The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-14 00:00:00

rrih suN,77toNnoisi, TntnisDAy EVENING, JULY 14, 1864

ability should hesitate to make an ascent which to
him was no unusual experiment. Bat the crowd
pushed on, until the network was broken and the
car damaged in several places, a bottle being
thrown into the balloon itself. 3lr. COXWELL now
threatened to let out the gus unless a ring was
made, being fearful for the lives of the passengers.
The end of the matter was that the aeronaut had to
let off the gas, when the mob immediately attacked
the balloon, which they entirely destroyed, finally
burning it and carrying the remains through the
streets. Mr. COX ELL narrowly escaped with
his life, and a bystander who attempted to
protect him was knocked down three
times. He contrived to take refuge in a
neighbouring house, but had it not been for the
efforts of a sergeant of police and one or two by-
standers, he would scarcely have reaclied it alive.
If this is to be a specimen of English merrymaking,
uncontrolled by law, the sooner we adopt the con-
tinental system of gendarmerie the better ; but we
certainly accept it as a most exceptional case,
although, in any case, it is a national disgrace.
Out of 50,000 English men and women how is it
that none attempted to interfere and preserve order ?
Were there not in that assemblage a sufficient num-
ber of straightforward English working men to
make some interposition on Mr COXWELL'S behalf,
and, in the absence of the police, play the part of
guardians of law and order ? The Foresters' fete
at Birmingham last year was unfortunately sig-
r.alised by the death of the poor female acrobat ; but
for that accident the company were not, of course,
responsible, though considerable heartlessness was
shown in keeping up the sports. But the Foresters'
fete at Leicester has a notoriety of its own, and it
has succeeded in making all respectable English-
men ashamed of the conduct of.their countrymen.
Mr. COXWELL'S new and expensive balloon has
been entirely destroyed, and he has himself been
subjected to insult and rough usage because there
were not a sufficient number of respectable persons
among the 50,000 preset] t to exert themselves in
favour of the common decencies of public assemblies.
It is conduct like this which justifies those who re-
fuse to recognise the rights of the people, and
exclude them from places of beauty and instruction.
Certainly, if our working classes can show no more
sense of what is due to science and skill than a sense-
less demolition of what they do not understand,
men of intelligence and learning had better take
care for the future to keep themselves and their
property out of their reach.

Lord SHAFTESBURY is always distinguished for
his zeal in the cause of the oppressed and injured,
and certainly he has ample reason for complaint in
the occurrences of the war now raging between the
Danes and Germans. There is constantly some-
thing occurring of an almost unprecedented chem...
ter in the way of barbarity, and the general conduct
of the invaders is quite at variance with the recog-
nised principles of civilised nations. His lordship,
the other evening, asked Earl RUSSELL whether
there was any further information regarding a re-
port that he had before alluded to, to the effect that
the Prussians had massacred some Swedes who
were lying on the ground after the battle of Duppel.
Lord RUSSELL endeavoured to justify the conduct
of the accused soldiery, and made a long explanaa
tion. He said that the Minister for Foreign Affairs
in Prussia had stated that there was exaggeration
in the number of Swedes that were said to be le
the Danish Army, and thus the report alluded to
was false. This is generally the way in which it is
sought to extricate those who deserve censure from
the consequences of their actions to make the worse
appear the better cause. It was not so much the
matter whether or net the exact number stated
were slain as the principle of the thing. It is not
to be expected, of course, that the Prussian
Minister should give a very correct or
impartial account of the affair, and
Earl RUSSELL had better have endeavoured
to obtain his information from other sources than
from a quarter where prejudice would prevail. Lord
SHAFTESBURY, however, is not one to be deterred
from his purpose by the empty and insufficient
excuses of Ministerial platitudes. Ha returned
to the charge, and read a letter which proved
the truth of his former statement, that
Swedish soldiers wore fired at after the engage-
tnen% This document stated that a lieute-
nant was serving in the Danish army, and when
the Duppel forts were taken, he was defending the
retreat of a part of the army, when, being wounded,
he fainted. On his recovery he found that he was
lying on the ground amid wounded and dead men,
and some Prussian soldiers were standing a little
distance off. He rose up a little to look around, and
on being seen these inhuman men fired at him from
a very short distance, and left him for dead. OTTO
MORDENFALII had the presence of mind to keep
quiet, and was fortunately unharmed by the bullets,
although they passed near enough to go through
his cloak and coat. He afterwards met a friend, who
assisted him to escape under a close pursuit. The
writer of this letter states that he has heard many
instances of the cruelty of the Prussian troops
from his brother, and the harsh manner in
which they comport themselves towards the country
people. Admiral Dacß.Es very properly animad-
verts upon the extraordinary conduct of the
Prussians, and says that he has " yet to learn that
firing on wounded men, whatever colours they may
fight under, is justifiable." Such conduct outrages
all our notions of propriety, and stamps a lasting
disgrace on the reputation of the German armies.
There cannot be the least foundation for any boast
they may make as to their skill in fighting in these
campaigns, because with such numerical superiority
they have all the game in their own hands. The
only merit that could attach itself to those com-
pelled to obey orders and injure the country of a
brave nation, would be the fact of their displaying
moderation in the carrying out of their designs.
Instead of this we hear everywhere the same report
that nothing can exceed the cruelty and want of
good feeling displayed by the Prussian troops.
Nothing can excuse or explain away such conduct ;
it is perfectly uncalled for, and it exhibits a bar-
barity and a. contempt for the laws of civilisation
that are alike astounding and irritating to witness.
Lord DERBY, in speaking on the subject in the
House of Lords the other day, observed that he
regretted to see that the Prussian army had not
improved in tone since the time when their cruelty
gave so much offence to the Duke of WELLING-
TON. It is quite fallacious for the Germans to
fancy that all this excitement now existing
in ;England will blow over, and that when they
have ravaged a weak State, and plundered an un-
happy people, they will be able to resume their place
in the general estimation of Europe. Loss of cha-
racter is an irretrievable deprivation, and not in this
generation can Prussia ever be regarded in the same
light by those who admire the principles of justice
and adhere to the law of liberty. Earl RUSSELL
made another of his ridiculous remarks when he
replied, in answer to Lord SHAFTESBURY'S state-
ment, that the Prussian Government had no desire
to mitigate the horrors of war, that he did not think
that it was intended to carry the order of the day
alluded to into effect. The noble Lord said that he
had reason to believe that it would not be put in
force. He did not pArtioultkrise, but there is no

doubt that his reasons were as invalid as his gene-
ral statements on such subjects. Why should
Prince CHARLES FREDERICK issue the order in
question if it was to be null and void. It is not
usual for such things to occur, and all that has
app-pared in reports and accounts goes far to verify
the belief that the order is now being vigorously
observed and acted upcn in the spirit and the letter.
It decrees that any foreigner made prisoner in the
Danish ranks, who is unable to prove his nation-
ality or to certify that he is enrolled in the Danish
army, is to be dealt with as a brigand, brought
before court-martial, and, when convicted, " duly
shot." This is not the way in which to conduct a
war so as to secure the respect of the lookers on
and to entitle the belligerents to lay claim to rank
among civilised nations. On the contrary, it would
seem that Prussia had resolved to be independent
of all recognised principles of the courtesies of
war, and to be determined to exhibit indifference to
the opinion of all competent judges, and the esteem
of light-minded persons.

Mr, Charles Kean in Australia,

(From the Melbourne Age of May 2.)

The farewell night of the Keens is one that must
long live in the recollections of the drama loving
population of Melbourne. To say that the Hay-
market Theatre was crowded is but to give a faint
notion of the reality. It was crammed, and huma-
nity packed wherever standing room and a glimpse
of the stage could be found. The disappointed
crowds that were turned away from every door
would have filled the theatre two or three times
over. In the dress circle, the spacious passage be-
hind the boxes was crowded like a pit entry on
boxing night," and Ministers and men of
senatorial rank were happy on the occasion
to have the privilege to stand side by side with
the most plebeian admirer of the great artists who
were now going to give " a taste of their quality"
for the last time on our stage. His Excellency the
Governor, Lady Darling, and family, attended by
Captain Tyler, aide-de-camp, and Mr Ward, private
secretary, occupied the vice-regal box. The recep-
tion of his Excellency on entering the crowded
theatre was most hearty. The play was " Richard
the Second," again most splendidly performed. The
applause of that brilliant house, and the critical
concurrence everywhere uttered, confirmed the
opinion we ventured after the first production of the
play—that the Richard of Mr Kean and the Queen
of Mrs Kean, are second to no dramatic effort ever
witnessed en our stage. The splendid acting of the
fourth act, and the heart-rending grief to which
Mrs Kean gave utterance in the parting scene
brought down not merely thunders of applause, but
excited emotion not often manifested by spectators
in these undemonstrative days. Oa the fall of the
curtain, Mr. and Mrs. Kean, in responding to a
call, received a greeting that could hardly have
been surpassed by any compliment in kind ever
paid to them in the course of their artistic career.
Mr. Kean a second time came forward, and when
the applauso was hushed spoke as follows ;
" Ladies and gentlemen,—Painful as it is at all
times to bid farewell to friends, how much more
painful must it be to Mrs. Kean and myself on
the present eecasion when, in all human probability,
we shall never again visit this portion of the globe.
In a few days we shall leave the shores of Victoria
never to return, bat we shall have the satisfaction of
carrying away with us not cniy the more substantial
proofs of your favour, bat also the grateful remem-
brance of the kindness and hospitality that we have
received during our sojourn amongst you. (Cheers.)
In years to some when far away, should our lives be
spared, my wife and I will find true enjoyment in
the contemplation of the wonders which we have
witnessed in this new world, and shall anxiously
watch the progress and increasing prosperity of this
extraordinary country—a country wherein we have
seen so mush to instruct, surprise, and interest us.
We shall recall to mind with peculiar gratification
the fact of having given utterance to the language
of Shakspere sixteen thousand miles from home, in
a populous city, built upon a spot which, 30 years
ago, was a lonely wilderness, (Cheers.) Allow me
to take this opportunity of stating how fortunate I
consider myself in having been associated in busi-
ness during our Australian tour with so upright,
truthful, and honourable a man as your old favourite
Mr. George Coppin. (Loud and prolonged cheering.)
Although this night concludes our theatrical
engagement in Melbourne, we have been induced,
at the request of many persons, to devote two
evenings, previous to our departure, to readings from
Shakspere and other poets; and I have now the
honour to announce to you that these readings will
take place at the Mechanics' Institute on Wednesday
and Thursday week, the 11th and 12th of May.
Then, ladies and gentlemen, I may say, in the words
of our great national poet—

" Whether we shall meet again I know not,
. Therefore an everlasting farewell take."
In passing, we may note that, in the exquisite
elocution, the point, the fine intonation, and the
gentlemanly grace of manner of which Mr. Kean
spoke these few words, there was as fine a piece of
art as any speech he ever uttered, or passion ex-
pressed as an actor. There were loud and general
calls for Mr. Coppin, but that gentleman, it ap-
peared, had left the theatre, The exquisite comedy,
now so familiar to us all, now, alas, to be seen no
more, of Mr. and Mrs. Oakley, in " The Jealous
Wife," concluded the brilliant performance of the
Kean engagemant. As the curtain fell for the last
time, the words of Prospero, but with a sorrowing
accent, rushed upon the memory :

"Our revels now are ended : these our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air :
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve ;
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind."
May we not appropriately) end with a cordial echo
of the public sentiment, *cite 4 good wish for our
departing visitors on their return home, from the
same beautiful poetry : •
- Calm seas, auspicious gales,
And sail so expeditious that shall catch
Your royal filet far off."
*. *
Be free, and fare thou well "

THE RAPPAHANNOCIi.A letter from Calais
states that the Confederate vessel the Rappahannock, at
present in that port, lately
had a judgment pronounced
against her by the Chaniber of Commerce of Boulogne, for
commercial debts of tha captain. It appears that when the
huissier charged to affix the notice of sale made his appear-
ance on board the vessel, the captain warned him off with.
out delay, as no such errand should be performed there.
The huissier had nothing else to do but retire and draw up
says :—" Finding that the
a procei-verbal of the circumstance.
• MR. b, H. HAYES, 2D LIFE GUARDS, in a letter
to the Mornzng Pose,
story whichl relate below has gained greater publicity in
London than I should ever have imagined, I should feel
much obliged if you would allow my version of it to appear
in your columns. On 'Monday nght, July 4, I was return-
ing from Maidenhead to Windsor on horseback, When
about half-way I was met by two rough-looking men (on
horseback only), who asked me what time it was. I answered
that, not having my watch, I could not tell them. They then
said, 'Oh yes, you have, and we want it.' Upon this, see-
ing that they were bent on reiechief, and being utterly
unarmed (not even a riding-wWP in my hand), I put my
horse to his best pace, dashed through their comrades on
foot (four in number, and armed with pistols and sticks),
and kept straight along the high road, and two
mounted men following me, full gallop, 'We went, I
suppose, two miles in tbi3 way, during which two they
twice came alongside me but failed in stopping my
horse, notwithstanding they endeavoured co to do, when
I suddenly viewed a public-house, with several men
standing before it. I immediately pulled up, and allowed
my pursuers to pass on. I hero obtained a heavy stick
in hopes of meeting my friends again, and arrived in bar-
racks in due course—to find that the two rough-looking men
were two of my brother officers and their comrades, four
others, Their intention, they told me afterwards, was to
pull me off my horse, and regularly act the highwayman.
This, as will be peen, however, they failed in doing.
In conclusion, I can only say that I do not publish this
in any spirit of animosity, as, I r-joice to say, I am on the
very best terms with all toy brother officers; but think it
only fair; as I hear the story told in all sorts of different
ways, that there should be an authentic account gives."

LATEST INTELLIGENCE

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]
ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE
KEARSARGE AND THE FLORIDA,

SOUTHAMPTON, JULY 14.

The steamer Wonder, arrived this morning from
the Channel Islands, reports thtit the steamers
Kearearge and Florida had an engagement oft
Jersey yesterday, in which the Kearsarge was
disabled and put into Gorey. The Florida was
brought up off Gorey waiting to renew the engage-
ment.