The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-21 00:00:00

TEE SUN, IAUNDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 21, 1866.1

LONDON, TVERNESDAY, 3L4RCH 21, 1866.

It will not be a matter of surprise to any one
who is well versed in political matters that another
amendment is announced for the second reading of
the Ministerial Reform Bill, and the proposition
comes from a very dangerous quarter. Earl
GROSVENOR, yesterday afternoon in the House of
Commons, amid loud cheers, gave notice that he
should move a resolution to the effect that, " In the
opinion of this House, it is inexpedient to discuss a
Bill for the reduction of the franchise in England
and Wales until the House has before it the entire
scheme contemplated by the Government for the
amendment of the representation of the people."
It seems, upon reflection, that this amendment
of the noble lord's is a very sensible one, for it ex-
presses the opinion shared by the generality of those
who have canvassed the merits and criticised the
defects of this scheme of Reform. In fact, the
Elective Franchise Bill of Mr. GLADSTONE suits no-
body, but gives occasion to every one to find fault.
Extreme Reformers think it a sham and a delusion ;
moderate onos think that it disturbs the existing
state of things, and at the same time settles nothing
in a definite form ; while those who are openly and
secretly against all reform take advantage of the
confusion to put their veto on it altogether.
Should the Government persevere in proceed-
ing to a second reading Earl GROSVENOR is sure
to find many to support his amendment ; but
the proposition of Sir W. Hurr is quite an unte-
nable one, and, indeed, so unparliamentary in its
character that we wonder any one could have sug-
gested such a scheme. He proposes that this act
should not take effect until " provision shall have
been made for such redistribution of the seats for
the counties, cities, and boroughs of Great Britain
and Ireland as Parliament shall deem expedient,
and this act and the act for making such provision
shall be constituted as one act." In point of fact,
while sec •
king to assist his friends, Sir W. HLTT has
pointed out the chief plan in the whole af-
fair. It is
precisely because this act relating cr to
the Elective Franchise
ought to have been brought
forward in conjunetioe. with that of the re-distribu-
tion of seats, and other matters relating to the
election of members in general that it has failed to
meet with public approval,
and will un-
doubtedly fail to gain the „auction
of
the
House. As for the notion of
keeping one act
in abeyance until another is passed at me in-
definite period, it is quite absurd, and would
be a
mockery to those chiefly concerned in the case. It
would certainly be a strange mode of showing re-
spect to the working classes to make them wait
perhaps for years before they could enjoy the
privilege conferred upon them. There can be no
manner of doubt that this Reform Bill is doomed,
and now the only uncertainty can be whether the
Ministry will withdraw it or press it to a division.
The latter would be the wisest course. Only we hardly
see how they can do so after the very emphatic de-
claration of Earl RUSSELL, that they were bound in
honour to introduce such a measure, and would
stand or fall by it. The most successful prophet of
political matters might well be puzzled to sketch
the future tactics that a Whig-Liberal Ministry

might resort to rather than leave the " warm pre-
cincts of the Treasuizr," as Mr.i3nipia describes it.

...------------"------------------- .
house of
The conversation that took place in the
Lords yesterday concerning the cattleplapguruesuperdovbeys
that there is much wanting in the course
the Government. Lord GRANVILLE stated that
re.
tit
was not intended to alter the prohibition for b
moval of cattle, and to-day a bill will be introduced
in the House of Commons whose object would be to
extend the powers of the Privy Council. This is so
far a step in the right direction, but, as Lord ELLEN-
\no r.ouoii stated, there is far too much apathy about
the Government in the matter. The noble earl gave
an instance of the havoc occasioned by this uncer-
tainty by mentioning that the Quarter Sessions
had nearly all met, or would meet, during this
iweek, and " he apprehended that nearly all of them
would he in a state of uncertainty as to what Her
MAJESTY'S Ministers intended to do. At present
1 everything was in a state of confusion, because the
1 Quarter Sessions and other local authorities required
some guiding principle, and yet had no indication
given to them of the final and permanent intention
of the Government." The noble Earl, in his usual
down-right style, went straight to the point in this
remark, because it is precisely a " guiding principle"
which the Government have themselves been in
want of all along in respect to this cattle
plague. They either cannot, or will not,
apply themselves in earnest to its consideration,
and yet are willing enough to stop the progress of
others who have shown more zeal and ability in the
cause. Witness their shelving of Mr. HUNT'S Bill,
which, if suffered to become law, would have done
far more effectual service than anything that the
Ministers have suggested. No doubt it might have
been more creditable if the Government had intro-
duced a practical scheme, but it is far more dis-
graceful for them to go on after this fashion. Lord
GRANVILLE last night seemed to intimate that
foreign cattle might be admitted into the country,
but, as the Duke of MARLBOROUGH said, such ought
not to be allowed except under restrictions.
They should only be imported for the purpose of
being exhibited in the market, and then theyshould
be branded to indicate that they were ready for
slaughter. Altogether, from the tenour of these re-
marks in the House of Lords, it appears that much
must yet be done before the right steps are taken
for the prevention of the cattle plague to the utmost
of our power; and we sincerely hope that the Go-
vernment will really bestir themselves, and be more
on the alert, for the loss of so much time in itself is
a serious evil, when delay is so well known to in-
crease
the mischief and add to the difficulties that
are in the way already.

Amid the many pressing topics of public interest,
both foreign and domestic, which are now engross-
ing the attention of Parliament, we are glad to find
that a little space has been reserved for a matter
which, though unpretending, is really of consider-
able importance. The enclosure of the commons
round the metropolis is a question which, if not
actively dealt without further loss of time, will very
soon settle itself. It is not to be expected or hoped
that, as a general rule, the lords of the manor will
lose the opportunity of largely increasing their in-
comes from respect to the convenience or advantage
of the public. In exceptional instances we may
find gentlemen who are rich enough, or magnani-
mous enough, to do so ; but, if we are wise, we shall
secure some better guarantee for the preservation
of our open spaces. In the House of Commons
last evening Mr. COWPER obtained leave to bring
in a bill " to make better provision for the improve-
ment of commons in the neighbourhood of the metro-
polis, and the protection thereof from nuisances ;"
but we must agree with Mr. DOULTON, who has
constituted himself the champion of the popular
cause, in the disappointment which he expressed at
its failure in dealing with the system of enclosures.
The, principal features of the bill, as explained by
the First Commissioner, are to exempt all commons
within a radius of 15 miles from London from the
action of the Enclosure Commissioners, and to
establish a special central board, consisting of the
First Commissioner of Works himself, the
Chairman of the Metropolitan Board, an Enclosure
Commissioner, and two others. The commissioners
on requisition from the lord of the manor, or from
some of the commoners, are to send dos n an assistant
commissioner to hold an inquiry and to frame a
scheme for the future management and protection
of the commons. They would be empowered to
constitute a local board of management, and to
provide for defraying the necessary expenses by
local contributions. The measure is to be laid
before Parliament in the form of a private bill,
and, if it is opposed, parties are to be allowed to
appear by counsel against it. The Metropolitan
Board of Works are to be empowered to contribute
to the expenses of maintaining any common which
they may think has a claim on the metropolis generally,
and the Central Board will be enabled to receive any
manorial rights which may be ceded to it. So
far as this goes it is all very well, but Mr. DoLL-
TON complained, and with some reason, that it
would not stop the enclosure system at present
going on. He declared, indeed, that the bill
would not add one tittle to the protection of
those places. "If the bill were to become law," said
the hon. member, " it contained nothing to prevent
the shameless enclosures that were taking place on
every side of the metropolis. The three most im-
portant commons around London were Epping
Forest, Hampstead Heath, and Wimbledon Com-
mon, and he asked the right hon. gentleman
what there was in the bill now under dis-
cussion that would prevent their being enclosed."
We fully support Mr. DOULTON'S view of the case,
when he urged that a strong power should be created
to deal with the question, not by confiscating the
rights of the lords of manors, but by pur-
chasing those rights on behalf of the pub-
lic. It is a public question, and public funds
should be forthcoming to deal with it. Surely
among the millions annually lavished in different
directions, the small sum required to settle the open
spaces problem need not alarm the taxpayers. The
present system is quite inefficient, and we cannot see
that Mr. COWPER'S Bill provides an adequate remedy
for the evil. Mr. COWPER himself said very truly
that, first, as tnese commons were becoming more
valuable for the enjoyment and recreation of the
people, they were being more menaced by the builder
and the railway engineer. In fact, they are threat-
ened on all sides ; and as everybody's business is
proverbially nobody's business, we shall see our open
spaces gradually melting away from us if we do not
devise some better system of protection.
i

Sir A. BULLER' last evening, propounded a some-
what awkward
and, as anyone
question to the leader of the House,
might have foreseen, Mr. (-- —,'LADSTONE
found it necessary to
whether,
give an evasive answer. ir
A. BULLER asked
er, in the event of the
Deform Bill becoming law, the Government in-
tended to introduce any measure in relation to cor-
rupt practices at elections. Mr. GLA.DSTONE, in
reply, said that although the matter was very
urgent it has also very difficult to deal with, and
he was afraid he could give no pledge beyond stating
that the Government held it to be their duty to
frame a measure when the proper time should
come, but that would not be until they had obtained

whatever Additional knowledge and evidence the
•
inv xstige ;ions of the present session might supply.
The: fact of the matter is, that the real reform of
corrupt practices is too great a luxury for the
rtliddll and lower classes. It is reserved for the
clubs , whose elections may be conducted in the " un-
Eng 7 ish " fashion so much abused in Parliament !
The Ballot is likely to be only too effectual, and
ther •efore noble lords and honourable gentlemen are
afr aid to try it. If there were as many genuine
Ita formers as there are loud-voiced professors among
our politicians, we should long since have tried this
sharp but sure remedy for the evils complained of,
and which at every general election bring fresh dis-
cr,Ait upon our electoral system. Mr. GLADSTONE
himself admits that the present provisions of the law
havve been inefficient for the purpose intended, or, in
pla.in English, that bribery, intimidation, and cor-
ruption have still a good deal to do with returning
our House of Commons. Let the right hon. gen-
tleman take up the cause of the Ballot, and he will
deserve the gratitude of all true Reformers.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Tuesday Evening.

Yesterday in the Legislative body, in answer
to the attacks of the Opposition against the
policy of the Emperor and his Government, M.
Rouher, the Minister, made a forcible and triumphant
reply. I could not give a better analysis of this
defence than that made by the Constitutionnel to-
day. That paper says :—" M. Rouher led the As-
sembly into the region of principles, and illustrated
the Constitution of 1852 in its truth and spirit.
Since 1815 the two monarchies which had governed
France had tried in different ways to resolve the
same problem, and both had failed. The two
Governments had failed in an essential point ; they
had not established political equality for all. That
political equality now .existed with all its conse-
quences. The Empire was a monarchy founded
upon universal suffrage. This order of things was
great, new, and fecund. It did not have to resort
to fictions ; realities sufficed for it. Under the
Parliamentary regime, liberty is in:words ; under the
Government of the Emperor it is in things. The
partizans of the past contend that no control over
the Government exists. There is, however, under
the present system, a serious, efficacious, and com-
plete control over the Government. Ministerial
crises and disputes have been succeeded by the
incessant development of prosperity within, great-
ness without, and progress in all its forms. The
country will be of the same opinion as the Legis-
lative
body, and will be happy at having confided
its destinies to a power which represents at once
order and Democracy, which knows how to make
Europe respect it, and which advances always in
the path of reform and progress."
A man named Louis Bonhier, who was born in
1760 at Venansault, and was consequently 106
years old, has just died at Nieul-le-Dolent, in La
Vend6e. He was married at 30, and bad 17 chil-
dren, all of whom are living. lie had the full pos-
session of all his intellectual faculties at his death.
Only a month ago, at the wedding of one of his
grand-children, he sang and danced almost with the
vivacity of youth.

The Consistory of Paris, it appears, is not willing
to bow to the decision of the Minister of Public
' Worship in the case of the Protestant Minister, M.
Paschoud. They have addressed to him a formal
demand claiming the dismissal of M. Paschoud on
the ground that the doctrines he preaches are con-
trary to the dogmas of the Protestant Religion. The
Consistory is determined to persist in the opposition
to M. Paschoud, and if the Minister of Public In-
struction should not agree to the demand for his
dismissal a direct appeal will be made to the Empe-
ror. M. Paschoud, in his letter of thanks to M.
Baroche, expresses hig great joy and satisfaction at
his decision, and says he will redouble his zeal for
the Church, and increase his fraternal sentiments
towards all his colleagues for being enabled " to
continue the humble and peaceable exercise of the
functions of his ministry."
Already the French artists have sent many pic-
tures to the great Exhibition, some of which are
pronounced to be exquisite specimens of art, and
worthy of the occasion.
Prince Napoleon has returned to Paris sooner
than was expected, but I believe that he intends to
depart shortly on another scientific expedition. The
vessel which brought the Prince from Leghorn, the
Jerome Napoleon, experienced terrible weather, and
could not anchor at Marseilles, but was forced to
take refuge at the Antibes, and the passengers pro-
ceeded to Paris by rail.
Although the garotte season is over, the Presse
announces that the nocturnal attacks continue in
Paris. Three bricklayers, on crossing the Rue
St. Maur, the night before last, were attacked by
about 20 men. Knives were drawn, and one of the
men was mortally wounded. A young girl em-
ployed at a linen factory, while passing near the
Pont Neuf, was struck on the head with a stick by
a man who attempted to rob her, and was found
Insensible on the ground by the police. A man
who lives in the same house with her has been ar-
rested.

A man, named Pierre Harnois, 37 years old, has
been convicted of the murder of his mother, an old
woman of 70. The trial took place before the Court
of Assize of the Loire Infericure at Nantes. His
mother having refused to give him money, the
wretch struck her several blows on the head with a
chopper, and death was instantaneous. This time
the jury did not discover any " extenuating circum-
stances," and the murderer was condemned to death,
a sentence which will, no doubt, be executed.
The Moniteur, under the head of Bucharest, gives
an account of the financial malversations in the
Danubian provinces during the administration of
Prince Couza. The interest of the debt which had
not been paid amounted to 23,175,480 piastres ; the
Government cheques payable at sight, to 12 mil-
lions ; Treasury bonds, 23 millions ; tobacco bonds,
23 millions. A special committee had been ap-
pointed to inquire into these financial frauds.

- The " Amendment of the 46," which I have de-
scribed, was negatived by 206 against 63. It needs
"no ghost from the grave" to prove that this ma-
jority shows the hopelessness of the Opposition.
How happy would Earl Russell be if he had such a
majority. The French Opposition are not dis-
pirited, for, according to their chief organ, this re-
sult is most important, as proving that "it will at-
tract additional attention to the most essential
points of our internal policy." Be it so. But it
will also prove that the " internal policy" has the
sanction and support of the vast majority of the
Chamber.
The weather continues beautiful. It has been
bright, warm, and enlivening to-day.

A NEW PRINTING TELEGRAPH is announced that
is to transmit through a single line of wire, and print in
Roman letters, the enormous number of 300 words in a
minute. It is tho joint production of MM. Bonelli and
Hipp, of Neufchatel.

AN ECCENTRIC HOST.—Lord Dudley and Ward
was so absent that he unconsciously uttered aloud
his private thoughts ; in a manner, too, that was often
embarrassing to the object of them, who was of course pre.
sent and within hearing. The host would enter the room
where his guests were assembled, and, without addressing
either, proceed to count them over in a stage whisper,
muttering—" One, two, three—Ah! there's the Colonel
with his mulberry nose !—Four, five—that's Jones ! don't
seem much put out by that awkward affair about his wife !
—Six, seven, eight—Old Billy, the silly—Nine, ten—l
wonder if that fellow has paid Truefitt for his wig!—
Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen—The Baronet ! His
lady don't know about that little French girl of his, I'll
lay a guinea !" Having in this original way ascertained
that all had arrived who had been invited, the too com-
municative host would break the painful silence by sing-
ling out some one for a viva rove welcome, invariably
accompanied by an "aside" that as much confused the
friend he thus distinguished as it amused the rest. " How
do, Rogers ? Glad to see you. Very glad—very glad.
Devilish yellow about the gills ! By Jove, his face looks
as if it had been modelled in beeswax !"- .Mr. Grantley
Berkley's Life and Recollections.
AN AMERICAN EPITAPH.—The following is the
conclusion of an epitaph on a tombstone in East Ten-
nessee :—" She lived a life of virtue, and died of cholera
morbus, caused by eating green fruit in the full hope of a
°leased immortality, at the early ago of 21 years, 7 months,
and 16 days. Reader, go thou and do likewit,e,"

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Programme of Mr. Mapleson's New Season.
We have hardly ever read the programme of an
approaching Operatic Season with more complete
satisfaction than we have read this new one of Mr.
Mapleson's. It is full not only of the happiest
auguries, but of auguries calculated to excite the
most confident anticipations as to the reasonable
probability, the all but absolute certainty, of their
fulfilment. There is this, moreover, about what-
, ever fair promises arc thus put forth by Mr. Maple-
sou in his prospectus or programme for 1866
—he has long since accustomed his subscribers
and the public at large to rely implicitly, as a rule,
, upon the validity of his announcements. Whenever
an announcement has not been realised by him
it has been the rare exception. As a rule, we
L repeat, the assurances volunteered by the Director
before his now numerous seasons have, each in turn,
commenced, have before each has drawn to its
, appointed close been justified to the full, whether
those assurances had relation to the appearance of an
artist or to the production of an opera. There is, by
the way, moreover, one charming peculiarity that is
more especially noticeable in respect to the programm e
but just issued from the press by Mr. Mapleson,
for this now fast-approaching season of 1866
namely, its conspicuous brevity. It goes directly
to the point. Without any unnecessary preamble
by way of a mere flourishing of trumpets, it sets
forth what it is that Mr. Mapleson, in his capacity
as an Operatic Manager, proposes to do during 1866
in the interests of that glorious art he has so long
and signally championed, here in England, as su-
preme Director of Her Majesty's Theatre. Referring
in general terms and with perfectly justifiable pride
to the noble repertoire which has been gradually
accumulated at that great lyrical temple under his
own immediate management—he contents himself
now with recalling to recollection the fact, that
during last season alone, the season of 1865,
he added to the already magnificent list of
works produced there during his personal direc-
tion of Her Majesty's Theatre, such chef
d'oeuvres as Mozart's Zauberflot and Cherubini's
Medea, as Donizetti's Linda di Cbamouni, and
Wteber's Der Freitchutz ! Immediately after which
very suggestive reminder Mr. Mapleson adds the
significant assertion that the season of 1866 is in -
tended by him to be in no way inferior in interest
to its predecessors. And by way of at once con-
firming the hopes inspired by this assertion, he goes
on to remark more explicitly that other operas have
been selected by him for production during
this season of 1866 from among the recognised
masterpieces of Gluck, Mozart, Spontini, Rossini,
and Meyerbeer. Encouraged by the brilliant wel-
come accorded last year to the performance for the
first time upon the boards of Her Majesty's of the
" Medea" of Cherubini, it is proposed this year to
gratify the appreciators of the same classical school
of operatic masterpieces, by producing within the
present season the " Iphigenia in Tauris" of Gluck.
The difficulty hitherto precluding us from the enjoy-
ment of this renowned work has been one in its way
almost insuperable--meaning the discovery any-
where of a prima donna capable of doing justice at
once to the tragic force and the vocal requirements
of the character. That exceptional combination,
however—the possession by one and the same per-
son of tragical genius of the first order, and of a
vocal organ of the noblest scope and quality—is hap-
pily recognisable in the great artist to whom we are
already indebted so largely for more than one or
two peerless impersonations. Hence we have now the
confident expectation before us of witnessing a no
less triumphant assumption by Madlle. Titiens of
the character of the Iphigenia of Gluck than those
already well-known triumphs achieved by her when
assuming the characters respectively of the Medea
of Cherubini and the Fidelio of Beethoven.
Kindred in its freshness, as an anticipation
to be eagerly cherished by the frequenters of Her
Majesty's Theatre, is the prospect now held
out to us there of listening for the first time
to the performance upon the Italian stage in this
country of Mozart's too long neglected comic opera
"Il Seraglio." Another strangely neglected opera,
" La Vistale," by a composer whose works are hardly
known at all on this side of the Channel—namely,
Spontini —we have a hope at last of having
brought within the range of our appreciation, thanks
to Mr. Mapleson's untiring enterprise. Besides all
which, we have radiant promise likewise held out to
us of witnessing the performance, with all possible
splendour, on the boards of her Majesty's, of both the
Donna del Lago of Rossini, and the Dinorah of
Meyerbeer. Finally, there is the welcome in-
timation given to us immediately before the
close of these refreshing announcements, that
before the season is out, M. Gounod's charming
Mirella will in all likelihood be reproduced—the
chief character being undertaken in that case
by Mddle. Ilma de Murska, for whom, in fact,
several new pieces have been expressly
written to that end by the composer. Turning
now to the long and splendid catalogue of Engage-
ments, we note there at our first glance down the list
no less than Six First Appearances as foreshadowed.
These being in effect the first appearance of Madlle.
Louise Lightmay, of Madame Demeric Lablache, of
Signor Arvini, of Signor Tasca, of Mr. Hohler, and
of Signor Verger. Looking among more familiar
names, we miss there, with a sigh of regret, the
name of poor dead and gone Signor Giuglini—con-
soled, however, still to recognise, as among the
bright particular stars at Tier Majesty's, such
gifted, such (many of them in their,way) incom-
parable artistes as Madlle. Titiens, Madame Tre-
belli, Signor Gardoni, Mr. Saatley, and a throng of
others unnecessary here to be enumerated. One
exceptional announcement, however, yet remains to
be particularised—one so exceptional of its kind and
in its way, that we shall direct attention to it here by
transcribing the very words in the programme, by
in which it is conveyed to thepublicknowledge:—
" Mr. Mapleson has the gratification to announce,
thus says the manager's own programme, that he
has prevailed upon Madame Grisi to revisit the
scene of her early triumphs, and again to appear
at the theatre her previous connection with which
formed one of the most brilliant epochs in its history
Madame Grisi will once more undertake some of
those parts which she created, and in her impersona-
tions of which will be revived the traditions obtained
direct from Rossini, Donizttti, and Bellini. These
representations, which can only extend over a few
nights, will derive additional interest from the fact
that Madlle. Titiens has consented to take part in
them, as a mark of respect to one who, for so many
years, reigned absolutely without a rival on the
lyric stage."
The return of Madame Grisi to the lyric stage,
even for the brief interval thus announced, we can-
not ourselves butregard with an almost painful soli-
citude—trusting very earnestly, while making this ac-
,
knowledgment, that any such anticipatory solicitude
of ours for the maintenance of Mdme. Grisi's hitherto
peerless reputation may be in no way whatever jus-
tified by the result, but that that great Queen of
Song may pass across the scene of her earlier triumphs
with her glory as a vocalist—as Prima Donna Asso-
luta—altogether undimmed and u n deteriorated! With
the noble choruses for which Her Majesty's has long,
but more particularly of late years, been re-
markable—choruses still kept in admirable drill under
the direction of Signor Santi—with, if not an
unrivalled, at any rate, an unsurpassed orchestra,
still led by the baton of Signor Arditi as director
of,:the music, composer, and conductor—Her Ma-
jesty's Theatre has now immediately before it the
prospect of adding yet another series of triumphs to
the long list of successes already recorded in its
annals as having been there achieved under Mr.
Mapleson's management.

TILE PRINCE CONSORT'S WILL.—It is not generally
known that the late Prince Consort before he died made
a will, in which he provided for the distribution of the
somewhat extensive property he , had acquired in this
country. Tho Queen was appointed executrix, but owing
to some objection on the part of her Majesty the will has
never been proved at Doctors' Commons, nor has probate
or succession duty been paid, nor is the will itself placed
in the usual repository. It is said that the expressed
wishes of the deceased Prince aro being most religiously
observed, and that the various properties are being as
vigorously administered se though all legal forms had been
duly complied with.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

LIVERPOOL, MARCH 21.
The extra Cunard screw-steamer Hecla, Capt.
Edmonson, from New York, on the 7th, arrived

here this morning.
Her news has been anticipated.

SPAIN.

MADRID, MARCH 20 (Evening).

Marshal O'Donnell has completely recovered.

Important despatches have been received by the
Government from the Spanish Ambassador at
Washington.