The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-26 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, FRIDA Y, FEBRUARY 26, 18ii.

Mr. HEYWORTH agreed that it was not necessary for any
Company to have so large a number of Directors. He did
not know whether by their Act of Parliament the Direc-
tors were enabled to diminish their numbers, and if they
could not they must wait till another application was made
to Parliament.
A PROPRIETOR observed that the Birmingham and
Gloucester had reduced the number of their Directors to
five.—( Cheers.)
Mr. ENGLAND agreed with Mr. Crosswaite as to the in-
complete state of the works,
Mr. ROGERS said that it was understood that the Ciren-
cester and Swindon line would be completed against next
April. He wished to know would that he the caec?
Would the line be fit to be opened in April ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that they had received formal
notice from the Company, stating that that road would be
opened in Apri'.
Mr. ROGERS thought it was impossible, from informa-
tion that had come to him on the subject, that the line
could be opened in April.
Mr. BRUNEL said the contractors on those lines had un-
dertaken to hare them opened in March instead (f April,
and he saw no reason, in the present st rte of the works,
why that could not be effected. With respect to the em-
bankment at the part of the line alluded to, though the
land did not come into their possession till six moults
after the time when they were to have got it, and the
works were in consequence begun in the nvelst of the
heavy rains ; yet the embankment was now in such
a state of forwardness, that in his opinion there
was nothing whatever to prevent the line being coin-
pltt id. With iespeet to the Cheltenham line he
could not fix the day on which it would be opened.
If it rested with him to fix the day he weal have it
opened in March, but at all eveets he believed it would
certainly be opened in April. •
Mr. BERNARD wished to ask a very important question,
which he believed ought not to be discussed at that meet-
ing, but on some othe r occasion the point ought to be
ascertained by the proprietors of the railroad. A part of
the Report which had been read to the meeting alluded to
the raising of furtive. sums, Now he wished to know
whether the lino would be completed for the sum which
they were now authorised to raise, namely, 5,750,0001.
Did the Directors intend to raise a greater sum than that
for that purpose ? Did they expect to include the tot ii
amount of expense of engines, carriages, &c. in that sum.
In a word, the point he wanted to ascertain was whether
5,750,000/. was the independent cost of the road.
The CHAIRMAN world pledge himself that the r tad
would be finished for the sum already given for that.
purpose, but no human bring could pledge himself as to
what contingencies might ,'rise, or their consequences.
The Directors had gone crrefully through the estimates
up to last August, but riece that time no further estimates
had been I ,oirl befi re them. However, he cent i aisere
the gentleman who put the question, that the Direettri
would endeavour to keep down the expense as much as
they possibly could.
Mr. RioenweY was desirous of calling the attention of
the meeting to the great iecunvenieece arising front the
Report not having been put into the hands of the Proprie-
tors a considerable time before the mt eting took place;
they would then come prepared to decide whether the
statements contained in that Report wee right or
not, which it was impossible to do in the present
instance, when they were gilled on, at a moment's
notice, to make such a decision. Though the
Proprietors bad every confidence in the Director',
yet he thought it but fitting that the inconve.nieace to
which he alluded should in fUture be rernat•ee. lie
wished to know what was the Superintendent's salary ?
The CHAIRMAN said it was 1,2001. a year, and that :um
included the London Secretary's salary, both situations
being filled by the same person. The duties attached
were so great that that sum must be considered but as a
very moderate s,lsry.
Mr. RIDGEWAY—Has he a residence in addition to that
salary ?

Tire CHAIRMAN--,NO. The Surcrintendcnt occupies
one of the houses of the Company, but be pays rent for it.
In reply to a question from a Proprietor, who wished to
know whether it was by the goods-trains or the passen-
gers-trains that parcels were to be transmitted,
and who stated that some goods of his were re-
fused so be transmit,ed by the goods train, because
they were too small, the Chairman said that there must
be some inaccuracy in that statement. They never refused
to ca-ry goods by the goods-Vain, because, they were too
small ; but it was possible they might refuse them because
they were too large.
The Gentleman who put the question said there was no
inaccuracy in his statement, and in support of his assa--
tion read a Ict.er from the Superintendent's clerk, to the
effect, that the parcels in question were not sufficient])
large or weighty to alow of their going in the goodr-de-
partment, and they were therefore refused ; but subse-
quently, sent by the passengers'-train.
The SECRETARY said he never learned wbat were the
exact circumstances of the case which was now under dis-
cussion; he war, therefore, unprepared to state
anything relative to it in particular, but the
rule of the Company attached a certain rate to
parcels respecting the value of which there was
very considerable responsibility incurred. The rate
therefore for the carriage of parcels was very different
from that for the carriage of goods—goods being under-
stood as merchandise, loaded in aggregate quantities.
Under the bead of merchandise, goods, when under one
hundred weight, were excluded. When under that weight,
they were charged as parcels. Parcels were carried by
the goods trailer. With respect to carryings'by the.passengers trains, the Company reftised Lb , uuless
some circumstances rendered it necessary.
Some conversation having taken place with respect to
the necessity of lessening the number of the Dim:tars,
The CHAIRMAN said the Act of Parliament under which
the Company was incorporated fixed the number of Di-
rectors, and it was therefore perfectly incompetent for
them to make any diminution is their numbers; however,
if they should deem it necessary to make anv change in their
numbers, they would endeavour to effect that object.
The question that the Report be received and published
was then put and carried.

Mr. Gunnosr next proposed a resolution, to the effect
that the dividend of 1/. 10s. per cen►. on half shares, de-
clared up to the 31st of Dec., payable to the present Pro-
prietors, be paid on the sth March passed.
The thanks of the Company were then voted to the
Directors for their zealous and efficient services in aid of
the undertaking.
The CHAIRMAN, on the part of himself and brother
Directors, acknowledgA the compliment.
Some desultory conversation here took place relative to
Dartmou'h being selected in preference to Falmouth or
Bristol as the purl from which the packets were to sail,
when the Chairman observed, that the selection of Dart..
mouth was communicated to the Directors by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, and it was adopted in accordance
with the recommendation of the Commissioners who were
appointed to report on the subject, With respect to any
departure being made from that selection, he (the Chair-
man) apprehended that the Government would not make
any change.
After some other business was disposed of, the marked
thanks of the meeting were given to the Chairman, and
the assembly separated.

ENGINEER'S REPORT.
18, uke-street, Feb. 23, 1841.
Gentlemen —I am happy to he able to report that satisfactory
progress has been' made towards the completion of the entire line
since the last general meeting of the Proprietors, such as will in-
sure this being my last half-yearly Report open the state of ineom.
plete works. S,nce that period an additional portion of rail-
way, of about 281/2 miles, has been brought into operation, the
line from London to Farringdon-road having been extended
to the Wootton Basset-road, a total distance of SO miles; and
that between Bath and Bristol, a distance of 12 miles, having
been opened to the public immediately after the last meeting.
The interval still remaining unfinished, extends about 26
miles. At the latter end of August last, it was stated, that
we might reasonably expect the completion of these works
within a twelvemonth from that time ; but it was strongly
urged by several Proprietors at the public meeting that means
should be adopted, even at some increased expense, to render
this more certain, and to hasten still further the period of the
opening of the entire line. Such means have been adopted.
'1 he quantity of side-cutting for the formation of embankments,
and the carrying materials from cutting into spoil, have at va-
rious points been increased, and other modifications of the.ori-
ginal mode of constructing the works have been introduced;
but as this portion comprehends several of the heaviest works
on the line, and the opening must of course depend upon the
means applied being successful in every case, I cannot fix the
precise period of the final opening, but there is no doubt that it
will have been much expedited, and particularly, that the time
gained will comprehend some of the most profitable part of the
year, and that if the contractors complete the several works
which they have undertaken (and of course steps must be
adopted to enforce the terms of their contracts), then I think
we may fairly hope to open the line in June. .-
Exertions have been made during the whole of the'past season
to push forward the works, and at the same time to avoid, as far
as possible, the necessity of executing any embankments during
the wet weather, and I am happy to state, that, although we
have again been unfortunately impeded by very severe weather,
unusually long and severe frosts, and subsequent floods, yet,
upon the whole, the efforts we have made have been success-
ful. Much has been done, and wherever the priocipleof avoid-
ing the formation of earthwork daring wet weather has been
strictly adhered to, all that has been completed has been well
and permanently done.
In the immediate neighbourhood of Bath much still remains
to be executed on one contract. The diversion of the Kennet
and Avon Canal, in the progress of which very serious diffi-
culties had occurred, caused principally by continued wet weather
at a critical period of the works, requires most attention ; the
retaining wall, however, is nearly completed, and when the
course of the Canal is diverted, which will shortly be done, the
construction of the railway itself at this point is a simple and
easy operation.
With the exception of this one point, the works are in a
sufficiently forward state between Bath and Bathford. At
Bathford the bridge across the Avon is much in arrear, but
the necessary means have been and shall be adopted for se-
curing its early completion.
From this point to the Box Tunnel, the works are in a for-
ward state ; the long embankment requires but a small addi-
tional quantity for its completion, and we are commencing to
form the surface preparatory to ballasting.
are
T nearlyhe small tunnel in Oa the adjoining cuttings
finished.
Upon the remainder of the line, from the Box Tunnel to
Wootton Basset inclusive, all the works are heavy, but fortu-
nately not at, ended with any great difficulty of construction.
The Wootton Basset, or No. 7 ( C. ) contract, is nearly completed.
Of the great embankment, clutaining about half a mill,on
cube yards, about 25,000 yards only remain to be finished.
Upon the next contract the- principal embankment is still
nearer completion, from 5,000 to 0,000 yards only being want-
ing. On the next contract, No. S(C ), the works are also
nearly finished, and on both
of h
the
s
acoomnscihdieprpaebnha
leprnor,ttihone
is ballasted, and the laying permanent ay is commenced.
The bridge over the Avon will be completed in a very short
time,
nd goeoxdoteolonaoydoei
consists
sdi it.
Upon
of
the burning and
principal work next
relmasi,in contracts &eg.'
t o having
be .
t irePara'ory to laying the pavement way.
The works between Chippenham and the Box Tunnel, which
the
the
eate two frosts, tn v
that by p p
ro er exertion, their completion
now in such. a state
part.
have generally been considered as likely to be the latest, are
itself will be completed and open through..
The Box Tunnel
Face
to
the Shaft No. 8, which has
out, from the Western
considered as the Eastern extremity, during the
always been
he whole Tunnel cannot be then said to
not withinb e wantingt he t me
on required may be ensured; this exertion shall
my
next month ; and if t
Eastern end, which is en.
be finished, it is only because the

tirely in rock, and belonging more properly to the Contract
last referred to, of No. 1 ( C), has been extended a few yards in
order to diminish the quantity of excavation required in the open
cutting. The permanent way in the Tunnel will also shortly
be commenced.

The account I have above given of the advanced state of the
works will, I trust, prove satisfactory.
Such exertions as were required to hasten the successive
opening to Steventon, to Farringdon-road, and to Wootton
Basset, and the arrangements consequent upon each partial
opening, are at all times attended with serious expenses, and it
' is a source of great satisfaction to me, that only one more
opening is to take place. I have endeavoured to ascertain the
increased cost thus incurred, but I have been unable to do so
with sufficient accuracy to venture upon an estimate, and as
the period is so fast approaching, when the actual outlay upon
each contract can be positively ascertained and dissected, I
trust that any statement which could not be accurately de-
pended upon, will not be expected of me at the present time.
Upon the whole, I have reason to hope that the means which
have been adopted for the purpose of thus advancing the
works, will not prove more expensive than was anticipated by
those who urged their adoption; that the additional expense
will have been usefully incurred; and that before our next
half-yearly meeting we shall have reaped the benefit of this
expenditure, when the whole line from London to Bristol, and
Bridgewater towards the South-west, and from London to
Swindon and Cirencester towards Cheltenham, will be in full
operation. _

I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
I. K. 13RIJNEL

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
‘, A Constant Reader at Nottingham" has our thanks.
matter shall be looked to.

On the Ist of March, with the Magazines, in 2 vols. small Bvo THE 1300 K WITHOUT A NAME. By SIR CHARLES and LADY 111011 GAN.
Henry Co!burn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.
a.* Orders received by all Booksellers.

MR. HORACE SMITH'S NEW NOVEL.
Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
TILE MONEYE,II MAN;
Or, THE LESSON OF A LIFE.
By HORACE SMITH, Esq.,
Author of " Brambletye House," &e.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13 Great Alarlhoroo7h-ttree,t.

•
THE SECOND voLUAIE
A GNES STRICKLAND'S LIVES of the
QUEENS of ENGLAND,
NEW and REVISED EDITION,
IS NOW READY FOR DELIVERY AT ALL THE
BOOKSELLERS', price 10s. Gd. bound, with IllustiTtions.
Iltnry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Gzet Marlborough-street. •

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN.
UNDER the MANAGEMENT of MADAME VES7RIS
THIS EVENING. FEB. 26,
i‘T 11 he presented Shakspere's Comedy (with Music) of
THF. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.
Sir John Falstaff, Mr. Bartley; Master Slender, Mr. C. Ma-
thews ; Ford, Mr. Cooper ; benton, Mr. W. Harrison; Mrs.
Ford, Mr.-. Nisbeit ; Mrs. Page, Madame Vestris; Ann Page,
Miss Rainforth, Mrs. Quickly, Mrs. C. Jones.

After which,
Will be acted the New Comedy, in Two Acts, entitled
THE WHITE MILLINER.
Lord Ortolan, Mr. C. Mathews ; .'ustice Twilight, Mr. W.
Farrel); Robert Conway, Mr. J. Vining ; Sam Sneezitin, Mr.
Keeley ; Lady Ortolan, Miss Cooper ; Albina, Aladarne Ves-
tris ; Mrs. Meilowpear, Mrs. C. Jones; Betty Furbelow,
Mrs. Ilumby.
Doses to be opened at half-Fast Six—the performances to
commence at Sever. o'Clock.
Dress Boxes, 7s. ; Second Price, 3s. 6t1.; First and Second
circles, ss. ; Second Price, 2s. 6d. ; Pit, 35.; Second Price,
3s. ; Gallery, h.
Titket, and pls.( In for the Boxt to he taken of Mr. Grogan,
at the Box-office, from Ten till Four, where Season Tickets
may ne had upon application.
Private Boxt. to be had solely of Mr, And: ass, bookseller
167. New Bond-street.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Entire Change.—Greater attrition than even—Engagement
of Mr. Collins. Secund time these Four Years of " Paul
Clifford, with the splendid Romance of " The Tower of
London ;" the most powerful attraction that can be offered.
THIS EVENING, FEB. 26,
Will be acted the Operatic Drama of
PAUL CLIFFORD.
Paul Clifford (with all the Original Songs), Mr. Collins.
After which the Domestic Drama of
MARTHA WILLIS, TUE MAID SERVANT.
To conclude with the Grand Historical Romance, founded on

and entitled
THE TOWER OF LONDON.

NEW STRAND THEATRE.
Increasing Popularity—Raptures of Applause—Gratified
Audiences.
OPEN EVERY EVENING DURING THE WEEK.
The celebrated Mr. JACOBS, the Royal Ventriloquist,
Modern Magician, and English Improvisatore, Continues to
at•ract very large and highly respectable audiences, who nightly
testify their approbation in the most marked and decided man-
ner. The Press has unanimously pronounced him the best
Ventriloquist since the days of Monsieur Alexandre. Th:
Tricks.surpass all that have been introduced by the Wizards or
Magicians who have preceded him ; and the Exsemporatieous
Song, on subjects proposed by the audience, elicits thunders of
aPPlagiesstv, .•
,'esexeck-2s. tio.V Pit, Is. 6tl. ; Gallery, Is.
Doors open at Seven o'clock, and commence at Half-past.
Second price at a Quarter to Nine o'clock—Boxes, lc. tad. ;
Pit, is. ; Gallery, od.
Carriages to he in waiting twenty minutes past Ten.
Mr. Seguin, 12, Regent-street, Pall Mall, is appointed sole
Agent for disposal of the Private Boxes.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS tiA Y.
110rning......31 minutes after 4. I Evening 53 minutes after 4

LONDON
FRIDAY,FEBRUARY -
26, 1541.

After the debate, which lasted till nearly three
o'clock this morning, but which both space and
time command us now to leave unnoticed, the of Commons, decided by 299 to 294, a
majority of 5, that Lord I‘iORPETH'S Bill should
be read a second time. We congratulate the
Irish and the inhabitants of the whole em-
pire on the result. To exhibit the Legisla-
ture in determined hostility to one-third
of the people—to find it bent on exasperating
and provoking them by an unnecessary exercise
of tvranny—must have been fatal to the public
peace and the public prosperity. The majority,
though small, has happily averted so great a
calamity, and time will be given to the public
and Ministers to profit by the imminent jeo-
pardy in which the national fortunes have been
placed.

We have much pleasure in directing attention
to the meeting of the Great Western Railway
Company, which took place yesterday. For the
first time the Directors had the satisfaction of
announcing a dividend. The Engineer's Report
stated that the works, which have been expedited
in an extraordinary degree, would be finished
early in Nine next, so that the public will enjoy
the advantage of travelling into Wales, three
months hence, in six hours after leaving London !
Welch mutton will then be as common as apple-
dumplings, and almost as cheap. Success, then,
to the Great Western Railway, going a-head at
the ordinary pace of forty miles an hour !

The Trits comElain—of the menaces of their
opponents.; they are therefore affected by them.
Insensible, to justice, alien from honesty,. they
ore still susceptible of fear, and those who struck
that chord. are well acquainted with the l base
nature of the Tories. They will not allow the
people an equal voice; they monopolize the re-
presentation; they idolize property; they essay
to fix more firmly the iron hoof of oppression
on the necks of the multitude ; and when they
are warned of the terrible danger, they shrink
beck plArmed, and Cry out like blubbering, well-
licked boys, that they have not fair phy. These
are the boasting,
proud gentlemen of England.
Let them do justice, abstain from oppression,
and no man will threaten them, and they will
have nothing to fear.
When they and their public helps in the press
talk of menaces, we must remind them of their
to:al Avant of generosity. Never have they granted
agythingtrut to fear. As Mr. SPIEL proved to them,
in 178'2, and in 1829 they gave up to threats what
they had pertinaciously denied to justice. No
people in Europe have been so mercilessly treated
in all their domestic relations as the Catholic
Irish. No other people of Europe would, we be-
lieve,
thhaat no vesopLetleigstarsiutici:olipttue::ll6(n, from thet)o the treat-
ment they have received. A t least, we are
Gulph of Finland to the -I.4Nliterranean, would
-aye evinced one tithe of their patience under
their unmerited oppression. lii Eliot, they have
been so patient that they
have taught their op-
pressors to despise as well as despoil them, and
they can only regain their place amongst
•;ivilised nations, by demonstrating to the
cowardly Tories and fierce Orangemen, that
they will no longer be insulted and oppressed by
them. If menaces in time make the Tories
aware of what they are likely ultimately to en-
counter, and make them stand back, they will
be most beneficial.
We have no love for the It omish priesthood,
and it does not add to our respect, however much
it may recommend them to the Tories, that they
and their creed have been instrumental in mak-
ing the Irish such passive slaves. But what
is the remedy which enth..ltoped statesmen
ho:A ai,p,,, ? 1,,,1iC,.:,i ~,i;z.,,,5-i(rit '! `,!(); thw
will
Only make the Irish more and more subser-
vient to the artful system of Rome; political

privileges, giving them the strength and i itell'-
gence of freedom, end so enabling them to throw
off the thraldom of priestcraft—such noble
freedom, however, cannot be given by the Tories.
The stream cannot rise higher than its source,
and the poor slaves of Puseyism and Church-of-
Englandism can never extinguish priestcraft or
liberate the Irish from the chains of Roman-
ism. All these isms belong to , one family ;
they are all a crop of the same weed and
flourish together, stiflir''Y useful plants. Roman-
ism will soon die out in Ireland, when the kin-
dred isms of England are ploughed up, and al-
lowed to wither and rot.

To the disgrace of the London University, Mr.
WILLIAMTOOKE has been re-elected TreaSurer.by
a majority of two votes over Mr. TAYLOR! The
Proprietors, therefore, identify themselves with
the man who used his influence as Treasurer to
the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge
to turn out one or the other of the Members for
Finsbury, who, with all the faults that even the
pious Mr. TOOKE imputed to them, have never
been charged with the grime ofbackbitinga friend,
or playing into the hands of the Tories under the
sacred name of religion, while professing co ltrary
political opinions. We are forced to admit that
this decision creates a very unfavourable im-
pression as regards the present state of the Uni-
versity, and the morality of those who superin-'
tend this establishment. Mr. 'W I ARBURTON, one
of the main pillars of the Institution, and Chair-
man of the meeting, proposed Mr. Tooke, and
by a strange mode of reasoning came to the con-
elusion that, though he might have been guilty
of misdeeds in another Institution, matters of
that kind should not be brought forward e
him in the London University. There is no ac-
counting for tastes, but certainly it will not afford
Lord BnouonAm much satisfaction to learn that
he has been elected President by the same men
who reinstated Mr. TOOKE as Treasurer.

Madrid Papers of the 16th inst. have come to
hand. In the Gazette of that date we fin 4 the
following circular addressed to the Political
Chiefs of the Kingdom by Senor CORfINA,
Minister of the Interior. It is dated the 14th
inst.:

The Regency, informed that there exist in certain towns in
the kingdom pat! iotic club., where newspapers are read and
political questions discussed, and considering that these clubs
arc not authorised by law, orders you to dissolve immediately
every patriotic club that has been formed in your province.
Should others be formed, you will have applied to the delin-
quents the penalties decreed by the laws. This measure is in-
dispensable for the preservat•on of public order, which the Re-
gency is resolved to have respected at any price.
The Opposition Journals assert that ESPAR-
TERO will meet with powerful opposition in the
Cortes, who will not sanction his appointment as
sole Regent. Some affect to believe that Es-
PARTERO'S ambition is not bounded by the sole
Regency; and hint that he looks to the Crown
as tairly within his grasp. There are acts which
it is wisdom in a nation to regard as impossi-
bilities, and-any attempt to deprive Queen
ISABELLA of the Crown of Spain is one of them.
Senor ANTONIO GONZALES, and his Secretary,
Senor Luis FLORES, set Out tbr London on the
15th. They had 10,000 dollars advanced to them
from the Treasury.
The Five per Cents. were at 28! for cash, and
29 at 60 days.

The Paris Journals of Tuesday have all reached
us. In the Journal des Debats we find the fol-
lowing observations respecting the levy of French
troops for the years 1841 and 1842
:
The Chamber of Deputies voted yesterday, with a majority
of 220 against 15, the project of law relative to the annual levy
of 80,000 men.
Several Journals affect to misconceive the plans of the Mi-
nister of War, and to forget the consequences that must arise
from the new law respecting the duration of military service
and the reserve. The facts speak for themselves.
The Committee of the Budget of 1842 has examined with
the greatest care the credits allotted to the administration of
war. These credits, founded on an effective force of 493,741
men, exceed the primitive Budget of 1841' by 113,178,610 f.
The Committee has inquired of the Ministry what would be
the consequences of the new system of reserve, lately presented
to the deliberation of the Chamber, relative to the effective
force of the army. Marshal Soult declared that he had no
certain data to produce ; that he awaited the discussion and
voting of the new law in order to draw up definitively his plans
of execution. Nevertheless, he added that, according to his
calculations, by classing in the reserve of 1842 those men who
have served four or five years, an approximate diminution of
60,000 men might be made in the effective force of the army,
and 23,000,000 f. saved to the country.
Thus in 1842 the army would consist of 433,000 men, and
might be reduced the following year to the nominal amount of
370,000, with a reserve of from 120,000 to 130,000 men,
which would form a force of 500,000 men ready for service.
It should al.so be observed that this nominal effective force
of 370,000 for 1843, includes 53,000 men and 12,000 horses
more than the effective force of the army previous to the
events of last July.
The effective force of the year 1841 will amount to
493,711 men, and will be rigorously kept up to that number, un-
less the Chambers should judge otherwise in the discussion of
the supplementary credits.
It must be kept in view, respecting the armaments, that as
the law on the reserve, and on the duration of service, has not
yet been voted, the Committee and the Minister of War can
discuss but hypothetically, and that this new reserve system, if
adopted, must necessarily modify the effective force and the
reserve of. 1842.
This does not look much like disarmament, and
yet France must disarm if she would maintain
the peace of Europe. With her National Guards
and her Reserves, she has at this moment a mil-
lion of soldiers ready to take the field—a force
quite disproportioned to the necessities of a pa-
cific policy.
The Moniteur•Parisien has the following re-
marks on the Fortifications Bill, now before the
Chamber of Peers:—
The Committee of -Peers on the Fortifications Bill will re-
r assemble to-morrow and resume its labours. Numerous docu-
ments have been submitted to it by the President of the Coun-
cil, Minister of War. It appears that the members of this
Committee have ascertained to a certainty that if the Chamber
of Peers votes an amendment leading to a suppression of the
continuous wall, such amendment will be passed without diffi-
culty by the Chamber of Deputies. A numerous meeting has,
it is said, been held, in which were several of the most influ-
ential members of this last-mentioned Chamber. A discussion
was entered upon as to the conduct to be adopted in the case—
sufficiently probable—of the Peers sanctioning the modification
which the Committee will propose in the Bill; and it results
from this discussion that these modifications will meet with
success if the Bill be sent back to the Palais Bourbon. The
Committee of Peers will, besides, we are assured, take the
greatest care to keep its amendment clear of those characteris-
tics which, to many of the Honourable Members of the Cham-
ber of the Deputies, rendered the proposition of General
Schneider inadmissible. The clause fixing the minimum of
the distance of the external works at 4,000 metres will com-
pletely disappear. It is known that it was this clause which
raised objections among the partisans of an efficient fortifica-
tion of the capital.
'fhe Moniteur publishes a return of the produce and con-
sumption of domestic sugar 'during the year 1840, including
the month of January, le4t. The number of manufactories
existing in France on the 31st of that month was 388, of
which 155 belonged to the department of the North, and the
rest were divided among 41 other departments ; 31 had
ceased working during the year, but had still some sugar on
hand. The quantity manufactured during the above period
was 18,612,870 kilogrammes, and that told for consumption
12,733,429; leaving 9,982,027 unsold, including the 4,102,656
lying over since last year. The duties levied in January, 1841,
amounted to 569,988 francs.

The diplomatic changes which have long been preparing
were settled, as it is said, yesterday. The Count de St. Aulaire
is to exchange the emba sy at Vienna for that of London;
the Marquis of Dalmatia to go to Rome, as successor to M. de
Latour l%laubourg, who is to go to Naples, to take the place of
M. de Montebello ; and the latter to go to Constantinople, as
successor to Count Pontois, who is appointed Ambassador to
Spain. Lastly, M. de Bussiere, Minister in Saxony, succeeds
the Marquis de Dalmatia at. Turin, and is succeeded at Dres-
den by M. Bourqueney, Secretary to the Legation at London.
It appears to be agreed upon that these changes will not be
made public till after the close cf the session of the Chambers,
in order to save the Marquis of Dalmatia from the reproaches
which this scandalous promotion could not fail to draw upon him
from his colleagues.
M. de Flahaut, who after four years' efforts, at length ob-
tains
an embassy from M. Guizot, was scarcely five months
ago one of the faithful adherents of M. Thiers, and periodi-
cally denounced to him in his letters, dated from London, the
treasons (les trallisons) of M. Guizot, whose place he then
aspired to obtain. It must not be forgotten that M. de Han-
baut is an English Peer by right of his wife.
The order (which, to say the least, is extraordinary), for a
part of our Toulon fleet to put to sea at a time of the year
when the fleets of all nations seek the best stations, is judged
of at Bordeaux as we ourselves judged of it. See the spirit of
disorder,_
T unskilfulness, and imprudence which directs our af-
fairs. o make people believe that the French Government
intended to oppose the execution of the Treaty of London, a
levy was made of all our seamen, millions were expended, and
the finest fleet that France has possessed for a long time, was
equipped in the Mediterranean. Well, what was the result of
all these expenses of all these preparations, of this splendid and
formidable squadron, manned by so many brave and able sea-
men? What was done with it? Nothing at all; and after
having rendered it the humble spectator of the triumph of.
the British navy, beheld twelve ships of the lino sent to sea
for no other purpose than to make a promenade in the Mediter-
ranean, at the very worst season, only exposing them to the
chances of damage and loss in some horrible tempest, while the
victorious English have carefully brought their triumphan
ships into a safe port. No, never was such confusion of ideas
seen. So that we may see our fleet disabled without having
served, and the English fleet entire after having served its
country and triumphed under our eyes.— Le Commerce.
BRUSSELS, FEB. 21.—An English manufacturer has just
commissioned an agent to purchase, in the neighbourhood of
Courtray, 1,000 bales of flax.
The Cologne Gazette publishes a letter from Berlin dated
the 16th of Feb., which says, " The Countess of Oultremont,
accompanied by one of her brothers, arrived here the day before
yesterday."
A report prevails here that the Count of Nassau (the ex-
King of Holland) is going to marry the Countess ; it is affirmed
that during his visit to the Princess, his daughter, he has per-
suaded her to approve of this marriage.
BOURSE.--PARISI, TUEsDA Ir, FEB. 23.
First Highest Lowest Last
French 5 ner Cents ....... Price Price. Pricy. Price
11290... 113 5 112 90 ... Ha 5
4% per Cents....., 102 CJlo2 102 30 ... 10:5 00
4 per Cents 99 50 ... 99 SO 99 50 09 50
3 per Cents...,,, 76 45 —ir 65 76 45 ... 76 65
Rank Of France 3,30
...3.30
L sank I,ooof. 10f,J —.1050 ...1050 ...1050
5000 f. Stares 5152 0 ...51a: 50 —.5152 50 ...51.52 50
3elgian 5 per Cents (104, 100 ...q 1(51
rer Cents 6O 4,; 60 40 ... '59 41 60 40
New Loan 699( 03% 99?!,1
Active
Passive 61,4 13;y •••
:veapontan lOl 90 ... 101 9J 101 90 ... )01 90 '
ROalinessem. .. lOl A 'es iei u• 1(1/1"i st, 1(11ki

B AILVJ Ai MffhltES.
St Germain
Vetsailles.it. 13 495 ... 4`J5 ... 01 ~.. 422 50
L.B 320 25 ... 3:•6 23 ... 325 ... 2010
Orleans ..
Stristiorg to Bale 2E3 75 ... ',43 75 ... 243 75 ... 243 75
Montpellier to Cette

The Canterbury Election Petition, withdrawn
on Wednesday night, was only the, first of two
presented. The second petition is duly proceed-
ing with, and will bring home the grossest cor-
ruption and brib3ry.

4(-e•441
•

Ztie