The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-18 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1850.

Winter having now commenced, even the most
sanguine amongst ns can no longer cherish an ex-
pectation of receiving, at least daring the next quarter,
any intelligence of the Arctic expedition. Hitherto
all searches after the missing adventurers have proved
ineffectual. Attempt after attempt has been made;
and all to no avail whatever, to meet with the sur-
vivors. Vessels have returned from those regions of
everlasting ice, one after another, without bringing
honie any, even the faintest token, by which we might
still remain sanguine as to the ultimate discovery of
the ab3ent navigators. Whalers have come back
laden with the spoils of the sea leviathans, but void of
all indications of having encountered the stray com-
panions of Sir JOHN FRANKLIN. Carrier pigeons
have flown homewards through a distance of many
hundreds of miles, but still without conveying even a
single scrap of information, satisfactory or otherwise.
The regions of the snows and:of the icebergs have
remained dumb to all'our inquiring investigations.
The muteness of iive, years has followed the depar-
ture of the gallant seamen about whose fate the
nation is at length beginning to entertain feelings of
such profound anxiety.-
It would be well if henceforward precautionary
arrangements could be made in connexion with all
such expeditions—'arrangements of such a character as
would be the best safeguard against their destruction.
Our meaning may be best exemplified by an illustration
taken from the most memorable exploit of modern,
and perhaps of ancient times—the expedition into
Russia. adventured upon in 1812 by the Emperor
NAP91.7,0N. In all the authentic narratives that have
ever been written of that amazing achievement, we
are informed that from the day when the invader left
Paris to the day when he entered Moscow, from the
morning when he set out from the palace of the
Tul!eries to the morning when he rose from his first
night's repose in the palace of the Kremlin, the cou-
riers came and went each day with the regularity of
mechanism between the imperial head quarters and
the home Government. Once every day NAPOLEON
received from Paris a budget of disratctees. • Once
every day he returned his answers to that correspond-
ence. Sometimes the communications were still more
frequent, especially messengers occasionally succeed-

ing each other at an interval of only two or three
hours' duration. In this manner the great EMPEROR
was enabled at the same time to conduct the labours
of the campaign against ALEXANDER, and to preside
over the acts of internal administration. In one di-
rection he acted upon the fortunes of war through
his ducal and sometimes royal lieutenants, in the
other he influenced the proceedings of Government
through his couriers and secretaries. The consequence
of all this was, that NAPOLEON was enabled to render
his energies inn manner übiquitous throughout Eu-
rope, extending eastwards as far as the advanced lines
of the invading army, and westwards to the extre-
mities of his gigantic dominions : in the north to
the suburbs of Altona, and in the south
to the suburbs of Convento. His personal
policy was thereby continued as the motive
power, directing the civil and social, as well as
the aggressive and military affairs of his empire. This
state of things continued, indeed, up to the moment
when the elements, with the permission of DIVINE
PROVIDENCE, combined together for his destruction;
when, with a saddened heart, he gave the signal for
retreat—driven back not by the hand of man, not by
the sword of the Celle or by the lances of the Cos-
sacks, but by the flames of Moscow, and by the hor-
rors of a Russian winter unexampled in its premature
and rigorous character. Throughout the history of
his extraordinary career it may be seen that he inva-
riably paid the most scrupulous attention to that first
of all the requirements of generalship, the main-
tenance of the line of communications. It has been
especially particularised by one of his most faithful
and intelligent officers, one who, after remaining with
him six years in his exile, at Longwood, and with
his nephew six years in his imprisonment at
Ham, happily still survives to recognise the gratitude
of the French nation to the memory of the EMPEROR
—it has been especially particularised, we say, by
General MoNTnoLoN, how NAPOLEON continued to
keep open his line of communications in every one of
his fourteen immortal campaigns. Caution was thus
rendered the basis of his operations, even of those
exploits of the most audacious character. And never
was this forethought more signally displayed than i❑
the arjangements preceding and accompanying his
famous Russian expedition. Inspired by this pre-
cautionary sentiment of regard for the maintenance of
his line of communications, NAPOLEON managed, as
we have already intimated, to receive at regular inter-
vals every day's post from his capital. Like GOLD-.
SMITIi'S " Traveller," he continued, in all his wander-
ings into the remotest provinces of Russia, to
" Drag at each remove a lengtheni❑g chain!"
This intimate union between the imperial head-
quarters and the imperial metropolis of NAPOLEON
was brought about by a very simple and comprehen-
sible device, a device by which the distance interven•
log between the two was effectually annihilated as far
as the conduct of the affairs of Government was con-
cerned. As the main army of invaders advanced
farther and farther into Russia, military posts were
established at fixed interva:s and in convenient
localities, soldiers being left behind at each spot with
provisions and all other means and appliances where-
with to live in their new and temporary abodes—these
military posts being employed as resting places for the
couriers, affording them protection, nourishment, and
relays of horses. What completes the marvel of this
singular narrative, and testifies to the accuracy of
NAPOLEON'S forethought, is the fact, the astonishing
and unquestionable fact, that up to the time
when Moscow was consumed by the confla-
gration not one of the couriers dispatched
from NAPOLEON to Paris, or from Paris to NAPOLEON,
had miscarried, not one had failed in arriving at the
appointed hour with his dispatches. All this was
accomplished, be it remembered, not among the
citron-groves or the olive-gardens of a southern cli-
mate, but among the woods and morasses of Lithu-
ania, in the brown and sterile wilderness of that
Russia whose soil is leas frequently clothed with
greenness of even an evanescent verdure than
whitened with the frost of an almost uninterrupted
winter.

From what we have here remarked it must be evi-
dent that we would witness the adoption of some such
a course as that pursued by NAPOLEON in his Rus-
sian campaign, if we would guard against the destruc-
tion too often threatening our navigators in the
conduct of our Arctic expeditions. By following
in some measure the northern coast of the
American continent, and by establishing at
specified distances posts for the maintenance
of communications, there would scarcely remain a
possibility for any such prolonged isolation as that
which has befallen Sir Jour; FRANKLIN and his com-
panions. True, that the expenses of such an expedi-
tion of discovery would be thereby increased, but at
the same time its dangers would also be thereby di-
minished. A sense of security would follow our
heroic mariners into their Arctic solitudes, sustaining
them in the midst of the most severe and protracted
tribulations. Our suggestion is comprised in these
few sentences, and we would here leave it to be di-
gested by other judgments, and to be conned over in
maturer consideration.

It is not often that we find either instruction or
profit from the bucolic gatherings 'yclept " Farmers'
Clubs." The eloquence on such occasions is
generally of an uniform description—a strik-
ing similarity may be observed in all the
speeches. If of a sufficiently gloomy and
sombre character, they will be cheered to the
echo—if the ambitious orator declares that the
sun of England's glory set with the repeal of the
corn-laws, that nothing can save the country from
bankruptcy and ruin but the restoration of protective
enactments, or (following the new and more artful
dodge) the imposition of import duties not for the
purposes of protection (oh, no, no such thing would
be accepted! !) but of revenue—if he succeed in mak-
ing the flesh creep and the hairs stand on end on the
heads of his auditors, be will be greeted with rap-
turous and enthusiastic bursts of applause, and re-
garded as a fitting candidate on the first vacancy in the
representation of the county. It is almost impossible
to conceive the satisfaction with which certain persons
receive the intelligence of the wrongs and injuries to
which they have been subjected. Convince a man
that he is oppressed and ill-treated, that the losses he
has sustained may be ascribed not to his own acts of
omission or commission, not to his own negligence or
apathy, but to causes over which he had no control,
and you are sure of an attentive and sympathising
listener. His appetite may not be impaired he may
still make a huge hole in the sirloin, and quaff
bumpers pottle-deep from the foaming tankard, hut
he will mingle lamentations for his fallen condition
with the enjoyment of these creature comforts. He
will utter touching Jeremiads while proving himself
to be an unequalled consumer. He will
" Eat and sigh—
Eat and sigh—
Eat and sigh—and eat again."

We remember to have heard of an exceedingly elo-
quent and popular barrister who, when stating the
case of an injured client, was astonished at the effect
produced on one of the audience; deep sobs burst
from his heaving bosom ; heartrending groans filled
up every pause, until at length, e'er the conclusion of
the oration, he sank into his seat overwhelmed with
the intensity of his emotions. The mystery was,
however, speedily solved. At the conclusion of the
trial, the " man of feeling " rushed up to the talented
advocate, and introducing himself as his client, cried,
with startling emphasis, " Sir, you have not
said a single word that is not the naked truth,
hut, by -, I never knew before that I
was half so ill-used." So it is with the agri-
culturists. They listen with delight to the
glowing pictures of their misery and sufferings,
while gorged to repletion, they look forward without
dismay to the prospect of speedy destitution, and laud
to the skies the orator who persuades them that they
are a thousand times worse used than they had ever
;yen previously.

But there are exceptions to every general rule, and
we are happy to notice the tone and character of the
proceedings at the Burton. on-Trent Warmers' Club,
There was no
over
At the Queen's Hotel, on Thursday.
whining, no puerile lamentations
du.lnarthe
anelfl! monopoly. The excellent chairman,
GISBORZIE, who within as well as without the walls of
Psrliaront has ever been the faithful and consistent
friend of liberal institutions, of every just and salu-
t.-Ty reform, directed their attention to the real causes
cf the depressed condition of agriculture, and the
points to which they should direct their exertions in
order to obtain legislative relief, and that in a manner

THE SUN,

which cannot be objectionable or injurious to any class of
their fellow-citizens, which would afford real protec-

tion to every description of British industry. The
Hon. Gentleman said " that he had begun to farm in
the palmy days of agriculture, and had received
20e. a bushel for his wheat, and sold mutton for
lid. per pound. He remembered haggling for, and
rather reproaching himself, with reference to the
last-mentioned price, for not insisting on the other
penny." Was this during the days of corn-laws or
protective imposts ? No, indeed ! No such prices
were obtained since that iniquitous code came into
operation. The period is, however, identified by the
statement that " shortly afterwards the Bill was
passed restoring the currency standard, and instead of
paying 145., 20s. worth had to be paid for the 11. note."
The real effects of this impolitic and inequit-
able measure were clearly and distinctly explained
by Mr. GISBOENB. He said, "they would
see what a blow this was to every debtor
in the kingdom. The landed interest always
was, and always must be, the debtor interest, as land
was the foundation of all security. They all knew
the tenacity with which the people clung to the land
in this country, and the extent to which they charged
it with incumbrances in preference to selling it.
Every man who charged his estate with 11. notes, worth
14s. at the time, had to pay 20s. worth of gold for
them, and he would ask whether this was not a heavy
blow to agriculture 1" The Hon. Gentleman truly added,
"never had there been so odious a thing done as took
place in 1819, with reference to the public debt. In
1814 as much gold as was contained in 500,000,000
of sovereigns would have paid it. And yet in
1819 the Legislature declared that it could not
be paid off with less gold than was contained in
800,000,000 cf sovereigns. This made the burdens
of peace heavier than those of war, and he had no
hesitation in saying that the burdens imposed on the
agriculture of England during a long period of peace
were heavier than during the war." This is indeed
i the truth. Its accuracy is unquestionable. It can-
, not be controverted or denied. What then is the remedy ?
Palpably the re-enactment of the monetary code,
under which all classes, notwithstanding the heavy
war expenditure, enjoyed such real prosperity. The
sentiments enunciated by Mr. GISBORNE elicited una-
nimous approbation; but we must remember that it
was in Derbyshire, the county which has been en-
. lightened by the teaching of the Rev. NOUN TWELLS,
who has shown to the farmers in his vicinity the true
nature of the evils under which they are suffering,
the grievances by which they are oppressed.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals cf Saturday
and yesterday.
Notwithstanding the boast in the PRESIDENT'S
Message, of the great reduction that had been effected
in the army, and the promise that still further reduc-
tions should be made in the military forces, we End,
in the Moniteur of yesterday, a decree for adding
40,000 men to the army, by calling out the remainder
of the levy for 1849. The decree i, preceded by the
following report of the Minister of War :
" Monsieur le President,—ln presence of the political
events which agitate Germany, and although the Co-
vert ment is firmly decided, as is stated in your message,
to observe the strictest neutrality so long as the interest
of France and the equilibrium of Europe should not be
compromised, it would bo a measure of precaution to
assemble in the territorial divisions of the north and the
east a number of troops, sufficient to provide against all
eventualities.
" I have the honour to submit to your approbation a
project of a decree, which will call into active service
40,000 of the 78,500 young soldiers still disposable of
the contingent of the class of 184t1.
" These young soldiers will be principally attached to
the regiments of infantry placed in the above-mentioned
divisions, to raise their effective strength to 2,500 men,
and as according as may be required to the other corps of
the same branch of the service. _ _ .

" As to the cavalry, its effective being in general suf-
ficient, and particularly in the northern and eastern divi-
sions, where the number of the regiments is considerable
enough, it will only receive but a very small proportion
of the men now called out. _

" The expenses resulting from this increase of the
effective force will give rise to a Bill which will be soon
submitted to your approbation and presented to the Na-
tional Assembly.
" Accept, Monsieur le President, the assurance of my
profound respect."
The object of this sudden increase in the military
force is thus explained in the Constittaionnel;
" lip to the present the struggle lay especially be-
tween the Sovereigns, the people being no more than
spectators. Circumstances have charged this state of
things by setting fire in all directions to national pride,
by awakening patriotic susceptibilities, and by causing
popular passions to enter into the disagreements of
crowned heads. In a word, all Germany is in arms; it

becomes, therefore, no.lessary that France should com-
plete her military effective. The Government has pro-
claimed in the Message the neutrality of France so long
as French interests should not be compromised; but it is
necessary to be in a position, under all circumstances, to
make this neutrality be respected. Such is the object of
the calling out of a part of the class of 1849."
The Constitutionnel of Saturday contains a ferocious
attack on M. DUVERGIER DE HAURANNE, hitherto
one of the great idols of the party of order, and who,
through good report and through evil report,bas been
the fides Achates of M. TIIIERS ; together they car-
ried on an opposition to M. GUIZOT' together they
organized the reform banquets, and together they
coalesced with the parti-pretre to betray the Re-
public ; this attack therefore upon M. DAVERGIER in
the Bonapartist organ would seem to announce a split
between M. TIMES and the Elysee.
The report of the Committee on the affairs of M.
YON has been delayed for eight days, in order to
afford M. BAROCUE an opportunity of consulting
with M. DUPIN on the subject; the victory in this
case will most probably remain with the Elysee. The
National has the following observations on this sub.

ject :
"Is M. Yon to be reinstated or dismissed? A grand
question; for it is as if some one were to say—will the
permanent committee and the bureau of the Legisletive
Assembly allow themselves to be mocked by M. Curlier?
M. Carlier punishes M. Yon for haying taken on him-
self to warn M. Dupin that certain persons wanted to
assassinate him. For, the Prefect of Police mint sins
that'nno one intended assassinating M. Dupin, and that
in any case he ought to be informed of it only with
the consent of the Prefect. The bureau met on
Thursday to delihera:e on this great metier, out already
opinions were divided; the pure Parliamentists heed lost
nothing of their animosity, but the Benapartists were
looking up, and began to say that a conflict was near;
that it INS. Yon was to be paid, M. Carlier would be of-
fended; that, it he were offended, the President of the
Republic would be displeased, and the country endan-
gered. The bureau determined to send a deputation to
M. Earache. The representative at the head of it, M. J.
de Lasteyrie, was vehement, but M. Baroche was indig-
nant, and the great reason of the conflict gave him an
irreeistiblc eloquence. Yesterday the great Minister ap-
peared before the Committee of Parliamentary Initiative,
and cbaunted the same air in a milder tone. M. Yon is
not to lose his salary, for the Municipal Committee has
voted it. It is true that M. Carlier has suspended its
payment, but that is a miserable matter to occupy the
attention of a great Assembly. Besides, has the Legis-
lative Assembly the right to pay with its own funds a
commissary of police? M. Baroche requires, in order
to bo sure of it, to read over again the Constitution, and
he asks a week to do so. That time was granted, and
the salary of M. Yon hangs on a thread. The members
of the committee had to employ all their eloquence in
causing their colleauges of the Assembly to swallow the
week. They have acted like M. Baroche; they have
flung themselves into a conflict. A conflict! That is a
word which says more than might be imagined. It says
all that M. Baroche may think fit. That conflict, if M.
Baroche desires, will give us at least a prolongation of
powers.—P.S. It is stated that MM. Leila, Baze, and
De Panat, terrified at the idea of leading to a conflict be-
tween M. Carl* and the Legislative Assembly, are on
the point of withdrawing their proposition."
The Minister of Finance presented to the Assem-
bly on Saturday a project of law for the purchase by
the State of the shares in the different canal companies.
On Friday, the Committee of the Department of
the Seine, appointed by the French Government to
determine on the admission or rejection of objects
presented for the purpose of being sent to the Great
London Exhibition of 101, by the manufacturers and
tradesmen of Paris, held a meeting at the Hotel de
Ville. The Prefect of the Seine presided. The
meeting having been constituted, M. HERICART DE
THURT was elected Vice-President, and M. I3ouraoze
its secretary. It then proceeded to regulate the
order of its labours, after which it adjourned to the
lath of the present month, when it will commence
the examination of the articles destined for the Ex-
hition. The committee consists of 2a members.
There were a considerable number of Bourse
speculators assembled in the Passage de l'Opera to-
day. The Five per Cents. were done as high as 93f.
15c., and closed at 93f.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Nov. 16.
Boulogne and Amiens, 778—Central of France (Orleans
and Vierzon),l4—East Indian, 9t —Northern of France,
14x4—Paris and Rouen, 24.