The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 16, 1868.

a 3 some hon, members see'n inclined to do. - It
is to be hoped that the good sense of the majority
of the House will overcome the prejudices of the
few, and that this measure will become law before
this Session is over, for the trade in cattle calls
for some changes without loss of time.

Yesterday a scene of a very unusual and interest-
ing description took place in the Guildhall. A
deputation from the manufacturing districts of three
counties, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire, at-
tended a special meeting of the Common Council
for the purpose of presenting to the Corporation of
the City the memorial window, which the cotton
operatives have spontaneously subscribed to
offer as a token of their gratitude for the
assistance given them at the time of the
cotton famine. The City of London, it
will be remembered, took a very prominent
part in the relief afforded to the sufferers from
the terrible and protracted distress which so long
desolated the north-west counties. The Lord
Mayor's Fund was of immense service; and though
it was thought better to keep the two lists distinct,
there was the most cordial co-operation between
its almoners and those of the Manchester Commit-
tee. As a proof of the good feeling which subsisted
between these rivals in this worthy cause, many
gentlemen who took a prominent part in the Man-
chester committee were present yesterday among
the delegates, and Colonel WILSON PATTEN, M.P.,
was the leader and spokesman on the occasion. It
was originally intended, we believe, that the Earl of
DERBY should be the spokesman, but as the noble
lord's health was scarcely equal to the exertion the
office was delegated to Colonel WILSON-PATTEN,
the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Colonel
WILSON-PATTEN was familiar with every phase of
the distress, having been treasurer of the Man-
chester committee, and the brief account which he
gave in his speech of yesterday brought vividly
before his hearers the anxiety and the sufferings of
that terrible time. Great as was the calamity it was
nobly met. The operatives, under a most severe and
prolonged trial, maintained unshaken fortitude and
respect for the law, while the liberality with which
subscriptions poured in from all places was perhaps
unparalleled, not only from every part of the United
Kingdom, but from America itself, then distracted
by civil war, from Australia, from the islands of
the souther❑ seas, from every habitable quarter of
the globe came in the welcome aid. Colonel WIL-
soN-PATrEN observed yesterday that it often out-
stripped his geographical knowledge, and he remem-
bers distinctly receiving a cheque for £2,000 from
a district with whose exact locality neither he nor any
one near him was acjuainted, and it was some time
before he could find out in what quarter of the world
it was The sum total of the public subscriptions
amounted to nearly two millions sterling, of which
half a million came from the Mansion-house Fund.
Besides this large sum, clothing and relief in kind
were given to the value of more than £lOO,OOO, and
in one week above thirteen hundred bales of well-
mended clothing were distributed. But, great as
these efforts were, they were none too great for the
emergency, and with so much to encourage them
the managers of the funds and the local admini-
strators of relief more than once got disheartened.
Half a million of persons depending for very life on
external aid is no light thing, and we may well be
thankful that the struggle ended when it did.
Brighter days have dawned upon the cotton dis-
tricts, and the best proof that the operatives have in
no degree lost their characteristic self-respect and
independence, as some feared they might do, is to
be found in this spontaneous expression of their
gratitude towards those who came forward to assist
them. The beautiful window which was yesterday
unveiled amid the cheers of the eager spectators
will remain, we hope, through many generations a
memorial of a time to which, in spite of its severe
and prolonged sufferings, Englishmen may well look
back with feelings of pride and thanksgiving.

Any obser'ations that are made by the Emperor
NAPOLEON are always well deserving of notice,
alike for the ability that characterises them, and
from the influence of his position. The other day
some conversation was held on the FELIX PYAT
manifestoes, and it was said that those excitatives
might endanger his Majesty's life. The EMPEROR,
however, disclaimed all participation in the anxiety,
and gave fit reasons that life had but one alterna-
tive in his present position, which was that of
" being useful to the grandeur and prosperity of
France." There is a great deal of truth in the re-
mark of his Majesty that the only safe way for
France lies in the support of himself and dynasty,
which is to be regarded as the symbol of order and
progress. He considers that if he were struck
down that event of itself might actually contribute
more than any other to the consolidation of the
dynasty. " A political assimilation always pro-
duces an effect the very opposite of what was in-
tended." In Servia the conspirators have failed
completely in their object, and in France itself
the Emperor NAPOLEON believes that had Louis
PHILIPPE fallen a victim to one of the numerous
attempts on his life, the House of Orleans would
now rule over the country. "If I fall to-morrow,"
added the EMPEROR, " the people would rally
round my son ;" and if the whole Imperial
family were to disappear, some distant relative
would be found out to uphold the Empire, and
to afford another instance that the "party which
imbrues its hands in blood" never profits by the
crime. One thing is certain, that the EMPEROR
has great faith in his mission to France, and that
enables him to go on with a serenity that few could
feel under the peculiar circumstances in which he is
placed. It would be possible, no doubt, to im-
prove in many important particulars the present
conduct of affairs in France, but the general plan
is unquestionably good, and it has been tested
by many years of trial at a critical time in the
world's history.

Political troubles are not over in Victoria, not-
withstanding the accomplishment of the long
looked-for change of Government. the M'CUL-
LOCH Ministry has become a thing of the past, and
a new Administration has been formed, with Mr.
STADEN, of the Council, as Chief Secretary; Mr.
FELLOWES, as Minister of Justice, and six other
gentlemen, all new to office. Three of the new
Ministers have been returned without opposition,
but the re-election of the others is likely to be se-
verely contested. The Opposition, moreover,
openly declare that they intend to refuse the supplies,
while the Ministers say they will not yield office
till the supplies are obtained. Matters are not
therefore likely to go on very smoothly, while the
unhappy Governor will find himself in a worse strait
than ever. This is a mortifying state of things,
and the attempts of the Colonial-office to set matters
straight have as yet signally failed. If all parties
would bring a little common sense to bear upon the
disputed questions there might be some chance of a
reconciliation between the Houses, but as it is both
parties feel their personal pride affronted,
and consider it a point of honour not to
yield an inch. It is like the ostentation of
nouveaux riches. Our English Parliament, a few
centuries older and wiser, knows that it is some-
times more dignified to make concessions than to
remain obstinately immovable. The best news

from Melbourne is that the first paper mill and the
first woollen manufactory have been opened in
Victoria. The woollen manufacture will, no doubt,
prove hereafter of more value than the gold
diggings.

.Ca2RESPONDENCE FROM PARS,

;nom on OWN CORRESPONDENT.).
PARIS, WEDNESDAY, July 15

There is every reason to believe that public opinion in
Prussia is very unsettled just now, and that there is a
want of unanimity in the Cabinet of Berlin. Whether
Prussian statesmen are convinced that a war with France
is inevitable, and yet dread it, I shall not pretend to
determine. There is no doubt that a war party and a
peace party exist in the Prussian Ministry ; and
uncertainty as to the intentions of France may
increase the discord. But so long as the Government is
virtually centered in one man, the policy of Prussia will
be one of statesmanlike decision. The outward and visible
signs are, however, very perplexing. The Prussians are
ever torturing the French with overtures of conciliation
and forbearance, followed by the most contemptuous in-
difference and brusque affronts to Gallic vanity. It was
recently announced that the Prussian Government had
forbidden throughout North Germany the celebration of
the anniversary of Sadowa. The French papers were
delighted. Shortly afterwards the official Berlin Corre-
spondence came out with the following :
" Eight days ago the whole of Prussia gave a great
example of moderation. The 3rd July, the anniversary
of the most decisive battle of the age, passed almost un-
perceived. Unexampled modesty! No rejoicings, official
nor public, signalised that great day The
Prussian people, with its usual intelligence, and also
with a delicacy which its very enemies must acknow-
ledge, understood that, in the present situation of Europe,
it might, by giving too much splendour to the celebration
of the anniversary of recent triumphs, give umbrage to
neighbouring countries with which its most sincere desire
is to live at peace."
The effect upon the Paris journals was magical. Unable
to find ordinary vent for its wrath, the Patric described
the Berlin paper, which is written in French, as " bent
-in flaying the French language, as it cannot flay those that
speak it." It is hardly necessary to say that the French
papers are, most of them, very considerably flayed by this
sort of treatment. The only conclusion to be drawn is
that the Prussians either do not know their own minds
or are playing the dangerous game of amusing themselves
at the expense of the French. As the latter supposition is
not very probable, I can only conclude that Impe-
rial policy is an enigma as insoluble in Prussia as else-
where.

Prince Napoleon has changed his route. A brilliant
reception was prepared forhim at Athens, but on Monday
he turned his course towards the Adriatic, and will not
visit Greece. The motive for this alteration, which will
doubtless give offence at Athens, is not stated. After his
last reception he is not very likely to pay another visit to
Italy. A run through Spain would afford him an ex-
cellent opportunity of expressing his sympathy with
oppressed peoples; but then he cann )t indulge in an
Orleanist demonstration. He will, therefore, return to
France.

The denial given by the Belgian Government to th•
report of a projected Customs Union between France,
Belgium, and Holland has not prevented the Patrie from
enlarging on the benefits of such an alliance. The
Patrie has discovered that the report caused through-
out Belgium " an indescribable emotion," and " a natural
and joyous impatience." The French paper is kind enough
to add that the " independence and prosperity of their
country can only be guaranteed by such a combination."
The arguments used by the Patric in favour of the union
are certainly not happy. Belgium, it says, is overwhelmed
with taxes. Let her unite herself to France, and the
public charges will undergo a progressive decrease.
The facts are very simple. In Belgium the
average taxes per head to the State only amount
to about 221 f. In France the average is above 40f. To
bring forward a financial argument like this during the
present debate on the Budget is a display of journalistic
impudence not very common even in America. M. Van
Ryck, the writer in the Patrie, further fears that military
expenses in Belgium are heavy. Belgium actually spends
less upon her army than Bavaria. Her military charges
amount to 23 per cent. on her whole revenue. In France
they amounted to 28 per cent. before Sadowa, and since
then they have largely increased. The Patrie further
urges that strikes and popular agitations, now common in
Belgium, are unknown in France. This, the strongest
argument brought forward, does, I admit, wear a truthful
appearance. The despotism which prevents every mani-
festation of freedom also prevents riots, and this merit
must be cheerfully conceded. But when a riot does occur,
the example of 1848 and numerous others prove that it
often assumes proportions very rare elsewhere. Briefly,
the independence of Belgium is a good thing for Eirrop,e ;
her union t F.anc ; would be an unmit'g.ited calamity.

The departure of a French expedition to the North Pole
may now be deemed a certainty. The subscriptions were
meagre at first, but by an active organisation the whole
sum will soon be raised. There will thus be three expedi-
tions—from France, Germany, and Italy. Th ; thirst for
Arctic exploration, which cost England so much, has
apparently passed over to the Continent. There is still
much to discover within the Arctic Circle, but very little
'profit to be got there.

The Empress and her son will remain at Fontaine.
bleau while the Emperor goes to PlombiZzes. There i 3
no prospect of his visiting any part of Germany.

THE WEATHER TABLE.-THIS DAY.