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

ing each oEuof u tn0 a0o08o0lpg Nurv04 q tne0r
cheers, 70 which the royal orstor responded by do1
ing his helmet-for, although personally one Of the
most peaoesble Of mon, he always appears on such
occasions in full uniform, with thing on his head
much Hike the basin OF Hambrino-and bowling
graciously to the assembled peers and pillars Of
the State" Whether the country at large will be
equally delighted, 10 another question. Up 10 the
present moment NO one seriously believed in o rup-
ture with Switzerland, or had any idea that this
Neufchatel farce would assume the dimensions Of .
tragedy; but there Is party near Ahe throne who
are evidently determined to puah matters to extrs-
nifty and who, in spite Of their legimist predilec-
lions, do not hesitate even to pay their court to
Louis Napoleon, in the hope Of obtaining his CO.
operation or acquiescenoe. Il cannot be denied
that they wise in their generation, for in this
case, even more than in the Oriental aud Neapoli-
tan difficulties, everything depends upon the French
autocrat, Who is next neighbor TO Switzerland, and
without whose consent no one could think Of attack
ing her. II he turns deaf ear TO the fiattenng
overtures Of the Prussian statesmen, the latter will
have to confne themselves to negotiation, and all
their clustering will 60 for nothing; but If ne coun-
tenances them in requiring the Swiss government to
release the Neufchate prisoners without trial. and
thus tacitly acknowledge the sovereignty Of Prussia
in that Canton, or if he only promises to remain
neutral there will be alternative but for Switzer
land to submit or to run the rsk of an armed inter
vention of Prussia and the Germanic body. With
out derogation to the traditional valor of the brave
mountaineers, 1t may be doubted whether they
would be able to resist such over zhelming odds
could be brought to bear against them in that
event; and 10 Switzerland therefore, as well
as to Prussia herself, who has nothing to gain
by war except the qualification of dynastic
pride, pacific solution OF this difficulty must be
highly desirable ii it be obtained without
fciDg the independence Of the only republic now
left in Europe. Perhaps this would be good Op
portunity for the United States to Interfere IN be-
half of their European brethren, by forming Holy
Alliance /" with England for the defence Of liberty
At present john Bull is COO isolated and too appre
hensive of giving umbrage 10 his slippery friend on
the other side of the channel TO act with his usual
spirit in this business, but he would pluck up
courage if be 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 spri $, and
the formidable majority az the disposal OF ministers
remains unimpaired In the Upper House, Prince
HoheDoe, the leader of the ultra arissocratic fac
tion has beer chosen President by an almost unani
Count EuleLburg the government candidate, who
succeeded last session in Ousting Count Schwerin.
the head of the constitute nal party 1t is eviden,
therefore, that the opposition will stand no chance
in either Chamber, unless the adherents of govern
ment should turn FESTIVE ut finding themselves at
tackled in their tendefest part-the pocket.
mentioned in my last that the Prussian finances
were in rather diapidated condition, and that
ministers would probably come down to the Cham
bers with some proposals. for supplying them with
the sine Of This expectation has been fully
justified bv the royal speech, which contains the
pleasing intelligence that "the resources of the
kingdom are increasing in productiveness," but
adds that several pressing and important requisites
that have long been adjourned, must no longer be
neglected in consequence OF which IAN accession
TO the revenue has become imperatively necessary
His Majesty concludes by recommending the finan
cial projects which his government will submit to
the Chambers for this purpose, to their careful con-
sideraton. We are as set IN the dark as 70 the ma
ture of these projects and there are various versions
ahoat respecting them. Raising the income tax
appears out Of the question-mo neyed classes,
whose interests are predominant In the present LIE
gislature, beng, Of course most violently opposed
I, any such measure. Many of the necessaries Of
taxed already. There is land tax (from which
however, great part of the nobility are exemps,)
and house tax, license duties and stamp duties,
and imposts varying IRON ten TO hundred per cent
all foreign manufactures. 1t Is not unlikely that
an additional duty will be proposed on tobacco
which Is consumed here In enormous quantities.
and which pays at present from eight 70 twenty
thalers cwt. Sumptuary taxes are also talked or
which would not oe quite unacceptable to the
Weather classes as they would prevent persons OF
Moderate fortunes from vieing with them Ia exter-
nal appendages- fine houses, elegant equipages, and
so forth. IL is doubtful, however, whether such
partial mposts 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 oil the tinkerng
il has been subjected to Of late only to render
its inherent vicousness the more conspicuous.
In spite Of the difficulties the population have to
struggle with, and the heavy burthens that cramp
their industry, his Msjesty's assertion that
the resources Of the country are increas
ing in productiveness Is not quite devoid
gave you some data relative TO the production OF
bituminous and anthracite coal, which had risen
last year to upwards Of forty millions OF TONS repre-
sentipg value Of more than nineteen millions Of
tbalers. Another combustibe material Of great uti
lily in the "Braunkohle" Ignite, the produce OF
which amounted In 1864 tol2 $40 tons-l $50 ,594
thalers in vaiue-and had advanced last year
to 13,774,SsO tons-yalue, 1876 ssl thalers-being
an increase OF no less than lis per cent The beds
Of Ignite found chiefly In the province OF Ssxo
ny, which furnishes threefourtbs Of the whole pro
duee; and as other kinds of fuel-such as wood,
coal and peat-are extremely scarce in that pro
vince, the bountiful supply Of ignite Is an inestma
bic benefit TO the population In other parts of the
kingdom--Pomerania, East Prussia and Posen-
several beds Of Ignite have been recently discover
ed and are beginning to be worked. The immense
forests with which the provinces were formerly
covered have been mostly cut down for building and
firewood, and they are Obliged in consequence TO
turn their attention TO mineral fuel. There Is every
reason 70 believe that the extensive valley OF the
Vistua abouDds IN Ignite, traces OF 1t having been
detected IN various districts
The production OF zinc Is OF still higher importance
than that OF ignite, andhas made greater progress
lately than any other branch of mining, exceeding
even the activity displayed In the coal fields In 1855
the quantity Of zinc produced amounted 70 2S7 293
cwt, against 3y57s577 cwt in 1854, showing an in
crease Of 10 per cent the value OF the former being
2I37, 10 thaers, and that Of the latter 1887 26g
thalers. In fact, there Is no other country in the
world that yields so large quantity Of zinc ore as
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 TO
be In a ess prosperous condition, presenting an In
crease only Of 80 per cent (2,22s3l7 TONS against
2,l44,5oe). The production Of lead had risen 1915
per cent; that OF copper only ~ per cent Gold
and silver are obtained In infntessima quantities.
the whole amount OF the former not exceeding 1880
thalcrs and that Of the latter ISL ,6i9 thalers.
On reycvvpr the whole mining operations of Pms