The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-24 00:00:00

REMARKS.

The increase in barometrical pressure has been general, and very
high readings are shewn this morning at northern and western
stations. The maximum pressures are on the north-east coast: at
Shields the reading is half an inch higher than at Rochefort. In the
south of England the temperature has diminished : in Scotland and
Ireland not much change is reported. On the Channel coast a strong
wind from the north blew yesterday, and still continues. A high
easterly wind is also blowing on the west coast of France. The
weather continues dry, and the sky is generally clear over the British
Islands. At continental stations the weather is cloudy.

From St. Petersburg we learn that the cattle disease has
broken out in a very large district to the north of Russia,
including all the governments around the capital. Horses
first suffered, then horned cattle, and lastly, pigs. The
real danger of the disease seems to lie in this direction. It
is affirmed, with much shew of truth, that the cattle
plague is permanently seated on the vast steppes lying
to the south and east of the Muscovite Empire,
whence it is communicated to the rest of Europe. Cannot
the truth of this be finally ascertained? At present we
know little of the origin or nature of the. disease, and as
yet possess no effectual means of checking or counteracting
it. The Russian Government might surely make some
inquiries into the state of the cattle plague in the interior
of the empire. The present outbreak, happily, is
diminishing in severity; but the question is, where may
the next attack be expected?
The twelfth edition of the Political Geography of Europe,
by General von Roon, has just been published. It con-
tains a review of the political condition of all the European
States, with an account of the growth of their institutions
and their progress or retrogression. The opinion given of
our own country is exceptionally favourable. The
author thinks that we manage to preserve the
privileges of rank whilst we are giving to the
humblest citizen almost a republican measure of free-
dom and public right. The administration of govern-
ment, justice, and war is founded not upon theory only,
but upon tradition and practice. Hence we have an
infinite variety and originality in our institutions, though
all are troubled with an excessive routine. Our finan-
cial resources are inexhaustible, but our debt enor-
mous. Our army is not numerous, lacks systematic
organisation, and is composed of men who want bread
or do not like work. Nevertheless, the force is
capable, by the nerve of its discipline and the national
spirit, to undergo the most diverse and painful enterprises.
The flower of the population hold the regular army in
disdain, and have formed a free militia which has yet to
be proved.
Although Earl Russell was not present at Romsey on
Tuesday at the inauguration of the statue to Lord Palmer.
ston, the mayor and corporation of the borough bad pre-
pared an address in expectation of his taking part in the
ceremony. The document is drawn up in fitting terms,
detailing the united efforts of Lord Palmerston and Lord
Russell in honour of their country, and alludes especially
one subject to which is spoken of as being " beyond the
domain of party." This was the efforts made to emanci-
pate the slaves, " which, while it removed a stigma from
the British name, has shed an enduring lustre
around the memory of those by whom it was
achieved." In reply, Earl Russell deeply regrets
that he was unable to be present to perform the
honourable duty which had been assigned to him, and
then goes on to refer to Lord Palmerston's influence. We
are told that "his judgment enabled him to distinguish
that which was possible and practicable from that which
was visionary and hopeless. Thus he was enabled to take
part in great and successful enterprises ; in giving freedom
to 800,000 slaves, the inhabitants of our West Indian
Islands ; in putting a stop to the atrocities of the foreign
slave trade ; in establishing without war the indepen-
dence and freedom of Belgium ; in giving a national
existence to Greece ; and in raising the fame and repu-
tation of this great and free country." The noble
lord does not publish his reason
_why ha was prevented