The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-16 00:00:00

AFFAIRS OF S PAIN.
In the present state of the affairs of Spain, if any
doubt could remain on the mind as to the nature of
the recent change—if the Moderado party could have
been
for one instant suspected of sincerity or mode-
ration—and if we had had any hopes that their object
was to restore a strong national Government to the
Peninsula, the sudden and furtive departure of Chris-
tina for Madrid must have put an end to all but the
worst anticipations. It is no longer a question of the
administration of Spain ; it is no longer an alterna-
tion of parties or of men, which consigns the Mini-
sterial power to the hands of an Absolutist or a Li-
beral, of a soldier or a statesman. No Ministry formed
for the mere purpose of governing the country, and
of carrying on the business of the nation, could by any
possibility have invoked the aid of the Queen-Mother.
If the objects of Narvaez and his colleagues had
been confined to the ordinary functions of a Cabinet,
they were sure of the support of the Cortes, they
might reckon on the apathy of the nation, but they
could not need the assistance of that sinister ally.
She left Paris by stealth ; the French Government
put in practice the tricks of a farce to conceal her
departure ; and before her intention could be known
in Madrid she has probably presented herself in the
closet of her wretched and terrified daughter. We
ventured to say, but a short time ago, that Isabella
had begun to reign ; but that was the delusion of an
instant. No sooner was the influence of her autho-
rity and the direction of her will known in Paris,
than the inexorable pair, who are alike steeled against
every impulse of duty to a Sovereign or affection to
a child, rushed to Madrid, like hounds from the leash,
to pull down their defenceless prey. The daring
iniquity with which this fresh move has been accom-
panied—the notoriety of the infamous means which
have been employed to purchase success—the undis-
sembled baseness and villany of every actor in this
extraordinary tragedy, render it one of the most ex-
traordinary scenes we halve witnessed in contemporary
history. No.,,w9,nderiUsabella,exposed alone to face
this ominous conjunction, without a counsellor or a
friend, should crouch and sink under the lies and threats
of those who now alone surround her and shut out all
human relief. She had, indeed, marked out one man
by an indiscreet and deplorable favour, in which the
weakness of the woman betrayed the dignity of the
Queen. We do not mean to palliate that fault, but
it has been bitterly expiated. The object of that mis-
placed confidence betrayed it : he proved false to
every obligation of loyalty, gratitude, and affection ;
he sold her who had raised him but too high ; he sold
his Queen at the instigation of a foreign Govern-
ment; he sold the woman whom of all men he was
bound to defend. The name of General Serrano, by
whatever titles it may hereafter be concealed, stands
henceforth in the lists of infamy by the side of Deutz
and of Maroto. Having accomplished this master-
piece of villany, we are not surprised to learn that
General Serrano has disappeared. It is a mistake to
suppose that Narvaez ever intended to share his power
with a rival of that nature. He probably expected,
and indeed boasted, that on his return to Madrid he
should rid himself of the favourite by the most expe-
ditious process. That proved at the moment to be im-
possible:; but the means subsequently:employed, though
slower and more costly, have been equalle effectual.
The next personage of whom we shall be curious to
hear something is the frigid husband and the puppet
King, Don Francisco d'Assis, who has sunk into
such extreme insignificance and contempt that even
the importance of the part he was made to play at the
wedding has not saved him from months of oblivion.
We do him, however, the justice to believe that he is
conscious of his own degradation, and of the fatal
consequences of the marriage he was led to contract.
He is said to be no less anxious than the Queen her-
self to be released from so odious a tie; and he pro-
bably learns with equal terror that Narvaez and his
mother-in-law have undertaken the ominous task of
reconciliation. It would seem, indeed, at present,
that throughout the country, from the august per-
sonages most immediately concerned down to the
lowest organs of political party, the entire Spanish
nation is stricken with an universal and unspeakable
terror, by the sole appearance of these well-known
agents on the scene. Everybody knows their true
character. Everybody agrees that all the bad
passionslwhich:can prey upon a monarchy are in-
carnate in their persons. Everybody believes that
they are come to put constraint on the Queen of
Spain, to rivet her hands, and perhaps to thrust her
from the throne and place a Frenchman upon it. Ask
where you will, there is not a man in Spain, even
amongst their own adherents, by whom they are not
execrated as much as they are feared, and feared as
much as they are known. And yet, such is the in-
conceivable condition of that nation, that not an effort
has been made to save the Sovereign from this auda-
cious interference with ber independence, or to rescue
the country from the grasp of an intrusive domina-
tion. Probably the cold indifference inte which the
Spanish people are supposed to have subsided, even
on the subjects which once lay nearest to their
honour and their hearts, has encouraged the French
party to these decisive demonstrations and prompt
activity. Louis Philippe has shown himself a great
master of the chief element of political dealing—op.
portunity; and everything now prescribes acce-
lerated action. At the same time all our accounts
concur in stating that Narvaez has been most ear-
nestly recommended to abstain from any violent or
arbitrary acts which might excite public feeling; to
endeavour to conciliate, employ, or at least lull the
Progressistas ; to tolerate even the press, and to meet
the Cortes with a fair demeanour. If the object of
these precautions was to establish a firm and mode-
rate administration, we should desire nothing better,
and they point out precisely the line of policy we
should be most: disposed to approve. But it isim-
possible to shake off the apprehension of far deeper
designs. This very candour and moderation, which
we are ready to applaud in itself, wears the semblance
of a disguise; and no one can look back at the trans-
actions of the last eighteen months in Spain without
perceiving that the policy of France has been go-
verned by a very different object than that of insur-
ing to Queen Isabella a long and prosperous reign.
In spite of this apparent calm and this boasted
triumph, everything within the radius of 'Madrid is
precarious and uncertain. Intimidation is the only
means which can be employed by the Government,
for bribery has its limits; and these resources are
always liable to defeat their own object, especially in
a country and at a time when every other feeling and
interest is opposed to it. And although an efficient
French army of 40,000 men has been concentrated
on the Pyrenees, and every village on the Spanish
frontier of France is lined with troops, military force
is the last instrument Louis Philippe will employ.—
Times.

111MRSIIAL SOULT.—A letter from St. Amans, in a
provincial journal, states that Marshal Soult, who some-
days ago was attacked with an indisposition, which ap-
peared to be but slight, has since become dangerously
ill.—Gulignani.
KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL.—MUNIFICENT LE.
GACY.—Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the governors,
and committee of the above hospital was held in the board-
room of the institution, in Portugal-street, Line.°ln's Inn
for the transaction of general business. The report
stated that there were at present 109 in-patltnts, and
since the commencement of the present year 1,013 had
been admitted, and during the same period upwards of
14,000 out-patients had been placed on the books; the
numbers of the latter class of patients had latterly been
greatly on the increase. An increased number of poor
married women have been attended at their own homes
during their confinement (last year this class was nearly
500). The total number of in and out-patients who
have participated in the benefits of the charity, since its
institution in 1839, have been nearly 100,000. The
funds of the hospital are very low; every shilling will be
expended to meet the demands of the past quarter, with-
out trenching upon the funded stock, which is but of
small amount. A legacy of 1,0001. has recently been
bequeathed by the late Miss Collyer.
CHOLERA.--Some years ago, when Asiatic cholera
was in the south of France, a physician of Marseilles
having noticed that charcoal men were exempt from the.
disorder, determined to try charcoal as a remedy for it,
and was eminently successful in its practice. As no
effectual remedy for this disease appears to have been
hitherto discovered, and as charcoal would at any rate
be harmless, it might be well worth a trial both in
Asiatic and other cholera. Its action is understood to
be antiseptic. By correcting the putrid condition of the
bowels, the disease is said to be checked.
INVERNESS.—MR. MATHESON.—We understand
th.

.iat our burgh Member, Alexander Matheson, Esq., of
Ardross, has handsomely presented Dr. Nicol with a
sum of 1001. towards the improvement of the Ness
Islands, the state of which has been so long a matter
of regret with our townsmen. Mr. Matheson has also
given 501. to aid the funds of the Inverness Royal
Academy; 30/. to assist in building the Free Church
School; 15/. to the Female School of Industry, in
Academy-street; and Si. to the Inverness Dispensary.—
Inverness Courier.
IRISH SUPPLIES.—Ten vessels arrived in the Thames
on Monday from Ireland, laden with provisions of dif-
ferent kinds and general merchandise. Of these arrivals,
there were one from Belfast, two from Waterford, one
from Clare, three from Limerick, one from Dublin, and
two from Cork. One of the vessels brought some casks
of potatoes.
ODD ADDRESS.—The manager of a country theatre,
finding his audience more select than numerous, ad
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(main will be repeated to-morrow." "1511