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Leader (1850-1860), 18th August 1860, Edition 2 of 2, Page 10

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      Foreign Correspondence. Special... '¦- H...

      But who has the right to deprive me of my country ? It requires no great exercise Of thought to perceive the absurdity of such a law . A Prussian who has committed a crime undergoes his punishment , but does not cease on that account to be a Prussian . A Prussian bankrupt who brings 'discredit on his country , and defrauds bis fellow men , even a thief ; retains his quality as a Prussian subject ; but the honest man , who , perhaps from ignorance , neglects to fulfil the prescriptions of the 23 rd paragraph of the law of the 31 st December , is deprived of his most natural right . Is the disregard of this paragraph so abominable a crime as to deserve banishment for life- —or is the privilege of posseting a country held to be of such trifling value that the loss of it is considered a slight punishment ? Suppose , now , a war were to break out between Prussia and France , how very awkwardly we should be situated with our ardent patriotism ! France would eject us as Prussian patriots ; in Prussia , on the other hand , every police official would be justified in driving us back across the Prussian frontier , and in every other country of Germany similar treatment v ^ ould await us . Does not that inspire elevating sentiments of nationality ? Prussia has taken a step forward in the path of progress—may she proceed I Let her remove every recollection of the old bureaucratic despotism , and let the other German Govern ments follow her example . First and foremost , however , let Prussia strike out that scandalous paragragh 23 of the law of 31 st December , and thereby restore hundreds of Prussians now living in banishment to their native land . " CThe foregoing , which may have been imagined by some German patriot not so far away from Berlin as Paris , exposes one of the many ; crying evils of the ^ present system in Germany . I do not think \ it likely that six Germans , after having got over the first home sickness , and experienced the comparative freedom of Fra ; nce , would ever long to be restored to their " quality" Prussian subjects . It is just possible that six men , with the nierest animal instincts , might wish to return , but no being who felt like a man would , if once free , ever wish , to place himself again under the German police rule . The human male being in this country generally is atimid , pitiful , spirit-crushed , police-governed creature , that possessesno courage to fig ht , or sufferimprisonment for liberty or conscience' sake . To cloak their shameful lethargy , they pr 0 tead to sneer at the efforts of France arid Italy , because they are not imrnediately successful in casting Off a yoke not feaM so disgraceful and galh' ng as that upon their own necks . The Germans , in their national enthusiasm , or rather theatrical idolatry , of a vague " Deutschland , " are swearing in . songs and speeches , in pamphlets and in newspaper articles , to die in , defence of a country in whidh they ~ are not permitted to live ; The true ' patriots and men of action are in despair at the theatrical folly and unmanly apathy exhibited by the mass of the people . The evils are patent and the remedy plain , but the people cannot be made to stir . The National Association , as far as appearances of activity denote , is at its last gasp , and I fear I shall have nothing inore to report of it . The Political Economical Association will make its annual grand effort next month . This association stands tolerably firm , and the members are very sanguine of good results . They think , however , that the guilds will maintain their ground —fop-five-years-to-coin ^ , — -unless- * ar-revolution-ocouFs—befor-e ~ tb . at-toknock their inns and halls about their ears . By my silence respecting the rumoured counter-demonstration on the anniversary oi the battle of Idstedt , your readers will perceive that the attempt proved abortive . The Danes made the most of their demonstration , and some Danish officers sent invitations to the promoters of the counter-demonstration ; very impolitic conduct on the part of the Danish officers , for the Germans are decidedly in earnest about Schleswig and Holstein , and will certainly take revenge when the opportune moment arrives . In this unfortunate quarrel more depends upon the good sense of individuals than upon any measures of the governments . Prussia has already answered the French circular proposing the entrance of Spain into the councils of the Great Powers . The Prussian note acknowledges the noble qualities of the Spanish nation , and the vast improvements which have been effected by the Government during the last ten years , and does more particularly justice to the success of the Government in establishing order and developing the rich resources Of the country . The Prussian Cabinet , however , does not accede to the proposal without further question , as was done by Austria . The Vienna Cabinet has probably reason to believe that Spain will prove an ally in defence of the Popedom , wliijh now , by all accounts , cannot be maintained without the intervention of the Great Powers . This may be some recompense in the eyes of Austria , for the certainty that , in most other cases , the vote of Spain will be thrown into the scale for the advantage of France . Prussia has not lost sight of this ; it would be surprising indeed if she could , with her own eyes and those of England , too , wide open . Prussia , therefore , replies to the _ IVenc ^ Catholic powers to he increased fn the European Concert , without the addition of a Protestant power , ani declares , therefore , that she cannot consent to the admission of Spain unless Sweden be likewise admitted . The Prussian Government would seem to have an eye towards < an eventual alliance vfith Sweden and Norway , as well « s possible support in the councils of the Great Powers . The Prttma 7 i Gazette has already commenced the now somewhat stale would-be historical rigmarole of blood-relationship between the Swedes , Norwegians , and Germans . The Gazette finds that Sweden fulfils all the conditions required of a great power . " Finally , " it

      concludes , " it must not be forgotten that Sweden is , without doubt , the second Protestant Power of the continent , as likewise that beyond Germany it must be accounted the most important pure Germanic Power . " I cannot say how the Swedes and Norwegians will take this . The-Gazette , of course , intends it as a compliment . If shows , howeverj what an advantage it is to have an elastic national appellation . The friendship of the Swedes is now necessary to Prussia and Germany , therefore the Swedes are no longer Scandinavians but Germans .

      - ¦ ' . ' ! ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ 73g Tjie Saturday ...

      - ¦ ' . ' ! ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ 73 g TJie Saturday Analyst and Leader . [ Aug . 18 , 1860 .

      Indian Progress.—Irrigation Companies. I...

      INDIAN PROGRESS . —IRRIGATION COMPANIES . It was always calculated that when our Indian empire became again settled , and was cleaved of the old system of government , that capital would pour its beneficial arid fertilising streams into that marvellously productive country . Amongst the greatest blessings to such a region is the distribution of water , and this has been felt to be a vital political truth by all the possessors and governors of Hindostan , whether Pagan , Mahometan or Christian . Unfortunately , the latter , though bound b y their creed to do the most , have done the least . This stigma is , however , fast being removed , and public works of all kinds are being carried on . Amongst the most admirable of them is the Madras Irrigation and Canal Company , which we had occasion to uphold and advocate last year , and we rejoice to find that our predictions of its benefit to India and success as a commercial speculation have been fully realised . Indeed , to such an extent has this been the case that the same gentlemen have determined to carry out their principles still further , and have founded an " East India Irrigation and Canal Company , " which shall extend the advantages of water fertilization to those other portions of the vast region which require it . It is impossible to overrate the blessings which works like these bestow , literally creating in arid wastes fertile paradises . The present Government of India have hot been very liberal in aiding private speculation , but now it has seen the absolute ! necessity of aiding works of such vast benefit and importance , and have granted the land on advantageous terms . The strength of the company , however , rests in its o \ yn independent resources , and in the experience it hasgained from the success and proceedings : ' . of-the Madras Irrigation Company . It is ¦ always with : the extremest pleasure we turn away from the horrors and extravagance of war to plans and arrangements like these , which bring with them blessings thatlast for centuries , and do more for mankind than all the success and hollow glories of war . The de . ailed prospectus is written in a moderate and sensible mariner , and furnishes particulars which cannot fail to attract the attention of the capitalist , and of all who are in any way interested in Indian progress and-well-being . ¦¦ ' .-.. ' . " .

      The Eagle Insurance Company. Among The B...

      THE EAGLE INSURANCE COMPANY . Among the beat known of the old-established insurance offices is the Eagle , whose report for the fifty-third year of the company's operations , terminating the 30 th June ; 1860 , is now before us . The realized assets of the company at this date , amounted to £ 1 , 937 , 317 lls . ; and the realizable assets to , £ 3 , 518 , 373 i 15 s . Id . ; making together , in round numbers , five millions and a-half sterling . The surplus fund . account presents a highly satisfactory state of affairs , the fund having increased during the year to the extent of £ 85 , 105 2 s . 6 d ., ; lust year the amount being £ 659 , 013 I 7 s- 2 d .: while the present year ' B account exhibits a surplus of £ 744 , 118 19 s . 8 d . It is one of the indispensable conditions of a well-coridueted office , that this ^ fund should be maintained upon a footing like the present accounts disclose , irrespective of any fluetuations that may take place in the general fund . The participating policy holder is entitled to his full proportionate share of the surplus accruing for division in respect of this particular class of claims on the company , during the period of his connection with it . The gross expenses of the Eagle Company , including commissions , are under 6 per cent , of the income . If we contrast the realized assets on the lace of the last account up to June , 1859 , wo find they amounted to £ 1 , 789 , 900 ; and tho interest received during the year being £ 81 , 203 Is . lid ., it follows that the rate at which the total funds have been accumulating is ruther above the average of four and a-half per cent . During tho past . year another assurance company has been absorbed into tho Eagle , thus augmenting the Burplus fund by £ 39 , 000 . The premiums ou new insurances amount to £ 19 , 588 17 a . 6 J ., and the entire income in respect of premiums and interest taken together is £ 384 , 012 'lite . 4 d . So riiueh for the business details of the Association in question . And while adverting to this subject , we may remark how the pressure of circumstances causes the great principles of social science to developo themselves in . the practical business of life . The insurance principle , by which the small average losses of individuals by being spread over associated multitudes are not only indemnified and made good by the co-operation of all for the benefit of euch , but tho agency undertaking this boneflcent oilico is able to make a profit adequate to the apportionment in the shape of dividends among tho proprietory of no less a sum than £ 238 , 552 , upon transactions to the extent of rather more than a million , over and above the claims on decease of lives assured , tho payment of all other expenses , and the eum of £ 744 , 118 carried to tho surplus fund . It ia tho associative principle , bo conspicuously exemplified in the growth of this branch of modern commercial outerprise , and Busceptiblo of boundless development as well as applicable to ovory department of our sooial organization , —that is destined to bo the ~ cWo ?~ m ; oyer in nil" tho-Bubstantinl-nmelioration 8 " : of aooioty thttt"are to take place in tho future ; and us regards the interests of individuals , it is in tho power of ovory ono , through the insurance system and by the simple providence of a small annuul outlay , to make provision for those ,, who , in caso of any of the contingencies which deprive families of their protector and support , would oth rwiso be left hclpleBS and friendless in tho world—a Bad legacy to public oharity , or un irksome charge upon reluctant friends , and perhups willing but needy and alrtuidy-overburdened relatives . If this prudent foresight , happily becoming every day more prevalent , were always manifested , there would b ° fewer case * of families well to do in the world being left without resources , and too often coming to poverty , and even to » home ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 18, 1860, page 10, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_18081860/page/10/