The Sun. — London, England, 1859-04-28 00:00:00

t-filT, OPERA-COL .(YNNADE HOTEL (late Feuilla.cle's), Charles- otreet, Haymarket, IS NOW OPEN. ---- RoYAL PRINCVSS'S THEATRE. tr:_ider the Management f Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be piesented Shakspeare's historical play of KINO HENRY V. King Henry' y.,Mr.C. Kean; Chorus, Mrs. C. Kean. HEATRE-ROYAL' H AY MARKET. -- J. Bulkstone- Lessee, ISt. ; l3 • ,orformed t e new and original THIS EVENING will be p Comedy, entitled THE WORLD AND THE STAGE. The characters b Messrs. Compton, Bmkstone, solve, W. Far ren,Rogers ;Miss Amy Sedgwick, Ste. After which, a NEW lassical Extravaganza, titled ELECTRA IN A ELEC TRIC LIGHT. Mesb'''s. Compton, Braid, Clark, Mrs. Wilkins, Misses Fanny Wright, Eliza Weekes, and Louisa Ledlercq. RRY- And A DAUGHTE TO MA R Commence at 7. -xT-EW THEATRE - RO"L, ADELPHI. .1-11- S o le Proprietor and Manager, Mr. _Beni. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE SERIOUS FJOULY. Messrs. B. Webster, Billington, Toole ; Miss Woolgar, Miss Sims. After which, THE DEVIL ON TWO STICSS,,• Mr. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford , Misses Woolgar , Keeley, Arert, and Kate Kelly. Followed by THE PRETTY GIRLS OF STILBERZ " ' Mr. B. Webster, 13illington, Ebarne, Misses Woolgar, KecleY, and Arden. Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith. Doors open at a quarter-past six—Commence at seve fe n. es Box Office open from 10 to 5 -no charge for b oo king. No to servants permitted. A registry kept of all articles found. ROYAL STRAND TiIEATRE Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborongh THIS EVENING will be produced a new Comedietta, by J. M. Morton, Esq., entitled WHICH OF THE TWO ? supported by the company. After which, THE MA ID AND THE MAGPIE. To conclude with VANDYKE BROWN. Mr. J. Clark, and Miss M. Ternan. Commence at 7o'clock. ASTLEYS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Westminster-road. Lessee and Manager Mr. William Cooke. SPLE-SDID EASTER NOVELTIES. THIS EVENING, the performances will commence with a new grand spectaci'e, founded on Sir Walter Scott's popular work,. entitled IVANZI r The Lists of Ashby, intro ducing among the vast resources of this great Hippodramatic Temple,Tournarnents, PisOcessions, Banners, Combats, Tilts, Victories, and Achievemes'ts in extraordinary magnificence. Ivanhoe, Mr. It. ; I.4taae of York, Mr. Jas. Holloway; Richard of England, Mr. Hebert ; Rebecca, Miss Bathurst. After which, the matchless And unrivalled SCENES IN THE CIRCLE, introducing MY.. John Henry Cooke, the f, , Teatest equestrian in the world together with Miss Emily Cooke, Madame Blanche. Madame Bridges, Madlle. Fleurette, and Madame Francisco, being . the greatest amount of female equestrian talent ever seen in one night in any theatre. Grotesques—Messrs. Hemming and Thorne. To conclude with the Farce of BATHING. Dress Circle, 4s. ; Boxes, 35 . ; Pit, s 2, ; Gallery, is . ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Private Boxes, .£1 4s, £2 2s, sad is. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips fIANTEREURY HALL AND FINE ARTS ‘..) GALLERY, -Westivinster-road.—Open at Seven. EVERY EVENING during the week will appear THE DELEFIERRE FAMILY, consisting of three Juvenile Violinists, viz., Jules, Juliette, and Julia. Delepierre. aged, respectively, FOUR, SIX, and EIGHT years. The perfect execution by these Lilliputian Artistes of some of the most difficult and brilliant Solos, Duets, and Trios ever written for the violin, has excited mingled wonder and admi ration in Continental Musical Circles, and drawn forth enthu siastic tributes of praise from the Public Journals of France and Belgium. They will perform EVERY EVENING, at • NINE and ELEVEN o'clock, in addition to the usual Entertainments. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, APRIL 2. THERMOMETER, IN THE tiIIADE. 53—highest since noon yesterday. 52—lowest this morning and during the night. ;53—this day at noon. BanomErzu-29.60. WIND, Easterly; fresh and cold, with weather. Half-past Two—Wind shifted to S.E., with rain. Ther mometer-50. ~ .. ...- • ....V, 'S . 44 4? 11; 4 f - " wt. GLU I. t . ,,. • 1 44 '' • , • .;; . rc ' e.., • - l'ep:' i 4 • ' ~. 4. . ..r I k . '.': 44 q, t', -- - 1-- -. ,:,-, ks ~‘,.0, -...4: ‘ ,.•.:',, , , : ~ ' ~ , , , er. ' , k4c l ^4lo, p „lirsi ti p -. ~.p.HC ' ',' , be-• 'Et • v.! '- 4 if: 0 700) , ..' 1).no rr ,-._ , ~.. ': 70 , . 110 0 , ^s ' THE SUN. THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1859. A vile and atrocious conspiracy has been brought to light ; a gross and infamous system of Imperial mendacity and deception has been clearly exposed. Russia and France, the quondam opponents of the Crimea, the two great aggressive Powers, have, it appears, entered into a treaty, offensive and defen sive, for the purpose of disturbing the tranquillity of Europe, and monopolising the entire control and government of the civilised world. Poor, weak, foolish Sardinia has • suffered itself to be made a tool, and to play the game of its ambitious and unscrupulous neighbour. It will have bitter cause to lament its credulity and reckless folly. It will afford a new illustration of the old fable of the Giant and the Dwarf—the former obtaining all the glory and substantial rewards, the latter the wounds and injuries which too frequently devolve on the aspirants for military distinction. VICTOR EMMA NUEL will speedily find, to his cost, how fruitless was the sacrifice of his poor young daughter. Perhaps the most unfortunate event that could happen to him and the kingdom over which he rules would be the success of the cause in which he has so rashly engaged. Piedmont is in too tempting proximity to France, possesses too strong a seaboard on the Mediterranean, to escape from the clutches of its faithful ally in the event of the an ticipated partition, the terms whereof are probably arranged. It is positively asserted that France and Russia have entered into two secret Treaties. That by the former Russia binds herself, in the event of war between France and Austria, to assist the former by the co-operation of her fleets in the Baltic and the Mediterranean,' and also to place an army, of observation of not less than 50,000 men on the Austrian frontier. It would be well to know at what particular period those engagements were entered into. Was it before Russia made her hypocritical proposition for THE BUBBLE CONGRESS in the interests of peace, when she pretended to be using every exertion to promote the views of Eng land and Prussia, and to avert the hostilities so greatly to be deprecated by every nation ? If so, what can be thought of such abominable treachery and falsehood—of conduct which would banish a private individual for ever from all honourable society, and affix an indelible brand on the fair fame of any nation that could perpetrate such outrageous atrocity ? _ _ _ Against whom are the Russian fleets in the Baltic and the Mediterranean to be directed? Cer tainly not against any Germanic Power. Neither Austria nor Prussia, aided and abetted by the whole Confederation, could bring any naval squadron for Ward capable for a moment of with standing the French navy, It is, it can only be, England that is aimed at. Our good and faith ful friend and ally wishes to strengthen the Cherbourg squadron, so as to enable it to set Great Britain at defiance on the element of which she was so long the undisputed ruler, and, possibly, to avenge .Waterloo by one grand coup, when Austria had been blotted from the map of Europe, and the Russian flag was displayed on the Byzantine minarets. The AUTOCRAT has his own game to play, and, possibly, Louis NAPOLEON may dis cover in time that the course is not quite so smcoth as he has anticipated,- and that there are other instances of the " biter bit, " and of " the engineer hoist with his own petard." England, however, will not shrink f rom any contest that may be forced on her. She will still maintain her mari time supremacy, despite any coalition that may be formed. In that respect she will never be found wanting, and " The flag that braved a thousand years, The battle and the breeze" will still float proudly over British seamen, as able and willing to fight as the most distinguished of their predecessors. The second treaty, and which is probably of more recent date,. provides that Russia is bound to declare war against Austria "within fifteen days after she (Austria) enters Piedmont." This con tingency has already occurred. On Tuesday night 120,000 Austrian soldiers crossed the Ticino in three corps d'armee. The bridge of Buffillora, over which they had just passed, was br,lowu up. • They were taking the road towards Novara and also by Blategriesso, through Vigevano and Mortara, and were moving directly on Turin. Several divisions of the French Army had also disembarked at Genoa, while others were proceeding by Mont Cenis. Meantime, the Sardinian troops had abandoned the province of Novara to the tender mercy of the advancing enemy and retired on Sesia. It is doubtful whether they will be able, or the French troops be in time to check the onslaught on Turin, and it is by no means clear that VICTOR EMMANUEL will not ere long have ample cause to exclaim " save me fr6Tl my friends !" He may find the French auxiliaries given more formidable than his Austrian opponents. As lwe have already stated, Sardinia is likely to endure a large proportion of the suffer ings accompanied by a very infinitesimal part of the rewards ; or, to use the vulgar but expressive phrase, to receive far " more kicks than halfpence" :41 consequence of her inequitable and impolitic Iconduct. vv it i s certain that Austria discerned the duplicity of France, and the designs of Russia, and this knowledge ooes far to justify the course she has pursued. She at once perceived the mockery of the proposed Congress, and therefore endeavoured to make conditions which would have diminished the evils of delay. Even when England, on Monday Let, renewed her offers of mediation she promptly acceded to the proposition. France, however, finding the time for casting aside disguise had arrived, refused her assent. The EMPEROR has made up his mind, and will not be diverted from his determination by any possible conse quences that may occur to himself, his dynasty, or his subjects. It is estimated that the general depreciation in the funded and share property of the country even since yesterday morning amounts to no less than fifty millions sterling, while all foreign securities are practically unsaleable at any price. Matters are even worse in France. There is a complete panic on the Bourse, and all those evils are produced by the criminal ambition of one restless and designing man, who seeks to cement his dynasty by the blood of his innocent subjects. Let the base chastise the base ! Never was there an instance of juster retribution than the present position of Austria and Prussia. They both, when Russia was the great aggressor, saved themselves, at the cost of almost all Europe. Both of them confessed that Russia was in the wrong ; if either of them had thrown its sword into the scale of right, the sword would never have been drawn ; even proud NicHoLAE.2 would have not felt dishonoured in yielding to three great Empires, much less in yielding to four. But Prussia was married to Russia, and Austria was married to self ; for their own purposes both threw overboard all considerations of honour, and of loyalty to the interests of Europe and of humanity, and now the very power which they ought to have stopped in its unjust career, places its armies in observation on their frontiers. As England cannot have forgotten, nothing could surpass the selfishness, meanness, and cowardice of these two powers. Prussia not only recalled her noblest ambassador from England, because he sympathised with the views and feelings of this country, and spurned the idea of his country being a matrimonial appanage of Russia, but she also became, to her own great commercial profit, the carrier between Russia and such portions of Europe as were still disposed to trade with her. Austria, from be ginning to end, did nothing but play fast and loose with all her engagements, now seeming ready to act, now withdrawing. Advancing if Russia re treated, halting if Russia halted, and retreating if Russia advanced—her one single object during the whole war was self. She only hoped she might strengthen her own position, whoever was weakened. She forgot equally gratitude to Russia for Hungarian services (services to her, bad as they were in themselves), and her duty towards Europe —to save her own pocket, yet to gain the benefit of getting Russia out of the Principalities. She has her reward ! Russia now insults her in her distress, and Europe says, "It's your due." Perhaps, if the fray_goes on, as it will almost certainly do, Prussia may begin to look to England for help. If French and Russian ships blockade her Baltic ports, or convey her little toy navy to Cronstadt or Cherbourg, we shall be asked to inter vene. But this time all England will pronounce an amphatic No, which no Government, not even if his Royal Highness - goes down on his knees to the Prime Minister, will dare to disregard. This time it will be ours, to save our pockets and to stand on our own defence. The nation did not marry Prussia, and did not even like its Princess Royal marrying a Prussian Prince; and we can never tolerate being plunged into war in any fbrm, to aid a country which more than indi rectly was the cause of the Russian war. Prussia must take her chances. She has no occasion to fight. Her Rhenish provinces are not attacked ; if she keeps quiet, as we shall, they will not, in all likelihood, be attacked. We must leave Prussia to herself ; she will then be obliged to leave Austria to herself, and Austria between France and Russia, with Italy on her flank, must iu no long time come to terms. Our course, as a nation, is clear to every capa- city. The cost of doubling our navy would not equal the cost, probably, of the first year's war. On the other hand, if we strengthen ourselves while the despots are fighting away their resources, we shall be relatively stronger every day. We have nothing to fear but from the combination of the French and Russian fleets against us, and all we have to do is, while they are busy with their present game, to play our.own, and to take care that they shall in no emergency catch us napping. We have no fear, indeed, that at this moment we could not send the combined Russian and French fleets beneath their gu ns as of ol d , or give a go o d account of them if they came from under their shelter ; but nothing ought to be left to chance, and England, therefore, will make her navy in vincible, and await the event. Worse for Italy things cannot be than they are ; and, though we should deprecate merely a change of external masters, few will think that, after all, the vivacious French would not be preferable to the brutal Austrians. We heartily join with, we believe, the entire public in reprobating the reckless proceedings of a small knot of men at the Marylebone election. Were the candidates, who till the last moment had no right to expect opposition, Whig or Tory, Chartist or Radical, the proceedings adopted were wholly inexcusable. We can hardly think any respectable parties would ever imitate them ; but all parties are not respectable, and the voice of public censure ought to be so strong as to make even the most wanton afraid to face it. In the present case there is not the shadow of an excuse. There was no earthly hope of r et ur ning the absent can didate, and that candidate himself repudiates the use of his name. Indeed, especially after what has taken place in the City, it was a piece of gross rudeness and ill-breeding to connect Lord STAN LEY'6 name with a futile and factious contest for a THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 28, 1859. metropolitan borough. If elected even, his lord- ship would not accept the seat, He would not auit the borough which elected him when absent in America, and in which Liberals as well as Tories arc his cordial supporters, for a borough with which he can have no particular sympathies, and from which he might be again ejected, which can never be the case at Lynn. But the mover and seconder, and the one person in the crowd who held up his hand for him, never contemplated his being elected. Nothing was intended but to put Sir BENJAMIN HALL and Mr. EDWIN JAMES to a perfectly needless expense—to re-enact, in deed, so far as lay in their power, the property qualification, which even Tories had joined in repealing. Would it not be a fitting rebuke that every farthing of the expense should be met by a public subscription ? It would be nothing-to the many, though the sum is considerable for two gentlemen—one of them only a professional man. But the chief object would be to censure in the best way left open the shameless attack on the pockets of the candidates. LATEST NEWS. Viceroy, in consequence of which the public func tionaries have been instructed to assist in forward ing the preliminary works of the Suez Canal. The Governors of Damietta and Alexandria have been ordered to admit vessels with materials for the canal operations free of duty. The Progresso d'Egitto has been ordered not to publish any more articles on the Suez Canal under taking. The agent of France is said to have received in structions to declare emphatically the approval of his Government of the project. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY. Up to a late hour to-day Baron Hubner had not asked for his passports. It is understood that he is not to do so until France recalls the French Embassy from Vienna. It appears to be the desire of the Austrian Cabinet that Napoleon 111. should first declare war. A telegraphic despatch reached Paris last night saying that the Grand Duke of Tuscany had bolted to Portaferrajo, in the island of Elba. It appears some members of the Government and army of Tuscany let the Grand Duke know their intention not to permit the Austrians to occupy any Italian ground over which he rules. A number of persons assembled in the streets, and cried " Long Live Piedmont." The military joined them, and it soon became evident that Florence was for Italy, and not for Austria. The Grand Duke fled, as well as the Jesuitical members of his Cabinet, News from Naples announce that the King is sinking gradually. Disturbances are mentioned as having taken place at Palermo, and in consequence of which several arrests had been deemed necessary. Letters from Madrid:announce that the sympathy of the Spaniards is entirely in favour of the cause of Italy. They also mention the recal of the sol diers who are en conge. Volunteers are leaving Greece for Piedmont according to a despatch from Athens. The Senate assembled yesterday, M. Troplong in the chair. Prince Napoleon was present. M. Fould, Minister of State, was introduced with the usual ceremonial, and read a statement of the late diplo matic negotiations similar to that presented in the other Chamber. This communication was followed by repeated cries of " Vive l'Empereur !" The sitting was then brought to a close. The following is the statement made on Tuesday by Count Walewski, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the Ceirps Legislatif. The statement was drawn up by order of the Emperor : " The state of Italy, aggravated by the administrative measures adopted in. .the . Lombardo -Venetian Kingdom, had determined the. Austrian Government to make, since last December, armaments which soon assumed a character sufficiently threatening to arouse the most serious alarm in Piedmont. " The Government of the Emperor did not see those difficulties arise without showing itself anxiously occu pied as regards the consequences they might have for the peace of Europe. Not being in the case of intervening directly to propose itself the means to prevent them, it nevertheless eagerly welcomed the overtures which were made to it. Full of confidence in the sentiments of the Government of her Britannic Majesty, as well as in the in telligence of her Ambassador at Paris, the Government of the Emperor sincerely applauded the mission of Lord Cowley to Vienna as a first attempt of a nature to prepare a rapprochement, and it was with no less real satisfaction that it learnt that the ideas exchanged between the Am bassador of England and the Austrian Government were of a nature to provide elements for negotiations. "The proposition to hold a Congress, presented at the same moment by Russia, responded most happily to that situation, by calling the five Powers to participate equally in the discussion of a question of European interest; the Government of the Emperor did not hesitate to make known that it adhered to that proposition. "In adhering to it likewise, the English Government deemed it advisable to precise the bases of the eventual de liberations of the Congress. Those bases are 1. To determine the means by which peace may be maitained between AuStria and Sardinia. "2. To establish how the evacuation of the Roman States by the French and Austrian troops could be best effected. “3. To examine whether it is suitable to introduce re forms into the internal administration of those States and of the other States of Italy, whose administration should offer defects that should tend evidently to create a perma nent and dangerous state of trouble and discontent, and what such reforms should be. "4. To substitute for the treaties between Austria and the Duchies a confederation of the States of Italy between themselves, for mutual protection, internal as well as ex ternal. "The Government of the Emperor displayed as much eagerness in acquiescing without reserve in those bases of the negotiaton as it had shown in accepting the proposition of a Congress. "The Austrian Government had, - on its side; given its assent to the 'meeting Of a Congress, accompanying it with some observations, but without making formal and absolute conditiens, and . everything seemed to lead to the hope that the negotiations might shortly be opened. " The Cabinet of Vienna had spoken of the previous dis armament of Sardinia as of a measure indispensable to assure calm in the • deliberation, • and it made it, later, an absolute condition *ails participation in the Congress. This demand having given rise to unanimous objections, the Cabinet .of. Vienna. substitnted in . its stead the proposition of a general and immediate disarmament by adding it.as a sth point to the bases of the negotiations. " Thus, gentlemen, while France had successively ac cepted, without hesitation, all the 'propositions which had been preSented to her,*Austria, after having appeared dis posed to lend herself to the negotiations, raised unexpected difficulties. "The Government of the Emperor did not the less per severe in the sentiments of conciliation which it had taken as a guide to its conduct. The English Cabinet, continuing to occupy itself with the most honest solicitude with the means of obviating the delays which the question of the dis armament brought to the meeting of the Congress, had thought that the sth point brought forward by Austria might be satisfied if the principle of the general disarma ment were immediately admitted, agreeing to regulate the execution at the opening itself of the deliberations of the Plenipotentiaries. " The Government of his Majesty consented to accept that combination. There remainad, however, to be deter mined if, in that state of things, it was necessary that Sar dinia herself should subscribe previously to the principle of the general disarmament. It did not appear that such a condition could be imposed upon the Sardinian Government if it was excluded from the deliberations of the Congress; but this very consideration offered elements of a new com bination which, perfectly conformable to the principles of justice, did not seem likely to give rise to objections. The Government of the Emperor declared to the English Go vernment that it was disposed to induce the Cabinet of Turin to give itself its assent to the principle of the gene ral disarmament, provided that all the Italian States should be invited to take part in the Congress. "You are already aware, gentlemen, that, modifying that svggestion in a manner to conciliate all susceptibilities, the Government of her Britannic Majesty presented a last proposition; based upon the principle of the .general,-simul taneous, and immediate clisarmament. The execution thereof was to be regulated by a Commission, in which Piedmont should be represented. The Plenipotentiaries should meet as soon as that Commission should itself have met, and the Italian States should be invited by the Con gress to sit with the representatives of the Five Great Powers in the same manner as at the Congress of Laybach in 1821. " The Government of the Emperor wished to manifest again its conciliatory dispositions by adhering to that pro position, which was also accepted without delay by the Courts of Prussia and of Russia, and to which the Pied montese Government also declared itself ready to conform. " Yet, at the very moment when the Government of the Emperor thought it might nourish the hope of a definitive entente, we learnt that the Court of Austria refused to ac cept the proposition of the Government of her Britannic Majesty, and addressed a direct summons to the Sardinian Government. While, on the one side, the Cabinet of Vienna persists in not consenting to the admission of the Italian States to the Congress, the meeting of which it thus renders impossible, on the other hand it demands from Piedmont to place her army on a peace footing and to dis band her volunteers—that is to say, to concede without delay, and to Austria alone ' that which it had already granted to the Powers, under the sole reserve of coming to understanding an with them about it. " I need not bring into relief the character of this step nor dwell longer upon R to demonstrate the sentiments of moderation, which, on the contrary have never ceased to animate the Government of the Emperor. If the re iterated efforts of the four Powers to maintain peace have met with obstacles, our conduct publicly attests that those obstacles did not come from France. Finally, gentlemen, if war is to be the result of the pre sent complications, the Government of his Majesty will have the firm conviction of having done everything which its dignity allowed it to prevent that extremity, and it is not upon it that the responsibility can be made to rest. The protestations which the Governments of Great Britain, of Russia, and of Prussia have addressed to the Court of Austria attest that full justice is already rendered to us in that respect. • " In presence of this state of things, if Sardinia is menaced, i if, as everything leads it to be presumed, her ter ritory is invaded, France cannot hesitate to respond to the appeal of a nation her ally, to which she is bound by com mon interests and traditional sympathies, regenerated by a recent confraternity in arms and by the union contracted between the two reigning Houses. c 4 Thus, Gentlemen, the Government of the Emperor, strong in the constant moderation and the spirit of concilia tion Which have never ceased to inspire it, calmly awaits the course of events, having the confidence that its conduct in the different phases (neripeties) which have recently suc ceeded each other, will Meet kith the unanimous approval of raF9 0,4 of Europe,. 21 7 031INATIONS (THIS DAY). LAMBETH. The election of two fit and proper persons to represent the borough of Lambeth took place this day, at hustings erected near Kennington Park. The only candidates were W. Williams, Esq., and W. Roupell, Esq., the late members. The RETURNING OFFICER, having gone through the usual routine duties, called upon the electors to select their representatives. • - - " Mr. J. W. STRATTON proposed and Mr. J. H. LYON seconded, William Williams, Egg. Mr. GROVE nominated, and Mr. H. R. HARRINGTON seconded William Roupell, Esq. No other candidates being brought forward, the Return ing Officer declared both gentlemen duly elected. Mr. Wuzums, in the course of a most able speech, thanked the assemblage for again sending him to parlia ment, and said his past line of conduct, which had secured to him the good opinion of the electors of the borough of Lambith, would be a sufficient guarantee for the future. Mr. ROUPELL, after thanking the electors for having re elected him, said he was, in some degree, sorry that parlia ment had been dissolved at the moment it had been ; but, on the other hand, he was pleased, because he did not think that a parliament, elected as the late one had been, was at all calculated to deal with so important a question as Parliamentary Reform. (Cheers.) He felt certain the response of the country to the appeal now made to it would basuch that nothing but a large and compre hensive measure of reform would satisfy. The aspect of affairs abroad was such as called for the greatest activity and caution on our part, but if they kept the navy in an efficient state they had nothing to fear. It was usual in time of war to greatly value our brave tars, but when peace came then they were looked upon as useless, but he felt such was not the way to keep the ships of England efficiently manned, and the sailor must be as much cared for in the time of peace as he had hitherto been in the time of war. The aspect of foreign affairs was at the present moment alarming, but the true course for England to pursue was not to interfere; as she was too fre quently disposed to do whenever a quarrel arose between two foreign despots. (Loud cheers.) He did not at pre sent pay any attention to the feat of invasion, but if that day should ever dawn, he for one would be ready to shoulder as Inualxot, and to lope' Llicßast. Frenchman that dare vet his hostile foot upon the shores of England. (Loud cheers.) This was the first time an election for Lambeth had been concluded without a contest ; and ho thought, in order to mark the event, his colleague would not refuse to join him in defraying the expense of erecting a Gurney fountain. (Loud cheers.) A vote of thanks to the returning officer terminated the proceedings. THE INVASION OP PIEDMONT BY AUSTRIA. BLOWING UP OF THE BRIDGE OF BUFFALORA. BERNE, APRIL 28. The French troops experience difficulties in crossing Mont Cenis. 4,000 workmen are engaged clearing the pass of immense masses of snow. 120,000 Austrians have crossed the Ticino, of whom 30,000 are under the command of General Gyulai ; 60,000 under General Benedeck, and 30,000 under General Mel. The Sardinians have retired from Palanza to th© western bank of the river Sesia. General Bontemps, the General of Division in the Canton Tessin, has requested reinforcements. PARIS, THURSDAY, 11 A.M. The Austrians have not moved forward, at the request of the English Government. --Morning Post (Second Edition). The following telegrams have been received at Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, APRIL 28. The 3loniteur of this day contains the following : The corps d'arnzee which has been placed under the command of Prince Napoleon, will shortly be assembled at Toulon. General Regnault Angely retains command of the Imperial Guard. The Constitutionnel says that the news of a treaty offensive and defensive between France and Russia is without foundation. TURIN, APRTL 27. News from Tuscany allege that certain superior officers of the Tuscan army had endeavoured to prevail on the Grand Duke Leopold either to con clude an alliance with Piedmont or to abdicate, but it is further asserted that the Grand Duke had preferred to quit Tuscany. Additional Tuscan news, received this afternoon, report that Victor Emmanuel has,been proclaimed Dictator of Tuscany. Prince Carignan has been appointed Lieutenant-General of Piedmont during the war. French troops have disembarked at Genoa, and are everywhere received with enthusiasm. BERNE, April 27. During last night the Austrian army, amounting to 120,000 men, under the command-in-chief of General Gyulai, passed the Ticino in three corps d'arniee, namely, one corps of 60,000, commanded by General Beodeck ; a second of 30,000, com• manded by General Gyulai in person ; and a third, of 30,000, under General Zobel. The bridge of Buffalora has been blown up. BERNE, April 27. It is fully confirmed that the Austrians passed the Ticino last night over the bridge of Buffalora, taking the road towards Novara by Blategresso through Vigevano and Mortara. PARIS, April 27. The Patrie states that according to all proba_ bility the direction of the Austrian army is towards Turin. Advices have been received that several divisions of the French army have disembarked at Genoa. TURIN, April 27. A Royal Proclamation by the King of Sardinia to the Army wa.3 published to-day at five o'clock p.m. The following is a summary : The King regards the demand to disarm as an outrage on himself and the nation, and has, there fore, repelled the demand with disdain. The King calls to mind Italy's cry of anguish, and says :—" I will be your captain ; I have proved your valour on the field of battle by the side of my Must! ious father." This time you will have for your comrades the gallant French soldiers, your companions on the Tchernaya, whom the Emperor has sent to defend and support our just and civilising cause. Forward to victory ! Let our banner announce to you that our object, like our war-cry, is the " Independence of Italy." Up to noon the Austrians had made no offensive movement. BERLIN, April 27. The Neue Preuissische Zeitung (Kreuz Zeitung) states that Denmark is said to have concluded during the last few days a treaty, offensive and de fensive, with France. BERNE, April 27. The Federal Diet has just received the following telegram from the General of Division Bontetnps, dated Bellinzona, to-day :--" The Austrians crossed the Ticino last night." The Sardinian troops yesterday quitted Pallanza on the Lago Maggiore, and retired to (the ?) Sesia. The province of Novara has also been abandoned. The Austrians have taken their departure from Varese, but have left 600 men at Laveno. DRESDEN, April 27. The Dresden Journal announces that France has not given her consent to England's last proposal to act as mediator. TRIESTE, APRIL 28. Advices have been received from Alexandria to the 18th inst. M. de Lesseps has had an interview with the WESTMINSTER. The nomination of citizens to represent the city and liberty of Westminster took place this morning. The only candidates were the late members, Sir Do Laey Evans and Sir J. Shelley. The husting were erected, as usual, in St. Paul's, Covent garden, and the proceedings commenced at twelve o'clock. The returning officer having opened the proceedings by reading the writ, Dr. BAINBRIDGE said he appeared again to nominate their long-tried and faithful servant, Sir De L. Evans. (Cheers.) He defied any person to say that he had ever truckled to any Government ;- on the contrary, it would be found that he had always adiocated in a fearless and prompt manner the rights of the electors. General Evans had represented them faithfully for 25 years, and he thought it could not for one moment be suspected that he would fail them on the question of reform. Mr. ROBINSON said he had great pleasure in seconding the nomination of General Evans, and he concurred in the opinion just given by his proposer that he never had, and he felt he never would, deceive the electors. There was a very serious state of affairs abroad, and he trusted that the two gentlemen whom they had just elected, would say in the House of Commons that the people of Westminster were for peace and noil4nterference. (Cheers.) If the two great Powers at present atiloggerhes-ds were determined to fight he hoped they would be allowed to do so, like the Kilkenny cats, and eat themselves up. (Laughter and loud cheers.) Mr. JOSEPH GEORGE nominated Sir J. Shelley. He said Sir John was a 'staunch and steady reformer, but he did not think he would go as far as he (Mr. George) did. He thought that every man unstained by crime was entitled to a vote, and however much, the movement might be delayed he felt convinced that the time would arrive when every man would have a voice in the making of laws he was compelled to obey. (Loud cheers.) He now had the honour for the third time of proposing Sir John. Villiers Shelley as a fit and proper per son to represent Westminster in Parliament ; and' was as firm as ever in the opinion that he, with the gallant .General, was well calculated to help on the progress of reform, and well worthy to maintain the rights of the elec tors, of Westminster. (Cheers.) Mr. TURNER having asked -whether there was any other candidate to be proposed, and no response being made, declared Gen. De Lacy Evans and Sir J. .V.. Shelley duly elected to represent Westminster in Parliament. (Loud cheers.) Mr. CLARKE said he had had great opportunities of watching the acts, words, and deeds of Sir J. Shelley, and he felt certain the electors of Westminster had every rea son to be satisfied with both representatives, for in addition to their many qualifications; they were both ardent sup porters of the Ballot, and both voted on the right side when ever the question was under discussion in the House of Commons. (Cheers.) • Ho had much pleasure in seconding the nomination of Sir J. V. Shelley. (Loud cheers.) General EVANS, in returning thanks for his re .election, said he was no stranger in that place, but he had never appeared on the hustings .with more satisfaction than he did on the present occasion, because he felt he still retained the good opinion of the .electors of Westminster. (Cheers.) He could not deny one of the charges that had been laid against him, that he was getting older—(hear, hear, and cheers)—but he felt, in comparison with what he did on the last occasionwhen he had thehonour of appearing before them, at least 10 years younger inconstitution. (Cheers.) He would just at that moment allude to a hallucination which a public functionary appeared to labour under wf4h respect to' him. He seemed to hold an inquest on him as a political defunct—(loud laughter and cheers)—but he felt certain he (Sir De L. Evans) should survive that public functionary, both politically and physically—(Hear, hear, and cheerit)— and on the next dissolution—(laughter and cheers)—he would be found here asking for a renewal of the trust that had that day been again confided to his care. (Loud cheers.) The present state of affairs abrDad was, he would not say alarming, but distressing, and it was much to be regretted that Parliament had been dismissed at such a moment. They all knew the last Par liament had been sent about its business because it refused to sanction what the GOvornment thought fit to call a Reform Bill. (Hear, hear.) But that measure, instead of being what it represented, was an Act to disfranchise some of 'the best boroughs in the country. He admitted the difficulty under which the Government laboured in bring ing forward any such measure, because it was encourage ment to them that if, on the re-assembling of Parliament, gentlemen on the Treasury bench said they had been in error, and were willing to retrace their steps, and also to introduce a real measure of reform, he would readily give them his support. The great body of the working classes were now practically excluded from all participation in the elective franchise—(hear, hear) --they were not treated with that confidence which they ought to be—" hear, hear," and cheers) —and he was sorry to see that, after they had shown themselves worthy of reliance, they were not treated with that strong confidence which they ought to be. He thought, on the score of safety, if not of propriety, a greater portion of that body ought to partake of their just .rights, and .he felt certain such a time would soon arrive. (Hear, hear.) He felt that the conduct of Government in dissolving the Parliament was nothing less than a coup d'etat. (Loud cheers.) No throats had been cut, it was true, nor had anybody been sent to Cayenne, but it was a coup'd'etat for all that. (Hear, hear.) He thought it was highly injudicious that such observa tions as weie made by the Prime Minister and another hon. gentleman in the House of Commons on the last night of the session should have been ramie ; and he thought that the most ardent admirer of the Govern ment could say with thorn that the conduct of Austria had been dignified and conciliatory. (Hear, hear.) The gallant general then alluded in strong terms to the treaty entered into between France and Russia, and insisted that one of the first acts of the new Parliament should be to tell the Government that the people of this country were strongly opposed to being drawn into a continental war. (Cheers.) We had our sympathy for Sardinia and the down-trodden liberties of Italy, but having that feeling it was not the duty of Parliament to incur the risk and danger, and to put the country to the enormous expense in carrying on a war in which we were in no way concerned. (Loud cheers.) He concluded by sincerely thanking the electors for the honour they had . done in re-electing him one of the repre sentatives of Westminster. Sir J. SHELLEY h . avin,g returned thanks, the proceedings terminated. MARYLEBONE.-STATE OF THE POLL. TEN O'CLOCK. Hall .. James • • Stanley .. •• 622 •• 608. 203 Hall .. James 6 . Stanley .. ELEVEN O'CLOCK. • 1,616 ••. • . 1,608 •• •• •• 536 TWELVE O'CLOCK. James 2,214 Hall .. • • .. 2,180 Stanley .. • • 648 HALF-PAST ONE O'CLOCK: James .. • . • • 3,213 Hall .. 3,017 Stanley • • •• • • • • 782 (DT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) ABERDEEN. Colonel Sykes has been returned. KENDAL. Mr. G. C. Glyn, has been re-elected. PERTH. Mr. Kinnaird has been returned. DEATH OF THE HON. WILLIAM GORE.—We regret to announce the death of the above gentleman, which took place at an early hour on Saturday morning, at his resideLlCO ft gbury-etreet, iM the 65th year of hip age, r • INCENDIARY SHELLS FOR WARFARE. TO THE EDITOR. OF THE SUN. Sin, —Perceiving that Captain J. Norton has replied to my . letter of the 17th inst., which you kindly gave insertion to in your number of the 19th inst., I hope you will permit of the followinc , appearing in your valuable paper, trusting that Capt . aaJ. Norton will at last perceive that an honest courtesy is always the best policy. I here quote the fol lowing from the "Military and Naval Intelligence" of tho Times, under date February 11, 1859 Yesterday some experiments took place near the Field Works of the Royal Engineers, at Chatham, for the pur pose of trying some new descripions of missiles which have been invented by Captain J. Norton. The experiments first made were with a new descriptions of rifle shell, called by Captain Norton the ' liquid-fire rifle shell.' The results of the experiments yesterday proved that the shell in question is one of the most extraordinary projectiles ever introduced into the art of warfare. The interior of the shell is filled with a glass (a small vial) in which is contained the ' liquid fire.' This chemical substance is prepared from a secret in the possession of Captain Norton, but the chief ingredients are phosphorus dissolved in bi-sulphate of carbon, and her metically sealed. The Engineer officers present expressed themselves in satisfactory terms at the result of the experi ments made with Captain Norton's INVENTIONS." From the above quotation it is evident that Captain J. Norton claims the invention of the "liquid fire," or incen diary shell, and that " his secret," although not exactly fully known, is composed chiefly of the ingredients of "phosphorus dissolved in bi-sulphite of carbon." Since the above period, and until the present time, Capt. J. Norton has been making experiments with his "liquid fire" compositions at Chatham, and as he has not denied or corrected the above quotation from the limes, and several subsequent erroneous statements which have therein also appeared, and from thence copied into the leading and other papers of the day, Lieut.-General Sir William Napier and the public generally, believe that Captain J. Norton is the "real and original inventor of such incendiary compounds," —as, if not, wuv should Sir William Napier write to Capt. Norton a letter of congratulation ? Besides, how can Cart. Norton explain the fact of his having himself sent copies of this letter for publication to the newspapers, and thereby still further lead the, public mind into error : With respect to Captain Norton's statement, as contained in the last paragraph of his letter of the 23d inst., viz., that during "My recent experiments at Chatham I only used my ‘. own' shells , charged with the liquid-fire which Dr. Scoffern gave me about three years ago, and Mr. Went worth Scott filled a few of my rifle-shells' with his ' own' liquid fire." • Now, as'the compo'sition, as quoted from the Times, not having been denied, and consequently having been used by Captain Norton during his rocent.experiments at Chatham, and that, while using such compounds, he has not lued.the frankness of denying-that he was the inventor of such incen diary ingredients, and has led the public into error, I hope, Mr. Editor, you will oblige me by giving due publicity to this statement, as so erroneous an impression is very injuri ous to Mr. J. Macintosh, who is the real inventor and patentee of the same. - • I beg to add that all the experiments which Captain J. Norton has recently carried on at Chatham, and reported in the Times,'are "not ggicial," neither are they sanctioned by the military authorities, who, I understand, have sent in structions to the Commandant at Chatham to prevent any further experiments taking place on the Government prac .-tice ground, unless previous permission had been granted by the Military authorities.—l am, sir, &c., April 27, 1859. " JUSTICE." THE POLICY OF FRANCE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—On the 19th of January you did me the honour to insert a letter on the " Policy of France in Italy," by which I endeavoured to awaken public attention to a series of facts and inferences which too many persons in this country have" continued, till yesterday, to view with incredulity or indifference. I pointed out the first overt signs of the approach of the most formidable crisis which Europe has encountered since the great convulsion of 1848." I showed what were the conspiracies that threatened the liberties and independence of Europe. I indicated the policy and con duct of the Emperor of the French, " slowly advancing towards the objects which he had in view from the begin ning." I hinted that the position of Russia and her rela tions to France and Sardinia since the Congress of 1&56 "tended to encourage rather than to dissuade from war;" and I concluded that "designs did then undoubtedly exist which might prove fatal to the peace of Europe." The catastrophe I foresaw has now arrived. I trust it has not arrived to find us unprepared for it; for it- may be confi dently asserted by those who have watched the course of events without illusions and without disguise, from the Ist of January to the present hour, that the progress of this scheme has been as steady and unceasing as the movement of the handi on the dial of St. Paul's, and that the blow which is now in the act of falling on Europe has been for many months as certain as the stroke of the hammer which tolls the hour of noon. , Yet, in spite of these palpable si g ns of the times, many persons have been misled, down tothe very latest moment, by hopes of peace which never could be realised, and by confidence in the very men who were secretly leagued for the worst purposes. To judge by the language of Mr. Disraeli on the - last night of the session, and by the de meanour of Lord Malmesbury . on all occasions, her Majesty's Ministers have been living in a fool's Paradise, while the very globe was shaking round them ; and in their attempt to dissemble the magnitude of the perils which they must have known to exist, they have incurred the imputation of ignorance or credulity. There was, however, a reason, and an important reason, which compelled them to refrain from stating to Parliament the real.extent of the danger, and the true ground of the apprehensions they could not but enter tain. To make this complicated case of duplicity, fraud, and aggression perfectly plain, it is necessary to lay bare the whole conduct of that Power with which it mainly originated. But France still masked her proceedings be hind the military preparations of Sardinia and the diplo matic-ingenuity of-Russia, while she maintained, and still maintains, amicable relations with this country. Anxious to preserve those relations—desirous to preserve our neu tral position, the Ministers of the Crown have been re duced to silence on several of the most important incidents which have arisen in the course of these transactions ; but it is a matter of regret that, while the Prime Minis ter, at the Mansion-hduse, applied the word " criminal " to what ho conceived to be the precipitation of one of the belligerents, he should have confined himself to a much less direct form of animadversion on the policy of the other. Allow me, Sir, at the present crisis to endeavour to re move some of the misapprehensions which exist on these important subjects, and to' show by a few facts and dates that the right and the wrong in this matter are not quite so plain as they are thought to be. When the Eraperor Napoleon made his celebrated apos trophe to M. de Hubner on the Ist of January he acted on his own impulse, and without the previous knowledge of the Court of Turin ; for, although France had been urging Sardinia ever since the termination of the Crimean war to prepare for hostilities against Austria, and the alliance, both political and matrimonial, hactbeen fully agreed upon in the course of last year, M. de Cavour was not prepared to unmask his batteries so soon. The deed, however, was done ; and the immediate effect of that speech was to bring down an immense Austrian army into Italy. The Court of Vienna has never entertained the slightest doubt of the ultimate designs of its adversaries ; but, although its own military preparations were far more complete than those of France and Sardinia, and every week was as much a gain to them as it was a loss to Austria, she suspended her ope rations out of deference to the Germanic Confedera tion, the uncertain attitude of Russia, and the efforts of the neutral Powers. Those of England, more especially, were eagerly directed to the maintenance of peace, and to the introduction of a state of things more favourable to the tranquillity and contentment of the Italian States. Through out the month of February the Emperor of the French, anxious to obtain as far as possible the moral support of this country, and to divert our attention from his real de signs, professed in his communications with British Mini sters his anxiety to obtain by pacific means those modifica tions in the Italian treaties and in the state of Italy which Austria might reasonably and justly haye conceded; and he denied m the most peremptory and specific manner to the British Ambassador that France was at that time mak ing any armaments beyond those which were required to replace the stores of war exhausted by the Crimean cam paign. Relying on these assurances, which had repeatedly been given him by the Emperor in the most direct and uneqvivocal form,_ Lord Cowley consen t e d t o b e the bearer to the Austrian Government of certain propositions with reference to Italy, which might, it was hoped, prove the basis of a lasting peace. The propositions emanated from, or were fully accepted by, the Emperor of the French in person, for on no lower authority would Lord Cowley have undertaken 'such a mission. Having spent a few days in London, Lord Cowley proceeded to Vienna, where he delivered his credentials on the 28th of February. He was received with marked distinction by the Imperial Court; the propositions of which he was the bearer were met in the most conciliatory spirit ; and when he left Vienna on the 10th of March, he took with him the assent of the Austrian Cabinet to all the arrangements which had been thus suggested. Had the intention of the Emperor of the French been the plain and honest fulfilment of these conditions, which had originated with himself, nothing is more certain than that the mere acceptance of the Austrian acquiescence would have ended the controversy ; for, as Lord Derby has expressly declared in Parliament and else where, the British Ambassador brought back with him all the materials for settling the question. But this was not the course of events anticipated and pre-arranged at Paris. The object of Louis Napoleon in putting forward these con ditions was the belief that, while they were endorsed by England, they would be rejected by Austria ; and, conse• quently, that he should not only have a casus belli against that Power, but that he should have entangled this country in the demands he purposed to make the pretext for war in Italy. The whole scheme was defeated by the . .moderation and good sense shown by Austria at that stage of the negotia tion in her dealings with Lord Cowley; and it is indisputable that if the propositions were sincere, and if negotiation was possible, that was the time, and these were duitto was the world accurately .on t he Yetfol the means of terminating the quarrel. O n th e 17th of March Lord Cowley had his audience at th e T u il eries on his return from Vienna, co correspondent that n eastp d toh t n h e the re impression nest con veyedlforowmintghbdaYtayYgaveur instantPa hopesriswe hear no m ore o f Lord. C satisfactory.o we' s me ia - o t if a o n , Congressbut , o n was he found to have within bee a n fe s N u v b h s o ti lir tu for hours the scheme some diplomatic sleight of hand. The truth is that Russia had been incited by France to put forward the plan of a Congress for the expr ess purpose et' paralysing the too suc cessful mission of Lo r d Cowley. The artifice succeeded; for, instead of refu s i ng t o entertain any collateral proposi tion whatever until a categorical reply lead been g iven by France to the t erms w h ich Lord Cowley had brought - back from Vienna, Lord Malmesbury rushed so eagerly into this pitfall that he actually drew up fresh bases of negotiation beforeßaronßrunnow had made him the official proposal of the Congress. Independently of other sources of informa tion I may refer on this point to the language of Lord Derby him self, who declared at the Mansion-house, on Mon day last, that the proposal for a general Congress was unfor tunately made by Russia and accepted by France before the return of Lord Cowley from Vienna, under a misconception of the true result of that mission. If any such misconcep tion did exist, who was to blame for it ? And what induced the other Powers to accept a proposal made by Russia and accepted by France under that misconception ? This fact alone, of the measures taken by the Emperor of the French to defeat Lord Cowley's mediation, and to throw overboard the proposals which had originated at Paris, is decisive as to the good faith of France in the tran saction. Of Austria I shall only say that, having once given her consent to those terms, she has remained faithful to them throughout, and the telegram which arrives while I am writing announces that she would even now negotiate on that basis, which France refuses to do. But what did Lord Cowley find on his return to Paris ? He found that the military prepara tions, hitherto so stoutly denied, had made rapid and morino ns progress that tl4O AusioiculA 410armador, hitherto APV.0,1".. - . ~,,v,1".,,5";;;4' so reserved, began to hold language which betokened no good to Europe; and I think I may add, that he shortly afterwards learned from Turin, that during the wh o le time of his absence on a mission of peace, suggested by Louis Napoleon, that potentate had conti nue d t o k eep up a daily correspondence with the King of Sardinia and M. de Cavour, promising his military assistance, and urging them to accelerate all their preparations for war. We live at a time when it is much the fashion to publish Imperial and political correspondence. I trust this correspondence will one day see the light. Until it does I can hardly expect that the British public will credit the astonishing duplicity of this transaction. But, sir, I must pause here, though I may ask you at some future time to permit me to resume this chapter of contemporary history. I wish, however, before I conclude, to express my deliberate conviction, based on some experience of public affairs and some knowledge of the facts and persons concerned in this dispute, that for many months past—per haps for two years—a thorough understanding has existed between France, Russia, and Sardinia, with a view not only to the affairs of Italy, but to a gener a l war i n Europe • and that the time has now arrived wh en we shall begin to learn the bent of their sinister purposes, whether in Italy, in the East, or on the Rhine. They have laboured above all things, and not quite unsuccessf u lly, t o th row on Austr i a the odium of striking the first' blow, before it could be known whether she was actuated by imperious necessity or by culpable passions. But if a new Treaty of Tilsit has been concluded, with articles not less fatal to the peace and independence of Europe, I trust that the policy of our rulers and the public opinion of the country will take no irre vocable decision until the true facts of the case are fully and distinctly ascertained. THE NAVY. SENEX. Captain Parry, Lieutenants Pritchard and Camp bell, and the Royal Marines and Marine Artillery for Cressy, 80, screw steamer, ordered to be fitted for the Channel squadron, was expected to leave head-quarters, Chatham, to-morrow. Yesterday a detachment of 20 non-commissioned • officers and men of the Chatham Division of Royal Marine Light Infantry left head quarters, and embarked at Chatham Dockyard on board the Lizard steamer for Sheerness, for the purpose of • joining the Minotaur. The cutter Hamilton left Plymouth on Monday with men for the screw steam guardship Russell, 60, Captain George Wodehouse, at Falmouth. The despatch vessel Intrepid was placed in dock at Devonport on Monday, and was undocked on. • Tuesday. The screw steamship James Watt, 91, Captain E. Codd, was removed- 013- Monday from Keyliam Basin to her sailing mooringi-in-Hainoaze. Above 30 seamen pensioners, more than 50 years of age, have been turned over at Devonport from the screw steamship Exmouth, 90, to the Welling- r ton, 72. All the other pensioners, with the young - men and boys, are retained on board the Exmouth. A draught of marines joined the Wellington on Tuesday. The screw gunboats Cockchafer and Weazel were taken out of dock at Keyham on Monday and moored in the basin. The screw steamship Algiers, 91, Captain G. W. D. O'Callaghan, steamed from Plymouth Sound on Tuesday into Hamoaze, preparatory to her being docked. The screw steamship Encounter, 14, was removed on Monday from th e nor th to the south dock at Keyham, to give place to the Algiers. The screw steamship Busotia has been chartered at Liverpool by the French agents to carry coals _ from South Wales to Brest. Freights have gene rally improved since the news has become more warlike. The Cunard screw steamship Melita, Captain "! Langland, which arrived at Liverpool on Tuesday, when off Cape St. Vincent, on the 21st, at 5 p.m., spoke three splendid French line-of-battle siips, bound for the Straits of Gibraltar. They were accompanied by a couple of steam transports. The following notification was issued last even iug by the Lords of the Admiralty : " With a view of improving the condition of the • petty- officers, seamen, and marines of the fleet, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased - to direct that the Vfollowing alterations shall be made in the scale of victualling of the Royal Navy, ,viz.:--The allowance of biscuit to be increased from 11b. to 141 b. per man per day, the savings price • being reduced from 2d. to lid. per lb. The allow ance of sugar to be also increased from ltoz. to 2 Os. per man per day. Their lordships have further been pleased to approve an extra allowance of cho colate and sear, to the extent of 1 oz. of each,- article, being 'issued either in the middle or morn ing watches, at the discretion of the captain, to such portion of the ship's company as may be much exposed dming severe weather, or when, from cir cumstances of sickness or climate, or for other causes, he ma y consider it desir a bl e. T he i r. lord ships, being also desirous that seamen, on entering, should, as far as practicabl e , be freed from the necessity of incurring debt, are pleased to direct that the following regulations be observed from the date of the receipt of this circular, viz.:— " Bedding.—All men and boys on first joining one of her Majesty's ships shall be supplied with a bed, blanket, and bedcover, free of charge. On re moval from one ship to another the men are to take these articles with them ; and in the case of death or desertion they are to be returned to the charge of the paymaster. " Clothing.—To every man on his first entering the navy for ten years' continuous service, and to all boys on being advanced to man's rating, a suit of clothes, consisting of the following made up articles, is to be furnished free of charge : s. d A blue cloth jacket (N o. 2 cloth) . 17 8 . A pair of blue cloth trousers (ditto).:. 11 7 A blue serge frock ▪ . • 8 6 A duck frock _ 2 9 A pair of duck trousers .▪ . • • • • 2 7 A black silk handk.erchief 2 10 A pair of shoes • • • • 6 7 Or he will be credited on the ship's books with a sum of money equivalent thereto, at the foregoing rates, to provide suitable description of clothing as may be required in the climate in which he is serving ; and in the case of a seaman being already provided with clothes approved by his captain a corresponding amount in money is to be placed to his credit. " Mess Ute nsils.--Arrangements are being made to obtain mess utensils suitable for use on board her Majesty's ships, and as soon as the articles which it is proposed to provide shall have been duly tried a gratuitous supply will be furnished to each ship on being put into commission, under such regula tions as may be deemed expedient. " By command of their Lordships, " IL Cc:mint." The following appointments were made yesterday at the Admiralty :-- Rear-Admiral G. Rodney Mundy to hoist his flag in her Majesty's ship Hannibal, and to be second in command in the Mediterranean. Captains—James J. Stopford to the Exmouth; the Hon• C. G. J. B. Elliot, C. 8., to the Cressy. Commanders—James M. Bruce, to command the Fire brand ; Bedford C T. Pim, to command the Gorgon; Arthur Barrow, to the Exmouth. Lieutenants —H. B. E. Grey, to the Firebrand ; Robert Rosa, to the Gorgon. IS BOURSE. BOURSE, April 27.—A telegram announcing that the Austrians passed the Ticino last night, and that hostilities had begun this morning, added to a fall of 11 on the English Consols, has produced a com plete panic in the market. Threes declined from 62f. 80e. to 61f. 60c. ; Mobilier, 550 f. to 525 f, ; Aus trian, 420 f. to 400 f. ; Orleans, 1,150 f. to 1,125 f. ; Lyons, 765 f. to 730 f. ; Northern, ,840 f. to 8201. ; Eastern, 552 f. 50e. to 540 f. There was a slight rally towards the close, when the following were the last quotations : per Cents 89 50 Do. end month B9 60 3 per Cents 62 Do. end month 62 Bank Shares 2500 Credit Mobilier Do. Account Credit Fonder 690 Belgian 41 . . Piedmontes© (5) 72 Roman BO Austrian Spanish Threes 38 Homo Debt 37 RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern . 832 .. 832 50 New ditto 712 50 .. 715 " Lyons and Mediterranean New ditto Geneva Southern. .. 412 50 We5tern........... 485 -- .. 475 Eastern Sardinian Austrian ....... ............ Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 6c. ; 25f. sc. ; th ree months, paper, 24f. 97e.; money, 24f. 92P. Th e annual report of the Oriental Bank Cor poration was presented to the meeting of to-dap, and which recommended a dividend and bonus at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum. The chairman, Mr. Gordon, alluded to the rapid progress made by the Bank, and said that he hoped that it would continue in a greater ratio now that peace wile restored in India. It was true that disturb ances had now occurred in Europe, but he had no fear of that circumstance Pr e " venting the directors from producing on the next occasion a report equally favourable with the Pre" sent. In alluding to Indian securities, he said the bank could only invest its spare capital in. Govern ment paper, but they were quite protectedfrom the effects of any depreciation. It had been said that the £50,000 f or i nsurance had not been augmented., The reason was , that such a sum was C on sidere d ample, as only b u lli on was i nsure d. Aft er some obser va ti ons as to the items of the balance - s h ee t s the chairman wh w aza aignremeoz un 1 thz a a ini do o p u t s i l o y. n of the re' p