The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-14 00:00:00

at Canton, the desire of that Government that effectual
provision should be made, by law, for the good order of all
hie Majesty's subjects resorting to Canton, and for the
maintenance of peace and due subordination amongst them ;
and it is expedient that effect should be given to such
reasonable demands of the said Chinese Government."

This is but a slight foundation on which to
rear a Court of Justice in a foreign country-
Suppose that a British subject chooses not to
submit to the jurisdiction of the Court, or
throws himself upon the protection of the
Chinese law, such as it is, or takes advantage
of the venality of the Chinese authorities
to procure such countenance as they can give
him, how can the Court enforce his submission,
except it is prepared to go the whole length
of setting the Chinese Government at defiance ?
That it may be worth while for an individual
so to act can be easily imagined, and that in-
dividual interest will some day or other bring
the whole machinery to a stand still, follows
as a natural consequence. We must con-
fess, however, that these and other difficulties
which surround the subject, arise more from the
impracticability and weakness of the Chinese
Government than the fault of our own Ministry-
At the same time we really think that some
measure should be adopted which would put an
end to our present anomalous relations with
China. Independently of the mortification
our feelings of national pride are con-
tinually made to undergo from the insults
of the base and ignorant government of
that country, those relations entail upon us'
a considerable expense. The tonnage dues and
duty of 7s. per cent. imposed on goods imported
into Canton to defray the charges of the new
Court, &c., are, for instance, a source of loss,
inasmuch as they are shackles upon our trade to
which the Americans, indeed no other nation,
will be subject. We do not say that some
European authority ought not to replace
that of the present Committee of Super-
cargoes at Canton ; the evidence of indi-
viduals well acquainted with the trade,
and with the habits of the Chinese, is too
strong not to render it imprudent to make any
very sudden or great change in the mode of
conducting our affairs at Canton ; but it is a
folly in us to take an expense upon ourselves,
by which all nations trading to China will
benefit, if we can persuade the Govern-
ment of that country to exercise its proper
authority, under recognised and reasonable
regulations. Such is the settlement of the
question we ought to aitn at if' we contemplate
nothing but a continuance of peaceful traffic
with the Chinese, but if we look forward to
making any kind of settlement or conquest in
China, the proposed Court exercising an in-
dependent criminal and civil jurisdiction, al-
though limited to British subjects in the first
instance, will either peaceably lead to a virtual
ruling of Canton by us, or by the jarring
of its powers with the Chinese authorities,
some day or other occasion a serious breach,
which can only end in the compulsory
submission of the latter, or, the putting down of
our assumed jurisdiction. We admit, as we
said before, that the difficulties of our position
(both past and present), with respect to the Chi-
nese, cannot be laid to the charge of Ministers.
They take things as they find them, and act as
well as circumstances will at present allow them.
The tendency of our observations is simply to
show that something ought to be done, which
shall put our trade upon a better footing than it
has hitherto been, and save British subjects from
the insults to which they are exposed, and which
there is every reason to believe the Canton
authorities encourage. Perhaps the trade being
carried on by individuals instead of by a sove-
reign power, which the Chinese Government
know has conquered India, may effect a change
in our favour. Should it do so, well and good ;
but should indignities continue to be heaped
upon us, it will be evident that nothing but a
good drubbing will bring the conceited people
with whom we have to deal to their senses.

We have frequently had occasion, during the
last two or three months, to notice the honour-
able spirit of rivalry among our neighbours the
French, in works of public utility and benefit.
A Paris paper (Le Temps), furnishes us with
another proof of the spirit with which the French
nation follow up the impulse which they have
received from us. The subject referred to by
our Parisian contemporary, is the invention of
steam-carriages ; and as his observations are im-
portant, we give them at length :
As soon (says Le Temps), as the practicabi-
lity of steam-carriages was demonstrated, it became
a question whether the sudden application of this
principle would not cause inconvenience and injury
11 to a host of persons engaged in trade and agricul-
ture. It was asked what would become of the
owners of horses, the proprietors of diligences and
stage waggons, and the cultivators, who have appro-
priated their soil to the production of horse food, if
steam were to be substituted for horses, particularly
if steam-carriages were to become a monopoly in
the hands of the inventors.
" The English Parliament charged a Committee
of Inquiry, to examine some of these grave ques-
tions. The following are the solutions of the Com-
mittee :

4" Agriculture is prosperous in proportion to the value
of production in the market beyond the cost of produc-
tion, and the expense of bringing it to market.
" in expending 2001. upon the cultivation of corn,
the product amount in value to 400/., and 1001. be expended
in bringing it to market, the net produce will be 100/.
" If, instead of 1001. expended in conveyance, only 501.
be expended, the net produce will be 150/., and so
on
according as the means of transport are reduced. It is,
therefore, proper to encourage every thing which tends to
diminish the expense of transport.
" And as there is a great quantity of land remaining
uncultivated, on account of the expense which would
attend its culture and the transport of the produce, it
is evident that if, by a diminution of the expense of trans-
port, there would beta prospect of net Lenefit, this land
would be brought into cultivation, and add to the wealth
of the country, whilst on the other hand a great portion
of the land now appropriated to the production of horse
food would be cultivated for the food of man.
In England there are 1,400,000 horses employed
upon the road. As a horse consumes as much as eight men,
these 1,400,000 horses being replaced by steam, it would
be practicable to provide for the support of 11,200,000
more than if the number of horses alluded to were still to
remain in use. But as there would be a temporary in-
crease of agricultural produce, without a corresponding
increase of population, the price of produce would sustain
a fall from which the following consequences would
rt suit
The abundance of agricultural produce would ame-
liorate the condition of the manufacturing classes at the
'awe time that it would deteriorate that of the agricul—