The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1867.

LONDON, SA7URDAY, SEPT. 7, 1867.

The Prussian Government, it appears, has con-
descended to accept the Circular of the Marquis de
MOLTSTIER as a suitable and proper communication
under the circumstances, and bae in its turn issued

a Note to its diplomatic agents, which, it is said,
must have the effect of removing any remaining
feeling of disquietude that may exist. All this
sounds very reassuring, but the doubt may be raised
why, if everything is in so placid and peaceful a
state, is it necessary to have these constant commu-
nications on the subject? The world is getting well-
nigh worn out with these German intrigues and these
reiterated statements that all is right, and begins
shrewdly to suspect that something is very wrong
in certain quarters. It is quite useless, in fact, for
those nations which cannot, or will not, agree
to go on after this fashion, and asseverate
their good intentions and friendly feelings,
all the time that each is secretly watching the other,
and planning and counterplanning to circumvent
its projects and schemes. The news of French
armaments fills Berlin with indignation if not
with anxiety ; while the information that
the Prussian authorities are on the alert
in their preparations sets all the French press in
a fury, while it occasions complications in Paris.
It is much to be questioned if this mode of Mini-
sterial notes and addresses is a very wise one ; if it
ever did any good we fear that the day has gone by
for its efficacy. Like many other things it has been
tried too often, and,what is worse for its reputation
of sincerity, it has been resorted to in doubtful
cases to gain time and answer ends. The conse-
quence is, that no matter how carefully-chosen the
words, how emphatic the expressions, or compre-
hensive the declarations, the effect of these notes,
circulars, or despatches, goes very little further
than the Cabinet of the Minister who draws them
up. Upon the general public they have very little
influence. Allowing, for the sake of argument,
that nothing transpired at the interview at Salzburg
to give rise to rumours of war, that does not better
the previous posture of affairs, which all know was
not satisfactory, nor were its indications peaceful.
The attitude of the French press is certainly a
significant one, and its ceaseless diatribes
against Prussia and her whole policy must
illustrate some turn of mind or turn
of sentiment irrevocably hostile to the
Berlin Government. The French Government has
been much blamed for keeping up its military pre-
parations, but upon reflection we hardly see how
they can do otherwise with impunity. Who can
venture to predict what course Prussia will take
before long ? And as for that German unity of
which we hear so much, no wise politician would
give much for the duration of the unity that exists
through conquest, that is only maintained at the
point of the sword, and at the sacrifice
of all social liberty of actual speech.
It may seem a churlish thing to do, but we suspect
it is the safest course to adopt—to take all these
notes and circulars as far as they go and no further,
and those who trust too much to the promises
therein made may sooner or later deplore their
credulity. So many false statements have been
made with respect to the policy of Prussia—and
the worst that has been predicted of her intentions
has so often been more than verified—that no
statesman of much experience will trust to her, but
will carefully watch the tendency of her changes
and watch his course accordingly.

An address by Sir SAMUEL BAKER could hardly
fail to excite deep and general interest, both from
the wide reputation of the speaker and his many
qualifications for a discourse upon geographical
science. The address itself, however, which the
eminent traveller delivered on Thursday morning,
in opening the section of which he was President,
needed no adventitious aid, but rivetted the atten-
tion of its hearers from first to last. Sir SAMUEL
BAKER, in tracing the progress of geographical
science, remarked upon the extraordinary progress
made during the last three centuries in com-
parison with what had been done before.
During that time America has changed from
a savage state into her present high posi-
tion, and even more wonderful than the
rapid advances is the development of the great
country beneath our feet. " Within the memory
of many who are here present," said the speaker,
" the now important cities of Australia were mere
buds upon the family tree of colonies. Blessed
with the favourable conditions of temperature and
geographical position, they have burst suddenly
into bloom." Sir SAMUEL regarded the fine imports
of wool received from Australia as more important
and more significant of its future than even the
golden pyramid now shining at Paris. The locality
most favourable to the fine wool-bearing species
of sheep is that most favourable to the
development of the great Anglo-Saxon race.
Speaking of the future of our colonies Sir SAMUEL
foretold that full independence must soon be granted
to our great offsprings, Canada and Australia.
From these topics he naturally passed to the consi-
deration of our Indian possessions, and the changes
which a few years have wrought in them through
the aid of geographical science. He said that to
many of us it seems but an affair of yesterday that
the overland route to India was completed, but in a
comparatively short space the camel has ceased to
be the " ship of the desert" upon the Isthmus of
Suez. " A railroad connects the Red Sea
with the Mediterranean ; a canal already con-
veys the sweet waters of the Nile through
arid sand to Suez ; and a fleet of superb transports
upon the Red Sea convey our troops to India. Who
can predict the future ?" Thus asks Sir SAMUEL
BAKER, in summing up the great achievements of
modern science, and his predictions at least arc not
cheerful. We have, he says, reduced space, and
brought distant countries into close communication,
but in so doing we have broken the spell that kept
ur shores inviolate; steam and railway lines have
altered the former conditions of all countries.
It is necessary to watch closely the move-
ments of Russia upon our Indian frontier,
and while speaking on this subject, Sir SAMUEL
BAKER, with great reason, said that he thought
we should, beyond all other geographical enter-
prises, look with attention upon the formation of a
new and direct route to India by the Euphrates
valley and the Persian gulf, so as to be independent
of any complications that might arise with Egypt
hereafter. It is always well to have two resources,
and the great distance of the seat of empire from so
important and valuable a part of our dominions
should make us keenly alive to the danger of
having our communications interfered with. The
Russians are making extraordinary progress in
NorthernAsia,and their achievements in the explora-
tion of the Khinka Lake and the rivers Usuri and
Atnoor arc ranked among the recent victories of
gi2cgr.iphical science. As Sir S. BAKER observed,
their energetic steps in this direction should induce
us to listen with more attention to the appeal of
Sir ARTHUR COTTON for an exploration of the un-
known laud between the Burhampooter and Yang-
tze, so as to open a free communication between
China and India. This would be an important gain
to both countries, as well as a discovery of great
value to England, by affording another means of
access to our vast Eastern possessions. In America
the question of interoceanic communication is gain-
ing ground, and the exploration of a new route across
Nicaragua by Capt. B. Pim is to be among the interest-
ing accounts supplied to the present meeting. From
Africa there is little to besaici, A dark cloud has fallen

over thi2 part of the story, and the mystery which
enshron, cls the fate of one of our most remarkable
man saddens the retrospect of the year. Sir R.
MURCEO "sox, indeed, still clings to the hope that Dr.
LIVINGS TONE 18 alive, but Sir SAMUEL BAKER finds
only too much reason to fear that the accounts of
the Johanna men are substantially true. The na-
tives, he admits, are great liars ; but they lie with
remarkable ingenuity, and no native, in his
opinion, would commit himself by declaring a
man to he dead who was alive, and therefore
might witness against him. In any case
the despatch of an expedition to ascertain the fate
of the illustrious traveller is a matter for congra-
tulation, as, if alive, he may yet be rescued; if dead,
the arrival of au armed expedition in search of him
will teach the savage tribes of that part a lesson.
The public services rendered by the Royal Geo-
graphical Society are already very great, and Sir
SAMUEL BAKER cited, as an instance of the im-
portance of exploration, the information which the
Government had been compelled toseek from private
travellers respecting Abyssinia. Altogether the
survey taken in the address of the past and present
position of geographical science was deeply interest-
ing, and there is little doubt that, as time goes on, the
scientific student will live less and less in a world
of his own, but will be called upon from all sides
to assist and direct the affairs of the work-a-day
world.

The Reform Fite does not promise to exhibit -a
greater specimen of Liberal unity than any other
arrangement of the sort that has taken place before.
Yesterday evening a fully attended meeting was held ;
Mr. G. PorrEs in the chair, and the various arrange-
ments were announced by him to be progressing
very satisfactorily. Many members of Parliament
had promised to come, and the directors of the
Crystal Palace had behaved in the most liberal
manner. Just as all was going on smoothly as a
marriage bell, the Secretary reported the receipt
of a letter from the Council of the Reform League
' to the effect that they would not co-operate in the
fete, because, as the Reform Bill was carried through
their exertions, " any celebration of its passing
ought to have been initiated by them." We are
not surprised that this course was severely animad-
verted upon by the meeting. A resolution was
carried unanimously to the effect that the Com-
mittee regretted the refusal of the Council of the
Reform League to co-operate with them, but were
resolved to persevere without them. Perhaps a
better satire than this mal apropos affair could
hardly be passed by the enemies of Reform, and
can we look for a better illustration of the want of
unity that exists among the Liberal party ? flow
cau they say that they could ever have carried a
Reform Bill when their differences are so apparent,
and their jealousies are so notorious. Whether or
no the general public care much about this fête it
was not at all the thing for the Council of the
Reform League to throw cold water on it
after this fashion, and they only show their
pettiness of spirit by so doing. As for the
assertion that they carried the Reform Bill, it is per-
fect bombast, and nothing else. No great measure
of public interest and political importance was ever
effected by those who are so intent on self-praise,
and who talk so much more than they act. It is
strange that when so much has been said about
Liberal disunion and disaffection so glaring an in-
stance of them should come to light. It reminds
one of the lines which tell—
" How seven cities fought for HomEn dead,
Through which the living HOMER begged his bread."

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

The Moniteur of this morning announces, in its
Bulletin, that it has received from Copenhagen the
news of the death of the Landgrave William of
Hesse, father of the Queen of Denmark. The Here-
ditary Grand Duke of Russia and the Cesarewina
will leave Copenhagen on Monday next, to return tc
St. Petersburg. Some reports of a Ministerial modi-
fication had existed at Copenhagen for the last few
days, but the only change which had taken place
was the appointment of Bishop Kierkegaard as
Minister of Public Worship.
At the sitting of the Confederation of the North,
on the 4th inst., Prussia presented the law relative
to military service. The Assembly manifested its
opinion in favour of the resumption of negotiations
for a treaty of commerce with Austria. There is
now no doubt that such a treaty will be shortly
concluded.

The Memorial Diplomatique, which has often
access to official information, contains a rather im-
portant article relative to the last meeting of the
two Emperors at Salzbourg Its information ou the
subject induces it to believe that the result will
prove afresh guarantee for the maintenance of peace.
sli'
thui This
tpi
oa
up cr
of pEr oucreoepd
itso
the contend tree ns
result
tt that t
the t h e
antagonism precarious
which has existed, since 1789,
upon t
ah thesisa np nbetween two hostile
camps, the one ostensibly supporting the ancient
social order which is falling into ruins, and the other
impatient to overcome :very obstacle opposed to
he liberal aspirations of new generations. The
Memorial believes that at Salzbourg Austria severed
the last ties which bound her to the Holy Alliance,
and that in concert with France she bas decided
of non-intervention in foreign
affairs
salutary
lvicy
a ri abl e
principlep ri nc
once
principle. It
itsnaddudesvin
i belieft
nh
t
that
oe
co
de of nations will give to the mutual relations be-
tweenpnt an Statesen d t othe the
agitations
peoples,stability necessary
audng s
ce
o '
sufferings
of humanity, and to insure a solid;peace based upon
justice, and containing in its imperishable elements
the guarantee of its duration."
It is irrevocably fixed that the close of the Exhibi-
tion will take place on the 31st of October. The
Moniteur of this day renews its former notice from
the Imperial Commission to that effect. It also an-
nounces that proposals relative to the purchase of the
Palace and the other materials of the Exhibition will
be received by the Commissariat
.General until the
30th of September.
General Brauschlish, Governor-General, and M.
Hannecker, Commandant of the fortress of Luxem-
burg, have been relieved from their functions, and
appointed to ether service in the army. Thes3 gene-
ral officers left Luxemburg on Wednesday last, and
also 800 men, forming the greater portion of the
Prussian troops in the fortress. There are now only
about 300 men in the fortress, and they are about to
leave it.
There will be some very interesting trials of steam
ploughs and various agricultural implements at Vin-
cennes. The agricultural exhibition at Billmacourt
in the course of this week will command the attention
of visitors, particularly those connected with agricul-
tural pursuits. At the trials which have already
taken place the English machine makers have proved
that their instruments are so immeasurably superior
to those of the French as to create universal aWais-
siou of the fact. There were nearly 4) coalpetitors
for priz s for horse ploughs, but it is only necessary
to mention those of Messrs. Ransom° anti Sims, of
Ipswich, and the Messrs. lloward, of Bedford, for
they took the lead in every respect--a very satisfac-
tory fact as regards English skill. The experi-
ments with reapers and threshing machines created
a vast deal of attention. Ransomes' K 1 machine
was brought into use, and with admirable effect.
All the wheat which had been threshed by the ma-
chines of the other competitors was passed through
it; and more or less grain was found in each
parcel, the quantity of which of course afforded a
test of the quality of each machine. This efficient
and admirable machine is to be seen in the agri-
cultural department of the Champ de Mars, and
also one of Messrs. Ransome's excellent new turn- I
wrest horse ploughs. It will not be necessary to

enter into details respecting them, for the gold
medals of 1867 awarded to those skilful manufac-
turers speak " trumpet tongued" of the opinion of
the juries. It is seldom that the French admit such
superiority on the part of the English as they have
done with unanimity in this respect. These ma-
chines comprise an apparatus for chopping and
bruising the straw, which is known to be of great
advantage in hot countries where hay is not pro-
duced. The Viceroy of Egypt was much struck
with them, and they will be generally adopted in
that country. The jury wished to make two trials
of the apparatus in question, and were so pleased
with the admirable manner in which the straw was
turned out, that although the awards in this respect
are not yet made, I believe I am neither wrong nor
indiscreet in saying that I have reason to know that
the highest prize will be given to Jtessrs. Ransome
for this admirable and economical machine. The
correspondent of one of your contemporaries speaks
of a little difficulty in regard to conveyances from
Paris to Billancourt, and says that the omnibuses
stop at a considerable distance from the Exhibition,
which is the case with what are called the Americans
or the tramway, but there are omnibuses which
take passengers direct from the Palais Royal to the
very entrance of the ploughing field for half a franc.
The fact is that there is no suburb of Paris so easily
accessible as Billancourt. In addition to the
omnibuses there are boats from the Pont Royal,
near the Tuileries, and from more distant parts
of Paris to the Exhibition at Billancourt, and
the fare is only threepence (14 sous). Beyond
Billancourt the river is very picturesque,
some say- the prospect is as beautiful as on the
Rhine. At all events, the hills of Bellevue, Sevres,
and St. Cloud are enchanting. I had almost for-
gotten to mention that in the trials of the portable
engines eight were of French and three of English
manufacture. There is an ingenious and very
effective break to that of Messrs. Ransome and
Sims, which was much admired. As the general
result it may be stated that this machine, superior
to any, worked more effectively with much less
consumption of coal than all the others.

A popular actress, who, although unmarried, is a
mother, was reproached the other evening by an
actress of the same theatre, who said she was en-
tirely artificial. Hair, teeth, complexion, were all
false. She had nothing natural. " And my chil-
ren," replied the actress, " Are they not natural?"
Au elegantly dressed lady, in her cabriolet, was
seen in the Champs Elysees, the horse dashing along
almost with lightning speed. " What a splendid
pace the horse goes with the lady," said a gentleman
to his friend. "Yes," replied the friend, who knew
the lady. " The horse has no incumbrance. The
lady is a very light character."
The trial at Tarbes of the master, mistress, and
mother of the young girl Celina Cassagnet, on the
alleged charge of murder, has resulted in a verdict
of acquittal in favour of all the prisoners. Although
only 16, the poor girl has been a mother more than
a year ago.

An artist of some note, M. Courverhel, a pupil of
floraceVernet, has just died at Croissz, in his 33d
year.

'The weather to-day resembled that of yesterday.
It was very stormy,with frequent showers, as in the
month of April. There has been a terrible storm at
Agem, which has done much damage.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)