The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-11 00:00:00

E 6UN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1871

OUR IGNORANCE OF INDIA.
The ignorance that generally prevails in this country
with regard to Indian history and Indian affairs is
lamentable and appalling. Poets sing of the golden
strands of India, while in reality the country is very
poor ; the natives are compassionately considers
thae
s
benighted heathens, while they are omost quick and subtle intelligence, and possess a com-
plete religious and social organisation of immense
antiquity. To those who have sent tracts and mission-
aries as an adequate remedy for Indian deft ciences the
appearance of Keshub Chunder Sen, the leader of the
most religious coterie of natives, must have been a porten-
tous phenomenon. To find such a man
acmec overa
i d and
beard the lion in his den, feted by the sects eputin
sectarianism, the guest of Christians, yet firmly refusing
Christianity, must have been a very novel sensation. The
lesson ought to be taken to heart, and we shall be none
the worse for losing some of our self-satisfaction. We
must recognise that India possesses a civilisation of her
own. to be developed, not to be destroyed ;
that the
Indian mind is not a blank sheet upon which we are to
inscribe the shibboleths of our religious and political
sects, but resembles rather an ancient tree having a
soil of its own from which its roots draw nouerenrishmroenmt,
with a foliage, blossom, and fragrance different f
any western plants. The peculiarity of civilisation in
India is what physiologists would call arrested develop-
ment.—Examiner.

THE FEARFUL
OATA.SISSIPPITROPH.
_EIN THE
ISS

--- -
LOSS OF ONE HUNDRED LIVES.
Details of the sinking of the steamer Nick Wall, in the
Mississippi, and the loss of about 100 lives, have beeii
received in Liverpool. It appears' that the steamer
was going down the Mississippi, with a full cargo and
complement of passengers, when she ran upon a " snag,"
and soon become a total wreck, and about 100 people
perished. The accident occurred about fonr miles below
Worthon's Point, and one of the survivors gives the fol-
lowing account of the catastrophe. He says that some
time before the vessel was "snagged" the majority of the
passengers had retired, but a few remained sitting around
the stove amusing themselves, when they felt a severe
shock. He ran out of the front door leading to the
boiler deck ; but immediately after getting out every-
thing appeared quiet, and he returned to his cabin.
He then continues :—I suppose the time that elapsed
from I left the cabin until I returned was about two
minutes, when a crash came, and the hurricane roof
caved in, dashing barrels, waggons, ploughs, and
numerous other articles to the boiler deck, where every-
body had rushed who could get out of their state rooms.
I was thrown against the funnel, but by great exertions
managed to extricate myself, and commenced climbing
over the boxes and barrels. The steamer •Pargond on
coming down the river, passed the wreck of the Nick
Wall, about two hours after the disaster, and took some
of the passengers from the Semivole. Mrs. Poe, the wife
of Captain Poe, was discovered wedged in her cabin
between some boxes and barrels, and attempts were at
once made to rescue her. In cutting through the hurri-
cane roof to get near her, the axe struck her on the head,
wounding her rather seriously. Twenty-five dead bodies
were taken out of the cabins and state-rooms of the
wreck, and a great many others were on the lower deck,
which was completely under water, and could not be
reached. About 100 lives are supposed to have been lost
by this fearful calamity.

A DISASTER ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
Richmond, the chief city of Virginia, formerly capita,
of the Confederate States, has been the scene of another
terrible catastroyhe. Not a year has passed since
the falling in of the flooring of the Capitol spread desola-
tion throughout the city, and since then the disastrous
floods have destroyed much life and property. The un-
fortunate year 1870 had yet another disaster to chronicle,
and on the morning of Christmas Day the total destruc-
tion of the famous Spotswood Hotel by fire, occa-
s
sioned the death of many person under most
painful circumstances. The day after the tragedy eight
persons were known to have perished intheflames,and seven
more were still missing. The scene is described as some-
thing appalling. The fire was not discovered by a passing
w ttchman until about two o'clock, and the flames spread
with extraordinary rapidity and violence. It originated
in a pantry where a stove had been negligently
left ; and as the building had no brick partitions, it com-
municated to the flooring, and passed from cellar to
garret. By the time the Fire Department had become
thoroughly organised for work, the whole interior of the
vast structure was a sheet of flame, roaring and
crackling as if to drown the shrieks of the victims.
The incidents of the affair were most exciting, and there
were not wanting instances of heroism. One young man,
named Sam Hines, saved two friends from the fourth
storey, and.rushed back for a third, whom he could see at
the window of his room. But the staircase was
in flames. His only chance was to leap,
but as he prepared to do so, and eager
men below rushed forward to catch him, a volume of
stifling smoke enveloped him, and he fell back overcome.
Another of the victims perished in a less worthy
cause. The housekeeper • was urged to escape, but
wanted to save her trunk, and while she was collecting
her property her retreat was cut off. Among those
who were lost were also Erasmus Ross, famous us clerk to
the Libby prison during the war, and Mr. Pau, United
States Mail agent. Two or three heroic rescues were
effected, but some men are described as being absolutely
stupefied by fear. A man was seen at a fifth storey
window, for the Spotswood, like most of the American
hotels, was of gigantic size. It was Mr. Schaffter, State
Superintendent of Public Printing. He was clinging
to the sill of a fifth storey window. His feet reachei
the upper row of glass in the fourth storey window,
and he kicked out the panes. He placed his feet
sash, moved his hands cautiously to the cap
of the
window and then descended to the sill of that window.
In this way the gallant Schaffter came from storey to
storey amid the plaudits of the crowd, by whom he
was seized and carried out of danger when he reached
the ground. When the inmates were first roused they
all rushed to the staircase which was soon blocked up
with an indiscriminate mass of people and luggage. But
some lost their way, and the flames ran so rapidly
along the long corridors that there was little time for es
cape. The night was bitterly cold, and the water, which
poured liberally on the fire, froze in all directions. When
the sun rose brilliantly on the clear Christmas morning it
was flashed back from the countless icicles suspended
from the ruins. It was, says an American writer, describ-
ing the scene, " like death and destruction decked in
diamonds."
----

The death is announced of Mr. Thomas Dunn, a
Sheffield, an active and highly esteemed leader of politica,
matters in the town.
SUDDEN DEATH OF A LADY AT A RAILWAY
STATION. —On Monday Mr. Richards, metropolitan
coroner, held an inquiry at the Court House, Norton
Folgate, touching the death of Mrs. Ann Holland, aged
60. Mrs. Eliza Ann Austin, 10, Lover-road, Stratford,
stated that the deceased was her mother. On Friday
evening she left Stratford for the purpose of seeing some
friends in the City. She was in ill health at the time
she left. Police-constable Baker stated that
second class
waiting room at the Bishopsgate Station of the Great
Eastern Railway, and the deceased, Mrs. Holland, came
to her assistance. She and witness assisted the sick lady
into the railway carriage. Mrs. Holland, who appeared
to be very much alarmed by the occurrence, fell dead upon
the platform. Her body was instantly removed to the
dead-house. Dr. Hopkins deposed that the deceased died
from the effects of disease of the heart. Seeing the other
lady faint might cause the blood to flow more rapidly
through her heart, and that would have a tendency
to accelerate her death. The jury retrned a verdict
accordingly.
FEVER, SCARLATINA. AND DIARRHEA IN
CHESHIRE. —The prevalence of fever, scarlatina, and
diarrhcea in the Altrincham registration district, which
covers a large area of Cheshire, in the September
quarter, caused the Medical Department of the Privy
Council to write to the various local authorities in the
district on the subject, asking for information. Mr.
Atwell, the officer of health to the Altrincham
Board of Health, has drawn up a report to the
Board, which shows the progress of the diseases and their
severity during the quarter just closed. In the quarter
ending March there were three deaths from scarlatina and
three from fever, diarrhcea not having then commenced ;
in the June quarter there were seven deaths from scarla-,
tina, two from fever, and one from diarrhcea ; and in the
September quarter there were twenty-four deaths from
scarlatina, four from fever, and twenty-two from diarrhcea,,
Altrinchan has been the principal sufferer, most
of the cases registered in the September quarter having
been in that township. Out of the twenty-two
deaths from diarrhcea, 13 occurred in Altrincham, and
of the 24 deaths from scarlatina, 17 took place in Altrin-
cham. Up to the 29th December there bad been in the
December quarter 18 additional deaths registered for scar-
latina, the fatal cases being spread all over the district ;
seven more deaths had taken place from fever, and one
from diarrhcea, which latter disease has now disappeared.
At the meeting of the Board of Health on Friday, one of
the members stated that fever was raging very severely
in the township of Ashton-on-llersey, Bollington, and
Dunham.--11fanchester Examiner.
CAN I AFFORD IT ?—Pay your Stationer 6d. for a reply.
Nap of the World gratis in all Letts's Office Diaries. Letts's
6d. and ls. Diaries give most value for your money. Letts's
Housekeepers' and adies' Diaries are much improved. Letts's
Ink for Postal Cards, ed. per bottle.

THE WAR.

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

THE WORKS BEFORE PARIS.

The Silesian Gazette describes the movements of the be-
sieged, and the counter manoeuvres of the besiegers, during
the last few weeks. " During the month of November the
enemy worked unceasingly in strengthening his defensive
works. New entrenchments, barricades, abbatis, and
trenches were planned along the whole line. Close to the
Seine a redoubt was thrown up and armed with six guns.
On the southern edge of Vitry new works were erected
and several guns placed in position on the right flank of
Moulin Saquet. The redoubt of Hautes Bruyeres to the
west of Villejuif was completed, and the communication
with it greatly increased. Three batteries showed their
threatening embrasures there, and commanded the plain
in front. On the eastern edge of the Vievre valley a new
emplacement for two guns appeared. On the western
acclivity of the same valley near Cachan rose a ter-
raced redoubt sheaving eight embrasures. Trenches
have been dug along the whole of the front of these
new and enormous works, and come within 600 paces of
our extreme foreposts. But on our side, too, we have
not been inactive. Pickaxe and spade have done their
work as far as possible. Day and night the infantry and
pioneers have been busy with their work. Trenches and
covered ways run along our front, and connect the
different villages with one another. Pits, hedges, and
wire fences check the advance of the enemy, and threaten
him with destruction. Abattis and barricades stop the
entrance into the villages. Closed redoubts and emplace-
ments for cannon cover the rear of the forepost position.
Batteries are always ready to greet the enemy with their
fire. Even chassepots and long-range rifles have been
distributed along the whole line to interrupt the enemy in
his work. It is, therefore, necessary in this neighbour-
hood, as well as at Mont Avron, to overpower the outly-
ing works before proceeding to an attack on the forts Ivry
and Bicetre."

THE BOMBARDMENT OF PERONNE.
Writing from the Headquarters of General von Goben
Combles, near Bapaume, January 1, the correspondent of
the Telegraph, says :—This morning the guns of Peronne
again thundered away, but, as the heavy siege artillery
from Amiens is not yet in position, the bombardment
a outrance has not commenced. General Faidherbe made
a reconnaissance in the neighbourhood of Fins from Arras,
but returned without firing a shot ; and the first day of
the year stole by without bringing with it anything 6,
importance. Intelligence arrived this evening that a heavy
division of French troops has marched towards Cambrai
from Douai. It would therefore appear that the French
General is not disposed to sit quietly down on the banks
of the Scarpe and allow Peronne to be taken under his
very nose, without making an attempt to relieve that
ancient fortress. This morning (January 2) the firing in
the direction of Peronne was hot, heavy, and frequent ;
and while I write intelligence has just come in that
the 15th Division has been alarmed, and that
a some
w and
hat
sharp skirmish has taken place by Achiet-le-Grand
Achiet-le-Petit, on the Arras railway. I have ordered
my horse, as I still hear sounds of heavy firing in this
direction, as well as in that of Peronne. Since writing
the above I am enabled to give you further
information respecting the events of to-day. It
would appear that General Faidherbe has made a
strenuous, though unsuccessful, attempt to turn General
von Goben's left flank, proteeted by the 30th Brigade of
the Bth Corps, lying in BallpaMe. Yesterday the French
had lightly felt the Prussian left flank without coming
into action, and to-day their commander seems to have
made up his mind to make a still further trial of our force
in that quarter. I cannot but think that the advance of
to-day upon our left flank was almost entirely by troops
from Arras and detachments from General Faidherbe's
right army. The affair commenced about noon,
the French advancing vpon the Prussian outposts
lying in Sapignies and Behagnies. These villages
were held by the 28th Regiment—the 68th Regi-
ment lying in Bapaume, Achiet-le-Grand, Bihu-
court and Favreuil. The contest was sharp, short, and
decisive, the French being compelled to retreat, with the
loss of 10 officers, and 200 men made prisoners. Their
loss in killed and wounded was also considerable, but by
the uncertain light, it is difficult to tell exactly how
many. The Prussian loss is very small—one officer
wounded and a few men ; as yet we have no
certain information of any killed. It would
appear by this movement that the French intend
to occupy Albert—to which they are most heartily wel-
come ; and to make an attempt at cutting off General von
Goben from Amiens. This, however, is an utter impossi-
bility, as he possesses the Somme from Clery to Amiens
—a certain and safe barrier against the intruder. Should
the French occupy Albert, and attempt to re-
peat their farmer advance, they will at once find
themselves in a cleft stick from which it will be
difficult to escape. This evening the French occupy
Achiet le Petit, Bucquoy, Ablaineville, Gomiecourt, an d
Mory. The Prussian cavalry is at IVliraumont. The news
from Peronne to-day is reassuring. The town burns in
three or four places—the heavy artillery brought from
Amiens having.done its work. The French artillery has
not been so successful. The mortars are badly served,
and do but little good, while the fire of the town is wild,
infrequent, and very badly directed. The Count
Portolais's squadron of the Bonn Hussars made a very
fine attack. it appears, in the affair this afternoon before
Sapignies. General Faidherbe has lost much valuable
time ; and in so doing, he has permitted the Prussian
Army of the North to out-manoeuvre and out-march him.
Had he made the bold push that he ought to have made,
and instead of marching on Amiens, taken the road to
Beauvais, matters might have been otherwise ; but the
bait of the capital of Picardy, skilfully left for him, was a
temptation he could not resist.

AFFAIRS IN BORDEAUX

BORDEAUX, January 5.
There was a grand demonstration at Bordeaux on New
Year's Day, according to an announcement which has
been placarded about for the last several days. It was
intended as a tribute to Gambetta as the most advanced
member of the Delegation, and also meant to urge him
to take immediate and vigorous action, and, if possible, to
relieve Paris by the march of the provincial armies to the
capital. Every one here acknowledges the Republic, but
there are Republicans and Republicans. Everyone pro-
fesses to support the Government of National Defence,
and to favour the war d outrance, but there is a division
in the ranks notwithstanding. One party wishes to put
aside for the time being all political questions which, can-
not be settled at this moment, or, indeed fairly
discussed; whereas the other party wants all the
great questions of the day to be settled at
once, no matter at what perplexity to the Government or
what danger to the country. The first part, it need
y
scarcely be said, are the genuine Republicans, the latter
trouble themselves very little about the stability of the
new and democratic form of Government.
At midday accordingly we had our grand dis-
play at Bordeaux, notwithstanding a cold enough
to freeze one. It did at first freeze up the
eloquence of the young dictator, for when be appeared
in answer to the enthusiastic demands of the eager
crowd on the Place d'Armes, who were pinging
the " Marseillaise," and shouting " Vive la Republique,"
he only said a very few words, and made a hasty retreat.
One of his secretaries came forward to excuse him on the
ground of fatigue, and made a speech in favour of the
Republic "one and indivisible," but the crowd did
not disperse, and Gambetta presently re-appeared, and
turned the situation to account with his accustomed
sagacity. "Yes," he said, "it is the Republic that we
all want ; but the Republic, with and by the salvation of
the country, and the Republic with order— as we
have had it since the 4th of September."
Such is the order of the day for the New Year.
Unfortunately some of the people on the outskirts of the
crowd (which must have numbered twenty thousand)
could not hear all he said, which was the more to be re-
gretted, as it would have been impossible to
enter more fully into the aspirations and anxie-
ties of the country than did the young dicta-
tor. Such is the name frequently bestowed
on Gambetta, and an article in the Moniteur itself em-
ploys it ; but it is immediately added that the dictator-
ship is only temporary, and cannot extend longer than
the siege of Paris.
News of various successes meanwhile comes in from the
provinces. The intercepted letter from an officer of
the Loire Army, which the Prussians have triumphantly
published in the corrrespondence from Versailles, describes
truly enough the situation, at the time it
was written seen in the worst light. There
was a very critical time for us between the
4th and the 20th December, and this letter i 8 dated
the 11th. The Army of the Loire was then apparently
broken up and dispersed, though the letter only applied
even then to part of the army, and did not represent the
whole military situation, but only one phase.
The protests of the French officers imprisoned in Ger-
many, against the Imperialist restoration scheme, and the
conflicting evidence about Metz, are read with the greatest
interest here. One captive officer writes that Bazaine's
pamphlet endeavouring Ito justify his conduce, has come