The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-26 00:00:00

THAMES.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE.—DISPUTED POSSESSION.—
A woman named Johnson, the wife of a man who is the
proprietor of an exhibition opposite Limehonse Church,
came before Mr. Yardley with a poor boy about 14 years of
age, in most wretched plight, without shirt, shoes, or
stockings, and with his nakedness scarcely concealed by a
few old rags. In this state, said Mrs. Johnson, the poor lad
has been turned out of house and home ; he has been ill
used, and half-starved, and now he is glad, poor fellow, to
come back to us again. _

Mr. Yardley asked for an explanation of the woman's
statement, and it was stated that a few months since Mrs.
Walker, a poor Irishwoman, living in Rotherhithe, claimed
the boy as her son, and said he had been stolen from her in
Kent, when he was an infant, and sold by the person who
stole him to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson for 30s. and a pot of
heer. It was also alleged that Johnson had made a profit-
able speculation of the boy, and exhibited him throughout
the country as a tumbler. An old woman named Mason,
living in Maidstone, claimed the boy as her grandson, and
said he had been stolen from his mother, since dead, when
he was three or four years of age, in the neighbourhood of '
Rochester. Johnson, who always behaved well to the boy,
and gave him plenty of food, said he had had possession of
the boy many years, and claimed the right to retain him.
The Walkers produced a certificated copy of the register of
baptism of the boy at the Roman Catholic Church, Dock-
head, and their claims to the parentage appeared so irre-
sistible that on the boy declaring a preference for Mrs.
Walker, she was allowed to have the custody of
him. It was at the same time represented that Mrs.
Walker was a noisy, drunken, and dissipated character,
and Mr. Yardley exhorted her to look well after the boy,
and directed that the police should occasionally look after
her, and ascertain whether the boy was properly clothed
and fed.

Mr. Yardley said there was a great alteration in the boy
for the worse.

Mrs. Johnson, who really displayed some interest in the
boy's welfare, said she was pained to see the child in the
state he was in, and that sho and her husband always
treated him well.

Mr. Yardley said it was never alleged that Johnson
ill-treated tile boy, but that they came into possession of
him in t). surreptitious manner. He asked the boy if he
wised to remain at the Johnson's. _ .

The boy said he did, and that they always treated him
well.
Mr. Yardley said the boy on a former occasion, amidst
the several claimants, gave the preference to Mrs. Walker,
and it was evident ho had made a very bad selection. The
boy night remain with the Johnsons if he pleased, and as
a tumbler, acrobat, or whatever he might be called, he
would have his liberty. A roving life had its charms. In
Johnson's profession fame and profit might be achieved.
He was sorry Mrs. Walker ever had charge of the lad, for
she had grossly neglected the trust reposed in her.
The boy then left the court with Mrs. Johnson ap-
parently overjoyed at the prospect of resuming his former
profession. He is an intelligent good looking boy, with an
unmistakeable Kentish face.

THIS DAY'S MARKETS•

SPaRTL

,A9ENCE.

OXFORD RACES.-THU' RSDAY.

The Trial Stakes of 5 soya each, with 41D added, for 2-yr-
olds and upwards. The winner to b e sold for £500; if
not to be sold, 91b extra. One mile. (5 subs.)
Mr. Hare's Misty Morn, 4 yrs, 9st 211 (inc. 91b extra)
(Wells) 1
Mr. S. Williams's Hop Merchant, 3yr s' 7st 41b (Hibberd) 2
Mr. T. Stevens'* Ardour, 3 yrs, 7st 4 lb (Custance) 3

rother to Wentworth and Wateri iird also ran.

Betting—Even on Ardour, and 7 ti ) 4 agst Misty Morn.
Won by two lengths; bad third ; tb •e other two beaten off.
The Headington Hill Stakes of 50 •sous, added to a Sweep-
stakes of 5 sovs each, for 2-yy-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ;
fillies, Fst 41b. Winners extra. T.Y.C. Straight half
mile. 13 subs.

Mr. Seymour's Fravola, Sst 911) (including 51b extra)
(Custance) 1
Mr. Merry's Lady Falconer, 'Bst 111 b (inc. 71b extra)
(Plumb) 2
Mr. Moseley's Diamond, Bst 711) (W. White) 3
'the following also ran :—H.artley Wintney, Maid of Or-
leans, Glendinning, and Philomel. _ _

Betting-5 to 4 agst Laity Falconer, 4to 1 each agst
Fravola and Diamond, 5 to 1 agst Hartley Wintney (offd).
Won by three lengths ; bad third.
The Port Meadow Stakes of 40 sovs added to a Sweepstakes
of 5 sovs each, 2 ft. Winners extra. One mile. 14
subs.

Mr. Saxon's Queen Bess, 5 yrs, Est 81b
Mr. Hare's Misty Morn, 9st 131 b (inc. 51b ex ).. (Wells) 2
Mr. T. Parr's Cynthia, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b (inc. 51b ex.)(Bray) 3
Betting-6 to 4 agst Cynthia, 2to 1 agst Misty Morn, 5
to 2 agst Queen Bess. Won by alength and a half, a head
between the second and third.

The Oxfordshire Stakes of 100 sovs added to a Handicap
Sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, 10 ft, and 5 only if declared,
&c. The second to save his stake. Winners extra. Two

miles. 32 subs, 21 of whom declared.
Mr. S. Jacobs's Eltham Beauty, 3 yrs, 6st 71b (in. 51b ex.)
(Edwards) 1
Mr. Saxon's Princess Royal, 4 yrs, 7st 131b(L. Snowden) 2
Mr. Angell's The Greek, 3 yrs, 7st 41b (Ducker) 3
The following also ran :—The Woman in Black, York,
colt by the Flying Dutchman out of Gala, and Accurate.
Betting-5 to 4 agst Eltham Beauty, sto 2 agst York, 4
to 1 agst Princess Royal, 6 to 1 agst Woman in Black. The
favourite took the lead soon after entering the straight, and
won by five lengths, the others pulling up as they passed
the post.

Selling Stakes of 25 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 sovs
each ; for 3-yr-olds and upwards. Three-quarters of a
mile, straight. 3 subs. _ _ _

Mr. Blanton Arminius, 3 yrs (£3O), sst 31b .... (Page) 1
Mr. Murrell's Saunterer, 6 yrs (1150), Bst 81b(W. White) 2

, .
No betting. Arminius made all the running, and won
by six lengths. The winner was bought in for 34 guineas.
The City Members' Plate of 50 soya, added to a sweep-
stakes of 5 sous each. Three quarters of a mile, straight.
Mr. Hare's Little Gerard, by The Emperor, aged, 9st
(Wells) 1
Mr. T. Hughes's Rosina, 3 yrs, 6st 41b (Bray) 2
Mr. Blanton's Neophyte, 3 yrs, 7st .. (Edwards) 3
Betting-3 to 1 agst Little Gerard, 4to 1 each agst
Vigo and Neophyte, 6 to 1 each agst Maud and Rosina.
Won cleverly by half a length ; bad third, nothing else
near. Maud, who jumped round as the flag fell, walked in
last.

THE STATE OF ITALY.

(From the Tones.)

It would appear that the unanimity of the
Italian people is not satisfactory to the Liberator
of Italy. In the midst of their enthusiasm Parma,
Modena, and Florence are under the presentiment
of some heavy misfortune. The sun that first
warmed them into action is retired behind a very
dark cloud. There is a certain chilling severity
about the countenance of the Liberator. He is not
a man who likes to be trifled with. People ought
to understand other people better. There is a
certain delicacy of expression and phraseology of
high disinterestedness which is never intended to
be taken quite literally. The barrister and the
physician enter into the minute circumstances of
the client's or the patient's case, and tax all their
energies to gain his cause or to kill his disease. It
is all done from the purest motives. It would be
unworthy of these liberal professions to suggest the
idea of any sordid recompense.' Yet everybody
knows that there is a certain something which.
although veiled in the obscurity of that learned
word " honorarium," has a metallic sound and a
yellow complexion; and everybody is well taught
that if the ceremony of the honorarium be delayed
or intermitted the careful attendance and the con-
soling sympathy will not kin., endure. These Italian
Duchies do not seem to know the rules of good
breeding in such matters. In spite of due warning
given them from all parts of Europe they actually
believe, or are proceeding as though they believed,
that it was entirely for their beaux yeux that the
Emperor of the French undertook to spend some
£20,000,000 and twenty or thirty thousand French
lives. The service has been done ; Austria has been
made to decamp, the Grand Dukes are in exile, and
the powerful ally has gone back like a gentleman
to his own country again, leaving only some 50,000
men momentainement to occupy Lombardy. So
far as the Duchies are concerned nothing could
possibly be better than his whole behaviour. But
now comes the turn of the Duchies. The Libe-
rator stands silent with his hands behind his
back. What makes him so silent and so
reserved ? Why does he so evidently expect
something to happen behind his back ? Gentle-
men of Tuscany, you have forgotten the usual
thing,—you have omitted the ceremony of the
honorarium. Montanelli and Parra reminded you
of the necessity in vain. That silent figure is a
wronged man. Even we rough, frank, candid Eng-
lish do not, when a gentleman • tells us that he is
our " most obedient, humble servant," take him at
his word and send him our boots to black. Ye
Italians, so delicate in finesse and so fine in policy,
have not surely been guilty of the cheat of pre-
tending to take words of ceremonial for words of
meaning ?
It is pretty clearly the opinion of Prince Ponia-
towski that his master has been " done," and he by
no means disguises that opinion to the Tuscans.
Everything had been so studiously left open for the
Tuscans to do what was proper. The Sardinian
Royal agents were all withdrawn, trustworthy
Frenchmen were not absent, the freedom of election
was guarded vigilantly ; but unaccountably the
electors would not elect. The Tuscans by their
awkwardness have left the Emperor only a choice
between ridicule and a crime. He must either
accept his position, or use or permit coercion. The
Tuscans, however, complain that there has been no
awkwardness on heir side, that in full innocence of
heart they believed they were to be free, and have
used their freedom with a well moderated exulta-
tion. They do not see why they should have
changed the rule of a stranger whom they did not
like for that of a stranger whom they hate. When
one of the old bucanniers was rescued by some Caribs
from the hands of his white brethren who were
going to hang him, he rejoiced, until he found that
his deliverers had rescued him and were fattening
him only that they might eat him. Tuscany protests
that she desires neither to be hanged nor to be
eaten, and all parties think her, in this, perverse
and unreasonable. Austria concentrates her forces
at Mantua, Sardinia receives orders to withdraw from
all active assistance, and the Emperor Napoleon is as-
serted to have declared that he cannot prevent the
armed interference of Austria to carry out the terms of
the treaty of Villafran ca. These rumours, which must
be no more than rumours, which cannot have any
foundation in reality—have spread blank con-
sternation over the faces of the Tuscans. So much
the worse for the Tuscans ! All Europe has ad-
mired them for what they have not done, and fir;
what they have said. It remains, however, to -be
seen what they will do. It unhappily seldoro.lap-
pens that prudence and moderation alone Erre suffi-
cient to raise a nation of dependents into a nation
of freemen. To be free a nation must fkght, or at
least must show itself ready to fight. " Blank con-
sternation" will do no more than blr
..nk cartridge.
The Tuscans and the Modenese and, the Parmesans
must do what all nations have done who are now
free and independent—they mast make manifest
that they are ready to do thr.t thing which it has
ever been so hard for Italians to manage—that is

to say, to fight for themselves. They-must not
lie down and wail, an d hope for Germans and
English to come and fight for them. They must
not hope to hire a new Sir John Hawkwood.
They must not hope, in a political knight-errantry
which never did exist, nor in the mercenary aid of
Free Lances, by 'which their country has in all ages
been torn and -,veakened and enslaved. If Tuscany
is not ready to fight for her freedom, if her citizens
are still as soft and feminine as when they used to
hire foreign ruffians to fight out their civil broils, or
to settle their quarrels with Venice or Milan, she
had better yield at once, and say no more about it.
Slavery, or at any rate political submission, is her
natural and proper condition. When a people re-
nounces the dangers of freedom it abdicates the
right to be free. This is the language that has
always been held to Florence, but generally held in
vain. It is five. centuries since Petrarch prophe-
sied the resurrection of Italy by means of Italian
valour—

" Virtu contr'al furore
Prendera name et sia it combatter curto
Che l'antico valet%)
Negl'ltalici cuor none ancor morto,"
but the valour has not yet been found to verify the
prediction. It is nearly four centuries since their
great countryman Machiavelli showed the Floren-
tines that all the misfortunes of Italy arose from
the national habit of fighting by proxy. Every one
must remember the brilliant description by Lord
Macaulay of the over-refined Italian, who was far
too civilised to do such vulgar work himself, and
who hired barbarians to do it for him. Are the
Tuscans of to-day only what the Tuscans of a
thousand years before have been ? Then, all our
admiration for their calm attitude and excellent
behaviour will vanish. People who do not intend
to fight had better be calm. But we hope for better
things. We have seen the Sardinians fight well :
and even the Romans against hopeless odds fought
out a hopeless fight. Have the Tuscans also un-
learned their habits of effeminacy, and has their
love of freedom so strung their nerves that they
can look upon Austrian bayonets without blench-
ing? It may be that this trial is yet in store for
them. It is quite certain that if they show them-
selves ready to submit rather than make a despe-
rate resistance against odds they will be quietly
extinguished.
Whatever may be the policy of the two Em-
perors, Tuscany and her associated insurgent States
can never hope to have a better opportunity for
Italian unity than now offers. In Garibaldi they
have a man who has given unnumbered proofs of
his patriotism and his devotion—a man of the true
Washington stamp—such as is reproduced only at
rare intervals and for great results. If with the
unexampled advantages they now possess they
cannot hold their own against Austria, even should
Austria be allowed to make the attack, they can
never hope upon any occasion to defend themselves.
They are led by a man who has not been accus-
tomed to count chances too closely when great
destinies are at stake, and if it be possible to ani-
mate a Tuscan population to fight for themselves
this leader will do so. The Austrian blow, even if
it should be allowed to fall, will be feeble, for it
will be delivered amid the execration of the whole
civilised world. The French troops may be re-
strained from any intervention and may perhaps
look on with silent indignation, but no one can
doubt where their sympathies would be. That the
Austrians will be allowed to invade these Duchies,
where they have no more right than they have in
Yorkshire, we cannot believe ; that French troops
will ever be employed to effect the restoration of
tithe is to
Sovereigns we utterly disbelieve. But
conduct of the Italians we are now
fugitive tehe
looking. However ill their ally or their enemy
may behave, the loss and the disgrace will be that
of the Italians if they should now fail to defend
themselves by arms in the exercise of those rights
' I of which they have just possessed themselves.

TIIE GERMAN CONFEDERATION.—A Berlin letter
says The resolutions lately adopted at Eisenach relit.
tive to the formation of a national German party charged
to prepare federal reform are not to be published until the
28th. The National Gazette, however, the editor of which
attended the last meeting, is publishing a series of
articles setting forth what should be done, and it
appears from them that he is of opinion that for
the moment important propositions ought not to be
presented to the Diet, and that no pressure ought to be
put on the Prussian Government, but that before all the
nation should be enlightened. 1-oss's Gazette expresses
itself to the same effect, and calls on Prussian patriots, as
members of the German nation, to take
move-
ment. The petty States for their part are anxious that the
question should be brought as quickly as possible
.to..
de-
practical issue. Some of these States think that is .
part in the
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