The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-10 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tins DAY.—Morning, 9h. 5011:I.—Afternoon, 10h. 30m.
To-Moßßow.-Morning, 111 a. 3m.—Afternoon, 11h. 35m.

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LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1866.

The last news from the Continent is indicative of
speedy hostilities. From Vienna we learn that " all
hopes of the preservation of peace are abandoned,
and war is now believed to be unavoidable." Con-
siderable
disquietude has been caused there by the
speech of the Emperor NAPOLEON at Auxerre. The
preparations of a military nature are still continued
in both capitals of the German Powers. The goods
traffic on the Northern Railway will soon be stopped
in Austria, and it has been arranged that in case of
war the Archduke of Austria CARL LUDWIG will
proceed to the Tyrol, to superintend the formation
of a rifle corps. —ln Berlin all seems to point out
the chances of war speedily breaking out. Orders
have been issued for the mobilisation of other corps,
and now the whole army of Prussia is mobilised.
The appeal of Saxony to the Federal Diet has been
promptly answered in a spirited manner, and it is
now thought probable that at the next sitting of
the Federal Diet a motion will be brought forward
calling upon Prussia to withdraw her troops from
the Saxon frontiers. Prussia, however, will no
doubt excuse herself by saying that it is merely as
a measure of defence that she keeps on her military
movements. The Diet will, it is understood, pass a
resolution ordering the mobilisation of six Federal
Army Corps, so that it is now evident that all Germany
is on the qui wive for war, and with so much talk of
it, and arrangements to meet its exigencies.
Nothing is more unlikely than that all should re-
solve itself into primitive tranquillity without a
struggle taking place. In Florence great excite-
ment prevails concerning the present crisis in the
Chamber of Deputies. A. bill came on for discussion
which empowered the Government to provide for
the maintenance of the public safety by Royal
decree. A desire has been expressed by the Go•
vernment that the sitting of Parliament should be
prolonged as long as possible, so that it might share
with them in the responsibility of the national diffi-
culties now prevailing.
The tortuous policy of Count BISMARCK has now
chosen a new direction, and the Prussian Chambers
have been dissolved, in order that fresh elections
might take place at once, and thus the real feeling
of the Prussian people be ascertained. This is quite
a mockery, because it is conspicuous that no Go-
vernment in the world has cared so little for the
wishes of the people as the authorities of Berlin
during the last few years, and unless the Schleswig-
Holstein war had broken out when it did more
inroads would have been made on the rights of the
people and the privileges of the constitution than have
been done already. Perhaps this measure is intended
to divert public attention from dwelling entirely
on the attitude assumed by Prussia towards Austria
and the other German States. By the news from
France of last night, it is said that a painful im-
pression has been caused by the vote of the Ger-
manic Diet in favour of Saxony ; it is considered
to render peace hopeless. The Constitutionnel de-
clares that the Emperor's speech at Auxerre gave
no encouragement to the ambition of Prussia.
Reform of the Treaties of 1815 is to be henceforth,
it appears, the programme of France. It is then
a mistake to consider that this speech in question
is a compromise with the various interests of Ger-
many, but it is a last appeal to the wisdom
of Europe ; at any rate, whatever may be
the secret meaning of this celebrated discourse, its
effect has been to hasten the probabilities of war,
because it shows that France has considered the
consequences of the hostilities likely soon to occur.
No doubt Prussia will find the inconvenience of
having been defeated by the votes of the Federal
Diet, and it will show the rest of Germany that her
influence is on the wane ; and, indeed, how could it
be expected to be otherwise after the manner in
which she has acted?

It is almost impossible for those in this country
to estimate at first sight all the hardships and griev-
ances caused to the people of Prussia and of Austria
by the present arbitrary arrangements of the Go-
vernment. Since the increase of the Prussian army
the Emperor of AUSTRIA has ordered another con-
scription on a large scale throughout a great part
of his dominions. Of course, this being reported
in Berlin, a corresponding increase of troops has
taken place in Prussia. Thus each Power seems
irritating and exciting the other, and the Prussian
army has now reached the extent of 415,000 men,
which in itself is a significant sign of warlike inten-
tions. Indeed the very fact of the Prussian Govern-
ment having gone to such lengths in the augmenta-
tion of their army makes it evident that war must
soon be entered upon, or a great change
made. None of the countries thus holding
themselves in readiness for war can afford to
keep themselves very long in this semper parates
condition for no immediate end and with no definite
object. When once the signal has been given that
will convert a diplomatic controversy into an open
challenge, how wide spread will be the confusion
that will ensue ! Who can safely predict what
nation of the Continent will be able to keep out of
hostilities? The certainty of Prussia, Austria, and
Italy engaging is beyond doubt; and, added to these,
will be all the minor States of Germany in all pro-
bability, because neither of the two great Powers
will respect their claims to neutrality, but will de-
mand to know if they are for or against them.
Belgium may most likely be dragged in ; and, as
for France, it is impossible to believe that she will
stand aloof. Perhaps it will be better that she
should interfere, for nothing can be worse for the
destinies of Europe than to give Prussia a chance of
success.

The Institution of Civil Engineers is by no means
the least important of our national scientific asso-
ciations. Year by year the tasks of the civil engi-
neer increase in difficulty and in extent ; year by
year his achievements assume more prominence and
affect more closely the relations of states and
peoples.
The distinctive feature of this age is un-
doubtedly its success in this line, and as some pre-
genius
pol i t i cian
i l
rh
oe forfor
the arts, for emnen
ceding epochs have
bceee ni
sl
ti
ne
rgaut
talent, or for military Skill and prowess, so the
nineteenth century unquestionably bears the palm
•
for the union of scientific study with practical en-
terprise which constitutes civil-ensneering, No
sooner is one marvel completed than a new object
IS aimed at, and the elements are alternately defied
and conquered. There are, indeed, limits to man's
Powers, and it is as well, perhaps, that we are occa-
sionally reminded of them by the sudden failure of
some well-laid scheme. But the successes of civil
engineering are not only more astonishing, but more
numerous than its failures.
great oceans andT faiheh of theTh The depths
mighty mountains
he
are rifled of their secrets by the adventurous engi-
neer, and if he has not yet succeeded
underspanning
the Atlantic there is no reasonable doubt that he
will eventually be able to accomplish the juncti • •
on
of the two hemispheres by slow and careful de-
.

grees, The Mount Cenis Tunnel is another mar-
vel of enterprise and perseverance, while even our
own metropolis can show a multitude of works
which in former days would have been considered
little short of miracles. It is not so many years
since the first locomotive was an object partly of
dread, partly of ridicule ; but GEORGE STEPHENSON
himself never dreamt of tunnelling under a vast and
populous city. JAMES WATT would have stood
amazed if he could have seen the Great Eastern ;
and Dr. DARWIN, if he had lived to these days,
would have seen only one of his famous prophesies
unfulfilled. Indeed we may not unreasonably anti-
cipate that before long air may own the influence
of the engineer to the same extent as the other
elements, and that the balloon, or the aerial
machine, may assume very different proportions.
The company which assembled last evening at
Willis's Rooms, to entertain the Prince of WALES
and Prince ALFRED, represented in full force the
ability of the profession. His Royal Highness the
Prince of WALES, in an animated speech, expressed
his obligation to the architect of the Victoria-bridge
who had been indirectly the cause of his visiting the
great Continent of the West. The PRINCE, in com-
menting on the number of important works going
on around us, referred to the Thames Embankment,
the Metropolitan Railway, and to the improvements
in our steam navigation. Prince ALFRED, whose
graceful and appropriate office it was to return
thanks for the Navy, humorously expressed the
obligations which his profession owed to civil
engineering, regretting at the same time the
effect which it had produced on its external
appearance. The presence of the two Royal brothers
gave gratifying testimony to the assembly of the
interest which the highest and noblest in the land
take in their efforts and achievements ; and in truth,
if we wished to select a profession whose members
more especially represented the genius of our people,
we could hardly fail to turn to the civil engineer,
whose courage, endurance, and enterprise are so
eminently characteristic of the British nation.

The water supply of a great city is a most impor-
tant part of its sanitary arrangements. There is no
possibility of health, comfort, or cleanliness without
a liberal and regular supply of water, and there is
very little doubt that, notwithstanding the improve-
ments effected in late years, much remains to be
done in our London supply. Mr. lIANKEv, who
introduced the subject to the House of Commons
on Tuesday evening, laid the blame of the deficien-
cies on the irregularity of the supply. It is esti-
mated that the average quantity of water pumped
into the metropolis daily is nearly 100,000 gallons.
This, as Mr. HANKEY observed, is a large
supply, and yet there are numerous and well-
founded complaints, especially in the poorer
quarters, of the failure of the system. London,
unlike most large towns, is furnished with an inter-
mittent supply, the service pipes being shut off from
the mains during certain hours of the day, which
entail the employment of cisterns. Mr.
HANKEY is anxious to see water supplied in
the same manner as the gas, which would
certainly be the most sensible and advantageous
method. By keeping up the connection with the
mains every householder could get any quantity
he required at any time, instead of the uncer-
tainty consequent upon having to store it in
cisterns, and the frequent deficiency on Sundays,
from which the poorer classes often suffer. Every
sanitary officer assures us of the incalculable im-
portance of a plentiful and constant supply of pure
water to poor and populous neighbourhoods ; yet
almost every inspection shows that this end is sel-
dom attained. The present system of management
is extravagant as well as unsatisfactory, seeing
that by a continuous supply no more water would
be drawn than was required for consumption,
whereas, under the plan now followed, a large
quantity has to be kept in reserve to no particular
end. Another aspect of the question was
raised by some members, who expressed their con-
viction that the present system would be totally in-
adequate for a great increase of population. The
whole question of our water supply evidently wants
looking into ; and we hope, in spite of the with-
drawal of Mr. lIANKEY'S motion, that the necessary
inquiry will not be long deferred.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.

The brief but astounding and most important
speech of the Emperor at Auxerre seems to create
a more profound impression now that time has
elapsed for reflection upon it and for its general
circulation throughout France. I see by the pro-
vincial papers received to-day that all over France
this speech has created more sensation than any in-
cident which has occurred for years past. In Paris
it is considered as a direct and impressive answer to
the taunts of M. Thiers. In the provinces the feel-
ing is that it is the certain harbinger of war. For
instance, the Phare de la Loire says :
" This speech will resound through France as an
appeal to bellicose feelings, as a claim sufficiently
direct for our ancient frontiers, almost as a cry of
war uttered as an anticipation for a revenge, more
or less distant, of Waterloo."
The Progres of Lyon says The terms in
which the Emperor speaks of the treaties of 1815,
and the expression which he used to manifest his
feelings in regard to those treaties, will certainly
cause great emotion throughout the whole coun-
try. What is incontestable is that the policy to
which the Emperor has just given utterance is
certainly not in the direction desired by those who
wish for peace. It is equally beyond doubt that
henceforward, should events assist it, the Govern-
ment of Napoleon 111. is quite decided to destroy
the treaties which, in consecrating the humiliation
of France, robbed it of the line of the Rhine, its
natural frontier. We should have wished to have
spoken of the consequences likely to arise to
the destinies of France from such words of its
Sovereign, but it will be easily understood that so
important a subject imposes reserve upon us."
The Union Bretonne, a Nantes paper, after some
similar remarks to prove that the importance of the
Emperor's declaration cannot be exaggerated, says :
—" The time is well chosen for Napoleon the Third,
who reigns and governs in spite of these treaties,
that he is in accord upon the subject with the whole
nation, who, following his example, detests those
treaties."

The journals of south of France, as well as those
of the north, east, and west, appreciate the speech
in a similar tone of gravity and in anticipation of
important events from it.

As to the Paris papers, the speech seems to have
produced paralysis among them. For two days it
was passed over with little remark. None of them
seemed to dream of the possibility that the Emperor
should, upon the occasion of distributingagricul-
tural prizes, take the opportunity of uttering, though
scarcely a dozen words, the import of which is
grave enough to excite apprehension throughout
Europe. The papers, however, are recovering a
little, and they discuss the speech in a tone of
gravity not manifested for many years past. They
begin to recollect that the Emperor is a man of
impulse, and that it was not on a political occasion
that at Bordeaux a few years ago he suddenly made
the memorable declaration, " The Empire is Peace."
L'Empire c'est la Paix. The Journal des Debats, and
indeed all the Paris papers of influence, make M.
Thiersresponsible for this sudden manifestation of thd
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