The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-14 00:00:00

THE SON, LONDON, MONDAY EV.ENING, MAY 14, 1866.

_
appreliensic,n that we should not be entirely free
from it this spring. Englishmen are never much
inclined to shrink from the contemplation of a pos-
sible
da: nger ; on the contrary, they are generally
eager t 3 examine it in all its aspects, and sometimes
to extq ;gerate the risk and the evil. But unfortu-
nately
we are not always prompt in action as in
words, and in spite of caution, warning, appeal, and
remonstrance we too often leave long established
abuses unrectified and necessary reforms unprac-
tised till the moment of urgency arrives. We pride
ourselves, perhaps not altogether without reason, on
the development of our sanitary knowledge, and on
the healthiness and cleanliness of many of our large
towns, but no one can refuse to admit that very
much remains to be done. What with our vestry
system, and the various interests that oppose them-
selves to the enforcement of proper regulations,
what with the neglect and indifference of some
classes, and the ignorance and degradation of others,
many abuses are left untouched which are preju-
dicial in ordinary times, but in sickly seasons, or in
presence of an epidemic, become imminently dan-
gerous. All our medical officers of health concur
in stating that there has been a great increase of
fever in the metropolis during the last few years.
Typhus, that familiar visitant of crowded courts and
ill-ventilated, ill-drained alleys, has been unusually
busy, the Fever Hospital has been more than full,
the sick wards of our workhouses have been com-
pelled to receive patients who should assuredly never
be admitted among a large and mixed assembly.
Typhus, if not inevitably a precursor of cholera, is
certainly an indication of a sanitary Condition very
favourable for its reception and extension. It is a
sure test of the state of the public health among the
lower classes, and it is in times of epidemic illness
that these classes take a terrible revenge
for the cruel neglect and indifference to
their wants and sufferings which those more
happily situated show at other times. From the
close and wretched lane or alley it is often but a
step or two to handsome well-built mansions, and
these few steps are being quickly taken by the
direful and insidious foe. If we' disown the claims
of our common humanity in the time of health and
security, we cannot shake off our liability to the
common danger. Our sanitary improvements, our
drainage system, and other changes have done great
good, no doubt, but the overcrowding of our poor
and populous districts consequent upon modern
changes and innovations is a very serious evil. The
necessity of improved dwellings for our labouring
classes is admitted on all hands, and much has been
effected by generous and public-spirited individuals,
foremost among whom is the honoured name of
PEAI3nDY ; but we must not delude ourselves into
fancying that the work is done. It is a monste
evil, too large, in fact, to be grappled with by any
single effort—too formidable to be overcome by any
solitary attack, however energetic. It cannot re-
main long in its present condition, for it is a daily
increasing evil ; it grows with the growth of the
population, spreads with the extension of our cities.
It must be dealt with comprehensively and sys-
tematically ; and among all the pressing topics of
interest and excitement, our statesmen and philan-
thropists cannot afford to disregard this question if
they wish to preserve the health, the energies, and
the contentment of the people.
Meanwhile there is a great deal to be done in
waiting for a thorough organisation of our indus-
trial dwellings. Sanitary reforms should be vigo-
rously pushed on nuisances should be promptly re-
moved, all deficiencies and irregularities in the
water supply orthe drainage should be immediately
attended to. Unfortunately it is just in those poor
and populous districts Nvhere such precautions are
of the most importance that they are most likely to
be neglected. The inhabitants either do not know
their value or are afraid to offend their landlords ;
the landlords, if appealed to, very often withhold
assistance which they know very well will not be
extorted from them, and so the evil goes on, and
amid a general sense of uneasiness and anxiety at
the prospect of cholera the real sources of danger
are overlooked or neglected. Forewarned is fore-
armed, says the good old adage, and a state of pre-
paration is very different from useless and helpless
panic. We have happily no grounds for serious
apprehension, but we have every reason for seeing
that sanitary regulations are properly enforced,
and the requirements of the public health promptly
and efficiently attended to. Instead of such mat-
ters being, as they are often considered, "nobody's
business," they are just now " everybody's business."
It is every one's duty to investigate the origin of a
foul smell, an ill-managed drain, a neglected dust
heap in his neighbourhood, and to report such a case
to the proper authorities. Science has taught
us many useful precautions respecting sickness, but
in no respect is her teaching more clear and definite
than when she tells us that cleanliness, temperance,
pure water, and fresh air are the greatest preserva-
tives against cholera, and there is little doubt that
it is by their neglect of these safeguards that the
German emigrants have brought the deadly enemy
upon themselves to startle Liverpool. It is to be
hoped that the authorities of that city will be
stirred to the danger, to inquire into the cause of
their exceptionally high death rate, and to remove
from their rich and populous town the stigma of
being, as it now is, one of the unhealthiest in the
whole kingdom.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

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

The Emperor and Empress were to have left Paris
in the early part of the past week for the provinces;
but the threatening aspect of affairs has detained
his Majesty in the capital, and it is even reported
that the proposed journey may be postponed for the
present. Yesterday a Cabinet Council was held at
the Tuileries, which lasted much longer than the
usual time. The facts of the day are more plainly
indicative of war than ever ; bat, nevertheless, there
are remarkable officious (official ?) articles in the
Pays and the Constitutionnel in favour of the proba-
bility of peace. The writers of both the articles
argue almost in the same words, that a policy of
neutrality is a policy of peace. The article in the
Constitutionnel is an answer, or rather a confirmation,
of that in the Pays. The Pays says :—" The Go-
vernment of the Emperor has doubly served- the
interests of France by remaining pacific in the
midst of the warlike agitations of other Powers, and
in prudently making reservations for the future.
The liberty of action which he claims is by no means
in disaccord with his desire to maintain peace."

The Cons titutionnet says that the policy of peace
and neutrality folloNVed by the Government of the
Emperor in the present crisis is in conformity with
the interests and dignity of France. It will take
no part in a war unless compelled to do so in defence
of the honour and interest of the nation.

As to the probability of war, the Moniteur, as
may be supposed, abstains from discussion upon the
subject ; but, on the other hand, it collects together
reports or facts from Germany and other papers, all
exhibiting a decidedly belicose tendency. For in-
stance, it states that the Bavarian Government, in
consequence of the gravity of the position, has
advised the immediate mobilisation of the army and
the convocation of the Chambers for the 22d inst.
The army of Hanover is mobilised. The Wurtem-
berg Government has forbidden the exportation of
horses, and has ordered the purchase of the number
sufficient for the mobilisation of the army. [he
eighth federal corps d'armee, comprising the contin-
gent of the Southern States of Germany, is to be

concentrated at Mulacker. The King of Wurtem-

berg and Prince Alexander of Hesse will have the
command of it. As to Prussia she will in three
weeks have an army of 415,000 men ready for the

field. Speaking of Italy, one of the papers says
that Garibaldi has long meditated the deliver-
ance of the Italian Tyrol, and that it will now be
attempted.
The movements of troops in Italy having occa-
sioned serious interruptions in the postal communi-
cations, the Post-office authorities there are about
to organise a special service by way of Nice, Genoa,
and Spezzia, by which means letters to Paris may
arrive more speedily than at present. Letters and
papers from Italy have lately arrived very irregu-
larly in Paris. By the new mode letters for Paris
will reach Nice in 25 hours, from Nice to Spezzia in
14 or 15 hours, including a stoppage at Genoa.
From Spezzia to Florence only three hours are re-
quired by express trains. Thus letters from Florence
to Paris will arrive in 44 hours.
Several of the Paris papers treat the vote of the
German Diet as a solemn manifesto and grave in-
cident. The German papers speak of military pre-
parations on every side. The Alleanza of Milan
estimates the Austrian forces at about 40,000 men,
stationed in line between Udine and Nabresina.
The Gazette de Milan says, " Our station has be-
come a real camp. Military trains succeed each
other rapidly. We see and hear soldiers of all ranks,
who leave or arrive, singing patriotic airs." A cir-
cular from the Italian Minister of Marine announces
that the Government has made all the arrangements
necessary for placing the military marine in a com-
plete state of armament, and to be ready for all
eventualities connected with the defence of the

country."

The Siecle, in an estimate of the strength of the
Austrian army, says :—" Austria has habitually on
the peace footing 280,996 men—viz., 201,925
infantry, 391,188 cavalry, 28,171 artillery, 8,784
artillery, and the rest composed of other troops.
This army, according to official Austrian
documents, when changed to the war footing,
may be increased to 619,210 soldiers. The following
is an estimate of the amount of the forces belong-
ing to the States which voted for the proposition of
Saxony in the German Diet. Bavaria has 68,880
men of light and heavy infantry, 7,400 chasseurs,
9,276 cavalry, 8,440 artillery, 3,000 equipages,
2,000 artillery, &c. The Bavarian reserve amounts
to 79,000 infantry, nearly 12,000 cavalry, and 1,200
artillery. The Bavarian army has always had the
reputation of being one of the best in Europe. The
troops of Saxony are not to be despised either.
They are composed of 15,740 infantry, 4,000 foot
chasseurs, 3,200 cavalry, and 2,400 artillery. The
reserve is considerable. To this army may be
added that of the Duchies of Saxony—Sax-Weimar
has 3,625 soldiers, Saxe-Miningen 2,564, Saxe-
Altenbourg 1,473, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha 2,000.
The army of Hanover is nearly equal to that
of Saxony. If the States which voted for
the Saxon proposition should unite against
Prussia, that Power woald have fewer troops
to take the field than her adversaries, although
she would have a very formidable army. They
amount to 116,135 men on the peace footing, and
218,000 on the war footing. But to this must be
added the troops formed since the mobilisation of the
army, amounting to upwards of 105,400 men ; also
18,500 workmen and depot troops. To these must
be added the troops in garrison, amounting to
153,860 men. As to Austria, paralysed by Italy,
she could not dispose of all her forces ; one-half of
them must be employed against Italy.
M. Dupliex de Mezy, formerly Governor of the
French Indies, and who in that capacity had impor-
tant struggles against the English, has just died at
Paris at an advanced age.
French artists appear to be wonderfully sensitive
in regard to the " bubble reputation." A question
of great interest to artists has been submitted to the
Commission of the Academy of Fine Arts. M. Leh-
mann was commissioned by the city of Paris to exe-
cute two paintings for the Chamber of St. Clotilda,
but illness having prevented him from finishing
them, he intrusted the task to one of his pupils.
The two pictures have been placed in the church,
but M. Lehmann says that they are unworthy of
his reputation, and wishes to take them away and
destroy them, offering to reimburse the amount paid
to him for them. the city of Paris, however, is
satisfied with them, and says they are very artistic
productions. Hence the appointment of a commit-
tee of the Academy of Fine Arts to decide this curi-
ous and knotty point.
Marshal Valliant has been appointed member of
the Imperial Central Agricultural Society of France
(section of horticulture), in the room of Dr. Mon-
tague, deceased.
On Whit-Monday the Grand Annual Military
Steeplechase (gentlemen riders), will take place at
La Marche for a stakes of 5,000 f., 1,600 f. of which
was given by the Administration des Haras.
What is called the French Derby is to be run for
to-day at Chantilly. The following is the result of
the races on Thursday. They were not so well at-
I tended as usual :--Prix de la Morlaye, 300 f., Count
Lagrange's La Favorite 1 ; Alexandra 2 ; Corsica
3. Prix de la Pelouse (gentlemen riders), 3,000 f.,
Gaulois 1; Sco3rola 2 ; Anisette the Second. Prix
de Courtenil, 3,000 f., Germanique 1; Last Born 2 ;
Gayant 3.' Poule de deux ans, 200 f. each ; 23
horses entered ; La Rochelle 1; Turco 2 ; Le
Tricorne 3. Prix des Lions (gentlemen riders),
3,000 f. The winner to be claimed for 15,000.
Eight ran. Mercedes 1; Meli-Melo 2 ; Druse (Mr.
Thomas Carter) 3. Prix du Chemin de Fer du
Nord; Count Lagrange's Argence 1 ; Ceres 2 ;
Satellite 3.

In pulling down a wall, in the Rue Cadet, the
workmen have discovered a stone on which is in -
scribed " Limit of the faubourgs of the City of
Paris under the reign of Louis XV., on the part of
the King. Here is the last house of the faubourg,
beyond which it is forbidden to build, in conformity
with a declaration of his Majesty of the years 1724,
1726, and 1727." The Rue Cadet is now only near
the beginning of the Faubourg Montmartre.
Garibaldi's re-appearance in the field at the head
of Italian volunteers has been seized upon for the
issue of biographies and innumerable portraits in
Paris. In the memoirs written by Garibaldi him-
self, and translated by Alexandre Dumas, the war-
rior says lie was born at Nice in the same room as
Marshal Massena. Marshal Marsena's father was a
balier. The great pursuit of Garibaldi's youth was
swimming, and he believed himself to be born am-
phibious. His father was a fisherman, and they
were almost always in the boat together. When a
mere child he entered the Sardinian Navy. In
fighting to make Italy free in 1834 he was unsuc-
cessful, and he left the Sardinian Navy, and took
refuge in France, at Marseilles, " when," says
Garibaldi, "I learnt for the first time that I had
been condemned to death." From 1848 to 1852 he
was either at Rome, or in China, or South America ;
and after the war in Italy he retired to Caprera,
where, like Cincinnatus (" the wise"), he em-
ployed himself in cultivating the earth. " Like
Cato, firm ; like Aristides, just." Garibaldi is now
69 years of age.

THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT EXHIBITION, South
Kensington, is decidedly successful. With that from the
sale of catalogues, the receipts at the door for admission
amount to about £5O a day. The complete Catalogue,
with its triple indexes of the painters, subjects and owners
of pictures, has been published, and is very serviceable.
THE THAMES AND SALMON.—Having heard this
morning that a report was circulating in the Lon-
don clubs that a salmon had been caught yesterday in a
net off Billingsgate, I sent down immediately my secretary
to make inquiries. He found Mr. Stephenson, salesman,
who kindly gives the following information :—There is no
truth in the report of a salmon having been caught yester-
day ; he never even heard the rumour, but live dace and
roach are caught by the boys daily off Billingsgate. He yes-
terday had several of the fish brought him in a basket, all
very small but one. " The river is now as clear at Billings-
gate as New River Water," and he believes that owing to
the Thames Embankment it will soon admit salmon up it.
He remembers 35 years ago, when the Phoenix Gas Works
turned their gas water into the river, the water was covered
with millions of barbel, chub, dace, roach, in fact all sorts
of coarse fish, and it is not, in his opinion, the town sewage
but the gas water that does the mischief. It is no use for
the City authorities to purify the river whilst the people at
Staines, Richmond, Ringston, Windsor, Stc., send their
filth down the aream.—r. BuciaAign, May 9th.—Land and
Water.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, MAY 14.

Duke William of Mecklenburg has been appointed
Commander of the Royal Guards, instead of Duke
Augustus of Wurteinberg, who has been relieved of
his command.

General Von Voigt Rheetz has been appointed
Chief of the General Staff.

GREECE.

ATHENS, MAY 8.

On account of the probability of war the King
has deferred his intended journey into the provinces,
and returned to this city yesterday evening.