The Sun. — London, England, 1859-08-26 00:00:00

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, THE WIFE'S SECRET. Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Commence at 7. T HEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING the performances will commence with THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE. Followed by THE CONTESTED ELECTION. After which, OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND. And HALLOWE'EN. Commence at 7. I\TEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. W er. THIS EVENING, the performances will cot nce with THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST. Messrs. illing,ton, Stuart, P. Bedford, C. Marshall' C. J. Smith, Garden; Miss Marian Lacey, Miss K. Kelly, and Mrs. Billington. Followed by the new burlesque, THE BABES IN THE WOOD. Messrs. C. Marshall, Paul Bedford, C. J. Smith, Eburne ; Miss Woolgar and Miss K. Kelly. Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith. Doors open at a quarter-past six—Commence at seven. Box Office open from 10 to 5 —no charge for booking. No fees to servants permitted. A registry kept of all articles found. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborottgh THIS EVENING, THE MAID WITH THE MILKING PAIL, After which, A SCHOOL FOR COQUETTES. Misses Bwanborough, Oliver, and Lavine. Followed by THE VERY LATEST EDITION OF THE LADY OF LYONS. _ _ Commence at 7 o'clock: VERDI'S OPERA OF MACBETH. The whole of the first Act of this Opera, now produced for the first time in this country (the remaining three acts being in oourse of rehearsal), is sung nightly at the CAN TERBURY HALL CONCERTS. THE DELEPIERRE FAMILY, consisting of three Juvenile Violinists, viz., Jules, Juliette, and Julia Delepierre, aged, respectively, FOUR, SIX, and EIGHT years. Th e perfect execution by these Lilliputian Artistes of some of the most difficult and brilliant Solos, Duets, and Trios ever written for the violin, has excited mingled wonder and admi.. ration in Continental Musical Circles, and drawn forth enthu siastic tributes of praise from the Public Journals of France and Belgium. They will perform TWICE EACH EVENING, in addi tion to the usual Entertainments. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, AUGUST 26. • THEIMOKETER, IN THE SHADE. 81—highest since noon yesterday. 68—lowest this morning and during the night. 75—this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.78. WIND, S.W. ; light, with hazy sultry weather. There was a heavy thunder•storm last night, the lightning was very remarkably grand. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY.—Morning, —h. —m.—Afternoon, 12h. 13m. To-Moßßow-Morning, 12h. 44m.—Afternoon, lh. 12m, THE SUN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1859. Scarcely has Parliament been prorogued for the long vacation, scarcely has grouse shooting begun, hardly have the deerstalkers buckled on their heather habiliments, when the more inveterate politicians, great and small, are addressing long speeches here and there all over the country to their constituents. It was only the other evening that we had occasion to record the oratorical say ings of Mr. COBDEN, two days running, down at Rochdale. We have a pretty fair prospect of having a similar display of ultra-liberal rhetoric down at Huddersfield, in celebration of the triumph (as it is called by his own supporters) of the sitting member for that borough —or, as we should rather designate it more accurately, in celebration of the partial acquittal of the Mr. LEATHAM, who was not unseated upon charges of bribery and corrup- Yesterday we took occasion to remark upon the clean breast Mr. LINDSAY was making of it at the beginning of this week down in his particular borough among the free and independent, the ultra-liberal and ultra-reforming electors of Sunderland. To-day our attention is called—here, to the Whig banquet, and all the after-dinner speeches, at Winchester— there, to the Consecration banquet, and all their after-dinner speeches, at Ashburton. It is amus ing to note the broad contrast presented by these two festivities when drawn thus into comparison. Upon the one hand, the Ins are so confident in their position, and so contemptuous when referring to the powerlessness of the Opposition. Upon the other, the Outs profess so perfect a reliance upon their speedy return to power, and such an agree able consciousness of the precarious plight of the existing Government. Here, as ever, the truth may be discovered, we may rest assured, as nearly as possible about midway between these ex tvemes of anticipation. And it is in this that we are disposed to recognise the happiest augury for that truest patriot, your true, and earnest, and liberal-minded, and not merely party reformer. That happyaugury, we conceive, lies in the Balance of Parties, now more nearly attained than ever has been even momentarily possible during the last twelve or thirteen years, in fact, ever since the great Conservative Party was inexorably, and, as we have ever regarded it (not being partisans), most magnanimously broken up by Sir ROBERT PEEL. Since that date of 1845-1846, the elements of party in the House of Commons, and more or less, in fact, throughout the whole country, have been returned to a chaotic confusion. Every now and then, during the interval which has since intervened, there have been new and various, but in each instance, as it has speedily enough proved, merely temporary combinations. Hitherto, however, up to this last general election, the two great parties in the House of Commons have been each of them numerically weak—weak from their internal dissensions, from the dropping off here and there of little groups of restless and independent politicians, minor sections intrinsically insignificant, but so far formidable that they could upon occasions, by combining, produce either a dead lock in legislation, or an actual, and, as it invariably happened an abrupt change of Administrations. Hence, in truth, has it come to pass that all these twelve or thirteen years last past we have gained not one step in advance either in Parliamenrary Reform, in Administrative Reform, or in the more rational economisin g of the national resources. tion. Happily, however, the hour at length struck from which was to date a new era in our Parlia mentary history, in our progressive legislation, and for that matter too, we hope, i n the widest and noblest sense, in our Constitutional Government. The cup of the popular indignation was at last brimmed up to overflowing. The dull, deplorable, do-nothing rule of th e W higs under Lord JOHN had tired the patience of the country out, in the first instance, after more than five, after nearly six dreary years of it had dragged its slow length along. The first Derbyite Ministry, that of 1852, being little else than the merest con test for power, formed a hiatus in our Parliamentary annals of just ten months duration. After that episode the nation became disgusted increasingly by the two years disastrous misrule of the ABERDEEN Coalition, with the drifting into war, the evasion of reform, and the deadly bungling of a great military and maritime cam paign. Disheartened, as well as disgusted, the nation, through its representatives, accorded to Lord PALMERSTON, by an impetus of mistaken reliance, the magnificent and enviable opportunity of a Parliamentary Dictatorship. Within three years the illusion was dissipated. The implicit confidence reposed in Lord PALMERSTON was responded to during those three years by an arro gance of bearing that, it is so far satisfactory to know, is almost unexampled in the history of our Legislature. It was when this arrogance, and even insolence had at length reached a point beyond which further endurance by the House and the country was absolutely impossible that the strong Government, the popular Government, the one only practical Government, went down one fine evening, or rather one chilly morning in the cheerless month of Feb ruary, whew ! like a pack of cards. It was the fall, everyone said then, of Humpty Dumpty. But there, too, every one was again mistaken. Here is Humpty Dumpty back again—and dragged back , moreover, in triumph, by all the QUEEN'S horses and all the QUEEN'S men. But between his downfalling and his uprising have occurred those incidents which, we rejoice to know' give us under any and every circumstance a fairer prospect than we have had now for twelve or thirteen years past consecutively—of something like progress in Reform and of something like a strong Government. First of all, the Conservative Administration by coming into power again when It did and as it did—formally pledged itself to the acceptance of Reform as a Necessity. It yielded a guarantee of its sincerity in this by conceding successively the Jew Bill and one of the points of the Charter namely, Property Qualification. Secondly, the general election that has so recently taken place produced a result in its way no less important, and, if possible, still more satisfactory. It brought about, for the first time since the date of Sir ROBERT'S memorable disruption, already particularised, that more equal Balance of Party in which we recognise the surest and the happiest augury—for progress:once more in Reform, and for strength once more in our Governments. For these things we are indebted, if to any one, to the Derbyites—or rather to the circumstances of which they availed themselves to the utmost of their ability. As curious an instance as we have ever met with of the tenacity of the monopolists and the incon sistency of Whig free-traders now lies before us. We refer to the " Report of the Select Committee on the QUEEN'S Printer's Patent," which gives him the exclusive privilege of printing the Bible in England, except that the two Universities enjoy the right, by charter, to print them also. Our readers will remember that when Mr. BAINES, the member for Leeds, appealed to the Home Secretary as to the intention of the Government to advise her MAJESTY on the renewal of the patent, the free-trader, Sir G. C. LEWIS, met him with all sorts of excuses for evading the subject ; he did not know that Bibles could be printed cheaper, and he must have guarantees for their accuracy, and so forth; till our Whig free-trader drove Mr. BAINES to accept a select committee to ascertain what he ought to have known without a thought—whether unrestricted competition were or were not the best securities for quality and cheapness in regard to Bibles as well as to everything else. Had Mr. WALPOLE and the Tories taken such a course, it might almost have been respected as consistent — certainly forgiven ; but Sir G. LEWIS fell very much in our estimate of his soundness when he could palter with what, to a free-trader, ought to have been so plain a matter. Well, here we have the evidence of the first wit nesses examined, and very amusing it is. It is due to Mr. BAINES, the chairman, to mention that he appears to fulfil his duty most admirably. He is evidently thoroughly up in the subject, shows considerable acuteness in detecting the evasions of the monopolists, and in leading them to self-refuting answers, yet all his questions are those of a man of business notions, and all of them expressed in the most urbane phraseology. Mr. SPOTTISWOODE himself was the first examined; but even his ability, and the respect of all parties for his literary and social position, cannot give a monopolist the best of the case in a free-trade con troversy. On the question of cheapness, for in- stance, he wants to prove that restricted competi tion is the best plan : his proof is that the Bible is now printed cheaper than any other book of its size, which Mr. CIIILDS, of Bungay, who has printed a large number for Scotland and for the Tract Society, proves ought to be the case. But Mr. SPOTTISWOODE wanted to prove that the com petition of the three has produced this cheapness. Two price lists of his own are, however, put into his hands; and he is asked to compare them. It appears that in the space of three months his own prices fell more thE•n 50 per cent.—the total of prices in November being £l9 12s. 6d.;and in February £9 is. 6d.! and it turns out that just in that time the Scottish monopoly was abolished, and Scottish Bibles were published at free-trade prices ! All kinds of excuses are resorted to, both by Mr. SPOT TISWOODE and Mr. F. COME, another witness, the superintendent of the Oxford Bible press, but all in vain. Changes in the price of ink and paper, and the introduction of machinery and the like, were mentioned ; but the obstinate fact would re main that such changes were small and gradual, and the fall in price was immense and sudden. The three competitors had cheapened nothing, till the Scotch competition had alarmed them. At fifty per cent. profit nothing could have prevented the smuggling of Bibles across the border. The Inqui sition itself would have been defied. The three monopolists, therefore, who till that time had com bined to charge us double prices for our Bibles, at once improved their management and sought a profit out of a larger sale, Judiciously enough the monopolist witnesses, and their friends in the committee, tried hard to prove that the competition of thirty printers would not serve the public better than the competition of three. The rule of three did not apply to Bible printing and monopoly ; if three competitors and five or six Scotch oires have reduced the price of Bibles by one half, how much will ten times that number reduce them' is no fair Example for COCKER. Well, it is no doubt true that the pre position IN ill not hold, or we should next have Bibles for nothing ; but it came out clearly in evidence that there was abundant scope for trade inventive ness in the quality, and character, and getting up of Bibles as of other things ; and that, if they could not be much cheaper, they might be greatly im proved. Of course the real question is—what right have three printers to ask Parliament and the QUEEN that Bible printing should be limited to their workshops? Here it is that the question of accuracy is raised. The monopolists profess that they secure a clegiee of accuracy not to be attained by competition. Now we should, of course, deny that the Government has any more to do with the accuracy 1 of our Bibles than of our BACONS and MILTON'S. The very demand proves the ignorance of those i 1 who make it, of the first principles of religion as well of commerce. D o we want a Pope in Downing-street a nisng-street to sanction the present version, as the POPE of Rome sanctisns the Vulgate or the Douay versions? D o we, in this sense, recognise the QUEEN as Defender of the Faith ? But, first, numeroua instances of inaccuracies i n the Bibles printed before the monopoly was threatened, were produced. Secondly, the pa tent, and the charters of the universities, do not bind the monopolists to accuracy. Thirdly, Mr. CHILDS, of Bungay, has already printed largely, and with perfect accuracy, both for the Tract So ciety, and for Scotland, and for the Roman Catholics also. _Fourthly, The sufficient guarantee for accu racy is, that Bible printing could be undertaken only by printers of large capital, persons who had a character to maintain; and the vigilance of all denominations, of all readers, and of all the large societies, through whom the great bulk of Bibles are sold, is the true commercial guarantee, and the all-sufficient one. Much stress was laid on the correct punctuation—the fact is this, both in the Old and New Testament it is a matter of taste. There is no inspired punctuation—none whatever in the earliest manuscripts. The sale of English Bibles in America was ad verted to, but we cannot perceive what it has to do with the right or wrong of monopoly. Ameri cans, as Dr. CASWALL gave evidence, would never tolerate a Government patent or even guarantee. Mr. ClllLDS—whose evidence was worth more than that of all the rest—showed that the price of Ame rican skilled labour was so high that their Bibles might well cost them as much as ours ; and the mononpolists pay no duty for paper. We advise Mr. BAINES to keep a sharp look out lest we be saddled with another job like that of the Scottish Board. If one be created let it be a self supporting one. Let those who want Bibles authen ticated by a board pay for the authentication, just as persons do who have their gold coined at the mint. We should be content with the accuracy produced by unrestricted competition ; if the Bible Society, or the Christian Knowledge Society, or tradesmen want a Government guarantee, then let them pay for it by a fee to the Board which grants it. The evidence is much of it very interesting. The straightforward answers of Mr. BESLEY, Mr. CHILDS, and the free-trade witnesses, compared with the obstinate and evasive fencing of the monopolists, is itself enough to settle the question. CITY OF LONDON LYING-IN HOSPITAL. The City of London boasts that it is fond of publicity in its doings. Its accounts are, in some fashion, made public now. Its Common Council debates are public ; its Lord Mayor has a grand public show on his inauguration, and it has given, and will give " public receptions" to statesmen, to generals, and even to Sovereigns. We used often to wonder, however, that it should proclaim its readiness to give " public receptions" to a class of persons who do not usually covet that honour. We almost thought the announcement must be the painter's mistake. It is not so, however. The City of London Lying-in Hospital has been new painted, and still the announcement is that it is for the " Public Reception of Pregnant Women," and that these public receptions of such " interesting" persons, and in whom the public take such inte rest is—" according to Act of Parliament." - 'AVZ.',') V ..) --' 4 - 7::', ,L t k ,_. f .,.. „ - V . --, :' , -.4. • , 4 ..., r .Y-•,1 ' ..,' .. , '..,“i ' V t " . T 4O 4. o t - ,,,,---,-,..: . %., Al 1, 1 , \ 61 g - 1 - ~ r * i .l,, 47 '• 11 0 ' ' I, l°OlV ''' '- ` t. . S' s • =-,,,,, THEW' SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 26, 1859, LATEST NEWS. The following telegrams have been received at Mr. Reuter's office : MARSEILLES, AUG. 25. The steamer from Alexandria brings the sub- joined advices : ALEXANDRIA, Aug. 18.—The Viceroy is increas ing his army considerably. CANTON, July s.—The fleet, composed of nine teen vessels, proceeds in advance of the three Am bassadors of England, France, and America, in order, should it be necessary, to force the passage of the Peiho. Negotiations of peace are expected per Touranne (?) BATAVIA, May 24.—A general massacre of Christians in two towns of a district in Borneo is reported to have taken place. Pilgrims from Mecca (?), it is supposed, gave the signal to the outbreak. TRIESTE, AUG. 25. The Austrian Lloyd's steamer, just arrived, brings advices from Constantinople to the 20th inst. The Sultan has been taken ill. Musurus Pacha has been empowered to settle the question of the Danubian Principalities. The Papal Charge d'Affaires was expected there. The Prince Vogorides is dead. Mohamed Pacha has been appointed Governor- General of Smyrna. The Sultan has presented the Dragoman to the Russian Ambassador with a country seat. ZURICH, AUG. 25. Yesterday the French and Sardinian Plenipoten tiaries held a conference. M. de Bourqueney has received a courier from the Cabinet of Paris. Count Colloredo had a slight attack of apoplexy yesterday evening, but is better to-day. FRANCE. PARIS, THURSDAY. This day is hotter even than yesterday. The thermometer marked 92 deg. Fahrenheit at 2 to day in the shade. It is said that there is a party in Tuscany, though not numerically strong, yet most active, now work ing Heaven and earth in favour of Prince Napoleon as a candidate for a kingdom or principality in Cen tral Italy. In the meantime nothing can be stronger than the denial in official quarters of any partici pation in or approval of these manoeuvres by the Emperor and the personage for whom they are carried on. This, however, proves little. If mat ters take the turn they deny they expect or wish for, the Emperor and his cousin would probably yield to a little gentle violence. The last ships of war of the French squadron in the Adriatic have quitted that sea under the orders of the captain of the steam frigate [sly. It was at the moment of their departure on the 17th inst., that the boiler of the large gun-brig Aigrette burst, and the boat foundered. The full particulars of the accident have not yet been received by the Minister of Marine, but it is known, that the offi cers and the greater part of the crew were saved. The crews of the Isly and the Monge afforded every assistance to the sufferers. "A rumour propagated by some foreign jour nals," says Galignani, " that the visit of the Grand Duke Constantine to England has a political ob ject is contradicted with some energy in Russia. The Grand Duke, the St. Petersburg journals as sert, is a sailor before all things, tw.nd he has gone into England to study the progress of the navy, just as last year he visited France with the same object. The following are the dates of the births of the Marshals of France now on active service :—De Castellano, 1788 ; Vaillant, 1790 ; 3Tagnan, 1791 ; Pelissier, 1794 ; Regnault de Saint Jean d'Angely, 1`,94; Baraguay d'Hilliers, 1795; Randon, 1795; Niel, 1802 ; de MacMahon, 1807 ; Csaurobert, 1809 ; and Bosquet, 1809. The oldest of these dignitaries is consequently 71 and the youngest 50. The steam advice boat Ariel has left Brest with an electric cable, destined to place the isles of Ushant, Conquel, and Dalec in tele-graphic commu nication with that port. BOURSE, Aug. 25.—The prices have slightly im proved, but the market still continues dull. Threes opened at 69f. 25c., and are now at 69f. 35c. Mo bilier varied from 830 f. to 835 f.; Austrian, 560 f. to 562 f. 50c. ; Lombard, 562 f. 50c. to 565 f. ; Orleans, 1,365 f. to 1,367 f. 50c. ; Lyons, 870 f.. to 871 f. 25c. ; Southern, 510 f. to 512 f. 50c. ; Northern, 930 f. to 932 f. 50c. The following were the last quotations :- 4t per Cents. .... 98 05 Credit Fonder.... 665 Do. end month .. 98 15 Belgian 41- ; .. 98 75 3 per Cents .. 69 30 Piedmont me (5) .. 85 50 Do. end month.... 69 20 Roman..,,, B6 Bank Shares 2BOO Austrian Credit Mobilier 830 Spanish Threes Do. Account FRENCII GUN BOATS. A letter from Toulon of the 23d inst. informs us that the gunboats which form the flotilla in that port are being dispersed. Those which are destined for the ports in the Atlantic leave two at a time. The gunboats of the second class, which are going to Cherbourg, are escorted by those of the Ist class, which are to be laid up at Brest. The Eclair and the St. Barbe were the first to leave on the 18th. They were followed on the 19th by the Fleche and the Lance. The Redoute sailed the same day, accompanied by the steam-cutter Promethee. The Arquebuse, the Salve, and the Poudre were prepar ing to sail on the 23d. Three_ launches had been placed at the disposal of Admiral Desfosses, by whom experiments are to be made, as to their speed and their capability of carrying artillery. The Tirailleuse, a steam launch of 25 horse-power, armed with three cannon, commanded by a lieutenant, with a crew of 40 men, and two launches of 16 horse power, plated with steel, according to the new sys tem, armed with one gun, commanded by a lieute nant, with a crew of 10 men, are about to commence a series of experiments. Admiral Dupony has re turned to Toulon on board the steam-frigate Ulloa, bringing with him the operatives who had put to gether the gun brigs at Dczenzano, which were in tended to be used on Lake Garda. The Emperor made a present of these five small boats to King Victor Emmanuel, and their crews returned to Toulon on board the Ulloa. These gunboats had been taken to pieces at Toulon, sent to Genoa, and thence to the banks of Lake Garda, where they were to have been used against Peschiera. His Excellency the Greek Minister and Madame Tricoupi and Madlle. Tricoupi have left town for Torquay. The Earl and Countess of Fingal and the Hon. Mr. Plunkett have arrived at the Queen's Hotel, Upper Norwood. Viscount Palmerston left town yesterday for Osborne, on a visit to her Majesty. Lord and Lady Ashburton have been staying at his lordship's shooting quarters in the Highlands since the commencement of grouse shooting. Count John and Lady Cecil de la Field have le: Prince's-gate for Clandon Hall, en route for Devonshire. Baron and Baroness Henri de l'Espee have arrived at the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, from Paris. The Right Hon. Sir Charles Wood, Bart., M.P., and Lady Mary Wood and Miss Wood have left Belg-rave square for Hickleton Hall, Yorkshire. His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, attended by the Vicar-General, Dr. Travers Twiss, and by the Principal Registrar of the Province, Mr. Francis Hart Dyke, arrived at the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster, yesterday at about 3 o'clock, when his Grace, having directed the Royal writ to be read, prorogued the Convoca tion of the Prelates and Clergy of the Province of Canter bury, pursuant to the Royal writ, to Friday, Oct. 28. DEATH OF THE COUNTESS (DOWAGER) OF NOR 111:RY.—We have to announce the demise of the Countess (Dowager) of Norbury, who expired yesterday morning at an early hour, at her residence in Belgrave-square. The late countess married on the Ist January, 1808, the late Earl of Norbury, which unfortunate nobleman was murdered at his seat in Ireland in January, 1839. The deceased coun tess was mother of Lady Grace Vandeleur, Lady Georgiana Rebow, Lady Braybrooke, and Lady Isabella Stewart. The lamented lady was only daughter and heiress of Mr. Win. Brabazon, of Brabazon Park, county Mayo. DINNER TO MR. BONHAM-CARTER AND MR. S. LEFEVRE.—Yesterday evening a dinner was given at the Corn Exchange in Winchester, to Mr. Bonham-Carter, M.P., and Mr. J. Shaw Lefevre, the Liberal candidates for the city at the last election. Upwards of 400 persons were present, among them being the Right Hon. Sir Francis Baring, M.P. ; Mr. T. G. Baring, M.P., Under Secretary for India ; Sir J. C. Jervoise, M.P. ; Captain Buckle, ; Mr. Markham Carter, Mr. Alderman Sheppard, of Portsmouth ; the Rev. W. Thorne, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wright, &c. Dr. Crawford occupied the chair. SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY.— The directors of this company have resolved to recommend the proprietors, at the ensuing half-yearly meeting, to declare a dividend of 12s. on each £3O stock, being at te rate of 4 per cent. per annum. MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—The directors of this company have decided upon recommending the proprietors to declare a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, free of income-tax, for the half .year ending the 30th June last. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the Thames Haven Dock Company was held yesterday. The committee of inquiry appointed inFebruary last presented their report, which gave rise to much discussion, the result being the rejection of the report, and the adoption of a resolution, the object of which is to allow th e com mittee and the directors of the company to present a joint report at an adjourned meeting to be held in October next. The light portion of the Calcutta and China mail will be delivered in London early on Saturday (to-morrow) morning. The steamer Northam reached Aden on the 17th inst. (one day before the contract time), with dates from Sydney to the 14th of July ; from Melbourne t o the 17th, and from Adelaide to the 20th. The light portion of this mail, as well as of the Bombay mail, is expected in London about the 3d of Sept. ; whilst the heavy portion will pro bably arrive about the 9th of Sept., by the Ripon. THE SUNKEN FLEET AT SEBASTOPOL.—The ar rival of the barque Guisachan (Mr. R. Hammond, agent) in this port, enables us to confirm the statement whic we published a few weeks ago respecting the forlorn appear ance of the fortress-city of Sebastopol. The Guisachan left Sebastopol on the 30th of May, after taking in a part cargo of guns and bones, and arrived at Balaclava the folio wingday. Here she completed her cargo, consisting of 400 tons of can non and 250 tons of bones, and finally left for Engl4nd on the 9 3d June. No efforts are being made to restore Sebastopol, and the houses, excepting such as are occupied by the various government functionaries—who are the chief, if not sole residents—are in the tumble-down state they were left by a victorious foe. Of legitimate trade there is abso lutely none, and when the shipment of guns and bones shall have ceased, and the sunken fleet of Russia, by American ingenuity and enterprise, shall have beon rescued from oblivion, utter inanition appears to be the fate of this memorial of despotism. Operations connected with the sunken fleet aro proceeding rapidly and successfully. Be fore the Guisachan left only some 23 vessels remained to be raised, while the time of the contract, it was understood, does not expire until May of next year. An attempt was about being made to raise the Twelve Apostles, which is by far the largest vessel sunk in the harbour.—Hull Advertiser. RAILWAYS. Cal3h. Account. Orleans Northern 930 .. New ditto Bl5 .. 817 50 Lyons and Mediterranean B6B 75 .. 871 25 Geneva 530 .. 535 Southern Western 560 .. 570 Eastern Sardinian 415 .. 412 50 Austrian Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 121 c. ; money, 25f 10c.; three months, paper, 24f. 971 e.; money, 21f. 95c. SARDINIA. A letter from Turin of the 21st, in the Nord, of Brussels, says : " The King presided this morning- at a Council of Ministers, which remained in eieliberation for several hours. The question under discussion was, it is said, the vote of annexation come to by the Tuscan Assembly, and it was decided. that, before accepting, even provisionally, the provinces which desire to give themselves over to Kirtg Victor Em manuel, it was proper to consult the milled powers, and rarticularly France. Count Lin.ati, the new mayor of Parma, who was sent on a mission to Paris by the municipality of which is the head, returned yesterday, and was this morning received by the King. The Count has brought with him from Paris the formal assurance that. there will be no armed intervention in the Duchy for the re establishment of the sovereignty of the Duchess contrary to the wishes of the people_ With respect to the eventual annexation of the duchy to Pied mont, the Emperor is said to have tplained him self with mucn reserve, declaring that the same difficulties which had counselled the peace of Villafranea existed with regard to the aggrandise ment of Piedmont beyond the limits necessary for the balance of power in Europe, and that under no circumstances would he assume th.e initiative in sanctioning such an event." The Lombardia announces that in consequence of steps taken by the Piedmontem Government through the medium of the Prussiem Legation at Turin, the Vienna Government has stet the hostage at liberty that had been taken by' the Austrian army. The Piedazontese Gazette publishes a Royal de cree dated Milan, the 15th, granting a general par don for all offences against police rugulations com mitted in Lombardy, and punishabl e with a period of arrest not exceeding three montb.s . Up to the 22d inst. the subscriptions in Piedmont in favour of the families of Sardi.aian soldiers in active service or wounded amounted. - to 227,107 fr. VENETIA. A number of distinguished \reactions, some of them members of the Republican Croy 'erment or the Republican Assembly of 1848, have :sent to the re presentatives of the European povn 'rs a long ad dress, in the course of which they SO; y : " Two hundred thousand soldiers are encamped on the soil of Venetia; the condue t of the Aus trian Government has not changed since the con clusion of peace. To the manifestat 'ons of sorrow of the citizens at an unexampled 4 isappointment —manifestations which the most severe Govern ment ought to have considered excusable, and which the enemy the least acquainted with noble sentiments and with the intoxication of vic tories would have regarded as an additional charm in unhoped for success—the functionaries of Austria in Venice on the 17th July responded by menaces which were at once puerile and cruel. We mention another fact :—ln the prisons of Josephstadt are inhabitants of Venetia, peaceable men, dear to the nation by their talents and their character, who have been arrested without trial, as a simple measure of precaution, and with the official remark that though it was true they had not dis turbed order it was possible that they would trouble it, and that consequently their im prisonment was useful to themselves and desirable to those who loved them. Was it not right to ex• pect that after the peace of Villafranca these men would be restored to their afflicted families ? But they are still in prison !" The address concludes as follows : _ _ " On the whole, Austria cannot govern Italy. Even an Austrian prince, alone and without foreigners around him, would be de trop, and his presence would not only awake painful reminiscences but would create dangers for the Austrian empire, for the dignity of France, and for the tranquillity of Europe. The hopes solemnly given to Venetia ought not to be eluded. Was it then to see the enfranchisement of Italy left incomplete that 200,000 French mothers lived during ten weeks in agony, awaiting every moment the news that their children had been torn to pieces by Austrian grape shot ? Was it to leave the enfranchisement of Italy incomplete that Napoleon 111. placed in jeopardy his destiny and his life—and what is dearer to him, the life, the honour of France, and the heritage of a great name, which weighs on him like a heavy, though splendid, burden ? Let Europe, grateful for the peace he has assured her, aid him to throw off the yoke of such a burden ; by so doing she will obtain from this land of noble ideas and great mis fortunes blessings which will be to her a favour able augury." The following letter has been received from Milan, dated 31st August : " The league of the States of Central Italy is a fact which may now be said to be accomplished. A resolution was unanimously passed at Modena yesterday, as it was at Florence a few days since) declaring the forfeiture of their title by the houses of Este and Lorraine. The greatest order prevailed during the proceedings, which were conducted with a dignity that would have done honour to the oldest assembly in Europe. Italy has truly made great progress within six years. The progress consists in the quiet determina tion substituted for that imaginative impulse which caused our destruction in 1848. In fact, the firmness of the resolution might have been mis taken for indifference. It is a remarkable fact, that during the late agitation there has been no disturb ance, nor none of those puerile demonstrations so frequent in Italy. Strangers have paid no attention to this fact, but history will record it as a great event. It was well understood that the relations of the European States with each other would prevent any of them from interfering separately with force of arms ; and it was said, if we can accomplish our destiny without giving any of them a pretence to impose their will on us in the name of order, they will suffer us to accomplish what was done in Belgium in 1830, or what France did since in call ing the Napoleonian dynasty to the throne. The King of Naples served as an example to us. Eng land and France, Rot being able to come to an un derstanding with each other, caused him no fear by their threats, because he comprehended that each was strong enough to prevent the other from adopting measures of coercion. He continued his course, he permitted the Ministers of the great Powers to withdraw without making any concession. Central Italy has only to imitate King Ferdinand in order to leave Europe in suspense until a con gress shall have become inevitable. France finds herself in a delicate position, inasmuch as Napoleon 111. is aware that the Italian people were aban doned by their sovereigns who were either the concealed or open enemies of Italy." " We regret to announce," says the 2'Talta Times, " that since the 15th the Corfu cable has been out of working order, as no answers can bo obtained to signals made from the office in Malta, and it is feared that a rupture has taken place. With regard to the Cagliari cable, we are informed that a tele gram was received on the 16th inst., at 4.45 p m., from Marsala, stating that the Malta end, which was lost soon after it was picked up, had been again recovered and carried to Marsala, and found to be in excellent communication with Malta. The Cagliari portion, as far as Marsala, is considered to be irrecoverably lost." THE BOMBAY MAIL. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY EVENING. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's screw steamer Behar, Captain Black, has arrived. She left Alexandria on the 12th inst., Malta on the 16th, and Gibraltar on the 20th, and has had fine weather, with generally head winds. Her Majesty's ships Hibernia, Urgent, Liffey, and Banshee were at 11Ialta, and the Vulture at Gibraltar. At 2 a.m. on th.e 15th inst. the Behar passed six large ships, supposed to be the English fleet ; at 11.30 a.m., on the same day, she passed the Penin sular and Oriental Company's steamer Indus, steering south-east ; and at 4 p.m. the Nepaul, also steering south-east. On the 17th, at 2.30. p.m.) she passed the English barque Hampshire. Tho Behar brings 80 passengers, including, in addition to those reported in 'the Sun of Wed nesday, Capt. Warden, of H.M.S. Vulture; En sign Geddes, Mr. Ansaldo and son, from Gibral tar. On fieight she has 3 packages of specie, value not stated, 750 bales of silk, 307 boxes of raisins, 24 bales of flax, 35 packages of teeth, 22 bales of senna, and 80 packages of sundries. The Ripon steamer, hence on the 12th, with Australian and Bombay mails, arrived at Gibral tar on the 18th, and proceeded forthwith. The following outward-bound British merchant steamers had arrived at Gibraltar : The Scamander, from Liverpool, on the 11th; the Euphrates, from Liverpool, on the 12th ; the Melbourne, from Lon don, on the 14th ; the Peninsula, from London, on the 19th; and the Eceotia, from Liverpool, on the 20th. • The British brigantine Eleanor, arrived at Gib raltar from Constantinople, reported having spoken, August 5, off Cape Bonn, the British brig Cathe rine Roberts, from Ibrail for Falmouth, leaky and short of water; and on the 17th, off Malaga, the British brig Magic, from Ibrail for Falmouth, all well. The Eleanor had her foreyards and foretop masts backstay carried away in a heavy squall in the Archipelago. Gibraltar—Exchange on London, 51; Paris, 529 ; Marseilles, 530; Genoa, 531. The American war sloop Plymouth, Commander CL axon, put into Cadiz on the 12th, eight days from Cherbourg, and left on the following morning with out being admitted to pratique. The Spanish steam-sloop Lepanto, 6 guns, arrived at Cadiz, from Malago, on the 13th. The French ship St. Mathu rin, which put into Cadiz, from Havre, on the Bth, landed the crew of the Prussian brig, August Fre deric, which foundered in the British Channel. The brig was laden with wheat from Odessa for Falmouth. AMERICA. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY EVENING. The steam-ship Ocean Queen, Capt. Seabury, with New York mails of the 13th inst., has arrived at Cowes, and proceeded f or H avre . Sh e b r i ngs 1,500,000 dols., a great part of them for France; also 90 passengers for this place and 100 for Havre. Advices are anticipated by the Anglo-Saxon. FREE DRINKING FOUNTAINS FOR THE METRO POLIB.-A public meeting, convened by the members of the Fitzroy T.,mperance Association, was held in Fitzroy-hall, Little Portland-street, Marylebone, yesterday evening, to set forth the great advantages likely to result from this movement. The great influence for good that the erection of fountains would have on the public at large, thousands could quench their thirst without resorting to places for drink, which often sowed seeds that brought forth bitter fruits in after-life to myriads of families, for intemperance was a dire and dreadful scourge to humanity. Mr. Miller, who occupied the chair, drew attention to what the Fountain Association had already done, and read a list of 70 places which were fixed upon for such erec tions. The Rev. Mr. Amos, of Trinity Church, Messrs. Pickett (Oxford-street), Geo. Mudie, and John Roberts ad dressed the meeting, at the conclusion of which a collection was made for the Free Fountain Fund. FATAL COLLISION OFF THE SOUTH FORELAND. DOVER, AUG. 25. An inquiry was held yesterday, before Mr. Thompson, the borough coroner, on view of the body of Jeremiah Hammond, a Dover pilot, who, with three others, lost his life by the schooner Robert Garden being run down by the Ondine screw steamship, off the South Foreland, early on the morning of the 7th inst. _ _ Mr. Catta - rns, of Mark-lane, London, appeared for the owners of the Ondine ; and Mr. Sharland for the schooner. The evidence was most conflicting. The schooner Robert Garden was from Hartlepool to Dover, with coals, and, according to her master's testimony, it appeared that on the morning of the 7th, about two o'clock, she was off the South Foreland, mak ing for Dover Bay, under all canvas, the wind S.S.W., when the Ondine was seen coming up Chan nel, two points on the schooner's port bow, half a mile off. Her green (starboard) and white lights were observed. The steamer continued her course and crossed the bows of the schooner, her helm was then suddenly ported, and she came into the Robert Garden between the bowsprit and starboard cat head, causing her to sink in three or four minutes. The deceased was crushed and killed at the moment of the collision, his body falling overboard. It was averred that the schooner had her proper lights up, and her helm was put hard aport before the vessels came in contact. It was stated also that the On dine was going at the rate of 10 or 11 miles an hour, and that her crew evinced some delay in rescuing those of the schooner. On the part of the steamer it was shown, that as soon as the red light of the schooner was seen the helm of the Ondine was ported in accordance with the Admiralty regulations, that her speed was re duced, and her engines reversed, and that the acci dent arose from the helm of the schooner having been starboarded. Every exertion was made to save the crew of the schooner, and there was no delay in lowering a boat. Mr. Cattarns said Captain Hunt, the master of the steamer, was in attendance to give evidence. The Coroner said he would take any statement he might wish to make, but he would not examine him on oath. Mr. Cattarns said if his evidence was not to be received on oath, he should not advise him to make any statement. The Coroner then summed up, and The Jury returned the followed verdict :—" From the circumstances stated in the evidence before us we find that the death of Jeremiah Hammond was caused, on the morning of the 7th instant, by the Ondine screw steamer coming into collision with the schooner Robert Garden, on board of which the deceased was pilot. We are also of opinion that the said collision and loss of life on board the Robert Garden is attributable to James Hunt, the master of the Ondine, neglecting to port his helm in time to pass astern of the schooner." The Coroner said the verdict amounted to one of manslaughter, and it was arranged that Captain Hunt should put in bail to answer the charge at the next assizes. Mr. Charles Edward Coleridge, of the South Wales Circuit, has been appointed secretary to the com missioners appointed to inquire into the existence of corrupt practices at the last election for the city of Gloucester ; and Mr. Dew, of the House of Commons, has been appointed secretary to the commissioners appointed to inquire into the existence of corrupt practices at the last election for the borough of Wakefield. The Peninsular and Oriental steamer Orissa, to sail on Saturday, will take 21,000 sovereigns for Alexan dria, and £20,700 in gold and £204,360 in silver for Bom bay. In the latter amount is included a Government re mittance of £172,000. In accordance with Admiralty instructions, certain alterations, with a view to an extension of Deptford Dockyard, are to be carried into effect, the requisite portion of hind having been obtained. The building slips at Wool wich, upon which the Repulse and Barossa are now con structing, are also ordered to be improved. DEATII OF THE SENIOR COMMANDER, ROYAL NAVY, AND VACANCY ON THE OUT-PENSION, GREEN WICH HOSPITAL.—We last week announced the death of Commander 'William Kelly, the then senior commander; we regret now to have to record that of Commander Charles Seward, 1814, the next senior on the list. This officer entered the service in 1793, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1801; was midshipman of the Majestic at the battle of the Nile, and lieutenant of the Orpheus at the reduction of Gaudaloupe, in 1810 ; and was officially noticed in the " Gazette" in 1798. Commander Robert Forster, 1815, an officer who has served with great distinction, and is one of the few surviving heroes of the landing in Egypt, is now the senior commander. _ FATAL RIVER ACCIDENT.—(THIS DAY). — Shortly after ten o'clock this forenoon a very painful acci dent occurred at Battersea-bridge pier. The River Queen and the Matrimony were both in motion abreast of the pier, and the call boy of the former, while in the act of passing to the latter, miscalculated the distance, and fell into the river. Unfortunately both boats backed, the one up and the other down stream, nearly suffocating the boy with back water. Life buoys and boat hooks were then thrown towards him ; but, falling short, he disappeared, after striking out ineffectually for a short time. Deceased is only 12 years of age. REDUCTION OF DUTY ON LACE.—Our readers will be gratified to learn that our worthy representative, Mr. Chas. Pa.-et, has been successful in his repeated applica tion to the late as well as the present Government to effect an alteration in the Sardinian tariff upon crotchet tulle, which, through their representations, and the exertions of Sir James Hudson (our Minister at Turin), has been altered from 6f. the kilog. (21bs. English) to 2f. 50c. ; and, consi dering the additional territory acquired by the King of Sar dinia, this great reduction must prove very beneficial to the lace trade.—Nottingham Review. M. FELIX PYAT AND THE AMNESTY.—M. Felix Pyat writes from London to the _lndependence Beige to cor rect.. a statement in that paper to the effect that he had taken advantage of the amnesty, and passed through Paris on his way to Vierzon, to visit his mother. M. Pyat says— " I thank your correspondent for his good intentions, and for the pious sentiment to which he attributes my precipita tion. But, alas ! I have no reason any longer to be in such a hurry. I can, no doubt, if I like, revisit my country ; but I cannot find there my mother, who died in her grief, and whose eyes I was unable to close." THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH BETWEEN LIVER POOL AND HOLYHEAD. —Though the line of telegraph along the Liverpool docks will be managed and worked by a public company, the dock board retaining certain exclu sive privileges, the board at their meeting of the yesterday de cided to keep for the present the working telegraph between Liverpool and Holyhead in their own hands. It was stated yesterday that the saving which will be effected by the abolition of several of the semaphore stations would equal the amount of interest per annum upon the expendi ture involved by the new means of communication. The letters from St. Petersburg state, that as the prices of produce are much too high for exporters, the Rus sians themselves have entered into large local speculations in tallow, and are keeping back the supplies which ought to be now in course of shipment. The accounts from the Nishni fair are favourable. It is also mentioned that a considerable portion of the subscriptions to the recent loan were on Russian account—a circumstance which nullifies its effects on the exchanges, and even in some degree ren ders them for the moment more unfavourable for Russia, since remittances are made thence to provide the deposits on this side. TERRIFIC THUNDERSTORM.—Last night one of the most severe thunderstorms with which we have been visited for some time passed over the metropolis. The atmo sphere during the day was close and oppressive, and soon after sunset vivid and incessant flashes of sheet lightning played around the horison. At ten o'clock the flashes were intensely and awfully brilliant, followed by crashing peals of thunder, the rain falling in torrents, which in a very few moments inundated the carriage roads, and i n many p l aces overflowed the foot pavements. The accumulated waters rushing into the basements and cellars, flooded them to some depth, occasioning considerable damage to the con tents. At half-past ten o'clock a frightfully vivid flash illuminated the hemisphere from the zenith to the horison, and almost simultaneously a heavy crashing peal shook the houses on the south side of the river to the foundations. BARON CHAZAL)—The following is a short bio graphical sketch of General Baron Chazal, Minister of War In Belgium, who so strongly defended the Antwerp Forti fication Bill during the late discussion :—He is the son of a member the of French Convention who voted the death of Louis XVI., but:subject to respite. lie was born in 1808 at Tarbes, where his father was residing as Prefect of the Hantes-Pyrenees. In 1816, the father was proscribed, and took up his residence at Btussels, with his family. )(sung Chazal was educated in Brussels for commercial pursuits, and he embarked in business as a cloth dealer. But when the revolution of 1830 broke forth he took an active part in the proceedings, and having entered the army, became succes sively intendant-genera], commander of a regiment of in fantry, general of brigade, and general of division. In 1844 the chambers by law accorded him complete naturalisation, and in 1847 he became Minister of War in the Frere-Rogier cabinet. In 1850 he retired from the ministry, in conse • quence of some offence given to the national guard. The title of baron was conferred on him some time back by the King, in whose confidence he is believed to be highly placed. In 1856 he was sent on an extraordinary mission to St. Petersburg, to congratulate the Emperor Alexan der on his Majesty's accession to the throne. CRYSTAL PALACE.—The number of visitors to the Crystal Palace on Tuesday, at the Foresters' Fete, 63,181, was by far the largest which has ever been collected there, and exceeded by more than 17,000 the number on the same occasion last year. The conduct of this immense mass throughout the day was in every respect admirable ; hardly a single case of drunkenness was observed, and the greatest order and good humour prevailed. The visitors spread themselves over the whole of the grounds, as they ha* never done on any former occasion. and the result was that not more than the most temporary pressure or inconvenience was at any time felt in the building. It will hardly be believed that no damage whatever was done to the property of the company within or without the Palace. Fully two thirds of the visitors came by rail, and the arrangements by which this enormous throng of more than 40,000 wore broughtto the Palace and conveyed backreflects the greatest credit on the officers of the Railway Company. For some hours during the morning the passengers delivered at the Palace exceeded 12,000 an hour—i.e., 1,000 in every fii e minutes. Measures were adopted by the managers of the Palace by which the excursionists from the country, vd- • formed a large proportion of the visitors, were enabled to reach their return trains with very trifling delay, Th e management of the refreshment department, by which the creature comforts of this great multitude were supplied, seems to have given universal satisfaction, and though the Foresters make no professions to be a "temperance society," the free drinking fountains lately erected in the Palace were literally besieged by thirsty visitors throughout the whole day. The annual *demonstrations of the Fo res t ers h ave steadily increased in popularity since the first year that they attempted one, and have now assumed an importance possessed by those of no other society of the day. If these gatherings continue to be conducted with the same admir able order and good feeling that was so abundantly mani fested on Tuesday, we can only say that we think they are worthy of the most strenuous support. THE IMPERIAL VISIT TO THE PYRENEES. TARBES, August 21.—0 n Thursday morning Tarbes resembled a bee-hive. All was motion and commotion ; banners and flags were being flung to the breeze, while every one was getting ready to re joice at half-past two, as at that hour the Imperial party was to arrive. Never before was the old ca pital of Bigorre so excited or animated. Joyful ex pectations were depicted on all countenances, and a universal anxiety was apparent to get a good view of both their Majesties. I became for the space of two hours a lion. I inadvertently mentioned that I had often seen their Majesties' whereupon I became the centre of a ring of anxious and curious beings, male and female, all asking manifold questions as to the app ear ance and gener al character of those so soon expected. My s ituation was becoming irksome wh en l uc kily the Imperia l train approached. From all parts of the country came flocking in the sunburnt can2pagnards, whi le the streets were filled with municipal deputations, all carrying flags. Foremost were the venerated relics of the past, the Medailles de Sainte _Helene. Earlylin the morning the Prefect had started to mee t the train at Maubourguet. At half-past two the locomotive stopped at the station, which was beau tifully ornamented on this occasion. At once the trumpets sounded, the drums rolled, while loud, hearty, and sincere rose the mighty shout 01 greeting. Their Majesties were received by his Excellency M. Fould (who has a fine property ne ar Tarbes), the Pref ec t o f th e H au t es P yren ees, Gee: de Larroquette, and the members of the different councils. as well as the clergy, of whom there wer e 400 present, and among them were two archbishops' Having entered the carriage their Majesties passed through the streets escorted by the gendarmerie, firemen, and some soldiers of the line. In the car riages that followed after the Imperial couple wer e the Countess de Labedoyere, the Marquise de Ca dore, and two aides-de-camp of the Ernpere l% Each street was literally jammed with human beings. The w i n d ows were fill e d, w hil e the roofs of the houses were covered with adventurous boys, all anxious to see their Sovereigns. The most enthusiastic shouts were raised. " Vive l'Eta" pereur !" " Vive l'lmperatrice !" " Vive le Prince Imperial !" were yelled by all sorts of voices, un mistakably heartfelt in their sincerity. While the,. Imperial cortege was th u s pa ss ing along, a m ost pleasing incident occurred. A large party of English persons who reside near Tarbes ha .,' ll placed among the banners that were floating Bri tain's glorious standard. As the Emperor passe' by, the gentleman holding it lowered his colours in token of respect, whil e a ge n u ine, hearty, real John Bill hurrah completely drowned all oth er acclamations. Charmed at this pleasing act o , t t courtesy, their Majesties most graciously testifi.e u their appreciation of it, and once more Brit' s " lungs sent up a hearty c hee r fo r the Sovereign of France. The Empress was, so it seemed by he' d manner, really pleased, for she fluxed again a xl e again to nod and smile her:smeetest smile to th sons of Albion, who could but bow and shout agf",, u and again, as the beautiful and charming wom an so graciously thanked them. The cortege kept on, and at last it neared the villa of M.•Fould, whe re their Majesties were to alight. Here were assail bled all the children of the different schools in, t he ie vicinity, and they in their turn waved their banners and shouted Vivo le Prince Imperial _ Arrived at the villa, frieir Majesties received the civil and religious authorities of the place. During the receptions the Prefect of the Hautes Pyrene es ' and his Excellency the Minister of State stood ne ar the Emperor. The Archbishop of Tarbes came i n at the head of his clergy, and addressed their Ma jesties somewhat at length. In his answer to the Archbishop, the Emperor mentioned his ardent so licitude for the interests of the Church, and assured him of his sincere esteem for the clergy. After this M. Fould addressed their Majesties as President of the General Council. The Emperor made a brie' and appropriate response, spoke of his having long desired to visit:Tarbes, and feelingly referred to the fact that it was this department ' that had taken the initiative in demanding the restoration of t he Empire. After some presentations, the Mayor of Tarbes , M. le Vicomte de la Garde, made an address i t! their Majesties, during the delivery of which Pvt was much moved, and at times seemed aiml s choking with emotion. I observed that this dis coursee and the warmth of its delivery seemed to move the Emperor much, and he gave a hearty o. shake of the hand to M. de la Garde, thank in g him warmly. After these official presentations and addressfts, the young ladies of the town, all dressed in wh' o and wearing blue scarfs, presented to the Empres s a bouquet of the finest flowers, a n d o ne of th em made a little speech, at the conclusion of which th e Empress thanked them all and kissed the forehea of the fair orator, who blushingly seized the ha nd . of her Majesty and kissed it again and ag ain. During the reception the Emperor gave a num ber of decorations to persons who had been recom mended to him by the Minister of State. At seven o'clock a grand dinner was partaken of by the ir Majesties and suite, and a number of persons spe cially invited. After the meal most of the notable persons of the country paid their respects to the Imperial couple, and at nine o'clock fireworks were let off in thepark. All around it an immense crowd of persons was gathered, and loud and continued shouts of " Vive l'Empereur !" " Vive trice !" were kept up. The town was beautifully illuminated. Streets, houses, arches of triumph, all were glaring with light ; while, to crown all, the weather was magnificent. The most perfect order prevailed, and all agreed that this was the most happy day Tarbes had ever known. The next morning the Emperor and Empres s went to visit the town and all the principal esta; blishments. There was the same eager and excited crowd ready to receive them, and just as many an d as hearty were the shouts of welcome their presenc e called forth. Th e i r M a j est i es were unaccompa nie, by an escort, save the ladies and gentlemen e h their household. The Empress, as is her usual ells' tom in all the cities she visits, inspected the asylum and houses of refuge. During this visit the Emi ror, accompani e d b y M. F ou ld , went t o see the horses at the imp er i a l d epo t . H e v i s i te d th e stables with care, and expressed satisfaction with the con dition of the horses kept there for the use of the, also brought thei r b es t h orses to show, cavalry. Many of th e ne i g hb our i ng farmers h ad and th e Emperor conver se d with sonic of these persons , giving counsel as regards the improvement of the breed. His Majesty then visited a garden, or communal property, called le Jardin Massey. and was much plea se d t o see that its cultivation an ornamentation were extremely fine. Having tra versed the wh o l e o f th e t own t h e E mperor r eturned to the vill a , and their Majesties breakfasted at. eleven o'clock, preparatory to their departure f a ' St. Sauveur. As a last thing, their Majesties visited the Catherdal of Tarbes. A most imposi ll ,g . . ceremony took place at the church. The Arch bishop was ready to receive their Majesties, wait ing on the grand steps for them in his robes of sere' a many. Their Majesties having e n t er ed the hai l ing, remained kneeling during the services, an when leaving they turned near the door tow ards the altar to make the sign o f th e C ros s ere gol'i t t out. At this m o m en t th e crow d seeme d unable a keep in any longer their pent-up enthusiasm, axle tremendous shouts of Vive l'Empereur !" " Via l'lmperat r i ce !" caus',.d the walls of the old Cattw v ; circa to ring again and again. Their Majesties I 1 ( ,) a took their departure amid the l ou d es t huzzas 01 , most sincere and loyal populace, and Tarbes v", i free to gossip and talk about this the greatest her most pleasing event that has o ccur red within walls for half a century. THE GREAT EASTERN: It is understood that Mr. Lever, M.P., has nitt a ; a final offer to the Great Ship Company to char i . l % the Great Eastern on the following t erm s, whicul seems generally to be supposed will be accept el ' . The decision of the directors is t o b e g i v en with in twenty-four hours. The terms a re £25,000 in cas h ' payment to be at once made, h e undertaking to provide for the coals and the disbursement of P ° "; dues and charges. The vessel is to sail frora port he may think fit in the U n it e d Ki ng d o m t0,, 373 • 7 0 . one of three ports in the U n it e d S tates, including New York, Portland, or another that ' maY by named. It is estimated th a t th e r i s k i ncurr ed Mr. Lever will be from £50,000 to £60,000, as a large outlay will be necessary in provisioning an fitting the ship, in settling freight and insurance' brokerage both on this and the other side of the Atlantic, and advertising on an extensive scale„, l r. England, on the Continent, and in America. iv . 1 .40 Lever has extraordinary means at his disposal firs place, the success of the experiment. In the fl/ t place, he has a fleet of steam ships ready to lip id upon the Great E as t ern an d act as t en d e rs, sh°, ll o . she meet with any difficulties in the outset of career. Whoever charters her, or undertakes the responsibility of sending her to any foreign an t distant port, must be a nswera bl e f or her passeng el ; safe and speedy arrival. Again, Mr. Lever has 0 network of booking arrangements all over Europe and America. His offer is calculated to inspire. highest confidence on the part of the shareholders' and those who are otherwise interested in the veD sel, as to her practical capabilities and power. Melons ha ve thi s year been very a bundant and o of good quality. In the neighbourhood of the little to go ld. Cavaillon (Vaucluse) as many as 5,500,000 have been ur.. Although the wholesale price of them in that neigh bo a _ hood was only about 2fr. 50c. the dozen, some growers h made a profit of 25,000 fr.