The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-04 00:00:00

ullE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY 141VENiNG, JULY 4, 1866.

the position which their descendants would have
ed for themselves within the short space of a
century. One hundred years ago how different
were: the prospects of the colonies 1 They were pros-
perc us, thriving communities, no doubt, of whom
the 'farseeing statesman might foretel a gradual
development of material wealth; but few, indeed, of
thes contemporaries of WASHINGTON and CHATHAM
could have seen in their dreams of the future the
great and powerful country which claims equality
with the proudest monarchies of the Old World,
whose bands stretch far and wide, whose population
is reckonedby tens of millions, whose representatives
are at every court, as their vessels, like those of. Eng-
land herself, are on every sea. In mechanical and
scientific inventions America is second to none,
while in the more graceful paths of literature and
poetry her children have abundantly proved their
abilities. In politics she can boast of many a gifted
and patriotic statesman, even though she has some-
times had to deplore the division of the patriotism
and the gifts. In commerce she occupies a position
so important that the shock of her civil war was felt
throughout the habitable globe, paralysing the busy
factories of Lancashire and stimulating the languid
energies of the Hindoo ryot. A long career of un-
broken peace gave her time to develope, at (least in
part, the marvellous resources of her soil. She had
proved herself strong enough to resist oppression,
and Europe was too shaken by her own wars to
have leisure to look across the Atlantic, in
search of others. America had played her part in
stimulating the French Revolution, and after the
episode of 1812 she was left to grow in peace and
thrive as only peaceful nations can do. But within
the last few years she has shown us that we miscal-
culated her strength and her spirit. Setting aside
the moral or political merits of the case, the courage,
the resource, the indomitable spirit, and military
capacity displayed on both sides during the
American war would have reflected honour on the
oldest and: most warlike nation in existence. In

commerce, in war, in finance, in enterprise, in in-
vention, the Americans have shown the same spirit,
never doubting and copying the example of other
countries, but boldly and fearlessly striking out
new paths for themselves, confident in their own
capacity to pursue them successfully to the end.

With such strong lights there must necessarily be
shadows, and thoughtful Americans, while rejoicing
over the past and the future of their country, must
acknowledge the existence of some drawbacks to her
character and her fortunes. VOLTAIRE says, in his
life of CHARLES XII. of Sweden, that all his virtues
were pushed to an extremity at which they became
vices, and we see something of this in the American
people. The indomitable courage and self-reliance
with whichWASHINGTON and his associates confronted
the majesty of England, exercised without restraint
or reason in the every day life of the world, becomes
national assumption and intolerance. The spirit of
commercial enterprise is pushed to an extreme
of reckless speculation, which thinks the magni-
tude of a failure a matter of boast. The love of
country and institutions becomes in its exaggerated
form contempt of other nations and other modes
of government, while the love of civil
and religious liberty, to which America
partly owes its origin, grows into such a
Babel of voices that only the loudest, most into-
lerant and unscrupulous,' have any chance of
being heard. In endeavouring to guard against

the evils which they salty in the existing
systems of legislation, of religion, and of
society in the Old World, American statesmen
fell into the dangers of the opposite extreme, and,
' with an arrogant faction overriding the Congress,
wirn preacners tnunuering kulabL., tuna II WU
their pulpits, and society, in which the absence of
rank and title leaves only the exclusive distinction
to wealth and ostentation, Americans, if they are
candid, must confess that all the mistakes and vices
of the world are not the exclusive property of the
eastern hemisphere.
Nevertheless the Americans are a great people,
and have shown in more than one notable
instance the influence of their Anglo-Saxon origin.
If they will address themselves in earnest to the
removal, or at least the investigation, of these ob-
stacles to their national progress, if they will con-
sent to profit by the experience and the history of
older and more tried nations, their course will not
only be more rapid, but more solid. They are for-
unate in having at the head of affairs a statesman
like ANDREW JOHNSON, impartial and upright in
acknowledging the right, and firm in maintaining it ;
not to be shaken from his course of constitu-
tional law and civil liberty by the clamour
of faction or the intrigues of partisans ; one who has
shown that he will hold his way through good and
evil report alike, and that so long as he is entrusted
with the guidance of the affairs of the Union, so
long will he steer his course in the manner which he
conscientiously believes best calculated to further its
interests and to protect its liberties. his wise and
conciliatory policy has already partially reconciled
the disaffected South, and has averted a breach
with England. It speaks well for the decay
of prejudice and intolerance in the States that
the general feeling of the public supports him
strongly. Under his influence the voices of those
moderate and thoughtful men, who are best calcu-
lated to promote the good of the country, can make
themselves heard, and the clamour which has too long
been accepted as the expression of American opinion
loses much of its effect. The Fourth of July, 18G6,
may well be a day of rejoicing, since the wounds
inflicted by the war are beginning to heal, the ter-
rible cloud of slavery has rolled away, and before
the people of the Western Republic there stretches
a noble and Promising future, on the sole condition
that they will consent to remember their dangers as
Iwell as their blessings.

Mr. GLADSTONE'S refusal to take part in a public
Reform meeting was only what might have been
anticipated, and his letter to Mr. PorrEß, while
couched in the most courteous terms, was suffi-
ciently decisive. The right hon. gentleman can
certainly neither be accused nor suspected of indiffe-
rence to Reform. He has given proof enough of
his sincerity, of his energy as a Reformer, and no
further speech or address from him on the well-
worn subject could add to the effect of his
previous words. Mr. GLADSTONE declares
that he thinks it better to confine his efforts
as an advocate of Reform to his place in Parliament
and to his own constituency, not from any disposi-
tion to abandon the contest, but as a matter of
public no less than of personal prudence. Mr.
GLADSTONE can hardly say for himself what others
can say for him, that it would be scarcely befitting
his political position to put himself forward as a
speaker at open-air meetings as a lion at Messrs.
POTTER and HARTWELL'S assemblies. He may
sympathise with their efforts, and share to:soine
extent their principles, but to be identified
with any particular party would neither enhance
Mr. GLADSTONE'S reputation nor benefit the cause.
He has never shrunk from declaring his views, and
has maintained them in the face of all opposition,
within and without the Cabinet, through the trial
of an adverse majority. Ile has shown his readi-
ness to sacrifice his office for his convictions, and
nothing he could do or say at a public meeting
would enhance the finpreseion. We hope that Mr. j

POTTER and his friends will take the hint and con-
duct their Reform agitation with as much modera-
tion and as much disinterested sixcerity.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FR 031 OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.
It appears from a St. Petersburg journal, received
to-day in Paris, that Russia is engaged in its little
game of war as well as many other leading Powers.
The Czar has just obtained a great victory in the

environs of Itzar over the Sultan of Bokhara. After

having lost a thousand men, General Romanoffski
attacked the camp of the Emir, who had an army
of 45,000 men and a large quantity of artillery.
The combat was a short one, bat, according to the
Russian papers, the results were magnificent. After
having lost his thousand men the Emir abandoned
his guns, his tents, his materiel, and his wounded,
and took flight towards Djonzat, leaving his capital
to the mercy of his conquerors, as well as the course
of the Oxus, that great river which flows 1,300
miles from Serekol to the sea of Aral. La Liberte
compares the policy of Russia to that of England,
who, it says, " with wise slowness, but with constant
success, adds province to province and kingdom to
kingdom to her vast possessions." The Russian
troops, after the conquest of Bokhara, which she
cannot fail to achieve, will shortly find herself near
the advanced posts of the English troops on the
limits of the Empire of the Indies on the frontier of
the Punjaub. It has long beenforeseen that England
and Russia must come into contact in Asia. Eng-
land is now more occupied with preservation than
with augmentation. Russia, vanquished in the
disastrous campaign of the Crimea, has always con-
tinued her expansive movement in Asia in the
direction of the south, which brings her nearer to
the British possessions ; but this does not, however,
prevent her from throwing a covetous glance at
Europe in the direction of the north-west. Whilst
15,000 soldiers are engaged in the repartition of a
few provinces in the centre of Europe, Russia is
employing hardly the 54th part of her army in con-
quering vast kingdoms and fertile countries washed
by rivers 13,000 miles in length."
The Moniteur, from its latest information, draws
the conclusion that in a very short time there must
be news of grave events in Bohemia. The Austrians,
in concentrating themselves on Kcenigsgraatz, are
followed very closely by the Prussians. The eva-
cuation of Jicin was attended by a sanguinary com-
bat, and the loss of men in the series of engagements
which has preceded the great be ttle expected to
take place immediately has been very considerable.
It is expected that Prague vill be occupied by a de-
tachment of the army of Prince Frederick Charles.
This would be an important result, as by this cir-
cumstance the communications between the Austrian
and Bavarian army would be cut off. The Prussians
at Prague would be masters not only of the railway
line which reaches the Bodenbach towards Dresden,
but also of that which by Pilsen and Ratisbon leads
to Munich. The Austrians are strongly massed on
each side of this territory, presenting a front on all
sides in the radius of Josephstadt, and branching
upon ICcenigsgraatz. The environs of these two
strong places have been inundated, and it is even
said that gunboats have been placed on the waters
which defend the approach. The contest, there-
fore, which is foreseen will be between four armies,
forming a total of 600,000 men. There is only the
improbable case that the Austrians should volun-
tarily retreat before a battle which can delay them
in transporting the scene of war more to the south.
Should the Prussians be victorious, they will be
able to reach Pardubitz, and form a junction on the
line of Pardubitz at Prague, and thus occupy a
very advantageous position. On the contrary,
should Benedek be victorious, he could not only
maintain himself in his positions at Kcenigsgraatz
and Josephstadt, but drive the enemy from
Bohemia. In the present situation of the Bavarian
army, which Benedek expected would make a diver-
sion in his favour, he is quite isolated from Bohemia,
and cannot influence the operations being carried
nn thnrn_ There ;- ^^ ;nirmrtant rin.en vnt of +ba

operations of Prince de Hohenzollern towards the
Duchy of Nassau, or of Prince Alexander of Hesse,
who hitherto limits himself to the covering of

Frankfort, rather than attempting to threaten the
Prussian possessions. Nor is there anything im-
portant from Italy. Only a few skirmishes on the
banks of the Mincio, and a few musket shots be-
tween Lombardy and the Tyrol. There is no
reliable news respecting the Italian fleet in the
Adriatic. It is composed of about 20 vessels, half
of them iron-clad.
The wet weather on Sunday spoiled the attrac-
tion of the second day's races at Porchefontaine,
near Versailles. Ten horses were entered for the
Prix a Relamer, 3,000 f., but only two ran, Nemesis
and Esther. Nemesis won easily by three lengths.
ajteJeolliiengbe for 425 f.
at Ultima
TThhee whi
an
nn
de ri
awasp a,
5i mo
oefd. by
), RHa
b.
easily. Magny won the Poule de Hack (gentle-
men riders) by a length and a half ; Good Hope
second. The Steeple Chase, 100 f. entrance, was won
by Barberousse, who refused a jump and allowed
Astrolabe to win. Caprice was the only other
horse which ran.

An account is given of a curious and furious at-
tack made by an owl in the vicinity of Avraniches.
A boy robbed its nest and took away two of its
young ones. The old owl watched the boy home,
and for four days hovered over the house. On the
fifth day as the boy was going out of the farm the
owl puunced upon him and tore out his left eye, and
flew off with great rapidity.

A Brussels paper mentions that M. Vohler, a
well-known man of science, has received a rich geo-
logical prize from Borneo. It is a mass of mineral
which contains not only gold but diamonds. It also
contains ruthenium, osmium, and sulphur. This is
the first time that a mineral has been found com-
prising so many substances. It is also stated from
Belgium that an epidemic now prevails in that coun-
try among poultry. An inhabitant of Eckeren found
in the fields more than 200 dead swallows, and
other birds, whose deaths are ascertained to have
been caused by some epidemic disease.

A scientific Paris paper, remarking upon the re-
cently-found volcanic island George the First in the
Archipelago, says that history
affords many similar
instances of volcanic eruptions. In the year 237
before Jesus Christ. a volcanic eruption separated
Theresia from Thera. In the year 184 the island
of Niera, now called Palas-Kaimeni, burst open in
the centre, and in 1427 it considerably extended it-
self. In 1573 the island of Mikro-Kaimeni was
found, and from 1707 to 1709 it has not ceased up
to these days from occasionally emitting sulphurous
vapours.
General Prim, who
Was said by some to have
taken part in the late military insurrection at. Ma-
drid, is, it appears, recruiting his health and strength
by taking the waters at Vichy.
The works at the Grand Opera are now proceed-
ing with great activity. The principal facade will
be embellished with statues of Cimarosa, Pergolese,
Bach, and Haydn.
In the grand vestibule there
will be four statues seated, representing the four
chiefs of the various schools of music—Lulir, Ita-
lian ; Rameau, French ; Gluck, German ; Handel,
English. There will also be seven gilt bronze busts,
that of Mozart occupying
the centre, viz., Rossini,
Auber, Beethoven, Sportini, Meyerbeer,
,
Halevy. Also two busts of dramatists, Scribe and
Quinault. On the lateral facades there will be 24
busts of eminent musicians,
Mozart
with the dates of their
births.

The wet weather continues. It has rained very
heavily at intervals throughout the day.
A telegram has been read on Change to-day,
announcing that the Prussian armies of the Elbe
and the Oder had succeeded in effecting their long-
attempted junction. The fact has since been con-
firmed by an official telegram from Berlin.
The following is the result of the sailing and row-
ing matches at Mureaux-les-Meulan of the Sailing
Club and Rowing Club. In the sailing match New,
York won the prize des Mureaux, Belle Helene
that of the Jugiers, and the
grand prize of the
Emperor. Tambour Battant second. At the row-
ing match, Franc Milton won the prize of the
Regatta Society ;. Due Job,
the prize , of Verneiul ;
Nip-Nip, the Meulan prize ; saphir, the prize of the

Sangle ; and Perseverance, the grand prize of the
Emperor.
Rouen races, whizh promise to be very brilliant
this year, will take place on Sunday and Monday
next, and those of Caen three weeks afterwards.
A letter from Madrid states that the sanguinary
executions continue in that capital in great num-
bers, in spite of the efforts of the English, French,
and American Ambassadors to induce the Govern-
ment to stop this wanton and useless effusion of
blood.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE WAR IN GERMANY.

GITSCIIIN, July 3, 8 p.m.

The Prussian army has gained another brilliant
victory over the Austrians near Sadowa, one mile
and a half south of Miletine.

GITSCHIN, July 4 (Morning).

After the brilliant victory gained yesterday, the
Prussians continued the pursuit 01 the Austrian
army without delay.

ANOTHER GREAT BATTLE IN
BOHEMIA.

HORITZ, near Gitschin, July 3, 11 p.m.

The Prussian army won a complete victory to-
day over the Austrian army near Konigsgratz, be-
tween the Elbe and Bristritz. The battle lasted
eight hours. No estimate has yet been formed of
the loss of the Austrian; or of the number of

trophies captured.
Twenty guns fell into the hands of the Prussians.
All the eight Prussian army corps were engaged,
and suffered great loss.

BERLIN, July 4.

The fresh victory of the Prussians yesterday in
Bohemia was announced here this morning by
salvos of artillery.
(OFFICIAL DESPATCH.)
HORITZ, near GITSCHIN, July 3.

To-day the Prussian army gained a brilliant vic-
tory over the entire Austrian army, near Konigs-
gratz, after an obstinate contest. The losses upon
both sides are considerable. The number of our
trophies cannot yet be ascertained. The pursuit
continues.

BRESCIA, July 3.
The cannonade of the Austrian gunboats against
Dcsenzano has not caused any damage.

The Austrians have constructed bridges of boats
at Goito and Monzambano, which are protected by

earthworks.

Austrian troops have appeared before Rocca
d'Anto, and were fired upon by the fortress.
Strong bodies of Austrians are reported before
Peschiera and in the neighbourhood.

FLORENCE, July 4.
Baron Ricasoli has arrived here fiom the camp.

BERLIN, July 4.

Count Recke Wolmerstein has issued a notice to
the public, announcing that an office for the enrol-
ment of volunteers has been opened at No. 17, Unter
den Linden, in accordance with the authorisation
granted him by the Minister of War, to form corps
of volunteers. A committee has been appointed
to superintend the enrolments, and has announced
that the formation of the corps has already com-
menced, and that it is ready to receive contributions
in money towards their equipment.

SPAIN.
MADRID, July 3 (Evening).

The Epoca of to-day says :—" It is believed that
in those capitals where Spain is represented by
Legations, the Spanish Consulates will be suppressed,
and the consular duties performed by the Secretaries
of Legation.

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE HANSA.

SOUTHAMPTON, July 4.

The North German Lloyd's steamer Hansa, from
New York on the 23d ult., has arrived. She brings
140 passengers far this port, Havre, and Bremen,
$792,168 in specie for England, $102,000 for France,
and $16,945 for Bremen.

CHINA.
(By overland telegraph from Galle.)

SHANGHAE, May 24.
The reported murder of Consul Morrison is con
tradicted.

Choongan, in the tea districts, has been taken
by the rebels. All the local authorities were put to
death. It is feared that the export of tea will be
affected if the place is not retaken.
Wenseng is reported to have gained an important
victory in the neighbourhoon of Monkden.
It is reported that Mr. Morrison, the English
Consul at Chefoo, has been murdered while travel-
ling from Pekin to Hankow.
The following are the names of the clipper ships
engaged to take the first cargoes of tea from Foo
thou :—Fiery Cross, Serica, Taeping, Ariel, Tai
sing, and Black Prince.

HONGKONG, June 13.

The Hongkong Mint was formally opened by the
Governor on the 7th inst. Mr. Macdonald, of her
her Majesty's Legation in Japan, is dead.

PRANCE.

BOURSE, July 3.—Two o'clock.—The market
continues to be occupied with the " settlement,"
which is taking place on improved quotations, and
with a deport on nearly all classes of Securities, viz.,
15c. on Italian Fives, 6f. on Credit Mobilier andl
Comptoir d'Escompte, 4f. on Credit Foncier, 2f. on
Northern Railway Shares, lf. 50c. on Lyons, and
2f. 50c. on North of Spain. There is only 35c. of
report on Austrian Shares, and 45c. on Lombard
Shares. Threes, for the Account, have advanced
15c., viz., to 64f., and on Italian Fives 90c., to 41f.
20c. Credit Mobilier Shares have improved Bf.
75c., viz., to 466 f. 25c. ; Spanish Mobilier, 12f. 50c.,
to 232 f. 50c. ; Credit Foncier, 5f., to 1,160 f. ; and
Comptoir d'Escompte, 5f., to 700 f. Better rates
are also current in the Railway Department,
Northern having advanced 7f. 50c., to 1,087 f. 50c. ;
Orleans, 2f. 50c., to 805 f. ; Lyons, if. 25c., to
795 f. ; and Austrian, if. 25c., to 300 f. An ad-
vance of is telegraphed on English Consols. The
cours de compensation has been fixed as follows :
Bank of France Shares 3,400 f., Credit Mobilier
460 f., Comptoir d'Escompte 700 f., Italian Fives
41f., Lyons 795 f., Northern 1,0854., and Orleans
805 f.

Three o clock,—The market has been buoyant
towards the end, and Italian Fives have obtained a
considerable advance, The last quotations were as
follows :

4; per Cent 5......... 93
Do. end m0nth.,....
3 per Cents. 64 25
Do. end m0nth...... 63 85
Credit Mobilier ... 467 50
Do. end month ... 467 50
Credit Foncier ......
Do. end month ..... .1165
um'

Bank Shares 3900
Italian Loan 4l 50
Do. end month 42 10
Mexican Loan —
Do. Bonds —
Spanish Throes
Name Debt
Deferred
'AM.

For Account.
Orleans Bl7 50
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean 797 50
Southern 513 75
Western —
Eastern
Sardinian -"—
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa llO
Ditto to 8arce10na............ :
konali -