The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-27 00:00:00

VAGRANCY.

The magistrates of Cumberland and Westmoreland
have determined to deal very sternly with the tramp.
They have resolved to send that man to prison
for the full month who offends against the vagrant
laws. The result is that crime has decreased con-
siderably. Some 4,300 vagrants have been kept out
of Cumberland during the last twelve months, and
2,500 out of Westmoreland. Housebreaking and sue,ll
like crimes have become less frequent, and altogether:
the system has worked well. Probably, however,
the vagrants " have played their tricks " in another
county where they felt safer. But still we cannot
help feeling that it is possible to " repress " in a great
measure that dangerous class. It may be added that
a statement appears in some of our contemporaries
that the committee of the Society of Arts, of
which the Bishop of London is president,
appointed to inquire into the state of the metro-
politan criminals, is likely to lead to " action."
Archbishop Manning, Sir Walter Crofton, Mr. John
Ruskin, Captain Wake, R.N., Mr. Thomas Webster,
Q.C., Mr. Frederick Hill, Rev. IL Solly, General
Cavanagh, Mr. Francis Fuller, and various other
gentlemen well known by. their labours in the cause
of social reform, have taken an active part in
the deliberations of the committee, and it ij,
understood that a plan is being prepared by whiol
our streets may gradually be cleared of the swarms
of young " Arabs " who are now ripening into
criminals. Employment may also be provided for
the older members of the dangerous and destitute
classes, or they will be brought under much stricter
surveillance than hitherto.

FOREIGN NOTES.
SPAIN.

A telegram from the Times correspondent strengtherts
the assertion of the Impartial of Madrid, that, France,
England, and other Powers have opened friendly relations
with the Provisional Government. The French commu-
nication is " responsive and sympathetic; the English cold
and reserved." The same correspondent says that
the evil consequences of the uncertainty as to the
future of the country are becoming apparent.
" A descendant of Don Carlos, styling himself
Duke of Madrid, and aspiring to become King Charles
VII., is already in the field, He is said to have made
his appearance at Hendaye, the last French station on
the Pyrenean frontier, and it is added, absurdly enough,
that the Emperor of the French, bent on defeating
the aspirations of the Duke of Moutpensier and of all
the House of Orleans at any cost, has evinced some dis-
position to favour the pretensions of this young represents.
tive of the Carlist branch of the Spanish Bourbon." Sub-
scription lists in support of his claims have been opened,
and the clerical papers have all rallied round him, but
nothing very serious is to be apprehended. A decisive
movement on the part of the Provisional Government
would render hopeless all opposition.

Spanish securities have lately fallen in price, owing, it is
thought, to the large sales effected by Queen Isabella and
her adherents.

The telegram announcing that King Ferdinand had
refused to entertain the offer of the Spanish crown is of
the highest importance. His consent was a disputed point,
•he Standard holding that he had not consented; the
iberte asserting that he had. He was by far the most
promising candidate, and, if we are to accept this as a final
refusal, we must ids° conclude that the difficulties of the
Provisional Government are greatly increased.
General Prim has replied to Mr. Guedalla, president of
the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Society of London,
who ,had applied, on behalf of his co-religionists, for the
revocation of the edict of expulsion issued in 1492. The
Spanish leader says that he has no power to grant such a
request, but he is convinced that the triumph of the
Revolution will establish religious liberty without restric-
tion.

The Diario, of Barcelona, says the Junta there has in-
formed the Swiss Consul, who with some of his country-
men had applied for permission to build a Protestant
Church, that no authorisation was required ; the applicants
could build any cdidce and practice any faith they might
decide upon.

The Constitutionnel denies the report that the candida-
ture of Don Carlos meets with support from the French
Government, and especially from the Empress. The SiMe
says the Dulce of Montpensier is now the only suitable
prince whom the Spaniards can choose as a ruler. In
spite of contradictions, the chances of his becoming King
of Spain increase daily. The leaders arc in communica-
tion with him, and their advances are favourably
received.