The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-10 00:00:00

MARKETS.

READING CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—This market
opened to-day, with rather a better demand for wheat, best
qualities of which for seed being inquired for, the full cur-
rencies of last week were easily realized. The supply was
tolerably good. Best barley, for malting, was also in request,
and made full rates. Oats were dull, at barely late figures, as
were also beans and peas.
GLOUCESTER CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—There was a fair
supply of English wheat at this market to-day, which brought
the full prices of last week. Foreign wheat was not much sought
after, and was without change. Barley was rather dearer.
Indian corn was without alteration. Oats held firmly, but
without much business doing.
NORWICH CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—The wheat trade
opened firm at this market to-day, and with a brisk demand.
Last week's prices were fully maintained. Barley was rather
slow. The trade prices, however, remain unaltered, although '
in all probability a rise will shortly take place. Other descrip
tions maintained their prices. Wheat, 2,105 quarters at 465. 7d.
per quarter. Barley, 7,108 quarters at 355. 9d. per quarter.
DONCASTER CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—There was a
good supply of wheat at this market to-day, and trade was good,
there being a fair demand for seed. New wheat was firm, 18s. 6d.
to 225. 6d.; beans, 18s. 6d. per three bushels; oats, 20s. to 345.;
grinding barley, 31s. to 335.; malting barley, 375. to 41s. per
quarter.
LEITH CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—At this market to-
day wheat remained firm, at late rates. Flour was also firm.
Barley was ls. per qr. lower. Oats were slow, at firmer prices.
Peas and beans were 6d. per qr, lower, The arrivals for the
week amount to 8,822 qrs. of wheat, 1,021 qrs. barley, 684 qrs,
of oats, 848 qrs. of beans, 45 qrs. of peas, 969 qrs. of rye, and 710
sacks of flour.
KIRKCALDY CORN MARKET, SATURDAY.—There were
moderate supplies of grain at this market to-day, and the ave-
rage price of wheat and barley shewed an advance of 45. and 2s.
respectively as compared with last week. Oats were firm in
favour of sellers. Prices per quarter :—Wheat, 30s. to 545, ;
barley, 275. to 385.; oats, 17s. to 265.
DONCASTER CATTLE MARKET, SATURDAY.—There were a
few cattle on offer at this market to-day, and trade was dull.
There was a good supply of sheep, and fair sales were made at
the prices last quoted. Pigs was a small show, and slow trade
doing. The prices as before.
ABERDEEN CATTLE MARKET, SATURDAY.—There have been
rather short supplies ht the district markets during the week.
The demand for all classes of prime beasts has been brisk, at
firm rates. Top quality from 735. to 765. per cwt. Sheep have
been in request, at 7id. to Bd. per lb.
LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, SATURDAY.—This market
opened quiet to-day without change. The probable sales are
8,000 to 10,000 bales. Imports, 16,531 bales. The market closed
dull and dragging, and prices ruled in buyers's favour. Sales,
10,000 bales.

METROPOLITAN HIDE AND SKIN MARKET, SATURDAY.
-Market hides, 561bs. to 641bs, 31d. to 30. ; 641bs. to 721bs, 34d.
to 31d. ; 721bs. to 801bs., 34d.t0 4d.; 801bs. to 881bs., 4d. to 4id. ;
881bs. to 961b5., 4id. to 4id. ; 961bs. to 1041b5., 4d. to 4id.
Horse-hides, 10s. to 12s. Calf-skins, light, 2s. to 4s. ; full, 7s. 6d.
Sheepskins, polled, 4s. 6d. to ss. 6d. ' • half-breeds, 35. 6d. to
4s. 2d. ; Downs, 2s. Bd, to 3s. 3d.; lambs, 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.
METROPOLITAN HAY AND STRAW MARKET, SATUR-
DAY.-The market to-day was fairly supplied with hay and clover.
The demand was steady, at about previous quotations. Prime
old hay, 1265. to 1375. 6d. ; inferior ditto, 100 s. to 110 s. ; prime
new hay, 115 s. to 1255. ; inferior ditto, 1005. to 110 s, ; prime
clover, 130 s. to 1425. 6d, ; inferior ditto, 115 s. to 1255. ;
prime new second cut clover, 120 s. to 130 s. ; inferior ditto,
110 s. to 115 s. ; and straw, 30s. to 345. per load.
LONDON POULTRY MARKET, SATURDAY.-Turkeys, 4s. to
65.; geese, 3s. to 4s. 6d.; goslings, 43. 6d. to Bs.; ducks, ls. 6d.
to 2s. 6d.; ducklings, is. 9d. to 2s. 6d.; Surrey fowls, 4s. to 75,;
Sussex, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 9d.: Boston and Essex, ls. 9d. to 2s. 94.;
Irish, ls. to ls. 9d.: rabbits, tame, ls. to is. 9d.; ditto, wild, Bd.;
pigeons, 3d. to 6d.: pheasants, 3s. to 3s. id.; partridges, Is.;
hares, 25. 6d. to 35.; white Scotch, is. 6d.; eggs, best, 10s. per
120 ; Aylesbury butter, best, ls. 6d.; seconds, Is. td. per lb.
LEEDS TRADE REPORT, SATURDAY.-There have been
buyers in the woollen market from London, Manchester, and
the provinces. Some small sales at low prices have taken place
of blue tweeds, Victorias, and low waterproofs. There has
been fishing for spring patterns, but it is too early for
them, though heavy goods are dropping out rather earlier
than usual. In the Dewsbury district Germans have been buy-
ing overwarings. Three failures in the woollen trade are re-
ported, the liabilities in the largest are about £30,000 ; good
dividends are expected. Special machinery and tools are being
made extensively, and in great haste ; they are principally
for the Government to be used for rifling ordnance
small arms. Other well known firms have on hand almost un-
limited orders for gun-lathes and heavy machinery for the same
destination. Since the war broke out, however, there has been
a great falling off in the manufacture of silk and flax machi-
nery for abroad. The house coal trade has greatly improved,
and the colliers are all in full work. At Allerton, where the
last strike occurred in this district, fifty of the turn-outs have
renounced the union, and gone to work again. 200 or 300 others
are expected to follow.

CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET, SATURDAY.—This
marked closed to-day steady. The price for medium and lower
sorts was 3d. to 6d. higher for the week. Other kinds were no
dearer.

CORK BUTTER MARKET, SATURDAY. Ordinary, firsts,
130 s. ; seconds, 1205.; thirds, 110 s.; fourths, 1025.; fifths, 88s.
sixths, 775. 1,920 firkins in the market. Mild cured firsts,
1355.; seconds, 128 s. ; thirds, 120 s. 100 firkins in the market.

ENGLISH MEMBERS ON THE WAR.
Lord Enfield, M.P., and Lord George Hamilton, M.P.,
were present at the annual dinner of the Middlesex Agri-
cultural Society on Friday, and both addressed their con-
stituents upon topics of current interest, the chief place
being given, of course, to the war, and our own prepared-
ness for an emergency. The chair was filled by Lord
Enfield, who, referring to the state of the British
army, described it as lamentably deficient in
men. The country, he observed, was rich enough,
and the House of Commons liberal enough, to
grant the necessary supplies, but what was wanted was
that the Government should come forward with a really
good scheme for putting our military establishments on a
sound footing ; and he pronounced it a great mistake to
have got rid of 20,000 well-trained men, and substituted
for them 20,000 ill-trained men. With regard to the reserves,
he hoped that the press would continue hammering at the
door of the War Office until Mr. Cardwell and the other
authorities had matured a plan for placing this branch of
our defensive forces in a state of efficieecy ; and, alluding to
the war, he remarked that, although connected by the ties
of religion with Prussia, we should not forget that France
had been our very good friend in time of need. In act, no
firmer friend to England had ever existed than the un-
happy Emperor ; and whatever might have been his
faults, the manner in which his late subjects had
treated him was one of the most contemptible
episodes in the history of nations. Lord George
Hamilton, in speaking on the same subject, was inclined
to blame the Emperor Napoleon for giving way to the
popular craving for a war with Prussia. His Majesty
had, however, paid the penalty of his terrible mistake,
and when we reflected how good a friend he had been to
this country we could not but lament the bitter animosity
which had been exhibited towards him. It was contrary
to the spirit of Englishmen when a man was down to
strike or trample upon him. As to Count Bismarck,
it was impossible to hold him altogether guiltless. The
question of mediation was one of such difficulty that he
would not enter into it. It might be that Government had
not done its duty, but it was in possession of information
of which outsiders were ignorant. When Parliament
met, it would have to give an account of its conduct.
There was in the country a general desire for media-
tion, and, if a favourable opportunity offered,
he was quite certain that the followers of the
Government would not fail to censure it if it did not
take advantage of the opportunity and do its utmost to
carry that mediation into full effect. He thought we ought
to profit by the experience of France, and institute a
strict inquiry into the state of our national defences,
with the view of being prepared to meet any emergency
that might arise.

Sir Thomas Bazley and Mr. Jacob Bright attended on
Friday night at the opening meeting of a Liberal club,
which has been established in the township of Cheetham,
near Manchester, and, responding to a vote of confidence
in the Government and the Liberal representatives of the
city, reviewed at some length the political events of the
year. The senior member reiterated his opinion that the
country never was blessed with a better than the Glad-
stone Government, and also said a good word for the
present House of Commons, which he affirmed surpassed
any in his experience for its constant and anxious at-
tention to public business. Reviewing with satisfaction
the legislation of the past session, he expressed regret
that the ballot had not yet become law, but said he con-
fidently hoped that, in the next session of Parliament, it
would be applied both to parliamentary and municipal
elections. Referring to the Franco-German war, he cha-
racterised it as an appeal to brute force in matters that ought
to have been determined by argument and reason, and
praised the neutral attitude which had been maintained
throughout by the Home Government. Mr. Bright said
that the recent legislation with regard to Ireland had
given the Irish people an amount of religious equality,
and Irish cultivators advantages as to tenure and pur-
chase of land which were not enjoyed in any other part of
the kingdom, and he expressed a hope that by and by the
principles of legislation which had been applied so
advantageously to the settlement of discontent in the
sister country would be extended to England, Scotland,
and Wales. Mr. Bright also referred with point and
vigour to the question of the -Married Woman's Property
Bill.

Colonel Gilpin, M.P.; was present at the dinner of
the Bedfordshire Agricultural Society, on Friday, and
spoke about the war. He called it unjustifiable, because
he considered that no war was justifiable which
was not undertaken for the defence of the
honour and interest of the country. There were two or
three things taught them by this war, one of which was
the possibility of a million of in en being placed in a position
for fighting in a fortnight. They had also learnt that two
great Powers of Eurore with whom they were on terms
of friendship, could discuss terms for the partition of
a Power which would greatly affect the interests of this
Country, without in any way consulting her. The
House of Commons had spoken out on this question. The
country trusted that the Government would avoid as far
as possible becoming entangled in matters that did not
concern them. While they desired peace (though not
peace at any price), they were determined that this country
should hold its own against any foes ; and if unfortunately
they should be called on to take part in war it should be
carried out in such a way that the prestige of the country
should not suffer.
T 1

Ile appointment of the Marquess of Kildare to
the Chancellorship of the Queen's University, Ireland,
gazetted.

STORM OFF NOVA SCOTIA.—The record of
marine disasters during the great storm on the
coast of Nova Scotia, in the early part of September, is
yet incomplete, though it is known that more than 100
lives have been lost. The latest shipwreck reported is
that of the Glaramara, a large ship from Greenock. All
on board were lost.

CACAOINE.—Cacoa nibs on the removal of the oil fall
nto powder, and this powder is cacAoine. Cacioine contains
neither sugar nor any other admixture whatever. Cacioine makes
one of the lightest, thinnest of warm drinks, and is the most de
sirable of all for use in the later hours of the day. Cacaoine, by
reason of the ingenious method by which the oil is removed, pre-
serves all the fine natural flavour of cacao nibs.—Prepared only
by James Epps and Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, 112, Great Rua-
-011-street Ll7O, Piccadilly ; and 48, Threadneedle-street ; at their
Wor)re for Dietetic Preparations, Eitaini-rOnti,--AD9T.

THE WAR.

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

SUN, LONJJON, MON DA Y, OCTOBER 10, 1870

tion of war have been published in the Journal Offio
and offer a strange contradiction to the Emperor's state-
ment that he had been forced into war by the French
people. The extracts occupy eight pages of the official
journal. -

The Minister had desired the Prefects to /men

tain the feeling of the country, and their answers were
almost unanimous in favour of peace. The Prefects were
too courtly to oppose the central authority in so many
words, but they give the impression that the
people will only support war from patriotism
and public duty, not from any love of it for its own sake.
Even the most warlike departments speak in these terms,
and nowhere is there any manifestation of military en-
thusiasm. The Prefect of the Aubes says plainly "War
is not desired, but it is dreaded." "Itisto be hoped that
the country will not be driven to that extremity," says
the Prefect of the Creuse. The Prefect of the Var says,
"I cannot affirm to your Excellency that in the Depart-
ment of the Var, under present circumstances, a
war could be popular ; but the ruling prin-
ciple on the public mind is confidence in the
Emperor and his Government, and a firm reso-
lution to follow them wherever they may lead the country."
Many of the Prefects make no secret that their people
have little attention to spare from their agricultural pur-
suits. " With respect to the country districts," says the
Prefect of the Ain, " the occupations and the anxieties
of the harvest engross the attention of the population.
It is but by slow degrees that the news of this grave
incident will reach them. But, whatever may be their
desire for peace, and however much it may be needed
by them, they will, I am convinced, follow
the current of public opinion by a patriotism equal to the
occasion." That is hardly a description of enthusiasm.
" The only anxiety of the people," says the Prefect of the
Neireu "is at this moment the continuance of the drought."
"War would appear to us," says the Prefect of the
Ardbche, "as a fresh calamity added to those of the vine
disease, the silkworm disease, and the drought." In the
replies of the administrators of the Somme, the Orne, and
the Oise, we find these admissions,—" The country
requires peace ;" " A hearty peace is hoped for ;" "It is
hoped that the firmness of the Government will contribute
to the maintenance of peace." The unhappy Department
of the Moselle answers that it does not wish for war, but
craves for peace. Certainly the experience of the last
three months will not have modified that desire.
Some of the reports shew the individual characters
of the Prefects. One of them, the Prefect of the Doubs,
advises immediate action. "Has not experience shown,
particularly in the case of the Luxemburg affair, that the
national susceptibility is easily excited among us, but that
a speedy reaction follows when hesitation and diplomatic
discussions are protracted ?" Another, the Prefect of
Vaucluse, boldly says :—" The people are apprehensive
of war, and fear that the Emperor may too readily permit
himself to be dragged into it." Another reply is outspoken
enough :—" The Emperor and his Government may do as
they please—peace or war. By all its interests the
Department of the Nord clings to peace, but if honour
and safety should demand, it will resign itself to war."

" This news," says the Prefect of the Aribge, " coming in
the midst of profound calm, has caused great excitement.
There is a general hope that everything will be attempted
to render possible the maintenance of peace." Thus the
reports from the Prefects of the 88 Departments furnished
the Emperor with little excuse for provoking hostilities,
while it must not be forgotten that 83 Deputies voted de-
cidedly against the war, which has proved so disastrous
to their country.

CONVERSATION WITH AN ALSATIAN.
The correspondent of the Daily News, writing on the
above subject, says :—" I arrived at Bischeim, before
Strasburg, just the day before the surrender, and so had
occasion to enter the city together with the troops. Met
your special correspondent at the Maison Rouge
engaged in drawing up the description of the
touching and extraordinary spectacle which sur-
rounded us, and left after a stay of two days and much
intercourse with old acquaintances in the city, for Ha-
genau and Weissenburg ; for it appeared to me of interest
to ascertain in as many instances as possible the feelings
of the Alsatian people themselves at the prospect of
being reunited with Germany. Of this prospect they were
officially informed by the journal of the German Prefect at
Hagenau in a well-written article, containing much flattery
of the Alsatians and their personal achievements while
citizens of France, and promising them that Germany,
too, even more than France, was able to give full
scope to their brilliant qualities, and particularly that
they would not be subject to centralisation, as in
France. The experience I have collected is, that the
peasantry, almost to a man, rejoice in becoming Ger-
man subjects, and that, even the towns being left
aside, they might be polled about it without
danger. I give you literally a conversation with
an old peasant proprietor of four horses, &c. 'Do you
believe what the Prefect tells you here ?" I do not quite
understand it ; but I know • I shall have to pay less
taxes, and juster taxes. I have often be en in Baden
as well as in the Palatinate.' What, would you pre-
fer to become Badish or Bavarian ?" That would be
about the same to me.' Would you like to become
Prussian ?" I know nothing about Prussia. I day say
I would like it far less. The Prussians are so severe
with the young people in the army. I have no son, only
sons-in-law, who are past the age ; but it is for the grand-
children.' What would you say if Alsace was to become a
State for itself, and only have to enter the German Con-
federation ? " Oh, that would be capital. Then the
gain from the war to us would be enormous. The French
have been eating us up. For, you know, Alsace is very
rich, sir 1 And the greatest part of France is but poor.
Our money has been going to Paris, and not one-third
of it coming back.' Would you then choose to be-
come a Republic, or a Grand-Duchy like Baden, or, as
they suggest in Germany, neither a Republic nor a Grand-
Duchy, but a kind of colony under the merely personal
Sovereignty of the King of Prussia ?' Here the school-

master, a native Frenchman, who spoke German,
and had attentively listened, stepped in, and
said—' That would be about what the canton of

Neufchatel formerly was ?" Not quite, I dare say, for
you would get certain laws, in fact a great deal in com-
mon with all Germany, and would have to enter the
German army. Only in minor things would you govern
yourselves, and always with the King's personal con-
sent only.' Yet that would be good,' said the school-
master. lam a schoolmaster, sir, from Burgundy, and I
would not care at all trusting myself to the Alsatian

people, instead of to the French. For, you know,
the educational system is much better in Alsace than
in the remainder of France. The Alsatians like schools,
as the Swiss, and are always ready to do anything for
them. We get 1,600 francs a year here.' That is
certainly much more than a village schoolmaster re-
ceives in Germany. But now tell me, are the peasantry
in Alsace all speaking like him?" In our village, and
in all the villages north of Strasburg, as far as I know
them, they do. First they were greatly irritated against
the invasion, and are so still, but that is on account of
the sufferings they had and have to undergo, and not
from love of France or hatred of Germany.'
But how is that ? You are speaking in this way,
and yet it was, as far as I know, your own parti-
cular business and official instructions to cultivate
French patriotism, and to secure the German
language being supplanted by the French among the
children entrusted to your training.' The schoolmaster
laughed and said, Yes, that was the system,
from the time of the first pldbiscite in 1852 till now.
Before that period it was only at work in Lotharingia.
But, le pbre, would it do here ?' The old peasant, too,
laughed and nodded at him. 'We Alsatian
schoolmasters,' continued the treacherous Burgun-
dian, prefer peace with the Alsatian peasants
to that with our Government. Look you, sir, what
this man and others really want is not to be go►erned
at all.' That is very true," said the old peasant.
I see, you are a Republican ! " The Republic ! ' said
the old man. The Republic I liken to a sudden
mental disease of the French. (The French, in Alsatian
fashion, he denominated ' Welsh,' to denote the
distinction between the two races.) The Re-
public, sir, means very much kirschwasser (brandy),
and everybody loitering about with his pipe
in his mouth, and his hands in his trousers pockets.
And everybody shouting and hallooing, and everybody
speaking without hearing what the other said.
That is a mere dodge of the wine merchants in
Paris, who got up the cry of the Republic for pur-
poses of their own. And the brewers at Strasburg
have learned it from them. I was at Strasburg in
1848, when the Wackes (slang term for the roughs of
Strasburg, one of the most noisy and fanatical rabbles

in existence) were let loose. -They shouted nothing
but the Republic, but what they meant and com-

menced was plunder of the Protestants. 0 yes, sir, you

do not yet know what words mean in France that may
have a fine sound somewhere else, and what revolutions
mean, and who it is that makes them.' Well, and
who is it that makes them ? ' That is the

Catholic priesthood," he said without hesita-
tion, and with great decision. 'How is that?
They do not go to fight in the streets ?'
' No, but they, together with the army, make the
Wackes.' Well, I cannot see my way to that.'
' You must understand, the Wackes are almost all

illegitimate children.' Strasburg,' the school-
master put in, ' has the greatest number of them

in all France.' Yes, and they are all baptised

as Catholics, because, in the Catholic Church, baptism
costs nothing, and because the girl gets consoled in this
way for not beiug allowed by the law to establish the
parentage of the child. They are the offspring of Catholic
soldiers, to whom it is forbidden to marry with Protestant,
Alsatian, or German girls.'."