The Sun.
London, England, 1857-09-09 00:00:00

TIHE SUN, LO N DON, WEDNESDAY

were clear improvements on the present system,
and they ought for that reason to be conceded at
once ; and we held, and still hold, that the re-
fusal to entertain these proposals was proof as
plain as was needed that both Premier and members
wanted to burke all Reform as long as they could.
Men do not defer doing what is really gratifying
to them.

Bnt we also laid special stress on the danger
of procrastination, when none could tell what
might happen on the morrow, much less in ano-
ther year. The Indian mutiny had not indeed
then occurred, but it is only so much the more
an illustration of the supreme folly, in politics as
in common morals, of deferring till to-morrow
what may be done to-day. We, indeed, thought
of possible European difficulties, but still more of
possible changes in the Government, and of a new
Premier repudiating the engagements of his pre-
decessor ; and who can tell, had the Indian busi-
ness not turned up, whether or not PALMERSTON
would have been in office till the end of the ses-
sion of 1858. With so many eminent ex-States-
men in the House, it is easy enough to conceive
of Parliamentary upheavings, Cabinet dislocations,
and new promotions. We insisted, therefore, on
the instalment system as the only safe and rea-
sonable one for Reformers. When a grand Re-
form Bill can be got into Parliament, and, much
more, when it can be successfully got out of it
again, no one can tell ; but it would have been
perfectly easy for the Government, on the single
supposition of its being honestly in favour of Re-
form, to have insisted on such points as' we have
mentioned, and to have forced them through
Parliament. A large part of the Reform question
is yet matter of dispute, and like a disputed debt,
there may be some pretext for allowing time,
but those points on which the great majority ,of
the Liberal party have made up their minds are
like acknowledged debts, and where there is
honesty they will be settled at once ; and will
simplify the final settling.

We may surely, therefore, repeat to Liberals
our advice with increased confidence in looking
forward to another session—to insist on something
being done. We must grant that no one can yet
tell how far Indian affairs may engross public at-
tention and that of Government next spring. It
may be to such an extent that it will be perfectly
useless to bring forward a Reform Bill. What
we, however, fear as quite possible is that the
claims of India and of Reform may be cunningly
pitted against each other, and that both may be
got through to aristocratic taste by taking both in
band at once. We believe that an honestly re-
forming Government could well introduce a sub-
stantial Reform Bill, and could use the fear which
the Opposition would feel of undertaking the un-
settled Indian business, as a means of compelling
the acceptance of liberal proposals. Such a Cabi-
net, however, Lord PALMERSTON'S is not. He
would use India to put us off with half a Reform
Bill, not as the means of getting us a thorough
good one. It may well be a question, therefore,
with the Liberal party whether it shall insist on
the great Reform Bill in 1858 ; but, it should be
no question whether it will insist or not on instal-
ments of Reform. If we cannot, next year, set lc
whether we shall have Schedules A and B once more,
that is no reason why persons resident in towns
as biz as those in the proposed two schedules, but
which yet return no member to Parliament,
should not vote for the county in which they are
situate. If the grand question of the proper qua-
lification for a vote cannot be decided, it may at
once be decided that any individual elected by his
fellow-citizens is, by that circumstance alone,
qualified to take his seat in the Housa of
Commons. If Registration cannot be placed
on an entirely new footing, at least it
might be enacted, that no failure, gene-
rally from accidental causes, to pay rates,
should erase a ten pound householder's name from
the list of voters; and, if the Ballot cannot be
3onceded at once, what should hinder its being
permitted, wherever any considerable number of
the electors sign a memorial to the returning offi-
cer, that such protection is required in their dis-
trict. Concessions like these would prejudice no
future Reform Bill, neither could they require
-uch discussion as to interfere with the paramount
claims of India on public attention. Indeed we
should ourselves deprecate anything which di-
rected the public mind from a thorough Reform
of our Indian system. What Liberals must de•
mand therefore, next spring, is, either the pro-
mised Bill, or such acknowledged reforms as shall
be a pledge of something better, and a part pay-
ment for the present. Indeed we are by no
means persuaded of the advantage of a grand un-
wieldly bill, presenting the appearance almost, of
one of the Abbe SIEYES' constitutions. We aro
far from sure that the franchise question, and the
new divisions, and the registration of voters, and
certainly the vote by ballot, would not each and
all of them be as well discussed separately as in
ono Great Pretentious Bill.

whereof he had secured, occasioned great embar-
rassment ; and although considerable premiums
could still be obtained for the shares, yet there
was a manifest tendency to get out, even at a
serious depreciation in the supposed value.
Three months since, however, another and a
heavier calamity betel them. A certain M.
CHARLES THURNEYSSEN, a sort of continental
.TORN SADLEIR, levanted, leaving very heavy lia-
bilities unliquidated. This would be of compara-
tively trivial importance, save to the actual suf-
I ferers, but for the statements that his uncle, M.
AUGUSTUS THURNEYSSEN—a leading Director of
the Credit Mobilier, was responsible for his debts.
These rumours elicited energetic denials on the
part of the Company. M. PEREIRE, the Chair-
man, wrote to several English journals negativing
the rumours in the most unequivocal manner.
But, unfortunately, they have been fully con-
firmed. The debts and liabilities of the defaulter
have been ascertained to amount to 16,000,000 f.
(640,0001.), and the Uncle, who, it was said, was
only interested as a creditor, has been held liable
for that enormous amount, and has been declared
a bankrupt. This has been followed by a species
of panic amongst the Directors. Many, it is said,
are trying to get clear of the concern. And one,
M. ERNEST ANDRE, has published a notarial act,
disavowing any further connection therewith.
Considering the painful experience we have had
in this country, these are decidedly unfavour-
able symptoms. There are, however, many
persons of enormous wealth still connected
therewith who will doubtless contrive to break the
fall, and to get quietly out of the concern. It is
by no means probable that there will be anything
approaching to the catastrophe of the Royal British
Bank or of the Eastern Banking Corporation ;
still a heavy blow has been inflicted on its cre-
dit, and that is the most sensitive and vulnerable
point in such a concern. When the prestige has
once been shaken, it will be difficult indeed to
regain the position it once oceupied. We may
hope that it may be possible for it to weather
the storm, bat still we confess that the prospect
is by no means satisfactory, and that, even under
the most favourable circumstances, a large pro-
portion, if not the whole, of the premiums paid
must be forfeited. It would even be fortunate
if the original investments remained available,
and that operations could be concluded, and the
company wound up, without actual loss.

The fund for the relief of the sufferers by the
Indian mutiny is becoming worthy of the cause
for which it is destined. The deepest sympathies
of persons of all ranks and stations in society have
been excited. The period of the year after the
breaking up of the London season and the proro-
gation of Parliament is, in one respect, unfavour-
able, but England will show that she still, under
adverse circumstances, retains the liberality for
which she has long been distinguished. Each suc-
cessive list shows that Englishmen's hearts are in
their right places, and enables us to feel truly
proud of our countrymen.
But it is not Englishmen only that are in-
terested in the cause. We had last week great
satisfaction in alluding to the promptitude and
generosity of Count de PERSIGNY, who, without
a moment's hesitation, contributed the hand-
some sum of 1001. to the interesting fund. That
gratification is, however, greatly enhanced by
finding that the Emperor himself participates in
the feeling, and that the truly magnificent dona-
tion of 1,0001. has been received from his
Majesty as his " personal subscription in favour
of the officers and soldiers so cruelly affiicted in
India." 4001. sterling has also been forward° I
on behalf of the Imperial Guard. Acts such as
these require no comments. They speak for them-
selves, and will tend to strengthen the ties of
mutual respect and friendship, by which the na-
tions are, and we hope long may be, united.
(,impassion and sympathy for our suffering
brethren and sisters, in the dark hour of dis-
tress and misfortune, is the direct may to Eog-
lish hearts. • We thank, cordially and sincerely
thank, the EMPEROR we thank the . Im-
perial Guard for their truly noble oon-
duct ; and we trust that whenever a suitable
opportunity may arise, that England will promptly
respond to any call from France—that we shall
give more than barren expressions of goodwill in
the time of emergency.

Much, however, as has been done, we earnestly
look forward to far more ; such occasions are not
of frequent occurrence, and every man blessed
with competence should testify his sense of the
blessings accorded to him, by the promptness of
his subscription. There are many. names yet
wanting that ought to appear. We have no
doubt that, ere long, the omission will be re-
paired, and that every one will strive to aid in the
good work secundum status et facultates.
But, as we have already stated, it not the
wealthy only that should assist. The widow's
mite was not despised, and all should strive to do
something, however trifling. A little self-denial will
enable them to do so, and we promise them that
they will receive purer and greater pleasure from
such an application of money than from any core.
fort or luxury it could procure. There are many
splendid gifts of hundreds, fifties, twenties, and
tens ; but we desire to see a greater number of
pounds, half-sovereigns, crowns, and even shil-
lings. Let it be proved deafly and unequivocally
that the feeling has penetrated beyond the "select
upper crust," that it has entered into the hearts
of the people, and that those who gain their daily
bread by their daily labour are not unmindfu
of the afflictions of their brethren on whom the
heavy calamity has fallen. A little organization
will produce great results. Let local lists be
made. Each person can collect something in his
or her neighbourhood. It is not to have the
name ostentatiously displayed in the published
lists that should bo the object. Collected
in small sums, will be a sufficient an-
nouncement. The groat point is to obtain a
good sum total, adequate to the losses sus-
tained—the miseries to be alleviated. Let
every person put his or her shoulder to the
wheal. Let the effort be general, and the de•
sicleratum will bo accomplished in a manner to
do honour to the nation, and to pour balm
iuta the wounds of the sufferers.

The Duke and Duchess of Northumbeiland contem-
plate a tour on the continent during the winter.
The Marchioness of Bath is receiving company at her
seat in Surges.

Tue Earl and Countess of Shelburne have arrived at
Lansdowne House, from the Marquis of La.nsdowne's
seat in Wiltshire. The noble earl and countess purpose
Laving town shortly for a tour of visits in Scotland.
The Earl of Lansdale, who has been staying in town
a few days, returned to Lawther Castle on Monday.
The Mnrquis of Donegall is staying at his seat near
Uxbridge. The marchioness is daily expected to arrive
in England fr.inn the south of Franco.
The Marquis an I NI archionesi of Lothian have arrived
in town from Ingestre Hail, the Elul Talbot's seat in
Staff rchiLire. The noble marquis and marchioness are
o❑ the eve of leaving London on a continental tour.
The Earl and Countess Fortescue, on leaving Harro-
gate, where the noble nail and countess have been
s,i.j inning several weeks, went to Tattershall, the family
seat in Lincolnshire.

Tho Earl of Warwick, after entertaining a select patty
"at Warwick Castle, has joined the countess at Putney.
The Right lion. Sir Charles Wood and the Lords of
the Admiralty are at Queenstown on a visit of inspec-
tion. The right hon. baronet is expected in tows on
Friday evening from Ireland.
The Right lion. Frederick and Mrs. Peel are making
a tour in Switzerland.

LATEST NEW:

BERLIN, SEPT. 8.

The Gazette de Gothenburg of the 4th states that
in consequence of a consultation on the state of the
health of the King of Sweden, it is acknowledged
that his Majesty cannot in any case sustain the bur-
den of public affairs for a year to come.

The King has therefore felt it his duty to request
the States to provide for the Government during his
illness, according to the mode prescribed 7,-)y the
Constitution,

VIENNA, TUESDAY.

A telegraphic despatch from Jassy states that
the Moldavian Minister of the Interior, Basili
Ghika, and seven Prefects, are deprived of their
Offi?,C3 for abuses in tho exercise of their functions.

COPENHAGEN, SEPT. 7.
The Legislative Chambers have been convoked
for the 30th September.
Baron Hoclisehild, ambassador of Sweden and
Norway to the Court of St. James's, died suddenly
yesterday.

FRANCE.
PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING.

The last despatches received by the French Go-
vernment from Hong Kong contradict the an-
nouncement in the American papers that the
United States squadron in the Chinese Seas had
taken possession of the Island of Formosa. The
squadron in question, according to these de-
spatches, emasists only of the steam frigate Jacinto,
of 13 guns, and the corvette Levanta, carrying 18.
A despatch received.by the French Government
from. Captain Bilhau of the Spahis, dated from
Fanaye, in Senegal, the 31st May, announces that
he had defeated the Trarza Moors, who had devas-
tated Gandon, killing 29 princes or chieftains of
tile Royal family of Trarze, with the loss of one
Spahl killed and another slightly woundel 30 of
the women and children carried off by the Moors
Lad. been recaptured by the Spahis.
The Moniteur contains an Imperial decree, set-
ting forth the treaty determining the frontier line
between France and Spain, concluded on Decem-
ber 2, 1856. It defines the boundary line from
the embouchure of the Bidassoa to a Foint where
the department of the Lower Pyrenees touches the
limits of Aragon and Navarre.
BOURSE, Sept. B.—Rente has been rather offered,
but prices have been pretty well maintained, not-
withstanding a kind of panic prevailed in shares,
and chiefly in Mobilier. An article in a London
journal against the Credit Mobilier has caused
rather a bad impression on this market. The mar-
ket somewhat improved towards. the close, when
the following were the last quotations :

Cash. fr. End of Month.
4. per Cents
3 per Cents 66 70 66 95
Bank Shares 2,730 Credit Foncior 565
Credit Mobilier 855 Roman -
Do. Account.. B6O Austrian
Belgian 41 — Spanish Threes 4O --
Pied montcse (5) 9O Home Debt —