The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-05 00:00:00

PRINCE GORTCRAXOFF'S REJOINDER.

The Economist thinks that the reply of Prince Gortscha-
koff, when analysed, comes to this—that Russia is ready
to discuss the subject of her note in conference with other
Powers, but that she does not withdraw that note ; on the
contrary, she maintains that she was still right in sending
it. In substance she contends that Europe has altered in
fourteen years ; that, in consequence, even if the Treaty
of 1856 was at first a gcod treaty, it is now in many
parts at best a bad treaty ; that the provisimis
as to the Black Sea are unendurable by Russia ; that she
would have been only too happy to have discussion
thereon in conference with other Powers before saying she
would no longer be bound by them. Of course the Prince
does not say what everyone knows—that Russia acted
now because she knew France could not act, because she
thought Prussia would not act, and because, therefore,
she had only England and Austria of the guarantee-
ing Powers to deal with. In substance, how-
ever, the note is satisfactory. No one says that the
Treaty of 1856 is a perfect Treaty, or that it is
one which, with our added experience, we would make
precisely as it is. We at least go further, and say that
the Treaty is in several respects a bad Treaty—a Treaty
which ought not to last, and one which we ought to revise
as soon as we get an opportunity. That any one party to
a Treaty should fly off and say—" I have had
my good out of a Treaty, and now I will not be
bound, for the time is come for you to have yoUr
good," is absurd. In private life no one would
tolerate it. No doubt a nation may decently break
an utterly tyrannical and unjust Treaty. But that is
not the present case. Russia could have gone on fight-
ing well enough in 1856; she made a voluntary bargain to
stop the war, and therefore till she is released from it she
should keep her bargain. If Russia were now to break
the Treaty of 1856, we hold, in the interest of the highest
expediency and for the maintenance of public law, she
ought to be made, even by force, to adhere to it. But
nothing can be worse than tying a nation by painful
chains; and therefore we should examine what restric-
tions (if any) in this case are useful, and which are needless
or pernicious.

A. RESURRECTION.—The Waterford Citizen of
Thursday announced the sudden death of Major O'Gorman,
J.P., Springfield, county Waterford. Mr. O'Gorman being
a member of the Waterford Board of Guardians, the board
on Thursday decided to pass a resolution of condolence
with his supposed bereaved family. Just before the sub-
ject of his death was to be brought before the board the
gallant major entered the board room in perfect health.
For a moment all were amazed ; but, having recovered
themselves, every member rose to his feet and cheered the
major vociferously, much to his astonishment.
THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.—The four
students who were recently convicted and fined for the
part they took in the demonstration against the female
students at the Surgeon's Hall,. Edinburgh, have been
severely reprimanded by the University authorities. The
following notice has been put upon the walls of the
University :—" Extract from the minutes of the Senatus
Academicus.—` Resolved, that it be noted to the students
that in future any case of a student being brought before
a police magistrate and convicted will be considered as
a University offence, and dealt with by the Senate
—h
aAn
tt
laiaylnra,
accordingly. '
meeting of Stlicell°l‘.°lelrc' preliminary Com
held for the purpose of appointing a head-master
MERCHANTthe T
CourtAYLO Res;
pany,
in their school, three gentlemen were selected to appear
before the Court for a final decision. These are the Rev.
C. Baker, M.A., Tutor of St. John's College, Oxford;
the Rev. C. Bigg, M.A., Senior Student of Christ
Church ; and the Rev, H. R. Huckin, M.A., of St.
John's College, Oxford.
THE HERRING FISHERY IN THE NORTH SEA.
The last week has witnessed the departure of the nume-
rous Scotch boats for the home cod fisheries. At Lowes-
toft this year they have passed a successful season. A
few old flat-bottomed Dutch boats may now be observed
hanging about the coast. Since our last issue the quan-
tity of herrings landed at market has gradually decreased,
prices rising, as a rule, in proportion. On Saturday and
Monday very little fish indeed was landed. Salt stuff,
, from 2s. to 3s. 6d. per hundred ; fresh, 3s. to 4s. 6d. ditto,
—Fishing Gazette.

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LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1870.

THE difficulty there is in compiling history has
throughout this terrible war had abundant illustra-
tion. It is the old allegory of the shield with one
side of it silver and the other golden. The selfsame