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

/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.