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

this untoward state of affairs ? He is well aware '
of the combination of circumstances that prevented
an impeachment of this faineant Ambassador when
Mr. WHITESIDE'S motion was decided. Should
further grounds of complaint be afforded a
similar escape may not be so ea-ily accom-
plished. English influence, that ought 3.0
be predominant at Constantinople, has fa:den
to zero. The conduct of Lord STRA".CFORD
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, aud 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 German 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,
Ind 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
a 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 tried and veteran soldiers. They kaow 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.

It the very time that this gross and nu-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 ease, but there are great re-
ductions 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 laud, 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, &C., to have
the means of stocking these farms ; and being
assured of the companionship of their old associ-
ates, would indeed be 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, in ight
look forward to the otiana cum dignitate of becotn-

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 faith-
lees might eagerly offer themselves. All
these things, however, are freely grauted
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 PrU3-
sian 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 if.zion is principally com•
posed. There is a verisimilitude about the tale
,hat 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 cast?, can alone be obtained. What
are the Bralbniuical privileges, to those of the
more fortunate natives of a petty Duchy which,
even 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 ?

What is to become of Italy ? has become the
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 are 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 rinks 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 Mene 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) mptoms hardly less significant. The
peasantry in the Romagna, armed with that dread
power which breaks through stone walls, has*
been seen in open insurrection. Iu Civita Vecchia
the Roman and the French troops entertain the
most hostile sentiments, and hare almost come
into collision. In the Legations the Municipality
loudly and boldly protest against any furth€r
Austrian occupation, and the doorposts of Lom-
bardy, covered with revolutionary manifestoes,
testify to a like revolt against foreign and oppre&-

sive domination. Italy is waking out of her
troubled slr43p. Will it be a transient meteor or
the sun (Jf Liberty that illuminates ber uprising ?

One, thing may be fairly affirmed of all revo-
lr.iionary 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 ca use
of Liberty, and those who would rashly precipitate
the coming crisis are Liberty's worst enemies.
Now is the time to make assurance doubly sure ;
and that man is the best patriot who calmly con-
templates all contingencies, and does his best and
speediest to guard against them. The Roman
valour is too enthusiastic to be misdirected or
wasted without heavy blame.

One question is on every lip—What part is
Sardinia to play in the coming struggle I 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 an 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 European opinion it is not likely
otherwise to command. The independence of
Italy and the freedom of Italians is not, on the
other hand, likely to be insured unless the revo-
lution be conducted as a vindication of national
and popular right, and not as a matter of dynasty.
VICTOR EMMA.NUEL, 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 SAYOY 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 7 Has he strength to be relied
on—honesty on which Italy may depend--

wisdom, of which there is so much need t We

cannot answer these questions. We don't know.
We only hope and trust he has. Whether or
not, Italy must, i possible, be independent and
free, as once, independent, she must be respected.
HEAVEN help her in the futuxe 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-
btssador, and elsewhere what have we A few
honest, liberal-minded English diplomatists, ntore
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.

HARVESTING CORN.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Six,—The Sun of yesterday contains two articles 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, well 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 hat stand), are
pitched at proper intervals, and the sheaves four in 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-
spruck, I have seen wheat liarvested 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 VIEWS.—In the
press, and dedicated to his Imperial Majesty, Alexander
11., 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 Neva, and how he didn't land ; how
he sent up his card to the Russian •fficer, and how he
was permitted, with his carpet-bag, to board the Rus-
sian three decker ; how be 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 had of the author,
Sir Charles Napier, Knight of the Russian Order of St.
George. N.B.—A cheap edition for the Electors of
Southwark.—Punch,.

CAYENNE.—M. Louis Blanc entreats the Times (and
the Times, to the confusion of all evil doers, assents to the
entreaty) to print a circumstantial account of the suffer-
ings of the French political prisoners at Cayenne. Their
miseries are made 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 Austria to 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 ? H.,w
can he keep his imperial face, and talk of mercy, jus-
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 b rth of the imperial child ! Done,
too, in the name of that blessed baby On their late way
to Biarritz the Emperor and Empress, with the child,
made a halt. One of the people asked to see the puppet.
" Nly friend," said the Empress, "I should he 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 7
Punck.

THE PROJECTED BUILDINGS BY GOVERNMENT.—At
this moment when the public attention is so generally
drawn to the improvements projected by the Govern.
ment in the buildings which are about to be erected, it
becomes a mattes. 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
are to be carried into execution. It is notorious that
some of the best specimens of public buildings in this
great city have been- constructed of such perishable
materials, that not only has a constant expense been
incurred in repairing them, but in some instances
so rapid has been the decay that it has been found
less expensive to pull them down altogether and
supply their place by completely 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 projected 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 of the whole charge incurred.
Sir Charles Bat ry has very judiciously continued to use
for the new Houses of Parliament stone selected by the
Royal Commission of Geologists, appointed for that pur-
pose, which is better calculated to resist decay, and at
the same time to afford those employed in the carving
of it opportunities of exhibiting their skill, from the
hardness and closeness of its texture. It is true that
some prtions of the stone used in the new Houses of
Parliament have exhibited symptoms of decay, but it
seems from Sir B. Hall's answer to a question in the
House of Commons, 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. Buckland,
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 Royal Society of Architects,
and who visited the Anston quarries for the express pur-
pose of testing the quality of the stone, after speaking in
high terms of its fitness, 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 had any other
been used." Croat praise is due to Sir C. Barry's judg-
ment for still using the stone with which he commenced,
and any person who will take the trouble to examine the
new Houses of Parliament even in a casual manner will
see its great applicability 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 say that where durability and good
workmanship are required, the mere saving in the wages
of the workmen, which is after all comparatively trifiin
projected is not an object in works undertaken by the Govern-
ment and paid for out of the public purse. We hope
that the selection made by the architect at Westminster
pulgio buildings,
will be followed by other architects employed in the