The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-11 00:00:00

operation of the sovereigns or of their representa-
tives, a system which may calm the public mind and
restore peace, tranquillity, and order to numberless
countries in which, unfortunately, those benefits are
lost, is a design which greatly honours your Ma-
jesty, and which with the co-operation of all, assisted
by Divine grace, will produce the best effects. For
this reason, with an entirely cordial disposition,
we associate ourselves with such a praiseworthy
object"—and su forth. His Majesty the King of
ILINovEn, by birth an English Prince, acknow-
ledges in so many words to his having received the
EMPEROR'S letter " with equal pleasure and grati-
tude." King LEOPOLD writes very frankly in
reference to his own individual sentiments, "As
regards my own personal feelings I should
take advantage of the cordial proposal of
your Imperial MAJESTY with the greatest
satisfaction." King VICTOR EMMANUEL answers
with point blank explicitness—" As soon as
the international Conference takes place I shall
take part (in it) in person, or at least send (to it) a
representative." From all sides except from the
direction of England the answers have come in,
couched in terms the most conciliatory. For the
curt, snarline, almost cynical. tone of our reply,
England herself is not responsible—but, on the
contrary, we
rest assured of this, that for that
tone she rigorously hold responsible her
ry,
will
Foreign Secretary.

At this season of the year one's attention is natu-
rally turned to the question of agriculture, there are
so many meetings and gatherings in the country;
and the more absorbing and engrossing subjects of
politics being in abeyance for the timelso far there
is more opportunity for entering into the discussion
of other points. At the meeting of the Society of
Arts Mr. CHALMERS MORTON read a paper on
"Agricultural Projects, its Helps and Hindrances,"
which is deserving of consideration for many of its
suggestions and remarks. He gave it as his opinion
that the indisputable progress that had been made
was attributable to many causes, among which he
notified " the more extended use of machinery."
This opinion coming from an influential quarter is
very satisfactory, for some persons have been
much against this practice, and more especially in
regard to steam machinery. Mr. MORTON also
entered into the question of how much benefit had
accrued from the establishment of Societies ; the
Royal Agricultural Society, in particular, had been
most serviceable. There is no doubt that there is
great truth in this, as nothing can exercise a
stronger influence, or keep a spirit of emulation,
and impart interest to the subject in all its branches,
than the formation of Societies. They ensure
that due regard must be paid to the matter
in many varied forms, whereas otherwise, perhaps
with the best intentions, those more immediately
concerned or intimately connected with the affair
might neglect to study its peculiarities, and become
negligent or slothful in their vocation. The remarks
of Mr. COLE at this meeting were most worthy
of notice. He observed that one question of
paramount importance, which ought not to be passed
over, was the condition of the labourer. He con-
sidered that no one could deny that the labourer
was " worse housed and cared for than the horse,
the cow, and the pig." Certainly this is a sad and
sorrowful estimate to take of the question, and it is
of importance that the view Mr. COLE took of the
case be duly considered. He said much evil arose
from the practice that landlords had of putting a
stop to the existence of cottages on their estates.
Their object was to prevent them becoming charge-
able to the parish rates. This is a very reprehen-
sible course to adopt, and the results that ensue
from it are to sure to prove most deleterious to the
cause in which they are engaged, and ensure the
most hurtful effects on those connected with them.
It is satisfactory to mark in contradistinction to
this that many attempts are now made to improve
the dwellings of the labouring classes. No state of
society can prosper if the hands that toil, and the be-
ings who minister to the wants of others, are not well
provided for, and their ccmfort made one of the first
considerations in forming plans and devising means
for the carrying on of the various schemes of agri-
culture, and the several arrangements relating
thereto. A meeting was also held at the St.
James's Hall for the purpose of considering the
best means of promoting *heir cultivation. The
conclusion arrived at was that they passed a reso-
lution highly approving of the objects of the
General Steam Cultivation Company. Another
resolution was also passed to the effect that it would
be advisable to establish a joint stock com-
pany, to supply " steam apparatus to ap-
plicants." This would be a very desirable thing
if it could be managed with any degree of success,
as the results of the more extended use of steam
would certainly ensure great benefits to all con-
cerned in the matter. Lord ROBERT MONTAGU
spoke very strongly on the question, and declared
that if the steam plough was prevalent throughout
the country the " English farmer would be able
to compete with those of America, Russia, Poland,
and the Principalities of Turkey." This would
be indeed a desideratum, and the sooner the experi-
ment is made the better. There is always so much

prejudice to overcome in these matters that the

progress of any invention and the adoption of any
scheme is always most tardy and tedious. As soon
as possible, however, those who are more enlight-
ened should seek to dispel the illusions and dissipate
the tears of the timorous and mistaken persona who
will pursue the beaten track, and prove by their

conduct, if not by their words, that they adhere to
the old adage that " What they did with yesterday
they'll e'en do with to-day." Mr. HOLLAND, the
Chairman, adduced several reasons in favour of this

'in nzPoereiment. He said that as much could be done
besides,it
Week with steam as in six by the present
method ;
to
aomu
ani
very truly declared that this gave
them
we extent the command of the seasons ;
fifth here eta not expensive. He had now got in his
gave it as his :e' he had employed steam, and he
meat
a steam did it for 10s. These
per acre, whereas the
that the old system cost 20s.
cPyrtnirlluce an effect in time, and
are facts that
the more energetic
1
method set to work the,: who are in favour of the
the unbelieving will be
tgileaotnfirmed in the right
all possible Facilities
converted and the hesitating
views. It is quite certain
tomo employ steam
a moat
tY about to
should be given to farmers
f,ozpiropriate
machines, and therefore the
a
be started has come forward at
time, and deserves encouragement
interest it is to promote the progress of agriculture
whose
ia
eeziture
throughout the country. There is no use
ing new things to succeed if the right mean':
act:
not adcpted to enable them to do so, and cons©_
quently any well organised scheme for providing
against difficulties and supplying emergencies
should be encouraged. It is idle to consider that
agriculture is to be left in staeu quo, while all other
sciences are undergoing alterations and receiving
improvements. It is just and right that all pursuits

and professions should share in the great changes
now taking place, and reap the benefits that matured
experience and additional knowledge are so widely
diffusing and largely disseminating through the
civilised world. It was quite time that some
definite plan was put in farce to supply the defi-
cienciest and restify the error that militated against
I e success of this invention ; and it is, therefore,