1869
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday February 24, 2011
Napoleon III of France declared that there were good prospects for peace in Europe. That was despite Prussia's victory over Austria in 1866, part of Otto von Bismarck's unification of Germany. France's army was, in Napoleon's opinion, perfect, equipped with the most modern weapons, and he could therefore sit back and smoke the peace pipe. Wilhelm I of Prussia made a similar utterance, that nothing would shake the confidence of his nation. The Herald said all the great powers of Europe could "fall back in a state of repose, sleeping, it may be, but sleeping with one eye always open".The authority of the Tsar was constantly being used to weaken Turkish power and open the way to Constantinople, the Herald said. There had been negotiations between Russia and France that had given rise to a better understanding with Britain. But the signals from Berlin could "by no means inspire confidence in the durability of peace".Children attending Dowling Street Wesleyan Sunday School in Sydney were taken on an annual excursion to Cremorne, boarding a steamer at Woolloomooloo Bay. They were blessed with fine weather, were provided with ample quantities of cake and other goodies and returned to Cowper's Wharf in good time.The Patriotic Association, meeting at Gibson's Rooms in Pitt Street, Sydney, resolved to have a statue of Captain Cook erected in Hyde Park, south of Park Street. Then discussion turned to whether politicians should be paid. Mr Bennett thought they should not. Others, citing philosopher J.S. Mill, thought they should because it would enable a working man to become a parliamentarian. The meeting ended with three hearty cheers for the Queen.
© 2011 Sydney Morning Herald