Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-20 00:00:00

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Short letters are invited on matters of public interest. They
should be legibly written on one side of the paper only.
Under no circumstances can we insert communications not
accompanied by the author's real name and address, which
are required, not necessarily for publication, but as guaran-
tees of good faith.

Q't tlorOtrn Ehnts

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1860.

THE DAY'S NEWS.

M Thouvenel had arrived. at Marseilles. last
night, on his way from Constantinople, to assume
the office of Foreign Minister at Paris, -gere he
will probably arrive to-day. Before leaving the
Porte, we are informed, he demanded a more
explicit declaration of the Sultan's intentions as
to the French project of a canal through the
Isthmus of Suez ; but we are left to guess whether
or not that demand was complied with. M. de
Lesseps seems to have accompanied hini. The
influence of England seems to be still predominant
at the Court of the Sultan, for we learn by letters
from Constantinople that, in consequence of a
remonstrance by the English Ambassador, Sir
Henry Bulwer, the recently dismissed Turkish
Minister, Kaprisli, or Cyprisli Pasha, was about
to be restored to power,
We have had many indications from time to
time of the good understanding that 'subsists
between Russia and China, which forms so painful
a contrast to the repeated failun of our atte:npts
to enter into friendly alliance with the " Celestial "
nation ; and there can be little doubt that the
fact thus contrasted may be looked upon, to some
extent at least, -in the light of cause and effect.
We have ,another illustration in the statement
contained in a hatter from a member •of the
Russian mission in ppkin, that the Chinese are
now giving their soldier one third of tbkir pay
in Russian silver!

By a telegraw from Sqpityacpton, we bt(tYg

some West""lnch -brought by —the mail
steamer Atrato, v?hich left St. Thomas on the Ist

4f ...this month. The islands were _generally

healthy, and the other news is so far favourable.
The-Moors still show a disposition to attack the
Spanish forces in Morocco ; but the Spaniaids -
seem to be making slow but sure progress toward
Tetuan. The Spanish artillery—an arm not pos-
sessed by the Moors—carries all before it.
Already the projectiles nearly reach Tetuan, and
the s.rmy is only four miles distant from it. The
Moorish army was encamped at Sierra Dermejas.
It would be observed by a recent telegram that
several Prussian officers were said to have been
ordered to proceed to Morocco to join the cam-
paign-against the Moors ; but it is scarcely possi-
ble that the report was correct.
The breach between Prussia and the Govern-
ment of the Electoral Wise, to'which some -allu-
sion was made by the Prince Regent in'his speech
at the opening of the Prussian Chambers, seems
likely to become wider. A, notification has just
been published by the minor power recommend-
ing its subjects to invest their capital in Bavarian
-and Austrian Stocks, but to take the least possible
portion of Prussian Stock. It does not at present
appear, however, that the people of Electoral
Hesse altogether sympathise With the Austrian
leanings and predilections of their Government.
The Italian question and the relations of the
great Powers towards it, are at present in a
somewhat complicated condition. Of the ,Pope's
continued obstinacy, there can be no doubt ;
neither would it seem questionable that the cause
of the Italian people has gained an important
step in advance, by the return to power of Count
Cavour. But then France, without whose ac-
quiesence, at least, this change, it is supposed,
would not have been effected, now shows a desire
to conciliate Austria, by renewing to her the
assurance of the Emperor's willingness to recog-
nise the obligations of the treaties of Villafranca
"and Zurich. The only explanation of this move
is, that France still wishes to draw Austria into
a congress ; but, then, it is difficult to see what
good can be accomplished by a congress, beyond
sanctioning what the Italians themselves must
accomplish,—an object which would be equally
gained by the adoption of the non-intervention
principle. Be this as it may, the Emperor
evidently feels a diplomatic difficulty in the way
of taking direct action in the farther prosecution
of the Italian cause.

The present position of Austria, Russia, and
Prussia seems also beset with uncertainties. It
is said,, that, in consequence, of the serious amount
of discontent in Hungary,—the spread of which
to Poland would not be i'ery astonishing,—and
which is supposed to be fomented by Prance, a
feeling of sympathy has sprung up between these
three Powers, which has led to some proposals for
joint action against the ascendancy of French
influence. But how far these sympathetic feelings
may lead Russia and Prussia to support Austria,
should she again actively interfere in Italy, it
would be difficult to say. As to the intentions of
Austria, notwithstanding all that has been said
of the large reduction of her army and her sup-

posed inability at present to enter upon another
war, we are led to entertain doubts by various
circumstances ; the last of which is, that The
reduction of her army, it is said, only consists;,of
sending home men who can be called back at a
moment's notice, and in selling material which
can be easily replaced. The Milan Gazette, says
that Austria will probably make a last effort, and
that what Germany refuses -to Austria prostrate
she will give to Austria victorious.
Prussia- also is increasing her army. - She -is
preparing to enrol about forty thousand 'more
recruits than usual, and the number is being
rapidly raised. This is professed to be only:a
precautionary proceeding. A renewal of the war
in Italy is considered by Prussia as not improba-
ble, and she thinks it prudent to be prepared for
resistance, should it happen to be necessary.
In Central Italy the same' expectation seems to
be entertained, and a similar- course of prepara-
tion is being adopted. A scheme of defensive
organisation is said to have been matured. The
'position of the King of Naples
,is still more
critical ; for, although he may have too much on
hand within his own territory to permit his
willing interference on behalf of the Pope, ifis
thought that, in the course of events, he will
necessarily be drawn into the general conflagra-

By a later telegram we have the startling
intelligence from Rome, that the Pope now
feels himself in a position to rely solely on
the mercenary troops furnished by Austria and
Bavaria, and that he actually demands the recall
of the French troops from his territories. In
consonance with this, it is further said that Car-
dinal Antonelli has overcome the opposition to his
views in the, Councils of the Pope, and that a
solemn reconciliation has taken place between
him and those prelates who have hitherto been
in favour of making some concession. If this
indeed be true, it would look as if an entirely
new, if not the last, great act of the political drama
in Italy, were now immediately about to commence
in earnest. The report goes farther, and states
that an important movement has been organised
for the purpose of creating a diversion in favour
of the Papal army when it takes the field.
Letters from Florence report the existence a
a secret cmmittee sitting at Rome, and presided
over by the ex-Minister of the Duke of Tuscany,
whose object is to set on foot a force to -attack his
rebellious subjects, and occupy the attention. of
the Italians in that quarter, it may be supposed,
while the Papal army operates against the in-
surgents in the States of the Church. Here then
we have the programme of the counter-revolution.
If there be any truth in' these reports, we may
expect soon to see the value of that military-
organisation, which is said to have been matured
for the defence of the Italians, put to a practical
test ; and we may add, that if the combatants
more directly interested are left to fight it out
alone, we have very little doubt as to the result.
By a still later telegram we learn that several
parties have been arrested in. Florence, on
suspicion of being connected with the conspiracy
in favour of the Grand Duke.
While the French people are . variously' ex-
pressing their opinions as to the new commercial
policy of the Emperor, according as it seems
likely, in their judgments, to affect their re-
spective interests, we are informed that the
different departments are actively engaged in
preparing the working plans for carrying it out,
in conformity with the programme announced in
the imperial letter. These will be, in due time,
of course, submitted to the legislative bodies of
the Empire, which are soon to assemble ; after
which we may expect to hear more of their
details.
The reported suppression of the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul has been contradicted. As we
itise x fpolrapinoelditicthalaetn
tdshe.
have already had occasion to state, this society
exists, ostensibly at least, for charitable purposes;
pderonpieedr, Iyan employedd
but it was supposed that its funds had -been 'm-
a clerical body at all, although it is admitted that
ecclesiastics are lilt excluded from it.
The Times had a very ingenious article yester-
day in apology for the injury which is being done
society T his is
i s now
not
to the public morals, by the proceedings of the
Divorce Court. The greatest evil of all attending
that court arises from the facility it affords for
dissolving marriages. Its social effects in this
respect cannot but be mischievous ; while, on
higher principles still, it has, not without reason,
been strongly protested against. " But," says
the leadindournal, " the chief evil is the spreading
abroad of scandalous stories which are necessarily
told before Sir C. ,Cresswell. This must, how-
-1 ever, be left to DP
dealt with by the good

sense of the community. It is not to be met-by
the crude expedient of sitting with closed
doors. No judge tan tell beforehand whether
-a- cause is likely to have the prqualicywhiCh
really makes it hurtful to the public, and he csin
only take care that any matter which involves
very revolting details shall be heard in private."
Om' contemporary then suggests that the remedy
would be found in never reporting such cases,
without, however, showing how this is to be pre-
vented,—and concludes by observing that " the
Divorce Court is useful and necessary; the evil
lies in looking to it for a succession of exciting
narratives ; and when the public gets rid of this
hpropensity, the Court will do its business with
cavil from no one."

With much gratification we direct attention to
a sketch of the proceedings, given in another
column, which took place at the Mayor's banquet
in the Town-hall last night. On that. occasion
the community of Liverpool was honoured, in the
person of her Mayor, with the presence of the
recognised and distinguished leader of the great
Conservative party, whose energies and judgment
are directed to ensure the present welfare and
ultimate benefit of this country. In such a
meeting, which was strictly private in its
character, it could not be expected—indeed it
would have been alesurd to suppose—that the
late Premier would enter into any elaborate
enunciation of political principles, or offend the
ears of a mixed company by allusion to topics ,on
which differences of opinion were sure to exist.
The Earl of Derby was too wise, too courteous,
and too considerate to do any such thing. Still,
with all the trammels imposed by the privacy of
social life, his lordship, with admirable tact, con-
trived to expound some few of the leading opinions
which constitute the distinguishing features of
constitutional policy ; and which met with a
general acquiescence and acceptance in the com-
pany, which included gentlemen of all shades of
politics.
•

The proceedings in the Health Committee yes-
terday, embrace several features of interest. The
report by the medical officer, showing a great
diminution in the mortality of the borough, can-
not but be gratifying to every inhabitant of the
town. The report by Mr. Newlands, the borough
engineer, relative to the northern approaches,
must also be looked on as highly satisfactory,
showing, as it does, that the great public im-
provements contemplated by opening up the line
cf road from Vauxhall-road northward, is being,
proceeded with as fast as circumstances will pos-
sibly permit. - The-improvement is-much wanted.
In another column will be found a report of
the, judgment given by Mr. Milton, the County
Court judge, on the subject of the Old Chapel of
Toxteth park. This has been for a long period a
matter of dispute, and much general interest has
been attached to it. To attempt an epitome of
the •learned judge's _exposition of the law as
applied to the case is in some measure beyond our
province, and, instead of doing; that, we content
ourselves with directing attention to the judg-
_ ment itself.

THE Reform questiori has had a very long record
in the political annals of this country ; and one
of the most notable features perhaps in the
history has been the consistency and tact with
which the Whigs have turned and twisted it to
party uses. Yet of late years there has been one
featiire more notable still—namely, that the re-
presentative of the Whig party, Lord JOHN
RUSSELL, should by some occult means, or some
grotesque accident, have established in some
quarters a reputation as the great pioneer of po-
litical progress. To- any one who attentively
"reads the history: of the past thirty years, it
might be a puzzle-to define exactly what part- in
the State the Whig combination were intended
to fill. To such an unbiassed observer nothing
seems more evident than that this political section
have done consistent and signal violence to the
only definition of party which is constitutional,
and politically. true. The two. opposing tenden-
cies of the human mind, the two sides to every
question, which both ask their due deve-
lopment as the best means of producing
it—net result, and a balance of powers,
-we are all 'familiar with as the philoso-
phical explanation and justification of party.
But it is hard to see that any principle has guided
the fortunes of-the Whigs, or formed the bond of
union among their leaders, but personal and
family_ regard. Certain great -houses were - to
govern the country, were to receive and 'distri-
bute patronage, were to set the copy in high
politibal and social life ; therefore, ministries
were to be overturned or flirted with ; therefore,
the support of the unscrupulous was to be can-
vassed, the hopes of the prejudiced cajoled, the
objections of the powerful propitiated, and even
the ignorance of the multitude traded with and
flattered. For this purpose great principles were
to be kept in reserve, ready for production on
special party exigencies. They were to be bran-
dished in the face of ministries who were too
independent of Whig alliance ; or kept in abey-
ance when alliance could be purchased by
moderation. So much has this been the burden
of recent history, that it would be hard for the
most fervent Whig ally to refer to one principle,
which his party leaders have ever enunciated
or adopted as their own, and kept to,
through prosperity and adversity. It was
never religious freedom, nor popular re-
form, nor free-trade, that was identified with
this party. These doctrines they took up after
others had worked out and embodied them ; arid
these doctrines they as often laid down again,
when the reason for coquetting with the original
developers had passed away, or other means had
presented themselves of weakening the ministry
in power. When PITT in 1782 brought forirard
tehrieodgener
his proposals for 'Reform, it is notorious that the
Whigs 'oiposed him; and there is no more pro-
-3718300., ththeanp
accompanied with fits of simulated
'the party evinced on this subject.
itnhislBd3nOymmaedne
WsibEleutltToaNt
ththeathisantodr
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it
allianceki se pofos t o this ambitious
less between fact in
might be arguing the propriety of a ten pound
Borough franchise. Nor is it a feature of
that period ever to be lost sight of by the student
of history, what dangerous play the Whigs
then adventured with the too susceptible
passions
a
ff
st tnoh
lifting
dct oh ute nhmte r y
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ntdhdeeira
rasyhvagueartifice
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popular and intemperate agitation into offlo4
they might please. themselves hcrw much. or holt
little they would concede to the resolutionad
spirit they had encouraged. These were not the
men who ever anticipated a benefit for the' pr
ple, or ever supported its concession, except tio
party in power resisted it. It is, Of courser
little to say, that they were not the political
guides who ever discouraged the extremest desire
or damped the hottest passions of the people,
except when they found themselves in danger Of
being precipitated into measures ruinous to their
parliamentary and class position.
Now, another chapter in this history is. aboat
to be written; and it is as well to recollect that
the scribe who is to have apparently the greatest.
share in writing it, is the one man whe•has come'
to this age burdened with the fullest heritage Of •,1
all this tergiversation, selfishness, and partisan"
ship. Lord JOHN RUSSELL coquetting with gr•
BRIGHT at the present crisis of the Reform ques'
tion, bears an ill-omened parallel with the Whig
party of 1830, pretending sympathy with the worst
wishes of an ignorant and infuriated population,
The democrats at that period were certainly disar
pointed in their confidence; for the party necessi-
ties of their cajolers at the hustings did not justify,-
much less necAgsitate, the adoption of extreme
advocacies in the Legislature. At the present
time, that Mr. BRIGHT and his followers are not
only to be disappointed, but contentedly so, is,
the most suspicious indication that hangs ocef
the path of the future. Mr. BRIGHT has taken'
the measure of his man, and of the party which
simpletiona
progress.eoplesuppoHseetokbneowthsehsoywmnaboluehthere of consti-
tutional
expect in the future, and therefore how little it
is politic to accept for the present. There must
be few who credit Lord JOHN RUSSELL with an,
independent wish to lower the Borough franchise
perhaps there are fewer still who suspect him of
any inclination for the system of secret vvoting.
Yet, as his personal craving for Lord DEnio '
place impelled him to oppose that minister's
nrei s•
Reform Bill, so the necessity of finding a substi-
tute for that Bill has left him no course of cour"
petition but the adoption of a lowered franchise*"
That he has shown an acquiescence in the pror
sition of the Ballot, as a sort of standing bid, t°
be redeemed or not according to circumstances?'
may be taken as a still further presumption that
Household Suffrage will be accounted a small gat°
to take at the' next emergence of this question/
as preparatory to the great gulf where the whole
gradations of the political fabric, high and lovrt-
intelligence and ignorance, worth and worthless'
ness, shall be huddled into one confused amass,-
and the brute strength of the majority shall "6°'
lently reduce every political element to one level'