The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-24 00:00:00

HOPES OF PEACE.

The Telegraph says telegraphic announcements, pro-
ceeding simultaneously from Vienna and Tours, in-
form us that vigorors efforts are being made to
arrange au armistice' between France and Prussia, and
that the English Government has taken the initia-
tive in these negotiations. The statement is sub-
stantialy correct. An appeal has been made to
both belligerents, and we are glad to say that there are
strong hopes of a favourable result. The object of so
statesmanlike an interference at the present stage would
be, to gain time for the French people to declare, in
some authoritative and legitimate way, their real
wish as to the terms of peace. Of course,
if the terms proposed by Germany are such
as France cannot accept, the war must continue to the
bitter end. It is, indeed, more than probable that a
pause in active hostilities would give both nations the
opportunity of estimating their present position at its real
value. The French mast in any case be prepared for
great sacrifices. Germans, on the other hand, would
be brought to appreciate the fact that, if they press too
hardly upon a fallen people they will have against them
the feeling and opinion of the civilised world. Surely
there must be something in the portentous nature and
degree of their own success which should make them
pause, and inspire them with doubt as to its per ma-
nonce.

Mr. Burnand's new burlesque for the Vaudeville
will be called " Elizabeth ; or, The Invisible Armada."

WORKMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, AGRI-
CUKTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON, 1870.—The number of
visitors, exclusive of season ticket holders, exhibitors,
and others, on the 22nd inst., was 4,126, and for the week
ending same day, 22,452.
CRYSTAL PA LA C E.—Hal f-a - Crown Day (Satur-
day),—Admissions by season tickets, 3,995 ; ditto on pay-
ment, 878 ; total visitors, 4,873.
The adoption of the Elementary Education Act
k by the Oxford Local Board has roused the opposition of
the clergy of that place, who have forwarded a resolution
to the Secretary of the Education Department of the
Privy Council, declaring the school accommodation in
Oxford to be in excess of the requirements of the Privy
Council.

TIIE PURCHASE OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH. —At
Friday's meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works, a
report was presented from the General Purposes Com-
mittee respecting the terms on which it was proposed to
Purchase Hampstead-heath, to. be retained in perpetuity
as a place of recreation. It appears that the board has
secured for the comparatively small sum of £47,000, the
the whole of the interest of the Lord of the Manor over an
area of 240 acres. The recommendation of the committee
that a bill in Parliament should be promoted for acquiring
the heath on these terms was unanimously adopted.
THE ATTACK UPON CHATEAUDUN. —The corre-
spondent of the Standard, writing from Tours on the 19th
instant, says :—" The little town of Chateaudun has
fallen after a gallant resistance offered by 900 Francs-
tireurs and the National Guard. It was attacked by a
body of 7,000 Prussians, with two batteries of artillery.
It is an open town, but the defenders had thrown up
barricades in the streets. The attack began at
mid-day, and up till six in the evening the Prussians
had gained no advantage. At that hour the Prussians
succeeded in forcing their way through some houses and
taking one of the barricades in the rear. The combat
continued in the streets, but the enemy forced their way
into the Place de L'Hotel de Ville. The resistance
still continued, and at nine o'clock the defenders made
a vigorous effort and drove the Prussians from the
place. They then collected the remains of their forces,
and at ten o'clock beat an orderly retreat. Their
loss is heavy, but, as may be imagined from
the nature of the defence, that of the Prus-
sians is much heavier. The next morning the Prus-
sians burned a number of the surrounding villages.
I make • no mention of the innumerable atrocities
which the Prussians are said to be committing in various
parts. Not a lay passes without numerous new incidents
areant
hd de
srhea gu
ng
events
anyttivsl al
aygceaosnu (11 ssi
nh
uo
intm ; e
Iprear itbteleser
st s
bt u
raf
rkoneitni
being mentioned in the papers. According to these reports
,firo,h me defenceless
e a ml
t aoe rnf
persons upon the spot ; but I hesitate to believe them,
well authenticated as they certainly appear to be. If one
half is true, the Prussians deserve the contempt and
abhorrence of civilised Europe. The truth will not be
known until the end of the war, when, no doubt, an
official inquiry will take place, and the real state of Milk;
be published to the world.".