The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-31 00:00:00

REMARKS.

Atmospherical pressures are lower at all stations than they were on
Saturday, but during the last twenty-four hours a slight increase has
taken place in the northern and western districts. A difference ct
three-tenths of an inch is shown between pressures at Nairn and
Rochefort. Temperature has fallen since yesterday in the northern
portion of our islands, but has risen in southern districts. Light
westerly winds prevailed during yesterday, and still continue. The
weather is generally overcast. Fog is reported from the S.W.

Though the talk of a Customs Union between France
and Belgium has passed away, the Times is persuaded
that the Belgians cannot be fully reassured as to some
design of the French Government on their commercial and
military independence. The bare mention of ti contem-
plated cession of Savoy to France was scouted both at
Paris and Turin up to the very eve of that flagitious
transaction. The sale of Luxemburg was likewise treated as
an idle and slanderous rumour. It seems certain, says the
Times, that the question of a Customs Union has for some
time been entertained in French political circles. The
dis l'aimer of direct, and especially of violent annexation,
n.ay be sincere; but the French Government cannot ',see
why Belgium and Holland should not be offered the same
terms which Prussia has rendered acceptable to the South
German States. The cases are not, however, analogous.
The nationality pretext, which was somewhat vague
in Germany, would be altogether too flimsy in
this case ; and, moreover, the consent of Belgium
is, under no circumstances, to be looked for. When-
ever the subject of a Franco-Belgian Customs Union
was broached under Louis Philippe it was met by an
unanimous declaration of the European Powers that the
thing could not be. The objections against the scheme are
as strong at the present moment as they ever were.
The Li!,erte is assured that the Queen of Spain, fore-
seeing a general revolution, the imminence of which can
no longer be concealed, is seriously contemplating the
formation of a new Cabinet. Marshal Concha is spoken
of as the President of the new Ministry, which is to be
chosen from the most moderate partisans of the Liberal
Union.

The important news of the entrance of the South
American Allies into Humaita, and the retreat of the
Paraguayans, is confirmed by further particulars. There
was no assault, victory, nor defeat. The Paraguayans,
vanquished by famine, quitted their important strong-
hold, and the allied forces entered it after them. It
would appear, from the most recent intelligence, that there
was an after-combat, and that the Paraguayans were
attacked by the allied ships and troops whilst endeavouring
to cross the river during their retreat. Two hundred and
fifty pieces of cannon, and an enormous quantity of muni-
tions of war have been captured with the city. Tebicuari
and Timbo were both bombarded, and the latter battery
taken. The chains which barred the river have been
removed.

The news from Mexico is important. More than one
correspondent speaks of the project of a protectorate of
Mexico by the United States being revived. Juarez is
said to be in extreme difficulties. Anarchy reigns through.
out the republic, and the President is utterly unable to
restore order. No sooner is one rebellion put down than
another springs up in its place. Since Juarez became
"master of the country" it has never been free from in-
surgents of greater or less pretensions. The President is
in despair, and is now ready, in return for a protecto-
rate and a loan of money, to consent to a little rectification
of the southern frontier of the United States. General
Grant favours this proposal, and the propensity of Mr.
Seward for the acquisition of territory leaves no doubt as to
his support. The protectorate of Mexico, at least if the present
state of things continue, will involve the aid of the Ameri-
can army, if not a permanent occupation. What this will
end in can hardly be doubtful. It has long been known
that the American Government was merely biding its
time with respect to Mexico, and it appears that the time
has now come.
Ile disastrous effects of the vacation have extended to
the Ganges. There is an utter dearth of news ; the papers
by the mail just in are full of reports of the inquiry into
the losses of the Bank of Bombay ; and almost the only
item of intelligence is that the directors of the new bank
recommend a dividend of 5 per cent. The working of the
bank during the first six months of its existence has
been very satisfactory. The Viceroy question appears to
receive very little attention from the Anglo-Indians, who
are still engrossed with the progress of the Russians
towards Afghanistan. All the efforts of the Times of
India, and they arc strenuous, cannot allay the excite-
ment caused by recent Muscovite conquests. The Indian
Government is said to be seriously devoting its attention
to this question. The time when Russia, in spite of its
protestations, will cross the Jaxartes is contemplated
with the general agreement that no VolMinifild be 41914
iutedmAlitirkk.4lo4_,