The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-27

ing each Other N the oo0onln8 Nrvor OF tneH
cheers, TO which the royal orator responded by doG
ing his helmet-for although personally one of the
most peaceabe of men, he always appears on such
occasions in full uniform, with thing his head
much like the basin Of Mambrin0-and bowling
gracously to the assembled peers and pillars of
the State.n Whether the country at large will be
equally delighted, is another question. Up to the
present moment no one seriously believed in rup-
ture with Switzerland, or had any idea that this
Ntufchatel farce would assume the dimensions Of
tragedy; but there is party near The throne who
are evidently determined to push matters to extre
nifty, and who, in spite Of their legtmst predilec
tons, do not hesitate even to pay their court to
Louis Napoleon, in the hope of obtaining his Co
operation or acquiescence. II cannot be denied
that they are wise in their generation for in this
case, even more than in the Oriental aud Neapoli-
tan difficulties, everything depends upon the French
autocrat, no is next neighbor 70 Switzerland, and
without whose consent one could think Of attack
ing her. II he turns a deaf TO the fatering
overtures Of the Prussian statesmen the latter will
lave to confne themselves to negotiation, and all
their clustering will 60 for nothing; but if ne
tenances them in requiring the Swiss government to
release the Neufchate prisoners without trial, and
thus tacity acknowledge the sovereignty of Prussia
in that Canton, or if he only promises to remain
neutral there will be no alternative but for Swzer
land to submit, to run the risk of an armed inter
vention of Prussia and the Germanic body. With
out derogation to the traditional valor of the brave
mountaineeis, it may he doubted whether they
would be able to resist such over ghelmng odds rs
could lie brought to bear against them in TINT
event; and TO Switzerland therefore, as vel
as to Prussia herself, who has nothing TO gain
by war except the qualification of dynasttc
pride, pacific solution or this difficulty must be
highly desirable If it can be obtained without sacr
hcipg the independence OF the only republic nov
left in Europe. Perhaps this would be gooo OPP
portunity for the United States to interfere IN be-
half OF their European brethren, by forming Holy
Alliance = sith England for the defence Of libersy.
At present joan Bull Is TOO isolated and too appre
hensiye Of giving umbrage 70 his slippery friend
the Other side of the channel TO act with his usual
spirit in this business but he would pluck up
courage if he were backed by the Young Giant
across the Atlantic.
There having been no new election this year, the
Chambers are composed of nearly the same ele-
ments as last session. A few members have died
and few members have vacated their seats, but
their places have been filed by kindred spiris, and
the formidable majority the disposal OF ministers
remains unimpaired. In the Upper House, Prince
Hoheploe, the leader OF the ultra aristo,ratc fac
tion, has been chosen President by an almost unan
nous voc. Yesterday the Lower House reelected
succeeded last session in oustDg Count Schwerin,
the head of the constitute nal party IL is evideli,
therefore, that the opposition will staad no chance
in either Chamber, unless the adherents of govern
ment should turn FESTIVE AZ finding themselves al
Ia eked IN their tendefest part-the pocket.
mentioned in NY last that the Prussian finances
were in rather a dilal idated condition, and that
ministers would probably come down to the Cham
beers with some proposals. for supplying them with
the sine MS Of This expectation has Deen fully
justified bv the royal speech, which contains the
pleasing intelligence that 1.-The resources OF the
kingdom are increasing in productiveness," but
adds thai several pressing and Important requisites
that have long been adjourned, must no longer be
neglected. in consequence OF which AN accession
70 the revenue has become inperatively ne ,essary
HIS Majesty concludes by recommending the tinan'
cal projects which his government will submit to
the Chambers for this purpose, to their careful
sideration. We are yet in the dark as TO the IA
turt Of these projects, and there various versions
afoat respecting them. Raising the income tax
appears out OF the question moneyed classes
whose interests are predominant In the present lie
gisaiure, beng, of course most violently opposed
Z, any such measure. Many of the necessities of
life-mea., -four, coffee, sugar, &c, are heavily
taxed already. There Is land tax (from which,
however, great part OF the nobility are exempt,)
and house tax, license duties and stamp duties,
and imposts varying IRON ten 70 hundred per cent
all foreign manufactures. II is not unlikely that
an additional duty will be proposed on tobacco,
which IL consumed here in enormous Quantities.
and which pays at present from eight 10 twenty
thalers cwt Sumptuary taxes also talked OF,
which would not oe quite unacceptable TO the
Weather classes, as they would prevent persons OF
moceraie fortunes from vieng with them la exter.
nal appendaC houses, elegant equipages and
so forth. IL is doubtful, however, whether such
partial imposts would suffice to meet the necessities
Of government, and think it likely that some more
comprehensive scheme OF taxation will be resorted
20. Unfortunately, the whole financial system of
Prussia Is extremely defective, and all the iinkerng
il has been subjected TO Of late only to render
it tt.ha nf Wei uaxG N frQ
In spite Of the difficulties the population have II
struggle with, and the heavy burthens that cramp
their Industry, his Msjestys assertion that
the re IF the country nai quite syod
Of foundation. In former communication |
gave you some data relative to the production OF
btuminous and anthracite coal, which had risen
last year 10 upwards OF forty millions Of TONS repre-
seuting a value Of more than nineteen millions of
tbaers. Another combustiblc material oil great uti
lily IN the "Braunkohle,' or Ignite, the produce OF
which amounted In 1864 tol2 $40 tons-l $50 5gi
thaers in value-and had advanced last year
TO IL, TIA $50 tons-yalue $50 ssl thalers-being
increase Of no less than LES per cent. The beds
ofgnite found chiefly In the province OF Saxo-
ny, which furnishes thrsefourths of the whole pro-
duct; and a. other kinds Of fuel-such as wood,
coal and peat-are extremely scarce in that pro.
vince. the bountful supply Of Ignite IL an nestml
hle benefit TO the population. In other parts OF the
kingdoni-Pomerana, East Prussia and Posen-
several beds o. Ignite have been recently discover
forests with which the provinces were formerly
covered have been mostly cut down for building and
firewood, and they are Obliged In consequence u
turn their attention 10 mineral fuel. There IL every
reason o. believe that the extensive valley Of the
Vistula ahOunds in Ignite traces OF ii having been
detected IN various districts
The production OF zinc Il OF still higher importance
than that OF ignite, and has made greater progress
lately than any other branch OF mining, exceeding
even the activity displayed In the coal fields La 1855
the quantity q zinc produced amounted 10 PSI 2g3
cwt, against 3 57s ST. cwt in 1854, showing an in
crease Of 10 per cent the value Of the former being
2l37ll0 thalers, and that OF the latter l937 269
thalers. In fact there Is no other country in the
world that Yields so large quantity OF zinc ore
Prussia although the United States said 10 be
treading close upon her heels and will probably out
strip her ere long. The iron works would seem 10
be In less prosperous condition. presenting an In
crease only Of 80 per cent t222s3l7 TONS against
2,l44 5O9). The production Of lead had risen 1876
per cent; that 81 copper only ~ per cent. Gold
and silver are obtained In infnitessmal quantities
the whole amount OF the former not exceeding 1880
thalers and that Of the latter 25l $40 thalers.
ON reviewing the whole mining operations OF Prus