The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-16 00:00:00

ENGLAND, FRANCE, AUSTRIA, AND
ITALY.

Yesterday another Biue-book, containing 370
pages of " Correspondence respecting the affairs of
Italy, from the signature of the preliminaries of
Villafranca to the postponement of the Congress,"
was issued. Although it discloses no fact to startle
by its novelty, it abounds with interest, here con-
firming suspicion, there resolving a difficulty, and
everywhere instructing the best informed by put-
ting events in a strong and clear light. As the
volume has only a moat general unity, instead of
attempting an outline or epitome of its contents, we
shall take up one or two important topics and col-

beet the scattered references made to them through-
out the correspondence.

The starting point in the recent development, of
events in Italy is found in the meeting of the two
Emperors atVillafranca. Many accounts of this inter-
view have bees published ; bit, hitherto, we believe,
no authentic narrative of what passed at that time
has been given to the world. On the 16th of July
Lord Cowley, under instructions from Lord John
Russell, saw Count Walewski, and received from
him an explanation of the motives which had induced

the Emperor to act as he had done. Although simi-
lar explanations have been made from time to time,
every profession of motives on the part of Franco
has an importance of its own, and this especially so.

In commencing the war which had been
brought to a conclusion. at Villafranca, the Empe-
ror, Count Walewski said, had invariably declared
that, Italy once delivered from the preponderating
influence of Austria, he would leave to Europe the
re-settlement of the Italian Peninsula. His Ma-
jesty had repeated this declaration more than once
during the progress of the war. He had resolved
thereby to give an earnest of his abnegation of all
selfish purposes, such as the aggrandisement of the
French empire, as he hoped by that means to esta-
blish the liberty of Italy on a surer foundation in
obtaining for them the guarantee of Europe. But
as the war proceeded his Majesty could not shut
his eyes to the sacrifices he was demanding of
France in furtherance of foreign interests, and
after the battle of Solferino it became his duty to
examine more closely the state of affairs, and to
weigh well the cost of persevering in a contest
with the chances of final success.

" Now, glorious for the French arms as had been
the campaign up to the Mincio, that glory had been
dearly bought. The loss of life had been enormous,
and although the Austrians had suffered more, they
could not be held to be defeated. The real difficul-
ties of the campaign were about to commence for
the French. His Majesty did not doubt of final suc-
cess, but it must be at the cost of 25,000 more lives
at least, and the destruction of the city of Venice.
But the Austrians driven out of Italy, it was
uncertain whether there would be as good a
chance of peace as at the present moment, when
the Emperor of Austria, with an army although
beaten, yet not dishonoured, might make sacri-
fices to which further disasters would render
it more difficult to submit. With this conviction
on his mind the Emperor felt that he could not
call upon France to furnish him with money and
reinforcements for the continuation of a war from
which France was to reap no positive benefit, though
the conditions of peace might fall short of those 1
which he had once anticipated obtaining. He had,
therefore, deterinind to put himself into communi-
cation with the Emperor of Austria.
" Such, said Count Walewski, was the simple his-
tory, neither more nor less, of the motives which
had actuated the Emperor in this proceeding."
Count Walewski went on to give Lord Cowley the
following account of what passed between their
Imperial Majesties during the interview which
arose out of the determination taken by the Em-
peror of the French. The language of the Emperor
Francis Joseph is very striking
The Etriperor Napoleon, according to Count
Walewski's statement, spoke as frankly to the Em-
peror Francis Joseph as he (Count Walewski) had
spoken to me ; and after observing that both par-
ties could now treat with honour and on almost
equal terms, proposed, as the basis of peace, the
cession of Lombardy to Sardinia, the erection of a
kingdom of Venetia under an Austrian archduke,
an Italian confederation, and reforms in the Papal
States ; the details of these points to be settled by
an European congress.. The Emperor Francis
Joseph answered tat his reply would be as frank
as had been the Emperor Napoleon's proposal, and
that if the latter had his position is France to look
to, he could not lose sight of his own in Austria.
His authority had no other foundation than his
rights : those rights, therefore, he could never com-
promise. He might lose his empire, but he would
remain faithful to his principles. He admitted
that his army had been worated,and that Lombaidy
had been taken from him ; the rights, therefore,
which he possessed in Lombardy he was willing,
much as it might cost, his pride, to make over to
the Emperor of the French, if he could thereby ob-
tain the return of peace: more than this he could
not do without dishonouring his army.. Its would
not make the cession required to the King of Sar-
dinia; but the Emperor of the French was, of
course, at liberty to do what he pleased with his
own, and if he chose to give Lombardy to Sardinia,
he (the Emperor of Austria) had no observat;ons to
make.

" With regard to Venetia, his Majesty declared
that he would not make any concession of his un-
doubted rights in that province ; he would not
transfer them to an Austrian archduke as long as
he could defend them. He might be driven out of
Venetia as he had been driven out of Lombardy,
but he would rather lose it altogether than enter
into any treaty engagement either respecting its
future sovereign, or if he were to retain it, respecting
its future administration. At the same time his
Majesty said that he had no difficulty in stating
that he himself felt the necessity of introducing
great changes, and he had no objection to give his
word of honour that Venetia, in his hands, would
not only be happy but satisfied ('qu'elle serait non
seulement heureuse, mails satisfaite'). These were
the only terms on which he could listen to the pro-
posals for peace.
I, With regard to an Italian Confederation, the
Emperor of Austria said that he had no objection to
the plan ; that he thought it might be attended
with advantage to Italy; that he would willingly
enter it with Venetia, and join the Emperor of the
French in recommending its adoption by the other
Italian States.

" His Majesty further professes his readiness to

join the Emperor of the French in calling the seri-
ous attention of the Pope to the necessity of reforms
in the administration of the Papal dominions, which
he admitted were loudly called for. He gave the
Emperor of the French to understand that these
reforms ought not to fall short of what he intended
to do himself for Venetia; but he declared that he
would not associate with any Power, not Roman
Catholic, in addressing remonstrances to the Pope
in favour of changes, and that he would never pro-
pose to his Holiness any cession of territory.
" His Majesty further required that the Grand
Duke of Tuscany and the Duke of Modena should
be reinstated in their respective dominions. Finally,
be declined making the terms of peace a subject of
discussion by a congress.
" After this exchange of opinions, the two
Emperors separated, but communisations were
continued between them, and, in the course of the
evening, the preliminaries, the substance of which
are known to her Majesty's Government, wore
signed. On the following morning Count Rech-
berg came to the French head-quarters,and proposed
that plenipotentiaries from the two sovereigns should
meet at Zurich, in order to convert the preliminaries
into a definitive treaty of peace, which proposal is
now about to be carried into effect."
The tenacity displayed by the Emperor Francis
Joseph appears and re-appears at every turn in the
subsequent interpretation and application of the
preliminaries. From the first the French and Aus-
trian Governments intended to turn them to dif-
ferent purposes, and more than once Napoleon was
obliged to refer to his military superiority, and once
directly to threaten Austria with a renewal of the
war. On the important question whether a foreign
force might be employed to carry out the clause of
the preliminaries which reads—" Le Grand Due de
Toscane .et le Due de 3lodene rentrent dans leurs
Etats en donnant une amnistie generale"--the two
Crowns were continually at variance. It is ex-
pressly stated on the part of France (p, 22) that
"nothing positive had passed between the two Em-
perors on the subject."

In the /Won/tear of September 9 an article ap-
peared, intended to influence the mind of Italy, and
to impress the conviction that resistance to the re-

urn of the dethroned Princes was hopeless. In

the telegraphic summary of the article which was
transmitted to Vienna it was said that one of the
consequences of the obstinate rejection of French
advice in this matter would be the release of Aus-
tria from all the obligations she had contracted at
Villafranca. Unfortunately, the important quali-
fying words, "as regards Venetia," were omitted
from the summary, an omission which gave rise to
an amusing revelation of Austrian hopes and in-
tentions. On the 9th Sept. Mr. Fane saw Count
Rechbetg, who appeared very much pleased with
the article. Mr. Fane thus reports what passed :
" Count Rechberg, in reply to a question I ad-
dressed to him, said thatif the summary of the article
he had seen was correct, he was disposed to view its
publication with pleasure. It gave, he said, a new
and, in his opinion, a more favourable aspect to the
political embarrassment of the moment. I asked
his excellency in what sense he employed the term
' favourable ;1 and he replied that he meant by the
term, more in consonance with Austrian views.'
' I like,' his excellency continued, ' the admission of
the principle that if the archdukes are not restored,
Austria is freed from the engagements she con-
tracted at Villafranca. One of the especial condi-
tions of the cession of Lombardy was the restora-
tion of the archdukes, and if it be not fulfilled, we
are not bound to execute our part of the bargain.'
I asked his excellency to what course of action, on
the part of Austria, the reasoning he employed
would logically lead. Would she march her troope
into Lombardy, and endeavour to recover it from
Sardinia by forcer Count Rechberg replied that
the logical result of his reasoning was that Sardinia
would hold Lombardy de facto, and not de jure ;
that the possession of a state on such terms was
neither secure ncr satisfactory ; and that the atti-
tude of Austria would, for the moment, be one of
tranquil expectation. 'lf Sardinia,' his excellency
continued, ' attacks us, or infringes our rights, we
hope to be strong enough to defend ourselves, and
eves to retaliate with effect.' "

Five days afterwards the Austrian Foreign
Minister repeated, in an interview with Lord Loftus,
that "the concessions made by Austria at Villa franca
had been conditional, and consequently that she
would be released from her engagements, if those
taken towards her remained unfulfilled. The cession
of Lombardy would not be legalised unless the other
conditions of the Treaty were carried out, and that,
consequently, the tenure of that province by Sardinia
would be one de facto, and not da jure." In referring
to the restoration of the Archdukes, his excellency
stated that the Emperor Francis Joseph had made
this point a sine qua non condition of the peace ; and
that, as a matter of justice and of right, it could not
be yielded. He added that Austria had no intention
to recur to force to reinstate the Grand Duke of
Tuscany. Count Rechberg, however, from time to
time, renewed the subject, being apparently most
anxious to keep alive the right of his Government
to interfere by force in Central Italy ; and when
Lord Loftus observed to him that the abstract
right of Austria to interfere in Tuscany and Mo-
dena on account of her reversionary right ought to
yield to the interest of Europe, the count replied by
asking, " what Europe had done for Austria that
she should be disposed to make such sacrifices of
her rights r,

The Emperor's letter to " Monsieur mon Frere,'
the King of Sardinia, dated Oct. 10, caused consi-
derable excitement on its publication a week later.
Lord Cowley was assured by the French Government
that that publication had taken place without its
sanction. In that letter, it will be remembered,
were enumerated many points respecting which
France would have proposions to make in Congress.
The document caused great astonishment at Vienna.
In an interview, on the 9th November, with our
Minister, Count Rechberg said that the letter of
the Emperor Napoleon did not at all accord with
the stipulations of the treaties on the point of being
signed at Zurich, which were strictly based on the
preliminaries signed at Villafranca. Those preli-
minaz ies had fixed the limit of the concessions which
the Emperor his master had agreed to, and his Ma-
jesty was not prepared to go beyond that limit.
"I remarked that the Emperor's letter, however,
had stated that Austria had ceded her right of' gat -
rison in Ferrara and Commachio, and I inquired of
his Excellency whether this was so. His Excellency
replied, that although Austria had not yet posi-
tively ceded that right, still she was prepared to do
so. He added, that Austria had no wish or inten-
tion to interfere in the affairs of Central Italy, and
that she no longer desired to maintain the right of
garrison in places beyond her frontier. 'With refe-
rence to that part of the Emperor's letter requiring
that the fortresses of Mantua and Peschiera should
become federal fortresses, Count Rechberg stated
that even were this to be the case they would still
remain in the exclusive possession of Austria, and
would be garrisoned alone by Austrian troops. His
Excellency referred to the German Federal forces,
and instanced Landau, which being on Bavarian soil
'was solely garrisoned by Bavarian troops. -Where it
happened that the state on whose ground the fortress
was built was unequal to provide a sufficient force
for its security, as in the case of Radstadt in the
Grand Duchy of Baden, or of Mayence in the
Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, then it became
the duty of the Confederation to provide an efficient
garrison ; but in those cases the question of the
troops to be supplied was decided by a majority of
votes of the Diet, and a ♦eto was reserved to the
state on whose soil the fortress stood. Thus, his
Excellency said, if the Grand Duke of Baden had
persisted in his refusal to have a Prussian contin-
gent at Itadstadthis veto must have been respected.
Count Rechberg further alluded to the proposals of
the Emperor Napoleon that Parma and Piacenza
should be added to Piedmont, and that the Duchess
of Parma should be indemnified by the Duchy of
Modena. And his Excellency stated that Austria
would never recognise the principle that any power
was entitled to interfere with the sovereign rights
of independent princes. We hold, said his Excel-
lency, to the strict limits of the preliminaries at
Villafranca ; we shall not go beyond them."

In the middle of November the Prince Eugene of
Savoy appointed M. Boncompagni to be Regent of
Central Italy. Just at that time Prince Metternich,
the Austrian ambassador at Paris, had received the
letters addressed by his government to the different
powers who were to be invited to a congress; but
he informed the Emperor, then at Compieglef

"that his government, on learning the nomination of
Boncompagni to be Regent of Central Italy, had
desired him to inform the Emperor that, under
such circumstances, Austria would not meet a Sar-
dinian plenipotentiary in congress." " I under-
stand," Lord Cowley writes, on November 18, "that
his Majesty gave Prince Metternich distinctly to
understand that the passage of the Po, under any
pretext, by Austrian troops, would be met with
a declaration of war on the part of France." The ,
Italian arrangement was modified, and Austria
withdrew her objection to attend a congress.
Later, in November, the French Government
found it necessary to ask Prince Metternich why
Austria was making military preparations in Ve-
netia. Lord Cowley writes (p. 222) that the Prince,
on his part, admitted the fact, and justified it, on the
ground that large forces were kept on foot in Sar-
dinia. "These forces, Prince Metternich observed,
might be employed in a manner whiCh would neces-
sitate the interference of Austria, who woule neither
permit the military occupation of the Duchies by
Sardinia, nor the annexation of them to that king-
dom." And not withstanding the disavowals of any
intention of interfering in Central Italy which we
have already quoted, we find Lord Loftus reporting
to this Government, on the Sth of November, that
Count Rechberg had just observed to him that
" with reference to any future interference in the
Duchies the Austrian Government reserved to them
selves complete liberty of action.'
Towards England Austria held language full o
resentment after the peace of Villafranea. On his r

turn from Verona Lord Loftus saw Count Rechberg,
i who proceeded to express, and charged our Ambas-
sador to convey to the British Government, his deep
regret that, at a moment of severe trial, Austria had
been abandoned by England, her oldest and natural
ally. Lord Loftus observed to his Excellency that he
had used the term of " England having abandoned
Austria ;" but he must be aware that we had never
held out any hopes to Austria of our active support
and co-operatior,, and that at the commencement of
the war we had openly and frankly declared our
intention to preserve a strict neutrality.
Count Rechberg replied that although perhaps
Austria had no right to count upon the active and
material support of England, yet he had not ex-
pected that Englond would have taken an adverse
line ; for he must candidly declare that our policy
of late towards the Imperial Government had been
of an unfriendly character. He said that he had clear
indications that Lord John Russell had openly
avowed a wish and desire that should be
wholly freed from Austrian domination, and that
Austria should cease to hold any portion of the Ita-
lian territory. He added, that it could not be con-
sidered as an act of justice or of good faith to urge
on an enemy to spoil and rob the possessions of a
friend. Lord Loftus replied that he had no cogni-
sance of any such part having been taken by Lord
John Russell, and that he could only assure his Ex-
cellency that the policy of her Majesty's Govern-
ment had been openly and avowedly expressed in
favour and support of a strict neutrality. We had
from the beginning done all in our power to prevent
the war. The British nation were intent on pease,
and had been determined not to be dragged into a
war in which their interests were not directly con-
cerned, and which had not been of their seeking.
Austria had unfortunately acted against the coun-
sels of her friends and allies, and had rashly entered
on the contest. She must, therefore, incur all its
responsibilities, its risks, its losses.

SP.IIN AND MOROCCO.

(From the Correspondent of the Times.)
BEFORE TETUAN, FEB. 5.

The Moorish envoys said that the strength of the
army yesterday opposed to the Spaniards was 2G,000
men. Even supposing that they might have reasons,
difficult to imagine, for exaggerating its numbers,
the number of tents found would certainly accom-
modate that force. Half the numbers, disciplined
and well commanded, should have held the position
yesterday captured against a larger force than that
of O'Donnell. We have often thought that the
Moors grudged their labour, because we saw that
they did not destroy the Spanish roads when they
might easily have done so. But they must have
had other reasons. The fortification of their camp
is of a nature to prove that, if they be not addicted
to work, there are those among them who kuow
how to make them toil to good purpose. Their long
line of solid lofty earthworks is of a nature to show
this. The position, too, was extremely well chosen.
The swamp in front was sure to arrest, or at least
greatly impede, the passage of an attacking force,
and so expose it to heavy loss front the fire of the
redoubt. The mud and water not only extend along
the whole front but also round on one side, while
at the other extremity (the left of the position) the
ground rises, and there are wood and bushes in
front, which yesterday, as abovementioned, afforded
excellent cover to the Moorish sharpshooters. The
Moors were confident in the strength of their cita-
del—for such their late camp truly is, and cer-
tainly, had it been garrisoned as well as it was for-
tified, the Spaniards would never have taken it. A
very few thousand European troops, with a mode-
rate supply of artillery, would have sent them back
across the plain with heavy loss. As it is, they
would have lost more but for the judgment with
which their movements were combined, and the
extremely poor practice of the Moorish artillery-
men, who are evidently much more brave than
skilful. Although they had plenty of masses to
play upon, there were but two men hit on the side
of the Spaniards until these came quite close. That
there was plenty of firing is evident from the
ground in front of the redoubt, which is ploughed
up in all directions by round shot and shell.
The deputation was conducted back towards
Tetuan by a company of riflemen and some Staff.
They had arrived escorted by a party of Moorish
soldiers, but these got surrounded in head-quarters
camp by officers and idlers, and by some accident
those they came to guard departed without them.
At a certain distance from the city the envoys ex-
pressed a wish to be allowed to proceed alone, but
as there were Spanish soldiers straggling to the
front, on various ;pretexts, but probably with an
eye to marauding, and some of whom might not
have recognised or respected the sacred character
of a flag of truce, it was thought prudent that an
officer and two men should go with them a little
farther. On my return to camp I found the
Moorish escort still there. Possibly they were
picked men, but certainly they were all fine-looking
fellows, of various ages, from an elderly man with
grey moustaches, but still active and athletic, down
to lads as yet beardless. Some of their counte-
nances were remarkably pleasing and of a very
good expression. They evidently did not belong
' to the wild tribes which the Spaniards have as yet
had chiefly opposed to them, and were probably
natives of Tetuan. Their guns were clean and in
good order, and some of them were excellent
weapons. Before they left they had got on ex-
tremely friendly terms with the Spaniards, and I
suppose there will shortly be greetings and recog-
nitions in Tetuan.

The Military Organisation Committee of the
House of Commons will be re-appointed in a few days, and
it is rumoured that the chairman, Sir Jaines Graham, has
framed au elaborate report to be submitted to it, involving
very considerable changes in the administration of military
affairs.—Army and Navy Gazette.
[AmEwrisEmENT]. Holloway's rim and Ointment. —.
Female Disorders.—How many females allow functional ir-
regalarities to continue, without regarding the ultimate dis-
turbance of health, which they will inevitably induce ! The
first approach to disordered action should be met by the em-
ployment of appropriate remedies, of which none are superior
to Holloway's rills and Ointment. While taking them no
restrictions need be placed over the patient ; they contain
nothing which
can possibly prove injurious to the system
they act by purifying the blood land regulating every organ ;
and function throughout the entire system. The Pills should
be taken according to their accompanying directions, and the
Ointment rubbed on the abdomen and on the back twice every
day for not less than ten minutes.

TH('-", W:Si.7
,-I.;4,Ar\
E T VE.-1 T 1.1 ER AN Tl 7 E igc
gf'J '14;,471'.' 10,--)'• - , 1
,a,t044
The weather yesterday was fair, open t 4tfel4.
.. fiii,re;
mild tot the season. The wind, which had C) ''''-- ..1
north with the temperature at 26 deg. du ' `T 6he-',l s,
preceding night, went round to the westwaydhMe J"
forenoon, and the temperature rose to 361 tleg. ix
the shade. The barometer did nut indicate any
further change, but continued to stand at :10 4 dog.
during the_day.
As early as nine a.m. several members of the
Skating Club were engaged in their favourite sport
on the Long-water in Kensington-gardens, a -
marquee being erected on the bank for their con-
venience; and, although the ice was in a very dan-
gerous state, before noon there wee about 500
assembled here upon it. immersions were conse-
quently not uncommon. Two gentlemen broke
through, and on being got oat were able to pro-
ceed to their homes. Another, less fortunate, broke
through near the north side of th& bridge, but by
the aid of re rope laid across the ice was enabled to
extricate himself. He was stbsecinently removed
to the Receiving-house and promptly attended by
Dr. Cornish, and in about two hours after the appli-
cation of the usual remedies he recovered so es to be
able to leave the place. On the Serpentine, in the
early part of the day, there were also about 500
skaters ; but here, as well as at the Regent's-park,
about noon, the ice became so dangerous that the
ice-men proceeded to clear it, and kept it so during
the remainder of the day. At St. James's park no
casualty took place.
An investigation took place last evening by a
committee of the Royal Humane Society respecting
Ole fatal accident on the Serpentine yesterday.

THE com.uprwrdt, TRRATY OP _E VG-

LAXD WITH FRANCE IN 1787.

--~+---

It is worthy of note that 73 years ago, in the
f same month, and nearly on the identical day on
which Mr. Gladstone, in 1860, entered into the par-
ticulars of ouz. commercial treaty with France, Mr.
' Pitt brought forward a similar proposition. A con-
temporary historian (Belsham).writes to this effect :
" On the 12th of February, 1787, the house resolved
itself into a committee on this subject, when Mr.
Pitt entered into a most able and eloquent vindica-
tion of the measure. He declared in energetic terms
his abhorrence of the maxim, that any nation was
destined to be the natural and unalterable foe of
another. It had no foundation in the experience of
nations or in the history of men. It was a libel on
' . the constitution of political societies, and supposed
the existence of infernal malignity in our original
frame. France, in most of our wars, had been the
aggressor ; but her assurances and frankness in the
present negotiations were such as to entitle her to a
return of confidence. It was, indeed, ridiculous to
imagine that the French would consent to yield
advantages without the idea of compensation. The
treaty would, doubtless, be a benefit to them; but he
did not hesitate to say it would be a much greater
benefit to us. She gained for her wines and other pro-
ductions a great and opulent market; we did the same
for our manufactures to a far greater degree. She
procured a market of 8,000,000 of people, we a mar-
ket of 24,000,000. Both nations were disposed and
prepared for such a connexion. France, by the pecu-
liar dispensation of Providence, was gifted, perhaps
more than any other country upon earth, with what
made life desirable in point of soil, climate, and na-
tural productions, in the most fertile vineyards and
the richest harvests. Britain, on the other hand,
possessing these advantages in an inferior degree,
bad, from the freedom of its constitution and the
equal security of its laws, risen to a state of com-
mercial grandeur, and acquired the ability of sup-
plying France with the requisite conveniences of
life in exchange for her natural luxuries. Objec-
tions were suggested by the leaders of Opposition
against this treaty, and predictions hnzarded of the
injery which would be sustained by Great Britain
in consequence of this measure. Such was the im-
pression made upon the house by the arguments ad-
vanced, that no less than 162 members divided
against the Minister on a motion for an address to
his Majesty declaratory of the approbation of the
house, which was ultimately carried by a majority
of 76 voices. The opposition of the house was not,
however, supported by any commercial clamours
beyond its walls The measurereceived
the necessary concurrence and sanction of Parlia-
ment, and the whole transaction terminated greatly
to the honour of the Minister and the advantage
of the nation ; the sole cause of regret, in fact, being
the limitation of the treaty to the short period of
12 years."

THE AUS TRA LIA N COINAGE.

___4 ______

A considerable amount of discussion is going on
just now in commercial circles as to the advisability
of making the gold coinage of the Sydney Mint a
legal tender in England ; and Australian colonists
generally are, no doubt, favou,rable to such a mea-
sure. Now as in our opinion some, and perhaps
much inconvenience would result from the autho-
rised influx, under existing circumstances, of sove-
reigns and half-sovereigns from the antipodean
Mint, we hasten to suggest certain considerations
to the Ministry
,of the day before they commit
themselves to any such conclusion as that in ques-
tion.

There are two points of similarity—and im-
portant ones it must be conceded they are—be-
tween the Sydney coins and those of this country ;
they are identical in weight and standard of fine-
ness, and therefore in intrinsic value. There, how-
ever, the resemblance ends ; the devices which or-
nament them are of entirely a different character,
and this simple fact is a fatal one to the legalisa-
tion of the Australian pieces at home. There are
already in Great Britain too many varieties of sil-
ver and copper coins in circulation, and it would
but add to th 3 general contusion were the same
evil to be extended to those of goad.
.It would raise
doubts and difficulties where none exis t at present,
and be the fruitful source of perpetual annoyance.
The primary mistake with regard to the Sydney
Mint was the compulsory imposition upon it of
distinctive dies. It was established as, and is con-
sidered at this moment to be, a branch of the Im-
perial Mint; why, then should not the dies used,
and consequently the coins issued by both be iden-
tical in design as in other respects ? This, we say,
was a primary and great mistake; fortunately,
however, it is not without a remedy. From the
smallness of the Sydney Mint it has necessarily not
been very productive coins. It comprises only two
stamping presses, we believe, and the entire issue
of gold from its establishment in 1853 to the date
of the last returns, some three months back, cer-
tainly does not exceed three and a half millions
sterling. The production of this amount, accord-
ing to blue-book authority would employ the Tower-
hill mint about two months, and what would be
easier, therefore, than to recall and recast the entire
coinage of the eoloniAl mint, issuing it again
stamped with the imperial dies ?
In our opinion the whole matter hinges upon this
point, end to this point the Government would do
well to direct their attention. We have heard, and
have no reason to doubt the fact, that the who'.e of
the dies used at Sydney are supplied by the imperial
coining works. Those, therefore, who are anxious
to have the legal barrier to the introduction of
colonial coins removed, may consider whether they
had not better first petition for an assimilation to
be made between those and British coins by the
forwarding to Sydney of imperial dies. There seems
to us no valid reason why the branch should not
yield fruit of precisely the same stamp as the
parent stem.
Since, too, there appears to be every probability
that Melbourne will be favoured by the establish-
mentence
of a local mint, another argument thence
arises in favour of the uniformity for which we
contend.-21fechanies' Magazine.

---
- /St —Mr. Heenan, the
THE AMERICAN PCGIL
American pugilist, better .
known in the professional world
has established himself at East
of Salisbury, where he is un-
ghifporoftlEienfgolratnhcdo.ming contest
. tit ~...onuay,
as the " Benicia Beliv.e"
City
Harnham, adj dining t
training
with Sayers for the
R CHILD () NT A
dergoing the necessarycija championship
Elizabeth Curwan, aged 23, a fishwornan, unmarried, was
charged at.
Dudley with attempting to murder her own
ofabout four years of
ATTEMPT TO MURDE A ,
child, a boy age. A married woman,
.
d Phcebo Coke,deposedthat at about noon last name We-
dnesday she heard the child crying, ~ Don't thee, mother."
Upon looking into the prisoner's house through the window
she saw the boy hanging by a cord, fastened round his neck
to a nail near the chimney-piece. She called to the prisoner,
who was standing with her back to the child, but received
no reply. The door was forced by several neighbours,
when prisoner took the child down and unfastened the cord
from hieneck. The child \FRS then black in the face. Sarah
Jones stated that iu the evening of the same day she heard
screaming iu the same house, an on going in found the
prisoner hanging by a cord round her neck to the same nail,
near the chinthey,piece. " She appeared to be like a person
who was nearly strangled, and 1 cut her down. Her mother
chastised her for what she had been doing, when she took a
knife and attempted to cut her mother's throat, but I pre-
vented her. The prisoner then ran upstairs, and attempted
to run a fork into her little boy. She threw the fork at him
and it entered his head. I took the child into my own house,
but gave it up to her again in about half an hour. After
that I heard the child, when in his mother's house, cry out,
' Don't stick the fork in me, mother,' and heard the mother
reply, ' It'll only be for half a minute, Jack.' The prisoner
had been drinking." The prisoner, on being asked it' she
had anything to say in her defence, said to the magistrates,
" I was overcome by liquor, and if I did such athing
was unknowing to me ; I love the child as I love my life.,,
She was then committed for trial at the assizes.

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

RO YA L 141NGI,ISII
coy ENT-GARDEN.
Under the inanwernent 01 Miss L. ryue aud Mr.W. HaSrrison.
THIS EVENING, !4)NNA.M HUE A. Messrs. antley
H. Haigh, G. Honey; Misses rarepa, E. Cruise, and Thirt
wall.

0 P E it A,

Conductor, Allred 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,
Tallien, Infants Lauri, and Mast iss Cl
—Commence at 7.
ara Morgan.
Doers open at half-P 6

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
LPFI9eP, Mr. J. B. Buokstone.
THIS EVENING, will be performed
AN UNEQUAL MATCH Miss Amy Sedl.-,rwick.
After which, the new Haymarket Comic Christmas Panto-
mime, VALE N'INE'S DAY; or, Harlequin and the Fairy
of the True Lovers' Knot. The pantomimists the unrivalled
Leelercqs.

trHEATRE-ROYAL LYCEUM.—
JL 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, Rouse. Forrester, J.
Johhstone, 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 THRUSEIBEARD, 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.—
Xing 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 Ghristmas burlesque pantomime, by 11.
J. Byron, called JACK Tit GIANT KILLER ; or, Harle-
quin Icing Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table,
:lack, Miss Louiße Keeley—Harlequin, Mr. Cormack Panta-
loon, Mr. Paulo—Columbine, Miss Caroline Adams—Clown,
Air. A. F. Forrest.

MEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHI.
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 11. Simms, and Miss Laidlaw.
Followed by the petite drama of ONE TOUCH OF
NATUitE. Messrs. B. Webster, Billington, Eburne, C. J.
Smith ; Miss H. Simms,
After which THE NYMPHS OF THE LURLEYBERG ;
or, The Knicrh: and the Naiades. Messrs. Toole, Bedford,
Ebuirne. Smith, Powell, Romer, Miss Woolgar, C. Webb, K.
Kelly, Laidlaw.
1)43,3rs open at half-past six—Commence at seven. Box-
Cape .o ea 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 lITENING the performances will commence with
(third time) FIRST AFFECTIONS. Messrs. H. T. Craven,
G. Spencer, and Miss ffyndharn.
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. Ranoe, A. Evans, and Corps de Ballet.
To conclude with I WILL, IF YOU WILL.
Reduced Prices—Gallery, M ; 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 llippodramatic Spectacle.
Graphic, Picturesque, and Fascinating Scenes of Horse-
manship by Miss Alice Maude Cooke, Miss Emily Cooke, and
John Henry Cooke, the leading Equestrian of the thy.
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.

CANTERBURY HALL
THIS EVENING,
• LUCREZIA BORGIA,
(Donizetti).

Donna Lucrezia
Math° Orsini Mrs. Anderson.
Gennaro Mr. Henry Herbert.
Don Alfonso Signor Tivoli.
Conductor—Mr. Jonghmans.
Comic Vocalists—Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come-
dian and Mimic), W. T. Critchtield, and E. W. Mackney.
Several interesting Pictures are added to the Fine Arts
Gallery. The suite of Halls have 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.—STJN OFFICE, FEB. 16, 1860,
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADB.
43—highest since noon yesterday.
40—loweet this morning and during the night.
44—this day at noon.

BAROMETEII-30.10 ;
WIND, North-Westerly ; fresh, with rainy weather in the
morning, but fine now, though cloudy and cold.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tgis DAY.—Morning, 9h. 4m.—Afternoon, 9h. 50m.
To-moitnow.-Morning, 101. 38m.—Afternoon, 11h. 24m.

- 4 cttto l' N
, 41., 4y(20.,,) , • M 4 z
.c. , 2 -7_,.....3, , , . W.'
• .4 ' N ~:,---..-4-1T.,4)",;:. ~s)r- k,
• ~. -,,.....14-44.-p,.; ...,)-o, - . cp.. ••• 4.
'-, .k..• Xf... 0 . v,.-f ~•,: : 6 . "' ' ,k t ".*". ar
,- ' ''cr' ''','','`.'•frjt. . ''
A.
-WS.,
•-•—.4.L.,. ',lF'', ,' ,t,t.. 1: ' '," " -''' , . • "Ef:ff' ' .-"•',*--W—t_z-
-

THE SUN.
LONDON, THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 1860.

Why should the serious errors of the Budget
and Treaty be made the subject of a party fight ?
Such, we know, is the custom, but it seems an un-
reasonable one. In 1852 it would have been quite
as reasonable that Mr. DISRAELI should have given
way in regard to his impracticable house-tax, and
his' partial and useless modification of the malt
duties, as quit office. The same may be said now.
If points be attacked in the Budget which would
compel an entire change in the policy of a Cabinet,.
of course it ought to resign ; but if the country
only prefers a more equitable and easy mode of
raising the money wanted, we can see in this no
ground for a haughty giving -up of office. We
write, therefore, in no spirit of faction, when we
call for serious alterations in the Budget and the
Treaty ; we merely perform the part of honest and
entirely independent critics. We have acknow-
ledged the good of the scheme—cordially and
frankly acknowledged it—but that is no reason
why we should not show that, unless it be consi-
derably altered, the country should hesitate to ac-

cept it.
The more we reflect on it, the more we feel that
the tenpenny income-tax is a price we ought not to
be called on to pay for the proposed alterations of
our tariff, in which Manchester so cordially re-
joices. Even in that city, and in other manufac-
turing towns which expect to benefit most by the
scheme, the tenpenny tax makes many angry
grumblers—and many doubtful, too, whether they
will not have "to pay too dear for their whistle."
But looking to the whole country the imposition
seems unbearable. Many more will be severely
mulcted by this heavy tax, with no possible ad- '
vantage in return than those who will in
improved trade receive their quid pro quo. The
latter have nothing to complain of but the
detestable inquisition into that personal secret
of • every genuine Englishman his in-
come. Talk of the un-English character of the
Ballot--why it is English itself compared with
the inquiry, " How much are you worth per
True, these annum ?"very gentlemen who term
secret vot %mg un-English, profess to keep you., vote
on your in come a secret ! They can proffer secrecy
to get mon, ty from you. But we appeal to almost
every Incon ic-tax payer in the 'kingdom—does not
all that is E uglish in you resent the t* rev le a ton you
have to ma, 'r,/, annually, of your income, while
mane of you compelled to pay on more than
you earn, beer Li Ise you dare not tell the truth ? At
the same time ,ou know that others will not scruple
to give a false anewer the other way to a hateful
question. But , besides all this, what will the vast
agi ienitural int serest receive in repayment for this
increased and 4 )dious tax? Increased competition
with foreigne r 4in beer, butter, cheese, &c. What
thousands of ;.i lrsons, also, in the receipt of salaries,