The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-19 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 19, 1865.

We have previously referred to its details, which all
tend to the same conclusion—that certain lands are
selectee 1 and let by lot at fair and easy rates, giving
the ten ant the option of purchase at the end of his
term of occupancy. Under this Act large areas in
every district have been opened for selection, num-
bering in some localities over 150 acres, while a
clause which permits selections of 20 acre lots for
homesteads in the mining districts, has been largely
used by working miners. Naturally this change has
given great discontent to the squatters and their
party, but it is not the less certain that it is likely
to be beneficial to the colony, and advantageous to
the 'immediate occupants of the land. It is
very well for the squatters to wish for
the monopoly of supplying the community
with animal food, and to export wool and hides,
while the breadstuffs are imported ; but such is not
a sound principle of national policy, and it would
be inexcusable to pursue it while Victoria possesses
such rich and fertile tracts of agricultural land.
Some returns have just been moved for in the
Legislative Assembly, which convey some interest-
ing information on this point. The farmers, it
appears, now occupy 2,697,981 acres, and the
squatters 2,856,550 acres of purchased land, in addi-
tion to 28,826,756 acres of Crown land held by the
squatters at a mere nominal rent. The number of
squatters is about eleven hundred, while, with their
employes, they come up to between nine and ten
thousand. The farmers, on the other hand, make
up with their dependents over forty-one thousand.
The relative annual value of the produce of the
squatter class was £3,316,793, and of the farmer
£3,676,250. This is certainly a striking contrast
when we remember the immense difference between
the amounts of ground they occupy. It is also
worthy of notice that the preponderance of value
in breeding horses and pigs is greatly in favour of
the farmer, the value of the horses bred by both
being respectively £102,000 and £64,000, and of
pigs £56,000 and £l,OOO. It must also be remem-
bered that for several years the imports of grain
have averaged one million sterling, so that it cannot
be argued that farmers have no market for their
goods, since the demand for their produce
evidently exists, and with such a rapidly increasing
population must rise rather than diminish, while the
opening of the interior and the rapid improvement
of the roads and means of communication offer
every encouragement to traffic. Another scheme
which promises to be of great service to the farmer,
in common with other industrial branches of the
population, is the bill for providing a system of
reservoirs for water supply throughout the colony.
It will be of immense advantage to the whole settle-
ment, and will, we hope, be brought safely to com-
pletion. Altogether, the prospects of the agricul-
tural interest in Victoria are most encouraging, and
as it is indispensable to the welfare of the Austra-
lian colonies that they should be able to depend
upon their own resources for the supply of the
necessaries of life, and as there seems to be scarcely
a limit to the bounty of nature towards them, it is
very much to be hoped that a large and thriving
class of tillers of the soil may speedily be ranked
among its population. Like the labourer's children
in the old fable, Australia may hereafter find her
wealth consist rather in the products of her soil
than in the auriferous deposits of her " diggings,"
and if less intoxicating and dazzling, are certainly
more durable and more really beneficial.

The meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society
of Ireland, though not so pretentious an affair as
the periodical agricultural exhibitions in this coun-
try, is by no means devoid of interest and import-
ance. In the first place, it is always satisfactory to
receive evidence of the thriving condition of any in-
dustry in the sister kingdom, more especially an
industry so beneficial to its people, and so well
adapted to its soil, as the agricultural. The society
in question, which has been established for some
years, holds its annual exhibition in each of the four
' provinces in turn, and it numbers among its list of
presidents and vice-presidents several distinguished
names. The site chosen for the meeting, which is
in Munster, is Clonmel, the assira town of the South
Riding of Tipperary, and amid the beautiful scenery
of the Comeragh mountains. The Lord-Lieutenant
and Lady WODEHOUSE, who have gone there to
assist at the meeting, have been very cordially re-
ceived by the people, and altogether there is plenty
of the brilliancy and excitement which Irishmen
love just now pervading the quiet district. The
exhibition itself is fully up to the average, though
the panic on account of the cattle plague has some-
what interfered with the exhibition of the beasts.
The usual banquet was held on Wednesday at the
Court-house, under the presidency of the Marquis of
WATERFORD. The noble Chairman, in proposing
the health of the Lord-Lieutenant, observed that
there were two most important subjects now before
his Excellency—one was the cattle disease and the
continued exodus of the Irish people. Lord WATER-
FORD added that he believed much could be done to
check the tide of emigration by a liberal expendi-
ture on public works and a generous treatment of
the people. Lord WODEHOUSE, in reply, demurred
to the responsibility which the Marquis had laid on
him. It was not in his power, he said, to devise a
policy which should cure the evils of centuries,
though he expressed his conviction that Ireland
must one day assume her proper position, and that
the maintenance of the same wise and moderate
tone which has been adopted during the past six
months would really facilitate that result. He de-
clared the anxiety of the Government to render it
advantageous for the Irish to remain in their own
country, an end which will scarcely be attained till
more capital is invested in Ireland and more chan-
nels opened to industry and enterprise. With re-
gard to the cattle disease, Lord WODEHOUSE said
that the number of cattle imported was very small,
not more than 1,500 annually. The Government
had decided in not prohibiting the importation of
cattle, believing that circumstances did not warrant
that step, and that the disease originated in Eng-
land. At the same time, the Lord-Lieutenant de-
clared his anxiety to assist in every way the pre-
ventative measures decided on. In conclusion, his
Excellency expressed his satisfaction with the char-
acter of the exhibition, and commended Irishmen
to forget their dissensions and labour for the good
of their common country. The banquet passed off
brilliantly, and we can only hope that the favour-
able auguries of the speakers will be more than
realised.

A GALLANT OLD VETERAN OF FRANCE !--The
papers mention the death of the Marquis de Bergeret,
a retired colonel of cavalry, which occurred on his estate,
near Chateaudun, at the advanced age of 97. At the age of
13 he received an ensign's commission ; he was 24 years
old when, in 1792, revolutionary France was threatened by
Conservative Europe. His family emigrated; he remained
and enlisted as a private soldier in the 13th Dragoons.
There he soon regained his epaulet. Before doing so he
was one day on advanced post duty in the neighbourhood
of Stockach in Baden, when it came to his knowledge that
his father and brother wore with the advanced guard of
Condo's army. A small river alone separated the opponent
forces. He asked his General's permission to go and see
his relations, and it was granted, after some hesitation.
The young Republican volunteer hastened to Condo's camp,
and remained there an hour ; in vain did his brother and
his old father employ every argument, every entreaty, to
get him to remain in the Royal ranks; faithful to duty and
the national banner, he tore himself from them andrejoined
his corps. He went through the campaigns of the Rhino
and S witzerland, was at Austerlitz, Jena, Moscow, and
through campaign disastrous but yet glorious for the
of 1814. He was four times wounded, and
left
before the revolution of 1830.
rer
theuue gli h
armyari just

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AUSTRIA.
VIENNA, AUG. 19.

The King of Prussia left Gastein to-day for
Salzburg, whither Herr von Bismark, Count Mens-
dorff, and Baron von Werther, proceeded yes-
terday.

The opening of the Croatian and Slavonic Die,
has been adjourned to the 9th of October.

Prince Couza arrived here yesterday from Ems,
en route for Bucharest.

FRANCE,

VISIT OF TIIE EMPEROR NAPOLEON TO

AREMBURG.

BERN, Aua. 19.

The Emperor and Empress of the French have
arrived in Switzerland, on their way to Aremberg,
where their Majesties will remain several days.

BOURSE, Aug. 18.—Two o'clock.—The reaction
caused by realisation of profits continues ; this
accounts for the slackness of the market in spite of
the continuation of the discounting proceeding,
which to-day demands a supply of 18,000 Rentes
Three per Cent., 850 North of Spain, and 525
Crddit Mobilier. These latter Shares have retro-
graded 10f.—to 782 f. 50c. North of Spain have
lost 12f. 50c.—to 225 f., and Threes 5c., their price
being 68f. sc. The variation is slight in the Rail-
way Share Market. New City Bonds have ad-
vanced to 463 f. 75c. The last quotations are as
follows :--

4i- per Cents ...... ... 97 501 Ditto Threes —
Do. end month — 1 Mexican Loan 471
3 per Cents. 6B 20 Do. Bonds —
Do. end month 6B 15 Russian —
Credit Mobilier ... 795 Austrian
Do. end month ... 795 Spanish Threes
Bank Shares 3600 Home Debt —
Credit Fonder — Deferred
Italian Loan 65 10 Roman% —
Do. end month 65 25

RAILWAYS.
Cash.

THE NAVAL FETES AT CHERBOURG.

[REUTER'S EXPRESS.]
CHERBOURG, AUG. 18.
At the banquet given in the Hotel do Ville on
the 15th inst., by M. de Chasseloup Laubat, Mini-
ster of Marine, to the Lords of the English Ad-
miralty, Rear-Admiral Dacres, and the principal
naval and military officers, His Excellency delivered
the following speech :
" Gentlemen,—l propose to you the health of
her 3lajesty Queen Victoria. It is a. great honour
and a real satisfaction to me to have to propose
this toast to-day. It is a very great honour, for

I come here in the Emperor's name to welcome the
representatives of the British navy ; and I thank
them, with the French navy, for having joined us
on the fete day of our august Sovereign. It is also
a very sincere satisfaction to me—and this feeling
should be shared by every sincere friend to his
country and humanity. It is a still greater satis-
faction to see this cordial and fraternal union in a
port which has already witnessed the meeting of the
Queen and the Emperor. Thank God, gentlemen,
the time of hostile rivalry is past ; emulation alone
remains in all that can advance the cause of civilisa-
tion and liberty in the world. Believe me, that
will be a grand and noble page in which, nar-
rating the reign of our Emperor and your Sovereign,
history shall tell how, entering upon an entirely
new era, our flags no longer met but to open in
union new and vaster horizons to human activity,
and how, in our disinterestedness, we summoned all
nations to share the reward of our efforts. That
will be a noble page, also, which shall show old pre-
judices eradicated from the hearts of the two nations,
and their manufacturers hand in hand, advancing
unceasingly to diffuse prosperity among all men ;
and then displaying their wonders in those splendid
tournaments, to which we by turns invite the
workers of the world. Yes, gentlemen, freedom of
the seas, the pacific contests of labour, and the
beneficent conquests of commerce, such is the signi-
fication of these two noble flags to-day united before
us. May God ever protect them ; and for you,
gentlemen, may he preserve to you your gracious
Sovereign. 'To her Majesty the Queen of Great
Britain.' "

After this toast, which was received with applause,
the Duke of Somerset spoke as follows :
" Gentlemen,—l have heard with great pleasure
the toast proposed by the Minister of Marine, as
well as the speech by which it was accompanied.
All Englishmen will feel a strong sentiment of gra-
titude in learning that upon this auspicious day, in
the midst of this select assembly, the first toast
proposed by the French Minister was the health of
the Queen of England.
" We accept it as a proof of the cordial amity of
the Government of France, and I trust the entire
nation feels for our Gracious Sovereign and our
country.

" I reply upon the part of the British Govern-
ment, and I feel confident that I also express the
views of the great majority of the English people
when I say that we are actuated by the same sen -
timents with regard to the Sovereign of France and
the French people.
" We wish that the good understanding which
now exists between the two countries may be of
long duration. We wish it not only because such
a friendship between the two nations tends to aug-
ment the welfare of England and of France, but
also because it tends to secure the happiness and
the peaceful progress of Europe. We accept with
all our hearts the statement of the Minister that
the days of hostile rivalry have disappeared to give
place to an epoch of generous emulation.

" Whenever the fleets of the two nations have
acted together, as they have recently done in China
and Japan, they have not been actuated by any
egotistical feeling of aggrandisement, but have
solely endeavoured to make the faith of treaties
respected, and to obtain for all other peoples the
same advantages they procured for their own fellow-
subjects. I hope that the two countries will always
continue in this course.

" I propose the
,health of the Emperor, the elect
of the French people, and in proposing this toast I
wish to speak not only in the name of the Govern-
ment of which I am a member, or of any political
party, but in the name of every enlightened Eng-
lishman.

" To the health of the Emperor, the Empress and
the Imperial Prince. Long live the Emperor !"
" After the speech, which was received with the
greatest enthusiasm, Vice-Admiral Dupony, the
Maritime Prefect of Cherbourg, spoke as follows:
" Gentlemen of her Britannic Majesty's fleet,
" The presence at Cherbourg of a magnificent
British squadron such as that now anchored in our
waters would be under any circumstances a happy
event for our port. But when this squadron comes
here to celebrate the fete of the Emperor, to asso-
ciate itself with cur national manifestations, we
cannot but be doubly sensible of the courtesy which
brings it hither. This thoroughly friendly visit will
be appreciated by the whole of France as a testi-
mony to the mutual sympathy by which we
are animated. Everywhere, indeed, where our
fleets have met, they have maintained the beat re-
lations ; everywhere the most cordial agreement
has prevailed between the officers, who have learnt
to know each other.

" All are penetrated by the sentiments of their
sovereigns. They know that the mission of the
navy in the present day is, above all, to be the
guardian of civilisation throughout the world.
" Be good enough then to accept this toast
Gentlemen of the British Navy, as a remembrance
of the relations which have always subsided between
two navies in our time, and as a pledge of those not
less agreeable relations which will continue in future,
not only to the advantage of both our countries,
but also, permit me to say, to the advantage of all
other countries."

Admiral DACRES then proposed the following
toast :—Geutlemen, I rise to propose a toast in
honour of the French navy. I am doubly grateful
for having been chosen to fulfil this agreeable
task : in the first place, because I am
sure that the toast will be received with enthu-
siasm by my compatriots, and particularly by my
brothers in arms, the officers of the English navy.
I need employ no eloquence to insure an eager re-
sponse to my proposal. In the second place, from
having been in active service, and having so often
met the French navy in so many parts of the world.
None can testify more authoritatively than I to the
bravery of its members, their generosity, and their
loyalty as allies. Gentlemen,—l drink to the French
Navy, whose gallantry and daring in war, and
whose chivalrous spirit render them the best of allies.

The Bench and the Bar.

(From the Law Times of to-day.)

Baron Channel closed the Oxford Court with a
speech commendatory of the working of Mr. Den-
man's Criminal Procedure Act. It was feared that
its effect would be to lengthen trials by the added
speech. It has not done so. Counsel judiciously
regulate their talk accordingly by abbreviating their
opening, and reserve themselves for the summing up
or reply. It was so within our own experience of the
last circuit, and Baron Channell has made a similar
observation. He is thus reported :

The learned Baron, at the conclusion of the above case,
said that he was axious to address a few words to the bar.
His Lordship then said that an alteration had b3en made
by the Legislature shortly before the commencement of
this circuit in the criminal procedure of the country. The
object of that change was to give facility for a more
thorough hearing and discussion of criminal cases, but a
fear had been entertained lest the addition of extra speeches
might lead to the consumption of an inconvenient amount
of time over each case. His lordship now desired to say
that in no case on this circuit had the right of the addi-.
tional speech been unnecessarily exercised, nor when exer-
cised had it ever been abused ; and he wished to say that if
the Bar generally made so excellent a use of the Act as
that portion of it which went the Oxford Circuit had done
no fear need be entertained that its operation would not be
beneficent.

MARKETS—This Day.

COVENT GARDEN.

We were well supplied with vegetables, but the show of
fruit was only moderate. Tho trade was fairly active, as
follows :

FRUIT—Pine apples, 5s to 7s; hot house grapes, 2s 6d to
Gs; filberts, 9d to is per lb ; currants, 3s to 4s; greengages,
4s to 58 ; apples, is 3d to 2s Gd ; pears, is 3d to 3s per half
sieve; mulberries, Gd to 9d per punnet ; lemons, 4s to Se ;
oranges, 108 to 14s per 100.
VEGETABLES—Cauliflowers, is to 3s ; cabbages, 9d to
is 4d ; horseradish, is to 2s per doz heads ; greens, 2s to
38 ; turnips, 2s to 3s ; carrots, 4s to 5s ; onions, la Gd to 28
per dozen bunches ; French beans, is to is 3d per half
sieve ; cucumbers, 3d to is 6d each ; potatoes, 60s to 100 s
per ton ; cos lettuces, 10d to is 3d per score.