The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-25 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1856.

Her MAJESTY'S Oppositioc, by a curious cJinci-
dence, after having long numbered among its con-
spicuous chiefs two of the most eminent of our
living novelists, has now, it appears, the prospect.
of being almost immediately recruited, by the ad-
mission into its ranks of a third, in the person of
the celebrated author of Ten Thousand a Year.
To the names of DISRAELI and BurAvEa may shortly
be added that of SAMUEL WARREN, iu his charac-
ter as one who, prior to his entrance into the
House of Commons, had already acquired distinc-
tion for himself by remarkable successes won in
the arena of letters as a writer of imagination.
The mere concidence, we conceive, is in itself
something really noteworthy, that before the ap-
proaching session be many days old, there may in
all likelihood be ranged in the same political
category three of the most original fictionists of
our generation—the author of the brilliant and
sarcastic " Coningsby," the author of the witty
and sparkling " Pelham," and the author of the
exquisitely imaginative and pathetic " Diary of a
late Physician.' Already, as all the world knows,
the two former are there, pretty firmly established,
too, upon the front bench on the left-hand side
of the Speaker, immediately opposite those dear,
delightful, coveted green boxes of office—the one
As the recognised and authoritative leader, the
other as the most distinguished ornament of the
compact phalanx of legislators, courteously, but
strangely known in political circles as her Ma-
.rxs-ry's Opposion. Recently, as all the world

does not know—the fact having only as yet been

intimated through a sort of semi-official para-
,graph, now going the rounds of the newspapers—
there has glimmered up the probability, as it

appears, in truth, the exceeding probability that
there will very speedily be an accession to the
numbers ranked under the Parliamentary banners
of Mr. DISRAELI and Sir 13IILWER LYTTON, of a
member of the world of letters and of the world
of politics, as congenial in spirit and in princi-
ples as the learned Recorder of Hull. What can
hardly fail to enhance very considerably the pecu-
liar interest felt in this announcement by the
readers
of MIGA, will assuredly be the
somewhat startlinz conjuncture of the
circumstances under which it happens just
now to make its appearance. Our allusion
cannot but ie appreciated on the instant
by those familiar with Mr.WAnntles masterpiece,
when we observe that his probable entrance into

the House of Commons as the representative of
the Borough of Midhurst will be in a manner the
advancement of the caustic satirist of " Ten Thou-
grind a Year," vice the Right Hon. Cuar.LEs
ArBREy, promoted, in great likelihood as some
think, to the more onerous post left vacant by the
recent demise of the late colleague of Mr. WIGRA.II
as member for the University of Cambridge.
However this may be, such changes are just now
not only spoken of, but, by many, very confi-
dently anticipated. Stranger things have hap-
pened before now than that Mr. WARREN should
go far tread in the footsteps of AuBREY, and that
the amliition of an earnest life should thus in
the maturity of his manhood be realised without
SO much-even we ultra-Liberals must believe it—
as an inkling of inconsistency or the shadow of
the shade of a compromise. Ultra-Conservative
of the pur sang, of the " blue blood," he is, and
must ever remain as a matter of course, otherwise
he could never have thrown so much verve, and
euergr, and passion into the master strokes of
,j
satire dashed hither and thither with a bold hand
a
upon the broad canvass of "Ten Thousand
notwithA.lnd
Tear ;" but let na hnpe, i ng, and be- .

lieve nevertheless, that upon his entering the
Huse of Commons, whether as M.P. for Mid-
hurst or elsewhere, Mr. WARREN'S constituents
may find him doing full justice at once to his
own reputation and to themselves by appearing
less as a mere party man and more as a Law
Reformer, and as a champion of the rights of
Literature.

It is to be hoped that the nation is not again
leaning on a broken reed in trusting to the sin-
cerity of Austrian professions. We have been
too frequently deceived in our reasonable expec-
tations by that wily and intensely selfish Power,
to allow of our reposing implicit confidence in any
promises which are not calculated to promote her
own objects. Nor does the acceptance by Russia
of propositions, in which many loopholes for eva-
sion have been studiously left, add much addi-
tional weight to the new undertaking of the
Cabinet of Vienna. From the very commence-
ment of the Eastern difficulties the Czar no/to-
LAS showed that he had no misgivings with
respect to the policy of the German States.
In the celebrated conversations with Sir HAMIL-
TON SEYMOUR he expressed himself perfectly
satisfied that neither Austria nor Prussia would
occasion him the slightest trouble. He did not
even consider it necessary to sound the Sovereigns
or the representatives of these States. Indeed
he spoke of the interests of Austria in respect to
Turkey being identical with his own, while he
had the most profound confidence in the sym-
pathy and friendly co-operation of " the Angel
of Peace" in any matter that he thought proper to
originate.

Has anything since occurred to show that this
confidence was unfounded. Far from it. Prus-
sia has rendered very valuable, although indirect,
assistance. Through the facilities afforded,
Russia has been enabled to carry on
her foreign trade, which otherwise would
have been altogether suppressed. " The sinews
of war" were thus provided, and even the materiel
was not wanting, when it could be conveyed from
or through either of these States—which thus
deliberately violated their professed neutrality in
a very important particular. Austria has been,
perhaps, more useful than Prussia herself. She
could not, of course, afford such valuable com-
mercial facilities, but, to the best of her ability,
she supplied what is usually termed " Contra-
band of war," while she kept the Allied Powers
in play, waiting for the long-promised "active
co-operation," which was never afforded, or, we
believe we may add, never intended to be afforded.
Even in the present instances all that was promised
to the Western States in the event of a Russian
refusal to accede to the Austrian Propositions
was that the Austrian Ambassador should be with-
drawn front St. Petersburg. There was no pledge
that she would be prepared t• take the field with
an efficient army—nothing to bind her in any
way that could materially advance the interests of
the Allies. They were bound to protect her if
she should be attacked, but there was no recipro-
city—nothing to remove from the stipulation the
objection that it was a mere nudum paettim, made
without the slightest consideration or benefit to
either France or England.
It is needless to refer to the conduct of Austria
in the Principalities, which she was so improvi•
dently permitted to occupy. To say nothing of the
tyranny exercised over the unfortunate inhabi-
tants, which rendered her domination far more irk-
some than even that of Russia, the unwarrantable
refusal to permit the SULTAN'S troops to march
through the SULTAN'S territory, for the purpose
of attacking those who had so lately invaded his
dominions—a refusal which might have led, and
and was intended to lead, to the destruction of
the French and English armies-;--completely
moved the flimsy veil of friendship for the Allies
under which she had concealed her operations.

And yet the Cabinets of the Tuileries and St.
James's still permit Austrian interference, still
allow her to create diversions in favour of their
common adversary. The terms proposed to, and
accepted by, Russia are notoriously inadequate
to the real exigencies of the case, in all points in
which the interests of Austria are not involved,
they are likewise so vague and undeveloped on
matters of vital importance to the future peace
and tranquility of the world, that even taken
by themselves, . they supply prima facie
evidence of having been conceived altoge-
ther with a ♦iew to the advantage of Russia.
Kars, and the position of Russia in Asia, is alto-
gether ignored. No reference is made to the
recent conduct of the ewes chief satrap, the
SHAH, or the seizure of Herat, the gate to
India—nothing of Bomarsund, or the Baltic, or
the protection of the Scandinavian Powers against
one who has already stripped them of some of their
most valuable provinces, and who ostentatiously
parades amongst his titles that of " Heir of Den-
mark." The absence of any conditions on these
all-important topics proves beyond the possibility
of doubt that a real bona fide and permanent
peace cannot be anticipated under existing cir-
cumstances, or from the accepted conditions;
and yet, where so many matters of para-
mount interest have been slurred over, Count
Buon, in the despatch which accompanied
the Austrian Propositions, and the text whereof
appeared in The Sun of the 19th instant, declared
that if the Propositions met a favourable recep-
tion he would lose no time in warmly recommend-
ing their acceptance at the Courts of Paris and
London—" expressing, at the same time, the con-
fidence he felt that they would not use the right
of eventually presenting special conditions at the
negotiations, save in the interest of Europe, and
to an extent such as will not raise serious obstacles
against the re-establishment of peace !" This
clearly shows the intention of Austria not to sup-
port or sanction any demand which could possibly
compensate, in even a trifling degree, for
the omissions above referred to. Nor is this
all: for in the same despatch the Austrian
Minister declares that " the signature to these
preliminaries would be immediately followed by a
general armistice and definitire negotiations."

Have we not reason then to dread this inau-
spicious and highly dangerous intervention ? Are
we not more than justified in imploring the vigi-
lant attention of the Members of both Houses of
Parliament to this critical state of affairs. We
fear that there are sinister influences at work the
more prejudicial to the national welfare, beCause
there is no tangible responsibility. We have
every confidence in Lords PAL3IERSTON and
CLARENDON, but we fear that they aro not al-
lowed to decide for themselves on what is required
for the honour and welfare of Great Britain. As
we have already stated, the spirit of Germanism
is rampant in our counsels, and it behoves every
true-hearted Englishman to be on his guard
against the results that may follow, should it re-
main unchecked. The Premier must be sup-
ported. It must be shown that he is now
far b3youd the operation of any back-stairs'
intrigue, such as that by which he was affected in
December, 1851. British interests are not, and
shall not be, sacrificed to German predilections or
German connexions. We have happily got rid of
nanover, which involved the nation in so much
trouble, anxiety, and expenae. We cannot sub

mit to have an equally injurious connexion with
Saxe-Coburg or Belgium. " England has no
cousins or uncles." She must be governed in
accordance with her own constitutional laws ;
and while we fully recognise the principle that
" the Sovereign" can do no wrong, we must hold
that all her advisers, no matter what their posi-
tion, or whether holding office or not, shall be
held responsible for acts which are not conducive
to the safety, honour, or welfare of the Crown or
the people of Great Britain.

Wanted, a popular treatise on the British Con-
stitution in War time. Everybody knows who
reigns, and who is Prime Minister. What is
wanted is to know who governs, for that is a mys-
tery. Can anybody tell ?
Lord PALMERSTON, as War Minister, is a bold
man, a safe man, and an Englishman, and ought
to govern, but he don't, or he is a prodigy of
hypocrisy, an alternative we cannot for a moment
seriously entertain nothing, in our opinion,
being clearer than that he is thwarted at every
turn by some malign power in the develop-
ment
of a truly British policy—a power that
follows like an avenging fate in the track of
British valour and council, heaping disaster
on victory, and filling with ashes the fruits
of wise resolve a power not English, if
in England, but responsible for much needless
English suffering, the wanton effusion of much
gallant English blood, the clouding of our martial
and naval fame, and serious injuries beside to the
cause of liberty and constitutional Government.
—a power that has no sympathy with the national
spirit, and is at once to be traced in the circum-
stances of an enemy spared, and his resources
magnified, an Ally sacrificed, and brave English-
men with her, honest men slandered, and an in-
sidious Treaty planned.
It is idle to tell us now that OMER PACHA
SELIM PACHA, or any Pacha is guilty of the fall
of Kars. Slander, like mortar, hardens in the
sunlight and will not stick. Equally idle to at-
tribute the blame to Lord STF.ATFORD DE RED-
CLIFFE or the Turkish Government. More so to
Lord PALMERSTON. Men like him are not ener-
getic by fits and starts in a cause in which they
are heart and soul engaged. From whatever
quarter the " peremptory orders from home" to
stay the march of the Turkish Contingent to the
relief of Gen.Wrwa .is in Kars proceeded, they were
not despatched, or we are grievously mistaken, with
his approval. The Minister who had taken up
the reins of power as they draggled on the ground,
had peopled a Golgotha with soldiers and inspired
a host with confidence, who had wielded the re-
sources of a betrayed empire with an arm worthy of
its greatness, and of a daring genius against the foe,
and had in effect put his heel upon Sebastopol
and the pride of Russia was not the individual
to stultify himself and render his triumph nuga-
tory by so monstrous an error. The orders could
never have originated with him, say to the con-
trary who will.

The siege of Silistria is not yet forgotten.
Orders, as we have reason to believe, not less
peremptory and with a kindred intention, stayed
the march of the Allies to the relief of that
stronghold, and Lord PALMERSTON was not Prime
Minister then, nor was our Ambassador in
Turkey or the Turkish Government to blame.
The orders on both occasions originated in the
same quarter, and that a secret one, and were
transmitted under like circumstances. It was
when intrigue was usurping the place of negotia-
tion, and fellow-feeling with the enemy was stimu-
lating an endeavour to soften his fall, soothe his
vanity, and help him to a peace he had no claims.
to, and which could only be conceded to our loss,
that both orders were peremptorily issued. For-
tunately Silistria, aided by individual British
skill and resolution, and the forces of OMER
PASHA, was saved from its impending fate. Not
so with Kars. Kars has fallen, and the sole re-
deeming features in its fall are, it was defended
gloriously by Gen. WILLIAMS, and only surrendered
after. With fevered tongue and hollow utterance he
had dictated the terms of capitulation. What
the quarter or who the power is to which such
treason to the country and to the interests of ci-
vilisation is ascribable is a secret which it is of
the last importance should be known, and which
must be zealously sought out by the representa-
tives of the people. When Parliament meets it
must be demanded—" Why was Kars suffered
to go unrelieved ? What was it that para-
lysed the energies and stultified the policy
of the Government ? What secret and ma-
lign foe was it that dared to counteract
the wishes and sacrifice the glory and the in-
terests of the British people ?—that lost us at Kars
what we had won with treasure and blood at Se-
bastopol ?" Would to HEAVEN Lord PALMERSTON
wou►d speak out, and then we should see whether
any rank or station can shield the traitor from
British indignation ! The Premier should cast off
his fetters. He has but to throw himself on the
country, to return armed with a power against
which there can be no effective opposition, secret j
or open. Why does he not make the plunge ?

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester has
been suffering from indisposition during the past few
days, at Gloucester House. We are glad to learn that
her R )yal Highness was considered better yesterday.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge left town
yesterday on a visit to her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
His Excellency the Ambassador of France and the
Countess de Persigny entertained at dinner, last even-
ing, at Albert-gate House, his Excellency the Prussian
Minister and the Countess Bernstorff, his Excellency
Baron Bentinck, the Marquis and Marchioness of Clan-
ricarde and Lady Harriet de Burgh, the Marquis and
Marchioness of Ely, the Countess of Desart, Viscount
Chelsea, Dr. Meryon, the Hon. R. Edwardes, and Mrs.
John Stanley.
The Earl of Desart has been suffering from severe in-
disposition for some time past.
Viscount Wellesley has left the Clarendon for Dray-
cott House, near Chippenham.
The Lady Emily Dungarvon gave birth to a daughter,
on Sunday last, at the family residence in Brook•street.
Mr. J. D. Magens has left the Clarendon for Dover.

The widow of M. Giraut, of Valenciennes, famous for
having introduced the cultivation of chicory for mixing
with coffee, has just attained her 100th year, and is still
in excellent health.

DUBLIN, Jan. 24.—Lord Viscount Lifford has been
elected a temporal peer of Ireland, in the room of the
late Lord De Vesci. There was no opposition.
Mr. Macready read his lecture " On some of the
Aspects of Intolerance," before the members of the
Yeovil Institution on Wednesday. The audience was a
crowded one, and Mr. Macready's reception most en-
thusiastic, upwards of sixty new members having joined
the society on purpose to participate in the intellectual
treat. The society now comprises nearly 400 members.
RETURN!OF THE BELGIQUE.—SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday
Night.—The Belgian Steam Transatlantic Navigation
Company's new screw steam-ship Belgique, Captain
Tuck, the first of a new line of steamships from Antwerp,
via Southampton, to New York, put back this evening.
The Belgique left Antwerp on the 31st ult., but, in con-
sequence of a disarrangement in her machinery, was
detained here until the 6th, on which day she left, and,
owing to a second accident, was compelled to put into
Plymouth Sound, from which port she sailed for Now
York on the 10th. After reaching about 700 miles west
of the Lizard one of the boilers was found to be burnt
out, and the ship leaking to a considerable extent. The
mainmast had also sunk. Finding that a continuation
of the voyage was dangerous, the Belgique was forced
to put back, and it was only by the united efforts of the
passengers and crew that she was kept afloat, the pumps
by that means having been kept in continual work night
and day. The quantity of water in her hold is variously
stated from four to six feet. The Belgique will come
into dock to-morrow. The ship had fair weather after
leaving
Plymouth.
THE Mems.—Liverpool, Jan. 24.—The British and
North American mail steam ship Persia, Judkins, sails
hence on Saturday, on her first voyage. She goes to
New York direct, the hours for receiving letters at
Li re*pool bring 3
a.m., with late fee at 10 a.m., and at
the landing stage at 11