The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-09 00:00:00

TUSCANY AND PIEDMONT.

(From the Tunes.)
It is not often that one sees, or evenareads, of a
people entirely masters of themselves, orderly, and
on the look-out for a Constitutional Sovereign. In
settled times the idea of legitimacy gathers strength
and takes a place among religious instincts and
moral laws. Yet within the memory of living men
the Swedes have looked about and presented their
Crown to a foreign soldier, the Greeks and the
Belgians have selected their Kings from numerous
competitors, Portugal has crossed the ocean in
search of a dynasty, France has several times exer-
cised the highest rights of a free people, and the
Danubian Principalities have been compelled to
choose for themselves. A Royal election, then,
is not so strange or so irregular an act as it might
seem after a few years of peace. There really is
no reason why the Tuscans should not proceed on
these examples, elect and proclaim their King, and
if he be only willing to accept it, tender their
homage and swear fealty. If the Tuscans were of
the Teutonic race, if they only dwelt north of the
Alps instead of soutJi, they would do this as a matter
of course. Yet this is exactly what is not done.
Anywhere north of the Alps it would be thought
absolutely impossible to take back at the bidding of
a foreigner, a Sovereign who had been twice con-
demned to abdicate. We need not inquire into the
circumstances which led our nation to commit the
apparent inconsistency of crowning the son within
sight of his father's scaffold. At all events we con-
sulted ourselves, and nobody else, in that matter,
and for a hundred years afterwards we quarrelled
with France on the very ground of her attempt to
interfere with the sovereignty of the British people.
We need claim no merit for this. It had, indeed,
been infamy if so great a State as ours had taken a
ruler on foreign dictation. But Belgium and Greece,
and even Sweden, are not such mighty Powers.
Yet no one would venture to thrust on them a
King not of their choosing. Why, then, cannot
the country of Dante and Tasso do what is done
as a matter of course by any nation not
Italian? Can it rest with others than the
Tuscans themselves ? The Roman poet tells us
and they who have once submitted to be bound,
and have feared death more than dishonour, will
never fight again. Is that the condition of the
Tuscans, even when, unexpectedly, they find their
hands free ?
But they have emancipated themselves. They
have actually elected a King, and made him the
solemn tender of their Crown. They have defied
the utmost vengeance of Austria by first ousting her
offset and minion, then rendering material assist-
ance to drive herself out of Italy, then laying them-
selves at the feet of the man she most hates. What
more could they do ? Their part is done ;it is the
next actor that has faltered. Victor Emmanuel
urged them to revolt by his emissaries, and com-
pelled them by his example. But, instead of accept-
ing the Tuscan Crown, he defers to the Emperors
in Council, only promising all his influence in favour
of Tuscany liberty. So also speaks the Emperor of
the French. What means all this ? It is simply that
Florence is disposed of at Zurich • and, as the
Roman triumvirs made fight for their friends, or
sacrificed them when necessary, so Napoleon 111.
may be trusted to do all that he can for Tuscany,
and no more. No doubt, he is desirous of peace—
not, perhaps, peace at any price, but peace at the
price of Tuscany would not be very dear. He will
do his best for her. He has also, most probably,
made the same promise to the young Prince whom
he lately received in his Palace. What is best for
one of these cannot be best for the other ; and, un-
fortunately, it happens that what is best for either
of them is not best for himself. It cannot be dis-
guised that there are now three pretenders to the
throne of Tuscany—the Austrian, the Sardinian,
and the French. Were there only two parties in
the question, if it were not soon settled, at least
the truth would soon be out. - As it is, there are
many incidents which are unaccountable, except
on the assumption that The Tuscans themselves
have not mach to do with the matter. Why could
not Victor Emmanuel do what was so natural, and
so agreeable to himself and the Tuscans ? We
are driven to the solution that he is considered to
have received his fair share of the spoils, and that
the two Emperors are agreed at least upon this,
that Victor Emmanuel shall not be the lion in the
fable. Yet Tuscany contents herself with propos-
ing annexation to Sardinia, and then waits for the
answer from Zurich. She is exerting herself to keep
order admirably, and adopts active measures against
agitators and extreme politicians. She has a fund
of self-government which finds its chief vent in pro-
viding for government by strangers. Never did a
people show so much self-command to be at the com-
mand of they know not whom. They are busy re-
pairing and gilding the crown which they are about
to confer on the great unknown, and fostering the
property which they must shortly resign to what-
ever heir the law may impose. What a comfort to
expectants to know that the estate is in good hands;
that there is no pilfering, no waste, no evil custom
growing up, no speculative claim admitted ! A re-
ceiver has been appointed, the rents are collected, a
good
account can be given, and philanthropy itself
will not be allowed to divert the growing inheri-
tance. It is natural that Tuscany should wish to
be worth acceptance ; but, strange to say, the richer
the gift the greater the difficulty in finding one
worthy of it. There lies the golden apple, yet of
the three rival goddesses not one will touch it.
The favourite refuses, and the others are equally
coy. There is no shepherd of Mount Ida to decide,
and the candidates have to settle it between them
—by what rule it is difficult to say. All that is cer-
tain at present is that the answer of Victor Emma-
nuel and the acquiescence of the Tuscan people
establish the new basis of Italy. France and Aus-

tria are to be the Caesar and Pompey of modern
Rome. They are to give her dynasties, constitu-
tions, laws, and, of course, too, a religion, as long
as they agree. Should they fall out, what then ?
Time only can show.
But while Tuscany, with an organised force of
10,000, a reserve computed at 12,000, and various
bodies of volunteers, is expecting an answer from
Zurich or perhaps a new bargain at another
Villafranca' the nobles and respectables of Cen-
tral Italy have hitherto been slowly waiting a
solution of their affairs at the hand of a stranger or
a populace. They show but little of that fiery
genius which was once the soul of the world. After
several months' opportunity, if not deliberation,
Bologna has solemnly declared against the tem-
poral government of the Pope, and her own annexa-
tion to Piedmont. She will thus find herself in the
same position as Tuscany, and will probably be bid
to wait, with her, an edict from Ahrensburg, the
place now mentioned for the next meeting of the
two Emperors. No doubt, the cause of Italy will
now be in very strong hands, and it has become safe
to protest against everything less powerful than
the master of ten armies. But do not the Italians
see that Europe expects them to dispose of them-
selves ? If Italy cannot again be mistress of the
world, she may at least be her own mistress, and
express herself so strongly that strangers shall not
dare to carve out her territory. At present she is
only basking in a gleam of political sunshine, and
indulging in dreams while she should be consolidat-
ing her independence. We admit that the mere
sensation of freedom is enjoyable, but, if it is to be
enjoyed long, something must be done for it. All
we have seen hitherto is the torpor and the void
usual in those who, having long felt a hard master,
are suidenly relieved from the accustomed pres-
sure. They volunteered, invested themselves in
uniforms, were drilled and reviewed, till there came
the news from Villafranca, and then they all dis-
persed as hafopy as schoolboys with an extra week's
holiday. Could they but read the signs of the
times, they would see that it is not convenient to
great potentates that small States should do as
they please and choose their own lords. So high
a privilege may be claimed by arms, but it will not
be conceded .to weakness and inaction. If a strong
man arms himself, he may keep the house ~. in this
case
there are stronger men, and though the latter
give them the most flattering assurances, it must be
considered that it is' their interest to do so. It is,
however, the interest of France, as of Austria, that
Italy should not eohmeplicate affairs by pretending a
w ill of her own. s
her cause to the ousna clientl,
condition
M
who has comitted
anedf
Italy
ystis listen in
silence. The mental
calmness " though we
to be " an almost fabulous
lire told hopefully, "It is all on the' surfacee, and
rests on the confidence of the Italians that justice
will be done to them." Hence everybody is eager
for intelligence from the seat, not_ of war, but of
judgment.. The bundle of sticks thatwasto be
bound into a strong- confederation may now be
woven, pliant as osiers, into any form which
rlm-
perial policy .may desire. Alread both
find they may do better than abide by the very

t
LONDOI4I
grx

teknis7oUtheir C6nvention. Italy herself seems to
relieve them, and to invite anew arrangement, more
suitable to the comparative dignity of Caesars and
municipalities. If anything is to be done, it must
be done immediately. France and Austria will
soon be too good friends to quarrel about Italy, and
too wise to have anything to quarrel about.

BRITISH ( OLUMBIA.
(From the Correspondent of the Times.)
VICTORIA, VANCOUVEICS ISLAND,
;illy 25.
For a period of two or three vcfeks people here
were in a state of despondency which threatened a
" panic." The quantity of gold brought down from
Fraser River had lessened. Miners were leaving
for San Francisco. Trade was dull, and many per-
sons, taking their impressions from the San Fran-
cisco newspapers, rather than from what was going
on around them, began to fancy that the mines had
really " caved in ;" that Fraser River had turned
out to be a " humbug," and that a general exodus
would leave both colonies to their normal savage
condition, unless "something should turn up."
All this time Victoria has been steadily improv-
ing and increasing • and, fortunately, " something
has turned up" to allay the fears of the croakers.
We now hear, on r3liable testimony, corroborated
by the arrival of gold by every steamer from British
Co:amble, that the miners are as prosperous as they
ever were; that new goldfields are being found;
that the miners who went to San- Francisco (whither
it is very natural they should go for a spree, or to
see their friends) are coming back again to pursue
their labours in our mines ; and, as a consequence,
that trade has revived. Now all is hope, trust, and
good spirits.
Far up in the interior gold has lately been dis-
covered on Quesnats (corrupted into Canal) River,
a tributary of the Fraser, into which it falls about
30 miles north-west of Fort Alexander, one of the
Hudson's Bay Company's stations on the Southern
confines of New Caledonia district. This point is
about 500 miles distant from Victoria, and is the
extreme one to which the miners have penetrated.
The accounts of the yield of this new scene of
labour are exorbitant,-30 dols. a-day to the man,
while some reach 200 dols. A Government official
just down from the neighbourhood reports :
" Several miners told me that the dirt' averaged 50 to
60 cents. to the pan. Mr. A. S. Bates showed me a mass
of retorted gold worth 67 dols.,lwhich was the result of one
day's work by two men who considered themselves unlucky.
The most successful party was three Germans who had
taken out 6,000 dols. in less than 40 days."
For some time the discoverers kept the discovery
quiet, and the miners oh the Quesnats were few.
Their success, becoming known caused " a rush,"
and now there are several hundreds on the river.
The next most important mining discovery lately
made on the Fraser is that the " flats" and " banks
which extend from the margin of the river inland
are auriferous, and afford good fields for " hydraulic
operations"—a great " interest" in the 9alifornian
mines. The gravel is operated on by water brought
to bear on the face of a bank by a long hose and
nozzle, which disintegrates the mass and rushes it
into long sluices strewn with quicksilver, where the
gold is caught. " The hydraulic" is a great labour-
saving machine, and for that reason very popular
with the miners. The flats, banks, and benches
which supply gold-bearing soil which can be thus
operated on are extensive and looked upon as a
certain indication that the auriferous area is vast
to a degree hitherto unexpected:
Another proof of the great extent of the gold-
field is afforded by the discovery of gold on Bella
Coola River, on the coast of British Columbia, some
330 miles north of Fraser River. This discovery
has been made by a young English gentleman who
had an appointment in the Governor's office here,
and'who took the " gold fever" in May last with a
virulence which ended in his starting in a canoe on
an exploring expedition. At last accounts he was
preparing to penetrate into the interior as far as
Chilcoaten, an Indian country, whose people are
friendly to the Hudson's Bay Company, and where
gold is reported to exist.
Then there is Queen Charlotte's Island, some few
hundred miles to the northward of this, which has
become the rage with gold hunters. An exploring
party started for the island some three weeks back,
and now 100. experienced miners have got up an
expedition to settle and mine thereon. The island
is known to be auriferous. The Governor favours
the expedition ' • in fact, he can't help himself, for
the miners will go, favour or frown as he may, and
in this exigency a man of war goes up to show the
natives that- the miners are under Government pro-
tection. _

The good news from the Fraser River mines is
corroborated by Mr. Begbie, the judge of British
Columbia, who has just returned from his circuit in
the interior. _ _ _

It is very gratifying to be able to state that Sir
Edward B. Lytton has agreed to advance by way of
loan £7,000 for the building of two light houses in
the Straits of De Fuca, near Victoria, the erection
of which will be forthwith proceeded with. The
Governor has asked the House of Assembly to pro-
vide means for maintaining the lighthouses when
erected, but the House has not yet had time to act
in the matter.

The want of lights was much felt, and a great
impediment to the navigation of the Straits and to
the entering the harbour of Esquimalt, which is
low and unseen at a short distance seaward. Sir
Edward could not have made a more useful appro-
priation.
Much discontent is manifested both here and in
British Columbia at the arrangement under which
the public lands of both colonies are disposed of,
and petitions have been presented and representa-
tions made to the Governer with the view of in-
ducing a change of system.
As an illustration of the system in Vancouver's
Island, I may state that a man who applies for
farming land, and pays one-fourth part of the price
down in cash—say, in May, June, or July, 1858,
has the opportunity of selecting his farm on the
3d of August, 1859!
This system, such as it is, is fairly and honestly
worked, and answered very well when the only
purchasers of land were the officers and servants of
the Hudson's Bay Company, Nlo were in no hurry
to have the survey completed; and who, while
they were waiting its completion, were enjoying
their salaries and perquisites snugly in their own
homes. A year or. 15 months' delay did not mat-
ter to them. But just fancy the case of an immi-
grant—a stranger ix a strange land, who had come
out to settle himself quickly on a farm—perhaps
with a wife and any number of children, having to
wait 12 or 15 months after the period at which he
had paid his first instalment before be could get
possession.
A representation has gone home on the subject,
and of course the system will, ex necessitate, be
changed, so I need not expend any indignation
upon a matter for which, as usual, " no one is to
blame."

In British Columbia the plan adopted of waiting
for the surveys before any land can be held for rais-
ing crops works:very badly also,
The Royal Engineers, of whom the late Colonial
Secretary expected so much, have as yet made no
surveys nor done much work of any kind, although I
am informed the men and their officers are willing
to make themselves useful. A few of them and some
Marines are at present at work in improving the
road of the Lillooett Valley, near Douglas—an ob-
ject of great utility if attained, as this is the best
route into the interior.

____
We are anxiously hoping that the Government
will soon make some postal arrangement for these
two colonies. At present the arrival of our mails
is a matter of uncertainty. For instance, the Eng-
lish steamer Forwood, which plies regularly between
Victoria and San Francisco, arrived here two days
ago without the English mail, although it was lying
in the Post-office at San Francisco. The postmaster
refused to deliver it to the captain of the Forwood
because he had promised it to one of the Pacific
Mail Company's boats, to sail several days later. It
has not yet arrived, and when it does we shall pro-
bably have but two hours to read our correspondence
and answer our letters, if we don't submit to-lose a
post.
A statement of your Paris correspondent in the
Times of May 31, that some sailors had volun-
teered from merchant vessels at Marseilles for ser-
vice in her Majesty's navy, reminds me of a similar
incident, but on a larger scale, on this coast. The
other day 60 sailors left San Francisco by the
steamer for Panama, on their way to England for
the same patriotic object. They argued that the
bounty being £lO, was equal to 50 dols., which was
the fare to New York ; once there, they would
work their passages for England, and be in time
for " the war."
The men of her Majesty's ships in port at this
place are also most anxious tb get home " to befin
time for whatever may happen." Depend upon it
the principles of the peace party are not popular
with the non-electors.
Her Majesty's ships Pylades, Tribune, and Satel•
lite are in port. The Plumper is surveying on the
northern coast of Vancouver's Island. It is report&l
that the Admiral is on his way up. from the south,
and that as his own ship is going home to be
changed into a screw, he will hoist his flag on board
the Tribune on his arrival.
Everything is quiet and peaceful both here and in
British Columbia—no rioting and very little crime
among the miners, who, doing well, are on the
whole tolerably well contented with their condition.
The weather here is perfection—warm, with an
occasimal light sea breeze and a cloudless sky,
during the day, and pleasantly cool at night. For
this last month there has not been a moment's

i' I DAY - E G;

interruption of this most agreeable and salubrious
state of the atmosphere.
Owing to the lateness of the spring, the crops are
a little backward, but promise well. Now that the
amenity of the climate is becoming known, and the
productiveness of the soil of this island is being
ascertained by the luxuriance of the growing crops
and the gorgeousness of the vegetation, farming
lands are coming into great demand. This demanu
may, likely enough, run into a mania for a time!
for, as a general rule, all who come here like the
place and desire to remain permanently. Even such.
poor fellows as came out expecting Government ap-
pointments, and who are disappointed in their
expectations, like everything except their disap-
pointment. It may be well to state that this is an
expensive place, in which the earnings of educated
not in actual trade can hardly support them,
' and that Government appointments are not to be
had, Thp, other day the Governor ordered the dis-
missal staff in British Columbia for
reasonsooffaleletna9iVl
y! This measure has thrown a
good many out of employment ; but the grounds of
their dismissal were imyeratiye to enable the colony
to support its own civil expenses without aid from
England. liteneeforward the military staff will
perform the duties of the displaced officials. The
Customs department was not interfered with, but
all the others were %TOO. Of course the measure
renders the Governor, for the time, unpopular with
a clasp y but this does not much disturb his equani-
mity,
It will do no harm to mention that the currency
of the two colonies is carried on in American coin.
The pound sterling passes for 5 dols., which gives
it an advantage of about Bd. over the legal value
assigned to it by the United States Customs Law,
so that immigrants will do well to bring their
English coin along with them, instead of changing
it before they leave, which will save them trouble,
and result to their advantage in the exchange,when
they get here.

StrivrE. Yrarit 9,181 A

conducted by Mr.-Sleigh, and the defendant was
also represented -by counsel—Mr. C. Robertson
Griffiths.

Mr. Sleigh said he would now complete the case as
regarded the charge preferred by Messrs. Osler.
Mr. Mure, her Majesty's Consul at New Orleans,
deposed that in June of this year he was divorced
from his then wife, the lady spoken of as Mrs.
Mure, on the ground of her adultery with the Hon.
George Augustus Chichester, the co-respondent in
that suit.

Mr. Griffiths objected to this evidence.
Mr. Sleigh said that Mr. Chichester was a co-de-
fendant in the present case, and would be charged
with the defendant if he could be taken.

Mr. Henry decided on admitting the evidence.
Mr. Mure further deposed that he had not resided
with his late wife (whose maiden name was Lucy
Virginia Ellen Oliver) since Nov., 1857. Did not
know defendant, and had never authorised him to
buy goods in his name. The letters produced were
in her handwriting._

Inspector Nether found the letters in question in
defendant's pocket•book,

The letters were read. They were addressed to
the defendant, and contained instructions as to the
mode of forwarding goods, for which she had en-
closed orders, They also alluded to a person spoken
of as si George," • first as residing with her in the
Chaussee d'Antin, and afterwards as being expected
to return from Chantilly, his absence being the
reasop for a delay in writing to defendant.
Thomas Carter, a porter at Messrs.Osler's deposed
that he packed up the chandelier, &c., mentioned at
the last examination, and booked it at a shipping-
office in the Regent-circus, Piccadilly. It was ad-
dressed to " L, V. E, Mure, Esq., 45, Rue de la Ma-
deleine, Paris,"

Mr. Sleigh applied for a committal in this case,
and for a remand in that in which Messrs. Shool-
bred and Co. were prosecutors.
Mr. Griffiths would prefer that both cases should
be completed before he addressed the Court.

Mr. Henry thought this would be the better
course.

Mr. Sleigh would in that case endeavour to com-
plete both.
Inspector Whicher uas then examined as to a
conversation he had with the defendant on-the 12th
of March. He asked defendant *hat he had done
with the goods supplied by Messrs. Shoolbred. He
said he had sent the silks to Mrs. Mure, at Paris,
and had given up the carpets and damask to a man
named 111 organ, who' called for them. He did not
know who Morgan was, or where he lived. Wit-
ness asked why he gave up the goods to a stranger.
He replied, "Because I had a written authority
from Mrs. nure,to do so."

Mr. Morris Newton, solicitor, deposed that he
was acquainted, with the family of Miss Oliver, at
one time Mrs. Mure, and had seen her in Novem-
ber at Paris. He had also seen her and Mr. Chi-
chester at Dieppe. -
Mr. Sleigh—Were they living together as man
and wife ?
Witness—l don't know.
Mr. Griffiths—Are you aware that they are now
husband and wife ?
Witness—l am not aware.

The former evidence was read over, and at the
request of Mr. Griffiths, the books of Messrs.
Shoolbred wei e produced and examined.
Mr. Sleigh then applied for the committal of the
prisoner on both charges.
Mr. Griffiths, however, required time to produce
evidence, which he said would enable defendant to
give an abundant answer to every imputation
against him.
The case was ultimately adjourned, the prisoner's
bail being extended.