The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-22 00:00:00

poundekof, or even interlarded with, w ise saws
embellished by modern instances. Lord F,IIIFTES-
BURY is not one of those ordinary men who accept
an axiom and swallow it whole without thinking,
even though it be embalmed in the amber of verse
or embedded in the gold of philosophy. For
example, on Tuesday night, the present Earl of
SHAFTESBURY directly repudiated as a pernicious
fallacy, having about it the shadowy semblance of
a truth, the thought enunciated by his great ances-
tor, the author of the " Characteristics"—i.e.,
" Ridicule is the test of truth." And in a like
spirit of independence, when quoting POPE'S famous
line—

" A little learning is a dangerous thing !"

Lord SHAFTESBURY insisted distinctly that it isn't!
The noble Earl insisting, and with reason, that a
little learning, even a little, is a very good thing
indeed; is something in every respect far better
than ignorance. Thoughts like this addressed to
the masses are as good seed sown broadcast over
the land. May such thoughts ever strike deep root
and bear fruit abundantly in the hereafter.

Lord WoDErfousE ought to be regarded as an
authority on questions relating to party politics or
to Foreign affairs. He has but recently returned
from St. Petersburg, at which Court he represented
her Majesty Queen VICTORIA, and he had pre-
viously been for some time one of the Under-
Secretaries of State. His opinions are, therefore,
worth knowing, although it does not necessarily
follow that they must be implicitly accepted,
He also spoke candidly and fairly, expressing his
belief "that, no matter what the chances, the
changes, and the combinations of party might
be, the foundations of that prosperity were so laid,
that we should in the main be well governed,
whether the Prime Minister were Lord PALMER-
STON or Lord DERBY," adding, that "it seemed to
him that we were passing from an old phase and en-
tering on a new one, in which all parties were
determined to adopt those measures which,
in their opinion, were the very best for the
country." We earnestly hope that it may be so.
It is the great principle of " measures not men,"
which we have always stea ifastly advocated. We
fear, however, that it is too flattering a tale, one
that can only be ascribed to his Lordship's absence
from the country during the earlier struggles of the
present Government. It is true that the Indepen-
dents proclaimed the doctrine, but it was too as-
tounding to the thorough-going Whigs, to suppose
it could be seriously acted on. Until the
very last moment, and after many mor-
tifying defeats had been sustained, they
supposed that " words" would still be accepted in
place of " acts," and that " sayings" would, as in
the olden times, prevail over "doings." We trust,
however, that they have become wiser, albeit
sadder men, and that they may be prepared to
accept the doctrine which their quondam colleague
has endorsed with his approval.
There is one portion of his statement in
which we cordially concur. He declared that
"it seemed to him that an honest, straight-
forward course was the whole mystery of diplo-
macy and of foreign politics, as of all others."
This is a great fact, that should be strongly im-
pressed upon every English diplomatist. We
should not then "lose by the pen what we had
gained by the sword," nor suffer ourselves to be
cajoled and bamboozled on every possible occasion.
True-hearted Englishmen have seldom the very
elastic conscience required for the tortuous pro-
ceedings that form part and parcel of the modern
school of diplomacy. Nor can they descend to the
sinister means of obtaining information which it is
—whether truly or not—asserted arc but too fre-
quently resorted to. The best rule is that all should
be straightforward and aboveboard—that modera-
tion should be combined with firmness--and
that an intentional insult should neither be
given nor accepted. Should these princi-
ples be carried into practical operation, Eng-
lish diplomacy will be respected in all parts of
the world. Many serious difficulties will be averted,
and the interest of Great Britain will be greatly
promoted.
Lord WODEHOUSE could speak ex cathedra on
matters relating to Russia. He said that on his
arrival he found a deep-seated hostility prevailing
against England. We can easily understand this
feeling. Indeed, it is what would naturally
be expected amongst those whose long-planned
and elaborate designs had been thwarted mainly by
the course pursued by Great Britain. Lord WODE-
HOUSE, however, believes that this feeling had been
exceedingly diminished. We trust that it may be
so, for the object of every person in every nation
should be to maintain peace so long as it is possible
with a due regard to the safety, honour, and well-
fare of the country to which he belongs, and with
the interests of humanity in general. The internal
improvements going on in Russia may afford some
degree of evidence that she does not contemplate
going to war, until it is perfectly convenient to do so,

or some peculiarly favourable opportunity should

arise. Under any circumstances Russia Would be

a useful auxiliary or a dangerous enemy, but it
will entirely depend on her own views and
interests which she would do, should any
necessity arise for taking a decided part.
The same may be said of France. It was not from
love that she sustained us in the struggle against
Russia, and if we placed too much reliance on her

good faith, we would indeed be " leaning on a
broken reed." There is but one mode of keeping
all matters right. We must be utrumque paratus,
" ready, aye ready for the field." We must main-
tain our maritime supremacy at any cost,
and at any exertion procure every modern
improvement, whether of steam rams or rifled can-
non, or the power of standing a broadside, or suc-
cession of broadsides, with the least possible
damage. Contests will henceforth be decided
rather by science than mere strength. The best
friend to humanity will be the man who produces
something sufficiently powerful to mow down all
opponents. Wars have been less frequent and less
sanguinary, in proportion, since the latest improve-
ments, than when men fought with bill anctglaive,
bow and arrow, and when every conflict was de-

cided hand to hand and man to man. By carrying
science to the highest point these may be totally
banished from the civilised world.

Lord Henry Bentinck has arrived at Claridge's
Rotel from Lincoln.

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Lord Arthur Pelham Clinton arrived in town
yesterday from Clumber-park, Notts.
The Count and Countess de Lalaing have arrived
at Farrance's Hotel, Belgravia, from Brussels.
Sir John and Lady Shelley and Miss Shelley
arrived at their residence in Park-lane last evening from
Maresfield-park, Sussex. •
The marriage of Miss Mary Georgiana Carolina
Hill, eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Marcus Hill, with
Sir Edmund Filmer, Bart., of East Sutton-place, took place
at an early hour yesterday, at St. George's Church,
Hanover-square, in presence of a select circle of the friends
of both families.
A matrimonial alliance is arranged to take place
between Lady Emma Stewart, second daughter of the Earl
of Galloway, and Mr. Tollemache, eldest son of Mr. John
Tollemache, M.P. for Cheshire.
His Excellency the Sardinian Minister has re-
turned to town from the Continent.
The Seine for some days past has been lower than
it was ever known to be. In various places the bed of the
riser completely exEosed,