The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-11 00:00:00

is that human epidemic which, as many foretold,
has followed in.the train of the Cattle Plague. The
Royal Speech expresses the QUEEN'S hope that the
local authorities will not be slow to exercise their
increased powers, and hopes that the recent mea-
sures adopted by her Parliament will tend
to the improvement of the public health.
In this respect, as in many others, this ses-
sion has left plenty of work for its suc-
cessor.
Notwithstanding the bill for improving +
the navigation of the Thames there remains much
to be done with regard to the protection of our
rivers generally. The system of poisoning our water
supply is a most suicidal one, and its mischievous
effects are already too plainly apparent. The
sewage, which given to the earth enriches its pro-
duction tenfold, when poured into another element
becomes a source of death and disease. The ques-
tions of the local government of our parishes
and of the unequal rating of the metropolis
are also matters which the present crisis will
force upon the attention of the Legislature, but to
those matters no reference is made in the Speech.
There is one topic of such widespread interest and
such great importance that it could not be passed
over, and this happily is beyond the reach of the
anxieties of the hour. The completion of the link
between the two hemispheres, the union of the
two great free nations of the world by
an electric band, is a subject for unmixed
rejoicing, while the true Anglo-Saxon charac-
teristics of energy, enterprise, and persever-
ance, were never more worthily or more signally
displayed than in the prosecution of this costly and
momentous undertaking, in face of all disappoint-
ments and delays. Thus, notwithstanding all the
regrets for the past, the cares for the present, and
the anxieties for the future, the QUEEN is able to
close her address with a subject for general re-
joicing, in which not only her own people can
heartily join, but the citizens of another country
and another world.

The good people of Berlin have had plentyofexcitement lately, and they seem likely, notwith-
standing, to have plenty more before they relapse
into a state of quiescence. We learn from Paris
that a telegram from Berlin announces that " great
excitement" prevails in that city, and we are not
surprised at the intelligence, for there is great reason
for cogitation, if not great cause for anxiety, in con-
sequence of the demands lately made by the French
Cabinet. We doubt if this new phase of the affair
will pass off so quietly as some imagine, for there are
many interests at. stake, 'and the temper of
one of the partied concerned in the dispute is
more than,sioiltful. It is quite certain that
the present is a very unpropitious time for a demand
to be addressed to Prussia. Of course it may be
&aid that she can afford to be generous, and to yield
a small portion of territory cannot matter in com-
parison with the large gains she has made. This is
correct in theory, but it will not be borne out in
practice in the case of the Berlin Government.
They are so exceedingly obstinate that it is next to
impossible to convince them, even when it would
conduce to their own advantage so to do ; and they
are so grasping and covetous that there is no putting
limits to their expectations and desires. The latest
news is that M. BENEDETTI has left Berlin for Paris,
in order, no doubt, to explain matters to his Govern-
ment. The Moniteur states that the return of the
Emperor from Vichy has given rise to erroneous
suppositions, and that the cause of his arrival in
Paris is that the doctors ordered it. This may be
true ; but it may be also owing to other causes, and
at any rate no explanations can make it appear
rtherwise than sirtnifiewnt- Ito have sud-
denly appeared at Paris, in conjunction with the
request of the French Cabinet to Berlin. The Sicle
of yesterday declared that Prussia had not yet
thought fit to entertain the French propositions
which had been made in consequence of the consi-
derable aggrandisement of that Power.
It may turn out that Btsmincti will listen to
reason, and display on this occasion a moderation
and a magnanimity that are suitable to the emer-
gency. If so, of course all will go smoothly, and
Europe will witness a return to that general peace
and tranquillity which it has been fortunate enough
to enjoy, with scarcely any interruption, for so long
a period. Who can venture to predict, however, that
such will be the case, and in the face of all example
to the contrary to declare that the Berlin Govern-
ment will be answerable to reason. There are many
things which have lately occurred to show that the
French are busy about something. Rumours of
all kinds have reached us of their preparations of
different kinds, and various occurrences took place
which could be interpreted as dangerous or other-
wise, according as it suited the wishes of the
moment. For politic rea§ons some people have per-
sisted in declaring that it all amounted to nothing,
and that there was no need for fuss and alarm; but
without seeking to make the most of things, we may
fairly state that the mists have now disappeared,
and that we behold a prospect that is not an in-
viting one. The French EMPEROR is one of the
most astute men of his age ; his foresight and pru-
dence are most considerable, and thus we are con-
need that he has weighed all things in his mind,

and that he has counted the cost of his venture in

thus making his demand to the Berlin Cabinet.
They may or they may not' agree to his request.
If they do all will go on as before, but if they
do not, no one knows better than the EM-
PEROR that in the sight of Europe and the
presence of his people he cannot draw back. This
cession of territory to France must become wz fait
accompli ; there is no other way of settling it now,
either as concerns the honour or interests of France.
This is one side of the question ; on the other, mat-
ters look equally unpropitious. We find a stubborn
Sovereign at Berlin, counselled by a dexterous
Minister, clever as he is unscrupulous, and con-
ceited and pretentious beyond all precedent. They
are now flushed with success, and elated at the idea
of the grandeur of their recent exploits, and the
magnitude of their dominion. By a series of timely
chances, rather than ability, the great military
Prussian army have succeededhabveeyonodonatrllibhootopde
to
expectation. Many causes
cause this denouement ; b
reason is assigned by the Berlin
of course, only one
authorities for the
brilliancy of their triumph, and that is their own
savoir- faire. There is great reason to
an approvingto suppose that
with all the prestige of victory, with
Senate, an applauding people, and with many States
formerly hostile now seeking to be amalgamated
with the Prussian Crown, the KING and his Go-
vernment will be disposed to have it out to the
last, and to believe that they will again be
able to hold their own against France as
easily as they were able to overrun Northern Ger-
many, and drive the Austrians from every strong-
hold they attacked. If this be their resolve, there
will be a renewal of the war, and a still more ex-
citing scene will be presented to our view than when
the nations of Germany rose up iu arms against
each other, and civil war devastated the fatherland.
There are reasons on both sides which would go far
to make us regret a repetition of hostilities, and the
thousands who would suffer, and th! homes that
would be thrown into trouble, make one averse
to these fierce national displays of strength.
For all that may occur, however, we hold Prussia