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

Grand Ballet, Chagne-a-Lantern, by the Misses GUN. NISS and the Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. The Invocation I The Incantation I I and the Evapora. tion I I I THE VILLAGE GREEN AND ROADSIDE ALE HOUSE. Old Grype (the Steward), Mr. Glindon ; Old Scratche (his Clerk), Mr. Tanner ; Tenantry, Messrs. Cringe, crape, Shuffle, Cut, Packoff, Moonraker, and . Runaway ; Tailor, Mr. Snipshears ; Bootmaker, Mr. Tighttt ; 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— How the Tenantry treated in one way and how Jack is treated 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 shave n an d s h orn ") , 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 Britain, 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. DOWN" STREET. Messrs. Huline, St. Maine, Tanner, and Miss S. Gunnies. Christmas Presents—every Man (and Boy) to his Post, even 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 Needlewoman)—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, Cormack, Morley, and Miss Gunnies. 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 those 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-nsss 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(l—Duty off Paper— "l he Times" reduced and the Times on the rise—a book that takes leafs 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 1 The Sands ! 1 The Sands 11 I Come unto these yellow sands. A Sailor telling a Yarn and a boat Lying too—the Pier 3,laster's ap-Pierance—Clown makes a Man's hair turn Bandy and proves himself in the wrong box—by a slight Miss-Take, which a certain Miss won't Take—Pantaloon gets soma 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 Pnrrchutes. 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. Tickats for Boxes, Pit, and Galleries, may be had at the Box Office before the opening. O YAL ENGLISH OPERA, 1 ) j 1 CO VENT G ARDEN. . tinder the management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison. THIS EVENING, THE PURITAN'S DAUGHTER, Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Susan Pyne ; Mr. Santley, M r. IL Corti, Mr. George Honey, Mr. Patsy, Mr. A. St. Albyn Mr. T. and Distin, Mr. W. Harrison Wallworth, Mr. Eugene D usse k , Mr. C. Lyall, Mr. . Conductor, Mr. ALFRED MELLON. After which will be produced (written expressly by J. M Morton), a Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled • HARLEQUIN GULLIVER ; or, A Trip to Brobdigna,z, a Peep at Lilliput, and a Flying* Visit to Laputa. Gulliver, Mr. W. H. Payne ; Mrs. Guliiver, Mr. F. Payne. Principal danseuse, Mdlle. Lamoureux, supported by the Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. The Harlequin Ate sustained by the eminent Pantomimists, Messrs. H. Payne, P. Payne, 11. Lauri, E. Lauri, S. Laud, and Miss Jenny Lauri. Commence at Seven, -1 1 1 i EA TRE•It 0 Y AL, HAYMARKET, Lessee. Mr. J. B. Buotstonr. THIS EVENING, Jan. 1. Sterling Coyn e ' s C ome d y, BLACK sHEEr. Messrs. Buckstone, Compton, Howe, Villiers, Mrs. C. Young, 3lrs. Wilkins, &c. • After which, a Comic Christmas Pantomime, LITTLE MISS MUFFET AND LITTLE BOY BLUE ; or, Harle quin and Ord BraddY Longlegs. Louise Leclercq, Charles Le- Clercq, Herr Cole, G. Becket, and Miss Rosine. Commence a 7 OYAL LYCEUM ry.liAti! ILL Manager--Mr. Edmund I,7!.lcnier., - THIS EVEN IN(}, Jan. 1, the new and original Drama; entitled PEE? O'DAY ; or, Savourneen Declish. Messrs'. Walter Lacy, Hermann Vezin, Charles S 4 lby, Edmund Fal coner Mrs. D. h. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston. Atter which, a new and original Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD; or, The Fairies of the nose, the Thistle, and the Shamrcck. Principal charac ters by Mr Chas. SelbY' Warlow, Miss Cicely Nott, and Miss Lydia Thompson. A cting Manager—gr. F. B. Chatterton. l'rees as usual. Doors open at half-past 6 , to commen 6 c at 7. 134)x-office open daily from 11 till 5. RURY-LANE THEATRE ROYAL. Lessee, Mr. E. T. SMITH. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE of the PAN TOMIME every WEDNESDAY, at Two o'Clock. THIS EVENING (January Ist) her Majesty's Ser vants will perform the popular Farce, by J. B. Buckstone, Esq., entitled AN ALARMING SACRIFICE. Bob Ticket, Mr. Atkins ; Pugwash, Mr. Barsby ; Mr. Skinner, Mr. Hope; Susan Sweetapple, Miss Keeley; Miss Wadd, Miss Stuart ; Miss Tibbit, Miss Bland ; Miss Gimp, Miss Harfleur ; Deborah, Mrs. Dowton. After which will be produced, with that attention to com pleteness in every department by which the Christmas Annuals of this Theatre have been so 1)1e-eminently dis tinguished, the New Grand Comic Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN and the HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT; er, Old Mother Hubbard and hex R 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. Lklasks, Symbolic Devices, Personal Appointments, and Designs for the Costumes, by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The Overture and Music composed and arranged by Mr. I. H. TULLY. The Machinery by Mr. Tucker and As .stants. The Tricks, Properties, Changes, and Transfor tions, by Mr. Needham, assisted by Messrs Glindon, H. ams, H. Langham, &c. The Costumes by Miss Dickin -t, Mr. Lauri, and Mr. Palmer. The Gas Appointments c Mr. Hinckley. The Choregraphic Arrangements by r. Cormack. The Harlequinade and Comic Scenes by essrs. Cormack and B. Jones. The Perfume of the 'lowers supplied by Bimmel's process. The Grotesque Burlesque Opening invented and written by E. L. BLAisTCHAR 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."—Ancient 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, • nackstraw, 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, Livermore; Webb, Taylor, Braithwaite,Hammilton, Stap ley, Harris, Candy, Copeland, Archer, Hawkins, Delaney, Wilson, Williams, Robinson, Wood, Watson, and Hamel ton. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.... Lessee, Mr A. Harris. THIS EVENING, Wednesday, Jan. 1, THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. After which will be prodiip( d, a Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled WHITTING TON AND HIS CAT ; or, Harlequin King Kollywobbol and the Genius of Good Humour. The grotesque opening invented and written by Henry 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 Lauri ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Colum bine, Miss Caroline Adams. Morning Performances will take place at Two o'clock on Monday, Dec 30, and every fol lowing Monday till further notice. N EW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, and during the week the great Drama, entitled THE OCTOROON ; or, LIFE IN LOUISIANA : Messrs. Grace, Billington, Emery, Phillip Jamison, Smith, Stephenson, Romer, Lewis ; Mrs. Billing - ton, Mrs. H. Mar ston, Miss C. Denvil, Miss Latimer, and Mrs. H. Lewis. After which, at 20 minutes pa s t 9, the great Irish Drama of THE COLLEEN BAWN. Mr. and Mrs. Dion Boucicault, Mr. Fisher, Miss Woolgar, &c. Box Office open from 10 till 5. NEW ROYALTY THEATRE, Dean-street, Oxford-street. Under the Direction ofMdlle. Albina di Rhona. THIS EVENING, A LES SON FOR HUSBANDS ; characters by Mr. Sinclair, Mesas. Clifford and Terry. After which, CAMELIA ; Camelia, Mdlle. Albina di Rhona. Fol lowed by a New Operatic Burlesque, entitled THE VERY LATEST EDITION OF IL TROVATORE ; or, Who Killed the —; Messrs. Graham, Robins, James, Warren, W. Worhcys ; Mesds. Mason, Craven, and H o d son. To comiude with new and original Farce, A NICE QUIET DAY.—Commence at half-past 7. CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS, AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. Triumphant Success of Mr. Marshall's Grand Christmas Entertainment, "THE ENCHANTED HASH " (SECOND EDlTlON)—Wonderful Transformations—Every Evening at a quarter-past ten—in addition to the following Comic talent: Mr. Frederick French, the great Shakesperian Bur lesque Vocalist, Mr. Wood and Son, Mr. J. G. Forde, Miss Harriet Coveney, and Miss Greene. Grand Selections from LA TRAVIA.TA 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 " E very E ven i ng a t half-past Nine o'clock. T HE OXFORD, 6, OXFORD-STREET, OPEN EVERY EVENING. Grand Selections from " ERNANI , " " Macbeth, " and "La Circassienne," by Madame Enderssohn, Miss Ernst, and Miss Russell ; 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). Balfe's New Ballads, by Madame Enderssohn and Mi4s Russell (composed expressly for them), and other Vocal and Instrumental Entertainments, the Comic portion by Messrs. Sam Collins. E. M ars h all, M. P. Foster, W. Ran dall. and Miss Harriet Coveney. Hall, 6d.; Stalls and Balcony, ls. ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. This DAY.—Morning, 2h. Gm.—Afternoon, 2h. 32m. TO -MORROW. -Morning, 2h. 57m.—Afternoon, 3h. 20m. THE WEATHER. —SUN OFFICE, JANUARY 1, 1862. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 37—kighest since noon yesterday. 29—lowest this morning and during the night. 33—this day at noon. BAROMETER-30.40. WlND—Northerly ; light, with dull hazy weather, and sharp frost. t ' 7 . f;,, • C 4 .• OV-4- ih..,- :‘ - Sty,, i , l 4 t b..., .....-:,. .etw_ 1 ,t,,, . 4 _ 441 ,4t '' P I t N 7 lt.:fi ',. v• - • -'A '- ' , Z. ,- -i .7 b 5. 7" . ' - :). 1 1 , 4. - • 0 . ~, •- - ' "/ ' ' -. ,cam'-..' ' 0 4-te4--,,. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1, 1862. The Africa has arrived as expected, notwith standing strong easterly winds. All her news is pacific. The Stock Exchange evidently thinks so' the funds having risen fully one per cent. since the news was published. Second thoughts seem to have been, indeed, in this case best for America ; whether for England and the world, on the widest view of things, may, perhaps, be doubted. Present danger of war is probably at an end. The most significant evidence of this is the action of Congress. We have but just heard how they thanked the " gallant" WILKES for his zeal and courage in law-making for his country's advantage ; we now learn that they are taking much more cautious steps in the matter. A resolu tion was proposed to the House of Representatives to support the act of Capt.ll' ILKES —the House did not indeed reject it, but neither would they as a house adopt it—they referred it to the Committee on Foreign Affairs—a prudent way, no doubt, of shelving it till the Cabinet and the law authorities should have had time to speak. The frantic fury which had burst forth on the arrival of the intelligence, by the Europa and the Jura, of the attitude of England has given way to something like " eating the leek• The " impres sion" is no longer that the Commissioners will on no account be given up, but that if the demands of our Government for their sur render are couched in moderate language, they will be surrendered. The tone of even the New York press is, we are told, moderate. We half expected it would be so. It was indeed impossible to predict before-hand what course the mob would take, and whether it would not compe the Government to resist justice to England as in justice to the Great Republic ; still, the fatuity was so manifest of attempting to beat England and the South at the same time that even the dullest must comprehend the position. And, as it was hardly likely that the prospect of being beaten on both sides at once, could be pleasant, even the Irish of America must understand that they had to choose between a thorough humiliation or keep ing the peace with England. As the ebullitions of rage were begining to sub- side before the French letter, and the news from other States who take the same view as England, had arrived, we may conclude that when the Ameri. cans know that all tne world is against them, we shall hear little more of the matter. If the multitude see that their Government must give in, the latter will have no difficulty in doing so. After all, and phrase their concession how they like, they will feel deeply enough that they have to make it. A war might have bean a more effectual teacher, but the surrender of the commissioners on the demand, not only of England but of the civilised world, will make the great Mr. SEWARD, and the boastful Bostonians look rather small. There was positively nothing in the act but the defiance of England. It was that which was toasted and lauded to the skies. There was arid could be no thing, in a ship of war mounting thirteen large guns, doing what it pleased with an unarmed steamer which one broadside would sink—the glory was not that the frigate beat the merehan steamer, but that she beat the English merchant steamer, not that the ship of war defied a ship without guns, but that she defied the _English flag and the British Lion—her figurehead. On just this point they have to go down on their knees. They have to confess they were wrong to defy the English flag. They have to say that they will not do so again. They have o part With the men whom they would have given anything to keep, just because they insulted the British flag to get them. They have indeed to read their disgrace in the Court announcement that, at the P.esident's last levee, neither the English nor French nor Prussian Ministers were present. We have by th e arr i va l of the Africa some fur " -they -intelligence of American Proceedings as re rra rdS themselves. A General PRELPS is said to ?„. iitiVe landed on Ship Island, not fa r prom the mouths of the Mississippi, and to have issued a pro clamation far in advance on Fremont's, to th e e ff ec t that all the States which have been admitted as slave states since the Union have been admitted in violation of the constitution. Of course this is but an invitation to the negroes of all the 20Utli-Wes. TRH SUN, ?LONDON, _ ViTEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 11, 1862. tern States to throw off the yoke at once. -It seems to be the legitimate deduction from LINCOLN'S own principle that the constitution ought to be worked in the interest of freedom, not of slavery. It is, however, rather more than the Federal fleet was disposed to concur in, and an inquiry as to the origin and ultimate authority of the pro clamation was about to be instituted. Mr. CHASE, in his representations to the bankers, assured them that something decisive should be done in January. What it would be can, of course, be matter only for speculation. It looks, however, as if it were necessary to produce the impression, in order to get his loans, that the war will after all not be very protracted; and certainly, how the Northern banks can safely continue their loans to Government on the present scale, and on the guarrantee of the present rate of taxation, it is by no means easy to see. Relatively to her taxes and her present income, the North is at present as hoplessly insolvent as Austria, and the means pro posed by Mr. CHASE, must quickly impoverish the very banks to which he is compelled to resort. If one does happen to have a tumble, there is no thing like getting up and philosophically putting the best face upon the matter. Like that ultra polite French gentleman, who, upon his tenderest corn being excruciated by the chair-leg of the lady next him, protested, with a wincing countenance and tearful eyes, and all but a scream of agony—in answer to my lady's enquiry if he were hurt— " Whew ! pas de taus, Madame, je voids remervie 1" There is just exactly a case in point to this, only this very New Year's morning. The Quarterly and Annual Revenue Returns have dropped in upon:John B all's Breakfast Table to-day—with a swarm of other " little bills" from those extremely punctual and punctilious arithmeticians, his tradespeople generally— " Butcher and baker And candlestick-maker." And these same Revenue Tables turn out to be, when they come to be looked into, pretty nearly as pleasant as the rest of them. Whereupon—in stanter—what says Mr. GLADSTONE'S arch apologist, the Times ? Well, the Government organ just simply puts the very best face upon the matter. JOHN BULL'S gouty toes have a moment before been crunched under the leaden weight of a rather ponderous deficit, and with the coolest, the most consummate effrontery in tha world, the Times digs the old gentleman playfully in the ribs, and calls upon him to laugh when his nerves seem, on the contrary, tempting him to the relief of a howl. The opening sentence of the Times' prelection this morning is in its way really and truly some thing exquisitely delightful. From the broad, racy humour of the writing it might have been penned by Mr. DICKENS. Quoth the Times, in the first sentence of its first leader on this first of January— " It was said of a rubicund and rotund individual that his appearance in a room was a personal in sult to every one of the company who was in deli cate health, and that, if he had any pretensions to politeness, he would at least chalk his face and lace in his waist." Our contemporary then goes on to apply, most facetiously, this intensely ludicrous ideal of a person in (literally) rude health ! The Times observes, with a whimsical air of seriocomic earnestness--" JOHN BULL is generally pictured as plethoric and ruddy, with his hands in his breeches pockets, and a resolute air of independ ence which bespeaks a consciousness of easy circum stances. Yet," adds the writer, "JOHN BULL is not wanting in politeness." Our contemporary goes on then to ask, with a sort of bantering gra vity, " How could he, then [i.e., JOHN BULL], on this first day of the New Year come out with an unvarnished purse-proud statement of absolute prosperity and over-abounding wealth ? All the world are looking with perplexed air over their Christmas bills. France is still cudgelling her brains for a Budget ; America is—what we shall hear in a few hours ; Russia is in a financial posi tion which we shall probably never know at all ; Austria is begging in inconvertible rags. Common politeness compels that England, when she comes into such a society as this, should put a little arti ficial pallor over her saucy cheeks, and give in, to some small degree, to the general fashion of deficits." Now all this may be extremely funny— nay, when viewed in the abstract, is undoubtedly very droll indeed, and laughter moving. But —when the facts thus insidiously introduced to public notice come to be looked at for a moment seriously, the Tax-Payers of the United Kingdom have only too much reason, while wiping the tears of laughter out of their eyes, to say in answer to the Times, with a sudden seriousness, "What is fun to you is just death to us !" Really, upon the first blush, from high spirits with which our contem porary enters upon the examination of the Revenue Tables but just now issued from the Exchequer, one might be led to suppose that there was an extraordinary Surplus of some kind to be exulted over ! Instead of which, it turns out of course, as the Returns themselves only too plainly demonstrate, that the Times is all the while poking its fun at JOHN BULL—just in between the old gentleman's small ribs—apropos to a pretty consi derable Deficit—a Deficit of all but close upon three millions and a half! Nay —as if it were the best delicious climax of the joke, the bonne bouehe from this little benbonnier-full of quips and crancks (about a Deficit of over £3,000,000 sterling !) our contemporary comes " out with it" at last point blank. And we are all of course expected thereupon to nearly die with laughing. "We have to announce" says the Times—" We have to announce, then, that upon making up the public accounts to yesterday it has been ascertained that the receipts of Revenue for 1861, as compared with those of 1860, show a decrease of no less than £3,363,644." Nor is even that putting it quite grotesquely enough—the Times adding, " If we were to reduce these sterling pounds into florins, or francs, or piastres, we might make a still more respectable deficit of it. Nay," says the writer with irresistible drollery, "we can increase it a little more by noting the fact that the deficiency of the quarter, as compared with the previous quarter, amounts to £1,2,02,309. Upon the whole, therefore," remarks the Government organ—the arch apologist of Mr. GLADSTONE as a Financier— smacking its lips, as it were, over the delectable flavour oft his joke of j okes—"Upon the whole, there fore, we are a very well-behaved reople, and, as the French took to wearing grey wigs when Louis XIV. grew old out of compliment to that Monarch, so we have simulated a certain amount of impecu niosity in order to join in the fashion which has been involuntarily set by our friends and neigh bours." Now, really and truly, we cannot in solemn earnest recall to mind anything more specious, more insidious than this irresistible mode of putting the best face upon Mr. GLADSTONE'S financial blunders and delinquencies. Here is—when we come to look at the facts of the case simply as they are—a clear round deficit upon the year of £3,300,000 apon the quarter of £1,200,000. Here is a deficit, in fact—when there need have been no deficit at all—of precisely £3,363,644 upon the year's revenue of 1861, as compared with the year's revenue of 1860 —and a deficit £1,202,309 upon the last quarter of this past year as compared with the corresponding quarter of the preceding twelvemonth. A capital jest—isn't it ? And how much we owe of this to Mr. GLADSTONE—the " loosely with ? What— but a decrease of nearly half 0 R in e t v o e t n h u e e m T , Tables t a h o em w s e el fi v n e a s s t h o e b w e . T. Looking , Cmillion within the last quarter under the head of Excise—a falling off under that head of £563,000 upon the quarter. A falling off upon the year of close upon a million—of in fact just £908,000. To account for which diminution we have to note—Postpone ment of Hop Duty, Repeal of Paper Duty, and Payment of Drawback upon the same. Then, as another reason for this inopportune falling off, one has to bear in mind too the confusion caused by the shortening of the malt credit in the preceding twelvemonth, causing a discrepancy this year in the returns under the malt duty. There are to be noticed, moreover, certain slight decreases in ttie land and assessed taxes—a diminution to the extent of more than half a million in the " miscellaneous" return of 1861 as compared with those of 1860, a diminution there to the tune of £537,256, accounted for, however, by the absence of any more paid -up arrears from the Spanish Government—and finally, a diminution under the always unpleasant hand of the Income tax to the extent of £l, 171,000 upon the quarter, and upon the year of no less than £2,939,816. Not, of course, that this falling off in the Income tax contribution to the Revenue can in any way be accounted for by the dropping of one penny by Mr. GLADSTONE. That remission accounting for no more than £1,100,000 upon the past twelve monlh—leaving £1,839,816 sterling of the deficit still unexplained. It is simply—this enormous falling off—attributable to Mr. GLADSTONE'S penny wise and pound foolish system of forestall ing, and jumbling up, and chopping and chang ing his income-tax returns in a sort of cloudy haze of financial obfuscation. How ever—enough, and far more than enough, has here been remarked upon these Revenue Returns, for which the nation is indebted to its Chancellor of the Exchequer to the pleasant tune of £1,200,000 and odd upon the quarter, and of £3,360,000 and odd upon the year—quite enough, we say, has been here remarked upon these returns to illustrate the poignant jocularity with which Mr. GLADSTONE'S arch apologist rubs his hands over the deficit as about the last " good thing" of the season, the richest joke of the hour, to be repeated from mouth to mouth with a chuckle of contagious merriment. THE CITANCELLoRsEIP OF THE TINI rE_RSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. ELECTION OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE CAMBRIDGE, DEC. 31. ____ _ This morning at 10 o'clock, a meeting was held in the Arts School, pursuant to notice by the Vice- Chancellor, in order to elect a chancellor for the University. The Vice-Chanceller (the Rev. Dr. Phillips, president of Queen's College), presided, ex officio. So soon as the usual formalities had been gone through, Mr. Vice Chancellor nominated his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, and then the proctors and other university authorities, including several heads of houses, voted for his grace in due form. The officers then stood in scrutiny twice, and no more votes being offered, the poll was declared closed, and the senior proctor, the Rev. Mr. Emery, of Corpus, read over the votes, and the election was declared by Mr. Vice-Chancellor to have fallen upon his Grace the Duke of Devonshire. The council then met, and the public proctor read a Latin letter of announcement to the Chancellor Elect of his appointment. The senior proctor then proposed a grace, autho rising the affixation of the university seal to the letter of the public orator ; and the same was agreed to, nemine contradicente. : It was next appointed that communication of his election be made to his Grace in due form. At 12 o'clock, the chimes of St. Mary the Great, which but a few short hours before had toned out a muffled peal for the demise of the late lamented Prince Chancellor, sounded out merry chimes in recognition of the election of the Duke of Devon shire. His Excellency Count Wachtmeister, the newly appointed Minister for Sweden and Norway, has taken a residence in Stratton-street. The Duke and Duchess of Argyll left their villa at Campden Hill, Kensington, yesterday, for Cliefden, to visit the Duchess Dowager of Sutherland. The Duchess Dowager of Sutherland has returned to Cliefden, near Maidenhead, from spending a few days with the Countess Dowager of Ellesmere, at Ratchford. The Marquis of Breadalbane will leave town in a few days on a Continental tour. The Marchioness Frances Anne of Londonderry, accompanied by Lord Adolphus and Lady Sophia Vane Tempest, was to leave Seahatu Hall yesterday, for Wynyard Park, near Stockton-on-Tees. The Earl Granville arrived in town on Monday, from visiting the Marquis of Lansdowne at Bowood Park, Wilts. The Earl and Countess of Cork have left Grafton street for their seat, Marston House, Somersetshire. Lady Catherine Weyland arrived in town yester day from Woodrising Hall, Norfolk. CLOTHING OF THE POLICE. --Dr. Borlace Childs, the surgeon to the City police force, has just issued a report, addressed to the Police Committee, upon the trobject of the clothing of that body, which contains some very interesting details. After a few introductory remarks, Dr. Childs says :—The hat now worn by the police force fulfils no in dication which the covering for the head of men so exposed requires. It affords no protection in a struggle, for it either immeliately falls, or is struck off; and the man, be coming conscious that his head is exposed to great danger, hesitates, and begins to think only of self-defence. It is, moreover, heavy, weighing 14 ounces, even when dry ; offers no protection to the eyes, face, ears, or neck; causes headaches, &c. ; not being arched, it does not sufficiently, even if kept on, protect the head from a blow, no matter what may be its strength ; while, as to appearance, it pre sents the additional absurdity of superadding a civilian's hat (the worst covering for the head ever invented) to a semi-military dress. The coatee worn at present by the force is the relic of a past ago ; it affords no protection from wet or cold to the vital organs contained within the cavi ties of the abdomen or pelvis, nor does it afford covering or warmth to the haunches and limbs. In its place ought to be substituted a tunic, full, handsome, and provided with ventilation in the armpits, and sufficiently warm to protect the wearer in our cold, damp, variable climate. The modern trousers, when made of good material, and sufficiently elastic, have been proved the best ; but the trousers as gene rally made do not give full protection to the joints. Cold and damp aid in the production of rheumatism and other diseases in these parts ; to remedy which it might be advis able to strengthen the trousers on the inside over the knee, in those especially who may be liable to rheumatism, and to afford the shins and ankles additional protection from wet by the use of waterproof leggings, worn over the trousers. But, whatever plan may be adopted, care must be taken so as not to interfere with the circulation in the superficial veins of the limbs. A TRAP TO CATCH A BURGLAR.—At the Man chester City Sessions, on Monday, Daniel Charnock, labourer, was charged with breaking into the house of Miss Hannah Exley, Chorlton-on-Medlock, and stealing one candlestick. The prosecutrix returning home ono day after having been out of town, found that some burglars had been in the house, though they had not carried off any thing. Believing that they would return, she sat up seve ral weeks, without a light in any apartment. At length the unwelcome visitors came late one night. First they rapped at the street door. Peeping out from ono of the windows she saw a matt on the door step, and on the oppo site side of the street another man and a woman. No ono answered the knock, and the burglars, conceiving that the coast was clear, immediately set to work. One man and the woman were posted on the watch, and the second man climbed over the back wall, and forced open the kitchen window. All the time Miss Exley was listening from a back room what was going on. As soon as the burglar entered the kitchen he found a candle and a candlestick, with a box of lucifer matches, which had been laid ready for his convenience, on the table. The first match was successful, and the candle was lighted. Miss Exley, on telling her neighbours the story the following day, declared that she had often struck three or four similar matches without obtaining a light. The burglar walked upstairs into a room, where he seemed to know that the plate was kept; and when Miss Exley heard him ransacking the drawers, she opened the window of the room in which she was hiding, and with a hammer rapped on an old tea-try. The neighbours recognised the signal agreed upon, came te her help, and the bugler was caught. Ile was found guilty, and was sentenced to four years' penal servitude. ATEST NEWS. AMERICA. QUEENSTOWN, JAN. The Royal Mail steamship Africa, from New York, on the 20th ultimo, arrived here at 2 a.m. She brings 49 passengers and 191,384 dols in specie. She landed 96 sacks of mails and six passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 2.45 a.m., all well ; she experienced strong easterly winds on the pas sage. NEW YORK, DEC. 20, MORNING, The latest advices, received from Washington this morning, report that Lord Lyons had not yet delivered any official despatches to the Federal Government. It is remarked that at the President's last levee neither the English, French, nor Prussian Ministers were present. Mr. Secretary Chase, at a bank meeting, expressed an opinion that by January the Federal naval and military operations would give decisive results, and that the British question was capable of and would have a pacific solution. An impression prevails very generally that the Federal Government will not go to war on this question, and that if the demands of the British Government for the surrender of Messrs. Mason and Slidell are couched in moderai,e language, they will be complied with. The popular excitement was much increased by the news of the warlike preparations in England brought by the Europa. Since the receipt of the advices per the Europa and Jura, the popular feeling against giving up Messrs. Mason and Slidell does not appear so strong as it The tone of the New York press also appears more moderate. The House of Representatives has refused to pass a resolution pledging itself to support the act of Commander Wilkes, without referring the resolu tion to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Africa has been detained until this morning, as it was expected that positive advices would be received from Washington. The Queen's messenger arrived at Washington at midnight on the 18th inst. On the arrival of the Europa at Halifax, on the 15th inst., the British steamer Rinaldo at once sailed from Halifax, with despatches for the North American squadron. The Europa's mails were delivered in New York on the 18th. The action of the Home Government is strongly approved in Canada. The 62d and .63d Regiments are under orders at Halifax for Canada. NE W, YORK, DEC. 19 (Evening). Two Federal regiments have landed at Ship Island. General Phelps, on landing, issued a pro clamation, declaring that his command would be geverned by the idea that everything that has been admitted into the Union as a slave State since the adoption of the Constitution, has been admitted in violation of that Constitution. It is reported that the proclamation has caused dissatisfaction among the Federal fleet. An inquiry has been made in Congress to ascer tain on what authority the proclamation was issued. The House of Representatives has passed a bill appropriating 1,000,000 dols. for the construction of gunboats, to be stationed in the western waters. Congress has appropiated 1,000 dols. for compen sation to the owners of the British ship Perthshire. The destructive fire at Charleston is confirmed. A large portion of the city and the leading public buildings were destroyed. The British ship Cheshire, captured off Tybee Island, has arrived here in charge of a prize crew. The British gunboat Racer has arrived here. The steamers Glasgow and Anglo-Saxon, from Liverpool on the 27th and 28th of November re sp ectively, have arrived out. The America, from Liverpool on the 7th inst., passed Cape Race on the 18th inst., but was not intercepted. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, DEC. 19, EVENING. Money tighter. Exchange very firm. Bankers' bills 110/, 111 ; Stocks rather firmer; New York Central, 769 ; Erie, 251 ; Illinois, 56/. Cotton steady ; Middling Upland, 37c. Flour declining. Wheat lower. Corn tending down wards. Provisions quiet. Coffee very firm. Sugar steady. Molasses unchanged. TILE CAPE MAIL. PLYMOUTH, JAN. 1; The Royal Mail steamship Norman has arrived here with the above mail. Her dates are Cape Town, 21st Nov.; St. Helena, 30th ; and Ascension, 4th Dec. The Norman has been delayed by adverse winds and bad weather. On the 21st December her fore . - and main top mas t s were carried away. The Norman brings 25 passengers. THE REST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. 1. The Royal Mail steamer Shannon, with the above mails, has arrived hero. She brings 53 passengers, 2,265,680d15. in specie, and 4,875 packages of cargo. The Shannon left St. Thomas on the 15th of De cember, and encountered strong easterly winds throughout the passage home. • Mercantile affairs at Valparaiso continne in a depressed state, and money was scarce. The political state of the country was more satis factory, and the liberal administration of Senor Perez contained to gain the confidence of the people. The news from Bolivia is discouraging, and it was thought that more blood would be shed in addition to the massacres recently perpetrated. General San Ramon had received a large number of votes for the Presidency of Peru. Troubles were expected during the elections. General San Ramon was at Arequipo. The in crease of the army in that city caused great scar- city of provisions. The coffee crop in Costa Rica was expected to fall 80,000 quintals short of the average crop. Quota tations ranged very high. In San Salvador a collision was expected be tween the Church and State. The prices of indigo range unprecedentedly high, having risen from 6to 10 reals per lb. This was partly caused by the failure of the cochineal crop in Guatemala. The French transport ship Resource had been wrecked 40 miles south of Valparaiso. It was re ported that only five were saved out of 600 persons on board. The Britiph barque Anna Pictavin had been wrecked north of Cubija. A portion of the cargo was saved. The French brig Bazaar had been captured whilJe endeavouring to run the blockade at Buenarentura. She afterwards ran ashore and went to pieces. At Valparaiso Exchange on London was quoted at 45d., and at Lin is at 271 d. The Barbados m itrket was moderately supplied with American breadstuffs. Irish butter was scarce. Exchange on London, 30 days' sight, 4921 dols. Trade at Demerara had slightly improved. The weather was favourable. Yellow fever prevailed among the shipping. Tonnage was abundant. Exchange on London, 90 days' sight was quoted 480 dols. was. 21IE MAGAZINES. Blackwood. " Wassail, a Christmas Story" is continued, and the events become more exciting as the story pro ceeds. The outcast son and daughter are wander ing about in disguise, and most probably in the next instalment there will be a grand eclaircissement and a welcome home to the lost and found. Some of the scenes are very vividly described, and there is altogether much to amuse the reader in this tale for the season. The last passage leaves matters in a very alarming state, as the man rushed in to tell his master that the thatch was on fire, as they were all enjoying themselves at Tregarrow. J. W. Turner, R.A., is a paper that criticises the work recently published on the life of that distinguished artist. Some of the strictures are just enough, but the general opinion is rather severe, and therefore the writer does not carry the weight he might have, had he adopted a milder treatment. The view taken of Turner himself is a very triste one ; he is spoken of as a " man who has enriched the world with so many sunsets and sunrises, so many various splendours of storm and calm, without leaving one gracious human reminiscence behind him to make his fame dear to any heart of man." And again, further on, it is said in yet more lugubrious accents,—" Let the darkest curtain fall over the lost life. Here died a man to whom, by the strangest accident, had fallen such a glorious gift of genius as might have indemnified a human creature for all the agonies of existence. lie could not annihilate the splendid donation of Haven, but he did all that human perversity could do to lessen its glory. Few modern men have left behind them a collection of works so splendid ; per haps no one modern man, whose days have been thought worthy of a record, stands in himself so poor a figure before the gazing public." There are some pages devoted to the memory of the Prince Con sort,which offer a gracious and grateful testimony to his memory. After paying a just tribute to his consistent conduct under very trying circumstances, and alluding in effective language to his many esti mable qualities as a man in all the relations of life, the following eloquent passage appears in conclu sion It may seem to us that he has been called to his rest before his work was done. That question lies within the province of a wisdqm higher than ours; nor will we augur future evil for a nation which knows how to honour a ruler such as him whom we have lost. If we had once a Queen who said she " took the nation for her husband," we shall not now lack a people to stand in that stead to a widowed Queen. God willing, she shall not want for counsel, in any strait that may come. Again the question will be asked, by high-minded men of all parties, " How is the Queen's Government to be carried on ?" and it will be an swered honestly, laying self and party aside. Let such a man go to his grave "among the kings," with all honours that we can give him. For a King he was, in all but in the name; and one of England's best. Not one of iron hand and will, the hero of battle-fields and conquered provinces, but such as our time needed—wise, firm, temperate, pure, and true. When the nation reckons up her real Sovereigns, he will find his place amongst the Rulers of England. Even while these words are written, heralds have pro claimed his style and titles in the gorgeous pageant that fills St. George's Chapel. That is the rite which custom has consecrated for the funerals of Princes, and it is well that it should still be observed. Let none call it an empty ceremony, or say that pomp of woe mocks the cold clay that neither hears nor heeds. But the simple wreaths which affection laid upon his coffin were more honour than many crowns ; and deep in a nation's heart and memory —graven in deeper lines, more lasting than on the coffin-plate—will live one title that is written there, the last and best—which comes within no herald's cognisance, but which a mourning people whispers through their tears— VICTORIX RE GIN CONJUCI IS PERCARISSIIII. Dec. 23, 1861. Also we meet with some touching lines on this sub ject called "The Nation's Prayer." The refrain is the same as the National Anthem, and the two most impressive lines are these— " Thou hast given gladness long, Make her in sorrow strong. God save the Queen." It reminds one that royal life is no exemption from the doom of mortality, and that those whose course has been sunshiny must look for the dark days that lower on our earthly pilgrimage. " Chronicles of Calingford" is concluded in a very satisfactory style, and it is quite a relief when the " big bushman" walks off with that compound of absurdity and selfishness, Susan Rider. Nettie's determination to go back to Australia was most foolish, but fortunately she was not permitted to make such a sacrifice of herself. The narrative contains some very good sketches, and " Nettie" herself is a first-rate description, with her origi nality and independence, blended with kindness and devotion, Another story is met with in " Captain Clutterbuck's Champagne." This has now reached a fourth part, but the grand climax will not be till next time. The beginning of the end appears in the last chapter of this division, and the reader will anxiously await the denoue ment. There is a ludicrous account of the sorry figure that the expectant bridegroom cut when he was thrown out of a carriage by his own clumsy driving, and presented an appearance as adverse to that of a hero as could he supposed. There is a striking passage in this tale that refers to the appa rent anomaly of illness in sunshiny climes. "At home sickness seems to be the result of fogs, frosts,and constant changes, but in the tropics its appearance is less comprehensible. Everything without is asso ciated with life, and joy, and beauty. People say forcibly disease is far off where winter shakes in melancholy halls. But no, it is ever at the door. Thus probably must it ever be. Where earth is most fit to be enjoyed, there must come the most startling warnings that earth is not our resting place. We say, 'Lo! here is Paradise, and lo! there.' But a dread Teacher is near to claim our whole hearts, and forbid undue affections for created things. 'Tis the same lesson read under every sky." There is an article on the "Convulsions of America," that is very well done, and expresses some strong opinions on the subject with a vigour and energy befitting a great national question. The writer asserts, fairly enough, that the best class of Ameri cans would bo an honour to any coun t ry , b u t it i s precisely because these men are excluded fi om public life that we condemn the system that rejects them." Further on, it is observed, "We are all ready to join in reprobation of absolute government, but when did any civilised absolute government show less claim on our indulgence than the American Repub lic What despotism has displayed so little mode ration in prosperity, so little dignity in adversity,less self-control, less wisdom in council, less courage in the field. Such is the spectacle presented in the first storm by the Model Republic—a gallant army whose energies have been displayed chiefly in fight —a free country whose judges are overlooked by sentries—disinterested patriotism that requires to be bribed with eight per cent.—a united atation where the elements of war are rife—a practical peo ple who are spending more than they possess, for an object which they cannot define—such are a few of the results of these remarkable institutions—in stitutions that have been recommended for our imitation as immense improvements on our own." The recent news from America happily suggests the probability that amicable arrangements may take place, but should the blast of war sound in our ears, and its trumpet tones summon our soldiers to the fight, the advice here tendered may be wisely and successfully followed with advantage to our immediate prospects, and with glory to our subs quent retrospection of events. There is another paper on American affairs called " Canada our Frozen Frontier." This is illustrated with a map that will be of essential service to the reader wishing to comprehend the subject in all its nzinutice of detail and description. Some of the suggestions as to rail ways, &c., here made are well worthy of considera tion, and may be of great consequence in the event of a war. On the whole, this number of Blackwood! is very instructive and ent er t a i n i ng, and auspi ciously inaugurates the New Year with a collection of subjects both grave and gay, of foreign and do mestic, political and social interest. Fraser. The first part of a " Study at Sea," by the bril ' liant but eccentric author of " Catarina in Venice," ' bears the curious title of "Thalatta I Thalatta !" and displays all its writer's characteristic peculiari ties. The thoughtful and cultivated author who writos under the name of Shirley, contributes a plea sant paper on "Early Scottish Poetry," with many extracts from the quaint old writers. 'The predic tions •of the famous Sir Thomas, of Ercildoune„qo far to confirm the claim of north countrymen to the pessesvion of second sight. Most readers of _Fraser will turn with pleasure to an essay bearing the fa miliar signature of "A.K. H. IL" He discourses "Concerning the world's opi n i on , w i th some ( thoughts on cowed people." There is as usual sense and humour in his remarks both as Ito the advisability of conformity to the gene ral sta.ndard on mere matters o f t as t e or habit, and also of resenting any undu e or i mpertinent interfarence with personal or private aillirs. The author observes truiy enough that generally speak ing it is unwise to be eccentric. To be singular in a greed cause may be an honourable distinction, but to persist in a solitary observance of the fashions of fifty years ago is merely ludic rous, and it is usually in su eh trifles that eccentricity is displayed. It is wise to give in to the little requirements on which 1 the weld's opinion has been pl a i n l y expressed, If you are resolved to take a part of opposition to all the world, do so in the behalf of things which are worth the trouble of the strife. Let it not be engravers on your tombstsne, Here lies the man who confronted the human race on the ques tion of the wide-awake hat. Stand up for truth and right, if you are fond of fighting : you will have many opportu nities in this life. Smite the flunkey, pierce the humbug, violently kick the aristocratic liar and seducer, and probably you will find abundant occupation. But though you know it is a pleasant and enjoyable thing for yourself and your children to sit on the steps of your country house in the sunshine after breakfast, you will not gain the approval of wise men by the like on the steps of your town house in a much• frequented stree—say, for example, in Princes-street in Edinburgh. And though you often roll on the grass with your little boy in the country, do not attempt the like on the pavement of such a public way. For in that case it is conceivable that you may be jeered at by the passers by, and apprehended by the police. And while you are being conveyed to the station house, instead of being esteemed as philosopher and revered as a martyr, it is not impossible that you may be laughed at as a fool. "We sat on the bridge, and swung our legs over the water :" with these words an eloquent writer lately began an essay. Of course, the bridge was in a quiet, rural spot. If the writer and his friend had done the like on London-bridge the small boys would have hallooed at thorn, and the constable would have moved them. Yet the merits of the deed are the same in either case. Only in the one case the world says you may ; in the other case it says you must not. And the human being who resists the world in these little matters shows not strength, but weakness. Where principle is involved, it is noble to swing your legs, but not otherwise. But doubtless you have remarked that it is a common thing to find great obsti nacy in petty concerns in a man who has no real firmness. You will find people who are squeezable and facile in the great affairs of life, and in their large opinions have not a mind of their own, but adopt the opinion of the last person they heard express one, yet who persistently stick to some little nbs .id or ba I habit which they have often been en treated to leave off, which annoys their friends, and makes them ridiculous. You will find a man whom you might turn with a straw in his belief on any question, political, moral, or literary, but who, having taken up the ground that once one is three, would go to the stake rather than give in to the world's way of thinking on that point. There is a very just and sensible article on the mar riage law of the empire, pointing out the sad results of the anomalous and inefficient Marriage Acts of Scotland and Ireland. The sooner the Legislature interferes in this matter the better, as the present state of things is most unjust and cruel, holding out every facility to crime, and extending its baneful in fluence even to families in the sister kingdom. The life and character'of Saint Teresa is made the sub ject of "A Psychological Study," which, however, confines itself principally to the narration of facts and to selection from her writings. The story of " Barren Honour" proceeds with interest, and the first cloud rises between Alan Wyverne and his betrothed. A foreboding of sorrow hangs over the tale, which is now beginning to be realised. A treatise on Comets will interest the scientific reader, and gives a considerable amount of information respecting these astronomical phenomena. The variations of the shape of the tails is very curious. The Italians called the great comet of 1500 by the name of .11 Signor stone. "'stone signifies a great lance. In 1843 a secondary tail of immense length was detected, and in addi tion to the ordinary tail, a comet in 1824 shot out a longer and narrower stream in the direction of the of the sun. Another paper, which will reward the reader for perusal by the information it imparts, is a criticism of Max Muller's book on the Science of Language. The close of the eventful and some what unsatisfactory year that has passed forms the subject of the concluding article, which gives a brief resume of the principal occurrences, and discusses the general aspect. The additional news which has reached us across the Atlantic even since the publication of this essay, comes as a supplement to its obeervations on the American question, which are throughout straightforward and forcible. On the whole, this number is superior to its immediate predecessors. Bentley's iscella ny. Harrison Ainsworth's new tale, " The Lord Mayor of London," which commences with the new year, has already been noticed in these columns. Madame La Marquise is a story pendant to a portrait, by Mignard. It is romantic and tragic. Stage Emotion, by Monkshood, like his other productions, is cleverly written. A paper on The Moral Condi tion of the French in the various grades of society, is considered at some length. The contrast between the lower orders in towns and the country is thus described : While the workmen of the towns, who had nothing to lose, were temporarily converted to the idea that they had everything to gain by social convulsions, the peasantry, on the contrary, have always respected property, because they possess it. With but few exceptions they have never been socialists at all. They present the same main outlines of character as the manufacturing classes, who are indeed, to a great extent, recruited from their ranks, but they are far more rapacious and cunning than the latter. They are not generally pleasant to deal with; and if a normal dislike of the rich exists anywhere in the lower French population, it is certainly amongst them that it will be found. The few remaining families of the old nobility who still retain coun try positions are, almost without exception, respected and liked, because they do their duty as neighbours ; but un fortunately the present possessors of country houses are mast of them successful traders, who buy them from motives of vanity, and with no notion of discharging charitable duties around them. They think they prove their supe riority by an affectation of haughty grandeur, and depend on their money instead of their education and good works for the effect which they fancy they produce. Provoked by their selfishness, the peasants naturally hate them, and in certain districts the proprietors of chateaux might find themselves in a disagreeable position i n th e event of a pro longed revolution, But this local irritation is to a great extent excusable, and scarcely constitutes a ground of spe cial blame against the agricultural class as a whole. The general state of French morality thus offers a series of clearly marked good and bad qualities, which exist very generally throughout the nation. Their good qualities are scarcely likely to disappear; must the same be said of the bad ones ? A biography of the Countess of Albany contains some interesting information relating to the unfor tunate Charles Edward. Under the head of "Eng land getting ready," some very sensible remarks are made on the threatened American war. A comparison highly favourable to present administration is made between England's state of preparation at the present time, and on the breaking out of the Crimean War. The concluding observations show the " Peace at any Price school and their unpatriotic leader in their true colours, and the writer remarks that if we escape a war, the very expectation of it will have done good, inasmuch that Canada will no longer be at the mercy of the Americans. We think, however, we have proved that England need not feel the slightest apprehension as to the result of the threatening war. Should it break out, it will be short, sharp, and decisive, and read the Yankees that lesson which they have deserved any time during the last twenty years. Even if we escape a war wo shall have one great advantage, that Canada will n o l onger remain defenceless, and thus ffer a constant temptation to the transatlantic Ishmaelites. The present expedition to Canada certainly affords a (7 en?enti to those public writers who have asserted, many a time and oft, that the loss of Canada was of no im portance to us, but, on the contrary, that we should derive greater commercial advantages from its entire separation. In the moment of emergency, however, the English na tion has shown that blood is thicker than water ; no ques tion is raised as to which party will pay the cost, and no Ministry would have dared to leave the Canadians to their own resources. As an abstract principle, we concede that colonies entail charges on the mother-country out of pro portion to the commercial advantage derived from them ; but when their independence is threatened, England does not calculate the cost of defending them. Out of evil good sometimes rises, and it therefore affords us satisfaction to learn that Mr. Bright is about to depart from America to try his powers in a reconciliation. If he would only have the kindness to remain there permanently, we would not have the slightest objection to give him up, while bis attachment to American institutions might pro bably render him useful out there. At any rate, ho has neariy played out his part in this country, and it will doubtless afford him gratification to find willing audiences in America. Still, for his own sake, we would hint to him that tars and feathers are art Hes in immense demand in his favoured land, or that the spectacle of a British mem ber taking a ride on a rail would not all at conduce to the dignity of our institutions, even though the general opi nion in this country might be, " Serve him right, for Que diable allait-il faire dans cette galore ?" Lady Marabout's Worries, by Oujda, reaches the third part. We are glad to find that this prolific author has taken to writing continued stories rather than his old plan of short tales, all of the same patern. Frederick Marshall contri butes his tenth paper on the trade in France, which treats of the merchant shipping. Among other interesting detail s we fi n d that the number of sail ing vessels owned in Fkance in the year 1847 was 14,204, of a tonnage of 667,693, while in 1858, although the number of vessels was only increased to 14,863, the tonnage rose to 983,257. Again, in 1847, the number of steamers was 117, with a ton nage of 12,567, which increased in 1858 to 324, with a tonnage of 66,587. Dudley Costello's tale of " Crooked Usage" is continued, and the ;interest is kept up although nothing new beyond the Mar quis's valet is introduced. Macmillan's Magazine. Professor Kelland furnishes an interesting paper on the Yard Measure extended to the stars, in which he explains the method of calculating the distances of the heavenly bodies. Ravenshoe is continued, and as the tale advances the plot thickens. There is a secret known to Lady Ascot and Lord Saltire relating to Charles Ravenshoe, hut certain evidence is required to substantiate the case which is not yet forthcoming, Adelaide in spite of her selfishness felt deeply for Charles, and was very indignant with the Ascot family supposing that they were aware of his position, she therefore pays a visit to Lady Ascot, much to that lady's surprise, and with the her an ger, b ut finding that is present s h e a l ters her purpose, and tells him privately about Ch ar l es. It is arranged that. intention of expressing William is to seek him the next day, but Charles's evil genius wills it otherwise, for after his inter view with Adelaide in the park, he writes a letter to Lieutenant Hornby, and enlists in a cavalry regi ment. The only person who knows of his where abouts is the little shoeblack, whose affection for his fziend Charles is very touching. The characters of -