HOME TALK.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 173, 6 May 1864, Page 3

HOME TALK.

[From the Home Hews, February 23.] Some years ago, an eminent English lawyer whose grim humour, as a judge, had more wisdom in it than most of the utterances of more owl-like sitters in ermine, contrived, by some misplacement of his bed-room lamp, to burn down own chambers, and those of a good many other persons. The place of the conflagration was called Paper-buildings, in the Temple. The unintentional reform was a rough one, but London was a gainer, a stately range of houses, the feature of (he Temple, having risen in place of the dirty old den which was destroyed. HI any of those for whom this page is written will remember the lofty towers at the angles of the new buildings, and it is from one of (hose towers that the present writer sends, and hopes frequently to send, to tiie care of the editor ot the JTon/e a familiar and unpretentious resume of the great and small matters which occupy our attention and make the talk of our dinner tables. London is the capital of the world, and the Strand is the capital of London, and there are few things worth hearing that do not float into the busy harbour called the Temple, a neutral locality which is open alike to citizens and Westendcrs, but which has its own independent and inviolable rights With this introduction, which may not be unwelcome, and which helps to indicate the tone we shall try to preserve let us plunge at once into a month’s home talk. I see that in the last summary contained in tin's journal, it was mentioned that the Austrian and Prussian troops had commenced their march across Holstein, but that there was a still chance of peace. All that is changed. The representations of England and France had no effect, the German Powers hurried onward, and were soon in conflict with (he Danes. The latter covered themselves with honours by their gallant rcsistonce to the enormous force that was brough t to bear upon them, and several times beat back the invaders with slaughter. But it was the story of A 1 Hassan and the Fire worshippers—- " Vain was the valour, vain tlio flower Of Denmark in that fiery hour Against tbo German's whelming rower,” After a bold struggle, the Danish leader saw that he must sacrifice his army or retreat. He fell back (to the natural though unjust indignation of the people of Copenhagen, who broke into riot

and even menaced the King as a “ German”), and both Holstein and Schleswig are nowin the bands of the invaders. A Prussian force even went further and entered Jutland, but has since been withdrawn, and at present we do not know whether this retreat was caused by fear of the indignation of Europe, or whether the entry was made 0 in ignorance„of the exact boundries. The latest news is that the Prussians, who have been attacking one of the last posts which the Danes have been able to hold, have been repulsed with considerable loss of life. Public feeling in England is all on the side of the Danes, and the slaughter which has taken place—and it has been heavy—must be laid to the charge of the Germans, who refused all terms, and insulted this country by rejecting her offer to be witness to King Christian’s undertaking to do all that was demanded of him. Wo have since gone further, and asked an armistice, but Mr. Layard has had to inform the Commons that the reply was unfavourable. Happily, however, our perseverance in a policy of peace “and justice has been crowned at last with success. It is announced that the English Government, who never throughout their negotiations departed from the basis of the Treaty of 1852, having failed in their efforts to arrest the war in its first stages, subsequently invited the German Federation and the Powers who signed the treaty to a conference in London with a view to the permanent settlement of the question of the Duchiee. This invitation has been accepted by Austria and Prussia; and the orders which have been snbsequectly issued to the combined army, although they do not suspend hostilities, justify the expectation* that, so far as the great Powers are concerned, a satisfactory result may be ultimately arrived at. It is hardly to be anticipated that the members of the Federation will attend the Conference, and there are already symptoms of a break up in the Fatherland. Bnt that is no business of ours. So long as we secure the tranquility of Europe , Germany may be left to fight out her own domestic broils on her own soil.

Tn connection with this subject, it should bo mentioned that, Parliament having met, the DanoGennan policy of Earl Russell and his diplomacy, have been severely assailed by the Conservative leaders, and an unlucky delay in printing the voluminous papers afforded the Opposition incessant opportunity for attack. One night there was a very smart debate on the subject, and Mr. Bernal Osborne dashed in with a resolution of no confidence, but Mr. Disraeli decorously protested against taking Ministers by surprise, especially as Lord Palmerston was abse t from illness. SoMr. Osborne was put down by 220 to 47 ; and then Lord Palmerston came in, and -. as much cheered We shall probably have a regular field night on the German business, notwithstanding the Conference ; but as the country is decidedly in favour of abstinence of war, we shall hardly see the Government ejected upon minor points. Security, however, cannot be reckoned upon with implicit confidence. A smart debate, on the 23rd February upon the question of steam rams detained by the Government, gave Ministers a majority of 25 only in a house of 231. There is no saying what may come by-and-by of narrow majorities. Vt e have not much French news, but every election question arises shows how deeply rooted is the feeling is the educated classes in France against the Imperial system. Merciless exposures of the corruption and intimidation practised by (ho officials are sometimes cut short by the arbitrary President of the debates ; but the facts como out, and the agglomeration of scandals is formidable. Meantime (ho French amuse themselves by ridiculing F.ngland, because she has not succeeded in preventing the German invasion of Denmark. Prince Napoleon scoff's at ns, M. Dupin says wo are frightened, the caricaturists depict John Bull in every phase of selfishness and' timidity—all of which we will endeavour to bear ; our national honour is in no danger, and it is better to be laughed at by France than to be called upon by Mr. Gladstone for an extra income-tax.

The French might be usefully advised to look at home. It is as much as the profound skill of the Emperor in the manufacture of esoteric speeches can do to keep things quiet. Protests against the American war flying about his ears with so unmistakeable an oll'ect, that ho finds it no easy matter to deal with his insurgeant Opposition. Mere menaces are good for nothing. The Opposition is not to be driven from its purpose by Imperial threats ; and his Majesty has discovered, when it is too late, that the monster lie has called into existence is too strong for its author. Tho issue will be instructive, which ever way it turns out.