The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-14 00:00:00

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LONDON, TVEDENSDAY, .71r6 1. 14, 1866.

We are not likely to hear the last of the Reform
question for some time, but we have gained one
thing by the prolongation of the discussion. The
common-place arguments on both sides are ex-
hausted, even party vituperation has inevitably
cooled down, and men are driven to study the ques-
tion on broad constitutional and historical grounds
if they wound find anything to say that is likely to
command attention and be worth listening to. A
student of the subject, writing to a contemporary,
has thought it a good opportunity to reconsider the
whole question, and more especially to examine
the great Reform Bill of 1832, and discover
if possible what were its defects and shortcomings.
Being something of a Tory in his views, it does
not, of course, take him long to discover that the
Bill left the influence of the Whigs very greatly in
the ascendant, and kindly overlooked certain
boroughs iu which the landlord was (professedly)
Liberal in his politics. The Tories of that day,
however, had themselves to thank for being so
completely outwitted, since their obstinate opposi-
tion to the much-needed measure prevented
them from exercising any influence upon it. It

was carried in defiance of them, not with
their help and assistance, and they could rot conse-
quently expect much mercy at the hands of the Re-
formers. This has always been the great difficulty
in dealing with a matter which ought to be entirely
independent of party considerations. An amend-
ment of the Constitution under which we all live is
a national matter, and if our politicians were half
as candid and disinterested as they appear in
their speeches, it would be dealt with in a
national spirit. If the object be to secure a
fair representation for all classes of the
community, it ought not to be so very difficult to
I apportion the franchise. If our aim be to secure
I purity of election, we should attain it in any other
department of life by trying plan after plan till we
succeeded. If, however, the question at issue be
merely whether one set of men or another shall sit
on the Treasury benches the mistakes of 1832 are
only too likely to be repeated in 18,57, or whatever
year a Reform Bill really passes.

The intelligence brought from our Australian
colonies by the recent mail is, on the whole, satis-
factory. They are principally occupied in the ar-
rangement of their internal policy and matters of
domestic administration. In Melbourne the com-
mercial circles were still feeling the effects of the
London panic in the spring, and the interest of
money was 10 and 12 per cent. Mercantile men in
Australia complain that their bankers are too timid,
and keep too much of their money locked up in
securities not readily convertible. This fault
cannot certainly be charged against our
English bankers, who have recently been
subjected to severe strictures for not being
cautious enough. It is a singular charge to bring
against a young community not generally remark-
ablg for want of progress. The Queensland Go-
vernment, however, are going to set the mother
country herself a good example. They are going
to issue Treasury notes, being the first attempt in
Australia at the issue of Government paper cur-
rency. The Radical party strongly uphold the
principle as an economical method of using
the public credit. Old financiers indeed are
ready with discount prophecies, but the
Queensland authorities are wise enough to remem-
ber the awful prognostications respecting the Ame-
rican greenbacks, which have found their fulfilment
in the rapid reduction of the National Debt of the
States.

The agricultural prospects of the season are said
to be tolerable, though the farmers are complaining
of a lack of rain. Certainly their fellows on this
side of the equator have had no such cause for
lament. Possibly we have had our own share and
that of the Antipodes as well. The gold fields of New
Zealand are increasing in importance, and a return
recently published of the gold exported from the
various ports of that colony during the twelvemonth,
from the Ist of April, 1865 to the 31st of March,
1866, gives a total of 674,4990 z., which at £4 an
ounce gives £2,697,996. So greatly have the New
Zealand diggings risen in public estimation that the
diggers now often divide the year between Victoria
and Auckland, taking the one for the winter, and
the other for the summer. Altogether the prospects
of Australia and New Zealand are favourable, and
give promise of rapid development.

It will be with great satisfaction that the public
will learn that our authorities believe the time to
have now arrived for substituting a form of thanks- I
giving for the prayer now used in our churches and
chapels for the removal of the cholera and the
cattle plague. The two visitations which have both
been severely felt by the poorer classes have dimi-
nished in severity about the same time, although the
cattle plague is of much longer standing than the
cholera. The mortality from the two forms of the
epidemic is still indeed higher than is quite satisfac-
tory in the middle of November, being 100 in the week
ending on Saturday, and 101 the week before. Still
the deaths exhibit a regular decrease in the last five
weeks, being 254, 199, 144, 101, and 100. The
principal proportion of the recent mortality has
been due to the outbreak at Woolwich, :where
73 persons have died in three weeks. This sudden
development of the disease is attributed by the
Registrar-General to the insufficient water supply,
the dirty and dilapidated condition of the houses of
the labouring classes, and the unhealthiness of
their sites. He adds—" The question of
the sites of dwellings for the working
classes is one of the most pressing, and will
no doubt obtain the attention of her MAJESTY'S
Government." The alarm caused by the cholera
will, we may hope, do good in this respect ; for all
that our sanitary reformers have urged upon indif-
ferent or unwilling listeners during several years
has been powerfully enforced by a teacher whom
none can contradict. We have much cause to be
thankful for the rapid diminution of what threatened
to be a severe attack of the dreaded epidemic, but
ver confidence. at the same time we have no cause to indulge in
o
need The winter months will no
doubt keep dence.
will be muchthe enemy at bay, but there
for if we are to avoid.
anoutcbaruetaikon a n
in
The condition of thed sepnrei rnggy.
many of our poorer districts is a
disgrace to the country, since, if legislation does not
touch the evil, it ought to do so; while the water
supply is a matter which is under some definite con-
trol, and should certainly to a little more adequate
to the needs of our enormous and ever-increasing
population. It is a scandalous thing that in many
of our poor and populous districts the water only
comes into the house for 20 minutes or half-an-hour
in the day, during which time all that is wanted for
use must be caught in tubs and pails for lack of proper
reservoirs. It is very well to preach about cleanli-
ness and order, but so long as the poor are put to
shifts like this it is not likely that our exhortations
will have much effect. The lesson to be learnt by
London must also be studied by the other great
cities, for cholera still „,
lin crers in Dublin, Edinburgh,
and Liverpool. Bad water, insufficient drainage,
and overcrowding are three prime elements in the
condition of things which invites the enemy to our
doors, and so surely
the necessary social
manifest duty in instituting
as we neglect our plain and
and sanitary reforms, so surely shall we suffer from
negligence when the warm weather returns, and
with it the liability to epidemic disease.

The opening of the Belgian Chambers took place
yesterday, and the KING officiated at the e
A particular interest seems to attach itselfte
manytothis
kingdom just now in consequence of the
rumours that have been afloat lately. The KING
declared that all the relations with Foreign Powers
were of a friendly character, and that in the midst
of the " great events which have disturbed a part
of Europe, Belgium has remained calm and con-
fident, deeply impressed with the rights and duties
of neutrality." In fact the little kingdom has been a
model to larger and more powerful States during the
confusions that have lately arisen on the Continent,
and we may well say that the Belgians have en-
joyed far more liberty and real independence than
many more pretentious people have done. The
KING said that they would continue to preserve the
same neutrality for the future, and that they could
carry on affairs with "sincerity, loyalty, and
strength." All those who clearly comprehend the

politics of Europe must sympathise with the
young KING in his trying position. He has,
indeed, succeeded to power at a time
fraught with danger and difficulty, but he
seems to have learned lessons of wisdom in his
earlier career, and to be ready to emulate the pru-
dent course of his father. We may compare the
unanimity that prevails in Belgium with the very
congenial feelings that are met with in the Berlin
Chambers, and this in itself is a source of strength
to the one, and of weakness to the other. The KING
impressively said, in conclusion, that to " accom-
plish the tasks of Government it would be necessary
that they should have the loyal concurrence of the
Chambers, and he hoped that all hearts at the be-
ginning of this new reign would remain united in
the love of our country and its institutions." We
trust that success will attend the course of this
Session of the Belgian Chambers, and that no ad-
verse circumstance will arise to mar the present pros-
perity of the kingdom.
The Danish Chambers have also been opened this
week, and here we have another instance of a small
kingdom struggling to preserve itself intact in the
midst of strife and broils. King CHRISTIAN could
at any rate meet the representatives with a better
grace than last year, since the marriage
of his daughter with the Russian Prince
has tended to strengthen his alliance in that
important direction. Denmark, his MAJESTY ob-
served, had not been unaffected by the political
events that had lately taken place in Europe. The
Treaty of Peace, which had been concluded in
Prague, stipulated that North Schleswig should be
restored to Denmark, provided the will of the popu-
lation was in favour of such a proceeding; and
though this has not been carried out, there are many
indications that the national privileges will be
secured to the country. Profound gratitude was
expressed in the Royal Speech towards the Emperor
NAPOLEON, in consequence of the earnest efforts
that he has made to further the interests of Den-
mark, and especially to enable her to realise her
hopes respecting the boundary question, hopes
which have actuated and animated the Danes ever
since the Treaty of Vienna. Attention is being
0
given to the defence of the kingdom, and more espe-
cially with respect to fire-arms, that are beinr, now
placed on au improved footing ; and, according to
the explanations given in the Royal Speech there
seems to be no doubt that the financial con-
dition of the country will cause no apprehension.
Denmark has recovered itself far more quickly than
might have been supposed possible two years ago ;
and we hope that its present quiescent aspect will
not be changed for one of a more worthless cha-
racter, for it will be a ruinous policy to adopt, or to
allow to be adopted, that small states and king-
doms should be swallowed up by larger ones ; and
we do not believe that such a consummation will be
tolerated by the good sense and right feeling of
those nations of Europe which are indignant at what
has already occurred.

Mr. WALPOLE does not seem likely to have a very
easy time of it at the Home-office, if we are to
judge from what has already taken place in several
directions. He had a vast amount of trouble in
his intercourse with Mr. BEALES and his friends,
and was alternately twitted and censured for going
too far, and for recognising them as a "belligerent
power." However, the good sense and great
moderation of the Home Secretary triumphed over
these obstacles, and so we trust they will over the
very awkward matter of theTrades' Unions. Yester-
day a deputation waited on the right hon. gentle-
man at the Home-office, in reference to the New
Hereford-street outrage in Sheffield. It was intro-
duced by Mr. ROEBUCK and Mr. HADFIELD, and
consisted of the most influential members
of the Sheffield community. We do not
wonder that these gentlemen should have consi-
dered it necessary to do something in this matter
which has engaged the attention of the public, and
caused so much disquietude in the town where the
outrage occurred. It is indeed time that some de-
cisive steps were taken to discover the causes which
lead to these outbreaks, and to prevent their re-
currence as much as possible for the future.
It is a subject which concerns the whole country,
for it is impossible to say which town shall not be
the scene of some similar outrage. It is satisfactory
to learn that in all directions the most earnest and
energetic efforts have been made in order to dis-
cover the perpetrators of the offence ; and if their
work in this instance should not be crowned with
success*, at any rate we may with good reason be-
lieve that the determination now shown may
serve to deter others from following so per-
nicious a practice. It has been the case with
these trades'-union outrages, as with many other
things of a like character, the offenders have so
often escaped with impunity that they have gone
too far ; and now that the special attention of Go-
vernment has been called to an individual case, and
the chief persons of the town have taken up the
matter, no doubt the disgraceful habit will be put a
stop to. The course it is at once and for ever the
better for all classes of the community, but more
especially the working men, upon whom it casts
great discredit, and it rests with the really inde-
pendent clubs among them to discountenance it
to the utmost of their power.

THE ALMANACKS FOR 1867—are beginning to
crowd upon us. Several of them we have already
mentioned ; others have since then dropped in.
Here, among the latest corners in this way, for ex-
ample, are—Bow Bells' Almanack, plentifully illus-
trated with full-page engravings, some of them
clever and the whole publication sixpence ;
Old Jonathan's .ellmanack, a penny broad-sheet,
margined with old woodcuts ; and, best of all
in the way of affording its purchasers valuable
and reliable and instantly referable information of
a practical kind, is M'Corquodale and Co.'s ad-
mirable Railway Alnianack. The only error that
we have been able to detect in which, is the supple-
menting to the direction of our own offices, of the
initials for a wrong postal district.
THE LATE COL. STODARE.—It is understood that
Madame Stodare, widow of the late Col. Stodare, will re-
open the theatre of mystery, Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, in
the course of a few days—having
been solicited again to
appear before the public.

THE FORTHCOMING REFORM BANQUET AT MAN-
CHESTER.—We understand that the banquet committee are
anlauaiinragger:hauatsl
oi is tte e(.3 a deco-
rated,diearrangementss,nmeaekeisarynraapfotidth.
The
refreshment-room, is to be carpeted, furnished with otto-
mans, ecc., and rendered quite a comfortable lounge for the
ladies. All the entrances and stairs will be carpeted, and
profusely adorned with plants of various descriptions, and
placards giving directions how to proceed to the various
parts of the building will be posted iu conspicuous places.
The exterior of the building will be brilliantly illuminated
with the oxygen light, which, besides being in itself an
attraction, will greatly facilitate the preserving of order
during the arrival and departure of the public. It is in-
tended in a (lay or two to advertise a list of complete in-
structions to ticket holders in reference to their respective
doors at which they will be admitted, with all other ar-
rangements.—:Manchester Guardian.
MADONNA MARY. By Mrs. Oliphant. 3 vols.—
" Madonna Mary' is a story told with exquisite simplicity
writers have the keen perception
o
Few
living writers
Oliphant possesses, and fewer
and
of
human beauty.
nature
still know how to give expression to what they know, feel,
or observe as well as she does. These attributes are splen-
didly exemplifibd in Madonna Mary.' There are through-
out the book many fine studies of character and much of
that realism which has in it poetry of the highest order.
In 'Madonna Mary' Mrs. Oliphant has added another to
her many literary laurels. The book is honest in senti-
ment, healthy in tone, and full of the deepest interest."—
Star.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.
The news of the day consists rather of contradic-

tions than facts. Thus the report of a serious in-
surrection at Barcelona, which has been in circula-
tion at Paris for several days, is contradicted. The
statement of another paper, relative to the Pope,
also turns out to be untrue. Indeed few person,
believed it. The allegation was that the evacuation
of Rome by the French troops would not take place
until some arrangement had been made relative to
the Pontifical debt. It is again repeated, how-
ever, on authority that the Convention of the 15th
September will be formally, faithfully, and strictly
carried out by both the contending parties. The
Convention does not contain any stipulation in
regard to the Papal debt. There will, however
be a speedy arrangement respecting this matter.
The Italie has authority to declare that even should
there be some delay the French troops will, never-
theless, leave Rome at the time appointed.
Another contradiction, which comes from Berlin,
is in reference to the statement that the Prussian
Ministry at a Cabinet Council held ou the 7th
inst. had agreed to a project of Federal Reform
destined to serve as the basis of the deliberations of
the Northern States.

The Government has received despatches from
Constantinople, dated Saturday, which states that
after the submission of the Spakiotes and the chiefs
of the Candian insurrection, the Commissary-Ge-
neral of the Sultan, Moustapha Pasha, had pub-
lished a general amnesty for the compromised
Cretans, and also declared that the rebel chiefs
and the foreigners who would not submit might
leave the island freely.

The Imperial Commission of the Great Exhibi-
tion has decided that the banks of the Seine shall
be connected by two tunnels in the Champ de Mars.
By this means the banks will form part of the park,
and the visitors who arrive from the interior of
Paris, or from the field of exercises at Billacourt,
will be able to land in the circle of the building.
The banks of the Quai d'Orsay will thus constitute
the real port of the Champ de Mars, and will pre-
sent a new spectacle for Paris. This combination
will give time for the preparation of maritime ma-
chines of a naval character. Two places have been
especially reserved for restaurants.
A frightful accident has taken place at the village
of Guipereux, in the department of Seine-et-Oise.
A conjuror has obtained permission to give a per-
fornadnce of magic at a wine-shop in an upper room,
which was usually devoted to dancing. A great
number of persons were present. A cracking noise
was suddenly heard, which however did not create
any alarm, because it was supposed to be connected
with the performances. The ceiling, however, gave
way almost immediately, and more than sixty per-
sons were precipitated below. Assistance was ob-
tained without delay, and fifteen persons were res-
cued who had received serious injuries. Three
women were taken out quite dead. One of them
leaves several children.

The Algiers papers give an account of a terrible
storm which broke out at Mostaganem on the Ist
of November, which caused great devastation in the
town. Many houses fell in ruins, workshops were
carried away, and three persons were killed. Pro-
perty to an immense'value was destroyed.
The death is announced of Baron d'lledlincourt,
Deputy for the Pas de Calais; also of Baron de la
Roche-Lacarelle, author of a history of Beaujolais.
The Abbe Laurence, Vicar-General of Tarbes, has
just died very suddenly from apoplexy.
The prize to be awarded by the Academy of Fine
Arts for the year 1867 will be for the dissertation
showing the degree of influence exercised by the
fine arts upon national and political feeling, morals,
religion, philosophy, and science. The author is to
discuss to what extent the most eminent artists have
proved themselves to be dependent upon or free from
that influence.

There was a very violent storm last night in the
vicinity of Paris, which has nearly stripped all the
leaves from the trees. Large branches have been
broken off in some localities. To-day it has been
rather strong, but excessively warm and agreeable
for the season. The Parisians rave preferred to sit
outside rather than inside the cafes. The Boule-
vards Bad an aspect of summer rather than winter.
The Gazette de France gives a letter from a pas-
senger who was on board the Fairy Vision, an
English vessel of 800 tons, which has performed
the voyage between London, Alarseilles, Gibraltar,
and Lisbon. He embarked on the 15th of October
at Lisbon. On the 20th the vessel was near Mar-
seilles, and the captain (Lieut. Ewen) announced
that they would reach that port in the evening. A
storm arose, however, and the sailors took possession
of the wine and spirits ; and, according to the ac-
count of this passenger, commenced a brutal orgie, and
abandoned the vessel to herself. The writer and
other passengers were put on board one of the ship's
boats and were safely landed at the Isle of Camargue,
30 miles to the west of Marseilles. The captain had
mistaken the light of Faraman, which is a first-class
fixed light, for that of Flanier, which is a movable
light. The vessel was entirely lost, but as far as can
be gathered from the rather confused and excited
account of the writer all on board were saved. The
Fairy Vision was a fine new boat, built at Glasgow
in 1865. Every assistance was given by the autho-
rities to the shipwrecked crew.
One of the papers states that a great sensation
has been created in the financial world by the sud-
den withdrawal from the Bank of France of the
sum of between 11 and 12 millions of francs, placed
there to the account of a Russian banker.

Within a few days past steam power instead of
horses is employed to tow boats on canals. A loco-
motive has just towed two large boats by canal
from Compiegne to Paris.
The railway line from Figeac to Aurillac, on the
Orleans Railway,
has just been opened. The line
is to be prolonged to Brionde, in the Department of
the Upper Loire, and it will thus be connected with
the Lyons Railway. The section now opened com-
prises fourteen stations.

Great preparations are in progress at Florence to

celebrate wiih solemnity the return of the King of
Italy to his capital, which, it is supposed, will take
place about the 20th inst. - -
A pious and interesting ceremony took place last
week at St. A übin-sur-Gaillon—the removal of the
remains of Marmontel from a private tomb to the
cemetery of the commune. The memory of the
author of " Corites Moraux," the " Cours
de Litterature," and other esteemed works,
has ever been held in veneration. During
the Reign of Terror Marmontel fled from Paris,
and took refuge at the hamlet of Habloville, where
he had purchased a little estate, and where he lived
in retirement until 1797. At the ensuing elections
he was chosen as representative of the arrondisse-
ment of Evreux ; but the elections having been de-
clared void, he returned to Habloville, where he
died Dec. 31, 1799, and according to his wish was
buried in his own garden. The tomb erected there
to his memory was often visited with interest. The
monument having fallen into decay, and the pro-
perty having changed hands, the municipal autho-
rities of St. Aubin offered to the descendants of
Marmontel to provide for the remains of the cele-
brated writer a grave in perpetuity in the cemetery
of Hobloville. The family having accepted the
offer, the remains were exhumed and deposited in the
cemetery with the accustomed ceremonial. The leaden
coffin which contained them was in a state of per-
fect preservation. It was enclosed in another
coffin of cak. There was a numerous procession
headed by the clergy of St. Aubin.
The Abeille Cauchoise states that a young man of
20, residing near Yvetot, has been in a state of pro-
found sleep for three weeks. Every day gruel and
a little wine are poured down his throat. His res-
piration and pulse are regular. It is stated that
about three years ago he slept for a fortnight.
General Fleury, aide-de-camp to the Emperor, is
about to leave Paris for Florence, where he will re-
present his Majesty at the grand fetes to be given
on the occasion of the return of the King of Italy
to his capital after his visit to the provinces.
The health of the Empress of Mexico is said to be
so much improved that there is no longer any
anxiety respecting her Majesty.