The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 26, 1866.

to 'Prussia should do her utmost to encourage rather
than repress the cruel propensities of her people.
Perhaps it suits the purpose of the authorities better
so to act, but it is a most mistaken line for them to
adopt. It is said that the burgomaster committed
suicide to avoid the difficulties which menaced him ;
but be this as it may, we have no doubt that his
death was occasioned by the fearful anxiety and
confusion that surrounded him. Of what moment
is it, however, to these rapacious conquerors that
one or more victims fall before their chariot wheels ?
Herr von BISMARCK must needs pursue his way,
and carry out his designs coute qui coute. That a
part of these designs is to ruin Frankfort we en-
tertain no doubt, and we hope that he may have
ample cause to repent such a dastardly purpose. It
is true that nothing may now avail to save the city
from the doom with which it is now threatened, but
the wrong will not be speedily forgotten, and the
hour may come when it will be returned fourfold

o Prussia.
This hard and harsh measure that is being dealt
out to Frankfort will doubtless be the commence-
ment of a' series of persecutions that will signalise
the victories of the Prussian arms. Thus we find
this armistice, so much talked of, does not extend to
the lesser States, and that Bavaria cannot obtain an
assurance that hostilities will cease against the
Federal Army simultaneously with the armistice
with Austria. This seems to be a most one-sided
sort of arrangement, and we wonder that the
French EMPEROR did not seek to alter it, but per-
haps he thought he had better take what he could
get without losing more time. Already grave
apprehensions are being entertained as to the future
course which will be taken by the Berlin Govern-
ment when the day of settlement arrives, and there
is indeed ample cause for such sinister prognostica-
tions to be indulged in. At Munich it is thought
that Prussia will claim the reimbursement of all the
sums expended by her for the maintenance of the
Federal fortresses when her proposals concerning
South Germany come to light. No doubt this, and
more than this, will come to pass when the day of
reckoning arrives, for no sooner do the Prussian
authorities feel that they possess any accession of
power than they hasten to show it to the uttermost.
It has been rumoured that difficulties have inter-
posed themselves in the way of the peace negotia-
tions, anti that Prussia refuses to agree to the re-
storation of the King of SAXONY, which Austria
makes a sine qua non. Whether this be true or not,
it is certain that there is some some foundation for
it, as the semi-official .Nord Deutsche Zeitung makes
allusion to the fact that Baron von BEUST is one of
the ill-advisers of the EMPEROR, and adds that in
consequence of the attitude of some Saxon autho-
rities, and the contumacy of the commandant of
Konigstein, " radical changes will shortly be
effected by Vienna in her relations with the Saxon
Administration." This sounds very significant, and
no doubt will be the precursor of many other impor-
tant changes. If Herr BISMARCK is allowed to
carry out his projects he will indeed have cause to
congratulate himself upon remodelling the map of
Germany, but it will remain to be seen whether his
change will be for the better. Deeds, and not
words, are required to show the accuracy of a
man's judgment, and experience must teach us
if the councils of a nation are influenced by
the highest principles or merely actuated by
desire of gain and thirst for self-aggrandisement.
We believe that when all is known that can be
known of the manoeuvres of the Berlin Govern-
ment that it will be seen on what foundations they
rest and how much can be trusted to their magna-
nimity and moderation. If those are mistaken who
do evil that good may come out of it, how much
more are those to blame who rush on to their goal
heedless of all that stands in their way, and totally
unmindful of the restraints that justice and mercy
should interpose ? It is quite idle to expect any-
thing satisfactory to accrue from Prussian rule,
while no sort of consideration is displayed by the
Government at Berlin.

ere was not much chance that Mr. Hop's
motion on Monday evening, to the effect that " A
new National Gallery be erected on the site of Bur-
lington House Gardens," would be favourably re-
ceived by the House of Commons. He obtained,
indeed, some support from Mr. LAYARD, Mr.
GREGORY, and a few other members; but the test
of a division soon showed on which side the sense
of the house was, and a majority of 77 reaffirmed
the decision of the last Parliament. Mr. BERESFORD
rIOPE stated his case in a very plausible fashion.
" There was," he said, " a certain area at present
not built upon, of the size, shape, and dimensions
required, larger in extent than any of the great
existing public galleries of Europe, already the pro-
perty of the public, and on which a national gal-
lery could be economically and speedily constructed.
On the other hand, there was another area, cut up
by streets, covered by a workhouse, which could
not be procured without an enormous outlay of
money ; covered by barracks, which could not be
obtained in less than two years, and could not be
removed without great inconvenience to the State ;
and covered, besides, by many private houses. He
called upon the House to say which of these two
areas it was most desirable to occupy for the National
Gallery." These arguments, however, are not quite
correct. The expense attending the removal o.£ the
National Gallery to Burlington House would be
great, and it would be necessary to pull down Bur-
lington House itself, which would be lamented by
all antiquaries. Besides, it is not the question of a
year or two solely, or of a few thousands more or
less. The public will be easily satisfied on both
points, provided that a great national work is car-
ried out in a national spirit. The site is the only
satisfactory point about the present building. It is
the finest in London, it has convenient approaches
on every side, and is in the very centre of the
metropolis, with ready means of transit to every part
of London. Moreover, as Mr. COWPER showed, the
cost of the Trafalgar-square scheme has been exag-
gerated, while Burlington House site is worth
£200,000. Lord JOHN MANNERS reminded the
House that there were several learned societies at
present located in Burlington House, and assured
the friends of economy that by the time all the
items had been reckoned a considerable sum
total would be arrived at. The fact of the
matter is that the House and the public
inadequate, long ago settled that the present site was the best
that
could bed, and h
ot
thei presentng
remainsbu
buildingt t
wholly o u n
so that o
bring them into harmony by erecting a really na-
tional building. As for the barracks, they can
surely be moved without " great inconvenience to
the State," while the situation of St. Martin's
Workhouse is manifestly ill-adapted for the resi-
dence of those sick, infirm, and aged persons who
preponderate among our paupers. No adequate
reason has been brought forward for reversing the
former decision, and we are very glad to find the
Government intends to abide by it.

THE OPERA OF " FAUST."—The case of " Gye v.
Mapleson" came on yesterday at the Judges' Chambers.
The present application was on the part of Mr. Mapleson,
of Her Majesty's Theatre, against the plaintiff, Mr. Gye,
of the Royal Italian Opera House, for an inspection of
documents. The action was for penalties for the perfor-
mance of "Faust." Mr. Bailey appeared for Mr. Mapleson,
and Mr. Dodgson for Mr. Gye. The parties agreed to an
inspection, and Air. Baron Bramwell made an order.