The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-24 00:00:00

firliE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING', NOVEMBER 24 1366.

NOV. 24, 1866.
LONDON, SATURDAY,

It appears by this time to be pretty certain that
the sway of the Emperor MAXI3IILIAN is now over.
There is nothing to surprise us in this intelligence,
and indeed it seems only strange that such an event
did not occur at an earlier period. No one can say
that there bas been any hesitation displayed on the
part of the Emperor MAXIMILIA.N, for he has from

first to last exhibited an energy and a devotion
worthy of a better cause and a more satisfactory
issue. There has been no doubt remaining in the
minds of the well-informed for some time past as
to the end of this Mexican venture, and it is a
question whether any good has been gained by
thus prolonging the struggle. Certainly so
far as the Empress CHARLOTTE is concerned, it is
much to be regretted that this course was persisted
in, but there were perhaps reasons in the back-
ground which we do not exactly comprehend or
divine. No one can fail to sympathise with
MAXIMILIAN in this his day of misfortune and de-
feat, and the more so that he has all along believed
that he could succeed if he was properly upheld,
but with the want of assistance he was compelled to
give up. However, while we admire the foresight
and respect the constancy of the Emperor of
MExico, common sense compels us to admit that
the Emperor of the FRENCH has taken a course
which cannot be gainsaid. Nothing was more plain
to himself or more evident to the world at large than
that the time had come when the effort to establish '
an empire across the Atlantic must be abandoned.
No one can accuse the Emperor NAPOLEON of
cowardice, but he never errs on the side of hastiness
or exhibits signs of rashness. When he finds that
this plan is too uncertain or that project is too un-
safe, he relinquishes the one and bids farewell to
the other. In the present instance he saw, in com-
mon with the other politicians of Europe, that to
pursue the scheme would be to offend the Govern-
ment of the United States, although, if need re-
quired him to bear the brunt of their wrathful in-
dignation, he would not have shrunk from the en-
counter, but to do so without any real cause or impe-
rative claim would have been foolish in the extreme,
and, in fact, an act quite contrary to the course he
has consistently pursued to the satisfaction of his
own subjects, and the admiration of his contem-
poraries.

Of course no one imagines for a moment that
the giving up of the attempt to establish a domi-
nion under French auspices is due to any apprehen-
sion entertained about JUAREZ and his followers,
but the United States declared so strongly against
the affair, as soon as the war that raged between
them and the South was at an eud, that it was
quite impossible to mistake their meaning ; and be-
sides this, it was soon seen that the French people
did not first take up the matter so eagerly as had
been anticipated, and •after a while seemed to be
averse to it altogether. In the face of decided op-
position in America, and quasi support and coun-
tenance at home, no wonder that the E3IPEROR was
induced to abandon the scheme, however reluctant
to do so, and however much he might regret what
seems, at first sight, to be a failure, his " first
failure,"' as it it has, indeed, been emphatically
styled in some quarters.
We must also take into account that the very cir-
cumstances which operated against the Emperor
MAxmLIAN, and the chances of success to the
French undertaking, were all so many adjuncts of
great moment to JUAREZ and his immediate fol-
lowers, and he found an ally of unquestionable value
in the American PRESIDENT.
We have no doubt that great disadvantages to
the Mexicans will be the immediate result of the
retirement of the French from the scene of their
late exploits. Whatever may be the pros and cons
about the desirability of their interference, no sound
opinion can be entertained as to the social benefit
which their presence conferred on the inhabitants.
Order was established in a great measure, and the
fears that were previously felt with good justice
as to the safety of life and property were greatly
diminished, if not altogether abandoned, while
their rule was in force. All this was
done, we must remember, in the face of all
kind of discouragement, and in spite of constant
harassing in various quarters. No wonder, then,
that people should now inquire what will become
of the Mexicans under the new phase of their
affairs ? The responsibility of maintaining peace
and of re-establishing it will now rest with the
United States, and we hope that by vigorous mea-
sures and determined efforts the Americans will do
all that the Emperor MAXIMILIAN desired, but
could not possibly execute, and that the end of this
vexatious strife and bitter antagonism may be that
a decided improvement will be visible in the state
and condition of Mexico and its inhabitants, for
they stand greatly in need of them.

The mail from the Cape of Good Hope gives us
some account of the state of affairs at the Antipodes.
Their political session, like their natural seasons,
comes round at a different time of the year from
our own, and while our statesmen and politicians
are enjoying their holiday, and the world in general
is lamenting the dulness of the time, the colonists
at Cape Town are full of active business. Both
Houses of Parliament, we are told, are proceeding
actively with the business of the session, and their
difficulties and disputes seem to be very much akin
to the perplexities of the mother country. There,
as here, there seems to be a great talk about eco-
mcmising the national expenditure, and a great deal
of difficulty in reducing theory to practice. The
Colonial Secretary,
lonnatial Secretary, who is there the Finance
made his Budget Speech on Sept. 25, and
a long debate ensued upon the necessity of economy
in the administration of the public funds, and the
Estimates were referred to a selected committee,
whose report had not appeared when the mail left.
The measures under discussion, of course, stood
over during the interval ; but, as might have been
expected, they have occasioned a good deal of
debate out of doors. The Chambers at Cape Town
and Port Elizabeth appear to be actuated by liberal
motives, and to use their influence in favour
of an enlightened policy. They have had the tariff
question under consideration, and while they agree
in the main with the Government proposal to im-
pose import duties, t
ms dutieshecyubsotothrefused onto
support
the proposal to impose export,
principle of protection to na-
and have ignored the
tive iadustry, notwithstanding some agitation in its
behalf in the colony. The colony, if it is to pros-
per,t
must do so through commerce; an
restric-
tive policy, however tempting for the time,da willhedetrimental to its interests in the long run.
As an agricultural and pastoral country the
exports must form a most important part of
its trade, and any obstacles put in their
way will be damaging to the very source to which
the colonists must look for wealth and prosperity.

We are glad to find the Chambers of Commerce
alive to the real interests of trade, and in this re-
spect, as in many others, our colonists may learn
from the hard won experience of the mother country,
whose trade and commerce have expanded with the
removal of successive restrictions. English de-
pendencies should not be behind continental nations
in profiting by our example, and in accepting the
doctrines of Free:Trade, which are forcing their way
slowly but surely even among the most extensive
nations. The French have to thank the sagacity
of their EMPEROR for the introduction of principles
which were at first received with great disfavour by
the merchants and manufacturers who have since
been forced to admit the advantages of the system
which they condemned. Even Austria has begun
to awake to the perception of the necessity of a
bolder and more liberal commercial policy, and it is

not a little singular that the Americans, who are
so enlightened in many respects, have still so
much to learn with respect to Free Trade.
Happily the commercial prospects of the Cape are
at present satisfactory. The crops are reported to
be largely in excess of any previous year, and are
for the most part in a very promising condition,
while the wool-growers have had the best season on
record, so that there was greater activity and a
more sanguine spirit noticeable in all departments.
The Ministry has apparently a very easy task this
session, for we find that the Colonial Secretary, in
moving the second reading of a bill authorising the
Government to raise a loan for the construction of
railways, met with a very strong opposition. "The
reasons urged against the bill are not stated, and
may perhaps be valid, but the extension of
the means of transit and communication throughout
the colony is very much to be desired.
The natives are quiet, though there has been a
domestic difficulty arising from their depredations.
It seems that some of the border residents, not being
satisfied with the protection afforded by the Go-
vernment, have formed a mutual protection society
to check the cattle stealing from which they suffer
so much. They have on a recent occasion over-
stepped the law, and have been called to account
by the Governor, who has instituted proceedings
against them. The affair has excited a great deal
of attention, but the general feeling is in favour of
the Governor. Altogether the aspect of affairs is
tranquil, and the prospects of the colony on the
whole are satisfactory.

It is one of the most promising signs of our social
improvement that great attention is now given to
the care of our destitute and neglected children.
The numbers of these poor little outcasts may not
be quite so alarming as speechmakers occasionally
represent them to be, but they are sufficiently large
to produce a very sensible effect on the welfare of
the next generation. There are critics who find a
great deal to say against any benevolent efforts on
their behalf, proving very logically that the respon-
sibility of caring for them, training them, and
bringing them up as honest and industrious
members of the State, should be divided
between the parents and the Government. But as
generally happens in cases where we have to deal
with facts, and not with theories, logic and philo-
sophy do not altogether answer, and the result of
having trusted to what ought to be rather than
having recognised what is now felt by thousands of
men and women, who, as boys and girls, might have
been rescued from the workhouse, the asylum, or
the gaol. The treatment of these children is not a
question which bears delay. Time, which flies
List enough with most of us, brings little
change in a year or two to the busy states-
man, the eager politician, the indefatigable man
of business ; but the lapse of a few years will trans-
form the child into a boy, the boy into a youth, the
youth into a man, and before we have settled which
course to adopt with regard to his education we
find him beyond control. When the Ragged Schools
were first established they were regarded by many
as a mere temporary expedient till something better
was thought of ; but a good many generations of
little scholars, reckoning by their brief time of train-
ing, have passed through those schools while the
better plan is yet undiscovered. It seems
but a short time since a few benevolent
gentlemen, moved by the necessities of the
little children who were too young for the ordi-
nary refuges and reformatories, but not too you ng
to suffer to sin and to starve, proposed the esta-
blishment of a " Home for Little Boys." Yet two
years have passed since the scheme was definitely
set on foot, and 90 boys are enjoying its benefits.
The " Home" is at Tottenham, but another is
being erected at Horton Kirby, in Kent, of which
the Princess of WALES laid the first stone. Her
Royal Highness has taken a true motherly interest
in the scheme, and has given: it every encourage-
ment. It is in every sense an excellent and
practical undertaking, and supplies a want which
has long existed, but which in the crowd of more
pressing and demonstrative claims has been over-
looked. The manner in which the details of the
scheme are arranged is highly satisfactory, and we
heartily wish it success.

We have all along thought that the Berlin Go-
vernment would not find it quite so easy as they ex-
pected to have it all their own way in the Chamber
of Deputies, and the experiences that have lately
been made seem to confirm the notion. The fact is,
that the Prussians are always very willing to sup-
port any one, and to push forward any undertaking
that they think will conduce to their own immediate
ends of self-aggrandisement or military renown, but
they are not quite simple enough to believe all that
a specious Minister says, or to sanction all
the unscrupulous acts he resorts to in the
course of his sinister proceedings. It is
with great satisfaction that we find a decided
affront has been put upon M. BISMARCK by the
-recent decision of the Chamber. The motion of
Herr LUDER was agreed to by 126 votes to 122, the
terms of which were to the effect that the Govern-
ment should be censured for " the sale of the
Cologne-Minden Railway without the sanction of
the Chambers." We do not expectlthat any direct
result will follow from this decision, but still it is
one of great importance, since it proves
that the Chamber will jealously watch over
its privileges, and also that it will not
hesitate to express its indignation at any de-
parture from the rules by those in authority. This
is the third or fourth time since the recent war that
Count BISMARCK has found the Deputies to be not
quite so pliable as he had imagined they would be.
Already the prestige of the war has gone by in a
' great measure, and people are beginning to think
that they may pay too dearly for the much-coveted
prize they have acquired. Before long there will
not be wanting further proofs of this dissatis-
faction; but, considering the short time that
has elapsed since the Prussian Minister was
the hero of the day, we think that he has encoun-
tntrehei sriaegttdenras
laol of
agoht hoalnedghl
tt as
he many
transpired
members
lets
ai
srbae
declared
set
loao rtfehdet
hethoe hindrances. The Mi-
nister
foundation. He said that no GnaotvCtreeaarnbrrytimniri:estnuwtniacitnathndy-
be carried on without secret funds and so on ; he
gained his point, and the vote was agreed to. Alto-
gether we do not think that there is much to envy
in the position of the Prussian Ministers just now ;
but in all probability their leader's work has yet
to come when the North German Parliament
assembles.

The Rev. Mr. Spurgeon recently told the fol-
lowing story in ridicule of stupid preachers :
—A Yorkshireman, excusing himself for not attend-
ing church in the evening, said he never went at
night because he could not stand it more than once
a day; and when asked why, he said—" Well, our
minister is a muff," and compared him to a mill,
which, going round on Sundays without any corn to
grind, went clicketty clack, clicketty clack. " Their
minister," he said, " had got into such a way
of going on that he could stop himself until the
time was up, and so he went on. clicketty clack,
clicketty clack ! You know," the: Yorkshireman
said, " he ain't a grinding anything ; there is no-
thing in it at all. He has got in the habit of going
on, and he does go on, but nothing conies of it ; and
that is what I call being a muff."

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Friday Evening.

The chief point of interest in the Paris papers to-
day relates to the alleged abdication of the Emperor
Maximilian. Several of them express strong doubts
of the truth of the news. In the news from Mexico,
which I noticed yesterday, no mention is made of
the departure of the Emperor, but the despatches
are dated nine days previously to the time when his
alleged departure from Mexico took place. lam
told that the Government has not yet received any
official confirmation of the news. The Gazette de
France only says that " if the news in the English
papers be correct, and it is far from improbable, the
departure of the Emperor Maximilian is explained
and justified." It adds, however, that if such im-
portant events had taken place in Mexico, it is diffi-
cult to believe that no official account of them has
reached the Government.

The Journal du Havre, after giving an analysis
of all the news received there by the last packet
from Mexico, says—" According to all the news,
ambiguous as it may be, one fact is evident, that
the Emperor Maximilian is no longer in his capital,
and though in the official reports not a word is said
of the Regency of Marshal Bazaine or General
Castelnau, it is very possible that the Emperor may
be already on his way to Europe:"
A commercial society, at Charleroi, has been dis-
solved for a curious reason. One of the members
died suddenly from cholera, and, as is usual, he was
not only interred without delay, but he was buried in
his clothes. It has since been discovered that the
deed authorising the society was in the watch-
pocket of the deceased, and it not being now pos-
sible to produce it, there is an end to the company.
An alleged case of poisoning, similar to those
which have occurred both in England and France,
now occupies public attention at Dresden. The
accused is a barrister of eminence, and the prose-
cution is instituted by the Germania Insurance
Company of Stettin. The prisoner, it appears,
effected insurances on the life of his wife with that
and other companies to the amount of 90,000 f.
A short time afterwards the wife, Madame M., died
very suddenly. In conformity with one of the
clauses of the policy the body was dissected and the
interment took place, there being no suspicion at
the time. Some circumstances, however, transpired
which induced orie of the companies to demand the
exhumation of the body. A second examination
took place and a portion of the intestines was sent
to a Berlin chemist to be analysed. Traces of
acetate of morphine were then discovered, and the
accused was arrested. It appears that he had pos-
sessed a large fortune, but from speculations or
extravagance it was almost all dissipated, and he
had paid to the creditors the money he received
from the insurance offices.

A woman named Marguerite Moreau, the wife of
a small farmer at Ligny des Charolles, has just
drowned her little girl, two years old, under cir-
cumstances which inspire horror. She left her house
with the child, and the next day was seen wander-
ing about the fields alone. When questioned she
admitted that she had drowned it. She said she
plunged into a pond head foremost and held it there
for a quarter of an hour. Being afraid to return
home she strolled about the country, not knowing
what to do. She said they were in very great dis-
tress, and the husband compelled her to take the
child into the fields every day where she went to
work, and she drowned it " that it might not take
cold."

A most extraordinary instance of a sudden change
in the colour of the hair is said by the Semaine Re-
ligieuse to have taken place at Nevers. In reference
to such a change Dr. Bossu, a French surgeon, says
that great grief sometimes causes the hair even of
young persons to turn grey. This was the case with
Queen Marie Antoinette. The present instance has
some very peculiar characteristics. On All Saints'
Day, M. X., curate of Nevers, without experienc-
ing any violent emotion or feeling at all ill, found
that his hair suddenly changed colour. It was
white, but on the fore part of his head it became of
hioud cvluur. The boyo of the alioir BA-of,
the change. A lady who came to visit him also saw
it, and spoke to him about it. He did not pay any
attention to the circumstance, thinking that itmight
be dust. By the evening, however, the phenomenon
was completely effected, and the whole head of hair
had become the colour of blood. One of his rela-
tives asked him in alarm what he had been doing.
He replied that he did not feel anything the matter
with him. However, a sister of charity who attended
upon the sick was sent for. She came with several
other sisters, and they turned pale with fright on
entering the room. The curate himself had most
presence of mind. He asked for some water, and
washed his head successively with six basins of
water,A. doctor was sent for,
whop which
rescr wereibeds brought.coolingome
medicine.
The
pa_
tient, if so he may be called, said he did not want
any medicine, but he would take some out of com-
plaisance. He then went to bed and slept as usual.
The next day his hair was of another colour. The
red had disappeared, and it had a beautiful violet
tinge. Some pressing business called him from
home, and as he did not feel ill he set out on his
journey; but, not wishing to excite curiosity from the
colour of his hair, he had his head shaved. The hair
already begun to grow again. On the top of the
head it is of light violet colour. The curate con-
tinues in good health, but says that for the last few
days he has felt as if his head were entirely empty.
The Tribunal de Commerce of the Seine has
given an interesting decision in reference to railway
liability. Three travellers from Paris to Chatillon
took tickets by a train leaving Paris at 7 o'clock in
the morning, which ought to have reached its desti-
nation at 37 minutes past three in the afternoon.
In consequence of an accident to the engine, how-
ever, the train did not reach the point of junction
in time to reach the train, which would have com-
pleted the journey. They, therefore, took a special
train, which cost 201 f. Theysued the company for
that sum, and also for 100 f. damages. The com-
pany pleaded that the delay arose from an accident
over which they had no control. The Court, how-
-1 , ever, decided that as the cause of delay was escape
of steam, which had arisen from want of sufficient
watchfulness, the Paris and Lyons Railway was
liable for any prejudice caused to the travellers,
and therefore it ordered payment for the amount
which they claimed.
A splendid establishment in the Rue Scribe was
opened on Wednesday evening, and the inaugura-
tion was attended by fashionable ladies, men of
literature, art, and finance. It is called the Athe-
nmum—L'Athenee---and the cost of its construc-
tion has been almost wholly borne by M. Bischoff-
sheim, a rich banker, born at Mayence, whose
daughter is married to a nephew of Meyerbeer.
The establishment is intended for concerts, balls,
literary meetings, and, perhaps, theatrical enter-
tainments.

Mdlle. Catherine de Lyon, a beautiful Russian
young lady of 18, has been married to M. J.
Tolstoy, a Russian gentleman, at the Russian
church in the Faubourg St. Honore. The bride
has a dowry of ten millions of francs, a tine palace
at St. Petersburg, and a splendid hotel in Paris.
The value of the wedding present is estimated at a
million of francs. Tolstoy is said to possess im-
mense riches.

It results from official records that no less than
150 persons died during 1865 in France aged up-
wards of 100 years..
A Frenchman, named Maufroy, has been con-
victed and sentenced to death by the Court of
Assize of Brabant, Belgium, for the murder of a
Frenchman named Jonneau. The trial was under
the authority
of a special treaty between France
and Belgium, giving power to Belgium to judge
French subjects, and to France to try Belgian sub-
jects, for certain crimes. The deceased was a com-
mercial traveller who was strangled by the prisoner
on the high road between Alarle and Laon, France,
on the 7th of January last. The prisoner robbed
the deceased of some articles of mercery and all the
money he had about him.

The death of a centenarian who took part in the
capture of the Bastille is announced by the Etoile de
l'Ariege, which states that M. Jean Jalabert, who served in
the armies of the First Republic, has just died at J3esset,
at the ago of 107 years.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE AUSTRALASIAN.

The Royal Mail Steamship Australasian, from
New York on the 14th inst., arrived at Queenstown
at 7.45 a.m. to- day, with b 8 passengers and
$160,500 in specie. She landed all the mails, con-
sisting of 127 sacks, and two passengers, and pro-
ceeded at 8 a.m. for Liverpool. All welll

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (Morning).

Washington despatches report that the Secretary
of the Treasury will urge upon Congress the early
resumption of specie payments.
Judge Bartol has sustained the Governor of
Maryland in his removal of the old and appoint-
ment of the new police commissioners. The new
commissioners have made fresh demands for the
surrender of the police-stations, but no reply has as
yet been received from the old commissioners.
Baltimore remains quiet.

General Sherman, accompanied by Minister
Campbell, left New York on Saturday for Vera
Cruz, in the steamer Susquehannah.

The Federal authorities arrested Ortega and his
suite upon their arrival at Brazos de Santiago.
Ortega has issued a protest, as President of the
Mexican Republic, attributing to the Federal Go-
vernment indirect armed interference in Mexican
local affairs, and protesting against any acts of the
United States tending directly or indirectly to force
the Juarez Government upon Mexico.
Tho ronian William lloydon has boon contencorl
to be hanged at Toronto on December 13.