The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-26 00:00:00

Prussia should do her utmost to encourage rather
than repress the cruel propensities of her people.
Perhaps it suits the purpose of the authorities better
so to act, but it is a most mistaken line for them to
adopt. It is said that the burgomaster committed
suicide to avoid the difficulties which menaced him;
but be this as it may, we have no doubt that his
death was occasioned by the fearful anxiety and
confusion that surrounded him. Of what moment
is it, however, to these rapacious conquerors that
one or more victims fall before their chariot wheels ?
Herr von BISMARCK must needs pursue his way,
and carry out his designs coute qui coute. That a
part of these designs is to ruin Frankfort we en-
tertain no doubt, and we hope that he may have
ample cause to repent such a dastardly purpose. It
is true that nothing may now avail .to save the city
from the doom with which it is now threatened, but
the wrong will not be speedily forgotten, and the
hour may come when it will be returned fourfold
to Prussia.

This hard and harsh measure that is being dealt
out to Frankfort will doubtless be the commence-
ment of a series of persecutions that will signalise
the victories of the Prussian arms. Thus we find
this armistice, so much talked of, does not extend to
the lesser States, and that Bavaria cannot obtain an
assurance that hostilities will cease against the
Federal Army simultaneously with the armistice
with Austria. This seems to be a most one-sided
sort of arrangement, and we wonder that the
French EMPEROR did not seek to alter it, but per-
haps he thought he had better take what he could
get without losing more time. Already grave
apprehensions are being entertained as to the future
course which will be taken by the Berlin Govern-
ment when the day of settlement arrives, and there
is indeed ample cause for such sinister prognostica-
tions to be indulged in. At Munich it is thought
that Prussia will claim the reimbursement of all the
sums expended by her for the maintenance of the
Federal fortresses when her proposals concerning
South Germany come to light. No doubt this, and
more than this, will come to pass when the day of
reckoning arrives, for no sooner do the Prussian
authorities feel that they possess any accession of
power than they hasten to show it to the uttermost.
It has been rumoured that difficulties have inter-
posed themselves in the way of the peace negotia-
tions, and that Prussia refuses to agree to the re-
storation of the. King of SaxoNv, which Austria
makes a sine qua non. Whether this be true or not,
it is certain that there is some some foundation for
it, as the semi-official Nord Deutsche Zeitung makes
allusion to the fact that Baron von BEUST is one of
the ill-advisers of the EMPEROR, and adds that in
consequence of the attitude of some Saxon autho-
rities, and the contumacy of the commandant of
Konigstein, " radical changes will shortly be
effected by Vienna in her relations with the Saxon
Administration." This sounds very significant, and
no doubt will be the precursor of many other impor-
tant changes. If Herr BISMARCK is allowed to
carry out his projects he will indeed have cause to
congratulate himself upon remodelling the map of
Germany, but it will remain to be seen whether his
change will be for the better. Deeds, and not
words, are required to show the accuracy of a
man's judgment, and experience must teach us
if the councils of a nation are influenced by
the highest principles or merely actuated by
desire of gain and thirst for self-aggrandisement.
We believe that when all is known that can be
known of the manceuvres of the Berlin Govern-
ment that it will be seen on what foundations they
rest and how much can be trusted to their magna-
nimity and moderation. If those are mistaken who
do evil that good may come out of it, how much
more are those to blame who rush on to their goal
heedless of all that stands in their way, and totally
unmindful of the restraints that justice and mercy
should interpose ? It is quite idle to expect any-
thing satisfactory to accrue from Prussian rule,
while no sort of consideration is displayed by the
Government at Berlin.

There was not much chance that Mr. HOPE'S
motion on Monday evening, to the effect that " A
new National Gallery be erected on the site of Bur-
lington House Gardens," would be favourably re-
ceived by the House of Commons. He obtained,
indeed, some support from Mr. LAYARD, Mr.
GREGORY, and a few other members; but the test
of a division soon showed on which side the sense
of the house was, and a majority of 77 reaffirmed
the decision of the last Parliament. Mr. BERESFORD
HOPE stated his case in a very plausible fashion.
" There was," he said, " a certain area at present
not built upon, of the size, shape, and dimensions
required, larger in extent than any of the great
existing public galleries of Europe, already the pro-
perty of the public, and on which a national gal-
lery could be economically and speedily constructed.
On the other hand, there was another area, cut up
by streets, covered by a workhouse, which could
not be procured without au enormous outlay of
money ; covered by barracks, which could not be
obtained in less than two years, and could not be
removed without great inconvenience to the State ;
and covered, besides, by many private houses. He
called upon the House to say which of these two
areas it was most desirable to occupy for the National
Gallery." These arguments, however, are not quite
correct. The expense attending the removal of the
National Gallery to Burlington House would be
great, and it would be necessary to pull down Bur-
lington House itself, which would be lamented by
all antiquaries. Besides, it is not the question of a
year or two solely, or of a few thousands more or
less. The public will be easily satisfied on both
points, provided that a great national work is car-
ried out in a national spirit. The site is the only
satisfactory point about the present building. It is
the finest in London, it has convenient approaches
on every side, and is in the, very centre of the
metropolis, with ready means of transit to every part
of London. Moreover, as Mr. COWPER showed, the
cost of the Trafalgar-square scheme has been exag-
gerated, while Burlington House site is worth
£200,000. Lord JOHN MANNERS reminded the
House that there were several learned societies at
present located in Burlington House, and assured
the friends of economy that by the time all the
items had been reckoned a considerable sum
total would be arrived at. The fact of the
matter is that the House and the public
long ago settled that the present site was the best
that could be found, and the present building
wholly inadequate, so that nothing remains but to
bring them into harmony by erecting a really na-
tional building. As for the barracks, they can
surely be moved without " great inconvenience to
the State," while the situation of St. Martin's
Workhouse is manifestly ill-adapted for the resi-
dence of those sick, infirm, and aged persons who
preponderate among our paupers. No adequate
reason has been brought forward for reversing the
former decision, and we are very glad to find the
Government intends to abide by it.

THE OPERA OF "FAUST."—The case of " Gye v.
Mapleson" came on yesterday at the Judges' Chambers.
The present application was on tho part of Mr. Mapleson,
of Her Majesty's Theatre, against the plaintiff, Mr. Gye,
of the Royal Italian Opera Rouse, for an inspection of
documents. The action was for penalties for the perfor-
mance of "Faust." Mr. Bailey appeared for Mr. Mapleson,
and Mr. Dodgson for Mr. Gye. The parties agreed to an
inspection, and Ur. Box= Bramwell made an order.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Wednesday Evening.

The news of yesterday of the adhesion of the
Italian Government to the armistice is fully con-
firmed to-day, but the influence upon the Bourse
isnot so marked as was anticipated. Business is still
limited, and prices do not improve materially.

The letters from Vienna state that the Prussian
army is on the march towards the Danube, in thiee
columns. The column of the west, 40,000 strong,
has already detachments near Stockerau, close to
the Danube. Prince Frederick,Charles is at Hohe-
nau, and the King at Count Mensdorff's chateau of
Nikolsburg. The army of the Prince Royal, esti-
mated at 60,000 men, pursues its march across the
small chains of the Carpathian mountains on the
left bank of the March, -the river which sepa-
rates Hungary from Moravia. The destina-
tion appears to be Presburg. The Austrian
army of the North, commanded by General
Benedek, also in the direction for Olmutz,
towards Presburg, successfully effected its move-
ment without interruption from the Prussians. It
also appears to have had the advantage in two
trifling encounters. Within a few days the number
of Austrian troops occupying strong positions round
Vienna towards Hungary will amount to 200,000.
The condition of the soldiers is excellent ; and
should. the Prussian army attempt the passage of
the Danube in the direction of Presburg, which
seems to be their intention, they will meet with
vigorous resistance. The total of the soldiers com-
prising the Prussian army is also estimated at
200,000 men. _

The truce will expire on Friday, and in the mean-
time the negotiations for an armistice for a month
proceed. The Paris news-makers are hard at work
in explaining all sorts of conditions'of peace; but I
refrain from following out their lucubrations, and
your readers will do well not to place any confidence
in what they may see about them elsewhere. The
war party at Vienna are not inactive. The Cama-
rade says :

" We believe that the five days of truce will not
bring about peace. Such a peace would not produce
happiness, and could not last. A peace concluded
at such a moment, before having given another
battle, before having once more tried the fortune of
war with all the forces of Austria, would fill with dis-
couragement and grief the hearts of thousands of
brave soldiers. Should the exclusion of Austria from
the Germanic Confederation be a sine qua non of
such a peace, we have only one observation to make.
Our army is not only Austrian, but it has always
been a German-Austrian army."
Prince Napoleon Jerome arrived at Ferrara just
at the moment when the King was about to cross
the Po, and remove his head quarters to Rovigo.
The order was therefore countermanded, a fact
which created the impression that the postponement
of the entrance of the King into Venetia was indi-
cative of some striking coming event. Nothing had
transpired as to the mission of Prince Napoleon to
Italy, as the Moniteur called it ; but although the
Prince has several times declared himself openly in
favour of war. on the part of Italy, his " mission,"
under present circumstances, is considered as a great
step in behalf of a pacific policy. At all events
men in the highest position at Ferrara believe that
if there were any conditions in the proposals of
peace unfavourable to Italy the Prince would not
have accepted the office of diplomatic mediator.
Philippe, the murderer, was executed yesterday
morning at six o'clock at La Roquette, near the
Bastille. A few days after his condemnation he lost
his appetite and even smoked very little. He only
lost his energy temporarily, and said he should die
as well as he could. He was in so sound a sleep at
half-past 5 o'clock in the morning that the gaoler was
obliged to give him a shake to wake him up. He
enjoyed the consolations of religion from the Abbe
Crozes, and received the communion on Thursday
last. To the last he persisted in the defence he
made at his trial, admitting the murder of the
woman Bodeux in consequence of a quarrel about
money, but said the murder was quite unpremedi-
tated. He added, however, that he did attempt to
murder Madame Midy, and he did not know what
led him to do it. Certainly it was not with the
idea of robbery. At the last moment Philippe
persisted in this statement. He said, " I have only
two crimes to reproach myself with. That is
enough." It may be recollected that there were
strong suspicions that Philippe murdered 15 women,
either in Paris, in the provinces of France, or in
Algeria, the circumstances under which they were
assassinated coinciding exactly with those of the
woman Bodeux. Philippe died instantaneously.
The crowd was immense.

Michel Garibaldi, the brother of the General,
who has for some time been seriously ill at Nice,
died in that town on Sunday,

There has been a murder and suicide at Iralay,
in the department of Haute Saone, under these cir-
cumstances. A man named Jacques Oudet had
very resentful feelings against his brother, believing
that he had an improper intimacy with his sister-in-
law. Jacques watched for his intended victim in
the forest, and on meeting him discharged the con-
tents of a gun in his head. )In order to divert sus-
picion, the murderer placed the gun in the hand of
the corpse after putting the muzzle in his throat
to give the idea of suicide. The device did not de-
ceive the police, who went upon the traces of the
murderer, but he was beforehand with them, and
blew out his brains at his own. house.

A man rather distinguished in the literary world,
M. Theodore Muret, has just died in Paris.
I have spoken of the destructive doings of the
locusts in Algeria. Bordeaux is now a prey to a
sudden invasion of myriads of mosquitoes. They
are so minute that they can hardly be seen, but
they make themselves felt very effectively and un-
pleasantly.
_lt is while you are in bed that they
make their visits. When you wake up in the
morning you find red marks all over your body,
which first annoy you with a sharp smart, and
this sensation is ever and anon changed and diver-
sified with such terrible itchings that the most
timorous man is sure to " come up to the scratch."
Some thirty years ago there was just such a plague
at Marseilles and other places for a radius of 50 or
60 miles. The beds were then screened with a thin
gauze or muslin, but in spite of that I was a martyr
to their unwelcome intentions of that time.

For the last few days the mornings have been
rather cold, with a touch of easterly wind. The
days have lost their recent intense heat, and for the
present at least we seem under the prevalence of
premature autumn.

The Caen Races, which commence on Sunday, ex-
cite considerable interest in France. The amount of
the stakes to be contested for in the two days
is £2,000, exclusive of the sums for entries.
On the following Sunday the races at Deauville will
take place. The amount of the stakes there reaches
£4,000. Many English horses are entered. The
race for the Deauville Prize, with 20,000 f.
added, will no doubt be a splendid affair. The
cup, by Marochetti, is a beautiful work of art. The
Duke of Beaufort takes great interest in these races.
Perhaps I need scarcly add that the port of Deau-
ville in the Channel is easy of access, and the place
is rapidly rising in trade and public estimation.

AN AMPLE APOLOGY TO MR. BRIGHT.—The Star
publishes a correspondence of an edifying character.
When Mr. Stephen Cave, the new Vice-President of the
Board of Trade, was speaking from the hustings at Shore-
ham, he attacked Mr. Bright, and stated that the manufac-
tory belonging to the hon. member for Birmingham was
one of the worst conducted in the kingdom. For this Mr.
Mills, manager to Messrs. Bright and Co., has taken Mr.
Cave to task, and the latter gentleman has replied by with
drawing what he says and apologising for saying it. When
he read the report of his speech the next morning, he re-
gretted, he says, having made the allusion at all. Mr.
Mills, accepting the apology, adds ;---" Should official duty
or any other circumstance ever bring you into this neigh-
bourhood, and you will favour the humble individual who
now addresses you with a call at the works, he will show
you a population as well paid and cared for, whether in
the workshop or the sick rocm, as any either in the north
or south of England."

THE MISSING MONARCH OF THE SEAS.—A bottle
has been found at Devonport, containing a paper, on which
was written :—" Monarch of the Seas. Left Liverpool,
19th March. May 2, no wind, short of provisions, and no
water. In a gale 3d April, lat 25 dog. 20 min. N, long. 47
deg. 8 mu. W.—Wm. Johnson, passenger."