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

the smallest shere, and yet she probably needs
support the most. The women generally bring

their children with them to their dinners, and are
described as being cheerful, orderly, and grateful.
"It is perfectly easy," says the writer, " to have
one or two kitchens for mothers and aged people
in every parish and district of Blackburn if there is
money to support them ;" and as during a period
of 185 days, when 37,245 dinners were given, the
expenditure was only £404, so useful an institution
will not surely be suffered to stand still for want of
funds. It is not proposed to reopen the industrial

schools at present, as those interested in the opera.

tives are most anxious to avoid interfering in the
mill-work, however laborious and unsatisfactory it

may be for the present. It is something, at any
rate, that trade is reviving, and that wages, though
far below their former level, are to be had at all.

As the diminished payment is chiefly owing to the
inferior quality of the cotton used,we may hope for
a considerable improvement in this particular. Time
is fighting our battle, not only in convincing the
Americans of the fruitlessness of the struggle, but
in bringing the period when the several quarters
of the globe shall send their cotton to supply the
need of Lancashire. Next season will, we may
hope, bring the precious stores in sufficient quantity,
and it will be Lancashire's own fault if she has ever

again to endure such a trial as that she is now
passing through.

The proposal for a Reform in the German
Federal Organisation, lately made by Austria,
seems significant enough, A semi-official Paper
in Vienna thus explains the purport of the pro..
posal :—" Austria, in her proposal for a reform in
the organisation of the Confederation, has less in
view a new Federal constitution than the establish-
ment of the means of practically and energetically
removing the principal obstacles which at present
render the adoption of efficacious resolutions by the
Diet impossible. This sounds very fair, and
doubtless some of these results may be obtained; but,
of course, there is a deep political meaning in all
this, and those who watch the signs of the times,
and employ their skill in divining its mysteries,
will, doubtless, discover something very unpro-
pitious for Prussia in this new movement, It has
always been a matter of dispute as to which should
be the head of the German Confederation, Austria
or Prussia. Many have observed that, considering
the improvements lately made by the Government
at Vienna, and the decadence in liberal principles
that had taken place in Berlin, it would be
better for the former to possess the wished-for
privilege. The Emperor of AUSTRIA seems
quite willing
to act. fie has boldly come
forward, and
appears equal to the emergency.
The propos
sistance. ads of Austria are fair enough, but it is
certain that
the Prussians will meet them with re- '
They still look forward to the realisation
of their grand scheme
that there should be a Prus-
sianallowed by Austermin:
Germany, This, of
Germ
course, would not be
sodweinrthmuerogsruggestiona
efficacious
the now made
aowisestdn efe,coursed andera t
endeavour
wouldon. 1 bi
The
d the
urgent need of reform d from whatever
Dttoeiefretelnil
motive the proposal is made thermeau
be no reason
why the plan should not be worked out
satisfaction to all reasonable
benefitl on some of the small States, confer a
greatly
oh
need some protection. After what has al - glue
ready taken
minde,
as:c;lsto
place there will be no retractation, and therefore
We
may confidently look forward to this meeting at
Frankfort as the era of a better existence, and the

come."

dawn of a brighter day for those who are in want
of remedial measures, and whose state has long
called for interference. It is not likely, with all the
rival claims to be adjusted, and all the divers ob-
jections that are sure to occur at every turn, that
any undue power will be given to Austria ; but if
any greater share of influence be given to that
country it will be an advantage. The whole
course and tenour of the Prussian policy
of late years precludes the idea that
she can be of any use or assistance to other nations
in remodelling their constitution. At all events,
during the reign of the present monarch it would
be very like the blind attempting to lead the blind.
All overtures and proposals that come from such a
quarter will be looked upon with suspicion, and
good reason too, for those who ignore the
rights of their own subjects are not likely to show
very much respect for the privileges of others. The
fact is, that by the late events Prussia seems by
common consent to be put aside from the position
which she once held. Her mission at present seems
to be to win every nation against her, except
Russia, whom she seems to have adopted as the
prototype ofw with
her
suchpo
policy. France
ancaendhatsrubeekcolimn: very
indignant with such shifting and truckling con-
duct. The other day, in an important
was said that "Prussia must
renouneepatmhephlet
ambi-
guous ot
i-
guous position she occupies. Does King WILLIAM
forget the teachings of history, and force France to
another Jena as the forerunner to another Fried-
land ?" It is a difficult and delicate task that is
new placed before the Government of Berlin in this
critical posture of affairs. But the same mis-
chievous spirit of contrariety that has ruled their
foreign policy, and dictated their domestic
concerns of late, seems to have urged them
forward on the wrong path. It is said, on what is
considered a reliable authority, that a despatch has
been received at Vienna from the Prussian Govern-
ment " declining the invitation of the Emperor of
AUSTRIA to a conference on the question of
reform in the German Confederation." If
such should prove to be the case, which
it is not probable that it will, the Prus-
sians will be playing a most suicidal game,
and losing a position that they may not regain for
many generations in influencing and advising the
States of Germany. It is to be trusted that those
who meet at the Conference will use the opportu-
nity to the utmost advantage. It is said that the
EMPEROR has decided that newspaper reporters
shall be admitted at the proposed conference of
German princes at Frankfort. This is a wise reso-
lution, and proves that the undertaking is made in
the right spirit, and it is to be trusted that an ad-
vance will be made in the right direction. There
is much to improve in the whole state of the Ger-
manic Confederation, and the more earnestly and
energetically they set to work to put down abuses,
do away with anomalies, and cast aside prejudices,
the more will it redound to their own happiness
and honour, and the better will it be for the peace
and the prosperity of Europe. Whatever may be
the ultimate consequences of this Conference, it is
certain that it takes place under favourable auspices,
and whether or not its augury of success be realised
there is great credit due to its originator. The
Emperor of AUSTRIA merits the thanks of all Ger-
many for his resolute effort to effect some lasting
good, and the several nations of Europe will accord
him great praise if he succeed in ameliorating the
position of affairs in the complicated construction
of the Germanic Confederation. As Prussia recedes
so will Austria advance, and the setting of one star
of promise may be followed by the rise of another,
if these events really bring about the advantages
they herald, and realise their promises by perform
antes.

The Accident at a Review near Teignrnouth.

As briefly stated in our yesterday's impression an
alarming accident occurred on Thursday, at a bri-
gade review of the Devon County Volunteers, on
Little Haldown Down, near Teignmouth. The
following details are from the Western Morning
News :—" Just after the last rank of the volunteers
had passed the inspecting officer there arose a noise
and a cry which sent a thrill of horror among the
crowd. A glance in the direction of the grand
stand, whence the crash proceeded, at once revealed
the cause of alarm. The whole of the interior fit-
tings of the stand, which was crowded with specta-
tors, had suddenly given way, and appalling
screams were raised by the unfortunate women who
were buried in the debris. Everybody present
rushed to the scene of the disaster, some to help and
some to gratify their curiosity. For a few minutes
it was supposed that several lives must have been
lost, and intense excitement prevailed. Within the
enclosure the scene was truly awful. Men stood
appalled at the frantic cries proceeding from the
ladies, who were seen jammed between or buried
beneath the timbers. As soon as possible they were
extricated, and a search commenced for those who
were beneath. There were several surgeons on the
spot, fortunately, who were ready to render assist-
ance to the maimed, of whom, we regret to say,
there were several ; but, happily, no fatal result up
to the time of our most recent information attended
the accident. The under part of the stand was
occupied by Mr. Gifford, of Exeter, for the sale of
refreshments. When the floor of the stand gave
way there were several persons beneath, among
whom were Mrs. Gifford, a man who was assisting,
and a female assistant named Mrs. Shute. As soon
as the debris was partially removed, it was found
that Mrs. Gifford was very severely in-
jured, and that the man had sustained a
severe fracture of the leg. Mrs. Shute was still more
seriously hurt, and her face presented a most painful
spectacle, not only from the discoloration of the
skin, but also from cuts and bruises. It was at first
thought the unfortunate woman was dead; but
having been removed on a shutter to the open
ground, she received medical treatment, and soon
recovered consciousness; although we are informed
that the surgeon is doubtful whether she will survive
the internal injuries which she has received. Mrs.
Gifford and the man were removed to an ambulance
under the care of Assistant-Surgeon May, 2d Devon ;
and the more seriously injured were conveyed to the
Infirmary at Teignmouth. Among those who sus-
tained minor injuries were—Mrs. Hayes and Miss
Gliddon, of George-street, Devonport; Mr. Burt,
watchmaker, Devonport, and Miss Vanstone ; Mr.
Picken, of Uhimple-street ; Mr. Shapcott, sail-
maker, and several others whose names we could
not ascertain. It was also asserted that a little boy
had his leg broken, but we ware unable to verify
the rumour. For a long time after the sufferers had
been extricated a scene of indescribable confusion
prevailed on the stand, crowds rushing in to know
the extent of the calamity, whilst others came in
search of missing articles of jewellery and wearing
apparel, of which there was a motley collection.
These were heaped together by the police—hats,
opera glasses, wigs, parasols, brooches, bonnets, &c.,
and some of the owners were obliged to go hatless
away, in consequence of the very jealous care exer-
cisedu by the officials. The cause of the accident
was stated to be the very inefficient manner in
which the edifice was constructed. Notwithstand-
ings a
iatthepressed (hers stand was o
tful,l,s the
to
ascend, person in enhtair is
d to have until the
the
weight was greater than thensttrhuec teuernetwrea,s
tihneteonedesud
to hear, and it gave way i
_
pants falling together in a mass. The builders

were Messrs. Stafford, of Exeter. The accident

was not so serious as at one time it was believed
to be ; but it is to be feared that many persons will

suffer from the consequences for a long time to

The Earl and Countess Russell and Ladies
Russell arrived at the residence of the Countess of Fla-
hault, on the banks of the Tay, in Perthshire, on Monday
from Louden, having gone north byeasy stages,

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