The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-21 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

This morning
This day at Two o'clock 6l
Barometer-30.17.
Wind—N.E. ; light breeze, and cloudy.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, 4h. 14m.—Afternoon, 4h. 32m.
To-itoßao w.-Morning, 4h. 51m.—Afternoon, sh. 6m.

A 44...

LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1863.

As the electoral movement advances throughout
France it is amusing to note the comments put
forth in its regard by one or another of our
Parisian contemporaries. Only this very morning
we read in .Le Constitutionnel, under the heading
"The Electoral Circulars of the Opposition," an
article, signed PAuLIN LIMAYRAC, which thus com-
mences—The electoral circulars just now abound.
We have read a great many of them, we have read
them nearly all, and the one prominent and cha-
racteristic sign which we have remarked in the
professions of faith made by the candidates of the
Opposition is this, that they neither say Yes, nor
No upon the fundamental question ; that they dis-
simulate as much as ever they possibly can, and that
each, without actually assuming a mask, contriver
efiectually to conceal his countenance. Those
whom we might suppose to be associated with one
or other of the political parties of old, prudently
put their colours in their pocket, taking very
considerable precaution at the same time
that their present purpose may not be recog-
nised. While saying this much in the opening argu-
ment of the Constitutionnel of to-day, the self-same
journalist, not contenting himself with any such
mere vague generalities in the very next article (a
very brief article, also authenticated with his signa-
ture)—fastens upon one of the most illustrious chiefs
of one of the most considerable of the old political
parties, to wit, no other than the author of the
History of the Consulate and the Empire of France
under NAPOLEON the Great," M. ADOLPHE THIERS,
whom he fairly poses in the manner following
" We published yesterday," says M. LIMAYRAC, " a
letter of M. TRIERS, the brevity of which letter
was, it will be remembered, very remarkable.
M. TRIERS wrote in that letter to the Electors
of Valenciennes that he experiences a positive
repugnance [the word is M. TRIERS' own] in the
thought of re-entering public life. The electors
of the second circumscription of Paris, according
to the account of our contemporary there, have
thereupon requested the Constitut.onnel to submit
to M. TRIERS those very reasonable inquiries
which are naturally provoked by the preceding
declaration : a declaration, in itself, so really ex-
traordinary. In the first place—Whence comes
this repugnance of M. THIERS ? In the second
place—Why M. THIERS, experiencing such a re-
pugnance, resigns himself, in spite of it, to re-
entering public life ? What is his aim in
so doing? What is his political thought ?
or, as M. LIMAYRAC might have expressed it,
his arriere pensei ? What, finally, will be the
attitude he will assume ?__that
is to say, of course,
supposing he should prove to be (as he is very
likely to be) returned triumphantly.
These ques-
tions, M. LIMAYRAC thinks—not very
unnaturally
we take it—appear to merit some answer of
an explanatory kind. "We pause for a reply,,,
virtually says Le Constitutionnel, in conclusion.
For ourselves, we shall watch with some anxiety
to see whether M. THEIRS vouchsafes a reply of any
sort to these very pointed interrogatories. If he
does reply, he can hardly do so, tow, in language so
ter:,ely enigmatical as that which he employed in his
brief oracular address to the Electors of Valen

eiennes.
In reference to coming elections, L'Opinion Na-
tion Ale of this evening has only a few passing re-
marks relative to the mere mechanical preliminaries,
as one may call them, in carrying out the operation
of this grand despotico•demecratic appeal to the
masses. With a view, namely, to the election, by
Universal Suffrage, of the popular representatives,
whether Government candidates or Opposition
candidates, by means of the cards or tickets
dropped into the ballot urns. It is our duty, says
the Paris journal last particularised, still to trans-
nut to Monsieur the Prefect of the Seine, the n ume-
r ous complaints which still continue to

pour in upon us, in reference to the
yet protracted delay in the distributiOn of the
electoral papers. The revised list of the electors, it
is added, however, will soon be positively published
at the latest, on the 26th of this present month of
May. So that the irritating postponements com-
plained of are not in any way likely to be of much
longer continuance.

Referring to one of the now somewhat eagerly
looked for political re-appearances likely to follow
upon the actual commencement of the elections, the
Siecie of this morning observes of M. ODILLON
BARROT that if he ventures anew upon a political
career it is certain to be for the defence of the liberty
of strong and free municipal institutions; that is
to say, in other words, for the wider and wider
extension of political guarantees. This, it is

added, is one of those candidatures which ought to
be applauded by all men of progress.
Saving only in the most fragmentary manner, Le
Pays of this morning has little or nothing to remark
upon the subject of the elections, What remarks it
has to make, upon a few of them, are for the most part,
we are grieved to see, rather flippant and superficial.
As where in its comments upon M. de MONTALEM-
BERT'S address to the electors at Dours, Le Pays
says sneeringly of that illustrious candidate—M.
DE MONTALEMBERT enumerates with prolixity what
it is he wishes, and what it is he believes. And
it is needless to say, it is added, pertly enough,
that he wishes pretty nearly all that is not, and
that ho does not wish pretty nearly all that is.
In a very different spirit from that in which Le
Pays, with its intense imperial proclivities, reads
the closing passage of this electoral address of
M. DE MONTALEMBERT, do we ourselves, as English
lookers on, read it, from a distance,—words as out-
spoken as the following :—" If you do not name me
your representative," says M. le Comte DE MON-
TALEMBERT, "you will neither do me harm nor
give me pain. If, on the contrary, you do elect me,
you will thereby afford the world a signal evi•
deuce of the ancient and virile independence of the
Francs-Comtois ; and this will be doing your-
selves as much honour as you do me." Earnestly
do we trust that the electors there will do them-
selves that high honour—by the course taken by
them in the coming contest. And that they
will show themselves worthy of having welcomed,
as a candidate for their suffrages, that emi-

nent man of letters, orator, and statesman—that
noble champion of Liberty and Religion—that
CHARLES Comte DE MONTALEMBERT who enjoys
throughout the civilised world, and deservedly, the
reputation of being one of the most pure-minded
and enlightened of living Frenchmen.

Mr. GLADSTONE last eight presided at the dis-
ribution of prizes and certificates in the large hall
of King's College. As may be supposed, the right
hon. gentleman appeared to great advantage on the
occasion. He commenced by observing that it was
always of great importance for those who were
mixed up in the affairs of public life to mingle oc-
casionally with those not in the vortex. He said
that this had now become almost a law, but that
none were more ready to submit to its dictates than
those whose privilege it was sometimes to meet face
to face these upon whose "cultivated mind and in-
telligence the Government of this free country in
the main depends." Mr. GLADSTONE spoke quite
truly in this respect, for nothing can be more inte-
resting to a far-seeing statesman than to study
attentively and to contemplate reflectively the youth
of a nation, and especially those cultivated youths
who are hereafter to furnish the scholars and poli-
ticians of their generation. He then referred to
the great importance of combining the old and new
styles of laws and institutions, and forcibly illus-
trated his meaning by pointing out how foreign
countries had so often failed, because they did not
possess a happy art of thus reconciling the various
elements of their constitution—"ln that work of
reconciling and harmonising which is the great
characteristic of this country, King's College has
borne a distinguished part. It was founded with
one hand, as it were, laid upon the tradition of the
past—upon the laws, the religion, and institutions
of the country—and with the other band pointing
and beckoning onward, and announcing the inten-
tion of those who founded it and those by whom it
was conducted to offer within its walls to the intel-
ligence of their countrymen the means of meeting
and satisfying every demand society was likely to
make upon its resources." Mr. GLADSTONE after-
wards made special reference to the subject before
them—the evening classes—and said that it was a
valuable instance of the success of the efforts now
made tobenefit the community. He expressed with
much eloquence how those who were willing to seek
instruction after the labours of the day were always
afforded the means of doing so in this institution. It
is certainly a most interesting thing to reflect upon
the fact, as forcibly put by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, himself a distinguished scholar, that there
is a "portion of men in the heart of the vast and
crowded metropolis who are willing even after the
exhaustion of the day, to enter on new efforts, for
the purpose of giving to their minds the immense
advantages that are to be derived from refined
education." Mr. GLADSTONE also appropriately
referred to a personal experience of the toil of
exchanging work, by saying that his profession,
at least, understood what it was in the compass
of twenty-four
there begintwenty-fo a day's
urhoursto go down to
finished another. After Westminster
and
work after having already
descanting upon the ad.
vantages derived from this plan, Mr. GLADSTONE
thus concluded :--" I rejoice to see that these even-
ing classes have been attended by no common suc-
cess. I need not say how cordially I wish the pro
moters continued success to their meritorious
labours, nor need I assure those to whom I have
had the honour of distributing, with my own
hands, the prizes and certificates, how earnestly
I desire that the rewards they have received, and
the testimonials afforded to them to-night may
be to them not merely signals and records of
what they have done, but also much more--

namely, incentives and encouragements to perse.

vere in a continuing industry, to continue the

cultivation of their gifts, to consider themselves
responsible before GOD and man, every one of
them, for applying and opening up to the best of

- -
heir ability all the faculties they possess, and to

fiod in the exercise of those faculties, and in their

exertions
good
iod of m
n every
aworkn no
that is
smallforsolace s the gloryaeamid
iof GOD
and the the
difficulties of life, no small pledge that when that
life eomes to its close it may prove to have been
but the harbinger of a better and brigb#er one."
It is, indeed, refreshing to find men of Mr. GLAD-
STONE'S eminence turning aside from their engross-
ing pursuits to encourage the wayfarers on the
steep ascent of learning. And it must be also most
gratifying to a man like him to quit for a brief
space the angry excitement and the weary tur-
moil of official and political life to do honour
to the cause of science in the halls of
stilly. There id a higher privilege, likewise,
in one of his position, encouraging those far
beneath him in abilities and social station, but who
are to be urged on by every inducement to culti-
vate their talents and exercise their opportunities,

so that they may adorn " that sphere and station
to which it has pleased GOD to call them." Mr.

GLADBTOYE could have concluded with no more

appropriate words than these, and if the warning
is taken there will be an incentive for their exer-
tions, beyond and above even the delights of learn-
ing, or the treasures of cultivated intelligence.
They should employ their powers to the utmost,
as entrusted to them by their MAKER, for the good
of their fellow-men, that they may be of some
service in their generation.

The goo 3 old city of Louden is soon to be engaged
, in the turmoil of a Parliamentary election. In ad-
dition to its daily routine, whose bustle and crowd
are enough to bewilder the denizens of any less
active sphere, it is to have the commotion always
inseparable from the hustings, the polling•booths,
the immaculate candidates, and the disinterested
friends. We can hardly suppose that even in these
days of party coolness and carelessness a seat for
the metropolis will be allowed to go by default.
It is true that it has often been remarked that
the representatives of the chief boroughs are seldom
among the most en inent men in the House. Our
mighty metropolis itself sends few representatives
to the front bench on either side, although the citi-
zens may claim some distinction for having virtually
forfeited one of their seats for many years by reso-
lutely electing Baron ROTHSCHILD time after time
until the Jewish Disabilities allowed their patient
member his long wished seat. Lord JOHN RUB-
SELL, once the hero of Reformers, was for years the
most remarkable of the four City representatives,
and it is perhaps gratitude for the reflected lustre
conferred on them by sending a Prime Minister to
Parliament that induces some of the citizens to
advocate the return of Lord AMBERLEY at the
forthcoming election. There is nothing to be said
for or against his lordship individually, but we cer-
tainly do not think that his father's recent proceed
ings deserve such an expression of confidence at the
hands of the city electors. We are not aware what act
of the Foreign Secretary has been thought worthy
of such a proof of esteem. Perhaps it is his kind
intervention in Denmark, and the ingenuity with
which he has striven to make the worse appear the
better cause, in assisting the injured innocence of
Prussian diplomatists. His general tone in discus-
sing the matter must have been highly gratifying

to all interested in the future of Scandinavia!
Perhaps his dealings with Mr. SEWARD form
his claim to honour; and the citizens are de-
sirous of bestowing a mark of their approval on the
statesman who stands contentedly looking on,
while their ships are seized, their insurances hardly
taken, and their trade with neutral ports para-
lysed and damaged. It must be a great satisfaction
to gentlemen whose West Indian ventures have
found their way to the tender jurisdiction of the
American Prize Courts, to hear the noble lord con-

fess that the Americans, when playing the part of
neutrals, claimed the right of transmitting—not
peaceable merchandise to neutral ports—but arms
and ammunition to the combatants. But probably
we mistake. in spite of its intimate foreign rela-
tions, and vast commercial interests, the city of
London has always been remarkable for the share
it has taken in home politics. The welfare of their
own country must naturally be the first question
with the merchant princes of London, and the
liberality of opinion and sentiment general among
the citizens, places great numbers of them among
the ranks of reformers. No wonder, then,
that the late " active services" of our Foreign
Secretary in the good cause should win him
this token of approval ! Since the memorable
year when Lord RUSSELL, then (as Lord JOHN)
in the Lower House, brought in three Reform Bills

to share one common fate, he has made no word
nor sign. That effort exhausted his reforming
energies, which will probably only revive in the
cold shade of opposition. That the sunshine of
office has a disastrous effect on Whig principles is a
feet we are all pretty well acquainted with by
this time, but some political enthusiasts used to
think that the advocacy of Reform was inseparable
from the name of iTOEN RUSSELL. We do not know
which of the political merits of the father has
earned the right of candidature for the son, but
until they have some further proof of his capabili-
ties, we should recommend them to adopt the repre-
sentative of a more liberal school.

As SAMPSON slew the Phillistines with the jaw

bone of an ass, Mc. BOUCHER DE PERTHES has un

dertaken to do battle with the opponents of the
tavourite theory of Sir CHARLES LYELL and others,
in regard to the exceeding antiquity of Man ! To do
battle with those opponents, we say, with the jaw-

bone found a few weeks back in the "drift" near Abbe-
ville. The drift of the discussions which have arisen
out of this discovery, however, appears, as yet, so far
as we have been able to give our attention to it, to
resolve itself merely to this—that the hone is nothing
better, or more important, than a bewildering little
bone of contention among the savans. Those same
philosophic inquirers, however, into the still un-
solved problem as to its antiquity, appear,
in the development of their discussion to be ac-

tually getting further and f'irther from any satis-
factory conclusion of the difficulty, instead of
giving us even a promise of their arriving at any
settlement of it as a scientific enigma. Until we
are fain, at last, to beseech them, with the home-
liest fervour possible, to make no more bones
about it! Or, in yet plainer terms—in terms so
plain that CHARLES READE'S Mrs. Dodd (vide
" Very Hard Cash") would certainly have fainted to
hear us thus addressing a group of wrangling philo.
sophers—to hold their jaw.