The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-27 00:00:00

TIE SUN, LOMMN, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 27, 1'66.

the tim' 3, was altogether independent of any other
arrang€ .ments ; but we learn from it also a signi-
ficant fact, namely, that Mr. BRAND was the first
public man to whom he communicated his design,
and th tt this communication was made before any-
, thing was known of the Government Bill. Mr.
CLAX frankly states that he explained his scheme at
length to Mr. BRAND, "in the hope that Lord
RUSSELL or Mr. GLADSTONE might think it worth
while to speak to me on the matter." This hope
was plainly fruitless, though we cannot but think
that the leaders of the late Administration would
have done wisely to have taken a hint from Mr.
CLAY. That gentleman has for many years past
advocated an educational franchise, which affords a
simple and practical test for separating those work-
ing men, who are really competent to form an
opinion on public affairs from their illiterate com-
panions, who can only vote at the bidding of their
leaders. Mr. CLAY began preparing his bill so
long ago as the spring of 1865, in disgust
at finding the subject of an extension of the
franchise practically shelved. Before the late
Government had declared their intentions about
Reform at all he had promised his constituents to
bring his bill before Parliament early in the session
of 1866, a pledge he faithfully fulfilled. Mr. CLAY
has therefore some grounds for annoyance if an im-
pression exists that his was a mere partisan measure,
instead of the deliberate action of a consistent re-
former, who " has supported every reform bill and
every reform movement for many years past." The
Government bill last session, which Mr. CLAY also
supported, would, he believes, have satisfied thepublic
with the addition of his educational franchise. He
always recommends his plan as a supplement to
any other existing or adopted franchise, and we
believe that applied in this manner it would be the
most satisfactory test yet thought of for securing
intelligent and constitutional electors.

This year has been fruitful in legal changes, in-
dependent of the transitions attending a change of
Ministry. Lord DERBY'S party is rich in judicial
and forensic ability, and the honours which he has
bestowed on his long-tried supporters have been
acknowledged by the profession and the public to
have been well deserved, and well bestowed, on
legal as well as on political grounds. There are
rumours of further changes, retirements, and pro-
motions, with more or less foundation ; but the
great event of yesterday, the retirement of Lord
Chief Justice ERLE from his high office, must have

been remarkable at any time. The scene in the

Court over which he has so long and so ably pre-
sided was of no slight interest. It was known that
the Bar would not permit the last day of term to
pass without some public acknowledgment of their
respect for the Chief Justice, and their regret at
his departure; and, accordingly, the Court of Com-
mon Pleas was thronged with members of the pro-
fession of every degree, the seats usually occupied
by the attorneys being filled by Queen's Counsel,
and even the Attorney-General and his colleagues
finding it difficult to struggle within the Bar. The
galleries were thronged with spectators, and the
tribute, of respect thus paid to a faithful and dis-
tinguished public servant was evidently genuine
and irrepressible. The eloquent address of the
Attorney-General, who spoke in the name of his
profession, whose members stood around him, was
worthy of the occasion. "My Lord," said Sir
WILLIAM BovILL after a few preliminary observa-
tions, " we all feel and desire to acknowledge that,
under your presidency in this court, the great judi-
cial duty of reconciling, as far as may be, positive
law with moral justice has been satisfied. The letter
of the law that kills, and the mere discretion of the
judge, which has been well said to be the law of the
tyrant, have been alike kept in proper and due re-
spect. The Court of Common Pleas, under your
presidency, my Lord, has attained the highest
confidence of the suitor, the public, and the
profession." To this high and well-merited
tribute to the public services of the judge,
the Attorney-General added the expression of gene-
ral regard for the kind and social qualities which
adorn the private gentleman. The Lord Chief
Justice, in acknowledging the compliment paid him,
took the opportunity of testifying his high opinion
of the general character of the Bar, not only as pos-
sessing advocates of eloquence and ability, but men
of inflexible integrity. Such a testimony from a
judge of Sir WILLIAM ERLE'S experience and in-
dependence must have been gratifying to- the Bar
as it will be satisfactory to the public, since
from the leading members of the profession
must the ranks of our judges be recruited, and to
their hands, consequently, will be eventually com-
mitted the administration of those laws upon which
the safety and liberties of the people are based. It
is gratifying too to see a long career of official toil
and arduous exertion close without a word of dis-
paraging comment or reproach, and If all his suc-
cessors cannot hope to equal Sir 'WILLIAM ERLE'S
extended learning and administrative ability, they
may yet set before them the example of like high

mindedness, the integrity and the public spirit
which have distinguished, the retiring Chief Justice,

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Monday Evening.
The Moniteur is still silent in regard to the re-
ported abdication of the Emperor Maximilian.
The Bulletin of the official paper says :
" The opening of the Diet of Gallicia took place
on Nov. 19. The President, Prince Sapieha, after
having expressed the desire to obtain for that part
of the empire a more complete and independent ad-
ministration, on the part of the populations expressed
their gratitude to the Emperor for the intention
manifested by his Imperial Majesty to consent as
far as possible to their legitimate wishes. The Go-
vernor General, Count Goluchowski, in his reply to
this address, enlarged upon the necessity of the cor-
dial union of the province of Gallieia with the Aus-

trian Monarchy, in order to attain the happy result
of a further development of the industry of the
country.

" The Croatian Diet was also opened on the 19th
at Aram. In his speech to the Assembly the Presi-
dent expressed his hope and desire that the Croatian
people would experience from the new situation of
the Empire increased guarantees for its future pros-
perity.

" A private despatch from Hanover states that
the officers of the army of King George, in pursu-
ance of an order of the day of the Prussian Gover-
nor-General, have the choice of obtaining their dis-
missal or of becoming incorporated with the Prussian
army."

The Constitutionnel says The Cabinet of
Vienna continues its efforts to convince the public
of the pacific feeling of M. de Beust. It is evidently
with this view that the Vienna Gazette publishes
correspondence from the Cologne Gazette, which
gives a full explanation of the policy which the
Austrian Government intends to adopt. M. de
Beust, according to the Prussian paper, is deter-
mined to act in strict conformity with the treaty of
Prague in regard to the affairs of Germany.. He
expects, however, on the part of Prussia that
she will not consider this treaty as a mere tem-
porary arrangement, but as a definition of Prus-
sian domination in Germany, and as a guarantee
that Prussia does not intend or desire to extend her
power over Southern Germany. If Prussia will
respect the limits traced by the treaty—and the at-

titude she has assumed towards certain agitated
spirits in the South strengthens the hope that she