The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-06 00:00:00

Tej°l4l,
41h..
L

LONDOIV, MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1868.

It seems as if some people were resolved not to
have the last word about the New Year's reception,
and what with the rumours on one side and the
contradictions on the other, a good deal of time is
taken up, and a vast amount of trouble expended.
The Constitutionnel now declares that the speeches
of the EMPEROR are made the object of " perfidious
comment," and gives a flat denial to those who
have affirmed that a hidden meaning may be found
in the speeches of the EMPEROR and the Count
DER GOLTZ, and in their assurances of frindship.
The same journal is also anxious to do away
with the impression created by some respcting
the remarks of the EMPEROR on the occasion of the
reception of the Legislative Body. There was
not, it declares, the slightest allusion to the bill
relative to the organisation of the army " in the
few words pronounced by the head of the State."
This assertion accords ill with the reports of some
of the particular stress laid upon these observations
in the descriptions of some. It is said that the
most " candid congratulations were exchanged
between the Emperor NAPOLEON and the
other Sovereigns of Europe, and that the
King of ITALY has addressed a most friendly
despatch to the EMPEROR. In short, it

is evident that we are to have peace, but all
would feel a little more faith in its con-
tinuance, if we were not commanded, as it were, to
believe it in so authoritative a style. Like all
other things of importance, it is better if we can
arrive gradually at a conviction instead of having
those interested in the nature of the deductions
drawn already at home to force the intePigenco
upon all hearers. An interesting ceremony took
place at the Tuileries yesterday, and presented a
pleasing constrast to the stormy news of political
strife, and the more anxious matters that are
avowed. The distribution of prizes to the success-

ful competitors at the great International Exhibi-
tion was celebrated in the presence of the Diplo-
matic Body, the Ministers, and other dignitaries.
The EMPEROR'S remarks upon the occasion were very
interesting. In the first place, they had to discri-
minate between the best, which is always a difficult
thing to do. The first prizes were given to the Em-
perors of Russii and AUSTRIA, for their improve-
ments in horse-breeding, and to the French EMPEROR
for his establishments relating to agriculture. In
his speech upon the subject the EMPEROR alluded to
the importance of the cultivation of the land, and
declared that those who laboured assiduously in this
respect would always have support and encourage-
ment. The Prussian Ambassador had a special
audience with the King of ITALY yesterday morn-
ing in order to present his credentials as Ambassador
of the North German Confederation. In assuring
IFS MAJESTY of the sentiments of goodwill enter-
tained by the Prussian Sovereign, Count VON
USEDOM declared that he cherished the hope that
the same friendly feeling would be kept up
between Italy and the Confederation as had
always existed with Prussia and Italy. The new
Cabinet that has just been formed promises well
so far, and we hope that General MENABREA will
be able to hold his ground under its auspices. Ilis
policy seems so much what is wanted that any
alteration just now would be an untoward circum-
stance. The peace of Europe depends in a great
measure upon the skilful management of Italian
affairs, and the other Powers will not put confi-
dence in a Cabinet that veers round to suit every
change of opinion, or one that is conducted in
so unwise a manner as that presided over
by Signor RATTAzzi. It seems as if there

was never to be a cessation of troubles at this time,
and the last accounts from Naples inform us of the
eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which has assumed
alarming proportions, and cAused the greatest con-
sternation in the villages on the slopes of Vesuvius.
Yesterday evening it was still augmenting, and
curiously enough the torrent of lava follows the
same direction as in the eruptions which took
place some years ago. It is sad to contemplate the
loss and suffering that will be entailed upon the vil-
lagers by this calamity.
It may now be considered that the Emperor of
AUSTRIA is indeed a constitutional Sovereign by
this time, and the best wishes of all free countries
will be with him is his venture that success may
attend his praiseworthy efforts, and that he may
meet with all the consideration which he deserves
for his energy and enterprise. The creation of
the Hungarian Ministry affords one confidence,
and seems indeed the earnest of better things for
that country, and also the sign of prosperity for
Austria itself. Of course it cannot be denied that
difficulties will attend the fulfilment of this plan, but
the object in view is well worth the effort, and
no great change of any kind caa be carried out
without overcoming some obstacle or other, and
certainly the state of dissatisfaction which prevailed
in Hungary for some years past rendered it impera-
tive to inaugurate a reform. The sad losses entailed
upon the Austrian empire induced FRANCIS JOESPII
to turn his attention seriously to the affairs of Hun-
gary, and the consequences have been that he has
contrived to do a great deal to benefit that
community, besides augmenting the strength and
influence of his own Government, by resting

its basis on influen,:e rather than on coer-
cion. The new Ministry for the Cis-Leithan
countries is another happy omen, and so far as can
be told as yet it seems have been formed in a very
proper manner. The Emperor of AUSTRIA has
thus begun the year full of hope and promise, and
now he is differently situated to what he was last
year, and his people also have far greater cause for
thankfulness and rejoicing than they had at the be-
ginning of 1867. This shows in an unmistakeable
manner how much may be accomplished by courage
and confidence, and what good. results can follow
upon zeal and goodwill. In some respects, indeed,
the position of Austria is better than it was before
he war, for the strength that has been acquired is
worth far more than the superiority which is only
upheld and maintained by force.

We have neatly had to thank the Fenians for a
very expensive and annoying casualty, although
they were innocent of any direct intention to bring
It about. Iler MAJESTY'S ship Research in pur-
suit of a barque, which she took for a Fenian pri-
vateer, struck on the famous Daunt's Rock
though, happily, she escaped without serious da-
m ige. The vessel w hich occasioned the chase is
called the Alaska, and it is evident that the sus-
picious of the commander of the Research were not