The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-13 00:00:00

AN HARMONIOUS STRIFE.

The musical editor of a French paper has given
an account of the differences of opinion which have
unfortunately prevailed between Madame Patti and
Herr Wachtel, which has led to the retirement
of the latter from the Italian Opera Company
at Covent Garden. It is usual when the tenor
sings a particular air in "Don Giovanni" for the
artistes who take the parts of Zerlina and Mansetto
to retire. Through some misunderstanding Madame
Patti was not informed of this arrangement, and
when the important moment arrived, she still re-
mained on the stage, whereupon Herr Wachtel
said to her in a low voice, "Leave the stage."
This gave Madame Patti great offence, and she de-
clared to Mr. Gye that she would never sing again
with so insolent a tenor. Matters could hardly have
assumed a more serious aspect through the occurrence
of such a trifle, and subsequent explanations did not
readjust the balance. Madame Patti admitted that
she had been mistaken in supposing that any insult
was offered to her, but by this time Herr
Wachtel's feelings were injured, and he insisted
on the cancelling of his engagement, which accor-
dingly took place. " One sows that another may
reap" is au adage which has been fully exemplified
in this instance, for Mr. Gye has lost the services of a
valuable tenor, and must feel that the affair has
resulted in the disappointment of the public, who can
hardly be expected to sympathise with either dis-
putant.

DESERTIONS AT SEA.

It is no doubt quite true that a love of change in

life, as well as in place, is a characteristic of the
sailor. It is also hard for seamen to withstand the
temptation of adopting any land of plenty that may
pass under their lee, instead of taking their chances
of humdrum prosperity on board ship. Allowing for
these considerations, it still is surprising that so many
English sailors and marines have deserted
the flying squadron since it left the channel
in charge of Rear-Admiral Hornby. Mr.
Childers stated some little time ago that the
number of seamen who had forsaken the ships did
not exceed 100, but it has since been discovered that
Mr. Childers meant seamen only, and not marines,
stokers, and boys as well. On good authority it is
said the deserters from all the classes mentioned may
be reckoned at 250 instead of 100. The loss of the
sailors to the English fleet, especially marines, cannot
but be serious. The ships' officers cannot obtain
trained men-of-war's men easily, and the discipline
arid skill requisite in the A.B.'s is not to be found in
mariners who may offer themselves to the Royal Navy
from ordinary trading crafts. Under these circum-
stance, therefore, the wholesale desertions froth
Admiral Hornby's ships is a question well worthy
of immediate and searching inquiry. It has
been alleged that the men of the different ships
of the flying squadron have been stinted

in water and satiated with a never-ceasing
issue of salt provisions, that there is no cessation

of drills, and that first lieutenants and other officers,
young in sea life, are allowed to pronounce as to the
competency of seamen, who, probably, have
exhibited meritorious services, before their supe-
rior officer's line of life was even thought of.
If these stories and imputations be• even partially
true, it will not be longer considered so wonderful
that sailors should on the first opportunity fly from
a thankless and trying service, and a system in which
bunian feeling and old public services are inade-
quately, if at all, recognised.

SMALL BIRDS.

The wanton destruction of small birds is carried to
so great an extent that it is refreshing to meet with
any plea on their behalf. A country correspondent
has recently furnished some particulars respecting the
small "tom-tit." This bird is generally supposed to
feed entirely on the buds of plants, but he has disco-
vered that the contrary is the case. The other day a
young one fell from a nest on his garden
wall and was killed. On opening its mouth
it was found to be full of the green aphis
fly and grubs, evidently collected from the
plants. The correspondent concludes his remarks by
saying, "I have slaughtered many of these innocents,
but shall in future strictly preserve them." It would
be well if more would follow his example, and
abstain from the pernicious custom which prevails in
many places, and which,.like other evil habits, it is
so difficult to eradicate. From bird-nesting to aris-
tocratic pigeon-shooting is a wide range, but there
are some points of similarity between them, since
neither employment springs from necessity, and cer-
tainly neither can conduce to a desirable end.

4 PETROLEUM LOCOMOTIVE.

Those in whose minds a memory of the fearful
catastrophe at Abergelo and its causes is yet vivid
will be astonished to find that petroleum has been
applied to railway locomotion in France. A loco-
motive has been invented by M. Dreudonms which
draws a train at the rate of fifty miles an hour. It
carries 2,000 litres of oil in the tender,
a hand-pump forcing the oil into a smaller
reservoir near the boiler. The process of
lighting the oil is said to be neither difficult nor
dangerous,' owing to its being kept in compart-
ments, a small quantity only being lighted at one
time, then another division, and so on till the whole
furnace is alight. This engine consumes its own
smoke perfectly. It is said to be extremely easy to
drive, the driving apparatus being very simple.

ANOTHER PORTRAIT IN " LOTHAIR."

Among the portraits which Mr. Disraeli has
painted for the pleasure of his friends, and the grief
of his opponents, the readers of " Lothair " will
remember that of the Anglican bishop. People
who know, believe that they recognise in this
character the features of a well-known digni-
tary, celebrated for his unobtrusiveness as well
as his power of sarcasm, the latter being . very
frequently displayed in the House of Lords. The
story goes that his grace having heard that he figured
in " Lothair," inquired of a friend what kind of per-
son Mr. Disraeli had presented to his readers
in the character of the bishop. The friend
replied that he was represented as a men
of most suave manners, large knowledge
of the world, and as being a great favourite with the
ladies. "Oh !" said the interlocutor, " then that
must be meant for the Archbishop of York." Will
the author of " The Outlines of the Laws of
Thought" send a challenge to Mr. Disraeli, or will
he " cut " his right reverend brother ?