The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-24 00:00:00

K -
p ter. eV% _ desFID
•

LONDON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1865.

in a gentleman present, who jumped on board the
vessel, and with his own hands tore down the flag.
The captain, in revenge, refused to land him, but
the gallant Canadian was not to be daunted, and
leaping overboard swam ashore, becoming, of
course, the hero of the hour. A more serious inci-

dent occurred at Montreal, where an attempt was

made to carry off Mr. SAUNDERS, for whom the

American Government have offered a large reward

Happily it was frustrated, but the exploit has
created great excitement throughout the colony.
One thing is very certain, whatever their views, the

colonists will not be frightened into submission by
their boisterous neighbours ; and we hope that,
before this new session has closed, and the Parlia-
ment ceased from its labours, Confederation, and
not annexation, will be the order of the day.

The approach of Cholera naturally causes atten-
tion to be directed to that important subject, and,
although nothing can possibly be more unwise and
hurtful than to give way to morbid feelings, or be
tormented with undue anxiety on the matter, it is
only a wise and prudent course to consider what are
the best steps to be taken to meet the emergency,
and what is the fitting course to pursue to mitigate
the evil and check the extent of the threatened
plague. If people would really attempt to compre-
hend the thing in its full significance and not
mystify themselves and others it would be much
better ; in many instances the camity is looked
upoc as something quite beyond the reach of ordi-
nary pleas u. ez Lv IJiGrcab, lovc. if 4e11.4 craxa. wiare, Erst.t.pr
studied it might be seen that the adaptation of plain
and simple remedies are the most effectual. It re-
quires no wonderful skill and no extensive know-
ledge to guard against the threatened attack to the
best of human ability ; for cleanliness and care are
the surest safeguards. At home, abroad, and wher-
ever this scourge of humanity presents itself, it is
the same tale and the old story. The chief victims
are those whose dwellings are in a bad condition as
regards ventilation and cleanliness, and it seems
strange when such is an acknowledged fact that so
little heed is paid to it, and that the most reprehen-
sible practices prevail in many quarters. One of
the best modes of checking the spread of the evil is
to establish a system of supervision in those parts
where great neglect prevails as to sanitary measures,
but it would unquestionably be better if this
method were adopted as a precautionary measure
before the mischief has fairly taken root among us.

The opening of the Canadian Parliament is an
yteresting and important event, seeing that it must
precede the renewal of the discussion on the mo-
mentous project of the confederation of the Pro-
vinces. It is to be hoped that time and reflection
will have modified the local jealousies and dissen-
sions which previously hindered the amalgamation
of the colonies into one powerful and united State.
The experience of the last few years must have
convinced the Canadians at least of the dangers to
which they are exposed should any quarrel arise
between them and their powerful neighbour. At
present there may be little ground for uneasiness,
but the irritation felt in the States against this
country is not reassuring to those who look forward.
If, unhappily, hostilities cannot be averted.between
England and America, it is only reasonable to ex-
pect that the invasion of Canada would be the first
step. If, again, it is urged by some of the disaf-
fected Canadians, that it is their union with the
mother country which exposes them to this danger,
they may remember that without the protection
of the British authority in the background
they would long since have been absorbed
into the vast Republic. The experience of
the war must have long since convinced the
Canadians that there are solid advantages in favour
of retaining their union with England, as well as
the influence of the old traditionary loyalty. In
French Canada the objection to the Confederation
scheme seems principally to rest upon the fear of
taxation, but this may by degrees be overcome by
the dread of annexation, and the fear of losing their
individual identity, their church property, and their
language in the busy life of the United States.
Lower Canada, which would be an important
member of the Confederated Provinces, -would be
a mere insignificant item in the American Union ;
and the tranquil, contented pastoral life which
its primitive people lead, would be rudely shaken
by the introduction of the Yankee element. The
complaint which Anglo-Saxons make against this
simple, rural population is, that they are deficient
in energy, are not willing to address themselves
heartily to the arduous task of clearing the wilder-
ness, and developing the resources of the soil at the
cost of clearing. This disposition would certainly
not incline men to exert themselves among the
busy, turbulent, and restless people of the States.

In consequence of the ignorance and perversity
that prevail in many quarters, it is needful that the
authority of the law be interposed in order to effect
any great result ; and, besides, there is another
difficulty in the way of improvement in many cases,
and that arises from the meanness and indifference
of landlords. In places where the poor are huddled
together, and each house contains the number of
inmates that should properly be spread over many,
it is painful to contemplate the consequences of
defective drains and other faulty arrangements
when the cholera appears ; yet it too often happens
that no attention is paid to complaints by the owner
of the house, and thus day after day, and week after
week, the evil continues, rendering the place the hot-
bed of fever and epidemic diseases, and a flourishing
spot for the attacks of cholera. It would be desir-
able for inspectors to visit these places, and, if pos-
sible, to insist on such timely measures being
adopted as may check the extent of the calamity,
if it cannot altogether prevent its occurrence. In a
civilised country like this it seems most incongru-
ous that matters- should have been so long allowed
to remain as they are ; but from whatever
cause such neglect has hitherto prevailed, surely it
is time that a reform be instituted without more
loss of time. This is, in truth, a case in which de-
lays are dangerous ; and it behoves all who are able
to do anything in the matter to bestir themselves
before it is too late. Too much care cannot be
taken to insure the better regulation of the poorer
, suburbs, and this will be doing service to the com-
munity ; for even if we escape the cholera this year,
it may come at any future time, and fevers are al-
ways rife among the inhabitants of crowded loca-
lities.

There is, indeed, ample opportunity for
the well - informed
exert themselves and well - intentioned to
just now, and ample scope
for their exertions.
In many respects we are
better prepared to face the evils of cholera
than we were at the period of its previous attack,
but there is an additional danger now which was not
present on the two last occasions. The terrible
disease among the cattle makes the prospect of the
Asiatic plague appearing among us to be, indeed, a
fearful one ; and among those classes who will be
the chief victims of its attack, the effects of the epi-
demic among the cattle will be most heavily felt.
The poor, always too scantily supplied with animal
food, will now be almost entirely deprived of it.
Those who were only able to afford a little will
now go without, and the result will be that they
will be less fortified against the attacks of the
cholera as well as falling victims to fevers and
other sicknesses. This renders the adoption of the
remedial measures of air and cleanliness all the
more important ; and it will be indeed disastrous if
all the counsels of the experienced ar,.: thrown away
and the enemy finds the citadel defenceless, It is,

Meanwhile the opening of the new Session has
been conducted with, all due form and ceremony.
The Governor's address was short and temperate,
cautiously avoiding any ground for discussion.
The return of the Canadian Delegates from London
was, of course, referred to, and Lord MoNcK
ebserved that, according to his promise he had
called the members together as soon as possible, to
receive their report and complete the unfinished
business of last session. The conclusion of the
American War was, he said, a matter for rejoicing,
and must lead to the commercial and industrial
prosperity of the colonies ; and, as a matter
of course, he .added the expression of a
courteous hope that the friendly relations be-
tween the people would strengthen and increase.

Of the Reciprocity Treaty he wisely said nothing, however, not only among what are called the lower
leaving it to the common sense and justice of the classes that neglect of the rules of health is ob-
States themselves. In conclusion, after a few re- servable. Many who should have known better, and
marks on the Volunteer service, he expressed his have every opportunity of informingthemselvesupon
hope that the Confederation scheme would be this subject, are guilty of offences against the laws
happily carried out—a hope that this sessi-on will of health. In the houses of the affluent there is
exercise much influence upon. A good deal of in- often little or no care given to ventilation. That
terest was felt in the opening of the Houses, and important duty is left to servants, who do not
the ceremony was well attended. The answering understand its necessity, and hence the atmosphere
address was voted by a considerable majority, of many handsome and commodious houses is most
though not until a violent attack had unhealthy, especially for those who do not constantly
been made on Sir NARCISSE BELLEAU, the new take outdoor exercise. It would be well if those
Premier, who has during the recess succeeded to the who have time to look to such things would
office on the death of Sir ETIENNE TACIIE. The attend to this important matter, for nothing
Government, notwithstanding this loss, is a strong more certainly predisposes to infection than
one, and, as it possesses a clear and defined policy a close or vitiated apartment. In schools and
on the great question of the day, it is to be hoped all places where a great number of men, women,
it will retain office. The present time is an impor- and children are collected together in a
tent crisis in the fortunes of British North America, comparatively small space, it is of the utmost con-
and the capabilities of its soil and its population are sequence that particular vigilance be exercised to
so great that its issue may exercise no inconsiderable insure a due amount of ventilation. The fact is
influence on the future of the world. The vast ter- that
people are willing to make extraordinary efforts
ritories of Hudson's Bay and Vancouver must sooner on many occasions, but they constantly fail when
or later be reclaimed from the wilderness and little efforts are required. The indifference that
tenanted by a sturdy race of colonists, and who prevails is, however, greatly to be deplored ; and
it is clear that the surest way to get cold is to re-
so well fitted for the task as Englishmen under
English constitutional laws? Absorbed into the
main long in an over-heated atmosphere. It is this
which it is so difficult to make the ignorant under-
American Union the Northern provinces will only
add to the already unwieldy size of States which stand, but the neglect that is unfortunate on
cannot be much longer kept under one head, and ordinary occasions becomes deplorable and
will introduce further elements of weakness and disastrous in times of epidemic disease and,
discord among an already disunited people. Con- above all, of cholera. It is earnestly to be trusted
solidated under British rule and British laws, with that due heed will be paid to these important facts
the free energies of an enterprising people left to before the threatened calamity overtakes us, when,
work their own way in their own interests, they may in the midst of the confusion and misery, it is diffi-
yet rear a bulwark of constitutional liberty in the West cult to act efficiently or to judge calmly. Fore-
warned is forearmed in this as in many other cases.
second only in importance to the position of the
mother country in the Old World. The feelings of
the colonists is very strong on this point, and an
incident is recorded showing their temper. Some
American tourists thought fit, on entering a Cana-
' dian harbour, to run up the Yankee flag over a
colonial boat, to the great indignatirn of the lookers-
on. The popular feeling soon found an exponent

Canterbury Hall.

This hall is nightly crowded with visitors from
the country, who at this season of the year seem to
migrate (if not for fresh air, at all events to enjoy
the amusements of the metropolis), and therefore
lead their steps towards this establishment, which
has always been a favourite with the provincials on
account of the excellent entertainment it affords.
They know they can have a lounge through the
great Picture Gallery, and scrutinise the works of
the most celebrated artists, both ancient and
modern, and that they can listen to the dulcet
strains of that fascinating prima donna, Miss
Russell, in a selection from a favourite opera, sup-
ported by Mr. St. Albyn, Mr. Green, Miss Mayes,
and a chorus of 40 performers. In the comic de-
partment there is Mr. Arthur Lloyd, with his
capital repertoire of songs ; the eccentric D'Aubans,
with their more eccentric dances ; Mr. Stacey ; two
Sable Minstrels, bearing the names of Davis and
Duriah, who keep the auidence convulsed with
laughter from the time they appear on the stage ;
and Mr. Vandervell's optical illusion of " Ko-Ko-
Ri-Ro," with its merry overture, and its jolly Jack
Robinson, who has such a penchant for the opposite
sex that he is continually wishing himself a Chinese.
This part is played by Mr. William Randall, with
his usual judgment. As we have already given a
description of this illusion, it is needless to say more
than that it has become as great a favourite as the
other effusions from the author's brain. We feel
confident the " million " in search cf pleasure will
not regret spending an evening " Over the Water."

THE WEATHER.—A weather prophet has arisen
in Ireland. The Earl of Portarlington, anxious to
cheer the hearts of his farmers, which must have been
much damped by the late heavy rains, has addressed to a
contemporary the following letter. His lordship does not
state the grounds upon which he bases the belief in which
he wishes the farmers to participate:—"Enao-park, Aug.
17.—Sir,—Lest our farmers should go disheartened by the
continuance of the rainy weather in the midst of harvest,
I am tempted, through the means of your widely-read
columns, to seek to encourage them by begging them to
look forward to the next week, when, from the 23d to the
25th, we Inny orport a great and most favourable change
in the weather, introducing to us a lovely, warm, and dry
September, which will bring to a close one of the finest

summers ever remembered in this country. I cannot bui

hope that the approaching dry period, though later than
we have wished, may yet be in time to save the corn crops
in good order throughout the country.—l am, &c., PORT-

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, AUG. 24.
The Grand Duke of Oldenburg arrived here on
22d inst., and left again to-day.
The Duke is travelling incognito.
THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION.
SALZBURG, AUG. 24.

The negotiations for the final settlement of the
question of the succession to the duchies have not
yet led to any results as far as the most important
points are concerned. _ _

The Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia
have agreed that a conference of the Ministers of
both Powers should continue the negotiations.
Herr von Bismarck will accompany the King of
Prussia on his journey to Munich.