The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-25 00:00:00

THE MONACO STORY.

A correspondent has sent us the following from
Monaco, dated the 17th :—" In noticing an article
of the resse on the contemplated sale of the prin-
cipality of Monaco to Russia, you most judiciously
threw strong doubts on the whole story. In fact,
a more absurd statement could not have been
hazarded, and complete ignorance of the locality
could alone have inspired it. This is the second.

time in the course of six months that the rumoured
sale of Monaco to Russia has been circulated by
certain of your contemporaries, and the story is a
mere repetition of the cwierd of last year, when,
however, the United States, and not the Russian
Government, figured as the intended purchasers.
It is not true rumours of the contemplated sale are
current in Piedmont,' for the inhabitants of that
country are aware that the Prince of Monaco has
constantly declined to entertain the pecuniary offers
made by the Government of Turin, and they aro
now, moreover, sufficiently acquainted with the re-
sources of the principality to know that its posses-
sion would be. utterly worthless to Russia, or to any
other Government but their own. Sardinia has a
great interest in the possession of Monaco, for this
petty State not only breaks the geographical unity
of the kingdom, but it is also a source of annoy-
ance on account of the smuggling carried on across
the frontiers. The Princes of Monaco have, how
ever, for the last four generations refuscdto abdicate
a sovereignty.that millions cannot purchase; and the
present ruler clings with energy to the possession
of the rock of Monaco, which alone remains to him
of the former dominions of his house, and which,
though of no intrinsic value, enables him to take
his place among the reigning sovereigns of Europe.
The French journal represented the port of Monaco
as one of the best in the Mcditcrancan, and added
that with a few fortifications it might be rendered
almost impregnable.' This is ludicrous. The port
is a petty retreat in which no frigate could turn,
while the whole principality—which, by the by,
might be conveniently stowed away in the Regent's
park—is commanded by a semicircle of heights in
the possession of Sardinia. Before the age of gun-
powder, Monaco was one of the important positions
of Europe, and it occupied a prominent part in the
sanguinary events which characterised the ' good
old times.' But since the introduction of cannon,
and particularly since the revolt of the towns of
Mentone and Rocquebrunne, which in 1848 shook
oft' the rule of the Prince, has descended to the loWest
stage of insignificance, and if it contrives to keep
its head above water, it is thanks to a rouge-et-noir
bank, which adds to the personal resources of the
Prince, and. causes a few stray napoleons to be
circulated among the population. Admitting that
the natural advantages of Monaco surpassed tho:e
of Gibraltar, the idea of their falling into the hands
of Russia by purchase would not be the less unrea-
sonable. The principality is guaranteed by the
first and second treaty of Paris, and it could not be
ceded to a foreign Power without the authorisation
of Europe. Were all the Powers of the conti-
nent, along with England, to approve of the bar-
gain, the realisation of the latter would, neverthe-
less, fail before the decided opposition of France
and Sardinia. The Turin Cabinet has never aban-
doned the idea of obtaining possession of this in-
dependent State, which is a
perfect eyesore to
statesmen ; while the traditions of the French ' its
Fo-
reign-office justify the secret hope tnt stained there
of some day regaining possession of this portion of
the Mediterranean coast. As for Russia, she en-
joys at Villafranca every advantage that she could.
desire. In that splendid bay her war vessels find
shelter in stormy weather, and a port for repairs ;
and in time of war they would enjoy the privilege of
being under the protection of a neutral flag. What
more could she desire? With respect, then, to Mo-
naco, I may conclude by assuring your that
.this m
interesting State is not for the moment in the ar-
ket."—Ga/ignani's Messenger.

The Great Western Railway traffic return shows
an increase of £lB7l the Great Northern an increase of
£2,734; and the London and South-Western an increase of
£222.