The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-19 00:00:00

to the famous expression, "to drift into war." No
preparations were made suitable for a prolonged
struggle with one of the great Powers of Europe,
no wise forethought was exercised as to the possible
requirements of an army of men on a foreign soil,
and when the war bad actually commenced, instead
of powerful and vigorous action, instead of fresh
and unanimous spirit being infused into old forms
and offices, matters went drifting on in the same
timorous, uncertain, halfhearted way. The fact
was that the strong feeling of the people dragged
the Ministry into a war which, in their hearts they
were unwilling to undertake. AU their fear
seemed to be that the Russians should suffer too
much. They allowed them to keep open their com-
munications between the Crimea and the mainland.
They would not allow their Baltic forts to be bom-
barded; and whatever the real motive or influence,
there is no doubt that the English Ministry were
anything but in earnest about the prosecution of
the Russian War, and the whole blame of his col-
leagues' vacillation rested on the shoulders of the
D Like of Newcastlewhen all active preparations would
have been paralysed by the influence of the Czar's
"friend of forty years." After some years of tempo-
rary retirement the Duke again entered official life,
this time as Secretary for the Colonies under Lord
PALMERSTON. His return was regarded with gene•
ral satisfaction, for it was felt that he had not been
well or fairly treated. In this post he showed his
usual good sense and moderation, qualities which
were especially valuable when he became escort of
the Prince of WALES in his visit to Canada four
years since. The discretion which he showed in
advlsing the young Prince to keep entirely clear of
all sectarian demonstrations was highly commend-
able, and quite in accordance with the feeling of
this country. Unfeftunately the Duke was com-
pelled to resign the fatigues of office early in this
year, and, after many months of illness, ho has at
length succumbed. He has passed away bearing
the reputation of ti just and conscientious man,
who exerted himself in every sphere which he en-
tered to fulfil its duties to the utmost, and who
leaves a name which will be long and deservedly
respected, not only by his political associates, but
by his countrymen at large.

E irl RUSSELL had a pleasing task to perform on
Monday when he opened the North London Work-
ing Classes Industrial Exhibition. This is as inter-
esting an sffair as any that could be set on foot by
a Statesman, and the noble lord must hare fully
appreciated the important signification of the work
that day inaugurated. It is quite an era in the
history of the country that the working men should
have undertaken such a thing. The Secretary read
a report which was very interesting, and furnished
the particulars of the case. It told how this attempt
had been set on foot in a great measure by the suc-
cess which had attended the Working Man's Exhi-
bition in the South of London, and also because it
has been believed that much " dormant talent" was
hidden among the working classes, which it would
be well to draw forth and encourage. The objects
exhibited are manufactured by the exhibitors "either
as st ecimens of skilled workmanship, or as examples
of self-taught handicraft. Earl RUSSELL'S obser-
vations upon the occasion were appropriate and
well timed, and the noble lord appeared to enter
fully into the spirit of the affair. He expressed his
delight at the generai style of the affair, and dee
Glared that the works exhibited reflected the high-
est credit upon all concerned. After declaring that
the originators of the scheme had evidenced their
judgment in undertaking the affair, the noble lord
emphatically said, " I must confess that it affirds
me pride and pleasure to be the fellow-countryman
of men who have so employed their time, and who
have exhibited the greatest ingenuity in the works
that they have performed, and in that manner have
done credit to the country to which they belong!'
It is a very good thing that Earl RUSSELL should
have thus expressed himself. He has thus ren-
dered the cause a double service—first, in encou-
raging those who so fully deserve recognition from
high quarters, and also in affording the evidence of
a competent witness as to the practicability and
SUCCESS of the affair. There are always many to cavil
at these experiments and to foretell a break-down
and a failure of some sort, and thus a decided nega•
tive ought to be put upon their strictures by an
influential personage. No one can suppose
that one in Earl RUSSELL'S position is not a disin-
terested party, nor think that the noble lord is not
a competent judge as to the merits of the affair.
The working classes of London deserve the en-
comiums passed upon them by the noble lord, and if
anything were wanting to prove the truth of the
noble earl's observation that they were the highest
in the world, it would be the fact of this exhibition.
Mr DIGBY SEYMOUR made some effective remarks
in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and
truly declared that the noble lord had done good
service to their undertaking by coming forward to
preside at their opening. The noble lord's associa•
tion with the progress of the people rendered him a
worthy man to perform such a duty, and his presence
was evidently hailed with satisfaction. Mr DIGBY
SEY3IOIJR concluded his speech by the very appro.
priate quotation of the spirited lines of LONG.
FELLOW :

" Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Was their destined end or way ;
But to know that each to-morrow
Found them further than to-day,"

This is exactly the tone which should pervade the
community of the working classes of this great
country, avd some such influence bas pervaded the
progress of this undertaking, which bears evidence
of far higher qualities and more determined energy
of character than any that distinguished the great
Industrial Exhibitions of the land. These were
carried out in their greatness and grandeur by
those whose time was more at their own die.
posal, and who had ample means at their
command, but this better display of skill and indus-
try has been created by men who have had to work
while they were performing the tasks which now
call forth such general admiration. It is almost
impossible to estimate fully the advantages that
must accrue from such an affair. It is only by the
teat of time that they can be appreciated and under-
stood, but many good results naturally occur to the
mind in dwelling upon the subject. Many men
will have proved their capabilities in such a striking
manner that they will be able in future to go on
and prosper without fear of failure; and one of the
chief characteristics of the undertaking will be
that it will hold out a premium for steadiness.
Those ,vho seek to excel in their particular depart-
ments, whatever they may be, must necessarily
devote their skill and strength unimpaired to th©
service, and it will be a powerful incentive to the
practice of temperance in all things, that they may
have the opportunity of displaying their powers to
tho best advantage, and of individualising them-
selves, as it were, before the eyes of their fellow-
workmen. Another gain to be reaped from this
fruitful harvest of toil and industry is, that those
sedulously engaged in the duties of 'their vocation
will not be so apt to indulge in violent outbreaks
of political excitement as those who are rests
lessly wandering about and longing for
some exciting cause ' of diEc u:sion. Earl
RUSSELL wisely counselled moderation to
the working classes, and assured them that in
• time they had good reason to hope that all abuses

would be rectified by the advance of intelligence
and the influence of public opinion. The surest
way for the lower classes to elevate themselves is
to exhibit the qualities of prudence, temperance,
and fortitude, which have been largely put into re..
quision to achieve this work in question. It is a
source of general rejoicing that this Industrial Ex-
hibition has been successfully accomplished ; it beats
a promise for the future that is rich and rare, and it
is an evidence of the improvement of the lower
orders that is most encouraging and honourable in
the sight of God and men. We can recognise in this
movement the significance of what the poet has

"The nobility of labour, the long pedigree of toil."

Despite the forthcoming Presidential election, the
best efforts of Mr LINCOLN and his friends fail to
represent the Federal cause as flourishing in the
field. According to the intelligence brought by the
North American and the Baltimore, at three days
later date than the last news we received, it was
beginning to be admitted in New York that
GRANT'S operations at Petersburg and Deep Bottom
have been failures. No news had arrived from him
or his quarters excepting the Confederate intima.'
tion that they claim to have captured 1,800 pri-
soners during the recent engagements. All eyes
i❑ the North are now, however, turned in the di-
rection of Missouri, where important events are
impending. General PRICE is marching on its
capital, Jefferson City, while a large force under
MAGRUDER is said to have entered Arkansas, and
to be preparing for an encounter with Gene-
ral STEELE and his army, when, if successful,
they will attack S. Louis and proclaim the annexa-
tion of Missouri to the Southern Confederacy.
The acquisition of this great Western State will
be of vast importance to the Confederates, and will
be very unacceptable to the North. The state of
the publ:o mind sad tha lack of confidence in the
smooth words and fair stories of the Government
is clearly shown by the agitated condition of the
gold market. It opened on Oct. 7th at 198, rose
to 206, fell to 199, and closed at 201; Exchange
221. Truly a satisfactory condition of things! If
this is to be the prospect for another Presidential
term, what do Mr. LINCOLN'S followers expect to
be the end ? SHERIDAN is still at Harrisonburg
inactive, while a Confederate force is said to occupy
SHERMAN'S rear. Federal reinforcements have
been sent to Nashville, but the best efforts of the
North do not seem to avail much in that quarter.
Altogether the state of affairs does not look well
for the friends of the Union.

The Confederate Bazaar at Liverpool.

Yesterday a magnificent bazaar in aid of the Southorn

Prisoners' Relhf Fund was opened at St. George's Hall,
Liverpool. A number of aristocratic and fashionable ladies
of Southern birth or proclivities presided at stalls named
after the various Confederate States. The amount of pro.
perty on the stalls was of unusual variety, magnificence,
and value, and as the attendance of visitors almost impeded
locomotion, the bazaar, which will last for four days longer,
will prove very profitable.
The committee of the Southern Club, by whom the un-
dertaking has been originated, and who have buckled to
their work with their wonted energy, especially disclaim
having any political object in view. The motive which
has actuated them is one of a far higher and more philan •
thropic character ; it is that of ministering to the bodily
wants of men who have been struck down amid the shock
of contending armies, and who have been laid prostrate
while exhibiting the virtues of bravery and heroism.
Great have been the preparations to make the bazaar one
of the most attractive and magnificent ever witnessed, and
the issue bids fair to be a signal success.
Some months have elapsed since the announcement of
the intention of the organisation of the project was first
made public, and since then no eff)rt has been wanting to
realise the fondest hopes of its promoters. The members of
the Southern Club—numbering s)me of the leading men
nut only in the busy port of Liverpool, but
,in the kingdom
—la eve entered right heartily into the spirit of the thing,
and many a fair and aristocratic hand has for some time
past been busily plying the needle in order to produce fur
the stalls something, rich and rare for the occasion. Ar-
ticles of every description have been poured upon the exe-
cutive committee in superabundance, and so far as fancy
work is concerned, perhaps the splendid hall never before
witnessed so motley and yet so choice an array, But while
the ornamental occupies a conspicuous place, the useful has
by no means been forgotten, for goods of every description
crowd the numerous stalls, not only from all parts of Eng-
land, but from Rome, Paris, Canada, the Southern States
of America, and even from New York itself contributions
have been received, the contributors feeling that the object
of the movement is in no
,respect political, but is strictly
confined to a purpose in which every benevolent mind may
well delight to share. The master mind of the undertaking
has undoubtedly been the hon. secretary, and the most able
champion of the Southern cause—Mr James Spence ; and
that gentleman has shown himself as fruitful of resource,
and as ready at organising an undertaking of this sort, as
he is scathing and powerful with his pen. Mr Spence has,
too, had most zealous and willing coadjutors, for Mr C. K.
Prioleau, the hon. treasurer, Mr Charles Stoess, Mr Older-
shaw, Mr Forwood, Mr F. Hull, and the members of the
executive committee generally have not been a whit less
indefatigable than he.
Towards the object for which the bazaar is to be held
upwards of £7,500 have been received in subscriptions;
and that sum is likely to be increased daily for some time
to come, and the presents of goods have, to say the least,
been on a scale of equal magnitude. Of the 1,500 season
tickets of 7s. 6d. each issued, more than 1,400 were sold.
The names of the patronesses are the following
the Princess Murat, the Marchioness of Lothian, the Mar-
chioness of Bath, Maria, marchioness
of
Aylesbury, La
Marquis de Montmort, the Countess of Chesterfield, the
Countess of Tankerville, Lady Mildred Beresford-Hope,
Lady Rosa Grevillo, the Countess Bentivoglio, Lady
Georgiana Fane, Lady Eustace Cecil, Lady Wharneliffe,
La Viscomtesse de Dampierre, La Baronne de Longueuil,
Lady de Hoghton, Lady Anson, Lady Eardley, Mrs.
Horsfall, Liverpool ; Mrs. Lehd, Birkenhead ; Mre.
Akroyd, Halifax; Mrs. J. R. Callender, Manchester. Ikalnrs.
Lady Collie,
wLhoanrdnocnii
ff;aaanndd Mrs.th the
Countessllanna o ,
of Glasgow. Lord
Chesterfield are to
take part in the bazaar, and during their stay they will join
the Earl and Countess of Derby
at Knoweley. Lord Camp.
bell and Stratheden, and the Hon. Mr. Mason, the 'Confe-
derate States Minister, are here too, and the guests of Mr,
James Spence, Abercromby-square. Mr. A. J. Bereaford-
Hope and Lady Mildred Beresford-Hope will stay with Mr.
and Mrs. Frederick Hull, Rodney-street, while Bir Richard
and Lady de Hoghton will be located at the Adelphi
Hotel.

The executive committee of the bazaar consists of about
30 gentlemen, and of these the following have respective
departments allotted to them :—Mr. Charles K. Prioleau,
finance; Mr. James Spence, stalls and general manage-
ment ; Mr. Trapmann and Mr. Charles Stoess, music and
refreshments ; Mr. Oldershaw and Mr. John Sellers, recep-
tion ; and Mr. A. B. Forwood, amusements.

BALLIOL COLLEGE.—On Friday last the Fel.
lows of Balliol College, Oxon, came to a resolution which
will thenceforward admit Roman Catholic undergraduates
to that great and learned society.
DARING BURGLARY AND OUTRAGE IN ESSEX.—
The quiet village of Woodford, in Essex, has just
been the scene of a daring burglary and attempt to murder
a policeman, which it is to be feared may prove fatal. A
farmer named Joseph Kernsley, whose land stands by the
side of the Woodford-bridge-road, lives in a somewhat re-
tired spot, with his two daughters, near Woodford, and at
about half-past 11 o'clock on Friday night last the two
young women were suddenly awakened by three men
dressed as labourers, with crape over their faces, and other-
wise disguised. They threatened them with instant death
it they raised any alarm. One of. the ruffians held
a pistol to the head of one of the girls, and,
with a heavy bludgeon in the other hand, so terrified them
with imprecatiJns and threats that they both fainted, and
remained unconscious for some considerable time. The bur.
glass took advantage of the helpless condition of the girls
to possess themselves of a small gold watch (maker's name,
Hall, Romford), with gold key attached, a French silver
watch with plain silver guard, two cloth wide•a-wake hats,
one black and the other brown, about £4 in gold, and Os. in
,ilvcr. While they were ransacking the house a man
servant who slept up-stairs heard them, but was afraid to
venture down or to give any alarm, but a policeman named
Delerbertanche, No. 146 Kt observing an unusual moving
about of lights in the house, managed to effect an
entrance, and met the ruffians in the paxlour, just as they
were about to open the chiffonniere. The three burglars
set upon the unfortunate policeman, and beat him severely
about the head and body. They then deeamped, and the
man in the house did not stir from his room or make any
endeavour to raise an alarm, and the poor fellow who had
been so grieviously ill-treated lay there weltering in his
blood for a considerable time, until he was found by the
sergeant of police and another patrol. Ho was conveyed to
the police-station, where he at present remains in such a
dangerous state that, erysipelas having supervened, his
death is expected.