The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-03 00:00:00

._______---

1 vtC
'7

7-' / >1

~...,11' 1/4-. •,-
V-4:',N - - ' - --4
x.. , ,-.5 41‘ •,,,r•-•', - e'liA,-
34 4_ .----- ry ~ ,r• , .......
' (17`)I"
/illitars"ii .1/3 it '• - .
....,
7,1
07-..... / ----, .-.._- -\ ,
' et, 41 ME , .4., iIN „ ~,,,-\ ~ 4..,‘ - •
,_ c,,.. DIE ,,,1 .t., villo. \ ~ Old ,f 1 ,„7, ~,
lit ‘,4041t, *', i,t.' 4 lill,i l''''
.Caer?"' -Dnorr. w' 4
, • ~, ~i __•••

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 3, 1803,

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

is described as a vessel of peculiar form, " resem-
bling somewhat the shape of an egg." If the
accounts which we have received of this vessel are
to be relied on, she has been constructed on the
principle of elliptic sEctions—her side presenting
no one spot to the aim of the artillerist that can be
hit fully and fairly by either a round or flat-headed
shot.. The p!an of constructing a vessel upon the
more scientific principle of the sloping, angular, or
elliptic side, from off which the shot, according to
all natural laws, must glance, is the principle
which we have always advocated, and is the only
one which affords any real hope of making a ship
invulnerable to the terrible ordnance now in use.
Another great advantage which this newer form of
vessel presents over any other consists in the in-
creased power of buoyancy and floatation which
will be gained by a reduction of the thickness of
the armour plates, a reduction in this more scientific
form, it is calculated, will readily admit of. It is a
noticeable feature in the construction of the newer
ironclad vessels in the Federal navy that they are
being mostly fitted with a double screw. Some
time ago we gave a lengthened account of the suc-
cessful trial of the Flora, double screw propeller, a
vessel built by Mr. Dudgeon, shipbuilder, of Lon-
don. We also pointed out, in a leading article
bearing upon this subject, the immense advantages
which the adoption of the double screw propeller
would afford if appal" to our own ships of war.
Notwithstanding alt7:46at ittlB been said upon this
subject, and the fact of the Admiralty engineer
having been present at the trial, and that he reports
favourably of the experiment, we regret to say that
up to the present time we have not heard of any of
her Majesty's vessels having been fitted with the
double screw. Now, if we could only succeed in
persuading every maritime Power in the world to
abstain from introducing new inventions and im-
provements, our position at the present moment
would be an unenviable one; but as we do not pos-
sess this power, England has the choice, therefore,
of tir o courses open to her, either to keep pace with
the inventive spirit of the age, or to relinquish her
position as the leading maritime Power.

TlMES.—Thirty millions a year are we now pay-
ing because on the Continent of Europe one na-
tion of immense martial energy, great pride,
and great ambition, possesses an uncertainty of
temper which has often caused it to abandon the
pursuits of peace and turn its arms against our-
selves or one of our neighbours. We are suffering
also because another Empire, the Chief of which is
heraldically the that personage in Europe, until it
conciliates one disaffected prov:nce and cedes
another, is liable at any time to invite by its weak-
ness another war. We pay for all, and as long as
Europe is unsettled we are likely to pay. Each
spasm of the " sick man" at Constantinople affects
the British householder; each vagary of sentimental
or martinet Royalty at Berlin tends to keep up the
disquiet which can only be allayed by expensive
preparations. Not a petty Prince can quarrel with
his subjects in any part of the Continent without in
some degree affecting the British Budget, for it is
impossible to say what even a provincial squabble
may bring forth. The Servian question, the Greek
question are but the types of those which cannot but
yearly arise, until Europe has settled down into the
new forms which the general craving for nation-
ality, liberty, and equality, among the Continental
populations demands. We have, laoweier, now
seen the worst. The inordinate expenditure of all
the Continental nations has sobered Princes and
peoples. Both the rulers and the governed are be-
ginning:to find that greatness may be purchased
teo dearly. Even national regeneration may lose
its advantages and its glory if the new-born State
comes into the world crippled with debt. Hence
there are abroad signs of a hopeful reformation.
France at last has begun to recognise that her
vast armies are a terror to herself as well as to
surrounding nations, and it is but just to say that
her Emperor loses no opportunity of impressing on
other countries that he is sincerely peaceful. Seldom
has a New Year's-day passed away more quietly
than the last, and the few words uttered by Napo-
leon in reply to the congratulations of the Diplo-
matic Body were of satisfaction at the quiet of
Europe, and of hope that peace would be preserved
in the year that has just begun. Some interest was
felt in this year's reception at the Tuileries, for it
was known that on many subjects the Emperor
had something to say, and could, if he chose, put
all the Exchanges in trepidation. He might an-
nounce an Ultramontane decision on the Roman
question, or, on the other hand, cut to the heart the
Nuncio who stood before him by a few bitter and
ominous words on the obstinacy of the Pope. Then
his intentions with regard to America have been the
subject of some anxiety. It was thought that he
would not have gone so far unless he intended to
go further, and the recent victory of the Confede-
rates might have given him occasion to intimate his
future policy. Words of menace dropped on one or
two New Year's-days have made both diplomacy
and commerce very excitable just at this period.
All, however, has gone off well this time. The
Emperor tells us briefly, but explicitly, that, as far
as France is concerned, the peace of Europe will
not be broken in the year 1863. Rome may be
obstinate, Italy irritable, Austria defiant, but there
will be no angry response on the part of the Empe-
ror. Gratified ambition, the consciousness of having
gained for himself a place in military history, com-
bine, with the respect which is shown to him on all
sides and the advance of age, to make him pacific in
his tastes. The great material progress of France
and the increased centring of all continental civili-
sation in her capital cause the people to be every
year less desirous of war with the neighbouring
Powers, even to secure territories which were until
lately always in the minds of patriotic Frenchmen.
Not that the old passion has entirely passed away.
The Emperor is too full of Bonapartist traditions ab-
solutely to forego military enterprise. In his theory
of supplementing by the Second Empire everything
in which the First failed, the design of founding
transmarine dominions seemingly holds the first
place. We see the effects of this in the expedition to
Cochin China ; in the still more important and costly
invasion of Mexico. But such a diversion of policy
is a gain both to France and to us. To France the
possessions which may be gained beyond the ocean
are likely to be more profitable than the " ideas,"
the realisation cf which are the only reward of
European war. And to us, as a maritime and com-
mercial people, it is a great thing that France
should address herself to the regeneration of distant
regions. If she gains possession of the mines of
Mexico, er establishes a flourishing colony in
Eastern Asia, we shall be as much benefitted by her
energy as we should be harmed by a forcible exten-
sion of her limits in Europe.
If, then, the year 1863 is destined to come and go
without seeing European peace disturbed, we shall
be ready to acknowledge our obligations to the
French Emperor. But, though Napoleon is power-
ful, he does not command the policy of his neigh-
bours, much less the course of events. There is an-
other quarter from which war might possibly
come. Italy has been treated with caprice by Na-
poleon, and she is, perhaps unreasonably, impatient
at the delay which must be borne before she comes
into possession of Rome. There was much fear that
either the quarrels of the Italians and Austrians on
one frontier, or the irritation of the discontented
Roman people on another, might lead to some sud-
den excess that would end in war. But as far as
can be predicted from good intentions the policy of
Italy will be moderate and praiseworthy. No one
can read the circular of M. Pasolini without being
pleased to see the affairs of the kingdom at such a
crisis pass into the hands of men who seem firm,
able, and conciliatory. The true policy of Italy is
now to consolidate what has been gained. By con-
tinuing to merit the goodwill of Europe she will en-
sure the possession of Rome and Venetia when the
hour comes for demanding them. The pride of one
Emperor, the fancies of another, must soon run
their course, and if in the meantime Italy has held
her high place in the esteem of nations the two
coveted provinces will fall to her without an
opposing voice.

HERALD.—To the observant eye which watches
the undercurrent of events the different tendencies
of the English and French Governments must be
discernible. England seeks most her material pros-
perity and the peace and happiness of her people.
France, as of old, is bent on the acquisition of
glory; but, in addition, to this her prime idea is
to extend and consolidate her power. There was a
time when the proposal to cede even the protection
of a group of islands most favourably situated for
the assertion of our naval supremacy would have
roused the whole country from one end to another,
and filled every Englishman's breast with indigna-
tion. It now happens that the British Cabinet
yields the lonian Islands to Greece without any
manner of equivalent, unless we are, indeed, to call
the limitation of the Government of that country to
a monarchy an equivalent; and people witness the
sacrifice in the calmest mood, and scarcely give
themselves the trouble to ask why it is made. This
apathy among the masses, this insensibility to
everything which does not directly and perceptibly
affect their private interests, ought properly to urge
the Ministry to a more vigilant and conservative
caution. They should not move with the stream.
If John Bull is resolved to turn Quaker, and to put
down all extraneous luxuries and show for solid
comfort and worldly wealth and success the Go-
vernment should remember that pomp, dignity, and
power are just as essential to the greatness of a na-
tion as they are to the honour and estimation of
the individual. A large estate, a vast number of
liveried servants and of other retainers, carriages
and equipage, company, and all the loudness and ce-
remony of high life, might well be dispensed with if
mankind sought for nothing here but the enjoy-
ment of simplicity: But somehow this has never
been found to answer. No sooner does the citizen
acquire wealth than he forthwith ambitions aris-
tocracy. He will not be a happy man until he
becomes a great man, and lays the foundation of
greatness for his children. This is the solid pur-
chase, the only real va!ue of his riches. The Quaker
body themselves are experiencing so very natural
a feeling. They are losing their stoical identity,
becoming Epicureans, mixing like other men in the
rapid river of life, and edging here and there not
only into the national manners, idioms, and cos-
tumes, - but into the National Church itself,
slipping into St. Andrew's or St. Jude's, instead
of the staid and dreary conventicle. Some
politicians of these days are inclined to ignore
these heart-sprung aspirations. They would
chasten and economise everything. With Sir
George C. Lewis they would get rid of the super-
fluity of Canada without a sigh, if Canada became
in the least expensive or troublesome. With Lord
Palmerston and Earl Russell they would yield the
protection of the lonian Islands by reason of the
turbulence of certain of their inhabitants, and to
offer a bribe to Greece for making a baby toy of her
vacant throne. What a contrast does this present
to the Government of the French Emperor; every-
where striving to extend the nation's territory, in-
fluence, and authority, to magnify its power, to ele-
vate its character, and to endow it with premier
rank among the kingdoms of the world. So far
from ceding possessions, Louis Napoleon's aim is to
grasp territory wherever he can lay his hand on it
by safe stratagem or open force. A strip from
Savoy, a highway canal to the East, a footin China,
and a hand on Cochin-China, a voice in Madagas-
car, a word of mediation in America, and a military
hold on Mexico, are only indications of the ultimate
design of the astute and patriotic Emperor. Am-
bition, like other great qualities, may be easily car-
ried too far. We believe the Emperor Napoleon
to be somewhat too aspiring for his peace sake and
the enduring safety of his empire. But his noble
policy stands out in bold relief to the paltry man •
agement of the British Cabinet. Government in the
true sense we have none. The sole effort is to save
trouble, to make a false show of economy, and to
keep office.

MORNING POST.—The best chance of avoiding
the calamities of war is by being always fully pre-
pared
to meet them. This is the policy which has
with so much wisdom been pursued ; and for evi-
dences of its soundness we have only to point to the
exploded bugbear of an invasion of this country.
We are anxious and ready to give praise where it
is justly due; and the promptitude and efficiency
of the arrangements made by the Admiralty last
year, when the prospect of war breaking out be-
tween this country and America appeared immi-
nent, received at our hands the fullest acknowledg-
ment. The Americans were made fully sensible of
the relative naval power of the two countries by
our attitude upon that occasion, and, with an
amount of zeal which we should do well 0 imitate,
they have set themselves busily to work to restore
the balance of power which was then so much in
our favour. While on our part we have been
placidly content to do little more than ring the
changes upon our four achievements, the Warrior,
the Black Prince, the Resistance, and the Defence,
the result of their labours has been the creation of
an armour-plated fleet consisting of no less than
fifty-four ships. We hear of new vessels building
in Our dockyards, some of which are said to em-
brace the qualities of both originality and science;
but, alas !
like the long-talked-of shield-ship of
Captain
Cowper Coles, they have not up to the pre-
lad to see something af
sent moment made their appearance. We should be
they etvahesant
ifwtalelissshhoaonlrlityeovfby
er
to
these new vessels, should
the expectations formed of
be able to keep pace with
practically testing their
theapnroetshe
Another
vt age
noveltyh as
scientific inventions which
them,vtheel
value
ii no t
irvoodnu.ceel
ad d
s intoh a t s
jhoes
tart
eonf
added
the navy of the
Federal States of North Amerioa, The Keokuk

THE METROPOLITAN RAlLWAY.—Yesterday the
trial trains commenced running on the line, as if the ordi-
nary passenger traffic of the railway was being carried on.
An engine having been despatched to Farringdon-street
station, for the purpose of shunting the carriages from the
up to the down line, the first train was then started from
the Bishop's-road station, at Paddington, at 10.30 a.m., the
engine, The Wasp, being driven by Mr. Luxmore, of the
Great Western Railway locomotive department. Among
the passengers ware Mr. C. Saunders, the Secretary of the
Great Western Railway; Messrs. Fowler, Johnson, Fen-
ton, Tanner, D. Gooch, and several ladies. Trains were
despatched every balf-hour dur;ng the day from each end
of the line till about 20 minutes past 3 p.m., when the last
down-train was started from Farringdon-street station.
The whole distance of 34 miles was accomplished by each
train in from 20 to 21 minutes, a full minute being allowed
at each station for stoppage, the porters calling out the
names of the different stations on the halting of the trains.
The speed attained varies from 20 to 25 miles an hour, the
pressure on the boilers of the engine being about 1201 b. on
the square inch, the ordinary working pressure of the boilers
of the engines on the Great Western Railway. About four
minutes were occupied in the run from the City terminus to
King's-cross. The signals worked well ; and, as the trains
glided into Farringdon-street station, they were greeted
with cheers from a numerous body of spectators.

THE IRISH CONVICT SYSTEM.—It is indeed a
great triumph that, commencing the system with
prisoners in a most disorderly state, receiving recruits from
the rebellious convicts of Bermuda, and having to contend
with great difficulties, in consequence of the peculiar cha-
racter of the Irish, and the strong religious jealousies which
exist in that country, the number of convicts should have
diminished from 4,278 on the Ist January, 1854, to 1,314
on the Ist January, 1861; that the directors can trium•
phantly challenge the country to show one prisoner at large
in Ireland, released on ticket-of-leave, who is infringing
the conditions endorsed on his license; and still more, that
public confidence is so firmly established in the really re •
formatory nature of the system pursued, that the public are
no longer unwilling to take into their employment persons
who have passed through these prisons, even applying
after trial again and again for mere,—Traso.'B 41agazoo,

/~
~.