The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-25 00:00:00

IHE SUN, LO NI ON, THURSOAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25, 1866

acceded
acceded to the demands of Prussia at an earlier
period we cannot see any force in it, becauseswtahterese,
is the gain of Hanover and other
which have long been compelled to yield to
the hard terms of their conquerors? The
truth is, that the Berlin Government have
been going on all this time, declaring that they
only made war for the sake of advancing the
cause of German unity, and yet with the greatest
inconsistency we find that their real and sole
object is to obtain possession of as many places
as they can seize for themselves. It is easy to
make pretexts and offer excuses, but they all
amount to the same thing at last. The least pos-
sible claim can they advance, founded upon truth
and justice, that they should thus seize on so
many independent States. As for the idea
that some persist in, that it is necessary
for the interests of Germany, we do not see it
at all ; and the best rule to lay down in all
matters, whether social or political, is the simple
one that wrong can never be right. If the Prus-
sians and their friends and admirers are consoling
themselves by their notion that they are doing evil
in order that good may come out of it they will find
themselves mistaken. The surest proof that all
these changes of so sudden a character, and so
startling a nature, are wrought for the sake of
the gain of Prussia, may, be seen in the
persistency of Count BISMARCK to sink all
considerations that respectfor others might suggest.
Thus we find that these unfortunate princes, who
are despoiled of their possessions either virtually or
in reality, are treated with the greatest contempt
and indifference. Were they potentates of some
remote region of the earth, whom the fortune of war
had left at the mercy of the conqueror, we do not
see how their present feelings or their future welfare
could be matters of more absolute indifference to
the Prussians than they are now when they are of
the same race and country.
If the new Germany that is to spring into exis-
tence in marvellous strength and splendour is to take
root in oppression and to flourish in selfishness, we
have no hope for its permanence or for its prosperity,
and neither will it deserve to enjoy these blessings.
The terms forced upon Saxony are very hard and
harsh, and we do not wousler that the KING so long
held • out against these. The command of the
fortress of Konigstein has been handed over to the
Prussians, the Saxon troops are placed under the
control of the new Governor, and the infantry
go to Pilsitz. Now it is quite ridiculous
in . the face of this to talk of the
clap-trap of unity, and the friendly desire
of Prussia to join all states together for the common
good. The fact is that in all these arrangements we
can recognise a deep-seated purpose and a strategical
power at work aiming at the ruin of all indepen-
dence and the loss of native influence. Of course it
might have been better if the re-organisation of
Germany could have been accomplished in a satis-
factory manner ; but it would be even infinitely
preferable to let things stay as they were
for some time rather than allow wrong to
be done, injuries inflicted, and tyranny to
flourish. Of one thing we are sure, the new
regime cannot last. The present age is not one
to sanction or tolerate tyranny under any form, and
of what worth will be the unity of remodelled Ger-
many that only holds together by force and is ex-
pected to grow and flourish at the point of the
bayonet? A work of improvement that must take
place, through the agency of an army of occupation,
is likely to turn out a very sorry affair after all, and
we do not recollect any man in the present day
who has so completely outraged the opinion of Europe
as Count BISMARCK has repeatedly done of late.
He has acted with the greatest contempt and in-
difference for all the rules which direct and restrain
those who call themselves statesmen ; we find no
respect for the chivalrous spirit that should animate
a war among civilised communities, and no regard
for the countries that should be shown in the ar-
rangements of peace. Beyond this there are many
instances of treaties being faithlessly kept, pledges
violated, and promises broken as if for the purpose.
What became of the clause which was to have se-
cured to the Danish-Schleswigers the right of re-
turning to their former allegiance ? It would really
seem as if it had been insulted in the Treaty, for
the sole purpose of showing with what contempt
and indifference the magnates of Berlin could treat
engagements which honourable men would have
thought to be solemn and sacred. It has been so
throughout the whole course of the proceedings that
have taken place. We alluded yesterday to the
extraordinary course pursued towards the King of
HOLLAND, and the barefaced manner in which facts
were distorted to meet the purposes of the victors.
In small matters the same sinister spirit is seen, and
we find the most unnecessary restrictions inter-
posed; for instance, the former subjects of
Denmark in the Duchies have been for-
bidden to give their little tribute to the Princess
DAGMAR on her marriage. All these acts must
have been committed with the approval of the
Prussian people, or why is it that we find no pro-
test raised against them ? If, then, these are to be
the basis of the structure of German unity we see
no chance of greatness, goodness, or glory, in the
world. It is all on the principle that the end
interests
sanctions the means, a very dangerous one to adopt
a
but especially mischievous when
thet anyter time,sts
of agr eabtuteoma mufaniirty are a
at
stake. It is paying
compli-
ment to the intelligence of the Germans
collectively to think that they are to retrace their
steps so completely, and offer to the world the
strange spectacle of incapability which Count BIS-
MARCK forces upon them. It is all very fine to talk
of the desire experienced by the several Statess,if
thefor
annexation to Prussia ; but all we can say i
German feeling is so strong in this direction, it is
very strange,. indeed, that it is necessary for the
Prussians to occupy all the fortresses and to take
possession of the military power in those places.
It looks very much as if the mild and benig-
nant sway of King WILLIAM was forced
upon them, and they were allowedthleikedfreei-t
free-
dom of choosing as to whether they
or not, but no peace or liberty beyond this. We
have an instance of the feeling entertained in such
quarters, at all events, with respect to the alliance
with Prussia. We learn from Carlsruhe that at a
prolonged sitting of the Chamber of Deputies it was
debated whether or not certain propositions were
expedient, and the paragraph relating to the pro-
posed alliance with Prussia was rejected by a large
majority. Whether this may mean anything or
not, eventually, at any rate, it shows what the state
of feeling is there at present in a very unmistak-
able manner.

The Liberals apparently think it quite time that
they should have some social. gatherings on their
own account, and not leave their adversaries in pos-
session of all the opportunities for speech-making
during the recess. The hon. member for Birming-
ham has, we know, been actively engaged in en-
lightening the good folks of the North, and the
good county of Surrey has just been the scene of a
brilliant demonstration. The occasion was a public
dinner, at which Mr. ONSLOW, one of the members
for the borough, was entertained, and at vhich a
piece of plate was presented to Mr. LONG, the un-

successful candidate, in token of his services to
tit e Liberal cause. There was a numerous corn-
pa ny, and plenty of speakers, who had all, no doubt,
sa mething to say that was very well worth hearing
by their immediate neighbours ; but the chief inte-
rea t of the speeches to the general public was to be
found in the addresses of Mr. BUXTON and Mr.
BERKELEY. Mr. LONG, to judge by his speech of
Tuesday night, is no very great loss to the national
cou n.cils. He is in favour of manhood suffrage—
obj,!cting even to the three years' condition, which
is (Alen proposed as a condition of household suffrage.
It is not this opinion, however, to which we
take exception, since manhood suffrage is upheld by
many useful members ; but the comparison of the
present condition of the English non-electors to
Russian serfs anti negro slaves. Gentlemen who
talk like this seem to forget that there is something
more in a free constitution than the election of mem-
I bers of Parliament. It confers other privileges than
those of walking to the hustings. Free thought,
free speech, free individual action, and security of
equal rights under the law, are, after all, the in-
alienable property of Englishmen, and it behoves us
to be careful how weundervalue these blessings, lest
in making too reckless or ill-considered changes we
find we are risking the substance for the shadows.
Mr. ONSLOW is also in favour of manhood
suffrage, and says the first tones of the
voice of the people of England were heard
in Hyde-park. A Frenchman who was pre-
sent told him he never saw "a more orderly
riot," which Mr. ONSLOW regards as high praise ;
but the hon. gentleman forgets that the French are
more accustomed to emeutes and street disturbances
than we are, and that in former days at least it was
rather pleasant excitement for the Parisians to have
the barricades up and the dynasty down at an hour's
notice. We have been accustamed in this country
to pride ourselves on our power of self-government
without the aid of external force, and if our logic
requires the aid of iron railings we fear our, philo-
sophy is not improving. As for manhood suffrage
Mr. ONSLOW said he was not in favour of it at
one time, but that now he upheld it. He found that
in other countries, as in America and Australia,
every citizen was considered deserving of
the suffrage, and he did not see why John
Bull was not equally so. But judging from
the present political condition of the United
States the result is not very satisfactory. We see
that such a system of wholesale election fails really
to represent the intelligence and principle of the
nation. We should be doing the Americans great
injustice if we supposed that the virulent and vindic-
tive politicians who now dominate over Congress,
and are ready to sacrifice everything to the main-
tenance of their own power, are to be accepted as
a standard of national feeling. The most noisy and
unscrupulous are too apt to get to the front
when it is necessary to push through a crowd
and in the same way the most boisterous politicians
are likely to obtain ascendancy with manhood
suffrage. The men of intellect and refinement,
who are best calculated to think over the problems
of the day, and to exercise a beneficial influence
on the conduct of public affairs, shrink from the
contest, and thus in America the complaint is
a common one that the best man will not be put
forward.

Mr. BUXTON'S speech, though strongly in favour
of the late Government and of their Reform Bill,
was remarkable for its moderation and for the firm-
ness with which he withstood the views which
appeared to him mistaken. In the midst
of an assembly in which Radical principles were
prevalent, he did not shrink from saying that he
believed the Liberal party was in a critical posi-
tion, and that if care were not taken it
would become involved in hopeless and im-
practicable schemes that may alarm the country,
and so retard not only Parliamentary Reform,
but the progress of Liberal policy. " Mr.
BRIGIIT tells us, said Mr. BUXTON," that out of 100
grown men only 16 have the suffrage. That is a
striking fact, but it has two aspects. On the one
hand, there is written on the face of the truth
that a disproportion so flagrant cannot and
must not be suffered to remain. On the other
hand, it is not less obvious that a Reform Bill which
would confer the suffrage on the remaining 84 per
cent., or the greater part of them, belonging to the
working class, would utterly overthrow the political
sway of those who now possess it; and what the
result might be of a change so mighty no man can
foretell." Mr. BUXTON went on to say that so sud-
den and violent a change could only be justified on
the plea that England was worse governed than
any other nation---a fact which no one could believe
who knew anything of history or politics. Mr.
BUXTON'S straightforward and liberal views were
listened to with respect and attention, although, as
we have said, they were not in accordance with
those of some of his hearers, a fact which reflected
credit on the Surrey tone of fair play.
Mr. BERKELEY, whose health was drank with de-
served honours as the champion of the ballot, asked
very forcibly whether any better instrument for
preventing corruption and intimidation could be
found ? If it could, he would, he said, gladly
adopt it, but as yet he knew of no other remedy for
those great evils. It might not, he admitted,
altogether prevent a candidate from making a bar-
gain with an elector ; but for his part he did not
think it likely that one rascal would trust another.
Neither bribers nor bribed would like such a defini-
tion ; but we are afraid that the fact which Mr.
BERKELEY so roundly stated has a good deal to do
with the opposition the Ballot has to encounter.
Mr. BERKELEY has proved an able and consistent
advocate of the cause, and we hope before long he
will have the satisfaction of seeing it triumphant.

AN EASY WAY TO PROPAGATE ROSES.—But we
are most concerned now about the autumn propaga-
tion, and I have yet a good practical note to make, and it is
for the special benefit of people who cannot now make up
their beds and frames of cuttings, but who mayhap must
wait till November or December to seta few cuttings going.
I have remarked above that after October, cuttings in the
open ground have a lessening prospect—or, if you prefer
the term, a vanishing perspective of success—and every
day's delay will tend to diminish the total number of those
that will ultimately make roots. It is a discovery en which
I set some value, that if late cuttings are heeled into a bed
of cocoanut fibre refuse in a frame or under a stage, or any-
where in the enjoyment of shelter, with a little atmospheric
moisture to prevent shrivelling, they make a callus by about
the end of February, and may then be potted separately,
and be plunged in a cocoa-nut fibre bed in a frame, or may
actually be plur.ged in the open ground; or they may be
pushed with bottom-heat to mako roots and growth at once.
The rationale of this proceeding is not occult. The cocoa-
nut fibre has a preservative value ; it affords no encour-
agement to mildew, it prevents damping almost as effec-
tually as dry peat-dust or silver-sand, provided it is only
reasonably moist; it maintains a nearly uniform tempera-
ture, or at all events does not vary in temperature with
every variation of the surrounding atmosphere; and for
some reason that I don't pretend to understand, it will coax
almost any kind of cuttings or leaves to snake roots ; it is
when
twonderfulheyin a
rteh af to
rr ems
epde
.c t,
Butt hou though smo
al ittttel
re aa able
bouttot feed t
heee ro o s
philo-
sophy of the thing. In respect of rose cutting it is as I say,
and I commend this bit of practice to those who wish to
multiply their roses in the safest and cheapest way.—
Gardeners' Magazine.
KING VICTOR EMMANUEL AND TfIE FREEDOM OF
VENlCE.—General Revel haying made known to
King Victor Emmanuel that the national flag had been
unfurled on the Place St. Mark, and that the population
had witnessed it with joy, the King replied in the follow-
ing telegram: "To General Revel, at Venice.—A thou-
sand thanks, general. Happy am Ito see realised the
aspirations of so many centuries. Italy is one and free.
Italians must now defend and keep it so.—VICTOR Em-
ZUNITEL."

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
The following is the news contained in the bul-
letin of the Moniteur of to-day :
" The official Gazette of Florence of yesterday
states that the accounts from various cities of Ve-

netia speak of the enthusiasm with which in the
towns and country the inhabitants took part in the

plebiseitum.
" The Opinione announces that Austria has made
choice of M. Bruck, as charge d'affaires at the Ca-
binet of Florence, until the appointment of a Mi-
nister Plenipotentiary. The charge d'affaires of
Italy at the Austrian Court is Count Bati Oppi-
zoni, who has arrived at Vienna."

The papers discuss a subject of great importance,
but I believe it is merely an hypothesis, whether it
is desirable that there should be an answer to the

Imperial Speech at the opening of the Chambers. I
believe the Government has not the most remote

idea of proposing the abolition of this time-honoured
custom or formality. The Patric and the Presse
seem to desire a substitute for the usual answer to
the address. In reply to their arguments the Siecle

says :
" Ihe Speech from the Crown explains the gene-
ral position of the policy of the country since the
end of last session. It expresses the opinion of the

Executive power upon the questions which have
occupied the public mind during the interval. There
is nothing more logical than that there should be a
reply to Legislative power, which should state its
concurrence with or its disagreement from the appre-
ciation of the head of the State and the legal organs
of public opinion."
A letter from Koenigsberg, dated Oct. 19, says
that the cattle disease has again manifested itself in
Lithuania, in the environs of the town of Kowno.

The Prussian authorities immediately took vigorous

precautions to prevent the importation of diseased
cattle. The accounts from Switzerland state that

the disease is on the decline there.
The Moniteur announces that the total amount of
the subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers by
the inundations is 1,195,601 f. 52c.
The Government has received a despatch from
the Commandant of the Islands of St. Pierre and
Mignelon, which announces that, on the 22d Sep-
tember, there was a terrible storm at the colony,
which caused the loss of eleven ships and did much
other damage. Among the vessels lost was the
Abendance, a Government ship. Three of the
crew were drowned. From 60 to 80 sailors
belonging to different vessels perished during the
storm.
The French pickpockets are becoming at least as
clever as the English thieves. At the races at La
Marche they victimised a rich wine merchant, of
Bercy, a desperate better, who is well known to have
plenty of money in his pocket when he comes to
the races. On this occasion he had 30,000 f. in notes
in his purse. When the races were over, just as he
was about to leave the scene of pleasure a hand, not
his own, intruded into his pocket. The business was
done with less delay than there is in a flash of light-
ning. He seized the hand, but the purse was gone.
The thief showed fight, but the gentleman was not
to be intimidated, and be gave the intrusive hand
and its owner into the custody of the police.
The purse, no doubt, had been passed
to an accomplice. The individual who played the
little game, being an old acquaintance of the police,
is detained in custody fur the present.
A real Cremona violin has been discovered by a
musician at Tours. It has this inscription :—" An
ionizes Stradivarius Cremoniensia faciebat.
17

Anno

There is now no doubt that the mission of Genera.
Castelman to Mexico had for its object the arrange.
ment of measures with the Mexican Government to
insure the return of the French troops to France
with as little delay as possible. I have already
informed you of the preparation of vessels for sea
which are to bring back the troops. They will all
leave almost at the same time. The last news re-
specting the Empress Charlotte of Mexico is ex-
tremely unfavourable. Her mental faculties decline
rather than improve. Despatches having been sent
to Brussels describing the lamentable condition of
the Empress, it appears that her sister-in-law, the
Queen of the Belgians, intends to repair to Mira-
mar without delay, to pay her such attention as
may be necessary.
England has taken possession of the locality in
the Champs de Mars, where the produce of English
art and industry is to be exhibited at the Great
Exhibition. At the south-eastern angle of the ter-
ritory there is a lofty mast, where floats the flag of
England, which, " for a thousand years, has braved
the battle and the breeze." Who could have fore-
told that the flag of England would have waved
over the city of Paris during this goodly year of
1866?
Duelling is no longer protected in France, as was
once made a subject of boast. On the contrary, the
Correctional Tribunal of the Seine has condemned
M. Davernois to two months' imprisonment, and
Messrs. Arthur de Fonviella and Mr. Emile de
Girardin, jun., to one month for being concerned
in the duel which took place recently at Vinciennes,
and of which I sent you an account. The seconds
were sentenced to pay a fine of 100 f. The duel was
between M. Sarcey, theatrical critic of l' Opinion
Nationale, and M. Duvernois, editor of La Liberte.
The latter journal may be said to be conspicuous
from its obscurity.
The Journal des Debats says :—" The report is
renewed that M. de Beust will shortly enter the
Austrian Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Although the Nouvelle Presse Libre seems to rely
upon the news, we hesitate to believe that the Em-
peror of Austria would be so badly advised as to
take a determination which would excite general
discontent throughout the Austrian Empire, and at
the same time render more difficult her relations
with Prussia, which do not appear to be yet upon
a very cordial footing." This latter phrase has
its significance, when it is recollected that the
Journal des Debats sometimes speaks from au-
thority.

DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.—This evening the
Lord Mayor entertained at dinner Cardinal Cullen,
Archbishop of Dublin. The guests numbered about fifty,
and included all the Catholic judges of the law courts (with
the exception of Judge Keogh), Dr. Leahy, Archbishop of
Cashel, and seven or eight bishops ; Lord Bellew, Mr.
Monsell, M.P., The O'Connor Don, M.P., The O'Doneghue,
M.P., the Attorney-General, M.P., Mr. C. Barry, M.P., Sir
James Power, Sir Percy Nugent, Sir John Ennis, and
Major-General Sir Justin Sheil. " The Health of the
Cardinal" was the only toast proposed; the proceedings
were private.
AN UNDERGRADUATE DROWNED AT OXFORD.--
It is our painful duty to record another of those sad
accidents which occasionally occur on the river at Oxford
and Cambridge, the fatality in this instance happening on
the Isis. It appears that the deceased, Mr. Bradley, of New
College, formed one of a crew engaged in a scratch four-
oar race with other members of his college. Three crews
had engaged in the contest, and which proceeded safely
until Saunders-bridge had been reached, where deceased's
and one of the other crew's oars came into contact, and
deceased and his four partners were capsized. The acci-
dent attracted a crowd to the spot, and an inquiry from a
spectator elicited the fact that they could all swim but
Bradley. Upon this six or seven undergraduates plunged
in, and the greatest confusion prevailed, the boat to which
the deceased had been hanging having been turned over
in the attempt to render assistance. A ballast boAt near the
spot and punts were immediately in attendance, but the
deceased had disappeared from the surface. At this junc-
ture one of the capsized crew reached the Oxfordshire
shore and made towards Oxford, which led to the supposition
that deceased had got out all right. That error having been
detected, Mr. Willan, President of the Oxford University
Boat Club, hastened to the spot, and was most untiring in
his endeavours to recover deceased by diving, but as the
water was very thick, his efforts were unavailing, as were
those of Mr. Short, of New College, and other gownsman
who jumped into the river. It was some little time before
the water bailiffs arrived, but the drags were effectually
used by Thus (a servant of the Boat Club) and Bossom,
who found the body of the deceased, about three quarters
of an hour after the accident, at about 30 yards from the
spot where the boat went over. The deceased was the
brother of the Head Master of Marlborough College, and
had only just gained one of the open scholarships at Now
College. He was a fine
young man of 19, and was much
beloved. The overturning of a boat's crow on the Isis,
either purposely or by accident, has generally been re-
garded as a good bit of fun, but the melancholy fate of Mn
Bradley may probably check that love of danger which is
SO deeply rooted in the undergraduate mind.

L A TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ITALY.

FLORENCE, Oct. 25.

The King will receive a Venetian deputation at
Turin on the 4th November, who will com-
municate to his Majesty the result of the
Plebiscitum. On the evening of the following
day his Majesty will set out for Venice,
arriving in that city on the 7th November. The
King will be accompanied by the Presidents of both
Chambers of the Legislature, the Ministers, and

his military household.
Four hundred and nine Venetian residents in
Florence voted for union with Italy. Only one
negative vote was recorded.

ST. NAZAIRE, Oct. 25.

The steamer Washington has arrived here with
the mails from the Pacikc, 1,000,000 f. in specie,
and 900 tons of merchandise. The health of all on

board is good.

THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES.

CONSTANTINOPEE, Oct. 25.

Prince Charles arrived here yesterday, and im-
mediately had an audience of the Sultan, by whom
he was received with special attention and the
highest honours. The Palace of Kutschuln has been
placed at the disposal of the Prince during his stay
in this city.