The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-31 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENINCtu - AUGUST 31, 1859.

LORD NORMANBY AND THE TUSCANS.

(From the Nord.)

M. Übaldino Peruzzi sends us, with a request for
their insertion, the two following letters. We have
much pleasure in complying with his wish :
" Mr. Editor,—The Marquis of Normanby, when
speaking in the House of Lords on the late move-
ment in Tuscany, described the conduct of the
Liberal party in a way that is eloquently contra-
dicted by the events that have taken place in this
country for the last four months. But, in addition
to this, the noble lord, in publishing separately his
speech of the Bth of June last, thought fit to add to
it some notes, one of which, concerning the memo-
randum of the provisional Tuscan Government,
places me under the painful necessity of addressing
myself, through your kind medium, to the impar-
tiality of the public.
" In the note B the marquis relates a little ad-
venture which appeal's to him to be curious, and
which appears to me, were it true, to be

most dishonourable to me. On reading the pas-
sage of the memorandum drawn up by the secre-
tary_ of the Foreign Minister, where it speaks of
the efforts made by the Grand Duke and his sons
to put down by force the national movement of the
27th of May last, I am asserted to have said :
But we cannot affirm that, because it is not true ;'
and notwithstanding that I am stated to have
nevertheless signed this document, having yielded
to the majority of my two colleagues.
" As this fact is completely false, I wrote to the
Marquis of Normanby the instant I was made an-
quamted with his publication, and begged hitn to
be so good as to contradict it publicly. I told him
that the meinorardum ordered and advised by me
had been drawn up by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs on the authority of documents since pub-
lished, that it was then . corrected, and at last
signed by me before it was by my two honourable
colleagues ; and lastly, I declared to him that
nothing like the anecdotes he had related had oc-
curred.

" The marquis has done me the honour of ad-
dressing to me two letters, in which he enters at
full length into the denial and the justification of
the repressive measures alluded to in the memoran-
dum • but respecting the calumnious tale he had
piously consigned to the note B, he confines himself
to informing me that he received it from a well-in-
formed correspondent at Florence. It is right I
should add that in those letters, as also in his
speech of the Bth inst., in the House of Lords, the
marquis was so good as to render to my character
a homage that would not all be deserved, if the fact
he has publicly affirmed and has not publicly con-
tradicted were true.

" This is why I take the liberty of begging you,
-sir, to be so good as to give -a place in your re-
pectable journal to the solemn contradiction I see
myself compelled to give to. the calumnious report
that the Marquis of Normanby has thought proper
to publish respecting me.
"I beg you at the same time to be so good as to
publish also the annexed letter addressed to the
same personage by my friend Commendatore F or-
netti, secretary to the Ministry of Tuscan Foreign
Affairs, and which has remained unanswered.
" Deign to accept, sir, my thanks and the assur-
ance of my most distinguished consideration.
" ÜBALDINO PERUZZI,
• "Formerly Member of the Provisional
G overn ni en t Of Tuscany."
"Paris, August, 25, 1869,.

M. Peruzzi, in his letter tTthe Marquis of Nor-
manby says :
" Monsieur,—l have seen the speech you delivered
in the House of Lords on the affairs of Italy, and
which you have published as a pamphlet, with
notes. -

" The note B regards ma espe'6ally ; it contains,
as regards me, insolent and calumnious insinuations.

"Your insolence I reject with contempt. The
one Fornetti' of whoa you speak as if he were the
most abject of men you knew perfectly well to be
the Commendatore. Pornetti, Officer of the Legion
of Honour, Secretary General to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. I do not remind you of this
through foolish and puerile vanity, but to expose
the bad faith with which you have written all that
concerns me.

"As for your slanderous insinuations of the
curious details' that might be revealed about ' my
rogueries,' 1 defy you, in the most formal manner,
to instance them, and I cite you to publicly produce
and justify them. If you think that age and decre-
pitude give you a license to tarnish with impunity
the reputation of honest people, I forewarn you that
you have made a calculation. as false as it is in-
famous.
" Florence, July 15."

THE COMMERCE OF ITALY.

(Abridged from the Journal des Debuts.)

While the grave question of Italy is being dis-
cussed perhaps a brief commercial valuation of the
several component states of the prospective Italian
confederation may not be unacceptable.
Italy, from the Mediterranean to the Adriatic,
from the maritime Alps to the mouth of the Taglia-
mento, was the ancient home of European com-
merce. In the middle ages, when the ports of
Havre, London, and Liverpool were solitary sand-
heaps, it was at Genoa and at Venice that its bril-
liant dawn uprose,sand those glorious cities of the
sea already filled the world with the dazzling fame
of their wealth and enterprise. Their grand exist-
ence' has, it is true, passed away, or rather been
eclipsed by the prosperity of their models' rivals ;
but run your eye along the littoral of that Italian
peninsula, and think what a merchant navy might
become which should unite underthe generous pro-
tectorate of a common federal bond the numerous
ports that fringe its coast—Nice' Genoa, Leghorn,
Ancona, CivitaVecchia, Palermo, Cagliari, Messina,
Naples, Sinigaglia, Fiume, Venice! And behind
all these maritime mouths, over those fertile valleys
which the Po and its many affluents irrigate, be-
sides the Piave, the Adda, the Arno, the Tiber, &c.,
what natural wealth has Providence lavished on
the soil! what precious raw materials are harvested
or manufactured to nourish the great mercantile
operations of the seaports.
In Piedmont, and in Lombardy, rice and silk,
the mulberry and the olive, cattle, wool, and leather,
besides plenty of other industrial resources, which,
if not so vigorous as our own, do nevertheless
flourish, as the Turin Exhibition of 1858 proved;
cloth, silk, woollens, paper, typography, leather,
glass, and metal works. In Tuscany, in Parma, in
Modena, cereals, marble, iron, lead, copper, argal,
borax, cheese, plaite!l straw hats, rags; in the Roman
States, cereals, cattle and wool, flax and hemp,
wood, potosh, and alum ; in Sicily and in the Nea-
politan_provinces, oil in abundance, wheat, wine,
fresh and dried fruits, salt, sulphur, madder, comes-
tible pastes, Sac; All these, with many other raw
or cultivated productS, commercial Europe receives
at present from the rich plains of Italy in immense
quantities. But what may not their development
become when a vigilant and enlighted administra-
tion, animated, with a keen instinct of national
unity, shall have improved the cultivation .ef the
land by a better division of the soil, facilitated the
exchange of products by the-abolition of frontier
dues, which are a premium to smugglers, and oft en
to brigandage, and emancipated labour, which
almost throughout Italy is the slave of monopoly
'as; for instance, at Urbino, where the Albani family
have retained the manufactuie of pins as a privi-
lege of their house ever since element XII. ; and
as at Rome, where illustrious descendants of patri-
cian families. of the ancient republic possess the ex-
clusive right of making strings for musical instru-
ments, window-glass, &c.
The Italian Governments are rather Weak in
statistics (excepting, of course, Piedmont), and it
.would-be somewhat difficult to make out an exact
table of their exports and imports; but the followL
ing may be taken as an approximate statement of
the commercial transactions of the peninsula, or,
rather, of what was known about them 12 years
since, and of what they were still up to a recent
period. As to Lombardy, its Commercial transac-
tions haw until lately figured with those of Venetia
i.i the official statistics of the Austrian Empire, and
their average value
_may be estimated at not less
tl..an a fourth or a third of the total commerce of
that Empire—that is to say, to a minimum of about
500 millions of francs (£20,000,000). Economically
speaking, Austria had ample reasons for clinging
to the preservation of that rich agricultural domain,
edited' Lombardo-Venetia ; for it must not be for-
gotten 'that the silk produce alone represented in
raw material nearly 180,000,000 of &titles, some-
thing like from three to four millions of kilo-
grammes of raw silk, which, being manufactured at
Lyons, at Saint Etienne, at Zurich, at Elberfeld,
and at Birmingham, are worth from one millard and
a half to two . millards of francs (E 60,009,006—
£80,000,000). On the whole, leaving a certain
margin for the transactions in bond.at the free ports,
such as Genoa, Leghorn, &c., on a comparison of
the two periods above mentioned, we get at the
following averages :

1844-46. 1857.
Millions of Francs.
Lombardo-Venetia 4lO 500
Sardinian States .. ..... 339 843
Tuscany and the Duchies.... 170 245
Papal Statis ... ,
Two Sidlies l7O 180

1,145- 1,886
The progress it, 12 years appears considerably—more
than 84 per cent.---and it will give us some ides of
what a country which (speaking of Central Italy
only) has hitherto been the worst governed in the
world, may become. Only let this noble Italy live
her own life, let her natural capabilities be-freed
from all foreign pressure, and you will see how

readily this land—this ancient cradle of all the
sciences and arts—will assimilate the conditions of
material grandeur peculiar to the most advanced
nations! We see that the Sardinian states (not in-
cluding Lombardy), with a population barely num-
bering more than half that of the kingdom of Naples,
(5,195,000 inhabitants, against 9,200,000), does
nearly five times as much trade as the latter. We
see, too, that it is Sardinia which in 12 years has
accomplished the most rapid increase in exports and
imports.

Doubtless the system of political and commercial
liberty which it has so resolutely carried out has
had not a little to do with this advance. The Papal
States have made a little peogress too, due, we be-
lieve, to some encouragement given by the present
Pope to the growth of timber; but see how the
Roman State, with its 3,125,000 inhabitants, lags in
the rear of Tuscany, whose active and intelligent
population, even including Parma and Modena,
does not exceed 2,425,000 souls.

THE ITALIAN .DUCHIES.

(From the Times.)
The French Press is entirely free. The Parisian
newspapers are completely independent of all offi-
cial control. M. de Morny testifies to this, and to
doubt the fact would be, as he says, to doubt his
heart and honour. We hope, however, that we may
without offence believe that the Constitutionnel
would not put forward the article we so gladly re-
produce to-day unless the conductors of that paper
were quite certain that it would not be displeasing
to the Emperor or disavowed by his Ministers.
Assuming, then, that the Constitutionnel is correct
in its announcement, Italy is free, and the work
which the French Emperorundertook to do is, with
some modifiactions, consummated. Europe has not
yet seen the text of the Villafranca Treaty. All
speculation respecting the future has been disturbed
by uncertainty how far the understanding as to the
Duchies extended ; whether the proposed restora-
tion was an absolute guarantee, or only an under-
taking to preserve an attitude of permissive neu-
trality. We never knew how far Austria had
prevailed, or how far the Emperor of the French
had committed himself: It is only now that we
for the first time read the extent of the obligations
contracted by the French Emperor. At Villa-
franca he " agreed" to the restoration of the former
reigning Princes. This phrase does not mean, as
some readers might incorrectly imagine, that he
had undeltaken that the Princes should be re-
stored, but merely that he submitted to recognise
without opposition the fact of their restoration
whenever that event should happen. It does not
pledge him to march armies into the Duchies in
order to control the will of the sovereign people,
for that would be to act contrary to the principle
which he has adopted as the foundation of his own
throne. It does not commit him to allow Austria
to go forth in arms to do what she has stipulated
for, even in her moment of defeat, as the condition
of peace ; for that would be to cast away the
object for which France went to war—namely, to
destroy the Austrian habit of interfering in the
affairs of Italy. The stipulation which Francis
Joseph pressed so earnestly at Villafranca meant
no more than this—that Napoleon 111. should
use his best peaceable rhetoric to induce the
Italians of their own free will to take back the
Sovereigns they had expelled. It is pleasant to
know that our powerful ally has so much confidence
in the power of reason and of good adiice. It is
excellent to contemplate these two Emperors un-
buckling their swords, and tossing them far away
from them, and then sitting down to settle all mat-
ters upon strictly moral principles. Those swords
once thrown aside, the Emperors no longer had any
attention for the details of coarse physical force ;
nothing but the rules of logic and persuasion had
any attraction for them. The French Emperor
would persuade the populations to receive back
their Sovereigns; the Austrian Emperor would
persuade the Sovereigns to grant the populations
amnesties and charters. We hope that Francis
Joseph understood the basis of this treaty to rest
strictly upon moral grounds, and that he is content
with the manner in which it is being worked out.
But whatever Francis Joseph may have under-
stood or may desire, it is quite clear now that Aus-
tria must look on, and either swallow her vexation
or vent it only in words. She must not move a
corporal's guard against these little saucy Duchies.
The Emperor of the French is using his most per-
suasive arguments,—he has not yet given up all
hope of suer,-; in order that his persuasions may
have the s cater trioral weight, he disseminates his
promise t tt under; no circumstances shall force be
used ; L. .vill fulfil loyally to the end his disinte-
rested mission ; he wilt,he grieved if his wise and
prudent advice is not followed. But if they won't,
they won't. What is to b lone? nthing, as Na-
poleon 111. believes, but tp turn round to the Dukes,
make, them a low bow, and say,—" You see, my
friends, do what I can, these poor people will not
have you." Francis,-;-;seph may say,--" Leave
the matter to me ft"' one month, and I'll carry
out the treaty." '1 ..s, however, would be force;
and " the armed intervention of Austria in the
affairs of the Italian Peninsula has ceased for
Frenchbut opepaogsiltee.
ever." Austriage haws
ahteehr fortresses,esthe
a frontier fortress to France. The
tplaentldiasaiNsV ruitd
intervening plains of Lombardy and Piedmont
are but interposed as buffers to relieve what M.
de Morny calls the Austrian pressure upon France.
Austria must be regarding the proceedings of the
Duchies with much the sort of feeling wherewith
a hungry grimalkin may watch the motions of a
little company of white mice sporting and playing
under the protection of that grimalkin's master.
anfedelislipt that it is rather
ers have their
hardlt i ison Austria.
impossible t o
Cats
sp
instincts as well as mice and flies. Of course, the
French Emperor is quite right according to all the
moralities. It would have been a great crime to
coerce the Duchies to take back their Princes, and
Austria ought to have known, indeed, must have
known—that it could never be in the mine of
Napoleon 111. to commit a crime against the sove-
reignty of the people. But, notwithstanding this,
a suspicion cannot be kept out of the minds of some
indifferent observers that the Austrian idea •of re-
storing the Sovereigns was something rather diffe-
rent from taking the votes of three hostile little
States, and allowing their universal suffrage to
decide the destinies of three Austrian dependencies.
We might perhaps wish that the French Emperor
had withstood altogether the stipulation in the
Treaty of Villafranca, but we cannot but rejoice at
the result. Whatever Austria may now think of
the matter, we are convinced that this end is the
best for all parties. Austria will.be stronger in
her concentration, and Italy will be happier in her
freedom. The Duchies may still have to fight for
their independence, for the Emperors have not
undertaken to keep the peace among the Italian
Powers. There are many mercenaries ready for
service, and one of the Dukes is said to have a
respectable force in his pay. It is just upon the
cards, also, that whenever such a force might be
brought to bear it might be discovered that the
exiled Sovereigns are not without a party in their
own States. This, however, will be a very cheap
struggle for independence. If the army of Central
Italy cannot hold its own against a few bands of
mercenaries, we had better forget the name of Italy
even as a geographical expression.
Under the protection of this Imperial promise
the course of Centr,4l,taly to freedom and prospe-
rity seems safe and sure. A little firmness to repel
the not too formidable 0.&too earnestly-directed
blandishments of PrinCe IFoniatowski, a resolute
ingratitnele towards their liberator, whose tender
heart will be wounded by their obstinacy, but will
perhaps be healed again by their acclamations, and
the names of the deposed dynasties will be heard
no more in Italy. The next step is already resolved
upon. They have unanimously desired to weld
themselves into one kingdom whereof Victor Em-
manuel shall be the first Sovereign. We cannot
conceive that, if all chance for Prince Napoleon be
put out of the question, the French Emperor can
have any hearty objection to such an amalgamation.
This work of the restoration of Italy will be, if it
shall endure, the principal glory of his reign. He
will naturally desire thaf it should be as marked a
success, and give as visible a monument to posterity,
as possible. Piedmont, with twenty more Duchies
amalgamated with it, could offer no object of
jealousy or distrust to France. .It is not compre-
hensible, therefore, that any stronger sentiment
than diplomatic delicacy can induce him to put
pressure upon the King of Sardinia to refuse the
territory now proffered to him. Moreover, we now
know that this pressure will be entirely of an argu-
mentative and diplomatic character. It seems to
us, therefore, as matters now stand, that Victor
Emmanuel cannot refuse the offer of the Duchies.
It would, perhaps, not be prudent definitively to
accept it. Perhaps it would be more wise to assume
tile Government provisionally, and thus preserve
order, prevent further revolution, and keep out
other candidates until the new order of things is
cpsolid ited. But, unless sonic very rash or very
niad course of conduct should occur to mar the
prospect, the unity of Italy is now secure. We
will add that the Emperor has a right to say
" To me Italy owes her independence.';

•
On the treat Western Railway of Canada, a
statement of traffic receipts by passenger and goo is trains
gives the following risults :—Week ending AuAnst 12,
1859, £5,904 7s. 2d. ditto, 411 g. 13,1858, 46,044 12s. 6d. ;
decrease, £7.1() 4;3, 2dt Aggregate gross receipts from the
Comnienceinelat of the current half-year to date, two weeks,
£11,507 Ile. 2d. ; ditto, fur the corresponding period last
year,..£12,342.F5. 2J. ; decrease, L 834 lis.
A COURT. 01, LAw.—Surgeon : " I fonnd plaintiff
had a severe contusion under the left eye, treat extravasa-
tion of blood undernoth it, with some abrasion of the skin."
Judge You mean that he had a black eye P' Surgeon :
Yes." Judge; "We why didn't you say so ?"

THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT.

A meeting of the Executive of the Central Asso-
ciation of Master Builders was held yesterday.
Messrs. Trollope reported considerrble increase
in their number of men. It is impossible to say
what the determination of the employers might
hare been had the men declared a dividend on
Monday and thus evinced an ability to stand out;
but, as it was, the Central Association simply ad-
journed for a week. It must be observed that these
meetings of the masters are conducted in private.
No doubt the result as communicated is accurate;
but after how much discussion the resolutions are
arrived at, or what opinions are expressed, we are
unable to state.