The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-28 00:00:00

TUESDAY ! EVENING, 1 !JANUARY 28, 11862.

not escaped the corruption of the contract system,"l
but he next fastened at some length on the cavalry,
The Northerns have not the reputation of being
much of riders—not, at least, in comparison with
the South. They found, however, that they needed
cavalry, and set about to create that also
in the Northern style. Horsedealers are
not proverbial for scrupulosity either in quality
or in price in the old country, but the
Northerners can " whip us," in horse selling as in
everything else. Oae regiment of cavalry 1,000
strong on arriving at Louisville had 485 of its horses
rejected as utterly worthless ; not one of them was
worth .£4 ! They " were blind, spavined, ring-
boned, afflicted with the heavers, with the glanders,
and with every disease that horseflesh is heir to."
Yet these 485 horses had cost the Government
about £24 each, besides £2OO to get them to Louis-
ville to be condemned . It requires at least £50,000
to start one of these regiments, and after they are
started the horses come back by hundreds. " Any
day hundreds of them may be seen round this city
chained to trees, where they are left to starve to
death." Indeed they have " died and rotted" till
the sanitary authorities in Columbia have been com-
pelled to seek legislative aid to save the city from
the dangers attendant on these " Horse Golgothas.°
According to our American HUME, the raising of
these regiments, and the enormous profits upon
doing it, is made a subject of shameless calcula-
tion and traffic between men of the class of ex-

governors and ex-judges.
It is, of course, impossible to follow Mr. DAWES
through the detail of all his charges. He gives
examples of contracts of arms furnished to mem-
bers of Congress who know no more of arms than
does a Methodist minister ; of immense supplies of
muskets, ordered at an enormous price, and that
not for present service, but for a time when the
war is to be over and done with. When they last
appropriated twenty millions of dollars, thirty-
seven millions had then been pledged to contractors.
A costly contract was made for wood for the army.
The contractor took the trees which the army
had been obliged to cut down, carried them to the
camp in the army waggons, and had, of course, no
further trouble for his money. A hundred,millions
of dollars had thus been expended on the army,
in repose, between the 22d of December and
the 13th of January, when he was speaking.
What would the expenditure be when the grand
army was put in motion ? Two hundred millions
more would be expended before the 4th of March,
the dying day of Congresses. Sixty millions ster-
ling in three months ! This reads, indeed, like
exaggeration, but the speaker included, of course,
all the reckless contracts by which so much would
be swallowed up. He concluded his unsparing
exposure with professing willingness to incur any
expense to put down the rebellion—with declaring
that the Treasury Notes, without corresponding
taxation, must pall on the country—with exposing
the effect on the wages of the soldiers, of the depre-
ciation of government paper—and with the declara-
tion that sixty days longer must bring about a
decided result, either an ignominious peace, or a
taxation which would sustain the credit of the
country—and that they would treat as traitors,
" not only those who are bold and manly enough to
meet us face to face in the field of strife, but all
those who clandestinely and stealthily suck the life-
blood from us in this mighty struggle." It seems
that we are not alone in expecting that a year, or
even half a year may see the American Treasury
bankrupt, through the issue of paper, and creation
of loans, without corresponding taxation ; and that
this may really be the ignominious close of the
monster civil war in America—North as well as
South—Bankrupt.

NaroLEoN's speech yesterday, in opening the
French Chambers, will beread in this country with
almost complete satisfaction. It is, with one excep-
tion afterwards to be particularised, entir.ey pacific
throughout. It is (wonderful to 'relate!) 'economic
in its financial foreshadowings. It is, moreover—
still more wonderful to tell ! —in several respects
almost the speech of what we regard, on this side
of the Channel, as a Constitutional Sovereign. Yet
after having said all this, it is but right that we
should add immediately that it is, in one or two
particulars, very far removed, indeed, from perfec-
tion. It is, in regard to the core and heart of the
European difficulty—that is to say, in reference
to Italy, in reference to Rome, in reference to
Venetia—as problematical as well could be. What
the French EMPEROR remarks upon that delicate
and difficult point—upon that tangled centre of
the Gordian knot of Continental diplomacy—is,
as we shall show forthwith, an enigma as in-
scrutable in its way as any ever vouchsafed
from her tripod by the foaming priestess
of Delphos. The Oracle at the Tuileries might
for all the world, upon this subject at least, so far
as relates to the discovery of any revelation from a
careful examination of the meaning of his actual
utterance—the Imperial Oracle of the Tuileries, we
say, might just as lief have been "dumb" altogether.
" Dumb " that Oracle is not, however, upon the
great Italian Question, which is still also the great
1 Italian Difficulty. It:emits still from its inscrutable
lips what GARIBALDI, among others, might yet not
inaptly define by the English Poet's phrase as a
sound of " Hideous Hum "—for that, and scarcely
anything less than that, it is beyond a doubt of it.
First of all, however, it is worthy of remark that,
twice in the course of his speech, yesterday,
NAPOLEON refers with a very comprehensible and,
under the circumstances, a very allowable com-
placency to the duration already for ten years of
his Imperial Government. With almost equal
' complacency his MAJESTY has prefaced his
inaugural address of the session of 1862, by
saying of 1861—" The year which has just passed
has, notwithstanding certain uneasiness, seen the
consolidation of peace. All the rumours designedly
propagated respecting imaginary pretensions have
fallen to the ground themselves before the simple
reality of facts." And as if to render wholly unmis-
takeable
his allusion here to certain designs imputed
to him a twelvemonth since, having reference to a
scheme of territorial aggrandisement along the banks
of the Rhine, at the expense of German interests,
but especially of the interests of the Prussian
Government, the French EMPEROR, after observing
in general terms—" My relations with foreign
Powers afford me the most entire satisfaction, and
the visit of several Sovereigns has still more con-
tributed to rivet our bonds of friendship "—NAPO-
LEON immediately goes on to say—" The King of
PRUSSIA, by visiting France, has been enabled to
judge for himself of our desire to unite ourselves
more closely with a Government and with a people
who advance with calm and steady steps towards
progress." It is conceived, all this, as will be re-
marked, in a truly magnificent strain of Imperial
patronage. Their responsible lord of the most nume-
rous and highly disciplined army in the world, the
supreme ruler who wields a sceptre of absolute
authority over 40,000,000 Frenchmen—is here
recognised as patting on the back that haughty
King , who made himself so intensely
ridiculous
orPiatufses"wmonths back upon the occasion of
his s4f coronation—the despotic Sovereign of
France is here seen commending the Prussian
monarch and the Prussian people, for inasmuch
as they are, he says, making a calm and
steady advance—not, observe ! in progress, bat

towards progress," vers le progres, Yet NAPO -

LEON, after all, is not talking thus without a
certain right on his part to do so, without suffi-
cient and visible reasons having been given by
him to France, and, for that ;natter, even now,
be it said, to Europe, for so speaking. Not
without a certain justification can he say as he
does towards the close of his speech yesterday to
his Senators and Deputies, " You are aware that
upon every occasion when a useful reform was pos-
sible I have resolutely taken the initiative." Adding
here, however, " But I shall nevertheless maintain
intact the fundamental basis of the constitution,
which has already given to the country 10 years of
order and prosperity." The allusion made in this
manner yesterday by NAPOLEON to his rea-
diness at all times (when he himself
deems it fitting or convenable) to conciliate
" a useful reform" of one kind or another
—had reference manifestly, as the preceding
part of his MAJESTY'S address had indicated, to the
Financial changes, changes of a fundamental cha-
racter and of the widest scope, recently adventured
upon by the Imperial Government.
The balk of his MAJESTY'S speech yesterday,
the most conspicuous, and, in all essential
resrects, the most satisfactory part of that
speech, has reference, indeed, to those fun-
damental and comprehensive changes in the
financial department of the Napoleonic scheme
of administration. Speaking of the financial affairs
of France, it was a novelty to hear 02e EMPEROR
remarking frankly yesterday, " A candid statement
has acquainted you with our real conditions."
That, as we all know, being actually the case !
While his MAJESTY acknowledges, however, the
concern not unnaturally felt by the pub-
lic at large throughout his Empire on
learning, as they did the other day, the stupen-
dous amount to whieh the public debt had risen,
i.e., to 963 million, he especially takes care to dis-
tinguish very pointedly, though in a very long and
tortuous sentence, the necessity there is for
" subtracting from this amount the 652 millions,
which were a charge on the State at a period prior
to the empire, and also the 78 millions repaid to
the holders of public bonds at the time of the con-
version of the Rente, and finally, the 233 millions
of deficit caused during the last two financial
periods by expeditions to distant countries,
and which might have been covered by a loan, it
will be seen that since the establishment of the
empire, owing, it is true, to the consolidations of
public debt which have been successfully effected,
the deficits have not been increased in proportion
to the necessities for which we have been obliged
to provide, and to the advantages obtained during
the last 10 years." Later on, moreover, he takes occa-
sion to observe, with a certain grand air of satisfac-
tion, that " the 622 millions, independently of the
three milliards made use of by the companies for the
construction of 6,553 kilometres of railway, have
bLenexpended by the Treasury upon great works of
public utility, the execution of the network of tele-
graphic lines, the amelioration of the position of
nearly all the servants of the State, the increased
comfort of the soldier, the proportioning of the
regimental lists of the army to the requirements of
the dignity of France in time of peace, the trans-
formation of the fleet and of all our ordnance, and
the rebuilding of our religious edifices and of our
public monuments." Nay more, observes his
MAJESTY, " This outlay has imparted a beneficial
impetus to all useful works throughout the empire.
Have we not seen our towns metamorphosed,
the country enriched by the progress of agri-
culture, and our foreign commerce rise from
2,600,000,000 fr. to 5,800,000,000 fr. ? Finally, by
the mere increase of public prosperity, the revenue
of the State has increased by several hundred
millions." The allusions throughout those portions
of the Imperial Speech yesterday, we cannot but re-
gard as of such paramount importance at this mo
ment both to France and to Europe that we have
found it impossible not to quote the very words
uttered, in regard to his financial doings, by NAPO-
LEON 111.

There are yet two portions of the Imperial
Speech to which we have already alluded inciden-
tally, and to which, we must now for a moment
revert, as indeed we have already promised,
to revert to them. The one is an enigma,
and it is this NAPOLEON is speaking of, the
partially consolidated sovereignty having Rome
in its centre and Venetia to the north-east ! And
upon this point his MAJESTY observes—" I have re-
cognised the Kingdom of Italy, with the firm inten-
tion of contributing by sympathetic and disinte-
rested counsels, to conciliate two causes whose anta-
gonism everywhere disturbs minds and consciences."
A sentence, leaving the problem unsolved—as pro-
blematical as ever—without a glimmering of its so-
lution ! The other utterance, yet remaining to be
particularised according to promise, is the
one only portion of this otherwise singu-
larly pacific manifesto in which the EMPEROR
seems to imply just a hint of a possible resort to
arms. " The civil war," he says, " which desolates
America has gravely compromised our commercial
interests. So long, however, as the rights of
neutrals are respected, we must confine ourselves
to expressing wishes for the early termination of
these dissensions." Cependant tent que les droits
des neutres set-slat respectes. Mr. SEWARD can
hardly do better than take those few and moderate,
but perfectly sufficient words, well to heart—and
that betimes.

DANTESQUE GALLERY.-ST. JA3IES'S

BALL.

- -o------

A novel and interesting exhibition is now open
at the St. James's Hall, of which the first repre-
sentation was given last week. It consists of a
series of large paintings, 27 in number, illustra-
tive of Dante's immortal poem, the "Diving
Cemmedia." The pictures are of large size, and
are executed with considerable skill. Many of
them are bold and effective in design, and elicited
loud applause from the visitors during their exhi-
bition, which was managed in the form of a
panorama. Appropriate extracts from the great
poet were read in explanation of the scenes re-
presented, and once a week the accompanying lec-
ture will be given in the Italian language, an oppor-
tunity that would, we should imagine, be gladly
taken by Italians residing in this country. There
are also so many persons of education among
us who are able to appreciate the beauties of the
great Fiorentine's chef dceuvre that we should an-
ticipate decided success for this striking and in-
genious representation.

Frances Ann Marchioness of Londonderry has
been surrounded the last few weeks by a family circle at
Wynyard Park, amongst whom were the Duchess of St.
Alb ins and Viscount Falkland and Lady Diana Beauclerk,
the Duke of St. Albans, the Duchess of Marlborough, the
Earl and Countess Vane and Lady Frances Vane, Lord
A dolphus and Lady Susan Vane Tempest, Mr. Henry
Milbank, Sir Hedworth "Williamson, Mr. George Bate-
son, &c.
SPECIAL SERVICES AT ST. PAUL'S.—The fol-
lowing is the list of preachers for February :—Feb. 2, Rev.
T. Rowsell, rector of St. Margaret's, Lothbury ; 9th, Rev.
J. Kempe, rector of St. James's; 16th, the Bishop of Ohio,
Dr. Macllvainc ; 23d, the Rev. Daniel Moore, incumbent
of Camden Church, Camberwell; and lecturer at St. Mar.
garet's, Lothbury.
•

Large exports of arms continue to take place
from the German and Belgian ports for America. The
Alelita has just sailed from Antwerp for New York with
16,000 stand of arms—old flint locks converted into percus-
sion muskets at Liege, at a cost of £3,000. Their value is
estimated at £20,000. The Sumpter, fortunately for this
ivessel, is out of the way, cruising in the Mediterranean,

LATEST NEWS.

PARIS, JAN.. 28.

The Moniteur of to-day announces that the Go-
vernment will make a communication to the Corps
Legislatif to-day,
The Paris papers contain the following
It is asserted that the Archduke Maximilian
has accepted the throne of Mexico, on condition
that the allies agree to maintain the occupation of
Mexico for 10 years."

The battery of artillery, whose departure was
adjourned, left yesterday for Mexico.

MADRID, JAN. 27.

In to-d sitting of the Congress Marshal
O'Donnell expressed his approval of the conduct of
General Serrano, and declared that Vera Cruz was
occupied in the name of three Powers.

VIENNA, JAN. 27.

The Emperor has created a new Ministry of
Nlarine, the portfolio of which has been entrusted
to Count Wickenburg, Minister of Commerce.

COPENHAGEN, JAN. 27.

In to-day's sitting of the Rigsraad, bills were
introduced by the Government granting very
liberal reforms in the common constitution of
Denmark and Schleswig.
The franchise is lowered 50 per cent.
Until 1858, when Holstein ceased to send
representatives, the Rigsraad was composed of 80
members, but there 'wing now only 60, the
number sufficient to form a quorum is reduced
from 41 to 31.

The Rigsraad is to elect its own President and
Vice President, and is invested with the right of
drawing up bills and of putting questions to the
Ministry.

The articles of the Constitution which relate to
Holstein and Lauenburg are cancelled, because the
difficulties in regard to those two duchies can no
longer be allowed to stop the constitutional deve-
lopment of the Rigsraad.
The votes of supply for 1862.63 include large
sums for the navy.

FRANCE.

PARIS, JAN. 27.

BOURSE, Jan. 27.—Firmness continues to be the
order of the day, and a fair amount of business was
transacted at a farther advance on the closing rates
of Saturday. Threes, for the Account, are now
at 74f. 25c. Railway shares also firm, and quota-
tions in many lines rather higher.

The following are the last quotations :
ft per per Cents ... 99 25 Credit Fonder 1270
Do end month.... 99 50' Belgian 4I lOl
3 per Cents
Do. end month 7l 25 Roman
Bank Shares 2960 Austrian
Credit Mobilier.... 743 75 Spanish Threes -
Do. Account 745 Home Debt