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

LONDON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1865.

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The opening of the Canadian Parliament is an
I 4teresting 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 hive
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
Bch'?" 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.
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
observed 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,
leaving it to the common sense and justice of the
States themselves. In conclusion, after a few re-
marks on the Volunteer service, he expressed his
hope that the Confederation scheme would be
happily carried out—a hope that this session will
exercise much influence upon. A good deal of in-
terest was felt in the opening of the Houses, and
the ceremony was well attended. The answering
address was voted by a considerable majority,
though not until a violent attack had
been made on Sir NARCISSE BELLEAU, the new
Premier, who has during the recess succeeded to the
office on the death of Sir ETIENNE TACHE. The
Government, notwithstanding this loss, is a strong
one, and, as it possesses a clear and defined policy
on the great question of the day, it is to be hoped
it will retain office. The present time is an impor-
tant crisis in the fortunes of British North America,
and the capabilities of its soil and its population are
so great that its issue may exercise no inconsiderable
influence on the future of the world. The vast ter-
ritories of Hudson's Bay and Vancouver must sooner
or later be reclaimed from the wilderness and
tenanted by a sturdy race of colonists, and who
so well fitted for the task as Englishmen under
English constitutional laws? Absorbed into the
American Union the Northern provinces will only
add to the already unwieldy size of States which
cannot be much longer kept under one head, and
will introduce further eleinents of weakness and
discord among an already disunited people. Con-
solidated under British rule and British laws, with
the free energies of an enterprising people left to
work their own way in their own interests, they may
yet rear a bulwark of constitutional liberty in the West
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
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 calamity is looked
upon as something quite beyond the reach of ordi-
nary measures to prevent, but if the case were better
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.

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.

the
There is, indeed, ample opportunity for
well - informed and well - intentioned to
exert themselves
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
present on the two last occasions, The w
.
Thilcleh wasterrible
not
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 are thrown away
and the enemy finds the citadel defenceless. It is,

however, not only among what are called the lower
classes that neglect of the rules of health is ob-
servable. Many who should have known better, and
have every opportunity of informing themselves upon
this subject, are guilty of offences against the laws
of health. In the houses of the affluent there is
often little or no care given to ventilation. That
important duty is left to servants, who do not
understand its necessity, and hence the atmosphere
of many handsome and commodious houses is most
unhealthy, especially for those who do not constantly
take outdoor exercise. It would be well if those
who have time to look to such things would
attend to this important matter, for nothing
more certainly predisposes to infection than
a close or vitiated apartment. In schools and
all places where a great number of men, women,
and children are collected together in a
comparatively small space, it is of the utmost con-
sequence that particular vigilance be exercised to
insure a due amount of ventilation. The fact is
that people are willing to make extraordinary efforts
on many occasions, but they constantly fail when
little efforts axe required. The indifference that
prevails is, however, greatly to be deplored ; and
it is clear that the surest way to get cold is to re-
main long in an over-heated atmosphere. It is this
which it is so difficult to make the ignorant under-
stand, but the neglect that is unfortunate on
ordinary occasions becomes deplorable and
disastrous in times of epidemic disease and,
above all, of cholera. It is earnestly to be trusted
that due heed will be paid to these important facts
before the threatened calamity overtakes us, when,
in the midst of the confusion and misery, it is diffi-
cult to act efficiently or to judge calmly. Fore-
warned is forearmed in this as in many other cases.

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 AuBtria 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.