The Sun.
London, England, 1825-12-30 00:00:00

[THE PUBLIC LEDGER.]

We have received several sets of German
Pa pers, anti amongst them sets of The AMStriall
Observer and Vienna Court Gazette • to the 18th
inst. it is rather strange, that the two last make
no mention of the death of the Emperor Alex-
ander, though the event must have been offic.ially
notified before then to the Austrian Court. This
silence speaks volumes, in our opinion, as to the
impression which it has made in that capital ;
and no where, probably, has it occasioned more
sincere regret—perhaps stupefaction. In all the
views of Austria for the repression of new doc.

trines, or, in other words, for resistance to those
great principles, upon which ,the true glory of
States, and the happiness of social. man, have
depended in all ages, the late Emperor had, for
several years, concurred, with a zeal which it
was difficult to reconcile with the strength of his
character, and a certain elevation of mind, which
never desefted him wholly in any situation.—
Therefore, an unavoidable suspicion had arisen,
that his ardour in making war on the spirit of the
age, was merely a cloak for some mighty scheme
of ambition, which he could not find the favour-
able moment to execute, particularly in conse-
quence of the sleepless vigilance of England, but
which he probably hoped to accomplish as soon
as the other members of the Holy Alliance should
have got inextricably entangled in the meshes of
their infatuated policy. If this surmise be correct,
Alexander must not be considered so much in the
light of a pacific Prince, as of a wary
politician, who was rather indifferent too with
respect to his means, as his conduct with respect
to Finland, and several other proceedings of a
similar tendency, seem , trongly to indicate. But
whatever may have been his real motives for his
opposition to doctrines, which once he had as
openly patronized, as he had, at a later period,
rancorously persecuted, yet the opposition itself
was\ so agreeable to his august allies, that
they were never over anxious to discover the
main spring of his co-operation. They found it
for the time convenient ; and though they ne-
ver attached implicit faith to his protestations,
yet they were too much flattered by them to
sift them too nicely. The vast army he
constantly kept on foot, amounting, as he boasted
himself, to 800,000 disposable troops ; and,
above all, his system of military colonization, are
rather difficult to reconcile with his frequent
assurances, that the object nearest to his heart
was to maintain the tranquillity of Europe
undisturbed. This discrepancy, however, was
blinked at by the other members of the Holy
Alliance, for the reasons we have stated ; and
too grateful for present aid, they tried to
close their eyes to the dangers of the future.
Tba t aid is now withdrawn; and instead of it,
they see the colossal power of Russia wielded by
an arm, which may turn it against them and
their system. These considerations may account
for the silence which the Ministerial Jnornals of
Vienna have hitherto guarded on the subject of
the Emperor Alexander's death.

[stt PItESS.]

Nothing is yet known, nor can be for several
days with certainty, as to the course of policy
.which the new Emperor of Russia will adopt.
His temper is impetuous and warlike, and there-
fore it is by many apprehended that his regard
for the political policy of his late brother would
by no means be a sufficient inducement to him to
refrain from breaking the peace of Europe in
pursuit of the magnificent design which has been
the favourite dream of his ambition since his very
childhood. We are fully aware that the position
in which Constantine will feel himself placed on
ascending- the throne must materially affect his
former views. What, as the Grand Duke, he fan-
cied easy of accomplishment and proper to be at-
tempted, he may, as Emperor, find to be surrounded
with more serious difficulties than he could previ-
ously suspect,and unworthy of the risk of suffering
he must incur in so perilous an enterprise. We
admit, therefore, that the mere character of Con-
stantine will not enable us to predict any change
in the forei;n policy of Russia. But when we
consider the arbitrary nature of the Government
and the entire Lbsence of all those checks which,
in a more civilized and enlightened nation,
would, under a monarchy equally absolute, con-
trod and regulate the conduct of the Sovereign,
and when we bear in mind that the prejudices of
his subjects in general, and of the army in parti-
cular, are enthusiastically enlisted in support of
the project for his aggrandisement, we confess
we do not feel at ease respecting the evehts
that may shortly occur in the East. Con-
stantine probably cares little about the state
of public opinion beyond the boundaries of his
own dominions, and with his subjects universally,
and the soldiery at his back, he has nothiog
to fear from any quarter. An Evening Paper
remarks, that " the Statesmen of Itussia would
ill-deserve to be so called if they could recognise
so frivolous a pretext for counnitting their country
to a portentous struggle as the name of their
Sovereign." In such a country as Russia there
are few "Statesmen" who would dare even to
hint resistance to the wishes of the reigning
Prince. Nor are the sinister auguries founded on
his name so slight and ridiculous Rs this Journal
seems to consider. The case of the Emperor Con-
stantine is in that respect peculiar : there is nothing
similar to it in history. With hint, and with a su-
perstitious people like the Itussianl, his tame will
do much. We cannot therefore disguise from our
readers that we view the accession of the new
Emperor with deep anxiety. We earnestly hope
that tl►e existing relations between the Cabinet
of St. Petersburgh and those of the other Powers
of Europe, may not in the slightest degree be
disturbed ; but our duty requires that we should
unhesitatingly express our apprehensions that
there is great danger lest the present ruler of that
vast and unwieldy empire should prove to be al-
most as difficult and impracticable to be treated
with as his extravagant and unfortunate father.

:MORNING CIittONICLV.:

The Consol Market yesterday was very dull.
Consols for Account opened at 82, but, .subse-
quently, declined to 811 ; and, although they
again rallied and got up to 823, they left of
at 81-1- ; for these fluctuations, no ostensible
reason could be assigned ; and, until some cer-
tain intelligence Arrives of the state of things un-
der the new Emperor of Russia, similar varia-
tions must be expected. Money Stack was, in
general, scarce ; and several sums, especially in
Reduced, were borrowed to meet the exigences
of the market—a circumstance not a little favour-
able when compared With the late cry out among
•the seilers.—Three per Cents. Reduced was done
811, to 4 80i, and left off at WI ; 3,17 per cents.
89L-; and 31 per cents. Reduced 89a d 88i and
891 ; Bank stock reached 21/11;' and Long An-
nuities 20. India Bonds were at par, and at a

smAll prem.; and the Large Exchequer Bills were,
sold at 3 dis., 1 prem., and again 1 dis.; the small
Bills were at a prem. of 2 and 5 ; Souk,Se4
Annuities 80i ? Lottery Tickets 191. 19s. SPe'
culations on the future prices of Stock of all sots
are on foot, and there is an evident effort t°
bring the market lower, but how this will sue'
ceed remains to be proved ; at present these at
i
tempts have been successfully resisted, and
the wild rumours which have been circulate"
have produced no serious effect. In the Bank
of England every thing goes on as usual, but It
has become necessary, from the press of business;
to increase the number of Clerks in the Cons°
Office, who remain on duty till six o'clock. The
Discount of Town Bills yesterday, we under
stand, was very considerable, and discounts I!'
private circles were effected with increased fa°.
lity at 5 per cent. This is Settling Day in ti
file
Foreign Market, and yesterday was principal
employed in making up accounts. The prices °
that securities did not vary materially.