The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-20 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1866.

It is some sort of satisfaction to find that the
proposals of the Prussian Government have not
been met with complete unanimity, and that all the
Deputies have not been so dazzled and bewildered
with the success of the recent campaign as to forget
that serious errors may be committed in the first
moments of excitement. The Committee on the
adclre,ss_decided on the subject of the Budget cities-
the original proposition supporting the Ministry,
still it shows that there is a feeling juimical to them
that will not give place to more favourable
views. It is now considered probable that
the opinion of the majority of the committee
will be subscribed to by the whole house ;
but this is not by any means certain, and it may,
indeed, be carried by only a small majority. Some
of the Liberal organs have been mean-spirited
enough to blame the Lower House for the length of
time which they have taken in replying to the
Speech from the Throne and for alluding to par-
ticular differences, instead of answering the expec-
tations of the country by immediately declaring the
delight they experience at the great success which
had attended the foreign policy of the Government.
It is by this inconsistency of conduct that the Prus-
sians alienate themselves from the sympathy and
the good opinion of those who sympathise with
their efforts after free government and liberal
They seem taken in by every feint on
the part of their rulers, and are always ready to
sacrifice their permanent interests for the sake of
acquiring increase of territory, or other gains, at the
expense of their neighbours. How foolish is this
exhibition of wrath at the circumstance of these
Deputies exercising a wholesome discretion in com-
menting on the important interests put before them.
Is will be too late when the matter is settled to draw
back and declare that they have conceded too much,
and that they wish more time bad been spent and
care exercised in passing judgment on the address.
There is no chance of a salutary change taking place
in the government of Prussia while such glaring
errors exist in those who ought to check its pro-
ceedings and moderate its pretensions. It is much
to be regretted that this tergiversation should so
constantly take place in the management of Prus-
sian politics, because it entirely prevents a beneficial
change from being wrought out. A crafty and un-
scrupulous man like BISMARCK has only to set
about making some inroad on neighbouring States
in order to secure the approbation of many, if not
nearly all, of the community.
Another sign that all places are not willing to be
put under the domination of Prussia may be seen
from the fact that a deputation from Middle Schleswig
has left for Berlin, to solicit the King of PRUSSIA
that they should be restored to Denmark. Very
likely no heed will be paid to this request, but it is
a refreshing change to meet with after the parade
that is made of the intimations from various quar-
ters that they seek to be incorporated with the
Berlin Government. Even the brazen effrontery of
Prussian journalism is obliged to make some excuse,
and offer explanations concerning the course they
have been Pursuing in high places ; thus we find an
elaborate defence about the treatment Of Hanover.
The :memorial that lately came from Hanover
has given dire offence to the dignities of
Berlin, and we are told in
a semi-official
form that although
the vote of the Hanovarian Diet
took place after the mobilization of the Austrian
contingent of the Federal army, still it was a vote
in favour of its having been carried into effect, and
was directly adverse to Prussia. How much more
consistent with truth it would be to say that the
Prussian authorities desired to annex Hanover, and
therefore seized the opportunity of taking umbrage
at the transaction that took place. Bavaria is
another of the numerous victims to the cupidity of
BISMARCK, and the hesitation that has taken place
in the recent negotiations has arisen from
the natural unwillingness of that State to
agree to the bad terms put before it. The Prussian
Treaty of Peace is indeed a comprehensive affair,
and seals the doom of those who desire and expect
freedom of any kind ; it is a sad episode in German
politics that we are now witnessing, and all who
consider that a salutary change has taken place
will speedily find out their mistake, and see that

institutions.

the notion of unity and progress of Prussia is all
humbug. It is strange that it should be necessary
for this one Power to interfere so specially and so
arbitrarily in the settlement of all matters, for if
the parties most immediately affected by the changes
are to enjoy anything like independence hereafter
it is only reasonable that they should be studied
now as to their own disposal.
The storm that has agitated Germany has
affected France in an indirect manner, and the
uncertain state of the Emperor's health has caused
great disquietude in many circles. His absence from
the fetes given in his honour only tended to increase
the apprehensions that were entertained. The
EMPEROR on Friday drove about in public, but
notwithstanding this things do not seem settled
or satisfactory. No notice is taken by
the official journals of the frontier rectifica.
tion business, which is by some considered rather
strange ; but affairs are now so peculiar and compli-
cated that it is exceedingly difficult
.to understand
the exact meaning of things. The most mysterious
part of the whole is that the French Government
should have preferred their request at all if they
did not deem it expedient to follow it up. We
doubt if we have yet seen the end of this business,
notwithstanding the satisfaction expressed in various
quarters at the peaceful indication of affairs. One
part of the undertaking seems entirely overlooked
by those who criticise German affairs, and
that is, how Count' BISMARCK means to
manage the new numerous places he has
contrived to annex to Prussia? His real diffi-
culty will begin when all the negotiations are over,
and when the inhabitants begin to comprehend more
fully the nature of the transactions that have taken
place. There is more likelihood of the Berlin
Government meeting with opposition of a dangerous
character from these States in the course of time
than there is of any decisive movement being made
by Austria to recover any part of what she has lost
in the late momentous struggle.

The close of the session of the Victorian Legis-
lature has been safely accomplished, notwithstand-
ing the vicissitudes and excitements of the year.
Party feeling, so strong in this colony, showed
itself plainly enough on the very eve of the pro-
rogation, the Opposition contriving a " count
out" of the Council the night before, thus
leaving the Council adjourned over the
day of prorogation in utter contempt of the Gover-
nor's intimation of his proposed visit. This un-
warrantable conduct created, as may be supposed,
a good deal of excitement throughout Melbourne,
and the morning papers were virtuously indignant
with the heads of the opposition on the
ground of rudeness to the QUEEN through her re-
presentative, and general want of manners. The
guilty parties pleaded that it was a mistake,
although they could hardly have been unaware
that a " count out" on the eve of a prorogation
when there was unfinished business before the
House was scarcely consistent with Parliamentary
etiquette. However, " all's well that ends well,',
and the Governor made his appearance the follow-
ing day as previously arranged and dismissed
the Parliament, in an address which very adroitly
summarised the principal events of the Session. The
first paragraph refers to the passage of the
Appropriation Bill through both Houses, by
which means the final sanction of the Legislature
has been given to the exceptional but necessary
public expenditure of the past year. This Bill,
of opinion did, in tact,"only Teeome`lairro—n—th-e
day of the prorogation, itself seeing that it did not
pass the Council until the evening before, and
up to that time many doubted whether the
Upper House would not reject it as a
means of compelling the Assembly into compliance
on several disputed points. This would of course
have brought about another political deadlock, which
was not exactly to be wished, as in two days
more there would have been no available funds for
carrying on the public service. The Council had
too much good sense to throw the whole colony into
such needless confusion, and accordingly the Ap-
propriation Bill got through the Upper House on
the 31st of May, the prorogation taking place on
the Ist of June.

The Governor, after referring to the passage
of this much-vexed Bill through the House,
congratulated all parties on the satisfactory work-
ing of the new Land Act. Throughout the various
agricultural areas thrown open to selection, large
quantities of land have passed into the hands of
the farming class, and throughout every district
there is evidence of increasing occupation and a
more settled population. The new tariff is
also, says the Governor, in full opera-
tion, without any of the mischievous conse-
quences so confidently predicted by its opponents.
The Post-office savings banks still work most bene-
ficially, and the deposits increase from week to
week. Certainly if any population can afford
to lay up for a rainy day, it ought to be the
working classes of a thriving colony ; and as
hitherto the money so quickly if laboriously earned
has as quickly gone, the establishment of savings
banks is in every way a great public ad-
vantage. The proposed general system of water
supply is another prominent topic in the
Governor's address. He remarks with truth

that it is a necessary and interesting characteristic
of the legislation of a young country that it
shall aim at the future development of the
colony, as well as for the provision for
temporary wants. The question of water supply
is a very important one, and it is one in regard to
which Australia may learn much from the mistakes
and experiences of the mother-country. While her
population is small in comparison to her soil, and
her towns arc not yet thronged to suffocation like
some of our great cities, let her legislators be
wise in time, and make those provisions for the
public health which are so difficult to make in
old and overgrown cities vested interests
in old abuses,, indifference springing from
long-continued neglect, evils which affect everybody,
but which it is nobody's business to remove. These
are the obstacles which Spring up, hydra-headed, in
the path of the sanitary reformer in England.
But in a colony like Victoria, with fresh, young
energies, legislating for itself and conscious of its
own wants and needs. All such difficulties may be
avoided. It is easy to root up the slender
sapling, but if we wait till the full-grown
tree has twisted its roots firmly into the
ground we shall not move it very readily, and so the
objections and obstacles which may be disposed of
with comparative ease in a young community re-
quire in the older days of national history a regular
crusade to get rid of.

In concluding his address the Governor informed
the members of the Legislature that he had de-
spatched a member of the Government to England,
in accordance with their recommendation for the
purpose of carrying out the negotiations relative
to the defences of the country and other mat-
ters. Australia, we may suppose, has reached
that point considered by some to be the
test of a colony's capacity for self - govern-
ment—the willingness and ability to provide for its
own defences. Judging from the readiness with
which the Australian volunteers came to the assist-

THE SUN, LO.

ante of the New Zealanders, there is no lack of
stout hearts and strong hands to repel an enemy
from any of the colonies.
The general condition of Victoria is prosperous.
The new Land Act has, as the Governor remarked,
produced most beneficial effects, and the plains are
alive with ploughmen breaking up the land. In com-
mercial circles, too, there is as much activity as
in the agricultural world, and the spirit of
speculation so busy in the old world has been
stirring up the enterprising spirits of the southern
regions. There is much talk about establishing
woollen factories in Victoria, and they have every
prospect of success, seeing that they have abund-
ance of the finest material close at hand. It is only
surprising that something of the sort should not have
been earlier attempted. Other more adventurous
and less substantial schemes are afloat for manu-
facturing salt from sea water, for making paper
from the bark tree, &c. Altogether the young
country is full of vigorous life, and affords a grati-
fying example of Anglo-Saxon energy.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Sunday Evening.

The Moniteur does not contain a word of news
in addition to the telegraphic despatches. It states
that on the occasion of his fete the Emperor, at the
suggestion of the Minister of the Interior, has
ordered 70,000 f. to be shared between the 75 ad-
mirable societies of material charity in Paris. Our
Minister for the Home Department might usefully
follow the example of the Marquis de la Valette,
who makes it part of his business to understand the
wants and aid the necessities of the population of
Paris. Was it not a beautiful trait iu the official
character of the Minister that when he heard of the
terriVe accident last 'Wednesday he immediately
repaired to the spat and superintended the arrange-
ments for the succour of the victims ? To some of
them he gave money at once.
Although various reports and conjectures are
afloat respecting the intentions of the Emperor in
regard to his visits to the Provinces, I have reason
to believe that at present nothing is settled as to the
time when his Majesty will leave St. Cloud or about
the spot to which he will proceed. Probably it will
be Biarritz. It is certain, however, that he will not
go to Chalons, an official announcement to that
effect having been made to the troops. The prizes
were to be distributed to-day by Marshal Regnault
de St. Jean d'Angely, in the name of the Emperor,
who intended to perform that office himself, but
during last week he was engaged with Cabinet
Councils, and diplomatic receptions, and commu-
nications.
The number of deaths from the accident at the
fete it appears was over-estimated. It is sufficiently
serious—nine•—and several persons are not expected
to survive the injuries they received. It is noticed
as a singular fact that the man who first lost his
footing did not receive the least hurt. The bodies
'of those who fell over him formed a sort of arch,
and he was thus enabled to breathe until he was
extricated. In modern times accidents have been
rare at Paris, even when there had been immense
assemblages of people, for in general the police ar-
rangements are much better than in London. There
has, however, been immense loss of life upon such
occasions in former days, for instance at the fetes
upon the marriage of Louis XVI. and Marie An-
toinette. A great many people were killed in 18§7
at the marriage fetes of the Duke of Orleans.
The Superior Tribunal of Lyons has just given its
decision on an appeal case of a curious character,
strongly illustrative of the adage—" Penny wise and
pound foolish." The amount involved is 15 cen-
times (three halfpence). Au individual residing
near a toll-bridge conceived the clever idea of evad-
in the toll in this way. The toll for a horse and
drew his vehicle over the bridge himself, and then
went back for his horse. By this plan he paid only
the toll of One sou for a person drawing a vehicle,
one sou for the return, and one sou for the led
horse, thus effecting an economy of three sous. The
proprietors of the bridge commenced proceedings
before an inferior Court, which decided in their
favour. The Superior Court, however, has over-
ruled the decision on the ground that the defendant
had paid the legal toll under the circumstances.
The appellant, however, in spite of this judgment
has not much reason for congratulation. The pro-
ceedings have been carried on for two years, and the
law expenses amount to more than the sum which
would have enabled him to pay the toll for his
natural life.

It is understood that the treaty of peace between
Austria and Italy will be signed at Paris. General
Menabrea has arrived here, and will be assisted
during the negotiations by M. Nigra, the Ambas-
sador from Italy at the French Court.
A letter from Munich states that the young King
of Bavaria will shortly be affianced in that capital
to the Grand Duchess Maria, daughter of the Em-
peror Alexander of Russia.

The camp at Chalons is about to be broken up,
and the troops have begun their preparations for
their return to their garrisons.
It has been supposed that the ironclad vessel is
a modern invention, but this is not the case. A
war galley, equipped by the Knights of St. John of
Jerusalem, cased with lead for protection against
bullets, is described by Bosio, the historian of the
Order. This ship was built at Nice in 1530, and
formed part of the great squadron sent by the Em-
peror Charles the Fifth against Tunis to assist in the
expedition against the pirate Barberonsse Muley
llassan. The expedition was commanded by the
celebrated Andre Doria. There was a siege of
several days, and the vessel, the Santa Anna, gave
great assistance in capturing the town. Though
much exposed, it did not receive any injury. Ithad
six decks, and a crew of a hundred men. There is
still a picture of this vessel among the ancient
frescoes of the Palais des Hospitaliers at Rome.

The death is announced of M. Gisors, a member
of the Fine Art Academy, of apoplexy. He was the
architect of the Palace of the Senate.

The cholera still prevails in the south of France,
at Atlas and Marseilles. It is nearly extinct at
Amiens. In Paris there are deaths from cholera.

M. Dreyse, the alleged inventor of the needle-gun,
is about to place at the disposal of the Prussian Go-
vernment the model of a new cannon, which will give
to the artillery the same advantages as those conferred
upon the infantry by the needle-gun. M. Dreyse is
also engaged in the manufacture of a needle-gun
made entirely of iron, but which, nevertheless, weighs
3 lbs. less than the present needle-gun. French
manufacturers are also engaged in making destruc-
tive fire-arms. A cannon has arrived at Toulon
made at Angoulilme of a murderous description ;
it is in two pieces ; it is nearly five yards in length,
and weighs more than 30,000 lbs. English. It will
form part of the armament of the Taureau, now at
Toulon, and it is said will project au immense mass
of metal.
There is another unfavourable change in the
weather. Early in the morning there was a heavy
dew with fog. It began to rain about eleven, and
there has been much rain during the day. It was
cold in the morning, and not very warm as the day
advanced.

Prince Napoleon Jerome has been much on the
move of late. The other day he was at the chateau
in Switzerland. He returned again to Paris, and
visited the Emperor at St. Cloud, and he has again
left Paris, some say on a political mission.

CHARLES DICKENS.-IVho will not be rejoiced to
learn that our great humorist intends to give another series
of readings, beginning, wo are given to understand, imme-
diately after Christmas.
MUSICAL INTELLIGENCE.—RICHARD WAGNER,
we hear, is at a work upon a new grand opera en-
titled "Fritz do Ilohenstauffen."—JANLL, the eminent
pianoforte player and composer, was recently married to
Mdlle. Trautwann at the Church of the Madeleine, Faris.—
We have to record the decease, on the 23d ult., at the ad-
vanced age of 84, of Mr. T. F. Walmisley (formerly or-
ganist of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields), father of the late
gifted Dr. Thomas Attwood Walmisley, the Cambridge
Professor of Music, and himself favourably known as a
glee writer and excellent musician.—ilfwical Standard.