The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-28 00:00:00

that the world was made for them, and not for the; •
great people of this kingdom." Allowing.,
for the sake of argument, that any OD e
of average intelligence, could entertain such a mo-
tion, the meaning of it is quite preposterous, and
much as a good and comprehensive measure of Re-
form may be needed, and would be appreciated, we
need no change whatever to prove the thoroutgh in-
dependence of our working classes, nor t 0 show
that they are capable of trust. In the discussion of
a great question it is always safest and wisest to
keep as much as possible to the main issues and not
to dwell on probabilities, or to suggest chances,
for by so doing we lose sight of the vital interests
at stake in the excitement of dismissing matters
which really have little relation to the objects
which should be the chief concern.

The more we consider the statements of authentic
observers in Jamaica, the more we may adhere to
the opinion that there has been throughout great
exaggeration among the witnesses. The notion
that unfortunately obtained as to the probability
of restitution being awarded by the Commissioners
no doubt did great harm, and we may fairly con-
clude that many were glad to foster the idea in
order to keep up the excitement, and obtain cre-
dence for the extreme accounts they had previously
put forth. The Commissioners have, however,
taken great pains to sift the statements as far as
they possibly could, and no doubt when
they cannot exactly define the nature of
the evidence they -vill compare the proba-
bilities of the case with the accounts given
in order to arrive at a just conclusion. A notable
instance of sheer falsehood was given by a black
woman, who came to the Commissioners with har-
rowing tales of cruelty. She was found out, how-
ever, and made to convict herself, for the Commis-
sioners happened to be going in the direction which
she had pointed out as the scene of the dreadful
tale. She had the effrontery to show them a wrong
house, and after minute investigation all her stories
were shown to be false. As she declared that her
husband and son had been hung, she perhaps
thought that she might get some allowance made
to her. It must have been mere love of mis-
chief, however, that prompted her to go to such
length in the continuation of her details. We may
infer from this striking instance of prevarication,
contradiction, and falsehood how much dependence
is to be placed on apparently credible stories.
Another point worthy of attention is that the con-
dition of the negroes in Jamaica really left them
nothing to complain of, and with one thing and
another they were, indeed, very well off. We find,
now that we have more minute details of their con-
dition, that they were better off than was at all
imagined by many in this country before
the outbreak rendered them unfortunately
familiar with the circumstances of the
race declared to be so unhappy and persecuted by
those who apologise for the insurgents, and seem to
be indignant that any attempt was made to put
them down. As is correctly stated by the Special
Correspondent of the Times, "An English peasant
would have thought himself thrice blessed with one-
half of these worldly possessions." The cottages
of some of these insurrectionists show plainly
enough that want and distress did not drive them
to desperation. In point of fact, they could not have
been more prosperous, when we remember the luxu-
riant soil around them, and the work which they
could always have if they choose to do it. It is not
always those who are the worst off who exhibit the
most restlessness, and show that they are impatient
of all necessary restraint.

According to the intelligence brought by the City
of New York a large body of troops is expected at
Halifax from England, to be marched from thence
toNew Brunswick. The rumour goes that 10,000
men are to be sent, but this is most likely an over-
statement. The measure, as we have said on pre-
vious occasions, is a wise and prudent one, and is
by no means uncalled for under present circum-
stances. The active organisation of the Fenians is
scarcely likely to break up without the leaders at-
tempting some movement, and Canada offers
them every facility, though they will probably
meet with a very warm reception. What our Go-
vernment should now do would be to send out gun-
boats ; a dozen of these would protect the Canadian
shores, and keep the Fenian Naval Brigade in order.
They are lying idle at home, and our mortar boats
are being converted into scavengers, so that a little
profitable employment might easily be found for
them. A Canadian, writing to a contemporary on
this subject, says, after referring to the vigorous
efforts made by the colonists in self-defence, " We
have soldiers, and we have shown that we
are prepared to use them, but we have no
gunboats, and will England, who can easily
and without expense, supply us ? The presence
of five armed vessels in the St. Lawrence would be
worth 5,000 men, and would relieve us from the
necessity of keeping that number of troops under
arms." lle therefore says that some gunboats
should be sent to the St. Lawrence without delay,
so as to be there when the navigation opens, to
guard the frontier from Lake Ontario to Montreal.
The Fenian attack was, according to the last re-
ports, to have been before the breaking up of the
ice, but there is no certainty as to their movements.
At any rate, in the present unsettled and disturbed
condition of affairs, it would be a safeguard
to have these vessels protecting the coasts.
The Canadians have shown so great a willingness to
protect themselves, and to do their own part with-
out looking to the mother country for everything,
that it is only fair and reasonable that England
should make some effort to assist them. It is very
well for us to smile at Fenianism, and to read the
accounts of the Dublin trials with more pity for the
criminals than alarm at the design, but we must
remember that in Canada it is a very different
thing. With all the appliances of warfare,
with a restless and excitable, population
around them, with plentiful supplies of
money and every facility for recruiting, with
experienced military commanders and plenty of
vulnerable points to attack, the Fenians in
America present a formidable front to a thinly-
peopled colony—formidable, that is to say, so
far, as the temporary necessity for action and
the possible result of negligence or hesitation are
concerned, though not really dangerous to a brave
and united people. Within 24 hours, says the
Canadian correspondent referred to, an army of
10,000 men was turned out, well officered, well
armed, and fairly drilled. What with regular
troops,
volunteers, and militia, there are now about
by the forces
17'°13° men ready for action, and these supplemented
arriving from England, and assisted by
the gunboats
on the lakes, would very soon dipose
of Fenianism.

It is possible that
the Brotherhood may do the
colonists good service by impressing upon them the
' desirability of carrying out the Confederation
scheme. New Brunswick, it will be remembered,
was the malcontent who frustrated the plan, and it
was the Irish element which occasioned the opposi-
tion. No doubt the great proportion of the anti-
unionists were Fenians in disguise, and the rest
of the community may now see what their
patriotism is worth, New Brunswick, as the nearest

1 point, is the first to be threatened by the invader,
and may learn a useful lesson from the alarm.
Union is strength, and there can be no doubt that
a concentration of the Governments and a
federation of the Provinces would be the
best security against invasion. When the emer-
gency arises the colonies aro ready enough to act in
concert ; but it is evident that a much more vigor-
ous and united action could be secured by one su-
preme Executive and Legislature. The Governor
of New Brunswick, in his address to the Parliament,
stated that he was directed to express the strong and
deliberate desire of her MAJESTY'S Government for
the union of the Provinces, and we hope that the
expression of this desire will afford the opportunity
of re-opening the question, now that the New
Brunswickers have had actual evidence of the dan-
gers of an isolated policy.
In the States themselves matters are proceeding
quietly, though the Republicans have gained a vic-
tory, which few will rejoice over. They have carried
the New Hampshire election, thus winning an im-
portant step ; but the general tenour of events
still indicates that the country prefers a Democratic
policy. A meeting of Republican members of Con-
gress has been held in support of the PRESIDENT'S
policy, and have resolved to petition Mr. JOHNSON
for the removal of Messrs. STANTON and HARLAN.
The Indians Democratic convention have also en-
dorsed Mr. JOHNSON'S policy, and there is evidently
a strong feeling in its favour. The PRESIDENT
himself is reported to have said that Congress had
been three months in session without accomplishing
anything towards the restoration of the South, and
that while they continued to oppose his plan they
failed to introduce ono of their own. The manner
in which the Radicals propose to deal with the
matter has just received another illustration.
Mr. STEWART has introduced resolutions in the
Senate prescribing conditions for the admission of
the Southern representatives. These include negro
suffrage, full civil and political equality for blacks
and whites, the repudiation of the rebel debt, and
no compensation for emancipated slaves. Such
terms are not very easy for the South to
subscribe to, and the repudiation of the Con-
federate debt is especially an unfair demand to
make of honourable and high-spirited men.
The Northerners seem to forget, in their de-
sire to humiliate their former adversaries ; that
they are really degrading the American character
and damaging their credit as a nation. It is one of
those cases in which magnanimity and generous
forbearance are " twiceblessed," and since there is a
considerable party in the Northern States capable
of appreciating this truth, we can only hope that
they will not suffer themselves to be overridden
by turbulent and vindictive professors of the much-
abused doctrines of Liberty, Fraternity, and
Equality.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

The news in regard to Germany to-day is more
pacific than for some time past. The Austrian
Gazette announces, it may be supposed officially,
that Austria is not arming. " Should she be forced
to take arms, it would not be to assume a position
in spite of treaties, but to maintain those treaties.
Never has Austria refused to give to Prussia what
belonged to her, but she will guard everywhere, and
at all times, for Germany what belongs to Germany.
In Schleswig Holstein she undertook from the be-
ginning up to the present hour to preserve the inte-
rests and the rights of Germany. Beyond that she
asks for nothing, and asks for nothißg for himself."
The death of the Landgrave Ferdinand of Hesse
Homburg may have an important influence upon
the affairs of Germany at this crisis of estrangement
between Austria and Prussia, for the succession of
the State returns to the Grand Duchy of Hesse
Darmstadt. The Landgrave was the oldest sove-
reign of Europe, having been born on the 26th of
April, 1783. The oldest prince is now Henri the
18th of Reuss-Schleiz, who is 76. The Langraviat
is a small territory of 27,000 inhabitants. The late
Landgrave succeeded his brother on the Bth of
September, 1848. His political sympathies were in
favour of absolutism. The Langraviat branch is now
only represented by two princesses—the grand-
mother of the present Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
Schwerin, and the widow of Prince Henri the 20th
of Reuss-Greiz, the former sister, the latter niece of
the late Landgrave.
Although the works at the New Opera do not
proceed very rapidiy, they are carried on surely ;
and some idea may now be formed of the beauty
and magnitude of the building. Some months ago
the Emperor, actuated by the most noble feeling,
ordered that the work should proceed simultane-
ously with the new hospital, with the idea that a
mere place of amusement should not be finished be-
fore an establishment for the succour of the sick and
necessitous. This Opera House will be the most
magnificent in Europe. Its length will be 150
metres by 100 in width; total extent, 15,000 metres.
The opera house next to it in extent is the Oriente,
at 111adrid, the extent of which is 7,950 metres.
The existing Opera House in Paris has an extent of
6,820 metres. The Theatre Royal, Covent-garden,
London, is only 2,774 metres ; the Opera Comique
at Paris, 1,500 metres. The Opera House, which
ranks third in regard to extent, is the Theatre de
Charles Felix at Genoa, 4,750 metres.

It seems, from a note read at the Academy of
Sciences by M. Duchemin, that there is a contagious
malady among insects as well as among animals.
Some honeycombs have been received from the town
of Valence (France), which contain a large number
of dead bees. From microscopic observation it is
found to contain an acarus which is often found in
the sugar cane, and which inflicts painful and dan-
gerous wounds on the arms and hands of those em-
ployed in the manufacture of sugar. M. Duchemin
ascribes the death of the bees to this cause.

There is at length something like a settlement of
the differences among the Literary Society (Glens de
Lettres). At their last meeting two members were
chosen to complete the committee—Messrs. Alta-
roche and Paul Lacroix. With respect to the Tresor
Litteraire, the apple of discord, it was decidedly
160 notes out of 179, that a consultative committee
of 10 members should be added to the general com-
mittee, with a view to make such modifications in
the work as they may consider necessary. These
members are—Messrs. Paul de Musset, Paul Feval,
Legouve, Henri Martin, George Bell, Caraguel, A.
Challamel, Mornaud, A. Achard, E. de Laledolliere.
Pra-Bat-Somdotch-Para-Pen-Klon, second King
of Siam, whose death I mentioned, has left a large
family and a large fortune. He leaves 30 children
and 120 wives. The eldest of his sons, now 27,
will take the princely honorary title of Second King
when he shall have attained the age of 30. His
uncle, the first King, has just decided that his
nephew shall take a voyage to Europe to complete
his education, and he will be present at the Paris
Exhibition, at which there will be an extensive
collection of the industrial products of Siam.
The spring season of the Sailing Club of Paris
commenced on Sunday on the basin of Argenteuil.
There was a strong wind from the W.N.W., and the
Ariel was driven ashore. The first prize was won
by M. Carpentier's Temps (time, 2h. 28m. 30sec.)
2d prize, Marie Gabrielle (2h. 34m. 30sec.) 3d
prize, Verveine (2h. 35in.) 4th prize, Petrel (2h.
35m. 20sec.) The next match will take place on
the Bth of April.
A man named Jean Barne, living in the town of
Tulle, has murdered his wife and two young children
without any apparent motive. The assassin con-
fessed his crime to the magistrates. Ile narrowly
escaped summary punishment by the crowd on his
way to prison.

It is said that one half of the world does not know
how the other half lives. The widow Clauss for a
long period has managed to live comfortably with-
out paying either for hoard or lodging, but she was