The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-30 00:00:00

one class or faction, but truly and fairly 'represent LA TEST IN . TELLIGENCE Mr. Horsman, M.P., on our Domestic Policy.
the great body of the people.
(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

Englishmen of all ranks, creeds, and professions
feel a common interest in the grand old Minster
which is associated with every phase of our eventful
history. It is consequently not surprising that the
celebration of the 800th anniversary of its founda-
tion on Thursday attracted large numbers to the
venerable edifice, especially when that celebration,
was accompanied by the recital of the exquisite
strains which the various composers whose names
are connected with the Abbey have left to us, and
when the address appropriate to the occasion was
delivered by one of the most eloquent preachers,
as he is one of the most tolerant and enlightened
thinkers, of the English Church. Those who
are acquainted with the variety -and extent
of Dr. STANLEY'S historical knowledge may easily
imagine the vivid life with which he clothed the dead
forms of the past, and more especially of that Saxon
King whose simple and earnest piety gave us the
great Abbey. The preacher pointed out the singu-
lar coincidence of the Saxon EDWARD having-
lected the majestic architecture of the Normans for
his great wdrk, significant, in fact, of the approach-
ing change of dynasty which he did not live to see.
His great work accomplished, and the dedication of
the magnificent pile which he had raised to the
honour of his CREATOR over, the weary Monarch laid
down the cares of State and slept in his newly-
finished Abbey. EDWARD the Confessor was
the first of the long line of illustrious English-
men who have since reposed under its shadow.
His claim to interment here, said Dr. STANLEY,
was not founded on his rank or achievements, but
on his simple faith and guileless piety. His virtues
were within the reach of every man, woman, and
child in every age. The last hours of the Confessor
were troubled with fears of the coming future of
his country, and yet the hopes in which the Abbey
was founded have been more than fulfilled.
Throughout all changes it has kept its hold on the
affections of the people. "It has been the refuge
in life and death of princes who had no other place
to lay their heads ; its walls embrace memorials
from every rank and profession in life, sovereigns
and statesmen divided in all but death and the hope
of a common resurrection." Yet throughout all the
changes and vicissitudes the fixed intention with
which the pile was dedicated to the worship of God
has known no fluctuation. " Break this thread and
the whole building becomes an unmeaning labyrinth,
a cold artificial Valhalla, a lifeless museum. But
in all times, in sorrow and in joy, in difficulty and
in triumph, GOD, the consoler and the giver, has
been sought in prayer and praise."

Is the Cattle Plague Small-Pox.

(From the Lancet.)

The attention of our readers is directed to a most
important communication on the cattle plague in
this day's impression of The Lancet. The report of
Dr. Murchison's dissections of the diseased cattle,
which appeared in The Lancet as long ago as Aug.
26, showed clearly that the rinderpest was not the
pathological equivalent of human typhoid fever, and
we believe we are correct in stating that this opinion
has been confirmed by every subsequent observer.
From Dr. Murchison's present communication,
however, it is obvious that there exists a very strong
analogy, if not absolute identity, between rinder-
pest and small-pox. The arguments by which this
view is supported deserve serious consideration. It
appears that in all cases of cattle plague there is an
eruption on the skin, sometimes papular and pus-
tular, like that of variola ; at other times con-
sisting of flattened vesicles like those of cow-pox.
The two diseases also resemble one another in their
general symptoms and anatomical lesions, in their
period of incubation and duration, and in their
extreme contagiousness and capability of propa-
gation by inoculation. There are even some
grounds for believing that rinderpest may com-
municate cow-pox to the human subject, and the
reason why this accident has not happened oftener
may be due, as Pr. Murchison suggests, to the fact
that most of the inhabitants of this country are pro-
tected by vaccination. It also appears that the phy-
sicians who so carefully described the cattle plague
in the last century constantly alluded to the erup-
tion, comparing it to that of small-pox. If the view
now referred to be correct, it is impossible to over-
estimate its importance. A remedy is at once placed
in our hands for arresting the progress of the cattle
plague, which has already come to be regarded as a
great national calamity. We prevent the fatal form
of small-pox in the human subject by inducing a
mild form of the disease through vaccination. If
rinderpest be a severe form of small pox in cattle,
why may it not also be prevented by inducing in
cattle the mild form of the disease, or ordinary cow
pox? This we know can be done by inoculating them
with vaccine lymph, or with the matter of human
small pox. No time ought to be lost in adopting Dr.
Murchison's suggestion, to ascertain whether cattle,
after such inoculations, be proof against the rinder-
pest. In the meantime valuable information might
be obtained from members of our profession practis-
ing in those parts of the country where ordinary
cow pox is known to prevail. Many remarkable in-
stances have been recorded where individual cattle
or entireherds have escaped in the midst of surround-
ing pestilence. Can it be shown this exemption has
been due to their having suffered previously from
the cow pox? It seems, however, that the ordinary
cow pox has for some years been dying out in this
country, so that it has been difficult to obtain fresh
lymph direct from the cow, and thus the cattle of this
country are probably less protected than formerly
against the variola in a severe form. If this be so,
there is no reason why vaccination should not be prac-
tised as commonly among cattle as among men. The
above investigations have been carried out in con-
nection with the experimental inquiries instituted at
the instance of the medical committee of the Cattle
Plague Commission. Their former recommendation
as to the arrest of traffic in cattle is now being ur-
. gently pressed on the Government by the farmers at
large; and if the views enunciated by Dr. Murchison
should prove correct, the value of the service of the
Royal Commission will be of the highest national
importance.

EXETER HALL.—The last Christmas performance
of the " Messiah" will be given by the National
Choral Society on Wednesday next. The principal singers
will be Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Lucy Franklein (whew
first appearance at the performance of the "Messiah" on
the 20th gave so much satisfaction), and the new tenor,
Mr. Leigh Wilson. Conductor, Mr. G. W. Martin. On
this occasion a large portion of the hall will bo set apart
for 3s. ticket-holders.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENT FOUND.—The Ports-
mouth (N. H.) Journal says that a lady now residing at
Cape Elizabeth, in the vicinity of Portland, two or three
years' since, purchased at auction, in Portsmouth an old
mahogany chair, with an old cloth cushioned seat, tacked
round with brass nails. The price paid was fifty cents.
After taking it home she undertook the repair of the
cushion, and opening it discovered some papers, with the
whole value of which the public has not been made ac-
quainted. It is said that an important will of one of the
Earl of Derby's family was there brought to light, which
sent a large estate to different heirs from those who have
inherited it. Information, it is said, was sent to England,
and a special messenger was sent out, who gave the lady
a large reward—how much it is not known, but as she was
enabled to invest fifty thousand dollars in Government
stock,: last year, it is thought that she made a profitable
business in her chair speculation. The name of the lady
is Mrs. Mayberry.

On Christmas-day the dining-room of Hautevill. e
House, Guernsey, was crowded with the poor
children who were the invited guests, and with many of
the residents and strangers, to whom M. Victor Hugo on
these occasions opens his house. A substantial and ele-
gant luncheon was laid there ; cakes, pastry, fruits, and
wino were at the same time handed round to the children
and to the other persons present, a sort of fraternal com-
munion between the rich and the poor which was delight-
ful to witness. After this collation the children were con-
ducted to tho billiard-room, where, spread upon the table,
was a large quantity of warm and useful clothing for the
girls and boys, to whom it was distributed.

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE HECLA.
• (Via Liverpool.)

NEW YORK, DEc. 17.

The Mississippi Legislature has passed over the
Governor's veto to the bill suspending all the State
laws for the collection of debts until Jan. 1, 1868,
in consequence of the impoverished condition of the
State.

The resolution of the Alabama Legislature rati-
fying the anti-slavery amendment declares that it
does not confer on the Federal Congress the power
to legislate on the political status of freedmen.
In consequence of the refusal of the Tennessee
Legislature to admit negro testimony in the courts,
the freedmen's agent has given orders for all cases
concerning negroes to be heard specially before the
Freedmen's Court.

The Hecla takes out $190,416 in specie.

MEXICO.

Advices from Matamora,s to the 19th inst. state
that Escobedo captured and held Monterey for
some time, but wasfinally driven out bytwoFrench
divisions. He subsequently repulsed an attack
made by one French division.

SPAIN.

MADRID, DEC. 30.

Senor Arrazola will, in the name of the Moderate
Opposition, propose an amendment to the address
of the Senate referring to the Holy See.

FRANCE.
PARIS, DEC. 30.

Prince Napoleon and the Princess Clotilde re-
ceived yesterday the Ambassadors of Spain and
Turkey, and the Ministers of Brazils, Mecklenburg-
Schwerin, and Peru.

Official intelligence received here from Algiers
announces that Colonel Colomb has driven the
Algerian insurgents far into the Desert. Not a
single French soldier had been wounded.
Perfect tranquillity prevailed from Tunis to the
frontier of Morocco.

WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS.
SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 30.

The Royal Mail Company's steamship Seine,
with the above mails, has arrived here. She brings
71 passengers, $1,459,408 in specie, and 1,900
packages of cargo, consisting chiefly of cigars, in-
digo, and bark. Since the 18th inst. the Seine has
encountered very bad weather.

The principal news from Jamaica is a bill of the
Government to alter and amend the constitution of
the country. There was a fierce fight over it in the
House of Assembly, but it was ultimately passed by
a large majority.
A new bill regulating places of public worship
has been drawn up with the aid of the principal
Dissenting ministers and presented in the Council.
It was more liberal than the former bill, but not
satisfactory to all parties.
Sixty-five rebels were at Morant Bay awaiting
their trial.

Major-General O'Connor had made a tour
through the island, and had everywhere been cor-
dially received.
The Maroons have been hospitably and liberally
treated in their progress through the country.
The Jamaica Guardian disagreed with Governor
Eyre that the island was unsettled and on the verge
of a volcano, ready to burst into fury.
The Valparaiso dates by this mail are to the 18th.
There was little or no change in the affairs between
Spain and Chili, the latter Power appearing deter-
mined to resist the Spanish demands to the utmost.
The English merchants suffered heavily through the
blockade of the principal ports.

The Callao dates are to the 28th. The new Pre-
sident of Peru, General Canseco, had been deposed,
and General Prado declared supreme dictator of the
Republic.
It is expected that General Prado will place the
Government in the hands of General Castello on
his return to the country.
In the Republic of Columbia all was quiet.
General Mosquera had been unanimously elected
President.

News from Carthagena says that the election of
Mosquera as President of the country promises an
epoch of peace.
The all-absorbing topic on the coast and in the
interior was the projected railroad to connect the
river Magdalena with the Atlantic seaboard at
Carthagena, for which work a concession had been
granted to an English house with a guarantee of 7
per cent. from the Government, and a donation in
perpetuity of large tracts of Government lands. It
was believed that this work, if carried out, would
greatly benefit the country, and by developing the
many elements of wealth and commerce now lying
dormant for means of transportation render the
railroad very profitable to the projectors.

The annual dinner given by the commanding offi-
cer of the Stroud Volunteer Corps took place on
Thursday night, when there was a large gathering,
who were attracted principally to hear the Right
Hon. E. Horsman, M.P. for the borough, who at-
tended to distribute some prizes which he had offered.
Mr. HORSMAN, in responding for the toast of the
donors of prizes, said, after some local allusions— I
always take pride to myself that I was one of the
first to originate and promote and encourage in •
every way the volunteer system. (Cheers.) We
all remember the public feeling by which the volun-
teer movement was called forth. We remember the
apprehensions which existed in many men's winds,
and we remember that in many others who felt no
apprehension still there was a feeling of regret that
the voice of England in the councils of Europe,
upon which the tranquillity of the world depended,
was insignificant and uninfluential abroad, be-
cause we were known to be weak and vulnerable'
at home. Now we must remember that the real
battles of Europe are fought not by armies on
the battle-field, but in the cabinets of ministers.
It is the diplomatist that is the advanced guard
of armies. It is only when the diplomatist
retires from the field, foiled and vanquished, that
the military are called in to the banquet of death, to
accomplish by brute force, by bloodshed, by carnage
that which in an enlightened age, in an age of Chris-
tianity, ought to be accomplished in a purer and
more peaceful spirit. (Cheers.) You all remember
that memorable day when the Queen reviewed her
volunteer army in Hyde-park—that day on which
she was enabled to tell the nation that a quarter of
a million of the stoutest of her subjects had enrolled
themselves for the defence of their native soil; from
that day England had assumed a new attitude in
the councils of Europe. (Hear, hear.) Courtesies
and civilities were substituted for threats and me-
naces; professions of peace instantly took the place
of preparations for war ; and now we know that
from that day the peace of England—that her power,
that her influence, her peace-preserving power—has
been multiplied to an extent that no one would have
thought to have been possible. We do not now rush
into war to redress grievances which are generally
only aggravated by war ; but we have created, we
have fostered, we have upheld, a public opinion in
Europe which makes wars more difficult, which
makes tyranny and injustice less profitable ; and it
is the strength and position which we have exhibited
to Europe which has made that change, and secured
that England should still be the refuge of the unfor-
tunate, the asylum of every political exile—that she
should be at home the refuge of all who are fleeing
from tyranny and injustice, while abroad she is the
bold assertor of the principles of truth and freedom
—the bold denunciator of that injustice and that
aggression which was rampant in Europe many
years ago, but which the moral influence of England,
backed by her material strength, has made now as
dangerous for despots as it used to be unfortu-
nate for England. (Cheers.) Well, gentlemen,
that has been the result of the volunteer move-
ment, of which the people are very apt to lose sight,
but which we should all bear in mind ; because I hold
that the volunteer movement has been the greatest
instrument for the preservation of the peace of
Europe. (Hear, hear.) So far from being a war-
like movement, I hold it to have been a peaceful and
a Christian movement ; and so far from the minis-
ters of peace standing aloof from that movement, I
honour them when I see them coming forward on
these occasions. (Cheers.) And, gentlemen, well
may we congratulate ourselves now that a new era
has arisen. The old era has gone, but a new era
has come in. We are standing to-night in a posi-
tion of peace and prosperity, which, I think, we all
of us feel to be perfectly unexampled. I remember
no time, through a long public life, in which the
commercial classes in England were so prosperous
as now. I remember no time when our legislation
was so sound, when our laws were better adminis-
tered, when our people were more loyal, when our
institutions were more popular, and when all
classes in England, from the highest to the lowest,
were more linked together in one bond of brother-
hood. (Cheers.) And, gentlemen, lam happy
to say that as far as human foresight
can tell I see no reason to fear that
those blessings may not be continued to us in the
year to come. One domestic event has taken place on
which much comment has been made. I have spoken
just now of a domestic and private loss, but there
has departed from amongst us an English minister
who had been minister of Englandfor a longer period
than any other man—who for more than half a cen-
tury had been mixed up with all the important
changes which have taken place in Europe during
that period, and who in one form or another had a
greater share in European transactions for fifty-five
years than ever before fell to the lot of an English
statesman. He has bequeathed to us, after five
years of such political peace and such national pros-
perity as was hardly interrupted by a single cloud
—he has bequeathed to us that peace and prosperity
which we now enjoy. There have been some people
foolish enough to say, and others weak enough to
believe, that with the departure of that Minister
there might be a departure from that condition of
peace and tranquillity and undisturbance which we
have latterly enjoyed.; and there are some who have
thought, and some who have believed, that in place
of a policy of tranquillity we might now be suddenly
embarked into an age of strife and agitation. Well,
now, I do not believe anything of the kind is likely,
and I will tell you the reason—because they who
predicate such a change show that they have little
studied either the history or the character of Eng-
land. Lord Palmerston has bequeathed to us the
condition in which we now stand, but he has also
bequeathed to us the secret of that condition. What
was the secret of Lord Palmerston's popularity and
power? It was that he studied the English character
—(hear,hear)—that he saw, that he understood, and
that he rightly read English opinions and English
desires--(hear, hear)—and reading and understand.
ing them he made it his first duty to give effect to
them, and that, rely upon it, is the sole con-
dition upon which any minister in this
country can ever hold power. The days
are gone by when the death of one King and the
succession of another could change the laws of the
land. The days are gone by when the fall of one
minister and the elevation of another could change
the policy of a nation. A minister in these days
can hold power on one condition only, and that is
that he is the servant and not the master of the
people. (Cheers.) England now is a self-govern-
ing country ; and it is because England is a self-
governing country, and moved by the opinions of
the people, that we are peaceful, that we are pros-
perous, and that we are contented and loyal.
(Cheers.) Although at one period or another of our
history accidental circumstances could raise to
temporary importance some minister, or party, or
individual, still, John Bull, who is a sleepy and
good-natured man and will take all that very quietly
as long as such a state of things is innocuous, yet if
ever the time should arrive again as it did long ago,
when an English minister should be so blind as not
to read the feelings of the people, or so imprudent

as not to regard them, we may rely upon it that any

such minister would have much more to dread from
the nation than the nation to dread from him.

Therefore we may congratulate ourselves that we
are entering upon a new year under the most favour-
able auspices ; and I trust that when we meet to-
gether at our next anniversary—and 1 hope we shall
all be allowed to meet together again—we shall find
that the promise which beams on us to-day, having
brought forth the fruit which we hope and pray
for, that we shall still be able to feel gratitude
for our blessings as a commercial nation, and pride
in its political position as the freest nation in Europe;
and appreciating and valuing our national institu-
tions and determined to uphold and perpetuate them,
that we shall allow them to be appreciated only by
a reverential hand, that we shall guard them from
being defaced by the rusts of time or destroyed by
the outbreaks of revolution. (Loud and protracted
cheering.)

Chappuis' registered whist-marker, for long or
short, is now ready. Fancy card, is. the pair ; leather,
3s. 6d.; fancy wood, ss. 6d. Wholesale and retail of P.
E. Chappuis, the registree, 69, Fleet-street, and of all
-wholesale and retail booksellers, stationers, and fancy
dealers. is pronounced the best marker out.

Tort Clunk

TIER MAJESTY•

OSBOLNE, Dec. 29.

Her Majesty and her Royal Highness Princess
Louise drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by
Lady Churchill.
Earl and Countess Cowley had the honour of
dining with her Majesty and the Royal Family
yesterday evening, and left Osborne for London this
morning.