The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-02 00:00:00

MEETING AT LORD DERBY'S.

(Front the Press of Satul'clay.)
The Conservative members of the House of Com-
mons assembled on Friday morning at the mansion
of Lord Derby, in St. James's-square, to hear a
statement from the noble earl on the present aspect
(:)f political affairs, and especially on the position of
the Conservative party. About 160 of the mem-
bers of the House of Commons were present.
The Noble Earl commenced his address by an allu-
sion ihe course which a few members of the oppo-
sition had thought it consistent with their duty to
adopt on occasion of the recent division in the
House of Commons upon the budget. Lord'Derby
stated that the course pursued by Mr. Disraeli had
been concerted with him, and had met with his
entire approval.
Lord DERBY said be had heard it stated that
the amendment moved by the bon. member for
West Norfolk' originated in feeling of disappro-
bation at the report which had been circulated of a
coalition between the party which the noble earl
was proud to lead and the right hon. member for
the University of Oxford. That report was false.
He had no compact or understanding with Mr.
Glad tone as to any political union. He and Mr.
Gladstone were each perfectly free to act on any ques-
tion without reference to the opinions of the other.
At a later period, the noble earl expressed a hope
that what he had said might not be misunderstood.
He had had more than one occasion with Mr.
Gladstone on political matters ; but, as he said be-
fore, there was no political arrangenmit or under-
standing between them. But the noble earl, in the
most dignified and emphatic manner, declared that
should any member of the Conservative connection
atterapt to dictate to him the course he should pur-
sue with regard to any political personages what-
ever, he would regard such dictation as an insult,
and ito longer recognise that member as attached to
his party. This declaration was received with long-
conti cued cheering,
The Noble Earl said that no one could be more
oppcsed to coalitions effected in defiance of political
principle than himself ; but that when members
from identity of sentiment were frequently drawn
toge' her to the same lobby, it was impossible to
doubt that a bond of political union was estab-
lished which no party could refuse to acknowedge.
We pause here for a moment to say, that no
public man in our history has more un-quivocally
expressed his disapproval of factious coalitions than
Lord Derby. The proof is before us in the volume
of the late Sir R. Peel's "Memoirs," just published.
When requested by Sir R. Peel to join his adminis-
tration in 183 t, he replied :

"The reputation of those who take part in public
affair a is a matter of national importance ; and confidence
in public mes has been more shaken by coalitions than
by ail other acts of personal misconduct taken together.
Any reasons which may be urged in vindica-
tion of the present junction would be powerless as op-
pose.l to the public sentiment, which revolts against all
polii 'cal coalitions, especially when they are made the
immediate stepping-stone to power" (page 40).
That is the best answer to those insolent insinua-
tioni which suppose that Lord Derby would ever
sanction any political combination which was not
based upon principle, and dicta!el by the highest
and pure,t regard for permanent public interests.
It is this honourable feeling among our greatest
statesmen which has preserved England from those
factious coalitions to overthrow existing govern-
meats which have constantly proved the ruin of
constitutional freed ~m in other coup, rice.

To resume. Lord Derby said that an impresSion
app-;.tired to prevail in some quarters that the in-
terests of Protestantism might suffer in his hands.
The noble earl referred to his past career, no less
than to his welt-known principles, in refutation of
such a supposition. A slight and graceful allusion
to his devotion to the Established Church of those
realms in times past, was received with vehement
pla.;dits.
We must not emit to state that Lord Derby ex-
pre,.sed high admiration of the talents and chq-
ract ,r of Mr. Gladstone. He noticel emphatically
the fact that the Conservative party was at pre-
sent in a minority in the House of Commons,
and insisted that nothing could possibly be more
unwise than to decline such accessions of strength
as would place it in a position to undertake the
government of the country.
In reference to the important subject then be-
fore the House of Commons, Lorda:rby expressed
his entire approval of the resolution moved by Mr.
Cob len. It was substantially the same as the mo-
tion he had introduced in the House of Lords, and
had supported with all the
.earnestness of convic-
tion all the ability he possessed.
It would be impossible to describe the enthu-
siasm with which this allusion to the speech deli-
veriAl by the noble earl on Tuesday was received.
That speech is in every circle the tAem,l of admira-
timi, and has produced, we believe, a more power-
ful impression on the mind of the country than any
ad.cliess delivered for years pas 1.

After Lord Derby resumed his seat, the meeting
war addressed by several " ropresentative men" of
the House of Commons.

11, fr. SPOONER was received with the respect due to
the consistency of his po'itical clreer, and the sin-
cerity of his religious convictions. He spoke with
gerhrous warmth, denouncing the pretended z,,al
of Lord Palmerston for Protestantism, and ex-
pressing his entire confidence in Lord Derby at the
head of the Conservative patty.
Mr. NEWDEGATE expressed equal loyal senti-
ments, and with equal warmth.;
Lord MAReff, as the head in the Lower Houle
of the great home of Lennox, and a representative
of the luided interest, was listened to with great
attemtion. lie declared that his confidence iu Lord
Derby was so complete, that whatever Colll'3o he
mitt ht deem it expedient to pursue, would receive
his cordial, earnest, and disinterested support.
This declaration was I..ceived rounds of
cheering.

(I,lonel GILPIN, an in&-,pandent member of the
apposition, not only declared his confidence in
Lord Derby, but expressed his high sense of the
services of Mr. Disraeli as leader of the opposition
in the _House of Commons. The manner iu which
the right hon. gent!erian's name was received must
hat e been no less gratifying to him than to all the
members present, as showing that the opposition,
not,7ithsta,nding all the efforts to weaken it, and
all rumours of division, in its ranks, was never mole
cor hally united in devotion to its leaders than at
the present t;me.
We do not cone-al our regret at the course which
a few member s, like Sir John Ty-r,ll and Mr. am-
tine k, have thought prober io adop-b-. They have
no rfoub' acted from conscientious ay.tives of pub-
lic duty. It is quite cear that if they prefer the
le ),k1 of Lord Parmerstion to that of Lord Derby,
they cannot too soon change their places. in the
ho ise.

The meeting was Fo cordial and so unanimous
that we feel justified in warmly congratulating the
Conservative public ou the result. It is impossible
to foretel the politic d changf.s which are in store
for mt. We know only that the administration of
Lcr.l Pahnersten cannot lash, and that from i-s
constitution it is impossible that it can fulfil the
wB4, -,of the country, cr even satisfactorily. cAiduct
ne ;essary public business. Hence it is the iinn!
im ,ortant that the Conservative connection should
continuo united, as it is the primary and highest
use of a constitutional uppomitton to bo
wit Al called upon to undertake the responsibilities
of government.

THE CASUAL WARD OF ME WEST
LO,NDON

In consequence of public attention having been
di, ected to the unsatisfactory condition of the casual
ward of this Union, situa• e at Battle-bridge, by
th 3 recent evening visit of the Lord Mayor, and
also from the strong remarks on its present state
which subsequently appeared in the columns of the
newspapers,_ Mr. Farnell, the inspector for the
r!o
to r-Law Board, made it his dutTpromptly and
carefully Tuesday examine the ward in question, and on
last he reported the result at a meeting of
th) Board ofcoutirmed txcehe Guardians of the -Union (which mainly
previous statements, with the. im-
pc rtant e
ptio
notdheutedrradleicEe
(1 thatto the sexes were kept separate,
and
determined
It was at once unani-
mougly
to
old a special meeting of the
guardians to
proceedz
hi
com-
plained of, and to ascertain
the building
r and managemen'til what alterations in its
to remove the public stigna,n at were
re deirable, in order
their - body. The meeting (y the resent resting upon
ingly took place on Thursd board accJrd-
Y ; and after a - ry
vlrolul and lengthenod investigwion, a /e v
useful prOposals, principally in. aco,razairiety of
Nr. Farnell's report, which had b ;en previously
s with
m tde, were ordered to be at once carried Out.
the Guardians of this Union are strong advo,:ate,
fur the esta6lishment of public baths and
'wash-
houses, they very appropriately considered the pro-
priety of administering a warm bath to each appli,
c ,nt for casual in-door relief, as an important aid
to the promotion of vagrant cleanliness. It ae-
pared to be-generally felt that, although the Board
or' Guardians, from motives of prudence and policy,
did not seek in dealing with the casual poor to rival
the city aldermen in their comparative luxurious
arrangements for criminals at Holloway Prisor),
1 evertheless it was their •
sincere desire as conside-
r itely as possible to regard the Claims of those
whose poverty was- their only crime, and whose
vagrant, and indeed almost irreclaimble, wretch-
edness, to deal with completely, remains b/' at —es..
but a diffictilt problem. Thq st-ttement to the Lord
Mayor at the Man-ion-house, io justifi,ation of rho
emidition of the casual ward he had complained of,
was az.; rtaitied to have heeS made without the
auk
aut ~gity of t4e board. ,

;~

AUSTRIA AND SARDINIA.

allow the law to have its course ; but, when it declares
its willingness to app'y the full rigour of the law, should
the Government of the Emperor require it, such an ac-
cusation appears totally devoid of foundation.
" In listening to the bitter complaints of Count Buol
against the Sardinian press, it might be supposed that
the Austrian press is very reserved as regards foreign
Sovereigns and governments, that it never exceeds the
limits traced by moderation and politeness. This is not
however, the case ; far from it. The Austrian journals,
more especially those published in Lombardy, are fug of
insults and attacks upon the Sardinian Government, and
they do not spare the person of the King and the mem-
bers of his August family. I can easily support this
assertion by numerous proofs ; I shall confine myself to
calling your attention t) the language of the journals of
Milan and Verona respecting an august Princess, a near
relation 'of the Emperor of Austria—language which,
if I am rightly informed, led to energetic remonstrances
at Vienna from the Court of Saxony.
"If Count Buol is justified in complaining of the vio-
lence of a perfectly free press, which is not admitted
into the Austrian States, what must be said respecting
a press submitted to a severe censorship, which spares
neither the institutions nor the political men of our
country, and which circulates freely among us ? In
Piedmont, if the attack is free, so is also the defence.
Austria, attacked by a portion of the press, is defended
not only by the journals which come to us from the other
side of the Tessin, but also by a certain number of jour-
nals published in the States of the King.
"In Lombardy, on the contrary, only the attack is
allowed ; the journals there reproduce with impunity
the most odious articles of the journals opposed to the
Government of the King, and contain frequently per-
sonal insults and insinuations against the statesmen of
Piedmont, and create as much disgust as certain Sar-
dinian journals cause to Count Buol.

The following official correspondence has passed
bAween the Anitritn and Sardinian Govern-
ments :

DESPATCH FROM COUNT BUOL, THE AUSTRIAN MINISTER
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TO COUNT PAAR, AUSTRIAN
ENVOI AT TURIN.

" MILAN, FEB. 10.

"Monsieur le Comte—During your sojourn here you
bad opportunities of closely observing the marks of re-
spect with which the Emperor, our august master, was
received at Milan, and the satisfaction which the pre-
sence of their Imperial Majesties gave to all classes of
the population.

" The numerous acts of clemency which emanated
from the Emperor were received with sentiments of sin-
cere gratitude, which more than once displayed them-
selves in warm demonstrations. If his Majesty in his
clemency has deiened to throw a veil over the past, the
behaviour of his Lombard subjects authorizes us to ex-
pect that the future will not deceive his generous confi-
dence. There can be no doubt that every impartial ob-
server of what has occurred at Milan during the last few
weeks must share these impressions. Confidence is esta-
blishing itself everywhere, and, if there are still a few
spirits who hesitate to join in that confidence without
reserve, their doubts originate less in the internal condi-
tion of the country than in an unceasing provocating
action from without.
" It is especially, I will not conceal it from you, M.
le Comte, the attitude of the Piedmontese Government
which has hurt the Emperor's feelincs. In fact, the
Piedmontese press, faithful to its abject habits, and to its
systematic
hatred against Austria, has endeavoured to
present recent events at Milan in a light diametrically
opposled to the truth. The domination of Austria in the
Lombardo-Venetian kingdom, represented as devoid of
all legititrate right, and as the sole source of all the evils
of the peninsula ; calumny and insult; hurled against
every act of the Imperial Government, against the au-
gust person of the Emperor as well as against his de-
voted servants; insurrection, and even regicide, repre-
sented as the means to liberate Italy from what they
please to call a foreign yoke,—such are the many themes
which the Piedmontese journals unceasingly dwell upon
in every tome, and which latterly they have turned to
account with increased bile and violence. In truth, my
pen refuses to relate all the vileness with which those
journa's teem ; it suffices to open them at haphazard to
find abundant convicting articles.
" Considering these attacks, directed with unusual vio-
lence against a friendly and neighbouring Power, the
Sardinian Government, by remaining perfectly passive,
has, at the very least, laid itself open to the suspicion of
not having wished to discountenance them. This is not
all. Appeals adi7ressed to foreigners, with aview to induce
them to join subscriptions publicly opened to strengthen
the defensive system of Piedmont, which is not menaced
by any Power ; the official reception of pretended depu-
tations from our Italian pi ovinces to express their admi-
ration for a po;icy disapproved by their own Govern.
went; finally, the acceptance of a monument, offered, it
is said, by subjects of the Emperor to commemorate
deeds of the Sardinian army,—all these are so many
offensive demonstrations, which, however calculated
upon tho too easy credulity of the public, nevertheless
have their serious aspect.
" how is it in fact to he explained that a Government
which really wishes to keep up relations of friendship and
good neighbourhood with us should not have regarded
it as concerning its own dignity to prevent demonstra-
tions which impart to the peculiar circumstances attend-
ing them a bearing so palpable and so directly host'le
to a neighbour lois' Power ? Is it, then, by allowing the
reminiscences of the war and the revolutionary passions
which it engendered to he, continually, publicly pro-
claimed and perpetuated that the Sardinian Govern-
ment pretends to fulfil the stipulations of the treaty of
peace—the first of which establishes that there shall be
henceforth and for ever peace, friendship,-and good fel-
lowship between the two Sovereigns, their respective
States and subjects I It may be replied to us that the
lsws of the country are powerless to prevent acts of this
description ; but we cannot on that plea absolve the
Turin Cabinet from having had the appearance of asso-
ciating itself by its toleration with the hopes of a party
whose rallying cry is the abolition of the treaties which
have fixed the territorial limits now existing in Italy.
" It is true the Sardinian Government has more than
once confidentially expressed to us its regret and its dis-
approval of the excesses of journalists. Moreover, declsr-
ing itself incapable of taking the initiative in a prosecu-
tion, it has often referred us to the c iurts of law to obtain
justice for the insults of a libellous press. But if were to
bring an action for every libellous article, we might at
once establish ourselves as public prosecutor. We do not
think such an office is in keeping with the dignity of our
Government. Apart from this consideration the objects
of the attacks of the revolutionary press of Piedmont
are not only the acts of the Imperial Government
but the very principle of monarchy itself ; they even
strike at the roots of all social order. Should not, then,
the Turin Cabinet be the first to defend such important
interests, and to avert an evil which threa,'ens as much
the quiet and security of its own country as those of
other States towards which it has international duties to
fulfil E However this may be, M. le Comte, the Em-
peror owes it to his own dignity not to leave the Sardi-
nian Government in ignorance of the displeasure which
its proceedings generally have caused him. It will be
for Count Cavour to inform you what measures he pur-
poses to take to efface these painful impressions, and
what guarantees he can offer us against the indefinite
prolongation of a state of things so diametrically op-
posed to the desire by which we are animated of enter-
taining such relations with Piedmont as best suit the
interests of the two countries. Intending to shape our
line of conduct in future accerlingly, I request you, M.
le Comte, by order of the Emperor, to read this despatch
to the President of the Council, and to inform me of the
explanations you may receive in reply.—l am, &c.,

"But this not all. Count Buol accuses the Govern-
ment of the Sing of remaining indifferent to the warm
controversy of the newspapers. Truly this cannot be said
of Austria. The articles of the official journals, inspired
by the Imperial Government, prove that the Vienna Ca-
binet sanctions and directs the attacks against us. After
readirg a leader in the official Milan Gazette, the source
of which cannot be doubted, and in which the Ministers
of the King are compared to Robespierre and Cromwell,
we may well be astonished at the bitterness of feeling
which the toleration of the statesmen of Piedmont causes
to Count Buol.

"But it is not only in the name of Austria tbat the
Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs complains of our
toleration. He accuses it of encouraging the most bane-
ful doctrines, of undermining the foundation of the throne,
and of attempting to destroy the sentiment of monarchy.
" The results obtained by the policy followed by the
Government of the King belie those accusations.
Every honest man who examines the actual state of the
country ever so superficially must admit that the mo-
narchical principle, shaken, perhaps, by the events of
1848-1849, has become gradually strengthened, and that
it has re-acquired an immovable solidity.
" The spontaneous and unanimous demonstrations
which hail the King in every portion of his dominions,
even in those parts where there is not a traditional link
of affection and respect, are a manifest proof thereof.
But what proves beyond a doubt the truth of our asser-
tion is tho prostration of the Republican party. That
party, which was not without some influence when King
Victor Emmanuel ascended the throne, has, under the
rule of liberty, seen its means and strength gradually
diminish, so that it has been obliged to let its sole organ
in the periodical press L'ltalict 6 Popolo, die a natural
death, without prosecution, and simply from the falling
off of its subscribers. This fact appears to me to be the
most eloquent refutation of the anti-monarchical teadec-
cies of which Count Budl accuses us.

"After having examined the question of the press,
which forms the most important portion of Count Boors
despatch, I will briefly touch upon the other points it
contains.

"As regards the demonstrations asserted to have been
pravoked in other !parts of Italy, we challenge whom-
soever it may be to quote a single fact emanating from
the Government of the King with that object is view.
The Pielmontese Government having ca'led the atten-
tion of the Congress of Paris to the condition of Italy,
and having shown the necessity of ameliorating that
condition by pacific and legal measures, its conduct ex-
cited, without any other provocation, marks of gratitude
and sympathy from a great numbar of persons dwelling
in different parts of the peninsula. There is nothing in
this to entitle Austria to complain. She herse f, though
not agreel upon the means, feels the necessity of modi-
fying the present state of things in Italy. But she does
more than recognise this in words. By the acts she has
jast done, by those which are announced as likely soon
to take Owe, she hail proved by facts that the statements
of the Sardinian Plenipotentiaries were not devoid of
foundation, and that the approval which crowned their
efforts cannot be imputed to them as an act directly
hostile to Austria.
"As regards the monument spoken of as to be erected
at Turin in honour of the Sardinian army, I may first
observe that the Government of the King has nothing
whatever to do with it. Some persons having inquired
of it whether it would accept a gift from the Milanese,
it replied by a distinct and positive refusal. The offer
made to the Municipal Council was accepted. The
Government could not, and ought not, to have prevented
it, as it was made unconditionally and anonymously.
But if the Royal Government could not prevent the gift
of a sum of money to erect a statue in honour of the
Sardinian army, meant especially to record the expedi-
tion to the Crimea, it will not allow any feature in this
monument to hurt the susceptibility of Austria or her
army, nor an inscription to imply that it was erected by
Austrian subjects. This assurance appears to me of a
nature fully to satisfy any complaints of Count Buol on
the subject.

" Having replied to the reproaches of the Imperial
Minister of Foreign Affairs, I might in my turn enume-
rate the annoyances caused to U 9 by the Austrian Go-
vernment, from the sequestration of the property of the
Lombards and Venetians who bad legally become Sardi-
❑ian subjects, to the violent and unwarranted expulsion
from Milan of one of the most distinguished members of
the Senate of the kingdom. But I prefer not following
in the track of complaints of the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Austria, so as not to envenom a dispute which
we do not think would prove advantageous to either
country. _ .

".13u0i,."

On the communication of the above despatch
Count Cavour sent the following reply to the Mar-
quis Cantano, the Sardinian envoy at Vienna :
" Turin, Feb. 20.
"Sir,—lmmediately on his return from Milan Count
Par real to me a despatch which Count Bun! had just
addressed to him (of which you will find copy annexed)
complaining of the attitude of the Sardinian Govern.
ment, and communicating the displeasure which its pro-
ceedings had caused to the Emperor of Austria.
".Although I did not hesitate to give at once such
explanations to Count Paar as appeared to me fully to
refute the reproaches of the Imperial Government, I
yet thought it as well to eend you, M. le Marquis, a
categorical and formal reply to the Austrian Minister of
Foreign, Affairs. _ _ _

" I cherish the hope that the explanations contained
in this despatch, of which you will leave a copy with
Count Buol, and such further explanations as your
knowledge of the views of the Royal Government enable
you to give, will convince the Imperial Minister of Fo-
reign Affairs that, while resolved to maintain at all risk
the institutions which make the prosperity and the
glory of our country, it is no less our firm intention to
tulfil towards our neighbours, to their full extent, the
obligations imposed upon us by international law and
by treaties.—l am, &c,,

" ()Tont Buol complains of the attacks of the Piedmon-
tese press, of the manifestations provoked, it is said, in
the other provinces of Italy in favour of a policy which
(keg not enjoy the approval of the Imperial Government.
Finally, he dwells upon the acceptance of a monument
said to have been offored by the Milanese to the Sardi-
nian army. Making the Sardinian Government respon-
sible for these fads, Ccunt Buol accuses it in some mea-
sure of not fulfilling the stipulations of the treaty of
peace concluded at Mdan.

" CAVOUR."

FLOATING BATTERIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—Whatever the causes—whether such as justly
to condemn our Government officials, or the result of
accident beyond human foresight and control—it is un.
deniable that the late Crimean war was marked by an
amount of expenditure which, when resolved into figures,
lsoke monstrously large and astounding in the eyes of
many a suffering citzen of this heavily-taxed country.
It need not, therefore, be matter for surprise that
" economy" should now be made the catchword of party,
and the order of the day. Economy is, however, a
somewhat hackneyed phrase, and too often a mere hocus-
pocus trifling adopted by well-skilled practitioners in
legislative quackery and legerdemain. Is it the best
and truest economy to begin and end a scheme of res.
treuchinent with the ,citizens and labourers of cpr dock.
yards and others in the more humble grades of the pub-
lic service, whilst the salaries of thousands per annum
are untouched and held sacred ? Is it a genuine or
genial species of economy to repudiate the productions
of genius because originating with the lowly and unpre-
tending, whilst thousands again are lavished on patrician
theorists, for the sake of their high conrections, or other
causes, securing official patronage and support ? I write
from personal experience. As a shipwright in tire dock-
yard, at Devonport, and from which employ I have but
lately withdrawn myself, my position was of course.
humble and unpretending ; but, in 1854, my attention
was drawn to two subjects of admitted importance at
that exigent juncture, viz., "Permanent and Floating
Batteries." In whatever view considered, whether for
offence or defence, the principles of construction were
deemed defective and open to improvement, and be-
lieving those defects capable of effective remedy, I
prepared a model of a permanent battery, which, after
taking-the unbiassed opinions of several thoroughly
cientific individuals, aril obtaining their unqualified ap-
proval of the improved principles introduced into its con-
struction, I proposed to the authorities of the War De-
partment to submit this model, on payment of my ex-
penses, to the consideration and test of any military or
other scientific persons they might be pleased to depute.
From Lord Palmerston's secretary I received a reply,
stating that his lordship could give no guarantee for ex-
penses, neither could he " encourage me in the pursuit
of a subject which properly belonged to the Royal lingi-
neers." One of two things is fairly to be inferred from
this reply, either that no production, however valu-
able to the country or the" public service ought,
in the order of Prrrvidence or other circumstance of
mind or matter, to originate with any source not the
offspring of the Ro'jal Engineer, or if so originating,
it neither ought -nor could be worthy of official re-
cognition and-respect. • Subsequently on application to
the Board of Adrairalty persmission was given me to
submit the model of my " Floating Battery" to the
investigation of• Sir Balawin Walker and his attendants.
acknowledgment
andw leadng
awenatr dof o
But who can describe the Qfficial jealousies, the series of
puerile objections, whimsicalities, and I may add flagrant
secured c
general,oed
ignorance of scientific Plinciples displayed ! In the end,
principlesh
owever I
a n
however, it was not -to be adopted. Would this have
been tho case had this blood of a patrician flowed in my
veins—coull I have, proved myself the relative, depen-
dant,practical
or protege" of some lofty aristocrat or official ? I
Crow not I

" I shall not undertake to justify the national press
against the reproaches of Count Iluol. Ido not hesitate
to admit, not only, a, that Minister says, confilen-
tiady,' !Jul; publicly, hone6tly, as is my custom, that it
often goes to latuenahle excesses—that iy attacks the
persouo of the Emperor in a manner I opeidy condemn.
But what I think I have a right to maintain is that the
criticini of the press of the acts of the Austrian Govern-
ment cannot cause it any serious embarra,,sment, and
that, as regards the attacks against the Emperor, it
would be easy to put a stop to them by having recourse
to the means supplied by our laws for the suppre-sion of
offances of this description. How can the journals which
attack the Austrian policy impede the action of the Im-
perial Government when their admission into the pro•
vinces subjected to the Empire is rigorously prohibited ?
Whatever ray be their influence in the interior_of our
country --and that influence is very small—their action
is nul,
_beyond time Tessin. The statement in Count
Buoi'._; despatch of the reception of the Emperor at
Milan is an incontestable proof of it.

" Freediscussion of the lets of the Government is ono
of the essential principles of the present political system
A Piednannt, as it is of many other States of Europe.
We boldly assert that that liberty is attended here with
as many advantages and with less inconveniences than
anywhere else. Toe profound peace which we enjoy,
the daily increasing union between the country and the
throne, proves it beyond a doubt ; and, as regards
foreign Governments, we do not think it can be
maintained that our journals are more violent and
acrimonious than those of • England or of Belgium.
The attacks of the English newspapers against the
Government of the Emperor of Austria were not
less violent or less bitter than those in ours ; but that
did not prevent Austria from seeking, when it suited
her interests, an alliance of friendship with England,
and from showing her satisfaction and pride at the good
relations established with that Power.
"As regards the attacks against the person of the Em-
peror, not only do I repeat the disapprobation already
expressed, but I do not hesitate to express the regret 1
feel that the Imperial Government has not put it in our
power to use the means to put a stop to them by effica-
ciously suppressing them.
" You aro aware, 'M. le Marquis, that we have intro-
duced special laws into our code for this species of
offences by the press, making their suppression more
certain, more severe; than in any other country where
freedom of discussion is allowed. Let _Count Boot com-
pare our laws with those of England or of Belgium in
this respect, and he will admit the truth of what I ad-
vance.

" The experience, moreover, of the last few years has
shown the efficacy of the suppression. All foreign Go-
vornineLts that have made use of the means supplied by
our laws to punish attacks made against their respective
chiefs have seen those attacks punished in a manner to
prevent their repetition. The same would have taken
place, and would a-suredly take place as regards the
stated in_
Emperor of Austria,if
his Government had followed, or
iesults°"4Bai
FAIO4II, 1 follow, the example of France or Spain.
against
tn theth ft
Count Paar, to whom I addressed this observation,
for -
of the
andE Bpero,
sentencedp rosec ut toe da
small penalty, To this I will say first of all, that in
offences of the.
press
much
i the fact of the condemnation of the
journal has rao
penalty inflicted. moreimportance than the amount of
I may, then, add that the Court may
have been lenient, either
because it was the first prose-
cution for an attack
against the Emperor
after a long toleration, or becaus e the of Austria
mtnt allowed a very long interval
tolmperial
elapseGovern-
bltween the
publication of the offensive article and prosecution.
Doubtless, in case of a repetition of the t'e
offence, and if the
prosecution took place at once, the Court would be muck
more severe, as it showed itself, against those '
journals
which attacked the Emperor of the French.
if Count Buol cannot make the Sardinian Government
responsible for those attacks unless it should refuse to

Desirous, howe,/er, to afford the public an opportunity
of judging of tb e merits of my inventions, and deter.
mining how far they deserved aaoption, I am prepared
to visit our, pri,acipal towns, and naval ports, for the pur-
pose of exhibiting the ee:ieral models, that military and
nautical men especi-,;lly,
pronounce, ar,cord;,o- versed' in such matter', may
g to their unbiassed judgment, bow
means of Baw-
far they are. or are not worthy of being rendered the
Atik and advantage to the public purse.
Soliciting, your insertion of this statement in your
valuable
I berg
• ejolrbscribe myself your obedient servant,
~-JOHN TRESCOWTHICK.
A'Atnar Wharf, Morice 'l%wn, Devonport,
Feb. 25, 1857.

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1857.

SPORTING NOTES.

THE LIVERPOOL MEETING.

Despite the dissatisfaction and complaints which the
handicap occasioned, the Grand National Steeplechase
will be contested by a large field, and will produce a
race of surpassing interest. Mr. Topham may therefore
regard with indifference the adverse criticism which his
task received, and point with triumph to the successful
result of his labours. The most indiscriminate abuse
was certainly heaped upon him by those persons who,
in their zeal for,the-abolition of light weight, seemed to
totally forget or ignore the character of the horses
with which Mr. Topham had to deal at Liverpool.
Why, with half a dozen exceptions, there is not a weight
carrying horse, or one capable of getting across country
among the nominations, and to have adopted a heavy
scale of weights would have been to handicap nearly hslf
the horses out of the race. Mr. Topham unquestionably
exercised a wise discretion when he disregarded the
clamours of the many mouthed multitude, and worked
out his own notions with respect to the distribution of
the weights. He annually incurs a heavy pecuniary
risk with his Spring Meeting at Liverpool, and he bad,
therefore, his own interest to consult, and not the pre-
judices of a clique of turf reformers.
When the saddling bell is rung it is estimated that
about twenty-five competitors will be stripped and draw n
up in battle array. Recent movements have advanced
Es :ape to the " premiership," and he is likely to retain
office to the end. His partisans derive their confidence
mnlypinregalqfiurasiti-tcileass's steeplechaser
and from his
reputation ahtio
iu the race. Yet they require something more consider-
ingis nw ofe well
being known w
then jumping
the crowd of light-weight competitors Escape will
encounter, and who will cut out the work at a racing
pace. On examination of Escape's performances, too,
I have arrived at the conclusion tbat he is not so vastly
superior to certain other animals in the race as his sup-
porters would lead us to infer, and I think he will find
it difficult to concede the weights to Minos, Little
Charley, Hopeless Star, Forest Queen, Teddesley,
" Hughes's lot," and one or two others. Since Minos
has come into the possession of Mr. Mellish, a great
improvement has certainly been worked in his form and
appearance. Of his jumping powers we have had
abundant proof, and if the country were a little " stiffer"
at Aintree, I should select him unconditionally.
The running of Westminster at Derby has caused
increased attention to be directed to Hughes's lot,
and which ever is the best of that lot will assuredly
attain a forward position. Little Charley and Hopeless
Star I have already indicated as being " well in ;" to
state their special claims to attention would only occupy
space to little purpose, as the reader is already familiar
with them. Of the " French horses"—or rather the
English horses with French names—l have no expecta-
tions. Emigrant has since the exhibition of First of
May at Derby encountered violent hostility. Still I
confess that I have to a certain extent the " fondness"
of his owner. That the horse has some stuff in him we
have bad frequent proofs, and I shall be both surprised
and disappointed if he be not ia the first flight of com-
petitors at the finish.

" Barring accidents,"—that very necessary proviso in
dealing with steeplechases—l shall expect to see Minos,
Little Charley and the best of Hughes's lot foremost at
the finish. Of the outsiders I prefer Teddesley and
Forest Queen.
Gitana and Bashi Bazouk have monopolised nearly all
the little betting that has taken place on the Spring Cup.
If Ford ham can get himself down to the weight he will
doubtless have the mount on Gitana, whom I shall be
inclined to let do battle for me. For the Aintree Plate
Assayer and "Barber and Saxon's two"—(Tom Thumb
and Mies Harkaway)—seem the most attractive. On the
Sefton Handicap I shall not express aniopinion, as the
result of the race will depend upon the running on
Tuesday.
By the way I have been requested to state that the
Mr. Barr who advertises to execute commissions, &c., is
not the Mr. Barr the well-known and respected member
of Tattersall's.
March 2. A FRESH MAN.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

METROPOLITAN.

At the half-yearly meeting of this company, la ld on
Saturday at the office, Great George-street, Westmins-
ter, Mr. C. Pearson (city solicitor), in moving the re-
election of the directors, said that when he left the direc-
tion of the company it• appeared as though they were
about to have the work carried into execution. The
Bank rate of discount was then four per cent. It was
now six per cent., a state of things widely different. At
the earlier period the G.)vernment was oppos( d to the
carrying out of the bill, and the corporation of London
was not well affected towards it, and it was this feeling
which ;had induced him to retire from the direction.
Shortly after his retirement he attended a meeting at
the Privy Council Office, when Lord Palmerston, the
Home Secretary, Sir W. Moleswortb, Mr. Cardwell,
and Lord Canning were present, where he explained his
project-, after which they came to the determination
that they would sanction the formation of the railroad.
Then the Russian war broke out, and the difficulty of
Obtaining money prevented the work from being com-
menced. The corporation of London were not favour-
able to the scheme, but they agreed to subscribe a large
sum of money in public improvements arising out of
this railway, such as the filling up of the Holborn
valley, and the expenditure of 450,0001. in the New
Cattle-market, Copenhagen-fields. He was perfectly
confident that the corporation never would engage in
any railway enterprise, and if any of the shareholders of
the company entertained any such notion the sooner
they dismissed it the better. The corporation of Lon-
don eschewed all speculation, and would not render
themselves liable to any charge of jobbing in railway
matters. (Hear, hear.) He was net quite sure, how-
ever, but that the directors might in some other form
induce the corporation to assist them. In order to ob-
tain this support it would be the duty of the directors to
take a bold view of the question, and tell the corpora-
tion tbat,if they did not come forward to help them they
would wind up the affair, and that for ever and aye
there would be an end to it. If the directors adopted
the same course towards the Great Northern, Great
Western, and London and North-Western, each of those
bodies would see and feel that it was their interest as
wall as their duty to come forward and render what
assi-tance they could. (Hear, hear.) A gentle-
man had spoken of what had taken place before a com-
mittee of the corporation. He was perfectly justified in
making that statement. The fact was the corporation
of London had prepared plans for the establishment of
a meat market in connection with Smithfield, and in
anticipation ;that this railway would be completed,
and afford a means of communication between the mar-
ket in Smithfield and the cattle market iu Copenhagen-
fields. (Hear, hear.) The plan which he had originally
proposed was now being carried out in Paris, and an
underground railway was in course of construction
from the central dead meat market to the cattle
market abattoirs, which were about the same distance
from Paris as our cattle market was from the
centre of London. The railway was already made, and
provided with turntables and other conveniences fr;r,
traffic, under the cattle market, and the line will
run between the Rue St. Martin and the Rue St.
Denis, under the Boulevard de Sebastopol. A sum
of 1,400,000/, had been already expended on the works,
but at present they were partially suspended for want of
funds, a further sum of 200,0001. being required to pur-
chase the required property. If they could only obtain
the funds necessary to complete this line, there would be
no difficulty as to obtaining the co-operation of the
other great lines. The Great Western, which stood like
a naughty little boy in the corner of London—(a laugh)
would be most glad to avail themselves of the advan-
tages which the line would afford to them by giving
them a City terminus, and the same with the other com-
panies. (Hear.)

MID-KENT (BROMLEY TO ST. MARY CRAY.)
The hal-yearly meeting of this company was held at
the offices, South Sea-house, on Saturday ; Mr. W. Dent
in the chair.

The report stated that in the last half-yearly report
they were informed that a preliminary aireement had
been entered into with the South Eastern Railway Com-
pany for the working and maintenance of the line. Sa-
tisfactory arrangements had been come to by the East
Kent and Cray Companies with the West-end Railway
Company, for obtaining access into London totally in-
dependent of the South. Eastern Company to London-
bridge, Waterloo-bridge, and Sloane-street. By the end
of the present year the West-end and St. Mary Cray
lines would be completed for traffic. The capital ac-
count to the 31st December showed that 10,9311. had
been received, aLd 4,2101. expended, leaving 5,250/. in
the hands of the accountant-general, and 1,4701. at the
bankers.

Names of
Companies.

PRICES OF SHARES.

From the Oficial List.
rUBLISIIED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENI}P).

LONDON, FRID AY, FEB. 27, 1857.
CANALS.

Ashtn &Mt)
Birmingham
Coventry....
Derby .. • • • •
GrandJunctn.
Do., 6 pr. Ct. I
Grand Jnion
Kennt & Ave
Leeds &Livrp
Leicester....
Leicstr &NO.
Longhborogh
Macclesfield.
Neath • .....
0xf0rd......

E, Dividend
per
cr., Annum.

98 71. p. ct.
40 4/.
100 11/.
100 Gt, 15s.
100 21. pr. ct.
tO 6z. pr. ct.
100 7s. 6d
40 63.
100 251.
00 51.
83 11.55.,
143 701
100 21. 10s.
1100 161.
1100

Name of Company.

Price.l

Names of
Companies.

Peak For es LI
Begot t's • • .
Rochdale.. • •
3ttlrd &Won
!Stoarbrldge.
I Severn and
Wye Rail.,
Warwick &
Birming.
Warwick & 1
Napton..
Worcstr
firming.
& Brio

Berlin
East London ..

Do. 4 per Cent. Pref.

Do. 5 per Cent. Pref.
Grand Junction ......
Do. New ......
Lambeth. ............
New River Company..
Southwark & Vauxhall
West Middlesex • • • • ..
Do. Do, .. ...

51. per cnt.
sit. per cnt.
4/. percent.
51. per cent.
4t. per cut.

51. per cut.

Name of Company.

flungerford.... ••
Southwark ..........

Ditto New of 7% P.C.
Waterloo..,,, ........
Ditto Old Ann. of Si.
Ditto Nw ditto of 71.
Vauxhall

British Frovinclal
Brighton .. •• •• •• ••
City of London
Equitable
European .... .•• •
Great Central
Imperial .. ••
Ditto New

41. per cent.

BRIDG

Dividend
per

Annum.

Amount
of
Share.

Ditto Debentures
Do. Continental I st Cap.
Do. Do. 2d Cap.
Do. Do. 3d Cap.
Do. Do. 4th Cap.
Independent ....... ••
London Parl. Preferen.
Phoenix . • • .. ••
Ratcliff
Surrey Consumers
United General .. •• ••
Westminster Chartered
Ditto, New
Western A.
Ditto B

IN per cent.'

11. 12s. Od.
11. 51 s . Od.
28s.

Name of Company.

[7' AND COS:

Dividend
. per

Annum.

Albion •• •• ••
Allianza Brit. and For.

71. per cent
5/. per cent.
21. per cent.
21.
61. per cent.
8/. per cent
LOl. per cent.

31. ss.

41. ls.

41. 10s.

s. d.
10 0 0
Stock.
25 0 0
25 0 0
50 0 0
2.5 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0

100 0 0
61 0 0
,5 1 8

Ditto 3larine .......
ithenmum • • • • • • • • • •
Atlas
Argus Life ......... • •
British Commercial .t
Church of England ..
City of London .•• • ..
Clericluled.& Gen. Life
C0unty..............
Crown • • .. • •
Eagle..
Equity and Law......
European Life ......
Family Endowment ••
Genera 1..........
Globe • •• •• •• •.
Gresham Life ........
Do. D 0........ •
Guardian
Imperial Fire... • • ....
Imperial Life
Indemnity
Law Fire
Law Lite. • • • .... ••-• •
Legal and General Life
London .
London & Prov. Law..
• • • • ..
Med. Irvlid & Gen. Life
Minerva • • ..
Monarch • .....
New Equitable
Pelican •• .• •• •• • .. ••
Phoenix
Professional Life • • ..
Provident Life ........
Rock Life..
Royal Exchange .... •
Sun Fire
Ditto Life .....
United Kingdom ....
Universal Lifi3
Victoria Life •• .... • •

Amount
of
Share.

X s. d.
25 0 0
100 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
60 0 0
40 0 0
70 10 3

E COMP.

61. per cent.
53. per cnt.
5/.
Si. per cent.
I6s Od per sh.
7. per cent.

71. per c.
71. 145.6 d.
;1. p.c. & bs,

158.0 d. &
41. per cent.
71. 10s.
71. los.
51.
5 pr ct.& bs.
11. per share
I/. 18s.
ss.
194 per cent.'
11.
41. per cent.
6 per cent.
51. per cent.

51. per cent
121. per cent.

°l4s.
51.p.-et.&bs.
2s & 2s bons
211. per sh.
4s. per share

Dividend
per

18s. & bs.
4% per cent
51. per cent.
51. per cent.
6 X per cent

Name of Company.

gl p. ct.
51. per cent.
51. per cent.
12% per c.
7s.
8p- c. & bs
p. c.& bs.

11. 14s.
41. & bonus.
51. & bonus.
51. & bonus

PINT-STOCK

Dividend
per

Annum.

Instralasia.. ......
Bank of Egypt ......
Bank of London ..
British North American
Ch Bk. Ind. Aust & Ch.
City.......... .
Colonial ..............
Commercial of London.
Eng . Scot & Aust. Ch.
Lond. Char. Bk. of Aus.
Do. New ..
London and County
Lon. & Eastn. Brikg. C.
London Joint-Stock
Londn sad Westminatr
sat. Provincial of Eng.
Ditto, New • • • •

Amount
of
Share.

Z s. d.
20 0 0
20 0 0
LSO 0 0
50 0 0
20 0 0
10 0 0
SO 0 0
50 0 0
I Stock
50 0 0
50 0 0
50 0 0
50 0 0
40 0 0
25 0 0
60 0 0
20 0 0
10 0 0
50 0 0
50/ 0 8
50 0 0
10 0 0
10 0 0

'ANIES.

tOl. per cent.

51. per cent.
9 per cent.
41. per cent.
51. per cent.

71. p. c. & bs.
C. per cent.
51. per cent.

lel. per cent.)
6!. per cent.
28 per cent.
18/. per cent.
16 pc.&bs j

Ditto.ditto
Natioraa Bank
New z•outh Wales
Orient:Li Bank Corpora.
Ottoman Bank . .
Frovincial of Ireland..
Ditto, New..• ......
lonian.
South Australia
Union of Australia....

61. per cent.
20'. per cent.
10/. per cent.

Union of Hamburg....
Union of L0nd0n......
Unity Mutual . • •
Western Bank of Londn

Amount
of
Share.

£ s. d.
500 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0
1 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
50 0 0
50 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0
50 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
20 0 0
100 0 0
5 0 0
Stock.

43. p. ct.&bs.
83. per cent.
M. per cent.
10/, per cent.
Std. per cent.

151. per cent.

20 0 0
100 0 0
500 0 0
,100 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0
50 0 0
25 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
50 0 0
20 0 0
5 0 0
10 0 0

DOCKS,

Dividend
per

Annum.

6 5 0
100 0 0
5 0 0
Stock.

Amount
of
Share.

5.
40 0
25 0
100 0
50 0
20 0
100 0
100 0
100 0
20 0
20 0
20 0
50 0
100
50 9
100 0
1100 0
20 0
20 0
50 0
20 0
25 0
20 0
100 0
10 0
25 0
25 0
25 0

51. pr cent.

7f
6/. pr cent.
41. per cent.

51. pr cent.

, 9
4}61. per cnt.
4 per cent.
5/. Os per c.

15 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0

Amount

Share:

s. d.
Stock.
Stock.
stock.
100 0
100 A 0
25 0 0
Stock.
Stock.
50 0 0
20 0 0
20 0 0

:PANIES'

Annum

51. Os.
17s

Amor.at
of
Share.

28,
121. 10s.

71. per cent.
81. per cent.
Si. per cent.
51. per cent.
/. p cent.
71. per cent.
61. per cent.
3341. p cent.
6511:
ppp
eee
rrt
cc eceennnttt
81. per cent.
71. per cent.
S y4l. pr cont.
41. per cent.
Io4.par cent.
61. per cent.'
51. por cent.
61. percent.
51.11ar cant.
61. par cent.
61. per cont.
71. per coat.

prcent.
51. per cent.

X 3. d.
100 C 0
100 0 0
10 0 0
10 0 0
20 0 0
500 0 0
25 0 0
5 0

Ida 0 o
20 0 0
100 0 0
100 0 0
50 0 0
MO 0 0
10 0 0
100 0 0
25 0 0
50 0 0
100 0 0
5000
4000
10 0 0
200 0 0
20 0 0
50 0 0
20 0 0
50 0 0

11. 16s.

7s. Od.

Paid.

£ a. d.
100
all

Price.

Price

Paid.

Z B. d.

MB.

Paid.

5
105%

Price.

Price.

Z s. d.
all

12%
8814
31
210

Paid.

o 10 0
10 0 0
0 10 0

5 10 0
10 0 0
5 0 0

12,4

Price.

L 6%
28
6N
31,4,
214

20!i
101%
3%

184%

Paid.

Z s. d.

all
18 15 0
50 0 0
all
6 0 t
50 0 0
25 0 0
20 0 0

20 -6
0
50 0 0
10 0 0
20 0 0
25 0 0
10 0 0
5 0 0
22 10 0
all

Price.

100
19'
701
4%

Paid. I Price.

£ s. d.
Stock.

118%

too "o 0
too 0 0
0 0
Stock.

50 -0
0
20 0 0
14 0 0

'RICES.

Price.

MISCELLANEOUS.
• Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
--- . ---- —
Z s. d. 4 s. d.
Acadian Charcoal Iron • •
10 0 0 2 0 0
African Steam Ship .. 20 0 0 10 0
lit. rer•
cent. 50 0 020 0 0
•
Assam tea •... •.....
And ien Mart........ 114 /per cent 50 0 0
Australian Azriculturl 25 0 0 19 0 0 23%
Australian Trust .... 81. pr cent. tOO 0 0 25 0 0
Austraitan Royal Mail 10 0 0 all
Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 1/. 10s. 10 0 0 all
British American Land Si. per cent. 50 0 0 40 0 0
Canada ... •• •• ...... 61. percent. 100 0 0 82 10 0 140
Do. 5 per cent Bonds 51. pet cent Stock MO 0 0
Ditto, E. per cent bds 5/.per cent. Stock 100 0 0
Ditto, 6 per cent. .. Si. per cent. Stock 100 0 0 110%
Ditto, 6p c. bds 1874 61. per cent. Stock 100 0 0 7-2
Ditto, 6p c. bds 1876 6/. per cent Stock 100 0 0 ll
Crystal Palace
Ditto Preference 7l pr. cent 0 0 5 0 0
_
2/. per cent. 50 0 all 5
0 0 all . —2-%
4
Crys. Palace of France
City Navigation Bonds 31(21. per cent
Stook. 100 0 0 932
Electric Telegraph
Eng.& Aus. Cop. Smelt — 0 o 0
Eng.&lris. ',lag. T. Co — 100 0 0 100 00 0 0 all
Equitable Reversionry 51per cent.
50 0 0 22 10 0
Ditto New ...• ...• 100 0 0 100 0 .40 ___
Gen. Revers. & Invest. M. p c and Ti 5 0 0
0 0-
all
Gen. I. Sc. Col. (Lim.)
4 0 all . per centt. 0 41A Gen•SteamNavigation Mt. per ct. &?500 14 0 0
London Gen. Omnibus 12/
Stock Stock
Hudson's 8ay.... •• •• 5/. p
21er cent.
se. 100 0 0 all
Hungerford ...• ••• • •• * lO 0 0 all
Loa. Ne. &Ns. Mauso. —
all
10 0 0 all
Mex. & S. American
London Reversionary
—2500 5 0 0 4
Nat. Discount Comp • • 7,
5/, per cent. 115
00
00
100 0 0 '
Nor. Brl. Australasian 6d.
Si. per cent
per cent 20 0 0 17 10
all
16
N.S.W. Gov.sp.c. Deb.
North of Europe, Stm. 81. p
29 0 0 0 13s
Price's Patent Cand. Co all
5 0 0 all
& Oriental Steam 71. per cent 50 0 o all
Pen. 67%
Ditto New •• • • •• . •
Peel River.Land&Min.
50 0010 0 0 14N
all
4,/. pr cent. 100 0 0
Reversionary Int. Soc. 411. pr cent 100 0 0
Ditto New •• • - • • • •
20 0 0 _
Royal gall Steam 4l. p. share.. 100 0 0 60 0 0
Scottish Aus. Invest l5/. per cent. 10 0 all 6514
South Australian Land 71. per cent. 25 0 0 1 ?ti
all 34
Trust and Loan Comp. 716 /. pr cent. (20 0 0 5 0
0
101. 100 0 0 2 I
Vic. Gov. 6 per ct. Lids. 6 per cent. —.B 10 0
Van Diemen's Land