The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-28 00:00:00

ruEl SUN% !LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 28, 1862.

PUGILISM.

FIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.-MACE

AND KING.

The above fight took place this morning at God-
stone, in Surrey, and about 30 miles front London.
The fight began at 7 minutes past nine, and after
fighting one hour and eight minutes, during which
time 42 rounds were fought, King was unable to
come up to the call of time, and Mace *as declared
the victor. King obtained first blood and the first
knock down blow. The betting at the com-
mencement was 2 to 1 on Mace, but
in the course of the encounter, the odds
varied to similar offers upon King; the punishment
delivered up to a certain time was tolerably equal,
King having slightly the best of it until the last
round, when they closed and fell, King's head corn-
ing in contact with the ground, which rendered
him insensible, and the sponge was thrown up in
token of his defeat. The fight took place amid a
steady fall of rain, but the attendance was very
large, the aristocracy being very powerfully repre-
sented.

,LITE.RATU.RB.

Lady Herltert's Gentlewomen. By Eliza Mete-
yard (Silverpen), author of " Mainstone's House-
, keeper," &c. 3 vols. Hurst and Blackett.
In these volumes we meet with several stories
which are joined in a connecting link by an origi-
nal sketch of interest. It treats of Shirlot, an
establishment created by the bounty of Lady Her-
bert, and in whose peaceful shades dwelt many who
else might have been cast on the rough world. The
account of some of the quarrels and contrarieties
that ever and anon disturb the equanimity of the
inhabitants and mar the peace of the happy home
is very aptly drawn, and shows in a forcible man-
ner how ill temper and evil passions may mar the
best attempts and frustrate the kindest intentions.
The various tales are ingeniously introduced, and
some of them are very entertaining. " The New
Lord Burleigh" is a sketch that satirizes the world's
flattery of wealth and its cruel scorn of poverty.
In all ranks of life there are too many " Dusts" and
" Sharks." It is doubtful whether "Meg" would
have been happy in such a totally different sphere
of existence, but the discernment which recognised
her gentleness and goodness did infinite honour to
Sir John Bordun, and the qualities which the little
maid displayed in the sad time of sickness were
those which bid fair to stand the trying test of
time more than the shining and attractive
characteristics he might have encountered.
in the society of his equals. " The Butter-cup
Spoon" is, perhaps the most pleasing story that is
met with ; Lucy, the heroine, is a charming cha-
racter, and the old couple of Hatton-garden are
most delightful in their quaint style and genuine
kindliness. There is something very fresh and
genuine about this little sketch, and the description
of Lucy in her struggles and solitude is touchingly
and truthfully told. From seeing some but-
tercups she had gathered cast by dance on
some shining spoons she took the idea of
forming a design of a silver ladle in
that shape. "Oh go and show the hand of
genius little cups and buds. Rocked by the vernal
winds, cherished by the evening dew, fed by the
balmy air, your simple, graceful, sweet loveliness
must be transferred by art ; for touching conse-
quences lie with thee, oh simple little tender
flowers." The romance of this little tale is a very
attractive one, and it seemed truly a just thing
that such kindred spirits in taste should be united.
Grimling is a peculiar style, but he is animated by
noble zeal, and his immediate perception of merit
proved him to possess an innate discernment.
The climax of the various events and disco-
veries takes place in a novel spot, for it
is the Crystal Palace of famous memory. The ex-
citing scene is thus eloquently alluded to—" At
length that glorious May-day dawned, which must
ever be memorable in the annals of this country—in
the annals of civilisation, the annals of the world,
that marriage-day of beauty to utility, of civilisa-
tion to art, of the refinement that inspires to the
coarseness that degrades, that grand marriage-day
of human interests to the universal, the pure, and the
exalted, that marriage-day of which a mighty human
advance has yet to sing the fitting epithalmy."
" Ruthven's play is a noticeable narrative, and
brings before us in graphic sketches, some of the
quaint customs and strange observances of an
earlier age. The plot is rather an exciting one, and
the reader will feel grieved at the sad tale of Jill,
which comes upon one quite suddenly at last. It
is satisfactory to find the base designs frustrated,
and the malicious plans subverted of that
unprincipled clique, of which Sir John
Ogilvy reigned paramount. This slight
sketch is the most striking in the volumes,
although not the most pleasing. " Art in Bronze"
is a peculiar narrative. All must rejoice at the
, who, through toil
and amid trouble, pursued his way, and at last .
triumph of the energetic youth
realised the glorious ideal of his visions and gained
the lofty goal to which he had so long aspired.
At the same time this tale has an error in it ;
Miss Westall's marriage to a man she bad
never seen before the interview in which
she arranges to become his wife is most
improbable. Despite these occasional exaggerations
there is in the works of an
authoress
public have long
appreciated. They bear evidence of deep thought,.
muchwhose to
writings admire
the
and declare their writer to be one who goes to the
root of things, and seeks to divine the motives of
actions and the causes of effects. Those who desire
to peruse a solid book will be pleased with this
series of sketches ; many various phases of life are
brought to light, and some wise domestic hints
appear side by side with plans of social
improvement, and the amelioration of the
thinking workers of the community. " The
Southwark Inn" is an old-fashioned tale that
brings before us some of those prim ways
which the laxity of modern rule has suffered to
fall into desuetude, to the great discredit of mis-
tresses and maids, and the detriment of the com-
fort of many households. It would be well for
numerous families if they could renew the good
old times in the reproduction of those neat, trim,
mob-capped damsels who figure here as the minis-
tering handmaids to order, cleanliness, and general
well-doing. If the example of the mistress of the
" Dulphiu were followed more frequently by per-
sons of property it would be the greatest charity
they could bestow on their fellow-beings of
humanity. There was truth in the remark of Mrs.
Dumple's attached adherent, old Tummis, when he
said that if she taught a dozen girls how to perform
properly all the minutiae of daily work she would
preach a sermon as might have a voice through
many generations. " The Chrismas Letter" is an
agreeable episode of life in some very trying cir-
cumstances, but it is to be feared that the troublous
beginning is more akin to actual experience than
the sudden clearing of the clouds and the bright
and happy evening to the stormy day of fears and
sorrows that the aged gentlewomen hero chronicled
had to endure. " A Winter and its Spring"
is a cheering narrative, which encourages
one to look for better times, and the earnest, kind-
hearted lady who is its heroine certainly deserved
a happy fate as she was always seeking and striving
to benefit others. We are told in taking leave of her,
these glad tidings of her future, " Her winter was
over, her spring was come." We all of us have winter
in our lives, but let us hope, and wait, and patiently
bear onward ; the spring will surely come. The
Tale of Dora is very romantic and especially suited
to sentimental readers. These volumes may
be offered to the general reading community
in the full confidence that they contain various
matters to instruct and, interest ; some sad, some
merry, some warning, and some entertaining
sketches, make up the contents. Divers tastes and
various dispositions may gather in this granary and
come away satisfied, inasmuch as there is variety
enough for all fancies and peculiar wishes. The
" Gentlewomen" are very aptly sketched in their
several styles. Miss Thorpe and niece are delight-
ful characters ; also Mrs. Eden is a sad resemblance
to many :unhappy folks who are so bitter and sel-
fish that they render their lives a burden to
themselves and an infliction to others. At her
death-bed this feeling predominated ; her thoughts
were with her hoarded money. " The ruling pas-
sion strong in death, the world and all things
worldly even on the threshhold of the eternal door."
These volumes will most likely be sought after on
account of their skill and ingenuity, as well as their
good purpose and vigorois writing in many places.
They ar© original in many parts of their remark-
able sketches, and record some of the most signal
and striking occurrences of life and dispositions of
humanity.

Civilisation Considered as a Science, in Relation
to its Essence, its Elements, and its End. By
George Harris, F.S.A., Barrister• at-Law; author
of " The Life of Lord Chancellor Hardwicke,"
" The True Theory of Representation in a State,"
&c. Bvo. London: Bell and Daldy,:Fleet-street.

Apart from the intrinsic merits of Mr. Harris's
thoughtful and most suggestive volume, the work
possesses a special but melancholy interest at the
present time, inasmuch as we know, from private
sources of information, that it was one of the very
last additions made to his library by the lamented
Prince Consort. It will be seen, on glancing at the
table of contents, that Mr. Harris divides
his work into three several parts, viz.:—
The real Nature and Essence of Civilisation ; the
Elements which contribute to the Promotion of
Civilisation; and lastly, The End resulting from
the Complete Establishment of Civilisation. Thus
the chief object of the author is to exhibit a com-
prehensive though concise view of the nature of
civilisation, to demonstrate its capacity for
scientific treatment, as well as for practical
application, and to prove the necessity for
cultivating every branch of it alike, in order
to ensure the establishment of it as an entire
system or condition ; and from this a complete,
definite, and systematic exposition of the true
principles upon which the general educational and
moral policy of this country ought to be conducted
is set forth for the consideration of the reader.
Air. Harris thinks that the elements which chiefly
tend to the promotion of civilisation are the fol-
lowing :—National education of the people, na-
tional religious influence, national instructory
institutions, 3ultivation of art and science, liberty
of the press and toleration, national commemora-
tions and festivals, dignities and honorary rewards,
moral jurisprudence, internal communication, and
international intercourse. All these several sub-
jects are treated in a spirit of moderation and im-
partiality, and are examined fully and comprehen-
sivelyof course, it cannot be expected
poirtthanmt ar.fiHeldarorfisiniqnueirvyertyhavtieawll
he
ireadersn sotakes, large;
a and
and important
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e

one must admire the truly liberal and enlightened
tone in which his investigations are conducted.
The division which treats of the end resulting
from the complete establishment of civilisation, is
one that will amply repay perusal, and will be
found of the deepest interest alike to the divine,
the statesman, and the philanthropist. As a whole,
we can safely say we have very seldom met with
a work which has exhibited more patient industry,
research, and thought than this new volume by Mr.
Harris. That which from the title might have
been thought dry, abstruse, and recondite, is
really a work abounding in interest. It is written
in language alike elegant and lucid, and while
commending itself on this account to the scholar
and politician, will be perused with equal gratifica-
tion by the general reader. The work we observe
is dedicated by express permission to Lord
Brougham, than whom no fitter patron could have
been found. Mr. George Harris is already very
favourably known to the literary and legal world by
his excellent "Biography of Lord Chancellor
Hardwicke," and his " Treatise on the true Theory
of Representation in a State." We confidently
predict that that reputation will be very materially
increased by the publication of this, the last and
most important work which the author has yet
produced. Indeed this elaborate and most instruc-
tive treatise on " Civilisation considered as a
Science" deserves a place among the standard
volumes which grace the library shelves of every
educated gentleman.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, Sevcn o'clock.

THE TRENT AFFAIR.

FURTHER OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE,

(From the London Gazette of this Evening.)
FOREIGN-OFFICE, JAN 28.
Copies of correspondence with her Majesty's Minister in
the United States :

EARL RUSSELL TO LORD LYONS.

Foreign-office, January 23, 1862.

My Lord,—l mentioned, in my despatch of the 10th
instant, that her Majesty's Government differed from Mr.
Seward in some of the conclusions at which he tad arrived ;
and that I should state to you on a future occasion wherein
these differences consisted. I now proceed to do so.
It is necessary to observe that I propose to discuss the
questions involved in this correspondence solely on the
principles of international law. Mr. Seward himself, speak-
ing of the capture of the four gentlemen taken from on
board the Trent, says :—" The question before us is whe-
ther this proceeding was authorised by and conducted ac-
cording to the law of nations. This is, in fact, the nature
of the question which has been, but happily is no longer at
issue. It concerned the respective rights of belligerents and
of neutrals. We must, therefore, discard entirely from our
minds the allegation that the captured persons were rebels,
and we must consider them only as enemies of the United
States at war with its Government, for that is the ground
on which Mr. Seward ultimately places the discussion. It
is the only ground upon which foreign Governments can
treat it.

The first inquiry that arisen, therefore, is as Mr. Seward
states it, "Were the persons named, and their supposed
despatches contraband of war ?"

Upon this question Her Majesty's Government differ en-
tirely from Mr. Seward.

The general right and duty of a neutral Power to main-
tain its own communications and friendly relations with
belligerents cannot be disputed. " A neutral nation," says
Vattel,* "continues, with the two parties at war, in the
several relations nature has placed between nations. It is
ready to perform towards both of them all the duties of
humanity, reciprocally due from nation to nation." In the
performance of these duties, oh both sides, the neutral nation
has itself a most direct and material interest; especially
when it has numerous citizens resident in the territories of
both belligerents; and when its citizens, resident both
there and at home, have property of great value in the ter-
ritories of the belligerents, which may be exposed to danger
from acts of confiscation and violence if the protection of
their own Government should be withheld. This is the
case with respect to British subjects during the present civil
war in North America.

IlActing upon these principles, Sir William Scott, in the
case of the earoline,t during the war between Great Britain
and France, decided that the carrying of despatches from
the French Ambassador resident in the United States to
the Government of France by an United States' merchant-
ship was no violation of the neutrality of the United States
in the war between Great Britain and France, and that
such despatches could not be treated as contraband of war.
" The neutral country," he said, "has a right to preserve
its relations with the enemy, and you are not at liberty to
conclude that any communication betwean them can par-
take, in any degree, of the nature of hostility against you.
The enemy may have its hostile projects to be attempted
with the neutral State, but your reliance is on the integrity
of that neutral State, that it will not favour nor paiticipate
in such designs, but, as far as its own councils and actions
are concerned, will oppose them. And if there should be
private reasons to suppose that this confidence in the good
faith of the neutral State has a doubtful foundation, that is
matter for the caution of the Government, to be counterac-
ted by just measures of preventive policy ; but it is no
ground on which this Court can pronounce that the neutral
carrier has violated his duty by bearing despatches, which,
as far as he can know, may be presumed to be of an inno-
cent nature, and in the maintenance of a pacific con-
nection." And he continues, shortly afterwards :
"It is to be considered also, with regard to this
question, what may be due to the convenience of the neutral
State; for its interest may require that the intercourse of
correspondence with the enemy's country should not be
altogether interdicted. It might be thought to amount
almost to a declaration that an Ambassador from the enemy
shall not reside in the neutral State if he is declared to be
debarred from the only means of communicating with his
own. For to what useful purpose can he reside there with-
out the opportunities of such a communication ? It is too
much to say that all the business of the two States shall be
transacted by the Nlinist,.r of the neutral State resident in
the enemy's country. The practice of nations has allowed
to neutral States the privilege of receiving Ministers from
the belligerent States, and the use and convenience of an
immediate negotiation with them."

That these principles must necessarily extend to every
kind of diplomatic communication between Government and
Government, whether by sending or receiving Ambassadors
or Commissioners personally, or by sending or receiving
despatches from or to such Ambassadors or Commissioners,
or from or to the respective Governments, is too plain to
need argument ; and it seems no less clear that such
communications must be as legitimate and innocent in
their first commencement as afterwards, and that
the rule cannot be restricted to the case in which diplo-
matic relations are already formally established by the resi-
dence of an accredited Minister of the belligerent Power in
the neutral country. It is the neutrality of the one party
to the communications, and not either the mode of the
communication or the time when it first takes place, which
furnishes the test of the true application of the principle.
The only distinction arising out of the peculiar circum-
stances of a civil war and of the non-recognition of the in-
dependence of the de facto government of one of the belli-
gerents, either by the other belligerent or by the neutral
Power, is this—that "for the purpose of avoiding the diffi-
culties which might arise from a formal and positive solu-
tion of these questions, diplomatic agents are frequently
substituted, who are clothed with the powers and enjoy the
immunities of Ministers, though they are not invested with
the representative character, nor entitled to diplomatic
honours.T. Upon this footing Messrs. Mason and Slidell,
who are expressly stated by Mr. Seward to have been sent
as pretended Ministers Plenipotentiary from the Southern
States to the Courts of St. James and of Paris, must have
been sent, and would have been, if at all, received ; and the
reception of these gentlemen upon this footing could
not have been justly regarded, according to the law
of nations, as a hostile or unfriendly act towards the
United States. Nor, indeed, is it clear that these
gentlemen would have been clothed with any powers, or
have enjoyed any immunities beyond those accorded to
diplomatic agents not officially recognised.
It appears to her Majesty's Government to be a necessary
and certain deduction from these principles, that the con-
veyance of public agents of this character from Havana to
St. Thomas, on their way to Great Britain and France, and
of their credentials or despatches (if any) on board the
Trent, was not and could not be a violation of the duties of
neutrality on the part of that vessel; and both for that rea-
son, and also because the destination of these persons and
of their despatches was bona fide neutral, it is in the judg-
ment of her Majesty's Government clear and certain that
they were not contraband.
The doctrine of contraband has its whole foundation and
origin in the principle which is nowhere more accurately
explained "than in the following passage of Bynkerahoek.
After stating in general terms the duty of impartial neutra-
lity, he adds :—" Et sane id, quod modo dicebam, non tan-
tum ratio docet, sed et usus, inter omnes fere gentes recep-
tus. Quamvis cairn libera sint cum amicorum nostrorum
hostibus commercia, usu tamen placuit, ne alterutrum his
rebus juvemus, quibus bellum contra amicos nostros in-
struatur et foveatur. Non licet igitur alterutri advehere ea,
quibus in bello gerendo opus habet ; ut aunt tormenta,
arma, et quorum prsocipuus in belle usus, miltes. Optimo
jure intordictum est, ue quid eorum hostibus subministre-
mus ; quia his rebus nos ipsi quodammodo videremur
amicis nostris bellum facere."¢ _ _

----- ------ ---
The principle of contraband of war is here clearly ex'

* Vattel, book iii, cap. 7, s, 118.
approved by
t The Caroline (Chr. Rob,, 461) ; cited and
Wheaton ("Elements," part iv, cap. 3, sec. 22.)
1 Wheaton : "Elements," part iii., chap. 1, sec.
Bynkerelioek " Clucest, Jur, Publ.," lib. 1, cal). 9.