The Sun. — London, England, 1870-09-26 00:00:00

THE WAR. THE FIGHTING Al .PARIS A special correspondent of the Daily News, writing from Paris on the 20th inst., gives some very interesting details respecting the fighting around Paris. After speaking of the attempt on the part of the French to burn the woods he says :—Through all those clusters of trees which form the woods and copses called after Notre Dame, Saint Martin, and Gros Bois—all that remains of the once vast Forest of Bondy—they (the Prussians) advanced along the Orleans-rrad to Savigny, where they cut the line. Between Ablon and Athis they found the ford, as the Seine is now low ; they soon crossed it with water up to their waist, immediately proceeding to construct a con toon-bridge at Juvisy, where the railway branches off towards Chatillon-le-Petit and Viry. By this movement they avoided the bridge at Joinville-le-Pont. which had been blown up on the approach of their Uhlans. From this point they rapidly gained the Bois de Verrieres and Meudon, and presently Versailles, where, in the old palace of the Kings of France iu the ancient hunting box of the Grande Monarque, Messrs. the Uhlans, rested their weary limbs on Sunday night. This is the corps of the Crown Prince, that of Prince Frederick Charles being occupied still under the walls of Metz. No time has been lost by them in getting to work. Reconnoitring parties have been out from the French side, and General de Vinoy's corps had a fierce skirmish with the advanced guard— some say the rear-guard, which seems more likely —last Friday. Men fell on both sides, but the general whose re treat to Laon has already made his name famous in the army, finding the Prussians too many for him, retired under the forts of Charenton and the guns of Vincennes. Their strength was set at from thirty to forty thousand, and they had cleverly contrived during the night to plant a battery upon the heights which cover Mely, near Creteil. This corps marches in a parallel line with that of the Crown Prince, only somewhat in the rear. An artillery engagement took place, General Vinoy having found it necessary to bring his up, with a battery of mitrailleuses, in order to cover his retreat. This is called the combat of Crdteil. The same evening a skirmish took place on the right bank of the river between the forts of Charenton and Ivry, but though it has been christened the combat of Ivry, it does not appear to have outgrown the pro portions of a handsome "skrimmage." All this time the Prussians were creeping into the Bois de Cla mart, under Meudon, and were already massed there, when it was semi-officially announced that they had not been seen there. Possibly they had the most con clusive reasons for not exhibiting themselves. Chatillon, which was yesterday the scene of a serious fight, lies —as before stated be tween the forts of Montrouge and Vanves, that of Ivry being beyond the latter again, in a line with a farm called La Verrerie. The space between the two first-named forts is occupied by a redoubt, unfortunately not yet fully armed, but strong as a defence with steady troops behind it. To obtain possession of this redoubt was the object of the Prussians yesterday ; but it was defeated. Already the previous day, the division of the 13th Corps (Vinoy's) set out on a reconnaissance against the Prussian columns signalled towards Choisy le-Roy. A smart affair took place, the advantage in which remained to the French, with a loss of 6 killed and 37 wounded. The official reports set down the Prussian loss at 400, of whom 58 killed. The Prussian forces amounted to from 3,000 to 4,000, and were marching upon Versailles, forming the rear-guard of a much larger body, which were turning the position of ChAtillon and Clamart. This fact bad been ascertained by General Ducrot, who, with two divisions of infantry occupied posi tions extending from the heights of Villejuif to Meudon. Early yesterday morning the general advanced from his post to reconnoitre. He found himself opposed by heavy masses concealed in the woods and villages, and supported by a formidable artillery. A sharp encounter took place, but the French were outnumbered and re tired. Part of the right effected its movement in good order, but another portion did so with what the official statement calls " regrettable precipitation." The orderly party reached the redoubt or earth - work con structed on the elevation of Chtitillon. The left, feebly attacked, was able to keep its position on the heights of Villejuif. At this moment the Prussians suddenly opened a terrific fire, and General Ducrot was obliged to withdraw his troops within the protection of the forts. This movement he accomplished at a about four in the afternoon, after a struggle which had lasted the best part of the day with only a slight inter ruption at about ten in the morning. Having secured the retreat of the trains and waggons of the eight guns in the redoubt he spiked them under the eyes and fire of the Prussians, and withdrew under the fort of Vanve. Thus far the first official bulletin, which was soon followed by a postscript to the effect that the French artillery fired 25,000 coups, and twice silenced that of the enemy. The Gardes Mobiles are said to have fought most bravely, and with the steadiness of old troops. On the other hand, the Zonaves of the 28th marching regiment turned tail at eleven in the morning, throWing away their arms and accou trements. The majority of them were arrested later in the day by the National Guards and Mobiles. General Ducrot—who escaped from Sedan—explains the presence of the Prussians at Meudon thus : One of their columns is marching upon Versailles by Bievres, turning the wood of Verrieres. To effect this movement they detached a small column of infantry and cavalry, which reascended the Bievre, near Petit-Bicetre and the percussion cap factory of Meudon. It is said that Gene ral Trochu intends to call the whole of the troops into Paris which are now outside, and not on fort service. The heavy guns of the Fort d'lvry did, it is said, great harm to the Prussians massed in the wood. The French losses are not yet published, but it is affirmed—as is usual on such occasions—that those on the Prussian side greatly exceed them. THE GERMANS NEAR PARIS. The official Staatsanzeiger of Berlin furnishes an account of the doings of the Germans on the way to saris. Like all these official narratives, it is not of late date, but the following portion is of interest :—" Just behind La Ferte-sous-Jouarre the royal carriage had to cross over the Marne by means of a pontoon bridge, as the enemy on his retreat before our troops had destroyed the ordinary bridge as well as the railway bridge. The damage and consequent delay was soon repaired by our pioneers. The bridges of the canals, which lie much higher than the Marne, were also destroyed, so that the several baggage waggons which were in advance had to make a considerable &tour to a bridge which lay at some distance towards the south, and which had also been mined but not blown up. When we crossed the canal and the river we found all the villages deserted by the inhabitants and the , houses empty, for they had, no doubt, • removed all their household goods the woods of Meaux. Patrol parties of our soldiers were sent out to guard the approaches to the woods, and oblige all the peasantry they came across to return to their respective villages. All the villages are . carefully watched by our patrols, and we must now insti tute inquiries whether they have left their homes through fear of the Prussian troops, so dreadfully described and calumniated in the Paris journals, or whether they have done so in obedience to orders given them by the Govern ment presiding at this moment in Paris. This is the first instance of a general stampede of all the inhabitants since our entry into France. In some cases, of course, there were people who had quitted their homes, but such a general flight as this, where old men and women and children were carried off, has not occurred before. It is most probable that this universal desertion may be attributed to fear, especially as it appears more marked in and about the neighbourhood of the bridges that have been blown up. The fact that up to the pre sent time no appearance of enmity has been combined with this general flight into the woods is proved by the total absence of any armed peasants in the woods in the neighbourhood of headquarters. All these things tend to prove the worthlessness of the repeated appeals for the organisation of a system of guerilla warfare made in so many of the leading Paris journals, appeals as vain in the immediate neighbourhood of Paris as in all the departments which are at this moment occupied by Ger man troops. The removal of his Majesty's head-quarters to this place (Meaux) may be considered as finishing the march upon Paris, where eur troops will shortly be ; and the circle of investment has commenced, com munications are made, and the beleaguering girdle is being drawn tighter and tighter round the fated city. All com munications from and to Paris are cut off, and the vigi lance of our outposts will prevent the transmission of messengers, letters or newspapers, so that we have no news of the events taking place within the walls of Paris save those which reach us by a roundabout means of communication." GENERAL TROCHUS TROOPS. A correspondent of the Daily News, who writes from Meaux, September 16, saw there Mr. Malet the diplo matist, who was the bearer of a communication from Earl Granville respecting mediation. Thi s gentleman was courteous enough to give a few details re gar di ng t h e oon dition of Paris, and theincidents of his journey from the capital to the Prussian foreposts. He de scribed Paris as being in a seething and excited condition, with divided councils, and a huge mass of pseudo-soldiery, the individual bravery of each individual component part of which might be unquestion able, but the general discipline of which was so loose and flaccid as almost to disentitle, in his opinion, the body of armed men to the appellation of soldiers, He spent a night on the road, and the Gardes Mobiles where he halted made the cheerful suggestion that he should sleep "under the beautiful stars." Mr. Malet, reserving the question whether he would have any ob jection to sleep " under the beautiful stars," if they were visible, pointed out the fact that they were not, and requested other sleeping accommodation than that afforded by the earth as a mattress and the sky as a canopy. This he ultimately obtained, his escort sleeping in the adjoining shed. He saw evidences of the most fla. grant disregard of discipline on the part of the troops lying outside the defences of Paris. The men coolly refused to get up and take their turn of duty on guard when ordered to do so by their officers, although to judge from appearances there would have been no hesitation had the order been to get up and go into action. The in ference from this, in my opinion, is very significant. The men who, for the sake of a warm litter in the straw, dis regarded the most rudimentary duty of a soldier, might indeed be of service in the wild burst of a frantic charge, but would be worse than useless in the case either of an undecided and protracted combat or of an actual reverse. Relaxed discipline is invariably the precursor, if indeed it may not be termed the accompaniment, of actual and fatal demoraliza tion. During its march from Chalons to the Ardennes the discipline of MacMahon's army was loose in the ex treme. Two days fighting reduced that army to the con dition of an armed rabble, which could not have taken a victory had it been dangled in their faces. In 1793 Mar shal MacDonald saved France by fighting along the Swiss territory of the Rhine, a losing battle that lasted for twelve days. But then the Frenchmen whom MacDonald commanded did not refuse to turn out of their layer of straw when they got the order to go on duty." THE SUN, ILMISIMIN, MONDAY, btIPTEIVIREII 20, 187€'. THE SIEGE OF STRASBURG. The Staatsanzeiger publishes an official report of the siege of Strasburg, in which it says—Strasburg was at first only surrounded by the Baden division, from the 11th to the 17th of August. After the arrival of the Ist division of reserve, and the division of the Llandwehr of the Prussian guard, as well as the siege parks of artillery, the troops formed a corps d'armde under the command of Gen. von Werder. The garrison of Strasburg only comprised about 11,000 men of the line infantry and artillery, the Garde Mobile and Garde Nationale. As regards the defence Strasburg is one of the strongest places in France. The fortress, constructed by Speke, and considerably strength ened by Vauban, is in good condition. The Rhine, the Ille, and other waters, are employed for inundating the fosses and environs of the town ; the place is abundantly supplied with artillery and ammunition. But the modern principles of the art of fortification have not been em ployed. The place wants, above all things, detached forts, so that when the ramparts, which closely surround the town, are attacked, the inhabitants are exposed to all the danger. Considering the numerical weakness of the garrison, and the fact that the large civic population had no certain shelter, it was supposed that a serious threat of bombard ment would induce the inhabitants to insist upon the .ommandant's capitulating. It was only in this manner that it was possible to take the town in a few days, and without too great sacrifice, while a regular siege, which could only be begun after the arrival of the artillery, and the com pletion of the siege works, would, under the most favourable conditions, demand much time and great sacrifices. General Uhrich, the commandant of the place, was, therefore, summoned on the 24th of August, at several intervals, to capitulate, under threat of bom bardment, but the warnings had no effect. Fire was, accordingly, opened on the town, being directed princip ally against the barracks, arsenals, and other public buildings. On the 26th the fire was suspended from four in the morning until midday, to await the effect of the Bishop's intervention. This intervention, however, proved fruitless, and the bombardment was resumed, and continued until the 27th. As up to that time the infatuated population had made no demonstra tion, and the commandant persisted in his re fusal, it was resolved to abandon the bombard ment, by which, owing to the extent of the town, only a few private houses had been destroyed, and to undertake a regular siege with the means of attack which in the interval had been obtained in sufficient quantities. The injuries which the cathedral, that ancient and venerable monument of German art, received from the bombardment, were happily insignificant. The roofing which covers the arch of the edifice is burned, but all the interior is intact, including the clock, with the exception of a pane of glass which was broken. The enemy had established an observatory with a telegraph on the platform, which enabled him to see our works. To dis lodge him from the tower several bullets were fired, after due warning. The bombardment of the town was due to military considerations of great importance, but circum stances which General Werder rightly appreciated induced him, notwithstanding the bombardment and de struction of Kehl, an open town, by the French, to abandon this method of attack, which is not uncommon in the history of sieges. While on this subject, we may remark that the general commanding the besieging army is . authorised by his instructions to take any measure which seems advisable to him without obtaining any other authority. The commandant of Strasburg was told he might ask permission for the women and children and invalids to pass out of the town. General Uhrich refused this offer, saying he had no choice among a population of eighty thousand. If the popula tion were not warned in time of the danger that threatened them, they have only to thank their own arro gance and blind confidence in their victory, and the error of the masses who saw in the troops marching on the town only incendiaries and assassins, and caused the inhabitants of the environs as far as Haguenau to take refuge in Stras burg with their families and their furniture. The com mandant of Strasburg allowed them to do so. In the night of August 29 the first trench was opened against the north-west front of the fortress at 600 or 800 paces from the enemy's works, without any loss on our side. On the night of the Ist September the second parallel at 300 to 400 paces of the fortress, was completed, and in the same night the establishment of the batteries was worked at unceasingly. These works, which were k o quickly accomplished, and especially the work of the sappers, which was carried on under the generally well directed fire of a numerous artillery, mus ketry, and guns from the ramparts, went on almost un interruptedly, notwithstanding some vigorous sorties of the enemy. This is very rare in time of siege. The most important sortie took place on the morning of the 2nd September against the two wings of our position. On the left wing the enemy was vigorously repulsed by the 30th of the line, and on the right by the 2nd Baden Grenadiers. Up to September 9th our artillery had placed in battery at the point of attack 98 rifled cannon and 40 mortars. The fire of these batteries completely silenced that of the ramparts. The Baden siege artillery at Kehl directed an effectual fire from 32 rifled cannons and 8 mortars against the citadel, which offered a last refuge to the enemy after the capture of the town. In the nights from the 9th to the 11th of September the approaches of the third parallel, and in the night of the 11th the third parallel itself, were chiefly executed. Owing to the weakening of the garrison the ordinary sap was used for these works. We had no losses. The total of our losses up to Septem ber sth were 57 dead, 327 wounded, and 30 absent. We must hope that this list of losses will be speedily closed by a capitulation, and that the painful position of the in habitants will not be aggravated. Everything that is pos sible is being done with this object. Every day hundreds of passes are being sent into the fortress. Thanks to the assistance of some Swiss citizens, an emigration into Switzerland of the most unfortunate families has been arranged. But it is not only in the town that the distress is great. The faubourgs of Koenigshofen, Robertson, and Schiltigheim de not suffer less than the town The rich villas of these localities have been fired by the projectiles from the fortress, and no day passes without the shells of the besieged making some victims among these unhappy people. The oommandant of the siege army has made generous exertions to assist the famished population and the civil ambulances. THE J3URNING OF BAZEILLES. A. letter inthe Cologne Gazette defends the conduct of the Germau troops at the great battle of Sedan. It says : —Most exaggerated statements have been made respecting wilful destruction caused by our men. With the excep tion of Bazeilles where hardly one stone remained upon the other, the villages have only slightly suffered. The destruction of Bazeilles arose, amongst other causes, from the fact that the Bavarians had to withstand the com bined attack of a whole corps d'armee in the immediate neighbourhood, and tney fought like lions. But this was not the only cause of the destruc tion. of Bazeilles. The Franc tireurs took up a strong position in the , village, and kept up a continual Are upon our troops ; and as they could not drive them from the village, and were much injured by the firing, they opened a cannonade upon the village, and thus destroyed it. Flames completed what our, cannon-balls had failed to accomplish. This is the real fact of the matter, and it is entirely false that women were fixed upon and driven back into the burning houses, as it was reported. The absurd rumours of women being shot by soldiers have no foundation. The curd of the village, who fled to Bouillon frantic with fear, is the cause of all these sensational rumours and calumnies respecting the conduct of the German troops. The cure, on his arrival, seemed to have entirely lost his senses, and could only cry out that they wanted to shoot him. have been able to convince myself that the German iroops did all they could to pacify and calm him, but it was of no avail—he would listen to nothing, and continued his ravings.. I saw one of the unfortunate inhabitants of Bazeilles upon the ruins of his former dwelling. After having given him all the money I had about me, I asked him if he bore any enmity towards the Germans. He replied that they were attacked, but he complained very much of the Franc tireurs having chosen a position in the village and of their having fired upon the German troops. THE BISHOP OF ORLEANS ON THE WAR. Mgr. Dupanloup writes to a friend on the present crisis in France :—" A month ago I expressed my horror of war, and also, alas ! my confidence in the suocess of the French arms. You may well believe that I shed bitter tears for the grief and humiliation of France. If I de nounced war a ,month ago I do so with a thousand fold more energy to-day. I do so in the name of the outraged heavens, the bleeding earth, the human fraternity that is trampled under foot ; but do not think I shall give way to a feeling of discouragement. We do not know how much love we have for our country until days like the present ones come upon us. Let France be dearer than ever to us now that she is in trouble, and let us seek to discover the source of her injuries. I do not wish in this place to make any reference to politics ; but for the sake of my country I cannot endure to have it said that our enemies possess all the virtues, beeause at great expense they have succeeded in turning their country into an arsenal or a camp. We must remember the words of an illustrious queen, the mother of the present King of Prussia--` I believe in God. I do not believe in force : justice alone is stable.' Victory is very intoxicating, but let the conquerors beware, be cause there is always a period in human affairs when God reserves to himself the right to act. During this century, France passed beyond her just limit, and had bitter cause for repentance, for the greatness of her misfortunes equalled the greatness of her triumphs. Should Europe refuse . to hear the illustrious statesman who has under taken to inform her that in this instance political advantages are on the side of outraged humanity, she will find toolate that she has bequeathed to future days a long series of wars. As to the conqueror, should he prove unworthy of his good fortune, and turn a deaf ear to the cry for peace, the malediction of all civilised nations will come upon him. Experience has shewn that the vcc VietoribusQf Providence is more fully manifested in the history of nations than the Vce victis of the barbarians, and if his great age pre vent him from witnessing it, his s o us w ill se e it after _ _ him. In reviewing the history of other days, I find that when Queen Louise, of Prussia, had the celebrated inter view with Napoleon, he asked her what had induced her people to make war on him, to which she replied,. ' The glory of the great Frederic led us astray concerning our power, and we were mistaken !' This exactly corresponds with our history of 1870. We also, Frenchmen, have deceived ourselves. and the glory of our arms has led us astray. Many years afterwards she wrote to her father some memorable words, which I take the liberty of re calling to the memory of the King of Prussia. She said, He who will not exercise moderation, and is blinded by success, loses his equilibrium and does not act in accord ance with eternal laws.' I would also recall to the mind of France the history of Prussia, in case she should be too discouraged. What is perishing in France at this moment is not the nation, and if anything is conquered it is our weakness ,and our infatuation. We can only raise our selves on two conditions—those of truth and virtue. At this solemn hour it is the duty of the nation to ask itself why God has subjected it to the trial? We had all left off speaking the truth, and above all we had omitted the practice of virtues, an extravagant desire for luxury had pervaded all classes, and though the evil was recognised the torrent Pursued its ,nurse. France wac not intended to corrupt the world, but to enlighten and civilise it. I say this, that if we are declining, it is not because we are Catholics, but because we are not enough so. We have neither the faith nor the stern dis cipline of our fathers, and for too long a period impiety and immorality have taken root in our consciences and characters. While I write these lines a last attack has been made in favour of the humiliation of France and her universal abandonment. Rome is invaded and the t'ope is despoiled. Let not our faith be affected, for God will not forsake His Church. I have said enough : the time has not yet come for telling all the great truths while the hour for the performance of great duties sounds as a tocsin. The Parisians are mounting the ramparts, while I, who can only accompany them with my sym pathy, will pray for them in this old French city which preserves the free standard of Joan of Arc." GENERAL WIMPFFEN ON THE SURRENDER OF SEDAN. General Wimpffen has written a reply to the letter of the aides-de-camp of the Emperor Napoleon. A number of journals having published a letter from the aides-de camp of the Emperor, the General feels himself compelled to notice it. The note sent to the Emperor by the Staff Captains St. Naouer and de Lapeowvelle was as follows: —" Sire, I have ordered General Lebrun to attempt to force a passage through the enemy's lines in the direction of Carignan. I have directed General Ducrot to support this movement, and General Douay to cover the retreat. Let your Majesty take a place among your soldiers. They will be proud to open a passage for you! In sending this notice to the Emperor the object of the General was to spare him the necessity of being made a prisoner, and to take advantage of the prestige of the Emperor's name in order to insure a com bined movement of the troops. The Emperor did not agree to this proposal, and unknown to General Wimpffen he caused the white flag to be hoisted, at the same time sending one of his officers with a flag of truce. The white flag was kept up in spite of the general's protestations, and his refusal to negotiate. The enemies' flags of truce were received at the Imperial quarters. All these acts, which are in the province of the commander-in-chief, spoiled the execution of the last offensive movements. It is, therefore, not correct to say that the general was not interferred with in his management, and in the orders which he gave. It was a feeling of etiquette which prevented him in his letter of resigna tion from specifying the motive of his refusal to sign the armistice. He did not undertake the office of negotiator until he had read the honourable reply of his Majesty. The general's aides-de-camp were justified in saying that there never had been any difference of opinion between the Emperor and the general, and the general took leave of his Majesty with great regret. The only document which General Wimpffen has drawn up about the operations of the war, is the official report of the battle which has been addressed to the Minister, and reproduced in several journals. This letter is dated Cam statt, the 19th of September. WOMEN'S RIGHTS.—The ninth annual regatta of the Empire City Rowing Club was witnessed on the East River, opposite Harlem, on the afternoon of the Gth of September, and was chiefly noticeable in consequence of the appearance of the five young oarswomen, who con tested in single scull boat-race on the occasion. A very large crowd was attracted to the scene. The start of the competitors was made about five o'clock, amidst the most lively excitement. Miss Amelia Sheehan, the daughter of a gentleman at Ward's Island, was the first one of the contending party to arrive at the starting-point. She was dressed in a loose white flannel shirt, cut Marie Antoinette style in front, with a short red petticoat and pantalettes. Her head was covered with a jauntry, tight skull-cap, made of white muslin and trimmed with blue riband, her hair falling down in two long braids at the back. The costume was a pic turesque one, and displayed the large and splendid physique of the wearer to fine advantage. She was pronounced to be the heaviest and most muscular of the five competi tors. Her weight was given at 140 pounds, her age being 19 years. Her comely, fair complected face, and the magnificent position which she maintained in her boat, won her many admirers. She seemed accustomed to handling the oars, and used them in a very expert manner. Miss Olivia Roberts, aged 17, the daugheer of Mr. Stephen Roberts, the boat-builder, was one of her rivals. The latter was a blonde, and wore a light dress, her head being uncovered. She weighed 110 pounds. Miss. Mary Kyle, of Harlem, aged 19 years, daughter of Kyle, the boat-builder, and another of the oars-women, was also attired in a light dress, over which she wore a red Zouave jacket. A small blue turban com pleted her dress. Her weight was about 115 pounds. The other two contestants included Miss M. Walton, of North Brother Island, East River, and Miss Annie Williams, of Staten Island. Both of the latter were dressed in ordinary street dresses. The race was rowed in 17ft. boats, the course being three mil es i n l eng th. It was won by iss Sheehan in 23 minutes. Miss Walton was second.—New York Times:, SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS. NEWCASTLE, SATURDAY. The event of chief interest to-day was the address of Dr. Lyon Playfair, M.P., President of the Education Department. This was a masterly production, and was delivered to a crowded audience in the Town-hall. Dr. Playfair said :—For thirty years efforts have been made to bring the State into proper relations with the education of the people, but they have been-unsuccessfal on account of the conflicting interests and jealousies of religious bodies. The churches charged with the promotion of religious sentiment among the laity thought naturally that they should impose upon themselves the educa tion of the people, in order to advance their moral and religious welfare. But the want of union among churches led to a discordant action in the means employed, and though much was accomplished by voluntary zeal, still no common national system of educa tion was evolved from these ecclesiastical cures. Hence, while other nations in Europe have spread primary and secondary education in well organised systems throughout their lands, England had not even laid the foundation stone of a national system till the present year. The Act which passed last Session deals with the quantity of education, but not with its quality. Perhaps tha first was a great enough question to deal with on one occasion. Still the number of schools in a country is of small consequence as compared with the nature of the education given in them, just as the number of bottles in a cellar matters little if the wine be bad. Under these circumstances near with me in discussing the subject of quality in our schools,-even if I appear in the light of the uncommonly candid friend whose indication of one's faults is generally not soothing. In education, as in everything else, our position is not of our own making ; for our experience, our conceptions, and our prejudices, have descended to us by inheritance. Accordingly, we find that our present system is very much of an eccle siastical inheritance. It is needless to go so far back as the days of monasteries, when excellent schools were attached to them, often for the political purpose of raising the middle-classes as allies to the church in resisting the power and encroachment of the nobles. These were grand old schools, but they represented our Etons, Harrows, and Rugbys, rather than the elementary schools with which we are dealing. The latter are the growth of modern times, and were raised by churches, which naturally thought that the chief preparation of man ought to be for the future, and that the school, like the church, was intended for his eter nal, not his temporal, condition. The original idea of the Church, if it could have given a fair amount of considera tion to the temporal condition of man in comparison with his eternal state, was to educate him in correlation to his work and condition of life • The same idea is manifested whenever the State, in olden times, interested itself in education. The ancient laws of apprenticeship were in fact laws of education. Only the State reversed the pro cess followed by the Church, and thought of man's tem poral condition first, and of his eternal state afterwards. The State took up all vagrant boys, and sent them, by con* pulsion, to a farmer or blacksmith, or a shoemaker, first to follow the plough, to hammer iron, or make shoes as their chief end, and to learn the ten commandments as a supple ment. The State had no idea that education was worth much, unless it fitted a man for his work in life. The first direct compulsory law relating to education in this kingdom, that I have met with in my studies, was passed by James IV., of Scotland, in 1494. He ordained that all sons of freeholders and barons should go to school under penalty, and that their eldest sons, who were -to have the estates, should, after their preliminary education attend three years at a school of laws, in order that they might administer, discernedly and wisely, justices' justice to the - poor folk of the realm. It is a pity that thin com pulsory law does not still exist for eldest sons! You see in it the idea that education should .be adapted to the work of life Professor Playfair, alluding to the benefits of the Prussian system of education, said that knowledge is as important as valour in modern combats. The educational principle of continental nations is to link on primary schools to secondary improvement schools. The links are always composed of higher subjects, the three R's being in all eases the mere basis of instruction. Elementary science, and even some of its applications, is uniformly encouraged and generally enforced. I , shall not detain you with examples, as they are to be found in any work treating of continental schools. But as we have no schools corres ponding to the secondary improvement schools for the working classes, we suppose that we can do without the higher subjects used as links. With what results? Our primary schools, oh the whole, do not teach higher instruc tion than a child of eight years of age may learn. In our class of life, our children acquire such knowledge as a beginning ; with the working classes they get it as an end. What an equipment for the battle of life ! No armour plate of knowledge is given to our future artisan. but a mere thin veneer of the three R's, so thin as to rub off completely in three or, four years' wear and tear of life. So, under our present system of elementary teaching, no knowledge whatever bearing on the life work of the people reaches them by our system of State education. The air they breathe, the water they clink, the tools they use, the plants they grow, the mines they excavate, might all be made subjects of sur passing interest and importance to them during their whole life ; and yet of these they learn not one fact. There are terrible mistakes made in the training of children. The whole yearnings of a child are for the natural phenomena around until they are smothered by the ignorance of the parent. He is a young Linnaeus roaming over the fields in search of flowers. He is a young conchologist or mineralogist gathering shells or pebbles on the sea shore. He is an ornithologist, and goes bird-nest ing ;an icthyologist, and catches fish. Glorious education in nature, all this, if the teacher knew how to direct and utilise it. But as soon as the child comes into the school. room all natural God born instincts are to be crushed out of him ; he is to be trained out of all natural sympathies and affections. You prune and trim, cramp and bind the young intellect, as gardeners in olden times did trees and shrubs, till they assumed monstrous and grotesque forms, altogether different from the wide spread ing foliage and clustering buds, which God him self gave to them, and which man is idiot enough to think he can improve. Do not suppose that I wish the primary school to be a lecture theatre for all or any of the ologies." All the science which would be necessary to give a boy a taste of the principles involved in his calling, and an incitement to pursue them in his future life, might be given in illustration of other subjects. Instead of mere descriptive geography drearily taught and drearily learned, you might make it illustrative of history, and illustrated by physical geography, which, in the hands of a real master, might be made to embrace most of what we desire to teach. The properties of air and water, illustrations of natural history, varieties of the human race, the properties of the atmosphere as a whole—its life-giving virtues when pure, and its death dealings when fouled by man's impurities—the natural products of dif ferent claims, these and such like teachings are what you could introduce with telling and useful effect. Think of the few precious hours as the training for a whole life time, and let us use them by giving living and intelligent learning, and not obsolete and parrot instruction. If you bring up a ploughman in utter ignorance of anything re lating to the food of plants, of every mechanical principle of farm implements, of the weather to which he is ex posed, of the sun that shines upon him and makes the plants to grow, of the rain which, while it. drenches him, refreshes the crops around, is that ignorance con ducive to his functions as an intelligent being made after: the image of Him, who has done all things wisely ? Those of us who have passed middle life recollect the chronic state of misery and poverty in the Scilly Islands, off the coast of Cornwall. In such a wretched condition were they that the inhabitants were only preserved from starvation during the winter months by constant contri butions from the main land. Now we never hear cries of distress from these islands, and for what reason ? In 1834 Mr. Smith, who became their proprietor, undertook their improvement. He abolished the cottar system, consoli dated holdings, founded good schools under a compulsory system of his own, and kept them up to the mark by constant inspection. He did not content himself with the three R's, but directed the instructions towards the occupations of an insular people. History, geography, the rudimentsof mathematics, and navigation were taught to the children. And with what result ! So much esteemed are the youths of the Scilly Islands as sailors that vessels sometimes stop there to procure them, and very frequently they rise to be mates and masters, Pauperism has vanished from the islands, so that it is difficult to find any of its population poor enough to accept the alms offered in the Communion Service. The well-educated population shew a disposition to pass to the main land, for they are much appreciated there, and receive high wages. But all this is as it should be, and Mr. Smith deserves our thanks for having preserved to us an example of what the Govern ment intended to do, but failed to accomplish, viz., to direct the subject matter of education to the ,occupations of the people. The great advantages of directing educa tion towards the pursuits and occupations of the people, instead of wasting it on dismal verbalism, is that, while it elevates the individual, it at the same time gives security for the future prosperity of the nation. In the industrial battles of peoples, we are content to leave our working classes armed with the old Brown Bess of warfare, while men of other countries are arming themselves with modern weapons of precision. In the competition of nations, the two factors of industry —raw material and intellect applied to its conversion into utilities—are altering their values. • The first is rapidly decreasing, the second quickly augmenting in value. We anchor our hopes on the sand, which the advancing tide of knowledge is washing away, while other nations throw out their anchors on firm ground accumulating around, and enabling their vessels to ride in safety. Physical training of the young is a subject of national importance, scarcely less weighty than their intellectual training. In Prussia and Switzerland, where militias are now more important than standing armies, an increasing value is attached to gymnastic training in their schools. Efficient school instruction, with good physical training, shortens by a year a man's military service in some of the German States. This is wise and easy to be understood. When military drill is thrown into schools, as in the Hibernian Academy, the Chelsea School, some of the Union Schools, and the Middle-class Corporation Schools in London, an important national result is secured, for the scholars are habituated, at the most plastic period of their life, to soldierly o b e di ence an d exerc i ses w hi c h w ill induce them, even when they go into trades and occupations to join the volunteer or militia services of the country! Speaking of the effects of the last Reform Bill Dr. Playfair said : The right o f su ff rage h as f or it s corollhry the duty of instruction. You cannot give political power to a people and allow them to remain ignorant. That would be the political suicide of a nation. The people, in all their grades, are surrounded and imbued with the prejudices acquired in their upbringing, either from their parents or those around them. An uneducated . people is like a nation one or two genera tions back in its history. It is unable to grasp the ideas of the age in which it lives, and is powerless to shake itself free from the prejudices which the progress of thought has proved to be dangerous errors. They are unable to do so, as they cannot take possession of the 'inheritance of intellectual wealth accumulated by their predecessors; for they do not know how to read the books forming the testament by which it was bequeathed. Referring to the question of compulsory education, he said—ln this country • all laws require the co-operation of those for whose benefits they are framed. While there is nothing in direct compulsion to induce parental co-operation, there is much in the indirect plan to do so. If the law firmly rule that employers shall not give work to uneducated children, every motive of the parent is enlisted for their education. The prudent lovine , parent will always b e an a ll y o f t h e S tate ; b ut the sordid,' selfish parent will be so also, when the education becomes the only tool through the possession of which wages can be earned. Speaking of the value of an intimate connec tion being kept up between the people and the Universi ties, Dr. Playfair said that it was believed that about 500 workmen, or sons of working men, are now in attendance at Scotch Universities. Many that I have personally known have worked hard during the summer as plough men, fishermen, masons, carpenter s —i n one or t wo cases which I happen to know—as gillies to young English university students during grouse shooting, in order that they . might save money enough to pay their moderate fees, and live on porridge and milk during the winter sessions of the universities. I have just left a Scotch town in which I was at, a parochial school, and many a friendly grip of the hand did I get from work ing men and tradesmen who were schoolfellows with me. Neither of, us had lost our respect for the other in our different careers in life, and it was a very hearty thing to feel that your old schoolfellows had an honest word of congratulation, if you happened to be in a more conspicu ous position than themselves. I have alluded to this _ _ mixture of classes in Scotch schools, in the hope of seeing it arise in England as a consequence of rate-supported schools. Every contributory ratepayer has a right to their use. The poverty of a Scotch school renders a poet like Byron an impossible conception, but it makes a natural one like Burns. I would not have alluded to our Scotch experience in regard to higher education for the poor, except as an encouragement for the English poor to follow up the paths opened up to them by the Endowed Schools Act of last year. This year is memorable because, for the first period in our history the State has been brought into national rela tion to education, and has accepted large responsibilities. If you believe that this Act has settled the scheme of national education, even for a few years, I trust that you are much mistaken. It h as j us t t ouc h e d the outskirts of the subject. The great object before us is to establish an efficient organisation of public intellect. Now, the national relations to it are in a state of chaotic con fusion. There is the Committee of Council with two departments running side by side on parallel rails, yet never touching each other lest disagreeable collisions might result. The elementary school department will have no aid from the science and art de partment ; and yet both are under the same masters — the President and Vice-President of the Council. Again, you have a third body, the Endowed School Commissioners, tacked on to the same committee by a loose sort of thread, but not bound to co-operate with either department. Then you have all sorts of Government schools outside the education department altogether. Union and workhouse schools under the Poor-law Board ; military and regimental schools under the War Office ; naval and ship schools under the Admi ralty ; factory and industrial schools under the Home Office. Some of tbe universities receive large sums from Parliament, but are responsible to no public department for their proper use. In fact, we have educational mate rial in abundance, but no architect to make a national edifice out of them. We have not even decided which of them should be selected for the building of the future. Brick, stone, wood, iron are all useful in building ; any one will do, yet all• united would answer the purpose better. But we quarrel among ourselves as to-which should be used, so a substantial building is not even begun, and our castle is in the air. Her humanists, realists, religionists, and secularists contend for their separate views, and refuse to co-ordinate them for the public good. In this confusion the pubic call for a Minister of Education; in the hope that he may be a nt:cleus round which the various education materials may crystallise in a definite form. In the competition of nations, both in war and in peace, their position for the future will depend upon the education of their peoples. Local advantages or practical aptitudes may give them pre-eminence to-day, but, unless supported by knowledge, these will vanish to-morrow. The competition of the future will be one of public intel lect. The Act which I have criticised is our first effort to elicit order from disorder. But it is the mere beginning of a mighty work, which this country must perform, if she is to escape the sentence passed on the Church of Sardis—" Thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead." The subject of cruelty to animals engaged the attention of the section devoted to discussions on the repression of crime. Mr. John Bollam read a paper which strongly urged the necessity of legislation in reference to the ques tion being greatly impeded ; the difficulty of conviction of those guilty of cruel acts being pointed out. A prominent feature of the paper was that it vigorousiy reprobated the unnecessary multiplication of experiments on live animals for the purposes of science. Reformatory Schools' and Elementary Education Act of 1870 was another subject discussed in this section. A paper was read by Mr. D. D. Main, who was of opinion that little could be done unless the compulsory attendance on the part of all children not otherwise recognised instruction was insisted upon. Referring to the difficulties that might lie in the train of securing the attendance of a certain class of children the author threw out a somewhat novel idea that arrange ments might be made to feed them. The health section was in the main devoted to the consideration of subjects having a local bearing, such as the water supply of the district, and the public health of Newcastle. A paper of a more general interest, however, was one on the sani tary changes necessary for the health of the people, insisted that by Mr. Alexander Hay. In this it was that one of the most necessary aims of a builder should be the purifications of the foundations of the houses he erected, the ill effects produced by dwarfed rooms, inefficient fire places, flat pitched roofs, the practice of stacking bricks in muriate of s o d a , an d underground workshops being made the subjects of com ment. The paper further urged the great advantage that would accrue from proper facilities being afforded for river bathing, and the extension of window gardening in towns, and it deprecated the practice of extending towns up to the very walls of cemeteries. The " Education of Miners," having a special local re ference, was the subject of a paper in the Education Sec tion by the Rev. W. A. Scott. _ _ In the International Law Section a paper on colonisa tion was to have been read by Sir William Denison, and one on the " Relations between England and her Colonies," by Mr. R. A. Maofie, M.P. ; but neither of the authors being present the Section was adjourned. " International Coinage " formed the subject of a paper by Professor Leoni Levi in the Economy and Trade Section. The Professor also read a report on the best means of obtaining uniformity of weights and measures applicable to the sale of grain and other agricultural products. The " Law •of Mortmain " was the title of the paper presented to the Municipal Law Section by Dr. Waddilove. EARL RUSSELL ON CONTRABAND OF WAR. At the conclusion of Dr. Playfair's address the secretary read the following letter from Earl Russell "Hawicle, Sept. 23. Sir,—l have received your letter too late to avail myself of the proposal contained in it to occupy the chair in the department of International Law. Had I remained in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, I should have been proud of the honour of presiding this day in the International Law Section. The question seems to be one rightly put, " Is it desirable to prohibit the exportation of con traband of war." This question has generally been re solved in the negative by writers on the law of nations. The export of armed ships of war is not prohibited by these writers. The United States of America first, and the United Kingdom of the British Isles secondly, have departed from the rule in the instance of armed ships of war and enlisted troops, but these exceptions have given rise to complaints and conflicts which make it doubtful whether the obligations of neutral nations ought not rather to be diminished than multiplied. The German States at present complain that arms are sent to France by our manufacturers. At the same time, coal is sent in large quantities to Hamburg, and will no doubt be used on the railways which convey German troops to the frontiers, or even into the interior of France. If arms are not to be exported, can we ex pect that France will not c Dmplain that coal, manifestly intended for warlike purposes, is exported to the German Confederation without impediment ? It appears to me that troops armed and organised and ships armed and manned ought not to be allowed by neutrals to leave their shores for the purpose of assisting either belligerents. But beyond this I would not go. In short, I would maintain the doctrine laid down by Presi dent Washington.—l remain, your obedient servant, RUSSELL. After the discussion which ensued on the papers of Professor Leoni Levi, in the Economy and Trade section, referred to above, several resolutions were passed, the sub stance of which was that the section recommended the Council to draw the attention of the Government to the necessity of expediting the introduction of the metrical system into general use ; of introducing a system of international coinage, and of providing for the speedy introduction of methods of instruction in the metrical system in schools. It was also resolved to re commend that the Government should be requested to instruct the Civil Service Commissioners to confine the questions put to candidates in arithmetic to the metrical system, and that contracts made with the Government be calculated on that system. THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT. A large and enthusiastic meeting, on the subj ec t of th e repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts, confined to ladies, was held under the presidency of Mrs. Pennington. A letter from Miss Carpenter, expressing her deep sympathy with the movement against the Acts was read, as also was one from Miss Florence Nightingale to the same effect. A report, prepared by Mrs. Butler, detailing the opera tion of the Association for the repeal of the Acts, was presented to the meeting. The Association it was stated numbered 1,100 members. The first speaker or rather reader, for her address was read, wa s Mrs. Butler, who complained greatly of the insult that had been offered to the Repeal Association by the proposal of a Royal Commissiim. It was virtually de cided that the ladies would have nothing whatever to do with the commission, which was only appointed to facili tate the carrying out of the unjust acts that had been passe d by a clique. Mrs. Maclaren, wife of Mr. Maclaren, M.P., sister of Mr. John Bright, having addressed the meeting, Mrs. Butler proposed a resolution protesting against the appointment of the Royal Commission, and providing for a memorial to be presented to Mr. Gladstone praying that th e C on tagious Diseases Acts should be suspended. Mrs. Butler, on behalf of her husband, and at his r eques t , ment i oned that in one of the sections of the British Association in Liverpool Mr. Dalrymple, M.P. for Bath, had stated that when in Algeria he, in company with Marshal MacMahon and several officers, had been present at the medical examination of some hundreds of Arab women, a statement which Mrs. Butler's audience received with hisses. On the other hand they loudly cheered the suggestion which Mrs. Butler on behalf of her husband, threw out that the constituents 0! Mr. Dalrymple should be made acquainted with t he fact their representative had publicly mentioned. The tion proposed by Mrs. Butler was seconded hi l ‘ r ': Reid, and carried unanimously: An Executive Co w. mittee was appointed. Miss Emily Faithful ,in proptoshlg a vote of thanks to Mrs. Pennington, said her Sy U were with the association. resollty WORKING MENS CLUBS. The meeting of working men to discuss the quotient/lee working men's clubs was also held this afternoon. I,_ge evening the supporters of the peace movement had a wer e public gathering in the Town-hall. Resolutions unanimously adopted, affirming th a t standing arears ought to be abolished, and that i n ternational d is P ue ought to be on. early the settled whole b o y f arbitrati the sections were closed early allow members to attend the second excursion s that li" been arranged for this afternoon. THE SIEGE OF METZ. The general impression that RseEeml‘'slEtoTpZrevail SEPT.—)23lds:l:llog from what one sees of the newspapers—that the Gernl e Army before Metz is in an excellent conition , and t French inside i n a d e pl ora bl e plight, is certa inly 3°,t borne out by the facts, so far as one half of the story; concerned. The fact is, that watching Metz is a n exce %a ingly difficult and uncomfortable occupation, costi o f of about as many lives as a regular siege, and productive intense misery to the German troops, indeed, this dutY guarding Bazaine is the m os t un pleasant that the II?! have known during the campaign. Since the third there h 3s • been no fighting, the vast army which encircle s the cekns trenchments in all directions is not troubled by anY e _ of the enemy. But the sanitary condition of the mans is unquestionably bad. Dismal compla ints the y raised on all sides. The only comfort the men h ave t t if find in the conviction (not certainly. well founded) tba ,he their state is miserable that of their adversaries inside:en city is worse. The wo un d e d i n th e hospitals ha ve ;lib sent on to Germany; but the beds are all full aga in io the .victims of typhus and dysentery. The gr° lll3 .„h round Metz is very clayey, and the incessant rains "'tithe have washed it since the blockade of t he fortress commenced have left the Germans light most miserable of camping grounds. Th e g7ted tents in which the troops are ho u s e d are not at all uds, for such a purpose ; they do not keep out the cold win 4 which are so severe as to render the nights well insupportable. One officer the other day said that the ir v uniforms and linen of the soldiers were rotting ° a th ,, e r y bodies. There is no want of meat, but there i s i Y; bad supply of bread ; what the soldi e rs have is nac' n '''; and the corn which grew around Metz was, of cotlrsi; stamped into the ground during the great battles will% lasted so many days. For this reason also there land great lack of straw for the beds both of men horses, and a large portion o f th e troops use „ s° „ -- : unthrashed corn which they have taken in the neig h '-'- f ing barns, but thi s sor t o f s t u ff on suc h a c layey soi l is ce no great service. The commander of the armY, Pr in Frederick Charles, has resolved to bombard the fortrest but probably th a t course i s t a k en only wi h t the view of findin g occu p a ti on f or the men, en w--(i would bear in action discomforts which e their great patience can hardly tolerate d urili w g a life of enforced idleness. Prince Frederick can a° 3 rt t hope to take Metz. The general impression here IS that the fortress ea,nnot be captured except by starving ° ll l',,i: French ; and this no doubt will ultimately be accomplish but it is a tougher job than the besiegers imagined w°'; they began the work. Two hundred thousand Pe°l) (inhabitants and soldiers) would soon, it was confideatlYt thought, eat themselves into a state of destitution. 13.1 a month has passed, and Metz still stands where it (ha, with all its living occupants safe within it. It is difficult to speak with certainty as to the s tate o f affairs in Metz. There is reason t o b e lieve that the . customary order of things is reversed on this occa e sion : the French know p re tty well what tb tittle Germans are doing, but the Germans know very of what is going on inside Cie beleaguered place. Some c are certain the troops and th e i n h a bit an t s ar e alike ha h' ch starved. And it wo u ld seem , on th e f ace o f it, that all ci an immense host could not exist a month on the 10 %, which might happe n t o b e i n th e c it y w ith ou t being 11 1 .. ° 3 well-nigh brought to th e en d o f th e i r resour ces. 1311 ' i must be remembered th a t M e t z i s th e p rem i e r fortr ess es France, and that doubtles s grea t p recau ti o ns had he taken to put it in excellent c on diti on . The provi sl°ll : which would last the town an d garr i son a long sie o g may last town, garrison, and Bazaine's army unexpectedly considerable period. At all events there I testimony of abundance of food being inside the walls' nor j is there from the outsid e an y a pp earance t o be discov er of the effects of want within. Bazaine's men are einP l° Y ed in building great redoubts an d th e lik e , th oug h what they are wanted for, except to give the men a job, like Frederick's bombardment, it is not easy to divine. The n is a rumour that negotiations for a surrender have opened, Bazaine • desirin g cer t a i n con diti on s, and liare German commander insisti ng u p on an a b so l u t e surrender. But these stories do not seem worthy of belief. The fall of Toul was occasioned by a fresh batch r ° e f heavy guns which the Germa n s b roug ht u p. The eaP tu n d of this fortress, which barred the wa y b e t wee n Nancy s 0 Chalons, was of the utmost importa nce t o the Gem s , and yet they were unable to take it with 0rdin 5 ",..,,, apparatus. They therefore bro ug ht u p t o t ra i n s of twenkY four pounders which speedily effected a change, The report of the death of the second son of the P 7 ,1 ,4 sian War Minister, General V on B oon , i s confirm. The Prussian officers are in th e h a bit, no t w ithetanc til !; directions to the contrary, of preceding their trooP o l attacking the enemy, which accounts for the great Pi; t h e battles of fosses among th e m. It i s sa id th a t after t he battles at Metz, th e Ki ng , w hil e ac k now l e dging ic . bravery of his officers, said that if they continued to e• pose themselves so re c kl ess ly, h e mus t t a k e some P re ventive measures. The North German Gazette explained the removal of General Steinmetz from the command of the First Al This step has not b een t a k en th roug h any fau l t the °., general may have committed. His return to an office the Prussian provinces may find its simple explanati c l i the circumstance th a t a s i ng l e comman d er of t h e investing Metz is quite sufficient, and that the interl 9o '. tion of a second commander might involve procrasti t ' f ' t tion. It does not now appear a d v i sa bl e i n t h e big hee quarters to form another separate army, as one division of the collective German armies lies before I \ l _ e : tz ; and the rest—organis e d, i n d ee d, as t wo armies—is m°v,'ll' on Paris. The North German Gazette a p o l o gi ses f or the arrest of ~, Dr. Jacoby, the well-k nown P russ i an D emocra t, %""' with that remarkable respeCt for the lib er ty o f the Pe rse po which prevails in free and happy G ermany, has b e '', thrown into prison for speaking against the distnerahe• ment of France. Says the Gazette :—" It should, 11 ,1: ever, be considered that th e reso l ut i on and speec h a Jacoby find their level not only in Germany, but also n' France, and that the newspapers there, which daily Pf, off on their readers suc h monster l i es respecting Germany' not be candid enoug h to say that the attitu de Dr. Jacoby excites with us merely a shrug 0 f the shoulders." The Prefect of La Manche has issued a very belli e l s : address to th e i n h a bit an t s. L a M anche i s out of ''" t present range of the Germans, but the Prefect fears Oa. they may make a raid into it in order to obtain 1 1 ° 11 sions. Let us, therefore, he says, make ready for theru; " Let our Natio na l G uar d b e organ i se d an d d r ill e d, 0111 5 the direction o f th e G en d armer i e, w hi c h i s com posed brave soldiers inured to the use of arms. Not havil ls instructors to send into the cantons, into the c ountry parts, I have, nevertheless, solicited their co-operat icob which has been eagerly promised. We must carry an r t nr he war in detached band s ; we must a d opt a guerrilla war which shall ha rass th e enemy day and night, an d i..7riel shall leave him neither rest nor peace. Our country eminently fitted for a contest of this description." 'll The Rev. Robert Moiat, the veteran missionary' South Afri ca , s t a t e d, i n an a dd ress w hi ch h e d e li ve rea 1 0 Manchester on Friday evening, that he entertained 11 fear for the safety of Dr. Livingstone. BIRTHS. On the 22d inst., at Tunbridge-wells, the wife of ivx• Shaw Stewart, of a son. On the 22d inst.. at Kensington, the wife of Johnagty Good, of a son. MARRIAGES. On the 22d inst., at St. Luke's, Kentish' New - t ovil2 ' William Beeson, Esq., of South Croxton, Leicee,t e r e shire, to . Rosa Emily, only s urv i v i ng c hild of the Henry Pidcock, Es q ., o f 8, C avers h am - roa d, Nen t ' s town, London. On the 22d inst., at St. Andrew's Church, Thornhill; square, Charles Edwards, to Ann, the only daugh t r o of the late David William Witton, of Great St. Hel ell and Richmond, Surrey. DEATHS. On the 20th inst., at Tunbridge-Wells, Edward Austell Taylor, Esq. On the 23d inst., at)l.7, Devonshire-street, Warb u rt Davies; Esq. London : Printed by GIDEON ACLAND BOYCE, o t No. 112, Strand, Printer, and Published by hin 2 THE SUN Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, n the County of Middlesex. Monday, September 26, 1870. ---•-' --......., .......... Ci kar niis The Tea l Bar, J. Piv e . Grea lier A' Ti t ' ' ft _Dasg