The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-13 00:00:00

LONDON, TIIESDAY,FEBRUARY 13, 1855.

There is now every reason to hope that the
Conferences at Vienna will be pushed forward to
some definite and important conclusion. Lord
JOHN RUSSELL has, it appears, accepted the office
of Plenipotentiary to represent Great Britain at
the approaching Congress, to be held in the Aus-
trian capital. This is`indeed satisfactory intel-
ligence, which must produce very decisive re-
sults. The circumstances are peculiarly signi-
ficant, exhibiting in a strong light the determi-
nation of the new Government to push on the
War with vigour and energy until the CZAR is
compelled to submit, if not to an'unconditional
surrender, at least to such terms as will prevent
the possibility of future aggression on his part,
ansi give to the Western Powers all that they
demand or desire—a safe, honourable, and per-

manent peace.
It is not merely that Lord JOHN RUSeBLL has
occupied such important posts in various Ad-
ministrations, that he was recognised as the head
of a numerous and influential party in both
Houses of Parliament—that he had been Prime
Minister, under whom Lord PALMERSTON himself
had served—and that he had in the ABERDEEN
Government been the leader of the representative
branoh of the Legislature. All these matters
would, of course, lend additional weight to the
appointment, and prove the high estimate enter-
tained of the vital consequences that may result
from the forthcoming negotiations. But there is
something more to be looked to. The Noble
Lord, as Leader of the Commons, was looked on as
some degree of compensation for the enervating
influences of the late Premier in the Upper House.
While Lord ABERDEEN was twaddling about the
blessings of peace, and the propriety, if not the
necessity, of securing them on any terms, his
Whig colleague was uttering sentiments that
found decisive echoes in the hearts of the people.
The vigour and energy of the latter made some
atonement for the remissness of the former.
RUSSELL and PALMERSTON were set against Anna-
BEEN and GLADSTONE.

But the reasons assigned by the Noble Lord
for his recent resignation add to the value of the
appointment. We shall not now enter into the
vexata, qumstio of the propriety of his conduct
towards his late colleagues. We have already ex-
pressed our opinion on that point. But whatever
may be the feelings of any man on the question, it
cannot be denied that the nomination of one who had
even ostensibly put forward such views must be
regarded as a guarantee for the unflinching deter-
mination of the new Government, which not only
sends one of the most influential English states-
men, but one who has already given clear, dis-
tinct, and unequivocal expression to his views.
Austria, Prussia, and even Russia herself, will
discern an earnestness of purpose in the appoint-
ment that will prevent the loss of much valuable
time, and materially abate the untenable preten-
sions of the good "Clicquot" and his autocratic
brother-in-law.

There is nothing derogatory to the Noble Lord
himself in the acceptance of this important duty,
which is valuable not only with regard to
our foreign relations, but also to our domestic
concerns. It proves that the ex-Leader of the
House of Commons is en accord with the new
Premier—that any previous differences have been
forgotten, and that the Whig Leader does not
deem it indispensable to remain at home to watch
the exigencies of the new Administration. Some
have fancied that Lord JOHN might avenge his
former defeat on the Militia Bill and the expul-
sion of the Whig Administration by proving that
he could produce a Roland from the PA.LMERSTONIAN
Oliver. The special mission, however, puts an
end to such speculations. When Lord J. RUSSELL
returns from Vienna it will be as the supporter,
probably as the colleague, but certainly not as
the opponent, of Lord PALMERSTON. Tt there-
fore gives additional stability to the Go-
vernment, to the extent, at least, of insur-
ing it against possible attacks, a matter
of no ordinary importance under existing circum-
stances.

On every ground, then, we rejoice at the ap-
pointment, which will speedily bring forth its
fruits. We can now rest satisfied that there is
some one who, for the sake of his own reputation,
already in some degree compromised, will vigi-
lantly watch Austria, repress Prussia, and coerce
Russia ; who will take care that no time be
wasted or inadequate conditions assented to, and
who will have such weight with the Home Go-
vernment as to insure the attentive consideration

of every suggestion he may offer. If the PRE-

MIER were to show himself less energetic than the
Plenipotentiary it would transfer his popularity
to the latter, and bring back Lord JOHN RUSSELL,
by the almost unanimous voice of the people, to
the head of the Government.

The extensive cultivation of flax in Ireland is
just one of those things which her best friends
most earnestly desire, and not without reason.
Offering a large area of soil admirably adapted for
the purpose—better, in fact, than for a cereal
growth—with a poor population, and in the north
flax-spinning trade, the
a large and increasing
"green island," without taking other circum-
stances into account, seems especially pointed out
as a flax-growing country ; and yet, strange to
say, this species of culture, so far as we can ga-
ther, had been adopted by few, and met with
little encouragement until the year 1841. At
that period the flax-spinning trade had progressed
in Belfast to a considerable extent, and it was
felt by persons in the trade that it was not
well to be dependent, in so great a degree,
on the foreign supply for home consumption.
The eapabilities of the soil were duly recognised,
and it Was thought that the home cultivation of
flti"t awould benefititot only prove a saving to the trade,
bso
othperoanglroi
tceultthuirsalobi
object, and
Ai t
society was forimed to
was called "The
Royal Society for the Promo-
tion Growth of Flax in
and Improvement of the
Ireland." This society, it would appear from last
year's report, has been very energetic, and,
con-
sidering the difficulties to be encountered, suc-
(o:sfal in the promotion of its object. In 1848, we
are told, the number of acres in Ulster under
year
this 13
1853 species
it had rise of cultivation was 49,549 ; in the
nto 160,308. In Leinster
in these years the number of acres were respec-
tivelys 1,239 and 4,497 ; and in Munster 1,249
and 5,225. In short, while the whole number
of acres applied to flax culture in Ireland was