The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-23 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1865.

An interesting meeting was held at Willis's
Rooms yesterday afternoon, the Archbishop of
YORK presiding. Its object was to form a society
or fund for the " systematic exploration of Pales-
tine." Many influential persons were present, and
the proceedings will well repay perusal. The
Chairman explained the purport of the affair in a
clear and comprehensible form, and gave an attrac-
tive account of the affair to those not well acquainted
with its details. His Grace remarked that many
persons interested in science and art did not think
that our knowledge of Palestine was as full as
it ought to be. This is very true, certainly, and
it is a matter of regret that such should be the case,
for all appertaining to that locality has claims on
our regard, our reverence, and our attention. All
that relates to the past history of the Holy Land in
every branch of inquiry almost has yet to be carried
out. For instance, we may mention that " explo-
ration by means of excavation" has rarely been
practised, although it is certain that many monu-
ments of interest and importance will be found
under the sacred city. It is therefore proposed
that a society should be fortaed, and an admirable
law is laid down among its fundamental
principles, namely, that there should be no
controversy. The object is to apply the rule of
science in " an inductive inquiry as to the
archaeological, topographical, and geological
history of the Holy Land." It must be admitted
that this is the right way of viewing the subject,
and that this praiseworthy undertaking has been
inaugurated in a fitting form. Nothing of any
consequence can be done if arguments of a contro-
versial style are suffered to take place, and great
credit is due to those who have thus made
so wise an arrangement. It may be added
that all the succeeding plans are likewise most
efficient and excellent, and promise fairly for the
success of the affair. The QUEEN has consented to
become the patron of the society, and many eminent
names have already been placed on the list of sup-
porters. The Archbishop concluded his interesting
discourse with the following eloquent passage—" It
was said to the Father of Israel, ' Walk through
the land, in the length of it, and in the breadth- of
it, for I will give it unto thee,' and so it could be
said to us, it is given unto thee. It was the land
of our hopes, and we should look upon it with as
much patriotism as we look upon old England, and
endeavour by a new crusade to rescue it from
oblivion and ignorance." The Bishop of LONDON
moved the first resolution, which was to the effect
that a fund be formed for the purpose of promoting
the exploration of the Holy Land. He said that
the Church of England was in favour of the exten-
sion of education, and they must certainly support
this undertaking, which would tend to throw much
light upon Bible History. Mr. LAYARD spoke at
some length, and of course his is an authority which
cannot be gainsaid on such matters. He com-
menced by stating a singular thing, which was
that there was no place in the world
of which we knew so little respecting its
archaeology and the manners and customs of
the peoples, as that land which was so nearly
connected with our religion. Now, said the learned
gentleman, no one is likely to declare that such
a study as that proposed to be prosecuted is
unin-
teresting and unprofitable. Besides many other
advantages that will accrue from these researches,
there will be the crowning benefit of throwing a
light upon the connecting link which we wanted
between the art of Egypt and the art of Assyria.
Mr. LAYARD illustrated his meaning in a very im-
pressive manner, by stating that some years ago

very little was known of Assyria and its people,
and indeed the site of its city was hardly known.
Until the excavations which took place twelve years
ago there was vague rumours afloat, but no certain
or reliable knowledge to take hold of. The change
that has taken place is marvellous indeed, and may
well justify the most sanguine expectations that are
entertained of these fresh explorations now under
discussion. Through the reading of inscriptions
they have restored the list of kings, and also have
been enabled to ascertain how the people dressed,
and other very interesting particulars. It cannot
be promised, Mr. LAYARD said, that we shall give
so much extensive information respecting the coun-
tries east of the Jordan as we did in Assyria, because
the Jews have never represented the human form in
graven images, so we could not gain a knowledge of
the inhabitants of Palestine as effectually as we did
of those of Assyria. Still much may be done, and
it is not to our credit that so able a iildge as Mr.
LAYARD should say at such a meeting that we were
never first in such discoveries. The French are
celebrated for exploring expeditions, " but somehow
it did not seem to suit the genius of the English
people or the pockets of the Government to assist
in these matters. Surely it is time that the good
sense and right feeling of our community puts an
end to this state of apathy, and that those who are
able should be willing to assist in an enterprise
which, among all Christian nations, should be
honoured and respected. A tenfold deeper interest
must attach itself to this undertaking than any
which waits upon and centres in a mere geographi-
cal exploit or scientific discovery, as was well
observed in ' Tancred.' " Are we to believe that
no peculiar and special interest centres in such a
land, that Palestine is like Normandy or Yorkshire,
or even Attica or Rome ? Rightly regarded this
proposed exploration of the Holy Land deserves
support and encouragement, and it should not be
said that our material feelings allow the promptings
of a higher influence and better spirit to be
lected.

There could scarcely be a more appropriate occa-
sion on which to celebrate the establishment of
metropolitan drinking fountains than the present
Midsummer season. Its glowing sunlight, delightful
under green leaves or by the fresh sea breezes, grows
oppressive and exhausting to the weary toiler as he
drags himself along the hot dusty pavements of the
great city, where luxuries are so plentiful and neces-
saries so dear. Good pure water is certainly to be
ranked among the very first of those necessaries,
and the evils that its absence occasions are sure and
rapid in their course. Medical science has pro-
nounced bad water to be more actively injurious to
the human frame than bad air; but notwithstand-
ing the excellent arrangements for supplying the
metropolis with water, there are very many of the
poorer quarters where the poverty of the neighbour-
hood, the neglect of the landlords, or the bad con-
struction of the houses, make it still scarce and
difficult to obtain. The pollution of our rivers has
converted many a fine health-giving stream into a
source of poison, as when we hear of a bottle of
paraffin being extracted from one of our midland
rivers ; but Parliament has taken up that part of
the question with some interest. It is manifestly
the duty of the Legislature to guard against any
such abuse of our natural blessings, and there is no
fear that commercial enterprise will fail to supply
any quarter of our towns and cities with this great
requisite. But there still remains a great work to
do, which can only be done by voluntary effort, and
this work is being done through the agency of the
Free Drinking Fountain Association. Its objects
are so simple that its benefits are likely to be passed
over amongmany more urgent and more conspicuous
claims upon our benevolence, but it is a very practi-
cal good nevertheless. It used to be a favourite
work of public charity in old days to build wells and
fountains by the wayside for the thirsty traveller,
and when the accommodation by road and rail was
not quite what it is now it was a very useful kind-
ness. The reader of " Marmion" will remember
the introduction of SYBIL GREY'S Cross and Well in
the last battle scene, and in many of the close
conflicts of those days such aid was very welcome.
We do not have deadly battles on the quiet hillside
now, nor single combats by the highway ; but,
nevertheless, a draught of pure cold water is no un-
welcome gift in the hot summer days. The best
evidence of the practical service done by these
fountains and the extent of the want supplied is the
fact that the water is daily partaken of by 300,000
persons. The fountains now number 130, whereas
six years ago, when the Association began its
labours, there was not one, and the Committee have
sufficient humanity to spare for the poor thirsty
brutes who are driven along the streets without
a chance of refreshment. They have put many
large troughs for dogs and for cattle about the
streets, and the number of these requires to be
greatly enlarged. The fountains themselves must
be increased in number, and the Committee go so
far as to say that 200 more would not fully supply
the need. This estimate, we suppose, is intended
to include the suburbs and their increasing popula-
tion ; but allowing it to be unnecessarily large, it
shows how much remains to be done. The Asso-
ciation undertakes to keep all its fountains in full
working order by means of weekly inspection ; and
it complains that the neglected fountains which have
been set down to its charge belong to other super-
visors. The aim which the members set before
themselves and the public is the simple and praise-
worthy one—that there should be no necessity for
man or beast suffering thirst in the streets of Lon-
don. If the public do their part the good work will
not remain long incomplete.

The Public-houses Closing Act Amendment Bill
was read a third time last night in the Upper House,
where Lord GRANVILLE, with commendable inge-
nuity, has contrived entirely to reverse the decision
of the Commons. The bill as it originally stood
provided for the closing of all places of refreshment
between the hours of 1 and 4 a.m. But this proved
such a hardship to those industrious and laborious
classes who have to be pursuing their lawful callings
during those hours that a modification was deter-
mined upon. In our busy and complicated life
there are some who must work while others sleep,
and two very important and honourable callings,
those of the compositor and the market gardener,
compel attention and exertion even before a sum-
mer's daybreak. To meet the wants of such classes
it was determined that special licences should be
granted for keeping open the houses which were
frequented by them ; and this arrangement would
have answered very well if the police had not
thought fit to arrogate to themselves the functions
of Parliament, and to grant no licence whatever.
An amendment was consequently introduced this
session, which gave the power of licensing to the
magistrates instead of to the police, and this was
carried through the Commons. Lord GRANVILLE,
however, on the bill's arriving in the
Lords, contrived to introduce a clause which left
the licensing with the police in towns, and gave it
to the magistrates in the country ! The bill was
never wanted for the country. It was designed for
the benefit of certain classes of the metropolis, and
to act, as Lord GRANVILLE proposes, would be first
to leave matters as they were last year, and will end
in the toffl defeat of a wise and useful measure.

The Commons can scarcely tolerate such an unwar-
rantable interference on the part of the Govern-
ment in the Upper House, and it is simply absurd
to bring in an Act Amendment Bill, which is no
amendment at all, but retains the full faults of the
original scheme. We hope the hurry of the moment
and the press of electioneering cares will not pre-
vent some energetic M.P.'s from stopping this mis-
chievous innovation of Earl GRANVILLE'S.

The Funeral of the Czarewitch,

(From the Correspondent of the Times.)
BERLIN, June 17.

The obsequies of the Czarewitch terminated on
the 9th inst. in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter
and Paul, at St. Petersburg. This magnificent
church is situate within the walls of the metropoli-
tan citadel, and since its construction by Peter the
Great has been the burial-place of nearly all the
members of the imperial family. On this melancholy
occasion part of its lofty columns had been hung
with black, and a catafalque erected for the sarco-
phagus of the deceased Prince. With the stroke of
12, the celebration of the Panichides began in the
presence of the corps diplomatique, the dignitaries
of State, and deputations from the different troops,
authorities, and many of the civil corporations of
the realm. After the lesson had been read, the Em-
peror, attended by the Crown Prince of Denmark,
of Prussia, and the Princes of his house, entered,
placing himself by the coffin side, and mo-
tioning the Bishops to proceed with the ceremony.
Then followed the singing of a psalm, and the bles-
sing of the corpse by the assembled Bishops. The
funeral rites over, the Emperor, with the Imperial
and foreign Princes, lifted up the coffin, and, pre-
ceded by a most reverend host, bore his son to the
vault of the Romanoffs. The batteries thundered

forth, and there was another grave added to the row
which begins with Peter the Great, the herculean.
founder of a realm, and closes with Nicholas Alex-
androvitch, a beardless and prematurely departed
youth. Immediately after the short and impressive
ceremony the Emperor returned to Zarskoe Selo.
I subjoin the translation from the Servian of a
funeral sermon preached by the Most Rev. the
Archimandrite Nicophorus in the Court Church of
Cettinge, principality of Montenegro, on the occa-
sion of this sad event in the Imperial family. Both
from a moral and political point of view it will be
found to shed considerable light on one of the more
interesting races of the Balkan peninsula and their
peculiar way of regarding the ling of this and the
other world. The sermon runs as follows :
" But lately orthodox Russia was deprived of her mighty
Czar, Nicolai Paalovitch, whom death, inexorable death,
took away at a time when he was fighting for Christianity,
at first with Turkey and afterwards with nearly all Eu-
rope ; at a time when the Occident attacked the colossal
power of the Slavonic realm, when the enemies of the
Slavonic races confidently expected the decline and fall of
the Czar, and when many thought that his power and
greatness would bo crippled for ever. But these expecta-

tions were not fulfilled. The Occident did not attain its
object. The gallant warriors of Russia, relying upon
God and their Slavonic right hands, withstood the invader
and offered him a truly heroic resistance. But lately,
I say, orthodox Russia was deprived of Nicolai I.
But death, insatiable death, was not satisfied with one
victim. Soon after our orthodox brethren of AU the
Russias mourned the departure from this nether world of
Alexandra Feodorovna, his beloved Queen, and their re-
vered mother. With patience and manly endurance they
bore these heavy losses, and their souls were comforted by

the accession of his Majesty Alexander Nicolayevitch, a
Sovereign so richly endowed by Providence with all the
spiritual and intellectual gifts of man, that he excels even
his illustrious ancestors by the wisdom and grandeur of his
deeds. To-day 70 millions of faithful Russians are blessing
his name with feelings of heartfelt gratitude, and offering
up by day and by night, the most earnest prayers for his
health and happiness. The grand reform which ho achieved
during a ten years' reign have gained him the respect of all
Europe. His works are truly great and remarkable. The
emancipation of 20,000,000 peasants alone would have
secured him the thanks of all free men on earth, and eternal
rewards in heaven. In Russian annals his name is inscribed
in letters of gold. It will shine and radiate in its pages,
like a precious jewel adorning an Imperial crown. But noi,
Russia only, the world acknowledges him to be one of the
most illustrious and invaluable rulers of mankind in this
and any age. In a word, the name of Alexander and his
immortal achievements will shine in history, while there

is a sun in the firmament and a moon in the skies. Bu

fate had willed it that this good King and father of the
Russian people should be afflicted by severe trials in the
midst of his beneficent labours. Hardly had the wounds
healed which his parent's death had inflicted on his filial
heart, when death, cruel death, opened them again. This
time it took away his noble son, the young Czarewitch and
Grand Duke Nicolai Alexandrovitch. Woe is. me ! Woe
is mo ! Death has taken away this excellent, this angelic
youth, in the prime of his age ! What a terrific loss for
their Majesties, his loving and exalted parents ! What
a loss for his brother, for his sister, for the whole Im-
perial family and his affianced bride ! What a sorrow
for orthodox Russia—a sorrow to last for ages. It is
a grief too great to be confined toßussia only. The hearts
of all orthodox people allied to Russia in faith and race are
smarting under this terrible blow ; and of all Slavonians
we, the freemen of the Black Hills, are suffering most un-
der an infliction which, bereaving our Prince of a friend,
deprives us of a future protector and benefactor of our peo-
ple and commonwealth. Hardly ever, my brethren, has
death proved so cruel a tyrant as on this occasion. Just
think how beautiful his life was ; how richly blessed with
all the gifts of God ; how lofty his intellect, how pure his
morals; and your hearts will grieve, your eyes will weep,
that he, of all others, should have been taken away. Yes,
weep, weep, bitter and heartfelt tears. But, brethren, the
will of the Lord must be done. The days of the Czare-
witch were numbered, and the word of doom went forth.
He died ; but his immortal soul ascended to heaven. God
loved him ; and because he loved him he summoned him
to exchange the earthly and temporal crown for the king-
dom of heaven. Brethren, this unfortunate event is another
proof that Death destroys whomsoever it pleases ; that it
makes no distinction between kings and elders, between
old and young, rich and poor, but carries off all alike and
consigns them to the gloomy grave. Death spares no one,
nor does it allow mortality to be a thing of this world. As
Holy Writ has it, our life is not of this world, but we shall
live in heaven. Our days are few and come to a speedy
end ; but even though we lived 100 years they would be as
nothing to the boundless expanse of eternity. We all know

that we are to die, but what is veiled from our ken is the
how and the when. Our Heavenly Father will not let us
into the secret. some die young, some old ; some at day-
break and some at the decline of the day. As orthodox
Christians it therefore behoves us to prepare for death, and
be ready for instantaneous departure from earth to heaven.
There will be no time to repent and prepare for the king-
dom of God when death is at hand. If we wish to attain
to salvation we must at once begin to love our neighbour
as ourselves, to revere God and attend Divine service, to do
what is right and just, to be good and kind, to live in the
fear of the Lord, and make His glory the only object of our
existence in the flesh. And now, orthodox brethren, lel,
us lift up our hands in prayer, and entreat the all-merciful
Creator of heaven and earth to grant to the Grand Duke
Nicolai Alexandrovitch the glorious joys of Paradise. His
memory will live for ever ! Amen."

The Emperor has charged the military governor
of St. Petersburg to express to the inhabitants his
thanks for the sympathy evinced on the interment
of his son. Numerous members of the highest
Polish nobility had repaired to St. Petersburg to
attend the burial, and conciliate the Court.

The ladies of St. Petersburg intend offering a
valuable cross to Princess Dagmar, the affianced
bride of the late Czarewitch. The cross is of lapsis
lazuli, with golden settings, and an exact copy of
the one which was shown to the Emperor Constan-
tine by a heavenly apparition, and subsequently
painted from his drawings on the walls of St.
Sophia's Church at Constantinople. Following the
example of their metropolitan sisters, the Moscow
ladies have also resolved to offer a token of their re-
spect and sympathy to the afflicted Princess. Their
gift consists of a magnificent copy of the Russian
Gospel, bound in violet velvet, and richly set with
golden ornaments and legends in the old Slavonic
tongue. On the front side of the cover appears a

little painting in the style of the Byzantine religious
school, representing the resurrection of Christ, with
the words underneath :
" Christ has risen from the dead, conquered death through
death, and brought new life to those that are in the grave."
On the other side a golden cross of old Russian
shape is surrounded by the words—
"Oh, death, where is thy sting ? Oh, grave, where is thy
victory ?"
The clasps bear the date April 12, 1865, being the
day on which the Grand Duke died.

EXTRAORDINARY LONOEVITY.—The obituary in
the Times of the 21st and 22d inst. contains some
rare illustrations of prolonged life, in the case of six ladies
and the same number of gentlemen, whose united ages
amounted to 1,044 years, giving an average of exactly 87
years to each ; the eldest lady having reached 94 and the
youngest 81 years of age, the eldest gentleman being 95
and the youngest 81 years of age.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTIR'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

CROOKHAVEN, Jun 23.
The steamship Helvetia, from New York on the
10th inst., passed the Fastnet this morning.
She brings 82 cabin and 115 steerage passengers,
and $155,000 in specie.

standing the clearness of his accent and the loud
tone in which he spoke, the speech was very im-
perfectly heard to the close.
Commenting upon the above, La Grece says :--
"The mournful impression produced upon thepublic
by the disgraceful scenes that have taken place is
not yet effaced, and more than one already despair
of a Chamber which has so ill inaugurated its
career. God grant that the sinister presentiments
of the public may not be realised, and that we may
not see the spectacle renewed which the last con-
stituent Assembly so frequently offered us. If
violent men have again succeeded in getting the
people to entrust them with a mission imposing
upon them so many dutid, we are happy to believe
that they are few in number, and that the con-
viction of their weakness will make them retreat
within the bounds they ought never to have passed."

CANADA.

MONTREAL, June 9.

The following is the farewell address presented to
Gen. Williams by the volunteer corps, together with
his reply :
"To his Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir W.
Fenwick Williams, of Kars, Bart., K.C.8., com-

manding her Majesty's forces in British North
America.

" Sir,—We, the undersigned, the Commandant,
Staff, and officers commanding corps of the Volun-
teer Militia of the City of Montreal, desire, on be-
half of that force, to express to your excellency the
deep regret they feel at your approaching departure,
and request most respectfully and cordially to wish
you farewell. During the years that your excellency
has commanded the forces in this portion of her
Majesty's dominions events have transpired on this
continent of no ordinary importance ; events, too,
that on more than one occasion have threatened to
interrupt our peaceful relations, and to bring about
the arbitrament of war with our powerful neighbours.
Since the period at which your excellency as-
sumed command in these provinces the volunteer
militia force of Canada, to which we belong,
and which is, in effect, the only organised por-
tion of our militia, has largely increased, both
in number and efficiency, and we are well
aware how much of this satisfactory result is due
to the countenance which your excellency has uni-
formly afforded to those who, under circumstances
of much difficulty and with but little encourage-
ment, have felt it their duty to use their humble
efforts in promoting the military training of the
loyal manhood of Canada. It is in vain for us to
attempt, within the limits of a simple address, to
express to your excellency all the thanks we owe
you for the assistance you have given to the volun-

teer militia during the time you have been amongst
us, or the real regret experienced at your departure.
We can but once again most respectfully bid you
farewell, and pray that you may be long spared to
the profession of which you are so bright an orna-
ment, and to the Queen and country of whom you
are so distinguished a servant.
" Signed on behalf of the Volunteer Militia of the
City of Montreal, this 9th day of June, 1865."
General Sir F. Williams replied as follows :
" To Colonel Dyde, the Staff, and officers com-
manding Corps of the Volunteer Militia of the City
of Montreal,—l return you my hearty and sincere

thanks for the sentiments of esteem and regard
which you express towards me in this address, and
beg to assure you that your regrets at the present
moment of my departure from among you aie
mutual. The last four years of my command
have indeed been eventful as regards the history
of this continent, yet peace has been preserved
between us and the United States ; and I firmly
believe that the good sense of both nations, guided
by wise Governments, will insure us a long con-
tinuance of this inestimable blessing. I especially

thank you for the mention you make of my friendly
assistance and encouragement of your zeal and un-
remitting efforts to increase the number and effi-
ciency of the volunteer force of Montreal ; and no
military man or competent judge in private lifewho
has witnessed the results of these exertions can un-
dervalue their extent and efficacy, and it reflects
the higher credit upon the commandant and his

officers when I admit that all this has been effected

under circumstances of peculiar difficulty. In
taking leave of the volunteer force collectively, I
beg to express my sentiments of regard for their
commandant, who has so gallantly and successfully
struggled against all difficulties, and also for those
officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, for
their discipline and subordination. I bid you adieu
with the hope of occasionally revisiting this great
city, and I have reason to hope that one of its first
improvements may be a drill-shed worthy of it, and
which will enable you to pursue your course of
military instruction with increased efficiency.
" (Signed) W. F. WILLIAMS, Lieut.-General.
" Montreal, June 9."

BANK OF FRANCE.

PARIS, JUNE 22.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account :