The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-17 00:00:00

THE PATTERN POST REGULATIONS.

A conference of Chambers of Commerce delegates will
held at the Westminster Palace Hotel yesterday tie
initiate a movement in favour of rescinding the recently
issued regulations with regard to the transmission of
patterns and samples through the Post-office. The meet'
ing was convened by the Manchester Home Trade
Association, the president of which, Mr. Francis Taylor'
presided. There were present delegates from Birmiughani,
Leeds, Manchester, and other places, and a number of
other gentlemen interested in the matter. Letters Were
received in favour of the movement from Liver'
pool, Sheffield, Wakefield, Halifax, Worcester,
Derby, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and many other
influential towns. The chairman having stated tile
objects the association had in view, reminded
the meeting of the favourable reception the Postreaste,r
General had given to them when they waited upon hiirl
July last to propose the establishment of a parcel post. 1".
protracted discussion ensued, and the following reol°‘
tions were ultimately passed :—" That this meeting
heartily concurs with the Manchester Home Trade A-59°..
elation in condemning the recent alterations in the regulit:
timis for the transmission of patterns and samples through
the Post-office which came into force on the Ist July last,
and recommends joint and concerted action on the part of
the various Chambers of Commerce, trade societies, and
public societies throughout the country, to urge upon
the Postmaster-General the propriety of rescinding these
regulations ; and that the Manchester Home Trade Asso-
ciation be requested to make arrangements for an inter
view with the Postmaster-General, and to convene
general meeting as soon as such arrangements are cold'
plet ed. "

THE ECLIPSE EXPEDITION.'
Nature learns by telegraph that the Sicilian section 01
the Eclipse Expedition, under Mr. Lockyer's directiells,
arrived safely at Rome on the morning of the 12th, than°
to the capital arrangements made by Mr. Vignoles with
foreign rail Ways for the transit of the party. Through
carriages for the observers and instruments were taken
from Ostend over the Brenner Pass to Verona ; and 01
would have been sent further had not a breakage occurred
in passing over the Brenner. The party intended leavia
Naples for Syracuse in H.M.S. Psyche on;Thursday'
All the Governments are aiding to the utmost in the"
power.

THE STOURBRIDGE RAILWAY FRAUDS•

We understand that Birmingham purchasers of 08
scrip fraudulently issued on behalf of the Stourbridge
Rail Way have resolved to take legal action without delay
They have arrived at a determination, simultaneously, ttis
sue the directors, and to proceed by mandamus agaillg
the company.---Birmingham Post.

Judge Lynch delivered judgment in the Landed
Estates Court, Dublin, on Thurs Jay, in the appeal of the
tenants on the Marquess of Waterford's county of Londoe'
derry estates, who claimed that the rental should be ea
amended as to state on its face that the tenants are e,11;
titled to the benefit of the Ulster custom. The juag"
overruled the objection, saying that to complywould be
introduce an element of risk to the tenants themselves.
INTERMENT OF THE DEAD AT VILLIERS:4P,,
account of the interment of the dead who fell in the lab"
sortie says that snow had fallen during the previa;
night, and the sombre procession of the men in charge c)„,
the waggons looked like a reminiscence of the retreat fro'"
Russia. The bodies of those killed at Petit-BrT
Champigny and Croisy were brought to the same sper.,
The dead were ranged with the greatest exactness ten
_each carriage, and by this means they were able to keelf
a correct account of the number they sent back to theft
friends. The bodies of those returned for sepulture s_vef,
t,
for the most part stripped of money and valuables. Vs.;
few souvenirs that the Brothers found upon them We';
carefully put aside for their friends. When fiv"
sounded from a village clock in the distance (the 1104
for the expiration of the armistice), many interment°
were still incomplete. The armistice was over, but it 1,04
agreed on both sides to renew it the next day, and the
Brothers returned to Paris very wearied with their besvi
task. It was noticed that the greater part of thel
soldiers had worn medals and scapulars. The numbers 0.. A
the dead was announced to the Prussians, who declaruv„
that it corresponded with their lists. A simple inscrie;
was placed on the mounds which were surmounted 131
black cross.
A. FRENCH PAPER ON THE NATIONAL OHARACTO;
—The Siee/e has an article on the rapid fluctuations of ,
public feeling perceptible with the changing nesv;
What a strange people we are," it says, " and hc),,,,
much we lack that firmness of resolution and that etuv
bornness which are the true Republican virtues. A nounTo
exalts us a nothing casts us, down. Paris achlev.
a fortunate sortie. We illuminate, we sing songs of
tile;
tory, we prepare for a triumphant re-e ir
re-entry into tP.I
capital. The next day we learn that, despite two re
and positive successes acknowledged even by Versailles'
Paris is not released. We lose all hope, all confidencej
After Coulmiers, when our troops took Orleans, we believe"
the war was ended and our deliverance complete.
Orleans was again occupied by the Prussians and we were
overwhelmed, many declaring that all was lost. The
Government leave Tours for Bordeaux. All is overi
France is conquered. Chanzy stops the enemy, anr
obtains four unhoped for victories. The country is saveuj
Now what do these alternations of joy and of despaArraea.ni
We can understand the anguish of all after n defeat, Unthat we should listen to the interested
of some ambitious persons and allow ourselves ''of
be overcome, and lose hupp, in the work
national defence, is unworthy of true Republican k,
Have we or have we not resolved to, expel the -PrussialOi
Have we or have we not decided that France will only tlre:11
when victorious, when King Williams last army shi`
1. soldiers. dallY-,,e0
have been driven from her, soil? Let us then push f°/,,
ward, and take care not, to fail. France has
yet 0,01.,
tohebrrignrgafwombeatrted
atiliraenacalymfiThiotnin
for,fighting and; those who 11;
the present war it s perseverance which will prodno
victory. Tenacity of purpose is the vixtue• we need
this, moment.