The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-04 00:00:00

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it would have to be entirely re-armed, a prccess involving
an enormous expenditure to be reckoned by millions. At
present a vessel like the Hercules would reduce the Once
in a very short time. The question, therefore, is, are we
in these days of economy prepared to incur the cost of
making Gibraltar an effective fortress? If not, is it worth
while to incur the of rcconstituted Spain by main-
taining this trophy of our conquest, this badge of her
inferiority? It has been suggested that Gibraltar might
lie retained as a coaling station, or that, if surrendered
altogether, it should be neutralised as Luxemburg has
been. But probably the wisest plan would be to restore
the Rock to the Spaniards without conditions, having, of
course, previously destroyed the works.

A romantic story is just now being told here. A well-
known lady photographer met some time ago a very beat •
tiful girl of the lower classes. The lady asked her to
become a servant, promising good wages on the condition
that she would sit as a model whenever required. The girl
made a charming study, so charming that a gentleman
who saw her likeness in the shop AvindowA was
at once pierced by one of Cupid's darts. The gentleman
vowed that lie would not rest until he had discovered the
owner of the beautiful face, and made her his wife. The
first step was to discover the photographer—the second, to
ask who was her subject. Here he met with a difficulty.
Mrs. C— would not at once give him the required infor-
mation, but, being persuaded, she mentioned the girl's
name. Then the inamorato declared that he intended to
make herhis wife. " You cannot do so," Mrs. C--replied,
for she is only a servant. He vowed that this should make
no difference. At last it was agreed that the gentleman
should dine at Mrs. C—'s, that the girl should wait
upon him, and that he should thus have an opportunity
of seeing whether his devotion was deep enough to stand
the sight of his goddess in cap and apron. It stood that
test, and very soon the servant-goddess became the wife.
Worshipper and worshipped have now wisely betaken
themselves to the Continent, where there will be an
opportunity for acquiring those graces which the world
deems essential even in a beauty.
An insurance society upon a novel principle is about to
be started. It is an adaptation of the principle of the
Manchester Steam Boilers' Association ; and itvill enable
colliery proprietors to insure their works against explosion.
The immediate effect of this proposal has been to make
the pitmen declare that they will not work unless they aro
insured too. They say that the masters, being sure of a
Pecuniary compensation in the event of accidents,
will get,careless about ventilating their works, and that
thus the lives of the pitmen will be in much greater danger
than before. In reality, I suppose the pits will be much
better ventilated, for it will be the duty of the insurance
company in its own interests to see that the arrangements
are good. The insurance of steam boilers has certainly
tended to diminish the number of explosions from that
source.

The first series of Mr. Dickens's farewell readings have
just come to an end. The second series is likely to be even
more remarkable than the other. Recently, Mr. Dickens
had an experimental reading before some of the best
critics in London, in order that they might determine if
it would be wise for him to attempt the more tragical parts
of his stories. Mr. Dickens not merely read the parts, but
assumed the characters of Nancy, Bill Sykes, the Jew
Fagin, and other characters in " Oliver Twist." He
shewed such wonderful dramatic power that the critics
were in raptures ; and, being guided by their advice, ho
will present these characters to the public. It may not
be known to your readers that Mr. Dickens, in his
"readings," trusts entirely to his memory. Although
he has a book before him, he very rarely, if ever, refers
to it.

The death of Mr. Lucas will have taken no one by
surprise. He has been out of health for some time past;
and I believe to that fact was due some very unwise
letters which he published in reply to the critics, when
they passed a somewhat severe judgment upon his new
venture, the Shilling Magazine. It was a very unsuccess-
ful venture.

FOREIGN NOTES,

SPAIN.

Notwithstanding the repeated assurances of the mem-
bers of the Provisional Government that nothing less than
a monarchy will satisfy the country, there can be no doubt
that Republicanism is spreading. The Democrats are
hard at work, whilst the Monarchists are inactive. A
review of soldiers at Madrid a few dayS ago has fur-
aished the Republicans with much political capital against
the Government. The soldiers saluted Prim with Isabella's
" Royal March ;" but the loudly-expressed disapproval of
the populace speedily brought about the substitution of
" Riego's Hymn." Still, the review was an ill-advised
step, and the Republicans have nut been slow to condemn
it as a show of strength and a means of intimidation.
Democratic meetings are. being held all over the country,
and the Republican organs are daily filled with reports
and copies of resolutions. One paper goes so
far as to publish a list of the new Republican
Cabinet. The reactionists hope to profit by the gravity
of the situation. Isabella openly expresses the belief
that either herself or her son will soon reign at Madrid.
The great Republican demonstration at Madrid on
Sunday last passed off without the slightest disturbance.
All accounts agree that on the one hand the Government
attempted no interference; on the other, that the Repub-
licans conducted the proceedings with admirable calmness,
dignity, and order.