The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-27 00:00:00

RAILWAYS IN JAPAN.

A translation of the Japanese petition to their Go-
vernment, advocating the introduction of railways, has
lately been presented to the British Parliament, and
proves that the exclusive Japanese have a very shrewd
idea of how matters stand in the world at large. The
continent of Europe, so runs the petition, excels all the
other five continents in enlightenment and in wealth.
of mechanical appliances. The reason for this is that
Europe is better provided with machinery. " The men
of the West have a saying, that if you wish to learn
whether a nation is rich or poor, strong or
weak, you must first ascertain how it is provided
with machinery. The invention of the steam
engine, and the introduction of more efficient modes of
locomotion, have enabled those countries to provide every
facility for transport, both by land and sea. It is, there-
fore, not surprising to find them so wealthy and
so powerful." It is certainly a remarkable evi-
dence of progress to find the Japanese, who were
supposed to be in a state of semi-barbarism using lan-
guage like this. The means of communication in Japan
are sadly deficient, for the country does not possess navi-
gable rivers, and as the rate of travelling is only some
twenty miles a day, some of the provinces are
a month's journey from each other. It takes
a fortnight to pass from either of the two
capitals, Yeddo and Kioto to the other, although they are
connected by the best line of road in the country, and one
part of the country may be suffering the greatest distress
for want of rice, which another province would gladly
give in exchange for its accumulated silk if they
had only the means of transport. Sir Harry Parkes, who
fully appreciates the drawback which this is to the coun-
try, has repeatedly discussed with the desira-
bility of introducing railways and telegraphs with
the Milsado's Government. The Japanese, who are
highly intelligent people, soon became impressed with
the justice of his views, and resolved to construct a
railway between Yedo and Kioto. Three lineeare in con-
templation, and surveyors and engineers are already at
work. Besides these, others are in contemplation, since
the stormy nature of the Japanese seas renders the trade
with many ports of the country very irregular. The
Japanese are equally eager for the telegraph, and already
a line is at work between Yedo and Yokohama.

M. Howes, M.P., continues rather seriously indis-
posed. The honourable gentleman is ordered to remain
strictly quiet.
Permission was asked of the Board of Works on
Friday to call a new street in Wandsworth by the name
of " Lothair." The Board gave the required leave.

There is this week a decrease of thirty-three in
the number of in-door poor in Lambeth, as compared
with the corresponding weeks of the last three years.
There is, however, considerable increase in out-door
relief.

The Orchestra says that a series of classical per-
formances, with a select orchestra, is contemplated for
the year 1871, and that the baton will be offered to Sir
Michael Costa.

The John Bull says that the Bishop of Oxford
has conferred the vicarage of St. Giles, Reading, on the
Rev. C. H. Travers, vicar of Stewkley. It was declined
by Mr. Blunt, vicar of Old Windsor.

By a cable telegram from Washington we learn
that the telegraphic messages exchanged on Thursday
evening between the Viceroy of India and President
Grant were read in the United States Congress on
Friday.

THE HEAI ON RAILWAY ACClDENT.—The'direc tors
have awarded to the engine-driver who bravely pursued
the runaway engine and jumped on it at great risk to him-
selt, thus preventing further mischief, a sum of £5O and a
silver watch. The guard ands stoker, who also exerted
themselves meritoriously, are to receive respectively £2O
and £lO and a silver watch each.

THE GREAT FIRE AT CONSTANTINOPLE.---A poor
woman in Constantinople, the other day, was about to go
the upper floor of her living place to bring down the
mangal, or pan of lighted charcoal, for cooking ; but, feel-
ing lazy—the day was warm—sent her child for it. The
child let the pan fall on the stairs, near a window curtain;
and the result of the woman's change of mind was that
terrible fire we have all heard of, which has reduced!
30,000 persons to destitution, utterly destroying many
hundreds of them and some thousands of houses. If a
neighbour had given the poor woman 410,000 not to send
the child it would have been a good bargain,--Builder.

SPIRIT OF THE P.RESS. MORNING.
THE RESIGNATIONS AT TUE ADMIRALTY.

LITERA TITRE.

The Times, in commenting on the changes at the Ad-
miralty, says that both Mr. Childers and Arr. Baxter
have been prompt in acknowledging the value ofiSir Spencer
Robinson's services as an able and zealous reformer. He has,
indeed, by reason of a certain hastiness of temper. and
intolerance of criticism upon his ships, given great offence
to naval officers who have been brought into contact with
him ; but it may be granted that on the whole he has
done good service at Whitehall. The obligations
between him and the First Lord of the Admiralty
are, however, to say the least of it, mutual ; and if it be
true that, after four months' hesitation, he has chosen
a time when his chief is ill, and in temporary need of
relief from anxiety, not only to give in his own resigna-
tion, but also to threaten the resignation of Mr. Reed, the
Chief Constructor of the Navy, unless the recent Order in
Council be repealed or specially relaxed in his own case,
he has adopted a course which no public services can
altogether excuse. Ability will never pass unrecognised
in this country, but temper and conduct in public men
are of still higher estimation. We trust that some public
explanation may soon be given of this obscure and
la...entable disyute. Why Mr. Reed should threaten to
resign because the C Introller of the Navy is debarred
from future service afloat is a ridicule difficult to solve.
We have always been ready to do justice to Mr.
Reed, and have no desire to see him transfer his abilities
to the domain of private enterprise. He may or may not
have his individual grounds of complaint. He may or
may not think his merits are insufficiently appreciated.
To the outside world he seems to be the most prosperous
of men ; his salary is always rising ; he absorbs place
after Place, and his power of digestion grows by what it
feeds on. There are many avenues open to him in private
life, through some of which, if he is to be always resign-
ing and never resigned, he would do well to select his
course. He is thought to control the Controller, and the
versatility of his talents is the admiration of all who know
him. But if he cannot cultivate the lowly virtues
of a public servant we think he would do better to retire
at once from a position for which he is too great.

Acquitted : a novel. By Mrs. Gordon Smythies, author
of "Cousin Geoffrey." 3 vols. Tinsley Brothers.
This is one of the most attractive novels we have yet
seen from the pen of the accomplished author of " Cousin
Geoffrey." The opening scene, in a poor fisherman's
cottage, is very effectively described. There, amid
the roaring of the tempest without. poor Nat Lynn
and his wife are weeping over the death of their little first-
born. Very tenderly and naturally is the little homescene
depicted, what follows is of a more romantic character.
The poor fisherman at last tears himself away from the
sorrowing mother, and going along the beach almost im-
mediately after, discovers portions of a wreck cast ashore
by the storm, and a little child still retaining signs of life.
Ho takes the motherless child to the child-
less mother, and with joy and gratitude the
little stranger is adopted in the fisherman's cot.
We do not propose to reveal the mysterious
history of the supposed Mary Lynn : it can-
not but prove attractive to the lovers of romance. Mrs.
Gordon Smythies, however, does not rely upon the sen-
sational element (of which the terrrible Dan Devrill is a
fitting representative). The story of " Acquitted"
has higher claims to our attention. We cannot
more accurately explain the purpose of the book
and the meaning of the title than by giving
the interpretation in the words of the writer.
" Without venturing," observes Mrs. Gordon Smythies,
in the closing pages of her story, "to dwell long
in a novel on that Highest Court, at whose bar we shall
all be one day judged, and from which there can be no
appeal, we, in justification of our title, venture to
remind our readers that, even as far as this life is
concerned, we are, from our childhood to our graves,
on trial before two courts—the inner one of conscience
(that solemn secret tribunal, from the verdict of which
none can escape) and the public one which, whether we
call it opinion,' society,' or the world,' is all-im-
portant to the many, and is really disregarded by none."
Paul Penrhyn, the impoverished master of Penrhyn
Manor, a well-meaning, weak-minded man, who can
never say " No, " is over-persuaded by the arti-
fices of one Sligo Downy into embarking a sum
of trust money in a bubble speculation. The unfortunate
trustee is heart-broken at the failure of the enterprise,
but happily the secret becomes known to his young son
Paul, who, abandoning all ambitious dreams, takes a
post in a merchant's office, and devotes himself to the
repayment of his father's debt ere the defalcation shall be-
come known. How he struggles and how he succeeds we
shall not say; the story is full of interest andis very forcibly
told, and it is a happy day when the poor father by
the self-sacrificing exertions of his noble-minded son finds
himself " acquitted" of the crime in which his culpable
weakness had involved him. Contrasted with the eager
active career of the enterprising Paul Penrhyn,
the touching story of the youthful Jasper Ardennes,
slowly sinking into an untimely grave will be read with
a melancholy interest. It is depicted by one who, as the
very touching dedication to Dr. Hastings reveals to us,
has experienced all the agony of hopes and fears that
wring the hearts of those who watch the fading away of the
victims of that deadly, and so often to the very last delu-
sive disease, consumption. The death scene of the gentle
Jasper Ardennes,which softens even his iniquitous father,
will be perused with especial interest. " Acquitted " may
certainly be regarded as the best novel from the pen of
the author of "Cousin Geoffrey."
Eastern Pilgrims : the Travels of Three Ladies. By
Agnes Smith. Hurst and Blackett.
This very interesting book records the travels of three
adventurous ladies, who journey to the East unaccom-
panied by friend or brother, unattended even by courier or
maid. The three ladies, however, prove themselves equal to
the occasion. They agree at the outset to a division of labour.
" Violet makes herself responsible for the management of
hotels, and for the direction of the party in general ;
Edith examines the accounts ; Agnes studies the guide
book and sketches routes for the approval of her com-
panions." Thus prepared they depart from Lon-
don on a dull morning of August 1868, and
proceed t-ia Ostend to Munich, thence to Con-
stantinople, Cyprus, Alexandria, Asouan, Cairo,
and Jerusalem. They visit many places of interest in the
Holy Land, tarrying by the Jordan and the Dead Sea,
and return by Damascus to Greece, admire the Bay of
Salamis, pause by the field of Marathon, and finally
return by Venice and Corfu, rid Basle and Paris, to London.
From this brief sketch of the route it will be seen
that the travels of the three fair pilgrims are
not deficient in the materials of interest. Every little
incident likely to amuse the reader, even chance conver-
sations that illustrate the manners and customs of the
various people with whom they mingle, are
set down by the lively pen of the fair chroni-
cler, Agnes Smith. One peculiarity of these
Pilgrims is somewhat remarkable. They let us know in
every word and look that in their travels they aspire not
to learn, but to teach. We must confess that at the outset we
were not prepossessed by the idea of a journey to Jeru-
salem in company with a traveller who could exclaim
about those who are eager to go to the Holy
Land, "As we were not taught in our
youth to worship any particular spot of earth,
we can hardly understand what benefit they
expect to derive from visiting it." On arriving at Jerusa-
lem, however, different sentiments prevail, notwithstand-
ing the critical spirit with which every detail is investi-
gated.

A. Journey to Rome and Back. By William Evill. One
vol.. pp. 164. Edward Stanford.
As a well-looking fellow-mortal is said to carry a letter
of recommendation in his face, so might it be said, in
regard to this daintily-apparelled volume, that it entices
the reader to dip into it from the mere allurement of its
external appearance. We have yielded to the
temptation, and have found the author a very
delightful and exhilarating eompanion. The title
of the work grows upon us from the lettering on the
back when examined edgeways—the designation of the
book, there, being simply as we have given it above, viz.,
" A Journey to Rome and Back." Turning tolit, as it is
elegantly expanded upon the upper side of the
volume when displayed to view as a table-
book, we read the additional words "With
an account of the Opening of the CEcumenical Council."
While, still further, on looking to the title-page, we read
yet more, as follow :—" And glances at Milan, Florence,
Naples, Pompeii, and Venice." Enough, surely 1 But it
cannot be said—enough and to spare ! For having readthe
book through from cover to cover—of itself an
eulogium from any reviewer—we could certainly not spare
Mr. Evill's always animated, oftengraphic, and more than
once or twice really eloquent descriptions (among others) of
the Cathedral at Milan, of the galleries at Florence, of the
grand piazza at Naples, of the ghostly, silent ruins at Pom-
peii, and of the gliding gondola-life and the gorgeous art-
treasures at Venice. Any more than we could spare
his account of the wonderful pageantry of
the papal functions in Rome and of the
marvellous masterpieces in sculpture and painting
scattered among her palaces and basilicas. The author
at once puts himself upon the best possible terms with his
readers in the very opening passages in which, with a
good deal of quiet humour, he describes the discomforts
attendant upon his journey's commencement. He has an
intense appreciation of the ludicrous, and an instant eye
for its detection. His description of the clock at
Strasbourg, his account of the Yankee who had gone
" right along " by Mount Ceniss (Mr. Evill himself
having crossed the Alpine barrier of North Italy by the
glorious Splugen, which he very finely describes), his
record of the dilemma in which he found himself near the
Vitt Mala, seated among his luggage, somewhere
in the middle of Europe, and in the blackness
of midnight, these and a variety of other incidental sketches,
touched off with a flying pen, one cannot possibly read with-
out being interrupted every now and then with a burst of
laughter. The via comica is the "go" or chic of the whole
narrative. Yet, for all that, the finest passages in the book
are thosewhere our author is at his gravest. His casual de-
scription of the catacombs, for example, is, in a mere page or
two, singularly impressive. Sunset on the Lake of Como,
the white marble glories of Milan Cathedral, the pano-
ramic view of the Alps, with which he was favou red from
the summit of that exquisite edifice, the dream-like life
of decaying Venice, th,e awful spectral ruins of Pompeii,
the sumptuous magnificence of st. Peter's, of St. Paul
Without the Walls, of St. John Lateran, and of the other
grand basilicas, the solemnizing grandeur of the
Coliseum—these and kindred themes the author of
this radiant little book expatiates upon in words expressive
of enthusiastic, but most appreciative admiration. With
many of the most vitally important conclusions he arrives at,
we have no sympathy whatever. But we regard the evident
sincerity of his own convictions with the profoundest re-
spect. As a graphic delineator of the superb scenery and
the renowned cities through which he made this winter
journey during the season of last November and Decem-
ber, he has acquitted himself admirably well—the style
in which the whole book is penned being as fresh and ani-
mated as the very external look of it seems to give a pro-
mise of beforehand.

The recent reports received from the principal
moors iA Scotland are (according to Land and Water) of
the most cheelinz description.
The "anti-surplice demonstrations" at Ashton-in-
Makerfield have led to proceedings before the magistrates
being taken against several of the persons fmplicated. On
Friday seven men and two women were fined in the aggre-
gate £2.6 10s., on information laid by the police, and eight
other persons were committed for trial for riot. In the
case of three of the persons, who were described as ring-
leaders, the magistrates refused to accept bail, and they
were accordingly removed in custody.
REVISION OF THE AUTHORIZED VERSION.—The
revisers of the authorised version of the New Testament
will meet for their next session on July 13, at the Juru-
salem Chamber, at eleven o'clock, and will sit for three
days. The session just past has given much satisfaction to
all present. Several questions of anature to test the charac-
ter and composition of the company have been discussed
with perfect harmony. The progress has been quite as
great as could have been expected, A large number of
preliminary questions, involving general principles of
criticism and interpretation, and affecting the whole course
and conduct of the work, were necessarily raised by the
emendations proposed, and have now been agreed upon.
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heals ulcers, sores, and scurvy. When Holloway's Pills
are taken to augment the healthful action of the unguent
few diseases in the young or adult can withstand their
power, and none can entirely rest it.

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, UNE 27, 1870.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS.

First on the list of the 'orders of- the day for to-day
comes the re-committed Elementary Education Bill, on
which progress was reported by the committee on Friday.
Next comes the University Tests Bill, as amended to be
considerel, and several bills of less importance, such as
the Extradition Bill, the Gun Licenses Bill, and the
Clerical Disabilities Bill, are also down for con-
sideration in committee. Second readings of
the Game Laws Amendment Bill, the Proces-
sions (Ireland) Bill, and the High Court of
Justice and Appellate Jurisdiction Bills, are fixed. Ques-
tions will be put to the Secretary for War by Mr. Dent
and by Sir P. O'Brien respecting the deaths from sunstroke
on the march to Aldershot. —On Tuesday the Ballot Bill
comes on for second reading, and the Burials and Public
Prosecutors Bills, both of which are re-committed, are
also on the list. Mr. Sclater Booth will move that the
Public Prosecutors Bill go into committee on that
day three months. The Attorney-General has a similar
notice against the Married Women's Acknowledgment
Bill which is down for the second reading. On Wednes-
day the Sale of Liquors on Sunday Bill is to be read a
second time, and the adjourned debate on the Medical Acts
Amendment Bill will be resumed. Mr. Alderman Law-
rence has a notice of motion against the first, and 111 r.
Brady against the latter. On Thursday the orders of the
day are comparatively uninteresting to the general public
except -the New Zealand loan. The Factories
and Workshops Bill is on the list for the
second reading, Mr. Potter moving its rejection.
On Friday the order of the day is the Mines Regulation
and Inspection Bill for re-committal, while among the
notices of motion are two naval ones. Mr. Hanbury-
Tracy will call attention to the report of the committee
on the Naval Reserve, and Sir John Hay will have a
motion on the great loss of men which has resulted from
the enjoyment of the Flying Squadron.

The will of Sir Edmund Aritrobus, Bart., of The
Abbey, Amesbury, Wilts ;..Lower Cheam, Surrey ; the
Terrace, Piccadilly ; and 59, Strand, was proved in the
Londori Court, on the 10th inst., under £300,000
personalty. The executors are his sons, Sir Edmund
Antrobus, Bart., and Hugh Lindsay Antrobus, Esq.,
The will is dated October 4, 1861, and a codicil, June 24,
1864. The testator died, at his residence, Piccadilly, on
May 4 last, aged 78. To his wife he has be-
queathed an immediate legacy of £2,000, with a residence
and an annuity that will, with her settlement and other
provisions, inaks up £4,000 a year. To his' sons, Hugh
Lindsay and Robert Crawford, he leaves each a legacy
of £lO,OOO, in addition to like sums previously given
to them, and also leaves like legacies to his
daughters, in addition to similar, sums given to
them on marriage. Having, in conjunction with
Mr. E. Marjoribanks, some time since purchased of
the Duke d'Aumale the domain of Chantilly, and the
forest, woods, and residence at Clermont, in France, be-
longing to his Royal Highness, he has devised his right,
share, and interest in such estates to his son Hugh
Lindsay Antrobus, and has also bequeathed to him
his estate at Cheam. He has left to Miss Burdett
Coutts, as a mark of respect, a legacy of 100 guineas
to purchase a ring. He has bequeathed to each of
the partners in the banking-house a legacy of £5OO, to
each clerk a suit of mourning, and legacies to his
servants. The residue of his property, real and personal,
he leaves to his eldest son, the present Baronet. The
will of Charles Holland, Esq., merchant, of Liverpool,
and of Liscard, was proved at Chester, under £200,000
personalty.—The will of Mrs. Frances Drake, widow,
formerly of Walthamstow' and late of Harlow, Essex,
was proved in London, on the 9th inst., 'under £60,000.
personalty. The will of Edward Wilson, Esq., of Rigmaden
_Park, Westmoreland, was proved under £350,000 person-
alty.—lllustrated London News.

THE FENIA.NS IN CANAD

Some of our Canadian neighbours are exercising them- '
selves in a rather unnecessary manner about the duty of
the United States in regard to the late Fenian"invasion."
It is difficult to see what these gentlemen would have be-
yond what was effected by this Government in their be-
half. The interposition of Union troops would have been
improper before the commission of some overt act, and
indeed might have roused a feeling along the border from
which greater trouble might have arisen than actually
was.created. We on this side think we -did our best for
the Dominion people, and the complete collapse of the
expeditions is a sufficient comment upon the measures
taken by General Grant and the War Department. The
probability, however, is that the complaints we hear of,
chiefly at Montreal, proceed from some political motive in
connection with future independence. At least, the scold-
ing administered to Mr. Thornton for thanking President
Grant, looks like striking at the Imperial Government,
and is, perhaps, intended to prove the existence of a de-
r sire to break loose from it. Why not say as much in plain
English ?—New York, Times.