The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-27 00:00:00

of mankind. Our QUEEN has set the more
timorous or pompous sovereigns of Europe an ex-
ample of simple and pleasant holiday-making,
which some of them have been glad to
follow. She has broken through the old conven-
tional insular prejudice, which kept an English
King or Queen in this country as if those who had
so many interests involved in Continental affairs
were bound to know nothing of other nations ex-
cept by hearsay. Tier sons, too, have been brought
up in a manner very different from that of older
reigns. They have studied at the public colleges,
they have not only explored their own country,
but have actually crossed the broad oceans,
and made acquaintance with shores on which
certainly no English Prince set foot before. The
Prince of WALES in his extensive travels has been
able to compare the fading relics of Eastern splen-
dour with the fresh young civilisation of the West,
and that southern hemisphere—a world in itself--
which he has left unseen has just been visited by
his brother. It is a matter of deep regret that the
free and friendly spirit in which the young Princes
have everywhere mingled with the people should in
this instance have met with so ungenerous a return.
We must not, however, attribute any blame or want
of vigilance to the Australian authorities. Such
crimes are always possible, and their results can only
be determined by the decrees of PROVIDENCE. In the
French capital, in the midst of every State form and
courtly escort, in a street thronged with gens crarnzes
and guards of honour, an Imperial visitor narrowly
escaped from a similar attempt. Such criminals,
if not always madmen, are at least monomaniacs.
They are infatuated by one idea, whether it be re-
venge for a fancied wrong, or a miserable craving
for notoriety, and they are for the time being
reckless of the consequences. We hear that a de-
fence on the ground' of insanity is to be set up ;
but, unhappily, we cannot exonerate Fenianism on
that score. Like the Clerkenwell outr kge the
Fenians could not have devised a surer method of
disgusting men of all shades of opinion with
them and their dastardly scheme. We knew long
ago what Fenianism was worth, and what were its
chosen weapons. Treachery, assassination, secret
attacks, incendiarism, all the worst and most con-
temptible and cowardly crimes are its fitting agents.
We have just had conclusive evidence how little
influence it has really gained among the warm-
hearted and quick feeling Irish people, and they,
in the midst of the sorrow and indignation with
which they will learn the tidings of this last and
worst manifestation of Fenianism, will be heartily
thankful that at least they have been spared the
disgrace and humiliation of such an outrage being
committed on their own shores. The visit of the
Heir-Apparent to what was supposed to be the
very stronghold of Fenianism, accompanied, as he
was, by his charming Princess, shows a confidence
in the people which has proved not misplaced, and
we can only rejoice that no catastrophe or shadow
of annoyance has interfered with the accomplish-
ment of so graceful and generous a project. The
Duke of EDINBURGH, we may hope, will shortly
recover from the effects of his wound, and we may
look for his return among us—a return that will no
doubt be as cordially greeted by the English people,
who rejoice over his safety, as his arrival in the
Australian seas was welcomed by her MAJESTY'S
loyal subjects in the southern hemisphere.