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

LONDON, MONDAY, SEPT. 9, 1867.

The news of the liberation of the Abyssinian
captives which was current at Constantinople, and
was published by the Levant Herald as having been
received at the British Embassy, is now contra-
dicted by that paper. We can now appreciate the
wisdom of not having slackened in the preparations
that were being made. These are now providing
rapidly, and will doubtless soon be in a forward
state. On Saturday five thousand cases of box
ammunition were received by the Admiralty agents
in Liverpool, from Woolwich Arsenal. These were
at once shipped on board the steamers. These
transports, which are to be taken up at Liverpool,
Ze being fitted with all possible despatch, and will
e ready to have the Mersey to-morrow or Wed -
Ten
to Ten first-class steamers "of an aggregate
malgs cif 20,695, and with a total engine power
of 2,90 horsey have been chartered at Liverpool
1,,r the conveyance of troops and stores." The

nesday.

troop ships are measured to carry 354 officers and I
800 men. It will be seen by a glance at these
details that the whole work has been carried on. i.n
a right spirit, and that there is no sign of that lack
of energy and want of forethought which hm to
long interfered with the conduct of our affairs in
these warlike expeditions. It stands to sense that
if a thing of this sort has to be done at all it should
be done effectually, and to ensure a swift and sue.
cessful termination to the work it is necessary to
use diligence and exercise judgment. It is a relief
to the minds of those who have so long watched
this affair, and regretted the sad condition of the
Abyssinian captives, to know that something deci—
sive is being dune at last. One thing is quite ccr,
tain that the time had come for action to take diet
place of words, and the honour of the country iin
peratively demanded that no more trifling should;
go on. Faulty or mistaken as the conduct of some
of these sufferers may have been in the first instance,
that is no excuse for the course pursued by Kina
THEODORE. We may hope that some of the dangers
and difficulties that have been mentioned as lying
in store for the expedition that is about to start for
the rescue of the captives have been exaggerated.
Mr. DuiToN has written to state that there is "not
a solitary yard of jungle to be met with between
Massowah and the capital of King THEODORE." It
will be a satisfaction to hear that the expedition
has fairly started, and that we are in a fair way of
having the question settled somehow or other before
long. The present state of anxiety and uncertainty
is most unfortunate, and not at all conducive to the
upholding of our authority abroad, and the sooner
it is put a stop to the better, both for the immediate
interests involved and the example to others, like
King TIIEODORE, in the future.

On Friday afternoon Sir RODERICK MURCHISON
fulfilled his promise of explaining to the members
of the Geographical Section at Dundee his reasons
for still cherishing the hope that our great African
explorer is still alive. There can be but one wish
on this subject, although there is great diversity of
opinion ; and it is encouraging to know that so emi-
nent an authority and so experienced a geographer
as Sir RODERICK MURCHISON can, after deliberate
consideration, arrive at this conclusion. Sir
RODERICK began by recounting the main objects
and the progress of LIVINGSTONE'S expedition,
so far as we knew. He wished to ascertain
whether there was any outlet to the south from
Lake Tangauyka, the fresh water lake discovered
by BURTON and SPEKE. The fact of its being a
fresh water lake led to the inference that there must
be such an eutlet, but Dr. LIVINGSTONE had settled
the point that there was no communication between
Tangauyka and Nyassa, and therefore it remained
to be seen whether Tangauyka might not be in
communication with Albert Nyanza or Victoria
Nyanza. LIVINGSTONE took carpenters to pre-
pare boats in order to cross the lake. Should he
be alive and accomplish this object, he would, said
Sir RODERICK MURCHISON, be the most glorious of
African explorers. It is not a little curious and
interesting to find how mistaken were the notions
of even modern geographers with regard to this
country. I was described as a waste of arid desert
with scarcely any population ; certainly no one
dreamed of the existence of great fresh water lakes
in the interior. Sir RODERICK reminds his hearers
that Dr. LIVINGSTONE had crossed and re-crossed
Africa several times with black men only, and that
once before he had not been heard of for a year, so
that he did not thing the mere fact of not knowing
where he was not ;sufficent to excite alarm. It
is true that if LIVINGSTONE succeeded, as he hoped
to do, in getting to the centre of Africa, a long
time must necessarily elapse without his being
heard of. Then, again, what could have been the
object of MOUSA and the other men in concocting
the story of their leader's death ? Possibly they
did so to attract notoriety, or to explain their own
return, having deserted him and perhaps purloined
his goods. At the same time we must not conceal from
ourselves that the task which LIVINGSTONE under-
took was one of great difficulty and danger, and that
it was quite within the limits of probability that his
adventurous career would be closed by some such
disaster. On MOUSA'S testimony Sir RODERICK
MußellisoN places little reliance. Ile noticed a
marked discrepancy in the accounts which he gave
to the Bombay sepoy, who had accompanied LINING-
STONE on a part of his journey, and to Dr. KIRK.
In one story he said that LIVINGSTONE was killed
by the blow of a hatchet ; in the other, that he was
shot with arrows. This is certainly a very singular
variation, since there could not have been
much doubt as to the manner of his death. Mousa's
returning to bury the body is regarded by many as
apocryphal, inasmuch as it is quite inconsistent
with his avowed cowardice. It is worth notice that
the story of the murder is told by MOUSA alone,
none of the other Johanna men having been pre-
sent. At any rate there is sufficient uncertainty
about the story to make it very desirable to ascer-
tain the actual truth, and it is highly satisfactory
to know that the appeal of Sir R. MußcHisoN, as
President of the Royal Geographical Society, was
promptly and cordially responded to by the Govern-
ment. Mr. YOUNG, a warrant officer, who spent
two years on the Zambesi River with LIVINGSTONE,
has been chosen as the leader, and it is encourag-
ing to know that he also entertains hopes
that the illustrious traveller is alive. The old spirit
of adventure and enterprise is not yet chilled in
our race, for although only three Europeans have
been chosen fur the expedition there have been
more than 50 volunteers. The plan of the expe-
dition is to sail up the Zambesi, thence up the
Scheri, carrying their steel boat, which can be
taken to pieces, past the Murchison falls. After
passing these falls they will launch it again, and
reach Lake Nyassa, exploring the eastern side
of the lake, as LIVINGSTONE has done the
west. It is confidently believed that the
expedition will be certain, if LIVINGSTONE
is dead, to find traces of him, his apparatus, his
clothes, and papers being certain to come down the
lake in the course of native trading. To written
documents the natives attach great importance, and
Sir R. MURCHISON mentioned in his speech that
every article belonging to the German traveller,
ROCHER, who was killed in a quarrel with the
natives, had been subsequently recovered. The
journey will take, it is believed, till the end of
November, and by Christmas it is hoped the result
will be known in England. News of the safety of
our distinguished countryman would indeed be a
welcome Christmas gift to many a household, but
while we cling to the possibility we must be pre-
pared for less cheerful tidings. At any rate, the
search is an imperative duty, and while it will set
the minds of LIVINGSTONE'S friends at rest from their
anxiety, it will, we may hope, afford a moral pro-
tection to all future travellers from the cruelty or
the cupidity of the natives.

In the Phoenix Park, on Friday, a ceremony of
great interest took place, for the officers and men of
the Irish constabulary were presented with testi-
monials of approval, in recognition of their spirited
conduct during the recent outbreaks and disturb-
ances in that country. The services which they
rendered at that critical time are well known to have
have been mainly instrumental in suppressing thu

outbi .eak, and it is fortunate that the Govern

mer it have had discernment to recognise them
These tokens of her MAJESTY'S approval are
in (oat appropriate, and will serve to mark
tb eir services to a distant time among other scenes
when the temporary excitement of the affair is over.
The Marchioness of ABERCORN presented the
symbols to each of those chosen for the honour,
and the Lord-Lieutenant addressed some suitable
remarks to them. He said that it was a pleasure
to all to witness the distribution of the rewards of
merit so worthily bestowed. We agree with his
Excellency that these rewards have been given for
no " common services," and that in earning them
they rendered no common service to the State.
" Shut out, as you were, from any assistance, de-
pendent on your own courage, and in numbers in-
finitesimally fewer than your assailants, you yet
showed most effectually what loyalty and discipline
can accomplish." It is satisfactory to know that
these services of the constabulary have not been
passed over so slightingly as many others have been.
As the Lord-Lieutenant reminded his hearers, these '
men have received the recognition of both Houses
of Parliament, and her MAJESTY has not been un-
mindful of them. The QUEEN has commanded that in
future the force shall be called the Royal Irish
Constabulary, in recognition of their distinguished
services in time of need. Lord MAYO also made a
very interesting speech. After stating the readi-
ness with which Lord DERBY had communicated
his Excellency's wishes on the subject of conferring
some special mark of favour on this body of con-
stabulary to the QUEEN, and the gracious man-
ner in which her MAJESTY had acquiesced in the
suggestion, he went on to comment upon the
unusual nature of the services rendered. " I sin-
cerely hope," he contended, that " you may never
again be called upon to discharge such painful duties
as you then so nobly performed, and to point your
rifles at the breasts of your fellow-countrymen.
Your duties are not to impose on an unwilling people
the yoke of despotism, or to enforce the mandates of
an:absolute ruler. You are the free servants of the So-
vereign of a free people, and your duty is to maintain
that order, without which society could not exist,
and to enforce those laws which are formidable
only to the evil-doer." After the many distress-
ing scenes which have taken place with respect to
this Fenian conspiracy, it is a welcome change to
meet with an affair of this kind ; and we hope that
while it afforded satisfaction to those immediately
concerned, it will serve as an encouragement to
others similarly concerned to emulate their zeal, and
if the occasion occurs to " go and do likewise."

We are glad to find the wanton destruction of
our small birds, which annually goes on during the
spring, summer, and autumn, is being brought
under public notice. What with the sparrow
clubs, the bird-sellers, the farmers, the collectors
of rare specimens, and the general mischief-makers,
boy and man, who rejoice in the mere destruction
of anything living, the death lists of the feathered
tribes is something startling. It is only wonderful
that we have any songsters left. Every grand
holiday, such as Easter-Monday, Good Friday, and
Whitsuntide celebrates a holocaust of birds, and
few are found who care enough about the
matter even to make a protest. The farmers, who
are most concerned to stop the slaughter, encourage
it in every way, from the old prejudice that the
birds injure their crops. The birds no doubt get
their living out of the crops, at least in a measure,
but they do good service for it. Like the farmer's
other labourers they live at his expense, but their
work pays their living many times over. We fear
it is only experience will make men believe this
when it is too late. In parts of the Con-
tinent where the bird slaughter has been
pushed still further than among ourselves the
increase of destructive insects puzzled the farmer and
destroyed valuable crops. In Australia the common
sparrow has been thought worthy of importation, a
fact which might teach a good deal to our whole-
sale slaughterers, who have no regard for the humble
brown-coated sparrow, or for his more brilliant
rivals. CAM2BELL says, speaking of the home-
sick emigrant, that he will—

"Regret the lark that gladdened England's morn ;"
but according to modern fashions, he would only
regret the lark for want of something to shoot at
It is time that a better theory, at least, were adopted,
and that men who have an idea beyond the range of
their guns should consider whether they cannot find
some more rational amusement than the wholesale
slaughter of our pretty and useful feathered friends.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT,)

PARIS, Sunday Evening.
&There was a Cabinet Council yesterday afternoon
at the Tuileries, at which the Emperor presided.
The Emperor and Empress have left Paris for
Biarritz.

The Siecle The Cabinet of Berlin has
been satisfied w ith the explanations given of the
interview between the Emperors of France and
Austria at Salzburg. We have not yet seen the
Austrian note, but it is probable that the Cabinet
of Vienna will follow the example of that of the
Tuileries, and that which we shall very soon have
the opportunity of comparing the language of M.
Beust with that of the Marquis de Moustier."
Some of the Paris papers begin to descry another
" black point" in the horizon,
iacrisiingout of the
Alabama.attitude
One England
themand i As mor opinion that the
America a regard
imminent
otnhte
re-
cently published documents prove the
probability that further serious complications will
arise although the difficulty is not of recent origin.
In a work by M. Guillaume Legean, formerly
Vice-Consul of France at Massoura, who lived a
long time in Abyssinia, there are some very inte-
resting particulars relative to the Emperor Theo-
dore. The Emperor is 49. Ho is of middle height,
of commanding appearance, and has an open and
sympathetic countenance. His features are not so
regular as those of the Abyssinians in general, but
are expressive, although not characteristic, of the
dignity which marks certain Oriental types. His
eyes are piercing, and the profile indicates the iron
will and power which have enabled him to place in
subjection the most free and the least docile
people of the East. Rigorous towards others in
regard to etiquette, he himself affects great indiffe-
rence as to dress. Europeans have often declined
to present themselves to him in consequence of the
peculiar costume required on state occasions. He
dresses like a simple soldier, wearing a belt with
pistols and an English sword. Over all is au em-
broidered toga. This contempt of luxury is ex-
hibited in all his arrangements. The furniture of
his tent is very simple, although his residences
of Magdala and Dewra Tabor are encumbered
with the richest silks and ornaments of France and
the Indies. The Negus, as he is styled, sacrifices
everything for effect when he gives audience to
foreigners or to chiefs who come to make their sub-
mission. He leans negligently upon two lions
tamed for the purpose, and two other lions roam
about the room, rather to the terror of strangers.
This strange fancy, however, is not a whim of his
own, as it appears from the traditions of the country
that former Emperors of Abyssinia always had lions
to accompany them in their campaigns, who keep
guard close to the Imperial tent.
The Almanach de Paris says the name of the
present Emperor of Abyssinia is Theodore the
Second (Kassa Feuaranga), Emperor of Ethiopia,
son of Hailo Marian, Prince of Kuava. The Em-
peror was born at Chergli (Kuava) in 1818. He
ivas Prince of Dembea in 1830, and elected
Emperor at Gondar, and crowned on the 7th of

February, 1855. He was first married to Iteghe
Tzoobedje, who died in 1860. His second wife
is Iteghe Toroneche, daughter of Dedjaz Oubie,
Viceroy of Tigre, who was born in 1844. The
official title of the Emperor of Abyssinia
is Negus nagast ha Ditopeya (King of the Kings
of Ethiopia). The Empire of Abyssinia covers a
superficies of 50,000 square leagues, and is peopled
by four millions and a half of inhabitants. The
capital is Gondar, with 8,000 inhabitants. The
other principal towns are Adona (capital of the
Tigre), with from 7,000 to 8,000 inhabitants ;
Axoun, called the sacred city ; and Kaovato Basse,
and Emfror. The Emperor Theodore, founding his
claim upon Abyssinian genealogical tradition, boasts
of very ancient descent, that is to say from no less
a personage than King Solomon, who had a son by
the beautiful Queen of Saba, called Menilek, whose
posterity, with slight interruptions, has governed
in Abyssinia up to this day.
Among other new and ingenious methods of ob-
taining publicity in Paris is that of the dog adver-
tisment. A bookseller, who publishes a guide, sends
dogs about the streets. Attached to their ears is a
small handsome card, on which is printed " Don't
travel without my Guide," the name and address,
of course, being given underneath. I don't know
the price of the Guide, but I suppose it is dog
cheap.

Five persons named Varennes, Meunier, Guichard,
Billandon, and Morin, employed in various capac;-
ties on the Paris, Lyons, and Mediterranean Rail-
way, who were on duty when the terrible accident
happened recently, have appeared before the Tri-
bunal of Correctional Police at Macon, charged
with having, by want of caution, imprudence, neg-
ligence, and want of attentions to the regulations,
caused the deaths of various persons, and severe
injury to a number of others. The Tribunal, although
admitting that Varennes had exposed his life in en-
deavouring to save the. victims, condemned him to
imprisonment for a year, and a fine of 200 f. Bil-
landon was sentenced to a month's imprisonment,
Guichard two months, and Meunier to one month.
The Court declared that the railway company were
civilly responsible for the condemnations pronounced
against the persons they employ.
The commencement of the shooting season in
France has been marked by more than the usual
number of fatal casualties. Messrs. Gagnard and
Durand, tradesmen at Bourges, went to shoot on
the property of M. Rollet, a farmer at Gron. M.
Rollet accompanied them. The game was very
scarce, and one of the party remarked that their
friends would laugh at them if they went home
without any. Upon this M. Durand replied that
he would show his capsule, which was covered with
verdigrease, and would prove that he had not used
his gun, so that it could not be want of skill. M.
Rollet was ping
to look at it when the gun
accidentally went off, the trigger having been
touched, and the charge entered his head through
the ear, and he died in a few minutes. M. Durand
was in such despair that he would have shot himself
if he had not been prevented by his friends.
M. Lemaine, the agent of an insurance company,
was shooting at Longpre, les Corps Saints, when
his gun burst, and he was instantly killed.
Two brothers were shooting near Liege. A
partridge rose suddenly, and in the excitement of
the moment one of the brothers fired without look-
ing round, and shot the other. The gun was only
loaded with small shot, and happily the injury will
not be very serious.

A steam boiler at the manufactory of M. fling,
near Carpentras,
exploded on Friday last, and
three men who were at work were so fearfully
scalded that they died in two hours. Some others
received injury, but were not seriously hurt.
Some important and beautifully-executed drain-
ing works are nearly completed to the west of Paris.
A tunnel has been formed at a depth of from 50 to
60 yards from the place de l'Alma to the island of
la Grande Jatte, at Neuilly, a distance of more
than 6,000 yards. The tunnel crosses under the
Seine, and will carry the contents of the gutters
and refuse from the left bank. It will also carry
away from Paris the impurities from the river Bievre.
According to the observations of the Board of
Longitude of France, it will be on the night and
morning of the 13th and 14th inst. that the last of
the four eclipses of the moon this year will take
place. The entrance of the moon into the penumbra
will be on the 13th, at 9h. 53m. evening; entrance
into the shadow, 11h. 7m. ; middle of the clipse on
the 14th, at 14 minutes before one in the morning ;
departure from the shadow, 2h. 4m. The moon
will emerge from the penumbra at 3h. 19m. The
extent of the eclipse will be as much as the 69th
part of 100 of the diameter of the moon.
It is not necessary to go to Switzerland to form an
idea of the mode of living and
occupations of the
Swiss peasantry, for at the Exhibition you may see
a great many peculiar and handsome constructions
called chalets or cottages. They are situated in
various parts of the Park, where there are also three
beautiful Turkish kiosques. It is in cottages of this
kind that the celebrated Gruyere cheese is made.
It owes its name to a small village in Switzerland,
in the canton Fribourg, the name of which (Griers)
has been changed or corrupted to Gruyere. In some
of the Departments of France cheese of a similar
kind is made, but the French admit that it has not
good 'qualities of the
Gruyerethe peculiar
c u
cheese. flavour
It ur
is and
and the press is effected with great care. It is made
by an association of small cultivators called
" fruiterers," the formation of which dates from
lrflmade from fresh drawn mifk,
several ages. A manufacturer of Gruyere cheese is
in Switzerland now called "a fruiterer." The
corruption of it in France is enormous. The treail
price is about a franc a pound.