The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 12, 1869.

trary power which has not the support of
antiquity is often driven to strange expedients to
preserve its place. The recent debate in the Corps
Legislatif on the City of Paris Loan is an instructive
lesson in the science of despotic government. Never
before has the secret policy, the strength and
the weakness of the second French Empire,
been so fully revealed. Ostensibly this turbu-
lent discussion possesses but a local interest,
and is important only in a municipal sense. Some
eighty millions have been spent in beautifying the
French capital. Part of this immense sum had been
furnished in the shape of a loan by the Paris Credit
Foncier, and the Corps Legislatif, according to
law, were asked to sanction this contract. Certainly,
the money had been spent before permission to spend
it had been asked, but this is only a trifla under the
Empire. In reality, however, the importance of this
memorable debate goes far beyond this. It has
revealed the entire system of internal policy pursued
under the Empire, its disclosures have brought
discredit upon the Imperial Administration, the
position of which in a moral sense is seriously

impaired.
Although it has been one of the duties of the
EMPEROR'S Government to demolish everything that
was unsightly in Paris, and erect a city of palaces on
the ruins, yet this is by no means the primary pur-
pose for which 80 millions sterling have been spent.
When President Louis NAPOLEON became Emperor
he was fully convinced of the necessity of keeping
out of mischief the army of democratic workmen
who had overthrown so many Administrations since
Louis XVI. If this lean and revolutionary multi-
tude could be kept quiet, the Second Empire might
stand ; but if the mob were not fed, there was no
reason to hope that it would not repeat its former
achievements. This was the first great cause of the
pulling down and rebuilding of Paris. The EMPEROR,
like a prudent ruler, knew the danger by experience,
and had taken measures to provide for it. When the
new Constitution, which followed the downfall of
LOUIS PHILIPPE, was drawn up, NAPOLEON 111.,
then President, took care to insert a proviso that
the Executive could commence public works at will,
provided all loans were submitted to the Legislature.
By virtue of this stipulation the Paris workmen
were employed in rebuilding Paris. They received
good wages, had constant employment, and instead
of overturning the Empire, became rather friendly
to it. Troops of artisans from the country came to
the capital to share in the spoil. The work when
once begun could not be stopped. The city was
burdened with local imposts, andyet the taxes would
not pay for the splendid buildings which everywhere
sprung up ; but the Government could not dream of
throwing the army of workmen out of employment.
The city has vastly improved under this Imperial
treatment, but whether such improvement is desi-

rable or not, the danger of ceasing it is too

great to be contemplated. The city became
greatly in debt, and at length Baron HAUSSMANN
was obliged to have recourse to illegal expedients.
He borrowed money without the authorisation of the
Corps Legislatif. The Credit Foncier secretly lent
the City of Paris nearly nineteen millions sterling on
very hard terms. A better bargain might have
been obtained by a loan, but a loan must
necessarily be public, and publicity would not do for
Baron HAUSSMANN. The money has been lent and
spent, and the evil day has come. The Government
has been obliged to come before the Corps Legislatif
and ask the sanction of this contract.
It will thus be seen that the recent debate is but
one episode in the history of the regeneration of
Paris. The Government has simply been compelled
to confess its arbitrary deeds, and unveil to the
Parisians and to the nation the intolerable and yet
ever-increasing burden which the reckless destruc-
tion and rebuilding of a city entails. But the satis-
faction which the people of France can derive from
this exposure lies simply in the circumstance
that the Government has been disgraced. It
does not appear that under the present system there
is any hope of amendment. The Ministry promised
that for the future the Corps Legislatif should not
be asked to sanction what had already been done.
Then M. Timms, after a preliminary skirmish,
commenced the attack, and in a very elaborate
speech pointed out where the recent altera-
tions were useful, and where in too many
instances they were merely a waste of money. The
Government is no doubt perfectly aware of this.
It must be patent even to Imperial Ministers that the
. demolitions cost too much, and entail an overwhelm-
ing burden. The difficulty is, that the Government
cannot persuade itself to the venturesome experi-
ment of stopping them. It is not a question of
beautifying Paris, but of feeding a dangerous
multitude at the expense of the community.
To avoid telling this truth the Imperial Ministry has
been driven to the most humiliating shifts. The
condemnation of the illegal expenditure was defended
by the supporters of the Empire ; but M. ROUHER,
the next day, contradicted every word his colleagues
had uttered, declared that Baron HAITSSMANN had done
wrong, and that, too, upon his own responsibility. It is a
not uncommon, but in this case itwas a very daring, act
to sacrifice a Minister for the good of Imperialism ;
there was, perhaps, no help for it. If the EMPEROR,
would stop the rebuilding of Paris there would be
an end to this degradation. Or if he would consent
to a responsible Ministry and true parliamentary
government, the support of all the orderly classes
would extinguish the danger of the mob. It has
been affirmed that this and similar occurrences have
driven the EMPEROR to contemplate free institutions.
It is the hope of ultimately attaining this end that
may console the French nation for revelations which
are humiliating alike to both the EMPEROR and the
people.

PARLIAMENTARY COMPANIONS.;

The Reformed Parliament has already caused a host of
works to be published on the constitution of its assembly,
but- the majority of these are not of that standard
character which has for many years particularised " Dod's
Parliamentary Companion." This handy book has now
reached its thirty-seventh year of existence, and is com-
monly looked upon as the right-hand friend of politicians
of all classes and opinions. It boasts—not unnaturally—
that during every Ministerialvicissitude since the passing of
the Reform Act of 1832 it has aimed at avoiding party ten-
dencies. During that time thirteen Administrations have
been summoned to the councils of the sovereign, ten Par-
liaments have been elected, and nine have been dissolved.
Yet the volume still holds its sway against all comers,
many of whom have failed through becoming the partisan
instead of being the faithful chronicler. To shew the vast
amount of labour necessary in the "get up" of "Dod,"
it may be mentioned that 227 new members, of whom 193
never were previously in Parliament, were returned to the
House of Commons at the general election. This is the
largest number of new members since 1832. In that year
these figures stood at 280, whilst in 1837 there were only
121. In order that there should be no errors as to the
opinions held by the respective parliamentary representa-
tives, their exact words relating to the Irish Church,
national education, vote by ballot, and the abolition of
the malt tax are recorded. In spite, however, of every
precaution, several errors have crept in, which we will
take the liberty of pointing out. Mr. O'Beirne, who, since
the general election, has been unseated for Cashel, was not
returned for that borough without opposition, but was
opposed by Mr. Munster, who polled 84 votes against Mr.
O'Beirne's 100. In Westminster Mr. John Stuart Mill is
reported as having polled 6,884 votes, instead of 6,284, he
being exactly 300 behind Captain Grosvenor. At South
Shields Mr. Stevenson is stated to have polled only 2,277
against Mr. Palmer's 2,582. It is needless to say that the
figures ought to be reversed. Mr. Lopes, the member for
Launceston, was first returned for that borough in April,
not December 1868, on the resignation of Mr. Campbell.
Concerning the same little pocket borough, "Dod" states
that "the Duke of Northumberland's interest here is very
considerable." We have already alluded to this error, but
it is still repeated. It may be necessary, therefore, to
explain that as far back as the spring of 1865 the Duke of
Northumberland sold Werrington Park—including his
" interest "in the borough—to Mr. Campbell, a merchant,
of Liverpool. This gentleman, who bought the seat for
himself, sat in the House of Commons from July 1865 to
April 1868, when he in turn sold it to Mr. Fitzwilliam
Dick, M.P. for Wicklow. As the latter was not in want
of the seat, he kindly handed it over to Mr. Lopes, a
barrister on the Western Circuit, who, of course, was
elected without opposition. The senior member for Bel-
fast—Mr. William Johnston, of Ballykilbeg—is erro-
neously mentioned as a Liberal, although we expect it
would be difficult to find a more bigoted Orangeman
throughout Ireland. Perhaps the mistake has occurred
through Mr. Johnston allying himself with Mr. M'Clure,
a Liberal, in order to defeat two "thick-and-thin " sup-
porters of the late Government. In spite of this fact, the
hon. gentleman sits on the Conservative aide of the House,
and votes with the Opposition. In the memoir of Mr.
Thomas Brassey, who sits for Hastings, the most impor-
tant facts of his life are altogether omitted. Mr. Brassey
first tried for senatorial honours in December 1861, when
he fought Mr. John Laird for the new seat given to
Birkenhead, but was defeated by 1,643 to 1,296. His next
fight was at Devonport in June 1865, on the resignation
of Sir Arthur Buller, when he won over Mr. John
Fleming by a majority of 56. This, however, was reversed
at the general election a fortnight afterwards, Mr.
Brassey finding himself in a minority of 11. He fought
another losing battle, viz., at Sandwich, in May 1866, on
the occasion of Lord Clarence Paget's retirement. At the
close of the psll Mr. Capper was declared to be the
winner by the narrow majority of six votes. These inci-
dents should certainly be added to Mr. Brassey's life.
Mr. Fowler, the new member for Falmouth, is also not
credited with fighting an unsuccessful battle in the borough
which he now represents. It is correctly stated that he
lost the fight in the city of London in July 1865 ; and it
may be well to inform " Dod " that he was beaten at Fal-
mouth in October 1866 by Mr. Jervoise Smith, by a
majority of 63. Looking to the high character to which
the "Companion " has deservedly attained, it is only due
to the public that these important alterations should be
made, and the omissions we have pointed out be supplied.
" Vacher's Parliamentary Companion" is a more
modest, but exceedingly useful little publication. It
comes out monthly during the session, at a moderate
price, and contains a mass of useful political information.
It not only gives the names of the members of the House
of Lords, but the date of their creation, and the titles
borne by their eldest sons. The representatives in the
Lower House are also inserted, with their respective con-
stituencies and their town residences. Besides this, it
contains the polls at the recent election, the members of
the Government, the Privy Council, the judges of the
various law courts at Westminster, the chief officers of
State in Scotland and Ireland, and the British and foreign
ambassadors. From this it will be seen that, although
small, it is extremely serviceable to those who take an
interest in the great governing and judicial bodies of the
State.

* " Dod's Parliamentary Companion:" Whittaker and Co., Ave

Maria-lane.
Companion ;' Vacher and Sons, Pull*
roc"LiVt
satcrheeefts Path arnentarY

At Cork on Wednesday, in an action for breach of
promise of marriage by Miss Studdert, daughter of the deputy-
lieutenant, against a gentleman of property named Howson,
the jury awarded .£2,500 damages.

It is stated on authority " that the wife of a high'y -
placed official at the Treasury has eloped with an Irish
marquis. It is stated that the official arrived in Ptuls in
pursuit, had an interview, and has returned alone."
A requisition has been forwarded to Mr. Milner
Gibson from a portion of the more advanced Liberal party at
Scarborough, asking him to allow himre:f to be put in
nomination as a candidate for the seat in Parliament for
that borough rendered vacant by the death of Sir J. V.
B. Johnstone, Bart., but he has declined to Le put in
nomination.

It is stated that the French and Belgian Govern-
ments have agreed to refer the dispute which has arisen
respecting the railway law co a commission. The statement,
though coming from a good source, must be accepted with
caution.

On Wednesday an explosion took place at the
Springfield Chemical Works, Sedbury, Worcestershire. The
accident occurred to a still containing tar. One man was
burnt to thath, and several others were seriously injured.
A considerable amount of damage was done.

This (Friday) evening the Attorney-General will
move for the copy of the short-hand writers' notes of th©
judgments delivered by the judges selected in pursuance of
thePpaetrilitaiomnes7tary Elections Act, 1868, for the trial of elec-
tion

The nomination for Drogheda has been fixed for
Monday. No second candidate has, up to the present, ad-
dressed the electors, and the prevailing opinion appears to be
that Mr. Thomas Whitworth, son of the late member, will
be returned without opposition:

•
It is stated by a Bristol paper that Mr. Richard
Bright, M.P. for East Somerset, has met with a severe
accident. His horse fell with him during a fast gallop and
rolled over him ; and although it is hoped that he has sus-
tained no permanent injury, yet it must be, we understand,
some time before he can leave his bed.

On Wednesday a butcher was brought before the
stipendiary magistrate at Liverpool charged with offer-
ing or exposing a piece of diseased meat for sale, such meat
bAng unfit for human food. It was proved that the piece
of meat in question was part of the carcase of a dropsical
animal. The defendant was sent to gaol fora month, with-
out the option of paying a fine.
COBDEN CLUB.—The subject for the Prize Essay
of the Cobden Club for the year 18G9 is the following :
" Free Trade in its Relation to the Colonies and Depend-
encies of Great Britain." The essays are aro to be sent
in to the honorary Secretary, Mr. Thomas Bayley Potter,
M.P., Reform Club, London, before the Ist of January,
1870, and are not to exceed in length 50 pages of the
Quarterly or North American Reviews. The committee re-
serves to itself the privilege of publishing the successfu
essay

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.—At a meeting of
the curators of the University of Edinburgh, held on Wed-
nesday, a letter was read from Professor Lyon Playfair,
M.P., intimating his intention to resign the chair of
chemistry at the close of the present session. These are
already a number of candidates for the professorship.
HAYMARKET THEATRE.—Mr. George Turpin,
box-doorkeeper, whose claims upon the frequenters of this
thoatre are of themselves considerable, announces his
annual benefit for Wennosday next. The programme
includes Mr. Robertson's highly successful comedy of
" Home," and the farce of "B ,x and Cox." Other en-
tertainments are also promised; and there is very little
doubt that Mr. Turpin will have on this occasion, as he
has had on many others, a crowded house.
THE MANUFACTURE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS.—
A most intere.,ting and instructive little work, describing briefly
but with great clearness, the rise and progress of watch and
clock rnakin , has just been published by Mr J. W. Benson, of
25, Old Bond-street, 99, Westbourne-grove, and the City Steam
Factory, 5S and C), Ludgate-hill. The book, which is profusely
illustrated, gives a full description of the various kinds of watches
and clocks, with their prices, and no one should make a purchase
without visiting the above establishments or consulting this truly
valuable work. By its aid persons residing in any part of tie
United Kingdom, India, or the Colonies, are enabled to select for
themselves the watch best adapted for their use, and have it sent
to them with perfect safety. Mr. Benson, who holds the appoint-
ment to the Prince of Wales, sends this pamphlet to any address
on receipt of two postage rtamps, and we cannot too strongly
recommend ti to the notice of thetenchaser puriingnd

EXTRAORDINARY LIBEL CASE,

Some strange proceedings in a libel case, brought by Mr.
Charles Reade against the proprietors of the Neu) York
Round Table, are reported in the. American papers. It
appears that on three several occasions the Round Table
critici.scd Mr. Reade's novel "Griffith Gaunt" most severely,
declaring it to be "replete with impurity," " essentially
bad and indecent," and at length affirming that the work
was so immoral and obscene that Mr. Charles Read could
not have written it. Mr. Reade claims damages to the
tune of 25,000 dollars; and that his complaint might be
made out, his advocate called Mr. George Vandenhoff to
the witness-box, placed a copy of " Griffith Gaunt" in
the hands of that famous elocutionist, and desired him to
begin at the beginning, and read it all through.
No objection was made to the proposal, and the
judge and jury adjusted themselves for the entertainment.
The performance is thus described :—" The jury looked
bored and pleased by turns ; though they often frowned
and drowsed, he quite as often brought a smile to their
lips. But one old ' gentleman of the jury' looked out of
an eye peculiarly hollow at what he evidently considered
the hollowness of the whole proceeding, and seemed not
half so w€4l pleased as if he had paid for an orchestra chair
to the entertainment. When Mr. Vandenhoff said, ' Mr.
Leicester favoured her with a knowing wink,' he looked
at the jury and the court, and the jury and the court
looked sorrowfully back again, but the wink' was with
with the reader. On he went, but when he read because
you ha'n't got no stomach,' said the boy contemptuously,
a laugh went round, which shewed plainly enough that other
people had this indispensable machinery, and that it was long
after lunch time. Getting disgusted with his work, the reader
began to utter the words very rapidly, and the chop-chop'
chop of the exercise shewed that Mr. Vandenhoff
can read badly if he tries. At twenty-five minutes
to two o'clock he had read eight chapters, and rested for
a short time, but, after resuming, even the pathetic
capitals 'I love Kate' made no impression upon the jury,
nor could they be roused when he read in a dramatic
manner how their lips met, in spite of all the difficulties,
and grew together in a long and tender embrace,' and so
at twenty minutes past two, having got through with ten
out of the thirty-seven chapters, Mr. Vandenhoff asked
that, as it was the longest reading he ever had occasion to
make, the rest of his task might be deferred until another
day. This was granted. For the defence it was urged that the
authorship of the novel must be proved before it could be
admitted in evidence. According to one report, the
defence emphatically denied that Charles Reade wrote
"Griffith Gaunt ";' another report has it that 'as a matter
of fact they intended to shew such plagiarism in the book
as was injurious to his reputation.' The court reserved
the real point for decision : it is that the original com-
plaint had a double aspect, one treating the plaintiff as
having suffered by the libels personally, and the other as an
author. The court had put him to his election as to which
of the two he would sue on, and he had chosen to sue for
the injuries to him professionally. In this view it was
essential to prove that be was the author of the book.