The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-29 00:00:00

A FRENCH FORWARD 1110V17„1-ENT.

--- • - -
A correspondent of the Pall Af-
all Gaz
Tuesday, from Metz have ene, writes on
just witnessed the depar-
ture of Marshpl
;Suable for a reconnaissance. An unusual
runm„..”,s about in the hotel at four o'clock in the morning
shewed that there was something going on, and as I
had noticed already on the previous evening
some packing of luggage in the marshal's court-
yard I naturally hurried into the street, and saw the
whole staff in movement. It appears that the 3rd corps
d'arrade, commanded by Marshal Bazaine, has for its chef
d'dtat major, General Maneque. The engineers. of
that corps are under the orders of- General Vialla.
The artillery is under the command of General Roche-
Bonet. Generals Pothier, Arnaudeau (aide-de-camp to the
Emperor), Monbranche, Nayral, Sangl6 Terriere, and
Comte de Clerembault command various fractions of the
infantry and cavalry. General Priand is the Intendant-
Gen6ral of the corps-. General Ladmirault, although con-
nected with the staff of the Marshal, commands his
force with all the rights of an independent
chief of a corps - d'arme. The movement of
these forces, =Minting altogether to some 80,000 men at
the least, began on Sunday, when the greater part of the
forces of General Ladmirault left Thionville, while yester-
day morning the marshal himself left Metz with a detach-
ment of four regiments of infantry, two regiments of dra-
goons, four battalions of chasseurs, one regiment of lancers,
a couple of field batteries, and four mitraillettses. The
marshal seems to have taken the direction of Saarbruck and
Saarelouis, while General Ladmirault marches towards
Sarrebourg. In place of the troops which left Metz the
Imperial Guard is to arrive to-day, and the Emperor
himself is expected in a couple of days."

THE PRUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE
ENGLIS Ei PRESS.

Special information has reached the Daily News from
Berlin that the Prussian Government does not intend
to follow the policy of exclusion towards correspondents
of the English press which has been adopted by the French
Emperor. Germany has of course as much to lose as France
from indiscreet disclosures of military movements, but she
evidently does not fear that such disclosures will be made
by the accredited representatives of English journalism.

BELGIUM AND THE SECRET TREATY.
BRUSSELS, WEDNESDAY.

The publication in the Times of the draught of a secret
treaty between France and Prussia, has naturally caused
the liveliest excitement amongst a people so deeply
interested as the Belgians. Great grief and indigna-
tion have overspread this city. It is not pleasant
for a nation to be bargained for and haggled
about like so many head of cattle ; and if the
English can only contemplate a scheme for
establishing French prefects in England, they will realise
the feelings of the Belgian public at the proposal to hand
this country over to France in return for a suitable con-
cession to Germany. Not only are we much agitated
ourselves, but we attribute the utmost indignation and
great corresponding energy to England. All sorts of wild
rumours have been flying about here during the last two
days. Many people are fondly persuaded that the treaty
will prove a " settler" for British patience ; and it was
even reported to-day that a British squadron had arrived
off the coast. Happily the Belgian press, as is usual,
preserves an attitude of great discretion. The Indepen-
dance Beige refused to believe in the treaty at
first, and is even now very sceptical —or
professes to be so. Of course there is no ques-
tion now raised of the document being a pure inven-
tion. Its authenticity is admitted on all hands. But the
Independance expresses a belief or a hope that these proposals
come from Prussia, and its Paris correspondent endorses
this view. Not so another correspondent who writes to
the same paper from Berlin. This writer says
that the draught is a French documAnt. The original,
in the handwriting of M. Benedetti, is in the
archives of the Prussian Foreign Office. The writer has
seen a copy of it, the authenticity of which has been
guaranteed to him. For a long time, he says, the French
Government have attempted to conclude a treaty of this
kind with the Berlin Cabinet. The initiative was taken
by France, by means either of Prince Napoleon or M. Bene-
detti ; nor did one rejection serve to daunt this ardent suitor.
The question was popped "several times," and France
did not take a hostile attitude against Prussia "until a
little while ago it was compelled to acknowledge once
more that it could not induce the Cabinet of Berlin to
betray its allies or its neighbours." The correspondent
adds : " The document in question has been shewn to
several representatives of friendly Powers at Berlin ;
its authenticity cannot be doubtful." On the whole, the
general tone of the Belgian paper leads to the
conviction that it believes the treaty to have pro-
ceeded from France, though with admirable prudence it
gives no direct intimation of such belief. But surely the
matter cannot long remain in doubt. If the terrible paper
be really in the hands of the Prussian Ministers,• the
question of its origin ought to be settled one way or
another.

The English public will see that the extensive prepara-
tions we have been making hen; are not without reason.
Whatever may be the truth about the treaty, sufficient is
known already to justify the apprehensions which have
led to the arming of Belgium. But our precautions have
been taken too openly. There has been a hurry and
a fright about the business which are consistent neither
with dignity nor safety. One day a lot of treasure was
moved into Antwerp in open carts ; another day,
we are given to understand, it was taken back again.
The forces, too, might have been got in hand with a
little less confusion and injury to the business of the
country. But much harm was inevitable. There was no
resource but to call out the Militia, and the ten classes
who are compelled to leave their homes and labours cause
a serious void in the industrial ranks. Complaints of loss
and confusion are to be heard on all sides. Hard indeed
is the fate of a nation which, without being actually at
war, lives in constant fear of treachery and violence on
the part of its stronger neighbours. Belgium deserves,
and will• no doubt gain, the liveliest sympathy of English-

men.

Whilst on war matters it may be as well to mention a
paragraph published by .the Paris correspondent of the
Independance. He says the superiority of the Chassepot
over the needle gun is now acknowledged by the Prus-
sians. Experiments with both arms were recently
made at Potsdam, and the Prussian war
committee' decided with unanimity that the
French arm had the longer range. Orders to alter the
needle-gun were at once given ; but the French Emperor
was informed of the decision. His Majesty knew very
well that the lapse of several months would place Prussia
in a much more favourable position. Hence, &c.

AFFAIRS IN PARIS.
PARIS, WEDNESDAY.

Ere these few lines are in print it is probable that the
Emperor will have left for the Army of the Rhine. It is
agreed on all hands by the newspapers, that his Majesty
is to go off to-morrow (Thursday), and we may expect
that serious business will commence straightway. It was be-
lieved that the departure would be in secret : the Emperor
was to leave Paris like a thief in the night (no disrespect in-
tended) ; the camp about Metz would be suddenly
raised ; there would be a sharp and sure march forward ;
and the gates of Berlin would appear in sight before the
Prussians had time to collect their scattered thoughts.
Arcola and Rivoli would be repeated on, the banks of the
Rhine. No such thing is to be attempted. His Majesty
will go by a special train at ten o'clock in the morning. He
was asked to make a public departure from the capital, and
his courtierspromised him a splendid ovation from the Pa-
risian public. But the Emperor was unwilling to sacrifice
time. A decree appears nominating the Empress Regent
during her husband's absence at the frontier. The powers
committed to her are not extensive. This strong-minded
woman is said to be full of warlike energy, and thoroughly
convinced of the necessity of carrying on the strife "to
the utterance." She is reported to have said that a
peace signed after a defeat would be the end • of
the Napoleonic dynasty, or, according to a
journal which rejoices in the exact words,
" If we are beaten we have nothing to do but give place
to the Orleans family." It is just possible that there may
be another alternative besides the Orlcians
The most important news of the day is the announce-
ment that the troops will be recalled from Rome at an
early period. This seems certain. We are informed that
the French Government has notified its intention to the
Pope, with the assurance that Italy will take care to pro-
tect the Pontifical frontier ! It will be interesting
to know whether the Pope believes in this assurance.
The Ultramontanes here do not. They are all convinced
that Italy for the third time will take advantage of a
European war to finally accomplish her destiny. If the
Government do not move, the Garibaldians will. The
opportunity for Italy is one that may never return ; be

assured that sbe will not fail to profit by it Indeed we
have good reason to believe that the matter has been
quietly arranged between France and Italy. A statement
just. made by the 'ltalian Foreign Minister is of a very
friendly character, and seems to point to an under-
standing.
There is positively no news from the seat of war. The
Journal Officiel has not yet told us how many men took
part in the great skirmish at Niederbronn, and no other
remarkable battle of the kind has yet come off. The
Liberte "speaks of " an engagement in which thirty
Germans fell, and eighty were taken prisoners, whilst no
Frenchman was scratched ; and we derive a little occupa-
tion from wondering why the Liberte did
not record the figures of dead and captured enemies
at 3,000 and 8)000 respectively. The secret treaty
is still the subject of great attention, and the Government
papers continue to deal with it in the most suspicions
manner. As mentioned yesterday, there is now no ques-
tion about the existence of the treaty ; its origin is the
only point to be determined; and accordingly the' Govern-
ment papers, one and all, set themselves to declare
that Bismarck both drew up the document and
then published it as the work of France. Apart
from the improbability of such a theory, no evidence
whatever is adduced in support of it. The Patrie repeats
this assertion, and so does the Constitutionnel, but without
adding any proof except what may be deduced from the
bad grammar of the draught. There can be no
doubt, whatever the fact may be worth, that the
document is very badly written. " Admettre les acquisi-
tions," " assumer les charges pdcuniaires," " laquelle
union," " ladite Majeste," are expressions which a good
writer would not be likely to employ. The Journal des
Debats is not positive about the Prussian origin of the treaty
but it expresses the opinion that the bargain, whoever
proposed it, is most flagitious. France, it says, would commit
a grave wrong in attempting the conquest of a kingdom at
the risk'of kindling a European war. The Temps thinks
it very likely that Benedetti wrote the drughL Just after
Sadowa France asked Prussia for territorial compensation.
Bismarck would not yield a foot of ground. But, says
the Temps, he, might have said to M. Benedetti, " Look
about you elsewhere—Belgium, Luxemburg, Ste.'
Benedetti might then reply that such a development of the
" agglomeration " theory might have awkward conse-
quences—a war, for instance, and, therefore, the
affiance of Prussia might be needed. " Very good,"
Bismarck might say, " put your ideas into shape upon
paper " ; and when poor Benedetti had fallen into the
trap, the compromising piece of writing was safely deposited
in the pocket of the acute Prussian. This explanationhas
its difficulties; but at any rate it is less improbable than
that of the semi-official journals.

FROM THE FRENCH FRONTIER,
LUXEMBURG, TUESDAY.

Though not a blow has yet been struck in the contest,
this much disputed bit of territory already re-echoes with
the shout of war. Both Powers have expressed their in-
tion to respect the neutrality of Luxemburg ; the people
here are taking the most vigorous and extensive measures
to make the belligerents keep their word. Two hundred
and fifty phlegmatic Luxemburg Chasseurs ere under
arms ; one hundred and fifty sleepy gendarmes are ready.
This is the defensive force of the neutral ground on the
German frontier. It is to be hoped that these gallant
men will make up in quality for their decidedly
short quantity. But if the phlegmatic Chasseurs and the
sleepy- gendarmes are to be measured by an ordinary
standard of martial ability, the foreign
,?lement already
on Luxembourg ground seems amply sufficient'to polish
off the entire detachment. The place swarms with
foreigners— special correspondents, army officers, and
spies. Most of the latter, it may be supposed,
are French, for the Prussians require no information
aboUt a place which they garrisoned so long. It is well
known that the Prussian war authorities made a splendid
collection of maps and plans of Luxemburg. They know
every foot of the soil, which, by the way, is not so exten-
sive as to require much learning. But it is said
that certain Prussian officers, who are per-
fectly well known, are openly engaged in noting down
the changes made in the works since the London Con-
ference of 1867 decided that the Prussians were to with-
draw and the fortress to be dismantled. The latter
proviso has been observed in a very indifferent style.
Somewhere it was jocosely said that only thirty shillings a
week were spent upon the knocking down of the works ;
certain it is that these are so far entire, that a very little
labour wou'd put them into excellent working order. The
King of Holland does not appear to trouble himself much
about his possession : he is doubtless well aware that he
cannot defend it, if attacked, and, therefore, resigns him-
self to watch the course of events. The
Dutch, in general, have little or nothing
to do with Luxemburg. The people on their
side are similarly indifferent. They apparently care not
one straw who may become their masters so long as their
conditions of comfort remain the same. It should be
noted, however, that they bear no good will to the Prus-
sians. They are exceedingly apprehensive lest the tide of
war should, as is very likely, bring their old masters into
their territory, but, with this exception, the issue of the great
conflict is to them a matter of small moment indeed. The
few thinking people to be found in the whole Grand
Duchy are convinced that the war will end in its appro-
priation by one party or the other.

During the last two days more than a hundred Bavarian
and Baden deserters have arrived at Strasbourg.
M. lloederer, a Prussian officer, who had been arrested
at Strasbourg as a spy, has been set at liberty, as his
arrest had taken place anterior to the declaration of war.

The Belgian camp at Beverloo was broken up yester-
day, and a movement of 36,000 men by the different rail-
way lines is taking place. The men are being despatched
to the different posts assigned them on the frontier.
The Independance Beige says that a correspondent of one
of the Paris papers having published an account of having
seen from the steeple of Strasburg two corps d'armee
march in a certain direction, the commanders have coun-
termanded the orders they had given, and the paper has
had to recall its correspondent.

ASSEMBLING OF THE GERMAN ARMY.—There is
not much delay here in working the raw material into the
fully armed and equipped soldier; it is done with a rapi-
dity reminding one of a transformation scene. Stand at a
barrack gate, and watch that long straggling line of re-
serve men—some artisans, some clerks, but the major part
composed of agricultural labourers with the slouching,
somewhat uncouth gait always associated with that sort of
work, all dusty, travel-stained, and tired, their hair uncut,
their beards untrimmed. Go round to the opposite side, and
in a short time you will see the same body of men issue
from another door clean shaved, smart, and dressed in
uniform ; with heads erect, and firm military step and
bearing, they march away to some other station, as dif-
ferent in appearance from the somewhat motley crew
that entered the building as light is from darkness. Con-
sidering the rapidity with which trains have been leaving
for some days past, there must be--already an_ enormous
force assembled on and about the frontier. Of the actual
position taken up by troops nothing whatever is known,
nor can any information be expected until the armies be-
gin to fee each other.
THE RIVAL BREECHLOADERS.—The Times Paris
correspondent has a confident belief in the superiority of
the chassepot :—I know it to be the opinion of experienced
French officers, expressed in no boastful strain, and based
on real knowledge of the material organisation of both
armies, that the Prussians will most certainly get the
worst of it. lam quite aware that that if they thought
the contrary they would not admit it, but in support of
their opinion they adduce reasons and arguments of
considerable weight, and one of the principal of these
is the superiority of the French armament. They
believe that the Prussians have not yet had time
to transform their old needle-guns into arms better suited
to meet the Chassepot. The number of improved muskets
as yet turned out is said to be only 60,000, and even these
are inferior to the French weapon, which is alleged to be
immeasurably superior to the zibid-nadel-geweltr that so
'punished the poor Danes and was too much for the Aus-
trians at Sadowa. At 400 paces, or less, the difference
between the two weapons may prove to be not very great,
but it is believed that between 400 and 800 paces the ad-
vantage of the Chassepot will be immense, and the needle
gun will be altogether overmatched. Time only can shew
how far these prognostications are well founded ;
but I shall be surprised if they are not justified by the
result.

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT IN PRUSSIA.-A. Berlin
correspondent of the Daily News says :—lt is telling no
military secret to say that Prussia has opened the cam-
paign with locomotives. Her first success has been the
success of her railway system ; and if she is now com-
paratively safe, with a fair chance in the struggle, it
is because she has done such wonders in way of
rapid transport. There has been a sort of Easter
Monday• review at Brighton, magnified tenfold, to
occupy the Prussian railways during the past week.
Every day has diminished Napoleon's chance of striking
a sudden blow. Every day has added to the army of the
Rhine, and to the reserves all along the western frontier.
I travelled hither with a crash and murmur (4 busy traffic
at the principal junctions, and with a constant flashing,
past of return trains which were hound to the east-
ward. It was the tenfold Brighton review being
carried out in earnest. At one place there was a dis-
cussion as to, how many trucks were to come, baCk in
time fbr certain regiments and batteries. At another
spot the officers in charge were anxious to know how soon
they could have an engine sent them to remove some

LL N, LONDON, FRIDAY EV ENING, JUL -Y 29, 187 U.

loaded waggons which cumbered the siding. Each dis-
trict was marked out with special reference to the bring-
ing on of its reserves. The railway map of the country
was a map of divisional commands, of brigades and batta-
lions, which were to go westward in all haste. These
soldiers were to go one way. Those others were to be
taken more to the south—they would pass over Dresden ;
and yet a third body of men must wait for further orders.
It had been intended to send them by a route which was
too crowded already. You would have been amused
to hear the tone of disgust in which mere passeng.er trains
were mentioned. They were stopped altogethea in many
parts, but the few that did run were bores and anomalies.
Everyone seemed to feel that it was the moment of the
great national effort, and that there were to be no half
measures. You might as well speak of having luncheon
in the middle of a race, when all glasses were turned to the
course or the river, as talk of passenger traffic when the
Fatherland had to be saved. The Prussian, railway
management is a Government affair. Hence 'a close,
steady application of all the railway resources upon one
system to the needs of the moment.

A MILITARY CO3IPARISON:—Putting aside the
rights of the quarrel, and on the supposition that it is
possible to localize the war, we cannot but think that
from a military point of view, France has the best of the
situation. It is she who has chosen the time of war. She
is able to be first in the field. She has the advantage of
taking the offensive. With united forces she attacks
a partly divided nation. Her armaments are
superior. She has the command of the sea, and
can send an expedition to the Elbe or the
Baltic if she will. In martial ardour the soldiers
of France have no superiors ; and the army has
long-cherished animosities requiring to be satisfied, fiery
jealousies to be cooled in blood. It may further be re-
marked that France has almost always been successful in
war against Prussia, unless Prussia was supported by more
than one ally. On the field of Leipsic Prussia was allied
with Austria and Russia. Even England was repre-
sented in the allied army. On the whole, then, France
occupies a better position than Prussia at this mo-
ment, but there is not enough superiority to com-
pensate for greater Generalship on either side. In
this respect both sides have to be tried. It may be
unpopular, but it is true, to saythat in 1866 the Prussians
were often during the first three days of the war at the
mercy of a spirited and well-taught General had there
been such at the head of the Austrian army. In the end
the Prussians did not succeed in concentrating at
Gitschen, where the two Royal Princes were to have met.
The battle of Koniggrdtz was begun too early ; and must
have been a failure if Benedek's staff had possessed better
chiefs than Henikstein and Krismanie. The battles were
won on every occasion by the spontaneous action of the
well-armed infantry. If there were great generals, there
was no great generalship shewn, and we shall watch with
much interest to see whether Teuton or Gaul produces
the first military genius. There are men enough and to
spare in both armies. We know of many respectable
commanders on either side. A genius or a great general
has yet to be found ; and when he appears we doubt
if a greater curse will ever have been laid upon Europe.
—Time&

FRANCE AND DENMARK.-I am inclined to believe,
says the Paris .correspondent of the Daily News, that a
secret treaty of alliance exists between France and Den-
mark. But even if a treaty has not been signed, there is
no doubt that there was an understanding between the
two countries. If, therefore, the war is to be localised,
every effort should be made by the Neutral Powers to
prevent Denmark from either plunging or drifting
into it. Probably the most pitiable object in this
capital is the Prime Minister. M. 011ivier finds
himself in the position of a species of secretary of the
Emperor. The war has been undertaken against his
wishes, his- old friends have deserted him, his new friends
use him and despise him. This representative of Parlia-
mentary government, the titular Prime .Minister of
France, is forgotten by all as though he were dead. No
one asks nor cares what his opinions are, and in shaping
events he has about as much power and influence as a
permanent Under Secretary of the Home or Foreign
Office has with us.

M. LOUIS BLANC ON THE TREATY.—M Louis
Blanc writes a long letter to the Temps on the subject of
the secret treaty, by which he says all England has been
profoundly moved. "Most people," he says, " are in-
clined to believe in it, and their indignation is inex-
irrepressible. It must be remarked, in fact, that the
English quiver with rage at the very idea of the maritime
power which the possession of Antwerp would give
to so near a neighbour as France, though
they affect not to comprehend the anxiety which France
experiences when she sees Prussia aggrandising herself
at her doors in so prodigious and so sudden a manner.
There is not a single Englishman whose sentiments were
not expressed by Mr. Disraeli when he exclaimed, ' I
should regard the prospect of the extinction of the
Belgian kingdom as a calamity for Europe and a blow at
England.' "
NIEDERBRONN AND BlTCHE.—Niederbronn is
charmingly situated on the little river Falkenstein, at
the opening of a valley between the high wooded hills
which form the last spur of the Vosges in Alsace, and
from it the line runs on in a north-westerly direction, be-
tween the forest of 'Waldeck on the right, and the forest
of Philippiburg on the left, through grand, wooded
scenery, reminding one of Thuringia, and past steep,
scarped rocks, rugged and picturesque in form. Beside
the railroad runs the main road as far as Bitche,
where it strikes off northwards to Lweybrucken ; but this
fort of Bitche closes the valley of the Falkenstein, and
this main route by Haguenau to Strasburg. The fort of
Bitche is singularly striking in its appearance. Situated
on the top of an abrupt rock rising 150 feet above the
town at its feet, it was considered in former days abso-
lutely impregnable by reason of its position and the
strong masonry scarps of its defences. If I
tell you something about its nature, I betray no
secrets, for it is as well known to the Prussians
as their own works, and published descriptions of it are
to be bought in more than one place. There is an enciente
of four bastions, with a demi-lune and a hornwork. The
interior of the rock is excavated and casemated, and con-
tains barracks for a thousand troops. Were such an un-
likely event to occur as that the Prussians should advance
in this direction, they would not attack this old
fort for the first time. They made a similar
attempt in 1793. By aid of treason, they had suc
ceeded in gaining the advanced works under cover
of the night, when an inhabitant discovered their
approach, gave the alarm, and, like a true patriot, set his
hluse on fire to shew their movements to the garrison.
The troops ran to arms, and, aided by the citizens, re-
pulsed the Prussians, causing them to lose many men, and
taking two or three hundred prisoners. But now Bitche
is commanded by neighbouring hills, within range of
heavy rifled guns, and its unprotected masonry escarps,
impregnable as they may once have been, would crumble
to dust before modern siege artillery.—Correspondent of
the Standard.

WAR MArs.--LThe outbreak of war has, as usual,
been followed by an outbreak of activity on the part of
*the map-makers. The crop of " war maps " is large, and
of very varied quality. Cheap and good, however, are
Bacon's issues of Central Europe, in different shapes and
scales. That of " Paris to the Rhine and Rhenish
Prussia" will be found most useful at present. The
others take in too much ground and do not give enough
detail. Letts's General Map of the Seat of War is also
excellent. Accompanying it is a packet of dots for indi-
cating the movements of the armies.
- - - - - -

A.-discouraging state of affairs was disclosed at
the half-yearly meeting of the Manchester, Sheffield, and
Lincolnshire Railway Company, held at Manchester on
Wednesday, but hopes were again expressed by the chair-
man—Sir E. W. Watkin—that even yet the tide might
be turned in favour of the undertaking when the long-
hoped-for results may be-realised, though he characterised
the present circumstances as affording cause for great
anxiety. The dividend, as proposed in the report, was
declared. and the comparatively small votes for the com-
pletion of works in hand were agreed to.

SUMMER PASTIMES.—It is satisfactory to notice
the changes by which, when summer sets in, " with its
usual severity," the inhabitants of New York are enabled
to weather the crisis in comfort. Among other reforms
we are glad to learn that it will be " open season " in the
Mercantile Libraries of New York and Brooklyn. They
will no longer follow the old rule and "shut up" for a
month, but continue open throughout the year. This
will be a great relief to those who cannot go into
the country, and it will also be a good thing for persons
" out on holiday," who choose to stay in New York, since
they may spend some cool hours in the libraries, and get
books without any difficulty. It was a rather perverse
old custom which closed the free world of literature
against the thousands who had to endure the dog-days in
etc, heated streets, and the people of other towns will no
doubt follow the good example of New York, and limit
the supply of good books by no times or seasons.—New
York, Times.

THE WHEAT MAGGOT IN YORKSHIRE.—A. very
serious matter to the Yorkshire farmer, and, indeed, to
the country at large, has been detected within the last
few days in some parts of Yorkshire. Some
of the wheat crops were noticed to be prematurely
changing colour, and upon examination it was found that
the husks had no kernel, or that where' the kernel
yet remained, it was fed upon by numbers of
very small yellow maggots, which completely destroy
it. In a field near Mahon. the' pest has so overrun the crop
that it is scarcely possible to find an uninjured ear of wheat
The most forward crops are those most flyblown, and in
most of the cases the centre rows of wheat in the ear are
destroyed. Some of the merchants and farmers, since the
discovery was made, have examined crops in various
localities, and only in one case, so far—a spring-sown late
crop, now in flower—have the caterpillars been absent.
It is feared this pest is very widespread, and must
seriously. affect the yield. Some farmers remember a
similar visitation some years ago during a dry, hot sum-
mer, as at present.
ARVEST PRO SPE CTS.—The Financial Chronicle
after a careful survey of the growing crops of cereals, is
assured that the promise of wheat east of the Rocky
Mountains is fully up to the reality of last year, that the
season has been all that could be desired, that in New
York and Ohio especially the prospects were never better,
and that the crop in the United States is nearly three
weeks earlier than last year. Corn promises invariably
well in all the districts of the. United States where it is
the leading article of growth ; the drought, of which
some complaint is -heard in wheat circles, is in districts
where but little corn is grown ;- oats, which last year
suffered with corn, this year promise to share its pros-
perity. In. Europe, England, and the grain fields along the
Mediterranean promise fully up to the average of last
year, while France and Germany shew signs of deficiency,
though hardly enough to make the foreign demand ma-
terially different from the demand of last year. In the
contingency of a war, witli the inevitable- 'waste and de-
struction which would follow, the demand would be
greater, and the supply bids fair to be equal to the de-
mand.—Boston Advertiser.

SAD OCCURRENCE TO LORD CHARLES
HAMILTON AND PARTY.

On Wednesday night an accident happened to a party
with Lord Charles Hamilton (whose yacht is lying in
Littlehanitbn Harbour during the Goodwood Races) by
which a lady named Saunders, wife of a banker at Biar-
ritz, has lost her life. It seems that after the party bad
returned from Coodwood on Wednesday eveninc, they hai
some amusement on board the yacht, and at 12 o'clock
his lordship, with Mrs. Saunders and two sailors, left the
yacht in a boat for the purpose of going outside the har-
bour to let off fireworks. Lady Faulkner was strongly per-
i3uaded to accompany them, and was almost pushed into
the boat, but she resisted fortunately' for herself. The
boat went towards the mouth of the harbour with a sail
set, and before she, got clear of the harbour works capsized.
One of the sailors swam to a post near and supported him-
self until the falling tide enabled him to get ashore.
Another clung to the boat, and Lord Charles, who is an
excellent swimmer, supported the lady. Finding himself
unable to continue, he swam with her to a post, and telling
her to hold on, he returned to the boat. Afterwards, he
again went to the lady's assistance, seeing her in a dis-
tressed state, but her struggles were so violent that he,rwa3
compelled toi leave her, and she soon afterwards lei
go the post and sank with a piercing shriek. Lord
Hamilton then swam again to the boat, and the two
drifted out to sea. It was near two o'clock before the
occurrence became known. A boat was at once manned
and put to sea in search of his lordship and the
sailor. They were disc overed near the Black Buoy, a long
distance out. The sailor was on the bottom- holding to
the keel with one hand, and grasping with the other the
hand of Lord Hamilton. The latter was nearly ex-
hausted, and a, few moments more must haye sealed his
fate. He was brought ashore, and soon fell into a sound
sleep.

. • .
MR. DISRAELL—Mr. Disraeli has given notice
that he will call the consideration of the House of
Commons, on Monday next, to the position of this
country with reference to the war on the Continent of
Europe.
ERRATUM.—We learn that Mrs. Eaton, the re-
spondent in the cause of "Eaton v. Eaton and Camp-
bell " is not the daughter of Canon Eaton, of Chester,
but his daughter-in-law. The rev. gentleman's only sur-
viving daughter is the wife of Robert Grant, Esq. •
It is stated that a marriage is arranged between
ViscOunt Massareene and Ferrard, of Antrim Castle and
Oriel . Temple, Ireland, and Miss Whyte-Melville,
daughter of Major and the Hon. Mrs: Whyte-Melville.
• The Commandant Corbin, Military Attache to the
French Embassy, has left London to join the staff of Mar-
shal"M`Mahon, under whom he had already served in the
final assault on the Malakoff Tower.

We are informed that their Royal Highnesses the
Prince and Princess of Walea start from Copenhagen on
Saturday, and may be expected to arrive in London on
Monday evening or Tuesday evening.
The Birmingham Post announces that 111 r. Josiah
Mason is about to make another munificent gift to Bir-
mingham.
.He contemplates establishing a college and
schools for scientific and technical instruction, open to all
classes. Mr, Mason will buy a block of land for the pur-
pose, at a cost of £20,000.
The Conference of the United Methodist Free
Churches commenced its sittings at Leeds on Wednesday.
The Rev. John Myers, of Leeds, and the Rev. John
Adcock, of London, were nominated for the office of
president, and the former gentleman was elected by a
considerable majority.

Hubback, the Mayor of Liverpool, had inter-
views on Wednesday with the French Consul• and the
Consul of the North German Confederation, when he in-
formed them that all patriotic demonstrations in the
streets and public places were illegal in that town, and
would not for the future be permitted, the local authori-
ties being strictly neutral.

DEATH FROM SUNSTROKE.—During the oppres-
sive heat of Tuesday a girl. 3 years of age, the daughter
of Mr.-Crompton, of the greyhound Inn, Booths-town,
near Bolton, was seized with sunstroke, and died imme-
diately afterwards. Several persons have fainted in the
harvest field near Warrington from the extreme heat, but
they have since recovered.
The _Dorset County Chronicle reports the drowning
of a young lady named Maud Alexander while bathing
near Bridport. While she and her sister were in the water
they suddenly -disappeared. An elder sister who was on
the shore succeeded in rescuing one of them, but the
other had been some minutes under water before she .was
recovered. Life was then extinct. Everything which
could be done was done, but without avail. The father
of the young ladies, who resides in London, came to meet
his family the same afternoon.
_

A grand demonstration of Freemasons has been,
held at Dartford, under the presidency of Viscount
Holmesdale. M.P., the Provincial Grand Master of
Kent. Great preparations had been made to give the
Freemasons a good reception, and the company were
received by the Most Worshipful Master and brethren of
the Lodge of Emulation. The streets were decorated
with flags and banners ; there was Divine service in the
church, and a sermon by Brother the Rev. W. A. Hill,
vicar of St. Peter's, Maidstone.

SALE OF BLOCKADE RUNNERS.—During the last
few clays a great demand has arisen for steamers of speea
and light draft, and it is thought that they are intended
for the same trade as that carried on during the American
war by blockade runners. A large number of the old
blockade runners have been sold. These vessels since the
end of the American war, had been lying up at Birkenhead
in the great float.

ST. PETER'S COLLEGIATE SCHOOL, EATON-
SQ DARE.-At this school yesterday afternoon, Lord
Lyttleton conducted the distribution of prizes, scholastic
and athletic, the latter being gracefully handed to their
recipients by lady Harrington, and the former by the
president. The chairman, adverting to his efforts on the.
Endowed Schools Commission, whose suggestions tended
to render the old grammar schools more formidable rivals
than before of the proprietary schools, was glad to pre-
side at a favourable specimen of the latter, and to show
that he was animated by no dislike towards so useful a
class of seminaries; on the contrary he regarded their
success as an indirect incentive to exertion in foundation
schools, and rejoiced at the proposed incorporation of St.
Peter's School. The medical scholarship was awarded
to F. Reynolds, and the Whitworth exhibition to 0.
Fisher. _ _

Miss Burdett Coutts on Wednesday laid the founda-
tion-stone of a national school for the parish of St. Anne,
Highgate-rise, having given the site on her land there for
the building. Miss Coutts was received on the ground
by the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, acting, we be-
lieve, for the Bishop of London ; the rural dean, the Rev.
W. Thorold, M.A., of St. Pancras; the Rev. C. B.'
Dalton, vicar of Highgate; the Rev. G. S. Ram, M.A.,
•vicar of St. Anne's; the Rev. Dr. Dyne, the trustees of
the school, &c. The ceremony took place at four o'clock.
Miss Coutts had previously entertained at luncheon, at
Holly Lodge, the Earl of Harrowby and Lady Mary
Sandon, the Countess of Essex, and other distinguished
guests. Covers were laid for about eighty persons. In
the eveuiug there was a tea for the parents of the chil-
dren at present attending the temporary schools, who
all later enjoyed and walked in And round about the
grounds of Holly Lodge. It was a gala day in Highgate.
NEWSPAPER PRESS FUND.—The annual meet-
ing of this institution was held on WedneSday at the
offices, 24, Cecil-street, Strand, the President, Lord
Houghton, in the chair. The report stated that the in-
vested capital of £5,100 would shortly be increased by the
purchase of £4OO additional stock ; that the grants made
to members in the past year amounted altogether to £162 ;
and that the roll book of the society coin-
prised 240 members, 172 of whom are resident
in London, and the remainder in the country.
The number of life members was sixty. _ The
Chairman, in the course of his address, said he was sorry
he could make no concealment of the fact that they did
not receive that support from the press which might be
expected. He mentioned several cases in which advances had
been made to members whose subscrfptions had amounted
only to four or five guineas. He concluded by an eloquent
eulogy on the distinguished men who had filled the post of
chairman at the annual dinners of the institution. After
the transaction of some further business, for the most part
formal, the proceedings terminated.
EXTRAORDINARY FRAUD.—At the Nottingham As•
sizes on Thursday, Matthew Burton, of Hucknall Tqrkard,
was charged before the Lord Chief Baron with having
committed wilful and corrupt perjury in an action for
compensation for injuries alleged to have been sus-
tained in an accident upon the Miland Railway. Upon
the evidence given at the trial the jury awarded £750, and
the company paid the amount, together, with £2BO taxed
costs. They afterwards caused the plaintiff to be
watched, and found that he has grossly exaggerated his
symptoms. Thereupon a rule nisi was obtained for a new
trial. In showing cause the plaintiff made an affidavit in
which he denied the averments of the company's wit-
nesses, and stated that he had not been at- certain places
on days immediately preceding and subsequent to the
trial. The court, however, made the rule absolute, and
Ordered the money to be refunded, and the company
thereupon instituted a prosecution for perjury. The trial
having lasted the greater part of the day, resulted in a
verdict of guilty, and the Chief Baron said he was only
restrained from passing a sentence of penal servitude by
the consideration that the prisoner had sustained soma
injuries in the accident, but, in the interests of justice, ha
felt compelled to send him to prison for fifteen months.

ATTEMPTED MURDER.—At the Kingston petty
sessions on Thursday, a man named Jaws Smallpiece was
charged with attempting to murder Harriet Hurley on
the 14th inst., at Walton. The prosecutrix, who appeared
in the witness-box with her throat strapped up and her
arm bandaged, said that she was the wife of a cabdrivv
living at Walton. The prisoner had lodged at her house
for about two years. On the 14th inst. she was alone in
the house with prisoner, when, without saying a word, he
threw her down, knelt upon her, and cut her across the
throat wite a carving knife. Her hands and arms were
also cut as she was trying to protect her throat. Prosecu-
trix screamed out as loud as she could, and a woman
named Smith came to her assistance. The prisoner then
got up and went out. Prosecutrix, in answer to the
chairman, said that she had had no quarrel with the pri-
soner. The above evidence having been corroborated by
Sarah Smith, Thomas Beaty said that on the day in ques-
tion he heard cries of " Murder !" He ran out pf his
cottage, which was close to that occupied by the prose-
eutrix, and, with the assistance of another man named
Albery, detained Smallpiece. Witness asked prisoner
what he had been doing, and he said he had cut a
woman's head off. Police-constable C. Driver, who
took prisoner into custody, said he was covered with
blood, and that he admitted having cut a woman's throat.
After some further evidence had been adduced the
prisoner, who reserved his defence, was fully committed
for trial.

COOLIE LABOUR IN THE WEST INDIES.
While the question of Asiatic labour is attracting much
attention, especially among the working classes, in this
country, it may be interesting to glance at it elsewhere.
To do this it is not necessary to go a great distance from
our own doors. In the Antilles the importation of Asiatic
labourers has been carried on on a large scale for years.
But it has been done so quietly and the labourers
have conducted themselves so peaceably that the
people of this country never had their atten-
tion attracted to the . subject. Since the year
1843 the number of Asiatic labourers which
have been imported to the islands of the West Indies has
swelled to very near a million. The figures given set it
down at 963,576. These are scattered throughout seven
of the islands, neither Cuba nor Porto Rico being in-
cluded in the number. If the coolie. labourers on the
island of Cuba were taken into account it would swell the
figure. Last year the number of coolies brought from
Calcutta to the islands of Trinidad, Demerara, St. Vincent
and Mauritius footed up to 12,912. The flow of emigrants,
therefore, from the East to the islands of the West Indies
is steady and continuous. Their frugal habits, untiring
energy, temperate living,, and acquisitive propensities
enable4them to lay aside something from the meagre
wages they receive for their labour, to sustain them in
declining years, or enable them to return to their native
country. The fact that four hundred and thirty-eight
coolies recently were able to return to Calcutta and
carry with them a sum amounting in the aggregate to
over sixty-five thousand dollars is matter for considera-
tion. In like manner three hundred and seventy-
two coolies were sent home from Trinidad, their
term of service having expired. These labourers did
not go home empty-handed. They took with them eighty-
eight thousand three hundred and fifteen dollars, their
savings for years. No better inducement could be held
out to the Chinese and Japanese to emigrate to this
country than the return of so many of their countrymen
to their native homes with their pockets well filled with
the money they had honestly earned in a foreign land.
From the facts and figures we have given, it will be seen
that coolie labour in the islands of the West Indies while
it is of great advantage to the planters, affords the poor
Asiatic an opportunity to improve his condition and
gather together a support for declining years.—New York
Herald.'