The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-27 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1865.

In all probability the Prussians will find that the
final settlement with Austria will be the most
awkward part of the whole affair, for there was
no chance of their not getting the best of it in war,
but in diplomacy there seems every chance of their
failure. It is true that they attempt too much and
expect the lion's share, but with one thing and
another there is no prospect of a speedy settlement.
It has been agreed at Ratisbon, at the Council of
Ministers held there under the presidency of the
King of PRUSSIA, that " definitive proposals" are
to be made to the Austrian Government. This,
however, may not serve to conclude the affair,
because there have been made so many last
proposals and ultimate decisions come to, and
yet no conclusion is come to. A semi-official jour-,
nal in Berlin has given an account of the Ministeria
Council at Ratisbon, and remarks thereupon that
the recent negotiations with Austria have not
afforded any prospect of an ultimate understanding
respecting the Duchies
being arrived at. In conse-
quence of the unsettled state of things affairs have
gone on in the Duchies in a manner not in accord-
ance with the rights of Austria and Prussia ; and
therefore Prussia considers it necessary to re-eata_
bfish things on their former basis before proceeding
to discuss the other matters. All this may be very
true, but if so the intelligence only confirms the
notion of a long time elapsing before any solution
be arrived at.

Meanwhile Saxony and Bavaria have given notice
in the Federal Diet that they will demand from
Austria and Prussia some information respecting
the measures they have taken since last April to
arrange about the Schleswig-Holstein question, and
the purpose to divide the expenses of the war with
Denmark between the members of the Diet, and to I
incorporate Schleswig with the. Germanic Confede-
ration. This motion will be considered by the Diet
on Thursday, and will doubtless cause more compli-
cations in this intricate affair. The fact is, that
Herr BISMARCK has not displayed his usual saga-
city in this Schleswig-Holstein affair. He has
been spoiled by success, and fancied that he could
carry all before him ; but he forgot that the pre-
judices of others would match his own presumption,
and that many would join him as allies in making
the conquest, while they would be rivals very diffi-
cult to dspoee of in Settling the diTißiou of the

valour.

spoil. The Duke of AUGUSTENBERG has been made
a regular tool of by the Prussians, and it is no
wonder that he and his party are not very easy to
deal with in this new and unexpected turn of
affairs. There are few characters more hard to
play than that of a dupe, and the odium attached
to it is so great that it is not surprising that many 1
energetic efforts should be made to counteract the
attempts made by the unscrupulous partisans of
Prussian policy to subvert. A more unwarrantable
claim than that of the
_Berlin Cabinet has seldom
been made to any people, and the Kingdoms and
States of Germany will show themselves wanting
in self-respect and proper spirit if they accede
to it.

A melancholy and fatal accident has sadly
chequered the gay season of the tourist and pleasure-
seeker, and has attached a mournful history to the
first ascent of the Matterhorn. Of late years
Alpine climbing has become an established occupa-
tion, or recreation, as it is called, though in reality
it chiefly consists of difficult and dangerous labour.
We have had books written on the principles that
should govern it, and the objects to be gained.
We have had as many records of adventures, ex-
ploits, and experiments, as would serve to describe
an unknown country. No doubt it is one of the
most fascinating pursuits to the vigorous and
energetic traveller who has youth, and health, and
activity enough to brave the inevitable hardships,
and sufficient coolness or courage to be willing to
incur no inconsiderable risk. It has a freshness
and vitality about it that completely eclipses the
routine conventionalities of the road or the rail, and
the sense of personal exertion, of faculties exer-
cised, of difficulties overcome, and conquests
achieved, render it peculiarly fascinating to Eng-
lishmen, who, in spite of the languid indifference
which it is fashionable to profess, like nothing
better than hard work when they are not obliged
to do it. The fatigue and exertions
undergone by a ;ood many lords and
gentlemen during the last few weeks has
been fully equal to the toil of climbing a mode-
rately high mountain, and, after all, the object of
the struggle has been to incur the obligation of a
good deal more toil and trouble which they are not
compelled to undergo, except by their own choice.
he slopes of the Alps have the same attraction for
a limited class that the rifle match and the vo3un-
teer review have for a larger circle. In an age
that is too much given to mental high pressure, and
is growing every day more and more absorbing in
in its demands upon the brain and nerves, it is re-
freshing to take up some pursuit which is physically
recruiting without any ulterior object. Physiologists
assured us that the patriotic fervour in defence of the
country would be most beneficial in its effects upon
the public health, since it called forth into vigorous
action those classes who from various causes were
too much engrossed by sedentary occupations. It is a
natural and creditable thing for a young man to take
pleasure in an active and healthy exploit, even if it
be accompanied with some degree of danger. Rid-
ing, boating, swimming, shooting, driving, yacht-
ing, have all some possible risk attached, only with
proper caution the risk is so small that the positive
advantages and pleasures of the pursuits far out-
weigh the possible mischances. The same may be
said of Volunteering itself, since we seldom have a
great meeting without some casualty, but the casual-
ties are not inevitable, and the proportion of them
is so slight that no one could denounce Volunteer-
ing as dangerous. The question is how far this fas-
cinating pursuit of climbing mountains comes into
this category. Where is the limit at which positive
advantage outweighs possible risk, and where the
danger is sufficiently real and great to make courage
pass the bounds of rashness?
The achievements and adventures of our Alpine
climbers have, for the most part, been tolerably
fortunate, but this year a terrible accident, in which
the lives of four persons have been sacrificed in the
most sudden and terrible manner, has startled
English readers, and before the general sorrow and
consternation had half expended itself, came the
news of the violent death of another
tourist under similar circumstances. A lengthened
communication from a friend of Mr. WIIYMPER, the
sole survivor of the unfortunate party of English-
men who ascended the Matterhorn, gives a full ac-
count of the qualifications and experiences of that
gentleman to whom, as leader of the party,
no blame can be attached. That gentleman, his
friend observes, is remarkable for his prudence,
since he always insists upon the use of the ropes,
even when the guides declare them to be unneces-
sary, and he is always careful to provide his own
ropes, which are of extreme and unusual strength.
He is also careful, according to this au-
thority, to give the guides no spirits,
even during the excitement of gaining the object
aimed at, bearing in mind the perils of the descent.
The gentleman who writes thus is well qualified to
speak on the subject, having himself accompanied
Mr. WilvmrEP. on a mountain expedition a few
weeks since. Mr. WHYMPER has, it seems, achieved

wonders in Alpine explorations, and his feats have

excited the enthusiasm of the guides. But if so

brave and prudent a man has incurred so terrible a

risk without having gained an enduring or substan-
tial advantage it remains to be asked whether
Alpine climbing, carried to such an extent, is not
an achievement too perilous for any reasonable and

conscientious man to undertake ? The answer muse

certainly be in the affirmative. Men have no righ
wilfully to peril their lives unless for some grew

end, the upholding of a principle, the defence o.
their country, the good of their fellows. None o:

these ends are gained by climbing to the summits a

the highest and most inaccessible Alps. No one

requires to be told that Englishmen are not lacking
in courage, in enterprise, and endurance. They
have proved it in harder trials than the fatigues of
an Alpine ascent—they have shown it in feats less

exciting but more trying to the moral and tnenta,

stamina.

That Englishmen will go when and

where the native guides refuse to go is nothing
wonderful or otherwise than characteristic of the

nation that never owns itself beaten.

But why

should any man incur great danger unless for a

scientific object or some other direct purpose ?
The old story about the man who went down the
mine for the sake of saying he had been there
is realised by our Alpine climbers, for the mere
fact of standing on the summit of Mont Blanc
or the peak of the Matterhorn gives no other actual
gain. We should think Mr. WllvmPEß, after his
terrible experience, would be disposed to rest on his
laurels ; but there is too much reason to fear that
the recollection of this tragedy will soon pass away,
and- that the daring exploits of our mountain
climbers may again
be pushed beyond the limits of

prudence. There is no reason why Alpine climbing
should be altogether" abandoned ; but those inaces-

Bible peaks should be left to their solitary glory

There will always be some point man cannot reach

and assuredly in these difficult and dangerous but

profitless ascents discretion is the better part of

The position of the unfortunate captives in
Abyssinia has been brought before both Houses of
Parliament during last session, but to very little
purpose, for Earl RUSSELL persistel in his do-
nothing policy, although those best ialopzed on the