The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-07 00:00:00

AMAUBOSIS.

A highly interesting communication has. been re-
ceived by the French Academy of Sciences from Dr.
A. de Martini, a member of the Academy of Sciences
of Naples. Our readers may recollect that in August,
1858, we gave an account of Dr. Martini's researches
on the bitter principle of Art012281(1 Santonica or
worm-seed, from which it appeared that, when taken
internally, it caused the eye to see all as if tinged
with green. M. Flourens, through whose medium
the paper was presented to the Academy, stated that
Dr. Martini,continu inghis reseal ehes, has d4covered
that santonine has a beneficial effect on cases of
amaurosis. The first time he tried it in the case
of a woman of 70, who had for some time past dis-
covered a weakness in her left eve. Dr. Martini
visited her in March, 1839 ; the eye presented no
appearance of disease; the pupil had but little
sensibility, and was larger than that of the right
eye ; the aqueous humour was slightly clouded, and
the patient could scarcely distinguish any light
with that eye. Dr. Martini began to give her
from four to six grains on the 10th of March ;
On the 15th, she several times saw everything
tinged with green, even with the diseased eye.
On the 18th, the daily dose was increased to eight
grains, and the patient on the same day distin-
guished the faces of the persons around her. On
the 20th and 22d, ail round her appeared yellow,
and her vision improved. The use of santonine
having been suspended, she continued in her im-
proved state. The second case was that of a man
who was labouring from amaurosis in both eyes.
Santonine was admini tered for three days, after
which period the retina appeared to have acquired
much sensibility, the patient being enabled to see
the light. In the third case—that of a man who
had lost his right eye, and had the other afflicted
with amaurosis—santonine was administered in
daily doses of ten grains. At the end of a week,
he could read some words written in large letters
on the wall.

UNFORTUNATE LEAVE-TAKERS.—On Thursday
last, over 400 emigrants took their departure from this
country for America by the mail steamers which left
Queenstown for New York and rortland. While the
steamers wero in the harbour a considerable number of
country people, friends of the emigrants, accompanied
them on board, to bid farewell, intending to return either
by boat or by one of the steam tenders, which they sup-
posed would remain alongside. To their dismay, however,
the mails being placed on board, the steamers got under
weigh, being bound under heavy penalties to be on the
route by a given time, and before any means could be pro-
cured to send the parties ashore the steamers were en route
to America, having 26 of them on board. Several of these
unlucky individuals, who have now a journey of some
5,000 miles before them to America and back, had actually
left their carts and seme of the members of their families
behind them in Queenstown, and the inconvenience and
alarm occasioned by the unwelcome trip to which they have
been treated may be easily imagined.—Cork Constitution.
THE LATE INSURRECTIONARY ATTEMPT IN SPAIN.
—The Journal des Debats, speaking of the last abortive
attempt at insurrection in Spain, strongly and justly repro-
bates " the conduct of a general who abandons his post to
attack with armed hand his Sovereign and his country,
&c. No doubt the Debats is quite right ;it would, however,
be better not to dwell long or often on such a theme, as
there is hardly a general on the present establishment in
Spain, beginning with O'Donnell himself, who has not more
than once " attacked with armed hand," &c., and in this
figurative style put himself at the head of an insurrection
against the constituted Government of the day. To the suc-
cessful insurrection—but to which, I suppose, we must not
apply that " foul dishonouring word" because it succeeded
—of Vicalvaro, O'Donnell owes his marshall's staff; so do
several of his comrades. To the successful one of 1843 he
owed the post of Captain-General of Cuba, and the vast
wealth which he amassed during his four or five years' oc-
cupancy. To the unsuccessful rebellion of 1841 he owed
his two years' exile. For a long time there was no better
means of advancement in Spain than a well-planned and
well-finished pronunciamiento ; and, if Ortega succeeded,
promotion and honours were sure to be his. The Debats,
then, must reflect a little ; while it denounces the luckless
Ortega it scourges, without knowing it, not a few of the
most distinguished generals of the army.
Gold medals have just been awarded by the
French Government to four persons, and silver medals to
six, for having distinguished themselves by their courage
and devotedness in the wreck of the steamer the Louise at
the entrance of the port orßastia, in Corsica, in the night
of the 22d Feb. Thirty-one persons have, in addition, re-
ceived official testimonials of satisfaction for their conduct
en the same occasion.
HUGUENOT RELICS IN FRANCE.—A Bordeaux
journal announces a singular discovery made at Saint-
Macaire, near that town, a few days since. As some men
were grubbing np a tree on the estate of a gentleman. named
Laveau, ono of their picks struck against something which
produced a singular sound. It was found to be a layer of
bricks, firmly cemented together, and on removing them, a
hollow stone was found below, containing 12 daggers, five
small vases, one of which contained medals and coins of the
year 1560; and lastly, a bronze casket, enclosing some
parchments, which have not yet been deciphered. M.
Laveau liberally rewarded the men, and added the relics to
his collection of antiquities. It is supposed that these ar-
ticles were buried there by some wealthy Huguenot, after
the siege of Souveterre, by Marshal de Montluc, in 1652.
SPECTACLES FOR SHORT-SIGHTED SOLDIERS.—
A novel experiment, recommended by the Commander-in-
Chief, has just been sanctioned by Government. Three
infantry recruits lately arrived from England were at the
usual medical examination found to be short-sighted, and
in their present state useless as soldiers. The use of proper
glasses, however, it was added, would make them instantly
effective. The Director-General observed that if the Com-
mander-in-Chief did riot object to the incongruity of a
soldier in the ranks wearing spectacles, there could be no
other objection to their being supplied to such men as might '
require them. A large number of officers assist their sight
in this way, and it is a well known fact that many sports-
men
wear glasses, some of whom are first-rate shots, and
who could not see to shoot without them. Government
have accordingly authorised the supply of suitable glasses
to the men referred to, as an experimental measure, to be
reported upon horoftert—Kockas ginies ttabd Specte9r,

,

-r~

LITERATURE.

The Universal Revietv. Nos. 13-14.
This periodical, though only recently established,
has already reached to some distinction, and these
numbers do not fall off from the reputation of their
predecessors. The story of " Sir Everard's Daugh-
ter" is carried on, and the tale is now approaching
its conclusion. It is written in a very impressive
manner, and, sad and painful as are the circum-
stances, the reader is carried on with irresistible
influence to the perusal of the succeeding chapters.
The second title is " Unfairly Played and Falsely
Won," and before the termination there will inevi-
tably be some fearful disclosure, and the day of
reckoning will infallibly succeed the pleasure of
the prize and the glory of the gain. Lucy is well
described, and her evil spirit is sent to dwell in a
goodly tabernacle, as is so often the case in real
life. Nothing is more dreadful to contemplate than
the habit which some people contract of forming
their plans on the prospect of their fellow-creatures'
deaths. It has been said somewhere—
" In all your plans of future life be wise He builds too low who builds Beneath the skies."
What must be the case with those who would send
another to his account in order to reap arms worldly
and pecuniary advantage ?
There is much sound sense in the arguments
relating to the treaty and budget. Notwithstand-
ing all that has been written, it is always welcome
to meet with determined language on the right
side, and if the evil must be perpetrated, let us call
things by their right names, and know what we
are to lose and how little we are to gain. The
following terse sentences correctly epitomise the
chief points of the vaunted chef d'ceuvre :
" There were two things, and two things-only, we did de-
sire, as securities for peace, for which we might have been
willing to pay a price—a cessation of the preparations in
French dockyards for naval war (that is, a war with Eng-
land) and a renunciation of all designs upon Savoy. But
neither of these things are offered or have been asked. If
France will take English coal for her war steamers, Mr. Cob -
den cares not how numerous her fleet may be ; if she will
buy English cutlery, she may take Savoy; if we
will admit her wine at Is. a gallon, we may give up our
volunteer force, and dismiss our sailors. In a word, on the
side of France our negotiators have left undone everything
they ought to have done ; on our side, as we shall presentlyb
see, they have done everything they ought not to have done.
The purchase they have made for us is of tinsel and paste ;
the price they have lavishly offered is to be paid in solid
gold and real jewels."
In the number for this month there are some other
remarks well worthy of perusal regarding the fear-
ful confusion worse confounded that reigns para-
mount in the management of our foreign relations.
In reference to the culminating point of the seizure
of Savoy it is thus written :
" Finally, on the 26th, the finishing stroke was given to
this disgraceful history. Lord John Russell admitted that
the Emperor had acted in a manner that must occasion
great distrust, and necessitate our drawing nearer to the
other European Powers. He added that the protest of
Switzerland was still under the consideration of Austria
and Russia; and drew a just distinction between her posi-
tion as guaranteed by the treaty of Vienna, and that of
Tuscany or Savoy. To what all this may lead it is impos-
sible to conjecture. But one thing seems pretty certain,
that the debate of Monday last is the publication to the
world that the far-famed and once popular entente cordiale
is now at an end. Our own Ministers cannot fail to feel
the justice of Mr. Horsinan's eloquent denunciation of the
Emperor :—' I denounce the recent policy of the Emperor
of the French in Italy as a policy of deceit. I say that he
has deceived the English Ministers, and has made them
his tools for deceiving the English Parliament. I say that
he has treated them with a duplicity which they had not the
candour to avow, and with a contempt which they had not
the spirit to resent. And, speaking of his proceedings in
Savoy and Sardinia, and the manner in which he has an-
nounced his policy to Europe, I say he has added insolence
to aggression' and perfidy to injustice.' In fact, the re-
turn of Lord Palmerston to office had much the same effect
upon his mind as the return of Lord Aberdeen had on the
mind of the Emperor Nicholas. He at once felt himself at
liberty to I rosecute his aggressive schemes, and the result
shows, only too fatally, how well he had read the character
of the English Cabinet. But still, for all this, if they do
not lose the confidence of the House of Commons, in
consequence of what has now occurred, let us hope they
may be cautious how they tie themselves to the Em-
peror's apron-strings for the future. We cannot, indeed,
feel any confidence that they will. The lesson they re,
ceived in 1858 ought to have prevented a repetition o
the error.

' Sed periisse seine' satis est ? peccare fuisset
Ante satis,'

wo may say of them, as Taurnus did of the Trojans. But
still, they can hardly be blind any longer to the extensive
reaction against France which has taken place in this
country ; and will scarcely be infatuated enough to wreck
themselves a second time on rocks from which the broad
beacon light of public opinion so unmistakably warns
them, in order only that they may still be able to say there
is something in which they differ from the Tories."
" Odd Days in Hyde Park" is a very readable
paper, and it can be confidently recommended
to general attention, presenting as it does such
quaint and genial fun and frolic in its numerous
anecdotes. In the article on " The Inexorable Logic
of Facts," some severe strictures are passed on the
French. It is said that since the time of Richelieu
the aggressive spirit of the French people has been
the bane of Europe. Like the war-horse of Job,
"there is no sound so pleasant to their ears as the
blast of the trumpet and the shouting of the cap-
tains." It will occur to some that the various annoy-
ances and the several losses entailed on us by our
Gallic friends may induce the continuance of the
simile, for the patience of Job is required to endure
their vagaries and devices. We meet with various
other subjects of literary and general interest dis-
cussed at some length in these pages, which will
recommend them to the thoughtful and studious,
so that on the whole there is no cause for the sub-
scribers to be dissatisfied with the last efforts of the
compilers.

The Constitutional Press.

There are some taking subjects in this month's
list of contents. As usual we meet with the very
ably written and interesting story of " Hopes and
Fears" at the beginning. As is natural after being
so fully developed, the tale is now becoming very
exciting, and the events are hurriedly approaching
a climax. Lucilla's absurd conduct is slowly but
surely disenchanting Robert, and she will inevitably
learn, when it is too late, how sbe has mistaken the
shadow for the substance, in flying after the new
friends and neglecting the old ones of long years'
standing. Phoebe is also becoming more decided
and pronounced in her conduct and opinions. She
is a very charming maiden, full of kind thought
and feeling for others, and yet very decided and
determined when she has a duty to perform or a
necessary arduous task to accomplish. In the paper
called " The Shams of the Day, and the latent
truths they represent," there is much truth to be
found, albeit some may consider it to be of a very
unpalatable kind. It has for subject this time, the
present state of criticism, mad the secrets of the pri•
son house are disclosed in a manner more striking
than complimentary. Many shining stars of magni-
tude are shown to be but imitation luminaries
borrowing, guessing, and jumping at con-
clusions, instead of following the true adage,
"to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest,"
whatever subjects are put before them, to
search the merits thereof, to denounce the
shortcomings, and to point the hidden beauties to
an indiscriminating world. How few of the power-
ful band, whose sceptre sways the destinies of the
myriad hosts of authors, will do justice to them-
selves and their subjects. Either they concoct a
slashing review, in which the real motive is to show
off the redundancy of their own wit, not the poor
author's lack of it, or they pour forth fulsome adula-
tion to suit a private end, or perhaps it may be only
to express their own opinions, exaggerated and in-
flated as they are. This is the more absurd, as there
are few of the best and wisest authors in whose
compositions some flaws may not be found, while
there are not many works so weak and wretched that
something good may not be extracted, some high
idea that illumines the waste of word' s or some
stirring thought that rouses the attention,' and tells
of better things for future days. It is most st injuri-
ous to the author to rush into either extreme, and
all influence is lost if the critic wholly condemns
or entirely approves--
" Nor let ingratitude or scorn,
Blast promise, in its blushing morn,
Nor approbation too profuse,
Wake vanity to tame the muse ;
But give, ye friends, to genuine merit give,
So much of true desert, as bids ambition live.'
Another article is called " The Great Sham,"
and it sets to work to destroy the airy castle
which Lord John Russell has delighted to build
through his life-time, his hope by day and his
dream by night—Parliamentary Reform. It is
hinted that the easy mannerinbwhaiuchse ththise liberalbill has
been allowed to pass, is partly because
members wish to have it in their power to
grumble still; and also that some violent
agitators have compounded for mutual
convenience. " The treaty was carried by a raid
to suit the interests of cotton generally and of
Mr. Bright and Mr. Cobden in particular. The
great sham which has been palmed off on credulity
as a Reform Bill has been accepted• by Mr. Bright
and those whose votes and consciences ho manages,
as necessary to the understanding on which Mr.
Gladstone undertook to carry the inftmoas treaty
with the Imperial empire of Europe through. This
is how the country has been sold that the cotton
interest might make better bargains and effect more
sales. The men who are parties to the crime will at
the proper moment slip from their bureaus in scores,
and go through the general gymnastics peculiar to
the people's friends." Really when one recalls some
recenteN'enwtsh,ich and reflects on
metamorphosed the
the wonderfullionof
trans-
formation
Bir-
mingham into a lamb, it is not necessary to attri-
bute the ironical passages above to the bitterness of
party hate or the violence of party spirit, and those
who say that the new Reform Bill will do very
well, cannot help feeling in their own minds that
it is not consistent with the fuss made by its
Author last you when he perpiAted in bringing