The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-28 00:00:00

Mr. William Campbell.

This gentleman (late of the Punjab Railway
and a native of Inverness), says the Inver-
ness Advertiser, has been for some time in the
north, gathering evidence as to the advisability of the
amalgamation which, under certain restrictions, has
just been sanctioned between the Scottish North-
Eastern and the Caledonian Railway systems by the
Committee of the House of Commons. We under-
stand that Mr. Campbell found a strong feeling per-
vading the different communities of the north
against the amalgamation. The John 0' Groat
Journal publishes a short communication regarding
the Caithness railway from a correspondent—Mr.
Campbell, we presume—who says—
" I hope you may be fortunate in getting Mr. Brassey to
make your local line. Mr Brassey has the contract for
making the railway from Delhi to Umritsur—nearly 300
miles—for the sum of five millions sterling. The Railway
will have to cross the Doss River and the Ronee River—
two rivers that aro broader than all your Caithness and
Sutherland rivers. I came from Delhi to Calcutta iu the
same carriage in 48 hours, a distance of 1,060 miles in the
end of November last. The fresh fish of Wick and Thurso
could be sent to every city in the south of Scotland, and
London, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, and Birming-
ham in half that time. This could be done daily, when
you have a railway open to your doors. If the peaceful
works of progress and civilisation are making such wonder-
ful strides in British India, under British rule, surely the
ofginoothdepemouplrreee H While
Cialiltshonf hetsseshnoiumldalnayoatsbe,
in Novemberintherear.
last, I
could send a telegram to Calcutta, a distance of 1,800 miles,
and receive an answer in an hour or less. On the arrival
of the English mails there were three regular deliveries of
letters daily, ten thousand feet above the level of the sea.
Thanks to the indomitable energy and undaunted perse-
verance of Mr. M'Leod, the Governor of tho Punjab (a
Ross-shire man), and the admirable arrangements made
by:the Superintendent of Mails from Lahore to Peshawur,
and to the Muree Hills, another Scotchman, a Perth-
shire man ; but when I visit Caithness, one of the most fer-
tile counties in Scotland in grain and cattle, while its
rivers and bays might supply Great Britain with fish,
there is no railway, no telegraph, and only one delivery of
letters daily.

Sr. JAMES'S THEATRE.—Miss Bufton will take
her benefit on Friday next, when a variety of attractive
ontertainnont4 will be produced•.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUP. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Wednesday Evening.
_ _

The Moniteur, analysing the war news from
tele-
grams and private correspondence, the information
from which, it says, "it is difficult to unravel,"
draws, again, " with all reserve," the following
deductions :—" The check received by the Italians
in their attack upon the Quadrilateral appears to be
of more gravity than was at first supposed. The
number of prisoners remaining in the hands of the
Austrians amounts to 2,000, and on the evening of
the combat the troops of King Victor Emmanuel,
who had returned to the positions occupied by them
in the morning on the left bank of the Mincio,
abandoned them and re-crossed that river. On the
25th there was no engagement. The Italians,
nevertheless, appear to expect to be pursued by the
Austrians, for they had intrenched themselves in
the defensive positions of their own territory round
de Volta, on the right bank of the Mincio. The
attack which was expected to have been made by
the army of General Cialdini on the Po, simultane-
ously with that of the Royal army on the Mincio,
does not seem to have been made. The telegraphic
despatches simply say that General Cialdini main-
tains his positions. As to the volunteers of Gari-
baldi they appear to have had an engagement with
the Austrians near the Tyrol, but it is probable that
on both sides the operations merely amount to skir-
mishes. The movements in that direction do not
appear to be yet traced. The Italian fleet, which
was to co-operate in the general attack attempted
by the Italians, has not hitherto taken any part in
the hostilities. It is only announced that it has left
Tarentum. It will probably attempt some diversion
on a point of Austrian territory, the exact locality
of which is not yet known. There is nothing new
respecting the march of the Prussians in Bohemia.
They continue, no doubt, to advance in large force
towards Reichenbourg. The movements of Benedek
are still enveloped in obscurity. At all events, it
seems to be settled that Benedek, who, with the
greater portion of his troops, is at the east end of the
country invaded by the Prussians, will try to drive
them out of it either by an immediate attack, or by
a turning movement upon the Austro-Saxon army
established towards the west of Bohemia. There is
the same uncertainty respecting the Hanoverians.
According to the most probable version, it appears
difficult for the troops to escape and rejoin their
allies."

The Siecle asserts, from its own sources of infor-
mation, that the Italians acted nobly in the engage-
ment with the Austrians. They held their positions
firmly and in good order. They ardently desire to
recommence the struggle and retrieve their check.
Of the three corps comprising the army, only one
suffered severely ; the second suffered but slightly,
and the third is intact. Garibaldi's volunteers have
successfully attacked the Austrians between Ponte-
del-Caffaro and Londrone. This is the first village
of the Italian Tyrol.
A letter from Neisse (Silesia) states that the cor-
respondent of the Times has been arrested by Prus-
sian gendarmes while he was walking in the envi-
rons of that town studying a map. They conducted
him to the headquarters of the general in the belief
that he was a spy. On the 22d he was still at the
headquarters of Prince Frederick Charles. The
two Prussian armies were advancing simultaneously
towards the frontiers of Bohemia. By thus ad-
vancing in an oblique line they would be concen-
trated and form en masse. The impression was
that they would take the offensive against Austria.
There has been a rumour to-day at the Bourse
that a general and serious engagement had taken
place in Bohemia between the Austrians and the
Prussians.

M. Thiers, M. Jules Favre, M. Larrabune, and
M. Berryer have exhibited a desire in the Legisla-
tive body to make some observations upon the posi-
tion of affairs in Germany. The Government, how-
ever, and indeed the majority of the Chamber, gave
indications that such a discussion would be inexpe-
dient, if not injurious. Any remarks upon the sub-
ject are for the present postponed. The truth is
that M. Thiers—the man of many Ministries and
many policies—wishes France to emerge from the
position of neutrality, and to give open and decided
assistance to Italy in her struggle against Austria.
It may be that France will, sooner or later, adopt
some course to carry into effect these views of M.
Thiers, but most of the Paris papers concur in the
opinion that a demonstration in this sense on the
part of the most violent members of the Opposition
would be dangerous or at all events injurious at the
present moment. La Liberte; however, says it
cannot see that any evil could arise to the Govern-
ment if M. Thiers were allowed to declare publicly
in the Tribune that the honour of France demands
that she should not allow the task she has achieved
in Italy to be frustrated. It says—" Would the
Government, or Democracy, or M. Thiers be
weakened by such a discussion ?"
There is another victim to crinoline and the sacri-
fice of life was effected in a curious manner.
Madame Desessarts, a lady living at St. Amand,
was going up a narrow staircase, carrying articles
in both hands, when her leg became entangled in
her crinoline, and she fell downstairs backwards.
She fell with such force that her comb was driven
into her head, and the injury caused her death. The
poor lady was alone in the house at the time, and
when assistance came she was dead, and nearly
cold. The melancholy event has caused a deep
sensation at St. Amand, as Madame Desessarts
belonged to one of the first families of the town.

In the Legislative Body, during the discussion on
the Budget, M. Edouard Dalloy mentioned the
favourable results which had arisen from treaties
allowing free trade. The general commerce of
France with Egypt, which amounted to 23
millions in 1852, reached 198 millions in 1864.
The commerce with Turkey had increased
from 87 millions to 296 millions. The general
commerce of Algeria, which was only to the extent
of 140 millions in 1854, was now 218 millions. The
commerce with Brazil, La Plate, and Uruguay had
increased 93 per cent. The general commerce be-
tween England and France had progressed on the
proportion of 232 per cent. The exports to Mexico
had increased from 17 millions to 70 millions, and
the exports from Mexico to France, which only
amounted to five millions in several years, now
amount to five millions in one year. This increase
was not caused by the presence of French troops in
Mexico, since before the war England exported to
that country goods to the amount of 140 millions
of francs.

The Countess de France, widow of Lieut.-Gen.
France, has just died at the age of 80. The Count
was one of the most eminent officers of the Empire.
The Countess accompanied him in all his campaigns.
There are upwards of 60 witnesses in support of
the charges of murder against Philippe, now in course
of investigation before the Court of Assize of La
Seine. The evidence first taken by the court was
in reference to the murder of the girl Julie Robert,
called, for distinction sake, the murder of the Rue
St. Joseph's. Several articles found in the prisoner's
lodging were identified as having belonged to the
deceased girl. The President put questions having
reference to all the five murders for which the pri-
soner is being tried. The result is that he acknow-
ledges some and denies the others. The President
asked him to give details regarding them. 'The
prisoner replied " All this confuses me. I should
be afraid of not telling
the truth if I were to seek
to recall to memory old recollections now nearly
effaced from it." One of the papers relates that
Julie Robert was placed by her parents in 1847 in
a Magazine de Modes, in the place Dauphine at
Bordeaux. She was then 19, and remained there
as apprentice for several years. One day in 1847,
some companions of the poor girl induced
her to accompany them to a celebrated for-
tune-teller at Bordeaux. When it came
to Julie's turn to have her fortune
told, the Pythoness said, " I see a catastrophe in
your life. You will not die a natural death." This
account was given by one of those present when
the party went to the fortune-teller.
A most splendid fete, including a dinner and
soiree, was given by the Turkish Ambassador on
Monday evening, at the 'Turkish Embassy, in
honour of the accession of the present Sultan, Abdul
Asaiz. The gue§te at the dinner, 60 in number,

included Ministers and high personages. There was
dancing in the evening in the gardens after the tables
for dinner had been cleared.

Le .3lenzorial Diplomatique states that Count
Jomini, son of the celebrated General, has arrived
in Paris on a mission from Prince Gortschakoff, the
object of which is to elicit from France (to sound)
what course she might be disposed to adopt " in the
eventualities of the conflict in Germany." This is a
specimen of the vague surmises which now agitate
the Bourse.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

• - -

Mr. Robert Dimsdale, of Esseudon-place, llerts,
has issued the following address to the electors of
the borough of llertford :
" A vacancy having occurred in the representation of
your borough by the lamented decease of your valued and
esteemed friend and member, Sir Minto Farquhar, I hasten
to offer myself as a candidate for your suffrages. On most
public questions key views aro identical with those enter-
tained by your late member; and I hope, by a steady ad-
herence to them, to obtain and retain the confidence of the
electors of your town. The two subjects which promi-
nently engage the attention of Parliament are Parliathen-
tat y Reform and out relations with foreign Powers. On
both of these you wlil expect a frank exposition of my
political sentiments. I share the opinion entertained by
moderate politicians of all sections, that it is highly impor-
taut that Parliamentary Reform should be speedily
settled on a satisfactory basis. For more than
fourteen years it has occupied the attention of
the House of Commons, and at present seriously
hinders all legislative improvement. It should be our aim,
however, to effect a settlement not likely to be disturbed
for a considerable time ; and I cannot think that the bill in-
troduced by her Majesty's Government affords any prospect
of such a desirable consummation. Hastily devised, it
seeks to base the representation of the countt y on mere
numerical preponderance, and upsets completely the pre-
sent equilibrium of classes. There are other points in tho
bill affecting yourselves. Hertford, already twice menaced
by the penalty of semi-disfranchisement, is again assailed.
To any measure containing such a provision I shall offer
the most strenuous opposition. The preservation of the
small borough element, I consider essential to the proper
distribution of electoral power; and I believe that nothing
would more fatally deteriorate the character of Parliament
than to vest in large constituencies only, whether urban or
rural, the right of returning members. I am convinced
that such an arrangement would promote a dangerous
antagonism of rival classes, and destroy the peace of the
State by exciting ceaseless local agitations. In regard to
Foreign Politics, I trust that we shall adhere strictly to
the principle of non-intervention, and that, by the wisdom
of those in power, England may be preserved from the
necessity of taking a part in the melancholy and disas-
trous war now raging in Germany and on the frontiers of
Italy. We cannot thoroughly sympathise with either
of the belligerents. On the one hand, war has been
provoked by the reckless intolerance of the Prussian
Miniger, who has sacrificed the peace of Europe to
the aggrandisement of his country ; on the other hand,
while admitting that Austria's claim to Venetia
rusts on the faith of treaties, and may be defended by the
letter of international law, I cannot but think it impossible
for her eventually to bind together, by the strong arm of
force, the bitter conflicting nationalities which exist within
her dominions. I am, by conviction, a friend to the Church
as by law established, and would defend her with all the
energy 'u my power. The maintenance:of the connection
between her and the State I consider necessary to the
truest interests of both. At the same time, I believe that
the days have passed away when the Churchman would
wish to claim any privilege for his communion which
might gall the conscience of the honest Dissenter, whether
Romanist or Protestant ; and I look forward to the not far
distant period whon the much-vexed question of Church
rates will be finally set at rest. Social questions will, in
my judgment, take precedence for the future of mere
theoretical Reforms, and, provided the affairs of the State
are well administered, popular feeling will be compara-
tively indifferent to large constitutional chances. Educa-
tion without stint for all classes, improvement of the
dwellings of the poor, the abolition of the law of settle-
ment, and a better devised system of rating, will find in
me a warm and strenuous advocate. In a word every well
considered measure, calculated to advance the social and
moral condition of the working-classes, will obtain my
most zealous support. Local matters, affecting the welfare
and prosperity of Hertford, will always have a claim on
my sympathy and attention. I have been so long con-
nected with your town by the two-fold ties of family and
neighbourhood, that it will bo my pleasure, no less than
my duty, to advance those interests to the utmost of my
power.