The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 6, 1867.

intrigues of sets and cliques, and act in a spirit
worthy of those who meet to discuss the interests of
a great people. The House generally cannot com-
plain of the inertness of Government, and let it
mark its appreciation of their exertions by corre-
sponding activity on its part, and then make the
sesoion of 1867 one worthy of note in the annals of
parliament.

The opening of the Parliamentary campaign
vas, contrary to usual custom, a little more warlike

in the -Upper House than in the Lower. The de-
bees of the Peers are not usually so animated or
so interesting, but on the first night of a new ses-
sion we naturally look with some curiosity for the
utterances of the two Prime Ministers, past and

present. The speeches of Lord DERBY and Lord

RUSSELL were of course the principal events of the
evening, though Earl BEAUCHAMP and Lord DELA-
MERE discharged their duties as mover and seconder
very ably. The noble seconder, indeed, a new

member, delivered a mast interesting address, touch-
ing briefly upon all the topics of the Speech.

Both mover and seconder referred particularly to
the existing relations between labour and capital,

and Lord DELAMERE did not fail to comment on

the conduct of the London shipwrights. These
men, he said, refused to work for Gs. 6d. a day, that
is to say, over £lOO a year, a larger income than is
enjoyed by many Government clerks and poor
curates. They, therefore, throw their families upon
the parish, and people who earn ss. a day will have

to pay increased rates to support mon who refuse
to work for 63. 6d. " The trades' unions," said
Lord DELAMERE, very justly, "when th©y go iu for
an increase of wages, promise an immediate gain to
their members. Everybody can understand the ad-

vantage of an increase of wages. But when they
go further, when they interfere not only for the

purpose of raising the rate of wages, but when they

Lnterfere with the freedom of labour of each other,

when they insist that a man shall not earn as much
as he can by the labour of his hands for the support
of his family, but insist on blinging all down to one
low level, so that the skilful workman shall not do

more than the most ignorant and idle—if this is to
be allowed to take place, then I do not think I use
words too strong when I say that it is absolute

tyranny." Passing from this question to its kindred
one of the extension of the suffrage, Lord DELA-
MERE said, with great good sense, that he hoped for

a Ref orm*Bill which should set the question at rest
for some time, though it could not dispose of the
question altogether. " I think, if I may use such a
phrase, that it is simply nonsense to be talking of
finality in reference to reform. You might as well

talk of finality in reference to steam, for in an age

such as this there cannot be such finality. What
will satisfy us will probably not do for what will

come after us. Whether it•be a Liberal or a Con-
servative Government, if it is to stand, it cannot
stand still." This is sound sense and real Liberalism,

but too many of our politicians unnecessarily com.

plicate matters by attempting to legislate for the
future as well as for the present; whereas, the very
idea of a final measure is certain to excite opposi-
tion and mistrust. It is, surely, enough if we can
settle the question for this generation. We do not
know what will be either the necessities or
the inclinations of those who are to succeed us, and
it is idle to suppose:they will abide by our dictum,
and not think for themselves.
Earl RUSSELL was less happy in his oratorical
efforts, and has opened the session in a manner
little calculated to reflect credit on himself or to
forward the business of the country. No one ex-
pects him to subscribe to all that his successors may
propose, and it is, perhaps, only natural that he
individually should be a severer critic of their re-
form schemes, i❑ particular, than most other men.
But it showed a sal lack of taste and temper on
the part of the ex-Minister to condescend to
recriminations which might almost be called
abuse. Mr. BRIGHT on a provincial platform
may use what language he pleases, but when
Earl RUSSELL deliberately charges his opponents
with unfair and underhand conduct, when he de-
clares that they have no object but office in their
public life, then we are both pained and astonished.
He plainly intimated his belief that, instead of a
comprehensive Reform Bill, the Government de
facto would resort to " tricks and shuffles," that
they would deal with it unfairly and inadequately ;
and, although he said he would support a good bill,
he gave his hearers pretty clearly to understand that
no bill proposed by any Government but his own
would be a good measure. It would seem, indeed,
that the history of the Reform Bills of the last ten
years, of which we have most of us heard rather ton
much, retains all its freshness for Earl RUSSELL.
He is like the recluse, who, when he came out
from his bookshelves, used to begin speaking of the
catastrophes of mediaeval history as of new and ex-
citing intelligence. Lord RUSSELL actually thinks
it necessary to enlighten their lordships respecting
the CHANDOS clause of 1832, and all the
subsequent attempts at failures of successive
Administrations in the matter of Reform !
" The Bill of 1859," " The lowering of the fran-
chise proposed in 1851," the duty incumbent on
Lord RUSSELL as overthrowing Lord DERBY'S last
administration by adverse reform resolutions, the
factious combinations against the Bill of last session
it was no wonder that, on the evoking of these too
familiar spectres, Lord DERBY'S usual courage gave
way, and he declared that unless they were got rid
of he had no hope of the future.

'The noble Premier administered a grave and
dignified rebuke to his opponent, and the words
which he used will find an echo in themind of every
conscientious and impartial politician. They show
that Lord DERBY, at least is prepared to approach
the great political problem of our day with calmness,
with moderation, with conciliation. "The question,"
said Lord DERBY " must be examined in a fair,
deliberate, and dispassionate spirit. We must be
prepared to give and take ; we must be prepared to
meet each other's views ; we must be prepared,
above all things, to cast away all questions of strife
and political power." In answer to the laughter
with which some of his hearers greeted this declara-
tion, Lord DERBY simply reminded them that no
Government at the present moment could carry a
Reform Bill unaided. "In the present state of
parties no Government—be it on this side of the
House or be it on that—can hope to carry by their
own support and distinctive exertions, such a Reform
Bill as they might think the most desirable. If this
question is to be settled, it must be settled only by
mutual compromise and by mutual forbearance, and
not by bandying recriminations and reproaches
upon past discussions and differences." The best
thing for all parties is to leave the past few years
with their mistakes and manoeuvres alone, and
address themselves to the dispassionate and candid
consideration of the question as it now stands. No
statesman has more need of a little kindly forgetful-
ness of the past than Lord RUSSELL since he moved
to the Upper House and left reform behind him.
Lord DERBY'S observations upon the Alabama
claims, and our relations with America generally,
were all that could be wished. They manifested a
strong desire to preserve amicable relations between
the two countries, and a readiness to meet a fair
proposal in a conciliatory spirit, without compro-
mising the honour or interests of the country.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PAM'S, Tuesday Evening.
In consequence of a difference which arose at a
Council of the Austrian Ministers, relative to the

question whether the agreement of the Imperial
Government with llunguary should be presented

at the next Rcichsrath as an accomplished fact,
or if the Diets of the non-Hungarian countries
should have a previous opportunity of giving their
opinion upon the question, Count Belcredi, Presi-
dent of the Council and Minister of State, has

placed his resignation in the hands of the Emperor

Francis Joseph.
His Majesty accepted the raignation, and M. de
Beust, Minister of the Household of the Emperor
and of Foreign Affairs, was appointed Pre.sident of
the Council. Count de Belcredi, it is said, will not

have a successor as Minister of State, but a Minister

of Foreign Affairs will be appointed, and will per-
form a portion of the duties which hitherto devolved
upon the Minister of State. This Ministerial modi-
fication, by making M. Beust President of the
Council, indicates a movement in support of the
patent of February—that is to say, favourable to
the autonomy of Hungary, and the centralisation
at Vienna of the administration of the countries be-

yond the Leitha that is to say, the non-Hungarian

countries.

According to an account from Naples, in the Pro-
vincia of Turin, the Cardinal Archbishop of that
city is about to pay a visit to his Royal Highness
Prince de Carignan, and it is said that other mem-
bers of the clergy are prepared to follow the ex-

ample given by their archbishop.
The papers to-day are almost exclusively occu-
pied with discussions and anticipations upon
the proposed new press law. No new facts as to
its provisions have transpired in addition to those
I mentioned. All the journals attach first-rate im-
portance to the great changes announced. The

Steele, which confirms the report that the measure
will be of a very liberal character, says—" If, as we
do not doubt, all these proposals should become law,
the French people will be in possession not of all

the liberties which we desire for them, but of three

essential and eminently productive liberties. When
the press shall become free, with universal suffrage,

and a representation voting the laws and the taxes,
the French people will be masters of their destinies.
The greatest legal difficulty which prevented them

from making known their real wishes, and their just
aspirations, is about to be overcome."

As one natural consequence of the liberty of tho
press will be the termination of the anomalous posi-

tion of the Moniteur. The present director, M.
Paul Dalloz, was dismissed from his functions by
the Minister who appointed him, but having a
special contract with a body of subscribers he still
remains and controls the functions of a more im-

portant editor. The Moniteur, however, will soon
be under the free direction of an eminent literary
man, appointed by the Minister of the Interior.

The present director, therefore, will have no control
over the literary department. Several of the Paris
papers have complained that the Moniteur has
neither been administered nor edited with the
care required for such an important organ. It
often occurs that articles are given twice.
Politicians of all shades of opinion praise the Go-
vernment for abolishing a monopoly allowed to a
society of printers, and for establishing the principle
of free trade, even as regards the official paper. The
mistakes made by the Moniteur in translation from
the English are really ludicrous, particularly in re-
gard to names. A few days ago Sir J. Pakington
was spoken of as Lord Pakington, and Mr. Glad-
stone is generally mentioned as Sir Gladstone.
However, in conformity with the wishes of so many
of the Paris papers, the whole system is about to be
reformed. I mentioned an article upon the subject
a day or two ago.
The weather has been very tempestuous to-day,
and rather cold, but not gloomy like yesterday.
A new system of electrical light, under the direc-
tion of M. Victor Serrin, has been exhibited in the
Place Carrousel, and has a very beautiful effect.
Two new regulating machines are placed at the
western angles of the triumphal arch, and the light
is exhibited from white enamel globes. The light is
iso vivid and splendid that the whole square was il-
uminated. It is M. Serrin who organised the
apparatus for the brilliant lighthouse which has
existed on the heights of Havre for four years past.
He also arranged the illumination of the lake in the
Bois de Boulogne when. the night-skating took
place. This electrical light will give great effect to
the International Exhibition.
A landed proprietor has just died at Neuhof
(Silesia), named Jonas Lernbrinski, at the age of
108 years, leaving a posterity of 38 sons, daughters,
and grandchildren. He was a servant in the
Austrian army in 1789, and signalised himself by
his courage at the capture of Belgrade from the
Turks.

It is said that the taste for horseflesh is on the
increase, and that every day adds to the number of
amateurs in Paris. The Jcurnal de Peronne has an
article upon the subject, in which it states that
nearly all the peoples of the north eat horseflesh.
In Tartary, Mongolia, and the banks of the Don,
it forms the chief article of food. The Bellicose
races of the north of Asia prefer it to all other meat.
In Denmark there is a race of white horses which is
specially reserved for the butchers. After stating
those facts, it says that all animals which feed on
grass are good to eat, and asks why nature is an
exception in regard to the horse. Prejudice alone
has hitherto prevented the general use of horseflesh.
If it were more eaten by the working classes they
would have good meat at less than half the price of
the usual butchers' meat.
The cattle plague is raging with great violence at
Hasselt (Belgium). Cattle affected with it are in-
stantly killed. Atone establishment 107 oven were
slaughtered in one day. The total number killed
exceeds 800. Hasselt is said to be like a city in a
state of siege. It was considered so necessary to
kill the beasts without delay that butchers were sent
for from Liege and Brussels to assist in the work.
It is added that many of the animals were not
affected with the disease, or, at all events, tk flesh.
was considered good enough to be sent to England.
The value of the cattle at Hasselt is estimated at no
less than 3,500,0001., so that the invasion of the
cattle plague there is a very great calamity. The
disease is supposed to have been brought to Hasselt
by some oxen from Prussia. The authorities have
adopted the most stringent regulations and pre-
ventions.

The Prince Royal of Prussia is said to have taken
steps recently to be convinced whether it was pos-
sible to discover a decoration of the Order of Merit
of the same period as its founder, Frederick 11.
There was not one in the Royal collection, or in the
Museums. However, one has been found with the
effigy of that King. On examining it closely, it
seems that the cross was not made of gold, but of
tin. It was one of those crosses often distributed
by the King. It appears that those who wished to
have it in gold or enamel had to pay the extra ex-
pense themselves. Frederick the Second of Prussia
was an economical monarch.

DISPENSARY FOR SKIN DISEASES, 56, GREAT
MARLBOROUGH-STREET, REGENT-STREET, W. —One hun-
dred and ninety-three patients wore relieved at this Dis-
pensary during the week ending 2d February.
THE WORKHOUSE INFIRMARY QUESTION.--Yes-
terday a meeting of the executive committee of tho Asso-
ciation fur the Improvement of Loudon Workhouse Infir-
maries was held at the house of Mr. Ernest Hart, the hon.
secretary, in Witepole-street—llr. Laurence Oliphant,
MT., presiding. After a discussion as to the steps the
association should take during the present matting of Par-
liament, it was resolved to summon the general committee
among which there are many members of the present and
late Governments, and about 50 members of the House of
Commons, to discuss the following motion, of which notice
was given by Mr. Ernest Hart:—" That this committee is
of opinion that no scheme for the improvement of work-
house infirmaries will be satisfactory which does not pro-
vide-Ist, for an equalised rate over the metropolis to the
support of the sick poor in the infirmaries ; 2d, for such an
improved form of government of these infirmaries as will
give to the Poor-law Board the power of ordering, instead
of recommending, such arrangements as it may deem best
for the medical attendance, nursing, and accommodation of
the sick." It was resolved that the question should be dis-
i awed next blonday,

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, Feb. 6.

The King of Prussia has given his consent to the
marriage of Princess Mary of Hohenzollern with the
Count of Flanders, who is expected at Berlin on
Thursday next.

THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT.

FLORENCE, Feb. 5, Evening.

The committee of the Chamber of Deputies for
examining the bill upon the separation of Church
and State and the conversion of the ecclesiastical
property has been constituted. Signor De Luca has
been appointed president, and Signor Macchi secre-
tary of the committee. It is stated that some of
the members of the committee intend to bring for-
ward a counter scheme, or at least to lay down
principles which may serve as the basis of a new
bill.

The committee will meet to-morrow.
Almost all the bureaux of the Chamber have exa-
mined the convention concluded between the French
and Italian Governments relative to the Pontifical
debt, which, it is stated, meets with their approval.

AMERICA.
(Per City of New York.)
NEW YORK, Jan. 26.

The proceedings of the Judiciary Committee in
relation to the proposed impeachment of the Presi-
dent have not been made public, but it is understood
that no witnesses have yet been examined, and that
the expediency of the measure is still the point under
consideration. It is said that the committee will not
report upon it until the end of the present session.
The impeachment resolution was at first re-
garded as a mere intimidation to force Mr.
Johnson into a surrender to the Radical
policy, and as such it was even generally
ridiculed, but now it is everywhere discussed as a
serious probability. The Radicals are labouring
zealously to bring the impeachment to au issue, and
the Conservatives have so far rather encouraged
the proceedings, under the belief that it can only
result in failure and the final discomfiture of the
Radical faction.

Mr. Johnson, in approving the bill providing for
the immediate assembling of the Fortieth Congress
upon the close of the present session, is thought to
have invited impeachment, as the bill could not
have been passed over his veto, and its defeat would
have at least deferred the impeachment for five
months.

The President is reported to be very anxious that
the impeachment shall be attempted, and to have
expressed himself confident of the final defeat of
the Radical policy.
Numerous journals and public speakers, usually
well informed, have declared that Mr. Johnson will
proclaim the present Congress an illegal and revo-
lutionary body, attempting Legislation in defiance
of Constitutional requirements, and that he will
call upon the Army and Navy to sustain him ; but
that he will not resort to so serious a course until

the attempt to depose him from office shall actually
be made.

A Bill recently passed by the Radical Legisla,

ture of Tennessee, granting negroes in that State
the right to vote, and providing for the organisa-
tion of a loyal militia force, to be composed of
white and coloured men, is regarded as a step iu
anticipation of a collision between the national Go-
vernment and present State authorities.

SOUTHAMPTON, Feb. 6.

The North German Lloyd steamer Bremen, from
New York on the 26th ult., has arrived here with
69 passengers for ibis port, Havre, and Bremen,
and $184,494 for England. She experienced mode-
rate northerly and southerly winds throughout the
passage, On the 2d inst. in lat. 48.55 N., long.
25.7 W., she spoke the Hamburg steamer Bavaria,
which broke her rudder in lat. 490 N. long. 27 W.
The Bremen offered assistance which was declined,
as the Bavaria was on her way back to England
for repairs.