The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-20 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1867,

Lord GREY'S amendment, which has now ap-
peared, is not, on the whole, so bad as it might
have been, and it is so ingeniously worded that it
may be made to signify a great deal or a very
little. At any rate it is before the world, and
people can make up their minds about it, and

decide upon the course which they will pursue.
We have no doubt that the noble lord is perfectly
sincere in the course which he is taking, and
fully believes that the requirements of the case call
for the protest of the Howie, but at the same time
we think he is mistaken in the matter, and has
arrived at a very erroneous decision. At the pre-
sent time it is not only of consequence for the
House of Lords to pass a Reform Bill, but it is
essential that it should be done with a good grace.
If this amendment be carried it will spoil the effect
of the thing, for it contains rather a sweeping cen-
sure of the measure which has been sent up unani-
mously by the Commons. A collision between the
two houses is most earnestly to be deprecated, but
it would be a worse result to offend the public, and
the popularity which the bill has already gained
will make it. The expression used in this amend-
ment, that the bill to which the House is resolved
to assent, does not appear calculated in its present
shape to effect a permanent settlement of this im-
portant question, or to promote the future good
government of the country, is a virtual reproach to
the House of Commons for having performed the
task intrusted to them so very inefficiently, and for
having urged upon the House of Lords the accept-
ance of a measure which is not calculated to
secure the desired objects and promote the interests
now at stake. The latter part of the amendment
seems to be trying to do away with the impression
created by the earlier portion of it, and seeks to se

it down easily, as it were, by stating that there will
be no opposition to the second reading, because the
House recognises the urgent necessity for-the pass-
ing of a bill to amend the existing system of repre-
sentation. If this be true, it contradicts the asser-

tion that goes before, and the sort of intimation
held out that the bill cannot pass in its present
shape. It is idle to lay down rules that
are at war with each other, and quite un-
suitable to the emergency before the House.
The truth is that Earl GREY has some crochets of
his own, and feels indignant at the thought of Re-
form being settled to last his time without realising
any of his visions, or giving to his plans a local
habitation and a name. Many may have the same
sort of feeling with more self-command, and rank
the general interest as of more consequence than
their own particular and individual satisfaction.
The most noble ambition in such a case will be to
aim at speedily arriving at a result which will satisfy
the country without flying too high at unobtainable
excellence or imaginary altitudes.
Yesterday a meeting of Lord DERBY'S supporters
was held at the official residence of the noble lord in
Downing-street, in accordance with the circular
issued on Tuesday. Lord DERBY stated that it was
desirable to pass the Reform Bill as speedily as pos-
sible through the House of Lords, for it had given
great anxiety to Her MAJESTY'S Government dur-
ing its progress in the House of Commons, and
it was also very much to be wished that
as few alterations as possible should be
made in it. At present, he added, he did
not know the" precise nature" of all the amend-
ments which were contemplated, but he believed
that some of them would entirely " invalidate" the
bill, and to these he should offer a decided .opposi-
tion. The remarks of the noble lord will be con-
sidered most appropriate by those who understand
the question in all its bearings. It is most desirable
that a speedy assent, and, if possible, an unanimous
one, should be given by the House of Lords to this
measure, so significant and so long called for by the
intelligence of the community. It is satisfactory
to note that their lordships separated with the un-
derstanding that " every effort" should be used to
carry the bill as soon as possible, and with as few
alterations as possible. Forewarned is forearmed,
as we all know, and hence it is encouraging to find
that the friends and supporters of the Government
are on the look out, and seem resolvel to do their
best in the matter. It will take many by surprise if
there is another fight to be got through in the
Lords, after the many struggles that have been
waged in the Commons; but, if it must be so, the
friends of Reform must do their utmost, and their
efforts may be stimulated and their energies re-
doubled by the remembrance of the many successes
which they have already had in the hazardous
pursuit of their task. It would be, indeed, vexa-
tious if the work of the Session were frustrated
through the waste of time and the collision of
interests induced by too long an inquiry into the
particulars of the question, and a revival of some
of the most disputed points connected with it ; but
we hope and expect better things from the sense
and patriotism of the majority of the House of
Lords.

Yesterday was one of the most eventful days
since the arrival of those visitors d'outre mer who
have kept our sober capital in one continued whirl
of excitement during the last ten days. During
the afternoon all the north-west of London was
full of eager anticipation on account of the pro-
posed visit of the Belgians to Holly Lodge, High-
gate, and the road from Albany-street to Highgate-
hill was lined with crowds of spectators long before
the appointed hour. Every available window
showed rows of lookers-on, while Belgian,
French, and English flags floated gaily in
all directions, transforming the quiet suburban
route into quite a festive spectacle. The Belgians,
when they came, were cordially welcomed, and
marched up to their destination amid loud cheers.
Both they and the populace were, however, doomed
to a slight disappointment, for it had been rumoured
that the Prince of WALES was to honour the fete
with his presence, and the Belgians were accordingly
kept waiting in the grounds for a considerable time,
while the rows of lookers-on up the highway kept
their places, and watched patiently for the coming
of the expected Prince, who, after all, never came.
As the fete was entirely independent of his visit,
there was no real ground of complaint, and the
Belgians soon forgot the tedium of waiting in the
lavish hospitality of Miss BURDETT CoUTTS, while
the sightseers had plenty to do in looking out for
their return. The entertainments of the day were
not then over, so far as the Belgians were con-
cerned, for they had two sources of amusement open
for the evening. At the Agricultural Hall there
was a really excellent concert, and the enterprising
proprietor of Cremorne had thrown open his gardens
for their reception. Despite the fatigues of the
day this was the most popular of the two. At any
rate our Volunteer guests will have no reason to
variety complain of any lack of in the entertain-
ments provided.

The day's programme for the SULTAN was a very
brilliant one, including a banquet at Gloucetcr
Houze, and the magnificent ball at the Indian
Office. The latter was one of the most successful
affairs of the kind ever attempted in this country,
and Sir STRAFFono NOIITIICOTE, whose abilities as
a man of business are well known, last night
came out in a new character, and proved
himself to be a most accomplished master
of the ceremonies. The entertainment was
given by the Secretary of State for India and his
colleagues to the head of the Mahometans, of whom
the population of India is so largely composed ;
and, as it was a national State reception, so it was
carried out in a truly national spirit, and was worthy
of au entertainment offered by a gre ►t people to a

distinguished guest. Many of our most elaborately
prepared fetes have lately been marred by the
weather—i-since the review at Spithead, the recep-
tion at Wimbledon, and even the ordinary proces-
sions of our guests to and from the places
of amusement, or the scenes of hospitable
reception, have all depended, more or less, on
the weather, which seems to have been resolved
from first to last to preserve its traditional cha-
racter in the eyes of foreigners. The State Ball
was, happily, independent of the vagaries of ST.
SWIM'S, and, consequently, he was unusually mer-
ciful, and allowed the sightseers in the streets to
pursue their avocations unmolested. Within the
India Office itself the spectacle was a marvellous
one, and proved that amongst other tokens of
national progress must be ranked the great advance
made in the capacity of the English for decorative
entertainment.

It was a happy thought to select the new India-
office for the occasion, being at the same time a
most appropriate site for the reception, and a
worthy inauguration of the new State offices. With
all our largo buildings there are not many rooms in
London which would have answered the purpose ;
and though the suite of State rooms in St. James's
Palace were at first thought of. No sooner was the
inner courtyard of the new India- office thought of than
its advantages were at once appreciated. The tempo-
rary conversion of the court into a ball-room gave
ample accommodation to the guests ; and although
it involved a vast amount of labour in a short time.
No one who was present last evening would have
realised the fact from the spectacle. All was as if
it had been originally designed as a scene of
Oriental splendour and fairy-like enchantment, and
the Genii of the wonderful lamp themselves could
scarcely hive fulfilled their tasks with more rapidity
and more success. The SULTAN himself appeared
to be much gratified at the beauty of the scene,
and watched the dancers with evident pleasure.

lie arrived late, owing to the banquet at
Gloucester House, but he remained until an hour

little consonant with oriental_ customs. The rooms
were thronged with visitors, whose most brilliant
and varied costumes enhanced the effect of the scene,
which was one not often to be witnessed in grave
and sober London. At all events, whatever the dis-
appointments occasioned by our traditionally vari-
able skies, our guests must acknowledge that we
have spared neither expense nor exertion in their
entertainment, and it is to be hoped they will over-
look the inclemency of the climate in consideration
of the unvarying kindliness and hospitality of the
people.

CORRESPONDENCE FROAI PARIS.

--~ -

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Friday Evening.

There is nothing of importance in the illoniteur
to-day. It is filled with a very long discussion in
the Senate yesterday, relative to the law for the
abolition of imprisonment for debt. Two proposi-
tions were made. The Commission proposed that
the law should not be subjected to a second delibe-
ration. On the other baud it was moved that the
law should be sent back for the consideration of the
Legislative Body. The result was that thc... Senate
decided that the law should not be again considered
by the latter Chamber. According to the votes on
the second proposition the Senate does not oppose
the promulgation of the law.
The King and Queen of Portugal have arrived at
Bruzsels, and will leave that city to-morrow (Satur-

day) for Paris.
There have been so many reports respecting the
intention of Queen Victoria to visit Paris that it

is difficult to place credence in them. The Paine,
which ii often officially infortne 1, says that her
Majesty is not coining to Paris. The Empress has
accepted an invitation of the Queen to pay a private
visit to Windsor, and that the Empress will leave
for that purpose on Sunday or Monday. The
Empress will only stay two days in England, and
will return to Paris by the way of Cherbourg.'
This news is confirmed by the Constitutionnel of
this morning.
It is stated that Berczowski does not intend to
appeal against his sentence. One would think not.

lie has escaped very well from the consequences of
his odious crime.

The Siecle says :—" We have often had occasion
to publish proofs of the oppression practised by
the Prusians upon the people annexed to Prussia,
and of the resistance with which they meet. A
letter has been sent from Cassel to the National
Gazette of Berlin which describes the indignation
excited there by the violent application of the
Prussian laws and the arbitrary acts of the agents
of M. Bismark. The Prussian Government em-
braces every opportunity of expressing its sympathy
with the Russian Government. Either the confe-
deration of Northern Germany will be only a name
or it ought to have sufficient vitality and strength
to control the despotic and anti-liberal acts of a
Power which appears only to have assumed the
direction of federal affairs for the purposes of
personal ambition."

A funeral mass has been celebrated at Trieste to
the memory of the Emperor Maximilian. The
Queen of the Belgians was present. The court of
the Empress Charlotte was represented by Count
de Bombelles and the Prefect Radonetz.

The Vienna Gazette officially denies the existence
of a pretended despatch from Bavondo Werther,
published by some of the French papers. It also
contradicts a report prevalent at Vienna that the
Archduchess Sophia had lost her senses.

The venerable ex-King of Bavaria, Louis the
First, is, as 1 have said, a very early riser. About
six o'clock every morning he takes a walk about
Paris. His dress is a paletot and grey pantaloons,
and he wears a very large brimmed hat. His ap-
pearance is that of a respectable, rich old gentle-
man. lle is fond of theatres, and has been several
times present. On one occasion he went to see the
dancing at the Jardin Mabille.
A house is about to be pulled down for the for-
mation of the boulevard Arago, which was built
under very remarkable circumstances. The pro-
prietor of it, M. Perrot, was his own architect, his
own carpenter, his own stonemason, and his own
bricklayer. It was begun in 1844, and finished in
13 years. Over the door is the following inscrip-
tion—" Labor improbus omnia viurit. I built
this house alone, without the aid of any one,
although never brought up to the trade of builder.
August 25, 1857. PERROT." The house is not a
small one, but is six storeys high. It is situated
No. 14, Rue Constantine at Plaisauce. This labour
affords an illustration of the idea of the sceptic
philosopher who said, " When you have not a
penny to pay your rent, you
.must get a house of
your own."
The works now in operation for the demolition
of the ancient convent of Ave Maria have led to
some interesting arcl.asological discoveries. Enclosed
in a leaden box the heart of King Antony of Por-
tugal has been found. This Antony, the natural
child of the second son of King Emmanuel, was a
pretender to the throne, and supported by. Philip
the Second of Spain, was crowned at Lisbon in
1580. Driven from his kingdom shortly afterwards,
he went to England, and from thence to France,
where Henry the Third fitted out a fleet to support
his pretensions, and gave the Portuguese Prince
the command of it. But Don Antonio having
been attacked at sea by the Marquis de Santa
Cruz escaped in the midst of the action, and re-
turned to Paris, where lie died in 1595. his body
was taken to the Cordeliers and his heart to the
Ave Marie. It is intended to build a handsome
new market upon the site of this celebrated Convent.
The Presse of last night had an alarmist article
upon the subject of Italy. It says :—" From private
and sure information from Florence we fear that
very grave events will arise shortly. M. Rattazzi
did not comprehend the consequence of the course
he adopted in seve:ing the ties which still bound him
to tho moderate party, and in throwing himself into