The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-04 00:00:00

.il LcVning 'f'ft,ATU.

men ts.

LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1847,

The Lords met at Five o'clock.
The Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Bill was read a
third time and passed.
The Marquis of WESTMEATII then moved a reso-
tion to the effect " that the existing laws of landlord
and tenant in Ireland are not calculated to regulate
equitably the duties, reciprocal obligations, and inte-
rests of the parties in those relations in the country,
and under actual circumstances, require immediate
revision
and amendment ; and that the imposition of
new burdens and increased responsibilities on land
rendersuch
He did not
subject, but he hoped
the law of Ireland
amendmentintend
to
ti bringurgent
foraNnv
forward
d indispensable."aßil
I onthe
gave ebilee t
hGe
overnment could take
the matter up. The N
the landtelonradnt
Marquis complained that
much greater
advantages as against
than the law of
England, and complained of the hardship under which
the Irish landlord laboured in consequence.hip
The Marquis of
-ASDOWNE objected to T.li
the
re
lution merely affirming an abstract proposition. The
subject was under the consideration of the Govern-
ment.
The motion was then withdrawn, and their Lord
ships adjourned.

The Commons met at Four o'clock.
In answer to a question from Mr. BORTIIWICK on
the subject of the affairs of Portugal,
Lord PALMERSTON said that as no dispute had
arisen about the succession to the throne, nothing had
occurred calling into operation the treaty of the Qua-
druple Alliance, and that with regard to actual inter-
ference nothing would be done by the British Go-
vernment beyond an endeavour to effect a peaceable
and satisfactory settlement of the dispute between the
contending parties in that country.
Mr. FIELDEN moved the third reading of the Fac-
tories Bill.

Mr. TRELAWNY moved, as an amendment, that
the Bill be read a third time that day six months.
He considered this as a penal measure levelled at the
labouring classes.
Mr. LEADER seconded the amendment.

Mr. GRIXISDITCLI supported the Bill.
Mr. LABOUCHERE said, that after carefully recon-
sidering his opinions, his objections to the measure
remained unaltered and unshaken. He considered it
a most parilous experiment,
Mr. H. STANSFIELD called upon the Hou3e to
pause before they passed a measure which would
seriously endanger 12,000,000/. of capital embarked
in the cotton trade.

Mr. Hu= considered it extraordinary that in a
free-trade Parliament a Bill such as this, for the de-
struction of free trade, should receive such support.
The House then divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment
Against it • . . . 151
Majority against the amendment —63
Mr. TIZELAWNY then moved an amendment limiting
the operation of the Act to three years, which was
subsequently withdrawn, and the Bill
_was read a
third time and passed.
On the motion that the order of the day be read
for going into Committee of Supply,
Lord JOHN MANNERS rose to draw the attention of
the Rouse to the affairs of Greece.
Lord PALMEILSTON entered into a lengthened ex-
planation of the policy of the British as regarded
Greece, and declared that England wanted to exer-
cise no influence whatever in the management of the
internal affairs of Greece; all that was wanted was
that Greece should pay the interest of the money that
she owed.

Sir R. INGLIS thought that England had a righ.
to interfere to compel Greece to fulfil her engage.

Sir 3. IliNmErt said she had a right to demand, not
only repayment of the loan, but the adoption of such
measures as should tend to the civilization of Greece.
Dr. BOWRING considered that it was for the interest
of England that Greece should be well governed, and
enabled to develop her resources.
Mr. P. BouTliwicx was perfectly satisfied with
the statement cf the Foreign Secretary.
After a few words from Mr. HumE,
The motion of Lord JOHN MANNERS, for certain
returns connected with the Greek loan, was agreed to.
The House then resolved itself into Committee of
Supply, and several sums in the miscellaneous esti-
mates were voted after some discussion.
The report on the Railway Piers, and Harbours
(Ireland) Bill, was then brought up.
Sir G. GREY then rose to move for leave to intro-
duce a Bill for the IRtter administration of the laws
for the relief of the poor in England.
After a short debate, leave was given.
The House adjourned at a Quarter past Twelve.

Our factory artizans have at length received the
recompense of their long-suffering; they are hence-
forth emancipated from the thraldom of unrestricted
industry. The Ten Hours' Bill was read a third
time yesterday evening with a moderate degree of
opposition, and passed through the Lower Chamber
of Parliament by a majority of sixty-three in a House
of 239 Members. Let Monday, May 3, 1847, be
remembered hereafter in the manufacturing districts
as one of the high festivals of philanthropy.
Among the many extraordinary events which have
latterly transpired in the British Legislature this
triumphant acceptance of the long-derided measure
of Mr. FIELDEN is perhaps the most remarkable.
Certainly it is the most significant. It testifies that
selfishness and cruelty, however potent may be their
supporters, must ultimately succumb before the deci-
sions of reason and the amenities inspired by the
true spirit of civilisation. How have not the
antagonists of this system of restriction to labour
dwindled away before the majesty of the principle
which it has undertaken to enforce, and which it has
at length carried to a victorious consummation !
that great principle which was enunciated in the
sublime utterances of the Evangelists, that great prin-
ciple which is the vitality of our religion, that great
principle which finds a response alike in the pulsa-
tions of animal life, in the efflorescence of vegetation,
in the concentric movements of the celestial bodies
and the revolutions of their satellites !—the Prin-
ciple of Love, which in inanimate nature produces
Order and among rational beings—Humanity. In the
enforcement of this omnipresent principle the Poet
has afforded full scope to his Imagination ; in its in-
corporation with the artificial system of society the
Legislator has opened the flood-gates of his Benevo-
lence. On the one hand the principle has manifested
itself in golden numbers, on the other it has effec-
tually diminished the miseries of the community.
In effect, the main purpose of all legislation is the
benefit of the multitude. What the conscientious
statesman places before him as the objects of
political emulation are the prevention or the dimi-
nution of evil and the realisation or the extension
of good ; the prevention of an exorbitant mortality
by wholesome measures of sanatory reformation ; the
diminution of crime by punishment, or by previous
education ; the realisation of pecuniary advantages
by a well-adjusted scheme of political economy ; or
the extension of such benefits as have been already
conferred upon the million by preceding Govern-
ments. Those are among the goals for which every
zealous and patriotic statesman should struggle on-
wards unceasingly. Of these the prevention of the
sufferings endured by the manufacturing labourers is
assuredly one of the most important, , especially in
a country whose greatness has chiefly sprung from
the untiring toil, and unconquerable ardour of its
artizans. With this afflicted multitude the
lamentation has hitherto been ceaseless. Carried
along in the fitful whirl of commerce, now
working twelve or fourteen hours per diem, now
thrown out of employment for weds in succession,
their bodies have been wasted successively by over-
exertion, and by a deficiency of nourishment. Beyond
this their dwelling-places have remained as ungar-
nished and as untended by domestic care as their
minds have remained stagnant and undeveloped by
educational efforts. Eating, drinking, and sleep-
ing were the only interruptions to their monotonous
manual occupations, saving when the glut came
upon the market, and the mills stopped, and
their wretched inmates were thrown ;into a
state of depressing and demoralising idleness, with-
out work, without wages, without food. The days
of :probation and trial have, however, elapsed; the
night of ignorant misgovernment has terminated, and
the dawn of a benignant epoch in the industrial con-
dition of Great Britain has commenced. The female
and infant labourers in the factories will no longer
have to bewail the barrenness of their destinies; they
will no longer have to lament with the sernpstress—
" It's 0 to be a slave
Along with a barbarous Turk,
Where woman has never a soul to save,
If this is Christian work !"

Henceforth the happiness of the manufacturing
artizan is confided to her own keeping. And,
considering that the questions of sanatory reform
and national education are now coming ac-
tively under the consideration of the Legislature, it
is scarcely too much to anticipate the speedy indica-
tion of the good resulting front Mr. FIELDBN'S mea-
sure in the cleanliness and decency of the habita-
tions of our manufacturing localities, and the in-
creased morality, and extended intelligence of their
dense population. We are so peculiarly gladdened
by this decision of Parliament, that we cannot induce
ourselves to indulge in any acrimonious allusions to
the opponents of Mr. FIELDEN, to which, under other
circumstances, we might have been inclined.

Considering the restrictive character of a great
portion of the inaugural address of the King of
PRUSSIA, delivered to the nit mbers chosen to repre-
sent the national interests under the new Constitution,
the dignity, firmness, and moderation which have

been evinced in their subsequent deliberations
prove their fitness for the performance of the
solemn duties voluntarily assigned to them by
their patriotic MONARCH. There is no doubt that
every effort was made by Russia and Austria to dis-
suade FREDERICK WILHELM IV, from according to
his subjects the boon for which they had so
long entertained a most ardent desire. To work
upon the fears of the King of PRUSSIA with respect
to the enlarged freedom of the press, which would
infallibly be secured shortly after the promulgation of
the new Constitution, and the political dangers that
would be certain to beset his dominions were this
important concession once secured to the people, were
the chief points in which the Northern Powers alluded
to attempted to fright from its propriety the Court of
Berlin. We therefore read many of the passages of
the first speech of the Prussian SOVEREIGN in a spirit
of liberal allowance for the peculiarity of the position
he had so graciously assumed in the teeth of the in-
cessant and combined remonstrances of Russia and
Austria. It was not altogether unnatural that, in
taking the first important step for substituting con-
stitutional for despotic government, the King of Pnussi
should have manifested some degree of timidity. It
is clear, however, that those of his subjects, from the
highest to the least influential, who are the newly-
accredited organs of representation, do not participate
in the apprehensions entertained in connexion with a
full recognition of the liberty of the press. Of this
a remarkable instance occurred on the 20th ult., at the
first sitting of the Assembly of Nobles, held in their
appointed hall in the Palace of Berlin. Prince
LYCHNOWSKIONIVing alluded to the advantages of the
system of Parliamentary reporting as sanctioned in
England, France, and Belgium, strenuously con-
tended for the necessity and extreme importance of
all the proceedings of the Assembly being published
in the most unconditional form. After an interest-
ing discussion the Assembly unanimously agreed
to the question submitted by the Marshal in
accordance with the views of Prince LYCHNOWSKI.
We hail this as a most auspicious commencement of
the deliberative functions .of the Prussian Nobles.
The resolution they have come to . cannot fail of
proving highly subservient to the progress of liberty
and civilisation. We should not omit to mention

that the Prince of PRUSSIA, the heir presumptive,
took part in the discussion, and, regard being had to
his proximate rank to the throne, delivered himself
of very liberal sentiments.

It is a much easier matter to criticise than to
construct—it is a much simpler proceeding to expose
defects in the practical working of any code than to
detail the remedies by which these defects may be
removed, and new and improved enactments substi-
tuted in their place. This truth is peculiarly appli-
cable to the affairs of Ireland. It requires not a
wizard's skill to discover that tl•.ere is something
rotten either in the laws of that country, or in the
mode of their administration--something that impe-
ratively demands a speedy and efficient reformation.
But, in what is that change to consist ; what is
to be the nature and character of the new legislation,
that is to get rid of the evils, to banish the griev-
ances that have hitherto prevailed, and retarded the
progress of improvement in that unhappy country,
that have prevented the due and proper cultivation.
of the land, and led to the produce of a soil of unu-
sual fertility, possessing the greatest natural advan-
tages, with an abundant supply of labour at a rate of
remuneration far lower than that which prevails in
any part of Europe, being 60 per cent. below that
which is obtained from a similar quantity of inferior
land in England—this is, indeed, a problem that re-
quires no ordinary skill to be applied to its solution,
which demands the most attentive consideration,
and the introduction of numerous and apparently
discordant elements into the calculation before any
adequate demonstration can be afforded. Before the
result can be esteemed in any degree satisfactory
due weight must be allowed for the many pertur-
bations that exist, and induce the deviations from the
ordinary course. A State LE VERRIER must arise, who
by a new process of inductive reasoning may arrive at
the first causes of these admitted results, and having
discovered the sources of the disease, may be enabled to
apply the fitting remedies, the required antidote to
the deep-seated poison. In order even to attempt this
more than Herculean labour, the peculiar characteris-
tics of all classes of the people, not merely of the
poorer, but ulso of the wealthier classes, not only of
the peasantry, but of the aristocracy, of the land-
owners, as well as of their cottier tenants, and
the occupiers of the soil throughout the king-
dom, must be maturely reflected . on. A mind
perfectly free from prejudice must be brought

to the investigation; the inquirer must not
suffer himself to be led away by the clamour of
any section or party. Give increased powers to the
landlords shout one division ; let them be the real
owners of their properties, enable them at pleasure
and by a summary process to get rid of the multi-
tudes that have squatted upon their lands—to dis-
possess all refractory tenants; and whenever they
desire it, to resume the several holdings ; while on
another side the cry arises for "fixity of tenure," and
the doing away with the possibility of a change in the
occupant under almost any circumstances. Enable the
landlord to do what he will with his own, let him
enjoy all the rights of property and clear his estate,
if he thinks proper so to do, demand one side ; " Give
every encouragement to improvement," respond the
other, " ensure to the tenant-farmer a fair equivalent
for the labour and capital he may expend in works of
a permanent and lasting description, and satisfy him
that his children will reap the benefit of the increased
value of his tenement." There is a great deal of
truth in what is stated on either side ; instances of
hardship can be produced that would apparently jus-
tify new enactments specially directed against them ;
but it may be found that the contemplated provisions
would give rise to evils still greater than those they
are intended to remedy. Any rash or hasty con-
clusions must therefore be most religiously eschewed,
any temporary patching be avoided until the entire
edifice can be reconstructed, and a great and compre-
hensive measure introduced.

It is impossible to dispute the abstract truth of the
proposition last night submitted by the Marquis of
WESTMEA.TII in the House of Lords. It is, indeed,
beyond all controversy, " that the existing
laws of landlord and tenant in Ireland
are not adequate to the exigencies of the
country, and that they are not sufficient to
regulate equitably the reciprocal duties, obligations,
and interests of the parties standing in those relations
towards each other." It would, indeed, be a work of
supererogation to affirm any principle so universally
admitted ; indeed, we do not believe that a single
individual could be found in the British dominions
with sufficient hardihood to controvert or deny its
truth. But what could be the use of inducing the

House to pronounce this censure. Unless some tan-
gible suggestions were offered for the alterations and
amendments that should be made, why procure a
vote condemning the present law until we are pre-
pared with some efficient substitute ? The time for
discussion will speedily arrive. The Bill that is now
pending in the representative will shortly be intro-
duced to the hereditary branch of the Legislature. That
will be the proper period for inquiry as to the probable
effects of the several provisions, and seeing how far
they go towards remedying the evils—for increasing
their strength, if not sufficiently stringent, for intro-
ducing checks, if liable to be abused and extended
neyond their legitimate bounds. The subject is one
of the deepest interest, and should not be slurred
over, or prematurely disposed of. The House should
not be fettered by any abstract resolutions or opi-
nions elicited before the fitting season.

The anniversary of the foundation of Rome was
celebrated with great pomp on the 21st. A grand
banquet took place at the Baths of Titus, at which
there were present 800 guests and 30,000 spectators.
Several patriotic speeches were made. One of the
speakers thus alludes to England and to the value
of an English alliance :
"England," he said, ,4 is a free c)untry, and cannot give
chains to nations, that article not figuring among her manu-
factures. England admires and respects us. Let us, then,
love those who love us, respect those who respect us, and
hate those who hate us."

Madrid journals of the 27th ult. have arrived.
CORTINA, LuJAN, and several of the Progressista De-
puties have determined to oppose SALAMAI.CAS propo-
sition for the sale of the national property, and it is
generally supposed that the Bill will not come before
the Cortes during the present session. The rumours

of an impending change of the Ministry have been
revived, and General NARVAEZ has been mentioned
as the future President of the Council.
A Cabinet Council was held on the 26th for the
purpose, it was said, of discussing the propriety of
dissolving the Cortes.
The Government had, it was said, received dis-
patches from Lisbon, dated 21st ult., stating that the
Queen of PORTUGAL had resolved to settle the pend-
ing differences with her subjects by the aid of Eng-
land alone, to the exclusion of France and Spain.
MADRID BOLSA, APRIL 27.—The Three per Cents.
closed at 314 for cash; the Five per Cents. at 19; the
Debt without Interest at si; and the Coupons at 16.

We have received the Paris papers of Sunday.
They are filled with accounts of the rejoicings which
took place on Saturday, in honour of the KING'S fete.
The KING received at the Tuileries the corps diplo-

matique, deputations from both Chambers, from the
Courts of Justice, the University, and the Institute,
the municipal authorities, the consistories of the Re-
formed Church, of the Confession of Augsburg, and of
the Israelites of Purls, the officers of the National
Guard, &c. The Porn's Nuncio addressed the fol-
lowing speech to his MAJESTY in the name of the
corps diplomatique:—
"Thegte of your Majesty is always an auspicious day for
the corps diplornatique, who, in the name of the Sovereigns
they have the honour to represent, come to offer you their
most sincere wishes for the long and entire prosperity of
your Majesty, the Royal Family, and France. The trials
to which it has pleased Divine Providence to subject a
portion of Europe have demonstrated in an admirable manner
the advantages of peace, that invaluable result of the wisdom
of your Majesty, of the other Sovereigns, and of their Ca-
binets. The Almighty, who, in His impenetrable designs,
afflicts and consoles nations, will crown your generous efforts
to allay so many misfortunes, and the calamity itself, which
so much grieves your royal heart, will add to your glory.
You enjoy, with your august and virtuous Consort, the sweet
consolations afforded by your happy family. May you still
witness many anniversaries of that feast so grateful to the
king, the husband, and the father. Deign, Sire, to accept
with the wishes of the diplomatic body the
,homage of its
profound respect."
The KING replied—

" My heart, as you truly stated, has been deeply grieved
at the painful trials which most of our nations have had to
undergo in consequence of the dearth of provisions. I hope
with you that Providence 1611 speedily put a period to their
duration, and that abundant crops will shortly console huma-
nity. But,i as you have so justly observed, the maintenance
of that beneficial peace, which the happy accord of all the
Governments strengthens every year more and more, has
most efficaciously contributed to alleviate the burden of those
sufferings. I thank God for enabling me to co-operate in
that great result, atd I firmly trust that he will continue to
bless our corction and constant ellbrts to remove all that
might tend to disturb it. I thank you for the congratulations
and good wishes you have expressed in so affecting a manner
in the name of the corps diplomatique ; and I cordially entreat
you to thank that body, in my name and that of the Queen
and of all my family." _ _

The KING thus concluded his reply to the Address
of the Chamber of Peers, which was presented to his
MAJESTY by Duke PASQUIER
_ _ _

" The affection which the Chamber of Peers has con-
stantly evinced for me—the efficacious and ever equitable
assistance it has afforded my Government, has enabled me
to accomplish the arduous task imposed upon me; and
now that France, as you have stated, enjoys all the blessings
of peace and prosperity, I may recite, after thanking you
for your co-operation, the nunc dimittis of the canticle of
Simeon."

In replying to the Address of the Chamber of
Deputies the KING observed—
"My grandson will respond to your anticipations. Guided
by the advice of his excellent mother, impelled by the good
examples given to him by my family, he will be animated
with the same spirit—with that truly national spirit—which,
devoted to France, knows no other interests than thos3 of
the nation. It has been very painful to me to witness the
sufferings of the labouring claeees to which you have
alluded; but I derived great consolation from the relief of
them which you so gene7ously voted, and I am happy to
seize this opportunity of thanking you. We have every
reason to hope that thoLa sufferings are drawing to a close.
They, however, elicited
,proof of one great and consolatory
fact. They roused rote of those political passions which
too often previously envenomed public sufferings and feelings.
Popular opinion, more enlightened, recognised that there
was everything to lose and no good to be expected from such
agitations."
Ills MAJESTY concluded by congratulating himself
on the realisation of the first words he had addressed
to France, as Lieutenant-General of the kingdom.
" Henceforth the charter shall prove a reality."
The Journal des Debuts publishes a letter from
Constantinople, which states that Austria and Prus-
sia take the same view of the difference between
Greece and the Porte that England does, and that
the representative of Austria had received dispatches
from Vienna extremely hostile to Greece. The
Greek Minister at Constantinople has demanded his
passports.
In the same journal we find a letter from Athens,
said to have been written by M. PISCATORT,
complaining of the " unfeeling demand of money by
Great Britain," and accusing England of intriguing
to procure the advent of Prince Louis NAPOLEON
(of all people in the world !) to,the throne of Greece.
Such are the absurdities which the French Minister
in Greece is compelled to propagate, in order to pro
crastinate for a short time the downfal of his tool,

COLETTI.
Bou MAZA is outrageous in not being permitted to
visit Paris, and when told he was to be confined in
the fort of Pomerol, he attempted to commit suicide.
Mr. O'CoNxELL left Avignon for Arles on the
28th ult.

The rise in Consols on the London Stock-Exchange
on Friday, added to the satisfactory manner in which
the liiffc's file had passed off, and to the hourly in-
creasing hopes from the growing crops, produced a
marked improvement in the French Three per Cents.
on Sunday. Several bargains were done at 78f. 55c. i
but, a desire to realise profits having become apparent,
the latest quotation was 78f. 40e. (buyers).
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 3.

Demerara, 23/—Louvain a la Sambre, 74—Namur and
Liege, 4N—Northern of France, 121 A—Orleans and Bor-
deaux, 6k/2—Strasbourg and Bale, 7%—West Flanders, 4
Dutclßhenisb, 3%.