The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 26, 1866.

of Florence, would hail Austria as their liberator."
The Continent could not possibly be in a more un-
settled state than it now is, and there is no end of
assurances being made and promises given ; but
doubts are not thus put a stop to, nor is security
felt. What state can possibly put faith in the
assertions of Prussia ? And there is no knowing
to what extremities the other kingdoms may be
driven in consequence of the unscrupulous course
pursued by the tacticians of Berlin. It is said that
Prussia has tranquillised the apprehensions of
Baden in reference to Prussian annexation of that
State by a distinct assurance of protection. How
very absurd this is, for surely by this time Baden
must be pretty well convinced of the falsity of Berlin
promises, and entertain a tolerably correct notion
of BISMARCK'S honesty. It is stated that Italy has
given her consent to the assembling of a Confer-
ence, not entirely in consequence of the word-
ing of the invitation, but because she believes
that the neutral Powers can have in view no
other settlement of the difficulties before them
than the cession of Venetia. This notion is a very
natural one on the part of the Italian Government ;
but, unfortunately, it does not seem probable to
others, because it will not do for the other Powers
to incense Austria, and thus prevent her from
taking part iu the Conference, as it was at first
feared that she would do. The present time is not
a very propitious one to propose such an extreme
step as the giving up of possession, and perhaps it
would be better, under all the circumstances, for
this part of the affair to be left alone, and to pro-
ceed with the Schleswig-Holstein topic. Austria,
what with one obstacle and another, naturally
feels doubtful as to her chance of indemnity and
compensation.

It is curious to compare the addresses the Emperor
of AUSTRIA receives with those that are constantly
being presented to the King of PRUSSIA. The latter
is pretty plainly told that he has mismanaged mat-
ters, and that on him will rest the responsibility of
a serious war, while the former is merely informed
of the sympathy felt for his position, and the sup-
port which he may confidently rely on. It is now
confirmed that Austria will take a part in the Con-
gress, on the condition that no " bases of negotia-
tion will be laid down which she cannot recognise or
approve of ; that the decision of the Congress
be not considered as binding, and that the
programme will contain nothing that can prejudice
the interests of Austria." In Vienna it is now
looked upon as certain that a Congress will even-
tually assemble, but still it is not thought certain
that it will have the effect of maintaining peace.
It was, however, in Vienna that the chief obstacles
were interposed in the way of a Congress, and thus
it is so far a good sign that we learn from thence a
good chance of its accomplishment. The arma-
ments still remain in full force, but some are
now of opinion that a better chance of peace pre-
vails. It is said, among other on dits, that England
and Russia declared that they were " not inclined
to remain inactive spectators cf war ;" but that is
is extremely improbable. As for England, at one
time we were quite willing to be mixed up in the
German affairs ; but the time has now gone by, for
nothing is felt in the way of sympathy for Prussia
and her tactics, and the greatest indifference now
provails among us as to whether Prussia does or
does not take the Rhine provinces. The notion of
going to war to assist Prussia in her course of ag-
gression is quite preposterous. The Parliament
could never sanction it, and no Ministry can
stand that ventures to make such a proposal,
It would be an insult to the country to mention
such a thing, and the sooner such an idea is given
up the better, if any one is sufficiently simple as to
entertain it. If it was not considered necessary to
go to war to maintain the honour of the country
when we were especially pledged to keep intact the
Treaty of 1852, what, in the name of common
sense and consistency, should we now commence
hostilities for the sake of propping up a Power
whose acts are inimical to the feelings of this coun-
try. It is a significant circumstance that the
French journals do not seem to put much
faith in the effects of the Conference. No
doubt they are behind the scenes, and are
pretty well informed of the nature of affairs. Of
course great excitement will be felt as to the result
of these deliberations at Paris, and until they have
fairly commenced work, it is extremely difficult to
judge what turn affairs will take, or what new
combination of affairs may spring up to complicate
things still more.

vehicles, with four places, If. and 14 sous the jour-
ney ; 2f. 5 sous the hour. For the voitures de
remises, with two places, if. 16 sous the journey ;
with four places, 2f. the journey; 2ff. the hour.
The new regulations are to come into effect on the
15th of June. The better sort of vehicles may stay
on the stands, but if they do so they must convey
passengers at the same price as the other vehicles.

- For some days past a report has prevailed that
the opening of the Great Exhibition was to be
postponed until 1868. There is no foundation for
this report. On the contrary the committee urge
exhibitors to be prepared, and all the works pro-
ceed with increasing activity. It was France who
set the example of industrial exhibitions. The first
exhibition of the kind in France took place in 1798.
There were only 110 exhibitors, and 23 received
rewards. The next was in 1801, and there was also
an exhibition in 1802. There were 540 exhibitors.
In 1806 was opened the fourth exhibition at the
Esplanade des Invalides. It lasted 24 days. There
were 1,422 exhibitors, and 610 medals were awarded.
The three following exhibitions took place at the
Louvre. The first was opened on the 25th of August,
1819, and lasted 35 days ; there were 1,662 exhi-
bitors. The second was opened also on the 25th of
August, 1823 ; there were 1,642 exhibitors. At
the third, in 1827, there were 1,695 exhibitors, and
1,454 received rewards. The eighth general exhibi-
tion was on May 1, 1834, on the Place de la Con-
corde ; there were 2,477 exhibitors. The ninth was
on May 1, 1839 ; there were 3,281 exhibitors. The
tenth was in 1844. The exhibition of 1849, the
eleventh, lasted two months; there were 4,000 ex-
hibitors, and 3,738 medals were awarded. The
twelfth and last exhibition took place from May
1 to October 1, 1855, in the Marigny-square.
Of the 2,175 exhibitors, 1,072 were French, and
1,103 foreigners from almost all parts of the globe.

The death of M. Flocon has reduced the sur-
viving members of the Provisional Government of
1848 to seven. The members who died previously
to M. Flocon were M. Dupont, Arago, and Ar-
mand Marrast. The remaining members are Louis
Blanc and Ledru Rollin, who are in London, Messrs.
Marie and Gamier Pages, who are members of the
Legislative Body ; Cremieux, who has resumed his
profession as barrister; M. Albert, who is employed
in the humble occupation of a clerk in a gas com-
pany ; and M. Lamartine, the rhapsodist, poet, and
historian, whose books now do not sell.

A scientific journal mentions the discovery of an
instantaneous process for dissolving gold. Hitherto
it was supposed that the only speedy dissolveut of
gold was the eau regale, composed of nitric acid and
another powerful acid, but a chemist of Nancy, M.
Nichlcs, has found out that a mixture of what he
describes as bronures and chloride will dissolve
gold as easily and speedily as water will dissolve
sugar.

The Legislative Body has adopted, almost unani-
mously—for there were only five voters against it—
the important and liberal measure proposed by the
Government relative to the Councils Genevant—a
measure having for its object to improve and
reform local administration.

Another change, and for the worst, has come
over the spirit of the season. To-day it has re-
minded us of Sir Walter Scott's description of the
summer setting in with its " accustomed severity."
It has been cold, rainy, and miserable as Novem-
ber. The Observatory calculations are that storms
are approaching France and all Europe, especially
the west.

Cricket is becoming as popular in France as horse-
racing. The match between the Lyons and Grenoble
Cricket Clubs was won easily by the Lyons Club.
The Second Paris Summer Races will take place
at Longchamps to-morrow. I shall " be there to
see."

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

THE PARIS CONFERENCE.

PARIS, MAY 2G.

The Moniteur of this morning confirms the de-
spatch by the English, French, and Russian
Cabinets of the notes for the assembly of a Confer-
ence, which will meet in Paris at the earliest possible
date.

THE WAR CRISIS.

CASSEL, May 26.

A telegram received here from the Prussian in-
spector of military roads declares that the rumour
current in Cassel of the Prussians having occupied
the military road to Hersfeld is completely un-
founded.

VIENNA, May 26.

The Prussian Minister at this Court bas re-
quested to be informed on behalf of his Govern-
ment whether the Austrian despatch of the 26th
April, containing proposals for the settlement of
the Schleswig-Holstein question, is to be regarded
as Austria's ultimatum.

The Austrian Government replied that it would
conscientiously consider any modification proposed
by Prussia.

VENICE, MAY 20.
General Toggenburg, Lieut.-General of Venetia,
has issued the following proclamation :
" Coincident with the formation of armed volun-
teer corps in the frontier States of Italy, the in-
trigues of the revolutionary party to seduce the
young men have actively recommenced, and even
within this Imperial jurisdiction we witness auda-
cious efforts to enlist persons belonging to the Lom-
bardo-Venetian kingdom.
" The indulgent manner in which those found
guilty of desertion into foreign territory have
hitherto been dealt with, might now induce a fatal
slackness of discipline.
" Since, therefore, the necessary increased vigi-
lance has been ordered to be observed upon the
frontier, I am also bound to state expressly that,
under present circumstances, the eases of desertion,
with the object of enlistment in armed bodies, as
well as any aid or promotion afforded to
the same will be treated as a criminal act under the
provisions of Arts. 321 and 327 of the military
penal code, conjointly with Art. 67 of the general
penal code, and will, therefore, be tried before mili-
tary tribunals according to the rigour of martial
law.

" I trust that the grave tenour of this warning
will not fail to command the most serious attention.

" A feeling of duty should induce fathers of
families and other persons responsible for the con-
duct of youth, as well as the ,heads of communes and
the very reverend cures, in their respective spheres,
to firmly counteract with all those within their in-
fluence the intrigueS and instigations pregnant with
so many perils to those who are misled by them.
" Venice, 19th May, 1866.
" The Lieutenant- Generalpf..his Imperial and
Royal Majesty in the Lombardo-
Venetian Kingdom,
" TOGGENBURG (M.P.)"

FLORENCE, May 26.
Signor Brofferio, member of the Chamber of De-
puties, is dead.

The Ministry of Commerce intends, it is said, to
appoint a commission to examine and report upon
the position of the Industrial and Railway Com-
panies of Italy.
The Italian Army as at present organised con-
sists of four army corps—the Ist, commanded by
General Durando, with head quarters at Lodi ; the
2nd, under General Cucchiari, at Cremona ; the
3rd, under General Della Rocca, at Piacensa ; and
the 4th, commanded by General Cialdini, with
head-quarters at Bologna.
The head-quarters of the King are established at
Piacenza.

VENICE, May 25.

The Gazette of Venice publishes an official noti-
fication, ordering a second conscription for 1866.
The Venetian provinces are to furnish a contingent
of 6,417 men.

DRESDEN, May 26.

The Saxon Government has prohibited the expor-
tation of corn, hay, and straw until the Ist October
next.

SPAIN.

MADRID, MAY 26.

The Minister of Finance stated yesterday in
Congress that should the Chambers vote the full
powers demanded by the bill of Marshal O'Donnell,
the Government would not issue the proposed
amount of bond under 40.

FLORENCE, May 2G.

The Minister of IVar has addressed a report to
the King, proposing that a certain number of for-
tresses should be dismantled. He also points out
the necessity for executing certain works of fortifi-
cation destined to complete the principal fortified
places upon the frontiers, in order to render them
secure against the destructive effects of the new
artillery. All proceeds accruing to the Government
from the sale of ground or war material, consequent
upon the dismantling of some places, would be ap-
plied for the prosecution of the above-mentioned
works.

CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS.
MARSEILLES, MAY 15.
The Ceylon arrived here at 7 p.m. to-day. All
well.
The mails leave for London at 10 p.m.