The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-18 00:00:00

and
did
who Jo over this merit of the sacrifice to
those
nothan.ii
'e quite enough to do with their own
affairs with' .)ut troubling themselves with the cares
and trials of the future. It is curious, at all events,
that, wo never heard anything of all this outcry
about ' the National Debt when the repeal of
the d uty on paper was criticised. It is
not tb e way to impress the country with a
sense a f the fairness and consistency of our legis-
lators to find that what suits the fancies, and
answers the purpose of certain members, especially
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, must have all
themtive way" to it, while the interests of the people
ar e to be put aside to suit dogmas, and fulfil
Utopian schemes of finance. Mr. GLADSTONE'S
speech was just what we expected, full of argument
and replete with didactic advice. Ile approved of
the spirit of the amendment, but it should not be
discussed, in this incidental manner. He particu-
larly objected to pledging the House to " iso-
lated remissions in an anticipatory form." This
sounds very fine, but we may bear in mind that
had it not been for " isolated remissions " being
discussed, we should not have had the reduction of
the duty on fire insurance last year. It would
be more creditable to Mr. GLADSTONE to forego his
prejudices in this respect instead of persisting in
reiterating his old objection as to sticking at the loss
of indirect taxation, &c. According to the tenour
of his speech last night, there ie no hope of any re-
duction of this tax so long as he remains in office,
ne matter how large may be the surplus at his dis-
posal, nor how few and unimportant the other de-
mands made upon it.

The Northumberland is at last afloat, and all the
anxieties, the suggestions, and the speculations
which have been so busy about her during the last
month have come happily to an end. The scene
yesterday at Millwall was a most exciting one, and
very anxious were the gentlemen who bad the
management of the affair that no fresh disaster
should occasion further delay. Extraordinary exer-

tions had been made to assist the movement of the
vessel ; and, in fact, although high water was not
until half-past three, the vessel was partially
afloat at two o'clock. It was thought better, how-
ever, not to make the final effort until the river
was clear, and everything in readiness. Shortly
before three o'clock the signal was given, the men
were set to work at the vast hydraulic presses, and
after a brief delay the Northumberland glided
slowly and safely into the river. amid the hearty
cheers of the spectators, who had thronged to watch
the launch. And so it came to pass,
after all the delays and disappointments,
the Northumberland was actually afloat before the
public believed the attempt to have been begun,
and excursion steamers going down to see the sight
were amazed to learn that the great undertaking
was safely over. No exertion had been spared in
the preparations, which reflected the highest
credit on all concerned. Seven hydraulic presses
were used to push the cradle down and lift the fore
part of the vessel, and large wooden camels were
also employed in great numbers. The floating
power given by these camels and the lines of
empty barrels employed amounted to 1,600 tons,
besides the vast power of the hydraulic
It was calculated, after estimating all these
otive powers, that only about a weight of 2,000

rams.

tons remained to be started. At all events, in spite
of all difficulties, the launch has been happily ac-
complished, and every one will be glad to know
that the great ship is at last afloat.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.

I do not see in the Paris papers the reply of
Austria to the Prussian Note ; but the Cologne
Gazette gives an account of it, which may be pre-

sumed to be authentic. It is certainly of a very
pacific character, and announces in positive terms
on the part of the Emperor of Austria, that, up to
the present time, that Empire has not made any
military arrangements which are always necessary
before the commencement of any great war. There
has been no concentration of troops, and no assem-
blage of troops on the frontier. Neither has there
been any purchase of horses, or a recall to active
service of any considerable number of soldiers on
leave. Austria has no idea of making an attack,
and the Emperor desires the reciprocal cessation on
the part of Prussia of any steps of a warlike cha-
racter.

Jenny Lind, with a view to recruit her health,
which has been somewhat indifferent, has been en-
joying the genial climate of Cannes, in the South
of France, and she has also sought additional plea-
sure by aiding the cause of charity. Jenny Lind
has just given a concert at „Nice in aid of the
Cannes Hospital. The local musical critic says—
" Her singing deeply moved the auditory, who
often shed tears, so enchanted were they with her
notes. They were not, however, contented with
tears. No astonishment was created at seeing one
of the audience kneel before the celebrated canta-

trice and beg the favour of kissing her hand."
The Minister of the Fine Arts has just offered
as a prizo a gold medal, value 500 f., to the author
of words for the cantate which shall be selected as
the best to form the text illustrative of the grand
prize of Rome for musical composition. The cantate
is to be for three persons—one, a soprano, and a
tenor, and a baritone. It is to consist of one or
two airs, a duet, and a trio as a finale—each of
these airs to be followed by a recitative.

The French are every day becoming more proud
of their horses, and, save the triumphs of Gladiateur,
they no longer admit, as formerly, that England
holds the front rank as the trainer and breeder of
those essential animals. At the horse show at the
Palais de l'lndustrie some of the most beautiful
specimens of these animals ever seen in France have
been exhibited. The horses of Normandy seem to
hold the first rank. Four beautiful horses, four
years old, excellently trained and harnessed, were
presented before the jury, and many gave their
opinion that England could not produce more beau-
tiful or better trained animals. Some remarkable
horses from the South, and the Poitou also excited
admiration. The splendid pair of horses, sold at a
high price to the Marquis d'Aligre, and two mares,
which the judges believed could not be exceeded in
shape and beauty in England, prove that horses of
various and peculiar types are now bred in France.
The mares were sold by M. Eugene Perrault to Mr.
Johnston. There can be no doubt that great pro-
gress has been made in France in breeding, rearing,
and training horses. The Government and private
individuals make Hippique receive the great point
of the day. The Administration des Haras aro
very energetic and persevering.
A vast building is about to be commenced op-

posite the Palais de Justice, part of which will be
devoted to barracks for troops of the Line in gar-
rison, and the other portion for the Sapeurs Pompiers
or firemen. They are t most useful and industrious
class of men, and very courageous in cases of fire,
thinking nothing of their lives when attempting to
save the lives of others. The Sapeurs Pompiers are
divided into five companies, and form a staff
of 797 men, with 22 officers. They are discip-
lined like soldiers. Paris has often been a
prey to the flames ; and, as a French writer
has observed, the houses, like the inhabitants, soon
take fire. The ancient Lutere, as Paris was called
in the time of Caesar, was partially burnt at that
period. The bridge connecting the city with the
Grand ChatelQt was destroyed by fire under Childe-
bert the First. The entire city was burned down
down in 585, under Chilperi the Second, under
Dacrobert the First, and during the reign of the
Normans. The Parisians were so terrified of the
°
Normans that it is recorded as a fact that in the