The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-26 00:00:00

a high degree that firmness and patriotism so essen-
tial at this crisis. We cannot but hope that the old
Ministers will resume their offices, and that King
CHRISTIAN will not add to the difficulties and com-
plications which beset him on every side by the
selection of new and untrained advisers. Hol-
stein is, of course, enthusiastic, not being wise
enough to see that the other members
of the German States are not all so very well con-
tented with their rulers and their Governments,
that they should be objects of political envy.
Prussia herself is a curious specimen of model inter-
nal organisation, and the idea of her Ministry taking
up the cause of disaffected subjects and pleading
misgovernment as an excuse for intervention, would
be ludicrous, if it were not so serious. It is an
instance of the old adage about Satan reproving
sin, and Herr Von BISMARK had better remember
that he is setting a somewhat dangerous example.
Prussia, by her present conduct, is incurring a
real danger. Though England may refuse to recog-
nise every obligation, there is another great
Power less timorous of war, who may find in the
" idea" of Danish independence the pretext neces-
sary for an amalgamation of the Rhenish
provinces with the domains of the Emperor
of the FRENCH. Prussia is rushing headlong into
war, not foreseeing what that war will probably
bring for her. Her English friends, wiser than she
is herself, are anxious to preserve her from such a
risk—more anxious than they are to maintain the
honour and fulfil the duties of their own country.
But this may be carried too far. Whatever may be
Lord
bound Rtr E
diplomatic
theories, however much we may be
entanglements or dynastic
by ss
alliances, the total abandonment of Denmark will
not be permitted by the English public. The voice
of popular indignation will make itself heard even
by courts and cabinets, and the approaching ses-
sion will put some awkward obstacles in the way
of Prussian aggression and Whig subserviency, if
it reflects in any degree the sentiments of the nation
it represents.

MB. JITSTICE SHEEN

(From the Law Times of to-day.)

Lord Westbury has done a great deal more than
given us a good Judge—he has affirmed a great
principle, and established a precedent. It is now
declared, not in words only, bat by act, that reli-
gious creed shall not bar the path to professional
promotion—that English lawyers shall be free to
worship God after their own fashion, without being
therefore subjected to exclusion from the honours
they may win by their ability and social worth.
Let all due praise be given to Lord Westbury for
this achievement. It was not an easy one; it required
some moral courage, for influential remonstrants
were at his ear, and a numerous class among the
uncultivated public were sure to be wrathful. But
he has already reaped the reward of his resolve to
follow the dictates of his own tolerant, because
larger and well trained, intellect; the praises that
have been awarded are much greater, and the abuse
really less, than could have been anticipated. All
the journals whose praise is worth having, without
distinction of party, have raised a shout of applause,
avowedly because they look upon it as the confirma-
tion of the principle of religious liberty; while the
only fault finders have been the few narrow-minded
organs of readers still more narrow-minded than
themselves, and even they have muttered feeble
complaints with bated breath.