The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 9, 1869

Elector of HESSE-CASSEL, and as for considerations,
that is an unheard-of argument in Berlin councils.
We may believe as much as we like about the security
of the settlement of the Eastern question, and we
may hope as much as is convenient concerning the
sincerity of Prussia, but it will not prove in the long
run that our belief has turned to certainty, and that
ours has been the hope that maketh not ashamed.
King GEORGE is not a free agent, and if ht were his
power is small ; but he at any rate has little cause to
put faith in the promises of Prussia, or to expect
that much good will come of her meddling with pub-
lic affairs. Discretion may be the better part of va-
lour just now, but the evil will be only put off ; and
the more we study past and present matters the more
fully we may be convinced of the mischievous ten-
dency of Prussian interference, which brings the
reverse of a b'essing on him that gives and him that
takes.

THE QUEEN is not going to open the eighth Par-
ament of her reign. The reason assigned is that
Ler MAJESTY is not in sufficiently good health to
bear the fatigues of a public pageant. Were the
journals which announce this information content
with imparting it; there would be nothing for us to
say but to express our sincere regret at both cause and
effect : regret that the new epoch which the " House-
holders' Parliament" embodies will not be inaugurated
by the Sovereign ; still greater regret that Her
MAJESTY is not in the enjoyment of such health as her
loyal subjects desire. But the journals are not con-
tent with the announcement. One of them especially,
assuming an acquaintance with " the daily life of
Queen VICTORIA," goes on to protest that the
QUEEN'S absence is not capable of any political
interpretation, and must not be understood as
implying any expression of opinion upon the great
questions which will be brought before Parliament.
It was but a little while ago that the same authority
wished to persuade its readers of the QUEEN'S
ardent sympathy with the new Parliament and the
new Ministry. The assurance, therefore, that the
QUEEN "has no political opinions," is "absolutely
neutral," reminds us that it is possible to protest
too much. In fact, a great deal too much has been
said about this matter. In spite of the assurance of
a contemporary, whose knowledge of royal thoughts
and wishes is equalled only by its intimate
acquaintance with the doings of a neighbour-
ing sovereign, we take for granted that the
QUEEN has political opinions of her own,
and there is little doubt as to the nature of
them so far as the most important subject
of the day is concerned. But the private
opinions of the QUEEN are no more a matter for
public discussion than are those of any other
woman. The QUEEN is a thoroughly constitutional
govoroism If alto Lao poroanal liirca and clic:ink on,
she does not allow them to interfere with her duties.
The organs which arrogate to themselves the exclusive
right to the term which we have just applied to
the Sovereign, assured us some ten weeks ago
that the QUEEN would never consent to accept Mr.
GLADSTONE as her chief adviser. Nevertheless,
immediately Mr. DISRAELI resigned, Mr. GLADSTONE
was summoned to the royal presence, and he formed
with remarkable promptitude an Administration
which his royal mistress approved without hesitation.
This being the case—Mr. GLADSTONE having taken
office expressly to deal with the Irish Church—it was
wholly superfluous to assure the nation that the
QUEEN'S absence from the State ceremony of next
Tuesday will have no political significance.
While we deprecate any attempt to convert the
QUEEN into a political partisan, there is one con-
sideration which makes the imperfect character of
the coming pageant a matter of regret. We are not
Republicans; we do not think that a Republican
form of government is suited to English ideas and
habits. Yet it cannot be denied that the continued
absence of the QUEEN from State ceremonials does
weaken the monarchical sentiment of the nation.
True that even if the QUEEN did open Parlia-
ment in person only a few thousands of her many
million subjects would witness the spectacle;
yet the account of it would be published far and
wide, and every subject who read the narrative
would realise the fact of an actual living head of the
State in a way that is not possible when Parliament
is opened by commission. The opening of Parlia-
ment is an event wholly sun generis. It is the occa-
sion when the Three Estates of the Realm
are brought together in person, and are set
forth visibly before the people. We can spare the
QUEEN better from all other ceremonies than
from this. We can spare her, though we miss
her, from the opening of Exhibitions, from the
presiding at Drawing-rooms, from public appearance
at the Opera ; yet her absence on the one great day
of the year which commences a new volume in the
nation's Constitutional history is an event that
cannot but be regretted by all those who desire the
_ _ •

continuance of the present form of government.
It is the more to be so because we believe that
Republicanism is spreading more rapidly than

many persons suppose. We do not allude
to Irish Fenians, or to Reformers of the FINLEN

type ; but to cultivated men, to the men who influ•

ence the thought of the day, in society and lin
the press. They of course view with satisfaction each

occasion on which the functions of royalty are placed

in abeyance. It is otherwise with those who wish to

see royalty maintained.

Tun intelligence from Twickenham will not meet
with a very gracious reception at the Tuileries. The
birth of a son and heir to the Count de PARIs is an
event of considerable political importance. It
strengthens still further the dynasty of the ORLEANS
branch of the BOURBON House by direct descent from
the eldest son, and it promises to add to the
influence and power of a family which flourishes
and increases in spite of great misfortunes. The
Count de PARIS is the grandson of Louis PHILIPPE.
lle was born in 1838, but became the heir presump-
tive in 1842 on the death of his father by an acci-
dent. In 1848, when the "citizen king " found that
his opposition to electoral reform, and the policy of
the GUIZOT Cabinet in the matter of the
Spanish marriages had irretrievably compromised
his position, when the National Guard could
not be relied upon to support him, he
offered to abdicate in favour of the grandson who
has just become a father in exile. But the Chamber
of Deputies refused to acknowledge as King a boy of
ten, and Lours PHILIPPE, deserted on all sides,
found safety in flight. He left the field to Lours
NAPOLEON, and came to Newhaven under the title of
Mr. SMITH. Since then the elder branch of the ORLEANS
family has lived in England, and the infant born on
iSaturciay is its representative, The younger descen-,

just now it is very possible for a casual observer to
overlook some significant events, for incidents appa-
rently trifling are often in reality of great import-
ance. If we scrutinize the course which
events are taking we shall speedily arrive
at the conclusion that there are more things in Berlin
policy than are dreamed of in the philosophy of the
superficial observer of European history. It is more
easy to see that there is mischief brewing than to
point exactly what course it will take or what object
it is intended to gain ; but there can be little doubt
that those who are spared a few years longer will find
the mystery solved, and confess, as did the sceptics
in the cases of Denmark and Austria, that they were
deceived. Any lapse of faith in European politics is
to be dreaded, but though we may deplore
the consequences, there is the vindication of
the principles of right to be witnessed,
and the misery and misfortune that came
upon others by the errors of the prime movers, are
still the illustration of the suffering that is caused by
sin. We can defy anyone to say that Prussia will
be deterred from her purpose through hesitation to
commit an unpopular act. Witness the appropria-
tion of the fortunes of the King of HANOVER, and the

THE PAPAL STATES.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

ROME, FEBRUARY 2.
The Pope officiated this morning in the Basilica of St.
Peter's, it being the Catholic festival of the Purification,
and distributed the blessed candles to the members of the
Sacred College, the bishops and archbishops forming
part of the very numerous assemblage. The Archbishop
of Westminster, Mgr. Manning, and the Archbishop of
Anazarba, Mgr. Charles Eyre, whose consecration took
place on Sunday, were among those present. A
procession round the transept followed, each pre-
late, cardinal, and ambassador, as well as the
general and superior officers of the Papal army, the
senators, and the Pontifical household joining in it, bearing
a lighted candle. The effect was picturesque in the
extreme, and the interest it excited was amply testified by
the immense throng of visitors who witnessed it. The
Pope looked pale and fatigued, but bis voice when he
chaunted the blessing at the end of High Mass sounded
clear and fresh, and was audible in every part of the
church.

Yesterday the excavations of San Clemente were thrown
open to the public, in honour of the Feast of St. Ignatius
of Antioch, the disciple of St. John, whose relics repose
under the altar of the Irish Dominican 'Church. The
frescoes of the subterranean church, which date from the
fourth century, are in wonderful preservation, and were
visited by many hundre d persons yesterday, being illumi-
nated by wax torches. Archbishop Manning preached
the sermon, which was delivered from the ancient pulpit,
dating back to the ninth century. The audience consisted
principally of English and Americans, but there was also
a considerable sprinkling of foreigners conversant with
English. The Pope was expected, but did not come,
having been in the morning to the .A ppolinare Seminary.
The Carnival has commenced, but is far from brilliant,
on account of the weather, which is damp and rainy, after ;
a frost almost unexampled in its severity, the thermometers 1
having ranged between 22 and 25 for above ten days.
Three of the Embassies, moreover, are virtually closed,
Mr. Trauttmansdorff being absent from that of Austria,
the Duke of Saldhafia having been recalled to Lisbon, and
M. Posada, who is supposed to represent Spain, not having
yet delivered his letters of credence ; so that the usual diplo-
lomatic gaieties aze entirely wanting. The great Roman
and princely familes have, however, given a series of mag-
nificent balls, to which all the more distinguished foreigners
are cordially invited. The best understanding, too, seems
to reign between the Roman noblesse and the Papal army,
for the Roman officers are invited to every ball, save those
of the Doria familes.
Lady Clarendon has arrived in Rome to assist at her
daughter's confinement. Mr. Odo Russell was present this
morning at the ceremony in St. Peter's.
An idea exists in official quarters that the Marquis de
Bonneville, the present French Ambassador, may soon be
recalled, as his rrinciples and those of his chief, M. de
Lavalette, are at variance on the Roman question. M.
de Bonneville, w 1 was one of the framers of the Treaty
of Zurich in 1859, is a strong supporter of the temporal
power.

The cause of tie Trasteverine conspirators, Ajani and
Luzzi, is still is appeal. The Consulta will give its
final decision next week, which can scarcely
be other than a full confirmation of the sentence,
as the prisoners have openly avowed their share
in the revolt, but whether the sentence is carried out or
not is very uncertain. If the threats of injudicious friends
do not oblige the Government to an act of severity, there
is every probability of a commutation of the sentence of
aeatn.

A review will take place, after Carnival, of the Papal
army, which now numbers 16,000 men, of whom 8,000 are
Italians ; the French are 2,500, the Dutch 1,900, the
Belgians 600, and the Germans 1,100, There are about
_

60 Englishmen, mostly younger sons of old Roman
Catholic families, 100 Irishmen, and 250 Canadians.
General Ranzler, the Papal Minister of Arms, visited the
Zouave reading-room and club last week. The Pope's Hymn,
the national anthem of "God save the Queen," and "Rule
Britannia " were sung, and three hearty cheers given for
the Pope, the Queen, and the General, by the young
English volunteers. The Canadians, Dutch, French, and
Belgians have each their national club, and the punish.
ments in the various regiments have diminished about
two-thirds since their etablishment.

The evening's despatches from Naples announce the
King of Italy's arrival.. A large crowd was assembled at the

_
railway station, and his reception seems to have been more
cordial than on any previous occasion. An amnesty is talked
of for the 25,000 political prisoners now filling the Neapolitan
prisons and galleys, and it is to be hoped his Majesty's
advisers may counsel so wise an act of clemency. The
meal tax seems to be refused everywhere ; 346 peasants
were confined in Aiessandria alone for resisting it, and
above 3,000 in the other towns of Upper and Centratltaly.
The state of siege continues in Milan. A new rail-
way has been authorised by the Roman Government from
Rome to Viterbo, joining the Florence line near Orvieto,
and forming the most direct communication between the
Italian capital and Rome.

POLICE INTELLIGEIVCE—This Day.

MARLBOROI7GII-STREET.

_ - -
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN A TAVERN.—Sarah Symons, a
servant at the Bromley Arms Tavern, No. 84, Cleveland-
street, was charged before Mr: Tyrwhitt with attempting
to commit suicide by cutting her throat with a carving-
knife.

William Peters, barman at the Bromley Arms, said that
in consequence of the prisoner being the worse for liquor
on Sunday, she had notice given her the following day to
leave. After she received notice she raved and sang a
good deal, and threatened to destroy herself, and in
the evening he was called to the kitchen, where the pri-
soner had attempted to take her life by cutting her throat
with a carving knife. A surgeon and a constable were
sent for, and when the prisoner was sufficiently recovered
she was taken to the station.

In answer to Mr. Tyrwhitt, the witness said that
although the prisoner raved and sang, and threatened to
destroy herself, it was only looked upon as jesting.
At this stage of the case the prisoner fell back fainting
into the arms of the gaoler, and was removed from the
court.

Mr. Tyrwhitt said the poor woman would be remanded
for a week, and ordered her to be at once taken to the
House of Detention in a cab, at the same time expressing
a hope that some of her friends would be in attendance on
the next occasion.

WESTMINSTER.
UNPROVOKED ASSAULT.-.Mr, Henry Harrison, sculptor,
was charged with being drank and committing an unpro-
voked assault upon Police-sergeant Lewis, 1 B.
Complainant said that at eight o'clock last evening he
and two other Police-sergeants, who wero all in plain
clothes, were walking along Sloane street, when the
defendant, who was drunk, came up with a friend,
and pushed against him. Complainant gave way and
was proceeding on, when defendant followed and struck
him across the back of the neck with a stick, and repeated
the blow striking him on the thumb. No provocation of
any sort had been given the defendant, who was taken
into custody. He was both drunk and violent.
The prisoner was fined £5.

THAMES.
EXTRAORDINARY FRAUD ON A RAILWAY COMPANY.—
William Gibson, aged 26 years, and described as a travel-
ler, of No. 12, Garden-row, St. George's-road, Southwark,
was brought before Mr. Benson, charged with obtaining
£5O from Mr. John Walker, of the Midland Counties
Railway, by false and fraudulent pretences.
A solcitor appeared for the railway company, who said
this was only one of the many cases to be preferred
against the prisoner. In one case the prisoner had ob-
tained £5 by fraud, and he had also gathered other sums
by a most ingenious and impudent system of lies and mis-
representations.

Mr. Benson remanded the prisoner until Tuesday next.
The prisoner offered bail.
Mr. Benson—Bail ! No, I shall not take any bail.

VISIT OF LORD STANLEY TO GLASGOW.—We un-
derstand that Lord Stanley, who was recently elected to
the rectorship of our University, will visit GlaszoW towards
the end of next month.- Gkagoto Jerald.

dants of Louis PHILIPPE are, however, numerous; the
family has found its way to all parts of Europe—it
flourishes in almost every country except France.
The second son, the Duc de NEMOURS, is still living at
Claremont, and, like all his race, has a numerous pro-
geny. The third son, the Prince:de JonvvlLLE—he who
brought the remains of NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE
from St. Helena to France—also dwells in exile. At
one time his name was one of the most popular in
France. Last of the faniily in'England is the Duo
D'AUMALE, who, like the rest, wisely holds aloof
from politics, and spends his time partly at
Claremont and partly at the "paradise of
paupers," Twickenham. All these brothers have
children. Besides this formidable array, there is the
fifth son, the Duc de MONTPENSIER, now the most
important member of the family. He is married to
the sister of the fallen Queen of SPAIN, and still
retains the best chance of succeeding to the vacant
throne. One of the daughters of Lours PHILIPPE
was the late Queen of the BELGIANS, another married
a Prince of WURTEMBERG ; the third is the wife
of Prince AUGUSTUS, a member of the all but
numberless COBURG-GOTHA family.