The Sun.
London, England, 1828-03-17 00:00:00

the announced passage of the Russians across the
Pruth ? Is it of indignation against the Russians ?
Is it of pity for the Turks ? Is it of apprehension
for the Balance of Europe about to be destroyed by
the annexation of Turkey to old Russia ? No, quite
the contrary--it is a language of exultation that
the Russians have been too cunning for the English
Government ; and that the object of the Treats- of
London, which was to baffle the Russians, has been
frustrated. "The English Diplomacy (says the Courier
Francais)lis beaten ;Ithe Russians are on the march,
and Nicholas has escaped from the toils in which
Metternich and Castlereagh held the Emperor
Alexander. The Autocrat is tired of being the
great Police Superintendent of Europe ; he will no
longer occupy himself with our Election Law ; he
will no longer impel us towards the miserable Spain,
but leaving to every nation the care of governing
itself according to its wants and the degree of civili-
zation to which it has attained, he will take care
that the destinies of his own nation be accom-
plished." After laughing at the conduct of France
in 1787, in opposing Catherine, and quoting a se-
vere witticism of the Prince de Ligne against the
then Ministers, the Journalist proceeds to observe,
that " the last Ministers have left us without
an army, with a deficit in the receipts, and a debt
of two hundred millions. It is not in making war
on other countries, but war on France and her in-
stitutions, that they have placed us in this deplor-
able situation. How are we to extricate ourselves ?
How heal mit. wounds ? We should attempt this in
vain by putting ourselves in the train of the Eng-
lish, who, on the question of the East, have interests
opposed to ours." The Courier Fra7nlis is cor-
rect in saying that it is not the interest of France to
go in our train in defence of Turkey ; but it does
not follow, that because it is not for the interest of
the French to aid us against the Russians, it is
therefore our interest to be opposed to the Russians,
or that we have really an interest opposed to theirs
in Eastern matters. Neither France nor England
has an interest in expending their resources in a
foolish crusade on behalf of the Turks. But we
quote the passage not on account of its reasoning,
but as illustrative of the prevalent feeling in France
at this moment, which, so long as the Representa-
tives are liberal, the Government dare not disre-
gard. The Constitutionnel, in like manner, evi-
dently chuckles at the idea of the Russians dic-
tating- peace to the Turks in Constantinople. Ad-
verting to the passage in the Moniteur," It is on the
banks of the Danube that we must wish satisfaction
to be obtained; for too many complications would
present themselves to every one on the other
bank of that river on the ruins of the Ottoman
Empire." The Constitutionnet adds--" Is it quite
certain that the Russians will not believe them-
selves forced to cross that river? Yesterday an
army on the Pruth was sufficient to constrain the
Porte to listen to the propositions of the Powers;
now it is to be the banks of the Danube that is to be
transported ; who knows if to-morrow it will not be
indispensable to encamp on the banks of the
Bosphorus, and if we shall not be told it is at
Constantinople we must wish satisfaction to be ob-
tained.'—lf we were constrained to draw a conse-
quence from the occupation of the Principalities by
the Russians, that consequence would be absolutely
contrary to that of the ilioniteur, and 'much more
conform assuredly to the particular character of the
Ottoman policy." We think, therefore, we see in-
dications of a dissolution of the Triple Alliance.
The French would by no means be disposed to op-
pose themselves heartily to the advance of the Rus-
sians. The Russians have no doubt counted on this
want of cordiality. Their decision leaves us no

alternative but hostilities or acquiescence; and the
Ninistry who rush on hostilities will have a dreadful
responsibility on them.—illonzing Chronicle.

Our readers will find in a preceding column

le report of a Meeting held at Bristo

last week, for the purpose of petitioning Parlia-
ment for a repeal of the Stamp Receipt Tax on
small sums. The respectable Journal from which
we extract it (Felix Farley's Journal), very justly
observes, that any argument against the time chosen
for such a petition must appear futile, when we con-
sider the smallness of the sum to be repealed, which
has been stated at 40,0001., and certainly does not
exceed 50,000/. Several plans are pointed out by
" Felix," in which that sum,if it be accounted of so
much moment, may be made up, but we
eßrtainly think he has omitted the most easy
and obvious—namely, an addition to these Stamp
Receipt Duties which it is proposed to retain. Let
Government add twenty-five per cent. to each Re-
ceipt Stamp above sixpence, and the addition will
more than cover the deficit occasioned by the aban-

donment of those below that sum. It' is not the
expense which the petitioners aim at saving, but the
intolerable vexation and trouble which such minute
and petty legislation—at all times a grievance—oc-
casions, and the door which the bribe of the penal-
ties opens to villainy and dishonesty between man
and man. Where the tax is only exigible on sums
so important, that no prudent man will part with
them without the guarantee of a formal receipt, the
amount of the tax becomes a secondary considera-
tion.—New Times.

On Fritlay, the Finance Committee was engaged
from twelve to four, examining Lord Palmerston, re-
specting the War-office, the payment of the troops,
agency, &c. On Saturday the Sub-Committee was
employed in ascertaining the amount of half-pay,
pensions, and allowances, now payable on the mili-

tary and civil branches of the service, which, we
fear, will turn out to b© enormous. It was stated,
some time ago, that these charges had gone on in-
creasing during the last year, which need not be a
matter of surprii,e, if the late sides of half-pay com-

missions, and the intrt;duction of young men into the

.
place of old ones be considered, Although there are
seven or eight thousand Officers on the half-pay of
the Army, it would be seen by the statement we
published on Thursday, that upwards of 800 young
and new Officers were Gazetted to new commis-
sions, in the years 1826 and 1827 ! How can our
dead weight decrease if such things are allowed to
. _

go on ? 'But why should we call it dead-weight ?
it ought to be called live-weight.—Morning Herald.

It would be well if the House of Commons were
completely to set itself against all Bills of a paro-

dual nature, that went to the extent of enabling
parishes to borrow money. The system of borrow-

ing has brought this country to her present weak
state in a political respect ; and the same system,
pursued with respect to parishes, would in time
bring all parishes into a dilemma. If parishes think
it proper to lay out money, let the money be taken
from the rich, and others of the parish, at once, by
means of a parish-rate, and not borrowed from the
rich men of the parish. The rich are very willing
to lend money at good interest and good security ;
but we would enable the parish to take money from
them as a gift, not as a loan. It would then make

the rich parishioners look a little after die affairs of

the parish. At present parishes in general are left
to the management of interested attorneys.—lbid.
Despatches were on Saturday received by the
French Ambassador from his Court ; and in the

course of the day his Highness had audiences of the

Duke of Wellington and Lord Dudley, The „ni_

munications made on this occasion were of so im-

_ .
portan a nature that a Cabinet Council was imme-
diately summoned. Another Council was held upon
the same subject yesterday; and Messengers are ex-
pected to be _despatched this day for various parts of
Europe. With respect to the conduct pursued by
our Government under the delicate and important
circumstances of the present moment, we have only
to say, that it will be found to be at once moderate
and firm—conciliatory and determined—spirited
and wise—such, in short, as all unprejudiced minds
must approve and applaud, as the only course that
sound policy could dictate, whether regarding our
national honour, or high character, or our greatness
and properity as a people,—Morning Post.