The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 2, 1861.

was the retention of the punishment of the lash,
and hon., members found it difficult to make up
their minds upon the subject. The numbers pro
and con were pretty evenly balanced, the division
On Sir JOHN PAKINGTON'S new clause being 175
against 162. This clause, which was suggested by
Sir GEORGE GREY the other evening, has been
therefore substituted for clause 22, about which
there was so much discussion. It removes all dis-
tinction of classes in the matter, and restricts
the punishment of flogging in time of
peace to two cases only—those of mutiny
and aggravated insubordination ; that is to say,
insubordination accompanied by personal violence.
Of course these two offences are among the most
serious in the military calendar, and in foreign
armies are, even in times of peace, punishable by
death ; and, consequently, if the obnoxious punish-
ment is to be retained at all, it must naturally be
applied to such offenders. The removal of the pri-
vileges of the first class is in reality only nominal,
since they are now liable to the lash for mutiny.
There was a strong feeling in the house against
infliction of the punishment under any excuse what-
ever ; and Mr. OTWAT gave notice that on a future
occasion he would renew his opposition. We have
very little doubt that he will eventually be success-
ful, and that in time of peace the punishment of
flogging may be altogether abandoned. Discipline
is of course indispensable, and a firm hand is neces-
sary to rule the turbulent spirits who are often to
be found among our recruits. But the question is
whether by adapting the discipline of the whole
army to the worst exceptions we are not really de-
feating our own object. Would it not be better to
try to raise the character of the army to the level
of the best class of men rather than lower
the tone of the recruits ? It is very much to be
doubted whether this idea of the lash has not
something to do with the class of recruits which we
get most readily. Men who must be ruled by the
lash, even in times of peace, are likely to be ques-
tionable advantages to the army, and it is hardly
worth while to disgust the better class of men with
the service for the sake of retaining them. As for
the argument that every raw recruit is a great ex-
pense, and that when he has been taught his duties
the country cannot afford to lose his services, that
is very insufficient. A turbulent and disorderly
soldier is likely to cost the country a great deal
more than he is worth, and to persist in retaining
him in a service of which be has proved unworthy
is, in common parlance, to throw good money
after bad. The name of the lash is a very un-
welcome one to English ears, and, combined with
other drawbacks to the service, makes recruiting
unpopular among the better classes. If, instead
of getting a number of men who are fit for no
other occupation, and who are naturally reckless
of consequences as of character, we could recruit
our army more largely from those educated and
conscientious men who are not wanting in
any other branch of life, we should be very
largely the gainers, even if we had to pay more
money, and to modify our military code. Mr.
°TWAT was naturally disappointed at not having
achieved more, but in spite of the apparent retro-
gression a good deal was really effected in the way
of reform. Corporal punishment has been abolished
for eight or ten offences, restricting it to the two
specified, and the view taken by the house generally
of the subject will no doubt stimulate the authorities
to further changes. Sir 11. VERNEY reminded the
house that in France out of 123 military offences
43 were punished with death, and upon an American
General being questioned as to the discipline
of the American army he replied that flogging
was against the articles of war—they flogged
the bad characters after all. We agree with
Major JEnvis that the best way would be to
get rid of such vicious characters instead of
flogging them and keeping them in the army, and
we should be glad to sec a thorough change iu this
matter. The Duke of WELLINGTON, certainly no
lax disciplinarian, said, many years ago, that he
hoped to see the day when corporal punishment
would be abolished altogether, and such a reform
would be fully in accordance with the spirit of the
time. Something will be gained if it is clearly
understood that the punishment can only be in-
flicted for two specified offences under the autho-
rity of a court-martial ; and if we can obtain some
alteration in the provision for aged and enfeebled
soldiers, no doubt the recruiting sergeant will be-
come more popular and more successful.
In the Upper house last evening a point of some
interest to soldiers was raised by the Earl of
lIARDWICKE, who, in presenting a petition from
Colchester, made some very just and sensible re-
marks upon the desirability of providing soldiers
with some employment during their leisure hours.
At present the soldier has about eight hours' idle-
ness out of the twenty-four, and the manner in
which he usually spends them is alike damaging to
his health, his character, and his efficiency in his
profession. They are not generally men of much
education, and have every temptation, during this
time of enforced idleness, to get into habits cf
dissipation, most injurious to them and to
the- service. The suggestion of the peti-
tion was a very reasonable one—that at the
various stations where the troops were permanently
placed the men should be employed in some useful
work, which would tend to their instruction and
general health, and might be also remunerative to
them. If four hours out of the idle eight were thus
employed, at a pay of three halfpence an hour, the
money which the Government would have to give
them at the end of their term of service would be a
valuable addition to their savings. Lord LONGFORD
and the Duke of CAMBRIDGE fully approved
of the principle, but thought great difficulties
would be found in the way of the practice.
These obstacles, however, appear to be somewhat
over-rated, and we have no doubt that a little
energy and determination would remove them. As
for the objection of the expense in providing
gardens, workshops, &c., it can hardly be ac-
cepted as valid. Such petty savings in the health
and comfort of the rank and file are a very great
mistake. The fact is that in all established in-
stitutions reforms are difficult to introduce, having
to encounter a formidable front of indifference
and prejudice. Nevertheless, when an object is
reasonable and good, its pursuit should not be
lightly abandoned in deference to the opinion of
any one or two individuals, however meritorious ;
and so we trust that the question of employment
for our soldiers will not be suffered to drop, but
that in this as in other matters connected with
the service a new and more liberal spirit may be
allowed to prevail.

The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg is now the chief
topic of conversation as regards foreign politics in
all quarters. Last night, in the House of Commons,
Lord STANLEY replied to Mr. SANDFORD on the sub-
ject that he had in the morning received a despatch
from the Hague, containing a translation of a notice
which appeared in the official organ of the Govern-
ment of Holland, to the effect that it contradicted
the news positively, on the part of the Luxemburg
Chancellerie, of the report that a cession of the
Grand Duchy had taken place. The noble lord
added that he had no doubt that communica-
tions had passed between the Governments of

France and Holland respecting the possible trans-
fer of the territory in question, but he could not I
tell the House the result of them. In the sitting of
the North German Parliament of yesterday Herr
VON BENNIGSEN questioned the Government on this
rumoured cession to France, and became very ani-
mated on the subject, declaring Germany was
threatened with the loss of a place which was a
birthplace of German princes. After reading a
letter, which was called " A Cry of Distress from
Luxemburg," and set forth that nearly all
the inhabitants were Germans, the speaker
concluded with the emphatic announcement
that before this question all party differences dis-
appeared, and much as peace must be wished for it
would be far better to have a war with France than
to allow their honour to be assailed. Alluding to
the promise of the ICING that not a German village
should be lost, he said that France was answerable
for all consequences that might ensue. Count 131 -
, MARCK made one of his unmeaning answers, in the
course of which he said that Luxemburg entertained a
bad feeling against Prussia on account of her victories.
He said, on the part of the Government, that they
could not deny that an arrangement had been en-
tered into between the Powers referred to, although
they did not affirm it. In short, the Count seems to
have made up his mind that the cession will take
place, and one very hard, to make the best of it.
We consider it very significant, at any rate, that it
should have been said right out in the North Ger-
man Parliament that a war with France may be ne-
cessary. It is curious, too, that this expression of
opinion should have been elicited on the very day
that witnessed the opening of the French Exhibi-
tion. It has been thought by many that to allow
this grand affair to come off satisfactorily, the
French EMPEROR had consented to let Prussia alone
for a time, but we may find that the time has been
changed by the time the close of the Exhibition has
arrived ; and at any rate things are now in any-
thing but a satisfactory state, and those who before
doubted may now become convinced of the possi-
bility. of another Continental war being imminent.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Precisely in accordance with the official announce-
ment, and as I stated in my letter yesterday, the
Emperor opened the Great Exhibition to-day. His
Majesty has of late been as fortunate in regard to
weather as our own gracious Queen, who is gener-
ally so favoured in this respect that " Q wen's
weather" has passed into a proverb. The day was
magnificent, and it is almost superfluous to add that
the Parisians came in masses towards the Champ de
Mars from all points of the compass. The gallery
leading from the Pont de Yena to the Grande Porte
opposite glittered with ornaments, the effect of
which was heightened by the sun. The ornamen-
tation is, however, still unfinished. Over the In-
ternational Club and other buildings the flags of
all nations waved proudly and gorgeously, and all
was animation and excitement. Everything pos-
sible was done to prevent stoppage of circulation
for the numbers of carriages, and many took ad-
vantage of the recommendation to come by the rail-
way which leads direct into the Champ de Mars.
There was a special train from the Rue St. Lazare
for the Senators and Deputies. To divide the mass
of visitors as much as possible arrangements were
made that the Foreign Commissioners and other
persona of note might take the places assigned to
them so early as six o'clock in the morning. The
gates for the admission of the public at 20 francs
were opened at 12 o'clock.

The Emperor, Empress, and the Imperial Prince,
arrived at two o'clock from the Tuileries. Cheering
was heard everywhere on the way, and the cordial
acclamations whe►pthey entered the Palace were
astounding. They entered by the Grande Porte
above-mentioned. On going into this part of the
Exhibition the French portion is immediately to the
left, and the English department to the right. Their
Majesties on their entrance were received by M.
Le Play, the chief of the Commission, and the other
commissioners, who accompanied their Majesties on
their progress through the building. They succes-
sively visited the grand gallery No. 6 (useful arts),
the vestibule, a portion of gallery No. 1 (works of
art), the grand avenue, called Rue de Paris, a por-
tion of the grand avenue, called Rue de Russie, the
garden, and the grand avenue, called Rue de Bel-
gique. It was evident even to those who were at a
distance from the Royal party that they were ex.
ceedingly pleased at the marvels displayed, as there
were evident gestures of admiration. Their Majes-
ties, I am told, expressed their gratification not
only with the Exhibition generally, but with the
rapid and successful exertions made to complete it.
The formal opening of the Exhibition was a brief
ceremony. I❑ the course of the progress through
the Exhibition the foreign commissioners and mem-
bers of the jury were presented to the Emperor,
who occasionally addressed some gracious words to
them.

Their Majesties left the Palace by an opposite
entrance at the extremity of the Rue Belgique, and
they were enthusiastically greeted at their departure.
To-day I have no time to notice any more of the
entries exhibited, but in passing through the French
departments many were struck with an imposing-
looking article, and very interesting to many,
although not exactly a work of art. It is more use-
ful than ornamental. This is a magnificent speci-
men of cooperage from the Department of the
Herat'lt, a barrel that can contain no less than
210,000 litres of wine or brandy. Thirsty souls, at
all events, will give a glance at it. It is said to be
the largest vessel of the kind in the world. On
entering the Swedish park, after passing through
the Russian park, the attention of many was at-
tracted to a peculiar-looking building covered with
imitation shells. It is a fac simile of the house
where Gustavus Wasa concealed himself when be
was endeavouring to escape from the researches of
his enemies.

I shall nbt omit to mention that every facility is
given to ingress and egress. There are four ca-
pacious entrances at opposite points of the build-
ing. As far as I know this great occasion has
passed off without the slightest incident or contre-
temps to mar the inauguration of this peaceful
struggle of intellect and progress. The Commis-
sion gave every facility to ladies, and the wives of
Ministers, ambassadors, commissioners, and other
eminent personages, who must have been satisfied
with the arrangements made to give them an idea of
the marvels of the International Exhibition. There
was no intimation that much attention was required
in regard to toilette, but many of them were ele-
gantly attired. The Empress, as usual, was simply
but tastefully dressed. It was the general remark
that their Majesties appeared to be in the best health
and spirits. The young Prince has quite recovered
from his recent accident. The ceremony did not last
very long. There was to-day only opportunity for
a brief passing glance at the world's great Exhibi-
tion. Their Majesties, however, evidently intend
to visit it very frequently, for a tasteful and con-
venient construction has been set apart for their
accommodation.

The Minizter of State and Finance, M. Rouher,
vice-president of the Imperial International Com
mission, received the members of the Foreign Com
missions on Saturday evening. The magnificent
saloons were profusely ornamented and the honours
of the evening were gracefully done by Madame
Rouher and her two daughters. A theatre was
fitted up in one of the saloons, and a piece of the
Gymnase, La Fille de l' Avare, was performed. The
admirable acting of Bouffe and Mdlle. Mentz
afforded great gratification.
Even now there is still much to finish at this
grand Exhibition, but what has been done is mar-
vellous. The building was only commenced on the
23d of April, 1866, but in that time 14,000 tons of
iron and brick-work have been brought and fixed.
No less than 53,000 square metres of zinc roofing
hate been placed in position, as well as 65,000

metres of glass work. To form the foundations,
366,000 cubic metres of earth were removed, and
immense labour was required for cellars, drainage,
and properly airing the building.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

PER ATLANTIC CABLE.)
NEW YORK, Atiril 1, 5.30 p.m.

The present temper of the Senate appears to be
unfavourable to the Russian Treaty, which will be
fully debated before action is taken thereupon.