The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-31 00:00:00

LONDON, 11JESDA.Y, MAY 31, 1864.

It would seem es if all fresh intelligence that
reached us was but confirmatory of th© previous
accounts relating to the intolerant demeanour of the
Prussians. They are sow so bent on (Meting their
purpose of despoiling Ihn mark, and so wrapt up
in their own selfish plans, that they cannot spare a
ttought for the effect that their conduct may leave
on other nations. Before this war commenced few
would have believed that any soldiers of an Euro-
pean army would have EO committed themselves
and cast to the winds the restraining power of the
bienseances of civilisation, which are no less to be
observed in camps than in courts, and which dis-
tinguish and separate the men of refinement from
the eavage and the uncultivated, It is very painful

t) peruse these details, for we cannot but feel that
fur many the doom is sealed, and ruin has overtaken
them, or will speedily do so. What if things turn
out in the sequel better than the most sanguine
anticipations can now anticipate, the happy issue
to deplorable events, and the fortunate termination
to disastrous occurrences will not rebuild the shat-
tered homestead, and recall to life the dead who
have fallen victims to tyranny and rage. It is
perfectly inexcusable, to say the least of it, for the
Prussians to perpetrate such outrages and to pillage
and plunder to such an illimitable extent the towns
and villeges of the places they invade. The Duke
of WELLINGTON, admirable in so many respects as
a general, left no example more worthy of imitation
than his practice of making his troops pay for what
they received from the inhabitants of the countries
which they occupied or through which they passed.
It would almost appear as if these modern aggres-
acre had gone to war for the purpose of extermina-
tion ; and, in carrying out that policy, had deter-
mined upon amusing themselves with inflicting all
imaginable evils, and causing the greatest possible
loss and misery among the unhappy population,
whose evil stars have given them into such unscru-
pu!ous hands. The Austrians seta more worthy ex-
ample, and appear to carry out in a great degree those
principles of justice and sentiments of honour that
should ever appertain to the ranks of a well-trained
army belonging to a great nation. There must be
great culpability attaching iteelf to all in command,
from the highest to the lowest, for such enormities
to take place as constantly occur in Jutland. The
subordinates of any position are always ready to
re-enact the tone of their superiors, and the chief
has but to use the signal for the followers to com-
prehend its meaning. Sometimes the non-bestowal
of a command to abstain gives a tacit consent, or at
all events manifests inellf,•rence to what may take
place. Such hesitation and lukewarmness have
often proved detrimental to the reputation, and
fatal to the fortunes of invader and invaded. This
has unhappily been the case in Jutland, and indeed
wherever the troops of King WILLIAM have marched
in their victorious career to gain glory by the
triumph of the many over the few, and acquire
territory at the cost of a sacrifice which all the
kingdoms of the world cannot compensate for. A
fame once tarnished cannot be restored to its pris-
tine lustre, and an influence once weakened will be
long before it regains the ascendancy, if indeed it
ever succeed in doing so. Among the reports that
have been circulated respecting the occurrences that
have annoyed and exasperated the Danes, there is
mention made of a controversy that has taken place
about the statue at Fredericia which is greatly
prized by the Danes. This monument had been
treated by the Austrians with great respect, but
Marshal von WRANGEL, it is said, took upon him-
self to offer it to the CROWN PRINCE, His Rojal
Highness sent to the Austrian General to announce
his wish to transmit the statue to the city of Berlin.
Marshal von GOBLENTZ did not feel bound, how-
ever, to accede to the request, and gave a very
proper reply. He repudieed the notion that the
Prussian General had a right to make such an offer
in the first instance, and that he intended to respect
the Danish monument. The story may not be true, but
it is very likely to be so in its leading characteristics.
It is typical of the difference that exists between the
Prussian and Austrian mode of carrying on warfare.
The Austrian commander has made it his charge to
protect the monuments and works of art. It he is
not sure that they will be respected he intends to
take them down and send them to the Danes until
the war is over. Such a course does more honour
to a military chief than the eclat which attends the
victory of his troops. Proofs of magnanimity and
acts of consideration are always among the redeem-
ing features of the stern reign of iron warfare. The
campaign may be an arduous one, and the carnage
great on the day of engagement, but a brightening
gleam may soften the scene and subdue the tints of
the picture if we can trace some instance of genero-
sity and mark some affecting trait of benevolence.
SCOTT has declared—

" Oh, War, thou halt thy fierce delight,
Thy gleams of joy intensely bright."

The Prussians would exemplify the dark and gloomy
view alone to our gaze, and it is well that all mar-
tial manoeuvres are not conducted in a spirit kindred
to theirs, or the peace-mongers would certainly ',lave
the best of it in their vehement denuncip;ciocs of
the whole concern as a trade of bute:4ery, which
carries devastation in its track, and has extermina-
tion for its motto. The prevailing sentiment of the
English public was prettyly seen on Saturday
last at the review in Hyde Park. If Prussia had
any emissaries or '4nvoys present they could not
return with ve-zy glad tidings, or despatch very
flattering in',elligence to the Fatherland. In many
ways the feeling for Denmark was manifested, and
there must have been many there who learned a
'lesson that they did not relish. If there is one thin;
more than another contrary to the sentiments
of the people of this country, and capable of arous-
ing their indignation, it is opposition, wrong, and
injustice. Notwithstanding the poor account cur
rulers can give of our national spirit and courage
as allies, it has yet to be proved if Prussia has not
realised the fable of grasping the shadow and losing
the substance. The whole of the Danish territory,
were it ten times the size and double the value, may
not bear comparison with the respect and sympathy
of England. That feeling, which would have out-
lived change and losses, cannot be expected to sur-
vive the shock which the recital of the transactions
in this warfare has occasioned.

Although of late years some advance has been
made in the right direction, the English Govern-
ment is
conspicuous above all other Governments
for the niggardly support and inefficacious en.
couragemeut Which it vouchsafes to men of litera-
ture and science. ,y
W en success has been achieved li
it may ccme forward to tender the tardy and
valueless tribute of its approval to the man who is
then independent of its aid. In the hour of diffi-
however, when a helping hand is invaluable,
culty,
or enterprise to ex-
it is vain for the man of genius
pect it from the Court patron or the Circumlocution
official. Perhaps it may be urged that success is
the test of merit, that truth is great and will
prevail." Undoubtedly ! The truth will prevail,
but the pioneers of that truth are too often the
sacrifice before the day of triumph Ultimately
arrives. Examples of this lamentable fact are
only too easily numbered. We are reminded of
them at the present moment by a glance at Cap.
tain RAVERTY's valuable labours,' in a cause far
more important than that of either literature or
science—namely, the good government of our Indian
dependencies. Capt. RAVERTY is an Indian officer
who has distingulahed himself in a very remark-
able manner as a linguist. For many years he
has devoted himself to the study of the language of
Affghanistan, and he has, with incredible difficulty
and praiseworthy perseverance, published a dic-
tionary of that language the knowledge of which is
so important among the Government officials in the
Punjaub. The accuracy and correctness of Cap-
tain RATERTY's
works are attested by
many able
scholars of Oriental tongues. Among others
Dr. ALOIS SPENGER, the late Oriental translator
to the Government of India,bears the following test i-

* Dictionary, " Pushto •Englian." By Captain 1.1. G.
Raverty, 3d Regiment Bengal N, I. Longmail and Co.

* The Supplement to the Inform Act of 1832, in a Lotter
to the Electors of th© United Kingdom, by Sir F, C.
Knowles, Bart., Mk, Ridgway, Piccadilly,