It is stated, not without pardonable triumph, by the Conserva-
tive papers that the Poet Laureate has sent a contribution to. the Eyre Defence.and Aid Fund. We sincerely regret to hear it, not because we feel the least grudge to Mr. Eyre, or wish to see him individually suffer- more than he has already suffered, but be- cause-we hold both the legal and moral condemnation of Mr. Eyre's conduct by the public, to be of the first political importance for the future, and Mr. Tennyson's support will undoubtedly weigh heavily with men in general in lightening or averting the latter. Had Mr. Eyre permitted and approved in Yorkshire, or even in Ireland, under the same circumstances, precisely what he permitted and approved in Jamaica, those who are now crying up his heroism would have demanded his execution, and yet there would not have been an iota of greater guilt in that case than in this. Does Mr. Tennyson classify the military massacre in Jamaica amongst the precedents of which he speaks in that noble poem concerning the Freedom that
" broadens slowly down "From precedent to precedent?" It is stated in America that the Emperor Maximilian believes firmly in the approach of another civil war in the United States, and this is the secret of his new energy and courage. He has, however, not yet heard either of the Empress's illness or the despatch of General Castelnau with orders to bring away the French troops at once. The transports for their conveyance are to leave France in the beginning of November, and an Austrian frigate is under orders to convey the Emperor home.
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