The Sun.
London, England, 1859-03-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 7, 1859

ROYROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough
AL
This Evening will be presented MATRIMONIAL PRO-
SPECTUSES.
After which, the new Extravaganza, KENILWORTH ; or
Ye Queene. ye Earle, and ye Maydenne
And THE BONNIE FISH WIFE.
Commence at 7 o'clock.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Westminster-road.

Lessee and Manager Mr. William Cooke.
Brilliant and unprecedented success of the new Dramatic

Spectacle.

THIS EVENING, and during the week (Ash Wednesday
excepted), the performances will commence with an entirely
new Spectacle, from the pen of R. Phillips, Esq., interspersed
with fextraordinary hippodramatic effects and striking situa-
tions, in three Acts, and entitled THE HUNDRED
CUIRASSIERS. Produced with new scenery, mechanical
arrangements, gorgeous in I characteristic costumes, elabo-
rate equestrian and spectacular appointments, and the hand-
somest Stud of Horses in the world. Characters by Messrs.
Holloway, Phillips, Anson, Francis, Anderson, M. Howard.
Herbert ; Mesdames Dowton, Blanche, Julia Weston, Thorne,
&c.
clueing Mr. W. Cooke, Mr. Bridges, Mr. A. Cooke, &c.
Emily Cooke, together with the Star Riders. and Astley's
unrivalled Troupe of Equestrian Artistes.
To be followed by SCENES IN THE CIRCLE. intro-
ducing Miss Kate Cooke, Miss Emily Cooke, Madame Blanche,
Madame Bridges. Maddlle. Fleurette, and Madame Fran-
cisco, being tne greatest amount of female equestrian talent
ever seen in one night at any theatre. Grotesques : Messrs.
Hemmineand Thorne.
To conclude with the CAPTAIN IS NOT AMISS.
Dress Circle, 4s. ; Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 2s, ; Gallery, is. ; Upper
Gallery, 6d.:
Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
Proprietor —C. MORTON.
The üblic is most respectfully informed that the FINE
ARTSGALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12
)'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec-
Jou of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters .and is also
devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels
he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist-
ing Musie Hall, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently
added Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether
as regards the architectural beauty of the structures them-
selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations
within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the
ling,dom.

The MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT COMDICIICCS as usual at
Seven o'clock.

...
In addition to the usual entertainment, the SAUVLET
FAMILY, of Amsterdam, Eight in number, whose varied
instrumental performances have created so marked a sensa-
tion in the principal cities and towns of the Continent, will
perform every Evening at Nine ani Eleven o'clock.

THE WEATHER.—SUN OrrlcE, MARCH 6.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
63—highest since noon yesterday.
47—lowest this morning and during the night.
63—this day at noon.

BAROMETER-30.30.
WIND, Westerly; light, with fine weather.

MARCH 7.
59—highest since noon yesterday.
§l—lowest this morning and during the night.
58—this day at noon.

BsatomaTEE-29.80.
WIND, Westerly; with very fine weather.

As Sir EDWARD LYTTON remarked on Tuesday
evening, in regard to the Hon. Member for New-
port, " The bearer of his father's name enters into
the discussion of all questions that affect humanity
with a hereditary title-deed to respect ”---so might it
be said in reference to all questions affecting the
national school of art, when brought under discus-
sion in the Upper House by Lord LYNDHURST.
Although descended from a family of Irish ex-
traction, although himself born eighty-seven years
ago at Boston, in the United States of North
America, JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, Baron LYND-
HURST, is essentially and peculiarly and thoroughly
an Englishman. No man in either House of Parlia-
ment more thoroughly 'expresses the national senti-
ment upon all matters affecting the vital interests of
the realm. As aveteran patriot, none can claim pre-
cedence over the very patrician who is, we believe,
only one single remove from being the Father of
the House of Peers,
.the oldest of our hereditary
legislators. For the respect with which Lord
LYNDHURST is listened to upon questions in any
way connected with the internal polity of the
United Kingdom, or with the external relations
maintained by this country with the rest of
Christendom, he is indebted exclusively to the
influence won for himself, by himself, through the
tenor of his own honourable and protracted career,
as one among the most distinguished members of
our. Imperial Legislature. But whenever the
&obi° and learned lord addresses himself
to the consideration of any question relating,
directly or indirectly, to the national school of art,
he enters into the discussion of those questions—to
apply to Lord LYNDHURST the words already
quoted in reference to the Hon. Member for New-
port, from the admirable speech upon Coolie immi-
gration delivered by her MAJESTY'S Colonial
Secretary-4 he enters into the discussion of all
these questions with a hereditary title-deed to
respect." The son of the eminent, painter whose
brush has depicted in glowing colours and with
pathetic solemnity the " Death of Lord CHA-
THAM "—one of the most celebrated pictures
in the Vernon Collection---could hardly rise in the
House of Peers (the scene of that historic incident)
for the purpose of advocating, in any way, the in-
terests of high art in England without securing to
himself, in a twofold manner, the respectful atten-
tion of that patrician auditory. It was, therefore,
with a peculiar grace and emphasis that the noble
and learned lord, on Friday evening last, brought
again under the notice of Parliament the apparently
conflicting, but really harmonious interests of the
Royal Academy and of the National Gallery, now

on the eve of being each more appropriately '
cared for, now that they are happily at last also
upon the eve of their definitive separation.
Nothing could well be more interesting, nothing
could certainly be more lucid than the record given
by Lord LYNDHURST, on Friday, of the rise, pro-
gress, and development of the eminent institution
only four years his senior. Ninety-one years ago
the Royal Academy was first called into existence,
namely, in the year 1768—the Society consisting
then, as now, of forty academicians and twenty
associates. By way of effectually securing to the
interests of the Academy the respectful attention
of his hearers, and eventually of the community at
large, Lord LYNDHURST notifies, almost at the
outset of his remarks, that circumstance—certainly,
as:the noble and learned lord calls it, " a remarkable
circumstance"—which distinguishes the Royal
Academy in this country from all the other
academies that exist upon the European Continent,
namely, that " there is not a single academy for
the purpose of promoting the Fine Arts upon the
Continent of Europe that is not supported
entirely by the State ; whereas, the Royal
Academy here has, almost from its first
institution, been self-supporting." How far it has '
been self-supporting, Lord LYNDHURST will, per-
haps, allow us briefly to indicate. It has been self-
supporting then—By obtaining hitherto shelter
from the nation altogether rent free, first at
Somerset-home, and since then under the roof-
tree of the so-called National Gallery ! Added to
which its income has been derived from the pockets
of the people, latterly to the tune of £7,000 per
annum—by means of the annual exhibition bring-
ing in during the spring months thousands and
thousands of shilling entrance fees, and thousands
and thousands of other shillings for the printed
catalogue. So far, certainly—the Royal Academy
has been self-supporting. However, to revert to
the record of its history as succinctly revived to
popular recollection by Lord LYNDHURST—ninety-
one years ago (in 1768) it was first of all, as we
have seen, called into existence. Three years after-
wards, in 1771—just one year before the birth of
Lord LYNDHURST—the Royal Academy, originally
located in Pall Mall, was removed thence, by
Royal authority, to the old palace of Somerset
House. There—in Somerset House—the Royal
Academy remained for a period of very nearly sixty
years—when the society was removed once more
to the eastern moiety of that wretched building
miscalled, in every sense of the word, the
National Gallery. Again, and we will hope for
the last time, the Royal Academy is now on the
eve of being removed elsewhere. The society is so
extremely independent, and has all along been, as
we have shown, so very honourably self-supporting,
that it really appears to regard as something
very like an indignity the notion of its receiving
any assistance (in the removal) from the Govern-
ment.

Yet, somehow, with all this bumptious and blus-
tering assumption of independence—the Royal Aca-
demy is again taking for granted that it is to have
as a gift (by right, and not at all as a favour) a
new and permanent site that has actually cost the
country £70,000 sterling in the purchase of it.
It was proposed in 1844 by Lord JOHN RUSSELL
that £40,000 should be advanced by the nation
to enable the Academy to procure another residence.
But the Academy—Lord LYNDHURST, tells us—
never received that proposition favourably. They
are too independent, forsooth ! They stand upon
this glorious prerogative of being entirely (!) self-
supporting. The upshot being that the Govern-
ment is now coolly expected to apportion to the use
of the Royal Academy one-half of the site of Bur-
lington House and gro ands. Now, Burlington House
has only very recently cost the country no less a
sum than £l4o,ooo—so that, as the Prime Minister
remarked on Friday, if we should comply with the
wishes of the Royal Academy, we should be allow-
ing them a space of ground of the value of £70,000.
Rather cool—under the circumstances—particu-
larly with this brag of being self-supporting—
this boast of being thoroughly independent.
Especially cool, if it be remembered for 'a mo-
ment, that the superficial area of the
whole of the National Gallery altogether amounts
to some 13,000 square feet, while that of Burling
ton House and grounds is actually eleven times as
much, or, in other words, extends to 143,000 square
feet. So that the Royal Academy, hitherto oc-
cupying, inconveniently to the public, an area of
6,500 feet, now complacently asks for a space equi-
valent to an area of 71,500 square feet—a space for
which the country has just paid down £70,000 ster-
ling ! And at the very time the Royal Academyputs
in this modest claim for a site thus monstrously dis-
proportioned to its exigencies—other sites are not
unreasonably hoped for at the hands of Government,
on that new plot of ground to the north of Piccadilly,
by other societies, hdving also respectable claims
enough upon the generous consideration of the
Government. Listen to the little, catalogue of
applicants in this way enumerated on Friday
evening by the First Lord of the Treasury
—the Patent-office—the London University—the
Royal Society—the Linnean Society—the Chemical
Society—the Astronomical Society—the GeOlo-
gical Society—the Antiquarian Society—the Eth-
nological Society—the Asiatic Society—the Water
Colour Societies. In the midst of all which Babel
of applicants the Royal Academy puts in its modest
little claim for a site covering 70,000 square feet,
and costing 70,000 gold sovereigns. 0, monstrous !
—and this, forsooth, with a brag of being entirely
self-supporting and thoroughly independent !

In the debate on the Army Estimates, on Tuesday
night, two points of interest were adverted to, which
are worthy of distinct notice. The first was the
ARMSTRONG gun, with the conduct of the Govern-
ment and of Sir WILLIAM ARMSTRONG in regard to
it. The business reflects th© highest credit on all
parties concerned. The gun itself has, as our readers
well know, attracted general attention. We do
not blame the Government for trying to keep, if
possible, its construction and use a secret. It ought
to be a secret till the enemy, whencesoever he
come, can seize one with its ammunition. We
blush for the fact, if it be one, that French or
Russian gold, or all the gold in the world,
could bribe a single Englishman whether
artisan or—soldier to betray the construction of a
weapon which, if in the exclusive possession of his
country, would enable our artillery to bid defiance
to all the artillery of Europe. If the secret be
divulged, it ought not to be by any neglect of
the authorities.

We have it now on the authority of the Secre-
tary of War, himself a soldier, and speaking in his
place in Parliament, that the accounts of its mar-
vellous performances have not been exaggerated.
It will throw a shot or shell, and with ter-
ribly destructive effect too, five miles and one
quarter. Though a breech-loading gun, Gene-
ral PEEL saw it after having fired 1,300
rounds, not in the least injured. Such was its
precision that at 3,000 yards it hit the mark seven
times to one, compared with the guns in ordinary
use; while at 1,000 yards it hit an object every
time, while a common gun hit once only in fifty-
seven times. " Its destructive effect also was be-
yond anything ever witnessed hitherto." Its

weight was only one-third of that of ordnance
carrying the same weight of ball ; the only antici-
pated defect relatively to its use in naval engage-
ments arises from its amazing power combined with
the elongated form of the bullet—it would cut clean
through a ship's side, and out, it may be,
at the other, making but its own clean
passage, and not splintering and destroying wood-
work, and lift, in consequence, like a larger, and
proportionably lighter ball, moving more slowly.
This, however, has yet to be tested.
To the Government belongs the merit—one
which should not appear a great one, but it does
seem great by comparison—that it at once appre-
ciated the invention. We do not hear of any weary
struggles with " the authorities," of repeated appli-
cations and discouraging refusals. Routine seems
to have been forgotten for once, and a Government
used its own senses to test an important invention,
and believed its senses and acted on them—the
greatest marvel this of all. At least it is so
to those who have witnessed the past in similar
matters. To Sir WILLIAM belongs, however, the
highest merit of all—he was the inventor ; not only
the inventor but the bestower of his invention
on his country. When, as General PEEL observed,
we must have purchased his patent at any price, he
freely offered it to us with no stipulation whatever.
And when Lord Derby, very properly, asked
General PEEL to ascertain what pecuniary acknow-
ledgement would be acceptable for such invaluable
services, Sir WILLIAM had already told the General
that he wished for nothing more than the service of
his country in the line of his peculiar genius. He
wished to be consulting engineer to her MAJESTY
for rifled ordnance, and to receive £20,000, spread
over ten years of service. It is pleasing to add
that her MAJESTY personally and specially ex-
pressed her wish to confer the distinction of a
Baronotage on Sir WILLIAM as a mark of her ap-
preciation or his genius and patriotism. We have
lately had to tell a story of very different treat-
ment of another inventor in the department of
warlike engines of destruction.
The other matter which ought not to be over-
looked is the suggestion of the Hon. H.
BERKELEY that rifle corps should be preferred
to yeomanry cavalry as a defensive force
for the country. Our readers will remember that
a little time ago we illustrated and enforced the
advantages not only of forming regular volunteer
rifle corps, but also of forming all over the king-
dom—in the sea-bord counties especially—Govern—
ment training schools in rifle practice for all the
young men who might like to receive regular
instruction ; just as sailors are received on board
the Excellent and taught in naval gunnery. As
our youth and middle-aged men used in bygone
ages to practise the bow, and attained their long-
famed skill thereby, so we have little doubt
that hundreds would now enlist themselves
for rifle practice in every town, perhaps in
most of the villages of the kingdom, and, be-
it observed, for a rifleman, especially for purely de-
fensive purposes, to be a good shot is the qualifica-
tion most essential, and the one which cannot, like
drill, be learned in a fortnight. Let all, therefore,
who like, unite in volunteer corps, as Mr. BER-
KELEY suggests, but over and above this let our
people practise with the rifle as an amusement. It
would, we are persuaded, be popular. Our good
rifle shots would be quickly available on the pro-
spect of an invasion, and woe to the invading army
endeavouring to wend its way among our hedges
and ditches, and low hills. With ARMSTRONG'S
gun and ready rifles, not many of their officers
would find their ships again. And what would be
the cost? A few thousand stand of rifles, and a
few old soldiers in each place to teach the use of
them. Mr. BERKELEY, of course, aroused the ire
of the feather-bed Admirals and Captains, but
Gen. CODRINGTON and Sir W. WILLIAMS acknow-
ledged the wisdom of his suggestion.

OFFICE OF HIGH BAILIFF OF SOUTH-
WARK.

On Saturday, a special Court of Common
Council was held for the purpose of considering the
provisions of a Bill, entitled " the County Courts'
Bill," and the propriety of petitioning Parliament
against it.
A report was brought up from the Officers' and
Clerks' Committee upon the subject, which, after
giving a narrative of the position of matters in
relation to the office of High Bailiff, as they have
recently appeared before the public in the reports
of the proceedings of the Common Council, con-
cluded with no recommendations of any kind.
Deputy GODSON, Chairman of the Officers' and
Clerks' Committee, moved the adoption of the
report.
Deputy HARRISON said the report recommended
nothing and contained nothing. (Much laughter.)
He moved, by way of amendment, " That no fur-
ther measures be taken by the corporation with
respect to this matter, and that the report do lie
upon the table."
The amendment was seconded by Mr. BARRLEY.
Mr. J. JONES said the real and only question
was, whether or not the bailiff who had been
improperly appointed by a county court judge
should be allowed to supersede the officer appointed
by the Common Council ?
, Alderman CUBITT.—I trust there will be no
petition. I think that this is a fine opportunity
for the city to make a graceful concession, to show
itself in the right before the country, and we
shall be in a much better position when we go to
Parliament to seek the retention of our rights if
we come forward as we ought to do, and concede
those which we ought not to seek to retain.
(Hear, hear.) Having gone up with the Remem-
brancer yesterday, and having, therefore, had my
mind directed to the subject, I am quite of
opinion that we should stand wrong with the coun-
try if we petitioned against this measure. I think
that the Court should instruct one of the members
for the City to rise, when that bill is brought for-
ward, and avow that the City has no desire to re-
tain this office. (Cheers.)
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR hoped the Government would
be supported by the Court in the passing of the
measure.

Mr. T. H. FItY said the Government interfered
with apart, of the rights and privileges of the cor-
poration, but left the office of high bailiff in- its
entirety. This was an interference that ought not
to be tolerated. If they had been honest and sin-
cere they would have brought forward a bill abo-
lishing the office altogether.
Deputy DAKIN—WouId it be right, when an im-
portant piece of legislation is about to take place,
that the committee should let it pass by without
calling attention to it?
Mr. ELLIOTT—A clause in the bill seems to do
away with nearly all the functions which the High
Bailiff has to perform, but it does not seek to do
away with all those functions. We have to seek
the insertion of another clause, relieving us en-
tirely from those few shreds and patches of func-
tion which the High Bailiff has to perform, and
which I think he must be appointed by us to per-
form, unless the Government fully and completely
relieve us from the office.
Mr. W. CONNELL—I think that the few words
in which Alderman Cubitt. has expressed his sen-
timents convey all that is desirable to be said. I
hope the Court will not allow a petition to be pre-
sented against the bill, which I believe will be of
great public advantage. (Hear, hear.)
The amendment was then carried by an over-
whelming majority.
The Court adjourned.

We are informed that at a meeting of the heads
of the old Whig party on Saturday it was determined that
Lord John Russell should move a resolution as an amend-
ment upon the motion for the second reading of the Reform
Bill, declaring that the House of Commons will not assent
to the disfranchisement of those electors who now possess
county votes in respect of property situated in boroughs, or
to the proposition that the non-resident proprietors of free-
holds in boroughs should vote in respect of them for the
election of borough members. It is supposed that this re-
solution will unite in its support the whole of the Liberal
party.—Times.

NAVAL ESTIMATES.--39,000 is the supplemen-
tary estimate of her Majesty's Navy for the year 1858-59,
about to expire (31st of March.) Wages to artificers
figured for £12,000, and new works, &C., in the yards for
£271000.

LATEST NEWS.

INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)

SOUTHAMPTON, MONDAY MORNING.

The steamship Indus, Capt. Weeks, has arrived.
She left Alexandria on February 20 ; Malta, 25 ;
and Gibraltar, March 2.
She brings 77 passengers, £4OO in specie, 1,800
bales of silk, 508 chests of oranges, and sundries.
Gibraltar exchanges on London, 50/ ; Paris,
5.28; Marseilles and Genoa, 5.29.
The British barque Baroness, from Odessa, for
Amsterdam, with Rye, was discharging at Gibral-
tar, being leaky and damaged.
The Neapolitan war steamer Seltore Fieramosca
and Stromboli coaled at Gibraltar, and left for
Naples on the 27th.
The British barque Mary Miller, from Odessa,
with corn, for Cork, had put in at Gibraltar, with
loss of sails, bulwarks, spars, boats, &c., and would
have to repair.

The following telegrams have been received at
Mr. Reuter's office :

PARIS, MONDAY.

According to a telegram from Constantinople
direct, Sussib Pasha has been appointed Minister
of Finance, replacing Saffette Pasha. Sarni Pasha
has been appointed ambassador at Paris.
The Wallachian deputation has arrived at Con-
stantinople.

BERLIN, SUNDAY, MARCII 6
According to advices received here, Lord Cowley
will leave Vienna on Wednesday next.

BERNE, MARCH 6.

The Federal Council discussed in its sitting of
yesterday the state of political affairs, and unani-
mously decided upon defending and upholding by
every means in its power the integrity and neutra-
lity of the Swiss territory. Besides the above a
resolution was voted to extend measures for defend-
ing the country in case of need, and in accordance
with the treaties to such part of Savoy as might be
found necessary in order to maintain the neutrality
and integrity of Switzerland. Communications
relating to these resolutions are to be addressed to
the different European Governments.

VIENNA, SATURDAY.

The article of the Moniteur of this day has pro-
duced on our evening Bourse a great rise. National
Loan, 76f. 50c to 77f. Metalliques rose propor-
tionally. Exchange on London, at noon, 112 f. 50c.

The semi-official Dresden Journal publishes a
letter from Vienna, in which it is stated that Aus-
tria has, according' to Art. 47 of the final act of
Vienna (Wiener Schlussacte), proposed by the
Federal Diet to place the Federal army on a war
footing (Kriegsbereitschaft).

FRANCE.

PARIS, SUNDAY.

With respect to the existing army in France
which the Moniteur of yesterday tells us is merely
a peace establishment, a law passed on the 6th of
March, 1818, under the Restoration, fixes the army
in peace time at 240,000 men.
It is said that the officers belonging to the army
of occupation at Rome who are absent on leave are
ordered to join their regiments forthwith.
Lord Elgin is expected here in about a fort-
night.
The lifoniteur of Saturday is unusually prolific.
It publishes no fewer than three articles, one of
which is of the greatest importance, as it denies in
the strongest terms the truth of the assertions,
made in several foreign newspapers, of vast prepara-
tions for war being at present actively urged on by
the French Government. We subjoin the whole
of theige 'articles, commencing by that which will
naturally attract universal attention :
" The state of things in Italy, although
already of old date, has in these latter times
assumed in the eyes of all a character of gravity
which has naturally struck the mind of the
Emperor; for it is not allowable for the chief of
a great power like France to isolate himself from
questions which interest European order. Animated
by a spirit of prudence which it would have been
culpable not to have possessed, he directs his atten-
tion in the most loyal manner to the reasonable and
equitable solution which these delicate and difficult
problems may receive.
"The Emperor has nothing to disguise, nothing
to disavow, either in the objects of his anxious de-
liberation or in his alliances. French interest guides
his policy, and justifies his vigilance.
" In presence of the disquietudes—we take plea-
sure in believing them ill founded—which have
agitated public opinion in Piedmont, the Emperor
has promised the King of Sardinia to defend him
against any aggressive act on the part of Austria
he has promised nothing more, and it is well known
that he keeps his word.
"Is that to be considered dreams of war ?
Since what period has it not been more in confor-
mity with the rules of prudence to foresee diffi-
culties, more or less near, and to weigh all their
consequences?
" We have just indicated what is real in the
thoughts, the duties, and the tendencies of the
Emperor ; and all that the exaggerations of the
press have added thereto is pure imagination,
falsehood, and raving.
" France, it is asserted, is making considerable
warlike preparations. That is a completely gra-
tuitous imputation. The regular effective of the
peace footing, adopted two years ago by the Em-
peror, has not been exceeded. The artillery is
purchasing 4,000 horses to attain the regimentary
limits. The infantry regiments are 2,000 strong;
and the regiments of cavalry, 900.

" It is affirmed also that the French arsenals are
displaying extraordinary activity. But it is for-
gotten that we have all our artillery to charge and
all bur fleet to transform. This last undertaking,
long since decided on in order to give to our fleet
its normal strength, is sanctioned by the annual
votes of the Legislative Body ; and, notwithstanding
the most praiseworthy activity, several years will
still be necessary for the accomplishment of the
operation..
" Lastly, uneasiness is felt at the preparations in
our navy. All these preparations, however, consist
of the fitting out of four frigates for the convey-
ance of troops from France to Algeria and from
Algeria to France ; and of four screw transports
destined to provide for different eventualities,
especially for the service of Civita Vecchia, and for
the revictualling, by way of Alexandria, of our
expedition in Cochin China.
" Such are the facts; and they should fully reas-
sure sincere men as to the projects ascribed to the
Emperor, and to treat as they deserve the allega-
tions of those who are interested in casting doubts
on the most unobjectionable measures, and flinging
clouds over the clearest situations.
" Is it not time to ask when will end these vague
and absurd rumours, spread by the press from one
end of Europe to the other, representing every-
whera to public credulity the Emperor of the French
as ext WIT to war, and throwing on him alone the
responsibility of the disquietudes and warlike pre-
parations of Europe ?
"Who, then, can have a right to mislead public
opinion so shamefully—to alarm interests so gra-
tuitously ?
" Where are the words—where the diplomatic
notes—where the acts which indicate a desire to
excite war for the passions which it satisfies, or for
the glory which it procures ? Who has seen the
soldiers—has counted the pieces of cannon—esti-
mated the supplies which are said to have been
added with so much- cost and haste to the ordindry
state of a peace footing in France ? Where are

the extraordinary levies, the anticipated calling
out of soldiers ? On what day were recalled to
service the men now absent on renewable furloughs ?
Who, in short, can show the elements, however
slight they may be, of the general accusations
which malevolence invents, which credulity hawks
about, and which stupidity accepts ?
"No doubt, as we have said, the Emperor i
watches over the various causes of complication
which may show themselves on the horizon. It is
the duty of all prudent policy to endeavour to
conjure away the events, or questions, which are of
a nature to trouble that order without which there
is neither peace nor business transactions. It is
not a respite which commerce requires ; it is secu-
rity and a safe future.
" Such foresight is neither agitation nor provo-
cation. To study questions is not to create them ;
and to turn aside regards and attention from them
would be neither to suppress nor solve them. Be-
sides, a diplomatic examination of the questions
has been commenced; and nothing warrants the
belief that the issue will not be favourable to the
consolidation of public peace."
A second article in the official journal is in-
tended. to remove erroneous views, which, it
declares, are entertained abroad of the regulations
concerning the public press in France. It says—
" Public opinion in foreign countries does not
clearly understand the present regime of the press
in France. The belief appears to prevail too
generally that the journals are subjected to a
previous censorship, and thus an importance is
ascribed to them which is unfounded. The admi-
nistration, it ought to be known, has no preventive
action as regards the press. The public should,
therefore, in any state of things, be on its guard
against the inductions founded on the language of
the journals, Whenever a grave question presents
itself or an important act is accomplished, the Go-
vernment addresses itself directly to the nation
through the official journal. That is a duty which
it has always imposed on itself, and which it will
accomplish the more scrupulously under present
circumstances, that public opinion is more than ever
taken unawares and misled."

Lixstl,y,,„?.. rectification is given to one of the
Londou newspapers on a point in which it is de-
clared to have been erroneously informed :

" The Times, in its number of the 2d, speaks of a
conversation said to have taken place between
Prince Napoleon and Count de Persigny at the
Tuileries on the day of the transcription on the
registers of the Imperial family of the marriage of
his Iniperial Highness. The English journal de-
clares that the conversation in question was very
animated, and it ascribes to the Prince Napoleon
and to M. de Persigny language respecting the
policy of the Government which was never used.
We cannot say where the Times derived its infor-
mation. But what we know is that its account is
completely inexact."

,
4 4„.
,04 )
4•,
Wiort
r1W1.."

THE SUN.
MONDAY. MARCH 7, 1859.