The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-07 00:00:00

REMARKS.

The changes in atmospherical Ares: are have not been great during
the last Lrty-eight hours: at most stations the difference in readings
has been between one and two-tenths of nn inch, and pressures are
now generally uniform. Yesterday the temperature was high in the
S. and E., where It continues so. At Nairn there has been a rise of
12 deg. Winds yesterday were very light from S. to E. On the
Channel coasts calm prevails. but elsewhere the wind is still light.
The weather is fine at continental stations, and on out S. and E.
coasts. Fog is reported from the W. of Ireland.

An announcement of the reduction of the effective
strength (not the total number) of the Prussian army will
doubtless do something to quiet the apprehensions of war
which have been current for the last few weeks. The
reduction will be chiefly effected by prolonged leave of
absence for the period of three months to the recruits, and
the temporary disbanding of the reserve now in training.
The entire number is not less than 120,000 men. But the
real military strength of Prussia is in no wise affected by
this change ; the whole force can be called out at any
time when necessary ; moreover, it appears that this
step is due chiefly to financial reasons. Prussia does not
indulge in floating debts, and her revenue, which is not ex-
ceesive, is administered with the strictest economy. The
expense of keeping up a very large portion of the army
as a standing force has been found to overdraw
the exchequer, and the Federal Council, in the
absence of the Parliament, has refused to bear the respon-
sibility of the excess.
The news from Greece indicates a state of things very
little short of anarchy. A quarrel between the Presi-
dent of the Council, Bulgaris, and his predecessor,
Comoundouros, has been signalised by extreme violence. At
one place where Comoundouros was a candidate, riots,
resulting from party rivalry, terminated in bloodshed.
The late Minister and several of his friends have been
arrested on a charge of electoral fraud and corruption.
The question of sending back the Cretan refugees to the
desolated island has likewise produced a great agitation.
As for King George, he finds ample employment in the
task of disciplining his disorderly and disobedient army.
Brigandage, of course, is the most promising profession ;
the little commerce of which Greece could boaSt stagnates
at present. In the midst of these difficulties the Court
has just celebrated with unusual ecMt the birth of the heir
who bas inherited as ample a portion of trouble and
anxiety as ever fell to the lot of any. prince.
The intelligence from South Africa confirms the report
that a rich gold country had been found on the borders
of the Transvaal Republic. This new field—for it is said
to be literally a field of glistening quartz veined with gold
--has been named the Victoria Diggings. In the early
part of May the quartz reef to the north bank of the River
Tatin was taken possession of by sixty or seventy men. So
rich were the deposits of gold on this reef that the diggers
confined their attention to it, and were hammering and
blasting pieces of quartz which proved remarkably pro-
ductive of the precious metal, that is said to be present
in its most pure and unalloyed form. A general rush from
all the English colonies is expected, and it is likely that
the social condition of South Africa will soon be entirely
transformed. The nearest way to the diggings is said to
be through Natal, though the advocates of Cape Town
maintain that the Tsetse fly, the bite of which is fatal to
cattle, prevails on the route. Samples of rich quartz and
gold dust continue to arrive at all the chief ports of the
colonies. From this discovery and that in New Zealand,
if even moderate anticipations be fulfilled, a large increase
.to the supply of the precious metal may be expected. Its
influence on the value of money may soon beeolSit §triouti
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9.444t04