The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-10 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDDN, FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 10, 1868,

TIIE SERVL4N SKUPCHINA.

(From the Times' Correspondent.)
PESTH, July 5.

This morning's mail has brought us details about
the meeting of the Skupchina on Fridily. As you
will already know by telegram, the affair went off
with eclat, and all had been so well arranged that
the decision of the Assembly was not a moment in
doubt. Not only the proclamation of Milan, as
Prince of Servia, but likewise the election of the
Regency and the arrangements about the civil list,
went off as smoothly as could be desired.
The Skupchina was not held in the town of Bel-
grade. Au open wooden building, reminding one
strongly of the sheds which adorn some of the
model farms in England, and under which they
stack corn, was erected in a meadow, or more pro-
perly a level piece of ground.
This meadow lies in the valley of TopAidere,
about 400 yards behind the house which was the
favourite residence of old Prince Miloch after he
had raised himself to power. He built it in 1838,
before he was driven away, and on his return in
1858 he resided there, and there he died. It was
likewise to this house that the body of hii son
Michael was carried when brought out of the wood
where he was murdered.

From the barn erected for the Skupcbina could
also be seen the place in the woods where the mur-
der was committed. Probably all those circum-
stances may have contributed in the choice of the
place for the Skupchina, and it must be admitted
that the Regency has in this respect displayed much
tact.

On arriving from Belgrade by a bridle road that
passes an hostelry called the Szerbski Gar, you reach
an eminence immediately above the valley of Top-
chidere. Below you are the public gardens, ou the
left hand a church spire, a little further, though
partly hidden by the trees, the houses of Miloch
mentioned above, and close to it a large white
building, the convict establishment, which, as you
will remember, played so prominent a part in the
Topchidere tragedy, the actual murder having been
planned there.
The question of having a convict establishment
attached to a princely park is, of course, a matter
of taste. Old Miloch, perhaps, rather enjoyed the
clanking of chains, but to a European, whose nerves
are probably more sensitive, the sight of fifty of
these ruffians—of the best blood, mind you, in the
country—is not agreeable, and you must likewise
remember that these pleasure grounds are the only
resort for the inhabitants of Belgrade. However,
for the day when the Skupchina met the convicts
were invisible.

Above the principal entrance of the barn in ques-
tion there were the arms of Servia and three flags
of the national colours. The interior was as mo-
dest, not to say bare, as the exterior. Some wooden
steps led up to a raised dais, which was the place
appointed for the principal personages, such as the
members of the Provisional Government, the Me-
tropolitan, the clergy, and where, likewise, later in
the ceremony, the young Prince Milan showed him-
self to the people. To the right of this was a railed
platform for the Ministers, to the left the same for
the Senators, and right and left of these places for
the Consuls. The centre of the building was di-
vided into four sections of benches on which the
members of the Skupchina sat.
At about 8 o'clock in the morning the proceed-
ings began by Mr. Marinovich, the president of the
Senate, and therefore chief of the Provisional Go-
vernment, reading to the assembly the caufe and
reasons for which they had been called together—
viz., to elect a new Prince, to grant a civil list, and
to appoint a new Regency. He finished by pro-
posing to the Assembly to elect Milan Obrenovich
IV. They answered by shouting that he was
Prince by hereditary right, that all they had to do
was to proclaim his accession, which they did amid
loud cries of " Zivio !" One of the members for
Belgrade, Caraherberovich, then thanked the Pro-
visional Government for the manner they had acted
in the emergency, and craved permission from the
Assembly for another member to be heard. There-
upon a priest or Pope mounted the rostrum, and
asked the assembly to vote for the young prince as
his civil list the same sum which had been granted
to the " never-to-be-forgotten Michael." One
short, sturdy peasant, mounting on his seat, cried,
" We would rather give more than less," and the
proposal of giving to the young Prince the same
sum as his predecessor had was approved.
Then Marinovich said the Assembly must elect a
Regency during the minority of the Prince, on
which one member proposed Colonel Milivoi Pitro-
vich Blaznavatz, the Minister of War, and one of
the members of the Provisional Government ; he
was immediately accepted with acclamation. An-
other proposed Ristic, formerly agent of Servia at
Constantinople, and he was likewise approved.
Then the Assembly was told to choose a third to
make up the number required by law ; but they
" We have full confidence in the two we have
csahiods'en ; let them, therefore, choose their own col-
league."
Marinovich explained that this would be scarcely
and that the Assembly itself must choose all
three members of the Regency. On this the tlehge
al,
Assembly shouted, " Let the two we have chosen
propose some one, and we will elect him." Ristic
then led forward Gavrilovich, and he was accepted.
Gavrilovich was in 1861 Minister of Finance, and
is reported to be silent, acquiescing, and learned,
being now Senator and at the head of a literary in-
stitution in Belgrade.
The election of the Regency being over, the three
Regents were sworn in by the Metropolitan, who
was in attendance, Colonel Blaznavatz repeating
the oath in a clear, loud voice, the other two being
scarcely audible. Then the Skupchina sang a
solemn I?ogaletta, an equivalent to " Long may
they live," and the Metropolitan, in full robes,
'Bade a short speech, every one in the Assembly
crossing himself.
Thus was finished, in less than an hour and a half,
the election of the Prince, the granting of the civil
list, and the election of the Regency. The Skup-
china seemed in very good temper, shouting occa-
sionally " Zivio,"- or " Long life," the signal being
given by a Senator named Jeremiah, who, from the
platform on which the Senators were, waived his hat
every time they were to shout.
The Prince being elected and the Regency ap-
pointed, one of the gendarmes who were patrolling
outside the building waved a white flag, on which
the cannon posted on some heights above the con-
vict establishment fired a salute.
Then the three members of the Regency went out
to meet the young Prince, who was being brought
to Topschidere in a carriage from Belgrade. In
about half an hour he arrived, preceded by some
cavalry. He was dressed in the dark green uniform
of a colonel of Artillery in the Servian army, and
was mounted on a quiet chestnut horse belonging
to the late Prince. Close to him rode Colonel Bias-
navatz, the chief of the new Regency.
The young Prince dismounted promptly, and
kissed the hands of two or three archimandrites
and bishops who received him at the door. He then
entered the building and mounted on the rostrum.
As he came in view of the assembly they shouted
vociferously, " Zivio, zivio." The Prince then said
a few words, in which he thanked them for their
allegiance to his family, and hoped they would not
expect too much from him—a child.
The Metropolitan and attendants then went
through some religious ceremony, after which the
Prince, mounting his horse, rode off, accompanied
by Colonel Blaznavatz and his escort, to inspect
some battalions of militia who were guarding the
ground about the Skuptschina. There was a larger
military force present than seemed exactly neces-
sary to keep the ground, but members of the Skup-
tschina took it all in good part, approving every-
thing, even their own shouting. The assemblage
was mostly composed of peasants wearing the na-
tional costume ; an under waistcoat hooking up to
the top, a jacket of coarse, home-made Bulgarian
cloth, baggy breeches of the same, and sandals called
opankas ;" fez caps were in strong force, some of
them rather badly dyed, as the dye had stained the
hair a purple colour.
After inspecting the militia at Topschidere, the
young Prince rode back to town and inspected the
I:silitia of Belgrade, ;lad 3fterwards attended at die

Cathedral. All the troops took the oath of alle-
giance to him.

Captain Marjailovitch, in whose house, as you
will remember, the copy of a proclamation was
found calling on the youth of Belgrade to proclaim
a:republic, was shot on Monday and Captain►
M. Caden Nevadovitch, a relation of Princess
Alexandra Karageorgovitch, is likewise condemned
to be shot ; being officers they were tried by court-
martial.

The sentences of the other conspirators who were
tried on the 27th were to have been published on
the 29th ; but, as some of them have promised to
make full confessions of their accomplices and insti-
gators, they are at present respited. It is reported
that they incriminate very high personages.
Thus you see all apprehensions which existed up
to the last moment proved unfounded, and all passed
quietly and satisfactorily to the persons immediately
concerned. The public were but sparingly admitted
to the ceremony.
Colonel Blaznavatz, who was in the confidence of
the late Prince, is for the moment master of the
situation. He has the army in his hands, and has
proved himself a determined and energetic man.
Ristic, a representative of the National Servian
party, was a great favourite. General Ignatieffs
was the agent of Servia at the Porte, and believed
to be a Russophile, but he has reached now a posi-
tion independent of pa-
tronage. which makes
He
eie him tolerably
is considered
consitdoelreerdvyery
clever, and has
likewise a will of his own. The third will be a non-
entity. Such are the men in whose hands the des-
tinies of Servia will be during the next few years.

sarily be so, but, unless it is admitted that
the law is to be impotent in these places where
it is most required, affords no ex-
cuse for its present utterly unprotected
condition. The wonder is that far more crimes are
nut committed considering the small amount of
police supervision provided. We have beard much
lately of the unprotected state of certain parts of
Italy, and severe lectures have been read to the
Italians by some of our journals and politicians on
the national disgrace entailed by such a state of
things. But it is within the truth to say that there
is not a single port in Italy where passengers cannot
land with less trouble, inconvenience, and danger
than they can at the port of London. The present
state of things there is disgraceful, and affords
grounds for an opinion frequently expressed by
foreigners that London is the most unsafe capital in
Europe. We do not say the opinion is correct ; but
that a strong first impression of general insecurity
of life and property should be made upon strangers
arriving in London by boat is only the natural
consequence of the present unprotected state of
the shores of the Thames below London-bridge.—
Pall-Mall Gazette.

BOROUGH OF HACKNEY LIBERAL
REWSTRA7ION ASSOCIATION.

Yesterday evening a meeting of this association
was held at the Old Town Hall, Hackney, Mr. A.
Ayshford presiding, and a large number of influen-
tial gentlemen being present.
The CirmamAN,!after having referred to the advan-
tages which were sure to result from the operations
of the Association, called upon
,The SECRETATRY, who stated that the four can-
didates for the representation of the borough had
been invited to attend. Two candidates had sent
letters of apology, but he was glad to see their
friend Mr. Homer, one of the candidates amongst
them. (Cheers.)
At the request of the CHAIRMAN,
Mr. J. J. HOMER then moved the first resolution,
which was as follows :—" That this meeting re-
spectfully calls upon the Liberal electors of this
borough to support the Borough of Hackney Liberal
Registration Association, and pledges itself to pro-
mote the objects of the association." I must con-
fess, sir, that to my mind the franchise as extended
by the Reform Act of last year has been hedged
round with vexatious and mischievous restrictions.
The object of the Government, in my opinion, was
to defeat the fair and legitimate operation of a
measure which had for its object the securing a wider
basis of popular representation. (Loud cheers.)
This has been most decisively shown by the action
of the unjust and oppressive ratepaying clauses, the
evil effects of which have been universally recog-
nised. I cannot help expressing a feeling that the
working classes, upon whom it was intended that
the act should specially confer a voice in the repre-
sentation of the country, are embarrassed in the
exercise of their suffrages, and a gross injustice in.
flitted upon them. (Hear, bear.) And not only
are the occupiers of property; heretofore compounded
for subject to this monstrous wrong, but Mr. Dis-
raeli, with that marvellous political dexterity which
appears to be his main characteristic, has endea-
voured, while professing to confer the boon of the
" lodger franchise," so as to encumber the gift with
conditional obligations as to render it of no value
whatever. (Loud cheers.) Aware of the position in
life ordinarily filled by those who are "lodgers," the
right hon gentleman has taken special care to throw
in the way of their successfully claiming the fran-
chise all those special difficulties which that very
position would give rise to. These difficulties, in
my opinion, will be most severely felt in the larger
provincial towns and in metropolitan constitu-
encies, where the " lodger" element is peculiarly
strong. Among the latter there is not one, per-
haps, in which the subject of the lodger franchise
assumes a higher importance than in the newly-
formed borough of Hackney. (Cheers.) The
character and employment of its population are such
as necessarily to create a very large proportion of
" lodgers ;" and there is the most urgent necessity
that the fullest facility should be afforded those
persons for claiming and recording their votes. I
shall therefore most cordially aid this association in
any efforts to achieve this desirable end—(cheers)--
as I feel it to be the duty as well as the privilege
of every earnest and consistent advocate of Liberal
principles jealously to preserve and guard the rights
which the act of last session intended to secure to
classes hitherto unrepresented in the Parliament of
the nation. (Loud cheers.) Entertaining these
opinions, 1 can offer no better proof of my hearty
since-Py than by simply subscribing my 10 guineas
on behalf of this association, and I desire to express
my sincere regret that Nr. C. Reed, to whom the
association was so much indebted in its earlier
stages, and Mr. John Holms, another candidate for
the borough, have been prevented from being pre-
sent to advocate its claims. I cannot help at the
same time urging upon every earnest menaLer of the
great Liberal body in the borough to support this
movement by a simple subscription of one shilling,
which is all that is asked for. By an earnest and
united effort on the part of the Liberal party, I feel
assured of ultimate success. (Cheers.)
Mr. SIMPSON having seconded the resolution,
Mr. KNIGHT, after referring to the importance of
this subject to the working classes, paid a compli-
ment to the manner in which Mr. Homer had
handled it, and supported the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
After some minor inquiries, the question was
raised as to whether membership of the association
confined the members to voting for particular
candidates ; to which the secretary replied in the
negative.
A discussion ensued as to the recent decision of
the law courts with regard to the claims of lodgers
in tenements where there were more than two
occupiers, the landlord not being resident ; and the
secretary having offered explanations on this point
to the effect that the recent decision was that occu-
piers of such tenements would not possess the vote,
the matter dropped.
Mr. J. F. HARTLEY then moved, and Mr. OGAN
seconded, the following resolution :—" That this
meeting urges all qualified occupiers in the borough
of Hackney to take immediate steps to secure their
registration on the next Parliamentary register."
The latter gentleman urged the necessity which was
imposed upon the Liberal party of taking every pre-
caution, as it was credibly asserted that two Con-
servative candidates would be started by the
borough ; and it was of paramount importance that
every Liberal should take care to secure his vote.
(Cheers.)
The resolution having been unanimously adopted,

Mr. FORSAITH moved, and Mr. W. GREEN se-
conded, a third resolution as follows :—" That this
meeting advises all qualified lodgers to obtain the
forms of claim supplied by this association, and,
having duly filled up the same, to return them to
the secretary of the association before the 25th day
of August next."
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the chairman.

CORNISH TICKETING. Truro, Thursday.—At
Redruth 1,482 tons of copper ore realised £5,399 13s. Gd.,
an average of £3 13s. per ton ; standard, £lOB ls. A de-
cline of 12s. Gd.; produce, 5a ; fine copper, 87 tons 14 cwt.
[An VERTlSEltENT.l—}lenceforth no onelwill doubt the valuable
properties of Du Barry's health-restoring Revalenta Arablea
Invalids' and Infants' Food, since to the thousands of blessings
it has already received from Invalids whose position had been
deemed hopeless, we may now add that of his Holiness the Pope,
whose health has been perfectly restored by it after thirty years of
unsuccessful medical treatment. We quote from the " Gazette du
Midi," July 25th :—" Rome, July 21, ISCG. - The health of the Holy
Father is excellent, especially since, abandoning all other reme-
dies, he has confined himself entirely to Du Barry's Revalenta
Arabica Food, of which he consumes a plateful at every meal.
It has produced a surprisingly beneficial effect ou his health, and
his Holiness cannot praise this excellent food too highly." We
extract a few out of more than 68,000 cures:—Cure No. 58,216, of
the Marchioness de Brehan, of seven years' liver complaint,
wasting away, debility, nervousness, with a nervous palpitation
all over, bad digestion, constant sleeplessness, and the most in:
tolerable nervous agitation. Cure No. 1.771: Lord Stuart de
Decies, Lord-Lieutenant of Waterford, of many years' dyspepsia.
No. 49,812: "Fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia,
nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms,
sickness, and vomiting —Maria Joly " Cure No. 46.270: Mr
James Roberts, of Frimley, Surrey, of 30 years' diseased lungs,
spitting of blood, liver derangement, and pariial deafness. Im-
portant Caution—Beware of the many unsavoury and more than
sloppy imitations to which, without authority, Baron Liebeg's
name is most audaciously attached.
In -tins, at Is. 1 d.; 1 lb , 2s 9d ; 2 lbs., 4s. 64 ' • 5 lbs-, lls.;
12 lbs., 22s ; 21 be , 40s —BARRY DIY BARRY and CO., No. 77,
Regent-street, London; also Fortnum and Mason, 182, Picca-
dilly, and at 61, Gracechurch-street; 4. Cheapside; 63, 150, and
OgQTclitNet an, 641114 044 all grQm 444,clvanists.