The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-16 00:00:00

Cherbourg and Portsmouth is putting the costly
iron-clads of both nations to good purpose, and the
spectators who crowd to witness the imposing fleets
will rejoice that their deadly guns are not turned
against each other, and that
*the only rivalry
between them is which can excel in the kindly
graces of courtesy and hospitality.

The Cattle Plague has by this time aroused the
attention of all classes of the community, and the
various meetings that have taken place in all parts
of the country testify to the natural anxiety that is
felt at the present evil, and the prospect of future
calamities on a more extended scale. The worst
part of the affair seems to be that as yet nothing
very effectual can be devised to stop the spread of
the disease, or guard against its introduction in
hitherto uninfected places. We are now suffering
from the consequences of long-standing neglect,
and as usual in such cases a certain time must
elapse, and a considerable amount of suffering and
loss be sustained, before the skill of science can be
brought to bear upon the evil, or the contrivances
of the energetic and the enterprising arrest the sad
workings of the calamity. Much information on the
subject, which is no indeed, the social subject of
the day, may be gathered from the accounts of
the several meetings held in divers directions. In
the neighbourhood of Canterbury there have been
several fresh cases of murrain, and the committee
of the East Kent Farmers have drawn up and sent
to the Privy Council an important intimation, to
the effect that the county of Kent is in great danger
in consequence of the landing of diseased stock
along the coast, and this more especially on account
of the prohibitory law which prevents cattle being
imported into London without " due inspection."
It seems that the law as it at present
stands does not suffice to stay the transit
of diseased stock on the public roads. There
is great reason for the prayer of this memo-
rial, which desires that the system of inspection be
introduced into all the ports of the Kentish sea-
board, that the progress of the deceased cattle may
be prevented, which will thereby greatly check the
spread of the disease, and that other measures
deemed to be desirable be adopted. Too much care
and caution cannot possibly be taken at this cri-
tical juncture, and it is most important that the
plans suggested by the Committee should be pu

in force whenever there is an opportunity.
In Warwickshire a meeting was convened to
consider the best mode to be adopted, and
here again some suitable schemes were de-
vised. Lord LEIGH truly observed that it
was highly expedient they should take steps to
prevent the spread of the evil into their county ;
and Mr. WISE mentioned the extraordinary cir-
cumstance of the cattle plague which broke out in
this country, a hundred and fifty years ago, was
most extensive, although the means of communi-
cation were nothing then compared to what they
are now. Attention was also very properly called
to the great neglect which took place in the mode
of transferring cattle from one place to another, and
the great encouragement which was thereby given
to the ravages of the disease. It is indeed too bad
to think of the mischief and misery that are wrought
by this calamity, and then to reflect that every
possible incitement is afforded to the murrain by
the gross cruelty and culpable neglect of those who
have the conduct and management of the imported
cattle. It is indeed surprising that something has
not been done to remedy these glaring sins of ,

omission and commission ; but the subject wir

make itself heard now, when it comes before us
in the terrible aspect of the pestilence that de-
stroyeth at noonday. Next Saturday is appointed
for meetings in Oxfordshire and Nottingham, to
consider the serious state of affairs, and propose
what may be deemed most expedient by competent
judges to guard against the consequences of the
fearful calamity. In Berwick a large meeting of
farmers took place, and the Superintendent of the

County Constabulary appears to have taken active

steps. He proposes that the county police should
watch at the railway stations, and give notice of all

cattle coming into the places to the Committee,
likewise furnishing all particulars relating to them,
and also to send a circular to those who purchase

cattle in the neighbourhood warning them to be

careful, and to keep the new stock apart from the
It would be well if these excellent sugges-
ons were generally followed out through the coun-
ry, as they cannot fail to be of service to the cause,
and conduce to the knowledge and experience of the
parties most intimately concerned. This is a ques-
tion of such vital interest to the community that all
should unite in taking the best steps to mitigate the
evil, and make common cause in regard to what is
fast becoming a great national calamity.

We are accustomed to think of China as in a
chronic state of rebellion, and perhaps the most
astonishing piece of news that we could receive
from the Celestial Empire would be that it was at
peace, and that there was anything like a vigorous,
settled, or popular form of government. So far
from the long-standing Taeping revolt being sup-
pressed there has recently been a new and formid-
able outbreak in the north of China, where his
people are justly much incensed by the conduct of
the Mandarins. It is called the Nyen-fei rebellion,
and has already assumed considerable proportions.
The latest news is that these Nyen-fei rebels have
captured and sacked the city of Chu-fon-I-Men,
the birth-place of CONFUCIUS. Pekin itself
is threatened, for the rebels have taken
up a strong position at a distance of only 100
miles, and the communications of land and water
are easy and direct. It is no great wonder that
under these circumstances considerable uneasiness
is felt in Pekin, and it is said the authorities have
applied for the assistance of British military officers.
Despite their jealousy and self-conceit the Chinese
are far too shrewd not to perceive the immense ad-
vantage which the presence and direction of Euro-
pean officers confers on the Imperial troops. In-
deed one of the most prominent chiefs, the notorious
Futai Li-Hung-Chang understands it so well that
he has taken care to keep the guropean officers
and artillery under his eye, and though the
Court issued orders for all the disciplined
troops in the province to
.repair to the defence of
the Imperial City, Li chose to send his Europeans
and their 26
gll
pocensrtoNedainnkgi, in
Nankin, the seat of his own
authority. This
assumption, conjunction
has
Lt's well-knowni.rogance and
encouraged the idea that he entertains the project
of coining forward as the leader of another rebel-
lion on his own account. Whether this be true or
no, it is certain that this powerful chief has paid
very little attention to the alarm at Pekin, or to
the threatening movements of the northern rebels,
though there is little doubt that the Imperial order
directing the concentration of disciplined troops
northwards referred especially to this very
artillery which is now despatched to Nankin.
The worst part of all this disturbance is
that it damages trade and interferes with the com-
mercial prospects of the country. Still we can do
nothing to prevent it. If the effete and corrupt
Government of China is unable to control its sub-
ordinates, or to satisfy its people, we cannot hope
to reform it. Neither can we take an active part
in promoting rebellion. Our best course will be
that which we have lately followed, protecting the