The Sun. — London, England, 1862-05-26 00:00:00

THEAT RE-BO I AL, HAYMARKET. fleet on the Mississippi has also turned up. Eight Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buokstene. in number, and iron clad, it attacked six boats under THIS EVENING, THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. Alter which, at . half past 7, will be performed (132 d time) Commander FOOTE, and after an hour's action lost OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenohard, Mr. Buck two by their being blown up, a n d one by s i n ki ng , stone: Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern. Followed by anew Spanish Ballet entitied LA CONTRA- and "injured" one of the Federal boats. They re- BANDISTA. Senora P erea N ene , Senor Ricardo, and th e Corps de Ballet. treated, it is added, under the guns of FOOTE ; To conclude with THE HAPPIEST DAY O F MY LIFE. _ whether this is intended to say that their courage or iron plates enabled them to do it, or whether it is a misprint for the " guns of the fort," that is Fort Pillow, from which the account comes, further accounts will show. At present the Confederates appear to have the better army and general on the Mississippi, sur rounded as this, too, is, or nearly so ; but the Fede rals speak with respect of its immense strength. The latter, having taken New Orleans, are now engaged in the capture of Mobile, the only other city whence BEAUREGARD could obtain supplies— with what success is not yet known. The ac counts of the cotton burnings are contradictory. Positive as they seemed at first, they were after wards contradicted. Then again they were re peated. The truth can only be guessed at, which we take to be that damaged cotton bales, per haps spoiled by use for fortifications, and some which, it was supposed, the Federals might seize without paying for, and which could not be re moved, were destroyed; but We see no reason now to believe that a bale was burnt which the holders hoped they could save and turn into meney. The account of General BUTLER'S admini stration of martial law at New Orleans reads very harshly. But, doubtless, as there are two parties in the City, stringent measures are necessary to keep the peace. That he should send the corpora tion to prison seems natural enough, after the little specimen they gave the world of their behaviour to those who had so clear a tie facto authority over them. OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager —Mr. Edmund Falconer. 165th Night of the continuous run of " Peep o'Day." THIS EVENING, PEEP O'DAY ; or, Savourneen Deelish. Messrs. Walter Lacy, Addison, Charles Selby, Geo. Melville, and Edmund Falconer . • Mrs. D. P. Bowers , Miss C lara Weston, and Mi ss M. Hu dson. After which, a new musical, pictorial, poetical, and ballet interlude, entitled KILLARNEY. Miss Anna Whitty and Miss Lydia Thomson. To conclude with the new farce entitled I COULDN'T HELP IT. Characters by Mr. Addison, Mr. Warlow, and Miss Lydia Thompson. Acting Manager—Mr. F. B. Chatterton. Prices as usual. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at !. Box-office open daily from 11 tlll5. Commence a _ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Lessee, Mr A. Harris. T HIS EVENING, THE LOST LETTER : Messrs. With dicombe, Higgie ; Miss Howard and Miss Rose Leclercq. After which, at a quarter to 8, THE WIFE'S SECRE T. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean ; Messrs. Everett, J. F. Cathcart, &c. ; Miss Chapman and Miss N. Chapman. _To conclude with THE TWO POLTS. Mr. Widdioomb, Mss R. Leclercq. Commence at 7. No half-price. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. • THIS EVENING, a new domestic drama, entitled DOT : Messrs. J. L. Toole, Emery, Billinc,ton, Stephenson ; Miss L. Keeley, Bliss Woolgar, Miss H. Simms, Miss K. Kelly, and Mrs. H. Marston. To be followed by THE OCTOROON. Messrs. Dion Boueicault, Emery, Jamison, Billington, P. Bedford, Phillips, Stephenson, Powell, Romer; Mrs. Billington, Mrs. IL Mar ston, Miss Latimer, and Miss Denvil. Commence at 7. C i f .4 NTERBURY HALL ARTS GALLERY. AND FINE The miraculous STECKEL at a quarter to 11. Grand Selections from " Lucrezia Borgia," by M lBB Rus sell, with Band and full Chorus, conducted by Mr. Jongh mans. Great success of UNSWO RTII, in his celebrated Stump Speech "Or any other man " the original), and EUGENE, in his Burlesque Singing and Dancing, at Ten o'clock. JOE BROWN, the renowned American:Prize Jig Dancer , for a few weeks only. Also the following Comic favourites -Mr. Randall, Mr. Hollingsworth, Mr. J. G. Forde, and Miss Caroline Parkes in her new entertainment. Messrs. Morton and Stanley beg to inform visitors to Lon don during the Exhibition that the GALLERY of PAINT INGS well be Open, t er. between the hours of T we l ve and Two o'clock on and att onday. The blockade is, by proclamation, relaxed at New Orleans, and at Beaufort or Port Royal. Vessels can sail from foreign ports to these ports, by ob taining licences from the American Consul, the licences showing that nothing contraband of war has been shipped on board the vessel obtaining one. Similar precautions are required for the return home In other respects, the blockade remains in full force. Its effect on the cotton market will be, we apprehend, but slight. As the chief towns of the South fall one after another into the hands of the North, the South must become increasingly unable, not only to import, but also to manufacture. Its supplies of the requisites for war itself must become less and less every month, for, with an effectual blockade, even if it could sell its cotton, it could get no arms and ammunition in return. 'We may be quite sure the North will not fail to reduce the South to the last extremity of commercial distress it is in its power to inflict. And we rather think the time is coming when the contest will be between conquer ing armies and a population with a temper as un subdued as that of the Hungarians or Venetians. Would that, like them, they were free from the guilt of enslaving others, while they were demand ing their own independence, they would then have our entire sympathy. rrHE OXFORD, 6, OXFORD-STREET, 1 Every Evening.—HENßl and PFAU on th e F lying Trapeze (last two weeks). - The unrivalled Ethiopian Come dians. and Newcomb's Minstrels, and Cnsworth and Eugene, in addition to a host of comic talent.—Operatic Selec tions and the cantata of " MAY DAY" (by G. A. Macfarren) and the " Jolly Beggars " (by G. Linley), supported by the entire company, including Miss Russe , Mdme. Enderssohn, Messrs. Morley, Greene, and Albert.—Full Band and Chorus. Musical Director, Mr. F. Jonghmans. Hall, ed.; Balcony and Stalls, Is. ; Private Boxes, los. ed. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tais DAY.—Morning, 12h. 21m.—Afternoon, 1212. 42m, To-MORROW.-Morning, lh. 2m.—Afternoon, lh. 26m NOTICE. All remittances are, henceforth, to be made to Mr. JOHN CHAPLIN, at The Sun office, 112, Strand, who has been appointed, by the Lord Chancellor, Receiver and Manager of The Sun newspaper, and the outstanding debts due in respect thereof. On Saturday, the forty-third anniversary of her MAJESTY'S Birth was, in one direction, at least, very beautifully celebrated. Exactly upon that forty-third anniversary of the very hour and mo ment when —more than a whole generation since— a quarter to four o'clock on Saturday morning, her Majesty Queen VICTORIA, first opened her eyes to the light in the country she has now been governing happily for close upon a quarter of a century—perhaps the most remarkable of all the great bridges in a metropolis The whole bearing of the naval and military news from America looks gloomy for the Confede ration. One partial success does not redeem its general character at all. The telegram received on Saturday—" Defeated and surrounded "—is indeed a rather Northern summary of the position of the South ; still, we now see the facts on which it was based. The " defeat" was an expulsion without a battle ; the " surrounded" was an addition to the number of points from which the Federals are marching on Richmond. The main Federal army, by these last accounts, was within 22 miles of the city, at New Kent Court-house, and the Confederates are supposed to intend making their stand about four miles nearer the city they are reported to have retreated latterly in good order, the waggons and war material moving by day, the troops by night. Even from Northern lights we learn that the retreat is admirably accomplished. Yet, after all they appear to be more than ever "surrounded." To the three Northern armies already converging on Richmond, North, East, and West, a fourth, though at present a small one, has begun to move on from the South. The veteran WooL, who from the beginning has held Fort Monroe against all comers, has crossed over Hampton Roads to Fort Willoughby, the point opposite, with 5,000 men, especially remarkable for those structures, was for mally inaugurated. A more imperial monument of the memorable event thus celebrated could hardly have been devised. It was especially a happy thought that suggested it. Far better than any of those ephemeral pomps and ceremonies usually usher ing in these fete days of a reigning Sovereign was that simple little incident which took place at when the barriers were thrown down, and the public were allowed, for the first time, to pass freely to and fro upon the new bridge at Westminster. The only courtly adjunct of the occasion being the discharge of a royal salute of " twenty-five" guns—exactly the number of years already noted down in the living or current annals of the reign of VICTORIA. Surely a celebration, this, in its way, is better than all the fireworks and illuminations, by which the loyalty of the people might be, no doubt, very resplendently, but, also, it should be remembered, in a very fleeting way manifested ! The very locality in which the incident we are and marched direct on Norfolk and its Navy-yard. This was on the 10th—the distance is not great, and on the eleventh, the Merrimac, after so many changes of fate, was blow n u p ! We , in Europe, would have given a trifle for her as a naval curi osity, a study for our shipbuilders, and target makers, and constructors of rams. She is gone for ever, and with her went the docks and the yards, and we may add the Confederate troops in the place, who seemed in no way inclined to fight it out with the old soldier, who with a moderate force at first, was prepared to have stifled the great rebellion in its birth. The old General, however, was not content to re main inactive looking at the ruins of the navy• yard and the utter destruction of the Confederate fleet— be has push e d on t o S u ff o lk, a t own o f th e highest military importance. It commands two railways, one south-west to the Carolinas, placing him in communication with General BURNSIDE—the other north-west to Richmond, through Petersburg, plac ing h i m in relation with the other armies which are marching on it, and requiring the Confederates to be prepared to face him in that direction. It was doubtless this change of position of General Wool, from Fort Monroe to the command of the Suffolk and Petersburg Railway which suggested the representation of the Confederates being " surrounded." When we add to this, the ascent of the Richmond River, the St. James, by the Federal gunboats, now wholly free from fear of any Southern fleet, it seems indeed like being surrounded. And M'CLELLAN, who seems to be a make-sure commander of the CLYDE school, will disappoint expectation if be has not already become master of Richmond, or will not soon do it. As we have seen, the two main armies were but three or four miles distant from each when the last accounts left. The Confederate advantage we referred to is in the West. There they have compelled General POPE, whom BEAVREGARD had summoned from Mississippi work, to recross a creek over which he had partly advanced--with heavy loss, it is said, on both sides. As the account is Northern, we know that POPE, who is a good soldier, must have suffered, but we are not required to believe the same of his opponent, though, it is likely enough to be true, for both sides are fighting well in the West. POPE had only part of his force across the Creek —the Confederates advanced to cut it off, and their General found himself obliged to withdraw the party which had crossed, to the pro tection of the main body, whieh the Confederates did not venture to cross the Creek and attack. It was an action which can have no effect on the chief operations there, but it shows how alive BEAURE• GA RD is to every opportunity, and how well his men fight under him. The Confederate gunboat here refeiring to took place, moreover, did not fail to enhance the dignity and appropriateness of its character, as a permanent monument of the joyful anniversary it served to celebrate. The new bridge, thus gracefully inaugurated, spanning the noble river that bisects the capital of her MAJESTY'S empire immediately within the precincts of the seat of her Govern- meat ! Under the shadow of the ancient Abbey that witnessed the coronation, and of the new Pa lace of the Legislature where the Lords and Com- mons of England are assembled session after session to aid the monarch in presiding constitutionally over the destinies of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is something to be enabled, as we really are enabled, to say of the new bridge now actually com pleted and opened down at Westminster, that it is worthy in every particular of its topographical position. While it is, beyond any question what ever, far and away the cheapest bridge of its size yet erected in the metropolis, it is far and away also the widest, the flattest, and in very many par ticulars decidedly the handsomest bridge now span ning the Thames. Hitherto the widest bridge in London was of course London-bridge, the extreme width of which is exactly 53ft. 6in. The new bridge at Westminster being, on the contrary, eighty feet in width—as nearly as possible double the width of the old bridge there! Again—while the new bridge at Westminster is not by any means the longest brid ge erec t e d i n L on d on (W a t er l o o Bridge being 1,380 feet in length, and Hungerford Bridge l a V e e m s t u na eh i n a s s t e 1; (whichs36fe i feet in s leenxgaethtl)ythfiosur feet shorternewbridgeat than London Bridge, the former being 990 and the latter 994 feet in length), thehas a old gradient bridge downno leasst than twelve f ee t lower than Westminster. Yet, while all these varied, great and obvious advantage s h ave been secured, the new a bridge is still more conspicuous of the Thames, among its rivals already reflected in the waters a s m up e e s r , io a r t once by the great cheapness and the beauty of its construction. Its cost pienrdeqivare foot, it is really marvellous to b ear in mind, s no more than £4 sterling—the cost of the old bridge which it has replaced having been very nearly double that, or .£7 16s. per square foot—the cost of Hungerford Suspension Bridge, .1:4 16s. 6d.—the cost of 'Waterloo Bridge, £lo—that of the Iron Bridge at Southwark, £ll 59. 10d.—that of Lon don Bridge, £ll 6s. And while such is absolutely the comparative cheapness of the new bridge at Westminster, the scale upon which the whole struc ture has been raised has been one so vast (as in effect the superior width of it will have already indicated) that the materials used in its fabrication from first to last have been set down at 4,200 tons of cast and 1,400 tons of wrought iron, at 30,000 cubic yards of concrete, 21,000 cubic yards of brick- ''': ;A "'''::'".,, • ' " .., •1 ‘ aTi a.:`,.; -1, ' te -1 , ,,,- . s . . , '',"' .- <>' 'fl ~.....R ii t'-';'''' - , 4if ..*,, nii•:. , s . - •:„ i „.,;. .4. THE SUN. LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 26, 1862. work set in Portland cement, 165,000 cubit feet of granite, and 46,000 cubit feet of timber. A scale only to be eclipsed in its way upon our turn ing to the estimates made very recently in regard to the quantity of material employed in the subterranean labours connected with the main drainage scheme of the metropolis—where (from which estimates) we learn that the number of bricks alone used in those Cyclop Pon tunnellings must be set down at 100,000,000. Not the least extraordinary part of the history of this new and noble bridge down at Westminster, is the manner in which, - without any disturbance whatever of the usual traffic, it has been gradually and quietly carried out to its completion. Gigantic and massive though the structure thus designed, and slowly built up under the wise supervision of Mr. PAGE, the architect—that gentlemen has con trived nevertheless so to arrange his undertaking that in the process of its development, it has slowly grown and grown to its actual completion. Within a brief interval of just three years in all, the whole project has been begun and finished. The designer may be said to have got fairly to work, in full energy, about midway in 1859—and here, on the 24th of May, 1862, the work is done, the new bridge is inaugurated! It is superfluous, of course, to remind the public that in accomplishing this marvel there were feats of engineering performed, that are wonderful even in this age of engineering wonders. The mere cir cumstance that there have been no coffer-dams whatever employed in the process of building up the bridge now solidly completed, is still, and must ever remain matter of astonishment. The plan adopted instead being thus described : —The piles having been driven deep below the bed of the river, on the site of the Pier, aerie firmly Into the LuuQuu eltiy--"ltouncl these [piles] again were forced massive iron circular piles, grooved at the edges, so as to admit of great sheets of cast iron being slid down like shutters be tween them. When these shutters, if we may so term, had been fixed and closed by drivers, the space they shut in was carefully dredged out of mud down to the bed of the river, the piles tied to gether with iron rods, and• the space filled in be tween with concrete up to low-water mark, when the masonry—enormous slabs of granite, weighing from eight to twelve tons—was fixed for the pier, and on these were raised the massive stone piers themselves." Altogether, the entire bridge thus slowly built up, little by little, in these three years past, spans the river with seven graceful arches, varying in dimensions gradually from the central one of 120 feet, which is, of course, the longest, to the two smallest which are 96 feet—the centre arch being 20 feet above high water level, while the two outsiders are 16 feet above the same. Now that the new Bridge at Westminster has been carried thus successful to a state of completion, our next thought, our next hope and ambition in that way turn our regard in the direction of Blackfriars. A curious story has reached us from quarters which give it something like weight, or, to use the regular phrase, from "those who ought to know." We are not at liberty to give our readers more dis tinct references, but we certainly do not exaggerate the credit which we think due to our informants. It is to the effect that the recent speeches of Mr. DISRAELI are part of a coalition planned to upset Lord PALMERSTON. His last battle for the forts— which we ourselves, with perhaps a majority of Libe rals, think was unwise pertinacity—has provoked some of them beyond measure. They avow that, " slippery as an eel," it is impossible to hold him to any step tending to a reduction of expenditure, and they are, therefore, ready to compel him to quit office, and yield to more economical men. But how was this to be managed ? His foreign policy was popular, and Tories are not noted for aversion to expenditure. These, then, were the [eading ideas—Tories like office, and spending what is to be spent, be it little or much. More would come into Tory hands out of even reduced national expenditure than out of a larger expenditure by Whig. So, Mr. DISRAELI was to secure the aid of the Tory country gentlemen, who were to join the Manchester school in demanding large retrench ments. Mr. GLADSTONE, of course, could not use his eloquence against them after his speeches. The next thing was to insure that the Tories should for once be able to make good their promises. For this purpose Mr. COBDEN, or some other unofficial di plomatist, in whom the Emperor of the FRENCH has confidence, should get him to proffer to the new Cabinet a large reduction of armaments, suffi cient to justify them, with the applause of the public, in considerably reducing our expendi ture, perhaps in even getting rid of the income tax ; a feat which would undoubtedly enable them to carry almost every constituency in the kingdom. Hence, we are told, the present Tory move towards retrenchment and economy. Hence the attack on " bloated armaments." All things were set in order ; the "salt is even said to be laid on the EMPEROR'S " tail"—the avowed financial reformers and other independent Liberals were counted on, either as active conspirators or as " accomplices after the fact," while the whole body of the Tories was to be moved forward in full force—Mr. DISRAELI'S eloquence was to back the written eloquence of " the three Panics"—the country was to be made dissatisfied with its burdens, the Premier was to be ousted, he was to ad vise her 'MAJESTY to send for Lord DERBY, who was immediately to receive the offer from the , EMPEROR, which would enable the new Premier to announce, for certain, the last year of the income tax. The session was then to be quickly wound up, and a new Parliament elected to the cry, " DERBY, DISRAELI, and no income-tax !" year. It is reasonably assumed that Mr. GLAD STONE is too much a man of honour to speak as ho has done in public of late, as well as in Parlia ment, did not the Cabinet wish him to do so. Hitherto the TORIES, not the Ministry, have been the obstacle to the reduction of expenditure. Had the Government proposed it, we should have heard no end of lamentations and invectives from Sir JOHN PAKIN G TON, Mr. DISRAELI, and Lord DERV!, on weakening the defences of the nation. With his present narrow majority,LordPALmEnsToN could not therefore have carried reduced estimates. But Mr. GLADSTONE, to whose office it was appro• priate, has been pretty plainly telling the country, on behalf of the Ministry, if you will demand to pay less, you shall do so. Mr. DISRAELI sees this ground going from beneath him and hence the very man who has just been satirising Mr. GLADSTONE for not getting more from the people—for not preserving larger balances in ex ceptional years, that the Tories might come in and spend them—this same man now comes forward to lecture on enormous expenditure and "bloated armaments !" The trick is too plain not to be seen through, but its author would little care for that if it were but successful. There is also yet another little hitch in the scheme ; Lord PALMERSTON might advise her MAJESTY not to send for Lord DERBY, but to dissolve Parliament. Like a soldier dying bravely upon the battle field, the Senior Surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital breathed his last on Saturday afternoon nobly and honourably at his post. Mr. STANLEY is related to have expired suddenly, struck down by apoplexy while in the discharge of his duties, while going his customary daily rounds there, through the wards of that great establishment, at tended by the usual cluster of the Students in Sur gery, who thus, according to the professional cus tom, obtain about the most valuable lessons of all the most practical stores cf knowledge they pick up namely, by means of clinical instructions. Nobler, however, than the death of any soldier—the busi ness of whose life is (whenever such may be deemed requisite) to destroy —was the death thus on Satur day of this able and gifted Senior Surgeon of St. Bartholomew's—he whose life, there in that very hospital, for nearly half a century, has been assidu ously devoted to the healing of disease and the alleviation of suffering. Here, in truth, was a Sol. dier, not of War, but of Humanity, passing away from amongst us in the very midst of his labours, in his battle-harness. So far as relates to his position in regard to his fel low-men, the death of this good citizen is, in its way, an enviable death. It is a demise, at any rate, eminently well worthy of being long and honourably held in remembrance. It seems to illustrate in a somewhat remarkable, certainly in a very startling manner, the resolute devotion of lives, and talents, and energies, and ambitions, of men of great worth an d'eminence, to the furtherance of the interests of those, perhaps the noblest, of all among our numerous eleemosynary institutions— our London Hospitals! " Supported by Voluntary Contributions," as the inscription upon the walls of each, simply and emphatically indicates ! Hos pitals where " all the ills that flesh is heir to" are humanely housed and tenderly cared for ! Where the lowliest and the most destitute are received with an undistinguishing generosity. Out of calamity often comes the happiest conse quence. So, we would fain hope that it may ac tually be in the present instance. And that, by reason of the sudden and affecting death of the Senior Surgeon at St. Bartholomew's, the atten tion of many practical and zealous philanthropists amongst us may be directed to the furtherance, now more energetically than ever, of those bene ficent institutions, with the prosperity of one of the best of which the nntne and the fair fame of the late Mr. STANLEY has now for nearly fifty years been identified. Now, supposing all went smoothly, the French EMPEROR and all, the majority so to be procured cannot well be doubted. It would be a nice annual bribe, of from ten to twenty pounds, to the great majority of ten pounds householders and tenant farmers, and the result cannot be doubted. What patriot would not deem himself justi fied in voting to save his pockets £lO a year, if, by the help of Louis NAPOLEON, the Tor!es could satisfy him that he in n) way in jured his country. But unfortunately conspiracies, relying on the co-operation of several parties with distinct or opposing interests, generally are weak somewhere. Concerning the partnership or trust worthiness of the Emperor of the FRENCH, we most certainly know nothing ; we only know that N. FOULD has a desperate task in endeavouring to pre serve his financial balance. But as to tho indepen dent Liberals we already see that one of them has made his peace with Lord P ALMERSTON, and intends to bring all the groat power of his eloquence to the defence of the " bloated armaments." Next Lord ROBERT MONTAGU has proffered his enig. rnatual resolution, which, though it reads like a truism, may be used, a second time, to birch the novellist orator, for truancy from Tory notions on expenditure. All this looks as if Mr. DISRAELI was alreadyt not to hav e unanimous aid from indepen d ent to or Liberals a n d hi s own benches in attacking the esti mates onvethingtherehamis more. The present that Government o u r expenditure f see, asa peace well expenditure as the un Tories, ) reasonably high. It has reduced the estimates this THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 26, 1862 EBB MAJESTY'S 71-IEATBE. VERDI'S EXHIBITION MUSIC. If the Exhibition is a great success, the opinion seems pretty general that the Commissioners have been a failure. They have received what they should have rejected, and they have rejected what they should have received. If Mr. Palgrave, with his precious handbook has embroiled them with the painters, not less has their treatment of Signor Verdi exposed them to the outcries of the musicians. Whilst in the one case they have inadvertently sanctioned an attack on men of genius, whose con tributions they had solicited, in the other by reject ing what they had in like manner invited, they seem to have impugned the claims of one of the most popular composers of the day. Into the merits of this question we can have no occasion to enter. Their conduct, of course, has been unintentional, and aris ing entirely from a misunderstanding —only on a great national occasion when business habits are imperative, the excuse must seem to many almost as unfortunate as the offence. However, whatever was the cause of the rejection of the Cantata which Signor Verdi was requested to compose for the opening of the Exhibition, on the ground of his representing Italian music in the same manner that Auber and Meyerbeer represented French and German—the desire naturally arose among all lovers of lyrical genius, as well as of national con cord, that the music so excluded should obtain its claim elsewhere. This was felt to be no less due to one of the most eminent of living writers than to the public expectation, which had been so much excited by the matter. Mr. Mapleson, there fore, very properly felt compelled to reply to this demand, and to offer the means of reparation, by presenting the boards of Her Majesty's Theatre as a highly effective vehicle, and there ac cordingly on Saturday evening, after the perform ance of the "Barber of Seville," the cantata was produced, and it gives us great pleasure to add, with the most unqualified success. Nothing could be more perfect, in the first place, than the per formance of this music. The chorus was enlarged on this occasion to upwards of two hundred voices —selected from the principal London choirs—and all the solo strength of the theatre was added to this force, including that of the sisters Marehisio and Signora Trebelli, Signors Guiglini, Armandi, Zucchini, Mon. Gassier, and, we are pleased to say in addition, Mr. Santley ; whilst the only change of the treatment from its original design was one which few persons we fancy would be found to de mur to, namely, that of the transposition of the solo part from a tenor to a soprano, in consequence of its passing from Signor Tamberlik to the hands of Madlle. Titiens. Never was the incomparable voice of this greet singer more nobly employed than on this occasion, or exerted with more success. The construction of this cantata has a simplicity and dignity quite in accordance with its purpose. It consists of but three divisions. An opening chorus of " The people of all nations," a solo, culminating in a prayer, by " one of the people," and a concluding chorus, or finale, embodying the national airs of England, France, and Italy. It opens with a well-marked passage for the bass voices in unison, upon the words " Gloria per cieli," to which the entire chorus replies in harmony, and to the soprano voices are next allotted a very charming phrase at the second verse of the chorus, " E in Questo di Giocondo," the whole forming a gradully augmenting and very happy introduction to the solo " Spettacoli sub lime," in which the cantata paints in noble strains the moral and artistic triumph of the exhibition, as contrasted with the barbarous results of warfare, and so rises by a natural expansion to a hymn of wonderful beauty to the Giver of all Good, whose blessings are not less evidenced, than whose pater nal will is endeavoured to be obeyed by the great event whose noblest feature is its spirit of fra ternity. This hymn, which is just es exquisite in its melody as in its feeling, cannot fail to become generally popular, and survive as a worthy memorial of a true genius and a great occasion. The finale, which takes up in succession the Eng lish, French, and Italian national airs, is very ad mirably instrumented, as is also the whole of the recitative leading up to the hymn, and brings the music to a conclusion with the greatest vigour and variety. The performance of this work was aaper feet as could be given, and its reception, we need nut add, NY tl3 cutLuziaztin to a degree, Madlle Titiens' delivery of the hymn—" Signor the sulla terra"—must alone have insured a great impression, and the chorus and band throughout were not un worthy of her efforts. The consequence was, that though the time was Saturday night, and close on the stroke of 12 o'clock, the cantata was warmly encored, and given a second time with even more fervour than the first. Signor Verdi, as will be sup posed, enjoyed a due ovation. First led forward by Madlle. Titiens, he was summoned three times by the audience, and amidst a shower of bouquets and floral crowns, received the heartiest testimony that his delighted patrons could present him. The cantata is to be repeated to-morrow evening, together with the " Semeramide ;" and can scarcely fail, we should suppose, to become as attractive as it is meritorious. Its performance was preceded by a second and very successful representation of the " Barbiere," in which Signora Trebelli renewed her marked im pression in the young Spanish inamorata. Her clear and brilliant voice, her thorough musical culture, and her true Italian feeling, all qualify her to do justice to the spirit as well as richness of the great maestro, Rossini, who is only to be interpreted by a delicacy and grilse that duly elevate facility. Her una voce wa s an abundant illustration of these qualities, and not less her share in the " Dunque io son ;" whilst her singing lesson iu the second act, in which she sub stitutes Signor Arditi's bacio"—for the usual Rhodes's variations, was an additional testi mony to the elegance and spirit of her style. Alto gether her Rosina must be regarded as her most suocessful effort. Signor Bettini was the Alma viva, and delivered its music with all its deli cacy, if somewhat wanting in its spirit. Mons. Gassier was the Figaro, and certainly the most animated, and, saving Ronconi's, the very best the stage possesses; and Signor Zucchini made his second appearance in Dr. Bartolo, and displayed all . - the evidence of a comic artist, and a good singer. The band and chorus were irreproachable. The house was well attended. Lady Louisa Mills was safely delivered of a daughter on the 23d inst., at her residence in Grosvenor. square. THE JAPANESE MISSION.—This morning at 9 o'clock the Japanese Ambassadors, accompanied by Mr. Macdonald and about six or eight of the principal officers in their suite, left London for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, start ing from King's-cross station and travelling as far as York by the Great Northern Railway. The principal object of their visit to Northumberland is to see a coal-mine in full operation. It is said their own country, among ()they mineral products, contains coal, but that the people know little or nothing of the proper modes of working and ren dering it available for use.. Hence the trip of the Ambas sadors to Newcastle. '1 here they will arrive about half past 4 or 5 this afternoon, and stay overnight at the hotel attached to the central railway station. The whole of Tuesday they will spend in some part of the coal• field in the immediate neighbourhood. Early on Wednesday morning they will start from Newcastle to Liverpool, travelling as far as Carlisle by special train. On 'Wednesday evening they will be entertained at a banquet by the mayor and corporation of Liverpool. They will return to Landon by way of Birmingham, making a short stay in the metropolis of the Midland Counties to see some of the principal objects of interest there. Their trip to the north will be more hurried than they could have wished ; but expecting, as they do, almost daily the arrival here of Mr. Alcock, the English Minister in Japan (accompanied by a high of f icial personage from their own country, bearing despatches), they are anxious to lose no time in retaining to London, consistently with the desire to witness all that is calculated to interest them in the three great towns which they have elected to visit, Yesterday they paid a visit of ceremony to Baron Bentinck, the Minister of the Netherlands at this Court, and the greater part of Saturday they spent at Hen don at a farm occupied by Mr. Claridge, the proprietor of the hotel at which they are quartered, and where they played at cricket and football, and engaged in some feats o' archery. Arrangements have been made by the autho rities at the Foreign-office for affording them a sight of the great spectacle on Epsom-downs on the Derby-day. They Will travel by road in two open carriages, each drawn by four horses, with a couple of postilions, and preparations have been made for their proper reception and entertain meat at the grand-stand, PRINCESS'S THEATRE. After an aLsence of three years, and with rather a short announcement, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean made their appearance at this theatre on Saturday evening in the historic drama of " Louis the Eleventh." The audience was a most brilliant and fashionable one, and the reception that both artistes received was something enormous. For some minutes the acting of the play was entirely stopped by the enthusiastic welcome given to Mr. Kean on his entry in the second act, and whether it was owing to the hearty reception or not, most certainly he never gave a finer delineation of the hypocriti cal, remorseless, crafty, and treacherous French monarch than on Saturday evening. The character of Louis we have always looked upon as one of Mr. Kean's most finished perform ances, as from first to last, the most intense study is evident, without which it would be impos sible to depict, in all its hideousness, the super stitious monarch—so relentless in hatred—so un flinching in purpose— so profane in his appeals for heavenly aid, even whilst plotting murder— and so false in his professions, that what he sought to accomplish by his cruel policy was his people's good, and not his own aggrandisement. The well-known scene, in the first act, in which Nemours encounters Louis, the murderer of his father, was wrought np to the highest pitch of madness; but the culminating triumph was the close of the drama—the death of the tyrant. It was a performance that produced the most startling effect, and that, too, without in the slightest degree " o'erstepping the modesty of nature." Who could behold the death of that bad man without horror—a man who, even in his death throes, forgets not that he is a King, and commands his subjects' prayers. The applause elicited was tremendous, and certainly never was it better deserved. Mrs. Charles Kean sustained the little part of Martha, the miller's wife, but, with the true taste of an artist, she made the part stand so nobly out, that in her hands it became, after Louis, one of the most prominent characters in the play. Miss Chapman, as the Dauphin, and Miss N. Chap man as Marie, both acted with great taste and excellence. The Due de Nemours was admirably sustained by Mr. Cathcart, who certainly deserved all the applause the excellence of his acting evoked. The other parts in the play were well supported by Messrs. Meadows, Shore, Basil, Potter, and Ray mond. At the fall of the curtain the applause seemed longer and louder than in the early part of the evening. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kean had to acknow ledge " a call," of the enthusiasm of which they may well be proud. Tho Countess Apponyi's ball will take place on Thursday the sth, instead of the 12tH of Jur, e, The Marquis Camden entertained at dinner on Saturday evening, at his residence in Grosvenor-square — the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry, the Earl and Countess of Ashburnham and Lady Katherine Ash burnham, the Countess Cawdor and Hon. Victoria Camp bell, Viscount and Viscountess Falmouth, Lady Elizabeth Cornwallis and Lady Julia Cornwallis, Lord and Lady Pelham, Viscount Hamilton, Lord Charles Innes Ker, Hon. Lionel Ashley, Capt. Stewart, Capt. Vaudeleur, &C. The Countess of Craven has issued cards for an assembly on Thursday next, at her residence in Charles street, Berkeley -square. The Earl and Countess Poulett have arrived at the family mansion in Hanover-square, from Hinton St. George, Somersetshire. The Earl of Cathcart bas left Iklaurigy's Hotel for Thornton-le -Street, near Thirsk. The Viscountess Guillamore has arrived at 19, Eaton-place, for the season, from Rockbarton, her lady• ship's residence in Ireland. His Excellency the Count Pracontal, accom panied by Mons. de Blerzy, has arrived at Alaurigy's Hotel, from Paris, LATEST NEWS. TURKEY AND MONTENEGRO. VIENNA, MAY 26. The following intelligence from Ragusa has just been received : " The Montenegrins are still in possession of Niksich. Dervisch Pasha has suffered great losses in fruitless attempts to force the formidable defiles of Douga." PARIS, MAY 26. The Moniteur of this morning says— " The Emperor having decided that, on account of the reduction of the effective strength of the French army, the corps of occupation in Rome shall be organised anew, General Goyon has been re called to take service near the person of the Em perm, who has nominated him a Senator, in proof of his high satisfaction." The Moniteur also publishes a deer( e, raising M. Chasseloup Laubat, General Goyon, and . M. Ingres to the rank of senators. The Moniteur also reproduces the article of the Patrie of yesterday evening, on the affairs of Mexico. FRANCE. BOURSE, May 24.—The market, without being so animated as yesterday as regards the amount of business, has not been deficient in firmness. Prices, it is true, slightly retrograded at the opening, but they soon recovered, Threes, for the Account, be ing at 70f. 40c. Railway Share Market quiet, but pretty firm. The market closed as follows 4+l per per Cents ... Bank Shares 3140 Do. end month.... 97 75 Credit F °lacier 1575 3 per Cents Do. end month.... 70 30 Piedmontes( Fives 7l New 3 per Cents Italian Loan 7O 60 Do. end month.... Austrian Credit Mobilier.... Spanish Threes — Do. end month.... 895 75 Home Debt .. RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1320 .. 1322 60 Northern . New ditto • • • -- -- Lyons and Mediterranean 1108 75 .. 1110 Geneva.. Southern B4l 50 .. 842 60 Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Low bard AMERICA. QUEENSTOWN, MAY 25. The Royal Mail steamship America, from Boston, on the 14th, and Halifax on the 16th, arrived here at 418 p.m. today. She brings 137 passengers and 61,153 dais. specie. She landed 182 sacks of mails and 11 passengers, and proceeded at 4 30 p.m. for Liverpool ; all well. DESTRUCTION OF THE ME RRIIVIAC BY THE CONFEDERATES. (PER AMERICA, via BOSTON AND QUEENSTOWN.) NEW YORK, MAY 13, MORNING. General Wool, with 5,000 men, landed on the 10th at Willoughby Point, and marched on Nor folk. A delegation of citizens met General Wool near Norfolk, and surrendered the city. No resistance was offered. The Confederate General Huger with drew his force, which, it is supposed, was much reduced in numbers by reinforcing Gen. Johnson. The Confederates blew up the Merrimac on the 11th. The late reconnaissance of Federal vessels was in such force as to prove that the chance of successful contest was hopeless, and the Merrimac drew too much water to proceed up any of the rivers. General M'Clellan's forces have advanced beyond New Kent Courthouse, within 22 miles of Rich mond. The Confederates were still falling back, having destroyed the railway from West Point. The Con federate rear was three miles distant. The Confederate retreat is reported to be admi rably accomplished ; they carry their waggons and provisions in the daytime,and their troops by night, covering their retreat by a line of skirmishers gtrotched across the country, and driving in their stragglers at the point of the bayonet. From the best information it is supposed that the Confederates will make a stand at Bottom's Bridge, 18 miles from Richmond, the head-waters of the Chickahominy River. Captain Davis officially reports from the Missis sippi, above Fort Pillow, that eight Confederate iron•clad gunboats attacked the Federal flotilla under Commander Foote. The action lasted one hour. Six Federal vessels were engaged. Two Confederate gunboats were blown up, and one sunk. The Confederates then retreated under the guns of Foote. One Federal vessel was injured. Corroborative accounts received state that im mense quantities of cotton are being burnt at Memphis, and most of the sugar and molasses are being thrown into the river. A Secession plot to hand the town over to the Confederates has been discovered at Paducah, Ken. tueky. The conspirators have been arrested. A large meeting of the Conservative members of Congress has been held at Washington, denouncing Abolitionists and Secessionists. A resolution was passed denouncing the confiscation measures. DESTRUCTION OF THE NORFOLK NA.VY YARD BY THE CONFEDERATES. (PER AMERICA, VIA BOSTON AND ROCHE'S POINT. NEW YORK, MAY 13, EVENING. At Norfolx, the Navy-yard, dry dock, naval machinery, and all vessels were found to have been entirely destroyed by the Confederates. The Federal steamer Galena has proceeded up the James River, and silenced the Confederate bat teries at Day's Point. The Southern newspapers state that the Federal squadron had arrived of Fort Morgan to attack Mobile. The result of the attack is not known. The Federal General Pope officially reports that the Confederates, 20,000 strong, advanced upon his Brigade, stationed on the banks of a creek near Fal mington, five miles north-west of Corinth. Pope's Brigade held on for five hours, but, find ing that he could not sustain his troops without his whole force crossing the creek, which would have brought on a general engagement, Pope withdrew his forces. The Confederates did not cross the creek. The loss of the Federals was considerable; that of the Confederates is also reported to be large. Gen. Beauregard is still fortifying Corinth, in the neighbourhood of which the Confederates are re ported to be in immense strength. Both belligerents continue preparations for an extensive battle. The Aremphis Avalanche of the 6th says that the Mayor and Aldermen of New Orleans have been sent to prison for refusing to take the oath of allegiance. The greatest distress for provisions prevailed in New Orleans. General Butler occupied the St. Charles Hotel as his head - quarters. The General had sent a proclamation to the newspaper offices for publication, but they refused to print it. A Federal guard was sent to the newspaperoffices, and Northern printers were procured, by whom the proclamation was set up and published, proclaiming martial law in New Orleans. The House of Representatives has passed a bill abolishing slavery in the territories of the United States by a vote of 85 to 50. (PER AMERICA, via BOSTON AND QUEENSTOWN,) General Butler's proclamation of martial law in New Orleans was to the following effect : " The violation of property or persons protected by the Federal army will be punishable with death. "All persons must treat the Federal flag with the utmost deference and respect, under penalty of severe punishment. ig The keepers of all public property, whether State, national, or Confederate, must make a return to General Butler's head -quarters. " All shops and places of amusement are to be kept open in the accustomed Manner, and - service is to be held in the churches as in times of pro found peace. The circulation of Conf e d erate notes among the poorer classes will be permitted so long as inconsi derate persons will receive them. " Federal officers will be appointed to examine all editorial newspaper comments and correspondence before its publication will be allowed. " All assemblages in the streets by day or by night are forbidden." President Lincoln has issued a proclamation that the blockade of New Orleans, Beaufort, and Port Royal shall cease from June Ist, on the following conditions : Vessels clearing from foreign ports destined for New Orleans, Beaufort, or Port Royal, must obtain licenses from American Consuls abroad, which will be granted upon satisfactory evidence that such vessels will convey no person, property, or infor mation contraband of war either to or from the above ports. These licences must be exhibited on arrival to the cellectors at the above ports. When cleared outwards from the above ports such vessels must have the collector's clearance, showing that the above conditions have not been violated. The violation of these conditions will involve the forfeiture and condemnation of vessel and cargo, and exclusion from the privilege of entering the United States during the war. In all other respects the existing blockade re mains in full force and effect, and is only relaxed in regard to the above ports. (PER AMERICA, BY TELEGRAPH TO HALIFAX AND via QUEEN STOWN. ) NEW YORK, MAY 15 (Evening). The New York press thinks that the proclama tion of Lincoln relaxing the blockade will end all idea of foreign intervention. A portion of General Wool's forces has occupied Suffolk. It is reported that General Siegel will reinforce General Halleck. Captain Pennock officially reports that in a naval engagement near Fort Pillow one Federal gunboat was sunk and one disabled. The Baltimore Ameriraii says that relieved pri soners coming from Richmond on the 12th inst. re port that they had passed the Federal steamers Monitor and Nangtucket beyond City Point, steam ing towards Richmond. The Galena was also following. The steamers Jamestown and Yorktown were at Rocketts, near Richmond. General M'Clellan's forces were at Cumberland, Pamunky river, 26 miles from Richmond. In the night of the 13th a skirmish occurred with the Confederates who were in their immediate front. Rumours were current in Baltimore of the cap ture of Richmond, but no confirmation has been yet received. COMMERCIAL INTELL IGENCE. Money abundant ; gold 31-, premium. Exchange quiet. Stocks steady. Cotton dull. Breadstuffs very firm. Provisions inactive. THE DUBLIN COURT MARTIAL. The court martial on Veterinary Surgeon Paul Anthony, of the 11th Hussars, was resumed this morning. The prisoner handed in testimonials from Colonel Douglas and Colonel Peel, who were his former commanding officers, and then proceeded to address the Court in his own behalf. It was consoling to him in his present position to think that the tribunal before which he stood, while blaming and censuring his acts, would at the same time feel indignant at the insults to which he had been subjected by Cor net Delacour, and which were the inciting cause of all that followed. He had said or done nothing to warrant the imputation which Cornet Delacour levelled at him. While admitting that he should have restrained his feelings, it should be remem bered that it was always easy when there was time for reflection to moralise upon what should be done by a man whose feeling was raised by undeserved taunts and imputations. Cornet Delacour at mess, in the hearing of strangers, imputed to him that he entered a horse at the Bangor races under false pre tences, and had won the race under those discredit able circumstances. This wa© the commencement of the transaction, and he submitted that direct provocation was then given to him. The prisoner referred to the evidence, which he thought eus tained him, and concluded by commending his case to the favourable consideration of the Court. Lieutenant-Colonel Frazer, 11th Hussars, replied as prosecutor. He contended that the accused was clearly guilty of the charge laid againEt him, and. that the first words of insult came from him, when he called Cornet Delacour a " cur" and a " liar." The defence seemed to suggest that the case should be regarded by the Court as one for the merciful interposition of her Majesty, but he (Lieutenant- Colonel Frazer) believed there was nothing in the conduct of the prisoner to call for any interposition of mercy. The court was then cleared, and some time after wards was declared adjourned. The decision will be given on a future day. CONSUMPTION OF DRINKS; Twenty years ago the consumption of tea per head among the population of the United Kingdom was only 1 . 371 b; since then the duty has been reduced from 2s 21d per lb to is sd, and in 1861 the consumption per head was 2 . 671 b, and the revenue received had risen from 2s nid per head to 3s 91d. Of coffee the consumption 20 years ago was I.oolb per head ; the duty has been very greatly reduced, and the consumption per head in 1861 was 1.211 b ; the increase of consumption has not been so great as in tea, and the population contributed on coffee to the revenue in 1861 only 3id per head, instead of 71d., which was the rate in 1841. The consumption of sugar was 171 b per head in 1841; the duties have since been reduced and equalised, and the consumption more than doubled ; in 1861 it was 35 . 211 b per head, an I the revenue obtained was 4s 21d per head, having been only 3s 10d in 1841. If now we take a stronger class of beverages, we find malt showing little change; the rate of consumption per head was 1.35 bushel in 1841 and 149 in 1861, and the rate of contribution to the revenue per head in this respect 4s Id in 1841, and 3s 81d in 1861. The wine duties, it will be remembered, have been greatly altered, and the consumption of wine rose from 6,184,960 gallons in 1841 to 10,693,071 in 1861, or from 0•23 gallon per head to 0.37, the rate of contribution to the revenue per head in taxation upon wine falling from Is 31d to 10d. The duty on British spirits has been raised considerably, and the amount of duty received is greatly increased, but the consumption has somewhat fallen off; in 1841 the rate consumed was 0.77 gallon per head, and the individual contribution to the revenue 3s 81d ; in 1861 the consumption was 0.67, and the contribution to revenue 6s 71d. But on foreign spirits the duty has been reduced ; hence, though the consumption has largely increased, the contribution to revenue remains about the same, is 91d per head, the rate of consumption rising 0.13 to o'lB gallon. The consumption of tobacco increases; in 1841 it w as 0.831 b per h ea d, i n 1861 1.19 ; and the contributi on to re. venue 2s 8d per head in 1841, became 3s 10d in 1861. Of all the articles above named British spirits alone have di minished in absolute quantity consumed in the last 20 years ; the consumption of no beverage has increased so much as that of tea; but smokers also have increased and multiplied. MALTESE SYMPATHY WITH THE POPE. —VALETTA, May 21.—The Archbishop, Bishop of Malta, Monsignor Pace Forno, left Malta on Saturday last for Rome, to be present at the conclave of bishops which is assembling from all parts of the world. He carries with him an address to the Pope, to which is attached some 50,000 signatures. Double the number might have been ob'ained if necessary. It expresses the warmest sym pathy of the Maltese people in his Holiness's present troubles, and their fervent prayers for his independence, temporal and spiritual. The various copies of the address from the difierent towns and villages were elegantly bound together in velvet and silver, and formed a massi e volume, which was exposed for public inspection in one of the churches, It was afterwards carried in state through the streets by a deputation of the clergy and laity, to the Epis copal Palace, and handed to the Bishop, with the request he would lay it at the feet of the Pope. Before embarking his reverence went to St. John's to offer up the usual prayer for his safe journey. The spacious cathedral was crowded to suffocation, and innumerable thousands waited outside, unable to obtain admittance. Such an i mmense assemblage of people has seldom been witnessed in Malta. The whole island seemed to be in the streets on that day. It is calculated that upwards of 50,000 persons were pre sent. A party of lads carrying Papal and Maltese flags preceded the bishop as he walked from the church to the place of embarkation, and bestowed his episcopal benedic tion on the multitude. The vessel soon afterwards steamed out of port amidst the most enthusiastic evvivas for Pio None Papa Re. Two or three Roman Catholic Bishops from the East have passed through this island during the week for Rowe, ••••'"'