The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-24 00:00:00

.. 139 3,273
.. 149 2,833
96 2,732
33 2,241

Dec. 23.

Metropolitan Board of Works.

The weekly mooting of the Board was held yesterday
at the new office in Spring-gardens,‘Mr John Thwaites in
the chair.

A mawasbrougtohtthuep progress of the works for the
T
frpm the Thames Embankment
C
e, relative
Embankment, contract No. 1. The report stated
thohatmmt
theeireportThames
tcommittee had conferred with the engineer, and
Mr Furness had also attended before them to explain the
course he proposed to take in future as to the execution of
the works, and had expressed his confident anticipation of
proceeding with much greater rapidity than hitherto. In
about a fortnight's time he would be in a position to con-
struct the requisite coffer dam at the rate of 100 feet per
week, and by other arrangements he was about to make he
would be enabled to complete the works within the time
limited by the contract. They had also instructed the
engineer to report at the expiration of a fortnight the pro-
gress which Mr Furness had made, and in the meanwhile
they considered it expedient to submit this statement of
facts to the Board, and requested authority from time to
time to report on the state of the works and the progress
made.

The recommendation of the committe9 was agreed to.
A report was brought up from the finance committee,
submitting for approval the estimates of sums required for
the expenses of the Board for the year 1865. The amount
required was divided under the following heads :
Sewarage and Drainage £42,800 0 0
Metropolis. Improvements lO,OOO 0 0
General Purposes
Expenses under Sale of Gas Act 1,710 0 0
Sams required for Houseleas Poor
Repayment of Loans and Interest on

Mortgage Debts 45,778 3 4
Compensation Allowances to late Offii

cars
Mortgage Debte of Metropolitan Comd

missioners of Sewers, - .......
...
.. 20,184 14 8

Total .......... 144,501 6 4
Deduct approximate surplus estimate
for 1864....

130,601 6 4
These estimates gave rise to a desultory conversation, but
eventually the further consideration of them was deferred
until Friday next. _

Mr Douvrox, M.P., called the attention of the board to
the act of last session authorising the construction of the
Metropolitan Railway in the line of the Thames Embank-
ment, and moved that a letter be at once addressed to the
directors, urging them to take the necessary steps for so
carrying out their undertaking as to avoid interference with
the board's works after their completion," In support of his
motion the hon. member urged that as the streets were so
frequently broken up by gas and water companies, to pre
vent any delay the board ought to call upon the Metropoli-
tan Railway Company at once to proceed with their works
for their authorised lino of railway under the Thames em-
bankment.

Mr CARPMAEL seconded the motion, and said unless the
Metropolitan Railway Company proceeded with their works,
the opening of the Thames Embankment-road might be de-
layed for two or three years, and it might be five years be-
fore they finally obtained possession of the roadway.
Mr IYIFFANGER asked the chief engineer if it was pos-
sible to carry ou the railway concurrently with the Thames
Embankment.

Mr BAZALGETTE replied is the affirmative.
Mr H. L. TAYLOR thought it was an act of negligence on
their part in not getting a clause inserted in the Thames
Embankment Act to compel the railway company to com-
mence their works.

The CHAIRMAN said they did seek the necessary powers,
but they were defeated.

Mr H. L, TAYLOR said if Parliament had made a min-
take they ought to follow up the question and get compul-
sory powers as against the railway company.
Mr MILLER, M.P., believed that the railway company
would be ready to commence their works as soon as they
were told that the caissons were put down to keep out the
water,

The motion was agreed to, and after some unimportant
business had been disposed of the board adjourned,

(From the Japan Herald of Oct. 15.)
There is much in the present temper of the Eng-
lista nation—of the Government, the Parliament, and
the people—as regards all Eastern policy, and
affairs in Japan more especially, indicating the de.
sire to see what "a little patient but not unob-
servant, waiting" may do towards clearing the way
for some more desired
,solutions. Unfortunately
waiting, however observant or patient, has its
drawbacks, and its dangers too, in-such a country
as Japan. Contact with European powers, and the
series of rapid innovations consequent upon it, have
led to something very little short of a social revo-
lution—and their vast stimulating and disturbing
effects are by no means spent yet. The Daimios
and all the nation who desire "to be let alone,"—
to revolve round and round in the same narrow
circles—feel that they cannot hold their own, or be
true to their o ten ideal centre, if they are driven
hither and hither by the extension of commerce,
progress of civilisation, and endless developments
of the arts of life and applications of science to the
pursuits of war and peace.
The desire for intellectual repose so dear to the
oriental mind is rudely jarred by the continual
surging of new ideas social and political. There is
a growing feeling of interest in the solution of
serious and paramount questions affecting the in.
terests and development of nations. The Tycoon's
government by an excessive taxation, a wasteful
expenditure and a debased coinage, hue lost prestige
and infiderieri—Tycoan and-Daimios alike have been•
eating up the land like locuste for many years.
Japanese officials have long reached that "sublimity
of lying and perfidy" which has been described as
peculiarly Asiatic; and the whole fabric of feudal
and despotic government topples to its fall.
Diplomacy in such circumstances as has been re-
cently shown means " armed reason," or is worse
than useless. The combinations of the clique of
Daimios, profiting by the isolated position of the
Mikado to obtain his authority for a total rupture
with foreign powers, were things not to be argued
against but resisted, and this we have reason to re-
joice was the view of their office and functions taken
by the foreign representatives. "Diplomacy," says
Carlyle in his quaint way, "is clouds, beating your
enemies at sea and land"—something intelligible to
all capacities, and the only demonstration of power
and will which carries conviction to the mind of an
Eastern. Carlyle was writing of Frederick the
Great and Prussia in the last century, when he thus
threw into a formula the policy of his hero, and o
Prussia no ee as then it seems. Japan might wel
take a lesson from the fate of stricken and dismem

bered Denmark, the inevitable fate of the weak Fro•
yoking the strong—before Mikado or Daimios rush

ato a war with 'Western Powers.

Choshin has undoubtedly learned by recent experi•
ence this much wisdom, this war is both costly
and destructive to the weak and has to be paid for
in blood or money, as in prestige and power. He
would not listen to overtures, or give heed to friendly
warning that a day of reckoning was at hand, if he
continued his hostile proceedings. And now, after
suffering all the humiliation of defeat and suing for
a cessation of hostilities, he is fain to send his en,
vets to beg for time and indulgence in the payment
of indemnities.

It is long since, in the conflict of the parties or of
nations, a.single blow has been productive of such
decisive and far-reaching results—a proof that it
must have been well directed and well delivered.

Within the last week two decrees have appeared,
which furnish curious and conclusive evidence that
upon the strength of the victory over Coshiu at
S:m :nosaki,and the discouraging cffect of his crush-
ing deftat upon the boldest and most hostile of the
Sako D3imiDs, it has not only been determined
utterly to destroy this prince--but a fox short weeks
ago so puissant end menacing to Alikady and Ty-
eo-on alike—but to reverse a great political revolt).

;ion effected in 1862, when all the D iiinios were re
leased from their enforced residence at )(Edo and
their bondage to the Tycoon. Trio order liberating
them for this gallant tribute of slit and service,
which the Daimios had wrung from the weak
ness of the Tycoon two years back, has now been
cancelled in the most peremptory terms. And what
is more wonderful,it is generally believed that obedi-
ence will be rendered to this sudden mandate. The
Diimio of Kanga, one of the wealthiest and most
influential of his class, has declared himself ready to
return, it is said, and his palace is under repair.
When it is considered bow much of expense and
inconvenience this compulsory attendance at the
capital of the Tycoon entails in journeying to and
fro with an enormous retinue—and all that is bum-
bling to the pride of semi-independent princes in
its conditions, it may well be a matter of surprise
that the Tycoon, having once yielded his right,
should ba able to take back the concession. Not tvs o
months ago his councils were distraught with dan-
gers and perils on every side, threatening both his
life and his dynasty. Menaced with deposition
from Kioto if he did not expel the foreigner from
Yokohama—with instant reprisals from foreign
powers if he attempted it—and in no small danger
of being thrust from his seat by Mito's and Cho-
shiu's forces, united, already ravaging the suburbs
of Yedo under the name of" Lonins"—it is difficult
to realise so sudden and complete a resumption of
kingly power and strength.
The second decree is not from the Tycoon but the
Mikado, stripping Chosbiu of name, title, rank, and
territories, and casting him forth from the posses-
sions of his ancestors a nameless, masterless, and
friendless man—in a word, a Lonin. This, of course,
comes from his second attack on Kioto. The vio•
lation of the sanctity of the Mikado's palace by a
desperate and sanguinary assault appears to have
constituted an unpardonable crime. The object,
there can be no doubt, was to seize the person of
his Suzerain, and compel him to depose the Tycoon
in his own favour—besides supporting him with all
the authority the Mikado wields with his Daimios,
against the then imminent attack of the allied
squadrons. But it is a remarkable fact that this
decree does not seem to have been launched at h'.s
devoted head, like a thunderbolt from the Mikado's
hands, until after the forces of the foreign powers
had inflicted a terrible defeat upon the arch enemy
of all powers, spiritual and temporal.
It remains to be seen whether the Mikado really
exercises the power attributed to him, akin to that
of the Popes of a bygone age, when a bull of ex-
communication stripped kings and princes at one
blow of possessions, friends, and adherents. The
danger now seems lest our arms and the strong
position made by the presence of foreign troops at
Yokohama may not make the Tycoon too strong,
and indispose him to follow out a policy of concilia-
tion and mutual concession, which can alone pro-
mise internal peace and satisfactory foreign relations.
The events of the last few weeks, and of the last
few days more especially, show that we had not
over estimated, but on the contrary very much
underrated, the infinence which must be exercised
by the treaty powers firmly asserting their rights,
and with a strong hand punishing the Daitnio who
outraged them with persistent violence and hosti•
lity.

There is much yet to be done, and wise counsels
are needed to steer the treaty powers to a calm and
secure haven, through all the shoals and breakers of
Japanese politics and oriental diplomacy. But that
we have at length entered upon the right track,
after many painful and feeble effirts to find some
easier passage, must bo plain to all, and a subject
of hearty congratulation. The great work has been
done—the rest is matter of time. We have gained a
position hitherto wanting—one that insures respect
for our prowess if not for our rights, and we may
fairly hope the same firm hands that have placed
us there will prevent our straying back to the be.
wildering and profitless maze from whence we have
just emerged, and keep us steadily advancing until
the gaol is reached. Peace and security, With all