The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOSLOS, THURSDAY EVENIING-, JANUARY 3 1867

( vice is tendered in this speech, which those in
artthority might do well to ponder over, and
we are certain that the results would be favourable
to the general advantage of the community and the
efficiency of the service. The Report recently made
by the Commission on Recruiting shows the great
dbfficulty that is found in the way of recruiting the
0,3 rmy. Two new difficulties have been added of
late to the impediments already in the way of this
-work—one was the fact that Ireland, by reason of
;famine and emigration, is no longer, as usual, the
great recruiting ground for our army; and the other
that the pay of the soldier seems very poxr
now beside of the increase in wages which has lately
taken place. To remedy these deficiencies,
in some measure, Mr. IlonsmAN recommends that
we should adopt measures such as " the increase of
pay, the division of the service into home and
foreign, shorter service, and the abolition of the
lash." When this matter comes before Parliament,
as it shortly must, we hope to see some, if not all,
of these suggestions treated in a fitting manner, for
they cannot but conduce to the true interests of
the service, and make it more popular, as it ought
to be, among us. •

Respecting Ireland, the right hon. gentleman
said that a great part of the existing discon-
tent arose from the circumstance that a
large population was dependent for sub-
sistence chiefly upon agriculture, and no per-
manent employment was found in the absence of
manufactures. No doubt there is a great deal of
truth in this assertion, and it is well known that
there is no more prolific source of misery and dis-
affection than the scarcity of employment. As for
Fenianism, there may be some truth in the passage
here met with respecting it. " Although the
American Government had acted loyally in respect
of Canada, yet there was no doubt they had vir-
tually encouraged it, in consequence of a feeling of
soreness arising out of the Alabama claims."
Looking at the future, Mr. HORSMAN declared
that the year just now commencing contained
much that was hopeful and promising. One point
he specially .referred to, which some eager poli-
ticians are too apt to forget, and that is the
freedom which we all enjoy under British institu-
tions. We have a right of meeting, personal free-
dom, the liberty of the Press ; and, in contrast to
this in other c3untries, we see how in America
newspapers are suppressed, and in France restric-
tions are put on liberty. The fact is, " that," as
Mr. HORSMAN said, " in England the long enjoy-
ment of liberty has made us safe;" and this assur-
ance is indeed a cheering one to all who rightly
appreciate the advantages that accrue from freedom,
tempered with the wise restrictions that public
opinion will always maintain and uphold.

The Emperor of AUSTRIA still finds the Hun-
garian difficulty as one very difficult to surmount,
and, accordingly, we see that an Imperial Patent
has been issued which announces that the Govern-
ment has opened negotiations with the representa-
tives of those countries belonging to the Hungarian
Crown. A speedy settlement of the matter in
doubt as to the constitutional question is earnestly
desired, and hence the EMPEROR exhorts those im-
mediately concerned not to lose time, for the neces-
sities of the time and the state of the Empire
demand the exercise of speed. Representatives
of the non-Hungarian Crown lands are con-
voked to an Extraordinary Reichsrath Assembly
and the Upper House is also called together. This
Extraordinary Reichsrath is to be called together for
the 25th of February, and no other business will
engage its attention than the important one of de-
liberating upon the question of a Constitution
All things taken together we think that the Impe-
rial Government has done wisely and well in thus
taking this unusual step, and we hope that the advice
tendered by the EMPEROR will be attended to, and
that no time will be lost iu making the necessary
arrangements that the exigencies of the case may
demand; for much time has already been wasted
in idle schemes and valueless suggestions. Let them,
then, take a wiser course, and celebrate the New
Year by a new mode of procedure. It will be bet-
ter for the Hungarians to make some sacrifices and
secure the main chance, rather than by stopping at
trifles and making mountains of molehills to em-
barrass the Government at Vienna, and imperil their
own success and prosperity, as they assuredly will
by delays and altercations.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.

Yesterday, according to annual custom, the Em-
peror received at the Tuileries the Foreign Ambas-
sadors, Ministers, clergy, and State functionaries to
present addresses to his Majesty of homage and con-
gratulation upon the occasion of New Year's Day.
his Majesty received the diplomatists in the Salle
du Trone, with the usual ceremonies and, in answer
to their address, spoke as follows :
" The renewal of the year gives me the oppor-
tunity of expressing my wishes for the stability of
thrones and the prosperity of the peoples. I hope
that we shall enter upon a new era of peace and con-
ciliation, and that the Universal Exhibition will
contribute to calm passions and draw interests more
closely together. I thank the diplomatic body for
their congratulations, and I beg them to interpret to
the Governments which they represent my senti-
ments of friendship."

The Emperor addressed M. Darboy, the Arch-
bishop of Paris, in these terms :—" 'When Isee at
the head of the clergy of Paris a prelate so deeply
devoted to the interests of religion as well as those
of the State, when I see him support everywhere
by his words and his acts the great principles of
faith, charity, and conciliation, I say to myself that
his prayers must be granted by Heaven. They are
for France a benefit, and for me a new source of
consolation and hope."

Many of the papers were not published to-day,
yesterday being such a general holiday, but the
magnificent words of the Emperor having obtained
publicity through the illoniteur they have been
eagerly read and re-read by the public. Scarcely if
ever did a royal speech, brief though it be, diffuse
more general ad niration and satisfaction. It is
an apt, forcible, and sound illustration of the
Emperor's celebrated sentiment, " The Empire is
Peace."

A letter from Munich states that the King of
Bavaria has appointed Prince de Hoheulohe Minis-
ter of Foreign Affairs and of the Royal Household.
As the result of the negotiations between Pope
Pius the Ninth and the Italian Government is natu-
rally anxiously expected, your readers will take an
interest in a brief account of his Holiness. As the
head of the Catholic Church his title is Pius the
Ninth, but his family name is Count Jean Marie de
Mastai Ferretti. He was born at Sinigaglia on the
13th of May, 1792, and he is consequently 74 years
of age. It is related that at first he had a desire to
join the army, but as a priest he had an opportu-
nity of evincing his courage, for during the time
when he was a missionary in Chili in 1823
the Catholic priests there were threatened
with assassination, and their lives were saved iu con-
sequence of his fortitude and heroism. After spend-
ing two years iu useful and perilous travel, he was
appointed by Leo XII. as director of the Apostolical
Hospital of St. Michael. The same Pontiff, in
1827, promoted him to be Archbishop of Spoleto.
Pope Gregory XVI., his predecessor, in 1832, gave
him the Bishopric of Imola, and made him a Car-
dinal in 1840. Pius IX. owes his elevation to the
Papal throne to his piety, his learning, and his un-
affected simplicity of character. The dignity of
Pope is synonymous with the title of Universal

Apostle. The foundation of the Papal power has its
origin in an expression of 'Christ recorded by
the evangelist Matthew-1c Thou art Pierre
(stone), and upon this stone I will build my
Church." The word Pope (says a French writer)
is derived from the Greek, and signifies father
and ancestor. In former times the title was given
to all Catholic bishops. It is only since the time
of Gregory VII. that it has been given to the
Sovereign Pontiff. In previous times the title of
Lord Pope was given to Catholic bishops, but at
a Council held at Rome in 1073 a prohibition was
issued against the assumption of the title. The
Pope is styled the Very Holy Father, and when
addressed, either verbally or in writing, he is called
Your Holiness. Since the time of Gregory the Great
the Popes have styled themselves the Servant of
the Servants of God. By theological authority the
title given to the Pope is Vicar of Jesus Christ
and the Successor of St. Peter.

A very interesting archaeological discovery has
been made in the town of Luzarches, Seine-et-Oise,
at a locality which in the time of the Romans was
covered with villas and country houses. While
some workmen were ploughing they broke a vessel
which contained 350 vessels in bronze of very
ancient date. Among them are coins of Antoniuus,
Marcus Aurelia, Lucius-Verus, Vespasian, Alex-
ander Severus, and Domitian, from which it is sup-
posed that they were buried at the period of the
first invasion of the people of the North into Gaul.
M. Paul Duport, a dramatic author of note, has
just died in his 68th year. He assisted in writing
" La Fille de l'Avare," a piece which was once very
popular.

The lucky persons who happened to be passing
along the Rue Coquilliere the night before last had
an opportunity of seeing a curious shower—a heavy
shower of gold pieces of 20 francs. Some of them
fell upon the outside passengers of the omnibus which
goes from the Batignolles to the Bastille. These
useful coins were thrown from a window of the
Hotel de la Marine, which is at the corner of the
Rue Coquilliere. During this strange shower of
Napoleons, to the amount of more than 600 E. were
picked up. The motives of the persons who thus
circulated the coins are not known. Some say the
intention was to make a really useful present at this
joyous season ; others, supposed to be in the secret,
assert that it was the result of a conjugal quarrel,
and that the lady and gentleman threw the money
about to spite each other. Be this as it may, this
shower of gold pieces can be characterised Las an
agreeable episode of the rain of Napoleon.
Early this morning the snow began to fall with
great violence, and it snowed uninterruptedly for
eight hours. In the country around Paris the snow
is at least a foot in depth. About mid -day the sun
broke forth, and the sky was as clear as in summer.
At the window at which I was writing this after-
noon the sight was curious. The ground in the
shade was covered with snow, but the sun shone
so brightly upon the panes of the window, and it
was so hot, that I was obliged to change my posi-
tion. There was a misprint in the account of the
snow in Savoy, which it may be well to corree.
The snow was two metres in depth some instances
—not two inches, as stated. It was more intensely
cold at midnight last night than it has been this
winter.

L A TEST INTEL LIG-EWE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

Great Reform Demonstration at Blae'burn.

Tuesday was the occasion of the Reformers of
Blackburn and its surrounding villages, hamlets,
and towns, consecrating the chief part of a cold,
wintry day, the first of the year 1867, to agitation
for a large extension of political reform, especially
as it applies to the franchise protected by the ballot.
The demand for household suffrage has been pretty
general, though some of the Reform associations
have all along gone in for manhood suffrage and the
ballot, hence the resolutions that were submitted to
the people at the four district platforms were so ex-
pressed as to meet the approval of all real and sin-
cere Reformers and friends of the people. The local
Reformers have been very united, and assiduous in
their exertions to make the demonstration a com-
plete success. Large and enthusiastic meetings
have been held in the town and districts approving
the demonstration, and expressing adhesion in the
present agitation and to the leading Liberal states
men. Up to a late hour on Sunday night the
weather continued very open and unseasonable, and
at that time a heavy fall of snow commenced and
continued up to noon on Monday. A slight frost
then set in, leaving the snow seven or eight inches
deep in the streets, and it continued throughout
the night, leaving the streets and thoroughfares
very slippery. The roads from the surrounding
towns, &c., were, therefore, anything but favourable
to bring together so large a multitude of people from
the populous districts as had been anticipated ; still
considering the difficulty of locomotion and the
absence of cheap trains, it may be presumed that
none but men determined to be enfranchised or to
extend it to others were present, and the demonstra-
tion was worthy of the occasion, the attendance at it
being variocsly estimated to consist of at least 15,000
persons. The processions from the neighbouring
towns and villages began to arrive in the streets ad-
jacent to the Market-square, on which the demon-
stration was held, about ten o'clock, and continued
to take up their positions until nearly half-past
eleven, when, all having come to hand, the proces-
sion was duly formed, and moved off in the follow-
ing order from the Reform Club :—The members of
the club ; carriages containing the chief speakers ;
the members of the Audley and Quick-place, Black-
burn, Reform Clubs ; stonemasons, operative
power loom weavers and spinners, and other trades ;
the Preston, Accrington, Durwen, Great Harwood,
Padiham, Colne, Haslingden, and other district
Reform associations. The procession which, occu -
pied the space of half-au-hour in passing any given
point, then passed along many of the principal
streets, accompanied by bands and bearing a large
number of banners, mottoes, &c., having reference
to the opponents of Reform and the Adullamites.
On their return to the market ground, which had
been cleared of the snow, the integral portions of
the procession formed at the platforms allotted to
them, and amid the cheers of the vast populace the
proceedings of the meeting were commenced. The
following resolutions were carried with applause at
all the platforms :—" That this meeting protests
against, and enters its denial of, the. charges of
drunkenness, ignorance, venality, and indifference
to Reform, made against the working classes during
the last session of Parliament ; and this meeting de-
clares that no Reform Bill can be accepted which
does not provide for the full, fair, and free represen-
tation of the people, nor can any representation be
free which does not include the Ballot." "That
this mesting awards its thanks to Earl Russell,
the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, John Bright,
M.P., John Stuart Mill, M.P., Professor Fawcett,
M.P., E. Baines, M.P., W. E. Forster, M.P., and
all true friends of Reform, for their patriotism in de-
fence of the rights of the people in the last session
of Parliament." "That the best thanks of this
meeting are due, and are hereby given to the chair-
man for his able presidency."