Continental appearances and rumours are unfavourable to English interests, and
not very promising to the perfectibility-philanthropist. A meeting of commercial representatives has assembled at Paris, ostensibly to protest against the contemplated Customs Union of France and Belgium; but the scope of their deliberations seems to include all foreign countries, and to bear upon " protection " for the internal producer against them all—England, who invites France to commercial treaties, among the number. This is another lesson on the value of those diplomatic complications and consequent delays which Lord PALMERSTON so cleverly contrived, and of which some stopped the signing of the Anglo-French commercial treaty.
Belgium hints at the wise measure of reducing her export- duties ; but, under a pressure like that in France, insinuates the more questionable measure of raising the import-duties, " for the sake of native industry and the public treasury "—the old mistake.
In spite of denials and counter-denials, it seems certain that the new forthcoming tariff of the German Customs Union contains some augmentation of protecting-duties.
There is a rumour in Paris that this country is negotiating a new treaty with Spain, to be paid for by a magnificent loan. It is be- lieved— that is hoped, in Paris, that Spain will break off such nego- tiation on account of a quarrel respecting the island of Fernando Po, where some British persons are to be found, though it belongs to Spain, who has refused to sell it to us.
Some might take these phmnomena, together with others, like the new United States tariff, as a conclusive reply in condemnation of the liberal offer implied in Sir ROBERT PEEL'S tariff and accom- panying commentary : and they would be so if they had any cha- racter of permanency in them. But, while our new policy, so far as it goes, is based on enduring principles, these hostile manifesta- tions rest on principles which are passing away. We have only to hold on by justice and sound reason, to live down such hostilities.
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