The Sun.
London, England, 1821-03-05 00:00:00

WEEKLY RETROSPECT.

'The general tolitica,l view of Europe, during
the past week, presents a fine picture of rational
public liberty, and a most extraordinary historical
contrast, for the pen of futurity. It spews us
three of the greatest Continental Powers actually
in arms against the internal revolution of a fourth
State, but still founding their measures on the
principle, and on that principle only, that the

existing revolution is not only against the will.
.of - the •majoPity of -that nation itself, butalso-
.y.ttang,erous in its•consequences to the States that
...oppose if. On these points,' Meg have:,deter-
mined, as established facts.—BurrAlN; however,
is' not yet convinced of the one, nor does she
. fear foe- herself from the otter is any immediate
degree. Neutrality, therefore, must be her ob-

Sect as to the first. Nay; even if NAT;tt4 were
actually wronged, it does not follow- that she
':shouid interfere' Up to the present time, it has
alievss 'been the WIIIG CREED, that WE have no-
thin2-; to do with Continental disputes. Up to the
present time, it has alwaas been the WHIG
C.astn, that our -resources are at an end ;- that in
Peace alone can we seek political salvation ;
and that nothing but the reduction of cur mill-
- tary-fo!•ce can protect us front bankruptcy. Nay,
even in the past week they have proposed tire
reduction of the interest of the National Debt,

in otter to relieve agricultural distress, and=now
they, call for a' dentoitstration! But a d'emon-
-stration, or remonstrance, without .the means of.
instant warfare, would be futile, and as bad as
their own demonstrations at Bur.sos A.YRES and
CO:,sTSTANTINOPLE; and to make a reYnoristrUnce,
to be laughed at, and to pocket the-affront, we
presume, is not yet a part of the British national
system!

it is remarkable, however, to see Frt.A.NcE
join in our policy-4.0 see BRITAIN and FRANCE,
so long opposed in arms, now hand in hand in
neutrality. . But who has.brought us to our pre-
sent state ? The Wrims tell 11S-4‘ LORD CAS-
TLEREAGH !" We believe them—nor do we sup-
pose that Mu would have done it!

We have said that, however revolutionary the
Revolution at NAPLES May be, WE have no im-
mediate cause for alarm ; nay, even if we had,
exertion would be unnecessary, as the "'divers
now in arms are sufficient for its Suppression.—
But " they may go further," we are told We
faar it not. -Their last declaration is too evidently
corrected lip the spirit of the. British Circular not
to convince us of the energy with whiCh our
AMaAssAnon at the CONCTICSS has done his duty.
The ik-la:? Ga.zette may therefore rest contented
on that subject. It has not yet been able to sow
dissension between Lord STEWA PsT and the
Austrian Minister. His Lordship's confirmed-
stay at Vienna-sets .that matter at rest: "
But the Wnws; though we are unwilling- to
imitate them, do so continue tO mingle meg with
measures, that in supporting the latter we are
forced, though in bad taste, anti we are convinced
Contrary to the wishes of the high individuals
'themselves, to -bring forward men also. Thus,
in their animadversions on the supposed proceed-
ings of the British squadron in the Mediterra-
nean, every imagined possible error is thrown
upon 'the Noble Lord at the head of the ADMI.
RALT ; yet how sore would they have felt had
their Cabinet been made responsible.for sending
the gallant and lamented DUCKWORTH with an
inadequate force to pass the DARDANELLES ! But
the British Squadron has done its duty, and
obeyed its orders with judgment ; we pass there-
fore to other points.
Of these, the CATHOT IC QUESTION is the most
prominent ; but is too ( xtensive fur animadver-
sion in the limits of this article. Yet the ques-
tion :night he comprised in a nut-shell. Every
Briton has a right to exercise all his powers for,
his own advantage, hut. subject to the general
good. He may do all that is good for himself,
but nothing prejudicial; to himself or to others.;
Beyond this principle We believe, no honest man
will go ; but this principle admits of limitations
to individual rights. In its application to Ca-1
tholic Claims, all parties appear agreed that
sogle limitations must exist. The question, there-.
fore, is now merely as .to the extent of limitation.
For. our own parts, we object not to the Catholics
baying such political rights and such political
power.: as they may exercise, without prejudice
to the PnoTesTANTlnterest and ASCENDANCY—
forsQumAry cannot exist without a contest for
su?-s:4tottrry; but these, we think, they already
pocsass to their fit/lest extent, and therqfore z;e
object to further concessiolt., conceiving also, that
anything we have now left to concede will only
enable teem
.to do us harm, without doing them-
selves any good. They suffer not from Reten-
tion, zchra wc mast encounter the risk of from
Conces•sion!

Irr•spiteof Whig Prophecies, the BANK, which
has for some time paid in .Buillon is nor aboUt
to pay in specie, to those who may.ask for it.
But we believe few will ask for guineas for home
circulation. But the WHIGS now cry out against
the return to Cash Payments, as one great cause
of national distress ; though ten years ago it was
their grand specific, along with Peace and. cheap
Corn! .Now, indeed, they are in distress as to
whether Gold or Silver shall be the standard of
value; but we are- happy•to relieve them from
that needless alarmi by stating the "simple fact,
that the Pot:No STERLING in cirolation and on
account, though imaginary, is and long has been
the only real standard between labour, corn, and
the precious- metals; and that the ONE POUND
BANK Noi'E is its representative !—a standard
never varying except upon a'general scale with
respect to all 'things, whilst labour, produce, or
coin, are subject not only to the grand general
fluctuation of relative value as to the Pound
Sterling, but also tOparticular and specific varia-
tions.imegard to each other, in the numerous
gradations and ramifications of political and social
economy.

The cry is still, to relieve Agricultural Dig-
_tress, by diminished expenditure and reduced
taxation. Now we ask, if the Taxes were to be
reduced TEN MILLIONS, mould not Corn fallin
proportion Besides, we can point out a readier
relief. Mr. CURWEN stated, and correctly too
we-believe, in the House, that one shilling per

Paris Papers of Thursday and Friday last
reached us this morning. The intelligence from'
Naples is extremely interesting, but it does not
come down later than the 13th ult., and has been
in a great measure, anticipated by the arrivals
last week direct from that capital. We have
given in another column the Proceedings of the
National Parliament Extraordinary. It is the
general opinion that the Letter. addressed by the
King of NAPLES to the PRINCE VICAR RECENT
will be voted by the Parliament as null and inva-
lid, since nothing, but the state of oppression
and moral captivity in which his MAJESTY
is held by the ALLIED SOVEREIGNS, could have
induced him to sign such a Letter, containing
sentiments in direct opposition to the principles
of Constitution, voluntarily conceded by His
MAJESTY, and which he has sworn on several
solemn occasions to preserve inviolate. Generals
CARASCOSA, FILANGIERI and PEPE, between
whom there existed some - differences, have
buried them in oblivion, and have, eagerly press-
ed forward in offering their services to the
PRINCE REGENT. It is said the troops of the
Line will be placed under the command of
General CARASCOSA, the Militia, the Legions.
and 'National Gurtrd under General P EPE , and
that General Fir. will resume the com-
mand of the Royal Guards, which will form the
4th corps, and leave the capital on' the 12th ult:
All the ,troops have taken the route Of Upper
Italy. The Neapolitan fleet sailed on the 12th
for Sicily, in order to transport to the continent
the troops in that island ; and after having
performed that service ' it will proceed to
the Adriatic and cruise off the port. of
Trieste, in order to prevent any reinforcements
or stores being sent to the Austrians from that
quarter. The movements of the Austrians have
produced the effect of uniting all classes of citi-
zens throughout
.the Sicilian States in one com-
mon interest,—the determination of opposing
with all their energies the invaders of their coun-
try,—and that even.the Palermitans have dropped
their pretensions to march against the com-
mon enemy. A very spirited Proclamation to
the Neapolitan army appeared in The Inde-
pendant on the I‘.2th, and on the same day
General PEPE addressed a Proclamation to the
Militia and Legionaries, in which he makes a
fresh and animated appeal to the Campanians,
Abruzians, Ispinians, Brutians, and Daunians,
inviting them to arm and equip themselves in de-
fence of their country. Naples is perfectly
quiet, and the people in every part 9f the Two
Sicilies appear to be inspired by the warmest
patriotism, and a determined resolution to make
every sacrifice in defence of their liberties and
Country. The conduct of his HOLINESS with
regard to the passage of the Austrian troops

throngh the Papal .States, is regarded by the
Neapolitans as tantamount to a declaration Jo
Ivar against Naples, and the force sent forward
by the Neapolitans, to :anticipate the arrival'of
the Austrians, and to- take possession of Roate,
has, it is reported, succeeded in its object.
—Private Letters,. from Rome of the 17th,
and Naples of the 15th ultimo, not only
corroborate this intelligence, but add that the
Austrian advanced , guard was attacked and
beaten by the Neapolitans on the 13th. The
second column of Austrian troops passed through
Florence on the 1 dth, and on the same day the
third column under. the command of Prince Hesse
Hombourg arrived. The Austrian Commander-
in-Chief-,General,Fatmoyr, was still at Florence
n the 17th.

Accounts from Vienna, of the 18th ult. state,
that the first Battalion of the Army was
expected in .a few days. The right wing of the
Army was to enter the. Neapolitan territory by
Rome and Terracina before the. 25th, and the
left wing would long,before that date be oppos-
ed to General PEPE, in the Abruzzi.
Madrid Papers of the 23d ult., mention the
assembling of. the Spanish Cortes on the 20th.
The Session was -opened on that day by a
Speech from the President of the Permanent
Deputation, in which he alluded to the pre-
sent political situation of Spain and of all
Europe, which, required the adoption of the
most energetic and vigorous measures. The cou
rier from Lay bad', who arrived in that capital on
the 18th, brought important dispatches. lt seems
the Allied Sovereigns demand the presence of a
Spanish Plenipotentiary' at the Congress,- and
that M. BARbAxt, a man of sound and energetic
principles, has been selected for this purpose, with
positive instructions not to consent to any modifica-
'tion of the Spanish Constitution. Several assassina-
tions have recently taken place at Madrid, which
have excited considerable agitation. The most
remarkable is that of Colonel CANALES« The
King of SPAIN is said to be sufficiently recovered
to transact business with his Ministers.

;FRENCLI FUNDS.

Feb. 28.—Five per Cents.
• Btnsk Stfick
Alarelt I.—Five per Cents B5 f. h 5 c.
Bank Stock • 1520 f. c.

Since writing the above we have received the
contents of French Papers, dated the ad inst.,
which will be found in another column—

The affairs of Naples, while they occupy the
deliberations of the Parliament, naturally claim a very consi-
derable share of attention throughout the Kingdom. This is no
matter of mere theoretical speculation—it is no queStion of
mere political economy ; but it is a subject which appeals
powerfully to the feelings, and comes home to the bosoms of
men. All Europe--all the civilized world is interested in the
progresS of the drama, of which,. it now appears evident, the
South of Italy will be the theatre. , After the convulsions which
have so long agitated Europe—after the struggles which have
shaken its various countries to their very centre, there is some-
thing' extremely awful in the , first renewal of war, the first re-
commencement of actual bloodshed--for who can tell what
course events may take at the present moment ? or who shall
predict how far they will extend in their ultimate consequences ?
Although the explosion of the earthquake be now confined to
Naples, are we sure that there are no other regions in which
the shock will eventually. be felt? Whatever we may our-
selves say at any time upern this- topic, we shall say without re-
spect of persons; on the..present occasion, however, we shall be
content with siinply stiitin.- the broad and immutable prin-
ciples which will fiirm the basis of our opinions. throughout the
whole of these momentous occurrences. The first of these prin-
ciples which. we shall lay down as a fundamental axiom of in-
ternational law is this, that no Nation has a right, under any
pretence, to interfere in the internal concerns of another; with-.
out its desire, 'orat least, its, expressed consent. We make the
proposition as wide as possible, because we believe that no Na-
tion is authorised go t.° the defence or assistance of another,
unless that Nation demands its assistance, or applies to it for
defence ; much less,- then, in general cases, is the right of ag-
gression and attack.justifiable or tenable. This, we think, is
tile great rule, which will' always be found the safest anti
most rational ; and, for our own parts, we would rather con-
sider any necessary departures from this principleas exceptions.
than as rules ; yet to this ruck, as to all others, there are un-
doubtedly exceptions. We shall state, therefore, as a second
axiom, that, where the internal arrangements of a State, or the
habits and dispositions of its inhabitants beeome a source of
real and imminent danger to surrounding countries; in that
case, the countries thus endangered have a right to interfere for
their own self-defence, or self-preservation. And this principle,
indeed, if accurately examined, is not different in its nature-
from the first, because, it immediately depends upon the esta-
blished right of
.all 'mankind to preserve themselves from in-
jury ; wind; may compel them, underparticular circumstances,
from the urgent necessity in which they are placed, to break
through the acknowledged maidins of general
.eqaity. We
would thus entirely exclude the notion of. any right of inter-
ference for the'phrpose of instituting or maintaining a favourite,
system of Government, however excellent in itself, and however
desirable its adoption iand we would utterly deny the claim
of interfering in the affairs of another Nation, unil'er the specious
pretext that this interference is made for its or, bei:ielit be-
cause, in the first place, every Nation nuts. i e supposed most
capable of judging what is beneficii.l to itself ; and, in , the se-
cond, little thanks can be reasonably expected either from na-
tion's or individuals, for doing them good against their
Here then are the two great j)rinciplesby which our views and
sentiments with respect to Naples will be regulated. In this
country, we imagine, their soundness will hardly be disputed ;
and we shall not therefore endeavour, as might easily be
done, to confirm them by farther argument and illustration ;
but hall proceed to apply them at once to the existing aspect of
Europe, as far as we are able to distinguish it. But we confess we
are still somewhat in the dark. We are confused by the. contra-
dietory accounts of the contending parties. Wecannot trust with
irnnlicit con fidenee either to theass nous of the Fes :hit Neapolitan
Ruilers, or to the statements of the Austrian Declaration. We
• know not the real character of the Revolution, or the real sentiments
of FERDINAND: we know not whether he was more under con-
,straint in- his own capital, or at Laybach his free agency might
be equally destroyed by the influenceof subjects, become more
powerful than himself; or by the authority and menaces of the
mighty Members of the Holy Alliance. We shall not, there-
fore, pretend to speak positively. 'We can only say, if the sect
of the Carbonari would disseininateprinciples,which are subver-
sive of order, and encourag- e institutions, which are dangerous
to all established Governments in Italy, or the other parts of
Europe, we must, indeed, wish that such endeavours should be
suppressed, but we shall yet continue to regret the manner in
which this object is now to be accomplished. But if it should
appear, on the other hand, that any number of Monarchs would
unite with a view of changing, by invasion and violence, the
government of other kingdoms under the pretence of preserving
what is called, in the vocabulary of,modern diplomatists, " the
: Monarchical principle ;" and if they would assume the right of
citing before their self-constituted Tribunal Sovereigns less
powerful, but as independent as themselves ; we have no hesi-
tation in affirming, that such a design is no less irricompntible
with political wisdom than with natural, justice ; and that such
a league is a conspiracy against the liberties of the world. Ap-
pearances, we really think, are More favourable at present to the
Rulers of Naples, than to the arbiters of I,Aybach : although
there are many things in this revolution, which we cannot rip-
prove, We must not confound it with the revelation in France, or
with. many 'others, which have been filled with sanguinary
horror, and robbery and oppression,-and murder.: and with re-
gard to the step of bringing FERDINAND to the Congress,
whence he is induced to write a letter to his son in direct-contra-
diction of his own solemn declaration,. before he left Naples, we
find in it,. prima facie, too striking a resemblance to some of the
very worst parts in the iniquitous system of NAPOLEON. If we
might venture toadvise such potent Mona.rchs'as the Emperors of
Austria and Russia, we would recommend to them to 'watch more
carefully the progress and developement of HUMAN OPINION.
Whatever their Courtiers and their Generals may suggest, they
cannot say to the spirit of liberty, " Thus far shalt thou 'go
and no farther." As well might the Courtiers of CAN tr TE tell
him, that he could retard the flowing; of the tide, and that the
waves of the ocean would retire at ins bidding. These Sove-
reigns, if they are wise, will attempt to regulate and direct the
spirit of freedom, but not to resist or counteract it. Let them
look at Spain and Portugal---let them look beyond Europe—det

them look at South America, at the Island of Madeira, anti
then let them look to themselves ; let them look at the Constitu-
tion of their own Empires, at the disposition of their own sub-
jects, and judge, when they seek to crush liberty, if there be no
danger of a re-abtion. From these potentates we turn with plea-
sure to our own Senate. M'esce the trueliritish abhorrence of
oppresSion existing in all its vigour. Whatever shades of dif-
ference there may be, on the general question all were unani-
mous :. the friends of the Ministry, and the adherenrstof the Op-
position, have been equally energetic in the expression of. their
sentiments. In fact, on such a subject Englishmen, rather feel,
than reason : and.perhaps, inssuch cases, feeling is better than
reasoning. Our Government has determined to -preserve a strict
neutralit.l in conformity to their original declaration to the Con-
gress at rrOppau : and a wiser course of conduct it could not
have adopted. We certainly cannot praise the consistency of
those politicians, who, while they complain bitterly of the cala-
mities and exhaustion of the country, would engage it in the new
war, which is probably, at this very moment, raging in the South
of Italy. As to its event we shall form no predictions. We are
too well aware of the. futility of political prophecies. This, how.-
ever, we may safely state : the degree of resistance made by,the.
Neapolitans will be no bad criterion, whether the Revolution has
been the work of the Elation, or of a sect. Nothing but a genuine,
enthusiasm among all ranks will be sufficient to resist the, nume....
zous and disciplined veterans, who will be brought against them.
We wait, not without anxiety, for farther information : we still_
entertain a faint hope, that no great quantity of blood will be
shed in this unhappy quarrel. • Our first wish is, that the whole.
of Europe should repose in peace : but if this wish mist be
frustratc:d by the folly of Revolutionists, or the despotism of
Monarchs, and the Continent must be precipitated into another
war, our second is, that England at least may neither engage in
its tumults, nor the visied by'its calamities.

We received the following, article from a very
respectable quarter on Saturday, but too late for
insertion even in a Second Edition.—We do not
see a confirmation of it in any of the Morning
Papers :
" By advices just received, we hear that the
Neapolitans have entered Rome, have been joy-
fully received, and joined by the people.—This
movement of the Romans, it is expected, will
give a different aspect to the war. Great tnaga-
zines have fallen into the hands of the Neapo-
litans."

It Is very generally reported, that the King
of SIRDINIA has refused to join the Allied
Powers, and that there is a great probability
that he will assist the. Neapolitans.
COLONIAL TimnEtt.,--If the Government are
impolitic enough to sacrifice the Shipping In-
terest and the. Colonies to redeem any indiscreet
pledge which may have been given to the Prus-
sian or any other Foreign Minister, they cannot-
do it more .effectually than by -taking off' ten
„shillings per load from the present Duties (in
Foreign Wood, and by imposing a Duty of ten
shillingsper load on Colonial Wood, which will
be equal to a direct tax of thirtj shillings per
loud on Colonial Timber, and will completely
destroy the competition in the market, which -
has been so beneficial to the•general consumer.
PUBLI9 MEETINGS.—Mr. BARING;, according
to the reports of his speech on Friday • night im
the House, is said to have expressed his opinion
of PUBLIC MEETINGS in the following terms :
",No person stood any chance of success, as a
popular -candidate for those places, unl'ess he
could condescend to talk such nonsense:,, and
to use such language, as he would be ashanwd to
hear of- aguliz, or indeed to uae, in talking of the
same subjects in any other place—not only in the
society "of Gentlemen, but among En;2;lishmen
possessed of common sense."—if this be a faith-
ful report of the Member's Speech, it may be said
that he possesses more -judgment .and candour
than most of his Party.

A Lisbon Mail arrived last nigfii•t,. with Papers
to the 25th last. The Cortes had been for some
days occupied with the discussion of the basis
of the new Constitution, which had met :with
littleopposition.

A Mail from Jamaica has arrived. The Duke
of MANCHESTER had so, far recovered frorw his
late severe. accident as to be able to appear in
person in the House- of Assembly on the Bth of
January,. when Addresses of Congratulation were
presented to him by the Council and Assembly_
Mr. FINLAYSON moved, that, as a mark of re-
spect, a present of one hundred guineas be pre-
sented by the House to each 'of the four Phy-
sicians who attended the Duke. The Motion
was. carried unanimously. His Grace, being in-
formed the business of the Session had terminated,
then prorogued the. House to February 13.
•A Messenger arrived at Lord CASTLEREAGH'S
Office on Saturday, with dispatches from Sir
A'CouRT, at Naples. Ile was also
the bearer of dispatches from Admiral Sir GRA-.
HAM MOORE. •

The QUEEN, we understand, has consented to
receive the 50,0001. a year, voted for her main-
tenance and support by Parliament. it is to
commence from the sth of January, 14320.—11er
MAJ EiT Y has paid 15,0001'. for Carabridge House,
by a draft on Messrs. COUTTS and Co.—(il/Ooz-
ing Paper.)
hlis Grace the Duke of RICIIMONA'S recovery
is g-radual., and it is sincerely hoped it will be
lasting. His Grace will, agreeably to medical ad-
vice, remain withia doors till, the arrival of a
milder season-.

• The Petition from the LAITY of Leicester
against the Roman Catholic Bill is, we find,
,most numerously and respectably signed,. and
comprises almost all the Magistracy, and a large
proportion of the freernert_of the County.
The success of Mr. PLuNkErr's Motion rela-
tive to Catholic. Emancipation, instead of allay-
ing the apprehensions of the Protestants of every
denomination, will, 'we are confident, only
quicken them hi their exertions, by Petitions to
Parliament, to set forth the fundamental and
often repeated objections, which still continue to
exist against this measure,_ and to use every
means in their pow4r to stop its further progress.
When we recollect how numerously the last Pe-
titions sent up from Bristol on this subject were
signed, we-are confident that many days will not
elapse ere similar efforts are made, and similar
• steps adopted.—(Bristol Journal.) _
THEATRICAL FAcT.—During the representa-
tion of Toni Thumb—not at the Mansion House
last week—but on Saturday at Covent-Garden,
just after Queen Dollalolla retires at the close of
her bravura, when Doodle whispers in the King's
ear " Her Majesty is in a passion," arid Arthur
answers " Her Majesty .be d—," some ,few in
the Gallery thought proper to- feel offended at
this dramatic licence, and to hiss ! The House,
however, did not join in this disapprobation, but ,
instantly burst forth in a torrent of clapping that
plainly. spoke 7—" Good Lord ! how things are
altered !"