The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-16 00:00:00

§llll,

and the same may be said respecting
the income tax. He was the only
financial Minister that recognised the slightest
distinction between the hard earnings of industry
and the dividend, interest or annual produce of
accumulated and realised property. As to the
Reform Bill, wa have already yielded breathing
time, and we believe the chances are far better
than they would have been had Lord PALMERSTON
remained in office. Mr. OSBORNE did what he
had to do well ; but it would have been far better
for his party had the episode been omitted.
Mr. HORSMAN, in his speech, clearly and dis-
tinctly expressed the feelings of every true-
hearted, sincere, and disinterested Liberal. He
acquitted the Government of anything that could
by any possibility be tortured into a charge
of unfairness or intrigue. In opposition they had
displayed great moderation and forbearance, and
had therefore a just claim to courtesy on the op-
posite side. Great measures will unquestionably
be introduced, and that will be the time for
those who have only the welfare, happiness, and
prosperity of the nation at heart. Mr. OSBORNE
may cause annoyance, although inflicting no real
injury. Mr. HORSMAN'S is unquestionably the
more judicious, as well as the more straightfor.
ward and manly, course.

The despatches which were laid before Parlia-
ment last night, and which appeared in our third
edition of yesterday, prove that the " painful
misconceptions" between the Governments of
England and France, have really terminated. So
far the nation has every cause to approve of the
conduct of the new Administration. The alliance,
so important to the interests of both countries,
and, we may add, of the civilised world, still sub-
sists, without the slightest sacrifice of honour on
either side. This is the more valuable inasmuch
as no great reliance can be placed on the perma-
nency of a reconciliation when a sting remains
rankling in one of the combatants. M. WALAwslu
was perfectly justified in declaring that such
a reconciliation could be " sincere and last-
ing only on one condition, namely, that
the honour of the one should never be sacri-
ficed to the honour of the other." This is the
true principle, and so long as it is maintained in
its integrity, there can be no serious danger—
nothing which a judicious and reasonable line of
policy cannot get rid of.
It is said that an affront properly arranged
becomes an obligation. Private individuals pe-
culiarly feel this, but the same rule is applicable
to nations and to Governments. There may be
faults on both sides—errors of judgment which
may be regretted, but which cannot be
amended, if too prominently seized on.
Lord DERBY had unquestionably, a great
opportunity. He thoroughly understood the
,tate" of the national mind. He listened to
the voice of public opinion, and acted thereon, and
he did it well. The despatch of the Foreign
Secretary in answer to that of the 20th January
was all that could be desired. There was no
bluster or bullying—nothing that could give
offence to a rational mind ; but there was a tem-
perate exposure of a great, and probably uninten-
tional insult, and a moderate invitation for
explanation. This was fairly responded to. It
is the act of a gentleman to apologise for any mis-
take, or for anything that could occasion a mistake.
Count WILEASKI has pointed out what he calls
the "misconstruction," and we are bound to
believe him, and the international relations are
again placed on a satisfactory foundation, so far
at least as what may be termed the " refugee
`controversy" is concerned.

So far, then, the Government has done well.
Its policy will receive the approval of every
disinterested and unprejudiced person. It has
other difficulties to contend with, and not the
least onerous is tie affair of the Cagliari, and
the protection of our two fellow-subjects who are
now incarcerated in a Neapolitan prison. When
men have judiciously surmounted one obstacle,
we are disposed to place greater confidence in
them with respect to another. The felicitous ter-
mination of the French discussion induces a hope
that the affair of the English Engineers may be
brought to an equally satisfactory conclusion.
It is now admitted that the late Government were
acting on inadequate premises. The actual facts
were unknowa. It was supposed that the vessel
had been captured in the Neapolitan waters, and
therefore that the parties were amenable to the
Neapolitan law. This point has been questioned,
but not decided. The state of facts must
first be settled, and then it will be fur
the Government to determine on the course
which the honour and dignity and interests
of Great Britain demand. On that point at
least we may confide in any occupant of office.
Neither Whig nor Tory, Conser►ative, or Radical,
would willingly sacrifice the national prestige. All
we desire to say is, that hitherto matters have
been as well managed as could be desired, and far
better than they could have been under the PAL-
MERSTON administration, owing to the grave
mistake that was committed in the first instance,
and from which they could not, by any possibility,
have extricated themselves.

MINISTERIAL MEETING—(This Day.

The Earl of Derby having summoned a meeting
of his supporters iu the House of Commons, up-
wards of 220 members responded to the invitation
of the noble lord.

The meeting was held at the official residence of
the First Lord of the Treasury, at 12 o'clock
this day.
The greatest unanimity prevailed.

_ The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough have returned
to Blenheim, near Woodstock. Their graces have ben
plunged into deep affliction by the premature demise,
after a ♦ery short illness, of their youngest son, Lord
Charles Spencer Churchill.
The Duke of Beaufort has taken the Earl of Eglinton's
mansion for a term. His grace arrived in tow• yester-
day, from Badminton.
The Earl and Countess Vane and their youthful
family, on leaving Wynnstay after the disastrous fire at
that place, returned to the Claughs, Newcastle-under-
Lyne the residence of Mr. Edwards, and from thence
came to Holderness House, Park-lane, where they are
at present staying. The loss of the Countess Vane's
jewels is estimated at 7,0001.

The Countess of Derby has issued cards for an as-
sembly on Saturday next, at the family mansion in St.
James's-square.
The Earl of Stradbroke has returned to the Brunswick
Hotel, St. James's, from Henham H,ll, Suffolk.
Lady John Somerset has arrived in town, from
Enfield Court, for the season.
The Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Pierrepont have left
Claridge's Hotel, for Evenly Hall, near Brackley.
Sir Charles Wood hai taken the Duke of Devonshire's
rnanakon in Belgrave-square for a term. The right hon.
tops. and Lady Jane
baronet will move from his late official residence at the
admiralty immediately.
week, for
thete a
or
urazozntinent.
Levett are expected to arrive io
their new hou., 1,, e emon. and take possession of
C aitgt -(lpeTZafirritaliarn.:4t7tsctb. Isola have arrived in
THE BAIION2
Gloucester Journal that Sir
t:Z.:x:7We
the preliminary steps to
of Berkeley by tenure, which has learn from the
bizelmn
,t;o the Barony
for ward rilti7 Berkeley has taken
family, and that his petition with that viewcmdsilbellen
i 4
presented.
MILITIA ESTIVATES.—The supplementary estimates
required to make deficiency of the vote for the
good the
embodied militia, for the year 1857.5 g, amounts to
500,0001,

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