The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVEN

they have a right to claim all forbearance and mode-
ration in judging their proceedings, they cannot
deny that the almost superhuman task of recon-
structing the shattered Union, harmonizing the dis-
cordant elements, and restoring peace, content, and
prosperity to the broken trade and impoverished
possessions of the embittered Southerners, has not
been imposed upon them, but voluntarily
assumed. To do the Washington Govern-
ment justice, they appear to be making
every effort to avert the horrors of famine
and pestilence from the afflicted Southern States,
but unhappily they have fearful difficulties to con-
tend against from the desolation created by their
own generals. The. first fever of vengeance is
passing away, and President JOHNSON is said to be
disinclined to extreme measures. The long delay
of President DAVIS'S trial gives cause to hope that
the Washington Government will not so abuse their
power, will not so disgrace themselves and their
country, as to bring him to an ignominious death.
The four principal prisoners condemned by the
Military Commission have already expiated their
errors with their lives, while three others have been I
sentenced to perpetual imprisonment, if Mrs.
SURRATT had been placed in the latter category
instead of the former, it would have been more
creditable to the finders. President JOHNSON'S
health gives rise to some uneasiness, and the retire-
ment of Mr. SEWARD is looked for. Change and
disturbance are still busy in the troubled country,
and we fear that both parties are only now begin-
ning to count the cost of the cruel and fratricidal
war.

LITERATURE,

Diamonds and Precious Stones. By H. Emanuel,
F.R.G.S. One Vol., pp. 266. J. C. Hotten.

The Princess of the Fairy Tale might have writ-
tent this lovely book about "Diamonds and Precious
Stones." Every sentence, so to speak, has a chromatic
glitter about it—a glitter as of the pouring out of
the radiant treasures of a lapidary. We turn the
leaves in a manner dazzled by the glory of these
gems of price, having, the while, a delicious sense, as
though we were dabbling our hands (up to the
wrists) our arms (up to the elbows) in some
such brimming chest of jewels as the one dis-
covered with such marvellous ingenuity by the hero
of Edgar Poe's wonderful story of " The Golden
Beetle !" The author of the book before us fairly
sets his reader's mouth watering, as if in emulation
of the Diamonds of purest water about which he
writes himself with so genuine a gusto ! The very
title-page is a something delicious. A page, it is, of the
heavenliest, velvetty, cerulean blue—gemmed, in the
centre of it, with the effigy of a gigantic and lustrous
Opal giving forth, in the glistening sheen of it, hints of
all the colours of the rainbow—an oval opal, surrounded
by a filagree of golden setting. That—just by way
of foretaste! But the book itself—with its abounding
store of jewels, and of everything relating to jewels
and jewelry !To enjoy it—at its utmost—we would
fain read its contents, luxuriously, to the tune, let us
say, of the jewel-song of Goethe's heroine in
Gounod's lyrical version of the love-tale of
" Faust and Marguerite !" 0 the delectable
book ! This book now under notice, with its re-

freshing showers, cascades, cataracts, hail-storms,
of all the Precious Stones known, more or

less familiarly, to the ancient and the modern lapi-
dary ! Precious Stones which arc here set forth
singly and in sprinkles, with due regard paid to
their relative hardness, to their distinctive colouring,
to their powers of refraction, to their specific gra-
vity, to their electrical properties, to their fusibility,
'to their diapheneity ! Diamonds of every size,
shape, weight, value, lucidity, magnificence !
Diamonds of great antiquity, of historical re-
nown, of world-wide reputation. Brilliants and Rose
Diamonds. The Shah and the Saucy—the Piggott
and the Braganza—the Regent or Pitt Diamond, and
the enormous Koh-i-noor ! And besides that empe-
ror of all the Precious Stones, the Diamond (for the
most part colourless)--Jewels of every varying

hue ! The faint, liquid blue of the Sapphire. The
delicate lilac of the Amethyst. The grass-green
of the oriental Emerald. The blood-red Ruby.
The darker and yet ruddier Garnet. The gor-
geous yellow of the Topaz. The celestial blue
of the Torquoise. The streaked richness of the
Onyx. The dappled verdure of the Lapis Lazuli.
And—added to all these—jasper, and agate, and
amber, and jet, and coral—opal and bloodstone—car-
nelion and carbuncle—jacinth and cinnamon—beryl
and chrysolite—jade and moonstone—sardonyx and
tourmaline—felspar, and quartz, and cairngorm,
and malachite ! A truly delicious book it is, this
volume about "Diamonds and Precious Stones," and
one for the production of which we have to thank Mr.
EMMANUEL, the author, and Mr. HorrEfi, his pub-
lisher, each of whom has done his part in regard to
this volume—to our fancy, at least—to perfection.
Procuring it—is, for all the world, very much like
buckling on to one's shoulders a pair of patent wings
(ever so much better than those contrived by the
philosopher in Rasselas) and, by a throb or two of
these said wings, taking a flight down into Sinbad's
Valley of Diamonds. Nay, it is more even
than that—it is like putting one's finger,
as Aladdin put his, into the ring-handle of the
ponderous stone trap - door in the Chinese wil-
derness, and lifting that door up to reveal the
staircase beneath it, and descending that stair-
case, and emerging at the foot of it into
the subterranean garden the orchard-trees of
which were laden ripely at every bough, at every
minutest twig, with ruby, and opal, and emerald,
and diamond, and turquoise, and topaz, and
amethyst, and all the other precious stones already
particularised. A glorious book this is in simple
truth—a book in which Harry Emanuel has done
for " Gems," what Henry Bradbury had achieved
in his for " Ferns," and Eugene Rimmel in his for
" Perfumes." With this difference only, that as Dia-
monds and Precious Stones are when compared with
Ferns and Perfumes, so are the rarer records here
set down by this later and now ambitious compiler,
as contrasted with those of his two ingenious
contemporaries, the botanist, and the perfumer.
Ending pretty nearly where we began, we would here
remark once more at the risk of repetition that the
words dropped one by one upon his page from the
pen of the author of this charming volume are very
much like those that fell—with kindred sparkle, and
colour, and splendour—from the lips of the Arabian
Princess.

The borough elections which have just terminated
have been sadly adverse to naval reformers. Sir
John Hay and Sir James Elphinstone have failed to per-
suade their former constituencies to send them back to
Parliament, while Rear-Admiral George Elliot, who re-
signed a lucrative appointment to contest Chatham, has
been defeated by the Government candidate. Lord
Clarence Paget has, however, secured his seat at Sand-
wich by a considerable majority, so has Mr. Laird, who,
irrespective of party, has worked well during his career in
Parliament, to forward the interests of all connected with
the navy.—Army and Navy Gazette.
GOETIIE'S HOUSE AT FRANKFORT.—Tourists who
pass Frankfort should not omit to visit Goethe's
House, the restoration of which, at the hands of the

" Froies Deutsches Hochstift," is nearly complete. The
front of the house, which had been badly disfigured, has
entirely regained its former aspect, by the removal of the
shop doors and attic windows, and by the restoration of
the six front windows, exactly after the old model. The
hall of the house has received back its former spaciousness
and clearness, by the removal of the wall of the northern
front room on the ground-floor, which had been crammed
into the house-floor, making it narrow and dark. Now the
visitor has again at once before him the magnificent stair-
case, and receives the impression of a comfortable, luxu-
rious roominess, as the house presented in the days of Herr
Rath. Tho old arrangement of the rooms on the ground-
floor, especially the dwelling-rooms, the kitchen of Frau
Rath, and the store-room, become so famous through
Welhelm Meister, is now exactly tho same as it was origi-
nally. Tho alterations which had taken place in course of
time did not affect tho plan of the house materially, and
were easily removed, leaving the house in its old condi-
tion. A room which had beon added to the first-floor,
projecting into the handsome front-place, darkening it and
the shops as well, has been taken away ; the front-place is
now open and clear, and has been paved neatly with white
and red flags, making it look exactly as in the time when
the King's lieutenant used it as a reception-room. The
upper floors have been cleared by their tenants since the
beginning of spring, and are uoly also accessible.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(RE U TXR'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE CHOLERA IN THE EAST.
_ TRIESTE, July 10.

From telegrams received here from Constan-
tinople, dated 9th July, we learn that on the 7th
five fresh cases of cholera occurred, two of which
proved fatal.

The issue of free permits to ships outward bound
was prolonged for ten days.

Telegraphic advices from Alexandria to the 18th
state that the Lloyd's steamer Juno, with 231 pas-
sengers, and the Italian steamer, with 80 passengers,
left that port on the same day.

Death; from cholera in Alexandria, 94;
Cairo, 365.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, July 15.—The buoyancy of the market
has exhibited no symptoms of relaxation to-day,
and yesterday's improvement in quotations has been
generally well maintained. The shares of the
Cr&lit Mobilier continue particularly to attract
the attention of speculators, and a further advance
of 14f. 50c. has taken place since the opening—the
present quotation being 757 f. This rapid and con-
siderable augmentation Is to be attributed to the
Company's having undertaken the emission of the
City of Paris Loan, to the amount of 250 millions,
which is to be issued in 600,000 bonds of 450 f. each,
bearing interest at the rate of 20f. per annum, with
1,140,000 f. to be drawn quarterly—giving 285,000 f.
at each drawing. The payments are to be made in
nine terms—from the 31st inst. to the 31st October,
1869. French Three per Cents. are firm at 67f.
75c., and Italian Loan at 65f. 15c. The Stock of
the Mexican Loans remain without any sensible
change. The following are the last quotations :-
4} per Cents 97 1 Ditto Threes —
Do. end month Mexican Loan 4B

3 per Cents. 67 60
Do. end month 67 60
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Bank Shares 3600
Credit Foncier 1260
Italian Loan 65 20
Do. end month 65 50

Do. Bonds
Russian
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
Deferred
Roman

reye.

Cash. Acct.
Orleans 836 25 ... 835
Northern 1.042 50 ... 1043 75
Lyons and Mediterranean B5l 25 ... 850
Southerns 67 50 ... 570
Western 535 ...
Eastern
Sardinian . — •.•
Austrian
Lombard 4BB 75 ... 488 75
North of Spain l7O
Saragossa 325
Ditto to Barcelona..

- -••• 330 -

Result of the Elections.

OPINIONS OF OUR CONTEMPORARIES.

" THE OBSERVER" on the Ministerial side a
l'autrance declares in a burst of exaggerated exultation that
—The most careful and critical analysis we can make of
the result gives a clear gain of 15 seats on the balance to
the Liberal side of the house. The gains to the Minister
in England and Wales were nine. Strangely enough these
numbers have been increased within the last two days by
the gain of five borough seats in Ireland, and one county
in Scotland. Looking at what has still to be done in the

counties of England, of Scotland, and of Ireland, we have
no doubt that the Liberals will gain 20 seats—if not more
—making 40 votes on the balance. When these 40 are added
to the 20—in round numbers—recorded in the great trial
of strength last year, the Government will meet Parlia-
ment with a good working majority of 60.
"THE SATURDAY REVIEW," with a little more dis-
passionate moderation, remarks that—The English borough
elections have given the Government an increased majo-
rity, and that there will be little alteration in the counties.
In Scotland there will be comparatively few changes or
contests, and the only remaining doubt relates to Ireland.
On the whole, it is nearly certain that the new Parliament
will display only personal traces of the dissolution which
separates the ensuing session from the last. As long as
the Government retains its present form, it will not be
worth the'while of the Opposition to make any struggle
for office ; but in the probable event of Mr. Gladstone's
accession to the post of First Minister before another ge-
neral election, political changes may perhaps produce new
party combinations.
" THE EXAMINER" even more moderate in its
tone, obser4es—We like victory, but we do not like crying
victory before the rout of the enemy is beyond dispute.
Napoleon said that the moment of victory was the most
dangerous in war, for then it was that false confidence
came into play and committed its errors. We hold, then,
to the maxim respite finens, but having at the same time
no doubt what that end will be. At present there are the
usual ups and downs—success here, against which is to be
set off defeat elsewhere ; but generally this is to be ob-
served, that the gains are in large constituencies having
some opinions and will of their own, while the losses are
in places under the influences and subject to dictation
There is no rule without exception. Liverpool has just
given up its representation to the Tories, and discarded
its one Liberal member, Mr. Ewart.

The " LONDON REVIEW" remarks very sensibly—The
borough elections are now all but over ; the county elec-
tions aro just commencing. Yet, though this stage has
been as yet, to determine with
accuracy
print statements
which in some cases are palpably wrong, and which are
dailye,
not even on a subsequent day corrected. The summaries.
thereached, results.it is im impossible,
The ssibl
Papers
and party lists differ widely, and the discrepancy is not
confined to the assertions of opposing parties. The Herald,
of course, is jubilant ; the Times, supporting the Ministry,
is triumphant ; yet the testimony of the other organs of
each party does not agree with that of either of them. We
must wait for the calmer and more accurate judgment of
another week ere any precise assertion can be ventured.
But even at present there are indications that the opinions
we have expressed on the prospects of the Liberal party
will be realised.

" Thowever, with confidence
that—The SPhenEeCTWAHTt" asserts,eeofComons will be the old one a
little reinvigorated. The elections are not yet over, but
this much may be said to be known from the results already
declared : the Liberal Government will gain somewhat in
the number and very greatly in the quality of its consis-
tent supporters. Despite most unusual slaughter, which
includes three subordinate members of her Majesty's Go-
vernment, Mr. Peel, Colonel Luke White, and Lord Bury,
and extraordinary changes of personnel, the total result in
the boroughs has been a gain of seven for Lord Palmerston,
giving with his majority in the last Parliament a working
majority of 27. This is exclusive of changes in the coun-
ties, which in Ireland especially will be considerable, and
may be relied on, we think, to yield at least seven more
Whigs, making a total gain in divisions of at least 28 votes,
a number amply sufficient to change a weak Government
into a strong one, and to enable one like that of Lord Pal-
merston to depart from its policy of inaction.

"TIER STANDARD" goes the length this morning of assert-
ing that--The result of the English borough elections has boon
favourable to the Conservative party! It loses nominally
three or four seats, but the seats were occupied by luke-
warm friends who were little better than open enemies,
and the verdiot of election committees will put the balance
of gain decidedly on its side. In Ireland, however, the
Government has been more successful. Mr. Gladstone's
pronunciamento against the Irish Church, the Ministerial
support of the Oaths Bill, and the concession with respect
to the Catholic University, seem to have once again
cajoled the Roman Catholics to the service of the party
which has so often betrayed them.

[Not a word, here, it will be observed, on the
part of our Conservative contemporary, last
quoted, about Lord Derby's unlucky speech as to
" muzzling " the " dogs ! " To which inopportune
fling of the Ex-Premier's against the Catholics—
far more than to all the reasons, above enumerated,
put together—the Conservative Loss of seats in Ire-
land may, we feel certain, be quite surely attri-
buted.—Ed. SUN.]

GIUGLINI'S BENEFIT.—On Wednesday morning
a grand concert for the benefit of this great artiste and most
unhappy man will be given at Her Majesty's Theatre,
when all who love musio and pity irreparable misfortune
will not fail to be present. At this concert a preghiera,
with chorus accompaniment; written expressly for the
occasion by Signor Arditi, will be sung, the solo parts by
Mdlle. Tietjcns.

THE FIRE, WHICH OCCURRED AT THE BRITISH
MUSEUM on Monday last broke out in the binders'
workshops, in which a number of books and manuscripts
were under repair ; among others, the Anglo-Saxon ma-
nuscript known as Pope Gregory the Great's "Pastorale."
This very important MS. was given by Alfred the Great
to Plogmund, Archbishop of Canterbury. Every one will
be grieved to hear that it was destroyed by the fire.
Several other manuscripts were injured, but not, it is to bo
hoped, beyond the power of repair.
WHOLESALE POISONING OF FISH.—The fish in
the River Brid, at Bridport, in Dorsetshire, have been
poisoned by the refuse of some chemical works being poured
into the river. Dozens of dead trout have been seen float-
ing on tho surface of the water.

THE FRENCH EDITION OF THE WORKS OF EDGAR
ALLAN PoE is now complete. Tho work of translation has
been done by M. Charles Bandelaire. Michel Levy Freres
are the publishers at Paris, who have just brought out the
last volume of the set entitled "Histories Grotesques et
FiirieUSQA."