The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-21 00:00:00

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to whom these very sight-seers themse : ~4: - , ,-",k41,44
the Queen, the Court, and the notables ,I', a<14.,,,4. irk
tracti,n enough, without the accessory of t iiii'lr.r,' ' -,l;^ Fit
view ? It befitted the glory of Solomon- • • • , . I,t . . PZ,;.2-4 ,- . ' .-;1 .t 4,
against vanity ; but it would require many •.= ' -44 ' ''' ~/
li f*, - `,or a S

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m Jns to preach down this. Henceforth, therefo.
we shall expect to hear less clever and, sharp witti-
cisms against those sights and those sight-seers
whose Supporters are numbered among,the less in-
tellectual and the less dignified ranks of our coun-
trymen. The common-place amusements of the
town may now challenge more indulgence, when.
Lords and Commons ask for a holiday to go out to
gaze neon a pageantry with all the eagerness o
ehoolboya
We do not condemn them ; far from it—the oc-
casion is worthy much curiosity ; and we would be
well content if a far greater number of our country-
men, or indeed half the world, could takes holiday
for such an occasion, and be present at the spectacle.
A well-appointed army is no wean indication of the
civilisation, the resources, the power of a nation.
But a navy is more ;—for, as the mastery of the sea
is longer in acquiring, and is anepitome of empire
when acquired, so a great and compact navy actually
afloat is the long result of indomitable perseverance,
prudence, and energy, and is an epitome of all the
mechanical skill, the science, the artificial and na-
tural wealth of a people. It is that which gold
cannot buy • it cannot be created at the nod of the
mosfpowerful despot, it is not a matter of three,
six, or nine months' training; it cannot be levied by
conscription • it cannot start into being at the
bidding of the most consummate genius, or under
the immediate agency of the most unlimited means.
Such a fleet as will be gathered together at Spit-
head on Wednesday next. so built, so appointed,
and so manned, would require more than a gene-
ration to replace, if it were sunk beneath the sea,
awl more than many generations in any other
quarter of the world.
Many will treat this assertion as an exaggera-
tion, we doubt not ; many who have been accus-
tomed to witness the extraordinary mechanical
contrivances of the present day, and to believe that
everything is possible to human-industry, will re-
gard this remark with a smile of incredulity. They
will appeal to our dockyards and our railways, and
to those immense material results of human skill
and invention which rise up with such extraordi-
nary rapidity around us. But between the screws.
timber, and cordage which go to the formation of
a navy, between the mere ships and all that is re•
quired to the due and perfect control, use, aid
manning of them—and not less the very spirit that
seems to stir and breathe in them—vast is the dif-
ference. The very traditions of a navy, the scope
and elbow room which it has enjoyed for years—the
defiant air with which it has trod the deep—never
veiling its flag to any one ;—all these are essential
to its perfect formation and character as they are
invaluable—as they are 119 transferable. As well
might Messrs. Grssell and Peto, backed by a
hundred banking houses, build up Oxford or Cam-
bridg • in Gower-street or Homertun, and fancy the
copies were like the originals, or his Holiness the
Pope set up the old consular dignity at Rome, and
delude himselt into a belief in his experiment, as
any nation, any potentate, suppose that he could
create a navy at his own bidding ; build the ships
ho may, catch the crews, apply all the help of
modem skill and practice ; but to possess such a
navy as England now possesses, much more than
all this is required.
That thing is not to be done—at least in a
summer's day. No ; not by the stoutest or the
strongest, the most audacious or the most ambi-
tious. The world has seen the greatest plans for
territorial empire successfully laid by the shrewdest
genius of the 17th century ; it has seen the most
mighty and disciplined armies, headed by generals
of the most consummate skill, set on foot by
Louis XIV. ; it has seen a later attempt, when
Napoleon 1., out of the Sans-culottism of Paris
and the provinces, raised from year to year ve-
terans—heroes—the very marrow of soldiers,
without a parallel, except in those of Hanni-
bal. But a navy raised by one man, whatever
his skill, wealth, power, or activity, it has
never seen—and it never will. Yet the trial has
been made more than once ; it was made by Riche-

[PRICE 4D. STAMPED SD•

he was educated by his father • whether we regard
the ideas of constitutional freedom he has imbibed
from the courtly entourage at Berlin ; or whether
we contemplate his intimate relations with the im-
perial family of the meek and much-abused empire
of Russia—in all and every respect this princely,
suitor must recommend himself highly to the affec-
tion and sympathies of the people of England.
Indeed, look at the honours and noble properties
he inherits. -Is he not the son of him whom the
people of Germany have designated the " Grape-
shot Prince ?" Look, again, at the principles,
moral and political, that have been instilled into
him. He has been duly tutored by a monarchic
Camarilla, which inscribes massacre, espionage,
theft of public documents, unfair duelling, and
other " noble accomplishments," in the decalogue
of her morality. Regard the constitutional school
in which he was reared. He comes from a Court
whose ruling principle has been a series of coup
d'etats. Look at the astounding popularity of the
dynasty he represents. He belongs to a royal family
whose sovereign head, as well as his own father,
have thrice, within a few years, had narrow escapes
from the retributive bullet. Look at the dynas-
tic prospecti lie offers to his bride. He is
the eventual heir to a kingdom, the population of
which can only be kept down by the bayonet, by
strangling the Press, and by the iion gripe of the
police. Look at the re3ollections of his youth. His
earliest political remembrances must furnish him
the picture of a capital in revolt, an insurgent peo-
ple besieging his Royal Uncle in his palace, and
driving out his own father into exile. LA* at the
political education given him when entering the
first stage of manhood. Scarcely had he attained
the age of eighteen when in the train of his father,
in the south-west of Germany, he hal to feed his
eyes on the spectacle of fusillades, floggings, and
imprisonments, by which the flower of German
democracy was decimated and tortured.. Lastly,
lo sk at the friendships this same young Prince cid-
iivaies-at the present moment, and to the military
rank he occupies in a country neighbouring to his
own. Wel, the i iti a.cy he most del,ght in is
that of the y sung Grand Dukes of the Muscovite
Court ; and among his military titles is that
of " Colonel of the Bth Regiment of Russian
Hussars I"

&nth are the promising circumstances connected
with the character, position, and prapects of our
expected guest. And with these unrolled before
us, can there be a doubt of the advantages that
would accrue lo this country by being united to the
n';ble house of Hohenzollern, through the ties of
matrimonial contract, and the law of inheritance !
Can there he a criestion whether Fred-rick Wil-
liam Nicholas ought, or ought not, to be received
with open arms to the hearthstone of an English
Palace ? Why, through the proj, cted alliance with
a Prince of the Court of Berlin, Great Britain
would again become re-linked to the Court of St.
Petersburg. The holy alliance of despots, momen-
tarily broken through by the late war, would thus
be re-established in a manner most firm and durable
by these marital means. Are we not, then, to
congratulate ourselves on this new guarantee for
our cherished " free institutions ?" Are we not to
rejoice that Frederick William IV., and Alex-
ander 11., assisted by Leopold of Belgium, • will
make up, henceforth, a choice of advisers and
Crown councillors for the Government of the
British Isles ?

But enough of this. Let us now address a word
in earnest to those with whom the fate of the Prin-
cess Royal will depend. The Royal child—for such
she still is, though the duties of the woman are
already to be imposed upon her—is, no doubt,
little aware what desti!.y may await her when
mounting, if she ever does, that throne of Prussia,
whose rottenness is now unseen by her infantile eyes.
The Royal Princess can scarcely be supposed to
understand what feelings animate the people who
are, even now perhaps, pointed out to her as her
future subjects. The life of the daughter of Queen
Victoria has hitherto passed along in a placid
stream of security and ease. Nothing knows she
of the Revolutionary storms that shook the Prus-
sian throne—nothing of the ghastly scenes of
March, 1848, when the King, with uncovered head,
was compelled by the people to do penance before
the corpses of his subjects that he had slaughtered,
whilst a Queen of Prussia lay swooning in terror,
only to awaken to tears and lamentations. The
Princess Royal knows nothing of the hideous -was-
sacres performed by the father of her expected
husband,—uothing of the consequent conspiracies
against the hated House of Hohenzollern,—nothing
of the Republican sentiments that have destroyed
or undermined the bigot loyalty of populations,
once the most obedient in all Germany.
Under these circumstances, we ask—ls it in con-
formity with national policy thus to embark the
daughter of Queen Victoria in the frail vessel of
the Prussian dynasty, and to trust her to a sea,
which, however apparently calm at present, may
any moment be lashed to fury I,y the storm of
popular indignation I Is it possible that., to suit
certain political schemes, the innocent and Amiable
Princes; Royal should be offered up a sacrifice to
kingly statecraft, I
We fear greatly it will be so ; for, all the minutite
of the marri,ge appear already arranged and pre-
concerted. At Berlin, at least, we are told, the
young Prince has asked permission from his Royal
uncle to proceed on his wooing errand to the Eng-
lish shores ; and Frederick William IV., it is re-
ported, has granted his consent in a solemn cere-
tnonial, being surrounded by his whole Court assem-
bled for the purpose in the Palace. Thus, it seems,
this matrimonial union may be almost considered
as an accomplished fact. In the meanwhile, an
invisible hand is writing on the Palace-walls of
Berlin the doom of the house of Hohenzollern ;
and perhaps but few years may pass over before
the Mote Tekel will receive its terrible fulfilment.

lien; it was tried by Louis'XlV.; Napoleon, more
sagacious than either, gave up the attempt, for he
knew well that the excellence and strength of a
navy did not depend only on the outward material
of which it is composed. He knew that even by
land money is not the sinews of war, as is trivially
said, when the sinews of men's hearts and arms
are wanting ; still more by sea, where the mere per-
sonal bravery of man against man, though indis-
pensable to victory, is, perhaps, one of the smallest.
'of the items in the sum total ("it.

Snell a review, then, as this at Spithead is some-
thing more than a pageant ; it is an epitome of our
history, of our power, our wealth, and our indus-
try as a nation. So will it be regarded, if not by
Englishmen, by many a foreigner who will be pre-,
sent. They may, and they will, speculate on the
means and causes which brought into existence so
great and so unmatchable an instrument for de-
struction. They may also—we hope they will—
reflect that, whilst thus having a giant's strength,
we have neither the intention nor the will " to
use it as a giant" unless compelled to it.

NO MORE CI)MIIISSIOAS IN THE ARMY
WITHOUT PURCHASE.

The following is the letter which is now addressed
to candidates for commit,sions. It renders the pros-
pect of those who expect to go in without purchase
quite hopeless :

"Horse Guards, April 16.

am directed by the General Cotnmandieeg•in-
Chief to desire that you report yourself at the utlice of
the G ivernor of the Royal Midiary College at Sandhurst
at 10 o'clock on the niornirg of the 221 inst., for the
purpose of undergoing a further examination in Latin or
French and algebra. You are, however, distinctly to
understand that, in the event of your passing satisfac-
torily, that circumstance will give you no claim to be
appointed to a commission before it may come to your
turn in reference to your standing with other candi-
dates on the list ; but the General Commanding•in Chief
will be happy to bring you forward if you can pur-
chase, when he can do so consistently with his other en-
gagements.
"You are required to produce to the College autho
rities a certificate of confirmation, and his lordship
deems it highly expedient that you should also take
with you the memorandum' or paper of instruction
which was issued to guide you in your studies, in order
that if any question should arise as to the course in
which you are to be examined, the professors may, upon
reference to the paper, be able at once to decide the
point.
" I have to request that you gill acknowledge the re-
ceipt of this letter with as little delay as possible. ,
"I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient humble servant,
"C. YORKE.

" P.S.—I beg to observe that in the event of your
passing the examination at Sandhurst no hope can be
given you of an appointment to a commission unless you
are prepared to purchase, upwards of 250 gentlemen,
who have passed, still remaining unprovided for. Corn-
missioris without purchase do not suffice to provide for
officers of Militia who britig men for the Line, and must
first be provided for, and considerable reductions of
officers in a great number of regiments may be expected.
" C. Y."

ITALIAN OPERA AT THE SURREY THEATRE—We have
heard that a company is about to be formed for the pro-
duction of Italian operas at the Surrey Tneatre, the pre-
Beet managers, Mes-rs. Shepherd and Cresaick, having,
it is said, entered into arrangements which will offer a
formidable rivalry to the entertainments at the Lye:'um
al d at her Majesty's Theatre. Madame Ga-sier. Madame
Caradori, Madame Roder,dorff, Madame Ie rini. Ma
dame Sedlatzek, M. Gessier, Herr Reichart, Signer
Lorini, Signor Bartell, Mr. Swift, and other artistes are
likely to appear there. Mr. Sims Reeves will also form
a member of the company. The orchestra will consist
„f 9, illtheioll3 selection of performers, and it appears from
the preparations that are being made that the result will
prowl a new era in the history of our Italian opera.
BUTTER ADULTERATED WITH FLINT STONE—Astound
ing as the announcement at the heading of this paragraph
is, it is nevertheless rue. Butter is adulterated with flu• t
stones. This heartless and wicked fraud is especially prao
tired in the low kinds of butter usually sold in large maim
fa.ctering towns to the poorer and industrious population
The flint stones are ground and thee chernienly manipu-
lated, until they are reduced int-+ a soluble substance, which
is known by the denomination of "soluble silica.'l
Whsn this litter prerarati.on is dissolved in water it be
comes a stiff platineus body. somewhat resembling etron
jelly. This jelly is mixed to a considerable extent with
butter of low quality, to which fresh salt and colouring
matter are added. The product of. this villanoue adulte
ration is a compound which resembles a very good-
looking dairy-made butter. But it has not the firmness
or bright appearance of genuine butter, and is devoid of
the richness and wholesome qualities of the latter. We
have seen this gross adulteration at the laboratories of
the Northern Analytical College, Sheffield, and we are
credibly informed that Professor Calvert, of Manches-
ter, has detected this fraud recently and frequently.
Such is one phase of the adulterating system. It is a
near approach to, if not a verification of the poor man
"asking for bread, and having a atone given to him."
If such unprincipled sopbistications are not soon done
away with by stringent laws and public condemnation,
it will end in our better halves treating ourselves and
friends with luxurious gastronomic entertainments, in
which fliut stones, lime, sloe leaves,and sand will form
the chief ingredients of the family spread ; and we shall
be enabled to ask our particular friends to come and
take a cup of sloe tea, with a little " toast and flint,"
gravel, constipation, and diarrhcea included. Surely
some legislative interference might be brought to bear
on the subject, if.it were only to compel tile venelora to"
placard on their goods the real quality. We should then
edified by show cards announcing the tempting
ereftie, as Butter,"
"Flint_
"Turmeric Mnritard,"
" Vitriol Vinegar," "Carrot Coffee," arid "Chalk Sum
plums. Doncaster Gazette