The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATORDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 26, 1868,

Governments, and to these Lord H. LENNOX had
ready specific answers and counter charges. On
this matter of economy either side of politics is
always ready to defend itself and to attack the
other. Facts and figures are never wanting to
make " the worse appear the better cause ;" to
prove that the party in power is either culpably
extravagant or meritoriously economical, that more
ships have been built in ce!tain years than in any
others, and that the naval efficiency of the country
had never reached so high a point as at a given
time. The truth of the matter probably is that
each party is willing enough to do its best, and is
anxious to make a good figure before Parliament,
but that the tendency of the system is too strong
for any but a very sincere, resolute, and
uncompromising reformer to mend it, and that
no political party will bring that to bear upon a
department which affords such convenient oppor-
tunities for patronage, preferment, and lavish ex-
penditure under a national name.
Some of the points which Lord 11. LENNOX
brought forward deserve especial notice. For ex-
ample, he stated that the Admiralty had been able
to knock off no less than six ships and 400 men
from our African squadron, and to send out to that
station, the climate of which has been so fatal to
our sailors, a more roomy and healthier class of
vessels. Still better is the change by which ar-
rangements have been made for the relief of vessels
on that station at the end of every 14 months,
instead of their being compelled to remain on
the coast of Africa for three or four years.
As might be supposed, in consequence of this bene-
ficial alteration, the health of the men on that
hitherto fatal station is now unusually good. It is
only wonderful that so simple a remedy for so pain-
ful and disastrous an evil should not have been long
ago thought of when we had ships by the dozen
lying idle in our dockyards ; and it would surely
have been easy enough to select those chosen for
employment on the African coast, with an express
regard to their salubrity. As for the question of
expense, it has been often convincingly shown
that nothing is more costly to a State than to
waste the lives of her tried and experienced
servants. Were it otherwise public feeling and the
dictates of conscientious humanity would impel us
to incur the necessary outlay; but we have not even
the poor excuse of economy for the waste of human
life which goes on at many of our tropical stations,
whether military or naval. In this as in many
other respects, our Administrations are awakening
to a clearer sense of the duties now incumbent upon
them, and we are glad to find from Lord HENRY
LENNOX'S statistics that the results of the conse-
quent changes are already making themselves felt.

The position of the QUEEN and her Government in
Spain has not improved, and indeed it may be said
that it has retrograded in some respects, for besides
the loss of time many untoward facts have come to
light, and it may be that already she has aban-
doned all hope of reinstating herself. It is ex-
pected that if things do not improve she will take
refuge in the citadel of Pampeluna, near the
French frontier, and the very mention of this
seems the beginning of the end. The official
Gazette records the significant news that many
important places have pronounced in favour of the
insurgents, and that bands of these have appeared
in the provinces of Leon, Asturias, and Alicante.
The Provisional Government at Seville has de-
clared that the QUEEN and her dynasty have
forfeited the throne, and it has evoked a
Constituent Asssembly. The Moniteur, it will
be remembered, has been at great pains to
convey the impression that the insurrection was
being gradually quelled, but the very intelligence it
records goes against its asseverations in the matter.
At Burgos the declaration has been by the people
for the revolutionary cause, and after some hours,
fighting the troops fraternised with the people. The
residence of ESPARTERO, Logrono, has likewise
pronounced in favour of the attempt, and many
other towns have followed the example. General
NOVALICHES is advancing upon Cadiz, but report
adds that ten of his regiments have gone over to
the enemy. The only favourable item of intelli-
gence in the cause of the QUEEN is that General
CALONGE has driven the insurgents before him at
Santander, but this is contained in a Government
despatch, and may be partly exaggerated.
It must be very evident to all who consider the
matter attentively that if the object of the Revo-
lutionists be to uproot the dynasty as well as the
Government, it is hopeless to expect the Royalist
party can stand. In all probability a week or so
will see the fall of the last of the BOURBONS, and
little cause will there be for the " regrets of the
good and the tears of the wise" in such an event.
Spain has been a source of annoyance and anxiety
to the other nations of Europe for years past, and
if the change now looming in the distance be one
for the better, it will afford satisfaction to the
lookers-on from near and afar. No State can
prosper whose Executive is deprived of confidence,
and where order is maintained at the point of
the bayonet. Those who would persuade us
that all will yet come right in the
Peninsula are among the number who cry peace
when there is none, and speak their wishes as their
belief. If, however, the insurgents, or whatever
name they go by, intend to establish some lasting
Government, they must act with all due regard to
the feelings of others, and put affairs on a proper
footing. They will not be criticised too closely if
they act in accordance with the principles of good

faith and rectitude ; and indeed they may look for
the more support and countenance of the Powers of
Europe if they show themselves equal to the occa-
sion, and display a public spirit that overrides pri-
vate and particular injuries with a due mag-
nanimity. Success in the long run can only be
theirs on one condition—that they make it their
first object to be moderate in their triumph.

Sir JOIIN PAKINGTON has taken the opportunity,
presented by the annual dinner of the Worcester-
shire Agricultural Society, to make some observa-
tions on the state of the army. The right hon,
baronet adverted to the army more particularly, as
the public press has commented upon it very fre-
quently of late, and the remarks have too often had
a tendency to decrease public confidence, and cause
disapprobation of the manner in which the expen-
diture is managed. Unfortunately there is no de-
nying that the British army is the most expensive
in the world. The occasion before him was not the
most appropriate one, or Sir J. PAKINGTON would
have had no difficulty in accounting satisfactorily
for the recent expenditure for the army that has been
rendered imperatively necessary by circumstances.
As fcr the efficiency of the army, few will
venture to question that, in order, to cere
tify to its excellence, the Secretary for War
declared impressively that he had only to mention
one word, and that was " Abyssinia." Respecting
Lord NAPIER the Chairman rendered just praise
to the Government for having selected so efficient
a general to carry on the expedition ; and Sir J.
PAKINGTON added, in allusion to this, that no man
had " established stronger claims to the gratitude
and admiration of his countrymen than the distin-
guished General had done in the late remarkable
expedition to Abyssinia." Few of the public oer-

vants of the Crown have shown so much versatility
in their ability to fill different departments than
the right hon. baronet here alluded to. It has been
his singular fortune to be twice the Minister for the
navy and twice the Minister for the army. In all
these capacities he has rendered most important
services, and evinced a readiness to act and a willing-
ness to progress in the right direction most greatly
called for. The interests of the country are too
often sacrificed to the want of public spirit which
officials display. They are not so much naturally
supine as they are afraid to venture beyond the
beaten track, and the changes of yesterday are car-
ried on until to-day, and left for the future that
awaits their successors. In conclusion, Sir J.
PAKINGTON referred to the " kind attentions" which
had been paid him by his neighbours at Droitwich
of late, but added that very likely it was good for
every one to be " trotted out" occasionally. le
declared that he did not come there at all in his
official capacity, but.as an English country gentle-
man, a privilege he had enjoyed for a much longer
period. A particular interest attached itself to the
circumstance of the Society meeting, as a temporary
interval was caused by the cattle plague. These
associations tend to keep up the march of improve-
ment, and put the farmer on his mettle, while they
afford an excellent opportunity for those who differ
in politics to meet on neutral ground, and compare
notes as to the general progress and prosperity of
the country, which can never be done in the heat
of discussion, and the exoitement of introducing
subjects of controversy.

LATEST INTELL MENGE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE INSURRECTION IN SPAIN,

PARIS, Sept. 26.

The Moniteur of this morning contains the fol-
lowing news from Spain, dated the 23d instant, re-
ceived via Barcelona :

,‘ Tranquillity has not been disturbed at Bar-
celona, owing to the precautions taken by the
authorities. Some arrests have been made, without,
however, provoking any disturbances. Marshal
Vizala has arrived at Saragossa.
44 The interior of Catalonia is quiet, but a cer-
tain revolutionary spirit is reported in the province

of Sarragona.
" Santander fell into the hands of the insurgents
on the 21st inst. The telegraph wires were cut,
and the railway torn up in order to delay the arri-
val of troops,
whose approach from Valladolid was
announced. The, civil and rural guards and Cara-
bineers, with their commander, together with two
companies of infantry who had refused to joiu the
insurrectionary movement, went from Santander to
meet the Royal troops, and effected a junction with
the forces under General Calonge, who, after a
stubborn resistance, reoccupied Santander on the
24th inst.

cg A telegram received from Cadiz, by way of
Lisbon, states that Gen. Pim and Marshal Irrano,
together with other leaders of the insurrection, had
been at Cadiz ever since the 19th inst. According
to later news General Pavia was on the march to
encounter them, but the result of his operations was
not yet known.

The Siecle of to-day announces that the squadron
of the insurgents is now conveying General Prim
with a corps d'armee, comprising 20,000 muskets,
to Barcelona.

Communication on the Northern Railway of

Spain is stopped.

MADRID, Sept. 23.
The insurgents are concentrated near Seville.
They have abandoned Cordova.

General Novaliches has arrived at Mengibar, in
the province of Jean, south of the Sierra Morena
mountains. General Calonge is marching on San-
tinder. The insurgents have cut the railway com-
munications. At Grenada the people commenced
firing upon the troops, but were vanquished after
two hours' fighting.

It is reported that a rising has taken place at
Ceuta, and that great agitation prevails in Sara-

gossa.

Armed bands have appeared in L. Mancha, and
the people have commenced joining them.
The insurgents in Andalusia are provided with
munitions of war, money, and provisions.
The ironclad frigate Victoria arrived before the
town of Corunna and demanded its surrender. The
Government authorities, however, refused to com-
ply. Almost the whole of the Spanish fleet is now
in the hands of the insurgents, who are expected to
effect a landing in Catalonia.
The Queen has not yet arrived at Madrid. It is
tnyear the French she will take refuge
isnaidthteh
fron-
tier. Count Girgenti has left for Andalusia at the
caitt
ai in
etl hoef Ira satmepxetiruzi,
head of his regiment. A great review has been held
at Madrid to-day.

MADRID, Sept. 25, 3 a.m.

An official despatch announces that General Ca-
longe has entered Santander after a great and glo-
rious fight with the insurgents, who fled to their
ships.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, Sept. 26.

The Debatte of to-day learns that the Porte has
declared to the European Cabinets that with re-
gard to the recent preparations which have been
made for a filibustering incursion into Bulgaria
and which it says have not been in any way
hindered by the Roumanian authorities, it would
consider what means it should employ to prevent
that state of things and maintain the integrity of
the empire.

GREENCASTLE, Sept. 26.

The Allan steamship Austrian arrived in Lough
Foyle at 9 a.m. yesterday, and having embarked
mails and passengers she proceeded for Quebec at
6 a.m. to-day. Wind east.

GOICEESPONDENCE FROM :P

„ -
(FROBI OUR ant y CORRESPONDENT.)
• „
PARIS, FRIDAY, September 25.
Though the Moniteur persists in asserting that the
insurrection in Spain is not gaining ground, it finds very
few people to believe its statement. Despite the
uneertain and obscure character of the news which
reaches us, we get enough reliable intelligence to
convince all except those who are determined not to
be convinced that the movement is spreading, and rapidly
too. The latest items of information received are to the
effect that Catalonia is quiet, but that a battle between
Pavia and Serrano is hourly expected. The fact that
Logroilo has pronounced has caused much conjecture.
The military force there was exceedingly small, and the
place being an open town between two —Pumpeluna and
Burgos—which places have not yet risen, would seem
hardly likely, at all events so soon, to hoist the revolu-
tionary flag. Advices from Barcelona report the city quiet
in consequence of the precautionary measures taken by
the authorities. A few arrests had been made. News
also comes from Cadiz, announcing that General Prim
and the other insurrectionary chiefs had arrived there on
the 19th. The opinion of the Queen of her one time loyal
subjects was expressed with great unreserve to Salamanca.
in the course of his interview with her as the emissary of
Minister Jose de la Concha. The account of the audience
as received from San Sebastian is confirmed. This was
what took place. Salamanca urged the Queen to return
immediately to Madrid with the Prince of the Asturias, if
she wished to save her dynasty. But he added that it was
necessary she should separate herself from Mafori (the
reigning favourite). Her Majesty is said to have found
that condition unacceptable, and to have replied that
the Spanish people were a shameful people (pueblo
indecente), and that she was not anxious her son should
reign over a nation of "robbers and assassins !”
A crusade has been commenced against tobacco. A
society, numbering 1,200 members, has been formed for
the purpose. Each person joining pledges himself
not only to abstain from smoking, but to use all his
influence to discourage the habit among his friends and
acquaintances. The subscription of three francs per
month is to be employed in publishing pamphlets and
books, wherein the deleterious effects of tobacco will be
duly exposed and demonstrated.
Stormy weather has lately prevailed over the greater
part of France, causing much damage to the various tele.
graphic lines, and thereby sadly interfering with the
reception and transmission of news.
The depredations of poachers seem likely to bring
about an absolute dearth of game in France. All kinds
of plans have been proposed to prevent this calamity, but
every method adopted will be inefficacious so long as a
remedy is sought in the present state of the law. The
constant decrease will go on, unless prevented by repres-
sive laws of far greater vigour than are at present in force.
The Court returns from Biarritz next week.
A rumour from Vienna says that the representatives
of the South German Governments, who are now sitting
at Munich, will authoritatively determine the interpre-
tation to be placed on their offensive and defensive
alliance with Prussia.

THE WEATHER TABLE:-.275(Z

iIifEOROLOGICAL

1~~~

Extrema ' Mel
Saturday, )
Sept. 26, B. T. ,11) 01 W. Ito F. To TY B. to
8 a.m. 12 9
Naisn 29'695. 47 46 S.E. 3 8 N. E. 011 3
Aberdeen
Leith
Shields
Scarborough 29'65r. 54 52 N.W. 2 10 E.B.E. o.rc 012 3
Yarmouth,„ 2912 r. 57 56 S.W. 3 8 E.S.E. 01.4 ;
Helder
Cuxharen
Skuclesneas
Ardrossan
Greencastle 29'52r. 54 53 E.S.E. 1 T E.N.E. o.ro o'oB
Holyhead -
Liverpool
Valentia 29'24r. 54 52 8. 64 N.H. c.rb 0'92 7
Cape Clear 29'26r. 56 53 S.W. 6 E. r.c. I'l3
Boche's rt. 29'36r. 54 53 S.W. 6 8 B.W. r.c. 1'95 5
Penzance
Plymouth
Weymo uth 29 65r. 60 58 S.S.E. 6 9 E. no. o'Bl 4
Portsmouth 29'68r. 60 57 S.W. 5 9 W. r.o. o'l2 4
Loudon , 2972 r. 57 55 S.W. 3 8 8. r.bc,o'29
C'peGris.Nez ' 2972 r. 57 55 S.W. 7 9 S.W. r.0.'0'21 5
Brest 29'54f. 19 55 S.S.W. 8 9 W. r.o. 2 4
L'Oriont..
Rochefort
Biarritz .. 5
Brussels,.,.
Strasbourg —
ons
Toulon 2.0'94.5. 66 ,66 S.E. 5 5 B.S.E. f.o. 8
Heart's Con-
tent (6 a.m.
local time) —