The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-04 00:00:00

ORIENTAL METHOD OF MAKING

SCAGLIOLA.

The greatest attention is paid to the art of manu-
facturing scagliola, or imitation marble, by the natives
of the East Indies, who, for their finer cements, which
are capable of receiving a most exquisite polish, use
ghee (butter in its oily state), oils, jaggery, and other
to us expensive ingredients. At Madras fifteen bushels
of pit sand well sifted are added to fifteen bushels of
stone lime; this is slaked in the common manner, and
so laid two or three days together. Twenty pounds
of coarse sugar or molasses is dissolved in water, and
the mortar is sprinkled with the liquor, which is then
beat up together and well incorporated, and after-
wards let to lie in a heap. A peck of gram (similar
in nature to our coarse gray pea) is then boiled to a
jelly, and the liquor strained and preserved. A peck
of mirabolans is also boiled, and the liquor set aside ;
the three waters are then added together. The
mortar beaten up, and, when too dry, sprinkled with
this liquor, proves remarkably good for laying bricks
or stone, keeping some of the liquor always at hand
for the workman to wet his bricks with. For very
strong work tow is incorporated with the mortar.
Of this the natives make many architectural orna-
ments, such as columns, arched work and imagery,
besides using it for common building purposes. For
finer works, to every half bushel the white of five or
six eggs and four ounces of ghee, or ordinary salted
butter, and a pint of butter-milk beaten all well
together; mix a little of the mortar with this, till the
ghee, butter-milk, and white of eggs be soaked up ;
then soften the rest well with plain fresh water, and
so mix all together, and let it be ground, a trowel-full
at a time, on a stone with a stone roller. When used,
in case it be too dry, moisten it with some water, or
the before-mentioned liquors.—The Builder.

Sir R. Peel acknowledges the receipt of 161. 12s.
6d. on account of " Unclaimed income-tax for eighteen
months."
how FRIGATE.—We understand that our towns-
man, Mr. Napier, has been commissioned by Government
to build an iron frigate for the Navy, of 1,800 tons bur-
then, and that Mr. Napier is about to do so at his new
and extensive works at Govan, near Glasgow. This will
be the first frigate built on the Clyde, and we have ao
doubt that Mr. Napier will make her one of the best that
ever entered her Majesty's service.—Scatck Reformer's
Gazette.

ADULT BAPTISM.—On Wednesday evening a lady
was publicly baptised at Christ Church, Liverpool, in
the presence of a large congregation, by the Rev. Field-
ing Ould, who preached a sermon appropriate to the
occasion. The baptism was by immersion in a large
vessel of water, placed near the reading-desk.
The improvidence of many of our great landowners
is such, that every year they become less able to make a
stand. Who would believe that any of the nobles who
have had the honour to receive her Majesty as a guest,
should find it necessary to raise a large sum—rumour
says as much as 100,000 L—on his estates, very recently.
--Cheltenham Looker-on.
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.— WOOLWICH, FEB. 1.--
HEN MAJESTY'S STEAM YACHT TEE BLACK EAGLE.--
After a series of trials (completed this day), of Mr.
Samuel Hall's smoke consuming apparatus, as applied to
one of the boilers of 130-horse power of this vessel, it
has been found so satisfactory (although Newcastle coal
was used), that it is ordered to be applied to the other
boiler. Each boiler having a separate chimney caused
the contrast between the consumption and non-consump-
tion of smoke to be very striking.

INCENDIARY FIRS.--On Monday evening, &bolt-
seven o'clock, the farming premises contiguous to the -
mansion of John Maryon Wilson, Esq., were discovered •
to be on fire. It broke out in a cart shed, in which there
had been no occasion to use a candle. A messenger be-
ing despatched to Dunmow, the powerful new engine
quickly reached the spot, and subsequently that from the
Roothings, by which means, aided by .a plentiful supply
of water from the canal, the extensive premises were
saved, and also the dwelling-house, which, being nearly
attached, must otherwise have come to the ground. The
a waggon, several
conflagration was entirely mastered by about half-past
eleven. The :property consumed consisted of the cart.
shed where the fire originated, a haulm stack, the roof
heonewrgoerkti
ecdthe were
engines
were often for some time standing knee
partcoafrtand
of afarlmoninggriamngpelemoefnststa. stabling,
whole was insured.
,
Damage supposed to be about SOO/. The labourers be-
haved rtthai lty,
thosead sow
s erivnte d most
t 0
do P
theirrai sbeews t°, h
deep in water.
Not the slightest doubt is entertained that
it
was ma-
liciously set on fire.—Chelmsford Chroniele
THE ADDRESS.—Parliament will b '
Queen in person on Tuesday e.opened by the
next; and, although the
contents of the royal speech are a matter of strict
official secresy until it is
the Parliamentary read to the Members present at
dinners given by the Ministerial
leaders in the Lords and Commons, on the eve of its de-
livery from the throne,
policy of
enough is known in the proesat
Government to enable us to say
that no amendment to o t
o the Address will be moved in
either House, unless, indeed, Mr. Williams, of Coven? 7,
in the ingenuity of his habitual discontent, should im-
provise one for the torment of his auditors. The an-
nouncements of Sir Robert Peel at the close of
last session have led the public to expect that her
Majesty's speech will contain some gratifying recom-
mendations on the expediency of affording increased
means for the extension of education among all salaam
of her subjects in Ireland, and that it may not leave un.
noticed the very inadequate provision now made for the
maintenance of an establishment exclusively devoted to
the education of persons destined to be the religions in-
structors of a most important section of her people in
that country. The royal speech will, we have no doubt,
in all respects breathe such a spirit of kindliness and
conciliation towards our Irish fellow-citizens as must in-
sure a most cordial response from all sane politicians.
The other portions of the Ministerial programme will be
so shadowed forth as to give no tangible groundt for oh-
jection, affording to all parties the
tehte pleasing duty
of
"2.
curring in an unanimous address to rale for
h whilst at the same time each Mara-
her gracious speech .
her reserves to himself the full right of canvassing those
specific measures which the Minister may afterward'
submit to Parliament, both as to their principle and day
tails. The Opposition leaders will, therefore ,offer no
amendment,—Observer.

DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF
NASSAU.
FRANKFORT, JAN. 29.—The death of the Duchess of
Nassau, daughter of the Emperor of Russia, is announced
by the Wiesbaden corresponden t of the Frankfurter Journal
in the following terms:—" It is our melancholy duty to
announce an event which has plunged his Highness the
Duke and the entire country into the deepest sorrow.
Yesterday afternoon, the 27th, her Imperial Highness
the Duchess Elizabeth, Archduchess of Russia, was de-
livered of a female child, still-born, and early the next
morning her Imperial Highness expired under a severe
attack of spasms at the heart." The Cologne Gazette
also announces the same melancholy event, and adds
that her Highness waa born on the 26th of May, 1826,
and married on the 31st of January, 1844. Her death
will be another heavy affliction for her Imperial father.

BELGIUM.

DEFEAT OF THE OPPOSITION-TRIUMPH OF
THE MINISTRY.

BaussELs, FEB. I.—Ministers have triumphed. Last
night it was decided, by a majority of 65 to 22, that no
address should be presented to his Majesty, praying for
the dismissal of the members of the present Adminis-
tration.
Yesterday a petition was presented to the Chamber of
Representatives on the part of Mr. Richards, in which
he set forth the result of the inquiry instituted by him
and by Mr. Hunter,% respecting the pecuniary resources
of the Entre Sambre and Meuse Railway, whose names
were published by Mr. Taylor, and to whom reference
was made in your paper of last Thursday. M.
Zeude stated that it had beea ascertained by Messrs.
Richards and Taylor that many of the shareholders were
unknown to the commercial world, to the Post-office, to
the letter-carriers, and even in the streets where they
had taken up their residence. He asserted that they
were in general coffeehouse-keepers and writers. The
lion. Gentleman moved that the result of the inquiry
made by order of Messrs. Richards and Taylor should be
inserted in the Moniteur. M. Rodenbach remarked that
the country would derive benefit from the competition of
the two English companies. He supported Mr. Taylor,
because that gentleman did not require the guarantee of
a 3 per cent. minimum of interest. Moreover the Com-
pany formed by Mr. Taylor had announced their inten-
tion of depositing a security of a million or half a million
of francs. The document alluded to was finally ordered
to be inserted in theiSloniteur.—Morning Paper.

STEEPLE CHASE MATCH AT TIIIRSK.—On Tues-
day afternoon, the 21st inst., a steeple chase match, for
100 soya. a side, was run between Mr. Dawson's,
of Sowerby, br h Highthorne, and Mr. Reynard's
Hog-green, near Ripon, b h The Hawk. High-
thorne was steered by Mr. W. Scott, the steeple chase
Cider of London, while The Hawk was rode
by his gallant owner. The interest excited by this
match, far exceeded that of any steeple chase
hitherto run at Thirsk. The start took place in a
large grass field. Betting was two to one in favour of
the Hawk, whose condition was considered much
superior to that of his competitor. The " go" being
given, the Hawk went off with the lead, over the
first and second fences, but took the third a little
too much to the left, which mistake gave him three
additional fences to clear before ho could get into the
direct line. His superior speed, however, soon made up
the loss, and he went on with the lead to the Mile-house,
a few lengths only separating him from Scott, who was
evidently acting on the waiting system, as his horse
was not only deficient in condition, but overpaced.
After a mile and a half had been run, Scott's horse
showed strong symptoms of distress. A little beyond
the Mile-house Scott again obtained an advantage for
his tiring nag, by bearing more to the left than the
Hawk into some large fields ; by this he avoided
three or four fences which the Hawk had to take
in choosing. his line across some smaller field. The
Hawk, followed close in the wake by Scott, again
took up the running after turning round the flag.
But again, as ill-luck would have it, by going too
much to the left, he was thrown among the smaller
fields, which Scott again avoided by shaping his
course more to the right ; by this manoeuvre he
saved his Row blown horse the trouble of jumping
nearly a dozen fences. Both were again nearly
parallel, though going on apparently different
routes, each taking his fences in excellent style,
until they came into the starting field, when, to
Mr. Reynard's surprise, lie found Scott was a little
ahead of him. A most. animating race now commenced
for the gap, which Scott gallantly led through and
racing towards the last fence, which both took
nearly at the same time ; in jumping this the
Hawk lost a couple of lengths by taking it too
much to the left. Scott, meantime, steering his horse,
straight as an arrow, landed him safely; and now the
final tug came, and at it both went as fast as their gal-
lant nags could carry them. The judge's fiat was a dead
heat, but the general opinion was that Scott had won by
a neck.—Tyne Mercury.
INCENDIARY FIRE.—Oa Monday night, about ten
o'clock, a fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Horne,
of Marston, by which a barn, containing wool and
clover seed, a rick of beans, a rick of hay, a quantity
of wheat and other straw, and a variety of barn imple-
ments were destroyed. The amount of damage of Mr.
Horne's property is about 3001., but we are happy
to say he is insured. The damage to the buildings
is to a great amount ; but here again, fortunately
an insurance has been effected. Two men have confessed
being the guilty parties, and have been fully committed
to take their trial at the assizes. One of them is a car-
penter's apprentice, named Mark Compton, and about
eighteen years of age ; the other is a farm labourer,
named Christopher Nichols. Compton has also confessed
that he is the person who fired the stacks of Mr. Rose,
in the same parish.— lViltsliire Independent.
TSE DOra " TRACT FOB THE TIMES."—We are
gratified to learn that signatures to the requisition
for a formal condemnation of the Tract, No. 90, are
rapidly pouring in. Yesterday one only of the
Reverend Gentlemen who have consented to receive
authorities to subscribe the requsition had by post no
less than seventy-seven letters from members of Con-
vocation, requesting him to affix the names of the
writers, and there can be no doubt that the names of a
great majority of the members of Convocation will be
subscribed before the 13th. No time, however, ought
to be lost, because the more prompt and the more
abundantly signed the requisition, the more confidence
will the Hebdomadal Board have in its wise and
manly course. IWe have already mentioned that Dr.
Faussett, the Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, and
Dr. Ellerton, Professor of Theology, will receive sub-
scriptions at Oxford ; so that all the members of Con-
vocation have to do, is to write to one or other of the
Reverend Gentlemen ; but this ought to be done at
once.—Church and Stxte Gazette.

We learn from a late number of the Portafoglio
Maltese, that a young countrywoman of ours, Miss
Emma Bingley, has made the most brilliant debut at
Malta, in the character of Amine, in the Sonnambula.
Miss Bingley is a pupil of Pasta—a title which carries
with it an awful degree of responsibility—but which, ac-
cording to our authority, she maintained with the utmost
credit to herself. Her voice is rich, melodious, and ex-
tensive, and formed in the very best school. " Scarcely
had she concluded her first cavatina," continues the
above-mentioned journal, " when a unanimous burst of
applause echoed through the house—not the mere en-
couraging plaudits that welcomed the youthful aspirant
on her entry—but the homage awarded to an artist of
real merit. The same success attended all her effJrts
throughout the piece." Amen! say we, and proud do
we feel that the fair vocalist should have succeeded
amongst Italians without the addition of ini to her name
—a problem, by the bye, far more difficult to resolve
amongst her own countrymen.—The Pandora.
BRIGHTON PAVILION.—Their Royal Highnesses
the Princess Royal, Princess Alice, and the infant Prince
Alfred arrived at the Pavilion on Saturday, accompanied
by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton and Colonel Bouvcrie
(Equerry in Waiting to Prince Albert). The royal chil-
dren travelled to Brighton by railway, arriving at the
terminus of the London and Brighton Railway shortly
before one o'clock, haying been exactly an hour and a
quarter travelling from New-cross. The special train
which conveyed the royal party was attended by two of
the directors of the railway (Mr. Nash and Mr. Wigan),
and the engine was driven by Mr. W. Cubitt. The mo-
ment of their arrival in Brighton was announced by a
royal salute from the battery, and a merry peal struck
up from the bells of St. Nicholas, on the tower of which,
as well as from other public edifices, the royal
standard was immediately hoisted. In the evening some
of the royal tradesmen illuminated their houses. Yes.
terday (Sunday) morning the Princess Royal and Prin-
cess Alice were taken out for an airing on the Cliff, in a
close carriage. About 200 of the Scots Fusiliers ar-
rived by rail on Friday evening, to do palace duty. They
will remain here during the stay of the royal children,
and likewise of her Majesty and Prince Albert, who,
secordin& to present arrangements, will arrive at Brigh-
ton by railway next Saturday.
ABOLITION OF TR& SPY STCTEM AT TILE POST-
OFFICE.—On Thursday last much surprise was prevalent
at the various departments of the General Post-office, in
consequence of an order from the Postmaster-General,
in pursuance of a communication from the Secretary at
the Home-office, for the abolition of the Board where
the practice existed of opening the letters of persons sus-
pected of having treasonable intentions against this and
foreign Governments. This Board (which was presided
over by Mr. Beade, of the foreign letter department, who
had under him a few confidential clerks), was established
uyLpolent during the Pitt Administration. In the
course
the last session of Parliament it will be recol-
lected that some motions were brought before the House
by Mr. Duncombe, the Member for Finsbury, in conse
quencemsziai of the
eethbedeiscovery that a letter written by Mr.
not beinl ened. It is supposed that the Go-
vernment,
agitated, have
resolvedtodesirousta have the subject again
abolish the office previous to
the meeting of Parliament— Observer.
His Excellency the tg`reevneeah Aetar.bassador and the.
Countess de St. Aulaire
ManchestersplendidH entertainment
on Saturday evening, at
Ex-
cellency the Turkish Ambassador, hsi;eEnixsohcuelleiincylliPsrinc
Casteleicala, his Excellency the
Portuguese
and
his Excellency the
Duchess Sotomayor,
Minister and Baroness Moncorvo, 116 Excellency
Vanish Minister and Countess Reventlow, his Excellency
11,1. Van der Weyer, his Excellency Mr. Murphy, his 7
Excellency Count Pollon, his Excellency the New Gra-
nada Minister and Madame Mosquara, the Countess of
Tankerville, and Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, were
among the guests of his Excellency and Countess; also
Count and Countess &Harcourt, Count le Grange, and
M. Rubandy. The Countess received a small circle after
dinner, including his Excellency Count Dietrichatein,
Countess Flahault, the Earl of Shelburne, &c.
His Excellency the French Ambassador, the Duke
of Buccleuch, Sir Robert Peel, Sir James Graham, his
Excellency the Turkish Ambassador, his Excellency the
Duke of Sotomayor, his Excellency M. Van der Weyer,
and Mr. Harcourt, were among the guests of his Ex-
cellency Mr. Everett (the American Minizter), on Tri-
flay evening.

SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM TUB DAILY PAPERS OF YESTERDAY.
GLOBE.—As the Parliamentary -session ap-
proaches, rumours of a more liberal policy in the
government of Ireland become rife. This and other
scarcely less important matters of national interest
have raised public curiosity—to ascertain the reality
of what now rests only on surmise—to a pitch higher
than has been recently manifested. The Royal Speech,
at the opening of Parliament to-morrow, is therefore
the point toward which the public anxiety is directed.
That official proramme of the Government policy
will indicate, if 'it do not explain, the course which
Ministers mean to pursue with reference to some
of the great questions concerning which men have
been speculating and disputing in the dark during
the last six months. The few short sentences
comprised in the Speech from the Throne will
shed light upon the darkness. In proportion as
that revelation of the future tends to raise
or depress the classes who have endeavoured to
force an illiberal and restrictive policy on the Go-
vernment, will be the predominance of satisfaction
or of discontent in the public mind. The Irish Tories
have recently exhibited increased anxiety and alarm.
The Anti-National Education party, which comprises
the High-Churchmen, both clerical and laical, have
deemed it necessary to assume a bold front, and
to protest in a decisive tone, and in most explicit
language, against the system of education which the
state sanctions and supports—because the only
one of which the Roman Catholic population can
avail itself. We alludel lately to the manifesto of the
nine Bishops of the Irish Church, in which they
record their decided hostility to the Government
plan of education, and appeal to the clergy and laity
for their support and aid in counteracting the
Anti-Protestant effects of that system. Such
an appeal could not be made in vain. The
Irish clergy in several districts have responded
to the call. Addresses have been drawn up and
signed by a considerable number of the Irish
clergy, and presented to the Archbishop of Armagh.
In these addresses the clergy deplore the necessity
which is laid upon them thus publicly to condemn
the conduct of the Government. But, seeing no
other alternative, they determine to make com-
mon cause with the Heads of their Church; and
promise to employ their influence to counteract
the dangers with which the policy of the State
threatens the Protestant Church of Ireland. The
Church has induced the influential members of its
communion to unite with it in this movement against
the Government. The leaders of the Orange and
Tory party met on Thursday last in Dublin, and
agreed upon an address to the Archbishop of Armagh.
In this document they pledge themselves to em-
ploy every means to induce her Majesty's Mi-
nisters to abandon the National System of Educa-
tion ; and to adopt, in its stead, one in consonance
with the views of the clergy of the Pro-
testant Established Church. This address is signed
by seventeen Peers of Parliament, and by twenty-
eight of the Irish Tory Members of the House of
Commons. The Archbishop has replied in grateful
terms to the address ; from which he predicates suc-
cess in his efforts to attain the object so dear to his
heart, and to that of every true Protestant. What-
ever may be thought of the sentiments embodied
in these documents, there can be no question that
the combined movement whence they emanate must
greatly embarrass Ministers in preparing and bring-
ing before Parliament any measures of liberal edu-
cational policy for the Roman Catholic population
of Ireland. If an assault so formidable is threa-
tened upon the existing National System of Educa-
tion in that country, the same hostile influences
will be brought to bear against any plans for pro-
pitiating the Roman Catholic population. If the
Irish Tories thus object to things that are, they will
yet more strongly oppose further proofs of liberality.
If the Government contemplate an increase of the
means now possessed for educating the Catholic
clergy, or in any other way endeavour to raise their
personal character, and thus extend their social in-
fluence, they must prepare themselves for a deter-
mined and combined opposition from their own
friends. The present High-Church demonstration
against the Government system of education is evi
dently prompted by apprehensions—whether with or
without cause we have yet no means of knowing—that
Sir R. Peel has become impressed with the necessity
of conciliating the Irish people ; and that he can only
do this by concessions on a comprehensive scale. The
tactics of the Tories are therefore distinguished
by boldness. They have determined on a decla-
ration of war. Instead of waiting for further
provocations, they have chosen the Govern-
ment system of education as a casus belli; and
demand its unconditional surrender as the terms of
peace. It is obvious that if the Government yield to
this demand, it cannot propose any new scheme of Irish
policy, conceived in the same spirit, or having the same
tendency ; for it would be abandoned by those on whose
votes official existence is dependent. Even if the Go-
vernment determine to take its stand on the National
System of Education, and to defend it against those who
have banded for its destruction, there will be an in-
disposition to provoke the Irish Protestant party by
further concessions to the Roman Catholics in that
country. Thus, the real purpose of the confederation
will be answered. It may fail of getting the education
of the Catholic people into the hands of the Church ;
but they will succeed in preventing further incursions
of a liberal policy into what they manifestly regard as
their established, rightful possessions.
STANDARD.—The Morning Herald gives an
account of the Ministerial arrangements—and we
have reason to believe that the account is not only
correct in its details, but complete, as regards the
arrangements at present determined on. The
appointments speak for themselves—as many
of them as have been guessed at, have met
with universal approbation, and the others are
r certainly as free from all objection. In this, as
in most other respects, the Government appears
to satisfy the wishes of the reasonable men of all
parties. We do not indeed remember the eve of a
Parliamentary session so promising of a calm and
useful Parliamentary year as the present. The
Whig party has absolutely disappeared from the
scene, and even the Radicals have contracted their
force within a very minute circle, and seem
to be improving in good sense, as their numbers di-
minish. It is symptomatic of the public confidence
in the Government and the Parliament, that men
scarcely speak, or think, or write of anything cons
nected with the progress of legislation. On this day,
the last day of the recess, the Morning Chronicle, the
great -Whig organ, entertains its readers with dis-
sertations on the state of the Conservative party in
France, and upon the proper boundaries to bemaintained
between the two great branches of the profession of
the law—counsel and attorneys. The pendulous
Times discusses harbours of refuge in an article
nearly all borrowed, not to say pirated, from a
morning Contemporary. The Herald exposes misre-
presentations of the new official arrangements, and
the Post engages in a controversy with Lord John
Russell upon the taxation of machinery and the
Malthusian theory. These matters are all very
well, but we believe that never before on the eve of
a session were the public journals occupied by sub-
jects so miscellaneous and so little connected with
the conflict of Parliamentary parties. These in-
dications of a quiet and useful session may be,
however, fallacious; there is no knowing what may
turn up ; another " Who is the traitor ?" case—
or another " Mr. Stockdale's case" may turn up to
consume the public time—and experience shows
that the House of Commons always engages with
such cases the more earnestly, the more trum-
pery they are. Meanwhile, the enemies of the
Administration affect much apprehension of Sir
Robert Peel's unsupported position, as they affect
to consider the situation of the Premier since Lord
Stanley'S removal to the House of Lords and
Mr. Gladstone's retirement. This tenderness to-
wards a political adversary is no doubt amiable
—but is it not a little too sensitive ? No one will
underrate the value of such allies in debate as Lord
Stanley and Mr. Gladstone, but is the session of 1835
forgotten—that session when, altogether unaided
b 7 Lord Stanley, and deriving little help from Mr.
Gladstone—then a very young man—Sir Robert
Peel was able to fight his battle single-handed
against a majority, and not only to fight the battle,
but confessedly to gain the victory, as far as the
mere debate was concerned ? Will he be less able
to maintain his ground with a majority of more than
one hundred at his back, and with the help of such
seconds as Sir W. Follett, Sir J. Graham, and many '
others who could not render him, in 1835, the assist-
ance which they can DOW aflbrd. The truth, how-
ever,
is, that all this supposed necessity for a corps of
debaters to support a Ministry is absurd, except in
extreme cases. What has Sir Robert Peel to defend
that he cannot defend ? or what proposition has the
Premier to make that he cannot himself make 1
with full force and effect ? If, however, the
mere exertion of standing and speaking should
be thought too much for a single Minister, let
us in the name of common sense remember who
are the persons to be answered—Lord Pal-
merston, Lord J. Russell, Mr. Macaulay. 'Why,
there is not a Conservative Club or a Conservative
Operative Society in . the United Kingdom, that
would not produce half-a-dozen better speakers
than any of the three, whatever these Whigs may
be as writers, and even in that their pre-
tensions are not very high; and how can
it be doubted that of the more than
four hundred gentlemen by whom Sir Robert
Peel is supported, forty, at the very lowest estimate,
joahl (e
John
Russell,better
and
arineon,ergstualitortdo m debaters
Mr. thanA Ia
cLorda
;Macaulay.?
lay
?P a
Il t-
has been we know the practice (more particularly of
Conservative Administrations) to get through the
public business in the House of Commons as much as
possible in a business-like way, and that
that House has in consequence lost much
of its sold character of a theatre of oratorical die-

play. This is on the whole a great improvement ;
but out of it has grown a system of mono-
poly among the few men who unite some ac-
quaintance with official forms to the smallest pos-
sible amount of talent as speakers. Now this, as far
as it goes, is perhaps rather convenient than other-
wise, but the thing becomes ridiculous when we
are told that, of more than four hundred Members of
the hionse, not more than half•a-dozen are compe-
tent to support a Minister. The next session, if we
are not mistaken, will tell a different story ; or
rather a week will not pass, before it shall be seen
that Sir Robert Peel can rally an efficient body of
debaters.

TIMES.—We trust that no obstacles arising from
official supineness, or from a misplaced economy, will
prevent the Government from bringing before Parlia-
ment, with the least possible delay, a system of public
works on the south eastern coast, based on the interest-
ing report of the Commissioners for examining into the
harbours of refuge on that portion of our shores. It
would be a disgraceful neglect, and a culpable impru-
dence, if we were to leave undone all those works of
defence, which every other Power in Europe has been
carrying on with the utmost activity and intelligence
during the whole peace. What answer could be
made by those to whom the care of our national
interests is entrusted, if, on the sudden outbreak of
war, we were to find our coasts almost as ill-de-
fended on land as the shores of China by their sham
forts ; and were then suddenly called upon to de-
vote large sums of money to works which can only
be properly constructed with all the advantages of
peace ? Can we, who have made so great an use of
the new power which steam has introduced into mari-
time affairs, forget that it may be used against ourselves?
Or are we to wrap ourselves in a foolhardy incredulity
of a danger which is growing under our own eyes ? One
would suppose that such indifference on so momentous
a subject WAS altogether impossible, if we did not know
that six years have already elapsed since a former report
was made on the same subject, and that the great states-
men who have filled the office of Lord Warden of the
Cinque Ports, from Mr. Pitt to the Duke of Wellington,
have laboured in vain to put even Dover in a proper
state of defence. The last ten years of the war, and the
state of comparative security we have enjoyed since the
first five years of this century, have lulled to sleep not only
men's fears but their prudence ; yet it is obvious that
if a war should break out between France and this coun-
try, we should have to deal with such a navy as that
Power has never possessed since the battle of Trafalgar,
disposing moreover of means for carrying on furtive ope-
rations on the coast which were utterly unknown till some
years after the peace. In addition to her strength in ships,
and to the improvement of her crews and the excellent
education of her naval officers, France has achieved the
great object of her ambition for more than a century in
the creation of the vast fortified Channel harbour of
Cherbourg. Another plan has more recently been pro-
posed for the formation of a similar harbour near
Boulogne, by constructing another prodigious break-
water on the shoal or sand to the north of that port,
known under the name of the Bassune, which would
afford anchorage and shelter for a fleet of steamers or
privateers within a couple of hours of the coast of Kent.
And there can be little doubt that in the present temper
of the French Chambers an expenditure of money which
is supposed to strengthen the country against England
would be voted with enthusiasm. Fortunately for us,
the outlay required for the harbours recommended by
the Commissioners in their recent report is equally well
spent, whether it be for peace or for war. These
stations are needed in the first place as harbours
of refuge to the innumerable vessels engaged in
the coasting trade, or endeavouring to make
their way, often in the teeth of contrary winds, from the
Downs to the Channel. The protection of our shipping,
and consequently of life as well as property, ought
alone to recommend such measures to the immediate at-
tention of Government ; but when it is added that the
very same stations are urgently required fur the protec-
tion of the kingdom itself, there is not an Englishman
who does not feel that not a moment is to be lost. The
whole expense of the proposed harbours at Dover, Sea-
ford, Portland, and Harwich is under three millions
and-a-half, a sum which, however considerable in itself,
bears a very small proportion to the amount of capital
which these harbours may save from destruction, or to
the evil, loss, and disgrace of an attack on the coast.
With a view to the naval forces which may be collected
at Cherbourg—now the most considerable position of the
naval strength of France in the northern seas, especially
with reference to our southern coasts and our
Channel trade, the improvement of the station,
commanding Portland Race, is of the utmost import-
ance. The width of the Channel from the Cape de la
Hogue to Porland Bill scarcely exceeds fifty miles.
But a still more useful position for our shipping and
cruisers, capable of resisting any surprise, might be
formed in the island of Alderney, within seven miles of
the French coast. The extraordinary activity displayed
by the French Government in carrying on the works of
Cherbourg renders it an imperious duty for the British
Government to make the most of the Channel Islands ;
and of these Alderney is best adapted by nature and po-
sition to become a strong naval station. The point
more immediately before us, however, is the necessity
of carrying into effect with the utmost promptitude the
recommendations of the Harbour Commissioners. We
do not effect to discuss tho relative merits of the schemes
proposed on scientific grounds,—that duty rests with the
civil and military engineers, upon whom also lies the
responsibility of the selection ; but the public import-
ance and the political necessity of putting these schemes
into execution are so obvious, that we trust the Govern-
ment is prepared to anticipate, rather than to obey, the
demands of the country.AThe inclosure of Dover Bay
may be retarded for another year, until the completion
of the experiments recommended by the Commissioners
as to the amount of the deposits from the tidal cur-
rents on that part of the coast ; but even this delay
may cost us dear. " Dover," say the Commissioners,
" situated at a distance of only four miles and a Nell
from the Goodwin Sands, and standing out favourably
to protect the navigation of the narrow seas, is naturally
the situation for a squadron of ships of war. Its:value in
a military point of view is undoubted; but the construc-
tion of a harbour of refuge there is, in our opinion, in-
dispensable, to give to Dover that efficiency as a naval
station which is necessary to provide for the security of
this part of the coast and the protection of trade." The
improvements which are proposed at Harwich admit of
no delay, and require no more than a vote of 50,0001.
We hope they will be undertaken forthwith, and
that they will revive the ancient importance
of a port so favourably situated for north-
ward-bound vessels and for the protection of the Nore.
In calling the attention of the public to this re-
port we trust we may have contributed to insure
the prompt accomplishment of the very essential mea-
sures suggested by it. No laboured argument can be
required to demonstrate the folly and danger of leaving
the coasts of England unprotected by even the rudiments
of defence, and ill supplied with harbours of refuge for
our shipping. Without any especial reference to the
political aspect of the world, or any immediate appre-
hensions as to the duration of peace, we affirm that no
undertakings are even in peace more worthy of a wise
Government than those which tend to diminish the risks
and dangers of war. The people of England have in
variably shown their readiness to'suport.the naval esta-
blishments of the country, on a scale suited to all the
exigencies of the time ; but it is still more indispensable
to strengthen the harbours and multiply the stations
from which our naval forces are to act; and, in the pre-
sent state of our dockyards, we should find much less
difficulty in equipping a fleet on the largest scale, than
in completing, during a war, those breakwaters and
close havens which may be needed to maintain the in-
violate security of Britain.
POST.—The personal friends of the Prime Minister,
no less than the political admirers of a strong Adminis-
tration, look with apprehension to the consequences of
recent and expected Ministerial changes. Lord Stanley
being removed to the Upper House, and Mr. Gladstone
from the Ministerial bench, Sir Robert Peel will have to
sustain the whole weight of the debating upon foreign,
colonial, and general subjects ; besides sustaining the
burden of the vast quantity of business which is not
Parliamentary, but which, nevertheless, must receive
the careful attention of the Prime Minister. Indeed,
arduous as Parliamentary business is, it is not the most
arduous part of the Ministerial business, for by the
time a measure is ripe for Parliamentary discussion, the
greater part of the labour attending upon it has been
already gone through. Still the attendance in Parlia-
ment, and the necessity of taking a leading part in every
important discussion, is very much the opposite of
relaxation, though it occurs during the moments
that relaxation, after the official labours of the day, is
most required by an active minister. The health of
many strong men has broken down under such severe
trial, and the friends of the Premier are, therefore, not
a little anxious lest he should undertake too much.
The country has, unfortunately, had but too many ex-
amples of its best men falling sacrifices to the anxiety
of Ministerial responsibilities, combined with the wear
and tear of leading the House of Commons without suf-
ficient assistance. The temptation to undertake this is
no doubt very great. We do not now allude to the am- '
bition of sustaining a great position alone and unas-
sisted. We mean something much more practical.
There can be little question that, so long as a man can
stand it, the business will be better done by one man
than by two, or three, or four, especially if that one
man be at the head. It is likely—at all events
in respect to any important measure introduced by
Government—that he knows more of the beginning
and the end of it than any one else. He regards every
clause upon which a debate may arise, not simply by it-
self, but with reference to the motives which led to it,
and the purpose which it is intended to accomplish. He
is more master of the subject than any one else can be,
and he is aware how different measures are intended to
bear upon one another, though belonging perhaps to
different departments, the whole of his Parliamentary
management (if he have to manage the whole) will pos-
sess a unity and compactness which cannot exist
where two or three Ministers of departments
divide the management between them. Thus,
then, there is an advantage in the way of busi-
ness, derived from a sole management of the House
of Commons by the Prime Minister, so long as it
can last. But this life, whether in respect to public
affairs or to private, is but a system of balances and
compromises. If we have what is best in one way, we
pay for it in another. The man of pleasure who revels
in luxury, pays for it in exhaustion. The man of busi-
ness who undertakes all that his best faculties, strained
to their utmost, can accomplish, pays for his temporary
success too often with his life. It is on this account that
the personal friends of the Premier are very anxious
when they regard the" present prospect of business in the
House of Commons. There is no reason to suppose
that the ensuing session will be one of a light and easy
character, and at present there appears to be small
chance of the Government being recognisable in the
House of Commons, except when Sir Robert Peel is
there, and taking a part in the procuedingth