The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-08 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

This morning
this day at Two o'clock 6B

Barometer-29.80.
Wind—South-West; moderate, and cloudy.

Tjt

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Sum

LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPT. 8, 1863.

The announcement contained in our third edition
of last night, the brief but fearfully significant in-
timation by telegram that President JEFFERSON
DAVIS has decided upon calling out 500,000 blank
troops, we cannot but take to be the mcst ominous
intelligence that has for a long while past come to
us from the American seat of war. When North
meets South, thus armed—then as NAT LEE'S famous
line in the old forgotten tragedy has said, of Greek
in very deed come in terrible
meeting Greek, will,
earnest " the tug of wan." President DAVIS'S de-
termination, it will be seen, has been arrived
at only after most mature and cautious
deliberation. Upon President LINCOLN—as may
bp said in regard to the source of very nearly all
the horrors of this dreadful war, with scarcely one
exception—upon President LINCOLN devolves the
hideous responsibility of having added the miseries
of a servile war to thole of a civil war. President
DAVIS, in coming to this last horrid resolution
above particularised, has only taken up the gauntlet
already some time back flung down scornfully and
in fierce disdain to the South, by the insensate
chief of the Federal Government at Washington.'
Five hundred thousand negroes —to be called out
at once by JEFF. DAVIS, to swell the ranks
of the armies of the Confederates But—it may be
added, like a taunt, in referenee to this announce-
ment—President DAVIS may, quite as confi-
dently as OWEN GLENDOWER, or as PROS-
PF.P.O, or as any one else so m:nded, call even
spirits from the vasty deep, but—will they come P
The probability as to such a summons as this to
the negro population of the south, being answered,
however, the telegram itself would seem plainly
enough to indicate. For what is the temptation to
be held out to these black recruits ? The announce-
ment itself indicates it before the close of that one
sentence. For each negro who shall enlist at the
summons of the Southern President—Freedom is
offered, and with Freedom fifty acres of land at the
end of the war. Imagine the temptation of that to
the Slave ! And then look at the probabilities o
President DAVIS rapidly completing, to the num
ber of 600,000, his proposed scheme of negro en
listment.

The abundance and excellence of the harvest are
matters of general conversation and thankfulness.
At this period last year, there was little reason to
anticipate a good harvest, although the state of
trade, and the prevalent distress in the manu-
facturing districts made every one eager to hope
the best. The season went on, however, and the
cheerless prognostications were only too well
confirmed. The low estimate formed of the crops
was too high for the actual result, and the crop
of 1862 is ranked among the least profitable sea-
sons on record. We can bear, however, to recall
such cheerless times when the fullness and quality
of the crops are matters of universal comment. The
good fortune which has befallen us this year was
not at first expected. The absence of frosts filled
the farmers with apprehensions. The ground, it
was thought, would not be properly prepared for
seed sewing, the insect tribe, so fatal to the growth
of the
young plant, would be left to increase un-
checked, white
baneful weeds would spread rapidly
in the t
eld9e their growth favoured by the
unusual mildness of the season. A proof that the
mournful forebodings of the downhearted are no
more worthy of credence than the visionary hopes
of the over-sanguine:s is afforded us in the fact that
the crops of this current year are as decidedly
favourable as the harvest of last year was below the
ordinary average.
A gentleman has recently
informed the public that
he has very lately
travelled over the greatest
part of England
and
and the south of Scotland,has inspected
crops growing in very different localities,
as well as on dissimilar soils. The result of his
observations is extremely satisfactory, and although
a certain inequality exists, owing to some
ers
having been fortunate enough to have in their""li
crops
before the break-up of the weather, there seems
no
reason to fear that any locality will fall short. The
county of Norfoile, which rejoicesgenerally in eompa_
ratively an early season,has been the most fortunate.
Its farmers set to work with promptitude and
vigour, acting on the old time-honoured maxim,
which bide us "make hay while the sun shines,"
and consequently in the short period of three weeks
most of them brought their reaping and gather-
ing to a triumphant conclusion. In Berkshire, on
the contrary, due advantage has not been taken of
the early season, and too much dependence was un-
fortunately placed on the fair promise of the wea-
ther. Promises, however, are made to be broken,
and the smiles of en English sky are certainly no
exception to the rule. There is consequently a
good deal of barley still standing, and in some of
the northern counties half the crops remain uncut.
In Scotland there is still mush to be done, but hap-
pily little damage has as yet been caused by the
heavy rains. If we can secure another month of
fine weather there will be little room for even the
Proverbial complaloto of farmers. The fickleness

of the last two or three weeks has supplied them
just now with something to grumble about. In
Yorkshire the sheaves have been ready for the stack
three or four times during the past week, and every
time the rain has compelled the postponement of
the gathering. The thunderstorms and heavy rains
in this quarter have entirely prevented the loading,
and there is unfortunately a good deal of grown
grain in low and damp parts, so that the thrashing
will have to be deferred for some time. It is sin-
gular in such an abundant season to find the
northern millers are compelled to purchase stock in
the south, where the harvest has been gathered in.
Still the turn of the north will come presently, as
the quality of the crops appears to be everywhere
highly spoken of. Wheat, in particular, is first
rate. Several farmers in the eastern counties have
thrashed out seven to eight quarters per acre ; and
in Northumberland and in some of the better culti-
vated of the Scottish counties the wheat crop has
never been excelled. Although not yet thrashed
out, the colour and general appearance of the crops
promise the most satisfactory produce. Oats are
less favourably spoken of, but barley, although defi-
cient in some quarters, is in others very promising.
Much depends on the weather we may have during
the next few weeks, and we must, therefore,
trust that so fortunate a summer will have an
equally welcome ending. The appearance of the
potatoes is another matter for rejoicing. Since
the deadly blight first appeared that carried such
desolation to Ireland, and has made itself felt more
or less ever since, there has never been so little
disease as there is this season. The two staple com-
modities of the poor will therefore be good, cheap,
and plentiful, a fact which at any time is a nationa;
blessing, and will, we may hope, go far towards
averting any feeling of discontent that might arise
at the continued deficiency of the cotton supply,
and will also serve in some measure to lessen the
distress still weighing heavily on the energies of
the North.

On Satnrclay an aide-de-camp of the Emperor of
AUSTRIA delivered to the King of PRUSSIA the pro-
tocol of the deliberation of the Frankfort Congress,
and the invitation of the princes to his MAJESTY to
givo it his approval. It is said that the KING re-
plied that he had nothing further to say than he
already intimated to the Emperor of AUSTRIA.
Tt.is is a very likely answer to be given by his MA-
JESTY, but rather an uncourteous one. He could
not besides be certain beforehand of events, and
thus
,what ho said to the EMPEROR dtafug their
brief interview at Gastein could not be taken as a
fall and fair reply to the propositions that have
since been made. It shows, moreover, a dogged
determination not to be persuaded into any con-
cession whatever. In short, the present ruler of
Prussia might well express himself in the words of
the man whom no argument could affect—"l'm

open to conviction—but convince me if you can."
One thing is certain, that every possible token of
respect has been shown to him by all those who
attended the Congress; and hence it is not just or
reasonable on his part to complain that he has been
neglected or treated with disrespect, or that these

late measures have been taken with a view to de.
preciate Prussia, and injure her position among
States. From the first that took place relating to
this affair, when the EMPEROR went in person to
solicit his co-operation ; further on, when the King
of SAXONY endeavoured to persuade him to honour
the deliberations of the assembly with his presence;
till now, when a special messenger has been des-
patched to him from the EMPEROR—every available
means has been taken to demoestrate attention. It
is always easy, however, for people to make these
shuffling excuses when they have no valid ground
for their objections, or are ashamed or afraid to
tell the truth. Thus we find the King of PRUSSIA

taking refuge in obscure or vague reasons that he
gave long ago for his refusal, taking no heed of the
chances and changes that had been wrought since
by circumstances, and his Ministers openly assert-
ing, in their address concerning the electors, that
the object of all the proposals of the Congress is to
stultify Prussia, and to injure her interests. The
assurance that is requisite to carry out some inten-
tions is really surprising; but the last exploits of
a political nature in Prussia are almost incredible.
It is astonishing to find rulers and statesmen
doing their utmost to suppress all liberty, and
professing such virtuous indignation against those
who are inviting them to carry out reforms for
not going far enough, when they really abhor an y
progress.

The revised report on Fire Insurance Duties calls
attention to a subject of great importance, and that
ought not to be trifled with any longer. It is true
that Mr. GEORGE COODE, in his elaborate calcula-
tion,hqa:stietanbdie one,eavoured to prove that the tax is a fair
and e
but it must appear to many
observers that he has made oat a one-sided state-
ment, and that much can be said in contradiction
of his remarks. Mr. COODE denies that it is a tax
on prudence, or opposed to morality or public
policy ; but it is strange how he can make this out
when nothing prevents small householders, or em-
barrassed holders of property, from insuring but the
heavy sum that is charged. On the lowest premium
that is taken for the lowest risk against fire, for
instance, there is 200 per cent. charged, the duty
being 3s. on ls. 6d. Surely this is a monstrous over-
charge, and because it is only to London that this
rate is confined it does not improve matters, because
of course the chief extent of insurances on a small
scale would be in the metropolis and its environs.
This real arrangement of the burden makes the act
of insuring almost impossible to those of impove-
rished means; hence when any casualty takes place
by fire of course the unhappy holders of small pro-
perties are ruined altogether. Had the law been
equitably arranged, they might have been possessed
of sufficient means, by their timely forethought, to
start again in business, or, at all events, to support
themselves and their families until some other
occupation was ready. The state of things is evi-
dently wrong which thus necessitates hardship,
risk, and even sometimes ruin, on many deserving
members of the community. There are many more
just taxes which might with advantage be imposed
rather than this harsh and inconvenient duty should
be retained. Like many other burdens imposed
by the State it does not matter to the
wealthy or the man of largo property, but
it presses heavily on the humbler ranks, and causes
them great::sdannoyance. It must be borne in mind
also that the great amount of duty imposed by an
exchequer
is often a serious loss to the Insur-
ance country,o f large
property, fo r m a many
insure ot' o our r mer-
chants,
Ham-
burg and other foreign towns in order to avoid
paying the tax here.
Thus, in every way, is this im-
persona to make excuses and
port an undesirable one. Iris the more reprehen-
sible, since it induces
temptation.a It would
often be difficult for
Smallfield
tobe
beginners,
ers,
and moderate capitalists to insure
at the outset of their careers. The apparent hope-
lessness of the case, as it at present stands, offers a
reasonable excuse, and thus the matter is left in
abeyance. That fatal error of procrastination is
fallen into, and too late, when the all has occurred
does the luckless loser realise the truth of the
vice, "Be wise to-day, 'tis madness to defer." It is
to be trusted that Aext eessioli 31;. GzanoNz

_ _: L)

will be more amenable to the claims of a large por-
tion of the community, or that some other Minister
miy fill his place, more alive to the demands and
desires of the classes referred to, and also more im-

pressed with the necessities of the case. No mis-
take that a Statesman makes can be more fatal
to his reputation, or more hurtful to those under
his rale than to ignore the interests of the humbler
classes. There is no reason why they should not
be equally the objects of his solicitude, and the re-
ceivers of his services, as the greater or more opu-
lent members of society. They constitute an im-
portant branch in the aggregate, and it is a dis-
grace to the management of the exchequer that so
many taxes are made to press heavily and unequally
on them, the injustice of the case making its hard-
ships the greater.

INFANTICIDE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sit,—l trust you will allow me space for a few
remarks upon the leading article in last evening's
(i. e. Friday's) impression of your journal relative
to infanticide. It was in consequence of my atten-
tion having been attracted to the painful subject of
child murder
two
wbt
hytore
iytarleeli
years
ruosrrpnoutsfhb
oil
asi
of coroners'
ce rs
mightiyn
ap m
e,atthhtaiy fo
throw
rlgouwwie•
inquests
Anne
so
on
rai
on ne-
I infants
slt dou think ke
light upon the subject; and upon writing to the
late Thomas Duncombe, Esq., and urging him to
move in the House for the returns in question, he
very kindly did so, and I was enabled by an analysis
of their contents, published in the columns of many
of yoar contemporaries, to rouse public attention to
the defects of the present bastardy laws, besides
other causes in operation productive of child mur-
der. In this I have been greatly assisted by the
present popular member for this borough, William
Cox, Esq., who has not only obtained further im•
portant returns bearing on this subjec', but has had
the courage to bring the question before the House
of Commons, previous to the prorogation, and
elicited from Sir George Grey his opinion that the
"moral improvement of the people" was the best
remedy for infanticide; consequently he could not
promise that the Government would take the subject
Lnto consideration during the recess. Therefore your
lamont that no member since the death of Mr. Dun-
combe bt:d taken up the question, bears an appear-
ance of injustice towards our hardworking and use-
ful, though not yet perhaps influential member, W.
Cox, Esq., and I feel 8110 you will, by giving pub-
licity to this explanation, assist to give merit where
merit is due.
In conclusion, I have the pleasure to inform you
that a society is in course of formation to grapple
with the increasing evil of infanticide, and I trust
it will meet with such support from the public, as
to enable it to try if it is possible to remove the
present stigma attaching to us as a civilised nation.
—I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
EAGLE EYE,
Islington, Sept. 5.

An influential preliminary meeting to deal with
the increasing evil of infanticide was held yesterday
(the 3d inst.), at 16, Craven-street, Strand, when
the following resolutions were unanimously carried :
"That this meeting having considered with painful in-
terest the various causes which conduce to the commission
of the crime of infanticide, is of opinion that a society should
be formed with a view to devise means of checking an evil
which is now prevalent to a degree loudly calling for imme-
diate remedial measures.

"That a committee be appointed, consisting of those now
present, with power to add to their number, and that the
names of a president and vice-president be submitted at the
next meeting; and that a draft of the rules and regula-
tions for the management of the society be prepared and laid
before the same meeting.
"That the prospectus (which described the causes which
led to infanticide and the probable remedies) embodies
many of the views of this meeting; but that it will conduce
to the objects of this society if gentlemen will come to the
next meeting prepared with papers containing their ma-
tured sentiments upon this most important subject.
" That a ladies' committee be appointed at the next meet-
ing,and that ladies be earnestly invited to co-operate in this
beneficent movement.

" That a subscription of 10s. 6d, annually, or a donation
of £5 ss, constitute the subscriber or donor a member of the
society.

" That the Bank of London be requested to receive sub,

scriptions,

" That the next meeting bo held at 16, Craven•street,
Strand, on the 17th inst., at four o'clock p.m.
" That the cordial thanks of this meeting be given to
George Greaves, Esq., for his able conduct in the chair."

The meeting was exceedingly unanimous through.
out, and the suggestion made by Lord Raynham,
that it be amalgamated with a kindred institution,
was well received, and will be considered at a future
meeting.—Standard, Sept. 4, 1863.

THE LATE SIR FREDERICK SLADE.—With refe-
rence to the paragraph that has gone the round
of the papers we are informed, on unexceptional authority,
that it is a tissue of invention, unfounded in fact. The late
Sir Frederick Slade was married once, and only once, to
his wife Barbara, only sister of Lord Vaux, of Harrowden,
at George's, Hanover-square, openly and publicly. His
eldest son, Captain Sir Alfred Slade, Bert., has succeeded
to his estate and title, and is prepared to defend them.—
Western Tunes.
SNOW IN HARVEST.—Snow fell in Nottingham
on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon rain
set in and continued to come down heavily during the night.
There is still a considerable quantity of corn ungathered in
this district. —l‘ otling ham Guardian.

MEMORIAL TO ISAAK WALTON.—The inhabitants

of Stafford are making an effort to obtain subscriptions to
erect a memorial to their townsman, Isaac Walton, of pis-
catorial celebrity.

THE SEWING MACHINE.—A periodical has now
been issued with the strange but explicit title of the
Sewing Machine.
A JUDGMENT, it has been oddly remarked, has
just befallen Mr. Lush, Q.C., for using such a
superabundance of eloquence in the late case of Woolley
versus Pole. He lost his portmanteau immediately after
the trial, with the whole of his scenic decorations as Q.C.,
wig and gown. The former is worth at least £lO, the latter
£2O. What is more, there was a court suit, with the collar
well greased with white powder, within the portmanteau,
and a lot of legal kickshaws.

Several wealthy Mexicans in Paris are said to
have been ruined by the Puebla confiscations. One family,
recently possessing nearly £60,090 a year, is described as
being now in such straitened circumstances that its members
are compelled to live in a small cottage.
Prince Metternich, the Austrian Ambassador at
Paris, will remain at his chateau, Johnannisberg, on the
Rhine, till the Emperor Napoleon's return from Biarritz.
HOPE FOR OLD MDME. SAQUI !—Mdme. Poitevin
is about to make an ascent at Madrid on a horse, and
another on a bull. The balloon which is to carry up the
strange pair was expected from Paris.
The Czar's brother, the Archduke Constantine
(late of Warsaw), is reported to have received an invitation
from St. Cloud to join the autumnal shooting party in the
forest of Compiegne.
The wing of the Tuileries called Pavillon Marson
is getting ready for the reception of King George I. of
Greece, who is expected in Paris next week.
THE SOUTHERN CORRESPONDENT OF THE TIMES.
--The announcement recently copied into our columns
from a Scotch newspaper in reference to the identity of the
above admirable writer, might, it would appear, quite as
reasonably have declared him to bo the notorious General
Butler as that he was Lieut. Butler, the heroic defender of
Silistria, the latter having, years ago, been dead, buried
away in an honoured soldier's grave.
THE ATJTHOII. OF ROBINSON CRUSOE.—The stones
marking the head and foot of Daniel Defoe's grave in Bun-
hill-fields had become almost buried in the ground, and the
inscription, except one letter, obliterated. They have re-
cently, says the City Press, been raised and repaired, with
the additions of a suitable epitaph, at the expense of Dr.
Rogers of Dalston.
GREAT WZSTERN ItAILWAY.—Mr.C. A. Saunders,
the present secretary and general manager, retires from
office, on a pension of £1,250 per annum, which the direc-
tors have agreed to recommend for the sanction of the
shareholders. The secretary and manager's duties will
form distinctive departments under the new regime—it
being understood that Mr. F. U. Saunders, the general
manager of the South Wales division, will succeed his uncle
as secretary to the amalgamated companies, and that Mr.
Grierson, the Great Western Company's goods manager,
will be advanced to the post of general manager of the
united systems.
FOREIGN VISITORS AT WOOLWICH DOCKYARD.

—Admiral Mustapha Pasha, of the Turkish Impe-
rial Navy, yesterday visited the dockyard, and inspected
the iron-cased screw frigate Caledonia and various depart-
ments of the establishment, accompanied by Commodore-
Superintendent Sir F. W. E. Nicolson. The Marquis of
Li,L:j)etha (Italy), Baron von Hoffegante, and other
foreigners of provided vfith Airairalty order 4.,
also vialtedtho dockyards.

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