The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-15 00:00:00

suit, in the shape of recommendation to the Crown, is
made known by the Marshal or President of the Diet.
The Ministers, however, who saw the necessity of
granting the present constitution, will see the necessity
of making use of the press in working it. For what is
now done will not only prove useless, but turn to poison,
unless the administratisn be carried on in accordance
with it.
What a change does this at once make in the politics
of Europe! How much must our fears of French pre-
dominance be allayed by seeing Prussia start up as a
German and a constitutional power! }low much must
our alarm at Russian encroachment be diminished at
seeing the Prussian monarch, for the first time, admit
the assembled representatives of the people to his Court
and councils, knowing, as all do, how universal is the
hatred and fear of Russia in every German heart I How
much are British anxieties for the balance of power re-
moved at seeing its true, and great, and national arbiter,
Germany, swelling to its true dimensions, and taking
the place that the wishes of all liberal men long since
assigned it.
We cannot but rejoice that English peers and com-
moners have held their tongues on foreign policy this
session. M. Guizot, M. Thiers, M. Berryer, and the mag-
nates of the French Parliament, have all and each
uttered long speeches. Every one of them is knocked
on the head by this act of his Prussian Majesty.
M. Guizot and M. Thiers united in representing
the despotic East as ready to coalesce in order to dictate
to France; whilst England was to join them in the new
coalition. The words had been scarcely uttered, when
Prussia breaks avowedly with these despotic Courts and
their policy; and professes to rival France, not as the
auxiliary of despotic, but the representative of liberal
ideas. French statesmen and Ministers are thus shown
to be as ignorant of German politics as of English.
England and Europe may indeed unite against France
in the matter of the Spanish marriages, but it will be
an union of opinion, of reproval, and of peace. War is
not required to punish the French Court for its un-
worthy acts. Spain alone will suffice to punish Louis
Philippe; and the reproving countenance of Europe will
teach him that neither international rights, nor the
solemn promises of Sovereigns, are to be broken with
impunity.

Besides these passages there are a multitude of sketches
of the principal actors in the military scenes of the time. In
one page, of Fouche walking with his wife in the Champs
Elyse©`• muffled up in a plain brown roeolo," in another of a
very different person, M. de Chateaubriand, who is de-
scribed as " by no means tall, and is rather thickset ;
but his features are good, his countenance is very fine,
and his eyes are beautiful, alike from colour, shape, and
expression ; while there is a striking benevolence in his
look, tone of voice, and manner." With these remi-
niscences of a marvellous generation the present work
is crowded. It constitutes an agreeable embellishment
to the more sober history of the period ; and for the
accumulation and classification of these literary frag-
ments we feel indebted to author, editor, and publisher
in their relative proportions.

THE SON,
LONDON, MONDAY EVENING,
I notice, was the array of the aides-de-camp of Bona- 7
parte, which was so almost furiously striking, that all
other vestments, even the most gaudy, appeared sud-
denly under a gloomy cloud when contrasted with its
brightness."
•
" The Prince of Orange then passed us to enter the
audience chamber, with a look so serious, an air so de-
pressed, that I have not been at all surprised to hear he
was that very night taken very ill.
" The last object for whom the way was cleared was
the Second Consul, Cambaceres, who advanced with a
stately and solemn pace, slow, regular, and consequen-
tial, dressed richly in scarlet and gold, and never look-
ing to the right or left, but wearing a mien of fixed
gravity and importance. He had several persons in
his suite who, I think, but am not sure, were Ministers
of State."
"At length the two human hedges were finally
formed, the door of the audience chamber was thrown
wide open vdth a commanding crash, and a vivacious
officer—sentinel—or I know not what, nimbly descended
the three steps into our apartment, and placing himself
at the side of the door. with one hand spread as high as
possible above Ida head, and the other extended horizon-
tally, called out iu a loud and authoritative voice, Le
Premier Consul
" You will easily believe nothing more was necessary
to obtain attention ; not a soul either spoke or stirred
as he and his suite passed along, which was so quickly
that, had I not been placed so near the door, and had
not all about me facilitated my standing foremo.t, and
being least crowd-obstructed, I could hardly have seen
him. As it was I had a view so near, though so brief,
of his face, as to be very muse struck by it. It is of a
deeply impressive cast, pale even to sallowness, while not
only in the eye, but in every feature, care, thought,
melancholy, and meditation are strongly marked, with
so much of character, nay, genius, and so penetrating a
seriousness, or rather sadness, as powerfully to sink into
an observer's mind.
"Yet, though the busts and medallions I have seen
are, in general, such good resemblances that I think
I should have known him untold, hi has by no means
the look to be expected from Bonaparte, but rather
that of a profoundly studious and contemplative man,
who ' o'er books consumes' not only the midnight
oil,' but his own daily strength, ' and wastes the
puny body to decay' by abstruse speculation and
theoretic plans or rather visions, ingenious but not prac-
ticable. But the look of the commander who heads
his own army, who fights his own battles, who con-
quers every difficulty by personal exertion, who exe-
cutes all he plans, who performs even all he suggests,
whose ambition is of the most enterprising, and whose
bravery is of the most daring cast ;—this, which is the
look to be expected from his situation, and the exploits
which have led to it, the spectator watches for in vain.
The plainness also of his dress, so conspicuously con-
trasted by the finery of all around him, conspires for-
cibly with his countenance, so ' sicklied o'er with the
pale hue of thought,' to give him far more the air of a
student than a warrior."
• a •
"The review I shall attempt no description of. I
have no knowledge of the subject, and no fondness for
its object. It was far more superb than anything I had
ever beheld ; but while all the pomp and circumstance
of war animated others, it only saddened me ; and all
of past reflection, all of future dread, made the whole
grandeur of the martial scene~ and all the delusive
seduction of martial music, fill my eyes frequently with
tears, but not regale my poor muscles with one single
smile.
" Bonaparte, mounting a beautiful and spirited white
horse, closely encircled by his glittering aides-de camp,
and accompanied by his generals, rode round the ranks,
holding his bridle indifferently in either hand, and seem-
ing utterly careless of the prancing, rearing, and other
freaks of his horse, insomuch as to strike some who were
near me with a notion of his being a bad horseman. I
am the last to be a judge upon this subject ; but, as a
remarker, he only appeared to me a man who knew so
well he could manage the animal when he pleased, that
he did not deem it worth his while to keep constantly in
order what be knew, if urged or provoked, he could sub-
due In s moment.
4' Precisely opposite to the window at which I was
placed, the Chief Consul stationed himself after
making his round ; and thence he presented some
swords of honour, inpreading out one arm with an air
and mien which changed his look from that of ache.
lastic severity to one that was highly military and
commanding.
" Just as the consular band, with their brazen drums
as well as trumpets, marched facing the First Consul,
the sun broke suddenly out from the clouds which had
obscured it all the morning; and the effect was so abrupt
and so dazzling that I could not help observing it to my
friend."

WRECK OF HER MAJESTY'S
STEAM-SLOOP SPHYNX.
THE COURT-MARTIAL.
Poirramourn, FRIDAY.—A court-martial, comprising Rea-
Admiral Hyde Parker, C. 8., President; Captain Pasco, of
the Victory ; Captain Chads, C. 8., of the Excellent; Cap-
tain Henderson, C. 8., of the Sidon ; Captain Kingcome, of
the Belleisle ; Captain Milne, of the St. Vincent; and Mr.
George L. Greetham, Deputy Judge-Advocate of the Fleet,
assembled this morning at 9 o'clock, on board the flag-ship
St. Vincent, to try Commander John Bettinson Cragg, and
the other officers and ship's company who formed the crew of
her Majesty's steam-vessel Sphynx when she ran ashore,
upon the following charge :
" For that you and each officers and ship's company as
aforesaid, on the 16th of January, 1847, all of them being at
that time in actual service and full pay of her Majesty's
fleet, did, through negligence, run upon the shore in Brix-
stone Bay, at the back of the Isle of Wight, her Majesty's
steam-sloop Sphynx."
All the officers and ship's company having been called
into court, and the charge having been read over in their pre-
senCe, all, except Commander Cragg and the Master, Mr.
Wallis, were ordered to withdraw.
Commander Cragg then applied for permission to have his
" friend" to assist him, which was immediately granted,
when Mr. James Hoskins, solicitor (late mayor of Ports-
mouth), took his scat behind him. The trial then commenced
by the log-book being put in and identified as the ship's
book by Commander Cragg, who deposed that the entries
in it relating to the 16th of January last were correct. At
seven o'clock P.I. on the 15th, he said, the Start Light north
and by west seven cr eight miles, I was on the paddle-box.
when the master proposed that we should shape our course up
channel. I inquired what the course was; he replied east
and by south. 1 inquired if that was from point to point or
from the present position of the ship. The master replied,
from point to point, and that east and by south would carry
us the same distance without St. Catharine's as we were off
the Start. I consented to the course being shaped east by
standard compass, the deviation being one point eastward,
and directed that she should not go inside her course. At
this time it rained—sometimes thick—wind from east.
I had some conversation It ith the master about reducing
the steam ; l,e thought we had better make the Portland
Lights first. 1 went below to ascertain if the course pointed
out by the master was correct, and compared the standard
compass with the steering compass, which had been pre-
viously done by the master when he shaped the course. At
eight o'clock I received a report from the chief engineer, and
ascertained the number of revolutions we were making. I
cannot state now what number he said, but I replied I don't
want to go so fast—l don't want to go into port to-night.
He said, or I directed—l don't know which—that the ex-
pansive gear should be put on another step of the cam (the
3d), and a fire lighted, so as not to have so much coal on,
which was done. I then remained on the bridge or paddle-
box until the Portland Lights were seen, at 10 o'clock, on
the port bow ; at 12 we were abreast of Portland Lights,
bearing north four or five leagues. I sent for the master
shortly after, and said I wished the speed of the vessel to be
reduced, I lieve I said to half-speed ;he said, " Yes, sir,"
and I then said" I will go on deck and order it." Pie re-
plied, " Let me go, air, I'm going on deck," and he went. I
think he reported to me it was done. I spoke to him then
about his (the master's) knowledge.of the Channel in going
through St. Catharine's or the Needles, as we could when the
day broke take the passage which most favourably presented
itself. The master said he had a thorough knowledge of
the Channel, particularly around the Isle of Wight, hav-
ing been brought up in it all his life. I was on deck all
night. When below I was sitting in a chair, and on two
occasions I heard the order reported. I ran on deck and
observed we were passing vessels showing lights. The officer
of the watch (Lieutenant Marryat), who was en the port
paddle-box, called out, " How's her head ?" The quarter..
master answered S.S.E. and S.E.; the coarse was conse-
quently kept. I remained on the quarter-deck, looking out,
until after three o'clock, when I went below and desired the
quartermaster to call me at four. I was called, and the
quartermaster stated, in answer to my questions, that there
were no lights in sight except vessels' lights, and the wea-
ther was the same as when I went off. I told him to call me
at five. I was called at five by Mr. Sullivan. I asked him
if there were any lights in sight. He said, "No, sir; the
master's on the paddle-box, and has sent a man up to the
mast-head to look out for the lights." I asked him if the
patent log had been hauled in. He said, " No." I directed
him (Mr. Sullivan) to go immediately and do it, and let me
know the result. He reported eighty-four miles on the
patent log. I said, "Tell the master to go as slew as pos-
sible, and keep her off; he knows we don't want to go in
to-night." I went on deck at five o'clock, and when I got
on the quarter-deck, or top of the ladder, I cannot say
which, the ship struck. I suppose that was about twenty
minutes after five. I got on the paddle-box as fast as
I could, when I heard the master order the ship to " go
astern." She moved astern for some time, but finding she
was fast, and the sea breaking heavily over the vessel, I
directed the engines to be stopped, and the water to be started
overboard and the masts cut down. As soon as the is ater
smoothed, we got our boat and an anchor out. When off the
Start, and the course was shaped, I directed the patent log to
be set and put overboard. The master said "I've set it, and
put it overboard myself, sir.
PRESIDENT—YOU say the Portland Lights at 12 o'clock
were bearing north four or five leagues. Was the course
altered at that time 2—No.
Who set the Portland Lights 2—The gunner, the officer of
the watch. I looked at them afterwards myself.
Was the wind blowing fresh and right ahead, and was
there much head sea?—The wind was ahead; it was not
blowing fresh ; there was no head sea.
What was the weather at 12 o'clock ?—lt rained, as it had
done most of the night,
Was that course (east) steered intended to take the Sphynx
in or outside of St. Catharine's?—Outside, decidedly. The
ship was to the south of that course all night.
Was any means taken between 12 and 4 o'clock to deter-
mine the Sphynx's rate of going?—The ordinary log was
hove every hour.
And what was her rate of going?—Ten knots by the ordi-
nary log in the first watch.
When you went on deck at three o'clock, as you have
stated, was the weather then thick ?—No ; you could see a
long way off. The Portland Lights were seen until near
two o'clock.
Who informed you the weather was the same when you
were called ?—Vincent. the quartermaster.
Did he, at the same time, tell you her rate of going ?
—No.
When you settled the course you stated for the master to
steer by standard compass did you lay down that course
when
it chart with the master ?—I was en the paddle-box when
it was settled, but I went below and looked at the Channel
Directory, and found that the course from the Start to St.
Catharine's was E. and by S. 92 miles, as the master had
stated. The standard compass was always to the south-
ward of east. The ship was so frequently kept to the south-
ward, that I had no apprehensions, but fully expected,
from the state of the weather, to see the lights of the Isle
of Wight.
When you were called at four o'clock did you inquire what
distance the Sphynx had gone 2—No.
As you stated that the Directory told you 92 miles from
the Start to St. Catharine's, you surely must have been sur-
prised at not seeing the St. Catharine's Lights, when there
was more than that distance run on the log at four o' 1 r
—The ordinary log always keeps a greater speed thanee_ehee. t
vessel is going by one mile or more in nine in paddle-wh I
steamers.
You have stated that you could see some distance, and
that it was fair during the night. Was it reported tot re%d
!
that the weather was changed during the night ? You s stated
in your letter to the Commander-in-Chief (Sir C. Ogle)!tt
t
the weather was thick ?—I said in the letter that the weather
was thick when we went on shore.
Was it to your knowledge that the vessel was going ten
knots, or more, until she struck ?—I consider that the
htvvessel
was never going ten knots. The patent log only gave ei g
four miles in ten and a half hours.
Did you propose to the master, or he to you, at four o'l lock,
stopping the Sphynx to get a cast of the lead ?—No Ln:
sidered there was an order to keep the lead going on alloencoA
sions. I did not on that occasion.
Who gove that order ?—I did.
Was that order ever given in writing?-ICe•
Was there any written order on the night of the 16th left
with the officers of the watch ?—No. believe not.
Was the lead hove at all during the night?—
threey Captain Hexpeasow—When the ship
ce of seed?
ast at twelve o'clock, what was the differen
shut as
WASI ordered to
—Three or four revolutions. The safety-valve Pertly
well
What speed did a reduction of four revolutions .give you?
—I should think she then went about seven eight kn ots'
By Captain MILNE—Did you consider the
with the pilotage of the ship?—Yea. or
charged
Was he on deck during the first and middle_ wa.tch_esi atnhde
at what hours 2—He was on deck constantly nun"
•
night.
Did he mark on the chart the position of the sehiaftp aetr efglatiti
twelve, two, and four o'clock?-1 am not oar
o'clock whether he did or not.
Why did net the master take the bearingsoss of thebearings
Portland
theand
Lights at the different hours, and by cr
sition ?
'is po
the distance run in the interval, obtain shi_
adPa chart of his
I do not know whether he did or not; he b
own in his cabin.
Athat hours did he rep the position him,of at theship
you? what hours did he report the position
you 2—At eight o'clock, and,ort when I sent for twelvtoe
o'clock.
Did he bring the chart with him? —.The chart was on the
cabin table.
Did he mark the position of the ship on the chart at twelve?
—No, be did not. deviation of the
head
he cornd-
When the ship was swung for the with the hi
passes, what was the amount of error,
at east 2-10 deg. 20 'Ain.
Were you furnished
by ;I:et-officer who swung the ship with
a table of the amount of deviations, and was it inserted in
the log 2—Yes, and it was '`pasted" in the leg.
Is it in the log now consider
steer-
Are the Court to that when the ship was
t 10
ing east by compass the actual course was eas south?--
Yes. n the Porland Lights were reported to
',altar:tutor— e nner, did 1
you, at 12 o' lock by chart , you ay down the
ship's position on
the I wet on deck all the time
were in sight.
7 r. 31, when you were seven miles off the
Start, PortlandLig
Dip you, from till the time the S h
.p ynx struck,
Start, as stated in the jog,
lay down the course steered upon the Admiralty chart?—
Yes,uurrse, ona wtheell
Admiralty
in the
chart,
I measured
and saw it was a °CO r cortherect cc oo
to,— I cannot say whether I laid it down
Channel Dirge y•
or not.
ht propose to you to get a
Did any o
cast of the lead ?—No.
When you came upon deck,
a little after 5, where did you
was when she struck 2—At the back of
suppose the vessel
the Isle of Wight. t on deck?
Had she struck before you go cannot under-
take to say whether I was on the quarter-deck or not; if not
I was on the ladder.
What time of tide was it when the ship struck?—Flood