The Sun. — London, England, 1870-08-18 00:00:00

THE WAR. FFICIAL DISPATCH FROM MARSHAL BAZAINE. " Yesterday, the 16th," says the Marshal, " a serious engagement took place in the neighbourhood of Grave lottes. The advantage rested with us in the fight, but our losses are considerable. Gravelottes is nearly eight kilometres (five miles) from Metz on the road to Verdun." A telegram has also been received from a correspondent, who was with the French army before Metz during the fight on Sunday, and he states that the Prussians were repulsed with great losses ; that the French were re tiring strategically upon Verdun ; that on Monday the Emperor was at Gravelette with 60,000 troops ; that engagements had taken place at Longeville ; that the Prussians were following the retiring French ; and that the Emperor on Tuesday had gone to Rheims, via Verdun. The Gaulois says that the Ministry of War have received Important despatches, but Marshal Bazaine had recom mended their being kept secret. The Gaulois adds that the despatches are of a nature to arouse great hopes. THE SIEGE OF STRASBOURG. According to a Prussian despatch, the garrison of Stras burg "made a sortie on Tuesday afternoon in the direc tion of Ostwald, but was driven back with a loss of men and three guns. On the 14th inst. the head quarters of the Baden army were at Lampertheim. The garrison of Strasbourg is actively engaged in arming the ramparts, razing the glacis, and barricading the approaches to the town ; while the besiegers, on their part, are occupied in disturbing and destroying these defensive works. On the 13th three small encounters took place with successful results as regards that object, and in one of these skirmishes a Baden detachment set fire to a train standing in a railway-station. A field battery was then advanced to within 3,000 paces of the fortress, and fired upon the works by the light of the conflagration. The Baden troops lost 3 killed and 17 wounded. THE EMPRESS EUGENIE. The Brussels correspondent of the Daily News says : It is reported that the Empress Eugenie has sounded the Belgian Government through the Fr9lch Ambassador, with the view of ascertaining if, in case of necessity, she could pass through Belgium to England- The answer, it is believed, was in the affirmative. • LORRAINE AND ALSACE. The King of Prussia has appointed General von Bonin, Commander-in-Chief of the 3rd and 4th Army Corps, to the post of Governor General of Lorraine ; and Lieutenant- General Count Bismarck Bohlen, hitherto Commandant of Berlin, Governor-General of Alsace. THE EXPULSION OF GERMANS FROM FRANCE. The semi-official Provincial Correspondence (Berlin) says, with regard to the expulsion of German subjects from France, that for the moment the necessary relief has been given to them, adding that efficient steps will have to be taken shortly to counteract the grievance, and that the taking possession of the former German provinces of France will probably offer a fitting opportunity. GREAT SEIZURE OF FIREARMS. French papers mention two captures made at sea ; one of a ship said to be laden with cotton, which was taken off the coast of Algeria, and found to have 30,000 muskets in the hold. It is supposed these arms were destined for those Arab tribes who do not acknowledge French rule. There is a report that before leaving Metz the Emperor ordered General Frossard under arrest. According to Captain Jeannerod, of the Temps, Frossard, while his troops were engaged from ten o'clock in the morning, appeared among them only at half past five. It was only at nightfall, when the retreat was being sounded, that the artillery of reserve fired for the first time, and then galloped off with a full supply of ammunition. Meanwhile the division on the heights of Spicheren, having exhausted their ammuni tion, had only their bayonets to trust to in the face of the needle-gun. ON THE SKIRTS OF THE ARMIES. (FROM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE CENTRAL PRESS.) BACCARAT, AUGUST 13. I have wandered hither southwards, a little out of the track of war, which is becoming a great deal too hot for special correspondents. From Nancy up to Metz, and all along the line of country which stretches from those two places to Chalons on the one hand and Forbach on the other, the flow of the combative armies is fast and furious. The whole of that space represents nothing but two hostile camps. Industrial occupations are suspended, and many of the inhabitants have fled. Everything is given up to war. Here at Baccarat we are a little, and but a little, out of the way. This place is situated a few miles to the south of the great road that runs in a semi-circle from Saverne, round by Lune ville to Nancy. It was by this road that Mac- Mahon returned after his crushing defeat at Woerth ; and by the same way the Crown Prince followed him up. The people here have not seen so much of the war as some of their less fortunate countrymen ; but they have had their experience, and very well they bear it. There is no great commotion anywhere about nor, indeed, is there much need for any. The Prus sians behave well, and what they take they pay for. At Luneville, for instance, the war is a positive ad vantage to one class of trade—the smiths, who are doing a roaring business at shoeing horses. The same cannot be said of the agricultural population, who, of course, suffer from the successive invasions, first of French and then of German masses. The whole country about here, however, seems remarkably calm. The Prussian advance guard reached Luneville yesterday. On the pre ceding day 5,000 broken, discouraged, and disorganised French soldiers, remnants of MacMahon's army, retreated towards Nancy. Of course they will not hold the latter town, for the Prussians are pushing on with great rapidity, and will soon be far beyond Nancy. Their object, I believe, is to get round and take the French in flank between Metz and Chalons, whilst the army of Prince Frederick Charles makes the front attack. The prospect for the French is gloomy indeed. The army of Frederick Charles is equal in numbers to the whole im perial host, and in addition there is the fine array of the Crown Prince sweeping round here by Nancy on to the French flank. M. le Comte de Saint Sauveur, Grand Pr4vot of the Army, lost two sons in the late battle at Woerth. All English journalists will deeply sympathise with the Count. He has behaved to the fraternity with the utmost courtesy. The regulations with reference to corres pondents have been extremely severe, but the Grand Pr4vot has granted every indulgence consistent with his rules. SCHIRMEES, AUGUST 13. Since I wrote the above I have come to this place, on hearing that the Germans were crossing the Rhine at a point lower than any of those from which their invasion has yet been made. I find the story perfectly correct. They have entered France near Strasbourg, and arrived yesterday at Mutzig, and Molsheim, about twelve miles from here. At the former place there is a Chassepot manufactory, the directors of which institution have fled, leaving their property a prey to the foes. Evil reports of the Germans are flying ab ou t i n thi s neighbourhood. They are said to have levied contri butions on the canton amounting to £l5O a-day —a l arge sum for so small and poor a district. I post this at Sevones in the hope that it may reach you, but with great fear that it will not. The region all about is fast relapsing into a state of barbarism. The post, which is exceedingly uncertain, has to be sent across country to the nearest point from which the trains run to Paris. At Nancy all comunication is stopped. The last train left on the 11th, and the station is now closed, and the rolling stock taken away. There is an end to all telegraphing. AT METZ BEFORE THE BATTLE. METZ, AUGUST 14. Everything is in motion here to-day, and from one moment to another the imperial order to leave for the c amp is looked for, as it is believed the Emperor and Marshalßazaine wish for abattle to-morrow. The National Guard is at exercise ; the Garde Mobile is at work on the fortifications. Coming from Moulin-les-Met z to this town Ave met- an immense train of cavalry, infantry, artillery, transports, ambulances, and muni tions of war, as well as the Imperial retinue and horses, headed by Prince Napoleon on horseback. A large crowd assembled to see the Emperor. The Prussians meanwhile are pleasing closely forward, and IRE StJl, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 18, 1810. constant skirmishing goes on at the outposts. The soldiers, however, have regained their spirits with the sun shine, and are hopeful of victory. The Prussians muster in formidable numbers, though only a small part of their forces are in the immediate vicinity of the town, with the view, no doubt, of entrapping their adversaries into the woods where they lie concealed. Altogether their forces amount to more than 300,000 men, in three formidable armies, commanded respectivelyby the Crown Prince, Prince Fre deric Charles, and General Steinmetz, who commanded at Forbach. The two first have each from 130,000 to 140,000 men, the third nearly 100,000. To these compact forces the French at Metz can only oppose 160,000. The French troops, however, are full of courage. The Emperor and the Prince Imperial were present at the Cathedral this morning at eight o'clock. The church was crowded, and the congrega tion seemed deeply moved. The nomination of General Trochu has been well received by the troops, but the population of the eastern districts are still flying in alarm from the advancing Prussians. The distress is very great. The Prussians continue their reconnaisance which they carry on at considerable distances from their army. When General Ladmirault's troops left Boulay his last men were scarcely out of the town on one side before the Prussians entered it on the other. It is said they did not leave food for either man or horse in the place. The Prussians have made several attempts to get possession of the railway line— the only one which keeps Metz in communication with the rest of France, and they have already succeeded in cutting the telegraph wires. A painful scene was to be witnessed yesterday. A soldier belonging to the 3rd Grenadiers had been missing foi five days. He had disappeared on the frontier, and It was believed he was a spy. He was found and taken back to his corps and tied to a tree. For six hours this poor man, who had missed his way and was innocent of the charges, had to submit to the insults and even the injuries inflicted by his comrades, for so great was thewrath of the soldiers, that the four men who guarded him could not always protect him. After a con siderable time had elapsed, he was examined and proved to be a Parisian volunteer, having nothing in common with a Prussian spy ! The manner in which he was treated proves, however, the estimation in which spies are held by the soldiers who are the chief sufferers from them. The head of the Prussian service in these parts was arrested a day or two since. He is named Schultz, and several details of the Prussian spy system were obtained from him. It is divided into various sub-divisions, each having its chief, who collates the intelligence obtained. Schultz had the twelve regula tion balls and a French passport thoroughly en regle. For the Prussian side of the frontier, where it seems they are more suspicious, he had a particular medal known to all thesenerals. The spies go about their work very calmly, believing that the French will not kill them, if caught, and that the Prussians will conquer and demand their liberation. The communications between Metz and Paris have been very uncertain for several days, partly owing to delays in the trains, partly to the rails being taken up by the Prussians. Of our couriers who left Paris for Metz on the 11th only one succeeded in getting there by the 13th. A hundred Uhlans arrived at Pont-lb- Mousson two days ago, at the moment the Paris train was passing, and fired at the engine-driver, whom they missed. Their fire was returned by some soldiers who were in the train. Soon after another train brought a body of Chasseurs d'Afrique on the scene just as a strong body of Uhlans came up. The Chasseurs pursued the Prussians, and captured, it is said, 150 prisoners, one of them being struck down by a ball at the very moment that he was cutting the telegraph wire. The daring of the Uhlans is every where the subject of remark. A body of them entered the town of Pont-h-Mousson, and ordered a dinner for 114 for that evening, knowing that the town was not de fended. Two hundred residents of Luxemburg arrived here on Friday, intending to enrol themselves as volunteers in the French army, but they were rejected on the ground that they were from Luxemburg, at which they were highly indignant. . _ Everything points to a battle immediately. Indeed, some news of fighting has already arrived, but we are unable as yet to make anything of it. THE BATTLES NEAR METZ. PARIS, TUESDAY. We are floundering here in the midst of a chaos of unintelligible and contradictory telegrams, and the longer we wait the more confused does the intelligence appear. We are informed that there has been a battle or battles somewhere near Metz. Yet do complete is the muddle that the papers gravely make their appearance confessing their inability to state how many battles have taken place, where they took place, who was there, what has been the consequences, where the Prussian army now is, or where the French army now is. This account of the position is really not exaggerated. Even the English papers do not help us this time, though we are looking for light from this quarter by the next post. They are commonly very useful, those English papers, and we generally learn important news from them before the worthy Minister of the Interior communicates it ; but this time they are of no assistance. The scantiness of intelligence goes to prove that the latest momentous events are not favourable to France, and the intelligence, such as it is, points to the same con clusion. First we received an official telegram stating that the Germans had made an attack upon Bazaine's army whilst crossing the Moselle, but had been repulsed with con siderable loss. In the English papers quite another story appears. They publish a telegram from the King of Prussia, in which the victory is claimed for the Germans. The Emperor's telegram is dated from Longville and announces a battle just outside Metz, but with triumphant result for the French. The King's is datedHernay, and says simply that a struggle took place, in which two German army corps were engaged, the combat being victorious. This event or events are supposed to have occurred on Sunday. In addition, another message, of an unofficial character, says that fighting has been going on yesterday somewhere between Metz and Verdun. It was reported that the Prussians had been beaten with the loss of 40,000 men ! This tele gram is published by the Minister of the Interior, who, how ever, does not guarantee its accuracy, but who, at the same time, furnishes no news of his own. Imagine agreat battle being fought in the almost direct line from Paris to Vardun, the enemy being beaten, and 40,000 lost, and yet no news of such an event having reached the Government, which publishes a telegram from a Sub Prefect ! But worse remains. In the Corps Legislatif to-day a ministerial statement has just been made, to the effect that there was no battle yesterday properly so called, but a series of en gagements, several of which were important, but none of a nature to entail decisive results. The forty thousand killed and wounded Germans' victory, then, has been transformed into " a series of engagements" of which the Ministry can say no more than: that " our line remains intact." So it ought to do, after a so-called repulse of the Prussians with heavy loss. Who ever heard of such procedures on the part of a Govern merit? Who would believe in a victory under such cir cumstances ? The public is more alarmed at this victorious intelligence than at any of the miserable bul letins which followed Saturday, the 6th. The Corps Ldgislatif to-day is a terrible picture of anxiety, fear, and indignation. A little thought, however, will suffice to exact a 1 residuum of truth from these shameful bulletins. No matter how many battles have been fought, nor who have won them, the French army has been retreating, and is still falling back. These fights have been engaged in solely to cover that retreat. If the Prussians have been beaten they have only been thrown off temporarily whilst in the act of pursuit ; nor can the check have been decisive, for we know that the falling back of the army goes on, and that the final stand will be made near Chalons—if the army can get there. It is obvious that more news would have come of a battle in which the French bad been strikingly triumphant. Any slight check to the Germans fades into insignificance when we learn, at the same time, that the pursuit is kept up with hot has,te. A glance at the map will chew how the matter stands. The direct road from Metz to Chalons, and thence to Paris, runs a little south of Verdun. To the south, on the flank, of this line, are the towns of Nancy, Toul, Commercy. and Bar-le-duc. All these (even the latter it is said, have fallen into the hands of the Crown Prince. The armies of Steinmetz and Frederick Charles are pres sing forward in front ; the Crown Prince is on the flank obviously making great efforts to interpose be tween Chalons and the retreating French army. Will he succeed? It is doubtful. There . is no little reason to fear that he will, and hence, in spite of the news of a victory, this city is profoundly depressed. The Figaro comes out with one of its characteristic surprises to-day. Is it true, it asks, that the wife of Marshal Lebceuf is a Prussian lady, and that the late Minister of War is imprisoned at Vincennes ? Is it, in deed, true ? DEFENCES OF PARIS.—The fortifications of Paris extend over a circumference of 20 miles, and have no fewer than 98 bastions, Amongst the forts on both sides of the Seine near Paris are—on the left bank, Ivry, Bicetre, Montrouge, Vanves, Issy, and Mont-Valdrien ; on the right bank, the forts at the north and east of St. Denis, Romainville, Rosny, Nogent-sur-Marne, Fais anderie, Gravel, and Alfort. In order to protect the approaches to Paris on the Clamart side, a fort of earth works is being constructed on the plan organised for the defence of Sebastopol, by General Todleben.' All the pains of the engineers, however, will be of no avail if the villas and woods in front of the fortifications are allowed to remain to give cover to the enemy's sharpshooters; but the prospect of the wholesale demolition of valuable property and the destruction of the Bois de Boulogne where the axe is already at work, makes the scheme very un popular. It is said on the one hand that Paris will never be besieged, that long before the enemy can arrive, either the valour of the army or the good offices of diplomacy will have removed the danger ; and, on the other, that a great and luxurious city like Paris cannot submit to the intole rable press le of a siege, and that peace must be made before matters become extreme. The Government, however, continues its preparations, and has placed six hundred cannon more than are mounted at Metz or Strasbourg on those forts which are nearest the enemy. Persons who publicly say in Paris, that this plan of defence is mistaken, are threatened in the Official Journal with trial by court-martial. The Minister of Agriculture is giving his attention to the provisioning of Paris for a siege, a work which was begun by the late Administration. Already forty days' consumption of flour is laid in and warehoused in the market at Paris, and in the stores of St. Denis, de la Villette, and Ivry. A plan is under consideration for bringing an immense number of cattle into the city, but it seems likely to break down under the difficulty of feeding them.—Daily News. THE FRENCH SQUADRON IN THE ELBE. The Sentinel, steamship, belonging to the Tyne Steam Shipping Company, has arrived in the Tyne with a general cargo, completing the tenth voyage that has been made by the steamers of that company since war was declared. The Sentinel on Saturday passed the French fleet which is blockading the Elbe without molestation. She hoisted and dipped the British ensign, to which the French fleet replied by hoisting and dipping the French ensign. The French blockading squadron consists of ten very large ironclads. Nine of them are anchored in a row to the south-west of the island of Heligoland . and one of them, a paddlewheel - steamer, is cruising in the fairway. News of their ap proach was taken to Hamburg on Friday afternoon by a Norwegian vessel, and the Hamburg authorities at once ordered a lighter laden with torpedoes, which had been lying in readiness, to go down the river near Cux haven, and wait orders. They also at the same time despatched their two fast river steamers, the Cuxhaven and the Heligoland, to the mouth of the Elbe to reconnoitre. The Sentinel met both steamers on Saturday morning on the Hamburg side of Heligoland, steaming home as fast as possible, with the news that the French ships were close to the island, and that a real blockade ha,d , Been effected. As the Sentinel passed the fleet the cruiser was overhauling a screw collier, bound inwards. Great animation prevailed on the decks of the ironclads, but whether the moving figures were soldiers or sailors, those on board the Sen tinel could not discover. At a meeting of the Tyne Ship Insurance Societies, held on Tuesday, a formal resolution was adopted not to insure vessels to those ports in a state of blockade, or where the buoys and beacons have been removed and lights been extinguished. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD RACES.—THIS DAY. HORSES ARRIVED. April Morn, Agnes, Adam Bede, Annie Wood, Birdie, Belladrum, Bonnie Katie, Childe Harold, Calypso, Chickalery Cove, Conrad Cestus, Delay Deh-con-Te, Frailty . Colt, Gold Dust filly Gladice, Gipsy, Gnome King, Grace Darling, Hapallas Hammerton, High Church; Maid, Merry Monk, Morgan la Faye filly, Miss Sharp, Miss Fanny filly, M'Sycophant, The Nigger Needle Gun, Oxygen, Plenipotentiary, Peahen colt, Princess, Procella, Riga, Rapidan colt, Sister to Cherie, Sour Grapes, Stockhausen, Seamstress filly, Tartuffe, Theodore, Tom Ansley, Temple, Thundercloud, Threatener, Wamba, Clotilde f., Clytemnestra, Dentelle, Kettlewell, Lord Berkeley, La, Sorrentina. LATEST SCRATCHINGS. Out of all engagements here.—Disguise, Rifleman, Gong f., Robert it Diavolo, Westward Ho, Lapagarr. Port Meadow Plate.—Dentelle. Middleton Nursery Handicap.—Light Wine. STOCKTON MEETING.—WEDNESDAY. The Trial Stakes. One mile. Mr W Osborne's Star and Garter, by Crater—Medal, 3 yrs, Tat 111 b (2300) Mr J. Vass's Mansfield, 3 yrs, 7st 91b (2200) ..... . (Hunt) 2 Mr A. S. Brigg's Snowflake, 2 yrs, 6st 21b (2200) 3 Morphia also ran. Won in a canter by ten lengths The Cleveland Stakes. T.Y.C. Mr P. J. Jackson's Caradoc, by Caractacus—Flower Safety, Bst 101 b (Hudson) 1 Mr W Coweyii Lady Langden, Bst 71b (Snowden) 2 Mr A. de Montgomery's Mdlle. de Mailloc, Bst 71b (T. Chaloner) 3 Lady Di, Lord Hawthorndale, Brigand Chief, The Dwarf also ran. Won cleverly by half a length. The Stockton Tradesmen's Handicap. Two miles. `Mr James Hope's Enterprise, by Adventurer—Vimiera 3 yrs, et 41b (M`Ewan 1 Mr S. Murland's Badinage, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b , (W. Gray 2 Mr J. Johnstone's Good Hope, 4 yrs, Bst 111b(Osborne) 3 Won in a canter by a length. The Harry Fowler Stakes. T.Y.C. from the Red Post. Mr T.P. Hope's East Coast, by Mildew—Vega, 4 yrs, Bst 31b (Snowden) 1 Mr W. A. Baker's Prior, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Vinell) 2 Mr G. Silversides' Promptress, 3 yrs, 7st 8 1 b...(Dorrity) 3 Scottish Rose, and Canon also ran. Won by a head. Second Year of the Thirteenth Zetland Biennial Stakes. One mile and a half. Mr Launde's Agility, by Adventurer • Adventurer, Mandragora, 9st 11b (in. 81b ex.) (Osborne) 1 Mr A. De Montgomery's La Risle, Bst lib (T (Chaloner) 2 Lord Zetland's Falkland, 9st 41b 81b ex.) (Snowden) 3 Alhambra and Silverband also ran. Won by three parts of a length. The South Stockton Selling Stakes. T.Y.C. Mr W. Cowen's Annie Stewart, by the Marquis—Rubra, 5 yrs, 9st 71b (240) Mr. Brown's Callipm ' 3 yrs, Bst 51b (40) ...... (Martin) 2 Mr, Hunter's Hugo, 3 yrs, Bst 31b (240) ..... . (Lawrence) 3 Aurora, Rapolano, Bonita, and Lady Temple also ran. Won by three lengths. The Town Plate. Half a mile (straight ih). Lord Durham's Alhambra, by Newminster—Jung Frau, 3 yrs, 7st Mr. C. Troter, jun-'s, Saratoga, 3 yrs, Bst 71b Osborne) 2 Mr C. Silverside's Produce, 4 yrs, 7st 61b (Dorrity) 3 Simplon, Scottish Rose, Alice, Leoville, Official As signee, Viscountess, Maraquita, and Jamaica also ran. Won, after a good race by a neck. BETTING ON THE COURSE. EBOR HANDICAP. Bto 1 agst Myosotis (taken) 9to 1 agst Torreador (taken) BROMLEY RACFS.—WEDNESDAY. Stand Plate. About six furlongs. Mr Lawrence's Miss Thackeray, by Vengeance, or Ather stone—Becky Sharpe, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b ...(Sherrington) 1 Mr G. Clement's Maggie, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b (car 7st. 111 b) (Owner) 2 Mr T. P. Pearson's Lavandiere, 3 yrs, Bst 121 b (White) 3 Mr J. Green's g, by Ruby, dam's pedigree unknown, 5 yrs, 7st 101 b........... Won by a neck. Welter Stakes. One mile and a distance. Mr C. Rupert's Brennus, by Voltigeur—Sweetbriar, 4 yrs, llst Mr A. Yate's Ring, 3 yrs, 9st 91b (Mr Crawshaw) 2 Won in a common canter by four lengths. A Plate of 40 sovs. About five furlongs. Mr A Poole's Emily, by Cape Flyaway—Sister to Staf ford, 4 yrs, Bst 111 b (car Bst 131 b) (Owner) 1 Mr F. E. James's The Coleroon, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (Newhouse) 3 Mr Nightingall's Grand Falconer, 3 yrs, Bst 71b (White) 3 Chateau la Rose, Lavandiere, Blackthorn gelding also ran. Won by two lengths. Bromley Summer Handicap. Nearly one mile and a half. Mr H. Wright's Little Fairy, by Wamba,—Columbine, 3 yrs, sst 121 b Mr Ra:s Cawdor, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (Killick) 2 Mr C. Rupert's f, by Lord Clifden—Maid of Derwent, 3 yrs, 6st 71b Won in the commonest of canters by two lengths. Beckenham Plate. About five furlongs. Mr, Lawrence's Miss Thackeray, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (inc 71b ex) .Mr T. Goddard's Valentine, 3 yrs, 6stl2lb (F. Lynham) 2 Mr London's Juanita,. 4 yrs, 7st 71b (Payne) 3 Satellite and Election also ran. Won after a splendid race by half a length. Railway Plate. About six furlongs. Mr H. Wright's c by Master Bagot—lnfanta, 2 yrs, 6st 51b (Newhouse) 1 Mr Donaldson's Desert, 3 yrs, Bst Satinstone also ran. Won in a canter by two lengths. LICHFIELD RACES.—WEDNESDAY. The Beaudesert Welter Cup. One mile. Captaiu Atkins' The Boy, 3 yrs, list 11b (inc 71b ex) Mr. Bevil 1 Mr. Bentley's Weather Isle, 5 yrs, 11st 71b (Mr. Bentley) 2 Sir E. Buckley's Surprise, 3 yrs, 9st 101 b (inc. 51b ex) • (Britton) 3 _ . Sensation also ran. Won by three-quarters of a length. _ The Copeland Nursery Plate. Mr. Beverley's Australia, by Y. Melbourne—Miss Penhill, Bst 121 b (in 71b ex) (Maidment) 1 Mr. H. May's My Queen, 7st (A. May) 2 Mr. Beverley's Rataplan—Visionary, 7st 81b ex) (Gradwell) 3 Elton, the Chance Shot filly, and Rhapsody also ran. Won by a length. The Lichfield Cup. Six furlongs. Mr Beverley's Flyaway Jack, 3 yrs, 7st 41b (in 71b ex) (Gradwell) 0 Mr H. May's Jersey, 3 yrs, 7st 31b (in 71b ex) (F. Webb) 0 Mr T. Eskrett's Ceres, 3 yrs, sst 101 b (West) 3 Mr. J. T. Raworth's Edinburgh, aged, Bst llb (Britton) 4 A dead heat. Her .Majesty's Plate. Two miles. Sir Joseph Hawley's Siderolite, by Asteroid—Aphro dite, 9st 711) .. .... (Wells) 1 Sir E. Buckley's Award, Bst 51b (Britton) 2 Won by six lengths. Handicap Plate, half a mile. Mr. Elkin's Leases, by Rapparee—Phantom Sail, 6 yrs, 9st ............. . ............................................ Wyatt 1 Mr. H. May's Wanderer, 2yrs,7st Mi. Trevor's Lady Lucan, aged, 7st 71b Gradwell 3 Botheration and The Miller also ran. Won by a length. Welter Handicap, three-quarters of a mile. Mr. Elkin's Leases, 6 yrs, 12st 71b (includingillb extra) Wyatt 1 Mr. Bently's Weather Isle,.syrs, 12st 71b, Mr. Bentley 2 Mr. Bentley's Topsy, 4yrs, lOst 121 b Lord H. Paget 3 Lady Lucan also ran. Won easily by a length. The Welter Plate, two miles. Mr. F. Bartley's Cinderella, by Tim Whiffler, out of Maud, 3yrs, 9st 111 b Mr. H. Brown 1 Mr. Geldard's Slingsby, late Dick, 4 yrs, 10st 101 b Mr. G. Spence 2 Mr. Moon's Old Fashion, syrs, 10st 91b ... Mr. Goodwin 3 Gunboat also ran. Won hard by a length. The winner was objected to for being in a training stable, and the matter remains in abeyance. Early in the day Eyesfront, Comedian, and Ajax, were disqualified by Lord H. Paget and Mr. Chadwick. BETTING ON THE COURSE. EBOR HANDICAP. 100 to 15 agst Myosotis (taken and offered) LATEST BETTING AT THE WEST END. WEDNESDAY, Midnight. The only change worthy of record on the Ebor Handi cap was that 10 to 1 might have been had about Mysotis (5 years) and Cherie. Myosotis, Ploughboy,. as also Tor reador, were perhaps the most favoured animals during the evening. So few being left in town nothing transpired on to-morrow's racing, although several animals would have been backed with a market. Prices : ST. LEGER. 100 to 6 agst Normanby (taken). 35 to 1 agst Champion (taken). CITY BETTING—WEDNESDAY. EBOIt HANDICAP. 7to 1 agst Myosotis (taken) 7to 1 agst Lord Hawthorn (offered-8 to 1 taken freely) 7 to 1 agst Mysotis (offered—take 8 to 1) 9to 1 agst Blandford (offered—take 10 to 1) 12 to 1 agst Cherie (taken) 100 to 8 agst Torreador (taken) 20 to 1 agst Ploughboy (taken) 20 to 1 agst Sagittarius (taken) 350 to 100 agst Myosotis and Mysotis coupled (taken) 6to 1 agst Blandford with a start (taken) 400 to 50 agst Cherie with a start (taken) PLACE BETTING. sto 2 agst Lord Hawthorn (offered) BELTING AT MANCHESTER—WEDNESDAY. GREAT EBOR HANDICAP. 7to 1 agst Myosotis (taken) Bto 1 agst Lord Hawthorn (offered) 8 to 1 agst Torreador (taken and offered) 10 to 1 agst Mysotis (taken and offered) 10 to 1 agst Cherie (taken and offered) 100 to 9 agst Blandford (offered) ST. LEGER. 2to 1 agst Kingcraft (offered) 600 to 100 agst Palmerston (taken) 100 to 8 agst Sunlight (taken) 60 to 6 agst Muster (taken) MARKETS. LONDON CORN EXCHANGE, WEDNESDAY.—AIthough the corn market was fairly attended to-day, the grain trade ruled quiet, and Monday's reduced quotations were with difficulty supported. The supply of both new and old English wheat was limited, while the arrivals from abroad were tolerably good. The inquiry for all descriptions was inactive, at barely late rates. Barley was in scanty supply, nevertheless it was fully ade quate to the demand, which was slow, at about previous currencies. Malt was dull on former terms. Oats, the supply of which was large, experienced a slow sale, at scarcely Monday's prices. Beans and peas were in mode rate supply. The trade ruled dull, and the tendency of prices was - drooping. There was a steady de mand for barrel flour, which was chiefly for French require ments, it being the most easy for transport ; consequently prices were well maintained, otherwise the trade was quiet.—Arrivals : —English and Scotch—Wheat, 230 ; beans, 20. Foreign—Wheat, 6,890 ; barley, 400 ; oats, 46,290 ; maize, 10,880 ; beans, 1,060 ; peas, 370. Flour—sacks, 250. ' EDINBURGH CORN MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—The supplies of wheat were modepte at this market to-day, which met with a slow sale at 2s. to, 3s. per quarter reduction. Barley met a slow sale at 2s. to Si: per quarter reduction. Oats were dull and is. per quarter lower. Beans :met a fair sale at full prices. STOCKTON-ON-TEES CORN MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—The fine harvest weather has tempted many farmers from this mar ket to-day, consequently the supply of 'wheat was small, and most of it remained unsold, although the holders were willing to accept a reduction of 3s. per quarter from last week's rates. Oats are 2s. per quarter lower. Barley, beans, and peas are unaltered. The yield of wheat in South Durham and North Yorkshire will be fully an average crop. EDINBURGH CATTLE MARKET, WEDNESDAY. Prime qualities of cattle and sheep were scarce at this market to-day, and they were fully as dear as last week. Middling and inferior qualities were more plentiful, and a shade cheaper. Ayrshire cows, £IS to £2O each ; shorthorns, £2O to £2l each. There was a slow trade in pigs, which were dear, but there was no altera tion in prices. Young pigs were from 12s. to 15s. a head. SOUTHALL CATTLE MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—The supplies were heavier at this market to-day. The best qualities of beef were 2d. per stone lower, second quality 4d. per stone lower. Sheep realised last week's' prices. The supplies were moderate. - • LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—Opening report. l —lmPort per bill of entry, 3,212 bales. Owing to the uncertainty as to the state of matters between the contending armies of Germany and France, this market opens slowly. There is but a moderate inquiry, but not much anxiety to effect sales. Sales are likely, in the absence of war news, to reach 10,000 bales. Closing report.—There was an active trade de mand and more inquiry for export set in at this market to-day. The better qualities were dull, and difficult to sell. Sales, 18,000 bales. Speculation and export, 5,000 bales. MANCHESTER COTTON MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—This market is firmer in tone to-day, in sympathy with the stronger position of the Liverpool Cotton Market. The business doing is far from extensive, the prices asked having the effect of checking operations. The news from the seat of war being still conflicting, at the same time the balance of opinion seems to be that the Prussians have had the best of it in the recent engage ments, has caused prices to improve. LONDON TRADE REPORT, WEDNESDAY.—The tallow mar ket has continued steady, at 445. 9d. for Y.C. on the spot, and 455. 6d. last three months. Linseed oil has ruled very dull, at 395. 6d. to 395. 9d. London, 295. Hull spot. Rape depressed, at 425. to 425. 6d. for English brown on the spot, and 38s. last four months. COLONIAL PRODUCE •MARKETS, WEDNESDAY.—There is more steadiness in the sugar market, and values have been well sustained for both raw and refined goods. Coffee' has ruled quiet, but firm. The tea auctions are progressing slowly, at late rates. Rice has ruled dull and inactive. Saltpetre has sold at 31s. for white Bengal. Only a small quantity of jute has changed hands. At auction, prices remaining without variation. White pepper has sold at late rates. Nutmegs have commanded a slight advance, and spices generally have ruled steady. CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—This market continues quiet to-day. Business was not large. Prices are about 3d. easier since Saturday. GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET, WEDNESDAY.—This market was Rat to-day. Business was done at 51s. 3d. down to 51s. ld. cash. Closing sellers. _ CORK BUTTER MARKET, WEDNESDAY. —Ordinary firsts, 1245., seconds, 1195.; thirds, 115 s. ; fourths, 108 s.; fifths, 995. sixths, 765. 1,220 firkins in the market. Mild cured, firsts, 1305.; seconds, 1235.; thirds, 1225. Fifty firkins in the market. COMIC PAPERS. (From Punch.) ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY.—COIISCript Fathers once attracted a large share of attention ; now it is all absorbed by Conscript Sons. FOREIGN AFFAIRS.—In the Post the other day it was thus written :--" The British Embassy was stormed by peaceful British subjects asking for passports. Paris will ere long, contain very few foreigners." Let us hope it may not too soon contain a great many. THE COVER OF THE COUNTRY.—An eye-witness of the Battle of Woerth. describing it in the Nationale, mentions that " every tree " in the forest of Hagenau " concealed a Prussian, who took a sure aim," and particularly notices "the terrible part that the woods, whether at Forbach or elsewhere, play in this war." Guardians of British Crown Lands, please to bear in mind that our woods are among the most important of our national defences. (From Fun.) WHAT WAS THE FIRST BET MADE ?—The alpha-bet. • • - BRUCE AND THE SPIDER.-• A modern version--dedi cated sorrowfully to the Home Secretary—represents Mr. Bruce asleep in his study, hands and feet fettered by spiders, webs, while the floor is strewed with measures which should have been—but were not—" passed this session," and the spider is actively at work. Too TRUE TO BE GOOD. —Among dramatic items from Paris we find this :—" At the Ambi,gu-Comique, a spectacle entitled ' Les Prussiens en Lorraine' is in preparation." The theatre of war has anticipated the Ambigu ! " The Prussians in Lorraine" is a., spectacle which the French can see, and they don't seem to consider it a thing to laugh at. (From Judy.) Is it because the publisher did not think the place Worth mentioning that I cannot find the scene of the recent Prussian victory on my halfpenny war map ---- A French lady's son has just been appointed surgeon to one of the regiments en 'route for the frontier. His mother's last request was that if he found his treatment killed more than it cured, he should go over to the Prus sians and doctor them. A. MAN'S WORST ENEMIES ARE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD. "—The central picture of Judy represents Napoleon on horseback, arrested in his progress over the battle-field by the terrible figure of Paris, bearing the torch of Revolution in one hand, and snatching his impe rial crown from his head with the other. Lord Willoughby d'Eresby, Lord Great Chamber lain, is suffering from illness, which, it is said, may prove fatal. The Right Hon. E. Cardwell has arrived at Walmer Castle, on a visit to the Earl and Countess Granville. Mr. Gladstone will remain at Walmer Castle for some days, and on Monday next will leave London to join her Majesty at Balmoral. A fac-simile of the now famous projet de trate, in M. Benedetti's handwriting, is to be published in the next number of the Graphic. Mr. T. T. Murray has been appointed by the Admiralty to the office of Inspector of Machinery Afloat at Sheerness, from the Portsmouth Steam Reserve. Recruiting for the Mounted Engineers at Chatham has been successful, but it is not intended to raise the strength of the Royal Engineers beyond the paid establishment. William Taylor, Esq., F.S.S., F.S.A., has placed in the hands of the Council of the .Statistical Society the sum of fifty guineas, to be awarded by them as a prize for the best essay on the local taxation of the United Kingdom. According to a curious rumour circulating in Paris, the Emperor has invited all the families of the House of Bonaparte to a conference in the French capital. The object of the gathering does not appear to be known. The Duke of Norfolk has given the sum of £l,OOO towards the fund for raising a memorial church to the late Bishop Grant. The church is now being built in connection with the Orphanage at Norwood, and the foundation stone was laid a short time since by the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Howard of Glosisop. The Prince of Wales, it is well known, is not only Duke of Cornwall in England, but Duke of Rothesay in Scotland. This title he derives from the Castle of Rothesay, the royal burgh which bears to the Isle of Bute the same relation that Windsor does to Berkshire. It is not generally known that the Duke of Rothesay, was the first ducal title created in Scotland, in the person of the ill fated son of Robert 111., and that it has ever since been borne by the heir-apparent of the Scottish throne. The Builder tells the story, that on her Majesty's first or second visit to Scotland, the Lord Chamberlain one day announced into her presence a Scotch nobleman as " the Duke of Rothesay." The Queen was puzzled for a moment ; she could not remember having read of such a duke in " Lodge" or "Burke," but the mystery was soon solved by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, then a boy of three or four, who marched in with full Highland costume, in cluding the Stuart tartan, the philabeg, the claymore, and the regulation eagle's feather in his bonnet. THE POSITION OF ENGLAND. The day seems to have passed when the opinion of Eng land could be counted as a force in European politics. The most signal disturbance the continent has suffered since Waterloo is now at hand, and the course of Great Britain is watched with hardly more curiosity than the course of Denmark, or Switzerland, or the Sublime Porte. France, Spain, Prussia, have all thought it safe to despise the sentiment of England. She has been de ceived on the Spanish throne question ; she has been hoodwinked in a matter so important as the neutrality of Belgium ; she demands explanations, and the Great Powers hardly make a pretence of listening to her ; she threatens war, and apparently nobody is alarmed. And yet England is a formidable foe. Her navy is the best in the world; her army, if not large, according to modern ideas, is composed of superb material, and as tough as oak; and, finally, her financial strength, despite her heavy debt, is enormous. How does it happen that in the complications which now distract the whole continent she is so little considered? How is it that in half the period of a generation she has fallen from the position of a first-class to that of a third-class power? The French were not far from right when they called England a nation of shopkeepers. The Ministry seems to have become possessed with the idea that their whole duty is to save English commerce from interruption and get for English shippers the carrying trade of the Continent. They do not see that the commercial supremacy of the kingdom depends in a great measure upon its political predominance. They do not realise that the advance of Napoleon to the Rhine threatens the Western coast of the North Sea quite as much as the Eastern. When Austria and Prussia menaced the territory of Denmark, Eng land blustered, scolded, distinctly threatened war unless the Great Powers of Germany abandoned their designs upon that little kingdom. Those designs were not abandoned ; the kingdom was dismembered ; and England meekly withdrew her ultimatum. The disgrace of that affair has not been forgotten. Europe is per suaded that England will submit to anything rather than fight, and treats her accordingly with impolite indiffer ence. At the present conjuncture the popular anxiety for decided action is unmistakable, but the Government strangely holds back. There is no doubt that the English people sympathise strongly with Germany, and dread the ulterior designs of France. They are anxious that Great Britain should interfere decidedly and at once to protect the threatened neutrality of Belgium—not by empty remonstrance, but by an armed occupation. With a strong force under arms behind the Belgian frontier, with a superb navy hovering about the shores of the North Sea, England would not only avert an impending danger but regain by a single effort the proud position from which she has fallen. While Mr. Gladstone timidly shrinks from this bold and politic course, the Conservatives have seized the opportunity and threaten to rise once more to power on the swelling tide of popular passion. Mr. Disraeli undoubtedly had the country with him when, he demanded in Parliament that England should shew a more resoluta front, and secure the advantages of peace by proving her readiness for war. We believe the people are in no humour to trifle with the present crisis, and if Mr. Gladstone wavers, a double misfortune will follow : for not only will England lose her power to influ ence the Continent toward a speedy peace, bnt the great Liberal party will lose its hold upon the masses of the English people.--New York Tribune. THE WAR-FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN GERMANY. The announcement that the French and Prussians are fighting in Baden indicates some decided progress in the development of the campaign. Baden is across the Rhine, on the other side of that angle of French territory to one side of which hitherto the reports of active opera tions have been confined. That part of France is bounded on the north by Rhenish Bavaria and Prussia, and on the east by Baden, and thus penetrates the hostile territory. Along the northern line of this angle in Rhenish Prussia are Saarlouis, SaarbrUck, and the other points of which we have lately heard, and it is here that a large Prussian force of four hundred thousand men is reported as in posi tion. Some collisions have occurred here also, on the left of the Prussian force, seeming to indicate a disposition of the French to accept a battle there. But suddenly we hear of French operations at another point, and this renders it probable that the French having, by threat ening on that line of invasion, induced the Prussians to concentrate there their immediately available forces, have slipped away from them, and, reinforcing Marshal M`Mahon at Strasburg, have crossed the Rhine at that city, or lower down at Selz. By this means the French frontier would be safe apparently—for a corps would be left at Thionville and Metz, and these points the Prussians could not pass—while the French would still have probably three hundred thousand men with which to operate in, Southern Germany. Already the army of Baden was at Rastadt, and the Crown Prince of Prussia had assumed command of this force and was endeavouring to concentrate the whole South German contingent. An advantage of the French ad vance into Baden would be that it might strike this force. It would thus first hit Prussia in her weakest point. The Prussian Crown Prince seems to inherit the blunder-headed and arrogant temper of his father, and though, no doubt, he is fortified with a staff of com petent soldiers, yet, in 1866, he managed to so far miscon ceive the strategy of the Sadowa campaign that if the Austrians had been well commanded on the eventful day of the main battle the Prussians would have been beaten in detail. He, therefore, is a weak point, and he commands the South German force. More over, the South German force is itself a weak point. It is not yet full of the Prussian spirit ; and while it adds numbers to the Prussian roll and would, if supporting the good troops, add a real weight to the scale, it will be found quite otherwise when it fights alone and the first brunt of battle falls upon it. M`Mahon crossing the Rhine at Strasburg with 200,000 good troops, and striking the •Prince at Rastadt or at Bruchsal or on any battle field between that and Mannheim, would crush him before the troops in Rhenish Prussia could reach the Rhine and come to his assistance, or probably even before succour could reach him from any force that may be at Mayence or Coblentz,, 'which, perhaps, is mostly a force of raw troops. Supposing such a success, France would have done already something to cripple her foe, would have the prestige of victory, and could feed her army on Southern Germany. We therefore incline to credit the despatch that tells of this fighting. From England, by special telegram, we are told of a sharp affray between some men belonging to Marshal Bazaine's army and the Prussians. The French, it is said, were re pulsed, having lost some few soldiers and one cannon. The detachment appears to have been engaged in " feel ing" the Prussian line, and found the enemy nearer and more active than its commander expected. Paris tele grams state that there are five, Prussian army corps on the line of the Rhine, and that the Prussians have mined the-banks of the river. This news may be on the whole merely a repetition of the first despatches relative to the- affray at Saarbruck. The popular agitation con tinues in England, Italy, Austria, and Rome. Premier Gladstone defined England's neutrality at a civic banquet in Guildhall, London. Queen Victoria and her Cabinet are, he says, anxious for peace, anxious for Belgium, de plore the war, but must stand p re p ar ed to meet any f its eventualities. The British Premier's statement is not reas suring either as to an early termination of the great struggle or its exact range and limit before the close. — New York Herald, Aug. 4. The Earl Granville has arrived in town from Walmer Castle. The Baron F. von Diergardt has given the munifi cent donation of £lO,OOO to the committee of the German Hospital at Dalston, for the purposes of the charity. A special general court of the Governors has been called for Friday next- for the. purpose of giving the Committee power to invest the money. THE ITALIAN QUESTION. While men's minds are filled with the Franco-Prussian struggle it is not unnatural that we should all be more or less forgetful of the question which is mysteriously being settled at Rome. In the estimation of many the Roman question is the biggest question which the civalised world has to settle. It is certainly a question of some importance whether France or Prussia is the stronger Power. It is not a question whether France or Prussia will dominate Europe ; because neither can. But it is a question whether the Pope can any longer retain his posi tion as a temporal prince. If the soldiers of Victor Emanuel are henceforth to garrison Rome, how can the Pope any longer be a temporal prince? Let us suppose that the last French soldier has left the Holy City, and that the men who made an end of Naples and who fought at Mentana, constitute the Roman garrison, how is it possible for Italy to be satisfied until Rome is pro claimed the capital of the Italian kingdom ? We are not in the possession of the treaty which has been concluded between Victor Emanuel and Napoleon ; but we feel satisfied that Victor Emanuel has pledged himself to preserve the integrity of the Pope's domains. Can he ? Let us suppose that the party of action insists that the nation is not bound by any such treaty, that the time has come at last for Italy to throw off the yoke of France and to proclaim to the world that she is mistress of her own destinies. What then ? Is it impossible that while Prussia is taxing all the strength of France the party of action in Italy, joined by the repub licans in Spain, and encouraged by the " irreconcilables " in France, may give an entirely new phase to the Latin race question ? A cable dispatch shews that the " irreconcilables " in France have not given up all hope. An insurrection in Italy, an in surrection in Spain, an insurrection in .France, the Holy Father put to flight, would be funny accompani ments of the war now begun. Has not Napoleon at tempted too much? Is he not twenty years too old to play the tricks of his gifted but unprincipled uncle ? Is not the world too old to tolerate such tricks ? The eva cuation of Rome by the French is the biggest fact of the hour.—New York Herald, August 4. THE WAR IN A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW. It is a common expression that money constitutes the sinews of war ; and this is true, no doubt, to a great extent. But in these times, when wars are shortened and more quickly decided, money plays a less important part than formerly. The railroads, telegraph, and the other resources and appliances of modern science make war in thickly populated countries, like those of Europe, short, sharp and decisive. There are few great na tions that cannot now raise the means to try the strength of their military power : only worn out or effete nations' those completely exhausted that have neither the money nor credit to wage war. As regards financial resources, then, there is little difference in the situation of France, and Prussia. Both countries have made great progress of late years in material development, and have large resources within themselves. Then both the Germans and French are so thoroughly aroused and enthusiastic that they will contribute, doubtless, to the extent of their means to carry on the war. Neither of the belligerent Powers have yet attempted to negotiate nor have spoken of a foreign loan, except we may call the large loan which the Prussian Government is said to have negotiated with the Rothschilds, based on American securities, as a foreign one. Still, should the war continue longer than is ex pected, or should it spread over Europe, the nation having the most money at its command or the highest credit will have the advantage. Money, then, will become really the sinews of war. We should then see which is the richest nation and which has the best credit in the world ; and, of course, the credit would depend very much upon the events of the war. In the long and exhaustive wars waged against the first Napoleon the wealth and credit of England proved most effective. Commerce and manufactures had made England the richest country of the world, and she was able not only to pay her own expenses in that prolonged and gigantic struggle, but to subsidise her allies as well. Those vast resources, in fact, more than anything else, destroyed the power of the great Napoleon. But the times are different now. Such long and exhausting wars are hardly possible in this age. Rail roads, the telegraph, and improved means of destruc tion, must end war much sooner, however wide spread it may be. The strain, however, upon the resources of France and Prussia in preparing for war on such a stupendous scale will soon be felt. Neither of them has the means that England had in the great European war referred to, nor has now, nor have they such enormous resources as the United States de-. veloped in our civil war. As far as the existing debt of each belligerents goes, Prussia has a great advantage. Her debt, in round numbers, is about three hundred millions, reckoned in American dollars, while that of France is about two thousand four hundred millions. The debt of the former is small comparatively ; that of the latter is eight times greater. Yet France is richer in manufactures and commerce than Germany, though Germany has made vast progress in this respect within the last few years; and it must be acknowledged that a nation having this source of wealth in the highest degree is in the best position to make or maintain. war. The history of England chews this fact. Considering the small debt of Prussia compared with the large debt and vast expenditures of France on one hand, and the superior resources of France on the other, it would seem that the two Powers have little or no advantage over each other in a financial point of view. As to provisions both for carrying on the war and for supplying the wants of the population of each country, Prussia is undoubtedly in the best condition. There is about two years' stock of grain husbanded and on hand in Prussia, and she can draw largely, when needed, from Russia and Poland, while France has a limited supply and can only obtain more by sea. As to how far the securities of the belligerent nations, as well as of neutral nations, through sympathy, may decline, the results of the war can alone determine. The sudden and unexpected declaration of war naturally created consternation and a rapid fall in stocks and securities of all kinds, both in the money markets of France and Germany and in those of other nations. The effect has been felt sensibly in London and in other financial centres of Europe, and even in America. All have declined through sympathy, and from that uneasy feeling which arises from uncertainty as to the consequences and end of such a struggle. We hear of failures daily in finan cial and commercial circles, and these, probably, are but the first mutterings of the terrible storm that is destined to sweep over Europe. John Bull is buttoning up his breeches pockets against the evil day. The Bank of England has put on the screws, as it is called, by raising the rate of discount. The Bank of France has suspended, gold payments and uses only silver specie. Everywhere precautionary measures are taken, for no one knows what the end may be. United States bonds and stocks abroad fell rapidly with the rest, but have since recovered a little. They probably will decline but little more, if at all, unless there should be some terrible war catastrophe, or a general war, changing the face of Europe. Even then they must rise again and stand high relatively after the first shock is over; for by no possibility will this country be dragged into the strife, and our resources will continue to augment, however Europe may suffer. For the time, and only for a short time, shall we feel - the disastrous effect. The people of the Old World will in the end eagerly seek investment in American securities, which are safe and pay a high interest. At last the very dis turbance of Europe will give greater value to United States stocks. Our Secretary of the Treasury may meet with g temporary difficulty in funding the debt in accordance with the bill lately passed by Congress ; but this will not last long, and may lead to placing more of the new long bonds among our own people. If this should be the result it would prove advantageous to the country. It would check the enormous drain of specie from our shores to pay interest to foreigners. We advise Mr. Boutwell to look at the matter in this light, and to prepare for such a contingency. Dreadful as this European war is, and much as we may deplore it, we may by proper foresight and prudent management turn it to the advan tage of our own country.—New York Herald. THE EUROPEAN PRESS IN THE WAR.—A digni fied compliment was that paid on Friday by Prime Mini ster 011ivier to the leading newspapers of Paris. He invited the editors to meet him, and there fairly and calmly explained to them the condition of affairs, including of course the whole story of the " secret treaty." Bis marck has been using the press to promulgate his views. He -used it to scatter the firebrand treaty abroad, and he has talked with the world through the papers of many countries. But he has done it in a style different from 011ivier, and not quite as effectual. The minds who educate and the minds who rule the people should not only be in accord ; they should enjoy at least a share of mutual confidence. This is the policy of Napoleon —adopted not too late. The controlling press of Paris being in the confidence of the Government the little penny whistles of the small journals and the pamphleteers may pipe away as they please. The sentiment of the French people will receive, as it has done, its tone from a higher source.—New York Herald. BIRTHS. On the 15th August, at The Elms, Dulwich, the wife of Frank Day, Esq., of a son. On the 16th August, at 14, Oxford-road, Kilburn, the wife of Robt. Ingham Clark, Esq., of a son. MARRIAGES. On the 11th August, at St. Simon's Church, Southsea Sutton John Elliott, Esq., solicitor, Portsmouth, to Christian Rainy, second daughter of the late Robert Tennent, Esq., of Well Park, Glasgow. On the 16th of 'August, at Camberwell-green Chapel, James Spicer, jun., eldest son of James Spicer, Esq., J.P. Harts, Woodford, Essex, to Jane Anne, eldest daughter of the Rev. T. Powell, Samoa. DEATHS On the 16th August, suddenly, Robert Frederick Brownlow Rushbrooke, late Major of the Scots Fusilier Guards, aged 57. On the 15th August, at Poynder's-road, Clapham-park, William Thornton West, Esq. London : Printed by GIDEON ACLAND BOYCE, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, and Published by him at THE SUN Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the County of Middlesex. Thursday, August 18, 1870. ~"`~~