The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-19 00:00:00

viceable to the Government.

" Union is strength," says the old adage, and we
would remind Mr. HOWE that his eloquent argu-
ments, drawn from its application to the Imperial
alliance, apply with equal force to that Confedera-
tion of the British American provinces, to which
he is a determined opponent. Men do not, how-
ever, show most judgment in their own affairs,
and we must acknowledge that Mr. HOWE has
dealt with the Imperial question in an enlightened,
comprehensive, and patriotic spirit. The proposal
is in some respects a startling one, but it is founded
on good sense and practical knowledge. It deserves
at least to be considered and debated both here and
in the colonies. Much might depend on the temper
in which it was received in the chief colonies, but
there are so many unsettled questions respecting
the independence and protection that it is possible

a large and statesmanlike method of settlement

might obtain a favourable hearing. At any rate,
after the extraordinary theories which some restless
_ _ _

spirits have indulged in, who appear to wish to
shear England of her glory, her commerce, and her
influence, it is refreshing to meet with a writer who

so heartily acknowledges the mother country's
claims upon the affection and devotion of all her
children, far and near, and who is so sensible of the

vast mutual advantages to be derived from the con-

nection.

THE DUKE OF EDlNHURGll.—Yesterday his Royal
Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and a select party shot
over portions of the estato of Lord Suffield, at Gunton.
Before leaving Norwich on Monday, the Duke, accompanied
by the Rev. Canon Heaviside, visited Norwich Cathedral.
Dr. Buck, the organist of the cathedral, played the Na-
tional Anthem on the entry of the august visitor.
THE MANCHESTER STATUE TO MR. COBDEN.—
The statue of the late Richard Cobden for the city of Man-
chester was successfully cast in the bronze yesterday
morning at the works of Messrs. Prince and Co., South-
wark.

The Prefect of the Seine, yesterday, gave a grand
dinner at the Hotel de Ville to the members of the
Departmental Commission of the Council-General
of the Department. The Baroness Haussmann,
dthinenwerife
Baroftohe
nHausmaHausmannt, did the honours. After
Hausmann
proposed the toast
of the Emperor, Empress, and the Prince
Imperial. In doing so the Baron said, " The Em-
pire is peace. " Such were the words, deeply en-
graven upon my heart, in which the Emperor upon
a solemn occasion characterised beforehand his
glorious reign, which seems already to have lasted
more than fourteen years, if we were to measure it
by the great things which have been accomplished,
and to whom God, who protects France, no doubt
intends a long future." Baron Haussmann pro-
ceeded to remark upon the great impetus given to
industry since the reign of the Emperor, and the
establishment of security and confidence under the
protection of a firm and resolute Government.
He then referred to the increase of the wishes
of the country and the establishment of its
credit. When his Majesty was compellA to resort
to arms, what grandeur and moderation was there
after victory ! "On the next day, as it were, after
a war which might have set all Europe in flames,
but to which the powerful mediation of the Emperor
put an end, it will be at once a great spectacle and
a great lesson for the world to see the pacific strug-
gles of the Universal Exhibition, to which France
invites all nations, where only the works of mind
and intelligence will be witnessed. The progress of
things in Paris proved that the constant thought
of the Emperor was to increase the happiness of
his people. The only war which occupied
his mind was a war against ignorance,
misery, and disease, to promote also intellectual and
moral development, and to improve the condition
of all classes." Tae next important passage in
Baron Hausmann's speech I translate literally.
" The foreigner who comes to visit us next year
will see the proof at every step that the French
nation, so jealous of its honour that it would sacri-
fice to defend it its last man and its last franc, that
the real signification of the reorganisation of its
military power is to be found in an old adage which
I request your permission to translate freely in
these words—' If victory arms immense battalions,
peace is sheltered behind them.' " The Baron
then proposed the toast amidst great enthusiasm.
His eloquent and patriotic words were often inter-
rupted, by enthusiastic bursts of enthusiasm.
Count de Sartiges, Ambassador from France to

the Pontifical Government, who has been absent
for same time on leave, has returned to his post
at Rome, and M. de "Vigra, Minister Plenipoten-
tiary from Italy to France, who recently left Paris
in consequence of the death of his mother, is expected
back to this capital to-morrow.
The weather has been dull and foggy to-day, but
the rain has ceased for the present. The torrents
of wet began to cause great anxiety. The Seine
is still slightly on the rise.
To-day is rather a blank day as far as news and
incidents are concerned, and there is nothing worth
particular remark in the leading articles of the
papers.

- The Journal des Debats, in reference to the plan
for the reorganisation of the army, says :--
4i me military spirit is not very flourishing
among the English, but this does not prevent them
from making a very good appearance on the field
of battle. Nor did this fact prevent them, seven or
eight years ago, from reconquering India with an
insignificant army, numerically speaking. One has
only to visit the workshops of London, Manchester,
and Birmingham, to be convinced of the extent to
which this people carry their human activity."

The Golden Fleece Transport.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

The Secretary of the Admiralty presents his com-
pliments to the Editor, and would be obliged if he
would insert the following information in to-mor-
row's paper :
With reference to a report which has reached the
Transport-office at Somerset House, and which has
also been circulated at Lloyd's, in regard to the
Golden Fleece transport, it appears that a piece of
paper in a bottle was picked up by a Coast-guard
man at Rock End, Isle of Wight, on the 10th Dec.,
containing these words—
" Please send something, for the Golden Fleece
has gone down with 100 soldiers and 52 men at a
little past Portreath*."

This must be a wicked hoax. The bottle cpuid
only have been thrown overboard during the voy-
age made by the Golden Fleece from Portsmouth to
Cork on the 17th day of November. This voyage
was accomplished in safety, and the men lauded at
Cork on the 21st November.

The Golden Fleece has since then embarked a
regiment with more than 700 men, women, and
children, and sailed from Cork on the 24th Novem-
ber direct to China. She could not have been near
Portreath, which is on the north-west coast of
Cornwall, on her voyage to China, except inten-
tionally, and must in such case have been seen and
spoken by many vessels.
Admiralty, December 18.

The Hamburg and American Company's steamer
Germania, from New York, on the Bth inst.,
has arrived with 116 passengers for thisport, Havre,
and Hamburg, 55 sacks of mails for England,
$163,500 for London, $395,131 for France, and
$2,000 for Hamburg.

Throughout the passage she experienced heavy
westerly gales. On the 15th the wind shifted to
west south-west, and the sea rose to a tremendous
height, sweeping the Germania's deck. The
wheel-house and both the wheels were carried away
and washed overboard, two of the quarter-boats
were smashed, and several of the crew seriously in-
jured, but no lives lost. The skylights were broken,
and much water poured into the ship's cabins.