The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-27 00:00:00

SUN,

T E

LONDON,

violence to public feeling, or rather, we might say
with greater truth, by ahang in obedience to the
national solicitude. The Lords Commissioners,
moreover, are fortunately at this juncture presided
over by a sailor insi:ead of a civilian, and by a sailor
no less popular and no less influential than his Grace
the Duke ,
Lee J.Juise of NORTHUMBERLAND. It, was with a satis-
faction only inferior to that which witnessed the con-
tinuance of the Duke of WELLINGTON at the head
of the Horse Guards, that the people of England ob-
served the appointment of the Duke of NORTHUM-
BERLAND to the head of the Admiralty. They were
rejoiced—and no wonder—to perceive the maritime
service of the greatest naval power in the world en-
trusted once more to the management of a distin- '
guished member of the profession. At the period
when the names of the DERBY Cabinet were first
gazetted we ourselves expressed the unfeigned satis-
faction with which we remarked the advent to power
of one or two of the administrators enumerated—
preferring an open foe to a merely nominal friend,
and having a somewhat larger partiality for
en able than fur a decidedly incompetent
member of a Government. It was in this spirit that
we hailed with a sentiment almost amouitiog to
relief the displacement of an administrative ignora-
mus like Sir CHARLES WOOD by a man of the people
as indisputably capable as the present CHANCELLOR
of the EXCHEQUER. From a nearly similar emotion
of relief—relief after so many chagrins, anxieties,
and disappointments—we expressed at once the gra-
tification with which we notified the removal of
Sir FRANCIS BARING from the Board of Admi-
ralty, to make way for Rear-Admiral his
Grace the Duke of NoaTnuainsueaND. Latterly, it
is true, there had been some important concessions
made by Sir FRANCIS BARING and his colleagues in
reference to points upon which public opinion had be-
come both unanimous and importunate. Still those
concessions were so peculiarly restricted in their
character, and were only extorted by such painful
pertinacity of demand, that we exulted at the pros-
pect of na&ri coming into office more qualified to
pronounce upon the suggested necessity for improve•
ment, and calculated to develope the energies of the
Royal Navy by a wiser and more active scheme of
administration.

As illustrative of the most remarkable among the
reforms required in the maritime service we would
now especially direct the attention of the public to
the extraordinary proof recently afforded of the ad-
vantages of the screw propeller as applied to the pur-
poses of navigation, From the New York intelli-
gence just received it will be observed that the prin-
ciple of the screw had, in the instance of the Great
Britain, achieved a success such as remains altogether
without parallel. Although encountering peculiarly
unfavourable weather, that splendid vessel had accom •
plished her passage across the Atlantic solely by the
employment of her steam power by means of the
screw propeller (her sails being rendered by adverse
winds unavailable) in thirteen days and four hours—
having on the 12th instant, run a distance of 301
miles in 24 hours—a speed never b3fore attained by
a screw steamer. It is worthy of remark, moreover,
that throughout the entire voyage the engines were
never once eased until the noon of the twelfth day from
starting, and then only for the purpose of obtaining
soundings. Yet, according to information of an
authentic character, which we have received from
New York, the return voyage of the Great Britain
might immediately after her arrival at the United
States have been commenced as far CS the machinery
was concerned. Surely this is a very memorable
demonstration of the efficacy of that screw power
which we have long yearned to see more generally
employed in the Royal Navy of England. Re-
peatedly as we have in these columns insisted
upon the advisability of applying the screw to
our ships-of-war, we have never more earnestly,
as we have certainly never more hopefully, called for
this reform than we do at the present moment, when
the Great Britain—" once more upon the waters, yet
once more"—hes thus marvellously illustrated the
benefits of the screw by her recent passage to Ame-
rica, and when at the same time we bear in recollec-
tion that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
are now presided over by ALGERNON, Duke of
Northumberland.

Conspicuous among the few improvements intro-
duced by Sir FRANCIS BARING and his colleagues to-
wards the close of their otherwise negligent administra-
tion, was the fitting up with the screw of a magnificent
vessel like the Royal Albert of 120 guns. Why,
may we not hope that this almost isolated example of
sagacity on the part of their immediate predecessors
will excite the generous emulation of the present
Lord Commissioners ? There are other ships now
on the stocks to which the same vitalizing or vivi-
fying power—the screw—might as judiciously be ap-
plied. Why not adopt the same principle which
has been deemed advisable in regard to the Royal
Albert, 120 guns, in reference to the Princess Royal
of 90 guns, to the Royal Frederick of 116 guns, to
the Prince of Wales of 120 guns, and to the Royal
Sovereign with the same formidable armament—the
four superb men-of-war now building side by side in
the dockyard at Portsmouth ? By acting thus be-
times the authorities at the Admiralty would be
preparing for the service an increase of power equiva-
lent not to four only, but to half-a-dozen, or possibly
more, vessels of the first class—vessels capable, when
thus completed, of carrying triumphantly through
" the battle and the breeze " for a portion
of another " thousand years " the "meteor
flag " which may merit being celebrated
once more by some future CAMPBELL. Supposing it
be found necessary, in order to apply the screw to
vessels already in course of actual construction, as it
has already been found necessary to cut them in
two, let them be so dealt with, and, if
it be possible, let them be likewise transformed from
cumbrous three-deckers, with unnecessary armaments,
into two-deckers, each with an armament of 100
guns, like the St. Jean D'Acre, now build-
ing in Devonport. The decrease in the num-
ber of the guns might be readily compensated
by an increase in their calibre—the screw
propeller meanwhile imparting to the vessel thus
constructed a principle almost equivalent to that of
vitality, a power almost comparable to that of actual
volition. It is worthy of remark, by the way, that
an improvement somewhat in the desired direction
has been latterly observable in the peculiarities of the
structure of our comparatively recent men-of-war
While the Queen, one of Sir WILLIAM SYMONDS' first-
rates, of 110 guns, has a tonnage of 3,104, the
Albion, a second rate, of 90 guns, and the Aboukir,
another second rate, with the same armament, have
respectively, the first a tonnage of 3,110, and
the second of 3,o9l—both likewise from the hand of
Sic WILLIAM SYMONDS. Together with changes
like those already specified, we should rejoice to
witness a different arrangement in regard to the
system of manning the Royal Navy of England, ac-
cording to the scheme repeatedly suggested by our-
selves, and one the value of which we feel confident is
generally recognised by the profession. Under this
improved system, we should then be spared the
chagrin of witnessing the dispersion of the
efficient and experienced crew of the Su-
P_,"b, now on the eve of being paid off—
: isailor being, under those more rational
Mations exchanged (of course, with holiday inter-
vals), from one ship to another, being engaged, more-
over,orfor five instead of three years, consecutively.
innovations, such as these, we have long looked,
but hitherto, alas t
series of changes in vain : let us hope that a benefi-
centanges may at length be witnessed,
changes for the concession of which the country will
th
be indebted to
e present Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, presided over by his Grace the Duke
Of NORTHUMBERLAND.

The article which appeared of
:dtnwot.efil dwelt
Nevertheless,
son
inter"
which
m the Paris Presse of
gynratia:noa!e•lcehhn. lautreip re s e ntative, M.
will be found in
is replete with
yesterday from the
of
fotshtility
COLLARD, and to
character. The
amongst between the
us
000uorsisduenaramtiaoroys ofof
afovreeri
by
somee Channel being
pro-
babilities of threbyaeengncui
two great nations at either side
wreikthinndloedorhdainvae
a " phobia " is got well on foot in En thoughl when
mg and it flou-
rishes most vigorously in its season, we
to cherish an extreme degree of sceptic:: continue
as to the
likelihood of a collision Letween the two
greatest
the European nations, which would be butof
a
sangui-
nary absurdity, disastrous and disgraceful to civiliza-
tion, and most pernicious to the substantial interests of

both peoples. It is not owing, certainly, to any lack
of zeal and perseverance on the part of certain emi-
nent organs of public 'opinion in vituperatieg and vi-
lifying the extraordinary personage who presides over
the destinies of the French Republic by the universal
acclaim of its citizens, that a very bitter feeling of
enmity towards this country is not excited in the
breasts of the ruling powers of France. Yet such is
the sense generally entertained of the friendly inten-
tions and prudential views of the PRINCE PRESIDENT,
that even capitalists have taken no serious alarm as
to the interruption of friendly relations between the
countries. " War," truly says the writer in the
Presse, " between France and England would not
only be a war between two powerful nations, but it
would be Europe shaken to its foundations ; it would
be the whole world given up to murder, fire, and de-
vastation." The consequences would indeed be in-
calculable; but we cannot believe so far in the retro-
gradation of political common sense as to believe
that any differences, should any such arise, would
not have as fair a chance of being pacifically
arranged, as when the relations of the two countries
were deeply affected on account of the affairs of
Greece, no very long time since, yet without any
perturbation of the general peace. "In 1840, at the
time of the events of the East, war was still pos-
sible, but it did not take place; in 1850, at the
time of the affairs of Greece, it was no longer pos-
sible." Noe—without entailing results of indescrib-
able calamity, in consequence of the equal domina-
tion of England and France over the interests of
mankind, though by different means; the one ex-
tending her domination to the most remote countries
by her immense commerce, the other, by her
natural position a rival to England on both
seas, by her army a most influential con-
tinental power, thus counterbalancing the
influence which England exercises in other parts
of the world. Two mighty, but younger empires)
Russia and the United States, complete the universal
political equilibrium. So, that were an obstinate
war to break out between England and France,
the whole world would be dragged into
it, however desirous of constraining them to
peace. A fearful responsibilty ! and what would be
the results ? "All that France might lose in in-
fluence on the European continent, Russia would
gain, and Russia is the rival of England in Asia.
The increase of her power would be a diminution of
the English power. England victorious, but ex-
hausted in men and money, would see the Czart com-
mand at Constantinople, advance towards the interior
of India ; and she would be fortunate if some of her
possessions did not escape her by declaring them-
selves independent. Victory for England would be
as terrible as defeat. All that England might lose
on the seas, where France possesses almost
nothing, would profit to the United States,
and the American Union is the rival of Eng-
land, in North America, for Canada ; in the repub-
lics of the South, in China, &c , fur commerce. The
American union by its ports on the Pacific Ocean is
in the centre of that action. England conquered,
would never regain her supremacy. 'What
would France gain ? Nothing. Some glorious
pages added to her history, some flags blackened with
gunpowder, to suspend from the dome of the Inva-
lides, some names to transmit, to posterity— such would
be the prize she would obtain from the blood of her
children, and the immense sacrifices she would have
imposed on herself. A conflict would cause the
twellenctmes in the cradle to become men.' But in
this conflict England might lose her commercial
power, which is her life ; whilst France would risk
her blood and treasure."

These and the like prudential considerations we
sincerely believe to actuate the minds of the think-
ing French community. Of course, however high an
opinion may be entertained of the good and peaceful
intents of one's neighbour, it is fatuity to assume an
attitude of non-self-protection, provocative of insult
or peril. Self-respect should debar that puerile
ostentation of weakness which some would have us
exhibit, and therefore it is that we have ever upheld
the justice and expediency of maintaining an internal
force of respectable efficiency, and especially of up-
holding in ample strength that true bulwark and
unconquered champion of the nation—the British
Navy. But, humanly speaking, and putting mere
feelingi'of philanthropy aside, we look upon those
of self-interest to be so powerful as to
guarantee most satisfactorily the improba-
bility of aggression on the part of France.
Whoever might be the actual French ruler, were
he insane enough to contemplate, and unfortunate
enough to be supplied with, the necessary means of
attempting or even effecting an invasion of England,
he would, sooner or later, however speedy or pro-
tracted the results, be but compassing his own down-
fall and destruction. And we believe Prince Loiis
NAPOLEON to lse possessed of too much foresight,
caution, and knowledge of the world, to give a mo-
ment's serious consideration to an outrageous project
which, if it ever be attempted to be carried into ex-
ecution, will be when the Red Republic comes
to be established in France, and the affairs of
England administered by a Committee of the Peace
Society.- - -

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
There is an article of enormous length in the Presse
on the tumours, or rather the speculations, about a
war between England and France. The writer
shows that neither country has any thing to gain by
war, and that each has much to lose. France, he as-
serts, has no intention of a war, and England, even if
such intention exist Al on this side of the Channel, has
too many reasons of interest to allow it to prevail.
As to the hest guarantees for peace between the two
nations, the first is the certainty that Governments
cannot, re they used to do, plunge into war without
the full concurrence of the p . ople, and although there
may not be at this moment the same mode of mani-
festing the will of the French nation as there Wei
under the constitutional regime, public opinion has
still its means of expression, and will make itself
heard. Secondly, and this, pahaps, is the most cer-
tain guarantee for peace, we are to consider the enor-
mous change that hes taken piece in the means of war.
Each country has produced of late years an immense
number of improvements in the means of destruction.
War would be no longer a game of ambition for
officers aspiring to higher grades, for the probability
is that in a single campaign nineteen of twenty would
be destroyed. War would no longer be the risking
of a few regiments or a few ship, or a loss of a small
portion of trade in the hope of destroying the means
of the antagonist to a much greater extent; it would
be the destruction of one power, and an exhaustion of
the other in an almost equal degree. It is to be
hoped, too, that the sense of moral obligation has
gained ground with the progress of civilization, and
that rulers as well as nations will reflect twice
before they sin once.
The Assemblee Nationale, in noticing the recent
conviction of some booksellers for publishing works
dangerous to morals, comments at great length on the
romances of GEORGE SAND and other Socialist
writers, and shows that they have produced a very
injurious eff..ct. The remarks of the Assemblee are
but too well founded. If the works to which it
alludes bad b. en at once suppressed, it is probable
that the movement for which they prepared the way,
and which has been so destructive to real liberty,
would never have taken place.
The gendarmerie of the Seine assembled on Tues-
day in the Salle des Pas Perdue of the Petals de
Justice, and took the required oath before the bar of
the First Chamber of the Civil Tribunal of Premiere
Instance.
A circumstance is worth mentioning, as contra-
dictory of the rumours which have been flying about,
of the consummation of the long-talked of fusion be-
tween the Legitimists and the Orleanists.
A few days ago it was pompously announced that
the Count DE CHAMBORD was about to arrive at
Wiesbaden, and that at the same time the Orleanists,
having at their head the ex-QUEEN of the FRENCH
and the Dukes DE MONTPENSIER, NEmouas, and
AUMALE, would wive at Ems, which, observed a
Paris Ministeriel journal, is distant only a few leagues
from Wiesbaden, thus leading the public to believe
that the two branches of the Bourbons had planned a
meeting. We now learn from the Brussels journals
that the Duke DE MONTPENSIER is On his way to
Ostend, on his return to Ti.ngland. This is rather a
round-about journey for a visit to Erns.
The PRINCE PRESIDENT of the Republic has sent
M. MERY, an elegant pin for his poem Le Retour de
l'Aigle, and a handsome pair of diamond earrings
to Mlle. JUDITH, for the manner in which she re-
cited it at the theatre of the Tuileries.
The Bourse was
65c. for the end of the
again heavy, with little speculation
.9,t.. 75e ,
and closed at 99f going forward. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. opened
at 9
mot"; the, Three per Cents. closed at 701. 65c.; .Or-
leans Railway Shares, 1,199 f. 50c.; Rouen, 7721.
50c.; Havre, 285 f.; Great Northern, 586 f. 25c; Avig.
non, 315 F.; Vietaon, 5911. 25c.; Basle, 243 f. 75c.;

SPAIN.

Bordeaux, 618 f. 75c.; Paris and Strasburg, 556 r. 25c.;
Tours and Nantes, 371 f. 23c.; Paris and Lyons, 611 f. 25c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCP A.IsIGE, ➢IAY 26.

Dutch Rhenish, VA—Great Indian Peninsula, 6% --Ditto.
51A_Namur and Liege, 65/B—Northern of France, 23—Paris
and Strasbourg, 21541—Western of France, 71/2.

Madrid journals of the 21st have arrived, but their
contents are without interest. The Esperanza,
which had suspended publication at the same time as
the Herald°, has made its appearance.
The Three per Cents. were done at 43; ; the New
Three per Cents, at 21i ; the Debt of the Fast
Class at 88; and that of the Second at 5 5-16.

THURSDAY EVENING, MAY