The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-21 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 21, 1846.

Notwithstanding the somewhat impenetrable cha-
racter of the collusion which has recently produced
the arrangements of the double marriage of the
Spanish SOVEREIGN and her sister, LUISA FER,
NANDA, circumstances are transpiring daily, both in
the French capital and in the Peninsular metropolis,
which render the nature of that collusion more and
more ostensible. That these dynastic unions were
germinated by the Ministry of Madrid and the di-
plomacy of Paris, in the persons of Senor ISTURITZ
and Count BEESSON, and that England has been
filled with astonishment both by the unexpected dis-
closure and momentous character of the proposed al-
liance, are facts so wonderfully self-evident as to
force a conviction of their reality upon minds unwil-
ling to acknowledge their occurrence. The more
these proceedings are examined the more are they
discovered to lack precaution, the less do they evince
sagacity, and the greater are the obstacles presented
in the way of such astonishing precipitation. By
one sudden and unexpected proposition the compli-
cated political machinery of Spain—that machinery
upon the adjustment of which so much specie and
blood and anxiety have been expended—is unhinged
and entangled. By a nomination of an ob-
noxious suitor to the hand of a Spanish
Princess, the whole social fabric not merely
of Madrid, but of the most distant pro-
vinces, is thrown into a lamentable and hazardous
confusion. What had required so many exhibitions
of legislative astuteness and military audacity to
establish, has been perilled by one abrupt proposal—
the marriage of ISABELLA'S youngest sister with
Louis REIILIPPE'S youngest son. An European
peace having been preserved during the last thirty-
one years, it becomes doubly R matter of regret that
any circumstance should have transpired whereby the
maintenance of that tranquillity in one of its

most splendid empires should be jeopardized.
That tranquillity is jeopardized in the Peninsula a
thousand occurrences unite to demonstrate. First of
all, the hostility with which the Due DE MONTPEN-
SIER is regarded throughout the population renders
the pacific consummation of his espousal v,ith the
INFANTA rather dubious. The jealousies of political
factions and party animosities generally have been
merged into one omnipresent sentiment among
Spaniards—a sentiment of deep and indelible
repugnance to an alliance with the ORLEANS
dynasty. That repugnance is cherished so universally,
and is characterised by so much intensity, as to have
amalgamated a disjointed community into one con.
pact and resolute mass. The bond of sympathy, by
which so many otherwise unsympathetic classes have
been collected together, is the most potent sympathy
by which a multitude can be inspired—it is a sym-
pathy of patriotism. So serious are the apprehensions
of the populace lest this espousal with one
of the children of King Louis PHILIPPE should
conduce to the abasement of their own Go-
vernment and the ultimate domination of
France, that they are prepared to forget all individual
grievances, and to insist, with one accord, upon
the preservation of their nationality. That na-
tionality, according to their opinion, can alone be
ensured by the rejection of the Due DE MONTPEN-
SLER, and consequently every energy is now im-
pinged upon the latter adventure.
Had the Spanish Administration sought to foster
these feelings of antagonism towards themselves in
the bosoms of the people, they could scarcely have
done so more effectually than by the blundering
efforts they have made for their eradication. The
suppression of newspapers and the seizure of pro-
testations have resulted only in the more intense
hostility of the population. Such additional pro-
ceedings as the dismissal of certain celadores, or
police-officers, by PIDAL, the Minister of the In-
terior, simply because of their incapacity to elicit a
counter-petition from the citizens of Madrid, are cal-
culated in no particular to allay the excitement of the
multitude, or to render the arrangements made by
himself and his colleagues more acceptable to the
nation.

The very latest intelligence received from the
Peninsula corroborates all our previous suspicions,
shows the general abhorrence with which the intended
alliance is regarded, and the improbability of its
being completed without some calamitous concomi-
tants. Supposing the Afrancesado policy be persisted
in, a general eineute is not an impossibility. Upon
the opening of the Spanish Parliament, on the
14th instant, everything demonstrated the existence
of these violent sentiments in the public mind.
Count BRESSON was hissed while traversing the
Calle Alcala in his carriage ; a vast concourse sur-
rounded the theatre of Oriente, in which the Congress,
under the presidency of CASTRO Y ORONCO, was con-
vened. The announcement of her MAJESTY'S mar-
riage with her cousin, Don FRANCISCO D'ASSIS,
uttered from the tribune by Senor ISTURITZ, was
welcomed with acclamations, while the official an-
nouncement of the marriage of her MAJESTY'S sister
with the Due DB MONTPENSIER was received by un-
mistakable expressions of disgust and indignation.
These circumstances carry with them their own de-
ductions—any explication of what may be anticipated
therefrom would be superfluous. One reflection,
however, we would especially force upon the attention
of every one solicitous as to the future reserved for
the Peninsula. While the President of the Council
is trembling with emotion in the tribune of Congress,
in consequence of the groans with which his latter
announcement is received, the Count DE MONTEMOLIN
is issuing a proclamation to the Spaniards, ending
with this significant passage—" Admiring you for
your courage and for your high deeds, I shall hnou'
how to reward them on the field of battle. (Signed)
CARLOS LUIS." Looking at these simultaneous in-
cidents in such different directions, we cannot but
feel that while the political affairs of Spain are
sinking into greater embarrassments, the ultimate
consequence of those embarrassments is becoming
each moment more obvious.

Despite the confusion with which the Government
of the Peninsula is threatened, we would, however,
yearn for some timely concession, whereby anarchy
may be prevented and a bloody encounter
with public opinion avoided. The public opi-
nion of Spain is directly opposed to this
union with a Gallic Prince, and public opinion when
concentrated upon a generous object like that of the
perpetuation of nationality, is as omnipotent as any
human force can be. MARIA CHRISTINA. will, how-
ever, as a matter of course, strive for the perptuation
of her own nominal supremacy, and LOUIS PHILIPPE
will, in like manner, be solicitous for the
perpetuation of his own claim to the glo
rious prerogative of being designated " The
Citizen King." From the combination of those
three endeavours may spring the peacefulness and
the prosperity of the Spanish dominion. The op-
portunity for such a combination still exists. A
short time, and it will have disappeared.

The subject of Irish distress, and the means to be
adopted for its mitigation, command a melancholy
interest at the present period ; there are few philan-
thropists, few Englishmen, of any sect or class, who
will not gladly do anything within their power to
alleviate the sufferings, to relieve the wants of their
Irish brethren. We prize and respect their many
valuable qualities; we regret the errors of the Irish
character—errors of the head and not of the heart—
and which have been produced by a long course of
misgovernment and oppression, by a variety of
exciting causes, which if they existed in our own
country might have produced equal, if not greater,
inisch;ef. The Irishman possesses a heart imbued
with feelings of the warmest sensibility, the most
perfect gratitude and devotion to those by whom
he has been fairly dealt with, by whom he
has been treated with kindness. He endures
afflictions and trials with the most unparalleled for-
titude and patience. Contented with the humblest
fare, he exhibits an example of self-denial that can-
not be exceeded, that is rarely equalled. In dealing
with such a people nothing is necessary but a due
appreciation of their character, a respect for their pre-
judices, such as they are, a desire to remove them by
gentle and gradual steps, and not to offend by too
rude an effort, which, though the object may be good
and desirable, may, from too great an anxiety for its
immediate attainment, fail in securing the wished for
result.

We have recently pointed out a course of proceed-
ing by which great amelioration may be effected in
the condition of the people. We look upon the re-
claiming of the waste lands, that have so long been
permitted to remain idle and unproductive in that
country, as one of the chief means by which
this may be effected. That the gentry are inclined to
the utmost extent to co-operate with the Executive
to do all in their power to carry out the provisions of
the Labour-rate Act to provide employment for the
people, and thus to preserve the peace of
their districts, the proceedings reported in
The Sun of Saturday afford the strongest
testimony. The meetings that were held in
the baronies of Upper Ormond and Skibbereen,
the first that have taken place under the new Act,
are remarkable for the spirit of unanimity by %%hid'
the parties who took part therein appear to have been
actuated. Almost for the first time in Ireland there
has been a total absence of that dissension and differ-
ence which has so often marred all the efforts for the
general advantage. In the first named barony pre-
sentments amounting to more than 7,0001. have been
carried, which it is said will supply the necessary
amount of employment, at least for the present, and
~►hich is to be expended on works of practical utility,
although not of a description to yield a dirct return
for the money to be laid out thereon. The Tipperary
Vindicator pays a just tribute to the conduct of those
engaged, by saving " that the patience and anxiety
to work out the provisions of the Act of Parliament,
and to obey the proclamation of the Lord
Lieutenant, which all exhibited, was in every
respect worthy of the sacred cause of charity, and of
all who took part in the important and deeply in-
teresting proceedings of the day." It, however, in
the next paragraph points out how wide a field there
is in that barony for a profitable and remunerative
expenditure. It states—" The barony of Upper
Ormond contains about 30,000 acres of land. No
small share of this land is mountain and bog, which
could be reclaimed with comparative facility. We
know how vast the advantage, how le tt tl eveturn

such an application of labour and capital would be,
and how much constant employment it would afford."
Here then is an opportunity at once afforded of test-
ing the principle we have advocated. If carried into
execution it would relieve the other lands from the
burden which must be imposed on them by the re-
payment of the instalments of the Government loan.
We hope that it will not be neglected or cast away.
The same praiseworthy disposition was manifested at
theSkibbereen sessions; there seventy-two presentments
were agreed to, involving an outlay of over 40,0001.
A most important suggestion was made for the pur-
pose of devising the best mode of employing the
population on a work of national benefit and of a re-
munerative character, and a resolution founded
thereon was carried—viz , " That a committee be
appointed to meet and take into consideration the
survey of the line of railway now made between
Bandon, Bantry, Skibbereen, and Clonakilty, with a
view of ascertaining the practicability of snaking a
line of railway in conformity thereivith, which may
be available for the purpose of a railroad at a future
period, and of reporting how far it would be reason-
able to call on Government for assistance." Such a
course, if it can be carried out efficiently, must be
most valuable and advantageous. We shall look for
the report of this committee with much anxiety as
the result of the investigation of the deliberate opinions
of practical men, well acquainted with the country
and deeply interested in its prosperity, and in
warding off the existing distress by means the
least burden some to the property of the district.
they represent. We hope that the example will be
followed, and that committees may be selected at
each of the sessions to inquire into the nature and
circumstances of the waste lands in the several dis-
tricts or their immediate neighbourhood; with the
probable expenses to be incurred in reclaiming them,
and the return that would be obtained therefor. Such
investigations, conduqted under the auspices of well-
informed gentlemen, acquainted with the cost of
labour and the value of land in the localities, would
at once carry conviction to all of the value and the
feasibility of our suggestions.
It is now pretty confidently stated that Parliament
will be assembled in November, in order to remedy
the defects in the Labour-rate Bill, and to provide
other effectual measures for the relief of the distress
in Ireland. The Cork Reporter states that this an-
nouncement was made by the private secretary of the
Lord-Lieutenant to the Mallow and Doneraile depu•
tation. If this is well-founded—and we sincerely hope
it may be so. No time is to be lost in the appoint-
ment of such committees, in order that their recom-
mendations may be fully matured and well considered
before the assembling of the Legislature. They
should be enabled to report not merely on the works
which it may be desirable to carry into execution,
but also on the legal difficulties that may possibly be
interposed, and the legislative measures that may be
necessary to overcome them. The Senate can pos-
sibly remain hut a short time in deliberation, and
every means should be adopter] to lessen their labour,
and diminish the period for which they may be
obliged to devote themselves to public objects and to
dispense with the enjoyments and recreations to which
their valuable labours during the past session so fully
entitle them.

A letter from Constantinople states that a rumour
prevailed at Trebisond that the Russians had sus-
tained a severe defeat from the mountaineers, under
the command of a relative of SCIJAMYL.

The Journal de Constantinople of the Ist inst. states

that disturbances had taken place at Erzeroum, in
consequence of the conversion of several Armenian
Catholics to Protestantism. Actuated by religious
fanatacism, the Armenians had attacked the Ameri-
can missionaries and expelled them from Erzeroum.
The American Minister at Constantinople imme-
diately dispatched his Dragoman Secretary to the
scene of the disturbance, and AARIF PACMA was
ordered by the Turkish Government to assist him.
The same journal states that on the night of the
24th of August six hundred houses and several
public buildings were destroyed at Adrianople, by
fire.

There has been some severe fighting between
the Turks and the Kurds. The Turks have de-
termined to reduce the Kurds to obedience. The
latter are commanded by Brant KnAN BET, who can
bring into the field 40,000 horsemen.

We extract the following from the Impartial
de Smyrne of the 4th :
"Just as we were going to press we were informed
that the English brig-of-war Syren, commanded Ly
Lieutenant Lyons, son of the British Minister at
Athens, had captured four pirate-boats mounted by
sixty men. This intelligence is not official ; hut w,
have reason to believe that it wiil be confirmed.
The Syren was at Scio, when the master of a
boat, just arriving from the south, apprised Lieu-
tenant Lyons of his having been arrested and
robbed by pirates in the environs of Stanchio. The
comuna9der of the Syren immediately-I),A to sea with two
of the men, who conducted him to a small island, near
Stanchio, were the pirates were seized, chained, and
removed on board the Syren. That important capture
will no doubt clear the Archipelago, and Lieutenant
Lyons has thereby rendered an immense service to our
commerce,"
40.
Madrid papers of the 14th have arrived.

The following was the message presented separately
:o each Chamber of the Cortes, announcing the in-
:ended royal marriage :

" Her Majesty the Queen has ordered me to inform
the Cortes, agreeably to the terms of the 47th article of
the Constitution, that after a long and attentive examina-
tion of the measures most conducive to the welfare of the
Monarchy and her own happiness, she had resolved to
marry her august cousin the Infante Don Francisco

d'Assis Maria de Bourbon. Her Majesty also ordered me
to make known to the Cones at the same time that
her Royal Highness the Infanta Luisa Fernanda de
Bourbon, her august sister and immediate heiress to
the Crown, had, with the consent and sanction of
her Majesty the Qucen, resolved to marry his
Royal Highness Prince Antoine Marie Philippe Louis
d'Orleans, Duke de Montpen,,ier. Her Majesty
hopes that those unions will efficaciously contribute to
the welfare and prosperity of the Monarchy, as also to
her own happiness and that of her august sister; and
she flatters herself that the Cortes of the kingdom, who
have given so many proofs of their affection and ad-
hesion to the throne, and of the interest they feel in the
glory and prosperity of the nation and the consolidation
of its institutions, will concur in such consoling hopes,
and pray the Almighty to realize them promptly.
by opening for Spain a new era of peace, concord, and
happiness."

The message having been read,
The Minister of Finance then brought in a Bill au-
horising the levying of taxes until the close of the

year.

N. ORENSE, amidst a profound silence, rose and
inquired whether the marriage of the INFANTA with
the Duke de MONTPENSIER was to take place imme-
diately, or be postponed until the QUEEN had direct
successors to the Crown ?

M. ISTURITZ immediately answered, that the mar-
riages of the QUEEN and the INFANTA would be cele-
brated at the same time.

M. ORENSE sat down without raising any dis-
cussion; but an attempt was to be made to bring for-
ward a discussion on the following day.
The Congress then proceeded to nominate the
address Committee, which was composed of Messrs.
SARTORIUS, OLIVAN, BENAVIDES, ALVAREZ, PESADA•
HERUARA, GALLADO, and BEAvo-Muaim.o. The
Committee on the Bill for authorising the collection
of the taxes is entirely composed of Ministerial
Members, with the exception of one.
Great crowds were assembled about the Chambers,
and scowling faces were numerous, but the public
peace was not disturbed.

A telegraphic dispatch which has been received by
the French Government announces that on the 16th
the Senate, en corps and au grand complet, repaired
to the palace to compliment the QUEEN on her and,
her sister's marriages. The address, which was read
by the President, is drawn up in terms of the most
complete approbation. The projected address of
the Congress is drawn up in the same esprit.
In the meantime the hatred of the people to the
French increases every day in intensity, and not
unfrequently shows itself in overt acts. On the 15th
the French workmen on the Aranjuez Railroad were
attacked, and it was only by the intervention of the
military that a serious tumult was prevented.
It was reported that Mr. 13uLwaa had, in accord-
ance with orders from his Government, sent in a
note declaring the marriage of the INFANTA to the
DUC DE AIONTPENSIER impossible, as being contrary
to the faith of treaties.

MADRID BOLSA, SEPT. 14.—The Three per Cents.
were done at 36} for cash ; the Four per Cents., 24 ;
the Five per Cents. at 23 for cash; the Dan without
Interest, at 7; and the Coupons at 201 for cash.

We have received the French papers of Friday and
Saturday.

The state of Spanish affairs, consequent upon the

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