The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-07 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1863,

Within a comparatively brief period Europe has
been called upon to witness the overthrow of the
governments of her two most ancient States.
Though exciting the interest and sympathy of the
higher class of politicians from the glory of their
classie memories, heightened in the one case by
indignation for the wrongs inflicted by an irre-
sponsible despotism, Greece and Italy have long
been politically unimportant. It remained for the
year 18.59 to prove, in spite of disorganised States,
rival foreign interests, a long course of tyranny,
and a people unused to self-government,
that Italy was something more than "an
idea ;" that without attempting to emulate
the dignity of the CESARS her rulers might
hope to take a prominent part in European politics,
and to see their country duly ranked among con-
stitutional powers. The case of Greece is not alto-
gether similar. The hope, the interest, the indig-
nant sympathy which of late years we have given
8o freely to the Italians struggling for their liberty,
we felt for Greece some thirty or forty years ago.
The pages of two of our best known poets attest the
warmth of English feeling in the days of the
struggle with Turkey. The independence of Greece
was as favourite a theme with liberal orators in
the era of Navarino, as the unity of Italy
was in the time of Magenta and Sol-
ferino. It must be confessed, however, that
the result of the experiment was not similarly
satisfactory. One great obstacle to the indepen-
dence of both kingdoms during many generations
has been the fierce contentions, the jealous rival-
ries existing within themselves. The contest between
Athens and Sparta, the war of the Chioggia between
Venice and Genoa, have not been without modern
instances in feeling, if not in deed. During the
late outbreak, however, the Italians laid aside their
internal jealousies and dissensions, and with a
patience and a unanimity that did them honour, put
every other object second to the unity and
constitutional freedom of their common coun-
try, in a manner that leads us to hope
for the best results, when time and experience
shall have consolidated their constitution. The
Greeks, unhappy in the King selected, unhappy,
too, in the want of good faith and purpose in the
pecple, have presented but a melancholy spectacle to
Europe since their grand regeneration. The
overthrow of the late unpopular and effete dynasty,
swayed as it was by Russian influences, has been
long looked for as a matter of coarse, and it remains
to be seen whether the Greeks will learn from their
past failures, and profit by the opportunity now
fairly in their hands. Their almost unanimous
choice of Prince ALFRED as their future
Sovereign, however extravagant in a political
sense, indicates, we may hope, their determination
to have some substantial guarantee for the inde-
pendence and constitutional tendencies of their new
King. It was certainly not likely, after all the
evils brought upon them by Russian intrigues, that
they would have dreamt of selecting a nominee of
the CZAR. But the unanimity with which all
classes turned to this country, however little flatter-
ing to the two other great Powers of the Protecto-
rate, shows a faith in English disinterestedness and
uprightness Which may be a lesson to more ambi-
tious States. This confidence has been rewarded
on our part by the cession of the lonian Islands,
which, after Mr. ELLIOTT'S memorandum in last
night's Gazette, may be regarded as almost a fait
accompli. The surrender of a doubtful Protectorate,
which put us to heavy expense without certainly
bringing us much increase of dignity, will be no
disadvantage to this country. It will save us some
thousands a year, and in no wise weaken our in-
fluence in Europe. Mr. ELLIOTT'S communication
is couched in sensible and moderate language, re-
commending in the selection of a Prince the very
qualities most desired by the Greeks themselves.
Who this future Prince may be is yet uncertain ;
but the proposed union of the lonian Islands will

and as in the
naturally strengthen his kingdom,
present disabled state of Turkey he has little to
fear from foreign aggression, we may hope that he

will turn his whole attention to the consolidation

and improvement of his internal administration,
and, in accordance with the declaration of the Pro-
visional Government, maintain for Greece consti-
tutional monarchy and the relations of
all other States. peace with

The game preservers have met with a slight
check in their over-exultant application of their
Night Poaching Act. The magistrates have too
generally been eager to show that this act, filched,,