The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-20 00:00:00

JAN A. it Y 20, 1852,

LORD PALMERSTON.

- - - -
The more we reflect on the present condition of Euro-
pean affairs, the more are we impressed with the con-
viction that the man most required in the councils of the
British Empire, is he who, by some still unintelligible
manceuvre, has been driven to retire from them. Each
succeeding day and hour adds to our belief that the
ranks of the Liberal party cannot supply the place of
Lord Palmerston. Of his successor, in the title of
Foreign Secretary, we have already spoken, as a man
who, for his years and political standing, deserves the
reputation of ability. But that ho is capable of admi-
nistering the foreign affairs of this country, as the ex-
Minister could do, and has done, no one can pretend to
believe. In truth, ho is nothing more than we have
just described him, the titular successor to Lord Pal-
meraton's office; and it is perfectly understood that
his more important functions will be discharged by the
head of the Government, so long as it continues as
now :,constituted. Lord John Russell is now the real
Foreign Secretary, and Lord Granville merely such
in name. Indeed, as far as we can judge, the grava-
m"n of the charge against the ex-Minister is, that he
was something more than a mere official cypher. Ho
took, it appears, too large a share of responsibility
on himself, and deferred too little to the opinion of his
colleagues or his chief. His post is therefore conferred
on a less competent person, it being presumed that the
lees competent person will be more deferential. Lord
Granville will submit to a degree of interference in his
&tam-lent which Lord Palmereton would not endure.
The defenders of Lord J. Russell parade this as an argir-
meet, end a strong one too, in favour of the change made
in the Foreign-office, But we confess that we can discover
little value in it.

That the late Foreign Secretary should have been
jealous of intermeddling in the details of his official du-
ties seems to us very natural indeed. We presume that,
of those who think most highly of the present Ministers,
there is not one who imagines that any amongst them
understand the subject of foreign affairs as well as the
late chief of that department. A man of splendid
ability, vast experience, and—with a reputation, amongst
those who saw him only in his assumed character, of
pleasure-loving indolence—habits of severe and constant
application, all the rninutice of his vast and complicated
official' duties were as familiar to him as the names of the
European states are to an every-day politician. We
firmly believe that no one of his colleagues understood
the business of his peculiar office anything near so well
as Lord Palmerston knew that of his. To say so is to
detract nothing from the merits of the beat amongst
them, so much did his official experience exceed theirs.
But the fact being thus, is it strange that ho should have
been extremely averse to any interference in his de-
partment?
But are we, in fact, called upon to believe that Lord
Palmerston consulted his colleagues less than has been
the habit with the other leading Cabinet Ministers?
Has the Chief of the Colonial Office acted less on his
own responsibility, and more frequently sought the
counsel of his brother Ministers, than did the ex-Secre-
tary for Foreign Affairs? We shrewdly suspect that
he has not. We believe that Earl Grey has been just
as little in the habit of asking advice as Lord Palmer-
ston, and would be just as ill inclined to take it. We
believe, moreover, that such great administrative de-
partments as those of the Colonial and Foreign Offices,
never can be efficiently managed, except by placing men
at their head who will assume the risk of independent
action, and on whom, rather than on the Prime Minis-
ter, the country will throw the responsibility of their
administration. Such responsibility has, in point of
fact, always rested on Lords Palmerston and Grey, and
ene need but take up the file of the Times to perceive
that they, and not the head of the Cabinet, have been
invariably assailed in person for every act connected
with the foreign and colonial affairs of the empire
which that journal thought fit to censure.
We do not, of course, mean to contond that when any
member of an Administration does an act repugnant to
the general principles upon which it is understood to be
constituted, or which his colleagues believe themselves
called on to repudiate, they must acquiesce in his con-
duct, and continue to sustain hiss. If Lord Palmerston
has dissented from his colleagues on any important
question of policy, it could not bo expected that he should
retail his place in the Ministry, But no less cause than
this, we must say, would warrant the exclusion of such
a man at such a moment. And assuming that such has
been the cause of his exclusion, it becomes matter of
serious importance to ascertain whether the policy of
the ex-Minister, or that of those who retain office, is that
which the country should uphold.
For ourselves we own to a hearty and earnest ap-
proval of the mode in which Lord Palmerston has ad-
ministered the great department which he has so long
guided—to quote the words of Lord John Russell, in
the debate on the Greek question—" not as the Minister
of Austria, not as the Minister of Russia, but as the
Minister of England." A match for the wiliest of con-
tinental statesmen in diplomatic skill, he has never failed
to show the " pluck" of a gallant, manly nature, when-
ever the quality was demanded by the occasion. Equal
to his adversaries at their weapons, his own is that
which he grasps instinctively when a real danger
menaces. He is cautious without fear, and daring with-
out rashness. Never was a man of such a stamp more
needed in the councils of Great Britain.
In our admiration of Lord Palmerston's character, we
are not led away by any of what we believe to be the
very false notions which certain ultra-radical journals
indulge in respecting his opinions on domestic ques-
tions. We are far from thinking that universal suf-
frage, and vote by ballot, and equal electoral districts,
and the other quackeries of the day, would find favour
with a man of his intellect and experience. And really
it is too absurd to pretend that either England or Ire-
land demands those nostrums. The mind of the Empire,
just now, is fixed on more important topics. We may
be on the eve of a combat in which all the great princi-
ples of human freedom will be the stake at issue.
While petty artificers are devising their silly schemes
for remodelling the temple of freedom, the miner who
longs for its destruction may, already, be,working his
unseen approach to its great foundations. This is not
an hour for the small expedients or the little jealousies
of party. We want not a Government that can mend
the franchise, but one that can save the nation. Dan-
gers menace upon all sides ; we want men who will,
if possible, elude, but failing to elude, will dare to
face them. ilfe feel—now that he is no longer in
power, more than ever we did before—how thoroughly
fit for such an emergency is the late Foreign Secretary.
Many and many a heart rejoices at this moment in
the absence of this man from the Imperial Council, but
we fairly believe not one who does not hate England,
and who would not betray the cause of human freedom.
There are Irishmen, not a few either, who probably
chuckle at the perils that beset the country that has so
often and so foully wronged theirs. But their joy were
now a treason to the human race. There are conflicts
in which men are called on to stand sideside
by with
those who have most deeply injured them
and
theirs. In
that which we believe impending, the banner which
England must bear aloft can be deserted by no man
who will not by such desertion prove himself deserving
of execration through all time. The oriflamme of human
liberty and progress we would fight beneath it, though
the hands that reared it wore crimsoned with the blood
of our fathers, and hate of us and of ours were in the
bearer's heart. Surely we will not flinch from it when
upreared by a brave and honest, though it may be a
prejudiced and mistaken race.—Cork Southern Repo,

Prier

TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.
The monthly meeting of this society was held last
night at Exeter Hall, when a lecture was delivered by
the Rev. N. Hall, of Hull, on the subject of intemper-
ance. There was rather a numerous attendance, the
hall being two-thirds filled.
After a few introductory remarks by the Chairman,
the Rev. Mr. Foster, of Kentish Town,

Mr. HALL began his lecture by happily comparing
drunkenness in this country to an idolatry which not
only taxed its worshippers, but demanded the lives of
thousands of them every year. After showing how
drunkenness interfered in various ways with the physical
and moral well-being of the poor, he recalled to their re-
collection that the sum spent by the poor of this country
in intoxicating drinks was not less than 30,000,0001. a
year, and that the quantity of malt consumed in the
making of their drinks was equal to an amount of grain
which would have furnished bread for 3,000,000 people.
Mr. Hall then referred to a paper by Mr. Neison, and
which had been read to the Statistical Society, and showed
from it that the mortality among drunkards was exces-
sive; and that while the chance of life to a temperate per-
son of 20 was 44 years, to an intemperate person of the
same age it was but 15 years. He then quoted the opinions
of several of the judges, and other eminent men, to
prove the extent to which drunkenness had operated as
a cause of crime. With regard to education, he said it
was stated in evidence before a Parliamentary Com-
mittee, that where children were kept from school the
parents had generally been found to be of intemperate
habits. The rev. gentleman then drew a melancholy
picture of the effect which drunkenness had on domestic
comfort and peace, and concluded with a spirited de-
nunciation of the despotic sway of King Alcohol, and
of the seductions which be held out to the poor. Allu-
sions in the course of the lecture to Kossuth, of a eulo-
gistic sorf, were loudly cheered, and so was a spirited
denunciationof the despotism of Louis Napoleon, though
neither had much relation to the subject of bis lecture.
At the close of the fisst part of it an esplanade had
offered by Mr. Cruickshank of a statement
he
formerly made with regard to Dr. Cumming's
the question of teetotalism. Dr. Cumming
had
to
hopdinion on
denied
that he was an enemy to teetotalism. On
r
the publication, Mr. Cruickshank said thewithout
words Dr.
Cumming had made use of were "Be
temperate t
edition, Dr
being teetotallers." He hoped, in the
BO or be
Cumming would alter the words to
teetotallers."
and the Proceedings
separated.
having been concluded, the meeting

GLASGOW, JAN. 17.—Cotton—The sales of cot-
ton this week in the Glasgow market have been exceedingly
limited, many of the spinners drawing their supplies from
Liverpool, in consequence of the very light stock held here.
What few parcels have been sold have been at prices just at
a par with those of last week. The demand for yarns ha
slightly improved, with some tendency to advance in price.
Goods were taken off very cautiously without any materiel
Pig Iron— pig iron market
Our'
of importance
change in price.has been
very quiet during the week, and no change
has taken place. Prices are a little more in favour of buyers,
"6s. Gd., No. 1,
0
and to-day may be quoted for warrants at
g.m.b., at 37e., No. 1 Gartsherrie, at a% 91, cash, against
bill of lading.
The Town-hall of Windsor is about to undergo
considerable repairs, and when the works are completed her
Majesty intends to present the t
corporation with portraits of
herself and P gift
rince Albert. No •(observes the Windsor
Express) could have been more appropriate. The hall was
built in the reign of Queen Anprait e, and is being restored in
rtso
the reign of Queen Victoria.
Prince George of Denmark haveo long adornedfQuettesn
walls,Anne and
marked the date of its erection.
and Prince Albert will
restoration, 11°W MVO to fix the pried of it 4

THE PRESERVED MEATS OF THE NAVY.
TO THE EDITOR OF TEE SUN.
SIR,—My attention having been attracted by the
reports throughout the public press respecting the
preserved meat supplied for the use of the navy, and
being anxious of ascertaining the cause of such com-
plaints, I beg to state that I had the opportunity of
carefully inspecting the contents of several canisters
supplied to the Government stores, which were ex-
pressly opened for the purpose of giving my opinion
upon them. Out of seven which I saw open one was
in a perfect state of decomposition and of a very
offensive smell, so much so that the contents could
not even be analysed with safety. Another had the
appearance of pulp, forming almost a puree; though
unfit to be used it did not produce the slightest
effluvia. Two of the other canisters were in a state
of semi-decomposition, the remaining three were fit
to be eaten, but not likely to keep for two or three
years longer, as supposed by the contractors. In the
latter I found the meat of good quality ; the only offal
was a piece of ox. heart in one of them, which though
objected to in the contract, is certainly eatable, and
capable of keeping, as well es any other parts
of the
animal. The dreadful decomposition contained
to a
contained in
the first canister is, in my oaring opinion, o
quan-
tity of unextracted air concealed in the meat, and
which is at all times very pernicious to preserves of
every kind; the second I attributed to the meat not
being quite cooked enough ; the third and fourth to
the jelly mixed with the meat, in which vegetables
are boiled to give flavour to the stock; the bulk of
the meat is also rather too large, each canister con•
taming from 101 b. to 121 b.; and another thing I fear,
from the appearance of each canister, is, that they
have been painted when quite hot.
After a profound consideration I do believe that
almost any one might be deceived on the delivery of
those goods, which in appearance at the time were
probably in a good state, provided nothing more than
what I foundin them was introduced. Understand-
ing that five cases out of every hundred were opened
before they had been accepted by the members of the
Victualling-yard, I consider that number a very fair
test.

Therefore, I would strongly advise for the future
(especially if those preserved meats are to be cured
abroad, as the last contracts appear to have been done,)
that official persons, well acquainted with that impor.
taut process, who only require cleanliness, care, and a
little judgment, be appointed to examine the quality
of the meat, not only when preserved, but also in a
raw state, and previous to the purchase of it by the
contractors, in or out of England ; and it would be
even more gratifying if Government were to under-
take it, and cause those preserves to be done in the
various victualling yards, where abundance of room
is there unoccupied.
No canister besides ought to contain more than 61b.
of meat, the same to be very slightly seasoned with
bay salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs in powder, such
as thyme and bay leaf, a small quantity of which
would not be objectionable even for invalids.
That no jelly be added to the meat; but that the
meat, and the meat alone, should produce its own
jelly ; and that with the bones and trimmings of the
above a good stock should be made without veget-
ables, well-reduced and skimmed to form a very
strong transparent demi-glaze ; and that 61b. canis-
ters should be filled with the same, bearing a special
mark, and one of these allowed to any dozen of the
others, this demi-glaze when diluted in water would
make six gallons of very good broth, with which any
kind of soup could be made in a very short time ;
otherwise, divide it into portions with the meat.
Ordinary vegetables of any kind—so very beneficial
on a long sea voyage—may be easily preserved sepa-
rately, at a trifling cost, with the greatest facility,
and used in perfection in every climate.
As a well-wisher to the naval profession, of which
you so justly take a national interest for its welfare,
I beg the insertion of this communication in your
esteemed journal.
With high consideration,
I have the honour to remain your obedient servant,
A. SOYER.
Gore House, Kensington, Jan. 17.