The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-11 00:00:00

11, 1858

"11.11 E MIN ISTEii OF-FRANCE,"

(Front the Frec2nan.)

Whatever ourepinlone respectiegthelreperial alliance.
or respecting what our Legislature ehoold do in eh,
predicamett in which it has heon placed, there Ci6D,
imagine, be but one opinion respecting Lord Padmer
&ten ter petting tie in a false pesitien. To lun w ow,
it that either Louis Napoleon and the :TeTapoleonhts of
France may be, or pretend to be, affronted, or that
England must be humiliated. Somehow, when Lord
Palmerston was Foreign Minister, he obtained the
reputation of being an Englishman—an Englishman to
the backbone ; bnt since he became, the Chief Home
Minister he has well-nigh gained the reputation of hay•
ing become a foreigner. The man who was to enable
every Englishman to parallel everywhere the old "Cicis
Romanus sum," has himself become in turn the minister
of Austria, or of Prussia, or of France, and the
humble waiter, in behalf of our Cives Romani at Salerno,
on the good providence of King Bombs. He reserves
all his resistance to European despots for American
presidents, or Cantonese viceroys. Unless the public
are strangely mistaken, he has become as polite and
deferential to the despots of the Continent, as if he had
himself married into one of the petty royal families of
Germany.
There can be no doubt that Lords Campbell and
Brougham in the Lords,'and Mr. Roebuck in the Com-
mons, have expressed thefeeling of this country. As little
doubt that Lord Palmerston has deeply mortified English-
men, and lowered the dignity of England. He had no
occasion to put before us the alternative of rejecting a law
proposed at the dictation of France, or abasing ourselves
before the Emperor of the coup d'etat. In the most
courtly phraseology he chose to select, he might have
informed Pereigny and Walewski, that our laws did
provide an appropriate punishment for conspiracy,
if proved,—but that the English Parliament could
never be induced by any consideration to legislate
against persons merely suspected. There the matter
mast have ended. Walewski must have acceped as
true the statement of the English Government about
its own lame and the course of its own legislation.
As the case now stands, every Englishman must feel
that Lord Palmerston has made oar legislature the foot-
ball of. France. Evengranting that our criminal legislation
might, in the Attorney-General's hands, have of itself
reached the desired point before the end of the session,
we yet cannot endure to be kicked to that point by
the Emperor of the Frencb, or rather by the unprin-
cipled minions and needy adventurers who constitute
his Ministry. In 1302, Lord Hawkesbury could hold
very different language to the first of the Corsican
dynasty. He could tell him, on receipt of a similar
application, in language which must compel our
Liberal Ministry to blush, that our Government
"never can consent to new model their laws or to change
their constitution to gratify the wishes of any foreign
power; and that it is not his Majesty's intention to inter-
fere in the manner in which the people or territories
of France should be governed ; but he expects on the
other hand that the French Government will not inter-
fere in the manner in which the government of his
dominions is conducted, or call for a change in his laws
with which his people are perfectly satisfied,"
Considering the whole question as dispasaionately as
we can, we must give our vote for the dignity of our
country. We admit that it may be justly said that
there is dignity in doing right, even if right be
insultingly demanded of us. It is dignified to hold
on our way unmoved by bullying or by reproaches.
But what we are asked to do is to go out of our way,
and to go out of,, it just that our deviation may
seem to be a concession to sycophant colonels eager for
promotion, and to a brace or so of ministers whom Na-
poleon, in his heart, must despise as much as all Europe
does. Here, we have a Reform Bill anxiously expected,
which we are now told must be postponed till after
Easter; yet precious time must be spent in legislating
at the bidding of the Walewskis and the Persignys !
We have criminal law reforms announced by the
Attorney-General, and if the law of conspiracy wanted
improvement it might naturally have been considered
with the kindred measures. But no ; the Prime
Minister as the proposer, and not the Attorney-
General—an isolated short bill, and not one forming part
of a promised series -are the selected means of showing
that we go out of our way to bow to the empire and its
tools. This cannot be dignity. It is not even self-respect.
We were very busy on the weightiest matters—we stop
in obedience to a rude demand. We were about amend-
ing a certain part of our laws—we select a fraction of that
part, and amen; it at once, if amendment it be, because
a foreign Power hotly demands it.
We certainly should not modify our course in the least
degree for all the lecturing to which the Corporation of
London submitted (let us hope, as Mr. Roebuck said, in a
language they did not understand), nor for all the venal
bul ying of utterly insignificant regimental colonels, nor
for the rhodomontade of a French Foreign Minister.
At the same time, we must own that their case is I
utterly bad in point of argument, and the indignation
of Mr. Roebuck more than justified, when he sees
the house of which he is a member about to be burn
bled at their feet. True, the bill is, an its ministerial
advocates allege, the least thing that could possibly
be done, a perfectly useless thing in itself, and if it
were a penny to get rid of a beggar we should say
give him it—but it is, however small in itself—it is
nothing more nor has than a concession to get rid of a
bragging bully ; it is of no more value than the earth
and water demanded by Xerxes of the Greeks, but it
means in the eyes of civilised Europe almost an much.
For any practical utility in cases of conspiracy, it is not
worth the parchment it is written on, but it is worth
everything to the vanity of the Gaseous who ask it.
They know the use they will make of it. They
know that each of the gallant colonels will read
it on parade to his regiment as a proof of the terror
they inspire ; they know that in every despotic court
in Europe there will be ill-suppressed joy that Louis
Napoleon has been strong enough to compel England to
begin legislation against the victims of their tyranny.
Napoleon, the warrior, they will say, could wrest
nothing from England, but the Napoleon of pcaoe has
vanquished her by his colonels, his Moniteur, and his
despatches:
We refrain from speculating on where the French
Emperor would now be had there formerly been a law
here making conspiracy against a foreign ruler punish-
able with penal servitude for life ; or where the murderer
of scores of innocent men and women in the Boule-
vards, to secure a throne for himself, deserves to be.
Those profound judges of law, and those enlightened
moralists, the French Pi mtorians, have settled those
points ; they have always, as Mr. Roebuck observed,
been loyal to every ruling power in France. Still, it is
impossible not to feel that Lord Palmerston's quotation,
applied eo unjustly to Mr. Roebuck, might be applied
with perfect truth to the Emperor of the French de-
manding laws against conspiracy—

" Quis tulerit Gracchos de seditione querentes
Let all that pass. Let us put the best construction on
all the Emperor's acts. Let us admit that having heard
the infamous addresses of the colontls, he forgot to
write acmes them, "These not to appear in the
Moniteur." Let ua admit that Count de Morny, and
Count ce Persigny, and Count Wale wski, all fl3g-
rantly abused their master's confidence. Let us
admit that he does not chuckle over, but really re
grets, the appearance of the military threats in the Moni
tear. We still feel the same repugnance against an
alteration in our criminal law, so made that Louis Na-
poleon will have all the credit of suzerainty, and we all
the humiliation of paying tribute. And what a tribute !
Better far pay him at once a million per annum than al-
low it to remain for heavy on the pages of history and en
the sacred records of °lir Legislation that "this law was en-
acted because demanded by the autocrat of France." We
value as highly as any man can do the friendship of
France. We would not say a word or do the least thing
to imperil it. But honestly, we believe that Louis
Napoleon is not France, still less are his present officials
France. We wish to be allied to the intelligence, tne
patriotism, and the manliness which yet survive in
France ; and, assuredly, by acting worthily of our native
love of liberty, and of our self-respect, we shall cement
the only alliance creditable to both nations.

INCOMBUSTIBLE STUFFS.—PubIic attention. has, for
some time past, been dirt cted to various processes for
rendering clothes, and especially female attire, incombus-
tible ; and we some time ago gave an account of certain
Experiments made which were quite conclusive as
regarded the possibility of the mater. But the process
is not new, for M. Wohler many years ago announced
that if acetate of lime and chloride of calcium were dis-
solved in liquid ammonia, any stuffs steeped into the
solution, and then allowed to dry, would become fire-
proof, that is, if exposed to a flame, they would not
catch fire, but only glimmer and waste away into ashes.
As such a contrivance is easily applicable to all kinds
of dresses, we cannot do better than inform our fair
readers that they may effectually avoid the risk of
catching fire, and of dying a horrible death, or at
least being ()refigured for life, by merely using
the above solution with the starch to be ap-
plied to petticaats, curtains, &c. It might, perhaps,
be difficult to do so to a silk gown without spoiling it ;
but the under-garments are those chiefly to be defended ;
for, if subjected to the preparation in question, the silk
aya and if the withoutopme rms oun-
gn
ioawa
tni,n
gi f
tihe t catchfl a:0
sfi to r
thewill
petticoats ;
in danger have but the presence of mind to lie down in
order to prevent any injury to the face and arms, she
will have sufficient time either to stifle the flames herself
by using a rug, or. to wait for assistance.
CRYSTAL PALACIL --With a view to reduce the
capital of this company, it appears the directors are now
prepared to receive applications for the surrender of
shares in exchange for tickets of admission. For each
original share surrendered a ticket will be given authori
ing 60 admissions to the building and grounds on all
ordinary (Is.) days. The ticket is not to remain in force
longer than three years from its date. For each prefer-
ence share surrendered, two similar tickets of admission.
surrendered,lt is intended
to t oc
ocharge
registrationa fee o
f2:lnd expense of issue. 6 d on each share
of ticket. Tie directors have passed a resolution
authorising admission by these tickets to the palace and
DEATHS OP h BanffAtre Journal
CENTENARIANS.—The R
Mrs.l A
Mitchell,
grounds on Sunday afternoon
records the death ofi—chTell-,6Midtow'n. of Baden-
spink, Fordyce, at the age of 101
years. The deceased
lady, it is stated,
was accustomed to tell how she recol-
lected when the wages of a woman servant were about
nine pounds Scots (15?.), when eggs were sold at 3*l.
per dozen, and butter at 3d. per lb. In those days our
northern farmers, from the want of roads, did not use
carts, but the corn was brought from the fields on the
backs of horses, on something like creels. Mrs. Mitchell
enjoyed the most of her faculties, both mental and phy-
sical, almost till the day of her death. The Nairn
Telegraph announces the death of a woman named Janet
Macdonald, at Chum, wish of Candor, in her 112th

IMP2RIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YRsTBaDAY.)
The erRAIVSR took the cbair at 12 o'clock.
HAMPSTEAD HEATH PARK.
Leave was given to introduce a bill for the formatiog
a park at
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
Upwards of thirty private bills (principally railwal
bill?), were read a second time.
OATHS BILL.
Several petitions were presented against the admissiosi
of Jews to Parliament.

M A YNOOTH.
Mr. SPOONER presented a petition against any
further grants to Maynooth.

THE ENGINEERS OF THE CA-GLIARI.
Mr. BUCHANAN preseated a petition froui Glae:
gow, praying for the adoption of measures for the defence
of the unfortunate English engineers for trial at Naplee.
POSTAL COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTRALIA.
Mr. MACARTNEY asked the Secretary to the
Treasury, whether the contract entered into in July,
1856, with the European and Australian Mail Company,.
had been cancelled or determined ; and if so, va kat
arrangements had been made to secure the maintenance
of the postal communication ss ith the Australian colonies
for the future ? And also, whether any extension of
time of the existing contract with the Royal Mail Steam.
Packet Company, which expires in 1862, had been
granted, and for what period ?
Mr. WILSON was not aware that any proposition
had been made for determining the contract and the
arrangements under which that contract still continued.
An extension of contract for two years had bee•
granted to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Compaay
from 1862, on the understanding that they should:
improve the service with Rio Janeiro and Buenos
Lyres. _ _

-
CANTILLON'S LEGACY.
Mr. STERLING gave notice that he abould,
to-morrow, ask the First Lord of the Treasury if it
were true, or if he could obtain information of an
authentic character of the fact that the Emperor a
the French had paid, with interest, the legacy of
10,000 f., bequeathed by the First Napoleon, to CaII •
tillon, who attempted to assassinate the Duke of Wel-
lington.

CHURCH RATES.
Sir J. TRELAWINIEY asked if it was the intention
of the Government to oppose the first reading of his
abolition of Church Rates Bill to-morrow. A noble lord
on the Opposition benches had intimated he should
make no opposition to tho first reading.
Sir G. GREY said he should not oppose the first
reading of the hon. baronet's bill.
OATHS BILL.
Lord J. RUSSELL moved the second reading of the
Oaths Bill.

Sir F. THESIGER said it was not Isis intention to
offer any opposition to the second rending of this bill.
He concurred in the proposed change in the Christian
oath, and, adhering to his former r.rinciple, he assented
to the second reading of the bill on the understanding
that he or some other hon. member would in committee
wove the omission of the clause relative to the proposed
Jews' oath. (Hear.)
Mr. NAPIER said the question bad been raised in
the least objectionable form in the bill. H. intimated
that he should not uppose its second reading, but reserve
to himself the right of opposing any of.its clauses in
committee.

Mr. lIA.SSARD gave a general support to the bilL
He, however, objected to the words in it deolaring that
no pope, or foreign potentate, has, or ought to have, any
spiritual or other jurisdiction in this country, knowing
that everyday experience showed ►he contrary.
After some remarks from Mr. Ayrton, Mr, Collier,
and Mr. Bag well,

Lord J. RUSSELL said he should be glad to lee
one oath both for Roman Catholics and Protestants,
instead of two as at present. His attempt on a formes
occasion to frame one oath for both was defeated by the
Protestant jealousy of the house. He feared the day
was distant before Parliament would be induced to
make such an alteration in the law. He considered the
words objected to had not the bearing hon. members
considered. When he took the oaths he did so with
the belief that the Queen was the supreme head of the
nation, and that no 'awls could have authority in this
country in which they did not take a part.
Mr. M'MAHON said they ought not to continue a
phraseology in the oath that was insulting to everybody.
It imputed opinions to persons which, in all probability,
they had never entertained.
Mr. WALPOLE considered that oaths should be
administered in the most imposing manner possible.
There was something cumbrous in the present form
which was remedied in the noble lord's bill, to which,
therefore, he should give his assent.

After some further discussion, the bra was read *
second time.

LADY HAVELOCK'S AND SIR HENRY
HAVELOCK'S ANNUITIES BILL.
This bill passed through committee.

ECCLESIASTICAL RESIDENCE (IRELAND).
Mr. NAPIER obtained leave to introduce a bill for
the amendment of the law relative to ecclesiastical reel-
ddncea in Ireland, R Lich was read a first time.
CHURCHES, &c., IRELAND.
Mr. NAPIER obtained leave to introduce a bill for
the amendment of the law relating to the erectton and
endowment of churches, chapels, and perpetual curacies
in Ireland, which was read a first time.
The house adjourned at a quarter-past four o'clock.

HEALTH OP LONDON DURING TBE WEEK.

(From the Report of the Registrar General.)

The total number of deaths in London, which in
the previous week was 1,363, was in the week that
ended last Saturday (Feb. 6), 1,314. In the 10
years 1848-57 the average number of deaths in the
weeks corresponding with last week was 1,211, but
as the deaths of last week occurred in an increased
population thee) should be compared with the ave-
rage, when the latter bas been raised in proportion
to the increase, in which case the comparison will
show that the mortality of last week approximated
very closely to that which former experience lead*
to expect in the first week of February. •
Of the 1,314 deaths in the present return, 1,303
are referred each to the fatal disease or injury with
sufficient dis►,inctness to admit of arrangement
under the several heads in the nosological
list. The special diseases and orders of dis-
eases are classified under five general heads—viz.,
the zymotic class, which was fatal last week in 241
cases, the corrected average of corresponding weeks
(in 1848-57) being 299 ; the constitutional, which
was fatal in 248 cases, while the average was 263 ;
the local, to which 622 deaths are placed, the ave-
rage being 557; the developmental fatal inl6ocases,
the average 155 ; and violence, which caused 32
deaths, the average 27. Measles, in the first class,
carried off 57 children, and hooping-cough 51. With
these exceptions the deaths referred to zyniotics
complaints are comparatively few ; smallpox and.
diarrhoea, for example, number only 3 and 8 respec-
tively, cholera none, typhus (with continued fever)
32, its average being 58. Hence the comparatively
favourable result, as shown above, under the head.
of zymotic diseases. In the " loeal" class of diseases
the case is reversed. Bronchitis, which belongs tea
this class, carried off last week 228 persons, while
under the average mortality of the disease at this
period the number would have been 145; and it is
due to the prevalence of this disease that the more
tality from all causes is maintained so near the ave.
rage amount. It should be observed that both
phthisis and pneumonia were rather less fatal than
usual. Nine nonagenarians died last week, all of
whom were women except two ; one was 91 years
of age, one 92, 4 were 95, one 96, one 97, and one 28.
The disease " diptheria" is recorded in two in-
stances, and it will be seen, unfortunately, in the
notes, that three lives were lost from want of the
necessaries of life. _ _

Last week the births of 910 boys and 932 girls,
in all 1,842 children, were registered in London.
In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1848-5 r
the average number was 1,598.
The composition of the water as supplied by the
motropolitan water companies was found by Dr. R.
D. Thomson, of St. Thomas's Hospital, to be, dur.
ing the monthl of January, as follows
QUANTITY OF EXTRANOFEOUS MATTER IN EVERY GALLO/
WATER.

Total Orgazie
Impurity. Impurity.
Gre. Grs.
Chelsea
West Middlesex
T GrandLieis Southwarkurt li hseattjrehaea Junction....., i " ''''''
20.88 2.05
20.72 1.60
lECaesutt London '
19.84 2.40
21.28 .92
23.04 1.74
20.16
Companyght differences, it 2wB-i.l4lBbe 242(68
observed,
in the
econstitution of the waters from month to
month,
as might be anticipated. Pluinstead waters
frcm the chalk, is most steady in its organic mat•
ter, which appears to differ from that of the othet
waters in being incapable of germination.
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean
height of the barometer in the week was 29.738 in.
The highest reading was 29.94 in. on Saturday. The
mean temperature of the week was 37.8 deg., which
is very near the average of the same week in 43
years (as determined by Mr. Glaisher). The meats
daily range of temperature was 11.4 deg. The
highest temperature occurred ou Friday, and war
1 52.8 deg. , the lowest on Tuesday, which was 26.3
deg. The difference between the mean dew point
temperature and air temperature was 4 deg. The
mean temperature of the water of the Thames was
38.6 deg., nearly a degree higher than that of the
air. The mean humidity of the air was 89 deg. Ors
Tuesday and three following days the wind wail
mostly in the south-west. The amount of rajs
which melted snow was 0.77 in. in the :week. On
Tuesday snow began to fall at 11 o'clock a. 9.3.1;,
___ci
continued till 5 p.m. On that, as vrellasai s_n_
_ill':
ceding day, the mean temperature sr oonol
rably below the average. ,

Companies.

lei
THE INSPECTORSHIP Or ANATOILY.—Mr. Cher
Hawkins bas been appointed to fill the vacancy whide
bite arisen in the Age of inepector of anatomy.