The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-13 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1853.

If ever there was an anti-climax, it was this
little mouse of a proposal from the Four Powers
-to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg—coming forth
from a parturient mountain of negotiations ! If
ever a non-sequitur of a character more than usu-
ally melancholy was witnessed, it is visible in the
paltry pacification following up the pride of our
Naval Review at Spithead, and the pomp, and
fuss, and parade of the Chobbam Encampment !
It was wittily said of a recent monetary scheme
suggested by the present Right Hon. the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, that never, perhaps, was
there before constructed a more elaborate piece of
machinery for doing nothing. In a similar way
it may be averred with some confidence, that
never, perhaps—prior to this final arrangement
with the AUTOCRAT in regard to the Greek Chris-
tians thoughout the Turkish dominion—has the
world seen so miserable a consequence emergefrom
such pretentious diplomatic negotiations.
The Sultan ABD-UL-MEDJID is peremptorily re-
quired by the Envoy of the Emperor NICHOLAS to
make certain concessions, involving the indepen-
dence of his empire, the inalienable rights of his
people, and the most cherished attributes of his
sovereignty. This demand is nothing less tiian a flag-
Taut infraction of the international laws of Europe,
subversive—if once tolerated—of the balance of
power in Christendom. It is an infraction so
flagrant that the Sublime Porte, almost without
asking it, obtains the cordial support (nominally,
at least, so it now appears) of the principal States
of the eastern hemisphere. The injustice at—
tempted to be accomplished by Russia towards
Turkey is, in fact, one of so monstrous and maui-
fest a description that the CZAR is suddenly con-
fronted, as it were, on the instant by Four Powers
openly announcing their determination to prevent,
at all hazard, this obvious degradation of the
:Divan and virtual seizure of Constantinople.
Such is the intimation simultaneously given to
the Russian EMPEROR on the part of the English,
the French, the Austrian, and the Prussian Go-
vernment 3. He is assured that their hearty al-
liance in reference to the maintenance of the
integrity of Turkey is the result of the extraor-
dinary mission entrusted to his Ambassador
MENSCHIKOFF. Their remonstrances only be-
come more resolute in tone immediately intel-
ligence is received of the movement across
the Pruth of the Russian troops under
the command of GORTSCHAKOFF. Although to a
considerable extent the veil of diplomatic mystery
is still drawn over the somewhat elaborated nego-
tiations, enough is implied to lead the more cre-
dulous beholders to conjecture that the formidable
allies of Turkey are inflexible in their resolve to
subdue the arrogance of the CZAR, by their un-
yielding determination, and to celebrate the
triumph of right Over, might, by causing the
instant surrender by the Russian troops of the
two invaded Principalities. Meanwhile the more
curious are denied anything at all approaching to
an explanation. The public is coolly recom-
mended to await the issue with a patient reliance
upon the wisdom of the popular administrators.
Nothing is elicited from the statesmen who are
necessarily in the secret, beyond the laconic
reminder that the country will learn all in good
time, and that meanwhile it is indiscreet to
insist upon what at the best must prove to be only
Premature revelations. It is in this manner the
negotiations are protracted—official couriers has-
tening Perpetually between London, Paris, Berlin,
Vienna, St. Petersburg, and Constantinople. If
the faintest inkling is obtained of what is really
going forward, it is solely owing to the dignified
candour of the imperial Cabinet of the Tuileries.
M. DRouv
DH lEf
instant breaks urs, once or twice, for an
through the flimsy webwork of
political etiquette,
but the Earl of CLA RENDON
pursues to the
last
whilemomentthe news
an unbroken taci-
turnity. All this
the East continues to be of a news received from
kind the most irri-
tating imaginable. The
Patriot:o
.ardour of the
Turks is known to have risiennsutoitala pitch of almost
unexampled enthusiasm.
multiplying in the scene of eontenaretirrienslY
of the—einsults
wantonly offered by the Councils
those of the SULTAN at Constantinople. Z." to
The
llospodar of Moldavia is forbidden by Russia to
send further tribute to ,'ABD-UL-MEnJID as his
liege Suzerain. Nothing is left undone, in fact,
by the AUTOCRAT, which diu?„, most clearly ink
cate his disregard to the force-of treaties, his con-
tempt for all the laws of ..-honour, and his utter
disdain for
the most---elementary principles
. •
of international juitspni ence. Throughout
all which intolerable proceedings on his part, he
to the forwarding of every
dedicates his energies.
species of warliko'i)
repaption.. He appoints his
favourite sonih49 Grand Duke CONSTANTINE,
Admiral of tla.Russian Fleet in the Black Sea,
seeing closely t6"the increase and efficiency of the
maritime armaments at Sebastopol. He quarters
the advance-guard of his colossal army on the
Moldavian and Wallachian provinces, preparing
his soldiers by the passage of the Pruth for the
passage of the Danube and the storming of the '
various passes along the line of the Balkan Moun-
tains. Information of all these particulars arriv-
ing in this country revives, as a matter of course,
the anxiety of those who are' eager to witness the
triumph over • lawless ambition of the sacred
interests involved in the cause of Turkish inde-
pendence.

Additional inquiries are consequentlyn bothi addressed
to the Ministers of the Crown Houses of
the English Parliament. Nevertheless
Cabi-
net still continues obdurate. T hee
hr the
still
a delay of the appearance of the is
l
desired explanation. The nation is told oong-
ee
more that it must wait quietly until it shall
,quit the convenience of the Ccalition to reveal

the nature of the policy pursued by the Four
Powers in the conduct of these negotiations. At
length, when disposed almost to despair of any
settlement whatsoever—good, bad, or indifferent
I —the country hears suddenly that the CZAR has
accepted from the Four Powers their conjointly-
arranged ultimatissimum. Not a syllable is said even
then about the precise nature of the proposal
acceded to by the AUTOCRAT : but in the midst
of all the darkness, and the secresy, and the
doubt of these most mysterious proceedings, we
hear them spoken of as matter of general con-
gratulation. Hardly, however, have Englishmen
found themselves felicitated upon the acceptance
of the ultimatissimum by the Russian Government,
when they discover that that document insures to
the CZAR more concessions from Turkey to the
Greek Christians throughout the SULTAN'S do-
minions than even he (NICHOLAS) had, in his
most authoritative mood, demanded. And for
the acceptance of these enormous concessions by
Russia—England, and France, and Austria, and
Prussia are to be congratulated !

We have noticed the merits of Mrs. CHISHOLM
before ; but we advert, with no ordinary pleasure,
to the more efficient public honour done to them
at the London Tavern last Tuesday. The meet-
ing was convened to mark the respect and gra-
titude of her friends, "for her long, arduous,
and successful efforts in improving the condition
of emigrants to the British colonies, and especially
in promoting the reunion of families ; and to pre-
sent her with a testimonial previous to her de-
partui e for Australia." Towards the testimonial
itself 8001. was subscribed at the meeting—a sum
which we trust will be multiplied many times.
Well, indeed, does Mrs. CHISHOLM deserve
an acknowledgment from the public purse both
of this country and of Australia. We could not,
however, wish the charm of her spontaneous
exertions to be broken by any reward not per-
fectly spontaneous in its character also. The in-
cidents of the meeting were of a very pleasing
kind. The Chairman, the Right Hon. VERNON
SMITH, M.P., bore testimony to the surprising
energy of Mrs. CHISHOLM, having experienced its
effects against him politically in his first con-
test for the Borough of Northampton, and it
having then occurred to him that she would be a
most valuable advocate of any cause which she
undertook. He adverted also, as did other
speakers, in a somewhat apologetic style, to the
fact of her being a Catholic, and to the suspicion
hence engendered in some minds that she would
use her vast influence over untutored minds for
purposes of proselytism. Much pains was taken
to satisfy the meeting on this point. The Chair-
man thought the very best answer was, that the
Earl of SHAFTESBURY belonged to the Society of
which the Lady forms almost the entire executive.
Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT called in as evidence for
her the Rev. J. C. MILLER, of the Rectory, Bir-
mingham, who, though at first prejudiced
against her, had watched her course nar-
rowly, and was so satisfied that she had
only philanthropic objects in view, that he
cordially joined in the testimonial. Sir J. L.
GOLDSIVIID stated that the Jews had so much con-
fidence in her, that they intended to send out a
number of Jewish women under her care to
Australia. It was wise, no doubt, to allay any
ungenerous prejudice which might have arisen.
We, however, feel rather inclined to reverse the
process, and to congratulate Protestants as well
as Catholics on Mrs. CAROLINE CHISHOLM'S,
belonging to the latter. We have had one Mrs.
CAROLINE FRY, belonging to the most ultra sect
of Protestants, to conciliate the good-will of
Roman Catholics by au exhibition of the highest
philanthropy in their most uncompromising reli-
gious opponents ; and they now present us with
a like noble specimen of Christian benevolence in
connection with the creed associated in our his-
torical recollections, chiefly with the burnings of
Smithfield and the Inquisition.
What Mrs. FRY,the Quakeress, was in prisons,
Mrs. Cuisuous.t, the Catholic, is in the emigrant
ship and the colony. We think that common
generosity must assume of such women as these
that their philanthropy is perfectly above secta-
rianism. We could as easily imagine Mrs. FRY
pleading with the convicts to adopt the broad-brim
and the close bonnet, when their term was out, as
Mrs. CHISHOLM urging upon them the crucifix and
the rosary. Until a case was well substantiated,
(
we should refuse to harbour the remotest suspicion
that the nobler few of our race would " give to a
sect what was meant for mankind ; and we hold
this readiness to suspect energetic philanthropists,
like Father MATHEW or Mrs. CHISHOLM, of secta-
rian objects, to be indubitable evidence of the
narrow-mindedness and sectarianism of the sus-
pecting party. We have had so much to
do of late with MACHALES and CULLENS,
with furious electioneering priests, and subtle
cardinalsi that we really feel the greatest pleasure
in the fact that, in Mrs. CHISHOLM, Catholicism
presents :us with a representative whose efforts
and conduct had gained universal admiration
before her creed became generally known. One
living saint is worth a thousand dead ones for
evoking kindly sentiments towards the faith they
honour ; and we doubt not that the disinterested
and successful labours of Mrs. CHISHOLM will
avail much in generating a more tolerant feeling
towards her fellow Catholics, and that, too,
in the minds of those who retain all these
objections to Popery itself. It is pleasing after
all to observe how real practical religion,
the religion which acts out the benevolence
of the .Gospel, instead of contending about
points of doctrine, invariably in the long run
obtains the respect it deserves. Sceptical and
utilitarian, as it is the fashion to term this age,
no sooner does any individual, or any society,
show a zeal unquestionably Christian and benevo-
lent, combined with practical measures adapted to
the proposed object, than merit is at once acknow- '
ledged and aid is promptly rendered. The saner
part of society, whom Mrs. JELLYBY reviles as
worldly . and selfish, are only guilty of having
sense to. distinguish between her and Mrs. CHIS-
HOLM ; between Borriobola Gha and a Ragged
School at their own doors, or an emigrant ship
conveying their poorer neighbours across half the
world.

Mrs. CHISHOLM'S half-romantic, yet thoroughly
business-like, exploits and labours, are known to
all our readers. She has perfectly gained the
good-will of the rough untutored class she has had
to do with, and would be thoroughly safe amongst
a population of liberated convicts when her name
was knOwn. She has found wives for numbers of
the men, and husbands for the women, under
every disadvantage, and with wonderful general
success. Her presence has been the precursor of
good order and morality wherever she has appeared
among them. Separated families have been re-
united in safety and comfort, by her arrangements,
arrangements which, individually, very few of
them could have made • and certainly the ladies,
who, in this l
much indebted to are 500,000 too many, are
and, where the Christian law of mar-
riage is respected
her, since she has given to
female emigration a
feasibility and respectability
unknown before.
She may, indeed, be said to have commenced a
ted her views ;
Mr. LINDSAY, and her et
new era in the management of emigrant ships.
respectable shipowners,
proved a far more have thoroughly agop
regulations.a s i
and the
spirit she has diffused has
whenpmaarinfeavour
po-
tent Reformer than Governmentts
ought, indeed, to be regardedlt
of PROVIDENCE that, at a time
emi-
gration has become so enormous, and is
likely to
continue so large, such an Emigrant Ship Reformer
as Mrs. CHISHOLM should appear upon the stage.
By example, by kindness, and by energy, she has
initiated a reform which no coercive measures
could have achieved, and which will advance
rather than recede.

RE-PAVING OF OXFORD-STEET.—The portion of Ox-
ford-street between Charles street, Soho-square, and
Tottenham-court-road is closed for repairs, and in the
meantime the immense traffic of this important thorough,
fare is obliged to take a circuitous route of the streets
adjoining to and from the City and West-end of the
town to their several destinations.- It is understood to
be intended to widen the footpath at this point of the
street, by taking a portion of the carriage-road for that
L Purpose.