The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-23 00:00:00

THE SON, LONDoN, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH, 23, 1866.

A letter from Havre states that much curiosity
has been excited at that port by the arrival in the
roads of two foreign vessels, the Cella, an English
four-masted steamer, which anchored there on her
voyage to 1\ ew York, and the Napoleon Trois,
the new steamer of the General Transatlantic
Company, which has arrived from the Thames,
where it was built. The Napoleon Trois is a paddle
wheel steamer, but of much greater power than the
previous vessels of the company.
At the second meeting of the conference, which
I have already mentioned, Baron Budberg was pre-
sent as the representative of Russia. The sitting
lasted from two o'clock till five, and the seven
Plenipotentiaries separated without fixing a day
for the next meeting. It is believed that some little
time will elapse before the next meeting of the Con-
ference ; but the delay is not likely to cause
any anxiety or disappointment in Roumania, for
according to the last accounts from thence every-
thing was very quiet there, and the inhabitants of
the two provinces seem to be very indifferent as to
who may be chosen as Hospodar to rule over them,
or as to whether there is to be any change in the
Government there at all.

Accounts from Constantinople state that there is
great activity in carrying on the works for the new
fortifications of the Dardanelles. The Sultan has
been to inspect them.. The new armament comprises
830 guns, 340 on the European side and 490 on the
coast of Asia, which will be increased to 1,100
cannon. They have constructed in the centre of
the strait batteries which will be armed with 400
guns, models of which have already arrived at the
arsenal of Constantinople. _ .

The musical art has just lost one of its
ornaments from the death of M. Clapisson,
the composer of a great many operas. His
first work, "La Figurante, " was played at
the Opera Comique in 1838. In 1840 his comic
opera, "La Symphonie," produced a great sensation.
The next opera was "La Perruche," followed in
1841 by " Frere et Mari." Some consider "La
Perruche" as his best effort; others prefer " Gibby
la Cornemuse," produced in 1846. This was not so
successful at the Grand Opera as the Opera
Comique, his " Jene la Folle" having had but
meagre success, although aided by Taglioni, who
danced in the divertissement. This opera was only
played four times. "La Promise" introduced Ma-
dame Marie Cabel to a French audience. The singer
had a great success, but the opera was almost a
failure. The last work of M. Clapisson, "Margot,"
was represented at the Theatre. Lyrique on the
sth of November, 1857. He has left two operas,
which are finished, but were never played, and seve-
ral comic romances or songs. For twenty years M.
Clapisson devoted a great deal of time to the selec-
tion of musical instruments, which he sold for
20,000 f. Among them were 500 different kinds
of whistles. He became a Member of the Insti-
tute in 1854 in the room of M. Halevy, the com-
poser. He leaves a widow and two sons. A dra-
matic author of some note, M. Mazeres, is also
dead. Among his works were "Le Jeune Mari,"
played recently with success at the Theatre Fran-
cais, " La Mere et la Fille," "Le Coiffeur et le
Perriquier," and "Le Bon Garcon." Ho was an
officer of the Legion of Honour, and was formerly
in the army.

The following truthful history should teach
young ladies to take care of their lovers them-
selves, and not intrust them to friends. For two
years Miss B. had resided at Montmartre. She
was studying for the stage. On the same floor
lived a young man, also an artist. She became
acquainted, first liked and then loved each other,
and a day was fixed for their marriage. Just
before tho time fixed for the marriage
arrived the young lady received news of the death
of a relative who had left her a small legacy, and she
left Paris for Gap, her native town, to receive the
amount. This was in January last. The night
before she left Paris she went to a young girl whom
she thought her most devoted friend, and begged
her to occupy her room during her absence, and to
watch over and " take care" of Paul, her affianced
husband. " I confide him to you," she said, " for
young men are sometimes giddy ; but, in placing
him under your care, I shall have no uneasiness."
Anais (the good-natured friend) promised to do all
this. During the first month of her absence Miss
B. receired letters frequently both from Paul and
from her friend. Anais told her she was " taking
great care" of Paul, and Paul swore eternal fidelity.
The letters soon became less frequent, and then
ceased to arrive at all. A few days ago Miss B.
returned to Paris and knocked at the door of
her room. There _ was no answer. Tho door
your with
pardon. the following o
was broken open, but neither lover nor friend
was there. On the drawers, however, was a
letter
Paulwng loves—" me,y adneda
lovefriend,--
begl him.
Three days ago he became my husband. If you be
not too enraged come and pay us a visit at Fon-
tenay-sous-Bois, where we have fixed our residence.
Your devoted friend, Anais." bliss 13 was affected

WAYS.
Cash. ACCT.
--...876 25
... 1130

Orleans
Northern ,
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian.
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

-- - ... 885 --
-- - ... 555 -

... 540

- - ... 392 50
- - ... 403 75
- - ... 167 50
- - ... 220 -1

... 107 50

THE CAPE MAIL.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH 23.

The mail steamship Briton arrived here this
morning with the above mail, 103 passengers, and
a cargo consisting of 360 bales of wool, 100 bales
skins, 750 bales hides, 350 bales cotton, 180 cases
indigo, 160 tons copper oro, and a new importation
consisting of 2 tons of fine grapes, packed in cotton
wadding in tin cases surrounded by layers of ice.
The Briton left the Cape on the 14 ult., St. Helen
22d, and Ascension 26th. She has been delayed
by the unusual lightness of the S.E. trade winds.
She experienced a week's calm at the equator, and
subsequently heavy N.E. gales.

At the Cape the droughthad fortunately at length
broken up, and fine rains had fallen throughout
the country districts which had suffered so long.
Farming prospects had consequently materially
improved. The rainfall at Cape Town had been
greater than for many years past. Nearly three
inches fell in a single day. The war between the
Free State and the Basutos exhibited little change.
The Basutos had recently attacked the town of
Bethlehem, but were repulsed with some loss. The
natives in the colony continued peaceable. The
Governor had modified his demands for the
deposition of the head men among the Tam-
bookies. By this mail plans, specifications, and
working drawings of the three contemplated lines of
railway are forwarded to the agents-general for the
Crown colonies, upon which tenders for the con-
struction and working of the lines will be invited.
A committee has been formed to secure a proper
representation of the colony at the Paris Exhibition
of 1867. Copper mining was attracting great at-
tention at the Cape. Very valuable deposits of
that metal, and also of lead, extremely rich in silver
ore, had been discovered, particularly in Namaqua-
land.

Business generally was more promising at Port
Elizabeth. Trade Prospects were amending at
Natal, and commercial matters had improved. Col.
Maclean was recovering his health.

Colonel Bisset, who had been acting u Lieuten-
ant-Governor, had formally annexed a portion of
No-man's-land lying along the coast, and declared
a portion of the colony as a division of Alfred's-
land.

The sentence of excommunication of Dr. Colenso
had been read in the Cathedral at Pietermaritzburg
on January 7th, and in the evening the dean and
the Rev. Mr. Robertson appeared in the chancel
before this bishop entered, and desired all Christians
to depart. No notice was taken of this, and the
Bishop continued to conduct the services in the
Cathedral, and the attendance had been as usual.
The Bishop had recently baptised a child, but the
Dean would not alloy of an entry being made in
the register. The Supreme Court had decided that
the register was private property.
The ship Runnymede, from Wallasoo, Australia,
with copper ore for Swansea, was abandoned off
Plettenberg's Bay, Feb. 12. The crew reached
Port Elizabeth on the following day.

The ship Duke of Argyle, from Glasgow, for Cal-
cutta, put into Table Bay on Jan. 19, having lost
her foremast and bowsprit.

19 persons had been poisoned at Heidelberg
hrOug-11 arsenic, haying keen mihtaken for baling

The inhabitants of the Danubian Principalities
are of a different blood, language, and religion
from the Turks, just as the Irish are from the Eng-
lish. They have not, it is true, been conquered by
Turkey, to whom, in the fifteenth century, they
voluntarily subjected themselves. Nor has their
religion, like that of the Roman Catholics in Ire-
land, ever been persecuted ; on the contrary, it is
the Mussulman worship, the public exercise of which
is prohibited in Wallachia and Moldavia. Nor
have their commercial relations, like those of
Ireland, been restricted by the Suzerain Power
since, on the contrary, they have been
free from the restrictions of the Turkish Com-
mercial Treaty with England. In short, the griev-
ances of Ireland have, from 1689 till the present
time, presented a far better justification for foreign
interference than anything that has ever taken place
in the Principalities ?
Suppose, then, that the United States were to de-
mand to be the protectors of Ireland, and on our
refusing to admit their pretension, were to invade
that country. Suppose that, having lost our mari-
time strength by the Declaration of Paris, we were
to seek the alliance of Austria, France, Spain, Italy,
and Portugal, and that the allies had defeated the
Americans and compelled them to recross the Atlan-
tic ; that on this a general treaty had been signed
by which all the belligerents, including the United
States, undertook to appoint a Congress to regu-
late the affairs of Ireland. That this congress de-
creed that the Irish people should elect their Lord
Lieutenant, and appointed commissioners to see
the thing properly done. That the election not
terminating to their satisfaction, the ambassadors
of the powers in London threatened the English
Government till it consented to annul that
election. That the Congress then accuse the
English Government of " undue influence," and
get it to admit 40s. freeholders to the next
election, by which means a Fenian candidate got in
who was always intriguing with the Government at
Washington. That his own guards should depose
him, and that the Congress should then meet at
Florence to determine all the relations between the
people of Ireland and the two candidates for the
possession of the country, namely, England and the
United States, England having only one vote in
the Congress, and the United States having intimate
relations with the other Powers represented at that
Congress. Every one in England and in Ireland
would consider this proposal as unjust and prepos-
terous. Nobody would suppose for a moment
that Ireland would be benefited ; no ono would
call this exchange of many masters for one the libera-
tion of Ireland. It is only when we find a population
belonging to the Ottoman Empire that we thus de-
lude it to its destruction.

The pe'ople of England as yet know nothing of
Wallachia and Moldavia, or of what they are doing
in these Principalities; but they do know what they
have done in Greece, and what is the result. They
know that when Greece, having been invited to re-
bellion, had separated herself from the Ottoman
empire, she received three masters instead of one—
England, France, and Russia, instead of the Sultan.
They know that the Greeks have expelled Otho,
and that under the son of Christian IX. of Den-
mark brigandage is rife, and the country does not
prosper. _

- A similar interference in the Lebanon hits produced
even more lamentable results. There, in 1845,
England introduced the Constitution of Chekib
Effendi, which produced in 1860 a civil war and a
French intervention.

In Egypt the interference of the European Powers
caused a civil war. Since, however, the Sultan and
the Pasha have understood each other, insurrection
has ceased. In no part of the Ottoman Empire is
there insurrection of a permanent character, except
where the European Powers interfere. But it is
one Power that moves the others to interference,
and that reaps all the spoil. There are men who
doubt that Russia aims at universal empire, and who
do not believe that she has designs in the United
States or in South America ; but no one can doubt
that she has had designs in Circassia, which she
has now conquered, or in the Amour, of which she
has taken possession, or in the Ottoman Empire,
from which she has taken the Crimea and Bessa-
rabia, and the various dominions of which the Czar
proposed to Sir Hamilton Seymour in 1853 to
divide with England.
In 1854 we went to war with Russia " for the de-
fence of Turkey." The result of the war was that
the Danubian Principalities were virtually taken
from Turkey and given to Russia by the Conven-
tion of the 19th August, 1858, while by the unau-
thorised and still unsanctioned Declaration of Paris
of April 16, 1856, England's power of coercing
Russia is suspended. For the powerof seizing Rus-
sian goods in neutral vessels was a noose round
the neck of Russia, of which England held the
end.

To act herself against Russia, England must re-
cover the right of search ; but the present case is dif-
ferent. \Russia is not strong enough to coerce the Porte
unless England assists her. England may therefore,
by withholding her aid to Russia, enable Turkey to
restore to the Principalities prosperity, and to her-
self independence. Then if we reap no benefit
from the 50,000 men and £100,000,000 of treasure
which we buried in the Crimea, at least we may
neutralise some of the advantages which Russia
gained by our sacrifice.
have thus endeavoured to show that it would bo equally

For two years the Principalities were under a proVisional
government, and exposed to the intrigues of all Europe
about their constitution. The Principalities had always
been separate—Russia therefore proposed a union. In the
conference France supported Russia, and England pretended
to oppose her. At last, on the 19th August, 1838, the
Constitution was completed, agreed to by the Poste, and
consigned to a Convention between all the Powers who
had signed the Treaty of Paris.
The Constitution was, of course, a document with no
object but that of unsettlement. Russia succeeded in ob-
taining a promise (Article XI.), that in case of a vacancy
in the Hospodarato the administration should rest in the
Ministry, and not in a Caimacan appointed by the Porte.
Thus when, the other day, the llospodar was compelled co
abdicate, the Ministers were ready to act and to propose to
the Assembly a foreign prince as Hospodar, a flagrant vio-
lation of Article XIII., which requires him to be the son
of a native-born Wallachian or Moldavian father.

There was to be a Hospodar and an assembly for each
province, but there was also to be a Central Commission,
composed of eight from each province, who were to sit per-
manently, whose province was to be tho assimilation of the
laws of the two provinces, thus preparing for that amalga-
mation into one, which, at the Conference of Vienna, in 1855,
Russia declared to have been contemplated by the Organic
S tatute.

The electors of the Hospodars had now to be appointed.
The English Ambassador took measures to obtain a now
class of voters, and Couza was elected Hospodar of
Moldavia. Wallachia followed suit, and elected
Couza to be Hospodar of Wallachia as well as of
Moldavia. It was anticipated that the Porte
would resist, and great were the outcries of the
English friends of the "Freedom of the Principalities"
against this expected act of tyranny. But the Porte
neutralised the plot by accepting Couza as Hospodar
of both provinces. This prince reigned for seven years ;
his administration being distinguished by a permanent
ministerial crisis, which almost became an institution ; by
a coup d'etat in imitation of Louis Napoleon, and by the
coufiscatioa of the property of the convents, which the
Mussulmans had alwa)s respected.

The Constitution provides (Article XII.) for the election
of a Hospodar by the Assembly within three weeks after
any vacancy. The case of a valid election not taking
place is not provided for. The Convention has, there-
fore, broken down; that is to say, in the sense of
its having been intended for a settlement. If, how-
ever, the object of the Convention was to promote
confusion it has succeeded admirably. Its failure neces-
sitates a new convention, which, in its turn, will fail, so
that the confusion will be permanent till Russia shall send
in her troops and take possession.

The Convention, then, is a failure, or a fraud. It can only
be the latter, if the British Government persist in this un-
workable scheme for governing a Turkish province by a
European Congress. The attempt is a violation of the
law of nations, and the disgracoful failure justifies Turkey
in demanding the formal abrogation of a Convention
which she alone has observed with good faith, and which
has already abrogated itself.
In the moantime, however, the immediate crisis demands
a solution. If the Powers refuse to interfere the Porte
will have no difficulty with the Principalities. The solu-
tion of the difficulty will be found in the appointment to
both provinces of John Ghika. Well known as the former
Prince of Samo, he has always been the Turkish candi-
date, and his devotion to his native country has always
been as complete as his allegiance to tho Porte. He fulfils,
then, all the conditions of the Convention of 1858, which
Couza did not.

The Union was only for Coma's reign, and is therefore
now at an ond. But whatever mischief there may be in a
permanent law manufactory for the two provinces, there
can be none in their union under one Hospodar. Ghika
being elected, the Porte could, and probably would,
agree to let this union continue. In fine, union was
originally a Russian project, the disunion is equally
one at this moment. Her ultimate object is simply
unsettlement. Those who would probably get in for each
province would be sure to intrigue against each other, and
thus a new field of disturbance would be opened. John
Ghika would not only be the most fitting candidate for the
double Hospodarate ; but, above all, this would effectually
keep out foreign pretenders.
For this all that is necessary is that England should
intimate clearly that she supports the rights of Turkey,
which are identical with those of the Principalities them-
selves. Austria will do the same ; and Russia will eva-
cuate the Principalities in a diplomatic sense in 1866, as in
a military sense she evacuated them in 1851.
March 21. DIPLOMATICUS.

Mr. F. B. Chatterton's benefit at Drury-lane is
fixed for to-morrow (Saturday) evening, under the auspices
of an influential committee of gentlemen. The managerial
career of Mr. Chatterton well deserves this acknowledg-
ment on the part of the public. The performances will
include Sir E. L. Bulwer's play of "Richelieu," the Car-
dinal by Mr. Phelps ; and " The Beggar's Opera," with Mr.
Harrison as Captain Macheath.

MARP.IAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFES' SISTER.
At a meeting of the Common Council yesterday
Mr. Maynard resumed his motion " That this court do
petition both Houses of Parliament in favour of the legali-
sation of marriage with a deceased wife's sister." The
motion was seconded by Mr. E. D. Rogers ; and as an
amendment Mr. Richards moved, and Mr. Ruskin seconded
the previous question. A long discussion ensued, which
was terminated by a division, when the original motion
was carried by a majority of 27, the numbers being for the
original motion 63, and against it 36 ; and it was ordered
that, it be referred to the law and parliamentary committee
to prepare the petitions to parliament accordingly.

Earl DE GREY and RIPON expressed his et
that he was obliged to leave in order to join the
Cabinet. Having so recently accepted office, he
could not, of course, give positive answers in re-
spect to the proposals submitted to him. It would
be a great satisfaction to him if he should have the
long tenure of office which Mr. Malcolm Ross had
kindly wished him ; but that was a matter of great
uncertainty. He was fully impressed with the im-
portance of extending public works. The subject
of a gold currency had been referred to a commis-
sion, and he would consider the matter immediately
the report of the commission was received. Neither
he nor Mr. Stansfeld could be suspected of being
favourable to protective duties. He would be ex-
tremely glad to obtain the largely increased revenue
promised him from public works, and the receipt of
it would enable him to deal with duties, but the
financial condition of India made it very necessary
to be cautious in such matters. As far as general
principles went, he was with the deputation. Ile
would be glad to have more definite information of
what was proposed with regard to the reclamation
of waste lands. Facilities had been given for their
acquirement, the regulations had been modified, and
if other practical improvements could be made he
should be glad to receive suggestions. The language
in which the tenure of land bad been spoken of was
rather vague, and he would be glad to have the
matter elucidated. It was a difficult one to deal With,
and it was necessary to be cautious in dealing with
what the natives conceived to be their rights, and
also with their prejudices and feelings. Military
expenditure had been referred to ; but reduction/ d
it led to wide-spread uneasiness would not prove to
be economy. He had already written to India with
a view to the production of the Indian budget early
in the session ; but of course he could not arrange
the business of the House of Commons. In cow
elusion, he assured the deputation that their repre-
sentations should have his best considerations.
Mr. STANSFELD stated that the Administration 13'
Bombay had announced their intention to appoint el
officer temporarily for the Berar district ; and Earl
De Grey, in expressing his approval of that purpose'l
which had probably now been carried out, suggested
the appointment of a cotton commissioner, to attend
rather to the growth of cotton than to matters con-
nected with its preparation for the manufacturer.. _

Both deputations were highly pleased With the
reception accorded to them.

The Corporation of London and Prince

Alfred.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the Court of Common
Council, held at Guildhall, the Lord Mayor in the
chair.

Mr. Harris, pursuant to notice, moved a resolu-
tion to the effect that his Royal Highness Prince
Alfred be requested to take upon himself the free:
doin of the City of London, to which he is entitled
by patrimony, and that a copy of the freedom bAe
presented to him in a gold box of the value of 10'
guineas. Mr. Harris suggested that this would be
only a graceful act towards the Prince himself t
this interesting time of his life, while it would ten
d
still more strongly to attach the corporation to the
Crown and the Crown to them.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Alderinau
Gibbons, one of the sheriffs of London, vile
s
pressed the great satisfaction he felt in doing .
Prince Alfred, he said, had been trained in a P4rbo'e
fession for which Englishmen had always 'e.,
highest respect. His Royal Highness had been r
markable for the studious manner in which be had
devoted himself to the study of that profession, bad
whether at home or in foreign countries he
won the esteem and regard of every one with who
he had been brought into communication.
This motion was carried with every mark o.r cow
r.
sideration and respect, and, at the instance ef,'L, vra
Lowman Taylor, it was resolved that the Lord
May wait upon his Royal Highness with the r
id
solution of the court, and ascertain when it AN _
best suit his convenience to attend at the Guildhall
and accept the proffered compliment.

THE LATE LORD PALMERSTON. (13
A report was brought up from the City lan
s,
committee, to whom it had been referred to con,i
der how the court could best testify its mein°rl,,°,.„t
the late Viscount Palmerston, recommending t"d
a marble bust of the deceased statesman be placeA
in the Council Chamber at a cost of not 111°r
-
than £250.

following
THE CATTLE PLAGUE—CHESTER.—The
is the number of cases reported to the 17th inst. Dieu
38,676; killed. 13,296; under treatment, 4,158 ; recovere
7,3oB—total attacked, 63,438. During the week ending
March 21, 5,726 have been attacked, or 818 per diem, 8°
dead and killed 4,589, or 655 per diem. The disease+ htl,
now appeared in 02 localitiez in the county.