The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-12 00:00:00

neglecting to test a system which affected the best
interests of the country. England, said the right
hon. baronet with great truth, has entered upon a
costly race, but it is one in which she cannot afford
to be beaten, and no Ministry, be it Whig, Tory,
or Radical, would dare to suffer the naval power
of the country to be diminished. One of the main
principles which should now govern our Admi-
ralty is perfect fairness, and unless merit
is allowed at least a trial and a hearing, we shall
be obliged to copy from other nations instead of
profiting by the genius and the industry at our own
doors. Captain COLES'S method deserves different
treatment from that which it has hitherto received,
and we hope the presence of the Miantonomah in
British waters will urge on our authorities to prompt
and impartial action.

So far as the pledges on the hustings are to be
taken as a test the members of the new Admini-
stration promise fairly. It remains for them to act
up to their promises, and to show that they deserve
that fair and candid trial which men of all parties
are at this crisis willing to accord to them.

LONDON, ?lIURSDAY, JULY 12, 1866.

The addresses delivered yesterday by the several
Ministers who have been re-elected will be read
with interest. The speech of Lord DERBY on Mon-
day evening had indeed previously indicated the
tone and temper of the new Administration, and
sketched out the line of policy which they intended
to pursue ; and the leader of the House of Commons
has not had the opportunity of explaining his views

The intelligence that the EnTeror of the FRENCH
has announced that he will carry on an " armed
mediation" will cause universal satisfaction, and
we hope that the news conveyed by an official
Austrian paper will be confirmed to-day in Paris,
for in this rests the last hope of Austria, accord-
ing to the statement made by the Abendpost.
The Emperor of the FRENCH has taken fresh steps
of an energetic character to effect the conclusion
of an armistice. It is the " pronounced will of
the E3IPEROR," it is added, " that Austria should
not be weakened in her position as a great
Power." We expected all along that it would
come to this if the Prussians persisted
in their arbitrary demands, and violated all princi-
ples of national justice by their extortionate and
extravagant claims. It would be the height of
impolicy for the French EMPEROR to allow Austria
to be degraded in the eyes of nations, and still more
injurious to his interests to permit Prussia to assume
so vast an ascendancy over her. The proportions
of the territory ruled over'by King WILLIAM will be
equal, if not superior, to the French Empire if he is to
be allowed to realise his extensive idea of aggrandise-
ment. The French fleet is on its way to Venice,
according to the Vienna account, but this is not
confirmed as yet. It is said that in consequence
of a " hitch" in the negotiations the departure of
Prince NAPOLEON has been indefinitely deferred,
but of this again we are not certain. One thing
seems plain beyond a doubt, and that is the diffi-
culties into which the French Government has been
plunged by the disputes that have arisen, and the
disagreements that prevail on the subject of an
armistice.

on public affairs. Still considerable curiosity was

naturally felt to hear what Lord STANLEY had to
say on foreign affairs, what Sir J. P AKINGTON and
Gen. PEEL thought of the condition of their respective
departments, and what were Mr. BovlLL's senti-
ments on his accession to his new legal dignity.
Of the several speeches Lord STANLEY'S was natu-
rally the most important and the most interesting.
Foreign affairs just now are the theme of every
one's thoughts. They are, in fact, the one en-
grossing subject of attention, insomuch that even
the excitement attending a change of Ministry
is tame compared with the eagerness with which
men watch for the telegrams from the Continent.
The assumption of the duties of Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs at such a crisis is therefore no
light matter, and although at the present moment
' England is happily apart from the conflict, the
complications are so various and extensive that it
is impossible to say how far we may become
involved. Under these circumstances the
course which our Foreign Minister may pur-
sue becomes a matter of moment. Lord
STANLEY'S speech will be read with general
approval. lie repeats Lord DERBY'S distinct denial
of any inclination for war on the part of the
Conservatives. The policy of non-intervention
carried in our own days to a length which
not unfrequently defeats itself, as in the Schleswig-
Holstein question, has seldom had a more able advo-
cate. Lord STANLEY'S idea of our foreign policy is
that we should make the peace of England our first
object, and the peace of Europe our second. The
great principles which we wish to further, the na-
tionalities we are anxious to befriend, we can better
aid, he thinks, by moral than by material influence.
He holds that this pacific policy is not merely selfish.
" The substance of non-interference in continental
disputes lies deeper. It lies partly in our vast Indian
and colonial interests making up the British empire,
and throwing upon us duties and responsibilities
with which continental states have nothing to do,
and which are in themselves a burden heavy
enough for our nation to discharge. It lies partly
in the duty we owe to our poorer classes at home,
for whom we are trustees, upon whom an increase
of debt, and consequently of taxation, must fall with
crushing weight. It lies partly in the conviction
we entertain that example is worth more than pre-
cept, and that by simply existing as we do as a free,
self-governed nation, we are doing more than could
be done by a thousand despatches of any com-
bination we might put in practice against
both the policy of despotism and the policy of
revolution. It lies also in our experience and recol-
lection of past mistakes, in the lessons which our
own history teaches, how often in former days we
have fought for objects which, after all, we did not
secure, or if we did secure them were not worth the
price we paid for them." If Lord STANLEY'S diplomacy
is guided by these principles he will not be likely
to entangle the country in continental disputes or
to embroil us needlessly with our neighbours, while
we trust he will remember that a firm and decided
policy will at once secure the respect of
other powers, and help to keep us out of war.
Of the German struggle Lord STANLEY says in-
thing—a reticence which is not surprising, consider-
ing the importance of the crisis, and the weight
which his position would give to casual words.
The two Powers to which he especially refers are
France and America, which, from their power, their
intelligence, and the ties of neighbourhood and
kindred, are, he considers, by far our most im-
portant allies. France, he says, has been for the
last sixteen years our faithful ally; America is
closely connected with us, and has risen with mar-
vellous rapidity to the ranks of the foremost
Powers. The speech of General PEEL was singu-
larly enough the most occupied with domestic affairs,
but he promised to do his best towards maintaining
the efficiency of the service, and gave evidence that
this was something more than a mere verbal form
by mentioning that he had already increased the
order for the conversion of Enfield rifles into breech-
loaders from 40,000 to 100,000. This is as much
as can be can done in our Enfield establishment in
the year, but he has invited the co-operation of
the trade, so that we shall probably have a much
larger number ready for use by the end of 1866.
It is fair to General PEEL to observe that he did not
appropriate the credit of this order, seeing that it
had been'partly given by his predecessors and would
no doubt have been increased by them after the
battle of Sadowa. How is it, by the way, that our
Birmingham manufacturers have not seized the op-
portunity of making 100,000 breech-loaders for
Austria ? She would be glad to pay handsomely for
their opportune assistance. It is not a little re-
markable that the experiments already made prove
that the Enfield rifles fire much better after the al-
teration than they did before, a fact which in a
measure confirms the superiority of the breech-
loader.

The conduct of Italy has been throughout most
inconsistent, and now, at this critical period, she
has been, if possible, a greater obstacle in the way
of peace than Prussia. The Italians set out by
affirming that they cannot accept Venetia at the
hands of the French, which declaration would be
absurd at any time ; but after the intercession of
France in 1859 is simply ridiculous. There is
surely enough for all to do in the settlement of the
complications of Germany, without the Italians put-
ting in their absurd claims, and parading their rights.
Half of the excitement that now prevails doubtless
arises from the disappointment they feel at not
meeting with any success in the war on which they
have so madly entered ; but that forms no justifiable
reason for embroiling Europe, and preventing de
settlement of matters. It looks very much as if
Prussia and Italy were playing into each
Other's hands in this constant opposition
they are making. The King of PRUSSIA
begins by declaring that he can do nothing
without the consent of his ally, the King of ITALY ;
and, therefore, the latter declares that Italy cannot
accept the cession of Venetia in the manner pro-
posed by the French. This is quite idle when great
interests are at stake, and must appear so to all
independent lookers-on. The Florence journals of
Tuesday state that the Prussian Government has
officially declared to the Italian Cabinet that Italy
cannot accept an armistice which, being based
upon the cession of Venetia, would be
equal to a separate peace, and would also
disengage the hundred and fifty thousand men
stationed in Venetia to the detriment of Prussia
and the advantage of Austria.

It is said that Prussia insists in excluding Austria
from the Germanic Confederation ; she also seeks
for the incorporation of Electoral Hesse, Saxony,

Hanover, and the Elbe Duchies with Prussia. This

is very likely, to judge by the demands hitherto
made by Prussia. The French proposition seems

the best—that neither Austria nor Prussia should
be members of the Confederation, for, so long as
they are, it seems idle to expect anything like unity.
According to La France of last night, the departure
of PrinceNAn OLEON has been retarded in consequence
of the nature of the demands of Prince REUSS, which
induced the Fronch EMPEROR to send a repetition
of the communication to England and Russia, be-
cause he considered they " raised questions of
European interest which can only be settled by the
consent of the great Powers." If this be true, there
can be no doubt that the indignation of Europe will
be aroused against Prussia, and by persisting in this
course she will bring down upon her the wrath of
the French EMPEROR. It may not be convenient
for him just at once to declare his intentions, but
unless he has entirely changed his policy, which we
have no reason to suppose, he will never rest satis-
fied with the arrangements set forth by Prince
REUSS. They will entirely destroy the prestige of
Austria, and make Prussia a most dangerous rival
to France. The fruit of long years of skilful diplo-
macy will be thrown away at once if this proposi-
tion of Prussia is carried out, and much as he may
shrink from war, and inimical as it may be to his
people, he will rather resort to such an experiment
than put up with the insult thus offered to him, and
with the injuries it would inflict upon him.
It is, indeed, sad to contemplate the great suffer-
ings and heavy losses inflicted upon thousands in
order to gratify the pride of one encroaching king-
dom.

The First Lord of the Admiralty made a highly
interesting speech, and referred at some length to the
weighty problems which still remain unsolved
with regard to our guns and our ships. " Our
Navy," he said, " is more than ever in a state of
transition. It is still uncertain what ought to be
the strength and amount of the armour with which
they are covered. It is still uncertain (and this is
the most anxious question of all) whether the arma-
ment of such ships should be placed in turrets in
the middle of the vessels, or whether they should
be used, as of old, in the broadside of the ship."
As regards the guns, the perplexity is even greater.
When Sir JOHN. PAKINGTON left office in 1859
the most powerful gun for ships was the 68-
pounder. We have now many 300-pounders, and it
is believed that with the turret system we may have
GOO pounders. As regards this system we hope,
from Sir JOIIN PAKINGTON'S speeches in the house,
he will give it a fair trial, and not :hare the dis-
race incurred by his predecesso., of wilfully

" What millions died that Cresar might be great,"
exclaims the poet, but these men are sacrificed for
nothing, who have left their homes never to return,
but to swell the list of victims in the cause of Prus-
sian aggression. The policy of the Emperor Louis
NAPOLEON will be anxiously watched, as he is at
present the leading man in Europe, for it depends
upon him to decide the destinies of nations in a great
measure. lie may make mistakes in his arduous
undertaking, but he will have the thanks of all if he
contrives so to order affairs as to check in an effec-

,ual manner the pretentious course upon which
!russia has entered.

The extraordinary efficacy of the Turkish Bath in
the treatment of Pulmonary Consumption has very
recently been further illustrated in two most re-
markable cases—those of John Wright, a young
shampoer (aged 25) and of John Johnson (aged 40),
the General Manager or Superintendent of the
Hammam, No. 76, Jerinyn-street, St. James's. A
brief yet sufficient summary of these two really
notable cases, in each of which suffering was very
considerably allayed, and in each of which also life
itself was astonishingly prolonged, has just now
been issued from the press at Annecy, in the form

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 12, 1866,

of a little brochure of twenty-four pages, en-
titled " Du Bain Tare dans la Phthisie Pulmonaire"
—the pamphlet consisting, in point of fact, of a
record of the autopsie or post-mortem examination
of the remains of the two sufferers from that fatal
disease, these two autopsies being preceded by a
letter addressed to Dr. Pollock, of the Consumptive
Hospital at Brompton, by Dr. Charles Depraz, a
gifted physician, formerly practising in Turin, and
who was recently in this country (at the time of Mr.
Urquhart's recent sojourn for a while in London) for
the express purpose of subjecting the system of the
Turkish Bath, as carried out to such perfection
at the Haminam in St. James's, to a dispas-
sionate and searching examination. The publication
to which we are here directing attention is one which
is, in the main :purport of it, in the highest de-
gree satisfactory, for inasmuch as it demonstrates
beyond the reach of contradiction that consumptive
patients, even when apparently at the lowest ebb, at
the very last gasp, so to speak, may find relief from
pain, may snatch from the very jaws of death a
prolongation of their existence, by submitting them-
selves to the benign agency of the Turkish Bath,
judiciously applied under skilled management.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS., Wednesday Evening.

The Moniteur has nothing about the progress
of the negotiations for the armistice, and very
little news about the war, telegraphic or
private. From the general information of the
Paris papers it appears that the Prussian army
will not march upon Olmutz, as was sup-
posed would be the case. It will make for Iglau
and Brunn, and will advance upon the capital by
avoiding Olmutz. What strengthens this opinion is
the fact that the Prussians did not think it expe-
dient to attack the fortresses of Bohemia, or even to
occupy Prague. It is evident that they are
not disposed to lose time, and they want
another success. The rapidity of their opera-
lions proves this. The strategical plan which
they seem now disposed to adopt, however,
is not likely to be attended with success. Some of
the German papers express fears that the cession of
Venetia by Austria may ultimately have an injuri-
ous effect upon her rights in Germany.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

VENICE.

Mr. Drouyn de l'Huys, the Minister of Fo-
reign Affairs, has lately had a conference with
the Emperor, at which Prince Jerome Napoleon was
present. The result of this discussion is that the
Prince has left Paris for the head-quarters of Victor
Emmanuel, charged by the Emperor to hasten and
arrange the negotiations for the armistice. The
Prince is accompanied by Baron Saillard, who re-
cently fulfilled an important mission in Mexico.
The Italian papers received to-day in Paris con-
tinue to exhibit great disappointment and irritation
at the cession of Venetia to France.

The Pays, it seems, has a correspondent in Lon-
don, who sends it marvellous news. This corre-
spondent in forms it that there is unusual activity
in all the arsenals in England, as if war were ap-
prehended, and that an immense quantity of
needle-guns are in course of manufacture.
The needle-gun, by the by, occupies a very
prominent portion of the attention of the
Paris journals to-day. They say that a great
many needle-guns have been finish ed, and that
a portion of the troops at the camp at Chalons
have been supplied with them. This is the truth,
but it is not the whole truth. I will supply your
readers with some information upon which they
may rely. At Mendon, some seven or eight miles
from Paris, a very large quantity of guns have
lately been in course of construction. A good many
troops are there, and in an arsenal or manufactory
of warlike weapons some guns of very destructive
quality have been made in profusion. Their chief
character is that they can be loaded and
discharged with great rapidity. Towards the
end of the last and the beginning of the
present month there have been frequent
discharges from these guns at Mendon, -which have
alarmed or astonished the residents of the vicinity.
Of the principle of these guns I do not pretend to
speak for the moment, but some seven or eight dis-
charges succeed each other instantly. As I told
you, the Emperor paid a visit to his cousin Prince
Jerome at Mendon the other day. There may not
have been any intention to examine into the capa-
bilities of these guns, but as Shakspere says of the
rejoicings at Hamlet's mother's wedding, shortly
after his father's funeral, the Emperor's visit fol-
lowed " hard upon" his complimentary attendance
upon his cousin at Mendon.

"The Empire is Peace," but yet if the corre-
spondence from Cherbourg is to be believed (and
why not ?) there are additional armaments and
increased activity at that port.
The " hippophagical," or, sha 11 I say, the horse-
flesh banquet, duly took place at Lemardelcy's, in
the Rue de Richelieu, on Monday. If not a " feast
of reason," it was at all events attended by men of
learning, science, and intelligence, who contend that
the meat of the dead horse is good for man. The
President was M. Quatrefages, a member of the
Legislative Body, who was supported by M. St.
Hilaire, the Director of the Garden of Acciimata.
tion, and celebrities gastronomical, scientific, and
literary. I confess that I could not screw up my
courage sufficiently to accept an invitation to at-
tend a banquet at which cats' meat was the only
feature, but a friend less particular, and perhaps
more discreet, who was there tells me that the soup
and all the horse-flesh viands, cunningly and artisti-
cally metamorphosed, were relished much, and eaten
abundantly. Toasts were given appropriate to
the occasion, deprecating "prejudice" against horse
flesh, and speeches and sentiments delivered illus-
trative of the argument that to eat horse flesh was
to be humane, economical, and indicative of refined
culinary taste.

Your sporting readers may like to know that the
Amiens races, which were about to take place,
have been indefinitely postponed, in consequence
of the existence of cholera in that town.

The heat has returned with increased intensity.
This has been the hottest day we have had this
summer.

THE POSITION OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH iS deplor-
able. It is claimed by one man, Sir Thomas Maryon
'Wilson, as his own private property. The public, the
thousands who flock there daily during the bright and
warm months of the year, are deemed by him interlopers,
and he would, had his baronetcy the power—for the wish
is in him—inclose every acre. But the law mercifully re-
strains him, and so, en revanche, ho contents himself with
undermining this beautiful heather-clad,gorso-covered hill,
by digging out, carting away, and selling the gravel, a
right which the Legislature has not interfered with. Wo
may expect therefore one day to see the heath deprived of
its natural character and beauty. Are there no commoners
to assert their rights against Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson ?
If so, what has become of them ? and if not, how have
they been spirited away ? Ilave their privileges been
sold, like Esau's birthright, for a miserable mess of potage ?
has the steward or agent of the lord got hold of them, per-
suaded them that their rights are of no value, and deluded
the ignorant simpletons into vending them ,for a pint or
perhaps a quart of beer ?
SUICIDE FROM A STEAMVESSEL.--- Last evening
James Murton, age 33, chief engineer on board the Doris
passenger steamvessel, plying between Woolwich and
London, committed suicide by jumping
into the Thames
between the Woolwich and Charlton piers. It appears
that when the Doris left Woolwich on her up passage the
wife of deceased was on board, and upbraided him in no
measured terms as to certain irregularities of which she
accused him. She refused to leave the boat on arriving at
Charlton-pier. The deceased then deliberately lifted the
haul-rail on deck and jumped into the water, at the same
exclaiming, " I will go to my brother" (alludin; to his
brother who was accidentally drowned about 12 months
since). A gentleman, who was a passenger on deck, took
off his coat and plunged into the river, with a view to ex-
tricate the deceased, but Was himself with difficulty rescued
from drowning. The deceased was seen to rise twice, but
he did not appear to make the slightest exertion to avail
himself of the means used to rescue him. The body has
not yet been found.

REVIEW AT CROUCH HALL, HORNSEY.-011
Saturday afternoon a review took place in the grounds of
Crouch Hall at Hornsey. The troops ou the ground were
the 19th and 41st Middlesex Rifles and a portion of the
Highgate corps. The volunteers arrived on the ground at
half-past six, and after partaking of the hospitality of Mr.
and Mrs. Bird proceeded to the park, where, under the
command of Mr. Thomas Hughes, they went through a
variety of field movements. A largo number of spectators
were present, including several ladies and genthlmen, the
friends of the propriet6r of the grounds.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE WAR IN GERMANY.
THE PROPOSED ARMISTICE.

FLORENCE, July 11 (Evening).

The Court of Berlin has declared to the Italian
Cabinet that an armistice on the bases of the
cession of Venetia is inadmissible. The Italian
Government, in its reply, is said to have announced
its resolution to continue offensive operations
against the Austrian Empire, without relaxation, in
conformity with the engagements mutually entered
into by Prussia and Italy, until both these Powers
shall have obtained from Austria satisfactory terms
for the conclusion of peace.

FLORENCE, July 12.

Despatches received here from the seat of war in
Venetia state that the Austrians appear disposed
to give battle to the Italians upon their attempting
to cross the Adige.
The Prussian Government has complimented
Italy upon the operations of General Cialdini, as
forming part of the plan of co-operation of the
armies of the two Powers.

DEPARTURE OF FRENCH VESSELS FOR

TOULON, July 11 (Evening).
The French ironclad frigate Provence, and the
corvette Eclaireur, have left suddenly for Venice.
The remainder of the squadron is still taking in
provisions.

VIENNA, July 12.

Count Mensdorff has returned from the head-
quarters of the Austrian artny. He resumes to-day
the direction of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The Archduke Albrecht is expected in Vienna to-
day.

Intelligence received from the head-quarters of
the Austrian army in Venetia announces that the
Austrian forces are being withdrawn from contact
with the enemy.
The fortresses are strongly garrisoned and suffi-
ciently well armed for defence without support from
the army.