The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 13, 1.69.

MISCEL GANEO US NEWS.

Grattan. In doing so Mr. O'Hagan says that, while
men may hold various views as to Grattan's policy,
there can be no dissension as to his " pure and
earnest life—his public virtue—his indomitable
courage—his true and unchanging devotion to his
country-the achievements by which he lighted up
the fairest page in our dismal story—the genius which
made him matchless amongst the orators of the
modern. world."

Captain White, M.P., has contributed £lOO
towards the new Roman Catholic cathedral ai
Thurles. In returning thanks for the gift, Dr.
Leahy says : " We have the more reason to acknow•
ledge our indebtedness that, whilst we are all, you
and we, linked together in the bonds of charity, you
do not kneel before the same altar with us."

humanity. There was a time wnen prisoners Were
butchered or else sold into slavery, and civilised
communities considered it to be no evil. There
was also a time when criminals were tortured, and
this practice was looked upon as legal ; but a better
state of things supervened, and slavery and tor-
ture have been abolished. What is called "senti-
mental" at first often exercises a beneficial influence
upon human nature. The improved treatment of
brute animals has been a distinguishing feature of
modem society, and noble protests have been made
against certain cruel practices which prevailed. The
process of vivisection has been condemned by the
most eminent surgical and medical men and phy-
siologists of the country, and a society for the pre-
vention of cruelty to animals is advantageous to a
community, if only -I o represent the growing sentiment
of tne age.

FOREIGN NOTES:

VNFAVOINIABLE OMENS.

The general aspect of European politics IS not such as
to reassure the public mind respecting the " hitch " which
seems to have occurred at the first meeting of the Con-
ference. There is no doubt that Russia, whether anxious
for a war or not, is making preparations for the worst.
News from Odessa says that the Government has con-
cluded a contract for a large supply of provisions and
forage for the Army of the South. General Kotzebue,
the commander, is doing his utmost to get his troops ready
for a winter campaign. The officers speak openly, it is
said, of a war with Austria. The Vienna journals confirm
this intelligence. Horses are being purchased and carriages
onstructed in great numbers. • More than this, the un-
friendliness between Austria and Prussia—which the
Standard believes to be the precursor of war—is a gloomy
reality. At Berlin there is a palpable impression that
Austria is not disposed to forget all she suffered in 1866.
The Prussians are equally convinced that the French
Government has not abandoned all idea of a conflict
with Prussia, and that so far the two Emperors are
on the best of terms. Hence the Prussian press has com-
menced a series of attacks upon Austrian policy, and
especially upon Baron Beust, the object being to force the
skilful Austrian Chancellor's hand. Unless some end of
his kind were in view, the Prussian semi-official papers,
which are by no means allowed to write as they please,
would not talk about the rupture of diplomatic relations,
as does the North German Gazette. On the whole,
European politics wear an aspect of pronounced gloom,
which is not improved by the fact that the arrangements
for the Conference are such as to render its success entirely
useless as a peace guarantee. . .

The Constitutionnel says the Progressist party is
gradually coming round to an alliance with the Repub•
licans, and fears are entertained that the benefit of such
a union will be all on the side of the latter.