The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-07 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, NO V. 7, 1867.

The death of Marshal O'DoNNELL, which has
been expected for the last few days, occurred yes-
terday at Madrid. The Marshal, who was sixty-
three years of age, had played a somewhat con-
spicuous part on the stage of European politics.
As sometimes happens, although of Irish extraction,
and sharing in the Irish eagerness for liberty and
patriotism, he has during his lease of power proved
himself sufficiently tyrannical and intolerant. At
an early age he entered the Spanish service, and with
the gallantry characteristic of his countrymen he
fought bravely in the Carlist war on the QUEEN'S
side, and was at its close created Count of Lucena.
He afterwards espoused the cause of Queen CIIRIS-
TINA, and went with her to France. ESPARTERO
allowed him to return to Spain—a boon for which
he showed little gratitude, since he organised a for-
midable insurrection. This was quelled, and he
again crossed the Pyrenees. However, the fall of
ESPARTERO taking place not long after, brought
O'DONNELL again into favour. He was the pri-
mary agent in that fall, and was rewarded by the
Governorship of Cuba. Since then he has led a
busy life of intrigue, plot and counterplot,
with the QUEEN and NARVAEZ, and with
a few exceptions he has, generally, inclined to the
side of oppression and restraint. His life has been
a long turmoil of apparent success and brilliant
honours, but he has left little substantial evidence
of his work or his services. The condition of Spain
at the present moment is not such as to afford much
gratification to any statesman who has had an active
share in her legislation for the last 30 years ; and
we must hope, though with little confidence, that
brighter days are at hand.

According to all accounts affairs seem to be pr.o-
gressing satisfactorily in Italy, and the French
appear to be calming down from their wild state o
excitement, and the news from Paris of last night
is sure to occasion universal satisfaction. It is said
that the " Italian difficulty" is over, so far as
France is concerned, and that the French troops
are expected to march back to Civita Vecchia,
while the Italian forces have been ordered to quit
the Roman territory. All the naval armaments
at Toulon, Lorient, Cherbourg, and other arsenals,
are superseded, as the official Moniteur de la Flotte
has declared. When we consider the complications
which seemed certain to arise out of this Italian
imbroglio, we feel the more rejoiced that the event
has proved so much better than we anticipated
The French troops have handed over to the Italian
Government a thousand prisoners, who were cap-
tured at Montana by the Pontifical troops; and it
is also believed that those who have been made
captives in former engagements will also be restored.
This is as it should be, and speaks well for the
speedy arrangement of matters on a peaceful footing.
The sooner calm is restored the better for all parties,
and the event cannot be brought about except by
the adoption of conciliatory measures. A Staff
Colonel of the Italian army has waited on General
DE FAILLY for the purpose of enlisting his good
offices on behalf of those Papal subjects who have
been compromised in the late disturbances. The
General has promised to do his utmost in their cause
and we hope that his efforts will be crowned with
success. The best and most effectual way to a uell
the angry feelings now in existence will be taken
away, so far as possible all irrascible feelings and
bitter remembrances. The Pontifical troops have
shown great valour and adroitness during the
stormy period they have just gone Ihrough, and

now the next thing will be for consideration and
clemency to succeed, to fortitude and daring. The
French journals seem rather uncertain what to say ;
the greater part 0 f them, however, give the troops
of the Pope th, entire glory of the Montana
battle, and assert that the French had nothing to do
with it. As an e xception to this the Etendard has a
published account of the affair, which states that
there were some French under the command of
General POLILES. Against this the illoniteur de
Soir only mentions the presence of the Pontifical
troops, of whose valour it discourses in the strongest
terms. A Garibaidian demonstration took place
at Milan on Tuesday, and some persons were
wounded, but it does not appear to have had any
serious consequences. On all sides it seems under-
stood that diplomacy is the order of the day, and
per-atm:ion is to succeed to force. No doubt much
anxious work lies before the French and Italian
Governments, but the worst has passed, and, owing
more to luck than to good management, the storm
has blown over without descending to fury and
leaving dismay and devastation in its course. We
would impress upon all whom it concerns that they
should use their utmost efforts to bring matters to a
solution with as little delay as possible. Now is the
accepted time, in the truest sense of the word, and
while all Europe looks on impatient to see a denoue-
ment of the startling incidents. Italy is in a state
that will brook a change that is swift, but will not
have patience to await a tardy issue. Our best hopes
and expectations all point to a quick transaction of
business, and surely some wisdom must have been
gained by the significant character of recent events.

The Secretary of the Poor-law Board has made
some remarks which are sure to be read with in-
terest, as they refer to a matter which has just en-
grossed a great deal of public attention, namely,
the Farnham Workhouse. At the annual dinner of
the North-East Hants Agricultural Association
Mr. SCLATER-BOOTH took the opportunity of record-
ing these statements. Even had no allusion been
made to his connection with the Poor-law Board,
he said he should not have abstained from referring
to a circumstance that had engaged so much attention
of late in many directions. He said that he did
not wish to give an opinion about Farnhan& work-
house, but he desired to remind his audience that
workhouses had been altered from the purpose for
which they had been originally intended ; and that
the buildings originally constructed for the reception
of the able-bodied poor were changed into hospitals
for the sick, aged, and imbecile of the different
places. We are glad to find Mr. BOOTH say
that the public will assuredly desire that work-
houses be now adapted to the requirements of those
who are Low to dwell in them, and that this is
under the " anxious consideration" of the Presi-
dent of the Poor-law Board. Ho also gives an ex-
planation for the delay which has taken place in
the inquiry to be held at Farnham Workhouse.
This has been entirely owing to the necessity that
existed for consulting the inspector of the district
and the guardians, and it would not have done for
the authorities to send down to order an inquiry
without acquainting the guardians and others
of their intention. The Secretary declared
that the inquiry was, however, now to be
held, with, he hoped, a satisfactory re-
sult. lie entreated the forbearance of the public on
these grounds, that workhouses were not now being
used for the purpose for which they were first meant,
and hence drawbacks must occur. This is very
true in some respects, and we hope that it will be
borne in mind by those who should form an opinio❑
on the matter that many evils seem to arise from
matters that could be remedied, if not alto-
gether cured, by the pers)nal care and caution
of those on the spot. In the Report of Farnham
Woikhouse there were some startling details met
with which need never have arisen in the worst
constructed place. We hope, however, that this will
be an illustration of the saying—" It is never too
late to mend," and the public will be no more
shocked by such fearful recitals as, from time to
time, all workhouses, both of town and country,
have presented on strict inquiry. We have no
doubt that the best attention of the authorities will
now be given to the subject, and it is high time that
it should, for it is the subordinates do so much
harm by the exercise of petty tyranny, and a total
disregard, in too many cases, of the comfort of
those whose age and infirmities furnish an irresist-
ible claim on the humanity of their fellow-
creatures.

The intelligence which we continue to receive
from the United States, both by telegram and by
the mails, reports the steady advance of the Demo-
cratic party in public favour. By the Atlantic
Cable we learn yesterday's news from New York,
which is highly important so far as the relative
positions of political parties are concerned. The
Democrats have carried the whole of the New York
elections, and also those of New Jersey. The Re-
publicans( have succeeded in Alassachusetts, but
only by a reduced majority. New York is a most
important victory, and the fact of the Empire
State having gone over to the Democratic
party proves that some very influential and
intelligent classes of the people must have changed
their opinions on public affairs and Radical policy.
The returns of the State elections held in West
Virginia on the 24th alt. are as yet incomplete, but
it is known that the Democrats have gained largely,
and the full returns which have been received of
the California judicial election confirm the success
of the entire Democratic ticket. These changes are
significant in themselves, and still more so on
account of the effect which they will produce on
Congress. The gains of the Democrats are far
more important than the difference of twenty or
thirty in the relative strength of opposing parties
in our Parliament. The gains of the Democrats
will support the PRESIDENT, and make his veto no
longer a mere verbal protest. Hitherto the Radicals
have had such a sweeping majority that they were
absolutely certain to pass any measure they chose,
however extravagant or dangerous, through the
Legislature. The knowledge o.e. this made them
reckless, and the very protests of the PRESIDENT
irritated them to more extreme measures. In this
way the already embarrased public funds were
lavished on bounties to the army. The Southern
States, which were gradually but surely re-
covering from the effects of the war, were
thrown anew into anarchy and confusion,
and the precious old landmarks of the
Constitution were contemptuously disregarded and
overstepped. If the Radicals had been less unfet-
tered in their actions, their tenure of power would
probably have been longer. As it is they can point
to no results of their long lease of power, but a
treasury still further impoverished, a population
divided and discontented, depressed trade, and
hampered commerce. They cannot claim even to
have settled the negro difficulty. They have excited
and deluded the blacks, it is true, by primises of
confiscation of the planters' estates, and of com-
plete political and social equality, but they them-
selves shrink from putting their pledges into practice.
It is no great wonder, then, if the body of the
people, wearied of the long-continued disorder of
the States, and hopeless of a change for the
better under Eadical guidance, have determined

THE SUN, LOADJN, THURSDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 7, 1867.

upon trying the effect of more moderate counsels.
The next Session of Congress will probably be
very different from the last, and we may hope
to see some important changes inaugurated under
its auspices. The greatest difficulty with which
American legislators will have to contend will
undoubtedly be with the blacks. Thanks to the
registration system adopted in the South, the
negroes have gained a prominence which it
will be very difficult to repress. We find that
in the Virginia election the vote has resulted
in favour of the Reconstruction Convention—a fact
only noticeable because of the elements of IA hich it
was composed. The negro vote was unanimous in
its favour, the white vote against it, thus showing
how complete is the political division between vrhite
and black. The Radicals have elected a majority
of the delegates, among them being thirteen negroes.
The recent attempts of the negroes to gain official
position and influence have doubtless had something
to do with the change in public sentiment, for the
North would be, in reality, even less willing than
the South to s:-,e black meta- at the head of affairs.
So far as the right to give evidence in courts of law,
to possess property, to ride in the cars, and to have
every advantage of education and employment is
concerned, the negroes are fully entitled by every
law of justice, reason, and humanity to share the
privileges of the whites. in time, with these various
advantages, and the elevating influences of free-
dom, they will no doubt be capable of better things,
as individuals among them are even now. But to
put suddenly into the hands of the mass of negroes
a large share of political influence and power, a pre-
ponderance in the scale which weighs the national
policy of that vast country, is as if we took into our
heads to make the experiment of committing the
government of the British empire to the hands of
our paupers or our children.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
The Emperor and Empress have returned to St.
Cloud from Compiegne.
The Emperor of Austria and the Archdukes
left Compiegne on Monday night and reached
Strasbourg yesterday morning. The station and
the approaches to it were decorated with flags.
They were waved very enthusiastically. After
breakfast and a visit to the celebrated cathedral
they left for Vienna. _ _

THE NUMBER "7."

The despatches from Florence announce that the
Pontifical troops made an attack on Sunday upon
the bands commanded by Garibaldi, near Tivoli,
and after an obstinate combat the Garibaldians fled
in disorder, leaving upon the field of battle three
thousand killed, wounded, or prisoners. Garibaldi
succeeded in escaping to Terni, where the Italian
authorities arrested him and his two sons, and con-
veyed them to Florence. General Ricotti, com-
mander-in-chief of the Italian army, arrested and
disarmed upon the frontier 4,000 Garibaldians who
attempted to take refuge upon the Italian territory.
It is believed that there is some exaggeration in
the above account. I select from various sources
for the particulars of this engagement, which, at
all events, seems to have been of a very serious
character. Garibaldi, after having been able to
occupy Monte Rotondo and repulse some attacks
made upon him, fortified himself there. The Italian
Government sent him a message urging him to re-
tire with his troops. Some of his oldest and best
friends gave him the same advice, and he therefore
left his strong position and marched towards Tivoli,
the first station on his way to the frontier. In the
meantime the Papal troops, having no longer any
position to guard, left Rome to the number of
12,000. They marched towards the point where
the Garibaldian volunteers were assembled, and
taking them in flank killed a great number.
The French troops (according to some writers)
were not engaged in the fight at Tivoli, but the
Pontifical soldiers being armed with the Chassepot
gun, and otherwise perfectly equipped, made great
havoc with the Garibaldians, who were very badly
armed, and were for the most part undisciplined.
The combat is thus described by another writer :
" The Pontifical troops divided into two corps, the
former supported by two French battalions of the
29th of the Line and the latter by two French
battalions of the 39th of the Line, took up a position
at Monte Rotondo, where the Garibaldians were
concentrated and fortified. The two corps marched
at distant intervals from each other. But at Tivoli,
a short distance from Rome, the first corps came
into collision with the Garibaldians, to the number
of 7,000 or 8,000, who had left Monte Rotondo with
the idea of carrying Tivoli, and then to attack
Rome itself. In spite of the disproportion in num-
bers (the French and the Pontifical troops did not
to the utmost exceed the number of 3,500) the
attack took place. It was desperate and irresist-
ible. During the combat the second corps reached
the spot, and soon afterwards the Garibaldians took
flight, leaving half their number dead upon the
field." Here is another version of the affair :
" The attack of Monte Rotondo took place a day
earlier than was expected under these circumstances.
It was on Monday that the combined French and
Pontifical troops were to carry that position. On
the previous evening the troops were in movement,
and a Pontifical corps had been posted at Tivoli,
with the idea of taking Monte Rotondo the next
day. It was supported by some companies of the
39th of the Line. Nevertheless, Garibaldi, either
because he had information of the proposed attack,
or because the idea entered into his plans, sent a
corps of his volunteers to bold Tivoli, where he
thought no troops were assembled. The assailants
suddenly came upon the Pontifical troops, and the
latter at first gave way, as they were very warmly
received. Garibaldi, in his turn, sent reinforce-
ments. At five o'clock the general action took
place. All the Pontifical troops who had been
concentrated at Monte Rotondo to join in
the attack which was to take place next day,
were urged in advance. Monte Rotondo, attacked
on all sides, became the theatre of a most desperate
struggle, which terminated in the course of a few
hours by the almost total destruction of the volun-
teers. The carnage was horrible. Three hundred
carriages, which were requested from the railway
company at the Italian frontiers, were barely suffi-
cient to contain the wounded. The account then
proceeds to discuss the question whether the French
troops were or were not engaged in the battle of
Monte Rotondo, a fact which, as will be seen above,
is positively averred in some of the accounts."
From the latest probable information it appears
that the French troops continue their movement in
advance upon the whole of their line. Being
ordered to march upon Viterbo, it is supposed that
they now occupy that important position, which
commands the whole of the province, of which it is
the chief town. The Italian army is encamped to
the north of Viterbo, at Acquapendente, as well as
at Orte, on the frontier. It does not appear dis-
posed to adventure more in advance upon the Pon-
tifical territory. To the south of Rome the French
army now probably occupies Velletri. The Italians
are opposite to Florence, which is rather more to-
wards the south. Upon the eastern portion of the
States of the Holy See the Pontificals, followed by
the French troops, are nearly at the edge of the
frontier line.

The Garibaldian volunteers are in a pitiable con-
dition. Exhausted by fatigue and privation, they
have returned home. They are not half clothed,
and most of them are without shoes or stockings.
There are but a few red shirts, and scarcely any
caps. This is the army with which Garibaldi has
hoped to destroy the " monster," as he designates
the Papal authority. .

Several more cases of garotte robbery have taken
place in Paris within the last few days. I have of ten
had occasion to call attention to the strange perversity
of French juries in regard to " extenuating circum-
stances." The trial for the murder of M. Demandre
and his servant woman, to which I alluded in my
letter yesterday, affords another striking illustra-
tion of sympathy—at all events leniency—towards

crime. The murderer attacked the old gentleman
in his sleep, and with a hatchet inflicted mortal and
terrible wounds on his head, face, and neck. The
surgeons gave their opinion that the first blow was
so violent and terrific as to deprive him of life. The
pillow-cases and sheets were covered with blood.
As to the poor woman, she slept in a room over that
of her master, and it is supposed that hearing the
noise she came out, for her body was found on the
landing place of the stairs. her body was covered
with wounds, and there was a stream of blood on
the stairs. The report of the trial states that "it
was a real scene of carnage. The unfortunate
woman expired after having lost all her blood,
and this blood, after inundating the landing-
place, fell in drops upon the ground floor."
The assassin, Joseph Legros, is supposed to have
found 10,000 fr. in the old gentleman's room. This
is a case which, according to the jury of the Court
of Assize of the department of Doubs, presents
" extenuating circumstances."
The news inventors are at it again with re-
doubled vigour. The Etendard has the audacity to
say—" Alarming reports were yesterday in exten-
sive circulation in Paris. A Republican manifesta-
tion was announced." Your readers at least may
know what value is to be attached to extracts like
these which they may see translated from the Paris
journals. Paris was never more tranquil, in spite
of the complications of the Italian question.
The ;mother of the celebrated actress Madame
Ugaldi died in Paris on Sunday in her 80th year.
The Garibaldian overthrow, although called the
Battle of Monte Rotondo, took place between
Monte Rotondo and Tivoli, upon the heights to
the north of the route from Rome to Subiaco.
These heights are boundA on one side by the route
of Subiaco, and on the other by the direct route
from Rome to Terni.