The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONUON, SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 29 1867.

ing and good temper. Nothing very new, indeed,
was said, if anything new remains to be said on the

question, and, in fact, the speakers were evidently
a little puzzled to give definite shape to those
attacks upon the Conservative party without which

no Liberal meeting has done its duty. Nevertheless,

the Irish Reform Bill stood the malcontents in good

stead, especially as there were several Irish mem-
bers present, and there was consequently no lack of
impassioned eloquence on the occasion. We fear,
however, that on this part of the question the
union will not meet with much support out of

doors, the general conviction being that Fenianism,
however admirable as a proof of Irish spirit and
patriotism, is rather a dangerous and expensive
pastime, and one which it will not do to sanction

or encourage after the manner adopted by the Re-
form League. Also, it is thought by less, en-
lightened and theoretical Politicians that the real

and pressing grievances of the sister cDuntry will
be more likely to receive redress when the

orders of the Government.

country is tranquil, and the people busy in main-
taining the laws instead of conspiring against them.
The delay of the Irish Reform Bill is unfortunate,

and must be regretted on many grounds, but we

[uminated.

hinit if the question were put to them impartially,

setting aside all political feelings, most persons
would, with Mr. GLADSTONE, acknowledge the in-

consistency of granting a Reform Bill and with-
holding the habeas Corpus ! The first step towards
improved legislation for Ireland must be taken by

herself. When Fenianism is done with, we may

reasonably hope that the strong public feeling now
existing in England will be able to accomplish some
really practical good.

As there was not much room for complaint re-
specting an extended franchise, which we may hope
is now put on a satisfactory basis, the chief object
of last night's discussion was the redistribution.
This is always a very troublesome part of a Re-
form Bill, and we may fairly question whether any

politician whatever could avoid all its difficulties.
The speakers last night were mainly in favour of
giving largely increased representation to the large
towns at the expense of small constituencies. This,
however, is one of the cases in which government

by theory and government by practice differ.
Theoretically representation by numbers seems the
fairest and most reasonable method ; practically it

does not give a fair representation of the people
collectively. The representatives belong all to one
or two classes, and the Parliament loses its in-
fluence. The majority in the great and popu-
lous cities are often under the same influence.
We do not mean corrupt influences, but those tem-

Our

porary passions that sway a multitude.
large constituencies have often shown this in times
of political excitement, by rejecting their most
distinguished and long-tried members. Edinburgh
turning out MACAULAY, Manchester refusing Mr.
BRIGELT, and the West-Riding deserting Mr. COB -
DEN, are notable instances that we cannot always
rely on getting the best men returned by the largest
constituencies, even when they are tried representa-
tives. Another objection is that there is a good
deal of unanimity of political feeling between the
great cities. One, indeed, may be interested in
shipping, another in manufactures, another
in collieries, but in general topics they
aro often influenced by the same talkers, and
animated by the same ideas. If we do not want to
get our legislation reduced to that dead level which
ends by stopping all progress, we must not rest our
representation solely upon numbers. We must not,
indeed, if we wish to be just or reasonable, leave
any large and populous place totally unrepresented
as we have hitherto done; and it may well be ques-
tioned whether Parliament should not have the
power of adding one or two members to the house,
as the increase of population or the change of charac-
ter in a locality demands. Many of the great towns
now clamorous for two representatives were vil-
lages at the time of the first Reform:Bill, and no doubt
some out-of-the-way hamlet of the present day will
ten years hence bear a familiar name. We have often
expressed our conviction that there is no necessity
for the rigid adherence to the limit of 658, which
all parties seem determined upon, and if the popu-
lation goes on increasing in number, wealth, and
intelligence at all in the same proportion as it has
done during the last thirty years, the discrepancy
will grow more and more perceptible. If we want a
national Parliament we must:get the various shades
of national thought and feeling fairly represented.
We cannot, as experience has proved, trust small
boroughs to represent the great towns, or an agri-
cultural constituency to represent the manufacturing
interests, but neither can we reasonably suppose
that the reverse will be the case, that the towns will
fairly represent the counties, or that the Reform
Leagues and National Unions of London and Lanca-
shire will trouble themselves much about the wants
and wishes of uninfluential and undemonstrative dis-
tricts. Mr. MILL, who, we are glad to find, has set
himself in -good earnest against the gang system,
said last evening that the town and borough mem-
bers were better representatives of the agricultural
labourers than either the landlords or the farmers ;
and it must be admitted that both these classes
have been very remiss, if not wilully indifferent, in
improving the condition of the labourer. But, on
the other hand, it must be remembered that it was
the country party that carried the Reform of the
Factory Laws in the face of the most determined
opposition from the representatives of the manufac-
turing towns. We need a mixed representation in
the interest of all, because each class is thereby
enabled to keep the other in check. The minority
in the towns, as in the counties, will not obtain a
fair representation always from its members; that
is to say, in cases like the Factory Acts or the
gang system, we must look to really independent
men, who, uninfluenced by party, will throw them-
selves heartily into the cause. But the condition of
the agricultural labourers shows, we think, a great
need for a considerable improvement in the county
representation, and we must hope that- among the
other benefits to be conferred by the new Reform
Bill, it will give us some members who will take a
hearty interest in the welfare of the rural population,
will understand their wants and their drawbacks,
and set to work to improve their condition, unin-
fluenced by any local prejudices, or by the fear
of a landlord's displeasure. None of these
good ends, however will be attained by mere party
recrimination and mutual abuse, and we are sorry
to find the leading members of the Reform Union
still keeping up the same strain of party antagonism
instead of looking on the question in a practical
and comprehensive spirit. One of the speakers last
evening said in America large territories were re-
presented in Congress by members who had a voice
and no vote, and it was in this way that the great
cities of England were treated. We apprehend,
however, that if the choice were given the League
they would prefer the privilege of loudly proclaim-
ing their opinions to the less conspicuous but more
practically serviceable alternative !

HENLEY REGATTA.—On the second day of this
regatta (July 4) the most exciting contest will take place
between the crews of Oxford, Radloy and Eton College.
The Eton eight are : --Calvert stroke, Benson 7, Bunbury
6, Sheppard 5, Ridley 1, Mirehouse 3, Lewis 2, Woodhouse
bow, Elliott coxswain. This crew are in training between
the Victoria and Albert bridges, on the borders of Wind-
sor Home Park, under the coaching of Mr. Warre and Mr.
Snow.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Friday Evening.
Some of the papers have vague but alarming
rumours about secret societies and plots in organi-
sation at Berlin in opposition to the policy of M.
Bismarck. One society is said to be composed of
the scholars of the Polytechnic schools of Schleswig,
Hanover, llolstein, and Denmark. Some domi-
ciliary visits have been made, the result of which
has not been published.

The Prussian Governor-General of Hanover has
ordered a proclamation to be extensively circulated
there, which states that the measures adopted to

procure the arrest of large numbers of deserters,

who were known to be concealed in the country,

have proved ineffectual. It then says the Govern-
ment has acquired the conviction that the deserters

are concealed by the connivance of the local autho-
rities. It has, therefore, been thought necessary to

send detachments of soldiers to some of the com-

[mines, with a view to frustrate opposition to the

The Emperor of Russia arrived on Wednesday
evening at Riga. The civil and military authorities

went Co meet him at the station, and the city was

perial procession, and greeted it enthusiastically.
The Federal Constitution of Germany, success-
fully adopted by the States interested, and finally
by the Prussian Cnamber of Lords on the day when
it closed its parliamentary labours, has been simul-
taneously promulgated in all the Confederate States,
and is to come into operation on the Ist of July
next.

The Gazette of Northern Germany announces
that the revision of the electoral lists for the Reich-

stag will take place about the middle of July. The
elections will be fixed for the later end of August,
and the opening of the Reichstag will be in the
early part of September. The Customs' Conference

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

RUSSIA.

relative to the tobacco duty will merely draw up
proposals upon which the future Customs' Parlia-
ment will be able to deliberate with full liberty.
King William of Prussia proposes to go to Ems
in the beginning of July, and his Majesty will then

make a short stay at Baden.
An American senator, who has undertaken the
construction of a telegraphic line to connect Europe

SPAIN.

and America through Russia, has arrived at St.

Petersburg with a vieri to induce the Russian Go

vernment to allow the resumption of the works
which bad been temporarily suspended.
The Gazette of Northern Germany, which is
known to receive its inspirations from M. de Bis-
marck, assumes a very lofty and insolent tone in
regard to the treaty of Prague, and says that
" Prussia will fulfil her engagements, but in the
mode and at the time which she shall think best."

" What means this language ? (says the Siecle).
Has Prussia the right to delay indefinitely the ful-
filment of an engagement entered into in the most
formal manner by the Treaty of Prague. What
means this air of derision of the stipulation accord-
ing to which the inhabitants of North Schleswig
are only to be consulted when it may please the
Prussian Government. If the treaty is to be car-
ried out in this way, the fulfilment of Article 5 may
be deferred for ten, fifteen, or twenty years, or
more.

The grand vocal and instrumental musical Or-
pheoneque competition, organised by the Imperial
Commission, which is to take place in July, begins
to assume colossal proportions. 310 choral societies,

forming a body of 6,000 singers, have responded to
the appeal made to them, and 80 instrumental

societies, chosen from the best French and foreign
classes, will take part in this artistic struggle.

These instrumental societies will form a body of
2,00 instrumentalists, whose musical festivities will
be thus arranged :—Festival of the Orpheons, in-
strumental concert ; Festival of trumpets and va-
rious instruments. The festival of the Orpheons
will be conducted by M. George Haiul, chief of the
orchestra of the opera ; the trumpet festival by M.
Paulus. The time appointed is, for the Orpheons,
sth July, festival ; Gth July, French competition ;
7th July, festival. For tho• instrumental societies,
July 14th, festival ; 15th and 16th July, competi-
tion. On the 21st of July the international com-

petition of French and foreign music will take
place, at which will be heard musicians from
Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, the Grand Duchy
of Baden, Russia, Bavaria, and Prussia. The fes-
tivals will take place at the Palace of Industry, and
the competitors at the Exhibition in the Champs de
Mars. A sum of 70,000 f. will be expended for
prizes, medals in gold, silver, bronze, and alu-
minium.

I have only recently had an opportunity of in
specting the English agricultural machines and
other appliances for agricultural purposes, of which
I ought to have spoken sooner, for the various
articles of this branch of industry are most impor-
tant and show the great advance which the English
have made. Without national vanity, it may be
said that we have quite outstripped all other nations
in this respect. In addition to a separate building
in the Champ de Mars, there is also an annexe
Agricultural Exhibition at Billancourt. Suffolk
(Class 48) is the most extensive and marvellous,
and of the Suffolk department it is seen at a glance
that Messrs. Ransomes and Sims, of Ipswich, stand
pre eminent both in regard to quality and quantity.
In addition to the articles at Billancourt and in
the Champ de Mars, they have fitted up a capa-
cious building opposite the Pont de Yena, which
is stored with agricultural machinery curious and
important enough in itself to form an Exhibition
worth visiting.
The Viceroy of Egypt has said, since he has
been in Paris, that one great object with him is
to take care that there shall be " corn in Egypt,,,
and he accordingly went to Billancourt, as I men-
tioned yesterday, and after closely inspecting the
implements of Messrs. Ransomes
were put into operation,
Sims,and
he was pleased to say that they were peculiarly
calculated for the soil of Egypt, and accordingly
made large purchases. T
some and
o f machinery
which
The Viceroy of Egypt is
an evident believer of the doctrine that he who
increases the products of agriculture is a benefac-
tor to his country. For the moment I can hardly
msoarnes and Sims' ordinary 10-
machinery, but I must allude
gi
tnhooo
rtone
poomfwui
\ecirhe
portable
Messrs.
rfs. t
th is
a nenes, and a 14-horse power
double cylinder
engine,
which may be used as a
fixed or r portable
The former drives a large
engine.fan. The other engine is coupled to the shaft which
machines exhibited from Eng-
land.drive s allt
sh et
hsemonlysawing
engine of its class in the Exhi-
bition, and several practical men have given their
opinion that it has never been equalled for beauty
of workmanship or usefulness. One great point
connected with this machinery is that articles have
been manufactured so as to meet the requirements
of various countries with reference to their peculiar
soil and climate. Thus it was that the Viceroy of
Egypt selected
particularly deserving
Peculiar articles to forward his
desire for plenty of g 4 corn in Egypt." One machine
of notice is a threshing ma-
chine, to which is attached an apparatus for chop-
ping and bruising the straw so as to make it good
for cattle. This
machine is invaluable in hot
countries where
-lay is not produced. The Icol-
lection of ploughs is magnificent, and they arc
remarkable for beauty as well as usefulness.
The whole set at Billancourt were immediately
bought by the Prussian Government. A plough,
which was remarked and admired by all, was the
new turn-wrest plough, invented by Mr. Skelton,
which is intended for use on hill-sides or for
ploughing land, the crop grown on which it is in-
tended to reap by machinery. Ploughs upon this
system are much in use by the French, but Messrs.
Rsnsome and Sims have materially improved on it.
As I am writing
upon an agricultural subject, 1
may mention that some of this year's wheat has
arrived in Paris from Algeria.
The Egyptian Potentate spends plenty of money
in Paris—some perhaps for trivial purposes ; but it
is consolitary to know that, cost what it may, he is
determined to " speed the plough," and assist the
maturity and increase of the " kindly fruits of the
earth "in Egypt. With such friends and patrons
of agriculture in Egypt it is Lot probable that there
will ever again be a " famine in the land," Al-

though this is a generation which " knows not
Joseph," yet it will not have a scarcity of corn.
The visit of the King of Portugal to Paris seems
now to be a certainty, as a telegram from Lisbon
states that the requisite permission has been given
by the Chamber of Deputies. His Majesty, how-
ever, is to pay his expenses from his own private
funds, no vote for that purpose from the money of
the State having been agreed to. On the other
hand, it is said that the Pope has reluctantly been
compelled to abandon the idea of cowing, in conse-
quence of his advanced age and indifferent health.
The jury have awarded a prize of a gold medal
to the Emperor for the model he has exhibited of
a cheap, convenient house for workmen. At the
ceremony on Monday the prize will be given to his
Majesty, in the usual form, by one of the Ministers.
A number of Dani Eli workmen are expected at
Paris next week to see the Exhibition.

The Sultan reached Naples yesterday on his way
to Paris, and, after receiving the authorities on
board, the vessel proceeded to Toulon. His High-
ness will be in Paris on Sunday afternoon.

Accounts have been received in Paris this after-
noon of the death of the Hereditary Prince of Tour
and Taxis, husband of the Princess Helena of
Bavaria, and brother-in-law of the Empress of
An immense crowd followed the Ira- I Austria.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE,

AMNESTY TO PRUSSIAN POLES.
WARSAW, June 29.

The Prussian subjects transported to Siberia for
participation in the last Polish insurrection have
been amnestied at the request of the Prussian Go-
vernment, and arc returning to their homes.

ST. PETERSBURG, June 28.

The duties on the exportation of all wooden "ar-
ticles, bark, mats, and tar, from Russia and Poland
have been abolished.

MADRID, June 29.
The Queen leaves for La Granga on July Ist.

LISBON, June 28.

The Royal ➢Tail Steam Packet Company's ship
Seine has arrived here from Brazil, &c., and will
leave for Southampton at 4 p.m. with 106 passen-
gers, specie (?), £142,643, 4,227 bags of coffee, 358
rolls of tobacco, 300 barrels of tapioca, and 234
packages of sundries.
The Oneida, with the outward mail of the 10th
June, was at St. Vincent (Cape Verds) on the 21st
inst.

AMERICA. •
NEW YORK, June 28, 6 p.m.

According to intelligence received hers from
Mexico, Marqueza has proclaimed that Maximilian
had abdicated in favour of the young Itarbie.
The North German Lloyds steamship Union has
arrived out.