The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-21 00:00:00

.7 ME SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 21, 1867.

genuine Reformers, and not mere schemers or
party disciples, will rejoice to find the good in
view, and the obstacles, which at one time
threatened to be so formidable, disappearing one
after another, and leaving that way clear before
them to proceed to a settlement. It is something
gained for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have
reached a point where he may discuss the
probability of sending up the bill to the Ilouse of
Lords, and he may well be proud of doing so, for on
him has rested the chief responsibility of carrying it
through the house of Commons, and it has been
no light task to accomplish.

The grand state ceremonial of yesterday passed
off with brilliant success, so far at least as the royal
programme was concerned. The visitors, who were
delayed in getting away from the gardens had some
reason to complain of the altered aspect of the skies,
but fortunately the soaking rain, which coutiaued
almost uninterruptedly during the whole afternoon,
was sufficiently considerate to reserve its operations
until the stone was laid, the address read, the
music sung, and the royal carriages had fairly
driven out of sight. The audience, as was naturally
to be expected on an occasion which had succeeded
in drawing her MAJESTY forth from her prolonged
retirement, was numerous and brilliant, nearly
7,000 visitors being ranged in the sort of amphi-
theatre provided. Her MAJESTY, who appeared in
good health, was warmly received, and an additional
interest was lent to the proceedings of the day by
the presence of her two eldest sons. It is to be hoped
that the design will be fully realised, and that a
really fine and commodious building of worthy
proportions and of national character may be
reared on this appropriate and convenient site.
The Hall of Arts and Sciences, as it is to be
termed, is intended for the following ob-
jects :—Congress2s, national and international
musical performances, distribution of prizes by
public bodies, scientific and artistic conversazioni,
exhibitions of various kinds connected with the arts
and sciences. Many continental countries possess
such an adornment to their capitals, and there is
very little doubt that it will prove a valuable and
useful addition to our architectural stores. We
want some great and commodious place of general
assembly, easily accessible from all parts of the
metropolis, and the site chosen by the committee
combines these advantages, with many others. Its
association with the name and memory of the
PRINCE CONSORT is in every way appropriate, since
the Exhibition of 1851, and its origin was mainly
due to him, and it was his constant and anxious
endeavour to cultivate and foster a love and admira-
tion for the arts and sciences among all classes of
the people. Much of the general improvement in
taste and culture, the increasing interest taken in
pictorial exhibitions, and in scientific music, owe
their origin to the steady encouragement which he
always afforded. The English had been so often
told that they had, nationally, no taste for art that
hey came to believe it, and exhibitions and per-
formances which demanded something more than
mere pleasure-seeking or sight-seeing were at a dis-

count. The salutary change which has been wit-
nessed during the last twenty or thirty years is
not, of course, entirely owing to the idfluence
of Prince ALBERT, but his influence and example,
the prestige of Court favour, and, what was more,
the intelligent interest and appreciation of the

labours of the artist, be he creator or only illustrator
of the works of others, all gave a stimulus to the
favourable progress. In some things we might
profitably imitate our Continental friends, and a
larger admixture of the higher and pleasanter arts
woul I tend to soften some of the ruggedness and
reserve of our insular nature, to harmonise our
manners and refine our tastes. We may hope that
the new Hall of Arts and Sziences will help to for-
ward this good work, awl that it will do so there is
little doubt should it fulfil the design and inten-
tions of its originators.

The intelligence which reaches us from India is,
on the whole, satisfactory. There seems to be
more vigour iu the various public departments, and
the several imperial works are being pushed forward
with some degree of energy. The VICEROY, who
left Calcutta for Simla at the close of April, was
to open the railway between Delhi and. Meerut—a
marvellous sight for the ancient Indian city. Had
that line been in existence ten years ago, how many
precious lives might have been saved The Indian
mutiny would have been crushed at its very
outset, and the hard - fought siege of Delhi
would have exacted a less costly sacrifice of
gallant Engliehmen ! We have had reasons enough
on the necessity of increasing the means of commu-
nication throughout India. What war failed to
teach us famine has still further impressed upon our
attention, since it has been admitted on all hands
tphaartatmioonrempigohwtef rul and
have
savedvimgoarnoyus measures f pre
lives.
sluvremoay
hope-
nht that tn
without
sei
tbthecoreurnit bfniilnteachs.
etsiTuattnisrlseliieeestadk.ant,eisTnaotnnhoddeoisdfniireelai7levinttiasty.eienenadsrte,NnYiaitlnlistn-souatiodhvytreo.
practically Thiand vceisrittatinhleyfdamoud shouldeffi-
ciently with the difficulties of the case. Had such a
visit of inspection been paid twelve mouths ago there
would have been less risk of mistake and misstate-
ment. It is common enough in reports of national
misfortunes to be exaggerated, but those in autho-
rity should remember that in a country like India it
is quite as likely that a disaster should be under-
rated as over-rated, and since the terrible word
famine is by no means unknown in India, the first
whisper of it should arouse the attention
of the officials, and induce them at least
to institute a thorough and searching inquiry. The
transmission of stores and other necessary precau-
tions occupy so much time in a country like India
that it is indispensable to be prepared in time, and
while it is undoubtedly a great evil to pauperise the
people, and to teach them to depend exclusively on
Government assistance, it is a worse error to suffer
hundreds of peaceable subjects to die of actual want.
The accounts from the famine districts are on the
whole favourable, and the report of the Commis-
sioners has been sent to the Home Government
by this mail, so that we shall soon have
a full and authentic account of the actual
position of affairs, and the truth of the charges of
mismanagement and neglect brought against the
civil authorities can be fairly examined into.
A public prosecutor has been appointed for
Bombay—an important step, which will be espe-
cially valuable in India. Other matters arc
favourable, though there are complaints of business
iu Bombay being affected by the unsettled state
of the Coutiuent. The public health is good,
but preparations are being made in the North-
West against the possible inroads of the cholera.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT GARDEN.—The
performances last evening at the Royal Italian Opera were
honoured by the presence of his Royal Highness the
Prince of \Vales, his Royal Highness the Duke of Edin-
burgh, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-
Strelitz, and Prince Adolphus of Mecklenberg-Strelitz,
his Serene Highness the Duke of Leuchtenburg, and Le
Prince d'Alemberg. _ _

ARCHIBALD ALlSON.—During Saturday the
worthy sheriff seemed a good deal better. Yesterday he
had again a slight relapse, but up to 8 o'clock last night
the symptoms coutinueu more favourable than they were
on Thursday.—Glasgow Herald 9# Monday.

CORRESPONDENCE FROSI PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Monday Evening.
The bulletin of the Moniteur to-day is short and
unimportant. It says :
" King Victor Emmanuel left Florence yesterday
for Turin, after having received the deputation of

the Chambers who came to congratulate him on the

occasion of the marriage of Prince Amed6e, his
second son, with the Princess de la Cisterne, and to
thank him for the generous surrender which he has
deigned to make of a portion of his civil list for the
benefit of the finances of the State.

" It is stated from Ancona that the explanation
of the financial position of Italy, given by the new
Minister of Finance, M. Ferrara, to the Chamber,
has been favourably received by the public and the

press. Particular satisfaction is expressed at the
precision and sincerity with which he described the
situation, and indicated the means requisite to

ameliorate it.

" The day fixed for the opening of the session of
he Iteichsrath by the Emperor of Austria is Wed-

ncsday next.
" After a discussion, which lasted more than a
fortnight, during which a great many speeches were
made, the Spanish Senate voted in its sitting of
Thursday last, by 122 against 64, the bill of in-
demnity requested by the Government of Marshal
Narvaez."

Seldom, if ever, has there been a more magnifi-
cent entertainment than the ball given on Saturday
by the Emperor and Empress in honour of the many
royal personages now in Paris. The reserved gar-
dens of the Tuileries were illuminated with many
coloured electric lights, which had a marvellous and

dazzling effect. The splendid galleries of the Palace
sparkled with the lustre from countless chandeliers,
and 1,500 persons tripped it " on the light fantastic

toe " to the excellent music of Strauss's band, in the
Salle des Marechaux, the Throne Room, the priva'e
saloons, and the gallery of Diana. Fourteen gilt
armed chairs were placed in the Marshals' Saloon,

upon the platform destined for their Majesties and

their Royal Highnesses.
About half-past ten o'clock those seats were oc-
cupied by the Emperor and Empress, the King and
Queen of the Belgians, the Queen of Portugal, the

Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince
Oscar of Sweden, the Grand Duchess Maria of
Russia, the Duke Nicolas de Leuchtenburg, the

Princess de Leuchtenbarg, Prince Mim-Bon-Taion,
brother of the Emperor of Japan, Prince Napoleon,
Princess Murat, and Prince Joachim Murat.
Lady Cowley, the Princess de Metternich, the
Baroness de Budberg, and the ambassadors and
their wives, occupied the chairs placed on each side.
Among the guests were the members of the Diplo-
matic Body, Ministers, Senators, Deputies, and
members of the Imperial Commission and the Jury.
As soon as the orchestra had played " God save the
Queen " dancing commenced. Their Majesties paid

the most courteous attention to their illustrious guests.
The Emperor wore the Belgian Grand Cordon and
the Order of the Garter. The Duke of Edinburgh

wore upon his breast the Grand Cordon of the
Legion of Honour, which the Emperor had sent
him on the previous evening.
The cotillon immediately preceded the supper,
which was partaken of standing, at two intervals,
without the slightest confusion. Thirty-five tables
of ten covers had been placed in tho gallery of
Diana, which presented marvellous splendour, not
only for the ornaments, but for the mass of dia-
monds worn by the illustrious guests. In the
carpeted saloon three tables were spread for the
Princes and Princesses, and the Ambassadors and
their wives. Several persons eminent in literature
and art were present. This assemblage of illus-
trious and distinguished individuals at the palace
is unparalleled.
The great feature at the Chantil:y Races yester-
day was the race for the Jockey Club Prize, the
French Derby, 25,000 f., for which heavy bets have
been made during a whole year. The result was
not known till nearly five o'clock in the afternoon,
when the name of the winner ratricien was pro-
claimed amidst great enthusiasm. That horse, like
the winner of the same stake last year, is from the
stable of M. llenri Delamarre. Trocadero was
second, Montgoubert third, and Fervacques fourth.
Information has been received in Paris of the
satisfaction of the treaty by the King of Prussia.
The ilonitcur of to-day is, however, silent upon
the subject.
I am informed that Lord Cowley will shortly re-
tire from the post of English Ambassador at Paris,
and that lie will be succeeded by Lord Lyons.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh
have paid a long visit to the Exhibition. They
inspected the splendid imitation of the Palace of
the B
Bey
of Tunis, and took coffee and cigars in the
style. Mr. Alfred Lesseps did the
honours.
Their Royal Highnesses have also been
Tunisian
to the Jockey Club.
A letter from Vienna states that Baron de Wer-
ther has arrived in that city on a mission from the
Cabinet of Berlin, to M. de Beust, to express the
thanks of the Cabinet of King William for the
efforts made by the Austrian Government in behalf
of peace. The Baron had been received by M.
Beust, who reciprocated the amicable sentiments
expressed by the Prussian Cabinet. The Duke de
Nemours and family are now at Vienna, and are
the guests of the Duke of Coburg at his palace.
They were received on arrival by Duke Augustus of
Coburg and his wife (a Princess of Brazil), Duke
Philip of Coburg, the Prince of Wurtemburg and
his wife, the Archduchess Marie Therese.
There have been some unfavourable reports as to
the health of the young Imperial Prince, which I
ant happy to be able to contradict on the best
authority. It has been said that the Prince was
too indisposed to pursue his usual studies and occu-
pations. This is not the case now at all events.
The Prince is at the Palace of St. Cloud for change
of air, and he is now well enough to go into the
park and to follow the avocations to which he is
accustomed. The Empress is often with the Prince,
and there is now not the least anxiety in regard to
his health.
Shocks of earthquake have been felt in the towns
of the south in addition to Bordeaux, viz., at Tarbes
and Bagneres de Bigonie, in the Pyrenees. At the
latter town the shocks were very violent.
The Constitutionnel states, on the faith of private
correspondence from London, that there is some
disunion among the members of the Derby Cabinet
in consequence of the decision adopted by Mr.
Disraeli. It adds, however, that the difference of
opinion will not in any way affect the progress of
party consideration or making it a
the Reform Bill, Lord Derby and Mr. Disraeli being
resolved to pass it this session without being in-
fluenced by any arty
Cabinet question.
To-day has been a complete April day. It was
much warmer, but heavy showers of rain were pre-
valent during the day.
The Patrie states that the Emperor signed the
treaty on Saturday, and that the document with his
signature was immediately sent to London. It is
expected that the King of Rolland and the Empe-
ror of Russia will sign it immediately, as well as the
other Sovereigns,
so that in a very few days there
may be another meeting of the Conference to fulfil
the concluding diplomatic formalities required.

SUNDAY EXCURSIONS.—It is ruruoured that the
object of the recent deputations from several towns in Kent
to the South-Eastern and London and Chatham Railway
Companies, to cease running excursions on Sunday, is
likely to bo successful,—Dover News.
THE NORFOLK Muitn4l.—A good deal of addi-
tional light has been thrown on the tragical circumstances
attending the death of Benjamin Black, at Banton Bendish,
Norfolk, already briefly reported. From inquiries made by
the police, they became suspicious of a young man named
Hubbard Lingley, a nephew of the deceased, who has been
employed in the wood near which his uncle was found.
The answers given by Lingley in reply to questions put to
him were contradictory ; and his manner being also some-
what peculiar, he was taken into custody on Saturday
evening. The prisoner admitted having concealed his
gun, and pointed out the place where it was hidden. Tho
shot taken from the deceased on a post mortem examina-
tion being made corresponded with some found at the
prisoner's house. The prisoner is shown to have bought
shot in the course of last week, and on Thursday he had a
charge of lioz. weighed. A powder flask, which has been
identified as the prisoner's property, was also found in the
wood. The deceased man Black was employed as wood
steward ou the estate of Sir Hanson Berney.

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