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

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 2, 18117.

Should the division on Mr. CODDEII'S motion
talc, place in good time this evening the Tionse
will have to take another question relating to
China into consideration, It will have to decid)

va.tween the proposition of Sir G. C. LEWIS, Lord
JOHN RUSSELL, and Mr. GLADSTONE—LO deter-,
mine whether the tariff settled in 1855, in accord-
ance with the previous arrangement of 1853,
shall be adhered to, or whether it shall be altered
to any and what extent ? The Right Hon. Gen-
tleman the member for the University of Oxford
wishes, if possible, to prevent the unwise and impo-
litic interference with the trade in an article of
such vast importance as tea. He is well aware
that fluctuating duties are in the highest degree
detrimental to commerce, rendering what
ought to be legitimate business transac-
tions neither more nor less than gambling
speculations, in which large margin is required—
as an assurance against possible losses arising from
the capricious proceedings of the Financial Mi-
nister. " Certainty" is the indispensable requi-
site to successful trade—" small but sure profits
and quick returns," the course alike beneficial to
the revenue, the dealer, and the consumer. Sir
G. C. LEWIS, however, repudiates all these consi-
derations. He looks to nothing beyond the pri-
mary rules of arithmetic. His only calculation is
that, by giving up
2d. out of Is. 9d., he relin-
quishes 2-21 parts of the revenue. Being quite
prepared to give up 369,0001., which he estimates
that 2d. per lb. to produce, he thinks of nothing
more. The interests of dealers and consumers are
alike disregarded. If his object had been to render
the t3tal amount of reduction as little beneficial as
possible he could not have adopted any course better
calculated to attain that end. Should he succeed he
will have disgusted the importers, who can place
no further reliance either in Parliamentary arrange-
ments or Ministerial promises. He will have
shaken confidence, and occasioned the withdrawal
of capital at a very inopportune period. The sup-
ply may thus become inadequate to the demand,
and tire increased consumption that would other-
wise have followed the diminished duties be com-
pletely prevented.
As we have already explained the consumers
will not receive the slightest advantage from a
reduction of 2d. per lb. Prices are adjusted by
the retailers in multiples of 4d., and the reason is
obvious. By far the largest proportion of pur-
chases are in quarter pounds, and any change that
will not allow the addition or substraction of a
penny n that quantity is appropriated or sus-
tained by the dealer. The paterfamilias will be
informed that lie obtains a better quality for the
same price that he formerly paid, but the asser-
tion is wholly without corroboration, for he can-
not detect any improvement in the " good strong
Congou, specially recommended for the use of
families," which he has been in the habit of pur-
chasing. The revenue loses without the cor-
sumer profiting to any extent whatsoever by the
change.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL proposes the "compro-
mise." Should the House sustain the retrograde
policy proposed, and sanction the breach of faith
with the importers—points on which the Noble
Lord is willing to concur with his right hon. friend
the Financial Minister—he desires to distribute
the reduction in the most btneficial manner ; and
there can be no question that a steady duty of
ls. 4d. for three years would be far better than
the decreasing scale indicated by Sir G. C. Lewis.
It would, however, be very bad strategy to bring
forward Lord Joux RUSSELL'S proposition before
that of Mr. GLADSTONE'S. Every person who con-
siders that public faith should be maintained
would oppose the compromise in the first instance ;
although after the rejection of Mr. GLADSTONE' s
motion he would give it his most strenuous sup-
port. If the ex-Premier be really desirous of car-
rying his point, he should give priority to Mr.
GLADSTONE. That may not, however, meet his
views, his object apparently being to guard the
Government from any blow except one adminis-
tered by his own hands. He does not forget that
Lord PALMERSTON caused his expulsion from office
in 1852, and he desires to return the compliment,
if possible, NI ith interest. Place and Power
would be doubly sweet, if acquired by so choice
an illustration of the lex talionis.

It is intimated that the immediate Dissolution
of Parliament is'depondent, in a great measure,
upon the result of this evening's division in the
House of Commons. Arimporte. At any rate
we can so declare for ourselves : we cart assert
most deliberately and conscientiously that it sig-
nifies very little to our mind, how soon the coun-
try shall be called upon to reconsider its choice of
representatives. As at present constituted, how
often has the present House been weighed in the
balance and found wanting ! We have none of
us, we believe—east, west, north, or south—the
smallest attachment to it whatever. Whenever,
in the course of nature, it shall in dui season "die
the death"—nobody, we believe, will be inconsol-
able.

However this may be in regard to the Past, in
regard to theTuture, there is little uncertainty, if
any—we mean in reference to what may be termed
the coetingently proximate Dissolution. So closely
are matters driven, so nearly are parties balanced,
so opposite are the opinions, and so jumbled the
combinations, in the House of Commons, in the
particular matter of this Chinese controversy—
that every one looks, that no one can help look-
ing, to the numerical result of to-night's division
with genuine curiosity and unaffected solicitude.
The Opposition, undismayed by the open de-
fection of the Member for West Norfolk, exults
in the prospect of the Manchester men and the
Peelites (so-called and absurdly so-called) walking
for once into the same lobby with the loyal sup-
porters of DERBY-DISRA.ELI Conservatism.
The Government, unappalled by the avowed
antagonism of the Noble Lord the member for
the City of London, counts no less confidently on
the numerical superiority of the upholders of their
energetic and (as we conceive) perfectly justifiable
policy in regard to the Celestial Empire.
How far these sanguine anticipations, on either
side, are reasonable or the reverse, a very few
hours, now, will clearly enough demonstrate.
As to the immediate Cause, meanwhile, of the
impoi taut Division, ripen which so pinch, at the
present moment, is understood to be dependent,
wo do conscientiously believe that there is very
little difference of opinion at all outside the
walls of the Legislature. In testimony of which
we conceive it is only necessary to direct attention
to the untenable side of the argument as put for-
ward, in its very strongest light, only as late as this
morning by the most authoritative organs of the as-
tonishing views entertained in regard to the Canton
Question by the serried and motley ranks of the
Opponents of Lord PALIUERSTON'S Government !
The Daily
Netts of to-day in a laboured article
endeavouring to prove the " case" of the Opposi-
tion talks of the flag
of the Arrow being pulled
down " without (Alter
bravado or insult:" flow
upon earth, we ask, can any
flag, under any ima-
ginable circumstances,
even by possibility, ho
pulled down by a foreign power without without either
the ono or the other, without
without bravado ? Again, the insult
chines°
oflioeor
r
said that the lorcha was not an Enesi,li
vessel, and removed the flag as something she
had no right to carry." The Chinese officer
said nothing whatever of the kind ! The national-

ity of the lorcha was first spoken of by the English
Consul, and not by any Chinese authority, civil
lr military, superior or subordinate ! Further,
"Twelve of the crew were carried off—some as
criminals, some as witnesses ; but not a rope of
the vessel or a straw of its contents was removed
or injured." So—when a flagrant outrage is
committed, we are called upon to admire the
lenity of its perpetrators, for inasmuch as they
have not accompanied the open outrage with an act
of petty larceny ! Yet more, however—" Two
men were left to take care of the ves-
sel." How amazingly considerate ! When
twelve were taken away as prisoners. Un-
doubtedly, it is added, twelve men were taken,
but then observe ! "the whole twelve seamen
arrested—the criminals included—were ultimately
set at liberty." No doubt of it. But—When ?
Why only after every remonstrance had proved
utterly useless, and threats had to be followed
up by avenging acts of violence. Assuredly if
THIS is the strongest case that can be made out
against the Government—if THIS is the most power-
ful tone that can be assumed, to enforce (upon the
very eve of the division) the arguments of the
Opposition—Ministers have little enough to fear
from the logic of their antagonists. It has be-
come, however—this Chinese Difficulty—not so
much a Question of logic or of conscience, as ono
of Party and of Numbers. Hence the import-
ance of to-night's Division to Ministers, and
through Ministers to Parliament, and through the
Parliament itself, in some measure, to the Country
and to the Constitution.

A free and unrestricted Press appears to be
utterly beyond the comprehension of despotic
Governments. It is the lapis offensionis, which
nothing can render tenable. Accustomed to sup-
press anything approximating to free discussion,
to consider that but one class of opinions can be
safely ventilated, and knowing that nothing can
be admitted into the maimed and emasculated
journals under their control without the express
sanction of the authorities, they think that the
Fourth Estate may be easily muzzled in free
countries, and that they may hold the Ministers
thereof responsible for the opinions of the press. Aus-
tria has just rendered herself ridiculous by promul-
gating such views, in reference to the Sardinian
Press ; but Count CAVOUR has returned an an-
swer which can scarcely prove palatable to Count
Buor, or his Imperials.

In the Austrian Note three points are referred
to, which have occasioned considerable annoyance
to the Emperor—viz., the observations of the
Sardinian journalists, the manifestations of ap-
proval by Italians generally of the policy of the
Cabinet of Turin, and the acceptance of a monu-
ment, alleged to be offered by the Milanese to the
Piedrnontese army, which covered itself with glory
in the Crimea. All these matters are felt deeply by
the Austrian Government from the strong contrast
in which its own conduct must be viewed. The
liberty of the Press is, however, the main point
that excites its ire, and to that the chief argu-
ments of the Sardinian Minister are directed.
We have seldom if ever witnessed a more crush-
ing reply than that of Count CAvoux, which,
although couched in perfectly respectful terms,
completely prostrates the Austrian Minister. He
shows that the criticism of the Sardinian Press
cannot cause any serious embarrassment to the
Austrian Government, inasmuch as its admission
'into the Austrian dominions is rigorously pro-
hibited. Whatever may be their influence in
Piedmont, it must be nil beyond the Tessin,
where alone the Emperor would have any right
to complain.
While, however, the tolerance of free discussion
is an essential attribute of the constitution of
Piedmont, there are stringent regulations for
punishing any excess or undue licence on the part
of the Press. If FRANCIS JOSEPa feels himself at
all aggrieved, he has ample opportunities for
avenging himself. The Courts of Turin are open
to his complaints. Stringent punishment will
await any misconduct on the part of Sardinian
journalists ; but it is for those who feel them-
selves to be aggrieved to set the machinery of the
law in motion. The Government of Turin can-
not, therefore, be held in the slightest degree re-
sponsible, so long as it permits the law to take its
course, and does not shelter the offenders from
the penal consequences of their acts.
Count CAvoun also shows with how bad a
grace the accusation has been put forward. The
Court and Cabinet of Turin have been libelled
with impunity by Austrian journals, who, if they
do not directly derive their inspiration from one
at least wholly under the control of the Govern-
ment of Vienna, when the official Milan, Gacette
compares the Sardinian Ministers to ROBESPIERRE
ani CROMWELL—that unwarrantable attack not
merely sanctioned, but manifestly directed by the
Imperial Government—it is perfectly ridiculous
that the dwellers in such very fragile habitations
should commence flinging stones against their
better-defended neighbours.
The other points are briefly but satisfactorily
disposed of, so long as the Sardinian Goverpment
does not invite demonstrations in its favour in
any part of the Italian Peninsula. There can be no
ground of complaint, although its straightforward
and consistent conduct has merited the respect
and admiration of those who can appreciate its
merits, As well might a swell mobsman complain
because a respectable and industrious neighbour
maietained an unblemished reputation, and was
held in good esteem by his fellowmen. " Envy,
hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness" might
be excited, but still he would have no tangible
ground for demanding reparation.

The monumental 'question is summarily dis-
missed. The Sardinian Government refused the
tribute of admiration which, however, it could
not reject when offered to the Municipal Govern-
ment. What has Austria to say to the Cri-
mean expedition to render its commemoration so
distasteful ? Count CAVOUR travels out of his
way to Lied ire that ho will not allow any feature
of the movement to hurt the susceptibility of Aus-
tria or her army, nor an inscription to imply that
it was erected by Austrian subjects. With this
exception, however, his admirable answer to the
petulant and unwarrantable complaint is worthy
of the highest praise. We should think that
Count BuoL deeply regrets the reckless animosity
that tempted him to meddle with one who has so
completely foiled him at his own weapons. "Had
he known lie was so cunning of fence, he'd have
seen him hanged ore he meddled with him." _

A Cabinet Conned was held at the official residence
of the First Lord of the Treasury in Downing-street, on
Saturday afternoon. The Ministers present were—
Viscount Palmerston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Gran-
' \fills, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Harrowby,
Sir Geo. Grey, the Earl of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary
Labouchere, Lord Pantnure, the Chancellor of the Ex-
I chequer, Sir Chas. Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon
Smith, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Duke of Argyll,
and the Right Hon. M. T. Baines.
The Princess Baryatinski, the wife of the Russian
Commander in the Caucasus, has recently embra,...ed the
Roman Calholic faith at Rome.
The subject of the Scottish franchise will be brought
. before the House of Commons at an early period of the
session. Mr. Laing, M.P. for the Wick Burghs, has
promised to inirodule the bill, *'bleb will be supported
by Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Cobden, and other leading Re-
loriners.

MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

MEETING AT LORD PALMERSTON'S,-

(THIS DAY.)

This afternoon a meeting of the supporters of
Lord Palmerston was held at the official residence
of the noble lord, in Downing-street. Amongst
the membera of the Mouse of Commons present
were the following :—Mr. Powlett Scrope, Sir G.
Strickland, the Hon. Edward Horsman, Secretary
for Ireland, Mr. Mowatt, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Schole-
field, Admiral Berkeley, Mr. H. Berkeley, Mr:
Keating, Mr. Thornely, Mr. Apsley Pellatt, Mr. E.
Baines, Mr. Mangles, Gen. Sir F. W. Williams,Mr.
Ingham, Mr. Gregson, Mr. Fagan, Mr. T. Han-
key, Captain Scobell, Mr. J. G. Phillimore, Mr.
Wilson, Mr. Dunlop, Mr. Cowan, Mr. W. Ewart,
Mr. Kirk, Mr. Crossley, Mr. L. Heyworth, Mr.
Rice, Mr. Cheetham, Mr. Ewart, Sir John M'Tag-
gart, Mr. Ellice, jun., Mr. M'Kinnon, Mr. H.
Herbert, Mr. Wrightson, Mr. Hui,hes, Mr. Mit-
chell, Mr. Daniel O'Connell, Mr. Alcock, Mr.
Ricardo, Mr. Denison, Mr. B. Carter, Mr. Milli-
gan, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Craufurd, the Hon. Mr.
Cowper, Mr. Kinnaird, Mr. Lowe, Sir J. Fitz-
gerald (Attorney - General for Ireland) Mr.
Muntz, Mr. Ousley Higgins, the Right Hon.
Vernon Smith, the Right Hon. Mr. Bouverie,
Mr. W. Cobbett, Sir William Clay, Mr. Rich,
Sir W. Somerville, Lord Robert Gro3venor,
Lord Leveson Gower, Major Reed, Sir W. Cod-
rington, Lord W. Paget, the Solicitor-General, the
Hon, Stewart Wortley, Mr. Russell, Sir C. Wood,
Mr. H. Ingram, Sir John Ramsden, Mr. Pollard
Urquhart, the Lord Advocate, Mr. D. Seymour,
Mr. H. Brown, Mr. Foster, Mr. Hendley, the
Right Hon. Sir G. Grey, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. B.
Osborne, Mr. F. Peel, tie Attorney-General (Sir
R. Bethell), Mr. Hayter, Sir J. V. Shelley,
Sir B. Hall, Lord Goderich, Sir R. Peel, Sir D.
Norreys, Mr. A. Black, Mr. A. Hastie, Mr. J.

The meeting lasted upirards of two hours, in the,
course of which Lord Palmerston addressed them
for about three quarters of an hour. His lordship
again went over the position of affairs in China, and
stated that the Government felt bound to support
Sir J. Bowring. His lordship added that Admi-
ral Seymour had powers to act independently of
Sir J. Bowring, and that he was not a man likely to
do anything he might consider wrong by any
representations that Sir John Bowring might
have made to him. His lordship, in the course of
his address, stated that he believed that the Go-
vernment enjoyed the confidence of the people,
and he intimated that should the Government be
defeated that in all probability they would appeal
to the country.
His lordship was attentively listened to through-
out, and there was a strong feeling manifested Of
supporting him on the question now before the
house.

There were about 200 members present.

MUSICAL, MEMORANDA.

Her Majesty's Theatre will reopen about the middle
of April, for the season. Mr. Lumley has re-engaged
Mdlle. Piccolomini, and is Paid to have provided for the
re-appearance of Mdile. Johanna Wagner. A new
soprano, Marietta Spezia, who has gained great distinc-
tion at La Scala and other Italian houses, is to make
her debut in England at her Majesty's Theatre ; and a
tenor, also with a high Italian reputation, Signor Guig-
lini. The ballet department will be again very strong.
Marie Taglioni, Katrina, and Rosati are, we understand,
re-engaged.

We understand that Auber's sparkling and elegant
little opera, " Fra Diavolo," for which the author has
just written recitatives, will be performed at the Royal
Italian Opera during the approaching season, with the
following powerful cast :—Fra Diavolo, Signor Mario ;
Lord Allcash, Signor Ronconi ; Lady Allcash, Madlle.
Marai ; and Zerlina, Madame Bosio. It appears also
that Auber has composed a new air for Mario, and re
written the last finale. Herold's " Zampa" will like-
wise be produced at Mr. (lye's establishment, with
Mario and Lablache the great in the principal cha-
racters.

The engagement of Madame Ristori for dramatic re-
presentations, in connection with opera subscription, as
last year at the Lyceum, will add to the attraction of
Mr. Gye's arrangements for Drury-lane.
Our fair young countrywoman, Madlle. Jenny Baur,
bas recently been winning "golden opinions" as prima
donna of the Grand Opera of Berlin.
Mdlle. Victorine Balfe, daughter of the composer, is
to make her debut as a singer, under the auspices of
Mr. Beale.

The Queen of Spain has conferred the order of the
Golden Fleece on the eldest son of the Emperor of
Russia, and the Cordell of Maria Louisa on the Empress
of Ru sia.

The new drama, to be produced at the Surrey Theatre,
under the title of the "Victims of Fraud," is an adap-
tation, by Mr. S. Coyne, of "Le Pauvres de Paris."
Mr. and Mrs. Keeley re-appear at Drury•lane this
evening, when the Queen of Oude and the Princes will
be present. This will be the first visit of these Orientals
to any European theatre. The reception and attendance
of her Majesty by females only was made a special con-
dition of the royal visit.

Mi•s Catherine Haye-3 has been giving concerts in
Manchester with much success. Nothing, it would ap-
pear, since the time of Jenny Lind has equalled her
popularity.
THE CHINESE WAIL—It wa3 confidently stated late
last night, in well-informed quarters, that Lord Elgin
has been appointed to go out forthwith to Pekin, sup-
ported by ships of war, marines, &c., with full powers to
make a good peace. It is added that his lordship will
proceed via Shanghai.— 4forning Advertiser.
SHAKSPERE'S HOUSE.—The trustees of the new fund
created by Mr. John Shakspere, who devoted 2,5001.
to the purpose, have proceeded with so much diligence
and dispatch, that the habitation in which there is every
reason to suppose our greatest dramatist was born is now
entirely separated from other buildings which formerly
adjoined it. —Atitenceunt.
RAILWAYS IN ALGERIA.—Sir Morton Peto bag re-
ceived an invitation from the Emperor of the French to
proceed to Algeria with the view to the construction of
a railway in that colony. Sir Morton left Suffolk on
Saturday afternoon, and will arrive in Paris this day
(Nlonday). The line to which attention is to be de-
voted in the first instance will commence at Conbtau-
tine, one of the principal towns in the colony, and con-
nect that place with another important point. The
length of line at present projected is about 100 milee.
MIDDLE TEMPLE FOUNTAIN.—The fountain of the
Middle Temple, it is said, is doomed to be replaced by a
pile of brick end mortar, devoted to the purposes of a
library and lecture ball. Every one who knows the
pleal4ant effect produced by this unassuming jet, and the
agreeable opening which its site made in the crqwded
enirts of the Temple, will regret the alteration, and
consider the site ill chosen.

THE CHURCH-RATE QUESTION.—Sir W. Clay's bill,
with the exception of a proviso for payment of moneys
lent under acts of Parliament, now stands as follows :
" From and after the passing of this act, no church-rate
shall be made or levied in any parish in England or
Wales." The second reading is fixed for Wednesday,
March 25, in order to give- full time for the expression
of public feeling in its behalf.
The Frankfort Journal has learnt that a priest would
not permit the body of an Austrian Staff Officer—an
Englishman,
of the Protestant faith—to be buried in a
family vault which he had had constructed in a church-
yard that is near some property which he possessed in
Moravia. As C iunt Schaffgotsch, the diocesan of
Brunn, fully approved the conduct of the priest, the re-
mains of the officer were interred outside the church-
yard. no
THE REPORT OF THE ENCLOSURE COMMISSIONERS.—
It appears from an abstract of Enclosure proceedings
L that the aggregate acreage of the enclosures confirmed is
T 197,699 acres, and the aggregate acreage of those now in
course of progress 299,344; 896 exchanges are confirmed,
arid 105 in progress. A list of the enclosures proposed
to be carried out by a bat which has just passed the
House of Commons has already appeared in an abstract
of that enactment.
THE STEAM-FRIGATE SHANNON.—In consequence of
the special application of Captain Peel to the Lords of
larboard revro as
quarter t o hernew. departurecutter,with
i tthey 5 were
hands,bi andth
th
cutter, with 20 hands, were lowered in a few seconds 1
when the ship was under full steam. esecTonhde
THE PERSIAN WAR. —On Saturday appeared in print
a copy of the correspondence showing the proportion of
the expenses incurred in sending an expedition
against Persia which is to be defrayed out of the
revenues of the United Kingdom. It appears that
the Bombay expedi•iqn was prepared (at least, so
it is presumed) under the orders of her Majesty's
Government communioated through the Secret Com-
mitte, and the directors of the East India Com-
pany accordingly addressed the Board of Control on the
22d Oct. last, "suggesting how far it might be just and
proper to subject India to the whole of the charges con•
sequent on the orders" referred to. Allusion is made to
the case of Affghanistan and the burden entailed on
India by the Affghan war. This letter was referred to
the Foreign-office, and thence to the Treasury. Their
lordships decided to propose to Parliament to provide
fur one moiety of the extraordinary expenses of the ex-
pedition—viz., that portion of the expense over anti
above the ordinary pay of the troops, and the ordinary
charge of the Company's ships employed. The Court of
Directors expressed their satisfaction at this arragement,
and promised to transmit an estimate of the expense
prior to the meeting of Parliament. That estimate does
not appear on the face of the papers before us. 1
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