The Sun.
London, England, 1860-06-18 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

The Prussian Gazette of the 16th inst. publishes
the following article :
" This day the Emperor Napoleon arrives at Baden-
Baden to greet the Prince Regent on German soil. It was
the desire of the Emperor, expressed in the most obliging
terms, to give to the Prince Regent this proof of his peace-
ful and friendly sentiments. Prussia has reason to rejoice
at these advances, and to appreciate without prejudice their
incontestable importance.
$‘ Prussia has no cause to wish to trace new objects for
her policy; that policy has always been frank, upright, con-
ciliatory, and tending to preserve the peace of Europe on ifs
tried foundations : it will maintain that character. But
the difficulties of the times have aroused anxieties which
Europe will be glad to see dispelled by the friendly ex•
change of ideas between two powerful Sovereigns, whose
attitude always exercises an important and often a decisive
influence on the destinies of Europe. Germany will be
satisfied if the Emperor of the French strengthens the con-
viction of the Prince Regent that the policy of France is
pacific as well as rigorous ; and France will se) a precious
pledge for the continuation of its friendly relations with us
in the fact that the Emperor Napoleon will hear from the
Prince Regent's own mouth the sentiments and intentions
of that straightford and moderate policy which is the inva-
riable rule of the acts of his Government.

" Simultaneously with this meeting, which attracts
the general interests of Europe, another event of a
most auspicious nature occupies the German nation ; it
is the Congress of eminent Princes of the German Con-
federation. It had long been the ardent wish of all sincere
patriots that, after so many differences which have recently
agitated to internal existence of the Germanic States, a
personal interview of the Sovereign of Germany should
revive and strengthen the sentiment of concord. The world
will be enabled to convince itself that, among the German
States, there may exist differences of opinion on this or that
important question of home policy, but that those diffe-
rences will always fade away before the powerful union
which links these States together on all questions of national
independence and greatness.
" Never will thn discord of factions be able to weaken
bonds which, under all circumstances, connect the North
and South by indissoluble links.
" We therefore dare to express the hope that the Confe-
rence at Baden will revive the confidence in a prosperous
and assured future for Europe, and, at the same time, con-
solidate one of the most p-owerful mainstays of that future,
the union of Germany."

DEP.; .RTURE OF THE GREAT EASTERN.

SOUTHAMPTON WATERS, JUNE IG.

The Great Eastern, in the course of another hour
or so, will have commenced her first real voyage,
which it is sincerely to be trusted will be of such a
character for speed and comfort to all on board as
will redeem the vessel from that unfortunate repu-
tation for ill luck and mishaps which up to the pre-
sent has so dogged her chequered career. That this
same reputation sticks close to her even now may
be judged from the fact that the passengers who
have committed their fortunes to her are few in the
extreme, and only amount in all to some ten per
cent. of the numbers that were expected. Of these
only two are ladies. Even now, in all the hurry
andlustle of departure, when the last packages are
coming off and the last messages being sent on shore,
no one can look at the condition of the ship with-
out being forcibly impressed with the idea that she
still leaves a couple of days too soon for the thorough
organisation and finish that was promised. In all
essentials, however, the ship is perfect, and two or
three days at sea in calm weather will soon do all
the rest, so that, on the whole, her appearance at
New York may do her no discredit. Opinions vary
very much, however, as to the time when ber ap-
pearance off Jersey Island will be made, as none
allow her less than nine days for the run, under the
most favourable circumstances, while the majority
lean rather strongly to the belief that it will occupy
from 12 to 16. the reasons given for anticipating
the latter very low rate of speed are that the cause
of the forward boilers priming so much during the
last trial trip has been found to be the feed pipes
having become very foul, and not allowing the pas-
sage of sufficient water to keep them well supplied.
Since then they have been cleaned as well as was
possible under the circumstances. If this has been
effectual, well and good ; • if not, a low pressure of
steam must be maintained throughout the run, and
as a matter of course, the speed will be reduced in
proportion. • It is to be hoped, on the other
hand, that as the engines get into good work-
ing trim these diffisulties, if they really exist,
will disappear, and as each day's steaming
vessel's draught four inches,
probability that with calm weather
therewil lighten
i s e
every
y
a good average run of nine or ten days may be
made. It will, however, certainly be a very diffe-
rent run from what she could easily have made had
her bottom been relieved of the weeds and slime
which encumber it. One thing which is likely to
tell much against a first voyage is that, with the
present state of tne weather, fogs are likely to pre-
vail across the Atlantic, and this, with the im-
mense quantity
ofice which is reported in the track,
would, of course, render full steaming almost out of
the question. These anticipations, however, are all
the merest conjectures, the only thing certain being
that the vessel is really about to start; and when
this is accomplished, in the face of the predictions
that she would not leave this year, who knows but
after all she may equally disappoint the ill-boilers
by making as good a passage as the Adriatic ? In
proper trim, however, the performances of the
Adriatic would be a slow standard of comparison
with what the Great Eastern can really do if she
only gets fair play. Underpowered as she is, she
still has the speed in her, as sailors say, and will
yet make some of the shortest passages to what-
ever the port of her destination may be hereafter.
It is not improbable even now that the vessel will
not leave England to-night, as between 40 and .50
of her crew arc still ashore, having been paid in ad-
vance and given a few hours' leave yesterday. Some
may be behind time, but there is not the least doubt
of their joining to-night, as nearly all are said to be
Naval Reserve men, who, being mostly men of good
character and first-class able seamen, are much
sought after by the large steam companies, as crews
to be depended on. In case of this delay occurring,
the Great Eastern will probably remain off Spit-
head for the night, though not coming to anchor.
OFF THE NEEDLES, 10 30 A.M.,
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
7.
The Great Eastern slipped her moorings in the
Southampton waters at 8 a.m., and although the
weather was both thick and stormy she proceeded
to thread the narrow and tortuous channel down the
Solent and through the Needles, under the pilotage
of Mr. Bowyer. The weather was far too thick and
stormy to render sift for her to have got away
last night ; perhaps it is as well she, did not,
as on psssing Hurst Castle a large troop•
ship could be plainly distinguished fast among the
rocks near the- Needles, no doubt having been forced
there by one of last night's squalls. The wind, for
our present course, is fair, and everything seems to
promise a good passege, though perhaps not a very
quick one.

PLYMOUTH, SUNDAY EVENING.

The steamship Great Eastern, Captain Vine Hall,
hove in sight fromthe Camera on the Hoe at ten
minutes after seven o'clock this evening, and was
apparently in
a line with the Eddystone light
h-)use at 20 minutes after eight. Wind southerly,
very light. Four or More funnels smoking. Paddle
and screw going ; no canvas set. After heaving
in sight she Kiemed to hug the land so as to be bet-
ter
off the port her engines
observed, and then steered a more southerly
course, which took her three miles at least outside
the Eddystone. While
were slowed for a short time. When last observed
the Great Eastern was steering a course which
would take her clear of the channel, but. if bound
to call off Falmouth she would arrive there about
mit:night.