The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FiiIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 18, iB6a,

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l seeing clearly or being convinced against their will.
The character of the House of Lords was vindicated
in this address from any aspersions that may have
been cast upon it for inertness and inaptitude,
There was great truth in the remark, that "Many
a time and oft had the Peers of England prevented
the liberties of the people from being swallowed up
by the prerogatives of the Crown." From the barons
of Runny mede downwards there has been many a
warlike act and many a worthy deed that has lent
lustre to its annals, and illustrated gracelully the
motto, Noblesse oblige. Mr. BAINES was very
happy in his efforts to exemplify the
particular character of our aristocracy as
contradistinguished to some others. In some coun-
tries there were ranks which were quite separated
from the rest of the community who could never
ascend to their elevation. In England all this was
very different, the sons of peers mingled with the
people and were their representatives, while many
Commoners were raised to the Peerage. A fitting
compliment may be paid to the " youngest member
of that assembly," Mr. MoNciaost MILNES. That
noble lord furnished a good instance of what Mr.
BAINES sought to convey, for he was essentially a
man of the people as it were, identifying himself
with institutions, and being connected with many
popular undertakings which perhaps tended more
to conduce to his reputation than his having a name
that was " inscribed upon bright pages in all litera-
ture, and honourably known in the House of Com-
mons." Without being of the highest order of those
who are admitted to " the first benches of the Upper
School," Lord HOUGHTON is a fair specimen of the
class who are constantly received into the high
places of the community, and these prove them-
selves of signal service to the ranks they have left
by inspiring fresh and new energy among those
they join. Thus the continual admixture
of classes that forms the best security end
affords the surest guarantee against the
overgrowth of prejudices and the danger of
corrupt innovations of power like those whose
enormity occasioned the great French Revel.
lntion. After passing these enlogiums, Mr.
BAINES concluded by giving the upper branch
of the legislature s piece of good advice. He told
them not to impede the march of progress in the
Commons, and that as they cheerfully gave to them
their rights of many centuries, in their turn they
demanded their privilege of a fair representation.
It is to be hoped that this salutary warning will
not be disregarded when the time comes to test its
efficacy, and there seems some truth in the idea that
the extension of the franchise will not meet with
any very decided opposition in the Lords, for if the
subject be successful in its discussion in the Com-
mons the chief obstacle will be overcome, and in-
deed, judging from vast experience, it is most likely
that the most overwhelming obstacles will be en-
countered on Mr. BAINES'S side of the house,
whether it be in power or in the cold shade of
opposition. Lord HOUGHTON made some appro-
priate remarks on the occasion, and was very well
received. He observed that he would indeed regret
his change of position did he imagine he had entered
an assembly which precluded him from sympa-
thising with the popular cause. Lord HOUGHTON'S
gratulations as to the achievements of his party
were, however, more ingenious than founded on
fact, for it would be difficult to prove what the
chiefs of the Liberal ranks have done to create the
prosperity of the country. They have always been
active enough when their opponents were in power ;
but when they returned to office they emulated the
renown of those sovereigns of tha Merovingik
dynasty who have been immortalised in history as
Rois Faineants. This meeting appears to have been
remarkable for more energy than is usually appa-
rent in the meetings of the Liberal party. Doubt-
less, if Lord HOUGHTON and Mr. BAINES found
more kindred spirits and more congenial natures
among their friends, affairs would not be in the
tame, quiescent state which now distinguishes them,
and many a triumph that now graces their oppo-
nents might have been the pride and boast of their
own party.

Bombardment and Capture of Osaca by the

Daimios.

We (Manchester Examiner) have been favoured
6Y a Stcckport gentleman, whose brother is at
Yokohama, with the following " Extra " of the
Japan Commercial News, containing intelligence
which has not previously been published in this
country. The dispatch is headed—.
Kanagawa, Oct. 10, 1863, 3 p.m.
" Authentic information has just been received of
the bombardment and capture of the Imperial city
of Osaca (and some say of Kioto also) by the
Daimios. The loss to the Tycoon's party is consi-
derable, including the two governors of the city
and several commanding officers.
"The Daimios are said to be advancing an army
of 50,000 men for the capture of Yokohama. It is
certain that they have expressed their intention,
or, as others say, sworn to do so ; and that an
attack on this place may be expected on the Bth of
the next month—whether Japanese or foreign date
is meant we cannot tell.

" The Tycoon's government proposes to erect at
once three forts or batteries at Yokohama, for the
protection of the settlement.
" Her Britannic Majesty's steamer Racehorse
leaves at 1 p.m. to-morrow for Nagasaki, and the
Algerine for Shanghae at the same time.'

FIRE AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—Yesterday morning
between 1 and 2 o'clock, policeman Money and Sil-
ver, who were on duty in Thames •street, observed extensive
flames of fire issuing from the Brunswick Tower and as-
cending high above the Castle. These men promptly gave
information to the police on duty at the Porter's Lodge of
the servant's entrance, also to the Hon. General Grey and
Capt. Ellis, the officer of the Castle guard. They imme-
diately turned out the soldiers, and ordered a party of them
to proceed to the infantry barracks for the barrack engine
In the meantime, Mr. Walker, inspector of the Castle
police, caused the engine at the Castle to be brought to
the Terrace, and Inspector Eager had the Windsor
parish engine also quickly brought to the spot. Mr. Turn-
bull, the architect, Mr. Averland, the head cook, Mr.
Frankling, engineer, and Mr. Seabrook, storekeeper, with
others, ascended the top of the tower, and as there was an
excellent supply of water laid on in all parts of the Castle,
which is brought from the reservoir at Cranbourne, they
had extinguished the fire by the time the engines arrived.
It will be remembered that the Brunswick Tower, which
adjoins the Prince of 'Wales's Tower, was on fire some time
since. The day before some plumbers and glaziers had been
working on the roof of the Brunswick Tower, and intended
to remove the shavings and rubbish. After the Queen had
left for Osborne they had piled it up against one of the chim-
neys, and it is conjectured that a spark from the chimney
must have fallen on the rubbish and caused it to ignite.
The damage is inconsiderable.

A TROLL OR THE JoKUL, (OR ICE MOUNThIN)
--Two men who were out moss gathering camped
one night on the fells ; one of them lay awake, and saw
the other rise in his sleep and stalk out of the tent. He
went so fast that the making man could not overtake him,
and he bent up towards the Jokul, The pursuer stopped
at the foot of the Rini, for on a peak of it sat a giant hag,
Rand now stretching her hands straight forwards, and now
mesa-gatherers
e'rteonnetahte ysezethsipsot;
hre'r_ing them back to her breast, she drew the sleeper into
he believed i manhe cwamase
verydow nmotoodyso, some
that they hardly got a word from him ; tiny asked whom
" Trunnt
came heagain_t!ha;dthi
that they stood in
eimnir at last
said,. in God. The second year he
s time he had grown so like a Troll
awe of him—yet they asked whom he
nvee them no answer. The third year
s now:rao
ared todownrightHasekTwwraohsloim,
neveranh and
believed in, but he
e
go to gather moss there for
).hxeeicieceeavdmeidneginong:arnd
he
said,
runt and the Trolls
in the fell," and thereupon he disappeared,
after moss
did not
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yagyaeianrs;