The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-22 00:00:00

The Inundations in Spain.

The following accounts are from th© Spanish

papers-:

VALENCIA, Nov. s.—la consequence of the continued
rains there are inundations along the whole coast. The
accounts from Cataroja are extremely alarming. An expe-
rimental train had to return, and the eonductor said that
he heard many cries of distress from that town. The gover-
nor has left with an engineer and some of the Civil Guard,
and the train conveys boats and ropes. Great disasters are
feared in Alcira. The whole of the land along the coast
presents the appearance of a sea. The railway from Valencia
to Castellon is impassable, and the telegraph only working
between Barcelona and Vinaroz. The post has not left to-
day, the roads being impassable.
VALENCIA, Nov. 6.—The governor of the province, with
great difficulty and danger, sueceeeed in getting within four
kilometres of Alcira and eight from Carcagente, and placed
himself in connection with those towns, The destruction in
both is immense. Bread asked for was sent them, and other
food was being collected. The post front Barcelona, which
ought to have arrived at 8 in the morning, had not arrived
up to 8 at night.
VALENCIA., Nov. 7.—By a miracle the governor reachad
Aleira. The town is a heap of ruins in a great lake, and
words cannot describe the picture of desolation it presents.
The people aro escaping as they can, many of them half
naked. The road between Alcira and Algernesi is com■
pletely destroyed, and bands of old men, women, and chil-
dren, are seen on the rough broken ground fleeing from the
catastrophe, The streets and squares are filled with dead
houses and broken furniture—some bodies are also seen of
persons who have been drowned, and many must be buried
under the ruins. Two thousand loaves of bread have been
distribated,amongst the people. Tho governor remains
there ordering every possible measure to alleviate suffering.
To-morrow he goes to Carcagente.
The governor returned to Alcira after having been in Car-
cagente. The deaths and accidents to persons are numerous.
Up to 12 yesterday 21 bodies have been interred in a ceme_
try made for the occasion. The governor has expended all
the relief fund, and a subscription has been opened. Ladies
will beg for contributions at the churches. At Tavernes,
Semat, and Gandia, many builders are employed in repair-
ing the damaged houses, and the inhabitants are busy at
work. Algernesi yesterday went without bread to give it
to Aleira ; 3,000 pounds have been sent to-clay. The town
of Teres has lost more than 100 houses, and the towns of
the coast are said to have suffered equally, which is pro.
bable from the quantity of furniture brought down the
river..

VALENCIA, Nov, 9.—The governor has returned to this
city, and ordered the firemen of the Ayuntamionto to pro-
ceed to the towns inundated, since the labourers of those
towns refuse to work. Tho accounts from the towns
on the coast ate very sad, many of which are only a heap of
ruins. The firemen and artisans are rendering great ser-
vices in Alcira, clearing the streets and propping up houses.
From the ruins of one of the latter nine dead bodies were
taken out. The towns of Fortaleni, Polino, and Riola,
which it was thought had entirely disappear() I, have suf-
fered much. In Gaguera, Qaese, and Ana, the factories,
I which gave employment to many families, have been de-
stroyed. Tile subscription opened by the provincial depu-
tation affords very satisfactory results. Donations of bread
and other food are unceasing. Tores has lost 108 houses
out of 180, of which the town consisted. The overflowing
of the Jucar has destroyed the conduit of the principal work
of irrigation, very little of the solid masonry being left. The
trenches in the great canal of Jucar are 18 in number. The
'walls are thrown down to the extent of from 20 to 500
yards. The repairs will require great outlay. Twenty-
three towns engaged in the cultivation of rico, and having
irrigated farms, are left without the means of irrigation.
The Junta of government is occupied in investigating the
extent of the damage, which is incalculable. The towns of
Tores, Carcel, and Samacaroel have been inundated. The
losses in the first have been the greatest. In the other the
destruction is less.

AUSTRIA AND MEXICO.

VIENNA, Nov. 17.

Subjoined is a translation of the official text of
the often mentioned compact between the Emperor
of Austria on the one band, and his brother, the
Archduke Maximilian—now Emperor of Mexico—
on the other :
The most illustrious Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian
having communicated to his Imperial Royal Apostolic
Majesty his resolution to accept the proffered throne of
Mexico, and there, by the help of God, to found an empire,
his Majesty, in family council, did take into consideration
the conditions under which he, as the head of the Arch..
ducal House, could, in accordance with his sovereign du•
ties, give his consent to the proposed State Act.
As a consequence of the deliberations on the subject in
question, his Majesty the Emperor, on the one hand, and
the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian on the other, did
agree to the following conditions :
Art. I. His Imperial Highness the most illustrious
Archduke Ferninand Maximilian does, for himself and his
descendants, renounce all claim to the succession to the
throne of the empire of Austria, and to ail the kingdoms
and countries thereunto pertaining, in favour of the other
male scions of the House of Austria and of their male de.
scendanta having rights of succession. And that in such a
way that in as long as there shall—in accordance with the
existing laws of the House of Austria, in respect to the
order of succession, and more particularly of the family
law which under tho name of the pragmatic sanction was
made on the 19th April, 1713, by the Emperor Charles
VI., and of the family statute issued on the 3d Feb.,
1839, by his Majesty the Emperor Ferdinand I.—ba
'firchdukes having claims to the succession or descendants
of the same in the most distant degree, neither his Im-
perial Highness nor his descendants, nor any one in
their name, shall ever be able to make the least claim to
the said succession.

Art. 11. This act of renunciation extends to all privileges
connected with the right of succession, and, consequently,
to the privilege given by the family statute to act, under
certain conditions, as guardian to the heir presumptive to
the throne, he being a minor.
Art. 111. Should, however—which God forfend—all the
other Archdukes and their male descendants die, his Im-
perial Highness reserves for himself and for his male de-
scendants—being the issue of lawful and equal marriages
contracted in accordance with the statutes and customs of
the Austrian Archducal House—all the rights of succes-
sion which appertain to him in virtue of the Austrian law of
primogeniture and of the abovementioned family statute, as
in such case the act of renunciation contained in Art. I. can
be prejudicial neither to his Imperial Highness nor to his
posterity. In respect to the rights of the female descendants,
in default of heirs male, the regulations contained in the
abovementioned documents concerning the rights of suc-
cession are to remain unchanged. But in no case can the
illustrious descendants of his Imperial Highness hold the
reins of government unless they are of the itoman Catholic
faith.

Art. IV. His Imperial Highness further declares for him-
self and his male and female descendants that he, under the
subjoined conditions, renounces all claim to the present and
to the future personal or real property of the most illustri •
ous Archducal House, whether such claim be based on the
tics of blood, birth, or custom.
a. Should extraordinary circumstances occur and lead to
an important change in the newly-established relations of
his Imperial Highness, he and his descendants are entitled
to claim a participation in the revenue arising from the
family maintenance fund in such manner as is provided for
in regard to the Sovereign branches of the most illustrious
Archducal House in paragraph 44 of the family statute of
Feb. 3, 1839.
b. Should it unfortunately so happen that all the other
illustrious Archdukes and their male descendants die, and
that the heirs male of his Imperial Highness come to the
throne, or should it happen that the male line of the Aus-
trian House is totally extinct, and that their rights in virtue
of the abovementionel regulations relative to the succession
have devolved on the female descendants of his Imperial
Highness, then and in such ease all the claims of hie Im-
perial Highneea and his descendants on the family property

FRANCIS JOSENit (L, S,)
MAXIMILIAN (L, S.)
The persons who witnessed the foregoing im-
portant convention were :—The Archdukes Charles
Louis and Louis Victor (brothers of the Emperor),
the Archdukes Charles Salvator, William, Joseph,
Leopold, and Reignier. Farther, the Lord Marshal
Count Knefstein, Feldzeugmeister von Benedek,
Lieutenant.Generra Crenneville, the Emperor's
First Adjutant-General ; Count Francis Zichy,
who was Lord Chamberlain to the Archduke Ferdi-
nand Maximilian when Governor of.the Lombardo-
Venetian Kingdom ; Count Rechberg, M. von
Sehmerling, Count Maurice Esterhazy (who is a
Minister without portfolio), M. von Karolyi, the
Hungarian Vice-Chancellor ; Baron Geriuger, the
Transylvanian Chancellor; and M. von Mazuranic,
the Chancellor for Croatia and Slavonia.

AMERICA.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

LONDONDERRY, Nov. 21 (Night),

The Montreal Ocean Company's steamship Hiber-
nian, from Quebec on the 12th inst,, arrived here
at twelve o'clock.

(Via Greencastle.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 11 (Evening).
The report of Sherman's movement from Atlanta
towards the Atlantic seaboard is reiterated.
General Ewell has succeeded Early. It is stated
he will assume the offensive.
A bill has been introduced into the Confederate
Congress enlisting all white men between 18 and
45, and revoking all exemptions.
The gunboat Sassacue had chased the Tallahassee
to Wilmington. When last seen the Tallahassee
was inside the line of the blockaders off the North
Carolina coast. Her capture was considered pro.
bible.

The report of the Canadian etoamer Georgina
having been fitted out as a privateer is denied.
The Confederate Congress has reassembled. The
speech delivered by President Davis on the occasion
was defiant in tone. He favourably reviews the
military, financial, and material situation of the
country. Foreign relations are unchanged. Presi,
dent Davis considers the disregard of recognition by
European nations as remarkable, since the French
and English Governments had long since expressed
their conviction that the United States were unable
to conquer the Confederacy. Two years since the
French Government announced to the London and
St. Petersburg Cabinets its conclusion that the
United States were unable to achieve a decisive
military success, and the replies of England and
Russia intimated no contrery opinion. "I\l:.utrals
seek to palliate the wrong of nou.recognition by

professing to consider that recognition would be
valueless without further intervention. The
South disclaims any de-ire for intervention,
and mistrusts its advantages. seeks no favour,
land wishes no intervention. It knows itself contb
patent to maintain its lights and indtpendence.
Eigland in 1862 refused recognition on the ground
that any action of the British Government would
inflame the passions of the belligerents and prevent
the return of peace. Experience (continues Presi-
dent Davis) shows this opinion to be erroneous, as
the result is the reverse of what the British Minis-
try humanely desired. A contrary policy, just to
the South, is still within the power of the British
Government, and would produce consequences the
opposite of those which have followed its course
since the commencement of the war. Peace was
impossible without independence, It was not to be
expected that the North would anticipate the neu-
tral Powers in the recognition of the independence
of the South. History would be unable for those
reasons to absolve the European nations from a
share in the moral responsibility for the unneces-
sary lives that had been sacrificed during the war.
The Government adequately provides fur a
foreign loan if only rated 6d. in the pound. Presi-
dent Davis recommends the Government to pure
chase the slaves it employs, engaging to give them
freedom at the termination of their service rather
than impressment for a short period. He also
suggests that the number of slaves employed byl
the Government be increased to 40,000, and em-
ployed as engineers, labourers, and pioneers. This
number by preparatory training will form a more
valuable reserve in case of emergency than a larger
number suddenly called from field labour. Boyond
this limit and these employments it does not seem
desirable to go, The President disapproves of a
general levy and arming of the slaves; but should
the alternative be presented of subjugation, or the
employment of slaves as soldiers, no doubt exists as
to what would then be his decision. The South was
willing to negotiate for a peaceful solution, but the
Federal Government expressed its determination to
make no peace except on terms of Southern sub.
mission and degradation, leaving no hope of the
cessation of hostilities until the Northern delusion
of ability to conquer the South is dispelled.
NEW YORK, Nov, 12 (Morning).
General M'Clellan has resigned his commission
in the Federal army.

Mr Fenten has been elected Governor of New
York.

The Confederates in the Shenandoah Valley have
been reinforced, and are attempting to flank Sheri.
dan. They threaten Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Another Confederate force made three attacks
upon Atlanta on Wednesday, approaching within
200 yards of the Federal works. They were re-
pulsed by the Federals.

NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (Evening).

No particulars are yet known of Sheridan's move•
meats, but they are reported to be progressing
favourably. The burning of Atlanta has not yet
been confirmed.

,Sheridan is near Winchester, and tho Confcdes
rates are at Newmarket receiving rtinforcements.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, Nov. 11 (Evening),
Money easy: Gold, 143& prem, Exchange on
London, 265 ; on Paris, 2.81 2,131. Stocks steady :
New York Centrals, 125 ; Illinois, 1271 ; Eric, 101 S ;
Five.twenty United States Bonds, 1011.
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (Evening).
Money easy. Gold, 1421 prem. Stocks steady:
New York Centrals, 129 i ; Illinois, 128; Erie, 1013-,
Fiveq twenty United States Bonds, 101,3. Cotton

uninteresting.
There is nothing new of importance to report
from the Sill nandoah valley. A reconnoissance
develop; no Confelerate force north of Woodstock.
Early is supposed to be still at Newmarket. Dc-
serters say he purposes snot; reeu'aing the offensive.
A portion of his cavalry is in the Luray valley
near Front Royal.
The tvws from Geolgia and Tennessee is very
rileElgrv, csp_cially so tar as relates to the move-
ments of the main armies under Hood and Sher-
man. Sherman'a forces are f.,zncrally supposed to
bo moving after Hood's, &though one report re-
presents that only one corps is detailed for that
purpose, while the main army returns to Atlanta to
inaugurate an entirely new campaign. The greater
probability is that most of Sherman's forces are
operating directly against Hood, who appears to
be massing his army on the north side of the Ten-
nessee, not far from Florence. Some accounts how-
ever represent Hood's army to be rapidly marching
into Middle Tennessee. It has been rumoured that
Hood was repulsed in an attempt to cross the river
on the 3d inst. with considerable loss. Slocum's
Corps is said to bo at Atlanta with at least forty
days' rations.
On the 4th inst. the U.S. gunboats Key, West,
and Elfin, were engaged by Forrest's battery of
24-pounder Parrott guns, near Johnsonville, in the
Tennessee River. The gunboats were disabled,
either blown up or surrendered. The accounts
differ as to their fate. It is also reported that the
Federals have evacuated Johnsonville, which was
occupied by Forrest, who captured a considerable
quantity of stores and some artillery, Eight
steamers loaded with Government stores are said
to have been burned to prevent their capture by the
Confederates. Forrest officially reports the cap•
ture of two gunboats and four transports.
Confederate accounts continue to represent Hood
as being successful in his operations. They state
that before crossing the Tennessee, his army was
encamped several days at Jacksonville, and that
during that time not one complaint was presented .
by the citizens against the troops, who were in fine
condition and discipline. The Richmond Whig of
the 4th inst. states that the Federal cavalry under
Kilpatrick on the 30th ult. attacked the Confede-
rate cavalry, under Wheeler, protecting Hood's
rear, and that the Federals were repulsed with
severe loss.

Missouri advices state that General Blunt had
overtaken and routed Price at Newtonia after a
battle lasting three hours, the Confederate loss
being about 200. Price is reported to be retreating
towards Cassville Tursued by Federal cavalry.
A plot is said to have been discovered to attack
the force guarding Camp Douglass, where some ten
thousand Confederate prisoners are held, near Chi-
cago. The prisoners were to be released and armed,
and were to seize and destroy the city. Arms in-
tended for them have been found secreted in Chi•
cago, and about 40 of the alleged conspirators
arrested at the hotels in that city. It is believed

that a great number of Confederates from Canada
were in the vicinity prepared to participate in the
affair: The city is now patrolled by a home guard,
and no danger is apprehended. Rumours of other
conspiracies are numerous. The Confederates are
reported to have purchased the steamer Oeorgiana
at Toronto, and to be preparing to attack the Uaited
States steamer Michigan on Like Erie with a view
of destroying her, and likratirg the Confederate
prisoners at Johnson's Ll'ind. After which an
attack upon Cleveland or Bt.ffilo is on the conEpi.
raters' programme.

The United States steamer Kearsege has arrived
at Boston with the crew of the privateer Florida,
which was cap'ured in the Bay of San Salvador,
Brazil, on the 7th of October by the steamer IVa
chusett. The Wachuse:t and Florida were to leave
for St Thomas on the 2d inst. The Florida was
taken by surprise, and when run into by the We-
chusett surrendered at once. The action of the
Brazilian authorities is not stated.

The Democratic electors have withdrawn the
111•Ciellan electoral ticket in Tennessee, and have
addressed to Mr Lincoln a reply to his letter, re-
fusing to interfere in their favour against Governor
Johnson's action in relation to the election in that
State. They charge the President with sanction.
ing the unconstitutional assumption of Governor
Johnson. Their letter states that a M'Clellari
meeting at Nashville was broken np on the 21st of
October by soldiers, who rushed into the hall with
pistols, extinguished the lights and drove out those
attending the meeting. The letter adds:—"
will not advise our citizens to risk their lives in
going through the farce you propose of holding:an
election under the laws at one ballot-box, while
Governor Johnson holds an election under his plan
at another. Too many unoffending citizens have
already been murdered in our streets by negro
soldiers—too many reputable women have been ins
suited by them. We do not wish to provoke further
outrage. There will be no election for President in
Tennessee in 1864. You and Governor Johnson.
may " manage your side of it in your own
way," but it will be no election." The,letter con-
cludes with a formal withdrawal of the M'Clellaa
electoral ticket.

The New York World publishes long accounts of
the alleged Repub'ican frauds in the recent State
election in Indiana, and a Pittsburg correspondent
of the same paper states that the workmen at the
Alligham Foundry have been virtually notified
that those voting against Lincoln will be dis-
charged.
On the sth inst. General B. F. Butler assumed
command of the Federal forces in the State of New
York, by direction of the President and by assign-
ment of General Dix, commanding the department
of the East. It is supposed that Butler will not re%
main long after the election is over. He is re port ed
to have in the city from ten to twelve thousand
troops. It is understood that the Government at
Washington have received such unquestionable eii<
deuce of the existence of a plot to destroy the city,
I and of the presence of a large number of Con fede*
rates here for that purpose, that the presence of a
large military force was deemed absolutely necesu
eery. On assuming command, General Butler
issued an order declaring that his troops had been.
detailed for duty here in order to "protect the public
and to prevent incursions into our borders,'' and to
insure calm and quiet. The order further says .
" The Commanding General has been pained to
see publications by some not too well-informed per.•
sons that the presence of U. S, soldiers might by
possibility have an effect upon the free exercise of
the duty of voting at the ensuing election, Nothing
could be farther from the truth. The soldiers of
o Te ree by
bad
whte
: h
the United States are specially to see to it that
civilt ere
authoritiesis interferenceno
with o the election,
areovercome
force."

It is reported that Butler has notifl.ed the mem-
bers of the Board of Gold Brokers, that they must
not speculate in gold, to the detriment of the credit
of the United States Government.

GIIATITUDE.—The following is the certificate of
the master of the brig Heroine, of Milford, to the
crew of the New Quay Lifeboat :—" We, the undersigned,
master and mate of the schooner Heroine, of Milford, driven
on shore at New Quay, Cornwall, during a heavy gale of
wind, on the 18th instant, hereby certify that ourselves and
crew, consisting of five -men, were saved from the wreck by
being taken off by the lifeboat of the Royal National Life-
boat Institution, manned by the chief officer of Coastguard
and nine other men. Too much praise cannot be said in
favour of these brave men, and in the name of ourselves
and crew we beg them to accept our warmest thanks
and assurances of the gratitude we feel for their strenuous
and successful exertions on our behalf in the hour of ea
treme peril. (Signed) James Griffiths, master; and Thomas
Rogers, mate.—New Quay, Nov. 19.

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LONDON, TUESDAY, NOV. 22, 1664.

-

The position of an Ambassador is at all times one
of great delicacy, and great eare and caution are
necessary if he would fulfil his duties with credit
to himself and hcnonr to his conntry, But what
is onerous in tittles of peace becomes ten times more
difficult to Perform when there is war in the case,
and especially when the spirit and sentiments of the
nation which he represents are not in accordance
with the mode practised by the Government to
which he is accredited. At the same time that
policy and expediency taught him to make the
best of things, the spirit of independence and the
sense of rectitude urge him on to condemn a system

and censure a practice which the best instincts of
his nature know to be false. It cannot be denied
that Lord NAPIER has not extricated himself with
great skill from the difficulties of his position in
taking leave of the Embassy at St. Petersburg
on his recent departure for Berlin. A deputas
tion of English residents in the former city
waited upon his Excellency to congratulate him
upon the services he had rendered to the cause
of peace in Poland. Whereupon he made a reply
which, to speak in the mildest terms, we must
call thoroughly un-English and unsuitable in its
tone. It was all very well in such a plaoe to
abstain from those vehement expressions of sentis
ment, and refrain from the utterance of thatindig-
nation, which all honest men are supposed to feel
in looking upon the conduct of Russia to Poland.
Yet what need was there for a Minister represent-
ing the n3,jesty of England, in the presence of a
foreign Court, to mince matters to such an extent
that an ignorant peruser of his speech might well
believe that there was not much cause to find
fault with Russia after all. It is most deplorable
to meet with such language emanating from one in
so high a quarter. Lord NAPIER seems to lay un.
due stress upon the preservation of peace between
Great Britain and Russia. This is no doubt a de-
sirable result, but there are may other things of far
greater importance than this desideratum, and no
statesman who rightly understands the eternal
interests of justice, and the paramount claims of
humanity, will rank being on terms of amity with
a tyrant whose conquering power has crushed the
spirit and pressed out the life-blood of a gallant
people, beyond and above the duty of a great
country to express its just feeling of indignation
and contempt. Really, when we reflect upon the
tenour of this farewell address, we may be pardoned
for believing that the dekterious influences of aßus.
sian capital have exercised an injurious effect upon
the opinions of our ambassador there. We would
advise him to change his tune before be attempts to
address an English audience on the subject of
Polish wrongs and Russian policy. It will not do
to bring in the sedulous flatteries and adroit com-
pliments which sounded so well in the city of the
autocrat, and which do not appear to have sensibly
shocked those who heard them in that place. Lord
NAPIER declares that his object throughout the
difficult transactions in which he was engaged was
to furnish her MAJESTY'S Government with correct
news of the policy pursued by Russia. In doing
this he tried to speak as an " impartial" but in.
variably " well-meaning" judge, and he did not
allow himself to be blinded by the "passions of the
moment." This last expression, it is to be presumed,
must refer to having any undue sympathy for Poland
and judging from the speech before it may safely
be affirmed that no such charge can be laid to
his Excellency's account. He was supported in
his course, he declares, " by the kindness shown by
his Majesty the EMPEROR, and by the: confidence
felt in his intentions by his Excellency Prince
GORTSCHAKOFF." Really these last named indivi-
duals must have been made of stern stuff even for
the " hardy, rude Russ" had they refused to be
courteous and considerate to such a stanch ally and
determined well-wisher as the English ambassador
appears to have been. It may also be said with
truth that this is not an appropriate time for Lord
NAPIER to choose to "express oar sympathies un-
reservedly for a great nation governed by a good
monarch, labouring with firmness and calmness at
a remarkable change which is preparing for it—a
more prosperous future." The tone of this passage
is offensive to the recognised principles of our na-
tional code of honour. We cannot appreciate the
justice which showers benefits on one side and hurls
destruction on the other. The firmness of Russian
policy is pretty universally acknowledged, but it
may be a genteel name for a course of procedure
that keeps to its end regardless of means, and counts
for nothing all that should withhold a humane or
merciful man from going on. So far as we can see
from the accounts furnished of the policy of St.
Petersburg, the laws of God and man are alike vio.
lated, so that the imperial car may ride triumphant
over the foes who dare to oppose his way or impede
his progress. 13 dwelling upon this speech of Lord
NAPIER, it may fairly be asked why an English
NAinister should seek thus to palliate a course of
policy which is repulsive to the country'he repre-
sents, and alike adverse to its public and
private sentiments. If such cajoling protes-
testations and such fulsome flattery are necessary
to the maintenance of the peaceful relations he holds
so dear, we protest against their employment for
such a purpose, and declare in the name of that
freedom our forefathers have held so dear, for which
they have perished on field and scaffold, that such
peace may be bought at too high a price. To what
purpose were these inconsistent and unseemly
flatteries addressed to a monarch whose recent con-
duct in Poland has excited the just wrath and in.
dignation of all civilised States ? Surely it is
absurd, when we reflect upen the reproaches cast by
Earl RUSSELL at the Cabinet of St. Petersburg.
Another very unpleasant idea suggests itself to our
consideration when we read this address of Lord
NAPIER. Is he a fitting representative of our Go.
vernment at the Court of Berlin ? Will he carry
on his Muscovite method ? It is intolerable to think
that our diplomatic relations with a grasping Power
like that of Prussia are to be ruled and governed by
the style which characterises the words of this fare.
well address to the English residents at St Peters-
burg. With all due respect to Lord NAPIER'S abili.
ties and belief in his good intentions, it may safely
be averred that if such is to be the tone that cha.
racterises his policy he had better take a final fare•
well of diplomacy ; but it will not suit the views of
this country if we are to be forced to play the part
of courtier to the tyrants and despots of Europe.
It is not of the chief importance that we please the
oppressor in his might, but that we sympathise
with the oppressed nationalities who are struggling
for a ray of that freedom which shines upon us so
brightly.

It is no light task in these days for members to
present themselves to their co:stituents with the
view of expressing their sentiments on the chief
questions that agitate the political world. Accord-
ing to a good old custom they are, many of them,
in the habit of giving, as it were, a periodical ac-
count of their political opinions to their electors, of
enlightening them as to the successive acts of the
Parliamentary drama, and of adding a running
commentary on the words and deeds of statesmen
and diplomatists. A few years back this was no
very arduous task; Europe was tranquil, and the
oratorical politician had nothing more exciting to
dilate upon than Lord PALMERSTON'S last Chinese
war or Lord JOHN RUSSELL'S neversending, still
beginning Reform Bill ; but now what a troubled
vortex does he plunge into ! The intricate rela-
tions of England and Germany, the miserable
failure of our ill-directed c ff)rte on behalf of Den-
mark, the dismemberment of that kingdom, the dis-
putes between the two highway robbers over their
booty, the long struggle and cruel martyrdom of
the Poles, the rumoured alliance of the continental
despots, the terrible and protracted struggle in the
new world, and all the varied interests which it in-
volves in the old, all these vast and exciting topics
rise before the speaker of to-day. When to these
the member for the Silmarncek burghs thought

proper to prefix copious statistics illustrating the
buoyancy of our revenue, and to append a disquisi-
tion on the financial embarrassments of most of the
great nations of Europe, we shall readily admit
that he set himself no easy task. Such as it was,
however, he went through it very creditably, pro-
mulgating some rather singular theories, and in-
geniously evading some of those awkward questions
which modern reformers find it inconvenient to
answer. The good people of Kilmarnock were not,
it is to be presumed, quite so familiar with the
pros and cons of the Danish and American ques-
tions as their metropolitan countrymen, so that the
matters under discussion were a little less hacknied
than they would have been in London, The ex-
traordinary prosperity of cur national finances was
a subject which, whatever the dryness of statistical
de tails, is interesting to all classes of Englishmen, and
Mr BOUVERIE'S constituents could scarcely fail to
hear with satisfaction that notwithstanding the
large and repeated reductions in our taxation the
public revenue was steadily increasing. The less
gratifying fact that .Z 25,000,000 per annum of that
revenue goes to keep up our military and naval
establishments led to some observations by Mr
BOUVERIE on the point of these costly armaments.
He remarked that there was no immediate prospect
of any sensible reduction, and went on to show the
effect that the expensive alterations in modern
modes of warfare were likely to have on European
politics. The result of most mechanical improve-
ments was, he said, to cheapen the cost of predue.
tion, but it was a remarkable thing, and a thing
which the ratepayers have much to lament, that
hitherto all the inventions with reference to our
means of defence grow more and more expensive.
A yard of cloth or a piece of carpet does not cost as
much now as it did twenty or fifty years ago, but
guns and ships proved in inverse ratio. As Mr
BOU'YERIE pointed out to his hearers, one effect of
the great cost of the present means of attack and de-
fence will be that an enormous increase of power
will be thrown into the hands of the great Powers
who alone can afford to pay for them. Of old two
or three smaller States could combine against a
large one, and their support or attack were matters
of importance, but now they are no longer on a
level, however much they may unite their forces,
since their inferiority is no longer only a question
of numbers. Mc BOUVERIE observed that when
speaking to a Swedish gentlemen the other day
about the Swedish navy, he was answered that it
was useless for Sweden to attempt maintaining a
navy, for she could not keep pace with Powers that
could afford to spend two and three hundred thou-
sand pounds on one ship. Therefore Mr BOUVERIE
concludes that the smaller States of Europe will
henceforth be at the mercy of their more wealthy
and powerful neighbours, and according to the
principles now in vogue of non-intervention on the
one hand, and reckless usurpation on the other, the
prospect is not a cheering one. There is, however,
one thing to be said, it is not yet so absolutely cern
tain that the new vessels will carry all before them,
and that the old navies will be hopelessly useless.
The great weight and unwieldy size of our modern
ships may bring about difficulties in an engagement
which the old wooden walls escaped. Among the
many neutical lessons taught by the action at Tra-
falgar, the fate of the largest and most costly, but,
at the sime time, most cumbrous of the Spanish
vessels is not without its moral. Coming
to the aspect of foreign affairs, Mr. BOUVERIE
supports, of course, the policy of the Government,
and calls the virtual censure of the House of Com-
mons a party move to displace the Ministry. How
the hon. member contrives to reconcile his own
theory that it is the duty of groat States to protect
weaker ones from oppression with the actual facts
of the case it is not easy to see. Ho denies that
England should always be ready to support her
voice with her sword, but maintains that " there
are great interests of truth, justice, and right, i❑
which everything is attained by a strong voice
being raised to proclaim what is true, just, and
right at the time," although its remonstrances may
not at the moment be heeded. But he seems to
forget that England's voice is no longer strong,
for she has lost that moral force which goes with
the sense of power in reserve, When once she has
openly proclaimed that no act of oppression, ho we
ever violent, no breach of faith, however outrageous,
shall induce her to draw her sword, and that, come
what will, she will consult nothing but her own
interests, her words, although lofty, are powerless,
her threats, although boisterous, are contemptible.
Englishmen have felt too painfully the light in
which their diplomacy is held both in Continental
Europe and in America for any smooth assertions
of the wisdom and justice of the course pursued by
their Ministers to pass current at this date. The
American war, Mr. BOUTERIE, like most men,
regards as a hopeless struggle, after an impossibility
on the part of the North, and after proclaiming it as
an idle dream to suppose that the broken fragments
of the vast Republic could ever be reunited, he
quoted a passage from a work written fifty years
ago, which prophecied with singular exactness the
downfall of the United States. " I should say,"
writes Professor SMYTH, in his " Lectures on
Modern History," " that the great event to be ex-
pected is that this empire should break up into two
or more independent States or Republics, and that
at some distant period America may be destined to
exhibit all the melancholy scenes of devastation
and which have so long disgraced the continent of
Europe." The same melancholy prescience has been
shown by some of the more eminent of American
statesmen, and yet the people themselves, or rather
their temporary leaders, seem unable or unwilling
to recognise the fact, so patent years before toclear-
sighted men, Mr. BOUVERIE, while deploring the
charaoterof the struggle, paid tribute to the courage
determination of both combatants, and- con-
cluded a long and able address by deploring the ex•
cessive military establishments of the age. His
views found
,favour with his constituents, who
warmly applauded many of his sentiments, but the
general public will, we apprehend, be inclined to
temper its approval with a little mental reserve.