The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-07 00:00:00

TIM SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING; FEBRUARY 7, 1861

de s, the Italian plea, the Chinese plea, the
Colonial plea. The whole position of France in this
matter stands rev ealed, consequently, as a mon-
strous sham and delusion. France is left without
a single reason, good, bad, or indifferent, for the
continuance of those sinister and most ominous
efforts of hers to increase her maritime force—to
1 increase it altogether, wholly, and absolutely
Ibeyond the margin of her requirements.

There is one subject which we hope will find an
adequate expounder in Parliament—the Rights of
Hungary—one part of our foreign policy which,
less than any other, should be allowed to be con-
ducted by secret diplomacy—our policy in regard
to Hungary. As we are to have no political
reforms at home, and the continent is said to
demand so much of our attention, we think we
can show that Hungary has not only moral
claims on our moral support, but that expe-
diency, so far as mortals can discern it, is on
the same side. A thoroughly free Hungary, a
Hungary with a HAPSBURG dynasty on the
throne or not, as pleases it, is the political and
commercial interest of this country. And unless
our House of Commons understands the subject,
and the country and the House speak out upon
it, our firm belief is that incalculable good
may be left undone, and lasting mischief per-
petrated. It is also, we are persuaded, a crisis ;
and Lord PALMERSTON and Lord JOHN RUSSELL,

judging from the past, are not more to be trusted
alone than Lords DERBY and MALMESBURT.
When we have commended the foreign policy of
Ministers in Italy it has been, of coirse, with one

important reservation—that we still think the same
as ever of the disgraceful despatch in which Lord
JOHN lectured Sardinia and Count CAVOUR so rudely
and threateningly, and espoused the cause of Aus-
trian brutality in Venetia as a thing of right. It
should, too, be remembered that it is only sinee suc-
cess began to declare itself for GARIBALDI, VICTOR
EMMANUEL, and Italian Unity, that we have had
from our two Lords those unequivocal manifesta-
tions of favour to the cause dear to all in this country
to which we refer. We need not beat about the bush ;

we believe that Lord JOHN RUSSELL especially,
and Lord PALMERSTON almost, if not quite as much
—are confirmed Austrians. Like the Tory Lords
they believe in this broken reed as a power, a con-

servative power ; they were ready to sacrifice Italy
to her, till 1859 rendered that hopeless, and enabled
the Italians, when Louis NAPOLEON had cut one
great knot, to loose nearly all the others for them-

selves. Since then, as it was hopeless to preserve

anything beyond what she now clutches, to Austria
they have gained themselves the credit of being first

rate liberals in Italy—let the reader remember why
—they could do it without doing more harm than was

already done to Austria, and doubtless Austria was
duly told of this. But, as soon as it seemed likely
that dear Austria might lose Venetia—although
the Quadrilateral had been spoken of as a " menace
to Italy"—when Prussia, too, seemed likely to play
the fool—in an instant the Austro-English Minister
bristles up and writes to CAVOUB, " touch it at your
peril !"

Aristocratic love for Austria doubtless had much
to do with this ; but it were affectation to conceal
that there is more behind. We are married, our
Court at least is, to Germany, two or three deep.
All our German cousins, we believe to a man, and
to a woman, too, are Austrians. They may not
wish her to domineer over them, but to see her an
Empire—although it be but an empire of mutually
repellant States—or, as now, an Empire of States
all hating the Archduke of the Hereditary States,
and sympathising through common wrongs with
each other—to see her an Empire of any sort, is
the desire of the little German States; and, we are
sorry to believe of our, in its origin, German
Court. Premiers and Foreign Secretaries well
know that the smiles of Royalty, Royalty by affinity
at least, must be the prize, the valuable prize it may
be, of those who can best serve Austria.
Thus our Court and our leading Ministers are
in direct antagonism to the whole people of Eng-
land. For, if there be a sentiment respecting
foreign Powers stronger than any other amongst
Englishmen, it is detestation of Austria. Ever
since the brutalities of Spielberg and her cruelties
to Italian patriots were artlessly described by
SILVIO PELLICO himself, and branded with eternal
infamy by the damning eloquence of MACAITLA.Y,
the eyes of England have watched this odious Go-
vernment—and, as they have watched them, detesta-
tion has grown. Disgusting atrocities and relent-
less cruelties in Italy, and then her foul treachery,
butcheries, and oppressions in Hungary, make the
blood of Englishmen curdle when Austria is spoken
of, unless those Englishmen are high in aristocratic
circles, or bask in Court favour, or hope to do so.
All other Englishmen would exult to hear that
from Transylvania to the Tyrol, each oppressed
nationality had taken its own course ; above all,
that Hungary, with ber annexed territories, had
regained her constitution and her liberties of a
thousand years old. That our instincts are as right
politically as morally, we must show on another
occasion, if need be. All we say for the present
is, let no Englishman's heart, while listening
to Court •inspired plausibilities, mistrust him,
that a free Hungary will be worth more to Eng-
land, and to the peaceful settlement of Europe,
than twenty of those geographical figments called
the Austrian Empire. We shall not fail soon to
prove this.

Meantime we invoke aid in the House of Com-
mons. What member will undertake to study in
all points the claims of Hungary, and to demand
that England do her justice? We owe it to her.
Our present Chief Ministers deeply wronged her
negatively, in deed, and still more positively in
word. They tolerated the subjugation of Hungary
by NICHOLAS—in Hungary of accursed memory.
They made it possible that the most savage of con-
querors should hand her over to oppression in
1849, as Loufs NAPOLEON handed over Lombardy

to liberty in 1859. They might have stopped this
infernal intervention for the overthrow of the
oldest constitutional monarchy in Europe, and, as
the consequence, have saved themselves and their
country and Europe the cost and bloodshed of the
Crimean War. We owe an atonement to Hungary.
We must make it. The education, and high taste,
and civilisation of Italians must not make us
forget a nation probably their superiors in
martial qualities—a nation loving, like our own,
liberty above all blessings—a nation with whose
political
othfotsyera feeling Englishmen have direct fellow-
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good service for Italy, Hungary has equal claims

on us. What becomes of Austria is of next to no
consequence to England. But Manchester, Leeds,
Rochdale, Sheffield, Birmingham have a large stake
in Hungarian freedom and independence, and Mark-
lane a corresponding one. What becomes of Hun-
gary is the concern alike of our hearts and our
national interests. Whoever takes up her cause
will doubtless have sneers, sarcasms, and contempt
enough from leaders of both parties ; but he need
not fear. Facts will come in abundance to his
knowledge when once it is made as much of in St.
Stephen's as Italy, Nice, and Savoy have been .

Perseverance will succeed, and such exposures
can be made of Austria, and of the meanness and
subserviency of English Austrians, that resistance
must soon cease, and Hungary reap in the British
Senate the reward of long years of the noblest
struggles and the most patient and undying love
of liberty.

TEE PROVIDENT CLERKS' ASSOCIA-

TION.

Exactly twenty years Ego it occurred to a few
gentlemen connected with some of the leading mer-
cantile and banking houses of the metropolis that
while almost every trade and profession have their
several institutions, either of providence or benevo-
lence, the clerks had nothing of the kind with which
they were especially identified. By way of wiping
off this stain upon their character for prudence,
they resolved to have both, and, what is better,
they carrifd this resolution into effect with
all the vigour and energy that usually
characterise the proceedings of the " City men."
Their first object was the establishment of a life
assurance office, which, while it opened its doors
to all the world, should by means of a kindred in-
stitution in connection with it, afford to the clerks
of this country advantages they could not elsewhere
obtain. The system on which it was based may
be described in a few words; perfect rectitude
and openness in its management, economy in its
administration, and liberality in its dealings
with its members. From the very first a clear
and intelligible balance sheet has every year been
presented to the public, this being, we believe, the
first office to set so much needed an example. No
concealment, no gilding over or suppressing facts
has been, or indeed under the system adopted could
be, resorted to. Be the results of the successive
years good or bad, the members have before them
the exact and simple truth.
A regime so honest, so worthy at once of the
body from whom it sprung, and the great cause
with which it was identified, had not long to
look for influential supporters, and soon the names
of Baring, Hankey, Prescott, and Rothschild tes-
tified to the respect which the " Provident Clerks"
had won for their association among those best
qualified to judge of its soundness and stability.
As time wore on the general public began, as was
justly observed by a speaker at the recent annual
meeting, to recognise in the infant institution one
of the safest and best secured life offices of this
country, and, as is ever the case, preferred to
entrust their savings to the care of an office con-
ducted by plain, upright, business men rather
than to those combinations of plate-glass and noble
names which have flourished so proudly and, alas!
faded so soon in the life assurance world.

Thus, going on from step to step, adopting every
improvement that experience showed to be see, and
mixing liberality with strict justice, the directors
of the Provident Clerks' Office were last night
enabled to meet their constituents with a Mance-
sheet showing a revenue of more than £lO,OOO
per annum, and an aecumulated fund invested in
Government stock and real securities of £146,000.
We have for 20 years chronicled the upward
march of this admirably managed institution, and
it is with sincere pleasure that we congratulate
the large body of members, numbering now over
6,000, upon the proud and solid position they have
attained.

MR. TVYLD'S STATISTICAL MAP OF

THE UNITED STATES.

We have been looking for some time to our
generally very prompt " Geographez to the Queen"
to furnish us what we have now bebre us—a map
which by its colouring, and by the ireful informa-
tion which Mr. Wyld so well knows how to select
to fill the blank parts, should tell us at a glance*
all the most important facts relating to any coun-
try where the public movements had become of
interest to us all.

Mr. Wyld has of coarse distinguished the Slave
States by their colour, and their positions will at
once show which are the " Border States," whose
policy is now so important; the "Gulf States,'
and the Inland Slave States, though, indeed, all
these border on great rivers—the Ohio or the Mis-
sissippi. The tables give in detail the population
white, free coloured, and slave, with the militia,
according to the census of 1850, and the totals,
which are all that have yet appeared of the last in
1860, with many other particulars relating to the
♦alue of property in tie two sections, their area,
number of slaves, &c. It will be a valuable com-
panion to the newsparer for, we have no doubt, a
long time yet to come.

LAI EbT NEWS.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
PARIS, FEE. 7.

The Illoniteur says :—" The treaty for the ces-
sion of Mentone and Roquebrune to France was
signed on the 2d of February with the Prince of

Monaco." `

TURIN, FEB. 6 (Evening.)

The firing at Gaeta is moderate on both sides.
The day before yesterday the Sardinian batteries
blew up two of the enemy's powder-magazines
and destroyed a portion of the curtain between the
citadel and the St. Antonio bastion.

BERNE, FEB. 6.

The Federal Council has received official infor-
mation from Rome to the effect that the Swiss
troops have again embarked at Civita Vecchia to
return to their country.

IMPORTANT DECISION IN THE PRUSSIAN

CHAMBER.

BERLIN, FEB. 6.

In to-day's sitting of the Chaniber of Deputies
the discussion of the address took place. The
following amendment was proposed by M. von
Vincke :—" That we do not consider it to be either
in the interest of Prussia or in the interest of Ger-
many to place obstacles in the way of the consoli-
dation. of the unity of Italy." After a discussion of
six hours' duration, this amendment was agreed to
by 159 against 146 votes, notwithstanding the
urgent request of Baron von Schleinitz that it
should be rejected by the Chamber.
Baron von Schleinitz, in his speech against the
amendment of M. von Vincke, declared that the
Prussian Government had not the least reason to
be opposed to the development of Italy. But,
without underrating the national idea of that
movement, the Government could not attribute to
it such a high significance. Although the Govern-
ment did not always consider the principle of non-
intervention as binding, it had not actively inter-
fered in Italy. He repudiated the reproach of
yielding to certain influences in his policy, and said
that Venetia was militarily and strategically too
important for Austria, and indirectly for Germany,
to allow of its cession being advised by Prussia.
Austria and Sardinia, however, would remain on
the defensive, and, through the influence of all
the great Powers, a conflict would at least be
postponed, and perhaps entirely averted. The
Prussian Government would for the future, also
not actively interfere with the Italian movement
so long as it remained a national movement, and
did not acquire such an extension as might render
any active interference necessary, by reason more
especially of its reaching, or expressly claiming,
any portion of German Federal territory.

PARIS, FEB: 6.

The Paris papers publish a telegram from Mar-
seilles announcing that letters had been received
from Beyrout stating that the agitation was in-
creasing. One thousand two hundred Druses were
assembled at Moktava, and intended to prevent the
execution of those who had been condemned to
death for taking part in the massacres.

Fuad Pacha had returned from Moktava.

FRANCE.

The Union, a Legitimist journal, launches out
rather fiercely against the Queen of England's
Speech, which it affirms to be " one of the most
insiguificant and colourless that any Sovereign was
ever made to pronounce."

The Oloniteur, in its political summary, speaks
in the following terms of Queen Victoria's lan-
guage at the opening of the session in England :
" This speech passes in review the different ques-
tions in which the English Government has been
concerned ; it expresses full confidence in the mode-
ration of the Powers and in the maintenance of
peace, and declares that the relations of England
with foreign Governments continue friendly and
satisfactory. The passage will be remarked in
which the Queen proclaims the cordial understand-
ing which never ceased to prevail, during the mili-
tary operations and negociations in China, between
the generals and ambassadors of the two nations.
The Speech announces that papers showing this
friendly accord will be presented to Parliament."
BOURSE, Feb. 6.—The market has been more
buoyant, and prices have obtained an improvement
on the closing rates of the previous day. The Speech
of the Queen of England appears to have produced
a favourable impression on the minds of speculators.
For the Account, Threes are now at 68f 10c;
Mobilier, 675; Orleans, 1,395 f; Northern, 958 f
75c ; Southern, 925 f ; Austrian, 480 f; Lombard,
475 f. The following were the last quotations :
ft per per Cents ... 97 651 Credit Fancier
Do. eRd month.... Belgian 4f 9B/
3 per Cents
Do. end month 6B 25 Roman —

- - - -
Bank Shares 2890
_ _

Credit Mobilier 680
Do. Account 6BO

Austrian

Spanish Threes
Home Debt

ItAILWAYB.
Cash. Account.
Orleans 1405 .. 1408 75
Northern
New ditto
Lyons and Mediterranean 026 25 .. 926 25
Geneva 375 .. 380
Southern 527 50 .. 532 50
Western
Eastern
Sardinian 378 75 .. 380
Austrian
Lowbard .. 472 50 .. 473 75