The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-21 00:00:00

COB.RESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS,
to-
ato-day,
and
Evening.
The Moniteur is destitute
0
the
other papers are in the same position.
According to the Siecle the negociations between
Italy and Austria are likely to
be prolonged, so that
the expected treaty of peace is not yet to become an
accomplished fact. Some of the German papers say
that Prussia has declared that she shall consider the
peace of Prague brought into question if the Cabi-
net of Vienna should raise any difficulties in the
way of the solution of the Italian question. These
difficulties turn upon the application of Article 2 of
the treaty of Prague, according to which Venetia is
to be reunited to the kingdom of Italy upon the
condition of recognising the payment of the debts
due by the countries ceded, conformably with the
provisions of the treaty of Zurich. Austria con-
tends that the share of debt which Italy is to take
upon herself should be proportioned to the total
population of the empire. As Article 3 of the treaty
between Prussia and Italy stipulates that neither of
those Powers shall agree either to peace or an armis-
tice without mutual consent, the Cabinet of Ber-
lin affects to consider that it is obliged to in-
terfere.

The Constitutionnel, returning to the considera-
tion of the Circular of the Marquis de Lavalette,
refers to the important modifications accomplished
by the enlightened policy of the Emperor Napoleon,
which has acquired for him " additional eclat
and greater prestige." " Immense advance has
been made by the peoples in the path
of progress. It will be one of the claims
of France to greatness that she has, either by arms
or mediation, contributed to overthrow the barriers
which, by obstructing the expansion of the spirit of
nationality, opposed the natural power of civilisa-
tion. Napoleon 111. has thus laid the foundation of
true peace, durable peace."

The following is also from the Const itutionnel
Ihe news is confirmed Oat M. Bismarck is ill, for

he was not able to attend the sitting of the House
of Lords during the discussion of the Electoral law
of the Confederation of the North. The labour of
the commission charged with the organisation of the
new provinces, which commission consists of M.
de Savigny and the delegates from the Prussian
authorities, is concluded. The illness of M. Bis-
marck, however, is the cause of the postponement,
till next week, of the publication of the law relative
to the annexations."

The Paris papers are at the mercy of the Ilavas
telegraphic agency for all the information they de-
rive from London. The mistakes in it generally are
only calculated to excite laughter, but its incompe-
tent appreciators upon important subjects begin to
excite the attention of the Paris editors. The sum-
mary received of the opinions of the English jour-
nals upon the Circular of the Marquis de la Valette
did not convey the slightest idea of the general satis-
faction it excited in England. The Journal des
Debats says—" We have before us the articles with
which the Circular of the Marquis de la Valette has
inspired the English press, and we cannot say that,
according to our opinion, the two or three sen-
tences which the Havas agency has extracted from
those papers can give any idea to the French reader
of the view which the English papers have taken.
Several other Paris journals give prominence to
the opinion of The Sun, which has great authority
in Paris upon all important political matters.
In Italy the Circular has been received with satis-
faction amounting to enthusiasm.
The Provincia of Turin says :—" We call atten-
tion to the new Circular of the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs. It leaves no doubt of the favour-
able issue of the negotiations at Vienna, for its
tenour is very conciliatory towards Vienna, and it
proves that the convention of September will be
faithfully executed. The departure of the French
troops from Rome, after 18 years' occupation, will
be a memorable fact in history, no less than the in-
auguration of our flag upon the wall of Verona and
Venice."
A letter from Lille mentions a fact very interest-
ing to the sporting world—the death of Africain,
the horse which has been victorious at so many
steeplechases. He met with an accident at the last
Lille races, and all the resources of the veterinary
art could not save him.

In consequence of the prevalence of cholera at
Brussels the races which were to have taken place
next Sunday have been indefinitely postponed.
The latest information received in Paris respecting
the health of M. Bismarck is that he has not im-
proved, and the Minister is thought to be in rather
a dangerous condition. King William was desirous
to visit his Minister, but his physicians have forbid-
den any access to him for the present, on the ground
that even the excitement of conversation might have
injurious consequences upon the patient. One of
the papers says that the disease is more than com-
mon rheumatism. The excessive labour incident to
the late campaign has so shaken the health of M.
Bismarck that he is not able to go to his country
house as he intended. As soon as he shall be able
to leave Berlin, however, M. Bismarck intends to
pass his autumnal recess at the chateau of Charls-
bourg, in New Pomerania. This chateau is the pro-
perty of Count de Bismarck Bohlen. It is very
doubtful whether M. de Bismarck will be able to
accept the invitation of the Emperor Napoleon to
meet him at Biarritz.

The Emperor's journey to Biarritz is not indefi-
nitely postponed, as has been reported. His Ma-
jesty held a Council of Ministers yesterday at St.
Cloud, and I am informed that his Majesty will
leave for Biarritz to-morrow, perhaps to-day, the
day which, as I informed you, was fixed for his de-
parture.

Cotton Suptly Association.

At the usual meeting of the executive committee
held on Tuesday, September 18, a letter was read
from Dominica, Wrest Indies, advising the despatch
of two bales of cotton to the association, and stating
that the appearance of the next crop is very favour-
able, and that should it escape a similar gale to that
which it experienced last year, and was so destruc-
tive, satisfactory results will be obtained. A letter
dated Viequez, situated between Porto Rico and
St. Thomas, was received, accompanying nine
samples of cotton, represented as superior to any
other produced in the West Indies. The writer bas
had about three hundred acres planted, from which
the first crop has just been gathered under very
unfavourable circumstances, owing principally to
the want of labour. The average yield has been
about 1501 b. per acre, whilst it is supposed that an
equal quantity has been lost for want of hands at the
proper season for picking. The island is about
24 miles long, averaging about one mile in width ;
the soil generally light and specially adapted for
the growth of cotton, which is now cultivated upon
upwards of 500 acres. A letter was read from the
honorary agents of the association in Calcutta, re-
porting that in the district of Meerut the area under
cotton cultivation this year will greatly exceed that
of last year, and it is asserted, from personal ob-
servation, that greater care has been taken in the
preparation of the soil than in previous years.
Should equal care be taken with the picking and
cleaning of the staple there is every probability
that the next crop will be a much improved one.
It is stated that the vernacular pamphlets and ad-
dresses of the association, which have been sent and
widely distributed, have contributed to this im-
provement. Applications continue to be received
from Zemindars for further supplies of these publi-
cations. A letter was received from Tacna, Peru,
stating that a gin sent out by the association is
much liked, and in constant work, and that addi-
tional gins, together with a press, which are ex-
pected, will be usefully employed. So long as cotton
in the seed will pay to ship, costing 36d. the
251 b weight, it will continue to be supplied ; under
that price no one will pick and bring it to mar-
ket. It is believed that a safe, profitable business,
might be carried on by any one sending out goods of
fair quality, well got up, and receiving cotton in
return. Consular reports, forwarded by the Foreign
office, were received from Lima and Tabreez, upon
the cultivation of cotton in those districts. Her
Majesty's charge d'affaires and acting consul-gene-
ral at Lima, Peru, states that, judging from the
export of cotton during the year 1865, it may be
estimated that from 3,000 to 4,000 " fanegadas" of
land, or from 24,000 to 32,000 acres, were devoted
to its production. Immense tracts of land exist of
a soil and climate very favourable for its cultivation.
Cotton used to be duty free for exportation, but
since March 1, 1866, an export duty of 3 per cent.,
on a valuation of 300 dollars per 100 lb., has been
levied. Cotton seed and machinery are imported
duty free, also the bagging used for bales ; but no
other facilities or encouragement have been given by
the Government. The probabilities of increased
production of cotton in Peru greatly depend on the
course of prices in Europe. Should they fall, the
only increase likely to take place will accrue
a Tabreez plantations.r reports from improvements in the culture of the exist-
intgMajesty'sportislertbatinthe province
Consul-Generalof
Azerbaijan, in Persia, there was a large
quan-
tity of cotton exported in 1865 than in the
previous
year, being about 2,800,0001 b. against 1,635,0001 b.,
though the extent of land cultivated was probably
not greater than in 1864. American cotton is said
to degenerate after a few years, which may be owing,
however, to carelessness in the method of raising
the crops. Whilst the price of cotton remains high
it will continue to be exported from this part of
Persia ; when it falls materially, the trade will, it is
feared, in a great measure cease, until the means are
found of cheap conveyance to the Black Sea. Im-
been made during the last two
mense profits have
years by cotton cultivators, in proportion to the
quantity grown, the cost of production remaining
-
nearly the same, whilst the market price has doubled,
trebled, and even quadrupled during the greater
part of that period. Several visitations of locusts
have been experienced during the last 18 years.
The rose-coloured thrush, which is found in vast
flocks during the fruit season, is very destructive to
the locusts. The province is as large as the whole
of Ireland, and the soil of the plains is generally
suitable to cotton cultivation, but the want of water
in many parts leaves much of the country wholly
unproductive.