The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 18, 1363

conciliation were useless. The natives were
known to be in a very disturbed state, and
the Waikatoes, who are the foremost of the " King'
party were no less dangerous. Intelligence
was received at Auckland stating that a large body
of Waikatoes were marching to Taranaki, and on
the 25th of April a warning was sent to the Gover-
nor and to the outlying settlers by some friendly
natives. Strange to say, Sir GEORGE GREY thought
fit to disregard this intimation, and even endea-
voured to persuade the settlers who had come into
the town to go back to their farms. This was
carrying his desire to preserve peace a little too far,
as the sequel proves. Happily the settlers did not
follow this dangerous and imprudent advice, bat on
the morning of the 4tu of May two escort parties
were passing along the Tataraimaka road when they
were fired into by some natives in ambush. One
of the parties succeeded in retreating—the other,
consisting of two officers and six privates of the 57th
Regiment, was entirely destroyed, the unfortunate
soldiers being shot down and their bodies after-
wards mutilated. Immediate measures of precau-
tion were taken on the receipt of this dreadful in-
telligence. Sir G. GREY decided on regarding the
attack as a murder, and an inquest was held accord-
ingly, the jury in their verdict remarking
on the want of caution shown. Troops had arrived
from Auckland, and more had been sent for at the
departure of the mail. Volunteers are ready to
come forward in large numbers, and it is proposed
to raise a volunteer contingent of no less than 1,000
men in the province of Otago. The Government
have at last determined to do what they ought to
have done before—to occupy the native land be-
tween New :Plymoath and Tataraimaka, and to
place there a settlement of persons able to protect
themselves. Free grants of 50 acres, arms, ammu-
nition, and rations are offered to all who will hold
the land on a system of military tenure, and as most
of the men of the 65th Regiment, whose term of
service is almost out, intend to remain in the colony,
there is little doubt that the ground will soon be
satisfactorily occupied. Toe colonists are hearty
and united in their support of the Governor at this
The common danger has made all differ-
ence of opinion forgotten, and there is nu
doubt that the spirit and determination of the
settlers will be equal to the occasion. Still
it is a trying and anxious state of things, and
it is much to bs regretted that a more decided tone
was not taken in regard to the natives all through
our dealings with them. European settlers have
usually bern harsh and aggressive towards the
aborigines; but in New Zealand we have erred on
the other side, and forgotten justice to our own
countrymen in our eagerness not to trench on
native rights. Tne end of all this is but to) obvious.
Unless by firmness and decision the natives are
taught to respect the British Government, and the
authorities are able to protect the interests of the
settlers, the latter, in self-defence, will be obliged
to take the law into their own hands, and a war of
extermination will be waged. It is to be hoped
that the decisive measures now being taken will be
fully carried out, and that all questions of dispute
with the natives will be fairly and finally set at
rest in a manner that admits of no dispute. Above
all, the Governor must not again put faith in the
professions of the Maoriee, nor imperil the safety
of the colonists by disregarding symptoms of
coming danger.

crisis.

The Russian Reply to the French Note appears
so far satisfactory. M. DE BUDEERG, the Russian
Ambassador to France, was received by M. DROUYN
DE LHUYS, and gave to him the answer of his Gc-
vernment to the communications of the French
Cabinet. It is stated that Russia accepts the six
points, and instead of an armistice, proposes an
amnesty for all who will lay down their arms.
Nothing better could have been expected certainly
in the present state of affairs, and the comments
of the French papers on the subject seem to convey
the most favourable impression. La France ob-
serves that " The reply of Russia is said to be
mark.-d by a strong spirit of conciliation. Russia
adheres in principle to the six points, and also ac•
cepts the project of a conference, pointing out,
however, that, at the same time, it would be de-
sirable that its deliberations should not be limited
to the single question of Poland." The same inir -
nal adds that the question of an armistice is the
sole point on which there is not complete accord
between Russia and the three Powers. But, it

continues, as an armistice is in no way contrary
to the dignity of the CZAR, and as it meets the
imperious interests of policy and humanity,
the systematic refusal of St. Petersburg
could not be admitted. There is great truth
in these assertions, and it is to be trusted. that

the present Government will persevere in the
decided course they have entered upon. It is a
well-known fact that the chief work of amelierat
ing the condition of Poland will rest with them,
since their actions aie not so fettered as those of
our Ministers are, through complicated arrange-
ments, and especially in consequence of the alli-
ance with Prussia. The Russian authorities are,
.of course, well aware of this impediment to our
taking up the cause with great ardour, and at all
events of proceeding to extremities, without great
provocation, and they take advantage of it. Tney
know, on the contrary, that a war with
.Prussia
would, far from being inimical to the interests of
France, but serve to realise the long-cherished
wish of her Government to attack the Rhenish
provinces. It has been expected throughout this
insurrection that some sudden dispute, or ill-
advised action, at a critical juncture, would bring
this 14 pass, and so gratify the desire of the
French nation and its rulers.
"And what if Venice wed the Sea,
Some dotards ring the sign,
The sword shall France's emblem be
That
ilin b
ruling principles
n
autEn
shallFrancewho
wedthewßehs ine,"
was
well versed
in thew written
principles of the French
policy, and aptly expressed its correct design, if net
its openly-expressed intention. It is therefore with
France that the real influence rests ; and having
succeeded so far it is to be
hoped that the French
Government
their energy nor abate
their zeal till thewilly
notbr relax
bring their labours to a success-
ful termination, and substitute peace
and compara-
tive security for the reign of terror that now devas-
tates Poland, and renders that land alternately a
prison-house and a grave for its distressed inhabi-
tants. The reply of Russia, on the whole, is better
than could have been expected, but it is of conse-
quence that the armistice should be granted, because
it is not likely that the Poles will voluntarily cease
hostilities. That would seem like surrender, but
if
they had so far gained their point, and at all events
good for their country. It
the adoption of the other mode would appear as
procured same great
may even be surmised, too, that it will be lasting,
as the Russians will hardly dare to provoke the
wrath of the three Powers by violating the
tance
conditions they proposed, and which have
been granted by themselves. The inapor-
of coming to some arrangement without
delay is proved by the intelligence that arrived
yesterday eon
"ruing an engagement between
Prussian troops and the insurgents. According to
this report a body of insurgents,
amounting in num-
ber to 300, were assembled in the forest near Milo-

slam. On the arrival of some Prussian troops, fir-
ing commenced on both sides. The encounter was
a trifling one in itself, but tot so as regards the
evidence it brings of future and further engage-
ments of a like sort. If the Prussians are in arms
against the Poles in good earnest, of course the war
will assume still greater importance than at present;
it will increase in extent, and be more fatal in its

consequences. It is quite time that a stop was put
to its continuance before its ravages become more
wasting still, and its results more exterminating.
That the Prussians should so disgrace themselves to
take up arms against those struggling patriots is
only what might have been expected from the con-
duct that has lately distinguished the KING and his
Ministers. That base convention whose discussion
created such confusion in the Chamber of Deputies,
spoke volumes as to the intention of the Govern-
ment, and doubtless one of the chief causes of the
sudden dismissal of the Assembly was to pre-
vent the possibility of any awkward allusion to
still stranger measures that it was proposed to adopt,
and the more conspicuous part that the Ministers
intended to take in this unhappy affair. The in-
surrection is assuming formidable dimensions in the
Palatinate of Lublin, it is stated in the last de-
spatches, and the insurgent cavalry have gained a
victory over the Russians near Kulno, and in
another place the mounted Chasseurs defeated the
Russian Hussars. All these things testify that an
amnesty is not what is wanted. The world has
had too much sad experience of Russian policy to
trust any specious promises, or to put faith in the
validity of unfettered conditions. It is insulting
common sense to keep to the letter and not to fulfil
the spirit of the proposals that were sent from the
several governments. What avail is it to have a
happy state and a peaceful country prepared i, the
inhabitants are exterminated before the change
takes place. Unless some decided step be taken to
persuade the Russia, Government to agree to an
armistice the consequences will be serious, and the
new allies of the Russians will still further compli-

nate matters, and precipitate the catastrophe. It
is to be hoped, however, that the French will per-
sist in their work, and reiterate their demands with
such force and decision that the Cabinet of St.
Petersburg will finally brut their jdst request,
and so a great and substantial benefit will be con-
ferred on the desperate strugglers in this unequal
contest.

LITERATURE.

Mary Lynchay. By Lady Emily Ponsonby
author oi" rite Discipline of Life." 3 vols. Hors'

and Biackett.

Those who bear in remembrance "The Discipline
of Life," which appeared some years back, will not
require much recommendation to induce them to
make acquaintance with " Mary Lyndsay." Lady
Emily Ponsonby narrates her stories in the most
charming and natural manner possible, and her
stories relate to themes that are worthy of atten-
tion. A moral purpose ornaments all her writings,
the true lessen of life it is her high ambition to
enforce, but the story is not sacrificed to the moral.
Tne story, now bef )re us, is interesting and enthral-
ling throughout; if it is tinged with a little melan-
cl oly, it will be only the better appreciated on that
account. Mary Lyndsay is a most charming
heroine—

" Beautiful as sweet,
And young as beautiful, and soft as young,
And gay as soft, and innocent as gay,
And happy (if aught happy here) as good."

Such are the charming lines selected to describe her.
She is fair, and fresh, and joyous as the morning,
and one of her admirers aptly likens her to the dawn
—" She reminds me of twilight, the morning, not
the evening twilight—morning conquering night.
There is a dash of darkness about her, but such a
light within, that it conquers it." And, so far, it
proves in her history. The early joy of her youth is
soon overclouded with bitter sorrows, and trials, and
temptations—

"such as press
The life from out young hearts."
But the morning conquers the r•.ight. Good
triumphs over evil, as it should do, and as it always
will do, if we have only patience to wait until the
end. The various characters of the tale are drawn
with much care and discrimivation. Captain Lynd-
say, the father of the teroite, is one of the hap-
piest. Like the lady described by Pope, who,

"tolerably rkild,
To make a wash would hardly stew a child,"

Captain Lyndsay is a paragon of affection, while
with most deliberate plausibility he condemns his
daughter to a complication of afflictions. But to do
him justice he has no idea of the strength and
tenacity of Mary's aff, ctions, and when too late the
painful truth is made i vidcnt, a tardy remorse re-
wards his skilful machinations. Mr. Merivale, or,
" poor old soul," as he is called by Frank Lyndsay
(a capital sprreimen of a good-natured
,good-for-
nothing), is somewhat overdrawn. Yet the jealous
waywardness of his unfot tuna tcaffection is naturally
described, and the painful misappreheneionsto which
it continuhlly gives rise are portray ed with a skilful
hand. Mrs. Clifton, the wealthy, comfortable,
good-natured friend, who takes such a violent liking
to Mary, end whogives occasionally such injudicious
proofs of her Lffection, is just such a character in a
novel as Mrs. Giover used to be in a play—and a
very delightful character it is ! Then we have the
gallant and desperate Allan Sinclair, and his Scot-
tish clan, the melancholy household of the Meri-
vales, the homely Mt s. Davis and her fashionable
daughters, and some others. But the chief interest
centres round Mary. We feel with her and for her,
and contrasting the unconscious gaiety of her girl-
hood with the experience of her after life, we find a
touching exemplification of the truthful sentence
inscribed on the title-page of this her history—
" How much we love God, how submissive we are
to God's wiii, we cannot otherwise than by wil-
lingly accepting or patiently bearing efflictions, well
express. Without it no sore trial of virtue can
be—without it no excellent example of goodness
has ever been."

Sir Ev erard s Daughter. By J. C. JeaffreBon
Author of " Live it Down." One Vol., pp. 263
Allen and Co.

While we read the first half of this volume, we
are inclined to regard it merely as a graceful little
domestic novelette, but, on further perusal of its
chapters, we find " Sir Everard's Daughter" to be
possessed of a very strange and powerful source of
interest, closely relating to the mysterious influence
exercised by body and mind on a highly nervous
sensitive temperament. We will not spoil the inte-
rest of the to e for those who may take pleasure in
such investigations. The troubles of poor Lucy
Adenbroke, b,)th physical and moral, actual and
imaginary, are very skilfully pourtrayed. An
earlier con ft salon of her anxieties to some judicious
friend would have put the spectres to flight—
" Say but a word, the giant dies."

Mankind in Many Ages ; an Outline of Universal
History. By Thauvzen L. von Oldekop. 1 vol.,
pp. 393. Virtue Brothers.
The authoress begs her readers to regard with
consideration the result of her labours, assuring
them that she has conscientiously done her best.
Her attempt Las indeed been a most ambitious one
and is a wonderful evidence of patient perseverance.
Book I. brit fly describes the ancient peoples of Asia
and Attica—the Hebrews, the Egyptians, the Car-
thaginians, the Persians, &c. Book 11. sums up the
History of Greece. Book HI. describes that of
Rome—

"Assyria, Greece, Rome, Carthage. v here are they l"
Book IV. brings us to the Middle Ages—Cnarle.
magne and the Crusaders. Book V. gives a rapid
survey of modern history—the discovery of America
—the ago of Louis XVI,, the times of Frede-
rick the Great, &c. Bcok VI. describes the
American and European Revolutions. Bcok
VII. gives a view of contemporary his-
tory and social progress. From this very
brief epitowe of an amazing catalogue some idea
may be formed of :Madame von Oidekop's labours.
Her compilation will be found very valuable, and
the facts she narrates are given in a very interest.
ing manner. The appendix contains a tabular note
of all the Royal dynasties in the world from the
Kings of Israel and Judah down to the sovereigns
of the present day. In this enumeration we notice
two conspicuous omissions. The name of Napoleon
the Great does not appear in the list of French
sovereigns, and yet, strange to say, that of the
present Emperor is inserted ! If Napoleon 111. be
a member of an imperial dynasty, why is the name
of the founder of the dynasty omitted ? Again, in
'he long list of Popes and Bishops of Rome, be-
ginning with St. Lions A.D. 67, and coming down
in continued succession to Pius IX., the name of
the last Pope, Gregory XVI. is omitted. Pius IX.
(1846) being immediately preceded in this list by
Pius VIII. (1829). Such oversights are unaccount-
able, and impair the accuracy of this elaborate and
otherwise in many respects valuable work.

Works of Theodore Parker, Vol. IV., Discourses
of Politics. Edited by Francis Power Cobbe.

Tr it buer.

The fourth volume of the collected works of
Theodore Parker, a minister of the Congregational
Society of Boston, is now before us. As the ser-
mons which it contains relate to American politics,
the editor rightly imagines that it may be likely to
possess some interest in this country at the present
moment. None of the discourses relate to the pre-
sent ; the latest one of the collection—" A New
Lesson for the Day "—having been delivered in
May, 18.56 ; but in that Mr. Parker remarks,—
" America is now in a state of incipient civil war."
The first sermon in this volume is entitled "A Ser-
mon on War,"in which the preacher forcibly declares
" aggressive war to be contrary to Christianity." If
by aggressive war he means a war of spoliation,
of coarse ho is right. The language of the discourses
is for the most part emphatic and eloquent, but
many of the sentiments will find little favour in
his country.

Lectures on Natural Bisect y. By Edward Jesse.

Sec9nd Edition. Booth.

This little volume contains a series of lectures
delivered to the fishermen of Brighton by the emi-
nent naturalist Edward Jesse, The lectures relate
to the wonders and curiosities of the animal crea-

lion, and are given in a pleasant and interesting
style, admirably will adapted for the persons
to whom they were delivered. This little book
will be a welcome addition to the working man'e
reading-room or mechanics' institutes, and will also
be a delightful gitt-hook for the young.

A large section of the rock on the Canada side of
the Falls of Niagara has disappeared, and bac) eased tha
horse-shoe appearanco of Lila falls,—Conadian paper.

LATEST. INTELLIGENCE.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

MEXICO.