The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-01 00:00:00

SUN,I LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 1, 1862.

TON. It is the same story we hear on all hands •
The popularity of the Prime Minister is admitted
in common alike by Whigs and Tories, by
Liberals and Conservatives. Listen to what
Lord COURTENAY has to say upon this point,
when talking even to a congenial assem-
bly of Conservatives down in the old cathedral
town of Exeter. " I trust," he says, "Lord PALMER-
STON may be vouchsafed many more years of an
honoured life. I think there are many points of his
character that it is impossible noCto admire veiy
highly, and as an Englishman it is impossible not
to be proud of him, besides which his sympathies,
if left to himself, are generally Conservative, and
he would demand nothing better than to be ' saved
from his friends,' who sometimes attempt to
push him a little further than he wants to go, and
a great deal further than it is at all desirable he
should go. The mission of the Conservative party
in the House of Commons seems at the present time
to be to abstain from any unnecessary opposition
to the Government of Lord PALMERSTON; and, at
all events, whilst we help to keep them in office, to
watch vigilantly the interests of the Church of
this country ; to wait patiently and to bide
their time. The time must come—will come
eventually when the reins of power must pass
into the hands of the only party that will be strong
enough to take them—into the hands of a govern-
ment possessing official experience, adminstrative
ability, the support of the House of Commons, and
the confidence of the country." That is really
the cry upon all hands. The motto of the Coalition
Ministry, just now, is pretty well the same as
the motto of Scotland, nemo me impune
lacessit. That of the Conservative Opposition—
that of the PLUNKETT'S, festina lente. They will,
as Lord COURTENAY says, " Bide their Time."
But in the meanwhile, as Colonel FANS intimates
in regard to himself—they will not oppose Lord
PALMERSTON.

There is something more to be done in regard to
the Colliery Question than simply to pour in some
thousands sterling to swell the funds ,for the poor
widows and orphans of the 200 dead and buried
miners down at Hartley, in Northumberland. The
extraordinary rapidity with which the charitable
funds to that end are being collected in all parts of
the United Kingdom cannot, of course, but be
matter for very earnest congratulation. But more,
far more, will yet be required than the
securing for the relicts and survivors of the victims
of the late dreadful catastrophe, a humble com-
petence to set them free from anxiety, now that they
have been suddenly threatened with destitution.
It was calculated almost immediately after the worst
had come to be realised that £17,000 at least would
be requisite in order to put the occupants of those
desolated houses at Hartley village out of anxiety
as to the future. Already the chief part of that
sum has been collected, thanks to the munificence
of the public at large, a munificence first mani-
fested in a very conspicuous manner in connection
with the greats meeting held in January in
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Subsequently several
thousands have been added to the con-
siderable amount secured for these unfor-
tunates at that grand inaugurative demon-
stration several thousands additional drop-
ping in from the City of London, from the sea-
port of Liverpool, and so forth—benevolent sympa-
thisers springing up in every direction, even far
away there across the Channel among the
English residents in the gay French capital.
The tale of suffering and of terror has
gone to almost every heart, and the generosity
of a race always remarkable for its benevolence, has
nowhere been appealed to in vain.
Charitable sermons have been preached in num-
berless places of worship—sermons followed invari-
ably by collections made 'among the respective
congregations addressed. Bank notes, gold, silver,
halfpenny, have been transmitted to various police
courts, by all the letters of the alphabet in all
imaginable combinations, sums, small and large,
according to the means of the donors, who have
thus forwarded their contributions to the same end
through the hands of the local magistrates. As at
the churches and chapels—so also has it been at
various theatres and places of public entertainment.
Benefits for the widows and orphans of the
poor Hartley Colliers have been organized under
various managements. Even private shop-
keepers here and there, have opened little subscrip-
tion lists or placed a money box upon their counters,
for chance contributions for the like destination.
Before very much longer we doubt not that an
announcement will be made officially, of the
aggregate results of this scattered but
converging benevolence, that will effectually dissi-
pate any further anxiety about the worldly means of
the poor women and children who have been de-
prived by so appalling a catastrophe of their bread-
winners and guardians—the props of their humble
but honest homes.

But then, even then, all will not have
been done. Then, even then, the good that
may not unreasonably be looked for from the
lamentable evil of the late fearful casualty at
Hartley New Pit, will have to be begun. The pre-
vention of future calamities of a like kind by the
prompt and resolute interposition betimes of the
Imperial Legislature—that is the chief benefit that
will have to be looked to, almost immediately upon
the reassembling of Parliament. Another week and
the Lords and Commons will have gathered toge-
ther down at Westminster for the commencement
of their annual labours. Less than another week
will have elapsed when the Royal Speech will
inaugurate those labours delivered this
time not, of course, by the lips of our
beloved and sorrow-stricken Sovereign herself,
but vicariously by the Royal Commissioners.
That some allusion may be made even
in the gracious Speech from the Throne, to this
necessity that all have now come to recognise
quite distinctly—the at length obvious and long
suspected necessity for legislative i*terference,
with a view to render the working of our mines
less perillous to human life—we are sanguine.
However this may be, there cannot be an in-
stant's doubt but that the Home Secretary
is preparing some draft of an enactment
so framed that the single shaft system may be either
directly or indirectly got rid of, and that moreover
with all imaginable despatch. The public will look
for this from her MAJESTY'S Government. Par-
liament itself will expect it. The Presi has already
begun to clamour for it. And neither the
Press nor the Parliament, any more than
the generous hearted Public itself (now
pouring in its abundant contributions
of benevolence into the laps of the widows of Hart-
ley) are likely to find themselves doomed to disap-
pointment in this matter. A compulsory double-
shaft system, or at the very least an approxima-
tion to it, will date—we may rest quite convinced
of this—from the year of grace 1862, the dawn of
which was so deplorably signalized by this lament-
able accident at Hartley.

The Earl of Coventry has left town for his
seat.

Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston arrived
at their residence in Piccadilly yesterday from Broad-
lands.

LATEST NEWS.

AMERICA.

LONDONDERRY, FEB. 1.

The Canadian screw steamer Bohemian, from
Portland on the 18th ult., arrived here this morn-
ing. She experienced strong easterly winds, and a
heavy gale from the north-east during her homeward
passage. She passed the City of New York on the
23d, and on the same day received despatches at
Cape Race.

A telegram from Anticosti, N.S., dated the 17th
ult., reports thata wreck was visible at Cheticamp,
Cape Creton, at low water. The name of the vessel
had not been ascertained. She was supposed to be
from Montreal.

Three dead bodies and 700 firkins of butter had
been washed ashore.

NEW YORK, JAN. 21.
(Per Bohemia, by Telegraph to Cape Race, and
from Londonderry.)

The report that a Federal steamer had fired into
a French steamer at New Orleans is incorrect. It
arose from a collision between French and Federal
steamers.

It is officially reported from Kentucky that the
Confederates had attacked the Federals at Somerset.
A hot fight ensued, in which General Zollicoffer
was killed. The Confederates retreated to their
entrenchments, which they deserted during the
night, and crossed the Cumberland river. The loss
was heavy on both sides.
The Federals occupied the Confederate entrench-
ments, capturing their cannon and stores.
The news that General Wood had given notice
for the removal of the women and children from
Norfolk has not been confirmed.

The Confederates are reported to have fallen
back from Manassas.

No forward movements have yet been made from
Columbus.

QUEENSTOWN, FEB. 1.

The Liverpool, New York, and Philadelphia
Company's steamship Kangaroo, from New York,
with dates to the 18th January, has arrived here
with the United States mails and 97 passengers.
Her news has been anticipated by the Austra-
lasian.

THE MEXICAN INTERVENTION.
PARIS, FEB. 1.

The Moniteur of to-day publishes a letter from
Vera Crnz, dated 31st December, stating that the
excitement of the Mexicans was beginning to sub-
side, The idea of an arrangement was no longer
rejected a priori as treason against the nation.

There were serious indications that a party was
forming which was disposed to repudiate a Govern-
ment which had been so fatal to the country.

The enlightened inhabitants did nut wish for
war, and the sound-thinking portion of the popu-
lation demanded the unity of the country under an
independent constitutional monarchy.
A foreign prince would doubtless rally all sym-
pathies, but the allies
,should take care not to put
forth any pretensions on their own account, as they
would give rise to ideas of conquest which could
not fail to wound the national self. respect.

ST. PETERSBURG, JAN. 31.

An Imperial decree, dated 28th Jan., has been
promulgated to-day ordering the publication of the
budget for 1862. The publication will take place
very shortly.
The Northern Post of to-day states that consider-
able dissatisfaction, uneasiness, and impatience exist
on account of the emancipation of the serfs, and the
changes that have been introduced into the financial
system, and says :
" The dissatisfaction of the nobility arises from
the unpunctual payment by the peasants of their
dues. The Government having guaranteed the
latter, will keep its word ; but it must be under-
stood tlie transition requires time.
" The nobility must, however, be resolutely pre-
pared to accept the condition of affairs, and assist
the Government. The solution of the question will
be found in the final accomplishment of the eman-
cipation.

" The extended participation of the people in the
public administration depends upon the nobility,
who have it in their power to facilitate or obstruct
the efforts of the Government."

PARIS, JAN. 31.

The Constitutionnel of this evening has an article
signed by the chief editor, M. Limayrac, regretting
the attack recently made by the Pays on Baron
Ricasoli, and declaring that the policy of the French
Government is quite independent of the policy of
Italy.

"It rests with the Italians alone," says M.
Limayrac, " to judge what is the best Ministry for
them. No foreign Cabinet has a right to exercise
any pressure in regard to Ricasoli and Ratazzi,
who have both served their country patriotically.
The line of conduct to be followed by the friends of
Italy is clearly traced out. They must desire the
union of political parties in Italy."

CONSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 30.

A conference has been held at the official residence
of Aali Pasha, between the Representatives of the
five great Powers, to take into consideration the
present state of affairs in Syria. The Grand Vizier
was present upon the occasion.

Cabouli Effendi, the Musteshar (Chancellor) of
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, has been nomi-
nated Inspector-General in Syria, and will speedily
set out for his post.
It is stated that a Turkish squadron will soon sail
for Antivari, as a measure of precaution against the
disembarkation of revolutionists at that point.

ALEXANDRIA, JAN. 30.

M. Lambert has arrived here, and has left for
Paris, being entrusted with a mission from the
King of Madagascar to the Emperor.
Advices from the Mauritius state that cholera no
longer prevails on the island.

BERNE, JAN. 31.

The elections to the Government of the Canton
Vaud took place yesterday, Not one of the old
members was elected. Under present circumstances
this is considered an important event.

PORTUGAL.

LISBON, JAN. 27.

(Per Tagus, via Southampton.)

The Infante Dom Augusto continues to reside at
Lumiar, and to improve in health.
The Cortes are discussing the papers presented to
the House relative to the late tumults in Lisbon.

Mr. W. S. Lindsay, M.P., returns by this packet.
This gentleman has visited Lisbon to look after his
interest in the affairs of the Company's Union Mer-
cantile.

It is said that the directors of the Union Bank
of London are entertaining the idea of opening a
branch in Lisbon. There is no doubt that such an
undertaking would yield an ample return for the
capital invested, and would meet with the cordial
support of the British merchants in Lisbon. There
is abundance of business of a first-class character
to support a commercial bank.

The steamer Sheldrake, with a cargo of coals, on
Government account, for Bermuda, has put in here
leaky ; she will return to England after undergoing

repairs and discharging her cargo, which will be
kept to supply vessels of the royal navy.
The law appointing Dom Fernando regent, in
the event of such a change being necessary, has
been passed ; but the Cortes have not entitled the
two married infantas to succeed to the throne.

The body of the late Dom John, at the present
temporarily deposited in the church of Jeronimites,
will shortly be solemnly interred in the Royal
Mausoleum of San Vicente.