The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-07 00:00:00

THE SIEGE OF METZ.

The correspondent of the Telegraph with the Prua4ian
army before Metz, writing on the 30th August, Faye :
" Aletter'from Marshal Bazaine, commanding the French
army in Metz, has just fallen into the hands of the Prus-
siAns. It is addressed to his wife, and is sufficiently inte-
resting.- He says :—'As far as I am ooncernedj.l shall
await the course of events. My • army is en-

tirefy with me, and as `soon as Napoleon shall
haTie . been dealt with as he deserves, I shall be
prepared to' disclose certain propositions which he
'l.as made to me that will at once place me in a proper
position with the new Government.' So much for French
gratitude. The state of affairs at present is one that
is not a little puzzling. The Prussian army surround-
ing Metz are prepared to bpmbard it to-morrow, and
if necessary reduce it to a hap of ru4is. We know
that the French army, in number some 145060,
are dying of disease and hunger, that erphus
and cholera are raging in the town, and yet the
Prussian army corps lay perfeetlykactive around, hot
a single gun in position. Add to this the curious inacti;
vity of the army of the Crown Prince, whZ, we hear, is
doing well, but in great want of 'provisions, and there it,
grave food for thought. Is it that diplomacy, that pro-
crastination of everything, has commenced to exert its
influence, and that soldiers are to starve to death or
die of disease, whilst politicians quibble over the stops
of a sentence or the phraseology of a paragraph ror
is the world not yet oontent with the carnage of the
last five weeks ? It is evident that something is taking
place of which we know nothing ; but I sincerely hope
that the army of Prince Friedrich Carl, or the armysfif
Metz, will do something more than watch the French
working parties upon Mont St. Quentin, and that a grie-
vous quest' ai will in a very short time be brought to
such a settlement as will ensure the peace andkprosperity
of Europe."

AUTUMN FLOWER SHOW AT THE
CRYSTAL PALACE.

The first Flower Show under the auspices of the Metro- .
politan Floral Society was opened yesterday at the
Crystal Palace, and, taken generally, must be acknow-
ledged a success. The show was not on quite so large a
scale, certainly, as might have been expected, but, taking
into consideration the weather which has been expe-
rienced, every allowance must be made in this respect,
and the promoters have the satisfaction of knowing
that many of the best-known florists from all parte of the
kingdom have entered the ranks as competitors. The
show was entirely confined to cut flowers, and the perfec-
tion in which they were exhibited is really marvellous.
By far the largest collection is that of dahlias, there
being no less than seven classes, four open to nurserymen
and three confined to amateurs. The most note-
worthy is the competition in which each ex-
hibitor sends a collection of forty-eight dis-
similar blooms, and the palm is carried - off
by Mr. J. Keynes, of Salisbury, Mr. H. May, of
Bedale, being second. Mr. Keynes also figures as the
first prize winner in the Class P., 24 fancy dahlias, with
Mr. May again as second, whilst the amateur exhibitors
are well up to the mark. There is a considerable show of
hollyhocks, gladiolus, and asters, both French and Ger-
man, but the display of verbenas and roses is somewhat
limited. In the leading class for the latter, the first
prize was awarded to Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt.
Th. few table decorations shown are exquisitely arranged,
and Miss Hassard, of St. Romans, Norwood, deservedly
takes first honours. A number of seedling dahlias form
an interesting part of the show, and first class certificates
have been awarded among others to Mr. Keynes and Mr.
Hobbs, while Messrs. Rownie, Laird, and Laing, of
Forest Hill, receive a similar recognition for
their new palangonium " Park Queen." The
judges have also awarded special certificates to Messrs.
Carter and Co., of High Holborn and Forest-hill, and to
Messrs, Downe, Laird, and Laing, for their beautiful;
collections of plants, both foliage and iu bloom, which r,

were the admiration of all who witnessed the show. The
weather being unpropitious, the number of visitors yester-
day was by no means large ; but as the exhibition remaiva
open until Thursday night, we anticipate the two las
days will see a largely-increased company. The number
of visitors resent was 5,37 L

The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone arrived in town
last evening from Walmer Castle. Eard Granville also
arrived in town.

livo boys named Brown and Symes, who were keeping
oafs yesterday near Loden, Bridport, tied themE‘elves to
the animals. The beasts refusing to be restrainetT`ran
away, and dragged their keepers to death.
WORICILEN2S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, la7O.
—AGRICULTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON, September 6.—The
number of visitors, exclusive of seasoj ticket holders,
exhibitors, and others, on the 6th inst., was 4,335.
Mr. Chilte.g, who, e'xcept,,for a very short ime,
has continued to be at the Admiralty ever since the
prorogation, will leave town to-morrow, his medical
advisers having ordered entire rest from work for three
or fair weeks.

Lord Lytton, aocordiiig to the Athenmum, is en-
gaged upon a new novel. This statement, in point of fact,
however, has no fouudation. The great author is engaged,
neverthelessbve are glad to know, in the revision of a
new edition of his epic of "King Arthur," an edition de
luxe, now very shortly to be pulags ed. with illustrations.

'Tr Due DE GRAMONT.—The Due de Gramont,
gho arrived in Dover on Mopday, received a telegram
yesterday fro qa Madame de Gramont that she had arrived
in London, vig Havre and Southampton, and he proceeded
to London to join her by tilts mail-boat train. The
Derwa.ger Duchess de Gramont and the. Duke's sister are
still in Paris, but are expected to arrive in Dover.

BtoTTROFOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.--It is RlAU-
that Mr. Deputy Lowman Taylor will be put for-
ward as a candidate for the vacant chairmanship of this
board. Mr. Taylor has, been a leading
_and useful mem-
ber of the board from its commencement, representing in
that capacity the Corporation of London. lit has been
moreover, a conspicuous member of the Court of Common
Council for about twenty-five years, awl was ono of the
old Metropolitan Commission of Sewers which preceded
the present board. Ile is likewise a magistrate for Mid'
dlesex and Westminster.

DEATH 07 MR. SELFR.--Wo regret to announce
the decease of Henry Selfe Selfe, Esq., barrister-ab-law,
and fol.-seven years one of the presiding magistrates at the
Westminster Police-court. He was taken ill a month
ago, and althvgh for years a sufferer with the gout, no
unfavourable symptoms appeared till a week ago, but it
was then evident that he would succumb to a violent
attack of general debility, and yesterday, at one o'clock,
he breathed his last. He was 59/years of age, and leaves
a wife, sister to the present ArChbishop of Canterbtu7,
and several children, one of whom is at the bar, and
another a captain in the Royal Artillery at Bombay.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—The Autumn Flower Show
will be continued to-day and to-morrow (Thursday). On
the latter day there will be a grand display of fireworks
(including the blowing up of the Bridge of Kehl, &c.),
and an opera, " Masaniello." As a proof qf the popu-
larity of the Crystal Paalce Pyrotechnic Diskiays, it may
be stated that over 58,000 visitors have been Lent on
the two last occasions.
CACAOINE.—Cacoa nibs, on the removal of the oil, fall
into powder, and this powder is cadoine. Cadoine contains
neither sugar nor any other admixture whatever. Csdoine 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. Cadoine, by
reason of the ingenious method by which the oil is removed, pre,
serves all the line natural flavour of cacao nibf.—Prepared only
by James. Epps and Co., Ilomovathic Chemists, 112, Groat Rus-
sell-street ; 170, Piccadilly ; and 43, Threadneedle-street ; at their
Works for Dietetic Preparations, Euston-road.—ADvT.