The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-21 00:00:00

story of the misfortune steams on to Newfoundland,
and the Great Eastern returns to give the anxious
watchers in England the full and true particulars of
the eventful story.

It was certainly never anticipated that it would
be necessary to fish for the cable from such a fear-
ful depth ; but if the wire-rope and its swivels had
only been equal to their own standard, the victory
might have been won. It is impossible not to feel
grieved and mortified that when the electrician and
engineer, and men of science in every department,
were so fully equal to the difficulties of their task,
mere mechanical failures should have occasioned the
disaster. Captain ANDERSON, whose opinion

own hands az she had in the Danish war. It is a
bitter reflection to dwell upon that this coun-
try has acted a part so unworthy of its
high position among the nations of the
world. Had our Government •adopted a different
course to that which they unhappily pursued, how
much better would it have been for the cause of
justice and the welfare of many. By tamely yield-
ing to encroachment and putting up with treachery
we have given free scope to tyranny and oppres-

is well worth having, is sanguine as to the ulti.

sion, and the result has shown that all that was

mate success of the work, now that he has
actually watched it. He inclines to the opinion
that the accidents were not the result of design, but
of chance ; -but in either caeethe danger can for the

said of the evil designs of Prussia has been more
than 'verified. Now at the eleventh hour, when it
is too late to do anything, when the golden day
of opportunity has gone by, we may draw a moral

future be guarded against by proper precautions,

from the issue of this affair which is alike sad

Again, another very important change which he
suggests is to avoid the necessity of passing the
cable from the stern to the bow when it is necessary
to haul in a few miles. " An engine applied to the
paiyng-out gear so as to reverse and haul in at once
before the cable had reached the bottom, and while
the fault was being located, would have reduced our
three faults to a very small risk." This is a hint
which should surely be taken, and the provision of
grappling gear of the greatest possible strength will,
we should hope, never be neglected in equipping a
similar expedition. The chafing of the rope over
the hawsehole is another danger easily guarded

and solemn. We have lent our tacit aid to a
system of spoliation that has no parallel in modern
times, and allowed the destroyers of national
rights and the uprooters of the liberty of the sub-
ject to declare that England does not care what
wrong is done provided her material interests are
not affected thereby. History has shown, how-
ever, many times and oft, that a course of aggres-
sion will work many evil consequences, and that
its effects will spread far and wide. We have not
yet reached the end of the Schleswig-Holstein
affair, say what they will for the time
being to calm down fears and allay irri-

against, and some means of catching the rope should
it break in board could surely be readily devised.
With all these precautions there is reasonable hope
of recovering the cable, and we trust that the
effort will not be delayed an hour longer than ne-
cessary. To talk of leaving it to the spring is to
risk the total loss of the cable, or at least consider..
ably to diminish the chance of picking it up. The
fact of having caught it three times is surely
encouragement enough to strain every nerve to
renew the effort about whose final success Captain
ANDERSON, no mere enthusiast or inexperienced
dreamer, speaks so confidently. It is a singular
and noticeable fact that on the Ist of August, the
very day before the last break down, the great ship
passed over the grave of the first Atlantic cable.
Whether this ominous fact would indicate that there

tation ; and those most initiated in the mys-
teries of the matter are the best acquainted
with this fact. So many rival interests are raised
up with the case that it is quite impossible for all to
be satisfied, and certainly the compilers of the
treaty have not gone the way to secure general
approval, by making its terms very one-sided. The
King of DENMARK must watch with a mournful
curiosity the disputes that are certainly taking place
respecting his ravished territories, but he may
take this consolation to himself in the midst of his
regrets, that his loss has not been altogether gain
to his enemies, for not one of them is perfectly
satisfied.

are some unknown difficulties at that part of the

route, or whether it was a mere chance that the
two failures took place so close together, is a fact that

experience must unravel. At any rate we have suffi-

cient encouragement to persevere with the noble

undertaking, for if it is a work which man can ever

accomplish the victory is surely due to English

enterprise, science, and perseverance.

Alto. many delays and a vast amount of delibera-
on, it would seem as if the vexed question of
Schleswig-Holstein were temporarily settled in a
manner that promises peace at all events, and there-
fore must be considered satisfactory. Certainly no
one can now be surprised by any departure that
may take place from the original plan ; and, taking
all things into consideration, Prussia cannot be said
to have all the advantages she expected. Doubtless
it was discovered by that prescient statesman, Herr
von BISMARCK, that discretion was the better part
of valour, in his instance as in that of many others,
and so he made concessions and toned down his
requirements in order to suit the prejudices and
meet the demands of Austria. The Convention
was concluded at Gastein on the 14th instant, and
it is based upon the Austro-Prusso-Danish Treaty
of Peace. By the terms of this agreement Prussia
gets Lauenburg, and pays Austria pecuniary indem-
nification. In Schleswig-Holstein the provisioriunz
is prolonged. " Prussia is to rule in Schleswig,
and Austria in Holstein, until the future of the
Duchies has been -decided upon." On the whole, it
appears that the two great German Powers have
divided the spoil between them in a very ingenious
manner ; and, while each was determined to yield
no claim, they have let the wishes and expectations
of others go for nothing.
It may well be asked what have the minor States
of Germany gained by this transaction, and how
much they are the forwarder for all the time and
trouble that they have devoted to the affair. They
have been completely set aside, and treated with
the most profound indifference, amounting, indeed,
to contempt. Had any one at the outset of this
affair predicted what would be the result, there
would have been a general outburst of indignation,
and the petty rulers would have declared that they
never would submit to such a thing, and that mat-
ters would never be brought to such a pass. Ex-
perience has, however, shown the futility of their
expectations, and the course of events has more and
more revealed the inordinate cupidity of Prussia.
It must be admitted that Austria has acted more in
self-defence than for aggressive purposes, and in
many respects her firm attitude and decided de-
meanour has been of great advantage, for it has
repressed the insolent demands of Prussia, and
served so far to maintain the balance of power in
Europe. Had the Vienna Government given way
to a considerable extent, as was at one time ex-
pected by competent judges that they would, the
consequences would have been very serious to all im-
mediately concerned, and also caused injury to others
more remotely connected with the issue of the
affair. It cannot be said that this so-called solution
of the problem has been arrived at easily, for an
immense time has elapsed, and most active steps
have been taken all along to settle the matter.
There yet remains the decision of the future of the
Duchies, and that will doubtless be a very slow
affair. Indeed it will not be surprising if the pre-
sent arrangement holds good for an indefinite time,
or at all events until some of those great changes
take place which must occur sooner or later in the
Germanic provinces. All tends to show that this
►s a patched-up affair, and is the base of the Con-
vention which has just been concluded rests on the
assumption that all things remain in statu quo.
After recriminations and altercations it would seem
as if universal amity were now to be the order of
the day, and congratulatory visits are of frequent
occurrence. The Emperor of AUSTRIA and the
King of PRUSSIA have met to sanction the points
that were decided upon at Gastein, and to cement
more firmly the organisation of the provisional co-
diminion of the two Powers in the Duchies. The
ministers of these august personages have also come
to terms, and in their interview have, it is said, suc-
ceeded in coming to an understanding upon firmer
bases. Count MENSDORFF may be congratulated
upon the results of his diplomacy, for he has come
out of the contest with flying colours, after having
been opposed by so formidable an antagonist as

effort was made, patiently, carefully, heroically ; Herr VON BISMARCK. It-was doubtless no light
once, twice, thrice was the cable caught, but every- work in which these official personages were en-
time by a most aggravating misfortune—the rope gaged, and many counteracting influences were at
used proved unequal-to the task. At last came the hand to mar the effect of their sedulous endeavours.
dreadful moment when the last rope was being The. general desire of Europe at the present
used and the cable was actually coming up from its moment is for peace, and this wish will
hidden depths, when the rope parted near the cap- be granted, for the present at all events,
stan and flew over the bow, happily injuring no one i 7)3r the arrangements entered into at Gastein.
in its lightning progress, but sinking surely to the Had Prussia not given up for the time being the
1 bottom to join the mighty cable. No wonder that arbitrary demands which she lately put forward as
silence reigns on board the great ship as she turns a sine qua non in the arbitrament of the affair
her head home Wards, leaving the scene of struggle , war must have inevitably ensued, first partial, and
and temporary defeat. The Terrible hearing the i then probably general.

The decided tone of the French EMPEROR has
doubtless had much to do with the tranquil ad-
justment of the case, for he would not stand aloof
and allow Prussia to have the game entirely in her