The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-28 00:00:00

so-called *glory of victories either on land or sea;
or on both combined.
" Peace hath her victories as w,ll as war."

Aye, victories more conducive to the progress of
civilization—more beneficial to the welfare of our
species, and more calculated to improve the world
by diffusing the benefits of Art, Science, and Know-
ledge throughout the earth.

Since the above was written we are much pleased
at finding a reciprocal feeling emanate from the
French Ministerial journal, the Pays, which seems
to be in singular accordance with the views we
have expressed. 'We extract the following from the
second edition of the Times :

The Pays says :—" They are only the partisans of the
past, the contemners of modern civilisation, who rejoice
the moment these friendly relations (between England and
France) seem to be weakened. On the contrary, all who de-
sire to witness the increasing development in Europe of the
principles of a wise and liberal policy are, as we have always
been, partisans of the alliance of the two mighty nations which
have imparted the greatest force to these principles, which
have best served them, and which have made for them, at
home and abroad, the most splendid sacrifices. If any cir-
cumstances have moved our country to the occasioning a
misunderstanding of its real sentiments with regard to Eng-
land, it was especially owing to these deplorable circum-
stances. If in this legitimate emotion certain intentions
and perils were thought to be seen, people laboured under a
grave mistake ; and it is England above all which, for its
interests and its dignity, must regret and blame the error
of some prejudiced minds.
"We honour England for its government, its noble
people, its gallant army, and its liberal institutions. These
institutions ought not, and cannot be ours. Sprung from
the very soil, fortified by tradition, consolidated by time,
modified and augmented by long practice, they are perfectly
suited to the English nation ; but among us they would
meraly be a foreign importation—a sickly vegetation with-
out sap, taking no root, and which a breath might blow
away. It , suffices to consider the revelations of the two
countries to see that we understand certain things otherwise
than England understands them. If England outstrips us
in some points, why, we outstrip her in others—as in ques-
tions of religious liberty, and in those relating to civil and
political equality.
" But, for the same reason that we honour England, we
have a right to expect that France and its Government be
honoured by her—by those who pretend, like the writers in
the Eines, to represent her, and to speak in her name. We
shall always, and with goodwill, do our part in those cour-
teous acts on condition that each (14es his own, and we can
no more understand France subordinate to England than
England inferior to France. In an honourable alliance
sympathies ought to be placed together in common, and
dissensions set aside. In this way a salutary accord will be
strengthened, will increase each day, and effect for other
nations that are less advanced than ours in civilization the
progress which they require and which they expect."
The Pays concludes thus .—" We are of those who saw
with joy the flags of France and England floating together
in the glorious war of the Crimea ; we applaud before-
hand the expedition to China. Finally, the presence
of England in the coming Congress will give us much
lively satisfaction. Italy, for which Napoleon 111. and
France have done so much, will find in English policy
open sympathy and powerful co-operation. There is no-
thing which interests England to which we can be indif-
ferent.

" This said in all sincerity, and in return for tne present
good disposition of the Times, let us hope that this journal
will not expose itself on our part to. any new reproaches, for
these reproaches always cost us much."

At the present season, in the dearth of the ex-
citing political topics which are always current
during the Parliamentary session, the public
turn with some interest to the reports
of scientific and agricultural meetings. At
the annual meeting of the Gloucestershire
Agricultural Society, which was held in Earl
BATHURST'S park on Thursday last, several in-
teresting speeches were made, which were the
more noticeable as they referred alike to
topics of importance at home and abroad.
The question of the day—the efficiency of the
national defeences was of course brought promi-
nently forward. Sir C. W. CODRINGTON, in speak-
ing to the customary toast of the Army and Navy,
referred to the threatened invasion, observed that
our nary was sufficiently powerful to check the
enemy's advances Nvhile our army concentrated its
forces. Colonel KINGSCOTE expressed his convic-
tion that the French had no sinister purpose regard-
ing us ; at the same time he declared his belief,
that should they attack us, they would find our
military and naval forces had not deteriorated.
The necessity for adequate armaments for the pur-
poses of self-defence was also enforced by
the Hon. W. BATHURST who acquiesced in
the assertion that the intentions of the Freneh
EMPEROR. towards us were pacific, but justly ob-
served that we might arm ourselves without alarm-
ing the world. We have given Europe no cause
to doubt our pacific 'inclinations, and no foreign
nation has a right to take offence at our rectifying
our previous errors on this vital question.
In reference to more local subjects, the Vicar of
Cirencester expressed his approbation of the abolition
of mops and statutes—alluding to the old custom of
hiring servants in the market place, which he justly
observed was beneath the dignity of men and women.
He commented on the absurdity of their position,
humourously remarking that they were strung
together like rows of onions waiting for a pur-
chaser. He recommended an improvement in
the cottage accommodation for labourers' families,
reform which we should gladly see more largely
carried out. In many of the midland counties,
Herts, for example, some influential gentlemen in
the neighbourhood have taken up the cause with
considerable energy. The vital importance
of providing clean and respectable homes
for the working classes has long been in-
sisted upon by all practical reformers,
and philanthropists. It is useless to spend the
national grants in the education of children and the
inculcation of moral principles, if they return to
those squalid and overcrowded homes, unhappily
too common amongst us. Apart from the imme-
diate discomforts, this state of things exercises a
most deteriorating influence over their characters ;
and, even were the parents cognisant of the evil,
the depressing influences of poverty prevented them
from contending successfully against it.
Another subject of interest was prominently
brought forward by Mr. HOLLAND, M.P., who,
being called upon to respond to the toast of
" Success to the Gloucestershire Agricultural
Society," took occasion to bring before the meet-
ing the advantages resulting from the adoption of
the new method of ploughing by steam. Among
the marvellous improvements which have resulted
from the study of agriculture on scientific prin-
ciples, thus calling art to the development of
the forces of nature, few have been more
simple or striking than the invention of the
Steam Plough. Our great auxiliary, who is sub-
duing all the elements in turn bids fair to supersede
horse labour by performing more work at a cheaper
rate. Mr. HOLLAND gave some intbresting sta-
tistics of the results of his experiments
in which he stated that he had ploughed
272 acres with the steam plough, at an average of
four acres per day, making GS in all. He estimated
the cost of these four acres per day at £1 45., to
which he added a charge of Is. 6d. per acre for
wear and tear of machinery, thus making an esti-
mate of £1 10s. per acre. lie supposed it would
have taken four horses to each plough to have
ploughed the four acres, and he thought. an acre
would not have been done by them. He calculated
the cost would have been £4 for the four
acres, so that it wag at once evident that
there was a difference of £2 10s. between the
cost of steam and horse ploughing, in the four
acres alone. Mr. HOLLAND gave many other
items, evidencing the relative expenditure, and
allowing his computation to be correct, the result
is certainly astonishing. Besides the mere_difference