The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-07 00:00:00

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

ASCOT RACES.—THURSDAY.
THE GOLD CUP DAY.
Grave fears were entertained that the prestige of

the Cup Day would be seriously affected by adverse
weather, and Wednesday night seemed so unpro-
pitious that the most sanguine had dismal forebod-
ings of a wet morrow. Fortunately, however, after
dull morning matters improved, and by noon the
sun shone out as brilliantly as the greatest votary
of pleasure could desire. Unmistakeable signs of

" Gold Cup morning" were perceptible in town,
and the entrance to the Waterloo station was com-
pletely blocked by carriages from Belgravia and the
less aristocratic Hansoms. Special trains were
speedily filled, and there was something like per-
sonal encounters and combats for the possession of
seats and carriages. The lalies, despite their gauzy
and zephyr-like dresses, were as resolute as the
ruder sex in obtaining railway accommodation. The
first race was appointed for 1.30, and by noon the
Stand awl enclosures were filled, the attendance
being very great, and the display of fashion and
feminine beauty was never exceeded, even at aristo-
cratic Ascot, famous for its annual exhibitions of
English loveliness. The visit of the Prince of Wales
is always regarded by the pleasure-seektrs as one of
the chief characteristics of the Cup day, and the
greatest excitement prevails as the hour approaches
for the arrival of the royal procession. Before one
o'clock the course, from the end of the royal enclosure
downwards, was cleared, and presently the scarlet li-
very of the royal outriders could be discerned at the
extremity of the New Mile course, the party having
come from the seat of the Duchess of Sutherland
by way of Windsor, through the Long-walk and
Park. As it approached nearer to the Stand the
procession was seen to consist of five carriages in
Ascot State, that is, carriages drawn by four horses,
the postilions and footmen wearing scarlet and gold
liveries ; Lord Colville, the
popular Master of the
Buckhounds, wearing a green coat and gold chain,
the insignia of his office ; while Mr. King, the
Royal Huntsman, and his whips, headed the pro-

cession. The Prince of Wales was received all along

the line with the greatest enthusiasm, and on his
Royal Highness's carriage entering the enclosure to
the Queen's Stand, the bookmakers, headed by Mr.
Steel, assembled at the rails, and taking the time
from the " Leviathan," gave several hearty rounds
of cheers with military precision. The occupants
of the other carriages were also strenuously cheered,
and when the Prince and Prince Teck appeared at

the windows of the Royal Stand, they were greeted
with oft renewed cheering. The Prince of Wales
was accompanied by their Royal Highnesse3 the
Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Edward of Saxe
Weimar, I riuce Teck, the Grand DucheF.B
of MeckleuLurgh Straitz, the Princess of Saxe
Weimar, the Duchess of Sutherland, Lady Caroline
Cusk, -Gen. Kuollys, Colo,Sel Ringscote, and Major

Teesdale, and the creme ae la creme of the aristo
crack*. The a-pect of the course, with its Royal
Stand filled, its carriage company, its faihionables,
and its plebeian element, has been so often and so
lengthily described that it would be useless recapi-
tulation here ; suffice it to say that the company
was very large, but that it did not exceed, though
it fully equalled, that of the previous year. From
the appearance of the card there was every pros-
pect of a poor day's sport, but the reverse was
the result, as the six events produced some very
interesting and exciting contests. The proceedings
were resumed with the Maiden Plate, of 100 sous,
for which there were six runners, the most fancied
of the lot being the " pot" of the Ascot Stakes, .the
Icvolhtipbyclirte.detTteh7 race was never in doubt, as the Vixen, and Lord Glasgow's Miss
Vixen colt waited on his oppcnents until fairly within
the straight, when he came away and cantered in
by four lengths. The Priest, who was coloured on
the card, was backed for a lot of money at the lists
in the morning, but he did not run. The Fourth
New Biennial Stakes followed, but produced only
three runners, against eight last year, when it was won
by Sunnylocks, Marksman being defeated a couple of
lengths. Lord Lyon, who was called upon to concede
a year and 321 b to Wild Moor, who ran fourth in
the Derby, was made the favourite as a matter of
course, but the odds laid on " The Lord" were not
extravagant, amounting only to 2 to 1. A woful
exhibition he made of the Duke of Hamilton's colt
and Harpenden, the race merely serving as an
exercise gallop for the hero of the " triple crown."
Harpenden was beaten off. Seven of the eight
coloured for the Fifth Biennial Stakes went to the
post, the absentee being Michael de Basco. See-
Saw, who ran Cecrops a close race oil Tuesday, was
elected favourite, the next in demand being For-
mosa and Bisinark. The result was a rare turn up
for the backers of Kenyon's mount, as Lord Fal-
mouth's Tregeagle made all the running, and won
easily, See-Saw being second, and Bismarck next.
This surprise was followed by the race of the day,
the Gold Cup, in which as much interest was cen-
tered as on any previous occasion, not excepting the
memorable year when Ely and General Peel ran
a dead heat. The runners included three winners
of the Oaks in three successive years—Regalia,
Tormentor, and Hippia—the Cesarewitch winner,
and several other celebrities, including Mr. Chap-
lin's recent purchase Rama, Julius, Opoponax, and
Montgoabert. In all there were ten runners
against three last year, when Gladiateur ran
away from Reg Ilia and Breadalbane. Hippit was
the favourite at 5 t) 2, but the commission sent
out in favour of Lecturer brought the Marquis
of Hastings' horse close on the heels of the Oaks
victress, as he left off at 11 to 4. Rama, who
seemed to have improved much since he was pur-
backed at 5 to 1 ; while Regalia,
chased to " lead" Hermit in his work, was also
at 100 to 15,
and Opoponax, at 10 to 1,
had friends. The lot
were saddled in good time, and paraded in the pad-
dock for the inspection of the Royal party, who
seemed to take a lively interest in the competitors
as they were being led about by their respective
trainers. Julius wore the Duke of Newcastle's
right colours, but Cannon, on John Davis,carried the
red cap, to distinguish him from Lecturer. Rama, with
Custance in the saddle, was the first to show on the
course, Lecturer and Fordham next, and Hippia last.
No incident occurred in the canter, and without de-
lay the lot were despatched. John Davis, the
moment the flag was lowered, carrying out the ob-
ject for which he was started, took up the running,
improving the pace after rounding the hotel turn.
The race, in its varying changes,
fully described
below, and it is sufficient here is
to s iy that when
they reached the straight a most interesting and
exciting race commenced. Rama was next the rails,
but Hippia, held a slight advantage of Mr. Chaplin's
colt, Lecturer, and Regalia, but the quartette were
nearly abreast. Rama was the first beaten, and
Regalia, in the centre of the course, took up the
running and had a very formidable appearance, and
indeed shouts were raised proclaiming her victory,
when suddenly Fordham was seen to make one of
his famous rushes on Lecturer, and the game son of
Colsterdale, answering the call of the popular jockey
in the most resolute manners won by a length and a

half amid tremendous cheering, and on returning to
the scale both horse and rider received an ovation,

the shoeless Cesarewitch winner being surrounded
by a large crowd eager to catch a glimpse of the
" pony." Regalia, as last year, finished second, and
Hippia third. The victory of Lecturer appeared to
be peculiarly acceptable to the public, by whom the
fortunes of the marquis seem at present to be re-
garded with extraordinary interest, and every one
seemed glad that the Danebury stable had landed a
coup. The Marquis of Hastings and the immediate
followers of Day's stable throw in for a large stake.
Lady Elizabeth, who bids fair to become the Achieve-
ment of the year, was brought out against eleven
runners for the New Stakes, and she scored her
sixth victory, witholt sustaining a defeat-,, with
ease. Rabican, from Count Lagrange's stable, was
talked about. Nothing was, however, in the race
but Lady Eliziabeth, who won with such ease that
Fordham was enabled to pat her neck. Hermit was
indulged with a couple of antagonists for the St.
James's Palace Stakes, but he won in a canter by
three lengths. The " talent" laid odds on placing
them, which feat they accomplished. The members
of the Ring were so much occupied with the day's
sport that very little time was left for speculation
on future events. Hermit was, however, in consi-
de

rable request for the St. Leger, the short price of
2 to 1 being accepted about him, while Lady Eliza-
beth, from the superior form she displayed, was
elected first favourite for the Derby at 12 to 1.
Details are appended.
A Plate of 100 sous, for maidens ; throe year olds Bst 71b,
four and upwards 9st 31b ; mares and geldings allowed
31b ; maiden Arabs and Barbs allowed a stone ; S winley

Course.
Lord Westmorland's c by Vedette—Vixen, 3 yrs, Bst 71b

.
(Goator) 1
Mr. Bignall's Man of Ross, 3 yrs, Bst 71b (Cannon) 2
Lord Glasgow's Miss Whip f, 3 yrs, Bst 41b (Norman) 3

The following also ran :—Watchman, Vivien, and
Walton.

Betting—Even on the Vixen colt, 2 to 1 agst the Miss
Whip filly, 7 to 1 bar two.
Won easily by four lengths ; a similar 'distance separated
second and third.

The Fourth New Biennial Stakes of 15 sovs each, 10 ft,
with 200 added ; three year olds Bst, four 9st 21b ; fillies
and geldings allowed 31b; a winner of 2,000 sovs 121 b,
1,000 71b, 500 41b extra; horses which have never won
in England allowed 51b, maidens 71b ; the second to re-
ceive 50 sovs out of the stakes; Old Mile ; 44 subs. '
Mr. Sutton's Lord Lyon, by Stockwell—Paradigm, 4
yrs, 10st (inc. 121 b ex.) (Chaloner) 1
Duke of Hamilton's Wild Moor, 3 yrs, Bst (A. Edwards) 2
Mr. J. Day's Harpenden, 3 yrs, 7st 41b (Hibberd) 3
Betting-2 to lon Lord Lyon, 3to 1 agst Wild Moor, 7
to 1 agst Harpenden. The last-mentioned held a clear
lead of Lord Lyon, Wild Moor being about a length in rear
of the favourite until making the turn into the straight,
where Harpenden dropping away, Lord. Lyon was left
with a clear lead, and won in a canter by 12 lengths. Har-
penden being beaten off.
The Fifth New Biennial Stakes of 15 sovs each, 10ft, with
200 added ; two year olds 7st, three 9st 31b ; fillies and
geldings allowed 31b; winners of 2,000 sovs 121 b, 1,000
71b, 500 41b extra; throe year olds which have never
won in England allowed 51b, maiden three year olds 71b,
maiden two year olds 31b; the second to receive 50 sovs
out of the stakes ; ; 43 subs.
Lord Falmouth's Tregeagle, by Wild Dayrell—Silver
Hair, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (Kenyon) 1
Marquis of Hastings's See-Saw, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (Butler) 2
Mr. Beadman's Bismarck, 3 yrs, 9st 31b Daley) 3

Formosa, Hatchment, False Alarm, and Homy also ran.
Betting-6 to 5 agst See-Saw, 3to 1 agst Formosa, 7to
1 agst Bismarck, 100 to 8 agst Tregeaglo, 20 to 1 each agst
False Alarm and Hatchment. _ _ .

The competitors were despatched at the first attempt,
Tregeagle, wide on the left of his horses, holding a lead of
Formosa in the centre of the course, See-Saw and Bismarck
on the right. Opposite the Stand the favourite made a
determined effort to overhaul Tregeagle, who, however,
was never headed, and won in a canter by two lengths ;
Bismarck was a bad third, Formosa four lengths off fourth,
Hatchment fifth, False Alarm sixth, and Honey, last
throughout, beaten off.
- - - -

The Gold Cup. value 300 sous, added to a Subscription of
20 soya each ; the second to receive 50 soya out of the
stakes ; three-year-olds 7st 51b, four Bst 101 b, five, 9st
31b ; six and aged gat 51b ; mares and geldings allowed
31b ; to start at the Cup post and go once round (about
two miles and a half. 33 subs.
Marquis of !fasting's Lecturer, by Colsterdale—Algebra,
4 yrs, Bst 101 b (pordham) 1
Mr. Graham's Regalia, 5 yrs, gat (lleartfield) 2
13aron Rothschild's Hippie, 3 yrs, Tat 21b (Peake) 3
The following also ran : Tormentor, Maid of 31asbaln c,
John Davis, Montgoubert, Opoponax, Rama, and Julius,
Betting —5 to 2 agst Hippia, 11 to 4 agst Lecturer, 5 to 1
agst Raw, 100 to 15 agst Itsgalia, 10 to 1 agst Opoponax.
After being saddled the comp3titors were paraded in the
ltoyalEnOosure, Runa leading, followed by Lecturer, Hip-
pia being last. They went on to the course in this order,

and after taking their canters were conducted to the start-
ing post, and without any delay the flag was lowered to an
excellent start, John Davis in the centre of the course mak-
ing tho running with a clear lead of Opoposax, Rtina, and
Hippla, side by side, being slightly in advance of Tormen-
tor, Julius, and Lecturer, this trio being about threelengths
in frost of Maid of Mitsham colt, Regalia,, and Montgou-
bert. In this order they passed the Stand and proceeded to
the hotel turn, whore John Davis, with the object of serv-
_

ing his stable companion Lecturer, considerably improved
the race and des ended the hill fully four lengths in ad-
vance of Opoponax, Rtma and Hippia being about two
lengths in her rear, Julius heading the.others, the last pair
being Lord Glasgow's colt and Montgoubert. No change
worth recording occurred in their positions until reaching
the Swinley bottom, where Rama and Opoponax in com-
pany decreased the distance between them and John Davis,
they being now a length only in the rear of the son of Vol-
tigeur, while Hippia and Tormentor together were clear of
Lecturer and Regalia, Montgoubert and Maid of Masham
colt at this point being a long way in the rear. At the three-
quarters of a mile post %ma and Hippia headed John Davis,
the last-named a few strides further on dropping into the
rear, his mission having been fulfilled, Lecturer was now
going on third, Opoponax fourth, and Regalia next, but as
they approached the turn for home Lecturer and Regalia
closed with the leading pair. When fairly in the straight
Rama was lying next the rails slightly in the rear of Hip-
pia on the loft, and the Baron's mare being also in advance
of Lecturer and Regalia ; but the four were so nearly
abreast that each seemed b possess an equal chance of
success. Before reaching the distance Rama compounded
and the race was left to the three placed. but in a few
strides further Regalia took up the running, with Hippia
on her whip band, and the race was looked upon as a match
between the pair. At the commencement of the enclosure

Hippia made a determined effort, but, dying away, Regalia
appeared to have the race in hand. Suddenly, however,
Fordham, next the rails, called upon Lecturer, and the
game little Colsterdale appeared at the neck of Regalia,
and heading her with the greatest ease opposite the Royal
Stand, won easily by a length and a half, amid loud and
prolonged cheering; Hippie, was third, beaten a couple of
lengths, and about the same distance in advance of Julius ;
Rama cantered in fifth; many lengths in rear of the Duke
of Newcastle's colt; the maid of Masham colt was sixth,
and Mortgoubert seventh. Opoponax, Tormentor, and
John Davis pulled up on the post in close company. Time
as taken by Benson's Chronograph.—Duration of race,
4rnin. 41secs.; time last year, 4min. 351 sec.
The New Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 100 added, for two-
year-olds ; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 71b ; winners of 100
sovs value, including the winner's own stake, 51b extra.
T.Y.C. 66 subs.
Marquis of Hastings's Lady Elizabeth, Bst 121 b (inc. 51b
extra) (Fordham) 1
Mr. T. V. Morgan's Chelsea, Bst 101 b (Snowden) 2
Baron Rothschild's King Alfred, Bst 101 b Thdey) o
The following also ran :—Ruric, Ajax, Maid of Masham
colt, Drake's dam colt, John Leech, Donaldblain, Rabican,
Imogene filly, and Benefactress.
Betting—Even on Lady Elizabeth, 3 to 1 agst Rabican,
6 to 1 agst Chelsea, 100 so 6 agst King Alfred.
Rabican cut out the work, followed by Chelsea, the
favourite, and Ruric till outside the distance, where the
leader was in difficulties, and, Lady. Elizabeth coming
through her horses, completely "spread-eagled" the field,
and won in the commonest of canters by half a dozen
lengths; King Alfred was a bad third, Rabican fourth,
Donaldblaiu fifth, John Leech sixth, the Maid of Masham
colt seventh, the last three being the Imogene filly, the
Drake's dam colt, and Ajax.
The St. James's Palace Stakes of 100 cove each, h ft, for
three year olds; colts Bst 101 b, fillies Bst 71b; maidens
allowed 71b; the second to save his stake; Old Mile; 19
subs.
Mr. Chaplin's Hermit, by Nowminster—Seclusion, Bst 101 b
(Custance) 1
Sir J. Hawley's The Palmer, Bst 101 b (Wells) 2
Duke of Hamilton's Wild Moor, Bst 101b...(A. Edwards) 3
Betting--3 to 1 that Hermit finished first, The Palmer"
second, and Wild Moor third.
Wild Moor made the running, the favourite lying last
till crossing the road, where Palmer took a clear lead,
maintaining the advantage until reaching the enclosure,
when Hermit, on the inside, went to the front, and won in
a canter by three lengths. Wild Moor was a bad third.
BETTING, ON THE COURSE.
ST. LEGER.
2to 1 agst Hermit (taken)
3 to 1 agst Vauban (offered)
5 to 1 agst Achievement (offered)
DERBY, 1868.
12 to 1 agst Lady Elizabeth (taken)
4to 1 agst John Day's lot (wanted)

REPRESENTATION OF MONTROSE.—A special
meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday— Pro-
vost Mitchell presiding. The meeting resolved to present
a petition tO Parliament, asking for an additional member
to the Montrose burghs. The petition states that the prin-
cipal towns in the group have greatly increased in wealth
and population singe 102,

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—The meeting of Sovereigns in Paris has
not thus far turned out as auspicious an event as the

Imperial host anticipated. The Emperor of Russia,
after having to submit to unequivocal marks of
disrespect during the whole of his stay, was last
evening fired at by a young Polish miscreant with a
pistol. We are awaiting particulars of the dastardly
attempt, and are only assured that no injury was

sustained, except by the would-be assassin himself.
When we heard that the Emperor Alexander had

been "sadly mobbed" at the Hotel de Cluny, and
" grossly insulted" at the Palais d.; Justice, we were
inclined to put down the report either to sheer
fabrication or "to wilful exaggeration ; and at all
events, we could not believe that the ill-bred pranks
of brainless students, or the senseless clamours of
briefless gownsmen, could have caused the Czar any

serious annoyance. It is just possible that the ex-
cessive precautions taken by the 1 olice against such
untoward contingencies have acted as indirect sug-
gestion, if not as downright provocation, to the ill-
inclined. That closely-covered carriage on a stifling
hot day, the " spanking trot" at which it conveyed
its invisible charge through the midst of a disap-
pointed multitude, and the two thousand municipal
guards in plain clothes may have been very discreet
and quite necessary dispositions, but they could
hardly appear otherwise than indicative of mistrust
of the people ; and, as the Emperor Napoleon him-
self rides and drives and walks about the Paris
thoroughfares in as perfect a security as any of his
subjects, the measures adopted at this juncture
could hardly have any other object than that of
screening from imaginary harm the august person-
age seated by the Emperor's side, and could not fail
to give rise to surmises as to the possible reasons for
encompassing that personage with such extraordi-
nary protection. The manifestation of of a
part, however despicable, of the Parisian population
towards the Czar, on the ground of his ill-treatment
of his Polish subjects, and regardless of the claims
the present Russian autocrat has on the sympathies
of mankind as a well-meaning and enlightened legis-
lator, naturally awakened anxiety as to the treat-
ment in reserve for the King of Prussia. Faithful to
the appointed time, King William I. arrived in
Paris on Wednesday, at four o'clock in the after-
noon. Out of the vast multitude that thronged
his line of progress there could not be many to
remember his former visit, the only one ever
before paid by the same Prince to the French
capital, three-and-fifty years ago, when, a young
stripling of eighteen, he rode in by the side of his
father. Strangely must the sights and sounds greet-
ing the aged Monarch in 1867 clash with the faint
recollections of the young cavalry officer of 1814:
Many are the views and even principles, many the
schemes and even resolutions, that must be outlived
and abandoned by any one who in our stirring times
has left the whole period of half a century behind
him. A stern man, firm of purpose, slow to learn,
is King- William of Prussia, acknowledging his
Crown from the Almighty alone ; identifying his own
erring judgments with Providence's unfailing de-
signs ; willing that God's Kingdom should come
upon earth, yet unable to conceive how that result
should be obtained otherwise than in his, KineWil-
Ham's, own way. Even for King William in his
seventieth year the journey to Paris has, perhaps,
more than one wholesome lesson in store. It is good
for Mercury to go to the sculptor's shop and hear
what value mortals set on his godhead. There are
other views of right and wrong in the world than
those that may be taken from the Potsdain horizon.
King William has now come to a country where the
name of Prussia itself has not for many years been
popular ; where, perhaps, at this present moment
hardly any other name is uttered with greater bit-
terness. From the sound part of the French popu-
lation, we feel confident, the Emperor Napoleon's
guests were safe from insult, and Crowned Heads
reach too far up in the purest atmosphere to be at
all affected by any turmoil raging in the turbid
regions below. The first tidings we received of the
• King's entrance removed any apprehensions we might
have conceived. " A large crowd was assembled,"
but it was a silent, undemonstrative multitude. This
is neither better nor worse than could be anticipated.
There is no gold that can buy and no power that
can command genuine popular enthusiasm. On the
other hand, there could be no doubt that the nobler
part of the Parisian population could not have heard
of the disorders of which the Quctrtier Latin is said
to have been the scene without coming to the deter-
mination to exert their utmost influence to prevent
the recurrence of similar scenes. The French are
aware of what they owe to themselves as the nation
placed in the van of European civilisation. They
must feel that the convoys of Princes almost hourly
landed in Paris are the guests of France no less than
of Napoleon. !lad the temper of the mere rabble
of the French capital been consulted, it is ques-
tionable whether it would have been deemed ad-

visable to bring Bismarck across the French fron
tier less than a year after Sadowa, and not mucl
more than a month after the London Conference
had patched up the Luxemburg quarrel. Between
French and Prussians, it would be vain to deny it,
there is no little ill-blood. It is not easy to satisfy
the Parisians that King William does not come to
them a conqueror in 1867, as he did in 1814. His
presence conveys a sense of humiliation to their
pride ; not simply because the superior cunning of
the Prussian Cabinet baffled the calculations of
the Tuileries, but because the French attribute
their Government's defeat to the personal nature of
the rule to which they are subjected, and see in Prus-
sia's success a fresh proof of their utter loss of con-
trol over their own destinies. The rise of a strong
united country on the right bank of the Rhine
had nothing iu it that could awaken either appre-
hension_or jealousy in the heart of a magnanimous
people. But there was something in the sudden-
ness of the change, in the victor's harshness
to the vanquished, in the unexampled audacity
with which success was achieved, that estranged
from Prussia evil those to whom Germany's cause
would have appeared most sacred. A wound was
inflicted on French self-esteem which time alone
could heal, and it was precisely in the first smart of
the wound that the King and the Statesman by
whom the blow was inflicted were pompously pro-
menaded along the line of the Paris Boulevards as
the honoured and cherished guests of the French
Sovereign, and proper objects for the French
people's acclamation. It wes, to say the least, a
singular policy, yet it is to be anxiously hoped that
it may turn out successful. Of a cold reception
the Prussian strangers have, perhaps, no cause to
complain. Right or wrong, the people have their
sympathies and antipathies, and those who care for
their cheers should be at the pains to humour them.
But no polished people can indulge political pre-
possessions to the extent of treating as an enemy
an invited visitor. Not only ought the persons of
the Czar, of the Prussian King, and of other illus-
trious visitors to be inviolable in France, but every
honourable Frenchman ought to feel answerable for
any unworthy treatment to which political fanati-
cism might expose them. We certainly never had
much faith that the gathering at the Champ de Mars
could inaugurate a millennium of European peace ;
but we ought to feel confident, at least, that it will
become no occasion for an aggravation of hostile
feelings.
POST.--It is not surprising that the arrival of the
King of Prussia in Paris should be regarded as an
event of importance. Tha circumstance that Count
Bismarck accompanies his Majesty appears to
impart political signficance to the visit, and iu the
absence of enthusiasm there is room for specula-
tion. Thinking back, people may recur to-the ar-
rangements of Plombieres, and to the interview
which took place when, last year, the Prussian
Minister came to France in search of rest, and, as
some supposed, to negotiate for the consolidation
of the work which he had been the means of ac-
complishing. This is natural enough, but there
are considerrtions which must have been leaped
over, or evaded, to come to the conclusion. If
the Treaty of Luxemburg, for example, records
not merely the failure of a projected transaction,
but the condemnation of the theory on which it
was contemplated, the way to any subterranean
understanding is so far closed. Next Tuesday,
too, is the anniversary of a remarkable declara-
tion, which time and experience have already re-
vised. Thus it will be seen that ideas which are
barely twelve months old may be said to be out of
date. A happy expression of opinion has, it is
true, been renewed in the London Conference—
" France must always strive for moral and poli-
tical aggrandisement by employing her influence
- for the great interests of civilisation." But
there can be no more wavering between the de-
sire for the preservation of peace and the hope of
obtaining territorial extensions by war. " The
restoration of the French frontier as it existed
in 1811" is a phrase which has passed into the
province of history. The vision that comprised
Luxemburg, Landau, Sarrelouis, and Philippeville
is dissipated. France has changed all that, and,
having returned to the policy that was eloquently
announced when the King of Prussia purchased
Lauenburg, what remains unsettled may be the
subject of conversation in this imperial and royal
meeting on conditions which are perfectly well
apprehended. Prussia has realised the " Klein-
deutsche idee," which Count Bismarck can easily
show is an illogical as well as unsatisfactory result ;
and, if France is responsible for the limitation, it
• may be proper to talk the matter over in a friendly
manner, forgetting all that was said or implied on a
former occasion. There can be reasons for proceed-
, ing quietly. The French are not in a frame of mind
to appreciate the expediency of anything that would

y...+

look like a concession to Prussia. If they do not
entirely fail to perceive that the " Gross-deutsche
idee" is one of their children, they are averse from
acknowledging the relationship. There was a similar
difficulty with respect to Italy, but it admitted of
adjustment. The Italian Government accepted the
French interpretation of nationality, and they have
had no cause to regret their complaisance. Pro-
bably Count Bismarck proposed to walk in the foot-
steps of Cavour. As a statesman, he must have
seen that the pacific completion of German unity
would be worth more than is represented by a fey'
coal mines, In fact, it is the feeling subsisting
.be-
tween the two countries that opposes a coin pro nu.,:e,
and as the Germans happen to have law and prin-
ciple on their side, they are dagm ttical and de-
termined. They might be disposed to deal with
Austria, but with France they stand upon their,
right, and it does not apparently occur to them !hal'
the right is French property, or that it is a rich"
which the North Schleswigers and the Poles may
advance as a claim, and which it would be com-
petent to France to endorse. On the contrary,
they would seem to be ready to take every ad-
vantage which, through Pruss- a, they had ob-
tained, and that, of course, is like heaping coals
upon the fire. The French cannot bring the Le.:
selves to tolerate the demeanour,
which Is, it
must be confessed, rather offensive. Count. n.
marck himself expatiates on the susceptibtlll
of France in language that would vex a chit
and irritate a woman. Prussia, however, . has
come into the possession of a large territory
north of the Maine, inhabited by about thirty
.
mil-
lions of people, and with that she ought, the French
think, to be content. They have said as much YerY,.
plainly, and they clearly mean what they say. 13a„"
the inexorable logic of evenis is against them. 11"
will not be argued that France acquiesced in thee
reconstruction of Germany because the treaties of
1815 were to be buried in the grave of the old Con-
federation, or because her consent was extorted at„
Sadowa, or her connivance secured by the cession of
Venetia. Not at all ; France would indignantly
repudiate anything of the kind. It was the princiOle
of nationality which Prussia pinned to her flag flab
conciliated the French ; and therefore, though the
North-German Union should be enough to satisfy
Prussian ambition, it is not Prussian ambition that
France acknowledges. The discussion of the alb'
ject in this sense might tend to bring about an
agreement which could be carried out with the con'
currence of the great Powers. If by a singular re-
action the nations that were the enemies of France
are enfranchised from their hostility, summoned W.
new life, governed by French principles, and. an}"
mated by sentiments of peaceful progress—which Lbe
how the case was put a year ago—it should nei'
hard to come to terms with Prussia. France, by uf„
own showing, can afford to be generous and fr..
bearing ; schemes that could not be avowed and tiet
fended have been renounced ; and at the present
time her position in Europe may be described 8..
morally impregnable. The honour of the country
l'
unstained, and its power and influence are intle:
It must always be regretted that there was any ".„
parture from the path of a policy which justifies it,
self ; but, fortunately, Napeon TH. offers to
King of Prussia a hand that is clean of all 1,110
ternational wrongdoing. The French people the
receive their royal visitor without exhibiting, tug
impatience they experience. Let them, „„
they please, keep their approbation for the Yauee
quished Kaiser, but they owe it to themseld,
to recognise facts accomplished in aeeora
ance with principles which they call their own,, a-n
ot
which they have triumphantly vindicated. It le
~I.oi
for France, distinguished and guaranteed by a
the strength of which consists in its moderation
ap
magnanimity, by national homogeneity which is rri;
and imposing, and by the genius and ability Whifia
are displayed in the administration of her affairefe
the protection and extension of her interests, to de,,
precate the union of Germany, which is, indeedl.l/
dispensable to the proper regulation of the authority
.
and ascendancy Prussia has acquired.