The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-04 00:00:00

THE StiN, LO:ND ',IN, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 4, 1867.

refit, being greatly injured. At Port Canning a
storm wave, nearly six feet high, carried away
part of the river bank jetties. All along the Ganges
the telegraph lines have been broken down, and the
boats on the inland rivers had been for the most
part destroyed. Next to the terrible destruction of
human life must be ranked the damage done to the
crops. Throughout the whole track of the
cyclone, from the bay to Serajguni, from
Burdwan and Dacca, the rice crops are
greatly injured. It is feared in many places
that not one fourth of the crops will be saved. The
loss of the cargoes of jute and grain sunk with the
river boats is also serious, and the growing jute has
suffered. As might be readily supposed great distress
prevails in consequence of this visitation, and the
Government of Bengal, determined this time to be
on the alert, are taking active measures for its
relief. The Famine Relief Committee are busy
collecting funds, and the Lieutenant-Governor has
announced that the Government will double the
amount of the subscriptions raised. The
Chamber of Commerce has issued an appeal
for subscriptions, and the Board of Revenue
is co-operating with the Government. We
may therefore hope that before this vigorous and
united action the worst consequences of the catas-
trophe may be avoided ; but it is quite evident that,
notwithstanding all that has been done or may be
done, the sufferings and distress occasioned by this
terrible visitant are of the most serious nature.
Happily the famine in Orissa is wellnigh over, and
rice is being sold at reduced prices. The extraor-
dinary prevalence of tempests and hurricanes this
year affords a profitable subject of study to our
meteorologists, though it is to be fearel that
h'iman prescience can do little to avert the
disaster, even should its approach belforeseen.

London is to go on without cabs it appears, and
by this time the unwarrantable decision. arrived at
by the combination will have caused great annoy-
ance, and, indeed, serious loss in some cases. The
indignation which one naturally experiences at such
a mode of expressing grievances is greatly augmented
when it is ascertained that there are really no serious
evils to complain of. The cabmen met at Exeter-
hall, last night, in order to concert measures
to remove those clauses of the Street Act
which offend them, and which they profess
to think will be to their disadvantage.
Lord ELCIIO appeared at the meeting, and gave it
as his opinion that the duty was already too heavy
without the-addition of the cost of the lamp. This
is very likely true, but at the same time it is not tho
right way to adopt to show their opinion for the
proprietors of cabs to have recourse to a strike.
There is too much of this sort of thing nowadays,
and if upon another occasion it should occur the
Legislature would in all probability have to inter-
fere in the matter. The Home Secretary
is to give an answer to-day upon the subject, and
if it be a favourable one, it is supposed the
cabs will resume work this evening. Whether it
be so or not does not alter the facts of the case.
Is it a right or a fitting thing that the public should
be at the mercy of a combination, and that the
caprice or mistake of a few are to put the general
community to inconvenience and loss, besides occa-
sioning, in several instances, dangerous exposure to
inclement weather ? There are considerations
which naturally suggest themselves to the mind,
and when we hear so much talk of justice, we would
remind the speakers that there is no power so
arbitrary, no tyranny so great, as that exercised
by combinations and secret societies. If some
venture to depart from the law laid down by those
who set themselves up as authorities no mercy will be
shown to the offender, and the cabmen of London
will not find their condition improved if they resort
to these practices, for if they fail substitutes can
easily be found.

The arrival of the Java brings us news from New
York to the 19th ult. General GRANT, it 18 said,
had, with the PRESIDENT'S sanction, ordered General
SHERMAN to proceed to Washington to act as Gene-
ral of the Army during GRANT'S tenure of the Secre-
taryship of War. From this it would appear that
the PRESIDENT and General GRANT are in harmony,
and they are probably wise in calling SHERMAN to
their aid, since he is known to incline to moderate
and humane counsels. The health of THADDEUS
STEVENS is improved, and intelligence of a later date
reports that he has taken his seat in the House of
Representatives. The most interesting part of
the Java's news concerns Mexico. JUAREZ is
learning a little more caution and moderation,
since he has commuted the sentences on his pri-
soners, and those foreigners who adhered to the
empire, as well as the higher civil officials, arc to be
banished, instead of the wholesale executions we
were once threatened with. The same indulgence,
however, has not been shown in every direction.
The members of the court-martial upon General
SANTA ANNA have been sentenced to four years'
imprisonment for improper clemency; that is to say,
they were expected to put him out of the world in
a respectable manner, and so to settle a dangerous
claimant to power. The Mexican Treasury is ex-
hausted, so the internecine struggles must soon per-
force cease, and some efforts made to restore inter-
nal
tranquillity.

The City of Baltimore, with four days' later news,
announces the meeting of Congress on Thursday,
the 21st November. It adjourned till the Monday
following, when the report of the Impeachment
Committee on the impeachment was expected.
President JOHNSON'S impeachment and JEFFERSON
DAVIS'S trial are two things very often talked about,
but very slow in coming to pass. Mr. DAVIS had
arrived at Richmond on the 22d without any demon -
stration. His counsel deny that they have pro-
tested against Judge UNDERWOOD, but it is now
said that Chief Justice CHASE will charge the jury,
but not preside throughout the trial.
The most important step yet taken in the Senate
is the introduction of a resolution to pay the
public debt in coin. This will probably bring on a
discussion on the position of the finances, and will
elicit public opinion. The people have already
learned that martial supremacy is an expensive
arrangement, and General GRANT'S report, estimat-
ing the military appropriation necessary for the
fiscal year ending June, 1869, will not alter their
opinion, He estimates it at $77,000,000, according
to the New York I imes ; and though this is not
authenticated there is no doubt the outlay is at
present very heavy. Matters, so far as we learn,
are proceeding more quietly in the Southern States,
where hope and confidence have been partly restored
by the elections.

THE NEW BISHOP OF LICIEFIELD.—The Right
Rev. George Augustus Selwyn, who has accepted the
bishopric of Lichfield, vacant by the death of Dr. John
Louis Dale, is a son of the late Mr. William Selwyn, of
Richmond, Surrey, and a brother of Sir Charles Jasper
Selwyn, M.P. for the University of Cambridge, her
Majesty's Solicitor-General, and of the Rev. Dr. William
Solss'yn, canon of Ely Cathedral, and Lady Margaret
Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. He was born in 1809,
and was educated at Eton.

THE EASTERN FISHERIES.—The herring fishery
for the current season is drawing to a close. The voyage
is likely to prove a greater success for the smaller than for
the larger boats, the former having found their fish nearer
home. The Scotch boats have made up, and some have
already left for tho north.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.
A telegram has been received from Florence an-
ncuncing the death of the Marquis de Tagliarcame,
Minister Plenipotentiary of Italy at the Court of
Portugal, who died at Florence, where he was
residing on leave. The Marquis died after a very
short illness.
The Austrian Chamber of Lords has agreed to
the second reading of the new Constitutional Law
of the Empire. The project of the Commission was
wholly adopted, with the amendment that all
matters connected with police should be reserved
for the Reichsrath.

The Upper Chamber of the Grand Duchy o:
Baden has agreed to the new law of military orga.

thsation.

It is not necessary to enter into explanations
respecting the long discussions in the Senate upon
the iuterpellations, because that body marked its
sense of the important display of the Opposition by
proceeding to the order of the day. In other words,
it gave its opinion that all the " sound and fury'
exhibited about Italy and the Roman question
signified nothing. The result may be considered
as one more emphatic ♦ote of confidence
in the Emperor and his Ministers. The
explanations of the Marquis de Moustier, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, proved that there was
no foundation for the allegation of M. le Pelletan,
which Inoticed that the Government had concealed,
or wished to conceal, anything in regard to its fo-
reign policy.
The Constitutionnel remarks upon the " admir-
able" speech of M. Darboy, the Archbishop of
Paris, in which he says "that the Frenchman and
the Christian are one," and in which the wisest
ideas are mixed with the most generous aspirations
of the heart. " With what respect," says the
Constitntionnel, " does M. Darboy speak of the
Holy See 1 but with what Christian charity does he
allude to his enemies. He pities them more than he
hates them. Besides, with what noble reserve does
he ask explanations from the Government of his
country. It is not to create embarrassment—it is
not to raise obstacles, it is rather to afford it an op-
portunity once more, and in a solemn circumstance,
to manifest its projects and its hopes.
The eruptions at Mount Vesuvius are of such a
formidable and peculiar character as to excite more
than usual interest. It is somewhat remarkable
that the phenomena they present are in exact con-
formity with the calculations and theory which M.
Elie de Beaumont explained months ago in the
Academy of Science. On thenight of the 13th of
November, to the right of the two cones of the
erruption of Vesuvius last year, a new crater was
opened. In the middle of the great cone near
Bosco Reale another crater was opened, from
whence issued a current of lava. In the same
direction, and precisely in the locality of the lava
of last year, two other smaller craters have been
made, from whence masses of stones are precipi-
tated in all directions. The principal cone has
burst in many places, in consequence of the violent
shocks it has received.

The speech of the Marquis de ;Mustier 13 gene-
rally considered to have afforded the most triumph-
ant answer to all the carpings and insinuations of
the Opposition in regard to the policy of the Govern-
ment towards Italy. In the Senate he was warmly
congratulated, and out of doors, and by the influ-
ential portion of the press it is admitted that he has
triumphantly and demonstratively disposed of all
the unfounded denunciations of the interpellators.
The Government has achieved a more marked and
triumphant success than usual.

Contradictory reports continuo in circulation
about the Congress. One thing, however, is certain :
the Pope, as I informed you, consents to it. The
Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his speech to the
Chamber, said that the following was the answer
of his Holiness to the invitation to send a represen-
tative :

"I shall send a Plenipotentiary to the Congress,
who will maintain all my rights."

The extent to which sensation news is manufac-
tured in Paris is somewhat alarming. It is known
that the Pope has been ill. The Figaro improves
upon the fact and announces he is dead ! Your
readers should receive with great caution the mis-
cellaneous news sent from Paris by telegraph.
The wind again prevailed with terrific violence
last night. Accounts from all quarters speak of the
damage done by it on Saturday night. The roof
of the reserved garden of the Exhibition was com-
pletely torn away, and its:effects are very percept-
ible in many parts of the Champ de Mars. It was
the most violent tempest that has been known for
many years. To-day it has been more calm, but
the cold was peculiarly felt. It has snowed fre-
quently during the day, and it snows as I close my
letter.

The Advent sermons commenced yesterday. The
congregation at Notre Dame was immense to hear
the Pere Hyacinthe. It included some of the
most eminent people in Paris. Father Hyacinthe
is to give six conferences. The subject is the con-
nection of soda order with Christianity.

PARIS, Tuesday Evening.

The Legislative Body was yesterday again ()Cou-
pled with the subject of Italy, and a speech of M.
Jules Favre consumed about the whole of the sit-
tina. He blamed the policy of the French Govern-
ment relative to the Roman question, and particu-
larly condemned the last expedition of French
troops. The subject seems nearly exhausted, and

there was nothing new or important iu the argu-
ments and denunciations of M. Favre. In the
course of his remarks, M. Favre said, " Our troops
supported the Pontifical corps with their arms,
brought to such perfection that they made the men
fall like blades of corn under the sickle of the hus-
bandman." (Interruption.)
A Voice—That is an insult to the Army.
M. Jules Favre—From whence arose the phrase
which has produced such a sensation in Europe,
" the Chassepot gun did wonders." (Noisy inter-
ruption.)
M. Pelletan—This is an
indignity.(Noise.)

M. Favre—l understand. I submit to the ne-
cessities of war ; but I confess that I am grieved at
finding in a report that glorification at the destruc-
tion of man. (New interruption.) And that
phrase not only wounded French hearts, but it was
received in Italy with indescribable emotion. (In-
terruption.) Yes, the emotion in Italy was such
that there was a cry of indignation against France.
(Noise.)
M. Glais-Bizoni—Would you have desired that
Italy should have responded by a cry of love?
l'hefuunrtthilerthidsisdc,utyes.ion of the subject was ad-
journedA
letter from Florence, emanating from an au-
thentic source, states that General Menabrea, the
new President of the Italian Ministry, made a pro-
posal to Garibaldi, while he was still at Varignano,
that he could give him his full and complete liberty
upon the condition that he should pledge his word
not to occupy himself with politics. The General,
it is stated, met the proposal with a decided refusal.
The only engagement which he said he would make
was that he would appear at the first request of the
judicial authority, with the consent of the Chamber
of Deputies.
The Italian official Gazette contradicts a report
which had been industriously circulated by some of
the Roman journals that fresh bands of volunteers
had appeared on the Pontifical frontiers. Perfect
tranquillity continues to prevail.
In the speech of the Archbishop of Paris, iu the
Senate, his Eminence pronounced a strong opinion
in favour of a Congress to regulate the affairs of
Italy. His Eminence said:—" Who could desire
a Conference unless it were to preserve the spiritual
and temporal interests of the Holy See, and to give
satisfaction to consciences ? Is it then possible that
a Government could refuse to occupy itself with
the religious convictions of its subjects? Is it pos-
sible that a Government should show itself less
careful of the moral than the material interests of
the people ? (Very good, very good.) Could Eng-
land, could Prussia, forget their Catholic subjects ?
I see only too many reasons for the meeting of a
Congress, and policy as well as morality, is greatly
interested in the matter. The politician, in fact,
cannot act aaido authority and the law, and should

always watch over the principle that right should
prevail over force. (Very good.) For myself, in
a political, moral, and religious point of view, I
think the Conference ought to aaenable, and
if wo are to believe communications, without
an official character, it is true, but sufficiently
authorised, the Holy Father and Italy have accepted
in principle the project of the Government of the
Emperor."

Offeubach's new opera, Robinson Crusoe, in-
creases in attraction. The first four representations
have produced a total of 21,076 fr.—viz., the first
night, 3,168 fr. ; the second, 4,615 fr. 50c. ; the third,
6,283 fr. 50c ; the fourth, 7,009 fr.

The account of the great lady who recently died
has recalled to recollection the death of a great
man, M. Elb Levy, which took place in Paris about
two years ago, aged 51. His sufferings during a
long illness made him much thinner, but at his
decease he weighed above 500 English pounds.
When in health his weight was more than 600 lbs,
and he was the terror of all the cabmen, who whip-
ped their horses and drove off whenever they caught
a glimpse of him. For years previously he had
given up riding in an omnibus, for there Was not
one in Paris which was wide enough for him to
enter, and if he could have got up outside
his weight would have destroyed the equilibrium.
So at least it:was said. A suggestion once made was
that he should take two places, one inside and one
outside. M. Levy was a man of education. For a
long time he was connected with newspapers at
Paris and at Brussels, but he abandoned the pro-
fession for something more lucrative—the sale of
lucifer matches and postage stamps of all countries.
He used to say that matches enlightened the world,
and newspapers confused it.

The Illoniteur contains a despatch from Rome,
announcing that General de Failly and his Staff,
who had remained in that city after the departure
of the troops, definitively left Rome yesterday for
Civita Veechia, to embark for France.

The session of the Italian Senate will be opened
on Friday, when it is expected that some exciting
discussions will take place upon the Roman ques-
tion, and in reference to Garibaldi.

More than 3,000 persons were present at the first
conference of Father Hyacinthe, at Notre Dame on
Sunday.

A solemn funeral service was performed yester-
day at the Church of St. Sulpice, " for the repose of
the souls of the Pontifical and French soldiers who
died while fighting at Montana for the defence of
the Church."

There has been another attempt at murder in
Paris. Indeed, it is to be feared that the attempt
will be successful. A young man, employed by a
manufacturer of mouldings for furniture, in the Rue
St. Antoine, was recently discharged by his master,
in consequence of his irregular habits. The young
man went to the manufactory on Sunday night
about ten o'clock, and watched for the arrival of his
late master. As soon as the master reached the
door the assassin plunged a dagger knife into his
breast. The wounds are of a very serious, if not
mortal, character. The murderer was arrested at
his lodgings near the Bastille, and the dagger was
found upon him.

Decidedly they manage illustrated publications
better in England than in France, and such 1 think
will be the opinion of your readers when I describe
the last efforts of a weekly illustrated paper, the
Univers Mustre. Last week this specimen of art
contained two-portraits, one of M. Pinard, the new
Minister of the Interior, and the other the " coun-
terfeit presentment" of M. Magne, the great finan-
cialist. This week it says some of its subscribers
complained that there was no likeness in the por-
traits. In fact the Univers confesses that by a
mistake in photography the portraits were changed,
The excuse does not go for much. In truth, the
portrait of M. Magne is as much like that
gentleman as it is like M. Pinard, and the por-
trait of M. Pinard is as much like M. Alagne
as it is like M. Pinard. This week the Univers
out-Herods Herod in its chief engraving, which re-
presents the opening of the English Parliament.
The artist was no doubt present, but he does not
seem to understand that the session was opened by
Commission, for her Majesty figures prominently
in the engraving of the scene in the House of Lords.
This is not all. The Lord Chancellor is seen with
the Royal Speech in his hand, and the gentleman
who describes the. ceremony tells the reader that the
" engraving represents the Lord Chancellor reading
the Speech to her Majesty." How invaluable would
such a chronicler have been to Richardson to de-
scribe what was to he seen at the fair. He could
have gone beyond the showman who had a picture of
the battle of Waterloo. When asked by a little
boy which was Napoleon and which was the Duke
of Wellington, the showman politely replied, " which
ever you like, my little dear. You pays your money,
and you takes your choice."