The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-04 00:00:00

Lord and Lady Palmerston at Towcester,

Yesterday the interesting ceremony of cutting the first
sod of a new lino of railway, to which considerable local im-
portance attaches, was performed by Lady Palmerston in a
field lying within a short distance of Towcester, in North-
amptonshire. The line in question is to commence at the
Blisworth station of the London and North-Western Rail-
way, and running powers have been obtained by the pro-
moters over the Banbury line, as far as Towcester. Thence
it will branch off to Greensnorton, and proceed via Bradden
and Woodford to Fenny Compton, where a junction will be
effected with the Oxford and Birmingham system of the
Great Western Railway. From that point the intended
line proceeds via Kyneton to Stratford-on-Avon, and there
facilities will be gained for communication either with
Worcester, Hereford, and South Wales, or, on the other
hand, with Glocester and Bristol. The total length of the
projected line is 32 miles and a few chains—the estimated
cost £300,000. The steepest gradient is lin 80, said to bo
capable of reduction without adding materially to the ex-
pense, and in the whole of the lino there will be no curve
under half a mile, and but a single viaduct. From these
particulars, it will appear that the contemplated work is of
a character naturally exciting interest in the district, apart
from the belief entertained in some quarters that it may
ultimately be found expedient to extend the line through
Northampton to Bedford, and thus form a junction with the
Midland Railway. In a public and general point of view,
the proceedings yesterday acquired their principal impor-
tance from the fact that Lady Palmerston, owning consider•
able property in the neighbourhood, was induced to give
them the eclat of her presence and participation. A special
train, consisting of 12 or 15 carriages, was in readiness at
the Euston-Square terminus to conduct the distinguished
party as far as Blisworth, from which point the remaining
distance of five miles had to be traversed by road. A few
minutes before 12 Lord and Lady Palmerston arrived at
Euston-equare. Sir C. P. Roney, chairman of the line, the
secretary, Mr Banks and other gentlemen were in attend-
ance, as wore also the parliamentary agents to this company,
Messrs Manning and Walker, who by a curious coincidence
acted in a similar capacity in the case of the Andover and
Redbridge Railway, where Lord Palmerston on the last toe-
caeion that he took part in a ceremony of the kind showed
himself such an expert with the spade and wheelbarrow.
The run to Blisworth occupied an hour and a half. On
reaching that station the occupants of the special train, to
the number of about 40, took their places in the carriages
provided for their accommodation, and proceeded in the
direction of Towcaster. With the view of making ample
provision for the expected influx of newspaper representa-
tives, and apparently of insuring that as strangers they
should not suppose they had been overlooked, a large omni-
bus and an open fly were covered with labels of the election
placard size and type announcing that these were reserved
for " Gentlemen of the Press." This mark of attention, as
it was no doubt intended to be, altogether failed in its ob-
ject, for the vehicles were studiously avoided till nearly all
the rest had driven away, when a party mainly composed of
ladies boldly ignored the notification, took their seats in de-
fiance of it, and smiled back pleasantly upon those who at
various points of the route hailed their progress with cheers.
The district through which the cortege passed was purely
agricultural,but such efforts as the local resources permitted,
in flags and triumphal arches, were duly put forth, especi •
ally in the main street of Towcester, and Lord and Lady
Palmerston were loudly cheered. On arriving at the point
where the sod was to be turned the arrangements for the first
and only time during the day proved unequal to the occa-
sion. A space had boon roped out for the performance of the
ceremony, and if this had been preserved every one could
have seen what was going on to advantage. Unfortunately
the police was either too few in number to preserve this area,
or else sonio misconception of orders occurred, and the re-
, suit was that something like a demonstration of physic 41
1 force was necessary to gain admittance to the inner circle,
from which ladies were practically excluded. The local
I volunteer Corp,e a no body of men, abandoning for the
moment their character of guard ca honour, tried hard to
assist in keeping the line ; but on this point it is sufficient
to say that rifle barrels and rifle butts in the hands of
amateur policeman aro uncouth substances, and that their
exertions, laudable in themselves, aro attended with draw-
backs, not to say bumps. When as many of the distin-
guished party as circumstances would permit had been
assembled within the enclosure, Lady Palmerston was con-
ducted by Sir C. P. Roney to the point where the first sod
of the East and West Junction Railway wes to be raised.
This had already been 'narked out, and Lady Palmerston,

riucie .4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

lifting it with a silver spade, deposited it in a light wheel-
barrow, ornamented vary tastefully with silver, and bearing
an inscription stating it to be the gift of Mr T. R. Cromp-
ton, the contractor to the line. It was suggested to her
ladyship that the ceremony could hardly bo looked upon as
completed until the sod bad been removed some distance,
whereupon Lady Pillmereton took up the wheelbarrow and
propelled it steadily to the end of a long plank amid the warm
applauso of the spectators. Having accomplished her task,
Ltdy PALMERSTON said—l thank you very kindly for
the flattering manner in which you have received me to-day,
and I trust that the works now commenced will bo found
useful. and for the advantage of Northampton and its neigh-
bourhood.

The three cheers given for LadyPalmestou were promptly
followed Ly three others for the noble lord hims9lf,
Lord PALMERSTON, in returning his acknowletigmen's,
expressed the great pleasure which he and Lady Palmerston
felt in presiding aZ the commencement of a work which
promised to be of so beneficial a character. Irrespective of
other considerations it was, he said, a good social example
for ladies in high position to show that they could sometimes
take to digging the soil. He trusted that the crop in this
instance would be more permanent and more solid in its
yield than agricultural operations occasionally were.
The proceedings in this quarter having terminated, the
distinguished visitors assembled at this paint, and other
invited guests of the company adjourned to a large marquee,
where lunch was set for about 250. Sir C, P. Roney pre-
sided, Lady Palmerston sitting to the right of the chairman
and Lord Palmerston on his left. Lord Lyveden, the Earl
of Pomfret, Lord Fitzroy, M.P., and Mr Kuightley, M.P.,
were also among those occupying seats at the principal table,
The usual loyal toasts having been given and cordially
responded to,
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing " Prosperity to the East
and West Junction Railway," described the course which
would be followed by the railway, and said it was a curious
fact that, although sanctioned in 1864, the line was origi-
nally conceived and warmly advocated by the late Robert
Stephenson. It would prove of the deepest importance to
Northamptonshire, the mineral wealth of which had only
been recently discovered. Ono of the first consequences
which might be expected to follow from it was the estab-
lishment of extensive ironworks, to be worked according to
the most improved and economical processes, regarding
which other counties had been compelled to buy their expe-
rience. In that county they possessed ironstone in abun •
dance, and with the facilities which this new line would
open up to them of procuring coal on moderate terms at the
same time that it procured their access to good markets, he
believed they ought to be able to make iron cheaper than
any other part of the empire. He invited the company to
couple with the toast the name of a lady deeply interested in
the welfare of tke county, and who that day had so grace-
fully, and yet in so businesslike a manner, turned the first
sod of their undertaking. (Cheers.) Lady Palmerston,
moreover, in all their Parliamentary contests, and especially
at a moment of unexpected difficulty, had strengthened the
hands of the directors in every possible manner; to no one, ,
therefore, could their thanks be more justly due.
The toast having been received with the greatest en-
thusiasm,
Lord and Lady Palmerston both rose in acknowledgment
of the compliment, Lord Palmerston said—l am requested
by Lady Palmerston to tell you how sensible she is of the ,
kindness you have displayed towards her. She has made
one speech to-day, and, like the celebrated orator, " Single
Speech Hamilton," who also made a very good speech—
(cheers and laughter)—she ought not to be called on for a
second the same day. But lam sure you may rely on the
sincerity of the interest which Lady Palmerston takes in
this railway, because her interests are bound up and identi-
fied with yours. (Cheers.) She is a Northamptonshire
lady, and she came here to-day not as a stranger, to pro-
mote an undertaking upon general principles of material
advantage, but as one of yourselves, to help forward an
enterprise that has, for all a mutual interest. (Cheers).
Sir C. P. RONEY then proposed " The Health of Viscount
Palmerston," entering at some length into the many claims
which his Lordship possessed on the regard—he might say
the affection—of Englishmen. As showing the magnitude
of the railway operations in which his Lordship that day
evinced so practical an interest, the chairman stated that
there were at present 12,000 miles of railway constructed
and running in the United Kingdom; the capital employed
in these and their concomitants amounted to £400,000,000,
and the annual income derived from railways was some-
thing like £34,000,000, of which £16,000,000 only were
appropriated to working expenses. The debt of the State
was £500,000,000, and the interest paid upon it was
£15,000,000, while its working expenses amounted to no
less than £46,000,000 yearly. The railways had to pay
something like £1,000,000 a year for rates and taxes, and
an additional £500,000 to Government for the privilege of
carrying passengers. And even then they could net
proceed to divide their profits till those extremely polite
but very firm gentlemen the lacorne-Tax Commissioners
saved them the trouble of making further contributions
by deducting the amounts berorehand. (Laughter.) In-
dependently of the enormous number of persons deriving
incomes from railway profits, it was estimated that
they employed 100,000 men, which, at the usual propor-
tions of population, would give a total of 800,000 souls de-
li
pendent for their living upon the railway interest. Though
occasional faults might and did occur, he asserted confi-
dently that there was not a better organised, more obedient,
or more respectful class in the country than the railway ser-
vants. (Cheers.)
The health of the Premier having been drunk with all the
honours,
Lord PALMERSTON, who on rising to respond was most
cordially received, said—l am really unable to find words
adequately to express my thankfulness for the kind manner
in which you have proposed my health, and the way it has
been received by the company. There cannot be a higher
reward or a greater satisfaction to men engaged in public
life than to find that they have acquired by the performance
of their duty the goodwill and esteem of their fellow coun-
trymen. (Hear.) You were pleased to say, sir, that on a re-
cent occasion I expressed the value which I attached to op-
portunities of mixing with the Commercial classes of this
country; but on the present occasion that satisfaction is
doubled, because here I see arcund me not simply those
who represent the commercial, but also those who are deeply
ident fled with the agricultural classes. (Hear, hear.) The
great Lord Bacon said that a bird cannot fly with one
wing; and in like manner a country cannot safely repose
upon one interest. (Hear, hear.) The prosperity of the
country must depend on the combined exertions of those
engaged in manufactures, in commerce, and in agriculture.
(Applause.) I know that in the district in which I am now
speaking agriculture prospers to as great an extent as I
trust the instance of commercial industry with which we
are now concerned will also prosper. It is impossible
to overrate the importance of railways to any country,
I must, however, be permitted to say that our worthy
chairman dealt, I think, rather hardly:with the Government
in the enthusiasm by which he was excited in favour of rail-
ways—because when he contrasted the annual expenditure
of railways with that of the nation at large, he forgot to
compare the police of railway companies with that army and
navy—(tnuch laughter and cheering)—of which this coun-
try can boast, of which you have just drunk the health so
enthusiastically, and without which expensive but highly
valuable safeguards—l cannot call them luxuries, for in
reality they are necessaries—this country could not enjoy
that internal security, wanting which the railway capital
would be of very little use. (Cheers and laughter.) And there-
fore our worthy chairman, when he ape ears to grudge the
contributions which railways annually make to the public re-
venue, should remember it is the public revenue which pro-
duces that security at home through which the great develop-
ment of railway industry has been made profitable to the
undertakers and beneficial to the country at large. I
say that it is impossible to overrate the value of railway
establishments and the effect which they have exercised on
the prosperity of a manufacturing nation like this. The
prosperity of our manufactures depends on our being able
to command markets. Those markets can be :only com-
manded by cheapness and quality. What is it that regu-
lates the price of commodities in the market? It is, first,
the coat of production; next, the coat of carriage to the
place where the articles are to be sold, and thirdly, the in.
terest of the capital employed. The cost of production has
of late years been immensely diminished by the great de-
velopment of mechanical contrivances—yet I am happy to
think that the wages of the men employed in working that
machinery have not diminished, but are as good as at any
former period. Their condition meanwhile has been im-
proved by the greater cheapness et all, those articles which
in former ages never were within the reach of the working
classes. Therefore while the things they produce can be
supplied at a cheaper rate, the reward of their labour and
the means of indulgence which that reward will command
have increased by comparison within any former period,
(Hoar.) And this great diminution in the market price
has not been unattended with a cheapening of transport.
Why, lot any man take a goods train of the present day,
carrying, I will not say how many tons of commodities, at
a rapid pace from a seat of manufactures in one part of
the
island to the nearest ;port of embarkation, and compare
that with the old broad-wheeled waggon—(laughter)—
with its six horses, all with docked tails, wincing in agony
at the bite of the flies, and in vain seeking relief from the
little bit of net that covered them, while the driver walked
beside them, sometimes taking the advantage of a pony.
The abolition of this lowest of all conveyances necessarily
exercised a great influence upon the price of commodities.
If any man will compare the present facilities for convey-
ing manufactures to market with those which existed be-
fore railways were invented, he will see what an enormous
stimulus they have given to the industrial prosperity of the
land. Neither ought we to forget the social advantages which
railways have conferred. They have rendered this island
as regards facilities of communication between man and man
almost one great capital. In forum times many were born

hI Ic' P

~ , ..i-4-4,..ii.
acid lived and died in a gauntry village without ev, kita*tr
int; whether London was :not; paved, as some said, wi,..4'g02:
\s:
Now there is hat Idly a vit./To within reasonable dista 1 ..: .
the metropolis wl-ica at sumo time or other, probably orrNa
the occasion of some great national exhibition, has not con-
tributed sightseers from the provinces, The difference be-
tween the two periods may be exemplified in this way—
Formerly when a gas itleman asked a friend in London to
come down to him in the country, the friend can with
things to last him for a fortnight or three weeks, and took
perhaps a week on the journey. ' Now, if one gentleman
meets another, any in St. Tamess-Fa:eat, lie says "I shall
have some good A hooting next week. Will you come to rue
and spend a few days?" His friend replies " Oh, by all
means. I shall be charmed. What is the station nearest
your house ?" The first speaker .join, " Why, lam nut
very well off at present in regard to railway communication
—the nearest statiou is 16 miles from my house, But it is
a good road. You will get a nice fly, aad you can come
very well." Upon this the invited guest says "Did you
say it was Tuesday you asked me for ?" (lqueh laughter
and cheering.) "Yes," says ttio count•T gentleman, " I
think you told me you were free." " 1.-ie fact is," answers
the friend, " I have a very bid in 9mor:-, and now I think
of it I am very sorry, but I nave a ootticular engagement
for that day —some other I in:: I shall D I -1ct1...,py to go to you."
And so, away he goes, and offers him. s 6 t: as a visitor to soma
other friend, who has gut a station Wi a tiTl ( no or two milks
of his house, (Laughter.) The occasi on which has called
us together to-day is one which is hig)a ea, intresting. We
aro assisting at the first step towards the construction of a
railway, which we are told, and waht ruth, will be of great
advantage to the whole of this neigh iourhood. There are
mineral resources in the district which only require develop-
ment, but which do require an easy r rade of conveying the
commodity to market. I am convince A that, when this rail.
road is finished, every man in the di atrict will have reason
to rejoice at the proceedings of t aalay. Having again
thanked the company for the cordi elity of their reception,
the noble lord resumed hie seat an aid general cheering.
The CIIAMMIN neat proposed the healths of the county
members, Mr. Knightley and Ce done! Cartwright, referring
to the valuable support which they had given to the bill
while it was under the oonsidexation of Parliament.
Mr KNIGILTLEY, M.P., in acknowledging the compli-
ment, felt that he was ental ed to some little credit for the
support which he had given the measure on public grounds ;
for as the line would not p aas near his property he should
not derive a shilling benefit from it, and did not mind con-
fussing that a sportsman and enthusiastic follower of the
chase he regarded the projected railway as an unmitigated
nuisance. (Laughter.) Ho congratulated the company
upon the success with which the proceedings had paased
off, and particularly upon the presence of guests so distin-
guished as Lord and Lady Palmerston, whom they desired,
if possible, to eeo oftener in that part of the country. Some-
how or other the country always drew a great distinction
between Lord Palmerston and the rest of the Ministry.
(Hear, hear.) Whenever a good measure was brought
forward—and a great many goad measures had been intro-
duced by the Government—it was always put down to the
credit of the noble lord. Whenever anything went
wrong, and in that establishment as well as in others
mishaps would from time to time occur, the particular
" kettle of fish "—(much laughter, in which Lord
Palmerston very heartily joined) was always attributed
to the cooking of one of his scullions. " Scullions" was
not the word he intended to use ; he meant to say ono
of the noble lord's colleagues. A game of "chuck-farthing"
was perpetually going on, in which if 4' heads" :carne
down the noble viscount won, and if "tails" descended it
was his colleagues who lost. (Renewed laughter.) Not
that any unfair play could be charged against the noble)
lord at the head of the Government ; on the contrary, he
invariably deprecated anything like a distinction being
made. The country, however, was not to be shaken ire -its
opinion. Somehow or other it always determined to give
?Lord Palmerston all the halfpence, and to give his col-
leagues all the kicks. (Much laughter and cheering.)
The health of the contractor, Mr T. IL Crampton, by
whom telegraphic communication was first laid down be-
tween England and France; the healths of the visitors,
coupled with the names of the Mayors of Northampton
and Stratford-on-Avon, and the toast of " The Ladies,"
were next given and duly honoured; after which Lord
Palmerston proposed in complimentary terms the health
of the Chairman, Sir C. P. Roney, and the company soon
afterwards separated, a large proportion of those present
returning to town by the spe3isl train.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

EXETER, Wednesday.
The nomination of a candidate in the room of the
late lamented Mr Edwd. Divett took place this day
in the Guildhall. The High Sheriff, Mr. R. T.
Head, presided. The hall was crowded to excess,
and among those present were Lady Rolle, Sir I.
T. Coleridge, Sir S.Northeote, M.P., Mr. Kekewich,
M.P., the Hon. Mr. Trefusis, M.P., and Sir L.
Palk, M.P.

The usual formalities having been gone through,
Lord Courtenay was proposed by Mr.E. A. SANDERS,
banker, and seconded by Sir S. I\ORTIICOTE, M.P.
The hon. baronet's speech was mainly devoted to a
criticism of Mr. Colcridgo's former addresses, and
accused the Liberal party of having a design
against the national Church, which it was thu
special policy of the Conservatives to uphold.
Mr. Coleridge was proposed by Mr. MILFORD,
banker, and seconded by Mr. H. NORRINGTON,
merchant.

Lord COURTENAY addressed the assembly amid
great uproar and cheering from his friends. He said
he was proud to say that he was a Conservative,
after the fashion of Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli,
and after the fashion of Sir Stafford Northcote. On
matters of foreign policy, and on points connected
with the Church, the policy of the Conservative
party met with his warmest approbation. (A voice.
—"And no progression.") His lordship then pro-
ceeded to criticize the policy of the present Govern-
merit with respect to Denmark, and said that the
result of the foreign policy of the Government had
been to leave the country without a singly ally in.
Europe. (Laughter.) It appeared to him that they
had bullied the weak and trucklled to the strong.
(Renewed laughter and cheers.) With respect to
church-rates, he was opposed to their unconditional
abolition, but in favour of a compromise, similar to
that which was indicated in the Lords' Report, to
the effect that if anybody conscientiously objected
to pay church-rates he should be exempted from
payment thereof. (Cheers.) He was totally opposed
to the ballot and to the Permissive Bill. With
reference to the latter, he had been threatened
with the loss of many votes, but he could not help
it, for he believed that if it were impossible to make
people religious by act of Parliament, so also was it
equally impossible to make men sober by the same
means. (Cheers.)

Mr COLERIDGE was enthusiastically cheered on rising,
and in some very pungent remarks alluded to the county
influence which was brought to bear against him. North
and South Devon were represented there by the Hon. C. It.
Trefusis and by Sir L. Palk and Mr Kekewich. There
was also Sir S. Northcote, who tried to got in for South
Devon, bat he could not, and he could quite understand
why the hon. baronet had come in from Pynes to take part
in the noble lord's election, seeing that he once sat for
Dudley at the nomination of a noble lord, and now sat for
Stamford at the ncmination of anoblo marquis. (Laughter
and cheers.) Having expressed similar views to those in
his address with reference to church rates, the hon. and
learned gentleman protested against the interests of the
national Church being made a question for party squabbles
instead of seeking to make that Church a broad and wide
Church. (Cheers.) He ventured to say that the Conser-
vative party would live to rue the day when they handed
over the Church to one party, and that the decadent party
in the Church. (Cheers.) He confessed his inability to
understand the views of Lord Courtenay on the subject of
church rates. As to the ballot he had previously wished it
to be tried, because he thought it would do no harm; but
this eleotion had convinced him of the great necessity for
the ballot. (Cheers.) When he came among them to can.
vass the city he had no idea that in 1861 protection Would
be necessary for the maintenance and delivery of a males
private opinions. (gear') He should have thought it
impossible had not evidence come under his own eyes, and
therefore he now not only believed that the ballot would be
no harm, but it would be a great good. (Cheers.) Many
electors had said that they would give their hearts to vote
pointed to the obstructive policy of the
for him, but could not. (Rear, hear., The hon. and
)
and to the great mea-
' snres of the Liberal party, which had tended so much to
lTeoarnryepdagrteynttlieumrianng the last 30 years,
promote comfort, and prosperity of the
people.
But now
with c,mrieterist;c gene-
rosity, when all these things were passed adopted them into
their political programme. He called upon them to support
the great Liberal party by returning him to Parliament on
the following day. (( heers.)
The show of hands was then taken, when about three to
one was held up in favour of Mr Coleridge.
The HIGII 6liErtirp declared the show of hands to be in
favour of Mr Coleridge, and the announcement was received
with enthusiastic cheers.
Mr SANDARS demanded a poll on behalf of Lord Courts-
nay, N‘hieh vt as fixed for to-day (Thursday.)

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EWS PAPER
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aftiiiv. His good-humoured allusion to the Chair-
ni OY AL PRINCESS'S 7HEATRE.—
LW Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining,. man's complaints respecting the annual contribution
THIS EVENING, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. Paddy
to the public revenue, afforded great amusement to
O'Rafferty, Mr. Dominick Murray.
After which, THE bTREET3 OF LONDON. Messrs.
Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fi her. D. Murray, J. Nelsoit, 11. the company. His Lordship's observations on the
Forre-ter. H. Melton ; _Mrs. Henry Alarston, Miss Emilia immense advantages all derived from railways were
Barnett, and Miss F .nny Gwynne.
---- very well-timed, and he truly said that there was

IT FM THEATRE-8.0 AL, ADELPIII.-
Pronriator
.and Manacrer. Mr. B. 1 v4tbster.
TIIIS EVENING, THE FLOWERS OF THE FUREST.
/Vlessrs..T. L. Toole, P. Bedfort, Billington, Stuart, Stephen-
on .ttom:r; Miss Woolgar, Miss IC Belly. and Mrs. Bil-
• :1;,-;ton.
At 1), ONE TOUCH OF NATURE. Penholder, Mr.
Benjamin Webster ; Constance, Miss H. Simms.
T. corclude with, by desire, I I ON PARLE FRANfAIS
llr. J. L. To:Ae, Mr. Billin;ten, Yrs. Lewis, Miss Kelly,
and Miss ,!.-earnan.

no comparison between the past and present as to
the experience and knowledge of all classes in the
country. Formerly men lived and died without
knowing whether London streets were paved with
gold, but now they were able to visit the metropo-
lis on any occasion of great public interest. Alto-
gether this fair at To wce,ster was most successful,
and Lord and Lady PALMERSTON showed their
usual tact and discernment in thus coming forward
to take a part in an undertaking which so deeply
c3ncerned the welfare of many.

There is some compensation to be found for the
lovers of the picturesque and effective in the novel
and striking scenes which present themselves to
the eye in a land which yet suffers from a lack of
the comforts and inconveniences of civilisation.
The Anglo-Indian, while he undoubtedly surrenders
many of the luxuries to which he has been accus-
tomed, and is indeed compelled to forego some of
those appliances of modern skill and energy which
he has learned to look upon almost as necessaries,
is yet able in some degree to break the weariness
of a routine existence, and to obtain that fresh
sensation which the ennuyes of the West•
end pine for, among the novel and varied
scenes that present themselves before him. The
durbar held at Simla some six weeks ago was one
of those picturesque spectacles, and for many days
the vicinity had been thronged with the gorgeous
rajahs and their gaily dressed trains, waiting to do
honour to the ruler they had known and honoured
so long. Sir JOHN LAWRENCE bears a name which
commands the respect and affection of these wild
chieftains of the hills, and they come from all sides
to show him due respect at his durbar, It is a rare
event for a Governor-General to be SO well known
in the remote districts over which he rules, but Sir
JOHN is familiar with their language, their customs,
and their ways, and can distinguish each prominent
chief by recollection. Oae old raj ah, who had assisted
in drawing the Ghoorkas from the hills, was well
known to the Viceroy, who kindly greeted him and
laid his hand on his shoulder. The old chief, de-
lighted at the friendly notice of the Governor, threw
himself at his feet. When all the introductions
were concluded, Sir JOHN proceeded to address the
assembly, and accomplished the feat of speaking in
their own language. In brief and forcible terms
he reminded them of what the British Government
had done for them in freeing their coun-
try from the Ghoorkas ; he thanked them
for •the loyalty they had always shown,
and assured them that the best means cf proving
their gratitude to their British rulers was by im-
proving the condition of their people. "Do for
them," said Sir JOHN, " what the British Governs
ment has done for you. Rule them for their good,
not solely for your own." Further, he charged
them to spread education, to educate their sons, and
they, in their turn, would educate the people.
There is no man, said the wise Viceroy, rich or
poor, rajah or ryot, who is not the better for know-
ledge. This is an important step in the
management of a country like India ;
and we may hope for the rapid advance of
enlightenment and knowledge when it is thus
recommended to the people. The chiefs assembled
at the Darbar were profuse in their protestations of
loyalty and devotion,and manifested unmistakeable
delight at being addressed in their own tongue. It
is only to be lamented that so valuable an acquire-
ment should hitherto have been so rare. He who
cannot speak the tongue of the people he governs
cannot understand their wants or their ways. Ha
is at the mercy of interpreters who, with the best
intentions, may often dietert the truth. Let us
hope that a new era has commenced, and that
henceforward such a barrier will be gradually but
surely destroyed.

The wonderful Correspondence of the First
NAPOLEON has now reached its fifteenth volume,
and as each successive publication makes its ap-
pearance new light is thrown upon the universal
genius and amazing energy of its great author. No
chapter of the most sensational romance, and few
pages of history, can surpass these marvellous
records of comparatively recent events, now issuing
from the press at Paris. If new evidence of the des.
potic character of the great" BONAPARTE" occasion-
ally startles the free-born British reader, that feeling
is almost forgotten in admiring wonder at the versa-
tility and comprehensiveness of the knowledge and
vigilance continually exercised in every department
of State; by one great authority—equally great—
Equally well versed is matters of construction or
detail—in the guidance of an army, or the guardian
ship of a school-girl. In proof of which latter
qualification we might cite some admirable letters
in this now volume, on the education of the
daughters of deceased officers, at the Imperial Col.
lege at Econen. The present Emperor could not have
erected a grander monument to the memory of his
great predecessor than he has done by the publica-
tion of this most interesting correspondence. The
history of his uncle has been the study and example
of his life—at times an encouragement, and occa-
sionally a warning. He has proved an apt pupil.
It is only once in a cycle of centuries that a great
genius like the First NAPOLEON makes his appear-
ance, and his exceptional history may well be re•
garded as a beacon for the guidance or admonition
of lesser men.

As we reach this season of the year the prospects
of the harvest begin to be one of the first topics of
the day. Political excitement has temporarily died
oat with the close of the session, and has left us to
watch the vagaries of the weather, and to speculate
upon the relative chances of fair or foul. On the
whole the prospects of the harvest appear to be
moderate. There is no anticipation of such a boun-
tiful store as last year filled our garners, but neither
is there reason to fear a thoroughly bad season.
The uninitiated only look at the special times of
haymaking or reaping, but the farmer knows that
the changes of the whole spring and summer must
be taken into account in estimating a season. The
warm, beautiful days in April were thought by
some to foretel a summer as fine as that of 1863,
but such pleasant hopes were not destined to be
realised, and a long continuance of uncertain
weather and cold nights soon gave rise to the fear 1
of an unfavourable season. Of late we have had
so much dry weather that the drought has in come
places been very severe. In Yorkshire it has been
very severely felt. In some of the districts of the
East Riding, where the rainfall has been little or
nothing, the crops of beans and turnips have be-
come so burnt up that the fields are now being
ploughed out for wheat sowing early in the
autumn. The heat and dryness have, of course, a
tendency to ripen the craps prematurely, and in the
south-west harvest operations have already begun.
In more northern parts it is expected that they
will be begun next week. In Yorkshire
which we have mentioned as suffering severely
from drought. There is a general complaint made
of black lice which infest the wheat and oats, and
it is supposed hive been occasioned by the
lengthened drought. These lice n some parts

appear in myriads and abound most in the neigh-
bourhood of hedges, the centre of a field being com-
paratively free from them. Some farmers do not
attribute much importance to this insect plague,
but think the crops will be good, though they are
estimated as one-fourth lighter than last year.
Barley is good and promises well, but a serious de-
ficiency is already felt in the supply of provender
for cattle. It is said in some places that the hay
harvest is only half the average, and although this
may probably be an extreme view of the matter,
there seems to be no doubt that great scarcity of
fodder will prevail, Of course if this proves to be
the case it will make meat dear in the coming
winter—a result very much to be deprecated.
Yorkshire and Devonshire are alike complaining
of the scarcity of keep. Ia Devonshire hay has
risen 50 per cent. in price within a month. The
demand is brisk, although £5 per ton is being paid
for it. Devonshire itself is lanaentiug the want of
rain, which is much needed for the turnips, The
hot weather of the last week or two has,
however, been beneficial in some ways, having
greatly favoured the growth of the crops. This crop
it is known is one of the most precarious, and it is
almost impossible to calculate with any degree of
certainty early in the year as to what the proceeds
will be. The hops are as yet free from disease, and
although the combined influences of the cold nights
and the drought have interfered with the prospects
of some grounds, on the whole the appearances are
satisfactory. Potatoes are promising, and we must
hope they will atone to some extent for the deficiency
which we may fear will exist in turnips. A fine
autumn may, it is thought, do much for the latter
crop, but, according to an experienced agent in the
North, it is supposed that there will be nothing like
an average weight. Fortunately turnips ar© no
longer so absolutely indispensable to the farmer,
and probably some further suggestions of improv-
ing or enlarging the food of cattle may be made
under the pressure of scarcity. After all our in-
ventions we must come to mother earth for the raw
material, and, in spite of all the appliances of skill
and science, much of our prosperity lies under the
control of sun and rain.