The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 22, 1865.

lei undone in the new Parliament, we certainly do
tic 't need the services of these narrow and partisan
Union Societies or Institutions. To withdraw a
Pa,*liamentary grant is a serious thing at any time,
and under the peculiar circumstances of the case
there could be no more unfavourable instance of
such a thing being done than the Maynooth Grant.
To retrograde in the path of religious liberty would
be quite inimical to the spirit of the age, and foster
dissensions and raise controversies on the most ex-
citing and irritating of all topics.

Besides, as Lord EL cm very properly puts it,
what right has this or any other self-constituted
political association to interfere?
_They seek to
come between a representative and his constituents,
and between candidates and electors. Such a line
of action is quite against the Constitution, and must
necessarily impede the freedom of election, and the
sooner the evil of such a proceeding is made known
and condemned the better. Lord ELCHO has done
good service to the cause of independence by exhi-
biting such a right spirit, for the danger is, that
some inexperienced members or ignorant candidates
may fall into the snare so specially set for them,
and become compromised as to their future course
before they are well aware of what they have been
doing. It is fortunate, indeed, that this unjustifi-
able communication has fallen into the hands of
one who knows the importance of its bearings and
the full significance of its purport. No one
can now say that they believed it expedient
to pledge themselves, for they will here meet with
an explanation that must convince them of the un-
desirability of the course pursued by the querists.
A better letter than this of Lord ELCHO could not
have been written, and a more fitting time could
not have been chosen for its publication. Let those
members who are undecided as to their views on
subjects of interest and importance not be over-
persuaded to come to any hasty conclusion, but let
them take their own time, and at any rate allow the
matter to rest between themselves and their consti-

tuents. No self-constituted political association
ought to be permitted to interpose, with their mis-
chievous officiousness, and it is earnestly to be
hoped that the excellent example of Lord ELCHO
may be followed. When we consider the length of
time that his lordship has sat in Parliament, it
seems alike intrusive and impertinent for this Union
to interfere with his proceedings. The course
which has won for him the support and confidence
of his constituents for so long a period might have
been supposed to be sufficiently wise and proper ;
but there is no accounting for the persistency of
prejudiced persons. Lord ELCIIO gives a brief
account of the principles which guide him in his
course with his constituents, and they may well
serve as guides for others similarly circum- '
stanced. He states that he has " in-
variably declined" to limit himself by any
pledge in the exercise of his Parliamentary
duties. He trusted to his own freedom and discre-
tion, and intended to adhere to that course. The
conclusion of this admirable letter is worthy of the
spirit which animates its whole tone and tenour.
After stating that hitherto he has enjoyed the con-
fidence of his constituents, Lord ELCHO says—
" This confidence I hope to retain, and I do not
believe that it will be forfeited or diminished by my
denying, on their part as well as on my own, your
right to interfere between them and me." There
are times and occasions when a decided manner is
requisite, and this was essentially a case in point.
If all those noblemen and gentlemen who
are favoured with these inquisitorial demands
were to meet them in a similar spirit
the result would be very beneficial alike to the in-
terests of the community and the general progress
of liberty, both civil and religious. To attempt to
interpose a sectarian spirit into the conduct of our
Parliamentary proceedings is a very dangerous
thing, and though such an undertaking cannot
prosper it may occasion considerable progress while
it is in process of working.

LATEST INTELLIGENCI.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ROME.
FLORENCE, JUNE 22.

" The Opinione of to-day says :—" The Govern-
ment awaits the return of Signor Vegezzi, in order
to deliberate further upon the questions which form
the subject of his mission. Signor Vegezzi can in-
form the Government probably much better than
by written communications as to the real dispositions
of the Court of Rome, and thus establish a solid
basis for subsequent negotiations with the Pope."

RUSSIA.

ST. PETERSBURG, JUNE 22.

An Imperial decree has been published to-day,
ordering the issue of four new series of Treasury
Bonds, amounting to twelve millions of roubles, for
the purpose of covering the deficit in the Budget
for 1865. •

Mr, Benedict's Concert, •

Mr. Benedict's Concert is always one of the

great events of the musical season, and every year
it seems, if possible, to increase in reputation and
in popularity. If first-rate music, interpreted in
the best manner by the most eminent performers
of the day, can suffice to satisfy an audience, the
most critical assembly can hardly be otherwise than
delighted with Mr. Benedict's programme. The
Concert yesterday was given in St. James's Hall,
now the fashionable resort for large assemblies,
which was completely filled, so much so that there
was not a seat vacant, and several contrivances
had to be resorted to for the accommodation
of late arrivals. The prima donna of the
Concert was certainly Mlle. Carlotta Patti,
who sang Meyerbeer's " Ambre Legere," and Bene-
dict's vocal arrangement of the variations of the
" Carneval de Venise." Her wonderfully high
voice enabled her to give these with an ease and a
brilliancy impossible to surpass. Mdlle. Titiens,
another favourite, sang the concert giver's own
beautiful air, " 0 Love, they say, from " Richard
Cceur de Lion," besides other songs. Madame
Trebelli played an active part, and warmly ap-

plauded. Our own English singers must not be
overlooked. Miss Louisa Pyne, who sang Bene-
dict's " Skylark," written for Jenny Lind, with her
usual facility, and Madame Sainton-Dolby, who
gave a new song by Claribel, with great expression.
Herr Reichardt gave the " Echo Song" very
successfully, and Mr. Santley gave an air from
" The Brides of Venice" with spirit. The instru-
mental performers were of the highest order. Herr
Joachim needs no praise on the violin, Signor Pratti
is unquestionably supreme on the violoncello, and
Madame Goddard is always brilliant on the piano-
forte. The latter instrument, of course, occupied
a prominent place, and the double duet for two
pianofortes, written by Mr. Lindsay Slopes, was
one of the very best things in the concert. Two
of Mr. Benedict's young pupils made a very
successful debut. No encores were allowed,
which was an excellent reform. The whole
of the arrangements for the accommodation of
the brilliant and distinguished audience were
confided to Mr. Nimmo, who, with his usual judg-
ment, arranged matters to the entire satisfaction of
every one present. The management of the con-
' certs for five-and-twenty years have been entrusted
to Mr. Benedict, and, as we have on every occasion
had to compliment him on the successful result of
his labours, we can only repeat that which we have
so frequently said before, that a better manager for
so difficult a task could not be found.