The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-24 00:00:00

THERMOMETER.

This morning
This day at Two o'clock
Barometer-30.24.

Wind—N.-E, ; moderate, and very fine weather.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Fnis DAv,—Morning, 7h. Om.—Afternoon, 7h. 25m
To-moßßow.-Morning, 7h. 52m.—Afternoon, 3h. 20m.

oe
e-dUn

to the French EMPEROR, this courteous reception
of His Imperial MAJESTY'S reviler by the Emperor
NAPOLEON hi nself, is another and a very signal
proof of his (the EMPEROR'S) dignified and truly
wonderful magnanimity.

The anticipated debate on Poland came to an
abrupt termination on Monday evening by the un-
looked for interference of Mr. BEAUMONT, supported
by Mr. KINGLAKE and Lord ENFIELD. Whether
or no the assertion that such interference was the
result of private arrangement be correct, Mr.
HENNESSY did not support his rights. Perhaps
he thought, with the objectors, that the opportu-
nity was not a good one, that the discussion he
lately wished to provoke might embarrass instead
of furthering the cause he had at heart. Whatever
the reason, he did not answer the objections raised
by a few hon. members, but suffered the mo-
tion for the postponement of the orders of
the day to proceed to a division, when
it was negatived by a majority of 165 to
110. This result appeared to take the minority by

surprise, for a considerable amount of indignation

was expressed, a good share of it being directed
against the imperturbable Premier. The onslaught,
however, did not prove sufficient to ruffle the com-
posure or disturb the complacency of Lord PALMER-

STON. He declared that he had been taken corn,

pletely by surprise (a rare occurrence!) and after
indulging in a few aphorisms on the impossibility

of Government's controlling the House or foreseeing
the result of its decisions, he proceeded to console
the friends of Poland for their disappointment by
unfolding the contents of the diplomatic note of
which we have heard so much. The substance of
the propositions which, according to Lord ...PALMER-
STON, England, France, and Austria have united in
recommending to Russia, include six points. These
six points are veritably the six points of the Polish
charter; but however desirable or even indispen•
sable they may be, we agree with the right hon.
gentleman the member for Bucks that he must be a

very sanguine politican who can suppose that they

will be accepted by Russia. They are as follows :
A general and complete amnesty ; a national repre-
sentation ; the appointment of Poles exclusively to
public offices ; full toleration of the national faith ;
the employment of the Polish language in pub-
lic transactions; and a regular system of recruiting.
As a necessary supplement, or rather preliminary

to these propositions, it was further recommended
that there should be a suspension of hostilities.
The recommendations are fair and temperate, and
if either Europe or Poland could put the slightest
faith in Russian promises, there might be some
hope of settlement. But, is the first place, it re-
mains to be seen whether Russia will give even
nominal assent to these suggestions; secondly,
whether the outraged Poles will be more disposed
to 'trust Cossack promises than they were to accept
the lately proffered amnesty, which a long and
bitter experience had taught them to suspect was
but hiding the sword in olives. If these sugges-
tions were folly and fairly agreed to, and carried
out in letter and spirit, they would doubtless open
the way to a better state of things, though it might
even then be questioned whether the strife were
finally hushed. The partial nationality and inde-
pendence granted to the remnants of an ancient
people might but serve to awaken in them more
strongly the memories of the past and the hopes of

the future. The truth probably lies in the em-
phatic words of Mr. DISRAELI—OnIy two final
solutions of the question are possible, and these are
the unity of the Russian Government and indepen-
dence of Poland. The first of these possibilities
means, of course, the complete subjection of Poland to
her tyrants and the consequent annihilation of an old
heroic race ; the other alternative no diplomatist
could propose to the autocrat of the Russias. It is
hard, therefore, to blame our Government for the
course they have pursued in what is undoubtedly a
very difficult and delicate position. If we cannot
be too sanguine as to the results of their interfer-
ence, it is at least a satisfaction to know that three
of the great Powers have united in condemning
the barbarism of the Russian soldiery, and in de-
manding, on behalf of the Polish nation, the accor-
dance of those rights of national religion, national
representation, and national language, which the
ruthless Cossack has so long withheld from the
countrymen of KOSCIUSKO. Whatever be the conse-
quence, we can but wait and hope. It is impossible
to decide upon the direction of our future course
until we see the result of our present efforts. The
possible complications of European politics which
may arise from the present conjuncture are too
grave for the oldest statesman to foresee the issues.
But one thing is certain. If the tragedy of an earlier
date be repeated, if the Western Powers contem-

plate with apathetic philosophy, the savage subju-
gation of a people struggling for the last remnants
of its national existence, if diplomatic expediency
induce them to listen with courteous acquiescence
to the smooth professions of the Cabinet of the CzAR,
and to turn a deaf ear to the despairing cry of

_ ..
Poland, a stain will rest on the civilisation of the
nineteenth century, which no necessity can palliate
and no repentance remove.

On Monday a meeting was held by the Governors
or Bethlehem Hospital for the purpose of deciding
upon the desirability of removing the institution to
a more healthy and suitable locality than it at
present occupies, and also of considering the letter
of Sir G. GREY which enclosed one from the Com-
missioners of Lunacy on the subject. Some satis-
factory solution may at last be come to, since it was
resolved that the President, Treasurer, and five of
the Governors of Bethlehem and St. Thomas's
Hospitals should meet for a preliminary discussion.
It is evident that all the excitement that has been
created on this subject has produced some good
effect, since the meeting was the largest that has
been held for years. It was satisfactory that the
meeting did not agree to the proposition of the
Treasurer of Bethlehem Hospital, which was a most
unsuitable one. He prefaced his motion by stating
that he considered the "letter of the Commissioners
of Lunacy was not consistent with the respect
which the Governors had a right to expect from
them." This sort of argument may suit the dignity
of the parties concerned, but they seemed to forget
that the Commissioners had a higher duty to per-
form than to conform to their fancies. It was
incumbent upon them to protect the interests of the
e-alicted beings concerned in the affair, and such
Claims were paramount to all other considerations.
B eside such vital questions, the objections urged were
trivial
and superficial. Mr. JOHNSON'S proposals
were that the removal should be on a principle
mutually advantageous to both hospitals, and that
" the total cost of the removal of that of Bethlehem
should be borne by the governors of St. Thomas's."
This was going back to the old argument which had
already proved so fallacious
and reiterating the
had threatened to break u
request which had been refused, and the refusal
p
the plan altogether.
He moved the adoption of the letter as thereplyto
the Home Secretary. Mr. HAMILTON showed
much real discernment and discretion in his remarks,
He contended that it was not advisable to come Bo
quickly to a decision on so important Mattertund
that they were bound to pay respect to the letter
from the Home Secretary, relating to the manage-
ment of this great hospital, He moved as an