The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-17 00:00:00

that it was passed. Its wisdom became more apparent
during the Georgian epoch, when the Sovereigns and
their Ministers constantly gave away places of profit,
mostly sinecures, as the rewards of votes given in
Parliament. There are few, if any, sinecures now.
No Sovereign, no Minister would venture to bestow
them as an acknowledgment for a vote. If any check
of this kind is required, re-election should be required
on receiving a baronetcy. - It is by converting the
esquire into a baronet, " Mr." into 44 Sir," that the
DISRAELIS recompense political services. And
while the existing Act has ceased to be
of any service, it is liable to cause immense
inconvenience. It was, for instance, exceedingly awk-
ward that when the new Parliament met there was
not a single principal Minister present to conduct its
proceedings. It was still more inconvenient that in
consequence of the provision by which no writ can be
issued for a new election until the time for petition-
ing against the first election has expired—that is,
until twenty-one days after that fixed for the delivery
of the return—it was impossible for all the new writs
to be moved this week, and that it therefore becomes
necessary for Parliament to meet during Christmas
week, when members are scattered throughout the
country, in order to issue the remaining writs. The
absurdity of the present practice is shewn by the fact
that the electors of Greenwich have to be asked to
sanction the very event for which they first elected
Mr. GLADSTONE. Having with great public spirit
chosen him their member, in order that if
defeated in South-West Lancashire no delay might
arise in his accession to the Premiership, he is now
I compelled to ask them if they approve of his becom-
ing Premier. We certainly are a slow-moving
people. No wonder that Americans are astonished
at our tardiness when they see us still submitting to
a serious inconvenience because it was decreed by a
Sovereign who died more than half a century before
the United States began to exist.

LATEST INTELL MENU.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 16 (Afternoon).

The 7urquie of to-day contains the following :-
64 The telegram sent by Photiades Bey to the
Turkish Minister at Athens announcing the rejec-
tion of the ultimatum by the Helleine Government
arrived here on Monday last. The Turkish Minister
was preparing to leave Athens.

" Greek residents who shall not have left Turkish
territory within 15 days will be treated as Turkish
subjects. 'Women are exempted from conforming
to this m easure.

" The Porte has placed several steamers at the
disposal of such Greeks as might desire to leave.
" Several individuals highly compromised have
received orders to leave Turkey immediately.
" The Greek Minister has received his passport.
" The Greek ironclad frigate destined to convey
the Greek Envoy hence has not yet arrived in the
Bosphorus. It is said the Porte would refuse to
allow her to pass the Dardanelles.

" A rumour is current to the effect that the Greek
blockade runner Enosis has been attacked in Greek
waters by vessels of the Turkish fleet.
" Three frigates and a despatch boat have been
sent to reinforce the squadron under the command
of Hobart Pascha."

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.

According to Messrs. Neill Brothers report the
receipts of cotton at all ports for the past four
days have been 43,000 bales, against 50,000 same
time last week. Exports to Great Britain, 17,000
bales, against 7,000 same time last week. Exports
to France, 5,000 bales, against none last
week. Exports to other foreign ports, 5,000
bales against 4,000 same time last week. Total
exports for four days to all European ports 27,000
bales, against 11,000 same time last week.
Middling upland 10id., laid down in Liverpool
per steamer.

NEW 01ILEANS, Dcc. 15.
Middling 101 d., laid down in Liverpool by Eail-
.ng vessel.