The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 11, 1862.

plan. Public works and instruction will be carried
on with the 'greatest activity where the need is
most sorely felt —in the Southern Provinces and the
island of Sardinia.
So far the programme had not one word that
might be considered new. It was the old song that
was first sung by Count Cavour, and followed in a
hundred instances, with scarcely the variation of a
note, by Baron Ricasoli. If there was anything
like a new burden in Rattazzi's strain, it was only
where he promised the "prompt, immediate, and
real execution of the bills and resolutions already
gone through Parliament respecting the national
armament." This refers mainly to the Garibaldi
law, the purpose of which was to organise and arm
230 battalions of mobilised National Guards,
under the orders, chiefly of those Garibaldian
officers who now compose the three divisions, on
paper, of the so-called " Volunteer or Southern
Army." This is the great bait with which Rat-
tazzi hopes to lure the Left party in Parliament,
and the so-called " men of action" to his side.
There is no doubt that the late Government,
especially
under Minghetti, without daring to
oppose the Garibaldi Bill, hoped to be able to put
off its enactment till doomsday. The new Ministry
have now committed themselves to go to work
without delay, and it is said Garibaldi will soon
proceed to the South, attended by experienced offi-
cers, to proceed to the organisation of this new
force. Hopes are also held out that the Garibaldian
volunteers will before long be amalgamated with
the regular army into our national service. If this
consummation can be brought about without alarm-
ing France with the prospect of an organised revo-
lution ; if the scheme can be brought into effect
without producing internal commotions, and with-
out venturing on a premature collision with foreign
enemies, no doubt it will be right to acknowledge
that the new Cabinet brings with it greater courage
than the former one ever developed; that Rattazzi
is ready for exploits from which his predecessor
undoubtedly shrunk,
Rattazzi's speech was listened to with attention,
but as it was delivered in a cold dispirited manner,
so it was passively and languidly received, and only
interrupted, at rare intervals, by no very hear+y
cheers from the Left ; it closed in the midst of a
rather slack applause from the same side and from
the Tribunes.
Lanza, the leader of the old majority, disclaiming
any intention to open a discussion, merely observed
that the retirement of the late Cabinet had taken
place under somewhat unusual circumstances, and
asked for explanations.
It was then that Baron Ricasoli arose. The
house became immediately still. Ricasoli said that
the retirement of himself and his colleagues was not,
as had been asserted, owing to any dissensions in
the Cabinet. Twice only had there been divergence
of opinion among its members, and in both in-
stances matters were at stake which involved no
general political principle. In one instance, when
Miglietti, the Minister of Grace and Justice, sub-
mitted his new penal code to the approbation of his
colleagues, the Tuscan members of the Council of
Ministers stood out for the abolition of capi-
tal punishment. Their objections were, how-
ever,' overruled, and the code had been laid before
the Senate in its original form. Again, there had
been a difference of opinion between the Tuscans
and Cordova respecting the bill of the latter for the
introduction of a gold currency into Tuscany and
Naples ; but these, Ricasoli continued, were ques-
tions of minor moment, and could never be said to
amount to an actual split in the Cabinet.
He then proceeded to point out the real causes of
his retirement, and said he would " limit himself
to the statement of merely Parliamentary transac-
tions." On the 11th of December last, he said, at
the close of a long discussion on Roman and Nea-
politan affairs, the Ministers were apparently
strengthened by a very large majority of the Cham-
ber. Fault was, however, found with them pri-
vately, because they had hitherto failed to com-
plete the Cabinet, yet all their efforts to fulfil that
intent by adding to their number a Minister for
Home Affairs had invariably proved unavailing.
The Parliamentary support on which they reckoned
was therefore rather apparent than real, and it had
failed them in more than one instance, when, in
questions of minor importance, they had not only
been inefficiently backed, but actually opposed by
their professed partisans. Between the votes of
confidence and the demeanour of the representatives
there was a discordance which amounted to an actual
vote of want of confidence. " Now, gentlemen,"
said Ricasoli, with a warmth which spoke volumes
in behalf of his sincerity, " it was not in my charac-
ter to abide in an equivocal position like this." (A
thunder of applause.) From that moment, he went
on, he conceived that it was the duty of Ministers
to retire. The vote of the 25th February, which
was not only, if possible, more favourable than
the former vote, but which, indeed, was unanimous
for Government, was even more hollow and un-
meaning, and it was that very vote which led to
the decision which had been lately adopted. The
Ministers tendered their resignation, and insisted
upon its acceptance. The King was so good as to
express a wish that Ministers should wait for a
new decision of Parliament. But Parliamentary
votes had never been of any avail to clearly define
the actual position of the Cabinet, and a new appeal
to it would not have changed the condition of
things. Hence Ministers insisted upon their re-
signation, hence his Majesty made use of his prero-
gative, and he (Ricasoli) had nothing to add.
The Baron stood bolt upright, in his usual stiff
attitude, with those black kid gloves on, which he

never removes, allowing himself but little gesture,
no action, His voice was firm, even, calm; his
dried up, almost withered countenance proud and
confident ; his spare, tall, lank frame erect, with
head slightly thrown backward. His manner, on
the whole, was courteous, and his language mea-
sured and guarded ; but his speech conveyed an
undisguised reproach to the whole Chamber, and
especially to the old majority, whose wayward
and fickle behaviour, whose inconsistency between
their words and their deeds, was at the bottom of
all the weakness and irresolution with which the
Baron's Government was charged, Ricasoli spared

no cne ; he very clearly made it out (what was the

real fact) that anybody in the house was to blame

but himself. Yet this reproving speech, this severe

but well-deserved censure, was often interrupted in
the course of delivery, and was drowned at its close

with such a loud and prolonged thunder of ap-
plause as I never recollect being bestowed even
on Count Cavour's most ingenious and successful

speeches. An uncontrollable feeling of warm and
genuine sympathy, a perfect burst of Southern en-
thusiasm, rose in every heart in behalf of the retir-
ing statesmen. The assembly broke up; hundreds
pressed round their stern monitor to shake hands
with him, and it was impossible to restore suffi-
cient calmness to resume the sitting. After a few
words by Rattazzi expressing his admiration of the

honourable and loyal character of Baron Iticasoli,
the House broke up.

Baron Ricasoli asked for a month's leave of
absence.

Well may he go back for a few days' respite to
his vineyards and olive groves and to the solitude

of his Castle of Brolio. He may be happy in the

consciousness that he takes his country's respect and
affection with him, and that Italy feels all the safer

n the convicfion that in the hour of distress or

anxiety she has one true man like him to fall back
upon, and to restore her fortunes by that ascen-

dancy which springs from thorough uprightness of
motives and immovable strength of character.
The deputies and other persons arriving in Turin
from the provinces, especially from Lombardy, the
'Emilia; and Genoa, unanimously describe the dis-
satisfaction with which the country has heard of
the results of the crisis and the accession to power
of the Itattazzi Ministry.

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reetoratives,

MR. SEWARD ON COUR7 ETIQUETTE.

The following official despatch, on the subject of
the etiquette of the French Court, has been sent by
Mr. Seward to Mr. Dayton "
Department of State, Washington, Feb. 3.

" Sir,—Your despatch of Jan. 14, No. 102, has
been received. It is accompanied by a copy of a
note which you have addresed to M. Thouvenel on
the subject of the introduction of American citizens
at the Imperial Court.

"I very freely confess to the opinions, first, that
an audience or presentation of any but diplomatic
persons at Court is to be regarded not in any degree
as a right of the person received, but as a courtesy
extended to him. Secondly, that the Imperial
Court is perfectly at liberty to define and prescribe
the qualifications, conditions, and terms on which
strangers shall be admitted into its society. Thirdly,
if American citizens request you to present their
wishes for admission at Court, you can only present
them by complying with the terms and conditions
prescribed. Fourthly, referring to the questions
which have actually arisen, I think you can pro-
perly in all cases give the occupation or profession
of any person whose wishes you present. You can-
not, indeed, undertake to assign the social position
of each person, for that would be to discriminate,
or to seem to discriminate, by European rules,
between persons who, being all alike citizens,
may justly claim to be equals in social position
at home, and therefore equals in the con-
sideration of the Government itself when they
are abroad. It seems to me, however, that in
many cases there are circumstances belonging to
the persons you propose to present which may
be properly stated, such as official position held
by individuals at the time, or even at some previous
time—distinctions arising from personal merit, such
as scientific, military, or literary, or a political cha-
racter, and distinctions as founders of scientific,
literary, or humane institutions.

"But when these suggestions are made in com-
pliance with the rules of the Court it is not to be
claimed as matter of right, or even as matter of na-
tional comity, that the presentations or audiences
shall therefore be granted. I have dwelt upon the
subject longer than was due to any importance that
it can claim. It is peculiarly uncomfortable at this
moment to find American citizens leaving their
country a prey to faction and civil war, disturbing
the Court of a friendly Power, and embarrassing
our representative there with questions of personal
interest and pretension.
" Let the Emperor and Empress of France receive
whom they will, and as many or few as they will,
and let all others, as well as those who are admitted
turn their attention to the question how they can
serve their country abroad, and if they find no bet-
ter way to do it than by making their attendance
in the saloons of the Tuileries, let them return home,
to a country that now, for the first time, and not
for a long time, needs the active efforts of every
one of its loyal children to save itself from destruc-
tion.

"Finally, above all things, have no question with
the Government of France on this subject. Rather
introduce nobody, however justly distinguished,
than let a question of fashion or ceremony appear
in the records of the important period in which we
are acting for the highest interests of our country
and of humanity.—l am, sir, your obedient servant,
" W. IL SEWARD.
"Wm. L. Dayton, Esq., &c."

INDIA AND SINGAPOREI TELEGRAPH

An important step is now being taken towards
establishing a telegraphic communication with
China and Australia. The promoters have circu-
lated a statement proposing to connect Singapore
with the system of telegraphs in India at Rangoon.
The time between India and China will be thus
shortened by eight days, and between England and
China by eight to ten days.
As regards Australia, the effect of the establish=
ment of the proposed line will be to start again the
telegraph from Java, via the northern and eastern
coasts of Australia towards Sydney, for the estab-
lishment of which the Australian legislatures have
already voted large subsidies.
Whilst efforts are being made to restore tele-
graphic communication between England and In-
dia, other efforts are being made to shorten the
time for transmitting intelligence to China, and
eventually to Australia. In fact, we can now tele-
graph to Suez, via Malta, in one day ; from Suez
the mail takes 34 days to reach Hong Kong (Can-
ton), and the proposed telegraph will reduce that
time to 27 or even 25 days. The happy combina-
tion, now in such extensive use, of the overland
mail and telegraph, will enable this to be effected.
The outward Bombay mail leaves Suez eight days
after the outward China mail, and reaches Bon.abay
four or five days before the arrival of that mail at
Singapore, Thus, there are four or five days left
for sending on the later news by telegraph from
Bombay to Singapore, there to overtake the China
mail. It is by reducing the margin of four or five
days to two days that the saving can be increased
to 10 or 11 days. The same holds true as regards
the homeward China mails, and the proposed tele-
graph will enable eight to ten days later news to
reach England from China.
Shipping making the passage of the Malacca or
Sunda Straits will reap a still greater benefit. At
present the news of a vessel passing by Singapore
can only be forwarded to England by the fort-
nightly homeward mail; by the proposed line it
will be forwarded daily to Bombay or Galle to catch
the homeward weekly mail to Europe.
The cable that was laid in 1859 between Singa-
pore and Batavia is perpetually broken by anchors,
but the Dutch Government are taking efficient mea-
sures to prevent the recurrence of these accidents,
and the ships that pass through the Sunda Straits
in sight of Java will then be placed on the same
footing as those that make the passage of the Malac-
ca Straits near Singapore. In the case of shipping
the saving will amount to 22 days for those ships
that pass by Singapore or Java immediately after
the departure of the fortnightly homeward mail, and
of eight days for those that do so immediately be-
fore such departure. These advantages were so
strongly felt by our Government during the late
China war that they shipped the cable that is now
laid between Malta and Alexandria to be laid be-
tween India and Singapore. It will be remembered

that this intention was frustrated by the screw
steamer Victoria being wrecked in Plymouth Har-
bour with a portion of the cable on board. The
delay which was thus occasioned caused the loss of
the season, and necessitated a change in the desti-
nation of the cable.

For the first time in the history of submarine
telegraphy we find contractors guaranteeing the
efficiency of their own work. Under an arrange-
ment made with the promoters, Messrs. Glass, Elliott
and Co., undertake to keep the line in repair for five
years, and to deliver it over to the company at the
end of,that term in good working order, under very
heavy penalties. It is also stated that another firm
have joined them in their liability. There can be no
doubt that this is the right principle for contractors
to adopt. Up to the present time the public has in-
curred the whole risk; the utmost that contractors
have ever done has been to guarantee their work
for one month. We now for the first time have a
substantial and real guarantee. If this could be
done in the case of the Atlantic cable, money
would be easily obtained. The cases, however, are
very different; the India Singapore cable will be
laid in an average depth of forty fathoms, in a
well sounded sea. The Atlantic, alas ! is 2,000
fathoms deep, and once laid this cable can never he
repaired. Still it is to be hoped that contractors
may be induced to guarantee their work even when
submerged in the bed of the Atlantic. As regards
the Red Sea and India Telegraph, however, it is to
be hoped that the same arrangement may be prac-
ticable. Nothing will inspire more confidence in
the public than to find that manufacturers have at
last come to believe in the work they turn out.
Government have been applied to to aid the India-
Singapore telegraph upon the principle of paying
an annual subsidy calculated to pay for the working
and maintenance expenses of the cable, in return for
which the home and Indian Governments are to

send their messages Without payment to the extent
of the subsidy. Should the State messages not

amount to the subsidy, calculated at £go,ooo per
annum, the difference would have b© paid half out
of the revenues of India, and half out cf the re-
venues of Great Britain. Considering that our
Government will some day have to make this line
at their own cost, it may be an economical plan to
encourage its execution through private enterprise.
The occurrence of another China war would compel
Government to establish this line.