The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-14 00:00:00

quire whether their grievances are true or false. If Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
they set .about their concerns in a business-like way, iof his Majesty the Emperor of the French.

and will give the public a little more detailed in-
formation as to their actual position than they

are generally willing to afford, there is no fear but
that they will obtain a hearing, and possibly win
substantial advantages. The farmers have
discouraged the idea of a system of agri-
cultural statistics, which would have been as
useful to themselves as to anybody else. We
believe that this reluctance on their part
chiefly arose from prejudice, naturally enough at-
taching to old-fashioned ways of thinking. The
farmers are naturally, from the very nature of their

occupation, a little behind the quick progress of
town tffought, although they may be none the less
useful to the community for that slowness. They
are unwilling to change, slow to run risks, and to
break new ground in politics and legislation, but
they are neither to be despised nor railed at on that
score. They have already made great strides in
scientific knowledge, and the agriculture of to-day is
something very different from the agriculture of 25
years ago. They will probably make the same
advance in political liberalism if we give them time
enough ; but if they find that every complaint they
make, however reasonable, is put aside, and the
expression of their opinions is received with in-
difference, if not contempt, they may well entertain
a very low estimate of the toleration and enlighten-
ment of the school of modern progress. Mr. PELL,
the Chairman of the Central Chamber of Agricul-
ture, gave an amusing account of the difficulties
with which the promoters of the Asso-
ciation had to contend, some calling the
movement too Radical, and others too'. Con-
servative. "It would be their province,"
said Mr. PELL, " to discuss all questions affecting
agriculture, irrespective of all party or class in-
terests, and instead of having them handled by men
in cities, who knew nothing about the farming in-
terests, they would have them discussed by them-
selves." This is a sound principle of action, and
will, we hope, fulfil the aspiration of its promoters
by benefiting all classes of agriculturists, labourers
as well as farmers. The Duke of RUTLAND, who
presided, made a brief but sensible speech, in which
he gave Mr. BRIGHT a well-deserved thrust for his
wholesale attack on the political integrity of the
Conservatives.

Affairs are still very unprosperous in Hungary,
and despite all the talk we find that little or no re-
sult is come to. This is the more to be regretted,
because of the peculiar circumstances of the case,
which seem to call for unusual expedition and in-
creased unanimity on all sides, in order that the pre-
sent period of interregnum, as we may call it, should
be passed over. The debate on M. PEAK'S address
will commence to-morrow, and, no doubt, it will be
an exciting one whichever way it ends. It is believed
in political circles that affairs are in such a state
that the next news will be the dissolution of the
Diet, or else the immediate formation of a Hun-
garian Ministry. In either case we do not suppose
that public approval will be met with. The Impe-
rial Patent seems to be held in great odium, and we
fear that the consequence will be serious if it is
endeavoured to put it into effect. Many signs are
apparent which show that there is meaning
in the opposition made to it, about the re-
organisation of the army in particular. It
has been proposed that the House should declare
it null and void, and some officials have already de-
clared that in the event of the Government carrying
it into effect they will immediately tender their re-
signations. We cannot too deeply deplore this
estrangement which exists between the Imperial
Government and the Hungarians, and wafeel con-
vinced that both sides will lose by their persistency
if they do not consent to meet half-way and adopt
a middle course of policy.

" In confiding to me the mission of representing
him at your Court, the Emperor, my Sovereign, has
specially charged me to make known to you the
value which he attaches to the relations of friend-
ship which exist between France and the United
States. To maintain these relations, to unite them
more closely, if it be possible, with the view of
developing the common interests of the two coun-
tries,—such will be the constant object of my efforts,
and I have the firm hope of attaining that object if,
as I feel convinced beforehand, the Government
and the people of the United States will share the
sentiments of which I bring here the sincere ex-
pression.

President Johnson replied as follows to the
Minister of the Emperor :
" Monsieur,—A grateful affection for the French
nation is among the number of the dearest, deepest,
and most durable sentiments felt by the people and
Government of the United States.
" We are in the constant belief that no interest
either of one or the other country can entail irri-
tation or antagonistic feelings. While important
commercial interests tend to unite them, as you
have justly observed, the two nations have at the
same time a common interest in the progress of
civilisation and humanity throughout the whole
world. In expressing these sentiments, I only re-
peat what has always been said since the United
States have been independent.
" We have had many reasons to be satisfied with
the conduct of your predecessor, the Marquis de
Montholon. Be assured, Monsieur Berthemy, that
no mark of respect or courtesy will be omitted to
render the accomplishment of your duties easy
and agreeable."
The Imperial Scientific Association will hold its
next sitting at the Observatory next Wednesday
evening. M. le Verrier is to eater into an explana-
tion respecting comets, the times of their appearance,
and their origin. Ile will also give a minute history
of shooting stars, and particularly of those re-
marked in August and November las';. The ex-
planations will be illustrated by powerful instru-
ments.

The general meeting of the Society of Parisian
Regattas (Rowing Club and Sailing Club united)
took place on Friday evening at their club-room in
the Rue de Valois, near the Palais Royal. M.
Gabriel Benort Champy presided, and upwards of
250 members were present. The administrative
council was then appointed as follows:-President,
M. Adolphe Young ; vice-president, M. Adrian
Flenret ; president of the Rowing Club, M. Tot's-
saint ; president of the Sailing - Club, secretary,
and treasurer, M. E. Barnet. Several important
arrangements were made respecting the grand inter-
national regattas which will take place during the
period of the Exhibition under the direction of the
Parisian Regatta Society. The annual dinner of
the society will take place at the Grand Hotel next
Saturday week, the 26th inst.
The total receipts of the Paris theatres, which
are subjected to a tax for the poor, were for the
month of Nov. last no less than 2,019,708 f. 38c.
Madlle. Georges, the great tragic actress— the
Mrs. Siddons of France, who was in the zenith of
her fame more than 40 years ago, has just died at
Passy, near Paris, in her 80th year. The theatrical
name of this lady was Georges, but she was Ma•
dame Marguerite Georges Weimer. She was born
at Bayeux in 1786—(not at Amiens, as stated by
one of the papers)—and made he debut with pro-
nounced success at the Theatre Francais on Nov.
27, 1802. Her triumphs as the intepreter of the
heroines of Corneille, Racine, and Voltaire gave her
a world-wide reputation. Her Lucretia Borgia in
Victor Hugo's drama will not be easily forgotten.
At Dresden kings went to applaud her, and yet this
triumphant actress is said to have died in compara-
tive indigence. Her last appearance was ten years
ago in " Britannicus."

Russia is reported to have made some pro-
posals for the arrangement of the Eastern question.
Among the conditions are the separation of Egypt,
which is to be constituted an independent State,
under the hereditary government of a Viceroy ; the
enfranchisement of the islands of Crete, Cyprus,
Rhodes, Chio, Mitylene, and Lemnos ; the reunion
of Thessaly and the Epirus to Greece ; the indepen-
dence of Roumania and Montenegro ; the formation
of a Duchy of Bosnia and llerzegovine, under an
Austrian Archduke ; the independence of Servia ;
and the formation of a Bulgarian State, under a
Russian Archduke. These supposed combinations
occupy politicians ; but, as far .as I can ascertain,
imagination has a large share in them.
A valuable historical relic has just been sold at
the public saleroom in the Rue Drouot, a splendid
pocket-book of the time of Lous XVI. It is richly
decorated with gold and coloured ornaments. It
also contains two miniatures on wood, one of Marie
Antoinette in a satin dress, and her hair ornamented
with an ostrich feather. The other miniature is
composed of portraits of the Countess d'Artois, her
two children, and the Countess of Provence. This
book contains an Almanac of the year 1781, and on
one
dloca cvaeusmo,
isntwgrottvteernns to the children
c Given to the
Marchioness
of the Count d'Artois, by the- Queen Marie Antoi-
ofthe
Antoi-
nette ou the 12th of July, 1781.'1 This relic was
sold for 900 f.

Yesterday and to-day have been bright and
beautiful, with almost continual sunshine. To-day
there has been a very cold wind, so that the white
frost of the morning and the ice remain, the thaw
being very moderate.

LATEST INTEL LIGENOE.

(REUTER'S TELEQRAMS.)

ITALY.
SPEECH OF THE KING.

FLORENCE, Jan. 13 (Evening).
To-day King Victor Emmanuel received the de-
putation charged to present the Address of the
to the speech from
Chamber
the Deputies, in reply

The King addressed a few words to the deputa-
tion, in which his Majesty, after expressing congra-
tulations at the results which Italy had obtained,
said that there now remained two questions to be
resolved—that of the finances and the Roman
question. With respect to the finances he hoped
that the difficulties would be shortly surmounted,
and that the financial statement of Signor Scialoja
would disperse many clouds. Concerning Rome
his Majesty said that this was a question of time,
which will resolve it agreeably to the national aspi-
rations.

It is announced that the question of the Principe
7ommasso has been arranged in principle between
the Turkish and Italian Governments. It only re-
mains to fix the indemnity to be paid by the Porte
to the company owning the steamer.
It is believed that Count Latour will proceed to
Japan as Italian Minister.

BOMBAY.
ALEXANDRIA, Jan. 12.
The Syria left at 10.20 a.m. and the Ripon at
3.30 p.m. yesterday.
The former may be expected at Marseilles on the
17th and the latter at Southampton about the
24th inst.

OUTWARD CALCUTTA AND CHINA
MAILS.

- GIBRALTAR, Jan. 12.
The China, from Southampton, arrived to-day
at 8 a.m., and left at 11 a.m. for Alexandria.
CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN

(HEAVY) MAILS.
The Delta leaves this evening for Southampton,
where she may be expected about the 17th inst.

Weather continues bad.

MEXICO.
'TRIESTE, Jan. 13.
According to Achim from Mexico, received at

HER MAJESTY, &c.

- o-

OSBORNE, Jan. 12.
The Queen drove to Newport yesterday afternoon,
accompanied by Prince and Princess Christian and
Princess Beatrice, and visited St. Thomas's Church.
Her Majesty was received by the Rev. G. Connor.
Colonel Ponsonby was in attendance.
Her Majesty walked in the grounds this morning,
accompanied by the Dowager Duchess of Athole
and Miss M‘Gregor.
Princess Christian and Princess Louise walked in
the grounds this morning. Prince Leopold, Prin-
cess Beatrice, and Prince Henry of Prussia went out
also.

Prince Christian went out shooting, attended
by Colonel Ponsonby. Sir Thomas Biddulph and
Captain Von Schoetter had the honour of accom-
panying his royal highness.

S UNDAT.
The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accom-
panied by Princess Christian.
Her Majesty, Prince and Princess Christian,
Princess Louise, Prince Leopold, and Princess Bea-
trice attended Divine Service at Whippingham
Church this morning.
The Rev. G. Prothero officiated.
Mr. G. D. Engleheart had the honour of dining
with the Queen and the royal family yesterday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
SANDRINGHAM, Sunday.
Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, with
Prince Albert Victor and Prince George, remained
at Sandringham House during the whole of last
week, in the absence of the Prince of Wales at
Marham and London. Prince Albert Victor com-
pleted his third year on Tuesday last. During the
week her royal highness and the royal children took
walking exercise in the grounds and carriage drives
in the neighbourhood. •
Yesterday evening their Royal Highnesses the
Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, at-
tended by Major G. 11. Grey and the Hon. Elliot
Yorke, returned to Sandringham. The heavy
fall of snow which had taken place during the day
necessitated a rather slow rate of travellim-25
miles an hour being the maximum rate by the re-
gulations during such weather. The journey down
to Wolferton therefore occupied upwards of four
hours and a half.

This morning their Royal Highnesses the Prince
and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh,
attended by the Viscountess Walden, General
Knollys, Major G. H. Grey, and the Hon. Elliot
Yorke, attended Divine Service at Sandringham
Church. The Rev. W. Lake Onslow, M.A. offi-
ciated ; the Rev. C. F. Tarver, M.A., chaplain to
the Prince of Wales, preached the sermon.

The return of the frost and snow will suspend all
hunting for the present, and defer the first royal
meet with Mr. Villebois's excellent pack of stag-
hounds, which has been formed by drafts from her
Majesty's and other noted packs ; the first stag
having been arranged to be turned off at Sand-
ringham during the forthcoming week.

Mr. Herbert Fisher, Prince of Wales's private
secretary, who fell on the ice and fractured his
arm, is progressing satisfactorily.

The present stay at Ss:.udringham will probably
extend three weeks longer.

The Duke of Rutland has returned to Belvoir
from visiting the Earl and Countess of Cardigan at Deone
Park.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Kildare are
expected in town next week from the Duke of Leinster's
seat in the county Kildare, on their way to visit the Duchess
Dowager of Sutherland at Cliefdsn, near Maidenhead.
The Earl and Countess of Dunmore arrived at
their residence on Carlton-house-terrace on Saturday from
visiting the Earl and Countess of Leicester at Holkham

The Earl and Countess Russell and Lady
Georgiana Russell are among the arrivals of the English
nobility at Cannes. The noble earl and countess intend to
make a short stay in Paris on their way home for the meet-
ing of Parliament.

The Earl and Countess of Dartrey have arrived
at their residence in Curzon street from Dartrey House,
county Monaghan, Ireland.

Lady, Middleton has left St. George's Hotel.
Lord and Lady Huntingfield and Sir George
Suttie, Bart., have arrived at the St. George's Hotel.
Lieutenant Sir Henry Carstairs Pelly, Bart., 2d
Dragoons, has been appointed extra aide-de-camp to his
Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the place of
the lamented Captain Henry Arkwright, 84th Foot, whose
deplorable death is still keenly felt by his family and
numerous friends.

The Right lion. Sir John and Lady Pakington
had a dinner party on Saturday evening at the right hon.
gentleman's official residence at the Admiralty, Whitehall.
Among the guests were—Viscount and Viscountess Oran--
borne, Lord Henry Lennox, the Right Hon. Spencer. H.
Walpole, M.P., and Mrs. Walpole, Right Hon. Seymour
Fitzgerald, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, and a select circle.

The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., joined
Mrs. Gladstone and daughters at Florence on Thursday
last. The right hon. gentleman will arrive in London from
Italy about the 29th or 30th inst.

THE ACCIDENT TO GENERAL SEYMO IJR.---We are
authorised to stato that the report which appeared in some
of the London papers relative to an accident which oc-
curred on Saturday last to Major-General Seymour, was
considerably exaggerated. The facts are really these :
The General bad just begun to skate with several of his
family and some gentlemen on a small piece of water at
Hollygrove, when the ice gave way, and he was immersed
up to the neck. A rope nd other means of escape were
ready at hand in case of accident, and Lieutenant Willson
and Lord Rosehill, of the Scots Fusileor Guards, having
lost no time in making use of them, the General was
speedily extricated without injury. The pond is deep,
but was considered perfectly safe, except in one spot
where the molted snow had made it rotten.

TH E ROYAL BUCK H 0 UNDS.—ThiS pack met on
Friday last at Hawthorn-bill, where there was a good
muster. An untried deer was uncartod in Mr. Hercy's
Park, and gave a smart run of an hour and a half. After
taking a ring, it went away for Yew Lodge, then by Brick-
bridge and White 'Waltham to the Groat Western Railway,
passing Boyn-hill to notton Hangers, to Bray, and was
taken in the water. Thu sporting banquet is again post-
poned in consequence of having been appointed for the
day before the assembling of Parliament ; the day is fixed
et present for the 18th of next month,