The Sun.
London, England, 1869-08-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON., THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUSF 5, L 69.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress. Mrs. Swanboronah.
'I HIS EVENING, at 7.30, AMONG THE BREAKERS: Mr
Clarke. THE TOODLES. JOAN OF ARC: Messrs. Thorne,
James, Fenton; Mesdames Goodall, Lydia Maitland. Bufton. To
conclude with THE CHOPS OF THE CHANNEL. Mr. D.
James,

THEATRE-ROYAL, HOLBORN.

THIS EVENING, at 7.30, THE SMOKED MISER. After which,
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL: Mr. Barry Sullivan, Mr. T.
C. Coy' per, Mr. U. Honey, Mr. C. Ooghlan, Mrs. HermannVezin,
Mrs. C. Horsman,

ROYALTY THEATRE.
Under the Management of Miss M Oliver.
THIS EVENING, at 7.30, A ROVING COMMISSION. After
which CHECKMATE. Followed by THE MILITARY BILLY
TAYLOR. To conclude with IN FOR A HOLID 1Y Mr
Dewar, Mr. Danvers, Miss M. Oliver Miss Saunders, &c.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Vining.

TM 8 EVENING. at 7, PRESUMPTIVE EVIDENCE. After
which, A." 31 A D GALATEA : Herr Formes, Mr V. Rigby, Mr
M. -math, and Miss Blanche Cole. To conclude with A QUIET
FAMILY.

PRINCE OF WALES'S ROYAL THEATRE.
Under the Management of Miss Mario 'Wilton

THISEVENING, SCHOOL: Messrs. Hare, H. J. Montague,
Addison, Glover, and Bancroft; Mrs. Buckingham White, Miss
C. Addison, and Miss Marie Wilton. After which, A WINNING
HAZARD. And A LAME EXCUSE

CHRISTY MINSTRELS. St. James's Hall, Every Night, at 8
Wednesdays and ..`!,aturdays, at 3 ands all the year round.

ROYAL AL El AMB R A PALACE.—THREE BALLET.
Promenade Concert. Band of CO. Begin at 8. Is. Boa-ono
open from 11 to 4.

ZOOLOGICAL G &RDENS, Regent's-pack, OPEN daily (ex-
cept Sundays). Ach,iission, Is.; on Mrndays, Gil. Children
under twelve. Cd

4) ' :Arc,. • ;
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.

fool's-cap as he apparently regards it—on his own
head. Tempting though the challenge is in itself,
it is more befitting the dignity of journalism that
threats and insults should still be answered by
a continuance of what we have endeavoured to show
to this person all through, namely, courtesy and con-
sideration.

TILE British Parliament seldom adds to its own
dignity when it interferes in purely local matters.
On Saturday last it passed a vote prohibiting the
sale of any portion of Finsbury Park, and on Monday
it rescinded the resolution, on the ground that it
is not the business of Parliament to deal
with the case. However humiliating it may
be to acknowledge such a blunder, it is satisfactory
to find the House of Commons awaking to the fact
that the regulation of the metropolitan parks is no
part of its business. From acting on the opposite
principle, the public has suffered very largely. A
short time since twenty thousand pounds was
voted to improve the ornamental water in Regent's
Park. The locality on which this money has been
expended is surrounded by railings, and notice boards
are put up warning those privileged persons who
have the right of admission not to admit anyone
else. The taxpayers who have paid for the improve-
ment of the park are not allowed to do more
than read these notices. It may be very desir-
able that certain genteel families should have a park
all to themselves, for the happy children and nurse-
maids and coy lovers, who desport themselves thereon,
but it not quite so clear why other people should pay
for it. London derives many advantages from the
fact that it is the seat of government, and it certainly
is not entitled on this ground to call upon the nation
to support either its public or its private parks. The
Londoners complain, and very justly, that they pay
many thousands annually forthe police who keep order
at the House of Commons. By all means let the public
pay for looking after their own representatives, but
there should be a clear separation between payment
on national and local account. In mixing up the
two the nation is sure to get the worst of it. In the
case of the Finsbury Park it was gravely proposed
that the Government should pay half the cost.
When this proposition was negatived, the Metro-
politan Board of Works reduced by one-half
the quantity of land to be purchased. The
House of Commons then endeavoured to enact that
no portion of the land which they had bought should
be sold ; but the Board ofWorlis naturally objected,
and said, " If you leave us to pay, you must leave us
to rule." Payment and power must go together;
and as the country do not wish to pay
for the London parks, there is no reason
why Parliament should attempt to manage them.
Parliament has assented to this very sound prin-
ciple, and we hope that it will be carried out to its
legitimate conclusion, leaving the metropolis to bear
its own proper burden without undue interference,
and, assisted by the advantages which naturally
accrue to it as the seat of the national government.

THE French EMPEROR has redeemed the pledge
which he made to the representatives of the nation a
short time ago. The details of the scheme of reform
which was promised on the 12th of July are now
before us. It is reassuring to find that the ruler of
France has not trifled with or misinterpreted thelate
decisive manifestation of his people ; he has conceded
quickly, and, there can be no doubt, largely. That the
changes set forth in the programme which the Senate
now has under consideration fully realise the hopes
of the French nation, would be too much to affirm ;
but that they must effect a decisive alteration in the
Imperial system of government is incontestable.
The Ministers are henceforth, says the programme,
to be responsible, whereas previously the EMPEROR
alone was responsible, his subordinates being so
many shadows of himself. This reform is not however
fully explained in the text of the Senatus Cousultum.
We are told that the Ministers are to depend only
on the EMPEROR, and their responsibility must
of course be regulated in great measure by what the
nature of this dependence turns out to be. Th eE3yEn on
will, of course, reserve to himself the power of appointing
or dismissing his officers, but if he allows that they are
answerable for their policy to the Parliament, the
whole fabric of despotic rule comes clown, and
Constitutional Government takes its place. As
Ministers may be members of the Corps
L6gislatif, it will be impossible for any func-
tionary to continue his administration whilst the
majority of the House in which he sits is hostile to
his policy. Practice must be left to determine the
precise nature of the relations between the EMPEROR,
the Ministry, and the Parliament. But it is evident
that the Rubicon is passed. The EMPEROR
abdicates, at least in theory, the great principle
on which his Government has hitherto
been founded. The spirit of the despotic
regime to which France has been subjected
for seventeen years was that the Sovereign
was answerable only to the people—which meant
that he owned no responsibility of any kind what-
ever. Now he agrees to rule by his Ministers, who
more or less are to stand or fall according to the
merits of their policy.
This is the most important feature of the new
system of government ; but several other
articles cannot fail to be attended with the
most momentous results. Previously, laws could be
brought forward by the Government alone ; no
deputy, or body of deputies, could do what we call
" bringing in a bill." Now the right of initiating
laws is to be divided between the EMPEROR and the
Legislative body. The importance of this reform
needs no exposition. Further, the right of voting
orclres clu jour motives is conceded. This means
that either House may pass resolutions—such, for
instance, as our Irish Church resolutions of
last year. Hitherto nothing of the kind has
been possible. The members of both Houses have
the right of questioning the Government, and of
proposing amendments to laws. In addition to these
material concessions, the Budget will in future be
voted section by section, instead of in the lump,
thus giving the deputies control over each item of
expenditure. Up to this time no deputy could suggest
an amendment to a law, no question could be put
without going through a formality which ended in
all unpleasant queries being struck out, and
the Budget could only be rejected or accepted
as a whole—an arrangement which obviously sets
criticism upon extravagance at defiance. Though
some of these concessions are limited by corres-
ponding restrictions, the whole rather exceeds than
falls within the EMPEROR'S original promise. It is
not to be expected that a sovereign, first endowed with
such absolute authority, would voluntarily give up
more than this ; it is high testimony to the fore-
sight of the Third NAPOLEON that he has
promptly yielded so much. The facilities for
debate accorded to the Parliament, and the respon-
sibility of Ministers, cannot fail to give the French
people a very large share in their own rule. Pro-
bably never in history was such a change accom-
plished in so short a time. We in England know
full well how hard and tedious is the task of winning
liberty.

ALARMING FIRE IN THE STRAND.

This (Thursday) morning, about two o'clock, consider-
able alarm was caused in the Strand owing to a fire break-
ing out in the premises of Mr. H. Swaebe, tobacconist and
cigar importer, carrying on business at No. 164, Strand,
next door to Curran's Ilota Plenty of water having been
procured, the firemen wont to work, but they were Imelda
to get the flames extinguished until the front shop and
back parlour were very seriously damaged by fire, the
stock in trade being nearly consumed, and the upper part
of the building damaged by he.tt, Sc. Several of the win-
dows in the hotel were also broken, and the contests were
slightly damaged by smoke. The origin of the fire is un-
known. Both sufferers were insured iu the Phoenix Fire
Office. Mr. Swaebe's premises were also on fire on the
10th of February, 1868, and the 7th of January, 1869.

DurivrLLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest
holders of 'Whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is re
commended by the medical profession in preferenco to French
Brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or exporta-
tion Quotations on application to Messrs. Dunville and Co.,
Belfast; or 4, Beaufgt-buthlings,StrAnd„Londo, W,C.—[Ad-
TeitheXielA.

ROYAL VISIT TO RYDE.

On Wednesday afternoon her Royal Highness the
Princess Christian, in her Majesty's name, and by her
command, laid the foundation stone of the new parish
church of Ryde, amid a brilliant gathering of the nobility,
clergy, and gentry of the neighbourhood. The Mayor,
in his official capacity, received the Princess Christian,
the Princess Louise, Prince Christian, and a nume-
rous suite. Prior to the commencement of the inau-
gural ceremony a service was performed at the
temporary church in Newport ward by Bishop Ryan.
At 4.30 the royal party drove down the Newport road in
two open carriages and four, with a guard of honour of
the local volunteers. On the arrival of the royal party
the ship Martin fired a salute of twenty-one guns. Pro-
ceeding to the site of the proposed church, the Mayor pre-
sented an address on behalf of the Corporation to her
Royal Highness. The vicar of Byde, the Rev. J. Poole,
also presented an address on behalf of the Building Com-
mittee. To each of these her Royal Highness made a
suitable reply. Her Royal Highness Princess Christian,
attended by Princess Louise, then laid the foundation
stone in clue form ; after which a number of ladies came
forward and laid their offerings of purses on the founda-
tion stone. This ceremony concluded, the Volunteer band
struck up " God save the Queen," and the royal party
catered their carriages, to return to Osborne. The proposed
;hunch is from the designs of Mr. George Gilbert Scott, of
spring-gardens, London, and is in the middle period of
lecorated Gothic.

THE FUTURE OF TIIE IRISH CIIURCH.

- - -e.

The Pall Mall Gazette says that the immediate fortunes
of the Irish Church will be influenced mainly by the
character of the new constitution, and the extent to which
commutation is resorted to, the latter being the most im-
portant consideration. It is so essential to the sue.
cessful working of the disestablished Church that
three-fourths of the clergy in every diocese should
commute that the leaders in the constitutional con-
vention will be, above all things, anxious not to give
say ecclesiastical person a shadow of an excuse for
holding back. This anxiety will of itself give a conser-
vative bias to the action of the convention. No man will
care to commute his life interest for the benefit of a repre-
sentative body from whose proceedings he already
sees cause to dissent ; and the main object of
those who guide the synodical legislation of the next
wo or three years will consequently be to make as few alte-
rations as possible. By so doing they will make diocesan
commutation almost a certainty, and maintain, as far as
in them lies, the historical continuity of their position.
Even after commutation has been secured, and
the capitalised value of the life interests has been paid
aver to the representative body, Conservative in-
issences will not be wanting. The capital in question
will come into the hands of the representative
body so burdened with life annuities that the principal
chance of making anything by the transaction beyond the
12 per cent. bonus will lie in the willingness of the annui-
tants to make arrangements by which the Church can
turn their services to better account. If, for example, the
wealthy rector of a parish containing fifty to a hundred
Protestants chooses to draw his annuity in situ,
the Church will obviously have gained very little by his
lonsenting to commute. The object of the representative
body will be either to induce him to be content with less
money or to undertake more work. The former
process will be of so delicate a nature that
it will hardly be often resorted to, but, as regards
the latter, Ni'd suspect that public opinion within
;he Church will put a pretty strong pressure upon rich in-
:umbents. They will have, if they do not wish to be
Looked upon as very sluggish shepherds indeed, to migrate
';o parishes with large Protestant populations, and to leave
their flock in the wilderness to be looked after by a curate,
)r to make the most of its half share in the ministrations
)f a neighbouring incumbent. By redistributing her re-
sources in this way, the Irish Church will be
able to make them go very much farther, but in order
to do this she must give the richer clergy no excuse for
listrusting her ecclesiastical policy. An annuitant under
Ole Act loses nothing by dissenting from any future changes
introduced in the doctrines or government of the Church ;
)n the contrary, he becomes excused from work without
any detriment to his income. It is only by keeping the
Church in all essentials what she is now that the clergy
tan be certainly prevented from asserting their individual
Adependence.

The Guardian, in an article on the same subject,
says—" Some of the clergy aro said to desire the re-
vival of the old Irish Convocation ; laymen, on
:he other hand, propose that the machinery of
he late Conference should be set in motion again
What advantage would be gained by convening at
he outset a purely clerical assembly, and that very ill con-
3tituttd, we do not clearly see. Subject to the 1133ttir judg--
ment of those who are on the spot, we conceive that a
meting of the Irish Convocation at this stage of the pro-
Nedings would do more Larm than good. Possibly it is
ntended to be merely formal, and the thing contemplated is
V) connect in somo visible way the future of the Irish Church
cci; h its past."

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

.~-~

At the annual high court meeting of this society, now
being held at Sunderland, the following report has been
read :-" In the year 1868 the total receipts were £307,880
2s. 2d., and the expenditure £303,894 3s. 4d. The
number of members initiated during the year was
36,268. The contributions returned as paid to
;he sick and funeral funds of courts is £310,456
3s. sd. for 330,261 members, or an average of 18s. 4d.
per member. The average for 1867 was 19s. 2d. ; for
1866 it was 18s. 10(11. ; and 18s. 7d. for the year 1865. The
interest paid to the sick and funeral funds amounts
to £29,381, or about n per cent. upon the capital
at the commencement of the year. The sick allowance
'or the year is given at £193,278 Gs. 6d., or an
average of us. 80. per member, being seven days'
sickness for every member, assuming the average
sick pay to be 10s. per week or ls. Bd. per day. The
average for 1867 was lls. ld. ; for 1866, 10s. ;
and for 1865, 11s. Bd. The sickness for the last four
years appears to have been rather regular. For funeral
allowances there has been paid by courts £54,681 lls. ld.,
equivalent to a levy of 35.-3 d. for each member returned.
The corresponding levy for 1867 was 3s. 4d. ; for 1866,
3s. 4d. ; and for 1865,35. id. The amount paid for funeral
allowances in 1868 is neaey equivalent to the sum of
£l2 for each of the 3,330 members' deaths, and £6 for
each of the 2,317 wives' deaths, recorded in that year.
At the end of the financial year of 1866 there were 292,174
members, the total worth of the various funds being
£1,010,434 Os. 11d. ; in 1867 there were 299,904 members,
and the funds were £1,099,475 16s. 9d. ; and in 1868 the
number of members had risen to 330,261, the funds being
estimated at £1,228,136 12s. 9d. ; excluding widows
and orphans' funds, to which only a few members con-
tribute, the total worth would give an average per
member of £3 lls. 4d. The average for 1867 was
£3 Os. 9d., and for 1866 £3 Gs. id. The expenses of
management for courts is given at £54,071 184. 3d., or an
average of 3s. 3d. per member. The total worth of
the court management funds is given at £41,643
15s. 6d., an excessive amount, the most of which should
be transferred to the sick and funeral fund, to which it
legitimately belongs. The district management expenses
are given at £6,937 175., and the worth of district
management funds at £3,258 ss. Bd. The district funeral
funds amount to £109,331 10s. ld., being an increase of
£1,071 19s. sd. upon the return of the previous year. The
widows and orphans' funds are given at £51,511 11s. Bd.,
and £13,721 2s. 9d. appears to have been paid to widows
and orphans during the year."

THE COMIC PAPERS.

(From Punch.)

A PLEDGED M.P.—AI.P:B Bride (very ill on board ship
making the passage across the Channel) : "Oh !
dear—if you are—a Liberal—do bring in a bill—next ses-
sion—for that underground tunnel ! !"
LEVITT.— The " Governor :" "You are late down this
morning, Robert."—Robert (who cannot be brought by
his parents to see that arriving to 17 years of age, leaving
school, being put into the surgery, and generally com-
mencing the serious business of life, isn't a joking matteri •
"Very sorry, Sir—Shaving morning, Sir !I"

(From Fun.)

SHUT Ur.—Everybody naturally rejoices over the shut-
ting up of a bore ; so we record with pleasure that a
Wapping big One was shut up the other day finally—in
short, no other than the Thames Tunnel.

ORTHODOXY IN QUESTlON.—Refetring to the Bishop of
Oxford's recent complint of a draught of cold air upon the
Episcopal Bench from the door of the Ladies' Gallery, a
brute, who signs "Anxious Inquirer," wishes to know if
the Bishops may now be regarded Airy-'uns.

The tide of emigration from Liverpool, though
not quite so great as in the spring mouths, is still very
extensive. During the month just expired nearly 16,000
em;grants sailed from Liverpool, chiefly for the United
States.

Private William Taylor, who shot Corporal Skullin
ou Saturday, has been committed for trial for wilful murder
by the I)evonport magistrates, and removed to Exeter to
await his trial at the. next assizes. Tho last man hung at
Exeter, it is remarked, was a soldier named 1ia4391, 11,11,5 i
glwt laillagoautt At r iniintb IQr reportiim Ugh