The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-04 00:00:00

LONDON, THIIRSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1856.

The value of " the introduction of the sharp
end of the wedge" has long been fully recognised
at St. Petersburg. It is a portion of the tradi-
tional policy inaugurated by PETER, and steadily
kept in view by his succassors. Any aggression,
however trifling, furnished a precedent for others
of greater importance. It was, in fact, sowing
the seed from whence a goodly crop of intrigue
and disturbance might eventually be gathered.
We have already seen the results obtained from
the quarantine establishments of Russia at the
mouths of the Danube, and how the pretended
anxiety of Russia for the health of the inhabitants
of the Principalities was made the plausible pre-
text for transferring their trade to Olessa. Any
claim or usurpation must therefore be carefully
and vigilantly investigated and strenuously re-
sisted. A single act of omission may lead to con-
sequences of a very serious character.
We cannot then feel surprised at the alarm
excited in the Turkish capital by the seizure of
the Serpents' Island. A barren rock may be of
little practical value, and the desire to maintain a
proper system of lights so as to afford greater
security to vessels trading to the Danube afforded
a specious excuse for the interference. But the
Ottoman Government has had painful experience
of Muscovite duplicity, and must be well aware
that there is no real intention to improve the
navigation of the river, at the bar of which, in
violation of every promise, the Russians permitted
so large an accumulation of sand and other ob-
structions. There was but too much reason to
doubt even the fairest professions ; and the con-
tinued occupation of Kars, the wanton destruction
of Ismail and Reni, and the forcible occupation of
the island commanding the debouchure of the
river, more than justified the suspicion of some
secret projects in the Russian mind by no means
favourable to Turkish interests. The far-fetched
and pettifogging reasoning—the absurd character
of the pretexts—added to the doubts that must
have been entertained respecting so early a viola-
tion of the terms of the Treaty, in every particular
so peculiarly advantageous to Ruisia. The prompt
and decided conduct of the English Admiral sum-
marily disposed of the point. But it would have
been far better had the Russians abstained from
the abortive attempt, or had our French Allies
exhibited similar resolution to enforce the condi-
tions of the contract entered into under their own
auspices. They have not done so, however, and
there is but too much reason to fear that the spirit
of Imperialism is in the ascendant, and that, ac
cording to the time-honoured Scotch proverb,
"Hawks won't pick out hawk's e'en."

It is deeply to be regretted that Great Britain
is not better represented at Constantinople at the
present time. Lord STRATFORD, it is said, is in-
dulginiin a fit of the sulks similar to that which
occasioned the fall of Kars. His pride and ar-
rogance appear to have been again routed ; and
for the gratification of personal pique, ho is in-
.cting deep, and possibly permanent injury, on the
national interests. He seems to exhibit a haughty
indifference to the progress of events, and main-
tains a completely isolated position from those
with whom it is his duty to keep up a frank and
cordial intercourse. Because he is not the abso-
lute dictator of Turkish politics—cannot place or
displace the ministry at his mere will, he eaoews
to hold aloof, and to disregard every point Which
he was Most closely bound to regard, in the in-
dulgence of his ill-temper.
How long will Lord PALMEItSTON 8117,111 it to

this untoward state of Aid& He is well aware
of the combination of circumstances that prevented
an impeachment of this faineant Ambassador when
Mr. WHITESIDF:S motion. was decided. Should
further grounds of complaint be aflo dod a
similar escape may not be so easil,- accom-
plished. English influence, that ought to
be predominant at Constantinople, has fallen
to zero. The conduct of Lord- STRATFORD
is quite sufficient to account for the unto-
ward event ; and surely it is incumbent on the
British Government to adopt steady and decisive
measures to arrest the evil, and to restore that
which is of such importance to the welfare and
prosperity of Great Britain, and the permanent
peace and tranquillity of Europe.

Any remonstrances on the gross favouritism
displayed towards the Germa❑ Legion may now
be too late to avert the evil so loudly and so ge-
nerally complained of. It is, however, right to
exhibit the transaction in a right point of view,
tnd to let the nation thoroughly understand the
nature of the secret and unconstitutional influence
which produces such untoward results.
We have already explained how the bounty on
enlistment was quadrupled to the Germans,
that it was not only paid in full, but
that those who desired their discharge
were not sent forth naked and penniless
on the world, like the Tipperary boys, but
with a full year's pay in their pockets. None,
however, were sent away except at their own re-
quest. Some had favourable, although not very
legitimate, speculations in view, as the records of
our criminal courts sufficiently testify. Even the
promise of a comfortable farm at, the Cape, with
t commanding German influence in the new mili-
tary colony, could not keep them. But the ma-
jority were but too happy to close with offers
that would willingly have been accepted by our
own hied and veteran soldiers. They know that
they can turn the scale against English colonists
by arraying themselves under the banners of
the discontented Boers, with whom they will be
more inclined to fraternise than with the mere
English.

At the very time that this gross and un-English
job is about to be perpetrated, we have not only
the men who must be discharged when the limited
terms for which they were enlisted will expire, as
will shortly be the case, but there are great re-
(-Notions in contemplation, if not actually deter-
mined on, amongst the regiments that have ren-
dered the most efficient services during the late
war, and also in the Anglo-Indian Empire.
How great a boon would an offer like that
made to the Germans be considered by these
hardy veterans. To receive a snug grant
of land, in a healthy climate —to be
conveyed there with their wives and families free
of expense—those who are still bachelors being
invited to change their condition before their de-
parture—to be allowed to carry with them their
weapons of warfare—Enfield rifles, ke., to have
the means of stocking these farms ; and being
assured of the companionship of their old associ-
ates, would indeed lie no ordinary induce-
ments. What persuasive arguments would
they supply to the Serjeant KITES of the
recruiting department if they could hold
out such prospects to the youthful aspirants
for military fame. If they could truly state that,
at the end of some ten, fifteen, or even twenty
years, the meritorious soldiers who had received
stripes on their arms, not on their backs, m ight
look forward to the otium can dignitato of becom-
ing lords of the soil, landowners, having to pay
neither rent nor taxes, and only owing allegiance
to their beloved Sovereign, the bait would be irre-
sistible, and there would be no reason to complain
of the difficulty of obtaining eligible young men
ready and willing to take the QUEEN'S shilling
when tendered. Indeed we do not know that it
might not, like the Civil Service, be ere long ren-
dered the subject of competitive examination, at
which the junior branches of respectable fami-
lees might eagerly offer themselves. All
these things, however, are freely granted
to the mercenaries who never heard a
shot fired in anger, and who only drew the blood
of English soldiers at Aldershot. Well may
Englishmen complain ; and they will scarcely be
soothed by hearing, on the authority of a I'lllB-
- correspondent of the Brussels Presse, that the
parties are indebted for this extraordinary
favour "to the influence of the reigning
Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, who strongly
recommended to Prince ALBERT his former
comrades in the Schleswig-Holstein cam-
paign, of whom the Legion is principally com-
posed. There is a verisimilitude about the tale
that induces us to lend an easy credence thereto.
It is certain that the conception would not arise
in any English mind, and would scarcely be
acceptable to any English heart not com-
pletely touched by the jargon of the day—
or inclined to regard the Germans, and especially
the Coburgians, as a superior race, from whom
the governing caste can alone be obtained. What
are the Braheiinical privileges, to those of the
inure fortunate natives of a petty Duchy which,
Sven at the beginning of the present century, was
comparatively unknown, and the representative
whereof had not the income of a respectable
squire in an English county wherewith to main-
tain his ducal dignity 7

What is to become of Italy Y has become. the I
great question of the day ; and, what is still
more, it is evidently hastening to a solution.
However anxious the effete statesmanship of
Europe may be to avert the long-contemplated
crisis, events aro becoming too many for them,
and the hour of peril for despots and of trial for
freemen .rapidly approaches.
If we turn to Naples there is to be witnessed
a spectacle of great significance. Backed by a
large standing army and his fortresses guarded by
ten thousand Swiss, perhaps the most faithful of
all mercenaries, the position of FERDINAND was
sufficiently formidable to give insurrection pause.
Now division has entered the ranks of the tyrant
king, and blows succeed to murmurs on the part
of the Neapolitan soldiery against the favoured
Swiss. Even the grenadier regiments are said
to have given token of insubordination, and, as
a matter of course, the oppressed population
eagerly proffer the disaffected troops their sincere
sympathy. In such a state of things there is
little to be dreaded from the Swiss—for faithful,
or unfaithful, they must speedily succumb before
a general rising of the people. Thus it will be seen
the most formidable obstacle to a revolution is
removed, and /Irene Mene Tekel Upharsin, is as
good as written on the walls of the royal palace.
In the Papal States and in Lombardy we meet
with s 3 mptorns hardly less significant. The
peasantry in the Romagna, armed with that dread
power which breaks through stone walls, hat e
been seen in open insurrection. Iu Civita Vecchia.
the Roman and the French troops entertain ti e
most hostile sentiments, and have almost come
into collision. In the Legations the Municipali'y
loudly and boldly protest against any further
Austrian occupation, and the doorposts of Lom-
bardy, covered with revolutionary maniftntoes,
testify to a like revolt against foreign and oppreli.

sive domination. Italy is waking out of her
troubled sleep. Will it be a transient meteor or
the sun of Liberty that illuminates her uprising ?
One thing may be fairly afficua-d of all revo-
lutiontry movements—they should not be under-
taken rashly. Much must always be taken for
granted—and we trust the popular leaders by this
time are aware to what extent credit may safely
be given. Nothing, certainly, should be taken
for granted that can be insured by foresight and
activity. A baffled rising is a stab to the cause
of Liberty, and those win would rashly precipitate
the coming crisis are Liberty's worst enemies.
Now is the time to make assura,naa doubly sure ;
and that man is the best patriot who calmly con-
templates all contingencies, and does his best and
speediest to guard agtiust them. The Roman
valour is too enthusi tstie to be misdirected or
wasted without heavy blame.
One question is on every lip—What part is
Sardinia to play in the coming struggle ? This
is a question which the Italian people should best
be able to answer. To us Sardinia seems to offer
a nucleus round which it would be wisdom for

the revolution to gather. That kingdom offers
at once a safeguard and au example of what well-
ordered liberty the Italian mind is capable, and
with Sardinia in the fore-front of battle the cause
of Italian independence would acquire a dignity
and a weight in E iropean opinion it is not likely
otherwise to c3mrnand. The independence of
Italy and the freedom of Italians is not, on the
other hand, likely to be insured unless the revo-

lution be couduc:ed as a vindication of national
and popular right, and not as a matter of dynasty.
VICTOR EMMANUEL, as the constitutional ruler of
Italy, with the consent and for the benefit of
Italy, is a spectacle we should contemplate with
satisfaction—but VICTOR EMMANUEL as the ag-
grandiser of the House of SAVOY and the tool
of a NAPOLEON, is what we sincerely trust
Italy will not consent to. Now is the time
for VICTOR EMMANUEL to show what is in him.
A. great future is before him. Is he equal to
the opportunity ? Has he strength to be relied
on—honesty on which Italy may depend—
wisdom, of which there is so much need ? We
cannot answer these questions. We don't know.
We only hope and trust he has. Whether or
not, Italy must, if possible, be independent and
free, as once, independent, she must be respected.
HEAVEN help her in the future as she helps her •
self, and as her long and grievous suffering leads
the friends of liberty to desire. This brings us
to our diplomacy. At Naples we have no Am-
bassador, and e!sewhere what have we ? A few
honest, libl.al-minded English diplomatists, more

attached to constitutional liberty than the for-
tunes of a clique, might do good service to the

cause of liberty just now in Italy ; but unless
they be better than the general run Italy will be
better without our Ambassadors. Has Lord
PALMERSTON an Italian policy.

BARVESTING CORN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlB,—The Suit of yesterday contains two artic:es from
correspondents, as well as a leader, on the desirability
of adopting more effectual means of harvesting corn, and
they reminded me of a plan generally adopted in the
Tyrol, wet known to the majority of observant tourists,
but probably to a very small number of English farmers,
which is perhaps worthy of imitation, particularly in the
hilly and more rainy districts of Wales and Scotland.
Fir poles from 9 to 12 feet high, with their short
branches standing out (very much like a bat stand), are
pitched at proper intervals, and the sheaves four iu a
tile, with the ears' turned to the' centre, are hung upon
these branches or arms, each pole providing shelter for
about 45 sheaves.

On the mountain sides, in the neighbourhood of Inn-
sp.ruck, I have seen Ns heat harvested in, this manner,
which had suffered very little from a heavy fall of snow
which had occurred ten days before, and much of which
still remained unmelted on the ground.
ED. JAS. MAUDE.
Sept. 3, 1856.

SIR CHARLES NAPIER'S RUSSIAN VIRWS.—In the
press, and dedicated to his Imperial Majesty, Alexander
of all the Russias, a full and faithful account of Sir
Charles Napier's late visit to Russia, showing how Sir
Charles went up the Nava, and how he didn't land ; bow
he sent up his card to the Russian officer, and how he
was permitted, with his aarpet-bag, to board the Rus-
sian three decker ; how he was treated, toasted, and
roasted ; how he took St. Petersburg by surprise, and
how he captivated Cronstadt. The work is accompanied
with drawings by the gallant Admiral, showing the
alarming strength of that magnificent citadel, against
which it is demonstrated Britons always must be
slaves, it being no use whatever to try correct firing by
sharpening their cutlasses. To be bad of the author,
Sir Charles Napier, Knight of the Russian Order of St.
George. N.B.—A cheap edition for the Electors of
South wark.—Punch,.

CATENNE.—M. Louis Blanc entreats the Times (and
the Times, to the confusion of all evil deers, assents to the
entreaty) to print a circumstantial account of the suffer-
ings of the French political prisoners at Cayenne. Their
miseries are mad 'as palpable as the bars of Austrian
dungeons—as undeniable as the bastinadoes of Neapoli-
tan gaolers. The bullets sent to the hearts of Brunetti
and his two sons (the youngest martyr aged 13), and all
murdered by Austriaeo oblige his Holiness, were not
' more fatal than are the words, words of anguish scream.
ing from the Island of Despair against the belief of the
ever-lying Moniteur. How can Louis Napoleon preach
clemency, moderation to Francis and Ferdinand ? How
can he keep his imperial face, and talk of mercy, jas-
tice ? How can the schoolmaster point to a text of
mercy his own fingers incarnate with the blood of vic-
tims ! And yet we hear of such merciful doings, done
in thankfulness for the Is-rth of the imperial child I Done,
too, in the name of that blessed baby 1 On their late way
to Biarritz the Emperor and Empress, with the child,
made a halt. One iif the people asked to see the puppet.
"My friend," said the Empress, "I should be happy to
show him to you, but he is asleep." With all the
Moniteur talk of clemency, we fear it has been the same
with Mercy. "My friends in Cayenne, I should be
happy to show her to you, but she is asleep," When,
we ask, may she be expected to fairly wake up 1—
THE PROJECTED BUILDINGS 71T GOVERNISENT.—At
this moment when the public attention is so generally
drawn to the improvements projected by the Gwern
went in the buildings which are abeut to be erected, it
becomes a matter of the greatest importance not only
to know what architects and builders are to be employed
and what plans are proposed, but that equal attention
should be given to the'materials with which those plans
aro to be carried into execution. It is notorious that
some of the best sp citnens of public buildings in this
great city have been constructed of such perishable
materials, that not only has a constant expense been
incurred in repairir g them, but in some instances
so rapid has been the decay that it has been found
less expensive to pull them down altogether and
eupply their place by csmpletely new erections than
to repair them. It is, therefore, most important
that in the selection of a stone which is to be em-
ployed in their pr. jected buildings, the greatest care
and attention should be used, and this will appear the
more imperative when it is a fact known to builders
that the raw material itself of which a building is com-
posed costs nearly a third ef the whole charge incurred.
Sir Charles Be►ry has very judiciously continued to use
for the new Houses of Parliament stone selected by the
Royal Commission a Geologists, appointed for that pur-
pose, which is better calculated to resist decay, and at
the same time to affor I those employed in the carving
of it opportunities of exhibiting their skill, from the
hardness and eloeenees of its texture. It is true that
some portions of the stone used in the new Houses of
Parliament have exhibited symptoms of decay, but it
seems fron► Sir B. Hall's answer to a question in the
House of C enmens, put in the past session, that this is
not the case with that which has been used during the
last three or four years. This stone is a magnesian
limestone, and known by the name of the Anston stone.
Sir F. Murchison, -Mr. Smith, the late Dr. Buckiand,
and others, whose avocations led them more particularly
to a discussion on this point, and one of whom, in a lec-
ture delivered before the R )yal Society of Architects,
and who visited the Anston quarrieefor the express pur-
pose of testing the quality of the stone, alter speaking in
high terms of its fiielese, and noticing the objections that
at one time were made to its use, says, "for want of
proper selection a small quantity of this stone (which
quantity it is admitted was liable to objection) had been
used at Westminster, but the proportional quantity is
not more than might have been expected bad any other
been used." Great praise is due to Sir C. Barry's jedg-
merit for still using the stone with which be commenced,
and any person who will take the trouble to examine the
new Himece of Parliament even in a casual mariner will
see its great applicaliiity to public buildings. From a
misapprehension of the term cheapness in the carving
and cutting of stone, with respect to its hardness, it is
scarcely necessary to eny that where durability and good
workmanship are r noised, the mere saving in the wsges
of the workmen, which is after all comparatively trifling,
is not an object in works undertaken by the Govern-
ment and paid for out of the public purse. We hope
that the selecti.in made by the architect at Westminster
will be followed by other architects employed in the
projected public buildings.