The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-31 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
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To-ALowtow.-Morning, s.sm.—Afternoon, 31.1. 16w.
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LONDON, SATURDAY, AUG. 31, 18

The Emperor NAPOLEON paid a visit to the
Bourse yesterday, and, in answer to a speech from
the President of the Chamber of Commerce, his
Majesty made some emphatic remarks. " Business,"
he said, " would progress better if certain journals

did not exaggerate the situation. I hope that com-
merce will improve with the certainty of peace, and
I shall do everything in my power to re-establish
confidence." No doubt these decided expressions
will have due effect upon the nation in general, and
upon those agitators in particular who are constantly
on the alert to magnify trifles, and to make some-
thing out of nothing. This is a very mischievous
habit, and the sooner it is put a stop to the better,
for it injures trade, and it causes disquietude to
many. The effect of the EMPEROR'S speech was
discernible on the funds of yesterday, which rose
on receipt of the telegram announcing the pacific
tendency of the address at Lille. It seems, according
to accounts from Frankfort, that the Berlin press was
in fault for creating the war-alarm, and that the
object thus sought to be gained was to find some
revelations of the Schleswig Conferences from the
Austrian and French papers. This is very likely
to be the case, and it is certainly very much of a
piece with the policy pursued for some time past
by that Power. No doubt the Emperor NAPOLEON
was actuated by the wisest motives in making these
observations, and hoped thereby to put a stop to
the injurious reports which have been gaining
ground. For many reasons it would be matter of
regret if a Continental war should break out at
this time, and in the interests of Europe generally,
as well as the more special cases of the countries
referred to, we may rejoice that the political
horizon should be so clear. Satisfactory as
the intelligence is, however, it is, in all pro-
bability, but a temporary matter, for the
best that can be expected of Prussia is that she will
keep tranquil for a brief space. As to remaining
satisfied with what she has already acquired that
the experience of the past unfortunately shows to
be not likely, and no sooner will people begin to
congratulate themselves upon the quiescent state of
things than new troubles will arise and fresh
doubts intrude themselves. The course pursued by
the Berlin Government with respect to Denmark is
anything but reassuring, under whatever aspect we
regard it. Proofs are continually furnished of the
dangerous game that is being played, and the deep
projects that are entertained. The Prussian Minister
of Agriculture was entertained by the citizen
elect of Iladersleben, and among the toasts
were those of " Schleswig Indivisible," inseparable
union with Prussia, &c., which shows that, after all
the promises that have been made andto the Treaty
actually signed, there is every reason expect want
of faith on the part of the Prussian authorities.
Upon a review of the matter, it seems very likely
that the Emperor NAPOLEON has not changed his
tactics after all, but rather he has contradicted the
unfounded assertions of those who attached a wrong
meaning to them. At any rate then we are to
conclude that peace is to be the order of the day,
and that we are to dismiss all rumours of war as
devoid of meaning. It is a relief to have arrived
at a definite conclusion, and whatever disturbances
may hereafter arise nothing need now interfere
with those prospects which have been so materially
affected by the untoward state of affairs.

The affairs of Ireland have ever and anon
engaged attention during the past session, but in-
variably something has appeared to render their
consideration most unsatisfactory, and the wrath
and indignation of Irish members have been most
excessive in discoursing upon the wrongs sustained
by their ill-used country. What with one thing
and another it must be confessed that our wsocia-
tions with the Emeral Isle have not been very
pleasant ones of late, and it is therefore the more
satisfactory to come across some more genial intelli-
gence. The annual banquet of the Royal Agricul-
tural Society was given on Wednesday, and the
affair passed off very successfully. The speech of the
Lord-Lieutenant was a very good one, and he con-
trived to show many satisfactory traits in the prospects
of the country, although it must be admitted that
he spoke under disadvantageous circumstances. He
was enabled to congratulate his hearers upon the

" very great success" of the Show they had that
day witnessed. There have been, as his Excellency
stated, reasons during the two years that have
elapsed since the society met why it might have
been expected that' the farming interest of Ireland
should not flourish, but the contrary has been shown
to be the case. The present season has been one of
unusual distress for the poor, and a large number
were in receipt of Poor-law relief at the beginning
of this month, but there is much to be said on the
reverse side of the case ; and, while regretting
this temporary depression, we may conclude
that the condition of the labouring classes is
more prosperous now than it was some fif-
teen years ago. There has been a decrease in
the emigration returns, and this is satisfactory in-
telligence of itself. Notwithstanding the political
disturbances that have taken place, the amount of
crime is less this year than on former occasions.
On the whole, we may say that his Excellency was
correct in his favourable estimate of things, and we
hope, with him, that the storms which still hang
over the horizon may pass away ; that the " loyalty
of the great bulk of the people, and a return of good
sense even to some of those who have been misled,
will result in that which all but the enemies of Ire-
land must wish to see, the increased prosperity of its
people, and the return of social confidence, and all
hose advantages which it alone is able to confer."

A great deal of eloquence is wasted on the posi
tion and prospects of our army, and ingenuity is
exhausted to discover some means of increasing the
number of recruits. All the while the most obvious
causes of the growing indifference, if not dislike, to
the army as a profession lie unnoticed before our
eyes. We pension disabled heroes, whom we know
will never again be able to work for their living,
thanks to their faithful service in the Royal army,
with an allowance of sixpence or eightpence a day,
and allow them to get home, as best they can, to
tell their tale to the young men who want to know
what a soldier's life is like. The enfeebled veteran,
as he " shoulders his crutch, and shows how fields
were won," may also point the moral of his
poverty-stricken and helpless age. Then we
tolerate the infliction of a very great injustice, the
perpetuation of a grievance which gives real tangible
ground of complaint to many of our bravest men.
The delay in giving the prize-money is one of the
most inexcusable of the petty injustices allowed
under the name of discipline. A striking instance
is now before us in the case of the Kirwee prize-
money. Nine years ago was this money awarded
nominally, and not a penny have the men yet re-
ceived. A twelvemonth since some stir was made
in the matter, and it vras confidently believed that
immediate distribution might be expected. How-