The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-11 00:00:00

to it.

Nations have no cousins ! It would be well
if dynasties were also free from such influences.
That the ru.lers of each State should only act in
accordance with the interests of humanity, and
particularly of those for whose welfare and hap-
piness they are, to some extent, responsible, is
certain ; but unfortunately we find, in almost
every instance, that personal feelings are con-
sulted, and that the predilections of particular
Sovereigns for their blood relations have occa-
sioned considerable injury to their subjects. This
is peculiarly the case with all despotic govern-
ments, but it may also be traced out in the most
enlightened and liberal constitutions. There is
invariably some underhand or back-stairs influ-
ence in operation, and it, is fortunate for the
community if it is exercised exclusively for its awn
benefit.

We believe that the present War into which
the nation has been reluctantly forced is owing
mainly to the objectionable system on which
Royal marriages have been contracted, and that
it would long since have been brought to a
safe and honeuraile conclusion had it not been
for similar reasons. It is time that the
_people
should fully understand these matters, and, that
so far as practicable, they should strive to keep
England henceforward aloof from such combina-
tions, which, however much they may have bone-
fitted particular families, have certainly proved
anything but auspicious to the British people. The
conduct of FREDERICK WILLIAM in endangering
the safety, honour, and welfare of the noble race
over whom he reigns, in order to save his dear
brother-in-law from the humiliation which he has
so eminently merited, is a glaring instance of
Royal nepotism and the untoward results which
it produces. But there are others which,
although less perceptible, may yet be clearly
ascertained by a close observer, and the unplea-
sant consequences that have followed distinctly
traced to their primary causes.
As we have seen, Prussia has held aloof from
the Western Powers. Her neutrality—possibly
the hope of assistance—has encouraged Russia to
persevere in her unwarrantable aggressions, and
to refuse to make the concessions which "she
would otherwise be only too willing to render.
But do we ascribe that to the Prussian people ? Do
we suppose that, if their views were carried into
practical operation, there would have been such
temporising or vacillation ? Far from it. We
believe they feel the degradation to which they
have been subjected even more acutely than we
feel the evils that have arisen through the con-
duct of the Prussian Monarch.
Looking a little further we may direct attention
to various complications that exist, and which
may have had considerable effect in occasioning
the inaction on the part of the English Cabinet,
so grievously complained of by the English na-
tion. Let us see how the KING. of Belgium
has been connected with different dynasties, how
wide are the ramifications by which the precur-
sion in the royal matrimonial line, which was so
successfully followed out by junior members of
the House of SAYE-COEURG, is connected with
the rulers of Europe.

LEOPOLD IS not only the uncle of our most gra-
cious SOVEREIGN, who, thank GOD, is in heart and
soul thoroughly English, but also of the Prince Con-
sort. His second wife, it is needless to say, was
the eldest Princess of the House of Orleans ; so
that he and his children are nearly connected with
the ex-Royal Family of France--_a connexion
which is supposed to have delayed, although it
could not altogether prevent, the cordiality that
ought long since to have existed, and we believe
now fortunately exists, between the Sovereigns of
France and England. Ho has a nephew on the
throne of Portugal, and, but for certain intrigues,
that cost Louis PHILIPPE the kingdom of France,
would have one also on that of Spain. His
brother's family—the Coburg Kohario--are, sub-
jects of the Emperor of Al-ISTRIA, and have wide-
spread domains in that empire. But that is not
the only connexion of LEOPOLD with that country.
His eldest son—the Duo DE BRABANT--45 married
to an Austrian Archduchess ! It is well known,
too, that there is on his part, and amongst other
members of the fortunate family, an intense desire
to elevate the Grand Duchy of Saxe Coburg Gotha
into a kingdom. " Thuringen" is said to be the
title sought for the head of the House. We need not
say how great would be the anxiety to stand well
with FRANCIS JOSEPH, who could advance or re-
tard their project at his pleasure ; and how high
would be the price offered• for such powerful as-
sistance ! Can the procrastination and delays
manifested in the earlier stages of the Russo-Tur-
kish question have had anything to do with
these family considerations ? Is the influence of
" the dear ABERDEEN " at all ascribable to similar
causes ? Is there, in short, any influence at work
behind the Throne, not exactly in accordance with
British interests I—an interest to which we may
attribute the proposition for the establishment
of a legion of foreign mercenaries, and which is
known by the significant designation of Ger-
manism ?

It is certain that unpleasant rumours have been
revived in this country, which we should be
happy to believe unfounded. Hints are given of
something more than legitimate interference being
exercised, and although we believe that our most
gracious] and well-beloved SOVEREIGN will never
for a moment disregard the interests of the People,
it would be well that assurances should be given,
to obviate matters that may possibly give rise to
discontent and. heartburnings.

England has never benefitted by foreign con-
nexions. That with Hanover led to much an-
noyance, expense, and bloodshed; and it was
I not the least auspicious event attending the ac-
cession of VICTORIA. that it completely severed
the tie. Let no other be formed in its place, and
let care be taken to prevent the fine young family
novr springing up from having their happiness
sacrificed by an adherence to the obnoxious sys-
tem. We want henceforward England for the
English, and not for foreigners ; we want the
prevalent „feeling to be "Anglicism," not "Ger-
manism." Louis NAPOLEON has set a brilliant
example. We trust that it may be followed by
the various members of the Royal family of Eng-
land now springing to maturity.