The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-09 00:00:00

Now that the first excitement of the German war
is nearly over people naturally begin to look at the
consequences of the war, and to criticise more
closely the conduct of Prussia. It cannot be said
that she comes successfully out of this ordeal, and
on the contrary, indeed, we may fairly state that
she appears to greater disadvantage than she has
ever done before. By her dexterous manceuvring
she has- contrived to offend both Russia and France,
and we have yet to see what the end will be of all
these blunders which she has committed. The French
journals are unanimous in censuring the course
pursued by the Berlin Government, and especially in
animadverting upon the speech of the KING at the
ceremony of opening the Chambers. Even those
persons who were at first inclined to admire the
brilliant success of the Prussian arms are now quite
disgusted at the treatment which the French nation
has received at the hands of those who ought to
have known better. Certainly we have no great
cause to be flattered with the manner in which the
Kim} has treated us, but at any rate it is still worse
to notice the way in which he leaves out all mention
of France. Under the particular circumstances
of the case it is a positive insult, and there
is no cause for surprise that our continental neigh-
bours are not in a very placid state of mind about
it. It was the more inconsistent, because it is an
undisputed fact that it is in consequence of the
E3IPEROR'S mediation that the Armistice has taken
place, and it is therefore quite out of character for
the Emperor NAPOLEON to come from his camp,
where he has been daily receiving telegraphic coin_
munications from Paris respecting the arrangements
to be made, and then at an important ceremony,
like that of opening the Chambers, to omit all
mention of the part which the French EMPEROR
has taken in the affair. It is trifling with things for
a Sovereign thus to comport himself upon
can possibly
a momen-
tous occasion, and the only reason which
be given for his reticence makes the case worse
instead of better. He did not want to confess what
prominence had been given to France in the matter,
and hence his smuggling over the affair of the
armistice altogether. The KING was also silent
about Italy, which was peculiar, to say the least of
it, as if he were conscious of the alliance being un-
popular with the Germans. It did not recede its
efforts to ignore it altogether. It may fairly be
said that it is a long while since a greater mistake
was made in any Royal Speech as that King
WILLIAM has committed in his recent discourse.
The effects of it will not speedily pass away either,
but for a long time be sufficiently apparent to prove
the fatal errors into which people may be led when
they enter upon a selfish course, and pay no regard
to any one but themselves or their own immediate
interests.
The French appear to take a very, cor•

rect view of the policy of Prussia alto-
gether, and those independent Prussians who
have been credulous enough to believe the pro-
mises of the KING will find that the critics of France
have seen clearer and know better than themselves.
We see, then, that in one country of Europe, and
that the most significant one, the dreams are already
dispelled and the illusion vanished which told of a
grand future opening for Germany. In how many
other directions a similar eclaircissement will shortly
take place it is difficult now to decide, but sooner or
later the mists will disperse, and all will recog-
nise the full extent of the deceit and hypocrisy
which have been practised in Berlin. Mili-
tary despotism is indeed the most likely thing
to take place in Prussia and in all those States
which are unfortunate enough to come under the
sway of that country; and, as for Liberalism being
in the ascendant, it is quite ridiculous to suppose
such a thing. Why should the KING and Herr
BISMARCK give up their long-cherished schemes now
that there seems to be every chance of their being
realised ? Such an idea is a most preposterous one,
one that could only be seriously entertained by
the ignorant and infatuated. The Parisian
politicians are sharp-witted enough to notice
the signs and tokens of passing events, and
no doubt we shall find that they are right in this
instance. If the Prussians were not too inflated
by success, it would be a great mortification for
them to witness tho sorry figure which they cut
before foreign States, at a time, too, when they
seek to be so impressive and omnipotent. How-
ever, they are so conceited and self-satisfied just
now that in all probability it will be some time
before the meaning of this dissatisfaction reaches
them. A very just opinion is formed of the real
meaning of this speech by the Gazette de France,
when it avers that the KING asks for a Bill of
Indemnity, but admits the illegal course of his
Government without any expression of regret at
the circumstance, and so far from doing that he in-
timates that he can do very well without their con-
currence if they choose to withhold it. "As for
liberty King WILLIAM says nothing, and for very
good reasons. Assuredly it is not liberty that he
means to give to Germany." The Opinione Na-
tionale speaks out plainly, and for the first time a
direct allusion is made to the encroachments of
Prussia; and it is said that as long as Pru keeps
to the north of the Maine it may not matter
that she takes so much territory, but
if she means to absorb all Germany France
will look for the Rhine provinces. This is
a very significant declaration of opinion, and the
Constitutionnel itself is disappointed at the silence of
the KING, and the uncertainty which now exists as
to the fate of those countries that have been con-
quered. Of course such a reserve respecting them
bodes ill for their future progress or prosperity,
and it is, indeed, stretching the point too far, and
exhibiting to the nations of Europe an arrogant
assumption that is quite intolerable.
General MANTEUFFEL'S mission to St. Peters-
burg is at present one of the most absorbing
topics of interest in Berlin, and reference is made
to it in the semi-official Provinzial Corre.spondenz,
which, in an article on the subject, admits that
Russia takes a lively interest in the changes occur-
ing in Germany, in consequence of the relations
that exist between her and the Courts of the seve-
ral States ; but it is added that all apprehensions
entertained as to the attitude assumed by that
Power will speedily turn out to be groundless.
This is not so certain as the writer would make it
out to be, and it shows that the matter has been
as serious as some supposed for it to be commented
on after this fashion. The Government of Berlin
may find that they have their hardest work before
them, and that it was easier to conquer in the field
of battle than to arrange affairs satisfactorily in
the Cabinet and with foreign Powers, who justly
feel affronted at the manner in which they have
been treated.

Affairs in America, though still unsettled, are in
a fair way to settle themselves. The people are
tired of the long-continued tyranny of the Radicals,
and are taking matters into their own hands. They
are certain of the approval and assistance of the
PRESIDENT in what they are doing, -and have quite
sufficient political sagacity to know that it is im-
possible to restore tranquillity and prosperity
throughout the country until the Union is fully and
fairly restored. The Philadelphia Convention,
which is about to assemble, promises to be a
most important gathering. The delegates already
appointed to attend on behalf of the States
are men of the highest standing, while New
York proposes to send a special delegation
of its chief capitalists and merchant princes. Every
interest in the country, says a writer from the
States, is rallying in support of this Convention,
and a more spontaneous uprising on the part of
the people for the vindication of the Union was
never witnessed in America. The Radical party
are in fact much in the position of their allies, the
Fenians. They are divided amongst themselves,
the leaders disagree, and the followers lose heart.
The PRESIDENT has come off victorious from the
contest, having had patience and firmness to wait
until the great body of the public should
support him, and echo the opinion at first expressed
by the intelligence of Europe. The States are no
longer to be disorganised and disunited to please a
band of political fanatics, who, as they feel power
slipping from them, become more and more reckless
in bidding for support. Their last attempt to
secure the Irish votes is so transparent that it has
failed even to deceive the too credulous Irishmen,
who are no longer to be taken in by wholesale
abuse of Great Britain. Both Radicals and Fenians
have talked largely for a good long time, but neither
Ireland nor America have yet profited much by
their eloquence.

Mr. Laird, bi.P., had an interview with the Right
Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer at his official resi-
dence in Downing-street yesterday.

LAND IRRIGATION BY SEWAGE.—Wherever this
plan has been adopted the result has been a commercial as
well as a sanitary success. The famous meadows in the
neighbourhood of Edinburgh, which are irrigated with a
portion of the sewage of that city, form the most notable
example. The improved rental of this land, in extent
about 400 acres, is £22 per acre, which represents the value
of the sewage. But deducting 30s. per acre for interest on
capital and working expenses, and the net profit is £2O 10s.
per acre. The Local Board of Croydon derives an income
from the same method of utilisation.—
odnc43e
ailialLeYeßOar ke .
AAD SOLD BY AUCTION.—The foreclosure
cf the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad mortgages has
just been completed by a sale under the superintendence
of the Master in Chancery, in pursuance of a decree. The
first division, consisting of the road between Davenport
and lowa City, and Wilton Junction and Muscatine, to-
gether with all the rolling stock, shops, &c., was knocked
clown at $1,000,000 to Mr. E. Cook, who represented the
Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Company. hlo
had only one competitor, who made one bidding. Mr. Cook
was also the purchaser of the Oskaloosa division, from
Muscatine West, at $300,000 (the only bid); of the land
granted to the company by the United States, about
475,000 acres, for $200,000; and of the remaining lot, the
n estern division of the road from lowa City West, for
$600,000. The only competition beside that noticed for
the first division was upon one quarter section of the land,
which was started at $1 per acre by a gentleman from Polk
county, and it was run up to $3 per acre, and struck off
to Mr. Cook. The sale certainly gave the Chicago, Rock
Island, and Pacific Railroad a great bargain ; but, as the
road had to be sold, we suppose they had just as good a
claim for that as any other party. What is now wanted
by the people of this county and central lowa is to com-
plete the road, at least to Desmoines. This, we understand,
will be done.—Davenport Gazette.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
The opinions of the German papers relative to
the speech of the King of Prussia cannot yet be
ascertained. The Constitutionne/ says that, accord-
ing to its private correspondence, " the speech com-
pletely satisfied the hopes of the constitutional party,
and that it produced great irritation in the ranks of
the Federals."
The Vienna journals are occupied with the con-
sideration of the policy which Austria must adopt to
regain her prestige and station in Europe. The
Debat of Vienna says, " Prussia has survived her

defeat at the battle of Jena, and has become great
and powerful. But Koniggratz was not like Jena, the
difference is very great. The victory of Prussia has
closed the door of Austrian policyin a certaindirection ,
but it has not overpowered the strength of A Itstria.
That strength is greater than may be genera* be-
lieved. The duty of the Government, of that
Government which comprises new Austria, and its
mission, is to put herself at the head of the move-
ment, to convoke all the national elements for the
transformation of the empire, to indicate the object
of it, and to give impetus to it."
According to the Constitutionnel, the difficulties
in the way of the arrangement of the armistice with
Italy are connected with the question of the
Southern Tyrol. The Italian troops occupy the
greater portion of that country, as well as a small
part of Illynia, and perhaps there is a wish at
Florence that this position should be formally re-
cognised. However the question of frontier limits
will form part of the negociations for peace.
On Monday M. Babinet again called the atten-
tion of the Academy of Sciences to the Atlantic
cable. After exhibiting a portion of it and describ-
ing its composition, which he said was better than
the last, M. Babinet proceeded to say—" Now it is
at the bottom of the sea, and it will for some time
be sufficiently protected to transmit electricity, but
the water will eventually destroy it, and then fare-
well to transatlantic communication. It is also to
be feared that the cable does not lie upon the bed of
the sea. If placed between two elevations, it will
infallibly break when it shall be corroded to a
small extent of its thickness. The conclusion to be
drawn from all these difficulties is that it will be ad-
visable to take as much advantage as possible for
the cable while it exists to determine the longitude
of the American Etation. M. Babinet then said
that by order of the Emperor, and upon the invi-
tation of Lord Dudley, a scientific commission had
left France that morning to examine the new cable.
The members of the commission were Messrs.
Gavarret, Gaugin, dad Guillemin. Whatever may
be the opinion of the Academy of Sciences as to the
forebodings of M. labinet, at all events he was
listened to very attentively, and however great
may be the pain ard disappointment should M.
Babinet be right, eves if wrong, upon a subject of
such permanent intert, it is well to " gather the
(golden) opinions of all sorts of people." In Paris
the progress of communication with America by
mean of the Atlantic cable begins to assume the
uppermost position in the public mind.
After the distributi)n of the prizes by M. Drouyn
de Lhuys the Minister gave a dinner to the success-
ful students. At dessert he gave a toast "To our
four laureats, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Science, His-
tory, the four columas of classic education—those
four daughters of the university, who, in spite of
the difference in their physiognomies, all appear to
belong to the same family."
The Constitutionnel publishes a letter from Vienna
dated August 2, which says: —" The armistice has
been signed with Prussia, and there is every reason
to believe that before the expiration of the delay of
four weeks the definite treaty of peace with that
Power will be signed. The most disagreeable con-
dition of the treaty is the exclusion of Austria from
the Germanic Confederation. The Austrians, how-
ever, flatter themselves that the course of events
will induce the great Powers to modify the position
which they have assigned to Austria in the centre of
Europe.
The Emperor has retorned to St. Cloud from Vichy,
but I believe that he will leave for the camp at
Chalons without delay.
The volcanic phenomena in the island of Santorin
increase daily. The two small islands of Nea,
Kaimeni and Palea-Kairneini, are now almost united
by the submarine action. The change, however,
will benefit the island of Santorin, as it will protect
it from the north winds, which were formerly very
much feared by the inhabitants.

The Illoniteur states that the armistice between
Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Baden was signed
on the 3d inst. One of the principal conditions of
the armistice is that the portion of the Grand Duchy
situated to the north of Neckar shall continue to be
occupied by the Prussian troops until the definitive
conclusion of peace.

At the second day's races at Deauville the prize
of 4,000 f., given by the society for the encourage-
ment of the breed and improvement of horses in
France, was won by Vertugadin ; Fleur-des-Bois
second.

The Emperor's Prize of 2,000 f., for horses of
three years old and upwards, was won by Said ; Le
Magicien second.

The Grand Steeplechase of 10,000 f., given by the
Administrator des Haras for entire horses, was won
by Valentino ; Regalia second. Total amount of
the prize, 14,700 f.

_ .
In spite of the pacific aspect of affairs, theresults
of the settlement and other circumstances have
induced inactivity to-day, and speculators for a rise
are disappointed.

The weather continues to be that of late autumn,
very cold in the morning, and gusty and threatening
throughout the day. A similar account of the
weather comes from the provinces of France.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAIL-
WAY.—The directors of this company have decided upon
recommending the payment of a dividend for the past half-
year at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum on the consoli-
dated stock of the company.

A deputation from the Bow and Bromley Health
Committee of the Poplar Board of Works, appointed under
the Order in Council of the 21st July, 1866, consisting of
Mr. E. R. Cook, of the Metropolitan Board of Works ; Mr.
J. Blott and Mr. Z. Barth, of the Poplar District Board of
Works; the Rev. G. T. Driffield, rector of Bow ; the Rev.
A. G. How. vicar of Bromley, and the Rev. R. Parnell,
incumbent of St. Stephens, North Bow, waited upon the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, at his official residence in
Downing-street yesterday, to call his attention to the ex-
penses entailed upon the district by the order.

LOCOMOTIVE BOILER EXPLOSION.--On Tuesday
morning, about half-past six o'clock, a fearful ex-
plosion of a locomotive engine occurred at Sunderland. It
appeared that one of the locomotive engines belonging to
the Earl of Durham, used for drawing coals froth Pensher
to the Lambton drops, belonging to his lordship, at Sun-
derland, had gone from one of the collieries, taking a num-
ber of joiners to Sunderland to do some work at the coal
drops. The engine had run into a siding near to Deptford
Church to fill water from a tank, and had put the water on,
when a great explosion occurred, which lifted the massive
engine, about 33 tons weight, off the rails, turned it com-
pletely round, and threw it over on its side. At the time
four men were on it. Michael Errington, the driver, was
on the side of the engine oiling tho works ; J. Atkinson,
the fireman, was attending to the water, and two men,
named J. Brandon, another engineman, and M. Bunck, a
guard, were on the tender, intending to proceed with the
locomotive to Philadelphia, where they live. The clouds of
steam and showers of red-hot cinders and coals at first pre-
vented the men who were at work from seeing the extent
of the accident, but as these cleared away they saw the
overturned engine and rushed to the spot. The first man
found was the engineman, who had been blown away some
15 yards, across several lines of rails, and alighted •n his
head. The other throe men were blown in various direc-
tions, but all had been dreadfully scalded by the steam and
water ejected from the engine. The engine-driver was the
least injured of the three; ho was placed on another loco-
motive and taken to Philadelphia, where he resides. The
three others were as soon as possible put into a cab and
taken to Sunderland Infirmary, where their injuries are
such that fears are entertained for the recovery of two of
them. On examining the locomotive, it was ascertained,
that one side of the inside plates of the firebox had been
blown off by the pressure of steam inside, and the plate
was most curiously torn and twisted. Fortunately, the
force of the explosion had been downwards instead of out-
wards, or all the men would have been killed. The engine
was only about two years old, and was manufactured by
ll.udswell and Clark, of Leeds. It is believed that the en-
gineman had allowed the plates to become overheated for
want of water, and immediately on the admission of fresh
water the explosion took place. The pressure was not more
than usual, viz., about 1101b.—Leeds Mercury

LA TEST INTELLIGENO E

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

_.___y ~__ __..

THE WAR IN GERMANY.

PADUA, Aug. 8 (Evening).

The suspension of hostilities between Austria any
Italy has been prolonged for 24 hours, namely, unti
4 a.m. on the 11th inst.

FLORENCE, Aug. 9.

The King has appointed Count Barral and Gen.
Meneabrea plenipotentiaries for Italy at the con-
ference to be held•at Prague for the conclusion of

peace.

The great majority of the communes and pro-
vinces have already declared their willingness to
undertake to raise their proportion of the amount
required for the new national loan.
A similar course is expected to be pursued in the

other provinces.
The Italian troops in Venetia are being concen-
trated in defensive positions.
The assertions of an Austrian journal in reference
to an alleged letter of the Emperor Napoleon
to the King of Italy are unfounded, A perfect
understanding exists between Italy and France on
the question of the cession of Venetia.

BRUSSELS, Aug. 9.

The King has had a slight attack of varicella,
and was therefore unable to open yesterday the
Belgian• Exhibition of Fine Arts.

COCHIN CHINA.

PARIS, Aug. 9.

According to the latest official intelligence re-
ceived here from Cochin China, dated 28th June,
the rebels had been dispersed, their encampment
burnt, and their leader killed. Order had not been
disturbed in all parts of the colony.
MARSEILLES, Aug. 8 (Evening.)

The Constantinople packet has been delayed by
a hurricane. The bad weather in the Mediter-

ranean continues.

NEW ZEALAND.

PLYMOUTH, August 9.

The Mary Shepperd, with the 40th Regiment,
has arrived off this port from Auckland. She has
been ordered to proceed to Portsmouth.

OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL.
MALTA, August 8.

The Poonah, from Southampton, July 27, arrived
on the sth, and left on the 6th inst., at 4 p.m. for
Alexandria.

The Delta, from Marseilles, on the sth inst.
arrived on the 7th at 4 p.m., and left at 10 p.m,
for Alexandria.

THE ATLANTIC CABLE.

The following telegram has been received by
Reuter's Telegram Company (Limited), from Mr.
R. A. Glass, August 9th :

VALENTIA. August 9.
" Newfoundland, Thursday, 1 a.m.
Governor Musgrave and party arrived here in her
Majesty's ship Lily, at 6 p.m. yesterday.
" The Great Eastern sails as early as possible this
morning. Weather fine."

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE ALLEMANNIA.

SOUTHAMPTON, Aug. 9.

The Hamburg and American Company's steamer
Allemannia, from New York on the 28th ult., has
arrived here with 47 passengers, $64,000 for Eng-
land, and $2,000 for France.
Off Sandy Hook she spoke the Hamburg bark
Marinda, and on the 3d inst. passed the British
ship Eliza, bound west.

During the voyage the Allemannia encountered
very bad weather and strong winds changing all
round the compass, seas, dense fogs, and a
deluge of rain ; up Channel westerly winds and wet
weather.

SOUTHAMPTON, August 8.

The Hamburg American Company's steamer
Saxonia, Capt. Mier, sailed this morning for New
York direct, with a full complement of cabin and
steerage passengers, and a large cargo on freight,
including French jewellery, value 31,336 francs.
The North German Lloyd's steamer Bremen,
Capt. Neynaber, sailed to-day for New York with

105 cabin and full number of steerage passengers,
and a large cargo, including French jewellery, value
62,500 francs.

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
SO UTHAMPTON, August 8.

The Union Steam Shipping Company's steamer
Cambrian, Captain Davie, sailed this afternoon for
St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, and Mauritius.
She took out 80 passengers, including the Lord
Bishop of Graham's Town, Captains Law, Wright,
Donville, Brooks, and Battie ; Lieutenants Inde
ani Gamble ; Ensign Terry, Dr. Patterson, and the
Hon. Mr. Hoole.

The Cambrian took out upwards of 700 tons
measurement cargo on freight. She will call at
Plymouth to embark the mails.

FRANCE.

Great efforts are being made in Hanover to save
the independence of the kingdom by the abdication
of King George in favour of his eldest son. A pro-
posal was made in that sense by the municipality of
the capital to the Queen, who, however, declined to
transmit it to her husband. A mission of the same
nature being attempted by Count Munster, at the
present moment at Berlin, has met with but an in-
different reception, and will not have the least
success.

The ceremony of reconsecrating the ancient Abbey
of St. Michel, on the coast of Brittany, has just taken
place, and was attended by a large number of high
ecclesiastics, amongst whom were the Archbishop of
Alby, Mgr. de Charbonnel, formerly Bishop of
Toronto, the Bishop of St. Claude, and the Bishop
of Coutances and Avranches, who presided. Mgr. de
Charbonnel pronounced an address, in which be
referred to some of the patriotic legends attached
to the old abbey, and amongst them that of 119
knights, assisted by 119 soldiers, Bretons and Nor-
mans, who, in the long war with the English, de-
fended on one occasion the French flag against
20,000 enemies. The religious ceremony on the
occasion of restoring the old building—for so many
years used as a prison—to its religious destination
is described as exceedingly imposing, and the crowd
from the surrounding country immense.
The bulletin of the Paris Observatory gives the
following as the atmospheric situation yesterday :
—" A gale is passing over the British isles and
France ; its centre was this morning on the west
of Scotland, and its action extended on the Bay of
Biscay as far as Rochefort. The wind is blowing
strongly between S.W. and W. over Holland, and
the sky is overcast throughout that region. Bad
weather has again visited the Baltic and Russia.
Near the Alps the weather is calm and fine. Some
squalls coming from the Atlantic are traversing
Spain." At Paris yesterday the weather was threat-
ening in the morning and rain fell at intervals. At
three o'clock the thermometer marked 20 Cent. (68
Fahr.)
The Droit relates that M. Ferdinand B—, 62
years of age, cashier in a house of business, blew out
his brains with a pistol the night before last at the
house of a friend in the Rue de Richelieu, with
whom lie bad dined. The suicide is supposed to be
attributable to financial embarrassments.

Marshal Valiant, Minister of the Emperor's

Household and of the Flue Arts, yesterday presided
at the distribution of prizes to the successful pupils
of the-Conservatoire de Musique, and delivered an
appropriate address, in which he insisted on the