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

Otoening

LONDON. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 30, 1847.

Another session has opened on the Guizot Admi-
nistration, and never, we may safely aver, has that
Administration appeared before the representative
Legislature in a position so peculiarly perilous. The
Speech delivered by his Majesty the KING of the
Funnel( on Tuesday afternoon is expressive in every
syllable of the uncertainty with which Louis PHIL-
LIPPE is himself agitated by the state of political
parties in his dominions. Language could not be
more obscure ; allusions more indefinite ; inuendoes
more vague ; anticipations more shadowy ; rhetorical
flourishes more idle and profitless. Every sentence
shows that the SOVEREIGN was conscious
of the delicacy of the various questions
to which he was compelled to make more
immediate reference. Even with the guarantee which
is at last afforded for the remission or reduction of
the salt duties, there is associated the recollection of
the eontinual obstructions hitherto raise,l against this
concession to the wants of the community by a nig-
gardly and avaricious system of commercial policy.
And in the promised diminution of the amount of '
postage demanded upon letters there is manifest only
the intention of a partial improvement, instead of such
a comprehensive innovation as the one effected in our
own country by the intelligent suggestions of Row-
LAND lime. Other measures are enumerated by the
MONARCH with a sort of grandiloquent distinct
flees, which would almost induce one to imagine that
le anticipates from their operation the full develop-
ment of the " morality and welfare " of his people !
These measures being none other than bills upon
commercial property, upon the mortgage system,
upon savings-banks, and upon pawnbroking. As if
the morality of his kingdom could be insured by the
triple-balls of the Mow
de Pieti As if the evil
deeds of an unprincipled Cabinet were to be made
palateable by affording a tittle more security to a
mortgagor, or by increasing, by a few
centimes, the
casual profits of a mortgagee I
.A. 5 if, indeed,,
the ill repute acquired by his Government
were to be swallowed cum grano sails! Yet,
it is to these dribblets of political reform and ,
social improvements that Louis Panarrs appends
the magniloquent declaration—" It is my constant
wish that my Government should labour, with your
co-operation, in developing, at the same time, the
morality and welfare of the people !" There is
something as ludicrously inappropriate in the context
of the paragraph as though Mr. BARNUM were to
narrate in sesquipedulia verba the life and adventures
of General Tore THUMB. It is the antithesis of
bathos—the sudden expansion of the petty to
the sublime, instead of the abrupt contrac-
tion of the sublime to the petty. It forms a worthy
compendium, however, to the- recent acts of
a policy wisich would appear to draw its inspiration

from the political creed of MACCHIAVELLI, or from
the subtle and insidious promptings of AlErins-
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 I 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 DR CADRAL—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 MErrEarircu 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 Duc D'lsLr, his MAJESTY looks
forward in like manner to the glory (pray GOD it be
not of a like character !) of the days of the Duc
n'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 account 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 notori.ais 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 of
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 sent amongst them intelligent
and well-informed 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
failure, and that the small farmers and cottiers re.
fused to avail themselves of the benefits freely offered
for 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 wish this view, Lord CLARET DON
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 501. 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 ba depended on were obtained, setting forth
the present state of affairs in the several districts, and
the prospects of the coining 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
laud 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.

The Augsburg Gazette of the 24th instant con-
tains the following letter, dated Berlin, the 18th:
" Seven of the Poles, capitally c( nvicted, who had
appealed to the mercy of the King, have obtained
the commutation of their penalty to imprisonment for
life. It is, however, probable, that in a few years
they will be amnestied. Mieroalawaki alone refused
to address a similar request to his Majesty, but his
advocate had taken on himself to invoke the Royal
clemency in his favour. The situation of the accused,
who after being acquitted were claimed by Russia,
excites general sympathy. The police arrested them
immediately on their leaving the prison. In order
to escape their wretched fate, they have entered an
appeal against the sentence, and demanded that the
Court should pronounce their entire liberation. The
President (M. Koch) ordered them to be conveyed
back to prison, where they will wait the result of the
decision of the tribunal on their appeal."

The Patria of Florence states that the Pore seems
inclined to sanction the resolution of the Consulta,
that its debates should be public. His Holiness held,
on the 17th, a secret consistory, at which twenty
Spatish archbishops and bishops were nominated.
This is the first time since the death of FERDINAND
VII. that his Holiness has performed this ceremony.
His Holiness opened the consistory with a discourse
relative to the state of the Church in Spain, Russia,
and Switzerland. With regard to Spain and Russia,
he expressed feelings of joy at the favourable turn
religious affairs had taken, but he spoke with deep
regret at the defeat of the Catholic union in Swit-
zerland. The sentiments expressed by the Pdre in
this discourse appear to have created considerable
uneasiness among the Liberal party in Rome, who
imagine that his Holiness is no longer so ardent an
admirer of reform as he was supposed to be a few
months ago.
The process against the leaders of the demonstra-
tion, which took place in Rome some time ago, in
favour of the Swiss Diet, was about to commence.
One of the persons compromised in this affair is
the son of the celebrated CICERONACCHIO.

It certainly does seem somewhat remarkable that
the Pork should thus take part in Switzerland with
those who in Italy have been his bitterest enemies.
Has his Holiness found Jesuit intrigue and Austrian
domination such blessings to his own country, that
he would fain impart them to Switzerland also ? or
does he seek to overthrow temporal tyranny merely
to establish sacerdotal domination in its place ? Surely
the Liberals of Europe have not been labouring all
this time under a delusion, and mistaken a mere
Ghibbeline for a patriot!

The Journal de Constantinople of the Bth says that
VELENTZAI3, PAPACOSTAS, BALATEO, DMITRI DAIG-
♦DJIM, and YAM CONDOTAM, who, as is well known,
held high ranks in the Hellenic army, and were in
insurrection against the Tzavellas :Ministry, have
left the Greek territory with 163 of their partisans,
and have presented themselve before the local autho-
rities of Larissa, from whom they demanded per-
mission to serve in the Ottoman army, declaring
themselves desirous of becoming subjects of the
Porte. The Governor-General of Thessaly, residing
at Larissa, M tnll3 MEHEMET PACHA, has confined
himself to receiving the deserters with kindness,
granting them hospitality till the Imperial Govern-
ment shall have determined what reply their demand
should meet with.

Madrid papers of the 22d have arrived.
The Gageta publishes a decree appointing General
lios DE OLANO Captain-General of the Spanish pos-
sessions on the Mediterranean coast of Africa. The
Governor of Ceuta, General ANTONIO ONDONNEZ, is
made Deputy Captain-General, and the government
of Melilla is conferred on General IGNACIO CLIACON.
It was reported in Madrid that the Minister of
Finance, Senor ORLANDO, had resigned, and that his
portfolio had been confided ad interim to Senor
BELTRAM Ds LIS, the Minister of Marine.

MADRID BOLSA, DEC. 22.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 28 1-16th, at fifty days ; the Five per
Cents., at 16, at forty-nine days; the Debt without
interest, at 5, for paper; and the Coupons at 101, at
forty-nine days.

We hare received the French papers of Tuesday.
The King's Speech, of course, is the great subject
of comment. There was a
,slight fall in the funds
when the contents of the Speech became known on
the Bourse, occasioned by the more than usual
vagueness of the announcements made by the KINCI.
The passage alluding to the proposed measure of
postal reform was received with marks of approba-
tion, and that relating to Switzerland with profound
silence. The paragraph announcing the appointment
of the Due D'AUMALE to Algeria was received with
loud cheers, as was the concluding paragraph of the
Speech.
The Ministerial evening journal, the Moniteur
Parisien, thus comments on the paragraph in the
Speech relating to Switzerland—
" The paragraph relative to Switzerland sets forth
and maintains the true principles of that important
question. Those principles are those which the
France of July and her Government have invariably
proclaimed and asserted in Europe every time any
serious difficulties presented themselves. It is not
only through respect for the maintenance of treaties,
it is also for the preservation of order in Switzerland,
that France, in accord with the other great European
Powers, offered to the Helvetic Confederation her
friendly mediation. If France condemns and deplores
events solely calculated to produce fatal, or, at least,
sterile agitations, she will, on the other hand, be ever
ready to promote with her good wishes and her moral
support, ameliorations tending to increase the empire
and blessings of civilization, when effected in an orderly
manner, and by the combined efforts of nations and
their Governments."

The Conservateztr has the following on the changes
which will probably take place in Italy consequent
on the death of MARIA Louisa :
" The death of the Archduchess Maria Louisa,
Duchess of Parma, will have, according to all pro-
bability, important consequences for the affairs of
Italy, although that Princess had personally no po-
litical importance. We explained in one of our
recent aumbers the strategic value of the position of
Pontremoli; it is the key of the passage between the
states of the King of Sardinia and those of the Grand
Duke of Tuscany. In 1815 Austria employed all its
efforts to have the possession of Pontremoli awarded
to it. The Congress of Vienna refused that; it
would not consent that Austria, already so powerful
in Italy, should, by establishing herself in a military
manner in that position, keep in perpetual check the
kingdom of Sardinia and the grand duchy of Tuscany,
and thereby, in fact, reduce both of them to the state
of simple vassals. The Congress even refused to
award Pontremoli to the duchy of Modena, or to that
of Lucca, from the fact that Austria had a right of re-
version o f those two duchies. In virtue of the decision of
the Congress, Pontremoli and its territory were there-
fore awarded to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, although
geographically separated from the states of that
Prince, and surrounded by those of the duchy of
Lucca. We have already had occasion to make
known how, in virtue of subsequent arrangements
between Austria, Tuscany, Lucca, and Modena,
Pontremoli was to be incorporated in the latter duchy,
when Lucca sheuld pass to Tuscany, and how the
Duke of Modena hastened to demand this incorpora-
tion when recently the Duke of Lucca ceded his prin-
cipality to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Our readers
know the extreme repugnance which was manifested
by the inhabitants of Pontremoli at the idea of be-
coming the subjects of the Duke of Modena. All
Italy echoed their protests. One might have feared
at one moment that the people, hastening from the
neighbouring states, to preserve them from the lot
which threatened them, a war would break out on that
almost imperceptible point of the Peninsula, which
war would have soon extended to all its surface. It is
that which causes the destiny of that little district
to have now so much importance, and it is that
which makes the death of the Duchess of Parma a
matter of general interest for Italy. Accord-
ing to the opinion of the King of Sardinia, who
was chosen as arbitrator in the difference relative
to Pontremoli, which arose between Tuscany and
Modena, the possession of Pontremoli ought to be
awarded to the Prince who is called to the heritage
of the Duchess of Parma, that is to the Duke of
Lucca. The Grand Duke of Tuscany and the Duke
of Modena have already adhered to the proposition of
the King of Sardinia; it only remains to obtain the
adhesion of the Duke of Lucca and of Austria. The
Duke of Lucca cannot make any difficulties, since he
gains by the arrangement. Austria, it is true, may
desire to oppose both, in the hope of one day possess-
ing Pontremoli, if it should remain awarded to the
duchy of Modena, on account of the right of rever-
sion which it has to that duchy. But it is permitted
to us to hope that its spirit of wisdom will induce it
not to sacrifice to this distant and uncertain hope a
combination which must contribute to assure the
tranquillity of Italy. The influence of Austria will
still remain sufficiently great in Italy—greater than
even the Congress of Vienna desired. As to the in-
habitants of Pontremoli, they will no doubt regret to
exchange the domination of the Grand Duke of Tus-

cany for that of the Duke of Lucca, or, to speak
more correctly, of the Duke of Parma ; but they will
have some consolation in thinking that they escape
that of the Duke of Modena."
The Paris Chamber of Commerce met on Monday,
and the Prefect of the Seine made to them his annual
report of the administration of the affairs of the city
of Paris during the year 1847. 9,000,000 f. had been
expended by the city during the 11 months the
municipal council found it necessary to vote funds for
the distribution of bread tickets. The number of the
latter amounted to 33,000,000, and no less than
464,000 persons were relieved. Another million has
been granted to different charitable institutions. In
addition to those supplies, considerable sums had been
employed to procure labour for the working classes.
Thus 1,600,000 f. were laid out in constructing the
hospital of Louis Philippe; 400,0001. in repairing and
extending the hospitals.. of La Pitie, St. Antoine, La
Charitie, Necker, &c. ; 700,0001. in building new
schools; 1,800,0001. in repairing edifices belonging
to the city of Paris, churches, markets, barracks
colleges, &c.; 6,000,000 f. for the improvement of the
streets and the opening of new ones, &c. On the Ist of
December the tolls levied at the gates had produced
34,300,000 f., or 1,200,0001. less than in 1846, partly
owing to a reduction in the tax on meat. The savings
banks were seriously affected by the crisis. During
the first eleven months of 1847 the lodgments were
only 29,600,0001., whilst they had amounted during
the corresponding period of 1846 to 34,200,0001. The
withdrawals, moreover, exceeding those of 1846 by
3,000,000 f. The exports of the city of Paris declared
at the Custom-house not only maintained themselves,
but even presented an increase of 4,000,000 f. Down
to the Ist of December last the ordinary exports
amounted to 82,709,9291., and those with premiums
to 72,442,693, forming together 155,000,000 f. The
sum total for the entire year will be about
174,000,000 f. Previous to 1830 the exports never
exceeded 80,000,0001., and in 1831 they had fallen to
60,000,000 f. Notwithstanding that prosperity of the
Parisian trade, the failures had augmented in a con-
siderable proportion, owing in a great measure to the
sudden variations in the prices of the public stocks and
shares. On the Ist of December their number was
1,204, or 358 more than in 1846.

The new daily postal communication between Lon-
don and Paris is to commence simultaneously to-
morrow, as well through Boulogne as through Calais
and Dover.

The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourn
on Tuesday at 75f. 40c. ; New Loan, 76f. 60c. ;
the Five per Cents., 117 r. ; the Orleans Railroad
Shares, 1,214 f. 25c. ; Rouen, 908 f. 75c.; Havre,
4551. ; Great Northern, 551 E 25c.; Avignon, 575 f.;
Vierzon, 552 f. 50c. ; Bordeaux, 490 E; Dieppe,
265 f.; Basle, 162 f. 50c.; Paris and Strasburg, 412 f.
50c.; Tours and Nantes, 335 f. ; Paris and Lyons,
401 f. 26c.; Spanish Three per Cents., 31 ; ditto Do-
mestic Debt, 26k.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Dm. 29.
Central of France (Orleans and Yierzon), 15%—Northern
of France, 12—Paris and Lyons, 6 lA.

BANKRUPTCY.—(THIS DAY.)
(Before Mr. Commissioner EvANs.)
IN RE W. B. AND C. G. BRODIE.

This was a meeting for proof of debts, and last
examination of these bankrupts, who had carried on
business as bankers at the Salisbury Bank.
A great number of prolifs were admitted, but were
chiefly on notes of the bank.

Mr. PAIN, on the part of the assignees, objected to
a proof tendered on behalf of Mr. Bouverie, on a
joint bond given by one of the bankrupts and a third
party, and it was contended that as the other obligor
was solvent, he must be called on, and compelled to
pay before any proof could be admitted against this
estate.

On the part of Mr. Bouverie, it was urged that
the money was paid to Mr. Brodie, who paid intereg
on it.

His HoNoun held that the bond was a joint bond,
and, therefore, that the proof could not be admitted
whilst there was a solvent obligor.
The accounts not having been yet filed an appli-
cation WAS made for an adjournment of the last exa-
mination, which was granted. Since the issuing of
the fiat several Crown extents have been put in on
the property, but which have been paid out.

SHERIFFS' COURT.—(THIS DAY.)
The cases this morning were of no interest, being
chiefly of bills of Exchange, the principal cases having
been withdrawn.

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