The Sun. — London, England, 1866-07-23 00:00:00

3 egt suit THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.— Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Buckstone. TELLS EVENING. A ROMANTC AT TACHMENT. Mr. W. Farren and Miss Ada Cavendish. At ter which, DAVID GARRICK : Messrs. Sothern, Buck stone, Chippendale, Rogers, Clark, Coe, &c.; Mesdames Wore, Chtppendale, Fitzwilliam, To be followed by LORD DUNDREARY MARRIED AND DONE Mt : Messes. Sothern. Buckstone, Gordon, Braid, An:. ; Mrs Chippendale, hi es Hill, &o Concluding with A DAUGHTER. JO MARRY: Miss Lindley: Commence at Seven. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and I...s.nager, Mr. Geo. Vining. SUMMER , SE A.SON.—Doors open at Half -past Seven, p er f orm ances commence at Eight o'clock preciseiy. THIS EVENING, a New and Original Dra HUGUm., in E Three Acts, by Watts Phillips, Esq., entilla THE NOT CA PTAIN. Principal' character s by Mrs. Stir inz,, Miss CA PTAIN. Neilson, Miss I ugusta Thomsen ; Mr. Gear e Honey aid Mr. Vining. Grand Ballet 01 Bohemians, in which MM Flageo let, Clodoche, Comete, and N.ormande, will appear. Ne.s scenery by Mr. F. 1..19yd5. NENV T HEATRE -ROYAL ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. tiltS I.:VP:NINO. at 7 precisely, TILE FAST FAML_Y. Messrs. Bidington, J. L. 'Foote, Paul Bedford, It Phillips, Ashley, Eburne; Mrs. A. Mellon Miss Woolgar), Miss Simms, Miss Furtado, Miss Smith, Miss Seaman, Miss God mall, and Mrs. H. Lewis. After which a Burlesque Opera, called HELENE ; or, Taken from the GI eek. Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedfora, R. Phillips, Ashley, Eburne; Mrs. A. Mellon, Miss Furtado, Miss Seaman, Miss Godsallot c. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, THE WEA IHERCOCK. After which, will be produced the Latest Edition of KENILWORTH. Messrs. 'I horne, Jame•, Fenton, and Turner; Mesdames Ads Swanborough, Raynham, John stone, and Bolt To conclude with TIMOTHY TO THE RESCUE. UT ESTO N' S GRAND MUSIC HALL, HOLBORN. Open at Half-past Seven, under New Management. Proprietors—Messrs. Sweasey and Holland. Locke's music to MACBETH is a triumph more than a mere success— Fifty voza:ists. as,isted ty a band of thirty pertormerg—Brilliant success of GEORGE HODSON (Ire land's Gentl—The Great Comic AR I'HUR LLOYD — BARRY 3/lACARTHY, the iteganeas Comedian—N[oßA TOLLlO and LE BRON Gr. the. Eciipse of all Acrobats—l. A. PETITE TAGLIONI, only 28 inches high. the smallest Dancer in the World—H. PIEKROT. the one leg', the Wonder of the World, to be see,. at this Hall only—KA tE CHATTERS, Ferio-Comic and Sklp , inz-rope Dancer, her Borst appearance at this Halt—with a host of other fiat class talented artistes too numerous to mention. ** WEST, the Stump Orator, and Mrs: EMU WEST are engaged, and will appear August 4th. Prices as usual. Box-office open from 11 to 4. P. CORM. Musical Director. T " R. G "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. LENIE, , Sporting Library, 4, Connaught terrace, Edjware-road, is specially appointed AGFN r to deliver the LATE EDITION of lllli SUN " at tho earhe.,t po'sible moment after leaving the vress. He is able to deliver copies Town. Ihe Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparatively early hour the same Lvening, say 40 miles by 9 o'clock. THE ~S UN" NEWSPAPER._ G. R. GLENIE delivers the LATE EDITION at Chelsea, 7.40 ; 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 ; Uxbridge, 9.20 ; Watford, 8.45. 11HE LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to Inform his friends, and the pubilo generally. that he supplies the LATEST EDITH)N of "THE SUN" as soon as published —No. 10, Hampstead road. N.W. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LATEST 'NEWS and S:..)ORTING INTELLIGENCE, by 11. W. ELAILILIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackiriars-road, London, S. SPORTING. —JOHN ROBERTS supplies the LATEST EDITION of " TIEN: SUN" as soon as pub ished.-4, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied, as soon as published every Evening, by vV. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 2s, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. LATEST INTELLIGENCE.- Mr. CHAPMAN, 01 the White Bart, Acton, Middle sex, begs to inform Lis friends and neighbours that the Latest Elition of "The Sun" can be seen at his house as above. FOR THE LATEST POLITICAL and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE see the Late Edition 01 "The Sun" at Mr. Blake's, Queen's Head, Windsor street, Uxbridge. 14ENSON, J. W., by Special Appointment to :1.11.H. the Prince of Wales. BENSON'S VvrikTCHES. Prize Medal, 1865. 13ENSON'S WATCHES, sent safe by post. ENSON'S CLOCKS, manufactuied by Steam it, Power. BENSON'S SILVER & ELECTRO-PLATE Prize Medal, 1862. BENSON'S .E GOLD JEWLLE.RY. and Artistic. Novel BENSON'S ILLUSTRATED PAMPHLET. 2d. 1 ENSON, Old Bond-street and Westbourne groye. BENSON'S STEAM FACTORY, Ludgate-hill. NOTIC E.—C. F. HANCOCK, SON, and CO., Jewellers and Silversmiths to the Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales, beg respectfully to state that their Only Address is 38 and 39, BRUTON-STREET, corner of Bond-street, London.—lmmediate cash given for jewels and plate.—N.B. A very large stock of presentation and second-hand plate. IJANCOCK and BURBROOK, Jewellers, &c., to the Prince of Wales, beg to announce thitt their ONLY ADDRESS is 37, CONDUIT-STREET, five doors from Bond-street. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY: Morning, 10h. 42 m. — Afternoon,L11h. 50w. T.)-21ouRow.-Morning, 111. 50m.— Afternoon, L. m. LONDON, MONDAY, JULY 23, 1866. The banquet at which the members of the Cob den Club assembled on Saturday evening was a brilliant festivity. The guests included some of our most distinguished statesmen and some of our most prominent politicians ; it was presided over by the eloquence of Mr. GLADSTONE, and addressed by the wisdom and experience of Earl RUSSELL. By an unfortunate chance neither Mr. BRIGHT nor Mr. MILNER GIBSON were present, but Mr. VILLIERS, one of the earliest labourers in the field in which Mr. COBDEN won his laurels, was among the company, and many others, some of whom had been friends and coadjutors of RICHARD COBDEN; others who were late but valuable con verts to his doctrines were gathered together to do honour to the memory of him who has been appro priately called " the Apostle of Free Trade." The honourable but responsible task of proposing the toast of the evening could not possibly have been deputed to worthier hands. Mr. GLADSTON'S com manding eloquence was perhaps never heard to greater advantage than in paying his tribute to the memory of th a t f ar - s i g ht e d an d c l ear -j u d g i ng poli tician,n so many of whose once-despised theories have become political ap h orisms. Mr. GLADSTONE, too, had an especi a l right to the office of president on this occasion, since his name is intimately associated with Mr. ConnEws latest, but not least, laborious undertaking—the Treaty of Commerce with France. Speaking of Mr. C oBDE , S efforts to remove the restrictions which encumber the commercial inter course of nations, Mr. GLADSTONE said that he believed Mr. COBDEN was one of the very first to' enunciate the truth that commerce has a moral as well as a material aspect. H e was one of the first to perceive that the wholesale interchange of pro ducts and manufactures between different nations was something more than a mere matter of trade and barter. In the words of Mr. GLADSTONE, " Lie showed that trade was not only a law of wealth and prosperity, but a law of friendship, a aw of kindness among all nations, that every single transaction, of which thousands are at this moment going on between this country and any other country, such as France, was a transaction form ing, as it were, one single thread in a web of concord woven between people and people." This idea is familiar to the men of this generation, but it is one of very modern growth and development. The old theory is more accurately expressed in an Arabic proverb which Mr. GLADSTONE quoted last evening, " Trade is war." Very different was the view taken of its obligations and its tendency by the eminent man whose public services were commemorated last evening. " Why," asked the speaker, " are those commodities which minister to the comfort and happiness of mankind not equally ' produced in all places ? Why are the laws of climate and of soil not so adjusted as to admit of that equal production ? Surely without diving too deep into matters be yond our ken, it is not too much at least to say that we see in that necessity of exchange with a view to the multiplication of the enjoyments and pleasures of man there is laid the foundation of an intercourse which is meant to establish the links of concord between all the nations of the earth ; and this was, we think, in the mind of Mr. COBDEN, at all times the paramount view of international commerce." To popularise such a theory, to bring it home to the hearts and consciences of men who are too apt to dissociate their daily business from ther moral principles, and to look upon even large and extended transactions as mere means of money-making without regard to the greater interests involved is doubtless a great work, and this work it was Mr. COBDEN'S lot at least to inaugurate. Much remains to bedone in the same di rection, as it remains to bedone in every other branch of public enlightenment and administrative reform ; but it is something that a great principle should be widely recognised by practical men, when that is done the lever is applied, and sooner or later it will do its work in raising and ennobling the people. The views now popular respecting commercial legislation are very different from what they were before Mr. COBDEN'S time. The narrow and sel fish theories, shortsighted and disadvantageous as all selfish theories must be, are now wellnigh ex ploded. Other nations are gradually following the example of this country, and slowly but surely arriving at the conviction that- every unnecessary impost or duty is a check on the energy of trade. As a strong man works better with his limbs unshackled than under the burden of cumb rous fetters, so the giant Commerce can more swiftly and more surely benefit the nations when set free from the restrictions and hindrances which a mistaken policy has imposed upon him. Slowly but surely our statesmen are also learning from experience rather than from theory that it is not only better and safer, but actually more profit able, to base the national revenue on the free and indirect contributions of the many rather than on the forced payments of the few ; that is to say, they have found that by removing all possible restric tions, and by reducing taxation they gain more in the vast increase of consumption than they lose in the actual remission. Speaking of Mr. COBDEN'S general views, inde pendently of those great questions of commercial policy with which his name is inseparably associated, Mr. GLADSTONE observed that he was one of th e earliest advocates of Peace, Retrenchment, and Reform. The policy of Peace has so far gained ground that no Statesman would now think of plung ing this country into unnecessary war. Retrench ment is still more a matter of theory than practice, but Reform is still a vital principle. As Mr. GLADSTONE said en Saturday night, " the question possibly may sleep for a time, but it will have a certain and early resurrection." Remembering the difficulties which Mr. COBDEN and his coadjutors had to encounter in their struggles to establish the great principle of free trade, remembering, too, the efforts of the great reformers of 1830-32, we must not be disheartened at any temporary delay. Look ing round at the brilliant assembly who listened to the eloquent oration of Mr. GLADSTONE on Saturday evening, it was not uninstructive to recall the ridicule, the animosity, the indifference with which Mr. COBDEN'S early efforts were regarded in various quarters. Mr. VILLIERS' annual motion for 1 the repeal of the corn laws used to be received by the Commons of those days with the same laughter and ironical cheers as now greet the advocates of the ballot. Every step in the path of social and 1 legislative progress must be fought against despe rate odds, not by physical violence, but by moral perseverance against prejudice and egotism. It is not always that the labours of the public servant are crowned with such laurels as were worthily won by the great Free Trader; it is not always that a grateful public even acknowledges its obligations over his grave, but if the work, though unrecognised, is accomplished, he who has helped to forward it is not without his reward." It is right and fitting that our politicians should step aside from the beaten track, and give a tangible form to their affectionate remembrances of a man like RICHARD COBDEN. Mr. GLADSTONE said truly that-.-" It is not upon bronze and marble that the renown of such a man as this depends. You need not by visible signs recall him to the eyes of men; his name is written in their hearts; but some public recognition of the benefits which 1 he has conferred upon his countrymen and his gene ration, and not upon them alone, has a moral for those that succeed us. In him we see the influ ences which, without the notice of public distinc tion, as it is commonly understood, notwithstand ing, minister largely to the benefit and happiness of his fellow-creatures, and raise the fabric of a solid and enduring fame upon labours which had not fame for their object, which were conceived in a higher spirit, and which, at the same time, must have it for their certain and deathless result." An armistice has been at last agreed to, for a short space it is true, but there seems no doubt of its having taken place. During five days of its 1 duration much may occur of importance to sway and influence the minds of the belligerents, but who can say with anything like confidence that peace will be the result of this breathing time afforded. The French EMPEROR has been un wearied in his efforts to obtain a cessation of hos tilities, but unfortunately the prejudices and diffi culties that stood in his way have been too mu c h for him. As for the Austrians, when we come to take all things into consideration, it does not s eem so strange that she should be willing to risk another battle. The fact is that peace will bring no such great advantages to the Emperor FRANCIS JOSEPH, if he be compelled to relinquish all share in the Germanic Confederation, and therefore he naturally hesitates to accede to the propositions so repeatedly made and urged upon his acceptance. Prussia seems hesitating as to the prudence of attempting another battle, but she will not give up her cherished idea of being alone in Germany without her hated rival. This is the real secret of the war, and the cause of the eagerness with which the Berlin Government have pushed on their military preparations. Schleswig- Holstein formed a very good pretext for commencing the attack, but in reality the source of the dissatisfaction lay far deeper. It seems as if all parties had resolved that it was the best thing for Austria to do to give up her position in Germany, but they will not be so ready to assist her in the difficulties which such a withdrawal will entail upon her. It is a paltry subterfuge for Prussia to make a boast of her magnanimity in not demanding a great increase of territory, when it is patent to the world that the sacrifize she requires is of far greater, , worth, and will cripple Austria more than the re linquishment of a large portion of her dominions. The Germans attach so much importance to ideas, and when once it is generally made known that Austria has ceased to belong to the Confederation her influence will go down in a surprising manner. As for the notion which some en tertain that the change proposed by Prussia will be of benefit to Germany that is not likely. It will require a more straightforward agent than BISMARCK ever was or will be to work out a scheme of national regeneration ; and when he holds forth so grandiloquently concerning his projects, and calls upon the several States to appre ciate his services, they might well reply to his asseverations in the emphatic words, Timea Danaos et dona ferentes. Italy has certainly no great causes to plume her self upon her share in this contest, and were it not for the co-operation of Prussia, she would have to retire ignominiously ; as it is, she has made herself ridiculous by her pretensions and shown herself in cap able of carrying out her fine-sounding prowess. In the naval engagement which took place on the 20th the Austrians gained a complete vitory, and after several hours of fighting the Italian fleet was driven back pursued by the Austrian squadroe. The engagement, which is said to have been very severe, lasted for five hours. The Italians, with that in genuity they so largely possess, seem to have made out a pretty good case for themselves, but there is no doubt that they not, only got the worst of it, but were really defeated, after making desperate efforts to retrieve themselves. The Austrians ap pear to have displayed as much skill in their en counter with the Italians as they have exhibited a want of savoir faire when they engaged with the Prussians. We have seldom witnessed a more lamentable instance of self-conceit and presump tion than that shown by the Italians, and there fore there is no valid cause for regretting their discomfiture. It was not the desire of recover ing their territory from the hands of the spoiler that urged them on and incited them to the war, but they were eager to wreak their vengeance on Austria, and pay off a long score of offences. It quite spoiled their cause besides to side with Prussia, the known enemy to freedom wherever her power extends. This treaty between King WILLIAM and VICTOR EMMANUEL will long remain a stain on the annals of Italy; and seriously injure her cause with those who have sympathised with her in her struggles for freedom, and earnestly wished her success. The greatest anxiety has been felt for some time past by the Italians that their fleet, of which they are so proud, should come forth and distinguish itself, but it would have been better if they had remained inactive after all, for the affair of the other day has been most disastrous. The Prussian troops are being concentrated upon the Marchfield before Vienna, and all is being got in readi ness for the approaching contest. Meanwhile Frank fort is paying dearly for the share she has had in the war, and will, it is said, be called upon to furnish a further sum of 25 million florins. The Municipal Council, it is said, have declared that they cannot pay so large a sum; and no wonder, after the heavy contributions forced from them the other day. We doubt very much, however, if the Prussians will not make them find some way of paying the required sum, for they are most exacting and extortionate, and whether they come in the guise of friends or foes the result is pretty much the same for all concerned. In Paris it seems that they entertain most sanguine expectations as to the result of the armistice, but we have yet to see whether such con fident expectations can be realised. The chief object in view in ,getting this five days' armistice seems to be to give time to Austria to consider the nature of the proposals made by Prussia ; but we do not feel sure that she will d 3 so. We are told so, it is true, but not with a very great appearance of certainty, and have, as usual, to remain in doubt. This Con tinental war certainly affords us exercise for patience in no small degree. We hear the news in such confused accounts that we may well feel a little uncertain at first what to credit and what to reject a s spurious. We see little security for Germany that if the Prussian scheme be carried out that it will be allowed that free scope for its energies that is essential to the progress and prosperity of a large empire. It is of no use for the ruling power to be strong unless it is also actuated by an enlightened spirit, and the late experience we have all had of Prussia forbids us to hope anything really beneficial from her policy. A change that is not for the better is but a delusive advantage after all, and before long all parties may wish that this war had never taken place. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Sunday Evening. If the Memorial hiplomatique can be believed, the Pacific step taken by Austria in so speedily ac cepting the proposition of Prussia for an armistice of five days is only in conformity with its previous desire to pursue a friendly policy. Austria notified to the French Government two months ago that she was ready to cede Venetia. Her idea was not only to place Italy in a disinterested position, but to break up the Prusso-Italian coalition, and to obtain the active assistance of France in the case of a war breaking out between the two great German Powers. It was the opposition of the military power in Austria which threw obstacles in the way of the cession of Venetia. But the French and Austrian Cabinets had made some preliminary arrangements respecting the cession before the battle of Sado wa. The official announcement despatched to London on Friday by telegraph, that if Austria agreed to the mutual proposal to abstain with Prussia from hostilities for five days, the treaty for an armistice might be, signed immediately, at first was received as an indication that peace was certain. After a day's consideration, however, both journalists and the public appear to have less confidence. There did not seem to be so much doubt as to the pacific disposition of Austria, but the adhesion of Italy being also requisite, by some it is feared, from recent manifestations, that a difficulty may arise, in that quarter. Be this as it may, the effect on the Bourse at first was almost as marked and extensive as upon the first announcement of the mediation of France. The highest rise was in the Credit Mobilier shares, which was no less than 35f. Austria, according to the Moniteur of yesterday, interposed no delay, but immediately accepted the proposal ocf Court rtfi vPrussia,eofv days,t i o n a na b ta s ttwahi will l from expiration have a to n acty o f declareowfhostilitysich acceptance t i dur ing or s m p t e thee o refusal of the p re li m i naries of peace. In f this pacific demonstration, there is still some doubt or difficulty.in the public mind in regard to the ulti mate decision of Austria. The Journal des Deiats of this morning says— ,' Austria deliberates for the moment, and we shall not anticipate her decision. She has expressed her willingness to make any arrangement which would not compromise her dignity. She accepted French mediation on the evening of the day when the note appeared in the illoniteur of the sth. It is difficult to know how the dignity of the Austrian empire can be compromised by its Government under present circumstances." The Court of Cassation has rejected the appeal of Philippe, condemned to death for the murder of the woman Bodeaux, and the attempt to murder Madame Midi. Two points were urged by the pri soner's counsel in support of the appeal. First, an alleged violation of criminal code, a juror having manifested his opinion before the evidence was con eluded. The counsel contended that another juror ought to have been chosen to replace him. The other point was that a witness, who was first ex amined on oath, was afterwards irregularly heard to explain some circumstances without being again sworn. Both these objections are of some import ance. The Court overruled them both, and main tained the sentence, which will, no doubt, be car ried into immediate execution. A very fashionably-dressed young lady has been arrested for picking pockets opposite the Palais Royal, where there are always crowds waiting for the omnibus. Several purses were found upon her, but she was clever enough to extract the money and have it loose in her pocket. One lady, however, from whom she had taken a purse, furnished rather a curious piece of evidence against the thief. The lady stated that in addition to the money there were two false teeth in the purse. These two iden tical teeth were found among the loose cash in the girl's pocket. Thus was the girl's guilt established by evidence out of the complainant's own mouth if not in spite of her teeth. This girl, although not twenty, seems to have carried on a flourishing trade, for she had created such a good position for herself that she was about to marry an officer sid good family. An amusing dodge of some rats at one of the minor theatres is related. The man who had charge of the lamps, finding that his oil had dimi nished very rapidly, watched for the supposed thief. After waiting in silence for about an hour, about a dozen rats successively made their appearance. Some six or eight mounted on each other's backs, so as to enable one to reach the top of the oil can. The orifice was very small, but the uppermost rat introduced his tail into the oil, and descending, al lowed his accomplices to lick the oil which the tail had imbibed. The tale is literally a strange one, but,the truth of it is affirmed by the.Epoque. The fame of the Prussian needle-gun is likely to be eclipsed by an electric gun, the invention of M. Bazin, perfected by Mr. G. Renette, the Emperor's armourer. One great improvement is that half of the movements of the Prussian gun are dispensed with, and another is that is can be applied easily to all the guns now in use. Prominent points, which impede the movements of the soldier, the trigger and lock, for instance, are done away with. Swindling in Paris is practised with such finesse and dexterity that it must be classed among the in dustrial arts. Here is another instance. A very fashionably dressed young lady went a day or two ago to a pawnbroker's office. She offered in pledge a bracelet set with diamonds. The clerk proposed to lend her 220 f., but she said that was not enough —she had given I,ooof. for the article, and she wanted at least 400 f. The bracelet, which was in a jewel case, was therefore handed back to her. The lady took it, and after hesitating a moment or two said she would accept the amount offered. 'The case did not appear to have passed from her hand ; but pawnbrokers are cautious people, and the clerk opened it and gave a glance. For the bracelet at first offered another had been substi tuted in the twinkling of an eye, which was of brass, and not worth 15f. The lady was con signed to a police officer, and it appears that she has several times been more successful in playing this slight-of-hand trick. The wound received by the young Prince of Hohenzollern at the battle of Sadowa has proved so serious that it has been nedessary to amputate his left leg. Another leg is in course of manufac ture at Paris by an eminent mechanic, the artictf lation of which will be so exquisite that it is expected the Prince will be able to use it almost as efficiently as the natural leg. The Prince was in Paris last winter, and was at almost all the fashionable balls. It is to be feared that he never will again be able to dance so well. As was the case with the gouty old Commodore," the balls have spoilt his dancing. The Constitutionnel of to-day considers that the concession made by Austria is of such importance that it is useless to take any notice of the articles more or less bellicose of the Prussian and Italian journals, which ought to abstain from all dischssions calculated to render the work of diplomacy more difficult." There has been an explosion from gas in the stablei at the circus iii the Champs Elysees, and three persons are said to have perished in the flames. Three horses were burnt to death. Had it not been for great exertions the theatre would have been entirely destroyed. The performance, however, will be resumed this evening. The Reform League Demonstration.—Lette from Mr. Sohn Bright. _-o----- TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR, —The following letter has been received from Mr. John Bright, M.P. Will you kindly publish the same in your valuable paper. --4 am, &c. GEO. HOWELL, Secretary. Adelphi-terrace, W.C., July 22. Rochdale, July 19. Dear Sir,—l thank your Council for the invita tion to the meeting intended to be held in Hyde park on Monday next. I cannot leave home for some days to come, and therefore cannot be in London on the 23d inst. I see that the chief of the metropolitan police force has announced his intention to prevent the holding of the meeting. It appears from this that the people may meet in the parks for every purpose but that which ought to be most important and most dear to them. To meet in the streets is inconve nient, and to meet in the parks is unlawful-- this is the theory of the police authorities of the metro polis ! . You have asserted your right to meet on Primrose hill, and in Trafalgar-square. I hope after Monday next no one will doubt your right to meet in Hyde park. _ _ If a public meeting in a public park is denied you, and if millions of intelligent and honest men are denied the franchise, on what foundation does our liberty rest, or is there in the country any liberty but the toleration of the ruling class? This is a serious question, but it is necessary to ask it, and some answer must be given to it. I am, very respectfully yours, JOHN BRIGHT. Mr. George Howell, Secretary to the Reform League, 8, Adelphi-terrace, Strand, London, W.C. Mr. T. Mason Jones has sent to the Home Secre tary the copy of a resolution passed at " a meeting of the committee to vindicate the right of public meeting in the royal'parks," which is thus worded : —" That her Majesty's Secretary of State f'r the Home Department, in prohibiting the proposed reform meeting in Hyde-park, having claimed on behalf of the Crown an unlimited discretionary power with regard to properties vested in it ; and that the Crown can of its sole will prevent the people from holding public meetings in the parks, this committee denies that the Crown has any such power, and has determined to test the question by holding a public meeting in favour of reform in Hyde-park, on Monday evening, the 23d instant, at seven o'clock." The following reply has been received : " Home Department, July 21, 1866. " Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note enclosing a copy of certain resolutions intended to be proposed at a meeting i n Hyde-park. After the statement which I felt it my duty to make in the House of Commons, I had hoped that those who had proposed to convene that meeting would have forborne from calling it together. Should they still persevere in their intention, which I trust they will not, I have no other course left open to me but to desire the police to act on the notice issued by Sir Richard Mayne.-1 am, sir, your obedient servant, 44 S. H. AVALPOLE. " Mr. T. Mason Jones." RESIGNATION OF CAPT. COOPER KEY. — We understand that Capt. A s tl e y C oo per, Key, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship Excellent, and Governor of the Royal Naval College at P or t smout h , has tendered hi s re signation to the First Lord of the Admiralty, owing to the fact o f a very junior office r h av i ng been appointed to superintend the fittings of gun c arr i ages on b oard her M a j e sty's ships. It is to be hoped th a t some steps will be ta k en w ithout l oss o f time to assuage Capt. Key's wounded feelings, as it is scarcely likely that any officer of spirit will accept an ap pointment saddled with the annoyance to which we have alluded.—Army and 4Yavy Gazette. THE SUN, LONDON, AIONDAY EVENING, JULY 23, 1866. LATEST INTELLFIENCE. (P,EUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) THE ARMISTICE NEGOTIATIONS. BERLIN, July 20. The full text of the official documents (sum mary telegraphed) referring to the three days' armistice between the belligerents, proposed by the Emperor Napoleon, has just been published here. Although these first negotiations failed, it may not be uninteresting to chronicle their precise tenour : Prussian proposal delivered upon the evening of the 12th July to the Austrian army by the Secretary of the French Legation : " Although unable to conclude the armistice proposed by France with the consent of Italy, but, nevertheless, desirous of affording the Empe ror Napoleon a proof of his good-will, the King is ready, in order to have time to ascertain the intentions of the Italian Government, to order his troops, upon condition of reciprocity, to ab stain from all acts of hostility against the Austro- Saxon army for three days upon the following terms : " 1. The ground between the present position of the Prussian army and the Thaya shall be imme diately evacuated by the Austrian troops. " 2. In addition to the case provided for by Art. 1, all the Prussian troops, all the Austrian troops of the Northern and Southern armies, and the Saxon troops, as well as their artillery and ammunition trains, shall halt at the spot where they may be upon the day the present arrangement is signed, and shall abstain from all movement. " 3. Until the expiration of the covenanted de lay the Prussian troops will remain at three miles' distance from Olmutz. " 4. The railway between Dresden and Prague shall be open for the transport of provisions to the Prussian army." AUSTRIAN REPLY. " His Majesty the Emperor of Austria is ready to consent to the proposal for a provisional suspen sion of hostilities during three days in order to leave His Majesty the King of Prussia time to ascertain the intention of his ally King Victor Emmanuel relative to the conclusion of the armistice proposed by France. " The Austrian Government, however, finds that the conditions of this suspension of arms as con tained in the note brought by M. Lefebre de Behaine could not be accepted without evident disadvantage to the Austrian army, while the Prussian army could avail itself of them to improve its position. For instance, Art. 3 of the above proposals merely stipu lates, in general terms, that the Prussian troops will remain at three miles distance from Olmutz, which would in no way exclude the possibility of sur rounding the position of Olmutz upon all sides at that distance during the three days' suspension of arms. Again, the truce in question not being extended to the Italian army, which can continue its advance during that period, it is altogether impossible that Austria can accept for her Southern army an engagement which would condemn it to absolute immobility, and would thus expose it to a marked disadvantage. In consequence of the above the Austrian Go vernment proposes as the basis of the suspension of hostilities to draw between the Austro-Saxon army upon the one part and the Prussian army upon the other a line of demarkation which should not be passed by either side during these three days, but behind wnich either of the armies should have com plete liberty of movement. The Austrian Govern ment proposes as the line of demarkation the river Thaya from its source to a point two miles to the west of Lundenburg. Thence the line would run parallel with the railway from Lundenburg to Olmutz, being kept at a distance of two miles west of that railroad, and would ascend to the posi tions at present occupied by the Prussian army, remaining at a distance of two miles to the west and north of the most advanced external works of the position of Olmutz. " If the Prussian Government accepts this coun ter proposition in place of Arts. 1,2, and 3 of the Note brought by M. Lefebvre de Behaine, the Aus trian Government would immediately come to an agreement with the King of Saxony in order that the provision trains for the Prussian army may travel unhindered along the railway.from Dresden to Prague. " In case his Majesty the King should consent to the suspension of hostilities upon the above indicated bases, his Majesty the Emperor of Austria would propose to send at once to Raigern commissioners empowered by both parties to sign this truce. " His Majesty the Emperor of Austria would attach great value to this suspension of hostilities being extended also to the Bavarian troops as well as to those under the command of Prince Alexander of Hesse. PRUSSIAN REFUSAL. " His Majesty the King of Prussia being unable to adhere to other conditions than those transmitted through M. Lefebvre de Behaine cannot give his consent to the counter-proposals of his Majesty the Emperor of Austria. Two points in especial place the King under the necessity of declining the combination substituted at Vienna for that in which his Majesty had acquiesced, viz., the capability of continuing its movements, which would thus remain to the Austrian Southern army, and the refusal to consent to the Prussian troops occupying the line from the Thaya to Lundeuburg. No necessity therefore exists for sending a commissioner to this city to come to an understanding upon an agree ment." FLORENCE July .22,. Evening. The conditions placed by Italy to her acceptance of the armistice, and communicated to Prussia and France, particularly with respect to the Tyrol, have not yet been accepted by Austria. According to the Italie, the commanders of the Italian army have declared that no suspension of hostilities can take place between Austria and Italy before the present military movement has been com pleted, and the Italian army corps have secured a safe and regular position. The Austrian commanders in Venetia have im posed extraordinary taxes by way of fine, upon those localities where public rejoicings took place in cele bration of the cession of Venetia by Austria. AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. PARIS, July 23. Austria has accepted the preliminaries of peace proposed by Prussia. THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT BEFORE LISSA. (OFFICIAL ITALIAN ACCOUNT) FLORENCE, July 21. The following official account of the naval en gagement between the Austrian and Italian fleets, dated the Straits of Lissa, July 20, has been re ceived here :- The Austrian squadron not having made its ap pearance as expected on the evening of the 18th, some of our ironclad vessels forced their way yes terday into the Port St. George's. This morning dis embarkation commenced, when the naval vedettes signalled that the enemy's squadron was in sight. The Italian fleet put out to meet them, and a battle commenced. Admiral Persano hoisted his flag on the Affon datore, and bore down upon the Austrian fleet under a heavy fire. The stern of the Austrian admiral's vessel was destroyed. The fight was very se fere. We lost the ironclad R 6 d'ltalia, which the admiral had left, and which sank from a collision with the enemy at the commencement of the battle. The ironclad gunboat Palestro caught fire, and the commander and crew refused to leave the vessel. She blew up amidst their cries of "Long live the King ! Long live Italy !" No other vessel was lost or fell into the enemy's hands. The admiral renewed the attack upon the Aus trian squadron, which retired to Lesina without waiting for our fleet to come up, and the Austrians continuing their retreat, the Italian squadron re mained mistress of the scene of action. The damages sustained by the enemy are con sideratle. Further intelligence is expected. The crew of the Re d'ltalia were nearly all picked up by the Vittorio Emanuele. FLORENCE, July 21, Evening. Further information received here from Lissa reports that one Austrian mars-of-war and two steamers were sunk by the fire of the Italian squadron. (OFFICIAL AUSTRIAN ACCOUNT.) VIENNA, July 21. Yesterday morning the Italian fleet, composed Of 23 ships, including the ram Affondatore and 12 ironclad frigates, was attacked off the island of Lissa by the Austrian squadron, under the com mand of Admiral Tegethoff. In the course of a severe action a large Italian ironclad frigate was sunk by the Austrian ironclad Ferdinand Max, and another Italian frigate was blown up. All on board these vessels were lost. The Austrian line-of-battle ship Kaiser was sur rounded by four Italian ironclads, of which she ran down one and forced the others back, losing in the engagement her foremast and bowsprit, 22 killed and 82 wounded. The Austrian squadron has sustained exceed ingly little damage, and is quite fit for action. After several hours' fighting the Italian fleet was driven back, pursued by the Austrian squadron, and the island of Lissa is thereby relieved. The Italians made three attempts to disembark troops near Comissa, which were each time success fully repulsed by the garrison. ZARA, July 20. The Italian fleet renewed the attack on Lis to day, but without result. The Italian fleet was then attacked by the Austrian squadron under Admiral Tegethoff, and after a very severe engagement, which lasted for five hours, was forced to retire in the direction of Ancona, followed by the Austrian squadron. PLYMOUTH, July 23. The Celaeno, Captain Renaut, from Otago on April 15, passed up Channel off the Start on Satur day night with 22 passengers, 8,898 ounces of gold, and a cargo of wool and sundries. On the 6th July, in lat. 8.15 S. 30 W., she passed close to a three masted schooner of foreign build with her decks full of men. There was no name on her stern, and she would show no colours. She was standing to the southward. QUEENSTOWN, July. 23. The Cunard extra steamship Tripoli, from New York, arrived here at 12.40 a.m., with 142 passen gers. She landed 26 passengers and proceeded at one o'clock. All well. FRANCE. BOURSE, July 21.—Two o'clock.--The accepta tion by Austria of the proposition to suspend hos tilities for five days has naturally produced a favourable effect on all departments of the market, which now shows considerable animation at further augmented rates. Threes, for the Account, have advanced 65c., and are doing at 69f. 35c., whilst Italian Fives have improved lf. 80c., viz., to 56f. 20c. Credit Mobilier and Foncier Shares have gained—the former 27f. 50c., at 677 f. 50c., and the latter 16f. 25c.,',1,305f.' Spanish Mobilier are 17f. 50c. higher, viz., at 352 f. 50c. ; and Comptoir d'Escompte 20c., at 885 f. In Railway Shares Lyons have advanced 6f. 25c., Northern 5f., and Austrian and Lombard sf. each. English Consols are also telegraphed with a rise of per cent. Three o'clock.--The market closed as follows : 41 per Cents 97 25 Do. end month — 3 per Cents. • 69 20 Do. end month 69 30 Credit Mobilier Do. end month Credit Foncier — Do. end month 1320 - RAIL' Bank Shares 3550 Italian Loan 56 25 Do. end month 56 20 Mexican Loan — Do. Bonds — - - Spanish Threes Home Debt — Deferred 'AYE!. For Account. Orleans B6O Northern 1127 50 Lyons and Mediterranean B7O Southern 527 50 Western 550 Eastern b27 50 Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona.. Roman. 362 50 , 3 95 - .................... lO2 50 132 50 THE ATLANTIC CABLE. The following telegram was received by Reuter's Telegram Company (Limited), from Mr. R. A. Glass, managing director of the Telegraph Con struction and Maintenance Company (Limited) VALENTIA, July 21. 6 p.m.—The following telegram has been re ceived from the Great Eastern this day :—Noon, ship's time, July 21. Canning to Glass. Lat. 51.18 N., long. 32.1 W. Cable payed out 1,074.33 miles. Distance run, 952.3 miles. Insulation and continuity perfect. Weather fine. " July 22. "5.35 p.m.—Thefoilowin g telegram received from the Great Eastern : —Noon, ship's time, July 22. Lat. 50.48 N., long. 39.14 W. Cable payed out 1,207.47 miles. Distance run 1,075.7 miles. In sulation and continuity perfect. Weather fine." Throwing Stones. Lord Russell has so few undamaged panes left in the glass house of his political shrine that he would be but wise if he rigidly observed the old proverb. But he cannot abstain from having a mischievous fling at the reputation of his successor, and he throws not only a stone, but a very dirty one, at Lord Stanley's fair fame. At the dinner of the Cobden Club at Richmond on Saturday, Lord Russell, in speaking of the negotiations for an armistice, more especially with reference to the recently proposed cession of Venetia to France, said— " I regret that, however commendable cm the part of the Emperor that offer might be, that an English Secretary of Foreign Affairs should have gone shares in that pro position." We have reason to know that the spiteful insi nuation of the late Premier is entirely unfounded. Lord Stanley did not " go shares" in the Emperor's propositions, and the course of English policy has been entirely such as the Foreign Secretary de scribed in his recent speech—carefully and guardedly neutral. When the Emperor of the French first endea . - voured to stop the effusion of blood and to bring about an armistice he asked for our support, and the English Government, in the interest of humanity, professed its willingness to support an appeal from arms to reason, and to press upon the belligerents the desirableness of an armistice. But at the same time it refused to join in mediation with out first thoroughly appreciating the basis of in terference, and in no degree, by word or implica tion, engaged its responsibility in any single one of the several pending questions. It should have been quite beneath Lord Russell to cast obstacles in Lord Stanley's path, and to en deavour to pervert the sense of his first and careful steps. He would do better to remember the gene rosity and forbearance with which he has himself been treated, and not to attempt, by transparent misrepresentation, to throw obloquy upon a man whose intentions are good and whose actions have hitherto been such as the country approves.—Post. A sentimental old bachelor says a woman's heart is the "sweetest" thing in the world; in fact, a perfect honeycomb—full of sells. Bee ware. erAr 7.) COUTE eirmlar HER MAJiiSTY. OSBORNE, July 21. The Queen drove out yesterday accompanied by Princess Louise and the Princess of Leiningen and her Majesty walked in the grounds this morn ing with Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice. Prince Leopold drove out yesterday. The Prince and Princess of Leiningen dined with the QuLfeu and the royal family yesterday. Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge, equerry in waiting, has arrived at Osborne. The Prince and Princess of Wa!es. The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Countess of Morton, Lieut.-General Knollys, and Major Grey, drove to 'the volunteer camp at Wimbledon on Saturday, where the Princess of Wales presented the prizes to the successful com petitors. Their royal -highnesses were afterwards present at the volunteer review. The Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Countess of Morton and Major Grey in waiting, attended Divine service, at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, yesterday morning. The communion service was read by the Rev. J. C. Haden and the Rev. C. Packe. Anthem—" 1 have surely built Thee an house" (Boyce), sung by Messrs. R. Barnby, Cummings, and Lawler. Mr. Cooper presided at the organ. The sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Macke from Ephesians ii. 19, and following verses. HEM FORDSHIRE EL EC PlON—This Day. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.I This morning at ten o'clock Mr. Henry Heyman Toul man, the High Sheriff, proceeded with the election of member to serve the county of Hertfordshire in Parlia ment, in the room of Sir Edward Balwer Lytton, Bart., who has been raised to the peerage. The friends of Mr. J. Abel Smith met him shortly before ten o'clock, in the open space opposite the Hertford In firmary, and conducted him in large numbers to the hustings, which were erected at Plough Mead, at the east ' end of the town. Here the Sheriff, having opened the proceedings With the usual formalities, Mr. J. Abel Smith was put in nomi nation ; and, as there was no other candidate, he was de clared duly elected. Mr. Smith, in acknowledging the compliment whichhad been conferred upon him, paid a high compliment to his distinguished predecessor in the county representation , and referred to his own proceedings as a member of the House of Commons as an earnest of his future course. B:s expressed his intention of supporting Lord Derby's Go vernment. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Sheriff. The Sheriffs return was forthwith forwarded to the Crown-office ; and Mr. Smith will, if he is so disposed, be able to take his seat at the sittings of the House of Core mons this evening. The Loss of the Amazon, The court-martial appointed by the Admiralty, under the presidency of Rear-Admiral George G. Wellesley, C. 8., resumed and concluded its sittings on board H.M.S. Victory, at Portsmouth, on Saturday. The .Deputy-Judge-Advocate read the finding a,act sentence of the Court as follows : The Court arc of opinion that her Majesty's late ship Amazon was lost on the morning of the 10th of July by coming into collision with the late steam ship Osprey. That the collision was occasioned by a grave error in judgment upon the part of Sub- Lieutenant Alfred C. Loveridge, the officer of the watch, in putting the helm of the Amazon to star board, instead of to port, when first sighting the light of the Osprey, in contravention of the regula tion's for preventing collisions at sea. That no blame is attributable to Commander Hunter and the other officers and crew of the said ship. That the efforts used to endeavour to save her Majesty's said ship after collision, as well as" the lives of the crews and passengers of both ships, reflect the highest credit on Commander Hunter and the officers and crew of H.M.S. Amazon. "The Court adjudge the Sub-Lieutenant A. 0 . Loveridge to be dismissed from her Majesty's ser vice, but on account of the high character give° him for zeal in the service,' they recommend him to the favourable consideration of the Lords Commis' sioners of the Admiralty, and the said Mr. A. G. Loveridge is hereby so sentenced accordingly. "The Court adjudge Commander Hunter and the other officers and crew of the said ship to be fully acquitted of all blame, and they are acquitted accordingly." The President then, banding Commander Hunter his sword, said—" Commander Hunter, it is nor r my pleasing duty to hand you your sword, and t° to express the gratification with which the Court has received the testimony to the bright examPle set by you to your officers and ships' company afte r , the collision, and which was so worthily followed. The Court then broke up. After the decision had been given Mr. Per Hennessey expressed on behalf of the owners of the Osprey their sense of the strict impartiality of th e proceedings. The Duke and Duchess of Cleveland and the Floe' Misses Primrose left their residence in St. James's-squa re on Saturday for Battle Abbey, their seat in Sussex, for 5 few weeks. THE NEW PEERS.—The Northampton paper! deny on authority the rumours which have beenpublish e ' in some of the London papers that Sir Rainald Knightloll Bart., M.P., is to be raised to the peerage. THE PORTRAIT EXHIBITION.—We understand tha t the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education have decided that the Exhibition of National Portraits at South Kensington will be closed on Saturday, the 18th of Aug ust ' and that from Monday, the 6th of August, to the close, O c t price of admission will be reduced to 3d. each person, 1112 children of schools for the poor, accompanied by th e ' ., ‘ teachers, will be admitted on payment of ls. for every 3v students and one teacher. PARTRIDGE V. TOOMER.—A. memorial is about to be presented to the Home Secretary, submitting for consi" deration the case of Mr. Toomer, convicted before g r. Justice Shee, at the late Reading Assizes, of a rape 011 Georgiana Partridge. Observer. SUICIDE OF A SOLICITOR.—On Saturday morning a painful sensation was caused in Manchester by the 1111- uouncement that Mr. Harrison Blair, a well-known solid tor, had committed suicide at his house in the Polyg° ° ' Ardwick, by shooting himself through the head. The de ceased gentleman had become connected with some iron" works, and it is rumoured that losses connected with thes e had given him much uneasiness of mind. WAR IN ABYSSINIA.—II Commercio of Cairo, unde r date of July 7, states :--" A tremendous battle imminent between the King Theodore 11. and Gubt‘se le ' who aspires to the crown, and has risen in opposition to the despotism of Theodore. Vahro-Medina, the General °f Gubassie, has placed the province of Tigro under contribly tions of men, horses, animals of all kinds, provisions, 6 , 12 r money. Both parties are making great preparations i ° war. According to the statements of the Abyssiniatt°(l there will be not less than 150,000 combatants upon the ge l of battle. Consul Cameron and all the other EuroPee: prisoners whom the newspapers had stated to have be h e released are still in the King's power at Pabretabor. I ' d news is so bad that we should wish it to be contradicts but the source whence we have received it is one renders it quite deserving of credence." THE RIOT ON NEWCASTLE TOWN MOOR.—At I' l° ,l castle Assizes, on Wednesday, before Baron Martial ` s, men—named Finlay Lloyd, Kelly, Barron, Horrn eir ' i l Ward, Bonman, Ryan, Conley ; O'Connor, and Conroy , 1 _ 1 ,4 quarrymen and labourers —wore indicted for taking L' in the late riot at Newcastle during the races. The c 113 1; against Barron was withdrawn on account of the s ev treatment he had sustained, but the other prisoners' evert found guilty, and sentenced to 12 months' imprise htne with hard labour each. The San Francisco (California) Bulletin ren3Arkt Our readers scarcely need to be told that recent 11,,, tempts at silk culture in California have been uniforins`67,. successful. The climate is all that could be desired the purpose; the soil is admirably adapted to the gr ° „ If of the mulberry tree ; Chinese labour, which is ex`".' t : is adapted to that business, is abundant and cheap, an d ' h e by no means improbable that our State may become 1 . Italy or France of the United States in point of silk c" ture. r rcl• The American whale ship Mary, of New BeLL' °- .1 arrived at Honolulu May 25, with 90 barrels of sperm °11: Mining stocks again declining, Ophir, $3OO ; 107 ; Yellow, Jacket, 690; Botcher, 177. Legal t en deb z I 3 '- , ,Pi (3 a to ii 13 thie4 U &ion &Itho D Nev; 0 Port tar( to, ,s, "P I] ~~e T D. bi b. ' Oni , -0i Aztv. 11 3 1 thite -e're n Ital is Zo C or , Dc