The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-02 00:00:00

Respecting Fenianism Mr. CARDWELL declared
that it could have no other effect than to increase
the general determination to be loyal to the Sove-
reign and to support the authorities in the inain-
tenance of the laws and the preservation of the
peace of the country. At the same time he said
very justly that this wicked conspiracy should not
interfere with the way in which we look upon Irish
questions. Of English questions, Mr. CARD-
WELL gives the precedence to that of education,
and justly so, since that of Reform is settled.
It is not likely, however, that the compulsory sys-
tem will ever be popular in this country, and other
means must be taken to insure success in this most

important and interesting work. Mr. NEATE'S ob-
servations were chiefly confined to educational
topics; and, with reference to Oxford, he said that
the middle-classes had hitherto been much neglected,
and that they required to have the benefit of a
" University education" extended to them. He
wished to see University education " ex-
tended not merely laterally, but down-
•• au dS LO 111.3.. lb ii b 04,1 of unity
between the different classes of the community."
The speeches of the members for the city of Oxford
are very favourable specimens, for they advocate
the cause of progress, and are careful not to go to
dangerous extremes in the views they take of
public matters.

The Emperor of AUSTRIA has addressed a series
of autograph letters to the new Minister, Prince
AUERSPEG, who is appointed President of the Coun-
cil, and the EMPEROR tenders him his thanks for
the very efficient services he has rendered to the
State while President of the Upper House of the
Reichsrath, and Dr. GISKRAN, who is made Minister
of the Interior, is also presented with some token
of regard for the ability he has displayed as Presi-
dent of the Lower House. The utmost cordiality
and good-will seem to prevail among the EMPE-
ROR and the chief men of his State, which is a most
fortunate thing at this juncture, and seems to pro-
mise favourably for the future. The administra-
tion of affairs in Austria just now is a
arduous undertaking, and all
who va verylue the peace
and desire the progress of the country will re-
joice to see matters going on smoothly, and an
entente cordiale existing, so far as pcssible, under
the conflicting claims and perfiexed politics of the
day. The whole history of the Vienna Govern-
ment since the recent collision with Prussia is
indeed a marvel, and it shows what perseverance in
the right direction can accomplish if people only
set to work in the right direction. FRANCIS JOSEPH
has earned for himself an enduring reputation in
the history of his age for the zeal and assiduity
which he has displayed in a moat trying season, and
his example may long serve as an encouragement
to other kings and statesmen in a time of perplexity
when they are inclined to despair, and not trust to
the chance of the future.

The New Year sets before us a less welcome
sight than usual in the Quarterly Revenue Returns.
There is, indeed, nothing to surprise us in the fact
that the tables, instead of the usual increase, ex-
hibit this time a decrease on the quarter of £806,955.
Every one has been complaining of the depression
of trade and the scarcity of ready money, and it
needs no profound political insight to be aware that
the indifferent harvest and the Fenian agitation
are sufficient of themselves to affect the Revenue,
even without the still enduring consequences of
the great panic of 1866. Happily all these causes
are temporary. Fenianism is certainly an ephemeral
evil, and now that the whole strength and spirit of
the community is thoroughly aroused against it,
will, we may hope, be soon effectually disposed of.
The harvest, however important for the time being,
is only a question of months, while the effects of
the commercial panic of Black Friday can scarcely
endure much longer. Little by little public con-
fidence will be restored and credit revive. When
the more immediate causes of depression have
passed away and the tide turns, the renewed
elasticity of the public revenue will soon
make itself felt. The sharp lesson of the
last two years will not, we may hope, be
altogether forgotten by our speculators and our
investors, and more especially we hope that the
shareholders of large companies and the directors of
costly enterprises will keep for the future a more
vigilant look out. The principal items of decrease
in the current quarter aro the Excise and the Pro-
perty Tax. The Excise is an unfailing barometer
of the prosperity or poverty of the working classes,
while the Property Tax reflects with equal ac-
curacy the condition of those above them.
The Customs, ou the other handy Dhow an

reach the most necessitous cases. By entrusting
their alms to the superintendents of such institu-
tions as that of Providence-row Night Refuge they
will be able to overcome this difficulty, secure that
the smallest donation will produce some results if
it be applied in providing simple food and homely
shelter to the friendless and homeless wanderers by
night in the great wilderness of London.

The anniversary dinner of the ancient order of
Druids at Oxford has afforded Mr. CARDWELL and
Mr. NEATE an opportunity of displaying their elo-
quence on various subjects. Mr. CARDWELL, in
touching upon Reform, confessed that he should
have preferred to have the change effected more
gradually, but that the present settlement of the
question had rendered the past year for ever me-
morable in the history of our legislation. The
right hon. gentleman wisely refrained from reviving
the most irritating points of the controversy,
and contented himself with dwelling upon its
general aspect. He made some amusing allusion to
the charge that some hon. members of Parliament
had undergone during last session, and added that
when " BENEDICT avowed that he would die a
bachelor, he never supposed he should live till he
was married, and so when they avowed their oppo-
sition to all measures of organic reform, they never
expected to be rejoicing in the consummation of the
wisest measure of Reform that bas ever been pro-
posed to the British Parliament." In adverting to
the future schemes and plans that are awaiting the
notice of the Legislature, Mr. CARDWELL referred
to the Reform Bill that would be necessary for
Scotland, which country has certainly a right to see
the number of its members increased. The diffi-
culty is how to do so, and the right hon. gentle-
man seemed to incline to the plan of withdrawing
members from some small villages, but this proposal
is certain to give rise to dissatisfaction and awake
jealousy, doubt, and suspicion, which are at any
time better avoided in the discussion of a public
question, and in the present case are
particularly objectionable. It would be much better
to add to the number of members, for, after all,
there is no special gain in any particular figure ;
and amid so many comprehensive changes why not
have an alteration which may do good service to
the cause of progress, and tend to satisfy the just
claims and realise the ardent aspirations of an influ-
ential and enlightened portion of the community ?
Mr. CARDWELL himself said that we should carry
forward the spirit of reform in the old manner in
which it was done in 1832, and surely he is not
following out his own precepts by stopping at trifles
after this fashion.