to demur to any bearable charge that may be laid upon it. But when a land-tax, being only annual is rate, becomes in reality a produce tax swelling with the f ood but diminishing with the bad, crop, it is the bane of agricultural exertion. Every country sub jected to such an exaction is sure to get out of culti vation, and the accounts that reach us From all sides tend to show that India is not exempt from the law. Other objectionable taxes are those on the implements of domestic manufacture which are so numerous and so destructive of industry in oar eastern possessions. We have, however, no wish here to enumerate the special causes. That will become a duty in due time and in fitting shape. But we would point to the threatening danger which receives credit from so many sources as to be a subject of alarm, while it is an inducement to exer tion. Our manufacturers begin to see that the gates of a land endowed by Providence with all the re sources of wealth in its soil, climate, and position, have been closed against them. By the fiscal regula tions that are complained of, our merchants and manufacturers have been made unwilling accomplices in that great encroachment on the rights of humanity—the maintenance of slave labour in the United States of America. They have even been urged to go in support of it the length of making, in the shape of loans, advances that kept up the sem blance of sufficiently high prices to remunerate their exertions. All this while we have fields relapsing into jungle that long produced cotton at one-half the American price ; we have had populations shrinking in number and deteriorating in wealth and morals for want of the liberty to put their power to its proper use. If we enquire to what purpose this system has been followed, we learn that it is to eke out a de caying revenue, and to throw a pauper population on our hands in Asia, with all the responsibility of sup porting it, in addition to the pauperism which the want of colonial markets has created at home. EARNESTNESS in religion commands respect from all thinking men. It is an ingredient in all that is noblest, purest, and loveliest in human character. Bat it does not of itself make either a kindly heart or a clear head. Growing up in a harsh nature, and a narrow intellect, it exhibits itself in bigotry, super stition, asceticism, and persecution. Men have made war upon their brethren, burnt them,butchered them, enslaved them, tortured them, in the name of religion. Auto-da-fes are a product of this root, set in evil ground; so are thumb-screws and racks; so was the filth and frenzy of a St. SIMEON STTLITES, in the fifth century; eo is half the ignorance of Europe in the nineteenth. There is not a crime but has been perpetrated in the zeal of religious belief, not an abuse but has been defended on religions grounds, not an improvement but has been assailed with religious denunciations. Religious men, and sincere ones after their fashion, have claimed, in the name of God, a license to violate every law of God, natural and revealed. This fact, of which every page of history furnishes its proof, has driven many weak heads to atheism. Instead of rejecting the faith of the violent, the ignorant, and the weak, they rejected faith altogether, or, at least, thought and said they did so. There is very little danger at this day of any honest man falling into this error. But the faith of the violent, the ignorant, and the weak, still arrogates to itself as much as ever it did—still denounces as in fidel every practice it cannot comprehend, and charges as unbelief every creed leas narrow than its own. Oar consolation is, that the power of truth and charity, on the whole, overweighs that of its counterfeits, dogma tism and bigotry. The straggle between the true principle and the false is nowhere doubtful. It is in the nature of things that the first must overpower the second. In other words, any other theory of the moral universe is in consistent with that notion of an omniscient and om nipotent Being which the Creator has impressed on man's heart and brain. Even when truth and error come together the con test is not always short. But when half truths en counter, it is certain to be long, and marked by changing fortunes. If any one complete theory of education were propounded all the incomplete ones which are now tearing each other to pieces would probably disappear. But till the perfect system comes there will be war between the imperfect. The victory must incline to that which involves the most or largest truth. Vigorous as the rivalry of sects is at this moment in England, we see an intelligent and strong opinion growing up, which says, " There is something in all of you, but there is something greater than all of you—which includes you all, if you but knew it, and harmonises you all, and neutralises your evil, and enhances your good. You shall no longer be allowed to occupy with your eternal bickerings the stage which this larger and nobler theory ought to fill. Make way for it." All unusual displays of bigotry, on whatever side, whether exhibited in the cause of voluntaryism, or of proselytism, of dissent, or church of England, or church of lime, help and strengthen this intelligent public opinion. Quo* Drus colt pertlere pries dementat, holds as true of the propagators of half-truths, as of the servants of error. . . We have from time to time chronicled and com mented on such exaggerated displays of bigotry. There was a notable example in the Edinburgh ragged schools. There was a yet more signal one at Warrington, the first act of which we noticed a few days ago. On the stoppage of Warrington mills, some benevolent inhabitants of the town set agoing a scheme of relief, which included teaching as well as food. An industrial school was to be opened, in which reading and writing were to be taught, and the books of the Irish National Board used for such teaching. The Rein Mr. RICHARDS, a clergy man of the church of England, opposed this plan of teaching. lie argued that reading and spelling cannot be taught without religion being taught. Religion cannot be taught, because all sects join to establish these schools : therefore, teaching must be abandoned altogether. In a com mittee of seventeen this was carried by a majority of nine to eight, six of the nine being clergymen of the Establishment, one a Roman Catholic priest, and two laymen. Such was the first act of the Warrington drama. The report of the second is before us, extracted from the Manchester Guardian. At a general meeting, Mr. RICHARDS' report, or report of the sub-committee on the schools, was re-considered. The Mayor moved that it be rescinded: this was carried by a majority of twenty-nine to twentysix. But on bringing up the original report, so many amendments were moved by Mr. RICHARDS and his party, that the meeting be came a scene of confusion, the report was given up, and the Mayor next morning took the bull by the horns, opening the school at once on the plan origi nally proposed. The matter of course has ended, or will end, in the secession of Mr. RICHARDS and the religious exclusionist& In noticing an analogous case in Edinburgh, we called the primary school, " the Belgium of educa tional welfare." All the battles are fought upon it. The poor children who are educated in these schools, ask for the merest rudiments of knowledge—the keys of reading and writing. They care nothing, and know nothing, of the subtle distinctions of sects, or the conflicting interests and opinions of religious par ties. But religious partisans always fight on their ground. Quarrels, which would paralyse the schools in which their own children are taught, may be con veniently settled in the schools intended for the poor. Meantime, those who should be pupils of the ele mentary school suffer, as the poor Belgian peasant did, from the presence of conflicting armies. While churchman and dissenter, nationalist and voluntaryist, are pelting each other with hard words, the poor child is left to the education of chance and necessity. He is learning at home, or in the streets, les sons which replace those of the school. He is learning very likely to lie, and to steal, to drink, and to curse. He will and must be learning something. The mind draws its food from all around it, by an unconscious process like that by which the plant assimlates its nourishment from the soil. _ _ It is painful to read the speech in which Mr. RICHARDS defends his report. It had been proposed to open the work of these schools with the Lord'e prayer : Mr. RICHARDS objects to this. He would prefer to so doing, a selection from the Book of Com mon Prayer. You cannot read anything, according to this reverend gentleman, without conveying reli gious impressions : a reason, we should have supposed, for not requiring the Bible as a text-book. But by " religious," Mr. Itrensens means " dogmatic." He declares that he cannot meet on friendly terms with a unitarian, or a Roman catholic, or an independent. He is certain " if in the same schoolroom with such persons, he would soon quarrel with them." We have no doubt of it. A school education is, in Mr. Rtensans's eyes, an in fidel education. Besides, the proposed school-room at Warrington was near the Mechanics' Institute, where " they make people forget all about religion." Moreover, the present industrial girls' school is pro eelytising. The girls buy their bread at a unitarian baker's shop! Mr. RICHARDS objects to " a system of merely secular education as infidelity; to reading, because, if no principles are taught, that is wrong; and if any are taught, they will be bad ones." Mr. RICHARDS is a type of a large and mischievous class of zealots. Hie belief grows in a very bad soil.' It draws its juices from bitter prejudices, and its growth is stunted by the narrow and feeble intellect which feeds it. We cannot conceive that any commonly i intelligent person can be blinded by such sophisms as we have enumerated above. The ressoningeof this class of men stand on false assumptions, are carried on with misapplied words, and j ump to conclusions unauthorised even by their feeble and distorted premises. Mr. RICHARDS is, as is usual with his class, a sad word spinner. " A school education is an infidel educa tion." What does this mean ? Let any parent ask himself. His child is a boarder at Dr. SWISHTAICS, or a day scholar at the new proprietary "college." What does he hear at either of religious differences, and the quarrels of sects? In how many schools have we Church of England boys, and Methodist boys, and Roman catholic boys, and Quaker boys, side by side on the same bench ? Do they grow up infidels from the contact ? In fact, Mr. 'Lemnos in talking thus is talking absolute nonsense. It can hardly be met by argu- I went. Let any man who reads it, open his eyes and look about him. Ale schools, now, places of religious instruction? Have schools ever been places of reli gious instruction ? Can schools ever be places of religious instruction ? Ought we to strive to make schools places of religious instruction? It would not be difficult, we apprehend, to answer " No" to all these questions, and justify that answer by explanations which would satisfy the warmest piety, if it be only tolerant enough to see with its own eyes, and call things by their right names. We have left ourselves no room, however, to attempt this at present. THE question of tenant-right, or, in other words, of defining what belongs to the landlord, what to the tenant, is as much an English as an Irish question. There is a growing feeling, we can scarcely call it opinion, among landowners, that their interests in their estates are not so beneficial as they ought to be. Farmers have been urged, again and again, to im prove their farms ; bat now it begins to be under. stood that much of that improvement necessary to put agriculture on a par with other brunches of industry, is not the proper business of a farmer. It is true that there are plenty of men in this country whe will undertake large and permanent improvements under the protection of long leases, but such men always take care to be amply remunerated for such outlays. If landowners would improve their own land by draining, the erection of buildings, the removal of useless fences and hedge-row timber, and so forth, they might let their farms for rents which would be more than equivalent to the cost of improvement. And farmers as a body would be far better off than at pre sent at higher rents, when their farms bad been ren dered more perfect instruments of production. This point was very well put by Mr. LOCKE KING, M.P. for East Surrey, at the Chertsey Agricultural Society, when he said : It would on the face of it be unjust to expect the tenant to make the permanent improvements on an estate, even if he has a long lease, inasmuch as, after all, it does not belong to him in perpetuity ; and it must be remembered that until these permanent improvements are made, the tenant cannot farm the estate to advantage. Ilis capital can be employed to far greater cuiran'age in Ais own more immediate business of famtung. The tenant should always power a floating capital, with the power of constantly realising his invest ments speedily and easily, and not have the feeling that his capital is locked up in the land. - - " - - - No person with any practical knowledge of hus bandry will venture to assert that the division of interest in the soil between owners and occupiers, is not an arrangement more beneficial to the community than the cultivation of land by proprietors. Though some sentimental regret has been expressed at the gradual extinction of the class of yeomen—the men who occupied their own farms of from 50 to 300 acres —it is altogether misplaced. Many of them went on without enterprise or activity, constantly falling far ther behind in the art of cultivation, and encumbered with mortgages, until, overpowered by the burden of interest, they sunk into the condition of labourers ; while others more prudent, disposed of their own small farms and embarked the produce in the cultiva vation of larger farms, as tenant-farmers. Their success as farmers has been far greater since they ap plied the whole of their capitals to farming, and had none of it " locked up in the land" itself, to say nothing of the increased extent of their businesses, and the consequently larger opportunities for profit. Now when a farmer undertakes the permanent im provement of his farm, as, for instance, by tile-drain ing, he sinks capital in the land which in nine cases out of ten he might more profitably employ in direct production, could he get the permanent improvement effected at a reasonable extra rent. We know that many farmers entering upon an unimproved farm, sink so large a portion of their capi-1 tal in bringing the land to that condition in which it is possible to farm well, that they are crippled for years by the want of floating capital in their proper business as cultivators. Under the most favourable circumstances, a good farmer must have a large part of his capital invested in the land, and it is most desirable, with reference to production, that that which is the proper business of the landlord, the permanent improvement of the estate, should be per formed by him. There is a plain distinction between landlords' improvements, which arc investments to be repaid by increased income, and tenants' improve ments, which are in the nature of trading outlays, to be recovered with a profit within certain periods. Now the community has an interest in seeing not only that both of these classes of improvements are effected, but that they are done by the right par ties, because then only are they most effective in advancing the fertility of our soil. But the land owners of the United kingdom are not in a condition to do their share of the requisite improvements. Mr. KING said at Chertsey, on the occasion before alluded to, My firm belief is, that it is to the landlord we must look in the end, although unfortunately we find landlords in too many instances weigheddown with a weight of acres, with out either the means or the inclination to Improve their own estates. Hence we find advances by the Treasury to landed proprietors for the purpose of draining their own estates, arc deemed to be justified by the state of husbandry and the condition of our labouring classes. Yet what would be said of a proposal to make advances to manufacturers for the improvement of their mills or machinery ? And in what respect would such advances differ in principle from the aid given to landlords for draining? There is no doubt that an outlay to the amount of at least a fourth, or a third, of the original value of the land might be expended upon most of the large estates in the kingdom with the certainty of consider able increase of income ; but the custom of primoge niture and the law of entail stand in the way. The landowner is only tenant fur life, and has no power to mortgage or sell any part of the settled estate, though, by so doing, he might make two-thirds of it of greater value than the whole was in its original state. And, even had he the power to dispose of part of the property, he would scarcely be inclined to do so for the sake of improving the remainder, which is to go to the eldest son. Pride of caste, powerful though it be, cannot altogether stifle family affection; and thus we believe that the set tlements of law, which place all power over the estate beyond the reach of its apparent owner, and the practice of heaping all the family wealth upon the eldest son, are gradually becoming lees popular in every civilised community. In this respect we arc behind most of the continental nations, where entails and primogeniture are justly regarded as badges of feudalism. It is probable that with us the system will receive a shock through the present disastrous state of Ireland, where the landowners, more deeply encumbered than even those of England, are claiming relief from the fetters of settlements. Our correspondent, an Irish law lord, whose letter we published on Tuesday, says he is owner of an estate " with a nominal rent-roll of 2,300/. per annum, three parts of which belong to a mortgagee," and that in the present state of Ireland all the rents that can be collected go towards the interest of mortgages. It is clear that nothing can relieve such nominal owners of land but a law to enable the sale of encumbered estates, and from a measure of that kind, the step to the abrogation of entails altogether will not be difficult Already this seet is attracting some attention from the public ; and the more the various questions affecting the law of real property are discussed, the more obvious it will become that the power of entailing on an un born generation, is the grand obstacle to the enjoy ment and improvement of landed property. A portion of the following appeared in a second edition last evening. Our Paris letters of Wednesday say that the engrossing subject at present in that city is the part played by , the Goizot cabinet, or rather by M. Ginzot and Louis Philippe, in relation to the pre sent iatercantonal war in Switzerland. The voice of condemnation against them is loud and general. Their organ, the Journal des Debate, pronounces that the Diet no longer exists; yet there is still M. Bois le Comte the accredited minister of France to the Vorort, which derives its existence from the Diet. The abuse which daily fills the columns of the ministerial press against the president and members of the Vorort, and against the population of thirteen of the twenty-two cantons, including the largest, the most populous, the most wealthy, and the most intel ligent, exceeds all the limits of ordinary decency. Letters, falsely dated from Switzerland, are fabri cated in the government offices, containing exagge rated statements and overcharged and offensive com ments, and published in the government journals. The opposition . journals are of course unsparing in their reprehension of this course. The following ob servations from the National may be taken as a spe cimen of the views of their writers : M. Ouizot may feel more sympathy for the Jesuits of Lucerne than for the radicals of Berne and Geneva, but the policy of a country like ours must not be at the mercy of the personal repugnances or predilections of certain men. One of two things:—Either France is the friend of Switzerland, and therefore must recognise the government of the maj city, the only power with which she is legally in relation ; or she is her enemy, and in that cue war must be declared against her. But as long as we have an ambassador accredited to the vorort, the ministry cannot be allowed to say by its lrincipal organ that there is no longer a diet in Switzer and. What, however, seems to us much more serious in the attitude taken by the cabinet in all this affa'g, and if we with diffizulty explain to ourselves the intervention in itself, we have still greater difficulty in explaining to ourselves the motives which have deter mined the choice of the French government. Where is the necessity for France to intervene, and what , great peril menaces us that we cannot maintain neutrality e Switzer land, an ind. pendent nation, has met with difficulties among its own members; some cantons have put themselves in opposition to the will of the federal power ; thence has arisen a conflict which threatens to terminate by an appeal to arms. If the Helvetic majority really desires the expul sion of the Jesuits, and if it has in hand the force necessary to make its will prevail, in virtue of what right should we oppose that course? Would we suffer England•or Russia to mix herself up in the settlement of our domestic affairs ? Why, then, should this liberty of action which we exercise fully at home not exist for Switzerland ? Is that country out of the common law, and is any power that may choose at liberty to throw the weight of its sword in the balance to cause it to fall on the side which pleases it most ? Treaties have guaranteed the neutrality of the Helvetic confederation —that is a principle of European law ; in violating it we should expose ourselves not only to commit an act of ag grunion as uojwit u it would be useless, but we ohould run the risk of lighting up war between all the contrattinir parties in the emigres! of Vienna. Are you sure, for example, that England would accept your intervention ? and if she should' THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER . 5, 1847. put an obstacle in the way of it, are you disposed to disregard her ? You must reply, in order that we may well know ow far passion can carry you. Audit as we are willing to be lieve, you would retreat before the danger of a rupture, of what use is it to make France assume without necessity an odious part which you dare not even play to the end ? Of what use is it to place yourselves in the situation doubly bad, of creating, at pleasure, contrary to good sense, contrary to right, a perilous eventuality, without being able or willing to meet the consequences ? It is, on the whole, a ridiculous braggadocio which has no other issue than an immense danger. But in default of justice, can the cabinet allege the interest of France ? We have shown how much we have reason to remain, if not indifferent, at least inactive, with respect to Switzerland. But, assuredly, if it were permitted to the minisiry to abandon neutrality, it ought not to be for the advantage of the Sonderbund. let our government not alarm itself at theehances of a possible war, when • threat ened nationality has to be defended ; let it intervene fur Poland or fur Italy, and the country will willingly follow it in that generous path. Is it not fur the honour and also for the interest of France to come in aid to oppressed nations? and do we not remeseat the ideas of emancipation and of liberty in the world? For this noble cause, destroy the treaties of Vienna, the shameful witnesses of our defeats, and we will applaud your courage, we will praise your initiative, without disquieting ourselves with the discontent of Europe. But you, who have permitted Austria to shed the blood of Galicia, Russia to destroy Poland—you, who yesterday crushed the Portuguese insurrection, and who to day leave trembling Italy to struggle under the burden of the yoke-- you have lost the right to erect yourselves into protector:: of the cause of minorities put down by a tyrannical government. - We have received further advices from Berne, together with the journals of the 3lst. As we stated yesterday, the question respecting the attitude of neutrality desired by the principality-canton of Neufchatel was referred to the committee of the diet on the league. That committee presented its report at the meeting of the diet, held on the evening of Saturday last, the 30th. The following is a short summary of the proceedings of the diet on that evening : The committee Implied that the diet ehould decide that Neufchatel should be summoned to call out its contingent immediately, and to place it at the disposition of the federal commandant, making it responsible for the consequences of its refusal or delay, with a reserve to the diet to take further measures. After the committee's report wan read the de puty of Thurgau, who drew it up, contended that Neuf chatel could not be permitted to take a neutral position, as it pretended itself entitled to do. A lever was next read from the deputy of Neufchatel to the president of the diet, protesting against troops being sent to that canton. The deputy of Neufchatel then argued that his state could not and ought not to he called on to cooperate with a military force in carrying into effect a decree against confederates whose convictions it shares. The deputies of Zurich, Glaris, Soleare, Schaffhausen, Apprised' Exterior, Saint Gall, Argau, Thurgau, Tessino, Vend, Geneva, and Beret., maintained that Neufchatel was bound to obey the orders of the Diet; and the deputies of Appeneell Exterior, and Bale-Ville, spoke in favour of Neufchata I. In the course of his speech the deputy of Berne stated that the envoy of the King of Prussia had waited on him on the previous day, and had expressed in the King's name the desire that the troops should not be called out; to whom he replied that he would communicate that desire to the competent authorities. The deputy of Neufchatel demanded that his protest against the military occupation of that canton should be inserted in the protocol. A decision was then come to, when the pre position of the committee was adopted by the twelve states and two half states of the majority. The utmost activity is exhibited in the military preparations at Berne. Couriers and aides-de-camp are despatched in all directions. Troops, ammunition waggons, and baggage carts are continually seen pass ing, and all Switzerland presents the aspect of one vast camp. The president of the canton of Vaud arrived at Berne on the 29th, and reported that his can ten had 32,000 men under arms, whose zeal exceeded all description. Letters from Zug had announced that a considerable number of conservatives had joined the federal party in that canton, and expressed an earnest desire that it should detach itself from the Sonderbund. The four divisions of the federal army, under Colonels Itilliet, Bourckhart, Donatz, and Ziegler, had received orders to march on the 30th, and several battalions of the reserve were called out to reinforce the other troops. Several of the journals in the immediate seats of military operations have announced that they will discontinue their regular publication, and will confine themselves to publish occasional bulletins of the army. The Augsburg Gazette, under the date of Stuttgard, 28th Oct., says : Count Munch Bellinghausen, president of the federal diet, arrived here yesterday from Carlsruhe, to confer with our government on the conduct to be adopted relative to the affairs of Switzerland. It is known that the three states of Germany, Bavaria, Wirtemberg, and linden, have not thought proper to comply with the invitation of Austria, by marching troops on to the frontiers of Switzerland. in consequence of the presence of the federal envoy, the report (which appears to originate from an authentic rouree) has been spread to-day, that Baden had contracted the engage ment of making a demonstration in favour of the cantons of the Sonderbund, on its frontiers, by Bending troops thither. Nothing of the kind, as far as we can learn, has been decided upon here ; and, in all probability, Wirtemberg will not interfere in the concerns of its neighbouring state. Letters from Tuscany continue to represent the population as excited in a high degree in consequence of the transfer of the districts of that state named in the treaty of Vienna to the Modenese. The Alba of Florence of the 27th ult. states that, in consequence of the late disturbance, the people arrested all the abirri of the old police on the 26th. None of them were struck or otherwise insulted. A letter from &masa, in the same journal, states that the ex-Hereditary Prince of Lucca, on passing through that town, was obliged to have recourse to the protection of the police to save himself from po pular indignation. But having arrived near Lerici, a little place on the Gulf of Spezzia, he was sur rounded by more than two hundred peasants, who, in spite of the escort, stopped his carriage, and forced him to cry " Long live Pius IX." He complained to the authorities at Genoa, who merely expressed their concern at his not having demanded a more numerous escort. The Madrid journals and correspondence of the 29th ult. have arrived. Rumours of ministerial changes before the meeting of the Cortes were circulated, and their probability was admitted by the moderado party. In fact, it is impossible to conjecture, on any reasonable grounds of judgment, for 24 successive hours, what may or may not take place in the Spanish government. One of the journals says that Espartero has ac cepted the London embassy. but that before he assumes its functions he must return to Madrid and take his seat in the senate. By the arrival of the Levant mail we are in pos session of the journals and our private correspondence from Constantinople to the 18th, and from Athens to the 22nd ult., from Alexandria to the 19th, and from Malta to the 26th ult. The details of our correspondence will be found in another column. A collision had taken place between the senate of Athens and the King, on the subject of the address. The senate rejected the ministerial ad dress voted by the representative chamber, and pro poeed one which contained reflections, among other subjects, on the disorder of the finances and the im proper proceedings adopted at the late elections. The King refused to receive the address, and threatened to appoint another senate. The entire commerce of Greece in the Levant has been paralysed by the state to which the difference with the Porte has brought the country. Our letters from Athens say, that in some cases attempts arc made to evade the measures adopted by Turkey, by in dacing the Russian authorities to consent to the use of that flag. The Constantinople journals say, that in consequence of the circular instructions issued by the Porte, the Viceroy of Egypt has signified to all Greek agents in his province, that all relations with the Greek government are suspended. Intelligence had also arrived at Constantinople, that the Hoe-1 podars of Wallachia and Moldavia had broken off all consular and commercial relations with Greece. The news received from Trebisond, on the 15th, was satisfactory. The cholera continued to abate in , 1 the suburbs, and had every appearance of arriving at a speedy termination. On the 10th the epidemic still prevailed, bat very slightly, in the town. Not more than three or four cases per day were declared, in a population of 40,000. The inhabitants, who had fled the city in alarm, were returning. MADRID, Ocr. 29. The continuance of Narvaez without a portfolio, and the consequent diminution of his sphere of action, as well as of his pay, give some colour to the reports that prevail of the gradual eclipse and probable ex tinction of his power by Christina. A certain mode ration visible in the official appointments lately made has been advanced as a proof that the Queen -Mother's influence is not yet paramount ; because, in that case it might be supposed that she would open the door of the cabinet to Mon. Pidal, and Martinez de la Rosa. Ilut, perhaps, the new influence is not blind to the ad vantage of creeping by artful and almost impercepti- ble steps towards the consummation of her views. She is aware that the Mon-Pidal set,.although at the I head of a formidable party, were in a minority in the present Cortes, while the Duke of Sotomayor's more liberal cabinet commanded a large majority. The Queen-Mother's object is to wield the Cortes on the eve of assembling with a ministry devoted to her interests. There exists every indication of a design to come forward with a proposal for superseding the authority of Isabel 11. with a regency. As the Cortes have already supported the Duke of Sotomayor with a vote of confidence, when he and his colleagues placed themselves in opposition to the crown, there is no reason to think that they would offer the least resist ance to a fresh invasion of the royal authority. In fact, a fitter instrameut for working out the designs of France than the present Cortes is likely to prove it is not easy to conceive. Meantime, it is supposed that Christina will manage to get rid of Narvaez, and to make the Duke of Sotomayor President of the Council. If Narvaez had been allowed to have his own way, he would no doubt have excluded from his cabinet every person likely to dispute his own supremacy in any department. Ile would have filled the ministry with cyphers like Orlando and Sarto rius, whom he could make his passive tools, and have taken particular care not to select for his colleagues persons with so much firmness and self-respect as:Casa Irujo and Beltrand de Lis. The Clanaor draws attention to the following ru mour :—lt is supposed by some that nine or ten months ago the Queen was urgently recommended by her mother to lay by monthly a certain portion of her income, and to allow these savings to accumulate in foreign funds for the formation of a capital which might prove useful in case of accidents. The Queen is said to have listened to this advice, and to have issued an order to the steward of the palace to carry the same into effect. It is moreover asserted that during the absence of the queen-mother about six or seven millions of reals in this way were sent out of the country, for which the Duke of Rianzares re mitted receipts to the intendancy of the palace; and that these funds were deposited in the bank of Itoths• child at Paris. We desire much (continues the Cla mor) to have this fact cleared up. If it should be true, a heavy responsibility will rest upon those who gave such counsels to her Majesty, as well as upon the persons who effected the withdrawal. Even under an absolute government, it would be highly censurable for the sovereign to withdraw the funds of the nation for the formation of a capital abroad; but in a country ruled by a representative system, where a sum is voted according to constitutional princi ples in the budget for the greater splendour of the throne and the expenses of the royal household, the sending away of these funds involves a precaution injurious to Spain, which suggests misgivings of the moat alarm ing nature. The same paper hears that the Duchess of Rianzares intends shortly to issue a manifesto to the nation, clearing herself of certain charges which have been brought against her. In this document will figure the vouchers for her guardianship, as well as the responsibility of the period durin,g which the royal patrimony was under the charge of Don Martin de los Heros, under the regency of the Duke of Vic toria, and tutorship of Arguelles. A:decree appears in the Gazelle restoring the high charge in the household, created by Fi rdinand in 1814, under the title of mayor-dumo mayor. The new officer is called governor of the palace, and will be the only channel for the communication of the orders dictated by the sovereign in matters relative to the royal household and patrimony, as well as for the proposal of the nominations of palace officials of all classes. Follows, the appointment of the Marquis of Mimflores to this important post. Other decrees are published appointing General Gal logo minister of the supreme tribunal of war and marine in the place of General Maroto, and General Castagnos, Duke of Bailen, commander-in-chief of the halberdiers, in the place of General Joaquin Fernan dez de Cordova, Marquis of Malpica (the war minis ter's brother), dismissed. The death of Gen. Maroto, reported in the last ac counts from Chili, has received little notice from the papers, considering his dimensions as an historical figure. Notwithstanding the execration which the treacherous executions of Estella, and the blame which the betrayal of his master's cause at Vergers have deserved front foreigners, few Spaniards would condemn Maroto on the score of immorality, while there are not wanting a large party in whose eyes he stands completely justified. Ilis defence has been undertaken with talent in the history of Arizaga. Maroto resided in Madrid for five years after the convention of Vergara, and took his departure about two or three years ago for South America, where, like his victorious adversary Espar tero, he had served under the Spanish flag in his younger years, and had acquired considerable pos sessions. The government have taken in hand the budget presented to congress by the Pacheco administration, and are occupied with alterations previous to laying the subject before the Cortes. MALTA, OCT. 25. Ibrahim Pacha, who arrived here on the 14th from Alexandria, in the French steam-packet, Caire, re mained in our lazaretto until the expiration of his quaran tine. If the air of Malta is found to be beneficial to big health, he will remain the entire season ; if not, he will pro ceed to Naples, and try the country about Castelamare. The Hindustan left this a few days ago, with fifty passengers only. So many of the Indian passengers prefer the overland route, via Trieste, that " Lloyd's Austnaco " have thair boats from Alexandria full every trip. It is now certain that this company intend to touch at Malta with their steamers, as soon as those now building are completed.— On the lfith the officers of the garrison gave a hall and supper at the Auherge de Provence. Admirals Parker and Curtis were present, and a great number of naval officers. Captain Tate, of the brig Navy, and his wife, were tried on the 15th in the criminal court, before Judge Bruno, on a charge of breaking the quarantine laws, and thereby putting the island in quarantine. After a trial of some hours' dura tion, they were acquitted. What a satire upon the quaran tine department! A man breaks the quarantine laws clearly, and yet is not guilty. With whom then rests the blame? The quarantine department. This occurrence has, however, done some good ; the old strict surveillance over vessels, so long fallen into abeyance, has been again revived, and every vessel in quarantine has now her guard-bnat alongside, or a gnardi .n on board. The other captain of a merchant brig, who landed in the grand harbour without having previously obtained pratique, was sentenced to pay a fine of thirty dollars. _ . I mentioned in one of my previous letters that the hymn to Pius IX. had been sung in our theatre, and most enthusiastically encored. It was proposed last week to give an extra opera on Wednesday night, and after the first act of " Roberto Devereux," for a professor of the clarionet to play the hymn with variations; the next thy the " Impresario" of the theatre intimated to the ma nager that the police had interdicted the playing and singing of the hymn in question ! This prohibition, it is said, took place at the instigation of the Neapolitan and Austrian consuls. . _ . hundreds of men are still employed upon the forti fications. Some new batteries for traversing guns of a very heavy calibre, 6R-pounders, have been erected within Fort St. Elmo, on the bastion facing the entrance to the quaran tine harbour, and under the Bart= in the Grand Harbour, called " Ball's Barocco." This last is a very powerful bat tery, and stands on such an elevation as to be able to fire down upon the decks of any vessel attempting to enter. A sunk battery, similar to the one on the Island of Vido, at Corfu, is to be erected on the Coradino heights. This will command the whole of the approaches to the Cotenera lines. The 20th being the anniversary of the battle of Navarino, Captain Robb, of H.M. steam-frigate Gladiator, gave a , dinner to the admirals and the captains of squadron ; and the 21st being the anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar, the officers of the Trafalgar gave a ball on board. The Amazon frigate hove in sight to the westward on the morning of the 21st, but in consequence of the light sirocco which blew, could not work up for the harbour until the next morning. The fleet will put to sea to try rate of sail ing immediately after the arrival of the packet from Eng land. The Albion will net return here, but proceed to La bon for orders. The American steam-frigate Princeton arrived at Leghorn from Geaoa on the 7th. The American government intends to keep a steamer or two constantly in the Mediterranean. Coals are now on their way to Malta from America for them. The depot will be in Malta. The Neapolitan steamer, which arrived on the 22nd, brought us this intelligence, and also a rumour of the proba bility that the King of Naples would make some concessions to his subjects, and give a general amnesty. The steamer returned to Sicily and Naples on the 23rd, Mr. More O'Ferrall, our newly appointed governor and commander-in-chief, is expected here by the mail steamer of the 13th proximo. A meeting of "liberals " took place the other day, when it was resolved to erect a triumphal arch and illuminate the city on the day of his arrival. Major- General Ellice is reported to bane been aponinted to the mili tary command of the troops. The lion. Edward FPzarerald is reported to have succeeded Mr. Lushington as chief secre tary to the government Accounts from Mitylene, of Rth Oct., state that the Turk ish squadron, composed of two frigates end a brig, arrived there on the sth, from Scio, and that the commandant em barked on board Rostand's steamer l'Helleepont, two pirates, taken by him, to be conveyed to Constantinople. Eighteen pirates *era captured by the squadron in the Gulf of Samos. Ocr.2o._lhrsbim Pacha hag left this in the French steam-frigate Descartes, for Naples. He was saluted on embarking by Fort St. Angelo and all the squadron. It is said he intends to reside at Lucca, for the benefit of the baths. A ball which was to have taken place at the Auberge de Provence, on the 27th, is putnff, in consequence of the de cease of Capt. Willea, of her Maje , ty's ship Vanguard, who expired this morning at four o'clock. The death of Capt. Willey has caused a universal feeling of regret. ATHENS, Ocr. 20. The difference between this country and Turkey still remains unsettled. Many of the Grecian vnsels have applied for and purchased Russian colours, especially those which trade to the Black Sea, in consequence of the ban placed upon commerce by the Turkish government. One would imagine that this last step of the Porte would have roused the Greek government from its apparent apathy or stubbornness. It is said that Russia has proposed to the other protecting powers for • commission to be sent to Athens, to inquire into the financial Mate and system of Greece, to place it upon a certain sufficient and substantial footing for all its future wants, and the payment of the loan. The payment of Itn.e loan can never be effected whilst the sovereign of 700,000 people maintains a court, and keeps up, through his own misaovernment, an army sufficient for • kingdom of seven millions. The great talk of the thy is the continued bickering in the senate upon the address in answer to the speech from the throne. It is confidently asserted that there will be a change of minister,. The Albanian rebels have taken shelter in Greece. A letter from Vonitr 1, of the Bth October, mentions that an Albanian chief, named Achmet Tzapari, with his son, brother, cousin, and eight other persons, had arrived in that town. The Greek govern ment has ordered them, at the expiration of their quaran tine, to go to Mi.solonghi, and remain there until such time an a place is appointed far them to reside in. Nothing new from the frontiers._ . . _ ocr — 22.—The Russian minister here, lit Persiani, has received, from Count Nesselrode, a note upon the subject of the difference between Greece and Turkey, transmitted from the court of St. Petersburg. In this note the Emperor Nicholas calls upon the Greek government to put an end to the affair in the manner decided upon by the Ottoman go. vernment, the decision of which has the Emperor's wannest approval. This note has not yet been replied to ;in (act, the only thing that appears now to occupy the attention of the King and the ministers is the discussion of the senate 01 the address. Many sittings have taken place, and many angry discussions have passed. The King . is much displea s ed with the terms in which it is proposed to be worded. He desired the president of the senate to inform the members that he was " wounded to the heart " on hearing of what had taken place, and that the senate was bound to abide by the terms of the address already voted by the Chamber of Deputies ; otherwise he, the King, would be compelled to have recourse to the un pinasant necessity of choosing another senate. These dic tatory expulsions of the president caused a manifest sensa tion among the members. M. Conduriotia replied with much firmness and dignity, and in a tone of noble indigna tion, in the name of himself and his colleagues, that not withstanding their sentiments of love and devotion to his Majesty it was impossible to stifle the voice of to ir con science, and to forget the duties they hail engaged to perform towards their country and the King him self. "Not to tell the King," raid M. Conduriotis, " that the acts of his government were wrong, that the eon stitution was in danger, that the finances were in disorder : that the country was torn with dissensions, would be to be tray our oaths, to merit the just reprobation of the nation, and expose ourselves to those reproaches which the King himself would be most justly entitled to shower upon us, when the time for remedying the evils had passed away for ever." Mr. Tricoupi observed, that the address approved by the majority of the Chamber of Deputies could never be mo rally considered as the expression ef the opinion of the senate. " To hide," said he, "the truth from the King, not to draw his attention to the evils which actually weigh upon the country, to pass over in silence the horrible acts which the government committed during the process of the elections, would be treason to the nation and the throne. No," said he, " this we will never do." The minister,who appeared astonished, and but little prepared to hear each speeches from the mouths of men hitherto considered so willing to follow the beck of royalty, replied, " I know u well as yourself the deplorable state of the country. I have told it in detail to his Majesty ; but the only reply I got was. ' Tell the senate if they do not give up their projected address I will name new senators.' His Majesty has de aired me also to tell you that he has had au address drawn up by the ministerial* presented to him, and that he has cor rected and approved it. This is the address he wishes you to adopt. I would wish," continua the president, " that you should always speak the truth, especially to the King; but the truth is bitter, and in my opinion in this ease useless." _ . _ Thus ended this remarkable sitting. it requires no com ment—the language used speaks for itself ; and the protect ing powers may judge from it whether Greece is any longer to be governed despotically or not. When M. Placatory knew of the debate in the senate he sent the French steamer Rubin to Syra to bring up the senator Ccuaris, a ministerial man. Ile arrived on the 18th. The following is a copy of the address, as drawn up by the senate. The paragraphs re lat ye to the elections and the finances, are those mostly ob jected to by the King, fins,—On renewing its laboors the ornate, before all thing,, im plore. the wainance of the Most Iligh, which alone can guarantee the PUCK. of hum in affair.. A long experienre has given us a preound and full cnnrietion that the strict observance of the laws, anti the energetic defence of the rights of the nation which emanate from it, have I eon, and nitres, will be, the object of the desires and solicitude of your Majesty. lint it results, from facts, that the, truly royal disposition have been abased, and these some rights hire not been respected, during the election., in many places, to the great prejudice of the country, upon which it ha brought many evil, The senate expect a remedy from the great wisdom and paternal wilicitude of Toe , Majesty. The ornate hopes that the diongteable dif ference which exists between Greece and a neiehbouring state may melee the solution wished for by your Majesty. Having such confidence, Sire, In your royal character. the mute believes that thin solution will he conformable to the dignity of the crown and the nation. The amelioration of our financial situation M indeed an important task, for upon it the honour and credit of the nation depend. To7attain this end, the senate sill employ ail its attention, all its .olicitude, in the exnmination of projects of law, des. tined to this purpone, and winch will engine the regular payment of the loan. The senate also hopes that some efficacens me:tours - Le will be taken to reArict the expert,' as much as pmeible, and to regulate the collection of the revenue, the direction of which, for some time felt, never appeared to us Au-cep:Pile of a satisfactory justification. It I. thus that, by regulating an important branch of the finances, we hope, Sire, to satisfy the demand• of one of the three protecting powers concern ing the payment of the interest, and the liquidation of the six months due to the month of March: the tremor, will never again be burdened with a new loan. We shall use the some seal in the other project. of law that may be submitted to no by the government, and we a-cept, with thanks, the recommer.dation tire to the dioeu”ion of the budget before the commencement of each year, a condition which we bare considered from the beginning ss the basis of social order, and the 144 duty of the chants,. Our duty towards our country will inspire in an all individually and col lecurcly the strength neereary to overeorar the difficulties with which the country sel surrounded; and Divine Proridence will corer Greece with Its strong protection, such as under the great circum stance. of her struggle never abandoned her, and in fixing the throne of your majesty upon a Arm and lasting basin—Athens, (let. 10, The commission (signed) & ICALOVEROPOULD, A. Lore^ ii. PAITA. Le:own - Los. Ca. CUCINARYN reporter. CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct 18. MEI, the Capadan l'acha, who was one of his most active agents whilst governor of Trebizond, received a few darn since the splendid sabre which had been promised him by the Emperor Nicholas. It is now a matter beyond all doubt that, when at the demand of Lord Cowley, Halll Pischa was dismissed foe peculation from Trebizond, it was through the exertions of the Russian government that he obtained the post of Lord High Admiral. It is said that large sums of money and splendid presents have of late been secretly given by the Russian minister to several high fitne tionaries at the Porte. Lady Cowley leaves Constantinople today in the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steams Erin on her way to England. Lord Cowley intended to have accompanied her ladyship as far as Smyrna, were it not that his excellency's overland courier, who was expected hers on the 10th inst., has not yet arrived. The cholera haring disappeared from Trehizond, we no longer fear being visited by it at Constantinople, at least during the winter. The weather has been unusually severe of late. During the Ist month it rained almost incessantly, and there were several violent thunder-norms. FRANCE.—Pears, Nov. 2.—Onr readers will recollect that we some time ago gave an account of the Count de homer having fired at a little boy whom he found break ing off some dead branches in a tree in one of his woods in the commune of Zutkerque, near St. Omer. The boy's *c omet was, that when the count saw him he cried, "Ah you are there again, Blanc-Bonnet (a nickname given to his father) : it is long since I promised you a shot, and roi shall now have it ; " and at the same moment he took deli berate aim and tired, wounding the boy in several places. The count's version of the matter was, that the buy was committing serious injury to the tree, and that, as he was a noted depredator, he levelled his gun, but only to frighten him, when by some accident the trigger was touched, and the discharge took place. The case was brought before the Tribunal of Correctional Police on Saturday last, when the boy told his story, and the count told his ; but the tribunal, not believing the count, condemned hint to two months' im prisonment, 200 f. fine, and the costs.—Galignani. A NEW WAY of " GOING TO BAT/I."—The Droll relates the following as the eccentricities of an Englishman. The responsibility of the story we leave with our contempo rary: " A rich Englishman, who has been for some time residing at one of the hotels in the rue do Rivoli, had last week a violent fit of the spleen. Resolved to get rid of it, he one morning hired a hackney.coach, and ordered it to carry him to the traiteur's at the Porte Maillot, Bois de Boulogne. Here he ate a copious breakfast, paid his bill and also purchased of the master of the house a couple of napkins. He then got into the coach again anti ordered himself to be driven to the bank of the Seine, between Neuilly and AsniZrec Here the Englishman induced the coachman to stop, and immediately drew down the blinds. In this position things remained, the coachman reposing on his box, or smoking hie pipe. At length, somewhat confounded by this long duration of time without receiving any further orders from his fare, the coachman got down and opened the coach-door, and, to his still greater astonishment, found the gentlemen stark naked. He was, however, wide awake and active, for be at once jumped out of the coach, ran down to the river, sad plunged headlong in. Being now thoroughly frightened, the coachman ran for assistance to some men at work in the fields not very far off. However before they all got back to the coach they saw the object of their anxiety walking leisurely up to it from the river, and when they arrived he was carefully rubbing himself with the napkins which he had hanight at the Porto Maillot On being asked by them for his motives for this strange freak, he answered only by the usual English oath, and an order to drive back to the Rue de Rivoli,whers he dismissed the coachman, paying for all the time he lied been engaged, and giving him a liberal gratuity. Oar eccentric Englishman has ever since been in unusual health and spirita."—Gatignani.