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

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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." C( jn_
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. In 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 rive 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 year; 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 AusTata. 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-
ceding epochs have been distinguished for genius in
the arts, for eminence in literature, for political
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-engineering, No
sooner is one marvel completed than a new object
is alined 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. The depths of the
great oceans and the heart of the mighty mountains
are rifled of their secrets by the adventurous engi-
neer, and if he has not yoet succeeded underspanning
n
the Atlantic there is
reasonable doubt that he
will eventually be able to
of this two Lemispliem ''''3lnplish the junction
blow and careful de.