The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 11, 1868.

House, b ut,we should hope the right hon. gentleman
does no t intend to make political capital out
of a sub ject of such vital importance and interest
as this, or to serve party purposes at the expense
of the cot tntry and the conduct of public business.
Ireland, of all questions that are before us, impe-
ratively demands the dispassionate judgment of
all our leeslators. They should unite on
neutral grout id for this purpose, and to attain the
desired remit t those of different politics and diverse
creeds should meet to further and encourage the
peace and prosperity of that kingdom, which has
laboured under so many misfortunes of one
kind and another. This cannot be done
if the trrimpet-blast of faction is to be
-blown, and if hon. members are to be led hither and
thither at the dictation of aspirants for office and
not zealous advocates for the cause of national
regeneration. We would appeal to all the true
friends of Ireland to show more honesty and exhibit
more patriotism than to let there real end in view
be lost sight of in the tumult of a fight for supre-
macy.

In the midst of the pressing political excitements
of the day a private banquet took place last even-
ing which may claim especial notice. Seldom has
a more interesting occasion summoned together a
band of men associated in a difficult and tedious
enterprise to rejoice over the triumphant result of
their laborious and unwearied endeavours. The
actual achievement has indeed become a thing of
the past, but recent events have conspicuously._
illustrated its importance and advantage. Mr.
CYRUS FIELD, so prominently known in connec-
tion with the laying of the Atlantic Cable, gave
a dinner last evening at Buckingham-gate to
some 70 gentlemen interested in the work, and in
the science of which it is so eminent an illustration.
By a happy thought, Mr. FIELD had arranged with
the Telegraph companies to have the wires brought
into the dining room in which his guests were as-
sembled, and messages were transmitted to and fro
during the banquet between the company and the
PRESIDENT of the United States, Mr. SEWARD, New
York, Havannah, and Newfoundland. A strik-
ing example was thus afforded to the party
of the wonderful perfection to which the science
of telegraphy is now brought, and of the
admirable working order the cables and their at-
tendant wires are in. Mr. JOHNSON telegraphed
his congratulations to the assembly, and wished
them all possible success—that their wires might
be multiplied through many seas and their stakes
be extended through many lands. Mr. SEWARD
was equally complimentary in his message, and
dwelt especially upon the encouragement afforded
by their labours to friendship and goodwill between
the nations. Mr. GLADSTONE, who was prevented
from being present by the Irish debate in the House
of Commons, sent a cordial letter, and the meet-
ing altogether was one of those rare occasions
on which everything is couleur de rose, and all the
addresses are full of compliments and congratula-
tion. No one, however, can begrudge both hosts
and guests their hour of triumph and rejoicing.
They have waited long and patiently to see success
crown their labours. They have hoped against
hope, and borne up against repeated failures as only
a strong conviction could have enabled them to do.
Neither have their sacrifices been those of sentiment
alone. It was incidentally mentioned last night
that for fourteen years, since the first agreement
was signed by a few of the promoters of the
Atlantic Telegraph, of whom Mr. CYRUS FIELD
was, of course, one, money had been going
out, and that, until within the last six months,
there had been no return. Matters have altogether
changed since then, and the indefatigable promoters
of the undertaking are reaping something more
substantial than fame from their labours, but the
fact is no less evidence of their indomitable perse-
verance. To Mr. CYRUS FIELD individually a very
large share of the praise is due. His resolution
never faltered, his conviction of ultimate success
never wavered throughout all difficulties and dis-
t couragements, and he has had the satisfaction not
always accorded to the originators and pro-
moters of such world-famous undertakings.
It must have been with deep gratification that
Mr. FIELD on Friday evening gave the order for
transmitting the whole of the interesting and im-
portant debate to which he had been listening iu
the House of Commons verbatim to the American
Press. Such an achievement was of itself a marvel,
. and the fact that a debate spoken in Westminster
one night should be read on the other side of the
Atlantic next day, makes us realise how much time
and space have been annihilated by the triumphs
of art and science. That debate itself was not
without evidence of the more kindly and cordial
feelings which the telegraph has assisted in deve-
loping between the two great nations, feelings
which we may reasonably hope will increase rather
than diminish with the coming years.

The paper which was yesterday read at the meet-
ing of the Royal Geographical Society by Mr.
WADDINGTON opened up a subject of great prac-
tical importance in regard to our Transatlantic
possessions. The subject of the paper was, " The
Geography and Mountain Passes of British Colum-
bia, with reference to the Overland Route ;" and
Mr. WADDINGTON, who is well acquainted with the
country, was able to furnish some remarkable in-
formation. For many years he has been exploring
the different valleys and passes in the Rocky Moun-
tains with the view of ascertaining the most
practicable for a waggon road and rail.
road from the Pacific across the Rocky Moun-
tains. The Americans, as we know, are
busy effecting a communication between the
two oceans, and there is no reason why British en-
terprise and ingenuity should be behind hand in
the race of science and improvement. The statis-
tics which Mr. WADDINGTON laid before the meet-
ing, and the map which he had constructed, and on
which he was complimented by Sir RODERICL
MURCHISON, helped to convince the majority of the
feasibility of this important scheme, which, whether
we regard it politically or commercially, must be
of the greatest value to our British American
colonies.

The ribbon of the order of St. Patrick which was
in possession of the Prince Consort, and which has hot
been conferred since his death, will be bestowed on his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during his approach-
ing visit to Ireland. The installation will be distinguished
by unusual pomp, and the ceremonial will include a public
procession through the streets of Dublin.
THE LATE SIR DAVID BREWSTER.—On Monday
afternoon a meeting was held in the Royal Society's
Rooms, Edinburgh, for the purpose of considering the pro-
priety of erecting a monument to the late Sir David Brews-
ter, in eGminemotation of his services in the cause of
science. Sir David Baxter, of Kilinaron, was called to the
chair ; and among others present were Lord Neaves, Sir
David Dundas, Sir J. V. Simpson, Sir G. Harvey, Profes-
sor Playfair, Professor Balfour, Professor Tait, Dr. Alex-
ander Wood, Dr. Andrew Wood, Dr. Keith Johnston, Me.
Milne Horne, of Wedderburn, Mr. Bryce, architect, Mr.
Francis Brown Douglas, &c. It was unanimously resolved
on the motion of Lord Neaves, seconded by Di. Andrew
Wood, that a monument, taking the form of a statue, to
Sir D. Brewster, should be erected in some public and
conspicuous part of Edinburgh. A committee was ap-
pointed to carry out the resolution.
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sold Bd. per pound Cheaper. This interesting fact will, when
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Choice, long-approved Teas. They aro not sold loose, but
only in Packet 3, signed " Ilorniman," London.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, TUESDAY, March 10.

At last the Press Bill has passed the Corps L6gislatif.
It has now to go to the Senate, and it is to be devputly
hoped that this body will not alter it for the worse. There
is certainly no need of increased stringency. French
journalism is now in a worse position than English, Bel-
gian, German, Swiss, or Italian.
The concluding debate on this bill was very animated.
The Government proposed a clause by which "any conductor
of a journal shall be authorised to establish a printing-
office exclusively for the production of the publication."
M. Berryer proposed to stop at the word " office,"and urged
that if a newspaper proprietor were not at liberty to print
circulars, bills, pamphlets, &c., he would be often working
at a heavy loss. The Ministers opposed this alteration, on
the ground that it would be unfair to the present holders
of printing licenses, of whom there are 649 in Paris and
4,239 in the departments. It was then argued by the
Opposition that these persons should be compensated for
the loss of their monopoly. Jules Favre declared that the
word " exclusively " in the above clause was worthy of the
middle ages. In France there was not a printing-press
for every 40,000 persons; and be added : " I blush for my
country when I see that in free America people always
begin by establishing a school, a printing-office, and a
church." But in spite of arguments and eloquence the
whole clause was passed by 171 to 72 votes. Another dis-
cussion took place upon M. Javal's amendment to the
effect that foreign journals not printed in French should
be allowed to circulate freely in France. M. Javal said that
there were no fewer than 1,206 foreignnewspapers and other
periodicals sent to France, and that it was absurd that all the
subscribers to these should be kept waiting until the pleasure
of a few clerks belonging to the Minister of the. Int :•;or
had been consulted. M. Glais.Bizoin provoked considerable
bruit from the Right, by declaring that this continental
blockade was a disgrace to civilisation. The amendment
was not put to the vote, the Chamber deciding not to take
it into consideration. After several other amendments
had been disposed of the Chamber voted on the entire bill,
and it was adopted by 242 votes to 1, that one being M.
Berryer's. The other most distinguished members of the
Opposition did not vote. This bill, and that for the sup-
plementary military contingent, have been brought before
the Senate to-day. The Corps Ldgislatif will commence
the discussion on the Public Meetings Bill on Thursday.
If the Presse is to be believed, the Prince Imperial's
twelfth birthday, on the 16th instant, is to be signalised
by a general amnesty for political and press offences. I
own I am rather sceptical.
M. Kerv4guen has "skedaddled." Finding that he has
raised a hornets' nest about his ears, and that the more he
stirred them the more unplees tit was his position, he has
taken to his heels and has fled to Spain. In the mean-
while M. de Girardin vows vengeance against him, and
declares that he will insist upon demanding from the
Corps L(igislatif an authorisation to prosecute him.

The manufacturers and Baron kfaussmann have made
up their quarrel after a fashion. It will be remembered
that several months ago some of them closed their esta-
blishments rather than pay the enormous octroi levied
upon the raw produce which they used in their factories.
The " Emperor. of Paris " has now consented to make
a considerable reduction. But there seems to be great
inequality, and some of the manufacturers are taxed two-
thirds again as much as others.

The Etendard (semi-official paper) publishes a glowing
account of the success of the National Guard in the South
of France. This journal tells its readers that the con-
scripts marched with drums beating, clarions blowing, and
arrived at the capital of the canton " gay and in good
humour." They replied with empressement when
their names were called, and when asked if they
were suffering from any infirmity they almost
unanimously said they were not, and refused to be examined
by a surgeon. Out of 314 inscribed, 15 only demanded to
be inspected. The number of young men who demanded
dispensation on the ground that they were the support of
their families did not reach the 10 per cent. allowed by the
law. All which proves, says the Etendard, that "if the
agricultural and manufacturing working classes do not
desire war, they have not for the noble profession of arms
that repugnance which was gratuitously attributed to
them by those who, without authority, represented them."
The new opera of " Hamlet" was played last night for
the first time. The music is by Ambroise Thomas, the
libretto by Michel Carr 4 and Jules Barbier. In spite of
the fact that the Empress was giving a concert at the
Tuileries, in which Patti was singing, this first representa-
tion was a great success. Mdllc. Nilsson was rapturously
applauded, especially in the scene in which Ophclia pulls
the flowers to pieces in a song of laughter and tears. She
was, after this scene, called before the stage and
smothered with bouquets.

The Florence correspondence of the Tunes describes the
evil effects which have resulted to Italy from last autumn's
" Garibaldian folly." The Papacy is more elated than it
has been for many a clay. It looks upon the ruin of the
kingdom of Italy as certain. On the other hand, last
year's invasion has brought money to the Pontifical coffers
and men to the Pontifical army. Under these circum-
stances all attempts at negotiation on the part of tin
Florence Government arc useless. The non possunzus is
more accentuated aan ever. Even should the French
troops be withdrawn, the Court of Rome believes that it
can rely upon the devotion to the Papacy which exists
throughout the world for defenders. Moreover, the de-
fences of the city and of Civita Vecchia have now been so
much strengthened that a coup dc main would be almost
impossible, and an Italian army, much more a half-armed
body of volunteers, would have to attempt the reduction
of these places by a regular siege. At the present moment
the French troops give not the slightest intimation of
withdrawing from the Papal territory, and the correspon-
dent believes that they will remain there until after the
French elections.

The Avenir National publishes a special telegram from
Rome, dated March 9, to the effect that " in accordance
with new arrangements with Italy the last French troops
will evacuate Roman territory very shortly. The Pon-
tifical armaments are being doubled."

Upon one matter the Governments of Rome and
Florence are said to have come to an understanding. The
brigands are to be put down, and all difficulties respecting
the pursuit of them from one territory into another have
been arranged. General Pallacivini is to direct the opera-
tions on the Neapolitan frontier.
The rumour that the Marquis Pepoli was to be the new
Italian Minister in this country is not confirmed. The
Opinkne of Florence says that the Marquis will represent
his country at the Austrian Court.
The late King Ludwig forwarded, a few minutes before
his death, a request to the Pope for his blessing. The
Holy Father sent it without delay in the shape of a
telegram.

The mother of the present King of Bavaria, daughter
in-law of the just-deceased King Ludwig, and widow of
the late King Maximilian, is said to he dangerously ill. It
would seem as if her journey to Nice, to attend the funeral
of her father-in-law, had been too much for her.

While Italy is almost overwhelmed by financial difficul-
ties, her ancient rival, Austria, is emerging from hers with
wonderful rapidity. The two Financial Ministers of Austria
and Hungary seem to be engaged in friendly rivalry as to
which of them will first restore a financial equilibrium.
The Hungarian Minister has won the race, for while his
competitor has presented a scheme by which Austria will
be paying her way three years hence, he himself is able to
shew a clean balance-sheet at once. Moreover, the
Austrian Minister is compelled to resort to a measure
which is " heroic " in its proportions, and OemAnds great
sacrifices from capitalists. Capital, whether movable (A
immovable, is to pay a certain percentage for three years.
Landed property, houses, financial societies, industrial un
dertakings, all are to contribute in a certain ratio, accord
ing to their capital; the holders of funds by a coupon tax;
which is to be increased in proportion.

The latest rumour respecting Prince Napoleon's visit
to Germany is, that he is endeavouring to bring about at
alliance between France, Prussia, and Italy. To-morn:is%
we shall hear no doubt that he is promoting treaties o'
friendship between Juarez of Mexizo, the Mikado of
Japan, and Theodore of Abyssinia. Why should it be
thought impossible for princes to travel for their own
amusement ?

The Western Morning News records the destruction o
the inside of the Church of St. Michael's and All .A.ngels
at Princetown, Dartmoor. During morning service or
Sunday the fire broke out in the heating apparatus, and
spread through the interior of the building. By great
exertions the building itself was happily saved. Th(
church was erected by the French and American prisoner:
of war who were incarcerated in Dartmoor Prison at tin
beginning of the present century. It had no pretension:
to architectural beauty.

The addresses of Mr. Mason Jones in reference to tin
Irish Church, in which he violently denounced that esta
blishment, are provoking replies. A large public meetim
has been held art Preston, the vicar in the chair, at whirl
a petition against the disendowment of the Irish Churcl
was carried almost unanimously.

According to the Western Morning News, Sir Masse3
Lopes, who at present sits for -Westbury, and Mr. Bastan
will probably be the Conservative candidates for Soutl
Devon, and Sir L. Palk and Mr. Kekewich will stand fo
the new division of East Devon, unless Sir L. Palk shout
be raised to the peerage. In that case Lord Courtenay
eldest son of. the Earl of Devon, who now represent
Exeter, will probably be brought forward for the county
The Liberals have not yet made any movement. In Nortl
Devon it is thought that Sir S. Northcote and Mr, .Ei.elatn4
will ndit be opposed.

LATEST INTELL LGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

(BY ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.)
NEW YORK, March 10.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Closing prices :—Gold, 139 f. Sterling exchange
on London, 1091. 5-20 United States' Bonds,
1882, 110 ; ditto, 1885, 1084 ; 10-40 Bonds, 1011.
Illinois, 138 ; Eric, 75g. Cotton, middling up-
land, 25f c. Petroleum, standard white, 251 c.
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28c.