The Sun.
London, England, 1847-12-30 00:00:00

TOPHILES

If his MAJESTY evinced this eagerness of expres-
sion when alluding to the internal administration of
France, it might be conjectured how exquisitely in-
definite would be his observations upon the various
circumstances of its relations with foreign states.
Indefinite ! It is a verbal obscurity, like " darkness
visible." It betrays a caution so consummate and
peculiar that several of the most important
movements on the European continent are
not noticed even by a covert allusion. Of
Belgium—just agitated by the throes of popular
ambition—there is said nothing. Of Italy—awakened
from the Circean sleep of slavery, and reviving the
liberties and genius of its historic adolescence—
nothing. Of Portugal—again dwindling from a
constitutional monarchy into a mere estate of COSTA
and JOSE DE CABRAL—nothing. Of Spain—placed
in new perils as to its independence, its mercantile
stability, its provincial quietude, and its very na-
tionality—nothing. In the reference which is made
to the affairs of Switzerland there is, if possible,
a still greater amount of circumspection than in
any other portion of this most enigmatical address
from the Throne. Hitherto the dream was that
GUIZOT and METTERNICH were actuated by congenial
sentiments regarding the claims of the Sonderbund.
Now that the Royal Master of the Tuileries has pro-
nounced his anxiety to co-operate with England,
Austria, Russia, and Prussia, in respecting the rights
of all, and maintaining the basis of the Helvetic Con-
federation, it remains more than ever problematical in
which direction the sympathies of his advisers are
carried. Again, after congratulating the more
speculative classes upon the removal of the mer-
cantile obstructions which have been so long tolera-
ted on the Rio de la Plata, and which removal will,
in all likelihood, be accomplished before long by the
energetic combination of France and Great Britain,
the KING makes direct mention of his province in
Algeria. He anticipates that now that his beloved
son has succeeded " the illustrious leader who has so
long and gloriously commanded in Algeria," a great
epoch will commence in those African territories.
Remembering the glory (Eheu LAMORICIERE !) of
the days of the Due D'IsLY, his MAJESTY looks
forward in like manner to the glory (pray GOD it be
not of a like character !) of the days of the Due
D'AUMALE. "I flatter myself," says the Royal
Orator, " that under the direction of my Govern-
ment, and thanks to the laborious courage of the
generous army that surrounds him, his vigilance and
devotedness will secure the tranquillity, the good
administration, and prosperity of our establishment."
Such are the delusive aspirations, such is the inimi-
table caution, such are the feebly articulated senti-
ments of the KING of the FRENCH, on the re-assem-
bling of the Peers and Deputies, to decide the destiny
of M. GuizoT and his colleagues.

A letter has appeared in a morning Contemporary
containing a most satisfactory sccount of the pro-
ceedings of the Practical Instructors in Husbandry,
who have been deputed to visit certain districts in
Ireland, and to point out to the occupiers the serious
losses they are sustaining from the negligent and
injudicious mode of cultivation which they have been
in the habit of adopting on their respective holdings.
It is well known that the soil in Ireland is of a far
better average quality than the English. It is, un-
fortunately, too notorious that there is a far greater
supply of agricultural labour in that country,
and that that labour can be obtained at
a much cheaper rate —in fact, less than
one-half of what must be paid here ; and yet,
notwithstanding these great advantages to the
farmer, the produce is fully sixty per cent. less
than we obtain from an equal quantity of
land. Many different reasons have been assigned for
this untoward result, and there have, doubtless, been
many causes which have more or less contributed
thereto; but one of the most glaring had been lost
sight of until the public attention was directed
thereto, and a remedy suggested, by the distinguished
nobleman who now so worthily occupies the vice-
regal throne in the sister kingdom. It became ap-
parent to that sagacious statesman that a great deal ct
the evil might fairly be ascribed to the ignorance
that prevailed amongst the small farmers as to the
most ordinary processes of agriculture, that steps
absolutely essential to the production of an abundant
and remunerative crop were neglected, merely be-
cause the people were not aware of their paramount
importance. It became then extremely desirable
to convey instruction to their very thresholds, to
provide them with information that they would be
willing to act on, to senl amongst them intelligent
and well-intormed men, who would visit their
cottages, point out their errors, and advise
them as to the judicious management of
their holdings. The experiment was well worthy
a trial. If it succeeded, great advantages might be
attained, and an increase of the working staff world
speedily diffuse practical knowledge throughout every
locality ; but if, contrary to expectation, it proved a
tailure, and that the small farmers and cottiers re.
fused to avail themselves of the benefits freely offered
fur their acceptance, there could at least be no evil
result. The necessary expenditure would be very
trifling, and could be readily provided by private
subscriptions.
In accordance with this view, Lord CLARENDON
about two months since, wrote to the Duke of LEIN-.
STER, as President of the Royal Agricultural Society,
suggesting the employment of such persons, and
offering a donation of 50/. from his private purse, in
furtherance thereof. The appeal was promptly re-
sponded to, and within a very few days the required
sum was made up by a few patriotic individuals, the
project was put into execution, and, for the first time,
practical instruction was tried as a remedy for
some of the social evils of Ireland. Ten persons
were sent out to travel among the peasantry,
to stimulate them to activity, and to teach them how
their exertions might be most profitably applied at the
present period. An additional advantage was also
derived from their mission, for weekly reports that
might be depended on were obtained, setting forth
the present state of affairs in the several districts, and
the prospects of the coming year.
Many were at first disposed to sneer at the plain
and simple character of the undertaking. They
would not be persuaded that any great advantages
could be derived from such an ordinary pro-
ceeding. They desired that miracles should
be performed ; that millions should be la-
vishly expended, and that national pros-
perity should be immediately arrived at; by
some magical process. The farmers,
_however, who
were aware of their own deficiencies, received their
visitors with open arms, eagerly listened to the advice
they offered, and strove, by every means in
their power, to carry their suggestions into effect.
They pointed out to the farmers the advantage of dig-
ging and turning up the land, so as to expose it to
the effect of the frost during the winter; for, strange
to say, in many localities the importance of this
process was not known, and the land was left
untouched until the arrival of spring. On their re-
turn to the scene of their labours they found the
land was turned up, and that the occupiers, although
in many instances obliged to submit to very serious
privations, readily employed themselves in the
manner which they were told would, on
a future occasion, return them the rewards
due to their industry. The co-operation and
assistance which, we rejoice to say, was everywhere
afforded by the Roman Catholic:clergymen mainly
contributed to this happy result, and furnishes a fa-
vourable augury of what may be hoped for from an
extension of the system, and its introduction on an
enlarged scale into every part of the country.

In compliance with the request of the Executive
Council of Berne, the Swiss Diet, in its sitting of the
24th, resolved that the Bernese contingent should not
undergo federal inspection in 1848, as a mark of re-
spect for the eminent services rendered by Berne in
the recent campaign. After a debate, a delay of five
years was allowed to Unterwalden for the payment of
its portion of the expenses of the war. On a propo-
sition for terminating the military occupation of that
canton, the Diet resolved that the Directory should,
with respect thereto, make what use it may think
right of the powers which have been conferred on it.
The monks of St. Bernard have, in consequence of
the defeat of the Sonderbund, retired into the Sar-
dinian territory.