The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-19 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, NOV. 19, 1866.

On Saturday last the working classes of Edin-
burgh had a ho
liday, in order to carry out a grand
demonstration of a Reform. It cannot be said that
anything particular tookplace one way or the other,
but at any rate there was the satisfaction of wit-
nessing great order prevailing, and the various
speakers who spoke at the evening meeting, which
followed the day affair, seemed to be Very quiet in
their tone, compared to the effusions of intemperate
eloquence which have lately startled many Cities
and hamlets from their propriety. Of course there
was the usual absurdity displayed in the mottoes
and banners, all denoting extravagance and exag-
geration, more than any decided exposition of
thought and sentiment ; but so long as the pro-
ceedings of such affairs are carried on quietly and
orderly there is no reason to find fault with them.
COUnCiiiOr FITE, who occupied the chair at the meet-
ingin the Corn Exchange, very truly congratulated
the meeting on the orderly character of the display,
and "unlike the demonstratiou which took place
before the Reform Act of 1832, marked by threats

of violence, but imbued with the conviction that '
right would triumph over might." This was in point
of fact the best feature of the meetings both by day
and night; but in this very respect they formed a
striking contrast to the tone lately adopted by Mr.
BRIGHT, and no doubt had he been there we should
have heard a great deal of the usual unseemly talk
about the power that would put down oppression,
and such like phrases, that can be ingeniously
twisted to mean anything, but which every one
knows on such occasions are always understood to
r-present pioneering to violence unless the imme-
diate object in question is conceded. Several letters
of apology were read from members of Parliament,
and Mr. MONCREIFF made some very sensible ob-
servations in his letter, when he said that while he
was unwilling to refuse the request of his fellow-
citizens, he thought it desirable, in 'the present in-
stance, to follow the example of other members of
the late Government in abstaining from tak-
ing part in any general agitation on the
question of Reform. He was, he stated, a
consistent Reformer, but he disagreed with the
proposal on the subject of the Reform League, and
which he understood to be embodied in the reso-
lutions.

We suspect that this represents the opinions of
many other members of Parliament, and of many
public men who are sincere in the cause of Reform
in principle, but object to the practice, now so pre-
valent, of dragging it forward in this manner, and
mixing up other matters of an extraneous char-
acter. Perhaps there is no greater enemy
to the cause of Reform than Mr.
BRIGIIT himself, and nothing makes mode-
rate men more sceptical of the good results of
introducing another measure of Reform into Parlia-
ment than this demand that is raised about man-
hood suffrage and such like absurdities. After Mr.
BRIGIIT and his immediate followers, those who
injured the cause of Reform the most are the old
Whigs and their devoted adherents ; and we do not
begrudge them the carcasms levelled at them by
Mr. M'LAP.EN, M.P., who moved the resolution.
lie said that the aristocratic Whigs of Edinburgh,
who had crowded Reform platforms in 1832,
had now deserted the cause, and become practically
Tories—" Tories in all but this, that they desired
that the Tories should come out of office in order
that they should go in." To them he applied the
lines in which BYRON expressed the comparison be-
tween ancient and modern Greeks :
" So coldly sweet, so deadly fair,
We start, for soul is wanting there."
We think this designation is appropriate for the
Whigs of the United Kingdom, and the hon.
member might have added that when the
Tories brought in a measure of Reform
they refused it a hearing, and when they
had forced themselves into office on false pretences,
they did nothing, or worse than nothing. Such
insincerity is a disgrace to any politician, and re-
dounds to the lasting discredit of the Whigs, but
going to the other extreme and advocating very
great and sudden changes in the representation will
not answer either. Between these exaggerated
views of the question of doing too much and too
little lies the great medium which will the best suit
the notions of the majority of the community, and
the most readily accord with the principles upon
which our Constitution is based.

The great advantage of a regular issue of duly
qualified official statistics has been abundantly
proved in times of exceptional mortality from epi-
demic disease. In this country we rely, not without
reason, on the most complete publicity for the best
means of encountering any difficulty or danger.
In this our conduct is very different from that of
most continental nations, where it is usually thought
politic on the part of the Government to keep back
disagreeable intelligence, and where flourishing
statements of public salubrity, commercial pros-
perity, and popular content usually imply there had
been good reason for believing the contrary. The
consequence of such a system naturally is that such
statements entirely fail to restore confidence or lull
apprehension, and a panic invariably increases the evil
it dreads by exaggerating popular fears. In England
on the contrary, though we are by no means insensible
to the influence of sudden and unreasonable fear, it
is a good deal allayed by the wise method adopted
by our authorities of communicating the simple
truth to the public. Perfect reliance is placed upon
the official information, because it is known to be
strictly accurate, and when wild tales of pestilence
and disaster are circulated by the idle and mischiev-
ous they are speedily contradicted by a reference to
the official record. A striking instance of this truth
was given a short time back, when, on the decrease
of cholera in London, the Registrar-General dis-
continued the plan which on its first outbreak he
had wisely adopted of publishing daily returns of
the mortality from both forms of the epidemic. No
sooner was this regular information stopped than
uneasiness and anxiety began to prevail, which
were only allayed by the re-issue of the regular re-
turns. In compliance with the general wish, the
Registrar has kindly continued this issue, notwith-
standing the additional trouble involved ; but we
may suppose that he will soon abandon it, for we
are happy to find that for the first time since the
outbreak of cholera four months ago we have a
blank day—a return without a single death from
the dreaded epidemic. This is good news indeed,
and will give general relief. We had reason,
it is true, to hope for the disappearance of
the enemy before the advancing cold, but
of late it has seemed disposed to linger
among us, and there were not wanting
prophets who foretold that it would make itself
felt more or less during the winter months, to break
out with full virulence on the approach of warm
weather. It is impossible for any human prudence
or exertion to guarantee our immunity next sum-
mer; but there is very much that may be done
during the winter months to diminish the danger
to the smallest possible degree. It is to be hoped
the sharp lesson we have had will not be lost upon
our local authorities, but that they will make themost
of the time before. Now is the season for various
sanitary reforms which would be dangerous in hot
weather or in presence of a visitation of cholera,
Long-standing nuisances, such as dust-heaps, offen-
sive drains, and other accumulations, which will
not bear disturbance at other seasons of the year.
The worst of it is, that no sooner does the imme-
diate danger pass by, and the public alarm subside,
than the authorities fall back into their old dolce
far neinte, and the ratepayers, though they grumble
a little, are too much afraid of increased rates to be
very energetic reformers. What is everybody's busi-
ness is nobody's business, more especially in those poor
and populous quarters, where the chief danger lies.
It is quite time that a better spirit was infused into
this matter of sanitary reform. If half the energy
were displayed about it that is shown in political
agitation our tables of mortality would show a very
different list of preventible deaths. If cholera does
not often visit us, if other plagues threaten us and
pass by, there are yet forms of pestilence always
busy amongst us, mowing down strong and weak,
aye and youth, together. That increasing prevalence
of fever iu all its forms in the metroi,olis is a well-
iittested fact, and the public iniprovonents, unfor-
tunately, as yet only tend to iner;ase the evil of

ov 'ercrom ding in wretched dwellings to which it is
main ily due. We may well join heartily in the
form of Thanksgiving yesterday read in all places of
public= worship ; but " HEAVEN helps those who help
themseives," and the best way of showing our grati-
tude to. tip.) PROVIDENCE who has stayed the plague
among us will be to do all in our power to ame-
liorate tha t miserable condition of our lower classes
which has had so much to do with the severity of
the recent . outbreak of cholera.

Ur. BEAcir, M.P., has made a few interesting
observations upn public affairs at the Agricultural
Show, on Saturday , of the Berks and North Hants
division. He begaia by expressing an earnest hope
that the represetr.tative institutions of England,
" which have so often elicited the encomiums and
eulogies of other n ado. is, might not be thought devoid
of credit amongst our own countrymen." There is
good reason for the enunciation of such a wish
when we see the manner in which those time-
honoured institutions are decried by certain arrogant
and presumptuous speakers of note and celebrity. As
Mr. BEAC ii truly said,events of importance had so very
rapidly succeeded each other of late that it was
impossible to keep up an idea as to what they might
lead to. A frightful pestilence has raged among
men and cattle in this country, and a desolating war
has been ruining the Continent. As the hon. mem-
ber said, very justly, we have had in the matter of
Prussian success a striking instance of the difference
which success or failure makes in the public estima-
tion. " Look, for instance, at Count BISMARCK ;
he drove, rather than led, his country into war, and
had disasters attended the Prussian arms he would
have been execrated even by his own countrymen,
as a reckless, unprincipled schemer ; but as success
gilded his enterprises, he is now extolled as a
great statesman, a man :of extended views, and of
great wisdom."
This is an admirable definition of the state of
things, but it speaks very badly for the public
morality of those who take such views of national
events. Clpod and bad cannot alter to suit the
ways of fickle fortune, and it is contrary alike to
the principles which formed great countries and
keeps them flourishing thus to make heroes
and demigods of such empty schemers and
tricksty statesmen. It is a great error in judg-
ment on the part of many people of the present
day who should know better, and we are always
glad to see it treated with just reprobation and scorn.
Referring to the great improvements that had been
make in rapidity of communication, Mr. BEACH said
that great benefit ensued thereby to all the nations
concerned through the rapid interchange of ideas.
"It overrides all those prejudices which the re-
moteness of distant lands in former ages served to
engender, and it will in future times aid all nations
in extending the benefits of commerce, and make
them contented with the advantages of trade rather
than seek external aggrandisement." Such is very
true, and if Prussia represents the glories of war, we
may claim the triumphs of peace for this genera-
tion, and we are not afraid of the comparison that
posterity will make.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

The Moniteur of last evening, under the head of
latest news, says :—"Wc are authorised to contra-
dict the report which has been current to-day of an
accident said to have caused the death of the
Prince of Wales."

The official part of the Moniteur states (rather
tardily), that the " Emperor has received the letters
by which his Royal Highness the Grand Duke of
Hesse notifies the- birth of a princess, daughter of
his Ilighness,the Prince Louis de Hesse and of her
Royal Highness Madame the Princess Alice, born
Princess of Great Britain and Ireland." Also that
his Majesty has received the letters which put an end
to the mission with which M. Rosales was charged
at the French Court, as Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chili.
The following news is also from the Moniteur
" King Victor Emmanuel arrived on the evening
of the 15th instant at Padua. His Majesty
was everywhere the object of hearty demonstration."
According to the last news from Athens there is
a conviction in Greece that the insurrection of
which the island of Candia was the theatre is com-
pletely terminated.
The Imperial Commission is occupied in making
arrangements for grand instrumental concerts and
grand Orpheonic festivals on the occasion of the
Great Exhibition.

The electi3n of Grand Rabbi of France took place
on Friday. M. Isidor, Grand Rabbi of Paris, ob-
tained the majority of votes-22 out of 25. M.
Klein, Grand Rabbi of Colmar, had two. One
bulletin was illegible.
The chief topic of consideration with the Paris
papers to-day is the approaching expiration of the
treaty of the 15th of September. They seem all of
opinion that it will be strictly and faithfully carried
out, but some of Ulm conjectured that there may
be something ominous connected with the mission
of General Fleury to Italy. The Lidependance
Beige, a Brussels paper, is of opinion that a conci-
liatory arrangement will be effected between the
Pope and the Italian Government, and asserts that
the mission of General Fleury has for object to
bring about such a consummation.

THE DEPARTURE OF TIIE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN
FROM MEXICO.—lhe following is the despatch given
by New York papers relative to the Emperor Maximilian's
departure from Mexico :—" Washington, Nov. s.—Minis-
ter Romero to-day received the following letter by way of
New Orleans, dated Vera Cruz, Oct. 26, 1866 Maximi-
lian left the City of Mexico on the 23d inst., resigning ver-
bally in favour of General Bazaine. General Bazaine en-
deavoured to persuade him to delay his departure until
General Castelnau's arrival two days later ; but he de-
clined, and escorted by 890 Austrians proceeded to Ori-
zaba by cross reads, to avoid meeting with General Castel-
ban. Ile reached Orizaba yesterday, and is expected here
to-morrow. The captain of the Austrian frigate Daduota
states that as soon as Maximilian arrives he will at once
Ittave for Europe. It is said that Maximilian will publish
to-day a manifesto at Orizaba. General Castelnau reached
the city of Mexico soon after Maximilian left, and took pos-
session of the palace, and assumed the reins of government.
eowfinuaiclexhl soldiersnabeeOaxaca,
returned
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all
lohtpahFode
rr
fianrenteredartillery,icoe
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from the
caused
THE ACCIDENT TO MR. RICHARD HODGSON'.
The absence of Mr. Richard Hodgson, chairman
of th o North British
Edinburgh t rEitdisinhßt.ih on lway
Company,as
special
meeting held a
Wednesdaylast,
was
by an accident which befel him at Retford. Mr. Hodgson'
although suffering from illness, had loft London en route
for Edinburgh on Tuesday. When at Retford, however,
he met with an accident which rendered it impossible for
him to proceed further. While he was entering the
railway carriage a portmanteau accidentally fell upon his
head, and so aggravated his illness as to oblige him to
abandon all thoughts of going to Edinburgh.—Carlisle
Journal.
FATAL ACCIDENT.-1 fatal accident occurred on
Thursday night at the Junior United Service Club,
Charles-street, St. James's-square, to Colonel John Hen-
derson, late of her Majesty's itith Regiment of Foot. It
appears that after dining at the club with two friends they
all wont up to the billiard room, whichis at the upper part
of the building. They played there till about 12 o'clock,
when the colonel left them, as supposed to go to the closet,
and he was found shortly afterwards lying at the bottom
of the stairs in an insensible condition. Ho was attended
at once by Mr. Tuthill, who tried all restorative means
without effect, and by his advice the unfortunate gentle-
man was removed to Charing-cross Hospital about seven
o'clock in the morning of Friday, but only lingered three
hours, when ho died.
The International Exposition of Fisheries and
Agriculture, hell at Areaehon, have awarded the silver
medal fur works ou fish culture, &e., to Mr. Francis
Francis.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE HECLA.
QUEENSTOWN, Nov. 19.

The Cunard extra steamer Heels from New York
arrived here at 8.30, and with $150,500 in specie
and 113 passengers. She landed 44 passengers and
the despatches, and proceeded immediately for
Liverpool ; all well.

RUSSIA.
ST. PETELSBCP.G, Nov. 17.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the
Crown Prince of Denmark will return here to-day
from Moscow.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Nov. 17.—Two o'clock.—The weakness
displayed yesterday continues to-day, and all Stocks
and Shares are dealt in at lower quotations. French
Threes opened at 69f. 37fe., or the same as last
close, to recede to 69f. 25c., a fall of 12fc. Credit
Mobilier Shares, after opening at 621 f. 25c., are
now only doing at 611 f. 25c,, losing 11f. 25c.
Spanish Mobilier lose 12f. 50c., at 327 f. 50c., and
Credit Foncier and Comptoir d'Escompte 21. 50c.
each, at 1,382 f. 50c. and 895 f. An exception should
be made for Italian Fives, which show au advance
after opening
e4sdce"alt in at lower
aotf
5155fc..,3t0hci5. SRtoacikls,,a,atytaisnhmargesssafr.
quotations. On the London market Consols are
better, having reached 89, with an advance of it.
Three o'Clock.—A change has taken place which
has improved for the close. The last prices are as
follows :

4} per Cents 97 50
Do. and month —
3 per Cents. 69 35
Do. end month 69 371
Credit 31obilier
Do. end month
Credit Fonder
Do. end month 1385

Bank Shares 3615
Italian Loan 55 50
Do. end month 55 50
Mexican Loan
Do. Bonds -
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
Deferred

'AYB.

For Account.
Orleans
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean 912 50
Southern 583 75
Western 505

Eastern —
Sardinian , —
Austrian
Lombard 4ll 25
North of Spain l2O
SaragosEa 145
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman,

61 25

Italian Ministerial Circular.

FLORENCE, Nov. 15, Evening.

Baron Ricasoli has addressed a circular to the
Italian prefects on the development of order in the
interior of the kingdom. Speaking of Rome, he

says:--
The Roman question still remains to be solved, but after
the fulfilment of the September Convention that question
can not, and must not, be the motive for agitation. The
sovereignty of the Pope is placed by the September Con-
vention in the position of all other sovereignties. Italy
has promised France and Europe to remain neutral between
the Pope and the Romans, and to allow this last experiment
to be tried of the vitality of an ecclesiastical principality
without parallel in the civilised world. Italy must keep
her promise, and await the certain triumph of her rights
through the efficacy of the principle of nationality. All
agitation having for pretext the Roman question must
therefore be discouraged, prevented, and repressed. The
double capacity of the Sovereign Pontiff furnishes some
persons with a motive for confounding the political with
the religious question, and disturbing with doubts the con-
sciences of the timid. The Italian Government does not
desire to lesson the independence of the spiritual chief of
Catholicism. The King's Government, in all its acts, has
shown that it recognises no other rules than those of liberty
and legality, and that it desires the ministers of religion to
be neither privileged persons nor martyrs. To the chief
of Catholicism are due, no doubt, guarantees for the free
and independent exercise of his spiritual ministry. The
King's Government, more than any other, is disposed to
afford every guarantee for the maintenance of this liberty
and independence, being convinced that this may be done
without any injury to the rights of the nation.