The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-31 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 31, 1868.

the people ; and adds very appropriately, that it is
somewhat strange that Lord RUSSELL should have
spent the greater part of his life in seeking to obtain
votes for those whom he thinks, when they have the
power, willabuse it to so great an extent. The political
morality is certainly remarkable which urges upon
Parliament to make haste for fear the decision of
the people should be against them if they wanted
to appeal to them. Above all, other portions of this
admirable speech we must mention that in which
the noble lord spoke out plainly to the Opposition,
and asked them what they wanted, and why they
were in such a hurry to determine the matter,
pushing aside other business of great importance
and more urgent in its character. They could not
think that the new Parliament would be either un-
willing or unfit to deal with the subject. " Then
what is it you fear ? Can it be that the apprehen-
sion entertained on that hand is not that nothing
will be done, but that something will be done ?"
It is indeed rather hard that for party
reasons all this interruption should take
place, in order that the Reform question being
settled the Liberal party may have a good election
cry. Such a course is not unprecedented, says
Lord STANLEY. "We have not forgotten the Ap-
propriation Clause, which is not exactly the brightest
page in Whig history, and some may remember the
Resolution of June, 1859, framed by the same ex-
perienced hand, and which ended no doubt in a
transfer of power, but ended also in shelving the
question of Reform for seven years." The " con-
scientious change" of opinion looks ill when it
occurs too much in connection with the appearance
of an " election-cry manoeuvre," but some people
are very callous and indifferent in such matters.
It really is very extraordinary, and the more
we dwell upon it the more inconsistent it seems
that the very statesmen who for thirty years have
let this question alone now refuse to let an hour's
delay occur in recording the opinion of the House
upon it, well knowing, as they must do all the time,
that no result can follow in a legislative sense if
they do succeed. Lord STANLEY may well retort
that if Mr. GLADSTONE repeats on the hustings the
phrase he used in debate, " Justice delayed is justice
denied," common sense may induce some one in the
crowd to ask—" If this be justice, by whom has it
been delayed? You have bad the power in
your hands for twenty-five years, why did you not
use it ?

Some persons have been wise or witty, or both
combined, in criticising Lord STANLEY'S amendment,
but he answered the various objections very suc-
cessfully. As for the Government being bound to
meet the challenge of Mr. GLADSTONE by a direct
negative, or by the previous question, he disposed
of that by saying that either of these courses would
not answer their end or rightly interpret their mean-
ing. They do not wish to imply that at no time
must the question of the Irish Church be dealt with.
The work of the Session is quite sufficient for the
Session, and in answer to those whose haste cannot
allow them to wait until their own commission has
reported, he says that whenever action is necessary
or possible they will be ready to tell how they were
prepared to act. The Government wisely refuses to
" fetter their own discretion in the future, or interfere
with the judgment of a reformed House of Commons
by premature propositions or by vague assertions of
opinion. That is our position, which we submit
with some confidence both to the judgment of the
House and of the country." 'This speech of Lord
STANLEY'S is most admirable in all respects, and will
satisfy all who are not addicted to an exclusive
party triumph. It is liberal, while it is not going
too far or holding back too much, and it appeals
to the good judgment, sound sense, and patriotic
spirit of the House of Commons. We hope and ex-
pect that the result of the delay will be favour-
able to the Government, and also in accordance
with the character of the Legislature. Let us
have no factious tricks to mar the credit :of
the last session of the old Parliament, and
prejudice the cause of truth, honour, and justice,
before the new constituencies. Mr. GLADSTONE
tried all that the real accomplished master of rhe-
toric could do, but he failed to show the necessity
for his propositions being accepted; and Lord STA N-
LEY'S speech was the more impressive because it
was true, and depended on its success for the sound-
ness of its views and the force of its arguments.
During the debate there may be many more bril-
liant harangues, but the House will hear none that
puts more plainly before it the real question at
issue; and it is for hon. members to decide if they
will yield their judgment to the dictation of a party
faction, and compromise themselves by advocating
a course which it is impossible to follow.

The news from Abyssinia is, notwithstanding the
pressure of more exciting topics of home interest,
watched for with eagerness. The progress made is
slow, though we may hope sure, and there is a ge-
neral desire that our troops should move a little
faster towards the great object in view. Happily
THEODORE does not seem inclined, as some appre-
hended, to avenge the invasion of his territories on
the prisoners. The despatch which we publish to-
day from Sir R. NAPIER, on March 9, reports that
news had been received from the prisoners up to
the 17th of February, when all were well. Sir R.
NAPIER states that the headquarters and the First
Brigade were to march towards Ashangi on the
11th, two days later than the despatch. They
expected to reach it on the 16th March. THEO-
DORE, with his guns and mortars, was on
tha table land of Talanta, so that he is
evidently preparing for a forcible resistance. Con-
fident in the success of his big gun, the Abyssinian
Monarch, no doubt, believes he can soon dispose of
the rash intruders on his peace. Having never en-
countered Europeans he is, of course, quite unaware
of the real difference between the respective forces,
and is probably deluding himself into the idea that
he can inspire as much terror into the hearts of
European soldiers as he does into his own. We
must remember that THEODORE'S career has hitherto
been remarkably successful. He has fought his
way upward, and has achieved victory after victory,
so that he has some excuse for his unlimited faith
in his own powers, though none for his rapacity
and cruelty. It is highly fortunate that
he spared the prisoners, and we must hope
that the rescue which has cost so much
will yet be in time. It would certainly be a satis-
faction to all parties if the expedition could move
a little faster. It seems to ordinary lookers-on at
a distance that by this time the advance guard
should be at Magdala. Unluckily the arrangements
were made in a slow and cumbrous manner, very
suitable if the object bad been to retain possession
of the enemy's land for a season, or to open a for-
midable campaign, but since there was only the oue
definite purpose of reaching a certain spot as quickly
as possible, and releasing from captivity a few in Jivi-
duals without delay, the length of time that has
elapsed since the first troops set foot on Abyssinian
soil is certainly disappointing. 1. Of course
the time expended in making roads, &c.,
over hill and dale must be taken into account,
but it will certainly be welcome news in England
when the expedition has reached Magdala. If it
should be necessary to storm that place our Indian
troops will be most valuable. They are well used
to such exploits, and would be proud of the oppor,

tunity of adding another to their list of triumphs.
The health and spirits of the troops are happily ex-
cellent, and the men who are fortunate enough to
be in the front ranks will submit to anything rather
than be sent to the rear. With this spirit our men
will no doubt carry all before them ; and when
once they have a chance of showing what mettle
they are made of, King THEOEORE'S belielf in his own
invincibility will be somewhat rudely shaken.

Lord LTVEDEN appears to have been seized with
a sudden panic. He is apprehensive that we are
going to war with all the world. Having begun
hostilities in Abyssinia, he is afraid that we shall
repeat the experiment in another quarter of the
globe, and that in the next estimates
the Financial Minister of the day will be submit-
ting his estimates for the cost of dispatching
an expeditionary force to South America. Cer-
tainly Lord LYVEDEN has some ground for this un-
easiness, since he believes the Abyssinian war to be
" one of the most expensive in which this country has
ever been engaged." Surely the noble lord must
have forgotten a few pages of modern his-
tory when he made this remarkable as-
sertion. The notion of England's going to war
with the gallant little State of Paraguay, which is
fighting for its national independence against such
heavy odds, is a most marvellous one, and fortu-
nately there is no ground for entertaining it. There
are, it seems, some Englishmen now in President
LOPEZ'S camp, rumour says, detained there against
their will, but there is no accurate infor-
mation respecting them, their number, their
wishes, or their occupations. It is fair to add that
President LOPEZ, on being questioned on the sub-
ject, affirmed that there were only six Europeans in
the whole State of Paraguay, and t►at these were
resident there of their own free will, carrying
out a contract with the Government. If
this be so, it will be, as Lord MALMESBURY re-
marked, a question of civil compensation rather
than of military interference if such persons are
detained beyond the completion of their contract.
President LOPEZ is, as we all know, resisting a
powerful force ; he is himself blockaded, and there-
fore not a free agent. He would, too, be naturally
unwilling to allow any person to leave his camp,
and so run the risk of imparting to the blockaders
the information respecting his position and his
means of defence, which they are so anxious to gain.
Earl GREY expressed the common sense of the
question when he said that persons who chose to
place themselves in positions of known danger must
take the consequences. No man has a right to
enter into engagements with a foreign Government
in time of war, and then resent his de-
tention during a siege or a blockade.
We have at Paraguay a representative agent, who
will, no doubt, watch as far as possible over the
interests of his countrymen, and who would cer-
tainly interfere in case of manifest injustice. At
the same time we should decidedly wait for more
definite information as to the names, number, and
occupation of these Europeans before we even talk
about the necessity of armed intervention on their
behalf.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
PARIS, MONDAY, March 30.

The rumours of dissolution are still strong. The semi-
official papers are by no means agreed as to whether this
event will come off this year or not ; probably because the
Emperor himself has not made up his mind. Certain it is
that a Council of Ministers has been held to-day by his
Majesty. The Etendard of this evening even announces
the result, and says that it has been definitively decided
not to dissolve. This may be true—for the present. But
it does not follow that the Chamber will be allowed to
live out its full term. In truth, the position is very
uncertain, and so far as policy goes we live from hand to
mouth. It is reported that the Emperor is preparing a
manifesto which, while nominally addresssed to M.
Rouher, will be really meant for the whole Empire, and
be a vindication of the Imperial rule—a rather more suc-
cessful one, it is to be hoped, than the " Titres"
pamphlet. It is also said that M. Pinard, the Minister of
the Interior, is drawing up a report to present to the
Emperor respecting the state of feeling in the departments
towards the new Army Bill. If Napoleon is so fortunate
as to have a Minister who dares to speak the truth, this
do u-uent will not be written in rose-coloured ink. We
hear °Eno more riots ; but only of unfriendly and sulky
manifestations. Thus, at La Mure and Grenoble the con-
scripts sang the "Marseillaise ;" at Marseilles, on Thurs-lay
and Friday, the troops were confined to their barracks,
but no disturbances took place. What makes the uneasi-
ness in Ministerial quarters greater is the serious manifes-
tation of popular ill-will in the neighbourhood of France.
The tumults in Belgium, for instance, have been very serious,
and in Geneva the working men have made a popular,
though peaceful demonstration, complaining of the high
price of food and low wages. It must be remembered that
Belgians and Genevese are both French in race and lan-
guage, and their example is likely to be followed in France
itself. Altogether, there is good reason for the Emperor
to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the state of
the country.

Another matter has turned up which is exciting some
interest. The relations between Prussia and Denmark are
said to be very unfriendly, and the semi-official papers give
great prominence to the fact. For instance, they tell us
that while Prussia is willing to give back only Hader-
sleben to Denmark, Denmark will give only the same
guarantee to Germans living in that country that Prussia
will give to Danes living in Germany. This, at all events
as represented by the French journals, seems fair enough;
but we are told that it does not satisfy Prussia, and that
the negotiations will probably he broken off. At the same
time we are informed that the Prussian Government has
given orders to push on the fortifications of Alsen and
Diippet with vigour. It is mentioned also that King
Christian is about to pay a visit to London.
It is rather a remarkable sign of the times that the
Pays—" Journal de l'Empire "par excellence, remark, as
it takes care to inform its readers—has just published an
article against personal government. Some persons see in
this a return to government by responsible Ministers. No
doubt they are sanguine.
M. Paulin Limayrac, one of the ablest of the Ministe-
rial journalists, and for many years editor of the Constitu-
tionnel, has just received the reward of his devotion by
being appointed Prefect of the Department of the Lot.
He will be succeeded by M. Baudrillart, editor of the
Debats and son-in-law of Senator De Sacy.
One of our recent American visitors is Mr. Delevan,
well-known to temperance men as an early, and
earnest advocate of their principles on the other side of the
Atlantic. Mr. Delevan's experience does not confirm the
idea that intemperance is confined to the working classes.
Fifty years ago he was a poor but industrious lad in the
city of Albany, and as he grew up his smartness made him
a welcome associate of young men who were his superiors
in station. About sixty of these young men used to meet
at a social club, where spirits (alcoholic) were freely intro-
duced. One day, as Delevan was hastening to the
place of meeting, he was suddenly struck by the
thought that many of his companions were evidently going
to ruin, and he at once determined he would not again
expose himself to the danger they were incurring. On the
very spot where this resolution was made and acted upon,
there now stands a large building erected by Mr.
Delevan, in which he has carried on a successful business
as a merchant for many years. In tracing the history of
his companions some years after he left them, he found
that no fewer than fifty-one had come to a bad end. This
experience induced him to become a zealous supporter of
the temperance movement. He has recently had an
interview with the Emperor for the purpose of laying
before him the extent of the evils of intemperance,
and the enormous cost and waste arising from
the consumption of alcoholic liquors. He told the
Emperor that thirty years ago he stood on exactly the same
spot before Louis Philippe, who admitted that the vine-
yards were the curse of France. lam not quite sure
whether the Emperor enjoyed this reference to his prede-
cessor. Mr. Delevan has also had an interview with Lord
Lyons, who entered warmly into his views, and said he so
far agreed with them that for two years past he had taken
no alcoholic liquors at dinner. Ile made coloured water
perform the social duties for which it is generally supposed
that wine is essential. Mr. Delevan is in excellent spirits
when he contrasts the present position of the temperance
question with what it was in his earlier days.

We have news from Arles that there has been a shock
of earthquake there. It lasted two or three seconds, but
beyond giving the inhabitants a thorough fright no harm
seems to have been clone.

The Paris correspondent of the 211Orning Post gives a
very gloomy account of the state of France, widely dif-
ferent from the rose-coloured pictures which used to
appear in that journal. Commenting upon the fact that
the France of Sunday headed an article with the sensa-
tional line, " The Revolutionary Agitation," the
writer points out what is the real state of the case. The
Army Bill is intensely unpopular. If there were the
chance of a war, if the Emperor recruited the manhood
of France either for aggression or to defend France from
her enemies, the people of the country would become
soldiers spontaneously. But the elected of the French
nation, and his Government, and the Government
press, have told the people over and over again, and
in every shape and form, that France desires peace,
is confident that peace will be maintained, and that if
France educates a million and a quarter of her male popu-
lation to the use of arms, she does so precisely in the
cause of peace, and to uphold her prestige at home and
abroad. These pacific assertions will not induce young
men cheerfully to lose a few of the best years
of their life to learn the use of arms, nor will they
reconcile industry to the loss of so many useful hands.
There are other reasons why Imperial rule is not so popular
as it was. Throughout France there are holders of
Mexican bonds, and Crddit Mobilier shares, and other
securities which give no dividend. These afflictions are
attributed to the Government ; so is a bad harvest, so is
want of work, so are all disasters in that country. Most
of the towns of France have been authori,,l to
contract loans, which end in extra taxation on
food. When all went well the Emperor was a
demi-god, and France forgot how she was governed.
Now that a reverse has occurred that is to
say, the failure of the Mexican expedition, and its cost,
France snubbed by Prussia, sham liberal reforms at home,
trade languishing, food dear, and millions of Government-
patronised securities giving no interest—from these causes
France is beginning to wonder if Imperial rule is the best
in the world.

The Florence correspondent of the Times, writing on the
26th, doubts if it was then possible for Italy to escape a
financial catastrophe. He says : " Nothing short of a
miracle can save this country from bankruptcy." Even if
the new bills should be all voted at once, he considers that
it is too late to enable the Government to pay the interest
on the national debt. The value of the Church property
has been relied upon too much. One member
of the Opposition declared that it was suf. d :at to
balance the whole of the deficit £32,800,000 ;
but Count Cambray-Digny said that after deducting
all the charges and encumbrances, it would not realise
more than £22,600,000. On this it might be possible to
base a credit operation yielding upwards of 80 per cent. ;
but first it was indispensable to establish an equilibrium
in the Budget for 1869. Even then, according to the
Minister's own shewing, he can reckon on only £17,200,000
to meet £32,800,000. This gloomy prospect is somewhat
relieved by the telegram stating that the Government
have obtained permission, by a majority of 182 to 164, to
proceed with the Corn-grinding Bill, having at the same
time promised to reduce the naval and military expendi-
ture by £1,200,000.

The Rome correspondent of the Independence Beige says
that the Pontifical Government is by no means reassured.
It still maintains the state of siege, and carries on the
defences without cessation. The utmost precautions were
taken to prevent any disturbances on the festival of St.
Joseph, the day kept in Southern Italy in honour of Gari-
baldi rather than in honour of the Saint. But the day
passed without any incident, the people contenting them-
selves with eating the fritters which are devoured on that
day in thousands.
The late King Ludwig has left 60,000 florins (26,000) a
year to his son Luitpold, and 40,000 florins to his son
Adalbert. He has bequeathed the Walhalla at Ratisbon
to all Germany ; the Temple of Glory at Munich, the
Monument of Deliverance near Kilheim, and the other
buildings which he posscused, to his grandson and sue•
cessor, to whom also lie recommends the care of the
Poor.

IMPORTANT DECISION AFFECTING

CHURCH PATRONAGE.

The House of Lords has just delivered judgment in
the case of the Bishop of Exeter and the Rev. J. H.
Borwell, plaintiffs, v. the Rev. P. C. Marshall, defendant,
.n which an important question was decided affecting
ecclesiastical patronage. The noble and learned lords
present were Lord Chelmsford, Lord Cranworth, and Lord
Westbury.
The case came before the House in the shape of an
appeal from a decision of the Court of Exchequer
Chamber affirming a judgment of the Court of Common
Pleas in favour of Mr. Marshall. The action was origi-
nally brought by Mr. Marshall to recover the presenta-
tion of the rectory of Tregony, of which he was patron,
against both the bishop and Mr. Borwell, whom his lord-
ship had collated to the living. The facts are briefly
these. In a vacancy arising in the rectory, Mr. Marshall,
as the patron, presented the Rev. John Reid to the
benefice, but the Bishop of Exeter declined to institute
him, because his testimonials from his late bishop (Man-
chester) were not " sufficient." Six months having elapsed,
Dr. Phillpotts claimed the nomination, and presented
Mr. Borwell to the living. Mr. Marshall commenced
an action aßinst the bishop, which was tried at the
Cornwall Assizes, from which the matter was re-
mitted to the Court. of Common Pleas. There a
verdict was found for Mr. Marshall, and it was con-
firmed by the Court of Exchequer Chamber. Against this
decision the Bishop of Exeter appealed, and the case was
heard by the law lords, who were assisted by Mr. Baron
Martin, Mr. Justice Willes, Mr. Justice Blackburn, Mr.
Baron Pigott, and Mr. Justice Lush. The opinions of the
judges having been printed for the guidance of the law
lords, their lordships met this morning to consider them.
Mr. Justice Blackburn, Mr. Baron Pigott, and Mr.
Justice Lush, in their joint opinion, state that their judg-
ment ought to be for Mr. Marshall, the patron of the
living. The decision of Mr. Justice Willes was similar in
effect. Mr. Baron Martin also followed the example of
his learned colleagues in pronouncing against the bishop.
Lord Chelmsford, who was Lord Chancellor when the
case was argued, examined at some length the requirements
of the canon law with reference to the admission of clerks
to benefices. Adverting to the plea of the bishop, he re-
marked that the right rev. prelate, while refusing to
admit the presentee, gave no information of the fact
to the patron of the living. If the testimony of the
bishop from whose diocese a clerk came were refused, the
patron of the living would be at that bishop's mercy, an 1
at the end of six months would lose his right to present,
even though all the otherbishops of England signed the pre-
sentee's testimonials. If a patron presented a clerk to a living,
he had a right to have him instituted ; at all events, he
was entitled to a notice of the bishop's objections, if only
to give him an opportunity of acquiescing in them, and of
presenting another clerk if he thought proper. Other-
wise a bishop might decline to receive a presentee, decline
to institute him, and then at the end of six months collate
his own clerk. Such a state of things could not be per-
mitted. He considered that the Bishop of Exeter's appeal
must be dismissed, and the judgment of the Court of
Exchequer Chamber affirmed.
Lord Cranworth entirely concurred in this opinion.
The presentee in this case had no power whatever to
compel the Bishop of Manchester to give him a testimonial,
whatever his character might have been.
Lord Westbury, in concurring, held that a bishop
objecting to a presentee must state his objectioris in a pre-
cise and definite manner. This had not been done.

The Bishop of Exeter's appeal was then formally dis-
missed, and his lordship's nominee to the living will be
dispossessed. Mr. Marshall will therefore be entitled to
present.

The agitation on both sides is rapidly assuming very
formidable proportions. So far, however, the opponents
of the Irish Church are more conspicuous in their demon-
strations than the supporters of that threatened Establish-
ment. In many of the principal towns in Scotland resolu-
tions have been passed in favour of total disendowment.
In Ireland a monster petition lies for signature in the
Roman Catholic churches. Amongst the towns which
have held or are to hold meetings in support of Mr. Glad-
stone are Newcastle, Kettering, Leeds, Bath, Wigan, South-
ampton, Devonport, Wakefield, Halifax, Huntingdon,
Nottingham, Colchester, Manchester, Preston, Leicester,
St. Helens, Walsall, Shrewsbury, Wellingborough, and
Hanley. This is not a bad list for one day. It remains
to be seen how far it will be swelled before the end of the
week.

An abstract of the sums required "on account" for the
Civil Services for the year ending 31st March, 1869, was
published this morning. The amount so wanted is
£2,128,000. This bears but a small proportion to the
whole of the estimates which the House of Commons
will be aske 1 to vote. For in stance, while the
total cost of the Irish constabulary is set down at
£883,000, barely a quarter of that sum is as yet asked
for. Again : while the cost of the national printing and
stationery has reached the enormous amount of
£396,000, the Secretary to the Treasury wants just
£86,000 to satisfy the more urgent demands.
There is an increase of £16,000 in the expenses of British
embassy houses, of a similar sum for harbours of refuge,
of £14,000 for royal palaces, of £B,OOO for public buildings
and furniture, of £12,000 for royal parks and pleasure-
gardens, of nearly £40,000 for the Record Office and the
National Gallery, and so on. The heaviest increase is an
item of £352,000 for the expenses of the county courts.
There are some cases in which a decrease is shewn, but
they bear but a small proportion to the augmentations.

The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce having some time
since taken up the question of commercial morality, have
determined not to allow the matter to drop. It will be
remembered that an influential committee was recently
appointed by the Chamber to consider the subject. At
the last meeting of the Council that committee presented
their report. They distinctly declare that the fullest
publicity should be given to all bankruptcies and
settlements, not only as regards the fact merely,
but also as to the circumstances under which
the bankrupt became involved. The creditors should
have full powers over the assets. In order to
ensure the punishment of fraud, the bankruptcy commis-
sioner should be invested with power to order the prose.
cution of any defrauding debtor, the costs to be taken
from the public funds. No bankrupt ought to hold public
office. Ante-nuptial settlements should not be valid
against creditors should the agreement be unperformed.
No post-nuptial settlement should hold against creditors.
The principles thus laid down are, many of them, it will
be seen, embodied in the Government bill. With regard
to the others they will be discussed at a meeting to be
held at Liverpool on the Gth of April.

It is rumoured that the approaching lioyal marriage at
Turin will be graced by the presence of the representatives
of three Great Powers. France in the person of Prince
Napoleon, the bridegroom's brother-in-law ; Prussia in
the person of the Crown Prince ; and Austria—the old
antagonist of Italy—in the person of one of th e younger
Archdukes.

The Florence correspondent of the Liberte mentions that
Victor Emmanuel is seriously ill. He has had " a series
of attacks of apoplexy which have completely exhausted
the patient." The Sangrados have been at their usual
work with the lancet, and it is stated that during his life-
time the King has bled not less than 200 times.

Spain is determined to shut herself out from the rest of
the world at the very time that she is endeavouring, to
borrow money on foreign exchanges. All French, Belgian,
English, and American journals arc now excluded from the
country, and the prohibition applies even to those puLlica-
tions which the Legations were in the habit of receiving in
virtue of their diplomatic privileges. Thus, we presume
that Sir John Crampton, our Minister at Madrid, will
not even be allowed to have his copy of the Times unless it
is sent to him in .a closed envelope, in which case the
postage will be rather a formidable item in the expenses
of the Legation. How much longer can this state of things
be endured? How much longer will a whole nation con-
sent to be placed in quarantine by its rulers ; or, which
comes to the same thing, consent to have all other nations
put into quarantine ?

. correspondent writing in the Daily Telegraph from
Nice describes the recent ceremonial in connection with
the memorial to the late Czarewitch. The villa in which
the young prince died was bought by the Russian Govern-
ment for £24,000, the house was razed to the ground, and
on the spot a little oratoire commemoratif has been built.
Itis in amost lovelysituation, surrounded by fields of violets
and orange groves and olive gardens. The oratoire is a
plain little chapel, with a dome reminding one of
the old Alhambra Court in the Crystal Palace.
Few things are more striking than the sudden
passage from the white glare on the steps into this
richly-coloured temple. Sumptuous with cloth of
crimson and gold before the altar, with varied
marbles, with pictures of the saints, with golden ara-
besques, the whole place is glorified when the sunshine
steals through the painted windows, and is now warmed
into a ruddy purple, now chastened and subdued into a
delicate amber light. The service was conducted by
priest and choir in richly-decorated canonicals, without
any musical instrument. Midway in the service of con-
secration, the Czarewitch and some of the clergy and offi-
cials passed out, and marched in slow procession round
the chapel. The young prince's face seemed graver and
older, and yet with a more resolute look of will about it,
as, after prayer, he again confronted the people. On each
of the pillars by the outer gate is an inscription ; on the
one it is in Russian characters ; on the other it is simply
"4865, Souvenir,"