The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 21, 1866,

The condition of our navy is a matter of such
raot underunt imp
usortdainsceetsn
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paramount
SAMUDA, no mean authority, called attention
artyioents with
to the
small progress which we had made of late
our men-of-war, and declared that our inequality
in this respect with the ironclad navies of France,
Russia, and America filled him with alarm. The
üba w ~,141111/1 aaia CLZGI ILIVI e especially
with regard to France and Russia. Every
country in Europe had recently engaged
themselves with an amount of energy quite
disproportionate to their efforts of former
days to restore their fleets, replacing wood and
iron. Even Spain and Turkey were exerting them-
selves in a surprising manner, while the United
States had effected wonders during the last five
years. Mr. SAMUDA declared that, in face of the
possible combinations which might arise, he thought
that we should possess a fleet not only superior to
every other nation, but equal to all the fleets of
Europe put together, seeing that we relied on our
fleet exclusively for protection, while every other
nation was purely military. This suggestion Mr.
BARING scouted as altogether ridiculous, and cer-
certainly the Government with which he was con-
nected appeared to regard any such effort as very
unnecessary. It is impossible, says Mr. BARING, by
merely balancing numbers against numbers to
arrive at a sound conclusion, and in this he is no
doubt right ; but when we come to examine more
closely into the facts they are no more satisfactory.
Sir JOHN PARINGTON, while passing a very unneces-
sary eulogy upon the administration of the Duke of
SOMERSET, admits that America has no less than 73
ironclads, while England has but 33 ! No doubt much
allowance must be made for the transition state
of naval architecture as a science ; but how is it
we have taken so much longer than anybody
else to make up our minds as to the merits of
the new systems ? Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, ami-
able as he is towards the action and inaction
of his predecessors, is forced to admit his sur-
prise that, since the Government admitted four
years ago the turret system was worth trying;
the experiment should have been so long deferred,
It is satisfactory at all events that our new First

Lord should express himself decidedly as to the
value of turret-ships. A supplementary estimate for
the construction of one is already on the table, but
we hope the Board of Admiralty will take care that

it is built according to the most approved principles
—not in compliance with the crotchets of any par-
ticular individual. It is no good to build ships that
figure well in the estimates if they are not really ser-
viceable. We have been building rams, which, it

seems from a recent experience, are as likely to sink
themselves as the enemy they attack. Similar blun-

ders in the new turret-ships would not only be ex-
travagant in the immediate outlay, but possibly
entail serious consequences in war. The country can
no longer allow this to be neglected. The Admiralty
ought not only to construct one turret ship, but to
give orders to have one laid down in each of the
yards. We ought to have turret ships for sea, and
turret ships for harbour service, and if we wish to
bring our Navy at all on a level with the fleets of
other nations we must waste no more time. It
needs great exertion and energy to make up for
lost ground, and we hope that the new officers at
the Admiralty will strain every nerve to put our
Navy on a proper footing.

AIR. GEORGE GROVE, the eminent Biblical scholar,
is, we are delighted to learnjust now busily engaged with
the Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund, in pre-
paring for publication the account of the exploring party.
The photographs taken in the Holy Land will also be
published. These will be accompanied by the report,
drawn up by D.I. Deutsch at the instance of the Committee,
on the paleographical and historical value belonging to
some of the specimens submitted to him for examination.

A new mode of smuggling cigars has been dis-
covered by the custom-house authorities at Paris. Some
large blocks of stone, weighing about a hundred weight,
having arrived from Switzerland, it was found on inspec-
tion that they were hollow, and that they were stuffed full
of eigaro of the finest kande.

affair, and has interposed the most unnecessary
objections from the outset ; and yet who can
say what she is gaining by a prolongation of
she war, either as regards honour or profit ?
The best that can accrue to her, at the close of the
war, will not leave her in a better position than she
would have been had she agreed to the cession of
Venetia, latterly proposed by Austria.
The Moniteur seems to have great faith in the
EMPEROR'S powers of conciliation, and if we are to
trust its intelligence, we may think that the battle
so eagerly looked to will not be fought after all.
That will be of course a great advantage if only in
the cause of humanity, but it will have other benefits
as well direct and indirect; but our doubt is if Prus-
sia will be amenable to reason. Perhaps the King
of PRUSSIA and Herr von BIS3IARCK may have
heard something they do not like about the future
intentions of the French EMPEROR, and therefore
they may prove more moderate in their proposals
than was at first anticipated. At any rate, there
seems a little breathing-time afforded to all parties,
of which we trust they will make the best use—the
one in reflection, and the other in preparation.
Sometimes the delay of a few days changes the whole
aspect of things ; and so this temporary respite
may alter the future destinies of Austria.
We are glad to think, however, that the chances of
the Empire do not rest entirely upon the good
offices of mediators, but that there seems a strong
determination to resist to the uttermost the en-
croachments of Prussia. A new state of things
seems to have arisen in Vienna, and the former un-
certain rule has given place to bold and vigorous
action. The Emperor has set the example of re-
sistance, and has decidedly given his opinion that
the interests of the State call upon him to set his
face against the demands of his imperious foe. The
people have responded to his call, and there can be
no doubt that if Austria lose in the contest sup-
posed to be approaching it will not be because she
has shown want of spirit or want of confidence.
Neither can she be said to be ignorant of the high
import of the prize for which she fights. The Arch-
duke ALBERT has issued an address to the army,
in which he declares that a very large force has
been collected, and exhorts them to courage and
confidence. The Archduke has indeed succeeded
to the command at a period of great trial, but he
seems in many respects equal to its requirements.
In this address he truly says that, " Success belongs
to men of head and heart, to men of coolness and
energy, and that whomsoever fortune favours, he
alone is lost who permits himself to be intimidated
and to despair." These words breathe a spirit of
determination eminently needed at this juncture,
and it may fairly be said that whether peace or
war ensue after the period of the armistice be over
that Austria seems to be in a better position than
she was. It is to be regretted that Archduke
ALBERT was not at the head of the army in Bo-
hemia, and then a different result might have
awaited the Austrian arms. At any rate the Em-
peror FRANCIS JOSEPH seems resolved to make a
stand, and not to lose his high position before the
eyes of Europe for want of timely efforts to avert
his doom, and all must respect and admire his
courage and constancy in such adverse circum-
stances.

were at mass. VI 'hen they returned home they
found the body on the ground. The head had been

nearly severed. She must have been preparing the
dinner, as the soup tureen was on the table, with
bread in it. A man named Tilleul, who paid his
addresses to her, has been arrested on suspicion.
A new locality for steeplechases has just been
inaugurated in the little wood of Vesinet. There
were three races, in which more than forty horses
were engaged. The opening prize was won by
Baron Finot's Brunette. Lansquenet won the
Lake prize. The race for gentlemen riders was won
by Captain Rogues.
M. Alfred Sirven, who has written accounts about
several of the Paris papers, has just finished his
sketch of the Gazette de France. It was founded
by Theophraste Renaudot, and its first number
appeared on the 30th of May, 1631. It has there-
fore existed for more than 235 years. Renaudot, in
his dedication to the King, says—" This is the
journal of Kings and the Powers of the earth." Its
opinions have undergone many changes. Many a
King has since been maligned by this " journal of
Kings." Itis rather maliciously said that the Gazette
de France uider the Directory, the Consulate, and
the Empire, always remained firmly faithful—to its
own interests." It fanned upon and adulated the
first Emperor, and in his reverses called him the
" usurper." On the 10th of July, 1815, it said—
" All these Buonapartes were fond of wine." In
another article it said—" All Buonaparte's com-
panions in misfortune blushed for him." Among
the present editors are Messrs. Janicot, Escande,
Charles Gamier, and Leopold de Gaillard.

LATEST INTELLIGENOB.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
THE PROPOSED ARMISTICE.
PARIS, July 21

The Moniteur of this morning says :—" Austria
has accepted the proposal of Prussia to abstain
from any act of hostility during the five days in
which the Court of Vienna will have to notify its
acceptance on the subject of the preliminaries of
peace."

PARIS, July 21

The Constitutionwel of this morning says :—" It
appears to us that important reasons counsel Austria
to entertain the proposals for peace, submitted to
her by the Emperor Nopoleon and supported by the
voice of Europe, which called upon her not to reject
them. The Emperor Napoleon who, as mediator
in preparing the basis of peace, has sought to render
them acceptable to Prussia, had also to take no less
care to obtain the adhesion of Austria. The Em-
peror of Austria has too much regard for his save-
reign dignity ; he knows too well what he owes to
himself as the chief of a great State, and what he
owes to the people who are devoted to him and his
brave army, which presses around him ready to
carry out all the resolutions of heroism and despair,
to be able to propose to them any other than an
honourable peace which would respect their legiti-
mate susceptibilities."

PARIS, Friday.

Garibaldi telegraphed from Storo last night that
Fort Ampola bad surrendered at discretion, thus
leaving open the passage into the Tyrol.
The telegram is sent exclusively to the Siecle.

SPAIN.
MADRID, July 20 (Evening).

The Queen has remitted the sentence of death
passed by the military tribunals upon 50 persons
instigated in the late insurrectionary movement.
MADRID July 21st.

The Government continues to effect reductions o:
he public expenditure in all branches of the ad.

ministration.

GIBRALTAR, July 20.
The Ripon leaves at 5 p.m. to-day, all well. She

may be expected at Southampton on the 25th inst

FRANCE.

BOURSE, July 20.—Two o'clock.--The prospects
of an armistice, as shadowed forth in this morning's
Moniteur, have had their usual effect on the market.
Speculators, already building on the possibilities of
an early return to peace, have become eager pur-
chasers, and the quotations of all classes of Securi-
ties have, in consequence, experienced a consider-
able rebound. This buoyancy, however, may
probably be of short duration, as, according to the
terms of the Note in the official journal, the armis-
tice can only be signed if the reply of Austria to the
Prussian demand is in the affirmative, and if Italy
also gives her adhesion. Whatever may be the
result, the proposal of Prussia is regarded by specu-
lators as a step in the favourable direction ; and
Three per Cents., for the Account, have advanced
65c., viz., to 68f. 95c., whilst Italian Fives
have gone up to 54f. 45c., being a rebound
of 1 franc. 50c. Credit Mobilier Shares have
improved 28f. 75c., and are now doing at 656 f.
25c. Credit Foncier are 10f. higher, at 1,290 f. ;
and Comptoir d'Escompte 15f., at 860 f. The same
movement obtains in the Railway Department,
Orleans shares having advanced 10f. ; Northern,
sf. ; Lyons, 3f. 750.; Austrian, 10f. ; and Lombard,
llf. 25c. From London Consols are telegraphed
with a rise of per cent.
Three o'clock.—The second telegram from Lon-
don comes with a decline of The market closed
as follows :

41 per Cents 96 75
Do. end month

—.
3 per Cents. 6B 70
Do. end month
_6B 70

Credit Mobilior ... 647 50

Do. end month ... 660 -

Credit

'oncier

Bank Shares 3510
Italian L0an........, 51 75
Do. end month 54 80
Mexican Loan —
Do. Bonds — --
Spanish Threes
Home Debt —
Deferred
rays.

Do. and month 1288 75

For Account.
Orleans 855
Northern 1125
Lyons and Mediterranean 857 50
Southern
Western 550
Eastern 525
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard 390
North of Spain —
Saragossa 135
Ditto to Barcelona —
Roman —
.........................................
THE ATLANTIC CABLE.

The following telegram was received by Reuter's
Telegram Company (Limited) at 7.35 p.m. yester-
day, from Mr. R. A. Glass, managing director of
the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Com-
pany (Limited)

" VALENTIA, July 20.
" The following telegram has been received from
Great Eastern this day : t

'4,4 CANNING TO GLASS.
"'Noon, ship's time, July 20.
" Lat. 51.36 N., long. 32 57 W. Cable payed
out 938.6 miles. Distance run, 830.4 miles. In-
sulation and continuity perfect. Weather fine.
Shifted from after to fore tank. at 1.14 this morn-
ing without any difficulty.'"

ROYAL AUTHORS.—At the present moment
authorship seems to be the fashionable pastime at the
Courts of Europe. It is tolerably well known that our
Queen has been for some time engaged upon a series of
compositions--of the essay form, we believe—which are
to be published, or, at least, privately printed, when her
Majesty shall deem them sufficiently complete. The Crown
Prince of Prussia is engaged upon a history of the Electo-
ral Princes of Brandenburg. The ex-King of Greece
(Otho, of Bavaria) is translating the Iliad of Homer; and
his father, Louis, ex-King of Bavaria, is at Nice, giving
the last touches to a new volume of poems. King John,
of Saxony, has just issued the third and last volume of
Dante's "Divina Commedia," translated by himself into
German. The literary labours of the Emperor and Em-
press of the French have been subjects for conversation
and criticism for a long time ; and only a week ago we
mentioned the fact that Omar Pacha is busy writing a
"life of Alexander the great."—London Review.