The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-31 00:00:00

BAZLEY, in commenting on this topic, observed
110 USES.—Messrs. TOPIAS and ROBERTS
have numerous furnished and unfurnished that during the last five years, India has received
LAiburban, and Country RESIDEN 6 t ' dor IS°I4IN:
Particulars upon application forwarded to
two stamps, from this country £100,000,000, and he com-
upon o- attin requirements and rental. Offices, 2, Conduit-
t o-'Pent- ‘treet, and South Kensington, facing the plained that so large a sum of money had in
Museum. _ reality been turned to very little ac-
count. Lavished in speculation or em-
ployed in costly structures, the soil and
the trade of the country were little the better for
an amount of money which should surely have left
some durable traces. Mr. BAZLEY further expressed
some uneasiness as to the effect likely to be pro-
duced in India when the demand for cotton fell off,
as it inevitably would on the full renewal of the
American supply. In 1860 the consumption of
Indian cotton was a little over 3,000 bags per week,
whereas last year it averaged 20,000, so that we
can readily perceive the loss and disappointment
which the sudden collapse of such a demand would
produce in India. It might be naturally supposed
that Indian cotton would prove a formidable rival
to American cotton, but, thanks to mismanagement
and want of enterprise, the Indian material is so
inferior that it will have no chance of holding its
ground when once America rejoins its former posi-
tion. The general feeling in the Manchester
Chamber was strongly against the Indian Govern-
ment, more especially against the Legislative
Council. One gentleman declared that the East
Indian Company had only changed its name ;
another, that to find a parallel for these
irresponsible councillors we must go back
to the Republic of Venice. Mr. CASSELS
very sensibly urged that the best thing to be done
was to make roads and canals for India, and leave
her to take care of herself; and, indeed, the prevail-
ing impression evidently was that meddlesome and
obstructive legislation fettered the enterprise and
industry, of the country. The system on which
India is governed is altogether opposed to the free
trade and enlightened policy of the present day.
Manchester has good right to complain, not only
on account of the mismanagement of the cotton
supply, but of the hindrance to free commercial
enterprise, in which complaint all our manufactur-
ing and exporting cities may well join. The im-
mense extent of our Indian possessions, the natural
capacities of the soil, and the wealth of some
portions of the people, all point to India as a
source of national wealth, as well as a heavy
national responsibility, and open a profitable
market for the consumption of our manufactured
goods, as well as for a prolific source of supply of
many valuable raw materials. Instead of such being
the case we have within the last ten years heard
politicians gravely debating whether India were not a
source of loss rather than of profit, and whether the
best thing we could do for ourselves would not be
to withdraw from it altogether. Even supposing
we could so lightly lay down the moral obligations
assumed towards that vast people, the folly and
shortsightedness of such a course would be so great
that it is only wonderful intelligent men should
have gravely considered it. What a field for our
superfluous energies ; what a profitable and
rational investment for our enormous wealth
there is in
~,our Eastern Empire; and, as if
to show our negligence and indifference, the
more the returns, which a little exertion and enter-
prise produce, are surprisingly rapid and encourag-
ing. The success of the tea plantations on the
slopes of the hills has surprised and delighted the
experimenters, while the same story is repeated
in other parts with other products. With
great rivers flowing through the country, and
with engineering skill and science at our command,
certainly second to that of no other country, we
listen quietly to tales of drought and famine,
although repeated experience shows that the appli-
cation of water to the soil increases its production
fourfold. The means of communication through-
out that country are as defective as if our own
island were not intersected by railways and canals,
and as if the shriek of the engine was not sounding all
over our metropolis. India, as Mr. BAZLEY ob-
served, has 3,000 miles of railway to show against
America's 30,000, and he might have added that
the greater part of which she has is of comparatively
recent construction. Surely it is high time that
these matters should be taken up in a more liberal and
comprehensive and enlightened spirit, that Indian
public works should be carried on and Indian policy
remodelled, not in accordance with the prejudices
of an antiquated school and the obstinacy of ob-
structive red-tapists, but in harmony with the re-
quirements of a population which is reckoned by
tens of millions, and an empire which any of the
conquerors of old might have coveted. If the Man-
chester Chamber of Commerce can succeed in in-
fusing a new spirit into the whole system of our
Indian administration they will do good service,
and effect a much-needed reform.

SOUTH KENSINGTON, HYDE-PARK,
Queen's, and Rutland Gates, Queen's-gate and Peters-
ham Terraces, Queen's-gate, Cornwall, Princes and Beaufort
Gardens, Eiv.xston-place, Cromwell-ro id, Onslow and Thurloe
Squares, Boltnns, Szc. Messrs TO PLIS and ROBE [VI'S have
EN -4 DENCES to SELL and LET in these and surrounding
localities. Offices, 2, Conduit-street, Regent-street, and
South Kensington, facing the Museum.

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.—During the storms
of the past year the National Lifeb-tat Institution, by
its Lifeboats and oiler means, contributed to the savin: of
707 persons from Afferent wrecks on our coasts. The Insti-
tution also expended .021,374 In the same peri.,d on its life-
boat ei tablishme its, in addition to graiiti.,g £1,950 for re-
wards for saving life and exer3ising the lifeboats.

The Committee of the institution eirnestly A PPEAL to
the public for ASSISTANcE to enable them to meet the
continued heavy demands on the Institution's 150 lifeboat
st,tions. -

Contributions are received by the London and country
bankers ; and by the :Secretary, la-chard Lewis, Esq., at the
Institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi, London.

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT.
GARDEN.

(Opera Company, Limited.)

THIS EVENING (Wednesday), Mr. Charles Deffelli's
new opera, in one act, CHRISTMAS EVE. Madame le.
Lancia, Madame E. IIeywood; Mr. A. Cook, and Mr. D.
Miranda.

It must be confessed that the French EMPEROR
has latterly shown much discretion in dealing with
the difficult question of Mexico, and we may now
consider that the unfortunate differences that have

so long existed are in a great measure done away
with, and in a fair way of being altogether termi-
nated. The communications of M. DROUYN DE
LIIUYS, which have just been published, display
much moderation, at the same time that they reveal
a determination not to become involved in any
awkward discussion. Notwithstanding the appa-
rent respect, and the show of friendliness v hick
Mr. SEWARD made in his despatches, had
not the French Minister been equal to
the occasion, and adroitly evaded this topic,
and steered clear of that danger he would
have involved himself in a very awkward affair.
On the contrary, he dexterously contrived to seize
upon those points in which the French and Ameri-
can authorities are agreed on, at all events upon
which they appear to be so, and thus we find the
following emphatic declaration, "To sum up, M.
le Marquis, the United States recognise the right
we had to make war in Mexico ; upon the other
hand, like them, we admit the principle of non-
intervention. This two-fold admission seems to
me to offer the elements of an agreement." Fol-
lowing, as a natural consequence, upon these
assertions, the next passage in M. DROUYN
DE Luaus' despatch conveys an intimation
which will be welcome alike at Paris and at
Washington, and appreciated by all lovers of peace.
He states that it is the EMPEROR'S desire he should
declare to his Minister in Mexico, that finding their
fellow-subjects in the establishment of a regular
power, they hope the " legitimate object of their ex-
pedition will soon be attained, and they are has-
tening to make arrangements with the Emperor
MAXIMILIAN, which, while satisfying their interests
and their dignity, allow them to consider the part
of their army upon Mexican soil at an end."

It is impossible to estimate the importance and
significance of this announcement, and it is to be
hoped that the frankness of this statement will put
a stop to the insinuations of those who always take
the worst view of a question, and seek to discover
cause of dispute where none exists, and to foment
quarrels that rest :only:upon slight foundations.
Another point upon which M. DROUYN DE LHUYS
has displayed great tact is in his scrupulous avoid-
ance of debateable questions. He states in one of
dispatches that when the United States
Minister came to acquaint him with the opinions of
tbese
the waoiington Cabinet, he declined all controyersy