The Express. — London, England, 1864-03-25 00:00:00

CRINOLINES.—OEMMA. CRINOLINES.—GEMMA, or Jewelled. 9e. 6d. PRILPOITA, 37, PICCADILLY. CRINOLINES.--Sanstlectuma. 16e. and 21a. PHILPOTTS, 37, PICCADILLY. CRINOLINES.—Ondina or Waved. 18a. 6d. PRILPOTM, $7, PICCADILLY. C RlNOLlNES.—Sansflectume Jewelled. 4 2 a. PHILPOTId, 37, PICCADILLY. CRlNOLlNES.—Magnitlcently Putted. 45A. PHILPOIT3, ST, PICCADILLY. CRINOLINES. —Drawings with Prices post free. PHILPOTTS. 17, PICCADILLY. How COLD IT HAS BEEN.—NEGRETTI sad ZAMBIA'S celebrated THIRMOMICTIRs will roc• redly register the lowest temperature. Price St ed. —l,llatton rite: . Cordial 163, Meet-street and IV., Koltrilt - itreet. waded. Eke erpre”. TO 00211.103PONDINTS. dtwellasmaents Weeded foe . The Ewen" London Evades =mast be at the °face, 10, Bouvetteekeak by Two ow the day of yabbasidoo. H A )(A aILET, Os Rants MOIIDI4, 11..71AMER1CAN C01:,,1N. Menem Bothers and Buckstone ; !Lines Angel, Harris, and Snowdon. —And VENUS AND ADONIS. Ileum. Compton and Farren; Mesdames I. Keeley, Snowdon. N. Moore, HUI, and Wright, LYCEUM. OR Lent MoSDAT, A DAY Ayrza THE FAIR. Mr. Widdloomo and Mai I. Larenue.—And BkL DlllOl4lO. Marra Ferrari., Brougham. imery F. Burton. Chutes. and yaedan ; lansan Terry, lavennew, and Enrotiny, and sin. Lon. BRITANNIA. EVESDie. EVIL RANI; AND HONFS? HEARTS. Kra R. Laos.—A GLAND CONVEX?. Messrs. Forde, Steele, Sertillon, Pio Whautidni Miss H. Covstiey. &c.—Daneing by line. Stephan—And THE SHAM CAPTALN. Ilea WA= AT LONDON BLIDGI. ft DAT—TiaisT.s.3El37s.77.7iii;m4o6.Thb.:lls. Taasossor w Mornlea, lb. 0m... .A/Mumsam, 4. LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 25. IT has been announced by a contemporary, whose authority for such a statement must be ad initted to be unimpeachable,that orders have j us tbeen received at Portsmouth for the definitive abandon ment of one of the famous Spithead forts. Accord ing to our contemporary, the reason for this step i. the discovery that the new 600-pounder would be too heavy for the foundations. Accepting the fact, we can scarcely admit the force of the sug gested explanation. These forts, we used to be told, were to be built to carry ordnance of any con ceivable weight. Their chief recommendation was that they could be armed with guns of any size, while the power of ships to carry heavy guns was limited. They were urged upon us, in fact, on the ground that they were the necessary supplement of the development of artillery, the sole means by which we could take full advantage of the triumphs of modern science. It is certainly disappointing to find, just as the Royal Sovereign and the Minotaur are being armed with 300-pounders, that we must abandon one of our forts because it would sink beneath the waves if we attempted to mount 600-pounders on its walls. We have, however, the consolation of knowing that this event was not quite unexpected. Two years ago, while Parlia ment was being amused with pictures of the fate of a hostile fleet if it should venture within the charmed circle of fire, we drew attention to the evidence of Mr. HAU IiSHAW, the engineer em ployed, which made it very doubtful whether the famous circle could ever be completed. The shoal had then been pierced for a depth of 30 feet with out finding a solid foundation, and Mr. HAWK SHAW stated that unless in the space of 15 feet more he was successful, the work could not pro ceed. Operations were then suspended for a year by the decision of Parliament, but fresh funds were voted for them last year. Thus in the third year we have arrived at the decisive knowledge of the fact that nothing can be done. It is said, indeed, that this failure is only to have the effect of the removal of the charmed circle to another spot. The fort which cannot be erected where the Defence Commissioners recommended, is to be erected on another shoal three miles distant. But we must strenuously protest against this unsanctioned modification. In the position now proposed the fort will not serve any of the purposes it was origi nally intended to fulfil. We must recall, to make the importance of this matter plain, the nature of the Defence Commissioners' design as it was adopted by Parliament. They proposed to flank the entrance to Spithead at a point 6,000 yards from the dockyard, where the deep water channel is above 2,000 yards wide, with a fort on either side, built respectively on the Horse and the No Man shoals. Within these outer defences, and midway between Ityde and Portsmouth, they placed a third, called the Sturbridge Fort. It is this which has just been found impracticable. But it was in some respects the most essential of the three. It commanded in an especial degree the anchorage of Spithead. The Defence Commissioners themselves say of it, in their Report of 1862—" I t completes the " circle of defences which will afford a concentrated " fire on the anchorage, provides a second line " against an enemy attempting the passage of the " Solent, and gives shelter to floating defences " which might have been obliged to retire before a " superior forv!, either from the outer entrance to " Spithead, or from the defence of the passage of " the Needles." Now, this position being of necessity given up, the whole scheme is affected, and it is in no degree redintegrated by the transplanting of the fort, as is suggested, from the int'de to the outside of the outer channel defences. There it will, indeed, still form a circle, but it will be a circle where no hostile vessel will ever be likely to lie. The clear channel remains still 2,000 yards wide, the enemy can still push at full speed through it, and when he is past he reaches an undefended space, where at 3,000 yards from any bat,ery he can lie while shelling the dockyard before him. All this time the transplanted lot. is c,,i,,tot, because it is on Cie outside, while the enemy is ins , de. It gives no shelter to floating defences, because it is actually further off than the two flanking forts, and it leaves the Needles passage and the Solent uncovered, being removed to the other side of the Isle of Wight. Therefore, in no sense can the substitution take the place of the original plan ; and Parliament must face the question, as if new, whether the plan thus inevitably modified is such as can be recommended for the defence of the port. We cannot regret that Nature has in this in stance proved more powerful than ministerial tactics. That scheme for the defence of England in which forts and stationary defences have occu pied so conspicuous a position, and which was the favourite offspring of the brain of one individual, untrained to the consideration of such questions, has never seemed to us sound ; and it is matter for congratulation if it should be found in good time to be impracticable. By the mercy of PROVIDEN4 E we hare, during the three years which have been lost in trying to put it in execution, been pre served from hostile attack. But let us think how different would have been our position now had we frankly accepted the maxim that England's defence must be her fleet, and not her forte. The energy wasted in digging foundations in quick sands might have sent the loyal Sovereign end Prince Albert ago, have given us and have decided the is to be built. It and manufacture of the guns which are to arm it, instead of leaving the experimental specimens to rust idly at Shosbnryness. On shore, had we been less eager to erect a defensive line of forts at Portsmouth and elsewhere, each as long and as weak as the Dannewerke, we might have given our thoughts to the organization of our force so as to render it at once more economical and more available. As we stand, we have at NIL but a line of foundations, without either forts or ships ; on land but a line of trenches and casemates, without either men or guns. Not one of the harbour bat teries which were to fight under shelter of the shoal forts has even been commenced. After three years of preparation we are as to sea defenses exactly where we were—as to land defences we are weaker by the length of our unmanned lines. Surely the nation will take the lemon to heart. Cbt Court. WINDSOR CASTLE, Y•acs 24. The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Braes, Lient,Cotonel Koppel, sad Dr. Holz. mann, arrived at the Castle yesterday attention. Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold arrived from Green. wich-park this morning, attended by Major ElpWantons. The royal dinner party yesterday included the King of the Belgians, the Prime of Wales, the Princess et Wale., and the Primus Helena ; the Countess of Caledeo, Lady Caroline Barrington, Hon. Mrs Bruce, Hins. Lacy Kerr, Hen. Caroline Cavendish, Hon. Lady Biddelpli, General the Ham C. and Mrs. Grey, Dr. Helmenn, General Count de) Moerkerke sod Dr. Koepl (in &Mesdames fenfthe King of the Belgians), Er. Sabi, Lord Talbot de Nahhide, Colonel the Hoe. A. Liddell, Lord Charles Fitzroy, Colonel H. Ponscaby, Lient..Cobinel Koppel, and the Master of the Household. The Quest, socompesial by the Prinems of Wales, drove in the gross& this eseraisg. Princess Helena sod Primes Louise took a carriage drive Despatched were sent hem the Colonial-office to the Governor of Cansda. His Excellency the Ambassador of France leaves M=rt-gate House today for Broadlands, Hants, on a visit to Viwount and Viscounts= Palmarstoo. His Exoelleocy the Italian Minister will leave town to-day, to join the company about to aomenble at Broadlseds. The Duke of Devonshire and Lady LonsiaCaven d6h and Lord Frederick Cavendish are pining the nom at Chatsworth Hone, Derbyshire. The Duchess of St Alban's, Lady Diana Beau clerk, and Visocast Falkland, have loft town for Hadbourno Hall, Line*lulls*, for the holidays. The Earl of St. Germans entertained a select circle at dinner last awning, at his rosidenoe in Donor street. Viscount and Viscountess Castleroese have left Eaton-place on a tour of visits, previous to their departure for Ireland. THE RECEPTION OP GENERAL GARIBALDI. A meeting, convened by circular, was held yes-, torday at the Load= Tavern, to consider what steps should be taken to give a public reception to Games' Garibaldi on his arrival in London. Mr. Edmund Beals, president of the National Polish League, occupied the chair. Mr. John Richardson, a member of the Common Coupon, said this was a meeting of the late Garibaldi Committee. It had not been publicly called together, but he hoped it would not be thought that they intended to dictate to anyone, or to take I upon themselves the sole responsibility of giving a reception to Garibaldi. On the contrary, they would be happy to Co" operate with any other parties. He had been in close com munication with Garibaldi, and only that morning had re ceived from him a telegraphic message stating that be should arrive in this country on the 2nd of ApriL He had also been just informed by Mr. Seely, M.P. for Lincoln, that Garibaldi would stay about • fortnight at Brooke-house, in the Isle of AVight, and that be would come to London on Saturday, April 16. He would mire at the Waterloo sta tion and thence proceed to Albert-gate. the town residence of if Seely, unless any committee formed for the purpose should make other arrangements. But while the illustrious general had every desire to consult the interests of the committee, it should not be forgotten that his stay in England would be very Walt. The object of his visit wag to thank in person those generous hearts whose sympathy had done him so much good in the dismal hour. of his charms and sorrow, and it must not be apposed that he came hare for any political purpose whatsoever. He (Mr. Richardson) believed be would be only too happy to receive • testimonial from the people of this country, and he hoped the meeting would come to a resolution to do something worthy of the citizens of London, and set an example to the large tones in the kingdom. He had received letters from Mr. Crawford, M.P., Mr. Serjeant Parry, Mr. Lucas (eng.us refiner), General Permed Thompson, and about 5C3 others, stating their inability to attend the meeting, and reweaving concurrence in theobject for which it was wormed. Mr. Law rence moved, " That title meeting, having heard with un feigned pleasure that General Garibaldi, the hero of Italian liberty, the noble and disinterested patriot, whose cha. rerun is of faultless nobility and purest integrity, is about to visit this country, this meeting considers him worthy of some marked attention on the part of the metropolis, especially the City of Loodon, and hereby forms itself into • committee for the purpose of paying befitting honours to this illustrious man wider the title of ' The Garibaldi Reception and Testimonid Committee.'" The resolutiou was seconded by Mr. Stapleton. and after a discassioo, in which Messrs. Webber, Malthus, G. Potter, Loyd Jones, D'lffanger, and others took part, it was carried by acclamation. Mr. J. Richardson and Mr. J. R. Taylor were the appointed honorary sec etariee of the committee, and • sub-committee was appoint ed to carry out the objects of the meetiog, and to report from time to time to the gene& committee. (In the motion of Mr. Richardson, seconded b 7 Mr. Stapleton, a resolution was carricd, "That a subscriptiou list be now entered into to carry out the objects of this meeting and to meet the neon airy expenses incident thereto." SOUTHA MPTON MARCH 24. The intellictce which has reached berg to-day from Malta of the elm ka tion of Garibaldi on board the Ripon has awakened great interest. A large commune of persons will, it is expected, welcome the great Italian patriot and hero to Southampton. It is believed that he will proceed from this tows to the Isle of Wight, and will not visit the metropolis for a fortnight after his arrival in this oottetry. REPRESENTATION OF GREAT YARMOUTH. —Fol lowiog the example o: the cosservatives of Great Yarmouth, who have determinedupou 'electing as their candidates at the next election Sir E. H. K. Lsoon, M.P., one of the presort sitting members, and Mr. J. Goodson, the chairman of the Great Fasters Railway Company, the liberals of the borough held on Wednesday eveciog • meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of inviting Mr. L W. Welkin, chairerais of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company, to stead in the liberal into. rest, and to sign a requisita to the hoe. gentleman to that effect. Mr. W. Livingstone presided, and contradicted a report that Mr. Watkin had decided on coming forward to contest Grimsby ; on th e contrary, Mr. Watkin would most williagly stand for Great Yarmouth, provided there were fair promises of support. Mr. Neve moved a resolution to the effect that se a dissolution of the present parliament was near at hand, the meeting was of opinion that the time had arrived when preparations should be made to secure the return of liberal candidates, and sincerely hoped that Mr. E. W. Watkin would again contest the borough. The reso lution was carried amidst much applinse, with only one die aestient Several electors signed a requisition which bad been prepared, end the meeting separated. Mr. Watkin will doubthesanoonnos hisdetermisation in • few days. Mr. Watkin sat for Yarmouth for a short time in 1858, bat was unseated on petition. REPRLSENTATION OT ARNIM:H.—The election for the county of Armagh took place yesterday, and retailed in the return of Colonel Strong, without opposition. The electors were entertained at luncheon in the Tontine rooms by the gallant colonel, and the proceedings were of a most harmonious character. THE OXFoRD DECLARATION'. —The Record states that the signatures to the Orford Declaration amounted en Thursday to 12.000. and the number continuos to Mamie. In the Cambridge Chroniele the Rev. W. B. Hopkins, RD., Vicar of Wisboch, and Proctor in Convocation for the dioc,ee of Ely. in giving a number of reasons for signing the manifesto writee :—" 1 sign the declaration because the arvumen(wri arl inridinm is a two-edged weapon, which gives its stroke backwards as well as forwards. Any one who refuses to sign most, of coarse, accept the coestriortioe which his neighbours choose to pat upon his refusal. Bat sines the judgment declares that oar church nowban dogmati cally pronounces upon the doctrine of eternal future mash. meet, it now becomes invidious for any one to teach or to enforce that doctrine." 1/ 0 I 9,• • I • 'lop •- 4 tort to sea a Wale " s 2 T ' •HI I full k r n me liedhafittir 4 • • ~, .he p • ple . enw • Wow • 1 / 4 1, , , nuou rpo might have pushed on the trial THE WAR IN DERMA AY EVENING, MARCH 25, NIhUALiGEN(III aNitAik. COPENHAGEN, MARCH 23. • Part al Frederiok has been set on fire by the bombardment. When summoned to surrender the i Commandant of the fortress refused. According to the latest dates the enemy has withdrawn out of range. Upon the arrival of the King at Sonderburg yesterday evening his Majesty immediately visited the troops stationed there. He returned at night to Horup. THE POLISH INSURRECTION. BERLIN, Misce 24. Intelligence from Warsaw states that the entire general staff of the Russian army has been trans ferred from Warsaw to the camp near Kalisch. General Berg is shortly to follow. On the Polish frontier, near Inowraalaw, the Prussian troops have diaoovered numerous bands of insurgent volun teers. 60 Russians were captured, and the re mainder succeeded in escaping to Poland. THE ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN. MLBcn 24. The Archduke Maximilian is to embark for Mexico on the 30th inst. THE BANK OF FRANCE. PARIS, ][.acs 24. The Bank of France has reduced its rate of dis count for bills to 6 per cent. The rate for advances on securities will, however, remain at 7 per cent. ;w- THE WAR IN DENMARK. PUN on cows coausionzirr.) HAMBUItG, YAWL 22. • Owing to the sudden and unexpected measure taken by Field-Marshal von Wrangel ordering all newspaper correspondents to be excluded from direct intercourse with the army, the news received to-day from the seat of war is but scanty. The bombardment both of Dttppel and Fredericia is being carried on with great energy, but as yet without gaining any of the advantages anticipated, whilst the Danes with their usual courage and skill defend themselves most manfully. The fresh bri gade of Prussians, consisting of 5,600 men, who have not yet smelt powder, has arrived at Flens burg ; only 1,500 were quartered in the town, and the rest marched on to Diippel, where they are to relieve another corps iu the trenches. Twenty eight siege guns are now in position and at work. H.R.H. Prince Charles (sen.) of Prussia, Inspector- General of the Prussian Artillery, paid a visit to the batteries early in the morning, accompanied by a single aide-de-camp. Asa light mist lay on the ground and the surface of the sea, it was found dif ficult to point the guns with sufficient accuracy, and it was not till 11 o'clock that the fog cleared up enough to permit a plain view of the southern en trenchments Nos. 1,2, 3, and 4, and the old castle of Sonderborg, now fitted up as military barracks. When the guns were brought into play, the Prince, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, as well as by Colonel von Graberg and Colonel Colomier, took their station on the left of the batteries so as to be able to witness the effect of the guns without having their view intercepted by the smoke. On the signal being given the first shot fired was a shell, which Wits so ele vated that it made quite a parabolic curve, as if discharged from a limiter. lint it was well aimed, and seen to fall iu Fort No. 1, where it exploded. For three hours the cannonade was kept up, during which the 24-pounders were directed at the eanh works, whilst the shot of the rifled 6-pounders was aimed at the blockhouses and the Danish soldiers that were visible. From the standing point of the observers it was impossible to ascertain the extent of the damage they inflicted, which, however, was believed to be considerable, as after a time the enemy's guns, which at Snit bad retuwed the fire, were silenced one after the other, and several detachments of soldiers were seen to leave the fort and retreat to the rear for shelter. Although a string wind was blowing from the westward due allowance was made for devia tion on that score, and the guns were worked with wonderful precision. A battery of 2t-pounders was now directed on Sonderborg, distant 5,400 yards, and eight shots were fired, the first two of which fell short and iuto the sea, but a greater ele vation being given the others went into the town and burst there, the smoke of the explosion being plainly visible. There were two ships of war lying there with their steam up, but they did not venture to come out, and found it more advisable to alter their position, the iron-clad Rolf Knike going eastward, and the other—a wooden vessel— steaming up the Alsen Sound. Whilst the Danes returned the fire their guns were well served, though they did no execution among the Prussians. At one period the Prince was in some danger, as a piece of au exploded shell, about slbs. in weight, passed between himself and the officers with him, burying itself in the ground, ten paces from them. This fragment was part of a hollow cyliudsical shot to be loaded at the muzzle, as used by the Danes, furnished with two rows of zinc tetons made to fit into the grooves of their rifled guns. From the curve of the outside it was sup posed to have been fired from a 24-pounder. Prince Frederick Charles has given orders that the battery commanded by First Lieutenant von Moziloweky, near which his father was rtationed when the shot exploded, be named "Battery Prince Charles." On the following day the firing was continued wiih spirit, but without doing much execution, though the wind bad gone down and a calm prevailed. A shell from a rifled six-pounder of the field artillery was seen to strike the roof of a farm-house near the windmill ou the rising ground behind Sonderborg— • distance of more than 5,000 paces—and set it on fire. By special orders from Prince Frederick Charles the guns are not to fire any more on the town, though it is universally believed among the Prussians that their guns could easily destroy the whole plate. But as uo good could be derived from it, and as the military hospitals there are known to be full of sick and wounded, he has resolved to spare the town for their sake. Yesterday arrived by the railway from Berlin an other special train consistiug of seventy goods waggons, conveying a park of Prussian artillery— four 24-pounders and eight 12-pounders—and a large quantity of ammunition. The convoy was forwarded to Altona on more than a huudrod and fifty waggons, each with four horses, whilst more than a hundred horses were required to drag the guns. In the German papers the Danes are accused of having deliberately poisoned the Austrian and Prusian soldiers on their entry into Horsens, Veile, and Skanderborg ; but the truth now turns out to be that they accidentally poisoned themselves, for iu greedily ransacking the shops in those towns for drink they actually mistook petroleum for brandy, and gulped down vinegar for wine. At the apo thecaries' shops too they freely emptied the most inviting looking bottles, and thus spirits of wine, aqua fortis, and even spirits of turpentine, disap peared quickly in a wholesale manner. As neither party understood the language of the other, remon strances and warnings were useless ; but it is cer tainly not fair to charge the Danish shopkeepers with wilfully poisoning the enemies of their country. The heavy convoy of ammunition that passed through this city a few days ago on its way to the front had a narrow escape whilst being conveyed from Alton& by special train to Rendsburg. On arriving at one of the stations it was found that the friction of the wheels, increased by the super incumbent weight, bad been so great as to cause partial ignition, but it was fortunately discovered in time to prevent any serious consequences. GERMANY. (RON OUR ow CORIM8PO3lD1211%) FRANKFORT, ILtacit Z. As it becomes every day more evident that Den mark will now exhaust the patience ;of England, as she did for twelve years that of Germany, by shiftings and subterfuges, and that the negotiations about preliminaries of conferences will be delayed as long as she can make a show of resistance or the last Sleswiger has not deserted, there is very little to report on the Danish dispute. With regard to the war, we are here almost restricted to Danish telegrams in English papers, as the allies publish very little, and the Prussian press has been cowed into silence by a hint that any information re specting the war which might prove useful to the enemy, would render the publisher amenable to twenty years' imprisonment. I may, therefore, now report on German affairs in general, and on the continual strife between feu dalism and liberal aspirations in this strange country, where liberty of the press, the right of public meeting, and violent debates in the Cham bers go hand in hand with a mighty bureaucracy in the various States. In Prussia seven officers have received letters of nubility for bravery against the enemy. They are added thereby to the miserably poor nobility of the realm, and taken out of the ranks of the people in order to prevent the ar_uy from being infested with a liberal element. Their new comrades will then successfully infuse into them feudalistic opinions, and those outrageous military ideaa,llwhich have been the curse of Prussia since the time of the great Elector. Yet in this country, where more than anywhere democratic principles have spread among the masses, and as far as they are not dangerous even among commercial men, titles, decorations, and stars are so little valued, that it is a common habit to sneer at them. In the duchy of Nassau the Duke has got entirely into the hand, of horsedealers and mercenary scrib blers, and his favourite advisers are charged in the papers with lending money out at 9 per cent. per month. The new chambers having turned out 1164. rely liberal, those worthies are now advising the Dike to resort to the most arbitrary measures to aastoy and rviw..aaase of the obnoxious members. When the chamber meets, the same game as in ,Prnesia will be played in the duchy. In the Electorate of Hesse shard fight is going on in the press between the hypocritical and abso lutist party formerly in power, but overthrown two yearn ago by the interference of the Diet, and the very moderate liberals now in office. The pre sent ministry has come to the laudable resolution to suppress the gambling hells, and it will refuse to renew the contracts passed with five of them by the previous government. At Carlsrnhe the government, under the leader ship of the patriotic minister Roggenbsch, is ex erting itself to improve the laws and to expunge everything which smells of absolutism. In the new police act there is the singular enactment, that henceforth the police shall be empowered to punish certain misdemeanours by penalties somewhat in ferior to those which would be inflicted by a court of justice, the transgressor having the option to sub mit or to go before the court, when, if convicted, he will have to bear a more heavy sentence. Such an arrangement is quite a novelty, and may mate rially reduce the business of the courts ' • but it is objectionable for this reason, that regular barga;ns might be struck by the police and transgressors as to the terms on which they would forego their right to plead before the court. The committee of thirty-six, appointed hereby the Assembly of German Deputies last winter, have warned all German bankers not to contract • loan with Sweden under present circumstances, when the money could be used in a war against Germany. They declare such an act would be treason to the Father-land, and they threatened to hold up the names of such bankers as engage in it to public hatred. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. (now on owx PARIS, THURSDAY Emma. The Bourse was very heavy, notwithstanding that the Bank has lowered its discount from 7 to 6 per cent. on commercial bills. Some disappointment was felt, because this diminution does not extend to other securities. The money articles of the evening papers say that "less confidence is felt in the rumours of a conference." Rente fell 15c. for cash and bc. for account, closing at 65fr. 90c. and 66fr. bc. Mobilier fell Bfr. 75c. A telegram from Aix states that at the conclu sion of M. Lachaud's speech for M. Armand the applause was so great that the President cleared the court, and gave notice that next day the public should not be admitted at aIL The public prosecutor, as if in despair of securing a convic tion, said that in default of sufficient evidence on the capital charge he should ask for a subsidiary verdict for" cutting and wounding," and would not object to extenuating circumstances. These are the things which always astonish Englishmen when they contemplate French judicial proceedings. In the present case it is plain to everybody that the prisoner is either wholly innocent or guilty of a diabolical attempt at assassination aggravated by a false accusation against the prosecutor, maintained in cold blood, that he is an impostor and a false witness. But the French Procureur-Imperial instead of manfully maintaining this issue acts as if he were playing a game of whist, and had no other object but to get the odd trick if possible, let alone honours. One point, which I have not yet seen taken in the public accounts, strikes me as most important. The theory of the prosecution is that Armand, being a passionate man, first struck his servant in the heat of the moment, and then, finding that he had seriously injured him, thought it best to despatch him altogether to prevent the i man from telling tales. But on this supposition there is no explanation how it came to pass that Armand found the ropes used for strangulation and binding the man's wrists ready to his hand. There is no suggestion that Armand had any mo tive for vengeance against Maurice Roux. He bad complained of him as a servant, but if he was out of patience with him on that score, his simple remedy was to discharge him. I think there is no doubt that Armand will be acquitted. A recent arrest has revealed the existence in Paris of a baud of lazzaroni, living habitually in the enjoyment of the dole far niente and artfully taking the bread out of the mouth of the deserving poor. At 7 in the morning these people, to the number of about 200, assembled in the Rue de rEchiquier, where they made their first breakfast on soup served out gratuitously by sisters of charity. An hour later they got up appetite enough to eat some refuse bacon which a charitable keeper of a hamahop is in the habit of giving away. They took their luncheon at the guard-house of the Louvre or the Napoleon barrack; where the troops set apart a portion of their rations for needy applicants. On the quays they watched for the arrival of apple boats, and made a very good dessert by picking up the damaged and half rotten apples which are always left strewed on the pavement after a sale. Their dinner was generally taken at the Capuchin Monastery, iu the Rue St. Jaques, where they got soup and haricot beans. An early supper from the charity of the Prince Engine barracks set them up for the evening. After that repast they haunted the environs of the theatres, smoking the ends of cigars thrown away at the doors, and picking up sous by running after cabs. Their dress was not expensive ; for at an old clothes shop in the Quartier du Temple they could get a complete rig out for 21r. A curious item in their toilette expenses is that of a " changed shirt." There is a shop which supplies a new shirt to any customer who leaves his dirty one and pays 10 sous to boot. This band of joyous brothers has just been broken up by an untoward accident. One of the brethren, being employed by a soldier in the Bonaparte barracks to get 3 francs' worth of petroleum, was so indelicate as to run away with the money. He has been arrested, and now the soup distributions are stopped, and the idle vagabonds are dispersed—very probably to do wone under theatres' of necessity. THE RETIREMENT or MR. Clik 4 E.—ME. Chase bas requested the withdrawal of his name as a candidate for the presidency in the following letter :—" Washington, March 5, 1864. Ify dear sir,—ln reply to a friendly letter from you, I wrote you briefly not long ago about the wishes re expssed by many that my name might be favourably re. Larded by the people in their next choice of a president, and closed by saying that, should our friends in Ohio manifest a prefrreoce for another, I should accept their de cision with the ready acquiescence due from one who has been already trusted and honoured by them beyond merit or expectation. The recent action of the Union members of our legislature indicates such a preference. It becomes my duty, therefore, and I count it more a privilege than a duty, to ask that no further consideration be given to my Dame. It was never more important than now that all our efforts and all oar energies should be devoted to the sup pression of the rebellion, and to the restoration of order and prosperity on solid and sure foundations of union, freedom, and impartial justice, and I earnestly urge all with whom my counsels may have weight to allow nothing to divide them while this great work, in comparison with which persons and even parties are nothiag, remains no accomplished. Cordially your friend, S. P. CHASE. To the HOD. James C. Hall, Senate Chamber, Columbia, Ohio." • ADMIRALTY, MARCH 24. APPOINTMLNTS. Lieuteoanti—X. A. Hare, to the St. George ; J. F. Proirre. to the Hawke ; C. W. Beaurooot, F. A. Jaekaoo, F. W. B. &mak H. S. Etaillie,Forney, to the Marl borough. Master's Annetaat E. B. Connor, to the Fisrard„ for Baas. Clerks' Assistants—E. A. Lang and J. B. Sams (additionall, to the Bombay ; F. E Croonnr. T. W. Hall, and H. Stubbs, of the Firgard, for eomase4-house. ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND. Last night, the nineteenth anniversary festival , of the Royal Genera Theatrical Fund was celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern, Mr. SuHaar Bawls in the chair. Amonpt the company, which numbered about 150 per sons, were Mr. R. Bell, Mr. Mark Lemon, Mr. Flower, mayor of Stratford, Mr. Backbones, Mr. Webster, Mr. German Reed, Mr. Chippeedele, Mr. Sotharo, Mr. ere'. wick, Mr. Lorraine, Mr. Jerwood, Mr. Swanborough, Mr. Waller, do. After the usual loyal and coostitutional toasts, The CHAIRMAN in proposing the toast of the evening, rid—lt is on rec ord that in a serials trial at law, the plaintiff, or shall we may the plaintive, bevies; heard the speech of his eloquent advocate—l know not whether he is hero—rushed from his pima, and with tests streaming from his eyes exclaimed, " Bless you, sir—blew you ; I never knew how ill-treated I had been noel your speech explained it to me." (laughter.) This year, I, Lass and gentlemen, unwillingly occupy the chair which was last year filled by the best chairman in England. I will not do you the wrong to delay you from the musical and oratorical pleasure which await you by any stemma by way of supplying the links between the drama sad the drams of those who live by it, and make our lives glad by their own, To do so would beabstird, to insult your understandinp,which have loneness caught up . my foregoes oonclusioo. I stand bdoreyou as the advocate of an institution for helping those performer" who can noloager follow theirlprofa e. - sioThis aid is not exteaded in any arbitrary or uncertain way; adenoids on no influence or favouritism ' • but it has been hooontably earned by those who receive it, for they most have contributed to the fund. It is mid in the form of an annuity, and is carefully apportioned according to certain fixed calculations. Aga, sickness, or other infirmity is the actor's title to relief,n no distioction of rack or grade is made • Macbeth is as Flemos, Lord Ogleby as Brush, Juliet as ' hoe Nome, in the preemie of that which levels all. And ell theatres are alike to the fund, and it is not neamsery to have taken a degree at Oxford Gerdes or Cambridge Lam. Let cm add that, in the saddest hour of all, when the part in this world's play is played out, the fund extends its aid to the moorner• ! have mentioned these details lest any of our friends should be un acquainted with them; but I believe that most of you are aware how stood is the system of the fund, and how faith s fully it is served by iteadmirable officers. Now, I request say of my friends who belong to the theatrical p rofession to imitate " the deaf adder, which steppe* her ears," but not to carry the Mated= to the point of hissing. That professioe is well represented here. I want to say something in its praise, and it is not so well to praise people to their feels. We will consider, if you please, that the aeon are invisible. We have often been asked to dose to oblige them, when we could see them perfectly well, and now they must oblige us. Ladies and gentians's, in the &einem of our professional [timid', will you allow me, who have had aa intimate acquaintance of many years with members of every portion of the theatrical world, to say that 1 know of no class in society whose well deserve that their brave efforts at self-help should be wooded by you. I speak of what is within my own knowledge when I say that the noble teach ing of the drama is not lost upon those who deliver it, or aid in illustrating it. Those who are rich are generous and open handed, and those who have yet to become rich-1 wish they all could, and live is the Golden Home of One Thousand Diamonds for the rest of their lives—those who have yet to become rich help one mother with a frankness amid a kind- I ness which I have never seen equalled. (Hear, bear.) Then, I let the suocessof this fund be an answer to the igooranos that retains the tradition of an actor's improvidence. That tra dition has lived among foolish people Piet as the Grubatrest notion about authors is not quite goes oat, though we go to church, sod pay our taxes with reasonable alacrity. A portico of the hand-earned salary goes to the fund, and it is most honourable to those who have so many calls on their purses that it is so. Therefore, though I disclaim any idea of a charity sermon —thou6 I would proscribe the word patron and banish the word besefaelor-1 appeal to you to maamise the claims of a noble art by assisting those who pursue it so worthily. Help the food that helps the artist in the hour of need. A very resolute geosa—whose name is Culleoford —sr ill presently attend upon you for the propose of taking from you both your money and your good names ; bat you will not be made to feel poorer by the surrender of either. If you do, cane here this day twelvemonth, and I hereby pledge my successor to make you the most ample atonement: that is au appointment. I will now deliver you up to Mr. Culler.ford, who, hushed in grim repose, expects—that every man will do his duty. 1 am proud that I have been asked to plead to-night in behalf of a profession which does itself and the country so moth boomer. The chairman concluded by proposing th e prosperity of the Royal General Theatrical tend, coupling therewith the mine of Mr. Black stone, the treasurer. Mr. Becxmons thee roes and said—Gontlemen, it is with great pleasure that in looking towards the chair this ereniog I can see it filled by so popular and Waited a gentleman as Mr. Shirley Brooke, because, while acknowledging his ability I for the position, we mutt not tape his kindlier in coming here on this occasion, for you little know the dim. cnity of procuring a new chairman for each of these anniver sary festivals; indeed, this year we found ourselves much embarrassed, as we began to discover that we bad *early " used up" all the remarkable men of the titce—(latigh ter)—at Least, those whose natural kindness will not permit them to refuse the solicitation to do good. During the last 18 annual diapers we have discussed here and else where for the benefit of our fund we have been honoured by the presidency of noblemen, statesmen, novelists, dra matists, and actors ; you mayAherefore, suppose it to be no easy matter to pick out from time to time, and from amongst the celebrities of the day, a chairmen that can be acceptable to you and of set vice to tll4 Many mimes were recently suggested, while to some I took the trouble to write the most charming ad persuasive letters you can conceive ; but that surly monosyllable "No," was all the reply we mold get. Easter was fast approaching; there was the chair, but where was the man to till it ? In this extremity I applied to my friend Mr. Shirley Brooks, who, after expressing some proper and pretty doubts as to his capability for the office, coo eluded his answer by saying, " If you can get no one better, I'm your man ;" so, tekiog the title of one of his own novels, he at once came to our aid, sad cut " The Gordian Knot -" and although the last of the long list of eminent men who have attended here on these occasions, he Is most certainly far from the least, for not only is be an admired novelist, but a successful dramatist, a politician, and—to crows all—has he not been for many years ow of the prin cipals on the staff of what the newspapers call our " face tious contemporary Puarh;" and more than this, and which I know will ;ire you great pleasure to hear, that in hie novel of "The Silver Cord " he has sketched the character of a Loudon manager , and has actually bad the liberality to make him a god man —(aughter)—• compliment that I feel acutely, although) I am afraid for which act of audit city he privately hopes to be forgiven. (Laughter.) I forgive bins with all my Wait, ad sincerely thank him for hie Me:kindness coming to the rescue this evening. I now, gentlemen, to tell you the state of our fund, the good we have doss, and the good we have yet to do. During the past year we hays paid to snauitants the sum of 9001. in amounts varying from 301. to 90/. per annum, shout 50/. have bees given or returned to members claimist such repayments, we have now 21 persons in receipt of annuities, 15 of whom are ladies; and se we have received notice of five more claimant' during the coming year, we I shall some have 26 decayed and retired actors and actresses to provide for • and though our invested aspilad, when this night is over, ;ill amount to between 13,000[. and 14,000/., you will see that we shall have quite sooegh to do with oar reeources—that we shall require all the help you can give as, sided by the eased subscriptions of the members of our fund, and which subscriptions, you will be glad to know, have amounted, during the past year, to MT. (Hear, bear.) It does not wear to me to be publicly known that the Royal General Theatrical Fund is char. tend. by which charter we are enabled to hold land and receive legacies ; and although I have before referred to this fact, yet I wish again to do so, in the hope that one of these days it may attract the notice of some benevolent person who was nom an old play-goer, sad who, remember. mg the names of his favourite actors, and the many happy hours he has pealed in the pit or boxes of his chosen theatre; who, remem b ering the many pleasant gossiva t L,, 21* be has soyoyed after the play, and whole nor rtli, think of the "harmless piety" of those times, and not forget the light.hearted players who, when in their youth, or their prime, have administered to his amusement and IL. structios, and when be has made up his mind to mite will—(inslithter)—will say to his lawyer—" Hang it !all. Mt. Gmlicil, I most not forget the Gwent Theatrical t nod; mast bequeath a hundred or two to that excellent Um.* (laughter.) We often reed of large sums being W., to many &atheist charitite„ end I hope that my appeal this wreathe may educe some one now and then to think of for they might do won* • we certainly do not profe ss to be Christian young men —(" hear, hear," and laughter)— though we perform many Christian actions ; we vulv a ., the aged sad infirm, we help the sick, end we lmy deed, sad surely those are sate of piety and charity, ev er ; though we do not convene meetiop for the purpose of ,e ; .,;_ ins out miedoessiss to convert the poor gorilla—(lau Aug) —no, we rather adopt the more useful and practral la,. poses of charity by soothing the declining yeah of tt-4 around us, and in making cheerful the hearts of the , .. who have so often shared you. I have again to 4LI. 110110011 the receipt of her gracions Majesty's doLati.,i. of 100f.—(cheers)—and to in form yen that Mr. culls. ford has this evening received a note from Marlboron 4 h. house, annousting that the Prince of Wales will hence. forth be the panne of this fund—(cbeen), and IL ' returning our thanks, and in expressing oar gratiml.. I know there is but one wish, one hope throughout the that the time is not far distant when we shall see her Majesty again amongst us, and no clam of her subjects has a more fervent desire for this event than those of the drati,at.. profession, facile actors have always been a loyal body from the days when Major Mohan, Hart, Robinson, and other players fought and Bled for the royal cause to the present period ; and in these volunteering times it may no: interesting to know that Dr. Doran, in his amusing boo'aof "Their Majesties Servants," tells us that when the finish Emperor, the First Napoleon, was collecting a hoot for th e invasion of this country, the ctors were among the rut enrol themselves as volnntesrs—(cheers)—and it as not an unusual thing to find) the theatres closed on account of the unavoidable absence of the principal performers, Ea. mooed to drill or other military service,then rigid], enforced ; and I know that there are many ctors and was of beton now in the reeks of the volunteers ; and tees , have the honour to belong to the St. George's Piths as at honorary member. (Laughter.) But while I appeal s you in behalfof our fund—while I draw the most per. suasive pictures in my power to induce you to be mem: l on these occestoss, I have one little remark to make wham I hope will strike home to your sympathetic bosom.. t very well know when you come to thew festivals it is no: the dinner —the actual sating and drinking—that you can for; you come to hear what is said . what is sung, aad to enjoy yourselves with the comfortable feeling that v are engaged in an act of charity ; but let me hope ital, in your reel for the maintenance of the decayed an, retin actor you will not altogether forget the active sod , ti::. working one, and that you will often be seen patronising the performances at our present theatres, either in th e stalls, the boxes, or pit—but not with orders ; I y this you may prevent many deserving actors becoming r e • cipienta of our dramatic chseities, for by lessening tin number of claimants upon them you render their excelle4; objects more solid sod more enduring. Therefore, tbitc sometimes of those who are still nightly before you ; of the pleasant recollectious you have often enjoyed alto the theatre, and when at home ; think how some of have frequently exclaimed, " I have been so aninseet' " " How capital Charles Mathews was " " Was not Web star excellent!" "Didn't Hies Bateman make me ay "o r '• Oh ! that Compton," or " that Paul Bedford and Tools or " What an ongsnal Lord Dundreery is !" and " Wasn't Bucketthe fanny r (Loud cheers.) With these recollec. tithe, lam gore you um think of what I have avid, for I am certain that none of you with any grateful feelings in your health would see the exertions of such actors, or thei• suocemors, neglected by the public , and acting to empty benches, or to what is technically termed "; Though I most acknowledge that at present there is uo canoe for complaint, for all our theatres have Leeu won. derf ally successful this season ; while at the Chi - isms. pieces and pantomimes, to see the crowcbi of b.autifni young children crowing with delight) is a healthy sign tot the drams of the future ; they are the sax nits tio our audios= yet to come, for they will always remenil with pleasure, and without any alloy of regret, the happy day on which they were first taken to the theatre—for it is a good thing to go to a good play. (Cheers.) Even the greet Reformer, Martis Luther, has said, when speaking of comedies, end describing their various purposes. that no Christian may be deterred from attending them. But I have wandered a little from the main question of this evening. I therefore return to my supplication for you to be very liberal on this occasion. I lan explained all that we have done, and how much we have yet to do ; and though I know you have all come here with the intention of giving something, and am afraid. however eloquent I might try to be, I shall fail in per• seeding you to give more then you have made up your mind to give, yet a second thought will sometimes occur to every the. Let me then suggest a second thought to you. Let those amongst you who have doled with the determi nation to give five guineas make them eight or ten. Double your figures if you can, or at least turn the tails of your sixes downwards sod make nines of them—(laughter)—for aour generosity to-night wi ll greatly help to secure to the ctor in the decline of life his indisputable right, as a sub scriber to this fund, to be placed so a position of comfort and content, and to enjoy that moderate degree of happiness described by the poet in speaking of one so situated : A wise content his even soul secured. By want not shaken, nor by wealth allured. (Cheers.) H The CITEMAN next proposed the " Drama," cmpling therewith the same of Mr. Mark Lemon, who returned thanks. Mr. BELL thee proposed the toast of "Mr. Flower. the mayor of Stratford, and the Stratford Shakespearian Com mittee." . . . ... Mr. PLOWER acknowledged the compliment. The musical arrangements were conducted by Mr. C. Coo* and the following vocalists kindly lent their eases. &nos to the amassment of the evening : Miss Pool.. Mies E. Lyon, Mrs. Howard Paul, Mr. G. Tedder. Mr. W. Field . keg, Mr. W. Coward, Mr. Donald King, Mr. F. Distill, sc. The entemiptions amounted to 3501. rim SHAKESPEARIAN TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION AT STRATPuRD•ON-AVON. On Saturday last the contractors for the erection of the Great Pavilion (Messrs. Branson and Homy, of Birmingham), having completed their work in the interior, the artisans who bad been employed upon the building were entertained therein to dinner, and about 120 workmen par took of the hospitality of the committee. The bnilbas has now passed into the hands of the decorator (Kr. Brothers, of Leamington), under whose artistic skill the pavilion will, it is expected, be finally completed by the middle of April; but even now, in its comparatively imper fect modifies, it has a singularly imposing appearance, sad, as will be seen by those visitors who are Melted to inspect it during the Pada. week, when viewed from the south-east gallery, pommies, a magnitude sod appropriate ness of design unsurpassed by any building of a temporary character that his ever bees erected fora great nuked festival. Os Saturday the chair was taken by the Mayor ( L F. Ftownt, Esq.), and the arrangement of the tables was similar to that which will be observed at the oommemcm tiou banquet, at which the Earl of Carlisle will preside, on the r.sed of Aprils Amongst those members of the com mittee present were the Rev. G. Granvillo (vicar), the Rev. W. Morton (sub-ricer), Dr. Kingsley (the honorary seem buy), Messrs. IL hi. Hobbes, Charles E. Flower, E. Flower, J. Cox. jun., W. Gibbs, J. Morgen, W. G. Colbourn". R. M. Bud, W. Thompson, W. F. Bolton, J. Atkinson, J. J. Nemo, and J. S. , Leaver. A number of ladies and gentle men occupied the galleries. In acknowledging the toast of his health, the VICAR took the opportunity of expressing his high opinion of the excel lent behaviour of the workmen engaged on the ouildieg.and the truly orderly way io which such • great work had been coodoeted. infinite credit, he said, was due to them. and to show his own appreciation of their conduct, he intended to provide special accommodation for them, so that they might take part in the services of the church during the Sunday of the festival week. The MAYOR, in proposing the heaths of the archi tect' (Messrs. Thompson and Colbourn), said that he had been assured, by • professional engineer, that. regarded the strength of the building, it was thoroughly trustworthy and safe. He wished that opinion to go forth to the public, so that the timid might have positive aseurenoe of the complete security of the pavilion. In fact, be had been told that the buildin; was extra strong—too strong—in every pert. It was er celleot too for emus& All, he thought, could distinctly hest him in the building. There was no necessity to raise his voice to • scream, nor to speak in undertone, but he c-n:d address them with ease in his ordinary Moe of vAce. The meanie, too, war particularly good for the capabilities of conveying sound is • musical point of view. as they might judge by the performance of the excellent little Mod tbev in the orchestre, and with those accomplished artists who would be oo the °rehears or the stage,andwho could modulate their voices, the effect would be much improved, and they would be beard to the greatest advantage. This was most in portaot and satisfactory to the public, to the artistes. to the inhabitants. and else to the committee, because it was no tomer doubtful whether every one who took pert in the musical sod dramatic performances, or in the proceedinp , of the festival dinner, could be heard is every part of that large building without the slightest difficulty. At the committee meeting on Wedneediv last it was stated by the chairman (the Mayor), that William Creswiek. Fag., who has already consented to perform the part of Jacques, in As You Like It, had also acceded toe request that he would undertake the arrangements for completion the cast of characters in that plsy, and lllperinteßalßß its performance upon the stage. MELANCHOLY DEATH ?EOM BURN I No. —On Tues day evening Leta shocking death from burniog occurred at Ifniweil, 2. otts. It appears that • few evenings preview max named Thomas Bradbury, who was subject to fits, and lived alone, while in a fit feU into the fire. He managed to get into bed, and the next morning the neighbours were alarmed by hearing groans proceed from his house. They buret opus the door bad found him dreadfully buret about the bead. Medical assistance was procured, but be lingered in great agony up to Tuesday sight, whoa he expired. Dr ceased wss about 29 years of so. 11110 m. T. I DOW, I MOM boarui AdeLai :::, have e special there i Mr Wit of tits inch p in lens thaw amino quadii &ii_s • The The in whi was a I Me .01