The Sun.
London, England, 1849-09-14 00:00:00

Cavnin4

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1849.

CONSPIRACY of the SOVEREIGNS!
A vast movement is now taking place—half
covertly, half openly—throughout Germany. It is
a movement of reaction—suppressive of the revolu-
tionary or democratic spirit. The conspirators are the
Sovereigns ; and an arrangement seems to have been
made as to the Imperial command of the confedera-
tion, supreme authority being shared as equally as
possible between Prussia and Austria—Austria as
the representative of the non-federative states,
Prussia as the representative of the federative states.
Meanwhile the Austrian army is concentrating at
Torardberg, so as to restore its influence from the
most central point, and to offer at the same time aid
to Bavaria and Wurtemburg, in the event of any
popular movement. Prussia, we have already
observed, pouring her troops into Baden and Saxony
with a like intention ; and Russia, the übiquitous
impersonation and ally of despotism,is simultaneously
pushing her forces in a westerly direction.
While the Cabinets are thus preparing the way for
the ulterior designs of Absolutism, the crowned heads
are holding conferences in different quarters. Already
there have been, or will be, the following confe-
rences :

I. A conference at TapUtz, in Bohemia.
11. A conference at Pilnits, in Saxony.
111. A conference at Frankfort, the imperia
Centre.

Id. A conference at Laybach, in Carniola.
On the first mentioned occasion there was a meeting
between the King of PRUSSIA and the Austrian Em-
rEuoß. On the second their imperial and Royal Ma-
JESTIas ware joined by the King of SAXONY. On the
third the Archduke JOHN was joined by the Prince of
PRUSSIA and the chiefs of some of the minor princi-
palities. On the fourth occasion, namely, at the
Cengress of Laybach, which is to come, and will
take place, it is generally supposed, on the 15th of
tl-is present September, there will be collected
together—the Emperor of AUSTRIA, the King of
NaPLBS, the Crown Prince of Tuscany, Field Mar-
shal RADETZKT, Prince SCHWARTZENZIURG, and pos-
sibly the representative of the Sovereign Posrirr,
the Emperor of Ru'slA, the King of PRusslA, and
the King of SARDINIA.
What will be the result of this ? Is the dream of
German nationality—symbolled in that red-gold-black
banner which was raised once in a sublime mood of
hypocrisy by FREDERICK. WILLIAM—to dwindle back
into another en-Holy Alliance ? Is the vision of
resurgent Italy to resolve itself again into the waking
nightmare of Austrian domination ? Shall the dismal
spectacle which revealed itself once before to the sor-
rewing gale of RENE be again a horrible and visible
catastrophe ? Shall the Lombards, wearied by
thek long struggles, the Sardinians, dejected at
their abnipt defeats, the Sicilians paralyzed
by the pangs of rapine, massacre, and conflagrations,
shall the heroic children of the peninsula of freedom
and of classic recollections sink yet deeper than here-
tofore into the tomb of serfdom? Shall Austria
" laying once more her leaden pall over the Italians
force them back into their coffin ?" Shall " Rome
return to her Ruins ?—Venice to her Sea ?—Venice,
as her glory departs from her, embellishing heaven
with her last smile—while she sinks to rest amongst
the billows, beauteous as a star which sets to rise no
more Alas ! " nourished, as they have been,
these Ausonios, with the chef d' ware: of art,
the lofty reminiscences of their renowned land," are
the Italians to be yet once more prone under
the heel of Austrian despotism ? And these children of
the Rhine, who have striven so long, so resolutely, so
devotedly, -So bravely, so nobly for the regeneration of
their forty principalities, are they also to be ground
down to the dust under the Juggernaut of Absolute
Government ? Is England to remain indolent ? Is
France to act furtively as an accomplice while the
mannacles of slavery are being again rivetted on the
gluttons limbs of the Hungarians, and the Lombards,
the millions of Italy, and the tens of millions of the
German population ? If so—then in truth will the
tvens-Atlantic democracy have reason to deride us
for our pusillanimity—then will the pretended
magnanimity of England be a mockery and
a disgrace to after ages—then will the hybrid
Republicanism of France be laden with the contumely
of the present and of all future generations. Have we
no cause for interference between these reactionary
Sovereigns and their vengeance ? The torn and
sullied treaty of Vienna is still so far better than
waste paper, that it affords conclusive testimony that
Great Britain has an indisputable right of interposi-
tion. That right, unless exercised at once, will very
speedily evaporate ; and if permitted to disappear, the
golden opportunity of our great destinies will have
gone by for ever—the opportunity, if she avail
herself of which, England may render
herself the Saviour of Liberty, and the
Redeemer of Democracy ! At this moment,
*bile the standards of freedom are beaten
of Europe
all parts of the Continent, the millions h
have but one preservative against despair, have Will
oirl
but one hope—and that England tcontemptley
}lnglaad henceforth entitle herself to
to the homage, to the admiration or to the abhorrence,
to the execration or to the gratitude of Christendom
Upgri the reply reposes—slot the fate of Liberty, for
Liberty can only b- retarded, can never be assailed
in any vulnerable point but the fame, and
the glory, and the continued greatness of
Enghsnd. Upon the Government, as a mass,
but especially upon one man, rests at this hour
of supreme emergency the awful responsibility of
that answer. Let Lord PALMERSTON be true to him-
self—to his reputation, to his courage, to his
patriotism ! He has the people of the British Islands at
his back—their hearts are with him, their bands are
ready to be raised at his bidding ! Yes, in spite of
his colleagues, in spire all the opposition of place-

men and party politicians, Lord PALMERSTON has now
the capacity to follow the dictates of his chivalric
temperament, the promptings of his Saxon nature,
the impulses of his high and honourable ambition !
Pray GOD! he may not falter. For the people count
upon him alone amongst all their present statesmen.
The pear is ripe—let him shake the tree.

Notwithstanding the great exertions and heavy
expenses incurred by the Countess of LAissrinar,
in returning from Italy to meet the charge of
bigamy that had been preferred against her, the case
has been brought to a premature and most abortive
conclusion. Anxious crowds had assembled at
Marlborough Police-court, en Monday, to witness
the further proceedings respecting which the public
curiosity was strongly excited. It was not con-
sidered possible that there could be any disappoint-
ment in consequence of the non-appearance of the
accused. It was known that a large sum of money
had been paid—not less than from 4001. to 5001.
sterling—fur a special steamer from Naples to Mar-
seilles, in order to enable the lady to be in attendance
on the appointed day ; and when the heavy bail
that had been entered into was taken into
consideration, as well as the frivolous nature
of the charge, and of the absence of
any evidence of Captain JAMES being alive on the
day of the subsequent marriage with Mr. HEALD,
it was regarded as a perfect certainty that she would
have surrendered in discharge of her bail, and insisted
either on an unconditional discharge, or on being im-
mediately sent for trial. The lady, however, was
not forthcoming. Still it was believed that her de-
fault was ascribable to the fatigue of her rapid journey,
and the absence of her solicitor from town, and that
she would appear on Wednesday to answer the charge,
and that the decision of the presiding magistrate
would then positively be pronounced. A similar
disappointment, however, was in store for the multi-
tude, which had assembled at,:an early hour. Hours
passed away, but

" The bride she was not there."
At length it was ascertained that the fair and capricious
dame had again changed her mind, and that she had, on
the preceding day, departed from England for the
that
land of Italy with the same speed and raps 1 y at
had characterised her return. Nothing then remained
but a formal application that the recognizances
should be estreated, which was as a matter of course
granted by Mr. HARnsvicK.
It is difficult to conceive the motives by which the
lady could have been influenced in avoiding the in-
vestigation. We have already shown that if she had
met the charge in the first instance it must have
fallen to the ground. There was not a scintilla of
proof that any offence :had been committed. There
was no legal evidence to show that Captain JAMES was
in existence at the time of the second marriage, and
that defect had not been supplied even to the present
time. All that the Learned Counsel for the prosecution
was enabled to state was, that he would be in a condi-
tion to establish the fact of the marriage with Captain,
then Lieutenant JAMES, in Ireland, and that the
first husband was alive within six days of the subse•
quent marriage. This would have been quite insuffi-
cient to warrant a committal, for even if the testimony
were of the most satisfactory and conclusive character
—and something more would have been required for
that purpose than the production of War-office
returns—a witness should be; brought forward who
had actually seen the gallant Captain alive subse-
quently to the 17th day of July last. We believe
that such a witness could not have been procured;
but were it otherwise, the unquestionable facts to
which we have already alluded, viz., the continued
absence of the party for more than seven years imme-
diately preceding the second marriage, and the divorce
in 1842, would have ensured an acquittal, if not the
immediate dismissal of the charge.
It would then remain for the magistrate to decide
whether he would keep the charge hanging over the
accused for an indefinite period, or until " the pro-
secutor could get the proper witnesses from India to
come forward," or whether he would have adopted
the constitutional course of dismissing the case until
sufficient evidence were adduced to render a con-
viction possible. With a gentleman so experienced
and able as Mr. 1-Lutbwlcx. presiding, we can en-
tertain no doubt as to what the result would have
been. The Countess would on Wednesday have been
' discharged from further attendance, and at liberty to
direct her course to the Pyramids, or wherever else
her fug led, without so uselessly sacrificing a large
sum of money for the purpose.

Mr. and Mrs. HEALD were of course at
liberty to do as they pleased with their
own. If they thought proper to fling away a
thousand pounds sterling rather than submit
to a single day's delay, and the inconvenience of
appearing at the police-court, they bad it in their
Power to do so. But we earnestly protest against
the case being constituted a precedent, or against
parties to whom money might be a greater object
having their freedom restricted, and prevented from
travelling or leaving the country by being held to
bail on such scanty and insufficient evidence. The
only advantage the prosecutrix has derived from her
proceeding is, that she bas succeeded in subjecting
the so❑ of her brother, her former ward, to an
unnecessary expenditure of some 1,5001. or 2,0001.,
without in any degree lessening the influence exer-
cised over him by the fair subject of her accusation.

The Gazette has officially announced an addition to
the dignitaries of the House of Peers. The Prince of
WALES is now Earl of Dublin, and Queen VICTORIA'S
visit to Ireland in the year 1849 will be continually
commemorated among her descendants by this addi-
tion to the royal titles of the Kings of England. As
such—as a commemoration of a most gratifying
event, and also as a token of her MAJESTY'S anxiety
to commemorate that event in the most graceful
manner possible--the creation of the Lew Peerage is
likely to occasion more general satisfaction than is
usually awarded to similar events.

Actions and incidents seemingly insignificant in
themselves often become important when their causes
or their consequences are taken into consideration, and
therefore it is that in this democratic age, and more-

over in this country, where it has long been a prac-

tical truth, that " le roi reirne mais ne geuverne pas,"
a nominal distinction conferred on the heir-
apparent, is not only a matter worthy of public
thought, but more than that, of public satisfac-
tion. The tranquillity which England has enjoyed
during all the agitations of the Continent has been
the theme of alternate admiration and rejoicing. The
balance of power was here so well adjusted that our
state vessel passed safely through storms destructive
to " top. heavy" vessels, the vis inertia' of the masses
forming the steadying ballast, never so powerful as
when quiescent, according to the truthful dictum of
a weekly contemporary. If, however, the happy
tranquillity of this country be due to the free exercise
of the popular rights and privileges—if we, as a
nation, hold forth an encouraging example to the
people of other kingdoms, so most assuredly, in her
peculisr capacity, does Queen VICTORIA read a lesson
to her brother Sovereigns. While the KING of the
FRENCII has been driven into exile, while an Emperor
of AUSTRIA has been compelled to abdicate, while
the Russian AUTOCRAT is earning for himself
universal execration, while the unconstitu-
tional conduct of MARIA of Portugal has made
her the subject of repeated censure, while
the sorrows and the levities of the most unhappy
IsABELLA of Spain, have filled the hearts of her
friends with the deepest grief, while the saying of
SNASSPERR has been fulfilled almost to the letter, " Un-
easy lies the head that wears a crown"—one solitary ex-
ception has been found in the list of Royal sufferers.
Rarely has an English Sovereign been so generally be-
loved and respected as Queen VICTORIA, and never was
Queen VICTORIA more beloved than at the present
moment. And why is this ? The ancient philosopher
gave as the foundation of wisdom one brief injunc-
tion—" Know thyself." Our QUEEN has effectually
shown that she knows her position, and acting on
that knowledge, she has displayed her own wisdom
and elicited her people's regard. 'With less of
actual power (especially for evil) than the Presi-
dents of Republics are usually invested with, and
yet exercising a more effectual influence for good on
the Government of the country, the Sovereign of
England holds an almost unparalleled position.
Without restraining the development of the political
.
or military abilities of any of her subjects;as a tyrant
ruler inevitably must do, the English Sovereign' acts
AS an effectual check upon the ambition of individuals--
A matter in which Republican institutions are gene..

rally deficient. We are far from saying that the
English Constitution is practically perfect—there is
room enough for reform even yet. We are all aware,
nevertheless, it possesses in no inconsiderable degree
the advantages of a republic, with few of its defects.
These suggestions will recur to the consideration of
every one who hears of her MiATESTT'S peaceful seclusion
at Balmoral, while the other crowned heads of Europe
are oppressed with the painful weight of their din-
gerous dignity.

In another column will be found an article from a
provincial contemporary headed, " Testimonial to the
Rev. A. F. PETTIGREW."

It contains an account of a presentation of an ex•
ceedingly elegant service of plate by the inhabitants
of St. Leonard's-on-the-Sea to their late curate, who
now fills with eloquence and zeal the pulpit o
Brompton Chapel.

The gift of a piece of plate to a young curate at a
fashionable watering•place would at first sight appear
scarcely worthy of public attention, or of any special
notice by ourselves ; but there is something in the
mode of presenting this memorial, and something in
the conduct which secured it, and the spirit in which
it was accepted, that renders the account both into•
resting and instructive.

The meeting of the donors is held at the Assembly
Rooms, St. Leonard's—the chair is occupied by
BURNETT BRANDER, Esq. After expressing in clear
and forcible language the general sense entertained of
the purity and excellence of Mr. PETTIGREW'S
doctrinal expositions, of his ability as a preacher,
and his amiable deportment as a minister, the Chair-
man adds, in an appeal, as it were, to the convictions
of all present—
" But it should be remembered that Mr. Pettigrew did
not permit his labours of love to end in the sanctuary—
he carried them into the homes of those entrusted to
his care. Amongst their poorer brethren, he (the
chairman) had observed him to lend a helping-hand to
sooth their sufferings, and to inspire them with fortitude
and resignation. He had witnessed him, when attend-
ing a bed of sickness, acting as the Good Samaritan, and
following the example of Luke," the Beloved Physician.
These were the pastors who commanded respect by their
attention to our blessed Saviour's admonitions ; they
practised every endearment to lead us into happiness
both here and hereafter—
'—affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men.'"

The Reverend Gentleman's reply is brief, but
touching and appropriate. "Next," said he "to the
answer of a good conscience, it is our greatest happi-
ness to live in the affections of those amongst whom
we minister ;" and he attributes the beautiful gift
then presented to him to an " admiration of those
high and holy doctrines of our sacred religion, on
which, for the space of two years, it was his privilege
truthfully, because he believed scripturally, to ad•
dress them." •

Here, then, we hare a curate, an operative in the
Church—one of the " working clergy," within two
years by his talent, his piety, his labour amongst the
poor and the afflicted, winning the esteem, and con-
centrating upon him the good opinions of a large and
respectable congregation—drawing together the ties
which should unite the pastor and the people—in-
structing and conciliating all who ars subject to his
charge, and amidst universal regret and many prayers
taking his adieu.

Of Mr. PETTIGREW, the individual, we know
nothing, of his character as a minister the article
alluded to contains cumulative proof. The opinion of
his congregation is recorded elsewhere; but a public
journalist too may bestow a reward; and it is be-
cause we would that all were "not almost but alto-
gether such as he is"—it is because he realises our idea
of a Christian teacher, because we feel with Mr.
BURNETT BRANDER," these are the pastors who com-
mand respect," that we have reprinted his name in
our columns, believing, as we do, that he is the only
friend of his Church who will regret that this in-
stance of individual worth should be held up for
general example.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

The Paris journals of yesterday have been received.
Comments still continue upon that interminable
theme of controversy, the letter of the PRESIDENT.
Every one regards M. DR FALLOUX'S (and con-
sequently General RULHIERES'S) continuance in the
Ministry as merely temporary. It is generally un-
derstood in fact, that the Minister of Instruction
having tendered his written resignation immediately
on LOUIS NAPOLEON'S return from Sens, consented
to retain his portfolio, at least until the opening of
the next session of the Assembly, at the earnest en
treaties made to him personally in the Elysee Na-
tional. There is much absurdity, however, in the
boast of the Univers, that the PRESIDENT has
" struck" to M. DR FALLOUT : the present arrange-
ment being manifest as much for the convenience of
the one as of the other. Among the other on dits on
the subject, La Presse announces that it was M.
TRIERS who induced M. Da FALLoux to withdraw the
resignation which he had tendered to the PRESIDENT
of the Republic, and to consent to remain in the
Cabinet as Minister of Public Instruction.
M. ODILON BARROT has completely recovered
from his indisposition, and has returned from his
country seat at Bougival, to his official residence in
the Place Vendome.
Among the more prominent subjects of conversa-
tion at Paris just now are the squabbles and misun-
derstandings which have arisen out of the Peace
Congress. The friends of the arbitration humbug
seem disposed to illustrate the necessity for perpetual
arbitration amongst themselves. M. DE GIRARDIN

is a seceder. It Will not be forgotten, moreover, that
an expression uttered by the Abbe MIGUEaRT, the
cure of the Madeleine, drew forth a condemnatory
letter to the Ami de la Religion from the Archbishop
of Tovoousx, that prelate regarding the remark as
heterodox. As the Archbishop's letter was copied
into The Sun on the occasion of its first appearance,
we transcribe into our columns the response from the
Abbe DEGUERRT, addressed to his immediate supe-
rior, the Archbishop of Peals. It runs as follows :
Paris, Set. 8.
" Monseigneur,—My words at the Peace Conpgress,
that ' the Gospel is human reason restored and ex
•
tended'—words which I only made use of en passant,
and not at all by way of an exact definition of the Divine
Book—still exciting outcries against me, the most simple
means to put a atop to them, is to repeat to you, Mon-
seigneur, the declaration that I had the happiness to
make to you orally the very day after that on which they
were uttered. The meaning which some persons persist.
in giving to the words in question has never been, and
never could be mine. I believe and profess that the
Christian religion is essentially supernatural, and re-
vealed in its books, its dogmas, its precepts, its myste-
ries, its visible and permanent authority; and that it is
the work not of human reason, but of Divine reason, of
the Eternal Word made flesh, of Jesus Christ our Lord,
God and man at the same time. °mule instaurari in
Christ°. I believe, and I humbly profess; without any
restriction whatever, all that the Holy Catholic, Aposto-
heal, and Roman Church teaches; and I shall be always
happy to retract and condemn anything that I could ever
say, write, or do, not entirely conformable to the present
declaration.
" I have the honour to be, Monseignear,
• 11. DEOUZRRY, Cure of the Madeleine."
From the Moniteur it would appear that the ad-
vocates of Red Republicanism are still kept under by
the strong hand of the law—the following offenders
having been subjected to the specified punishments.
The responsible editor of the Courrier de la Sarthe
has been condemned to two months' imprisonment,
and 50f. fine; and the responsible editor of the Bon-
homie Manceau to two months' imprisonment, and
501. fine, for seditious articles. The Voix du Peuple
in the Bouches du Rhone, to four months' imprison-
ment, and I,ooof. fine ; the Democratic Jurassienne,
in the department of the Jura, to four months' im-
prisonment, and 500 E fine. Some private individuals
have also been condemned to various terms of impri-
sonment /or writing seditious articles.
General RANDOM, the immediate successor of Gen.
ROSTOLAN, will not leave Paris until another week
has elapsed.
The Aioniteur announces that M. FORNARI, the
Nuncio of the Apostolic See, has presented to the
PRESIDENT of the Republic the reply of the POPE to
the letter accrediting M. DE CORCELLES as Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, on a
temporary'rnission to his HOLINESS during the absence
of M. D'HANCOURT.

General Sna.trio, formerly Minister of War at
Madrid, is at present at Bordeaux.
The promised funeral service in honour of CHARLES
ALBERT, late King of Sardinia, was celebrated in the
church of St. Louis d'Antin on Wednesday, and was
attended by most of the foreign Ministers at Paris.
The Union says :—" The route taken by M.
LEDRU RoLLIN on the lath June is now known. He
first went to the house of Mme. GEORGES SAND at
La Chatre, then to London, where he arrived on the
11th July, with a passport under the name of HETZEL.
BOICHOT arrived at London at the same time as
MM. LEDRU ROLLIN and CONSIDERANT. The latter
travelled under the name of M. Bxxio."

The Five per Cents. opened yesterday at 88f. 100.,
rose to 88f. 55c., and closed at 88f. 35c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE. Sarr. 13.
Anglo Italian (late Italian and Austrian), '4—East In-
dian, 4—Namur and Liege, 54—Orleans and Bourdeaux,
3,4 Paris and Rouen, 2114—Sambre and Meuse,