The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-20 00:00:00

Ottning

LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1847.

Queen IsAnELLA is at length being cheered on in
her Constitutional policy by the enthusiasm of the
Spaniards. A. marvellous contrast is presented be-
tween the sombre multitudes assembled along the
causeways of Madrid for the reception of the Duc DE
MONTPENSIER, and the uproarious crowds collected
together in the same locality for the laudation
of the youthful LAUELLA. It were absurd, never-
theless, to place any extraordinary reliance upon
a popularity whose very suddenness and ecstacy is an
indication of its evanescence and fickleness. Much,
however, may be accomplished in the event of her
Spanish MAJESTY availing herself of these extrava-
gant expressions of loyalty, and of effectually
Strangliog.
_the
nearly exhausted faction, by whose
- . •
execrable selfishness the Peninsula has been nearly
deprived of its 131 .
tiouslity. The taitiatin bay

certainly been already taken in this labour of reforma-
tion by the dispersion of the Sotomayor Cabinet, by
the dismissal of the detected chief of the Camarilia,
'the Marchioness of SANTA Cauz, and subsequently
by the confinement of FRANCISCO CHICO in the castle
of Almeira, and the incarceration of AVIRANETA in
the castle of Alicante—Cilia) being the Afrancesado
Due D'OTRANTO, and AVIRANETA. the Afrancesado
VIDOCQ. It is among the many anomalies visible in
the political vicissitudes of civilised Europe that the
administrations of Spain are as dissimilar in colour
and design as the broken bits of glass and stained
beads in the cup of a kaleidosccp-.., and that the
temperament of the populace fluctuates and alternates
in like manner. Nothing has appeared more self-
evident than this variation during the past sixteen
months of Spanish history. Out of the very torpor
and phlegm with which the machinations of Louis
PHILIPPE were observed has emerged a fury and
frenzy of delight upon the counteraction of thole
machinations. Madrid puts on its holiday garments,
hangs its tapestries and brocades out of the
windows, scatters blossoms and garlands on the
gravel, and makes the streets ring with novel
acclamations— Viva nuestra arnada Reina! )luera los
Afrancesados ! Vica la Independencia Nacional !
Meanwhile the puppet imbecile, the King-Consort
FRANCISCO mopes in the more secluded chambers of
the palace, and—

" Crasse de 1' oisivete—
learns by rote the political amulet of his patron
Guizoz--

" Fide la Liberte 1
A bas la Liberte !"

It is very romantic and :picturesque, no doubt, for
the Queen IsAner.LA to receive coronals of flowers
from her loving lieges when taking an airing in her
carriage, and it is still more romantic and still more
picturesque for her MAJESTY to shelter a carrier pigeon
(adorned with the national ribbons) in her lap.
But, gratifying as these incidents may be to her sus-
ceptible, and apparently not volatile disposition,
Queen Is.mam.w.. must not rest satisfied with the
fleeting jubilations of the hour. Her Most Catholic
MAJESTY must remember that:she is only now welcomed
with these affectionate eccentricities because of the
hopes she is inspiring—not because of the good she has
yet accomplished, but because of the good she promises
to accomplish. Let ISABELLA 11. bear this in recol-
lection, or the paroxysm of love and gladness may be
followed by a paroxysm of abhorrence and despera-
tion. That tide in her affairs has arrived,
which, " taken at the flood," may conduce to a pro-
tracted, prosperous, and glorious reign. Let not
that auspicious flood subside without some cor-
responding movement. Let not the golden op-
portunity float past like a vision of the morning.
Iberia is by no means freed from her relentless anta-
gonists—from those enemies to her independent
existence, who, by their hypocrisy, are more formi-
dable than declared foes. As the Edinburgh Review
observes, " MACHIAVEL would have admired the
skill with which the game of the MONTPENSIER
marriages was played by the French Government ;"
and as it was such a masterpiece of diplomatic cun-
ning, it requires more than one convulsion to
be rid of its consequences. Like the system
adopted by SINBAD the Sailor, the grape must
be pressed, the juice fermented, and the potion im-
bibed, before the old:monster can be shaken off, and
brained with his own calabash ! Unless the liberal
policy of Queen ISABELLA be more fully developed,
we shall infallibly see a disastrous re-action.

The attention of the House of Lords was last night
directed by the Marquis of WESTMEATH to the
painful scene which took place the other day at Bury
St. Edmund's, where the extreme sentence of the
law was carried into execution on the person of
CATHERINE FOSTER, who had been found guilty of
having poisoned her husband. In consequence
of the unskilful manner in which the execu-
tioner discharged the dreadful functions of
his office, the unfortunate woman was kept in such
protracted agony that the feelings of the spectators
were completely shocked ; and the most vehement
expressions of indignation escaped the lips of the
surrounding multitude, which amounted to several
thousands. Even if the above were a solitary instance
in which the extreme penalty had been put in force
in a manner revolting to public sentiment, it could
not be properly passed over in silence, because, as the
end of public executions is to present a dread
warning to the people that the deprivation of life will
be the certain punishment of those found guilty of
committing crimes of the highest magnitude, so is it
of the utmost consequence to public morals, and with
the view of rendering the solemn spectacle of an exe-
cution as efficacious as' possible as a salutary example,
that, when the majesty of the law is thus vindi-
cated, every care should be taken that indignation
against the authorities does not usurp the solemn
reflections which it is intended should be generated
within the precincts of the scaffold. But these
shocking mishaps have become too frequent of late
not to require something more than a passing re-
buke. When TAWELL was banged, for the murder
of SARAH HART, his torture was said to have been
unnecessarily prolonged through some defective ma-
nagement of the apparatus of death ; and very recently,
when WELSH and MATHEWS expiated their crimes at
bI orpeth, a most harrowing exhibition of protracted
suffering took place, owing to the ropes placed round
their necks being too long. The consequence was,
the feet of the wretched men found a resting place,
and in that position they ejaculated the most piteous
cries, to the great grief and horror of the spectators.
The executioner then lifted them up by the
ropes, and, after some time, terminated their suf-
ferings by sheer strangulation. We hope the
Secretary of State for the Home Department
will institute such inquiries connected with this
painful subject, and provide such regulations for
the future, that the public will be spared the repeti-
tion of anything similar to that which occurred on
Saturday last at Bury St. Edmund's. Although
we think that hanging is not an unexcepotinliovenoaafbrlaee
nbsmethodheootttueplr:d
;e
pbftaohurrete
,ddome
ftpoorasi
ltviri
ensegtor substitutes,omcnri mleyni ud a 1
the
heoef
object
oul inibfsees Ititotyhueel ti
hgicalleowttee,
which was last night suggested by the Marquis of
WESTMEATH. From the different accounts we have
read of this plan of execution, which is adopted in
Spain, we are sure it is the last that would be
tolerated by the English public.

The Irish Poor-law and the Landed Property
(Ireland) Bills, which received the final sanction of
the House of Commons on Friday evening, were la3t
night introduced into the House of Lords. The
second reading of each was fixed for Thursday week,
the Noble President of the Council having most
judiciously decided that the measure which is in-
tended to afford facilities to the proprietors of land in
Ireland for the improvement of their estates should be
considered at the same time with one giving the poverty
a right to relief out of the property of the country.
It is just that the one, which is universally received
as a great and valuable boon to the landlords, should
proceed pari passu with the other, which is viewed
with marked apprehension, and regarded as a means
by which they will be reduced to poverty and de-
prived of the greater portion of their resources.
They must, however, receive as well the bitter as the
sweet. We doubt not but that when time,
" the great discloser," shall have revealed the
secrets of futurity, it will be found how few of
the vaticinations and prophetic intimations of
coming ruin were justified by the results. The ques-
tion whether Ireland is to have a good and efficient
poor-law now rests with their Lordships. The re-
sponsibility is now cast upon them, and although we
cannot doubt the successful issue of the proceedings,
sufficient has taken place in the Upper House to indi-
cate that great exertions will be made to impair its
efficacy and to neutralize its advantages. The
battle of the landlords will be fought under
the banners of Lords STANLEr and Mom.-
EAGLE, and powerful aid will be rendered to the
same side by the Archbishop of DUBLIN, a prelate
who is not usually to be found in the ranks of the
opponents of a liberal and enlightened policy, and
one so loudly demanded by every consideration of
Christian benevolence and genuine philanthropy.
The hostility of such persons cannot safely be
despised or slighted, and although the feeling that
has been manifested throughout the country in
general is such, that a direct refusal could not be
gtven to the measure, yet ithendnient6-abd alterations
1224 y be iztaviuced of awl 1:11Wit injUZIOUS CLOArPter.

These attempts must be watched with the utmost
vigilance, and the greatest caution must be exercised
in consenting to any change whatsoever. Already two
clauses of doubtful propriety have been introduced
avowedly for the benefit of the landowners. The
provision, that no person who shall be in possession
of any quantity of land exceeding a quarter
of an acre, can by any possibility, or under any
circumstances, be afforded relief, either in or out
of the workhouse, until he shall have absolutely
parted with his holding, is in every respect objec-
tionable. It may possibly, in some few instances,
deter such persons from seeking assistance, but in
many others it will greatly increase the sufferings
of those, who,
,by illness or some other casualty,
have been driven to accept temporary aid, and make
them perpetual incumbrances on the rates, when a little
aid in the extremity of distress might have enabled
them to overcome their difficulties, and maintain their
independence. The clause, too, relating to the as-
sistance that may be rendered. to the emigration of
any cottier tenant surrendering his boiling to his
landlord, is one that we fear may be carried to an
extent far beyond any ihing at present contemplated.
The system of emigration is one that is fondly re-
garded by a large class of . landlords as a
panacea for the ills of Ireland ; there is
nothing that they will not gladly undertake to
forward their pet projects, and to drive the poorer
inhabitants into banishment from their native land,
They would gladly have the expenses of that which
they erroneously believe to be for their benefit de-
frayed from the national resources. They ask the
imposition of an income:tax, by which not only all the
property of every description in Ireland, but the skill
and labour of the professional man, and the enter-
prise of the merchant, should be taxed for their ex-
clusive advantage. They forget even the claims of
humanity in their zeal. They know not how, or by
pauper emigrant will be supported
which he may be consigned. Quad
iwnh atilt
empelaanose,
ttohe
volumus facile credimus, they desire to believe that
he will be able to earn a subsistence for himself, and
they easily persuade themselves that such will be the
case. The recent dispatch from the Governor of Nova
Scotia to the Colonial Secretary shows how futile
are the hopes held out in too many instances.
He emphatically warns the people against the delu-
sion ; he tells them " there is no demand for un-
skilled labour ;" and " that the means of remunerating
agricultural labour are greatly diminished ;" and
" that extreme misery and privation must necessarily
be the lot of any who should go to that colony in search
of any hind of employment without the means of self-
support for two years at least." These are
home truths, coming from a person whose
trustworthiness and means of information can-
not be impeached, and should induce great deli-
beration before any general system of emigration is
sanctioned. Lord MONTEAGLE is avowedly the
strenuous and indefatigable, advocate of that system,
and peculiar care must be taken that the principle is
not advanced or recognised by the Legislature in the
shape of some further extension of the twelfth section
of the new Ad.

Letters from Rome of the Bth inst. contain the
following:—
" Petitions are daily received by the Government de-
manding the institution of a civic guard throughout the
Pontifical dominions, the re-organization of district and
provincial councils, and the appointment of a Consulta,
or Council of State, composed of the notable inhabitants
of the provinces. The Pope arid Cardinal Gizzi are dis-
posed to grant those concessions, for the Roman states
want both administrative and political reforms, and thoso
required are certainly moderate. But the other Govern-
ments, and Austria in particular, are unfortunately op-
posed to the establiThment of liberal institutions in Cen
tral Italy. Tile gratitude of the people to the Holy
Father has been of late enhanced by an abundant distri-
bution of money trom his own private chest to the indi-
gent of Rome. He has even ordered that one-half of the
collections made in the churches for the souls in purga-
tory be divided amongst the poor. Pius IX. is accord-
ingly called tuome delta carita' (the charitable man).
A Committee was to be charged with the re-organiza-
tion of the army, of which General Armandi, the Mi-
nister of War under the Government of Central Italy in
1831, is to form part. It is also believed that M. Orioli,
the Minister of Public Instruction at the same period,
would be appointed memberof the Committee on educa-
tion. M. Silvani, the Minister of Justice, is one of the
lawyers attached to the_ Committee of Legislation; so
that three members of the insurrectionary Government
iu 1831 have been chosen by Pius IX. to take part in
important labours. The Pope is to hold on the 10th a
Council, at which the expediency of instituting a Council
of Ministers will be discussed; and on Monday he will
preside at a consistory for the ..nomination of several
bishops. It is said that on this occasion Pius IX. will
nominate two French Cardinals, one of whom will be the
Archbishop of Cambria."

All diplomatic relations between Turkey and
Greece ceased on the 31st ult.

Madrid journals of the 12th and 13th inst. have
arrived.

The Afrancesado party are frantic, and in their un-
governable frenzy have endeavoured to remove all
obstacles to the succession of the Duchess of MONT-
pEssIER, by attempting to assassinate the QUEEN.
On Sunday her MAJESTY rode out in her phamon as
usual, and was received with loud cheers by the
people. In passing through the street of the Pla-
terias a shot was fired at the carriage, which
wounded a police officer. Several arrests of persons
supposed to be concerned in this atrocious attempt
were made in the course of the evening. Among the
persons arrested were Senor FRANCISCO Casco and
Senor AVIRANETA, late chiefs of the police
under, the Afrancesado Ministry. An order has
since been issued by Senor ESCOSURA, the Political
Chief, forbidding all cheering on the passage of her
MAJESTY. Thus the Herald() has obtained its wishes.
Senor OLOZAGA took his seat in the Chamber of
Deputies on the 12th. It was reported that news had
been received from Portugal, announcing the relief
of Estremoz by the QUEEN'S troops, after an engage-
ment with Count MELLO.

MADRID BoLsa, APRIL 12.—The Three per Cents.
were done on the 12th at 324 for cash; the Five per
Cents., at 201 ; the Debt without interest at 6 ; and
the Coupons at 17. On the 13th the Three per Cents.
closed at 32 for cash ; the Five per Cents. at 201 ;
Debt, v% ithout interest, at 6 ; and the Coupons at 17.

We have received the Paris papers of Sunday.
It would appear from the statement of the Union
Monarchique that M. GI IZOT is sorely puzzled by
the speech of the King of PRUSSIA. So accustomed
has M. GUIZOT been to use language for the purpose
of concealing his thoughts and intentions, that when
he meets with a straightforward . man who uses
language for honest purposes, he cannot comprehend
him.