The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-13 00:00:00

eb-ening

LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1848.

Paris sets the fashion, and, consequently, insurrec-
tions have become quite the vogue since the revo'ution
of February. The populace both of the Peninsula
and the Continent evince quite as much Skill in dress-
ing up a political contention ci la Francais, as the
immortal ALEXIS SOTER might do in cook. ing the
daintiest poison en papilotte. come has evinced its
aptitude in this peculiar kind of imitation. Under
the h ylilyguidince of Cie E ROACCHIO, and the intellec
tual guidance of MAeitarsi, the inhabitants of the
Eternal City have latterly carried, the banners of
revolt even to the very pinnacle of the Quirinal.
Posen, again, has become the ererei for an armed
struggle between the scythebearers of Poland and
the soldiers of Prussia. MteaosLawsKt has con-
ducted the insurgents to the gates. of Gnesen, the
ancient c +pita`, of the G, and D uchv, and the
ranks of their Germanic conquerors are thing
thinned to the tune of the pa-riotic chorus, lynch ist
Allen Nicht vcrlorPn. Madri I has likewise become a
scene of carnage—the carnage of rebellion and of
ex, cations. A new civil war has broken out in the
capital of Spain under circumstances precisely similar
to those which hurled Louts PHI LIPPE from the
throne of the Barricades. A frigh rful impoverish-
ment of the exchequer, the adoption of a policy extra-
vagantly despotic, the
the concentrationu of an absolute
and. corruptstryd_
ee authority
betraysin the
ahands i
ionfi
oauns
similitudebn ox io u s
between the official posture of Frat ice in January,
and Spain in May. In the clam ours which are
becoming audible in the streets oIS. Madrid there
is a resemblance to the memorable cry " A has
les ilfinisterel, and in the conduct ,of CORDOVA. and
NArtvAEz a vivid similarity to that which marked
the intermural campaigning of BUG EAUD and JAC-
(=MINOT. How the Madrid disturbances will ter-
minate, whether in the modification of the present
Government, or in the destruction of ISABELLA S
sovereignty, it is scarcely at this moment possible to
conjecture, but that the peninsular emeutes are assum-
ing a rather formidable character is certain, not only
from the fears of CHRISTINA as to the possible instal-
lation of a Provisional Republic, but also from the
disposition of her Most Catholic MAJESTT to summon
ESPARTERO to her assistance. The popularity of
that illustrious and patriotic soldier would prove
more effectual, we are satisfied, in the tranquillization
of the Spanish capital than either the probity of
MOLE, the derision of TRIERS, or the restrained
audacity of ODILON BARROT in quelling the fury
of the Parisians. That some modification at least
must follow upon the recent occurrences in Madrid,
is as inevitable as that Gallia). and Lithuania
Kill be affected by the convulsion of Posen, or that
Tuscany and the Abruzzi will experience a certain
degree of sympathy in the movements of the Roman
multitude, or that Mecklenburg and Northern Jut-
land will be influenced by the warlike events in
Schleswig- Helstetn, or that Switzerland and the Tyrol
will echo among their Alpine crags the battle songs
of Piedmont and the death cries of Lombardy. Cer-
tain as these things are, it isequilly uncertain whether
Posen ,A ill be permanently quieted by the establish-
ment of the Poli.h kingdom under the Duke of L
TENBURG, the nominee and son-in-law of NICHOLAS ;
Vfo het r,er Madrid will retain its quietude by the
expulsion of ISABELLA. or the recal of RAPARTERO ;
whether Rome will declare itself for a Republic or
for a renewal of its obedience to the Sovereign

PONTIFF; whether Schleswig will continue an ap.

pen,ge of the Danish diadem or be forcibly annexed
to the Germanic Confederation ; or whether Lom-
bardy will reconquer its solitary independence or as-
sociate its fortunes with those of the Venetians. As
yet all these results are concealed in the inscrutable
book of Futurity ; the leaves have yet to be turned
which shall recount the consummation of these
several movements. Still, whatever may be the se-
quence of late occurrences, it is certain that the Paris
fashion has been scrupulously followed in Denmark,
in Spain, in Poland, in Lombardy, and in the Papal
States— the fashion of coiffeurs and constitutions, of
stomachers and revolts.

Meanwhile Paris herself has lately witnessed a
marvellous series of vicissitudes. After all the
heroism of the days of February, after all the glory of
the Provisional Government, the national represen-
tatives are evincing a triple tendency, a tendency
to apathy, reaction, and ingratitude. Louis BLANC
has lost his popularity. That fact, however,
we are not disposed to quarrel with, since the
Commission of the Luxembourg has proved to be
only a splendid humbug, the most idle and seductive
of the many idle and seductive illusions of Commu-
nism, the vision of labour amidst luxury, of artisans
couched upon velvet, of tinkers, and tailors, and car-
penters, and cobblers, suddenly translated from the
workshop to the palace. Like CHRISTOPHER
in the induction to SHASSPERE'S comedy, the. Toilers of
France have gazed on the magnificence which has been
revealed to them by an accident, until they have
roused themselves from their bewilderment with a
homely ejaculation, "For GoD's sake, a cup of small
beer !" Louis BLANC has, we repeat it, lost his
popularity. ALBERT, in like manner, has reverted to
his former obscurity. Neither have any longer the
sma.lest share in the Administration. DUPONT
(de l'Eure) is henceforth nothing more than a
imple representative; and MARRAST—the moderate
and intelligent ARMAND MARRAST —is exclusively
restricted to his functions as Mayor of Paris. Alto-
gether the Provisional Government has been defi-
nitively replaced by the newly- elected Government of
Five Commissioners. As everybAly knows already,
that Commission consists of ARAGO, GARNIER PAGES,
MARIE, LAMARTINE, and LEDRU ROLLIN. LAMARTINE
being fourth n the list! Fourth! After MARIE, a man,
who, not A.ithstanding his undoubted probity and in-
disputable ability, is still nothing better, compare-
tivelY speaking, than a political cypher. After
ARAGO, or even alter GARNIER PAGES, a man might
come without anything like disgrace—but after
MARIE ! And it is LANIARTINE, to ), of all men in the
whole wide world, who is thus slighted by the Na-
tional Assembly—it is LAMARTINE who is selected
after MARIE, and only intmilliately before LEDUC
ROLLIN. The secret ut this is obvious--it has partly
arisen from the hatred of the Ultras against the
moderation of LAMARTINE S policy, partly from the
opposition of those Moderates who have failed to re-
cognise the profound wisdom of LAMARTINE'S
adhesion to the personal interests of LEDRU ROLLIN,
and partly, and indeed principally, from the jealousy
of the obscure many to the one glorious unit of the
National Assembly. This is the secret. If LAMAR-
TINE were less illustrious, he would have been more

successful.
Of t} :e new Ministry, appointed by the Govern-
ment Commission, here is the catalogue :
M. J. Bastide Foreign Affairs.
M. J. Favre Under •Secretary ditto.
M. Recurt

M. Carteret Under-Secretary ditto.
M. Duclerc
Colonel Charras
Admiral Cazy Marine.
M. 'l'relat
M. Creruieux
M. Bethmont
M. Carnot .
M. Jean Reyaud -Under-Secretary ditto.
M. Flocon
Marrast Mayor of Paris.
M. Caussidierre
M. Pognerre Secretary of the Executive
Government.
But for the superintendence of the Five Commis-

sioners, we should certainly, from the inexperience
of the majority of the Cabinet, designate the Minis-
try the Ministry of Mediocrity. It is a satisfaction
to reflect, however, that over this somewhat dubious
cour.cil the genius of the five Commissioners will
preside. From the palace of the Elysee Bourbon,
they will act like a second, but more fortunate,
Directory. Beyond this, it must be remem-
bered, that while DucLEltc has hitherto
been secretary to GARNIER PAGES, and
BASTIDE secretary to LAMARTINE, FAVRE, the
new Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has been
engaged as principal secretary to the late Provi-
sional Minister of the Interior, and has throughout
been the most active instrument of the obnoxious
despotism of LEDRU ROLLIN. In addition to M.
FAVRE, there are three other creatures of LEDRU
RoLLIN in the Administration, CATARET, TRELAT,
arid FLOCON. In the Departments of War and
Marine it will be seen that the appointment of
Colonel CHARRAS is only temporary, while Admiral
CAzr. is a name almo,t unknown in the annals
of his profession. Two physicians are in the Ministry,
RECURT and TRELAT, but while Dr. TRELAT is of
notoriously ultra-republican principles, the opinions
of Dr. RECURT are eminent for their moderation.
Of the reA, it will be perceived that MARRAST still
remains Mayor of Paris, PAGNERRE still Secretary-
General, CAUSSIDIERRE still Prefect of Police, CRE-
MLEUX Kill Minister of Justi,:e, CARNOT still Minister
of Pubic Instruction, and that BETIIMONT has been
removed to the Ministry of Public Worship. Such
is the analysis of the new Commission of Government
for the French Republic. Its auspices are rather
indifferent, for it has been elected with Yuspicion, and
is principally characterised by inexperience.

The long-deferred motion fur the appointment of a
Committee to inquire into the merits of the petition
of the electors of Stamford was last night brought
forward by Mr. Woon. The subject occasioned
some very earnest debating, the result of which was
a majority in favour of appointing a Committee—but
a majority of only one. After reading the speeches
on both sides of the question, it seems most
extraordinary that such should have been
the result, for the arguments of all or
nearly all these speakers may be regarded, prima
facie, as so many arguments for the motion. For
instance, if the Noble and Right Hon. Members for
Stamford be so firmly convinced of the inno-
cence of the Marquis of EXETER, as they
would appear to be, how can they shrink
from an investigation which would make his in-
nocence conspicuous to the worli? The friends
of the Marquis of EXETER (supposing the charges
to be false) are the very persons whom we should
presume to be most anxious to have the matter
cleared up. Hence, to our thinking, the reasoning of
the Members for Stamford is incomprehensible. The
Marquis is innocent, they say, the charges of the peti-
tioners are utterly groundless, but let us say no more about
the matter. Such reasoning in other affairs would
not be tolerated for a moment. Such reasoning may
almost be taken as presumptive evidence in favour of
the petitioners. If, we again repeat it, if the
charges against the Noble Marquis be false, his
friends, and more especially the Members for the
borough in question, should he the very parties to
press for an investigation. We do not wish, prior to
such investigation, to give any opinion as to the con-
duct of the Al arquis of EXETER, yet, supposing him in-
nocent, we cannot but consider the proceedings of his
friends as being most injudicious. Their language
should have been similar to that of Lord J. rtussEr.l.,
who, without expressing a conclusive opinion as to the
merits of the case, but yet being anxious to disbelieve
the charges, declared himself in favour of a full
investigation, that being the fairest and most satis-
factory mode of settling the difficulty. " I should
say," observed Lord JOHN RUSSELL, " that if
the voting for that Committee of inquiry was in any
way a condemnation of the conduct of Lord EXETER,
I should not vote for the Committee." But without
in any way condemning Lord EXETER, the Noble
Lord proceeded to state his reasons in favour of an
investigation. His arguments are most unanswer-
stble, and sum up the whole matter in a few words.
44 If," said Lord J. RUSSELL, " it should appear that
Lord EXETER exercises no other influence than that
which may be fairly and legitimately exercised, then
'we must come to the conclusion that these
sdlegatiens have been brought forward without proof,
sand the public mind will be satisfied. If, on the
other hand, these allegations should receive cerrobo-
ration, then we should not be justified by the event
in refusing the inquiry that has been asked for.
:Upon the whole," added the Noble Lord, "I cer-
tainly come to the conclusion that those allegations
having been made, it is far better that there should
be some inquiry, than that, by one vote to-night, we
should agree that no further proceedings should take
place." In this conclusion the House have also
concurred, though by so very insignificant a
majority ; yet we cannot exactly call it insignifi-
cant, for that single vote which decided the majority
will be fraught with very important consequences.
The result of last night's division cannot fail to afford
-very general satisfaction, for, however much opinion
may be divided as to the particular facts of the case,
the necessity which exists for a complete investiga-
tion is too indubitable to
_be for a moment called in
question.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.
M. PAGNERRE has been appointed Secretary of the
Executive Committee of the Government.
The members of the Executive Committee of Go-
vernment quitted their several ministerial residences
yesterday ; MM. LAMARTINE, LEDRU ItowN, and
ARAGO occupying the Palace of the Elysee Bourbon,
which will be the official Palace of the Executive
Committee, and in which their sittings will be held.
MM. GARNIER PAGES and MARIE occupy apartments
in the Luxemb'hurg.
The Messager says—

" The public buildings which have been hitherto lent
to the different clubs for their meetings are no longer to
be so used, and they must, in future, hire places of
meeting, it they think fit to continue them. This may
probsbl) have the effect of lessening their number."
The Commission named by the Minister of Justice
for the re-organization of the judicial system has de-
cided on the establishment of a bureau for the poor,
composed of an advocate, an avoue (attorney), and
other officers, whose duty it shall be to furnish legal
advice and assistance to those who cannot afford to
pay for them.
An order has come down to Boulogne from Paris
to put the whole line of coast in a state of defence,
and to mount guns on the detached forts, which are
built a Hale way out at sea. The gates of the upper
town are also to be repaired and fortified. A similar
order has been received at Besuccon, on the Swiss
frontiers, and the army of the Alps is to be increased
by a fourth division of infantry, of three brigades,
coming from Al6iers. It will then consist of 38,000
men.

Some apprehensions were entertained that an armed
demonstrltiun in favour of the Poles might take
place in Paris to-day.
It is said that the workmen on the Northern Rail-
road have struck work.

We read in the Commerce—" The Ultra-Republi-
cans of the National Assembly held a meeting yes-
terday evening in the seventeenth Committee-room.
The entrance of MM. TRELAT, FLOCON, JULES
PAYEE, and JEAN RETNAUD into the Ministry is said
to have been satisfactory to the whole meeting, with
the exception of MM. BAUBES and FEESTIN, who
wished to have M. FLocom or M. JULES FAvEE for
Minister of the Interior. It is certain that M.
LEDRU.ROLLIN insisted upon having one or other of
these two citizens for his successor, and threatened
to retire if one of them was not named. It was no
doubt this discord between M. LEDRU-ROLLIN and
his colleagues that gave rise to the report of his
having resigned his appointment as a member of the
Committee of the Executive Government."
We find the following in the Sns..cle

" We have received the following note, with a request
to publish it:—' An imposing manifestation in favour of
the Poles is in preparation for Saturday, May 13. All
the clubs of Paris are to assemble in one body to carry
up an address to the National Assembly. The friends
(,f Poland are invited to meet at eleven o'clock on Satur-
lay, on the Place de la Bastille. The proces-ion will
immediately move oil its warch along the Bouies anis.
Measures are taken for the perfect preservation of order.'
We have not the least doubt of the good intentions