The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-31 00:00:00

severity that our shores were strewed with wrecks.
In the western ports especially there was terrible
havoc, but the public attention was rivetted
on the great shipwreck of the London in the
Bay of Biscay. The thrilling narrative of that
catastrophe, as told by the few survivors, brought
at least its consolation in the picture of heroic re-
signation and fortitude, worthy of Auglo-Saxons of
either side of the equator. All through the year,
more or less, tempests and hurricanes have been
busy. Very lately the news of a terrible disaster
came from the other hemisphere, and the total loss
of the Evening Star was, in some respects, more
tragic than that of the London. Whether, as some
be'ieve, there are influences at work i❑ connection
with the periodical return of the meteors which
distinguished last November is uncertain, but there
has been a remarkable prevalence of elemental
disturbance. The northern counties have been the
scene of extraordinary inundations, while air and
fire have :combined to work wholesale destruction
among our mining population. The great cata-
strophe at Barnsley and the sad accident in Staf-
fordshire have thrown a gloom over the last weeks
of the year. How great must be the desolation at
the scenes of the disasters ! Let us be thankful at
least that Christian charity, never totally power-
less, has found the means to relieve the urgency
of distress, and whisper kind words of sym-
pathy and comfort to the suffering and bereaved.
In recapitulating these sad details it seems a sort of
satisfaction to think that we have got through so
much. It is true that this year has not seen our
legions called forth to fight, or our people oppressed
with the burden of war-taxe), but there are other
encounters besides those that take place on the
field, and which call for the display of endurance and
energy in no common degree. In all human pro-
bability the year which commences to-morrow
will bring better luck to us as a nation, but
we shall be greatly to blame if we do not
show that we have profited by the teachings of
adversity, and that we have adopted those means
of prevention, which are better than cure. When
we have neglected no duty, and forgotten no need-
ful precaution, we may look with hope to the future,
and trust in PROVIDENCE that our land may be pre-
served from overwhelming evils, and be found worthy
to enjoy those blessings of constitutional freedom
which for generations we have enjoyed, and which,
as time rolls on, seems still to increase in import-
ance and to become enhanced in value.

I The Asia has arrived from Boston and Halifax,
having been detained eight hours at the latter
place by fog. She brings us news from New York
to the evening of the 20th, the last item being of
considerable importance. The Connecticut Demo-
cratic Committee have called a convention, to con-
sider the revolutionary acts of Congress, and to take
steps to secure a national convention to consider the
subject. This is a significant movement, and may, we
hope, be accepted as an indication that the more mo-
derate men are growing apprehensive of the lengths
to which the extreme party are hurrying the country,
and are anxious to putsome check upon their progress.
Possibly the Radicals themselves may be influenced
by wiser counsels than hitherto, and if they can be
convinced not only that their policy is dangerous
and subversive of the national interests, but that it
is really intolerable to the public at large, they may
yet show traces of a more national and patriotic
spirit. The last movement of Mr. STEVENS, accord-
ing to report, is of a more statesmanlike and mode-
rate character ; and if this rumour be true, we may
accep it as a sign that the first excitement of poli-
tical triumph being over, the leading Radicals are
beginning to ask themselves what will be the result
of their reckless legislation. The last definite act
that we hear of from the House of Representatives
is in support of the PRESIDENT'S foreign policy, and
shows that Mr. JOHNSON judged wisely when he
interfered on behalf of the Mexican Republicans.
The subject is a favourite one with the Americans,
and the PRESIDENT was probably glad of an oppor-
tunity of diverting the attention of his people from
the political contests at home to the affairs of their
neighbours. The House of Representatives have
passed a resolution promising to support the Execu-
tive in the vindication of the MONROE doctrine,
especially with regard to Mexico. The Committee
of Foreign Affairs have recommended the Govern-
ment to mediate between the belligerents in
South America ; a suggestion which will
probably be adopted.

The South Carolina Llgislature have passed a
resolution expressing sympathy with Mr. DAVIS.
It is very much to be hoped that some effort may
be made on behalf of the illustrious prisoner before
long, since it would puzzle the most bitter of Mr.
DAVIS'S antagonists to declare what good end can
be attained by keeping him in confinement. The
PRESIDENT'S wishes are known to incline towards
clemency, and although that would have little effect
on the Radicals, yet the general opinion of Europe
might well have some influence.
We are glad to learn that the Canadian frontier
is now strongly guarded by British troops. It is
further stated that two British gunboats have left
Quebec to convoy the Cunard steamers. This is
not confirmed, but at any rate there is no doubt
that all parties are upon their guard, and the
Fenians have consequently little chance of gaining
a temporary success by surprise, as they did pre-
viously.
The Mexican news itself is stormy enough.
ORTEGA claims to be the Constitutional President,
and intends to indict the Federal Government for
false imprisonment. His forces, according to news
by the Atlantic Telegraph on the 26th, have cap-
tured and executed ESCOBEDO. A French column,
it was reported on the 18th, retreating from Mazat-
lan, being cut off from the capital, embarked direct
for France. The Republicans, on the other hand,
had been repulsed from San Luis de Potosi with
serious loss. It is hard to say which side has really
the advantage, the old chronic disorder of Mexico
being everywhere prevalent. Maxim'max, accord-
ing to one account, has been delayed by fever ; in
another he has been joined by the Republican
General DIAZ with 8,000 mon. All is uncertain
and contradictory.

- -
Waterford Election.

DUBLIN, Saturday Night.

The polling at the Waterford election gave a
majority for Mr. De la Poer of about 480 at one
o'clock, without taking into account the returns to
be made from Lismore. At three o'clock the com-
plete poll gave--

De la Poer (Liberal) 958
Talbot (Conservative)
The close of the poll showed a majority for De
la Poer of about 200, but the exact numbers are not
yet known. Great excitement prevailed through-
out the county. At Dungarvon the Carbineers were
attacked, and the escort of several of Mr. Talbot's
voters was dispersed. Corporal Brinfield was
seriously wounded, and a report is current that a
dragoon was killed. Captain Betty, of the Carbi-
neers, and Mr. Warburton, the stipendiary magis-
trate, were wounded, but not seriously.
A telegram in the Dublin Evening Mail says
nothing could exceed the violence of the rioters,
who were mounted and had leaders.

Mr. Thomas Charles Sorby has been appointed to
the Survoyorships of Police Buildings in the Metropolitan
District, and of County Courts. These appointments were
held by the late Mr. BOOM.