The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-31 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1864.

A remarkable argument against centralisation
has just now been put forth by M. 1e Comte DE
FALLOtX, in the pages of the newly published
number* of Le Correspondant. It appears there,
in that brilliant organ of one of the most refined
and intellectual classes in France, as an incidental
portion of a very discursive contribution, in no par-
ticular way it would seem, at the first superficial
glance, to be suggestive of the subject upon which
M, DE FALLOtI takes occasion thus casually, and
almost it would seem apropos des bottes, to descant.
It is the earliest among the ten contributions
making up the present livraison. It affects to be in
its very title nothing more than an " Introduction"
to a Religious Correspondence. Yet, when the
political argument, or, rather, link in the chain
of arguments here referred to, comes to be more
carefully and more deliberately scrutinised, it will
be foand that the thesis thus maintained by this
gifted thinker, and writer, and orator, in direct
antagonism to the fearfully repressive influences
of what is understood by us all as meant by that
one comprehensive word Centralisation, is a neces-
sary and an integral portion—is an all-essential
link—in what
we have, with reason, termed the
chain of arguments suggested by the original
subject here submitted by him to public corisidera.
tion. Without referring now to any other portion
of that same notable chain of arguments—each
b-
,,aowing, division of which it
may, however figura-
tively, be remarked has been conscientiously welded
into shape by M. DE FALLOUX upon the anvil of
reason—lye cannot refrain from directing particular
attention to the on 3 link already particularized as
relating in an especial manner to the deadening and
overwhelming system of centralization. And in
doing so we shall endeavour as much as possible to
let M. DE FALLOUX speak for himself—with this
difference only that it must be in our own language,
-What is here said has a particular application, as it
appears to us, at this present moment, a very particu-
lar and impressive application to what is now going

on in the North of Europe. The Count DE FALLOUX'
argument, it will be seen, points to the possible
advent of the time, to the inevitable advent of the
time, if events that have transpired, and that are
now again transpiring, are allowed to develope
themselves uninterruptedly, when the minor States
of Christendom shall cease to be absorbed into the
very few larger ones, when three or four mighty
potentates shall share among them the domination
of the whole continent.

Poland, wa know but too well in what execrable
manner, has long since been disintegrated and par-
titioned among its destroyers.

Denmark, though M. DE FALLOUX'S argument,
it should be said, in no way refers to it either
directly or indirectly, is now being threatened with
a similar subversion.

The considerations here advanced by M. DE
FALLOUX—considerations that seem to ourselves so
peculiarly worthy of examination, as applicable, in
their logical force, to the perilous position now
occupied by the Danish Monarchy and the Danish
Nationality as assailed by two of the Five
Great Powers of Europe, our philosophic and strictly
logical thinker lays before his reader in the newly
published licraison of is Correspondent thus
rhetorically. Those who are more and more for
the advancement of this scheme of centralization
which his soul abhors—he asks, point blank,
Have they realised to themselves what would
have become of human dignity and liberty
if the country of WILLIAM TELL had never
had the capacity to call itself Switzerland, if the
cradle of the DE WITTS and the land of the Count
DE INIERODE had never enjoyed the opportunity of
being distinguished respectively as Holland and as
Belgium, if a King of BAYARIA had never
enjoyed the power of creating an Athens in
the very heart of Germany, if a Duke DE
WEIMAR had never had the right to open his
Court to GOETHE or to Madame de STAEL ? What
propitious days ! he exclaims, at once for peace and
for liberty, when Europe shall count n o more than
three or four potentates of equal force, and cense-
quently of equal ambition, dominating from the
summit of their vast and irresponsible authority
over gigantic populations, having under their
hands, hero the railways ever ready to transport
their colossal armies hither and thither according
to their whim or pleasure, here the.electric threads
of communication as rapid as their caprices, as
imperious as their orders ! These considerations
surely are suggestive. And while we are musing
over them as they are here contributed by M. DE
FALLOUX is the pages of Is Correspondent,
our thoughts naturally, instinctively, inevitably
revert to Poland in the Past and also in the Pre-
sent, to Denmark in the Present and also in the
possible Future. The argument thus advanced by
M. DE FALLOUX is as a seed sown by the way :
and in the mind, in the heart, of every philosophic
thinker it will surely germinate.

A letter to the Times of yesterday, from the
Mayor of Sheffield, is fall of interest, and will
doubtless afford great satisfaction to many. It is
long since such a sudden and severe calamity took
place, and a corresponding excitement has been
aroused to meet the exigencies of the case, and to
provide for the emergencies that have arisen. Of
course in this instance, as in many similar ones,
there is found to exist some doubt and difficulty as
to the best means to adopt. Mr. JESSOP'S letter is
therefore most opportune, and his &ear statement
of these matters and forcible way of putting his
arguments leave nothing further to desire or de-
mand on the part of those who stood in need of the
requisite information and advice. In the first place.
he calls attention to the impossibility that exists as
to replying to the numerous inquiries that are con-
stantly being made regarding the sufferers. Doubt•
loss those individuals aro actuated by the best
motives in making their requests; bat, at the same
time, all who have ever had any experience in cases
of distress, must know the insuperable obstacles
that sometimes interpose to prevent compliance at
the period when the information is sought for. In
this letter we find a courteous, yet, at the same time,
a decided intimation that it is quite impossible for
the committee to attend as yet to the queries which
seek to know the most minute particulars concern-
ing the sufferers by this late dreadful disaster. It is
well that a distinct notion of this sort should gain
ground, as otherwise that large class called busy-
bodies might do harm by scattering the suggestion
that there is a want of care prevailing in the man-
agement of affairs at headquarters; Mr. JESSOP
goes on to detail what are the objects of the com-
mittee, what their first care was, and hew great was
the labour devolving upon them. All these details
are interesting and important, and those who have
no local connection with the spot must yet feel as
if they had some claim on the attention of those
who minister to the wants and wait upon the neces-
sities of the hapless sufferers; for now that this great
cfiliction has befallen them, we remember only that
they are our common countrymen in distress, and
seek to do our duty in bearing their burden and
alleviating, so far as secondary means can effect,
their cruel calamities. The General Committee had
ample employment in providing for the security of
the funds received from all parts, and also to afford
shelter and support to those who were in immediate
want throughout the inundated districts. Also,
there were other concomitant duties to fulfil, which
very likely the ignorant, inexperienced, or unini-
tiated would never dream of, but which were,
nevertheless, of paramount importance as regarded
the welfare of the parties concerned, and which,
moreover, entailed a vast amount of exertion, and
consumed a considerable deal of time. It was a
heavy task to restore all the places in the vicinity
of the visitation into a proper state again ; but this
has now been effected, and the Sanitary Committee
have given in a favourable report as to the probabi-
lity of the health of the town being affected by these
disturbing influences. The carcases of drowned
animals had to be
,buried with despatch, to prevent
the spread of fever, the mud and refuse removed
from the dwellings, and many other steps taken to
arrest the fatal course of infection and impurity.
The committee found one considerable object for
their labours in discovering the class who were in-
capacitated from continuing their employments
through the loss of their implements in the flood.
In order to supply the demands of this distressing
need, it has been wisely settled to appoint a branch
committee for this special purpose, and it is satis-
factory to know that already they have spent a
thousand pounds in the outlay occasioned by this
desirable undertaking. There is no better charity
than that which provides people with the means of
employment, and it is still batter to supply the loss
sustained by those who have hitherto maintained
themselves by their zeal and industry, but have
been arrested in the course of their honest
exertion; and paralysed in their useful and
energetic course by the pressure of a sudden
and supreme calamity, which comes like a thief in
+lse night upon them to blight their hopes and cloud
their ways. As for the relief of those who suffer
from loss of property, this involves a more serious
considcraticn, and it is necessary to wait and see
how far the sums apportioned to meet the distress
will enable them to bestow the desired relief. Mr.
JEssoP very truly observes that although these suf
ferere may possibly obtain a legal remedy eventuallyi

yet that they cannot afford to wait for the advent of
so tardy a succour, as to many " delays will be utter
ruin." The concluding paragraph of this commu-
nication is a very important one, and it is to be
trusted that it will meet with due attention. It
refers to the requisite amount of subscriptions, and
states that so far as it is practicable to form an
opinion, the sums already forwarded will not suffice
to afford relief to all who cannot afford to wait for
it. Instead, therefore, of propounding fruitless
inquiries respecting minutim which those who are
engaged in distributing succour have no time to
attend to, it will be wiser for all who aro willing
and able to assist to do so to the utmost of their
powers. There can be no cause to despond, for
when once the need is fully and fairly stated, it is
never found that a suitable response is not made for
the assistance of those stricken thus by a great
national calamity. It is very gratifying to meet
with this communication from one so well fitted to
impart the requisite and desired details, and nothing
now remains bat to wish the committee God-speed
in their efforts, and trust that a bountiful supply of
funds will flow in to replenish the stores for which
so many look with eager and expectant eyes.

The eagerness with which the arrival of American
news has been watched for since the outbreak of
the most disastrous civil war of modern times, has
rendered it a matter of some interest and impor-
tance that the vessels bearing the mails should lose
no time in the transit. A gain of a day or two in
the passage has been reckoned en enviable dis-
tinction, and the gratification always felt at the
prompt and satisfactory conclusion of a voyage is
in such instances anxiously looked for. With such
feelings, we may suppose, the crew and pas-
sengers of the good ship City of New York lay
down to rest on the last night of their voyage.
The perils of the journey were wellnigh over, the
waves of the Atlantic lay behind them, and the
shores of the Irish coast were drawing nearer and
nearer. A splendid passage, during which the
steamer's average rate of speed had been 300 miles
a day, was concluding in congenial fashion. The
weather was remarkably clear and the moon
ehining brightly, so that as the ship sighted the
harbour of Queenstown, all betokened a safe and
speedy termination to a remarkably favourable
voyage. But a sudden and startling change was to
come over the prosperous picture, and the vessel,
steaming into the harbour at the rate of 14 miles
an hour, with a cargo and sleeping passengers, was
all at once transformed into a helpless wreck—the
scene of the wildest confusion and distress. Daunt's
Rock, whose name is well known as a word of
terror to mariners in those parts, lay right in their
way. On its terrible ridge the ship was firmly
fixed, while the water rushing into her compart-
ments, the half-dressed and half-awake passengers
startled from sleep, and but half understanding
their danger, the signal guns and rockets fired off
in the hope of attracting assistance, all combined to
produce a scene of the greatest bewilderment and
confusion. Happily, confusion, fright, and loss of
property were the worst features in the case, no lives
being lost. This is itself a very great cause for thank-
fulness, but it behoves us none the less to inquire
stringently into the origin of so lamentable an
accident. Daunt's Rock, which lies to the south-
west of Queenstown Harbour, has long been
known to offer dangerous obstacles to navigation.
It has a succession of ledges, over which the City
of New York happily passed, becoming firmly
embedded on the centre ridge. Had she rested
on one of the outer ledges there is reason to
believe that the disaster would have been far more
serious, as the loss of life would most likely have
been considerable. So formidable was this rock
known to be that last year the Mayor of Cork
took oceasion to call the attention of the Board
of 'Trade tc the subjcet, pointing- not the great
danger to which ships and their crews were ex-
posed in entering Queenstown Harbour, and sug-
gesting that some steps should immediately be
taken with a view to preventing catastrophes.
He proposed that a lighthouse should be built
upon it ; or, better still, that some efforts should
be made to remove it altogether from so invidious
a position. Governments, however, have not got
much further since the days of SYDNEY Soma,
when, as we all know, it required the holocaust
of a bishop to obtain any necessary reform. So
now the circumlocution office, or the economising
office, or some other malign influence, hesitates,
and doubts, and demurs over urgently needed im-
provements until some great crash, some whole-
sale catastrophe sweeps away hundreds of lives
and millions of property, to the late regret and
tardy commiseration of those who might have
altogether averted the evil. Why, when the
dangers of this rock were so clearly pointed
out by a gentleman whose local office,
as well as his Parliamentary position, rendered
his words of weight, was not official attention im-
mediately directed to the subject, and practical
steps at once taken to provide a remedy. For the
sake of a foolish temporary saving, a valuable ship
has become a total wreck, hundreds of lives have
been jeopardised, a cargo of the most precious of
all merchandise just now is lost and damaged, and
all this anxiety, distress, and waste has been in-
curred in face of the plainest warnings. On the
appearance of Mr. lleGueßE's letter, we called
attention to it, strongly supporting his views.
There were two courses open to the Board of
Trade—either to erect a lighthouse or to destroy
the rock—but neither of these were followed. The
awkward question and the costly experiment wore
staved off to a more convenient opportunity, and
we can only rejoice that the lesson has been learned
at the expense of £ s. d. rather than of human
life ! Surely such a thing as this comes directly
within the scope of our Board of Trade, and it is
certainly strange and hard if our well-paid officials
cannot or will not see to such claims of paramount
force. It has been a mere question of delay ; for
assuredly the public will not be satisfied to leave
the matter where it is, or to suffer Daunt's Rock
to remain barring the passage into Queenstown
harbour, and strewing the very first and last miles
of the Atlantic voyage with great and needless
dangers.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYME:W.—Mr. Fechter, who
has been unable to appear in "Bel Demonio" for the last
fortnight, in consequence of an accident which ho met with
during the performance, will resume his original character
on Saturday night next, when the whole of the profits will
be devoted to the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the
inundation near Sheffield,

ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE.--The annual per-
formance in aid of the funds of the Royal Dramatic
College will take place at the Theatre Royal Drury-lane on
Wednesday morning, the 13th April next, at two o'clock.
The comedy represented will be " The School for Scandal,"
supported by Mr Phelps, Mr Sims Reeves, Mr Addison,
Mr Creswick, Mr Charles Mathews, Mr Buckstone, Mr
Compton, Mr Toole, Mr B. Webster, Mr Frank Matthews,
Mrs Charles Mathews, Mrs Billington, Mrs Marston, Miss
H. Simms, &c. Tho amateur orchestra, known as the
Wandering Minstrels, have consented to perform the music
on the occasion.

GREAT SALE OF WORKS OF ART.—A private view
of the valuable and choice collection of pictures
(ancient and modern), coin®, medals, gems, and various other
objects of art and virtu, formed by the late Mr. John Wat-
kins Brett, of Hanover-square, will take place to-day at the
rooms of Messrs. Christie, Manson, and Woods, where the
sale of this important collection will commence on Tuesday
next, and will continue for eleven days. There are upwards
of 2,000 lots enumerated in the catalogue, and the sale will
no doubt be attended by amateurs and others from all parts
of the country,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

THE HOLSTEIN ESTATES.
ALTONA, 111AncEt 31.
The deputies of the Holstein Estates will meet
at Kiel on Tuesday next.
They have been convened by Professor Behn,
Count Rantzan, Herr Reincke, Pastors Versmann
end Schrader.

THE ENGLISH NOTES TO THE
GERMANIC DIET,
FRANKFORT-ON-MAINE, MARCH 30.
The following is the exact text of the English
Note communicated to Baron Kubeck, the Presi-
dent of the Federal Diet, by Sir Alexander Malet,
the English Minister, an analyses of which was
forwarded yesterday

" MARCH 23.

" The undersigned, he: Britannic Majesty's En-
voy extraordinary, &3., has the honour to lay the
following communication, in the name of his Go-
vernment, before his Excellency Baron von linbeek,
&c., the President cf the high Federal Diet, with
the request that he will submit it to the Assembly
over which he presides.
" Her Majesty has seen the outbreak of hostilities
in the North of Europe with great regret.
" While taking a deep interest in the welfare of
the inhabitants of the Duchies of Holstein, Lauen-
burg, and Schleswig, her Majesty deplores the con-
tinuation of a contest calculated to threaten the in-
dependence of a State forming a component part of
the general European system, and contributing to
the balance of power,
" Her Majesty would equally regret, upon the
score of humanity, the sacrifice of human life which
the prolongation of the war would entail.
" Her Majesty has, therefore, requested the Courts
of Austria, Prussia, and Denmark to empower re-
presentatives, who should meet at a Conference, to
be held in London, the object of which is the deli-
beration upon the means to be adopted for the re•
establishment of the blessings of peace.

"The Governments of Austria and Prussia have
signified their readiness to send representatives to

such a Conference.

" The Government of Denmark has also signified
its assent to a Conference, provided such meeting
should be authorised to deliberate upon the basis of
the treaties of 1851-52.

"These treaties having been concluded under the
auspices of Austria and Prussia, and the arrange-
ments effected with Denmark having received the
approval of the Germanic Diet, her Majesty's Go.
vernment would have been quite disposed to accept
these treaties and arrangements as the point of
departure for the deliberations of the Conference of
1864.

" As, however, it is desirable to avoid all mis-
understanding, and the delay which might be ap-
prehended therefrom, her Majesty proposes to lay
down simply the following as the basis of the Con-
ference:—To find a means for restoring to the
North of Europe the blessings of peace.—The
undersigned takes this opportunity, &c.,

(Signed)

"A. MALET."

The second Note, containing the formal invitation
to the Diet to take part in the Conference, was for-
warded 04 the 26th inst. The text is as follows :

" MARCH 26.

"In reference to his Note of the 23d inst., the
undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of her Britannic Majesty, has the
honour to inform his Excellency the President of
the Federal Diet that it is the wish of her Majesty's
3overnment the proposed Conferences should be
opened in London upon the 12th April next. While
conveying to the high IfederalThet the invitation of
her Majesty's Government to participate in this
effort to restore the blessings of peace to the North
of Europe by instructing a representative to take
part in the Conference, the undersigned is desired
to inquire whether the period appointed by her
Majesty's Government would be convenient to the
high assembly presided over by his Excellency.
" The undersigned, es:c.,
(Signed) 44 A. MALET."