The Sun.
London, England, 1836-02-05 00:00:00

GERMAN PAPERS.

FROM THE BANKS OF 'risß NAREW, JAN. 11.—Since the
time of Czarnecki, Sobieski, and Labonieski, we look in vain
in the annals of history for a war in which Poland was victo-
rious. Independent Poland was even tributary to the Cres-
cent, and alternately conquered by Sweden, Russia, Austria,
France, and Prussia: Poland was still an independent state,
for when its armies were conquered by the Turks, Cossacks,
and Tartars, by the Russians and Swedes—it is proper to re-
mind the English and French Journalists of this fact, whos
often dreamed of a Polish bulwark, as of Chateaux
Es-
pagne, which are nearer to them. Did the ancientt_Seda.rarmwataiyc
heroic Poland, hinder the Mongols from finding their h
the free and
through the Polish forests to Lignitz ?
august Republic hinder Charles XII. from advancing through
and Fermois Cossacks
Poland and Leipsig, and Apranxens
from coming to Berlin ? At no time,and under none of its
political forms, did Poland prove itself to be a bulwark against
the East ; but now it seems it : different. Now we are told
Poland would prove to be an invincible, incessible fortress,
if only one trifling thing were granted to it— ac
the blessings of
the Western Quadruple Alliance. We, who living on the
spot, see the affairs of Poland as they are, complain of these
fanciful notions, less on account of the bitter irony contained
in them, than for the painful ignorance of our self-constituted
,‘a
panegyrists. With }te Brun's Geography, Radowski's Polish
History, Bronikowski s Novels, it is attempted to prove what
Poland was and what it will be. In this way it is easy to misre-
present the real force and political importance of Poland, and
to hold up its feebleness and political nullity as the contrary of
What they are. The real force of Poland in its Sclavonian
origin, its Sclavonian manners and customs, which are still pre-
served with considerab e purity among the lower classes (here,
as elsewhere, the sound part of the nation), in its language
and literature, which was recognised a hundred times in the
last revolution—its political importance is essentially in its
geographical situation, and the nature of the country. To that
real force it may be ascertained that Poland has happily
borne all the experiments of administrative wisdom, which
more than any other country in Europe it has had to bear
during the last 50 years. The administration of the Perma-
nent Council was followed by the Constitution of 1791, then
by that of the Confederation of Targowicz, then the temporary
Government of Suwarrow, lastly the Prussian, Russian, and
Austrian in 1793 ; then the French Saxon of 1807 ; then again
the Provisional Russian Government of 1812 ; then that of
the Kingdom, 1815 and 1831, and that of the last Revolution.
Even the recent superficial knowledge of the different spirit of
forms of the Administration of the four great European Powers
occupying Poland, must see that these sudden changes of admi-
nistration are a real misfortune to the country. Yet in all the
late reasonings about Poland it has never been seriously consi-
dered, or even noticed. Hence it is that people in other countries
do not or will not understand Poland when it confides in the pre-
sent Administration, because it bears in itself the elements of
alteration, and its internal force becomes, for the first time, a
real political force, by its union with Russia. In the same
manner, the geographical position of Poland, and the nature
of the country in itself, give it no political importance. Set
up as a bulwark against Russia, Poland, whether independent
or united with the neighbouring German States, is nothing.
But united with Russia, Poland acquires political importance
in Europe, a truth which was never more splendidly defended
than by the Anti-Russian diplomacy of the Vienna Congress.
Only Poland's pretended friends do not know it. It is they
who talk incessantly of a Polish bulwark against the East,
and hold up as the most brilliant conception of modern policy
this idea, which is supported neither by the origin nor the man-
ners of the people, nor by the history and the nature of the
country. Poland "a political bulwark ! " For this Poland
wants every physical and moral qualification. But what is
that to the advocates of fixed ideas ? We do net see what
line of defence Poland could hold against Russia, as the Ural
and Caucasus are rather too far from Warsaw. We are re-
ferred to the morass of Pinsk and the forests of Minsk, with-
out considering that the morass of Pinsk was always such,
and the forests of Minsk might be still more impregnable,
without keeping the Russiait armies from Warsaw. How-
ever, if Poland had on the east an Alpine barrier, bound
in eternal ice, inaccessible even to a Hannibal, where would
the French arid English journalist find these Polish Leoni-
da.sses but in their own offices ? For while the majority of tire
Poles are summing up their accounts with the last revolution,
and considcrin7 the losses so wantonly incurred, they widitbatw
n-,ore and more from the fairy land of their national vanity, to
the West European regions of calculating egotism, where the
heroic race is in general not at home.—Franlybrt Obet
rest Antis Zeitung, Jan. 31.
BERLIN, JAN. 31.—The reiterated mention of the nationality
of Poland in the address of the French Chamber of De::uti,:s
has caused a great sensation here. Pcople ask with astuni•h_
ment to what tend these protestations in favour of a cause
which its advocates had not the courage to cieCencl, when it was
not yet desperate ? So long as the Deputies of so inflam-
mable a nation manifest such sympathy for a question, toe
actual solution must set all Europe in a flame, and no generd
reduction of the standing armies can be thought of. But unless
the ()Teat burdens which depress all industry be greatly dimi-
nished., we must necessarily look forward to a total impove-
rishment, as it is evident to every body that we carry on a highly
slisadvantageous trade, compared with foreign countries, partly
for the above cause, and partly from their greater national
riches. On more mature consideration, the Gallic declaration
seems of the greater importance, as a continual repetition of it
might induce an ambitious prince to provoke a general war.
Others affirm we must attend not to words but to things, and
that the relations of the several parties are so directly opposed,
that in time the sword alone in the end must decide.

VIENNA, JAN. 25.—Five per Cents. 1027; Four per Cents.
99a- ; Three per Cents. I,36s.—Allgemeine Zeitung, Jan. 29.
BRUSSELS, JAN. 31.—Last night we had a most violeii
storm of wind from the south ; hitherto we have heard of 11,
accidents.

Dr. Bowring, who has been for some time at Brussels on a
commercial mission from the British Government, leaves to-
morrow, in order to be at London on the opening of Parlia-
ment.
After the discussion of the last budget, the order of the day
is the report on the petitions relative to the commercial lase.
The debate on the law itself will immediately follow. We
(the Courrier Belgic) invite all the Representatives, who are
friends to the country, to be at their post on this important
debate.

A letter from Aix La Chapelle says that French travellers
are exposed to all kinds of annoyance, and to such a rigid sur-
villance, that many persons wholly unconnected with politics
prefer leaving the country.
BELGIAN FUNDS.-135USSELS, FEB. 1.
Actual Debt, 9.% per Cent ,
Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent llit
Loan of City, 1832, Four per Cent
Society of Commerce, Four and a Half per Cent l3l
Bank of Belgium, Five per Cent 1135
—.Brussels Papers, Feb. 3.

SEAMEN'S HOSPlTAL.—Wednesday a meeting of
the subscribers to this charity was held at the London
Tavern, for the purpose of hearing the secretary's report
read, and of passing the accounts of the institution for the
year just expired. Sir F. Ommanney was in the chair.
From a statement made by the secretary, it appeared that
no less a number than 25,552 seamen had been received
into the hospital since its foundation, and the number of
patients admitted last year amounted to 2,341. In addi-
tion to the relief thus afforded, advice, medicine, and medi-
cal stores had been provided, in the course of the year 1835,
to 1,191 out-patients. These facts constitute of themselves
sufficient evidence of the value of this institution, which,
with a truly benevolent feeling, is thrown open for the recep-
tion of sick seamen belonging to every nation. All who
know how severe are the sufferings of a sailor in sickness,
when abandoned to his own resources, will feel great plea-
sure at hearing of the existence of the Seamen's Hospi-
tal, and to their attention we direct the following passage
in the secretary's report :—" The interest accruing upon
the whole funded property of the charity amounts to 1,800/.,
the annual subscriptions to about 1,400/., making, together
with the receipts under the Merchant Seamen's Bill (pro-
bably .5000, an aggregate income of 3,700/. It must.
however, be borne in mind, that the annual expenses of
the establishment exceed 5,000/."
THE LATE LORD STOWELL.—TiIe late Lord
Stowell was a tutor at Oxford in the year 1772, when his
brother, John Scott, the present Lord Eldon, eloped with
Miss Surtees from Newcastle to Scotland, where they were
immediately married. The lady had not a single shilling of
property, and her husband being without profession or pro-
spect had nd dependence but upon his brother. The latter,
though greatly chagrined and provoked at what had oc-
curred, was too wise and good a man to cherish angry feel-
ings in a case which admitted of no redress. After express-
ing his sentiments sharply on the imprudent conduct of his
brother, he asked him what he meant to do for a livelihood.
His first thought was directed to the Church ; but here
nothing better than a curacy could be expected, and, there-
fore, the idea was quickly abandoned. It was at length
settled, after much discussion, that the lost young man, as
his brother termed him, should try the law, and enter a
student of the Middle Temple, as a preparatory step to his
admission in the Court of Civilians. His brother himself
was at that time a member of the same community. For
a long time nothing but the strictest frugality could afford
him the hope of a mere livelihood, while in assiduity alone
could he expect to ensure professional success. Hence his
very adversity became the seed of his prosperity, and on an
extremely impoverished beginning he laid the foundation of
that surprising superstructure of honour and wealth to which
he at last attained.

Much inconvenience was felt in the City on Wednes-
day morning by the late delivery of the post letters. We be-
lieve, however, it was unavoidable, the roads Wing very
heavy, in consequence of great falls of snow and rain. Six
western mails we are told, had not arrived at ten o'clock ;
and the Poole mail was brought by eight horses.
THUNDER STORM.—On Friday afternoon, Black-
rock, near Cork, was visited by a violent storm of thunder,
lightning, and hail, and the steeple of the parish church was
struck by the electric fluid, torn to pieces, and thrown to the
ground. The roof of the church was also considerably in-
jured by the falling stones,

A few days ago a prison van was overturned at the
corner of the Rue des Paul; at Rouen, and it became
necessary to let out all the prisoners before it could be
righted. Not one of them attempted to escape ; but with
one accord they set to work to raise the fallen vehicle, and
then quietly resumed their seats in it !—Galignanes J-Vres-
sengerr