The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-31 00:00:00

THE SUN LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, 3 MAY 31, 1868.

1( wed. for the appeal to the country to take place,
nc ) doubt representing in this the desire of his col-
let gues. The Ministry had one crowning triumph
in tile success of the Abyssinian expedition, and
thins, it must be remembered, was made the ground
of cu )mplaint at the earlier part of the session. It
obje eted that the money of the country was being
squat udered upon a useless expedition, and that no
good could result. The onus of the affair did not
rest. - with the Government who undertook its set-
tlerru 3nt, for it was a legacy from their predecessors,
but :all parties must unite in feelings of satisfaction
tha t the honour of the country has been so worthily
rep resented, and its majesty vindicated. The
Ho. use of Lords has sustained the loss of Lard
Dr :EBY as a Parliamentary leader, though happily
the. noble lord has been able to take part in the
debates and to lend the aid of his eloquence to some
important discussions. The Lord Chancellor has
been of great service to his party, and added to his
already distinguished reputation. The Oppo-
sition benches in the Upper House have
thought fit to infuse a great degree of
party rancour into the debates, and the character of
that august assembly has not been at all in accord-
ance with our recollections of the " benches
of the upper school." Some of Mr. DISRAELI'S
speeches have been seized upon as the groundwork
of commentaries, animated by a most bitter spirit,
and the consequence has been that Lord SALISBURY
has more than once justly complained of the " warm
latitudes" in which he found himself. Some attempts
have been made to improve the state of elections
by the introduction of the Corrupt Practices Bill,
and certainly a good deal has been accomplished
in that direction. Mr. DISRAELI said in one
of his novels that he who gains time
gains everything, and so it may turn out in his
present experience. The country has now an op-
portunity of deciding upon the merit of the rival
candidates, and the excitement and confusion of
this stormy Eles.-iion will have lapsed into the
indifference that follows upon such displays. There
seems no reason why the Ministry should not meet
with a favourable reply in this their appeal to the
constituencies, and the feeling of the country has
been more than once expressed in their favour. At
any rate they will have a fair trial, and the
chances are as much for as against them. We do
not think that the people of this country will be
unmindful of the claims they have on their grati-
tude for having persisted in passing a Reform Bill
of a comprehensive character and in a progressive
spirit, and notwithstanding the taunts of their op-
ponents it has been far better than any other
yet put before the public. The Session which closes
to-day has not been without its works, and it is to
be hoped that its successor will be yet more fruitful
in its efforts to represent the interests of the great
community, continually increasing in influence and
importance.

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LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 31, 18G8.

To-day will be memorable in the annals of
politics as witnessing the close of the last Parlia-
ment elected under the Reform Bill of 1332.
Thirty-six years have passed since that epoch, and
the usual chances and changes of this mortal
scene have removed many of the chief actors in
those stirring scenes. The work of that day was
then looked upon as a great achievement and a step
in advance, well suited to the requirements of the
times and the progressive spirit of the generation
which it affected. It may be truly said that it
WP.B enough for the existing emergencies, but tho
lapse of time has rendered it necessary that other
and more comprehensive changes should be made.
We all know the long story of the attempts to in-
troduce a Reform Bill, and the extraordinary de-
lays and disappointments that attended the struggle.
Fifteen years saw successive Cabinets make the
effort, and in repeated Speeches from the Throne',
promises were made which neither Ministers nor
Legislature could keep. At any rate, it seems to
have been a fitting sequel to the tale that
the task of getting a Reform Bill through
Parliament should at last have been ac-
complished by a Conservative Government.
The manner in which the Reform question
was dealt with by the Liberals deprived them of all
claim to consistency and sincerity on the subject.
When in opposition it was a convenient handle
against their opponents, and when in power it was
suffered to lie idle, and year after year the country
waited in vain in anxious expectancy. More than
all, the treatment which the DERBY Reform Bill
of 1857 met with was most unworthy, and for that
alone the RUSSELL Administration deserved to for-
feit the privilege of passing a measure of their own.
Ministers have played a notable part in the settle-
ment of this great national question, and the disap-
pointment which overtook the ranks of the Liberals
and Radicals was well deserved. Due credit should be
given to the present Administration and to the noble
Earl who has since retired from the post of Premier
for the zeal and assiduity which they displayed ; and
the work before them was indeed arduous and
difficult ; in itself the task was rendered well nigh
impossible by the fierce and bitter hostility which
prevailed among the Opposition members ; that is
to say, among those who followed through good
and evil report in the work of their chieftain, for
the independent Liberals, as it is the practice to call
them, rendered the Government most able assist-
ance, and are well entitled to a large share of the
glory of the eventual Session. Respecting the
character of the Reform Bill of the Con-
servatives, it may fairly be said that its merits
were their own, while its faults, in some degree, Yesterday morning another important step was
belong to their opponents. Had so much time not made towards the completion of one of the greatest
been wasted in public discussion, and so much of our metropolitan improvements. The footway
angry feeling not engendered by the course pursued of the Thames Embenkmmt was thrown open to
in certain quarters, many hints might have been the public from Westminster to Essex-street. This
attended to with advantage and the general features is, at all events, an instalment of the long-
of the bill rendered more satisfactory. Taking it looked-for advantages to be conferrel on the
it as a whole, however, it may fairly challenge come hurrying population of London by the addition of
petition with its numerous predecessors, and not this fine new highway between East and West, and
fear the comparison. It is by far the most liberal, so great are its conveniences that the managers of
and certainly the most advanced in style and pro-
the undertaking will assuredly not be allowed to
gress, while it puts faith in the good intentions and delay the completion of the full work
right feeling of the people to a far greater degree longer than what is absolutely necessary. From
than any that has been put before Parliament. Westminster to Temple Bar the tide of London
ebbs and flows rapiely and unceasingly, and it is
The course of events this session shay surprised
many, but the apparent mystery is easily accounted something to barb gained no much, but from West-
minster to the City a still larger number of pedes-
for. Mr. GLADSTONE was jealous and mortified at
trians are constantly hurrying to awl fro, and these
the brilliant success achievel by the Ministry, and
the House bad no sooner assembled to commence not unnaturally ask why the footway should not
h
the work of the year than it became apparent all have been opened as far as Temple Gardens, along
which the Embankment is quite finished. The
was not to go so smoothly as might have been
answer, we believe, must come from the benchers,
expected. A trial of strength was not anticipated
who have, no doubt, only to understand that the
in the few months that remained to a moribund
public are anxious for the privilege of tempo-
Parliament, but a surprise awaited the select few
racily using one of their avenues to grant it
initiated into the secrets of the Opposition. It soon
immediately. The portion of the embankment yes-
became apparent that the work of the session was to
terday thrown open gives a very favourable im-
turn out the Ministry, and install Mr. GLADSTONE in
pression of what will be the effect of the whole
office ready to meet the new Parliament. Nothing
work when completed. The pavement of the path-
could have been in worse taste than the fat
way is 20 feet wide, one side of it abutting on the
tious attempt to regain power at this critical junc-
Embankment, the other on the roadway, which is to
tore of affairs, when the Reform question was
be 100 feet wide; excepting just under Waterloo-
not settled. Religious questions should always
bridge. This roadway will not, however, be paved
be introduced with care and circumspection, and it
until after the Underground Railway shall have
was well known that Mr. GLADSTONE'S views re-
been completed. This part of the business will
specting the Irish Church were not always what
unfortunately necessitate undoing some of the work
they are now, so that his extreme eagerness
already done, which appears to the uninitiated a
and excessive zeal on the subject were at
matter of regret. The aggregate length of the
least premature. It was in vain, however,
whole Northern portion of the Embankment, from
to urge delays, and quite useless to affirm that
Westminster-bridge to Blackfriars-bridge is 6,610
the new Parliament was the right place for the
feet, and is let in three contracts, whose sum total
question to be decided upon. Nothing would do
is £875,000. The Southern Embankment, from
but an immediate appeal to the House, and the re-
Wesstniuste-bridge to Vauxhall, is less extensive
suit, while it gave Mr. GLADSTONE a majority of
and less costly. The total cost of the contract is
sixty, really advanced matters in no degree. The
confusion which ensued was not to be wondered at £309,000, and the length of the roadway 5,000
under the circumstances; and, though it may suit feet, its width being 60 feet. On the southern side
the views of some to magnify and extol the wisdom
part of the works has consisted of widening or nar-
of the Opposition leader, a calm review of affairs rowing the river as might be requisite. Part of the
will show that he has wasted the greater part of pathway on the southern side was opened last
the session to very little purpose, and raised up March, and has been a good deal used since then.
party spirit without attaining any definite result. No doubt the northern side will soon show as many
Mr. DISRAELI may certainly complain with promenaders along the instalment granted to the
justice of the manner in which he has
public. The approaches are to Villiers-street,
been treated, and of the miserable nature
Wellington-street, and Essex-street, and at a later
of the tactics employed against him. He was date not yet fixed the road is to be continued from
the embankment along the new street to the
scarcely settled in his new position when he was
Man-
subjected to continual attacks, and the forces of sion-house, so that a direct highway from the great
his adversaries were all called into play in order to centres of public business, east and west, will be
circumvent his plans and put a period to his tenure provided. Altogether about 37 acres of mud and
of office. It was only fair to expect that the Cabi-
lime have been reclaimed, and are to be converted
net which passed the Reform Bill should appeal to into ornamental grounds and gardens, as well as
the country ; but Mr. GLADSTONE and his friends providing the necessary approaches.
thought otherwise, and worked with might and When the whole work is completed, embank-
main to effect their purpose. Not satisfied with ment, roadway, footway, railway, new street and
attaining the expression of opinion on the part of all, there is no question that it will be an
the House about the Irish Church, the Liberal undertaking of which Londoners may be justly
leaders proceeded to being in a bill on the subject, proud, and the cost of which will be as nothing in
which took up an immense deal of time, and gave comparison with the ornament and advantage. It
rise to great irritation of feeling and frequent dis- has been an undertaking of no slight difficulty even
plays of party spirit. As might have been autici- in this age of engineering skill and science. A
pated the Suspensory Bill was rejected by the river wall of granite eight feet thick has been built
House of Lords, so that its framers had not the
to dam out nearly 30 acres of the river, the wall
excuse of forwarding the completion of their being on an average 40 feet high, and nearly 7,000
works. feet long, while its foundations go to a great depth
The latter part of the session has been distin- . below the bed of the river. In the various works
guished for the numerous disputes and fierce dis- nearly 700,000 cubic feet of granite, 30,000,000
cussions that have arisen in consequence of the bricks, and over 300,000 bushels of cement have
untoward state of affairs induced by Mr. GLAD- been used ; 125,000 cubic yards of earth have been
STONE'S policy. All possible efforts were made dug out, and 1,200,000 cubic yards of earth
to force the Ministry to retire, and the hack- filled in. Some of this latter part of the
neyed phrases of " honour " and " public ' work will have, as we have said, to be
spirit" employed to convince the House that j done over again, owing to the construction of the
a change must take place. Mr. DISRAELI was too I Underground Railway yet to come. The vastness
wise, however, to fall into the snare so speciously of the undertaking, and the exquisite finish with
set for him, and kept Lis place in spite of all ob- which such stupendous granite works have been
stacks. Then ensued an angry altercation upon i completed, have excited the a lmiration of all
the subject of the dissolution, and night after night i engineers, both English and foreign, and afforded
was wasted in the attempts to prove that the work yesterday the subject of much comment.
of the Session could not be got through in order to After the brief and simple ceremonial of inaugua
permit of the new Parliament assembling. When I ration, Sir JOHN THWAITES, accompanied by Lord
this was proved to be an erroneous statement JOIIN MANNERS and other gentlemen, went down
other devices were resorted to, and the temper and to Abbey Mills to inspect the sewage works, which
paeiienc4 of, the Ministry moat sorely tried. Mr. if gave great satisfaction. The engineer, with jUSti-
IiALDY on one occasion declared that he table pride, reminds tus that, notwithstanding the

almost unprecedented heat and drought of the pre-
sent summer, the waters of the Thames have been
entirely free from smell, instead of being, as for-
merly, the source of sickness and mortality. We
have reason now-a-days to be proud of the
achievements of modern science in connection with
our venerable old river.

LATEST INTELL MENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

BAVARIA.

BluNicii, July 31.

The King of Bavaria has bestowed the Grand
Cross of tha Order of St. Michael upon Baron von
Wagner, the Wurtemburg Minister of War, and
the Cross of Commander of the same order upon
Colonel SAckw, Chief of the General Staff of
Wurtemburg.

CORRESPONDENCE jitolll PAtig;

FROM .01713. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS. THURSDAY, Juliio".
Prince IsTapOieon arrived at Paris on Tuesday, but did
tot, as was expected, go to Plombibres. He immediatelj
tarted for Menden, where his wife and children reside.
am told that his journey has had no political result
vbatever. Whether he went to seek alliances or not, I
hall not attempt to determine ; but it is tolerably certain
;hat he has found none. His personal convictions, as far as
Iley can be ascertained, remain unaltered. He is
tatisfiecl that the unity of Germany must be
accomplished with Berlin as the centre. Austria
se has found so much disorganised and shattered that it
will require several years of rest to enable her to take an
effective part in European politics. The Ottoman Empire,
he thinks, is condemned. He does not admire the method
of government adopted in Roumania, and it is his belief
that the policy of Prince Charles and his counsellors will
speedily endanger the position of that State. Hungary,
on the other hand, commands the warmest sympathies of
the Prince. He is of opinion that the efforts made for the
regeneration of the country in which he met such a splendid
reception will not fail.
The Constitutionnel is very angry with the reception
accorded in England to the project of a military union
between France and the Netherland. The question on the
subject, of which Mr. Otway gave notice in the House of
Commons, excites a special outburst of indignation. The
official paper charges England with bringing about, by her
neutrality and irresolution, the partial transformation of
Europe. Treaties which have the signature of English
representatives are considered as nothing. The economical
consideration is the only one entertained across the
Channel. The Constitutionnel thinks that England, by her
acquiscence, is partly answerable for the events of 1866. Of
course the official paper says nothing of the attitude of
France in that year. If France did not desire the unity
of Germany, she had but to declare for Austria, and
Bismarck would, for the time at least, have been frus-
trated. The French army would have done more than
turn the scale. It was by the supine inaction of France
that the unity of Germany was accomplished. It was too
late to interfere when Austria was utterly defeated and
incapable of rendering further assistance.
Prince Metternich has gone to Johannisberg for a week.
The statement that he recently wrote a letter from that
place, expressing his conviction that a war between France
and Prussia was inevitable, must be untrue. He has not
visited Johannisberg for a considerable time.

The Emperor, I hear, is about to establish an Academy
of Agriculture, similar in number and constitution to the
French Academy. Of course, whilst the latter is Con.
servative, the forma will be Radical. The chief duty of
the French Academy is to preserve the purity of the
French language ; the Academy of Agriculture will
consider all improvements bearing upon the culture of
the soil.

Public executions are so rare in France that one which has
just taken place at Vannes is regarded quite as an event.
To their credit, be it said, their appetite for the extraordi-
nary and the romantic notwitl standing, the French do not
now-a-days greatly appreciate the guillotine. Rarely is it
used without a general raid upon capital punishment, and
the present instance has not proved an exception to the
rule. The convict, it appears, was no extraordinary
personage. His nature was simply of that brutal
insensible type which generaly appears in the
character of murderers. He heard mass with great tran-
quillity on the morning of the execution, drank his coffee,
and ate his bread, and then marched off to the scaffold
smoking his pipe. The sight of a cabaret inspired him
with a desire for brandy, which was given him. He then
suffered the penalty of his crime. " What sort of an
example is this ?" ask the French papers. " What lesson
can the multitude derive from the sanguinary spectacle,
when the man who suffers is impressed at the
last moment with sensual ideas, and does not
testify the smallest consciousness of his crime ?" The
scaffold is decidedly in bad odour here, and the travaux
forces are the favourite remedy.
It is with great satisfaction that the Paris journals turn
from the discussion of barren budgets to such an enter-
prise as the new Atlantic cable. An undertaking of the
kind is so rare, and affords such a favourable contrast to the
ordinary course of events under the Empire, that the
extravagancies which are indulged in here may readily be
condoned. The French line will begin from the western
extremity of Brittany and will reach to the little island of
Saint-Pierre, near to Newfoundland. This portion of the
line will exceed the length of the English cable by some
three or four hundred miles. From this point the cable
will be again submerged direct to New York. It is ex-
pected that the laying of the new cable will enable
the French scientific men who accompany the ex-
pedition to make further observations as to the nature
of the bottom of the Atlantic. This been already
ascertained, at least with an eflicient accuracy to
determine the position where tho cable should be

laid. The bed of the Atlantic which lies between
New York and the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the
coast of France on the other forms a very deep valley.
To the north and south the sides of this valley rise and
form two large plateaux, on which the cable must be laid.
It is impossible to lay down a submarine cable
in the valley ; the line must pass over the mountain table-
lands. Several difficulties which were experienced in
laying down the English cables will be avoided in this
instance. But there is still abundance of scope for the
acquisition of more knowledge.

THE WEATHER TABLE.-THIS DAY.