The Sun. — London, England, 1862-01-13 00:00:00

OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Manager—Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENING, Jan. 13, the new and original Drama, entitled PEEP O'DAY or, Savourneen Deelish. Messrs. Walter Lacy, Hermann Vezin, Charles Silby, Edmund Fal con :Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston. After which, a new and original Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled LITTLE BED BIDING HOOD ; or, Thi, Fairlei of the hose, the Thistle, and the Shamrcek. Principal charac ters by Air. Chas• Selby, Mr. Warlow, Miss Cicely Nott, and miss Lydia Thompson. Acting 3ranager—Mr, F. B. Chatterton. Prices as usual. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at Box-office open daily from 11 tlll5. . . "4. `' FL. . .All t 4 „AA 40, 4,115 , 41 - • tin:, 4:1 ,, • 11 • • „, o tvi , ,bat o r , , .40.7r0 THE SUN. LONDON, MONDAY, MN. 13, 1862. Even Mr. JOHN BRIGHT must be satisfied with the letter of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, which is now before us in full. Not only can no single word or phrase of an irritating or offensive character be found in it, but without a sentence indicating the slightest undignified apprehension on our part, it almost goes out of its way to suppose the best con struction of the worst case. He willingly believes that the act was not " authorised" by the American Government, but that, even if the Commander thought himself authorised, he must have " greatly misunderstood his instructions." We must do his lordship the justice to say, what we think no Ame rican can deny, that Lord JOHN'S letter is a master piece in the art of making a request presumed, really, not to be a very pleasant one, in the way which would render compliance with it pleasant. Nor are we unwilling to concede similar praise to Mr. SEWARD. An opinion or two we must dis cuss with a little freedom, but with the very difficult task before him of contenting his own people, of making a concession against which there had been much clamour, and yet of writing a long letter which, in point of temper, might advantage ously be compared with Lord RUSSELL'S short one, he has executed his task in a masterly style. We have great pleasure in acknowledging this. We have seen very different documents from Mr. SEWARD, but it is far more pleasant to give honest praise than to appear censorious, especially when the subject is the literary quality of a foreigner's dispatch. The points raised by it are, of course, fair matters for amicable discussion and legal cri ticism, and to this we now come. ~lt will bo obvious in Lord RUSSELL'S despatch that the ground of his demand was the same as that on which the French note shows their Govern ment would also have based it. He says :—"lt thus appears that certain individuals have been forcibly taken from on board a British vessel, the ship of a neutral power, while such vessel was pursuing a lawful and innocent voyage, an act of violence which was an affront to the British flag and a vio lation of international law." It will be perceived that our chief morning contemporary was in error. in supposing that the single point insisted on would be the illegality of the mode of seizure. That it was a serious point it is to some extent implied in the ground taken by Lord RUSSELL, but he does not make it the prominent point. Lord RUSSELL, like M. THOUVENEL, insists on the fact that the vessel was a neutral one, pursuing an innocent voyage —she was going from one neutral port to another. Her very destination ought to exempt her. M. THOUVENEL justly says :—" But this is the moment to recall a circumstance which governs all this affair, and which renders the conduct of the American cruiser unjustifiable. The Trent was not destined to a port belonging to one of the belligerents; she was car rying to a neutral country her cargo and her pas sengers, and moreover it was in a neutral port that they were taken. If it were admissible that under such conditions the neutral flag does not completely cover the persons and merchandise it carries, its immunity would be nothing more than an idle word. At any moment the commerce and the navigation of third Powers would have to suffer from their innocent and even their indirect relations with the one or the other of the belligerents." The world will think the two European Foreign Secretaries were right in thus making the attack upon such a vessel, the ground of their different reclamations—and condemnation of the act. Mr. SEWARD, however, takes very different ground. In a very long legal argument he " assumes " as what our authorities acknowledge, that " the circum. DRURY-LANE THEATRE ,'ROYAL. Lessee, Mr. E. T. SMITH. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. MORNING PERFORMANCE of th:: I' AN TOM iM I.: every WEDNESDAY, at Two o'Clock. Tlll5 EVENING (13th January) her Majesty's Ser voYit-s NA: 1 1 perform the popular Farce, by J. B. Buckstme, en' itled AN ALARMING SACRIFICE. Bob Ticket, Mr. Atkins; Pugwash, Mr. Barsby ; Mr. Skinner, Mr. Hope; SWIPTI Sweetapple, Miss Keeley ; Miss Wadd, Miss Stuart ; Miss Tibbit, Miss Bland ; Miss Gimp, Miss Ha , deur ; Deborah, Mrs. Dowton. After which will be produced, with that attention to com pleteness in every department by which the Cl , Tistmas Annuals of this Theatre have been so pie-eminently dis tinguished, the New Grand Comic Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN and the HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT; or, Old Mother Hubbard and het onderful Dog. "If a man do build a dwelling upon common land from sunset to sunrise, and enclose a piece of ground, wherein there shall be a tree, a beast feeding, a fire kindled, a chim ney smoking, and provisions in the pot, such dwelling shall be freely held by the builder, anything herein to the con trary nevertheless notwithstanding."—Old Forest Charter. The Novel Effects and Splendid Scenery by WILLIAM BEVERLEY, Assisted by Messrs. C. Pitt, Craven, Brow, &c., &c. Masks, Symbolic Devices, Personal Appointments, and Designs for the Costumes, by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The Overture and Music composed and arranged by Mr. J. H. TULLY. The Machinery by Mr. Tucker and As sistants. The Tricks, Properties, Changes, and Transfor mations, by Mr. Needham, assisted by Messrs C-lindon, H. Adams, H. Longhorn, &c. The Costumes by Miss Dickin son, Mr. Lauri, and Mr. Palmer. The Gas Appointments by Mr. liinckley. The Choregraphic Arrangements by Mr. Cormack. The Harlequinade and Comic Scenes by Messrs. Cormack and B. Jones. The Perfume of the Flowers supplied by Rimmel's process. The Grotesque Burlesque Opening invented and written by E. L. BLANCHARD. And the whole arranged and produced under the imme diate superintendence of Mr. ROBERT ROXBY. Synopsis of Scenery, Incidents, and Characters, OLD MOTHER HUBBARD'S COTTAGE, - With Rural Landscape, and Rookwood Manor Hall in the Distance (Daylight). " Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard, to get her poor Dog a bone; when she got there, the cupboard was bare, and so the poor Dog had none."--A.ncient Nur sery Legend. Old Mother Hubbard, Mr. Atkins ; Her Dog, Signor Lorenzo ; Jack (the " Man all tattered and torn"), Miss F. Hunt ; the Squire, Mr. Tom Matthews ; Dame Wiggins of Lee, Mr. Dixon ; Dame Trot, Mr. Barsby ; Her 'Won derful Cat, Master Waggles ; the Great Goose, Master Sageaninguns ; Constables, Messrs. Grib and Grab ; Parish Beadle, Mr. Bumble ; Villagers, Messrs. Yokel, Pumpkin, Whackstraw, Chawbacon, &c., &c. ; Rosetta (the " Maiden all Forlorn"), Miss Stuart. How Mother Hubbard has a certain " party" to tea and turn out, and of the remarkable pranks played by her comical Dog—The Head, the Hat, and the Hose—The Dog's Tale and Mrs. H.'s Narrative— Arrival of the Squire—Proclamation of Witch Burning— Threatened incremation of Mother Hubbard on her own hearth, and her Mystic Flight upon a Broomstick. THE WITCHES' GLEN AND WATERFALL, in the Valley of Perfumed Flowers, by Moonlight. Will-o'-the-Wisp Ignes Fatui—Mdlles. Sidney, Travers, Barnes, A. Barnes, Liver more ; Webb, Taylor, Braithwaite,Hammilton, Stap ley, Harris Candy, Copeland, Archer, Hawkins, Delaney, Wilson, Williams, Robinson, Wood, Watson, and Hamel ton. Grand Ballet, Chagne-a-Lanterne, by the Misses GUN ? NISS and the Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. 'The Invocation! The Incanon I I I tation I and the Evapora- ti THE VILLAGE GREEN AND ROADSIDE ALE- HOUSE. Old Grype (the Steward), Mr. Glindon ; Old Scratche (his Clerk), Mr. Tanner ; Tenantry, Messrs. Cringe, Scrape, Shuffle, Cut, Packoff, Moonraker, and Runaway ; Tailor, Mr. Snipshears ; B ootmaker, Mr. Tight& ; Mum mies, Messrs. Grinner, Joker, Magger, Cracksides, O'Reilly, M'Phun, &c.; St. George, Mr. E. Roe; the Dragon, Mr. Scalyfellow ; Valentine, Mr. Febbyerry ; Orson, Mr. Wildman; Still-Walker, Mr. Longlegs; Bear- Warden, Mr. Smuggins ; the Bear, Mr. Huggins; Land lord, Mr. Trebles ; Morris-Dancers, Messrs. Trip, Tap, Flip, Flap, &c., &c. ; Jack Padding, Mr. Merryman. How the Squire celebrates his birthday, and the Village Revel that follows—Coming of Age in the Olden Time I How the Tenantry treated in one way and how Jack is rested in another—the Dog's instinct and Mother Hub - bard's reason. THE " CAGE" ON THE COMMON (Sunset). • Grand Scena Comique and Pas de Broomstick, by Mother Hubbard. The Dreamer and the Worker—The Vision of Pleasure and the Division of Labour—Figures of Fun (from the Fancy. store of Dykwynkyn) Messrs. Mason, Drainpipes, Carpenter, Hodman, Old Brick, and Young Shaver, Lilli putian Labourers, Pigmy Plasterers, Tiny Tilers, Minia ture Masons, Baby Bricklayers, Short Sawyers, Dwarf Drain Makers, and Child Carpenters by a Host of Juvenile Auxiliaries. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. The Rat, Master Longwhisker ; The Cat, Miss Mouser; The Dog, By Himself; The Cow, Madame Brindle; The Priest (" All shaven and shorn", Mr. Jollyman ; The Cock (" That crowed in the Morn") Master Cocky-doodle doo. Realisation of the famous Picture in the National Gal lery of Little Britaia, taken (by permission) for Boys, from a rare work in the collection of Master Smith, London. FROGPOOL IN THE MARSHES (Twilight), Song, " Will o' the Wisp," composed by J. H. Tully, Esq. How the Squire goes Hunting and loses his way and his temper, and what follows in consequence—Another curious instance of Canine sagacity—Bull-frogs, Masters Hop, Skip, Jump, Creak, &c. SQUASH -HOLLOW SWAMP AND BED OF BULRUSHES. How the Squire comes to grief and afterwards to repent ance, and how Jack is recognised as the rightful heir—The reward and harmonious movements of the Fairies on a Grand Chromatic Scale towards WILL 0' WISP'S HOME BENEATH THE WATERFALL. The Transformation. Harlequins Messrs. CORMACK and ST. MAINE. Columbines Pantaloons Messrs. G. TANNER and MORLEY. Clowns Messrs. FORREST and HULINE. Grotesque 1861-1862 SPRITES by the RIDGWAYS and SUWELL FAMILY. 1.-EXTERIOR OF TWO SHOPS IN " UP-OR DO WN" STREET. Messrs. Huline, St. Maine, Tanner, and Miss S. Gnnniss. Christmas Presents—every Man (and Boy) to his Post, oven the Post-Man—Clown rides the high horse, which proves his rock a-head—Two Young Men from the Country, and Clown gets over them—a Sewing Machine (not a poor Necdlewoman)—a thorough Blow out—a Man in very re duced circumstance—Clown finds the Fruits of stealing Apples in an elephantine way—a Band of Brothers—the Police in Great and Small Force—Clown gets into a row and blows up a policeman—the end of this scene is all Bustle—N.B. Not Crinoline. 2.-THE GREAT SENSATION KITCHEN. Messrs. Forrest, Corroack, Morley, and Miss Gunniss. Harlequin seeks Protection, although a Free-trader— The Cook's Guide—Clown tries to take the chair—the head dish of the table—Harlequin goes through a Deal, and Clown becomes a Board-er—Silence thosa dreadful Bells— Clown and Pantaloon make an ap-Peal to the Audience on the Merry Musical Bells—Pantaloon rather hard pressed— arrival of a distinguished Foreigner—Clown falls into his own trap, and kills a Blue-bottle, which proves a bad Buzz-news for him—a Lecture on the Gorilla, by a well known character—Clown meets with a few Friends (not Quakers)—this Scene ends at the finish of it. 3.—THE INTERIOR OF A RAILWAY STATION. Eight hours at the Sea-side for 2s 6,sl—Duty off Paper -Ihe Times" reduced and the Times on the rise—a book that takes leafe of Clown—Harlequin gets his horse from a Stall and sets up a trap. No Smoking a•Loud, only on the Quiet—Clown makes a Tremendous Christmas Tree— late arrivals—Messrs. Neverintime, Toolate, Dearme, and Blessme—Clown burns his fingers (not the only person that has done so)—Clown gives Good Bail and finds a Bale of goods. 4.—The SEA-SIDE. The Sands! The Sands ! I The Sands I I I Come unto these yellow sands. A Sailor telling a Yarn and a boat Lying too—the Pier Master's ap-Pierance—Clown makes a Man's hair tit) n sandy and proves himself in the wrong box—by a slight Miss-Take. which a certain Miss won't Take—Pantaloon gets some shell-fish in a very Selfish manner—Clown asto nishes the Natives—Sailors that use their Cut-Lasses but don't Cut Lasses when they can join with them in a National Hornpipe—Clown gets a Sensation Leader—The Great Donkey Stir St. Leger—Clown and Pantaloon's Concert—fine ears for Music—they fish in troubled waters —a Divided Interest—a sudden Squall (Children and all) —The latest Novelty in Parrchutes. Scene—A DISMAL SWAMP—After a storm a calm appears, a HARLEQUIN'S HOME ON HIS THRONE OF SPLENDOUR. Doors open at half-past Six, to commence at Seven o'clock. Tickets for Boxes, Pit, and Galleries, may be had at the Box Office before the opening, HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY.—Morning, 12h. Om—Afternoon, 12h. 28m. To -MORROW.-Morning, 12h.'52m.—Afternoon, lh. Bm. ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. Under the management of Miss Louisa Pyno and Mr. W. Harrison THIS EVENING, THE PURITAN'S DAUGHTER. Miss Louisa Pyue, Miss Susan Pyne ; Mr. Santley, Mr. H. Corri, Mr. George Honey, Mr. Patey, Mr. A. St. Albyn, Mr. T. D;stin, Mr. Wallworth, Mr. Eugene Dussek, Mr. C. Lyall, and Mr. W. Harrison. Conductor, Mr. ALFRED MELLON. After which will be produced (written expres-ly by J. M. Morton), a Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN GULLIVER; or, A Trip to Di übdignag, a Peep at I.illiput, and a Flyinz Visit to Laputn. Gulliver, Mr. W. IL Payne ; Mrs. Guliiver, Mr. F. Payne. Principal danseuse. Mdlle. Lamoureux, supported by the Indies of the Corps de Ballet. The Harlequin/de sustained by the eminent Pantomimists, Messrs. H. Payne, F. Payne, B. Lauri, E. Laud, S. Laud, and Miss Jenny Lauri. Commence at Seven. .rp EA TR ROYAL, HAYMARKET, Mr. J. E. Buckatme. TITS EVY,NING, to commence with TUE STRANGER. Mrs. I miler, Miss Jane Coombs:; The Stranger, Mr. Howe. After which, a Comic Christmas Pantomime, LITTLE MISS .ITUFFET AND LITTLE BOY BLUE ; or, Harle quin and Old Daddy Lonalegs. Louise Leclercq, Charles Le clercq, Herr Cole, G. Becket, and Miss Hosing. Commence a 7 ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.... Lessee, Mr A. Harris. THIS EVENIN. G, PLAYING WITH FIRE. Y . 4. John Brougham. After which a Comic Christmas Pantomime, WIIITTING TON AND HIS CAT ; or, Harlequin Kollywobbol and the Genius of Good Humour. The g,•otesque opening invented and written by Hen; y J. Byron, Esq., author of the Princess's Pantomime of "Jack the Giant Killer." The Scenery by Mr. James Gates, Mr. H. Cuthbert, and numerous assistants. Good Humour, Miss Helen Howard ; Princess Popsiwopsi, Miss Rose Leclercq; Alice, Miss Pauline Le clercq ; Messrs. Garden, Cathcart, Morland, Collett, Hast ings. Raymond; Dick Whittington, Miss Maria Harris; Robin Goodfellow and the Cat, Master John Haslem, (pupil of the celebrated Gabriel Ravel ; Clown, Mr. Hildyard ; Harlequin, Mr. John Lam i ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Colum bine, Miss Caroline Adams. Morning Performances will take place at Two o'clock every Monday till further notice. NEW THEATRE-RO YAL, ADELPHI. - Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, and during the week the great Drama, entitled THE OCTOROON ; or, LIFE IN LOU I S IANA : Messrs. Grace, Billington, Emery, Phillip, Jamison, Smith, Stephenson, Romer. Lewis ; Mrs. Billington, Mrs. H. Mar ston, Miss C. Denvil, Miss Latimer, and Mrs. 11. Lewis. After which, at 20 minutes past 9, the great Irish Dram of THE COLLEEN BAWN. Mr.D. Bouc:cault, Missßanoe, Mr. Fisher, Miss Woolgar, &c. Box Office open from 10 till 5. NEW ROYALTY THEATRE D ean - s treet, Oxford-street. THIS EVENING, A LESSON FOR HUSBANDS Aft er which, CAMELIA ; Camelia, Mdlle. Albina di Rhona. Fol lowed by a New and Operatic Bur!seque, by J. H. Tully, Esq., entitled THE VERY EARLIEST EDITION OF IL TROVATOIII ; or, Who Killed the -. To con dude with A NICE QUIET DAY.---Commence at half-past 7. AS TLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.- Engagement Extraordinary of Young GUNERINS (Escuyer Norwegian), who created the Brea; sensation at the Cirque, in Paris, in his original performance of his Passage du Pont, and Madame HALVERSON, the most daring Equestrienne in the World, Rith their highly-trained Steeds, who will make their first appearance on Monday, Jan. 20. THIS EVENING, THE COLLEEN BAWN. New and daring Scenes in the Circle. Concluding with the Grand Comic Pantomime of JOHNNY GILPIN'S RIDE TO EDMONTON. A MORNING PERFORMANCE on SATURDAY next, at Two o'clock. Stage Manager, Mr. W. Searle. C ANTERBU RY HALL CONCERTS, AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. Triumphant Success of Mr. Marshall's Grand Christmas Entertainment, "THE ENCHANTED HASH " (SECOND EDITION):=-Wonderful Transformations—Every Evening at a quarter-past ten—in addition to the follov.ing Comic talent: Mr. Frederick French, the great Shakespeilan Bur lesque Vocalist, Mr. Wood and Son, Mr. J. G. Forde, Miss Harriet Coveney, and Miss Greene. Grand Selections from LA TRAVIATA and TROVATORE, at ten o'clock, By Miss Russell, Mr. Herbert, Signor Tivoli, and full Chorus. Musical Director, Mr. Jonghmans. Admission—Hall, 6d.; Stalls and Balcony, IS. CANTERBURY HALL.---VICTOR JULIEN, " THE FLYING MAN " Every Evening at half-past Nine o'clock. 1 IHE 0 X F O R D, 6, OXFORD-STREET, OPEN EVERY EVENING. Selections from Verdi's Grand Operas, " Ernani," "Simon Boccanegra," and "Macbeth," by Miss Russell and Madime Enderssohn ; Messrs. Albert, W. Morley, Greene, and C. Greville. Full Band and Chorus.—Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmans. Solos by Mr. Viotti Collins (the great English violinist). And other Vocal and Instrumental Entertain ments, the Comic portion by Messrs. Sam Collins, E. Msg.- shall, M. P. Foster, W. Randall. and Miss Harriet Coveney. Hall, 6d. ; Stalls and Balcony, ls. ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, JANUARY 12, 1862. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 49 —3. ighest since noon yesterday. 36—lowest this morning and during the night. 2 ..6 —this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.75. WIND—S.-Westerly; moderate, with fine weather, but dull. JAN. 13. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 47—highest since noon yesterday. 34—lowest tnis morning and during the night. 39—this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.80. WIND 'Westerly ; rather fresh, with fine weather, but cool. THE: &T N, LONDON, MONDAY 'EVENING, JANUARY 13, 1862. stance of the Trent proceeding from one neutral port to another neutral port does not modify the rights of the belligerent Power." Then, after a column of acute hair-splitting, with an abstract even of which we must not weary our readers, he reaches the conclusion, that Captain WILKEs assigned two reasons for not bringing the vessel into port, which Mr. SEWARD himself elaborately proves he was bound to do. The first reason was the necessity of the case, He had not hands to spare for a prize crew. Had the captain stuck to this reason, Mr. SEWARD'S argument implies that Messrs. SLIDELL and MASON would still be pri soners. But the "hero" WILKEs, in his generosity, assigned another reason—he gave up the rich booty the Trent would have proved to his men, and let her proceed on her voyage, on account of the incon venience which would have been caused to so many innocent passengers and by the detention of the mails. Alas, his generosity ruined the case ! Great Bri tain may claim a judicial decision and refuse the generosity ; and what could we reply, says Mr. SEWARD. Capt. WILKES acted " from combined sentiments of prudence and generosity on his part, therefore the surrender of the vessel was not strictly involuntary. The admission of kinder motives was fatal to his claim to have acted with strict legality. The sum, therefore, of the offence Is, that this Go vernment has neither meditated, nor practised, nor approved any deliberate wrong in the transaction to which they have called its attention ; and, on the contrary, that what has happened has been simply an inadvertency, consisting in a departure by the naval officer, free from any wrongful motive, from a rule uncertainly established, and probably by the several parties concerned either imperfectly understood or entirely unknown. In this error he acknowledges that the British Go vernment has the same light to expect reparation that the Federal Government would itself have to demand reparation in a similar case. Then follow the passages in which he mounts so conveniently the back of former Presidents, and rides off with gratifying declarations of Federal magnanimity. There is, however, one passage which, we confess, perplexes us more than all the letter besides. What can we make of this ?—" In coming to my conclu sion, I have not forgotten that f the safety of this Union required the detention of the captured persons it would be the right and duty of this Government to detain them. But the effectual check and waning proportions of the existing insurrection, as well as the comparative unimportance of the captured per sons themselves, when dispassionately weighed, happily forbid me from resorting to that defence. Will Mr, SEWARD really say deliberately that what he had proved to be a question of justice to Eng land, after all, hinged upon what he deemed to be for the safety of the Union, That, if he were an ordi nary debtor, for instance, he would pay his debt if he did not miss the money from his pocket, but not if it made him insolvent ? We can extract no other meaning from the passage. The insurrection is coming to nothing, it is therefore of no consequence to us to part with the prisoners, but if it were getting the upper hand of us, we would keep and perhaps hang them. It would be the " right and duty" of this Government to detain them. That is, its duty to stand by an error for which only a few paragraphs before he had said that " the British Government has a right to expect reparation," and the " same reparation" as the United States would have a right to expect in a similar case ! Is the affair then to leave off with this under standing, that we are to submit to any confessed wrong from the United States which the latter may think requisite for its safety, and to put up with it as we best could ? Will Mr. SEWARD abide by such an avowed principle in conducting his affairs with foreign countries ? If so, we sus pect he will have some difficulty in proving amicable relations. It would almost come to the boyish joke in tossing up—" Heads I win, tails you lose." We do not know whether our Government will think it worth while at present discuss the two very important points to which we have adverted. It may be better to leave them till the war is over. Passed over, how ever, they ought not to be. The case of the Trent, and its attendant circumstances in Canada and England, will doubtless keep American captains within bounds for this war; and when it is over, we may coolly discuss the question whether America, any more than other countries, is to be permitted "to do as she will with what is not her own." The Superintendent's last published Report to the General Committee of the London Fire Estab lishment is eminently well, and alas ! also, painfully worth looking at. It relates, in a very startling manner, the History of the Fires in London during the twelvemonth last past. A year that will long be remembered by the London Fire Brigade as that disastrous period of conflagrations, during the most formidable of which their gallant and excellent chief, Mr. BRAIDWOOD, perished so suddenly and yet so gloriously, too, for that matter—dying (as he did) the death of a patriot Englishman, while nobly doing his duty. It will be remembered, in deed, by others besides the members of the London Fire Brigade, this year of grace, 1861—taking rank, as it must, next in terror to the still more memorable year of grace, 1666—dubbed by " glorious JOHN" DRYDEN himself (by reason chiefly of the Great Fire, beginning at Pudding-lane and ending at Pie-corner) the Annus ik ir a bilis ! Apart from the remembrance of that vast and destructive conflagration down near London-bridge, 1861 is still unhappily noteworthy as an exceptional year in the annals of our London Fire Brigade—by rea• son of the unusual number of fires more or less de structive that took place within the compass of the metropolis between the first day of January and last day of December. I Altogether, during the 365 days of this last twelvemonth, there have been recorded in the books of the Brigade upwards of 1,400 calls—to be precise, exactly 1,409 calls. And of these less than 100, in fact, no more than 89, proved to be "False alarms." A little over another hundred turned out upon examination to be alarms confined to the state of the chimneys—the rest, that is to say 1,183, being bona fide fires—Fires in 53 cases result— ting in the total destruction of the buildings ignited—in 332 cases causing very considerable damage, and in 798 cases causing damage of a par tial character. So that, to apportion these totals among the 52 weeks of the year—we have for every week one building or cluster of buildings totally destroyed —one of those clusters in 1861, as we all but too well remember, being of appalling magnitude ! We have besides this— for every week in the year nearly seven fires, caus ing serious destruction, that is one for almost every day of the 365 making up the twelvemonth. While we have, in addition to this, more than sixteen fires in every week causing a lesser amount of damage. To sum up all—for each week nearly two false alarms regularly—with but very little short of three chimney alarms as well —together with one fire (larger or smaller) 4otally destructive, nearly seven fires seriously destructive, and more than sixteen fires causing a lesser amount of destruction. Every week in 1861 that was the average. And besides what has thus been recorded on the books of the London Brigade in reference to the actual calls made upon the brigade for assistance, there are understood to be annually now as m!iny as four thousand fires causing trifling damage to . property—fires in regard to which the fire men are newer called upon for their attendance. To say nothing, moreover, about the ordinary calls for chim neys on fire—calls which, says the Superintendent's report, "may be roughly estimated at three thou sand." So that actually in 1861, there were 3,000 chimneys on fire about which the brigade were never troubled-4,000 fires, ditto, causing a trifling amount of damage—and 1,409 "calls" upon the brigade, as we have seen, a very few of them false alarms, and a few more mere chimney alarms, but the majority causing destruction more or less serious, 53 total, 332 considerable, 798 slight. After examining into which aggregate, we cannot wonder very much when we learn that the fires of 1861 show an increase of 127 upon those of 1860—and an increase of 391 (but nine short of 400) upon the average of the last 28 years, the period during which the London Fire Brigade, as at present orga nised, has been in existence and in active operation ! This increase of 127 in 1861, as compared with 1860, and of 391 as compared with the average of the pre vious eight-and -twenty years, having reference, of coarse, to the gross amount of fires within the year calling for the actual assistance of the firemen. Examining into the more terrible minor list of 53 totally destructive fires—that lamentable aggregate in 1861 proves to have been 25 in excess of the num ber set down for 1860, and 13 in excess of the average number during the 28 years of the Brigade's experience ! The subjoined .-iemorandum excerpted from the Report of the Su) xudent is especially entitled to consideration. _ in every particular worth looking at, and in some curiously suggestive : " The totally ,destroyed list, 53, is 25 in excess of the same list for 1860, and 13 in excess of the average propor tion for the 28 past years. Of the premises burned, 20 were from two to seven miles distant from the nearest sta tion!; 25 were used for the carrying on of hazardous trades, such as cabinet-makers, carpenters, hay and straw sales men, steam saw-mills, &o. Three were completely on fire before the arrival of the engines, and of the remaining number some through imperfect construction, and one from its great magnitude and infbmtnable contents based all the efforts of the firemen. In the last-mentioned case, which occurred in Tooley-street, on the 22d of June last, and resulted in the almost total destruction of 33 buildings, there is every reason to believe that, but for a serions delay and deficiency of water and seine violent explosions which took place at the commencement, the firo would have been confined to the building in which it originated. In six of the cases mentioned in the totally destroyed list, the supply of water was either late or insufficient." The superintendent's account of the progress made in the new applications of science in aid of the exertions of the firemen, will be found in the next extract from the report now lying before us, re plete with encouragement. He observes : g 4 The land steam fire-engine continues to render valuable service. In this engine a great difficulty has hitherto been experienced in getting up steam in a sufficiently short space of time ; this difficulty is now obviated by the introduction inside the fire-box of a small jet of gas, which keeps the water constantly boiling. By this simple and inexpensive method two advantages are gained, one is that it entirely does away with the great risk to the boiler and machinery caused by the sudden expansion which takes place when steam is raised in fifteen minutes from cold water, and the other is that it insures the raising of suffi cient steam in less than five minutes, which is all that is ever required for practical purposes. The three new land steam fire-engines recently ordered ,of the same makers, Messrs. Shand and Mason, will be finished in about six weeks from this date, and as they will always be kept ready for immediate use by the expedient already mentioned, I confidently anticipate that they will be found more effective, and at the same time more economical than those worked by manual power." In the tabulated lists that follow these, and other introductory remarks signed by EYRE M. SnAw, the Superintendent—lists making up the bulk of his report—in fact, we have, the last painful illus tration of the truth of POPE'S sibillant but truth ful verse : " What mighty contexts rise from trivial things." Under the head " Causes," for example, do we not find iterated and reiterated in the most astonishing manner ? Candle Spark from fire Smoking tobacco Escape of gas Hot ashes Lucifer matches—Curtains—Oil boiling over—Do. grease —Heat from stove—Clothes-horse falling on fire— Paraffin lamp upset Plumbers Copper flue Lighted paper, &c. The precautions taken against fire in truth are literally but as nothing to the wanton exposure of life and property to its peril, day after day, night after night, either through lack of thought or the cruelest want of care. An earnest letter from Mr. G. J. HOLYOAKE ap pears this morning in the columns of our contem porary the Lady Noce, in reference to the Rev. CHARLES KINGSLEY'S warning letter upon the late Sheffield trade outrages—a letter addressed to the Rev. GRENVILLE J. CHESTER, but which has since found its way into the Skeffield Independent. Al though the suggestions thrown out by Mr, HOLY OAKE, in his comments upon Professor KINGSLEY'S epistle to his brother clergyman, partakes some what of the roundabout character of the old woman's proceedings in reference to that ex tremely obstinate pig that would not get over the stile, on the oldllady's journey home from market— it is really and truly in itself, as it appears to us, a very excellent, because a very practical suggestion. Mr. HOLYOAKE finishes his remarks by saying " Let Professor KINGSLEY ask Mr. HUGHES to ask Mr. POTTER to ask Mr. HEAP to ask Mr. NEWTON how long these outrages are to go on ; and there will soon be an end of them." But another part of Mr. HOLYOAKE'S letter to our morning con temporary explains his meaning in throwing out this otherwise bewildering suggestion of a very circuitous remonstrance. " There are," says the writer,with a rather questionably indifference to the proprieties of grammatical construction in his sen tences, " There are a certain 'set' (not to use that term in a disrespectful sense) of gentlemen in Lon don who act with Professor KINGSLEY and the Rev. Mr. MAURICE, who write generous letters in the Spectator on behalf of workmen, who have in fluence with the leaders of the great trade societies of London and the provinces —societies free from the stain of violence. Let these leaders be called upon by Mr. KINGSLEY and his friends to send a powerful and resolute deputation from the United and Amalgamated Societies to Sheffield, to inquire into these trade murders. They can get to the bottom of the thing when Parliament, whom Mr. KINGSLEY points to, cannot. They can put an end to it. Let them give the Sheffield trades fair warning, that if any further case is suffered to occur, the society in which it occurs shall be held responsible ; that it shall be both renounccd and denounced, and that a reward shall be offered for the detection of the miscreants, who deserve death for their crimes, and infamy for the disgrace they bring upon their own order." That, in effect, is the gist of Mr. HOLY OAKE'S proposition. And it certainly appears to us worthy of being acted upon—if only upon the chance of its possibly putting an end to these frightful outrages. THE COURT,—We believe that her Majesty will return to Windsor Castle in about ten days or a fortnight, subject, however, to alteration from the arrival of Prince Alfi ed, and the date fixed for the departure of the Prince of Wales for the Holy Land. The Queen removes to Windsor, in order to be nearer to the metropolis, and to enable the Ministers to communicate more rapidly with hen—Court Journd. LATEST NEWS. • - THE PRIVATEER SUIITER. MADRID, JAN. 12. The report that General Serrano has been created a duke is unfounded. The American Consul has protested against the admission of the Sumter into the arsenal at Cadiz to repair damages. PARIS, JAN. 12. The llioniteur of this morning says:— " The Emperor, having taken into consideration the wish of the Masonic Order in France to main tain a central representation, has appointed N ar shal Magnan as Grand Master of all the Masonic Lodges in France for three years." The Moniteur also publishes a decree regulatinz the taxation on transactions in shares, bonds of com panies, and other foreign undertakings, as follows,— " Those companies whose shares and bonds are negotiated in France and in other countries will be subjected to a tax upon half their capital. " In the case of those companies whose bonds cir culate principally in France the whole capital will be taxed." The it oniteur publishes a letter from M. Rowland, Minister for Public Instruction, in reply to the Bishop of Arras, who had complained of the Circu lar of the Minister to the Prefects in reference to religious congregations. M. Rouland criticises the assertions of the Bishop, and cites several facts which had compelled him to insist upon the execution of the laws. FRANCE. BOURSE, January 11.—There has been rather less business doing to-day, but the market has been firm, and prices well maintained at about the quotations of yesterday . Threes, for the Account, are now at 68f 60c. The following are the last quotations :- 4t per per Cents ... 97 30 Credit Foncier 1205 Do. end month.... 97 35 Belgian 4f — 3 per Cents Do. end month 6B 60 Roman Bank Sharps 2930 Austrian Credit Mobilier.... 728 75 ,' Spanish Threes — Do, Account 730 —1 Home Debt — BAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1335 .. 1337 50 Northern New ditto • • • Lyons and Mediterranean 1032 50 .. 1035 Geneva 360 .. 362 50 Southern 6BO .. 681 25 Western Eastern Sardinian 330 .. 332 50 Austrian Lombard 530 .. 532 50 RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURG, JAN. 11 (Evening). The Journal de St. Petersbourg of to-day Con tains an article congratulating Mr. Seward upon the uprightness and intelligence of his policy, and demanding that the incident of the Trent may be come the starting point of negotiations for the recognition by the different Powers of common principles upon the neutral flag question. This article also exhorts England to give to the world solemn guarantees for the future by signing a con vention which, by insuring universal respect for the rights of neutral Powers, would contribute to the maintenance of peace, and mark the progress of civilisation. INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIA. We have received our letters and newspapers under date of Calcutta, December 9; Hong-Kong, November 30 ; Melbourne, November 25 ; Sydney, November 21. INDIA. On Friday, the 6th instant, deputations from the Chamber of Commerce. the Landholders' As sociation, the Trades' Association, and the British Indian Association, waited upon the Hon. Samuel Laing to congratulate him on his return to Calcutta with restored health. Mr. Laing returned thanks for the kind wishes expressed in the address. He thought that they too highly appreciated the ser vices he had performed. It gave him great pleasure to find that the representatives of important inte rests applied the term of " wise measures and con cessions " to the recent policy of the Government, and to the recent measures, which would render the closing career of Lord Canning as memorable in the annals of Indian history. It afforded the best proof ;that the policy had been successful, the object of which was to reconcile the Euro pean and native interests, in developing the in tellectual, the social, and the material improve ment of this great empire. Mr. Laing next ad verted to the importance of encouraging European capital and enterprise in India, and to the expan sion of European commerce, which he observed was so obvious, that the man must be stricken with " judicial blindness " who did not perceive its advantages. At the same time he said that it was not leas clear that the welfare of the 150 millions entrusted to our care demanded our primary object and attention. Mr. Laing believed that these two objects "are not only compatible, but, if rightly understood, identical." With reference to the im port duties which the aforesaid bodies had recom mended for abolition, Mr. Laing remarked that, however desirable such a change was, he could not, with so large a revenue depending upon SO fluctuat ing an article as opium, hold out anything like a pledge at present upon the subject. He thought the first duty of a Chancellor of the Exchequer was to resist the desire to gain popularity by re mitting taxes until he was assured that he had ob tained a solid surplus. He saw the desirability of a reduction of the taxes, and he would spare no efforts to accomplish the measure, consistent with financial prudence. He thought that the perma nent substitution of Indian for American cotton could never be brought about until the quality of cotton in India had been improved. The only means to bring this about were improved commu nications for the conveyance of cotton from the interior to the seaboard, and the presence in the cot ton districts of European agents to make advances. CHINA. The following is from the Hong-Kong Overland China Nail, Nov. 30:— " A coup cletat has just been made at Pekin by the party that Prince Kung represents, and it has resulted in the entire overthrow of the Council of Regency nominated by the late Emperor. The exclusion of the Prince of Kung from that Council was the subject of general remark at the time, and the well-known anti-foreign tendencies of certain members of the new Council gave rise to considerable anxiety. The Council now dissolved consisted of eight individuals, five of whom have been sentenced to banishment, one has been be headed, and two have been allowed to commit' suicide in prison. The prime movers in this coup d'etat appear to have been the young Emperor's mother and the Prince of Kung ; but very ample reasons are adduced for the adoption of a measure so bold and decisive. The charges preferred against the members of the late Council, and in vestigated by a special court at Pekin, were vari ous and striking; among others wo hear of the following ;—Tampering with the late Emperor's dying manifestoes—perverting the declarations of the successor to the throne—excessive and unrea sonable assumptim of power and authority_ defiance of the young Emperor and the Empresses of the deceased monarch—maladministration of affairs last year, especially in connection with foreign countries—advising the treachery practised upon the foreigners last year, which led to the sacking of the Summer Pa!ace—withholding from the late Emperor information about the successful treaty ratified at the metropolis, and frightening him with fabuious and alarming stories. The Re gency is now held by the two Empresses, widows of the into Emperor —one having been his principal wife, and the other the mother of the youthful Em peror, Tsai Chum: Prince Kung► is chick adviser of the Crown, and Kweiliang, llwanliang, and others of good repute, are members of the Cabinet. It is worthy of notice that the three members of Council who were condemed to death were those most immediately connected with the disastrous act of treachery by which so much suffering was caused to some of our brave countrymen. Altogether the present aspect of affairs at Pekin is a matter of the most sincere gratulation ; the governing energy which it was feared our advance on the capital had entirely prostrated, is still there, and putting forth fresh vigour ; the reins of Government are out of the feeble hands that formerly held them, and have passed into those of the statesman who alone has shown himself equal to the age; the Councils of State are no longer distracted by a divided policy, but rendered strong by the overthrow of those who would have used a position of power and authority for their own selfish ends. Under the new Prince- Minister, the relations between England and China will, in all likelihood, acquire a solidity they never could boast of before ; and, if we rightly judge, the turn matters have taken, the recent coup is worth to England many battles and much treasure. AUSTRALIA, The Melbourne Argus, November 26, says : " This mail will carry to England the news of another political crisis, followed by a change of the Ministry. On the 29th ultimo the treasurer of Mr. Heales's Government made his financial state ment, announcing a deficit of some £300,000 to £400,000 in the year's revenue. This deficit he proposed to make good chiefly by additional Cus toms duties to the extent of £150,000; by wharf age rates, estimated at £125,00J; and by a tax on bank notes. "Mr. Realea's scheme of finance, intended to win popularity from the two classes of the artisans and the miners, did not succeed in earning the favour of either, and gave deep offence to the general indus trial and trading community. " The dissatisfaction created by the Ministerial propositions found an echo even within the Assem bly of Mr. Heales's own creation, On the sth in stant, Mr. O'Shanessy, in the Lower House, brought forward an amendment, to the effect that the Go vernment scheme of finance was unreliable and unsatisfactory,' and that the house declined to enter into its consideration. After a debate of four days this amendment was carried against Ministers by a majority of 40 to 34. This was followed by the resignation of Mr. Heales and his colleagues, and the formation of a new ministry under the leader ship of Mr. O'Shanassy, including Mr. Haines, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Wood, Mr. J. S. John ston, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Ireland, and Captain M'Mahon, with Mr. Mitchell in the Upper House, without office. "Parliament has adjourned to the 17th Dcc., to give time to the Ministers to complete their arrange ments, and to proceed with their re-elections. A formidable opposition, at least of numbers, awaits them on the reassembling of the house, but the feeling of the country is unquestionably in favour of giving the new men at least a fair trial in office." —.Melbourne Herald. THE GOLDFIELDS. We have news from Otago to the 9th of Nov. We take the following from the Witness EN ery fresh account from the goldfields affords reason for renewed confidence in their permanence. Yesterday we saw one of a party who assured us that in four months he and his mates have cleared nearly 100 lb. weight of gold at Tuapeka. A man named George Brown, late from Sandy Creek, Victoria, cleared to his own share, in eight weeks, between 5 and 6 lb. weight at Waitahuna. Another Bal larat man made 51b. in nine weeks. Several new rushes are spoken of in the neighbourhood of the present diggings; in fact, scarcely a week passes by without something of the kind. A small number of miners are said to be doing well in the neighbourhood of Tokomairiro. People at a distance may form some idea of the splendid nature of the gold discoveries already made, from facts that admit of no dispute. Last escort brought 19,700 ounces; and it is known that several thousand ounces were left be hind, without reckoning the gold at Waitahuna, which, owing to the want of a gold-receiving office, has accumu lated for some time. It is calculated there are nearly 20,000 oz. at Waitahuna waiting escort and purchase. In Dune din about 50,000 oz. have accumulated, which, added to the amount lately exported, shows that in addition to the total received by escort, about 20,000 oz, must have come down by private hands. ARRIVAL OF KING, THE EXPLORER. (From the Melbourne Herald of Nov. 26). John King, the sole survivor of Mr. Burke's Exploration party from Cooper's Creek to the Gulf of Carpentaria, ar rived in Melbourne yesterday evening by the train that reached the Spencer-street station at 6 o'clock. From about 5 o'clock groups of persons anxious to welcome back the first who had crossed and re-crcssed the Australian conti nent began to pour into the station, and its vicinity was so crowded with cars and spectators that it was impossible to reach the entrance. The arrival of the train was hailed with vociferous cheering. The carriage in which King was a passenger was at once recognised by its being decorated with flags. Such was the " rush" to see King that it was some time before the porters could reach the carriage door, and when they had reached it they ex perienced very considerable difficulty in getting the door opened. Dr. Gilbee, who was accom panied by Dr. Macadam, was in attendance with his private carriage to convey King as quietly as possible to the Royal Institute, where the Exploration Committee and a nume rous assemblage of ladies and gentlemen were in waiting to see him. Those gentlemen, however, were unable to reach the carriage; and Dr. Wills, who was fortunately opposite the door, seeing that it was impossible for the arrangements to be carried out, immediately conveyed him to an open car and drove off. Dr. Gillbee and Dr. Macadam, with King's sister, immediately followed. The cars were then rushed, and cars, buggies, horses, and pedestrians raced along Collins-street to William-street, and thence to Government House. A great many were, of course, disappointed by this alteration, as it was generally expected that King would be received by his Excellency and the committee at the Royal Institute, and therefore drove along the streets that were likely to facilitate their reaching the institution before King's arrival. On reaching Go vernment House, King was assisted upstairs, for though he looked very healthy and robust he was scarcely able to stand. He was taken into the room adjoining the Chief Secretary's office, where he was shortly afterwards joined by his sister. Their meeting was, of course, strictly private. In a few minutes the approaches to Government House, the lobbies, stairs, 'and landing were impassably crowded, so that it was necessary for the police to clear a passage for his Excellency from his own office to that of the Chief Secretary. His Excellency, accompanied by Capt. Timins, entered the Chief Secretary's office, and after a short con versation with Welch, who accompanied King to town, went into tke ante-room, accompanied by Captain Timins, and followed by Dr. Wills, Welch, and Brahe. When his Excellency entered the room, King and his sister respectfully stood up, but his Excellency requested them to be seated, as King was evidently unable to stand on his feet. His Excellency cordially shook hands with King, and said, "I congratulate you heartily on your safe return to Melbourne. Do not stand up to receive me; you are rather weak. Has your health recovered ?" King (faintly)—Yes, sir. His Excellency—l suppose you were in a very reduced state when you were at Cooper's Creek with the blacks ? King—Yes, sir ; very much. His Excellency (to Miss King)—Where is your brother going to stay ? Miss King—He is going to stay with me, your Excel lency, at St. Kilda. His Excellency—l suppose the better way would be to let him have a few days' perfect quiet. Miss King—l should like him, your Excellency, to have a few days' undisturbed rest. His Excellency—l hole you will at any rate leave his address with me. [Dr. Wills wrote down the address and gave it to Captain Timins.] His Excellency (to King)—You were in India, I under stand ? King—Yes, sir. His Excellency —What were you there, may I ask. King —A soldier, sir. His Excellency then rose, and again shaking hands with King said—l wish you good afternoon. lam glad to see you back. I have no doubt but in a few days' time you will be sufficiently recovered f.o face all the receptions that are waiting you. His Excellency then withdrew, but immediately re entered the room and introduced the mayor to King and his sister. The Mayor shook hands with King and said, Mr. King I am glad to welcome you back to the city of Melbourne. I do so, not only for myself, but also on behalf of the cor • poration and the inhabitants of this city. The corporation will take an early opportunity of linesenting you with an address congratulating you o n your safe return. His Excellency, the Mayor, and the Town Clerk then withdrew. Several gentlemen busied theruvelvea for some time to obtain a clearance of the passages in order that Kin Might be conveyed safely to a conveyance provided for him by the Town Clerk under the instructions of the Mayor, but they were met with cries for King to appear at the balcony. It was then stipulated that King should appear at the balcony, but that he, should not be expected to speak, as he was too faint to do so, and also that there should be no cheering to disturb him. With this arrangement the crowd at once complied, so far as to leave the passages. King, accom panied by his sister, was then assisted on to the balcony over the portico by Dr. Macadam and Mr. Selwyn. He remained only for a few minutes, during which time he was vocifer ously cheered by the crowd. King was then assisted down stairs, and handed by his s'stcr and Dr. Macadam into Sir W Don's carriage, which was kindly given up by the baronet for his accommodation. Accompanied by the Mayer and the Town Clerk, King and his sister were then driven off to a friend's house in St. Kilda amidst reiterated cheers. It was expected that he would have been conveyed in the first place from Government House to the Royal Institute to meet the Exploration Committee, and a party of police were in attendance at the building to keep b • ck any crowd that might assemble. He was, however, too much fatigued by the joiriney and overcome by his reception at Govern ment House to be able to bear further excitement. The Mayor, on returning to town, called on Dr. Eades, and requested him to visit King at St. Kilda. Dr. Dades at once complied with the request. He reports that King's state of health is such that he must be kept in the greatest possible quiet for several days. He will not therefore be at the meeting of the Exploration Committee to-day. KING LIVES. Sole remnant of that martyr-band, Burke, Wills, thyself, and Gray, That pierc'd the darkness of our land, And brought to light of day, Knowledge whose power the world shall prize Thousands of years away. Partner in all thy leader's toil, The march, the hunger, and the moil, I think with bated breath How thou, 0 King in more than name I Sharing the lustre of their fame, Had all but shared their death. Recipient of the parting sigh That told the end of Burke, And seemed to shadow thine own as nigh, Thoud'st soul for Christian work, And heart too true to spare a chink For thought of self to lurk. Dauntless in all thine agony, Sad —turning from the dead Heedless of what may come to thee Thou seek'st poor Wills's bed; For him thine hands may yet find food, And pillow to rest his head. Too late I Past all pale whites can woo, Past touching tribute of Nardoo Barbarian (?) blacks would bring— I mark thee lone by the lonely grave, Starving, thou dug for Wills the bravo, And say—" God bless thee," King I I Nov. 23. SAMUEL JAMES. 2HE TUSCARORA AND TILE NASH- I- ILLS. SOUTHAMPTON, SUNDAY. Matters remain, to adopt legal phraseology, in statu quo, as far as relates to the actual positions and probable future movements of the antagonistic steamers. The Tuscarora still lies quietly at her moorings, and the Nashville remains as quietly berthed in the tidal dock, neither of them, as far as outward appearances are concerned, manifesting the slightest indication of an intention to change quarters. During Friday night some more watchers were found in the docks and summarily ejected from the premises. A boat's crew from the Tuscarora pulied into the outer dock at an early hour on Satur day morning, but no one landed, and the boat re turned to the ship. Yesterday (Saturday) Captain Patey, R.N., the Admiralty Superintendent at this port, paid an official visit to the Tuscarora, according to instruc tions from head-quarters, to inform Captain Craven that, in case the Nashville should leave the port, the Tuscarora would not be allowed to follow within 24 hours, and vice versa. The Government were determined to preserve strict neutrality by en forcing this maritime international law, and had taken the necessary measures to enforce it in case an infraction should be attempted by either party. The interview between Captain Patey and Captain Craven is understood to have been of a very friendly character, and the latter officer expressed his desire and intention to do nothing contrary to British law while his vessel was in British waters. A similar intimation to the above has been given to Captain Pegrim, of the Nashville. It is stated that the Dauntless frigate is under orders to get ready for sea immediately, in case her services should be required by any " difficulty" arising out of these transactions, and a crew for her is coming from Portsmouth; and, also, that five gunboats are to be stationed in our waters. SOUTHAMPTON, MONDAY MORNING. At daylight this morning the Tuscarora was dis covered to have left her moorings during the night, and has gone down the river; nobody here at pre sent knows where. The Assistant-Secretary of the American Lega tion in London was down here yesterday afternoon, and went on board the Tuscarora. The Nashville has her steam up in dock (10.30 a.m.) THE CLE.RNY AND MARRIAGR WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. A respectable labourer, residing at Whaplode, has been threatened with pains and penalties for con. tracting a marriage with the sister of his deceased wife, who, in accordance with the laws of nature, and not in antagonism to Divine law, is the most likely to prove an affectionate stepmother to her sister's children. The following letter to Mr. William Hunt has obtained publicity in the parish of Whaplode, and has given rise to much commen tary. It must be noted that the registrar-general is not a lawyer, and that it has yet to be proved that his construction of the law will receive the sanction of the judicial bench : " Whaplode, Dec.lo, 1861. "Mr. William Hunt,—Sir,—On hearing of your so-called ' marriage' with Sarah Taylor, the sister of your deceased wife, which took place at Hol beach one day last week, I communicated the fact to the Registrar-General of Births, Dalths, and Marriages in London, and I have received his reply, of which I send you a copy : " General Register Office, Dec. 9. " ' Reverend Sir,—l am directed by the Registrar General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and to inform you that the so-called marriage of William Hunt with his deceased wife's sister is un doubtedly an illegal act, and the party who sub scribed the declaration that there was no impedi ment of kindred or alliance, or other lawful hindrance to the said marriage, has incurred the penalties of perjury, and may be proceeded against by any person, &c.—l am, rev, Sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) " E. EDWARDS, pro Chief Clerk.' " By this you will perceive that you have not only committed an illegal act, and that the mar riage is no marriage at all, but you have rendered yourself liable to be prosecuted for the crime of false swearing or perjury, the punishment of which is imprisonment for two years. You must now be aware that any child or children born of Sarah Taylor by you, are illegitimate, and that you can leave your so-called wife any time, and contract any other marriage you think fit; consequently, to pre vent any further mischief, I shall immediately in struct my attorney to prosecute you for wilful and corrupt perjury, unless you at once give up the ille gal course upon which you have entered. " I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JOHN FAIRFAX FRANCKLIN, Vicar of Whaplode, &c. " To Mr. William Hunt, Whaplode." We are informed that William Hunt is fully pre pared to defend his position when required to do so. Will the Clnistian minister who could pen the above letter be prepared to defend his own position as prosecutor P Credat trudceus pella !—Stamford Mercury, Jan. 3. A BRISTOL SHIP RUNNING THE AMERICAN BLOCKADE.—We were told some days ago, on the authority of a letter from the United States, that a vessel belonging to Bristol had succeeded in running the blockade, and although her name was at that time a secret, we are now in a position to state that he is the brig Robert Bruce, Cap tain Muir ; that she is looked for at this port in about a week; and she brings a cargo of spirits of turpentine, which is of course of great value at the present time, and will yield good fruit to her owner. The brigantine Napier, Creighton, commander, which has arrived at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and which ran the blockade with her, gives particulars, from which we gather that they escaped from the harbour at Wilmington, and that "without molestation." Captain, Creighton states that he saw a Federal war vessel off the inlet, but none off the bar, so that the " running" was com paratively easy work,—.Drista Norcury. eoui Ban and Call £3O, btisi; aupp °bli p Pero ] the 1 l'eve, and i Izis s i aver; arise, Th lisp f, tious ever, Publi feel' 1, 1\11( orei limit ditto 1; It to 63 I ° ah ou 4 tist Lone j o ie l have 4 ali C o , u inctb x.el bitt c z "A ti z'T u dill 3 .40.1 Of Ral stud