The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-29 00:00:00

lIIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

Tins DAY.—Mol.ming, 6h. Om.—Afternoon,-6h. 20n,
T9-11oRnow.-Morning, 6h. 40m.—Afternoon, 5,‘

A 1,
;)0101r.,4 diFl
•^o'

LONDON, THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1865.

The twenty-eighth anniversary of her MAJESTY'S
accession could hardly fail to excite the deepest in-
terest among her loyal subjects, and the fact of that
day being fixed for the reception of the city ad-
dresses on the birth of a young Prince added to the
interest of the occasion. It is not given to, every

Sovereign to rule for more than a quarter of a con-
tury over such a loyal and united people, and if the
early age at which her MAJESTY' ascended the
throne gave good grounds for hoping for a pro-
longed reign there is at least cause for special re-
joicing in the material welfare and moral progress of
the country under her sway. 'The years during which
she has held the sceptre have not been uneventful ;
they have been full of wars and revolutions, they
have witnessed important changes in politics and in
society. Old forms of Government have passed
away, new dynasties have arisen, new boundaries
have been given to old kingdoms. During all these
stirring changes the British empire has continued
growing richer, more powerful, and more internally
prosperous. Its people have increased in content-
ment and unity, as well as in the possession of mate-
rial wealth, and the still more valuable acquisition
of knowledge, so that the proudest dreams and the
most sanguine auguries of the young QUEEN'S
well-wishers on the day of her Coronation have
been more than fulfilled.

In that domestic life which so seldom reserves its
favours for crowned heads Queen VICTORIA has
been no less fortunate, and the congratulations of
yesterday were directed, not to the anniversary of
the chief public ceremonial of her reign, or the suc-
cessful discharge of those anxious and responsible
duties which she assumed with her crown, but to an
event which must naturally rejoice any mother's
heart, no less in the cottage than the parlour. So
affectionate a parent as Queen VICTORIA has always
shown herself to be must participate in the griefs
and pleasures of her children, and, as QUEEN, it must
be gratifying to her to see her dynasty so well assured.
The birth of her eighth grandchild while she is yet
in the prime of life is of itself an interesting spec-
tacle. She may reasonably hope to see her descen-
dants of the second generation grow up to manhood
and womanhood, repeating, we trust, the virtues of
their ancestress.

But however brilliant any mortal position or
prospect may appear, it is never actually cloudless.
We cannot always see the drawback to success or

the disappointment that takes the bloom from all
possessions, or the hidden sorrow which serves to
temper the apparent brilliancy of the most
seemingly dazzling fortune. In Queen VICTORIA'S
case the shadow is only too apparent, and must
have been especially present with her yesterday
amidst all the congratulations and rejoicings of the
hour. The sorrow which has clouded her life must
have mingled largely in the memories of her earlier
years, and have been especially so with her as she

listened to the addresses on that domestic event in
which he whom she missed from her side would have
felt so deep au interest. In these mixed sentiments
of joy and sorrow her sympathising people cau well
enter, rejoicing, however, that as Time goes on he
not only soften the memories of the past, but brings
new hopes and new interests to lighten the prospects
of the future.

The affairs of Prussia seem likely to afford sub-
jects of interest and inquiry for some time to come,
and there appears no present chance of things
coming to a settlement. Herr VON BISMARCK seems
likely to come to a fix before long with his man-
oeuvres and machinations, and Austria appears as if
she at length was reaching the limits of endurance.
It has been seen for some time by acute observers
that the Vienna Cabinet were taking things too
tamely, and that in all probability their supine
course would eventually increase the arrogance and
augment the demands of Prussia. Such has proved
to be the case, and there threatens to be a serious
difference before long between the two German
Powers, who as allies continued to destroy Denmark,
and yet cannot agree among themselves. The last
news is that Prussia has intimated to Austria that
the Duke of AUGUSTENBURG must leave the Duchies,
or there will be no convening of the Schleswig-
Holstein Parliament. This is a very significant
hint ; though some people may think that the
Duke cannot do much harm. At any
rate it looks as if the Duke had won
his way in the good opinion of the people of
the Duchies, and was a formidable opponent in
reality, though not apparently, of any great weight
or importance. He forms a very convenient excuse
for those who do not like the proposed connection
of the Duchies to Prussia ; and doubtless,
when things come to a climax, it will
be seen that he has more adherents and supporters
than was at all believed probable at one time. The
fact is that the ingenious dodge of Herr von Bis-
MARCK has not been successful, and many feel
justly indignant at the manner in which the Duke
has been treated. Whether he had a right or not
to the rule of the Duchies, there can be no possible
excuse for first supporting his cause, and then, under
one pretext or another, turning round and setting
up other aspirants. Such a course is very
emblematical of the principles of the Berlin
Government ; but it naturally gives rise to
reflection, and creates an unfavourable impres-
sion upon those who care very little one way
or another how the vexed question is finally
settled, but cannot endure trickery and deceit.
Herr von BISMARCK seems resolved to put as many
insults upon the Austrian Government as he can in
a covert manner, and it is not at all likely that
they will long be tamely submitted to. It may also
be very likely that the idea of allowing a represen-
tative assembly has been given up altogether by
Prussia, and that therefore this desire has been re-
sorted to of demanding the absence of the Duke of
AuGusTENnuRG. It is hardly possible:to follow up
all the machinations of these crafty politicians, but
we may safely infer that more mischief is brewing,
and more sinister designs are in course of forma-
tion. The Prussian Crown lawyers have made
the astounding discovery that Austria and
Prussia possess claims to the Duchies, supe-
rior to any others, and that their rights are
indisputable. Can anything be more ridiculous
than this ? or more calculated to exhibit in its true

light the hidden workings and real meaning of the
affair? The way in which the German Powers,
especially Prussia, have gone on, is a disgrace to
themselves, and an insult to the common sense and
right feeling of the other nations of Europe. The
Schleswig-Holstein question has been before the
world for some considerable period already, and
yet who can predict with any show of reason that it
is likely to be speedily adjusted. A more shameless
exhibition of paltry schemes, and a more disgraceful
disregard for consideration of the rights of others,
Las never been witnessed. It is quite impos-
sible to over-rate the importance of the
change which has taken place of late in the opinions
of the people of this country respecting Prussia.
Several considerations, and the manoeuvres of
Ministers, may for a time hush up the affair, and
screen much that is unfavourable from observation,

but not the less has the sentiment taken deep roof

in the minds of the community. It is in some sort
satisfactory to notice the precarious nature of the
ties that exist between Austria and Prussia. It is
certainly an ominous sign that the Ministers should
have resigned at this juncture, and more especially
that Count MENSDORFF POUILLY should not have
resigned. This statesman's well-known anta-
gonism to Berlin is sufficient to give rise
to the most unfavourable suppositions. It
is curious to notice that at this critical juncture