The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-30 00:00:00

recently taken place, that are still taking place
actually at this very moment in that direction, in
the direction, that is, of Herat ! Herat lying
geographically exactly midway between Persia,
Tartary, and Afghanistan ; or, viewing its relative
situation more minutely, being equi-distant from
Cabool, Bokhara, and Khorassan.

AHMED JAN, the present Sultan of Herat (a pro-
vince, remember, formerly owning allegiance to
Persia, but since 1857 completely independent), has
it appears very recently marched upon and
taken possession of Furrah—a border town,
a sort of Berwick-upon-Tweed, long in
dispute between Herat and Candahar. For-
merly Farrah belonged to Herat—latterly
it has belonged to Candahar. AHMED JAN
has recently recaptured it. And it is in regard
to this disputed prize that several conflicts have of
late taken place between the troops of the Sultan
of HERAT and those of the Sultan of CABOOL—
between the soldiers of ARMED JAN and those of
old DOST MAHOMMED. Not a single Persian
trooper has taken part in these late engagements.
It is wholly and entirely a dispute among the
several States of Affghanistan. Directly or indi-
rectly, the SHAH is declared to have had nothing
whatever to do with it. So that all the rumoured
notions about the Sultan of HERAT having re-
cently acted thus aggressively at the insidious
instigation of the Shah of PERSIA—the latter hav-
ing again been goaded on to those sinister
proceedings by the wily ambition of the
Czar of All the RIISSIAS the whole
of this elaborate conspiracy having for its
ulterior object the destruction of the British Em-
pire in the East by, as it were, striking a deadly
and poisoned shaft deep into the heel of the Anglo-
-1 Indian ACHILLES !—All this fantastic and highly
elaborated canard now vanishes, upon the instant,
from the ken of all. It melts into thin air. The
glimmering of a war slowly (according to rumour)
advancing towards the frontiers of the Punjab,
proves, upon a moment's careful examination, to be
of no further import to us than the glinting of
the merest moonshine. The Sultan of HERAT may
with Farrah still in his possession, have corn
mended his forces to march boldly on southwards
in the direction of Candahar. The sons of old
DOST MAHOMMED may, in their turn, be advancing
from the capital of CABOOL to intercept and
confront the invading army from Herat.
All this may possibly be stated thus quite
accurately, as the situation of affairs yonder
among the integral States of Affghanistan. Still,
admitting that it is so—accepting these warlike par-
ticulars as facts—they merely constitute one of the
very contingencies pointed out by the Treaty of
March, 1857, as suggesting friendly negotiations
between the Governments of Persia and Great Bri-
tain. For everything like actual interference be-
tween the disputants we have no appreciable reason
whatever. A reason we should have certainly—and
we should then have no hesitation about acting
upon the first hint, supposing there was at any
time anything like actual threatenings of an inva
sion from the direction of Affghanistan.

iord PALMERSTON and his Commissioners will
read the news from America with great satisfaction.
It will seem to excuse their determination to absorb
the whole loan voted for the fortifications which
almost everyone else still believes would be so much
money sunk, in at least a most uncertain, and we
should say, a useless speculation. Five Federal gun-
boats have been repulsed from a river fortification—.
Fort Darling—about seven miles below Richmond.
Amongst them was the vanquisher of the Merrimac,
the redoubtable 'Monitor, with others whose names,
though recent, we have seen before. But we beg
to remind the advocates of the PALMERSTON
" Follies"—for that will be their namo a fo-n-
-hence—at Spithead, that there are extenuating cir-
cumstances for this, probably temporary failure,
which go far to invalidate its testimony in favour
of forts versus ships. Not only is it the first failure
of the kind in this war, but the causes were obvious.
The Monitor, on which so much reliance had been
placed for attacking land forts, while in-
vulnerable herself, was disqualified by being
unable to elevate her guns sufficiently. The
fort is situated on a river bluff, or
lofty hill at the bend of the river, a small in-
land Gibraltar—and the tower of the Monitor,
unlike Captain COLES' cupola, does not admit of
the requisite elevation of the guns. The most
trusted vessel of the little squadron was therefore
useless. But, even now, it is not shown that the
Monitor could not easily have passed the fort
had the river been clear.

Then the Nangatuck was unfortunate in bursting
her one hundred-pounder gun at the first fire, an
accident similar to which, it will be remembered,
sent back the Merrimac on her second cruise into
Hampton Roads. Hence there were but three
boats left to continue the now unequal battle.
What, however, should be most instructive to
Commissioners and Premiers is, that after all it
was not the forts, but the obstacles placed in the
river, which compelled the Federal squadron to
retire. We presume no one thinks of attempting
`o block the Spithead channel by any such de-
In a comparatively narrow river that is
practicable; but even the Mississippi proved
too wide to censtruct a barrier which the
Federal ficet could not pass. The St. James
being so much smaller, this could be done,
and the consequence was that the Fede-
ral boats were detained at the barrier with
very limited means of replying to powerful batteries.
Yet with all these advantages we have no account of
serious damage done to the Federal ships. Part of
them returned to James' Island, much lower down the
river, perhaps two-thirds of its length from Rich-
mond. The most difficult part of the story to explain
is the loss of life. They were all small gunboats,
yet we are told that the Federals lost eleven hundred
men, an account which, as it comes from Northern
sources, can hardly be exaggerated; we should
have supposed all their crews together could hardly
have amounted to more. Were there transports in
company with the boats ; they, however, would
hardly have been taken into action. Neither can we
suppose that the small gunboats were used partly as
transports. Much of the loss, on the narrow river,
appears also to have been attributed to rifle pits on
shore. No mention is made of an accompanying
land force, and we must therefore own for the present
explanation of the heavy
;hat we can see no natural

vice.

loss.

One thing, however, can be very Plainly seen—
ght ably, and
will not
that the Confederates fou
probably surrender Richmond without a stru
' On the other hand, M'CLELLAN seems to
be steadily
advancing in his Lord CLYDE-like
style. His
advance is now reported to be about fifteen miles
from the city. And, notwithstanding the repulse
of the gunboats much nearer the city, he still hag
them protecting both his flanks. The Pamunkey
mentioned in the telegram, in which his gunboats
were quite successful, is the continuation of the
York river along his right wing, while the St.
James, with his gunboats there, is on his left,
and the commodore is said to be preparing mor-
tars to reduce Fort Darling itself. It cannot I
probably long hold out, now that the whoi,
Chesapeake fleet is liberated by the destre .
on of I
the Merrimac and Norfolk navy -ration
~.. yard. And, if

M'CLELLAN continue his advance, it will be taken
in its rear. It will, however, probably be a teazer
for the Federals. Its great elevation enabled it
to send eighteen shots through the Galena, a not
heavily iron-plated vessel. Mortars are evidently
the best reliance of an assailant.

From Mobile, the neighbour port to Pensacola,
we learn that the latter has also fallen. The Con-
federates destroyed the navy yard and forts there,
also, before they quitted it, and removed all the
public property. It is singular that we hear no-
thing of Mobile itself, the now sole remaining Con-
federate fort in the Gulf States, especially as we
had been informed that the attack on Fort Morgan,
situated on one of the islands which commands the
entrance to its bay, had already commenced. The
most favourable prospect for the Confederates con-
tinues to be in the West. BEAUREGARD is even
thought to have a larger army than HALLECK, and
hitherto all his attacks have been successful. The
Confederate chances there are proved by the extreme
anxiety at Washington, and by the embargo laid
on all intelligence from the West which has not the
sanction of Government.

As we quite expected, the bold proclamation of
general HUNTER, emancipating the slaves of
Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, because ho
had proclaimed martial law, and martial law was
incompatible with slavery—has been annulled by
the PRESIDENT. He accompanies, however, the
disavowal with a declaration of his own powers—
in terrorem. He reserves the powers, in fact, arro-
gated by General HUNTER, to himself. As Com-
mander-in-Chief of the United States armies, it be-
longs to him to say when military exigencies, or the
necessities of Government,, may require the emanci-
pation of slaves in any State. But he goes further.
The Border States, hitherto, have been irritated,
rather than rendered compliant by the offer of the
Government to co-operate in purchasing the eman-
cipation of their slaves. The PRESIDENT now
"earnestly appeals to the people of these States."
He beseeches them to make their own arguments,
not to be blind to the signs of the times, not to
reject his proposition, nor to give occasion for future
lamentation, that they have neglected an oppor-
tunity to do so much good. Such language in con-
nection with the numerous anti-slavery steps taken
since the beginning of the war, seems to show that
the North is becoming desperate on the slavery
question. Mr. LINCOLN has, up to this time, never
taken a step in advance of the people, and it may
therefore be fairly presumed that he sees the
Abolition tide swelling and rising, so as to be likely
to carry all before it. Congress is crowded with
all kinds of Emancipation Bills, under various
forms ; a little time ago we should have thought
none of them likely to be carried ; but in the heat
of war the Abolition sentiment is evidently ripen-
ing fast.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the
official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury in
Downing-street. All the Ministers were present.
Prince Theodore Zaque has arrived at Maurigy's
Hotel from Paris.
His Excellency ft- e Ambassador of France and
the Countess de Flahault entertained at dinner last evening
at Albert-gate House—their Serene Highnesses the Prince
and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Maria Marchioness
of Ailesbury, the Earl of St. Germans, the Earl and
Countess of Euston, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon,
Lord and Lady Begot, Lord Charles Bruce, Count Wimpffen,
Sir Henry and Lady Sophia Des Yceux, Mr. Henry Gre-
vine, &c.
The Earl and Countess Stanhope received at
dinner last evening, at their residence in Grosvenor-place,
Mr. and Mrs. Grote, Mr. and Mrs. Ellice, Count de Las-
teyne, M. Wolowsky, Mr. Dalane, M. Victor Masson, M.
Doctor, Mr. Venables, Mr. Stevens, &c.
The Earl of Norbury arrived at the Pavilion
Hotel, Folkestone, on Wednesday, and left yesterday for the
Continent.
The name of the Marchioness of Clanricarde
was by mistake inserted in the list rif +h.
or Atmack's this season.
Count Borromeo has arrived at Maurigy's Hotel
from Milan.
The Countess de Vaila has arrived at Maurigy's
Hotel.
The Count de Piper and Mr. de Dinelen, Cham-
bellan aupres de la Cour de S.M. le Roi de Danemark et
&fader sup. d'Artillerie, have arrived at the Brunswick
Hotel, Jermyn-street, from Switzerland.
The Lady Henrietta Harvey and family have
arrived at the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, from the
Continent.
Colonel the Hon. H. B. Bernard and Mrs. Ber-
nard have left Farrance's Hotel for Dicklebrough, near
Scole, Norfolk.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Baines have arrived at Queen's
Gate, Hyde-park, from Kemp-town for the season.
Yesterday being the Feast of the Ascension the
Venerable Thomas Earle Welby, D,D., late Archdeacon of
George Town, South Africa, was consecrated in the private
chapel of Lambeth Palace to the Bishopric of St. Helena
rendered vacant by the translation of the Right Rev. Dr., Piers Calveley Claughton to the Bishopric of Colombo.
DEATH OF THE GRAND DUCHESS OF HESSE.—
The Grand Duchess Mathilde of Hesse, daughter of King
Louis of Bavaria, expired at eleven o'clock on Sunday
morning at Darmstadt. The Grand Duchess was aunt to
Prince Louis of Hesse, the future consort of the Princess
Alice of England. In all probability this event will lead
to a postponement of the marriage, which was announced
to take place next month, or early in July. The late Grand
Duchess was sister to the reigning King of Bavaria, who
was a few days back in Lyons, which he quitted immedi-
ately on receiving the news of his sister's death. The Grand
Duchess expired peacefully, after four weeks of much suf.
feting. "The loss," says the Cologne gazette, "of this
admirable and highly-gifted princess, who was her people's
mother in the noblest sense of the word, is, indeed, irre-
parable."
THE METROPOLITAN RIFLE CONTEST.—At this
contest, which will last three days, commencing from the
12th June, the following prizes will be competed for by
volunteers of the metropolis and all comers—viz., first day,
a silver cup, a Kerr rifle, a Whitworth, or Henry rifle, a
second prize, Turner rifle, London Armoury Company rifle,
and a second prize; sweepstakes, first prize, two-thirds;
second prize, one-third. Second day.—Three silver cups,
two London Armoury Company's rifles, a Turner rifle, a
second prize, and the Metropolitan Stakes, viz., first prize,
one.half ; second prize, one-third; third prize, one-sixth.
Third day.—Extra prizes and pool firing.
CRYSTAL PALACE. The great meeting of the
archers of the United Kingdom commenced yesterday in
the grounds of the Crystal Palace. Upwards of 90 com-
i.titQpa =mss taA., including 30 lady archers, amongst
whom were some of the most noted toxophilites in England.
The weather was fine, the grounds were in the best possible
condition, and a goodly company were attracted to see the
,oeri
ocewl eo
ntc ikane. gn,
d, Thewwh oe
ohf
do lr
oin
was
l o wn
commenced by the gentlemen at 11
ofg order;mad made
iNr. G
thef bes.t
Esdcwornerds:
a: MA
Aston
E.
park Archers ; Mr. 11. B. Hare, West Somerset Archers ;
Mr. H, A. Ford, Cheltenham Archers; Mr. W. Swire,
Vale of Mowbray Archers ; Colonel Clowes, Worcestershire
Archers; and Mr. Spedding, Royal Toxophilite Society.
SIR MORTON PETO'S BURIAL BILL.—The select
committee of the House of Commons, to whom Sir Morton
Peto's bill, empowering nonconformist ministers to conduct
their religious services in Church of England burial grounds
was referred, have agreed to report in favour of the principle
of the bill. This information has been conveyed by Mr.
Collins, M.P., a member of the committee, to the Church
Institution, and a meeting of that body is to be called in
the course of a few days to consider the matter, as the bill
will be put down for third reading on a very early day after
the Whitsuntide holidays.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE RlVER.—Yesterday
morning an inquiry was held at the Spotted Dog Tavern)
High-street, Poplar, respecting the death of Mr. William
Hubert, aged 35, who lost his life upon the river Thames
last Thursday night, under the following circumstances :
It appeared from the evidence that deceased was superin-
tending the conveyance up the river of an iron bridge, up •
lattlarge wards
rnegi
vfene_c_3iolbfoal
rlwftooi
clanmk0:08;
each
structure,fone fnedtt
min thatbleens
other.. gt
placedhit.
the Owing ,
ponderous
ao san
across
rf tooht
suoesnworks
venoa
sebtsicaneewrwsfesaMi
ease
srl esydasu;
tprosps
0.
natureon
ihßr supported
nddeniooei i
on
atcebowllelei.sdio
the Victualling Yard
in the darkness,uewetheitaeherienadvoevri at night, to obviate the ehantee of a
and d at De' ph atofnjoedr d,w,hseotmeathh;a,dggot opposite
... went wrong
Jim theeear craft,
Lair became unmanage-
,twhehi-c'h Prrsi:Jected considerably forward in the direc-
e'rle"atteofneleluot:
tO the captain ofP tl:
I,),iroindgoef
tug, and ran alongb to give some instruc-
ntohte barges
seeing
anonuntOprthe:
"eatn
he fell
immediately put
the water,
teeted opening in the bridge,
hani:assasnisktanincset,anbtulyt. thßeebeotdey was not found until puSt uenffdato
Tize jury returned a verdict 9i accidental death.