The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-06 00:00:00

Commence at Seven.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE•
Mr. Fechter, sole, actual, and responsible Manager.
THIS EVENING, at Eight o'clock. THE LADY OF
LYONS. Beauseant, Mr. G. Jordan ; General Damns, Mr.
S. Emery, Glavis, Mr. S. Calhaern ; M. Deschappelles, Mr.
H. Mellon, Gaspar, Mr. Dalton ; Landlord, Mr. J. Francis ;
Officer; Messrs. Stuart and Fleming ; Claude Melnotte,
Mr. Fechter ; Pauline, Deschappelles, Miss Carlotta
Leclercq ; Widow Melnotte, Miss Elswortlay ; Madame
Deschappelles, Mrs. H. Marston.
Preceded by (at Seven) A WONDERFUL WOMAN.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6, 1867.

GARIBALDI is again a prisoner, and we may,
therefore, expect that peace and calm will be re-
stored to Italy. At the same time one cannot help
a feeling of regret at the sad fate which has over-
taken one so true and so devoted. The folly which
he has exhibited has hardly a parallel in modern
days, but that does not prevent one from lamenting
his misfortunes. He made a good fight, according
to all accounts, although it was not destined to be
a successful one, and his bravery and fortitude have
sustained no slur in their reputation by the recent
events which have made the Papacy dominions so
stirring a scene of late. It must be seen by all
who study the affair that if GARIBALDI failed it
was through the agency of influences quite beyond
his control, and with the French and Italians
against him no ono else could possibly have held
their ground. A feeling of intense relief comes
over the mind at the prospect of a general war in
Italy being removed from us, but at the same
time as safety appears to be promised arises
the interest which so many have for so long a period
felt in the career and fortunes of GARIBALDI. He
appears in a different light as a defeated prisoner
from that in which we viewed him as a revolutionary
leader, determined on carrying his purpose ; and no
matter who suffered for it he resolved to pursue it
to the uttermost, and to do or die in the attempt.
He has done neither, as it has turned out, and the
event shows the folly and absurdity of people per-
sisting in taking the law into their own hands.
Nor is he more likely to save Italy now than if he
had followed the course of prudence and the dic-
tates of wisdom, and remained in his island home.
He had warning enough, in all conscience, and
cannot possibly plead for an excuse that he was
taken unawares and rushed hastily into a step that
could not be retraced. The Italian Government
were only too lenient with him at the outset, and
he had every possible facility afforded to him to
escape from his awkward position. We are glad
that GARIBALDI has been made prisoner by his own
Government, and not by the French, nor yet by
the Pontifical troops, for any after arrangement
will be much easier and more satisfactorily made.
The French EMPEROR ought to acknowledge the
great services which the Italian Government have
rendered to the cause of order throughout the dis-
turbed States. It was a very different thing for
the disaffected corps to lay d'wn their arms to an
Italian officer to what it would have been to a
French one, and in fairness and consistency we
hope that NAPOLEON will recognise it as such. It
is satisfactory to hear that the ultimatum alluded
to yesterday is not borne out by subsequent accounts.
At any rate it is very gratifying to think that the
immediate cause for fear is removed, and that as
there will be no longer any pretext for continuing
the stay of the French troops in Rome, so there will
be no necessity to prolong the vexatious discussions
relating to the rights of occupation and the wrongs
of interference. The question of the temporal power
of the POPE is not for the French to decide, and in any
case they must leave others to settle it for themselves.
The Emperor N xroLv.oN has declared that he sent
his troops to Italy most unwillingly, and it now
remains for him to prove this to the world by
speedily withdrawing them altogether. Of course
it will take some time for the disturbed community
to return to calm, but with great care and conside-
ration on all sides, it is not impossible that some
settlement may be made which will improve the
case, and render Italy more secure at home, and
more safe from the much-deprecated interference of
France than she has been since the September
Convention.

According to the telegram from Alexandra, dated
Monday, the 4th, the Abyssinian expedition has
commenced under favourable auspices. H.M.
Indian steam transport Malabar, with troops, has
arrived at Suez. Three thousand mules were in
Egypt awaiting transport. Colonel MEREWETIIER
has found a good encampment at Zoulfa, and is
sending out reconnoitring parties.. In this manner
he will become practically acquainted with the
nature of the route before them, and will ascertain
with accuracy the means of obtaining water,
&c., which will materially assist his progress.
The real difficulty about the Abyssinian
expedition has been the general ignorance
respecting it, not because of the obstacles which it
put in the way of the troops, but on account of the
doleful prophecies and dark conjectures which
abounded in consequence. What with the Guinea
worm, the Tsetse fly, famine, and lack of water,
some persona worked themselves and their neigh
bours up into the belief that our forces would be
decimated without a shadow of success, and the
more doubtful and uncertain the official knowledge
appeared to be the louder and more confident grew
the prophets of misfortune and mischief. A little
reflection, however, convinced the majority
that a country in which King THEODORE'S
unfortunate captives had so long enjoyed tolerable
health in spite of so many drawbacks and such
continued anxiety could scarcely be so fatal to their
countrymen ; while the seers who declared that
famine was the most dangerous enemy, and who
drew vivid pictures of dying camels and hovering
birds of prey, appear to have forgotten that Abys-
sinia abounds with cattle ; who, according to these
statements, must be in the habit of living on air,
since neither food nor water is obtainable in Abys-
synia ! The precautions which are being taken by
the authorities are sufficient of themselves to remove
any needless apprehension. However favourable
the accounts which reach them from the pioneers
of the force, they are determined not to rely in any
degree upon the chance of what they may find. The
expedition is not to advance into Abyssinia until
it has seven months' food actually collected, and a
three months' reserve guaranteed ready as soon
as wanted. The troops of the advanced brigade
are to make three piers for the main portion
of the force at the place selected for debarka
tion, which is Ansley Bay, 20 miles south
of Massowah. This bay faces the north, and
has deep water and good anchorage, and there
is no unusual difficulty about the approach. The
laud surrounding it is a sandy plain, with patches of
brushwood, but without forest. Game is plentiful
and cattle easily obtained, so that the advanced
brigade who arrived there on the 16th ult. Were
confident that there would be no difficulty about
supplies. Water, at least drinkable water, is not to
be found within 16 miles of the coast ; but a good
and abundant supply was discovered at that dis-
tance in one of the deep ravines. This is no great
distance to obtain a supply, and it is very possible
that more may be found hereafter, since it is evi-
dent that there is no natural deficiency in the country.
Colonel MEREWETUER'S party, immediately on
their arrival, took active measures to prepare for
the reception of the force. The first thing to be
done was to construct a pier to land troops and
stores, and coolies from Aden were summoned to