The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-30 00:00:00

Tl] .E SUN, I,O_,NLON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 30, 1867.

mittee. We should :have preferred that the £lO
limit had been preser Ted, more especially as it has
given satisfaction in -.perspective ; but the point is
not a vital one, and even as it now stands
it goes some way in the right direc-
tion. Lord CAIRN S had another triumph in his
proposal concerning the occupants of rooms in halls
and colleges being admitted as voters. This met
with strong opposition in some quarters, but was
eventually carried by a majority of 48.
On the whole, we may say that the Government
was successful last ni,ght, and, despite the great dis-
advantages which they laboured under through the
absence of Lord DER. BY, they had nothing practi-
cally to complain of. In the great question at
issue—the motion of Lord HALlFAX—Ministers
gained a decided majority, and all the other decisions
were in conformity with what the members of the
Cabinet approved of, if they did not propose them.
It cannot be said that these successes were attained
without a struggle, for hard fights were waged, and
throughout the course of the debate the leaders of
the Opposition displayed a bitterness of feeling and
a party spirit little to their credit, and certainly not
conducive to their triumph. We should have wished
to see these absent, for they were quite out of place
on so momentous a question. The worst is now over,
at any rate, for the House of Lords has very plainly
shown that it will not tolerate the devices of fac-
tion, and condemn for the sake of condemning.
Some changes in the measure during its passage
through Committee are likely to be expected, and
perhaps desired, but let them be undertaken in a
straightforward spirit, and in an open manner.
Abstract resolutions are mischievous attempts to
destroy thebill, and we rejoice to find that they have
been thrown out on two occasions. Faction has had
its chance, and failed. Let the opponents of the
Government then be cc,ntent at having had the op-
portunity afforded to them of expressing their
opinions, and let them no longer figure before the
public in the ungracious character of Marplots, for
they may be assured that their offences will not be
overlooked, and that the sin of opposing this popu-
lar measure will be laid to their charge hereafter
when and where they may least expect it to be
remembered.

The House of Commons has expressed the com-
mon sense of the public by rejecting Mr. LOCKE'S
motion by a decisive majority. As the Chancellor
of the Exchequer very justly observed the question
before the House was not one of detail, but of gene-
ral principle. They had to decide whether or no
the parks of London were to be kept for the pur-
pose for which they were intended—the recreation
of the people. It is a question with which, in fact,
political feeling has nothing to do. Street preachers
are quite as much concerned in it as the Reform
League ; the London Arabs are more deeply in-
terested than the Chartist or the social philosopher.
The real nature of these monster meetings in Hyde-
park is easily discernible. The first of them was
held in 1855 on the occasion of the introduction of
Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR'S Sunday Trading Bill.
That bill was very ill advised, and most unpopular.
Like all such arbitrary regulations it completely
ruined its object, and irritated the lower classes
into asking why the upper ten thousand
should make their servants work on the Sunday
without let or hindrance. They determined to hold
monster meetings in Hyde Park, knowing it to be
the fashionable place of resort on Sunday afternoon,
and for several weeks they carried on a sys-
tem of intimidation—hooting and pelting the
occupants of carriages. The Bill was finally
abandoned, but the working classes might safely
have trusted to the good sense of the llouse
of Commons, the Press, and the public
generally to have thrown it out without such riotous
proceedings. The real end of the Reform meetings
was much the same. The leaders meant them as a
threat to the upper classes. Happily we have no
need to look to such men for protecting our popular
rights. Public meetings are most valuable, and
can never be put down while England is what it is,
but the massacre of the beautiful gardens which
furnish so pleasant a resort to thousands is a very
unnecessary part of political discussion.

Mr. STEVENS has yet another plan for the solu-
tion of the great problem of American politics.
We learn from the intelligence brought by the City
of Paris, dated July 18, that the Radical leader has
introduced a bill providing for the government of
the South by three Civil Commissioners, to be ap-
pointed by Congress, and to be independent of
Presidential, military, or judicial control. In short,

these three men are to be in their way dictators,
and their appointment, should it come to pass, will
be the beginning of the end of American Republican
Government. The Radical party in the Lower
house is quite reckless enough to support this pro-
posal, manifestly unconstitutional though it be, and
very likely Mr. STEVENS himself would have no
objection to filling one of the posts thus created.
Naturally enough, the Rouse of Representatives
disagrees with the PRESIDLNT'S estimate of the cost
of their reconstruction schemes, although they have
not hitherto shown themselves to be such discreet
financiers that we should accept their estimate as
the most trustworthy. The Supplementary Bill

still remains the subject of active contention
The President returned the bill to Congress with
the expected veto, giving reasons against it -which,
to an unprejudiced observer, must appear unanswer-
able. He shows the inconsistency of the course
pursued by Congress. It had assumed the Southern
States Governments to be illegal, yet had ordered
the military commanders to appoint officials to carry
on those Governments. It had repeatedly recog-
nised the existence of the Southern States since the
rebellion by calling upon them to ratify the amend-
ments abolishing slavery, and other matters of the
kind, while the Supreme Courts had recog-
nised them by holding district courts. Yet
after all this Congress proceeds on the assump-
tion that the Southern States have no recog-
nised existence. Mr. JOHNSON resents, as he well
may do, the encroachments of the Congress upon
his authority, which he declares to be unconstitu-
tional and opposed to his oath of office. As might
have been confidently expected, Congress imme-
diately passed the bill over the veto by 30 votes
against 6 in the Senate, and by 100 to 22 in the
House of Representatives. During the debate the
Radicals showed their old virulence by renewing the
demand for impeachment. They have found, too,
other means of manifesting their bitter hostility
towards the man who so steadily and unflinch-
ingly exposes the danger and illegality of
their schemes. On the principle that persons
usually judge others by themselves, they are con-
stantly searching for some ulterior, selfish end in
every act of the PRESIDENT'S. The House of Re-
presentatives has passed a resolution demanding an
inquiry into the pardon of the Confederate General
CAMERON. The preamble of the resolution declared
that the PRESIDENT had showed sympathy with the
assassins of Mr. LINCOLN by pardoning General

CAMERON, and thus increasing his credibility as a
witness in SURRATT'S trial. This insult, however,
was thought too great, and the preamble was

struck out.

Mexican politics are creating some excitement.
Congress, shays on the side of Arbitrary power

and reckless tyranny, is very apprehensive of the
consequences of the expeditions from the States.
The House of Representatives has called upon the
President to issue a proclamation against the
Mexican filibustering schealts, and has asked for
information respecting any intervention in Mexi-
can affairs under the pretence of avenging
the death of MAXIMILIAN, and also the steps
which have been taken prevent such ex-
peditions. It is said that recruiting for
volunteers to avenge MAXIMILIAN is rapidly going
on in the South. The position of JUAREZ is most
insecure, for it seems that GOMEZ and CANALES are
in open rebellion against hirn, and have declared the
State of Tamaulipas independent. Aclvices from
Vera Cruz to the 14th inst. have been published in
New York. They state that Madame JUAREZ had
arrived there, and had been enthusiastically received.
JUAREZ himself had reached the capital, but had
declined a re-election for the Presidency. He cau
scarcely be weary of his power, possibly he aims at
grasping it by force of arms, instead of owing it to
the votes of the people. The execution of SANTA
ANNA is confirmed, and other executions aro an-
nounced. If the Americans want an excuse for
invading Mexico they need not wait long for a very
sufficient pretext.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, July 29, 6 p.m.

The Inman steamer City of Boston, the North
German Lloyd's steamer Bremen, and the Hamburg
and American Company's steamer Borussia arrived

out to-day.
COMMERCIAL—CLOSING PRICES.—GoId, 1401 ;
sterling exchange on London 110 ; 5-20 United
States Bonds, 1111 ; Illinois, 1181 ; Erie, 76. Cot-
ton—Middling Upland, 27k.
PHILADELPHIA, July 29.

Petroleum, refined, 321.
ARRIVAL OF THE BANS A.

SOUTIIA3IPTON, July 30.

The North-German Lloy(l's steamer llansa, from
New York, passed the Needles at 10.45 a.m. to-
day.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, July 30.

In the Senate last night Signor Campello, in reply
to Signor Chieri, said that the property of the ex-
Duke of Modena would not be restored to him un-
less he returned all the State property taken away
by him in 1859.
Signor Ratezzi, in reply to Signor Farina, declared
that the Government would strictly keep the engage-
ments entered into with the creditors of the State.
No conversion or reduction of the Italian Rente
would ever take place.
The Senate approved the Budgets of the Ministers
of Finance, Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Public In-
structio n.

In the Chamber of Deputies the report of the
commission of inquiry into the condition of the
town and province of Palermo was discussed, and
the four bills proposed by the commission were
adopted.

ROME, July 30.

The Journal de Rome contradicts the statements
published in the Italian journals that 210 persons
had been arrested in Borne. The report was
totally unfounded, as no political arrests had taken
taken place.

CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN

MAILS.

GALLE, June 19.
The Eneu, from China, arrived on the 16th inst.;
and the Geelong, from Australia, to-day.
The Candia leaves for Switzerland to-day.
OUTWARD MAILS.

The Avoca, April 20th and 26th, reached Mel-
bourne on the 11th, and Sydney on the 13th June.
The Surat, June 4th and 10th, arrived at Galle
on the 3d July.

RUSSIA.
ST. PETERSBURG, July 29.

An Imperial ukase has just been issued altering
the military and civil administration in the Russian
provinces bordering China and Central Asia, bring-
ing them under the same general government estab-
lished for the lately erected provinces of Turkestan,
and giving them the same organisation as a military
district. The military and civil administration is
declared indivisible, and the domestic government
is to be administered by natives chosen from among
the people. Adjutant-General Kaufmann has been
appointed Governor-General of Turkestan.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, July 29, Two o'clock.—The contradic-
tion by the Moniteur of the war rumours has bad
the effect of encouraging the market, which shows
an improved feeling, and stocks and shares are
higher. French Three per Cents., after first attain-
ing 69f., are now at 68f. 87/c., an advance of 25c.
Italian Fives went beyond 49f., and are now at 48f.
95c., an improvement of 20c. French and Spanish
Credit Mobilier shares have each risen 3f. 75c., at
336 f. 25c. and 225 f. Comptoir d'Escompte 5f., at
737 f. 50c. ; Credit Foncier 2f. 50c., at 1,367 f. 50c.;
Paris Gas shares arc unvaried at 1,537 f. 50c. ; but
Immobiliere gain 5f., at 168 f. 75c., and Suez Canal
lf. 25c., at 300 f. Railway shares are firm, but with
only a very slight advance.
Three o'clock.—The close was as follows :

4} per Cents
Do. end month —

3 per Cents. —
Do. end month 6B 85
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Credit Foncier
Do. end month 1368 T 5

Bank Shares —
Italian Loan —
Do. end month 49 021
Mexican Loan ll
Do. Bonds 9B 75
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —
Deferred
&YE.

For Account.
Orleans
Northern ll4B 75
Lyons and Mcditerranean 875
Southern 517 50
Western 563 25
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian

Lombard 365
North of Spain —
Saragossa .
Roman. 75

THE LAW RELATING TO FOREIGN
ORDERS.

-

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—The discussions about foreign decorations
may render the following points of law interesting
to your readers.
Coke lays it down that a duke, earl, &c., of
another kingdom are not to be sued by those names
here (Co. Litt., 16 b.) ; and a foreign duke, &c. is
only an esquire here (7th Rep., " Calvin's Case,"
30, 1.). But though a foreign duke, marquis, earl,
or baron is but an esquire here, yet if he be a knight
he is a knight by the law of England (2d inst. 667,
7th Rep. " Calvin's Case," 15, 16 ; Co. Litt., 16 b ;
and Year Rook, 26, Ed. W., 6, and 22 Ed. 111., 36 ;
Doderidge on Nobil., 164 ; " Duke of Brunswick v.
King of Hanover," 6 Beavan 2, Fleta, lb. 11., chap.
3, sec. 9 ; Comyn. Dig., " Abatement," 17, F 19.)
The reason of this peculiarity of knighthood seems
to be that it is a dignity not of any particular
country, but common to all Christendom, and,
therefore, juris gentum. Thus, the right of con-
ferring knighthood was not originally a flower of
the Royal prerogative, but knighthood might be
conferred by any knight, or by a bishop, according
to the ritual contained in the Pontificate, and given
in Selden's Tit. of lion., p. 445. But Selden says
that it has long since grown to be clear that none
can give it with us but the Sovereign, or some one
by his command or commission. But the common
law still remains by which a• foreign knight is a
knight by the law of England—that is to say, any
knight created by a foreign Sovereign. In the
case of the Rev. Robert Peat, one of the chap-
lains of King George IV., the point arose. He
was made a knight of St. Stanislaus by the Em-
peror of Russia, and he established his right as a
knight according to the law of England. But it
does not follow that a foreign knight is entitled to
the style and title of " Sir," which belongs to Eng-
lish knights. It seems that this style can only be
conferred by the Royal prerogative, though it was
assumed by the Rev. Robert Peat. I believe no
foreign knight has assumed it since. So much for
the law regarding foreign knights. I say nothing,
of decorations, for thcf are unknown to the com-
mon law, being personal ornaments, like a uniform
or club button, or the badges of a Freemason, and
they denote that the wearer belongs to a particular
society, brotherhood, or sodality, commonly called
an Order.

Yeur obedient servant,
Temple, July 27.

GEORGE BOWYER.

WEST GLOUCES-fERSIIIIIE ELECTION.—The poll-
ing commenced yesterday morning at eight o'clock, and
ended at five in the evening with a majority of 91 for the
Conservative candidate. The numbers at the close were
Somerset, 3,649 ; tr. J3erlioley, 3,058.

The

;xico.

A writer in a letter to a contemporary says :

" Thinking that from the recent tragic events in

this unhappy country a good share of public inte-
rest will be attracted towards it, I venture to send

you a short account of the terrible siege the capital
has just sustained—one of the worst, perhaps, taking

into account the size of the place, that this century
has seen in the whole world. This can easily be
imagined when it is known that during the 67 days
the siege lasted no food entered the city, containing

over 200,000 inhabitants, who had not only failed
to make any previous provision or preparation for

it, but during the preceding two months had been
unable to get the usual supply, owing to the partial
blockade of the place, and also to the shortsighted
policy of the Government in Seizing many of the
Indians, who brought provisions, to serve in the
army, and thus deterring others from venturing to
the market with their goods. Necessaries of life,
therefore, rose to a fabulous price, bread being from
10s. to 12s. per lb., meat of lean mach cows 4s. per
lb., horseflesh from 9d. to Is. Indian corn or maize,

which is sometimes sold for Bs. a carga of 3001 b.,
was £3O ; lean fowls Bs. each, eggs three for 2s.
Many of these prices were merely nominal ; it was
often impossible to get flour or maize for love or
money, as there was no regular sale of them in the
market. Those who had them were obliged to

keep it a profound secret, for immediately it was
known the Government pounced upon them and gave
them to its soldiers ; they had, in fact, the power to

enter any house to search for provisions. I have

seen soldiers go into the miserable huts of the poor
and bring out a few handsful of maize that the in-

mates had carefully hoarded up. Hundreds, if not
thousands, died of starvation, and those who were
left had hardly strength left to crawl up to you in

the streets to ask for alms. The scenes at the
panaderias, or bread shops, before their stocks were
exhausted, which happened about three weeks be-
fore the termination of the siege, was most heart-
rending. There were only three open in the whole

city ; the doors were crowded at one or two o'clock

La the morning in order to get a good place by the
time they were opened ; all day the streets leading

,o them were crowded. Outside one near where I
ive five persons were found dead one morning,

having dropped down from exhaustion, many others
perished by the crush, or by the swords of the
soldiers put there to guard the place. There was
sometimes an opportunity of leaving the city, of

which thousands availed themselves at the risk of

being shot on the way ; in fact, seven women and
children were killed by one shell while halfway
between the two camps, for white flags received no
respect, the only chance being that both sides were
wretched marksmen.

While the poor suffered so fearfully, the rich
had also their shares ; forced loans never to be
paid and contributions following in quick suc-
cession. Those who refused to pay were put in
prison, without anything to eat or drink, until they
did ; while others who hid themselves had their
houses guarded to prevent the entry of any food for
their wives and children. Nearly half the money,

moreover, thus collected wont into the pockets of
the chief officials. All commerce, of course, was
suspended, the only life in the streets being the
movement of troops from one point to another, the
press-gang going about seizing almost any one they
could catch, and searching houses for horses and
the carriage of the wounded to the hospitals. It is
needless to dwell on all the horrors which are
common to all sieges. I cannot, however, help
mentioning one that came under my notice. A.
poor man who had lately lost his wife and was left
with three little children was seized one day by the
press-gang, or leva, while out searching for food
for his little ones, whom he had left locked up at
home. He begged and prayed to be allowed to go
borne to let them out and give them in charge to

some neighbours, or else to—send and do so. This
was refused him till the third day, when he found
them dead. Another incident occurred at the in-
trenchments of the two camps. The Liberals, or
besiegers, stuck up a dead horse, with a large
placard, with ',Came para los traidores' (meat for
the traitors). The besieged, or Imperials, answered
by putting up an old woman who had died of star-

vation, with Came para los eol,ariles ' (meat for

the cowards), a stinging reproach for their not pro-
perly attacking the place, instead of trying to starve

Out.

Amid all this misery an anomalous scene pre-
sented itself every evening in the Plaza, or principal
square, where the band played. Crowds of caval-
leros and senoritas, decked in their best, walked
about utterly indifferent to the roar of the cannon,
which did not make a bad accompaniment to the
music, often coming in right for the bass-drum
part.

We, the English of the city, have particular cause
for rejoicing at the termination of the siege, for our
position has been anything but enviable, as the
commander, Marquez, appointed lieutenant-general
by the poor Emperor while be was at Queretaro, is
less a man than a demon, and a demon possessed of
inveterate hatred to the English. It was he who
murdered the English doctors at Tacubaya, a town
near here, ordering them out to be shot while at-

tending the wounded, and who broke open the seals
of the English Legation some years ago, taking out
$600,000. This appointment of the late Emperor
was the greatest fault he ever committed, but dearly
has he paid for it; for nearly all unite in saying

that had it not been for the obstinate resistance o
Mexico, carried on five weeks after the fall o
Queretaro, his life might have been spared. This
resistance was effected by Marquez by the vilest
lies—his assuring the Austrians, a chivalrous set
of men, 700 strong, who fought only for their coun-
trymen, that the capture of the Emperor was
only an invention of the Liberals, although he had
received official reports of the fact four days after it
occurred. He actually, on the day of his condem-
nation to death ordered public rejoicings to be cele-
brated for his victory said to be gained over the
Liberals. Five days after these rejoicings, June 21,
the Austrians in the meantime being officially con-
vinced of the fall of Queretaro, and having come to
terms with the Liberals, the besiegers entered the
city to the joy of all, in splendid order, without the
slightest tumult or least act of violence. So far
they certainly by their conduct merit the highest
praise. We only hope they will continue to do so,
although from the past history of Mexico no very
sanguine hopes can be entertained. As they en-
tered they certainly were a motley crew—most of
the men in rags and without shoes, and even
some of the officers in the same plight and in
their shirit sleeves, while others were decked in
all the colours of the rainbow. They were nearly
all, however, well armed. The day they entered
the aspect of the city changed as if by magic—
herds of sheep and oxen thronged the streets,
making one's mouth water, cartloads of bread, and
long lines of mules and donkeys laden with pro-
visions. On the 20th the man who had lately eaten
a piece of bread would almost be looked on as a
phenomenon, and pointed out in the streets. On
the 21st all were hurrying home with pieces in their
hands to enjoy the uncommon feast.
All commerce has assumed extraordinary brisk-
ness, and if peace lasts the losses and sufferings of
the last six months will soon be forgotten. The
argument in favour of our enjoying this peace is the
almost entire annihilation of one great party, the
Conservatives, or the Government of the five M's,
as they have been recently called, from the fact of
the names of the five leading men of it beginning
with the letter M—namely, Maximilian, Marquez,
Miramon, Mejia, and -Mendez. Of these five four
were killed at one blow at Queretaro, Marquez 'being
the only one left, he having hid himself in the city,
and hitherto baffled the vigilant search of his enemies.
On the other hand, the incongruous mixture among
the Liberals and the difficulty of amalgamating
them, threaten a continuance of disorder and re-
volutions. If the moderate Liberals came into
power, as it is generally expected they will, these
evils will be averted, and a few prosperous years
may then be looked forward to.
The melancholy death of the Emperor, and the
dignified, kingly manner in which he met it, have
produced a profound sensation here even among
many of the Liberals; his disinterested and chival-
rous conduct, as also that of the handful of Austrians
who stuck by their prince to the last against over-
whelming odds, will meet with admiration through-
(nit the erlilioed world.

DEATH OF MR. KENNETH MACAULAY, Q.C.--3-11.:
Kenneth Macaulay, Q.C., formerly member of Parliament
for the borough of Cambridge, died yesterday morning 9'
his residence, Shaftesbury-road, Brooklands, Cambridge'
The deceased gentleman was a first cousin of Lord Macau'
lay. Ile was born in 1815, educated at Jesus College, called
to the bar in 1839, and became the loader of the Midland
Circuit, Queen's counsel in 1850. He was first elected Ed
represent Cambridge borough in 1852, but was uuseete,/
in the following year for bribery and corruption. In 18
he was again chosen, and at the election of 1859 heedsa
the poll. He came forward once more in 1865, but during
the election, while addressing a meeting, he was sudden',
stricken with paralysis. He never appeared in pol-'ll°,
again, but from the effects of this seizure, resulting filju-
overtasking of the brain, ho died yesterday.
THE STRAND MUSIC HALL.—TIIO sale of this
important freehold property, consisting of the Strandgnsiti
Hall (now closed), together with the adjoining houses 01a
shops in the Strand and Catherine-street, was annotlecyj
to take place at the auction mart in Tokenhouse-rend
City, on Monday, by Messrs. Chinnock, GalsworthY,
Chinnock, of Waterloo-place. The site, extending over 3`;
area of 14,000 feet, is described as " unrivalled in point o't
situation, standing as it dons in the centre of too
aTenue of the City and West-end." After descanting or'
the advantages which the property offered to purchase
the auctioneer started the bidding at £40,000. No ads/3°c;
being offered on that sum it was withdrawn from sale'
ad
portion of the site was next offered, but as no bid Was
over £30,000 no sale was effected.
I=l P°s'
It DESTRUCTION OF GAME BY FIRE.—" 111? ,to
Bible," says a communication from Toulon, "to es`;:"-fi'tro
the enormous quantity of game destroyed by thel9
in the forest of the Var ; for au extraordinary thing 'nin.vo,l4
remarked in this, as in other similar cases, that the
a that
and birds were so paralysed by the light of the tlaule,,
they remained ITithput §trogth tg one the &PO"'