The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-27 00:00:00

that question depended entirely, he said, upon the
degree of education possessed by those who had
to deal with it. The strike now existing in one of
the northern counties had occasioned, it had been
calculated, a loss of wages amounting to £1.50,000.
If, said the speaker, the true p?inciples of political
economy had been better understood among the
people such a calamity would have been impossible.
" They bad only to look to the principles which
governed the whole doctrine of wages in connection
with labour and capital to know that the interests
of the employers and employed were identical."
This is a fact which it is very difficult to make the
uneducated workman recognise, and we must ad-
mit that it is a good deal the fault of the masters
that they are unable to do so. Had they not too
often shown a disposition to beat down and take
advantage of the men, the latter would not have
been so unjustly suspicious of unfair play when a
depressed state of trade rendered a diminution of
their wages unavoidable. The plan which has been
tried in some parts of the country, of making
the manufactory a joint-stock company, in
which the masters should have two-thirds
of the capital, and the other third should
be held by the men, is a very good one, be-
cause, though it might not be available for extended
application, it will serve to diffuse among the work-
ing men of the country a better idea of the real
difficulties attending the fluctuations of trade."
After speaking at some length on this subject,
Sir FITZROY KELLY observed that there were many
other questions to which he might advert, but he
would not then dwell upon them, and he concluded
an able and interesting address by some sound
practical advice to his hearers respecting courage
under difficulties.

At the meeting of the Mansion House Relief
Committee, on Monday, the LORD MAYOR took
occasion to remark upon the terrible accounts which
were now arriving respecting the famine in India.
His lordship said he thought the citizens of London
might very well consider whether they were not
called upon, now that the disease in the East-end
was abating, to make some effort in behalf of their
fellow subjects in India who were suffering from a
far heavier calamity. The accounts which reach us
from Calcutta are truly deplorable. In that city
alone it is said that 20,000 persons are living
on charity from day to day, and that
in other parts thousands were dying of absolute
starvation. Public subscriptions to relieve the
famishing population are being raised in Calcutta,
and the LORD MAYOR suggested to the members of
the committee the possibility of sending out a sum
of money to assist them. The members of the com-
mittee present received the idea favourably, and Sir
MORD-U.7NT WELLS, who has been indefatigable in
his exertions to relieve the distress occasioned by
the cholera, fully confirmed all that was said from
his own Indian experience. Nothing was decided
upon, but we have no doubt the LORD :11.1Aron's sug-
gestion will produce good effect.
In the meantime we may well consider the best
means of averting the recurrence of so terrible a
calamity, and to such a question there can be but
one answer—lrrigation. Among the many neglected
duties with which we may charge ourselves towards
India there is, perhaps, none more lamentable than
this. Wherever an efficient system of irrigation
has been introduced in India the result has more
than fulfilled the most sanguine expectations. It has
averted the double dangers of inundation and drought
with the terrible pendant of fumine. In Orissa
there has been notable evidence of this. At the
close of 1861 Lord CANNING entered into a contract
with the East India Irrigation Uompany for the
supply of works to the province of Orissa. The
work itself was not commenced until 1863, and is
necessarily still incomplete, but already its effects
are visible. The city of Cuttock, which occupies
a dangerous position on a tongue of land between
two branches of the Maharurddy River, has been
completely secured from destruction by inun-
dation. Canals available alike for irrigation
and for navigation are in progress, and
130,000 acres of land are placed under pro-
fitable cultivation. If this system were to be
extended throughout the country the dangers of
famine might be very much diminished. Lord
CRANBORNE has a fine opportunity before him, but
to avail himself of it, and to confer the benefits upon
India which it is in his power to bestow, he must
abandon altogether that narrow, timid, and exclu-
sive policy which has hampered the good intentions
of so many of his predecessors. A calamity so vast
and so terrible as the famine now, desolating some
parts of India certainly demands the most energetic
measures of relief.

It is true that we are not so dependent this
autumn as we generally are upon agricultural meet-
ings for affording a change of thought and interest,
for many things of home and foreign interest abound;
but still these affairs are more or less worthy of
notice, and generally suggest some topic for consi-
deration which affects the interest of the commu-
nity. The Huntingdonshire Agricultural Society
held its annual dinner and show on Wednesday.
One subject of great importance was dwelt upon by
several speakers, and that was the necessity of pure
water for the preservation of the public health.
Now that the details which have been furnished to
us respecting the late outbreak of cholera touch so
much upon this subject, we hope that it will at-
tract a proper share of attention, and that
those in an influential position will not let the
matter drop until proper remedies have been pro-
vided to remedy the abuses that we know to exist
to so sad a degree in this essential particular. Lord
R. MONTAGU regretted with reason that his bill of
1864 was not accepted by the House. It is now
known that the cholera is greatly accelerated by the
means of impure water. The noble lord added he
hoped that the " present Government would act and
not leave us a prey to cholera, as the late Govern-
ment sacrificed;our oxen to the cattle plague."
The noble lord's remarks were very much to the
point, and they seemed to interest and entertain
his hearers. He denounced the notion that it was
improper to dwell on general questions of the day
Who made the rule, he asked,
at these gatherings.
which forbids the discussion of politics? " I wish
that, whoever he is, he would speedily unmake it."
We entirely concur with the noble lord that there
would be no necessity for quarrelling if the rule
was departed from. As he correctly stated, "all
those who differ in opiniun need not per-
force quarrel. "The property of opinion is that
it is modified and corrected by discussion
until it amounts to knowledge, whose property is
that no persuasion or argument can alter it." The
views ranged themselves on different sides, and
days are happily gone by when those who exchange
could form no neutral ground to discuss matters
relating to the interests of their common country.
For that matter, as Lord R. MoNTAGu said, there
is no question in which any one takes an interest
in which different opinions do not prevail. Some
very good advice was given to farmers in the
concluding part of this speech. Agricul-
ture is said to be the only trade which is
fashionable, and hence the competition for farms
is increased, and their prices raised. What, then,
is to be done to make a stand against all these

The new 1-'oltl Chief Baron, whom we know better
as
Sir
FITZROI' KELLY, has just been delivering an
interesting
address to the members of the Ipswich
Working Men's College.
The occasion was not an
unimportant one in the annals of the association,
since the president bad to present several members
of the college with certificates, which they had
gained at the last examination of the Society of Arts.
The institution is one of considerable extent and
standing, numbering more than a thousand mem_
bers, and it is evide9t fro* their recent successes
that many of them avail themselves in good earnest
of the opportunities of mental cultivation which it
offers. Sir Frrzaov KELLY observed that the objects
of the Working Men's College were twofold—to
provide a means of relaxation after the labours of
the day, and to diffuse education and knowledge
among the working classes of the borough. It was
to the latter branch of the subject that the Lord
Chief Baron chiefly addressed himself. He reminded
his hearers of the important part which they
had to play in the business of life. " The
adult male population of England numbered
about seven millions, of which no less than
five millions belonged to the working, or industrial,
or poorer classes. Let them consider the mighty
power which it was their fortune to possess, and
in his belief, whether they possessed that power
for good or evil, depended chiefly, if not entirely,
upon the amount and degree of education and know-
ledge which they might have." Sir F. KELLY went
on to show how important it was that the working
men should obtain the knowledge requisite to enable
them to form an accurate judgment on the great
social and political questions of the day. Ile illus-
trated his meaning by reference to a question
which strongly affects themselves—the rate of
wages, 111 Q holutiou of the difficulties attending

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 27, 186 g.

drawbacks ? " That which the mann facturer has
to do in his race with other manufucturers
—lose no chance of improving production by
new machinery, and increasing the fertility of
the land by new manures." Such a spirited course
of proceeding cannot but conduce to the welfare of
those to whom it was addressed ; and so, after all,
the noble lord extricated himself very satisfactorily
from the difficult position in which he found himself
in his choice of subjects to discourse upon.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.

According to the 31onitettr, althoughthe negocia-
tions for peace between Prussia and Saxony are not
so far advanced as various journals of Dresden and
Vienna have announced, it is, nevertheless, believed
that they are progressing satisfactorily. The prin-
cipal difficulty arises, it is said, from the demand
made by the Prussian Government to maintain a
garrison in the Saxon fortress of Koenigstein. This
place, situated in the southern portion of Saxony
Royal, between Dresden and the Austrian frontiers
of Bohemia, commands the course of the Elbe and
the railway which leads from Dresden to Prague.
As the position of affairs has assumed a pacific
aspect, the States who took a part in the late mili-
tary events are beginning to make active prepara-
tions in order to be worthily represented at the
coming Great Exhibition. The official journal of
the Austrian Government publishes a circular from
the Central Exhibition Committee, inviting in a
pressing manner Austrian manufacturers to use
their exertions to render as brilliant and complete
as possible the participation of Austria in this in-
ternational solemnity. Conferences have taken
place with the same object between the Govern-
ments of Bavaria and Wurtemberg. Spain is ex-
pected to make a great display at this Exhibition.
The Siccie announces positively, upon the autho-
rity of its correspondent in Italy, that peace has
been signed between that country and Austria. A
decree has also been issued, dissolving the Corps of
Volunteers from the 15th of September. The sol-
diers are to receive six months' pay. It is calcu-
lated that this dismissal of the volunteers will cost
the Treasury five millions of francs, as the officers
will also receive pay for the same period.
A Paris paper quotes the following from the
Volksfreund ;—" We receive from a good source
some particulars respecting the negotiations for
peace between Prussia and Saxony. Fresh difficul-
ties have arisen. Although it was imagined by
the Saxon G.-.-Ternment that Prussia woukl only
claim the nomination of Saxon generals, it appears
that King William also demands the privilege of
nominating also the staff officers. Saxony, driven
to the last extremity, is disposed to make this hard
concession in order to save the Crown for a certain
time. The Saxon officers who have means talk of
leaving the army rather than submit to the demands
of Prussia."

The Presse of Vienna announces that Prince
Gortschakoff, the powerful Russian Minister, was to
arrive at Paris on the 24th. (I believe the Prince
has not yet favoured the capital with his presence.)
his intention is to confer with the Emperor at
Biarritz upon the " burning Oriental question."
Russia considers that that empire is the predestined
heir to the " sick man," who, according to all ap-
pearance, was never so near to his end.
The Marquis de Moustier, who replaces M.
Drouyn de l'lluys as Minister of Foreign Affairs, is
expected to arrive at Marseilles to-morrow in the
Post-office packet l'Amerique. It is said that he
will proceed direct to Biarritz to confer with the
Emperor, and that he will not come to Paris till
next month.
The Presse has an article in which it ridicules the
supposed power of Russia, and argues that there is
no foundation for the anxiety which prevails in
some quarters in regard to reported demonstrations
upon the Eastern question. The Presse compares
Prussia and Austria.. " Why did Prussia so easily
conciuer -double?
Austria because she had neither money,
succumbed A n str;n
credit, good government, nor organisation, which
enabled her to profit by her mutual advantages.
Do not all these causes of weakness exist to a still
greater extent in Russia '"

The railway between Ciudad Real and Badajoz,
which will be so important to the prosperity of the
provinces of La Mancha and Estramadura, will be
inaugurated next month, and very shortly the com-
munication with' Spain and Portugal will bo com-
plete. The same activity in railway communica-
tion prevails in Italy. Before the end of October it
is expected that the line from Rome to Florence will
be completed.
The continuation of rain has caused some alarm-
ing inundations in the provinces. In some cases
the inhabitants have been compelled to leave their
houses, but I do not see any mention of loss of
life.

LITERATURE.

Rachel's Secret. By the Author of " The Master
of Marton." Three vols. Hurst and Blackett.

In the opening chapter of this tale—" The Slough
of Despond"—we find the hero, Dunstan Dayne,
in the lowest depths of despair, friendless and
homeless, seeking, like so many others, his fortune
in the wilderness of London. A new disappoint-
ment has just overwhelmed him, and very sagaci-
ously observes the chronicler of his misfortunes--
" Disappointment, too often repeated, takes a deal
of stuff out of a man. It empties him of courage,
pluck, and hop.-3. It lessens that feeling of self-
help which is the back bone of success." That
" darkest hour," which is the proverbial prelude to
the dawn, having passed away for Dunstan
Payne, he quits the gloomy lodging in
Clement's-inn for the genial atmosphere of
Brook Farm. The life at the farm-house
and the characters of its inmates, especially good
Mrs. Doyle, the thrifty, bustling, hospitable farm-
wife, are pictured con amore. There is, perhaps, a
little too much particularity of details, as we find in
the paintings of the pre-Raphaelites, who bestow in-
finite pains in depicting the grain of the wood, and
the tissue of the silk, and other matters equally un-
worthy of the trouble bestowed upon them. The
author of "Rachel's Secret" possesses that great que -
lification of a tale-teller, that of realising in his
own mind the scene and characters of which he tells
us, and this is the only way to realise them to
the reader. For the time being we take up
our abode in the Farm-house and enjoy the
homely scene quite as much as does Dunstan Payne .
A striking contrast with the genial Farmhouse is
the gloomy mansion of Rooklands, the abode of the
Squire, haunted with dismal memories. The
mysteries of the tale we shall in no wise unravel,
least of all shall we venture to touch upon Rachel's
" secret," for never surely was secret so well
guarded. Rachel Dallas, with all her good qualities,
is not an attractive heroine. In her serious
seclusion she fairly shuts herself up from
our sympathies. Far more pleasing is charming
little Winifred Gilmour, the light-hearted daughter
of the melancholy squire. Many of the minor cha-
racters are described with happy touches from Mrs.
Drew, the lodging-house keeper in Clement's-inn,
who, seeing her lodger in an impatient mood, shuts
the door cautiously, observing that " when folks
were cantankerous they might slam a door as
bard as they liked themselves, and be all the
better for it, it let off the steam, as you might say,
but they could near a-bear to hear other people do
the same." Equally sagacious is old Mrs.
Mallinson, with her half-dozen ancient silver
spoons, which spoons she takes care to parade be-
fore a neighbour, who is the proudest woman in
the parish, but possesses no plate—in the Chris-
tian hope of making her humble. " Folks ought to
be kept humble, as our clergyman says." Among
the results of Dunstan's experience we find the
following :

A very deplorable accident has taken place near
Aulas. M. Brouillet, jun., banker, accompanied by
his young wife and his mother-in-law, went to visit
a manufactory which he possesses at that place,
where some new machinery had been erected.
Madame Brouillet, having incautiously approached
to the machinery, she was drawn between the
wheels, and the bones and flesh of the upper part
of her body were literally crushed. She expired
in great agony next day. Madame Brouillet was
only 25, and had only recently been married.
Gosse, who was condemned to death by the Court
of Assize at Douai for the brutal violation and mur-
der of a young girl of twelve years, was executed on
Monday morning at Cateau, in the presence of
10,000 persons. Women and children formed a
great proportion of the crowd.
The Poissonnierre Railway to Cholet has been
opened. The Western Railway upon the occasion
distributed 1,500 f. to the poor of the latter town.
The Maharajah of Lahore, one of the Indian
princes under the dominion of England, has arrived
in Paris, and is about to visit the Emperor at
Biarritz.

The jury in the case of Berthome and Dupray
de la Maherie, charged with the enormous frauds
and robberies to the prejudice of the Treasury of
the Railways, did not deliver their verdict till
nearly twelve o'clock last night. They gave a
verdict of guilty upon all the points of accusation.
The Court sentenced Maherie to hard labour for
seven years, and Berthome to imprisonment for
five years. Both prisoners are to pay a fine of
100 f. In regard to the claim of the railway com-
panies to damages, civilly, the Court decided that
the prisoners should pay such damages as might be
fixed upon hereafter by the Government. In the
meantime a provisional verdict of 200,000 f. was given
with expenses. The prisoners are also to be im-
prisoned for two years under civil process.
The prediction of the unusually high tide to-day
has been fulfilled. The Seine is like a torrent, and
there has not been such a height of water for many
a day. Navigation is stopped, for the water at some
of the bridges is near to the vault of the arch. Tho
weather has been settled and beautiful to-day. The
sun has scarcely been obscured since it rose. It
was intensely hot from mid-day till three o'clock.
The Moniteztr of this morning says :—" The diffi-
culty which arose between the Cabinets of Vienna
and Florence upon the subject of the debt has been
overcome. Most of the other points having been
arranged, the signature of the treaty will take place
in a few days." . .

The Italian papers have not arrived in Paris to-
day, the communications upon some points being
intercepted by the inundations. These inundations
have afforded another strong proof of the solicitude
of the Emperor for his subjects. The moment his
Majesty received information of them he sent,
through the Minister of the Interior, who always
exhibits similar anxiety in such matters, pecu-
niary assistance to the localities which have sus-
tained the most damage.

Snails are capable of remaining dormant for a
very long time. A remarkable instance occurred in the
British Museum. A small snail was brought from the
Egyptian deserts in 1846, was put in its place among hun-
dreds of others, was gummed to a board, and in 1850 was
found to bo alive, and fed readily on lettuce and delicate
cabbage leaves. This interesting specimen of the snails of
th© deficrt diva iu 18a,— Once a lircek.