The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-31 00:00:00

Minister, in the course of his very remarkable
speech to the Senate on Thursday, " Let me be
allowed here to characterise the point at whizh
we have arrived, by pronouncing a phrase often
ased in this debate. The non posaumws that
we found at Rome, we now find at Turin.
(Great applause.) Well, then, in presence of the
political non possumus of Turin, as well as of
the religious non po3sumus of Rome, the EM-
PEROR has said ' Between those two extremes
there is a middle term of conciliation possible.
I wish to find it, and if the time has not come
to make it prevail, I will wait.' (Fresh applause.)"
In silence there is sometimes an eloquence. And it
is certainly noticeable, in this way, that during the
course of the discussion in the Senate at Thursday's
sitting, and more especially upon the matter of that
seventh paragraph relating to the Roman Question,
the Prince NAPOLEON did not attempt to open his
lips from the Tribune. By universal consent the pre-
se at interval is accepted as one of repose and postpone-
ment in regard to that Roman Question. And so
—without any momentary show whatever of
opposition or disagreement from any quarter, from
the lips of even one isolated individual—the seventh
paragraph was adopted.

and would only be a waste of labour, for the next I
change would make more dust than the last.
And where's the remedy for this ever-recurring
I
abuse? Let the people answer through their Re-
presentatives, and they through the Ministry. Not
w
own
da
they. The Ministry of the y ar
party, and no party can see any wrong in their own
Ministers, save when places ale refused to pay their
friends for the freedom of election ! Nothing so
natural. The "other side" does just the same, and
the poor country has the rare choice of the frying
pan or the fire. Nor is the "system" confined
to the Dockyards—patronage is never too proud to
stoop, be the gift what it may. Place has charms
beyond rejection. Every little helps, as JACK
would say, when asked what drink he would prefer
—rum or brandy—modestly settles the choice
by taking the rum while the brandy is being mixed.
So the wedge of patronage being once in—the
scale of promotion goes merrily on. Hence the
long string of officers on the Navy list that leads
" from glory to the grave." Why, we have at
present from nine to ten Admirals for every ship of
the line in commission, and as many more for every
hulk in ordinary. As for Captains and Com-
manders, we need not speak, nor yet of the poor,
neglected Lieutenants, whose number is legion, as
their ages are out of memory, with the hope de-
ferred that maketh the heart sick in their long look-
out for promotion—that day still being to them—

As the time for the meeting of Parliament draws
near, various symptoms indicate a certain uneasiness
in official quarters to bespeak public favour as to
the doings of those in power. Not that coming
events cast their shadows before so much, as to
bespeak the virtue of good intentions. So it is
with those members of Parliament who are anxious
to show off before their constituents just in time to
be too late. Nor is this the case with what is called
private members, but with publie ones also. Hence
the promising display about what would hay. been
done but for many untoward circumstances whioh
were altogether unexpected,—just as such and such
" a great gun" was preparing to be fired off. So
that a good excuse was deemed better than nothing,
and the frank speaker walked off laughing in his
sleeve at his too credulous constituents.

" The gay tomorrow of the mind,

Which never comes!"

They have 'Do influence, and their merit serves
only to embitter more keenly the hopelessness of
their fate.

We are not surprised to find that the reading of
the Address in the Prussian Chambers should have

given rise to an animated debate. The excite-
ment with which a crowded assembly awaited the
coming discussion was heightened by the announce-
ment of a Message from the KING. It referred,
however, merely to a trifling increase of invalid

pensions—the KING was not wise enough to anti-
cipate the concessions to which he will in all pro-

bability be shortly driven. Herr VON PYBEL, the
- -

The heavy burden of taxation is sure to find an
echo in every appeal to public attention—and for
the last few years with better reason than ever.
The army—the navy—civil and other departments
with more denominations, than any distinguishing
mark of utility to recommend them, to tend all to
swell up the enormous amount—and last, but most
uncivil of all, comes the iniquitous Income tax.
And how is the fathomless expenditure accounted
for ? By figures—figures—figures—drilled in
columns like so many files of soldiers drawn
up on parade, but explaining nothing—save that
they make a fine show.

chairman of the Select Committee, then proceeded
to read the Address, and spoke with remarkable
temperance and moderation of tone. He admitted
that the presentation of an Address had long been
a doubtful matter, but he maintained that the
document in question was not intended as a reply
to the Speech from the Throne, but rather as a peti-
tion of rights, and a prayer for the restoration of
the law. He insisted strongly on the right of the
Chambers to distinguish between the KING and his
Ministers ; and, referring to the rumoured intention
of Herr VON BISMARK to advise the KING against
receiving the address, he boldly asserted that in
such a case the Minister and not the Opposition
would be wanting in respect to the Crown. By
insisting upon this important distinction, the mal-

Now we all like a good show, but would rather
see more and pay less; not that we grudge to pay
a fair price for a good article, but we don't like to
pay for what we don't get. A splendid body of
soldiers looks imposing on a field day, but a noble
ship of war, proudly sailing before the breeze, is a
still more imposing and magnificent spectacle—

contents preserve a powerful stronghold. It proves
their desire to be governed by a constitutional
monarch in opposition to the rival claims of des-
potism and democracy. The personal respect and
loyalty which all sides expressed towards his
MAJESTY, though certainly somewhat unmerited, is
nevertheless highly commendable, and is a security
against those rash and dangerous extremes
into which reformers are often tempted to
rush. A remarkable fe ture in the debate
was the speech of Herr VON BENDA,
who in the name of his party, the Ronne faction,
gave in their adherence to the address. This is
important, as they had previously withheld it on the
ground that such petitions should have the assent
of the whole House. The speaker said, that the
Premier having now shown himself to be an undis-
guised Abolitionist, his friends had come to the
conclusion that an address of the kind proposed wae
unavoidable. Other members followed, upholding
the measure and maintaining the constitutional
rights of the Prussian representatives. At length
Herr VON BISMARK, Premier, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and ringleader of the mischief, rose in his
defence. His speech was received at the outset with
profound silence ; but when, after admitting that
in other countries other arrangements existed, and
declaring that the existing theory, namely, the
much prized charter, was incompatible with prac-
tice, he went on to assert that compromise had been
offered by the Crown and rejected; and reminded
them that the Crown had, of its own accord, re-
signed the 25 per cent. of additional income tax it
had claimed, shouts of derisive laughter broke from
the indignant assembly. A voice cried, " The
Crown cannot resign what has not been voted by
the house ;" this principle, however, is not in ac-
cordance with Herr VON BISMARK'S theory. His
argument is virtually this: The three great parties—
theCrown and the two Houses—must agree to enact
a taw. If they differ, compromise must be
aimed at. If the disagreement still continues,
the Crown must take its own course, through
its Ministers, and the Legislature has nothing
to do but to submit. How far this system
is reconcileable with constitutional government we
leave the Prussian people to determine. The refe-

"Walking the waters like a thing of life."

That ship is well worth her money, exclaim ad-
miring thousands. We glory in our navy, and so
we ought, for that is our true safeguard. But of
late years, nay, from time immemorial, our navy
has cost us yearly more than double the value re-
ceived for our money; for, what with never-ending
orders from the Admiralty,orders and counter orders
to the dockyards—one surveyor having a fancy for
building a ship after this fashion, and his successor
being of a different opinion, alters this and changes
that, until a third condemns the toy, for his own
particular satisfaction! Thus, labour, materials,
and time are all wasted. Hence the abuses in our
Royal dockyards.
We remember that some time ago the present
noble Secretary to the Admiralty, Lord CLARENCE
PAGET, made a great sensation in the House about
the necessity of naval reform. The noble lord was
then in opposition—for there is never any need for
reform when in office—then all runs smooth and
sweet; but to rouse attention, he charged those in
power with having smuggled away something like
five millions of the public money ! It was not Aote
the money went, in the navy, but the enormous
amount that staggered the good economists in the
House, for all knew that a great deal of the money
voted for the navy went to the bottom. Not so
always, for Lord CLARENCE tried to prove that not
a small portion sometimes went aloft. there was
a fine frigate, said he, that was begun by one offi-
cial, altered by another, cut in two and lengthened,
then she was considered too long, for no dock could
take her in, and finally she disappeared altogether,
the noble lord consoling the house by supposing
that she went to a better place !

But we are getting wiser now, if we may judge
by the papers, for we read of a ship just come
" above board " to the surprise of some, and the sor-
row of many. How she kept so long at sea, without
having gone to sea at all, is the wonder—but so it
is. The Active, frigate, of 40 guns, is that ship ;
her services by no means correspond with her name.
She was built some 18 years ago at Chatham, and
at Chatham she still remains ! Not on the stocks
—but afloat. When launched, she wes considered
to be one of the " crack " ships of her class, but was
never sent to sea. Now, this is a sample of how
they do it in the dockyards. And, if the reason is
asked, the cool answer is, " nobody knows." No
wonder the Naval Estimates are so heavy. The
Nelson, a fine three-decker, of 120 guns, was some
thirty years on the stocks; and, when launched,
was afterwards reduced to a two-decker, and she
has never yet been to sea! Her cost, taking
the interest of the money into account,
is something about a million and a half
without her having fired a shot in honour of the
immortal hero whose name she bears. This is how
the money goes! Bat yet the board remains. The
board never dies, be the party-colour red, white, or
Iblue—it is all one—one " system"—and no mistake.
Well, it may be asked, why build another ship of

rence of Herr VON BISMARK to the retention of

their salaries by the paid officials was as wanting
in logic as in good taste. He declared that the
acceptance of their customary salaries by the officials
in the ranks of the Opposition was a proof that they
considered the proceedings of the Government to be
constitutional, as if they thought the Ministry was
entering on illegal expenditure they would not be
entitled to a penny of their salaries. We do not
wonder that thin astounding proposition was re-
ceived by the Chamber with hisses and marks of dis-
gust. Such trifling arguments, however insulting
to the Opposition, are of no great moment, the
fact of real importance is the resolute man-
ner in which Herr VON BISMARK upheld
the pretensions of the Crown, and flung down his
glove in the face of the Assembly. " I insist that

The crisis is now becoming serious, and w© are
disposed to agree with one of the speakers who
expres his conviction that it was a quarrel of
which they had not yet seen the end. The aggres-
sive spirit which actuates the KING and his Minis-
ters appears to be unchecked even by the sturdy
opposition they hive provoked. The resolution of
the Chambers is equally undaunted, conscious as it
is of deserving and of possessing the support of the
people. The opening of the Session has proved as
stormy as the most gloomy forebodings threatened.
It remains to be seen what will be the aspect of
affairs at the termination of their sittings, and in
what form that termination will arrive.

ST. JAMES'S HALL.

CONCERT OF NATIONAL MELODIES.

The sixth entertainment of the series projected
under this title was given at the above rooms last
evening, to a very full assemblage, and with the
most unqualified success. The principal vocalists
on this occasion were Signor Guiglini, Mr. Lawler,
Miss Julia Elton, and Miss Banks—supported as
usual by Mr. Benedict's able choir; whilst the
harp executants again consisted of Mr. John Che-
shire, Mr. Frederick Chatterton, Mr. Ellis Roberts,
and their clever associates. The performance on all
hands was very excellent. The choir especially
distinguished itself—in a harmonization by Mr.
Land, of the charming " Thi ough the Wood" of
Charles Horn—and in their vigorous rendering of
the noble old sea s:Aig of Charles Dibden, " Hearts
of Oak," harmonized by Mr. G. Macfarren. Mr.
Ellis Roberts and Mr. John Cheshire were very
successful in harp solos on ,Velsh melodies, and Herr
Ganz in a fantasia on the piano. Miss Banks found
full scope for her sweet voice and true expression
in "The Last Rose of Summer," and " N‘Jar Wood-
stock Town ;" and Miss Elton was very pleasing
in her. two ballads, " The Minstrel Boy" and " My
Lis on the Cold Ground." The star of the
course, was Signor Guiglini, who was never
in
voice, and sang some of his most favourite
airsio bodging
with in
ail that tenderness and fervour which,
night,
better
ogi.
with the sole exception of Mario, leaves him with-
out a rival in Europe. His "Tu Warne," from the
Bohemian Girl, and his " M'appari Tult amer," from
Martha, were each a triumph in their way, and we
need not add were as vehemently as they were de-
servedly encored. Let us remark further to his
praise, that in each case the encore was assented co
with a readiness that did not detract from the en-
joyment of the compliance.

you are not entitled solely and exclusively to deter-
mine upon the expenditure of the State." " For
the rest I beg to assure you of our unshakeable de-
termination to stand by the Crown, and to protect
the SOVEREIGN against the unjustifiable preten-
sions you believe it incumbent on yourselves to
make." Such were his words, and they bode little
good. The speech of the late President of the
National Assembly was a crushing reply to the
lofty assertions of the Premier. With a quiet
satire he remarked that it was hardly necessary to
refute his arguments, since himself and his col-
leagues were about the only men in this quarter of
the globe who held such views of the elementary
principles of constitutional government. He re-
minded the House that no doubt was thrown upon
their right to vote the expenditure until
their refusal to assent to the new military
measures, upon which this s
asked the Ministers
e
discovery
wwhasy'imifn:eadsiattielelyy intisasdeert. He aed,the great body of the
people were with tflcm, they
shrank from dis-
solving the Chambers. He proceeded in a high-
spirited and manly strain to denounce theredmesipeoateidc
proceedings of the Government, and
them that never had the attempt been made with
impunity to force absolutism upon a people that
would not ii ear of it, and that HERR VON 13IsMABK,
with the whole official machinery of Prussia at his
disposal, would not succeed in stemming the tide of
popular will. This is the lesson which all despotic

dynasties have sooner or later to learn, and it is 1 LATEST INTELLIGENCE.
one which has always proved very unacceptable
alike to to the Hohenzollerns and the Hapburgs.

THE INSURRECTION IN POLAND.
ST. PETERSBURG, JAN. 31.

The Journal de St. Petersbourg of to-day pub-
lishes another account of the Polish insurrection,
which does not contain any fresh details. It con-
firms the news that numerous insurgent bands have
made their appearance at Bielsk and Byalistock.
The same paper publishes letters from Wilna, con-
firming the news from the province of Grodno, as
well as that concerning the general ch Iracter of
the insurrection, which has already been tele-

graphed.
The Journal de St. Petersbourg adds :
" Perfect tranquillity prevails in the military
district of Kiew."

WARSAW, JAN. 28, EVENING.

The insurgents have again received considerable
reinforcements from parsons belonging to the
better classes of society.

Mat y persons continue to leave Warsaw to join
,hem.

A detachment of insurgents has been captured
by the troops near Piotrkow. Among them were
two Russian officers, who were immediately shot.
The Grenadier corps of Lithuania is advancing
by forced marches.

It is said that General Wisocki is among the

insurgents.

SPAIN.

MADRID, JAN. 30.

It is stated that the Cabinet does not at present
intend to recognise the kingdom of Italy.
General Prim and Senor Oloz ga have come to
an understanding, and will both assume the leader-
ship of the Progressist party.
General Prim has gone to Valencia.
The Pueblo and the Epoca publish articles favour-
able to the settlement of the English coupons.
It is asserted that some deputies will shortly pre-
sent to Congress a bill relative to these coupons.

PORTUGAL.

LISBON, JAN. 24.

A rumour has recently been spread, it is sup-
posed, through intrigue, that the Bark of Portugal
is insolvent, but the mercantile community has
preserved its confidence in the establishment,
A disagreement has taken place between Senor Luz,
the Director of the Bank, and Senor Bessene, a
leading shareholder, and many curious details have
found their way into the public papers. The Bank,
however, is generally believed to be perfectly
solvent.

The law abolishing the use of passports in the
interior of Portugal has passed the Cortes.
The corvette Sagres has left Lisbon with sealed
orders. Some say she has gone to bring the Duke
de Saldanha to form a new Cabinet ; others
suppose she is bound for the coast of Africa, a sta-
tiou obnoxious to the officers, to deceive whom her
destination was kept a secret.
The Cortes are discussing the law of entail, which
will now either be abolished or considerably modified.

The subscription instituted in favour of the Bri-
tish operatives promises to give a good result.
The Warrior, Black Prince, Revenge, and Defence

are in port.
Exchange on London, 90 days, 541 ; Rentes, 471
to 47i.

FRANCE.

PARIS, JAN. 30.

Le Steele in speaking of tae debate on
the Address, remarks that there was but
one speech, that of M. Thouvenel, and one de-
claration of policy, that of M. Billault. It was
impossible to extricate oneself more ingeniously
from a difficult position than M. Thouvenel did,
and he retorted upon his adversaries with as much
boldness as dignity the reproaches they had directed
to him. M. Billault confirmed his words, and
the policy of the French Government may
consequently be thus defined. It wishes for the in-
dependence of ItPly. It wishes also for the inde-
pendence of the Pope, guaranteed by the patrimony
of St. Peter. It seeks to accomplish these views
between the King of Italy, who demands Rome for
his capital, and the Pope, who refuses obstinately
to cede the eternal city. Victor Emmanuel says his
laical non possumus, and Pius IX. his pontifical
non-possumus. Between these two incompatible
resolutions we wait —we wait. Such is the policy
announced by M. Billault. The French Govern-
ment has not changed its policy, it has only selected
new men ; it has hoped that fresh remonstrances
might be more effective, because they would issue
from the lips of advocates more acceptable to the
Romish Court.

L' opinion Nationale contains an article on the
question "Is France ripe for liberty ?" It answers
unhesitatingly in the affirmative to this important
query, and adduces various examples to prove that
it has been want of opportunity and not want of
will that has led to her being restricted in many
points of that political freedom which constitute
the honour and the strength of England.
In continuation of this subject the writer asserts :
—The State is too careful of us and gives itself too
much trouble. We are not so incapable as it sup-
poses. Let the Emperor, who has never had to
repent of his confidence in the French nation, try
to-day a new experiment; let him defy the timorous,
the dreamers of plots and revolutions; let him not
listen to those who tell him that 500 Frenchmen
cannot meet together and speck without conspiring
against his ruin. The truth is, that the nation is a
little irritated with all the useless precautions that
are adopted, and the eternal inaction in which a ell
intentioned Administrations seem resolved to keep
her. She loves the open day, the free air, and har-
bouts no mischievous designs and no dangerous
policy, let har rulers allow her to live an express
her thoughts, let them not tell her again and again
thal liberty is good for the English but that France
is not wor: by of it, and that before she is allowed to
put foot in the water she must prove that she knows
how to swim. All that the Government accords in
the shape of freedom it will be richly repaid in real
power and in the popularity of good will.

- The Constztutionnel enters its protest against the
Journal des Debats on the subject of the Emperor's
speech. It asserts that. the Journal des Debats does
not rightly comprehend the purport of t ,e Em-
peror's discourse, and confounds the spirit of party
with the spirit of liberalism. France has had
enough of change and seen enough of sedition.
She does not wish to resemble the republics of
America, which exist from day to day, carried on
in the interregnum of a civil war; she rather emu-
lites the proud position of realising the desires of
so many great men who have realised national
aspirations from Charlemagne to Napoleon in the
unity she now experiences, and the calm she at
length enjoys. The liberty of opinion is an honour
and a force ; it elevates the people who know how to
exercise it; and the Governments who accept it.
The liberty of parties, on the contrary, does nothing
hut attest the weakness of the social order, and the
inferiority of power, it leads to catastrophies by
anarchy.
liounsE, Jan. 29.—The market continues heavy
but prices are still firmly maintained, Threes being
now at 69tr. 80c. Little doing in it ilwav Shares,
and quotations remain nearly unvaxied. The mar-
ket closed as follows:
It per Cents .. 98 ---
Do cad month.... _ _
3 per Cents
Do. end month...„ 69 85
New 3 par Cents

-
Do. end mouth....
Credit Alobilier....llBo
Do, end momh.. —ll7B 75

Bank Shares 3400
Credit boncier
Piedinontese Fives.
Italian Loan 7O 16
Ruf-slan -
Austrian
Spanish Threes..., 52 75
IA own Deb+ 50 60

MEDICAL APPOINTMENT.—Mr.J.Jardinu Murray,
F.R.C.S.E., is appointed surgeon to the Brighton and Sus-,
mu Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye.