The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-21 00:00:00

THE Su N, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, 1869

fairies that gladden many a happy home that climb
their father's knees for the Christmas present,
and cluster round their mother's side to
lisp the Chrismas hymn. Why are they so
different in their lot? We know not; but this we
know that HE has bid us succour and tend them.
HE who suffered the little ones to come unto HEki,
Lind who in this season of charity and kindness be-
came HIMSELF a child.

THE Times of yesterday contained a very welcome
Christmas greeting. Its Berlin correspondent tele-
graphed that "France has proposed disarmament at
St. Petersburgh, Vienna, Florence, Berlin, and, it is
supposed, at London." This news, if true, will
gladden all hearts. Probably no event whatever,
whether brought about in the course of nature, or
by the design of man, could effect more for the
world's good than a disbanding of the armies which
now oppress the European nations. Nevertheless,
the announcement, though made categorically, must
be received with some little reserve. The Times'
Berlin correspondent has long been renowned for his
bellicose disposition, and for his ingenuity in discover-
ing grand combinations and plots for working changes
in Europe. It is pleasant to find him now appearing
as the herald of peace ; and it is only to be hoped
that the sanguine temperament which marred some
of his former ventures will be carefully
repressed in his new vocation. Moreover, dis-
armament proposals have frequently been made in
print, whilst no counterpart existed in diplo-
matic reality. On the other hand, there are certain
grounds for hoping that the news may be true. It
has long been obvious that the present system of
armed peace in Europe must come to an end some-
time. The practice of keeping up peace forces
vastly larger than the war armaments of any previous
period is a simple impossibility, and its abandonment
can be only a question of time. However econo-
mical the working of the system, though soldiers be
compelled to serve, and though the principle of
making them carry on their industrial vocations
whilst in the ranks be carried to the fullest extent, still
the attempt must be vain. The financial embarrass-
ment of every Continental nation, including Prussia,
the model military State, is a decisive proof that if
disarmament be not a matter of choice, it will soon
become a necessity. Of course embarrassed peoples
hold out long. But no wise ruler will lose sight of
the many catastrophes which the extravagance of
Governments has brought about.
Nor is it incredible that a proposition of this kind
should come from France. The present absurd sys-
tem is owing largely to the constant and active
meddling of the Emperor NAPOLEON with the affairs
of his neighbours, and to his endeavours to maintain
a force which should be stronger than that of any
other individual State. This policy, how-
ever, has of late proved useless, and there are
at present no signs that it can be profitably
resumed. Two or three years have served to surround
the French Sovereign with an entirely new condition
of things. The aspect of affairs is generally pacific.
There is not the slightest prospect that the large
army which the EMPEROR has been at such pains
to accumulate will find employment. Meanwhile,
the French nation have learned to call out
very loudly for liberty and self-government,
and in no respect is their complaint against the
Sovereign's policy more just than in the matter of
finance. Something decisive is needed to restore the
waning power of NAPOLEON 111., and as the required
resource is not to be found in a foreign war,
it is just possible that he may try an
entirely now plan of action, and, by disbanding his
soldiers to some extent, effect a great reduction in
the public burdens. It may be so, we say, though
the idea seems too grateful to be realised, and the
too palpable irresolution of the EMPEROR forbids
sanguine hope, even if the proposal be made. There
is a certain unreality, too, about these disarmament
projects. If France were to set the example with-
out any preliminary agreement, the step would be
unattended with danger, and the precedent would
speedily be followed.

THE Customs' Commissioners may congratulate

,hemselyes upon a great achievement. Their policy

towards the Dagenham Dock Company has been
carried out with the greatest energy and perseve-
rance ; and, as in all cases where people are really in
earnest, they have completely triumphed. An
order has been granted for winding up the
Company, the shareholders have lost a large sum of
money, and a work of public utility has been aban-
doned. Nothing can be finer than the style in which
the department has carried out the whole business.
The Legislature authorised the Dagenham Com-
pany to construct works for the landing,
storing, and shipping of goods. The
Customs' Commissioners decided that there
should be nothing of the kind. Parliament passed
various Acts in the fond dream that its authority would
be paramount. Relying on these measures, which
were procured at different times, the shareholders
embarked their money in the enterprise in the equally
delusive hope that the will of the Legislature was law.
The Customs' Commissioners have thoroughly exposed
the futility of such pretensions. They could not
prevent the docks, piers, and appurtenances from
being made ; but they could effectually prevent their
application to any useful purpose. Accommoda-
tion for the loading and unloading of merchandise
was provided some time ago ; but when per-
mission to land duty-free goods was asked of the
Commissioners, these gentlemen refused to grant it.

In vain was the grievous loss which this decision
would involve set before them. It was pointed out
that the Company had already expended a large sum
of money on the faith of the Acts granted several
years since. This expenditure would be
lost, and the works brought to an end,
if the all-important permission were not
granted. Surely, it was argued, the Legislature,
in authorising these constructions, implied every-
thing that was necessary for their proper employment.
To allow a landing-wharf to be built, and to forbid
the landing of goods upon it, is an absurdity from
which most men would shrink. But the Customs'
functionaries were made of sterner stuff. In
answer to these cogent pleas they simply raised ques-
tions which properly belonged to the province of Par-.
liament. The works, they said, were not needed.
Other testimony of a very contrary character was
adduced. Numerous merchants and men of position,
who had no connection with the Company, expressed
the opinion that they were needed, or, which
amounted to the same thing, that they would be of
great use for storing and shipping dangerous material.
But the question thus raised by the Commissioners
was really not relevant. It was for Parliament to
decide whether the docks were required or
not. If the Legislature is to be overruled
on such a point, what is the use of private
Acts ? Why not allow unlimited competition in
docks, railways, and other enterprises of the kind ?
To discuss the utility of the works years after their
construction had been sanctioned, and after great out-
lay had been incurred, was virtually a cruel piece of
ex post facto legislation, inflicting hardship upon
individuals without any corresponding public advan-
tage. Unhappily, the misfortunes of the Dagenham
Dock Company do not end here. Being forbidden to
use their property, they naturally desire to dispose
of it ; but even this resource is attended
with difficulty. The Act of Parliament prescribed
that the Dagenham estate should be made into docks,
and it cannot be used for any other object until the
sanction of another Act is obtained ! Further
expense and loss will be occasioned by
this necessity for obtaining leave to stay
a work which cannot be carried on. Wherein
we have another example of the logic of
British law. An Act of Parliament is of no use, it
seems, in authorising the employment of property to
certain purposes ; but it has a certain effect in
preventing its employment to any purpose what-
ever.

ARCHDEACON DENISON'S .PROTEST,

.4110 -

The following is Archdeacon Denison's solemn protest
against the appointment of Dr. Temple. It is headed,
" Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of
other men's sins?-1 S. Timothy, v. xxii," and proceeds :1—
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen. The declaration and protest of
George Anthony Denison, M.A., Vicar of East Brent,
Archdeacon of Taunton, read in the parish church of East
Brent at morning and evening prayer, Fourth Sunday ifl
Advent, Dec. 19, 1869 :-1. Whereas, in the year 1860,
was published in London a book called "Essays and Re-
views," in which some portions of the Holy Scriptures of
the Old and New Testament were ridiculed, the truth of
other portions denied, and of others doubted. 2. And
whereas such book was, in 1861, declared, under
the hand of both Archbishops and all the Bishoßs
of both provinces to be "essentially at variance
with many fundamental doctrines of the Church." 3. And
whereas such book was, in 1864, condemned by synodical
judgment of the Synod of Canterbury—" As containing
teaching contrary to the doctrine rec7,' ved by the United
Church of England and Ireland in common with the
whole Catholic Church of Christ." 4. And whereas the
Rev. Dr. Temple, the writer of the first essay in the said
book, now in its twelfth edition, has, on the nomination of
the Crown, been elected by the Dean and a majority of the
Chapter of Exeter Bishop of the See of Exeter. 5. And
whereas the election of the said Dr. Temple has since been
confirmed by the Vicar-General of the Archbishop of
Canterbury; all hearing of objections touching the
unfitness of the said Dr. Temple to be confirmed and con-
secrated bishop being denied. 6. And whereas the said
Dr. Temple has refused to comply with the earnest en-
treaty of the Lord Bishop of Lincoln and of others his
brethren ; and has neither recalled, nor retracted, nor
disavowed anything contained either in his own essay or
in any part of the said book. 7. And whereas
there has been no recall or remission or qualifi-
cation of the said declaration, or of the said synodi-
cal judgment. 8. And whereas it is commonly reported
and believed that, all the above facts notwithstanding, the
said Dr. Temple is about to be consecrated by the laying
on of the hands of an archbishop and bishops. 9. And
whereas such consecration will bring into contornnt, not
episcopal and synodical authority only, but the Word of
God itself. 10. Now I, George Anthony Denison, M.A„
Vicar of East Brent, Archdeacon of Taunton, remember-
ing the judgment to come, and the debt of love and
faithfulness in Christ which I owe to the people of this
place and to the (13rgy and people of my Archdeaconry
of Taunton, do hereby, in the face of God and of this
congregation, make this my solemn declaration and protect
against tho consecration of the said Dr. Temple to the
office and work of a Bishop in the Church of God,
wheresoever, whensoever, and by whomsoever had and
dine.

PARIS CORRESPONDENCE.

MONDAY.
According to the ,Libera of to-day, the Emperor has
offered the Presidency of the Council of State to M. de
Forcade, adding that the new President would not be
Minister. With this condition, it is not surprising that
M. de Forcade refused the offer, but the refusal is of no
]star date than Saturday night.
The officers of the Crown have received their honorary
commission. They are to retain their titles of chamberlain
or equerry conjointly with that of deputy. The Siècle
looks with suspicion upon this measure, No one, it avers,
can serve two masters, and it was not only the salary, but
the position and the duties of these officials, which were
held to be incompatible with the dignity of a representative
of the people.
The Government has been called to account for the re-
strictions which it has placed on the movements of
the Spanish Republican refugees. One of these
exiles made a speech at a democratic dinner at
Saint Maude, which gave offence to the Government, who
thereupon forbid the whole of the emigrants to enter
Paris, giving them the choice between two provincial
towns, Nancy and Tours. The Revell expresses the popular
feeling when it denounces this proceeding as unjust,
though not illegal, since the ex-Queen Isabella and
Don Carlos are allowed to organise civil war, and
make public appeals for aid in Paris. M. Rochefort cross-
questioned the Government respecting the expulsion of
one of these Republicans from France, and called up the
Minister of the Interior, who is never at a loss for a reply,
and to whom, therefore, the right of interpellation, newly
granted to the Chamber, is less terrible than to his
colleagues. M. de Forcade loftily disclaimed all enmity
to Republicanism as a principle, treating its advocates as
too contemptible to be dangerous, but declared that this
particular Republican had been expelled because he mixed
in political intrigues, and was consequently ungrateful to
the Government which shewed him hospitality. M. Roche-
fort, satirically remarked that the little States of Switzer-
land and Belgium were more courageous than thepretended
strong Government of France, to which M. de Forcade
made answer th at he troubled himself very little
about the proceedings of other countries. The Chamber
was somewhat moved by this altercation . The Roman
correspondent of the journal des Dacus says that though
Mgr. Dupanlonp and the moderate party who have
grouped themselves round him at the Council, are certain
to be left in a minority by the Ultramontanes in opposing
the dogma of Papal Infallibility, they will receive an
unexpected reinforcement from the Eastern Bishops,
swho already find the supremacy of the Pope oppressive,

.and are more inclined to restrict than to augment it. The
Pope, who is always personally inclined to peace, does not
wish the dogma to be proposed, as he objects to raising a
debate on a principle which is so dear to him.

The Paris Chamber of Commerce has sent the Minister
of Agriculture and Commerce a list of the delegates who
will have to give evidence before the Superior Council of
Commerce for the department of the Seine. This list
comprises twenty names representing those industries the
most interested in commercial treaties.

Reports have prevailed with respect to secret interviews
between the Emperor and M. Thiers. The friends of the
illustrious man declare that he will not refuse to accept
the Presidency of the Chamber. It is not improbable that
such may be the case, but, at any rate, the change could
not take place unless M. Schneider's health failed alto-
gether, and compelled him to resign his place.
The Frankfort Gazette has not been stopped, as it was
said to have been; and the Government
_seems to.have re-
cognised the folly of interfering with foreign journals
when those which are published at home are often so much
more offensive in their remarks, and obtain a wide cir-
culation.

The Phare de la Loire contains a letter from 31. Louis
Blanc, sent from London. He contradicts the statement
that he had left the Temps in order to join the Rappel. He
admits that he has joined the Rappel, but that does not
prevent his remaining among the contributors to the
Temps, a journal which he has always respected, and to
whose interests he is greatly attached.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is stated to be gain-
ing strength daily. His medical attendants are satisfied
that the progress towards recovery should bo gradual.
Captain J. E. Commerell, V.C., has been given
twenty-eight days to convey the remains of Mr. Peabody
across the Atlantic to Portland on board the Monarch,

A farmer was fined 115 at Preston on Saturday
for neglecting to give information to the police of the exist-
ence of the foot and mouth disease among his cattle.

One Conservative candidate, the lion. Charles
Wynne, second son of Lord Newborough, and three Libe-
rals are already spoken of in connection with the represen-
tation of Merioneth:hire.

Doubt is thrown by the Dublin Evening Post on
the truth of the atrocious mutilation resorted to have been
perpetrated on Mrs. O'Connor, in the King's county. A
false story circulated from the same county a few. days
before favours the view taken by the Post.

The grand jury at the Liverpool assizes, following

the examp'e of the same body at Manchester, have made
presentment in favc,ur of the magistrates having the option
of sending the burglary and other,cases to the sessions in-
stead of the a..siz3s.

The rivalries of Ja Ja and Oko Jumbo continued
to interfere with trade in Bonny at the latest datee. The
Andony men would not allow Ja Ja to establish himself in
their country, so he and his people anchored their canoes in
a creek in such a way as to prevent trade. Oko Jumbo has
made threo ineffectual attempts to dislodg3 his enemy.
The Pall Mall Gazette contradicts a statement,
copied from a weekly contemporary, that Mr. Hartog's
stipend at the Tressury had been fixed at .£l5O per an-
num, but that a reduction of X3O had since been made on
account of his absence on Saturdays. Mr. Hartog's stipend
was not fixed at £l5O per annum, and no reduct:on has been
made on account of his absence on Saturdays.

The celebrated rculptor Launitz, to whose chisel
the people of Frankfort-on-Main are indebted for their
admirably executed Gutenberg Monument, died on the
12th inst. after a tedious illness, at the age cf seventy-four.
Launitz was originally a native of °outland, but for many
years before his death he had resided at Frankfort, which
he regarded as the home of Lis adoption.

The Rev. S. Vaughan, M.A., vicar of St. Mark's,
Dewsbury, was se:zcd with paralysis while attending to his
duties in the Sunday school on Sunday. Tho words
g, Suffer little children to come unto me, for—" had dropped
f om his lips when he fell paralysed into the arms of a gen-
tleman who, observing something unusual in Mr. Vaugban's
dimeanour, ran to his assistance.

Mr. Justice Willes and a jury were occupied the
whole of Siturday in tty:ng a case of libel at the Liverpool
assizee. The pla'ntiff was a collector for a burial society,
and the alleged libel charged him with having purposely
neglected to call upon a member of the society for subscrip-
tions that were due in crdor that he might become "out of
benefit." The jury c( nsiered the libel proved, but ap-
parently in consideration of certain irregularities, assessed
the damages at only five guineas.

The Rev. J. L. Lyne (Father Ignatius), in his ser-
mon at Store-street Hall cn Sunday, remarked that if some
of the martyred sain's wc re now to appear in London, and
look for the religion in defence of which.they had shed their
blood, he thought they would search in vain for it. He
alluded tc the professed humility of members of the Church,
and said it was only a short time ago since he put it to the test in
that hall by inviting those present to show their humility by
opining on to the platform and washing the feet of a poor
beggar, or by taking the broom of a crossing-sweeper and
sweeping his crossing for him.

At the Dublin Freemen Commission on Saturday
a witness named BlomLam deposed that during the election
same voters applied for employment, and "others had ani-
mals for sale." One had a greyhound, for which he
wanted ten guineas; another set a value of .£5 on a parrot.
A man named Campbell, who bad been a prominent Conser-
vative agent, refused to give his evidence until lie was re-
peatedly assured of protection against anything tending to
eliminate himself. lie then testified to voters having been
brought to him by recognised Conservative agents, and
having received tickets as bribery tokens. The inquiry is
still in progress.

The people of Birmingham have been threatened
with darkness in consequence of the refusal on the part of
the managers of the Gas Companies to concede an advance of
wages to their workmen. The engineer of one company re:
ceived a letter threatening that unless the increase asked for
was given on Friday night they would throw down their tools
and submit to being sent to prison for breach of contract
rather than proceed with their work. Prompt measures
were taken to meet any emergency, and the strike did not
really take place at the time stated. The authorship of the
letter has been discovered, and the men admonished that no
demand accompanied by threats would be listened to.

Leon Isaacs, a Jew, has been summoned before
the Stonehonre magistrates in Devonshire for working on
Sunday. December 12, as a clothes dealer. his shop was
open, end some sailors were inside, one of them
bargaining for five pairs of old trousers and three
serge frocks. They were talking in Greek. A
dozen men were seen to leave with three bundles. Tho de-
fence was that the articles were purchased on Friday and
fetched on Sunday. Tho superintendent of police said Stitt-
day trading had become a great nuisance to the town, and
the churchwardens bad turned their attention to the matter
The defendant had to pay 108. 6d., or go to prison for seven
days.

The Corn Market will be held on Friday, the
th, and Monday, the 27th inst. a; usual

LAW INTELLIGENCE—(This Day.)

ROLL'S COURT.

His Honour delivered judgment to-day in the
case of Atherton v. the British Nation Life Asso-
ciation. A gentleman named Rigg had assured his
life in the defendants' office for £360, which was
claimed by the plaintiff, his son-in-law, on his de-
cease. The claim was disputed on the ground that
the deceased had made a false representation, and
that the policy was effected by collusion with the
plaintiff. The real question was whether the
charge of misrepresentation by the deceased was
sustained or not. his lordship decided that the
plaintiff should receive the amount claimed, with 4
per cent.