The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 23, 1863

needlework. One consequence is the crowds of ill-
paid and half-educated governesses, who struggle
for situations, each trying to outdo her fellows in
the extent of her professions and the mode-
ration of her charges. Another result is to
be seen in the letter before us. Had some
of these hundreds of women been trained in
early life to bookkeeping, watchmaking, or other
trades where delicacy of finger, care, and skill are
the chief requisites, how much misery might have
been saved ! But all these occupations require to
be learned carefully; not caught up in a hurry
when the pupil must work or starve. One branch
of employment, indeed, there is which would em-
ploy large numbers of respectable women in work
well adapted to their strength and tastes, and open
to admit those whose youth missed the training
needed for so many occupations. We allude to shop-
serving, which, in our "nation of shopkeepers," con-
stitutes no unimportant item of the national indus-
try. Why custom, whim, or prejudice should be
allowed to stand between women starving for want
of work, and an employment for which they are
especially fitted, is a question hard to answer in
these days of practical sense and earnest endeavour.
It would appear to an impartial observer, that in a
large proportion of the shops of this busy metro-
polis women are much better suited to the task of
serving customers than men, and yet in how few
do we see them ? If our large linendrapers were
to inaugurate the change, how great a blessing
would they confer on hundreds of desponding
females. Let those who by act, word, or influence
can promote the cause, not hesitate in doing so, since
the wages inadequate for an active and intelligent
man would support a woman in decency and com-
fort. Meanwhile other plans must be tried, and
other schemes set on foot, that we may hear no
longer of " thousands" of either men or women being
in our midst, willing to work, but unable to obtain
even such wretched employment as will bring them
in a farthing and a half an hour.

The new Chamber of Deputies has inaugurated
its career in a worthy manner, Indeed, there has
been evinced a spirit and decision that must eventu-
ally exercise a beneficial influence on public affairs,
and in the peculiarly trying position of politics at
present it must be a great relief to those anxious
about the future to note this significant starting
that has been effected. The Ministers have adopted
a wise course, whether merely to carry out their
game and gain a particular point, or whether be-
cause they are really impressed with the importance
of events, and seek to propitiate those of whom
they are afraid —at all events, the latest intelligence
from Prussia affords, in its way, more satisfactory
information than has been sent for some time lately.
The Ministry have published a Royal decree, which
is in conformity with the article 63 of the Consti-
tution. " This decree withdrawsithe order of the
Ist of June, referring to the prohibition of news-
papers and periodicals." This is certainly a step
in the right direction, and too much credit cannot
be given
to those earnest and energetic members
who have fought the good fight, and so soon
gained their end. The decision of the Ministers,
as expressed in this decree,has soon followed on the
intelligence conveyed of the discussion on the sub-
ject in the Chamber. Whatever maybe the duration
of this Chamber, or whatever success may attend
their efforts, and good results crown their deli-
berations, it is a most satisfactory solution of
one great difficulty, and a notable conclu-
sion to a disturbing discussion, to notice this ad-
justment of the ordinance question. The rescind-
ing of such an order is the best thing that could
possibly befall the nation. We may now indulge
in some hopes that may not prove groundless, and
entertain some idea of an improvement taking place
in the prospects of Prussia; at all events the ardent
patriot, the earnest Wellwisher, and the philosophic
observer of events in the country may rest satisfied
that there will be some outlet for public grievances,
some expression for wounded feelings, and some
record of national wrongs. Tho notion of suppress-
ing all free mention of important events, all unre-
stricted comment on the mutation of measures, and
all indignant or disappointed remarks on great na-
tional changes, is in reality sapping the foundation
of the power and prosperity of the country. A more
short-sighted proposal never emanated from an infa-
tuated Cabinet, or was sanctioned by a mistaken
Monarch. It is well that at the eleventh hour a
patriotic Parliament has come to the rescue, and
in defiance of difficulties, and regardless of opposi-
tion, declared their honest conviction, and professed
their honest purpose. It is to be trusted that this
arrangement may be a final one, and that the day
may never come when the country of Prussia suffers
such decadence and degradation, and her sons allow
themselves to be so stultified. In a great measure
a nation that has once gained any sort of pre-emi-
nence has its fate in its own hand, for if it use its
opportunities and guard its privileges, it will be
next to impossible for any King, however tyranni-
cal, or any Ministry, however unworthy, to circum-
scribe to a great degree the limits of public privileges,
or to invade the stronghold of popular rights. It
was once remarked by Mr. DISRAELI, in alluding to
social advantages, that when nations fall, it is be-
cause a degenerate race intervened between the
class that created and the class that is doomed."
This is very true, and therefore the anxiety
of all lovers of freedom and discerners of
events.. The issue that waits on the actions of
the Prussian representatives is a mighty one, and
far off generations may have to bless or curse the
day which sent them forth to the trial ground to
fight the battles of their country's rights, and vindi-
cate her claims before the nations of the world.
In the Upper House it is something to notice that a
protest was made against the proposal of the para-
graph " which expressed gratitude to the Govern-
ment for the measures adopted against the spread
of the insurrection in Poland." Unfortunately, the
earnest appeals of Count BRINUKI did not produce
any decided alteration in the terms of the address,
but at all events they must have produced some
beneficial effect upon the Assembly, and the dis-
cussion called forth the virtuous indignation of
Herr VON BIBMARK, who expressed himself in no
measured terms concerning the suggestions of the
Count. It would be ludicrous if the subject were
not so serious, and if the consequences were not so
lamentable, to mark the want of sequence in the
arguments of the Minister, and the absurdity of
some of his opinions. When he goes on to state,
however, that "Government has a political, social,
and moral interest in the movement of Russian
Poland not bsing victorious," it is sad to reflect
that these cruel words, and heartless sentiments,
ate uttered by one in so important and influential a
positions and charged with such solemn responsi-
bilities, As is usual, the ease with these one-sided
arguers, and these wiseacrJs of politics, who speak
With what has been aptly described as "splenetic
authoritativeness, and factious sophistication," we
find Plenty of abuse of opponents and the ordinary
share of unfounded statements and inexcusable
inuendoes.
T
allowed to be successful
to us the fact, Ht,tehrratßlanimAßovKeameetunatlmlyuas:nnot:cie3es
" which soils itself with
unheard-of crimes, and.
w.whhiecthherdeltihgihsts
sentence
to apotheosis of assassination."
It would be
difficult to discover
io most remarkable for its insolence, die. ,