The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-02 00:00:00

From " The Owl,"

It is now settled that Holland, as most immedi-
ately concerned, shall issue the invitation to the sig-
nataries of the treaty of 1839 to meet in Conference.
All are agreed that the Conference shall be held in
London, and all are anxious that it should assemble
as speedily as possible. In the meantime we are
glad to be able to announce that both France and
Prussia appear to be animated by a sincere desire
for pea'e. The Cabinet of Paris and the Cabinet
of Brrlin have both signed their assent to the neu-
tralisation of the territory of Luxemburg. Of course,
a neutralised State cannot be occupied by foreign
troops, and therefore the Prussians will cease to gar-
rison the fortress. This is quite understood, and
so perfect an accord has been arrived at—that the
Conference will meet, not to wrangle and dispute
and refer for instructions, but to register and sanc-
tion arrangements already perfected.
We understand that the Duke of Beaufort will be
appointed lord lieutenant of Monmouthshire, in the
place of the late Lord Llanover. _

Mr. William Law has been appointed an addi-
tional assistant secretary to the Treasury. Mr. Law
is one of the principal clerks, and was private secre-
tary to Lord Russell for many years.

It is with the greatest satisfaction that we are
enabled to state that the whole of the infantry in
the United Kingdom are at this moment supplied
with the Snider rifle, whilst there is an abund-
ance of ammunition ready for their use. All the
difficulties to which we have from time to time
alluded have been overcome, and the reports from
all districts announce a perfect satisfaction with
the arm as a practical weapon. A considerable
quantity of converted arms are in store ready to
be served to regiments on their return from fo-
reign service. It is intended immediately to issue
these arms to the army abroad, commencing with
Gibraltar and Malta. Application has been made
by the volunteers of Canada for the supply of the
arm to that force. A short rifle has been adapted
for the use of the Irish constabulary. The country
may therefore rest content that, pending the expe-
riments that are to be conducted by the Commit-
tee on Small Arms, prolonged as they must be,
our military forces are, in the respect of breech-
loading rifled arms, in as advanced and satisfactory
a position as can be desired.
A new warrant has lately been issued by which
the Albert medal has been divided into two classes.
The distinctions between the decorations consists
in the width of the ribbon and the colour of metal.
We have reason to believe that the Government
have consented to accede to the generally ex-
pressed desire of the factory owners, and will not
offer any opposition to the proposal to refer the
Factory Acts Amendment Bill to a select com-
mittee.
We understand that the Government are about
to undertake the construction of 11 lighthouses on
various points of the Japanese coast, at the re-
quest of the Tycoon.
During Easter recess the ladies' gallery of the
House of Commons, over the Speaker's chair, has
been rendered infinitely more comfortable, and by
the removal of some unwieldy benches no less than
28 additional visitors can be secured accommoda-
tion. Neat softly cushioned chairs of artistic de-
sign have been substituted for the primitive oaken:
benches, and many other arrangements carried out
which the fair prisoners in the well-barred cage
will and by no means unacceptable.