The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-03 00:00:00

gr,Tr ,irl*
:.sue 4 k&-o'
Wt
31V.

LONDON, MONDAY, OCT. 3, 1864.

Every now and then the country is startled from
its propriety by an awful catastrophe, which, for
the time being, absorbs the attention to the setting
aside of all other objects of interest and importance.
Since the fatal accident at the Hartley mines there
his not been such a fearful event as that of last
Saturday at Erith. The explosion of powder-mills
is, of course, at any time a serious evil, but in the
present case the catastrophe at Erith seems to have
been attended with the utmost loss and productive
of extraordinary injuries to human beings. Doubts
less it will be almost impossible to ascertain the
exact amount of injury occasioned by this affair.
Many persons have sustained a severe shock to
their nerves, and other minor bat annoying cirnum-
stances will assuredly have occurred, such as change
of plans and loss of time consequent upon the
sudden calamity. It is, however, when we come to
reflect upon the fearful sufferings that have taken
place and the sudden deaths occasioned that it
seems requisite to consider the cause of such a serious
event, and to think if any means could not be
adopted to prevent the recurrence of such an
awful catastrophe. It appears that the beginning
of the accident was not in the mills, but originated
in some barges that were proceeding to take the
cabks of gunpowder to the magazine. It is sup-
posed that one of the men oa board must have
dropped a piece of lighted tobacco when smoking,
and thus ignited the powder. This is only sur-
mise, but most likely it is the correct interpretation
of the awful event. Unfortunately, there may be
no means of ascertaining if such be the fact or not
for all those on board the barges have, it
is fear, been destroyed. It is certain that the
mischief begun there from the fact that a
man who was at work near the spot where the ex-
plosion took place beheld a light suddenly appear
on board one of the barges, He thought it was a
flash of lightning, but was speedily undeceived, for
he wa3 b!own into the air, and afterwards was
struck by a piece of timber and much injured, It
is positively frightful to contemplate the agonies
endured by the unhappy persons who felt victims
to this awful occurrence. It is most important
then that on the supposition of the accident arising
from smoking having taken place in consequence of
smoking being practised on board the barges that
more care should be taken to prevent the habit
being adopted than is at all the case at present.
People are always too apt to think that because
nothing appears immediately dangerous that no
harm 'vein ensue, and that it is idle to make such a
fuss about a trifle. Events have shown, however,
that this is not the case, for frightful sufferings and
terrible deaths occur in consequence of a moment's
carelessness.
This has been
proved in innumerable
instances, and the serious a • cctdents on the railway
lines have borne testimony to tha fact that want
of thought will be productive of most dis-
astrous occurrences. Surely Rome plan might
be devised, by means of which the •
insane habit
or smoking may be put a stop to in places where it
is courting death and destruction to themselves and 1
others for the men to do it. It is, at all events,
worthy of the trial, and whether or not the cireum-

stance is elicited at the evidence, it will be a duty
for those who are at the head of a large body of
workmen to insist on the discontinuance of the habit
in places where danger results to life and property
is injured. Perhaps more care and caution might
be adopted in many other ways, bat at all events
it is the one thing needful that this reprehensible
custom be discarded. It is strange that the expe•
rience of so many calamities does not impress more
of consideration upon the minds of those employed
in places of danger; but there is no use trusting to
this. Use is everything, and those engaged in
perilous employments proceed about their business
as recklessly and carelessly as if nothing of conse-
quence would ensue from their forgetfulness and in-
attention. The event of Saturday has been a
startling shock to the community, and it will
be well if the occasion is improved by the sub-
stitution in future of more care in places
which contain combustible matter. It is
satisfactory to think that after the awful event
occurred the greatest care seems to have been
taken everywhere to rectify the evil effects of the
sad disaster. Where this was unhappily impos-
sible then all possible means of mitigation were
employed. The sufferers were removed by trains
to the hospital, where every possible oare was
' bestowed upon them. It is at times like these
that we fully appreciate the value of these insti-
tutions. It would be impossible to have the same
care and attendance bestowed upon the sufferers
from such casualties at any other place, and once
within the walls of the hospitals they are treated
with all possible speed and tended with care. The
scenes that took place at the station were most
distressing, and the numbers of persons who ar-
rived there to glean intelligence of their friends
was very great. The exertions used to prevent the
danger to the Thames embankment from spread-
ing were most praiseworthy, and altogether this
accident seems to have been attended with more
skill and enterprise than are often witnessed in
such sad affairs. The speedy arrival of the troops
from Woolwich was productive of great assistance,
and it is satisfactory to think that no means were
neglected which could obviate the spread of the
evil. Occasions like these call forth the resources
and appliances which in safer times lie dormant,
and the scene down the river on Saturday was a
strange one that does not often occur. Considering
the violence of the shock, and the distances at which
it was felt, it cannot be supposed that all the sad
particulars connected with it have yet been ascer-
tained. Tha state of the poor sufferers in the hos-
pital is the most serious consideration, and many
of them will doubtless feel the effects of the accident
to their dying day, So deplorable a calamity is
fortunately not often witnessed, but since there is
no knowing when or how such events may teke
place, it behoves all in authority to be on their
guard and keep themselves prepared for emergencies.
With the exception of the supposed carelessness
that originated the catastrophe, there is no blame
to be attached to those who superintended the
subsequent arrangements, and all possible means
appear to have been put in requisition to prevent
farther mischief ensuing, or more sufferings experi-
enced. This fearful occurrence is another proof of
the solemn fact so often slighted and universally
disregarded, that in the midst of life we are in
death. Those engaged in the pursuit of their
callings were in a moment scattered abroad, their
dwellings destroyed, and themselves injured seri-
ously. Stich reflections should teach humility, for
in the midst of the appliances of civilisation men
may be really as much exposed to danger as if they
ware in the desert or surrounded by savage tribes
upon a barbarous coast. Perhaps this may be re-
garded as an illustration of the truth, that there are
limits set to our finite attempts at excellence, and
when we think ourselves most successful, it is said,
" Thus far shalt thou go, but no farther."

Englishmen have good cause to be thankful for
their national prosperity, which seems not only to
be totally unaffected by the convulsions of ether
States, but increases and enlarges with a rapidity
that finds no parallel in financial history. The
Revenue—sure test of public welfare—continues to
improve; and the tables just issued show an in-
crease in the quarter just ended over the correspond-
ing quarter of 1863 of more than £380,000, although
we are now experiencing the effect of the late re-
ductions in the Customs and in the Income-tax.
The decrease perceptible under these heads is there.
fore simply consequent upon the remission of duties,
and, notwithstanding that grant to the public, We
can still boast an improvement of .£380,000
in the poorest quarter of the year. Such a fact
demonstrates very forcibly the elasticity of our
revenue, but in troth that principle of compensa-
tion which has always made Free Trade the most
profitable policy, and has converted our Post-effics
into one of our principal sources of profit instead
of being one of our national burdens, is already at
work. The benefits accruing, not only to the popu-
lation, but to the Exchequer, are now being felt from
the reduction of duties on what may almost be
called the necessaries of life. The reduction of the
tea duty is felt in the increased consumption, and
we hope that the next budget will deal with sugar
in the same liberal spirit, for those articles, so
necessary to the public comfort, will always repay
a generous consideration for the requirements of
the people. The decrease in the Customs is £248,000
for the quarter, but it is noticeable that the decrease
on the half year was £659,000, so that we are mak-
ing rapid progress even in this particular. The loss
of the £248,000 under this head is amply atoned
for by the increase in the next great source of
revenue—the Excise, which is £430,000, or on the
half-year £889,000. This is a rate of increase
rapid enough to satisfy the most impatient of
financiers, while stamps show an addition of
£76,000, and the Post-office no less than £140,000.
The latter is a somewhat remarkable item when
we contrast it with the half-year's increase of
£150,000. Our dull quarter can certainly boast of
a very aotive correspondence. The reduction in the
Income tax produces a decrease in that department
of £84,000, and other taxes generally the trifling
difference of £B,OOO. But these items of decrease,
in common with the losses under the head of the
Customs, are scarcely felt. The Excise
has come valiantly to the rescue, and thanks
to its increase at the rate of about
half a million a quarter, the revenue of a year,
in which reductions amounting to three millions
and a quarter have been made, only shows the net
decrease of £120,438. We apprehend that more
than one of the Continental States would be very
thankful to arrive at such a conclusion even by
the help of putting on a few taxes instead of re•
them and truly Englishmen have reason te
be grateful
ateful to PROVIDENCE when they look around
them. The extraordinary buoyancy of our revenue
proves at least that the principles which govern our
commercial and financial policy are sound, and
foreign legislators might well profit from the re-
sults of our experience so clearly set before them.
Whether the vast revenue so easily acquired is
always laid out to the best possible advantage may
well be questioned, but like a young spendthrift,
whose fortune is sufficiently large to cover many
follies, we can afford to indulge ourselves nationally
with costly freaks at the Admiralty, and in other
l quartets, and can even, venture to maintain our ,

effete currency laws in defiance of right and reasaa.
How long the growing wealth of the country will
consent to be fettered by them remains a question
for the future to solve.

The meeting of the Herts Agricultural Society
on Friday had little to distinguish it from the ordi-
nary rural gatherings of the season. We may ex.
pect at this time of the year to hear of a succession
of agricultural shows, exhibitions, banquets, and
gatherings of various kinde. They arc as regularly

looked for by the upper classes of our counties as
the harvest homes of the labourer's anticipations.
According to a wise and long-standing rule the
discussion of politics is usually forbidden by the
rules of such societies, although due respect is not
always paid to the prohibition by the speakers.
The other day the determined breach of this regu-
lation produced some unpleasantness between a
noble chairman and his associates, but it is to be
expected that when a Minister ot State forms
part of the company the audience will be a
little more indulgent if he touches upon the topics
with which he is habitually familiar. Apparently
the speakers at the Hertford dinner thought so,
for peace and war, the cotton supply, and the malt
tax, were all touched upon in succession. When it
came to Mr COWPER'S turn he did not hesitate to
follow their example, but apparently finding some
little embarrassment in expressing his opinions re-
specting the malt tax, he took refuge in the consi'
deration of the aspect of foreign affairs. Upon these
his sentiments were certainly worth hearing, for he
laid down a new and striking theory. It was of
course to be supposed that a member of the Govern-
ment would be quite prepared to take up arms in
defence of his allies, but the mode of his strategy
was at least novel. It is interesting to know what, in
Mr CowrEß's opinion, is the whole duty of a great
nation with ships on every sea, and an amount of
revenue unequalled among the nations of the
world :—" Our business in foreign affairs is to ex-
press our sympathy, and use that freedom of speech
which is the great privilege of Englishmen.''
Truly, if the whole of our obligations are fulfilled
by
.words, cynics might well ask the use of our
costly army and navy. Bat it is really too much
for patience, after the manner in which
.England
has suffered Denmark to be despoiled, nay, after
having advised her to submit to dismemberment,
for our political leaders to turn round upon the
unhappy little kingdom and lay the blame of her
misfortunes at her own doors because she did not
make use ot the diplomatic assistance of England
and France. Such unworthy pretexts are not likely
to redeem the errors and mismanagement of the
Ministry.

THE PRUSSIANS IN JUTLAND.

AARIIIIIIS, Sept. 27. -

The following stringent proclamations have re
cently been issued by General von Falkenstein, the
Prussian Military Governor in Jutland :

The protocol respecting the armistice, appended to the
peace preliminaries of Ist August last, orders in Art. 6 that
only the necessary costs of administration (les depenses
necessaires a la marche de l'administration), besides the ex-
penses for the maintenance of the troops, are to ba paid out
of the revenues of Jutland. By reason of this order I can
only in future sanction ouch rayments out of the income of
the province as appear unavoidablyinecessary for the admi-
nistration. From this day forth especially no pensions or
support money are to be drawn from these sources, no mat-
ter under what head they are comprised or from what fund
they are payable.
All orders of an opposite character are devoid cf force.
(Signed) VON FALKENSTEIN, Mili:azy Governor.

Owing to the unfavourable weather and the continual
high winds prevailing in Jutland, as well as in consideration
of the approaching winter, it is requisite for the preservation
of the health of the trt ops that their maintenance should be
regulated as follows :

The Prussian scale of dietary permits under such circum •
stances an increased rate of allowance, which will be of meat
and an addition to the brandy. It is therefore ordered that
from the day following the issue of this proclamation each
Prussian soldier in Jutland is to be furnished with the fol-
lowing provisions daily :-1. ilb fresh or salt meat ; 2. As
vegetables, 3e z rice, or 3toz groats, or 7joz husked vege-
tables, or 71oz flour, or 31b potatoes ; 3. th salt; 4. loz
coffee; 5. llb 13cz bread, all in Prussian weights; 6.
1.6 pint brandy. The country depots have to govern them-
selves accordingly, but the landlords of quarters to whom
the materials are furnished from the depots, shall see to
their being properly and well cooked, co that the soldier
may be regularly served with a good breakfast, dinner, and
supper, Should, however, the soldier prefer to dress his
own victuals, the landlord of quarters shall provide him with
the requisite utensils, wood, and cooking convenience. In
quarters where board is included the soldier is to be satisfied
with the table of the house according to the Prussian scale,
but shall at least receive so much as is allotted to him from
the depots.
The allowance of 311 b straw to the Prussian field ration
is calculated upon the requisite straw for litter being fur-
nished by the landlords or quarters. As this, however, is
not the case at present in Jutland, and the health of the
horses of the Prussian 2d combined Army Corps has already
suffered by the deficiency of straw, it is hereby further
ordered that from this day forth the allowance of straw in
the heavy as well as light field ration is to be increased from
311 b to 61b daily, the manure being left to the landlords of
quarters without compensation.
(Signed) VON FALKENSTEIN, Military Governor.
The royal Prussian troops will take up their winter
quarters chitty in the following towns. The permanent
stay of the troops in one and the same place requires settled
' quarters and garrison arrangement, and the respective com-
mandants have received orders to do what is necessary.
The authorities cf the towns concerned are hereby desired
to comply at once with the demands that may be made
upon them by the King's commandants. The troops will
be distributed as follows :—Horsens, 4 battalion, 4 squad-
rons, 2 batteries—Skanderborg, 1 battalion —Silkeborg, 1
battalion—Aarhuus, 4 battalions, 4 squadron, 2 battezies—
Abeltoft, 1 battalion—Grenaa, 1 battalion—Randers, 2 bat-
talions, 5 squadrons, 2 batteries—Viborg, 2 battalions and
1 battery—Skive, 1 battalion—Aalborg, 4 battalions, 4
bquadrons, 1 battery—lljorring, 1 battalion—and Frede-
riskhavn. 1 battalion.

(Signed) VON FALKENATEIN, Military Governor.

Some notion may be formed of the pressure which
will be pat upon the towns by the distribution of
troops ordered in the last proclamation by a glance
at the following table, showing the poputation of
each place and the number of soldiers allotted to
its share ;

Population. Troops.
Horsens 8,980
Skanderborg.... 1,423
Silkeborg

Aarhuus
tion of the general staff
carps offici •1.
Ebel toft 1,313
Grenaa
Randers 9,725
_ _ _

. ..
Viborg
Skive
Aalborg 10,C 69
Hjorring

Frederikshavn .. 1,843
Orders hive likewise been issued that the inhabis
tants of the above.named towns, no matter what
the size of their families, shall confine themselves
to a minimum of rooms, in most cases occupying
only a single apartment, and that in any case the
best rooms in the house are always to be allotted to
the military.

Orders have further been given that the park of
waggons, so great a tax upon the country people,
and a cause of the greatest danger to both men and
horses in winter, shall immediately be re-established
upon the same footing as during the campaign.
Fresh proclamations of General von Falkenstein
have made their appearance to-day. One orders
that all goods imported from the remainder of Den-
mark into Jutland shall again be subjected to duty,
although they have already paid duty once upon
entering the country. Tais order, quite contrary
to the terms of the peace preliminaries, at once cuts
off Jutland from all traffic, with the remainder of the
Danish kingdom.

ST. IVEs, Sept. 30.—The Champion Prizes in
the All England Ploughing matches continue to
go to Ipswich. At the Huntingdon Society's match held
to-day this prize was again won for the Messrs. Ransome
by their man Barker, although he had as competitors
Messrs. Howard's crack ploughmen, Brown and Purser,
one car whom ploughed• on each side of Barker's piece of

LATEST INTELLIGENCE

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

M. Drouyn de Lhuys Despatch on the
Evacuation of Rome.
PARIS, OCT. 3.

The following is a summary of the despatch, dated
12th September, addressed by M. Drony❑ de Lhuys
to M. de Sartiges, on the evacuation of Rome :
The despatch recalls that the French Govern-
ment always considered the occupation of Rome as
abnormal and temporary. In 1859 the Pope pro-
posed to fix the end of that year for the evacua-
tion of the Papal territory by the French ; but
events prevented this from taking place. In 1860
the French troops were to have returned at the
end of August, but the agitation which arose
again prevented the evacuation from being accom.
plished. M. Drouyn de Lhuys then explains the
reasons which made France desire the evacuation
of Rome, and continues :
" The occupation of Rome constitutes an act of
intervention contrary to one of the fundamental
principles of our public law, and is the more diffi-
cult to justify, inasmuch as our object in lending
Piedmont armed support was to free Italy from
foreign intervention. The consequence of this
state of things is to place two distinct sovereign-
ties face to face on the same territory, and
to frequently give rise to serious difficulties.
The equity of things is stronger than the will of
man. Frequent changes have taken place in the
chief command of the French army, and, neverthe-
less, the same dissensions and the same conflicts of
jurisprudence have continually recurred. Other
inconveniences result from different political points
of view. Two Governments, not following the same
inspirations, do not proceed on the same principles,
and our conscience obliges us too often to give ad-
vice which too often the Court of Rome believes
itself bound to decline. In witnessing acts at vari-
ance with our social condition and the maxims of
our legislation we escape with difficulty the respon-
sibility of a policy which we cannot approve."
The despatch continues ;

" Notwithstanding the manifest inconvenience
which we experienced, we resolved not to allow
ourselves to be diverted from the mission we hed
accepted."

M. Dronyn de Lhuys then points out the happy
changes which have taken place in the general con•
dition of the Peninsula. He says
The Italian Government has succeeded in dis-
solving the formidable associations directed against
Rome. It did not confine itself to opposing the
organisation of any regular force against the Pon.
tifical territory, but impressed its policy towards the
Holy See with a tendency more in harmony with
international duties. It ceased to put forward in
the Chamber the absolute programme proclaiming
Rome as the capital of Italy, and to address to us
peremptory declarations on that subject. Other
ideas now begin to prevail. Renouncing the pun.
suit by force of the realisation of a project we were
determined to oppose, and being unable to retain
Turin as the seat of authority, the presence of
which is essential at a more central point, the
Cabinet of Turin itself intends transferring the
capital to another city. This eventuality is of the
highest importance for the Holy See as well as for
the Emperor's Government, for it will constitute a
new state of things no longer offering the same
dangers."
The despatch nye, in conclusion, that France, on
seeing the stipulations for the protection of the
Holy See, might then fix a term for the evacuation
of Rome. The Holy See must also desire to return
to the normal state of an independent Govern•
meat. Tee Minister saye:—

" We are confident that it will do us full justice
for the sentiments by which we are guided."

DENMARK AND SCHLESWIG.

COPENHAGEN, OCT, 3.

The question of the boundary line between
Schleswig and Jutland is still unsettled Captain
Scholler, of the Danish service, has arrived here
omyienna to discuss that point with the Danish
Minister for Schleswig. The point in dispute is
the small town of Christiansfeld, in Schleswig,
which is claimed by Denmark.