The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-31 00:00:00

tier of •Valtelino, which is in dispute between
Austria and Switzerland, has become the scene of
fresh difficulties created by Austria, who has carried
away a quantity of wood cut on that territory.
The authorities of the canton of Grisons have
despatched a commissioner to the spot in order to
inquire into the circumstances."
A correspondent from Neuchatel writes to say
that the intelligence given in the telegraphic des-
patch from Berne of the 22d, stating that the
Federal Government had released the political
prisoners at that place is greatly exaggerated. The
letter adds :

" A few persons, slightly compromised, have been re-
leased on bail, but 18 or 20 are still in close confinement,
and aithough treated with humanity are subject to prison
discipline and fare. The interrogations having been
ended, and no ne w measures taken to terminate the
affair, the country is in a painful state of suspense, iv-
creased by some really unworthy allusions in the local
papers to what occurred in the first revolution in France,
in case the King of Prussia enforces his claims. The
Federal occupation still continues, and is made to bear
heavily on the Royalist party, two of them having had
10 soldiers quartered upon them for seven weeks. If
this continues, some may be half-ruined before trial."

PORTUGAL.

LIVERPOOL, FItIDAY MORNING.

The Cintra steamer has brought Lisbon dates of
the 25th of October, and intelligence that the Tip-
tree, with the mails from this port to Melbourne,
which had put into the Tagus, left for her destina-
tion, after completing her repairs.
The French war steamer Sesotris had put in for
coals ou the 23d, and left for Senegal the 25th.
Bier Majesty's screw ships Sanspareil and Cen-
turion were at anchor in the Tagus, as also the
French screw ship Prince Jerome and steamer
Phoenix. _ _

A programme has been published in the Diario
do Govern() for the opening of the section of the
Santarem Rail way between Lisbon and Carregado
on the 28th, when the King and Court were to be
present, and the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon was
to bless this first essay in railway construction in
Portugal, which has been constructed to promote
further progress in such works in the country.

LIFE ASSURANCE AND LAND,-SYSTEHATIC

COLONISATION.

TO TIIE EDITOR, OF THE SIIN.
Slit,—Some months since my attention was called to
a series of " able articles" on Life Assurance, published

weekly in a paper called the Joint Rock Companies
Journal. On examining them I thought I recognised
the features of an old friend, and perceived indeed that
the said original essays were literal reprints of papers
which I originally contributed to an Edinburgh maga-
zine, and afterwards republished through the medium of
Messrs. Bailliere, of Regent-street and New York, under
the title of " The Prudent Man ; or, How to acquire
Land and bequeath Money by means of Co-operation."
I have in vain pointed out to the editor that such bare-
faced robbery of ideas is "most intolerable and not to be
endured." The last week's impression repeats and con-
tinues the offence, by publishing as its own my chapter
on Life Assurance, as it affects the interests of wives ana
daughters—Life Assurance and the Ladies. However,
I shall feel much obliged if you will, on this denial of
justice, enable the general public to understand the main
gist and object of the little work which has been thus
pirated ; that will be some compensation for the injustice
done me.
At the present moment life assurance hardly extends
beyond securing an average accumulation of savings on
the death of the assured. lam desirous of having the
principle extended to securing an immediate as well as
reversionary benefit, How is this to be accomplished
Simply by assigning at once to the assured the amount
of his policy (subject to his paying interest a. well as,
premium), in such a shape that he cannot run through
it or run away with it till the consideration has been paid
,for the same. This is to be effected by allowing him the
usufruct of land during a term of years, and the possession
thereof at the end of the period, in consideration of perio-
dical instalments of the price. A hundred pounds' worth
of colonial land might thus be assigned to him on mortgage
in consideration of his paying Si. 14s. per annum for 20
years, which would replace the 1001. with 6 per cent. in-
terest, leaving it open to him to assure the value by a
tern premium, which at the younger ages would be an
inconsiderable additional burden, while the effect of it
would be to secure absolute freehold to his family in the
event of his decease within the 20 years.
Now for the practical application of this principle to
systematic colonisation. No one better than yourself is
acquainted with the great merit and the great defect of
the Wakefield system. The merit, that of requiring a
sufficient price for land to make the land available for
social and reproductive purposes. The obvious defect
in practice has been that the sufficient price has been
charged at the outset, while the social adaptation pro•
liaised has not been made pari in passu, and sometimes
not all ; it being a peculiar quality of human nature—
at least of joint stock human nature—to spend other
people's money lavishly, and for other than the legiti-
mate objects for which it is subscribed. To prevent this
I would have the subscriptions made gradually by the
customers—the settlers to be beneficed—and the expen
diture in improvements made at an early stage by the
colonising body out of its own funds. The colonist
would thus be pretty sure to get what he pays for,
and the company would be fairly entitled to an ample
profit en their organised expenditure. In a word, the
purchase money of the land, with its improvements and
endowments, agricultural, educational, and social, being
spread over a period of years, the payments would re
present not merely prospective, but actually realised
benefits.
The Wakefield system would accordingly have to be
modified ; for example, on the basis to be now indi-
cated :—I shall suppose a block of land to be secured of,
say 100 square miles, or 64,000 acres. Let this be di-
vided, as in the New Zealand settlements, into town,
suburban, and country sections, the price to include the
value of the lands, with improvements made or provided
for as below by the colonising body, whose outlay is
to be gradually replaced with interest by the instalment
payment of tee settlers, in addition to the legitimate
bonuses to accrue from such portion of Mae laud as the
company may agree with the public to reserve for
their own profit. Let us assume each country section
to be 44 acres, each suburban section nine acres, and__
each town section one acre. There would then be 1,280
sections of each kind ; 1,280 of country land at 21. an
4aln
acre, or 801. a section ;1,280 1,280 of suburban landland
at
an acre, or 361. a section ; and 1,280 of town
two square miles, inc
101. an acre or section. em-
bracs.Thientsci7ennfworuesldervtheserfeafrorpeublic, churches, schools,
objects, such as streets,
and cemeteries ; and the total
markets, public parks,
tofsoinLterest)£‘lvoo2u,l4dobo?.-0 0
purchase
,280 m
countryoney
1,280 town sections at 101.
1,280 tyaburbaa. sections at 361.
sections(exclusive a
an

£161,250 0 0
In consideration of this purchase money the company
would require t ) make some such outlay and disposition
as the following :
Price of the land, say L50,000
Preliminary expenses, surveys, &c lO,OOO
Agricultural adaptation
Educational and religious endowments (to
be proportioned to voluntary subscrip-
tions)
Public parks, gardens, &c.
Emigration
Lands reserved by the company for their

spElicil 01 VIE KING OF SWEDEN.

The following is the text of the speech of the
King of Sweden on opening the Diet, which we
have briefly mentioned by telegraph :
" Gentlemen,—lt is with real satisfaction that I see
myself surrounled by the representatives of the nation,
certain of finding in their noble sentiments and in their
enlightened deliberations a powerful co-operation to
secure the glory and prosperity of our country.
" I offer you, gentlemen, my sincere thanks for the
congratulations which you addressed to me on the
occasion of the betrothal of my well-beloved son the
Duke of Osiragotbia with a princess of the illustrious
ducal house of Nassau. The part which you take in
my paternal joy renders it still more dear to my heart.
" You wiil, gentlemen, find the kingdom held in
general consideration and in a state of prosperity, which
every good citizen must admit with deep gratitude to
Divine Providence. lam on friendly relations with all
the foreign pit wers. On the 21st November last I con-
cluded with England and France treaties which give fresh
force to old and glorious alliances, and which tend to
tighten still more closely the bonds of amity and confi-
dence which unite me to the Queen of Great Britain and
to the Emperor of the French.
" Our manufactures are flourishing ; our commerce
has attained an extent hitherto unknown to lie ; our
agriculture has made great progress, and, by a better
employment of its productions, it may export a consi-
derable quantity of corn. A praiseworthy activity, so'
conded by fortunate circumstances, has contributed to
the general prosperity. It belongs to us, gentlemen, t-°
preserve to the noble Swedish nation the place which
its glorious souvenirs and its love of country have as-
signed to it in the pages of history. We shall, I hope,
succeed in this by a constant care of the interests of the
state, and by the concord of our decisions.
" The happy union founded by my illustrious father
every day takes deeper roots in the hearts of the people,
who are now brothers, animated with deep respect for
reciprocal rights, and for the maintenance of a common
existence. The identity of origin and historical souve-
nirs which exist between the Scandinavian nations gives
fresh strength to this union. Faithful to my duties as
sovereign of the united kingdoms, penetrated with the
idea which forms the basis of their fraternal compact,
endeavour to complete the parts of this.great edifice of
which circumstances have hitherto prevented the termi-
nation, and to thus consolidate its duration.
"Two commissions, composed of an equal number of
Swedish and Norwegian members, have just concluded
the drawing out of bills tending to regulate the commerce
and navigation between Sweden and Norway, as well
as the mode of rendering executory in one kingdom the
sentences passed by the tribunals of the other. A mixed
committee, under the presidentship of the Prince Royal,
has been occupied in fixing the contingents which each
country is to furnish for the defence of their common in-
dependence and glory. The perfect unanimity which has
presided over their deliberations is satisfactory to every
triend of the country. These important works will be
communicated to you during the course of this session.
"In proportion as the production of a country in-
creases the necessity of perfecting the means of commu-
nication becomes more and snore sensibly felt. The con-
siderable works which have been already accomplished
have produced beneficial results, and I rely on your co-
operation for the accomplishment of the vast enterprises •
which I shall propose to you in order to establish a Bys-
tern of railways, which will powerfully contribute to the
prosperity of the country. It will be necessary to form
a new department for public works in order to give more
activity and concentration to this important part of the
administration„ which every year acquires increased
development. I will make known to you the changes in
the constitution which will be necessary for this purpose.
The different measures adopted since the last Diet
in
order to check the abuses introduced in the manu-
facture and sale of spirituous liquors have produced
satisfactory results, and I am pleased to see that
public opinion declares itself strongly in favour of them.
The detailed report which will be presented to you will
show the necessity of making some changes in existing
taxes in order to arrive more surely at the desired object.
" I have introduced into our customs legislation the
ameliorations adopted at the last diet, by which com-
merce and navigation have obtained essential encourage'
meats and facilities. I have now the intention of laying
before you a bill more in conformity with the principles
of free commerce.
"A new ordinance concerning public instruction has
just been promulgated, based on ideas which bad been
communicated to you, and which you had adopted. I
expect from it results of a most satisfactory description
for future generations.
"An enlightened toleration for the religious belief of
others, based on love of one's neighbour, and inspired by
an unalterable conviction, forms the essence of the dog-
mas of the Protestant Church. It is worthy of a people
for whom the great King Gustavus Adolphus fought, ia
order to secure liberty of thought and conscience, and
which cause be sealed with his blood, to follow his ex-
ample and walk in his footsteps. The old laws which
still shackle liberty of worship ought consequently to
disappear, in order that the common law be placed in
Larmony with paragraph 16 of the Constitution. Bills
tending to abolish the penalty of banishment, and to
ameliorate different parts of the Criminal Code, shall be
communicated to you.
" just appreciation of the rights of woman being a
sure guarantee of fidelity in fulfilling her duties and
mission in the family circle, I intend proposing to yon
that any unmarried woman who reaches 25 shall be
declared of age, as is enacted already in nearly all the
States of Europe.
"The draft of a forest code, drawn up by a committee
specially nominated ad hoc, shall be submitted to you.
this question is of the highest importance for the pre-
servation of our forests, the prudent working of vihrich
can alone secure to our commerce the continuation °,,'01,
lucrative trade, and provi le for one of the most esse°'
wants of the inhabitants of our northern regions.
" A perfect knowledge of our internal situation being
the first condition of the uninterrupted increase of its,
material welfare, the creation of a central statistical
office has become necessary for works especially con-
nected with it. A proposition to this effect will be pre-
sented to you.
"The increase in the price of provisions requires an
amelioration in the situation of the persons employed in
A proposition based on equity, and
the state service.
iu conformity with the real interests of the state, vvi"
be presented to you on the subject. lam sure you will
give it the serious attention which it merits.
Tmishnpohigitp:tkieel rfloesdroonouti iiforhofi
tew:
hyhiweoli
exigenciesnl
ui
tgshete
sroheisuat
persons
ayisntd ciitheooffrnnefe
at
rtohsehdfienenootgcsubueruttrmaadfivxxgeni documents which will be sub"
;ease::
acmwne
of
sadhtyai
hcml
which
ewee
swtts
ieaounrtupgeerp
already
pr
hilerrresoee ;jet ;it
“Havingconsiderably
diminished by tile last diet.
rat, I implorneotwhe opened
supportth eof sessionth e of
Mostth enStatesGene.
nO3ll-1.
laborers, and I reiterate, gentlemen, the assurance or
best wishes."

111 CEARLES NAPIER AND SIR 800
PEEL, BART.

•
Sir Charles Napier presents his cnntliments tot ri
Editor
of The Sun, and requests he will oe good Wu')
to to ,;ive insertion to the enclosed letter.
Murchwtoun, Oct. 29.

" TO SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART.
" Murchistoun, Oct. 29, 1856.
Sir,—ln your after-dinner speech at Stafford, t:
other day, you returned thanks for the health of her
at
Majesty's Ministers, in doing which you stated tbao
you had visited the fortress of Cronstadt, and alr
was but one opinion, from the Grand Duke Constants to
down to the youngest middy on board the Arladitturi
that had the energy of the commander equalled e
til
pluck of the British navy, that fortress at the
present time would have been crumbled i the
dust. Sir Charles Napier had been through a, •
whole of the fleet and fortress, and he gave it
his opinion that it was impossible to destroy tO,
fortress. It was certainly very clear at this °!,b
went that it was impossible to attack Cronstadt 01,6
success now, but when the war commenced the case fag
very different, and if the man who commanded the file
at Copenhagen had commanded the Baltic fleet, or 1
man possessed of the spirit and capacity of a Nelson badbt
commanded that fleet, he had not the slightest d 0 pfd
that, as the fortress of Copenhagen yielded, so vi°"
Cronstadt have fallen."
You appear, sir not to know that there were two C° 153,:i
menders in the Baltic fleet, viz., myself and my respect`a
colleague, Admiral Parseval—a man whose courage alet
judgment will bear criticism even from you. But
that pass. lam quite willing to take hie responetbili%
on my shoulders, as we agreed in everything av rePr-
, Cronstadt.
Like myself, Admiral Parseval may, in your estil33,:e
tion, have been wanting in energy and spirit ; but
both can afford to bear the imputation from you. ,•00
As regards myself, if the Grand Duke Constao'it
told you what you state, he told me a very differ
story, , of
His Imperial Highness went over with me the Pl 3 -the
the south of Cronstadt, and he himself showed rue, "by ,
total impossibility of succeeding against Cronstadt
ships. it
If you formed your judgment from what you 05"; pt
shows your ignorance of naval matters, and your 'ivy,- bo •
of generosity in attacking the character of a Ins° •
has faithfully served his county for so many years. 00,
If the Grand Duke told you that the north of
stadt might have been attacked, this was quite trkb",t
But whose fault was it that it was not attacked, hut,:the
of the Board of Admiralty, which did not furnieL;
119
means by which alone it could have been succes6!,ll of
attacked—viz,, gun and mortar boats and rocke
•t"0,1
which the allied fleets were altogether destitute ,Lwii•
sufficient means, moreover, were not supplied to IP`id
po
ral Dundas in the following year, so that he uu°' id
more attack it than Admiral Parseval and myself c°- to
if you have been put forward by the Adreiralt ou
i
insult me you have acted an unworthy part, and jut Le'
have put yourself forward you have acted a foolish pt
You say if Lord Nelson, who commanded the Pei the Copenhagen, or ary man of Epirit had commanden
fleet at Cronstadt, it would have fallen as Copenharo-e be;
Now, Sir, I tell you that there was uo compar's-sior°
tweet' Copenhagen and Cronstadt, and neither ioes
Nelson nor any other admiral of ancient or modern "cora.
would have touched it with the force I had at WY
wand.—l remain, your obedient servant, 10*
CHARLES NA-1-3--

Sir Robert Peel, Bart.
Craait
E The Eraperor of the French has prohioited the hoe
Mobilier from embarking in the Russian railway
or pal ticipating therein. 103
The United States ticrew steam-frigate Merrirao-
Southampton yesterday for Brest,