The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DE(JEMBE

of virtual retirement, Mr. JOHNSON closes his term
of office by a manifesto which is as offensive as it is
useless. He condemns the policy which the great
majority of the American people has just confirmed.
The nation has supported the course taken by the
Republicans in the South, but the PRESIDENT asks
that this policy be reversed. The unquestionable
disadvantages and dangers of Reconstruction have
been braved for several years, and the people, after
this long experience of a difficult and hazardous
remedy, has decided that it is the only one to meet
the case. The majority of those who consider the
evils of the system to be hardly compensated by its
benefits would scarcely venture to suggest a change
now. Reconstruction has been firmly established ;
it has achieved in part the work of preserving the
integrity of the Union, and yet admitting the
Southern States to participation in the Government;
and, above all, whilst the good results of the South
are now manifesting themselves, its evils have in
great measure been overcome. But Mr. JOHNSON
attributes to Reconstruction all the calamities which
have befallen the country, and demands that all the
labour of the last four years be thrown away, that
the country revert to the position it occupied just
before the war, that, in short, the policy of the
American nation be sacrificed to the policy of a retiring
President.
The Message is an insult to Europe as well as to
the people to whom it is addressed. The last act of
Mr. JOHNSON'S Presidency is to advocate repudia-
tion by a scheme which is more foolish and impracti-
cable than any that has yet been put forth. At a
time when the Legislature has most emphatically
declared that all forms of repudiation are odious to
the American nation, Mr. JOHNSON deliberately
recommends a proposal which betrays alike
the most astonishing ignorance and want of
honesty as a statesman. He believes that the in-
terest of the debt ought to be employed to pay off
the principal. The bondholders have already
received several years' interest at a high rate :
this ought to suffice for all recompense.
For the future the interest should be paid, but it
would go towards the liquidation of the principal,
which would thus be cleared off in less than seventeen
years. This is the retiring PRESIDENT'S scheme, the
admirable simplicity of which amounts to this: that it
is just and honest dealing to borrow money in a lump
sum, and repay it in instalments without compensation;
and that bargains made by a State can be altered by
an expedient which would be simply an act of fraud
in an individual. It is merely characteristic
of Mr. JOHNSON that he should wait for the resolu-
tion of the Legislature before bringing forward
a scheme in direct opposition to it. But that
he should offer to a great nation a project
of such studied absurdity would be incredible
were it not before us in the plain language of the
Message. It is not surprising that the senators
should have trampled the document on the floor of
the House in their indignation at such an attempt to
vilify the noble sentiment of their resolution.

LATEST INTELL LGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, Dec. 23.

It is stated that in consequence of a proposal
made by Russia, and supported by Prussia, a con-
ference will probably be held for the :purpose of
preventing a conflict between Turkey and Greece.
Austria is inclined to agree to the proposal, and it
s not unlikely that Italy will also consent, though
whether the same views will be held by the Western
Powers and the Porte is not yet postively known.

INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS.
MEssiNA, Oct. 23.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Massilia passed through the Straits of Messina at
6.30 this morning, en route for Marseilles.

QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 23.

The National Steamship Company's steamer
France, from New York, arrived off this port at
five o'clock this morning. She landed passengers
and proceeded for Liverpool. All well.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, Dec. 22.—Three o'clock.—The market
closed as follows :

41 per Cent.
End of month —
3 per Cent
End of month 69 65
Credit Mobilier 287 50
End of month 283 75
Credit Foncier 1530
End of month —

Bank Shares 3160
hal:an Loan
End of month —
Mexican Loan
Do. Bonds 151 15
Spanish Threes
Home Debt 3O

Deferred —
Cash
Orleans ... 910
N orthern .... i2oo
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern..... 6221
Western
Eastern .. 557*
Sardinian
Austrian 645
Lombard 415
North of Spain
Saragossa
Roman 5O

RAILWA'

LIFEBOAT SERVICES.

HOLY ISLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND, Dec. 21.

A gale sprung up to-day from the south-east
(says R. A. Wilson, Esq.), and one of the fishing
cobles which had gone out early this morning had
to return. On reaching the bar the sea ran very
heavy, and the other fishermen seeing the imminent
danger, the men ran immediately, launched the
Grace Darling Lifeboat, of the National Lifeboat
Institution, and with her assistance the noble and
two men were happily brought into harbour in
safety.

LOWESTOFF, Dec. 22.

Last evening information was received at Pake-
field that two brigs and a barque, now ashore in
Pakefield Gateway (reports Mr. Henderson, the
officer of the Coast Guard). The lifeboat Sisters,
belonging to the Lifeboat Society, was got ready,
and a messenger sent to Lowestoft for the steam
tug to tow the boat to windward, it being an ebb
tide, but by the time she had reached there the
crews of the two boats had landed in the harbour
and reported that the barque was still aground.
The Pakefield lifeboat went out in tow of the
steamer to the assistance of the last named vessel,
and, skirting the edge of the Newcome Sands, she
arrived in the Gat and was cast off. She then com-
menced her saarch but was unable to discover any-
thing but the wrecks of the two brigs, and she there-
fore returned to her station. The barque is sup-
posed to have extricated herself from her perilous
position and proceeded northward. The two
wrecked vessels were colliers ; one was The
Favourite, of Blyth, bound thence to Boulogne,
and the other the Adventure, of Sunderland, on a
voyage from that port to Maye❑ne.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—The approaching Christ-
mas holidays will doubtless attract, among the foremost of
the many amusements, numerous visitors to the renowned
and groat exhibition in Baker-street, where the mind and
intellect may not only be highly benefited, but a most
pleasant hour be profitably employed iu witnessing the
thousand-and-one objects, which cannot fail to produce a
pleasing effect on all who may honour Madame Tussaud's
exhibition, in Baker-street, with a visit on, not only Box-
ing-day, but during the period of the Christmas holidays.
ller Majesty's unarmoured screw frigate Are-
thusa, 35, 3,141 tons, 500-horse power (nominal),
Capt. Robert Coote, arrived at the Nore yesterday,
from the Mediterranean, on the completion of her
period of commission, and saluted the flag of Vice-
Admiral Sir Baldwin W. Walker, K.C.8., Naval
Commander-in-Chief, which was returned from the
Formidable, flagship. .
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falling off. It prevents baldness. It promotes luxuriant growth;
it causes the Hair to grow thick and strong. It removes all
dandruff. It contains neither oil nor dye. In large Bottles
Price Six Shillings. Sold by most Chemists and Perfumers
Depot, 266, High Holborn

ME. CARDWELL ON THE EXPENDITURE.

On his return for Oxford without opposition on Tuesday,
Mr. Cardwell, the new Secretary for War, took occasion to
refer to the expenditure. "In forming his Government
Mr. Gladstone did me the honour of inviting me to join
him, and I felt that the calls of duty and the wishes of the
constituency alike required me to accept the invitation.
I believe there is, as Mr. Neate has said, a natural con-
nection between the office I formerly had the honour to
hold and that which I have been invited to undertake in
the Government that has just been formed. It must be
evident to all that the distribution of our troops in the
distant possessions of the Crown mast be one
important element in the expenditure they must
occasion. During the summer we repeatedly said to
each other we believed it would be possible to reconcile
efficiency with economy, and to shew that the Government
had in view the diminution of the public burdens without
at the same time impairing the efficiency of our defensive
services. The principles I explained to you in the summer are
the principles which actuate me now. I entertain the Same
opinions, and feel them, if possible, with increasing
strength. I shall endeavour by every means in my power
to give effect to them in office. As yet the time has been
short, and it hasbeen impossible forme to examine minutely
the details of questions of expenditure ; but I think it may
be satisfactory to you if I say that even now I venture to
anticipate that in the estimates of the ensuing year you
will find evidences of a substantial reduction of the ex-
penditure. But it must be evident to everyone who has
thought upon the subject that the object of retrenchment is
not confined to a single year, and that it would not be
true economy which should lighten the burdens of the
present year at the expense of increasing the burdens of
future years. The object must be to lay down principles
which shall endure for all time, and which will be effec-
tive in future years as well as in the immediate year with
which we deal, Vast questions of the highest national im-
portance underlie the whole subject of military expendi-
ture. They are subjects of cardinal importance, requiring
careful examination and deliberate consideration ; but I
venture thus early to make this remark, that while there
may be an economy that will starve the service—and this
would be economy which, in dealing with the gallant
defenders of our country you woukl not desire, and
Parliament would not approve— there is also an economy
which braces and invigorates, which seeks to expel from
the system everything which would interfere with its
healthy action, which gives a tone to energy, and which
makes its pulse beat with vigour. It ought to be the
object of Government, as I am sure it will be of Parlia-
ment and the people, to introduce this kind of economy
through every branch of the public service. It is with a
sincere desire that I may be able to render some assistance
in performing a task like this, that I have ventured
to accept the office I now fill, and that I stand
before you to-day as a candidate for your suffrages."
Passing to other subjects, Mr. Cardwell said:
" In Oxford we naturally attach the highest importance to
the question of education, and whether it be the higher
education pursued here, whether it be to bridge over the
gap which separates, by the abuse of charities for the use
of the middle classses, the higher from the lower educa-
tion, whether it-be to carry the lower education through
all the deserted portions of the country till a religious
but not sectarian education is available to every
subject of her Majesty, questions like these shall
always receive my most earnest attention. There is one
question which, however, overshadows in importance
almost every other—it is theiquestion of whether we shall be
friends and united cordially in the ties of affection with
the sister island, or whe.ther we shall continue as we have
been, separated and divided. The Irish people were once
called by a great senator •an alien people.' If they be
alien it is because they have been treated as aliens. But,
gentlemen, the mission of the present Government and of
the present Parliament is, I trust, to reconcile an alienated
people, and incorporate them in the bonds of affection
with the great body of her Majesty's loyal subjects, to pre-
mote concord among ourselves, and to exhibit to other
nations the spectacle of a strong, because a united people.
I have now only to thank•you for this, the ninth occa-
sion on which in sixteen years you have been kind enough
to return me to the Commons House of Parliament. I
heard some gentleman just now call out ' The Ballot.
Well, I will tell you with perfect plainness my notions
about the Ballot. lam for free voting,whatever else happens,
but I shall always be best pleased to find that in this free
country every man is able to give his vote and fear nobody
in so doing. As you have already returned me nine times
in sixteen years, there is another point of the Charter of
which, so far as I am concerned, you will feel that you
have no need—l allude to triennial parliaments. I return
you once more my most unfeigned and sincere thanks for
this new mark of your unvarying confidence and kindness,
and assure you that I feel deeply the resporgirdlity which
has been cast upon me. But Sou know a man it greatly
strengthened and encouraged when he can return to the
duties of his office supported by the confidence, the kind-
ness, ancl,l,may truly say in your case, the attachment of
the citizens whom he represents."

Weston, who was to have walked 5,000 miles in
100 days in America, has abandoned the task, after accom'
plishing 300 milts of the journey.

An explosion of. 200 kilos. of gunpowder took place
on Saturday evening in the magazine of the military bar•
racks at Madrid. The disaster is attributed to the impru•
donee of some children, who 11Wd discovered a means of
access to the building to pilfer its contents. Two of them
were killed, and another grievously wounded, and two or
three others, as well as two soldiers, slightly injured.
A Cabinet Council was held on Tuesday at the
Foreign Office. The Ministers present were the Right
Hon. W. E. Gladstone, the Lord Chancellor, Earl• De
Grey and Ripon, the Earl of Kimberley, the Right Hon.
H. A. Bruce, the Earl of Clarendon, Earl Granville, the
Right Hon. E. Cardwell, the Duke of Argyll, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. Hugh Childers,
the Right lion. J. Bright, the Right Hon. G. J.
Goschen, the Marquis of Hartington, and the Right Hon.
C. Zartescue.

TaLorsoresAVlG.—Tillotson was the first clergy-
man in England Who was seen in the pulpit with a peruke.
Tillotson's wig, however, only represented a natural head
of hair, cut short. " I can remember," he says, in one of
his sermons, " since the wearing of the hair below the ears
was looked upon as a sin of the first magnitude, and when
ministers generally did either find or make occasion to
reprove the great sin of long hair ; and if they saw anyone
in the congregation guilty in that kind, they would point
him Out particularly, and let fly at him with great zeal.—
Doran's "Saints and Sinners."
A METEOR IN BRAZIL.—A correspondent, writ-
ing from Bahia, NOvetnber 27, says :—" On the 15th inst.,
at 1.30 a.m., a splendid meteor passed over Bahia, a little
to the north of the Equator, from E.S.E. to W.N.W.,
which, bursting like.a rocket, but without any detonation,
splendidly illuminated the whole country round for a few
seconds. So far this is nothing new or remarkable, you
will say, and I fully agree with you, but what is new to,
me at least was, that it left a fiery streak apparently
about 9in. broad, very sharply defined on the outsides, but
fainte' in the middle, and of about 30 deg. in length,
which, like a huge fiery snake, kept its place unchanged
for at least five minutes, and must have been an object of
terror to anybody who may have casually seen it with-
out having observed the meteor which originated it.
After the lapse of five minutes the streak gradually
became fainter, slowly commenced rolling itself up from
W. to E., and finally assumed the appearance of the larger
of Magalhaes' (Anglia Magellan's) clouds, but much
larger and brighter than the brightest part of the Milky
Way, and, remaining in the same position, gradually
vanished after the lapse of at least a quarter of an hour.
There can be no doubt about its duration, for after
observing that the streak did not vanish immediately, as
is usually the case, I looked at my watch and marked the
time. Several other meteors were seen the same night,
twenty-four hours later than the period marked for their
regular annual appearance. The night was clear and
calm, with a slight breeze from E."

SCOTCH FARE. —The Glasgow Stationers' Com-
pany, a day or two ago, gave the Lord Provost (Sir J.
Lumsden) a complimentary dinner. In proposing the
health of the guest, the master referred to the past history.
of the company, and quoted a minute from one of its oldest
records. It was in these terms : " The said day the mem-
bers
supped together, and took a cheerful glass, and
served the poor as usual upon the like occasions."
(Laughter.) And, again, on the Centenary of
the Revolution, 1688 : "It is resolved to meet
at three o'clock to eat sunkets and drink to the
glorious Revolution." (Laughter.) The same friendly and
convivial spirit still continued to exist among the mem-
bers of the society. Sir James Lumsden, in his reply,
said : I have been asked by a gentleman near me to
explain what " sunkets " are. I find by referring to
" Jamieson's Dictionary " that " sunkets" has a very
extensive meaning. It means provisions of any kind.
The simplest and best way to illustrate its meaning is an
anecdote :—" We are told of an English gentleman who,
hungry and weary, alighted in the evening at some petty inn
in the south of Scotland, the appearance of which had no
great promise. Good woman,' said he to the landlady,
can I have anything for my horse? Ou aye,' she
replied, he'll get sunkets.' Although he did not under-
stand the meaning of the term, he naturally enough con-
cluded that this must be the food commonly given to
horses in that part of the country. In a little time,
urged by his personal wants, he proposed another qua• .
tion: ' Good woman, can I have anything for myself ?'
His astonishment may well be imagined when he received
the very same answer, "Ou aye, ye'se get sunkets."!
(Laughter.)

IHE COLLLEY EXPLOSION NEAR

WIGAN.

WIGAN, Tuesday Afternoon.

The number of persons killed in the Arley Mine
of the Norley Hall Colliery by the explosion re-
ported yesterday was, it is now believed,
six, and one of the five men who were
burned, named Cunliffe, expired this morning.
The first bodies brought up at about six o'clock
last evening were those of two men named Fair-
hurst, who were found in a level a short
distance from the pit eye. The explorers
then directed attention to the dib hole at the
foot of the downcast shaft, where were shortly
found the bodies of Rutter and Caunce, the two
men who were blown into the shaft from the
mouthing of the tunnel. They were sent to the sur-
face at about 9 o'clock, and were placed with the
others in a workshop near to the shaft. It is pretty
certain that two other men, named Elirah Cheet-
ham and Thos. Sharrock, lie Chad in the workings ;
but this atternoon the spot where they are believed
to be lying had not been reached. The man Taylor
still lives, but he is not expected to recover. A man,
named Sharrock, too, who was working with him,
is in a dangerous state.— The names, &c., of the
deceased, assuming that Cheetham aril Thomas
Sharrock are dead, are :—William Caunce Crook,
carpenter, aged 24, leaves widow and and three
children ; Thomas Rutter, pony tenter, Lamber-
head Green, 40, widow and five children ; Robert
Fairhurst, datalar, 55, Lamberhead Green, leaves
widow and five children ; William Fairhurst,
datalar, Lamberhead Green, leaves widow and
four children ; Elijah Cheetham, fireman, 35,
Lamberhead Green, leaves widow and five
children ; Thomas Sharrock, a dataler, 35,
Lamberhead• green, leaves a widow and four chil-
dren; Elijah Cunliffe, dataler, Lamberhead-green,
18, unmarried. There seems to be no doubt
that the gas fired at the point where the men
Cheetham and Thomas Sharrock were engaged in
cutting across a step about five hundred yards
from the pit eye. It is stated that on the morn-
ing previous to the explosion the under-
looker gave instructions to Cheetham, who
was fireman for the district in which the gas
ignited, not to use any powder in the work he
and Sharrock had to carry out. On the way to the
step, however, Cheetham had to pass two men en-
gaged in blasting the rof, and from them he bor-
rowed a small quantity of gunpowder. Workmen
are engaged repairing the shaft. The work neces-
sarily proceeds very slowly, and after the workings
have been reached several hours must elapse before
the remaining bodies can be recovered for stoppings
will doubtless have to be built and other arrange-
' ments made for restoring the ventilation.