The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-23 00:00:00

Arabic proverb which Mr. GLADSTONE quoted
last evening, " Trade is war." Very different was
the view taken of its obligations and its tendency
by the eminent man whose public services were
commemorated last evening. " Why," asked the
speaker, " are those commodities which minister to
the comfort and happiness of mankind not equally
' produced in all places ? Why are the laws
of climate and of soil not so adjusted
as to admit of that equal production ?
Surely without diving too deep into matters be-
yond our ken, it is not too much at least to say
that we see in that necessity of exchange with a
view to the multiplication of the enjoyments and
pleasures of man there is laid the foundation of
an intercourse which is meant to establish the links
of concord between all the nations of the earth ;
and this was, we think, in the mind of Mr. COBDEN,
at all times the paramount view of international
commerce." To popularise such a theory, to bring
it home to the hearts and consciences of men who
are too apt to dissociate their daily business
from ther moral principles, and to look upon
even large and extended transactions as mere
means of money-making without regard to the
greater interests involved is doubtless a great work,
and this work it was Mr. COBDEN'S lot at least to
inaugurate. Much remains to bedone in the same di-
rection, as it remains to bedone in every other branch
of public enlightenment and administrative reform ;
but it is something that a great principle should be
widely recognised by practical men, when that is
done the lever is applied, and sooner or later it
will do its work in raising and ennobling the people.
The views now popular respecting commercial
legislation are very different from what they were
before Mr. COBDEN'S time. The narrow and sel-
fish theories, shortsighted and disadvantageous as
all selfish theories must be, are now wellnigh ex-
ploded. Other nations are gradually following the
example of this country, and slowly but surely
arriving at the conviction that- every unnecessary
impost or duty is a check on the energy of trade.
As a strong man works better with his limbs
unshackled than under the burden of cumb-
rous fetters, so the giant Commerce can more
swiftly and more surely benefit the nations when
set free from the restrictions and hindrances
which a mistaken policy has imposed upon him.
Slowly but surely our statesmen are also learning
from experience rather than from theory that it is
not only better and safer, but actually more profit-
able, to base the national revenue on the free and
indirect contributions of the many rather than on the
forced payments of the few ; that is to say, they
have found that by removing all possible restric-
tions, and by reducing taxation they gain more in
the vast increase of consumption than they lose in
the actual remission.

Speaking of Mr. COBDEN'S general views, inde-
pendently of those great questions of commercial
policy with which his name is inseparably associated,
Mr. GLADSTONE observed that he was one of th e
earliest advocates of Peace, Retrenchment, and
Reform. The policy of Peace has so far gained
ground that no Statesman would now think of plung-
ing this country into unnecessary war. Retrench-
ment is still more a matter of theory than practice,
but Reform is still a vital principle. As Mr.
GLADSTONE said en Saturday night, " the question
possibly may sleep for a time, but it will have a
certain and early resurrection." Remembering the
difficulties which Mr. COBDEN and his coadjutors
had to encounter in their struggles to establish the
great principle of free trade, remembering, too, the
efforts of the great reformers of 1830-32, we must
not be disheartened at any temporary delay. Look-
ing round at the brilliant assembly who listened to
the eloquent oration of Mr. GLADSTONE on Saturday
evening, it was not uninstructive to recall the
ridicule, the animosity, the indifference with
which Mr. COBDEN'S early efforts were regarded in
various quarters. Mr. VILLIERS' annual motion for
1 the repeal of the corn laws used to be received by
the Commons of those days with the same laughter
and ironical cheers as now greet the advocates of
the ballot. Every step in the path of social and 1
legislative progress must be fought against despe-
rate odds, not by physical violence, but by moral
perseverance against prejudice and egotism. It is
not always that the labours of the public servant
are crowned with such laurels as were worthily
won by the great Free Trader; it is not always
that a grateful public even acknowledges
its obligations over his grave, but if the work,
though unrecognised, is accomplished, he who has
helped to forward it is not without his reward." It
is right and fitting that our politicians should step
aside from the beaten track, and give a tangible
form to their affectionate remembrances of a man
like RICHARD COBDEN. Mr. GLADSTONE said truly
that-.-" It is not upon bronze and marble that the
renown of such a man as this depends. You need
not by visible signs recall him to the eyes of
men; his name is written in their hearts; but
some public recognition of the benefits which
1 he has conferred upon his countrymen and his gene-
ration, and not upon them alone, has a moral for
those that succeed us. In him we see the influ-
ences which, without the notice of public distinc-
tion, as it is commonly understood, notwithstand-
ing, minister largely to the benefit and happiness
of his fellow-creatures, and raise the fabric of a
solid and enduring fame upon labours which had
not fame for their object, which were conceived in
a higher spirit, and which, at the same time, must
have it for their certain and deathless result."

An armistice has been at last agreed to, for
a short space it is true, but there seems no doubt
of its having taken place. During five days of its
1 duration much may occur of importance to sway
and influence the minds of the belligerents, but
who can say with anything like confidence that
peace will be the result of this breathing time
afforded. The French EMPEROR has been un-
wearied in his efforts to obtain a cessation of hos-
tilities,
but unfortunately the prejudices and diffi-
culties that stood in his way have been too much
for him. As for the Austrians, when we come to
take all things into consideration, it does not seem
so strange that she should be willing to risk
another battle. The fact is that peace will bring
no such great advantages to the Emperor FRANCIS
JOSEPH, if he be compelled to relinquish all share
in the Germanic Confederation, and therefore he
naturally hesitates to accede to the propositions so
repeatedly made and urged upon his acceptance.
Prussia seems hesitating as to the prudence of
attempting another battle, but she will not give up
her cherished idea of being alone in Germany
without her hated rival. This is the real secret of
the war, and the cause of the eagerness with
which the Berlin Government have pushed
on their military preparations. Schleswig-
Holstein formed a very good pretext for
commencing the attack, but in reality the source of
the dissatisfaction lay far deeper. It seems as if all
parties had resolved that it was the best thing for
Austria to do to give up her position in Germany,
but they will not be so ready to assist her in the
difficulties which such a withdrawal will entail upon
her. It is a paltry subterfuge for Prussia to make
a boast of her magnanimity in not demanding a
great increase of territory, when it is patent to the
world that the sacrifize she requires is of far greater,

, worth, and will cripple Austria more than the re-
linquishment of a large portion of her dominions.
The Germans attach so much importance to ideas,
and when once it is generally made known that
Austria has ceased to belong to the Confederation
her influence will go down in a surprising
manner. As for the notion which some en-
tertain that the change proposed by Prussia
will be of benefit to Germany that is not
likely. It will require a more straightforward
agent than BISMARCK ever was or will be to work
out a scheme of national regeneration ; and when
he holds forth so grandiloquently concerning his
projects, and calls upon the several States to appre-
ciate his services, they might well reply to his
asseverations in the emphatic words, Timea Danaos

et dona ferentes.
Italy has certainly no great causes to plume her-
self upon her share in this contest, and were it not
for the co-operation of Prussia, she would have to
retire ignominiously ; as it is, she has made herself
ridiculous by her pretensions and shown herself in cap-
able of carrying out her fine-sounding prowess. In
the naval engagement which took place on the
20th the Austrians gained a complete vitory, and
after several hours of fighting the Italian fleet was
driven back pursued by the Austrian squadroe. The
engagement, which is said to have been very severe,
lasted for five hours. The Italians, with that in-
genuity they so largely possess, seem to have made
out a pretty good case for themselves, but there is
no doubt that they not, only got the worst of it,
but were really defeated, after making desperate
efforts to retrieve themselves. The Austrians ap-
pear to have displayed as much skill in their en-
counter with the Italians as they have exhibited
a want of savoir faire when they engaged with the
Prussians. We have seldom witnessed a more
lamentable instance of self-conceit and presump-
tion than that shown by the Italians, and there-
fore there is no valid cause for regretting their
discomfiture. It was not the desire of recover-
ing their territory from the hands of the spoiler
that urged them on and incited them to the war,
but they were eager to wreak their vengeance on
Austria, and pay off a long score of offences. It
quite spoiled their cause besides to side with Prussia,
the known enemy to freedom wherever her power
extends. This treaty between King WILLIAM
and VICTOR EMMANUEL will long remain a
stain on the annals of Italy; and seriously
injure her cause with those who have sympathised
with her in her struggles for freedom, and earnestly
wished her success. The greatest anxiety has been
felt for some time past by the Italians that their
fleet, of which they are so proud, should come forth
and distinguish itself, but it would have been better
if they had remained inactive after all, for the affair
of the other day has been most disastrous. The
Prussian troops are being concentrated upon the
Marchfield before Vienna, and all is being got in readi-
ness for the approaching contest. Meanwhile Frank-
fort is paying dearly for the share she has had in the
war, and will, it is said, be called upon to furnish a
further sum of 25 million florins. The Municipal
Council, it is said, have declared that they cannot
pay so large a sum; and no wonder, after the heavy
contributions forced from them the other day. We
doubt very much, however, if the Prussians will
not make them find some way of paying the required
sum, for they are most exacting and extortionate,
and whether they come in the guise of friends or
foes the result is pretty much the same for all
concerned. In Paris it seems that they entertain
most sanguine expectations as to the result of the
armistice, but we have yet to see whether such con-
fident expectations can be realised. The chief object
in view in ,getting this five days' armistice seems to
be to give time to Austria to consider the nature of
the proposals made by Prussia ; but we do not feel
sure that she will d 3 so. We are told so, it is true,
but not with a very great appearance of certainty,
and have, as usual, to remain in doubt. This Con-
tinental war certainly affords us exercise for
patience in no small degree. We hear the news in
such confused accounts that we may well feel a little
uncertain at first what to credit and what to reject
as spurious. We see little security for Germany
that if the Prussian scheme be carried out that it
will be allowed that free scope for its energies that
is essential to the progress and prosperity of a large
empire. It is of no use for the ruling power to be
strong unless it is also actuated by an enlightened
spirit, and the late experience we have all had of
Prussia forbids us to hope anything really beneficial
from her policy. A change that is not for the better
is but a delusive advantage after all, and before long
all parties may wish that this war had never taken
place.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Sunday Evening.

If the Memorial hiplomatique can be believed,
the Pacific step taken by Austria in so speedily ac-
cepting the proposition of Prussia for an armistice
of five days is only in conformity with its previous
desire to pursue a friendly policy. Austria notified
to the French Government two months ago that she
was ready to cede Venetia. Her idea was not only
to place Italy in a disinterested position, but to
break up the Prusso-Italian coalition, and to obtain
the active assistance of France in the case of a war
breaking out between the two great German
Powers. It was the opposition of the military
power in Austria which threw obstacles in the way
of the cession of Venetia. But the French and
Austrian Cabinets had made some preliminary
arrangements respecting the cession before the battle
of Sado wa.

The official announcement despatched to London
on Friday by telegraph, that if Austria agreed to
the mutual proposal to abstain with Prussia from
hostilities for five days, the treaty for an armistice
might be, signed immediately, at first was received
as an indication that peace was certain. After a
day's consideration, however, both journalists and
the public appear to have less confidence. There
did not seem to be so much doubt as to the pacific
disposition of Austria, but the adhesion of Italy
being also requisite, by some it is feared, from
recent manifestations, that a difficulty may arise, in
that quarter. Be this as it may, the effect on the
Bourse at first was almost as marked and extensive
as upon the first announcement of the mediation
of France. The highest rise was in the Credit
Mobilier shares, which was no less than 35f. Austria,
according to the Moniteur of yesterday, interposed
no delay, but immediately accepted the proposal
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refusal of the preliminaries of peace. In f
this pacific demonstration, there is still some doubt
or difficulty.in the public mind in regard to the ulti-
mate decision of Austria.

The Journal des Deiats of this morning says—
,' Austria deliberates for the moment, and we shall
not anticipate her decision. She has expressed her
willingness to make any arrangement which would
not compromise her dignity. She accepted French
mediation on the evening of the day when the note
appeared in the illoniteur of the sth. It is difficult
to know how the dignity of the Austrian empire can
be compromised by its Government under present
circumstances."

The Court of Cassation has rejected the appeal
of Philippe, condemned to death for the murder of
the woman Bodeaux, and the attempt to murder
Madame Midi. Two points were urged by the pri-
soner's counsel in support of the appeal. First, an
alleged violation of criminal code, a juror having
manifested his opinion before the evidence was con-

eluded. The counsel contended that another juror
ought to have been chosen to replace him. The
other point was that a witness, who was first ex-
amined on oath, was afterwards irregularly heard to
explain some circumstances without being again
sworn. Both these objections are of some import-
ance. The Court overruled them both, and main-
tained the sentence, which will, no doubt, be car-
ried into immediate execution.

A very fashionably-dressed young lady has been
arrested for picking pockets opposite the Palais
Royal, where there are always crowds waiting for
the omnibus. Several purses were found upon her,
but she was clever enough to extract the money and
have it loose in her pocket. One lady, however,
from whom she had taken a purse, furnished
rather a curious piece of evidence against the thief.
The lady stated that in addition to the money there
were two false teeth in the purse. These two iden-
tical teeth were found among the loose cash in the
girl's pocket. Thus was the girl's guilt established
by evidence out of the complainant's own mouth if
not in spite of her teeth. This girl, although not
twenty, seems to have carried on a flourishing
trade, for she had created such a good position for
herself that she was about to marry an officer sid
good family.
An amusing dodge of some rats at one of the
minor theatres is related. The man who had
charge of the lamps, finding that his oil had dimi-
nished very rapidly, watched for the supposed thief.
After waiting in silence for about an hour, about
a dozen rats successively made their appearance.
Some six or eight mounted on each other's backs,
so as to enable one to reach the top of the oil can.
The orifice was very small, but the uppermost rat
introduced his tail into the oil, and descending, al-
lowed his accomplices to lick the oil which the tail
had imbibed. The tale is literally a strange one,
but,the truth of it is affirmed by the.Epoque.
The fame of the Prussian needle-gun is likely to
be eclipsed by an electric gun, the invention of M.
Bazin, perfected by Mr. G. Renette, the Emperor's
armourer. One great improvement is that half of
the movements of the Prussian gun are dispensed
with, and another is that is can be applied easily to
all the guns now in use. Prominent points, which
impede the movements of the soldier, the trigger
and lock, for instance, are done away with.
Swindling in Paris is practised with such finesse
and dexterity that it must be classed among the in-
dustrial arts. Here is another instance. A very
fashionably dressed young lady went a day or two
ago to a pawnbroker's office. She offered in pledge
a bracelet set with diamonds. The clerk proposed
to lend her 220 f., but she said that was not enough
—she had given I,ooof. for the article, and she
wanted at least 400 f. The bracelet, which was in
a jewel case, was therefore handed back to her. The
lady took it, and after hesitating a moment or two
said she would accept the amount offered. 'The
case did not appear to have passed from her
hand ; but pawnbrokers are cautious people, and
the clerk opened it and gave a glance. For the
bracelet at first offered another had been substi-
tuted in the twinkling of an eye, which was
of brass, and not worth 15f. The lady was con-
signed to a police officer, and it appears that she has
several times been more successful in playing this
slight-of-hand trick.

The wound received by the young Prince of
Hohenzollern at the battle of Sadowa has proved
so serious that it has been nedessary to amputate
his left leg. Another leg is in course of manufac-
ture at Paris by an eminent mechanic, the artictf-
lation of which will be so exquisite that it is expected
the Prince will be able to use it almost as efficiently
as the natural leg. The Prince was in Paris last
winter, and was at almost all the fashionable balls.
It is to be feared that he never will again be able
to dance so well. As was the case with the gouty
old Commodore," the balls have spoilt his dancing.
The Constitutionnel of to-day considers that the
concession made by Austria is of such importance
that it is useless to take any notice of the articles
more or less bellicose of the Prussian and Italian
journals, which ought to abstain from all dischssions
calculated to render the work of diplomacy more
difficult."

There has been an explosion from gas in the
stablei at the circus iii the Champs Elysees, and
three persons are said to have perished in the flames.
Three horses were burnt to death. Had it not been
for great exertions the theatre would have been
entirely destroyed. The performance, however,
will be resumed this evening.

The Reform League Demonstration.—Lette
from Mr. Sohn Bright.

_-o-----

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR, —The following letter has been received from
Mr. John Bright, M.P. Will you kindly publish
the same in your valuable paper.--4 am, &c.
GEO. HOWELL, Secretary.
Adelphi-terrace, W.C., July 22.

Rochdale, July 19.
Dear Sir,—l thank your Council for the invita-
tion to the meeting intended to be held in Hyde-
park on Monday next.
I cannot leave home for some days to come, and
therefore cannot be in London on the 23d inst.

I see that the chief of the metropolitan police
force has announced his intention to prevent the
holding of the meeting. It appears from this that
the people may meet in the parks for every purpose
but that which ought to be most important and most
dear to them. To meet in the streets is inconve-
nient, and to meet in the parks is unlawful-- this
is the theory of the police authorities of the metro-
polis ! .

You have asserted your right to meet on Primrose-
hill, and in Trafalgar-square. I hope after Monday
next no one will doubt your right to meet in Hyde-
park. _ _

If a public meeting in a public park is denied
you, and if millions of intelligent and honest men
are denied the franchise, on what foundation does
our liberty rest, or is there in the country any
liberty but the toleration of the ruling class?
This is a serious question, but it is necessary to
ask it, and some answer must be given to it.
I am, very respectfully yours,
JOHN BRIGHT.
Mr. George Howell, Secretary to the
Reform League, 8, Adelphi-terrace,
Strand, London, W.C.

Mr. T. Mason Jones has sent to the Home Secre-
tary the copy of a resolution passed at " a meeting
of the committee to vindicate the right of public
meeting in the royal'parks," which is thus worded :
—" That her Majesty's Secretary of State f'r the
Home Department, in prohibiting the proposed
reform meeting in Hyde-park, having claimed on
behalf of the Crown an unlimited discretionary
power with regard to properties vested in it ; and
that the Crown can of its sole will prevent the
people from holding public meetings in the parks,
this committee denies that the Crown has any such
power, and has determined to test the question by
holding a public meeting in favour of reform in
Hyde-park, on Monday evening, the 23d instant,
at seven o'clock."

The following reply has been received :
" Home Department, July 21, 1866.
" Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your
note enclosing a copy of certain resolutions intended
to be proposed at a meeting
in Hyde-park. After
the statement which I felt it my duty to make in
the House of Commons, I had hoped that those who
had proposed to convene that meeting would have
forborne from calling it together. Should they still
persevere in their intention, which I trust they will
not, I have no other course left open to me but to
desire the police to act on the notice issued by Sir
Richard Mayne.-1 am, sir, your obedient servant,
44 S. H. AVALPOLE.
" Mr. T. Mason Jones."

RESIGNATION OF CAPT. COOPER KEY. —We
understand that Capt. Astley Cooper, Key,
C. 8., of her
Majesty's ship Excellent, and Governor of the Royal Naval
College at Portsmouth, has tendered his resignation to the
First Lord of the Admiralty, owing to the fact of a very
junior officer having
been appointed to superintend the
fittings of gun carriages on board her Majesty's ships. It
is to be hoped that some steps will be taken without loss of
time to assuage Capt. Key's wounded feelings, as it is
scarcely likely that any officer of spirit will accept an ap-
pointment saddled with the annoyance to which we have
alluded.—Army and 4Yavy Gazette.