The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-17 00:00:00

LOMBARDY.

A letter from Milan, in the Union, says :—" One
of the principal grievances of the Lombard popula-
tion against the Piedmontese Government is the
exaggeration of the taxes. The Rattazzi Minis-
try, in fact, has not only maintained for 1860 the
war tax imposed by Austria, but has added to it
that of Sardinia. The Milanese complain, and
are they wrong in doing so ? Some Turin
journals have laboured to show that they are
so, inasmuch as it is the Parliament and not the
Ministry which has the right to modify taxes;
those journals have, however, promised a di-
minution at an early date. But the Official
Gazette, not thinking itself obliged to be so con-
siderate, has flatly declared that, as Lombardy is
on the whole less burdened than Piedmont, there
is no reason for her to hope to be allowed to con-
tribute on a less extensive scale to the receipts of
the Treasury. Piedmont, with 5,000,000 of inha-
bitants, pays 150,000,000 fr. of taxes, which is 30
lire per head. Lombardy, with 2,800,000 inhabi-
tants, pays 80,000,000 lire, which is 281. 60c. per
head. Thus, she pays less than the old provinces;

and instead of hoping for a diminution, she must
expect an augmentation. This is clear, but what
will the Lombards say P"

HUNGARY.

A letter from Valeggio, of the 12th, in the Con-
stitutionnel, contains the following :—" You will in
a few days see in the journals, if it has not already
appeared, a fact of extraordinary temerity—the
desertion in a body from Mentua of 600 Hungarians
all armed and equipped, and headed by their com-
mandant. From Cassal-Maggiore, where they ar-
rived in the night, they proceeded to Cremona,
where they met with a magnificent reception."

LITERATURE.

A Life Struggle. By Miss Pardoe, author of
" Louis the Fourteenth," &c. 2 vols. Booth.

This is a very well written story, as all acquainted
with the writings of its authoress will expect it to
be. Nevertheless there are too many painful pas-
sages in its pages to render it a pleasing tale. It
must not be supposed that Miss Pardoe at all justi-
fies the actions of any of the parties who enact the
momentous drama here recorded. She distinctly
states that she considers Laura no example to
others, " as no lighthouse to guide the storm-tossed
vessel to a safe and welcome haven, but rather as
one of those sunken rocks from whose vicinity the
wary pilot must carefully guide his barque if he
would preserve it from destruction." Thus regarded
the work assumes a totally different aspect than
that of the continental Novels, which pourtray such
social miseries as a necessity. It is not likely that
a. better definition could be conveyed of the folly of
unequal marriages than is here given to us. Fer-
dinand was entirely mistaken in his conduct about
urging his patron to a union with Laura, and
nothing could justify such a proceeding. He
had no right to interfere with the happiness of
others in order to conceal the disgrace of his father.
Had he contented himself with personal sacrifices,
it might have been meritorious ; but as it was, his
conduct was very reprehensible. Indeed, one feels
far more pity for the young and gentle Laura, who
was immolated at the shrine of her mother's vanity,
and whose spirits were so depressed at what
appeared so manifestly the tokens of Ferdinand's
deceit and treachery, that she was unable to wage
what would at all times have been a most arduous
contest. In one way, this picture of despicable
tyranny and heartless conduct is not a typo of
many such scenes, as Lord Ravenswood himself
was so excellent a man that no one connected with
him could have been otherwise than attached to
him. It is not quite in keeping with the rest of
his conduct that the desire to free himself from his
difficulties should have induced him to reconsider
his determination not to make such an absurd mar-
riage. It is true, however, that he was not fairly
treated by any one; and the strange vehemence of
Fetdinand, the zeal of Mr. Heathcote, and the
acquiescence of Laura, urged on by wounded pride
and terrified by the menaces cf her mother, might
have bewildered a more astute observer than the
good-natured earl. The most pleasing character
met with is Enna, the sister of Ferdinand. She is
a delightful person, and distinguished for that rec-
titude of purpose and that spirit of calm endurance
in which se many of her friends wore so lamentably
deficient. There is no reason to suppose that this
new work of a favourite authoress will not be suc-
cessful, as, in its peculiar way, it displays consider-
able skill, and affords some noticeable sketches of
' life.

Getting On : A Tale of Modern English Life.
Two Vols. James Hogg.
This story has been reprinted from the pages of
Titan, a valuable periodical which has. lately ceased.
It well deserves reappearing before the public in a
more connected and enduring form, for it undoubt-
edly manifests great ability, and the strain of
thought is original and peculiar. The plot is, at
least, uncommon, and if some of the events are im-
probable or exaggerated in their character, the
reader who seeks for novelty and interest has no
right to censure them. The dramatis persona; are
numerous, and sketched with a vigorous and, in
some instances, merciless hand. It is evidently the
work of a young and able writer, whose hearty con-
tempt for the hollowness and selfishness of social
existence, and whose earnest faith and noble
aspirations lead him occasionally into extra-
vagant extremes. The writer's manifest sin-
cerity and upright principles secure the
reader's pardon for his eccentricities, and
for those of his hero, who forsakes brilliant
literary prospects, and enters the career of a street
preacher. He prepares for his labours by rigorous
self-denial. " Three whole days he has touched
neither food nor drink, not even water." The
writer is happier in his delineations of the faults
and follies of the London world. Earnest though
his dreams of good undoubtedly are, they are
crude and exaggerated. Not by sudden, violent,
and undisciplined efforts is the world to be reformed
and regenerated, but by a steady course of well-
doing, each in his own sphere. The style of the
work is fresh and vivid, occasionally a little too
diffuse ; but this is an error easily avoided.
Many of the characters in the tale will excite the
reader's:interest. The hero, Mark Lorimer, is the
son of a baronet, and his father disinherits him on
account of his benevolent eccentricities ; the
history of his life, his efforts in sundry professions
—his " getting on"—being the main feature of the
book. Idola Trevelyan is a fair and attractive
maiden, with a degree of spirit and feeling some-
what unusual in the heroine of a novel. Kate Mor-
gan, the daughter of a widow who has " seen better
days," and who tries to bring her daughter up to the
class she is born in, becomes the heiress of
her grandfather's fortune, and the second wife of a
wealthy baronet. Her humble lover, William, is
well sketched, and his honest, though
.uncouth
nature, sometimes appears to advantage in con-
trast with the fine gentlemen above him. The
sketches of London life in its fashionable aspect are
truthfully satirical, and many passages show con-
siderable power in delineation. We shall expect
to meet this author again in a work that will do
more justice to his powers. More condensation,
more moderation are necessary; he must re-
strain his flights of fancy, and without lowering
his high standard or overlooking the division be-
tween what is expedient and what is honourable,
he should dress his virtues in modern garband
their lessons will be more effective. His abilities
are considerable, and with time and experience he
will doubtless obtain the success and celebrity he
accords to his hero.

The 'Story of the Life of George Stephenson. By
Samuel Smiles. John Murray.
If Mr. Hudson was the Railway King, certainly
George Stephenson was the Father of Railroads
and Locomotive Engines. The present work gives
a history of his early vicissitudes, and his struggles
for learning, his gradual rise, his difficulties, and
energetic perseverance and undaunted determina-
tion to succeed. When his projects were ridiculed,
and himself said to be deranged, he was not dis-
couraged, but, sure of ultimate success, he dared
the jests and taunts of a parliamentary committee.
He gradually advanced step by step, until at length
the world awoke from its dream to find that their
cleverest engineers were at fault, and that the poor
self-educated Northumbrian mechanic had more
science and foresight than the whole of them.
The Rubicon was passed, and those who were his
greatest enemies were now too glad to fellow in
his footsteps. Such men are few, but their example
may do good to thousands. Many a poor man,
struggling in adversity in the path of learning, on
reading the life of George Stephenson, will take
fresh heart and persevere.
"Lives of great men all remind us
We may make our lives sublime;
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of Time :
Footprints which, perhaps, another,
Saiing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, may take heart again."
The work is minute and interesting in detail, and
is well worthy of perusal, as may be evidenced by
the following short extracts :
" The rails then used (in 1816) being
traffic,
light,
tt
hh
ee
iroo
ecia dusaoloi
tni
es becameo of
tthe
way, h
worn downt
eh
w boyl
e the °
f and, from
weight ft e engine,
instead of being uniformly distributed
over the four wheels,t
roofwtnheallomooomstotdiviae,aontlnyereuapsoei(letrwesos
Hwaesneeocfcraecisiuoenna
frequent occasionally
upon the slender road, which occasioned numerous break-
agestotheofsatfheewroarilksinagndofcthhaeirrsa,
railway.
In interruptions
" In order to avoid the
dangers arising from this cause,
Mr. Stephenson contrived hissteamsprings. He so ar-
ranged the boiler of his new patent locomotive that it was
supported upon the frame of the engine by four cylinders,
which opened into the interior of the boiler. These cylin-
ders were occupied by pistons with rods, which passed
downwards and pressed upon the upper side of the axles.
The cylinders openinc, into the interior of the boiler, allowed
the pressure of steam to be applied to the upper side of the
piston; and that pressure being nearly equivalent to one-
fourth of the weight of the engine, each axle, whatever
might be its pos!tion, had at all times nearly the same
amount of weight to bear, and consequently the entire
weight was pretty equally distributed amongst the four
wheels of the locomotive. Thus the four floating pistons
were ingeniously made to serve the purpose of springs in
equalising the weight, and in softening the jerks of the
machine ; the weight of which, it must also be observed,
had been increased, on a road originally calculated to bear
a considerably lighter description of carriage. This mode
of supporting the engine remained in use until the progress
of spring-making had so far advanced that steel springs
could be manufactured of sufficient strength to be used in
;Locomotives.
" The result of the actual working of the new locomotive
on the improved road amply justified the promises held
forth in the specification. Tho traffic was conducted with

greater regularity and economy, and the-superiority of the
locomotive engine, as compared with horse traction, became
more apparent. And it is a fact worthy of notice, that the
identical engines constructed by Mr. Stephenson are to be
seen in regular useful work upon the Killingworth Rail-
way, conveying heavy coal trains at the speed of between
five or six miles an hour, probably as economically as any
of the more perfect locomotives now in use.
" George Stephenson's idea was indeed at that time
(1825) regarded as but the dream of a chimerical projector.
It stood before the public friendless, struggling hard to gain
a footing, but scarcely daring to lift itself into notice for
fear of ridicule. The civil engineers generally rejected the
notion of a locomotive railway; and when no leading man
of the day could be found to stand forward in support of
the Killingworth mechanic, its chances of success must
have been pronounced small. But, like all great truths,
the time was surely to come when it was to prevail.
" When such was the hostility of the civil engineers, no
wonder the reviewers were puzzled. The Quarterly, in an
able article in support of the projected Liverpool and Man-
chester Railway—while admitting its absolute necessity,
and insisting that there was no choice left but a railroad,
on which the journey between Liverpool and Manchester,
whether performed by horses or engines, would always be
accomplished within the day'—nevertheless scouted the
idea of travelling at a greater speed than eight or nine miles
an hour. Adverting to a project for forming a railway to
Woolwich, by which passengers were to be drawn by loco-
motive engines, moving with twice the velocity of ordinary
imaches, the reviewer observed What can be more pal-
pably absurd and ridiculous than the prospect held out
of locomotives travelling twice as fast as stage
coaches! We should as soon expect the people of
Woolwich to suffer themselves to be fired off upon one
of Congreve's ricochet rockets, as trust themselves to the
mercy of such a machine going at such a rate. We will
back Old Father Thames against the Woolwich Railway
for any sum. We trust that Parliament will, in all rail-
ways it may sanction, limit the speed to eight or nine miles
an hour, which we entirely agree with Mr. Sylvester is as
great as can be ventured on with safety.' "
" By the end of 1828 the directors of the Liverpool and
Manchester Railway found they had expended £460,000
on the works, and that they were still far from comple-
tion. They looked at the loss of interest on this large
investment, and began to grumble at the delay. They
desired to see their capital becoming productive ; and
in the spring of 1829 they urged their engineer to push
on the works with increased vigour. Mr. Cropper, one
of the directors, who took an active interest in their pro-
gress, said to him one day, 'Now, George, thou must get
on with the railway, and have it finished without further
delay ; thou must really have it ready for opening by
the first day of January next." Consider the heavy
character of the works, sir, and how much we have been
delayed by the want of money, not to speak of the wetness
of the weather :it is impossible.' Impossible !' rejoined
Cropper; ' I wish I could get Napoleon to thee—he would
tell thee there is no such word as "impossible" in the vo-
cabulary.' Tush!' exclaimed Stephenson, with warmth;
don't speak to me about Napoleon Give me men, money,
and materials, and I will do what Napoleon couldn't do--
drive a railroad from Liverpool to Manchester over Chat
Moss I' And truly the formation of a high road over that
bottomless bog was, apparently, a far more difficult task
than the hewing even of Napoleon's far-famed road across
the Simplon."

Iltflo Volunteers. By Hans Busk, M.A.
Routledge.

This author has before written on the subject of
the rifle, but he now treats more particularly of the
Organisation of Volunteers and Volunteer Regi-
ments, their exercise in platoons, and all other
minutia; ; and their availability to co-operate with
regular troops.

Rifle Clubs and Volunteer Corps. By W. H.
Russell. Routledge, Warne, and Routledge.
This is a small treatise on Rifle Clubs and Volun-
teers, with hints as to equipment, &c., and en-
deavours to show that with the present long
range rifle, yeomanry cavalry must be of little ser-
vice, and our national defence must be the rifle in
case of invasion.

THE NEW COMMERCIAL POLICY OF

FR ANCZ.

(From the Manchester Examiner.)

It has been within our knowledge for some time
past that negotiations were going forward at Paris
for the purpose of arranging certain modifications
in the tariffs of the two countries with a view to
the extension of the commerce between them,
though, till preliminary obstacles were overcome,
and the object was in a fair way of being realised,
it was obviously undesirable, by a premature
discussion, to excite hopes which might after an
be disappointed. The necessity for such reserve
is now removed, and we may, therefore, state
that the Emperor's letter represents the comple-
tion of an understanding between the English
and French Governments on this most important
subject, and that we are indebted for this result
to the energetic and unwearied services of the hon.,
member for Rochdale. It is unnecessary to set
whether Mr. Cobden went to Paris in a technically
official capacity; it is sufficient to say that, to the
best of our belief, he has been entrusted throughout
with the entire confidence of the Government, and
that Parliament will soon be asked to sanction those
alterations in our own tariff which may be coneii
dered the counterpart of the Emperor's letter.
* * The most important of the meditaw
changes are dismissed in briefer, but not less
phatie, terms. " Our foreign commerce mull;
be developed by the exchange of products,.,
How is this to be done P Is the first place, all
" primary articles indispensable to industry" er.
to be admitted duty free. In this categorl
must be placed cotton, wool, timber, iron.
coal, and other kinds of raw produce. This is
precisely the course adopted by Sir Robert
Peel in 1842. Then the duties on sugar, coffee,
and other kinds of colonial produce are to be re-
duced. More important still is the entire suppres-
sion of prohibitive duties, thereby offering to manY
kinds of British goods a chance of getting into the
French market on terms which have hitherto been
considered incompatible with the prosperity of the
French manufacturers. This intimation will be
hailed as good news in Bradford, Leeds, and Hu&
dersfield, even more, perhaps, than in Manchester;
The precise nature and extent of the proposed
changes will only be ascertained when the bine
sanctioning them have passed the legislature, and
when the " commercial treaties" to which the Env
peror refers have been finally arrange& On the
whole, we have never had a more delightful duti
to discharge than has now devolved upon us in Or
nouncing to our readers a policy so full of pronalee
for both nations. We accept it as an act of oblivion
for past bickerings, and as an augury of peace and
prosperity for the future.