The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-01 00:00:00

The Weather—Sun Office, March 1, 1864.

THERMOMETER.
This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-29.75.
Wind—S.E.; moderate breeze, and hazy.

Suit

LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH), 1881.

Mr. STANsPELD, one of the Lords of the Admi-
ralty,
iS
accused of complicity with a reputed
assassin. The frightful imputation comes from
the lips of a Procureur Imperial. It is uttered in
a French court of law. It is reverberated, through
the 'whispering gallery
of th© press, all over
Europe. The insinuation, nay,
far worse than
any mere insinuation, the open and flagrant accu-
sation directed against the honourable gentleman
is brought under the consideration of the :British
House of Commons; As
'w a matter of course,
when so brought before the
Mr. House last evening,
STANsFELD, M.P. for Halifax, one of the
junior Lords of the Admiralty, indignantly repels
the charge, as one could alone look for its being
repelled by an English gentleman, in burnin, words
of indignation. Not satisfied with doing this,
however, Mr. STANSpELD—it is grievous to, note—
insults that groat assembly of British gentleanen by
going out of his war last evening—to do -what ?
To pronounce a studied panegyric upon Signor
AlAzzlsr. Now, that the reputation of Signor
MAZZINI is a billiSt Er reputation, who shall, deny ?
It is a reputation, so sinister, indeed, that ho is
accused, and has been recently pronounced guilty,
of having been the instigator of GRECO, TB:JiBUCO,
IMPERATORI, and SCAOLIONI in their late ,Fiendish
plot to assassinate Ills Majesty the Emperor of the
FRENCH. MAZZLNI, it is true, denies that :he had
anything whatever to do with that diabolicl it pro-
ject. But—how does he deny it ? Why, at the
very time of his giving the frightful char ge his
denial, by spe eking of one of the four infamot s con-
spirators (GB,gco) as--oian 0 husiastic pu triot."

GRECO and his three accomplices, one and all
charge MAZZINI with being their instigator to the
crime they were preparing to perpetrate. And
MAZZINI—so charged by GRECO and his accom-
plices—speaks of GRECO as "an enthusiastic patriot."
Why, even a born idiot like Lord DUNDREARY,
looking at an observation like that, at a comment, to
say the least of it, so wonderfully ?nalapropos,
would be disposed to say, with an indignant
glance through his eye-glass—" Th-th-that's bad !"
A wretch who is proved beyond an instant's doubt
to be meditating an infamous assassination, openly
accuses you of having egged him on to attempt it—
and you deny this, certainly in very plain terms,
but in so denying it you speak of your accuser as

an enthusiastic patriot !" In MAZZINI—at the
same time it must be allowed—this extraordinary
mode of denial hardly strikes us as incongrous. His
reputation is so sombre, is, as we hare said, so noto-
riously sinister, that we pass by in him, almost as a
mere matter of course, what would appear start-
ling in another. But, in the instance of Mr. STANS-
FELD it is nothing less than astounding that his
denial—a denial that we accept at once, of course,
most eagerly, and with a sense of sympathising
indignation as his fellow countrymen—is accom-
panied by a vindication of the character of
MAzzINI! The character of MAZZINI was not
then under discussion. It was the character of
Mr. STANSFELD that was under consideration at
the moment. And loathe would any of us be to
estimate that character purely by the old pro-
verbial teat of noscitur a sociis. Mr. STANSFELD
knowing MAZZINI, knowing ORSINI, ought not
to be judged by the mere fact of his
including such men among the number of his inti-
mate personal acquaintance. It is lamentable,
therefore, that the member for Halifax, especially
in his official position as one of the Junior Lords
of the Admiralty, should so far mar the effect of.his
indignant repudiation last night of the remarks
uttered a few days since at Paris by the Procureur
Imperial—by accompanying his denial with an at-
tempted vindication of the character of MAZZINI.
Aud who, we should vastly like to know, could
those persons possibly have been who, last evening,
in the British House of Commons, endeavoured to
hush up the truth when Mr. STANSFELD was, in
the regular course of debate, being manfully put
through his examination ? He is asked questims—
very pertinent, and very natural` questions indeed
as addressed to one; who though nMinister of the
British Crown, was there voluntarily confronting
his fellow members in the House of Commons
as the apologist of MAZZINI—Mr. STANSFELD is
asked certain very obvious, nay, under the cir-
cumstances, almost inevitable questions, as to the
moneys collected for other enthusiastic Italian
patriots than GRECO, the convicted Assassin—and
there are men in the House of Commons who can
cry out to him, when so interrogated, "Don't
answer him!' Who are these Men ? Ace
they Englishmen ? Are they lovers of
truth ? If so—why cry out thus " Don't
answer him?" Mr. STANSFELD was asked yes-
terday whether at any time he occupied the same
house with Signor Mazztm? It is a plain and
simple question enough. But there are men in the
House of Commons who are for bushing up any

reply to it by clamouring out once more "Don't
answer him!" The inquiry is reiterated. The
cry is for a third time, last evening, heard
within the walls of the British House
of Commons—" Do not answer." And Mr.
STANSFELD does NOT answer. He remains silent.
The matter under discussion drifts out of the view
of the House for the time being—lost to the recol-
lection of the members there and then in the new and
' loftier interests awakened by one of the most brilliant
speeches that even Mr. IhsitAELT has for same time
delivered, that remarkable, statesmanlike,..philoso-
phical, eminently logical, and thoroughly searching
harangue in which the right hon. gentleman pitti-
lessly analysed the muddled foreign policy of her
MAJESTY'S Government. Yet, glancing back now
to the proceedings of last night in the House of
Commons, anterior to the opening up anew of the
Dano-German Question by Mr. DISRAELI—we
recall to mind, almost with . a shudder, the
discussion by which Mr. DISRAELI'S masterly
speech was preceded. Who are these men, again
we ask, who cried out last night, " Don't answer
him ?" " Don't answer !" "Da not answer I"
Are they Englishmen ? Are they indeed mem-
bers of a British House of Commons? The
questions addressed to Mr. STANSFELD were ques-
tions affecting not only the honour and the
reputation of that gentleman, but the honour
and the reputation of the House of which
he is a member ! More than that—remembering
that Mr. STANSFELD is a Minister of the Crown,
remembering that he is not only M.P. for Halifax
but one of the Junior Lords of the Admiralty as
well, anything whatever affecting his name and his
character is of vital interest, by the mere form of
association, is of vital importance and of vitalest
interest to the SOVEBEIGN of these realms and
to the Government. If Mr. STANSFELD is not to
answer plain questions in a plain way, still more, if
he is not to answer any such questions at all—the
sooner he ceases to occupy a seat upon the Treasury
bench the better.

The' Annual meeting of the National Rifle Asso-
ciation is a matter of some interest. At that
gathering the fortunes of the Association aro dis-
cussed, new plans proposed, and improvements
suggested, and all matters connected with the well-

being and efficiency of the force discussed. Although
the topics of debate aro usually of a technical nature,
and many of them out of the range or experience
of the uninitiated, there are some features of this
annual assembly which commend themselves to the
notice even of those least soldierly inclined. When
the Volunteers were first spoken of, many were
found to doubt whether the scheme, however wise
or commendable, could be put into execution in
these our matter of fact days. When the ready en-
thusiasm of the people was proved beyond all doubt
the suggestion commended itself to the popular
sense and feeling, and all ranks, all classes, pressed
forward to join in the movement, many wisely
shook their heads and doubted how long such
willing service would last. There was, certainly,
some ground to fear for the future. It was easy to
enter warmly into the new undertaking, to expend
considerable sums in subscriptions, in accoutre-
ments, &c.; but it was a different thing to devote
time end trouble to- that wearisome drilling and
monotonous practice without which no prc ficiency
Can be hoped for either in the arts of war or peace.
Bad weather, inclement seasons, and other tempo-
rary discouragements were naturally to be looked
for ; and it was likewise feared, with some reason,
that when the public interest had died out, when
the Volunteers were no longer the talk of the day,
and. people paid little heed to their goings and
comings, that the enthusiasm which had first fired
them would die out, and the Volunteer force drop
off, one by one, until it became a thing of the past
Happily, all such forebodings have
proved ground-
less. Some years have now elapsed
since the
Volunteer movement was first set en foot, and it
shows no signs of decreasing in vitaE'y and vigour.
Although, of coarse, no longer occu ling so large
a share of attention as at i.ta inauguration,

it has by no means lost its interest with the general
public as the meetings at Brighton and Wimbledon
may show, while every such review or general
assembly proves that we have no reason to fear for
the number or efficiency of the force. The sturdy
spirit of perseverance which characterises English-
men is in this instance assisted by a deep-rooted
conviction of the practical value of the movement,
while the mere interest of the athletic and rifle
practice has had, we may suppose, its influence
upon some. It was felt that it would be a matter
of national reproach and humiliation, if a move-
ment so warmly taken up were suffered to die of
inanition, and we may congratulate ourselves that
the time of trial is so far past that we may rank the
Volunteer movement among our regularly esta-
blished institutions. It has been wisely and judi-
ciously done to arrange prominent meetings in the
course of every year so as not only to keep alive
the interest so generally felt in the movement, but
to stimulate the energies of the Volunteers them-
selves, to afford a public test of their training and
to encourage the practice of rifle shooting through-
out the kingdom. The Easter Monday review is
looked forward to by many besides the actual
volunteers, and has hitherto passed off most satis-
factorily. The meeting at Wimbledon is even
more useful since national skill with the rifle is no
unimportant auxiliary to the Volunteer movement.
At the general meeting held on Saturday, under
the presidency of the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, his
royal highness mentioned some statistics which
afford gratifying evidence that the service has by
by no means lost its attractions. The competitors
for the Queen's Prize in 1862 were 913 in num-
ber, while in 1863 they increased to 1,145. The
otal Volunteer entries in 1862 were 1,283, but in
he year following they had increased nearly

1,500. The total all-corners in 1862 amounted to
3,269, while last year they reached the number
of 4,684. With regard to the financial
position of the association its affairs are
satisfactory, although not flourishing. Its
income, last year, amounted to £12,000, show-
ing an increase of nearly 3,000 on that of the pre-
vious year, although the amount expended in prizes
was greater by a thousand pounds. Nevertheless
the amount possessed by the Association in funded
property is so small—only £4,ooo—as to necessitate
prudence, and his Royal Highness, the President,
expressed the conviction of the Council that it
would be wise to defer all great increase of expen-
diture until their funded property should amount
to £lO,OOO. This may seem at first a large sum,
but the Council are probably in the right. Their
income, at present, is principally dependent on
casual and uncertain resources, and however liberal
the public may now be, a movement of national
character and importance should be placed above
the reach of any fluctuations of sentiment or of com-
mercial prosperity. It is thought desirable that the
Association should possess a reserve fund, which
shall put it on a permanent footing, and render it
independent of any sudden reverse or unforeseen
contingency of any kind. One very practical sug-
gestion for increasing their resources has been made
and will probably be put into execution. It is pro-
posed that instead of only one competitor from each
company being allowed for the QUEEN'S prize two
may be selected, and that the entry, instead of 10s.
should be 20s. The entry being purely voluntary,
there is no hardship in this trifling increase, but it
will make a useful addition to the income of the
Association. Various other topics connected with
. the Volunteers were considered at the meeting on
Saturday, and the sensible practical tone of the
discussion augurs favourably for the stability of the
Association and the efficiency of the force.

Earl GRANVILLE last night moved the second
reading of the Insane Prisoners' Bill. It is satia-
factOry that something has be.m resolved upon at
last to mitigate the evils that have arisen from the
present mal-administration of the law, and the very
insufficient provision which its statutes now make
for the due administration of justice. As Lord
GRANVILLE explained the alteration which was to
be made, it seems a very feasible one, and one
likely to answer the purpose in view. Instead of
the Secretary of State being called upon, as at pre-
tent, to remove a prisoner to a lunatic asylum if
the certificate of his insanity is signed by any two
medical men and two justices, it is arranged that
henceforth the certificate must be signed by two
visiting justices, and two medical men appointed
by them. Of course, by this means there will be
a greater responsibility resting with the justice, and
the whole arrangements will not be hurried over as
they often arc at present;and the public will discover
at last that an important questionof justice has been
thoroughly mismanaged. The angry altercations
and confused accounts that got abroad in such cases
is very detrimental to the interests of justice, and
must prove hurtful in its effects on the criminal
population, that ought especially to be influenced
by the solemn majesty of the law in dealing with
offenders. Notwithstanding some objections that
were raised, the bill was read a second time.
This is as it should be, for an important change
has now been made, and the danger in these
cases always is that the session be wasted in the
discussion of the proper treatment and difficulties,
and after one has brought forward his plan and
another introduced his scheme objections are raised
to one and the other, and at last the important
settlement is indefinitely deferred. This question
of the lunacy of a prisoner who is condemned to
death is one that ought to be attended to promptly,
and the Government deserve credit for having done
something to put an effectual check to the recur-
rence of a scandal as that which recently took place
in the case of TOWNLEY. Doubtless, there is great
truth in the objections urged by Lord ST. LEONARDS
as to the inadvisablity of introducing an alteration
into a measure because of the excitement which
prevailed in consequence of the mischievous effects
of the said measure. The fact is, however, that
nothing of a remedial nature is over done unless
some great event calls it forth, and the urgent ne-
cessity arises of putting a stop to evils. It is better,
therefore, to act in these matters not quite en regale
rather than to lose opportunities and waste precious
time. It is, then, considering all things, to be re-
garded as a qualifying occurrence, that some definite
progress has been made in the bill to amend the
laws relating to insane prisoners.

Yesterday afternoon witnessed an interesting
ceremonial, which although partly a matter of form
and precedent, was yet raised in some degree above
the level of mere courtly routine. The presentation
of congratulatory addresses to the Prince and
Princess of \VALE, on the birth of their infant son,
was more than a simple profession of loyalty. It
expressed in some degree the warm and cordial in-
terest which the public feel in the welfare and hap-
piness of the young Prince and his bride, and the
gratification with which they see the prospect of an
assured continuance of that Royal house which has
become so much endeared to the people through the
virtues and graces of Queen VICTORIA. We have
every reason to hope that when the Prince of WALES
shall be called on in the inevitable course of years
to wear his mother's crown ho may wear it as
worthily, as constitutionally as she has done. At
present the young Heir to the Throne has had
little opportunity of displaying his capacities or his

sympathies, but we know that he has studied the
aspects and the histories of the Old World and the
New, that he has had every opportunity of acquir-
ing that enlightenment, that toleration and free-
dom from prejudice which form so important
a part of the qualifications of a ruler,
more especially of a busy, thinking, acting
people like our ;own. The interest which
we all felt in the young Danish Princess at
the time of her arrival has only Wen increased by
her residence among us, and it is now considerably
heightened by the unmerited misfortunes of her
father and her country. We all feel that, however
bright the hopes and peaceful the scenes which
surround her here, her thoughts mast instinctively
turn to the home of her early life and the people she
so long dwelt among. Even in the pride and de-
light of the young mother, and her confidence in
the future which awaits her little son, should he ba
spared to reach mans estate, her heart must be
touched by the terrible anxieties of her father and
saddened by the clouds which are closing retind
him. It must be a grief to the Princess that her
adopted country has as yet given no further aid to
him in the struggle, but at least she must feel con-
vinced of the warm sympathy of which all classes
and all parts of the three kingdoms feel with her
sorrow as well as her joy—sharing alike in the in-
tense eagerness with which she watches events in
the North, and participating still more in her re-
joicings over her infant's cradle.

HAYMARKET THEATRE,