The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 12, 1866

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LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1866.

-0--

The members of the Reform League have thought
right to convene a meeting in support of the Go-
vernment measure, prior to the tug of war to be
commenced this evening. As was to be expected
the democratic element predominated, and the senti-
ments of the principal speakers were somewhat
extreme, but the general feeling of the assembly
was is favour of the measure, which can hardly be
condemned ndemnea
by any one as dangerously extensive.
If
We are to
have reform at all, we could hardly
have it
administered more carefully or diminutively,
and in this aspect One
might
whose President suppose that the League,
advocates universal suffrage, would
not be very cordially imposed in its favour. The
members, however, have the
good sense to be con-
tented with a less sweeping change and the resolu-
tions upholding the speedy
unanimously adopted. The megevof the bill were
societies, included a
number of delegates from trade
there were actually representatives so that
of the •
opinions
of the working classes present, some of whom ePoke
with good sense and ability. One of the Principal
features of the evening was the presence of
Lord ELCHO to defend himself against the
charge of being ad enemy to the work-
ing chimes. At first the meeting refused to
hear him, but on Mr. liccms, M.P. for
Lambeth, coming boldly forward and telling them
they ought to listen to a man in his own defence,
they gave him a fair share of attention. Lord
ELCHO had received, he said, a letter from Mr.
HOWELL, Secretary of the Reform League, enclos-
ing-the copy of a resolution passed by the delegates
of the.' Trades Unions of the Metropolis. The
terms of this resolution were as follows That
in consequence of Lord ELCHO having in his speech
in the Ho
use of Commons, on Mr. BAINES'S Bill
for e •
Itenklig the borough franchise, vilified the
people in e, most shameful manner, this meeting of

trades' delegates, representing 70,000 men, declare
that they have no confidence in him whatever, and
object to his becoming the Chairman of any Com-
mittee, whether in the House or out of it, affecting
the interests of labour." Lord ELcno is quite able
to defend and to plead his own cause, but we must
certainly protest against any resolution as the above
as an arbitrary interference with the recognised
order of things. It is not the business of any class
out of doors, whether aristocratic or labouring, to
dictate to the House of Commons in matters belong-
ing to the public business. The members appoint
their own committees, the committees select their
own chairmen, and the heads of the Reform
League might have known enough of the consti-
tutional arrangements to have prevented the dele-
gates from assuming an authority which they have
no power to exercise. In the interests of the people,
too, we should like to see the speakers at a meeting
like last night's have a little more regard to practice
than to theory. Theoretic-illy we all know it is
the educated and wealthy classes who trample on
the hard-working, poor man, who only seeks to get
his rights without depriving others of theirs ; and
practice, we must admit, does often comprise the
theory. But practice also shows us that poor men,
or more strictly speaking working men, tyrannise
over each other as no lord or rich man dare attempt
to do at the present day. Practice shows us in-
timidation among workmen, with all its attendant
evils. Professor BEASLEY last night said, " We want
a reformed Parliament to cure the grievances of
unequal pressure of indirect taxation on the work-
ing men, who paid 4s. a week out of 20s. wages,
the operations of the game laws, the punishment
of servants for breach of contract, the excessive
expenditure on the army and navy as compared
with the education grant, the treatment of
the poor iu workhouses, and the monopoly
of land by large proprietors." But in order that
these very desirable social reforms should be carried,
it will be necessary for the working classes not to
be deluded by words. There is much that lies in
their own power. The pressure of indirect taxation
is very heavy, no doubt ; but what proportion of
a working man's wages goes to pay a heavier tax
with which his wife and children have nothing to
do—the tax of the public-house ? This is no fault
of employers, some of whom endeavour to save their
men from taxation by paying their wages on Fri-
day. But no care or legislation by others will help
men who will not help themselves, and our artisans
and mechanics, while claiming their political rights,
will do well to bear in mind the words of the poet—

"But let uone cry out for freedom
With a loud and fevered breath,
While they let a full cup lead 'em
Unto slavery and death."

The game laws are bad enough in all conscience,
but as to punishment for breach of contract by ser-
vants, the Professor might remember that employ-
ers are bound to give a certain notice or an equi-
valent in wages, so that there is no injustice ; and
if business relations are to be maintained at all
there must be some security on both sides. The
excessive expenditure on the army and navy is a
grievance which all taxpayers may lament, though

it is difficult to relieve it ; but before the work-
ing classes complain of the deficiency of the
education grant, we should like to see
them avail themselves a little more readily of the
advantages they possess. Any one who has in-
quired closely into the schooling of workmen's chil-
dren must know that the great obstacle to their
education is not the lack of teachers, but theindiffer-
ence or opposition of the parents. There are
schools enough of all denominations where the
rudiments of education are given efficiently for a
penny or two a week ; yet in nineteen cases out of
twenty where children are untaught it is because
the parents will not spare those pennies, do not care
about the schooling, or can turn their children's
time to account elsewhere. No Parliamentary in-
terference can cure this. Again, the treatment of
the poor in workhouses is a matter quite out of the
hands of the upper classes. It rests for the most
part with the lower middle ranks, those very ranks
that were enfranchised by the first Reform Bill. As
a general rule the more education and refinement a
man has the more he would shrink from condemn-
ing a sick pauper to the hardships of the infirmary,
and as this is a very important matter, affecting the
working classes, we should like them to test the
professions of their friends on the point. The
Factories Act, and similar measures, have clearly
proved that it is by no means certain that
the most eloquent declaimers against the vices and
tyranny of the upper classes are the most ready to
sacrifice their own interests to those beneath them.
When the profits or convenience of a reformer are
involved, then is the time to test his sincerity, and
under this test every class, as a class, breaks down
in turn. Our working men must not look to a
reformed Parliament to work miracles on their be-
half, of whatever men it is composed. It can do
little for them unless they will exercise self-control,

judgment, tolerance, and prudence. With these

they will be able to neutralise the effect of even
faulty legislation. Without them the extension of
the suffrage conferred by the measure which seems
likely from the general support it is receiving to
become law, will be nothing more than a renewal
of former disappointments.

The labours of the Commission in Jamaica are
now nearly over, and it is not surprising, when we
consider how long it has sat, that nearly 1,000 wit-
nesses have been heard, and the inquiry has occupied
nearly 50 days. Of course tin) talk of framing the
report will be a very arduous one, and it is said that
it may be the middle of May before the final result
of their investigations is brought to England. No-
thing could have exceeded the assiduity of the Com-
missioners, but it is to be regretted that they have
been so precise in drawing lines, and settling what
was and was not evidence. Such scruples militate
against obtaining the whole truth, and those who
carry out each views are very apt to
be more eager to refuse evidence than to take it.
It was quite out of character that Mr. EYRE should
not have been allowed to sum up the evidence
and state his conclusions. The Commissioners
refused to hear his statements, and declared that
he was only there as
a witness. Mr. EYRE stated
being =ado into the conduct
that an inquiry was b
i
in suppressing the rebellion,
and
thheoswe
was the
epecrinciPal person therein concerned
made the extraordinary statement , that Mr. EYRE
which was certainly true enough ; but Mr. MAULE
WaB not before the Commission as a person upon
whom any imputation rested, or against whom any
charge was made." Can anything be more absurd
or erroneous than this. No wonder Mr. EYRE re-
plied that
" the tenon'. of the Royal Commission,
and the voice of
public opinion, certainly indicate
that I am on
I answered that they
trialtheyco ereuhld." not
guiTdoeththise Ar.
proceedings
elAdingEs
, of the Royal Commission •
• We may well ask thenvlaut7innththeantaasmseuniofpctoioran-.
I mon sense and justice, becomes of the oft-repeated
argument of Mr. CARDWELL, and of Earl RUSSELL,
that it wasabsolutely necessary to suspend Mr. EYRE,
because he could not hold authority in the island while
his acts were being investigated. l t is quite a
contradiction in terms for the Royal Cornmisaionera
now to turn round and Say that 14,, Arai is only

there as a witness. The fact is this Jamaica affair,
from first to last, has been a most mismanaged
thing, and we find abundant evidence of the haste
and imperfections which have attended all the Go-
vernment arrangements on this subject. How are the
Commissioners to find out the real condition of the
island at the time of the outbreak if they refuse to
take in evidence the statements of one who must
know most of it. A few remarks of Mr. EIRE'S
would put them more au courant of events than the
hearing of a dozen witnesses who are ignorant, or
else exaggerate their accounts. It is very greatly
to be regretted that the Royal Commissioners should
not have been instructed to make their inquiry as
general as possible, and not to go so much by routine,
and raise technical objections at every important
part of the investigation. .

Notwithstanding this hindrance sufficient has
been shown by Mr. EYRE'S evidence to prove
that there was plenty of proof of disaffection
existing in the island. Of course such is not the
same as a few manifestations of violence; but still
they are all that can be shown to exist before an
outbreak took place. We do not see how, looking
to the nature of the voluminous evidence before
the Commissioners, they can do otherwise than
acquit the authorities of all blame ; and as to the
reports that reached England, and were so sedu-
lously propagated, they were as unfounded as to
truth as they were unwarrantably perverted to par-
ticular purposes.

Mr. PEABODY'S reply to her MAJESTY, trans-
mitted through Earl RUSSELL, is all that can•be
desired in every respect" and it is most gratifying to
find that one so influential in rendering services to
to the poorer portion of the community should have
received a tribute of esteem and regard which he so
truly merits. Mr. PEABODY speaks in fitting terms
of the spirit in which he performed his labours :
"On the occasion which has attracted • your
MAJESTY'S attention, of setting apart a portion of
my property to ameliorate the condition and
augment the comforts of the poor of London, I
have been actuated by a deep sense of
gratitude to GOD, who has blessed me with
prosperity, and of attachment to this great country,
where, under your Majesty's benign rule, I have
received so much personal kindness, and enjoyed
so many years of happiness." This is most suit-
able language, and we are glad to agree with it,
and also to see that one belonging to a Republic
can appreciate the advantages of a monarchy when
he sees them. He here declares that the whole
life of the Queen of ENGLAND has attested that
her exalted station in no degree diminishes her
sympathy with the humblest of her subjects.
This is not flattery, but truth, for the QUEEN has
at all times shown her sympathy with her poorer
subjects, and besides, generally taking au in-
terest in their concerns, has on special occasions
testified her sense of their sufferings. It must
of course be a source of satisfaction to her MAJESTY
to witness the noble exertions of so munificent a
benefactor as the writer of this letter ; and thus be-
stowing upon him a mark of her approval, the
QUEEN has set an example to her subjects, as well
as illustrating her own opinion of his merits. Those
rich iu this world's goods may well go and do like-
wise to the extent of their means when they sur-
vey the good effects of Mr. PEABODY'S liberality,
and the humbler classes can recognise that their
SOVEREIGN is not indifferent to their welfare, nor in-
sensible to the claims of those who are instru-
mental in working for their good and alle-
viating their distress. The concluding paragraph
of this letter is welcome in a national sense. It
states that the portrait her MAJESTY has graciously
bestowed, " I shall value as the most precious heir-
loom that I can leave in the land of my birth,
where, together with the letter which your MAJESTY
has addressed to me, it will ever be regarded as au
evidence of the kindly feeling of the QUEEN of the
United Kingdom towards a citizen of the United
States." her MAJESTY'S letter has afforded general
gratification, and was, indeed, an appropriate tri-
bute to have offered to one who has done so much
to benefit his fellow-creatures. Wealth can an-
swer no higher end, and be converted to no
better uses than in helping those who need
help, and hence we may regard this unusual cir-
cumstance of a Royal letter as a memento worthy
of the occasion. It is one of the most pleasing
attributes of this affair that we have every reason
to hope and expect that its advantages will increase,
and that as time goes on, and this brief generation
passes away, its successors may still find ample evi-
dence of the fruits of Mr. PEABOBY'S labours. A man
can have no better reflection at the close of his life
than that he has done his utmost to benefit his
fellow-creatures, and the example of this benevolent
man may well be emulated by those who are able
to follow it, though it may be in a more moderate
form and lesser degree.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

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

The Moniteur publishes the Prussian despatch of
the 26th Jan., 1366, and the Austrian reply to it of
the 7th February, but contents itself by so doing,
merely remarking that they form the basis of the
present serious dispute between Austria and Prus-
sia. Your readers are so well aware of the contents
of these despatches that it is unnecessary for me to
make a summary of them. The Journal des Debats,
remarking upon an article of the Gazette de l'Alle-
magne du Nord confirming the news of the arrest
and expulsion of the Prussian General Waldersee,
who went to Prague to make a plan of the fortifi-
cations, and inferring that Austria wishes to conceal
her armaments, says, " This is a sophistical inter-
pretation, for the fortifications of Prague do not
date from the last month, but were raised before the
Convention of Gastein and the war of the
Duchies."

Exhibitions of animals are decidedly in vogue.
The dogs have had their day, and now it is the turn
of the horses. To-morrow the exhibition of
French horses is to commence at the Palace of In-
dustry. It is to last ten days 51,000 f. will be
given in prizes.
Another artist of note is "gathered to his fathers.',
Ilippolyte Bellange, who, though not present at
battles, is very eminent as a painter of them. He
was 66. His paintings have been admired at many
exhibitions.

In my letter in The Sun of Saturday the word
sepulchres was erroneously printed " republics." It
was with reference to the sepulchres of the Orleans
family in France that General Dumas recently was
despatched by the late Queen Amelie. Printers'
errors are always venial, although sometimes
amazing, but the word " republics" might create
some unpleasant sensation, as The Sun is very much
read in Paris, and is received at all the Ministerial
offices.

The second Scientific Conference for the
benefit of the Society of Friends of Science
took place yesterday at the Conservatory of Music.
The Empress and the great majority of the fashion-
ables of Paris were present. M. Fremy gave an
important and interesting lecture upon oxygen and
ozone, illustrating his theory by beautiful and
curious experiments in chemistry. An analysis of
air by means of phosphorus enchanted the specta-
tors, and particularly the Empress, who led the im-
mense applause with which the experiment was

greeted.
The papers record some curious effects of the
storm on Sunday in different parts of the capital.
The lightning struck a. tree in the garden of the
Tuileries and stripped off the whole of the upper

portion of its leaves. A few minutes afterwards an
immense streak of red fire, some portions of which
were of a zigzag form, was to be seen over the
Place de la Bourse. It was accompanied by
such a terrible detonation that the performance
of the " Famille Benoiton," at the Vaude-
ville theatre was temporarily interrupted. The
ladies screamed and fainted, fearing that the
lightning had struck the theatre. At the Church
of Notre Dame there was also a panic among the
congregation, auci the service was also interrupted
for some minutes. At the Central Police Post in
the Rue de la Banque, which is behind the Church,
several police-officers experienced a sensation as if
an attempt had been made to knock them down.
One of them says he saw a large ball of fire enter
the building by an open window, and pass out at
the other end. At the Chateau des Fleurs, in the
Champs Elysees, some lamps were broken. In the
Rue de la Papiniere, in the same locality, the light-
ning set fire to the gas and burnt a heap of wood
which was in the yard. A thunderbolt
is said to have fallen in the cemetery of Montmartre.
Near the Pont des Invalides a vigorous omnibus
horse was instantly struck dead. The most curious
incident of this strange storm took place on the
d'Orsay Railway between Bourg-la-Reine and
Arceuil. The electric fluid struck one of the car-
riages, rushed entirely through it, broke the door of
it into fragments, and emerged at the window oppo,
site to the door. All the telegraphic wires were
much damaged by the storm, but the communica-
tion is now restored.

A very small screw steamer of novel construction
has been launched upon the Seine, at St. Denis, as
a model of those which are to play during the Ex-
hibition from the new bridge at Bercy to St. Cloud,
and which, from their light draught, will be able to
navigate the Seine during the summer, a matter of
great difficulty, as the water is so low at that season.
The steam engine is such a minute and splendid
piece:of machinery as almost to resemble clock work.
These boats, the speed of which is compared to that
of the butterfly, are to be called Papillons. They
will be fitted up with comfort and elegance. On
deck there will be a small compartment for smokers.
A new piece, called " La Vipere Blene," the idea
of which has arisen out of the excitement by the toy
of Pharaoh's serpents, has been read at the theatre
of the Palais Royal. It is by Messrs. Henri Roche-
fort and Pierre Veron. It is said to abound in wit
and originality, and to be likely to send home the
audience " laughing to their beds."

The attention of artists is this week directed to a
rich collection of pictures belonging to the Marquis
de Valori Rustechelli, of Italian ancestry, but a
Frenchman by birth. The collection comprises
some rare specimens by the old Italian masters,
particularly remarkable pictures by Correggio and
Paul Veronese. There is also a fine Leonardo di
Vinci.

The dead body of a German lady, of 42, found
murdered at Colombes, near Paris, a day or two
ago, has been recognised to be that of Fanny Haag,
who had apartments to let, very handsomely fur-
nished, in the Rue Taitbout. She professed to
exist by giving lessons in German, but she bore an
equivocal reputation. She was reputed to be rich,
and is supposed to have bad a good deal of money
in her pockets. The police have not obtained any
clue to the assassins.

A Paris paper, which sometimes has important
official news, says it has received private accounts
from Frankfort, which lead it to the belief that the
extraordinary sitting of the Diet, convoked at the
instigation of Austria, will induce M. Bismark to
recede from provoking the eventualities of war.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

PRUSSIA.

ACCOUCHEMENT OF THE PRINCESS OF

PRUSSIA..

POTSDAM, APRIL --19 .

Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of
Prussia gave birth to a princess at 6 a.m. to-day.
The Crown Prince and Princess had arrived here
this morning at 1 a.m. by special train from Berlin.
BERLIN, APRIL 12.

An official contradiction has been given to the
assertion that the Prussian Government will take
reprisals on account of the expulsion of Count Wal-
dersee from Austria.

CARLSRUHE, APRIL 12.

A prelimibary meoting of Deputies, to consider
the Prussian proposal for a German Parliament,
was held here yesterday, and was numerously
attended by members of all factions of the Chamber.
Resolutions were passed approving the proposal of
Prussia.

CONSTANTINOPLE.

CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 4.

The commission appointed to examine the basis
of the forthcoming Budget has finished its investi-
gation, and it estimates the deficit at above
1,000,000 purses (about £4,500,000 sterling). It
is rumoured in official circles that the result will be
the publication of no Budget whatever for the cur-
rent 12 months. As some partial set-off to this
unfavourable incident, it is said that the arrange-
ments for the publication a the new house-tax,
of from 2 to 7 per cent. on the rental, are nearly
completed, and that the collection of the impost
will begin within the next:few weeks.

SPAIN.

MADRID, APRIL 12.

In the Chamber of Deputies to-day the Minister
of Finance, in reply to a question as to whether
tho concession of the new National Bank was con-
nected with the future settlement of the certifi-
cates of the Passive Debt, said that the Govern-
ment was not compelled to reveal its plans at an
inopportune time.

FRANCE.
PARIS, APRIL 12.

The Moniteur of this morning confirms the state-
ment that the amount required for exemption from
military service will be 2,100 f. during the current

BOURSE, April 11, Three o'clock.—The market
closed at the following quotations
4 per Cents 97 50
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 67 60
Do. end month €7 421
Credit Mobilier 800
Do. end month

Unis —
Do. and month —

Bank Shares 3500
Italian Loan 56 45
Do. end month 56 30
Mexican Loan 42
Do. Bonds 285
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
Deferred

Orleans

VATS.
Cash. Acct.
~•• ... 818 75

Northern — ... 1195
Lyons and Mediterranean — .... 863 75
Southern — ... 537 50
Western — ... 610

Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian — 378 75