The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY 'EVENING, JANUARY 14, 1859.

the lust of that great territorial acquisition has been
flagrantly avowed by the American republic,
through the late Me.•ssage of her filibustering PRE-
SIDENT. Prussia, at this critical juncture, among
the great Powers of Europe, is but just now emerg-
ing from the transition state consequent upon the
removal of a crack-brained Sovereign, and the sub-
stitution, under a rational regency of an improved
and improving system of constitutional Govern-
ment. England—

" Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides,
And coops from other lands her islanders,
. . . England, hedged in with the main,
That water•walled bulwark, still secure
And confident from foreign purposes"—

(KING JOHN, act u, scene 1.)
watches, from hcr insular fastness, all these formid-
able indications, of present anxiety, and, possibly, of
future war, scattered hither and thither over the
whole surface of the European Continent. Our-
selves at peace with all the continental powers,
without exception, in intimate alliance with France,
with Austria, with Russia, with Prussia, Spain,
Sardinia, and the rest of the various States of
Christeudom without any selfishly ambitious
designs to realise among the clash of all these
sinister designs and inharmonious aspirations—we
cannot but mark with interest the clouds looming
up simultaneously from all quarters of the political
horizon. It is in the midst of this unwonted situ-
ation that Parliament is convened by the SOVEREIGN
to meet upon the third of the ensuing month for
the despatch of divers urgent and important affairs.
Bent upon internal reforms it behoves us that, at
this moment, we should not be inattentive to our
foreign relations—now, at the very crisis when
England may prove more effectually than she has
ever yet done, in the truest and the noblest sense
of the word, the arbiter of the political destinies of
Christendom.

Mr. ROEBUCK is one who thinks freely and in-
dependently, and speaks out plainly and intelligibly
what he thinks. There is no disguise, no reserve,
no suppression of a single opinion. It is to him a
matter of profound indifference whether his audi-
ence be pleased or displeased. He puts forward
the most unpalatable truths just as readily as an
hospital surgeon will apply the lancet or scalpel.
His mission, as he understands it, is to instruct, not
to conciliate, and woe to the hardy wight who in-
terferes with his proceedings, or excites his wrath !
Unless he has great powers of endurance—a very
glutton for punishment, to use the language of
the P.R. —he will wince under the stringent
castigation that will inevitably be administered.
It is satisfactory to know the opinions of such a
man on the great question of Reform, not so far
as he is personally concerned, for they are perfectly
notorious—JoHN ARTHUR ROEBUCK is one of the
few men who who might enter the Palace of Truth
with perfect impunity, and without dreading any
untoward revelation. But he is the recognised
leader of an important and influential section of
the Liberal party, whose votes must exercise con-
siderable weight on every question involving the
fate of a Ministry; and his views as to the prospects
of obtaining a satisfactory measure during the
present session were therefore eagerly looked for.
Het however, carefully abstained from saying a
single word respecting the comparative merits of
the rival competitors for the Premiership. There
was nothing of Lords DERBY, PALMERSTON, or
ICit& RUSSELL, or under which of their standards
he ,was,prepared to array him Self. He was what, I
in the olden time, was designated " a free lance,"
or rather, like HARRY Gow, prepared to " fight
for his own hand." He is, like ourselves, the advo-
cate of " measures rather than of men," and
will not " to party give up what was meant for
mankind."

There was at the commencement of his address a
very disgraceful disturbance occasioned by a small,
but unusually turbulent clique—which contrived to
keep up a noise that prevented a single word from
being heard. Although scarcely exceeding twenty
in number, they refused to accept the decision of
an overwhelming majority of the meeting, and
having delayed the proceedings more than forty
minutes, compelled the adjournment of the meeting.
The use of the Temperance Hall was, however, ob-
tained, and as the malcontents were either excluded
or satisfied by the new arrangement, matters were
thenceforward carried on with decency.
We were rather disappointed in finding no allu-
sion to the ballot in Mr. ROEBUCK'S address.
We know that he is an uncompromising supporter
of that by far the most important of all the points
of the anticipated amelioration. He only alluded
to the extension of the suffrage, and the more
equal distribution thereof. He tells them that
"they should ascertain the persons who ought
to have votes, and next the area of persons
who shall return representatives to Parliament."
But at the same time declares his belief that the
Reform Bill will not be the great business of the
approaching session, and for the very sufficient
reason that the people have not displayed sufficient
excitement on the subject, and also because, as he
conceives, " our foreign relations will interfere with
our domestic concerns "—that " Europe is on the
eve of war."

Now we cannot concur with the honourable gen-
tleman either in the conclusion he has arrived at
or the reasons he has assigned. We believe that
reform will be at least one of the important acts
of the session. It is manifest that it is looked for-
ward to with intense anxiety by the Liberal party
whose votes can turn the scale. Lord PALMERSTON
is pledged to a measure, and without revealing
its exact character, he will not again be reinstated
on the Ministerial benches. Lord JOHN RUSSELL
is likewise bound by solemn obligations. Indeed
it is the only trump card in his hand which
gives him the slightest chance of being a winner
in the political game—and it is certain that
Ministers have prepared, and are ready
to introduce a bill which we believe will be of a
more comprehensive and satisfactory character
than that of either of the Ox-Premiers ; and there
is also Mr. BRIGHT, who " will be heard, and no
mistake !"

If the people have not displayed sufficient
excitement or enthusiasm on the subject, it
is because they are certain that several mea-
sures will be brought forward, and that there
will be a full and fair discussion. Let
that just expectation be disappointed, and there
will be no lack of excitement. Indeed the diffi-
culty will be to control the storm that will
burst over the nation. Nor do we think
Europe is on the eve of war. There is un-
questionably an ominous cloud in the political
atmosphere ; but Louis NAPOLEON knows where
to stop, and Austria, finding that it cannot look for
support either from England or from Prussia, will
be prepared to make the necessary concessions to
avoid so terrible a calamity.

A letter from Berlin, dated Monday, says—" The
artillery which will announce the happy delivery of the
Princess Frederick William is not to be placed in the Lust-
garten, on account of its vicinity to the palace, but in front
of the Artillery Barracks. A salute of 101 guns will ac-
quaint the capital of the birth of a prince ; 48 that of- a
princess. The event is expected to take place on the 15th.
MR. BRIGHT, M.P., AT ROCHDALE.—The hon.
member for Birmingham has consented to attend a soiree to
be held in the Public Hall, Rochdale, on Friday, the 28th
inst. This will probably be the last public meeting which
Mr. Bright will attend before the opening of Parliament.

LATEST NEWS.

The following telegrams were received at Mr.
Reuter's office :--

TURIN, JAN. 13.

The official Piedmontese Gazette publishes the
following note :—" The official Gazette. of Vienna
haying announced the despatch of reinforcements
to Italy, the Piedmontese Government has thought
it its duty to bring the distant garrisons nearer to
the frontiers of Lombardy, without however calling
out the Contingents."

PARIS, THURSDAY, JAN. 13.
General Niel will accompany Prince Napoleon on
his journey to Turin. The suite of the Prince will
consist of 16 persons.

PARIS, FRIDAY.

The Constitutionnel of this morning contains an
article on the present state of affairs, under the
signature of the political director, Renee. The
article refers to serious difficulties which have
arisen between France and Austria concerning
the Danube and Servia. The article goes on to
say :—The speech of the King of Sardinia could
not be more moderate. The marriage of the
Prince Napoleon with a princess of Savoy will
cement the alliance between the two nations.
Italy is agitated, but war is only possible in the
event of the violation of the treaties taking place
or being threatened.

MARSEILLES, THURSDAY.
Advices have been received from Constantinople
to the sth inst.

The telegraphic cable has been successfully laid
to Constantinople and the Dardanelles. The ope-
rations for its prolongation to Candia and Egypt
will be recommenced next spring. Another sub-
marine telegraphwill be laid between Constantinople
and Scutari, which will be the head of the line to
Bagdad. The Greek chambers have voted 600,000
drachmas to connect Syra with the above telegraph
communication.

MARSEILLES, FRIDAY MORNING.
The Benares arrived at Suez on the 6th, with
the Bombay mails, dated Dec. 24.
CALCUTTA, Dec. B.—The produce market was
unfavourable ; indigo not so brisk as at the com-
mencement of the season ; raw silk was drooping
in value, rice a dead letter, and oil seeds quiet.
The import market was inactive. No change
in the money market, Exchange, 2s. Old. to
2s. Old.

MADRAS, Dec. 14.—Exchange, is. llid. to t.
HONG KONG, Nov. 29.—Exchange on London, at
six months, 4s. 81d. Tonnage abundant.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 22.—Exchange, at six months,
6s. 9d. per tael.

Prince Napoleon starts for Marseilles to-night, a t
eight o'clock, with several of his aides-de-camp.
He will embark on board the Reine Hortense, for
Genoa, and thence proceed by rail to Turin. The
marriage, it is said, will take place on the 25th.
The Emperor is reported to have said yesterday
to a member of the Diplomatic Body that he had
read with much interest and satisfaction the speech
of the King of Sardinia on the opening of the
Chambers. It is thought here that Prince Napo-
leon's presence at Genoa and Turin will be accom-
panied by popular demonstrations of an unmis-
takeable character.

A Toulon paper, called the Sentinelle, mentions a
report of the formation of a camp near St. Laurent
de Var, near the Piedmontese frontier. This may
be set down as premature. " Means of conciliation',
have to be gone through first, and it is not until
the diplomatic farce is over that the curtain will
rise on the great drama now in preparation.
_ _

The Independance Beige, in a recent letter from
Paris, has availed itself to an unprecedented extent
of the opportunity of displaying its ignorance on
military affairs. Alluding to sundry preparations
of a warlike character, that worthy journal asserted
that the strength of battalions of Chasseurs was
about to be raised from 400 to 700 men. The bat-
talions in question, as matters stand, number 1,200
rifles, 1,000 men forming the effective strength, and
200 men remaining as a reserve at the depot.
There are 20 battalions of this force in the French
service, and no change is contemplated either in
their armament or their organisation.
The Pays to-night asserts that it is not true that
great preparations are now making at the Ministry
of War. This is a Jesuitical assertion intended
solely to deceive the public. The Ministry of War
is merely an administrating department, and nd
preparations of the kind alluded to are ever made
there. But at the various Government manufac-
tories millions of cartridges are being made ; the
workmen and workwomcn at the capsulerie de
guerre (percussion cap manufactory) ef Montreuil
are hard at work from the faintest glimmer of dawn,
and would be employed all night, were the use of
gas, lamp, or candle not strictly prohibited. It is
also stated in military circles that at the military
reception on January 1 his Majesty made use of
words to general officers, but particularly to
a colonel of artillery, which have raised an univer-
sal opinion among military men that there will be
a great consumption of powder before many months
have elapsed.

Milan is more quiet. Troops continue to pour
into the city, and, according to one letter, their
numbers are such that billets have had to be
resorted to. The inhabitants notice great prepara-
tions at the citadel. The number of guns town-
wards has been greatly increased, and at the first
symptom of a rising there will be no street fighting
as in 1848, but the troops will retire into the castle
and bombard the town.

It became known here to-day that there was a
manifestation at the Fenice Theatre, at Venice, on
the 6th. The pretext was the noble chorus in the
opera—" A h del Tebro al giogo indegno." The
audience joined, in it in a manner not to be mis-
taken, Throughout Italy the yoke of the Tiber
and that of the Danube are identified in the exe-
cration of the people.
A great many arrests have taken place in Milan,
Pavia, Brescia, and other of the principal towns of
Lombardy.
The Univers is as great a wizard as some of the
flying friars and beatified gardeueses de dindons,
whom it loves to celebrate. It gives its readers hope
" of the early conversion of the Queen of England
and her Court to Catholicism !" Your well-informed
and pious contemporary has reason to know that
the supreme head of the Church of England has
conceived doubts as to the legitimate character of
the establishment, and doubts are entertained by
those around her whether they "are in lhe,right
path.',', , The. Debats observes on this with a qniet
sarcasm that will not be lost on the Univers:4—" We
are afraid that our contemporary has not'"exactly
hit upon what occupies the minds of the Queen of
England and those around her."
The 211oniteur of this morning publishes the
usual monthly debtor and creditor account of the
Bank of France, made up to yesterday (Thursday).
The corresponding figures of the last month are
added :

DEBTOR.
Jan.

Dec.

F. C. F. C.
Capital of the Bank 91,250,000 0 91,250,000 0
Ditto, New . a 91,250,000 0 91,250,000 0
Profits in addition to Capi-
tal (Art. 8, Law of Juno
9, 1857) • 1,510,527 65 1,513,467 77
Reserve of the Bank .... 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14
New Reserve
Ditto in landed property 4,000,000 0 4,000,000 0
Notes in circulation 754,779,575 0 687,340,325 0
Bank-notes to order.— 6,500,296 22 6,191,183 13
Receipts payable at sight 5,947,999 0 6,684,404 0
Treasury account current

creditor
Sundry accounts current, 183,657,864 4- • 149,254,785 68
Ditto with branch banks 30,322,279 0 30,846,655 0
Dividends payable. 3,711,301 25 518,939 25
Discts. sundry interests 4,309,677 65 1,915,787 83
Commission on deposits 1,126,652 27 8,519,867 28
Re-discounted the last six

months
Surplus of paid-up bills 2,746 28 35,000 60
Sundries

Total . ,1,275,811,794 201,238,438,012 72
CREDITOR.
Jan.

Deo.

Cash in hand
Cash in the branch banks 300,504,825 0 301,674,253 0
Commercial bills overdue - 473,141 33 401,131 61
Commercial bills dis-

counted, not yet due .. 224,453,379 55 199,077,764 30
Do. in the branch banks.. 236,304,013 0 218,642 329 0
Advanced on deposit of
bullion.
Do. by the branch banks..
Do. on Frenchpublic secu-
rities • , 44,486,000 0 56,067,600 0
Do. by the branch banks.. 12,077,600 0 10,354,000 0
'Do. on railway securities. 75,508,100 0 53,100,000 0
Do. by the branch banks.. 27,880,100 0 25,860,300 0
Do.on Credit Foncier Scrip 785,300 0 731,700 0
Dil. branchbanks Scrip 306,600 0 282,800 0
Do. to the State on agree-
ment of June 30, 1848.. 45,600,000 0 45,000,000 0
Govern. stock reserved 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14
Do. disposable
New shares, not settled
Hotel and urn. of Bank 4,000,000 0 4,000,000 0
Landed property of branch
banks 6,841,553 0 6,707,431 0
Expenses of management 118,136 5 1,954,193 54
Sundries

627,400 0 671,100 0
1,372,300 0 1,440,000 0

Total 1,275,811,794 20 1,238,438,012 72
The reaction in public feeling which was noticed
yesterday continues, and will, in all probability,
after the breathing time afforded by the " conciliat-
ing means" which are to precede the crash, be suc-
ceeded by another panic, unless by that time the
public have learned to look the matter boldly in the
face, and not magnify the danger of an interven-
tion. It is not impossible, however, that the crisis
may be averted for some time longer than is gene-
rally supposed, as the Austrians 'are evidently pre-
paring to try the effect of a reign of terror to cow
the unfortunate Lombards into subjection. And
they may be successful for a time, but only for a
time.

BOURSE, Jan. 13.—The market to-day has been
much better. Rente closed at a rise of 15c. for cash
and 30c. for the account. Report continues to hold
out hopes, of an explicit note in the Moniteur. The
following were the last quotations

4f per Cents: ' 96
Do. end month .. 96
3 per Cents. 6B 65
Do. end month...-. 68 60
Bank Shares. 2815
Credit Mobilier_ 780 --
Do. Account .. 775 --

Credit Foncier 635
Belgian 4±
Piedmontese (5)
Roman — '—
Austrian
Spanish Threes 45 `—
Home Debt —

RAILWAYS.

. .
Cash. Account.
Orleans . 1305 .. 1302 k
Northern -
New ditto ""— .. 780
Lyons and Mediterranean BOO .. 795
New ditto
Geneva •
Midi ir
:Southern
,Western 582 50 .. 680 50
Eastern ....... ........ .. 677 50 • • 670
Grand Central — • • .....
Sardinian 405 .. 405
Austrian .
____

- • .
. 560 -

Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 15c. imoney,
25f. 121 c. ; three months, paper, 241. 97fc. ; money, 24f.
95c.

SPAIN.

The following telegram has been received

" MADRID, San. 11.-4 proposition presented to
the Chamber of Deputies by M. Olozaga, tending
to annul the last reform i
ntroduced into the Con•
stitution, has been rejected unanimously in the
committees of the Chamber."

THE PENINSULAR MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY.

The steam ship Alhambra, of the Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Captain J.
D. Steward, with the usual Peninsular mail, in
charge of Lieutenant Pocock, Admiralty agent,
arrived this evening at six o'clock.
The Alhambra during the voyage experienced
fine weather throughout.
The freight of the Alhambra consists of four
packages of specie, value £991, 100 boxes of eggs,
6 casks of wine, 1,164 boxes of oranges, 156 cases
of dates, and 17 packages of sundries.
Her dates of sailing were :—Gibraltar, Jan. sth ;
Cadiz, 6th ; Lisbon, 9th ; Oporto, 10th ; Vigo, 10th.
Passengers, first class, seven ; second class, five.
Jan. 10th, off Vigo, the Alhambra spoke the
screw steamer Tagus, with the outward Peninsular
mail.
The Vulture was at Gibraltar.