The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-03 00:00:00

THE SUN,

vessel at present on the stocks. Hitherto, unfortu••
nately, a "screw " of a different character has been
employed in the labours of ship-building as far as the
advancement of the capabilities of the ships of
war have been concerned. While a considerable and
deplorable amount of extravagance has been exhibited
in the way of procrastination (for the pretended
purpose of seasoning the timber), the monetary
"screw" has been continually put on whenever pro-
jects have been opened of improving the more desi-
rable qualities of the future instruments of our marine
greatness. We would now see, for this hind of screw,
the substitution of another of a much more benefi
cial and, in the end, of a much more economical
description—the screw-propeller.
By the formation of such a rule as the one here
indicated our fleets and squadrons would be rendered
in a manner (what they certainly have never been
heretofore) independent of wind and current. They
would infuse life into what was previously little
better than an inanimate body floating over the
seas in obedience to the fluctuations of the atmo-
sphere. As we have before observed, the vessel would
by this means be gifted with positive vitality, it would
be endued with a power little short of actual volition.
Therefore, in the event of any warlike cccurrences,
the direction of the movements of a single ship, and
of an entire squadron, would be strangely and nearly
in lescribably facilitated. According to the old sys-
tem, for example, for the purpose of seizing an ere•
mies' seaport, unprotected by scarcely anything but
by forts situated at the entrance of the harbour, and
by batteries incapable of discharging missiles at any
object immediately in its neighbourhood, it
was absolutely essential to wait either for a favouring
breeze or for the flow of the tide, or for both
together. Whereas, with the screw propeller, such a
necessity is altogether obviated, end the hostile
fortifications placed almost wholly at our command
The same may be said, moreover, in reference to
sea fights generally, whether frigate actions, or those
more terrible and momentous conflicts which take
place when enormous fleets encounter. There
vessels of war were liable, at any moment, to
evade the intentions of her commander by
the shifting of the wind, or were compelled
to run the chance of being disabled before taking up
their positions. Masts could be splintered, yards shot
through, and sails torn to ribbons, the rigging might
he thrown into inextricable confusion by being torn
and intangled through the discharges of the enemy--
and upon such casualties dep2nded whether or not the
vessel mill respond to the wishes of her captain, and
answer the hand of the helmsman. By the employ.
ment of the screw-propeller the ship could of course
be rendered independent of these accidental cala-
mities. Through a hurricane of balls she
might, under its agency, move majestically into any
position that might be deemed advisable. Such a
capacity to set at defiance the destruction•of her sails,
masts, and rigging, is, it must be confessed, one of
inestimable and almost incalculable importance.
And taking these things into consideration, no one
will have the hardihood to deny that the expense in-
curred in applying the screw to a vessel of war, for
the purpose of imparting to her these advantages,
woull be found positively insignificant when con-
trasted with the value of those same advantages.
Besides, it must be borne in recollection that what
we are here demanding for the advancement of our
maritime efficiency will, sooner or later, to a dead
I certainty, be effected by the other naval powers of
the world. It is consequently of importance to
England that in this, as in other matters relating to
the marine service, she should take the lead by ad-
venturing betimes upon the initiative. Let us hope
that the opportunity will not at this time be rashly
foregone. The days of peace are those in which such
gigantic innovations can alone be accomplished with
security. GOD alone knows how long those days of
leisure will be permitted to us ; and consequently it is
especially incumbent upon the naval authorities to
consider, without too much delay, the advisability or
the non-advisability of the projected improvement. A
step has recently been taken, or, at least, promises to
be taken, in the right direction ; now, therefore, more
than ever, is an available period for a change so
remarkable and comprehensive. The screw-propeller
is to be applied to one or two vessels of war of consi-
derable size and tonnage; let it be applied to every
ship at present on the stocks. That this would materially
increase the efficiency of the British navy we are con-
vinced; and we are also equally well satisfied that
ultimately it would be found to have proved wonder-
fully economical.

IRELAND'S R.ISORGIMENTO.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—The following lines were prompted by a
remarkable address of Prince Albert's, at the Servants'
Provident Institution; in which he spoke of " PRE-
CIOUS SELF•CONTROUL," and again, "It is not an
alms, it is THEIR RIGHT," words which never ought
to be forgotten.—Sapiens, sibique Imperiosus—solus
Formosus, et est Rex.
I have the honour, &c.,
AN IRISH EXILE

ALLA S. A. R. IL PRINCIPE
.ALBERTO, PREGANDCLI
DI FARSI RE D IRLANDA.
SONETTO.
Quel che non pate mai forza od inzanno
Pot! a, aperiamo ancor, Real Natura:
L'lrlanda sorgera dalla bruttura,
Dimenticando ogni passato affanno.
ALBERTO a RE!—Perche?—Color che sanno
Trionfar senza brando e scnzl mura,
Vincer for stessi—sola onesta curs—
Ricca merc4 di for virtude avrauno.

Spirt° di carit i e d'alts pietadel
Padre di? Lumi, schiara a not la meets!
Deli! non lasciar l'lslanda in prigion nera!
Cadranno i lacci awl subitamente—
Ogni nemica tiranLia rade
Se Crizta sta dally eofritraria Scliiera. C.

LONDON,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris papers of Saturday and
yesterday.
The Patrie publishes a semi-official announcement
of the postponement of the elections until the 25th
of January.
The Moniteur publishes a telegraphic dispatch from
the Governor-General of Algeria, announcing that
General HERAILLON had, on the morning of the 16th
ult., attacked several wandering Arab tribes encamped
at Ourtal, and that he had killed 200 men and cap-
tured 3,000 camels and 15,000 sheep. It is announced
that General BOURJOLLY is appointed Governor-
General of Algeria in the place of General CHARRON.
The C onstitutionnel says :
" The President of the Republic has just laid More
the Council two projects of law of which he is himself
the author—one on the army reserve, another on public
assistance."

From this it is evident that the PRESIDENT of the
Republic is carrying out the principles laid down in
his message of the 31st of October, and is acting as
his own Prime Minister. That he should so act
seems to be a perfectly logical conclusion from that
article of the Constitution which declares that he is
responsible ; in such a case free power of action is
the necessary result of personal responsibility.
The PRESIDENT of the Republic will review the
garrison of Paris and the National Guards on the 10th
of December in the Champ de Mars.
The Committee on the Pension Fund for the Aged
Poor adopted on Friday by a great majority the prin-
ciple of premiums of encouragement, without, how-
ever, deciding what form should be given to them.
The committee, it may be remarked, had two bills
before it—that already in part adopted in the
Legislative Assembly, and the other presented by
the Government. This latter only differed from the
former by the introduction of premiums, and the
committee has now expressed its approval of the
Government view of the question.
The Siecle has the following :
" It is well known that a committee has been formed
charged by the National Assemtly to prepare a Bill on
public assistance. Charles Dupin, who has the
naivete to think now, as he did formerly, that it is
good for society that the condition of the working
classes should be materially improved and raised
as much as possible, insisted a few days since in
committee, that Art. 5 of the Bill on the Labour
of Children in Factories, should be maintained in the
new law. This article enacts that all children admitted
into a manufactory should attend a primary school until
the age of 12 years. The Honourable Ac.Alemielan hod
displayed all his eloquence in support of his opinion, and
he began to see his colleagues come round unanimously
to his ideas, when M. Thiers entered. At sight of him,
as he felt a secret presentiment of the defeat which he
was to meet with, M. C. Dupin turned pale and became
agitated. M. Thiess advanced, leant with his back
against the mantelpiece, and crossing his arms with the
air of a sovereign. What, what !' cried he, what is it
you say? Primary schools again! Teach the chil:lren
of workmen to read and writs! An that, Monsieur C.
Dupin, is gratuitous and obligatory instruction, that is to
say, socialism and communism ! 13 it with primary
instruction that you will save society ? There is al-
ready too much socialism and communism in our laws;
let us radically extirpate all that is now there. That is
our part; there is nothing else to be done.' Astounded
by this rude apostre phe, and particularly by the terrible
accusation of sccialism, M. Charles Dupin wished to
reply, but M. Thiers opposed him a outrance, and argued
so well that it was decided by a majority of one voice
that parents should not be longer compelled to send
their children to a primary school before they entered a
manufactory. Overwhelmed by this decision, poor M.
Charles Dupin went about everywhere complaining
bitterly that NI. Thiers wished to retrograde, even beyond
the Restoration. Let, however, M. C. Dupin console
himself. The part of ringleader can never have a long
career. The whims of M. Thiers sill pass or will not
pass; but they will not arrest the progress of affairs;
many powerful wills have already broken down in at-
tempting that abQurd and, thank God, impossible task."
The Chamber of Commerce of Havre has received
the following communication from M. DUMAS, the
Minister of Commerce :

" Gentlemen,—The Chilian Congress adopted in Au-
gust last a Bill which authorises funign vessels to carry
on the coasting trade for the space of a year. On my
inquiring about this measure, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs has informed me of the circumstances which
led to it. The greatest part of the merchant shipping
of Chili having gone to California, and the vessels having
been detained there by the desertion of the crews, the
to ns on the sea-coast being thus placed for six months
under a sort of blockade, could not dispatch their pro-
duce towards Valparaiso, or receive stores and provisions
for themselves. It was necessary to provide promptly
for the re-establishment of the communications which
were thus interrupted, and so the Government Bill was
adopted unanimously. The greatest number of the mem-
bers of the Congress were even disposed to accord fir an
indefinite time to foreign flags this faculty of carrying:on
the coasting trade, but the Government obtained that at
resent it should be granted for only a temporary trial.
he new transports thus offered to the merchant ship •
ping of all countries, do not appear of a nature to be
disdained by our ship-owners. Perhaps, for instance,
such of our vessels as are at San Fraacisc), and the
crews of which have not deserted, might find advanta
geous employment in the coasting trade of the Chilian
territory. However that may be, I have considered it
useful, gentlemen, to transmit to yon this information,
with a request to you to inform the merchants of your
arrondissement of the fact."

A steamer, from Brest, having on board 85 of the
transported of June, 1848, who have been amnestied
by the PaEiIDENT of the Republic, was expected to
arrive at Havre on the Ist instant.

The Revue des Deux Mondes, which was pub-
lished on Saturday, contains an article said to have
been written by M. FORCADE, strongly recommend-
ing both Legitimatists and Orleanists to declare at
once in favour of the re-election of the present
PRESIDENT of the Republic.
Letters from Marseilles of the 28th announce the
detention of the outward-bound India mail in conse-
quence of the steamer Medusa having on that morning
run on shore during a storm at the mouth of the
harbour, and broken her rudder; she was soon got
off and re-entered the harbour, relanding her 17
passengers in safety. No blame is attached to her
Commander. The mails were to be forwarded to
Malta by the French steamer Leonidas, which was to
sail on the Ist inst.

The funds are quoted higher at the Passage de
l'Opera, the Five per Cents. being at 90f. 15c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE, DEO. 1.
BDulogne and Amiens, 5% —Northern of France, 2% dis.
Orleans and Bourdeaux, 3%—l'aris and Rouen, 21...
Rouen and Havre, 914—Sambre and Meuse, 2%.

SPAIN.
Madrid journals of the 25th and 26. h ult. have
arrived.

The Gaceta of the 25th contains decrees enacting
that steam communication shall be established be-
tween Cadiz and the Canary Islands, and be-
tween Barcelona and the Balearic Isles. The King
of SARDINIA has conferred the Grand Cross of the
Order of Piedmont on M. PIDAI, Spanish Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and on M. BELTEAM DE Lys,
Spanish Minister at Turin; and the Queen of SPA IN
has given the Grand Cross of the Order of CHARLES
111. to the Marquis DE MONTALTO, Sardinian Envoy
at Madrid.

MADRID BOMA, Nov. 26.—Three per Cents. 28
11-16 for account ; Five per Cents. 11i paper. Ex •
change on London, 50 to 30 paper.