The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-13 00:00:00

THE

...r

•0X F 0 R
6, OXFORD-STREET,

Mr. LEVY, undoubtedly the best performer of the day on
the Cornet-a-Piston—Grand Selectirms (on the most complete
scale) from Dinorah, Martha, Stradella, ttc., and other vocal
and instrumental music, by Miss Russell, the Misses Stuart,
and Miss Ernst, Messrs. Charles Greville, Fornari. Kimber-
ley, Bernard, Beaumont, Bervon, linish, Signor Tivoli, and
Hotry Herbert, with full band and powerful and selected
chorus, conducted by Mr. F. Jonghmans.—The following
Comic talent, Messrs. W. Randall, J. Blanchard, W. 11. Wie-
land, Hollingsworth, E. Marshall, Harvey, and French, and
the Brothers Conrad in their latest and best entertainment,
every evening. Admission, Hall, sixpence; Balcony and
Stalls, one shilling. Private Boxes, 10s. 6d.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, 3h. 4gm.—Afternoon, 4h. 7m.
To-MORROW.-Morning, ih. 24m.—Afternoon, 4h. 44m.

THE WEATHER.—SUN Ornca, MAY 12, Is6l,
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
50—highest since noon yesterday.
44—lowest this morning and during the night.
56—this day at noon.

BAROI ETER-29.78.
WlND—North-Easterly—with fine weather.
MAY 13.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
58—highest since noon yesterday.
41—lowest this morning and during the night.
50—this day at noon.
BAnomyrEu-30.24; rising.
WIND—N.-N.-Easterly—with dull, but fine, weather.

r i eglP.
. .t.
~.. • ~,...,..z,.4,,,,,,,
.1,1--.,
,gl.7tr:eleh.,,
~. r. ~t •
-' -,

~~ic",

THE SUN.

LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 13, 1881.

What will they do to-night in the House of
Commons? Often as that question has been asked
at intervals during the present session, it has never
had a more pointed application than to the sitting
of the national representatives this evening down
at Westminster. The political situation arrived at
—just as it may chance to be viewed from the side
of the Opposition or from the side of the Govern-
ment—is either " the beginning of the end," or
the end of the beginning. Fel?ruary has gone by—
and March—and April. We are getting sharp
on into the middle of May. Next Wednesday fort-
night is to be the Derby Day—the national feast day
set apart for what Lord PAL3IERSTON has called
the Olympic Games of England, the festival chosen
for the struggle for that great prize Mr. DISRAELI
wittily dubbed the Blue Ribbon of the Turf. So far
as that arewe on in the Merry Month of May : so
that June will be here before we can well look about
us—Whitsuntide is already less than a week off
—and but a very brief interval will have elapsed
consequently before the freshness of Spring will
have given place to the glow and the glare of
Midsummer. Insomuch has the Session already
advanced that Members, at any rate, may say (if
Ministers cannot)—" Half of our heavy task is
done." Upwards of " three" months of the annual
session of " six," or thereabouts, we have seen
flit by—and now that we have reached the 13th
of May, we may ask, without something like
wistful dismay, under the circumstances, "IN HAT
has yet been done in the way of practical legislation,
whether good, bad, or indifferent, by Imperial Par.
liament ? Well, about the only headway has been
made in the direction of the reform of the laws
relating to Bankruptcy. And even there
the warmth of our exultation is in a manner
chilled by the recollection that the Bankruptcy
Bill has been referred, in the Lords, to
a Select Committee. So that even in re-
spect to that, one supposed Ministerial achievement
of the session, there has come in mid-course a tan-
talising moment of interruption. As to the efforts
at legislation made out of the pale of the
Administration—the efforts made, that is to say,
by private members, with the open countenauce or
covert assistance of her MAJESTY'S Government
—we all know how one after another, with the
very rarest exception only, those well intentioned
endeavours have come to grief: until the open-
aays, the days especially set apart for these un-
official labours in the
,way of legislation have
come to be mentioned simply in derision the
session of 1861 being already designated ludic-
rously enough, and accurately
enough for that
matter, as the Session of Abortive Wednesdays
In the meagre ministerial banquet set before the
Lords and Commons of England in Parliament
assembled, at the commencement of this extraor-
dinary do-nothing session of the Legislature—set
before them as ceremoniniously as the blackbird-
pie before the King in the old nursery apologue-

the Financial enterprise, the Fiscal undertakings,
in one Comprehensive word the Budget was what
may be called (literally by the way) the " piece de
resistance!" Such it has certainly proved to be,
and that, too, in a manner the most unex-
pected. When originally submitted to the
House of Commons in a
speech of more
than ordinary ability and brilliancy,
the Finan-
cial Statement was welcomed either
with words of
praise of kith respectful silence e.a 1.„..,
—ttrae a scheme
and an oration Nv..1.12y, certainly, each or
them, by
their exceeding cleverness, if our present
Chltheelior
of the Exchequer, the member as yet of the Uni-
versity of Oxford, the member soon to he for til,
southern division of Lancashire. Since then, bow.

ever, since that still memorable night of Mr. GLAD_
STONE'S last great rhetorical demonstration, hardly
anything practical has been done in the way of
either resolutely securing or appreciably advancing
his fiscal and financial arrangements. Not,
without one moment's question, but that there has
been one grand field day, or rather field
night, when a division was taken in a
pore than ordinarily large house, and when the
result of that division gave a clear majority of
Seventeen to her Majesty's Government.
saving and excepting that one advantage, the
financial policy of the Cabinet is still, even up to
this moment, dubiously before the Legislature, The

Administration has undoubtedly gained for itself
in regard to its Budget a certain visible and compre-
hensibleprestige by reason of that signal advantage
gained by it over a resolute and daring Opposition.
And so far there is in one sense an advance made
by Ministers in the Financial Arrangements. But
—only so far : not one jot further.
To-night comes " the tug of war" coute qui
coute--and upon the course taken to-night
by the House of Commons will depend the success
of Mr. GLADSTONE'S Budget, and througn that the
triumph and continuance of the PALMERSTON
Government. The resolutions have passed through
the Committee of Ways and Means ; they have
been embodied in a Bill—that Bill has been
printed and read a first time—to-night it comes on
for the second reading. It rests with the House
of Commons to decide very simply—Have we not
had already something too much of this ? Shall
we just for once, and for all, Have Done with
a discussion which, unless summarily put an
end to thus, threatens, in a manner, to become
interminable ? We have decided upon having an
income tax this year of Ninepence. We have
rejected the proposition to diminish the war tax
of ls. 5d in the lb. upon tea, in preferende to the
abolition, altogether, of the Excise and Customs
duties hitherto levied upon paper. Our Financier tells
us plainly that he has an odd million or so even then
to spare—that if we remit very nearly one million he
will still, at the end of the financial year, accord-
ing to what he himself regards (and he is perfectly
alive, we may be sure of that, to his own personal
and ministerial responsibility), he assures us, we say
that even if we remit very nearly a million of
money, as he asks us to remit it! he will yet
have a balance in his favour amounting, as
nearly as can be calculated, to £IOO,OOO ster-
ling ! Shall we, the House of Commons—
having settled the Income-tax for the current
year at Ninepence, having decided upon the con-
tinuance of the war taxes upon Tea and Sugar—
shall we, under these circumstances, refuse to
abolish the impost our own financier asks to
abolish, namely, the duty upon paper; shall we, in
other words, give him more money than he assures
us he shall require ? And all this because the
abolition of the tax he proposes to get rid of has
been loudly advocated by a popular member, whose
very popularity has called down upon him from the
creme de la creme the invidious designation of De-
magogue? That, we take it, is really about the
English of it after all. That, we cannot but think,
is the argument the members of the House of Com-
mons generally will to-day have put to themselves.
The decision they will arrive at in consequence, we
shall not have long to wait for.

The accounts from America which arrived this
morning are, we think, more important than they
appear at first sight—and their importance is on
the right side. The South appears to be somewhat
cowed. Prompt and desperate counsels are its
hope. Delay exposes its weakness both in argu-
ment and in physical force ; hence the haste to make
sure of secession before the vigour of a LINCOLN
should supersede the tacit aid of a BUCHANAN.
Hence the attempts to provoke the North to the
first attack, culminating in the capture of Fort
Sumpter. Hence also the wish, and we have no
doubt whatever, the plotting too, to seize the capital

itself. The South has been first and forward in
everything, and has thus endeavoured by energy and
rapidity of action to make up for what it wanted in
military strength and resources. It was also its
object to demonstrate to the Border Slave States
that it would be for their interest to join the con-
federation which was fighting successfully for

slavery.
By the Niagara we learn, however, that this for-
ward zeal is obliged to cry halt. The capital, first
and chiefly, situated in a Slave State, Maryland, is
placed in safety, and its communications with the
half of the Union, of which it is the real capital, are
now perfectly open. Maryland herself has voted
for keeping in the Union by a majority of thirty-
eight. The brutal mob of Baltimore are no longer
triumphant, and the Federal fleg flies on the Custom
House of the city. The Federal troops, whether
Maryland wished or not, determined to use her ter-
ritory as legitimately belonging to the Union, but
it is clear that the respectable portion of the com-
munity, headed by the Governor himself, always
saw that it was for the interest of Maryland not to
secede. Not more than one-seventh of her popula-
tion are slaves, and these were running off fast to
the North ; the course of prudence on her part
therefore could not be doubtful. But the strategic
gain to Mr. LINCOLN and the North is very great.
It clears the line of defence for him up to the
capital and the river Potomac, and Virginia on the
other side of the river becomes the first State in open
and armed rebellion.
We judge by these last accounts also, that Vir-
ginia does not like this position. By the last advices
a considerable Southern force was reported to be at
her capital, Richmond, and JEFFERSON DAVIS to
be there himself contemplating a Coup de main on
Washington. Now, we are informed, that the
Governor of Virginia orders " all military compa-
nies to remain at their homes until ordered out by
the competent authorities." Also that he has
notified the President that he would allow no con-
federate troops to pass through Virginia for tha in-
vasion of Washington. Either this must be re-
garded as a magnanimous offer to prevent what
could now be of no use to the Southerns, the city
being too well protected to fear them, or as a de-
vice to lull suspicion at the North. It is most likely
the former, the Virginians being desirous to save
their brethren a useless humiliation, and moreover
to take care of themselves ; President LINCOLN
having given them an intimation that if they
allowed any movements of Confederate troops north
of Richmond their capital, he should attack Rich-
mond and the port of Norfolk. The Virginians
accordingly
show that they have no wish to see
their State become the first theatre of war. Yet
this would certainly result from its proximity to
Washington, and from Maryland having, through
fear of the same contingency, thrown herself upon
the old Union.
Both North and South the arming continues vigo-
have passed a seces-
rously, and Tennessee is said-to
sion ordinance. But, the facts w© have mentioned
look as if the South was somewhat cowed at the
sight of an aroused North. President DAVIS, in
a message, declares that " the South will resist
subjugation to the direst extremity," which is pro-
bably true enough. Still the South in Virginia
Practically beats a retreat ; while LINCOLN moves
southward by declaring a blockade of the ports of
know, long
North Carolina and Virginia. The South, we
set of shopkeep
cherished the notion that the North, " a
farmers, Would
ers, mechanics, manufacturers, and
never fight the "Southern chivalry.''
They are pretty
much undeceived now by the en-
thusiastic response to Mm,e that
LINCOLN'S
fo
r emigthl mild
nap
lolci
ol proclama-
tion;
oaf-
tion; and must begin tils
whiter, with four millions of slaves on their
backs, to fight nineteen millions of freemen,
with all the resources of long
prosperity
to support them, will be a hopeless attempt.
The possibility of any attack from the South seems
now, therefore, to have vanished. The South will
only endeavour to defend its own, 1h their 11;11,1;

peopled country of swamps and forests this, in a
military sense, will be easy. But the South is not
self-competent. It does not grow enough food for
itself, and it imports almost everything else. A
blockade of its ports will tell fearfully on
its pecuniary resources, on its comforts, and
on its means of subsistence itself. If it gets
over a year or two of rebellion it may
become self-supporting, in a miserable way however,
but it must suffer severely if the United States
Navy can do its work. Whether any of the border
Slave States will be provoked to attack the Northern
border States or vice versa, remains to be seen.
We should not think it likely. Ohio is doubly as
strong as Kentucky, and Missouri would more than
find her match in the West. We may, therefore,
on the whole, rather hope now for an armed truce
for a while, and possibly the dreaded general colli-
sion may even never come. This, however, is like
hoping against hope.

At the Mansion House Lord ELGIN pointed out
the advantages which he felt pretty confident would
result from our having an embassy at Pekin. He
illustrated it by what had just occurred in Japan in
many respects so similar. After the murder of the
American, the Foreign authorities withdrew from
the capital, and retired to a point where they 'ould
have the protection of the guns of a British ship.
The Court took fright immediately, and entreated
them to return, promising redress and protection.
The probability of a war with the European powers
was brought home to their fears by the mere retreat
of the Consul. Lord ELGIN predicts a similar
result from having an Ambassador at Pekin.
The Court and the Ministers will then
know our views, and appreciate our intentions by
direct communication with us ; and he has a strong
belief that this direct intercourse, superseding the
deceptive and deluding representations received at
the capital, through local governors, will be an
effective means of preventing future wars.

This far Lord- ELGIN appears to have judged
quite rightly. Instead of the predicted impossibi-
lity of maintaining a resident ambassador at Pekin;
instead of its being, as we were told, a point on
which the Chinese would fight rather than sub-
mit, they appear, not only submissively and by
coercion, but with good will, to have entered into
the new arrangement. They have gone so far as to
create a Board of Foreign Affairs at Pekin !
The foreign ambassadors are to have a branch
of the administration specially constituted for their
convenience ; a Chinese Foreign-office, in fact, in
compliment to the now acknowledged foreign Re-
sident Representatives.
There is little doubt that ignorance, as well as
the pride of old traditions, was one of the chief
reasons which made the Chinese authorities so in-
different to trading with foreigners. While our
soldiers were yet at Pekin, the vast customs' re-
venue which had been faithfully secured by the
foreigners at Shanghae, and accounted for to the
Imperial Government, struck Prince LUNG with
astonishment. He was evidently not aware of it.
And we may be quite sure that the less
intelligent members of the Royal circle were
equally ignorant. Now they see what may be
made of us, and perhaps see that a foreigner is a
safer tax-collector than a local Mandarin ; they
appear actually, and, of course, quite spontaneously,
to have pressed on Mr. LAY the collection of the
entire foreign customs, and to have invested him
with the fullest powers for doing it ! What a mar-
vellous revolution does all this imply in Chinese
views of foreigners. A revolution of opinion
which gives we hope the best of guarantees, that
no more Chinese wars will upset the Budget cal-
culations of our English Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and almost create a war in England
between the Commons and the Lords.

The voyage up the Yang-tse appears also to
have been quite successful. The vast emporium
of Hang-kow was reached with ease, and the
Tae-pings were found, as might be expected, even
more amicably disposed towards us than the Impe-
rialists had ever been, till we first thrashed them
and then paid them their dues. The Tae-pings,
however, from their religious views, look on the
Christian nations as brethren, though at first they
thought the Catholics idolators, to whom, like Jews
and Mahommedans, they could show no mercy, they
being very earnest Iconoclasts. The destruction of
many places is quite falsely laid to their charge.
It has been the defeated Imperialists who have de-
stroyed
_the greater part of the cities when driven
out of them. Both Imperialists and Tae-pings are
now become anxious to trade with us, and it may
be hoped we shall never be guilty of the crime and
folly of taking part directly or indirectly with
either party. Neither, now, will molest us. Both
prefer to get rather what they can by traffic with
us ; and as military revolution is the only form of
party contest in China, the only way of obtaining
redress of grievances—we have no more right to
interfere, than Chinese would have to interfere
with our party battle on the Budget. If foreigners
in China behave as they ought, they have the pro-
spect before them of a splendid trade.

Their Excellencies the Austrian Ambassador and

the Countess d'Apponyi entertained a distinguished party
at dinner on Saturday evening, at Chandos House. The
countess received company after dinner.

The Earl and Countess Vane have arrived in
Own. His lordship has taken a residence in Prince's-gate
for the season.

Lord and Lady Camoys and family have arrived
in town from Stonor Park for the season.

Sir Victor Brooke has arrived at the Brunswick,
Jermyn-street, on a visit to General and Mrs. Basil Brooke.
The Hon. H. P. Stanley Monek and Mr. West have also
arrived at the same establishment.

Count and Countess Baptiste Metaxa and family
have arrived at the Hyde-park Hotel for the season.

Sir Philip and Lady Pauncefort Duncombe have
arrived at 4, tionnauglt •place.
Lady Llanover left London last week for South
Wales. Her ladyship will not return to town until after
the Whitsuntide holidays.
Their Excellencies Baron and Baroness Brunow
entertained at dinner on Saturday night, at Chcsham-
house, his Excellency the Persian Ambassador, Mirza
Djaffer Khan, who was accompanied by Mirza Hafsan
Khan and Mahomed Aly Aga.

ARRIVAL OF THE SALAMANCA TROOP SHIP.—
The transport Salamanca, Captain Livesey, belonging to
Messrs. Dunbar, arrived this morning in the Charnel, with
200 rank and file, in charge of Captain Venables, 97th;
Lieut. Graham, 6th ; Fisher, 82d, and Dr. Thistleton.
Also Lieut. Lampen, 34th, and Messrs. White and Blunt.
One cabin passenger jumped overboard, and was drowned.
BAZAAR. IN AID OF DESTITUE CHILDREN.—The
leading members of the Roman Catholic body are about to
appeal to the charitable of all classes in aid of an object
which cannot fail to excite the sympathy of every right-
minded person—the support and education of destitute
Catholic children in London. A bazaar, at the St. James's-
is the mode which has been adopted by thoactiveleaders
mthisraoat praiseworthy movement for the collection of funds
and the days on which it will take place are Tuesday, Wednes-
day, and Thursday next. There is scarcely an eminent name
ncoontntoecbteedfowunitdhotnhothleealdisint go
fßpoamtraonnsCaantdhoplaictrofanmeislsleess2wahnidcht
the
stalls will be presided over by many distinguished mem-
bers of that body. Among others may be mentioned her
Excellency the Countess Apponyi, the Marchioness of
Lothian, the Countess of Newburgh, the Lady Georgiana
Fullerton, the Viscountess Bury, the Viscountess Castle-
rosse, the Lady Camoys, the Lady Petre, the Lady Dormer,
the Hon. Mrs. Scott Murray, Mrs. Washington Hibbert,
Mrs. John Townley, and the " Enfants de Marie," embrac-
ing the daughters of many Catholic gentlemen resident in
or near London. The bazaar will be unusually well fur-
nished, almost all the crowned heads of Europe having for-
warded contributions on the part of themselves and their
families. The doors be will open to the public at 2 o'clock
QA Tuesday, 4114 at /19013 oa the I'9llo'6llg claYsi