The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-01 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 1, 1868

actually brought under discussion, every one unites
in condemning it. Lord MALMESBURY in moving
that the report of the committee should be agreed
to, explained in some measure the origin of the
custom. The Commons, he said, send representa-
tives to Parliament who were in reality their
proxies ; and the Peers possessed the same privilege,
though it had been found occasionally desirable to
suspend it. That the custom is a mischievous one
there can be no doubt, and it becomes more and
more unsuited to the present day, because men are
no longer so strictly bound by the ties of party as to
follow their leader unhesitatingly, and vote aye or
no, content or non-content, at his bidding. Men
like to hear and to judge for themselves, and if
their knowledge of the subject or their judgment is
not worth much, at least the country expects them
to pay the outward attention of listening to the
arguments and the facts brought forward. For a
man who is ill at his country house, or travelling in
Greece or in Sweden, to have power to influence
the result of a debate of which he has never heard
a word, on a subject on which he has never perhaps
formed an opinion, is about as reasonable as if we
set a deaf man to be a judge. The evidence, how-
ever important, would be useless to him, and his
decision, however well-intentioned, would cer-
tainly be entirely independent of the facts of the
case. Lord CARNARVON, in approving of the pro-
posed change, declared that in his belief proxies
were a source of weakness rather than of strength,
since it would be impossible to pass any important
measure by the votes of absentees. All the reasons
which had formerly justified the system had, he
thought, disappeared. Lord REDESDALE, indeed,
was not inclined to condemn it, though he did not
object to the change, believing that the practice of
calling for proxies was inferior to the pairing system
of the Commons. Earl STANHOPE, however, pointed
out an important difference. Pairs are made from
both sides of the House, or at least are always a
matter of individual arrangement between the
holders of different opinions. They can conse-
quently exercise no influence whatever on a division
—their object being that the absence of the mem-
bers pairing shall not be felt on either side. Proxies,
on the contrary, may often be in the hands of the
Government, and Earl STANHOPE affirms that they
successfully decided an important motion on foreign
policy respecting the affairs of Denmark. Finally,
the matter was decided by the motion for
the discontinuance of the system of calling
for proxies being carried ; and on some
minor points changes were also made which
are likely to expedite the progress of public
business through the Upper House. If the Com-
mons get on a little faster with their business, the
Lords must move faster too, else bills will accumu-
late and business get into arrears.

We are very glad to find that the reform which
Mr. OTW.Y has succeeded in carrying through the
Commons with respect to the army is to be ex-
tended to the Marines. On the reading of the
Marine Mutiny Bill, on Monday evening, Mr.
AYRTON put a question to Lord 11. LENNOX respect-
ing the abolition of corporal punishment in the
army, to which the noble lord replied that it was
quite evident whatever applied to the regular army
applied also to the marines on shore. lie had,
therefore, been instructed, after the division of the
other evening, not to oppose the amendment of
Mr. OTWAY, and, indeed, in the absence of the
member for Chatham, he was prepared to move the
amendment himself. The bill, so amended, accord-
ingly passed through committee, and we congratu-
late the service on the salutary change. Public
feeling has long been opposed to flogging in either
branch, and it was only retained in deference to
ancient prejudice, and to a belief, shared by many
old officers, that it was necessary to secure efficient
military discipline. But, by common consent, it is
held to be the most fitting punishment for
brutal and degraded criminals. Garotters,
men who have cruelly ill-used their wives or chil-
dren, or wantonly tortured the lower orders, are,
as all agree, most deserving of a punishment which
is the only one they are likely to feel. Surely, then,
we are not to put our soldiers and sailors on a level
with such ruffians, for if individuals here and there
commit the same crimes or show the same brutal
disposition, they should not be retained for a day
in a profession which they disgrace, as associates
of men who are regarded with pride by their coun-
trymen. For drunkenness or refraction of bar-
rack regulations flogging is a punishment altogether
out of proportion in time of peace, and we are glad
that the Government has altogether abandoned it.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

The season at this magnificent establishment
began yesterday evening, when a very fine perform-
ance of "Norma" was given. Theatres, like nations,
have their customs ; and it is the custom at the
Royal Italian Opera to sing the National Anthem
before, not after, the regular performance. The
house was already well filled, and with a very
brilliant audience, when Mr. Costa took his seat in
the orchestra, and gave the signal for the com-
mencement of " God save the Queen." Before the
treacherous Pollio (Signor Naudin) had finished his
first air there was scarcely a vacant place to be
seen ; and Norma's " Costa Diva" was sung before
an audience which was as closely packed as an
audience ever ought to be even at a fashionable
opera- house.
The manner in which the opera was executed
justified the anticipations that had been formed.
Madlle. Fricci, though not hitherto recognised as
an artiste of the very highest attainments, is im-
proving year by year ; and we can quite
understand the success which, according to
Mr. Gye's prosi ectus, she has recently
gained in Italy. One thing is quite cer-
tain—that in Germany, Russia, Italy, wherever she
has sung, Madlle. Fricci has been very much liked.
There is something sympathetic about her talent,
and, whether she excites the highest admiration or
not, she never fails to please. If anything was
wanting to prove her value as one of the lead-
ing members of Mr. Gye's company, her perform-
ance last night did all that was required.
In the opera of " Norma " the interest is all
centred in one principal character, and no one cares
very much what becomes either of Pollio the de-
ceiver, or of Adalgasia the deceived. Nevertheless,
both Madame Lemniens-Sherrington and Signor
Naudin did their best yesterday evening with their
respective parts ; and the performance was quite as
noticeable for its general completeness as for the
ability with which the principal rule was filled.

M. GLADSTONE'S RESOLUTIONS.—(By Tele-
graPh.)—Shrowsbury, Tuesday night.—A crowded public
meeting was held hero to-night on the Irish Church ques-
tion. A petition to Parliament in support of Mr. Glad-
stone's resolutions was proposed, and was met by an
amendment condemning the disestablishment of the Irish
Church as unrighteous, which was proposed and seconded
by local clergymen. The resolution was declared to be
carried, amid great cheering.
TRADE OUTRAGE AT ASIITON-UNDER-LYNE.—
At the Liverpool Assins, yesterday, Robert Ryan was
indicted for taking part in an outrage committed in 18G2
upon the premises of Mr. Clifford, brickmaker, Ashton. A
number of men wearing masks were met by two police
officers as they wore returning from destroying a quantity
of bricks. In the course of a struggle which ensued an
officer, named Jump, was shot. Two men were convicted
of the murder, and one, named Ward, was afterwards exe-
cuted at Liverpool. The prisoner absconded to America,
and only recently returned. He pleaded guilty to doing
wilful damage, and was sentenced to nine months' impri-
sonment with hard labour.

THE COMMAND OF TILE TROOPS IN SCOTLAND.—
Major-General Randal Burnley, formerly Inspector-General
of Infantry, assumes the duties of Commander of the
Forces in Scotland to-day, in room of Major-General
Hamilton, C. 8., who has been promoted to the command
of a divi4ion of foot Civard#,

LATEST INTELL MENGE, I

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN.

MADRID, April 1.

It is reported that as soon as the discussion on
the budget has terminated the railway companies
bill will be presented to the Cortes.
The same army organisation has been adopted for
the island of Cuba as for Spain.

TURKEY.

CONSTANTINOPLE, March 31.

An Imperial firman for the Adrianople railway
concession will be given to the Vanderse Company
this week. The contractors are to commence the
works forthwith from Stamboul to Tcheckmedji, a
distance of 13 miles, in lieu of depositing caution
money.

DENMARK.

COPENIIAGEN, March 31 (Evening).

In to-day's sitting of the Rigsdag the Finance
Minister stated that the prospects of direct tele-
graphic communication with Russia being carried
into effect were more favourable than at any pre-
vious time. The Danish Government would grant
the required concession as far as regarded Denmark,
and application for a similar concession had been
made to the Russian Government.

THE STRIKES IN BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS, April 1.

Advices received from Charleroi state that ap-
parent tranquility prevailed yesterday throughout
the districts on strike, but that underhand agitation
continues. Labour has been stopped at places where
the men were still at work the previous day.
Money is stated to have been distributed to the
agitators. It was refused by the working men at
Gouffre, but accepted by those at Baulet.
The indictment against the captured rioters is
being prepared.

OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL.
SUEZ, March 30.
The Delhi sailed at midnight yesterday for

Bombay.

FRA,

.NCE.

BOURSE, March 31-111
closed as follows :

7ee o'clock. —The market

41 per Cent.
End of month -
3 per Cent
End of month 69 20
Credit Mobilier 270
End of month 268 75
Credit Foncier 1470
End of month — -
RAILWA'

Bank Shares 3160
Ital;an Loan
End of month —
Mexican Loan 19 50
Do. Bonds
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
Deferred —
Account
898 k
11811
930
568 i
5681

Orleans ,..
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern.....
Western
Eastern ..
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard 3781
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman 46

Quarters ended
June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31, March 31,
1866 1866 1861 1867 X
Customs 5,271,0(0 5,541,000 5,964,000 5,527,000
Exci,e 5044,000 4,510,000 5,171,000 5,535,000
Stamps
Taxes
I'roptrLy Tax
Yost-ofli e 1,00,000 1,1(11,000 1,140,000 1,100,000
Crown Lands 71,000 7,000 95,000 93,00)
Miscellaneous 34,44,61 *053,0.8 6,2,9,5 1,087,871
---
Totals

,17,403,c6-1

18,411,871

11.—Increase and Decrease in the periods ended March 317
1868, as compared with corresponding periods of the
preceding year :

Quarter ended Mar. Year ended Mar.
31, 1863. 3., 1668.
Increase.i Decrease. Increase. Decrease.
X X 4 4
Customs
Excise
Stamps. .. 56,000 121,000 ..
Taxes
Prop, rty Tax
Post-Office __
Cro,%n Lands
) ..
filiscdl9.neous _. .. 17f...4,•!97 06 487,146
- - ---- --___ __
Tota's
.1,17 ~0)0 I 23',207 1, , 6 ,000 995,349
Net Increase .£136,703
. _ Net Increase . . _

Tota's ......
Net Increase,
Ni

,1,17 ,0)0 I
.V 36,
,t Increase.
ig New Zei

gland Bon

• £l6 ,651
s, £500,000

111.—An Account showing the Revenue and other
Receipts of the Quarter ended March 31, 1868, the ap-
plication of the same, and the Charge of the Consolidated
Fund for the said Quarter, together with the surplus or
deficiency upon such charge :
Surplus Balance beyond the charge of the Con-
solidated Fund, for the Quarter ended
December 31, 1367, viz. :
Great Britain
Ireland

- L 591,221
Income received, as shown in Account I 19,378,574
Amount raised on Account of Fortifications,
ac., per Act 28th and 9th Vietoril, Cap. tit 101,000
Amount raised by the issue of Exchequer Bonds,
per Act 3,./ and 3ist Victoria, cap 31
Amount received in repayment of Advances for
Public Works, &c.
Ditto for New Courts of Justice

£z1,717,453

Balance, being the Deficiency on March 31,
1304 upon the charge of the Consolidated
Fund in Great Britain, to meet the Divi-
dends, and other charges, payable in the
Quarter to J uae 31, 186 2,253,124

£23,970,577

Deficiency of the Income of the Consolidated
Fund in Great Britain in the Quarter to
December 31, 1867, for the charge of the
Consolidated Fund in Great Britain for
that Quarter (as shown in the prec Aling ac-
count) X408,9213
Less Amount of Sinking Fund Applie i in Repay-
ment of Advavees to meet the said 1,0
fidency .EL 7
Amount applied out of the Income to Supply Ser •
37,000
Amount Advanced for New Courts of Justice • •
vices ...................................... 1 ',153,312
Ditto for Greenwich Hospital
Charge of the Consolidated Fund for the Quarter
ended March 3,, 1868, viz. :
Interest of the Permanent
Debt £5,212,537
Terminable Debt
Principal of Exchequer Bills I,' 00
Interest of Exchequer Bills 21,533
Interest ou Advances on
Account of Deficiency 2,397
The Civil List
Other Charges on Consoli-
dated Fund 462,185
AdvancesforPublicWorks Scc. 413,311
-- 7,329,350
Surplus Balance in Ireland beyond the charge of
the Consolidated Fund in Ireland for the
490,916 t.tiarter ended Marc.' 31, 1863 ......

X ?3,970,577

TIIE OUTRAGE AT SwAvEsEA.---The man Low,
convicted at the last assizes for Cambridgeshire, of a mur-
derous assault and robbery ou Mr. Williams, of Swavesea,
in a cart on the road leading from Cambridge to Mr.
Williams's residence, has confessed that ho was the culprit.
Ho struck Mr. Williams, ho says, with a hedger's hook,
and afterwards concealed it. Low, who is 66 years of age,
was sentenced to penal servitude for life.

--- -
HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTION AND DISEASES OF
THE CHEST, BROMPTON.—On Sunday
last an appeal for
funds in aid of this charity, by the Rev. W. B. Mackenzie,
at St. James's, Holloway, produced a sum of £37 ls. ld. in
the morning and £2B 3s. in the evening, making a total of
465 0, Id.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

`FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, TUESDAY, March 31.

There are very contradictory reports about the Minis-
terial Council on Monday. It is known that the various
councillors (not merely the Ministers, be it remembered,
but the councillors who are summoned whenever there is
any special business to be discussed) spent several hours
with the Emperor and breakfasted with him. M. Rouher
read a report upon the state of public feeling, and a sum-
mary of the opinions of the prefects. It is understood
that the prefects of all the towns except Bordeaux were in
favour of having the elections this year, feeling pretty
sure of returning Government candidates. As regards
the Ministers, it is understood that they were about
equally divided—Rouher, Baroche, and Vuitry taking
one side, and Magne, Pinard, and Forcada de
la Roquette the other. I learn, too, that Persigny,
Walewski, and La`Valette were for a dissolution, but that
Drouyn de Lhuys was opposed to it. At the time I write
it is believed that there will be no dissolution, at all events
not for some months. Nevertheless, the Liberal journals
are suspicious. The Sie'g'e, for instance, warns its readers
to be prepared for anything that may happen, and not
allow themselves to be taken unawares by a sudden
election, which the Government might resolve upon in
the hope that the Opposition would be unprepared with
candidates.

There are again unsatisfactory rumours with regard to
foreign affairs. Various circumstances are pointed to as
warlike symptoms. None of them are•worth mentioning
except the old chronic symptom of increasing armaments
pushed on with great energy. Those who take a gloomy
view of the future argue that the Emperor finds his
Government so unpopular at home, and that so much
opposition is offered to the maintenance of the present
huge army without any need for it, that he will force a war
in order to act as a diversion. Of course there will never
be wanting pretexts when a great military Power like
France desires to exhibit its strength. The Danish ques-
tion, the Eastern question, and the evident intention of
Bismarck to Prussianise South Germany, are all avail-
able. But, after all, Napoleon is not likely to enter upon
a war which would be an outrage upon the moral sense of
Europe ; nor would he begin one without allies.
The Government seem to apprehend fresh disturbances.
At Toulouse, where the anti-conscription demonstrations
originated, the troops were on Sunday suddenly called
out, and although the place was perfectly tranquil, some
of the chief streets and the Pont Neuf were occupied and
passengers were turned back. In the evening the troops
returned to their barrracks. It is said that the Govern.
ment feared a demonstration in consequence of the dear-
ness of provisions.
The Avenir National declares that the retirement of M.
Duruy, the Minister of Education, is decided upon, and
that he will be succeeded by M. Parieu. This paper adds
that in clerical circles this is considered "an accomplished
fact." The Patric, however, formally denies this.
A. report has been presented to the Emperor by the
Minister of Agriculture with respect to working-class or-
ganisations. It favours the development of working-class
councils, an inquiry into the operation of the councils of the
prud'hommes, modifications of the certificates given to
working men, and the abolition of that article of the Civil
Code of 1781 which orders that the master shall be be-
lieved simply upon his affirmation in evidence, as to the
payment of wages.
Our Minister at Florence has been suddenly summoned
to Paris. The reason is not known, but it is supposed to
be connected with the withdrawal of our troops from
Rome. It is reported that Baron Budberg, who has for
many years been Russian Minister here, will shortly cease
to be so.

Some very important experiments have been made on
board Prince Napoleon's yacht with the electric light.
They were intended to she w how far a ship could illumi-
nate her course, so that in the di rkest and foggiest night
it would be traceable, and a collision prevented. In ordi-
nary weather the light can be seen ten miles. With steam-
vessels it is easy to work the magnets. It has been found
possible by a series of mirrors to light the track of the ship
without lighting the vessel. This would be important in
time of war. An enemy's vessel seeing the light would of
course fire at that, with no other effect than fracturing a
ray of light, which might beat almost any distance from
the ship. The experiments shewed also that it was
possible to illuminate the ship suddenly, so as to enable
the crew to fire, and then leave it in darkness immediately.
For sea signals the value of the light is manifestly great.
The markets have been crowded the last few days with
persons curious to see the Russian game which is now
being sent to Paris. It consists of several birds unknown
.in this part of Europe. They are packed in oats, and they
travel by rail from St. Petersburg in five days. Of course
the cost of carriage is heavy, but then the birds have such
a nice flavour, and Parisians are gourmets, though not
gourmands.

A telegram received at Vienna from the Austrian
Ambassador at the Pontifical Court states that the pro-
positions submitted by the Imperial Government to the
Holy See with reference to the revision of the Concordat
have been met on all and every point with a decided non.
possvmus. It is stated also that the Emperor Francis
Joseph has nA yet given his assent to the Civil Marriages
Bill, but wishes to have the— opinion of the Hungarian
Chambers upon it. The Independence Beige positively
denies this, and says that the Emperor merely waits until
the two other measures affecting the Concordat are passed,
and that he will give his assent to all three simul-
taneously.

News has been received in Paris that an insurrection
has taken place at Traustein, in Bavaria, on the meeting
of the Landwehr, and of a similar riot having occurred at
Frossberg. The cause of these disturbances was the re-
fusal made by the people to take the oath of allegiance to
the King of Prussia. The National Guard refusing to
fight, troops were sent for to Munich ; an encounter taok
place between the citizens and the gendarmes, many of
whom were severely wounded. It is even reported that
the Hotel de Ville of Traustein was burnt to the ground
by the insurgents.

The proposed law against the Jews which had been
brought before the Roumanian Legislature has excited
universal indignation. The "Israelite Alliance "at Paris
addressed the British and Italian Ministers upon the
subject, and the following is Lord Lyons's reply :—" The
news which you announce to me had already come to the
knowledge of the Government of the Queen, who with-
out fail transmitted to her Majesty's a:fent at Bucharest
the necessary instructions. I seize this opportunity to
assure you of the interest which the Government of the
Queen has in the cause of the Israelite community of
Europe,and which I also take in it." The Italian Minister, S.
Nigra, writes even more strongly ; he declares that such
intolerance is " more than a public scandal." When Jews
direct the counsels of Cabinets and the finances of king-
doms, there is little fear that even the bigoted Moldo-
Wallachians will venture to carry out their monstrous
intentions.

The Ow considers that Eastern Europe is in a danger-
ous state. It declares that the English Government has
proofs of a secret understanding between Bulgaria, Servia,
Bosnia, 4nd Greece. The Bulgarian Central Committee
has issued an incendiary address, calling upon the Bul-
garians to take up arms, "be it either a musket,
or a knife, or an axe, an I rise." They are
told that the Sultan will never improve their
condition, that England will not come to their assistance,
and should " first improve the condition of the Indians and
the Irish." "Do not trust in Napoleon 111., he has
betrayed the principle of nationality—the proof is the
battle of Mentana. Austria is certainly out of the ques-
tion. Look for help to yourselves and to your brethren.
Hold out your hand to the Bosnians, the Thessalians, and
the people of Epirus. . . The hour of our national in-
surrection is at hand. . Else, take up arms, brethren !
Let our war•cry be ' Liberty or death.'" The effect of this
proclamation has been that the people in Northern Bul-
garia have refused to pay the taxes. The Turks begin to
pefceive that matters now grow serious.

The new proposed loan has caused great dissatisfaction
in Spain. It is calculated that in fifteen years the country
will pay for interest and the extinction of the debt double
the amount she will have received. Meanwhile, it is not
surprising that Spain should be embarrassed. With an
army of only 100,000 men, she has no fewer than 510
general officers.

BOLTON AND THE SUNDAY LIQUOR B ELL. —A.
house-to-house canvass has just been made at Bolton by
the Temperance Society for the purpose of eliciting the
opinion of the inhabitants of the Sunday Liquor Bill. At
a public meeting, held at the Town Hall, on Monday; the
result of the canvass was set forth. It. was stated that the
canvassers had secured the opinions of 9,717 occupiers of
houses in Bolton, out of which number 1,557 said that
they would not vote at all. There were against the total
closing of public-houses, and in favour of the law as it at
present stood, 1,783. In favour of closing public-houses
for the whole twenty-four hours on the Sabbath they had
6,377 votes. The analysis of the occupations of the voters
shewed that amongst professional men there were 10
against the measure, and 170 in favour of it ; in the
trading class were 201 against, and 1,071 for; beersellers,
5 for total closing, and 132 against closing; of the working
people, 1,471 voted in favour of the present law, and 5,11]
went in for shutting public-houses altogether on Sundays.
Resolutions were passed expressing satisfaction at the
remits of the canvass, and dissatisfaction at the present
lAWSlA.thelubiect.