The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-12 00:00:00

MISS STRICKLAND'S
IVES OF THE QUEENS

proved themselves to be unlike the aerial music and
the golden showers of CALIBAN : the most extrava-
gant visions have been realised by yielding to those
allurements.
All the incalculable advantages which may be con,
ferrecl upon mankind by the diffusion of knowledge may
be, in some Measure, estimated by the extraordinary
blessings already derived from that source. Many
eminent personages have been so impressed with the
truth as to have devoted the energy of many years to
the popularisation, as it may be called, of science
generally. Lord BROUGHAM has fought that good
fight in England. M. ARAGO has done so in France;
others have arisen in other countries who have en-
eavoured to emulate the conduct of their predecessors.
Excellently, however, as such efforts are calculated
to inform the people of the facts which have already
been acquired, and to fester those germs of discovery
which are lying dormant in so many quarters of the
community, much remains to be done before the
great crusade after knowledge can be ade-
quately commenced. It is not merely necessary to dis-
seminate the fruits which have been already culled,
but it is necessary to sow fresh seed and to irrigate
the soil anew, so that fresh fruit may be produced
for future distribution. The facts already accumu-
lated by philosophy are marvellous enough, it is true,
but additional facts must be divulged and collected :
the march of science has only just commenced. The
source of all our discoveries and inventions must,
therefore, be consulted, if we hope to obtain
more of similar blessings : the national intellect must
be kept in a healthful and constant state of activity,
and this never can be done systematically, unless
the most eminent of our philosophical minds are
brought, periodically, into collision. From the
interchange of thought consequent upon the assem-
blage of such men ; from their mutual collation
of arguments and calculations ; from the sub-
mission of the results of their several labours to the
scrutiny of each other ; from their constant retrospec-
tion of what has already been accomplished, and from
their constant survey of what still remains to be
accomplished, most material advantages must neces-
sarily follow—the stores of philosophy must
thereby be increased by the addition of new data—
unexpected trains of ideas will be occasionally sug-
gested by this communion of intelligent and original
minds—and those trains of ideas may ultimately lead
to the detection of some of the great motors of matter.
The secret of steam-power was not developed under
half such propitious auspices--or the mystery of
the compass—or the combination of lensos into a
telescope—or the phenomena of electricity—or the
venous and arterial circulation.
The British Association, now assembled at South-
ampton, occupies, to our thinking, the eminent position
which we have endeavoured to illustrate. It forms a
kind of guarantee that human knowledge shall not re-
trograde ; it is a national stimulus to the national intel-
ligence of great Britain, and, by inference, to the in-
telligence of other countries. To our mind, it fulfils
precisely the office which was so much wanted : it
promotes science by that interchange of thought be-
tween contemporary philosophers which we have al-
ready particularised as so necessary. By deriding this
Association, as some individuals are unfortunately
accustomed to do, derision is cast indirectly upon
such men as Sir JOHN HERSCHEL, Sir DAVID
BREWSTER, Dr. BUCKLAND, Sir RODERICK -MURCHI-
SON, LEONARD HORNER, Professor WHEATSTONE, and
others, who by their illustrious efforts in the vineyard
of knowledge have conferred so much that is valuable
upon humanity, and have thereby entitled themselves to
so much deference. The Society for the Diffusion of
Useful Knowledge was formerly maligned as likely
to generate a feeling of infidelity among the popula-
tion,--this outcry originated among the pharisees of
religion, and if believed by its authors was clearly
the result of a purblind bigotry. The British
Association is taxed with being productive of no prac-
tical benefit to science,—that baseless aspersion can
only originate in something akin to indifferentism as
to the avowed objects of the Association.
The discourse uttered yesterday evening by Sir
RODERICK IMPEY MuitcnisoN, the president for this
year, was a magnificent retrospect of what
has been already achieved through the instrumenta-
lity, under the immediate auspices, or at the sugges-
tion of the British Association. That eloquent and
comprehensive discourse was a refutation—if any was
really required—of the charges levelled at that emi-
nent body. It enumerated with a masterly per-
spicuity the deeds which had been done since
the first establishment of the Association,
—the geographical discoveries under Sir JAMES
Ross ; the meteorological observations at the Royal
Observatory of Kew ; the zoological researches of
FORBES and OWEN ; the geological labours of its
associates ; the monster telescope of Lord
ROSSE ; the ichthyological works of Sir Jonza
RICHARDSON ; the dynamical mathematics under
ROBINSON, and the engineering of RENNIE. In
proposing a vote of thanks to the eminent Professor
who delivered that discourse, Lord PALMERSTON en-
larged in glowing and beautiful language upon the
advantages as well as pleasures resulting from the cul-
tivation of scientific knowledge, and especially the ad-
vantages resulting from such societies as the British
Association. To the noble and deserved eulogium
passed upon that association by her MAJESTY'S Secre-
tary for Foreign Affairs, we refer the reader. It con-
denses into a few brief sentences the merits of its
members and the beneficent consequences of its
meetings. One beautiful sentiment uttered by the
Noble lArd incidentally we cannot refrain from
placing directly before our readers' attention. Re-
ferring to the contemplations and results of science,
Lord PALMERSTON observed
`° They They are not only useful as conducing to the enjoy-
ment and to the prosperity of mankind; but they must
have a considerable and salutary effect on the minds of
men, for is it possible that those who are in the enjoy-
ment of great and overweening prosperity must not be
brought to feel a more proper sense of their position,
when they see the utter insignificance of this globe as
compared with the'mighty universe, which the telescope
of Lord Rosso unfolds to the eye? and is it possible,
on the other hand, that those who, broken by misfor-
tune, aro bowed down by affliction, should not find a
source of re,ignation and of patience in that science by
which they are more especially reminded of the °Teat
duration of time, and which shows the small period of
time during which they are destined to suffer in this
world, as so small and insignificant compared to the great
eternity to which they belong, as is a grain of sand to
the earth which they inhabit, or that earth itself to the
mighty universe of which it forms so small and insign
ficant a portion?"

OF ENGLAND.
THE NDTTII VOLUME IS NOW READY
At all the Booksellers.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great 3larlborcugh-street

Now ready, price 65., bound in morocco cloth,
FOURTH EDITION of the NEW TIMON :
A POETICAL ROMANCE (CORRECTED).
" One of the most remarkable poems of the present generation.
It augurs a resuscitation of our bardic glories."—Sun.
" The ' New Timon' is a composition which displays both beauty
and power. It belongs to the school of Crabbe."—Litsrary Gazette.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

THE GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN
RAILWAY COMPANY.
We, the undersigned, being respectively Shareholders in the
Great Eastern and Western projected Railway Company, in virtue of
the powers given by an Act, passed in the present session, cap. 28,
intituled "An Act to Facilitate the Dissolution of Certain Railway
Companies," having left, at the registered place of business of the said
Company, a requisition, calling on the Members of the Provisional
Committee of the said Company to call a Meeting of the Share-
holders of the said Company, and the said Committee having
for six days neglected or refused to comply with the said requisition,
do, by the authority aforesaid, hereby call a meeting of the Share-
holders of the said Company to be held at the London Taver.i,
Bishopsgate-street, in the City of London, on MONDAY, the 21st day of
September next, at One o'clock precisely, for the purpose of deter-
mining whether the Partnership or Company formed, or Intended to
be formed, shall be dissolved, and in what manner the affairs of the
said Company shall be wound up.
As witness our hands the 7th day of September, 1345.
lt. W. COHEN.
J. F. MAUBERT.
HENRY SMITH.
FRANCIS PAWLE.
J. W. COOK.
BALLANTINE and Co.
Agerit—Mr. W. F. Spackman, 43, Moorgate -street.

RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE,
31ESSRS. LAMOND, SHALE, AND
.1 LAMOND, Railway Share Auctioneers, beg to thank their
Friers 4 and the Public for their continued support and patronage,
and !o announce that their Public Sales of Railway Shares, &c.,
take I:lace every TUESDAY and FainaY, at One o'clock, at the
Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place,
favours, containing instructions (with a reference), are respectfully
requested to be addressed.
All Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited, the day
previous to their being offered ; and advices bf results will Le
forwarded by the first post after the sale, and the proceeds imme-
diately disposed of according to instructions.
Offices, Nall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
TINDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MRS. KEELEY.
The New Grand Fairy Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled " The
Magic Horn," having been, on each occasion of its representation,
received throughout with the most cordial marks of approbation and
delight by crowded and fashionable audiences, is, in consequence,
respectfully announced for repetition every Evening till farther
notice. ,

THIS EVENING
The performances will commence with WATCH AND WARD.
After which, a New Grand Operatic, Melodramatic, Romantic,
Fairy Burlesque Extravaganza, founded on the Opera of " Oberon,"
entitled THE MAGIC HORN. Principal characters by Messrs.
F. Mathews, A. Wigan, Kinloch, Collier, Yam°ld, Bender, Silver,
Richards, and Keeley; Miss Keeley, Miss Tillers, Miss Fairbrother,
Mrs. Woollidge, Miss Arden, Miss Forster, Miss Laidlaw, Miss
Lromley, Miss Howard, and Mrs. Keeley.
To conclude with Mr. Selby's Popular Farce of BOOTS AT THE
SWAN. Characters by Messrs. Keeley, J. W. Collier, F. Vining,
Miss Ellen Daly, Mrs. A. Wigan, &c.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MADAME CELESTE.
THIS EVENING
Will be presented the popular Drama, entitled ST. MARY'S
EVE ; or, A Story of the Solway. The principal characters by
Messrs. Worrell, -Wright, 0. Smith, Lambert, Cullenford, Braid,
Waye; Miss Ellen Chaplin, Madame Celeste, &c,
After which, a Grand Mythological Burlesque Extravaganza, de-
nominated THE JUDGNIENT OF PARIS ; or, The Pea de Pip-
pins. The characters personated by Messrs. Selby, 0. Smith, Glen-
naire, Lindon, Waye, Butler, Williamson, Aldridge, Mitchenson,
Alderson, Ryan, Wright, Paul Bedford ; Miss Ellen Chaplin, 3liss
Taylor, Miss Harrison, Miss Simpson, Mrs. F. Matthews, &c.
To be followed by an original Comic Sketch, called ABRAHAM
PARKER. Abraham Parker, Mr. Wright.
To conclude with the Farce of A NABOB FOR AN HOUR.
Characters by Messrs. Worrell, Lambert, Munyard, Miss Harding,
and Mrs. Frank Matthews.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-ST.itEET.
TIIIS EVENING
Will be performed a New Comic Drama, in Three Acts, entitled
LOVE'S TELEGRAPH. Count Theodore, Mr. J. Vining ; Arthur
de Solberg, Mr. Charles Mathews ; Baron Pumpernickel, Mr.
Compton ; Usher, Br. Henry; Princess Blanche, Madame Vestxis ;
Alice, Mrs. H. Hughes ; Marguerite, Miss Emma Stanley.
To be followed by an entirely New Comic Drama, entitled THE
BARBER BRAVO ; or, The Inventor of Powder. In which Mr.
Charles Mathews, Mr. Granby, Mr. Wynn, Miss E. Stanley, and
Miss E. Honner will perform.

To conclude with a new Serio-Comic Drama, entitled, A
CURIOUS CASE. Mr. Aubrey, Mr. Vining; Twiggleton, Mr.
Charles Mathews ; Charles Stanton, Mr. Fisher ; Edward, Mr.
'Bonner ; airs. Aubrey, Mrs. Stirling.

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Lessee, Mrs. Frances Daviclge.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the Comedy of TETE JEALOUS WIFE. Mr.
Oakly, Mr. Cooper ; Major Oakly, Mr. Neville ; Charles, Mr. J. T.
Johnson ; Lord Trinket, Mr. Saville ; Captain O'Cutter, Mr. I'rede-
xicks ; Russet, Mr. Ileslop; Sir Harry Beagle, Mr. Webb; Mrs.
Oakly, Mrs. Ternan ; Harriet, Mrs. Saville ; Lady Freelove, Mrs.
Daly ; Toilet, Mrs. Lewis ; Chambermaid, Mrs. Maynard.
Alter which a New Drama, called FATALITY. Bertrand, Mr.
Caper ; General Lovewell, Mr. Heslop ; Edward, Mr. Johnson ;
lackbrain, Mr. H. Webb ; Mrs. Lackbrain, Mrs. Daly ; Susannah,
7.Srs. C. Gill.
To conclude with an interesting Drama, entitled GRACE
A.YTON. Characters by Messrs. Saville, Heslop, Webb; Mrs.
Saville, Miss Terry, &c.
Box Office open from eleven till four o'clock.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty.
Patronised by her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, Prince
Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal. Immense
hit of the New Spectacle, " The Steed of Syracuse " hailed with
tumultuous acclamations,
THIS EVENING
Will he perfbrmed the popular Drama of THE STEED OF SY-
RACUSE ; or, Damon's Flight. Damon, Mr. J. Harwood; Pythias,
2.1 r. J. Dale ; fralanthe, Mrs. M. Brooks. Assisted by the nu-
merous Company, double Stud, &c.
After which, magnificent SCENES of the HIPPODROME, by
the French, German, and British Artistes.
The whole concluding with the new Necromantic Ballet, en-
titled THE VINE-DRESSER'S DAUGHTER.
Box-edice open from eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six
And commence at seven o'clock.

ROYAL VICTORTA THEATRE.
THIS EVENING

-.
Will be performed the interesting Drama of THE LIFE AND
ADVENTURES OF LITTLE JOEY. The characters personified
by the principal members of the Company.

. -
After which, the Play of THE STRANGER. The Stranger,
Mr. Osbaldiston ; Baron Steinfort, Mr. Niggle ; Solomon, Mr.
Howard ; Peter, Mr. Forman ; Mrs. Haller, Miss Vincent.
To conclude with the highly successful Burlesque of PAYEE
ROSAMONDE ; er, The Bowers of Woodstock. Fayre Rosamonde,
Mr. Forman.

Under the Patronage of her Most Gracious Majesty.
ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
EVERY MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND
THURSDAY.
VIEW of NAPLES, ERUPTION of VESUVIUS, DESTRUC-
TION of HERCULANEUM and POMPEII, in the year 79.
A richly ornamented GOTHIC BRIDGE of STATUES has been
constructed, which will be brilliantly Illuminated at Night.
The PROMENADE CONCERTS, conducted by Mr. Godfrey.
CALYPSO'S FAIRY GROTTO, representing in the Isaterior
Telemachus relating his adventures to Calypso.
The PYROTECHNIC DISPLAYS, by Mr. Southby, are on the
most complete and effective scale.
Preceding the Volcanic Display, Mons. FARINELLI will descend
from a Chinese Pagoda, seventy feet in height, to the surface of the
lake, where a Naiad's Car will rise to receive him, and bear him to
his chrystal home.
The Glass Conservatory is splendidly oznamented with festoons
of lamps, enabling the visitors to view the matchless collection of
Carnivora by gas-light.
rs Feeding of the Carnivora at half-past five; the Pelicans, Sec., at
Six ; Concert at half-past six : and the Eruption at dusk.
ADMITTANCE, ONE SHILLING.
LAST GRAND DISPLAY OF FLOWERS OF THE SEASON.
On WEDNESDAY, September 16th,
The ROYAL SOUTH LONDON FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY
will hold their GRAND DAHLIA and MISCELLANEOUS
FtLOWER SHOW. The Promenade Concerts, extra Band, the
Eruption of Vesuvius, and an extraordinary Display of Fireworks
wik be produced on the occasion.
Doors Open at One.—Admittance, ONE SHILLING.

WEATHER,--SUN OFFICE, SEPTEMBER 12,
TITER3IO3IETER, Lowest, 56; Highest. 71 ; Noon, 70
BAROMETER, 30,18.—WIND N.N.E., cloudy.

Y1E.411 W TER AT LONDON-Eltilnir. TUIS DAY.
Morning .. 18 minutes after 6. I Evening .. 43 minutes after 6,

421 f, 't;,‘ arteunrAr.
4.4 c ;• ,
' -
e r

SECOND EDITION.

As calculated to disseminate these lofty considera
tions, as well as to extend the scope of human intel-
ligence, we look with peculiar satisfaction on the an-
nual meetings of the British Association.

The general half-yearly meeting of the proprietors
of the South-Eastern Railway Company took place
on Thursday, when the directors presented the usual
report respecting the state and prospects of the com-
pany. The document was looked for with much
anxiety, in order that the public might know under
what pretences the managers would attempt to justify
the late increase in the fares and charges for con-
veyance, and also whether they were prepared to
brave the storm of public opinion, and to persevere in
the unwise and injudicious course they had adopted,
or gracefully to acknowledge their error, and make
all the amends in their power for the mischief already
done and the odium incurred. It was also hoped that
in the event of a continuance by the directors in their
suicidal policy, an earnest protest would be offered
by the general body of the proprietary,
and that tho sense of the meeting would
be testified in the strongest manner against
the recent change—a change which was adopted by
the directors on their own responsibility, without the
opinions of the general body with respect thereto
being asked for, or desired.

The report (a copy whereof appeared in The Sun
of yesterday) was chiefly remarkable for its total
disregard of the interests of the public. In every
line it breathed the spirit of monopoly. The whole
end and object appears to he, how and by what
means can the greatest amount be extracted from the
pockets of the public ? It is not pretended that the
former reduction of rates was not attended with be-
nefit to all classes ; that a larger sum was not thereby
earned by the company, and made divisible amongst
the proprietors. on the contrary, it appeared that
the increase, as compared with the corresponding
half-year of 1845, before the reduction had taken
place, was 37,653 first-class, 87,712 second-class,
and no less than 271,068 third-class passengers ;
on the latter an increase of more than 200 per cent.
True it was that a greater quantity of ground had

A letter from Rome, dated 28th August, which
appears in the Augsburgh Gazette, has the follow-
ing :

The attention of the Irish landlords has been
ioroughly awakened to the circumstances in which
hey are placed, and various suggestions are offered
from day to day for the consideration of the Govern-
ment. Food must be provided for the starving multi
tudes, and the obvious and natural source from whence
that provision is to be obtained is the land of the
country. The necessities of all must be fully met by
the produce of the soil, before any portion can be applied
to the superfluities of any. It has been well stated in
the memorial of the Central Relief Committee of
the baronies of Upper and Lower Dells and Fore, to
the Lord Lieutenant, " that the case which they are
now called on to meet differs, not only in degree, but
also in the nature of the evil, from that which they
had to contemplate last season." Last year there
was a pressing but temporary deficiency, and
there was a reasonable ground for hoping
that on the arrival of the next harvest
he emergency would have passed away, and
,hat the ordinary channels of supply would have
been available to the public support. That expecta-
tion has vanished. The evil must now be dealt with
as a permanent one. It would indeed evince a sad
want of foresight, an idiotic blindness, if some means
were not adopted to produce a greater quantity and
different quality of food for the multitude from that
which has been withdrawn from their use. This can
only be produced by an increased degree of cultiva-
tion, an extra quantity of labour applied to the soil,
and a more judicious selection of the description of
crops to be raised therefrom. Few who are entirely
dependent on a single crop will venture on one. so
likely to yield no return as the potato. The farmers
will scarcely be willing again to risk the chance of
such a lottery, or to let their ground for such a
purpose to persons who, in the event of a
failure, will be wholly unable to remu-
nerate them therefor. There must be means
adopted for the adequate employment of the
labouring population, so that each man may be cer-
tain, in return for his exertion, of procuring a suffi-
ciency of plain food for himself and family, and the
shelter of an humble roof. This he has a right to
demand from his country, and it must be provided
for him, whatever may be the difficulties, the impe-
diments in the way of so doing. The necessity is
admitted by all—the only question is as to the means
by which it may be effected. Last year large sums
were raised by voluntary contributions. It can
scarcely be expected that similar funds can be pro-
cured to meet the present distress. Many, who gave
freely according to their means, would be unable to
afford an equal subscription at present. Neither
would it be just, if it were practicable, to look solely
to voluntary gifts ; those who are disposed to act most
justly to provide employment on their own estates
for persons having a fair claim thereto, would also be
disposed to act most generously, and thus a double
burden would be imposed on them, while the
heartless and inhuman would escape the performance
of a solemn duty. Neither would it be just that the
means should be provided from the public ex-

" It is stated that Cardinals Vanicelli and Dellagenga,
the one legate of Orbiz and Pesaro, and the other of
Bologna, are about to give in their resignations. From
the late events their positions are no longer tenable ;
the partisans of the ancient regime are still agitating,
and to that must be added that the Propaganda in Paris
and in London are not content with the amnesty. They
dream of a kingdom of Italy, and endeavour to gain over
the youth ; the people, however, reject this odious idea,
and the persons who have been amnestied show them-
selves worthy of the clemency of the Pope. Cardinal
Gizzi has lately addressed a circular to all the authori-
ties, calling upon them to oppose every tendency to re-
volution. The Government has already given proof that
it will not overlook any negligence on the part of public
functionaries. Dr. Fossi, Governor of Fazenza, has
been brought before the tribunals, and his place given
to another. MM. Gorga and d'Asti, directors of police
at Foligno and Pesaro, had met with a similar fate. The
former only escaped being massacred by putting on a
disguise, in which he got off. His Royal Highness the
Prince de Joinville is expected to arrive here this day.
He is charged with a special mission from the King, his
father, to the Pope. He will stay only one clear day
at Rome, and then return to Naples."

The Levant mail has arrived, bringing intelligence
from Constantinople of the 27th, and from Athens of
the 30th ult.

The Constantinople journals state that accounts
had' been received from Trebisond of the suppression
of the revolt in the Adjara, and of the capture of its
chief, KEUR HUSSEIN BEY.

At Erzeroum the people were still in an agitated
state, and the guard at the Persian embassy was
doubled. The cholera was ravaging Teheran and
several other cities of Persia. One of the sons of the
SHAH had died, and so great was the alarm that the
SHAH and his Ministers had fled from the city, and
lomatique were about
ttohefomlloewmbtheresir oefxatnhieple7B diP

At Athens the Chamber of Representatives was
still occupied in discussing the budget. A royal
decree has been issued for the colonisation of the
Thracians, Bulgarians, and Servians, resident in
Greece. By this decree, they are all to be united in
one establishment, instead of residing, as hith3rto, in
different parts of the country. The decree consists
of 34 clauses, fixing the regulations of the colony,
and the attribution of the different officers.

Madrid papers of the sth have arrived.
It would appear that Mr. BULWER, on being in-
ormed of the double marriage, had made a condi-
tional protest against the MONTPENSIER alliance.
This fact is now admitted by the Government organ,
the Heraldo. The opposition to this marriage
on the part of the Spanish nation was
daily increasing ; the Carlists and the Pro-
gressistas are joined in their opposition by the more
powerful section of the Moderados. In the Cortes
PACIIZCO will lead the opposition to the project
for the MONTPENSIER marriage; and the Tiempo
says, that so afraid are the Afrancesado party
of encountering discussion, that the announce-
ment to the Cortes of the marriage of the QUEEN
will be immediately followed by the reading a decree
dissolving that body. There was a rumour in Madrid
that the preparations for the marriage of the INFANTA
had been countermanded. It is said that the mar.
riage of the QUEEN will take place on the 18th.
General PEZEALA having been appointed Inspector.
General of Cavalry, has resigned the office of Cap-
tain-General of Madrid, which has been conferred on
General SHELLY. The troops, which were concen-
trated on the Portuguese frontier, have gone into
cantonments near Seville.

MADRID BOL9A, SEPT. s.—The Three per Cents.
35 cash ; Four per Cents, 2i/ ; Five per Cents. 22A-
cash ; Debt, without interest, 6/ ; Coupons, 20i. Ex-
change on London, 36/ cash.

We have received the Paris papers of Thursday.
The Journal des Debats has an article which
may
be looked upon as official on the subject of the mar-
riage of the INFANTA to the Duke DB MONTPENSIER.
After designating it as for Europe a great " political
fact, for France an event of immense national import-
ance," it thus continues :
"The marriage of the Infanta to the Duke de Mont-
pensier is a pledge of a complete reconciliation between
Spain. and France. It re-establishes that traditional in-
timacy which had been so unfortunately broken. It may
now be said without fear that there has been for nearly
half a century a wide breach of continuity in the history
of Frarice and Spain. Those ties, which were formed
by nature, and strengthened by religion and good
policy, were unhappily broken by the Imperial invasion.
The hand of violence can never be laid with impunity,
upon It;Ae liberty of a people—upon their national in-
depen.J ence. The recollection of this has long dwelt
in the' hearts of the Spaniards, and, perhaps, has not
even :,et completely disappeared. Nothing can be
more
.likely to efface the last traces of dissa-
tisfa,ctio n and consummate the entire reunion of
the two nations, than the happy alliance that has
just been agreed upon. The marriage of the Infanta
of Spain with a son of France will, we are convinced, be
the seal •of oblivion pat upon all painful remembrances,
and marl : the close of this unfortunate era. The Pyre-
nees will stand fast, but there will no longer subsist be-
tween tb e two countries, those moral barriers which are
more powerful still than those of geography. At no
period ,could the re-establishment of this ancient in-
timacy have been made under more happy auspices.
There was a time, still not very far back, when it might
have be en accomplished, but not in a manner so com-
plete. When Spain had no strength but for incessant
revolutions—when she expended all her energies in re-
bellion,. and presented to the world no other spec-
tacle t'nan that of an anarchy whose source was in
the lavrs , France could not so closely identify herself
ith Sps.,in without rendering herself in a measure a
participa tor in a state of things in hostility to her own
institutio ns,f her own policy,:and the:principles of her own
Goverinwnt. Spain has happily saved herself from this

been travelled over, consequent upon the opening of ' chequer; if that were to be the case, the industry,
the Tunbridge Wells branch, and that from Ashford the labour of the nation at large, would be taxed
to Canterbury and Ramsgate, but it will be found for the benefit of a class. It would shift the re-
that the increase more than corresponded to the ad- sponsibility of providing for the labouring poor from
ditional distance, and it is well known that it takes , the land to which they belonged, and which is pe-
some time fully to develope the resources of a rail- culiarly chargeable therewith, to the nation at large.
way, and that a far less number of passengers have Every consideration of justice and policy forbids such
recourse to it during the first months of its existence a course. The true principle is that recently laid
than when it has been for some time in operation; a down by Mr. Mosseee, himself a large landed pro-
great increase of profit may therefore reasonably be prietor, viz.—that every owner of land must employ the
looked for from the several branches on future occa• poor belonging to that land. If this be carried into
sions. The directors, however, seize on the fact, that execution, he will speedily find some productive
notwithstanding the increase in the amount received, labour on which to occupy them, and no longer
and in the number of persons carried, the amount per permit their energies to be expended on that which
mile per week earned, in 1845, was greater than thai, can yield no return. Public works may answer very
earned during the last half-year, to say well as a temporary expedient, but in a short time
that it thereby became incumbent on all that are really useful in the district will be exce. them to reconsider the scale of passenger cuted, and then the lands must be charged for that
fares, and to adjust them as seemed reasonable, after which is absolutely useless, when the labour which
the experience gained on a trial of twelve months at would be required therefor might he so much more
the greatly reduced rates. This is the only explana- beneficially applied. That labour for which the land
tion they condescend to give, the only apology they is compelled to pay should be employed in developing
offer to the public for the great additional charges the productive power of the land. The necessity for
they have made at the close of a session of Parliament, the interference of the State is to compel a certain
during which they relied in the strongest manner on quantity of land to provide for a certain quantity of
the reductions they had previously effected as giving labour ; if the owner or occupier of that land is
them a claim upon the nation, and as sufficient in willing to do so, he should be permitted to select the
itself to overrule the claims of a rival company, offer- manner of that employment himself. In such a case
ing great advantages to the inhabitants of the northern he will be certain to apply it in the most bene-
parts of Kent, and to all continental travellers; they ficial and advantageous channel. A labour
do not mention how much less was the amount per rate should be imposed on the land sufficient
mile earned during the last half-year, nor how that for the remuneration of the persons requiring employ-
was calculated. They could not possibly suppose ment, but a drawback should be allowed therefrom
that branches just opened would have earned for the actual amount paid for labour by the person
as largely per mile as the main trunk, chargeable. If one hundred acres of land should be
which had been in full operation for no less than ten chargeable with the maintenance of ten labourers, the
years, and which enjoyed peculiar advantages as owner should fairly be discharged :from any pay-
being (for the present) the route by which a great ment, if he can clearly and satisfactorily prove that
majority of travellers to the continent must travel. he has kept ten men in constant occupation. He
We call upon the directors, if they wish to be sup- should be only bound to pay the balance not so ex-
posed to have acted in a fair and bond fide manner, to pended ; the means of acting on this system might be
publish a comparison of the rates per mile earned difficult but not impracticable. A register should be
over the same ground on the fares in operation during kept in every district of the persons for whom em-
-1845 and during the corresponding period of the ployment should be provided, and an apportionment
present year, at the reduced rate ; without pretending of the quantity of labour, so as to ascertain the quan-
to the power of divination, we will venture to pre- tity fairly chargeable against each acre in proportion
diet that it will be found to have been more remune- to its value. A local board should be constituted
rative at the cheaper rate. If this be the case, what whose duty it would be to investigate that
can be said of the conduct of those who put forward, any credit claimed by the person chargeable
as an argument to justify the increase of fart s, was a fair and bond fide one, and let them sanction
certain circumstances, when, if the facts con- the drawbacks claimed. By such means, where
netted therewith were fully and truly set forth, it every member of the board would be interested in
would appear to be strongly in favour of the preventing any evasion of fair responsibility, a strict
other course. Let the directors, then, if they wish superintendence might be kept over the entire dis-
to be acquitted in the eyes of the public, state what trict, and the burden fairly and equitably distributed.
the earning has been during the corresponding por- It is only by some such means that the emergency
tion of the years 1845 and 1846, or the portion that can be met. It may press heavily on some who are
was, during both periods, opened to the public—say already embarrassed and encumbered, but, as we
from London to Dover, exclusive of the branches. have already said, such persons must withdraw from
Lord TORRINGTON, in seconding the adoption of the positions the duties incidental to which they are un-
report, ventured to attack the public press of the able to discharge, and leave an opening for others
country for the animadversions which they, in who have the ability. Whether the improvidence
the honest and fearless discharge of their which has reduced them to such a state be their own,
duty, thought it necessary to pronounce on or that of the persons from whom they have derived
the conduct of the directors in raising the the properties, it is not reasonable that the nation
fares of the line He expressed his regret " that should be the sufferer.
the writers, without looking into the facts, and with-
out making inquiries into the circumstances, should
make such statements, that they should have opened such
attacks without strong and serious grounds on which
to base their assertions." Now, with all respect for his
Lordship, we conceive that there were ample grounds
for the observations offered. Those contained in
The Sun were based on the simple fact of the in-
crease of rates, which has been found to be opposed
to the experience of the past, which has clearly estab-
lished that in every instance in which reductions of
fares have taken place there has been a more than
proportionate increase of traffic, and that there has
been a mutual benefit to the public and the com-
panies therefrom. We also thought that this pro-
ceeding was peculiarly objectionable on the part of
the South-Eastern Company, being in violation of
an implied contract with the public. Their advo-
cates had made the committee-rooms resound with
praises of their disinterested conduct in the reduction
of their fares, an argument of which they re-
ceived the full benefit. We pointed out
how unjust it was that persons who, on
the faith of the existing fares, had taken country
residences along the line should now be subjected to
a greatly increased expenditure; that it was very
unfair, not only to compel persons to travel an addi-
tional distance by a circuitous route, but also to
charge them for the extra space. These were the
arguments used in The Sun, and we defy the Noble
Lord to show how they are in any manner shaken
by the very lame explanation offered, and to which
his Lordship referred with so much complacency. He
took peculiar credit to the company for charging only
one penny per mile for third-class passengers. We
believe that the Legislature are fairly entitled to that
praise, and not the company. Mr. SALOMONS made
an appeal to the proprietors highly creditable to
himself to induce them to retrace their steps; but,
with some few honourable exceptions, the assemblage
were blinded by mistaken views of fancied pro-
fits, and disregarded the prudent and sensible ad-
vice offered. We again emphatically warn the com-
pany to pause. Should they persist, a heavy retribu-
tion must await them; the public will not suffer
themselves to be treated in such a manner with im-
punity. They may now domineer in fancied security,
but they will awake to the disagreeable consequences
at a very early period of the next session of Par-
liament.