The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JULY 11, 1866

ping stone to his gradual education. The worlicips,
the farm, the garden, even the housework of the
establishment, are all made sources of happy em-

ployment. There are now in the asylum idiots
received as hopeless mutes who can talk, and sing
too ; and their ability to do so has only been acci-
dentally found out. Most of them when they arrive
are unable to use their members, and their delight
when they can achieve anything is most amusing.
The patience and perseverance required to train
them is very great. "It must be remembered,"
says a gentleman familiar with the asylum,* " that
in an idiot there is not any such thing as a com-
pensatory sense. We cannot compensate for loss of
sight by feeling, nor for loss of hearing by vision,
as in the instances of the blind and deaf mute."
Yet the task is done with such success that the
pupils learn to reckon, to write, to read, to sing, to
keep the farm and garden in order, to work well
enough to contribute towards the expenses of the
establishment, and in some instances even to get
their own living. Their mat-making and basket-
work is often beautiful, and the females excel
in different kinds of needle-work. Sometimes the
idiot displays a special talent, as in the case of
a boy so remarkably gifted in drawing and mo-
delling. The late PRINCE CONSORT, on inspecting
some of his drawings, asked " If it was possible the
person who drew that could ever have been an
idiot ?" The answer was that it took six months to
teach him the difference between a dog's head and
his tail, and yet he now copies LANDSEER'S pic-
tures." He is not one of the most successful cases,
having never learned to read, write, or speak pro-
perly. Yet he is happy and proud of his pictures
and models. Some of the lads become
really clever tailors, shoemakers, masons, or
carpenters, and one boy, who for a long while
appeared almost hopeless, is now earning
his own living at Notting-hill, living in lodging,
and earning four shillings a day A girl who, when
she entered the asylum, had no use of her hands,
can now do really fine work. The anecdotes of
their drollery and intelligence are endless. One
day a boy was told by the clergyman that he should
not go to church (of which they are very fond), as
he had behaved badly the last time. " You should
have been looking at your own book," retorted the
idiot, " and you would not have seen me." Once a
well-known physician went up to a group of boys.
They were asked why they did not take off their hats
to the doctor. " Dare say," cried one with a comic
face, "we don't like salts and senna." They are
capable of greater reflections too. One of them
who was directing a boy's work found he was trying
to hide a fault in it, and said to him, " Deceiving
the master, when you are doing wrong, is adding sin
to sin." Yet this lad when he came to the asylum
appeared hopeless.

The visitors to the fete were able to gain a good
idea of the routine of the establishment, which is
always open to inspection. The happiness and
gaiety visible there are always in exist-
ence, for the round of instruction, work, and
recreation is so arranged that no employment is
suffered to become burdensome. The evils of over-
fatiguing childish attention and over-working the
growing powers of mind and body are as yet but
half understood by parents and teachers. The Idiot
Asylum may help to give many useful suggestions
to those who have the care of children blessed
with all their faculties. •

Those who are tempted to despair of any good
work will do well to remember that when the first
group of idiots and imbeciles were collected to-
gether those who had undertaken the direction of
affairs felt well nigh in despair. Now, after a few
years, the asylum is cited as one of the most gra-
tifying institutions that it is possible to visit, since
the worst affliction that can befal suffering huma-
nity is there successfully combated by the un-
wearied exercise of science, skill, and Christian
charity.

* " Earlswood and its Inmates ; a Second Visit to
Earlswood." By the Rev. C. Sidney. Office, 29, Poultry.

On Monday a special meeting of the Jamaica
Committee was held. The chief subject of atten-
tion was the resignation of the chairmanship by
Mr. BUXTON. It would seem as if nothing could
teach these gentlemen moderation, and not satis-
fied with all that has been already done in the
Jamaica business, they persist in their efforts to do
yet more. Their object at present is to bring Mr.
EYRE to trial for the murder of GORDON and
other delinquencies he committed while in com-
mand. The Chairman, Mr. TAYLOR, declared
that some believed such a course of pro-
ceeding would elevate him into a hero, but he did
not think so. It was not the object of the com-
mittee to prosecute Mr. EYRE, but to render assis-
tance to Mrs. GORDON in case she desired to do so.
That lady hesitated to do so, however, which com-
plicated the proceedings. Mr. BRIGHT spoke with
his usual vehemence on the subject, and declared
that if they did not prosecute EYRE they had better
dissolve. It is greatly to be regretted that Mr.
MILL should have mixed himself up in this
business ; he is now elected chairman, and de-
clared that he believed the execution of GORDON was
" murder," and that the Committee ought not to
rest until it obtained from the Legislature the
assurance that men like Mk,. EYRE will be made
responsible for their criminal actions. All that we
can say on the subject is, that perhaps it will be
the best thing in the end if this much-talked-of pro-
secution takes place, for it will put the doings of
these negro apologists in their true light before
the public, and show the manner in which
Mr. EYRE has been treated. If the mem-
bers of this Committee desired to show upon
what mistaken motives those can act who presume
to dictate to others, and to prove how illiberal the
professors of Liberalism can be, they could not
have succeeded better than they did. When we
read such extravagant assertions, and such extra-
ordinary accounts, we may well be amazed at the
want of discernment and discretion of the speakers.
Mr. ED3IOND BEALES, for instance, declared that
"if the Government declined to prosecute Mr.
EYRE, and if Mrs. GORDON was not induced
to do so, and if the Committee' did
not prosecute, then English law was to all
intents and purposes a mockery, and there would
be a strong feeling throughout the country that there
was one law for the rich and another for the poor."
It is far more likely that the country will consider
that these gentlemen have one law for the whites and
another far the blacks, and that the preservation of
the lives of the colonists was quite secondary in
their eyes to the prosperity of the negrocs, who
seem to be beyond law, and not amenable to any
authority but that of their own desires, to judge
by the diatribes uttered by these vehement censors.

BOAT A.,CCIDENT.—An inquest was held on Mon-
day evening at llomerton, by Mr. llumphreys, re-
specting the death of Alfred Prior, a youth, 16 years of
age. On Sa..turday last deceased and a friend hired out-
rigger boats, 11,id went up the river Lea to bathe. Ou
re-entering the, boats at Horse-shoe Point deceased cap-
sized, and cried t gut to his companion, who pulled towards
him. Deceased caught hold of his companion's boat, and
so throw him it to the water. The companion could
swim, and manv.gotl to pull deceased near to land, but was
so exhausted that he was obliged to let him go. A
quarter of an hou r elapsed before the body was recovered.
The jury added tc
1 their verdict of "Accidental death" a
suggestion that grea '.ter care should be exercised in letting
outrigger boats to poi 'ions unable to manage them.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.
The Illoniteur, in its non-official part, has the fol-
lowing announcement :
" The Emperor received to-day (yesterday), at
the Palace of the Tuileries, the letter by which her
Britannic Majesty notifies to his Imperial Majesty
the marriage of her Royal Highness Madame La
Princesse Marie-Adelaide-\Vilhelmine-Elisabeth,
daughter of his late Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, with his Highness Francis-Paul-
Charles-Louis-Alexandre, Prince of Teck."
There is nothing new either about the armistice
or the war. The Austrian troops in Bohemia con-
tinue to occupy the same positions.
The Official Gazette of Florence gives the follow-
ing table of the losses of the Italian army in the
battle of the 24th of June :—Officers : 24 killed,
203 wounded, 63 made prisoners, and 20 missing.
Soldiers : the Ist Corps had 369 killed, 1,759
wounded, 2,853 made prisoners or missing ; the 2d
Corps had 2 wounded and 9 made prisoners; the
3d Corps had 281 killed, 1,135 wounded, and 1,362
made prisoners or wounded. The division of
Cavalry of Reserve had one killed, 13 wounded,
and 38 made prisoners. Total, 651 killed, 2,909
wounded, and 4,252 made prisoners or missing.
A letter from Alexandria, dated July 7, in the
bulletin of the Moniteur, says :--" The departure of
the European prisoners in Abyssinia has been
again delayed by the Emperor Theodore. Their fate
depends upon the result of the mission sent to
London by that Sovereign, who claims the aid of
England in case of war with Egypt. The accounts
from Abyssinia states that Theodore is by no means
popular, and that the country is a prey to brigan-
dage." _ .

The Italian papers, received to-day in Paris, give
further illustration of the dissatisfaction created by
the fact and the mode of cession of Venetia to
France. The Paris papers make this' dissatisfaction

a subject of remark. The Journal des Debats says
"It appears from the Italian papets that great ir-
ritation exists on the other side of the Alps. It is
impossible for us to regret too deeply this feeling,
and our regret will be shared by all the sincere
friends of Italy. I collect from current opinion,
and from the views of various journals, that there
are still serious doubts whether we shall have peace
immediately. The Constitutionnel says—" Austria,
in accepting, or if you will, in demanding peace,
appears resolved to follow out to the end the fate of
arms rather than submit to conditions which would
place her without the limits of the Germanic Confe-
deration." The Debat, of Vienna, arguing upon the
same subject, says—" Europe cannot refuse to
recognise two facts—the victory of Custozza, and
the intention of the Emperor of the French to main-
tain the high position of Austria in Germany. But
Europe ought also to take into consideration that
Austria is still in a position to carry on the war
energetically against Prussia, and that the whole
people of the Empire are animated with

the fervent desire to restore the ancient prestige
attached to the Austrian arms. In the presence of
these facts we expect an honourable peace, a peace
which will not be humiliating, but proportioned to

to the force which we have now at our disposal to
oppose our enemies."
A rare fact is noticed, illustrative of improved
morals and social progress in France. The assizes at
Besancon, which were to commence on the 9th, and
at which there have often been many serious cases
for trial, were postponed, simply because there was
not a single person in custody.
The first day's races on Sunday at Rouen went off
satisfactorily with the following results :
The first race, for the prize of the Central Society
of Agriculture (1,500 f.) was only contested by two
horses, Bichette and Nelly, and was won by the
former.

The second prize, given by the Administrator
des Havas, was won by Isabelle.
The 1,500 f. given by the Directors of the West-
ern Railway was won by L'Honune entre deux
Ages ; Ace of Diamonds 2d. The 4th prize, called
the Prize of the City, value 2,500 f., for horses of all
countries, was won by Knapp, an American horse ;
Photographe 2d. The second horse won 700 f.

The chief race was for the prize of Jeanne d'Arc.
It was contested for by three horses of pure blood,
well known at the Paris Ita,ces—Tourmalet, Refine
Berthe, and Grande Dame. Itwas a splendid race,
and won easily by Tourmalet.

The steeplechase excited great interest. Only one
of the horses, the Ace of Diamonds, surmounted
the 22 obstacles. Three contested. L'Homme entre
deux Ages would hardly come up to the scratch at
all, and Roucanel was beat at the sixth obstacle.
According to the gossip of one of the Paris
papers the Emperor of Austria is full of grief since
the battle of Sadowa. He is very pale and looks
exceedingly ill. His first visit was to the ambu-
lances to give consolation to the wounded. When
the news of the disaster first reached the Emperor,
M. de Mensdorff proposed that there should be a
searching inquiry as to the cause of the defeat of
the great Austrian army. "If there be any guilty,"
replied the Emperor, " whatever may be their rank,
justice shall be done upon them."
At the Bourse partial mistrust has succeeded to
the joyous excitement produced by the first an-
nouncement of the proposal for an armistice.
Yesterday the general tendency was to decline, and
the situation is similar to-day. Business was rather
restricted.

According to the latest information in regard to
the negotiations for an armistice there are some
important difficulties to arrange, raised on the part
of Italy. The Pr esse, however, says that the foun-
dation of all the difficulties is the ambition of
Prussia, excited beyond measure by the success of
her arms. "It is this ambition which has troubled
Europe for six months, and which has just covered
Germany with blood and mourning. Attentive
men doubt whether peace can arise from the most
immoral of all triumphs of strength."

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE WAR IN GERMANY.

ADVANCE OF GENERAL CIALDINI.

TERRARA, July 11.

General Cialdini is marching upon Rovigo with
an army of more than 100,000 men and 200 guns.
The Austrians have evacuated the whole territory
between the Mincio and the Adige. The greater
part of the Austrian forces are stationed at Padua.
Less important concentrations of troops have been
made at Bardolini, Caprine, and Monte Baldo.
There are very few at Peschiera and Verona.

The destruction of the forts at Rovigo appears to
confirm the persistent rumours of the departure
partly accomplished and partly projected of the
Austrian troops for the interior of Austria.

FLORENCE, Tuesday.
The Florence journals assert that Prussia has de.
dined the proposed armistice.

The operations of the Italian army against Bor
goforte are being continued.

Count Arese has arrived at the head-quarters o:

_
the Italian army.
This morning the Austrians made a reconnaissance
in strong force, with artillery, in the direction of
Londone. They were driven back with the bayonet
by the Garibaldians as far as De la Aizzo, which
was occupied by the volunteers. Garibaldi was pre-
sent, but had to remain in a carriage in consequence
of his wound.

Later news received from Bovigo states that the
Austrians in evacuating that town abandoned all
artillery on the fortifications, the guns having been
previously spiked.

CREMONA, Tuesday.

The Italian troops captured this morning by
assault the village of Motteggiano, near the tete de
pout at Borgofortc.

PARIS, July 11.

The Journal des Debais of to-day says :—" We
have reason to believe that Prussia persists in
excluding Austria from the Germanic Confedera-
tion, and maintains her project of Federal reform.
She also demands the incorporation of Electoral
Hesse, Saxony, Hanover, and the Elbe Duchies
with Prussia."

We (Times) have received from an authentic
source the following statement as to the conditions
attached by the Italian Government to the propo-
sition of the Emperor Napoleon :
" 1. If Venetia is ceded to the Emperor Napo-
leon the final transfer must be made by Austria,
hampered by no conditions with regard to Rome.
" 2. That the question of the district of Trent
should be recognised as one to be discussed."

THE PROPOSED ARMISTICE.
VIENNA, July 10 (Evening).
(Delayed in transmission.)
The Abendpost (evening edition of the Wiener
Zeitung) says :
"The Emperor of the French has taken fresh
steps of an energetic character to effect the conclu-
sion of an armistice.

" The French fleet is on its way to Venice, and
General Lebceuf, the French Commissioner, has been
ordered to occupy Venetia. General Froissart has
been sent to the Prussian head-quarters to announce
the armed mediation of the Emperor of the French.
" It is the pronounced will of the Emperor of the
French that Austria should not be weakened in her
position as a great Power.
" The army of the South is evacuating Venetia,
and has commenced the march northwards."

PARIS, July 11.
The Moniteur of this morning contains no corn
munication relative to the armistice.

PARTS, July 10.

The Constitutionnel of to-day publishes the fol-
lowing :--" Letters from Vienna, as well as the
journals of the Austrian capital, agree in represent-
ing the resolution and energy which unite the people
and the Government since the defeat of the army of
the North.

" Count Mensdorff, sent by the Emperor Francis
Joseph to headquarters, has addressed a report to
his Majesty, whence it results that 100,000 of the
250,000 men of the army of the North have already
fallen back upon Olmutz. With respect to the
soldiers belonging to the corps most severely handled
and dispersed, it is estimated.that 40,000 have been
able to reform, and swell the ranks of the army at
Olmutz. The number of dead, wounded, and pri-
soners reaches 40,000. From the remainder it is
hoped that 60,000 will yet be collected, thus carry-
ing the strength of the Olmutz army to 200,000
men.

4, At the present moment the five battalions of
young troops, forming an effective of 80,000 men,
are being concentrated at Vienna. They will be
supported by the two army corps arrived from
Dalmatia, 50,000 strong. Besides this the army of
the South has already sent 30,000 men to cover
Vienna. An effective force of 160,000 men is thus now
assembled in the entrenched camp at Florisdorf at
the north of Vienna. These forces will probably be
increased in a few days by 50,000 men from the
army in Venetia.

" Austria will shortly, therefore, have two
armies available—the army of Olmutz will
represent a total of 150,000 to 200,000
veterans, whose spirit has not been impaired by the
various checks suffered in Bohemia. The prompti-
tude with which the different portions of the army
have rallied after the defeat of Sadowa bears testi-
mony to the excellent spirit which sustains them.
The army of the entrenched camp of Florisdorf,
consisting of 80,000 young troops, 50,000 old, and
80,000 victorious troops, will represent a total of
210,000 men.

" Supported by au army of more than 400,000
men, observes one of our Vienna correspondents,
the Austrian Empire is not ' lost.' The Govern-
ment besides shows itself equal to the occasion.
When the Emperor Francis Joseph received the
news of the disastrous result of the battle of Sadowa
he was occupied during 48 consecutive hours subse-
quently in giving orders for the security of his empire.
The Empress Elizabeth is visiting all the hospitals,
and bearing succour and consolation to the
wounded. The Emperor, immediately the affairs
of State will permit, will join his troops iu order to
thank them for not having wavered before misfor-
tune, and to encourage them to new and energetic
efforts."

ROME.

Cardinal Matteucei is dead.

ROME, July 9.

An order of the day to the French and Pontifical
armies has been issued, prohibiting all demonstra-
tions, and declaring that any which may be at-
tempted will be dispersed by force.

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE GERMANIA.
SOUTIIA3IPTON7 July 11.

The Hamburg and American Company's steamer
Germania, from New York on the 30th ult., has
arrived. She brings 112 passengers for this port,

Havre, and Hamburg, $lBO,OOO for England, and
$22,920 for Hamburg.

The Germania experienced thick weather through-
out the voyage, and on the 10th inst. was detained
11 hours by fog.

QUEENSTOWN, July 11.

The Inman Company's steamship City of New
York arrived here at 7 15 a.m. with the mails,
$84,576 in specie, and 211 passengers.
She landed 57 passengers and proceeded at 7 25
a.m.

The French steamer Panama arrived at St.
Nazaire this morning ; left Vera Cruz 14th June ;
Havana, 19th ; St. Thomas, 23d. 615 passengers
and 6,688,000 francs for London.