The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-26 00:00:00

the real feelings of the people. As for the condi-
tions imposed, by the House of Representatives on
the readmission of the Southern members to Con-
gress they are really absurd. Neither the Congress
of to-day nor the constituencies of to-day can legis-
late for all future time, and it will only need a
fresh vote or additional clause introduced by a new
and differently constituted House to reverse the
whole of the elaborately prepared constituencies.

Some time since great complaints were made, and
made with good reason, respecting the too favour-
able treatment which our criminals received at the
hands of the prison authorities. It appeared that
men who had broken the laws, and often been
guilty of the most ruffianly and dastardly acts,
were indulged with such a good and plentiful
supply of food as honest labourers and their families
could not hope to attain by honesty. Of course no
one would choose a prison for the sake of the fare,
but it was universally held to be unjust and un-
reasonable that men who were in any case a heavy
burden on the State should be allowed more than the
plain necessaries of life. Now, however, the authorities
seem to be falling into the opposite extreme, and
our prisoners are kept on diet which in many in-
stances proves absolutely injurious. It is not fair,
because a man is to undergo a year's or six months'
imprisonment, to break up his health, perhaps for
life, and so hinder him from even attempting to
gain an honest living. It is not only the quantity
of the food which is complained of, but the quality,
since, though good of its kind, it is so poor and
unsatisfying that men break down under it. In
some prisons no meat is given at all, and in others the
allowance is extremely short, and there are many
of those extras, such as butter, puddings, &c.,
which might supply its place. An inquest was
held last Saturday on a blacksmith who died at the
House of Correction after a year's imprisonment,
which confirmed much of what had been pre-
viously known, and we hope will stimulate the
authorities to prompt action in the matter. A
man does not deserve to be half-starved because
he has embezzled money, and the present state of
things is most discreditable.

LATEST INTELL MENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ABYSSINIA.

Secretary Sir Stafford Northcoto has received
from Sir Robert Napier the following telegram,
dated Antalo, May 13, 1868 :
"No booty found at Magdala. Some articles
which could not have been carried a way, except
distributed throughout the whole force, were sold
by auction, and purchased by officers at high
prices, with a view to giving small sums to the
non-commissioned officers and privates of the force
at Magdala. Total amount will not exceed £3,000.
I arrived at Antalo 12th inst., with rear brigade.
Shall keep with the rear, pushing on to Zoola all
troops as quickly as possible. Fifth Battery, 25th
Brigade, Royal Artillery, and Cameronian Regi-
ment, are now embarking. 18th Bombay Native
Regiment have sailed. Stores are being shipped
fast. For a fortnight there have been daily storms
of rain, but troops have not been detained. Weather
now better. Heavy rain had injured road through
Sooroo defile temporarily. Road again in good
order. Troops all well.

" ROBERT NAPIER."