The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 22, 1863.

enough; but it is also, no less, surely, a very and his services to a more hopeful patron. In
hazardous one. America this scheming is constantly at work with

While ugly rumours of this kind were flying
about, moreover, thick and fast, at Washing-
ton, an ominous silence was still preserved as
to the actual condition of General HOOKER'S
entrenched army. True, there were wild, vague
statements whispered about, exultantly, at the
Federal hotel-bars in New York and Washington,
telling how the Federal General had taken multi-
tudes of prisoners from the victorious foe, observe !
But then, rather interfering with our readiness to
accept statements of this kind with anything like
confidence, they variously put the aggregate of
these reported prisoners at any total that might be
selected from five to fifteen thousand! Thousands
on General HOOKER'S own side having notoriously
fallen upon that fatal Sunday's battlefield ! Driven
to bay, once more, as the army of the Potomac
undoubtedly is, will not President InvcoLN at
length listen to reason, will he not modify somewhat
the dogged policy to which he has hitherto so per-
tinaciously adhered ? Heaven grant it ! For the
restoration of the Union, as it was ! intact !—we
have long come to regard as utterly hopeless. Nor
are we in any way exceptional, in so thinking, on this
side of the Atlantic. What sane man amongst
us can seriously maintain for one moment the feasi-
bility of the realisation of the old Federal daydream P
Even that cherisher of Federal hallucinations, the
hon. member for Birmingham, would hesitate now,
we should presume, from adventuring upon any
such display of flagrant hardihood se the main-
taining of a thesis so utterly extravagant.

Affairs in Prussia still seem to be complicated ;
the last accounts informing us that Herr BISMARE
appeared at the Chamber of Deputies and read a
message from the KING, which apprised that House
that as it had indirectly approved of the conduct
of its President, it had acted in violation of the con-
stitutional rights of the Ministry. " Such a posi-
tion for the Ministry," the message add, " does not
correspond with the dignity of the Crown. The KING
can only advise the Chamber to terminate such a state
of things, in order that the business of the House may
be continued." Nothing could be more ill-timed or

ill-judged than this communication, and unwisely
as the King of PRUSSIA has already acted, this last
step is still worse than any previous one. He seems
resolved to irritate, by every available means, the

temper of the Chamber of Deputies. There can be
but one end to this contretemps between the Go-
vernment and the House, and that is a dissolution.
The whole aspect of affairs in Prussia at the pre-
sent moment is most unsatisfactory, whether we
regard foreign questions or turn to home matters.
It was only the other night that reference
was made in the House of Commons to the
part taken against the Poles by the Prussian Go-
vernment, and now we have this latest confirmation
of the unhappy state of things existing between
the Sovereign and his subjects. It is, at all events,
satisfactory to note that the members in the Cham-
ber of Deputies have resolved at once upon offering
a determined resistence to the arbitrary missive sent
to them. Herr VIRCHON moved that the Royal
Message be referred to the Committee on the Ad-
dress, as the Ministers had misinformed the KING.
His proposal was unanimously adopted by the
Chamber. If their existence is soon to be abruptly
terminated, these representatives will at least have
the gratification of remembering that they did their
utmost to uphold the dignity and to maintain the
rights of their position, thereby leaving behind them
an example worthy of imitation by the race that
may succeed them. The present crisis is a most
painful one ; and it seems useless to expect any
amelioration in the prospects of the future, while
the KING and the Ministers persist in supporting
and encouraging each other in the unwise course and
the dangerous policy that have of late so perplexed
and startled their own country and the neighbour-
ing States of Europe.

Experiments in legislation are usually fascinating
if they are dangerous, although in no other science
does theory so ill stand the test of practice. It is
easy to discourse on political rights and duties, the
responsibilities of statesmen, and the privileges due
to taxpayers, but the melancholy fact remains that
men, whether in office or in opposition, as candidates
or electors, seldom act up to the expectations of
Utopian philosophers. Nevertheless, it is always
interesting to watch the application of new princi-
ples, and to subject to the sharp test of daily prac-
tice by ordinary men those measures and projects
which eloquent theorists have formed from excep-
tional experience. Such experiments are most easily
and suitably tried in young and unformed states,
where no overthrow of existing institutions, no

violent convulsion of the social system, is needed to
make way for the trial of new constitutional laws.
Oar colonies are especially fitted to be. the theatre
of such essays, possessing as they do the experience,
steadiness, and political intelligence of the old
country, along with the fresher energies and wider
scope of their new life. The self government which
has been of late years accorded to them enables
them to put their Chartism to the very wholesome
and moderating teat of experiment, under
whose disenchanting influence universal suf-
frage, payment of members and other " points" lose
somewhat of their charms. The aspect of political
affairs in Victoria affords a good illustration of the
drawbacks attending some of those measures which
Democrats so earnestly enforce. Under the aus-
pices of Mr. HEALES, the late Premier, whose
opinions were essentially Democratic, the payment
of the popular:representatives was determined upon.
Three hundred a-year, besides the privilege of med-
dling in the affairs of the country, proved an attrac-
tion that brought into the field a host of competi-
tors of questionable character, many of them being
professional men whose ill luck or want of ability
had rendered their respective professions unremune-
rative, and men of the lower orders, ambitious to
display their political abilities while gaining a com-
fortable income. The necessary votes were not difficult
toobtain, for universal suffrage rendered mob-oratory
a fair passport to success,anrdighetsthorf ofmonganand the
grandi-
loquent declaimers on the
duties of property were carried in triumph
riumphto the
desired goal. The dangers of an assembly composed
exclusively of such representatives were, however,
so apparent, that an association was formed by the
more respectable classes for promoting the election
of a better class of candidates, by paying their ex-
panses. The result of these efforts was that in a short
time after the meeting of the Assembly, the minority
were defeated, and Mr. HEALES found his democratic
efforts rewarded with a seat on the Opposition
benches. Mr. O'SuasrtuNpEplsisev
men d, one
his of
p at
ch
ee most
but able
th e
difficulties
the colon
att
endiyn,g
the working of the Victorian
Constitution are so great, that it is more than
hinted that the Assembly is kept in working order
by the use of means not altogether immacu:ate. The
perplexity seems to be much the same as that which
was felt in the United States before the crisis. The
aspirant to power has many supporters and advisers,
but few rewards to give when success is won. The
disappointed partisan easily discovers some flaw in
his policy. Some inconsistency in his proceedings
gives him as excuse for transferring his support

regard to the chief office in the State. In Victoria,
happily, it is confined to the more constitutional
limit of Ministerial changes. The fact is, that uni-
versal suffrage over there does not work well, as
Victorian statesmen are beginning to find. The
new Electoral Act neutralises it in a great measure
by disqualifying all who have not been resident
in the Electoral district for three months, and in-
sisting on the signature of each would-be constituent
to the roll of voters. But these proposed amend-
ments have serious defects. In the first place,
the rule as to residence presses very badly on the
gold diggers, who form a numerous and influential
class of the population. Again, the regulation as
to signature, although at first eight good as secur-
ing educated voters, shuts out a large number of
quick-witted and intelligent men, long resident in
the colony, whose shrewdness and experience would
be worth having in.the legislature. Reading and
writing is a fair test of the capabilities and associa-
tions of the adult emigrant. It is by no means
infallible evidence of the powers of the native colo-
nist, who was
probably brought up in a home and
district where " schooling" was a thing unknown.
The worst of it is that in all this political rivalry
and democratic experimentalising the interests of the
colony are but ill represented, while measures of real
value and importance are delayed or neglected
owing to adverse influences. What can be done,
when the Government acts freely and promptly, is
shown by the rapid development of the cotton cul-
tivation in Queensland. Every facility has been
given to speculators, and every encouragement
afforded to successful cultivators. Free grants of
land up to 1,280 acres are conceded on easy condi-
tions, and bonuses are offered of £lO for every
bale of cotton weighing 3001 b. of the growth of
the seasons 1862-3.4, and of £5 for the two
next seasons. The result of this liberal and
enlightened policy is so satisfactory that. an
enlightened Australian contemporary thinks it not
unlikely that the cultivation of cotton will shortly
assume in Queensland an equal importance to the
growth of wool. If this policy had been earlier
adopted in all our colonies suitable to the
growth of cotton, how much suffering and loss
might there not have been spared! Instead
of whieb, every obstacle has been put in the
way of enterprise, and every discouragement
given both by the home and colonial governments
to any attempt at experiment or speculation. Pri-
vate enterprise, in the person of a German tobacco-
nist, has recently developed another source of wealth
and prosperity to our Australian colonies. He has
established a tobacco plantation near Melbourne
with such astonishing success as to produce many
imitators, a new and thriving branch of trade
thus opening to colonial industry. It is asserted
by the cultivators and manufacturers concerned in
it, that in a few years Victoria cigars will rival
Havannahs, but whether or no such magnificent
visions be realised, the successful experiment is a
matter of congratulation. If our colonists would
suspend their political disputes for'a while and turn
their attention to the:development of their internal
resources, they would find it a more profitable way
of employing their political energies.

The Egyptians, from time immemorial, have been
more or less in a state of serfdom, notwithstanding

that before their conquest by CAMBYSES, they pos-
sessed privileges of which in later times they were
deprived. A curse seems to have fallen upon the
land many centuries ago, and up to the present day

he vast buildings and statues which were produced
in past ages by their forefathers, have no more in-
terest in the eyes of the Egyptians than as a source
of profit to be derived from guiding the curious
strangers to the ruins of the works of the Pharoahs
and their predecessors. The cause of this inertness
does not spring from any want of intelli-
gence in the individual Egyptian, but rather from
the thraldom to which he has become ROOM*
toured, and to a total want of interest in a
country in which he has no material concern. Is it
to be expected that, when at any moment, at the
call of the government of his district, he may be
ordered to leave his home, and labour under
the rod of the Turkish taskmaster, the Egyp-
tian can possess any national sentiments.
Up to the late visit to Egypt by the new
Turkish Sultan, ABDUL AZIZ, such has really been
the state of this extraordinary country. But a new
vista has been at length opened up by the appear-
ance of this grand reformer in the country which
had been so long neglected by so many of his pre-
decessors, being left by them to the care of tribu-
tary, not independent, Viceroys. ABDUL AZIZ feels
the responsibility of his position, and his duty to all
his subjects, Turks or Egyptians, Catholics, Pro-
testants, Greek Church, or Mahommedans. At
his interview with ISMAIL PASHA, with the concur-
rence of the French authorities, it was determined
that in future forced labour shall be abolished in
Egypt. This is as it should be, and we trust
that a new era is now opening in the East. Let us
hope that good government and free institutions
will mitigate religions animosities, and so strengthen
the Ottoman Empire that, in case of a threatened
invasion from the North, the assistance of the
Western Powers may not again be required.

To the Editor of the Sun.

Tavistock Hotel, Covent-garden, W.C.,
May 21, 1863.

your Marlborough-street police report of this
day there is a person named " Edward Douglas " charged
with being drunk and disorderly in Coventry-street at four
o'clock this morning. H 9 states he is of the Tavisteck
Hotel, Covent-garden. We beg to say no one of that name
is known here.—We are, Sir, yours obediently,

HARRISON and Co.

LORD LYNDHURST.—" The Nestor of the House
of Lords," as he has been most properly denomi-
nated, completed his 91st year yesterday. It affords us, as
well as the whole of his wide circle of friends, great pleasure
to say that the venerable Lord is in the enjoyment of excel-
lent health, both mental and physical, but his intellectual
faculties surpass his physical. Yesterday being his birth-
day, a family circle assembled to the number of 18. Not
only from Royalty, but from a large circle of admiring
fiends, his Lordship received many testimonials of regard.
We understand that the marriage of the Ron. Georgians
Copley, Lord Lyndhurst's youngest daughter, with Mr. Du
Cane, M.P., will take place at the close of the ensuing
month.

A fire broke out at Beckford, near Tewkesbury,
on Tuesday, which "resulted in the destruction or serious
damage of Several buildings. The fire spread to a large
pigsty, and as soon as it was possible to approach the sty
several"navvies" made a rush, and seizing the rigs, which
were almost cooked, commenced cutting them up and with
the greatest nonchalance commenced eating the meat. One
of these follows, finding the meat not sufficiently cooked to
his taste, held it oa a fork over the burning embers.
MIRACULOUS ESC IPE.-0a Monday last Mr
Brown, of Bingham, Nottinghamshire, sant his ser-
vant in chart e of a horse and cart from the field to the
homestead. On his way Name he had to cross the railway,
and opened the gate to lot the horse and cart cross over
wi hout looking if there were any trains in sight. The horse
and cart had no sooner entered the crossing than a luggage
train came up. The buffer of the engine struck the body of
the cart, separating it from the shafts, without in the least
injuring the animal. Unfortunately, Mr. Brown's son, a
little boy three years of age, was riding in the cart when
the collision took place. The poor child, together with the
remnants of the shattered vehicle, was tossed into the air
about 20ft. high, the little boy's cap alighting on the top of
the engine. The child fell close by the side of the rails
senseless to the ground, while the remains of the cart were
thhroown over the hedge into the adjoining field. The father,
to
was left in the field, heard the collision, and hastening
the spot found the boy lying senseless. After the lapse
of some hours the child showed signs of life and hopes are
entertained that no will recover.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

GREECE.
ATHENS, MAY 17 (via Trieste).
A ohange of Ministry has taken place. The
names of the new Ministers are as follows
President of the Council .... M. Rufos.
Minister of the Interior .... M. Lendidis.
Minister of Finance ...... .. M. Komundurus.

Minister of Justice
Minister for Foreign Affairs M. Delgann
Minister for War M. Botiaris.
Minister of the Marine .... M. Canaris.

Minister of Public Worship . M. Califrinos.
The National Assembly has voted an address,
conveying its thanks to the three protecting Powers
for the benefits they have hitherto conferred upon
Greece.

FRANCE.
THE FRENCH ELECTIONS.
PARIS, MAY 22,

M. de Persigny has addressed a letter to the
Prefect of the Seine, of which the following is a

summary :
" M. de Persigny categorically denies the report
that the Government, while hesitating to oppose
the election of M. Thiers, would abandon its sup-
port of M. Devinck. M. Thiers, by his presence at
the meetings of old political parties uniformly com-
posed of avowed enemies of the Emperor and the
Empire, had rendered it impossible for the Govern-
ment to give him that reception which it would
otherwise been disposed to extend to the illustrious
historian of the Consulate and the Empire. M.
Thiers henceforth remains the representative of a
regime which France has condemned, and it
is, therefore, the duty of the Government
to oppose him. What M. Thiers wishes
is the re-establishment of a regime which
has been fatal to France and to himself, displacing
authority from its natural foundation, casting it
forth to be devoured by the passions of the tribune,
replacing the fertile movement of action by the
barren agitation of words—a regime which, during
18 years, produced impotence at home and weakness
abroad, which both commenced and ended in a riot.
Aggrandized Franee, France which has become so
prosperous and so glorious, and which, since M.
Thiers and those who think with him are no longer
in power, possesses universal suffrage, will not
oppose that Government which has extricated the
country from the abyss into which those men had
permitted her to fall."
The state of M. Baroche's health is much im-
proved.

Madame de Lamartine, the wife of the poet, is
dead.

M. Baroche continues in the same state as previ-
ously announced. No symptoms have appeared
giving cause to apprehend an aggravation of his
malady.
Intelligence from Constantinople states that the
Secretary of his Highness Ismail Pacha, the Viceroy
of Egypt, is expected there to obtain the sanction
of the Sultan to the fulfilment of the engagements
entered into by M. de Lesseps.
The Circassians are stated to be preparing a me-
morial to the foreign Powers, protesting against
the capture of their ships by Russian cruisers.
BOURSE, May 21.—The market continues in the
same feverish state, but prices show only a very
slight decline, Threes, for the Account, beink now
at 69f. 50c. The Railway Share Market has been
quiet, but with quotations up to the present time
generally well maintained. The market closed as
follows :
ft per Cents. .. 97 Italian Loan 72 35
Do. end month.... Do. end month 72 40
3 per Cents
Do. end month.... 69 45 Do. end month 73 40
Credit Mobilier.... 1432 50 Russian
Do. end m0nth....1427 50 Austrian
Bank Shares 3450 —lSpanish Threes.... 51 25
Credit Fender 1450 --Home Debt .. —