The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-09 00:00:00

IREL AND.

DUBLIN, May 8.
The trial of Connolly and Clarke was concluded
yesterday evening at a late hour.
Laurence O'Toole deposed that Clarke took the
chair at a Fenian meeting in November, 1866, that
be then spoke about arms and ammunition, and pro-
duced a green flag, which be said would be soon fly-
ing above the Union Jack on the Castle of Dublin.
He also urged those present to purchase rifles and
revolvers. He bad seen both prisoners at Fenian
meetings several times. He also spoke of their being
present at Tallaght on the night of the rising. On
cross-examination by Messrs. Butt and Heron, the
witness said he went to Tallaght partly of his own
accord and partly by intimidation, that he had been
fined after joining the Louth rifles for fraudulently
enlisting. He was brought down to Court in the
prison van with the prisoners to be tried. He could
not say how much he expected for giving evidence.
£5 and his liberty would satisfy him.
George Reilly, another approver, admitted that
he bad acted with the Fenians, and pretended to
have taken their oath, but he did not actually kiss
the book. He bad got something above £2OO at
different times for giving information. He went
into this business purely from love of country.
He gave Whelan a rifle, but had poured spirits
of salts down the barrel and on the lock to corrode
it, in consequence of which it would kill the man
that used it. He had identified about 70 prisoners
engaged in the insurrection.
Sub-constable Richard Cusack deposed to arrest-
ing about 60 persons in the neighbourhood of the
Green Hills on the night of the sth or morning of
the 6th of March. Among them was Connolly, who
was wearing a policeman's sword belt and cap pouch,
and had in his possession a box of percussion caps.
Gillespie, a cabman, proved he was employed by
Dr. Power to carry rifles from Hardwicke-street and
George's-place to several houses in the city, among
others to the Christian Brothers' School, Mary's-
place, off Dorset-street.

Dr. Carte deposed to the fact of a large number
of arrests having been made on the night of the sth
and morning of the 6th of March.

Major Cross, of the 52d Regiment, proved the
arrest of the prisoner Clarke, and finding with him
two letters and a drill-book.

The waistcoat stated by the witness Cusack to
have been worn by the prisoner Connolly on the
night of the sth of March was here produced and
identified.

Col.-Sergeant 3,l‘Guinness stated that on the oc-
casion of Comm arrest he siw C...lck take from
him what appeared to be a policeman's belt.

Mr. I3utt addressed the jury in behalf of the pri-
soner Connolly. The charge against the prisoner,
he submitted, rested- almost altogether upon the
evidence of O'Toole. No doubt, if they believed
the evidence of that witness, and were prepared to
act upon it, the case against him was sustained.
The first thing they would have to determine was
whether, treating Laurence O'Toole as an ordinary
witness, they were prepared to act upon his evidence,
and then they had to say further how far he had
been corroborated in his statement. That witness,
he contended, stood in the position of an informer,
and his statement should not become evidence at
the hand of the jury without corroboration. The
witness Reilly should also be treated as au informer,
and upon the whole of the evidence he submitted
that the jury would not be warranted in finding a
verdict of conviction. The learned counsel did not
speak for more than ten minutes.
Mr. Heron followed briefly on the part of the
prisoner Clarke, impugning the credibility of the
witnesses O'Toole and Reilly.
The Rev. Mr. Walshe, in reply to Mr. Waters,
deposed that he knew Clarke. His character was
always good. Believed him to be a peaceable,
loyal subject.
Mr. Burke, examined by Mr. Heron, Q.C.—I am
a gr3cer. I have known Thomas Clarke for six-
teen Qr eighteen years. He was a most excellent
young man. Nothing surprised me more than to
hear of his arrest in connection with the Fenian
movement. Believed him to be a quiet, peaceable,
loyal man.
To Mr. Macdonogh, Q.C.—I could not tell
whether or not I saw him on the sth of March.

The Solicitor-General briefly replied on the part
of the. Crown. He reviewed the entire of the evi-
1, dence, and pointed out where the testimony of the
approvers was corroborated by unstained witnesses.
He referred to the fact of the percussion caps in
Connolly's box at his work, and he asked what
brought him, a weaver, and the other prisoner
Clarke, a hatter, on the Tallaght-road at 4 o'clock
on Ash Wednesday morning. He asked the jury to
give the prisoners the benefit of any fair doubt they
*might have, but if they had no such doubt, he called
on them to convict them.

• The jury retired at a quarter to 5 o'clock. After
an absence of nearly two hours and a half they re-
turned and handed in a verdict of guilty against
Connolly and acquitted Clarke.
The Lord Chief Justice inquired if there was any
other charge against Clarke.
The Solicitor-General said he understood there
was a charge of \Vhiteboyism against him.
Their L rdships directed Clarke to be brought
down to court in the morning.
Sentence on Connolly was deferred.
The Court adjourned at 20 minutes to 8 until 10
o'clock this morning.
It is stated that Cody, who attacked the police,
is a first cousin of the convict Gen. 'Burke. They
were children of two sisters, and both are from the
neighbourhood of Callan, county Kilkenny. This
relationship suggests a reason for making out the
list of the names and addresses of the Judges, coun-
sel, and 'jury concerned in the conviction of the
" General," which was found in Cody's possession
when arrested by the police. Cody is now in Kil-
mainham Gaol. Burke is a great name among the
Fenians. There is a Captain Burke in Tipperary,
for whose apprehension a large reward has been
offered, and a person named James Burke, sup-
posed to be a brother of the captain's, was lodged
in Nenagh Gaol yesterday, with a man named
Butler, arrested at Thurles.

Emigration is proceeding at a rapid rate. Tt is
not confined to the South or West. A letter from
Drogheda states—
" The increase in the exodus for.the last eight or
ten days is somewhat startling, and the inhabitants
look with wonder at lines of carts passing through
streets, towards the quays, filled with bag-
gage, on which are seated the female emigrants.
Meath, Louth, Cavan, and Westmeath are the
counties which contribute to the emigration move-
ment here ; and should it continue in the same
ratio during the summer months, tile rural portions

of the counties named must be well nigh depopu-
lated. About GO emigrants sailed- from our quay
last evening by the Brian Boiroitne steamer. Large
crowds of the inhabitants were attracted to the
whar, and the lceue.between the emigrants and the
relatives left behind was truly affecting. In all cases
the emigrants promised to send for their friends• as
soon as they could."

Evrsr:o.

'Taws Gorman was put on his trial to-day for
high treason. L' afore the primer entered on his
defence the case was stopped by tl-e Lord Chief
Justice. The evidence for the prosecution being
consistent with the prisoner's statement, that he had
been forced to join the insurgents, he was accord-
ingly acquitted and discharged.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

4.- --

The hired sailing troopship Cospatrick, Comman-
der James A. Ehnslie, R.N.R., arrived at Spithead
esterday afternoon from Kurrachee, having sailed
thence on the 29th of January, and called in at
St. Helena on the 24th of March. She has
brought to England 175 invalided soldiers from
her Majesty's regiments serving in India, with 15
women and 38 children. The officers accompany-
ing the troops comprise—Capt. E. W. Cuming and
Lieut.-Ferguson, 79th Highlanders ; Lieuts. Walter
and Colquhoun, 42d Royal Highlanders ; and Staff
Assist.-Surd: Walter John, in medical charge of in-
valids. The other passengers on board comprise—
Mrs. Ctiming and two children, -tor. Moorshead,
'R.A., Mrs. Moorshead and one child, Quartermas-
ter Hammond, 108th Regt., Mrs. Hammond and
three children, Mrs. Robinson and two children,
Mr. Larcom, and Mr. Peverill. The followiugships
have been spoken on the voyage :—Feb. 9, in lat. 1
N., long. 69 E., the bark Westborough, bound for
Bombay ; March 12, in lat. 35 S., long. 15 E., the
ship Cancer, of Liverpool, with loss of sails, and
making five inches of water per hour, running to
the N.W. under her foresail ; April 4, in lat. 3 N.,
long. 32 W., the ship Southern Belle, bound for
Hongkong, signalling having spoken the ship Genii,
which vessel had lost her rudder previously, and had
been in a disabled state for ten days; on April 8,
in lat. 6 N., long. 24 W., the ship Excelsior, for
Melbourne, and the brig Asterope, for Montevideo;
on the 4th inst., in lat. 48 N., long. 9 W., the Dutch
ship California, for Batavia. The Cospatrick en-
countered a violent storm off the Cape on the 11th
of March. The troops will be transferred from the
Cospatrick to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley
this morning, and the ship will afterwards proceed
to London to discharge her cargo and refit for her
outward Indian voyage.
The hired sailink troopship Shannon, 1,300 tons
register, Capt. Watson, belonging to Messrs. 11.
Green and Co., of London, arrived at Portsmouth
yesterday afternoon from Calcutta, with the follow-
ing officers and invalided soldiers from her Majesty's
regiments in India, and other passengers on board :
—Captain Steward, 2d Dragoon Guards ; Captain
Thompson, Ist Bengal Cavalry ; Mr. D. Pitcher,
21st Hussars; Mr. J. H. Bourne, 77th Foot; Dr.
Clarke, Royal Artillery, 114 men and women, 48
children, two European servants, and four ayahs.
The Shannon sailed from the Landheads, Calcutta,
on Jan. 28, rounded the Cape of Good Hope March
19, called in at St. Helena on March 28, sailed
hence again on the following day, and crossed the
Equator on April 6. From February 10th to the
16th the ship experienced, in las. 5 23 12 04 S.
and longs. 86 12 88 49 E., a cyclone. Off the
Cape of Good Hope she was detained eight days
with from light to strong westerly wilds. Since
then she generally had fine weather. The New-
castle, Hotspur, ,and Alumbagli were left at Cal-
cutta, and about to leave for England. The Hou-
gomont was at St: Helena, with coolies on board,
bound for the West Indies. One birth and five
deaths occurred on board the Shannon during the
voyage.

The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty :—Sub-Licut. Hubert Garbett to
the Rodney ; Sub-Lieut. Henry Godfrey to the
Cameleon ; Sub-Lieut. Edmund Festing to the
Dryad ; Sub-Lieut. Liudesy Goodrich to the Lord
Clyde ; H. Treffrey, Edward J. Murdoch, Henry
L. F. Royle, and Robert Hoggan, midshipmen,
to the Rodney ; H. Cutfield, midshipman, to
the Cameleon ; H. Boteler, midshptnan, to
the Dryad ; Frederick Langton, naval cadet,
to the Caledonia ; Charles P. Jennings,
naval cadet, to the Rodney ; Dr. Adam B. Messer,
surgeon, to the Melville Hospital ship at Hong-
kong, as surgeon and medical storekeeper ; Geo. B.
Newton, surgeon, to the Perseus ; J. N. Compton,
second master, to the Rodney ; additional for Dis-
posal, W. King, second master, to the Boscawen,
additional, for service in the Ferret ; W. 11. Wyllys,
=stet's assistant, to the Dec ; W. F. Cole, second-
class assistant engineer, to the Phoebe; and Harry
George Grey, naval cadet, to the Phoe)us.

SHIPWRECKED MARINERS' BENEVO-

LENT SOCIETY.

The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the Ship-
wrecked Fishermen and Marinera'Royal Benevolent
Society was held yesterday in Willis's-rooms. The
association was instituted in the year 1839 for pro-
viding shipwrecked persons of all nations cast upon
the British coasts with clothing, affording them the
means of returning to their home.e, and conveying
foreigners to the nearest places where the consuls
representing their nations reside. The society also
relieves the widows and orphans of fishermen and
mariners who are drowned, and gives rewards for
saving life. The Right lion. the Earl of Shrews-
bury and Talbot, one of the vice-presidents of the
society, occupied the chair, in the unavoidable ab-
sence of the President, the Duke of Marlborough.
The CHAIRMAN briefly addressed the meeting.
Ile said the cause which they had met to promote
was one that required very little advocacy. There
could be no doubt of the vast amount of good which
the society was the means of accomplishing. The
wreck chart of the United Kingdom was, he was
sorry to say, larger than any previous year. There
were many reasons why there. should be more ship-
wrecks than formerly. The primary one arose of
course from the rapidly developing commerce of the
country and the annual increase of ships. Storms
would naturally be more destructive of life and
property than they were, from the fact of the
much larger number of ships that were exposed
to their fury. Another reason was the mixed
crews employed upon merchantmen, which occa-
sioned mistakes to be made in times of emer-
gency, in consequence of many of the sailors being
foreigners, imperfectly acquainted with the English
language and misunderstanding orders. A third
cause might be found in the somewhat blind reli-
ance seamen were apt to place upon steam and
mechanical appliances instead of depending upon
the skill and activity of the men. Be this as it
might, there was no denying the fact that ship-
wrecks were on the increase. The misery and
destitution arising from these could only be allevi-
ated by the charitable, and he was, glad to observe
that the society was doing a useful and important
work in this respect. Since its establishment it had
been eminently successful, and all that was neces-
sary was that its supporters would continue their
exertions. The object contemplated
one, and he could warmly commend it to to the n
con-
sideration of the benevolent.
M r. Francis Lean, R.N., y
t the committee were
the secretar
nual report, which stated that
read the an-
thankful to report that the national usefulness of the
society continued to b
p at d. The more it be-
rson and
iesi w ed
nc e
llyleraecrkntthat b 3 meet-
icnagm et kh
the
ow
necessitiesntl e übol ifcrje gvarepor-y:
hi
those valupeabploosmthern
sending them to their li s
and the benevo;
were saved from being pauperised,omes,
lent spared from the imp
ostors
the of
travelling;the country. IsTo less a number than

7,087 suffering shipwreck were .
1t
y 340
fwidowse
ea
tnyd,
rnoarkp
ih:gn sa
thado
total
Ipartaken2ol,f
the secretary and the honorary
a
iecbxiCei4jsn's over the year 1865 of 2,067. The total
ailvt hi be
number of cases relieved since the association was
founded was 159,939. The ships annually wrecked,
stranded, foundered, abandoned at sea, or burnt,
.numbered in the total between 4,000 and 5,000 on
an average ; nearly 2,000 of these were lost on
our own coasts ; but • the crews of all these ves-
sels, or that part of them which were saved,
were landed destitute, and became the objects of
thn society's tare. In order to encourage gallant
efforts in saving lives at sea ani on the coasts of °tia.
colonies, gold and silver medals, and i)eitniary
wards were given, and since 1851 33 gold and 192,
silver medals had been awarded for heroic exertions
in saving livt's from shipwreck, together with testi-
monial=, and £921 55.--the number of lives saved
being :5,520.

Tie balance sheet showed that the total income
for the past year was £29,179.
The noble CHAIRMAN, commenting. on the fact,
said the society had not only need of all the funds
placed at its disposal, but there was au urgent claim
on the contributors to increase their subscriptions.
On the motion of Mr. G. BROGRAVE, seconded by,
Mr. G. LYDALL, the report was unanimously
adopted.

Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Mr. Roberts
and others.

THE REFORaI LEAGUE.

Last evening the council of the Reform Laagite
met at their rooms, Adelphi-terrace—Mr. E. Beales,
president. in the chair.

Mr. Howell (s,:cretary) laid before the council
the following resolution, adopted at a " chapel" held
by the compositors in the employ of Messrs. Brad-
bury and Evans :—".Resolved,—That tbe7yookme;
employed at Messrs. Bradbury and Evans'; in meet-
ing assembled, being impressed with the opinion
that a, belief is prevalent they as a body had sent a,
letter to the Conservative Association repudiating
the Reform League and Messrs. Bright and Beaks,
einphaticallydisavow the sentiments there expressed,
and avow it was the act only of a few individual
workers."

The CHAIRMAN congratulated the Le4gue ou their
recent triumph, and thanked them for the aid they
had given him. He had ventured, in opposition to
the opinion put forward by the Government, to hold,
that the people were entitled to go into the park.
He bad been beset on all sides by remonstrances
against the meeting being held, and by entreaties
and supplications that he should endeavour to pre-
vent its being held. He had persevered, however.
On Monday morning it came out that the Govern-
ment had had in their possession ever since last July
an opinion of their own law officers contradicting
the opinion they had put forward against him and
advertised in the press. They held, in fact, an opi-
nion proving him to be right in law. The Govern-,
ment had recourse to every means of intimidation
to frighten them, but especially to frighten him, be-
cause the efforts of the Government were directed
against him in more ways than he chose to tell.
Now anything more disgraceful than this could
scarcely be conceived. Supposing he had flinched
for cne instant the Government would have tri-
umphed over them and against the law, and the Re-
form cause would have been irreparably damaged.
Supposing he gave way and issued au ad-
dress requesting the men of London in con-
sequence of the powerful appeal of Mr.
Gladstone on Friday not to go to the parks many
of them would not have gone, but many would
in bad temper, under the impression they had been
dealt doubly with, and that there had been some-
thing in the shape of treachery, and riot and tumult
would have inevitably occurred. He had told the
Government so, and said they were asking him to
do that which if he were willing to do on principle,
which he was not, would be a most unwisa proceed-
ing. It was impossible to conceive a more inarkAl
contrast than was presented last,Monday Letweett
the feeble, insulting conduct of the Government and
the ruling classes and dignified conduct of the people.
It was a great moral triumph—a triumph greater
than any language of his could express.
Mr. J. BAXTER-L.' NGLEY moved, and Mr. HEN-
WOOD seconded, the following resolution, which was
agreed to :

" That this meeting rejoices in the numerical and
peac.mble success of the Great Demonstration in
Hyde-park, and especially rejoices that the pre-
tended and most insulting fears of the Tory party
have been shown to be utterly groundless as to the
orderly habits of the people, who have abundantly
justified the confidence of this council, and have
afforded additional proof of their perfect fitness for
the franchise, while the Government have demon-
strated in an equally clear manner their unfitness to
use the powers intrusted to them."

Mr. COOPER proposed, and Mr. BUBB seconded,
a resolution—

" That this Council protests in the strongest
manner against the passing of Mr. Walpole's Royal
Parks Bill, and desires to point out to those mem-
bers of the House of Commons who are not blinded
to the dangers of such a course that the unconsti-
tutional suppression of the right of the people of
London to meet in the park, and to attempt to make
that unlawful which is now admitted to be lawful,
will thereby seriously increase the irritation of the
people and endanger the pace of the metropolis."
On the motion of Mr. ODGER, seconded by Col.
DICKSON, a resolution condemning the conduct of
Mr. Neate and other professed Liberals inthe House
of Commons was passed.

Mr. GUEDALLA moved and Mr. DELL seconded
the following resolution, which was passed :
" That the council of the Reform League earnestly
calls upon all Englishmen desiring to uphold the
honour and preserve the fair fame of their country
to aid in saving the lives of the patriotic, if misguided
and mistaken, men who are now lying in Dublin
under sentence of death."
The CHAIRMAN said there could be but one
opinion as to the propriety of the resolution. He
had been requested to prepare a petition to Parlia-
ment on the subject, and he would have much plea-
sure in doing so.

Mr. J. BAXTER-LANGLEY proposed the following

resolution :

" That the council of the Reform League have
learnt with the greatest satisfaction that the Re-
formers of Sheffield have resolved to make an effort
to wipe away
from their borough the political dis-
grace of being misrepresented by Mr. J. A. Roe-
buck ; and this council urgently advises all true
friends of progress at once to organise and select a
candidate for the next election who will vindicate
their principles in the House of Commons."
The resolution was carried unanimously.

In reply to Mr. CREMER,
The CHAIRMAN said he believed the persons who
were injured in the park last July had good cause of
action against the Government.
Mr. MICKESON moved and Mr. RICHARDSON
seconded :
" That the council of the Reform League, at its
I.le,
ditilectubsi.ssizztito:ne
first meeting after the demonstration in Hyde Park,
on .Monday, May 6, . dcsa.c to express, in the
strongest manner possible, its admiration of the
legal ability and unflinching courage displave,i by
their President, 14.1ituond. Beales, Esq., 21. A., ill b;-
; emceaeut .1
meeting
gof
for th
le)
opiictoi
cp
public parks, and upon all questions aff •
ofco ntliiieurcitgohft oti
affecting the
rights of the people."
The resolution was carried and the
terminated.
it

INTERNATIONAL COPYRICA llT..—The absence of an
international copyright law between this country and the
United States somet hues gives occasion for the display of
honourable dealing by individual publishers. Messrs. Tick-
nor and Fields having recantly sent to Mr. Charles Dickens
£2OO, as part profits of a " diamond edition" of his works,
have been mentioned by that author in a letter to au
American friend in the following terms :—" I think you
know how high and far beyond the money's worth I
esteem this act of manhood, delicacy, and honour. I have
never derived greater pleasure from the receipt of money
in all my life." But is it not, a grave anomaly that the
American Government should still subject its publishers to
the satire implied in being thanked so warmly for discharg-
ing the :were obligations of common honesty ?—Pall Ma/1
Gazette.

LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1867.

An interesting entertainment took place last night
in Willis's Rooms, on the occasion of the anniver-
sary dinner of the Institute of Civil Engineers. A
brilliant company assembled, among whom were the
Duke of CAMBRIDGE, the Earl Of CAITHNESS, the
CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, and others. At

the present day we mly safely say that there is no
institution more popular than that of the Civil En-
gineers, and one more in harmony with the tastes
and habits of the people. Arr. J. FOWLER,
Vie Presilent of the Institution, occupied the
chair, and made some very appropriate remarks on
the immediate subjects before him, showing the
relation that cause had with their own objects of
interest. In allusion to the army and navy, be
reraarjied very truly that we are becoming each year
Coro dependent " Riot & calculationz" and, on

a knowledge of engineering. Breech-loading rifles
alone testify to this fact, and are, as he said, most
bewildering to those upon whom the choice and
decision rests. It is satisfactory that so eminent an
authority as Mr. FowLER, should pronounce a
favourable opinion of the collection of munitions of
war and specimens of marine engineering, which
are found in the English department of the French
Exhibition. In associating the name of Mr. CounT,
the First Lord of the Admiralty, with the toast, the
President alluded to the hopeful prophecy of that
gentleman concerning the possibility of our
hideous ironclads being rendered peaceful,
and added that he was entitled to give
his judgment, and to be listened to with respect.
A quarter of a century ago Mr. CORRY was the
earnest advocate of the "screw propeller" into the
Royal Navy and the adoption of iron as a material
for building ships of war. Mr. Cormv made some
interesting revelations concerning the introduction
of iron and of the screw propeller into the navy,
and said that the navy of this country was greatly
indebted to the Civil Engineers for the exertions
they had made to induce the authorities to employ
iron as a material for shipbuilding, though " the
Chancellor of the Exchequer might not thank
them for having increased the cost of build-
ing a ship fourfold." It is curious at the
present day to think of the prejudices that
existed against the introduction of iron for the
material of ships of war, and he even told his
hearers that the iron vessels which had been built
under his superintendence had been turned by the
succeeding Board of Admiralty into transport ves-
sels, on the ground that it was absurd and ridicul-
ous to use ships built of that material for fighting
purposes. He had the satisfaction, however, of
finding that his plans were subsequently carried
out, and that be had been before the time, for
when he was appointed to his present position there
was building in Pembroke dockyard an ironclad
and iron-built frigate of 4,000, and to be propelled
by seven engines of 1,000 horse power, and which
was to carry six hundred men and guns of
the heaviest calibre.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, who was
greeted most enthusiastically, said that a few nights
ago he had had the honour of returning thanks for the
House of Commons in the galleries of art, and on
that occasion the same duty devolved upon him in
the halls of science. The connection between the
House of Commons and the body of civil engineers
is a most interesting one, and the latter have, in
course of time, contributed several distinguished
members to the House of Commons. LOCKE
and STEPHENSON, who have left the scene
of their labours and triumphs, were mentioned by
Mr. DISRAELI as men whom all " regard with
esteem, and looked up to with the greatest respect.
They sat on different sides of the House, but that
did not interfere with the high consideration in
which they were held, and the right hon. gentle-
man said that it was with satisfaction he re-
membered he enjoyed their kind feelings, and, he
hoped, possessed their favourable opinions." The
President said that the relations of engineers with
the House of Commons were not so intimate as they
used to be, but Mr. DISRAELI facetiously observed,
that on his way to the House he saw that the Civil
Engineers were very busy in the neighbourhood.
" What may be the precise results, and what the
exact object of the works I saw going on there I
don't presume to understand, but all I hope is that
our future proceedings are not to partake of a subter-
ranean character, and that at least the House of Com-
mons may be permitted to perform its duties under
existing circumstances." in pursuing his remarks,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he was
expected to propose the toast of " Prosperity to the
Civil Engineers," coupled with the name of the
President. After stating that his practical know-
ledge of the subject did not permit him to speak on
the matter, he added that it sometimes happened
that those who were bystanders were " more com-
petent to form a general opinion as to the state of
facts than those who create the circumstances and
control them." A quarter of a century ago, as
Mr. DISRAELI said, a meeting like that before
them would have been looked upon as improbable.

A century ago there was not a canal in England,
and although we have been taught to look upon Bri-
tannia as the mistress of the ocean, still there is no
doubt that the British mariner encountered the
perils of the deep, and unprovided with artificial
advantages. In alluding to the wonderful changes
that have occurred recently, Mr. DISRAELI ex-
claimed, " How is it that our country is covered
with railways and surrounded by wealth, studded
with floating steam vessels ? How is it that we
have instantaneous communication between distant
hemispheres and continents. All these would have
been achieved by the attentive observation of nature
by men of genius, whose scientific discoveries and
inventions have been made of service in practiotl
life." The right hon. gentleman gave some
useful advice in conclusion, by saying that if
the Civil Engineers turned their attention to
the supply of water in London they would be doing
an immense service. Meetings like this are always
interesting, and they are of service also, as they
awake thought, and turn the attention of the public
to the vessels and the achievements of those to whom
they are so much indebted, and to encourage whose
efforts should be alike a duty and a pleasure, for
much depends on the results of their success and
choice in the numerous tasks allotted to them.

The members of the Reform League are unable
to find fitting words adequately to express their
sense of their own excellence and ability. " Success
is-virtue, and misfortune blame," and if the grand
affair of Monday was not exactly a political success,
at least it resulted in nothing mischievous or disas-
trous—thanks partly to the ample provision made to
keep the roughs in check, and prevent their inter-
ference with the day's proceedings. So the assembly
of the Council of the League last night was a
triumphant assembly, and Mr. BEALES having
praised himself to the echo received the
admiring tributes of his friends, while the
unfortunate Government, and that elastic " Tory
party which includes every one who is disinclined
to submit his own judgment to that of Messrs.
BEALES and BRADLAUGH, would have been the sub-
ject of fierce denunciation had they not been re-
garded as almost beneath contempt. Men who are so
well able to manage their own affairs are of course
likely to have a little time and attention to spare
for those of other people. Also it is very disagreeable
to the dauntless minds of those Adelphi HA3IPDENS
to believe that a duly constituted and recognised au-
thority can ever be in the right when it exercises
the strong arm of the law to put down political
agitation. Governments must always be in the
wrong ; agitators must always be in the right.
This is the doctrine of the League de facto, though
they might disown it in words. The very fact of
proceedings being taken in opposition to the Go-
vernment lends them an attraction, not to say a
recommendation, in the eyes of our would-be Re-
formers. How else are we to account for Fenianism
being suddenly invested with the merits of patriotism,
and the mischievous agitators, w ho are wilfully risking
the lives and property of others to fill their own
pockets, being considered worthy of English -sym-
pathy and support. It is encouraging to find that

the Council of the Reform League, who are hence-
forth to regulate all our affairs and opinions, are
favourable to such erratic displays of patriotism as
we have lately been treated in the sister island. At
the meeting last night Mr. GUEDALLA moved, and
Mr. DELL seconded, the following resolution :
" That the Council of the Reform League earnestly
calls upon all Englishmen desiring to uphold the
honour and preserve the fair fame of their country
to aid in saving the lives of the patriotic, if mis-
guided and mistaken men, who are now lying in
Dubli❑ under sentence of death." This was passed,
the chairman adding, however, a few words
of especial approval. " There could be," he
said, " but one opinion as to the propriety of the
resolution. (We should say so beyond the doors of
thu Council•ebawber !) lie had been requested to
prepare a petition to Parliament on the subject,
and he would have much pleasure in doing so."
Having thus happily disposed of the Irish difficulty,
it was necessary to come nearer home. Independ-
ence of opinion is nearly as great a crime as oppo-
sition to authority is a virtue. Men may with
great propriety oppose the Government, but their ac-
tion must be en masse —no one may dare to think for
himself, much less to criticise the " patriotism" of pro-
fessional patriots. How heinous, then, is the offence
of a man of remarkable ability, considerable repu-
tation, and fearless straightforwardness in scrutinis-
ing too closely the organisation of those vast
societies which, professing to represent the many,
are in reality under the dictation of the few. Re-
membering the revelatioas of the report of the
Commission on Trades' Unions, we need not be
surprised at the following resolution being carried
unanimously at the meeting of the League :
" That the Council of the Reform League have
learnt with the greatest satisfaction that the Re-
formers of Sheffield have resolved to make an effort
to wipe away from their borough the political disgrace
of being misrepresented by Mr. J. A. ROEBUCK,
and this Council urgently advises all true friends
of progress at once to organise and select a candi-
date for the next election who will vindicate their
principles in the House of Commons." A very
creditable and serviceable House of Commons we
shall have if a representative like Mr. ROEBUCK is to
be regarded.as a " political disgrace !" It may occur
to some critics with inconveniently long memories
that Mr. J. A. ROEBUCK has toiled in the cause of
progress and Liberalism some years before Mr.
EDMOND BEALES was heard of. But the friends of
Trades' Unions will not readily forgive the
searching cross-examination which the mem-
ber for Sheffield in his capacity as Commissioner
subjected the witnesses to in the recent
examinations. No ready-made plausible generali-
ties would do. Mr. ROEBUCK put them aside with
the declaration that he could not understand figura-
tive language, and would have the answers he
wanted in plain English. What did the witnesses
mean by the protection of trade ? by encroach-
ments upon trade? Why must men become mem-
bers of the Union whether they would or no under
pain of heavy penalties ? Why should unionists
object to work with non-unionists? Such ques-
tions as these are not at all of the sort which
secretaries, and managers, and treasurers of unions
like to answer, and accordingly Mr. ROEBUCK gets
put down in their black lists. The member for
Sheffield has not much sympathy for the system of
terrorism in vogue with these associations, and
being never much inclined to act in opposition to
his own opinions, he is naturally indisposed to sup-
port the method employed to extend the power of
the unions. The unionists do not like to have their
affairs too closely inquired into, and conse-
quently they are much displeased at the ques-
tions propounded by the commission, and in
many cases the list of questions sent has
been returned unanswered. Some curious facts
have, however, come out. ' A master builder had
four sons employed in his trade, and it was in-
sisted by the men that these sons should join the
union. A struggle ensued between the masters
and the men of the district, but the end of the i
affair was a compromise, one of the conditions
being that the sous should join the union, or the
men would not work. When we get a Parlia-
ment composed of members that are fortunate
enough to meet the approval of the League, we
shall have to prepare for a rigid supervision of
our individual acts and opinions.

CORRESPONDENCE FROiI PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
The Moniteur states that the Grand Duchy of
Mecklenburg is convoked for the Ist of Jane, with
a view to give its vote relative to the Constitution
of the Confederation of North Germany, adopted
by the Reichstag.
The Invalide Russe announces that the Diet of
Finland has definitively agreed to and adopted a
new law introducing free public worship of all de-
nominations. According to the ancient laws of
Finland, the Protestant Religion was dominant.
Henceforward all Christians will be equal before
the law, and may enjoy all civil and political
rights. This new law proposed by the Govern-
ment was unanimously voted by the Diet.
A letter from -Vienna gives some interesting par-
ticulars relative to the new law introducing various
military innovations in Austria. The law con-
tains no less than 50 paragraphs, but the chief
changes made will have the effect of assimilating
the Austrian military system with that of France,
particularly as regards the advance in rank. In
future the rank of sub-lieutenant can only be ob-
tained by cadets leaving the military schools after a
severe examination upon scientific and practical,
matters. On the other hand the limit of age
appointed for retirement in each rank is advanced.
This measure has the double advantage of render-
ing advancement more rapid, and of exempting a
certain number of soldiers, who in consequence of
mencement of a campaign. up
age are forced to abandon theosernvitcheeatwthhoelecotmhe-
new military plan is conceived in a very liberal

spirit.
The pious service in commemoration of the death
of Napoleon I. was celebrated in the chapel of the
Tuileries on Monday, in presence of the Emperor
and Empress, Prince Napoleon, Princess Mathilda,
Princess Lucien Murat, Prince Lucien Napoleon
Bonaparte, Prince Joachim Murat, and Prince
Achille Murat. The chief officers of the Crown
and of the Emperor's Household were also present,
as well as the ladies on service.
At the same time the usual imposing ceremony
took place in the chapel of the Invalides. The
Governor of the Invalides, Marquis de Lavcestine,
surrounded by his staff, presided. The glorious re-
mains of the armies of the first Emperor were re-
presented by the battalion of soldiers who are
decorated with the St. Helena medal, and by a few
of the old soldiers who delight in the souvenir,
whose ranks become thinner every year. They
wore their old uniforms on the occasion. Round
the crypt which contains the sarcophagus was a
detachment of military invalids, decorated with the
St. Helena medal, and bearing lances covered with
crape. There were also present servants of the first
Emperor or their children and heirs designated by
the will of Napoleon. After the absolution, the
old soldiers defiled in front of the sarcophagus. The
spectators evinced deep veneration. In the even-
ing a banquet was given to the old warriors, at
which M. Belmontel, deputy, presided.
The Siecle has the following moderate but
forcible observations in reference to Prussia :
" We are disposed to believe in the conciliatory
intentions of Prussia. It is evident, from the
moderate language of the ofticioue journals of

Berlin, that an intimation has been given to them,
and that M. Bismark has ordered that they shall
not only cease all provocation to France, but that
he wishes to excite the idea in Germany that the
evacuation of the fortress of Luxembourg is a
matter of small importance, in reference to which
Prussia could not refuse to make a concession in
the interest of the peace of Europe. Thus the
journals, which a short time ago contended in ex-
citing language that the maintenance of the state
quo as to Luxembourg was the ultimatum of
Prussia, have now made a sudden change of position
and celebrate the magnanimity, the humanity, and
the moderation of King William and his first
Minister. The motive which induces us to believe
in the present sincerity of these conciliatory
sentiments is derived from au ex imination
of the internal difficulties of the country, which is
one of a much more grave character than is gener-
ally supposed, and which Prussia must contend
against. When the first moment of effervescence
had passed away, the populations of the South of
Germany gave striking evidence of the little enthu-
siasm they felt for a war, for the results of which
they had to pay so dearly. A Democratic party,
very powerful in that region, did not dissimulate
either its hostility against Prussian despotism or its
sincere desire to maintain peace. As to the Go-
vernment of the Southern States, M. Bismarck
knows full well that they would not give him any
more support than they afforded to him last year.
" In the Confederation of the North, there is not
less embarrassment. The annexed provinces only
allowed themselves to be Prussianized with manifest
repugnance. There is a report that Hanover will
be placed in a state of siege, and in Schlewig-Hol-
stein the position is not better."
The Journal do Montford announces what is con-
sidered a serious calamity in that arrondissement,
the destruction by fire of the oldest oak of the
forest, called the Cheveaux vendeurs (the seller's
oak). This tree dates from the year 1002. The
name was given to it because in former days a
market for the sale of wood was held under it. This
monarch of the forest had a circumference of not
less than 25 feet. The spectacle of the destruction
of this lofty and magnificent tree by fire is described
as magnificent. The old wood threw out mown-1
tains of sparks, and the appearance was like a bril-
liant display of fireworks. In spite of every effort
but few fragments of this venerable and respected
oak remain. The cause of the fire is bat a matter
of loose conjecture. Some attribute it to the work
of a madman who desired to make himself famous,
like the man who wished for celebrity on the ground
that he had never read Walter Scott. The most
probable explanation is, that some incautious
smoker, who had enjoyed his pipe or cigar under its
shelter, a place of general resort, had thrown some
lighted ashes against it, which burnt into flames, in
consequence of its inflammable character arising
from age. A portion of the trunk was crumbling
to dust, and so that it was like touchwood.
The heat continues to be very oppressive. The
thermometer has been higher than yesterday. The
visitors to the Exhibition have visited the delicious
cool park and gardens.