The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-20 00:00:00

tried and able officer, goes down in the open sea
without any other cause than the violence of the
storm she encounters we ratty well look with appre-
hension and anxiety at the vast increase of our

marine traffic.
at least,
is
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of
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any indifferent ten ti ono ptio-
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attack or censure any of the parties, and assured the
House that he was influenced by no personal motive
in bringing forward the matter, he expressed his
conviction that the recent investigation was perfectly
useless, and that the present state of our law for the
protection of those whose business compelled them to
pass to and fro between the colonies and the mother
. country was called loudly for improvement. Early
. in January last, said the right hon. gentleman, two
of the finest ships that ever sailed from England
left our ports at nearly the same time. So
highly were they estimated that extra fares
' were charged for the superior accommodation
and additional security which they offered to their
passengers. The Amalia, of 3,000 tons, from Liver-
pool, and the London, of 1,700 or 1,800 tons, from
London, both met their fate within a few days
of leaving port. " They were overwhelmed by the
sea ; within a very few hours, if not minutes of each
other, and also within a few miles of each other,
these two magnificent vessels sunk to the bottom
like stones." But the most extraordinary part of
the story is that, while these two fine vessels were
thus totally lost, smaller vessels rode out the
storm in safety. The passengers and crew of the
Amalia were conveyed in her boats to a vessel near
at hand; the nineteen survivors of the unfortunate
London, after buffeting about in a common gig for
24 hours, found safety on board a small Italian
bark. Looking at all these circumstances, said Sir
J.'PAKINGTON, we need not wonder that the public
interest felt in;the official inquiry into the causes of
these two great catastrophes was unusuallystrong. Of
the inquiry itself the right hon. baronet spoke in
no measured terms. lle paid due regard to the
courtesy and kindness of Mr. TBAILL and the able
gentlemen who took part in the inquiry, but he
did not hesitate to declare that in his opinion the
inquiry itself was a mockery and a delusion,
utterly futile ' for the purpose of discover-
ing the real cause of the calamity. Very great
disappointment, said the right honourable baronet,
was felt at the prohibition of the magistrate to the
counsel retained by the relatives of the lost passen-
gers to cross-examine the witnesses. Certainlyif the
object was to elicit the truth, to learn all that could
be learned as to the cause and origin of the catas-
trophe, such a prohibition was most extraordinary.
What would be thought in a case tried in an
ordinary court of law if no cross-examina-
tion of witnesses were permitted ? In the naval
inquiries there were, it is true, no persons directly
under accusation, and we may hope no parties
interested in keeping back facts as there might be
in a civil case, but the object of the courts of law,
and of the conductors of an inquiry under the
Merchant Shipping Act., ought to be precisely the
same, the discovery of the whole truth without
prejudice or favour, without regard to persons or
interests. Cross-examination is a valuable adjunct
in obtaining this end, because skilful counsel may
naturally perceive the importance of minor
points, which witnesses who have not
studied the whole case impartially cannot
see. Sir JOIIN PAKINGTON read extracts from two
letters addressed to him on this subject by gentle-
men who had the misfortune to have relatives on
board the London, and who were consequently
deeply interested in the result of the inquiry.
One of them actually engaged a counsel to watch the
case, but the counsel, after applying in vain for
permission to cross-examine the witnesses, retired
from the case in disgust. One of these gentlemen
(Mr. TuomAs) writes—" To those who watched the
proceedings they appeared to be mainly an exami-
nation of officials by a tribunal of their own. The
fact that private persons like ourselves, who came
forward at some cost and inconvenience, were
not permitted, even by counsel, to try to elicit
anything, lest it should be adverse to the owners
of the ship, or the administration of the Board
of Trade, speaks for itself." The other letter,
from Mr. BENSON, formerly in active practice as
a barrister, says, "The witnesses, for days toge-
ther, consisted of either crew or defendants of
the owners, or persons directly interested in prov-
ing that no fault could attach to the ship or her
fittings. See how the aspect of things changed
when the only independent testimony was adduced
—viz., the three surviving passengers. These were
strong in denunciation of the behaviour of the
vessel, and all were men accustumed to the sea."
Other letters were read by Sir J. PAKINGTON refer-
ring to the supposed overloading of the vessel. One
was from Captain STEIVAP,T, of the Royal Navy,
who was at Plymouth when the London passed that
" A sailor's eye," says the gallant captain,
" can always detect whether a ship looks too deep iu
the water or not ;" and, he adds, that comments

port.

were freely passed at Plymouth on the depth of the
London. A gentleman who was at Dover when the
vessel passed the Straits told Sir JOHN that the
alarming depth of the vessel in the water was
the subject of general conversation on the
pier. Surely all these facts called for a
different method of inquiry, and we can only hope
that this terrible disaster may be the means of re-
organising the whole system. The public owe a
debt to Sir J. PAKINGTON for his fearless and able
advocacy of their interests, which we hope will pro-
duce the desired effect.

After the lapse of some time it seems as if ths
Austro-Prussian question were again to engross
attention, and to claim a paramount share of at-
traction. It is true that those who were well
acquainted with the aspects of the case expected
nothing less than some such catastrophe ; but, no
doubt, the generality of observers will be startled
at the sudden turn which affairs have taken. It
was not likely under any circumstances that the
affair of the Duchies could be settled without some
angry feelings springing up, but it was thought
likely that a compromise might be made, and at
any rate extremities might be avoided on both sides.
We do not think it very likely that this will be the
case now, for both the German Powers have com-
promised themselves to such a degree that we can
hardly see how they will extricate themselves in a
peaceable manner. Signs and tokens are not want-
ing to show that strife is imminent. Austria has
addressed a Circular Note to the non-German Great
Powers,ite disclaiming all responsibility with regard
to the consequences of any conflict with Prussia
o the question of the Duchies. This looks sig-
nificant at any rate, and warns us to be on the
look-out and
prepared for any intelligence we may
hear. For some time
past the Vienna Cabinet have
been resisting the encroachments of their unscru-
pulous ally— at first in a moderate form, and subse-
quently after,a more decided fashion. Of course
great blame attaches itself to Austria for the part
which she played during the war with Denmark,
but it cannot be said that her share is at all equal
to that of Prussia ; and, besides, the latter Power
was the ruling spirit, and so far responsible that
without her manoeuvres and machinations nothing
would have been done. We must also exculpate
Austria from seeking to provoke this quarrel which

has rot Ached to such a pitch, and threatens to pro-
duce a disastrous and most sanguinary war. It was
scam 31y possible that the extraordinary demands
of P russia could have been acceded to by any
n.ution. possessed of self-respect and desirous of
3.nai ntaining her proper position among the nations
of -the world. We do not suppose that the Prussian
Government sought to provoke this quarrel or
really desired an altercation to take place ; but all
other considerations are put aside, and all other
influences are set at nought whenever a scheme of
lie rr BISMARCK was to be carried out. This crafty
statesman has from the firstsct his mind and directed
his; energies to the accomplishing of a definite pur-
pose. The Duchies were long ago marked out for
-the prey of Prussia, and it is possible in taking a
retrospective glance to note how all has tended to
that end, and ministered to the furtherance of their
deep design. The claims of justice, the scruples of
honour, the rights of nations, have all vanished into
the distance and melted into thin air, while, with a
perseverance worthy of a better cause, one obstacle
after another was overcome and the goal gradually
reached.

Prussia, on her side, is quite resolved to show no
symptom of recantation, and we find that a decree has
been issued in Schleswig which unmistakeably tells
the temper of the Berlin Cabinet. This enactment,
which was alluded to the other day, specifies that
any person who signs an address or delivers a
speech in favour of the Duke of AUGUSTENBERG
Will be liable to imprisonment. The ob-
ject of this extraordinary decree is, of
course, to bring Austria to a standing point, and
force her to decide whether she will issue a similar
decree in Holstein, and thus that Power is placed in
a very awkward predicament. Not to follow suit
to Prussia is to give dire offence, and to do so is to
lose the ground already gained in Holstein by her
considerate conduct. This arbitrary enactment has
given naturally enough great offence in all direc-
tions, but little heed will Prussia take of their wrath
and their indignation. A stronger proof could not
be given of the length to which Prussia will go in
support of her pretensions, and in the pro-
secution of her purpose of annexation,
than was recently afforded on the occasion
of the funeral of the Prince, who was recently in-
terred in Schleswig. It was thought likely that the
Duke of AUGUSTENB ERG would attend to pay the last
tribute of respect to the memory of his uncle, and
it was intended by the Prussian authorities to arrest
him, in order that no demonstration of respect
should be paid to him. Fortunately the Prince
was warned in time, or he would have been
by this time incarcerated by order of the false
Power which once professed to make war on his
account. In mcdern times we have had no
more notable instance afforded to us of shame-
less tergiversation and unblushing effrontery
than in this affair of the Duke of AUGUSTENBERG.
Political honour is indeed at a discount in Prussia
when her rulers can thus forswear themselves and
violate their most solemn pledges in this barefaced
manner. The unfortunate Duke has indeed made a
bad bargain in trusting to the goodwill and sense
of rectitude of his ally, and he will rue the day
he allowed himself to be thus put forward as a make-
believe.

Under the peculiar circumstances of the case, Aus-
tria should take heed to her ways, and endeavour by
all means to been on good terms with Hungary and
Venetia. It is the uncertainty of her posi-
tion with regard to these that makes Austria
take so much advantage, and give herself such lati-
tude in prosecuting her plans. It will be a source
of deep regret to the lovers of constitutional freedom
in Europe if the issue of this war, if war there be,
should place Prussia in a position of more power
and influence than she at present possesses.
Even if that authority be but of a temporary
nature, who can justly estimate the amount of mis-
chief that so unscrupulous a Power can effect in a
very short space of time ? For all the interests of
nationality it is to be trusted that the Austrian
Government will stand firm, and show them-
selves in this emergency more equal to their
duties than they have often been on former occa-
sions. Prussia aims at possessing the Duchies, and
now she seeks to become the head of Germany.
Then, armed with undisputed authority she can
trample in the dust all the pretensions of the ruined
States, and crush out the lingering remnants of
public spirit in her own dominions. It is too late
now for the interference of the other nations of
Europe. Unhappily the opportunity has been lost
of checking the arbitrary course of Prussia, but
it rests with Austria at the eleventh hour
to do something ; and if she would not
straightway sink into comparative nothingness,
she must arouse herself and maintain a firm atti-
tude and a bold demeanour. They have gone too
far now for the adoption of compromise and expe-
diency, which is always a dangerous resource ; but
perhaps even now Prussia may draw brack, if she
thinks her former ally in earnest. If not, and war
ensue, the hopes and wishes of all independent
men will go with the Austrians to the contest, for
the conduct of Prussia throughout has been unbear-
able, and her arbitrary demands have become a
scandal in Europe. We may now more fully
appreciate them at this time of their occurrence the
unhappy consequences of the policy of inaction which
our Government persisted in pursuing, and perforce
made France adopt also. A timely hint to the
Cabinet of Berlin would have stopped the war with
Denmark, and saved Prussia herself from much
loss and disgrace, and might have avoided the
catastrophe to which she is hastening.

AN ILLUMINATED PEERAGE.—Our suggestion re-
cently in The Sun, that the ladies of England should
apply some at least of the taste and industry now
lavished by them on the collection of postage stamps
and monograms to the illumination of the heraldic
designs, the crests and coats of arms scattered
through the pages of a Peerage or Baronetage like
that of Debrett, we are gratified to observe has
already taken with our fair countrywomen. A
correspondent of The Queen, into which newspaper
our remarks about the illumination of Debrett had
been copied verbatim, writes, we observe, in
the last number of that journal as follows :
" Having read the extract quoted from The Sun in
the Queen of the 10th, together with some appro-
priate remarks, I write to say that I have seen a
magnificent illuminated book of heraldry. It was
published in the reign of Charles 11. by Gwillim,
and the various coats of arms were most splendidly
emblazoned. I cannot imagine a more charming
occupation for young ladies than the illuminating
of " Debrett's Peerage" would be. Some friends of
mine copied several of the memorial bearings in the
book of heraldry I allude to, and coloured
them beautifully ! I should much like to
know if any of the readers of the Queen have
ever seen one of Gwillim's emblazoned books of
heraldry. I was told a short time ago that there
were but three of them extant ; one in the British
Museum ; one which was sold at the late Duke of
Buckingham's sale to a gentleman whose name I
could not ascertain ; and the third which belonged
to my father. It contained portraits of the " Merry
Monarch," and many noblemen of his court. There
were two exquisite pictures of the Beauclercs, like-
nesses of quite young boys dressed in full court cos-
tume, and one of Lord Chancellor Finch in his robes
of office. Strange to say, although the book is 200
years old, the colouring is as bright and exquisite as
though it had just been emblazoned.
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