The Press. — London, England, 1857-06-13 00:00:00

JUNE 13, 1857. tition—viz., his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Mr. Langdale, Mr. Maguire, and Mr. Wallis. It was then moved by Mr. MoonE, and seconded by Mr. DANIEL O'CONNELL— That this meeting stand adjourned until one o'clock of the day following that on which the House of Commons might come to a decision on the amendment referred to in the first resolution, fur the purpose of considering the course which it may become the duty of the Catholic body to pursue. The resolution was passed unanimously, and the meeting separated. The Catholic petition on the pending Oaths Bill is worded as follows : To the Right Hon., cto., - ' Your petitioners have seen with regret that in a bill before your hon. house, entitled "A Bill to Substitute one form of Oath for the Oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy, and Abjuration," while practical relief is afforded by the omis• sion from the oaths of everything repugnant to their feelings or conscience, the same relief is withheld from Roman Catholics. That the Roman Catholic oath was originally imposed by a Parliament from which Catholics were excluded, and that by supporting the present bill Catholic members of the Legislature would be made parties to the reimposition of the oath. That your petitioners desire the alteration of the Catho• lic oath, because its retention maintains an invidious tin Alen between them and their fellow-subjects, and because, among other grave reasons, it leaves them still exposed to misrepresentations which have notoriously been made the occasion of offensive imputations ; that your petitioners, therefore, fervently pray your hou. house to frame one form of oath for all classes of her Majesty's subjects without distinction of creed. /ortign 6tartsponbturt. FLORENCE, June 5, 1857. Os the Ist of June, an event of some importance in the modern history of Florence occurred : the first Tuscan Exhibition of Agriculture, comprising animals, implements, machinery, and products, was opened. The Grand Duke and nearly every member of the Royal Family attended for a private view that day, and in the afternoon, at two o'clock, the doors were opened gratuitously to the public. Immense numbers throng daily to the show ; the utmost order and regularity are maintained, and that wit bout the slightest difficulty, no people exceeding, very few equalling„ the Tuscans in docility and good conduct. In the show of animals there is very much to commend. Some of the beasts are remarkably fine, especially the mlich-cows, belonging to the Grand Duke and to Prince Demidoff. One peculiarity, how ever, cannot escape the notice of even the casual observer—viz., the paucity of exhibitors. The Grand Duke contributes about two-thirds of the whole display ; next in numbers and importance come Prince Demidoff, Marchese Ginori, Conte Gherar desca, an Engiishman named Sloane, Cavaliere Giuntini, and a Mr. Lawley ; some dozen beasts and half-dozen horses then remain for other exhibitors throughout Tuscany, out of a total of four hundred animals presented. Why is this? Where are the farmers, the backbone of a State ? The farmer proper, as known in England, does not exist in Tus cany, !the landlord and his tenant, or contadino, having an equal share in the land ; the former finding implements and cattle for the tillage, the latter the manual labour and skill, the produce is equally divided, or at least is supposed so to be. Under such a system, the farmer is no other than a day labourer, and, provided he obtains a decent live lihood for himself and family, cares but little to develop the latent riches of the soil, or to lend him self in any way to scientific or experimental farming. We cannot but think that both parties are losers by such an arrangement. We have argued the pros and cons. frequently with some of the most advanced men in the country; but it is but just to say that all, even such men as Ridolfi and Ricasoli, practical agriculturists, and deeply interested in the social advancement of their country, agree that this joint system is the only ono adapted to the people, the landlords, the crops, and the mode of cultivation. We still however maintain that were landlords more self-dependent, more energetic, less frequent absen tees, :And more desirous to prove or disprove by practice that which they so willingly and im plicitly accept on theory, very much more might be done with the land, far more certainty might be obtained in the crops, less ignorance and more enterprise would be displayed by the agricul tural class in general, and landlord and tenant would equally be gainers—the one in improved land and increased revenue, the other in diminished labour, higher social position, and greater household comfort. We see, however, but few symptoms of change. The priest, almost without exception, still audits the accounts. The factor—a curious animal, half labourer, butt farmer, scantly educated, and THE PRESS. very prejudiced—still conducts the whole working of the estate ; omnipotent in rule, save on the occa sions of the vintage and the oil pressing, when the padrone, reluctantly tearing himself away from the delights of Florence, its theatres, its cafes, its cascine, and its indolence, repairs for a brief period to his villa, and idles away, between billiards, yawn• ing, eating, and sleeping, the time which should be devoted to studying the improvement of his land, the advancement of his dependants, and the con scientious discharge of his duties as a landlord. Thus, thon, we see but very few, save the richest of the land, who can send or have sent specimens to the show. Want of means for some, want of interest for others, has been an effectual bar. Their hearts are not in the cause. As a show, as a mere amuse ment, the success of the Exhibition has been great. We never remember so many people visiting Florence from all parts of the duchy ; though we hope the result will prove that amusement only has not been sought. It is not too late now for the possessors of the land to bestir themselves, but it soon may be. The most unthinking of Tuscans must perceive that their country and their people are not what they were, nay, not what they were ten years since. Crime increases, misery abounds, not only in the crowded and filthy alleys of Florence, but through out the length and breadth of this lovely land. We frequently visit the country, and but a few days since discussed the present state of the agricultural classes with a Tuscan gentleman, a landholder, and, rara avis, a resident on his property. He said : Misery abounds ; how can it be otherwise ? The labourer can but earn a lire a day (91. English), and this he does not get on wet days, or on fesle. Of these latter our holy religion awards us an ample store ; days of recreation for the rich, and starvation for the poor. Suppose a man, with a wife and two children ; can bare existence, even in our country, blessed by a merciful Providence with nearly con• stant sunshine and a congenial clime, be nisintaine 1 on such a pittance ; and now, too, when bread increases daily in price, a price hitherto unknown in the land, and wine is not caro sing? I tell you that the utmost misery exists, and that my heart bleeds for our people. These were the words we heard but two days since. Since the departure of the Austrian troops the Grand Duke has formed a small army, amounting in the aggregate to about 12,000 men. This force requires an annual conscription of 1,600 men. Most severely does this abstraction of the thews and sinews of the nation tell against the nation's weal. The popula tion of Tuscany is about 1,800,000; a standing army of 12,000 is out of all proportion with such a census. Year by year must the drain of 1,600 youths con tinue ; they are eligible at eighteen years of age, and serve during eight years. Taken at such boyhood, they soon break down under the duty required, and the numbers invalided before their eight years' service expires is considerable ; the number rendered unfit for agricultural labour on return to their homes is far more considerable, indeed, beyond belief. Add to this the number spoilt for active earnest labours by evil habits and false ideas contracted during eight years' life amid the cafes and temptations of Florence, Pisa, Leghorn, and other towns, and we arrive at a sad total of men hardly yet entered on life, for they have concluded their service when only twenty-six years of age, who are unfitted for the station in which they were born, disinclined to bear their share of labour towards the advancement and welfare of their native land, dissatisfied with their position, and a curse, instead of a blessing, to their villages, their relations, end their superiors. Such ills, attendant ever upon a forced military servitude, are patent also in France ; but are not so apparent, nor so fatal, in a country so extensive, and amid a people so elastic and mercurial as the French. Italians generally, Tuscans especially, are very differently composed, and the evils of the system are even now but too evident and pregnant of ill. The army already organised is too large for mere home duty, too small for any other purpose. It entails enormous charges on the people, produces much ill-feeling and discon tent, is quite unnecessary (a few hundred well behaved, well-disciplined policemen would do all they do, and more), and is mainly the cause of the great misery now, alas! existing in Tuscany, and of the very onerous taxes which crush the people. THE ROYAL COMMISSIONERS OF INQUIRY into the System of Purchase in the Army resumed their meetings on Tuesday, at No. 1, Whitehall-yard ; the Duke of Somerset presided. Sir Charles Trevelyan was examined before the commissioners. THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ON MILITARY EDUCATION, comprising General Cameron, Colonel Addison, and Colonel Portlock, have held their pre• liminary meetings at No. 1, Whitehall yard. THE ROYAL CommtssioN OR the Medical Depart.. ment of the Army, after a brief adjournment for the holidays, have resumed their sittings at N. 1, Whitehall yard. ALDERMAN EAGLETON, of Farringdon Ward With out, bas resigned his gown, on account of severe illness. 577 jortion anb (colonial jattliigente. FRANCE. The approaching elections at present absorb the attention of France. The Imperial 'Government exhibits every desire to extend to the electors the full measure of liberty promised by the Minister of the Interior, and it is probable that many close con tests will take place. The following is the latest list of the Opposition candidates for Paris :—First Electqral District, M. Laboulaye, member of the Academy and one of the editors of the Journal des Dibats—Second, M. Beth mont, former Minister under the Republic—Third, General Cavaignac—Fourth, M. Emile 011ivier, advocate—Fifth, N. Carnot, Minister under the Republic—Sixth, M. Goudchanx, ditto—Seventh, M. Darimon, editor of the Presae—Eighth, M. Vavin, former representative of the people—Ninth, M. F. de Lasteyrie, ditto—Tenth, N. Regnault, former Sub Prefect of Sceaux. This list in some measure confirms the rumour of a temporary fusion between certain of the Orleanist and Republican leaders. The former deputies will be again proposed by the Government. General Cavaignao has returned to Paris. The second plenipotentiaries of the Congress of Paris will meet on Tuesday next, to draw up a protocol approving of the new Russo-Turkish frontier as settled by the international commission. The Moniteur contains the Bank of France Bill, the particulars of which have already been pub lished. The monthly return of the above Bank is satis factory, as it shows an increase in coin and bullion over the previous month of 51,421,041 f. This official document bears the signature of M. Germiny as the new Governor. The Daats, hitherto so silent on the electoral question, this week puts forth a carefully-written article, by M. Saint Marc Girardin, who " desires to make a few remarks, with all the reserve which is imposed upon us, not only by existing institutions, but also by the undeniable lake warmness of the public mind. Nothing would be more absurd than for the pegs to get into a passion when the country is cold. To do so would be to show itself both impotent and ridiculous. After observing that the elections of 1852 took place under the influence of one single idea—that of escaping from the anarchy of 18t8—and that there is nuthing in the present situation to impart any such unity of purpose to the elections of 1857, M. Girardin proceeds : Here we desire to plats two observations—one touching what we may hope for from tie elections, and another upon the attitude which the old Liberal and Conservative party may assume. We expect very little from the elections of 1817 ; the country will elect deputies because it is called upon to do so; but otherwise it would very willingly dispense with them. The law imposes the elections ; public opinion feels no necessity for them. Let it not, then, be supposed that we imagine that the elections of 1837 are about to restore to Liberalism the strength and vigour of former days. We are far from entertaining the illusion. The evil which now preys on our country is indifference. We have withdrawn from public affairs with inconceivable distrust, reserving to ourselves the privilege of covering everything with cruel blame. We say that we are not responsible, since we do not act. This is a serious error. We are responsible fur our indifference, and by the latter shall we be justly put.islied. Read the last volume of M. Thiers, the fifteenth volume of the "History of the. Empire." We trace in every page the great lesson that Fiance suffered frightfully at the end of the empire because she had confided her destiny too completely to the great man who governed her. She had abdicated too much, and she was punished for her abdication. We do not compare periods or events we are of those who openly prefer the second empire to the first, the spirit of politica to the spirit of conquest, the policy which stops in good time to the policy which pride pushes towards ruin. BELGIUM. The anti-Jesuit disturbances have completely sub sided. A numerous meeting of the Right of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives (says Le Nord of Thursday) took place two evenings ago at the house of the Count de Merede-Westerloo. The object was to decide on what line of conduct that party ought to pursue with regard to the bill on Charitable Estab lishments, and the question was discussed at con siderable length. No formal vote was come to ; but we have reason to know that the great majority of the Right do not intend to insist on the discussion of the hill being continued. Some of the members present even spoke in favour of the withdrawal of the bill. The Paris Constitutionnel, in commenting upon the recent disturbances and the prorogation of the Houses of Assembly, remarks:— Belgium has been deprived of its sovereignty by a popular emente ; brute force reigns and governs. Can the prudence of King Leopold repair the evil and restore to law its empire and prestige ? We wish it with all our heart, without daring to hope it. M. Granier de Cassagnac continues in this strain, end comes to the following conolusion i 1