The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-27 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, 3LIR,CII 27, 1866.

Last night a meeting was held at Birmingham
to consider the Government Reform Bill. Some
resolutions were passed, which urged upon the
borough members to support the measure ; but the
chief feature of the evening was a letter sent by
Mr. BRIGHT, which was read. This communication
was written much in the usual style of Mr. BRIGHT'S
speeches and writings, and, according to his wont,
he abuses every one right and left who does not
exactly agree with him. It is really very much to
be regretted that the hon. member for Birmingham
should persist in taking this tone whenever he
speaks of the working classes, because it misleads
many who believe that he is their true exponent, as
he calls himself so on all occasions. Unbecoming
as it is for a member of Parliament to be for ever
hinting at the likelihood of revolutions taking
place, and sometimes asserting the advantages that
might be derived from an angry demonstration
here and there, it is still more inconsistent that
those to whom he refers should be so grossly mis-
represented and maligned. He takes away at a
sweep the best arguments that can be used for the
extension of the franchise by making out that the
working classes are violent and unruly. It is
precisely because they believe them to be
exactly the contrary to what ',Mr. BRIGHT
describes them that real Reformers consider
that they
can and ought to be trusted, to a great
ext*?•nt/ and far more considerably admitted to the
frund,i,
than they are at present. But if it is to
be set fox% that unless they immediately are put in
possession of
.‘
" they desire they will proceed to
extremities, it naturally
sets people thinking that
such unrestrained passion and such excited tempers
will not conduce to ma.
good legislators. We
may fairly retort upon "Mx.
that it is he
WllO " insults the working-men„
in every speech he
utters, and deseriLcs them as a
multitude given up
cc ignorance and vice,,,
to the worst style of which
and, indeed openly
lie persists in, hinting, speaking,
• knee. Can any language be
of their proceeding to vto
•
more out of character than this 9 . " If Parliament_
street, from Charing-cross to the venerable Abbey,
were filled with men seeking a Deform Bill, as it
was two years ago with men conic to do honour to
an illustrious Italian, these slanderers of their
countrymen would learn to be civil if they did not
learn to love freedom." We wonder that a man
who makes it his constant boast that he has sat
for twenty -two years in the House of Commons
does not show that he has profited more by his
opposition votes. While he considers himself quali-
fied to teach our senators wisdom, and instruct our
Ministers to make
laws, he is inciting the people to
break the laws already made, and violate the due re-
gulations of public order and propriety. We do not
for a moment believe that any one would be so
mad as to adopt the course he hadiotes if he does ,

not openly advise, but we do say that he is very
culpable in mentioning such a thing at all.
As for those who desire that the whole subject be
treatedtogether, and not in instalments, Mr. BRIGHT
thinks that " a more dirty conspiracy has not been
seen in the House of.Comraons during many gene-
rations." This is elegant phraseology certainly ;
but we wonder what denunciation ought to have
been applied to the little arrangement made be-
tween Mr. BRIGHT, Earl RUSSELL, and a few
other celebrities at Willis's Rooms in 1859. That,
we suppose, was a national undertaking, inspired
by patriotic motives, and a not political movement
instigated by love of place or desire of power, or,
still more, through unwillingness that others
should effect what they could not do. One thing
is suspicious in Mr. BRIGHT'S letter, that he talks
of the present Parliament in the most disparaginc,
terms. Before the session he used to declare that
it boasted a Liberal majority of 60 or 70, and would
work well and do wonders. Experience has made
him a wiser and a sadder man, however, and we learn
that " it is to a large extent the offspring of landed
power in the counties, and of tumult and corruption
in the boroughs; and it would be strange if such
a Parliament were in favour of freedom, and an
honest representation of the people." Mr. BRIGHT
is fond of quotations, and we wonder he has never
adopted those lines of BYRON—

" Where may the wearied eye repose,
When gazing on the great,
Where neither guilty glory glows,
Nor despicable hate."
When he gets a very little way up the social scale,
virtue, wisdom, and consideration vanish away al-
together, and appear like angel visits, very few and
far between.

The occasion of the birthday of the King of
PRUSSIA has been made the most of, as usual, and
compliments en one side, and absurd protestations
on the other, have been the order of the day. The
KING was as arbitrary as ever in his remarks, and
allowed no shadow of a chance of improvement to
appear for the future. He will abide by his policy,
he declares, " whatever difficulties" he may have to
contend against ; but he adds a hope that peace may
be maintained, and that the solidity of the two
leading Conservative Governments of the Confede-
racy would survive the differences that had arisen of
late. There is not much to depend upon in this,
because it is quite evident that the KING will not
give way in the least, or change his plans
one iota, whatever the result may be. In Holstein
the Austrian Coinmander offered his congratulations ,
to the Prussian officers at Altona, and made use of
similar expressions. The people of Holstein ignored
the whole affair, which is not to be wondered at
when we consider what they have seen of Prussian
rule in Schleswig. Since these occurrences some
things have seemed to indicate that after all peace
may not prevail. In Berlin yesterday the KING gave
long audiences to the Minister of War, General
Von ROON, and to the Barn MOLTKE, the Chief of
the General Staff. Besides these significant meet-
ings, Count BIS3IARCK subsequently had in-
terviews with the Adjutant-General, and the
Chief of the Military Cabinet. What this
means it is difficult to decide, but it may in all
probability signify an unpropitious state of affairs.
At any rate we may safely affirm that neither the
KING nor his Minister is at all secure as to the pro-
spect of peace, but wishes to be ready for the
emergency of war. It looks unpromising at any
rate, and we shall not at all be surprised if war
supervenes, and if the former allies become ene-
mies, and furnish an instance of the instability of
engagements that rest more on fraud and treachery
than on justice and honour. Many circumstances have
recently occurred which may well justify or at least ,
excuse, the Prussians in declaring war to be
inevitable. It is said in military circles that
inquiries are being made in Bohemia, in order to
ascertain the "strategical capabilities" of the place,
which would afterwards be of service to the Aus-
trians. The General at Prague has allowed per-
formances in his palace, which are singularly inap-
propriate at this especial juncture—the Austrian
military ascendancy in the Thirty Years' War re-
presented by SCHILLER. No wonder that both in
military and diplomatic quarters in Prussia this has
given offence, but whether or not these mutual dif-
ferences will be adjusted depends more, we suspect,
upon the convenience of the Governments than
upon any desire to maintain a distinct prin-
ciple and to follow a definite line of action.

The arrival of the Asia from Boston and Halifax '
on the 17th informs us that the Fenians are still
actively at work. A mass meeting had been held
at Boston under the auspices of SWEENEy and
ROBERTS, at which $lO,OOO were subscribed. It is
currently reported that the Fenians are making
large purchases of uniforms, arms, and ammunition,
for which, it is said, they have depots in several
American towns. Two Fenian companies have been
mustered into the service of the Irish Republic
at Louisville, by Major Mangan, Adjutant-
General of Kentucky, and were paraded through
the city. It is not surprising that after such de-
monstrations Sir FREDERICK BRUCE felt it to be
his duty to urge the American Government to
make some open protest against the Fenian move-
ment. Mr. SEWARD replied that it was certainly
of a dangerous if not of a criminal nature, but
that so long as the leaders kept within the law the
Government would not interfere. If they contra-
vened the law, the Government would issue a pro-
clamation on the subject. We have heard a great
deal about the uncertainty and weakness of our
neutrality laws, but according to this the American
must be little more than empty form. If open in-
citement to attack upon a friendly power, armed
and organised troops, and the purchase of military
stores do not constitute a breach of interna-
tional law, it is difficult to understand what
that law can be. Certainly no such
proceedings would be tolerated in this country, if
directed against America or any other friendly
Powers. But the Washington Cabinet are not
really so supine as might appear. Two hun-
dred Federal troops have arrived at Buffalo,
and more are expected, and the Canadian
Government has received information that the
American Government had sent them to prevent an
an attack from that quarter. The same authorities
also learned from the Mayor of Detroit the proba-
bility of a Fenian attack. There seems, in fact, to
be very little doubt that some active demonstration
is intended. The news of the suppression of the
Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland has created the
pginroedpaeuteledastt7itoeonx.eitement throughout the Irish-American
The leaders of Fenianism profess,
alarm of Englantlanci
be thankful
tfhooerit, as evidence of the
powerful
theby t hicri ri nt opyeeopmleen
ntim atnese oi
effect produced
its
the
satisfactionl a s t numbers
by t
ho
ef
announcement—" The right of Habeas Corpus has
been suspended in Ireland. Lens Deo." But the
fact is really damaging to their cause, inasmuch as
the Fenians naturally begin to ask why nothing is
done to prevent the arrest and imprisonment of their
fellow-patriots.
They know to their cost that it is not from want
of funds on the part of their leaders, for the sub-
scriptions have not only been large, but constant.
The Americans themselves, however ready to ex-

press their sympathy or to cheer and ridicule the
Fenian enthusiasts alternately, are indeed too
shrewd to invest their money in such a hopeless
scheme; but the Fenians themselves, and it must be
remembered that their numbers arc by no means
insignificant, have been paying steadily for a long
time. It is quite clear, then, that the Fenian
leaders are by no means without the sinews of war,
and the peculiar circumstances of the time, the large
number of disbanded soldiers, both Irish and Ame-
rican, who wish for nothing better than a return to
the excitement and opportunities of war, give an
importance to the whole affair, which, of itself, it
would not deserve.
The Canadians themselves are by no means dis-
posed to underrate the importance of the occasion,
and the Canadian Government have shown great
promptitude and decision in dealing with the
matter. There is nothing approaching to a
panic, for the Canadians express the greatest
confidence in their capacity to repel the
invading heroes wiih very little trouble. Both
Fenians and Americans will be taught a useful
lesson if they should actually venture across the
frontier, but the Canadians are wise enough to
remember the old axiom, " Forewarned forearmed,"
and have been making vigorous preparations. They
are erecting earthworks along the frontier at all
vulnerable points. The Governor-General has
issued a general order calling out the volunteers,
an act " rendered necessary in the performance of
the duty devolving upon the Government of pro-
viding for the protection of the lives and property of
the Canadians against the threatened piratical
attacks of lawless men, who use the territory of a
neighbouring Power openly to organise enterprises
against the sovereign rights of the QUEEN and the
security of her subjects." The people have responded
cordially to this appeal, and have come forward in
great numbers. Sir FREDERICK BRUCE, we are glad
to find, has ordered the British West Indian squadron
to sail for Halifax with all the available troops in
the West Indies, so that the Fenians wri* be likely
to receive a more serious reception than they look
for. We hope that in any case the Fenian move-
ment will receive a decided check, and that the mis-
chievous schemers, who have so long trifled with the
interests and aspirations of the people, may be
taught that in deluding others they have injured
themselves.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

The critical relations between Austria and Prus-
sia is still the great topic of the day in Paris. The
Prussian papers lay great stress upon the speech of
the King of Prussia on the 22d inst., the anniver-
sary of his birthday, to tho Generals who offered
their congratulations to his Majesty upon the occa-
sion. His Majesty, Frederic Guillaume Louis, is
getting an old man, having been born on the 22d of
March, 1797. I have not seen a copy of the ad-
dress presented to the King upon the occasion, but
his Majesty, according to the report of one of the
Paris journals, is said to have spoken of the policy
of Austria in a very bitter, angry, and menacing
tone, and to have expressed his determination to
support the views of Prussia in regard to the
Duchies at whatever cost and sacrifice.
The Government has appointed a commission,
under the presidency of M. Cornudet, Councillor of
State, to inquire into the many complaints made by
the agriculturists of France in regard to the heavy
duties upon silt and the vexations and annoyances
connected with the levy of that duty. The Govern-
ment, I hear, is disposed to reduce the duty, which
at present is very onerous.
The authorities continue their efforts to promote
and improve the breeding of horses, and to encou-
rage horse racing by all possible means. General
Fleury, Grand Eeuyer, has just framed various re-
gulations to be adopted upon the subject both in
Paris and in the provinces. Commissioners ap-
pointed by the Grand Ecuyer are empowered to take
such steps as they may deem proper in promotion
of the object.
The following is the result of the steeple-
chases at La Marche yesterday. Prix de Prin-
temps, 2,500 f. for all horses. Betty, bay mare,
belonging to Baron Finot (Welsh) 1, R. M. D., 2.
Prix de Montretout, amount of prize 3,300 f., 200 f.
for the second. Gentlemen riders, 1,000 f., added
to a Sweepstakes of 25f., for all horses which had
never won a prize. Bilboquet, belonging to Prince
Achille (Riddell), 1 ; Cesar, 2. Amount of prize,
1,325 f. Prix a Reclamer, for all horses, I,ooof.
Six ran. Baron Finot's Farintosh, 1 ; Mireille
(Page), 2. Amount of prize, 1,250 f. No claim
was made for the winner.

The Journal des Debuts, speaking of the Queen
Arnelie, widow of Louis Philppe, says :—" The
death, so unexpected, of the Queen Ainelie is con-

sidered as sad news 'by everybody, and, we think,
we do not say too much when we add that the an- '
nouncement has produced a profound and universal
feeling of regret."
A singular wager has just been gained by a
foreign Prince at Paris. The bet made by the
Prince was that he would cause himself to be arrested
without committing any crime, offence, or contra-
vention of police regulations, and without giving
any provocation to anybody, police officer, or any
agent of authority. The day before yesterday the
Prince went to the most splendid cafe on the Bou-
levards. He was dressed in a ragged smock frock,
torn trousers, and wore a shocking bad hat. He
called for a cup of coffee. The waiters looked sur-
prised, but mildly explained to the Prince that it
was not a coffee shop where articles were very
cheap, but that everything there was very dear.
The Prince, however, insisted upon being
served, took out a roll of bank-notes, and
said he had money to pay. Upon a sign
from the master of the café, the waiter
went out and brought back a police-officer, think-
ing that the notes were stolen. The officer told the
Prince to follow him to the Commissary of Police
to state how he became possessed of so much money.
On the way the Prince met a friend, who explained
who he was, and he was immediately set at liberty.
The gentleman who made the bet admitted that he
had lost and paid the amount, which, it is said, was
a considerable sum. _ . _

A curious custom exists in Paris, which has been
twice observed within the last few months. When
a man and woman have been married fifty years,
the marriage ceremony is performed for a second
time with all the formalities of the first. The usual
signatures are given to the marriage contract, friends
attend, and there is a joyous wedding party. The
last instances of such a ceremony took place a day
or two ago at the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, in
the Rue Morceau. The bride and bridegroom, who
were a second time made man and wife, were Louis
Antoine Constant, aged 70, and Rose-Pelagie Bulot,
aged 74. The previous instance to which I allude
occurred at the Church of Auteuil, near Paris, and
I was present at this second wedding myself. The
husband is no less a personage than a well-known
actor, and among the wedding guests were grown-
up sons and daughters of the gentleman, who, ac-
cording to Sir Peter Teazle, was a second time
made " the happiTst of men." The origin of the
custom I know not, but it is one of that rare de-
scription more honoured in the observance than the
breach. At all events, so it seemed, for merriment,
gaiety, and cordial union were the order of the day
on the occasion iu question. _ . .

Her Majesty, who is the patroness of all that is
good, useful, and charitable, on the occasion of the
birthday of the Imperial Prince, sent the magni-
ficent sum of 70,000 f. to be divided among the
75 maternal charities of Paris. The central coin-

mittee of the various charitable asylums have been

received by her Majesty at the Tuileries, when M.
Darboy, the Archbishop of Paris, presented a report
explaining the present condition of those many use-
ful asylums, and made an appropriate speech,
which her Majesty listened to with great interest
and attention.
Messrs. Delpech and Reynal, veterinary surgeons,