The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 24, 1860.

or_ams... eft
GARIBALDI and of CAVOIJR are both needed to
counterwork the combined audacity and cunning of
the French EMPEROR.

London seems destined to follow, not to lead, in
the great improvements required in towns by the
progress of science and the increase of population.
Birkenhead has set it the example of street rail-
ways ; one which it must soon follow if our main
streets are to be available for vehicles at all. And
the Mayor of Birmingham has, we observe, just
set an example which the Lord Mayornoifs Honourmight also follow with advantage•
of the local metropolis convened a ni pnite,e,teilge,andoitdaetna.
Mansion-house, nor to partake of
tertainment," but at the principal inn of the town,
and to share a modest " luncheon ;" but the meet-
ing was for a practical object. It was really
for something better than " civic hospitality !"
The corporation of Birmingham has been desirous
to purify its small river, the Tame, and has, for
that purpose, provided at great expense filtering
tanks, by means of which the grosser part of the
town sewage was stopped in its passage to the
river, and the defecated liquid alone suffered to
flow away into the stream. The town is now in
the same position in which London will shortly be
in regard to its sewerage. They have a system of
sewerage by which the contents of cesspools, the
refuse of slaughter-houses and wash-houses, and
all the various things which the first chemists of
the day say are of vital importance to the agri-
culture of the country, are collected and brought
under control. After, however, the filtered fluid
flows into the river it is so diluted as to be
of little or no value to the farmer; and the object
of the Mayor was to ascertain whether the neigh-
bouring landlords and farmers could not be in-
terested in carrying out a plan for distributing
the purified liquid over the land, thereby enor-
mously increasing its productiveness as far as it
should extend.
Some question was raised at the meeting as to
the loss sustained by filtering the sewerage. But
scientific persons present maintained the now well
ascertained fact that the solid part of the sewage is
of insignificant value. It:was also mentioned that
the Town Council had no wish to free the liquid
from solid matter, if it were desirable that it
should be retained. The truth, however, is, that
the chemical ingredients held in solution
are the chief fertilisers of the soil, and
if the expense of filtering be not heavy, it is pro-
bably advantageous, in the distribution through
pipes, that the fluid should be as little as possible
encumbered with gross particles of little or no
agricultural value. Dr. VOELCKER, consulting
chemist to the Royal Agricultural Society, who
was present, was of course the chief authority on
this point, and he told the meeting that, "As to the
possibility and advantage of applying sewage in a
liquid state there could not be a doubt. The only
question which had been raised that day was, what
is the comparative value of the matters in solution,
and of the matters which subside in the tanks ? In
February last he made a careful examination and
analysis both of the clear liquid and the deposit.
He found that by far the largest amount of the
various fertilising matters were contained in the
sewage in a state of solution ; that a very insignifi-
cant quantity of valuable fertilising matter was re-
moved in the tanks ; and that the clear sewage was
equally well adapted for irrigation as the sewage
before it enters the subsiding tanks, and was indeed
in some respects better on forced grass lands." We
believe, however, that the discoveries of LIEBIG
and his followers have quite set this question at
rest; and, that every farmer aware of the facts of
the case, would be almost indifferent to that more
offensive portion of the sewage which meets the
eye, and would aim to secure what was till recently
supposed to be of smaller value.
Many facts were adduced at the meeting showing
the proved and high value of what has so long been
suffered to run to waste; some of them would seem
almost fabulous, were not the evidence so undeni-
able. At Ashburton, in Devonshire, where the
land was so treated, it let at £6 an acre, while the
land not irrigated let for 20s. ; at Malvern, some
meadows bore five times the quantity of hay they
ever had before, and grass for hay was cut three
times in the year instead of once; at Mansfield,
land formerly let at 3s. per acre now let at £l2 ; at
Edinburgh, 400 acres irrigated by one-half the
town sewage let most of it at £3O per acre. One
fact very curiously illustrated the value set on the
sewage by a neighbouring gentleman, for, in proof
of the real value of irrigation in this neighbour-
hood, the Mayor also referred to the legal proceed-
ings taken against the-corporation by Mr. WHEEL-
WRIGHT, of Erdington Hall, who showed that by
being deprived of the irrigation of 55 acres, his loss
on two years' crops was £4OO. This was, of course,
a plaintiff's assessment of his own loss ; yet it is
below what the previous cases would have justified
him in asking. Such a meeting as that at the Hen
and Chickens would of course be incomplete with-
out our old agricultural friend Mr. MECHI ; being
unable to he present he contributed, however, his
share of facts ; he wrote thus :—" Could I attend,
I should endeavour to enforce upon the meeting
that a farm of 500 acres near Edinburgh, which
was worth only £5OO per annum, has been so im-
proved by the application of the town sewage of a
portion of Edinburgh, that it now produces an an-
nual revenue of about £9,500. Some portions of
the oldest irrigated meadows were let this year by
public auction at a rental of £35 to £44 per impe-
rial acre, the average of the whole letting being
£27 per imperial acre. The character of the soil
near Birmingham being friable and sandy, renders
it peculiarly eligible for irrigation purposes, and
if it can be purchasedreaatt
individual
di priceviau notal
profitexceedingm
est
£2OO per acre, a great
result from flooding it abundantly with town

sewage."
Every Englishman will ask, however, first, how
far is the thing generally practicable ? The Mayor
had very wisely anticipated a question so sure to
be asked. The fertilising powers of town sewage
were undeniable—but would not the cost of putting
on the land by tubing like Mr. MECIII'S be far too
great ?—and somehow the country farmers will yet
look askance at the worthy agriculturist's balance-
sheets. Mr. SIIEPIIEED, civil engineer, however,
could tell them the exact cost ; it was fifty shillings
per acre for the requisite works, and thirty shillings
per acre as the annual charge. He was, he said,
" engineer to a company now forming in London, of
which Lord CALTIIORPE was a director, the object of
which was to apply the sewage of Croydon to some-
thing like 6,000 acres of land. They were ready to do
the same with the sewage of London and Birming-
ham, if the corporation would consent to give them
the requisite concession. To the farmer the first
cost for machinery and apparatus would not exceed
£2 10s. per acre, and the company would undertake
to supply him with the sewage at 30s. per acre
yearly. They would receive it at all elevations.
After the
sewage left the town, it would not be
again seen till it bubbled up in the field where it
was required."
It would seem, therefore, that even Croydon, close
at hand, is about to show us what we are to do
with the contents of our tremendously costly sewers;
and very soon, we apprehend, it will be thought as

great awn absurdity to propose a higher or lower •
discharge of sewers into the Thames or into the sea
as it would be to propose throwing into the water
the cargoes of corn brought into port by our ships.
All these cumulative evidences of the value of
our sewage could not have arisen at a better time
for us. One great sewer is now approaching com-
pletion, and the others will follow in, we may hope,
reasonable time. But the question how they are to
terminate ought to be at once taken up. The idea
suggested by what the Mayor of Birmingham has
done should be at once adopted in London. It
seems every way probable that the money obtained
for a right to use the sewage of London would
amount to a very handsome sum ; would be a sen-
sible relief to the metropolitan rates, and leave a
handsome profit still to both the company which
constructed the works and the agriculturist also.
We hope, therefore, soon to hear of a similar
meeting in London.

M. ESQUIROS is doing good service to the cause
of Peace in Europe—M. ESQUIROS being (of all

Europeans !) a Frenchman, and (of all Frenchmen !)
a Journalist ! As a contributor to that French
Times, and Blackzcood, and Edinburgh, all rolled

into one, the Revue des deux Mondes—M, ALPHoNSE
ESQUIROS has recently commenced in that eminent

periodical a series of papers upon our British War
Establishments—a series of papers which says to
all France, which says for that matter to the whole
of Europe—Beware ! Pause ! Hesitate! Think
Twice ! before you dream of assailing, much more
before you dream of actually invading England.
For a wonder, be it said, although a Frenchman—
for a still greater wonder, although a French man-
of-letters, M. ESQUIROS really does appear to know
something about England and about Englishmen.

What he knows about us, he has evidently learnt
from personal observation. He has manifestly not
begun, according to the old approved fashion, by
collecting his facts at second-hand. He has come
amongst us with his eyes open—and has examined
everything, so to speak, with his eyes, NOT through
coloured glasses. At the same time, while thus
himself perfectly dispassionate, he is obviously quite
conscious of the prevailing tendency elsewhere to

exaggeration. " When I read the French news-
papers," he says, " I think—to use an expression
common on the other side of the straits—that the
Thames is on fire ;" adding, " When I read the
English newspapers I think it is the Seine." Never-
theless, while deriding thus frankly the general
disposition upon both sides to misrepresent the
actual state of things by extravagantly magnifying
upon either hand the confronting armaments, M.
ESQUIROS insists upon it that the military reforms
and increasing armaments of the United Kingdom
have at length acquired for themselves a character
of importance sufficient to justify • a serious
amount of reflection among the surrounding nations
of the European continent. "Every nation of the
continent, " he writes, no matter which [imperial
France, of course, can take this to herself !] every
nation of the continent that should feel disposed to
come into collision with Great Britain ought to
think twice about it. First and foremost she would
,-find before her the wooden walls of Old Eng-
land, hitherto an impenetrable bulwark to her
shores ; behind the ships are soldiers, who are daily
increasing in numbers and improving in organiza-
tion; behind those soldiers stands the armed na-
tion"—meaning by this last our supplementary
army of 150,000 Rifle Volunteers.
Altogether apart from the recent movement made
by Englishmen with a view to the better organiza-
tion of their national defences, altogether apart
from this recent movement, M. ESQUIROS has the
high moral courage to put the following pertinent
and searching queries in our regard directly before
his own fellow-countrymen—" Have not the Eng-
lish soldiers," he asks, " although never numerous,
sufficed for all the great eventualities of history ?
Has not the weight of their arms been felt for cen-
turies past in the balance in which are weighed the
destinies of the Continent ? Each time that it was
necessary to conquer, have they not conquered ?"
Nay, he has even the courage to observe yet fur-
ther, yet more pointedly, " I will not awaken irri-
tating recollections, I will not write the name of a
great battle so painful to our national self-love ; it
suffices to recall the fact that lately England, with
a handful of men, reconquered India. Instead of deny-
ing history, it were better to seek by what ties the
British character is linked to the group of martial na-
tions." Whereupon he thus judiciously represents
our military character: "The Englishman," he ob-
serves, "is not warlike from taste ; he does not love
war for war's sake, or maintain an army for the
ruinous pleasure of seeing bayonets glitter and ban-
ners flaunt. He has an army to defend his territory,
his commerce, the immense network of his external
relations and affairs. Experience has more than
once shown him the necessity of putting the pride
of riches under the protection of courage. The
English soldier has less enthusiasm than coolness.
On a battlefield he dies as he lives, with resolution
and from a sentiment of duty. Immovable in his
ranks, he feels that the responsibility of the labour
which has made England an opulent nation rests
upon his arms." So much for the " regular army"
—outside which, girdling our very coasts with the
outermost barrier of defence are England's Old
Woolen Walls—within which, bristling in serried
ranks, corps upon corps are the bands of the armed
nation itself, the armed people themselves, the
National Guard of the British Rifle Volunteers.
France, Russia, any nation in Europe "will think
twice about it," as M. ESQUIROS frankly puts the
matter before his follow Frenchmen, before his
brother Europeans—" will think twice about it" be-
fore coming into collision with Great Britain under
existing circumstances.

His Excellency the Marquis d'Azeglio has ler
town for Broadlands Park, on a visit to Viscount and Vis
countess Palmerston. _ _

The Duke and Duchess of Hamilton and family
have left Hamilton Palace, Lanarkshire, for Brodick
Castle, An an, where the noble duke and duchess will
shortly receive a distinguished circle of friends.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury, who
left town a few days back for Bedgebury Ptak, Kent, on a
visit to Mr.A. B. Beresford-Hope and Lady Mildred Hope,
will join the circle visiting the Earl and Countess Delawarr
at Buckhurst Park, Sussex, to-day.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde
arrived in town on Saturday, from Pails, in which capital
they made a short stay on their way home from Homburg.
The Earl and Countess of Derby's party at
Knowsb; yPark, Lancashire, will assemble on Monday next,
and will include a large family circle and immediate per-
sonal friends, invited for tha nuptials of the Lady Emma
Stanley and Colonel the Hon. W. P. M. C. Talbot, ap-
pointed to take place on Thursday, the 4th proximo.
The Earl and Countess of Seafield arrived in the
early part of last week at their seat in Inverness-shire, from
a tour of vists in Ireland.

The Earl of Lonsdalc arrived at his residence on
Carlton House-terrace, on Saturday, from Lowther Castle,
Westmoreland. . _

The marriage of Lady Arabella Diana S. West,
youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess Delawarr, with
Sir Alexander Bannerman, Bart., is to be solemnised to-
morrow at Buckhurst Park, Sussex.
Lieutenant General Sir Harry Smith continues,
we are sorry to learn, in much the same condition, no appa-
rent improvement having manifested itself. Her Majesty,
before her departure for Germany on Saturday, sent an
equerry to inquire after the health of the gallant general.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and a great
many military friends of Sir Harry called personally dur-
ing the afternoon.

A letter from Lyons informs us that the waters
of the Rhone and Saone have risen to the level of the lower
bridges,

LATEST NEWS.

The following telegrams have been received at
Alr, Reuter's office :

TURIN, SEPT. 24.

The head-quarters of General Fanti are at
Loretto. The siege artillery has been disembarked
at the Sardinian camp, near Ancona.

The Cpinione says :—" Count Vimercati de Ven-
centi and Signor Pallavicina have arrived here from
Naples. Count Vimercati has been to Naples on
a mission to the Dictator. Signor Pallavicini is
sent here intrusted with a mission from the
Dictator."

The Neapolitan Ministry has tendered its resig-
nation. It is said that Signor Conforti has bees
intrusted with the formation of a new Cabinet.

ROME (via Marseilles), SEPT. 18.
It is asserted that the Sardinian troops have
advanced as far as Narni.

On Monday next the Consistory of Cardinals
will be assembled.

The last works of Renan, Rumichon, and Dupin
have been placed on the index of the books con
demned by the Papal Government.

NAPLES, (via Marseilles), SEPT. 18.
The official journal publishes an article attack-
ing Count Cavour.
The same journal publishes a letter from Ga-
ribaldi declaring that there exists an irreconcil-
able difference between his policy and that of
Count Cavour.

TURIN, SEPT. 22

The Sardinian Government has decided that
the French soldiers of the Papal army who have
been made prisoners shall be immediately restored
to their families.

TURIN, SEPT. 22 (Evening

The Chassours of the Tiber entered Viterbo
yesterday. The inhabitants had revolted and
driven away the Papal garrison.

TURIN, SEPT. 23 (Evening).
The King has conferred on General Cialdini the
Grand Cross of the Military Order of Savoy.
In the battle of Monte Fidardo the Sardinians
took 11 cannon, not six, as was first stated.
The number of Pontifical officers made prisoners
was 150, not 50.

GENOA, SEPT. 23.
Signor Pallavicini and Cardinal Sforza have ar-
rived here from Naples.
The official Gazette of Venice publishes a pro-
clamation of the Lieutenant• General, increasing
the military patrols and limiting the use of arms
for the suppression of revolutionary attempts.

VENICE, SEPT. 23,

In yesterday's sitting of the Reichsrath Count
Clam Martinez declared that the laws concerning
the public press are not satisfactory, and proposed
the insertion of a demand for their revisal in the re-
ports of the committee. The majority of the com•
mittee agreed eo this proposition. The reports of
the majority and the minority of the committee
were then read by the reporters.
Count Szecsen declared that the cause of all the
evils in Austria was to be found in the system of
government. It is now absolutely necessary to
satisfy the wants of each province, based as they
are upon political and historical right. The ques-
tion of Hungary especially demands a solution. It
is the duty of the Council of the Empire to discover
in what way the individuality of the provinces can
be re-established without disturbing the union of
the different parts of the empire. The application
of this project to each single province should be
arranged between the Sovereign and the provincial
Diets.

M. Heyn then justified the view taken by the
minority of the committee, and said that if the
majority would state their intentions more dis-
tinctly, an understanding with the minority might
then perhaps be possible. He expressed a hope
that the majority wonld adopt the concluding
words of the minority's report, which proposes, as
the programme foc the political reorganisation of
Austria, the unity of the empire, and as much as
possible the autonomy of each province.

VIENNA, SEPT. 23,

The Serbske 11Tovine announces that Prince
Milosch is not dead, but, on the contrary, is re-
covering. His complete restoration to health is
expected.

SEMLIN, SEPT. 22.

Several arbitrary acts having been committed by
Servian functionaries against foreigners, the con-
sills of the great Powers have been instructed to
address remonstrances to the Servian Government.

PARIS, SEPT. 22.

A report was current to-day on the Bourse that
the Austrians had crossed the Mincio. The Com-
missary of the Police of the Bourse gave an official
denial to this report.

•,•••••••••• ••••••

PARIS, SEPT. 22 (Evening).

The Patrie says :—" We believe we can affirm
the complete falsity of the report that the Emperor
had expressed a wish to be invited to Warsaw."
The same journal contains the following :
" Garibaldi, in a letter to Signor Abrusco, pub-
lished in the official journal of Naples, says :
Although I am quite disposed to sacrifice all per-
sonal feeling on filo altar of the country, I could
never be reconciled with men who have sold an
Italian province.' Nevertheless a decree of the
Dicttgor promulgates the Sardinian Constitution
for Naples and Sicily, but without fixing a date for
its execution."

Baron Brenier is to leave Naples on Thursday
next. Mr. Elliot will remain in that city.

PARIS, SEPT. 22 (Morning).
The Moniteter announces the arrival of their Ma-
jesties at St. Cloud.

PARIS, SEPT. 23.

Baron Hubner, formerly. Austrian Ambassador
at Paris, has arrived here. It has been officially
denied that the Sultan intends to send the Grand
Vizier on a special mission to Paris and London.
Advices from Belgrade state that the Sultan, it
is expected, will acknowledge Prince Michael as
Prince of Servia ; but at the same time will declare
that the Porte does not intend to recognise the
hereditary right of the family Obrenovitch.

It is stated here that the French troops will not

occupy Damascus.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Sept. 22.—The market opened firm at
the quotations of the previous day, and for a time
showed rather: an upward tendency, but after a
short time Stock became offered by persons desirous
of realising, and quotations rapidly receded. Threes,
which for a moment had reached 68f 70c, are now
at 681 20c. Mobilier, 680 f; Orleans, 1,382 f 50c ;

Northern, 965 f; Mediterranean, 890 f ; Austrian,
468 f 75e; and Lombard, 470 f.
The following are the last quotations
41 per per Cents 95 50 , Credit Foticier 895
Do end month.... —1 Belgian 41 —
3 per Cents
Do. end month 6B 30 , Roman
Bank Shares 2815 —; Austrian
Credit Mobilier.... 680 Spanish Threes 47 50
Do. Account 685 Home Debt