The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-22 00:00:00

THE ABDICATION OF THE
QUEEN-REGENT OF SPAIN.

(From Galignani'sllessenger.)

With one exception, the Ministerial pa-pers abstain
from all comment on the abdication of the Queen-Re-
gent of Spain. The Temps, after observing cn the
error of the Regent in quitting her capital, and yield-
ing to the advice of persons who either had her destruc-
tion in view, or who were unfit to give counsel in such
a crisis, thus leaving the field to her enemies, says—
" Spain is in a state of revolution. Whether this
revolution was necessary or not is the question. We
shall return to this point, but we must not forget that
Espartero in his manifesto declared that the Regency
of Queen Christina was sacred, and that the Ambassa-
dors have declared that they would quit Spain the
moment the Regency should be attacked. If they
should withdraw, and Espartero, placed between the
alternative of his popularity, and his declaration should
remain faithful•to the latter, what authority will then be
in Spain ?—where will be its alliances and its support ?"
Debats does not allude to the event ; the Presse
has only the following :
" With Queen Christina disappears the alliance be-
tween France and Spain. Anarchy, triumphant at
Madrid, is for Constitutional France an enemy not less
implacable than Don Carlos would have been. Thus,
in six months, M. 'Tiers has broken off our only two
intimate alliances—those of England and Spain."
The Commerce attributes to the conduct and policy
of the Regent the deplorable position which has com-
pelled her to abdicate, but praises her for having abdi-
cated, as the only means of preventing a new conflict in
Spain. It adds, that this event is another proof that in
a Constitutional State no Government can long hold its
ground against public opinion. It does not appear to
us to be quite certain that the abdication of Queen
Christina will prevent a new conflict, nor do we clearly
understand what is meant by public opinion in Spain.
It was not long ago that the current of public opinion,
as it is called, appeared to flow strongly in favour of the
Regent. If every change of Government in Spain, every
political intrigue, is t o be called public opinion, then
publiclopinion must be cameleon-like indeed.
The France is very severe upon Queen Christina,
but its severity has a very different source from that of
the Commerce. It says :
" The punishment reserved by Providence for this
guilty Princess has not been long delayed. She un-
chained revolution in the Peninsula, and resisted the
legitimate heir, in order to place the crown upon the
head of her child, whom she now leaves as a mere in-
strument and a hostage in the hands of the factions, and
whom she can neither counsel nor protect. One usur-
pation, at least, is punished."
The Capitole says the abdication of Queen Christina
leaves Spain exposed to the hatred and vengeance
created by the double-sided policy of the French Go-
vernment, but expresses a hope that the Spaniards will
fight by the side of the French " in the sacred cause of
the people against the manoeuvres of England," and
that France will allow the Spanish revolution to run its
course, in order that " this generous people may be re-
generated like the French."
" We understand," says the National, " that the In-
fante Don Francisco de Paulo is making preparations to
leave Paris immediately for Madrid."

MADAME LAFFARGE.

TO THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN.

My Lord—You are the Licenser of Plays ; it is
your proud yet delicate duty to act as censor morum to
the theatres. May I ask, if a piece, announced at a
miner theatre in your jurisdiction, for speedy represen-
tation—a piece entitled The Family of Lafarge, has
yet been presented to you for your sanction ? In the
play-bilis, the manager promises the fullest illustration
of all the disgusting circumstances blazoned in the Court
at Tulle. If English audiences are to be thus bru-
talised under the " express sanction" of the Chamber-
lain's-office—if the popular mind is, in its recreations, to
be familiarised with lust and murder—the sooner the
House of Commons relieves your Lordship of your
present theatrical privilege the better. In a word, my
Lord, have you, or can you, stamp such atrocities as
that advertised for representation on Monday next, with
your sanction ? Are we to witness the infamy ", under
t
the express authority of the Lord Chamberlain "
Your obedient servant,
A PLAYGOER.

[We know not what the House of Commons has to
do with the office. An Act of Parliament might abate
the evil. And after the long run that one piece of a
very immoral tendency has had, it is certainly desirable
that something should be done. The press, however,
is as much to blame as the Lord Chamberlain in dealing
so gently with such disgraceful productions.]