The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-19 00:00:00

vernment will not have profited much by all they
have passed through lately if they rely much on
" guarantees." Meanwhile Prussia is to have the
Northern States and Bavaria the Southern ones for
allies. It is very evident that will be a great
stumbling-block in the way of coming to a
settlement. In the event of a war, Prussia can
easily persuade or intimidate Bavaria, and thus all
the chief strength would be against Austria. In
point of fact, we may conclude that the plan will
be defeated in consequence of this audacious pro-
posal. It is supposed, however, that much time will
be
some
in the discussion of this plan, and that
some will gladly seize its introduction as a pretext
for putting off the evil day of hostilities between
Prussia and Austria. If so, it may be an advan-
tage in the long run, as during the time occupied
in its consideration events may occur that will
necessitate the retirement of Herr BISMARCK, and
give a new turn to Prussian politics.
Count BIs3IARCK may make another of his mis-
takes in thinking this ready acquiescence to con-
sider his scheme means that a favourable interpre-
tation will be put upon it, but at the same time he
may only wish to gain time, in order that chances
may turn in his favour, and that he may at any
rate retire with dignity. He has several times
during the last seven days tendered his resignation,
but the KING would not accept it. He may not,
however, continue his objections to the proposal
much longer, and perhaps is waiting to find out the
measure in which the Diet will receive the grand
scheme of Federal Reform. Of course it would be a
vast advantage if HerrßismAncK retired; but at thO
same time we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that
all the sin does not lie at his door, and that in
reality he has been more the agent, the dishonour-
able and unscrupulous agent, it is true, than the
chief party in all. these plans of spoliation that have
disgraced Prussia and scandalised Europe of late.
Had not the KING sanctioned such a course it is
certain that a stop would speedily have been put to
the nefarious practices. It is greatly to be re-
gretted that so crafty and dexterous a Minister
should have been chosen by a SOVEREIGN so indiffe-
rent to the rights of his people and the claims of his
allies, as the KING has shown himself to be ; but
it stands to reason that if he be removed the KING
would not agree to the policy of a Liberal Cabinet.
The proposal of a European Congress may per-
haps be carried out ; and, if so, will prove the
most effectual check both to the KING and his
Minister. The Emperor of AUSTRIA has shown dis-
cernment in mentioning to the French EMPEROR
hat he will not object to a Congress deciding

upon the vexed question of the Duchies.
would, in truth, be a power before which the pre-
tensions of the Minister and the pertinacity of
the Monarch of Berlin must succumb, and it
may, perhaps, be the best way of settling

the matter, now that it has gone so far. We
have yet cause to regret that Louis NAPOLEON'S
idea of a European Congress some time ago was
not carried out, because Prussia could never have
gained such ascendancy as she now unhappily does,
and Denmark would not have been so shamefully
despoiled. The preparations for war are not
abated, so that it is really quite impossible to de-
cide as to the probability of what may or may not
take place at any time. In Paris it is a theme of
constant interest to watch the course of events,
and naturally great anxiety is felt in return
to know what the French would do
in case of war; breaking out. The Prus-
sians are trying to console themselves by the

- _
thought that the Emperor LOUIS NAPOLEON will
keep neutral, but such is not likely to be the case ;
and indeed we see uo reason why it should be, be-
cause the French would rejoice at the prospect of
regaining possession of their long-desired territory.
Time was when such a reclamation would not have
been popular in Europe, and especially in England;
but so great has been the indignation felt by many
at the rapacity and greed of Prussia that
no sympathy will be felt for her. The un-
reasonable compact into which Italy has en-
tered will give the French EMPEROR another
pretext for interference, there being no just cause
to prevent France from taking part in a struggle in
which other parties have engaged who are not
directly or immediately concerned in its issue. It
is strange, indeed, that we should now be nearer a
general war than we were two years ago ; but it is
the best satire on the policy of expediency that was
adopted and the dishonourable course pursued by
this country in order to further the designs of
Prussia.

The independent public, especially such portion
of them as are ratepayers, are beginning to take
active measures respecting the treatment of the
sick poor. Every householder has some time or
other grumbled at the rates, and unless he inhabited
some of the highly-favoured West-end parishes has
complained of their unequal pressure; but it is
somewhat startling to find that after all his pay-
ments the sick paupers suffer from absolute neglect,

if not from actual ill treatment. For many years
past the Workhouse Visiting Society has been la-
bouring to call public attention to the important
difference between the able-bodied vagrant or
thriftless idlers, whose own vices or indolence
have reduced them to pauperism, and the hap-
less man or woman whom the iron hand of dis-
ease has, perforce, restrained from labour. If
any one will picture to themselves the amount of
exertion which a person suffering from acute dis-
ease, or even chronic maladies, is capable of un-
dergoing, they will very soon ascertain what chance
such an invalid would have of getting a livelihood
out of doors. Sometimes husband or wife, son or
daughter, may be able to support them, but the
burden of a helpless invalid is a heavy one on slender
wages, especially
if the breadwinner has also to be
sick nurse. Very often, too, the disease abso-
lutely requires medicines and appliances which
are hopelessly out of reach, and if the sufferer
has only him or herself to look to there is no
other resource than the infirmary of the work-
house.

To this refuge come the broken-down
servant, the widow and orphan, the strong an
smitten down in the midst of his labour, the
aged man and woman who have supported
themselves during a long life of work and privation,
the struggling tradesman, the broken-down rate-
payer—all enter those doors; over which might well
be inscribed DANTE'S famous motto about leaving
hope behind. What hope is there for the weary,
suffering frame, tossing on those hard narrow beds
(from which careful guardians in one house extract
half the stuffing), tended by rough, ignorant hands,
who know nothing of sickness but the name, and
take the charge of a ward full of helpless invalids
for the sake of a few perquisites, with the benefit
rate
getting minutetheg
ri andt a half a day, and the chance
of
pleasure of seeing ther w
nurseon
take
etdhiec i nweisn,
ea nd
or
beer
ordered ? These things have been reiterated con-
stantly, and have atlast aroused
popular indignation
against the cumbrous and costly system productive of
such miserable results. The cases of TIMOTHY
DALY and RICHARD GIBSON excited the greatest
attention, and left an uncomfortable conviction in
the public mind that they were by no means isolated
instances. Very recently the case o" laying out a