The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-12 00:00:00

FRANCE AND SPAIN.

The French Government will naturally be much
perplexed by O'Donnell's declaration of his inten-
tion to support Prim in the convention, which the
Emperor has disapproved. France will now have
only the alternative of setting forth on her own hook
in Mexico, which is perhaps what she from the
first desired. The Debats of this day publishes an
excellent letter from its correspondent at Vera Cruz.
It says :

"It is only now that the situation is beginning
to assume a definite form, and that it can be un-
derstood. But, to understand clearly that which
is going on, it is necessary to be acquainted with
the ground on which the operations are taking
place. To say the truth, there is no Liberal
party in the country, ony more than there is a
clerical and reactionary one. There are audacious
thieves without scruple of any kind, and victims
accustomed to the yoke, and almost resigned to their
sad lot. Nothing is less understood in France than
the real situation of Mexico ; even the amount is
not known of its population, which is six millions,
and not eight, as is generally believed. It is com•
posed of 5,400,000 Indians, either pure, or very
slightly mixed with white blood, and 600,000 whites,
more or less pure. The Indians—that is to say, the
greater mass of the population—are in complete
ignorance and indifference in political matters, to
such a point that it is not rare to meet with some
in certain regions who still believe themselves to be
subjects of Spain. The true people only aspire to
one thing, to labour and live in peace in the coun-
try,which would become great in a few years under
a real Government, and iu which misery is rare,
and would be even unknown if there were a little
security for person and property. Even among the
white portion of the Mexican population, it may be
said that the smallest number alone take any volun-
tary share in the struggles which have dishonoured
too long the country. I repeat, that although the
two parties are divided pretty equally, of the
600,000 Mexicans, properly so called, the greater
part make a show of political passions very differ-
ent from their real and secret instincts. Tbat may
be understood; as, besides the fact that to belong
to the vanquished party is a decree of spoliation
from which escape is rare, or even of death, one runs
the same risk in one's own party if suspected of mo-
deratism. Observe, that the Government of Juarez
does not seek to deceive any one. The choice
of his functionaries does not allow of any illusion.
Thus, among others, the Prefect of Police of
Mexico Porfirio Leon, a notorious assassin by pro-
fession. who has passed seven years at the hulks,
and three years in prison at Mexico itself. Finally,
the only thing organised here, which works with
any order and regularity, is highway robbery.
From Vera Cruz to Mexico a sum is levied from
station to station, destined for the brigands. It is
a sort of regular tax—a supplement to the price of
the journey. With a well-disposed Government
that would be the first thing hmended."

UNIVERSITY RACQUET MATCHES.—Yesterday, at
the Prince's Club, was played the annual double match be-
tween Oxford and Cambridge, the players being the same
as last year, Mr. R. D. Walker, of Brasenose, and Mr. C.
Kennard, of University, representing Oxford, and Mr. A.
Ainslie, of Pembroke, and Mr. R. Sainsbury, of Trinity,
representing Cambridge. The first game was *on by Ox-
ford, the next four by Cambridge, and the latter having
thus won four out of seven games were, as last year, victo-
rious. The single match will be played on Monday between
Messrs. Walker and Ainslie.

SUPPOSED Loss OF FIVE LIVES.—We regret to
have to record the occurrence of a very melancholy and
fatal accident at Loch Torridon, on Friday last. It ap-
pears that on the previous day four men and a boy left the
north side of the loch in a boat, for the purpose of crossing
to the village of Shieldaig, on the opposite shore. No
fear for the safety of the unfortunate crew was felt for
some time, but after four-and-twenty hours had elapsed,
and no appearance of their return, the alarm was raised
and a party was despatched to Shieldaig, to ascertain if the
boat still remained there. On reaching this place, it was
discovered that the boat had set out on its return to Torri-
don ; and on search being made, a cask of whisky, at hich
was known to be on board, and which they were taking to
the Tc,rridon Inn, was found drifted ashore ; and one or
two caps, which were identified as belonging to some of the
crew, were also fonnd. This was the state of matters when
our informant left, and we fear there is too good grounds
for dreading the worst. We have not as yet ascertained
the names of the four men, but the boy was a son of Mrs.
Stewart, of the Torridon lan, a fine youth of 14 years of
age.—Boss-shire .Independent.