The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-01 00:00:00

''_l:. lt initin Altilta

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1847.

Under favour to the Honourable Gentleman the
Secretary to the Admiralty, we conceive that the in-
crease of the naval estimates for the ensuing year by
merely 62,2841. beyond the gross estimate for 1846,
scarcely required the ap2l,ogetic explanations with
which he brought the matter before the consideration
of Parliament Not even the extraordinary embar-
rassments consequent upon Irish starvation and
Highland destitution, not even the existence of a
necessity requiring an advance of 10,000,0001. upon
the average expenditure of the empire, not even the
recurrence of an intermittent scarcity, -which cripples
the resources of the population and necessitates a
more rigid economy in Government, can render our
naval estimates, as they at present stand, a matter for
either retrenchment or parsimony. In regard to our
maritime expenses, retrenchment would be suicidal
and parsimony ruinous ; for our navy is our
only defence and safeguard. Our marine power
is the main sinew by which our national
vigour is bound together : it is at once
the means by which our insular authority has
been extended throughout the habitable globe, from
the solitudes of the polar snows to the torrid zone of
the equator, and the instrument by which that au-
thority is maintained and confirmed. Stint our ex-
penditure in that particular, and you sensibly weaken
the whole framework of this gigantic empire. Di-
minish the strength of our sea service, and you
affect injuriously the very vitality of British in-
fluence. Deteriorate in any manner, however
trifling, the condition of our navy, and you
directly peril a correspondent portion of our
political energy. Nor is it alone requisite to prevent
the diminution of the maritime estimates of the United
Kingdom, something more is necessary to continue
undiminished that preponderance upon the ocean
which Great Britain has hitherto preserved—that
moral and physical preponderance which has raised
her from a subordinate archipelago to the predomi-
nant empire in this civilised generation To effect th;.s
it is not merely incumbent upon the Legislature to
avoid any proceeding which might tend to the de-
crease of her naval power, but it is especially and ab-
solutely incumbent upon them to extend her naval
power in proportion to the extension of the naval
power of other maritime empires. In this respect it
is essential that there shall never be any disparity
between the relative naval forces of the earth in pre-
sent and bygone times. Otherwise we shall have
retrograded, instead of having advanced. It is a
fallacy, moreover, to believe that the existence of
peace necessitates the preservation of a balance in the
naval estimates. The supposition is an absurdity ;
and it is an absurdity, because it presupposes that
things terrestrial can remain for any length of time
stationary. Now, it is an immutable law in
mundane affairs, that nations, and principalities, and
separate communities, and distinct individuals must, by
an indomitable necessity of their nature, change.
They must either advance, or retreat—either progress
with the general progression of the age, or retrograde
in an inverse ratio. That has been the presiding
spirit from the primitive days of the patriarchs down-
wards ; it is peculiarly so now. Progress is so
largely characteristic of the present times that it has
become more than ever a necessity ; it is part-and-
parcA with the principle of self-preservation.

" Not in vain the distance beacons. liorward, forward let
us range,
Let *.he great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves
of change."
And progress is perceptible in every grade and de-
partment without exception. Among others, it is
especially perceptible in maritime affairs.
If we survey the naval expenditure of France,
we shall observe the extent to which this omni-
preset:t principle of progression has developed itself.
We shall find that, notwithstanding the protracted
duration of European peace since 11;15, the naval ex-
penses of France have been sensibly enlarged ; —the
increased value of colonial possessions having itifluvneed
this advance almost as much as the more extended
employment of steam power in navigation. So
considerable has been the enlargement of the
naval estimates of France, that the estimates of the
current year amount to no less than 5,639,000/. ; and
that, be it remembered, irrespective of her fortified cities,
of her impregnable capital, and of her enormous Na•
tional Guard, amouning to upwards of a million
men. What meanwhile has been the proportionate
advance of the naval estimates of Great Britain,
bearing in mind that her maritime force is her only
defence, that fortified cities she has none, that her
metropolis is not guarded by a single fosse, that her
militia can in no manner be compared with the
National Guard of her Gallic neighbour? Why, it
is indisputable that the naval estimates of England
have been long characterised by an undue niggard-
liness. In 1816, for example, those estimates
amounted to no less an amount than 9,516,3251.,
though it must be remembered that in that year our
victories upon the ocean were consummated
by the heroic bombardment of Algiers. In 1822
they had diminished to 5,042,642/. In 1832 they had
decreased still further to 4,882,8351. Beginning
with 1840, they were 5,597,5111., and in 1844 they
merely amounted to 5,858,2191. The parsimony
evinced by the Legislature towards the only bulwark
of our national defence has been, indeed, of too long
continuance to be persisted in without entailing upon
the empire effects of the most injurious description.
In his perspicuous speech to the House of Commons,
Mr. WARD formally announces the intention of the
present Government to abandon this destructive
policy. We are heartily rejoiced at this, and we are
rejoiced that the Government has not been deterred
from at once undertaking the good work of innova-
tion by the circumstance of the existing famine,
with its horrible concomitants. The additional
money vote upon the past year of 77,000/.
is not to be rejeeted as exorbitant, while 10,000,0001.
are being obtained and expended for the relief of a
temporary calamity. Those 77,0001. are for the per-
p. tual advantage of the empire ; . it is for the
strengthening of its barriers, it is for the per-
manent benefit, and glory, and greatness of the
British Constitution. Considering, moreover, the sum
to
awhich it is propcsed to extend our naval estimates
se6n4tlEn oa
tniththeesecwhroele of merely 7,560,9481., of which
1
' 48/. will be appliedta to what the Honourable
6
"non-nasal services "..there
thoetheAdmiralty aptly termed
is no substantial reason

for cavilling at the proposed advance. Peace or war
—the naval estimates must not be grudged.

If not from the number of prospective measures
enumerated in the Royal Speech, certainly, from their
important, and, in some instances, novel character,
seldom has any session of Parliament, for a long pe-
riod past, been opened with greater probable demands
upon the time and grave attention of the senators,
popular and hereditary, than the present. It is of
considerable benefit to the public that economy of
time should, as far as is compatible with due deli-
beration, be consulted to the utmost in the conduct
of the proceedings in both Houses of the Legislature,
inasmuch as when not engaged within the precincts
of St. Stephen's, Peers and Commoners have impor-
tant duties to attend to in their several localities
throughout the country, the proper discharge of
which have, in a variety of ways, a direct tendency
to promote the social happiness and prosperity of the
people. This is always the case in the best of times.
Peers and Members of the House of Commons have
for the most part, by reason of the special commis-
sions with which they are personally entrusted, to take
an active and leading part in the judicial, magisterial,
and other ministerial systems established for the
good order and general welfare of the community.
The advantages, direct and indirect, of having the
nobility and influential gentry constantly residing on
their extensive properties, are inappreciable. Under
the auspices of their personal supervision, general
improvement progresses most favourably. Schemes
of a desirable character, relating to important public
objects—whether they be for the spread of religion,
promotion of education, maintenance of charitable
institutions, preservation of the public health—over
and above the conservation of the public peace
and the suppression of crime, are felicitously
developed by the immediate presence of an affluent
and intelligent proprietary. Therefore, even in
periods when the general condition of the country
bears a healthy appearance, the sittings of Parlia
ment should never be prolonged beyond what may
be absolutely necessary. But, at a moment like the
present, when a large portion of the United Empire is
stricken with dire distress, the labours of the session
should be concluded with the utmost feasible dis-
patch.
On Friday evening, in the House of Lords, Lord
STANLEY drew attention to the state of public busi-
ness in the Upper House, and regretted the proba-
bility which presented itself of there being scarcely
anything for their Lordship: to legislate upon until
after Easter. The complaint is not a novel one, and,
we regret to say, that neither is it an unreasonable
one. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE well replied, first,
with the observation that, during the past six weeks,
there has been a greater amount of business trans-
acted, and of a more important range, than could
easily be indicated in the commencement of
any other session ; and next, his Lordship
clearly and satisfactorily explained, by referring
to the past and future proceedings in the

House of Commons, that no blame can be attached to
the Government for the delay that has occurred with
respect to the progress of measures connected with
the permanent welfare of Ireland. It was indis-
pensable, in the first instance, for Parliament to de-
cide as to the adoption or rejection of Lord GEORGE
BENTINCICS railway project. It is equally indis-
pensable, in the next, to obtain the sanction of the
Lower House as to the Ways and Means, since, till
the financial questions be settled, the Government
cannot reasonably proceed with the other measures
which they have in contemplation for Ireland.
But, whilst we admit all this to the full,
and concede that the comparison of prompt
legislation between the existing and preceding
Ministries, is decidedly in favour of the former, it is
an undoubted evil, for the reasons we have already
alleged, that the House of Lords should be kept in
a state of inactivity. This idle posture of the Upper
House is frequently produced by the known jealousy
which the Commons entertain against the Peers
taking the initiative in measures of a particular
character. We think this jealousy is pushed to a
prejudicial extreme. However, there are other
measures against which such an objection could
not be started, and: which the Peers could
primarily undertake with greater advantage than the
popular branch of the Legislature. The mea-
sures we allude to are chiefly of a legal nature;
and, as a general rule, we hold that Governments, in
future, should take care that during the recess all
schemes of this character should be fully prepared, so
as to occupy the time and attention of the House of
Peers before the Easter recess. It is, nevertheless,

due to the Government to notice, that the Marquis o:

LANSDOWNE on Friday evening communicated, that
Bit!, for enabling Irish proprietors to sell their estates
to pay off incumbrances, for the better administration
of the penal law, for the improvement of prisoners, and
the reformation of offenders, would be shortly laid
upon their Lordships' tab!e.

Madrid papers of the 20th have arrived.
The Espanol announces that a band of 200 Carlists,
under the command of Cabecellas, Alosen, Bouet, Tris-
tany, Ros de Eroles, El Greser, Vilella, and others, had
ente;ed the town of Cervera, in Catalonia, which, how-
ever, they did not attempt to hold. They levied contri-
butions on the inhabitants before taking their departure.
CABRERA was reported to be at Forcadella. It is said
that General BRETON will be recalled from Catalonia.

Carlist bands have also appeard in Galicia, Avila, and
Old Castile.

A letter from Bayonne says—

" The Count de Ilernan Pulaco, ex-commandant under
Esprtero, and Don Celestino Paredes, his- Intendant, or
Steward of the Household during the Regency, have arrived
here from London, and leave to-morrow for Madrid. They
are included in the amnesty ; and their journey, it is said, is
connected with certain negotiations going on fur the return
of Espartero to Spain."
MADRID BO&SA, FEB. 20.—The Three per Cents. were
done at 31% for cash; the Five per Cents., at 20; Debt
without Interest, 61,it ; and the Coupons, at 181/i.

We have received the Paris papers of Thursday.
The state of parties in England is the subject of the
leading article of the Journal des lianas. It expresses
its belief that the result of the recent attempt of Lord
GEORGE BENTINCK to oust the Ministry has been
greatly to strengthen the Russell Cabinet, and to prove
to the Protectionists that they have no chance of becem-
ing influential unhss they again place themselves under
the leadership of Sir ROBERT PEEL.

If we can place any reliance on the following article,
which appears in the Constitactionnel, the French Ministry
is falling to pieces from inherent weakness. It says—
!' The Ministry appears on the road of complete decompo-
sition, either from disinclination on the part of the new ma-
jority to certain members of Cabinet, or from the following
causes :—M. Martin (du Nord) cannot resume his portfolio,
as the state of his health forbids his again entering for a
length of time on the active and multiplied labours of his ad -
ministration. The Cabinet was in consequence bound to
think of filling up his place. Whilst doing so it occurred to
the directing Ministers that it would be advantageous to the
Cabinet for several of the members, considered not very able,
and not very successful in their Parliamentary displays, to re-
tire and make room for younger, more active, and more in-
flth;iti:.ees nLmmtai
coae;sl
tvhweal;bitLthil
eiasitmrei
ar:gspr.neuelitpi
eirligrahlsiairartepiul
rinteciaonytttieadilnreid',
thes
cut cic)irelricaimikni
sske
;ntsaiamol rifsiel
t3wo,hl;eadnninftu(i)ani
majority.
M.
cavprit
eeda sly t toh
his
se rela restoredrelations ns to him t
p;
assii the
foraretr eraetf.
reform,
and the
so
,:tdl
--
frirtis,mtryt.,hferemedosftroumsesluecssh
paanAroaftori,tswuonuptdopdueleamritiytselfmd.ecli‘u-enriend.
Gridaine is very inotrenaiv9, but he is in bad health, and the
famous programme of the coalition, which he formerly signed
with full devotedness, has been long enough consigned to
oblivion for the temporary importance which M. Cunin-
Gritlaine had obtained for his platonic adhesion to reform
principles to have entirely disappeared. Ile is not absolutely
in the way of the Ministry, but he occupies a place without
filling it; and nothing prevents his being sacrificed to any
combination that may be adopted. M. de Salvandy is every
day inventing some new project embarrassing for his col-
leagues. Dl. Moline St. Yon invents nothing, but he has
no credit, no authority. The Minister of Public Instruction
acts too much, the Minister of War not enough ; the first is
a difficulty, the second a burden. Both could be sent to the
right-about without any inconvenience. However that may
be, several combinations, in which these members of the
Cabinet were by turns sacrificed, preserved, or displaced, have
been proposed during the last few days. M. Hebert was at
first thought of for the Administration of Justice; but M. He.
be, t had spoken too energetically in favour of the Ministry,
and of a firm execution of the laws,so-lie has been considered
for some time as necessarily rejected by the clergy, and
im-
.M. Dumon, Minister of Public , orks, desired to
become Minister of Justice. This matter was much spoken
of for some days. Had this combination been adopted the
Ministry intended seeking amongst the young members, the
.
most laborious and most practical of the Conservative
party, fir Ministers of Public Works, Commerce,
and F-
inance; the persons thought of were, it was said, M. Vitet,
M. de Morny, M. Muret de Bort, and M. Bignon. It was
even in the hope that M. Vitet as about to become Minis-
ter, that Jl. Lanyer showed so devoted a ministerial zeal and
so exclusive a Conservative ardour. Whether it was that
refusals were met with, or for other reasons, it is no longer a
question at present of M. Dumon for the department of
Justice, M. Ilebert has been come back to. It was fist
determined to entrust to him the portfolio of Justice alone,
and to separate from it the department of Public Worship,
hich was to be either united with that 4,f Public In-
struction or formed into a special Ministry. But these two
expedients raised such objections in the Cabinet that they
were given up. It is even said that M. de Carti hopes to
become Director of Public Worship, in order to give every
eatiafaction to the Catholic party. Meanwhile the succeseion