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ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. A ' -
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chance than an opportunity of a little fratricidal denotement . In the breast of the ex-duke Charles the fire of revenge naturally glows fiercest , he being the suffering party , Self-consuming , however , as his wrath may be , there is but little prospect of its soon becoming satiated . The demands the ex-duke has made to the Court of Queen Victoria for military co-operation against his wicked brother have fallen on dull ears , and the English Government refused to assist in any such dangerous adventure . At last the erratic Duke deemec it prudent to leave this unsympathising country , and mounted his balloon to locate himself beside his
former boon companion , Louis Bonaparte . ; It is whispered that in former days , when the Tuileries knew not its present occupant , the Duke did frequently become the Fould of the hour . to the pecuniary emergencies of the future emperor , and furnished the " necessary" for many a Sybarite perr formance . In due consideration for which , i t is affirmed , a treaty was entered into ^ verbally or otherwise ^—by which the Napoleonic Pretender promised , in requital of all favours received , to give Charles of Brunswick material support in the event of the fickle goddess ever stalling on the then prostrate Bphapartist dynasty . ' .-. It does not appear-, however , that this treaty is to be carried out . The
ex-duke is allowed to dazzle all beholders with Ins diamonds in Paris court circles , but a French army has not yet been ordered to march for his restoration . Still the hope that has been so unfeelingly deferred for a quarter of a century abateth not nis wrath a whit ; and he still bores his less sanguine convives with projects and notions of how best to accomplish the destruction of that atrocious brother of his . This is the not very edifying history of the two last descendants of the ori g inal House of Guelpb , who , not content to wait for the extinction of the dynasty by the certain means which nature seems to have ordained , would fain anticipate the event by devouring each other .
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FRANCE . ( From our own Correspondent . " ) Paris , Thursday , 6 p . m . PRUTCE NAPOLEOJiT ' s MAItBIAGE . This afternoon , amid military pomp , Prince Napoleon introduced his girl-bride to the sovereign and Court of France , It would be ridiculous to assume that beyond the Court the marriage has excited sympathy or interest , save so far as it involved the . question of war . But there is one feeling , which is sincere and universal , and that is , thankfulness at the termination of the business without additional complication . When the news came of the French naval force having returned , to Marseilles
without having provoked , while in ; Genoese waters , any popular explosion , men spoke as if a great . load had been removed from their minds . They congratulated one another , as might be expected , on an escape from great danger , and even had compliments to offer on the skill and , firieaseof the Government for steering so near destruction and making a safe port after all . The idea of war grows fainter , and seems day by day to become more remote . The rumours of armament , marching to and fro of troops , are believed to have " no hostile signification for the moment ; Those movements are believed to have for object , besides the amusement they afford the Emperor , to occupy the army , , and
to keep up the delusion among Italians that Bonapnrtism means the liberation of the peninsula . The aggressive conduct of Trance , through the organ of her Emperor , has proved to Frenchmen how isolated is their position in Europe . They see that nowhere would they find allies in a war undertaken for resuscitation of dormant nationalities ; that if England remained neutral it could only bo for a time ; that all Germany would spring to arms like one man to resist the disturber of public peace ; that whatever support was afforded by Russia would be uncertain and precarious , liable at a moment ' s notice to bo changed into
active hostility ; and the peoples for whoso pretended freedom tjhey would plunge into war have no confidence in French disinterestedness , and no ambition for French protection . At the same time-there is vague apprehension arising tfc , at war with England may not bo so far distant after all , And it would bo wrong to conceal the fact from ourselves that this prospect oxcitos the hopes ^ of the army , and flatters the national spirit of a very largo section of the community . It is believed that In several instance ^ the policy of the Emperor has been defeated by the conduct of tho English Government . Last summer nothing hut a war with tho United States for tho protection of Spanish America and Cuba wan talked of . Hero English neutrality presented an
insurmountable obstacle . Then there was the interminable nuisancfe of the Moldo-Wallachian Provinces , in which France ambitidned to play the tool of Russia to annoy Austria . Here the English alliance was felt to be a drag upon Russo-French proclivities . Later came the African immigration scheme , ¦ ¦ which certain prominent personages fancied might be made as profitable to them as Cuban immigration used to be to Maria Christina of Spain * The anti-slavery protests of Great Britain spoiled the project ; and now her conduct has defeated another grand Napoleonic scheme for re-enacting the ancient policy of France , with a view to make the Bonapartes masters of the country of their ancestors . Enumerating these things , people here pretend that it would be cheaper and less hazardous to make a descent oh the English
shores , dash on to London , and dictate a peace m "Westminster which should secure to France the right of doing as she liked hereafter . Three days' pillage of your metropolis is a very captivating prospect , and to effect it nothing is wanting , it is believed , but the will . The English working classes , we are assured ^ would hail the entry of French troops with joy , and be their most earnest allies . We are told that there are twelve Government transport steamers , each as large as the Himalaya , capable at a pinch of transporting
eaeh 2000 men with five days' provision ; that a fleet of twenty screw liners can be rendezvoused in ^ the Channel without your knowing anything about it in sufficient time , and that each can carry 1000 men without inconvenience ; besides which other means are provided for transporting cavalry and gun 3 . We are assured that every twenty-four hours a corps d ' armee complete could be lauded on your shores , while your Channel fleet ' would be occupied with French liners . Whether the Scheme be seriousl y entertained , and what
are its chance , it is impossible to say ;; I' give it to you as retailed among numerous classes of society , from Legitimists to Red Republicans .
TRA » E AND WAR . The publication of the Custom-house returns for last vear comes very opportunely to show the magnitude of those interests which would be seriously injured , if not wholly destroyed , by the foolish and culpable pursuit of ah antiquated policy , such as advocated by ^ those twin organs of armed interference in the domestic affairs of other nations , the Prease and the Patrie . Upon the trade and commerce of France a very large section of her industrious and intelligent population is dependent for a means of living . They cannot afford war , however glorious and philanthropic it might be , for it would reduce them to pauperism . Could all the glories of Marengo , Austerlitz , and Wagram be enacted over
again , and compressed into a campaign or two , that would be no compensation for the terrible misery which would have to be endured . Not only is this conviction deep seated and wide spread among the working classes , but it is also paramount with their employers . There is an extensive manufacturer of china goods here , who , before the international exhibitions , was a rank Anglor phbbist . He breathed the most terrible threats against your national integrity and supremacy , going even to the length of saying that , although old , he would volunteer to assist in your , destruction . But in the midst of this bellicose ardour there came certain chapmen , or commission agents , from London , who saw his goods and bought largely . S ince then , your enemy has become , your friend . He finds that certain houses in the neighbourhood of St . Paul ' s are good customers ; they pay punctually , and , deal fairly ; '' wherefore this
Paris china manufacturer now finds a war which might involve interruption . of mercantile relations with England la plus grande belise que Von puiise faire . To which many say , Amen . I am glad ft * t 0 note that , since war appeared probable , the chief organs of the Protectionists have become most creditably pacific . Their tone is somewhat more courteous to English freo ^ traders . Indeed , they affect to sympathise with the sufferings which the pernicious heresy of commercial liberty has inflicted upon all classes among you , and to pray for your speedy return to orthodox Protection . It is most satisfactory to witness tho rapid growth and development of a love of peace among a people who had the reputation of loving war for the pleasure of killing , or being killed . And \ think this sentiment will bo strengthened and advanood when tho statistics of tratfo , are read with a view to understand their political and social signification .
The amount of duties levied on importations into Franco in 1858 was 7 , 804 , 588 * . against 7 , 828 , 606 / , in 1857 , and against 7 , 078 , 547 / . in i 860 . Tho steadfast increase of importations , even under the disastrous influence of tho crisis , would scorn to indicate advancing national prosperity , tho development of want ' s which no amount of protection on homo production can supply , and tho growing depondenoo of Franco on foreign statoa for first neceaaarlcs—tho best guaruntoo for poaco that haa yet been found . Tho to ^ al decl a red value of goods exported is unfortunately never published , so that it is impossible to accurately estimate tho value of tho export trade . Tho value of silver imported in 1858 was 700 , 780 / . against 428 , 595 / . in 1857 , and against 481 , 474 / . in the preceding year , Tho exports of silver during those three 'curd woro of tho respective valuos of 778 , 2 ii 0 / , J [ ii ) 1858 ,
2 , 019 , 318 ? . in 1857 , and 1 , 731 , 479 / . in 1856 . The total importations of . . silver during the three years have therefore been 1 , 616 , 308 / ., while the total exportations during the same period have been 4 , 524 , 026 / ., so that France would appear to have lost in these three years a portion of her wealth in silver equal to 2 , 907 , 218 / . At the same time it would appear that this drain has ceased , or is on the eve of doing so , for- last year-the exportations of silver declined to one-third of their amount in the preceding year , while the importations rose to nearly double .
On the other hand , the value of gold imported ia 1858 was 2 , 537 * 012 / . against 2 , 604 , 937 / . in 1857 , and against 2 , 119 , 975 / . in the preceding year . The exportations during the same period were respectivel y 304 , 617 / . in 1858 , 566 , 300 / . in 1857 , and 411 , 282 / . in the preceding year . The total value of importations of gold during the three years has been 7 , 261 * 924 / ., and of the exportations 1 , 282 , 199 / ., so that France has added to her stock of gold during these three years no less a sum than 5 , 979 , 725 / . If we compare the loss of silver with the gain of gold , France would appear to have added to her metallic wealth by no more than 3 , 072 , 507 / ., or at the average rate of a million sterling annually .
p . S . Without intending more weight should be attached to it than it merits , I give a rumour , very generally circulated among what ought to be wellinformed circles of society , and to which almost implicit credence is here given . It is said that the speech from the T . hrOiie , on Monday next , will be eminently pacific . The Empire will be again affirmed to be based upon peace . The sympathies of France for Italy will be enumerated , but a solemn disclaimer will be entered against any intention to give them an active arid material form . A hope , perhaps , will be uttered that Italy may achieve her independence ; and when this is at-. tained , and has become nnfait accompli , the physical aid of France might be invoked and accorded to maintain
the liberties which Italy had won . Allusion will be made to the resolute determination of France to observe treaties , until the parties in whose interest . ; they were made are desirous to modify them or unable to enforce them . Territorial aggrandisement will be stated to be hostile to the policy of the Empire , and a reprimand , it is thought , will be addressed toLthose who , for their mercenary and selfish ends , propagate rumours of war . Attention will be called to the benefits which have accrued to France from her perseverance in the policy of peaceto the satisfactory condition of her manufactures and commerce— -to the contentment of her populations , and to the generally rapid advancement of their material
prosperity . A glance will be given at the progress of public works within her territory . The Algerian railways will be spoken of as being full of promise for the welfare of the colony . The national finances will be said to , be in a most prosperous state . But the bouquet will be the stress laid on tlie alliance with England—on the advantages which have resulted tcf civilisation , and which will accrue to trade from the cordial and united action of the two states in various parts of the globe , and more recently in China and Japan . I had almost forgotten to say that great devotedness will bo professed for the Holy See , with a hope for the improvement of the Papal Government .
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GERMANY . { From our own Coivespondent . " ) February 2 nd , 1859 . It would be superfluous to notice at any length tho interesting event which occurred in Berlin on tho 27 th ult ., just three days from the anniversary of tho birth of Frederick the Great . Even tho most ardent opponents of the Grnco-of-God Government cannot help sympathising with the happiness of tjiat amiable constitutional Queen and tho youthful couple whoso antecedents lmvo boon so inoffonsivo and so innoxious to mankind . That neither they nor their innocent oft'spring may over excite animate
other feelings than thoso which at present ovorj breast is a wish expressed by all with whom I have come in contaot . Your readers will , doubtlcs . * , ruooivo from other Quarters full accounts of the rojoioingd , nt Berlin in particular , and in Prussiu generally . 1 will merely observe that , however enthusiastic such rejoicings may soom , they aro entirely personal : tho principles and desires which since , as well as prior to , 18 JH have boon busying tho brains and rankling in tho nnmla of tho groat majority , are not in nny way , or at most only temporarily , affected thoroby . Tho days of royalty in Germany and Franco uro numbered , and nothing nut tho opportunity is wanting . Lot tho English 1 >« 0 |> 10 bowaro of allowing this union of tho two families to entangle thorn in an alliance with tho Graco-ol-l-oi Royalty of Prussia against tho people of Prussia ana
all Germany . Thoy may be assured tho rruartiuus , howovor loyal thoy may appear at this poriod , are moro Gorman than Prussian . Kojports « ro current that m consequent of tho birth of an hoir to tho tlirono an amnesty will bo granted to tho numerous political ox » iw ? i many of whom havo ' boen soparatod from wives , chiiuron , and irivnds since 1848 . .. . Tho proceedings in tho Landtag have boon of H « w moro than loual intorotit during tho i > ast wo « k . *•««
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p ¦ ' ' . ' . '¦ ¦' . ' ¦ ' ' •' ' ,. igO THE IJADEB . [ No . 463 , Febbtjaby 5 , 1859 .
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Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 5, 1859, page 180, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2280/page/20/
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