The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-24 00:00:00

RUSSIA.

BERLIN, APRIL 22.-1 n the articles which
appear now in considerable abundance in the
Russian press on politico-economical subjects,
the vazious journalist profit by the un-
usual degree of liberty allowed them to ex-
press their sentiments on the various topics of
the day with a degree of candour which, consider-
ing that these expressions can also be read in
foreign countries, is, to say the least of its very staif.
In the Russian press "for home consumption" we
have hitherto the best antidotes against all the se-
ductive statements put forth in the continental
organs of " la haute finance" in favour of the grand
railway network scheme of MM. Pereira and Co.
We find also that, while the shares of the Rus-
sian Commercial and Navigation Company have
been subscribed for rapidly and exclusively by
Russian capital, and other smaller undertakings,
such as that of the " Hydrostat," for
raising sunken vessels, meet with considerable
favour, nevertheless the number of shares in the
much-vaunted railway scheme permitted to be of-
fered for subscription in Russia is confined to
150,000, being only one-quarter of the first issue of
600,000 shares at 500 f. each, and representing little
more than 1-15th of the entire capital contemplated,
viz., 1,100,000,000 francs. The cause of this re-
striction in the amount of shares to be offered
for subscription in Russia appears, however, not
to be solely the very questionable nature of the
investment itself, nor even the twofold desirable-
ness of attracting foreign capital to the country,
and not enhancing the value of the capital that is
already available there, but may be traced in very
considerable degree to the necessity the Govern-
ment is under of withholding a tempting opportu-
nity to the proprietors of dormant capital in Russia
to withdraw their deposits from the Government
banks, where they gat only 4 per cent. for their
money, and embark it in undertakings where the
same Government guarantees 5 percent. asa mini-
mum. If this explanation be correct, the enigma
is at once solved why the Government should permit
the prospects of this undertaking, one of such vital
importance to the country, to be pourtrayed so
darkly by the home press ; and the liberal pur-
chases made by the Imperial family out of the
lhnited number of shares allotted to Russia will
be understood at once as the mere endeavour to put
so many shares out of reach of their subjects.
The most recent a'lvices from St. Petersburg
speak of the publication of the new tariff as still to
be confidently expected this spring ; the delibera-
tions on this subject are being carried on in the
capital with great assiduity and energy.
One of the suspicious points of the grand rail-
road project, which professes to have for its object
" the development of the productive resources of the
country, is the circumstance that, while lines are
planned to Nishni-Novgorod on the east and Thea-
dosia on the south, two important points in mili-
tary matters, no line is proposed to connect Odessa
with the general network. To remedy this great
commercial omission a company, composed of
Odessa merchants and great landed proprietors in
Podolia and Cherson, proposes to connect Odessa
by a line of railroad with Kiew, wherethe line is to
branch off westwards to Austria, crossing the fron-
tier near Brody, and northwards to Mohilev, where
it would join the general network. These gentle-
men propose to raise the necessary capital without
the aid of foreign funds, and they contemplate, after
obtaining a guarantee from the Government of 4i
per cent. dividend, to raise the capital by a loan
made them by a local bank on the security of their
lands and serfs ; the amount to be lent on these
latter is spoken of as being 30 silver roubles per
" soul," and five silver roubles per dessatine of
laud.

SCHOOLS OF ART.—The amount Granted to schools of
art for the year 185556 was 25,5001., against 25,865/.
and 20,933/. in the years 1854-55 and 1853-54. In the
first-mentioned year the sum of 4,5001. was given for aid
to schools, 2,0001. to the guarantee fund for salaries,
12,0001. for salaries and aid to masters, and 2,4001. for
prizes and examinations, 2,0001. for travelling and inci-
dental expenses, 5001. for normal lace school in Ireland,
and 2,100/. for salaries fur inspection.
CLICQUOT'S LAST.—At Berlin, a few evenings since,
the King of Prussia attended the theatre to witness the
production of a new tragedy. Tho piece proved wretch-
edly dull, and his Majesty after the second act deter-
mined to quit the house. On entering the saloon lead-
ing to his box ho saw a lacquey sitting on a chair, with
his chin resting on his breast, and in a profound slumber.
Turning to one of his attendants, the King remarked—
" I'm sure that fellow has been listening at the door I"