The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-04 00:00:00

amidst the mutual compliments and congratulations
of the parties concerned. The assembled company
loudly expressed their gratification at the assurance
that the completion of their bridge would open a
high road extending from the North of Scotland to
all parts of the Continent. It is reported that a
French king once said in allusion to a political
manoeuvre that there were na longer any Pyrenees.
Had he lived in these days he might have enlarged his
aphorism for time and space,and geographicaldivision
have contracted their powers under the mighty in-
fluence of the steam driven car. Lord SANDES in
addressing the company on Saturday created some
amusement by expressing his confidence in the
stability of the new bridge, and his hope that if
MACAULAY'S famous New Zealander should make
his exploring way amid the ruins of the modern
Babylon, the Blackfriars-bridge might assist him
in traversing the ancient river. Whether or no
such should be the case there is no doubt that the
enlarged schemes and daring enterprise of our com-
mercial community will leave their traces behind
them throughout the habitable globe, and the new
work now so bravely and resolutely undertaken
reflects credit on its bold and clearsighted projec-

tors.

According to present arrangements, the future
prospects of Poland are not very promising. It is in-
tended to divide the kingdom into 200 districts, when
the period of the amnesty has transpired. Further-
more, it is mentioned that the military will super-
sede the civil in the presidentship of district courts.
All Poles will be replaced by Russians, and no
Poles will be allowed to leave their domiciles with-
out special permission. The military chief will
execute summary martial law on rebels. If this is
to be the result of European intervention it appears
almost insulting to the great Powers, and even our
past experience of the hard nature and brutality of
Russian rule does not serve to explain such extra-
ordinary conduct. After the 13th of May the Rus-
sian Government will, it is threatened, become much
more severe, and put the country into a state of
siege. The police are already anticipating matters
by their numerous arrests, and altogether it would
be difficult to imagine a more deplorable state than
that in which these unfortunate patriots will be
placed when their persecutors deem themselves at
liberty to throw off the mask that they have par
tially worn out of supposed deference to the voice of
public opinion, which protested so loudly against
their outrages. The reply of Russia to the French
note was received on Saturday by M. DROUYN DE
L'HuYs. The French papers comment on its contents
as if they were satisfied with the tone of it, but
critically considered there does not seem so much in
in it to give rise to pleasurable feelings. It is
thus spoken of. The Pays says in reference to this
note :—" Russia declares her good intentions to-
wards Poland, and expresses a desire to satisfy the
Powers within the limits prescribed by her own
safety and dignity. The reply, on the whole, is of
a pacific character." The French papers doubtless
for motives of policy seem to put faith in this asser-
tion, but to English minds it will surely seem
that it is almost insulting common sense to talk of
Russia's good intentions towards Poland ; all that
can be said en this point is that she has not put
them in practice, but is content with the theory.
Even in this courteous reply there is a loophole by
which to escape from the possible danger of having
to fulfil the kind intentions. Russia hopes to satisfy
the Powers within the limits of her own dignity
and safety. First that is to be thought of, next the
task of pleasing other nations too strong to offend,
and lastly what ought to be the first consideration,
the rights and interests of a brave and suffering
people are to be thrown into the scale in which is
now weighing the destinies of Poland. One act of
clemency,:one measure of reform would, be a better
security and safeguard, and a surer promise of the
welfare of the country than a thousand such fine
sounding but meaningless documents as that
now sent from the Cabinet of St. Petersburg to that
of the Tuileries. Of course, Prussia must interfere ;
and therefore we learn that the Russian troops who
were compelled to retreat into Prussian territory
were not disarmed, and also provided with canton-
ments at Jonwwetan. This is most disgraceful
policy, but of course not to be wondered at, after
the arrangements that have been effected, and the
eagerness with which the convention has been
revived by M. BismARK and his friends. The
intelligence regarding the insurgents does not tend
to demonstrate any falling off on their part in
either spirit or numbers. Various bodies of insur-
gents are posted near Konin, in all amounting to
nearly 3,000 men. It is reported that they will
combine to attack the place. It would be really
difficult to imagine the exercise of more oppression
on one side, or the evidence of more determination
on the other, than is evidenced by the events of the
Polish insurrecaon. If all that banded Europe can
do is to send notes of remonstrance that call forth
evasive replies that end in nothing, this episode now
enacting will furnish hereafter a dark passage in
the annals of nations—one that the historian will
blush to record, and the patriots of all kingdoms
will regard with horror and regret.

INAUDIBLE RECITATIONS,

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

SIFT,—WiII you be so obliging as to allow me a little
space for the purpose of calling attention to a subject
which, although not of any great importance, may be
classed among the minor grievances to which the public
are occasionally exposed. 1 allude to the reading of a poem
in a building like the Crystal Palace to an assemblage of
13,000 people.
That Mr. Phelps is an excellent reader, possessing both
skill and power, we all know ; but we also know that the
human voice has its limits, and all efforts to force it beyond
this must fail ; and I feel assured that I shall not be
charged with ex,ggeration when I say that out of the
13,000 persons present yesterday, 10,000 could not hear a
word he was saying. It is true they could see that a reci-
tetion was going on, and this is all they knew of the mat-
ter, so that each of this large majority
" Sat like Patience on a monument,
Smiling at grief."
Such exhibitions are anything but amusing. A similar
thing occurred on the Schiller Festival. On that occasion
Dr. Kinkel (1 good orator, with a capital voice) tried to
make himself heard by 14,000 people with similar success
to that of yesterday. Such an attempt is like a man preach-
ing on the top of St. Paul's to a congregation on Bow Com-
mon.— I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient
servant, G. E.

May 2, 1863.

Yesterday, says the Reader of Saturday, evil
claim to be specially recorded in any future history
of our periodical literature as having given birth to five new
periodicals. First is the new organ of the Conservative
party, "The New Review,"
a monthly periodical, which
prominently places the Earl of Derby forward as its recog-
nised leader, and true type of its politics. Next is "The
Anthropological Review," a new quarterly, proceeding
from the Anthropological Society of London, which in its
first number puts the "jaw-bone" question in a satisfac_
tory light, and settles it for ever. Then there is another
quarterly, "The Fine Arts Quarterly Review," edited by
Mr. Woodward, her Majesty's librarian, under her Ma-
jesty's immediate patronage, and putting forth a list of
names of men of mark in literature and art as guarantee of
its future excellence. Again, there is "The Victoria Ma-
gazine," published monthly by Miss Faithful), with names
of its contributors, all of the h ghest class. And last and
least is " The Children's Journal," a weekly pennyworth of
tales and legends, cleverly illustrated after the German
manner.

A TRAFALGAR VETERAN.—There died a few
days ago at Beaumaris, in North Wales, an old
sailor who was on board Lord Nelson's ship, the Victory,
at Trafalgar, and helped to carry the Admiral below after
he had been mortally wounded. The old man's name was
Hugh Williams. He was 86 years old, and had been en-
gaged in the battle of the Nile and other engagements.