The Sun. — London, England, 1859-12-20 00:00:00

R OYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN. Under the manazenaent of Miss L. Pyne and Mr.W. Harrison. THI EVENING (the 2d time) VICTORINE. Messrs. 3antlet Hatgli, H. Corsi, G. Honey, Bartleman, &c. Misses Parepa, Thirlwall, &c. 'Conductor, Alfred Mellon. Ballet, LA FIANCEE. Messrs. W. H. Payne, H. Payne, F. Payne, Mdlle. Lequine, Pasquale, Pierron, Clara Morgan, and Mons. Vandris. Doors open at half-past 7—Commence at 8 o'clock. T HEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. TUTS EVENING the performances will commence with A GAME OF SPECULATION. After which, by desire, THE CONTESTED ELECTION Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mr. Buckstone, &c. And SHOCKING EVENTS. Commence at 7. NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, AD ELPH I. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. THIS EVENING. THE DEAD HEART. Messrs B. Webster. J. I. Toole, David Fisher , Paul Bedford. Stuart, Billington, C. J. Smith, Eburne, Moreland; Miss Woolgar, and Miss K. Kelly. Followed by th 4 successful piece of extravagance, called DINO RAH UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Messrs. J. L. Toole, F. Bedford, C. J. Smith, Eburne, and Miss K. Kelly. Doors open at half-past stx—Commence at seven. Box- Office open from 10 to 5. No charge for securing, seats, nor for bills of performance. All fees to servants of this establishment are strictly prohibited. Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith. TH.EATRE-ROYAL LYCEUM.- Sole Lessee and Directress, Madame Celeste. - THIS EVENING, a new Vaudeville Comedietta, called THE KEY UNDER THE DOOR-MAT. Messrs. James vi nn ham, Jno Rouse, &c. ; Mesdames A, H. Hatton and Julia St. George. To be followed by the new Drama Fantastique, entitled PARIS AND PLEASURE ; or, Home and Happiness. Principal characters by Messrs. W. Lacy, J. Vining, J. John stone, F. Villiers ; Misses Julia St. George, Hudspeth, Kate Saville, A. Burdett, and Madame Celeste. Po conclude with ST. MARY'S EVE. Madame Celeste and Mr. Rouse. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, • Westminster-road. Sole Lessee—Mr. William Cooke, his Farewell Season. %HIS EVENING, the grand melo-dramatic production, by Tom Taylor, Esq., called GARIBALDI; illustrating the principal events in the Life of the Great Italian General. To be followed by New and Brilliant Equestrian Changes in the Arena, introducing a vivid Four-horse Scene by John Henry Cooke, as the Nemwan Conqueror—More Wonders by the Educated Elephant—Elegant Equitation by Miss Emily Cooke, the Queen of the Circle—Young Alf red Cooke's sur passine, evolutions on a naked Courser—Electrifying, Feats by the Athenian Athletw, J. H. Cooke and Crouses—Novel Flag Exercises on horseback by Madlle. Jenny—Varied by those heralds of fun, the Clowns, Mimes, and Drolls. To commence at 7. Espebtil Notice.—Three Grand Morning Representations of the grand new Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN TOM MOODY ; or, Old Towler the Huntsman and the Goddess Diana, en Monday and Saturday, Dec. 26 and 31, and Monday Jan. 2, 1860, at. Two o'clock each day. CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS.- EVERY lEVENEIG. Sterndale Bennett's MAY QUEEN. And a Grand Se'ection from Meyerbeer's new opera of DINORAH. - Comic 'Vocalists —Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come dian and Mimic), W. T. Critchfleld, and E. W. Ma.ckney. - - Several interestinz Pictures are added to the Fine Arts Gallery , . The suite of Halls have been re-decorated and beautified, and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant sights of the metropolis. ROSA BONFIEUR'S celebrated PICTURE of the HORSE FAIR is now *added to the already magnificent Collection of Paintings in the Canterbury Hall Fine Arts Gallery. The gallery' is open from 5 till 11 on Sunday Evening. TILE WEATHER.—Strx OFFICE, DECEMBER 20. THEEMOHETER, IN THE SHADE, 45 —highest,since noon yesterday. 31—lowest this morning and during the night. 36—this day at noon. BARomzrzn.-29.80. WunD, South-Westerly; light, with fine wintry weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY.—Morning, 10h. 25m.—Afternoon, 111. Om. To-monnow.-Morning, Ilh. 32m.—Afternoon, Oh. Om. It is well known that the late Duke of WEL LINGTON—the Great Duke of WELLlNGTON—re garded the National Defences of his country, towards the close of his long,life, with profound and peculiar solicitude. That he did so, is not mere matter of conjecture, is not mere matter of rumour—it is matter of absolute notoriety. It might almost be said, without exaggeration, that the closing period of that prolonged and prosperous career was embittered by the Duke's vivid and painful sense of the liability of England to the horrors of some sudden and overwhelming catas trophe. And whatever else we may think of him, we may be quite certain of this that the victor of Waterloo was, constitutionally, no alarmist. We may go further, and say with confidence, that had Lord NELSON survived to the same epoch, that he, too, must infallibly have partaken somewhat of that rational anxiety expressed by the Duke as an octogenarian. For common sense tells us at a glance that even the dauntless valour of the mightiest sea-captain that ever trod the deck of a line-of-battle ship would have been of no avail— must necessarily and ,quite obviously have been of no avail—without a fleet to lead on against the ar maments of an invader. At the time at which the Dukaraised his voice in remonstrance against the apathy of the country and the indolence o f the Go vernment, we actually bad no Channel fleet what soever ! Until yesterday, as it were, we still had no Channel Fleet. We have one now, it is true-, once again, as we had in the days of NELSON —we have one now again, thanks neither to the parsimonious Whigs nor the cheese-paring peace at-any-price. economists of Manchester, but thanks to the patriotism of the Tories, thanks to the energy of the Conservatives, thanks to the resolu tion and the civism of that great party (so long abused and so long banished from power by the jealousy of the great Whig families), that party which. has thus again earned for itself in a nobler sense than of old their pristine title of PROTEC TIONISTS ! [Thus applied to them anew, it is a word, in truth, of good omen. For never was Eng land more powerful, more safe from the chance of invasion than when under the guidance of a Lord Protector.] Once more then, thanks to the late Government, England has her Channel Fleet cruising hither and thither, always in trim, ever on the alert, "Ready, aye Ready," between the cliffs of our " Snug little Island" and the confronting coasts of the Continent. Again, too, thanks in a very great measure, to the encouragement of the ex-Cabinet, the National Guard of England is rising far and wide all over the land, as it did the last time•now fifty-six years bygone, as it did in 1804 ! When the first Imperial ruler of France had mustered his legions near Boulogne, under those eagle banners that through his wondrous guidance had already so often conquered, and were again so very frequently afterwards, to con quer so very many of the great Powers of Christen dom! Could the warrior Duke but now revisit once more " the glimpses of the moon," like the Royal Dane in SIIAKSPERE'S tragedy, he would find his old anxieties in a fair way of being utterly and effectually dissipated. Already even, though we have as yet, as it were, but just commenced our de fensive armaments already England is not by any means. in that precarious plight, the vivid re cognition of Which awakened the solicitude of a re solute and powerful intelligence, like that of the late Duke of -WELLINGTON. Several excellent speeches have recently been delivered by men of mark in furtherance of the great movement leading in all directions , to the formation of corps after corps of Rifle Volunteers. Perhais the most admirable among all these recent speedhes was the one delivered on Friday afternoon to the rifle corps for the district of Sevenoaks, by that accomplished peer and man of letters, the Earl STANHOPE. " I take it," said Lord STAN 110PF, at the outset of his remarks, "that we are here animated by the most sincere love of peace ; we are determined that we will never, without the most just cause, either suffer ourselves, or in flict upon others, the dire calamities of war. We lt i lk 4.f - - 4 r41 L ;:•If c:A \ •, • •0R••••••• • THE SUN. LONDON, TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 1859. will go further and say, that whatever influence we possess—whether as members of one or the other house of Parliament, or whether as electors of those who represent us in the one House of Parliament —we will use that influence decidedly to oppose —if it could be supposed to exist—any aggressive or encroaching spirit, or anything inconsistent with the sincere desire for the general tranquillity of Europe. But," said he, in continuation, " I say it is perfectly consistent with these sentiments to feel the necessity of a more extended system of national defence, and I would in no degree trace that necessity to any recent feelings, or any recent events. I ascribe it entirely to the complete change which has been produced in the system of warfare by the introduction of steam navigation. It does not arise from any other feeling than an ardent love of peace, not from any reference to recent alarms, or to recent differences, but entirely from this fact—that where the system of war fare must of necessity be different,. there also must be a difference in the means of national defence." Earl STANHOPE went further than this —he observed, " For my own part I am not one of those who apprehend the invasion of this country. I am persuaded that in neighbouring countries the advantage .of a friendly understanding with this country is felt and appreciated as it ought to be. I believe that there is no idea of an invasion of this country, and that 20 such danger threatens us at the present time. But does this in any degree prove that we ought not to provide against it, if in future times such necessities should arise ? I should give the same advice upon this subject as I should to a person in private life,whose doors should be open, and who should imagine that his house was in danger of being attacked ; I would not say to that person, I do not believe any one intends to assail you; there is nobody in the neighbourhood with that design; but I would rather say Put bolts and bars to your doors, and dismiss the subject from your mind ; then mind your other business." Now all this, we do maintain, is perfectly logical ; it is manly, frank, rational, unanswerable. It leaves no room, for dudgeon even to the most captious and sensitive of foreign potentates. It leaves no reason or plea for future misapprehension. It tells the whole world beyond our shores that we are arming within those shores, purely and simply for defensive purposes. And having proclaimed that fact, it is enough—let us go en arming until our system of national de fences shall have been perfected so far as anything human can be perfected—at any, rate, until such time as it shall be completely and thoroughly orga nised. Elsewhere, in furtherance of the same patriotic scheme, will be found reported in our impression of this evening the earnest and patriotic speeches of Sir HAMILTON SEYMOUR and of Sir JOHN PAKINGTON. In glancing through which speeches, by the way, let it not be forgotten, that England owes to the shrewdness of Sir HI3IILTON SEYMOUR the fact that her diploniacy (prior to the Crimean war) was not for one instant cajoled by the wily arts of the late CZAR of all the Russias—and that upon the other hand England owes her being in the possession once more at this moment of a powerful and efficient Channel Fleet, directly, almost personally to Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, to his skill, daring, resolution, and perseverance as the first naval administrator of this country under Lord DERBY'S Government. It has been one of the prime articles of the Aus trian creed that " Italy is but a geographical ex pression"—a creed like many another originating in the wish. At all times, in modern history Aus tria has been truly enough but a geographical ex pression—a word to denote an unamalgamated as semblage of diverse states, diverse in language, civilization, religion, manners, municipal govern ment—in everything which could separate one people from another people. And most remarkable is the retribution of history—Austrian statesmen have been labouring for this last half century espe cially to compress all these diverse states into one— to bring them all under the centralized des - potism and bureaucracy of Vienna; but the more they have coerced, and persecuted, and afflicted through task masters sent from Vienna, the more they have alien ated in heart those whom they combined into an apparent systematic unity. Austria is less one than she was when KOSSUTH held the Crown of the Hapsburgs in his hands, and when, with the generosity of genius and nobility, he returned it to brutal and perjured meanness. Meantime, the Italy which Austrian lieutenants and the POPE dismembered is evincing its real unity. With one language, one religion, one hatred of priestly government, one detestation of Austrian interference, one demand, to be one united Italy—it is fast moving onward to a political position corresponding to its real character. Rea lities, indeed, are triumphing over artificialities. Italy is one, and is assuming the form of unity. Austria is many and diverse, and is falling into her component parts. Hitherto she has continued to play off the races one against the other. Every one remembers how she perjured herself by employing the savage villain JELLACHICH with his Croats to attack the Hunga rians, while denouncing him to them. But the Croats, deceived like all others, now turn against her. The Transylvanians—Saxons most of them —have not hitherto joined the Hungarians readily. Theynow, as the Klansenberg Museum demonstra tion was intended to show, declare themselves one people. And turn whichever way we will, Bohe mians, Servians, and even Tyrolese, all burn with hos tility to the hated central rule. What will, what can, Austria do ? Without a costly army the iron hand which clamps all together is gone. With a vast army she is beggared, and lives only by forging State bonds and coupons ! But above all Hungary is her difficulty. She is nothing without Hungary, and she cannot humble herself to dealing honourably with the most power ful part of her Empire. More than once in her history the Hungarians, like the Poles, have saved her, to be rewarded, like all her benefactors down to the Czar NICHOLAS, with shameless ingratitude, and, if possible, with perfidious violence. In 1848 her treasonable conspiracy with JELLACHICH compelled the Hungarians to depose their faithless Emperor. NICHOLAS, aided by GEORGEY'S treachery, tram pled them again under his feet. Her butcher HAYNAU compelled KOSSUTH to flee, and hanged and flogged every patriot, dale or female, on whom 'he could lay his hands, imperfectly expiating his brutalities in the dust-bins and under the cart whips of Banksid.e. But he and the Austrian Government abolished the Hungarian constitution both in Church and State ; and this perfidy it is which is now troubling its perpetrators. Smitten and humbled in Italy ; saved only by the peace of Villafranca from the ven tseance of a Hungarian armed revo l u ti on , th e ( weak-headed boy EMPEROR and his old and crafty advisers thought they must do some thing. Cunning is the resource of defeated cowards, and the vanquished in Italy tried to cheat Hungary with apparently liberal offers. A patent was issued seeming to establish the Protestant churches on a liberal foundation—even Prussian Protestant papers did not see through the juggle, and at a distance it doubtless looked well. ourselves, though of course with apprehension, hoped that Austrian fears had produced something like reason. But Hungarians best know their own business. They soon proclaimed to Europe that Austria is Austria still. The patent was but a Jesuitical scheme to abolish the old and valued Protestant constitution, to destroy even the dioceses or districts by which its synods had acted, and to create new ones under the power of the Minister of Religion at Vienna. Their independent Church government was wholly gone. We Now what is remarkable as the issue is, that this treacherous attack on their religious constitution has aroused all classes of Hungarians to demand not only their old religious but their old political constitution. Catholics drink toasts in honour of the Protestant remonstrants, and thy Protestants insist on national liberties for both. The Govern ment has abolished the old districts, but they meet in these districts and petition against the patent. They are threatened with prosecution, arrests are made, and they reply by adding to the signatures. Imprisoned pastors become popular idols. Students whohad gone to Vienna to petition for the restoration of the old privileges of their university, and are snubbed and warned there, come back to receive an ovation. Old quarrels are all forgotten, aristo cratic counts, the Cardinal Archbishop, the very Commissioner from Vienna himself, all join to tell the Empire of Austria that Hungary must be again a free and constitutional kingdom. May the issue be a triumphant revolution ! The Hungarians, warned by the past, seem to have determined to try what passive resistance can do. They intend to give the Austrians the task of pro secuting a whole nation ; of hindering them from assembling according to their old habits, and of getting taxes out of them how they can. KOSSUTII has turned out right. There is still vigorous national life in Hungary. May it prove too vigorous for its unworthy foe ! THE WEST INDIA MAIL. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) PLYMOUTH, TUESDAY. The Royal Mail steam-packet Parana, from the West Indies, arrived here at 10 a.m. this day, and will leave for Southampton at eight p.m. COAST DEFENCES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—The article on coast defences in the Times of this day resembles in so many points one of mine which you inserted early this spring, that I imagine I am the " auth3rity" you allude to. I repeat, without fear of contradiction from any practical soldier or sailor, that no considerable land ing could be effected on our southern coasts if op posed by field batteries of 80 or 100 Armstrong's heavy guns, supported by 5,000 or 6,000 good rile men. Rail and tramroads run along the coasts. Tele graphic wires, a few watch towers on commanding heights, some half a dozen rapid steamers to watch and communicate the direction of the enemy's move ments, frequent stations of Armstrong guns, ar ranged so as to effect easy and rapid concentration on threatened points, accompanying the movements of the enemy's convoy or fleet, would as effectually secure the southern coasts of England (even were the attempt made in a fog, or at night), as if we had 50 sail of the line in the Channel. _ LATEST NEWS. The following telegrams have been received at Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, TUESDAY, DEc. 20. The Moniteur of to-day says :—Yesterday evening Prince Jerome had less fever, and the state of his health continued to be rather satisfactory. MADRID, DEC. 19. The Cadiz journals announce that Marshal O'Donnell has declared Ceuta a free port. Mr, Moon has arrived at Madrid. the principal members of the diplomatic corps, the grand dignitaries of State and of the Crown, the officers of the, Household of the Emperor, of the Empress, and the Imperial Princes. These receptions will be continued to-morrow and the following day. Princess Metternich will hold her receptions next week, immediately after having been pre sented to the Empress. The Pays of this evening states that the opening of the Congress will definitively take place on the 20th of January. The same journal announces that Prince Gort schakoff will arrive in Paris between the 7th and 10th of January. It is a vital point to prevent an enemy landing, except to give themselves up as prisoners, to escape being drowned or uselessly shot. The extensive fortifications now proposed as necessary to efficiently defend our great naval arsenals of Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Woolwich, would alone require such strong garrisons as would in the aggregate form an army more than sufficient to encounter and destroy any force that could be suddenly landed. I here leave out of the question our volunteer yeomanry and riflemen. It has been said that an enemy could land in three or four places at once. Any one acquainted with naval matters would know that this is impossible if our nary were only of equal force, besides which the rail and tram road meet this contingency also. A few rapid "nimble," well-constructed steam rams, where there are no railroads, would soon settle vessels laden with troops by their beaks or shells, loaded with molten iron or liquid fire. Double the number of similar craft could not save the enemy. Our magnificent engineering establishments and iron manufactures would enable us to build five times the number of these vessels that any other nation could in the same period.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, _ _ _ G. R. SARTORIUS, Vice-Admiral. Charlton, Dec. 19. A GREEK SPEECH TO A MODERN PARLIAMENT. —The _Ephemeris (official paper) of Corfu gives a .Greek version of the recent speech of the Lord High Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly of the lonian Islands, the English original of which appeared in The Sun ofyesterday. Sir Peter Braila read the Greek speech after his Excellency himself had read it in English. The elegant and high sounding euphemism of the Romaic is rather di luted in the process of translation ; thus, Eaatz rp(Srari flpoape degenerates into " Mr. President," and Eiirvicrraroc Ktiptot into "gentlemen." Her Majesty's Lord High Commissioner is styled (Ro- Inaice)AoB MeydXov App.oo-rmi (genitive case) rir Airrijr McyaXeconirov, and the elegant compound word, Nopoa-xatov (which, like the French projet de loi, explains itself), aptly replaces our own vul gar and unmeaning word " Bill," applicable alike to the draught of a new statute, to the origin of a suit in Chancery, a stamped piece of paper cur rency, and a butcher's or baker's " little account" sent in at Christmas: The " Civil List" is styled (rather unhappily) MLsooXoylos ; the judges, as in Mr. Grote's " History," become once more "di casts." The postal tariff is raxvdpopuci Scarptio-ts; and joint-stock banks are called (in the genitive plural) TpareCLiv. The Duke of Rutland arrived at his residence at Princes-gate, on Saturday evening, from Belvoir Castle, Grantham. . PARIS, Moxatr, DEC. 19. Prince Metternich received to-day at his hotel The Duke of Devonshire and Lady Louisa Caven dish left Chatsworth a few days since for Holker Hall, Westmoreland, where they will pass the Christmas holidays. The Duchess (Dowager) of Norfolk has returned to town from visiting the Duko and Duchess of Sutherland at Trentham. ST. PETERSBURG, DEC. 18. Mohamed Amit, the principal chief of the moun taineers of the right wing of the Caucasus, has sub mitted, the consequence of which is the submission of the whole people of this country, The Czar has raised General Bariatinski to the rank of Marshal. DEC. 19. The journals of St. Petersburg publish news from the Caucasus, announcing that the people of Abadzekhe, numbering 100,000 men, with their chief, Mohamed Amine, have declared their sub- mission. Other tribes are also preparing to submit them selves to Russia. The Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn and family have left Chesterfield House, Mayfair, for Brockett Hall, Herts. The Marquis of Hartington arrived in town yes terday morning, from Holkor Hall, Westmoreland, and has since left town on a visit to the Earl Cowper, at Pans hanger, Herts. The Earl of Craven has arrived in town from Hamstead Marshall, Berks. The Countess and the Ladies Craven will return to town to-morrow, from Ashdown Park, for the winter. The Earl and Countess of , Ashburnham, who have lately arrived in town from Scotland, where they have been on a visit to the Earl of liaddington (her ladyship's brother), and to the Marquis and Marchioness of Breadalbane, aro now passing the season at Ashburnham Place, their mag niffcent seat in Sussex. , The Earl and Countess of Dalkeith were to leave Boughton House, near Kettering, yesterday, to join the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn at Broekett Hall. The Earl Grosvenor left Safford House, St. James's, yeisterday, for Calverley Park, Cheshire. Count and Countess de Flahault and the Hon. Miss Elphinstone de Flahault will leave Coventry House, in a few days, for Bowood, Wilts, on a visit to the Marquis of Lansdowne. Viscount and VigcountessTampden have arrived at Claridgo's Hotel, Brook-street, from visiting the Earl and Countess - of Derby, at Knowsley Hall, Lancashire. Viscount Uffington will return to town to-morrow from Ashdown-park. Lord and Lady Foley and the Hon. Adelaide Foley, who came to town at the close of the pact week from Worksopp Manor, Notts, left yesterday on a visit to Mr. St. John Foley. The marriage of the Hon. General Ashburnham with the lion. Miss Foley, daughter of the late Lord Foley, and niece of the Duke of Leinster, will be solemnised early in February. Sir George Grey and Lady Grey have returned to Hovkliin's Hotel from a tour of visits. THE BUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 1859 LITERATURE. Against Wind and Tide. By Hohue Lee, author of " Sylvan Holt's Daughter," &c. 3 vols. Smith and Elder. The many works by this author that have from time to time delighted the lovers of fiction have borne ample testimony to his distinguished powers and varied abilities. The present is a decided suc cess, and is quite equal to " Maude Talbot," or " Gilbert Messinger," while it far surpasses the latter productions of " Kathie Brand," and " Syl van Holt's Daughter." There is much that is pain ful in the story before us, but that is necessary for the complete working out of momentous scenes and strong characters. The position of the two brothers was a very peculiar one, and in every way calcu lated for the development of a deeply interesting story. Robert and Cyrus Hawthorne were as dif ferent as possible in tastes and feelings ; one, all impulse and ever intent on self-gratification, while the other, was constant and true to his own good purposes, and always seeking the welfare of others. Perhaps under happier auspices Cyrus with his fitful talents might havelecome a bright star in the literary horizon, but his general habits were so un certain that he would have been ono of those dis appointing heroes who dismay, instead of dazzling, and whom their best friends at last are weary of watching. Robert, on the contrary, possessed that aelid frame of mind which in itself is far more pre cious than the illusory promises of such gifts as Cyrus's. Had he been well educated and placed in a fitting sphere he would have been one of those men who are widely known and universally respected, who are the founders of families whose members look back with pride to him who raised their name from obscurity to eminence. The sad story of their birth hnug like a cloud over the path of the brothers. Their father had married their mother, the beauty of a rural domain, while his first wife was living abroad. Immediately on the discovery Mary returned home, where her twin sons were born in their granfather's quaint old home to bear his name, and not to be the proud inheritors of their wealthy father's worldly rank and goods. It is impossible for the reader to feel indifferent on the perusal of this story—all the events seem so naturally described, all the characters so truth fully depicted. -Human nature, with its virtues and its crimes—the cunning of crafty age, the folly of giddy women, the love of enthusiastic youth, and the sterner records of trials that 'quench the hopes of this world; and the steadfast faith that can trust to anothey and a better, are here displayed before us with an earnestness and a pathos that irresistibly enchain and enchant the attention. Sir Philip Nugent is a sketch of many who are now shining in the world's high places, admired and courted, but whose conscience will whisper in the dull hours uncheered by the festive throng that a broken heart and a crushed spirit have been regis tered to their charge on that dread page of account where the magic of wealth and rank will hush no crimes and conceal no sinner. Cyrus is a striking instance of what a misguided youth will lead to. His talents were remarkable, but his fatal course of action rendered them really obstacles to his path in life. Few more impressive chapters have been written, in their peculiar style, than those which trace his wretched struggles in the great wilderness of London, when he was without a crust to eat or a roof to shelter him. His pride, which had held him up in so arrogant a career, went before a fall indeed, and painful above all the sad scenes of their anomalous position was the meeting in the poor lodging-house, between Sir Philip and his sons. Robert had hurried at the summons to his brother's side ; the false motives which actuated Cyrus forbade him to let any one know of his whereabouts till it was almost too late. He ex pressed a wish to see his father, but it was too late, for Sir Philip found him unconscious, and on his re turn home was himself seized with paralysis. Father and son never met again in this world ; but it is satisfactory to find that Sir Philip parted in a better frame of mind from his other son than that which had hitherto been apparent through out his course. It was his last night on earth, for when the morrow came that was to hail the re-union of the long-estranged pair, who were really so attached to each other, the great bell at the Minster informed the brothers that he who had so deeply wronged them had departed from amongst them. There is quite a different story connected with the old town where Robert passes the happiest portion of his life, and in the quaint simplicity of its style it forms a refreshing contrast to the vexed turmoil and angry strife that raged like the troubled sea around Cyrus and his father. In the old house of his uncle Robert dwelt, and when the good old man died lie succeeded to the most important part of his property. There is some skill in the portraitures of the various per . sons connected with the concern, and the cunning and duplicity of Deborah Eliotson is a life-like sketch of her class of disposition; Reuben Otley, the partner of Robert's uncle, was a very disagree able and contentious man, and Robert had many arduous encounters before he could claim his rights as chief proprietor. There is a touch of nature in the description of old Tom Aldin, with his strange ways and his curt speech, yet so devoted to the old ( place, and rooted in the old habits, that nothing could induce him to relinquish his situation. Mr. Otley was determined he should go, and Robert strenuously supported him, but the old servant saved them from the dilemma, and himself from dismissal, by " retiring from the firm, in a dignified yet pathetic manner, while in the discharge of his duty." One day the clerk was sent to rouse him, he having been surprised asleep at his post, which was a grave fault, never before committed by the watchful veteran ; but, on reaching the spot, he found that his sleep was that which knows no waking. "Tom had gone home, and taken the wages of his long and faithful service from the Great Master's hand." The scenes in which Lilian appear are the most pleasing in the hook, there is something especially charming about ail we see and hear of that fair young being from her early child hood to her early death. There is a gentle graci ous manner that irresistibly attracts, and it is the most touching passage of the story, when she is summoned from her innocent life, passed in good offices of service to her poor neighbours, and in forning the delight of her friends, to her last rest ing-place " in the green graveyard that slopes sea ward on Arbon Cliffs." It was there that Robert's mother was laid when her sad life was over, and her youne , daughter-in-law, whom she neve r saw , was placed beside her after a very different exist ence: More force is often revealed in the imper ceptible touches that depict some scenes, than in the stirring narrations of wild passions and terri ble deeds. There is a pathos and beauty in the sketch of Lilian's simple annals that do credit and honour to the author, even more than the many powerful scenes and striking characters who here figure before us. When Lilian stood with her friend in the deserted nursery, and wept " over the use ' less garments that once enfolded the tender limbs of her little one in Heaven," and exclaimed in heartfelt anguish, " Oh, surely, Deborah, when I die, God will give me my darl ing into my arms again,"' the reader seems to behold a page of real life unfolded, with its purest affections and saddest bereavements. In the descriptions met with in this book there is often an impressive and animated style. The author seems to enter into them, and not to be merely re citing a trite and commonplace account. In especial must be noticed the momentous visit of Cyrus and Phillis to the abbey ruins. , It was prophetic of the fate of their tragic love, that its confession should have been made amid the echoes of crumb ling walls and the shades of departed splendours. In describing the character of the scenes around, it is observed that the glory had long departed from the stately _ chapels and the solemn cloisters, but the beauty of the stream, and the trees, and the sunshine in the valley, was the same. " Man's pride and man's labour pass away, but God and na t u re endure, and t hese connect us with the great hearts that went to dust at Eurevaulx centuries ago more than all the arches . a f nd . columns they ever reared." It is always grati ying to meet - with a work like the present, in whi . ch something far superior to the every day productions of romancists is placed before us. Trifling as some may deem the arc not necessarily so, if they pages of a novel , th e y display on their passing scene the , true reflex of the passions ' and prejudices that will remain among me n till the fashio n of the world itself shall pass aw ay. In all the works. of this author there is some high endeavour manifested, some ruling pas sion strongly marked out, and some deep feeling evinced that invest them with real interest. " Against Wind and Tide," is an admirable title for the record of such a life as that of Cyrus, rho might truly have exclaimed— " ?Jo, howling winds drive devious, tempest-tossed, Sails ripped, seams opening wide, and compass lost; And day by day some current's thwarting force Sets me more distant from a prosperous course." To all who appreciate a powerfully concentrated work this one may be fairly recommended, in the confident expectation that they will not be dis appointed in the perusal of its brilliant pages. Narragansett ; or, 77w Plantations. A Story of 177—. Three vols. Chapman and Hall. The author of this work has proposed to write an historical romance of the early days of the Ameri can War of Independance, and had he carried oat his intention with clearness and vigour there is no doubt that the subject would have had many re commendations. There is, however, a want of coherence and consistency in his narrative ; his canvas is crowded with so many figures that they jostle each other and prevent the reader fiom having a clear perception of their individuality, THE CONGRESS. The Pays publishes the following as a definitive official list of the Plenipotentiaries who will repre sent the great powers in the Congress : Count de Rechberg and Prince de Metternich for Austria. Lord Cowley and Lord Wodehouse for Great Britain. Baron de Schleinitz and Count de Pourtales for Prussia. Prince Gortschakoff and Count de Kisseleff for Russia. Spain will be represented by M. Martinez de la Rosa and M. Mon. Portugal by Count de Lavradio and Viscount de Paiva. It adds that " the names of the plenipotentiaries for the Holy See, the Two Sicilies, Shrdinia, and Sweden are not yet officially known." According to the latest news, it is still supposed that Cardinal Antonelli will represent Rome ; and the Vienna journals give out that he is assured be forehand of " triumphant success." FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY. Some new diplomatic arrangements have taken place. M. le Marquis Chateaurenard is named first Secretary of the French Embassy "at London ; M. Fournier, first Secretary at St. Petersburg ; the Count de Bondy, first Secretary at Madrid ; M. Rothan, first Secretary at Frankfort ; the Marquis de Cadore, first Secretary at Rome ; and the Count de Masbourg first Secretary at Vienna. The cold is still severe in Paris. At six this morning the thermometer stood at 12 deg. below freezing point ; at ten o'clock, 11 deg.; and at three o'clock, between 7 and 8. Accounts from Marseilles state that the cold there is more intense than any experienced for many years. The coun try is covered with snow. The mistral raged there with such violence for several drys last week that not only pedestrians but carriages were upset in the streets. The thermometer stood at 10 degrees below freezing point at Lyons on Saturday. The ground is covered with snow. A severe snowstorm occurred in Rouen on Friday last, which prevented carriages from moving in the streets. The theatres were deserted, and several persons who ventured into the streets met with ac cidents. The fall of snow at Arras was so great that it was impossible for the inhabitants to quit their houses for several hours. The mail train frn Paris to Strasburg was detained nearly three hours at Bar le Duc. THE BOURSE, Dec. 19.—The market has been heavy, with a very limited amount of business doing. Threes, after having been at 70f. 50e., declined to 70f. 40e.; Mobilier varied from 845 f. to 8401. ; Lyons, 940 f. to 937 f. 50c.; Orleans, 1,422 f. 50e. to 1,415 f. ; Northern, 9721. 50c. to 970 f. ; Southern, 5371. 50e. to 535 f.; Austrian, 5751. to 572 f. 50e, ; Lombard, 577 f. 50c. to 575 f. The following were the last quotations:- 41 per Cents. 96 4 1 Credit Fonder.... 725 Do. end month 96 75 Belgian 4i . . 99 50 3 per Cents 7O 15 Piedmonteso (5) .. 85 60 Do. end month 7O 35 Roman B3 50 Bank Shares 2895 Austrian Credit Mobilier .. 837 50 Spanish Threes Do. Aceou.uti ..... 837 50 Home Debt 43 33 RA I LWAY 8 . Cash. Account. Orleans Northern 972 50 .. 970 New ditto B6l 25 .. 863 75 Lyons and Mediterranean 935 .. 935 Geneva . 540 .. 545 Southern Western 575 .. 577 50 Eastern .. 652 50 .. 652 50 Sardinian Austrian Lombard .. Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 10c. ; money, 25f. 90.; three months/paper, 24f. 95c.; money, 24f. 931 e. SPAIN AND MOROCCO. The Madrid Gazette of the 14th inst. publishes the following despatch from the Captain-General, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Africa, dated from the Camp of Otero, Dec. 12 : " The reserve division, under General Count de Reuss, left the camp this morning with a view to protect the works of the road to Tetuan. Towards noon the Moors debouched from the Anghera-road; they commenced the attack on our left, and on the rear guard of the division. I immediately ordered it to be reinforced by the battalions of the Ist corps, holding all the forces ready in case the engagement should become general along the whole line. This did not take place. From the Prince Alfonso re doubt, where I had placed myself, I saw the enemy driven back by our victorious troops. Their loss must have been considerable, as the ground, though much broken, was not quite suited to their mode of fighting. Our loss was 40 men killed and wounded. " General Ros has arrived with his corps d'armee —the infantry, landed t;) day, and during the course of to-morrow the landing of the materiel, horses, and mules will be effected. The Ost Deutsche Post contradicts the report that the dispossessed Italian Dukes have any in tention of presenting a memorial to the Congress in support of their rights. The dukes have re ceived no official notice of the meeting of the Con gress. The concordats concluded with the Holy See by the Governments of Wurtemburg and Baden are each day regarded with stronger antipathy by public opinion in those two countries. It is now thought that they will not obtain the constitu tional approbation of the Chambers. The dramatis persowe are often introduced without ceremony and disposed of in an equally summary manner. There is no expression of political feeling, but the author seems to uphold the principles of the republicans, while individually and collectively pourtraying them as rapacious, dishonest, and fero cious. He has little mercy on his heroes or heroines, for all the love affairs terminate disastrously, while Death plays a most prominent part in the winding up of his story. It is the very opposite of the ter mination of " Rasselas," and might truly be styled "a conclusion in which everything is concluded," seeing that the lives and fortunes of the actors in its pages are put a decided stop to. The old friends and scholars, Dr. Hartley and Fitzgibbon, are pleasantly drawn, while some of the minor sketches are amusing. Miss Hartley is a bright and sensible heroine, though we see but little of her; and Leah, the gentle daughter of the heartless Jew, Seixas, is a pleasant contrast to her surroundings. The un fortunate Prescott awakens the commiseration of the reader ; his fate is very unromantic and un usual for a hero, but it is probably the more life like. Many of the writer's extravagancies may doubtless be attributed to inexperience and a too great effort for an untrained writer. We should recommend him in future to be less ambitious in the size and compass of his work ; to aim at a clearer plot, a style more succinct, and a smaller number of characters, when he will probably produce a much more attractive and successful narrative. THE SU.EZ CANAL SCHEME. Our French neighbours must not be surprised if a good many people on this side the Channel should persist in taking them at their own word in the mat ter of the Suez Canal Scheme. When a writer so conversant with the .policy of his country and the ideas of his countrymen as M. de Girardin distinctly declares that the project in question is founded on hostility to England, and when that declaration coincides, as it does very curiously, with other indi cations pointing in the same direction, Englishmen may well be justified in preparing to parry the thrust of which such plain warning has been given. Even where little weight is attached to these threats the uneasiness of politicians finds scope and object in the absence of any reasonable explanation of the scheme on ordinary grounds. If the project, as we all believe, admits of no defence in a pecuniary or commercial point of view, why should it be prose cuted with such uncommon energy, and sustained by such extraordinary support ? Is there not some thing wrong where there is so evidently nothing right? These are the reflections now passing through the public mind. Our daily correnpondence seldom fails to apprise us of all the currents of popular opinion, and accordingly we have received one communication after another in condemna tion of the scheme and proceedings of M. de Lesseps. We cannot say, that these arguments have changed our opinion as to the policy of resisting the conces sion, but, at any rate, they shall be placed at the public service. If the Isthmus of Suez, we are told, were actually pierced by a navigable canal, that canal would be the shortest route to the East, to the Mauritius, to Ceylon, to India, and to Australia. It would also, according to the terms of the enterprise, be in the hands of the French, or, at any rate, the French would be able, in the event of war, to despatch an expedition from Toulon or Algeria, and seize the canal without delay. This done, they would com mand the Indian Seas, for, as they would be in pos session of the shorter route, they could send their squadrons and cruisers down the Red Sea, and fall upon our commerce or our colonies long before we could arrive in the same waters by way of the Cape. All this seems plain enough, no doubt ; but not to mention that we have stations in the Mediterranean. nearer Egypt than either Toulon or Bona, and con sequently might get a start in the supposed race for the canal, it is the sincere conviction of English men that the canal itself is an impossibility, and that a navigable channel through the isthmus from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea can never be maintained. That conviction, indeed, is one of our motives for looking askanee at the whole proposal, and we cannot therefore accept an argument founded on the opposite assumption. To this reasoning, however, it is rejoined that, even if the proposed works should be found utterly impracticable, much of the mischief would still be done. Egypt has been regarded for more than one generation as a point from which France might menace England with serious injury. Napoleon I. thought so, and England evinced similar convictions when she encountered his schemes by a rival expe dition. Louis Philippe thought so too, and M. de Girardin's pamphlet may safely be quoted to show what Frenchmen think at the present clay. Now, however complete may be the failure of M. de Les seps' project in other respects, it might probably suc ceed in promoting or even establishing what, accord ing to these traditions, are called" French interests" in Egypt. For instance, the scheme comprises ) very considerable grants 'of land to the company in con nexion with the canal, so that the result would be equivalent to the settlement of a French colony in the heart of Egypt, giving endless opportunities of intervention to the French Government. More over, the enterprise would tend directly to the con summation of the first step towards bringing Egypt entirely under French influence—viz., the severance of this province from the dominions of the Sultan. At present Egypt is part and parcel of Turkey, £ll the Porte, as we see in this very matter, exercises a control over Egyptian politics. If, however, the Viceroy could be rendered independent, this check would be removed, and the province be made more amenable to the influence of France. Here, also, history is appealed to for practical evidence of these impressions on both sides. The French have always supported the Pashas in their refractory moods ; we have always upheld the authority of the Porte. Now, slowly and gradually, but by step after step, have matters been so ordered in Egypt that any future intervention on behalf of the Sul tan would be a work of far greater difficulty than before. The Mediterranean coasts of the country have been fortified so strongly that the famous landing under Sir Ralph Abercromby which our pictures represent could not easily be repeated at the present day. These fortifications were mad t. e under the au s pi ces o f L ou i s Philippe's Government. Again the ro a d f rom th e Red Sea to Alexandria by at way of Cairo, which our Indian army traversed work osten sibly same period, has beau closed by available military p purposes, oslt ?here in stillre a l i r t e y_ and Canal. that A would be n effectually iainsonerout b e a o r p re en d , and h on e e s on ne y z , into Lessees the need ' w e nbtaetd it The was Suez only country, and ca all access hitswo tork Esagcyerptt from certain distance alonguez c then Canal would s e t uld ewouldeffect e b t e to completely good pu rp p o r s e e s e Canal to might an n armyeffect half thought a tcentury hat our age ownlt would oppose Syria if iaa trench 300 feet wide and w defended by batteries on 11C s 30 feet deep, I the Egyptian side, would b e a serious confidentlyobsta cle to a Turkish army, so that Viceroy might set his Sovereign at defiance. Thesese results, we are reminded, wou ld be entirely irrespective of the completion of the canal, in s t o er t e h s a ts t , I m :n a g y la i n .e d a , so i n n ab th l e fair pursuit of her own oppose the project, wre a a l r th e o f u n g r l t i h c e o r nv a i s n s c u e r d of assured that, im i y n neither the Sultan nor the Pasha needs pointpr c im practicability. c o a f b f i a l e i t t y , . any instigation to look upon the scheme with sus picion. The Sultan comprehends very clearly the danger impending over his . province ; the Viceroy discerns that, though he might indeed be enabled to defy his present master, the issue would not ultimately be conducive to his independence. Eng land, therefore, is not called upon to put a control upon the policy of the Porte, but only to approve and support a resolution wisely conceived. We have now given these views a full, and, as wo believe, an adequate expression. We do not deny—indeed, after M. de Girardin's confession, it would be impossible to deny—that some such con , ceptions as have been here delineated may be at the bottom of French .policy in the Suez Canal , scheme. We might impeach the value of these designs by certain counter-considerations, but , should not the question rather be estimated on broader and more enlightened grounds ? In a few words, have these struggles for influence" ever been productive of much advantage ? Have these national contests for ascendancy or equilibrium usually resulted in any political success ? Have not affairs generally gravitated to a natural position, and left all States and Governments with their natural powers and advantages, in despite of the artificial conditions imposed by virtue of treaties or force of arms ? To take the strongest of all ex amples, what lesson can we draw from the position of France herself ? Fifty years ago she was placed, as it were, under European custody, and the most elaborate contrivances, including even a redistri bution of Europe, were designed for the purpose of perpetuating the arrangements. What has been the result ? Is France powerless ? Has she lost every pretension to military ascendancy ? Is the Imperial dynasty proscribed? M. de Girardin can answer these queries—probably much to his satisfaction ; but we may perhaps suggest in return that his ideas of reducing the British Empire to ' 1 impotence by piercing the Isthmus of Suez are at the least as preposterous as those by which it was hoped to stifle the growth and energies of France. Such notions, in fact, had better be discarded alto gether. The Suez Canal scheme is so manifestly a delusion in its ostensible purport that we 'nave been, and even still should be, completely justified in op posing it on the ground of the designs it covered. We believe, however, that those designs themselves / would fail as completely as the pecuniary specula— tion, and we have questioned, accordingly, the wis dom of perpetuating a contest in which, th ou g h our interests were perhaps really attacked, we did not see that they were really endangered.—Times. DEATH OF TILE RIGRT HONOURAB. H. FITZROY, FOR LEIFIEs. (From the Sussex Et:press.) It is this week our melancholy duty to announce the death of the Right Hon. Henry Fitzroy, M.F. which took place on Saturday evening last, a little before six o'clock, at his residence, 3, Sussex-square, Kemp Town, Brighton. The right hon. gentleman, as our readers are aware, has for some time been dangerously ill, being assailed by a combination of fever and ague • and it will t h e r emembered th a t his colleague, the ' Hon. H. Brand, in referring to his absence from a late dinner, then stated that Mr. Fitzroy's health had suffered from over-anxiou s and zealous attention to the duties of the important office he occupied at the period of his decease. lie was attended by Mr. Furner, surgeon, of the firm of Messrs. Taylor and Furner, and we understand that the more immediate cause of the hon. gentle man's death was exhaustion, arising from the dura tion of the attack. The Hon. Henry Fitzroy was a son of the second Baron Southampton, and only brother and heir presumptive of the present lord. He was born on the 2d May, 1807, in Stanhope-street, and was con sequently in the 53d year of his age. As it is not stated in the usual sources of information that the hon. member was brought up at any of our great public schools or at either of the universities, We presume he was privately educated. At 24, how ever,, we find he was returned for Great Griznsby, Lincolnshire, a town of very much the same popu lation as the borough of Lewes, and having upwards of 800 electors. It was a dark December night, in 1834, that travelling barouche drew up at the White Hart Hotel, amidst the speculation of groups gather ed about in different parts, and from it emerged the Hon. H. Fitzroy, M.P. He was a fine-looking young man, with an intellectual face, eminently prepossessing in his appearance, and dressed in the most fashionable style of the day. Friends quickly rallied round the then unknown candidate, and in a very few days an election was progressing in full vigour. The Whig candidates were Mr. T. R. Kemp and Sir Charles Blunt, the former members for the borough; The nomination took place on the sth Jannary. Mr. Fitzroy was proposed by R. Gear, Esq., and seconded by S. Lowdell, Esq. The numbers at the close of the poll were—Sir C. Blunt, 511; Mr. Kempt, and Mr. Fitzroy, 359. On the retirement of Mr' Kemp, in 1837, Mr. Easthope, of the 31orning Chronicle, appeared as his successor in the Liberal interest, when Mr. Fitzroy again contested the seat, and the Conservatives were this time success ful, Mr. Fitzroy polling 397 votes, whilst Mr., Easthope received only 371. The death of William the Fourth speedily followed, a nd the two parties now found themselves fairly arrayed. The Hon. H. Fitzroy and Capt. Lyon being oPP °sed by Sir Charles Blunt and Thomas Brand, Est The election came off on the 24tk July, 1837, and the result was—Sir C. Blunt, 413 ; Hon. H. Fitsrel' 401; T. Brand, Esq., 338 ; and Captain Lyon, 343. In 1841, the most memorable election on record took place in this borough. The struggle in 1 83 1 had showed how nearly parties were divid ed, and the result was, every vote was deemed of the highest importance. The Conservative candidata were the Hon. H. Fitzroy and Viscount Cantilupe, and the Liberals were represented by M r. Elphinstono and Mr. Somers Harford. At th e IL close of the poll the numbers were—Harford 411, Elphin stone 409, Hon. H. Fitzroy 407, and Viscount Can tilupe 388. The Conservatives immediately peti tioned, and after the first day's hearing the Liber al ! finding their case desperate, and anxious to escaP,; further exposure, agreed to a comprom ise, and the Hon. Henry Fitzroy retained the seat be had so gallantly fought for, whilst Mr. EV L" stone being preferred to Mr. Harford, the 100(1: gentleman, who was at the head of theVoll, fount' himself, to his great surprise, deprived of h In 1846 Sir Robert Peel, it will be remembered resolved on repealing the corn laws, an d the ilee• H. Fitzt oy having given in his adhesion to the Pro position, became a Lord of the Admiralty. If? v. 7 °situ) , then returned for the borough without opposition, and from that period to the present time, altho.tiiigetz. frequently opposed, the hon. member has retaiseed. his seat. In December, 1852, he became Under is seat..., a nd re retary of State for the Home Department, In mained in, that position till February:, 1855 ,: ha i r . March of the same year he was appointed man of Committees of the House of Commo ns. Under the present Government he became Presi dent of the Board of Works, which offi ce he held UP to Ar e a the member is decease. of Parliament, Mr. Fitzroy tIY remembered by acts, both relating to eminenb; practical subjects. The regulation of London and the protection to females from brutal assin f .r. are no mean contributions to our legislation. v.l still more valuable character was the act extending the jurisdiction of the County Courts from £2O to £5O. These were perfected whilst the hon. moll' ber was Under Secretary for the Home Depart ment, ment, and is is not too much to say that, bad r Lord Palmerston's subordinates served him eqnfl well, his Administration would not have been s short-lived and inglorious. Will be election Some time must elapse before a n ew can take place. As Conservative candidates the names afloat in private circles are thos e of Mr. Amphlett, Q.C. or Lord West, the eldest son 0! the Earl Delawarr. Mr. Blencowe and Colonel Cavendish have been mentioned as probable in the Liberal interest ; but the death of the hon. meta a has at last come upon us all so suddenly, that would be premature at present to indulge in sPe" culation. That Mr. Fitzroy, during his represen tation of this borough, has always proved hims elf ' to be a man of no ordinary talent, cannot be ques tioned ; and in private life he has eve r been hi g h/ esteemed evon by those who were politically op posed to him. He was courteous to all, and prover ! bially attentive to every matter of interest to his constituents; and though one may sometimes have regretted that his talents and his amiable qualities led many gentlemen to forgo their political predi lection rather than sacrifice private friendship, we yet cnnnot be surprised at such a result. EXTRAORDINARY ANNOUNCMILE VT OP THE LOSS OF THE GREAT BRITAIN. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY. The following announcement appeared yesterday' amongst the shipping intelligence at the Under writers' Rooms here : " A small tin canister was picked up this morn ing, near the mouth of the river, inside, on which was written the following steamship, Great Britain, foundered off the W estern Islands.' " Mem.—The Great Britain screw stea mshi p only sailed on th e 11th i ns t. for Melbourne , and was off Tuskar at four a.m. next day, with N.E." Screvt We sincerely hope there is no foundation for the report, but, if a hoax, it is one of the most diabolical that can be imagined. All the probabilities are against the truth of the statement, and the under writers place no confidence at all init. It i s very unlikely that, in the prevalence of cutting nor. tli u : east winds, the great Britain would ta ke "- northerly run to clear Ireland when the southerly o would suit her better ; and the fact that she 176.. seen off Tuskar on the 12th inst., is in favou r of hq having taken a southerly course. Again it be almost a miracle for a tin canister to have dritteu from the locality of the Western island s right into the mouth of the Mersey within the time requisite to support the statement, and especially with . North-easterly wind blowing, thoug h a currelt . does flow from that direction towards Liverpool:, An ingenious assumption is mentione d, which once relieves us from the necessity of supposing !! a hoax, and enables us to believe that the ship le speeding on her voyage in safety. About twelve months ago the Great Britain encountered a dread' ful storm off the Western Islands, in which she W 5 in imminent danger , and s ustained some daillag.fe, At this time it is quite possible that, in the fear _u_e the emergency, some canisters may have thrown overboard, and that they have been tossing about ever since, and one has at last been picked.up near the Mersey. We trust that this explanation will be realised, and that all will be found to We ended prosperously. I R R y . i FREDERICK NsuItRE eT DOUGLASS AND TIIE HARPER'S FE l‘ lt lira . ' • ifax, at which town Frederick Douglass is at present ioN.—The Rev. R. L. Carpenter, of i staying, states that the latter was concerned in the recent nsurrection in the following way only :—" Ile is charged bY Captain Cook with having abetted the Harper's Ferry 1 0 ' surrection, and then deserting it. As ha has inform of ed the American public by a letter, which has appeared in manY their papers, Captain Cook is wholly unknow n to him, ar" his accusation is untrue. Unless C ap t a in Cook was a p erson who once called on him with Captain Brown, he does not even know who he is. With Cap t. Brown Mof r. Douglass has long been very intimate , and he entirely approved a hi! plan of helping the slaves to esc a p e to the mountains, an secure their freedom. lie was cognisant of tho Ilarperti Ferry plan; but did his utmo st to dissuade him f racticrom it. In his anxiety to avert what he deemed an impabyt scheme, he went, about a month before the event, to visit Captain Brown at Chambersburg, about twenty-eight Mild from Harper's Ferry. His arguments were, however, un availing ; and his visit would no doubt be taken as an ovi• deuce that ho was a party to tho plan. lie is in no Wart therefore, mixed up with the insurrection, except in o fiir that lie did not betray his knowledge of it ; and ho is not in any way chargeable with deserting Captain Brown, since Captain Drown well knew that he was opposed to it.'' I 1... 32 C 114 fi a t . , T rull] 4.111x1 Xoi h ave St ool , aet b,, 14(tny b oc Di T] la g 1)1141 'IA 11 4 , Pro f tut),