The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-23 00:00:00

determination to lose no chance that may present
itself. The Prince SOLMS, general in the Austrian
army, has arrived unexpectedly at Hanover, and it
is thought that the purport of his journey is to open
" negotiations " with the Government of Hanover
We learn also that the
respecting the passage of the Austrian forces through
the Hanoverian territory.
l
Austrian ussinatriialanr Croulorpnoet
that
niPF
ERhasgone to Cassel for
Austrian troops may be
conveyed
Hesse-Cassel. The motion
through
to be proposed at the Federal Diet by the
representatives of the Middle States is con-
sidered to be favourable: to Austria, and, indeed,
the prospect of things both at home and abroad
tends in that direction. One of the most noticeable
signs of the war now so imminent is the great dis-
like towards Herr Vox BISMARCK which has
been manifested by the Prussians, and which
seems but to increase instead of diminishing
as time goes on, and threatens to bring about
hostilities in a summary form. Besides this
the sympathies of the German States are quite
against the present policy of Herr BIS3IARCK, and
hence almost all these will side with Austria in
the approaching struggle if they possibly can.
Seldom in the history of nations has there been a
more remarkable instance of retribution than this
dilemma in which Prussia is now placed through the
unscrupulous selfishness of her rulers, and also
through the selfishness of her people in urging on
the prosecution of the war against Denmark. It
is very convenient, no doubt, to give this view of
the question the go-bye ; but truth cannot be hid-
den, and facts are stubborn things. Nothing can
obliterate the disgraceful episode of the Dano-
German war from the minds of those who
studied the question at the time, and neither
can any one, however prejudiced now, misunder-
stand the case when its fatal consequences are so
plainly put before them. If Prussia be greatly
despoiled of her possessions, and if innumerable
losses are entailed upon Germany, throwing her
back in her course, of prosperity to an extent that
this generation will not see retrieved, still there
will be no other course to which the historian can
point as the immediate agency of the mischief
but the unlawful desire of aggrandisement of
territory. This feeling, carried to an inordi-
nate extent by the two great German Powers,
was fostered and encouraged by the fatal indiffe-
rence of this country, and the results we all have
seen and deplored two years ago in the losses of
Denmark. Those were the immediate results, these
are the subsequent ones which to-day we are wit-
nessing, and which to-morrow may bring forth
war. 'While Prussia, therefore, desires peace, we
see Italy intent on war. It rests with Austria in this
emergency to maintain a bold front, and yet to
show that she is wise as well as brave. No greater
mistake could be made than that she committed in
1859, but it is to be hoped that she will be wiser
now.

Botany as a science and as a pleasure has lately
made great strides among us, and horticultural
societies, assemblies, and fetes have become organ-

ised institutions. Notwithstanding the high reputa-

tion of our existing associations and the beauty and
success of their exhibitions, it seems there was still
room for further achievements in this line, for cer-
tainly the inauguration of the International Horti-
cultural Exhibition yesterday was one of the most
extensive and brilliant affairs of the kind on
record. Probably the expected arrival of the Prince
and Princess of WALES had something to do with
the crowds of visitors who poured in continuous
streams into the gardens, but the beauty and va-
riety of the scene before them was sufficient of
itself to repay any exertion. All that taste and
skill could do bad been done in grouping together
the different kinds, in blending and harmonising
the delicate shades of colour, till the gazer scarcely
knew which to wonder at most, the richness and
variety of the works of nature, or the patience and
ingenuity with which man had devoted himself to

their exhibition. As an evidence of the extent
of the exhibition, we may mention that there were
some hundreds of classes, and no less than £2,500
have been given in prizes. The preliminary ex-
penses for the gardens demanded an outlay of
£3,000, and the expenditure has been well repaid
by the varied and beautiful scene which yesterday
delighted the visitors to this botanical congress.
The area of the orchid tent is 400,000 cubic feet,
the length of the pipe which heats it 3,200, feet,
and the quantity of water it requires 1,760 gallons.
The inauguration being happily accomplished,
the weather having favoured the enterprising origi-
ginators of the scheme most kindly, the opening
was celebrated by a grand banquet at the Guild-
hall, which was very numerously attended by
English and foreign guests. The speeches were ap-

propriate and interesting, and just at this time of
threatening war, the contrast between the courtesies
of the botanists and horticulturists and the troubled
aspect of diplomatic affairs was not a little marked.
Professor DE CONDOLLE, who was the spokesman
of the foreign visitors, regretted that the disturbed
state of the Continent Prevented many of his brother
horticulturists from attending. The learned Pro-
fessor humorously remarked that the cost of the mil-
lions of soldiers now massed together in continental
Europe for a single day would construct a conserva-
tory reaching from Paris to Berlin. So much for
the rival expenditure of peace and war ! The prin-
cipal address of the evening was, however, that of
the Right Hon. C. HAMILTON, who declared his con-
viction that the exhibition he had seen that day was
the finest he had ever beheld, though he had seen
many in all parts of the world. No less than
300 years ago one of the greatest intellects of
England, Lord BACON, in dedicating an essay to
horticulture, made use of this remarkable expres-
sion--" GOD first planted a garden, which indeed
is the purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest
refreshment to the spirits of man, without which
buildings and palaces are but gross handiwork." Mr.
NISBET commented upon the high esteem in which
horticulture was held by all classes in this country,
aevensingle t h efl Po
flower
-spt 0
ts hoorwi
boxng
otnh eai rdli
ro
iv,
ye w
io fn
dfiooww el
er
ds
gbey.
There is little doubt therefore of this exhibition ob-
taining the popular suffrage it deserves, and we
hope that although the first, it will not be the ldaistioof.
such congresses, more peaceful and more profitable
than the troubled assemblies of designing p
matist s.

GREAT FIRE IN THE HIGHLANDS.—An extensive
fire broke out on Monday in Rothiemurchus Forest. intel-
ligence was immediately- conveyed to Inverness, and every
means takedto check the progress of the flames. Notwith-
standing the great exertions made, however, property to
the value of several hundred pounds was destroyed before
the fire was stopped.—Edinburgh Evening Courant.
THE FASTEST STEAMER IN THE WORLD. The
Egyptian paddlewheel steam yacht Mahroussa, Captain
Fredrigo Bey, built under the superintendence of the Pen-
insular and Oriental Company, by Messrs. Samuda,
Brothers, of London, for the Viceroy of Egypt, arrived
here on Saturday, the 12th inst., at 6 30 p.m., having per-
formedo the voyage from Southampton in the unprecedented
shumrtestime of 157 hours. When under full steam she con-
Which is equalto
the
fasteevstei,l7::snesi of coal an hour, and is without exception
ing fuel she pro afloat. At the measured mile i
Bay her average
to meet his speed was upwards of 184 knots an hour,
tends paying a visit to
power. Her
aboutd 20i statute miles. After replenish-
Highnesesd on the 16th inst. for Constantinople,
splendid vessel is of Viceroy, who, it is reported, in-
oiEngland in her this summer. This
chinery of 800 horse ix: and. is fitted with ma-
extraordinary 't interior fittings are of
, magnificence.xiimin....maitarinia.Her cost is said to have been

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Tuesday Evening.

There is no real news in the Paris papers to-day
respecting the position of affairs in regard to Ger-
many ; and, indeed, there is a scarcity of the usual
contradictory and alarming reports. A Vienna
journal (Le Debat) which is ready to support every-
thing said and done by Austria will have it that
there is not to be a Congress. No Power will
interfere, it argues, to attempt to arrest Austria in
her just course, and " all news about a Congress is
false, under whatever mask it may be inculcated."
According to the Frenzdenblatt, of Vienna, a post-
ponement of hostilities would be very prejudicial to
Austria, since, without allowing the hope of the
maintenance of peace, it would increase the expenses
and anniversaries of war." This journal, therefore,
advises Austria to maintain the defensive in regard
to Italy, and to assume an energetic, offensive atti-
tude relative to Prussia. So much for the pacific
aspirations of the Austrian official organs.
According to a private despatch from Bucharest,
Prince Charles of Hohenzollern was to arrive in
that capital to-day. On the Prince's arrival at
Tournau Severin, the first Roumainicity, in an Aus-
trian steamer, he was challenged by a Wallachiau
sentinel, who took him before the Prefect, to whom
he said, " I am Prince Charles of Hohenzollern,
whom the people of Roumania have chosen to rule
over them, and I accede to their wishes." The
population of Tournau Severin assembled and
cheered the Prince enthusiastically.

There were shocks of earthquake in several parts
of France on Saturday. At Marseilles the shock
took place at nine o'clock in the morning, and was
sensibly felt. The windows were shaken as if by a
violent wind, and the furniture was seen to oscil-
late. The shook lasted from four to five seconds,
and was felt at the same instant in several parts of
the city throughout the whole extent of it from
north to south. At Nice there were two violent
manifestations of the earthquake, but they took
place at 20 minutes past four in the morning. The
direction of the earthquake was from east to west.
Some of the French scientific men are of opinion
that this phenomenon has some connection with the
volcanic eruptions which recently took place near
Santorin in the Archipelago. At Dragaignan the
earthquake was felt at eight o'clock in the morning.
The following is the result of the racing at the
steeplechases of La Marche yesterday. Grand
Annual 'Military Steeplechase, gentlemen riders,
5,000 f. Magenta, 1 ; Grabuge, 2 ; The Africain,
3. Amount of prize, 6,000 f. ; 500 f. to the second.
Weight 1401 b. Prix du Pare (Selling Race) I,ooof.
for all horses. 11 horses ran. Pronostic, 1 ; Farin-
tosh, 2 ; Joe Maley, 3. The winner was claimed
for 4,725 f. Prix de Consolation (Free Handicap),
1,500 f. added to 100 f. entrance. Mario 1 ; Sorciere,
2 ; Tambour de Basque, 3. Mario won easily :by
a length.

The pleasure of the race was much diminished by
a dispute about the Africain into which I will not
enter, as there is to be an inquiry into the sub-
ject. The Africain, which ran for the first time
after a long absence, was the favourite at first, and
the betting was all in his favour. It was soon evi-
dent that he was not up to his work. The disap-
pointed backers were very angry with his rider, M.
Riddell, who replied to their taunts with a blow,
and a scene of great violence and confusion ensued.
The backers in a body rushed upon him, and had it
not been for the interference of M. Riddell's brother,
and several leading and respectable sporting gen-
tlemen, there might have been bloodshed. As it
was, the scene was quite unprecedented at a race
in France, where in general matters proceed very
amiably and smoothly.

M. Chouy, a gentleman of property, residing at
Estenencuby, in the Lower Pyrenees, has just died
at the age of 107 years.

The Journal des Debats contradicts the report
that a French army of observation was about to be
formed near the French frontier at Cannes, An-
tibes, Nice, and Menton. The movements of troops
in that direction are merely those which take place
every year at this period, and arise from insignifi-
cant changes in some of the troops quartered in
different garrisons.

At the Tribunal at Toulouse yesterday, the ease '
for the prosecution against Aspe, the innkeeper,
charged with the murder and mutilation of Marie
Guillonet, was concluded. M. Manau, the counsel
for the prisoner, having addressed the Court in his
favour, the Attorney-General was heard in reply.
He contended that the evidence had completely
proved the prisoner's guilt. It was expected that
the jury would give their verdict to-day.
The agents of the municipal authorities in Paris,
St. Cloud, and the localities in the neighbourhood,
have commenced the work of making a new census
of the population. It is already ascertained that
the population of the capital will reach nearly two
millions. In 1800 the population of Paris was
sa4b7,ouotooa
min
ilh
laibo int ainnt s,
th9eoto,imooeooufn dLeorutihs erßheilsitpoprea,tiaonnd,
1,200,000 in 1856. In 1861, after the annexation
of some neighbouring localities to the capital, the
number of inhabitants was estimated to be 1,696,140.
On Sunday there was a very interesting fete at
Nanterre, near Paris —the crowning of the Rosiere.
A crown of white roses is placed on the head of that
young girl who during the year has the most dis-
tinguished herself for virtue and general good con-
duct, and a sum of money is given to her as a mar-
riage portion. Fifty young girls, clothed in white,
kneel in the church, and, to the sound of sacred
music, the crown of white roses was placed by
Madame Mastre, a sister of charity, on the head of
Mademoiselle Joseph Guerbois, the rosiere of the
present year. It was in the reign of Clovis, in 511,
that this fete of virtue was instituted. The church
last Sunday was redolent of flowers, incense, and
the light of wax tapers, and crowded with an ad-
miring congregation. After an appropriate dis-
course, under a velvet dais, did this young girl re-
ceive this crown, the reward of virtue and good-
ness. The ceremony was sufficiently affecting to
draw tears from many eyes, and to excite sympathy
from every heart.

EXCURSION OF THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF
THE FRENCII.—The Journal de la illeurthe says :
" Their Majesties, who are to be accompanied by the
Prince Imperial, will leave Paris on Saturday, July 14, for
the camp of Chalons, where they will pass the night. On
Sunday morning they will reach Bar-le-Duc, and arrivb at
Nancy about three in the afternoon. In the evening there
will be official receptions, and on the 16th and 17th grand
fetes in commemoration of the union of Lorraine to France.
On the evening of the day last named, being a Tuesday,
their Majesties will take their departure for Luneville,
whence they will visit several points of the country round
during three days, arriving at Strasburg on Saturday, the
21st, and after staying there the Sunday and Monday, will
resume their tour the morning after."
MR. SHERIDAN KNOWLES' POSTHUMOUS DRAMA.
—Mr. R. B. Knowles, the famous dramatist's son,
writes to a contemporary about this play:—Will you per-
mit me to say, with regard to the drama produced to-night
at the Strand Theatre as a " posthumous play" of the late
Mr. Sheridan Knowles, that it is simply the dialogue of a
ballad opera which my father wrote many years ago for
Messrs. Cramer, Addison, and Beale, with the songs
omitted. it is thus not all to be judged by the same stan-
dard as the dramatic works by which he won his reputa-
tion, nor is its success to be regarded by modern playgoers
as a sample of his power to awaken the sympathies of an
audience. Pray let me add that I say this without the
slightest wish to disparage the most meritorious efforts of
the management and company of the Strand Theatre to
render interesting a work which was put upon the stage
with but half the attraction intended by its author.

EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT TO A LADY.—A very
singular accident happened on the Preston-road on Thurs-
day afternoon to a young lady residing in the western
part of Brighton. She was taking horse exercise with
others, riding behind the rest of her companions, when a
young man rushed from the side of the road towards her,
and commenced tearing away the skirt of her riding habit.
A gentleman on horseback, thinking that some insult was
being offered, rode towards the young lady to give her his
protection, when it was discovered that her habit was on
fire. It was soon extinguished, but not before the hands
of the young man were much burnt. The origin of the
accident is not known. It was attributed at the time to
the skirt having caught the hot ashes of an ignited cigar
fusee, carelessly thrown away ; but the most probable con-
jecture is that the skirt caught fire
i from a plumber's por-
table grate, used for melting lead m the open air, one of
which, wo are informed, was on the route passed by the
lady,
who, we are pleased to learn, escaped any serious in-
jury.