The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-10 00:00:00

MiIIINEMOMMOMMOMMINI
try were watched with the keenest interest by Eng-
lishmen of all ranks, and if their sorrow was less
bitter than that of the principals when the mourn-
ful conclusion of the struggle came, it was at least
sincere, and sympathetic. In those days there was
nothing to hope for Hungary but absolute and un-
scrupulous despotism, and when the curtain fell on
the drama in which KOSSUTH and his friends were
the chief actors, it was felt that the followers of
those brave men had bid a long farewell to all their
hopes. Time, however—which modifies all things,
has brought some consolation. The advancing pro-
gress of nations and the force of public opinion have

brought Austria to some sense of her obligations as
a dominant power. Perhaps, too, she has learned

something from the experience of other nations, and

has seen how insecure is the throne of a despot even

when apparently most firmly founded. When a
dynasty rests on the points of spears it is hardly so
secure as when supported by the stout and willing

arms of the people.

FRANCIS JOSEPH will be

wise if he takes this lesson to heart in time•

Gradually constitutionalism has been making its

way in Austria herself, and the free and firm ex-
pression of opinion which we heard the other day
from the lower branch of the Reichsrath would have

made men marvel in Vienna fifteen or twenty years
since. The advantages of such progress are always
wide-spreading, and Hungary feels the reflected
light from Austria Proper. Something, of course,
is due to the tranquillity of the time ; the pacific
attitude of the people, and the consequent security
of the Government ; but while there are men in the
Austrian Legislature who have the statesmanship to
see the requirements of the empire, and the courage
to declare them openly, there is hope for Austria
and for her dependencies. The Hungarian question
is just now occupying a prominent position in
Vienna, where the members of the different political
parties contend eagerly about the merits of the pro-
posed reforms. A few days since one of the journals

announced that the Government draught of judi-

ciary and administrative reforms for Hungary had
received the sanction of the EMPEROR, and had been
forwarded to the authorities in Buda, to be put in
practice throught the Hungarian kingdom. A Pesth
journal denied this, and added that the scheme of
reform was as yet in its infancy. Some Austrian
politicians contend, with a show of reason, that it is
useless, or at least superfluous, to introduce reforms
at all before the meeting of the Hungarian Diet. If
the Austrian Government fulfils its promise and
speedily convokes the assembly, such matters as
affect the internal administration of the kingdom
would be more properly left to their consideration.
But Austria is by no means inclined to let her in-
dulgence be carried too far, and the opposite party
argue that it is absolutely necessary to carry out
these reforms to enable the Diet to meet at all.
Recent experience, they say, proves that after so
long repression, it is dangerous and imprudent to
grant a full measure of political liberty suddenly,
and if there is to be any stability in Hungarian
freedom it must be granted gradually and with cau-
tion. There is force in both these arguments, and
probably the truth lies between them; but how can
either Austrians or Hungarians put faith in Go-
vernment professions, or trust the future liberties of
a country unreservedly in their hands, when the
first great safeguard of constitutional liberty is so
persistently kept from the people ? Until the Na-
tional Assembly of popular representatives be fairly
convoked, no great progress can be made in ad-
ministrative reform, no satisfaction Will be felt by
the people, and no security will exist that a fresh
whim orth4 Austrian Government or sudden panic
at Vienna may not reimpose all their former bur-
dens. The experience of all ages has proved that
the repressive system is the most mistaken and the
most' fatal. Nature herself tells us by a thousand
examples that a strong force, when repressed, only
gatherwirretrererrnd at the first facility, the
slightest in the power that keeps it back,
it will burst its trammels, and assert itself with ten-
fold vigour. The free discussion, which lets out
into the open air the passing irritations of the
moment, and speaks its complaints in the light of
day, is the great safety-valve of the popular feeling.
Those grievances forcibly silenced, that irritation
forbidden, the relief of expression will grow and
deepen into wide-spread and heart-felt disaffection.
We all know that in ordinary life a man who
from temperament or policy restrains the expression
of his angry feelings, is far more dangerous an
enemy than he whose hasty temper finds immediate
vent. It is not likely that Austria will immediately
attain the degree of freedom which we have happily
gained, and there may be disturbing elements in
Hungary to hinder its attainment. Tyranny, like
other evils, leaves it trace behind it, and its fruits
are shown among a people even when the iron hand
that curbed them is lightened. But in waiting for
that better time the Hungarians and their well-
wishers may reasonably hope that the Austrian
EMPEROR will fulfil the recommendations of his own
Reichsrath, and grant to the long-oppressed nation
the first great step towards constitutional freeslom,
by ordering an immediate convocation of the
National Diet, a duty which Austria has too long
neglected, but which if now accorded will be a
practical earnest of her good intentions, and will
give us ground for hopeful augury of the Hungarian

,ure.

It is a sad thing when the same grievance comes
up again and again, and yet nothing is done to miti-
gate its intensity or allay its extent. The case of
distressed needlewomen and dressmakers has so
often engaged attention that it seems strange that
by this time something tangible has not been done,
' and some decided step taken in behalf of those so
much in need of assistance. People seem to fancy
that they have done enough when they have pitied
the sorrows and felt indignant at the labO-urs in--
flicted on the oppressed race of females who have to
toil like galley-slaves ; but a little reflection might
serve to convince them that something more is re-
quired to rectify the evils enumerated. Again and
again the sad details are ever revealed, but no one
seems to have leisure and thought to reducl their
theories into practice, and decide once and for ever
what is necessary to be done, or left undone, in
order that this pallid race may not sink into un-

timely graves, a burden to their friends, and a
misery to themselves. Perhaps it would be wiser
to reflect upon the causes that lead to the immense
over pressure of work rather than merely to think
upon the disastrous effects. People are astounded
at any sudden catastrophe, but they are too apt to
forget all about the affair when a short time has
elapsed. When a young dressmaker suddenly died
in the heart of a London season there was a general
outcry, but how much better off are her compeers
and companions ? Her death of anguish has not re-
moved any part of the burden which presses so
heavily upon their lives, and rfo warning has been
taken from ii.t.
to supply the Cot '
gay
Itorita.ri,als to alleviate the lot of others.
ed not be if
P ah-, goes on its giddy round ,of
consideration prevailed
r victims who ply the needle
demands are just as badly
off as ever. •
and the noble,
fashion, more care and
leaders of society will beealthy, and exclusive
~;:lig the votaries of
not
if they do not exert themselves, zaennldpdt from blame,
to prevent the constant recurrence e 0 their utmost
of such scenes
of