The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-06 00:00:00

which really, against my first opinion, and
after great inward struggles to preserve the
independence of my former allies, have compelled
me to adopt the resolution, now in process of exe-
cution, and therefore irrevocable, of effecting an-
nexations. When I entered on my present position
I declared that my intentions relative to the safety
of Prussia and of Germany aimed at no other than
moral conquests. People have smiled at this lan-
guage, and have even mocked greatly at it; yet even
now I give you my strong assurance that my aims
in this respect have never gone beyond this, and that
if now, at the age of 70, I proceed to forcible con-
quests, I do so only from the force of circumstances,
from the increasing hostility of my pretended allies,
and from my duty towards Prussia, the guidance of
which is entrusted to ine. Already at the time of
the formation of the German Confederation, the
States which feared that the moral elevation of Prus-
sia—recognisable even then—would be dangerous to
the maintenance of their influence, tried to effect
that the federal territory of Prussia should remain
separated from the independent States. Since the
formation of the Confederation advantage has been
taken of this situation by accusations constantly re-
newed and supported principally by the influence of
Austria, which purchased German, French, and
English journals to excite and keep alive in those
States perpetual disquietude with regard to the
encroachment and covetousness of Prussia, and to
oppose a continued resistance to the efforts which
three Governments of Prussia have not ceased zea-
lously to make, while respecting the rights of all, to
give unity to the Confederation, and to inspire it
with material and moral elevation. These efforts
were not fruitless. They led to an attitude on the
part of Hanover which was anything but friendly to
Prussia—an attitude which was not replaced by more
friendly relations than during the government of
King Ernest Augustus, but which, during political
complications of late years, has often become hos-
tile without Prussia giving the least pretext for
such hostility. Such was the state of things
when my position in Holstein was attacked and
incessantly troubled by Austria to such a degree
that Prussia was unable to endure it any longer.
However, before taking final measures we took
steps7not, indeed, to remove the danger by the
conclusion of the convention of Gastein, but to ad-
journ it, for during the continuance of the treaty,
we have seen fall off one by one the masks which
hitherto concealed the intention of Austria to com-
mence the struggle, which bad been a long time
menaced and considered more and more inevitable,
with Prussia—the struggle for the preponderant in-
fluence in Germany. This influence is the vital
element of Prussia, and not to accept the contest to
sustain it would have been to sacrifice her existence.
The Schleswig-Holstein question was thus thrown
into the back-ground. To sustain this great
struggle two bases were necessary. First, the con-
viction of the justice of Prussia's claims, which could
alone make us hope for the protection of the
Almighty, and the gift of the fortune of war placed
in His hands ; secondly, the instrument which was
to be used in this contest—the Prussian army As
to the worth of that instrument I had no doubt, for
all my life had been devoted to the development of
the Prussian army, and from my position I was en-
abled to form a judgment of its capacity. As to
the justice of the claims of Prussia, it seemed to me
proved by this that without their accomplishment
Prussia could not last or have a prosperous develop-
ment, and then I resolved with my full heart on
the decisive contest, leaving the issue of it in the
hands of God. The results, the greatness of which
I had not foreseen, and which have been rarely,
and I may say never, equalled in the history of a
struggle between two powerful states for their
existence, and in so short a time, are
due to the visible interference of Providence,
without which even the most perfect army could not
obtain such results. The position of the Government
of your country before and during the development
of these events is known to you, as also the vote of
the 14th June, which had no foundation in federal
law, where there can only be a question of federal
execution, an execution to which 1 could not submit
bad it been resolved on, but which would on the
part of Hanover have shown a less marked violation
of the federal compact in a sense hostile to Prussia.
You know the fact of the negotiations for neutrality
—my invitation vainly repeated to accede to the con-
federati au of the north. The march of the Hanoverian
army with its king on the night of the 14th June, the
catastrophe of Langensaiza, in respect of which I do
not, it is true, place myself forward as a conqueror,
but which in its consequences has led to the anni-
hilation of the Hanoverian army. Even after
the surprising successes which have left me entire
liberty of choice in the arrangements to be adopted
there was no necessity for either an address or a de-
putation to make me understand the gravity of the
step which you desire to prevent. Still I thank you
once more for having spoken frankly to me. I prefer
to know the real state of things, for this will more
clearly indicate our relations for the future. A very
serious examination, most painful by reason of my
ties of relations hip with the House of Hanover, has
made me adopt the resolution of annexation as a
duty—that of indemnifying my Prussia for the heavy
sacrifices which she has made, and of thereby remov-
ing for the future the probable return of the dangers
which might result from the hostile attitude of
Hanover. I hope that one day the mutual confi-
dence established between us will give you entire
satisfaction."
Herr von Munchausen said in reply :
" If the decision of your Majesty is irrevocable,
from this day forward the most loyal Hanoverian
has only to endeavour to transform into a hopeless
resignation to the unavoidable decrees of Providence
the irritation produced by the proceedings which
have been ,adopted in regard to our country."

L'EXTINCTEUR" FIRE ENGINE.—A very inte-
resting trial of the properties of " L'Extincteur"
took place a few days ago at Wilson's-yard, Highbury, at
which a very large number bf scientific tind other gentle-
men were present. Like all former experiments with this
wonderful little machine the result was of the most satis-
factory and convincing nature. The machine can, with
the greatest ease, be carried on the back, leaving the
hands of the person entirely free for the direction of its
contents. Although small in size, the volume of liquid
within " L'Extincteur" is more than equivalent to half, a
ton of water ; and another peculiarity is, its efficiency in
cases where water, owing to the liberation of its oxygen,
would only add to combustion. To show the efficiency of
" L'Extincteur," a number of tar barrels, with shavings,
straw, &c., well saturated with'tar, were ignited and al-
lowed to burn until the flames had completely got the
mastery. The machine was then brought into action, and
in about two minutes the tiny stream ejected from it en-
tirely extinguished the 'conflagration. Again " L'Ex-
tincteur" was applied to a large trough filled to the brim
with tar and naphtha, which being ignited the flames rose
to an immense height, and the heat emitted was so fierce
that the bystanders had to fly from its proximity ; but only
for a few minutes, for no sooner was " L'Extincteur"
brought to bear upon it than the flames succumbed, and
presently vanished, as if by the touch of somo magic
wand. The importance of having ready at hand the
means of effectually suppressing a fire at its outbreak is
incalculable, and when those means can be procured for a
few pounds, not a theatre, warehouse, or shop should be
without one or more of these machines. In order to as-
certain beyond the possibility of doubt whether the con-
tents of " L'Extincteur" deteriorated by being kept for
any long period, one of the machines used to put out the
fires we have described was sent from the establishment
of Messrs. Shoolbred, who have had it on their premises
for a considerable time, who desired to satisfy themselves
by a severe test of its reliability after having been charged
some three months. The result showed it to be efficient.
At the conclusion of the experiments all present loudly
testified their admiration of " L'Extincteur," and ex-
pressed full appreciation of the value of the invention.
A VESSEL FOUNDERED IN THE BRISTOL CHANNEL.
—The Admirable, John Williams master, a brig of
255 tons register, bound from Newport to Barcelona with
a cargo of coals, sailed from Newport river on the 29th ult.,
and after encountering a brisk gale with a heavy sea, par-
ticularly running off the Foreland, near Lynmouth, on the
31st ult., the vessel suddenly sprung a leak at about 8.30
p.m on that day. After sounding the pumps eight feet of
water was discovered in the hold, when the captain ordered
the crew to man the pumps, and keep her free if possible,
but they found the water to gain on them, with no hope
of keeping her up. Being about mid-channel it was im-
possible to bear up for any port, and a portion of the crew
got the boats' gripes clear and the boats overboard, while
the others still continued at the pumps. The vessel was
soon after observed to be settling down fast in the water,
and the crew got into the longboat and witnessed the Ad-
mirable founder at 11.30 p.m. The crew fell in with the
brigantine Nestor, of Bideford, and after receiving great
hospitality were safely landed at Ilfracombe on Saturday
last.