The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-12 00:00:00

most vigorous and decisive measures to counteract the
evil effects of any such interested opposition. Con-
scious that Mr. FIELD might be prejudiced in favour
of " the offspring of his own mind," they have sought
for the evidence of impartial and indifferent witnesses,
whose opinions cannot be supposed to be in any de-
gree unduly biassed in favour of the new system of
jurisprudence. For that purpose, Mr. JAMES
STUART, the eminent barrister, to whose indefatigable
exertions in the great cause of legal reform, it has
repeatedly been our pleasing duty to direct the public
attention, waited upon the American Minister, and
obtained his cordial co-operation in endeavouring to
ascertain the true state of public opinion with re-
spect to the great legal revolution which bad been
effected. A series of interrogatories have been pre-
pared, which will, through Mr. LAWRANCE,
be extensively circulated in the state of New York,
and placed in the hands of persons whose position
and experience may enable them to return useful
answers thereto. These questions are directed to the
points of most vital importance in every well-consti-
tuted system of jurisprudence, viz., to discover
" whether the new system had given facilities for
bringing a cause speedily and clearly before the con-
sideration of the Judge, and what obstacles still
remained before a case could be decided solely on its
merits ? (23.) Whether the practical working of the
code had shortened the time of litigation in each suit ?
(39.) As to the alteration in the scale of expenses)
whether it had diminished the incomes of professional
men in a greater proportion than it had diminished
their labour ? And, finally, whether having regard
to the difficulties under the new course of proceed-
ing, the respondent desired a return to the old
system ?" It is hoped that by means of the
assistance thus obtained the society may
be in a position to bring the subject before Parliament
before the termination of the approaching session.
It is, perhaps, too much to anticipate that any legis-
lation on the subject could take place next year.
Extensive reforms of any description are plants of
slow growth, that must be long agitated and kept
before the public ere they can be attained. But
those relating to the improvement of the principles
and practice of the law must necessarily be the most
tedious and the most difficult of attainment of any.
When we consider the time that the ameliorations
already effected have taken to accomplish, we must
not venture to indulge in too sanguine anticipations
as to the period at which the laudable objects of the
society may be carried into execution. The first
step has, however, been taken, and if we credit
the old adage, half the task is already per-
formed. We are convinced that the society which
has so boldly entered upon the path will not be di-
verted from their course, or induced to loiter on the
way. There will be no cessation of labour until the
duty is fully and efficiently performed, and until it
has been distinctly shown whether the new system
is really so desirable as it appears to be ; and whether
the theory, apparently so unobjectionable, can be
safely and beneficially reduced into practice.

In connexion with the project of improvement in
he Patent Laws, already frequently commented
upon by ourselves, we may be permitted to observe
that as far back as 1845 a suggestion was made for
the establishment of a provisional registry of inven-
tions. The author of this admirable proposition, Mr.
D. S. BROWN, had the satisfaction of witnessing the
introduction of a Bill into Parliament under the
auspices of Earl GRANVILLE, a Bill embodying " the
main features of his plan," and holding out further
prospects of a like kind of legislative emendation.
Unfortunately in its passage through the Legislature
the Bill in question, as is well known, was stripped
of of its benefiical influence over jthe in-
terests of inventors, securing advantages solely
to the originators of insignificant " designs"
coming within the limits of the scale of registra-
tion. Under this enactment, therefore, good accrues
alone to the owners of least important contrivances—
the scientific inventors of the United Kingdom en
neasss being still left to the precarious operations of
chance and speculation. Than this no change could
be more blundering or ill-judged. Scarcely any
perceptible goOd has been yet effected. The monster
evil, against which so many thousands have been long
clamouring, is-still left to crush that impoverished but
intelligent class who are doomed to intellectual tra-
vail for the public convenience and the emolument Of
capitalists.
Something must, it is at length evident, be ac-
complished to the end that the advantages already re-
ferred to should be extended from designs to patentable
inventions : and for the speedy achievement of this
most desirable object we recognise no more feasible
or immediately practicable scheme than the one pro-
pounded by Mr. D. S. BROWN, and which may be
here very readily specified. " The remedy I have to
suggest," says this gentleman, "is to allow every one
to register his invention immediately upon depositing
a description of it in an office to be established for
that purpose ; and, by so doing, to obtain a priority
of claim to take out a patent for the same within a
limited period afterwards; and, in case he should
neglect to do so, the invention to become public pro-
perty." By this very simple and equitable arrange-
ment the dangers hitherto surrounding the path of in-
ventors would bo altogether avoided ; for, under the
present deplorable system, scientific men may toil on
during a protracted period, developing an invention by
reiterated experiments, and then, when about to reap the
benefits of their ingenuity and perseverance, by se-
curing their contrivance under letters patent, behold
these golden advantages snatched from them by
another and unexpected claimant. The reason of
this ill consequence is obvious, the inventor posses-
sing at present no security whatever that his notion
may not be unjustly appropriated by the very men
with whom he may be in active negotiation ;
whereas such misfortunes might be rendered wholly
impossible through the agency of a simple regulation
like the one above indicated. "By this arrange-
ment," says Mr. 1). S. BROWN, "a channel would
be opened for the development of the whole in-
genuity of the country ; and not only would more
patents be likely to be taken out than at present;
but, what is also important, only those need be
applied for, which might be first proved to be
useful, and thus a great deal of expense and disap-
pointment would be spared." The increased appli-
cation for patents would be a happy consequence
of such a reform, calculated to excite feelings of
satisfaction in the heart of the financier; while the
prevention of unnecessary and profitless speculation
could not fail to gratify the sympathies of the
philanthropist. As matters at present stand, the eh

sence of any such security proves injurious alike to
the community at large as well as to inventors
themselves. Frequently, we are satisfied, the germs

of inventions calculated to be most beneficial in their

development are abandoned through fear of some en-

suing disaster, the scientific speculator shrinking from
the chance of disappointment, and dreading the ab-
sorption of all the pecuniary results of his ingenuity
by the pitiless and greedy maw of the capitalist.
Besides all which considerations, it should be consi-
dered—as Mr. D. S. BROWN himself intimates—that

" manufacturers, too, would no longer be perplexed
by a multiplicity of obsolete patents for worthless in-

ventions, which never would have been patented if the

parties had had an opportunity of testing their im-
practicability in time. As for the registered inven-

Lions themselves, they could offer no obstruction to
trade, however great the number, as the period to be

allowed for the taking out a patent and maturing
the invention need not exceed twelve months."

Added to the foregoing suggestions, the originator of

this scheme of Provisional Registry for Inventions,
has thrown out another and supplementary hint to

the effect that a museum of models might be esta-

blished with advantage to the cause at once of
science and manufactures. In this particular, as
well as in many others of a similar character, we
may say,with the Sentimental Tourist, " they manage
these things better in France." Our meaning in
the present instance may be readily apprehended by
those who have witnessed the result of such a system as
the one last intimated in the capital of the French
dominions. They will remember in the museum of
mechanical contrivances at Paris, the exquisite models
there grouped together, models of incomparable
minuteness and of punctilious exactitude, showing
visibly the progress made of late years in the course of
scientific improvement. Obvious as would be the ad-

vantages accruing to inventors through the medium
of the suggested scheme of registration, " it, however,
says the author of the
should not be compulsory,"

proposal,," on any one to register his invention, al-
though, for the reasons given, it is probable that no
one would omit doing so, even where there would be
no intention of obtaining a patent, but merely to
secure the honour of a first discovery ; and after a time
the records of the office would become a valuable
source from which to obtain information as to the
novelty of any discovery that might be made
hereafter : this," says Mr. BROWN, in continuation,
"is much wanted, and would be of great service
both to inventors and manufacturers." Of this there
can be little doubt. The benefits certain to flow from
such a system of arrangement must be, manifestly,
enormous. And equally enormous must be the evils
arising from a persistence in the existing plan of
regulations. Disappointed as we were with the
result of the legislative effort at improvement in the
Patent Laws made last session, we shall, nevertheless,
look forward with sanguine expectation to the next—

an expectation which we now believe will not pass
away altogether unrealized. The evils of the present
system are too obvious to be any longer ignored.
The necessity for an innovation is too generally ap-
parent to admit of further procrastination.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
The 10th was the second anniversary of the election
of the PRESIDENT, and was celebrated at the Hotel
de Ville, by a grand file given by the city of Paris.
The festivities were composed of two distinct mani-
festations 'of respect to the Head of the State—one,
a grand banquet of 180 covers, of a semi-political
character; and, the other, a magnificent ball, where
pleasure was to hold undivided sway. To effect this
double object to the utmost point of perfection, the
Prefect of the Seine and the Municipal Council of
Paris had prepared several new saloons, which had
not been on the preceding occasion thrown open to
the public.
The entrance to the vast range of apartments pre
pared for this double Pie was through the Salle St.
Juan, both ends of which were fitted up as immense
vestiaries, whilst the wide space in the centre was left
unoccupied, to serve as a passage to the noble stair-
case beyond. On each side of this, as you ascended,
huge corbeils of natural flowers of the greatest
beauty gratified the senses with their hues and per-
fume. The staircase was lighted up by huge lustres
suspended from the roof and by large gilt girandoles
placed on the landings. Above the Salle St. Jean
extends the Galerie des Fetes, running the whole
length of the building, and it was this
,noble gallery
which was made the principal ball-room for the night.
Be s ond, was the Salon de l'Empereur, so called
from a full length portrait of NAPOLEON being its
principal ornament. The furniture of this room was
of the richest description, the colours being crimson
and gold. Each fauteuil, gilt in the richest manner,
and bearing the arms of the city of Paris at the back,
was fit to serve as a chair of state in an earl's man-
sion. One immense chandelier in the centre and
four smaller ones in the corners diffused a light in-
finitely stronger than that of the brighest day.
Card tables were laid out here, and towards the
close of the evening whist players might be seen
seated at them pursuing their silent games. Beyond
this, another suite of rooms led to what is called the
Prefect's apartment, and beyond that, though still
through other gorgeous rooms, was the beautiful hall
prepared for the banquet.
The banquet was given in the ancient Salle du
Tyne, the windows of which look out on the Place
de l'Hotel de Tine. Covers were laid here for 190
guests, on four tables, two running down the room
and two across. The old plate of the city of Paris,
the candelabra, and the vases of flowers placed on the
tables, were all arranged with consummate taste,
and the whole display was shown to advantage by
the radiance prcseeding from eighteen lustres sus-
pended from the rocf, and fifty girandoles placed
round the room. It is unnecessary to say that the
dinner was composed of every delicacy that the ut-
most exertion, united to an utter disregard of expense,
could produce.
The PRESIDENT of the Republic arrived at the
Hotel de Ville at half-past six, and was received at
the foot of the great staircase by the Prefect of the
Seine and the Prefect of Police. The PRESIDENT
was accompanied by several of the Ministers and
some of his officers of his household. Almost imme-
diately after the PRESIDENT entered the banquetting-
room, and took his seat at one of the longitudinal
tables with his back to the fireplace at the southern-
end. He had on his right hand M. DOPIN, the Presi-
dent of the Assembly, and on his left M. LANQUE•
TIN, President of the Municipal Council of Paris.
Opposite him sat M. BERGER, the Prefect of the
Seine, with the VICE-PRESIDENT of the Republic on
his right, and the Archbishop of PARIS on his left.
General CHANGARNIER was seated between M. BA..
ROCHE and M. BENOIST D'AZY. M. TRIERS had on
his right M. DE BELLETISE, and on his left. M.
NAPOLEON DARU. At this particular table the
seat of each guest was marked, but at the
other tables they placed themselves indis-
criminately as chance or their own caprice sug-
gested. The other guests consisted of some
of the principal representatives, such as General
Bedeau, M. Leon Faucher, Vice-Presidents of the
Assembly; M. Baze, General Leflo, and M. de Panat,
the questors ; the secretaries, and others ; Generals
Perrot, Carrelet, Guillabert, Excelmans, Petit, Du-
lac, Hubert, Renault, Cornemuse, &c.; the presidents
of the Court of Law and Commerce; the colonels
and lieutenant-colonels of the National Guards, &c.
After the dessert had been placed ma the table, M.
BERGIER rose, and after having bowed low to the
PRESIDENT of the Republic, proposed the following
toast :
" To the President of the Republic !—Two years have
scarcely elapsed since the memorable election, the anni-
versary of which we now celebrate; but a very much
longer time seems to have elapsed? when we retrace the
progress accomplished under the happy influence of the
power which six millions of votes placed in your hands.
The day is already far distant when the same salle, in
which we aro now assembled, resounded with the noise
of the violent struggle sustained by order oppressed
against anarchy almost triumphant; the Hotel de Ville
has resumed its peaceful labours, and the noise alone of
its files have interrupted its laborious calm.
" it is assuredly a sign of peace and public prosperity
to see the magistrates of the city, released from all poli-
tical pre-occupation, devote their labour and their care
to the interests of the city alone. This hippy riesult is
due to you, Monsieur le Pi Cident, and the municipal
body, through me, hero expresses its gratitude to you.
" Thanks to your efforts, to your devotedness, to the
happy harmony of the powers, we are at length per-
mitted to set aside all the interests of politics to speak to
you of the interests of the city of Paris alone.
" That city is, moreover, the constant object of your
solicitude, and this sentiment, so valuable for it, is with
you a family importance. The immortal author of the
name you so well bear, has left within our walls impe-
rishable remembrances. Streets, squares, monuments,
all preserve the imprint of his creative genius, and even
in the works, which are now being executed may be
seen the fruitful ideas of Napoleon. The Rue de Rivoli
is following the line which he traced out, and already
we may see the day when the new approaches of
the Hotel de Ville will bear that glorious name. The
Halles, the Louvre of the people, as the Emperor called
them, are on our part the object of serious studies,which
are animated by your sympathetic) encouragements.
Thus your Government has already its honourable page
written in our Parisian history. Streets, boulevards,
and new quartiers open in the heart of the capital, and
at the same time that art raises splendid palaces to the
new enterprise of railways, three hundred houses fall
beneath the hammer of demolition, ruins fruitful for the
labour of the workman, and advantageous for the em-
bellishment and the salubrity of the city.
" The prosperity of Paris, you ars aware, Monsieur le
President, is that of the whole country, the first attacked
in our political disasters, the first also it has gloriously
paid its tribute to the common defence, and thus ac-
quired a just right to the gratitude of France and the
whole of Europe. May public peace, henceforth secured
amongst us, etfece even the remembrance of our mourn-
ing, and by the return of union and of prosperity
realise our dearest hopes. To the President of the Re-
public."—(Loud applause from every part of the sails.)
The PRESIDENT, who, as well as the other persons
present, had stood up whilst the Prefect was speaking,
replied as follows :
" Gentlemen, to Ate, at the Hotel de Ville, in this
palace of the people of Paris, the anniversary of my
election, is to remind me of the origin of my power, and
of the duties which that origin imposes on me. To tell
me that France has beheld her prosperity increase during
the last two years, is to address to me the eulogium that
touches me the most. At present, lam happy to be able
to admit that calm has returned to men's minds, that
the dangers which existed two years back have disap-
peared, and that, notwithstanding the uncertainty of
matters, a future is reckoned on, because it is felt that if
modifications are to take place, they will be accomplished
without troubles.—(Sensation.)
" To what is it that we owe to have substituted order
for disorder, hope for discouragement ? It is not be-
cause I, the son and nephew of soldiers, have myself
succeeded another soldier; but because on December 10,
for the first time since February, the chief power has
taken its origin in the exercise of a legitimate right, and
not in any revolutionary act.—(Loud cheers from every
part of the room!)

" I love to profit by these anniversaries, which are, as
it were, landmarks set up, by means of which the march
of events is measured, in order to show the causes which
strengthen or weaken governments. The grand truths
sanctioned by the history of nations are always useful to
be proclaimed. The Governments which, after long
civil disorders, have succeeded in re-establishing au-
therity and liberty, and in prer3nting new convulsions,
have, whilst putting down the revolutionary spirit, de-
rived their force from the right emanating from the Re.
volution itself.—(Movement.) Those others, on the
contrary, have been without loice, who have attempted
to seek that right in counter-revolution.—(Applause.)
"If any good has been effected during the last two'
years, the merit of it must be attributed to that prin-
ciple of popular election which has produced from the
091allici of 4mb:dm a real and incontektible right.