The Press.
London, England, 1857-07-11 00:00:00

VIE PRESS,

JtrL 11, 1857.

On the order for the second reading of the Luna-
tics (Scotland) Bill, after • few remarks by Mr.
BAXTER,
Mr. C. Banat recommended the postponement
of the measure, to the machinery of which he ob-
jected, on the ground that there was not time during
the present session for the consideration of its
details.
Mr. E. ELLICE supported the bill, which was ulti-
mately read • second time.
The house then went again into committee upon
the Fraudulent Trustees, &a., Bill.
The 9th clause, assigning the punishment for a
misdemeanour under the act, was modified as

councils those whose ability and well proved
patriotism justly entitled them to the honour, she
steered her course safely through the troubled seas
of insurrection and bloodshed, neither led astray by
the tempting but illusive theorids of ambitious dema-
gogues, nor deterred by the threats of furious despots.
True to themselves and their fatherland, the men of
'4B nobly endeavoured to do their duty ; nor can their
bitterest enemies accuse them of self-aggrandise-
ment or of treachery towards those who intrusted
them with the dearest interests of the country. With
such innate love of order, and such elements for
sound constitutional government, why is Tuscany
not more prosperous ? why is there so little
energy and enterprise among her people ? and
why is there so much discontent, misery, and
crime? We believe that nearly all this evil
is caused by the present unhealthy state of
society, and we also believe that it may
be easily remedied. Within the last few years
luxury and extravagance have advanced with giant
strides in the capital of Tuscany, notwithstanding
that year after year has the income of every land-
holder decreased. Wine and oil have almost ceased
to be regarded as items of revenue ; and the corn
grown in the country is at no time sufficient for the
country's requirements. Such a falling off in the
actual necessaries of life must obviously affect the
pecuniary welfare of every Tuscan, whether peer or
peasant; and the natural inference drawn would be,
that all would endeavour by rigid economy to remedy
a state of things so alarming. But what is the
actual fact? No capital in Europe presents to the
eye toilettes more magnificent, equipages more
costly, or an opera-house more frequented. It may
be urged that these luxuries can be enjoyed at
Florence for one-half what they would cost elsewhere.
As regards the two latter this is true—the former, on
the contrary, costs more here than in either Paris or
London. We can remember when the Tuscan haute
ackeilti contented itself with native workmanship, and
despised not the really tasteful and excellent silks ma-
nufactured in their own country. Now no lady deems
herself presentable unless a Parisian modiste perfect
the dress, and the looms of Lyons produce the material.
It must, too, be borne in mind that this outlay on
dress, both masculine and feminine, ceases not
during the entire year. In the winter months it
assumes its most aggravated form, but for nine
months out of the twelve does the Flurentine deck
herself out for public admiration, and the envy or
fruitless emulation of those less favoured be fortune,
or less gifted with good taste. Those banes of Flo-
rence, the Cascine (the Hyde-park) and the Per-
gola (the Opera House), draw their enslaved vota-
ries, evening after evening, night after night. As we
stated in a former paper, country life is regarded as
a duty irksome, and to be evaded as much a possi-
ble. In Florence are centred all the hopes, the
happiness, and thelpride of the Tuscans. There are
no large fortunes in Tuscany, the law of primogeni-
ture not existing; and landed estates being never
very extensive, colossal fortunes are unknown.
5,0001. or 6,0001. a year is possessed by but very
fuw. The average income of those who, as land-
owners, and of respectable family, disport themselves,
their wives; and daughters, in the Cascine, and at
the Pergola, may be stated at 1,2001. per annum.
Such an income in former years, with crops of
wine and oil, and the general inexpensive
mode of life, sufficed amply for all their wants, and
enabled them to maintain an appearance and enjoy
luxuries most certainly unknown to others with like
means lb any other capital of Europe. But the
state of things is now widely different. For six years
wine and oil have scarcely defrayed the expenses of
aniltivation, living has increased twenty-five per cent.
IC cost. and the nieviA u__

follows :
To be kept in penal sertitude for the term of three
years, or to suffer such other punishment by fine or he.
prisenment fin. not mere than two years, with or without
hard labour, as the court shall award.
The 11th clause, providing that no remedy at law
or in equity shall be affected, was amended by the
insertion of the words, suggested by Mr. CAIRNS,
" Nothing In this act contained shall affect or preju-
dice any agreement entered Into or security given by
any trustee, baying for its object the restoration or
repayment of any trust property misappropriated."
The !Uhl:ileum°, which enacts that no prosecution
shall be commenced without tits sanction of a judge
in equity or the Attorney-Gt./OA: was much dis-
ensiled, and Mr. Canes akovudishantend it by enact-
ing that— .ie
Jf in any civil proceeding agallist a trustee, or in any
proceeding under the bankruptcy of any person being a
trustee, it shall appear to the court or judge before whom
such proceeding shall be pending that there is reasonable
and probable cause fora criminal prosenution against such
trustee under this act, it shall be latvful for such court or
judge to make an cagier sanctioning pooh prosecution,
which order may be obtained upon motion or petition in
a summary way.
This amendment was withdrawn upon an aesu.
ranee gives by the ATTORNEY GENERAL • that upon
bringing up the report he would introduce words to
give the judge or Attorney-General power to sum.
mon the party, in order. that he might have an
opportunity of being beard.
In the interpretation clause, on the motion of Mr.
E. EGRETON, the word " property " was made to
include "goods, raw and other materials."
On the order for the second reading of the Court
of Session (Scotland' Bill,
Mr. BLACK opposed the bill, and moved to defer
the second reading for three months.
The amendment was negatived, and the bill was
read a second time.
The Crown, dc., Suits (Scotland) Bill, the Bank-
ruptcy.and Real Securities (Scotland) Bill, the Bill
Chamber (Scotland) Bill, and the Municipal Corpo-
rations Bill passed through committee.
- •
,I*TICES OF MOTION.

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TUESDAY.
Mn Kisor,tia—ihat on Tuesday, the 4th of AnAptat,,lg would
move that an humble address be presented to her ajesty,
praying that, in censideration of General Ktnety's services in
the cite Mar, end especially hi tionsideration of the general's
share in the action fought bolero Kars on, the deth September,
1855, her Majesty would be grectously pleased to bestow on
General Kmety some fitting mark of her royal approbation.
THCEADAY.
In—tbsl on Friday, the 17th instant, he
of their lordships 0 the propriety and
a painting of her )tailesty's Coronation
4rda, and would Mao ask the noble lord
4••••■• the Government dontises.

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.oust, and the mode of life has become immeasu-
imititivetdoinitwantlitatTa7l;;;;;:. it is rably more extravagant and more ostentatious. This
•""" I1)i '1,21, • evil is by some ascribed to the influence exercised
requisite .to thoroughly 4011.TOTIlig with the by the 'hosts of foreigners who flock hither during
—.eh the habitat, and the peculiarities of ite the winter. We do not think so. Ever since the
otti subject with a cettaln year 1815 Florence has been the resort of the troops
.
of strangers who, for various reasons, migrate front
ig, as to our ability, not- regions less favoured by Nature to sunny Italy.
fears' residence in Tuscany Doubtless, increased facilities of travel have very
's for our task, and enabled much increased the number of these wanderers, and
of the duchy, not as they rendered the capital of Tuscany more than ever
iayfarer, howsoever gifted cosmopolitan. The very same cause, however, tends
but as they are known to to reduce the number of those who visit Florence
strictly adhere to facts, with the intention of making it their residence for
our conclusions; and we any lengthened period. Lome, Naples, Venice,
impartially to depict the Sicily, Egypt, and Syria all now attract the travellers,
of the people ac.corditia to and may be reached without much demand on time
point out the causes which or purse. It is obvious, then, that boxes and port-
- that position in the corn- manteaus packed for the performance of such
.ty Ceti:gare so unquestion- lengthened tours contain little more than absolute
ably !Wed, "Wl,tililtelifteili " 'their docility, and necessaries, and that the travelling public, however
their love Of *der. superb and omnipotent in the salons of Paris or
•In 1648; wilint ibliarly the *Vile oaf eahtinental London, consent here to hide their diminished heads,
Aurope yas,ixopen insurrection, and violepturitnd and to resign without an effort all claims to compete
anarchy aetide'trtumphant o'er the land, Trry, in the lists of fashion. We state not only our own
tioogh deartiad by her mien', and surrotin by opinion, but tiaj, Of .Tuscans themselves, when we
States in open warfare, committed no excesses and, assign as the cause of all this sad and ruinous
though smarting from the recollection of grievous extravaganoe • the perpetual town-life led by the
injustice's and sore trials, fctgot not her duty as a higher daises in Tuscany, and the gross and licensed
Orland find Christian land 1 butt calling to her abuse of titles and armorial bearings,

people, that we approach ou
and even misgivini
'withstanding that thinly year
have preps Fed An:d fitted us f
us to know tho 'inhabitants o
are known t4,-tlio„ffliftre wa
and observant be may be, bu
themselves, Mt, ishall au
drawing tram them alone
shall endeavour fairly and iu
daily life and painters of
tbeir social rank, and to poin
prevent theca from holdhlg t
munity of nitibns tor

Country life, with its occupations, its pleasures, its
duties, and its cares, is unknown. The vilieggiaturs
lasts but six weeks or two months, during May and
June, and for a like period in September and October.
By most this exile from Florence is regarded as a
severe penance, and the time, especially by those
whose villas are distant, is abridged as much as pos-
sible. Little or nothing is known of the poor who
live:on or near the estate; their wants, their sufferings,
cares, and sorrows, meet with but little sympathy, or
are consigned to the parish priest, as appertaining
specially to him. The utmost economy is pursued ;
nothing but what is absolutely necessary is done to
the house or grounds; no extra labour is permitted—r
the great object sought being the replenishment of
the purse, either as a means to liquidate past ex-
cesses, or to enable them to display stall more
splendour on return to the city. We do not say that
there are no exceptions to this rale, we merely say
such is the rule; and the exceptions, rare and to be
noted, but prove the prevalence of the evil.
As regards the abuse of titles and armorial bear-
ings, we again quote the opinions of those well
qualified to give them. The assumption of un-
authorised titles is carried to an excess beyond
belief, and which would be simply ridiculous and
contemptible did it not produce very serious ills.
Marquises, barons, and counts spring up in every
direction, and coronets adorn the brows of adven-
turers, speculators, tradesmen, and even menials.
Every year do fresh titles—we will not say of nobility
—startle and confound. Even those of really noble
family, but hitherto untitled, bearing, however, the
highly honoured " dei," describing them as junior
members of such or such a family, no longer content
themselves with their due, bat assume the heraldic
and signorial honours appertaining solely to the
head of the house. The humble equipage, which
before met all requirements, suffices no longer.
Costly carriages, crowded stables, and gaudy re-
tainers are required to maintain the newly and often
self created dignities ; embarrassments arise, the
money-lender is called in, and the finale needs no
description. Uuder such a state of things all suffer
—landlords, tenants, tradesmen, and dependants.
In cases of large families the effects are still more
deplorable, as all share alike, both as regards title
and property. We know four brothers, all counts
of recent creation, whose united fortunes scarcely
amount to 0001. per annum, and we could cite
numerous similar cases. Can anything be more
absurd or more detrimental to the well-being and
advancement of a country ?
Commencing life in a false position, unfitted by
education—or rather the want of it—for exertion or
self-sacrifice, inheriting little save pride, indolence,
and penury, the present generation will in no way
redeem the shortcomings of their progenitors.
Their highest aim seems to be the obtainment of
employment in a Government office, and the vain
endeavour, aided by the scanty pittance accorded
them, to ape the manners and follow the frivolous
pursuits of those richer and higher in the social
scale than themselves.

It is a sad, but incontestable fact, that all the na-
tural riches of the soil and the vast capabilities of
the country are developed by aliens, and that idle-
ness, want of energy, and frivolity, are the charac-
teristics of those whom Providence has endowed with
vast natural gifts, and located in a land teeming with
riches and fertility, and lovely beyond compare.
J.W.