The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-30 00:00:00

'THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, J UNE 30, 1866.

believe, indeed, it has been found necessary to pass
a bill in reference to noxious vapours. Victoria-
park has certainly no right to expect country air
or the suspension of all the trade of the vicinity for
its benefit, but the erection of extensive gas works
is a nuisance not to be tolerated in the midst
of a populous district. As the works in ques-
tion are to be brought into the neighbourhood,
and are not already in existence, there can be no
reason for introducing them. Gas works on a
large scale should certainly be extramural, and it is
only in a part too poor to defend its own in-
terests that they could be erected. Earl NELSON,
who, to his credit, moved the amendment rejecting
the bill, said that he had himself visited Victoria
Park, and he found. that while on the eastern side
the foliage was fresh, green, and healthy ; on the
northern side the trees were beginning to fade from
the effect of some factories situated about half a
mile off. The proposed gas works are to be only at
a distance of about 600 yards, so that we may easily
foresee the consequences of the vapours which we
all know are constantly emitted from gas-works.
Since the introduction of „railways into the metro-
polis, said Earl NELSON, thousands of poor persons
had been driven to reside in the outskirts, and a
place of recreation like Victoria-park was an enor-
mous boon to them. A clergyman in the neigh-
bourhood declares that he attributes the improve-
ment which has taken place of late years in the
health and morals of the poorer classes in his
parish in a great degree to the opening
of Victoria-park, by which they are able on
holidays and at spare times to obtain
innocent and wholesome recreation, instead of being
driven as before to the public-house for want of a
better place of resort. Surely such statements as
these are not to be lightly passed over, and because
the House of Commons has made a mistake, it is
no reason why the House of Lords should repeat it.

It was a narrow escape, and we hope that if a
similar bill should be presented to either House, it
will receive a much more decided dismissal; but
we are heartily glad that the beautiful park
is spared, and that the pleasant air of the
summer evenings is not to be poisoned with the
exhalations of gas works.

The public will now be able to appreciate more

fully the conduct of those gentlemen who compose
the Jamaica Committee. They have, after much
deliberation, resolved upon the adoption of a mea-
sure, which is sanctioned neither by reason nor
justice—namely, the prosecution of Mr. EYRE for
the murder of GORDON. If this end cannot be
attained by Government aid. it is intended that it
shall be conducted by private means. We are not
surprised that Mr. BUXTON has retired from the chair-
manship of the committee, in consequence of the deci-
sion on their part ; but we do not agree with

the arguments which he makes use of to illustrate
his meaning. lie certainly exonerates Mr. EYRE
horn the charge which the zealous apologists of the
negro-insurrectionists have brought against him ;
but, at the same time, he considers his dismissal
from his position to be not only deserved, but far
from an adequate visitation for his offence. Mr.
EYRE, he says, " has been dismissed with severe
censure, thoroughly indorsed by the British public,
and it would be impossible for any Government
again to employ an official whose misconduct
has been so fully exposed." Mr. BUXTON entirely
misstates things in these remarks, and so far from
concurring with his remarks, we trust that the new
Administration now forming may render justice to
the services of this ill-used officer, who so zealously
served his country at a critical juncture. At the
commencement of the session the noble earl, now to
to be Premier, expressed his indignation at
the treatment that Mr. EYRE had re-
ceived at the hand of Earl RUSSELL'S Go-
vernment. Nothing has appeared in the
evidence before the Commissioners to invalidate
this remark; and indeed we suspect that Mr. BRIGHT
and some of his friends are greatly disappointed at
the tone of the Commissioners' report. They admit
that the safety of the island was attributable to the
exertions of Mr. ETRE, and that a secret desire
prevailed for a wide-spread rebellion. To reward
these efforts, the zealous members of the Jamaica
Committee would call Mr. ETRE to the bar of justice,
there to answer to a charge of murder. Much as
we regret that any body of Englishmen should so
far forget what is due to a deserving man, we are
convinced that their attacks will recoil on them-
selves, and that, should they persevere, they will
be treated with the contempt they deserve.

The Great Eastern has once again started on her
mission to unite the two hemispheres, and every
one must wish her full success. The disappoint-
ment of last year was great and grievous, indeed,
but it did not discourage or dishearten the conduc-
tors of the enterprise. Englishmen are made of
sterner stuff, and their energies generally gather
vigour from reverses or delays. No doubt the
failure has been useful iu many respects, and the
errors ormistakes which led to it can now be avoided.
Certainly the interest felt in the exploit is not
in any way diminished by the lapse of time, if we
are to judge by the crowds of visitors who yesterday
besieged the monster ship, entreating permission to
view the arrangements for laying down the one
cable and picking up the other. The much-coveted
permission was necessarly withheld in many cases,
but a sufficient number succeeded in getting on
board to make the Great Eastern, floating city
though she is, a very busy and crowded
place. In truth the enterprise is one which all
must watch with keen interest, and hope that it
may prove ultimately successful. Of the result of
the enterprise—the laying down of the new cable
—those concerned are most sanguine. The chances
of recovering the other are necessarily leas, but of
that there is also reasonable hope. So with sun-
shine above and smooth seas beneath the Great
Eastern sets forward on her journey ; and we hope
before many weeks are over we shall have nem s of
the successful laying of the cable brought by the
cable itself.

The &form Demonstration on Wednesday
Night.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE WAR IN GERMANY.
THE BATTLES IN BOHEMIA.
VIENNA, June 29, 8.15 p.m.
The following official despatch relates to the
battles of the 28th inst. :

PARDUBITZ, June 29.

The Prussians were yesterday completely de-
feated by the Austrian forces, under General von
Gablenz. Leaving behind 1,000 killed and wounded,
they withdrew to Prussian territory towards Glatz.
After occupying Jicin yesterday the Prussians
were attacked by the cavalry division of General
von Edelsheim. They were driven out of Jicin and
repulsed towards Turnau. In consequence of this
defeat the Prussians last night evacuated Melnik,
Dauba, and Leipa, and withdrew in great haste to
Niemes. The Prussian losses by General von Edel-
sheim's attack were enormous.

The strategic operation of the Austrian army was
completely successful. The junction of Prince Fre-
derick Charles with the army of Silesia was

prevented.
The Austrian loss in the battles of the last three
days is estimated at nearly 2,000 killed and
wounded ; the Prussian loss is at least equal.

BERLIN, June 29.

The Garde de Corps (Life Guards) yesterday
defeated the 10th Austrian Army Corps under
General von Gablenz, after an obstinate engage-
ment. The Austrians lost several thousand pri-
soners, some field pieces, and a large quantity of
war material.

Prince Frederick Charles, in junction with Ge-
neral llerrwarth Bitterfeld, captured Munchen-
grdtz yesterday after a successful engagement with
the Austrians, capturing 800 prisoners. The enemy
retired to Fiirstenbriick with the loss of 2,000 men.
The Prussian loss was much less.

Yesterday the Prussian sth corps, under General
Steinmetz, which on the 27th drove back the
Austrian Ramming corps to Josephstadt, again
compelled the enemy to retire after a severe con-
test. Numerous trophies were captured by the
Prussians.

REICHENBERG 7 June 29.
The King of Prussia and Prince Charles are ex-
pected here to-morrow.

FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE, June 29.

The whole Federal army in Frankfort and its
environs has set out upon the march. An engage-
ment is shortly expected.

BERLIN, June 29.

The greatest enthusiasm prevails in this city on
account of the success of the Prussian arms yester-
day.

An immense crowd assembled before the royal
palace to-day and paraded the streets with flags.
A congratulatory address to the King is in pre-

paration.

Neutrality During the War.

(From the London Gazette of last night)
Copy of a letter addressed by the Earl of Claren
don to the Lords Commissioners of the Ad
miralty.*

" Foreign-office, June 26, 1866.
" My Lords—Her Majestylheing fully determined
to observe the duties of neutrality during the exist-
ing hostilities between the Emperor of Austria, the
King of Prussia, the King of Italy, and the German
Confederation, and being moreover resolved to pre-
vent, as far as possible, the use of her Majesty's
harbours, ports, and coasts, and the waters within
her Majesty's territorial jurisdiction, in aid of the
warlike purposes of either belligerent, has com-
manded me to communicate to your lordships, for
your guidance, the following rules, which are to be
treated and enforced as her Majesty's orders and
directions :
"Her Majesty is pleased further to command that
these rules shall be put in force in the United King-
dom and in the Channel Islands on and after the
4th day of July, and in her Majesty's territories and
possessions beyond the seas six days after the day
when the governor or other chief authority of each
of such territories or possessions respectively shall
have notified and published the same ; stating in
such notification that the raid rules are to be obeyed
by all persons within the same territories and pos-
sessions.
" 1. During the continuance of the present hos-
tilities, all ships of war of either belligerent are pro-
hibited from making use of any port or roadstead
in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire-
land, or in the Channel Islands, or in any of her
Majesty's colonies or foreign possessions, or depen-
dencies, or of any waters subject to the territorial
jurisdiction of the British Crown as a station or
place of resort for any warlike purpose, or for the
purpose of obtaining any facilities of warlike equip-
ment ; and no ship of war of either belligerent shall
hereafter be permitted to sail out of or leave any
port, roadstead, or waters subject to British juris-
diction, from which any vessel of the other bellige-
rent (whether the same shall be a ship of war or a
merchant ship) shall have previously departed, until
after the expiration of at least 24 hours from the
departure of such last-mentioned vessel beyond the
territorial jurisdiction of her Majesty.
" 2. If any ship of war of either belligerent shall,
after the time when this order shall be first notified
and put in force in the United Kingdom and in the
Channel Islands, and in the several colonies and
foreign possessions and dependencies of her Majesty
respectively, enter any port, roadstead, or waters
belonging to her Majesty, either in the United
Kingdom or in the Channel Islands, or in any of
her Majesty's colonies or foreign possessions or
dependencies, such vessel shall be required to de-
part and to put to sea within 24 hours after her
entrance into such port, roadstead, or waters,
except in case of stress of weather or of her requir-
ing provisions or things necessary for the subsist-
ence of her crew, or repairs ; iu either of which
cases the authorities of the port or of the nearest
port (as the case may be) shall require her to put
to sea as soon as possible after the expiration of
such period of 24 hours, without permitting her to
take in supplies beyond what may be neces-
sary for her immediate use ; and no such vessel
which may have been allowed to remain within
British waters for the purpose of repairs shall con-
tinue in any such port, roadstead, or waters, for a
longer period than 24 hours after her necessary re-
pairs shall have been completed. Provided, never-
theless, that in all cases in which there shall be any
vessels (whether ships of war or merchant ships) of
the said belligerent parties in the same port, road-
stead, or waters, within the territorial jurisdiction
of her Majesty, there shall be an interval of not less
than 24 hours between the departure therefrom of
any such vessel (whether a ship of war or a merchant
ship) of the one belligerent, and the subsequent de-
parture therefrom of any ship of war of the other
belligerent ; and the time hereby limited for the de-
parture of such ships of war respectively shall
always, in case of necessity, be extended so far as
may be requisite for giving effect to this proviso
but not further or otherwise.

"3. No ship of war of either belligerent shall
hereafter be permitted, while in any port, roadstead,
or waters subject to the territorial jurisdiction of
her Majesty, to take in any supplies, except provi-
sions and such other things as may be- requisite for
the subsistence of her crew, and except so much coal
only as may be sufficient to carry such vessel to the
nearest port of her own country, or to some nearer
destination, and no coal shall be supplied to any
such ship of war in the same or in any other port,
roadstead, or waters subject to the territorial juris-
diction of her Majesty, without special permission,
until after the expiration of three months from the
time when such coal may have been last suppled to
her within British waters as aforesaid.
4. Armed ships of either party are interdicted
from carrying prizes made by them into the ports,
harbours, roadsteads, or waters of the United King-
dom or any of her Majesty's colonies or possessions
abroad.—l am, &c.,
(Signed)

6 4 CLARENDON."

* Similar letters have been addressed to the Treasury;
Home-office, Colonial-office, War-office, and India-office.

SONG BIRDS OF JAMAICA.—In such a region
of vegetable luxuriance we might expect animal life to dis-
play its wonders and varieties of being, and hero the
numerous tribes of gay plumaged and vocal birds, the
brilliant and sometimes huge reptiles, and the innume-
rable moths, flies, leaping and bounding things, add the
charm of animated and sensuous existence to wilds which,
however beautiful, were otherwise but tame and unattrac-
tive. In the lonely dells of the forest, where the crystal
brook brawls among the pebbles, the kildee plover wheels
in swift flight around the traveller's head ; in the rushy
shallows the snowy gaulin is seen watching for its aquatic
prey, and from the underwood; hard by, the soft cooing of
the peadoves comes mournfully, yet soothingly, to the ear;
while now and then the plump bird alights on the sword
to pick the fallen fruit of the pimento trees, or to look upon
the observer with its full, liquid, gentle eyes. In the same
spots may be heard the note of the pretty Jamaica sparrow,
repeating " tichicro ! chi-chi-tichicro " from his grassy
cover ; and where the orange groves and pimento trees
fringe the way to the negro village, the wild canary hops
and twitters—an imported stranger, who, has lost in song
what he has gained in colour. Numerous pigeons and
partridges are common in those woods, and the green tody,
or robin redbreast of the colonists, is particularly abundant,
and though with brighter colouring than our own robin,
with much the same fearless habit—sitting on the roadside
bush, and almost brushing the face of the traveller as he
passes. Among the mountains of the Bluefield ridge there
are few birds, but such as are found are of peculiar inte-
rest. The jabbering crow gives utterance to strange arti-
culations, as, from the topmost branch of the highest tree,
he calls on his fellows, or sails on labouring wings from
ono tree to another. This is the region, too, of the solitaire
—a mysterious recluse—who just before daybreak ravishes
the ear of the wanderer with his flute-like tones, which
fall like the measured note of a psalm. Ono, and another,
and another, take up the strain, till the mellow tones come
from all parts of the surrounding woods, startling the ear
when not accustomed to it, and charming it when it is.
The lovely humming-bird, too, is a frequenter of these
regions, and flits and hovers about the flowering trees all
day long, sipping with its long bill the honey from their
blossoms, and peeping fearlessly under the broad hat of the
wanderer, almost startling himwith their matchless beauty
of metallic plumage, changing into innumerable shades of
lustre with the fitful motions of the bee-like bird. At
night every part of the island is vocal with the varied song
of the mocking bird—the nightingale of the tropics. Under
the blue sky and silver moonlight which in Jamaica sur-
passes in their beauty the brightest imaginings of modern
poets—the soft cadences of the breeze swooping over the
grassy sward, or rustling through the embowered woods,
is delightfully varied with the notes of this prince of
songsters, who, taking his seat on the highest twig of an
orange tree, pours forth rich and solemn gushes of melody,
as earnestly as if his soul were in his song. A rival from
a neighbouring tree commences a similar strain, and now
the two birds exert all their powers in rivalry, until the blue
midnight rings with bursts, and swells, and tender cadences
as if the stars themselves were singing. lli/hee•d's
Gardeners' Magazine.

The Toronto (Canada) T.e&deg• makes the death of
General Scott the occasion for a puff for one of its patrons
thus :—" At the battle of Queenstown Heights, where the
British forces achieved such a signal victory over the
Anieri.;:ans, General Scott was taken prisoner by Mr.
R.".,gers, hatter of this city." Since the termination of the
reciprocity treaty the Canadians have an eye to busi-
ness.

The mouutainsiu Washington, Massachusetts, are
being employed by scientific men for the purpose of ascer-
taining their mineral wealth. Lead, iron, and emery aro
supposed to abound there in great quantities.