The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-31 00:00:00

THE iLsAMTIT"H'sE,ION of ic THE SUN "at the great real was brought about by the skill and
31)9,r Bow-street,r Covent-garden. pers( rverance. of the Conservative Ministry. Mr.
- Disc AEU mimed just praise for his adroit
man 'gement of a most arduous task, and
the energy and the earnestness which he
displayed), coupled with his perfect self-
command and untiring zeal, will long live in the
annals of Parliament as an instance of what per-
severance can accomplish and ability effect when
tempered by judgment. As yet it is impossible
to pronounce a definite opinion of the working of
this scheme but its merits are great and it pro-
mises well, Mr. BRIGHT, it is true, contrived to
enter h is protest against it the other night, notwith-
standing that several times during the Session
he had. offered his testimony of approval to
the Government far having introduced so liberal a
scheme, The reception which Lord DERBY met
with at Manchester, and the visit of Mr. DISRAELI
to Edinburgh, are sufficient proofs of the favour in
which the majority of the people of Great Britain
regard the Reform Bill of 1867. Unfortunately
even this auspicious work has not tended to pro-
duce the desired end of restoring general
confidence, for the depression which marked
the spring of 1866 Las still continued, and
at the close of the following year we
are still under its evil influences. The embarrassed
state of some of the Railway Companies has also
caused great loss, and occasioned considerable
anxiety ; and the failure of some Banks of note has
further tended to heighten the evil effects already
witnessed. Still there is no reason to fear that
time will not bring about a remedy for these draw-
backs to our present prosperity, and all that can be
done is to hope that the future may have
better things in store for us. Some les-
sons of wisdom may be gathered from this
season of adversity and foolish speculation,
and the attempts to do too much may be abandoned
with advantage. Lord STANLEY has been most
happy in his management of foreign affairs, and has
fairly represented the interests of the country, while
he has avoided the mistakes of many of his prede-
cessors. By his spirited policy he brought the
Spanish Government to reason when there was great
cause to fear a disturbance of the good under-
standing that existed between the two countries.
In two instances the noble lord managed to gain his
point without proceeding to extremities, and this
success greatly increased the confidence of the public
in his management. Further on in the year consi-
derable anxiety was occasioned by the attempts of
GARIBALDI and his followers to seize upon Rome.
This disturbance induced the French EMPEROR to
send some of his troops to support the September
Convention, and for a short time a war
seemed inevitable. Happily such a calamity
has been avoided, but affairs are in anything
but a settled state. Prussia has endeavoured to
consolidate her conquests, but the extreme dis-
favour with which France regards her uncertain
policy and equivocal professions renders the main-
tenance of European peace anything but secure.
Austria has fortunately turned her attention to the
improvement of her resources, and has profited by
the severe losses she experienced last year to
follow a better and nobler policy than that
which has actuated her counsels for years
past. The affairs of Turkey are in a
most unsatisfactory state, but with care and
caution it is to be hoped that a general imbroglio
may be avoided. If possible, it would be advisable
for Turkey to settle her own affairs without refer-
ence to other Powers ; but, at any rate, it is fortu-
nate that we have a Minister at the Foreign Office
upon whose judgment we can rely, and who can
steer clear of the extremes of bombast and timor.

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rrIIE LATE EDITION of " THE SUN " at
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TUE. OFFICIAL RETURNS,
EY THE
SEVERAL SEWING MACHINE COMPANIES,
For the Year ending Juno 10th, 18G7, show
FORTY-THREE THOUSAND AND FIFTY-
THREE Sold by
TILE " SINGER" MANUFACTURING
COMPANY.
Being 4,998 more than Sold by any other Manufacturer.

Prospectuses and Samples of Work sent. Post Free,
Agents in every Town.
Chief Office in the United Kingdom:
47, CIIEAPSIDE, LONDON, E.C.
District Agencies :
NEWINGTON BUTTS, S.E.
KING'S-ROAD, CHELSEA, S.W.,
H. COCKS, Agent.
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7
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gLk,
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LO.NDON, 7UESDAY, DEC. 31, 1867.

Seldom has a more dreary task fallen to the lot
of those who sum up the events of the year that is
fast ebbing away than that which belongs to this
season. The records of 1867 are indeed most
lugubrious ones, and the worst of it is that as yet
we see no chance of better times approaching.
Thus time has gone by shrouded in sorrow, and the
new year dawns on anxiety and distress. It is, in-
deed, long since England was agitated bi a con-
spiracy so vile as that of the Fenians, which, hav-
ing no root in the country in its intrinsic strength,
is yet strong and fierce enough to inflict
injuries on the community, and to cause doubts as
to the nature of its future efforts. The terrible
affair at Clerkenwell proves that no consideration
of consequences, and no thought of those who suffer
through designs in which they have no share, can
deter the miscreants who look to the end and regard
not the means by which they attain it. It is true,
that the public mind was pretty well prepared for
something serious by the affair at Manchester,
but that outrage, though sufficiently dastardly
in its way, since armed men attacked the
unarmed, fell short of the horror which at-
tended the explosion at Clerkenwell. The sudden
death of some victims, the frightful injuries inflicted
on others, and the appalling character of the cala-
mity altogether, invested it with horror, and ex-
cited universal indignation. Fenianism received its
death-blow when it resorted to such base and cruel
devices, and spread misery and devastation among
the poor, the weak, and the ',helpless, simply to
gratify its unmeaning vengeance and its vindictive
purpose. Tile greatest care and vigilance will be
requisite for some time to come in order to put down
in the most effectual manner this evil agency,
but the most able and far-seeing among the mem-
bers of the body must see for themselves that they
have missed their destiny, if ever they had a chance
of accomplishing it. A great part of the mischief
has been done by the mistaken notions ignorant
people entertained respecting the Manchester mur-
derers. The processions in honour of the departed
Fenians were stopped at last, and in the north of
England they were not permitted to take place at
all. The most ignorant must now know the full
meaning of the designs of the Fenians, and those
who are still infatuated enough to give
their direct or indirect influence or support will
draw down upon themselves a fearful responsibility.
It is enough to render any cause odious in the eyes
of Englishmen that it is sustained by the devices of
cowards, and the designs of cruelty, and the gene-
ral voice of the public has sealed its doom, be it a
swift or a tardy one.

Other circumstances have also conspired to inter-
fere with the social and moral progress of the work-
ing people of this country, and trade has been very
injuriously affected by the pernicious influences
of the trades unions. For some years past
those best cognisant with the state of things have
been predicating evil from their exclusive doctrines
and unprincipled acts, but this year has seen the
culmination
,of their aims, and before the errors of
Fenianism had almost monopolised the attention
of all the greatest interest and excitement pre-
vailed with respect to the disclosures that the in-
quiries instituted disclosed. There is much to
regret in all this, for not only do the
workmen of this country lose :a great share
of their former profits, but the moral effects
produced by these combinations is something
dreadful. The reckless manner in which they
have gone to work is quite extraordinary ; and
in order to account for it all we must realise the
way in which they have set to work for years last
and the view which they take of matters. If men
set out with the notion that they must effect their
purpose, and that no lawful restrictions are to fetter
them, no claims of justice, honour, and good feeling
to influence them, who can wonder at the grievous
results ? Truly the mission has flourished with a
prosperity worthy of a better cause ; but it has
reached its climax, and must descend from the
position to which it has reached. For the future
such combinations can only be permitted when sub-
jected to proper regulations, for it is time that the
glaring evil should be checked, and the extreme
tyranny be put a stop to, which has grown with its
growth and strengthened with its strength, till it
has become a bye-word for oppression and cruelty
through the length and breadth of the land.
The Reform League has played its part
very ill, and, not content with its own ad-
mission that the principles for which it has con-
tended have had a partial triumph, seems to have
sought industriously for every fresh cause for creat-
ing and keeping up agitation and clamour. This
is, however, a mistake, for the people of this coun-
try will never suffer themselves to be led away by
these delusive ideas, and are always more s itisfied
with slow and steady progress than with fanatic
efforts at disturbar co that rest upon no sure basis,
and are more calculated to answer the purposes of
demagogues than to satisfy the aspirations of a
thinking community.
The most cheering subject to which reference can
be made at this time is the Reform Bill which dis-
tinguished the last session. So many perils en-
vironed it that its success was, indeed, a marvel.
Notwithstanding the jealousy of the members of
the late Government and their supporters, and the
irritation of theprejudiced partisans of No Progress,

ousness.

The position of the British captives in Abyssinia,
which had long been attracting a large share of
public attention and sympathy, assumed in the year
1867 a more serious aspect. It was felt and
acknowledged on all hands that so flagrant au in-
sult to the British Crown as the detention of an
accredited representative could not be tolerated,
even if humanity allowed us to abandon the other
captives to the tender mercies of King THEODORE.
Accordicgly after every representation and remon-
strance had failed, the Government determined
upon fitting out an expedition for the rescue
of the prisoners. As matters were not
sufficiently decided to submit the case to
Parliament at the usual season an autumnal ses-
sion was summoned, when the unanimous verdict of
the House of Commons, notwithstanding a little
criticism, fully endorsed tha policy of the Ministers.
Happily, tha intelligence which has hitherto
reached us from the seat of operations is highly en-
couraging, and there appears every reason to an-
ticipate not only a triumphant vindication of our
national honour, but also the actual release and
rescue of the long imprisoned captives. The ter-
rible prognostications of misfortune, and the alarm-
ng accounts of the climate and soil of Abyssinia
have fortunately as yet found no corroboration in
fact.

The year 1867 has been an eventful one on the
other side of the Atlantic. In our own dominions
the confederation of the British Provicces has been
safely and satisfactorily accomplished, notwith-
standing the many obstacles which at one time
threatened its progress. By this important
achievement the several colonies will receive a
stimulus to enterprise, and a degree of security
which has been hitherto wanting in the national
fortunes. The renewal of the Reciprocity Treaty
is under discussion, and all promises well for the
future of these fine States.

In America itself the year has been fruitful of
great and unexpected change. At its opening the
Radicals were at the full climax of their strength.
Heedless of all remonstrance, and reckless of conse-
quences, they carried all before them, silencing the
voice of opposition in the very Congress itself.
Debate and discussion were at an end. Politicians
of a more moderate calibre had nothing to do
but to listen in silence to the dictates of STEVENS,
ASHLEY, and SUMNER. BUTLER himself had ob-
tained a seat in Congress, and of course raised his
voice loudly against all constituted authori-
ties. The impeachment of the PRESIDENT was
confidently calculated upon, and the Judiciary
Committee were busy in ransacking every office and
record in which they might hope to obtain a tithe of
evidence. The overwhelming majority of the Ra-
dicals in Congress rendered the Presidential veto a
mere form, to be overridden at the first opportu-
nity. Southwards the military reconstruction was
pressed forward with complete disregard of the real
pacification or consolidation of the country. The
civil officials were removed or superseded, and a
kind of martial law was in fact e.tablished by the
supremacy given to the generals in command.
These officers in many instances exercised their
powers with harshness and arrogance, while Mr.
STANTON at the War Office was always ready to
support any arbitrary or unconstitutional proceed-
ing on the part of his subordinates. The close of
the year sees a very different state cf things. The
Radical party have received a severe check, and the
inevitable though tardy reaction from their extreme
and lawless policy has set in. The elections of 1867
have completely reversed the elections of 1866. The
PRESIDENT'S veto will for the future secure the ?noes-

sary proportion of supporters in both Houses. New
York, the Empire State, has declared urnistakeably

for the Democrats. California, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania itself have gone over to the same
side, while in those States which had been formerly
regarded as undoubtedly Radical the majorities
were largely diminished. The PRESIDENT, -a ho
has apparently learned something by the expe-
rience of 1866, remained quiet during the earlier
part of the year, though striking a sudden and
overwhelming blow at Radical insolence and as-
sumption in the person of STANTON. Events
showed that he had not miscalculated his
position. The country supported the ex-
treme measure, and general disgust was
expressed on all sides at the manner in which the
registration of voters was managed in the South.
The preponderance given to the negroes has un-
questionably much to do with the growing unpopu-
larity of the Radicals, while the position of the
national finances call loudly for wise and temperate
legislation, instead of rash and lavish expenditure.
The Radical Reconstruction Scheme has proved too
costly for the coffers of a nation just emerging from
war, and the PRESIDENT'S Message, delivered at
the opening of the December Session, refers espe-
cially to this argument against it. So far, then,
matters promise better for both North and South,
while all eyes turn to General GRANT as the
next President—a choice which effectually proves
how altered is the position of the rival parties since
the 31st of December, 1866.

In Mexico the twelvemonth has been marked by
an imperial tragedy. The collapse of the Empire,
the treachery of LOPEZ, the cruelty of JUAREZ, the
murder of MAXIMILIAN, are all still fresh in the
public memory. The sympathy evoked by the gal-
lantry and devotion of the unfortunate Archduke
and his beautiful but still more unhappy bride was
strong and universal. Those who disliked the
establishment of the Empire, or regarded the enter-
prise from the first as chimerical, were moved to
pity and regret at the mournful ending of the story.
JUAREZ, re-elected President, still rules in Mexico,
but anarchy and confusion are by no means ba-
nished.

In South America, too, the year has been a stormy
one. The war between Paraguay and Brazil and
the Argentine Republic has been its principal event.
It is difficult to ascertain the real facts of the case,
but there is reason to believe that the Paraguayans
have a good chance of ultimate success.

In the West Indies the year has been a most dis-
astrous one. The terrible cyclone which swept
over Tortola and St. Thomas at the end of October
did fearful damage to life and property, and very
soon after an earthquake, with its dangerous
attendant, a huge sea roller, brought fresh desola-
tion in its train. The casualties among the ship-
ping in the vicinity, caused by these misfortunes,
were very numerous, and the mail steamers of the
Royal West India Mail Company suffered heavily.
In other parts of the globe, too, the elemental dis-
turbances have been of an exceptional character.
China and India have alike been visited by terrific
cyclones, and immense mischief done. Happily in
India the Orissa famine is passing rapidly away.
In the early part of the year shocks of earthquake
were felt in Cephalonia and Mitylene ; and
looking back over the record of the year we
find the number and severity of such visitations
have been remarkable and startling.
Of what may be called artificial catastrophes we
have had more than our share. The list of explo-
sions, conflagrations, and accidents has been un-
usually numerous. The severe frost with which the
year opened had a disaster of its own, and the
breaking of the ice in the Regent's-park threw a
gloom over the metropolis at the outset. As if the
latter end were to match the beginning, we have had,
this very month of December, to chronicle more
than one accidental explosion of a fatal character,
culminating in the terrible disaster at Faversham,
which we recorded yesterday.

At the early part of this year considerable gloom
was thrown over the fashionable season through the
serious illness of the Princess of IVALEs, and al-
though the alarming symptoms :passed away her
Royal Highness was an invalid for many months,
and has not yet been able to resume her former
habits of activity. Happily she is now greatly re-
covered, and it is hoped may soon be restored to
the duties and pleasures of her exalted station. A
long list of deaths has made many blanks in political,
artistic, and literary circles; and this, as well as
other reasons, bas conspired to cast a shadow over
the country. Instead of the New Year coming in
with mirth and rejoicing, it is enveloped and en-
circled with doubts ; but nations, no more than
individuals, can hope or expect to meet with an
uncbequered fate, and must pass through the half
shade and half sunshine along which the world ad-
vances. The poet has told us that

" The darkest day,
Live till to-morrow, will have passed away"

and thus this gloomy year is over. Let us hope
that the next one may be better in many respects,
and that the voice of lamentation and distress may
not again be heard in so many quarters of our land.
The beneficent POVIDERNCE which has showered so
many blessings on our favoured land for long years
may well inspire our hearts with faith in the future,
and confidence in the Constitution of our country,
which has stood so many storms and survived so
many changes.

The news from Cork is of a startling character.
The Fenians, probably the same who attacked the
Martello Tower, have made a new and daring move
by which they have obtained possession of a quan-
tity of arms and ammunition. Early yesterday
morning, eight men entered a gunsmith's shop in
one of the large thoroughfares, and while five of
them kept guard with loaded revolvers over the
owner of the shop and his two assistants the three
others deliberately rifled the shop, carrying off 60
revolvers and 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
When they had achieved their object, they quietly
went out of the shop and disappeared without
any interruption, going on in different directions.
The men had no disguise, and the police have some
hope of tracing the offenders. They are not very
likely, however, to recover the arms or the
ammunition which has been thus daringly
seized, and the bold and open nature of
the attack has created much excitement in
the city. It would seem that they must have had
some prior information as to the contents of the
shop and their chances of success, else they would
hardly have ventured on so deperate an experiment
in broad daylight. The non-detection or arrest
of the offenders is no great wonder, if they silenced
tha men within, as they went off by different routes.
These repeated misadventures should teach the pro-1
prietors and employ6s of such places to keep a bet-
ter look out, as it is far easier to keep such intruders
outside the walls and doors than to allow them to
gain admittance for the sake of turning them out
again.

SOUTII KENSINGTON MUSEUM.—Visitors during
the week ending December 28 :—On Monday, Tuesday,
and Saturday, pee from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7,947 ; on
Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m., 9,513—
total, 17,490. Avorage of corresponding wsek in former
years, 19,403. Total from the opening of the Museum,
7,124,754. Patent Office Museum—Number of visitors for
the week ending the 28th of December, 9,292...t0tal num-
ber since the opening of tho Museum free daily (12th of
May, 1838), 1,222,160.