The Sun. — London, England, 1858-04-29 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S TREATRE.— Titiens, Ortolani, Ginglini, Aldighieri, Vialetti, and Belletti. FLEUR DES CHAMPS. On Saturday next will be produced an entirely new Ballet, entitled FLEUR DES CHAMPS, in which Madlle. Pocchini will sustain the principal part. To be preceded by Verdi's Opera, LA TRAVIATA, in which Madlle. Piccolomini will appear. On T u esday, May 4, IL TROVATORE. Madlle. Titiens will appear for the first time as Leonora, in " The Trovatore ;* ;Lid Madlle. Albeni will make her first appearance this season A.zucena. Signor Giuglini will sustain the part of Man. rico. Thursday, May g(Extra Night), IL TROVATORE. both ev enings,. f av ourite Ballet, in which Madlle. Poe- On phini will appear. A limited number of boxes have been reserved to the pub' lie, price 21s. and 31s. 6d. each, which may be had at the Box.ollice at the Theatre. ER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Titen.s, Ortolani, Giuglini, Aldighieri, Vialetti, and Belletti. THIS EVENING, THURSDAY, April 29, LES HUGUENOTS. _ _ Valentina, 3(addle. Titiens ; Raoul di Nengis, Signor Giuglini. To conclude with the new Ballet Divertissement, by M. Mascot, entitled CALISTO ; OU, LE RENVGI DE L'AMOUR. The principal parte by Madlles. Po cchini, Annetta, Pas quale, iforlacchi, Bioletti, Brown, La Petite Philipe, and M. Gaon. A limited number of Boxes have been secured tothe public. Prf.ca 21s and 31s 6d each, which may be had at the Box ffice; O at the Theatre. The Opera wi l e commence at half-past 7 o'clock; THEATRE ROYAL, FLA.YMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENIIsiO, to commence at Seven o'clock, with Sheridan Knowles' comedy of THE GO en CHASE.Iki Con 'tame, Mrs. Charles Toung ; Widow , Mrs. Wins. After wh i c h a cigssie,.l Extra-taganaa, entitled PLUTO AND PROSESPINE. Followed by JACK'S RETURN FROM CANTON. Concluding with MY IIIiSHAND'S GHOST. Orehestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the eve ning). 6s. each. (No chaiwe for booking.) First Price. s. d. Sevond price. s. d. Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Bozos 3 0 Upper Boxes •... 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit... ... gallery R OY AL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be presented the new farce entitled THE STOCK EXCHANGE ; or, The Green Business. After which, will be revived FAUST AND MARGUE RITE. Mephistophiles, Mr. C. Kean. . To conclude with the new farce, entitle I SAMUEL IN SEARCH OF HIMSELF. ?THEATRE ROYAL, A DELPHI. I. *Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING will be presented the drama o LIKE AND UNLILE. After which, a new operatic spectacle, THE CALIPH OF BAGDAD. The characters by Mr. Rolfe, Paul Bedford, J. Bland, and Misses Rolm, Keeley, and Arden. irh conclude with the sketch of WELCOME, LITTLE STRANGER. Mr. Wright, Mr. Paul Bedford, &c. STRAND THEATRE.—Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough. —This Evening will be presented the COUNTRY SQUIRE, supported by Messrs. Emery, Belford, Charles, P. Seymour, Meagreson, Misses M. Oliver, M. Ternan, Portman, and Messrs. Selby. After which, the new burlesque of FRA. DIAVOLO ; or, The Beauty and the Brigands. Fra D.avolo, Miss Swan borough ; Beppo, Mr. C. Young. Followed by a new Faroe, YOUR LIII-ENESS. ONE SHILLING. Messrs. Charles Young, Ray, and Miss M. Ternan. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow. in? company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of S,lectfons from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz. :—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, %ha Bruuell, Miss Ray, Madame Bartoletti, and Miss Montagne ; Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Henshaw, S. Jonec, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Hime, Mr. Badzey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bell, and &fr. Beraard ; Messrs. T. Maclagan, W. T. Critchfield, John G. Forde, and E. Macknoy. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, &e., until twelve o'clock. Mr. AUGUSTUS BRAHAM will appear every Evening. Mr. WOODHOUSE (by permission of Charles Kean, Esq. ) will have the honour of introducing, every evening, his highly successful Performance on the new REGULATION DRUM. THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, Aram 29. THERMOMETER, IN THE SNIDE. 63—highest since noon yesterday. BO—lowest this morning and during the night, 58—this day at noon. BASOMETEII, 24.57—a fall of nearly half an inch since yesterday. WIND. variable from W.N.W. to W.S.W. ; with cloudy weather and sunshine. There was heavy rain in the night HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. NM DAY—Horn., 34 min. aft. 2—Even., 51 min aft. 2 To-Moußow—Morn., 6 min. aft. 3—Even., 23 min. aft. 3 t a r - X -1 • e t ' o , l*- I ' 44 * ; ft l .9'--Cll3l. kt• , . LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1858. What wisdom is learned in adversity ! Lord JOHN Rl:minx, the old, the relentless opponent of "bit by bit Reform," the introducer of, we forget how many, comprehensive Reform Bills,— LOld JOHN RUSSELL, in the cold shade of Oppo sition, was found, on Tuesday night, arguing quite in our own Radical style, not only for introducing Mr. Loexa KING'S Bill for extending the county franchise, but in opposition to Mr. DISRA.ELI, for " bit by bit Reform," as distinguished from his favourite wholesale Reform. In opposition to Mr. DISRAELI, and not to be outdone by Lord PALMERSTON, as represented by Mr. LABOUOHERE, —.yes, that is the secret. But, for the necessity of conciliating the Independent Liberals, and of differing on Reform from a Conservative Govern ment, Lord JOHN would have been the last of men to consent to a proposal which, if success ful, would abstract from his future Bill, should he ever have the chance of introducing one, one of its most important points. Lord JOHN is, we acknowledge, in favour of extending the county franchise. He has every reason to be so, for it would be advantageous to his section of the Liberal party ; but ho wants to have the credit of it u a part of his own second great Reform Bill. Arguments, however, are not like testimony, they avail by their own weight. And our old reasons are just as forcible, when discharged by Lord JOHN as by any of us ; and he has the luck of a position from which on a large clam the same arguments will tell more. Hear, then, all ye professed Reformer's of every creed, shade, and degree--hear what the Whig Lord in opposition tells you of the vast difficulty of carrying a com prehensive Reform Bill ; be no longer deluded with the notion that such a bill will ever be carried in our time, by Lord PALMERSTON, or Lord JOHN Russel.; or Lord DERBY, or by Lord ANYEODY. Truly enough, his Lordship of Cheaham-place now argues, in a comprehensive bill you have one alte ration which some fifty gentlemen think affects their seats ; another, which a score or two imagine will endanger them, others tremble at other changes ; and all these frightened ones, opposed perhaps otherwise to each other, club their objec tions, and easily defeat you. Even those who are really anxious for Reform find some parts in a great bill which thwart their private views, and, by their cross action, pla g y into the hands of the opponents of all reform, and the bill falls through. Marvellou s 1 Lord JOHN has at length then discovered that there is truth in a proverb which it is not profane to apply to politics--" What soever thine ha n d fi ndeth to do, do it with thy might." The Jewish monarch had seen enough of the mischief of deferring a good. deed under pretext of doing something yet b etter. Lord JoIN sees it now, and quotes for hie own p ug . pose a homely English proverb which true liberalA have so often pressed upon him —that bird in the hand is worth two in the hush." Yes, it is. We knew it when we were schoolboys ; but how Is it then that Lord Jou/sr has always let the bird in his hand fly away hitherto, while run ning after the birds in the bush ? The answer is, ambition—ambition of doing something showy— something which should be remembered as Lord JOHN'S works combined, perhaps, with a pettish aversion to seeing the smallest real improvement in our representation effected by any other hand than his own. The Oracle shouts aloud "to Reformers, Radicals, and Chartists to come on with all their crotchets—because there is now no Go a vernment." We call upon them, too, to come forward, but it is because there is no sham Reform Government. The Times is right enough in its advice ; but, like the oft-quoted judge, it should not give its reasons. Reformers will do well to make their hay while the sun shines ; but it shines because an obstructive sham Libe . ralism no longer beclouds it. We have assuredly now no Government, which a year ago promised a Reform Bill ; which obstructed Mr. Looxn KING last year for that reason ; which promised it again last Christmas ; and which now, when asked for a bill that was a third time promised after Easter, replies, we had none—a Government which has traded for some two years on a professedly large capital of Reform, and which, when wound up, had literally no Reform assets whatever 1 To restore trade to soundness, it seems to be necessary to shatter the accommodation bill firms ; and to let honest Reformers have a chance, it is equally neces sary to get rid of Reform Ministers who have not a single reform project in their desks. Yes, we too say, " Now's your time Reformers, Radicals, Chartists ;" but we say so because insincere Reformers are learning in oppo sition to bid for the support of honest men by honest performance of their promises. Of the equity of enfranchising the class of per sons in counties, parallel with the class which possesses the franchise in boroughs, there can be no doubt. And if the parallelism be on the basis of rental or rating, it is undeniable that the same rent in the counties represents a higher class than in the towns. The contrast, indeed, between the very numerous voteless tenants of good houses in the counties, and the ten-pound electors in towns is too ludicrously glaring to be defended for a minute. Mr. DISRAELI feels this, and therefore falls back upon his old argument of the inequality of town and county representation. Half a million county voters return but one hundred and fifty or sixty Members ; less than half a million borough voters return three hundred and thirty Members—therefore, says Mr. DISRAELI, if you extend the county franchise you make the disproportion between electors and representatives yet more unfair. But no one knows better than Mr. DISRAELI that this is a mere piece of ingenious special pleading. The great injustice is, that tens of thousands of most respectable persons in the counties are deprived of a vote, while their infe riors in towns have one. How is this injustice remedied by Mr. DISRAELI'S theory of propor tions ? Each of these persons would tell him that the exclusion was an infinitely worse injus tice than any disproportion ; that that could be talked of afterwards. The first thing is to admit those deserving of it within the pale of the con stitution. If, however, Mr. DISRAELI really wish for equal electoral districts, or for very large constituencies and members proportioned to them, we should be quite willing to go into that ques tion with him. London, Manchester, South Lancashire, and Yorkshire, W.R., would also by no means object. One condition only is wanted, that which Mr. DISRAELI himself told the electors of Marylebone was an essential to an honest re presentation. We have a strong suspicion that Mr. DISRAELI still believes it to be so. The Ballot has not changed its relation to honest voting, although Mr. DISRAELI'S position may have changed. Let Mr. Donlon.' reassert his old position, let him emancipate the counties by the Ballot, and we aro quite prepared to adjust representation to members throughout England. In another part of our impression we give a leader from the Morning Star, which is well worthy of perusal. It points out the real differ ences existing between the various sections of the Opposition, and the great difficulty, if not impos sibility, of Lords PALMERSTON and JOHN RUSSELL working harmoniously in the same Cabinet, or the parties of which they are the recognised leaders, pulling together while one is enjoying the sweets of office, and the others wasting their sweetness on. the desert air. The noble Lords have respec tively tripped up each other's heels on several occasions. The summary dismis sal from the Foreign-office in December 1851 was summarily avenged early in 1852, on the Militia Bill. The overthrow of the ABERDEEN Cabinet, of which Lord PALMERSTON was a lead ing member, through the instrumentality of Lard JOHN, was recompensed by the hint that his resig nation, after the Vienna mull, would be gratefully received and thankfully accepted. Both the political gladiators are now watching each other's movements with grim ferocity, and either would infinitely prefer Lord DERBY to his immediate rival. Sundry soi disant Liberal journals are clamour ing at the postponement of the factious op position which they are so anxious to see inaugurated. The Palmerstonians are pining after " the loaves and fishes." They cannot observe even common decency under the painful privations they are enduring. Their holdings ars truly deplorable. The Times, that from the very commencement, has strained every effort to displace the Government, declares that as yet there has been no reason to complain of anything unfair or factious ; but it is manifestly striving with all its energies to produce an entire change in that respect. And it is followed, sed Longo interva/20, by others of inferior rank. Not only are the Russellites, but the large body of independent Liberals, completely ignored. It is gravely assumed that Lord PALMERSTON is the acknowledged leader of all who have not assumed the Derbyite cockade. The true Liberals would infinitely prefer Lord DERBY to Lord PALMERSTON ; should he introduce bad measures, which they cannot approve, they will oppose them, but tem perately and fairly. They will certainly not j o i n in any factions the object whereof is to confer a virtual dictatorship on the Noble Viscount, and to bring in his train CLARENDON, and CLANRICARDE, LEWIS, WOOD, and Sutra, with GREY, LA BOTICHERE, and PANMURE, and the others who constituted the late Government. Any consummation would surely be better than that. No Cabinet can be constructed of the effete materials : there must be the introduction o f new and more vigorous blood. If the Whi gs again hope to grasp the reins of power, they must consent to a very considerable enlargement of the family circle. can use no more dignified word—has the House of Commons been hindered from sending up the Bill, which it approves, to another place. When a question in which much more than half the con stituencies feel a personal interest has obtained this position, the Lords must soon yield. They may reject, with ignominious obstinacy —an ob , stinacy for which they will soon smart—the ac knowledgment of Jewish Rights. The injured are so few that the brave descendants of the Nor mans can venture a tilt at the poor Israelites and keep their saddles still. They will find it quite another thing to fight it out with those who hold the keys of office. Office-holders must please the constituencies of England, and the House which represents its own members only, will find that it must give way to the House which represents the nation, and which really chooses the Government of the day. Lord DERBY'S promise that the Church•rate Abolition Bill should be thrown out in the House of Lords is idle talk. What care the Abolitionists about a campaign or two, and it will not be more, with their Llrdship3? Let the Peers fight ; the electors of England know also how to fight. We shall have all the better a Reform Bill when it is seen that we require a more Radical House of Commons to clrry out the nation's wishes. And very soon we shall hear again of relieving the Right Hon. Fathers iu GOD of their duties as obstructors of all popular mea sures. We incline, moreover, to the opinion that the independent Liberals have made up their. minds. They can and they will render impossible the election of any Government for any length of time that will not make Cabi net questions of Church-rates and Jewish Eman cipation. And we must say they are right ; they have had patience enough. The two measures may, not be of the highest moment in regard to the pecuniary interests involved, or to the num ber of persons affected ; but they have become the testing demands of liberalism, and Liberals will make themselves contemptible if they refrain longer from enforcing them. The language of Mr. ROEDUCH and of Mr. BRIGHT is now decided. They will tolerate shuffling no longer; it is, there fore, for the three leaders, who are struggling to keep or to obtain the good things of office, to choose their own course. The advanced Liberals will make footballs of any Government which will not enforce the will of the Commons on the Lords —in regard to these two points, at least. Last Tuesday's debates must convince all ob servant men that the abolitiOnists have it. They are too numerous to permit the success of any compromise. Three precious offers are now before the House, but the whole party of compromisers are in a considerable minority, as compared with abolitionists, and this minority is at war with itself. What can be their hope ? The House of Lords—of Lord Bishops—perhaps ; we need not repeat our warning. Mr. PULLER would assess a'? hereditaments legally liable at present to Church-rates, in the way of a rent charge on the proprietors. We wish him joy of his battle with the ktolf of tho population, composing the most influential towns in the kingdom, which have thrown off the impost already. However, a mino rity of 54 against 317 must have satisfied the worthy Member that a rent-charge would not suit many besides borough Members. Then came Mr. Braeorr, he of the Isle of Wight. A Quaker, we believe he should be, but he seems now to quake, chiefly for the Church which seized the goods of his immediate ancestors, and he would, in "some parishes," odd legislative phraseology that, lay an additional charge on the tithes, to make matters, if passible, pleasant 1 Tithe-payers, how ever, grumbled so much at the very mention of the thing, that poor Mr. 13a)crom was fain to withdraw his amendment. Last came Mr. LYGION, wishing to free Dissenters from payment of a Church-rate ; if they would but label them selves nonconformists, and leave the unlabelled under the vestry harrow. He could, however, gain no consideration at all, and had to give up, and try his luck another time. Now, really, we cannot conceal our disgust with all this paltry contention about a few tnousand pounds-316,0001. being the outside of what is now collected. Well—deduct what is raised to pay the interest of borrowed money, which the aboli tionists are all willing should be collected, till the principal is wiped off—deduct also the amount now raised for other purposes than repair of the fabric of the church ; and the sum is insignificant indeed which is now collected for the purposes for which it is proposed to continue a rate in some shape. Verily, if we took our opinion of Church men from the House of Commons' discussion, we should think them the meanest of men among the religious sects of the land. To hear well-to do Commoners blubbering like schoolboys who have lost their toy-money, and wondering how in the world they are to scrape together some few thousands of pounds to keep their churches wind and weather tight, if they lose the power of forcing one another, if not Dissenters too, to pay Church rates under some name—it is worse than ludicroos, it is contemptible. One would imagine these could not all be gentlemen who possessed a bona foci* property qualification for the House, or they might, amongst themselves, especially if they took the Peers into partnership, subscribe almost enough to keep in repair half the churches in the kingdom. We confess we do blush for our Church, or rather for her mean-hearted children. Time was, when, by private benevolence, when population was so much smaller too, than it now is, all the noble parish churches were built which her degenerate sons cannot afford even to whitewash ! What is there in Episcopacy and the Prayer-book to have taught Churchmen such shabbiness since the times of the TUDORS and STUA.RTS ? assentera do not go about with long faces mourning over their chapels in ruins, or about to be ruined, because they can force neither each other, nor their church neighbours, to keep them in repair. Good Churchmen will at once, perhaps, exclaim —Oh, it is not an " Apostolic Episcopal seces sion," nor our " incomparable liturgy" that have taught us to rely on force—it is the State Church principle ! Oh, that is it ! Well, then, the sooner you unlearn the lessons of such a teacher the better ; and since, as Lard STANLEY says, all will be Voluntaries in the next genera: Lion, we had better take our Horubook lesson now by the abolition of Church -rates. The magnificent donation of 2,5001., not long since paid over to the C nnmittee appointed for the Preservation of the little tenement known as the birth-place of our great national pott at Stratford-upon-Avon, we very well re member to have eulogised at the time as a gift in every way worthy of the name of the patriotic and munificent donor—an English coun try gentleman—Mr. JouN SRAKSPERE. It is Church-rates are doomed. A majority of s atisfactor y to kno w that the committee have 53 for the second r ea di n g has settled tat ' proved themselves, in their tu rn , not unworthy of point ; and, b u t f or M r . P ACKE ' S factiously being the custodians of the money of this true talking against time, an increased m3jerity, hearted SBAKSPERE with a view to their being one of not leas than 70 in a House of 450 more effectually the conservators of the home of inl.te. ott clause —of would have affirmed the first—the ab o - his immortal namesake. The ol d house in Henley use —of Sir JOHN THELAWNY'B B ill. B y s treet isby this time, thanks to th ei r energy more nothing but the most discreditable dodges —we securelyguarded against mischances of fire by being at length entirely separated on either hand from its immediate neighbours. A substantial pave ment, moreover, has been already laid down in front of it ; and arrangements are now in rapid progress for the laying out of a quaint old fashioned looking garden around it, and for the surrounding of this garden, as completely as if by a ring -fence, by means of a yew hedge in keeping with the structure itself and its antique associations. Although these " doings" are local and simply in progress —we regard them at the same time as so wholly national and so entirely satisfactory that we direct attention to them with a pleasure quite unalloyed, and with a sense even of unaffected exultation. MISS ARABELLA GODDARD'S PIANOFORTE CONCERTS. We had the pleasure of attending the second of Miss Arabella Goddard's soirees at Willis's Rooms, last evening. It is almost superfluous to dilate on the perfection and finish of this lady's execution. She is not merely a great manipulative player, whose chief excellence lies in astonishing an audience, but she exhibits that degree of mental taste and imaginative conception which satisfies the senses of all who are able to estimate the ele vated and poetic intelligence of music. We are often met by " extraordinary performances, in which volleys of harmonic thunder, showers of chromatic comets, and corruscations of modulated borealises are the imposing cotistituents, but Miss Goddard is an artiste of a higher and nobler school—inter preting the finest productions with acute delicacy and appropriate expression. The following programme will convince our readers that the lady's task - vas no light one, but the difficulties of " Woelfl" and " Dussek" were mastered by Miss Goddard in a manner which can only be attained by a true musician: PART. I. &mato Duo in A, Pianoforte and Violoncello (Op. 32), Miss 'Arabella Goddard and Sig. Piatti Grand Sonata in F, " Ne Plus Ultra," Pianoforte, Miss Arabella Goddard Preludio con Fags, in A Minor, a la Tarantella (by desire), Pianoforte, "Miss Arabella Goddard J. S. Bach. PART. 11. Grand Sonata in Flat " Pins Ultra" (Op. 71), Pianoforte, Miss Arabella Goddard Dassek. Grand Quartet in B Minor, Pianoforte, Violin, Viola, and Violoncello, Miss Arabella Goddard, M. Sainton, Herr Geoffrie, and Sig. Piatti The " Grand Quartet," by Mendelssohn, was admirably given, and duly acknowledged by the delighted hearers. M. Saiuton, Piatti, and Herr Gaffrie rendered their valuable assistance, winning their usual " golden opinions," and the whole en tertainment was earnestly enjoyed and rapturously applauded by a numerous and discrimi n at i ng audi- Miss Goddard will ( - rive her last soiree on Wed nesday, May 121711, when Beetboven's " Grand Sonats in B flat" and Weber's " Grand Sonata in E minor" will be performed, with a selection of exquisite Preluics and Fuges from various authors. The Vocal Association of 309 voices will give a grand vocal performance at St. James's•hall, Regent-street and Piccadiry, on Friday evening, April 30 (to-morrow). The programme will be of a most interesting character. Messrs. Benedict and Soper will perform a duet on two piano f.rteq, and other instrumental works of importance will be introduced, comprising, among various attractions, some of the most celebrated part songs and glees corn p. - red by Webb, Bishop, HorJey, and ; and Men delssolin's " 0 tett," for eight stringed instruments. Such a performance will fully sustain the eclat which distinguishes the musical entertainments given at this beautiful hall. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The great event of next we k will be tha revival of " Trovatore," which bas ex c;ted ths interest and curiosity of the musical connois seurs of London. Mdlle. T►tiens will sustain the part of Leonora, which is admirably adapted to display her brilliancy, as a vocalist, and her genius as a tragedian. Madame Alboni will appear, for the first time this sea son, as Azucsna, the character which by universal con sent she has pre-emicently made her own. Signor Giuglini resumes the part of Manrico. BEGINNING THE WORLD.—His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales will leave town to-morrow for the White Lodge, Richmond-park. The establishment of the heir apparent is partially formed, and within the last f-w days the mambers of his Royal Highness's house hull have taken up their residence at the lodge. The marriage of Viscount Castlerosse, M.P., eldest son of the Ball of Kenmare, with Miss Gertrude II irriet Th i une, only daughter a Lord Charles Thynne, and Brat é-daughter ut the 1 tte Marquis of Bath, was so:emni ed yesterday with great pomp, at St. Mary'. R )man Catholic Church in Chelsea. Lady Havelock and Miss Havelock have, within the last week, taken up their residence in Brussel4. DEATH OF SIR PHILIP CRAMPTON, M.D.—DUBLIN, Wednesday Evening.—Sir Philip Crampton, Bart.lM. D. died this evening, at his residence Merrion-square. The deceised baronet was Surgeon-General to the Forces, and Surgeon in Ordinary to her Majesty in Ireland. He was 70 years of age. DCATR OP SIR JOHN DODSON.—We regret to announce the demise of the Right Hon. Sir John Dodson, who expired on Tuesday night, at his residence in Seamore place, Mayfair, after a abort illness. The death of this learned gentleman will be deeply lamented by a large circle of professionel friends. Re was the eldest son of the late Dr. John _Dodson, of Ilurstpierpoint, Sussex, and was born in 1780. Ile was educated at Oriel C,liege, Oxhrd, where he graduated B.A. in 1801, M.A. in 1804, and D.C.L. in 1818. He was appointed Advocate of the A.diniralty in 1829. and Advocate-General in 1834, when he was knighted. On her Majesty's ac cession to the throne his patent of appointment was renewed. In November, 1841, he was appointed Master of the Faculties, and, in 1862, Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Dean of the Arches. The learned gentleman was M.P. for Rye from 1819 to 1823. CORFU, April 10.—Another large Turkish steam frigate touched here on the 2d instant, with troops to act against Montenegro. Her Majesty's ship Vigilant arrived on the sth, and relieved her Majesty's sloop Aries, which vessel sailed for Malta on the Bth. We are expecting the fleet here. The thermometer to-day is at 67 deg. AN EVENING WITH THOMAS ITOOD.—On Monday evening last Mr, G. J, Dawson lectured at the Pimlico Institute, Belgrave-equere, on the Writings of Thomas Hood. The lecture was delivered in a pleasing and ef fective mann er , i ntroduc i ng several of Hood's ; choicest pieces, and gave much satisfaction to a crowded auditory. Mr. Dawson has delivered his lecture at ( several of the Linden Institutions, and it is becoming exceedingly popular. FATAL ACCIDENT.—ELY, April 28.—A melancholy sled fatal accident oco3rred on the Eastern Counties Railway.h here y es t er d ay morn i ng between eight and Mils clock. The Rev. Mr. Brock, who has charge of a curacy in tbie neighbourhood, was walking on the line near the station, at the time a train had just left it for Norwich. Seeing the train approach he stepped from the down to the up line, when a luggage-traiu proceed in4 upwards struck him, and injured him co severely that he died in the course of an hour. He was very highly ereeeed, and has left a father and six sisters to lament his sad lose. DEATH IN A BATH.—On Tuesday afternoon an inquest was he'd in the board-room of the workhouse of St. James's, Poland-street, Oxford -street, on the body of Devid Co per, aged 25. Charles Hope said he was at tendant at the Public Baths, Market-street, St. James's, and on Sunday morning last the deceased came, about six o'clock, to the bath, There being no one in the swimming bath, and a large number of persons requiring small baths, witness went to attend to them, and after being aheent only a few minutes, and while going up the steps to the swimming bath, he saw some clothes lying on the ground. He then looked for the person they belonged to, and friend the decea , :ed at the bottom of the bath. Dr. Oscor, who had made a post mertetu exarninaVon of the body, attributed the death to.drown ing in conjunction with a diseased heart. The jury re turned a verd et accordingly- STEPPING INTO SIR COLIN'S SHOES. —A correspondent of the Harker; to disprove a rumour that. the Com mander. in -Chief le in aI )w and desponding state of mind, relates the following anecotes of his excellency : " Tne other morning, on Sir Colin Campbell returning rather earli er than usual from his matutinal walk, he entered la s tent, and to his surprise discovered the chief of the stiff' tryin g on a very handsome pair of slippers that had been worked for him (sir Colin) by one of Scotland's bonnie lassies. His excellency did not exhibit the least annoyance, but observed in his dry way, 'Sae ye think pit bra stepping into my shoes, do ye and are practising a wee bit ti gee how they'll do, eh Mansfield ?' When the liahs ee Bab was reported et) have been taken, turning to General Minefield, gallant Scot cried out with honest pride, By —, like Caviar, _I can now &sem , ' my victory in three words—Nunc fortanatct3 sum.' (foe chief of the staff elid not understand his Excellency' j Why mon, dinna ye twig ? Nuac fiwtunatus Stini—P»l in Luck now ''' THEATitteALs IN THE Paovesess.—The Theatre Royal in Macclesfield has been opeqed under the mauagement of Mr. J. VV. Beeson, with a. numerous and tfficient corn ptheh among ‘Blmm Miss Leila Forester, of whom we have frequeo.ly hal occasion to speak in terms of commen dation, vends pre-mine:A. Is the "Bride of Lammer moor" Miss Forester acquits herself in the part of Lucy Aeliton very charmingly, and her personation of Mrs. Haller in " Tae'Stranger" was replete with pathos, and dist 7 nguished by its truthfulness to nature. Mies Fores ter's success was complete, she quite carried with her the feelings of her audience, and was honoured with loud and repeated marks of approbation, which, it must be ecknowleeged, were richly merited and most deservedly bestowed. We mark with pleasure the very rapid ad vance which this young lady is making towards the highest pasition in her profession, which, we may safely augur, she w 11 before very long succeed in achieving. Mr. Benson's Stranger was very effective, and the whole performance was good. L 4, TEST NE WS. TURIN, APRIL 27. The Chamber of Deputies - voted yesterday, by a great majority, the second article of the projet de loi on conspiracy against the life of a foreign So. vereign and on the con3titution of juries. CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 21. A heavy snow has fallen, and severe storms have caused many disasters in the Black Sea. The Lloyd's steamer Ferdinando has been wrecked at Varna. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY. The Conference assembled to-day to receive a co omunicat'on of the treaties between Russia and Turkey relative to the Asiatic frontier. Hai - der Effendi has received special powers from his government for the purpose. The four points to be settled are the following : The new Boundary Line between the Asiatic possessions of Turkey and Russia. The sanction of the regulations for the naviga tion of the Danube agraed to by the Riverain States at Vienna. The reorganisation of the D nubian Principalities on the basis of ancient treaties and the report of the Commissioners of the Great Powers. The dissolution of the International Commission on the navigation of the Danube and the devolve ment of its powers on the Riverain Commission sitting at Vienna. The conference which took place yesterday at the Hotel of Foreign Aff►irs, relative to a compen sa ion for M. Mors-, the inventor of telegraphic improvements, did not produce any results, aI3 the representatives of the Powers had not received in structions from their respective Governments. It is stated by parties who occasionally have access to official quarters that a considerable relaxa tion in the present system of administration is not merely probable, but certain. What is meant by a "considerable" relaxation is not known ; the relaxation• some mayesconsider important, others may think very slight. The new law, which in reality places the liberty of the citizen at the mercy of a Minister, is still severe, and still odious ; and it is doubted whether the change anticipated will comprise its abrogation. The Privy Council of Regency met yesterday, and the subject of their deliberation is said to have been the internal condition of the country Pro bably it was o❑ this occasion that the retirement of the Minister of the Interior was discussed. At all events, since then it is regarded as certain. Two or three persons are spoken of as his successor,—M. Vaisse, Prefect at Lyons, a good deal ; M. Ernest Ls Roi, Prefect at Rotten and senator, somewhat ; and M. Ilaussman, Prefect of the SAne, very little. Prince Napoleon is said tohave accepted the post of Governor of Algiers, under the title of Lieu tenant of the Emperor, instead of Viceroy. An Imperial decree, dated yesterday, prolongs the sitting of the Corps L.?gielatif from the Ist to the Bth May. BOURSE, April 28.—The following were the closing quotations : 4i per Cents 93 10 Do. end month 93 20 3 per Cent. . Do. end month 69 60 Bank Shares ... . Credit Mobilier 720 Do. Account 717 50 Credit Foncier Belgian 41 Piedmontese (5) Roman B9 Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt 3BB - FOR CASH. RAILWAYS. Orleans Northern New Ditto 7BO Lyon and Mediteran. 820 New Ditto .. 7.0 Midi Western 615 Strasburg Grand Central Sardinian Austrian Geneva 6:)74 PRUSSIA. The following is the speech of Baron Mauteuffel on closing the session of the Prussian Chambers : " Gentlemen,—Your deliberations for the lvi.lative period of this year are over. You have carefully ex amined the propsals submitted to you by the Govern ment, and, as regards most of them, the desired result has been obtained. "By placing at the disposal of the Government the necessary funds for the construction of a railway from Konigsberg by Insterbourg and Gumbinnen, and which commence i l linel joinof rail a l the wa at y R o nu to the i a the n net w o easternko s r k , you have enabled frontier destined s of From the execution of th e E as t ern R a ilway we may ex pect a beneficial influence, es peci a lly on th e c o mmerce and produc s of the p rov i nco o f P russ i a. to the monarchy. itto the "By approving the treaty of commerce and friend s',ip with the Persian Government, and the treaty of commerce and navigation with the Argentine Confedera tion, you have responded to the efforts of the Govern ment to procure for German commerce, even in die ant and transatlantic countries, neces:Ary protection and ulterior advantages, " You have given your constitutional consent to the convenion agreed upon between the Government of the Customs Union and relative to the duty on home-made sugar, and to the important duties ea sugar and mc lisses of foreign produc., and by that vote you recog nised the right and the necessity of increasing tu a just proportion the duty on beetrimt sugar as much as in the interest of consumers as in that of the public Treasury. "The project of law concerting the closing of banks of interest has been adopted. "The decree concerning the suspension of legal re strictions of the rate of interest was subsequently ap proved by you in consideration of the pressing circum stances which justified its promulgation. "The budget of the State has been in all its branches the subject of a searching investigation. In consequence of that investigation the credits which, according to the estimates of the Government, were asked for the public service, were granted without reduction. You have approved the final settlement of the budget of 1855, as also the excess of expense and ex'raordinary expenses, and you have sane tioned the same. _ _ _ "At the close of the present session the fourth legisla tive period has also reached its term. " If we cast a retrospective glaace at that period, we find there reasons for gratitude fur the protection and "'blessings our country has enjoyed, by God's grace, under the paternal rule of his Majesty the King. The threatening dangers of war have been removed from our -frontiers. Public prosperity has made visible progress, despite the obstacles thrown in its way by the dearness of provisions, which, after having lasted for some years, has now in a groat measure disappeared, and despite the unexpected stagnation of foreign trade. By the confidence with which the Government and the Parliament have met each other and given each other mutual support at critical moments, we have powerfully contributed to the consolidation and union of our country. after this, our satisfaction is oversh a d owe d b y t h e "If, sorrow we feel at the sufferings of his Majesty, which have not yet completely subsided, we may at least be allowed to entertain the well-founde I hope that the King, our master, may, with God's blessing, in conse quence of the progress of his convalescence towards com plete re-establishment, resume the reins of Government with renewed strength, and to the joy of all his faith ful subjects. At the same time all hearts are penetrated with the profound gratitude which his Maje-ty the King has expressed towards his R )yal Highness the Prince of Prussia for the devotion and fidelity with which his It )yal Highness accepted the delegation of the Royal powers, and has directed the regular march cf the affairs of Government for the welfare of the country. . . "On returning to your home, gentlemen, you will not cease beloved to invoke in the g King and d country , nd e Il e t a r yd s s w ic g of God shall a, 7, 1 a p y o u always o feelr united to you in those sentiments. " By order of his Majesty the King I declare that the session of the two Chambers of the Diet is closed." A new and vigorous effort is being made by the present English Cabinet to b! ing the King of Naples to reasonable c ance!sirio, through the channel of Prussian diplomacy. Austria is supporting ibis effort with great urgency, under the approh , niiun that a closer alliance between Sardinia and France may throw the whole Italian question into a new phase. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVEINING, APRIL 29, 1858. EGYPT. ALEXANDRIA, APRIL 19. The present month has been a busy one in respect to the traffic of steamers in the Red Sea, and, what between the regular mail-packets and extra boats and transports, the port of Suez has probably never before during an equal period re c ived so many steamers. Arno g these her Majesty's steamer Pylades has cailed, and left with the Siamese mission on its way homewards, an 1 the Cyclops has conic up to conduct a series of deep water soundings and 'general sur veying operations in the Red Sea, similar to those executed ou this side by the Tartaru-). The latter has also called at Alexandria on her way from Malta to Scauderoon to survey and take soundings in the gulf, and thence along the coast of Syria down to El Arish, the frontier town of Egyp t. Toe Panther, with the Llndon mails of the 9th inst., arrive I here on the 17th inst., and the Co lombo, from S)uthampton, came into port yester day. The Ori)ntal is still at Suez, and has on board part of the troops which came forward by the Ripon on the 10th inst. She awaits the arrival of the Bentres, now daily expected at Alexandria with another and a heavier instalment of men for India. The transit of the troops continues to be per formed with the utmost regularity, and with every regard to their comfort. Tha last batch per Ripon accomplished the jGurney from ship to ship in 21 hours. The efficiency of their arrangements in this respect is creditable to the Administration, but it shows also that, with proper precaution and care, the delays to which the ordinary transit passengers are often subjected are not unavoidable. With every wish to make due allowances for the difficul ties against which the Administration has to con tend, with an unfinished railway, and a scarcely organised service, it must be conceded that passen gers have, on more than one occasion, had just reason to complain of the detentions to which they have been subjected on the road. It is doubtful whether any railway was ever con structed offering as brilliant promise of returns for the capital invested in it as the line through Egypt which, independently of its being the highway be tween two wealthy and populous continents—or, indeed, between two hemispheres —passes through the heart of one of the most productive countries of the world, whose internal traffic alone, it might be supposed, would amply suffice to render the road self-supporting. And yet it is asserted that the line does not pay the expense of administration. The statement may be correct, and is partly explained en the ground that no ac connt whatever is taken of the services rendered to the Government of. Egypt in the transport of t roops, material, and scores of all kinds ; but, be this as it may, and without entering into any discussion of the question, no doubt can be entertained that with a moderately good management the railway will yet become a most lucrative source of revenue, besides being a real and valuable boon to the com merce of the country. That the public here is fully alive to this fact is proved by the satisfaction with which the announcement has been received that a double line between Alexandria and Cairo has finally been decided upon, and that, with a view to its commencement, a portion of the material has actually been ordered. The next requirement will be a large addition to the rolling-stock, after which it may safely be relied upon that not only all cause for complaint on the score of inadequacy of returns will absolu'ely cease, but that the Government will also be in a position to make such reductions in its charges as will render the railway truly valuable to the agricultural and commercial interests of the country. At present . the passenger fares are, per haps, higher than in any other country in the world, and the tariff for the carriage of goods would elsewhere bo looked upon as amounting to an ab solute prohibition, notwithstanding which, at all the principal stations - aloug the line may be seen piles of cotton bales and of other produce which the railway administration, with its present means, is totally unable to bring forward to the pout of ship ment. Within the last few clays there bas been a dis pute between the Transit Administration and the English engine -drivers, who have threatened to strike, not, however, so much for an advance of wages as for a reorganisation of their work. The Govarnment, it is said, have spoken of employing natives in their stead, but it is in the highest de gree unlikely that so dangerous a proposal will ever be permitted. _ A set of new police regulations for mor e effec tually controlling and keeping order among Ithe increasing European population of Alexan dria and Cairo has been published by the Eg}p tian authorities. The frequent recurrence of crimes of the gravest description has long render, d some thing of the kind an absolute necessity ; but fears have been expressed that many of the stringent rules that have been introduced, and especially those enforcing upon travellers and residents to be provided with passports and licenses, and the es tablishment at Alexandria and at Cairo of supple mentai y police boards, with officers who are to exercise a special surveillance over Europeans, may be more effectual in giving annoyance to respectable members of the community than in controlling the evil-disposed. The regulations have been framed under the immediate superintendence of the Euro pean consuls—in fact, the Viceroy had left tLe matter almost entirely iu their hands ; but this has not rendered the new measures less unpopular, the prominent part taken by some • representatives of absolute Governments, and the appointment of a French military officer as foreign police superinten dent at Alexandria, having spread fears among a numerous class of settlers lest the ends in view should be of a political nature as well as what they merely profess to be. I am, indeed, credibly in formed that an attempt was made by some of the consuls to introduce a rule which would have had the effect of excluding from Egypt all persons un provided wi h passports from their respective Go vernments, and that it was only in consequence of the protest made by the British' and American consuls that a clause was added authorising such persons to land on their receiving a permit from the Egyptian Government. With the exception of this abortive attempt, however, there appears to be no great foundation for the fears that have b eu so loudly expressed, but unless the police officials have the good sense to use proper discretion in the exercise of the right that is claimed for them to exact passports from all passengers arriving in Egypt before permitting them to land, and to enter hotels and other public houses, at whatever hour it may bt., pour y faire des perquisitions, their pro ceedings will inevitably constitute an intolerable nuisance to every English traveller who may land in this country, whatever may be his object. The Red Sea Steam Navigation Company, under the patronage of the Viceroy, has commenced active operations, A boat purchased in England is on its way round the Cape, and on the Mediterranean side we have already tad one or two departures ; but the line has opened most inauspiciously. Oue of the steamers, the Suez, purchased iu France by Monsieur de Lesseps, has been totally lost in the roadstead of Jaffa, and out of 51 persons upwards' of 30 have perished. Full details have not yet been received, but it appears that the whole of the native craw succeeded in saving themselves by swimming to the shore, and there is reason to fear that they abandoned thesbip in a panic on the first intimation of danger, thus depriving their officers of the assistance by means of which the calamity might perhaps have been averted. LITERATURE. The Sepoy evolt: Its Causes and its Consequences - - - By Henry Mead. Routledge. This work, it will be remembered, was published some months ago, and takes a retrospective view of the causes of the Indian mutiny. It traces much to the mismanagement of the Company, and cen sures Lord Canning strongly for the dilatoriness of his arrangements. In a preface to the second edi tion, the writer defends himself from some charges which have been brought against his work, and asserts the right of denouncing the conduit, which, he believes, has led to suoh disastrous results. His long residence in ILdia, and his connection with the Indian press, has, of course, given him many opportunities of verifying his statements and prov ing the truth of assertions and rumours. These circumstances invest his work with a degree of authority, and secu►e respEct and attention for Lis opinions. Though many will disagree with the extent of his views, his work in its present cheap and convenient form will be acceptable to a large class of readers. The History of England. By Lord Macaulay, Vol. VI. Longman. The sixth volume of this excellent ed , tion of Lord Macaulay's admirable History is now issued. As the public are already aware, the four large volumes of the first edition will be reproduced in seven small ones, and this delightful and valuable work will thus he placed within, the reach of a large circle of readers. The type and binding are all that can be desired, and we have no doubt that the reading public will gladly avail themselves of this opp ,rtunity of securing the History, in a form equally adapted to the library and the traveller. Autobiography of Lutfallah. Edited by E. B. Eastwick, F.R.S. Third edition. Smith and Elder. This work is a curiosity cf literature. It is the autobiography of a Mahomedan gentleman, writttn in English ; and the ability with which he has per formed his task is testified by the ready circulation of the book. It is now issued in a smaller and more commodious edition, and will , no d , main t tin its popularity. His remarks on European manners and society will amuse many readers more than his descriptions of his own countrymen, although they possess the attraction of novelty. The book is a very entertaining ono, both as regards the singularity of its authorship, and the flesh and original view it takes of life and manners among w. PROFESSOR WILJALBS FRIRELL. Amongst the numerous vi,itors who have ri 11 (430Uri;(1 the (in tae . ta r rtii , m , :nt, ' Two Hours ( f 2" by their presenc tier Grace the Dee tf Ma r lborou,,zh, r Grace the Duchess of Grafron, his Grace the Duke r f wellington, Marchioness of Thwnshire, Marchioness rd Sligo, Countess of Go4,rd, Countess Morella, Counteso. of Stamford and Warrington, • Countess of Daninor,, 111:4.qais (f Salisbury, Marquis of Lansdowne, Earl of Effing,harn; Earl of Denbigh. Earl of Erne, Earl Stan hope, Viscountess Canning, Viscount Somers, Viscount Melgund,' Lady Mary E;erton, Lady Villiers, Lady Munro, Lady Peel, Lady Carew, Lady Vernon, Lad Mildred y Lady Caroli ne Townley, Lady Grey, Laly Stracey. Lady Waster, Lady Ebrington, Lad d Curzon, Lard Piunnure, Lord George Beucierc, Lord A. Maur, L or d Ashburton, • Lord Lovaino, Lord Talbot, Baroness Goldsclimidt, Sir M . , and Lady Chol ruondeley, Sir Henry and Lady Rosa, Sir Win. and L•dy Heathcote, Sir Thos. and Lady Cunyn„ghain, Sir ()has. Napier, F. Cogan, E-q., M.P., M. Ricardo, Esq , Admiral Duncan, Ada iral Cochrane, Colonel Fielding, Colonel Thesiger, Captain Max , ,e Mr. Hope, Mr. Rawson Ki ng, M r. Mirehouse, dm Bradshaw, and Mrs. Bates. THE BUDGET. (Prom, the Derbyshire Courier.) Mr. Disraeli went down to the House of Commons on Monday evening a Chancellor in difficulties, woke up on Tuesday morning and "found himself," like Byron, famous." It is too late for us to give an opinion about his Budget. The country has already pronounced a decided verdict in its favour. Practical, sensible, satis factory, judicious, sound, business-like, and so on, has been reiterated by all parties in all parts of the country —from the Manchester Guardian down to the Times. A. more striking dissimilarity than that between the Chancellors' Budgets of 1852 and 1858 cannot be con ceived. One all imagination, the other all reality; one as intricate as a Chancery suit, the other as simple as a butcher's or baker's bill ; one all fiction, the other all fact. The country gentleman who " does not under stand accounts," and the Lombard-street Banker who declares that he " has nothing to do with the manage ment of the national finances," agree in affirming that Mr. Disraeli's statement is lucid and intelligible. The Budget has also this peculiar merit—it is adapted to the times. Just escaping from the effects of a most disastrous commercial crisis, the country canno t susta i n a fresh load of taxation, and abominates all fiscal changes and derangements. With a deficit of 3,990,000/. the Chancellor contrives to do nrxt to nothing. He feels that his "strength is to sit sill,' and be does so. Out of the four millions by which the revenue of the nation is deficient 1,500,000/. is due to the War Sinking Fund, and 2,000,000/. for the pay ment of Exchequer Bonds. Mr. Disraeli recommends that the arrangement for providing 1,500,000/, for the War Sinking Fued should be terminated, or at least suloended for the present ; and that the payment of the 2,000,000/ of Exchequer Bonds should also be post. polled. This may appear to some a rather lax method id getting out of a financial difficulty. But under the circumstances of the country it is unquestionably the most sensible and practical. In 1793, after a commercial crisis, Mr. Pitt b roug ht i n a bill to direct the issue of five millions of Exchequer-bills "to restore confidence and invigorate commerce." Two millions and a half were actually issued, and had, in a short time, the desired effect. The prosperity of the country was restored. In 1822, a period of severe dis tress, Lord Liverpool issued in loans to parishes, publie works, and the agricultural interest, no less than four millions steleing. Prosperity was brought back ; but only to be succeeded, when the circulation was violently contracted, by the panic of 1825. We are now under somewhat different circumstances. By the gold discoveries, bullion is largely provided as an extended basis for our circulating medium, and the obligation, by the Bank Charter Act, of the Bank to buy bulion without limit, is as this moment laying a foundation for cheap money, an extended circulating medium, and the revival of speculation. In the mean while Mr. Disraeli does not issue, as Mr. Pitt and Lord Liverpo )1 did, Exechequer Bills or State Money, but he allows the bonds already created and falling due to con tinue'out ; he make no additional pressure by. increased taxation on the rprings of national industry. And in thus acting, he doss what the emergency of the case and the circumstances of the country require. We entirely agree with what Mr. Disraeli says as to sinking funds in general, being "false in principle and most injurious in practice." The wonder is how any sys em so fallacious, absurd, and expensive, can so long have maintained its ground against the common sense of the country. There is but one way of payinglyour debts. Live within your income, and employ the savings of the year to lessen the debt incurred in former years. There is no new way of paying old dcbte, by sinking fund loans, mortgagee, or any other subtile device that is so cheap, so certain, and so wise, as the old fashioned method by which, whenever you have an odd ten thou sand in your pocket, you rush off immedistely to Mor decai or Overstone, and liquidate to thee xtent of your ability. Disraeli's budget is one of common sense. Let us be thankful that we are delivered from the fine-spun financial subtilties of the word-spinning Gladstone who allowed himself, with the ridiculous self.sifficiency of a dwarf to sneer at the "financial blunders "of Wil liam Pitt—the Giant. Let us rejoice that we have avoided the fangs of that incapable visionary, Sir George Lewis, who would have continued the higher rate of . income-tax, and pro Al ly placed * a new t axes, to support his only theories acid ci °tenets. One word about the new taxes. The equalisa tion of the duty on Irish spirits is a reasonable and just project. There will be some' opposition to the placing a penny stamp on Bankers' Cheques. We look upon cheques as forming a most useful addition to the circulating medium of the country. They are daily increasing in number, and serve to economise the currency, and facilitate the inter; change of commodities, We should be sorry to see any measure passed tending to restrict the use of Bankers' Cheques. We think the plan of an uniform stamp better than that of having a smaller charge for trifling amounts. But why should the stamp be a penny ? We suggest to Mr. Disraeli that it should be a halfpenny ; and we incline to think that it will then meet with little opposition, and that the revenue will gain more than it would by a penny stamp. Without the slightest reference to the patty by whom it is brought forward, we venture then to add our con tribution of approval of the Budget of the present Ad ministration, It is good for the country, and will strengthen the feeling of confidence in Ministers. There is a general impression now gaining ground, that they deserve at, the very least, a fair trial. THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO BIRIIINGHALIL We are now able to state that the Mayor will receive her Majesty at the Railway Station, and after conduct ing the illustrious v i s it ors to the Town-ball where a congra'ulatory address will be presented by the corpora tion, the Royal cortege will be escorted to the People's Park, at Aston. It is, we believe, the intention of the General Pur poses Committee to propose Dale-end, Stafford-street, and Aston-street, as the route to be taken by her Ma jesty in going to the Park, but there is a strong feeling that on her return the route should be varied, so as to allow of the Royal progress being witnessed by the • largest possible number of spectators. The General Purposes Committee will not be able to submit to the Corporation a complete sketch of the arrangements until her Majesty's approval has been obtained. For the principal decoration that of the Town-hall artists have been invited to compete, but the design of Mr. J. W. Ingram, of Birmingham, by whom the permanent de corations of the hall were executed, if adopted, will ren der the Queen's reception a most imposing ceremony, It is already decided that the Queen shall enter the Hail by the centre door in Paradise•street, and at once pass into the ladies' cloak-room, which will be fitted up as a reception-room. From this room her Ma jesty will enter the Hall by the centre door, and pro ceed to take her place on the throne, which will be erected eider a canopy in front of the orchestra. The design to which we have referred proposes to cover the whole of the floor with Brussels carpet, of the pattern of that used in the House of Lords. Up the centre of the Hall will be laid a broad marone velvet pile carpet, bordered by rich gold coloured fringe. This carpet will lead to a semi-circular dais, which will be raised three steps from the floor. On the dais will be placed the Throne and a chair of state for the Prince Consort. Above all will rise a superb canopy, surmounted by a royal Crown, and draped with the richest violet Utrecht velvet, lined and trimmed with white silk. The upper part of the canopy will be dome-shaped, and great variety of form and colour will be gained by the use of tastefully-shaped vallances, by a mysterious upholstery operation called "tufting," and by the use of gold coloured silk cords and fringes. On the silk lining" of the canopy will be emblazoned, in gold, the royal arms. Behind the canopy will be grouped, in graceful folds, the royal and national standards, and the flags of na tions in alliance with England. On either aide, reach ing from the floor to the orchestra, it is proposed to arrange a grand display of flowers. It is proposed to decorate the gallery fronts either with gilding or with a shaped valiance of crimson velvet ; and it is also pro posed to hang festoons of d rapery from pier to pier of the pilasters which rise from the galleries'. The space beneath the galleries is intended to be screened off with maroce cloth, end in front of this screen two tiers of seats will be erected for ladies. If this design should be carried out in its integrity, the Hall will look more gorgeous, and at the same- time elegant than any room in which the Queen has yet been received. As to the arrangements for her Majesty's reception at Aston nothing is known-beyond the fact that the Mayor intends to provide a splendid elejeuner, to which her Maje-ty will be invited, and also a gran d b anquet, in the evening, to the principal visitors to the town. All the arrangeineots are proceeding satisfactorily. Seldom has energy, so great, been shown as is now manifested by the spirited and truly worthy Mayor, Mr. John Ratcliff, who does honour to the town, and whose liberal disposition has been so strongly exemplified, both in the first, and now in the second year of his mayoralty. When such gentlemen are selected to fill the important office eif Chief etagi , trate, it tends to ra i se the impor tance of the borough, and i nvariably produ ces on th e c itntry at large feelings respect. Such has been by the example of the present Mayor, and we may venture to say that Birmingham was never held in such estimation as it has been during the last two years. We hear this repeated from all quarters, and the popularity which the Mayor has won fur himself must be permanent. At a ineetieg of the Town Council, held on Tuesday, 3,000/. were voted towards the expenses for the recep tion of her Majesty; but we understand that this will scarceiy cover ball the expenses, as the Mayor, with his usual liberality, is determined to carry out the arrange ments to an unusual extent of grandeur. • ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE IN MALTA.-00 Wednesday, April 14, at eleven minutes to seven a,m. a slight shock of an earti quake was generally felt throughout this i,land, and In some places brought down the whitewash and plaster of the ceilings of houses, and this was par ticularly observed in the buildings of the dockyard. Some few individuals assert having also felt a shock at about five ece di g the mornin g, and anot h er at e l even the night preceding. Tae cveather was Excessiv e ly su lt r y r and oppressive, and pi.rticularly so during the night, when an unusual stianeAs prevailed in the atmosphere. Th., sky was very darkened, and cocasionally large drop. of rain fell. On Thunday afternoon the sky again became overcast, and we were visited by several re fre6bing showers. As rain is much needed at the present moment by the country people to moisten the parched oii and assist vegetation, it WE, hoped that we were .oout to have a good fall ; but the clouds soon disap- Fared without affording that supply of the precious element so devoutly wished for, and for which in most f the Island prayers have been offered up to the Almighty for some weeks past.