The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-27 00:00:00

JAPAN.

The news from Japan is of a pacific character,
and commercial relations were being renewed. A
private letter dated Deo. 17, says :—"The Tycoon's
Government have written a letter to Colonel Neale
stating how glad they were that all was settled,
and hoping that our amicable relations would not
again be interrupted, Trade is vigorous-20 junks
in harbour. Cotton and silk coming in." The
China Mail is, however, of opinion that, although
the Japanese are peacefully inclined just now, they
will resume their hostile attitude when our forces no
longer threaten them. It adds ;—" The existing
state of affairs in Japan, therefore, though pleasing
enough for the time, cannot be pronounced
satisfactory with regard to the future. It is just
probable that the Japanese nobles may become
impressed by the conviction that Britain is, on
the whole, too strong for them, but we should
be sorry to place much dependence on such a
contingency. It is much more likely that a few
years more may be devoted to preparation for hos.
tilities on a more extended scale, and when even
the present small squadron shall be further reduced. 1
The Japanese princes are, we think, sufficiently
persistent in their purposes to make many more '
attempts to be rid of foreigners. In the meantime,
and pending the maturity of the preparations for
future hostilities, we shall not be surprised to see
them revert to the policy which led to the aban-
donment of Yedo as the diplomatic headquarters
of the different foreign representatives. The
next step most likely to be contemplated—nay,
even already designed—is the removal of
foreigners from Yokohama. Several open endea-
vours to effect this have been promptly negatived by
the English minister and Admiral Kuper. Farther
efforts will doubtless be made, and they will be of
a less tangible kind than those which the admiral
and Colonel Neale were able to counteract. Japanese
statesmen aro patent, and will not consider many
years of diligent maneo avring as thrown away in
the attempt to get us out of the country. To this
assiduity on their part we must oppose an equal
amount of patience on ours, but it must be tempered
with a degree of perfect firmness, and must never
be again, as heretofore, qualified by a conceding
disposition.
The writer concludes, however, by stating that
Japan was always apnzzle, and that we must hold
our own while patiently waiting for a clue to its
intricacies.

ESTIMATE OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY BY THE
FRENCH PRESS.—Le Constitutionnol speaks very
despondingly of any good likely to result from England's
proposal of a conference; as for any probable suggestion or
action of France we have not a word. La Presse asserts
that Lord Cowley has failed in his endeavours to persuade
the French Government to move from its policy of non-
intervention. This evening, too, the papers speak of nothing
but the great difficulties which are arising for the " Powers
concerned in this question ;" and La France adds that
hitherto France has happily kept free of the controversy;
and yet, in spite of all this, I know that it is believed in
generally well. informed circles that France is about to
accept the proposition of England, finding herself almost
forced to do so in consequence of having said all along that
she would bo no obstacle to peace.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN FRANCE.--SOMO of
the Paris journals announce that a petition to the
Senate is now being signed, praying for the abolition of
capital punishment. Tho following is the text of the docu-
ment :—" Messieurs les Senatu.ers—You are the protecto'rs
of the principle of 1789, inscribed at the head of the consti-
tution. Your mission, however, is not confined to the
guardianship of those principles on which society and the
State repose. The legislator has willed that you should have
the:right of receiving the expression of what citizens desire,
and of transmitting it to the Emperor's ministers. The
Senate is not only the guardian of the progress already
accomplished, but is designed to become the initiator of
future improvements. The undersigned think that in the
first rank of the reforms which public opinion respectfully
solicits, should be placed the abolition of the punishment of
death. The most exalted and the most generous minds,
during the last hundred years, have professed and propa-
gated the eminently Christian and democratic belief that
human life is inviolable. History, when it shall be called
on to speak of the 19th century, will say that it was greater
than all which preceded it, because it was more humane.
Louis XVI, will be eternally respected for having abolished
the rack. What glory is therefore reserved for him who
shall sweep away the scaffold I The undersigned express
a desire that the punishment of death be expunged from the
penal code. They hope that you will take that wish into
' consideration, and they subscribe themselves, with profound
respect, yew very bumble, etc."—(Here fellow the
twee.)

HUNGERFORD SPRING MEETING.—FRIDAY.
The Trial Stakes for three-yr-olds and upwards ; certain
penalties and allowances. One mile and a distance. 11
subs.

Mr T, Parr's Glendusk, 3 yrs, Est 91b (car. Est 101 b),
(H. Covey) 1
Mr Merry's Burlesque filly, 3 yrs, Est 6lb .... (G. Sopp) 2
Mr IL It. Bignell's Cutty Queen, 3 yrs, 6st 61b (Loates) 3
Mr E. Brayley's Wolfhound, 3 yrs, 6st 91b .... (Good) 4
Mr W. Archer's Vindicta, 4 yrs, 7st 51b (Daniel) 5
Betting-2 to lon Glendusk, 4to 1 agst the Burlesque
filly.

Vindicta made play, and overpowering the lad before
rounding the turn after passing the stand the mare slipped
up at the curve, but the jockey retained hold of her and
remounted. Glendusk went on with a long lead of the
Catty Queen filly and the Burlesque filly, these two being
a dozen lengths of Wolfhound, who was followed by Yin-
dicta at an interval of 20 lengths, Just before turning into
the straight the Catty Queen filly ran up to Glendusk, and
when fairly in the straight the Burlesque filly ran in front
of Mr. Parr's horse, who, however, was let out at the dis-
tance, and won by a length and a half. The Catty Queen
filly was a bad third, and the other two were beaten off.
The Ladies' Plate (Handicap) of 50 sous for all ages; win-
ners extra. Three-quarters of a mile.
_ _ _ _ _

Mr F. Fisher's Reindeer, 6 yrs, 7st 121 b (inc. 51b ex.)

( Hibberd
Mr Selborne's King Cotton, 4 yrs, 7st (car. 7st 11b) 1
)
(James Nightingall) 2
Mr R. Ten Broeck's Peignoir, 5 yrs, 7st 91b (car. 7st 111 b)
(Challoner) 3
Mr Henry's Deception, 4 yrs, Est 121 b .. (J. Grimshaw) 4
Mr J. N. Astley's Quicksand, 4 yrs, 6st 81b .. (Herbert) 5
Mr Burbidge's Baliverne, 5 yrs, Est 121 b (car. 7st 11b)
(Little) 6
Betting-6 to 4 agst Peignor, 7to 2 agst Reindeer, 9to
2 agst Deception, 6 to 1 agst Quicksand.
Reindeer jumped away in front, but in a few strides was
headed by King Cotton, Deception going on third, with
Peignoir, Quicksand, and Baliverne, following in the order
named. In the first 300 yards Baliverne ran into fourth
place, and Peignor became last. King Cotton was deprived
of the lead a quarter of a mile from the finish by Reindeer,
who was never afterwards approached, and won by four
lengths. A length between second and third.
The Hungerford Stakes, of 5 sovs each, with 50 added, for
2-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b; fillies, Bst 71b; winners extra.
Three-quarters of a mile. 17 subs,

Mr Sutton's Lady Alice filly, Bst 711) .. (Thomas) 1
Mr Merry's Mrs Carter filly, Bst 71b (H. Covey) 2
Mr Samuel's Birague, Bst 101 b
Mr Henry's Rosette, Bst 7th .... (Midgley) 4
The following also ran :—Black Strap, Monmouth, Quiz,
and Love Letter.

Betting-2 to 1 agst the Mrs Carter filly,' sto 1 each
agst Love Letter and Rosette, 6to 1 agst Birague, 10 to 1
agst Quiz.
Owing to the, playfulness of the Lady Alice filly a delay
was occasioned at the start, which was at last capitally
made. Rosette jumped off in front, but was quickly headed
by Black Strap, closely followed by the Lady Alice filly, Mrs
Carter filly, Monmouth, Quiz, Birague, and Love Letter, in
the order named. After going a quarter of a mile the Mrs
Carter filly took a clear lead, the Lady Alice filly being
second, and Love Letter, who had run by her horses, being
up with the next lot. When fairly in the straight, a dis-
tance and a half from home, the Lady Alice filly headed the
Mrs Carter filly, and increasing her advantage, won by a
length and a half. Two lengths divided the second and
third; Love Letter was fifth, Monmouth sixth, Quiz seventh,
and Black Strap trotted in last.
The Woodhay Stakes of 5 sous each, with 30 added, for all
ages; selling allowances. Five furlongs.

Mr C. P. Hudson's Virginia, 3 yrs (£zo), Bst 6th
(A. Edwards) w.o.
Cosette, 3 yrs (£3O), Bst lth, was weighed for by Chal-
loner, but upon going to mount the mare was found to be
lame, and was withdrawn.

The Berks and Wilts Stakes of 100 83VS, added to a Sweep-
stakes of 10 says eaoh, 5 ft, for 3-yr-olds and upwards;
winners extra. Two miles and a distance. 27 subs, 15 of
whom pay 2 save forfeit to the fund.

Mr T Stevens's Violet, 5 yrs, 7st 31b.... (J, Grimshaw) 1
Mr J. Stephenson's Turn of Luck, 5 yrs, Bst 31b
(A. Edwards) 2
Mr F. Fisher's Earl of Surrey, 5 yrs, Bst 31b.. (Mitchell) 3
Mr R. Ten Broeck's Evenhand, 6 yrs, 7st 101 b (H.Covey) 4
Mr T. Read's Lavender, 4 yrs, Bst (U. Martin) 6

Gloworm also ran.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Turn of Luck, 4to 1 each eget Even-
hand and Violet, 5 to 1 agst Earl of Surrey.
Violet made play throughout, being followed alternately
by Earl of Surrey, Lavender, and Turn of Luck, Evenhand
lying off until about three-quarters of a mile from home,
when he ran into third place. He died away, however,
beaten, half a mile from the finish, where Turn of Luck ran
into the second place, but Violet held the lead to the end.
and Turn of Luck pulling up at the half-distance she won
by eight lengths. A bad third ; and Gloworm did not pass
the winning post.
Tne Craven Handicap of 5 sovs each, with 60 added, for
all ages; winners extra. One mile and a distance.

Mr F. Stanley's Miss Emma, 6 yrs, Est 121 b.. (Hibbard) 1
Mr F. C. Morgan's Fastrunner, 6 yrs, Est 121 b
(H. Covey) 2
Mr J. N. Astley's Quicksand, 4 yrs, Est 81b „(Herbert) 3
The following also ran :—Baliverne, Tiny, Cervus, and
Victoria Cross.

Betting-5 to 2 agst Miss Emma, 4 to 1 agst Baliverne,
6 to 1 agst Quicksand.
Fastrunner made play with Victoria Cross and Quicksand
past the stand. After going half the distance Miss Emma
ran into the third position, took up tho running a quarter
of a mile from home, carried it on to the end, winning in a
canter by two lengths—a bad third.
The Hunt Cup, value £4O, for local hunters ; penalties and
'allowances ; gentlemen riders ; professionals 71b extras
About two miles and a distance.

Mr J. Harraway's Telegram, aged, 12st (Owner) 1
Mr A, R. Smith's Paddy from Cork, aged, 12st 51b
(Payne) 2
Mr J. Tubb's Surprise, aged, 12st 51b (A.. Sadler) 3
The following also ran:—Dreadnought, Scandal, Friar
Tuck, The Gipsy, and Knighton. _ _

Betting-5 to 4 agst Telegram, 3to 1 agst Surprise, 6to
1 agst Paddy from Cork.

Won in a canter.
LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE,
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
7to 1 agat Bantam (taken freely)
11 to 1 agat Wee Nell (taken freely)
20 to 1 nst Amy (taken)

TWO THOUSAND.
600 to 500 agst Cambuscan, Fib de I'Air, and Mr. Ten

Broeck's lot (taken)

BETTING AT MANCHESTER—YESTERDAY,
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
15 to 2 agst Bantam (taken)
11 to 1 agst Wee Nell (taken in force)
100 to 8 agst Emblematic (taken)
100 to 6 agst Portland (taken)
100 to 6 agst Emblem (taken)
20 to 1 agst Real Jam (taken)
22 to 1 egst Worcester (taken)
22 to 1 agst Amy (taken)
22 to 1 agst Serious Case (taken)
25 to 1 aget Jerusalem (taken)
25 to 1 aget Martha (taken)
30 to 1 agst Thomastown (taken)
100 to 3 agst Medora (taken)
40 to 1 agst Bell's Life (taken)
NORTHAMPTON STAKES.
10 to 1 aget Blithfield (taken)
20 to 1 agst Sheridan (taken freely)

STATE OF TRADE,

MANCHESTER, Feb. 26.—For shipping yarns the
market has been quiet, and to effect bales spinners
would have to take lower prices. The amount of
business has been very small. In home trade yarns
the market has also been quiet, buyers limiting their
purchases merely to a sufficient quantity to cover
the orders they have taken for cloth, Prices are
nominally the same as on Tuesday, but practically
buyers find them a little in their favour. The cloth
market is somewhat better, and eo far as there is
any change it is in favour of manufacturers. A fair
inquiry has been experienced for most classes of
goods suitable for India and China, and prices ap-
pear to have been very well maintained. The busi-
ness doing is still on a limited scale, and buyers
generally are operating with caution. Holders of
cloth and manufacturers appear to be still sanguine
about the maintenance of prices, and in most cases
are disposed to increase their quotations. Messrs.
John Pander and Co., in their monthly circular of
this day, say that since the 9th inst. " a fair amount
of business has been done at hardening rates, par-
ticularly in cloths suitable for China. During the
last three or four days the market has been quiet
and less business done; still prices are firm, and we
find no pressure to sell. To-day the feeling is again
more cheerful." In China shirtings, they say, con-
siderable sales have been made of 71b at 17s 6d to
18s 3d, and of 811 b at 21s to 22s Bd. In T-cloth
there had been a fair business at 2s 3d to 2s 6d per
lb. Quotations for figured shirtings and brocades
unchanged. Calcutta goods in rather more dinnand,
but still the business is small. Some fair orders
placed in wide shirtings at rather lower prices.
Madapolams, j accounts, mulls quiet. For Bombay
little doing. 33-inch 51-lb sold at 13s 3d; 61b at
15s to 15s Gd; 71b at 17s Gd to 183; and 811 b at 21s
to 22s Gd, Long cloths quoted 2s 3d to 2s 4d
p r lb.

TRYING IT ON AGAIN !—HARDLY PROBABLE.—
It is reported that the Government will bring forward the
proposal to purohase the International Exhibition building.
TEMPTING TITLE FOR A NEW ROMANCE.—
" SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN PLIEERUMSCIILUNGEN," a 11QVC1
in three volumes, by C. you lime!, is announced.