The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-31 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

judgment and exercise its own discretion in an
event of so much importance as the passing of a
Reform Bill that is to last for a generation at least.
No fault can then be found with the decision of last
night on Lord CAIRNS' motion. It was totally dif-
ferent from giving their concurrence to an abstract
Resolution like that of Lord HALIFAX'S, or a con-
demnatory amendment such as Lord GREY would
have forced upon them. It is not likely that any
collision of interests will take place between the
two Houses upon this subject, for, notwithstanding
the defeat of Mr. LOWE'S suggestion, some able ad-
vocates were not wanting to enforce the claims of
the scheme to consideration, and the House seemed
somewhat in the position of those who are
doubtful, and hence prefer no change to
take place rather than being strongly op-
posed to the idea. The effect of this vote
is for the present confined to about twelve seats,
and if the change be carried out as last night indi-
cated by the House of Lords, it would afford a good
opportunity for testing the efficacy of the Ballot.
It has often been suggested that this plan should be
tried in a modified form at first, and here would be
an advantageous mode of making an experiment.
An attempt was made last night to rescue the
doomed boroughs from the severest part of the
penalty pronounced against them, but it failed ;
and it was just as well that it should have done so,
for no effect will be produced on other places if it
is seen that the Legislature shifts about in its
decision and cannot keep its mind long together.
Lord ROMILLY moved that the disfranchisement
should cease in the year 1880, but the Lord Chan-
cellor truly said that he did not consider that the
penalty was too severe for the offence. It was
quite right to make an example, and many prece-
dents might be found for what had been done. It
would create a great deal of unnecessary confusion
to introduce this change into the bill, and we are
glad that it was negatived without a division, be-
cause it shows what the general feeling of the
House is on the subject. Lord GREY endeavoured
to interfere with the compound householder but
failed, a majority of 105 deciding upon the retention
of the clause. Here again the House of Lords
acted wisely, for, as the Lord Chancellor said, the
clause was an essential feature of the bill,.and it
would have been very injurious to do away with
the present arrangement. Another amendment was
defeated, which proposed that persons registered as
voters for the county should not for the same pre-
mises have votes for borough members also. This
was lost by the large number of ninety-four. Lord
CAIRNS' scheme was the only change introduced
into the bill yesterday, and it is quite evident
that the House of Lords is prepared as speedily
as can be consistent with propriety and a
due consideration of the important subject to
pass the bill the same to all intents and purposes
as it was sent up to them. This is as it should be,
and while it fulfils the ardent desires and just ex-
pectations of the community it redounds to the
credit of that august assembly. Rumours have
been rife and suspicions very ready on the subject
of a failure ensuing when the bill went up to the
House of Lords, but we are glad to find that these
prophets of evil are proved incorrect, and that no
cause will be found for reproach at the manner in
which the measure has been treated. It has been
met in the most favourable manner, and has already
made progress as fast as could reasonably have been
expected or desired.

Notwithstanding the practical test of success, and
the great benefits which are admitted by some of
the bitterest opponents of the earlier Factory Acts
to have resulted from those measures, it is wonder-
ful how strong an opposition is still made to every
attempt to improve or extend them. The Factory
Acts Extension Bill was last night brought up for
recommittal, when the usual objections to the prin-
ciple of the measure were made by Mr. MOFFATT,
who argued that the less they interfered with the
rights of labour the better, and that they had not
sufficient evidence to justify legislation. By
a singular inconsistency Mr. MOFFATT took
exception to a feature in the bill which
might very well have been opposed (as it
afterwards was) by the supporters of the measure.
He complained that its influence was limited to
establishments with 100 hands, so that evils might
exist unchecked in smaller places. Mr. LIDDELL,
who was also against the bill, had another objection.
He thought that it involved the principle of com-
pulsory education, and should not be proceeded with
until the new Parliament gave the classes for whom

they were legislating an opportunity of being
heard. This argument, Mr. BRUCE pointed
out, would, if admitted, delay legislation for
two or three years, and we have already more than
enough evidence to show that such a delay
is most unadvisable. Two years may seem,
and may be, of comparatively little importance to
the middle—aged legislator considering a disputed
principle, but to the over—worked child of seven or
eight the twenty-four months of excessive labour
may have life-long consequences. Of course exces-
sive or vexatious interference with trade should be
avoided ; but it is not likely that our legislators
to-day should be so much less skilful than the
legislators of twenty years ago. Although Lord
ASHLEY'S Factory Acts were carried in the face of
the most obstinate opposition they have not inter-
fered injuriously with any kind of trade ; indeed
the employers of labour have frankly admitted that
their apprehensions were unfounded. A careful
examination of the clauses of the new Acts will, we
have no doubt, eliminate from them all question-
able clauses without diminishing their practical
service, or occasioning a needless delay.

rHIS DAY.—Morning, lh. 32m.—Afternoon,' 2h. Om.
T3-Moßßow.-Ilorning, 2h. 23m.—Afternoon, 2h. 50m

wear
-1
SUIT
"sitiavol 4

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1867.

The honours of the field, so far as the House 0
Lords is concerned, certainly remain with Lord
CAIRNS, for the noble and learned lord has gained
a succession of triumphs, including last night, with
the large majority of ninety-one, in his proposition
respecting the representation of minorities. On this
occasion the Government were not on the side of
the noble and learned lord, but the general feeling
of the House was evidently with him. Perhaps
Ministers acted wisely in refraining from giving
their support, and at any rate it cannot be said that
they are too ready to give in to every scheme that
is brought forward. While we do not agree
with those who expect so many important
results from this change there is certainly no valid
objection to be urged against it, and indeed it may
be as well to give the plan a trial. A great many
new things have been brought about by the progress
of this bill, and it is not at all a suitable argument to
adduce in this age of progress that a proposition
must be set aside or altogether refused because it is
a novel one. How arc we ever to improve if nothing
new is introduced, and no change made in a parti-
cular course of policy ? Lord CAIRNS' speech, as
might well bo supposed, was a very effective one.
The ability which could impart an interest to the
dullest theme, and lend a grace to the most hack-
neyed controversy, did not fail to shine out in full

. .
force on an occasion which was not wholly unpro-

raising or discouraging. The representation of
minorities is new in practice, but not new in theory;
in according to the rules of the Constitution no one
class or set of opinions is expected or desired to
overwhelm or exclude the other. We can under-
stand why so much stress should be laid upon this
principle being carried out, while it may turn out
that too much stress is laid upon it.
The House of Lords has every right to use its own

It is not often that the honours bestowed at the
recommendation of the Minister of the day are so
well earned as the distinction which we are glad to
find has been bestowed upon Mr., now Sir, WILLIAM
MITCHELL, of the Shipping Gazette. The labours of
this gentleman, though not of the kind to attract
the notice of the indifferent, or to secure for himself
that temporary notoriety which is the great aim of
too many professing reformers in all departments,
have been of substantial and enduring service. We
cannot question that he has been the means,
indirectly, of saving many hundreds of lives, besides
a vast amount of property. An incompetent general
is a national misfortune, and ignorance or pre-
sumption among military officers can hardly fail to
produce disastrous results, but when an incompe-
tent commander takes charge of a ship the risk is
increased tenfold. At least the military man has
only to guard against men perhaps no wiser than
himself ; the earth is not likely to enter the lists
of his enemies, but the naval commander knows
that the very elements may conspire against him
with a force and persistence that demand the
unerring judgment and the highest skill. The
general who feels himself unequal to his position
may decline to give battle, and ingeniously elude
the enemy, but the captain of a ship cannot re-
fuse the encounter nor can he ensure a truce or

propose an armistice. Even in comparatively
calm weather, the commander of a ship has
need of much scientific knowledge and practical
experience if he would be a successful navigator.
Yet some five and twenty years ago any one might
take a British merchant ship to sea with all its

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 31, 1867.

A grand review took place yesterday at Vienna in
honour of the visit of the Sultan, who, in the course
of the day, received the Cabinet Ministers.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

A number of shipwrights at Chatham dockyard
have commenced cutting out the frames for the
double-screw unarmoured gunvessel Woodlark,
which is ordered to be laid down at that establish-
ment, and built from the design of Mr. E. J. Reed,
Chief Constructor of the Navy. The Woodlark is
to be constructed on the same lines and from the
same set of drawings as the twin-screw gunvessel
Plover, building at Woolwich dockyard.
The Meeanee, 60, 2,591 tons, 400 horse power,
attached to the Chatham steam reserve, is having
the whole of her internal fitments, bulkheads, fze.,
removed, preparatory to being sent round to Dept-
ford for the purpose of being converted into an hos-
pital ship to be stationed at Hongkong. She was
originally constructed at Bombay dockyard, and on
passing into the hands of the Admiralty from the
Indian Government was converted into a screw
steamer. The Meeanee is well adapted for the
particular service for which she is intended, there
being space for hospital accommodation on her
decks for several hundred men. Her engines and
machinery will be removed into the factory.
Yesterday the Assistant-Constructor of the Impe-
rial French Navy paid a visit to Chatham dockyard,
where he was occupied some time in the inspection
of the turret ironclad ship Monarch, 6, 5,100 tons,

1,100 horse-power, and the Hercules, 12, 5,226
tons, 1,200 horse-power, under construction, and
the various establishments of the yard, over which
he was conducted by the principal officials and heads
of departments.
Her Majesty's paddle storeship Dee, master-com-
mander George Raymond, on particular service,
went into basin yesterday at Woolwich, to ship
machinery and steam gear, for the western yards.
The Industry iron storeship, employed on the
foreign victualling service, was taken out of No. 1
dock at Woolwich, and gave place to her Majesty's
gun vessel Speedwell, recently commissioned by
Commander Parry, and preparing for service on the
West Coast of Africa, to aid in the suppression of
the slave trade. She is to have a complement of 65
master
Arsenal r
men and lads, and is ordered to be ready for sea
Grey and during the first week in August.
The War-department steam storeship Earl de
in
command
yesterday T
T. H.
morning,
ionrge
sailedailed
from Ripon,Woolwich
te
for Portsmouth, laden with
a heavy cargo of Palliser
shot and shell for the Excellent, the Bellerophon,
the Pallas, and other ships ; together with a large
number of cases of Boxer ammunition, lubricators,
&c., and also stores for the troopship Serapis. She
likewise took 193 packages of private property be-
longing to Colonel Wodehouse, C. 8., Depot Brigade,
Royal Artillery. After landing her cargo at Ports-
mouth, the Earl de Grey and Ripon will ship at
Priddy's-hard 10 million rounds of blank and ball
cartridge for service in Ireland, and will proceed to
Dublin. One thousand six hundred Palliser shell
shot have also been despatched from Woolwich, to
be shipped in the London-docks for transit to the
guardship at Hong Kong. They were all carefully
packed in canvas bags to protect the brass studs
from being damaged by removal.
Her Majesty's screw steamship Princess Royal,
73, Captain William G. Jones, flag of Rear-Admi-
ral George St. Vincent King, from China, the Cape
of Good Hope, and St. Helena, arrived in Plymouth
Sound yesterday morning. The transport Electric,
with the 57th Regiment, from New Zealand for
Liverpool, continues in the Sound.
The unarmoured screw sloop Daphne, 1,081 tons,
300 horse power, Capt. Sulivan, made her official
trial of speed, preparatory to her departure on a
term of service on the East India and China sta-
tion, yesterday, at the measured mile in Stokes Bay,
under the supervision of Rear-Admiral Superinten-
dent G. G. Wellesley, who had on his staff the usual
Government officials from the Reserve and Factory
of Portsmouth dockyard. Mr. E. J. Reed, Chief
Constructor of the Navy and designer of the vessel,
and Mr. Steil, Inspector of Machinery Afloat to the
Admiralty, were also present. Mr. John Ravenhill
and Mr. Hodgson, of the firm of,Ravenhill, Hodg-
son, and Co., the makers of the engines, had charge
of the machinery during the trial. The ship drew
13ft. 6in. of water forward, and 17ft. 21in. aft, being
a mean of 15f. sin. and 3ft. 10in. by the stern. Iler
weights were all complete for sea, and included 12
months' general stores. The screw is a two bladed
Griffiths of 15ft. diameter, set yesterday at a pitch
of 13ft. 9in. the immersion of the upper edge of
the upper blade in entering upon the first mile was
14in. The wind was from W.N.W., at a force of
from 3 to 4, raising a light chopping sea under the
ship's bows in her runs over the mile to the west-
ward, in addition to the body of water she raised
there by her bluff submerged fore body when under
full steam power. Under these conditions six runs
were taken over the measured mile with full boiler
power, giving the following speeds:-12.000,12.996,
11.920, 13.186, 11.803, and 13.235 knots. The
mean speed of the ship was 12.551 knots. The mean
revolutions of the engines during the six runs were
101, steam pressure 301 b., and vacuum 25in. The
usual runs with half-boiler power succeeded the full
power runs, and those gave in four runs-9.235,
11.538, 8.955, and 11.295 knots, or a mean speed of
the ship with half boiler power of 10.499 knots.
The engines are of the kind supplied by Messrs. Ra-
venhill to the Niobe and others of her Majesty's ships
of the same class as the Daphne, and are fitted with
surface condensers and superheating apparatus.
The two cylinders have each a diameter of 62 inches,
and a length of stroke of 27 inches. They kept
steam admirably yesterday throughout the trials,
and gave complete satisfaction to the Government
officials by their working. The Daphne, with the
Nymph, tried in Stokes Bay on the previous day, is
one of the class of sloops built from Mr. Reed's
designs that is represented by the Blanche, Vestal,
Sylvia, and others, which bring out on the measured
mile a fair speed when driven by the full power of
their engines, due consideration being given to the
indicated power in proportion to their tonnage and
length, but which give much more satisfactory re-
sults when driven only by half or two-thirds their
boiler power. They afford very excellent and well
ventilated accommodation aft to the officers and
also to the crew en the lower deck. It is but just to
their commanders to say that they are very much
undermanned. They have men enough to fight
their few guns, but they have not men enough to
handle the ship properly when under sail. The
armament, although only of four guns, is very ef-
fective, consisting of two muzzle-loading, rifled
coilt-built 7-inch 63. ton guns, and two muzzle-
loading, rifled 64 pounder Palliser guns, besides the
usual complement of boat guns and field-pieces.
Yesterday the old East India sailing ship Maori
arrived at Liverpool, with dates from Auckland,
New Zealand, March 30, and Plymouth, July 24,
having on board nine officers, 252 rank and file, 20
women, and 31 children of the right wing of the
57th Regiment. The troops were under the com-
mand of Brigade-Major James Stewart, Capts. Sir
R. Douglas and A. G. 'lasted ; Lieuts. W. de W.
Waller and P. A. Powis ; Ensigns Holms, C. J.
Mathews, and E. P. Benn ; Assist.-Surg. Jas. Davis.
There had been six births and two deaths (adults) on
the passage. Though the vessel had been four
months on the passage the troops looked remarkably
well. They disembarked at the Prince's landing-
stage, and marched to Manchester., where it is un-
derstood they are to be stationed. The ship Electric,
with the head-quarters of the regiment, left Ply-
mouth on Monday for Liverpool, whereit is expected
to arrive on 'Thursday.
The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty :—II. J. Edgar, midshipman, to
the Daphne ; C. H. Hopkins, navigating midship-
man, to the Nymph ; and G. li. Aladelye, acting
assist.-surg., to the Liffey.

FINE STURGEON.—A very fine sturgeon is now on
view on the slab of Messrs. Gibson and Quelch, 121, New
Bond-street. Its length is 10ft. 11 in., and girth 4ft. Gin.,
and is supposed to weigh between four and five cwt. It
was brought to London by a Hull fishing boat, and was
caught in the German Ocean in a trawl net. it is not the
common species of sturgeon, but has been pronounced by
Mr. Frank Buckland to Ips the Acipenser latirostrio, or
" broad-nosod sturgeon" of Yarrell.