The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-17 00:00:00

A PUBLIC MEETING will be held at the
THATCHED HOUSE TAVERN, St. James'-street,
on SATURDAY, the 18th of February (instead of Saturday,
the 11th, as originally advertised), with a view to establish
PRELIMINARY DRILL in Public Schools, in connection
with the Volunteer Movement. Lord ELCHO, M.P., in
the Chair. At one o'clock. Lord Ashburton, the Hon. Geo.
Byng, M.P., and the Hon. W. F. Campbell, M.P., will assist
in the proceedings.

BENSON'S WATCHES.
" Perfeotloa of mechanism."•—Morning Post.
• Gold Watches 4 to 100 guineas.
Silver Watches
33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, London, E.C.
Bend 2 stamps for Benson's Illustrated Pamphlet on. Watches

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA,
COVENT-GARDEN.
Under the management of Miss L. Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison.
THIS EVENING, THE CROWN DIAMONDS. Messrs
H. Corri, G. Honey, St. Albyn, and Win. Harrison. Miss
Louisa Pyne and Miss Thirlwall.
Conductor, Alfred Mellon.
To conclude with the new grand pantomime, called PUSS
IN BOOTS ; or, Harlequin and the Fairy of the Golden
Palms. Messrs. W. H. Payne, H. Payne, F. Payne, Barnes,
Tallien, Infants Lauri, and Miss Clara Morgan.
Doors open at half-past 6—Commence at 7.

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buokstone.

THIS EVENING, will be performed '
AN UNEQUAL MATCH Miss Amy Sedgwick.
After which, the new Haymarket Comic Christmas Panto-
mime, VALENTINE'S DA Y; or, Harlequin and the Fairy
of the True Lovers Knot. The pantomimists the unrivalled
Leclercqs.

itHEATRE-ROYAL LYCEUM.-
1. Sole Lessee and Directress, Madame Celeste.

Due Notice will be given of the recovery of Dona Isabel
Cubas from her severe indisposition.

THIS EVENING, a new Drama, called A TALE OF
TWO CITIES, by Tom Taylor, Esq., from the story of that
name by Charles Dickens, Esq. Principal characters by Mr.
James Vining, Walter Lacy, Villiers, House, Forrester, J.
Johnstone, T. Lyon, Morton, Palmer, White, H. Butler,
Clifford, and Fredericks . Misses Kate Saville, Stuart, Turner,
Mrs. Campbell, and Madame Celeste.
After which, will be produced a new Grand Christmas Ex-
travaganza and Pantomime, KING THRUSHBE A.RD, the
LITTLE PET and the GREAT PASSION, in which is pre-
sented one of the most novel, costly, and brilliant effects ever
witnessed --designed and painted by Mr. William Callcott.—
King Thrushbeard, Miss Julia St. George.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Lessee, Mr. A. Harris.
Re-engagement of the Wonderful Dancer, Mons. Espinosa.
First appearance of Mdlle. Marietta Rosetta, Principal Dan-
sense of La Scala, Milan ; and the Delapierre Family.
These highly-talented Children will appear every night.
The Royal Princess's Rifles on parade every evening.

THIS EVENING, CAUGHT IN A TRAP.
After which, a new Christmas burlesque pantomime, by H.
J. Byron, called JACK TII E GIANT KILLER ; or, Harle-
quin King Art;►ur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Jack, Miss Louise Keeley—Harlequin, Mr. Cormack Panta-
loon, Mr. eaulo—Columbine, Miss Caroline Adams—Clown,
Mr. A. F. Forrest.

NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPH
L
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster.
' Combination of Talent.—Engagement of these popular
artistes, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan, who will appear for
a limited number of nights.
THIS EVENING, the comedy of THE HOUSE, or THE
HOME? Messrs. A. Wigan, C. Selby, Billington ; Mrs. A.
Wigan, Miss H. Simms, and Miss Laidlaw.

Followed by the petite drama of ONE TOUCH OF
NATURE. Messrs. B. Webster, Billington, Eburne, C. J.
Smith ; Miss H. Simms,
After which THE NYMPHS OF THE LURLEYBERG ;
or, The Knight and the Naiades. Messrs. Toole, Bedford,
Eburne, Smith, Powell, Romer, Miss Woolgar, C. Webb, K.
Kelly, Laidlaw.
Doors open at half-past six—Commence at seven. Box-
Office open from 10 to 5. No charge for securing seats,
nor for bills of performance. All fees to servants of this
establishment are strictly prohibited.
Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE,
King-street, St. James's. Lessee, Mr. T. B. Chatter-
ton. Directress, Miss Wyndham. The nearest Theatre to
Chelsea, Pimlico, and Westminster, the Park being open to
carriages and foot passengers all hours of the night.
THIS EVENING the performances will commence with
(fifth time) FIRST AFFECTIONS. Messrs. H. T. Craven,
G. Spencer, and Miss iVyndham.
After which, MAGIC TOYS. Miss Lydia Thompson.

Followed by a new burlesque called DIDO. Mr. Charles
Young, Mesdames Wyndham, Clara St. Casse, Murray, Eliza
Arden, C. Rance, A. Evans, and Corps de Ballet.

To conclude with I WILL, IF YOU WILL.

Reduced Prices—Gallery, ud ; Pit, Is. The Box-office open
from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past six ; perform
ance commences at 7.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Westminster-road.
Last Six Nights of Mr. W. Cooke's Management.
THIS EVENING, to commence with a grand and spirit-
stirring Hippodramatic Spectacle.
Graphic, Picturesque, and Fascinating Scenes of Horse-
manship by Miss Mice Maude Cooke, Miss Emily Cooke, and
John Henry Cooke, the leading Equestrian of the dty.
To conclude with the Comic Pantomime of HARLEQUIN
TOM MOODY; or, Old Towler the Huntsman and the God-
dess Diana ; Diana, with Songs, Miss Jacobs ; Tom, Mr.
Herbert; Patty, Mr. G. Belmore.
Commence at 7.
Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips

CONCERTS.-

CANTERBUR V HALL
THIS EVENING,
LUCREZIA. BORGIA,
(Denizetti).
Donna Lucresia Miss Russell.
Matto Orsini Mrs. Anderson
(jennaro Mr. Henry Herbert
Don Altonzo Signor Tivoli.
Conductor—Mr. Jonc,rhuo ans.
Comic Vocalists --Messrs. George Holson (the Irish Come-
dian and Mimic), W. T. Critchfield, and E. \V. Mackney.
Several interestinrx Pictures arc added to the Pine Arts
Gallery. The suite of Halls hive been re-decorated and
beautified, and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant
sights of the metropolis.
The gallery is open from 5 till 11 on Sunday Evening.

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, FEB. 17, 1860.
THERMOMETER, TN THE SHADE.
45—highest since noon yesterday.
39—lowest this morning and during the night.
43—this dAy at noon.

BAROMETRIt-30,15.
Worn, North-Easterly ; rather fresh, with fine cold
sunshiny weather.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, 10h. 33m.—Afternoon, 11h. 24m.
To-mounow.-Morning, Oh. Om.—Afternoon, 12h. 4m.

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THE SUN.
LONDON, FRIDAY, FEB. 17, 1860

So then the doubt entertained in many quarters
has at length been cleared up in respect of the
annexation of Savoy to France. For our part we
suspected that the evasion in giving a decided
answer to questions put in both Houses of Parlia-
ment boded no good. But now the mystery is
solved. The Imperial Masker is unmasked. France,

or rather NAPOLEON, did want that Savoy should
be annexed to France, on the plea that if Sardinia
were to annex Central Italy to her dominions,
France would not be safe on her frontier on the
slopes of the Alps without Savoy were ceded to
her! - This is Imperial friendship with a ven-
geance. And yet NAPOLEON went to war for "an
idea"—an idea of conquest, as it now appears by
his own showing. It was indeed a strange
proceeding on the part of a Despot to go
to war to restore freedom to the Italians—he that
scrupled not some years ago to put down freedom
in the sister Republic at Rome ! That was the
first manifestation of the " coming events" which
have outraged freedom in the very capital of her
doubtful birth. But it is all of a piece. Profes-
sion goes for nothing where the performance nulli-
fies the promise by its utter disregard of all
decency. But now the question comes nearer
home : and it is well that we are arming both by
ships and riflemen-volunteers. True, we are at the
same time endeavouring to shut our official eyes to
the state of our "situation" by conceding treaties of
commerce, in the guise of reciprocity, all on one side
—and taxation on the other ! Time will show how
it can work if it be ever carried out.
It is now some eight months since we stated our
belief that Prince NAPOLEON was not lagging in
Florence without a purpose, and we stated that,
instead of hurrying on with his division to join the
Ealpror On the Mincio, he was making all right
to secure a. snug little kingdom of his own on the
banks of the Arno. Tuscany was a tempting prize,
and lie was nothing loth to ply his suit. But
events baffled his purpose and his uncle's to boot.
The courtship was too hot to be lasting, and the
kingdom slipped from his grasp. We now see
that some of our contemporaries are clever enough
to expound the accomplishment of our suggestions
months and months ago.

Last night Lord JOHN RUSSELL stated in the
House of Commons the real position of affairs with
respect to the proposed annexation of Savoy to
France. England was ro party to it. The "idea"
was all French! But it has come to Nothing as
yet. The Emperor NAPOLEON is now fain to let
the matter stand over until the sanction of the

other great Powers be obtained. But for the ap
prehension of a general war with Europe, NAPO- 1
LEON would not care a jot for public opinion, but
would at once appropriate Savoy without scruple,
letting VICTOR EMMANUEL help himself further
South. We have said before that if the EMPEROR
be so anxious to get a kingdom for his cousin, let
him look to Naples, where the people would ex-
change their present master for any tyrant above
ground, and we suspect the young King would
not get a friend to help him—not even the POPE in
his direst need.

Who can doubt but that, before very much longer,
there will be an end put, both in the Royal Army
and in the Royal Navy, for once and for all, under
any and every circumstance, to the brutal and de-
grading punishment of Flogging? We ourselves,
at any rate, for one, doubt it not for a single in-
stant. Already in the last few years we have made
advances—positive and distinct advances—towards
its abolition. We have seen the number of
stripes applicable to those convicted of certain
offences diminished. We have seen the cata-
logue of those offences considerably abbreviated.
According to the scheme of the new regulations
introduced into the Army for the better arrangement
of military discipline, under the authority of H.R.H.
the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, those offences have at
last dwindled down to the number of ten : by the
perpetration of any one of which a soldier is degraded
from the first to the second class, and when in
that second class is liable to be flogged for
any one of those ten offences upon its renewed
commission ! Unhappily, the case is far dif-
ferent in the Royal Navy of Old England.
There, in that heroic and peculiarly national ser-
vice, the pristine stringency and harshness of the
service are so far retained that the sailors, whether
in the first or in the second class, are alike liable
to be flogged : there being only this difference
between the two classes—those in the first
class requiring to be tried first of all
by court-martial, whereas those in the second are
liable any day out of the 365 to be flogged simply
at the pleasure of the captain ! So long as this
continues to be the case in the army and in the
navy, so long as the soldier may be brutally lashed
as though he were a hound rather than a man, so
long as our tars are liable at the whim of an irascible
captain to this cruel and degrading flaggelation,
so long certainly must two things follow as inevit-
able consequences ! Firstly, the agitation for the
further diminution and ultimate abolition of this
execrable system of punishment must be an inci-
dent of perpetual recurrence both within and
without Parliament ! And, secondly, ad-
mission to either service must be viewed
askance by the masses of the population, and
enlistment in either shrunk from by hundreds
and thousands (who would be otherwise too eager
to be enrolled upon the books of the navy, or on
the muster-roll of a regiment) with a feeling of
peculiar and easily comprehensible repugnance.
No wonder the Merchant Service is preferred to
the service of the Royal Navy, when in the
former there is not, and when in the latter
there is, this harsh and brutal punishment !
No wonder thousands of pounds sterling have
been paid down as an inducement to men
to enter the Royal Navy—no wonder we have need
of the bounty, as a golden " set off" to the igno-
miny of the mere liability to this detested punish-
ment ! But Admiral Sir CHARLES NAPIER said
last evening, in regard to this degrading punish-
ment,—" If it were stopped, the discipline of the
service could not be carried on !" We
don't believe it. We cannot for one instant se-
riously think this—any more than could the Howe
of Commons that rang with incredulous and derisive
cries of " Oh ! oh !" at that astounding announce-
ment. It is the argument, however, the old fami-
liar argument (by this time one might imagine
thoroughly used up) of that old-fashioned
school known as the school of the Disciplinarians.
We cannot possibly do without the lash, they say,
the discipline of the service requires it ! There is
an old phrase, that may be in vogue, perhaps more
seasonably about Michaelmas, to the effect that
"What is good for the goose is good for
the gander." Suppose—they tried a touch of
it themselves ! It is so beneficial, so whole-
some, so especially advantageous in its opera-
tion, that really the notion of turn and turn about
may perhaps be worthy in this matter of a moment's
consideration. But seriously, is it not astonishing
to find a gallant old sailor like the member for
Southwark not only reiterating this threadbare
argument, that if the punishment of the cat-o'nine-
tails were abandoned, the discipline of the service
could not be carried on—but actually (with a shrewd
head of his own upon his shoulders) maintaining
that " the infliction of the punishment was as pain-
ful to the men who performed the duty as to the
criminal !" The Parliamentary reporter adds
" (Laughter)," and no wonder there was laughter !
Why, the brutality of this degrading punishment
is pretty nearly beyond the reach of exag-
geration by any mere verbal description.
What, by way of painful illustration to
this remark—what were some of the parti-
culars given in the course of the impressive
and able speech delivered by the hon. gentleman
(Mr. BUXTON) who had the ear of the House, and
the eye of the Speaker, before the hon. and gallant
member for Southwark rose ? Why, we find in the
abbreviated reports of Mr. BUXTON'S speech, among
other distressing particulars, the following :—'The
hon. member then read a harrowing description of
the suffering caused by flogging. written by
ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE, who was sentenced to
receive 200 lashes. He became black in the face,
and water was administered to him, and then
the flogging recAnmenced and was continued until
he was covered with blood, and he writhed with
agony, and it appeared to him as if the time when
he had lived without this pain had passed long away.
when 100 lashes had been inflicted he was taken
down, being unable to bear more. The hon. mem-
ber proceeded to say that the punishment was much
aggravated when it was inflicted in cold weather;
and he related an instance of its being infllicted on
a man when the day was so cold that the mere strip-
ping and exposing him to the cold was of itself a
severe punishment. At the first lash the blood
spurted out some yards. 7hat?nan afterwards shot
himself. His own feeling was that such a punish-
ment as that was a brutal punishment. To
strip a man half naked,uand tie him up by his
arms and legs, and flog him until the blood streamed
dawn, was a punishment so degrading and cruel

that nothing would justify it but strong necessity,
and it ought to be abolished unless it could be
proved that its abolishment would cause a relaxa-
tion of discipline, and. the onus probandi ought to
be on those who were in favour of the punishment.
But there was nothing he had heard to-night
that proved that its abolition would have such a

result." We rejoice at every additional step, how-
ever slight, that is taken towards the diminution
and eventual abolition of this cruel and brutal

punishment. The adoption by the House of Corn-
mons,last evening, of the resolution proposed by the
hon. member for Lambeth (Mr. W. WILLIAMS)
was one of those steps in advance, even though the
motion, we regret to observe, was only agreed to

by the House in a modified form. Mr. WILLIAms's
motion in its original shape went to the effect,
"that an humble address be presented to her MA-
JESTY for a return of the number of men flogged
in the army and militia in the year 1859, specify-
ing the offence, the regiments, the place of station,
the time, the sentence, and the number of lashes
inflicted on each man (in continuation of Parlia-
mentary Paper, No. 519, of Session 1858) ; also of
the number of persons flogged in the navy in the
year 1859, specifying the name of the ships
and of the commanding officers, the offence,
the sentence, and the number of lashes in-
flicted on each person, stating whether by
order of court martial or the commanding officer (in
continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 41, of
Session 1859)"—the second of these two resolutions
having been adopted only after a division which,
by a clear majority of 78 in of a House of 172,
struck out "or the commanding officer"—as incon-
venient ! What a man does, however, even though
he chance to be a" commanding officer," let him not
be ashamed of having related of him ! We sus-
pect there was just the plain truth spoken right out
last evening by Mr. ROEBUCK, according to his
fearless wont, when he remarked that " Where-
ever they found a regiment, or a ship, in which
there was much flogging, depend upon it
the officer was not fit for his command !" And
then, as to the " necessity" of the thing in either ser-
vice, kt both those high military and maritime dis-
ciplinarians—Colonel NORTH and Admiral NAPIER
—bear in mind, for a moment, the " authentically
ascertained fact," mentioned yesterday by Mr.
BiaTON—namely, that, in fifty-seven regiments,
and in forty-three ships, containing six thousand
men, not a single case of flogging had disgraced
either man, ship, or regiment !

TILE COAL TRADIL

(From the Times' City Article.)

The following communication relates to the argu-
ments likely to be attempted against abandoning
our right to place an export duty on coal. It fur-
nishes some statistics of the French trade in that
article, and points to the fact that any measures on
our part to restrict the supply or enhance the cost
would be self-defeating, both in an economical and
political sense. It is true that on the question of
export duties much misconception prevails, many
persons imagining that such duties must in all cases
be inexpedient, whereas in a moderate shape, and
for perp)ses of revenue, they offer under certain
conditions a highly eligible field. The most indis-
pensable of these conditions, however, is that the
article should be one that is not produced in other
countries, since otherwise by taxing our own com-
modity we should simply to that extent offer a
bounty to competitors. Coal does not come into this
category, extensive fields of various qualities, from
the highest to the lowest, existing in almost every
part of the world. Hence there need be no regret
that the idea of preserving an exclusive stock has
been disregarded. With respect to the apprehen-
sion of various calculators, that the coal in England
is only enough to last for some period ranging be-
tween 1,200 and 300 years, the majority of the
public will, perhaps, feel little anxiety, preferring
to entertain sufficient faith in the advancement of
humanity and science to believe that we may allow
all mankind to share our present advantages with-
out any danger of the world in future ages finding
itself destitute of requisite means for the production
of light and heat :

Feb. 14.
" Sir,—Will you kindly allow me to place before the
public a few facts with reference to the coal trade of France,
of which our legislators appear to be either ignorant or for-
getful ?

" Mr. norm-Ilan apprehends much danger may arise from
that clause of the French treaty which restrains the English
Government from placing an export duty on coal. He in-
stances a not improbable event—that Franco may be en-
gaged in a war in which England is neutral, and that the
former might by blockading her enemy's ports—say, the
Austrian ports in the Adriatic, or the Russiau ports in the
Baltic--prevent them from obtaining our coal, while she
could supply herself with one of the most essential articles
of modern naval warfare. This is only saying, in other
words, that France in all contests save with England would
have the command of the sea. To neutralise this advantage
clue to the French navy Mr. Horsman would reserve the
power of imposing an export duty on, or exercise the right
of declaring coal contraband of war. The argument that
if we had not this power we might, instead of being neutral,
actually be taking the part of France, by supplying her with
a necessary article of war, is of no value whatever, because
the opposite argument is equally valid, that by refusing to
supply her with fuel we are aidingher opponent, in destroy-
ing the efficiency of her navy.
" These arguments could only have weight on either side
upon the supposition that France could only obtain her
fuel from England. To show that this is not the case it
will only be necessary to state the actual facts as to her
present coal supply, duo chiefly to the crafty policy of the
Citizen King.' The import duties on coals into France
have heretofore been regulated according to an artificial
arrar gement of zones. The northern zone, as I may call it,
has its south bouuday on the coast of Dunkirk. The cen-
tral zone extends from Dunkirk to Sables d'Olonne, in
Vendee. The southern zone embraces all the rest of France
to the Spanish frontier.
"Disregarding for the present the coals which enter
France by the Meuse, and only pay If. a ton, as exceptional,
the duties exigible in these zones are respectively as fol-
lows :

Per ton.

"In the northern zone, which admits all Belgian --
coals
" In the central zone, containing all the large ports,
and most of the manufacturing establishments
of the west of France, and depending entirely
on English fuel
" In the southern zone, embracing the ports of the
Gironde
" It is scarcely necessary to say one word upon the unjust
and malignat ingenuity of such a system of taxation both
to the French consumer and to the English coalowner and
shipowner._

' Now, the only relief which the French treaty gives to
the parties so unfairly taxed is to equalize these duties, by
reducing them to the standard of the northern zone. In
effect, placing English coal on the same footing as Belgian.
Article 11. imposes an equal duty of 15 centimes per 100
kilogrammes' or a trifle more than lf. 50c. per ton, on all
coal, without reference to its place of entry.
" The effect of the above system of taxation is just what
might have been expected. The consumption of Belgian
coal has largely increased ; a stimulus has been given to the
opening of mines in Belgium, and the Emperor of the
French had only to pursue this vicious system a little fur-
ther to render France, at least on her western seaboard, in-
dependent of English fuel. The following figures will con-
vey better than any words the operation of the present fiscal
regulations. It is to be borne in mind that much of the
importation from England is to the great seaports of the
Mediterranean, where Belgian coal cannot compete with
English :

elian. nlish.
In 1851 tho importation was in tons 1,5 B7Bg E ,000 597g,918
In 1858

Increase 1,101,299 712,913
" Had it not been for the large increase in steara naviga-
tion between 1851 and 1858, an the increased demand for
fuel to her groat arsenals in the south, it is scarcely poesible
that English coal sould have made such great progress,
loaded as it is with differential duties of 350 per cent.
" It would, in my estimation, be takinga morestatesman-
like view of this case to argue it upon the supposition of a
war between England and France. By keeping up high dis-
criminating duties against English coal the Emperor of the
French might foster a rate of production in Belgian and
Prussian coalmines—many worked with English capital
that, in the evaint of war, would render him independent
of England. By the present treaty he will not only place
his own navy, but the commercial marine and manufac-
turino• interests of France, to a considerable extent, in such
dependence on English coal that, in case of an interruption
of the supply, must create great embarrassment and dis-
tress, as collieries cannot be opened out in less than three
to five years, and capital for such purposes would not seek
investment on the continent in the event of a war between
France and England.

" It is very significant of the commercial instincts of King
Leopold tkat, while his neighbour has been imposing such
heavy dues on an article of first-rate importance, the
Belgian Chambers in 1855 repealed all the duties on coal
imported into Belgium, although it came in direct competi-
tion with one of its most important industrial interests.
"Before I close this letter let me say one word on the
duration of our coalfields—a subject upon which much
nonsense is both written and spoken. Mr. Herman, draw-
ing his inspiration apparently from the Edinburgh Review,
assumes it at 300 years ; another hon. member at 1,200. I
may observe that, without taking price into calculation, no
correct estimate can be made of quantity. Double our pre-
sent prices (which would still leave them below the prices
paid in Prance), and I do not despair of our viewers finding
coal to last even beyond Mr. Gregson's estimate of 1,200
years—a pretty fair provision for posterity.—lam.

,eneral Sir James Chatterton arrived in
.own yesterday from the Pavilion Hotel, Folkestone.
It is said that a marriage will shortly take plum
between Sir Henry Cottrell, Bart., and Miss Seymour,
eldest daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Hamilton and Lady
Seymour.

" Y. Y. .Z.."

Lie.'t.-G

MR. DRUMMOND, I.P.—We regret to hear of
the serious illness of Mr. Henry Drummond, M.P., whose
state of health has for some time past been such as to occa-
sion great anxiety to his family, and to prevent his attend-
ance in the House of Commons.

INTENDED PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF
THE CITY OF LONDON TO MR. RICHARD COBDEN The
freedom of the City will shortly be presented to Mr. Cobden,
as a token of the esteem in which he is held by the citizens
and the corporation. Notice of motion for the presentation
has been placed on tho papers of the Court of Common
Council by Mr. Connell, and it will be an extraordinary and
exceptional occurrence if the motion is not carried with un-
animity and enthusiasm. The following is the text of Mr.
Connell's motion :—" That the freedom of this city—in a
gold box, value fifty guineas—be presented to Richard Cob-
den, Esq., M.P., in recognition of his long and eminent sei.
vices in liberating commerce from the shackles which
prevented the development of the industrial enterprise of
this country, and also for his voluntary and patriot= exer-
tions in negotiating the recent treaty with France."

LATEST

NE W b.

The following telegrams have been received at
Mr. Reutor's office :

PARIS, FRIDAY.

The Moniteur of to-day publishes a circular dated
12th February, addressed by M. Thouvenel to the
Duke of Grammont, French Ambassador at Rome.
This circular examine the recents facts which have
caused the present state of affairs in the Legations,
and states the reasons of the evil, and to whom
belongs the responsibility of it. M. Thouvenel
recalls the events in the Romagna before and dur-
ing the late war, and endeavours to show that from
the day the Austrians evacuated the Romagna the
accomplished facts were unavoidable. At the be-
ginning of hostilities the neutrality of the Holy
See was proclaimed. The Austrians could, there-
fore, in complete security, continue to watch for the
maintenance of public order in the Legations as
we did in Rome. It is not for us to judge the rea-
sons which determined Austria to discontinue her
mission while France remained faithful to hers.
The Austrians having left, the inhabitants rather
found themselves, than made themselves, mas-
ters. The insurrection cannot, therefore, be
im-
puted to France. M. Thouvenel recalls the counsel
given by the Emperor to his Holiness on the 14th
of July last to grant reforms, which advice was not
followed. Rome allowed every opportunity for
reconciling the Legations to pass away. The Em-
peror then addressed his letter of the 31st Decem-
ber. M. Thouvenel then passes in review the
proofs of devotedness which the Imperial Govern-
ment has given to the Pope in affairs of the interior,
as well as of the exterior since 1848, and adds :

" From this statement it can be deduced how
much satisfaction it would have afforded, and
would still afford, the Government, to give its sup-
port to a combination capable of relieving the
embarrassments of the Holy See, but in this
case the goodwill of France runs the risk of
encountering insurmountable difficulties. The
question is not only to restore the Legations
to the Pope, but the means must also be found
for maintaining them in his possession without
having to follow a new intervention by a fresh
occupation. Events have shown how powerless
this measure would be to remedy the evil. Public
opinion in Europe on this subject is formed. The
occupation has been condemned by the lesson of
the pas+. Such a policy is to-day impossible; there-
fore the moment had really arrived to discover a
different combination, when the Emperor stated
*lie necessity of it to the Pope. Evident interests
and pressing considerations had brought the Holy
See to such a necessity. A firm and absolute reso-
lution to refuse to recognise the real nature of
the present state of affairs would aggravate
it more and more, and would at last create equally
insurmountable difficulties. On the contrary,
should the Holy See decide to leave the religious
region, to which the question does not really be-
long, in order to return to the ground of the tem-
poral interests which alone are at stake, his Holi-
ness would then bring about, however late, changes
favourable to his cause. In any case, it would then
allow the Emperor to lend his support to a concilia-
tory and reasonable policy. The Duke of Gram-
mont is authorised to read and leave a copy of this
despatch with the Cardinal Antonelli."

MADRID, FEB. 15.

Marshal O'Donnell is actively engaged in for-
warding the war preparations, and in reconnoitring
the country surrounding Tetuan.
The public spirit in Spain is warlike.
The Queen has presided at a Council of Minis-
ters, the result of which is not yet known. Their
Majesties have left for Aranjuez.

Marshal O'Donnell has received the 11 delegates
sent by Muley Abbas to ask on what conditions
peace would be re-established. Marshal O'Don-
nell has replied that the Queen alone has the right
to fix the conditions of peace. He has, however,
sent a messenger to Madrid on the subject.

VIENNA, FEB. 16.

The Oesterreichische Zeitung announces posi-
tively that the answer of Count Rechberg to the
despatch of M. Thouvenel has not yet been given.

The same journal contradicts the statement that
the Prince of Hesse proceeds to St. Petersburg on

asy extraordinary mission.

BERLIN, FEB. 15.
The general discussion of the Matrimonial Law
in the First Chamber closed to-day.
In the vote on the first two paragraphs all the
amendments, and also the original proposal of the
Government, were rejected.

The first Chamber has therefore rejected the

civil marriage in every form.

DRESDEN, FEB. 16.

The official Dresden Tournal publishes a tele-
gram, dated St. Petersburg, the 16th inst., an-
nouncing that Russia has rejected the English pro-
posal for the settlement of the affairs of Italy.

CONSTANTINOPLE (via MARSEILLES), FEB. 7.
A change in the Ministry is spoken of. It is said
that the Grand Vizier will be replaced by Kyprisli
Pasha, and Fuad Pasha by Ethem Pasha.
Discontent is increasing in the provinces of the

Empire.
Protestant missionaries have left for the interior.
The Turkish army has heard with satisfaction of
the renewal of the Anglo-French alliance.