The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-13 00:00:00

Obtning *•)1111.

LONDON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1847.

Sorrows, SIIAICSPERE tells us, come but in batta-
lions, and, fortunately for humanity, joys appear to
be of the same gregarious character. The great
national reforms which are now succeeding each
other with such extraordinary rapidity afford a con-
solation to the races of the European family for those
flagrant acts of despotism and spoliation by which
they were immediately preceded. Scarcely has the
independence of Cracow been extinguished by its
incorporation with Austria; scarcely has the na-
tionality of Spain been assailed by the treasonous
turpitude of the Afrancesados ; scarcely have the
political rights of the Portuguese been contemned by
the Ministerial partizans of France ; scarcely have
the liberties of Switzerland been jeopardised by the
foreign encouragement afforded to the religious
differences of the cantons—when the foundations of
society are convulsed by the throes of a popular move-
ment, and those territories which have been for centu-
ries plunged in the darkness of absolutism, are being il-
lumined by the glorious lights of political, social, and
intellectual emancipation. To the inhabitants of a
free kingdom like England—a kingdom which has
long prospered under a generous Constitution—this
spectacle of the progressive liberation of the Conti-
nental communities is one altogether of a sublime
description. We are enabled, moreover, to watch the
advance of freedom with that profound satisfaction
which arises from a consciousness of the beneficent
nature of our own Government. Nor is our own exul-
tation of an entirely unselfish character. In behold-
ing the advancement of liberal opinions in
foreign countries, we recognise the marvel
lous and almost miraculous progress which
those opinions have latterly made amongst
ourselves. We perceive that the popular movement,
already referred to, is not restricted to a single climate,
to a single religion, or to a single principality, but
that its manifestations are visible in all directions.
We observe those manifestations, moreover, not
merely amongst the millions who have hitherto
groaned under the incubus of despotism, but amongst
those who have partially acquired their independence;
not merely perceptible in the new-born energies of
the nations just awakened to the blessedness of
liberty, but beaming brighter and brighter in the
lands long accustomed to the glories of a moderate
constitution. In this respect we exult over the
development of old institutions as well as
over the creation of new—over the improved cultiva-
tion of the oasis, as well as over the blooms and the
verdure which are beginning to sprout through the
barren dust of the wilderness.
That the popular movement among the empires
and princedoms of Europe has become altogether
irresistible, is testified by two conclusive considera-
tions—its magnitude (stretching into all quarters of
the globe), and its simultaneous recognition by rulers
and by the people themselves. How far this glorious
movement has affected Great Britain is shown by the
rapid and decisive abolition of many repressive
enactments, by the disruption and discomfiture
of Toryism, and by the conversion to the cause of
the people of the most enlightened and illustrious of
contemporary statesmen. Beyond the Channel, what
have not been the achievements effected, now by the
Kings and now by the people, in the way of social
and constitutional reforms ? While the guerilla
captains have alarmed MARIA DA GLORIA into a
cessation of those administrative innovations which
must have proved ultimately subversive
v. of. Phoarstuguese
---F
nationalityßEDEßlCK WiLciELss I
spon-
taneously awarded to his subjects a direct
participa-
tion
in the Prussian Government. While LEOPOLD the
SECOND has granted freedom of commerce to the
population of Tuscany—TERDINAND VI. is being
warned of the concessions requisite for the mainte-
nance of his sovereignty over Naples and the two
Sicilies, by the enthusiastic demonstrations of his
subjects throughout the Neapolitan provinces. While
CHARLES ALBERT is boldly avowing his readiness to
raise the standard of Sardinia against the tyrannous
adventures of the Austrian Cabinet—CHARLES Louis
is compelled to bow before the majesty of the people,
and to decree the inaugurative measures of the eman-
cipation of Lucca.
The changes which have just transpired in the
Grand Duchy of Lucca attest the ardour which
animates the Italians in struggling for the liberation
of
the peninsula. That ardour has been inspired by the
glorious policy of the Sovereign PONTIFF. Posterity
gritygl'di t'af .ali Pies IX. as the Liberator of Italy,
.s
uift
F.
..._ , , -,. B \ countrymen termed DANIEL O'CON
41.12 • 4ft ' tor of Ireland. And the liberation
."
4i4nced in the Papal States, 4/.1 :-3 - '.:. ; '..iiith astonishing swif• ~,.. .. ' ..*. -nto to the most S
i
~. __ . has spread,
from the
northern frontiers
(.....' .., ~.:'" ' Lombardy. It will be completed
ids-, ma rp facility than Prince METTERNICH
imagines. Italy a country possessing a sur-

face of 94,000 square miles, divided into thir-
teen distinct principalities—each of those divisions
governed by a monarchical power, absolute and irre-
sponsible—containing a population of 24,000,000—
Italy, the tomb of dead empires, and the first pro-
moter of European civilization, is throwing off her
chains, is awaking from a sleep of ages, is arising in
all the splendour and majesty of her pristine inde-
pendence. The occupation of Ferrara has only
hastened the emancipation of the entire peninsula.
The Papal [States have been followed in the
path of reform by Tuscany, by Sardinia, and by
Lucca. Naples must follow in like manner ; and any
further aggression on the part of the Vienna Cabinet
can only result in the revolt and liberation of its
Lombardo•Venetian provinces. Most happy for Italy
has proved the day when Cardinal FERRETTI was
raised to the Pontificate, when that patriotic Prince
was invested with the tiara, who was destined to
imbue with his liberal sentiments the councils of a
member of the house of Lorraine, and ultimately
those of CHARLES LOUIS DE BOURBON, Infanta of
Spain ! Onwards, brave Italians ! England watches
your course with admiration. Onwards, and remem-
ber that " nunquam Libertas gratior extat, quam sub
Rege Pio !"

We have already directed the public attention to
the vast importance of an extensive cultivation of flax
in Ireland, and pointed out the great advantages that
would be derived by all classes in that country
therefrom. There is no point of view from which it
may be regarded in which these advantages will not
be immediately manifest to the most superficial ob-
server. The farmer will have an opportunity of
receiving the largest pecuniary returns from the quan-
tity of land applied to the growth that could be
obtained from any description of crop. He would
realise a sufficiency to pay his entire rent, taxes,
wages, and all other outgoings of his farm from
the produce of a small portion only of his holding.
He would be enabled by' the proper application
of the seed to fatten his cattle, and bring
them to the greatest perfection, while a
liquid manure would be created by the water in
which the flax had been steeped that would greatly
add to the fertility and value of his land. The residue
of his farm would be applicable to the maintenance of
his family, and the production of articles of food of
every description. He would also be enabled to
afford a considerable amount of profitable employment
to the labouring population in his vicinity, and thus
to reduce to the minimum the poor-rate that may
otherwise prove a weighty burden. A large sum,
no less than from five to six millions of pounds ster-
ling, would be retained in the country, that now goes
to foreigners in payments for the raw material used
in the chief, if not the only Irish manufacture
worthy of notice ;' while persons of all classes,
particularly women and children, would be actively
engaged, not only in the preliminary stages, before it
was prepared for the manufacturer's use, but in an
increased ratio in the after stages of manufacture.
As an instance whereof we may mention that the
produce of three acres of flax, in addition to the
labour: employed in its cultivation, gave full occupa-
tion for a year to eighteen weavers and forty women,
thus bringing comfort and abundance to the humble
cottages that might otherwise have been the abodes of
misery and destitution. Contrast the condition, moral
and physical, of the peasantry in the flax-growing dis-
tricts of Ireland, their peaceful and orderly conduct,
their sturdy independence, their upright and honour-
able industry, with that of their brethren in
the less favoured localities, and differences will
at once be discovered that can only be
ascribed to the effects produced by the ex-
tensive cultivation of flax, and the manufac-
ture dependent thereon. We were, therefore, justi-
tified in stating that the extension of that cultivation
would furnish one of the chief and most obvious re-
medies for Irish distress.

With this feeling we were truly rejoiced to wit-
ness the tone and manner of the reception by his
Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant of the deputation
from " The Royal Society for the Promotion and Im-
provement of the Growth of Flax in Ireland," and his
ready acceptance of the office of vice-patron. His
Excellency most eloquently and ably enumerated
the national advantages derivable from the carrying
out of the objects of the society, and stated that there
was nothing that they could point out to him, either
as vice-patron or in his official capacity, by which the
growth of flax and the manufacture of linen
could be promoted, in which they might
not be assured of his most cordial co-opera-
tion, while at the same time he showed that
it was on their own exertions they should depend, and
not on a recurrence to the obsolete and universally
condemned practice of protective imposts. He said,
" As a free-trader he thought that there should be no
restriction placed on the produce of other countries,
however remote from great Britain, and the principle
of which he approved was, that they should buy in
the cheapest and sell in the dearest market, but that
did not prevent his desiring to see the productions of
his own country cheaper, better, and in all respects
superior to those of other countries." This i 3 the
true principle, the only one from which great results
can ever be attained. Ireland possesses advantages
in its soil and climate which no other flax-growing
country in the world can parallel. The
coolness and humidity of the atmosphere
are better calculated to produce a fibre
capable of being wrought into extreme fineness, and
the value of the crop, varying from 401. to 2001. per
ton, depends wholly on the degree of fineness that
can be attained. If she produced the whole of the
raw material required for her manufacture, as she
might easily do, she need not fear the competition of
any nation in the world therein. We trust that the
flax growers and linen manufacturers will be sti-
mulated by the concluding observations of the Noble
Earl, and the reasonable expectations that may be
thereby occasioned, and also with the prospect of the
more satisfactory state of our commercial relations
with other nations, and increase their exertions to
merit the success that is within their reach. The
cultivators of the soil should no longer suffer their
country to be dependent on foreign lands for the ma-
terial which they can themselves profitably produce,
and which occasions a considerable drain of bullion
from the British dominions, while the manufacturers
should recollect with gratitude the statement of the
V ICEROT—" That it was not the custom to nego-
tiate or put forward any particular article to the
special notice of any foreign Government in the in-
ternational communications which arose on questions
of trade, but with respect to the article of Irish linens
he would promise, on the part of Government, that
whenever a question should arise in which that inte-
resting branch of
Irish industry could form the sub-
ject of discussion, it should command the best and most
earnest attention of the Ministers of the Crown."

A letter from Berne, of the 6th, says—
" Surprise follows surprise. You know that at the
end of last year, when the Vorort of Zurich had,
according to the terms of the compact, to resign the
direction of the federal affairs into the hands of the
Government of Berne, the representatives of the
Courts of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, left Berne
(where the corps diplonzatique had constantly resided
since 1816) with a certain affectation, and transferred
their residerce to Zurich. In addition, far from com-
plimenting the new Vorort on its entrance into power,
as is the usage at every change of the Directory, they
maintained the most disdainful silence. Since
then, these Ministers have only had with the
Vorort of Berne such relations as were strictly neces-
sary. After eight months' sulking, the Directory must
dispatch
been extremely surprised to receive yesterday a
' have been extremely surprised to receive yesterday a
dis patch from the Charge d'Affaires of Austria, con-
taining a note, by which Prince de Metternich com-
municates to the Vorort, to be transmitted to the
Confederated States, a statement of his differences
See, with the Holy and of the communications ex-
changed between the Imperial Cabinet and the Court
of Rome with reference to the occupation of Ferrara.
The importance of
what o
this
concerns
cannot be dis.
ted. First, in
of all E
cernsus the Cabinet of
VVienna, which, in the eyes urope, had of
the most profound disdain for the Swiss liberal party,
represented by the Vorort of Berne, seeks spontane-
ously
the renewal of diplomatic relations, and that
with the object of defending itself forcertainarbi•
trary acts, of which it fears the appreciation.
over, the Austrian Cabinet, evhich has always i‘
showni"e
very little esteem for public opinion, sees itself, by
i
the very force of things, constrained to invoke
f
the judgment of nations, and attempts to justify itself
for an act which has happily failed. We may con-
clude from this unexpected demonstration that affairs
in Italy do not assume a very favourable appearance
fur Austria, and that the result of its attempt at in-
vasion is of a nature to lessen its disposition to inter-

vene in Switzerland. Besides, Prince de Metternich
protests to the Confederation that it would be wrong
to alarm itself at the concentration of Imperial troops
on its frontier, inasmuch as these troops are only des-
tined, according to him, to assure the execution of
the clauses of the treaty of Vienna in Italy. It is
thought that the Vorort will, to-morrow, communi-
cate to the Diet the dispatch of Prince de 'Metternich."
A letter of the 7th says—

" The sitting of the Swiss Diet of to-day was en-
tirely consumed in the nomination of superior officers
in the federal staff. Under present circumstances
these nominations naturally excite great interest. The
greater part of those chosen belong to the liberal
cantons ; not one of them belong to the ultra-mon-
tane party. The most significant of all the nomina-
tions is that of M. Maurice Barman of the Valais,
who has been proscribed by his canton ever since
the occurrences of May, 1844. The Deputy for the
Valais loudly protested against this choice. In the
sitting which will be held on the 9th, the Diet will be
occupied with the new propositions of the committee
charged with examining the acts of the Sonderbund.
The report In which these propositions are made was
only completed yesterday, and bears the date of the
6th. It declares, in the first place, that among the
documents laid before the committee was a dispatch,
dated Aug. 25, addressed to the Directory by the
state of Lucerne, acknowledging the reception of
_ . _ _

-the decrees of the Diet of July 20 and Aug: 11, re-
lating to the Sonderbund, and then declaring that
the state of Lucerne cannot in any degree admit
these decrees to be obligatory ; but, on the contrary,
that it adhered to its former protests, and should
reserve its rights, and take such measures as it
should, on consideration, find fit and proper. The
report states that a second document is a dispatch
from the state of Argau, dated August 30, in which
the Directory is informed that the state was con-
structing new fortifications at the bridge of Gysikon.
The committee observes that as these two documents
leave no doubt that the cantons of the Sonderbund,
and particularly Lucerne, were resolved not to sub-
mit to the decrees of the Diet, but to oppose them,
• and were positively acting contrary to them by
continuing their military preparations, it was ne-
cessary to consider what ulterior measures should
Nbe taken by the Diet. After entering into a dis-
cussion of this question, the committee came to the
conclusion that the moment had not yet arrived
for proposing any decisive measure, but recom-
mends that the Diet, in the present state of things,
should adjourn, in order that in the interval the
various states might maturely examine the decrees
and weigh their consequences. The committee leaves
it to the Diet to determine whether the adjournment
should be for a definite or an indefinite period, but
concludes with suggesting that it should be until the
18th October."

The Patria of Rome of the 31st ult. says—
" The POPE shows a degree of determination such as
to astonish those who are not aware of his character.
He has refused to give ear to the overtures of M.
Rossi, Ambassador of France, to refer the matter in
dispute to a third party. It is said that he exclaimed
to a certain ambassador—' Let them beware lest
they force me to pronounce a word which might cost
them dear !' "

The alliance between the POPE and the King of
PIEDMONT may be considered certain. It is to be
hoped that a similar arrangement will be entered into
with Tuscany. N. Coanom left for Florence for
that object. Austria has already been authorised by
the Dukes of MODENA and LUCCA. to occupy their
dominions. The same concession has been demanded
from Tuscany. Naples, which dreads the arrival of
the English fleet, and has been invited by the POPE
to übite with him, hesitates, and seems nevertheless
to incline towards us. Here we are ready to meet
every contingency, and proceed, if necessary, to ex-
tremities.

It is reported that an insurrectionary movement
took place on the 3d inst. at Messina and Reggio, in
the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. These disturb-
ances, however, were productive of no result, and two
regiments of infantry were sufficient to repress them.
No apprehensions were entertained at Naples re-
specting the consequences of that temporary agita-

tion. Nevertheless reinforcements had been sent to
Sicily.
On the 2d inst. the Duke of Lucca, accompanied
by his son, made his entry into that city amidst the
acclamations of the people, who had flocked thither in
multitudes from the neighbouring towns and states to
congratulate him on his accession to the cause of
reform. The Prince issued, on the same day, a decree
of amnesty, and ordered all prosecutions instituted
against political offenders to be suspended.
The Lucca Journal of the 4th contains the de-
scription of the festivities which took place there, in
consequence of the last ducal manifesto. The
people went in procession to meet the seven young
men whose arrest had been the immediate cause of
the effervescence of the preceding days. The Lu-
chese, Tuscan, Pontifical, and national banners were
displayed ; in the evening military music paraded the
streets by torchlight, and a brilliant illumination took
place. The bells rang, and the cries of " Long live
CARLO-LODOVICO, Plus IX, and the Civic Guard,"
were loud and frequent. The Capitular Vicar of
Lucca issued a notice of a religious ceremony in the
cathedral, to celebrate the happy event.
Accounts from Turin of the 4th say that the
King of SARDINIA had received the reply of the
;abinet of Vienna to his declaration in favour of the
independence of the Roman States. Austria is said to
have declared in that note that she was determined
not to tolerate the establishment of national guards
in Italy. It is further asserted that the King of SAR-
DINIA in his reply maintained his right, and that of
the POPE, to defend themselves as best they could.
Accounts from Turin add, that CORBOLI Bussr, an
Envoy from the POPE, was expected at Turin to re-
turn thanks to the KING, and to concert measures
with him, as well as with the Grand Duke of Tus-
CANY, for the formation of an Italian league against
Austria.

The Ga:etta Piedmontese states that ROSSINI is
acting as Captain of the National_ Guard of Bo-
logna, and displays extraordinary energy in that
capacity. The same journal announces that the
famous BERTON of Faenza has been arrested at
Fano.

By the Levant mail we have received intelligence
from Constantinople of the 24th ult., and from
Athens of the 29th.

A letter: from Constantinople of August 24 says—
" The last steamer from Trebizonde brings news
from Persia, of serious importance. A military in-
surrection has broken out amongst the troops en-
camped round Teheran, and the authorities, to calm
them, submitted to all their demands, one of which
related to the payment of the balance due to them for
a long time. The demands of the troops being thus
granted, order was restored, but it is doubtful
whether the bad example shown on this occasion may
not cause other serious difficulties."

The Courrier d'Athenes of August 29 gives the
following particulars relative to the wound received
by General GRIZIOTTI, and announces his subsequent
arrival at Scio

" On the 18th ult., a. Griziotti was inspecting the
trenches, under a fire of artillery, a spent ball car-
ried off the wrist of his left arm. Thus crippled,
deprived of all medical assistance, and feeling the
impossibility of prolonging his resistance, he engaged
his men to assist in covering his retreat, and retire
immediately to their homes. He was carried on a
litter to Koumi after the stump of his arm had been
plunged into boiling pitch to stop the hemorrhage.
This painful operation was endured with singular
sang-froid by this veteran General, now nearly a sep-
tuagenarian. Arrived at Koumi on the 20th, he em-
barked in a schooner, with 67 men, among whom
Colonel Scourtaniotti and Major Gervas were distin-
guished ; they set sail for Scio, where, according to
the report of a merchant captain, Griziotti arrived
before the steamer Otho and the schooner Nautilus,
sent in pursuit of him, could reach him. In the
meantime General Gardiktotis, informed by a prisoner
on the 19th of the accident which had happened to
Griziotti, marched his troops into the intrenched
cainpoeft:lp insurgents, who, after a sharp fusillade,
dispersed."

Madrid papers of the .sth and 6th have arrived.
Her MAJESTY, on driving out on the 4th, was saluted
with loud acclamations of " Viva the Constitutional
Queen," " Viva Espartero," " Viva the National
Militia." On the sth her MAJESTY attended a bull
fight, and was received with the utmost enthusiasm.
NARVAEZ was also present, but was compelled to
retire before the arrival of her MAJESTY, by the
" moral force" of the ridicule of the spectators. He
was greeted with shouts of laughter, and cries of "Re-
turn to France Ramon," these cries being professedly
directed at RAMON, the Matador, although itastorr,
the Duke, RAMON NARVAEZ was' the person most
annoyed. One bull having been killed, the audience
struck up a song, the burden of which related to a
gentleman who had gone out for wool and returned
shorn. This was too much, and his Grace the Duke