The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-14 00:00:00

LONDON, FRII).1I, DEC. 11, 1866.

Mr. Do ULTON last night met his constituents, and
proceeded, according to our usual custom, to render
to them an account of his stewardship. On the
whole he seemed to succeed in making out a pretty
good case for himself, but it cannot be said that he
was fortunate in his reception, for tho meeting Was

pass in France."
The truth is that people get confused, and be-
come so excited in their arguments that they forget
what they are driving at, and often subscribe to
doctrines which, if carried out in their entirety,
they would themselves often be the first to condemn.
In conclusion, Mr. DOCLTON adverted to the pro-
position made by Mr. BRIGHT, as to the advisability
of having the sentiments of a particular member of
the house of Commons framed and hung up in
every house. Side by side with these the hon.
member reeommendecl that there should be
placed the expressions that have been used
towards the House of Commons by some
speakers of the extreme Liberal party of
late, and also that a small space should be
given to " those measures proposed during the last
ten years to the Commons for the amelioration of
the social condition of the working classes which
Mr. BRIGHT has in any way supported, whether for
limiting the hours of labour in the factories, or to
regulate the employment of women and children,
or to more domestic questions affecting the working
classes—to not one of these has Mr. BRIGHT con-
tributed anything to their support or success."
This is all very true, and we wish that those
who are so ready to admire the diatribes of the
hon. member for Birmingham would really pause,
and consider what he is, and what he does for the
good of the working classes, about whom he is
always raving, as if he was their only champion,
and without him nothing could be effected to their
profit and progress. All we can say is, that if Mr.
BRIGHT and his friends look upon the exhibition of
last night at the Walworth Institution as any
triumph to their cause we do not agree with them,
for it was a most discreditable affair. Any one can
resort to noise and violence, and therefore there is
nothing to be proud of in the practice of them. Mr.
BraGirr is doing all be can by word and deed to
bring down our institutions to the level of those
in America, and certainly the display of last night
would not have done dishonour to the meetings
across the Atlantic ; but we hope for better things
among our enlightened community than that they
should mistake violence and vituperation for the
due expression of approval or disapproval to their
Parliamentary representatives.

The news from Australia gives us most encourag-
ing accounts of the wealth and prosperity of our
Southern colonies. In New South Wales, indeed,
there has been a certain amount of financial depres-
sion and anxiety, but matters were righting them-
selves again when the mail left. The London panic,
whose effect has been felt more or less all over the
civilised world, was the origin of the embarrassments,
seeing that the Government of New South Wales,
finding a difficulty in disposing of debentures in the
London market, was obliged to overdraw at the banks
and contract loans in the colony. This disarranged
matters, but favourable news from England has set
everything right. The harvest prospects are good,
and the wool is reported to be in fine condition.
Matters are therefore full of promise for the future,
and the Assembly has been busy discussing the
Education Bill—a sure proof that there is not much
room for anxiety in the national affairs.
In the neighbourhood of Melbourne there have
been heavy rains and floods, which during the month
of October did a good deal of damage, especially to
operations the property of the farmers and market gardeners
in Gipps
Land. But neither rains nor floods have
discouraged the miners, and some recent suc-
cesses have given so great a stimulus to their
ardour that some of the residents in Ballarat
township are apprehensive of the result
of their subterranean
The agri-
culturists are also in great activity, being much
encouraged by the favourable operation of the
new Land Act. Clearing goes on vigorously, and
appearance.
earaiic
e.
the lots recently approved of by th
Commis-
sion are already assuming a busy pp
It is only wonderful that the old restrictions
should have been allowed to impede so long the
progress of the country. Australia's real wealth,
no doubt, lies in her soil, not in her gold mines
able to become a rich and
only. She would be
powerful country were the gold fields exhausted,
though they have contributed very much to her
rapid rise by the vast number of immigrants
which they drew to her shores.
The great event in Melbourne, however, has been
the opening of the International Exhibition • The
inauguration took place on the 25th of
October,
with all possible dignity and splendour, very much
after the fashion of Hyde Park in 1851. The in-
terest of the occasion did not, however, lie in any
particular ceremony, but in the variety and charac-
ter of the Exhibition itself. The wonderful capa-
city of the Australian colonies was never more
strongly exemplified than in this display of their
products. Cereals of every kind, wax models
of almost every species of fruit grown in Tas-
mania, while from the same quarter come hops,
wines, and similar products. Queensland sends,
as might be expected, fine specimens of cotton, for
which her capacity has been amply proved ; also
sugar, coffee, arrowroot, and other tropical produc-
tions. New South Wales furnishes gold, iron, cop-
per, cannel coal, and other wares of a similar de-
scription, belonging, in common belief, to the stern
regions of
cold and barren lands. Tasmania and
IVestern Australia compete with one another in the
beauty and value of their timber, while Tasmania
also supplies specimens of marble and iron ores.
Tobacco and gold are forthcoming from all parts,
though in the matter of gold Victoria has no rival.
An imitation column of gold has been erected in
the centre of the hall, representing ty careful cal_

The inquiry into the Paddington Workhouse
management was made some months ago, and it will
be remembered by those who studied the matter at
the time that this investigation by the Poor Law
Board was instituted in consequence of some state-
ments made by a nurse who had been there, and
whose remarks were made known to the Poor Law
Board. During the course of this affair some ladies
who had been visitors at the establishment gave their
evidence, which showed that there was cause for
alteration in many of the habits and practices in
vogue there, although, at the same time, it appeared
the workhouse in question could not be considered
in so faulty a state as some others. However, in
the opinion of the guardians, it was deemed an un-
pardonable offence to have given evidence at all,
and hence they have ordered the exclusion of these
witnesses, whose presence has been found so unwel-
come. This is not a cause which is likely to find favour
with the public, or to re-assure those who have
laboured so earnestly and well in the cause of all
workhouse inmates. A dislike to investigation and
a shrinking from inquiry are never very promising
signs to notice in the conduct of those who are set
over the interests of many, and when those con-
cerned are in the helpless and hopeless condition of
paupers, it is indeed distressing to dwell upon the
theme, and to follow it out to its full extent. There
can be no doubt that the visits referred to are of
great importance, and they also afford consolation
and encouragement to the afflicted inmates of these
dreary abodes. Any communication with the outer
world is always of great advantage, but there are
many higher ends to gain than this. It is well
known that lookers-on see most of the game,
and we may rest assured that nowhere is it more
desirable for independent persons to appear on the
scene than in workhouses.

There has been no lack of proof during the
various inquiries made about the abuses and errors
of workhouse management, that the official visitor
formally paid one of little or no avail in dis-
covering the evils that too often afflict the
sick pauper, and embitter the condition
of those in comparative health. What
an unsatisfactory thing it is, then, to remember that
the doors are barred in so many places to the en-
trance of those who are a link between the world of
active life and the wretched existence of the pauper.
The circumstances which transpired during the de-
tail of the painful case of DALY and his fellow-
sufferer show very plainly that there is little to
hope or expect from any revelations that will or can
be made by an inmate. Fear of consequences, dis-
like of confession, and a hundred causes tend to
check such a thing, and prevent the likelihood Of
our being enlightened as to the sad state of many
an unhappy pauper. If thOse who are willing and
able to assist in this arduous task of investigating
the condition of our workhouse denizens are not
allowed the chance of putting their good intentions
into effect, it will, indeed, be matter of regret.
Another feeling is also aroused—that of indignation.
Surely the time has gone by when it was possible
to stifle inquiry, and to make the sick poor really
the nonentities which some seem to desire them to
be. Are we to go on as if they did not exist ?Is the
hum of business to be heard, the voice of pleasure
to resound, outside those worse than prison
walls? And are the rich, the mighty, and
the philanthropic, to feel assured that nothing
can or will be done for the miserable beings
whose poverty enhances their sufferings a hundred-
fold, and who are doomed to bear their sad state
with the conviction that many might aid them if
they knew of their condition.

One thing is very certain, that those who have
taken up the matter of Workhouse management
will not now suffer it to drop, and those who think
they can defy public opinion will find themselves
grievously mistaken in the long run. If any state-
ments are made by visitors that are damaging to
the authorities of these places, they can easily be
disproved, if false; but, if otherwise, the more
honest course would be to remedy the state of things,
so that there should be no cause given for cen-
sorious comment. We hope that the Poor-
Law Board will, under new regulations, be
invested with sufficient power to override these
prejudicial powers which are now vested in guar-
dians and others, so that the public may feel some
certainty that those whom poverty and sickness have

The Minister of Marine has received despatches
from Saigon, dated November 2, which announce
that a revolution, concocted at the palace, had taken
place at Hue, and the nephew of the Emperor, Tu-
Due, had placed himself at the head of a conspiracy
to overthrow that Power, and to be himself pro-
claimed Emperor of Annam in his stead. The con-
spirators were arrested just at the moment when
they thought themselves certain of triumphing. Tu-
Duc had despatched an army to Cochin-China with
this news, and had expressed an earnest desire
to maintain the most cordial relations with France.
The journals publish different versions of the answer
of the Pope to the address of General Montebello
OD leaving Rome. There is no doubt, however, that
the expressions of cordiality and confidence were
mutual. General Montebello assured his Holiness
_that although the Emperor had withdrawn his
troops, France would ever give her moral support
to the Pope. The Italian journal Nazione publishes
a version of the Pope's speech. In reference to this
version the Provincia of Turin says it doubts the
authenticity of the words attributed to his Holiness,
and remarks that the Journal de Geneva publishes an
account of the speech which differs essentially from
the text as given by the IVazione. I can
inform you that the speech of the Pope had not
been prepared beforehand, but it was made spon-
taneously, upon the impression received from the
manner as well as words of the representative of
France.

I hear that the Court will shortly return from
Compiegne to Paris. Some extensive alterations
and improvements have been made in the private
apartments of the Empress at the Tuileries during
the sojourn at Compiegne. The Empress came
to Paris the other day on purpose to inspect the
apartments, but made only a short stay in the
capital. Lord Cowley, the English Ambassador,
is now among the guests of the Emperor and
Empress at Compiegne..

The death of Monseigneur Coquerau deserves
more than the passing word with which I an-
nounced it. He was born at Laval in the depart-
ment of Mayenne, on the 27th of November, 1808.
Like Lacordaire and Ravignan he studied for the
Law and was called to the Paris bar. He soon, how-
ever, changed his vocation for the Church, and
studied at the seminary of Vannes, under the learned
Jean de Lammenais, brother of the illustrious
writer. He was advanced as priest in 1833. His
next appointment was that of almoner to Belle Poule,
which brought back the remains of the Emperor
from St. Helena. The exhumation of the Emperor's
remains took place on the 14th of August, 1840,
with appropriate ceremony. The Abbe Coquerau
assisted in raising the body, and wrote an ac-
count of its appearance. The right hand was upon
the body and almost concealed. The left hand could
be plainly perceived. The hands were discoloured,
but the feet were quite white. The lower part of the
face was not changed, but the upper part was swol-
len. The Abbe marched at the head of the funeral
procession to the Belle Poule, and watched the body
during three consecutive nights. An altar, with
appropriate ornaments, was constructed in the ves-
sel, and the Abbe performed Divine service. When
the ceremony was over the remains were deposited
in an appropriate part of the vessel, with the prayers
and forms prescribed by the Catholic Church. Dur-
ing the whole period of the voyage to France the
Abbe read prayers in the chapel which floated over
the waves. On his return to France the, Abbe
published au interesting account of the de-
tails of his mission. It was in 1843 that
he was appointed Canon of St. Denis. His nomi-
nation was announced to him in a letter from the
chief of the expedition, who expressed to him the
great esteem of the Prince Royal for the respected
priest. Although the Abbe's mission was peace, he
had formed part of a warlike expedition, and was
at the bombardment of Mogador in 1844. In 1850
he was appointed Almoner-in-Chief of the Fleet,
and in this capacity he made the maritime campaign
in the East. His funeral obsequies took place
to-day at the Church of St. Clotilde.

This has been a regular wet day, but the tern-
perature continues warm. _

All the correspondence which has taken place
between France and the Holy See since 1849 is now
being printed at the Vatican.
During this week there have been several confer-
ences between the Marquis de Moustier, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, with M. Goltz, the Prussian
Ambassador, and with M. de Artois, who is tem-
porarily performing the duties of M. de Nigra, the
Italian Minister.

with
It is worthy of notice, as a proof of the rapidity
which French juries despatch business, that
they only deliberated not quite half an hour upon
the case of Martin Reau, accused of so many mur-
ders, although there were 150 witnesses. In that
short time, too, they managed to discover " extenu-
ating circumstances."

BRITISH COLUMBIA.—The New York imes has
received a despatch stating that the union of Vancouver's
Island to British Columbia was proclaimed to take place on
the 19th ult., under the Act of last Session.

and debentUres
1). branch banks
Do. on Credit Foncier
Bonds
Do. branches
Do. to the State (Con-
vention, June 10,
1857)
Government Stock re-

36,072,800 -

25,',522,600 -

707,200 -
G 22,200 -

60,000,000 --

36,863,400 -

25;266;200 -

714,800 -
614,300 -

60,000,000 --

serve
Do. disposable
Routes Immobalisdes
(Law, Juno 2, 1857) 100,000,000
otel and furniture of
the Ilt.nk and landed
property branches
Expenses of manage-

12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14
86,065,237 91 36,065,237 91

8,307,205 -

100,000,000 --

8,349,504 -

iiient
Sundries

2,492,314 89 2,468,873 52
13,123,544 74 13,651,329 02

Total 1,680,388,068 71 1,663,277,944 34
Certified by the Sub-Governor of the Bank of France.
Signed) ANDOUILLE.

Reuter's Telegraph Cable.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE SUN.

SlR,—Several incorrect statements have recently
been circulated by the public press on the subject
of Reuter's Telegraph Cable. More particularly
the position of the Prussian Government towards
the new line has been represented by some papers in
an altogether erroneous slight, and an authentic
account of the real state of matters may not, there-
fore, be devoid of interest.
The concession granted to me by the late Hano-
verian Government, for laying down and working
a submarine telegraph line between England and
Hanover, was confirmed by the Prussian Govern-
ment as far back as the beginning of August last.
It appeared subsequently that some modifications in
the concession affecting the working of the line were
considered desirable.

Both the Prussian Telegraph Administration and
Reuter's Telegram Company displayed the utmost
readiness to effect these modifications by mutual
agreement. The original concession remains, how-
ever, unchanged in its essential points, while several
additions, highly advantageous to Reuter's Com-
pany, have been introduced.
Reuter's Telegraph Cable, and the land lines con-
nected with it, were not constructed simply with the
view of adding one more new line to those already
existing, but was specially designed to introduce a
new system in telegraphic communication,—that,
namely, of international through telegraphy.
• The telegraphic connexion hitherto subsisting be-
tween Great Britain and Germany was conducted
by a circuitous route through France, Belgium, and
Holland—while by Reuter's cable direct communi-
cation is established between England, Prussia,
and the rest of Germany. Another disad-
vantage to which the Anglo-German telegraphic
communication has hitherto been subjected, is
the great delay frequently arising from the neces-
sity for transferring and re-telegraphing mes-
sages at various stations. To obviate this
inconvenient and often serious loss of time, Reuter's
Telegram Company carries four wires, connected
with the cable at Norderney, through Emden and
Oldenburg to Bremen, whence two wires are to be
carried on to Hamburg, and the remaining two to
Hanover. The Prussian Telegraph Administration
has engaged to carry through to Berlin one of the
two wires terminating at Hanover. As the wires
above-mentioned are destined for the exclusive use
of Anglo-German telegraphic correspondence, mes-
sages from London to Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen,
&c., and vice versa, may be telegraphed direct
through without any loss of time, and, on an ave-
rage, in a very few minutes.
The value and importance of this new telegraph
line are much enhanced, since the cable, which con-
tains four wires, is of the best manufacture, and
the land lines in connection with it are attached to
double posts, in order to better resist the attacks to
wind and weather.

The line will be opened to the public in a few
days.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
London, Dec. 13. JULIUS REUTER.

MISS SIDDONS, great-granddaughter of the cele-
brated Mrs. Siddons, made her debut in the Theatre Royal,'
Dublin, last evening, in the character of 40salio in "As
You Lilo It."

On the 10th instant the above trial was resumed,
and several witnesses, mostly relatives or connec-
tions of the prisoner, testified to a good understand-
ing between him and both his wives. At length a
witness came forward whose appearance excited the
greatest interest. He was an aged man, of a robust
aspect, and of regular, one might say, handsome
features. This was Peter Bontemp9, a man of 67
years of age, a landed proprietor at Mousses, father
of the second wife of the accused. He delivered his
evidence slowly and seriously in the midst of pro-
found silence. He had always thought and yet
believed that his daughter had died of disease
of the chest, the result of a chill, although
she had neither coughed nor expectorated. He
thought it not possible that his son-in-law could
have poisoned the child, since he had seen it often,
and its father had never given it anything. He
had paid a thousand visits to his son-in-law's
house, and had never seen any sign of a division
between him and his wife. He detailed conversa-
tions with M. de Meriuville, who had endeavoured to
persuade him of his son-in-law's guilt, but to whom
he had replied that he was like St. Thomas, who
doubted, and like Pilate, who washed his hands.
M. de Meriuville, who was present, was called
upon and explained that he hAd spoken to the old
man for his own good, as every one was indignant
with him for being on good terms with Reau, who
they believed to be a murderer.
M. Lachaud asked M. de Merinville why he tried
to persuade this good man that his daughter and
grandson had been poisoned when he would not
believe it ?

M. de Merinville replied that he spoke after Reau
had been two months in prison—that his object was
simply to undeceive Bontemps, but he desisted when
he found him.fixed in his own opinion.
Bontemps resumed his evidence, and said thatthe
child bad been weakly, and that its father had often
come to see it, especially when it was ill.
Jeanne Raboin, 72 years of age, wife of Peter
Bontemps, said she was the mother of Reau's first
wife. Her daughter had often told her she was
happy in being united to so good a man as Martin
Reau. She had herself given up her property to her
children. Had not thought it necessary to send for
a doctor when the child Abel was ill.
On the conclusion of the evidence for the defence
M. Lachaud called upon the court to examine the
expert who had made a second analysis for the
prisoner. After some discussion the court agreed
to hear him upon the facts of the case.
M. Schullzemberger, chemist and doctor of me-
dicine, and Professor of Strasburg, attached to the
chemical section of the College de France, declared
that he had not the same confidence as the other
experts in the re-agents which they had em-
ployed. They had not conducted their operations
in accordance with the progress of science. He
contested the certainty of the treatment of salts
of mercury by iodine, the mode pursued by one
of the experts. _.lodine might import confusion
into such analysis. He called attention to the fact
that the persons supposed to have been poisoned
had during their illness developed no symptoms of
mercurial poisoning. Thus, so far as he could see,
there was no rapid poisoning. On the other hand,
he must admit that as large quantities of mercurial
salt, as was supposed by the experts, might have bean
administered to the child even in small doses. No
doubt a metallic salt had been found in the two
bodies. How it got there was another question.
Perhaps the water had brought it from neigh-
bouring drains.
M. Hardouin, the Procureur-Imperial, after an
adjournment of an hour, spoke for the prosecution.
On the 11th, M. Lachaud replied for the prisoner.
and after the charge from the President, the jury,
on due consideration, found Martin Reau guilty,
but with extenuating circumstances.'

He was condemned to the ,"fravaux Forces" for
life.

FREE PARDON TO A CONVICT.—At the last sum-
mer assizes at Derby, a man named Barnabas Sum-
mers was charged before Mr. Justice Montague Smith
with having committed a rape upon a servant girl named
Ann Parker, living at Hampshire'spublic-house, at Quern-
don, on the 27th June. Mr. Leech was retained to defend
the prisoner by several gentlemen in the neighbourhood of
Allostree, who doubted the truthfulness of the charge, but
after a patient investigation the jury returned a verdict of
guilty, and the judge sentenced the prisoner to five years'
penal servitude. Mr. Leech memorialised the Home Sec-
retary for a free pardon, and forwarded various documents
to the Home-office in support of the memorial. After a
lengthened investigation "and communication with the
judge the Home Secretary has determined to advise her
Majesty to grant a free pardon, and we have been fa-
voured with the following letter for publication, as it gives
the reasons which have actuated the Home Secretary in
the course which he has thought fit to adopt, and also tends
to remove imputations which the pardon itself might other-
wise have cast upon the prosecutrix.—" Whitehall, Bth
Dec. Sir,—l am directed by Mr. Secretary Walpole to
acquaint you that he has carefully considered the memo-
rial which you forwarded to him in behalf of Barnabas
Summers, and has received a report on the case from Mr.
Justice Mont9gue_Snaith, who presided on the trial. The
learned judge having expressed a strong opinion that the
conviction was an unsafe one, Mr. Walpole has felt it to
be his duty to advise her Majesty to grant the convict a
free pardon ; but he has adopted this course solely in de-
ference to the views taken by the learned judge, and in
consequence of the doubt and uncertainty so thrown upon
the case. Though ho could not under such circumstances
advise her Majesty to permit the sentence to be carried
out, he is so far from intending that any imputation should
thereby be cast upon the prosecutrix. —I am, Sir, your
obedient servant, WADDINGTON. Mr. S. Leech, solici-
tor, POO"

Thomas's Ilotel, Berkeley-square.
Viscount and Viscountess. Ingestre have joined
the party visiting the Earl and Countess of Yarborough 3
Brocklesbury Park, Lincolnshire.
Viscount and Lady Mary Sandon have joined thef
family circle staying with the Marquis and Marchioness
Exeter at Burghley.
The marriage of Lady Victoria Cecil, younges!
daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, Ott'
the ion. William Evans Freke, second brother Of L°L.
Carbery, will be celebrated to-morrow at Burghley 11°u'"
Stamford.