The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-24 00:00:00

THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR.

Not a syllable of truth is contained in the repre-
sentations of a Protectionist print, attributing the
absence of the French Ambassador to what it is
pleased to:style a " difficulty" between the Govern-
ments of France ?,nd England. Count Walewski,
as our readers are aware, left London last week for
a few days, in order to attend upon his Imperial
master—an incident certainly not so uncommon as
to create any extraordinary remark. We believe
that he has already returned to his post, and this
is the beginning and end of the story. The two
Governments remain, as formerly, in a complete
unanimity of opinion respecting the interests of
the Western Powers and of Europe in the dispute
which is now convulsing the East. What course
of policy they may ultimately decide upon adopt-
ing is a point which events must contribute in a
great measure to determine.—Times.

PROFESSOR MAURICE.

(From a Correspondent.)

It seems that so long as the world lasts, men who
are true to the dictates of their own souls will suf-
fer much at the hands of those opposed to them.
One more proof of this, is the fact that the
" Council" of King's college have deprived Pro-
fessor Maurice of the chair of Ecclesiastical
History, on the ground of want of orthodoxy !
Let the Council sit in solemn conclave, and send
forth to the world a distinct and positive definition
as to what is and what is not orthodox—and all
mankind will assuredly bless them, and their me-
morable names shall be handed down in grateful
remembrance to posterity ; but we much fear
they would not all agree on any point of
theology or religious definitions. We had given
them credit for a greater development of enlight-
ened liberty than they deserved, and little thought
they emulated the proceedings of the dark ages.
It is a sad sight to see a handful of poor frail
mortals sitting, in the plenitude of their power
and wisdom, on judgment on a man whose outer
life is the counterpart of his inmost soul, and
whose learning and religious feeling are deserving of
the deepest consideration.
If the rev. gentleman had occupied the chair of
theology, we, perhaps, might not have thought
the step so rash a one, but we believe the proceed-
ing to be the fruit of bigotry and canting religionism.
These petty movements form but the bubbles on
the surface of the current, which will, ere
long, burst out into a storm that shall
dissipate much, if not all, of the present sys-
tem of Church discipline ; its ritualism and cere-
monialism will be swept into oblivion, and prove
the prelude to a brighter dawn for all true Church-
men

The Rev. Mr. Maurice, we believe, to be one of
those who live in hope of a better time—one who
deplores the corruptions now existing, and so pro-
minently discussed by Churchmen, the press, and
society generally.
Out of evil cometh good. Corruption calls into
activity much talent, virtue, and nobleness. As
true is it that the evil in the Catholic Church
ushered in a Luther, as that the fallen condition of
man was succeeded by the Deluge. Every age has
its reformers, both literary, political, and religious,
and the Luthers and Melancthons of our present
time are not altogether silent, but wait till their
voices will be heard.

The world has ever been advancing from age to
age—new discoveries, new inventions, new light,
new truths have bad their birth, and old obsolete
forms, traditions, and exploded theories have given
place to them, but the step taken by the King's Col-
lege Council would certainly imply that they be-
lieve mankind to be unprogressive, in every sense
of the word, and that the " orthodoxy" of bygone
times is suitable to all ages. Men's minds are as
diverse as the features of the human face, or the
leaves of trees. There never can be uniformity of
thought. We might as well try to make the
trees grow alike ; therefore, from colleges profes-
sing freedom, the bitter wrangling upon "ortho-
doxy" and " heterodoxy" should be for ever ban-
ished. It is an apple of discord, an evil spirit,
which lowers the dignity of man, impedes the pro-
gress of truth, obliterates genuine Christianity,
and gives birth to much bitterness.
While we regret, as Churchmen, the exhibition
made by these collegiate oracles, we have this con-
solation, that they possess not the wisdom that
enricheth. What is true will live. That truth can-
not be hooded, but will ever go forward with the
banner of progress, and be the fire and scourge
which, helping to drive out the darkness and cor-
ruption of the land, shall bring men to the sun-
light of boundless life.

An advance of N. 10s. per ton in the price of copper
was announced yesterday by the firms in that trade.

THE STEAMSHIP GOLDEN AGE.—The American
steam-ship Golden Age, which sails on Saturday next
for Australia, will not take any mails, the Go-
vernment allowance of two pence a-letter, and
one penny for newspapers, being deemed insufficient
by the owners, while premiums of 1,0001. are being
granted to ordinary sailing ships for the same
duty. If the vessel had been an English one, the
Post•office could have compelled her to carry a
mail upon their minimum terms, as they are now doing
in the case of the Liverpool Brazilian Steam Company,
paying meanwhile to other ships on the same route a
heavy subsidy ; but in the present instance they are
powerless. It is understood, however, that although
the Golden Age refuses to take a mail, she will carry
letters gratis for such persons as may send them on
board, and, as she made the fastest trial trip yet known
across the Atlantic, and has therefore given every pro-
' miss of a short passage to the colony, the mercantile
community will probably avail themselves, as far as pos-
sible, of this privilege.
ST. PETERSBURG.—Advices from St. Petersburg reach
to the 15th inst. The shipping season was considered
over, as there were no vessels remaining to load, and
the
be e
gage.avigad From
ti o nrwoulde
Odessaclosedthe d
beforeates any
tothe th
others couldll .
The anticipated reaction in the rate of exchange had
taken place in a very decided manner, the quotation
suddenly become 4 per cent. less unfavourable
for this country—an alteration which will soon react
auepmone
eSft.tPheetfeurtuerrg, and be likely, therefore, to check
t was still knownefto
wbehebe
a contemplatedremit of gold from London
tances
during the present week. The
price
continued on a large scale, advancing,
extent as during the preceding and the purchases
although not to the same
el7taeek. The quantity
taken altogether by the Neapolitan
amount
nunt Government was
ahifguhrtehr.erpWith regard to war
reports continued
ofto hbueerienceesisved, but
question4s,o FreightsO O quarters,flwuee rtue a ti
againnangd
wanted.
no fear was entertained of a stoppage
ALTERATION IN FRENCH TARIFFS.—Great inter t
was excited yesterday by the news from Paris regarding
the modification of the duties on iron and coals. The-
reduction on pig iron is from about 625. 6d. per ton to
40s. 6d. per ton ; on bars and rails from 81. 10s. and 71.
les. 3d. (according to their being imported in foreign
or French vessels), to Si. and 4/. 6s. 3d. ; and on sheet
iron, from a rate which was almost prohibitory, to 8/.
The'dimunition as regards pig iron is scarcely equal to
what
itsomise personsrather ghraedataenrt. A largeicipated; buimt ipnomrtaantiuofnacitsured
iron ex-
pected as an immediate consequence of the measure,
and it is stated in private letters that more than 60
aboutchar
both -
teversesdelsal o
Ef beertdweaeuexn Iwohoeraentdh2eopO onriteeosf,
phiagv
8/. 10s., to bring iron and coals. In the London
ier obne ei
sn
market yesterday no particular alteration was caused,
the movement having been previously looked for.
There was a rise, however, in pig iron of about ls. or 2s.
per ton.