The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-07-24 00:00:00

NOTES OF THE WEILL

I.—THE win GIN11:8 Of Prussia turns out
to be General von Moltke. The King writes
an amiable but blood-thirsty epistle to his
Queen, which indeed sets him off in the light
of a father of his generals and people every-
where received with enthusiasm as he passes
to the front and comes under fire; and abso-
utely heightens his royalty into heroism as
he describes an encounter of cavalry that took
place "under his own eyes." But Moltke
has been on'y once to the front, and yet he
has direct d b whole comb ned movements
that have led the bristling needle guns of
Prussia safely within sight of the walls of
Vienna. The Awes corresnondent describes
him as having again retired to his quarters,
closeted with his maps, making new plans
for the future progress of the campaign, and I
for the occupation of Vienna. And it seems I
that this skilful strategist has been sitting
all the tampaign like a spider in the centre
of his web, calmly at his desk some distance
in the rear, weaving his subtle web of opera-
tions. Starting three Prussian armies from
three different points of the compass, he thus
collected them in the needful hour and at the
necessary moment, on the field of Kbniggratz,
flashing his orders by means of the field
telegraph to the generals more immediately
in command, as, with skill and foresight which
precluded the failure of a single movement
or c mbinationi he traced upon the map the
destined course of the troops- It is thus
that modern warfare is conducted with all the
means and .ppliances of modern discovery.
It is thus that the Prussian army has been
moved on like chemmen on a board, and that
white has been made to checkmate black in a
given number and succession of moves. But
matters have at last reached that ominous
pause, the sultry stillness that precedes the
thunder storm. Again two half millions of
men stand face to face befere Vienna; and in
prospect of the carnage that may, that must
ensue from their collision, all Europe is pray-
ing that there may be truth in the rumours
of a five days' armistice having been concluded.
which may lead to negotiations for peace.
That Prussia will listen to no proposals for an
armistice which do not involve the basis of a
treaty, does not disincline us to believe in
this armistice, because, with a great city at
their back and desperation in their teeth, the
Austrians may this time—not be beaten.
The vast arrivals from Italy have given them
new lif and what is more, confidence,void of
fear of ;he needle gun. The Ziethen Hussars
of Prussia will no longer ride over the small
rhlans, but will have to lope with the mag-
nificent Radetzky Hussars of Austria, who
are more likely to try their mettle. On the
other hand. Mainz, which is held by Benedtk
with 36,000 men, has been cut off, as the
Saxon head quarters has passed along the line
from Benedek's army to Lundeuburg. Thus
Vienna is menaced by the Prussians from the
North and West, and by the Italians, if they
can make good their forced march, from the
South. Still the means and position of the
Austrians are superior to what they were
before Koniggratz. Either way, this battle,
ahould it ensue, must decide all.
11.—Tax BIGHT OF A OINGLI INONCLAD
of ungainly appearatice, which has neverthe-
less the Atlantic, and the sound of
'war on the neighbouring continent,has Bud- I
deuly roused us to the consciousness of being
far behind in the means and resources of I
defence applicable to our insular situation.l
the late admiralty, during six years' tenure
of office, have constructed only at the rate of
one iron clad in a year; but Sir John Peking-
ton, Lord Stanley, and our new administrators
admit promptly that this will never do; and
yet where Mr. &muds proposes urgently to
build at once two vessels of 3,500 tons, and
of 1,000 horse power, each carrying two
cupolas, armed with the heaviest guns
which can be made, and covered with
siminch plates, and having a speed of 15
knots an hour; and not only these but 10
others of 1,500 tons and 360 horse power,
each with two cupolas and two 12-ton guns,
and a speed of 18 knots an hour—all ,Aich
would provide, within two years, something
like a formidable armament, at a cost of
£1,000,000; Sir John Pakington is unable to
accede to the proposal, and contents himself
with tabling a supple -ientary estimate for the
construction of one ship as usual with this
~nly difference—that ,t is to be a turret-ship.
We hope it may be plated with red tape!
lII.—Pi AGITATION of the defunct Bel
form Bill is still continued, by night meetings
in the Metropolis. We felt sure that these
gatherings would only be injudiciously stimu-
lated and fostered by opposition and restraint.
Where there is no constitutional power to
prevent the assembling of themselves to-
gether amongst the people, the semblance of
objection, even although never so properly
directed against the place rather than the
purpose of their meeting, is altogether a mis-
take. Sir Richard Mayne, backed by the un-
doubted authority of the Secretary of State,
has prohibited the use of Hyde Park for a
demonstrafon in ,our of Reform. Now
nobody for one moment considers Hyde Park
to be the proper place for large numbers of
persons formed ii to processions, and march
ing through the streets with band of music
play ing most probably revolutionary airs, to
congregate. Primrose Hill, a very different
locality, or the Regent's Park, were the scenes
of the Reform gatherings of 1882. But
once allow Mr. Edmund Besles or any other
popular casuist to argue the question whether
Hyde Park belongs to the Crown or the
public, and whence is the right to exclude the
lattar from it P and you rouse the demon of
agitation ,not only in London but in the
Provinces. Myriads of the following hand-
bill have been showered down over the pro-
vinces bordering upon London—even to these
Southern coasts:—

" Working-men of the 'woollens, wine iLandoll,
00 Illooday, July 23rd, to tbe Groat National Reform
Demonstretioo. in Hyde Park. Come in your ilma•
redo and refute the obtodere of tbo eneee of Rs-
form. Every infortnatioe Gan be obtained by apply-
ing at lb. °Moe of Use &firm Leanuo. By order of
Vie Cooped, (loosen Hoortu., Secretaiy, 8, Adel.
phi Ti ram, Strand. W.(L"
We like not the look of these, and a sheaf
of similar missives, that have been put into
our hands, and therefore do not hold politic
Sir Richard Mayne's virtual prohibition o,
Monday's politicgl meeting in Hyde Perk. '
It may be true that our Perks are not imp
tended and should not be used kg attic
poses; but the only effect of th• proht
win
be
thaa;:i temp who do not ease
rush gar (I/ anybody does) at imbed