The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 16, 1866.

that the Berlin Government will be able to keep all
that they have acquired by force and fraud ; and so
unworthy have been their tactics, and so arbitrary
their conduct, that it seems surprising how any one
can think of upholding their acts and praising their
policy. Whether it is successful or not does not
diminish from the injustice of the attempt, and the
whole tenour of the course pursued by Count BIS-
MARCK has been entirely at variance with those
principles which find favour with Englishmen.
The manner in which the late Government conducted
themselves with respect to Prussia has done incal-
culable mischief, and indeed materially contributed
to the present disastrous state of things on the Con-
tinent. had the Schleswig-Holstein affair not been
allowed to assume such proportions, it is no exag-
geration to say that this last war might have been
avoided. In order not to offend Prussia all possible
latitude was given, and the honour of England was
sacrificed in the violation that was permitted to take
place in the Danish Treaty. All has been for no end
except to foster the pride and increase the pretensions
of that unscrupulous Power. It is difficult to say what
will be the next thing that the avarice of BISMARCK

may not desire.
We hear that Prussia will take steps for the in-
corporation of the conquered North German States
without delay ; so much for the tirades we have all
heard so much of concerning German unity. The
unity seems to consist pretty much in all power
being monopolised by one State to the detriment of
the others. Had is been possible to form the minor
States into a compact body, it might, no doubt, have
proved an advantageous arrangement in the long run,
but the same thing cannot be said of the present
policy that is being pursued of putting so many
under the dominion of Prussia. There is an end of
all real independence whenever that mischievous
Power is in the ascendant, and we regard the pre-
sent change that has so rapidly taken place in
Germany as a most unfortunate one for the cause
of progress, and as most inimical to real indepen -
deuce and advancement in liberty. In conse-
quence of Austria having given cause for offence
by her arbitrary proceedings in Italy and Hungary
some persons have got so confused in their
judgment as to consider this success of Prussia
as a circumstance to rejoice at, and have
even declared that the Liberals of England and
other countries would find in it a triumph of their
cause. This is about as false an estimate as can
possibly be taken of the affair, and we are surprised
that any one who has studied the course of German
politics of late years can be so egregiously deceived.
What has there been to take note of in the acts of
the Berlin Government for some time past but a
systematic course of oppression and a determined
resistance to all desires of independence. By a
series of skilful manceuvres, and a most unscru-
pulous adaptation of all the means in
their power, the Prussian Government has
contrived to crush out the aspirations of liberty in
many parts of the country, and to divert the at-
tention of the people from home troubles by en-
gaging them in foreign wars, the protest against
such a course being lauded and magnified in Eng-
land; and those who set reason and justice at
defiance by so doing are much to blame. It is in-
deed after all but a question of time, and the
events of the future will speedily show them their
mistake. If they think that Prussia, flushed with
victory, and rendered intolerant by the success of
her schemes, will prove more magnanimous, more
high-spirited, and more alive to the requirements of
her position than the Prussians of old, they will
now see their end. The course of events will have
tended to deepen and interest the arbitrary disposi-
tion we formerly noticed, and the system previously
pursued with so much determination will still be
carried on. After some time, no doubt, a reaction
will take place ; and when the power of BISMARCK
is on the wane people will begin to inquire what they
have gained by all these changes and transforma-
tions. A still more effectual change than even a
revolution in Germany may take place if the French
interfere ; and, notwithstanding the apparent
quiscence of affairs at present, it may not be long
before such an event takes place. BISMARCK is
playing a dangerous game in thus setting the
Emperor NAPOLEON at defiance, and he may yet
find himself in the unenviable position of the strong
man who boasted of his success until a stronger
than he appeared on the scene to despoil him of his
possessions, and to teach him his insignificance
after all.

Thanks to the mismanagement of the late Go-
vernment the captives in Abyssinia have not yet all
been released, but hopes are entertained that the
remainder will shortly be set at liberty. Lord
STANLEY on Tuesday presented to her MAJESTY the
Rev. JOHN FLADD, who was lately detained in
Abyssinia. The rev. gentleman is about to return
to that country, and it is expected that the instruc-
tions he takes out will effect the desired object, and
the rest of the prisoners will be set at liberty.
If so, there will be a feeling of great satis-
faction experienced in this country, for the
sufferings of those unfortunate captives have given
rise to universal regret and sympathy. Mingled
with these sentiments there has been a strong feel-
ing of indignation at the course pursued by the late
Government. Earl RUSSELL has, indeed, left no
pleasant memories of his career at the Foreign
Office, but instead of that the record of a long
series of mistakes owing to the mischievous effects
of his " meddle and muddle" policy. The unfor-
tunate prisoners in Abyssinia have had as
much cause as any one to regret his tame demean-
our. It would seem as if the greatest mismanage-
ment had prevailed throughout the whole course of
the proceedings in Abyssinia. First of all the
EMPEROR was insulted, and then he was allowed to
take his own way in ill-treating the victims of his
fury. It was a mean and unworthy trick on his
part to visit the sins of the Foreign-office upon the
unoffending Englishmen out there, but nothing can
justify the way in which our authorities acted. No
doubt the affair will now be brought to a speedy
and satisfactory conclusion, but it is another of
those legacies of misfortune and mismanagement
which the late Cabinet have so plentifully be-
queathed to their successors, despite the boasts they
made of their success.

Pius IX. AND NAPOLEON IlL—The Temps attri-
butes, on the authority
ofprivate information from
Rome, says the Paris correspondentat
alle fthe Times, a plan of
ashis events,intentiot the merit of
to thet Catholic
conductoriginality.
world in a solemn encyclical, his holiness is
letter to the Emperor Napoleon, proposing to doelaidler
IsßPris-
oreas a
to him as Grand Vicar the States of the Church, cvo over
ing the provinces which Italy annexed pursuant to
decrees, and which annexation the French Government
originally disavowed. The motives of the Holy Father
for taking that step are the danger menacing the temporal
power and his unwillingness, in spite of his weakness, to
abandon the "patrimony of St. Peter" to the Revolution.
And, as it cannot defend by itself the possessions secured
to it by the two founders of the Carlovingian Dynasty,
the Papacy has no alternative but to leave them in the
hands of the successor of Pepin—of the Catholic Prince
par excellence—namely, His Most Christian Majesty the
Sovereign of France. The original giver would thus re-
sume until better days come the guardianship of those
possessions, and as the Pope is the spiritual Vicar of Christ,
so the Emperor Napoleon would become the temporal vicar
of the Pope.
THE EMPEROR is said by the limes to have suffered
much pain since his return from Vichy; but the latest
report is that be is a good deal better.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Morning.

As the Post-office closes to-day at one p.m., in-
stead of 6.30, as usual, the time for the reception of
news is limited. It is deficient both in quality and
quantity. Indeed, if there were anything important
to-day Ido not think any one would read it. It
mast be an earthquake, or something especially
moving and peculiar to interest the Parisians to-day
—the Emperor's Fête day. All Paris is afoot. All
is joy and gaiety. From almost all the houses flags
and other emblems of rejoicing appear, and the mi-
litary bands are playing in various quarters. Some
persons have supposed that the Parisians are not
religious. To-day has afforded conspicuous proof
that they are. This is not a religious fete, but the
authorities have taken care to have thanksgiving to
God before the amusements and rejoicings begin.
The archbishops and bishops, by order of the Em-
peror, announced some days ago that Te Dettm
would be sung in all the churches. The people have
responded to this religious appeal. The attendance
at the churches of Paris has been so numerous that
absence from public worship may almost be said to
be the exception. I was at Sevres and St. Cloud
this morning, and there the case was the same. As
I write the streets are thronged with gay-looking
people on their way to see the preparations for the
magnificent illumination to-night. On the occasion
of his fete the Emperor has either remitted or com-
muted the punishment of 1,527 prisoners at the
hulks and elsewhere. The morning has been beau-
tiful, but now ominous clouds gather and threaten
to mar the effect of the grand spectacle. It rains
again.

The Gazette de Speller says that the negociations
for peace between Prussia and the States of Wur-
temburg and Baden are nearly brought to a con-
clusion. Difficulties have arisen on the part of
Bavaria, and it is possible that hostilities may be
resumed at the expiration of the armistice on the
22d of August.
The visit of the Empress Charlotte of Mexico to
Paris, recalls to recollection circumstances which
show that the governors of that country do not
sleep on a bed of roses. Of 19 personages, most
of them Generals, who were Presidents or Dictators
in Mexico in the 36 years from 1824 to 1860, only
two were legally and peaceably elected. The most
eminent of them, Guerrero, Santa Anna, Busta-
mente, Herrera, and Zuloaga were elected four or
five times. One only was allowed to fulfil his
functions for the whole period allotted. Some of
these Presidents were shot before they had been
long in office.
An attempt at three murders has been made at
the workshop of M. Froge, leather manufacturer,
in the Rue Lafayette, by a man named Julien.
One of the workmen, a man of 54, had for some
time been what is called chaffed and joked upon by
his fellow workmen, and to such an extent that
he determined upon revenge. Three of them were
particularly insulting to him. On the evening be-
fore last, while all the workmen were present,
Julien rushed into the shop, having three pistols
in his pocket. He discharged each successively
at the three men in question. One of them was
not hurt, but the two others dangerously wounded,
one in the jaw and the other in the neck. The
pistols were loaded with marbles. The work-
men arrested the assassin, and he is now in the
custody of the police. The crime was committed
so instantaneously that the men could not prevent
him from carrying his intention into execution.
A rich lady of Rueil, Madame Martignon, re-
cently deceased, has left by will the sum of £16,000,
and all her jewels and effects, to the authorities of
the town, with the undeistanding that they are to
build a house to support and educate 20 orphan
girls.

The Duke de Chambord, not thinking his money
safe at Vienna, has withdrawn it all, and placed in
the Bank of Berne (Switzerland) five millions of
francs.

Mr. llawkshaw, the English engineer, is still
engaged in making soundings, with a view to the
situation of the most eligible point for the tunnel
which is to unite England and France. It is ex-
pected that the labour will occupy seven weeks.

Le Temps has a rather remarkable article about
Prussia. It says :

" The Prussian Government seems determined to
bring its work of unification to an end with as much
celerity as it employed in the war. It signs with
its future vassals treaties of absorption, which it
deigns to call treaties of alliance. Preparations are
made in the countries destined to be annexed.
There seems to be no difficulty on the part of the
deputies. Thus the route on which M. de Bismarck
drives his triumphal chariot is smooth and shady.
There is, however, a little cloud above his horizon,
for it appears that, although the negotiations pro-
ceed well with Baden and Wurtetnburg, that is
not the case as regards Bavaria. M. Von der
Pfordten is one of the few Ministers who preserved
their posts among those who in the Secondary
States advised and organised resistance against
be easy between
Prussia and
andAßn gradaen,eebmeecnatusematyhe
present Minister
has friendly feelings towards Prussia. M. Von der
Pfordten, on the contrary, has for Bavaria ambi-
tions which it would be difficult for him to satisfy
the day after a defeat. It appears, however, im-
possible for him to refuse to accept the law of the
conqueror, for where could he find the elements of
resistance ?"

It is stated that at the Great Exhibition a prize
of 10,000 f. for singing will be competed for by all
nations.

The Constitutionnel says—" The fate of Hanover
seems to be decided. General de Voigts-Rhetz has
just been appointed Governor-General of that
kingdom. It is known that the Queen persists in
residing in the capital. Prince d'Ysembourg has
proceeded thither with the mission of endeavouring
to persuade her Majesty not to prolong her stay in
Hanover.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, Aug. 16.

A split is about to take place in the Fortschitt
party. A portion of the latter intends forming a
separate faction, whose policy will be more in har-
mony with that of the centre party.
MUNICH, Aug. 16.

The Official Bavarian Gazette of to-day says :
"In reply to the assertions of several journals, we
are in a position to state that the negociations for
peace between Bavaria and Prussia are being unin-
terruptedly carried on.

ITALY.
FLORENCE, Aug. 16.

The Nazione of to-day states that Baron de
Malaret, French Ambassador in this city, has left
for the headquarters of the Italian army with a
letter from the Emperor Napoleon to the King of
Italy.

SPAIN.
MADRID, Aug. 15 (Evening).

The Epoca denies that there is any foundation
for the rumour that an English house had pro-
posed to Senor Bazanallana, Minister of Finance, a
combination by which the English holders of Cer-
tificates of the Spanish debt would exchange them
for scrip of the general debt of Spain.
BERLIN, Aug. 16.

The mission of General Manteuffel to the Court
of St. Petersburg is stated to have been attended
with complete success.

MEXICO.
(BY ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.)
NEW YORK, Aug. 15.

Intelligence received here from Mexico announces
that the Liberals have occupied Tampico, Monterey,
and Sartollo.

FRANCE.
PARIS, Aug. 15.

The Emperor has received in private audience
the Prussian Ambassador at Paris, who delivered
to his Majesty the reply of the Prussian Cabinet
to the French note expressing a wish for the rectifi-
cation of the French frontier. The Prussian Go-
vernment declared any such rectification to be in-
admissible. His Majesty, in reply, stated to Count
Von Goltz that it was in order to satisfy public
opinion in France that he had expressed that wish
to the Prussian Government. He had considered
such a wish just, but acknowledged the fairness of
the arguments brought forward by the Prussian
Cabinet, and added that the good relations between
Prussia and France should in no case be dis-
turbed. In conclusion, his Majesty expressed a
hope that Prussia would not overstep the line of the
Maine.

PARIS, Aug. 16.

The Duke de Grammont, French Ambassador at
Vienna, has been nominated a Grand Cross of the
Legion of Honour.

Among other nominations are Captain Pigeard,
attached to the French Embassy in London, to the
rank of Commander of the Legion of Hanour ; M.
Senglet, French Consul at Liverpool, to the rank of
Officer ; and M. Galignani, director of Galignani's
Messenger, to that of Chevalier.

The Emperor has pardoned or commuted the
sentences upon 859 military offenders.
The Emperor's fête yesterday passed off very
brilliantly. The weather was favourable, and the
streets were thronged by immense numbers of
people.
The Moniteur of this morning publishes new
from Tiflis announcing that part of the province of
Daghestan had risen in insurrection. Reinforce-
ments of Russian troops bad been sent to the
various points where the risings had taken place.

OVERLAND MAILS,
MALTA, August 15.
CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN
(HEAVY) MAILS.

The Nyanza leaves at noon to-day. She may be
expected at Southampton on the 24th inst.

OUTWARD CALCUTTA AND CHINA
MAILS.

The Ceylon, from Marseilles on the 12th inst.,
arrived at 8 p.m. yesterday, and leaves at 4 p.m.
to-day for Alexandria.