The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-03 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1858.

CREMORN E.-TO-ALOROW-EASTER
SUNDAY.—These extensive grounds will be open for Pro-
menade.—Admission by Refreshment Ticket.—Varied Amusements
during the Holidays.

CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS, Polygraphic Hall.
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SECOND ENT ERTAIN-
MENT.—Many Patrons of the Christy's having been unable to gain
admission owing to the limited numbers of Stalls, they have now
introduced an extra row, which will afford more comforts to their
numerous patrons.—Evening at 8, and on Saturday Morning,
commencing at 3. Prices —Boxes, 1/. Is. ; Stalls, 3s. ; Area, 2s. ;
Back, Is.
TWO EXTRA PERFORMANCES EASTER WEEK, com-
mencing at 3, on Monday and Tuesday.

ADELAIDE GALLERY, Adelaide-street,
West Strand.—GßAND CASlNO.—Licensed pursuant to
Act of Parliament, with BIGNELL'S celebrated band ; formerly con-
ducted by the late Esm.is LAusErr, now conducted by Mons. LA-
MOTTE, of Paris ; principal cornet-a-piston, M. BOULCOURT ; Leader,
Mr. CHARLES HALL. Admission, is. Doors open at half-past 8.
The above band is at the service of the Nobility and Gentry for Pri-
vate Balls, &c., &c.—Apply by letter to R. R. BIONELL, Argyll
Rooms, Great Windmill-street, St. James's.

NEW PROGRAMME of LECTURES delivered
daily, in Br. KAHN'S MUSEUM, 3, Tichborne-street, Hay-
market. Dr. SEXTON, at al4 past 1, on " The Circulation of the
Blood ;" at 4, on " The Curiosities and Mysteries of the Hair and
Beard ; " at 8, on " Skin Diseases ; " and at 9, on " Reproduction."
Dr. KAHN, at 3, on " The Philosophy of Marriage." N.B. The
Museum has received numerous additions. Admission, Is. tsr.
Kahn's 9 Lectures post free for 12 stamps. Open (for Gentlemen
only) from 12 till 8, and from 7 till 10.

GREAT UNITED STATES' CIRCUS.
Messrs. HO WES and CUSHING, Proprietors.—The largest
Equestrian Establishment in the World, numbering over Two
Hundred Men and Horses, will perform for a Short Season, at the
ALHAMBRA PALACE, Leicester-square, commencing on MON-
DAY next, APRIL the sth, giving Two Performances each day,
commencing at half-past Two, and a quarter to Eight o'Clock,
P.m.—Admission—Reserved Seats, 3s ; Boxes, 2s ; Pit, Is; Gal-
13ry, Gl—Box-Office open from 10 a.m. 'lntl 5 p.m.—On SATUR-
DAY MORNING, at 11 o'clock, Mr. PAUL will drive 40 Cream-
coloured Horses (in Hand) attached to the Appollonicon, througk
the following streets:—from St. John's-wood-road, thence into the
Edgware-road, by the Marble Arch, through Oxford-street, down
Recent-street, lets Coventry-street, to the Alhambra Palace, Lei-
cester-square. The other Carriages will not be driven on,this Deco-
Blom awing to the probability of the crowded stabsof the thorough,.
fares.—The First Grand mid aar ...is., place on
EASTER MONDAY, commencing at half-past Two o'Clock.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—WET or DRY, it
presents the certainty of Amusement, Recreation, or
Instruction.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—Entire re-organisation
X.... 1 of the Refreshment Department.—Messrs. SAWYER and
STRANGE, of the London, Fleet- street, having taken this department,
feel it to be but due to the public and to themselves to state the ar-
rangements, by which they hope to secure the patronage of all c'asses
of visitors to the Palace. In embarking upon this responsible under-
taking, they feel that their surest expectation of success rests on
their henceforth rendering the REFRESHMENT DEPARTMENT
a splendid and distinctive feature in the general attractions. Their
first act, which has the sanction of the directors, will be to throw
open a series of magnific:nt saloons in those localities of the
Palace commanding the best views of the grounds, the fountains,
and the exquisite scenery of the surrounding country. It is
confid,ntly hoped that every class of the community visiting the
Palace will find both their tastes and their purses consulted in the
refreshment arrangements; for while the cuisine will contain
everything that is recherche in the best English clubs, ample
accommodation will be afforded to that large class who may
wish to study economy, and at the same time seek comfort.
It will be the aim of the new proprietors to give the public
as many facilities for enjoying the pleasures of the table as they
could expect at tke best houses of entertainment, either at the
West End or in the City. It is hoped that by a system of manage-
ment at once liberal and economic, the holders of season tickets and
families will be induced to avail themselves of the opportunities
about to be afforded of dining well and cheaply. The arrangements
for the general public must necessarily be of a very comprehensive
character, and while the proprietors undertake to satisfy the most
refined tastes, they will not neglect the more simple ones. By a
judicious blending of the English with the foreign forms of the culi-
nary art they hope to make the department worthy of that world-
wide patronage. which Is bestowed on the-Palace itself. A novel
feature will consist in the construction of a suite of smoking rooms,
which will be of easy access from the refreshment salopns. The
refreshments are now supplied by the new proprietors, but imme-
diate notice will be given of the completion of tb. no-gor arrange
ments.

noo YARDS of BRUSSELS, TAPESTRY,
and VELVET PILE CARPETS, reduced Is. per
yard, at DEUCE and Co.'s, 58, 68, 69, Baker-street. These are the
most Extensive Show Rooms and Furniture Galleries in London,
containing an unrivalled stock of Cabinet Furniture, Bedsteads, Bed-
ding, &c., Exc., with the price marked in plain figures. A warranty
for 12 months Is given. N.B.—Down quilts, ss. 6d. each.

ORNAMENTS for the Drawing-room, Library,
and Dining-roam. consisting of a new and elegant assortment
of VASES, Figures, Groups, Candlesticks, Obelisks, Inkstands,
beautiful Inlaid Tables, Paperweights, &c., in Italian Alabaster,
Marble, Bronze, Derbyshire Spar, &c. Imported and manufactured
by JAMES TENNANT, Mineralogist to her Majesty, 149, Strand,
London.
Mr. Tennant arranges elementary collections of Shells, Minerals,
and Fossils, which will greatly facilitate the interesting study of
Conchology, Mineralogy, and Geology, at 2,5, 10, 20, to 100 guineas
each.
Mr. Tennant gives Practical Instruction in Geology.

CONTRACT FOR TAR, PITCH, AND TALLOW, AND
GALLIPOLI, OR NEAPOLITAN OIL.
Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy,
Somerset-place, 31st March, 1858.
THE Commissioners for executing tb.e Office of
Lord high Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, DO HEREBY GIVE NOTICE, that on TUESDAY,
the 20th April next, at Two o'clock, they will be ready to treat
with such persons as may be willing to Contract for supplying
her Majesty's Dockyards with
STOCKHOLM TAR,
STOCKHOLM, ARCHANGEL, or BRITISH MADE PITCH,
RUSSIA or ENGLISH TALLOW, and GALLIPOLI
et. NEAPOLITAN OIL.
Distributions of the articles and forms of the tenders may be seen
at the said office. No tender will be received atter Two o'clock on
the day of treaty, nor will any be noticed unless the party attends, or
an agent for him duly authorised in writing.
Every tender must be addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty,
and bear in the left-hand corner the words "Tender for 1#
and must be delivered at Somerset-place, accompanied by a letter,
signed by two responsible:Persons, engaging to become bound with
the person tendering, in the sum of 25 per cent. on .the value for
the due performance of each of the contracts.

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, APRIL 1.
Since Tuesday the business done in India shirtings
and T cloths has led to rather more steadiness in prices.
Stocks have been considerably lessened, and some sales
have been made for future delivery. In other respects
there is little or no change. The cotton market con-
tinues easy, with large arrivals whenever the wind is
favourable. Messrs. George Fraser, Son, and Co., in
their monthly circular, dated yesterday, state the de-
cline in prices since the Ist of March at 111. to 33. per
piece on 7-Bths printers, lid. on madapotlams,
2.3. to
4d. on 9-Bthe printers, 3d. to 6d. on 9-Bths shirtinge,
4id. to 63. on 5-4ths shirtings, 6d. to 7:4d•on figured
skirtings, ld. to 3d. on jaconets, 3d. to 6.1. on T cloths,
about 61, on long cloths per piece ; and Id. to 1-164.
(in some cases id.) per yard on domestics. Yarns
iI
d.
to ld., and in some cases lid. per lb. lower. Prees
are still, however, considerably above the rates which
were accepted in December.
Messrs. Robert Freeland and Brother in their monthly
circular report :-
" Tire greatly reduced stock of cotton in Liverpool at
the end of February bad led to extreme prices for the
raw material, which caused spinners and manu-
facturers to be unwilling sellers of their produc-
tions, except at equally extreme rates. But these
were very generally resisted by buyers, and
transactions in yarn and cloth at the high rates
were of very limited extent. The arrivals of cotton in
the month of March, however, have been so unusually
large as to alter the position of the market very mate-
rially. Middling Orleans cotton has receded from the
highest point about 13. per lb., and ordinary quelities
10. So far, the Manchester market has not yielded in
an equal ratio ; and hence the continued reluctance on
the part of buyers to operate except for the Eastern
markets, for which a considerable amount of orders bad
accumulated during the last two months.
On comparing the shipments of cotton piece goods
and yarns for the month with those of last year for the
same time there is very little difference in the sum total,
being 79 60ft packages against 82,134. But a compari-
son of specific markets shows a conshltrablo variation.
The falling off to the continent of Europe and nearly all
in yarn, is large-to Hamburg, 3,754, and to Rotterdam,
1,831 hales. There is also a decrease to Constantinople
of 2,329 packages. There is a similar falling off to the
Brazils. On the other hand, there is an increase to
nearly all the Eastern markets :-to Calcutta, 1,858
packages ; Bombay, 1,832 ; Madras, 1,384 ; Manilla,
1,538 ; Singapore, 800 ; and there is an increase to
Shanghai of 3 362 packages.
The following classification of the exports shows the
proportion shipped to the various markets of the world-
Packages. Lb.
Cotton. Cotton.
Piece Goods. Yarns.
East Indies 34.9
China
Australia
Central and South America 16.8
North America
West Indies
Coast of Africa
Turkey, Egypt, and Levant... 10.5
Germany and Holland 3.4
Other European States 7.1
" The Liverpool cotton-market has been very dull and
depressed throughout the month, and prices of the cur-
rent American qualities, which had reached a relatively
higher point than other kinds, have rapidly declined.
Importers so far have been realising a profit upon the
late arrivals, and hence have sold very freely ; but we
must shortly receive cotton, which has not been laid in
so favourably, and which will not be so freely pressed
upon the market.
"In yarn there has been very little business done
during the month, and prices have gradually given way,
but not to such an extent as to induce much buying.
Within the last day or twee some orders have been given
out where spinners were disposed to take very low prices,
but as yet the demand is by no means general or active.
The goods market, also, has been influenced by the down-
ward tendency of cotton, and prices have been very irre-
gular. Very few transactions took place at the high
rater. 9-Bths sod 7-Bth3 printing cloths may be quoted
6d. per piece looser, fur the double piece ; Madapollams,
40. to 70. for 46 yards ; Jaconetie 2d. to 3d. per piece ;
T-cloths and long cloths, 3d. to 4113. per piece ; and do-
mestics about tid. per yard. India and China shirtings
have given way about 9d. per piece, which concession
appears to attract buyers.

AN OVERLAND ROUTE FROM DOVER TO

CALAIS.

But were I, the writer of this, a civil engineer,
and could I catch the ear or the eye of men in
authority, I would suggest for their grave con-
sideration, that if the world is beginning to be tired
of the slow, sea-sick, but safe passage over the
waters of tire Channel from Dover to Calais, and
from Folkestone to Bolog,ne—if it hesitates before
the awful dangers and difficulties, and the enor-
mous, utterly-incalculable expenses of a more rapid
transit under the tidal stream, by means of the
submarine tunnel which has been roughly described
—and if tire said ambitious, progress-loving world
is still willing to combine rapidity, safety, and the
absence of sea-sickness by the execution of a work
which, though less costly and less wasteful of
human life to execute than the subaqueous road,
would yet leave the mightiest monuments of
Egypt for behind in point of magnitude and utility,
as it would be in advance of themin time—let the
grand problem be boldly solved by the formation
of a solid embankment capable of bearing a triple
or quadruple road, on its summit, through the
waves of the Straits of Dover. Let us have an
Anglo-G-allic Isthmus. Is this moro impossible, more
exaggerated above the proportions of common sense,
than the tunnel scheme ? I think not, after calm
reflection. A. Plymouth breakwater or a Cher-
bourg diquo, has only to be constructed c f the re-
quisite ldngth, and the thing is done. If a man
can make a mile of clique, he can make 20 miles of
&eine., As to deep water, Algiers will show what
has been done in spite of depth ; as to the length,
breadth, and thickness of a construction, there is
the Wall of China to encourage us to out-do the
performance of barbarians. ,Suppose that M.
Thome de Gamond had already butlt up his thir-
teen islets to the requieitsps,ltipde.above the level
' the cSmr, et thetavo-swonld then cost the
most, both in treasure and in sacrifice of life, at
that epoch of the work ; to sink the shaft and com-
plete the tunnel, or to connect the islands by a
causeway of rock raised far above the reach of the
highest tides ? Of material there is abundance
near at hand, at least on the French side of the
undertaking ; and any quantity could be made to
come by permanent or temporary railways from
the interior. Only a few miles from the southern
extremity of my isthmus are the inexhaustible
quarries of Ferques. The embankment scheme
saves and spares the very long tunnels on either
side by which the coast lines are reached before
the subterranean tunnel itself is entered. And
when once csmpleted, which mode of passage would
be the easiest to work, the cheapest, and the safest ?
No lighting up to be done by day, no drainage, no
ventilation, and scarcely any repairs, would be
needed on the international embankment. In
point of comfort, security, and sense of satisfaction
is there a choice between the two Whence is all
the oxygen to come, to feed gaslight, locomotive
fires, and human lungs ? Would you not involun-
tarily fear that the tunnel—as ill-natured people
say of the Leviathan—Was a clever contrivance to
drown the greatest possible number of human be-
ings at once ?—Dickeas's "Household Words."

THE EMPEROh NAPOLEON.

(From the Daily News.)
Truer° is an this to end ? Week by week the
plot deepens—the circle of aggression widens—the
exorbitancy of the demands rises higher and higher.
It must now have become apparent to the most
apathetic and the least clear-sighted that Louis
Napoleon Bonaparte is bent on engaging Europe
in the task of defending him, at whatever cost of
national independence and national honour, from
the machinations of his secret enemies, and the
consequences of his public—acts. In the pursuit
of this chimerical and impossible object laws are to
be altered—rights surrendered—liberty abridged—
the privileges of asylum violated. The free nations
of Europe, for the mere dynastic purposes of a ruler
who has trampled down French freedom, are to be
reduced to the dead level of French bondage.
L'Empire c'est l'Espionage is to be the new gospel
of the new era. The Sub-Alpine kingdom, the
Alpine federation, even the " inviolate" Island
herself, are to be pervaded by French spies and
French police agents ; are to exchange their free
and fixed laws, their solid safe-guards of personal
freedom, for domiciliary visits and arrests on sus-
picion ; for vague charges and arbitrary punish-
ments. Why should this be endured I What
claim has Bonaparte more than other rulers to exact
from friendly nations that they should constitute
themselves into the protectors of his person, and
the defenders of his rule ? Self-protection is his
own business. He has no right to enforce on others
the task of watching the foes, or averting the con-
sequences, which have been the growth of his own
misdeeds. Power like his, won by force and fraud,
can only bo held by the inevitable tenure of peril,
and suspicion, and fear.
Let it be assumed that we accept his rule as
a fait accompli
; yet we cannot forget the circum-
stances out of which it rose. We cannot be blind
to the means by which it is perpetuated. We pass
no judgment now on the one or the other. We look
merely at their inevitable consequences. We cannot
ignore the plain truths taught alike by experience
and by reason, that a throne founded on blood will
be assailed by vengeance ; that no foes are more
inveterate than ambitious and intelligent men,
victimised by proscription, and pining in exile ;
that wholesale deportation, on mere auspecion, to
penal servitude in pestilential marshes, creates a
certain feeling not altogether amicable, both in the
sufferers who bear the doom, and the friends who
deplore it ; finally, that to repress all intellectual
life—all freedom of thought, pen or tongue, in a
lively, volatile, and intelligent people, with a
necessity for news and a passion for discussion—
is about as safe an experiment as to tie down the
valves of a high pressure engine, or to light a cigar
with one of Palmer's Yesuvians in the penetralia
of a powder magazine. Now, what we want to
know is this : why should we be made responsible
for consequences which follow certain courses of
action an inseparably as shadow follows substance
Why should we be asked to alter laws, receive spies,
exercise surveillance over refugees, simply because
it has pleased Louis Napoleon Bonaparte to consti-
tute himself Emperor of the French under cir-
cumstances with which all the world is familiar
If once this course is entered upon it can never be
abandoned—as long, at least, as the present ruler
of France is on the throne. The enmities that his
acts have created are not of a kind easily subdued
by time. The line of internal policy that he is at
present pursuing must infalliby tend to multiply
foes and intensify hatred. It really becomes a
vitally
Europe is to be considered bound to defend
important question to ascertain bow far
Napoleon and his dynasty from the inevitable con-
sequences of his own deeds.
This, in fact, is the problem now presented for
solution to all t hefree nations of Europe. England,
which has already hurled from power the strongest
Ministry since Sir Robert Peel's time, for un-
worthily paltering with this problem—England has
recorded lwr emphAtio detArmination—a determina-
tion which no Minister dare for a moment forget—
that she will not have her old laws stretched, or
tra
or altered, for the mere purpose of
the better to keep the peace be-
tweenoleon and these enemies of his own
s enablingi strained, ed
Louis
0 u hex i s 2
irap
making. Sardinia and Switzerland are now en-
gaged in the consideration of the same question
under different forms. On no country in Europe
have the demands of the French Ruler been urged
with more undisguised. and offensive insolence than
upon Switzerland. Our readers will not have for-
gotten the terms of M. Walewski's Swiss despatch
of Jan. 20, demanding, in the language of complaint
and menace, that all refugees in Switzerland, espe-
cially
should
b e those r
e nibelongingto the Italian emigration,
from the French frontier and
shouoved
ithe more central cantons. This de-
spatch, be remembered, commenced with
isterli s int
may
complaints that the Federal Council had hitherto
met the representations of France on the subject
wdeclaring that "in the event of the Helvetic
into consideration and concluded by
consideration the
Gmioetavhnerdsniolmaftesonary ttisafnynoidtgevtoaauksriiveDig ipursetrnt
requirements, it would
incur a grave responsibility, and would only have
to attribute to itself the consequences which its
determination might entail." From the date of
this despatch to that of the last advices, a struggle
has been going on between the Helvetic and the
French Governments. The Emperor, dissatisfied
with the extent of compliance accorded, rather in
semblance than reality, to the demands of Count
Walewski, next endeavoured to procure the recep-
tion by Switzerland of certain French police agents
under the guise of Consuls, with the real view,
however plausibly disguised, of exercising an active
surveillance on all those who fell within the terms
of M. Walewski's communication, as " refugees
notoriously disposed to devote themselves to
criminal enterprises." Upon this point the Federai
Council have hitherto made a determined stand, and
we now learn that, irritated by their opposition to
this outrageous demand, the Emperor has resorted
to what almost amounts to a menace of war. Unless
the Federal Council will consent to receive the new

Consuls, the Imperial Government will withdraw
its exequatur from all the French Consuls now in
Switzerland.

We are told that this is a mere brutum fulmen ;
that there is no probability of an actual breach be-
tween the two Governments on this ground. We
shall see : at all events, it is to be earnestly hoped
that the confidence thus felt is not based on any
well-founded belief that unworthy concessions are
likely to be made by Switzerland. Let the diplo-
matesmancis
of the Tuileries put forth what representa-
tions they please, the plain fact remains incontest-
mcaodueobil
havethe Government
been
made
of Fiance
atnhcaot
otnhethdee
Federal
with an object the most chimerical, and urged in a
tone the most objectionable. That the advisers of
the French Emperor should not only require of
Switzerland to take precautions for their master's
safety by violent measures of internal repression,
but also to submit to the disgrace of receiving
French police agents in order to see these repressive
measures rigorously carried out—this is an in-
dignity to which no free State can submit without
an absolute forfeiture of all just self-respect. We
trust that the old, Helvetic virtue will resist such
meanness to the very death. We trust that
Switzerland, like England, will protest against the
absurdity and the injustice of being charged with
the protection of aPower, whose foes are the instru-
ments of that inexorable logic which in the moral
world visits lawless violence with lawless retribu-
tion—of a Power which, having trampled down
the freedom of France, now menaces the inde-
pendence of Europe.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.

(From the Morning llerald.)
Some months ago, as our readers may recollect,
we commented upon the report of the Royal Com-
missioners who had been appointed to determine
the proper site for a new National Gallery. Upon
that occasion, in expressing our hearty concurrence
in the recommendations of the majority in favour
of Trafalgar-square, we considered as well the con-
venience of the public as the grandeur of the situa-
tion itself, the proximity of the intended Govern-
ment offices, and the superb effect which might he
produced by the skilful grouping of our finest and
most stately edifices iu the same neighbourhood.
But we strongly advised these with whom the ulti-
mate decision rested, that if they could not imme-
diately afford to purchase a sufficientspace of ground
in that locality, they should rather delay the re-
erection of the gallery than allow it to be built in a
less noble and commanding position, or upon a
meaner scale, than that originally designed. What
may have been the intentions of the late Ministers
in this matter it is hard to say; but they caused
an estimate to be prepared by the Surveyor of
Works, by which the cost of adopting the plan
of the commissioners is roughly reckoned at
500,0001. That sum, if compared with the extent
of the contemplated improvements, certainly does
not appear exorbitant. For half a million of
money, according to the surveyor's computation,
the various buildings belonging to the parish of St.
Martin, the baths and washhouses, and the work-
house, together with Archbishop Tenison's school
and library, and also St. George's Barracks, might
be demolished and reinstated elsewhere, and a
magnificent gallery constructed upon the site thus
enlarged.
Now, it is true that the merits of this scheme are
almost universally acknowledged, for which reason
we shall abstain from expatiating upon them ; for
it is idle to argue when nobody cares to disagree.
But the real question is, are the Commons willing
to vote that half million of money ; and if so, will
they forbear to grumble when the Chancellor of the
Exchequer comes to ask them for the ways and
means to meet that charge upon the finances of the
country which they have themselves created ? The
honesty of purpose with which her Majesty's Mi-
nisters are inspired is well known. The tenor both
of their speeches and actions leave no room to
doubt that they will confine expenditure- of the
national revenue to strictly national objects, and
that in applying it to those objects they will neither
lavish it indiecretly nor fritter it away in mere
paltry shifts and temporary contrivances. It is
equally certain that they will not imitate the exam-
ple of their predecessors by seeking to evade that
legitimate guardianship and control which is exer-
cised by the popular representatives over the in-
come of the people. The present Government,
therefore, deserve and will repay the trust and con-
fidence of Parliament ; but in everything which
concerns the disposal of public money, the Ministers,
whoever they may be, must defer entirely to the
wishes of the House of Commons. When Parlia-
ment reassembles the subject of public buildings is
pretty sure to be brought forward ; and it is there-
fore high time that honourable members should re-
solve, which as yet they do not appear to have done,
what principle they will for the future approve
in regard to the erection of all national edifices.
Shall these be built of that commodious size which
will satisfy the requirements of posterity, and in
that august style of severe and simple beauty
which, in a civilised age, is not inaptly said to
typify the dignity of a country, inasmuch as it re-
presents a refinement of the intellect and the
growth of a purer taste among the inhabitants ; or
shall they still remain those tawdry, close, and
vulgar piles of brick and plaster, diversified here
and there by an expensive and elaborate mass of
profusely-decorated stone, which, as the phrase
goes, are no sooner run up than all men of sensi-
bility wish them removed ? The sooner the House
of Commons makes up its mind on these points
the better it will be for the tax-payers. The earn-
ings of their labour will no longer be wasted in a
multitude of fanciful or petty projects, precipitately
devised, and perhaps as rashly abandoned ; but
each successive Government will knew the rule, to
minedn whichot a
at
iallamong
on
nsmgouafs
ltlaequally
have
.vefao
been
d t
assOot
efc loaattlnseapyi
ceua ors t
usle
discerneas.
-almost to preclude the idea that, if the choice were
made now between the two opposite principles we
have mentioned, it would fall upon the latter. It
is indeed difficult to imagine that in the nineteenth
century any of the leading European nations could
be found so unenlightened as to deny the abstract
truth of these propositions ; that we ought not to
build until we can afford it, and when we do build
we ought to build both durably and well. Can we
not yet venture to practise what we feel to be true ?
In making these remarks nothing can be further
from our thoughts than to press hardly upon the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose operations, es-
pecially at such an unfavourable conjuncture as the
present, it would be most unwise to embarrass.
Able as he is, we cannot expect him to work mira-
cles. From our experience of the financial adminis-
tration of the Whigs we can easily understand what
difficulties the successors of Sir G. Lewis must have
to encounter. What with Persian and Chinese wars
and other minor burdens, the Exchequer has been
so impoverished, and the drain upon it is still so
heavy, that very skilful management will be heeded
to replenish it anew. Of course Mr. Disraeli cannot
spend what be has not got, and no Conservative is
fond of borrowing. At the same time, as we are
convinced of Mr. Disraeli's talent and integrity, so
we look for more from him than from ordinary
men. Moreover, the spirit which animate both
himself and his colleagues is so just, and fair, and
conciliatory towards foreign States—in them tem-
per and forbearance are so happily combined with
firmness and resolution—that it will be surprising
indeed if they involve us in any of those disastrous
quarrels abroad, during the continuance of which
all domestic improvements are suspended, the re-
sources of the country eaten up, and its labour
squandered in contrivances for the destruction of
our, neighbours, and the surplus revenue thrown
away, not upon such trifles as bridges, museums,
and galleries of art, but in the forging of warlike
muniments and the accumulation of vast stores of
gunpowder and missiles of destruction. We do not
hesitate. therefore. to predict that, as soon as the
Ministers have extricated themselves from the hos-
tilities by which the policy of Lord Palmerston has
unfortunately hampered and tied them down, the
Exchequer will be refilled ; and that so long as Mr.
Disraeli retains hiapost the condition of the finances
will be steadily improved. But whilst be is en-
gaged in repairing the deficit which the Whigs have
bequeathed to him we shall be much deceived if he
prefers the character of the niggard to that of the
economist. No legislator has shown himself more
adverse to staving off difficulties by trick or
subterfuge ; and we may rest assured that,
among the weightier cares and anxieties
of his office, he has not lost eight of this
question of public buildings, with respect to which
he has more than once explained his liberal and com-
prehensive views to an admiring audience in the
Lower House of Parliament.

The first balloon ascent in the Australian colonies
took place at Cremorne Gardens. Melbourne, on the Ist
of February, and was witnessed by an enormous con-
course of people. One of the aeronauts brought
from England by Mr. Coppin ascended, owing to
sufficient supply of gas. The descent of the balloon nett
its passenger was safely effected at a spot about
miles north of the city.