The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-22 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

This morninz
This day at Two o'clock
Barometer-29.03.
Wind—South-westerly, with rain.

att ""1-0' 1: Sum

LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 1863.

--..--4,--,-..

It is instructive to note the opinions expressed by
our Parisian contemporaries in regard to the last
Russian reply, penned, with many a rhetorical
flourish, by Prince GORTSCHAKOFF. The tone of
that reply we can all of us, both in France and
England, very readily appreciate. It is one (we
cannot but acknowledge this, bad as his cause is)
eminently well befitting the great Minister of a
mighty Autocrat, It expresses an indignant re-
vulsion from the rebukes and the reproaches
addressed to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg
from without, such as none amongst all the
administrators in the world will better sympathise
with, than those connected with the Cabinets of St.
James's and the Tuileries. In this particular the
replies addressed by Prince GORTSCHA KOPF to
France and England are in a manner all but
identical. To Earl RUSSELL no less firmly than
to M. DROUYN DE L'Hues does the Foreign Minis-
ter of the Autocrat intimate that he cannot, in the
name of his imperial master, accept in silence and
submission remonstrances such as, if so accepted,
could not by any possibility but derogate from
the dignity at once of the CZAR and of his Go7ern-
ment. What is said in the one instance is said in
the other. Differently, so far as relates to the mere
expressions in which the views of Prince GORTS
CHAKOFF are indicated, but differently only thus
superficially. What is remarked, therefore, in re-
ference to the one note of reply from Russia is ap-
plicable, therefore, in a great measure, to the
other. And it is for this reason that
we turn our attention with a twofold interest
to difscover the sentiments with which our French
contemporaries regard the documents lately received
from
Petersburg by the EMPEROR'S Foreign
3liniste,
IJes
ROUYN DE L'Huvs.
To begi"L
th the Journal des D.-.;'ba.',B —" We cannot
be suspeetea„
we find that organ remarking, " of
partiality towards the Cabinet of St. Petersburg,
and our readers V 1
11 do us the honour of being well
convinced that, for
many reasons, the conclusions
of such a document
cannot be ours. We should
however," the writer
rule, which is to adds, " transgress our
firstßee and represent things
as they are, if we did
which
freely acknow-
ledge the skill with
h this State paper
is drawn up. Prince GoxTsegAKOFF has made
he t last
quiblZ a months He
some progress during
•
no longer indulges in legal
and unmeaning
tirades against that incomprehensible
monster
which certain journals, however much they may
otherwise differ, agree in designating as
Revolu-
tion' with a capital R. He speaks and reasonslike
a real statesman. He seeks and finds the few "all.
relents, mere or less decisive, but still worthy of die_
euesion, which Russia can bring forward in favour
of the right of possession. FirrillYt and with a
spirit which does not offend us in foreigners, because
we Should never think of speaking
otbensise our-
selves, he says that which must find an echo in the
heart of the Russian nation, and he says nothing
more."
So much for the De'bats. According to the
opinion expressed by Le Pays, the country, that is
France, of course, knows, now that the Rus-
sian Replies have been duly published that those
documents are not of a nature to justify the anxiety
with which they were expected. Enforcing the
necessity, or advisability let us call it, of maintain-
ing the Anglo-Franco-Austrian Alliance intact,
La France says, rather significantly (the italics
being its own),
4, We are Caw ; we will not be re-
duced to one ! ' TLe pride of Le St'cle appears to
be the most of all poignantly wounded by the
"grand " air with whiun Prince GOBVCIfiaOFF

-sits down to pen his replies to the three European
remonstrances. Of the reply to France that
journal does not hesitate to remark that, through-
out, the Cabinet of St. Petersburg does not treat
the French Government with more consideration
than its other diplomatic correspondents met with.
It even shows, adds La Siecle, an unusual degree
of arrogance in taking up only one point of
the despatch of the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs. As to Le Nation, it frankly avows of
the despatch, that, " far from lessening the
painful feelings which these negotiations (about
Poland) produce, it has only increased it." Sar-
castically, almost wittily, Le enlps observes, in
reference to Prince GORTSCIIAKOFF, that—'Proudly
taking his stand, if we may so say, at the entrance
of the blind alley into which the three Powers have
so complacently entered, he lectures them with
haughtiness and occasional bitterness!" Speaking
of the direct antagonism now arrived at by
the diametrical opposition of the views main-
tained on the one part by the three Powers,
and on the other part by Russia, L' Opinion Na-
tionale declares it to be "a difference that is radical,
that is absolute, that admits of no intermediate
course whatever." Almost with "'bated breath"
speaks Le Constitutionnel, at this momentary pause
in the negotiations, or rather in the correspondence;
the closing remark of M. PAULIN LIMAYRAC being
—hitherto "we have followed out our opinion or
argument in moderation, and in this line of conduct
we will persevere!" La Patrie is dumb in regard
to the despatch of Prince GORTSCIIAKOFF : as dumb
even as Le .111oniteur. While .L' Union speaks out
harshly enough in expressing its opinion as to the
course pursued throughout by the press of London in
regard to these affairs of Poland. It declares of the
London press that in this matter it has taken a very
rascally part indeed, a joue un fort vilain rule hard
worde, sound and fury, signifying nothing!
Everything considered, it cannot but be confessed
by us all with a qualm, very much like chagrin,
that neither M. DROUYN DE L'Huys nor Earl
RUSSELL can be said to have taken much by their
correspondence with the astute Foreign Minister of
the Russian Autocrat.

Wise men have discovered many points of re-
semblance between the ancient Greeks and the in-
habitants of Great Britain, and one of the most
striking is certainly the love for the sea
and seamanship, common to both nations. An
Englishman takes a pride in his snips, and
looks with a friendly eye on the sailor. Jack
Tar is always a favourite with all ranks, and
not even the oppressive and unjust pressgang of the
last century could entirely destroy his popularity.
What we lost by that tyrannous system was amply
compensated by NELSON'S victories ; and whether
in peace or war there have never been lacking Eng-
lishmen willing to quit terra firma for "a life on
the ocean wave." As an insular people the special
sympathy and inclination for the sea possessed by
the English is not perhaps surprising, but whether
for business or pleasure, for adventure or commerce,
peace or war, old NEPTUNE usually plays a promi-
nent part in an Englishman's life. Our gracious
SOVEREIGN represents the tastes of her people in this
as in many other respects, and proves her right to
her title as Empress of the Seas by her frequent.
excursions and voyages. In spite of the terrible
abuses of Admiralty administration, the sums asked
for naval expenses are usually voted willingly
enough, and the importance of maintaining the
efficiency of our Channel Fleet is very generally
appreciated by all classes. Still we hear a great
deal about it, but very few of us have the chance of
seeing what we pay for. We have reviews and
military displays of all sorte, and a visit to Alder-
ahott is no difficulty, but the fleet is another thing.
The soldiers, like the poor, are always at hand, and
whoever has a desire to see them can readily gratify
his curiosity; but the sailors, like the Flying
Dutchman,are never still, and are quite out of reach
of the inspection of an ordinary landsman.

" Their march is o'er the mountain wave,
Their home is on the deep."

And, consequently, a visit of inspection is not an
easy matter. SinceMai:main cannot go to the moun-
tain, however, the mountain has come to MAHOMET,
and the Admiralty, with great good sense, have
given orders that the Fleet shall visit in turn the
principal ports of the United Kingdom. They
have been received everywhere with an enthusiasm
and cordiality that has been most gratifying.
Everywhere the population of the different parts
has thronged to inspect the vessels—exciting, in-
deed, the virtuous wrath of the Puritans of Leith
by their eagerness to do so; and there can be little
doubt that this well-timed cruise has done much
service in kindling the enthusiasm of the people,
and in keeping up the general interest in the well-
being of our seamen and our ships. The sister
kingdom, which has already been visited by the
squadron, and is to be the object of their next
voyage, was especially gratified at the compliment,
and Me recent visit to Liverpool probably excited
the same reflection in the minds of many as it did
in that cf the gallant Admiral. At a public ban-
quet given by the Mayor to the chief dignitaries of
the Fleet, Admiral DACRES observed that when he
entered the port of Liverpool it was with unfeigned
pleasure, not because he was the first admiral who
had done so, but " when he saw the thousands
and tens of thousands of the people of this
large maritime population, all sailors or-connected
with the sea, and the women waving their hand-
kerchiefs and cheering as the fleet entered—he
thought it was a great mistake that they had not
come there before." Admiral DACRES added that
he thought there had never been a better thing
done than the sending the fleet to this port, that
the inhabitants of the large and populous city of
Liverpool might know what the ships and their
crews were like. Indeed, when we consider the
wealth, importance, and position of Liverpool, and
especially its maritime interests and connection, it
seems very strange that such a visit has not been
paid before. The people, however, should not lack
of cordiality on account of its tardiness, and the
Mayor paid his testimony to the unanimity and
readiness of the feeling. " The whole line of our
docks and stages,' said he, in describing the
entrance of the fleet, " was thronged with the
inhabitants of the town, and I do not myself
remember an occasion which has called forth such
a universal expression of feeling." The notabilities
of the neighbourhood have come forward in a most
hospitable manner. The Mayor, as has been re-
marked, entertained the Admiral and principal
officers at a
grand banquet in the Town Hall, fol= '
lowed by a fancy ball, whose extent and brilliancy
appear to have dazzled the locality. The Earl of
DERBY has invited them to his old
and further festivities are i ancestral seat,
n progress. One of
the most interesting of their excursions on shore,
stheAvitsit paid to the Birkenhead and
the
former place they made
Mersey
however, wDoacirs.
an excursion over the Great Float, Which extends
more than half a mile inland, and inspected the
large graving docks now in course of construction.
One of these is the largest of its kind in the world,
being 700 feet long and 100 broad, while at its
entrance is a low-water basin, which covers seven
acres of land, and is 35 feet deep. Of the works at
Birkenhead the officers of the licet ea:pressed the

warmest admiration, and they could hardly have
been less impressed by their visit to the Liverpool
side, where they saw the massive gates of the
Canada Dock-100 feet wide—opened and shut
within one minute and a quarter through the
agency of hydraulic power. The seamen thus saw
some wonders in return for those they exhibited
to the landsmen, and these reciprocal courtesies
and kindnesses go far to cement the bonds of
friendship between the different classes of the com-
munity. A tribute to the excellent order and dis-
cipline preserved in the fleet, as well as to the high
character of the men, was paid by the sitting magis-
trate at the police court, who remarked at the close
of the holiday week, that not one of the men em-
ployed in it had appeared before him on any charge.
Officers and men are, we may hope, alike enjoying
their holiday in the frank and manly manner
befitting English seamee, and we hope the inha-
bitants of Liverpool and its neighbourhood may
carry out Admiral DACRES' advice, and sleep the
sounder henceforth for knowing of what stuff are
made the ships and men whose task it is to guard
their liberties.

Amid the many troublous scenee that are enact-
ing in various parts of the Continent, it is gratify-
ing to turn the attention to the cheering prospects
at home that are connected with the harvest which
has more than crowned the expectations of the
most sanguine, and imparted everywhere a buoy-
ancy and elasticity. Last Wednesday a festive
gathering took place in Buckinghamshire. It was
a Harvest Home, which class of entertainment is
now very prevalent in substitution of the old form
of harvest suppers. The affair took place on the
grounds of Rayners, near Penn, the seat of Philip
Rose, Esq. This gentleman very kindly gave up
his grounds for the occasion, and thus conferred a
boon on many. The festival began with a thanks-
giving service for the bountiful harvest. On coming
out of church the labourers on the various farms
were provided with dinner in a tent at Rayneral
and afterwards entertained with various games.
Later on a tea meeting was held for the wives and
families of the labourers. Thus, by these severe,
plans, all classes and ranks were duly cared •for.
A large absemblage of the gentry and clergy of the
neighbourhood also came to do honour to the occa-
sion. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. DISRAELI,
Lord and Lady CURZON, and others of note. Mr.
DISRAELI proposed the health of the landlords of
the parish, and associated the name of Lord HOWE
with the toast. He congratulated his friends on
the termination of their harvest, and remarked that
he did not think on the Chiltern Hills a finer har-
vest had ever been reaped. He observed that after
having wisely expressed their thanks to the Giver
of all good things, they met there to celebrate the
event in a different form. The right hon.
gentleman made some comments on the new
institution of harvest homes, and expressed his
approval of these meetings. They were calculated
to produce very great advantages, and one of their
principal benefits was to cause the mixing of all
classes in the agricultural world, "Here the land-
lord, the farmer, and the cultivator of the soil—the
British labourer—meet, bound together by a sym-
pathy of feeling, and equally rejoicing in the
honourable and honest fulfilment of their labours
for the year." There is truth in this, for nothing
can tend more to establish a kindly feeling between
employers and employed than to meet on good
terms, as it were, in the freedom of such levelling
festivities, where the restraints of conventional

' etiquette are ignored, and masters and men seem,
for the time at least, associated as fellow-workmen
in a common cause, and labourers whose success
has made glad their hearts and rejoiced their spirits.
Likewise the day entertainments enable the more
elevated class to see somewhat of the doings of
their neighbours in a humbler sphere, inferior to
them in worldly station, but invested with im-
portant functions to fulfil, and on whose welfare
depends so much of the prosperity of the land, while
the fruit of their labours fills the treasure-stores in
the homes of munificence. The fact is, that there
cannot be too much communion of interest between
the divers ranks of society. It elevates the
lower while it ennobles the higher class, and it
is therefore so desirable a thing to ficd that a
gathering of this style referred to should
be in vogue, since it depends on a constantly-
recurring event to herald its approach and
recall its scenes to memory. Mr. DISRAELI
rendered a just tribute to the merits of Lord
HOWE, and observed that, in mentioning the
first class in the "agricultural hierarchy," the land-
lords, he knew that nothing could be more agreeable
to the landlords than " to feel that they possessed,
and were entitled to the good feelings of those
among whom they lived." In regard to Lord
HOWE, although he did not reside among them,
there were many proofs of his " bounty and public
usefulness.'' The Church, the school, and the cot-
tage alike testified to the Efficacy of his fulfilment
of the duties of a landlord. There is certainly no
social virtue that affects more immediately, and
with whose traits more interests are concerned
than that of being a good landlord. In the strictest
sense of the word, and the fullest acceptation of the
term, it comprises, indeed, a wide range, and gives
free scope to description of character, and know-
ledge of disposition. There must be something ra-
dically wrong in the nature of the man who is dead
to all the claims of social life, and cares nothing or
little for the concerns of those beneath him in eta-

tion. One of the chief causes of the strength and
stability of our country, and its happy escape from
the changes that periodically revolutionise the na-

tions of the Continent, is the general goodwill that
exists between the different classes of the commu-
nity. The barriers may never be so completely re-
moved as frequently occur in other lands, but the
foundations of the social edifice are more deep, more
solid, and more permanent. Lord CURZON, on be-
half of bis father, who was absent, made a❑ appro
priate speech, and said that Lord .HowE had long
seen the disadvantage of the old style of celebrating
harvest homes, and all must condemn a system
which genera►ly terminated in riot and bebauchery
at night, and the next morning frequently termi-
nated in a bad headache. He congratulated them
on the quiet tone of their meeting, and the happy
hours that they had spent in cheerful amusement.
It is always a source of satisfaction when distin-
guished individuals, and those in high position,
come forward to assist by their presence, and coun-
tenance by their support, any undertaking of a
centralising kind, and any meeting that aims at the
difficult task of uniting separate interests and dif-
ferent ranks. Great credit is due to those who in-
augurated the meeting last Wednesday, and the
proceedings will doubtless long live in the recollec-
tion of those who were fortunate enough to parti-
cipate in the affair. It seemed to realise some of
the special requirements of such an occasion, and
altogether to form a precedent that other places
might with advantage regard as a prototype in their
rejoicings on this splendid harvest.

ETON COLLEGE.—The long vacation will termi-
nate to-morrow, when the lower boys return to the college.
On Thursday, the 24th inst., the fifth form boys return ;
and on the following day (Friday), the 25th inst., the boys
of the sixth form will return from their holidays, when the
whole school, numbering upwards of 800 scholars, will have
again assembled after a vocation of about eight weeks'
duration.