The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEINE 77, 1864.

andour and frankness than the noble lord has shown to-
night. (Hear.) It must be remembered that rarlia-
mentary reserve under these circumeteneses depends on one
constitutional condition ; and When that is observed, of
course the parliamentary reserve is perfectly intelligible.
The constitutional justification of the reserve of Parliament
is, when the Government is engaged in negetiations such
as these, that Parliament is acquainted With the principles
on which the negotiations are conducting and approves
of the general policy of the Government. (Cheers. That
is a condition which has always been acknowledged, and
upon which the salutary system of parliamentary reserve
under these circumstances is founded. But what the House
of Commons is now alarmed about-a-and lam sure Ido not
misinterpret the general feeling of the house on this mat-
ter—what at this moment agitates the house is, that they
are not convinced that the policy which was frankly an-
nounced by the Government before these negotiations com-
menced is the one they are now pursuing. (Opposition
cheers.) The house and the country have become anxious,be-
cause they are not convinced now, and not satisfied, that tho
condition of parliamentary reticence any longer estis or is
observed. (Cheers.) Ido not want to penetrate the secrets
of the Conference; but it has been well said by an hon.
member who has just spoken that there is not that reserve
in other countries in the sources of information. I myself
read the other day in a German paper an absolute account
of what had taken place in the Conference en the most cri-
tical day of that Conference, and that was not by way of
rumouror on dit, but it was given in the form of diplomatic
accuracy, and I have reason to believe, from subsequent in-
quiry, that it was an authentic document, (Hears) Now,
although the House of Commons—those who sit upon this
aide of the house—when these critical and important ques-
tions are raised, are more than eveedesirous not to interfere
with the course of her Majesty's Government in these ne-
gotiations, it would be impossible for us, not wishing to be
pedantic, to acknowledge that we are ignorant of what took
place in a house within a few yards from where we are as-
sembled ; but there are rumours which reach us of an
authentic nature which are enough to disquiet and disturb
the house, (Opposition cheers.) We could not expect that
in negotiations of this kind the noble lord would giVe us
details of the course of matters which are changing from
day to day and from hour to hour, still it Would have been
satisfactory to the house if it had been informed by the
noble lord that these negotiations were not concluded, that
the Conference was still sitting, and would sit some time,
still the noble lord might inform the house that the princi-
ples of their policy were those on which the Government
entered into the Conference, and that ho believed there was
a fair prospect that they would succeed ; and if they did not
succeed, at least her Majesty's Government would have an
opportunity of vindicating, as far as their opinion was ton-
cerned, the policy which they recommended, and they could
appeal with confidence for the consent of Parliament,
(Cheers.) But when we hear, as we do hear, that the course
which they are pursuing is exactly contrary to the course
at first recommended—(loud cheers)—l say it is im-
possible to expect from an assembly with the popular ele-
ments of which the House of Commons is constituted, that
we should hold ourselves upon these benches with grim re-
serve, and not expect from the Minister, whom, under such
circumstances all parties are prepared to trust, at least some
communication to guide and animate public opinion.. There-
fore I much regret that the noble lord has not sail some-
thing which I think the house had a right to expect of him.
I think the house has a right now, when the question in
agitation is necessarily a question of the suspension of hos.
tilities, to hear from the noble lord something as to their
progress. (Hear, hear,) It would have been satisfactory
to have heard to-night that which would have persuaded
us that what every man says of her Majesty's Government
is not correct. We should have been glad if the noble lord
had told us her Majesty's Government were net pursuing in
the Conference exactly the opposite coarse to that which
they announced to Parliament as Veils basis of the tiegecia-
tions—(loud cheers)—by whiPen announcement, allow me to
remind the house, they nave obtained this parliamentary
reticence and reserve. It was not from indifference to these
great matteese, but because such great public interests were
at stake and when the neneral policy expressed by the Go-
vernment was satisfectory to our convictions, and to the
'conscience of the nation, it was our duty to be silent. I
must say the silence of the noble lord, and his tone to-night,
are such as to fill us with great apprehensicn and anxiety,
At this moment, when a renewal of the suspension of hos-
tilities is in debate, it is due to Parliament that some an-
nouncement should be made. (Cheers.) We all know what
was the general policy of her Majesty's Government. The
noble lord told us frankly, repeatedly, and continuously
that it was the policy of her Majesty's Government to main-
tain the treaty of 1852, or rather I would say—describing, as
he did, the scope and tendency of the treaty of 1852—it was
to maintain the integrity and independence of Denmark,
(Opposition cheers,) That the noble lord has constantly told
us; and because he went into the Conference to do that, the
House of Commons has exercised, to my mind, wise and
parliamentary reticence and reserve ; to that it could not be
said we interfered or threw obstacles in the way of a happy
solution of these difficulties. But if it be now true, as ru-
mour tells us, but which appears too incredible to accept—
that
a Government who but five months ago were making
overtures to the Emperor of the Frenil to stir up an Euro-
pean war in order to maintain the integrity and indepen-
dence of Denmark—(load cheers)—if men with that policy
should be the same men who have at least succeeded in
calling together a Conference in order that they themselves
should accomplish the destruction of the integrity and in-
dependence of Denmark—(loud cheers from the Opposition
benches)—then I say that some explanation is due to the
House of Commons ; and the noble Ltd may rest assured
that neither Parliament nor the country cast gbe silent
under circumstances such as these. No me wishes to inter-
fere
with the course of Government if that course be a frank
one; but I say that no minister
for parliamentary reticence e
.nn come forward and ask
of negotiations who
and reserve during the progress
~as not first of all fulfilled the great
conditionwool ?fsueLa
parliamentary reserve, or expect such a po-
If 1- ba approved by the country and by Parliament.
-e follow a policy totally the contrary, it may be right
and justifiable; but he is bound to come forward when such
a change takes place, especially at a moment like the pre-
sent, when the continuation of an armistice for the suspen-
sion of hostilities is the question, and tell the house he has
'made such a change. We might then be asked to continue
our confidence or signify our reprobation of his conduct.
Well, I should have considered that a wild hypothesis, if it
were not for the rumours—and, I fear, the accurate infor-
mation—that have reached me ; and I should have
thought it impossible that any body of men could have
been more deceived than the House of Commons. The hon
gentleman then proceeded to notice that the noble lord had
brought Europe, as it were, to witness his policy for the
maintenance of the integrity and independence of Den-
mark ; and yet for two months he had kept that house in a
state of mystification. He had said that not only England,
but Austria and Prussia, wished to maintain the integrity
and independence of Denmark. (Laughter.) He had de-
clared that if difficulties arose, Denmark should not stand
alone. (Hear, hear.) That (continued the right hon.
gentleman) was satisfactory to the country. I myself, I
will not say tremble, but feel hesitation, when the great
question of war arises. I feel it is only when the great
national interests and honour of the country are concerned
that such a course is justified. The noble lord informed us
that Denmark should not be alone, and we were told that
no difficulties would arise. Federal execution was then
impending. The house was prepared for that execution,
and it took place. Then there was the passage of the Eider.
That was the great point upon which the house and the
country had fixed their attention, and there was a general
understanding that if the Eider was passed the Government
would take steps to vindicate their policy. The Eider was
passed, and other rivers were passed, and at last Jutland
was invaded. I ask the house to recollect the answer which
the noble lord gave to my inquiry respecting the invasion of
Jutland. He said the invasion of Jutland was an atrocity
—(cheers)—in a speech which must rank with those of great
public invective, and which we must all recall to mind.
After all this, they talked of a Conference, and negotiations
were carried on. The house, notwithstanding these disap-
pointments—notwithstanding all these various circum-
stances, under which they had reason to believe the conduct
of the Government was far from satisfactory—the house
have generally supported her Majesty's Ministers. They
did that because the noble lord told us frankly, candidly,
and repeatedly that they entered into that Conference with
a definite object and a definite view. No one wished
to hold the noble lord down pedantically to a definite
engagement or definite details. All we wanted was, that
his policy should be maintained. We gave the noble lord
full credit for these assurances ; there was a suspension of
arms for a month. I myself hold that as a question of
great importance, having ventured to remind the house
that a Conference without an armistice, without a sus-
pension of hostilities, was generally fruitless and unsatis-
factory. Now the month is over, and, uuder any circum-
stances, were there no rumours of suspicion—were there no
cause which justified a man in thinking that was happening
which was not fur the honour of England or Englishmen—
were there no cause existing which could make the House
of Commons suppose that the policy of her Majesty's Go-
vernment was changed—were everything as smooth as a
summer sea—were there no cause for anxiety and for dark
distrust in the public mind—still I maintain it would have
been the office and duty of a Minister on such an occasion,
and under such circumstances as the continuation of an
armistice, to come down and give some account of the po-
licy and of the progress of these negotiations, to reassure
the public mind, and to give them some confidence in public
transactions. They ought, at least, to have reiterated the
conditions of the policy which Parliament had sanctioned,
lord,f n by
say put bol
ui cgvhot t
toe, ahta lveea sbt e
ebny
et
ahl el
ei rd st
oi 1 eanceceo.o Tt heeve noblen f
there was no cause for anxiety, But if it be the fact that the
Government, in this interval, have entirely changed their
policy—if they are themselves perpetrating that partition of
Danmark which only five months ago they were stirring
up a European war to prevent—then I say it is a mockery
of this house for the noble lord. under such circumstances,
to remain silent. (Loud cheers.)
Lord PA LME lISTON rose to reply, and was loudly
cheered. He said—Sir, we have heard a magnificent display
of virtuous indignation. (Cheers, and cries of Oh, oh.) The
right hon. gentleman knows he is attacking me in a posi-
tion in which I cannot enter into that de fence which I
otherwise would go into. (Oh, oh, and cheers,) He is like
a man who attacks another with his arms tied behind him.

(taughter.) He knows—because he has been in office him-
self—he knows that lam tongue-tied at the present Mo-
meat, and that I cannotgo into an answer to the charges
which have been, showered etPon me. Sir, the right hon. gen-
tleman hap a 'Policy, He always talks of a policy, and beasts
treq a policy, and reproaches those who have no policy. Well,
I challenge him t,,s, say what that policy is. (Load eheere and
counter-cheers.) Let him tell tee fe.rlY what he wants the
Government tc dam, anti let him ask this House, after having
eupporred her Majesty's Government, if they will adopt the
policy which he thinks the country ought to follow. (Mi-
nisterial cheers.) Let him propose a Vote that this
will support the Crott by all money and means to give
effect to that policy. (Cheers.) When he does that, I shall
th.en, nay he is sincere in the course which he adopts in this
House. Sir, those who know what a negotiation is, espe-
cially a negotiation carried on with pwers who hold a great
variety of views and different interests at stake—and the
right hon. gentleinan knows or ought to know—must be
aware that to state from day to day what had been the re-
stilt of this Conference would endanger the result which
everybody who is anxious for the :peace of Europe must
wish for. (Cheers.) Therefore, in spite of the attacks of the
right hon. gentleman, I shall not be induced to violate what
I believe to be my duty, and I must decline to state to the
Mouse from day to day all that passes at the meeting of the
Conference, what each member said—(Cries of " No, no"
from the Opposition benches)—and what they intended to
do. (No, no.) That is what the right hon. gentleman
wants. (No, no.) That is what he wants. (No, no, and
cheers.) Foreign papers tell him, and he wants me to go
into the details as these foreign papers do. (Renewed cries
of " No, no.") Sir, there is a great difference in the posi-
tion of a Prime Minister in this House, and that of the
reports circulating in foreign newspapers. The right hon.
gentleman is at liberty to attack this statement, but,
though I have the greatest respect for this House, and think
they ought to be informed of anything of public interest—
I shall not go beyond my duty to satisfy the desire of this
House, being sure that this Rouse will not wish me to go
into details which ought not to be made public. (Hear,
hear.) When the negotiations going on have arrived at a
stage when it will be e.onsistent with the duty of Govern-
ment and the national interest to make known to the House
what we have agreed to and proposed, I am quite satisfied
that we shall be quite able to convince the House that in
this matter we have acted according to our duty and for
the best interests of the country. (Loud and long-continued
cheering.)
Mr S. FITZGERALD said that the noble lord (Palmer-
ston) had misrepresented what his right hon friend (Mr
Disraeli) had required of him. What his right hon friend,
what the house, and what the country required to knew
was whether her Majesty's Government had been the very
parties to propose in the Conference that dismemberment of
Denmark which they had denounced only a few months
since, which they had decided would be a just cause of war,
and to prevent which they had declared their willingness to
join France and Russia in giving material aid to Denmark.
Lord R. CECIL regretted that no member of the Treasury
bench had thought fit to answer his right hon friend, and
give the House of Commons the information which it asked.
The noble lord (Palmerston) anew that if, by veiling him-
self behind his position as a negotiator, he could put off
rendering to the House of Commons the account which he
was bound to render to it until the summer was so far ad-
vanced that the question owed not be gone into, his Go-
vernment was safe at least for this year. (Hear, hear.) He
thought the noble lord was making an experiment on the
patience of the house and of tie country, which would not
be answered by the results. It was idle to talk of details,
when they all knew that the noble lord had made a complete
change of policy, and that the dismemberment of Denmark
had been approved—nay, proposed—by het Majesty's Go-
vernment themselves. The reason why the House of
Commons and the country were beginning to get impatient
at the length of these Conferences was because they more
than suspected that, under the auspices of the noble lord,
England, while professing to befriend Denmark, was in
reality betraying her.

Mr KINGLAKE said it would indeed be lamentable
if the language used on either side of the house should
have the effect of extorting from her Majesty's Govern-
ment any declaration perilous to the peace of Europe.
While fully appreciating the fcrce of the arguments of
the right hon gentleman opposite (Mr Disraeli), that the
silence of the Honse had been purchased by the declaration
of principles made by her Majesty's Government—(hear)—
he woula call the attention of the house to the fact that
immediately preceding the Conference question after ques-
tion had been asked as to the basis upon which the parties
were to go into the Conference, and that at last her Ma-
jesty's Government had, with great reluctance, declared
that the parties to the Conference would meet without any
other basis than the desire to restore peace in the north of
Europe. Surely that statement was a retraction of those
other impossible principles which her Majesty's Govern-
ment had propounded to the house in the earlier part of the
session, and he thought it becoming in all those who valued
the peace of Europe rather to welcome the retirement of her
Majesty's Government from a position which was perceived
all over Europe to be untenable, than to render that retire-
ment dill:limit by taunting them with the words they had
used in the earlier part of the session.

Mr D. GitIFFIIIIS thought the noble Lord (Palmer-
ston) would assume great resp;,nsibility in prol urging the
armistice—if war should eventually break out afresh—be-
cause the present weather was the most favourable to naval
operations in the Baltic. With regard to the dismember-
ment of the Danish kingdom, ho thought if a line could be
drawn which would separate the Danes from enemies who
had pro red themselves so ruthless, unscrupulous, end brutal
as the Germans had proved themselves to be, it would be a
satisfactory arrangement.

Sir A. VERNEY said that no union of the German popu-
lation of Schleswig-Holstein with the Danish crown would
lead to a permanent peace. If any portion of Schleswig
desired to be united to Denmark, he hoped that the in-
habitants would have a constitutional opportunity of ex-
pressing that feeling, as no other means which could be
devise] would lead to permanent peace.
The subject then dropped.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS.

Mr. H. SEYMOUR asked the Secretary of State for
the Home Department if he would lay
,upon the table of
the house the correspondence between the prelates and the
Government, that the house might know what are the ob-
jections of the prelates which prevent her Majesty's Go-
vernment from introducing any measure for the reform of
the Ecclesiastical Courts. He urged the necessity of a
measure to remedy the abuses of the Courts and the im-
perfect state of the law, observing it was suggested that the
necessary reforms were opposed on account of private in-
terest, and he wished to learn the grounds of objection.
The delay of reform was unjust to both the clergy and the
laity.

Sir G. GREY explained some of the practical difficulties
in the way of the measures, and the cause of delay. The
Lord Chancellor, however, he said, hoped to be able Co in-
troduce a bill' during the present session. There had been
no correspondence on the subject.
The house then went into a Committee of Supply upon
the Civil Service Estimates.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
Mr. COWPER, in moving a supplementary estimate of
£lO,OOO on account of the new National Gallery at Bur-
lington-house, gave a history of past proceedings of corn-
missions and committees with reference to the site of the
Gallery, and proceeded to explain the intentions of the
Government and the dimensions of the proposed new build-
ing, as detailed in a statement accompanying the estimate.
The entire cost of the building was estimated at £152,000,
and he was of opinion that the proposed site was the best
that could be obtained for the purpose, and that the pro-
posal was an economical one.
Lord J. MANNERS opposed the vote. The advantages
of Trafalgar-square as the site of a national gallery had
been acknowledged by the highest authorities, and it was
the best in every point of view. There was room enough
there for the pictures at present, and would be for some
years to come, and additional space might be obtained when
necessary. Not a word had been said by Mr. Cowper in
regard to any stipulation with the Royal Academy, and he
could not holp thinking that the building in Trafalgar.
square was to be handed over to the Academy without any
engagement whatever. He urged the Committee to come
to a clear and decisive resolution upon the question.
Mr. GREGORY supported most cordially the proposal
of the Government.

Mr. A. SMITH opposed it.
square to the Royal Am-
denlyt, but
Mr. COWPER said it was proposed, if the site oißur-
lington-house was adopted for the National Gallery, to hand
over he bu
nilodinagrrainngLraefnatigrad yet boon made as to the
terms.
Mr. S. Booth, Mr. Ayrton, Mr. Ferranti, and Mr. H.
Seymour spoke against the vote; Lord Elcho and Mr.
Walter in its favour,
Lord PALMERSTON explained the grounds upon
which he had altered his views as to the site of a National
Gallery, and argued that considering the large expense
which would attend the necessary alterations in Trafalgar-
square, on the ground of economy, there could be no ques-
tion that the Government proposal was the preferable one,
Mr. OSBORNE reminded the house that in 1860 it had
voted £17,000 on the express ground that the building in
Trafalgar-square was to bo a permanent gallery for the re-
ception of the national pictures.
Upon a divsion, the numbers were—
For the amendment
For the motion ....... .
Majority against the Government —52
Various votes having been agreed to, the CHAIRMAN was
ordered to report progress.
The Government Annuities, &c., Bill was recommitted,
and received certain amendments.
The Public and Refreshment Houses (Metropolis) Bill
was committed pro forma.
Other bills were forwarded, and the remaining business
having been disposed of,
The house adjourned at a quarter to 2 o'clock.

Persons in debt may obtain instant protection against
imprisonment or seizure of their goods, and an entire release
from all debts and liaLilities without publicity, by application
to Messrs. Marshall, solicitors of the Court of Bankruptcy.
Charges under 45 payable by easy InstaLments. Offices—
(established 1830), 12,Hatton-garden. City branch --6, Moor
gate-street, Bank.—fox.

The Great Prize of Paris.

The race for the Great Prize of Paris bids fair to
the Derby in interest, and especially if it be remembered
that the interest of a Derby-day is not confined to the ex-
ploits of the course. As 3et the great French race is in its
ihfaficY. It *as run last year for the first tittle, but
although it is still Of tender age—although many English
men and women who rejoice in the spectacle of our Epsom
games have never even heard of it, the institution has at
once asserted its pre-eminence, and has come to be re-
garded as one of the chief attractions of the racing year.
How could it be otherwise, Considering the splendour of the
prize and the charms of the racecourse V There is no such
prize offered on any known field. What the winnet Of the
Derby carries off is not in the strict sense a prize ; it is a
sweepstakes. A certain sum of money is subscribed by the
owner of every horse eiateted for the race, and to that sum
there is nothing added. In the great rrench taee the win-
ner Carries off not only the stakes which have been Sitb-
scribed by 12(1 horses (which, by the way, is about half the
number of entries for the Derby), but also a work of art
offered by the Emperor, and £4,000 in money offered by the
city of Paris and five railway companies. The contention
for this magnificent prize takes place on the finest course in
the world, within easy distance of the most pleasant of all
cities. Suppose a beautiful racecourse, arranged with the
rare skill that Frenchmen show in administration, sur•
rounded with fine scenery, honoured as Ascot is by the pre-
sence of the Court, and situated, as it were, in Holland-
park, not far from the heart of London—what could be
more perfect ? if the French have envied us the enthu-
siasm of the Derby-day, they may now boast that they
have established near their metropolis an equestrian festival
which, as far as the mere framework goes, worthily rivals
our own. It says something for the great race that there
were no less than 126 entries for it—but surely it is dis-
appointing that of these only five ran. Of the original
entries by far the greater number were of English
horses; of the few that ran only one belonged to an Eng-
lish stable. If English horses were scarce, English visitors
were plenty, and seemed to have the most business on their
heads all about the course, Especially upon them devolved
the business of cheering the Emperor and Empress. They
crowded about the box in which Napoleon 111. stood con-
spicuous, and cheered him in a manner from which the
French themselves held aloof. When the ladies in lovely
toilettes heard a commotion in the neighbourhood of the
Imperial box, and turned to their lords for an explanation
of the excitement to which they began to feel attracted, these
lords turned round with imperturbable coolness to explain
that it was only those foolish Anglais who were making a
noise about the Emperor, Noise or no noise, they crowded
about his box, and gazed with English pertinacity on the
Imperial pair. With some of the English, indeed, the
sight of the Emperor seemed to eclipse that of the race.
One English dame we heard quarrelling with her spouse
because, in order to see the Emperor, he would not throw
away the chances of a good place from which he could see
the grand contest of the day.
Although the race for the Great Prize of Paris is so im-
portant, the manner of the festival in honour of it and the
accessories have no resemblance to those of the Derby.
Some Englishmen may be disposed to think that all the
drunken orgies of Epsom are less to be reprehended than
the Sabbath-breaking at the Bois de Boulogne; and we
have therefore a word or two to say as to the day selected
by our French friends for their greatest racing event. That
the English disapprove the selection of such a day, and that
the leading authorities on their turf should remonstrate
with those of the French turf, is most natural. The Count
Darn, as head of the society which presides at Long-
champs, wrote last year to Admiral Rous a long
letter to explain how Sunday came to be selected for
the race, and how no other day would suit.

The fact is that the Parisian does not as yet care enough
about the finest race to sacrifice his business for it, and it is
only upon the day of rest that he can be coaxed into giving
to tho sf,ort the patronage of his presence. Any one who

went to the Bois de Boulogne on Saturday last might con-
vince himself of this. On a lovely day, within an easy walk
of Paris, there was some very pretty racing, the Fmperor
being there to see it. His subjects who came to see it with
him were amazingly few. Such a sight so near to London
would draw out half its population; they would not miss it
for the world. The society which has got up the races gives

itself a fine name, which in this connection is not without
significance. We have our Jockey Club to institute races,
a society of gentlemen who no doubt do much good to our
breed of horses, but whose first and professed object is to
enjoy the sport. Oar neighbours have their " Societe
d'Encouragemont pour l'Amelioration des Races de Che-
vaux en Franoe ;" they place in their most characteristic
manner on the farefront of their title to public support the
theoretic or the practical object which horse racing may be
supposed to subserve. They announce themselves not as
providers of pleasure, but as patriots seeking the welfare of
their country, and they are doubtless sincere in this profes-
sion. Also, when the city of Paris and the railway compa-
nies give their support to the society with the long name,
and offer a prize of £l,OOO for a single race, the object evi-
dently is not to furnish the Parisians with three minutes of
supetbeseitemmt once a year, but to lead them thoroughly
to interest themselves in a great national event. If pleasure
were the chief object of their search, then we might exiect
the society to yield to our views and change the day. When
pleasure is offered to the people and they refuse it, they
have only themselves to blame. But seeing that the main
object of the society is to compel the French to interest
themselves in horses, they are justified in forgetting us en.
tirely and in adapting their arrangements to the convenience
of the greatest number of their own countrymen. Crowds
of Eaglisinnen will go to the race whatever be the day
selected, and English horses will tun.
The grand peculiarity of the race to an Englishman,
however, arises out of its vicinity to Paris. It is just be-
yond the Bois de Boulogne, on the old duelling ground of
Longchamps, with St. Cloud a little further to the south.
We miss here the fine smooth turf of our English Downs,
and find ourselves on ordinary grass land ; but the view
is lovely, and all the arrangements of the course are perfect.
Belted will trees, the course, with all its gentle undula-

Lions, can be seen from the enclosure in every part, except
where for about five seconds in the longer races a clump of
trees hides the view. The distances, too, are so arranged
that spectators have the pleasure of witnessing in most cases
the start as well as the finish. The race begins but a few
yards to the right of the enclosure, goes past the stand,
then describes a circle greater or lesser or of middle size,
and finally goes past the Stand again to the post. Every
body can see the whole with ease ; no pushing, no strain-
ing, no rushing about. Then there is nothing like the ex.
citement of lunchedn on the hill at Epsom. If anybody
wishes for refreshment, there are ice, lemonade, claret, and
every kind of pat is serie provided for French tastes, and
great fleets of tumblers containing sherries and grogs, with
piles of sandwiches, for what ere supposed to be the correct
tastes of Englishmen and Anglomaniacs. But the orgies of
luncheon are beyond the desires of a people who breakfast
between 11 and 12. who can walk if they choose from their
homes to the racecourse, and walk back again with little
fatigue. The presence of the Court added to the brilliancy
and the stately quiet of the scene. Never on any race-
course have we seen such wonderful decorum. As a small
proof of it we venture to state an incredible fact. Is it pos-
sible to believe that the everlasting and inevitable dog
was not to be found on the racecourse at Longchamps ?
That necessary attendant of our races, where he flies
with frantic terror along the course, amid the yells of
an admiring populace—was utterly extinguished and
put out of sight by the civil power. It is a very old saying
of a very old Frenchman that we in England take our
pleasure sadly. But on one who has been accustomed to
the uproarious jollity of a Derby-day, and to bear all the
chaff that lies on the road to Epsom, the idea begins to
dawn that even our French neighbours can be stiff, staid,
and even triste in their pleasures. On the road to Long-
champs the nearest approach to a joke which we saw was
one which was not intended. All along the way :3 en were
engaged in watering the roads with force pumps, a kind of
enormous squirt attached to piping that runs upon wheels.
All along the road men were exercising those heavy squirts
in every direction for the purpose of allaying the dust, and
it was only by great attention and skill that they could avoid
covering the passengers with spray. Suddenly a splendid
equipage might be seen in the Bois de Boulogne, throwing
all else into the shade, the ladies whom it contained in the
gayest dresses, the coachman beautifully powdered, the
horses with high action, sleek and glittering. Nothing in
the whole order of the universe could be more correct, more
stately, more exalted above the accidents mil infirmities of
mundane existence. Behold, as we are admiring at a
humble distance this faultless equipage, Jacques Bonhomme
directs right upon the coachman's left car his :enormous
squirt, nearly knocks him off his box, and covers with un •
kindly spray the fair denizens of the carriage. Well, we
do not complain. Life is full of compromises and compensa-
tions. If in the Paris race we miss the jollity of a Deiby-
day, and sigh for some little outbreak of humour, we aro
perhaps paid for our loss by the comfort of the journey, its
calmness, its easiness, its ladylike decorum.
The recent struggle for the Derby, which ended in the
victory of Blair Athol, detracted to some extent from the
interest of the French race. There were few persons who
did not believe that the Derby winner's superiority over
all colts of the came age was firmly established, and if he
really were the horse which he seemed to be, then there
could be little doubt as to the issue of the French race, pro-
vided it were fairly run. No great hopes were entertained
of his chief antagonist, who had, nevertheless, proved her-
self the best filly of her year, and, indeed, the running of
this animal, and not only of her, but also of other horses
belonging to the Comte de Lagrange, as Hospodar, Stra-
della, and Jarnicoton, had provoked so much criticism that
many who expected to see Fille de l' Air beaten wore much
helped to that thought by their wishes. The performances
of this mare have been, to say the least of it, unsatisfactory.
She had during the spring lost the Two Thousand Guineas,
for which she was first favourite, and she also lost the cor-
responding race in France. Yet immediately afterwards
cue Won the French Oaks, or, as they call it, the Prize of
Diana, with ridiculous ease, and but a few days back she
won our own Oaks without any trouble. On the occasion
of the last named victory our neighbours across the Chan-
nel were puezled to understand what could be the meaning
of the demonstration against the winner, and the question
was asked,—" Is this the result of the Commercial Treaty,
that these English cannot brook the success of a French
horse ?" Our continental friends Lave since then been

enlightened, and now we believe that, in spite of the stu-
pidities of some of the Paris papers, which harp on the
revenge of Waterloo achieved by Fille de l'Air, and vainly
imagine thet the English can be jealous of a horse bred
from English parents simply because it has fed on French

corn and is owned by a French subject, they begin to un-
derstand that the anger of the English mob was directed,
not against the success of a French horse, but against
the stictess of a horse whose previous performances
had been most unaccountable. The only other com-
petitor who was supposed to have something of a
champ was Bois Roussel, the winner of the French

Derby, in honour of whom Madeumiselle Isabelle,
the well-known flower girl at, all the French races,
cahl t
wßoaousi
although
expected
eto
cut
wasse sde l;
is
oatlcae ti,hye.locooktoitiugra
hoorfse,M.f.roDmelwa:hooatmrrm:u.
h
supposed that he Can etay well,
and still less did his stabie Conipanion aii;l half brother,
Vermont, excite great expectatiotis. Vermont •%'!ts known,
indeed, as the winner of the Prix de Printeurps--=--a race rti.7.
on pteeisely the same course as that of the great rate of
Sunday last, bat that was his only known public petfor-
mance, and it was not regarded as sufficient to establish his
character. In point of fact it had so' little established his
character, that his owner, M. Delamarre, apparently did
not expect to win upon him, but put him into the race to
force the running and make a speed that ultimately would
tell in favour of Bois Roussel when it would be time enough
for the latter to go forward and with
Sunday was a magnificent day for the race, although so
warm that it added to the hardness of the ground. All
Paris went out to see it and made a splendid show, although
we must add that as regards the number of individuals
and of equipages even Ascot, which is 25 miles from
London, far outvies Longchamps. A great.concourse of
people assembled of all grades, in which what was most
conspicuous were the lovely dresses with the exquisitely
chosen colours of the French dames. Surely in no out-of-
door spectacle in the world could such a show present it-
self. That part of the ground immediately before the
Grand Stand which at Epsom is allotted to the betting men
is at Longchamps made a promenade for the ladies, and
there they sit in chairs right in front of the racecourse,
while the benches of the stand range down to the ground,
The sight was very gay and pretty, and especially in the
neighbourhood of the Imperial box, but all round the course
bright crowds in light dresses assembled to gaze upon the
contest, which, more particularly since the reception Fille ds
l'Air received at Epsom, has come to be regarded with
patriotic interest. Great was the excitement as to the issue
of the event when it was heard that Blair Athol had been
detained at Folketone, and had arrived only the night
before. Frenchmen, when they heard of his deten-
tion, began to brighten up, and told each other confiden-
tially that the horse would not appear at all. Englishmen,
too, began to lose confidence in him, and it was not until his

arrival was reported that his position in public favour was
recovered. Then, and especially when he was said to have
cantered well on the racecourse, he rose in the betting, till
the odds of 2to 1 were ventured on him. In the same, and
indeed much greater proportion, Fills do l'Air declined in
public favour, so that when the time for the race came 3 to
1 was offered against her and no one would take it. When
she appeared on the course, however, she was greatly
cheered, not because those who cheered had any distinct
knowledge of her capabilities, hut because their patriot zeal

led them to wish success to the French mare. On her
back alone the honour of France was supposed to rest, and
it was for her to vindicate France against perfidious Albion
represented by Blair Athol, Less notice was taken of
Bois Roussel and Vermont, and few indeed of those who
saw the race could tell the difference between the two
horses. The former is a dark bay horse with one white
fetlock; the latter a bright bay, with three white legs.
Bois Roussel is a stiff, sturdy, large made horse; Vermont
is light, airy, and of more striking action when gallopping.
His style of going, indeed, was so conspicuous that after
his preliminary canter ho enlisted many supporters who
had previously not even recognised his existence. As for
Baronello, the only other horse that ran, he mightily pleased
the ladies, but he was not fated to bring any greater
success to the house of Rothschild than Breeze or Tomato
obtained at Epsom.

Tho horses got off at the first start, Vermont leading,
and Blair Athol biding his time behind. That Vermont
should lead was precisely what the public expected.
They regarded Bois Roussel as the better horse, and sup-
posed that it was the business of Vermont to make the
running for his stable companion. The conclusion which
was drawn from the position of the horses as they
passed the stand was that if either of N. Delauzarre's
horses was to win it would certainly be the hindmost. As
they went routed the first turn by the mill, Vermont still
held the foremost place, but whereas hitherto Bois Roussel
had followed next, Baronello being third, the last of these
now for a time took the second place, Bois Roussel dropt
into the third place, while Fille de l'Air remained as from
the start, fourth, and Blair Athol last. Very much in this
order the race continued up the gently undulating distance
which may be called a hill, and the only point which need
be particularly specified is that Baronello soon gave way,
and lost all chance of coming again into the race. At the
top of the hill the pace, which had before been indifferent,
improved, and Fille de l'Air rushed to the front, she and
Vermont coming on by themselves down the hill, at the
bottom of which Blair Athol joined them. Hero, for a
second or two, the anticipations which unlearned men would
have formed from the betting seemed about to be realised I
inasmuch as the two favourites appeared to be going faster
than Vermont, who was nevertheless still leading. The
emotion excited by this advance was only transitory, as
Fille de l'Air was almost instantaneously disposed of, and
Challoner's pursuit of the leader was, in less time than we
take to mention the fact, discovered to be futile. Nothing
daunted, however, he continued his efforts to the half dis-
tance, when perfidious Albion was fain to acknowledge
herself beaten, and Vermout, who continued without fal-
tering the same magnificent action which had characterised
his running throughout, won easily at the last by two
lengths. Whether the extra three furlongs over and above
the Derby Course did or did not prove fatal to Blair Athol's
chance, we do not here attempt to decide; but the facts re-
main that at the Derby distance he looked as like a winner
as anything could -cell be, and that when that distance was
overpassed he was practically disposed of.
It may be supposed that the result of the great race pro-
duces' considerable excitement. The crowd rushed to the
judge's chair to hear the name of the winner, but being too
excited in the belief that it was Bois Roussel, had no ears
for anything but their own responding shouts. They shouted,
waved their hats, turned to the Emperor, and cheered him
and Vermont in the name of France. The crush at this
point was tremendous, the roar of the buzzes rent the air,
and the Emperor bowed in acknowledgment of the glory of
victory. " C'est magnifique I c'est magnifique 1" were the
only words heard on French lips for the rest of the day.
Ladies and gentlemen, as they accosted each other, all acid
without exception, " C'est magnifique 1" Not content with
cheering, clapping their hands, and crying "magnifique,"
they hissed Blair Athol and Challoner who rode hm with a
right good will. There was a perfect storm of hisses, the
meaning of which could not be mistaken. It was of course
a bitter explosion of rage against England, which in the
moment of victory might well have been spared, even if
there was just cause for it. We have explained, however,
that the exciting cause of this demonstration was based in
error. Englishmen have no hostile feeling to French horses.
The Sporting Gazette of last Saturday made with admirable
point a quotation from Juvenal, which bears directly on
this question :
" Laudamus plume, facili cui plurima palms

Fervet, et exsuluit rau.co victoria circo;
Nobilis hie, quocunque venit de grarnine, cujus
Clara fuga ante alios et primus in aNuore pulvis."

What matters it to us on what grass or hay the horse has
fed ? It is the venale pecus who are mentioned in the very
next line, and who contrive by innumerable arts to surround
and turn to doubtful uses the noble animal, that we have to
dread; and it is because the owner of Fille de l'Air, or some
one in his employment, incurred the suspicion of being, it
may be without knowing it, connected with such a herd,
that the English resentment against the French mare was
aroused. If Eaglishmen have had a feeling against File de
l'Air they have no feeling whatever against such a horse as
Vermont, whose success on Sunday last may be accepted as
thoroughly deserved, since no better test of a horse's powers
can be devised than that it should make all the running in
a race, and from start to finish should never once be out-
paced. Fille de l'Air was so unfortunate as not even
to obtain a place in the judge's list. She passed the chair
third, but her jockey neglected to weigh afterwards, and
consequently was, by racing law, distanced, so that the
honour and prcfit of third place were given to Bois Roussel.
Four races besides that for the Great Prize were run on
Sunday, and the last of these came off about 5 o'clock.
Then came the rush homewards—carriages, horses, awl foot
passengers in little order striving who should be first. Not-
withstanding the crowd of carriages, which, down the
Champs Elysees, formed about six unbroken streams ad.
vancing in parallel lines, the drive through the Bois de
Boulogne and along the Champs Elysees afforded a plea-
sant ending to a day of great interest. It was, at least, a
novelty for an Englishman to And himself, amid all the
heat and turmoil of a racecourse, and after a quiet journey
of scarcely an hour, safe again at his own door.

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The Iron-clad Corvette Research.

• A series of highly interesting and important gunnel,' 8
periments took place in the Channel, off Berry Head,
. Saturday last, on board her Majesty's iron-clad corve
Research, for the purpose of putting this new and en
e
mental ship to the severest tests which her fightirg caPal
lities will have to undergo in actual warfare. On a race
occasion the firing of her guns at Devonport with full
blank charges produced some trifling damage to the fart
tare of the vessel, owing, according to Lord C. Paget's stet
meat in Parliament, to the neglect of some of the use
precautions that are taken in men of war when clearingi
action and preparing to bring heavy guns into use. si
have also reason to believe, although the fact was not stet
in Parliament, that, in addition to the decks being it
uncleared during the firing, the ship was subjected to tl
extraordinary and altogether unnecessary test of havil
every gun on board of her fired at once, with full charg
of powder, and with the guns placed, not in the broadei
p„-ts, but in certain fore and aft ports which are design
for occasional and exceptional use only. We need hard
say that there is no ship in the entire navy designed to en
tain the simaltanemze discharge of all her guns, but a retu
which has been called fos• is the House of Commons steel
that the damage sustained by tr.; e Research, even under the
circumstances, was but trifling, the cost of its repair afiloUr
ing but to £24 —£s for materials, and £l9 for labour.
The experiments on Saturday were aronged with dt
regard to the objects with which the Resee,rch was d
signed, and to the principles of her construction. Thesil
steamed from Plymouth Sound at daylight in charge (/,' h ".1
' able commander, Capt. Wilmshurst, R.N., whose WO(
tions were to put her to thorough test under proper mod;
tions, firing abetted guns with full charges of powder sing
at all ports in succession, and concentrated broadsides
rifled and round shat at the permanent ports, from the Aril
strong 110-pounders and 68-pounders of 95cwt. The Teen
proved the perfect capability of the ship in every respect
undergo this necessary but severe ordeal. Soon after POI
ing the Start, finding the offlog tolerably clear of shiPPill
Capt. Wilmshurst manned the glens and cleared the Ohi
~.
for action. The first shot was fired point-blank from
68-pounder at the foremost starboard broadside port, W 4
a full charge of 121 b of powder and a solid got. The °I
cond quickly followed from the Armstrong 110-pOunder °
the same side of the ship, with the same charge and A I°ll
shot of 1101 b. The guns at the opposite broadside were 11,..,e3
similarly dealt with. After reloading with like shot 7
charges, all four guns were " extreme trained" into Vs;
tions the most unfavourable for them, that is, with the,
breeches turned towards thearmour-plated bulkheads, 0
in these positions were successively discharged. The gn/
in every instance remained well clear of the battery 018
recoiling. Up to this point of the experiments all apex
tures for the escape of smoke from the battery, except]
the broadside ports. were kept closed, for the purlinen
ascertaining what would be the worst condition of thins,"
during a close without special ventilation. The eXPerei4
ment showed that an action might well be maintain
under the circumstances ; but the relief experient
during the subsequent firing, by opening the bulkhe
loors, the battery hatches, and the ventilators over Lb,:
guns, were undoubtedly very beneficial. The next Sting yfri
with the guns " extreme trained" in the opposite directioni
with unaltered charges, the result being equally satisfeett!
The guns at the broadside ports having thus being 17,
singly under all practicable circumstances of difficulty, I 1"
thing remained but to discharge them in pairs on each hte:
side alternately. This was accordingly done, with 71.1
charges of powder, on the starboard side first, and on
port side afterwards. The shock in each case was sel°
but produced no effect whatever upon the ship. The Bl
were " extreme trained" on both sides, and the shot met "'"A
crossed each other at a very few yards from the ship's 61u -t
diverging afterwards until they were more than a mile aPer
This completed the firing at the broadside ports. A therent
inspection was then made by Capt. Wilmshurst and then'.
cers of the ship, on deck and below, and not the sligbtej
sign of strain or breakage of any kind could be discovet7
although it is well known that it is a very rare occurrence ,111
deed for a man-of-war to clear for action, and much 4
rare for her to practise all her guns with full charges eni
solid shot, without doing some sort of damage to her IDin°
fittings.
The experiments might have ceased at this point if !lilt'
Admiralty and Mr. Reed had been content with accoraPll°.
ing in this small sea-going iron-clad all that the much lergi,
ships can effect as regards range of fit e, for there is not 4
Admiral Deere's squadron a single iron-clad ship nal/eb,rieill
firing fore and aft from within her armour plating-
has, however, been attempted in the Research, and after:b
firing described above all the guns were transferred to ,`
bulkhead ports, for bow and stern fire, loaded with f 4
charges,and charges,and discharged over the decks and through the inh;
ports in the ship's aide. The guns were not fired together
111
these positions, because as they bear in four entirely differ?
directions there can be no conceivable object in d ischargic
them all simultaneously. The jar upon the ship was
:narked at each discharge than it had been previously, and
the' moment it seemed incredible that the lighter fittings
a ship could withstand such violent concussions ; but vrhej
dischar3e after discharge had taken place a thorough.
aminatiou of the ship was again made ; b nt, with the e%ce'
tion of two small iron eyes, and two glass articles which he
been left 022 deck, no sort of damage was found to have
done to the ‘vessel or her fittings. In order to test to 1';
very utmost wh, tt the ship could stand, Capt. Wilmsllars:
finally loaded the ,68-pounders, which were now placed 0
chase guns, with m0,,-e than full charges, with 161bs.
powder in fact, and flrekl them in quick succession along th;
decks with less than 20 degrees of the line of keel. °
renewed examination even Clis was found to have left 00.1;
thing unharmed, the very pito:tin the deck seams under tP
muzzle of the guns being found I.:bsolutely undisturbed.rio
The experiments of the day were concluded by a Se ey
of manceuvrcs intended to ascertain with what frequen,
the Research could ply an enemy with shot and shell Wholo
chasing her. It was found that by diverging 16 deg, freo
her course, she could bring the first gun to bear in 25 to
and, on reversing the helm, could bring the opposite one
bear in 51 sec., returning to her course in 34 see. 111°o.
Air
Thus, in less than two minutes, she can, at full sPeed''ol
charge two guns right a head at an enemy, and return
to the direct pursuit.