The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-21 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S EXCURt'ION TO

BELGIUM.

PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—The royal yacht Victoria
and Albert, Captain Lord Adolphus Flizelarence; the
Fair), royal yacht, 111aster-Commander Welch the
Black Eigle, Admira'ty steam-yacht, Master Com-
mander Cook ;"aud the Vivid stcam-packet, Master-
Commander Smithett, ell assembled at Cowes this morn-
ing, and subsequently moored oif Osborne, with steam
up, ready for weighing, but this afternoon, about 3:30,
her Majesty's intmtion not to embark tc-day, in come-
quence of the high westerly gale blowing, was tele-
graphed to the Commandt-r•iti-Chief bele, The Vivid
subsequently returned irdu this harbour.

Why is a bad shot like a very amusing fellow ?
Because he is the boy to keep the game alive.

THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAIL
WAY STRIKE.

The following address to the shareholders of the
Eastern Counties Railway Company has been handed
to us for publication :
"To prevent misapprehension on the part of the
shareholders and the public as to the position of the en-
gine-drivers and firemen lately in the employment of the
Eastern Counties Railway Company, the directors feel
it their duty to publi.th the following statement of facts.
" On the 22d of last month Mr. Gooch entered on his
duties as locomotive superintendent on this railway.
"On Monday, the 12th inst., a deputation from the
engine-drivers and firemen desired to see some of the
directors. They were received by Mr. Ellis when they
presented to him a memorial complaining of Mr. Gooch,
in the following words:—
" TO THE CHAIRMAN AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TEM
EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.

"' llumbly showeth,—That your petitioners, the en-
gine-men and firemen in your hon. service, have been
driven by the unjust and tyrannical proceedinga of Mr.
Gooch to appeal at once to your hon. board. We are
still willing to serve your hon. board on the same condi-
tions we did before Mr. Gooch became our superinten-
dent, and we flatter ourselves we gave your hon. board
every reason to be satisfied with our conduct and capa-
bilities as enginemen and firemen. We deeply regret
that we are compelled to bo so hasty in our proceedings,
but the prompt manner in which Mr. Gooch is carrying
out his tyrannical measures leaves us no alternative We
are quite willing to terve your hon. board as heretofore,
but we have unanimously come to the determination to
be the servants of your: hon. board no longer than the
18th day of August, 1850, unless Mr. Gooch is removed
from being our superintendent,
" ' Signed on behalf 4)f the enginemen and fire-
men in the employment of the Eastern
Counties Railway Company.
(No signatures.)
"‘Josepb Tatton, eugineman, and his fireman, were
fined each two days' pay and suspended two and three.l
quarters, for the cotter of his cross-head breaking in
three pieces after being 34 tailes on his journey—an ac-
cident over which he possibly could have no control.
" James Steel, enginensan, and his fireman, were
fined a quarter of a day each for his eccentric strap
breaking—caused by the cage of his block breaking and
the ball working up into the pump. •
" Henry Harris, engineman, and his fireman, were
fined a quarter of a day each for detaining his train 10
minutes—the cause was his eccentric sheave slipped,
over which he had no control.

" James Nelson, engineratan, and his fireman, were
fined one day's pay each tor a drawbar giving way on a

train of 50 waggons.
" Edward Rae, engineman, and his fireman, fined
le. each for a draw-bar breaking in a traia of 30 loaded
• waggons.
" John Thomas Hope and Joseph Kinnereley, en-
ginemen, with their firemen, were fined 2s. 6d. each for'
the cotter of a drawbar breaking in a train of 56.
waggons; the cost of the cotter would not exceed 3d.;
and fancy two engines attached to such a train, and to,
fine men for a simple cotter breaking.
" These are a few in his tyrannical acts too numer-
ous to mention. The deputation can give you every
satisfaction. He is discharging the old and experienced
enginemen and firemen because they receive 7s. 6d. and
4s. per day, the which yoar hon. board agreed they
should have.'

" Mr. Ellis stated to the men that the board had ne
knowledge of any disagreement existing between the
engine-drivers and Mr. Gooch. They had never com-
plained either individually or collectively, and this was
the first intimation they had given. He added that the
directors nad no desire to part with their old servants,
or any intention that they should be harshly or unfairly
dealt with; that ~they believed Mr. Gooch to be a kind
man, and ho was so considered by those under his ma-
nagement on the South-Western Reilway, where he had
been employed for the last ton years. His serious ad-
vice to them was not to act precipitately or prematurely;
many of them doubtless had wives and families, and they
should therefore consider before they acted in the way
mentioned in their memorial. They would see that he
could not be prepared with an answer, as, in justice to
Mr. Gooch, the directors must hear his reply before they
determined the matter. They would see Mr. Gooch, sad
endeavour to adjust their differences.
" The men expressed themselves satisfied with that
assurance and departed. Within an hour of the receipt
of the memorial 178 reaignatinns, including those of the
deputation, were seat into the superintendent's office in
one parcel.
" These notices were on printed forms, which had been
prepared and signed beforehand.
" The directors immediately sent for Mr. Gooch and
placed the memorial in his 'maids for explanation. On
the following day that officer addressed the annexed letter
to the Board:—
" TO THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE EASTERN

COUNTIES RAILWAY.
" Eastern Counties Railway-office, Sishopsgate Station,

London, August; 13, 1850.
" Gentlemen,—l return herewith the paper which was
referred to me, purporting ti ) be a memorial from the
engine-drivers and firemen M' this railway, but which
bears no signature. As it however quotes some in-
stances of what is termed tyranny on my part, I think
it desirable to give the follc•wing explanation upon
them:—
" The first case quoted was one where, in taking the
Colchester goods train, the engine failed from the loss of
a cotter, causing considerable damage to the cylinder
and other tarts of the engine, arising entirely from a
want of careful examination by the men in charge, and
although they state that they had made a proper ex-
amination at Chelmsford, within four miles of the place
where the accident occurred, they admitted to me, in the
presence of the foreman, that, bad those parts then been
right, the accident would not hi me happened.
" The second is a case of sir filar carelessness on the
part of the men, in not satisfying themselves that their
engine was in a proper state. These men aro in the
shed every third day with thefr engine, during which
time it is strictly their dutlt-tc. have their engine pro-
perly examined and repaired.
"In the third case, the fine was for not reporting the
circumstance of the engine failing, and that the train had
to be taken to St. lye's by horses, and not for the shift-
ing of the eccentric.
" The others quoted are for breaking drawbars of
waggons, a circumstance which, in nearly every instance,
is the effect of carelessness on the part of the men, and
which I am sorry to say, is of very frequent occurrence
on this line, and requires to be stopped, as very much
mischief is caused by it.
"You will observe by the list that several cases of
fines are omitted, which prove the want of discipline
under which these men are working, and which it' is ab-
solutely necessary, both for the safety of the public and
the interest of the company, should be changed.
" I will only further observe that the statements made
by them verbally, as reported in. the Times of yesterday,
are wholly without foundation.
" I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
" Y.)ur obedient servant,
"J. V. Goocu."
"In consequence of the determination expressed by
the men, the directors immediately proceeded to make
arrangements for continuing the traffic on the line, and
they succeeded in placing new engine-drivers and fire-
men on a considerable portion of it on Thursday, the
15th inst.
" Having obtained a further supply of these men from
other lines, the directors communicated with Mr. Gooch,
and with their sanction he issued the following notice to
the enginemen and firemen:—
"' I hereby acknowledge to have received notice of
your intention to leave the service of this company on
Monday next, the 19th inst., and I accept your resigna-
tion. But, as the directors have been informed that
some of their people have families who live upon the
line of railway, and have been compelled to quit the
company's service against their will, I have thought it
right to give such men an opportunity of returning to
their duty.
" Should any man wish to withdraw his resignation,
he may do so by writing to me to that effect, when I will
give his case my best consideration.
" Joust V. Goocu, Locomotive Superintendent.
" August 17.'
" Mr. Ashcroft, the company's Superintendent of Way
and Works, being aware of the desire of the directors
not to act with harshbess towards the men, or to part
with them, if by any means they could be brought to a
sense of their duty, saw several of the leading men en-
gaged in these proceedings on the same day. The whole
body, at a later period of the day, held a meeting, at
which the following resolutions were passed :
" At a meeting of the engine-drivers and firemen, held
in Stratford, August 17, 1850, the following resolutions
were unanimously agreed to :
" 1. All old hands to be reinstated that were dis-
charged without just cause.
" 2. In the event of an excess of hands, the junior
enginemen to return to firing, and junior firemen to re-
turn to the shed.
" ' 3. The maximum time to be stated for one day's
work, namely, from 100 to 130 miles, and, where miles
cannot be run, that ten hours be considered as one day's
work for all passenger trams; extras to be paid for.
Goods and passenger trains but from eighty kto ninety
miles, or ten hours, to be considered a day's work for
goods trains.
4. If any enginsman or fireman, through accident
or otherwise, cause damaT,e (previous to dismissal), to
be brought before the officers committee, so as to have
a fair and impartial hearing.
" 5. In the event of any sudden change through ex-
cess of business on the lino requiring firemen to drive.
then the prior term served as drivers in their rate of
wages to be considered, so as to entitle them to wages
sanctioned by the directors.
"' The following scale of wages we beg to submit to
and for the approval of the directors:—
" Cleaners, promoted to be firemen, to receive 3s. 6d.
per day for the first six months, 3s. 9d. the next six
town)o.thAe
years,ri
i fir
months, and 4s. after they have been firemen 12 months.
"' Firemen, promoted to be shedmen, to receive ss.
per day, and when promoted to be enginemen to receive
6s. per day for the first six months, 6s. 6d. for the
second six months, and 7s. for the next two years, and
after that time to be 7s. 6d. per day.
" ' Firemen of good character, previously employed
on other railways, to receive for the first three months
3s. 6d. per day, alter that time to be paid 4s. per day.
" Enginemen of good character, previously employed
naalflsre rat
hytash:aht toatyi
me
eoeni
receivev
unjustly
n7j eu,
spt e3,7,rs d6ady. fp
inflicted.err the first
G toha •
`shat
ei
nreturned
shallto theapfianr bdyaybl r.
the party in question having etiesbeso fiiinifleidcled without
t t_e betore
st,,t
ht the oi
rffiecte,
rs: emotno,ymittaeofni
orranbdefiomreparticahl hcear-
Geis
t„:,hiinn,k
tpt,rxrcto appoint.
oin'i
▪ Resolved, that the ccn,g
ous,
Ashcroft, who has kindly offered his aery
by this weetiug, be torward-e'd to the 3t'PPyr(7'.
directorsjaesasb.mc.
medi-
ator between the directors and us.

1 " We, the enginemen and firemen, Aeeply regret the
misunderstanding that has already arisen between us
and thecontpany's superintendent, viewing the depressed
state of railway property at this time, as it has a most
ruinous effect on the value of all railway investment.
" We theref)re beg to say that we only require that
meed of justice that is our due, for the
great length of
service, and anxiety of mind which we have always bad
for the welfare and safe-working of your line of railway.'
" Mr. Ashcroft attended the board with a copy of these
resolutions. The result of the board's deliberations is
contained in the subjoined extract from the minutes of
their proceedings of that date:—
" Mr. Ashcroft attended and handed in a copy of a
series of resolutions passed at a meeting of the engine-
drivers and firemen, held this day at Stratford. The
same having been considered, the following resolution
was unanimously agreed to:—
"' The directors having received at the hands of Mr.
Ashcroft a copy of certain resolutions passed at a meeting
of the engine-drivers and firemen held at Stratford this
day, and having fully considered the same, with every
disposition to treat their men fairly, regret that it is not in
their power to accede to their demands. The directors
having communicated with Mr. Gooch, that officer has,
with their sanction, issued the notice sent herewith, and
it will be a source of gratification to the board to learn
that this notice has been received in a proper spirit.'
"For the satisfaction of the shareholders the directors
append to this statement a copy of a report which has
been this day handed to them by Mr. Gooch.

" TO THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF THE EASTERN
COUNTIES RAILWAY.
"Locomotive and Carriage Department,
Stratf )rd, Aug. 20.
" Gentlemen,—From the various statements which
appear daily in the public papers, I feel it to be due
both to you aed to myself to explain, as concisely as I
can, the several circumstances connected with the notice
given to me by the enginemen and firemen in your ser-
vice on the afternoon of Monday, the 12th inst., to re-
sign their situations on the evening of Sunday, the 18th
inst.

" The reason they assigned for so doing, in the memo-
rial they presented you on the same day, was the unjust
fines which had been imposed upon them by me. You
are fully aware that, in conducting an establishment of
this character and magnitude, the strictest discipline is
necessary to insure safety to the travelling public, as well
as economy to the shareholders; it is with great regret I
am compelled to say that, on taking charge of this de-
partment of your railway a few weeks ago, I found the
discipline throughout the whole extent in a very unsatis-
factory state.
" Being most desirous to effect the changes which
were necessary as quietly as I could, and only gradually
to introduce the same system on this railway as prevails
throughout all the other leading railways, I, in every
case, imposed such fines only as would set rather as a
warning for the future than as punishment for tb• offence.
"I deny, most emphatically, that in any case has a
fine been imposed for any failure of an engine which a
practical man would say was beyond the common care
and control of those in charge. I wish only to state,
that the other fines were imposed for not reporting,'
and one case in -particular, when in consequence of the
eccentric shifting, the train had to be taken a distance
of five miles by horses.
",Fines also have been imposed for arriving at stations
with goods-trains at periods varying from one hour to
half-an-hour before the appointed time, thereby endan-
gering their own as well as the safety of all other trains
travelling over the same part of the line.
" I state distinctly that I never had any intention to
roducu wages or to increase the day's work of any man.
" On receiving the instructions of the board, in conse-
quence of the resignation of the men, I immediately took
measures to replace them by good and efficient drivers,
and I am happy to say that, with the kind assistance re
ceived from other railways, by yesterday morning I had
engaged 77 engine .drivers, whose testimonials from their
late employ ers will bear the closest inquiry.
"I shall lay them before you to-morrow.
"On Saturday evening all the trains running north
of Cambridge were worked by new men, and since yes-
terday morning the whole of the trains have been so
worked. Knowing that the lines as well as the engines
were strange to these men, I folt it necessary to give
instructiona to each to use the greatest caution—to
study safety before speed, and not to attempt to re-
gain lost time, and thereby to incur any risk. There
have been several trains a good deal behind time, but
these have in every case arisen from tricks having
been played with the engines which could not easily
be detected until they had 'relieved some distance—viz.,
sand mixed with the grease in the axle-boxes, oil and
other injurious matter put into the water-tanks, and
such other things as those only who know their effects
would do. At Norwich a slight collision took place in
backing out of the station by two engines coming to-
gether and causing a very trifling injury. This is an
occurrence not by any means peculiar to new hands.
So far as the safe conduct of the trains by the new men
goes I have every reason to believe that they aro quite
competent for the duties they have to perform; and, had
they not been subject to such malicious tricks as those
before mentioned, I have no doubt whatever but that the
trains would have continued as punctually as before the
change was made.
" The precaution which has been taken of placing the
inspectors of permanent way and the head guard of each
train upon the engine, to point, out to the driver the
various stations, junctions, and signals, has worked ex-
'ceedingly well.
" Tue number of men who have been engaged will be
suffiei‘nt to work all those trains which hare been sus-
pended, and all those men not now actually employed
in working trains are travelling over the various lines
of the company, that they may become thoroughly ac-
quainted with them. I have, therefore, no doubt but
that on Monday next the whole of these trains may be
resumed, it you so desire it.
• " I have the honourto

" J. V. Goccu.

" In conclusion, it must be obvious to the shareholders
that the demands made by the men were such as both
on public grounds and for their interests could not be
complied with.

" EDWARD LADD BETTS, Chairman.
" Bishopegato Station. Aug. 20."

JENNY LIND AT LIVERPOOL.
LIVERPOOL, AUGUST 20.—The performance of the
Messiah, last night, attracted a larger audience than
the first concert; upwards of 3,000 attended. Jenny
Lind's singing surpassed anticipation. Her energy
and brilliant execution of" Rejoice greatly," her ex-
ipnre,s‘sHioonwi nhe'e‘uHtiefulshearlel fteheyd
feethis flro,ckh,er hfeerrvitdenddeevrnotieosns
in " I know that my Redeemer liveth," and her fine
reading of the last air, " God be for us I" which made
it a new and unexpected feature, raised unbounded
enthusiasm. The second and fourth airs were en-
cored. In the recitatives, besides the excellence of
her vocalization, the pointed articulate manner in
which she pronounced the English words excited ge-
neral admiration. Signor Belletti made a
highly suc-
cessful debut in Handel's music, and produced great
effect in " Why do the nations." His English was very
good. The chorus was excellent, the band indifferent.
Miss Williams, Miss Andrews, and Mr. Benson were the
singers. M. Benedict conducted. After the oratorio
the National Anthem was sung, Jenny Lind giving
the two principal verses. The scene that ensued
defies description. The walls of the building rever-
berated with the cheers. Hats, sticks, and handker-
chiefs were waived in every direction. The platform
of the orchestra was covered with bouquets and
wreaths, many of which fell upon the head and
shoulders of the songstress. It was a leave-taking
such as Jenny Lind herself has rarely experienced in
the course of her artistic life.
Between the parts of the 2lfeesiah an address was
read to Jenny Lind, on the part of the committee,
lauding her character and talents, and wishing her a
happy voyage and a speedy return. On the head of
the address, which was written on vellum, were the
arms of Liverpool, and at the side the arms of Sweden.
Benedict received a handsome gold snuff-box.
1 This morning Jenny Lind visited the hospital,
where she was presented by the committee with the
silver teakettle of which we have spoken, besides a
splendid pair of silver candlesticks. She was after-
wards conducted over the new
wing of the hospital,
which has been added through her
.exertions. A
great number of Jenny Lind's admirers have hired
a steamer to escort her on her voyage as far as the
North Light. She starts to-morrow
morning at ten
on board the steam-tender Sampson, which conveys
her to the Atlantic. The boat sails at half-past five.
Her companions are Benedict, Belletti, Miss Hernen-
sen, a relative, Mr. Hisertsberg, her secretary, and
Mr. Wilson (Mr. Barnum's agent).
Eight o'Clock P.M.—A message has just been sent
from the superintendent of police to Mademoiselie.
Jenny Lind requesting her, as a favour, to start two
hours earlier by the steam-tender, since, from the
immense crowds that will be on the piers to witness
eight, therefore,
quite
leave
privately,
her departure, and from the dangerous nature of the
locality, an accident and even loss of life might be
eAxdpeeicpthe .i
Hotel Jennyet a
quarter
and the mob of lookers-on will be cheated of their
sightseeing. Doubtless many. will be surprised to
read this announcement of their disappointment to-
morrow morning. ianrdter to will,

SUICIDE ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY.--
On Monday evening an inquest was held by Mr. C. Lewis, at
the Greyhound Tavern, Lea-bridge-road, on view of the body
of William Beard, aged 42, in the employment of the Go-
vernment small gun factory. Enfield-lock, who committed
suicide on the Eastern Counties Railway. The. deceased,
who lived at Enfield with his family, had for some time past
exhibited an aberration of his mental faculties. He left his
home on Thursday last. On Saturday morning he was ob-
served walking in Ley ton marshes, near the Eastern Coun-
ties line,,when, on the 8 A.M. express train to Hertford pro-
ceeding down the line, as it passed the Lea-bridge station,
he attempted to go on the line. The driver sounded the
whistle, upon which he started back, but when it got closer
to him, he deliberately placed his head before the near wheel
of the engine, by which it, was immediately severed from his
body. The train was promptly stopped, upon which the
lifeless body of the deceased was taken to the Greyhound.
Verdict —" Temporary insanity."
IRON SHIP JOHN GARROW.-1118 well-known
vessel, the largest iron sailing ship afloat, which was built in
the early part of the year 1840, and has since been employed
on foreign voyages in tropical climates, supposed to be pre-
judicial to iron sips, has, during the last week, been care-
fully examined in the graving-dock. Several holes have
been bored in her, and tho thickness of the plates taken, but
the closrst examination no perceptible loss can be aseer-
rfoerptayir or
for fi
uitained. It is clear, that such vessels, with care, may last
s
ftyaynyeaym eaars.nd_,
Lwihveroen wieslltabnucgtr,dineed require no

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM THB MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.

TIMES.-1f any doubt has ever been entertained
of the strong adherence of the great bulk of the
French nation to monarchial principles, that doubt
would be dispelled by the enthusiasm with which all
classes of the provincial population have thrown
themselves upon the track of Louis Napoleon, and
have identified his person with all that they desire
and respect in their Government. The addresses
which have been heaped upon the chief actor in these
remarkable scenes, the language of adulation applied
to his services, and even the titles not very correctly
given to his rank, may lose much of their effect when
we remember how lately the same epithets and the
same assurances of loyal devotion were bestowed
upon a race which was exiled on the morrow by a
popular convulsion, and who bad in their day strutted
and speechified in the same altitudes and array as
half a dozen preceding rulers of France. But though
the object is perpetually changing, and it would be a
gross abuse of personal vanity to set any store on
these festival engagements between the Government
and the people, yet the tendency to repeat these cere-
monies, and to pay this homage to the personal repre-
sentative of the State for the time being, is as
constant and inveterate as any characteristic of the
French people. In fact, this sort of hero- xorship is
carried to such an extent in France that as much in-
cense will be burnt before the sham divinity of the
hour as' if he were the lawful occupant of a throne
and the legitimate descendant of a hundred kings.
That idea of hereditary right which is the foundation
of monarchy in its proper sense is faint in one per
tion of the French people, and absolutely repugnant
to another portion. But the habit of saluting the
possessor of supreme power with the language of
courtiers and the servility of a dependent nation is
common to almost all parties, and they continue to
flatter after they have ceased to believe. With this
disposition in the French nation, which 60 years of
revolution and a rapid succession of unsettled govern-
ments have not eradicated, it is a misfortune that
these convulsions should have left the country as
hostile as it undoubtedly is to the race of Princes
who were for many ages the object of this defe-
rence. It is to be regretted that a people so anxious
to preserve the forms of monarchy, and which has
made two abortive attempts to found a Republi-
can Government, should have quarrelled beyond
all present hope of reconciliation with its own
family of Monarchs ; for the maintenance of re-
spectful and affectionate relations between the Sove-
reign and the people is essential to the performance
of their mutual relations and the protection of their
common interests. But the clearest result of the
whole revolutionary era of France down to the pre-
sent time is, that the Bourbons are so distasteful to
the prejudices and feelings of the people, that no per-
sonal merits or services of the Princes of that family
can atone for their birth, and they have four times
fallen from the throne, though not, except in 1830,
by any direct provocation of their own. The politi-
cal circles of Paris, or certain benches in the National
Assembly, may contemplate the possibility of another
Bourbon restoration by the will of the people, and
may even be occupied with the means of bringing
such a change about; but in the mass of the commu-
nity these undertakings awaken no response, and if
they ever prove successful, the nation will submit
to the change, but without taking any real part in
it. They had almost as soon endure the Republic
itself. These circumstances are, of course, pecu-
liarly favourable to the ascendancy of Louis Napo-
leon. He has just enough of hereditary claim in
his character of nephew of the Emperor to raise
him above all private competitors for the highest
dignity in the state; but as he can put forward no
absolute right, he is content to hold whatever he en •
joys by the flattering tenure of popular suffrage. He
combines some of the attractions of elective sove-
reignty with some of the prerogatives of traditional
and imputed rank and greatness. He has the merit
in the eyes of the French populace of being called a
Prince though not a Bourbon, and of being Head of
the Republic though not a Republican; and he has
shown considerable judgment and dexterity in avail-
ing himself of this peculiarity of his position. It is
evident on his present excursion that the appellations
commonly reserved to royalty fell with no unwel-
come sound upon his ear, and no allusion to the
stability of the Republic was allowed to pass his lips.
Everything in his speeches and declarations, especially
in his remarkable and well-prepared harangue at
Lyons, was made to consist in the omnipotence of
the people and in his own rights as their first repre-
sentative. The other servants of the state are
chosen by parts or districts of France, he by the
whole. No doubt an elective sovereignty so sup-
ported by a man not altogether unworthy of the
popular choice or unfaithful to his trust may have a
degree of personal éclat which does not often attach
itself to an hereditary king. But it is exempt
from none of the evils which reason and expe-
rience have shown to be invariably attached to elec-
tive monarchies. Their condition is habitual anarchy
with occasional lucid intervals of successful authority ;
but the greater this success may have been during the
life of a good prince, the greater is the gloom and the
danger which follows his removal, Every demise of
the Crown becomes a revolution, until at last the
army decides what is commonly beyond the strength
of a divided and exhausted people. If by Any sudden
calamity Louis Napoleon were removed from the po-
sition he fills in the world, even though he is not a
Sovereign but the Head of a so-called Republic, it is
impossible to foresee or even to speculate on the result,
except that all France would acknowledge the de-
plorable instability of institutions which fail to provide
Against the precarious condition of human Ifs. Such
events may be dealt with by the republican constitu-
tion of the United States, where government is a
matter of business; but no provision can be made for
them by such means in France, where government is
in great part a matter of sentiment, of display, and,
so to speak, of patronage. Above all, the intense
jealousies which are injuriously felt in the United
States, but which imperiously sway the more volatile
political society of France, would absolutely prevent
the fair choice of any man to govern the country who
should not be marked out beforehand by birth or con-
nexionjrom the herd of competitors. One of the
chief practical services which the institution of royalty
renders to civilised nations, and especially to free
states, is that it places the largest stake in the coun-
try, and that on which the peace of society depends,
beyond the reach of vulgar ambitions, and provides a
head for the nation without ;the least humiliation to
the dignity of a subject. In this respect Louis Napo-
leon has in his name and descent some of the ad-
vantages of a royal person ; and, though they are
in truth supposititous, the end is answered if they
are recognised by the French people. The world
may become indifferent to mere titular distinctions
and the externals of Majesty, but the substance of
these questions remains the same, for it lies at the
foundation of society, or beyond that, in the depths of
human nature. The occurrences now passing before
our eyes in France are no more than repetitions of
that desire of permanence, of order, and of authority,
which is the safeguard of all interests and the basis of
all laws. Louis Napoleon is at this moment the most
suitable—we might say the only practicable—repre-
sentative of these principles. He is doing what he
can, not only to win but to deserve the confidence and
gratitude of the people. He alone in France is doing
exactly what suits himself and what suits the nation ;
and we conclude that he has an increasing chance of
retaining and augmenting a power which others are
scarcely leas eager to confer upon him than he is to
accept.
DAILY NEWS.—The struggle between civil
and ecclesiastical authority, of which Piedmont is at
present the scene, is not a little remarkable. The
question at issue is, indeed, not new ; nor are the in-
fluences invoked on either side, now for the first time
pressed into the conflict. The quarrel is, in fact,
as old as the claims of Rome to the suzerainty of
Christendom, and the spirit of resistance which those
claims have naturally provoked in all governments
conscious of power, independence, or dignity. In ithe
kingdom of Sardinia the privileges of the clergy
were, previous to the late popular changes, defined by
the terms of a concordat made many years ago I be-
tvieen the papal court and the late king. A modern
recognition was thereby given, to the clericaV ex-
eniptions from temporal jurisdictions, which, thoiigh
obsolete in almost every other Catholic country,:lstill
lingered in the dominions of the house of Savoy. !Not
only ecclesiastical persons, but all suits ::land
causes in which matter was alleged to fall within
the scope of ecclesiastical surveillance, were liable
to be thus withdrawn from the , cognisance
of the civil courts, and to ,be placed at;; the,
absolute disposal of clerical tribunals. The right
uncontravened, its exercise varied according to' cir-
cumstances. While Charles Albert slept in Austria's
bosom, his police saved the priesthood much of trou-
ble. The press needed no judicial criticism when its
wings were kept closely cut by the primitive shears
of the censorship; and when Ministerial responsibility
to representative control was as yet unfelt, all ques-
tions of intellectual or political licence were nipped
quietly in the bud. Charles Albert woke, however,
one morning, and, with what sincerity of purpose we
stop not here to ask, proclaimed his readiness tp set
his subjects free. Administrative reforms, whiah in
other states preluded the change of political institu-
tions, in Sardinia were deferred until the latter had
been to a certain extent completed. War for a time
engrossed the national mind, and still further delayed
the most practical and useful portion of the resiplu-
lion thus begun. At length peace was restored; and
the new monarch, with his new representative
system, set about remodelling and popularising
the civil and criminal judicatures of the realm.
Whereupon the Church, or rather the higher cle,rgy,
aided by certain of the monastic orders, solemnly in-
terposed their antiquated pretensions, and set risp a
iclaim indefeasible and sacred, to judge and be judged
in all matters whatsoever where, in their opinion; the
interestes of religion might be affected, by ecclesinsti-

cal tribunals. Long discussions and angry contro•
versies ensued—the king, the chambers, the press,
and the laity of all ranks, being of one mind and of
one soul in declaring that the obsolete system of
priestly and irresponsible courts must cease, and that
perfect and entire equality should be established be-
fore the law. The bishops and the jesuits, true to
their ancient maxims, resolved to concede nothing.
The clerical jurisdictions were finally abolished ; and
a trivial matter soon afterwards arising in which the
abrogated authority was illegally attempted to be set
up, under the mandate of Franzoni, the Archbishop of
Turin, the prelate was summoned to appear before
the civil court. The summons was treated with dis-
dainful neglect, and the court was obliged to compel
the archbishop's attendance. But no persuasion or
admonition could extract from him an answer to any
interrogatory or acknowledgment of the authority of
the tribunal. Judgment was suffered to go by de-
fault, and as the most lenient penalty by which the
judges deemed it possible to vindicate the law, M.
Franzoni was sentenced to imprisonment for four-
teen day,. But the contumacy of the churchman was
n')t quelled. The term of his captivity ended, a fierce
crusade against the sacrilegious innovators was
forthwith commenced. Every pulpit re-echoed the
denunciations of the unhumbled prelate. The inter-
ference of Austria and the interdict of the Vatican
were vehemently invoked ; and the forbearance of the
people was vainly suppossed to indicate a change or
sentiment, and a repentant reaction in favour of
priestly domination. Suddenly N. de Santa 11,,)5a,
one of the Ministers by whom the contested changes
had been inNated and carried in the Legislature, was
taken dangerously ill. In a few days his case was
pronounced hopeless, and the usual request was made
to the ministering clergy of San Carlo, the parish in
which he dwelt, that the last rites of the Church
should be administered. The Pere Servite thus
summoned declared that he was unable to comply,
having received orders forbidding him to do so
from M. Franzoni, unless a full confession of
penitence for his acts performed as a minister were
first made known. The dying man refused to
quit the world with a falsehood on his lips, and told
the terror-stricken priest that "he knew how to re-
concile his duty to his country with his duty unto
God." Earnest remonstrances were made by the
other members of the Cabinet with the archbishop,
but without effect. Multitudes assembled in silence
around the dwelling where the unshriven minister
lay. After some hours of suspense it was announced
that he was no more. A terrible murmur rose
amidst the throng; and as they separated, such vows
against clerical into erance, usurpation, and cruelty
were heard, as will not be soon forgotton. A new
source of popular exasperation was soon added. 1%1.
Franzoni's vengeance was still unquenched. Therites
of Christian burial had likewise been forbidden. The
fury of the populace became ungovernable. They
rushed in thousands to the convent of the Peres
Servites, and threateningly demanded the perform-
ance of the customary service for the dead. The
monks had fled, but the excitement had become

so great as to overpower all ordinary sense
of obligation, and a priest was found will-
ing: to perform the offices of sepulture.
The ceremonial was attended by the whole of the
civil functionaries, the army and national guard, and
vast multitudes of all classes of the people. On the
following day the archbishop was called upon by the
Government to resign his see, and upon his refusal
was sent under an escort to a distant fortress. The
monks who had been the instruments of his tyranny
were banished from Turin, and it was supposed that
the Jesuits would be expelled i❑ like manner. Hardly
had these events taken place than the replies long ex-
pected from Vienna and Rome became known. Car-
dinal Antonelli, on behalf of the Church, adjures the
Government of Sardinia to retrace their reforming
steps, and declares broadly that no state has a right
to alter its domestic institutions, so far as education or
worship is concerned, without the previous assent of
the Holy See. And the Austrian Cabinet demands,
by way of set off to the measures adopted by the
Sardinian Government against M. Franzoni, that the
editor of the Opinione, a moderate constitutional
paper, should be expelled from Piedmont. Is it pos-
sible to conceive how any enemy to the Catholic
Church could have suggested a series of measures
more calculated to injure and undermine its
influence than those which we have thus enu-
merated ?