The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-15 00:00:00

The Archduke Maximilian and Mexico,

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)
VIENNA, AUG. 11.
The Press of to-day publishes the following
article, headed " A new Imperial Crown for Haps-
burg :
" We wish to speak to-day not of a German
empire but, as we hasten to add, in order to tran-
quillise the minor German Staters, of the Imperial
Crown of Mexico which, according to a despatch
from that country, is now really destined for an
Austrian archduke. We have long been opposed to
the idea of a member of the Imperial House of
Austria being brought into connection with the
Mexican expedition of the Emperor of the French.
Unfortunately the statement has appeared recently
in so decided a form, that we are compelled to ex-
amine the question seriously.
"A few days after the entry of the French into
the old Mexican capital, General Forey, the com-
mander of the expedition, instituted by a decree
a supreme Government Junta of 30 members,
which was charged among other things to form an
Assembly of Notables, and with this object to bring
together 215 Mexican citizens 'of all classes.'
This assembly was to discuss the future form of go-
vernment for Mexico, and a majority of two-thirds
would be necessary to give their decisions the cha-
racter of law. It can easily be imagined what sort
of persons this assembly is composed of when
Almonte stands at the head of the committee to
which Gen. Forey provisionally gave executive
authority. In all States there have been found at all
times traitors, who, in the event of a foreign inva-
sion, have gone over to the enemy of their country's
independence. What is looked upon in Europe as
the greatest political crime cannot possibly be a
praiseworthy action in Mexico. The 215 fellows
who, called together by a Forey, have proclaimed
Mexico an empire and offered the Crown to an
Austrian prince, are entirely, irrespective of their
belonging to the ultra-clerical party, no more de-
serving respect than Liborio Romano and his com-
panions in Naples, who betrayed their country to
Piedmont.

" Bat the event is not on that account less worthy
of remark. The Mexican Assembly, in its vote on
Mexico's future form of government, and in its de-
cision to offer the Imperial Crown to the Archduke
Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria, followed, not in
its own promptings, but those of Almonte and
Forey, who, in inspiring them in this manner, cer-

;sinly acted in accordance with instructions from

the Tuileries. But the Emperor Napoleon does not
give such instructions without being, tolerably sure
of his object.

" The Mexican Crown could not, therefore, have
been declined at the commencement in a sufficiently
decided and categorical manner by those for whom
Napoleon 111. destined it, if this incredible affair
now turns out to be a fact.
"The Paris papers of to-day already announce
that the Emperor and Empress have congratulated
the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian upon the Im-
perial Crown which he has been offered. They may
possibly consider it a subject for congratulation to
obtain possession of a Crown in a country like Mexico
in such a manner. But we believe ourselves express-
ing, the opinion of the Austrian people when we
frankly declare that every man in this country will
think the acceptance of the Crown by the archduke
rather a fatality than good fortune. A fatality, we
say, for it would be nothing else if an Austrian
prince should ever think in earnest of accepting a
crown at the hands of one of the Napoleons. No-
thing similar oceurred at the time of Germany's
deepest humiliation through Napoleon I.; and shall
constitutional Austria of to-day condescend to what
absolutism would not stoop ? And what a crown !
The French invaded Mexico without plausible
ground, treading under foot the independence of
. . _

the people of which they are constantly talking;
and, after shedding streams of blood, have occupied
the Mexican capital, followed by the curses of a
nation hitherto proud of its self-dependence. Should
a prince of constitutional Austria take his seat upon
a throne thus forcibly erected upon blood and tears P
As compensation, perhaps, for the pearl broken out
of the Austrian Crown in 1859 Or as a present,
to hold us harmless for future eventualities of a
similar sort ? The more we occupy ourselves with
these reflections the more incredible, adventurous,
unacceptable, and monstrous appears to us this
latest attention offered to Austria by the Court of
Napoleon."

The article concludes in tEe following terms ;
"Although the idea of ruling the ancient realm of
the Aztecs may not be without a poetical charm for
romantic temperaments, we believe the times are
past when fancies of this character suffice to corn-

promise the policy of great States, and plunge it
into immeasurable intricacies. We hope, therefore,
that this time the reply of Austria to the offer,
through Paris, of the Mexican notables will be a
decisive refusal. Once for all, we trust an end will

❑ow be put to an intrigue having no further object
than to remove the disgrace of the Mexican expedi-
tion—that crime against an independent nation--
from the shoulders of France to those of Austria,
and to cover the abyss of the dirty speculations of
the banker Seeker and his precious associates in
France and Mexico with the glorious name of an
Austrian prince."

BANK OF FRANCE.
The following is the account for month ending
Thursday, Aug. 13 :

ASSETS.

Cash and ingots
Cash at the branch-banks ..

F. C,
.. 64,935,672 71
.. 237,742,511 -
653,654 99

Bills due to be paid to-day.. • • • •
Bills becoming duo in Paris, of which
68,629,5331. 59c. are front the branch-
banks .. .. • • • • • • 316,781,985 1
Bills in the branch-banks .. • . .. 263,758,688
Advances on coin and ingots .. .. 21,205,500
Do in the branch banks .. .. 3,340,900
Do on French securities .. .. 53,651,700
Do in the branch-banks • . .. 22,531,350
Do on railway shares and bonds .. 57,064,500
Do in the branch-banks • • .. 35,754,9:50
Do on Cr6dit Foncier Bonds .. .. 680,300
Do in the branch-banks 651 800
Do to State by treaty, 1848 .. .. 60,000,000
Rentes of the reserve-fund .. .. 12,980,750 14
Rentes, disposable funds .. .. 31,525,625 16
Rentes immobilised (law of June, 1857) .. 100,000,000
Hotel and furniture of the Bank .. .. 4,000,000
Real property of branch-banks .. .. 5,823,672
Expenses of administration
.. .. .. ..
•• 656,034 55
•• • •
~
Sundries 4 574 570 20

_
L 296,35766,163

HER MAJESTY.

COLOGNE, August 15.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria passed through
this town at a quarter past seven last night direct
by the Junction Railway, en route to Rolandseck.

-
Th 9 Duke Prd Duchess of Sntherland have left
Trentham Park, Staffordshire, for Scotland, the Marquis of
Stafford and the youthful members of the family haying
prsLded them cn Monday. The duke and duchess intend
to make a short stay at Tarbot before going to Dunrobin
Castle.
The Earl of Dudley left Dudley House, Park-
lane, on Thunchty last, for Forrest Lodge, Argyleshire, in
order to commence grouse shooting.
The Countess of Maltnesbury has left Heron
Court, near Christchurch, Hants, for Scotland, where her
ladyship will meet the noble earl.
Tha Earl of Sefton has left Crosteth Park for
Scotland for the shooting season,

The Countess Craven and Ladies Craven left
Drakelaw, Derbyshire, after they had been visiting Sic
Henry and Lady Sophia Des Vceux, for Coombe Abbey,
near Coventry.

The Earl and Countess of Aberdeen are enter-
taining a small family party at Haddo House, Aberdeen-
shire. The earl's health is satisfactory, Lord Haddo has
distinguished himself as an excellent shot during the volun-
teer rifle contests in Scotland.

The Earl and Countess Grey left Howiek Hall,
Northumberland, on Tueday, for a tour of visits in Scot-
land.

Viscount and Viscountess Grey de Wilton leave
town to-day to visit the Earl and Countess Craven at
Coombe Abbey, near Coventry.

The Right Hon. Sir C. Wood, Bare., 111.13„ and
Lady Mary Wood and family left town yesterday for
Hickleton Park, Yorkshire.

The Hon. Beatrice Byng, Maid of Honour to her
Majesty, and youngest daughter of the late Vice-Admiral
the Hon. H. D. Byng, was married yesterday at St.
George's, llanover-square, to Mr. H. Blundell, oldest son
of the late Mr. R. B. Blundell, of Deysbrook, West Derby.
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. F. Hopwood,
cousin to the bride.

Don Jose de Fontaynd Gargollo and Don Nusolas
de Ojesta have arrived from Madrid at Edward's Royal
Cambridge Hotel, George-street, Hanover-square.
Field-Marshal Lord Clyde, G.C.8., died shortly
after noon yesterday at General Eyre's residence at Chat-
ham. Lord Clyde was born in 1792, and was consequently
in his 71st year. It is understood that the remains of the
gallant field-marshal will be removed to London for inter-
ment in the course of a day or two.

ANECDOTES OF THE EMPEROR.—Long before
the hour fixed for his Majesty's departure from Vichy all
the approaches to the railway station were crowded. His
Majesty was received at the terminus by the authorities of
the town and the department, and on his entering his car-
riage he said, " 4 l'annee prochaine."
As the imperial train, which was to take the
Emperor to Le Pin, arrived at the gate of the Park of St.
Cloud at half-past eleven on Saturday morning, his Ma-
jesty, accompanied by the Empress and the Prince Impe-
rial, drove up in an open cariage. Before getting into the
train the Emperor kissed her Majesty and the young prince.
Mlle. Mina Ruthardt and the Brothers Sauret,
'two children, were admitted to give a concert at the
imperial chalet. The manner in which those artists suc-
ceeded in getting heard by his Majesty is worthy of men-
tion. On Thursday last, at the moment when the pupils of
the School Chevalier (of Moulins) were at the imperial
chalet, Mlle. Ruthardt was looking at the Emperor review-
ing the young scholars who were organised militarily.
Pushed by the crowd she was obliged to advance farther
than was permitted, and the guards, in obedience to their
orders, wanted to remove her as well as her mother. The
Emperor, however, approached those ladies, and directed the
men to leave them unmolested, when Mlle.Ruthardt thanked
his Majesty. Her slight German accent struck the atten-
tion of the Emperor, who immediately spoke to her in
that language. The young lady then reminded his Majesty
that her father, celebrated as hautbois player, had had the
honour of playing several times at Arenberg before Queen
Hortense and her son. As to the brothers Sauret, the
youngest said to his father, .‘ Write a letter, and I will de-
liver it to the Emperor." No sooner said than done. When
the child presented the request, saying " Sire, deign to
accept this," his Majesty caressed him, and the concert was
decided on. Mdlle. Mina Ruthardt executed several mor-
ceaux on the cythare. The Emperor, in applauding her,
exclaimed, " One would almost think it was the human
voice," and the romance of the " lrottvere" was encored.
The brothers Sauret executed a duo from ' Guillaume Tell,"
after which the violinist gave "Le Carnaval de Venise" of
Paganini with wonderful effect. The Emperor warmly
applauded these charming children.

New Legal Appointments,--Actual and

Prospective.

(From the Law Times of to•day, just published.)
Sir James Wilde is appointed to the vacant
judgeship in the Divorce Court. it was, perhaps,
the best selection that could be made, for there
was, in truth, no range of choice. Neither on the
bench nor at the bar was there a man to whom all
fingers could have pointed as the right man for the
place. The new Judge possesses at least one quali-
fication, he is a gentleman, and that is the first
requirement. In the performance of his delicate
duties he will, undoubtedly, be guided by right
feeling and good taste. The court will not,
under his presidency, suffer in the reputation
which it acquired under the controlling hand of
his predecessor, Uncertain health is not such an
objection as the limes asserts, for the work is not
so severe as it appears to be. The court sits only
five days in the week, not until 11 o'clock, rising at
5 and often at 4, and on Saturday at 3 ; and
there are vacations also. The work is really lighter
than that of the common law judges ; and there is
less of labour and difficulty in the performance of it,
for it is a very limited branch of law after all, re-
quiring no research and little other than the appli-
cation of good sense and knowledge of human nature.
Sir James Wilde really obtains a desirable relief by
the change, and perhaps the lightened labour will
improve the health that could not endure the toil
of the common law courts. As for the law he is to
administer, it is already made for him, and little re-
mains to complete the scheme.

The changes consequent upon his removal are as
yet only in rumour. The Attorney-General might
have the vacant judgeship if he pleased. But will
he accept it ? lie aspires to a chiefship of course,
and he will probably be content to take the chance
of a prize which cannot be very long beyond his
grasp. Should he prefer, however, the present cer-
tainty, Sir R. Palmer will succeed him, and Lord
Palmerston will have to choose a Solicitor-General.
The claimants upon tile Government are Mr. Collier,
Q.C., Sergeant Pigott,. and Sergeant Shee. Of these
Mr. Collier has the for emost place, earned by long
and faithful political services, and unquestioned
capacity.

Should the Attorney-General prefer to bide
his time, a judge must be chosen by the Lord
Chancellor. Political claims are not deemed to
weigh so much in this appointment, which, indeed,
is confided to the Lord Chancellor that he may
give to the country the ablest lawyer and not the
most active partisan. This is it
Part of his
patronage with which the Lo rd Chancellor per-
mits no interference. Even e premier himself
would not express an opinion or 'a wish. Lord
Westbury has not exhibited any st rang party bear-
ings in the distribution of his judicial patronage
hitherto, and perhaps he will not do a o now. Should
he look for the best man, with the highest profes-
sional claims, he would probably prat r Mr. Lush,
and we should not be surprised if that gentleman
should be selected for the honour. In adeition thcro
are the three competitors for the Solicitov-General-
ship, and of these, for several reasons, Mr. Sergeant
Shee is likely to be preferred, especially as he has
already twice occupi zd the place of the new judge
of the Divorce Court, when illness prevented hirs
attendance on his circuit. But either of those we
have named would be approved by the Profession.
There are rumours also of projected changes in
the Equity Courts, It is said that L. J. Knigb t
Bruce will retire, that V.C. Kindersley is to succee'
him in the Appeal Court, and that Mr. James
will
be the new Vice. Chancellor.

MEYERBEER Las
" presented a grand chorus,
Hymn to Jupiter," to the city of Florence, as a
token of his grateful recollection of the manner with which
his early works were
recognised by the Florentines,
CHARMING SnzPLICITY !—Htly don, the historical
painter, aud his EO4 Prank were in a churchyard, watching
a sexton digging a grave. " Ala," said Haydon,
that will be yours as well ao my. last liQuie," Dut yours
first, pap ,said
a krank, "Frank