The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-03 00:00:00

champion of the project, to wit (of all members of
the administration !), the economising Chancellor of
Her MAJESTY'S Exchequer Not, however, to have
his remarks greeted as Mr. HENLEY'S had
been with cheers again and again re-
peated ! But a novelty for Mr. GLADSTONE,
this !—to be interrupted again and yet again with
cries of " Oh, oh !" and of " Divide ! Divide !"
until the weariness and disgust of the House be-
came such that we absolutely find the reporter
breaking off his record of the right hon. gentleman's
speech with words given thus in significant paren-
thesis—" (the rest of the sentence was drowned
by impatient cries which rose from all
sides) !" After which—came the Deluge—of
that overwhelming defeat of the pet Palace
project of Her MAJESTY'S Government, by a loyal,
but a thoroughly independent, Opposition. Thus,
happily, has been swept aside—in spite of the Go-
vernment—the dreadful prospect looming up for the
metropolis until late last night, or rather early this
morning, the alarming probability, as it was until
then, that FowKE'S Folly was to be preserved in
perpetuity at South Kensington.

The importance of having efficient and plentiful
means of dealing with fire has been abundantly
proved to the public of late years. It has been
ascertained by the painful test of practical experi-
ence, that our fire engines are by no means adequate
to the occasion of an extensive fire, and that the
risks run by the property of immense value in the
metropolis were very considerable. The terrible
conflagration of 1861 impressed the lesson forcibly
on men's minds. It was felt that, great as was the
damage and mournful the loss of valuable life, the
catastrophe was but a faint reflection of what it
might have been had the boisterous winds of winter
fanned the progress of the flames. Insurers and
insured were alike startled, while the owners of
property, which no money could replace, perceived
suddenly that their security was but partial and
limited, But the evil, like most other evils, even-
tually resulted in good. Attention was called to
the question, and since that time no effort or expense
has been spared to raise our fire engines to the
highest possible degree of efficiency and excellence.
On that memorable occasion at London-bridge the
superiority of the steam fire engines employed was
so strongly manifested that all recent improvements
have been directed to this branch. A series of in-
teresting and curious experiments is now being
made in the gardens of the Crystal Palace, with a
view of ascertaining which is the most successful of
the various kinds of steam fire engines now con-
structed. The trial of strength and skill is conducted
under the superintendence of a committee of noble-
men and gentlemen, Captain SHAW, the able suc-
cessor of the lamented Mr. BRAIDWOOD, who lost
his life at London-bridge in 1861, being the hon.
secretary. The engines are divided into two classes
—those not exceeding 30 cwt., and those not
exceeding 60 cwt. Arrangements are made
to facilitate the trial, by which perfect
impartiality will be secured to the com-
petitors, and the test will try the efficiency of
the engine, not the ability of the men who work
it on this special occasion. With a view to
ascertaining the quantity of water which each
engine can project to given heights and distances,
the committee have arranged a set of water tar-
gets and tanks in such a manner that the water
can be measured after delivery. As might be
expected many various engines have been brought
to this trial of strength, the most prominent com-
petitors being the engines of Messrs. SHAND and
MASON, Mr. MERRYWEATIIER, and some American
machines. The American fire engine brigade par-
takes more of the character of a political union
tear. of a plain business-like institution, and
laughable stories are told of the rival engine-
drivers beginning at a fire to quarrel over points
of personal precedence, instead of attending to
the work in hand. However, American machines
are not generally to be despised, and we are glad,
therefore, that these competitors should have
entered the lists. The first day's trial gave the
palm to Messrs. SHAND and MASON, whose en-
gines succeeded in getting up steam from cold
water and being at full Rork in eight minutes, the
others taking neatly ten, while the distance to
which they succeeded in throwing a large body
of water was greater than any reached by their
antagonists. Yesterday the trial was more severe,
each engine having to work by itself for two
hours without stopping, drawing its supply of
water from a depth of 10 feet and sending it
through a hose 400 feet long. Only the large
engines could be used for such an experiment as
this, and great difficulties were, of course, met with
even by them in accomplishing the feat. Mr.
MERRYWEATHER'S engine came off the best from
the trial, but it is said that two American engines
not yet tried will be still more successful. We
shall not learn the results of the trial and the names
of the foremost competitors until the committee
make their report a few days hence. The benefits
resulting from such a trial will be very great, for
it affords a stimulus to skill and invention, while
letting the public know what is really the best
and most useful kind of engine.

Has K

ugland degenerated into a second-rate
Power without confidence in her own institutions
or a will of her own ? Is nothing English worth
anything ?
According to some such would seem to
be the case. Mr. BRIGHT very recently insisted
that the model transatlantic Republic ought to form
the basis of our Constitution. Mr. COBDEN is
his recommendation to Englishmen to
eloquent in
substitute sour via ordinairo for malt liquor, while
our Ministers do not like to speak out on foreign
affairs for fear of displeasing continental rulers or
republican despots. Commercial treaties, notwith-
standing that the advantages are not too reciprocal,
may stimulate trade and augment the revenue, and
are therefore accepted by the public. But the
wholesale revolutions which Mr. EWART proposes
to bring about in this country cannot be sanctioned.
Proposes, we say, for were the House of Commons
to agree to his motion nem con at the third reading,
the public would not, could not pass it. It is
neither more nor less than to assimilate English
weights and measures to the French metric system,
and of course its coinage to boot; end for what
reason, forsooth ? That foreign commerce may be
carried on more expeditiously, while millions of
English tradespeople will be hopelessly embarrassed.
Even this make-believe is fallacious, and only
brought forward to support the hobby of a few
enthusiasts. The exchange between different coun-
tries must always fluctuate, and those who carry on
extensive foreign trade have clerke, Who with little
or no trouble can substitute the value of our coinage
for that of another. It is amusing to observe the
various conflicting arguments advanced by the
several advocates of this wholesale innovation. Mr.
RWART, in the course of his speech, observed that a
certain Belgium merchant settled in this country
states that the adoption of the metrical system in
England would save him the labour of two clerks.
This is all very well for a Belgium mer-
chant, but the laws of England are sup
posed to be framed to serve the interest
of British subjects, rather than that of foreigners
Again Mr. BAINES maintained
introduc-
tion of this system into o that the
ur schools would Ere a

year's study to the scholars, that there were
28,000,000 children in this country receiving their
education, and that the year thus razed might be
profitably devoted to the acquisition of much
valuable knowledge. This is a very specious argu-
ment; the well educated classes of society are at
perfect liberty to make up their accounts on any
plan that suits their fancy, as in the higher branches
of science and mathematics all calculations are
worked out on the decimal system. Mr. BAINES,
however, forgets that in saving a year in the edu-
cation of a future generation, he is requiring many
millions of adult individuals whose education is
barely equal to the old established mode of calcula-
tion to go to school again, and recommence their
education. This is, of course, absurd; yet further-
more, there are hundreds of thousands moving in
respectable circles who find it difficult as it is to
settle the ordinary accounts in their daily transac-
tions. How will they get on when both shopman
and purchaser are equally at fault in endeavouring
to elucidate this uncalled-for new system, which is
to overturn all existing rules, whether it be for the
weight, measurement, or price of the article. The
length of a road and the measurement of a piece of
ground, in fact everything, must be included in the
category. The whole survey of Great Britain must
be readjusted and readapted to the new metric
system, the length of every road and street revised,
and every individual who wishes to know the exact
value and length of his estate will have to call in
the surveyor to furnish him with a new measure-
ment, for chains, roods, and perches will have to
make way for their foreign successors. That the
present system of weights and measures throughout
the United Kingdom requires great revision we are
well aware, and would be among the first to support
a gradual and moderate amendment. But this is a
very different affair to change at one fell swoop
pounds into killograms, yards into metres, sove-
reigns into napoleons, and shillings into francs.
Why not, when such a comprehensive revolution is
to take place, complete the innovation by substitut-
ing the French language for the English.

The news just received from Madagascar is of a
startling and painful character. The King,
RADAMA 11., has been assassinated, and all the
bright hopes founded upon his career are brought
to an untimely end. The name of the late QUEEN,
his mother, who was for many years sole ruler of
this vast island, was long held in detestation
throughout civilised Europe. The readers of
Madame PFEIFFER'S interesting travels will re-
member how the adventurous and fearless lady,
who had safely and uninterruptedly made her
" Woman's Journey round the World," underwent
great hardships and was in peril of her life at Mada-
gascar. The conduct of the QUEEN to the European
Governments and to the Christians who unhappily
found themselves within her dominions was such as
to run the risk of provoking the Western Powers
to punish the offender summarily. Thanks to her
geographical position and to her political insignifi-
cance, she escaped the lesson which she deserved,
and it was the only consolation for her suffering
subjects to hope for bettor times under the gentler
rule of her son, RADAMA 11. The accession of this
Prince was hailed with universal satisfaction, and
the lenity and moderation of his character contrast
strikingly with the reckless injustice and cruelty of
his mother. He refused to sacrifice the life of his
brother although his counsellors advised it, and we
hope it may not prove that this forbearance has
been remotely the cause of his death. The telegram
informs us that not only has the KING been
strangled and his Ministers hanged, but that his
reign has been declared null, and mourning pro-
hibited. As a further sign of the times we learn
that the treaties concluded with European Powers
have been suspended. Certainly if King RADAMA'S
reign is declared null his acts can hardly be officially
recognised ; but the fact is suspicious. The wife of
RADAMA, who has been proclaimed QUEEN, has
signed, it is said, a constitution in accordance with
the views of the old Hove party. Religious
liberty, we are told, is to be maintained ; but who
can trust such an assertion. Discontent, we are not
surprised to hear, is spreading throughout the
kingdom, and fears of civil war are entertained by
the unhappy peasantry. So the curtain has fallen
over the new and hopeful prospects of Madagascar.
Neither life nor property are safe. The few steps
taken in the way of progress are retraced, and the
future looks cloudy enough. The rulers probably
reckon on the difficulties offered to invaders by the
interior of their island and the combination of the
arms of civilised and savage warfare, which they
possess, to render their position secure. But they
must not repeat the barbarities of the former
Government if they wish to retain undisturbed
possession of their ill-gotten power.

SIGNOR VAILATI'S MORNING CONCERT.

This accomplished performer, whose misfortune gives
him so strong a claim on the sympathies of his audience,
gave his grand concert at Willis's Rooms on Tuesday last.
The instrument on which he performs is one not often
heard in our concert rooms, but he continues to display a
marvellous degree of skill. He has been surnamed the
Paganini of the Mandoline, and his ingenuity and execu-
tion are something wonderful. He has obtained great suc-
cess in Paris, and we do not doubt will find the results of
his English visit equally satisfactory. Prominent among
the singers was Madlle. Georgi, whose fine voice promises
to render her one of our best concert singers. Signor
Bianchi was the pianist, and delighted the audience with
his brilliant playing. The music was classic and well
selected, but there were considerable variations in the origi-
nal programme. However, the audience were perfectly
satisfied, and the concert has assisted in establishing the
reputation of Signor Vailati.

MR. BRINLEY RICHARDS' CONCERT.

This popular composer and accomplished pianist's
concert took place on Wednesday evening at the Queen's
Concert Rooms, Hanover-square, and attracted one of the
most crowded and fashionable audiences of the season.
The programme was an exceedingly attractive one,
embracing, as it did, the names of Madlle. Parepa, Miss
Edith Wynne, and Mr. Sims Reeves, as vocalists,
and Mr. Brinley Richards, Mr. Balser Chatterton, Mr.
John Thomas, and M. Paque, as solo instrumentalists.
The opening piece, a part song, by the London Choral
Union, by Pearsall, " 0 who will o'er the downs," was well
and steadily executed ; and then followed a piano solo—
Beethoven's magnificent Sonata Pathetique—which Mr.
Richards performed in a manner that left nothing to be de-
sired. His execution was something extraordinary, and
his touch brilliant in the extreme; added to which
there was a charming distinctness throughout the
whole sonata, which gave additional beauty to
the performance. Sims Reeves, of course, sang Mr.
Richard's world-renowned song " God Bless the Prince of
his own peculiar and unequalled style, and in
another n
inew song and chorus by the same author, entitled
"The White Cross of Denmark," he created such an effect,
that the song will doubtless become one of the celebrated
of the author's countless performances. Madlle. Parepa
delighted the audience with the shadow song from
" Dinorah," and Miss Edith Wynne perfectly enchanted
the fashionable assemblage by the sweetness of her singing
"The Bells of Aberdovey." The celebrated harpists, Mr.
B. Chatterton and Mr. Thomas performed a duet on Welsh
airs very beautifully, and M. Paque made his violoncP;;10
all but speak in his brilliant solo on Scottish airs The
chief instrumental performance, in the second pa'4, was Mr.
Richards' pianoforte solo fantasia on Welsh 'Ars, which he
gave with exquisite taste and feelin:g. The concert,
although nearly the last, must be classed amongst the
greatest successes of the suson,