The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-25 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY, NOTEMBER 25, 1848.

Another conspicuous politician has disappeared
from amongst us—Viscount MELBOUNNB having de-
parted life yesterday, in the seventieth year of his
age, and amidst the seclusion of his ancestral residence
at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire. A statesman of
honourable reputation; a politician of severely-
tested consistency ; a publicist whose urbanity re-
mained unruffled during the bitterest recriminations ;
an administrator of constitutional indolence, but of
conscientious honesty ; a debater remarkable rather
for the tartness of his felicitous repartees, than for the
ornate splendours of eloquence,—Wuxicu LAMB has
left for the remembrance of posterity the souvenirs of a
life brilliant if not extraordinary, tarnished by many
blemishes but adorned also by many virtues, and
those virtues creditable to himself and advantageous
to his contemporaries.

From the period of his birth, on the 15th of March,
1779, until that of his death on the 24th of Novem-
ber, 1846, the deceased nobleman lived in the midst
of political contentions and of national anxieties
which, for a considerable time, affected himself in-
vidually. Nor is it consolatory to reflect that the
invidious misconstruction recently placed upon what
is called, in the slang of party, the " T. Y. Corre-
spondence," is understood to have imbittered the last
hours of the departed statesman, and to have has-
tened, in some measure, the moments of his dis-
solution.
Under the tutorship of Professor MILLAR. at Glas-
gow, whither he had proceeded from Trinity College,
Cambridge, NVILLI.s.ss Lkust first imbibed those prin-
jur-jsprudencz,
ciples in
and that familiarity with
political occurrences, were afterwards his qua-
lifications for conducting
Britain.
.Government of the
qualifica-
tions,amm.cohrTehostsreitlyofangigantic empire of Greatg
it may be observed, we
character--derived
ecr— d
development e r v eodf
exoteric than of an esoterriecany
rather from the unsystematic
pursuit
of intellect than from
of the advantages of professional aptittude
nominal adoption, therefore, of the career of a innis.
consult—(LAMß having been entered at Lincoln's
Inn, 21st July, 1797, and been called to the bar, 23d,
November, 1804)—exercised no perceptible or appre-
ciable influence over the calling forth of his energies.
A negligent participation in the legislative responsi-
bilities of the House of Commons during a period of
nearly twenty years, dating from 1805, prepared the
young aspirant for the enormous labours, the exalted
dignities, and the distracting uncertainties of
administration. And during that long appren-
ticeship as one of the popular representatives,
he was returned at successive elections by the consti-
tuencies of Leominster, of the Haddington district of
burghs, of Portarlington, of Peterborough, and of Hert-
fordshire ; his model as a politician being the illus-
trious orator CHARLRS Fox. Under the Government
Of GBORGB CANXINCI, the future Premier was
further drilled into the habits of administration
by his nomination to the Chief Secretaryship
under the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, an ap-
pointment which he continued to preserve on
Lord GODBRICH'S accession to office, and even
during the Ministry of his Grace the Duke of
WELLINGTON. Immediately before the agitation for
Parliamentary Reform a variety of events transpired
I ' ‘wlllito)tended to exercise a remarkable influence over
the--cleslinies of the Hon. WILLIAM LAMB. In 1828
he was dismissed from the Chief-Secretaryship for
. Irelaoad-, , in consequence of his participating in the
endear/mar to compass the disfranchisement of East
- , Retf,d. in 1828, or, the 25th of January, his wife,
Ladpfl.s.aoLlyn PONSONEY, to whom he had been
uttred on the 3d of Juno, 1805, and from whom he

-

JV

had been subsequently estranged, departed this
life—their son, the Hon. G. A. F. LOMB, dying
afterwards on the 27th of November, 1836. In
1828, on the 22d of July, his father, the first Lord
NfELBOURNE, breathed his last breath ; and, conse-
quently in that same year the subject of our present
observations took his seat for the first time in the
Upper House of Parliament. There it was that he
occupied a prominent post during the Grey Adminis-
tration, holding the seals of the Home Secretaryship
from 1830, until the brief interval between the July and
the November of 1834, during which interval he exer-
cised the authority of the first Minister of the Crown.
On the conclusion of the equally brief Adminis-
tratio n of Sir ROBERT PEEL, Viscount MELBOURNE
was again entrusted with the responsibilities attached
to the formation of a Government. And, unlike the
preceding Prime Ministers of the nineteenth cen-
tury, he continued to act as First Lord of the Trea-
sury for a period of nearly seven years, from the
April of 1835 to the September of 1841.
I3earing in recollection the whole of the Minis-
terial career of Lord MELnouneir, both in the reign
of his late MAJESTY and in that of our present most
Gracious SOVEREIGN, we are satisfied that his memory
will be preserved in history, and will be honoured by
positerity chiefly from his having instilled into the
heart of his young QUEEN a respect for
the constitutional rights of her subjects, a
sense of the responsibilities associated with her august
rank, and a genuine yearning for the happiness of
the great people over whom she had been called by
GOD and Destiny to preside. We say this with a per-
fecit remembrance, and a full appreciation, of the prin-
cipsd measures of reform passed while Lord MEL-
BOURNE was Premier of England. We bear in mind the
improvement effected in the Irish corporations, the step
innde towards the introduction of an effective poor-
lave into the sister country, the Irish Compensation
Tithe Act, the adoption of the admirable system of
penny postage, end the union of the two
Ganadas. And yet, remembering these excel-
lent tiles possessed by the late nobleman for
celebrity as a Reformer, we are satisfied that his
name will be inscribed on the pages of history, prin-
cipally, if not entirely, as that of the statesman v,ho
instructed Queen VICTORIA in the mysteries of
government. For this his memory Nall be long
cherished, when the remembrance of his blithe and
convivial disposition has been forgotten, when
witty sayings have lost their lustre, when the laxity
of his domestic life has been hidden in oblivion, and
when none are left to tell of the once
handsome statesman who lounged for seven
years on the Treasury benches of the House of
Peers, warding off the vituperations of his most
furious antagonists by his own unconquerab'e
amenity, and shielding himself with the negligent
vivacity of his replies from the odium that must
' otherwise have fallen heavily and crushingly, in con-
sequence of his Ministerial procrastination.

We must again urge upon the proprietors of rail-
way stock the expediency, if not the imperative
necessity, of mutual co-operation, for the purpose of
protecting their property from the persevering and
systematic attacks made thereon. some immediate
and decisive measures must be adopted, if they are
not disposed to yield themselves up an easy prey to
their assailants, to fall contented victims. The vic-
tory is within their power if they will only
struggle to attain it. Their assailants are
fierce and implacable, ready to take advan-
tage of every circumstance that may arise,
to distort facts, awl to turn to their own advantage
matters that should have led to very opposite results.
they will combine together for offensive purposes.
Why should not those who are endeavouring to pre-
serve themselves and families from ruin act in a
similar manner ? They have ample power, if that
power were only concentrated and made available.
The capital in which they are interested amounts to
more than 160,000,0001. sterling; the annual income
that will be derived therefrom may be estimated to pro-
duce at the very lowest calculation 10,000,0001. per an-
num (it amounted to 6,366,000/. for the year ending
June, 30, 1847). Surely with such'gigantic resources
at their disposal, they should not relinquish the con-
test without a determined struggle. As we have
I already impressed upon them, any isolated efforts
will prove utterly useless, but energetic and combined
action must command success.
" Fes est ab hoste doceri." Au instructive
and valuable lesson may be learned from the pro-
ceedings of their opponents. How unceasing
have been their exertions. 'What weapon of at-
tack has been permitted to rust in its scabbard ?
The distress and suffering encountered by all classes
during the recent period of monetary derangement
has been unhesitatingly ascribed to the sums ex-
pended i❑ the construction of the several railway 3.
The money (it is said) has been abstracted from other
branches of business. Conimerce and manufacture
have pined from the amount so withdrawn—
' and these most unwarranted imputations have
served as pretexts to call upon the Legislature to im-
pose new and most stringent restrictions upon their
11 undertakings, to interfere most unjustifiably with the
management of the works constructed with their own
capital,lthe fruits of their own enterprise. How
vigorous and unflinching have been the onslaughts
made from this quarter and on this subject, although
it was notorious that the money only changed hands,
that no portion thereof was sent out of the kingdom,
that greater activity was induced in every department
of trade by the expenditure, and that beneficial
employment was thereby provided for a quarter of a
million of persons, who were enabled to support
themselves and families in comfort and independence
in place of being burdens upon the national resources,
and dragging out a miserable existence in the various
workhouses.

Again, while one party was declaiming upon the
exorbitant profits, and calling upon the Legislature
to impose enormous taxes upon the companies,
another, with equal audacity, was declaring
that no real profit was derived that divi-
dends were provided out of capital, and that
when the capital accounts were closed, there would
not be sufficient to pay the working expenses, and
the several guarantees and liabilities in which the
companies were involved. We had publications
professing to show the " fallacy of railway invest-
ment," the necessity of at once and for ever aban-
doning so unprofitable a concern. Statements were
published of the accounts of the principal com•
panies in the Weekly Share List., a journal sanctioned
by the, committee of the Stock Exchange, and
brought out under the superintendence of the secre-
tary of the railway department of the Stock Ex-
change. It is scarcely necessary to show how erro-
neous were the calculations and unwarranted the con-
clusions thus brought forward. The authentic docu-
ments that subsequently appeared so completely refuted
the assertions put forward, and exhibited results so
totally at variance with those submitted in the Sha.-e
List, that it would be a work of supererogation to
The only
bring forward another syllable in reference thereto.
directors possible
possessed
justification
in f wasonn a
ttihoant thenot several
within
of
the reach of the compilers of those statements, and
credit was gravely Bought
boards
th
for, on the ground that the
publications had elicited
e authentic accounts from
o tthl otherwise
Af
t
the directors, Which
wou2om pefnrorot
been given but that
the shareholderswere
thoroughly frightened. Credit
depre-
ciating railway property
and bringing those whose necessities cornn Paenllealerage, them
to dispose of their shares in the interval to verge
of the
of ruin, they claim credit for the service they have
y
rendered. As well might a doctor claim credit from
a patient whom he had reduced to death's door by
cutting for an imaginary bullet, when assuring the
sufferer that he had at length discovered that tie
never had been wounded; or a person who
impeached the solvency of a bank, and
thus occasioned a run upon its resources,
claim the thanks of the partners, for having afforded
an opportuLity of proving the soundness and stability
of their position, although at a heavy and most un-
necessary expenditure. The mischievous character of
the publication, however, became so apparent that the
committee (influenced by the bold remonstrance of
.Jr. Mu:O5ON) forbade a continuance of those state-
ments in their official journal. It; might have been
supposed that sufficient evil had been thereby effected
—that no further effort would be made in that direc-
tion. But no. We are threatened with a repetition
of the nuis•ence in a new form, and it is announced
that the "dissection of railway accounts," hither to i

published in the Share List, will be resumed in a
new weekly publication, edited by the exclusive
author of these articles, and, no doubt, the
same mischievous ingenuity will be exhibited
that already led to such lamentable consequences, if
the shareholders suffer themselves again to be
affrighted thereby. The cry of " wolf," however,
we are told, loses its charm from constant repeti-
sion, and the alarm that has been given too fre-
quently will cease to terrify the listeners. Let the
shareholders, however, see the steps taken against
them, and organize a sufficient defence against the
attacks of their enemies.

GERMANY

AND

THE NORTHERN STATES.

PRUSSIA.

Intelligence has been received from Berlin to the
23d instant.

The Prussian Stoats Anzieser of the 22d contains
no official intelligence respecting the new Ministry.
It appears, nevertheless, that his MAJESTY is seriously
occupied with the formation of a new Cabinet at
Potsdam. Not only MM. VON GaAnow and VON
BECKEIZATEI are there, but also Messrs. SiatsoN and
HEE.CIENHAIIN, from Frankfort. M. Sistsox is an
honourable and sensible man, and will only become a
-member of the Cabinet on condition that the existing
conflict between the Crown and the people shall be
set aside by some other way than that of an octroi
constitution. The refusal to pay taxes will not place
the Ministry in any monetary difficulties, partly
because they have still the greater portion of the ten
millions of the voluntary loan at their disposal, and
partly because the refusal is very limited. They are,
therefore, resolved, in case of need, to declare both
Breslau and Cologne in a state of siege. The fraction
of the National Assembly met this evening at the
Hotel de Roper ; it has gone so far in the last reso-
lution that it cannot go any farther.
There are numerous reports of the seizure of arms
and ammunition, and the discovery of conspiracies.
Several of those members of the National Assembly
who had at first determined to obey the royal decree
and meet at Brandenburg, have now determined to
remain with their colleagues in Berlin. Among
others who have joined the left is M. MILDE, ex-
Minister of Trade and Commerce. There are now
upwards of 260 members who have determined to
remain in Berlin. The fraction which is to meet at
Brandenburg will not be able to muster in sufficient
numbers to make a house.

The Archduke JOHN es regent of Germany, has
offered military aid to the King of PRUSSIA, which
his M.A.TEsTr has refused.

The Gazette do Cologm, says that the civic guard
have already delivered up 17,000 or 18,000 guns, and
that the remainder will no doubt be given up in a
day or two, and it is hoped that the state of siege will
thin be raised, and also that the Brandenburg minis
try will resign, the existence of which has nearly
shaken the constitutional monarchy to its base; an i
that the National Assembly, seeing the great respon-
sibility it has assumed, will give its aid too-a satisfac
tory arrangement. A demonstration is in prepara-
tion to present an address to his :MAJESTY, at Pots-
dam, to raise the state of siege. It is reported that
the Princes have pronounced .against the abdication
of the Kiso, and declare:that.kn 'Slid :cake iliey would
not accept the crown.
The Cologne deputation were o.baTe.M udience
of the KING at Potsdam On the 20th."1:heydemand
the immediate dismissal Of the Iliiiidenbtirg.Ministry,
or they cannot answer for the peace of the Rhine
provinces, already excited by the execution of
ROBERT BLUM.

At Treves, on the 20th November, the authorities
having announced that the taxes must be paid, and
that they would employ force against those who
should refuse to pay them, and having posted up no-
tices to that effect, the people attempted to tear them
down, whereupon the guard interfered, and there
was a conflict till the evening, the troops using their
arms, and wounding many of the people. The bur-
gomaster was dangerously wounded.
At Aix-la-Chapelle, on the 22d, a regiment of ar-
tillery, with six pieces of cannon and a regiment of
cavalry, arrived to enforce the payment of taxes. A. t
Coblentz the Civic Guard have declared that they will
not aid in collecting taxes.
Dusseldorf was, on November 22, declared in a
state of siege. At Goerlitz the authorities have re-
commended the people to pay their taxes into the
Communal Treasury, where they can be kept in re-
serve. Great agitation prevails in the environs of
Halle, and in the town a conflict took place on the
19th between the National Guards and the democrats,
which required the intervention of the troops. It is
said that if the substitutes of the Deputies should
present themselves at Brandenburg, as the Ministry
hopes, the Deputies will go themselves, so as
to deprive the substitutes of all power, and
maintain their resolutions. In this case the Court will I
think seriously of a dissolution, and even of having
new elections. The refusal of the taxes has fright-
ened a portion of the country. Magdeburg has made
a declaration of reserve similar to that of Stettin.
The National Assembly has received 583 addresses
of adhesion.

The Chief President of the province of Silesia,
PINDER, has published a proclamation, declaring his
recognition of the resolution of the Assembly relative
to the non-payment of taxes, and stating, if he is
called on to act according to that resolution, he shall
be prepared to do so. He has communicated to the
Ministry his opinion that the vote was forced from
the Chamber, as the only defence possible against
the unconstitutional measures of the Ministry ; but
any anarchical or republican attempts against public
order and the constitutional monarchy he will put
down instantly—the solution of the question must be
a peaceful one. As a consequence of his letter he
has been dismissed from his office, and M. VON
SCIILEINITE has been named to succeed him. A pro
clamation from him to the inhabitants of Silesia,
calling on them to pay taxes, and remain in the path
of legality, appears in the fiats Anzieger. Troops
have been forwarded to Silesia.

At Breslau the agitation continues to be very
great. The city has not yet been declared in a state
of siege. The disturbance there originated as fol-
lows :—On the 19th the leaders of the Burgherw•ehr
appeared at the sitting of the civic committee of secu-
rity, and demanded —l. Forthwith to have the royal
treasury chests placed under the protection of men
who possess the confidence of the people, in order that
the money may not be employed for the Brandenburg
Ministry. 2. 'That men possessing the confidence of
the people be summoned from the provinces. Here•
upon Professor REGENDLECIIT, Messrs. SIEBEG,
ROMER, GauNn, LuDEWIG, and FaoxisEaG, declared
that they would resign. Proposal No. I was then
carried with the following amendment:—That the
committee for public security do take necessary
steps for placing the treasury chests under sur
veillance, in order to prevent the employment of the
taxes and state monies for the Brandenburg Ministry.
A deputation was then appointed to wait on the Pre-
sident. In answer to which that functionary de-
clared that he had that day written to all the Govern-
ment treasuries in the provinces, not to pay any
monies without his permission. When this declara-
tion of the President of Upper Silesia was made
known to the people assembled in front of the Senate
House, great confusion ensued. The majority in
sisted that a provisional committee should be pro-
claimed, and the landwehr raised the cry to arms.
Upon this the giinirale was beaten, and a deputa-
tion of the landwehr demanded of the magistrates
to give up all the arms which were stored in the
Senate House, or they would he seised by force.
This demand was peremptorily refused. The Senate
House was, according to latest accounts, strongly
guarded by the burgherwehr, and numerous military
picquets were stationed in the suburbs.
General VON SCHRECEENSTEIN is to be Com-
mander-in-chief of the troops in Silesia.