The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-25 00:00:00

THE .FRENCH CHAMBERS.

The speech of M. Jules Favre in the Corps Legis-
latif on Thursday was one of the most brilliant dig-
plays ever made in that Chamber since the establish-
ment of the empire. His friends regard it as a
perfect model of parliamentary eloquence. Speak-
ing of the Pope's restoration to the Papal throne
after the overthrow of the Roman Republic by the
French army under the command of the Marquis
d'Oudinot, he said,—

Pius IX., re-established on his throne, forgot that he was
Pope, and only recollected he was a Sovereign. If he had
not thenforgottenhis encyclical he would not have consented
to return to Rome by causing bloodshed among the people.
The victory gained, those who led on the President of the
Republic to adopt that violent extremity against the design
of the Assembly raised shouts of triumph. But see how the
Almighty sports with men, the infatuated instruments of
their own passions. It was believed that the temporal sove-
reignty of the Papacy had been destroyed. It was for ever
destroyed ; for the day on which Pius IX. re-entered Rome,
thanks to foreign bayonets, he ceased to be a sovereign.
Authority ban have no other basis but confidence, affection,
or fear. Woe to the government founded on the latter I
Brought back by our arms, could the Pope recover the
heart of his people ? He is merelrrnaintained by the sword
of France ; withdraw it, and his throne will fall to pieces.
According as this sad experiment was prolonged, the Pope
was able to acquire the certainty that he was nothing, ex-
cept by the support of those who had brought him back,
and who were maintaining him in his States. The temporal
sovereignty was merely nominal. It had been buried in the
victorious folds of our flag. What have we done ? 'The Holy
See refuses us its gratitude ; and it is right. Europe is per-
haps rejoicing at our present embarrassment. France has
assuraject the heaviest of responsibilities in bringing back to
Italy ford of government which ours has frequently con-
demned, together with all Europe, including even Austria.
M. Favre then passed a high eulogium on Victor
Emmanuel. Speaking of Garibaldi's success he
said :

It was not the material force of Garibaldi which over-
threw the Neapolitan Government. That monarchy fell
under contempt and unpopularity ; for—and it is a fact
unique hi history—Garibaldi, after all his triumphs, pre-
sented himself at the gates of Naples, not as a dictator, but
as a tourist—(laughter)—and accompanied by only five
friends. It was sufficient for him, in order to establish his
authority, to open the heart of Italy, and to inspire it with
the hope of nationality.

M. Favre then asked leave to address some words
of severe reproach to the Government for an act
which had afflicted all France. France, continued
M. Favre,—
Had said to Rome, "Endeavour to defend yourself and
to organise your army." That, in ordel• to accomplish that
object the Pontifical Government should seek on every side
for mercenary soldiers ; that it followed 'in doing so the very
worst traditions of the Middle Ages, did not regard France.
France was interested in lotting her do so, but Rome asked
to be authorised to intrust that army to a French general,
to be authorised to increase its army with men levied on our
territory, and France authorised it. Why? There is,
nevertheless, a penalty imposed by the Code against any-
body who quits the country to serve a foreign Power.

M. Favre concluded by calling on the Chamber
not to act but by its vote to cause the cessation of
an action which is an oppression on the Italian
national will.

THE ADDRESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE
BODY AND THE EMPEROR'S REPLY.

At 2 o'clock on Saturday the Emperor received
n the Throne Room the deputation of the Legisla-
tive Corps, with the Address in reply to his Ma-
esty's Speech.
The Deputation was headed by the President and
the Bureau.

The Emperor, seated on the throne, had on his
right and left :—Prince Napoleon, Prince Lucien
Murat, and Prince Jerome Murat. All the high
dignitaries of the Court were present.
The President of the Legislative Corps read, the
following Address
Sire,—The Legislative Corps could not use for the first

time the new and important prerogatives due to the initia-
tive of your Majesty, without applauding the liberal and
provident idea which inspired them, and showing itself
proud and grateful for the confidence of which they are the
proof.

These concessions (libertes) develope the principles of the
Constitution, appropriating in a wise progressive manner
its mechanism and action in the present state of society.
This Constitution, founded in presence of difficulties
which it had to surmount and of the work of pacification it
had to produce, has prepared and rendered possible the de-
velopments which it receives. We accept, with the resolu-
tion to turn it to the general benefit, the largest margin it
gives to our labours and to our responsibility. Witness of
our loyal efforts to make known the truth to the country,
as well as to yourself, public opinion will the more readily
sanction our decisions, and give additional strength to our
devotion to your person and to your dynasty; for nothing
can be added to our popularity which is not allied to your
Power.

In asking us to give an honest statement of our opinions
and sentiments, your Majesty facilitates the task by a gene-
ral and annual sketch of the affairs of the country.
The state of France shows us order everywhere main-
tained, the laws obeyed, religion respected, art and litera-
ture encouraged, instruction spread, the population loyal
and confident, and it is right to add that these benefits, the
work of your wisdom and the fruits of your reign, have in-
stalled quiet and a feeling of security in the public mind,
instead of anxiety and civil discord.
Sire, the Legislative Corps approves and shares your
noble solicitude for the interests of agriculture, of industry,
and of commerce, which are at the same time the field
where national activity and public prosperity find their de-
velopment.
We have willingly associated ourselves to measures the
object of which was to improve agriculture
Sire,—We learn with satisfaction that the budget will be
presented to us, balanced so that it will not be necessary to
have recourse to credit and new taxes.

The resources of France are inexhaustible, like her acti-
vity and her energy; but your policy, a careful guardian
of our finances, will make sure of reserves for the eventu-
alities of the future ; and we hope that circumstances will
not occur sufficiently imperious for credits extraordinary
and supplementary to modify in a visible manner the pro-
visions of the budget.

For the maintenance and consolidation of everything,
Sire, one superior and necessary condition is Peace.

Your Majesty has been the faithful interpreter of the
unanimous and profound sentiment of France by proclaim-
ing that your sincere desire is peace.
Under your reign, Sire, France can neither bo provoking
nor timid.

This position does not hamper the action of the country
in any questions where her power and dignity are con-
cerned.
__.

We hope that the new organisation of Algeria will re-
spond to the security and wants of the colony.
In Savoy and in the county of Nice you have pacifically,
and in virtue of a treaty sanctioned by the popular will,
restored to the Empire provinces which had long been
friendly, and are now irrevocably French.
In this circumstance you obeyed the necessities of terri-
torial defence, the natural consequence of a notable aggran-
disement of a neighbouring State ; and your policy, as firm
as it was prudent, has given satisfaction to France with •
out infringing upon European right.
In Syria we have taken the initiative in a work of huma-
nity, and we accomplish it in virtue of an European man-

In this grave question the Legislative Body trusts entirely
to your wisdom, fully convinced that in the eventualities of
the future your Majesty will always be inspired with the
same principles and with the same sentiments, without
being discouraged by acts of injustice which ate a source of
regret to us.

§ire, it is nearly 10 years since France has entrusted her
destiny to you, and neither obstacles nor struggles have
disconcerted your prudence nor lamed your courage. Pro-
vidence has thrown her shield over you, and the country its
acclamations.

Continue, Sire, in this prudent and resolute policy, liberal
and firm, which, under a strong pOwer, shields lasting
liberty, and the only aim of which is the splendour and
honour of the French name.

Your son, under the shade of the labour and virtues
which surround him, will grow up strong in your example;
he will have learnt how one day to govern worthily a great
nation, mistress of her own destinies, too just to be feared,
too honest to be suspected, too strong to be intimidated or
led astray.
The Emperor replied as follows:

Messieursles Deputes,—l thank the Chamber for the
sentiments which it expresses towards me, and for the con-
fidence which it places in me. If that confidence honours
me and flatters me, I think I deserve it from ray constant
solicitude of only looking upon questions in a point of view
of the real interests of France.

To live up to the age, to preserve of the past all that is
good, to prepare the future by sweeping off the path of civi-
lisation all the prejudices which obstruct it, or utopias which
compromise it—that is how we shall bequeath calm and
prosperous days to our children.

Despite the vivacity of the discussion, I by no means
regret to see the great bodies of the State discuss the diffi-
cult question of foreign. policy. The country benefits from
it in many respects. These discussions instruct it without
alarming it.
I shall be always happy, believe me, to act in concert
with you. Issues from the same suffrage, guided by the
same sentiments, let us mutually aid each other in promot-
ing the grandeur and prosperity of France."

This speech'+.►,'as received with enthusiastic cheer-
ng.

SEBASTOPOL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—The following extracts from a letter I
have this day received from Colonel Gowen, the
American gentleman engaged in raisingthe sunken
fleet at Sebastopol, will doubtless be read with
interest by many of your readers.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
J. ALFRED LOCKWOOD, F.R.G.S.
March 22.

Sebastopol, March 1.
. . . My enterprise in clearing the harbour
from the sunken fleet is progressing quite favour-
ably, and I hope to have it entirely completed
during the present year. The harbour is now prac-
tically clear of all obstructions, only eight vessels
being left to raise whole.

It is exceedingly difficult to pass chains under
the keels of the line-of-battle ships, which are im-
bedded in the soft mud to the depth of 26 feet; but
by perseverance we succeed in mining under.
We have had a very severe winter, the cold hav-
ing been more intense than in the memory of " the
oldest inhabitant."

Since I last wrote to you I have constructed, at
my own expense, five new stone enclosures around
the English cemeteries that were in the worst con-
dition, and I am now engaged in constructing a
durable stone enclosure around the graves where
the officers of the gallant 44th sleep, which you will
remember is on Third Division-hill. The enclo-
sures that I construct are quite durable, and will
last many years. They are five feet high, a yard
thick at the base, tapering to half a yard, with the
coping rounded and cemented to prevent the rain
penetrating the masonry, which is laid in mortar.
There are quite a number of cemeteries that re-
quire repair, and I shall give those that are in the
worst condition my early attention, although it is
hardly possible for me to repair all. I can hardly
afford it. It is to be regretted that Mr. Murray
(the Consul at Odessa) should have appointed a
person as guardian of the cemeteries who can neither
speak nor read any language but Russian. English
travellers have often remarked that they could not
conceive why an Englishman had not been ap-
pointed as guardian, for there are several in
my employment, as well as others in various
parts of the Crimea, who would have taken a
just pride in watching over the last rest-
ing places of their fallen countrymen. The
present guardian receives a salary of £lOO a year
for a position which is entirely a sinecure, for I do
not believe he is aware of the position of a dozen
of the seventy-two English cemeteries around Sebas-
topol. I usually visit them daily, and I have never
yet even seen this gentleman, although I believe he
has been here nearly a year. Would it not have
been more advisable to use the fund thus uselessly
expended in repairing and putting in order some
of the worst of the enclosures ?

I have hitherto planted over 300 trees in and
around the various cemeteries, and have just re-
ceived from the Imperial botanical gardens near
Yalta 100, comprising weeping willow, weeping
ash, arbor vitae, and other appropriate trees ; also
hardy rose bushes, which I shall plant as soon as
the frost leaves the ground. Cypress trees will not
grow around Sepastopol. I had previously planted
several hundred, but the severe weather near and
on the heights around Sebastopol destroyed them.
Out of all that I planted I don't believe that half a
dozen survive; therefore I replace them by hardy
trees, which, when grown, will cast their peaceful
shade over the grave of those who sleep in a land
of strangers so far from their homes.

I found the headstone erected to the memory of
G. C. W. Curtois, lieutenant of the 63d, who was
buried at Cathcart's-hill, had been brdken in several
pieces. It was composed of Inkerman stone,
which is seriously affected by the weather. As it
was impossible to repair it, I have procured a slab
of porphyry, which I am having polished ; after-
wards I shall have it lettered and replace the old
one.
I had the honour of receiving a beautiful gold
snuff-box from your Government a few months
since, forwarded through the hands of his Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, 4 in acknowledg-
ment of my services in preserving the British ceme-
teries at Sebastopol.
I feel highly flattered by such a mark_ of esteem,
and I assure you that such thanks amply repay me
for such slight services as I may have been enabled
to render.

THE MAILS.