The Sun.
London, England, 1842-05-09 00:00:00

GERMANY.

FRANKFORT, APRIL 25.—The Austrian Govern-
ment deserves the full credit of having the first appre-
ciated the importance of railroads in strategical opera-
tions. To this fact the continent of Europe owes the
early construction of so long a railroad as that leading
from Vienna to Prerau, in Moravia, a distance not
much less than from Liverpool to LondOn. It is
curious to watch the unexpected, impression made by
such useful and seemingly peaceable undertakings.
While Russia was spending millions on the fortresses
that cover her advanced line of operations towards the
west (Praga and Modlin are nearer to Paris than to
St. Petersburgh), Austria had, by the establisment of
the steam-navigation in the Danube, taken this line
quite in the rear, and menaced Odessa, Sebastopol, and
the .Transcaucasian provinces. Prince Metternich t.. 1
showed himself thus clearer-sighted than Lord Pal-
merston, who, by sacrificing the Vixen, refused to
claim for English vessels the free and unhindered
trade between Circassia and the mouth of the Da-
nube.

Now that the contest has commenced with the arm
of civilization, the most civilized States will of course.
have the advantage, and the impossibility of long
managing a State of such dimensions as Russia on
the present plan of unrelaxing centralization may be
said to be demonstrated. As it is easy to foresee that
the moral effects of the possibility, on an emergency
of concentrating an Austrian army at Cracow in so
many days as it would take months to bring a Rus-
sian three to meet it, must eventually show them-
selves, it is now the proper moment for Russia seri-
ously to consider whether it would not be prudent to
recognise Poland herself; rather than trust to the un-
certain course of events which now inevitably tend to
force her to do so invito mente. The industrious and
civilised part of Europe has long asked on what pre-
tence it is to be interdicted from all communication
with a rich and conveniently situated neighbouring
land in the manner which Russia. has long presoribOt
and which both Galicia and the Prussian provinces Oi
the Baltic feel disastrously.
The nation which will avail itself of the vnwe.r44
aid of steam-boats and railroads has, therefore, 00
choice of either advancing immense sums without 0
return, or of encouraging the freest and most rapid
communication for both goods and persons. Ever,
passport diminishes the contribution which can b4l
levied from passengers ; every high duty has a ten/
dency to divert trade into some other channel. Thf*
is the new mode of carrying on war, .and it is to he
hoped that we shall soon see battalions of stokers and
engineers able to guide a train, although not in blue or
scarlet uniforms. With freedom of exertion, rapid
circulation of intelligence, and a standing army of
such a cast, we might soon actually believe that we
were living in the 19th century, and to this point yon
see that the States of central Europe are advancing'
in some degree, unconsciously, and perhaps, in sonfo
cases, unwillingly, but still advancing.

THE MARKETS-SATURDAY.
WHITECHAPEL MARKET.
The supply was very moderate, with a good' demand; little
variation in, prices, except in beef, in which there was a decide('
improvement. Beef, 2s. Bd. to 3s. 8d..; Mutton. 2s. Eid.
43. ; Veal, 2s. 4d. to bs. ; Pork, 2s. Bd. to 41. 6d, ; Lamb,
4s. Bd. to 6s. 4d. Clover, 21.75. to bl. Bs. ; Hay, 21. to a 45.;
Straw, 1/. 12s. to 1/. 16s.
TEA MARKET.
The large public sales that are declared for out week
caused buyers to operate with caution; and the markitt $lO
dull, but prices were sustained. Company's Congou 10. 90"
cash.

TALLOW MARKET.
There was a fair business transacted at full rates. P.Y•
Candle on the spot, 465. 3d. and 48s. 6d. for delivery in the
last three months of the year.
SPIRIT MARKET.
There was little business transacted in the Rum Marie, but
p
prices were sustained. Proof Leewards, 2s. 4id. to . sd.
Brandy firm, and wanted.
WOOL MARKET.
Prices had an upward tendency, and a good business (10,.
transacted in both English and foreign, at firm rates, Arriow
come in slowly from ad parts.