The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-03 00:00:00

IHE LO ;'ON, FRIDAY EYEAENG, JANUARY 3, 1868.

als have been established between ships and
f !orts, and altogether it can scarcely he said that any
expedient has not been resorted to to ensure the
desired end. Had some of these precautions been
taken at other places, no doubt we should
not have heard of such attacks as those that it has
been our painful duty to record, but still it must be
remembered that the Fenians are apt scholars in
crime, and have shown throughout their lengthened
course of villany that mixture of cunning and daring
which is so dangerous to deal with, and so perplex-
ing to defeat. It will not do at this time,
however, to let ourselves be outwitted
any longer, and it may safely be said
as great credit will attach itself to those
who prevent any disturbance as to those who may
succeed in capturing any particular offender. We
are glad to see that Dr. Monwav, the Roman
Catholic Bishop, has addressed a circular to his
clergy, in which he condemns requiem masses
and expressions of sympathy for the persons exe-
cuted in Manchester. This is a very proper thing
to do, and we hope that his example will be fol-
lowed by others, for the sooner the practice is
put a stop to the better, since under cover of a reli-
gious observance these evil men contrive to prosecute
their treasonable devices and mature their deadly
schemes. The impudence of some of these Fenian
cons pirators equals their wickedness. An anony-
mous letter has been sent to Mr. ALLPORT accord-
ing to promise, and in this communication it is stated
that the number of revolvers taken from his shop
was sixty-three. Unfortunately as yet no traces of
the plunder have bean found by the police.
Under the trying circumstances in which they are
placed, it is so far satisfactory to find the autho-
rities in Ireland are doing their utmost, and with
the decided measures which are being taken there
and in this country it is to be expected that a
short time will see the termination of one of the
most uncalled-for and contemptible conspiracies
that have ever disgraced the history of a civilised
country.

The intelligence which reaches us respecting the
Abyssinian expedition continues to be most en-
couraging. The telegrams received from Aden,
Dec. 29, report that the head of the second brigade
was expected to arrive there the next day, and the
Scinde horse and Bengal brigade before the middle
of this month. Transports with necessary ma-
terials continue to arrive, and her MAJESTY'S
steamer Star was engaged in completing her survey
of the coast. The intelligence from Senafe to the
11th instant reported the health and spirits
of the troops as excellent, but it is dis-
heartening to find the mortality among
the horses still so great. One regiment has lost 150
horses. Two very important items of news are
both founded on reports ; still they are considered
probable, and it is greatly to be hoped that they are
actually true. One is that the Chief of Shoa has
surrounded Magdala, thus cutting off THEODORE
from his benevolent design of making it share the
fate of Debra Tabor. The other is that the Egyp-
tian authorities at Massowah have received a letter
announcing that the captives' chains had been taken
off, and that there was every chance of their speedy
release. This report, as we have said, is thought
probable at Aden, but the means of transmission
is somewhat roundabout.

Meanwhile, the Bombay news reports that the
latest news received there from Abyssinia was of a
very cheering character, and the difficulties in the
way of an advance were gradually disappearing.
The preparations for the departure of the troops
yet waiting to embark were being pushed rapidly
forward, and twenty elephants were despatched on
the 7th December, while an equal number were to
follow. The number of mules, it seems, were not
sufficient, and efforts are to be made to find them
in Abyssinia itself. If they are forthcoming, then
it would be better to get them on the spot, since the
animals would have the double advantage of being
acclimatised, and of being spared the journey.

EUROPE at the present day has but one oracles
and the first clay of the year has come to be re-
garded as the proper time for a significant utter-
ance. The Emperor of the FRENCH is expected, in
receiving the foreign Ministers accredited to the
Tuileries, to say something of international import-
ance. It is, perhaps, gratifying to the vanity of
the grande nation, rather than conducive to the
peace and goodwill of the rest of Europe, that
this should be the case. If the rule of the
EMPEROR were not that of personal government, if
the military power of France were proportioned to
its real requirements, and the employment of that
power rested with the population of France, it
would be otherwise. The Ministers of foreign
sovereigns would be introduced to the EMPEROR
without any apprehensions of such a snprise as
astounded the Minister of Austria in 1859,
and precipitated the campaign in Lombardy.
As it is, they and the people they represent listen
to the Imperial declarations as if the issue of peace
or war depended upon them. The statesmanship
and good sense of Europe has found no Power to
enforce its treaties or to arbitrate on its dangerous
questions. Hence the equilibrium of the Con-
tinent is seldom stable. A Power like that of
France may at any time disturb it, and where
irresponsible power exists we are perhaps too
prone to credit it with sinister intentions. An
importance is attached to the words of the
Emperor of the FRENCH not conceded to those of
the CZAR or the King of PRUSSIA, and not wholly
due to their superior wisdom.

The circumstances which gave a certain impor-
tance to the audiences yesterday were the large
increase of the army un which the EMPEROR'S
Government has insisted, in spite of very decided
expressions of public opinion, and the critical, tate
of the relations of France and Italy. The only
sufficient motive for the large increase of the army
was supposed to be the possibility of a war with
Prussia and Italy combined. It seems certain that
no consideration of these Powers singly would
have given the motive for raising the French army
to the extraordinary force of 1,200,000 men. The
opportunity is past for interfering in the affairs of
Germany. No French Minister is likely to pro-
nounce irrevocable decrees as to what M. BISMARCK
will be allowed to do. On the other hand, how-
ever, it is stated at Paris that the bearing (yr_
Italian statesmen towards France has become
defiant and almost insolent. Italy appears to be fully
prepared for an active alliance with the North
German Confederation, and it remains doubtful
what policy the Court of Berlin might pursue in
the event of the relations between Paris and Flo-
rence passing beyond angry expressions and defiant
deeds. The more probable motive, therefore,
for the increase of the French army was to isolate
Prussia, not to attack her. There was certainly no
want of friendliness in the reception of Count VON
DER GOLTZ, the new Minister of the Confederation.
The EMPEROR spoke of "the friendly understand-
ing between the two countries as a pledge of their
prosperity, and a guarantee for the peace of
Europe." Unless Prussia be impelled hereafter
by greater ambition, and the EMPEROR governed
more reckless counsels and attended by a worse
fortune than heretofore, these are not guarantees
either of them will lightly throw away. That Italy
singly should,make war on France is out of the
question.

Among the late arrivals from England at Rome
for the Zouaves are Messrs. Wallace, Tracy, Gerard
Dinggeridge, Leonards, Duck, and three brothers, Peter•
Ambrose, and Christopher Kean. The Hon. Maxwell
one of the sons of Lord Herries, Messrs. Newsham and
Johnson, from Ushaw, and several late students of Oscott
are likewise expected shortly.... Weekly Register.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAITS.)

THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.
ADEN, Dec. 20,

The head of the second brigade is expected to
arrive here to• morrow. The Sciude Horse and the
Bengal Brigade will arrive between the end of De-
cember and the middle of January.

Transports, with the postal and telegraph staff,
the commissariat, the ordnance, and other stores
are passing daily en route for Abyssinia.
ller Majesty's ship Star is engaged in lighting
and buoying the Abyssinian coast. The survey is
approaching completion.

The steamer Scinde, from Massowah, arrived at
Aden on the 18th December. She reports that the
Egyptian authorities there had received a letter
announcing that the captives' chains had been
taken off, and that there was every chance of their
speedy release. The report is considered probable
here.

Intelligence; from Senafe to the 11th inst. states
that the health and spirits of the troops were excel-
lent. The mortality among the horses continued.
The 3d cavalry regiment had lost upwards of 150
horses. The weather was very cold.

The advanced brigade was to remain at Senafe
until the arrival of Sir R. Napier.
It is reported that the Chief of Shoa had sur-
rounded Magdala.

INDIA.

(Via Trieste.)
BOMBAY, Dec. 14

The second brigade of the field force leaves
Bombay immediately, under Brigadier Welby. The
third brigade, consisting of her Majesty's 45th and
the 2d Native Infantry Regiments, follow in the
course of the week.

A transport is now under orders to sail for Vin-
gorla to embark 518 native infantry, constituting
part of the fifth brigade. '1 he preparations for the
departure of the third and fourth brigades from
Bengal are being rapidly pushed forward.
Sir Robert Napier and his staff sail in a few
days.

Twenty elephants were embarked on the 7th
nst. for Abyssinia, and an equal number will soon

follow.
The latest news received here concerning the
Abyssinian expedition is of a very cheering charac-
ter. The difficulties in the way of an advance were
gradually disappearing, and it had been decided
that the expeditionary force should enter Abyssinia
by the Sooros Pass to Senafe.
IV otwithstanding the number of mules sent from
Arabia, Persia, the Mediterranean, and elsewhere,
there were not available more than one-third of
the number actually required. It is believed that
efforts will consequently be made to find them in
Abyssinia itself.
Notwithstanding the efficiency of the Sappers, it
is doubtful whether any wheeled carriages can be
taken by the torrent beds, which are the only high-

ways into Abyssinia.
The resolution voluntarily winding up the Bank
of Bombay has been adopted, and the new bank
was registered on the 10th inst. All the shares
have been allotted.

CALCUTTA, Dec. 7.
The intended weekly Indian mail service has
given great satisfaction here.

The arrangements connected with the Abyssinian
expedition continue to occupy public attention.
The 23d Punjaub pioneers have embarked for
Abyssinia. Prior to their embarcation they were
inspected by the Viceroy, who addressed them.
The rest of the Bengal brigade is awaiting orders
to embark. The transports arc all nearly prepared
to sail. The chief part will be towed by steamers.
Sixty-four of the principal merchants of Calcutta
have memorialised the lieutenant governor asking
that wharfs and jetties might be constructed for
landing goods, in order to obviate the dangers at-
tending the present inefficient system of landing in
boats. The lieutenant-governor replied that he
hoped the year would not expire without practical
steps being taken with a view to a remedy.
The traces of the late cyclone are fast disappear-
ing, and the distress resulting therefrom is not so
great as was anticipated. Above £15,000 has been
raised to relieve the sufferers. including the Govern-
ment subscription.

The ex-King of Oude is now endeavouring to in-
vestigate and clear off his debts.
The settlement of the Siam and Casserim frontier
has been completed. Lieutenant Bagge has been
authorised to proceed to Bangkok to have it con-
firmed and ratified.

The treaty concluded by Colonel Fytche with the
Government of Burmah was ratified by the Viceroy
on the 26th ult.

The King of Burmah has assented to the de-
spatch of an exploring party to Western China
via Bharno, and has issued an edict to give it
every assistance. Capt. Sladen is appointed leader
of the party.

THE NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION AT THE

TUILERIES.

PARIS, Jan. 2, Evening.

Upon receiving the congratulations of the Papal
Nuncio, as the spokesman of the diplomatic body
at the Tuileries yesterday, the Emperor replied :

" I am happy to begin the New Year as usual sur-
rounded by the representatives of all the Powers.
I am able to affirm once more my constant desire
to maintain the best relatigns with them. I thank
you for the wishes you have been good enough to
express in their name for France, my family, and
myself."

In answer to the Archbishop of Paris the Em-
peror said :—" The prayers you address to Heaven
for the Empress, the Prince Imperial, and myself
affect me deeply. They spring from a noble heart.
I know that you do not separate religious interests
from those of the country and of civilisation."

AMERICA.

NEW Yonz, Jan. 2,
The Cunard steamer, Cuba, arrived at Boston

,his morning.

The steamers leaving for Europe to-day take out
,500,000.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CLOSING PRICES. —Gold, 133 f ; Sterling Ex-
change on London, 1104 ; 5-20 United States
Bonds, 1081; Illinois, 132 i ; Erie, 72. Cotton,
middling upland, 151. Petroleum, standard white,
241 r.

THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES.
BUCHAREST, Jan. 2,

The Government has obtained a great majority
at the elections ; 82 Deputies being supporters of
the Ministry, and 57 belonging to the Opposition.