The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 1, 1867

disadvantages of the system. Mr. TREVELYAN is
himself possessed of considerable ability, and his
Anglo-Indian experience has enabled him to com-
pare the merits of the two systems pursued in Eng-
land and India. Possibly from his familiarity with
the routine of official life Mr. TREVELYAN is not
very hopeful in the success of his cause. lie
apologised for his apparent presumption in dealing
with so large a question, but added that
he thought it advisable the man who took it up
should be young, since he was entering upon a
forlorn hope which he might scarcely live to see
realised. The arguments which Mr. TREVELYAN
brought forward were practically unansWerable,
but the practical difficulties of the case frighten
every one from attempting to embody precept in
practice. Our army, said Mr. TREVELYAN, is con-
stituted on a plan on which no army had been pre-
viously constituted, " not on superior ability, not
on long service, not on professional skill and know-
ledge, but on money." Mr. TREVELYAN brought
forward, in fact, the same objections in his speech
as his father did in his pamphlet ; and this was
natural, not only from association, but because they
must present themselves to every independent
and unprejudiced inquirer. The army, he
contended, could never be looked upon as
a profession under this system, because a man
should look forward to his profession with the hope
of rising in it by doing his best, whereas the pur-
chase system placed an obstacle in the way of those
young men who depended for their success in life
on their attainments and excellence. The expenses
of living added to the price of the commission pre-
sent a foimidable barrier to any but rich men, and
the consequence has been that it has been difficult
to get sufficient officers for the cavalry regiments,
so that, as Mr. TREVELYAN observed, the sys-
tem has actually broken down at both
ends—enough men could not be got to recruit
the ranks or to supply officers. The various
neutralise attempts
or to made
counteract by successive
t the governments
system t
have been, after all, but so many clumsy devices.
couract the evils o f
The difference between the Imperial army and that
of the East India Company was strongly com-
mented upon by Colonel SYKES. That army could
certainly boast of a long list of most distinguished
names, and annals of Indian warfare form a proud
page of our national military history. It is worth
while to examine into the difference. " The army
of the East India Company," said Colonel SYKES,
" was recruited without the slightest difficulty, and
from a different class of persons to those who
entered the Royal army. In the Indian service there
was always something to look forward to. There
was a multitude of appointments open to men of
some little education and station ; and many men
were induced to go to India upon the chances of
success thus held out to them who could never en-
tertain any hope of promotion in the Royal army."
This, in fact, is the great drawback : worse in one
sense than the amount of money demanded, because
the hopelessness of the prospect is quite sufficient to
deter those bold and enterprising temperaments
who are best adapted to excel in a military career.
The ardent and aspiring youth, possessed of good
talents and energies, needs scope for their exercise and
may well be disgusted at the prospect of five-and-
twenty years subordinate service, with an obscure
half pay at the end. Col. SYKES cited one or two
cases which proved clearly the inequality and injus-
tice of the present system, and very sensibly pro-
posed that a beginning should be made by degrees.
As officers wanted to sell commissions let them, he
said, be bought by the Government, and in process
of time the evil would be extinguished.

The speech of Captain STANLEY was certainly a
very favourable specimen of maiden oratory, and
his clear, straightforward views called forth
the applause of the House. He dwelt
particularly upon one or two points which
had been less noticed than they deserved, and
and especially referred to the responsibility which
rested upon a young and untried officer at the very
moment of his entering the service. He had thrust
upon him the responsibility of the charge of so many
human lives without being required properly to
qualify himself for that charge. "At the present
time a young officer entered the army with the best
intentions, working well and wishing to do his duty.
But the life of a soldier was composed of a multi-
tude of small details, the knowledge, or want of
knowledge, of which would constitute the differ-
ence between the comfort and discomfort
of all those who were immediately under him."
this is sound sense, and must be admitted by all
who have any knowledge of military life. The
examination at present adopted is merely, as
Captain STANLEY reminded the House, to keep
back a man who is totally unfit, not to select the
best officers. He contended that officers intended
for the rank of actual commanders of battalions
should be chosen by selection ; and that majors
of regiments who were likely to be called on to
act suddenly in the absence of their superiors,
r.thould also be selected on account of their military
acquirements. We are glad to find a gentleman
of Captain STANLEY'S rank and position holding
such independent views, and we have little doubt
but that as this question is more generally discussed,
the number of advocates of military reform will
be largely reinforced from all classes of the com-
munity.

CALLS TO THE BAR.—Gray's Inn, April 30.—At
a pension holden this day, William Gouldthorp, of
Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, gentleman, only
son of J. Gouldthorp, Esq., of the same place, was called
to the degree of Barrister-at-Law.—Lincoln's Inn, April
30 :—The undermentioned gentlemen were this day called
to the degree of Barrister-at-Law Jommett Browne, Esq.,
8.A., Oxford ; G. H. Robarts, Esq., M.A., Oxford ; Hon. F.
G. Dutton, 8.A., Oxford; Henry S. Brandreth, Esq., 8.A.,
Cambridge; Baldwin M. Smith, Esq., 8.A., Oxford; Hon.
R. C. E. Abbot, M.A., Oxford; A. Loughborough, Esq.,
8.A., Oxford; C. M. Fulford, Esq., 8.A., Cambridge; R.
Swan Stephen, Esq., 8.A., Cambridge.—Middle Temple,
April 30 : The undermentioned gentlemen wore this day
called to the degree of the Utter Bar by the Hon. Society
of the Middle Temple : John H. Turner, G. Shoe, LL.B.,
Trinity Hall, Cambridge; Budroodeon Tyabjee, Isaac Bad-
cock, 8.A., Trinity College, Oxford ; R. Sanders, R. W.
M. Bird, F. M. Adams, 8.A., Sidney Sussex College, Cam-
bridge ; Wade S. Garnett, 8.A., Trinity College, Dublin ;
E. Vaudayne, F. H. Avice, and F. 0. Grump, of Queen's
College, Cambridge.

MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF THE
MURDERESS IN LAMBETll.—Yesterday afternoon a
most fearful murder was perpetrated in the parish of Lam-
beth. The mother belonged to a very respectable family
residing in the midland counties, and has not long been
married. She was confined about four months ago at her
relative's residence. Since that time the unfortunate
woman has suffered from illness, and as fears were enter-
tained that she would be attacked with puerperal mania it
had been deemed necessary to keep a strict watch upon
her actions. During the whole of yesterday forenoon
there was nothing observable in the behaviour or appear-
ance of Mrs. Belcher to create alarm, but on the return of
her husband at about a quarter to six o'clock, he was ad-
mitted to the house by Mrs. Jacobs, the landlady, and pro-
ceeded to the apartments occupied by himself and family,
where a sight of the most ghastly description met his view.
Belcher, nut finding his wife in the sitting-room, went into
the largest back room, where ho was horrified at seeing his
wife and son lying in a mass of blood upon the bed. Beside
the wretched woman lay the body of the little boy, also
covered with blood. All the muscles and large arteries of
the throat of the child were completely severed. Upon
examination, it was thought the boy had been dead for
upwards of an hour. As soon as the poor woman's wounds
were dressed, she was tenderly placed in a cab, and con-
veyed to Westminster Hospital, where she was carefully
attended to. She was at once placed in bed, and although
she appeared to regain some little strength, her injuries
are of that fearful nature that, up to a late hour last night,
little hopes were entertained of her recorery.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Tuesday Evening.
The consent of Prussia to the principle of the
neutralisation of Luxemburg and the approaching
meeting of a Congress in London to consider the
details of the arrangement aro now mentioned as
certain facts; but the officious journals seem to be
still very shy upon the subject, and are rather
sparing in their observations. The &fele says

" The neutralisation of the Grand Duchy, and con-
sequently the evacuation of the fortress by the
Prussian troops having become the point of de-
parture for the negotiations of the Conference, the
casus belli which seemed imminent no longer exists.
The appointment of the time for the evacuation,
and the arrangement of the new position which
the Grand Duchy will assume, may still present
some difficulties, but in our opinion they cannot
be of a nature to threaten the interruption of
peace. We will add, however, that in our opinion
Prussia, in accepting the neutralisation, would act
opportunely by withdrawing her troops from the
fortress before the meeting of the Conference. She
would thus afford an evident proof of her con-
ciliatory intentions. We see in the adhesion of
Prussia a serious security of peace, and we should
find it difficult to believe that, France and Prussia
being in accord upon the essential points, a few
differences of opinion in regard to details could
lead to a rupture." The Paris papers are pretty
unanimous in considering that the probability of
war has now passed away, but some of them are,
nevertheless, of opinion that the questions of detail
which still remain to be settled may lead to im-
portant and difficult obstacles.
The last news from Mexico respecting the Etnpe-
__

ror Maximilian is very contradictory. According

to some accounts he had left Queretaro and re-
turned to Mexico, whilst others affirm that he is
blockaded at Queretaro by the Republican army of
Escobedo. One despatch received in Paris repre-
sents the Emperor's position to be such that it is
almost impossible for him to avoid falling into the
power of Juarez.
The juries appointed to award the prizes have
finished their labours, and I need hardly say that
the exhibitors await the official list with great
anxiety. They have incurred considerable expense,
to say nothing of the labour and industry employed.
France has been put upon her mettle, as one proof
of which I may mention the fact that M. Schneider,
President of the Legislative Body and Director of
the Iron Works of Creuzot, has spent about £32,000
sterling in his efforts to give a worthy display of
the results obtained in this branch of French skill
and industry.

The Prince Tokoungava Mimbo Tazo, the brother
of the Taicoun Emperor of Japan, has been received
by the Emperor at the Tuileries with great pomp
and ceremony. The Empress and all the great
officers of the Crown were present. The Prince was
accompanied by the Plenipotentiary front Taicoun,
and as the name of that gentleman may not be very
well known in England I supply it—he is called
Mont-a-fou-Zama Azatonochau. Among the other
illustrious strangers in the suite of the Prince were
Zamataka Iwamino Karni, Chamberlain of Taicoun,
Preceptor to the Prince, and some distinguished
persons of the household.
The young Prince made a characteristic speech in
the Japanese language, which was translated into
French by a Japan interpreter. It was to the
effect that he had the order of the Emperor of
Japan to be present at the International Exhibi-
tion, an order intended as a proof of the friendly
sentiments of Japan towards France. In present-
ing the Imperal letter to the Emperor, the young
Prince with great humility said he felt himself
unworthy to execute the Imperial mission properly,
but he hoped for the benevolent indulgence of the
Emperor. In conclusion, he said—" I have also
received orders to remain under the shadow of the
throne of your Majesty, to study, with some of
my subjects, the sciences which distinguish France."
The Emperor, in reply, expressed his satisfaction
at seeing the brother of a Sovereign with whom
France kept up the most amicable relations, and
expressed his congratulations at the development,
which increased every day between the most distant
countries, of relations so useful to progress and
civilisation. In the course of the day the Prince
sent to the Tuileries the magnificent presents offered
by theTaicoun to the Emperor and Empress and the
Prince Imperial.
There will be two performances daily at the In-
ternational Exhibition--one at mid-day and one in
the evening.
On Saturday M. Rouher, the Minister of Finance,
gave a magnificent ball in honour of the Exhibition.
persons were invited. Among
of Sweden, the Prince and
Athieomre
Princess Gabrielli, Ministers, Ambassadors, Sena-
tors, and parsons distinguished in arts and letters
from almost every part of the world. Madame
Rouher did the honours with exquisite grace and
affability.
The members of the jury were invited to a grand
dinner on Saturday by M. Duruy, Minister of In-
struction. The guests included many English and
learned men of all countries.
In the Dutch portion of the Exhibition the ma-
chine for cutting and polishing diamonds is an object
of much attraction. The Dutch excel in this art.
The machine makes nearly 2,500 revolutions in a
minute. This branch of art occupies more than
12,000 workmen at Amsterdam. In Paris the
number of men employed at it is very considerable.
The most esteemed diamonds are those of Agrah,
of about 1,720 carats. Those of the Rajah of
Matran at Borneo (400 carats), that of the ancient
Emperor of Mogul, of the Emperor of Russia, the
Emperor of Austria, and that of France, called
" The Regent," which is remarkable for its form
and colour. It cost the Duke of Orleans 2,500,000 f.,
and in the list of the property belonging to the
Crown its value is estimated at 12 millions. There
are some magnificent diamonds in the English de-
partment.
Although we live in " the piping time of peace,"
every day brings forth some new invention to assist
in carrying on war. The last spoken of is a sword-
revolver, a weapon of a formidable and murderous
character for cavalry. Within the handle are six
revolver pistols which may be fired
very easily, so
that you may cut down one man with your sword,
and kill six others with your revolver at the same
time.

An old sportsman writes to a Paris paper to say
that snipes are three times more plentiful in France
this year than they have been for several years past.
An old proverb says,
" Plenty of snipes, plenty of
grapes." The accounts respecting the vineyards
are very favourable.
It rained during
greater part of last night, and
to-day the rain has been heavy and almost con-
tinuous, with much wind. The weather, however,
was warmer than yesterday.
The following are
some additional particulars
respecting the marriage of the Count de Flaudre
and the Princess Marie of Hohenzollern Sig-
mariugen, which was celebrated at Berlin on
Thursday last with grand solemnity in the Catholic
Church of Sainte Hedwin. The Princes and
Princesses of the Royal fiouse, the Diplomatic
Body at Berlin, all the high dignitaries of the State,
and the Count of Prussia were present at the cere-
mony. The King and Queen of Prussia entered the
church at half-past three in the afternoon, and
--di:iY Belgians,
and the
were followed by the august bride and bridegroom,
accompanied by the King of
the t
Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern. The Prince
Bishop of Breslau, after
made
a speech, iu which he alluded to the sacred duties of
marriage, and exhorted the young Princess to
become in her new country the zealous and con-
stant protectress of Catholic interests. The pre-
late then declared that their Royal Highnesses
were united in marriage. In the evening there
was a grand concert at the Palace, at the con-
clusion of which the Diplomatic Body offered their
Highnesses intended to stay a short
homage to the Count and Countess de Flaudre
Their Royal
time at Dusseldorf, the residence of Prince
Hohenzollern, but they will be at Brussels either
this evening or to-morrow.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ITALY AND THE LUXEMBURG
QUESTION.
FLORENCE, April 30.

The Opinione of this evening says :

" The Luxemburg question, which threatened to
disturb the peace of Europe, has now entered the
phase of pacific arrangement. The Italian Go-
vernment, convinced that no deliberate intention of
making war existed either at Berlin or Paris, and
being informed that its good offices and disinterested
counsels would not only be accepted, but were de-
sired on both sides, did not hesitate one moment in
coining to an understanding with England, and
uniting with her in order to propose a settlement
of the most impartial and equitable nature, which
would fully satisfy the interests and just suscepti-
bilities of two great nations having equal claims on
our friendship and alliance.

THE PRUSSIAN CHAMBERS.
BERLIN, April 30.

In this evening's sitting of the Chamber of
Deputies Herr von Forttenbeck was re-elected Pre-
sident, and General Stavenhagen first Vice-President
of the Chamber. Three ballots took place for the
election of the second Vice-President. The Con-
servative candidate, Count Eulenburg, obtained a
majority over Herr von Carlowitz, of the party of
the Left. The members of the Left Centre party,
and Dr. Simson, the former President of the North
German Parliament, hitherto belonging to the old
Liberal fraction, have joined the National Liberal
party. The latter has resolved to propose an im-
mediate vote on the whole Federal Constitution.