The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 23, 1857

or of performing the various heroic achievements
of the redoubtable Baron MUNCITANSBN. It was
bad enough to close the late miserable war with
Russia, without even one solitary attempt to
elicit an indemnity from the Muscovite aggressors.
But to follow that most lamentable and ignomini-
ous compromise up with another still worse—to
make a despicable peace with Persia, not simply
without requiring an indemnity from the lawless
assailants of Herat, but actually upon the under-
standing that we are thenceforth to subsidise
DOST MAHOMMED to the tune of considerably more
than 100,000/. a-year Really thebare suggestion
I of the possibility of any such scheme being even
hinted at, as entitled to one moment's considera-
tion, altogether dissipate our equanimity, and
justifies to the full, we conceive, the utmost stretch

of patriotic indignation. Why, already it has
been stated distinctly enough, upon the autho-
rity of Sir HARTFORD BRIDGES, that our
Embassy at Teheran alone, subsidies in-
clUded, involved the Expenditure of some-
thing little short of 130,0001. between 1809 and
1827, while it extended to some 30,0001. per
annum during the two years immediately follow-
ing—constituting an aggregate, from 1809 to
1837 inclusively, at the very least of 2,500,0001!
A really as well as nominally " Common-Sense"
view of the whole transaction, advanced to-day in
the chief of our morning contemporaries, yields us
the supplementary calculation that during the last
twenty years—namely, from 1837 to 1857, at the
very lowest estimate, about 500,0001. additional
have been expended with consistent extravagance
upon that same abominable Embassy. Altogether,
in less than fifty years—to be explicit, in exactly
forty-six years—England has squandered in the
maintenance of her Legation at Teheran, and in
coincident subsidies, the agreeable little trifle of
just 300,0001. sterling ! And now, this same
preposterous system is to be continued with the
further expenditure henceforth of some 10,0001.
a month in the shape of a subsidy to DOST MA-
ROMMED

No wonder we are continually etnbroiled first
with one Asiatic race,•and then with another—
if we delude them thus into the ridiculous notion
that we are so afraid of war, or at any rate that
we have such exceeding reluctance to be dragged
into it, that to ward off that obnoxious
evil, we are ready to scatter our gold right and
and left broadcast. There must be an end of
this. A blunder, a systematic and extravagant
blunder such as this—now that it is distinctly
laid bare—has not any longer, we believe, the
faintest chance of being persisted in, of being
perpetuated. It is seen now for the first time in
its full enormity—and, being at last so seen, it is
not, we conceive, any longer to be tolerated.
Talk, forsooth, of Administrative Reforms at
Home ! Why, here, in our diplomatic scheme of
administration abroad, are evils that ought to be
swept clean out of existence as the first necessary
improvement. We have had enough of these sub•
sidies. Let U 3 look now to indemnities instead.
They are the just penalties of aggression. And
aggression on the
,part of the Persian% in
seizing Herat, and aggression on the part
of the Chinese in their outrage on board
the lorcha, are as notoriously the sources of the
Chinese War and of the Persian War, as the
origin of the late war with Russia is undeniably
traceable to the movement of the Muscovite army►
across the Pruth into tho twin provinces of Moldo-
Wallachia. No—again we say—what England
has to look to now as furnishing the security for
Peace—are—

INDEMNITIES—Not—SUESIDIIS I

Early in the present month, on the 7th instant
—we instituted a comparison between the pro-
spects offered to investors in Indian and Russian
railways, founded on the admirable report of
Lieutenant Colonel KENNEDY, the Consulting
Engineer of the Bombay, Baroda, and Central
India Railway Company. We pointed out that
in the mere X. s. d. point of view, the former
offered a better rate of interest for money, com-
bined with superior security, to any that could
be obtained front the latter. In the one a gua-
rantee of 5 per cent.—provided the undertaking
only paid its own working expenses, is given by the
East India Company, with the sanction of the
Board of Control ; in the other 41 per cent. for a
limited period, with certain stringent conditions,
that may, under certain not very remote circum-
stances, cause a forfeiture of all previous pay-
ments. There could be but little question as to
which was entitled to the preference of the mere
capitalist, who was insensible to every considera-
tion in which he had not a personal interest.
There is another and a much higher ground,
however, that may be assumed. The due deve-
lopment of the almost miraculous natural resources
of the Anglo-Indian Empire would render the
United Kingdom independent of almost every
other nation, and that without the violation of
any law of political economy, or of the
indisputable maxims of Free Trade and un-
restricted competition. We may obtain an abun-
dant supply of teas from our own terri-
tories, the payment therefor being made
to our fellow-suNect4. In such case, there would
be no danger of " death lurking in the pot,"
or the patriotic Celestials poisoning, after the ap-
proved precedent of the baker Ararat, a necessary
article of almost universal consumption. Man-
chester may be provided with cheap cotton to its
heart's content without being dependent on the
Slave States of America. Nay, more, " the corn
of the tropics " wilt be brought in abundance
from that land of promise, sufficient, with that
from our own West Indian colonies, to enable us
to take high ground on the interesting and
important question of "the domestic in-
stitution," or the right of man to keep
his fellow-man in a condition of hopeless servi-
tude ! All these are matters of paramount con-
sequence to the national prosperity. The simple
fact, that we can obtain from our own dominions,
without submitting to higher prices, all that is
required to keep British industry in full operation,
is alone sufficient to render it an imperative duty
on our own Government, and on our own Capi-
talist, not to permit these extraordinary advan-
tages to be left in abeyance through any negligence
or apathy on their pact. But when a handsome
and remunerative return for any outlay, indepen-
dent of these collateral benefits, is certain, it
would be a positive crime to disregard the golden
opportunity which offers itself for our acceptance.
All that is required to insure those extraordi-
nary results is a moderate outlay on public
works. Irrigation and railways are the talis-
manic words that will open mines of wealth ex-
ceeding the highest anticipations of the most
sanguine. "Irrigation," to bring about the requi-
site fertility. Railways—the best -and cheapest
mode of transit —to bring the produce ti market.
Indeed the latter is chiefly required, for with
existing capabilities, and they might easily be
quadrupled, all that could be required would be
obtained.

Several years since we pointed out the close
connection between the construction of railways
and the supply of cotton from India. Labour
canthere be obtained at the lowest rate. The Hindu
Ryo:s will work eftivientiy at a much lower rate

than the Southern planters can supply their
" human machines," as they are pleased to term
them. But all these advantages are neutralised,
not because there is no market for the produce—
that we can supply ourselves—but because there
are not the ordinary facilities for bringing that
produce to market.

Why, then, are not these capabilities developed
It is not the state of the money market, for money
can still be obtained on p3rmanent securities.
There is no dearth of capital. It is only seeking
for employment, and, like the demons of the old
fables, if that employment be not directed into
beneficial channels, it will be turned into mis-
chievous direction. The Russian Railway "swindle"
has happily not found favour in the sight of the
moncyocracy—but unless some other auspicions
opening be discovered, the means may eventually
be found to enable the AurootAr to carry out
the traditional policy of his House, by " Cossack-
ising" Europe. The Anglo-Indian Government
must be stimulated, and the Home Government
cannot remain apathetic or indifferent. Indian
railways and Indian irrigation are indispensable
necessities. They only require due attention,
and the new Parliament will be sadly wanting in
its duties if that attention be not bestowed with-
out a moment's unnecessary delay after the elec-
tion of the new Speaker.

What is " the Agricultural interest 11" What
is there in it which must still be defended ? What
is there which calls our county representatives to
nail their colours to the flag staff, with the motto,
"No surrender ?" These questions could but
arise in our minds as we read of the large blue
banner which graced the banquet at Bury St.
Edmunds, with the motto, " BENNET, AND NO

STRRENDER OF THE AGRICULTURAL INTEREST."
We are no Cynics. We don't like logic and ma-
thematics and statistics over our wine ; still this
splendid flag, the flag beneath which the bucolic
jollity began, and which, of course, led the march
of the evening, could but set us inquiring. Cap,
t AiII BENNET we knew ; knew hint to have been
for thirty or forty years a good Captain -of the
good and true West Suffolk Yeomanry. All
honour t 3 him and his corps, and

" When they next do ride abroad,
May we be there to see."
We knew him also to have been for some dozen
years a good Conservative, Protectionist, Church
and Queen member of our House of Commons,
and, if we remember right, stated by the Lexico-
grapher of that House to be "particularly attached
to the Church." We knew him also not to have
been guilty of wasting the time of the Legislature
by speeches ; his vote was his weapon, and he
doubtless understood the vote exercise about as
well as the sword exercise. He could vote point
blank, and cut right or left as the Conservative
opposition chief bid him. As XENOPHON says
somewhere of a good captain of his time, he knew
how to obey as well as how to command. So
much for Captain BZNNET, and for " Captain
BENNET' S Own."

But the grand flag—the blue flag—(do the
Conservatives look blue since the election ?)—the
" No Surrender" flag—it puzzled us not a little.
Had it been no surrender of Toryism to the
Tory chief of a Radical Cabinet, we could have
understood it ; but no surrender of the " agricul-
tural interest"—who in the world, we asked, is
attacking the agricultural interest Where is the
investing army ? Who are its leaders? COBDEN
—BRlGHT—Gnasox—they are all hors de combat ;
moreover, we were told by one speaker, Sir R.
BUXTON, that they were clever, honest fellows, and
ought to be in the House I Only think of country
gentlemen talking thus—qvana mutati i we ex-
claim, indeed. It was not, then, the Freetraders
who were attacking the agricultural interest. The
Free-trade prices seem to have pleased the Suffolk
yeomanry so well, that could they have voted at
Manchester and Huddersfield they would have
voted the League into power. Still, we feel sure,
there must be some redoubtable foe in sight. A
Captain bold, and his bold retainers at the feast,
were not the men to hang out the blue banner in
mere bravado, or to talk. big of "No surrender"
when no herald made the demand, and when no
foe appeared even in the distance. The Agricul-
tural interest must be in real danger.
Was it the gradual fall of prices against which
the Captain was to lead his yeomanry? No: they
are content with the present prices of wheat and
meat together—and well they may, as we know
to our cost by our butcher's and baker's bills ;
besides, they were " sorry that GIBSON and
BRIGHT were ousted." Do they dread Sir G. C.
LEWIS and an Income Tax after 1860 ? That,
however, is every one's interest—imposition of
Fire Insurance duty on Farming Stock, which the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, being so enamoured
of this duty, has talked of—well, that would be
an assault as far as it went, but hardly one for
which they would hang out the " No surrender"
flag, it being rather awkward to prove that
farming stock should not pay Government duty,
at least as well as other property for which the
offices charge the same rate of premium. Horses
used in agriculture have not been threatened with
the same tax as all other persons' horses that we
have heard of. There is no talk of repealing the
law which exempts manure carts from turnpike
tolls. What on earth can be the dreaded enemy
against whom the old Protection flag is brought
out, with the name of Captain BENNET ?
Perhaps the speeches may enlighten us. It was
somewhat of a funereal feast. While it commemo-
rated the unopposed return of two staunch Tories
for West Suffolk, the speeches began with a tribute
to the fallen at the late election. Twenty-two
trusty Knights of the Shire, it was announced,
had fallen in the late election conflict ; the House
of Commons would see them no more ; and their
places would be filled by men who called them-
selves meu of progress. At this announcement
the defiance began. Lord PALMERSTON must, to
satisfy his new supporters, positively must, bring
in some measures of political reform ; then the
present members for West Suffolk would not be
able to walk over the course as they had just
done—then would come the tug of war—then—
and the speaker thought it might be soon—then
let them fight for the agricultural interest to the
cry of "Captain BENNET, and no surrender I"
Now all is plain. The agricultural interest
means the "things-as-they-are" interest. The
right of landlords to demand their tenants' votes,
and to have them recorded in certain well-known
books, that they may see how their tenants have
done their duty. The right of tenants at will and
forty shilling freeholders to vote in counties, and
of no oue else who has not some property in land
to join in electing the national representatives.
Above all, the agricultural interest, then, means
the landlords. The men, that is, who represent
themselves and their tenants too, much as
slaveholders in America get votes for three-fifths
of their slaves ; for whether the slaves are not
permitted to vote, or must vote as their masters
bid them, it comes of course to the same thing.
The right divine of landlords to county rule, and
the duty divine of tenants to be subject to the
county powers that be, this is the agricultural
interest.

At last, then, we understand the new Banner ;

and surely the "yeomanry" understood it too.
" Captain BENNET and no extension of the suf-

frage," " Captain BENNET and no independent
voting"—that was the meaning of the flag under
which one hundred and fifty of the yeomen of
West Suffolk dined. Did such of them as were
tenant farmers acknowledge the flag ? Did they
believe in the identity of landlord power and the
agricultural interest ? Did they not think them-
selves agriculturists much more truly than their
landlords? Did they not know that they and their
landlords have had no community of political inte-
rest since the repeal of the Corn Laws, and had in
reality none whatever before ? Did they not
know, as game laws and high rents, and the
prior right of distraint attest, that they and their
landlords have no commercial identity of interest,
but are rather in the same commercial antago-
nism as all other buyers and sellers Did they
not know that their vast share in the agricultural
interest—that of tenant-farmers—is wholly un-
represented in Parliament, and that they are
compelled, like American slaves, to be instruments
to give their masters seats in the Legislature ? We
strongly advise the tenants t) declare themselves
the agricultural interest, t) proclaim that no
one fights for it who will not give tenant-farmers
the Ballot, and to hoist a new flag, not " Captain
BENNET," but " CAPTAIN BALLOT, AND No SUR-
RENDER OF THE AGRICULTURAL INTEREST."

Mr. HENRY PEASE, the recently elected Mem-
ber for South Durham, and one of the few repre-
sentatives of the Manchester School that has ob-
tained a seat in the Legislature, has preferred a
serious bill of indictment against the English
Press. He is but following in the track
of his leader, the ex-M.P. for the Wrst
Riding. It is notorious that Mr. COBDEN thought
that the sole business of public journalists was to
give elaborate reports of the speeches of himself
and his disciples—that they had no right to in-
dependent thought or action, but should merely
record his and their sayings and doings. This
was his notion respecting the " mission of jour-
nalism." Fortunately that opinion has not been
endorsed by the community at large. They are
still proud of their Fourth E-tate, and consider
its independence and freedom one of the great
Palladiums of national liberty.

Mr. HENRY PEASE thinks otherwise. He
acknowledges, and we thank him for the admis-
sion, that there is probably no Press throughout
the civilised world conducted with the same
ability, or that is managed with the same regard
to the maintenance of the constitutional rights of
the people, as the press of England. But
there is still a heavy drawback. They venture
to think for themselves. They " may go too far"
—venture to " make up a budget for the Chan-
cellor of tho Exchequer—endeavour to make up
or unmake a Prime Minister for the QUEEN—or
about the making of war or peace--and are dis-
posed to institute a theology for the Christian
world."

Now we venture to remind Mr. PEASE that if
the Press did not enter on these grounds there
would be but little use for that ability of which
he speaks. " Paste and scissors" men would
only be required for the business to which he ap-
parently thinks they should be restricted. But
we ask Mr. PEASE what harm can the discussion
inaugurated by the well-abused journalists do ?
Their arguments will only be taken quantum
valeant. Truth must be promoted lay dispassionate
discussion. " The mythical we" will only remain
influential so long as it is supported by the voice
of public opinion. But it has gone, with few and
rare exceptions, against the Manchester School,
and we must allow for the soreness felt by losing
parties. That school may not "be dead, but sleep-
ing ;" but they must be resuscitated to some pur-
pose before they can put down English journalism,
or induce the British People to be contented with
the " cheap an,i nasty " in preference to their
established favourites, to those who have for a long
succession of years faithfully and efficiently dis-
charged the arduous and important duties which
they have undertaken with credit to themselves
and advantage to the nation.

HEALTH OF THE DUCHESS OF GLOU-

C ESTER.

The following bulletin was issued this morning :
"Gloucester House, April 23, 9 a.m.
" Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester
has passed a quieter night. Her Royal High_
ness's general state remains much the same.
(Signed) "FRANCIS HAWKINS, M. D.
" ROBERT FERGUSON, M.D.

,g E. H. HILLS."

A Cabinet Council was hell yesterday afternoon ai

the official residence of the First L2rd of the Treasury,
in Downing-street. The Ministers present were Vis-
count Palmerston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville,
the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, the E tag
of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord Pan-
mure, the Cbancelhr of the Exchequer, Sir Charles
Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, Lord Stanley
of Alderley, the Duke of Argyll, and the Right Hon.
M. T. Baines.

DEPARTURN OF LORD ELGIN.—Efis Excellency the
Earl of Elgin took his departure for Paris on Tuesday
afternoon, accompanied by the Countess, and would
reach the French capital yesterday afternoon. The gen-
tlemen associated with the noble earl in his mission to
China left London an Tuesday and yesterday, to meet
hie Exeellency, and then proceed via Marseilles to Alex-
andria. The Earl Jf Elgin intends to stay two or three
days in Paris. The countess will then take leave of
him, and return to town in the early part of next week.
The gentlemen attached to the mission are the lion. F.
Bruce, Mr. Oliphant, Mr. Cameron, and Mr. Fitzroy.

The Duchess of Sutherland and Lord Albert Leveson
Gower have left Stafford-house, for Castle Howard,
Yorkshire, to •isit the Countess of Carlisle. The Duke
and Lord Ronald Leveson Gower left the same (Tues-
day) evening, for Cliefden-park, near Maidenhead.
The Duchess Dowager of Norfolk, accompanied by
Lord and Lady George Manners, left town yesterday, on
a visit to the Duko of Sutherland, at Cliefden, Bucks.
The Duke and Duche.ss of Argyll left Campden-ki 1,
Kensington, last evening, on a visit to the Duke of
Sutherland, at Cli3fden.

Major Ord had an interview with Mr. Secretary La-
bouchere yesterdal. Dr. Sandwith and Mr. Stevenson
had also interviews with the right hon. gentleman at
the Colonial-office.

The bar silver brought by the last West India packet
was vold yesterday at 6114. per oz.—the same rate as
that obtained for tse last arrival.
StRYCHNINE.--S.ome weeks a,zo a curious instance of
the deadly power of that vegetable poison, ?ince vomica,
or strychnine, toot place at Wollaton, near Notting-
ham. Rate infes'ed the premises occupied by one of
the game-keepers in the employ of Lord Middleton to
such an extent that the keeper deemed it advisable to
have recourse to the poison above-named, which, of
course, had the desired effect. The dead bodies of the
rats were thrown span a heap of manure, and when in a
state of decomposition were partly consumed by the
keeper's poultry, which immediately fell a prey to the
power of the poison and died. This instance of the
strength of the prison remaining in the dead bodies of
its victims for so ling a time ought to be a particular
warning to the puilic, since it shows that the dangers
incident to its coninuance in the body after death should
be g'Aarded against with the utmost carefulness. Any
animals thus poismed ought to be irumedi.stely burned.
A SAFE FORTUNE.—An inveterate old grumbler
gays :—" There art no women now a dare Instead of
women, was have towering edifices of silk, lace, and
flowers, You sena milliner's large advertising van that
sidles along with a rustling sound, and you are told
that it is a woman; but as you cannot approach within
several yards of the monster obstruction, you cannot
tell what it is beyond something that looks like an
entire shop-front put into motion with all the goods ex-
posed in it for salt. I really believe, if any showman
would open an exlibition, where one could see a woman,
such as women were in my young days, when they used
to be fair, slim, &elder, graceful, well-proportioned, and
everything that was beautiful, inetead of the animated
wardrobes, and urrecognisable bundles of fine clothes !
teat they now are—l really believe that an enterprising
showman like thEt would rapidly realise a large for-
time.—Punch.

LATEST NE WS.

THE NEUCHATEL QUESTION.

The Times' Paris correspondent (Second Edi-
tion), under date Wednesday, 6 p.m., says
" As I mentioned yesterday, Dr. Kern left last
night for Berne with the draught of the arrange-
ment adopted by the Representatives of the four
Powers, and accepted by him subject to the ap-
probation of the Federal Council. Dr. Kern's
political baggage is light, but I fear his heart
is heavy. The arrangement is far from being
like what, in the buoyancy of his first hopes
and the certitude of his own powers of persuasion
and general diplomatic skill, he had promised to
the Swiss. Prussia has, as I have already ob-
served, reduced her terms so far as the money
is concerned ; sbe now accepts, and Dr. Kern en-
gages for Switzerland to pay 1,000,000 f. by way of
indemnity ; the King of Prussia retains the title
of Prince of Neuchatel, and Switzerland will give
him a guarantee respecting the proper administra-
tion of charitable institutions i❑ Neuchatel. There
are other conditions, but those I mention are, I
believe, the most important ; the Representatives
of the four Powers adopted them as the basis
of an arrangement on the Ist of April (absit
omen !), and the time has since been taken up
with the difficulties incidental on putting the
Protocol or Convention in form. We may be
certain that a solution which gives an indirect
right to the King of Prussia to intervene in
the internal affairs of the canton under the pre-
text of seeing the guarantee properly executed,
and the continuance of the title of Prince
of Neuchatel, will be very badly received in Swit-
zerland. Lie Swiss will not believe that the
King and the Royalist party do not still meditate
the separation from the Federation of that canton,
and that they will carry it into execution on the
first favourable opportunity. If the Federal
Council, which is divided into two nearly equal
pasties, accepts the arrangement, it will be with
the greatest repugnance. Many people here
doubt that acceptance ; but what can Switzerland
do alone against Europe ? As to great and gene-
ral dissatisfaction among the masses there is no
doubt. Dr. Kern, supposing nothing extraordi-
nary occurs, will be back about the end of the
month to sign the convention."

THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE
The Paris Correspondent of the Morning Post
(Second Edition), says :

" The visit of the Grand Dake Constantine to
France will no doubt be made use of by those who
are ever on the look out to damage the Anglo-
French alliance. Russia is buildingships iu Frenoh
ports ; the Czar has exchanged compliments with
the Emperor, and M. Kisseleff is on the best o f
terms with M. Walewski. Then we shall have no
end of gossip of what Napoleon HI. said to the
Grand Duke, and how his Imperial Highness assured
his Majesty that Russia respected France and de-
spised England. In these dull times a variety of
such assertions will be sure to appear in the public
journals of Europe. I believe I may assure you
that the Emperor of the French wishes to deprive
the Grand Duke's visit of all political colour.
No political speeches are to be made, or any de-
monstration indulged in beyond those which are
dictated by the ordinary etiquette of Courts.
The Grand Duke, as a prominent member of the
Imperial family of Russia, will be received with
the most scrupulous regard to forms ; first, be-
cause it is his due, and secondly, because he is
reported to be ♦ery exacting on all points of
ceremony and customs attached to his rank. The
usual public fetes will be offered to him in Paris,
amongst which will be a gigantic military con-
cert at the Pro Catelan. The now garden opened
last year for the first time ila the Bois de Bologne.
The Palace of Fontainbleau has been prepared for
the Imperial visitor, which arrangement will en-
able the Prince, if he thinks proper, to visit Paris
whenever he chooses as a private individual.
Count Creptowich, the Russian Ambassador at
London, has arrived in Paris, and I hear, brings
an invitation for his Imperial Highness to visit
Queen Victoria, or rather to make arrangements
in case such an event should occur. lam told it
is very doubtful whether he will go to England at
all. There is a possibility of the Grand Duke
visiting Naples. The reception at Marseilles
takes place on the 25th, and the arrival in
Paris on the 30th inst."

detaili of this battle, .which we will hasten to pub-
lish in our next number."

A letter from Teheran, of the 6th of Marcb,
published in the Nord of Brussels, says:—
" Another messenger has arrived from Fars. The
news brought by him confirms that published in the
Teheran Gazette. The loss of the enemy is esti-
mated at from 1,700 to 1,806 men. Our loss is not
considerable compared with that of the enemy. It
does not exceed 300 to 400 men, The cannon
which were left in the mud have been recovered by
our troops."

THE PRINCIPALITIES.
A private letter from Bucharest of the 11th inst.
says :

"The labours of our Commissioners have not yet
commenced. The French Commissioner leaves soon for
Jassy. Hie departure was to have taken place earlier,
hut has been put off by unavoidable circumstances.
People say, as I have already informed you, that
the object of his journey is to watch the con-
duct of the Kaimakan of Moldavia. The Russian Com-
missioner has at last arrived, and has received an ovation
from the clergy. M. Easily is quite astonished at
the sumptuousness displayed at his installation. 'The
Vistaria has the❑ heaps of money,' he said on witness-
ing all that luxury. lie has sent away the carriages
placed at his disposal, and has given orders for a very
modest style of living until the arrival of his cook.
This unpretending conduct, which contrasts so much
with that of the others, has produced a strong and
a favourable impression, but it has had no imi-
tators among his colleagues, who continue to enjoy
all the advantage of their situation, and whose rule
seems to be to take the goods the gods provide
them.' The Commissioners appear astonished at the
luxury which they find among us, and indeed it is ex-
traordicary, eastern and western at the same time.
They are particularly struck with that displayed by the
Bayard Otetelechan, who gives magnificent dinners and
suppers, and dramatic representations in his mansion.
Tee Commissioners, however, are not ignorant of
the origin of the Wallachian Turcaret's wealth.
These fortunate gentlemen are literally overwhelmed
with dinners, and the only drawback is the confusion that
occurs as to preced,nce in taking places, but each person
tries to manage as best he may. One of the sone-in-liw
of the Hospodar Stirbey gave a dinner to, the French
'Commissioner before invitiag the Turkish functionary.
This appeared strange, but people say it was out of con-
sideration for the Consul-General of France, M. Bulard,
to whom the said son-in-la 7v was under some private ob-
ligations. A clever intriguer, Dr. Arsaki, a great
enemy of Bibesco, a friend of Stirbey, and formerly the
Secretary of the Ghilcas, is giving himself much trouble
to ingratiate himself with the French Commissioner.
"An M. Lyucke, who gives himself the title of count,
though every one knows he is of a half Gipsy origin, has
commenced a series of receptions, and the French
Commissioner dances at them moat joyously. The
party of the brothers, intimate enemies, Stirbey
and Bibesco, are in constant movement, and cover
the Principalities with emissaries. These emissaries
hold everywhere the same language to the rural
population—namely, that the European Commissioners
have come for the purpose of depriving them of the
documents proving that they are proprietors, and to
force them to abandon their religion and become Papists."
Another letter, of the 13th, says :
" The agitation spreads in Wallachia. Many of the
young men of the towns have assumed the dress of the
peasants, in order to be elected in the communes. The
movement appears to have a revolutionary character, and
some persons apprehend disturbances. Turkey is insulted
openly ; the heroes of the day are the French and Rus-
sian Commissioners, but especially the Russian. The
latter is a man deeply versed in eastern politics. The
Prussian Commissioner is inclined towards Austria."