The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-14 00:00:00

1), 411116
111- bilentu Ultrs

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14,184!.

Austria may be regarded as having separated itself
definitively from the movement of the forty inde-
pendent states in favour of a national union and a
Germanic regeneration. The document addressed by
its Government to the Central Executive, or to the
Prussian Plenipotentiaries at Frankfort-on-the-Maine,
cannot searcely be regarded as other than a formal
withdrawalfrom the great effort at advancement. For
the National Assembly at St. Paul's Cathedral may
be said to have pledged itself to the policy sketched
out in the political programme of Herr VON GAGERN,
and it is against that policy, against its origi-
nator, and against the fact of its acceptation, that
the Austrian note of the 4th instant is directed. The
reason for this sudden recoil on the part of the Mi-
nistry of SCRWARTZENBURG is by no means aston-
ishing, when it is considered that the inevitable ten-
dency of the arrangement proposed by VON GAGERN
would be to dissever the bonds which connect the
numerous and heterogeneous masses together—speak-
ing different languages, having different customs,
practising different religions, and wearing different
costumes—which constitute the vast, but very
perishable nationality of Austria. The system of
German Unity, as propounded by this statesman, as
adopted by the Central Diet, and as repudiated by
the Cabinet of Vienna, would lead rapidly and inevit-
ably to the dismemberment of the Austrian empire—
to its dismemberment, at least, in this respect, that
all the non-German provinces, all those provinces
which are peopled by members of the Sclavon:c
family, would be loosened from the hold of the
Austrian Administration, and would be transformed,
like Lombardy, into integral portions of those :
do-
minions of which they are geographically sections,
but from which the brute force of conquest has for
the time being cut them asunder. That SCUIVART-
ZENBURG and his colleagues should have
an insuperable antipathy to any scheme that would
terminate in a manner so disastrous to Austrian
Absolutism, that would in fact change Austria from
one of the greatest powers of Europe into one of the
omparatively subordinate states of Germany, is but
natural. Yet it must be confessed that the policy
incorporated in the political programme of VON
GAGERN is the only one consonant with the real
interests of that large agglomeration of stated,
an l that in facilitating the ulterior dis-
ruption of the pernicious empire of Aus-
tria that policy will be conferring an
inestimable boon upon the whole European continent.
It is a great question, moreover, whether the effect
produced by this very measure which her rulers re-
gard as so peculiarly baneful, would not be in the end
advantageous to herself.
Ultimately the incongruous fabric of the Austrian
empire must crumble into ruins. Its incongruities
afford the most incontrovertible assurances of this
final dismemberment. As well might we expect a
influence
sand hardened into a mass by some refrigerat-
ing to hold together permanently, as to ex-
pect that the Hungarians, the Transylvanians,
the Lombards, the Sclayonians the Croatians, the
Carniolians, the Stirians, the Mo'ravians the Bohe-
mians, and the Tyrolese will remain for
ever' obedient
to the once dominant principality of the robber-
dynasty of Hapsburg. The day must come when
these different peoples will rise and proclaim not
their independence exactly, but their junction with
the territories from which they have been unnaturally
partitioned. Lombardy, for example, must at last be
incorporated with the other principalities of the
Italian peninsula. Gallicia must gravitate towards

pnlic,ll n it;oriality which is not destro3'erl hut
siuu►LerA. I.3t.hetnia will a,buthe again to herself her
ermined crown, and Hungary reclaim from the brows
of the usurper the golden diadem of King STEPHEN.
The Tyrol will, as the cant phrase goes, fraternize
with Switzerland, and the minor states situated to
the south and to the east will tend towards the realisa-
tion of the dream of KRASINSKI—the establishment
of a Panslavic confederation. Immeasur eably better
would it be for Austria to prepare itself gradually for
this tremendous and inevitable dismemberment, by
its political absorption into the Germanic nationality,
rather than to estrange itself from the other German
powers, and by so doing await the moment of
its doom in a state of complete isolation.
Among the reasons advanced by the Cabinet of
Vienna for its disrelish for the project of Vox GA-
GERN is the following :—" The continuance of Austria
in political unity [that is to say the retention within
the grasp of the Imperial Government of the non-
German as well as of the German provinces consti-
tuting Austria] is a German as well as a European
necessity." Nothing anomalous can be a necessity.
The present unity, as it is called, of Austria is de-
cidedly anomalous ; therefore, the maintenance of this
so-called unity cannot be a necessity. The sophistry of
the assertion is consequently disclosed at once in the
vivid glare of a syllogism. Again, the Ministry of
SCHWARTZENEURG observes :—" The Imperial Go-
vernment picture to themselves a firm and powerful
Germany, with reference to its foreign relations,
and with regard to its internal affairs a strong
and free one—a Germany organically provided with
members, yet one in itself." It requires a unity,
therefore, altogether incompatible with the retention
of those non-German provinces, which it insists
upon regarding, under all circumstances, as quite
as integral portions of itself as its Ger-
man provinces. The absurdity of which is
too obvious to demand any lengthened exposition.
Since that 30th of March, 1848, when the Germanic
Diet decreed the election of popular representatives
to deliberate at Frankfort on the future destinies and
final regeneration of the confederated states of
Fatherland, Austria has, on account of its incon-
gruous position, occupied a very dubious post among
the German powers. It has now complicated matters
more than ever by the intricate and impracticable
policy unfolded in the diplomatic note of its Govern-
ment. Some bold solution of the problem must be
arrived at by the Central Parliament, or otherwise
the accomplishment of their labours will be indefinitely
postponed.

A Select Committee was last night granted, on the
motion of the Hon. ,Member for Youghal, " to in-
quire into the present state of the inland fisheries and
navigation of Ireland, and the obstructions which
hinder the enjoyment of the same, and the best means
of removing such obstructions, and to report their
opinion thereon to the House. " Among the many
questions deeply affecting the future welfare and
prosperity of Ireland, there are few of greater practical
importance than those relating to its fisheries, as well
the inland" as the deep sea, and the coast.
Hitherto the natural resources of the country have
been neglected. The mines of wealth that existed in
the neighbouring seas, in the bays and inlets by which
its coast is indented, have been, if not wholly disre-
garded, at least so carelessly and negligently worked,
as to afford but a precarious and scanty subsistence to
some thousands of quasi fishermen who waste their
time in idleness, and are wholly unprepared
to take advantage of the periodical ar-
rival of shoals of fish on their shores.
We have already pointed out the causes that have
produced this lamentable waste of the gifts of Pito-
VIDENCE, and shown how, by a comparatively trifling
expenditure, fish, to the value of many hundred
thousand pounds, might be cured and made available
for the nation's food.

We most sincerely trust that the present session
may not be suffered to elapse without some practical
measures being introduced for the purpose of averting
this enormous evil from the country, and directing its
unemployed labour into a channel so beneficial.
The causes that have led to the comparative
failure of the inland fisheries are of a totally diffe-
rent character, and very different remedies will be
necessary for their removal. The sea and coast
fisheries have languished from neglect and apathy,
from a deficiency of capital for their due prosecution,
and a consequent deficiency of the means and ap-
pliances for capturing the fish—such as proper boats,
nets, &c., and also of saving and curing them when
obtained. There is ample room for all, and it is not
possible to abuse the opportunities afforded by
fishing at improper seasons, or intercepting the
fish on their journey to the spawning ground, and
thus preventing them from increasing and multiply-
ing in due season. In the inland fisheries it is other-
wise. Vast monopolies have sprung up. The mouths
and entrances of the various rivers are crowded with
weirs which prevent the access of the fish up the
rivers while those that escape are destroyed by thou-
sands by poachers, with nets, lights, spears, gaffs,
&c., while the neighbouring proprietors view the
wholesale slaughter with indifference—having under
the present system no motive for preserving the fish for
the sole benefit of the weir owners, who monopolize
the fish in the spawn season. Hence the gradual de-
terioration of the fisheries, the diminution of the
salmon tribe in the Irish rivers. So that, ere long,
if the same course be persevered in, there will be no
fish to legislate about, or to be worth the trouble of
preserving. Thirty or forty years ago the rivers
were abundantly stocked with salmon, which pro-
vided cheap and wholesome food for the people, and
afforded amusement and profit to the inland
proprietors; but that is now altogether changed,
and the scarcity and failure of the supply
is becoming every day more perceptible. An Act
was passed last session which effected sone improve-
ment in the laws for regulating the salmon fishery,
but they were clearly inadequate
,to the exigency
of the case, and were admitted to be but of a tem-
porary character until more comprehensive enactments
could be matured.

We are rejoiced to find that a strict investigation
is at length about to take place respecting the ob-
structions that ruin the fishery, many of which are,
we believe, of an illegal character; but few persons
are willing to incur the expense and annoyance
of vindicating the public rights by abolish-
ing injurious monopolies. Mr. ANSTEY, in the
speech in which he introduced the motion, exhibited
much information, and deservedly obtained the ap•
probation of all parties in the House. If the Learned
Gentleman would abandon the various crotchets
which he has from time to time brought forward,
until his rising to address the chair became a signal
for the departure of three-fourths of the Members
present, and too often for the counting out of the
House. If he would restrict himself to topics of un-
doubted practical utility, such as that which he last night
brought under the notice of the House and country,
he would no longer be regarded as a bore of the first
magnitude, and would speedily attain that influence
to which his unquestionable talents and sound infor-
mation entitle him.

Before concluding the subject, we would recom-
mend to the notice of the Committee that may be ap-
pointed, and to the public generally, a short pamphlet
from the pen of Mr. JOHN DILLON CROKER,* a gen
tleman who has evinced a thorough knowledge of the
case, and who last year pointed out the amendments
principally required in the present salmon fishery
laws.

The directors of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick
Railway Company hare just issued statements of the
capital and revenue accounts of the company for the
half-year ending the 31st of December last, and also
of the receipts and payments in respect of the capital
created for the purchase of the Great North of England
Railway. The fullest information is affbrded to the
shareholders on every point, nothing is withheld that
could have been desired. It is manifest that there is
to be no concealment or mystery practised in the ma-
nagement of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick
Company. The good effects of open and unreserved
statements of the position and prospects of the several
companies is now fully apparent. The unfounded
fears of the shareholders have been appeased, the
panic has been completely dissipated, and, although
the market prices of the shares have not yet reached
their full value, there has been a gradual and pro-

Letter on the Past and Present State of the Salmon
Fisheries of Ireland, by J. Dillon Croker, of Quarter-
town, Esq., representative of the inland proprietors and
anglers of that part of the United Kingdom.

impri,vernPnt, which w

Mill continue.

113ve

The present statement is of a very satisfactory cha-
racter. The gross receipts of the company during
the six months ending 31st of December last, was
366,0191. 18s., which, added to the balance of
34,6501. Bs. 6d., which remained after pay-
ment of the dividend to the 30th June last, amounted
in the whole to 400,6701. 6s. 6d. The working ex-
penses of every description (even including insurance,
the Government duty on passengers, and rates and
taxes) amounted to 124,7501. 1 ls., and after pro-
viding for way]eaves and damage ground-rents, and
for Debenture interest, including interest on the
Great North of England and Hartlepool loans,
which together amounted to 31,2401. 1 ls. 10d., there
remained a sum to the credit of the company of
244,679/. 3s. Bd. This sum, after deducting the rents
of the leased lines, would be more than adequate to
the payment of a dividend after the rate
of 7 per cent. The directors, however, exhibit
a judicious anxiety to keep the reserve fund of
the company in a satisfactory condition. They,
therefore, strongly recommend the shareholders
to accept a dividend of six per cent.,
after paying which there would remain a
surplus on the half-year's set profits of
25,1271. ls. Od., which, with the former reserve,
would make a total reserve of 59,7771. 9s. 6d.

The prudence of this advice will be fully appreciated
by all persons in any degree acquainted with railway
matters. It will prevent the possibility of any falling
off in the dividend, while it will afford the most
favourable prospects of a speedy and permanent
increase. It will, of course, be for the shareholders
to decide on the amount to be distributed at the next
half-yearly meeting. Many will doubtless be desir-
ous of obtaining the larger amount, and will con-
tend that it should be forthwith divided,
as it is unquestionably at their disposal.
The directors, however, exhibit a sound discretion
in recommending the 6 per cent. as best calculated
to secure the permanent advantage of the under-
taking. Many causes have undoubtedly existed during
the past year to decrease the traffic, and conse-
quently to diminish the revenue of the company. The
passenger traffic had fallen off from the wide-
spread distress under which all classes had suffered.
We are happily recovering from that commercial and
general depression, so that we may anticipate more
favourable results, every appearance of which has been
already manifested. Money has also become much
more abundant, and may be readily obtained
at easier rates of interest. These circumstances afford
the most favourable indications for an early increase
in the rate of dividend ; but still we think the
directors justified in recommending the more prudent
and moderate course, a course which should give
increased confidence in their management.

Full accounts have also been rendered of the traffic
accounts of the Newcastle and Carlisle, and of the
Maryport and Carlisle Railway. The former of
these railways has been worked by the company for
five months—the latter for three. There have been
small losses on both accounts, on the former of
1,0241. Bs. ld., and on the latter of 1951. 4s. 9d.,
during the above periods. There is, however, every
prospect of a considerable improvement in both, for
reasons assigned by the directors which appear
highly satisfactory. Indeed it is more than probable
that they will speedily become sources of considerable
profit, in place of loss. The directors are therefore
convinced that the acceptance of leases on the terms
already agreed upon must prove highly advantageous
to the interests of the shareholders. Indeed, when the
losses have proved so very trifling in, the first in-
stance, when working expenses are more than usual,
it becomes a matter almost of certainty that the
line will become very profitable. Other consider-
ations must also be taken into account. It will
be seen how necessary the possession of these
lines must be to the integrity of the under-
taking, and the avoidance of competing
lines. Under such circumstances we cannot enter-
tain a doubt but that the shareholders will gladly
confirm the agreement into which the directors have
entered on their behalf, and secure the permanent
possession of those valuable branch lines.