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

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

Tius DAY.—Monaing, 2b. 30m.—Afternoon, 2h. 45m.
Ta-Moultow.-Morniug, 3h. 2m.—Afternoon, 3h. 20m.

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LONDON, THURSI)2IY, NOV. 8, 1866.

The EmPERep, of the FRENCII has his work before
him in re-organising the army,the Special
Commission appointed for th andurpose has various
Plans submitted to it, which receive due notice,
although it is thought in some quarters that the
Own, which will ere
Puton has a scheme of his
long be acted upon. It is not so much with the
peculiar character of the plans that the public
have to deal as with the motives that induce
those in authority to take up the reorganisa-
tion at all. No doubt several reasons might be
given for these decided steps being „taken, and
with more or less truth in them, but the chief cause
of all is the conduct of BISMARCK during this last
summer. That crafty politician has entirely mis-
takenthe wise course of policy for the shuffling and
tricking one, and he will, sooner or later, find out
the egregious blunder he has made. It is not so
much to be wondered at that the French EMPEROR
should have been deceived, because few could hays

surmised the the extraordinary manner in which the'
Berlin Government has acted. It may truly be
said that greater insincerity, and more significant
want of faith, have never been displayed by any
Power than Prussia has shown to France
during the last year. It is true that it
has been of a piece all along with the former
manoeuvring ; but then we had every reason to sup-
pose that more restraint would be put upon the
ambitious desires and crafty designs of the German
powers. It cannot be denied that, with one thing
and the other, Prussia has now become a very
dangerous neighbour to France ; and whatever may
be said of the little consequence that the recent
changes will be to us, the same cannot be affirmed
of our continental neighbours. No one can there-
fore feel surprised that the pleasurable excitement
appertaining to the forthcoming Exhibition in
Paris should be mingled with grave rumours, and
even sinister reflections. The shadow of the past,
with its treachery and cunning, hangs over the
present, and seems ominous for the future.
It is said, and no doubt with a fair share
of truth, that the French EMPEROR has been
deeply offended at the behaviour of BISMARCK ;
it was indeed a dangerous game which that subtle
statesman played, and it was a chance if he suc-
ceeded in his venture. For the moment we confess
the success has been all on his side, but the end has
not yet been seen; and we question very much if he
will have so much cause for rejoicing when time has
consolidated his work a little, and he begins to count
the cost. It is one thing to push on his schemes,
and pursue his projects when the French leave him
alone, and quite another thing to carry out his policy
when they are opposed to it. We have heard a
great deal of the grandeur of the Prussian
policy, and the prowess of their armies rivalling the
magnificent campaigns of the First NAPOLEON, but
in reality there was no such great wonder in their
success, because they met with no opposition that
was worthy of the name. Either from indifference or
want of skill the places were badly defended, and
on the field there was no spirit exhibited by their
enemies. Personal bravery was not wanting, but
there was none of that determination not to give in
which makes it so hard for the best soldier to win a
battle, when they met with it in their opponents.
All this will be changed in a striking manner when
once the patience of France has become exhausted,
and we do not see how the EMPEROR can much
longer endure the provocation ho is so constantly re-
ceiving ; nor do we see how, in a political sense, he
will be wise in letting Prussia assume so vast an
ascendancy in Europe. At any rate it is no secret
that there is a great deal of preparation going on in
France, and though some may think or choose to
declare that it means nothing, they will now find
out their mistake. Whatever course he may deem
it expedient to adopt, there is no doubt that
the Emperor NAPOLEON can ill be spared from the
important post he now fills ; and beyond this it
would be a great drawback if he were not able to
preside over his councils with vigour and energy.
It is, therefore, satisfactory to hear that his MA-
JESTY was able to hold a review on Monday, and
that he seemed as well as usual. It has added greatly
to the very unsettled state of feeling in Paris of late
that the health of the EMPEROR should have been at
best so doubtful ; but there seems every reason to think
now that he has recovered, or at least is in a fair way
of being perfectly restored to health before long.
So far as we can see at present he seems the only
man living who can be any check upon BISMARCK,
and withstand in a great measure the rapid en-
croachments of Prusssia. Ile may err in judgment
in his mode of carrying out his difficult mission, but
we are convinced that he will act with skill and
with spirit, and conduct the policy of France on
very different principles to those which now obtain
favour in Berlin.
King VICTOREMMANUEL has en teredVenice at last,
and thus we have seen realised a hope that for a long
timo seemed to be most illusory, and far too poetical
for our practical age. It is needless to say that he
was everywhere received with the greatest enthu-
siasm, and the assemblage was a very magnificent
one which welcomed him. We may well reflect,
however, since we are at a distance from the excite-
ment of the scene, whether those most immediately
concerned will show judgment and make their
triumph conducive to lasting good as well as to
present glory. Italy must be governed in a very
different manner from that in which it has hitherto
been if its inhabitants would really regenerate
the land as well as people, filling their long-
cherished scheme of setting it free from a foreign
yoke. Perhaps King VICTOR EMMANUEL may find
that his most difficult work has yet to begin, and
that he must concentrate his energies, and do his
uttermost to succeed in his arduous endeavour.
Apart from these forebodings there is much to at-
tract and interest in the spectacle that was yester-
day witnessed in the fair City of St. Mark. It is
in
many respects one of the most striking incidents
in history of our time, and we may well hope that the
change then made will be one of benefits and blessings
to those most concerned, and be of happy augury
to the nations of Europe id general. It teaches
spair, and to say that
us one lesson t
hithis rate,
or tthhaatteviteni
ts
wiidul e
notto
tadkee-
place because we do not think it likely that it will.
Few tasks seemed more difficult of accomplishment
at one time than that of a free Italy, and yet we
now see the idea carried out in a manner which
the most scornful and sceptical cannot deny or
doubt. It now remains for the Italian people to
show themselves worthy of the success which has
become theirs, and to let their progress keep pace
with their prosperity, so that they may not be
their accused of missing their destiny through own
lect.

It is very much to be lamented that while irri-
gation is universally admitted to be the sovereign
remedy for the wants of India there have been so
many difficulties and obstacles, real or apparent, in
the way of applying it. It is almost always the case
in a matter of this sort thatthnearteuraarlelyrievnaolusgchheemacehs
and theories, whose advocates
seem
to their own methodthe bthesetn;mblutitpiltiewitoyulodf
sucheein
to impartial observers that
iatn y
woxuc excuse
rf oart
htehre, totalone
neglect of the matter.
suggestions does not afford
might suppose, indicate the existence of a
pressing necessity, since so many persons
perceived the want and attempted to find a
remedy. The Government of India does not un-
fortunately share this opinion, and is glad to make
the excuse of " doctor's disagreements" to let the
whole thing rest. Sir ARTHUR COTTON, whose
name is so well known in connection with this ques-
tion, complains that the Government of India has
not given his plans a fair hearing, and maintains
that the failure of the Ganges Canal to yield the
expected returns is entirely owing to radical mis-
takes in its projection. Whether this be the case
dt
ehwsoehrroovlueegs subject a insd certainlya onein -
ociwruhiireynho welland the
By the appointment h
practical investigation.
of a sufficient
of competent and unbiassed
commissioners
it numberwould
not surely be very difficult to arrive at some definite
conclusion as to which method of construction pro-
duced the most profitable results. Sir ARTHUR
iews respecting the
COTTON contends that his y

Gangr.z canal have never obtained a fair hearing
fzoFa the authorities, and that no member of the
Ga nges canal committee had ever planned or exe-
cutt xl a great hydraulic work, so that he does not
consider them competent judges of the question.
It would surely be well in a matter of such vital im-
po.rtancc to appoint men who are entirely
removed from the local feuds and professional
jealousies of the country to consider the subject.
The irrigation of India is an imperial question, and
the consequences of neglecting it are felt through a
wide extent of country, influencing and affecting a
population numbered by millions. The terrible
famin eof this year has unfortunately given ample
occasion for a fresh inquiry into the whole subject.
Were irrigation fully carried out throughout India,
the risk of these periodical and disastrous famines
would be very much diminished. There would be
the double advantage of the increased fertility of
the soil, and of the means of communication for
conveying stores to the distressed districts. The
lack of such means has very greatly added to the
sufferings of the natives during the present
famine, and even during ordinary times the ex-
istence of ready facilities for communication would
be of very great service in encouraging commercial
enterprise and giving a stimulus to trade.
In connection with this subject of irrigation it is
not uninteresting to turn to the report of Dr.
LEITH, President of the Bombay Sanitary Commis-
sion, and Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals,
respecting the sanitary condition of the large towns
in Bombay. The details which he gives show very
forcibly the great need which exists in all parts of
India of a thorough sanitary reform. The
lack of water is here, as in most other cases,
an important feature in the narrative, and
it is a want which our engineers ought surely to
be able to supply. India might be as destitute of
water as the Great Sahara itself, instead of posses-
sing such noble rivers. Sholapoor, in the Poonah
collectorate, which Dr. LEITH gives as an example
of the great towns of the Presidency, has a military
cantonment adjoining it, and has a large and rapidly
increasing population. In 1851 it was reckoned to
have more than 30,000 inhabitants, and the
number has of course considerably increased.
What are the conditions of the water
supply for all this population ? " Water
is obtained chiefly from the Sideshwur tank, which
has been excavated at the south of the town, and
which is now protected by the police from washing
and bathing ; but the ancient custom is still followed
of drawing water by standing in it, and scrubbing
the water vessels; in it. When the rains cease the
impurities of this tank become concentrated, and
in the hot season it dries up." So much for the
principal reservoir; but there is another. "A large
quarry hole, Khumdoha Tulas, is used for the col-
lection of surface water ; but this water, which the
people consider good, is greatly defiled, for persons
were seen bathing and washing their clothes in
it, while others were drinking or drawing water
from it beside them." The municipality has pro-
vided a number of wells, which high-caste people
will not use, but which are very serviceable to
the lowest rank of Hindoos. Under such a sys-
tem as this we need not be surprised at the de-
vastating effect which fever or cholera have when
they once begin their agency among the people.
When we add to the scantiness and impurity of the
water the total absence of drainage, we shall only
marvel that the state of public health is not
very much worse than it is. Dr. LEITII attributes
some of this comparative immunity to the dryness
of the air, without which he says human life could
scarcely be maintained under such conditions. At
L all events, it is very evident that a better supply of
water is urgently needed throughout India, both in
town and country, and we hope that the question
will not be longer allowed to stay.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWl( CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
_ _

The Aloniteur contains an advice from Berlin,
according to which Count de Wimpffen, repre-
sentative of Austria at that court, on Monday pre-
sented to the King his letters of official credit at an
audience, at which was present M. de Thiele,
charged temporarily with the post of Minister of
Foreign Affairs during the absence of the Count de
Bismarck.

In consequence of the signing of the Treaty of
Peace between Prussia and Saxony, the disband-
ment of the Prussian troops stationed in Saxony has
just been ordered.

A private telegram from St. Petersburg an-
nounces that the Prince Royal of Prussia, who
visits Russia to be present at the marriage of the
Grand Duke, heir to the throne, had arrived at the
Imperial Palace of Tzarskco-Selo. His Imperial
Highness is accompanied by a numerous suite. The
Prince of Wales has also arrived at St. Petersburg.
He stopped at Potsdam, where he had a long inter-
view with the King of Prussia.
A letter from Berne, dated Oct. 29, says that,
encouraged by the success which has attended the
operations of the works of utility, the most import-
ant for Switzerland, the Federal Government is
about to undertake an equally interesting task, the
object of which is to dry up 42,848 acres of marshy
land in the environs of the lakes of Morat, Neuf-
chatel, and Bienne. The last operation was the cor-
rection of the waters of the Rhone. The present is
termed the correction of the waters of the Jura.
The expense is estimated at 8,000,000 f.
By the demolition of buildings the beautiful
church of St. Nicolas des Champs is open to view
from the south, and in a short time it will be com-
pletely isolated, and it will form one of the remark-
able ornaments of Paris. The front is profusely
ornamented. Over the door is a Latin inscription
engraved on marble, which explains the circum-
stances under which the enlargement of the church
took place in the reign of Henry 111.
The commission for the re-organisation of the
army had its first sitting yesterday, at which the
Emperor presided. Nothing official is yet published
in regard to the changes which will be proposed,
but it is said that two plans are under considera-
tion. The chief object of both of them is to select,
in the first instance, the best soldiers poSsible, and
always to have a number of well-trained soldiers in
reserve who would be instantly available in case of
ldiers raised under one of
anyth the categories emergency.
to be Theproposedo s-will never be taken
from their occupations in time of peace.
The weather to-day has even been more beautiful
than yesterday, and the temperature was nearly that
of midsummer. Although it has been so calm and
I settled for some days at Paris, the bulletin of the
Observatory announces that there has been dull and
stormy weather upon several points, and that the sea
was very heavy yesterday at Boulogne and in the
Straits of Gibraltar.
The Academy of Sciences was, a day or two ago,
occupied with an historical and scientific fact of

peculiar interest, the discovery of the skull of a man
close to some fossil bones of antediluvian animals.
The skull was found near Eguisheim, in the Depart-
ment of the Haut Rhine. The point discussed, in
reference to this discovery, was whether man has
only existed for 6,000 years, or whether the human
race has not been created for some hundred thou-
sand years, as some anthropologists contend.
The Journal des Debuts has a satirical article in
reference to the measure adopted by the Italian
Government recalling the bishops who had been
compelled to leave their dioceses in consequence of
the changes which have taken place. In this article
the Debats, in a curious vein, says that the oppo-
nents of the measure are disciples of Machiavelli,
and are neither satisfied with the departure of the
bishops nor with their return, as they ammo the