The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-03 00:00:00

IRELAND

DUBLIN, Sept. 2.

oi oau ntr
atobhf
lee the
critical
weather
he epsi pn
srt
the last three days has made the farmers less buoy-
ant and sanguine as to their prospects. As yet little
or no injury has been done, but heavy rain has fallen
in some parts of the country, which, if it continue,
must retard the reapers and damage the oats in the
low lands. The chief subject of apprehension is the
potatoe crop, which is peculiarly susceptible of dis-
ease in damp, close weather such as now prevails.
The terrible blight which spread such desolation in
1816 has haunted the memory of the Irish peasantry
ever since, and the slightest symptom of decay is
viewed with exaggerated fear. As the produce is
remarkably fine this year, and covers a very large
breadth of ground, the concern felt for it is propor-
tionately great. In some places in the county of
Dublin, in the vicinity of Nenagh, Tipperary, and
in isolated places in the north and west disease has
shown itself ; but this happens every year, and there
is no real ground of uneasiness as to the condition
of the crop, unless the change in the weather, which
seems only partial and temporary, should become
general and confirmed. In places such as Sligo,
where ravages were reported to have been com-
mitted, we now find that the tubers prove to be
healthy and well flavoured in fields where the stalks
are withered and blackened. The reports from Gal-
way state that the crop is safe. While the blight is
stated to be in the North Riding of Tipperary, the
accounts from Clonmel and the South Riding assure
us that potatoes of first-rate quality, as dry and
mealy as the oldest person can recollect, may be
purchased at 44d. to sd. per stone, and that no
blight or taint has yet appeared, except such as
has always been observed to some extent. Labourers
are everywhere in great demand, and obtain high
rates of wages. A remarkable circumstance has
been noticed in Tipperary and other parts of the
country, namely, that women are employed at
higher wages than men. They receive 2s. a day and
their food, while the men receive only 103. a week
and their food. A large area of crops has been
already cut, and if the present week be fine the
farmers will have abundant reason to rejoice.
The investigation at Rathfriland was resumed on
Saturday. Additional evidence was given as to the
character of the procession, the fifing and drum-
ming, and firing of shots. John Clyde, whose field
had been entered, deposed that about 1 o'clock in
the day in question a party of processionists passed
his farm at Aughnavalley, some of whom rushed
through his fences and discharged firearms. A se-
cond drumming party passed in an hour later; and
in a short time afterwards a number of men came
into his house for protection. He could not identify
any of the defendants. In answer to Mr. R!a on
cross-examination, he said that having heard that
an opposition party had attacked the processionists
he went into his house and charged a gun. lie never
knew an Orangeman do any person harm if he was
let alone. James Duncan, another witness, esti-
mated the number of persons in the first party which
passed Clyde's at 200, but the majority of them
were women and boys. Constable Morton stated
that he and two other constables stopped a party of
about 200 persons coming into Rathfriland. They
had one fife and six drums, and when remon-
strated with they said they had " come out for a
day's amusement, the same as the Orangemen
about Rathfriland had done." James Chas. Burns,
one of the defendants, said that witness told them
that " if the Orangemen of the Rathfriland neigh-
bourhood did what was wrong they should not do
likewise." Burns agreed to everything he said, ex-
cept as to going back. Witness observed that
the Orangemen did not go to r
'-.lillyorier, and they
should not come to Rathfriland, as danger would
probably happen. Some of the party stated that
they had been attacked and fired upon in the town-
land of Aughnavelly, and that if attacked again
they would defend themselves and had wherewith
to do so. Mr. M'Cleneham,
J.P., then came down,
and Burns having told him of the attack, he said he
would endeavour to get him the protection of the
police. The magistrates and police accompaniel
the party on their way back towards the Diamond
for more than a mile. Saw a pistol protruding from
the pocket of one of the party. They continued to
beat the drums until Mr. Miller, R.M., threatened
to take the drumsticks from them. He identified
some of the defendants as belonging to the party.
One of them said they Were as good subjects as the
Protestants, and ought to be protected. James
Johnson,
an Orangeman, was next examined. lie
identified three of the defendants. On cross-exami-
nation he stated that he had of ten been drumming
parties of Orangemen, and he did not see the Roman
Catholics do anything more on the 15th of August
than the Orangemen do on tha 12th July. Robert
Chaine, another witness, deposed that he heard
Burns addressed by the drumming party as " Cap-
tain," and that Burns crossed the ditch at Aughna-
valley and told his companions to " take the coun-
try." Heard a man in the crowd say, " Burn the
homes as you need them." Heard another say,
"Charge and play
into them." Burns and the men
who had followed him into the field came out again
on the road and followed the drum. It would have
taken a competent judge, he thought, to tell what
the music was. The investigation was aijourned
until Monday next.

EVENING.
Ernest Jones lectured this evening in tin Round-
ro:nn in the Rotunda on political freedom. He
was accompanied by Mr. [bales and a
deputation
of working 'nen. The room was about half
filled
and there was no enthusiasm. ,I'llo O'Donoghne
(ccupied the chair. The lecturer said he came to
establish a perfect understanding between the Eng-
lish and the Irish people. H© advocated residential
manhood suffrage and vote by ballot. A public
meeting will be held to-morrow evening.

THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.—The West In-
dian, in addition to the Californian, both belonging to the
\Vest Indian and Pacific Steamship Company, has been
accepted by the Admiralty fur service in the Abyssinian
expedition. Yesterday at Liverpool the Inman steamship
Edinburgh was taken up by Government to carry coal to
the Cape at five guineas per ton.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

~---

THE ABYSSINIAN CAPTIVES.

ADEN, Aug. 24.

Intelligence has been received here from Abyssinia
to the Ist July. The captives were well, and were
still separated from the Emperor Theodore.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF PARIS.
(Via Queenstown.)
NEW YORK, August 24 (Morning).
General Sheridan has declared all contracts made
with the old city Council of New Orleans to be
annulled.

It is feared that the ill health of General Thomas
will prevent his assuming the command of the
Fifth Military District, vice General Sheridan.
General Grant is discharging numerous super-
fluous employds from the War Department.
Several clubs arc organising at Washington,
Cincinnati, and elsewhere, in favour of Mr. John-
son's re-election as President when his present term
of office shall have expired.
The new Turkish Minister, Blacque Bey, was
presented to the President yesterday, when the
usual courtesies were exchanged.
The New York Herald urges the President to pro-
claim a general amnesty throughout the South, and
to form a new Cabinet.
Cholera of a malignant type has appeared in
Illinois.

On Thursday last Admiral Tegethoff sailed from
New Orleans, on board tne Austrian frigate Eliza-
beth, for Vera Cruz.

Advices published here. from Ilayti state that
several conspiracies had been discovered in the Wand
against President Salnare, and that numerous
arrests had been made.

The Inman steamship City of Paris arrived at
Queenstown at 2 a.m. to-day (Sept. 3), with 39
passengers and $15,097 in specie. She landed mails
and passengers, and proceeded immediately for
Liverpool.

SOUTHAMPTON, Sept. 3.

The Hamburg and American Company's steam-
ship llammonia passed the Needles at 10.30 a.m.

:o-day.

CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN

MAILS.

SUEZ, Sept. 2.

The Nubia arrived at 2 p.m. to-day.
SOUTHAMPTON, Sept. 3.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer

Euxine passed the Needles at 10.25 a.m. to-day.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Sept. 2, Two o'clock.—The settlement
on French stocks is proceeding to-day ; there is a
deport on Three per Cents. of 12c. The cours de
compensation are fixed as follows :—Threes 69f. 70c.,
Four-and-a-Half 100 f., Fours 90f., Treasury Bonds
370 f. Three per Cents., which have advanced to
69f. 75c., are now quoted at 69f. 67c., showing no
change on Saturday. Italian Fives are active at
48f. 95c., with a decline of sc. Credit Mobilier
shares are at 270 f., a fall of 16f. 25c.; Comptoir
d'Escompte at 715 f.; and Spanish Mobilier at 177 f.
50e., or 22f. 50c. lower. The railway market is
quiet.

41 per Cents lOO 25 Bank Shares —
Do. end month — Italian Loan 4B 95
3 per Cents. 69 70 Do end month 4B 95
Do. end month 69 70 Mexican Loan —..
Credit Mobilier ... 275 Do. Bonds —
Do. end Month ... 277 50 Spanish Threes
Credit Poncier — Home Debt —
Da. end month 1372 50 Deferred
RAILWS.

For Account.
Orleans
Northern 1162 50
Lyons and Mediterranean 897 50
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman

483 75
383 75

71IE IMPERIAL VLSIT TO LILLE.

A letter from Lille gives the subjoined details:—

When the Empress went to the prison of Loos
her Majesty visited the penitentiary in its most
minute details, inquiring into everything— the
sanitary state, dietary system, and the general spirit
of the inmates ; nothing, indeed, escaped her inves-
tigation. The Empress excited astonishment at the
precision and multiplicity of her questions on the
most varied subjects, hygiene, discipline, and ad-
ministration—discussing everything with equal com-
petency and solicitude. The young prisoners, who,
knowing her Majesty's kindness of heart and charity,
had given her a most hearty welcome on her arrival,
were astonished to see so high a personage descend
to all those details ; they pressed around ber, and
endeavoured to touch her dress, while their looks
showed even better than any applause could do how
grateful they were to see the Empress interesting
herself in their welfare, and recommending that no-
thing should be neglected for their improvement. The
imperial visitor, in examining the dormitories, turned
down several of the beds to ascertain the state of the
linen. One of them being badly made, the sheets
being too short, her Majesty observed it, and join-
ing example to precept, re-made the bed with the
precision of an accomplished housewife. The fold-
ing of the sheets would have done honour to a pupil
at St. Cyr, where the dormitories are models of the
kind. The Empress did not confine herself to re-
ceiving several petitions presented to her by inmates
whose good conduct proved their repentance, and
promising to mediate for them with the Emperor,
but also conversed at length with some of them.
You were at La Roquette ?" she said to one lad,
laying her hand on his shoulder. ' Yes, Madame.'
How much longer have you yet to remain?' Six
months.' And where will you go when you leave
this place ?" To Paris.' No, do not go to Paris,
you will again meet with the bad acquaintances who
led you astray ; if you promise not to return there
I will try to obtain your release earlier'
I have no need to add that the lad gave his word,
and ran off shouting Vivo l'lmperatice P with all
his might, to announce the news to his comrades.
And you,' said the Empress to a boy of 15, ' what
have you done to be here ?' The young delinquent
blushed, looked down, and remained silent.
Come,' said her Majesty, laughing and laying
her arm on his shoulder ; come with me apart, I
will confess you, and will not say a word to
any one.' The Empress then walked aside
with the lad, and when she returned a
minute or two later her companion was in tears.
Her Majesty shook him by the hand, and he went
away with his bead more erect, and no longer
despairing of his own reformation. After those in-
cidents I will not attempt to describe the cordial
adieux made to her Majesty. From the details I
have given you may guess what they were. Imagine
the most enthusiastic you can picture in your mind,
and you will still be far below the reality."

THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.—The Viceroy of
Egypt has not, as has been stated, been requested to pro-
cure camels for the Abyssinian expedition. He has only
been asked to facilitate the purchases of our officers who
have been despatched to Egypt for the purpose.
mENT IN A COAL PiT.--An alarming ac-
ciiiont took ',lac.: the Astloy's D,:lf pit, Dunkinfield, on
Friday evening, 160 men and boys being imprisoned in the
pit until Saturday evening. The pit is worked by two '
relays of men, the men working eight hours each. One set
of men commence work at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and
leave at 11 at night, and the second set commence at 8
o'clock at night, and leavo at 4 o'clock in the morning.
About half-past 9 o'clock on Friday evening, as the engineer
was winding up a cage with four tubs of coal upon it the
rope suddenly snapped between the head stocks and the
engine-house, and the bottom of the shaft was blocked up.
The pit is 686} yards in depth. The men were released by
what is called the Town-lane shaft, but not without great
exertions, and not until between 6 and 7 o'clock on Satur-
day evening. Food was forwarded to the men by a wire
clown the Town-lane shaft. l-fryppily no 0110 received any
injury.

THE REVIVAL OF COMMERCIAL CON-
FIDENCE.

(From the London Rerietv)
Twelve months ago business men were congratu-
lating themselves that the rate of discount had been

lowered from 10 to 7 per cent., and it was prophe-
sied on all sides that we should very soon see a great,
if not a complete, revival of commercial confidence
throughout the country. Since then the Bank

directors have gradually brought down the mini-
mum rate from 7 to 6, from 6 to 5, from 5 to 4,3,

and lastly, to 2 per cent., at which it now stands.
A year of peace has passed over our heads, for what-

ever other countries have said, or done, or threatened,
England has never armed a regiment, nor brought
together half-a-dozen ships for war purposes, and

yet what is the present state of trade ? where is all
the vast wealth of this wealthy land, which may be
truly called the counting-house of the mercantile
world ? The reply is unfortunately but too patent.
In every branch of business there is the most com-
plete stagnation, and upwards of twenty millions
sterling are lying in the coffers of the bank, as un-
productive as the gold which the Arab sheiks bury
in the desert in order to keep it safe. On the
Stock Exchange, as well as with the discount houses
and the various banks, money is a perfect drug ;
and on Government securities any amount can
be had from to below the Bank of England
rates. Tho latter establishment is suffer-
ing quite as much from its present useless wealth as
it was in May, 1866, from the many calls made upon
its resources. From every quarter the same cry is
raised, " We have too much money, there is nothing
upon which we can safely employ our funds; show
us something in which we can have confidence, and
any amount of capital will be forthcoming." And
yet there is no cloud, so far as men can judge of the
future, on the political horizon. There has been no
over-trading. The weak firms and the bubble corn-
' panics have long ago been wrecked on the shore of
undue speculation. Many unsound concerns have
foundered, but the good vessels remain. Still,
with all this, confidence has not revived, and the
trade of Europe seems dying because it has not
strength to eat of the food prepared and placed
within its reach.

There arc many persons who attribute the present
state of things to the frauds and misrepresentations
by which scheming promoters and other speculators
Induced so many thousands of persons to embark
their money upon undertakings which never did,
and never could, return them a shilling of interest,
and which in but too many instances failed to re-
turn their capital also. This, however, is a mis-
take. The chief losers by the flash companies were
not business men ; they were country gentlemen,
country clergymen, half-pay officers, widows with
fixed incomes, and too many other persons who,
anxious to make much money with little capital,
were caught by the lying prospectuses of adven-
turers who called themselves honest men, but were,
in fact, nothing more than so many commercial
Robert Macaires. The railways—the old as well as

the new companies—were also chiefly supported by
men who thought themselves far too well posted in
City matters to speculate in anything that was not
perfectly sound. The fate of the London,
Chatham, and Dover line must have awoke
many from their slumbers of security, and the pre-
sent price of all railway stock is a witness as to how
strong was the reaction respecting this kind of in-
vestment. The relapse in the iron trade, too, must
have injured many and frightened more. This,
as well as the many failures in Indian, no doubt
caused a great break down in that confidence with-
out which no business is possible, for it only prevents
those who have money from speculating, but it is
often the cause of a numter of adventurers, whose
only capital is their impudence, rushing into under-
takings in which they are certain to break down, and
thus increase the general distrust.
There is a theory prevalent in some quarters that
because the stagnation in trade and speculation has
lasted so long there must very soon be a complete re-
action. We cannot see any reason for this belief.
Unless money is employed, it must be idle ;
and so long as it is idle the interest it can
command will be merely nominal. The question,
therefore, remains how to use the money ; and
the best practical answer to that is now being given

by many of the largest banking firms. These
are now commencing to invest very largely in Go-
vernment securities, one firm alone last week having
purchased to the extent of nearly half a million in
Consols, and several other houses and joint-stock
banks having followed the example in lesser amounts.
The movement has commenced, and in the City the
belief is that it will continue. In every way it com-
mends itself to common sense and it is the one only
—but we are happy to believe the very certain—
means by which confidence will be revived both
in trade and finance by the time business-men have

made an end of their holiday-keeping. A very
slight calculation will realise the truth of what we say.
The joint-stock banks are now paying 1 and 1k per
cent. upon deposits, and this money they can hardly
employ at 2 per cent., 1 and 1 is nearer the mark.
Now even the most unbusiness-like men will readily
understand that a margin of ior per cent., out of
which all expenses have to be paid, and for which
the usual amount of fair risk must be encountered,
would hardly pay any establishment, more particu-
larly when,as in the present instance, the deposits are
very large and very numerons, but the discounts or
loans very small and very few. It would almost be
better—it certainly would had not bankers an eye
for, and great hope in, the immediate future—to ref use
all deposits, reduce the staff of the establishments,
and confine the banking to paying and receiving
money on current accounts. But the English funds
at their present prices pay from 31 to 3} per cent.,
and money thus invested is at all times convertible
into cash. Surely here is the solution as to how

money deposited at 1 and 1k should be employed,
and it is the most hopeful sign of the times which
has appeared for many months past in the financial
horizon that bankers themselves have perceived
where their true -interests lie, and have taken the
initiative in what must cause the restoration
of commercial confidence. When Consols are in
demand the prices rise, and when that takes place
money comes forth to seek other investments. But
without an advance in the price of stocks there never
was, and we believe never will be, any revival of
confidence in a money market over which panic has
reigned supreme. But let the public funds rise in
price, and confidence is everywhere restored. It is
like the weather glass that, when it points to fair
weather, induces even the most timorous to brave
the risks of a storm. Risks there always are, in
finance as in everything else, but we believe that
these may be now fairly regarded as dispersed,
and that it needs but a continuance of the move-
ment which has commenced to make every one
believe in a very much brighter future. It is true
that political events may perhaps cause clouds to
rise, but these are chances which need not trouble
us here in England. Moreover, if there is any
meaning in words, the French Emperor has declared
that nothing is further from his thoughts than draw-
ing the sword, and the warnings he has had cannot
surely be thrown away. But even suppose it be
otherwise—suppose that the long-talked-of struggle
between Prussia and France should turn out as
the prophets of evil foretell, has not England all
her Colonial and Indian empire left in which her
train will be carried on ? Or would she not, in the
event of a European war, become both the carrying'
nation as to her ships, and the banker as to her
funds, of the whole Continent ? There arc records
of English prosperity even when her neighbours
were all cutting each other's throats.

THE RISING IN SPAIN. —T he Lukpelidance Beige
says :—" The news from Spain continues to be con-
tradictory as to the condition of the insurrection. What
is certain, however, in spite of official telegrams and re-
ports,
is that the movement is not suppressed. The
strangest and most unexpected rumours are in circulation
in Madrid, which shows that they regard the situation as
grave. Thus it was reported that there was a split in the
Cabinet, and that three Ministers were anxious to retire,
but were prevented by their
of. colleakgun es. Th
h erasignation
e 4 the entire Ministry is now spoe TQueen will
call in Espartero and the progressist party. It is stated
tliat the ex-Queen Christina has gained over General
Ptim, and that this turn in affairs is the result of her
chlui,cile. On the other hand, there is a report of a stil
more ro,actionary Government than the prusOnt one under
the (1.4.6411!),u. of General Pezuela."

_
, `
Cif
_
pre.
nrit • '
et ir
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HER MAJESTY.

The Queen, surrounded by the Princess Louise,
Prince and Princess Christian, and the members of
the Court, continues in the enjoyment of excellent

health.

On Thursday next the annual Braemar Gathering
takes place. The Prince and Princess Christian and
the other members of the Royal family at Balmoral
are expected to be present.

BRAZIL AND RIVER PLATE MAILS.

The Royal Mail Ship Shannon, with the mails
from Brazil and River Plate, arrived at Southamp-
ton yesterday, and brings a fortnight's later intelli-
gence from the scat of war in Paraguay. This
news is but a continuation of the extensive prepara-
tions that the allies are making for a combined
attack. General Osorio, who was to have marched
against Paraguay, and make an attack on Cande-
laria, had gone back to Itati, and was to occupy
the position of Tujuti, which Marshal Caxias was
leaving. The force of Osorio consisted of 4,700
men and 500 women.

H. M. gunboat Doterel was to leave for Paraguay
on the 27th July, to ascertain if any Englishmen
were confined there as stated in some letters pub-
lished in the Times of London, but of which no one
at Buenos Ayres was aware.

Discussion and bad feeling has already commenced
on the vote of the Argentine Congress for £BO,OOO,
to fortify the island of Martin Garcia ; and it is a
curious fact that while the allies are engaged in a
war, the purport of which they pretend is to destroy
the fortification of Paraguay, and so open up
free navigation, one of these, same allies is
getting up collossal fortifications GOO miles
lower down to threaten the navigation of the
Pavana and Nouquay. In the interior Argentine
provinces the revolution has not yet been smothered,
and at Tucuman a new revolution had taken place,
and as an example of the rapidity with which ono
succeeds another we take from the Standard of
Buenos Ayres the information that the province of
Riossa has had no fewer than fifteen governors in
seven months, and in Catamarca the vicissitudes of
administration are not less remarkable, having had
seventeen governors in less than four years.
Great fears were entertained at Buenos Ayres
that, upon the question of the removing of the
capital from that city, a new civil war would com-
mence, as Buenos Ayres is determined to keep a
strong hold on the customs and revenues of the
nation, and will not give these up. It is greatly to
be regretted that a country so rich as the Argentine
Confederation, and which only needs peace for
development, should, when engaged in a disastrous
struggle for over three years, and having revolution
at home, finds time to commence discussion upon a
new civil war and a repetition of the scenes of
Cepeda and Pavon.

DESTRUCTION OF THE ARCADI.

ATHNS, Aug. 24.

The French Admiral Simon, just arrived here,
brings details of the total destruction of the blockade
runner Arcadi by Turkish cruisers off Crete. The
admiral, cruising at the time in Candian waters,
was an eye-witness of the affair. It appears that
after having landed part of her cargo upon the
Cretan coast the Arcadi, for some unknown reason,
put off towards Gaudo, an islet at no great distance,
the captain announcing that he would shortly return
to complete discharging cargo, and to take refugee
families on board. Upon her reappearance the
Arcadi was stopped by the Turkish steamer Izzedin,
the same vessel whieh had previously chased her at
Cerigotto. Admiral Simon states that an engage-
ment of the moat determined character ensued, last-
ing upwards of two hours. The Greeks were appa-
rently gaining the advantage, when two large
Turkish ironclad frigates attracted by the cannonade
came to assist the Izzedin. The foremost frigate
immediately sent a broadside into the Arcadi,
causing her to heel over -and begin to settle. Pre-
ferring to beach his vessel sooner than fall into the
hands of the Turks, the commander of the Arcadi
put on fall steam and ran her ashore. Admiral
Simon adds that upon leaving the following morning
he saw the Arcadi in flames ; but whether she Was
set on fire by her own crew or the enemy he could
not tell. A Prussian steamer, also occupied ill
carrying refugees to Greece, and which has come ill
since the admiral, brings news that the captain Of
the Izzedin and several of her crew have been taken,
wounded, into hospital. -
The Greek Government still continues to provi-
sion its arsenals, to purchase and order war ships,
and to complete its army. Brigandage may be said
to be extinct.
The loss of the Arcadi will not prevent Greek
houses from still throwing supplies into the island'
as two other steamers, the Union and the Candia+
arc actively engaged in the service.