The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-15 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 186 E

Count BISMARCK is announced to be too ill to
receive visitors, and whether this is true or other-
wise the result will be the same in arresting the
progress of the important events on the tapis. Per-
haps the indisposition of the Count may turn out to
be very useful in putting off the evil day of decision
about the loan bill and the dissolution of the
Chambers. The semi-official North German Gazette
declares that the decision has been come to by the
Government respecting the question of an " am-
nesty," and that therefore all the statements
relative to it which have lately appeared are
erroneous. The King of PRUSSIA has
determined to make a grand display
when the army returns to Berlin, and to distribute
among them orders of merit. It is now said by the
Paris jeurstl% that some serious difficulty has arisen
iu the negotiations that are taking place between
the Austrians and Italians, the cause of dispute
being the Venetian debt. Austria asserts that the
Precedent of the Treaty of Zurich cannot be taken
and applied to the debt contracted since 1859,
while on the other hand Italy maintains that the
territorial possession of Venetia only involves the
payment of the debt of that province, and that the
Treaty of Prague has sanctioned the pre-
cedent afforded by the treaty of Zurich. We
suppose that this dispute will make no
material difference eventually, but of course
it interposes delay at
Present, which will be vexa-
tious, to say the least of it. Some of the French
journals state very truly that it is desirable for the
French Government to " disavow" the intention of
annexing
Belgium, which has been so freely im-
puted to them iu many quarters, and also by some
journals of influence,
The Belgians are, not un-
naturally, becoming anxious about their fate ; and,
if report speaks true, the resignation of M. D ROUYN
DE L'rluYs bodes them no good. m.
Bis-
NARCK intends to visit Biarritz shortly, when
he will broach the topic, and hence the
danger seems to be postponed rather than averted.
It is, indeed, to be hoped that, if France and
Prussia should continue to threaten the little king-
dom, that England would not be backward in de-
fending her ally. The mischievous mistake that
was made about Denmark ought not to be repeated,
and in every respect it would be gad if another

sacrifice is made to the rapacity of foreign
lands. It is time for some decisive stand to
be taken, and some limitation to be put to
attempts that seem to involve the security and
independence of the small kingdoms of Europe.

The dinner of the North Staffordshire Licensed
Victuallers' Society, which was held on Thursday
evening at Hanley, derived some interest from the
presence of Mr. ADDERLEY, M.P., who took the
chair, and gave the company his opinion on things
in general. In proposing the toast of the Army,
Navy, and Volunteers, Mr. ADDERLEY took occa-
sion to refer to recent events in Canada, in which
he naturally took a deep interest. lle remarked
that it must be a matter of pride and gratification

to every Englishman to see their fellow-subjects in
Canada prove themselves so worthy of their
lineage, and to know that the volunteers of the
colony were animated by the same loyalty, vigour,
courage, and patriotism as had been displayed by
the volunteers at home. Mr. ADDERLEY alluded to
the interesting accounts which had reached this
country of the Canadians hurrying from all parts
to share in the defence of their native province, and
remarked that there was no reason to attribute any
hostile feeling to the Ainerican people because
this fanatical movement had originated in
their States. It was rather due to that
perpetual electioneering which went on in
that country, and which at this moment
was especially active, owing to the coming election
for Congress. In truth the Americans, with the
exception of that fanatical and intolerant Radical
faction, who happily do not in the least represent
the real feeling of the people, have from the first
manifested little sympathy with the Fenians.
Well-informed Americans are, of course, aware
of the impossibility of success, and they do
not wish to embroil themselves with this
country for nothing. Coming to their own affairs,
Mr. ADDERLEY congratulated the Licensed Victual-
lers on their independent organisation and system
of self-government. The two leading principles
adopted by the association were, he said, the co-
operative principle and the principle of self-reliance
and self-administration. In France the association
would be a matter of police and central government.
In England people governed themselves. English-
men naturally threw themselves into Parliaments
or associations on every subject that interested
them, and he recollected Mr. COBDEN'S saying to
him after his return from France that he never so
well understood that the root of the vigour of Eng-
land was the administration by the people of their
own affairs throughout the country. In fact the
principle embodied in these associations is one of
great importance, and is closely connected with our
civil and political liberties. Mr. ADDERLEY was
careful not to commit himself politically to all the
opinions of the association, and, while admitting
the Ballot to be a wholesome provision for a local
community, repudiated its extension. But is it not
a little singular that independent private or local
associations invariably resort to the Ballot when
they want to secure freo legislation and independent
voting ?

Mr. HENLEY has been discoursing upon the state
of the country at the annual dinner of the Steane
Agricultural Society. After adverting to the ad-
vantages derived from these associations, ho re-
ferred to the important topic of the dwellings of the
labouring classes. The right hon. gentleman said that
he did not believe they were the worst housed, and
those who declaimed upon the subject should look
at the death-rate to see where the greatest grievance
was. The average death-rate in towns was often
tLiNfin, in ft n. whila in rural districts it was
in savour of Mr. HENLEY'S argument, although there
is no reason why care should not be taken to im-
prove what is amiss in the more healthy localities.
It is gratifying to hear from one so well-informed
on the point as Mr. HENLEY is that considerable
improvements have already taken place in respect
to the locality of the poor in the country, and they
are better than they were. Taking all things into
consideration we are inclined to credit Mr. HENLEY'S
assertion, that while it would be a good thing to
have these matters seen to, there is greater need
for improvement elsewhere. Many think it a fine
thing to have a tilt at the country gentlemen and
landowners, while in reality they could find far
more scope for their energies in rectifying the
abuses that exist in manufacturing districts and in
the haunts of crowded cities. After reverting to
the orders in Council, as affecting the con-
venience of the public generally, Mr. HENLEY
passed on to consider general matters, thus
fulfilling what he said was their rule, to go to
" politics" after they had done with " pigs." It is
always said that these agricultural societies are not
intended for the discussion of politics, but the right
hon. gentleman said it was impossible not to express
an opinion on matters of general interest when they
meet together.

There is great cause for our country to be thank-

ful that it has escaped the troubles that have
afflicted the other side of the Atlantic, and also
some places nearer home of late. We are afraid that
Mr. HENLEY'S hopes will not be realised when
he trusts that the country may reap the benefits
that they expect. from the war, and that it might
not turn out that human ambition and pride had
brought these struggles under false pretences. The
change of Government was briefly alluded to by
Mr. HENLEY, and he remarked that the late Admi-
nistration had managed their affairs very badly, for
they found themselves " nowhere," after meeting
the House of Commons with a majority of seventy
or eighty. Respecting the cattle plague, the right
hon. gentleman gave some very wise advice to his
friends, and begged them to bear all the re-
strictions imposed upon them with patience,
for the last time this plague visited
us it lasted for 12 years. It will never do to be
too precipitate, and to think we may hasten to put
a period to an awkward and inconvenient arrange_
ment, because the disease has greatly abated in viru-
lence. The question of breechloaders was mentioned
in the speech, and Mr. HENLEY observed that there
ssieoenmeldocktso bane
dasbnrieuecchhlodaiffdeerresn
asce fboertmweerelny peexricsutesd-
between the old flint lock and the percussion lock.
Col. NORTH also referred to this topic, so interest-
ing and important at the present time, and
said that the result of the late war
between Austria and Prussia had taken
military men, as well as the world at large, by sur-
prise ; and no doubt the great cause of success was
the superior weapon used by the Prussians. The
gallant Colonel did not impute any blame to the
Administration, but paid a just tribute to the energy
displayed by General PEEL in promising that before
next April our army should have two hundred thou-
sand breech-loaders. We concur with him in his

belief that the country will not " grudge any ex-
penditure which was necessary for providing our
brave soldiers with a weapon equal to any which
might be brought against them."

The disturbed condition of affairs in the United
States still continues, and great excitement is felt
throughout the country. Matters have in fact come
to a crisis in the Political world, and men arc
ar.xioxily waiting 04 trig of Fitrength between the