The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-04 00:00:00

THE StTN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 1868

reciprocal tastes that have been encouraged, for
literature has formed a neutral ground on which to

meet.

The anniversary dinner of the Royal Academy is
always one of the most interesting festivals of the
year. It is one of those auspicious occasions which
gather together round one hospitable board the
foremost men of the day. Princes of the State and
Ministers of the Crown are surrounded by those
who claim the royalty of genius, by the agents of a
power not ;less mighty, though less tangible, than
that of the successful statesman. There are as-
sembled, too, those men who have won distinction
in other walks of life, who have investigated the
mysteries of nature as well as discovered the
secrets of art, who have followed more
material professions with that ability and that per-
severance which almost infallibly command success.
The lawyer, the general, the surgeon, the politician
mingle with the sculptor, the painter, and the
author, while that civic power which plays so useful
a part in our constitutional system is not left unre-
presented. England could hardly, indeed, find a
more worthy assemblage of her " representative
men," of the sons who have brought to her as well
as to themselves fame, and wealth, and power, than
is to be found in the annual banquet which in the
opening days of merry May happily inaugurates
the great pictorial exhibition of the season.
Saturday's festival was a more than usually bril•
liant one, and there were several circumstances
which heightened the general interest. The Prince
of IVALEs was present to receive a cordial welcome
on his return from Ireland, and to join in the re-
joicings over his brother's fortunate escape. Then,
too, there was the successful termination of the
AbyssiniancamPaign for matter of general congratula-
tion,NN hile the circumstances more particularlybelong-
ing to the event of the day deserve especial notice.
It is possible, we may hope indeed probable, that it
is the last time the dinner will be given in Trafalgar-
squate. On the 10th of December next the
Academy will have completed its first century, and,
its members, while looking back with just pride
upon their past history, are eager to celebrate their
centenary by removing to their new galleries at
Burlington House. If the technical difficulties
which always oppose themselves to such changes
can be got rid of in time, it is hoped that an exhi-
bition selected from the works of all the members
of the Academy from its foundation, to the present
day may be opened on the 10th of December. Such
an exhibition would be the finest memorial of
the past, while it would afford a most interesting
and valuable opportunity for the stu ly and compa-
rison of the works cf our natiomd painters during
the last hundred years. . _ _

The Lord Chancellor, who, in the unavoidable
absence of Mr. DisizAELl, returned thanks for her
MAJESTY'S Ministers, referred to the creation of the
Academy in 1768, and remarked that it was a pre-
decessor of his—Lord CAMDEN—Who revised and
settled its first code of laws at the time that he was
holder of the Great Seal. He remembered being told
by another predecessor, the late Lord LYNDHURST,
that in early life he had derived much pleasure and
advantage from attending in that Academy the
lectures of Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS. In tne nistory
of the Royal Academy, there is, as Lord CAIRNS
observed, a specially distinctive feature. It is the
only academy of the kind in Europe which has not
been maintained by the State. It has been almost
from the first self-supported, and yet it has done
good service to the public cause. " I look back,"
said Lord CAIRNS, " on the history of the Royal
Academy for the
_last 100 years as the bright belt
of light which has shone athwart .this century of
art, concentrating and bicdiug together those
rays and flashes of geuiu3 which otherwise
would have been dispersed, or even ex-
tinguished." In its new sphere of action
we may hope that its influence will be yet more
powerful for good, since it will have greater scope
and be less fettered. At present the mere task of
selection becomes from the restricted space painful
and invidious. The President on Saturday gave a
few particulars of the difficulties attending this
duty. The works of art sent for exhibition amounted
this year to the number of 3,011. The pictures
alone amounted to 2,683. With the closest pack-
ing the number which the committee have been able
to get on the walls is but 896, while the pictures
accepted and not hung are 180. The rejection of
so many works of art must, as Sir FRANCIS GRANT
observed, necessarily cause much irritation, and if
the academicians have sometimes given reason for
complaint, it is evident that by the mere deficiency
of space alone they are often compelled to be un-
gracious. At the same time there are improve-
ments which might be made, and which will no
doubt be made, in the constitution of the Academy,
and it gives us good hope of future reforms when
we see that the recommendations of the
Royal Commission, which at first excited some dis-
pleasure at the council table, have since been adopted
one by one. The academy has achieved for itself a
proud position, and it has succeeded in doing much
for art, but there is yet more to be done which
the vigour and experience it has acquired will
better fit it to do. The Archbishop of YORK, in
an excellent speech, pointed out the beneficial in-
fluence which art was capable of exercising on the
great bodyiof the people. " The Academy," he said,
4, had during its first century done much to raise art,
and he hoped that in the next century they would do
as much to popularise it. The contemplation of
such works as were to be seen on the walls was (he
said) very good for cultivated men. Could it do
nothing for the uncultivated ?" Referring espe-
cially to a town in his own diocese—Sheffield—
he said that the preacher, and the teacher, and the
essayist were all doing their best against the bar-
barism which existed there, and thathe believed art
also could do something. The picture" Worn Out "
in this year's exhibition shows how powerfully the
painter's skill can touch that magic sympa-
thetic chord which " makes the whole world
akin."

Near the close of the evening the toast of the
Royal Society was responded to by Sir RODERICK
MURCHISON, one of whose ancestors, drawn by
no less a pencil than that of Sir EDWIN LAND-
SEER, adorns this year's Academical exhibition .
Sir FRANCIS GRANT, in proposing the toast, com-
pared the firmness of the staunch old Jacobite to
the resolute determination with which his descen-
dant had combated the universal opinion respecting
the fate of Dr. LIVINGSTONE. Sir :toDEP.ICK himself
expressed his hope that at the next anniversary
dinner of the Academy they woull have among
them not, " the late Dr. LIVINGSTONE ' of last year's
catalogue, but the living LIVINGS TONE: himself--a
hope in vvliich all must join.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—The Great k •Moral Festival
of 5,000 voices will be held at the Crystal Palcco to-mor-
row, commencing at three o'clock, under• the dioction of
Mr. G. W. Martin. The programme v ell include Martin
Luther's Hymn, accompanied on the t rum ?et by Mr. S.
Harper; also, the National Part Songs: 4‘ Home, Sweet
Home," "Men of Harlech," " The Campbells are Coming:'
and the "Minstrel Boy." Madame Florentc, Lancia will
sing "Let the bright Seraphim," Trumpet 0 bligato, Mr.
'l'. Harper; and the band from the Duke of y ork's school
will be present and play between the parts,

The Town Council of Edinburgh will pr, =sent the
freedom of their city to Mr. John Bright. at the close of
►he present session of Parliament.

LATEST INTELL WINCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

STOPPAGE OF A PRESTON BANK.
PRESTON, Monday Morning.

The bank of Messrs. Roskell, Arrowsmith, and
Kendall, in this town, suspended payment this
morning. Its business was chiefly among the
Roman Catholics of Preston, and it received the
moneys of many, if not all, the Roman Catholic
charities. The extent of the liabilities is not
known.

DESTRUCTION OF GREYSTOKE CASTLE.
CARLISLE, Monday.

Greystoke Castle, near Ullswater, the seat of
Mr. Henry Howard, was destroyed by fire this
morning ; the main building is gutted, and many
family paintings of the lloward and Norfulk family
have been destroyed, Some valuable art treasures
have been saved.

BOMBAY MAIL.

ALEX INDRIA, MAY 3.

The Pera left at 6 p.m., and the Ripon at 4.30
p.m. yesterday. The former may be expected at
Mat seines on the Bth, and the latter at Southamp-
ton about the 15th ult.

OUTWARD INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRA-
LIAN MAILS OF APRIL 18.
The Delta arrived at 4 p.m. yesterday.

INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.
MARSEILLES, May 4.
The Messageries Imperiales steamer Peluse, with
the above mails, arrived here at 4 a.m. to-day.

AMERICA.
SOLTTHA3IPTON, May 4.
(Per the Weser, via Southampton.)
NEW YORK, April 23, Noon.

Mr. Boutwell opened the argument for the pro-
secution, and declared the Tenure law to be con-
stitutional, and that President Johnson bad no right
to violate the law in order to obtain a judicial de-
cision on its constitutionality. The President was
bound to enforce, but had no right to question the
acts of Congress. Mr. Johnson had violated the
Tenure Law, and thereby the Constitution. The
assertion that he had sought legal aid was a pretext ;
his object was to obtain despotic control of the Go-
vernment offices for corrupt purposes, and to recon-
struct the Union in the interest of the rebels. The
advice of the Cabinet could not justify the President
in defying a violation of the laws of the land. The
evidence regarding Mr. Johnson's speeches went to
show that a man capable of making such speeches
was unfit to hold the office of President. The Se-
nators, in their verdict, had no right to be governed
by their private opinions of the expediency or con-
stitutionality of the Tenure Law. The charge had
been sustained by the evidence, and a verdict of
Guilty would bring peace to the country.
The Senate agreed that all the counsel and mana-
gers should deliver or file arguments.
It is announced that Attorney-General Stan-
berrs continued illness will probably prevent his
further participation in the defence.
General Logan read a printed argument, declar-
ing that the object of Nit. Johnson was the despotic
control of the public officers, and the removal of
Mr. Stanton was a clear violation of the Tenure
Law and the Constitution. The President averred
good intentions, but any criminal might make the
same pretence.
There are indications that the new Constitution
has been adopted in South Carolina by a majority
of 30,000 votes.

THE WEST AFRICAN MAILS.
LIVERPOOL, May 4.

The West African mail steamer Lagos arrived in
he Mersey to-day. She brings 32 passengers and
L,208 ounces of gold dust.

The different stations on the coast were very free
from sickness. The war between the natives at
Cape Coast Castle continues.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, SUNDAY, May 3.

The optimists are in the ascendant to-day. In the first
place the Japan difficulty has been got over. Some weeks
Igo eleven of the crew of a French ship were murdered at
Kobi,and it was feared that we were in danger of a Japanese
war. But the Mikado has proved more reasonable than
the Tycoon proved to your remonstrances on the murder of
Mr. Richardson. Twenty Japanese have been beheaded,
and £22,500 have been paid in compensation. So that
little " black spot " has been dissipated. Another
affair, which a few hours ago threatened to give
us trouble, now seems certain to bo arranged.
Our Consul at Tunis had drawn up an agreement by which
the Bey agreed to preserve the rights of his foreign credi-
tors (chiefly French), but at the last moment his High-
ness refused to sign the document. Thereupon our Consul
hauled down his flag, and refused to hold any diplomatic
relations with the Tunisian Government. The France, in
mentioning this circumstance, kindly insinuated that
English intermeddling was at the bottom of the affair. It
now appears that, so far from this being the case, England
and Italy have a perfect understanding with France, and
we agreed upon the terms which they mean to exact from
the semi-barbarous African sovereign. It is pretty cer-
tain, therefore, that we shall not hear much more of this
matter.

As to more important matters, they too are couleur de
rose this evening. If we are to believe the reports current
to-day, Bismarck has voluntarily informed our ambassador
at Berlin, M. Benedetti, that the Prussian Government
will not allow the Customs Parliament to sanction any
measure opposed to the Treaty of Prague. This declara-
tion is offered, no doubt, in consequence of the attempt
which is being made by the representatives from
Baden to get up an address in favour of the unifica-
tion of Germany. I presume that our Government will
be wise enough to rest contented with this assurance, and
not have the imprudence to offer any objection to the pro-
posal now before the Parliament for granting to Germans
the right of domicile in any part of Germany. This is a
purely domestic matter, though, of course, it will tend to
bring about eventually that unification which France by
ao means relishes.

It is believed that the Emperor will make several visits
within the next few weeks. After M. journey to Orleans,
Ise will, it is hoped, go to the agricultural show at
Rouen ; then to the International Maritime Exhibition at
Havre ; and the Boulognese have asked him to open a new
dock. He will thus have abundant opportunity for making
pacific speeches, if the spirit moves him to do so. M.
Baudrillart has an article upon the expeAei speech at
Orleans. The new editor of the Constitutionnel says that
ae does mot know if tie expectation is well founded ; but
'le believes in peace, not merely because he wishes
:t, but because the Emperor is peacefully inclined.
lie admits that armed peace is a necessity
which France may accept for patriotic reasons
'without loving it as a thing good in itse:f, "but it renders
impossible all serious economy" Some persons say that
short and successful war would be better than an armed
peace. "No doubt it would," says M. BaudriPart ; but
while patriotism forbids us to doubt that it would be suc-
lessful (and in reality all Europe believes this), would it be
short? Must we not expect checks, such as even Louis
KIV. and the First Napoleon sustained? M. Baudril-
'art goes on to express his surprise at those who
attribute warlike intentions to the sovereign who
made peace in the Crimea and at Villafranca,
m mei case against the wishes of his ally,
He then goes on to show how many times war has been
predicted, and how often those predictions have failed.
' The army is ready, but where is the war? If there is
lot sufficient security in Europe to arrive at a common and
desirable understanding for an immediate disarmament,
there are no longer causes of war which should justify
113Prehensions and leave the public in a state
)f anxious disquietude." M. Baudrillart goes
m to ask " Who wants was ? Certainly not
England, with Fenianism to deal with ; certainly not
Russia, with its costly expenditure on public works, and
bleedingXoland that would arouse to a terrible awakening
the day that a European war broke out ; certainly not
Austria, intent upon healing the wounds sustained two
years ago ; certainly not Italy, with her financial diffi-
eulties." The article then goes on to chaff the young
ardent spirits who are always for sounding the
trumpet even in full peace. They may safely be left
to talk of war over the beer-tables of Alsace. It would be
a more serious matter if the officers desired war with that
passionate avidity which has been attributed to them.
But they do not desire it. If war broke out they would
fight with spirit ; but they are men of their time, are
patriots breathing the air of a more humane civilisation
than was inspired by .out veterans. The elite of the army
is in unison with civilian France. It has the same spirit,
and beat with the same heart. The alarmists may, there-
fore, calm themselves. If the Emperor speaks at Orleans, he
will, though under the shadow of the warrior heroine of
France, speak with quite another spirit than prevailed
then. The Emperor is the representative of the modern
spirit. If he is the heir of the heroism of France, he also
personifies its reason ; his language will know how to ally
them. Such is the substance of this remarkable and very
able article, which occupies three columns in the Constitu-
Gonne,. It is a highly favourable symptom of peace.

The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post, writing
m Saturday at 6 a.m., was very gloomy. What perma-
nent hope of peace could there be with an army of
1,200,000 men in France, one of 1,428,000 in Prussia, one
of 1,466,000 in Russia, and Austria preparing to establish
one of 1,000,000 " Every Government on the Con-
tinent (almost without exception) wants money, all
are increasing their taxation, nearly all asking for
loans ; commerce languishing ; food dear, and in
some quarters of the world populations have this
year suffered from almost starvation. This is no
exaggerated picture of what has followed the great Univer-
sal Exhibition at Paris, which was to do so much for man-
kind. Such a peace as the world now enjoys is surely as
bad as war. Public opinion is speaking out more loudly
every day, and finance is telling most Governments that
their warlike expenditure mast be limited. These are the
ply favourable symptoms which come with the month
of May." But a paragraph dated an hour later
is of a wholly different tone. The corresponded
says "I have received today a communication from
Berlin of considerable importance, and which, I think,
may be depended upon. The French Government has
for some time past shewn considerable anxiety as to the
political results which might grow out of the de-
liberations of the Customs Parliament with reference
to the possibility of that assembly voting further an.
nexations to the Prussian Crown. lam now informed
that Count Bismarck has assured the French Ambassador
at Berlin that the Customs Parliament will not be allowed
to entertain any suggestions which might offend the
Treaty of Prague. Under such circumstances the last
apparent and immediate danger of a rupture between
France and Prussia is removed." If this be true, the
present mock disarmament of one per cent. will, of course,
be succeeded by a genuine one of not less than ten per
cent. Our wishes are stronger than our expectations.
The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, whose
mot d'ordre is always " peace," says that while still believ-
ing in peace, he is bound to say that "money is being
spent at Cherbourg and elsewhere with a perfectly
reckless disregard of the estimates." He presumes that
the peccant Ministers will be brought to book during the
discussion on the estimates. " In the meantime the expen-
diture and the haste to complete the naval works in every
branch are great facts—great facts, certainly ; but still I
believe only efforts to act on the maxim—' If you wish
for peace, arm '—which the Imperial Government has
owned to be its aim. I confess the question is bristling
with contradictions and difficulties. A very wellinformed
man, who is compelled to study the subject, tells me that
France must fight. She has spent so much money on
sailors and soldiers that one fine day the people will say
•Eh bien, let us pay on, but do give us something for our
money.' "

It is rumoured that the Austrian Government has
made proposals on behalf of a disarmament, and it is sup-
posed that the recent granting of furloughs, "more
apparent than real," by the Prussian War Minister, may
have been partly due to Baron von Beust's representations.
The Provincial Correspondence, a Prussian journal, denies
this, but says that the recent reduction of the army (by
12,000 men) is a proof of the pacific intentions of the
Government, and that there is no serious question at issue
between the Governments f Europe.

The Prince of Prussia continues to be the object of the
most enthusiastic reception. At Parma, Bologna, and
Florence the acclamations with which he was received at
Turin have been repeated. To Prince Napoleon the frenzy,
as it seems to him, is insupportable, and he refuses to go
on to Florence, 'and expcse himself to the humiliating con.
trast between the reception given to him and that given
to his rival. A correspondent mentions that the French
residents at Florence are completely scandalised by this
anti-French manifestation, and that one of them remarked
to some Italians who were cheering the hero of the day,
"You want foresight." The Italiani answered, "That
may be, but we do not want memory. We remember
that your troops are still in Rome."

The Etendard says that the Powers are at this moment
negotiating with the Sultan for the return to their own
country of the Cretan refugees who are now in Greece,
and in a state of great poverty and distress. The
Etendard declares that this is the only question upon
which negotiations have passed.

MR. CBARLIES DICKENS'S FAREIY ELL
TO AMERICA.

A correspondent of the Times, dated Philadelphia,
Apr;l 21, says :—Mr. Charles Dickens sails for Eng-
land in the Russia, which carries this letter, and
leaves behind him the regrets of a host of friends at
his early departure. His American readings have