The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-06 00:00:00

AUSTRIA AND FRANCE.

Dr. Gisltra, one of the leading Austrian politi-
cians, has protested, in a debate at Pestle, against
an alliance with France. Austria, he argued, de-
rived no benefit, but the reverse, from Fre'nch inter-
vention in 1800. In that year Dr. Giskra was
burgomaster of Blimp, and was invited by Count
Bismarck, alter the battle of Sadowa, to an inter-
view. The Count proposed that he should go to
Vienna to pave the way for peace, stating that Prussia
was ready to make peace on the following conditions:
—Venetia excepted, the status quo ante bellum to be
maintained. No war costs to bo paid on either side.
The Maine to be the Prussian frontier. South Ger-
many to be independent, and in such connection with
.Austria as it might choose. This was all on cf ndi-
tion that French mediation in the peace negotiations
should be excluded. Dr. Giskra sent a confi-
dential agent to Vienna, who was favourably re-
ceived; but before ho could get back to
Nikolsburg, Benedetti had arrived there with his
mediation proposals, which had been accepted. These,
as is known, included a war indemnity of thirty
million florins, wliereas the terms offere 1 to Dr.
Giskra were free from this stipulation. Thus,
claims that politician, French intervention cost us
thirty million florins.

GERMAN JOURNALISTS.

The Prussians have established several papers of
their own in the subjugated districts of Francs. At
Versailles they have the Moniteur de Seine et Oise,
whose editor, Herr Levysohn, has been for the last
five years the Paris correspondent of the Cologne
Gazette, and in that capacity was well known at
the French newspaper offices. When the Germans

were expelled from Paris he betook himself to the
Prussian headquarters, and became historiographer
general of the campaign. Since Versailles was occu-
pied he has made himself very useful to the
King, from his familiar acquaintance with the
district. Herr Levysohu has received the reward of
his exertions, but all German journalists are not so
fortunate. His friend and companion, Herr Hoff, was
also at Versailles, acting as correspondent for some
German papers, and he complained with some bitter-
ness that at the headquarters the best of the news
wr.s kept for his English confi•bres. .The superinten-
dent of the German Press was so much incensed
at this that he threatened to send young Hoff back
into Germany on foot with a convoy of prisoners.
The journalist knew too well that such a threat
would probably be put into execution, and, much
agitated, he shook hands with his friend Levysohn,
and went home. The next day it was ascertained that
he had committed suicide by poison.
THE LAW OF PATRONAGE.

A great meeting has been held at Glasgow by the
members of the Scotch Church, who ale favour-
able to the repeal of the law of patronage.
Mr. Orr Ewing, M.P., alter moving the
first resolution, which declared that in the
opinion of that meeting the law of patronage in the
Church of Scotland hal been the cause, directly or

indirectly, of all the secessions from her, as well as
of other serious evils, expressed a hope that the laity
of the Dissenting body would support them in
their efforts. If the measure proposed became

law, he thought they might look forward
to the clay when the Presbyterian Churches of
Scotland might combine in one Church. Dr. Nor-
man Macleod made a long and powerful speech,
which was warmly applauded throughout, and
another resolution was passed resolving to peti-
tion Parliament, and to urge on the Go-
vernment the desirability of introducing a
measure on the subject in the ensuing
session. The Provost, prior to the meeting, men-

Aled among the names of those who were prevented
_ _

from being present those of the Marquis of Lorne,
the Right Hon. H. A. Bruce, and the Lord Advo.
sate.

MUSIC AT THE EXHIBITION OF 1871.

Musicians have perhaps been disappointel. that
music is not one of the Fine Arts included. in the
official programme for the coming In tern a-
tonal Exhibition ; but they will learn with
pleasure that the most popular and delight-
ful of arts is not to be altogether overlooked.
Tue Commissioners have issued a circular inviting
each foreign country taking part in the Exhibition
to send its most celebrated military band to perform
at it. Free lodgings in barracks and soldiers' rations
for ten days will be provided for them, and a sum of
money at the rate of £5 for, each member of the
band, not exceeding forty in number, will be allowed.
Each bind will give two performances every day for
a week at appointed times, while the Exhibition is
open to the public. Every foreign country is also
invited to send its most celebrated organist to per-
form on the organ in the Royal Albert

11;111, giving two performances daily for a
week, and receiving an honorarium of £5O. The grand
organ at the Albert Hall is built by Willis, and
claims to be the largest in the world. By this means
the visitors to the Exhibition and the Hall will be
enabled to hear some of the best instrumental per-
formers of the continent free of charge.