The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-05 00:00:00

THE SUN LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 5, 1868.

many iustances because, accumulated experience
must be of serviee if rightly applied. It is the
tendency of the present day to jump at conclusions,
and therefore it is important that due regard be
p lid to the assertions of those who have devoted
their lives to patieut investigation and deep re-
searches.

In foreign countries, more fully than in our own,
we may notice the success of what is called " pre-
ventive medicine," but there is still much to do to
meet the requirements of the day and the " exi-
gencies of a fast-growing population." One
of the most satisfactory results of recent im-
provements has been the general increase of sani-
tary knowledge. This had long been demanded,
but time passed on without giving any change for
the better. The health and well-doing of the com-
munity depend a great deal upo❑ this knowledge
being extensively circulated, and in no other way
can we hope to mitigate the effects of overcrowding
and other drawbacks of large towns. Towards the
conclusion of his address, the President referred to
the study of the classics, and lamented that those
who cultivated them so seduously, should have
been so " indifferent to the cultivation
of science and the promotion of art." M the
same time he truly said that what was required
was not a substitution of the classics, but an addi-
tion to them. In an eloquent passage he advocated
the importance of making the University a place
where their professors might send their students in
the confident expectation that they would be soon
fitted and improved to their greatest extent, and
where they might learn much that was valuable, so
that they could go forth to their several vocations
with minds fitted to perform their duties and
hearts devoted to the cause of humanity.

It is encouraging to know that, in spite of the
alarm and uneasiness felt in some quarters on ac-
count of the drought, the accounts of the harvest
are highly encouraging. The hay and barley, in-
deed, show lamentable traces of the want of rain,
and many kinds of vegetables are likely to suffer ;
but with regard to the great staple—corn--the re-
turns of the year seem likely to verify the old adage
—" Drought never bred dearth in England." The
high price of bread has been so great a trial to the
poor and struggling classes during the last twelve-
months that it will be an absolute boon to the com-
munity to see the long-looked-for reduction
in the quartern loaf. That we may hope for per-
manent improvement iu this respect is plain from
the accounts we receive from foreign sources. Last
year, in addition to the failure of our own harvest,
the supply horn all parts of the Continent was de-
ficient, and even iu the Western States of America,
supposed to furnish an inexhaustible granary, the
crops ran short. This year, on the contrary, the
glowing sunshine has produced very different re-
sults. In Illinois the harvest is more abundant
than was ever previously known, while in all the
Western States the crops are good. The Continent
tells the same story. Everywhere oppressive and
unusual heat, everywhere an abundant supply of
wheat. In Italy, where they are pretty well accus-
tomed to an atmosphere which astonishes us less cooler
mortals, the reports are that the heat has been mar-
vellous, but the corn-fields have been crowned with
unusual wealth. From France and Austria and
other parts comes the same welcome news, and we
must all heartily rejoice that at a time of gradual
recovery from long-continued depression we are
likely to have so powerful an auxiliary to renewed
prosperity in cheap bread.

LATEST INTELL IGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, Aug. 4.
The Cunard steamship Scotia arrived out at 1

p.m. to-day.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Closing Prices :—Gold, 146 k; sterling exchange
on London, 1101. 5-20 U.S. Bonds, 1882, 1141 ;
do., 1885, 1121 ; 10-40 do., 109 ; Illinois, 1501 ;
Erie., 581. Cotton, middling Upland, 301. Petro-
leum, standard white, 35.

C°: 'BRCINRPO 191110:
-- .
AlAilt4tlo4l-t,
TileZeAt, I-I;ilauf has ieceivea Positive information
that, notwithstanding the denials of the Government
organs, the question of a Customs union between France
and Belgium has been discussed between the two Cabinets.
A Customs treaty is at present in force between France
and Belgium, and the union now under discussion is to be
effected by a complete modification of this arrangement.
One of the chief officials connected with the Department
of Commerce at Brussels is expected to arrive in Paris
shortly. The Liberte says nothing of Holland, who, if
this report be true, is wiser than to allow herself to be
mixed up in such an affair.
The Emperor is reported to be greatly enjoying his
" holiday " at Plombatres. He takes part in the rifle
shooting, drinks beer supplied by the cantinieres, and is
altogether winning the hearts of the inhabitants by that
simplicity which is so charming in the great. His
rusticity will soon, however, be interrupted. His
return to Paris is fixed positively for the 15th
of the present month. If we may believe the Pays,
the question of fixing the time for the next elections will
be the first occupation of his Majesty on his return to the
capital. No date has yet been fixed, and the Opposition
think that a surprise will be attempted. They are, how-
ever, straining every nerve to be prepared for a general
election at any time, and to make the most of the chance
which seems to present itself of increasing their majority.
The controversy on the Nimes affair continues to
occupy the French papers. It might be termed a severe
discussion if its acrimony were not diluted by its excessive
length. I have already stated the chief arguments on
this question, and I see nothing new. The Government
journals, however, not only justify the outrage, but praise
the officials for their firmness and vigilance, as well as for
their moderation ! Is there, after all, one law for the
Government and another for the subject? The Avenir
Nationale bitterly replies to the official papers by quoting
an article by Louis Napoleon from the Progres du Pus
de Calais, of October 4,1843. Here, the present Emperor
complained that even Ireland—wretched Ireland—enjoyed
greater liberty of meeting than France.
Prince Napoleon is, I am told, about to pass the
bathing seaeon at Havre. He has not yet visited his royal
relative.

It is positively stated that the directors of the Credit
Mobilier, who were condemned to indemnify the share-
holders, will appeal against the judgment of the Imperial
Court.

An abundance of rumours is set in circulation just
now in place of news. One of the most important
affirms that Count Usedom, the Prussian representative
at Florence, is about to be recalled. The manifestations
which have accompanied the rifle meeting at Vienna have
produced a profound, and, I should imagine, a disagree-
able impression in Prussia.
A new breech-loader has been tried at this meeting.
It is the invention of a Norwegian manufacturer, named
Torsen. Whilst the Emperor Francis Joseph was present
on Thursday the inventor fired fifty-three shots in three
minutes, the experiment being remarkable, not only for
this wonderful rapidity, but also for great precision of aim.
It is likely that the Austrian Government will take this
new weapon into consideration.
M. P—, a worthy shoemaker, was some time ago the
object of a night attack, followed by robbery. Not that
he was garotted, for the robber adopted the good old
fashion of placing the point of a knife to his throat,
followed, of course, by the usual polite intimation. Our
worthy shoemaker fought valiantly at first, but surren-
dered at the touch of the steel. He reluctantly partei
with his money, and still more reluctantly gave up his
watch, which, though old-fashioned, and an admirable
representative of the turnip style, was a family keepsake.
The victim gave information to the police, describing the
footpad, who, it appears, was foolish enough to
go about robbing people with a large dark
scar, easily recognisable, on his cheek. No less
than three years elapsed, and the departed turnip.
watch lived only in the re nembrance of the shoemaker.
One day he mountel to the top of an omnibus, and °ea-,
pied the only vacant place. Lo ! on his right hand was
the never-to-be-forgotten scar. The aid of the police was
sought, and the owner of the scar searched, though with
what hope or expectation does not appear. The venerable
watch was, however, found upon him. It had, we are
told, pleased him, and he had kept it—because, I presume,
he was unable to dispose of it ; or, perhaps, because his
principles were opposed to sacrilege, though not to robbery;
or—who knows—because he was of opinion that his scar
was not sufficient means of identity.

THE WEATHER TABLE.-THIS DAY.