The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-21 00:00:00

rious, so modest, so de 'voted." In no one instance
has the reign of the p resent EMPEROR been more
distinguished, or more justly commended, than for
the great improvements that have been made in
roads and railway comma inication. French indus-
try has taken a new start and derived a fresh im-
petus from the spirited style in which public works
have been conducted and l iublic transactions carried
on. Therefore, the pas& tge in to address is an
appropriate one, which rei 'era to the great benefits
accruing from the improve' sent and development of
every kind of ways of com munication, " the neces-
sary corollary of liberty of traffic." Too much care
cannot be taken that this ei ideavour to promote ex-
tended and increased communication from one part
of the kingdom to the oth( 3r shall be continued with
zeal and ardour. In thi s great undertaking the
French have shown considerable perseverance of
late years, and the beneficial effects of its workings
have been abundantly proved in the prosperity of
the country. The address agrees heartily to the
proposition of the EMPEROR in the matter of
furthering " commercial operations," and in this
we must recognise the good sense and discernment
of the Corps Legislatif, for in France this element
has been conspicuously wanting, and in consequence
a great source of prosperity has been neglected. It
is fortunate that at last this want has been recog-
nised, and determined efforts made to remedy the
deficiency and re ctify the mistakes of previous
politicians. The -welfare of the working-classes is a
subject that has occupied an increased share of atten-
tion, and this accounts for due respect being paid to
it in the address. Hitherto the laws have been op-
pressive which have related to this important order
of the community, and it speaks well for the intel-
ligence of the authorities and legislators that now
the vexatious restrictions are in a great measure
being removed from the classes which have suffered
so greatly from them. The improvements that have
been proposed in judicial matters have received the
approbation of the Chambers, and it is fortunate
that this should be the case, for no doubt they will,
when carried out, conduce greatly to the welfare of
the community. Another praiseworthy proposal is
that which bears reference to public education, and
in this endeavour all must sympathise. " Emi-
nently useful in every variety, education is
essential in those communities based upon uni-
versal suffrage," is truly declared here. It was
mentioned by the EMPEROR in his inaugural
address, that he desired " every citizen should know
how to read and write." This sentiment has met
the approbation of the Chambers, and its adoption
cannot but be productive of vast advantages to the
general body of the people. Public education has
not hitherto been so cultivated abroad as in England,
although private instruction in France has often
exceeded our own in point of precision and minute-
ness. It is here mentioned that there is no ground
for anxiety concerning " religious questions," and
this announcement is so far satisfactory, since there
have been many important topics detailed, and
numerous controversies entered into, since last the
French Chambers were assembled. The " pacific
solution" of foreign affairs of difficulty is the
subject of favourable mention, and also the
non-fulfilment of the proposed Congress is
deservedly lamented. The longer opportunity we
have to observe the effects of recent manoeuvres, the
more may we rest assured that a great deal of mis-
chief would have been averted had the EMPEROR'S
desire been acceded to last year by our Ministers,
and the laissez aller style of their proceedings been
changed for active demonstration of principles, and
the fixed resolves of united nations assembled
in conclave. Mexico offered, of course, a subject
of congratulation which the Corps Legislatif could
justifiably indulge in. Making due allowance for
national vanity, there does not seem much reason to
question the validity of the sentiments herein ex-
pressed as to the successes and triumphs which the
French have met with. When the EMPEROR is
thanked for the " part which he has given France
in the world" we cannot but contrast the position
of our neighbours with our own in no very flatter-
ing manner to ourselves. It is to be hoped that our
authorities will take the lesson to heart and endea-
vour to follow the example set them in foreign
affairs by their quondam rivals, but recent friends.
Also, it may be said that great advantages
would accrue to the French if their ruler
would condescend to copy some of the customs of
that land where he so long sojourned in exile, and
none more beneficial could be followed than the
freedom of the press, which would be indeed a
privilege worthy of a great Emperor and a mighty
people.

Drury-Lane.

- -~

Miss Helen Faucit has added another Shaksperean
character to those she has already sustained so
exquisitely during her engagement at this theatre.
Last night she appeared as Juliet. The balcony
scene wanted nothing that careful and elaborate
elocution could give it, and the great potion scene
was represented with the most effective intensity.
This was always regarded as one of Miss Faucit's
finest pieces of forcible acting, and it has lost no-
thing of its old power. Mr. W alter Montgomery
played Romeo very agreeably ; Mr. Walter Lacy
was a manly Mercutio of the Kemble school, Mr.
Belmore a picturesque apothecary, Mr. Henry Mar-
ston an impressive Friar Lawrence, and Mrs.
Vandenhoff a satisfuctory Nurse. The original
prologue was spoken by Miss Faucit, although she
was suffering from hoarseness. The play will be re-
peated on Wednesday.

THE BANK FAILURE AT BIRMINGHAM.—BIR-
' HINGHAM, Monday.—The general impression in the
town is that the affairs of Messrs. Attwood and Spooner's
Bank will be removed from the Bankruptcy Court. The
creditors are proving their debts very generally, and there
is little fear that they will not avail themselves of the op-
portunities now afforded to enable the committee appointed
last Thursday to have the choice of assignees. The office
which the committee have opened in Worcester-street for
this purpose was to-day attended by large numbers of
creditors, anxious to aid them in this laudable
endeavour. It has been wisely arranged that the
creditors should not be charged anything in order to faci-
litate the work of going through the legal formalities. In
their address to the creditors, the committee "respect-
fully but earnestly invite all persons who have current
accounts or deposits in this (Attwood's) bank, to with-
hold promises of finally transferring their accounts until
after the adjourned meeting of creditors." Of course,
until that meeting has been held and a report presented,
nothing positive can be known of the offers which have
been made kndwn for the purchase of the bank, but the
opinion of those most likely to be right is that several
offers will be made. There is a strong and loudly-
expressed feeling of indignation among the creditors
and among many not creditors, at the various attempts
which have been made to depreciate the value of the bank.
As a proof of the great interest taken in the subject, I may
state that more than two columns and a half of the Bir-
mingham Daily Gazette to-day are filled with letters making
suggestions and tendering advice. Many of the writers
advocate the formation of a new joint-stock bank, to take
to the business of Attwood's, and offer to take £5,000
worth of shares should the scheme be taken up. It was
mentioned to-day on 'Change that at least one London
bank would be found to have tendered for the business of
the insolvent bank.

LIVERPOOL SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION. The an-
nual meeting of this society was held at Liverpool
yesterday, Mr. B. C. Nicholson presiding. The report
stated that the association had memorialised Government
in favour of the basis recommended by the York congress
for international average laws. In answer to the Privy
Council on the subject of an extension of the marine tele-
graphy, they had stated that on the French coast there were
advantages in this respect which were not to be found on
the English coast. They had also memorialised the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer in favour of the repeal of the stamp
duties on marine insurances. During'the discussion which
followed the reading of the report it was stated that dock
dues were now much heavier in Liverpool than in London,
and that while4the dues on a 1,000-ton ship in Liverpool
amounted to .k 136, in London they only amounted to £76.