The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-27 00:00:00

, dente that the Duke was opposed to the change, that
he considered it would take away from the efficiency
of the army, and be fraught with the most dangerous
consequences to the kingdom in general. In both
Houses this assumed hostility was dilated on to the
utmost degree. The greatest respect and veneration
was professed for his Grace's authority. The chief
speakers declared that if satisfied that it had his con-
currence and approval, they would withdraw their
opposition, and consent to the proposed alterations,
It was almost certain that his Grace's assent had been
obtained ; that the Executive would not have
brought forward any measure relating to the army in
opposition to his wishes. It would, indeed, be a bad
compliment to the veteran to suppose it possible that
he could support a measure of such importance unless
satisfied of its propriety; but still it was repeated in
all places, both in and out of the Senate, usque ad
nauseam, that he was opposed to the change, and
foresaw its injurious consequences, and his name was
used as a tower of strength against the progress of
the Bill. Nothing can be more decisive than the
manner in which his Grace has now spoken. He
says, in alluding to the disastrous consequences
that would follow if the country were de-
prived of the services of old and experienced
soldiers—" It
is my opinion, however, that the pre-
sent measure is not calculated to have such an effect.
It is my opinion, that considering all the circum-
stances connected with this measure, considering the
likelyam—" And I earnestly comfort that the soldier already enjoys, considering
the other advantage.
ss about to be conferred on him,
it
.
diminishing the service of the old sol-
dier." And
not
again—" to be attended with the effect
recom-
mendof
your Lordships to let this measure pass ;"and, subsequently, " and therefore I entreat your
d
Lordships to adopt it:' Surely we shall no longer
have the repetition of these reckless and unwarranted
assertions as to the Duke's hostility to the measure.
The able and talented speech of Earl GREY in
moving the second reading of the Bill was perfectly
conclusive in its favour. He traced with a masterly
hand the improvements that have been effected of late
years in the condition of the soldiers, and their bene-
ficial results, not only in his conduct and character,
but also in his health and longevity, ameliorations
that had been so gradually introduced that few were
aware of the extent of the changes ; and declared that
the present measure was strictly in conformity with
those already adopted, and formed a most important
step in the progress of improvement so long going
on. He explained the gradual change effected in
the system of corporal punishment, when, in the course
of twenty-one years, from the infliction of 1,200
lashes as part of a sentence of 1,900, they had come
down to a state of things when 50 lashes was the
maximum punishment. He traced the improvements
in the comforts of the soldier, in his accommodation
in barracks, his means of recreation, and the better
quality of his food. He showed the good
effects of regimental savings' banks and regimental
schools, and produced returns by which it
appeared that crime had diminished, that there were
fewer punishments of every description. There were
results no less remarkable in the diminished mortality,
by which the annual saving of human life was
1,035 men, equal to one whole battalion which had
in past years been annihilated by death. But, satis-
factory as were these statements, it was still more
pleasing to hear that improvement was not at an end,
that much was still to be done to render
admission into the army a boon to the
labouring man. The pension to the well-behaved
soldier will be restored to that established in 1806.
In fact, every means are to be taken to make the
soldier feel that his dismissal would be a severe
punishment, as it is now felt to be in the
police; and when that is attained we shall have
attained every object. His Lordship also showed
the good effects of having in the country a body of
men trained to the use of arms, whose services could
be made available in case of invasion or any other
emergency. The second reading was finally carried
by a majority of fourteen. We trust that its efficacy
will not be impaired by any changes in Committee.
The utmost vigilance of its friends will be necessary
to guard against,such an untoward circumstance.

Mr. DIETZ, the peddling schoolmaster of Portugal.
cannot fortunately obtain the arrears of his salary,
and has, consequently, retired from the palace in
dudgeon. There is, therefore, some glimmering of
hope, though as yet it is but feeble and fitful. Queen
_ _

MArda DA GLORIA has, nevertheless, been so deeply
imbued with the policy of the Gallic intriguers, that
the present disasters are still likely to continue
for, a very protracted period. From the intelligence
which has just arrived from the distracted Peninsula
it would appear that the insurgents have, without
embarrassing themselves with any overt act of hos-
tility, encompassed the Royalists, and driven them to
extremities. By accumulating their forces south
of the Tagus, and evincing every disposition to pro-
secute their military endeavours, the Junta have so far
frightened the immediate advisers of the SOVEREIGN as
to induce her to appeal for protection to the naval
armaments of Great Britain. This alone is an im-
portant step of retrogression. This alone is a left-
handed concession to the populace. This alone is a

testimony that the bauble of kingly authority is
cracked and splintered. Queen MARIA is impelled
to seek that security from the English which her
erroneous system of government has denied to her
from the Portuguese. She has estranged herself
from her own lieges by her very unpatriotic proceed-
ings in the way of legislation ; she has yielded herself
to the moral domination of that true OLITIER Dam-
BARD, the schoolmaster DIETZ. But the cause of the
multitude is becoming triumphant. Thanks to the
vitality which is inherent in every national and
rational conclave, the Junta are approaching the goal
to which they have been so long and earnestly
pressing onwards.

It cannot be forgotten in these peaceful days that a
reinforcement of Marines departed from Portsmouth
on the 6th ult., in the Sidon steamer ; and it certainly
etosephafiatelnn:naitiwtebohidoteoe
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authorisingft
mediation
eeeindhitahtiainhot
instructions
rhuaotctoft
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and Spanish Gtohoffaveterrhnemrofepnotscr.toungciuOieinasteeio:pirAojviso accom-
panied
shouldr e co n -
consent to the terms which had been previouslyaEnsTd and
repeatedly stipulated. Whether there be something
of hereditary obstinacy in the blood of the Bra-
ganzas, or whether MARIA DA GLORIA is solicitous
to figure in history as a romantic fugitive—in an in-
cident, say, that might suggest a companion picture
to the escape of the Queen of SCOTS from Lochleven
Castle, or of MARY of Modena in an open skiff on
the Thames —it is certain that her MAJESTY
is struggling with the most insane perversity
against a course she must ultimately be forced
to adopt. She rejected the proffered media-
tion on a former occasion. She has rejected
it again, and for a similar reason—the unpalatable
nature of the preliminary terms. Now, for the
better comprehension of the wisdom of Queen
MARIA'S refusal, let us examine the extent and cha-
racter of these repugnant terms. They may be very
briefly enumerated ; they are—the proclamation of
an amnesty to the insurgents, the dismissal of the
present Ministers, the establishment of a new and
liberal Administration, and the immediate assembling
of the Cortes. These are the ingredients in the
Poisoned goblet tendered on the one side by the triple
mediators. On the opposite hand there is held aloft
the sharpened dagger of popular indignation. Like
Fair ROSAMOND, the Queen of PORTUGAL, has this
alternative alone. Let her, like Fair ROSAMOND,
drain the goblet instead of tempting the dagger to
descend, and she will find that tke draught, instead of
being poisonous, is life-giving and exhilirating. We
are uttering no fable; ours are not the prettily tin-
selled sentences that
glitter and have no meaning.
We speak the language of conviction, and we speak
that language with an earnestness derived from our
anxiety to see the woes of anarchy prevented, and the
animosities which have unguardedly arisen between
the Portuguese and their youthful SovEuEinx
13rought to a quick and satisfactory conclusion.
Unless MARIA DA. GLORIA make the re-
quired concessions with an immediate grace,
they will ultimately be wrenched from her Govern-
tmoehnetrvtpietohondiargnionnig ,too
harshness. Possibly, in-
deed, by denying the baons of constitutional liberty
protracted
.an interval, she
may root out the prestige with which her name, her .