The Sun. — London, England, 1858-01-21 00:00:00

India had been transferred to the Crown in 1854 there imagine, be have been no insurrec tion, nor will it, I be maintained that .if India was transferred to the Crown to-morrow, there w ould any difference in t he po li c y that would be pursue d, either in putt ing down the rebellion, or in introducing reforms and im provements hereafter. The fact is, the policy of the East India Company is the policy of the Government ; the Ministers of the country are responsible for it, and the country itself through their representatives in Parlia ment. But the fact which presses strongly upon my mind, and to which I would wish to draw the special attention of this Court, is the time that is selected for making an organic change in the constitution of the Go vernment of India. Is this the proper time, I woull ask, to introduce such an important change ? In the midst of a tremendous convulsion, when in many provinces the landmarks of order are only just now reappearing above the waves of the deluge, when men's hearts all fail them for fear, and terror and alarm pervade the length and breadth of the land, is this a time to swee p away the name and form of a Government under which the empire has grown up, and which has always been associated in the minds of the natives of India with . is good fortune, prosperity, and victory 1 Company Ka i k b al ahouse hold word throughout Hind ostan. We know w i t h !That tenacity the natives of India cling to old associations, but we do not know, in the present unhinged and excited state of men's minds, what effect a change may have on them, which designing men will assuredly represent as only a prelude to further change fraught with evil to the native community. Among the causes of the late insur rection, the belief by the Sepoys that the Government entertained designs hostile to their caste was, without doubt, a prominent one. This belief had been inculcated by designing persons who knew better, but the belief was genuine. I know that this has been disput- d—that the greasigl cartridges were considered to be a mere pre tence. A leading member of the House of Commons stated, amid the cheers of that house, that "revolutions are not made with grease ;" but those who know India and the natives of India, and how caste is mixed up with their temporal, and believed to be mixed up with their e ternal welfare, will not respond so readi l y to this pro found philosophy. We must not measure Asiatics by a European standard, or we will fall into grievous error. We are told that when the Romans invaded Egypit,thves e inhabitantsAwithoutthe least resistance, placed their l and property at the mercy of the foreigner ; but when a Roman soldier happened to kill a cat in the streets of Alexandria, the people rose up on him with ungovernable fury, and tore him limb from limb, and the Roman gene ral was obliged to overlook the outrage from fear of the spread of the insurrection. We all know of what essential - service the Sikhs have been to us during the late troubles. Their glorious deeds at Arrah, at Delhi, and wherever danger was thickest, can never be forgotten. It is scarcely too much to say that the Sikhs and Sir J. Lawrence have saved our empire. We know that they have fewer prejudices than the natives of Hindostan, and that in their habits they are mush more akin to Europeans. And yet one of the best officers in the Bengal army told me that his Sikh regiment was on the verge of mutiny at the introduction of a new regimental cap, because it was feared there might be some leather in it. Suppose the Government had issued an order that all the Sikh soldiers should wear leather caps. It seems a trifling thing, and to the European mind almost in credible, but it might have driven the Sikhs to frenzy, and perhaps it would have been said by senatorial wisdom, " Revelutione are not made with leather caps." Whatever our countrymen at home may think, they may rest assured that the day has not arrived when a hand ful of Europeans can govern 200,000,000 of people in the teeth of their strongest feelings, and in defiance of their most deep-rooted prejudices. We have beard much of late in condemnation of the traditionary policy of the East India Company. What is this traditionary policy, but a judicious adaptation of means to ends, a wise toleration and respect for the feelings and prejudices of the natives, which has ensured a calm and equable pro gress, and laid the foundation of greater strides in ad vance, which would have been jeopardised by rash and hasty measures? Tais policy is not a stationary or a retro grade policy, but a policy of progress. It may, perhaps, have moved too slowly, but the principles are Bound, and the only principles on which we could rule India. People talk as glibly of re-conquering India as Mr. Cobden used to tale of crumpling up Russia ; but Mr. Cobden has lived to find out his mi-aake and Heaven forbid that this country should commit the fatal error of placing itself in direct antagonism to the people of India, wider the supposition that we can carry everything by brute force and compulsion. Without undervaluing in the smallest degree that undaunted courage, the marvellous endurance, the chivalrous self-devotion of British sol diers which have never shone more brightly than during the late troubles, we must never forget that it is chiefly through the assistance of the natives we have gained India, by them we have maintained it, and for them we ought to hold it. Notwithstanding ail that has taken place, oar mission is still the same—to elevate them in the scale of nations, to bring them more and more within the pale of civilisation, and pave the way for the spread of that blessed Gospel which we are told by infallible wisdom will, in God's own good time, cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. We are continually taunted with having done so little for India, with having held the country for so many years, and impressed upon it so little of European civilisation and improvement. Those who bring this charge against the government of India forget the progressive steps by which we have attained our present commanding position ; that, in the first instance, we were there by sufferance; that we then had to struggle for existence, and that we had all our know ledge to acquire to enable us to legislate with effect fur a people so different to ourselves. Fifty years in the life of an European nation are marked by the great strides in advance, but 50 years in the life of an Asiatic nation are not so pregnant with great changes. Still tried by this teat, the condition of India previous to this unhappy insurrection shone out in bright contrast with what it was a few years ago. It would occupy too much time to attempt a recapitulation of all the improvements and ameliorations that have been the clnsequence of British rule. A memorandum has lately been prepared in the India, House sho wing the improvements in the administration of India during the last thirty years, and its pereual will, I feel assured, afford to every candid and unprejudiced mind ample evidence of real and substantial progress. If all has not been achieved that could have been wished, much has been done, and there has been the earnest, honest desire to do more. There have been, no doubt, great and grievous failures. But under what government have there not been failures ? Often those failures have led to ultimate success ; many of those most condemned have been based upon the deliberate and recorded opinions of the most intelligent and distinguished servants of the Company, and have only served to show the difficulties with which we have bad to contend. For these difficulties no aLowances are made by the opponents of the East India Cinapaiy. Every sort of exaggeration and misrepresentation is put forth to excite the public mind ; until lately scarcely a voice was raised in defence of the Company's administra tion, but the public are beginning to feel that this dark picture has a reverse side. No institution or pvere ment which is always attacked and never defended can long be maintained. I must confess I have always con sidered it bad policy to hide our light under a bushel ; and I have always thought that this court might have been made the medium of exposing unfounded accusa tions, and of giving to the public sound and accurate information regarding the details of our administration in India. Thera is no greater security for good govern ment than public discussion ; the public in general do not err wilfully, but through ignorance and want of information ; and it is the bounden duty of those in office to furnish that information to the utmost ex eat, and, in the freest manner compatible with the interests of the public service. Amongst the topics which have tended to create those prejudices against the Esst India Company in the public mind there are two speci a l ones to which, if the court will permit me, I will brhfl F allude. These topics are the torture question and the reli question, the latter comprehending the questio n of education. Now I think late events in India have thrown a flood of light upon the question of torture. In the first place it will now be clearly understood in England of what the natives of India are capable when left to themselves. It will be seen how broad is the line of demarcation between the native and Euro pean mind, and to what depths of fiendish cruelty the Asiatic can descend. Net that I would include all the natives of India in this category. I believe there are hundreds and thousands who look upon the barbarities which have been committed with equal horror with ourselves. lam prop it ) number amongst my friends many of the natives of India. It will be understood I speak of what cruelties the natives are capable of, aid it will be also understood with what impenetrable secresy they can envelope their scheuoes and proceedings. This is a feature in the character of the Asiatic which the people of England cannot comprehend. It is with such Instruments as these we have to work in carrying on the administration of India. I believe that there is no amount of tyranny and cruelty which is not at times in flicted on the ryots by the nativ e ll w servants of the Govern ment, but they know v er y . that such acts are abhorrent to their European su well lora, and are breaches of the law, and that they would punished it detected. The practice of torture 178, e s verel existed in India from time imme morial ; it still e xists in l e u'l visor "Diceyunoer native Governments ( witness GeneralSpence r ' s in Ouds,") and under our own in spite of endeavours vou:.twn s . to put it down, an d will exist until the li g ht of ci vilisa t ion and Christianity d is p e's the thick darkness t hat broo d s over that land, and renders such practices as abhorre n t to the native as they are to the European mind. I b ate admitted torture exist s, but it exists in spite of the East India Company. It is known to be a breach of the la w as much as murder and highw a y r berry. It is punished whenever detected, and the East India Company and the Eu ro p ean serva nts might with equal justice be accused of being acc.issories to it fanticidP, boons mug, sutteeism, or any of the other atrocities which are g . radn.liy disiippearin , under their rule. unprejudiced man, can ' read the report of the Madras Torture C , dnmis , ioncrg, dated Ar,r I Id, 1555, without acquittin g th e Fa_t India Co 11:1M y an.l th-..tr servants. The coni,,inevise-t;ers are decreasing , i n stale that: ncse , pract czt vice is entitled to the In l y e and extent ; that . "the all countenance of the crud c p r r e a d e i t t ice fo s r w it h s ic d h is i c )r la e i v m: il r i i! the revenue as well as the' policedepertment,7 that " we have seen nothing to imp ress us the beliJ that the people at large entertain an idea th a t their maltnataiet t is countenanced or tolerated by the a officers of Government," that " there is not a native public lie servant well know from the highest to the lowest, who ':oyf thehis Eurn that these practices are held in abhorre-nscnk pean superiors ;" and that "the whole er e y which has come up before us is to save them f r o m people cruelties of their fellow-natives, not from the effec ts roni unkindness or indifference on the part of the European officers of.covernment." I think this evidence is suffi cient to show how unprovoked are the accusations against the East India Company and their European serve& s of sanctioning or conniving at practices which every En glishman must abhor, and which, if true, would disgrace us as men and as Christians in the eyes of the whole ' 111TER IMAJESTY'S THEATRE.—EXTRA civilised world. I now come to a more important ques- Je_l_ PERFORMANCES, TUESDAY, 16th ; tion—the question how far the Government of India has THURSDAY, 28th ; and SATURDAY, 30th January, 1858. O n TUESDAY EVENING (Jan. 26), fulfilledsay n i e t s w d o u r d t y I a m s a u C t h s rt state s t t e i a d n i s G t n o v c t e l r y n m t h e a n t t i ; a y and b a t e h f o i s r e e LA. SONNAMBULA. with my whole heart in the missionary movement. I believe Amina, Piccolomini ; Lisa, Sannier ;Il Conte Rodolfo, God has given us that great country to promote the Belletti ; and Elvino, spread of the Gospel, and that as we fulfil or fall short Conductor, Signor Arditi, of this end, so will our reward or punishment as a nation The State Festival Decorations will be retained. be ; but I believe also that that end is not to be worked Prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons), out by the influence of Government, still less by any , pit and one pair, 21. 2s; grand tier, 3/. 3s ; two pair, 1/. 55.; arbitrary interference or compulsion, but by the power three pair, 15s; gallery boxes, lOs ; gallery stalls, 3s 6d; of reason and persuasion, by the progress of enlighten- pit; 3 a, 6 . cl; gallery, 2 a- Applications to be made at the Box-office of the Theatre. meat, by the triumph of light over darkness, and by the grace of God descending upon the hearts of the benighted millions of Hindostan. Holding these opinions, it would be impossible that I could have retained my Beet in the direction if one-half or one-fiftieth part of what is alleged against the Indian Government on this momentous question weretrue. I believe that the greatest misapprehension exists throughout the country on these facts. When I read that one member of parliament designates the Indian government as "half infidel, half atheist," when I myself heard another member of par liament quota to a crowded meeting at Exeter Hall asay ing of one of the directors of the East India Company, "that he would sooner see a band of devils enter India than a band of missionaries," as a type of the opinions prevailing amongst the honourable body to which I belong, I do not wonder that misapprehension prevails. Now, I am not going to enter into controverted ques tions on which earnest, sincere men may conscientiously differ ; my only object is very briefly to lay before the Court a few facts showing the course pursued by the Indian authorities at home and abroad, and the principles laid down to be carried into practice as circumstances would permit. I am dealing with present facts, not with old stories that have been dead and buried years ago. I should like to know what would be thought of a member of parliament if he was to bring a bill of indictment against the present Government, and include in it all the shortcomings of former governments for the last 40 or 50 years ; if he was to inflict upon the house long tirades against slavery, protection, and other errors of legislation which formerly found their advocates, but now are as exploded as astrology or witchcraft. We have to deal with 1858, and not with 1808 or 1818. Will any one assert that there is any government opposition to missionary efforts at the present moment 1 I think not. Since 1833, when the Court of Directors, in their despatch of Feb. 20, laid down in great detail the principles which were in future to guide the government of India in the question of idolatrous rites and ceremonies, has mot each year seen an advance in the right direction, more espe cially of late years ? No doubt still more remains to be done—the severance is not yet complete ; but it is fair and just to ignore all that has been done ! Has the crown colony of Ceylon outstripped the Indian government in these matters ? Have not the Fame difficulties been met with there as in India ? It is not very long ago that " devil dancing," fer her Majesty's service, was paid out of government funds, in Ceylon ; but this and other evils have now been removed. The despatch of Feb, 23, 1833, ought to be republished for the information of the public. It has been followed up by other despatches; and in 1840 an act was passed in India to the same effect. In 1843 an order was issued in Bombay directing the cessation of public works on the Sabbath-day. This order was extended to Bengal in 1847 by Lord Hardinge, who at the same time stated, "I am convinced that mach of the success of British rule in India is to be attributed under Providence to our forbearance in not interfering with the religious prejudices of the people, and that the difficulties experienced in Algeria might be traced to a very opposite system of government." Then, let me ask, is the act passed in 1850, by which Christian converts are taken under protection of the law, no evidence of progress in asserting the prerogatives of a Christian government? What did Lord Dalhousie state with reference to the conversion of Maharajah D'ouleep Sing, in 1851? "Whether his Highness's resolution to become a Christian has been the natural result of the peculiar circumstances into which the Maharajah's fate has thrown him, or whether the grace of God has planted it at once in the heart of the boy, I cannot in my conscience thwart it." Is it reason able to suppose that that distinguished atatestnan could record his opinion in these terms, and still continue to preside over a " half-infidel, half-atheist government?" There is only one other despatch to which I will allude, but it is a most important one, as showing the present principles of the government of India—l mean the despatch of the 18th July, 1854, on the eubject of education. I could quote many passages, but not to occupy time I will simply state that it recognises "the noble exertions of Christians of all denominations to guide the natives of India in the way of religious truth," and directs the introduction of the grant in aid system throughout India, by which the Government affords liberal aid to all missionary schools which are willing to accept it,fthereby directly promoting religious instruction and Bible reading. This has been carried out, and a more important step in advance it is impossible to conceive. I have thus brought forward a few fact', to show the principles which have been laid down by the authorities at home, and acted upon by the authorities abroad. It is a wide subject ; I have merely touched upon it ; time would not permit more at the present moment. I hope I have said enough to prove that there is another side of the question than that which has generally been represented on platforms and hustings. I hope the people of England will pause be fore they condemn their countrymen in India ; I hope they will hear both sides, and look into the question. They are bound to do so, for, ae I said before, the policy of the East India Company is the policy of England ; Parliament and the country are responsible for it. Party spirit and faction may ring the changes on the double ' government and the absence of responsibility ; but the Minister of the Crown, the President of the Board of Control is responsible, as well as any other minister for his own department. It is well known that the Court of Directors can do nothing without the sanction and con currence of the Board of Control. Where, then, it will be asked, is the use of the Court of Directors ? The answer is that an independent body, which has the ini tiative in all business, and the right of discussion and remonstrance, and which possesses local knowledge and experience, must exercise a salutary influence, and prove a wholesome check on the arbitrary will of the Minister of the Crown. Further than this, a permanent body exempt from political bias and party spirit preserves the continuity of the system of government, which would otherwise be liable to change with every changing ministry. What did Mr. Fox say in days of old, "If the dispenser of the plan of governing India has not a greater stability in his situation than a British Ministry, what hope is there of the affairs being administered with advantage to the interests of India or to this country ?" Did not a President of the Board of Control in more recent times declare, on the occasion of the recall of Lord Heytesbury, "that he thought it better that the interests of India should suffer than that the minister of the day should be defeated ?" It is this balance of power, this system of check, analogous as it is to the three estates of our own constitution, which has induced our wisest statesmen to preserve our present system. If the period has arrived fur re-modelling it, for introducing a simpler form, let it be done with deliberation, after due inquiry and investigation, not in the present state of excited feeling at home and abroad, not under pretence that after so many years of success it has proved a failure. To listen to the opponents of the Company one would imagine not a word had ever been spoken in favour of the system of double government, in support of the ad ministration of the East India Company. I should like to quote opinions oa the opposite side, opinions recorded by men like Mill and Macaulay, of world-wide fame, and by eminent ,tatesmen who long wielded the destinies of the empire. I will not weary the court, but I hope to be permitted to read the opinions of one of our greatest men, who spoke from personal experience of India and its government—l mean the Duke of Wel lington. This opinion was given in 1835 ; but if so much could be said in praise of the Indian government at that time by such a man, how much more could he say now ? Though rather long, it seems to me peculiarly apposite at the present moment. The duke says ; "I will not follow the noble marquis who opened the debate into the consideration of whether a chartered company may be the beat or not calculated to carry on the government or the trade of an empire like India; that is not the question to which I wish ever to apply myself. But whenever I hear of suoh discussions as this, I recall to my memory what I have seen in that country. I recall to my memory the history of that country for the last 50 or 60 years. I remember its days of misfortune and its days of glory, and the situation in which it now stand. I remember that the Government have con ducted the affairs of, I will not pretend to say of how many millions of people—they have been calculated at 70, 80, 90, 100 millions, but certainly of an immense population—a population returning an annual revenue of 20,000,0001. sterling, and that notwithstanding al. the wars in which the empire has been engaged, its debt at Cris moment amounts only to 40,000,000/ , being no more than the amount of two years' revenue. Ido not say that such a debt is desirable ; but at the same time [ contend that it is a delusion on the people of this ceuntry to tell them that that is a body unfit for govern ment and unfit for trade which has administered the affairs or India with so mush success for so manyyears, and which is at length to be put down, for I can use no other term, upon the_ground that it is al institution calculated for the purposes neither of government nor trade." Such was the deliberate opinion of the Duke of Wellington. I think the East India Company ashy well be proud of such testimony, and whatever the result of the ministe r:al mea•ure, I believe this opinion will be ratified by the thoughtful and unprejudiced of this country, and all ciuntries, and that when some future Macaulay shall narrate th e hi-t ort' o f t h ose grea t co lonies and de „ p wealthnd e and ncl e s w hich r t a y v of e contributed theh m oter country,so largely the pages t o th the E sstern ernoptirethuendte which t e ll t a b r e d a p u r :p g f r o e e s s s o c. f f o t h u e r l E na a g st ei l fi n c d ect ia t Btir)e'antPr.7s an ‘ l l En n g o , ,a t :c b do l ad h e m i n ta d hl, unworthy of England's A PROPRIETOR 112 i v e a d thi"erY•i mrnment of the debate. CoItINVSRAY ri "t' l to print a pro' pri ttirg cireu' a . 7 The CIIAIRMAN was u itot the e rl,7"on, and urged the ecti9na to such a posed petition. There were otherutoubj coo re. The meeting adjourned till Wsde e '-mY next. missness and indifference which constituted Mr. VERN©N SMITH, the ruler of India, the represen tative of the Moguls—but which almost prevented the formation of a House when matters of vital importance to the welfare and hap piness of one hundred and fifty millions of our fellow-subjects were under discussion. The failure of General WINDHAM, the only Guards man who has had the opportunity of exhibiting his skill and strategy, has afforded them a powerful argument in favour of the Anglo- Indian system of promotion, and the appointment of Lord GEORGE PAGET to the Inspector-General ship of Cavalry, on which we yesterday offered some comments, came at a very opportune period for their purposes. They certainly have been enabled to make some political capital out of these matters, and we shall readily concede the full weight to which they are entitled therefor. Let them be taken quantum valeant. Let the good be examined as well as the bad, and a wise and statesman-like decision arrived at. The East India Company will not fail to have many advocates, who have no doubt adequate motives for the support they may render. But their best chance rests on public opinion, which, if it can be made favourable, will carry them through the crisis. Audi alteram, partem is a sound principle, and we shall always be ready to hear and bestow attentive consideration on every point that may, or can be urged on their behalf. But it is not the interests of a private corporation that can counterbalance those of the native population of that magnificent country, or of the British people ! We do not ask what is most acceptable to the Government, or to the Com pany, but what is best for the United Kingdom, and for Hindostan. The question is one of para mount importance, and the answer must be given with due deliberation. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.— Her MAJESTY the QUEEN has graci ously signified her intention of HONOURING with her PRESENCE a SERIES of FOUR FESTIVAL PERFORM ANCES, intended to be presented at the period of the ap proaching Nuptials of her Royal Highness the PRINCESS ROYAL with his Royal Highness the Prince FREDERICK WILLIAM of PRUSSIA. The general arrangements are under the direction of Mr. Mitchell, in co-operation with Mr. Lumley, and favoured by the assistance of the following Managers of the Metropolitan Theatres ; Mr. Smith "9 Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. Mr. Buckstone Haymarket Theatre. Mr. Webster Adelphi Theatre. Mr. Harrison and Miss Pyne Lycenm Theatre. Mr. Robson and Mr. Emden Olympic Theatre. Mr. Phelps Sadler's Wells Theatre. The programme will comprise the following Entertain ments : THIS EVENING, THURSDAY, January 21. BaHe's New Opera, THE ROSE OF CASTILLE, By Miss Pyne, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Weiss, and the Operatic Company of the Lyceum Theatre ; conductor Mr. A. Mellon. To conclude with BOOTS AT THE SWAN. SATURDAY, January 23, AN ITALIAN OPERA, By Madlle. Piccolomini, Signor Giuglini, and the Principal Artistes of Mr. Lumley's Theatre. And a FESTIVAL CANTATA composed by Mr. Howard Glover. With a BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT. Fourth Performance, AN ENGLISH COMEDY, By Mr. Bnckstone's Company of the Haymarket Theatre. And an AFTERPIECE, in which Mr. Wright and Members of the Adelphi Company will perform. Admission to the pit (for which a limited number of tickets will be issued Gallery stalls (reserved and numbered) 6s. Od. Gallery 3s. Od. Applications for boxes, orchestra stalls, and tickets to be made at the Box-office of the Theatre, and at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street. The chief issue raised is, how can proper responsibility best be established ? That is the talismanic word. A divided allegiance is prover bially injurious. "No man can serve two masters," and while there is a double Govern ment that difficulty must exist. That there must be a change is manifest ; but what may be the nature of the change is by no means so clear. The Directors now challenge inquiry. That inquiry should be granted, and should, as they ask, be ex tended to every branch of Indian administration. But let not the investigation be secret, or made the means for shelving the topic, until the public anxiety is appeased, and apathy and indifference are sub stituted for zeal and energy. As the Company declare, an immediate inquiry would. be " more thorough, and its results would carry much more instruction to the minds of Parliament and the country, than at any preceding period." The object to be achieved is, as we have already stated, that which will be most beneficial to Eng land and to India, and no subordinate interests should be permitted to interfere with the attain ment of that great desideratum. THEA TR E-R OYA L, DRURY-LANE Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, will be performed HIS FIRST CiJAMPAGNE, in which Mr. Leigh Murray will perform. After which, the new grand pantomime, LITTLE JACK HORNER. Commence at 7. T HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with A CURE FOR THE HEARTACHE, in which Mr. Buck atone will appear. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD ; or, Harle quin and the Spiteful Fairy. Harlequin, Mr. A. Leclercq ; Columbine, Miss Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; lown, Mr. Charles Leclercq. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening_Vs. each, (No charge for booking.) First Igice. a. d. Second price. a, d Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 6 Upper Boxes .. 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit 2 0 Pit 1 0 Gallery ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. The Public are respectfully informed that Mr. C. Kean, having been suddenly attacked by a sharp fit of gout, is quite unable to appear this evening, the Tragedy of HAMLET is unavoidably Postponed, and A MIDSUM MER•NIGHT'S DREAM substituted in its place, trusting to their kind indulgence under an unforeseen difficulty. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, will be performed Shakspere's Play of A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM. After which, a new grand comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN WHITE CAT ; or, The Princess Blanche Flower and her Fairy Godmothers. The Princess Blanche (White Cat), Miss Kate Terry ; Harlequin, Mr. Cor mack ; Clown, Mr, Huline; Pantaloon, Mr. Paule ; and Columbine, Miss C. Adams. T HEATRE ROYAL, AD ELPHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed the new drama, THE POOR STROLLERS, in which Madame Celeste, Mr. B. Webster, Paul Bedford, and Mr. Wright will perform. After which, a Mythological Extravaganza, entitled HARLEQUIN, OR THE LOVES OF CUPID AND PSYCHE. Jupiter, Mr. Paul Bedford ; Mars, Mr. Frank Hall ; Venus, Mrs. Billington; Cupid, Miss Marie Wilton ; Psyche, Miss Mary Keeley. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.— THIS EVENING, will be performed Leigh Hunt's new Play, LOVERS' AMAZEMENTS. SuppOrted by Messrs. Charles Dillon, J. G. Shore; Mesdames Charles Dillon and Woolgar. To conclude with the Burlesque and Pantomime, LALLAH ROOKH, and the PRINCESS, the PERI, and the TROU BADOUR ; or, Harlequin and the Ghebers of the Desert. Supported by Mesdames Charles Dillon, Buckingham White, Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Jacobs, and Woolgar ; Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Poynter, and J. L. Toole. Clowns, Messrs. T. Matthews and R. Stilt ; Harlequin, Mr. J. Ricketts; Pantaloon, Mr. A. Stilt ; Sprites, Herr Zeleski and Pons ; Columbines, Misses Malcolm and Lees. Gorgeous Feast of Lanterns.—Fenton's Grand Trans formation Scene. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7. Morning Performances on Saturday next, January 23, and again on Monday, 25, to commence at half-past 2. 3ox.offlce open from 11 to 5 daily. OYAL SURREY THEATRE, 1\1) Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswiek. THIS EVENING, will be performed PERILS BY LAND AND WAVE, After which, QUEEN MAB ; or Harlequin Romeo and Julliet. Clown, by the Surrey Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Brad. bury. TRAND THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr. T. Payne. —THIS EVENING, will be performed HARLEQUIN NOVELTY AND THE PRINCESS WHO LOST HER HEART. Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbine, Deulin ; Sprite, Herr Kirt. The Lambert Family and the Red Man of Agar in their wonderful performance, &c. Commence at Seven. Stalls, 35.; Boxes, 25.; Pit, is. Gallery 6cl. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ! v s company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of S elections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, dm., viz.:—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, ‘liss Bruuell, Miss Ray, Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montague, and Madame Marietta ; Herr`F. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, R. Grover, T. Farrant, S. Tones, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Rime, Mr. Badgey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Ber nard; Messrs. W. T. Critchfield and E. Mackney. Piano. forte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, dte., until twelve o'clock. Mr. AUGUSTUS Baanam will make his first appearance on Monday, the 25th inst. TH NEW INEirECTOR , OF TRAINING INSTITu We understand t ,, at Earl Granville, as President s t — i, e Committee of Privy Counc il on E L I uc ation , has b: eujea—d 10 appoint the Rev. Mor g an Cowie, M A., re ctor . cf Lawrence Jewry, Gt e•hain-street, City, and one of the Mmor Canons of Sr. Ries Cathedral, to the office of Inspector-General of Training Institutions, in succession to the Rev. Frederick Temple, M.A., promoted to the Head Mastership of Rugby School. Mr. Cowie, who was formerly Fellow of St. John's College , Cambrid ge , and Senior Wrangler, of his year, and was for so me timeunePy:i;a appointmentsee t ip ed a l i o a f st t t oy h e e tahr College of Civil Engineers at ...t , e aSsltalthnedmiaanticeaivl Civil s Ex e i r ni vi i e n e. er for the t IRE StYN, LONDON, TTITTRSDA E NtN G. 3ANIT ARV c?,l, Effendi. LATEST NEWS. VIENNA, WEDNESDAY. The dissolution of the Divans is decreed. The firman which pronounces their dissolution is in the hands of the Turkish Commissioner, Safet A despatch from Amsterdam announees that the Bank of Holland has lowered its rate of dis count 1 per cent. on bank bills, and i per cent. on commercial paper. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY EVENING. A very numerous meeting was held this afterncon at Meurice's Hotel, to take into consideration the propriety of presenting an address to the Emperor of the French on his recent escape from assassina tion. Lord Gray of Gray was called to the chair. Lord Gray read an address which had been drawn up, and which he recommended the meeting to adopt. Sir H. Hoare, Bart., proposed the first resolu tion. Ha expressed his great disgust, which he said he was sure was shared by the whole meeting, at the diabolical attempt to assassinate the Emperor and Empress, and he declared that Englishmen had a peculiar horror of assassination. The crime was, perhaps, more odious in their eyes than in those of any other nation. (Cheers.) He proposed the resolution :—"That this meeting have seen wi, h the deepest rejoicing the failure, by the mercy of Divine Providence, of the late iniquitous attempt on the lives of their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of the French." Mr. Newton Scott having seconded the resolution, it was put from the chair and carried unanimously. Lord Rollo then proposed, and Dr. Gunning seconded, the next resolution, which was as follows :—" That his Majesty be requested to receive a deputation, for the purpose of conveying to his Majesty the expression of these feelings." Captain Pierse, R.N , proposed, and Mr. Carter secondbf, the next re solution :—" That au address, framed in accord ance with the above resolutions, be agreed to, and that a deputation be named to present the same to his Majesty in the event of his Majesty consent ing to receive the same." Sir R. Dallas, in an eloquent speech, suggested that the address ought to contain some reference to the observations re: specting England, which had been made by the Presidents of the Senate, the Legislative body, and the Council of State, when -bey went up to the Emperor with addresses of congratulation, and he proposed an address in accordance with his views. Lord Gray remarked that it would be desirable to avoid any political allusions in the address ; and sir H. Hoare expressed the same opinion. A discussion then ensued, and eventu ally Mr. H. Oridland proposed, and Captain Lynch seconded, a formal resolution to the effect that nothing of a political character should appear in the address, but that it should be confined exclu sively to congratulating the Emperor. This reso• lotion met the approbation of the meeting, and Sir R. Dallas withdrew his motion. Mr. Kirk patrick then suggested that instead of the word " Englishmen" in the address, the designation " British subjects" should be inserted. This was agreed to. Mr. Newton Scott proposed an amend ment, denouncing the refugees for abusing the hospitality of England, and declaring thatthe people of England would support the Government in any measures respecting refugees it might think fit to propose ; but, in compliance with the general opi nion of the meeting, he withdrew it. The address was then put, and was adopted unanimously with enthusiastic acclamation. It is as follows : " We, the undersigned British subjects, residing ib Paris, are desirous of conveying to your Ma jesty the expression of our sincere congratulations, and of our deep and heartfelt joy at the failure, by the blessing of Almighty God, of the diabolical attempt on your Majesty's life and that of the Empress. " While rejoicing, Sire, in common with the whole of Europe, that, by the mercy of Divine Providence, your Majesty has been spared for the glory of rance and the welfare of the civilised world, we, as British subjects, entertain even a deeper feeling of thankfulness for the preservation of the warm and constant ally of our beloved Sovereign. " We beg to assure your Majesty of our earnest prayers for the health and happiness of your Ma jesty and of your Imperial Consort, and that your Majesty may long continue to preside over the destinies of this great country, with the best and highest interests of which the name of Napoleon 111. has become indissolubly connected." The following gentlemen were then appointed a deputation to carry up the address to the Em peror :—Lord Gray of Gray, Lord Rollo, Sir R. Dallas, Bart., Sir S. Northcote, Captain Pierse, R.N., the O'Gorman Mahon, D. L., Major-General Waters, Lieutenant-Colonel Cooper, Sir J. Oiliffe, Bishop Spencer, Capt. Murray, Hon. G. Barring ton; Rev. Armstrong, Mr. Kirkpatrick, Dr. Gunning, and Mr. Augustus GAdsmid, Sec. It is stated as positive that a communication has been made by the French Minister in Loudon to the English Government demanding the expulsion from England of five political refugees—one or two Italian, and the others French. I cannot say wheth. r positive proof has been obtained connecting those persons with the late attempt on the Emperor. The editor of the Estafette was sentenced to-day to imprisonment for two months and to pay a fine of 500 f., for having published an article described as " insulting to religion and public morality." There is little doubt that the Estafette will share the fate of the Spectateur, and be suppressed. BOURSE, Jan. 20. —The following were the last quotations :- 4. por Cents 94 Do. end month._ - 3 per Cent. ..... 68 40 Do. end month 63 80 Bank Shares Credit Mobilier Do. Account BBO RAIL Orleans Northern New Ditto 785 Lyon and Mediteran. 865 New Ditto B4O Geneva Credit Foncier Delgian , I t Piedmontese (5) — Roman BB Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt 37 VATS. Midi Western 675 Strasburg Grand Central ... Sardinian Austrian THE FUNERAL OF FIELD-MARSHAL RADETZKY. VIENNA, Jan. 18.—At half-past 5 yesterday evening the body of the late Marshal Radetzky reached this city, and was at once taken to the great arsenal, which is close to the terminus of the Southern Railroad. This morning, at 11 o'clock, the mortal remains of the Wellington of Austria were brought with great pomp and ceremony from the arsenal to the Cathedral of St. Stephen. At about half-past 11 the reigning Empress, the Empress-Mother (the widow of the Emperor Francis), and the Archduchess Sophia drove from. the Imperial Palau to the residence of the C4rd,i nal- Archbishop, and seated themselves at an open win dow, which afforded them agood side view of the place in front of the Cathedral. Some few minutes before 12 the great bell of the Cathedral began to toll, and soon after the procession was seen advancing slowly up the Karnthner-Strasse. The first troops which entered the Place of St. Stephen were a detachment of dragoons, and immediately after them came the Emperor. His Majesty, who was attend , it by Count Grunne, his' first adjutant-general, and 12 ailju tants, was received on his a' rival before he Giant's gate with a short wailing blast of trumpets. Atter having saluted the Imperial ladies woo were seated at the above-mentioned window, the Emperor turned his horse's head towards the liarrithner- Strasse, and sat in his saddle for about 20 minu . es with tut moving hand or foot. During the time mentioned the procession moved f,rward iu the following order :—After the Imperial c:q•tege came Marshal Count Wratislaw with his suite ; and, as he neared the spot where the Emperor sat, a powerful military baud began to play a dead march, which bears the name of Radetzky. At a short distance behind Marshal Wratislaw marched a battalion of Cnasseurs, with its brass band playing the same funeral march. After CT() Ril es came a regiments of the line, with a nia,_,,iii&ent band playing at its head, and then another regiment and another band. The next bk dy of troops, a detachment of artillery, was followed by two batteries of six guns and two howit zers each.• Two companies of pioneers were followed by some 60 or 80 invalids, whose gray locks and withered faces showed that they had seen but little leis service than the veteran whose b ,dy they were accompanying to the grave. The invalids were fol lowed by a military band, and a company of gens darmrs on foot, and they by some servants in mourning, and four priests, carrying large wax tapers. Behind the clergy was led the Marshal's ch trger, which was covered with black cloth. The train of the robe worn by the animal, which was carried by a man, must have been three yards long. After the horse came the hearse, drawn by six fiery black horses, which were also partially covered with back cloth. As the hearse drew near the Giant's-g , te, the Emperor made his horse fall back, and as the attendants re moved the coffin from the carriage on to a bier the! before-mentioned troops, which had formed in the I Bischof's Gasse and on the Stephen's-place, pre- seated arms. Some time elapsed before the coffin, HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. 1: 1 11IS Day—Morn., 60 min. aft. s —Even., 15 min. aft. 6 To-Mow:Low—Morn., 30 min. aft. 6—Even., 55 min aft 6 A'HE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, JANUARY 21. THERMOMETER, IN THE 61—highest since noon yesterday. 37—lowest this morning and during the night. 40 —this day at noon. BAROMETER. 30.18—rising. WIND, North-Easterly ; strong, with fine clear cold weather, inclining to sharp frost. - r_ftve 71 4 1 Cl rice , §1 1 1,31, _ LONDON, THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 1858. That the magnates of Leadenhall-street should not be willing to surrender the power and patronage which they have hitherto exercised without a sharp struggle, was what might easily have been anticipated. Few men abandon any position which they have achieved without energetic efforts, and more especially when that surrender would be their own condemnation, and equivalent to a plea of guilty to the indictment. We will do the Directors the justice to say that they are adopting a judicious and prudent coins() in appealing to public opinion. It Las been tardily adopted ; not, indeed, until "the charge had been prepared," and the judges in readiness to hear the case. But still let them have the lenefit of the plea phis darrien, contiatcance, and if they can obt a in a verdict of acquittal by an im partial j ury , or prove th a t greater evils may be I anti c i pa t e d under the new reg i me , by all means let them h e reasonatl can establi s h i n their own favour, b ut o f an y a d v o e u t b h t e t benefit h at may not o only of what they exist. Circumstan ces have, unquestionably, been favourable. N o t only can they indicate the re- It is . now ten days since the New Divorce Act passed into law. Already we have received abundant proofs of the necessity that existed for some of its provisions. Of course it could not have been anticipated, that any contested cases could have been ready for hearing. But there have been many instances in which deserted wives have appealed, under perhaps the most beneficial of its clauses, for protection for their persons and earnings, against dissolde and careless husbands. The magistrates should in every way give a libe ral interpretation to the statute. They should give immediate protection, whenever a prima facie case was established. , By so doing, they can at most inflict but a mere temporary inconvenience ; while by refusing relief they may allow irrepar able mischief. Their orders are but in the nature of temporary injunctions, which can, and may be set aside, whenever reasonable cause can be shown to the contrary, or a fair explanation given of the grounds of the alleged desertion, and the unques• tionable absence. Besides, be it remembered that the protection can only be afforded to after acquired property, or, what is more to the point, a woman's own earnings, the , fruits of her own talent and industry. How many women are there able and willing to work, not only for their own support, but for that of their children ? Nay more, who could obtain pecuniary assistance from friends or relatives but for the possibility of profligate husbands stepping in and directing the profits of their t o il t o vicious habits and pursuits. In fact, the main fault of the act is, as weexplainedwhen it was under discussion, that it does not go f ar enoug h in favour of the g entle sex. They we re f rame d to be the helpmates and partners —not the slaves or servants of stern masters. Why should they not be entitled to retain p is session of all that was their own—whether they became en titled to it before or after the separation We believe that few really good husbands-- few that have truly and faithfully discharged the obligations they contracted at the nuptial hour have bad bad wives. There are, of course, exceptions to every general rule, and there may be women to whom the chief errors that created unhappy homes should b e a t tr ib ute d . But, as we have stated, the best chance of avoid ing unfortunate differences will be afforded by making both parties comparatively independent. Women, God bless them, are always ready to for give offences. It is, generally speaking, the man's fault ; if it should not be so, and that the wife crira ini3; she sho u ld, a t a ll best she cou ld f or e w y e e r n e ts a , le b o e partice ps enabled to do the the future, not being hampered or restrained by undue liabilities. Whatever may be said against her want of discretion or judgment, why should she not be a free agent, until some act of crimi nality could be proved, that would alter the mutual relations between husband and wife, or, according to the antiquated legal phraseology, Baron and Femme, the mere terms whereof implied degradation. We should have nothing of the kind in the latter half of the 19th century. Our object, however, under the existing law, is merely to urge on magistrates the propriety and justice of taking a liberal and enli g htened view of its valuable provisions, an d no t t o per mit its beneficial aims to be fritte re d away b y d o ubts or difficulties that will not bear the test of strict in vestigation. The great point to be considered is that granting the order, even on an ex parte state ment, can do no mischief. Refusing it may do a great deal. • TLI ROYAL MARRIAGa —Yesterday morning it was resolved, at a special meeting of the Manchester Town Counci;, that an address should be presented to the Queen, on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Royal. GENERAL llAvELonies RELIGION.—A testimony to Ilavaock's devotional habits has already a ppeared, but corning from another source, it may, on this occasion, be Suitably repeated :—" This model of a Christian knight has found that rest which he seldom knew ma earth. It may interest your readers to be told that even on such arduous service as the Affghan campaign and the siege of Jellalabad—whero he was almost the only officer who supp orted Broadfoot in ma i nta i n ing, against the opinions of both Sale and Macgregor, that Jellalibad should be defended and not eurrendered— even there Havelock invariably secured two hours in the morning for reading the Scriptures and private prayer. If the march began at six, be rose at four ; if at four, be r n,e at two. Is it any wonder that he was raised up as a deliverer to our people, almost like one of the Judges of Israel ?"._Letter front Calcutta. GRAND RE 'OOLJVICIL (THIS DAY.) A grand review of the troops took place to-day on Woolwich Common, at which the whole of the dis tinguished foreign personages now on a visit to her Majesty were present. Shortly after eleven o'clock the Royal party, ac companied by his Royal Highness the Dike of Cambridge and Lord Panmure, arrived at the Ar senal for the purpose of inspecting the mechanical wonders of the establishment prior to the review commencing. _ _ _ The illustrious visitors inspected the carriage department, and were much astonished at the ra pidity with which a wheel was cut from the rough timber, and completely finished. TI e time occu pied being but a few minutes. In the gun department the whole process of casting was exhibited, and elicited much wonder ment and surprise. The steam hammer by Nasmyth excited the greatest interest. Several proofs of the capabilities of the machine were given, in order to show the great nicety with which the ponderous mass can be regulated. The inspection of the arsenal having been con cluded, the distinguished party took their depar , tare for the Common, and on arriving on the ground they were received with the usual military honours. The troops were drawn up at half-past 1 p.m., and the ground was pointed out in the following order : / —First line—A regiment of Life Guards and three battalions of Foot Guards ; second line, the 11th Hussars, the 15th Foot, the East Kent Militia, and the Royal Marines. The Royal Horse Ar tillery was stationed on the right, and at right angles with the first line, and the two field batteries on the left, at right angles with the first lino. The whole force was commanded by Lieut.- General Sir J. F. Love. Major-General Lawren son commanded the cavalry brigade ; Major- General Lord Rokeby the brigade of the Guards ; and Major-General Sir W. F. Williams the Infantry. The Royal Horse Artillery and the field batteries were under the command of their respec tive officers. The troops appeared in marching order. The review commenced and consisted of a num ber of evolutions, slow and quick, marching salutes, charges, &c., dro., all of which, it is need less to say, were gone through in first-rate style, and elicited the highest encomiums from the dis tinguished spectators. At the conclusion of the review 1,500 of the troops dined together at the Royal Military Repository. J COURT CIRCULAR. THE STATE BALL. His Majesty the King of the Belgians and the Duke of Brabant, attended by Col. Count de Moerkerke, went yesterday to Claremont. The Prince Consort, the Prince of Prussia, the Princes Albert, Frederick Charles, Frederick Albert and Adal bert of Prussia, the Count of Flanders, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, Prince William of Baden, and Prince Julius of Holstein Glacksburg, left Buckingham Palace at half-past 9 o'clock yesterday morning for Windsor. The royal party went out shooting, and returned to town in the afternoon. The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred, attended by the Baroness de Wan genheim, Baron Treskow, Col. the Hon. N. Wood, Mr. Gibbs, ard Lieut. Cowell, vi.ited the Crystal Palace at Sydenham. Her Majesty the Queen took a drive in the afternoon in a carriage and four, accompanied by the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, and the Princess of Prussia. The Equerries in Waiting attended on horseback. The Queen gave last evening a state ball, to which a party of about 1,100 had the honour of being invited. The guests comprised the foreign princes and princesses on a visit to the Queen, the royal family, the diplomatic corps, the ministers and officers of sta'.e with their wives and daughters, the ladies and gentlemen of the royal household, and a large party of the nobility and gentry. The Ball and Concert Room, the Promenade Gallery, the Approach Gallery, the Dinner Room, Yellow Draw ing Room, the Saloon, White Drawing It iom, Picture Gallery, and Green Drawing Room, were opened for this reception. The royal family, upon their arrival, were ushered to the White Drawing Room, where the Queen received her illustrious visitors. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort were accompanied by the Princess Royal, the King of the Belgians, the Prince and Princess of Prus sia, the Duke of Brabant, the Count of Flanders, Prince Frederick Albert, and Prince Adalbert of Prussia, Prince William of Baden, and the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Coburg, the Prince of Leiningen, the Prince of Hohen zollern Sigmaringen. A party of the Yeomen of the Guard was on duty in the grand hall and staircase, under the carninand of Capt. Sir John Kincaid, the Exon in Waiting. Sir Geo. Rooftop, the ensign, and Col. Fitzalaurice, the adjutant of the corps, were also present. A. detachment of the Foot Guards, with the band of the regiment, mounted in the quadrangle of the palace. The Maharajah Dhuleep Singh arrived early at Buck ingham Palace. . The Duchess of Cambridge, the Princess Mary, and the Duke of Cambridge arrived at 20 minutes before 10 o'clock. Soon after the arrival of their Royal Highnesses, the Queen, the King of the Belgians, and the whole of the royal party, left the White Drawing-room, and ware conducted by the Marquis of Brealatbane, Lard Chamberlain, to the ball and coucFrt room. The Ladies in Waiting and the general company followed her Majesty and the illustrious circle. The Queen wore a -dress of white tulle over white glace silk, the upper skirt figured tulle trimmed with blonde. The dress trimmed with large heartsease ornamented with diamonds. The Queen's head-dress was formed of a wreath of heartsease, and ornamented with diamonds to correspond with the dress. The Princess Royal wore a dress of India muslin, white spotted with guld,looped up with bouquets of white roses and variegated leaves. The Princess wore round her head a wreath of the same flowers and leaves. The ornaments were diamonds. The Princess of Prussia wore a dress of white satin trimmed with puffings of tulle and silver lace, and bouquets of bright-coloured flowers. Her Royal Highness's head dress was composed of velvet with diamonds and flowers to match the dress. A diasaond and emerald necklace. r The Duchess of Cambridge wore a white ilk dreg., ichly trimmed with white lace and bonidonnees ot ulle. Her Royal Highness's head-dress was formed of a diamond tiara and lilac feathers. A diamond and emerald necklace and stomacher to match. The Princess Mary ot Cambridge wore a dress with bouffants of tulle over white silk, trimmed with blonde and white satin ribbon, ornamented with bunches of lilies of the valley and grass, wit shkirt. rich The st fringe lilies of the valley and grass on the upp er omacher, on a s rose tte aide of her of green ornaments e on wore one de o bead, and lilies of the v alle y on the other side ; an erne. d r a e m env d el s v a e n t d weitmhedraialdnas.ondThe Princess raid necklace. The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg wore a dress of white tulle trimmed with silver fringe and ornamented w,th bouquets of blue flowers. Her Royal Highness wore round her head a wreath of blue flowers studded with diamonds. The Princes of Prussia appeared in uniforms of dark tine, with silver appointments, and wore the ensigns of the Order of the Black Eagle of Prussia. The Duke of Sax€-Coburg was habit td in toe uniform of the Prussian Cuirassiers. Weippert's quadrille band, consisting of 36 artistes, was statiA2el in the orchestra of the boll and concert room, and after the entrance of the Quem and the formation of a quadrille commenced playing " The Rose of Castile" (Cannot* A waltz, composed expressly for this occasion by Mr. Weippert, " The Frederick William," was after yards played, and also a quadrille, "The Rose of England" (Breww ). The following music was also played : otrAnaitus. Wedding Linda - Venice VALSES Peterhof Maud m ... Tro vatore Fra Diavolo _ ~ D'Albert .. D'Albert Queen of the Harvest , Guile Laurent' Weippert , Jullieu GALOPS. Alarm Coote Browne Leviathan - D'Albert Traviata Antelope The Marquis of Clauricarde (Lord Privy Seal), has app ifited A. W. Blake, Eeq., to be his lordship's private secretary. u u rly, a B : s ß msr .t eoi isnif:Aephc. pronounced nrAoeut satisfactory,ubn returns c u n e s sd o b f o bt o yh k G o gto f hoyl f eed u r r nd : io h usr e mc r obßv p aea a rrr p ik e e oi r sy s f. on this subject was yesterday issued from the press. It sitnou GplpB:sl3:6Dsi in eve ry A. conapari•ion of the produce of the diggings of Victoria e t e h v uAg e liceosss ibiting an increase of from 5,530 to 8,802, and that of the 801 l forwarded to the ports, from 466,159 oz. to 471,186 oz. It is inferred from a review of the returns that neither the results of the moment, nor the pr.'parations for the future, indicate any decline in the gold production of the colony of Victoria. The average , expert for the past five y e ars is estimated by r 11. Barkly at fully 3,000,000 oz., worth at the very least 12,000,000/. per annum ; nor is there reason to doubt that this average will be sustained for a very much longer period. In New Zealand but little had been re ceived from the (diggings up to the 17th April, 1856. THE FIRST Jew Q.C.—T:.e opening of the law c Alas on Monday last wee remarkable for one incident, which I have not yet seen noticed. Amongst the batch of counsel who have just received silk, and cn that day took thPir seats within the b ar, a pp ears the name of Mr. Goldsinia. He is a son of the Bar.,n Goldsmid, and is, I believe, the first member of the Hebrew persuasion who has yet attained that dignity. Tois is another step in that gradual social "Jewish emancipation which has of late advanced with such steady progress. The " lord may iralty " has lost its "Christian " character ; l nd that of the inner bar i s now gone—according to Sir F. Thesiger. It is a good omen of another more important loss of the same character— in the same sense, of course, I mean.—Vancheaer Lxaminer. which appeared to be extremely heavy, could be got out of the hearse, and, when it was disengaged, the upper (head) part of it struck the bier with such violence that persons who were 100 yards distant distinctly heard the sound produced by the shock. The hearse was followed by 80 or 90 Generals, and they by 500 or 600 officers of all arms. While the coffin was being carried into the church all these officers were assembled on the place in front of the cathedral, and such a vast assemblage of Blanes and feathers has rarely, if ever, been seen at one and the same time. Among the General-officers were the Marshal Arch duke John. the Archduke Francis Charles (father of the present Emperor), the Archduke Ludwig (brother of the late Emperor Francis), Marshal Prince Win di,chgratz, Lieut.-General von Rabenhorst, the Saxon Minister of War, Lieutenant-General von Hoheuhausen, the Coiaritander of the Second Divi sion of the Bavarian army, and many other distinguished foreigners. As soon as the corpse of the deceased Marshal had been taken into the Cathedral, where it did not remain more than three or four minutes, the Emperor put hiin self at the head of the troops which were drawn up iu the Rothenthurm-Strasse, and when the coffin had been replaced in the hearse the procession moved towards the suburb Jagerzeile, at the end of which is the terminus of the Northern Rail road, by which the body is to go to Stockheran, the nearest station to Wetzdorf. To the sides of the rich velvet pall with which the coffin was covered were a.tached the numerous stars and crosses that formerly ornamented the breast of Radetzky, and on the top of the coffin lay his mar shal's staff, sword, sash, and hat. The chief mourners were Count Theodore Radetzky and Baron Wenkheim, his brother-in-law. In accord ance with th. 3 wish of the Emperor Alexander 11., the sword which his father gave Radetzky will be laid in the grave with him. The windows of some of the houses opposite the principal entrance to the Cathedral were hung with black c!oth by their owners. Since the death and burial of the Archduke Charles, in 1847, there has been no such pompous funeral ceremony in Austria as that which has to-day been performed in this city. TEE WEST _INDIA MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY, 10.30 p.M. The Royal Mail Company's steam-ship Atrato, Captain Woolley, bas arrived with the usual mails in charge of Lieut. Inglis, R.N. She was detained six days at St.Thomas's waiting for the Trent, with the Pacific and Spanisl. Main mails, which vessel had encountered very rough weather, and was obliged to go to Jamaica for coals, arriving at St. Thomas's on the 6th inst. at 6 a.m. The Atrato has had variable weather on the voyage. Her dates are—Santa Martha, Dec. 23 ; Greytown, 17 ; Nas sau, 14 ; Colon, 24 ; Demerara and Trinidad, 25 ; Carthagena, 26 ; Jamaica, Jan. 1 ; Grenada, Dec. 25 ; Barbadoes, 27; Bermuda, 24 ; Honduras, lr ; and St. Thomas's. Jilt, 6. The Atrato brings 35 passengers, specie value 780,709 dots., platina value 1,350 dols., pearls value 3001., 229 serons cochineal, 1,261 bags cocoa, and a general miscellaneous cargo. The news from Jamaica for the fortnight has been centered in legislative matters, the most important of which was the final settlement of the financial measures of the session. The hereditament tax, which was very unpopular, had been got rid of. A. registration tax on houses above the annual rental of 201. was levied, and certain duties and exports adopted in place of the hereditament tax. Intelligence was received at Jamaica of the total loss of the American brigantine Malvern, of Phila delphia, which left Jamaica on the 20th of Novem ber, bound for Poiladelphia with a cargo of log wood. She was l os t on the 25th off the Grand Caymanas. The captain and crew were saved. Trade had become unusually brisk at Jamaica. The weather was fair, and the public health generally good. Produce remains stagnant. Coffee in better supply, but transactions were confined to small purchases for the English market at from 345. to 375. per 1001 b. Pimento not in supply, nor was there any quantity demanded. Logwood was offered at a decline, but buyers were scarce. Flour was dull of sale, with a heavy stock. Freights !ow, with no inclination to ship. Exchanges on London, 90 days, 1. per cent. premium ; 60 days, 1 ; 30 days, 2 ; merchants' bills at par. A fresh batch of immigrants had arrived at Martinique by the ship Clara from the coast of Africa. The mortality on board this vessel was much higher than in any of the Coolie ships previously received. Out of 325 no less than 35 died during the passage, which lasted 29 days, and a number of 'hose landed bad to he sent to the hospital, .where many of them have died. The Clara is described as a small vessel, of not more than 300 tons mea surement These were the first immigrants introduced by Regis and Co., of M.,rseilles, under their new con tract with the Government. It was mentioned that symptoms of discontent had been manifested by the African immigrants in the quarter of Lamentin, and an attempt at flight to the neighbouring island of St. Lucia had been discovered on the Chateau Lezard estate. The labourers of several estates were in the plot. The crews of the past 11 months of the year showed a falling off compared with the corresponding period in 1856 ; of sugars there had been 49,346 hhds. this year, be 4,666 less than last year ; and a decrease appeared also iu rum, coffee, and c.coa. Under the head of " A Russian fleet in the Antilles, the Oatre Mer gives the following extract from the Avenir (Guadaloupe paper) of the 10th of December : We are indebted to the obligingness of our friends for the following intelligence from St. Thomas's, under date of the 29th ult. : " We are momentarily looking for the arrival of a Russian fleet. A German house at this place has been instructed to hold at the disposal of the commandant of this fleet 60,000 pounds sterling (1, 500, 000 f.) We are all bewildered here in con jectures upon such a visit." From the Pacific we learn that the assassin of Mr. Sullivan had been discovered. He is a French man. The Atrato spoke, December, 27, at 9 th• English brig Duchess of Northumberland, going into Kingston,"Jainaica ; January 11, in lat. 32 42 N., long. 50 22 W., the English barque West Indian, from Demerara for London ; January 18, in lat. 47 46 N., long. 18 26 W., the English barque Shallett, steering east. LYCEUM THEATRE. Last night a new and original play, in three ' ants, entitled, " Lover's Amazements, or Hew Will it End," was produced al; this theatre with great success.' The announcement that the piece was from the pen of Leigh Hunt excited the most pleasant anticipations, which were agreeably realised in the result. The scene of the biilliant trifle is laid in France, and the plot is as fol lows : _ _ _ Chevalier de Torsey (Ur. J. G. Shore), an officer of the Parliamentary forces, has the misfortune to fall one evening into the hands of Captain de la Rousse (Mr. C. Dillon); of the army of the Fronde, a very "fast" young gentleman, as the modern phrase has it, who, learning that his prisoner has undertaken to escort a lady through the camp to a place of safety, gener ously allows him a fes:. hours' liberty, for the purpose of fulfilling his gallant engagement. The fair one in question is no other than the Chevalier's sweetheart, ill , Countess de Montelais (Mrs. A. Mellon), in whom th Captain recognises an old flame of his own, to whom he nad made many soft protestations—false man that he is—and in whoso society he had spent many hours of innocent flirtation. The Captain boasts of the favours he ha- received, an 1 is a= cordingly called to account by tie Chevalier, 't hey fight, aid from the picket of de la Rousse, who is wounded in the duels there falls a packet of letters addressed to him in former times by the Cant'. teas. Eagerly snatching the fatal prize, the Chevalier rushes into the presence of his mistress with the intention of finally cancelling their engagement. The Countess receives him with supercilious hauteur, and " trumps" his card mos t e ff ect i ve l y b y quietly handing him, in return for his packet, !mother containing a number of love-letters addressed by himself to a certain Louise de la Motto (Mrs. Charles Dillon), who has now retired to a convent, where, however, she has not ai yet taken the veil, A pauionate csue ensues, in the course of which the Countess utters many pungent sarca.ma about the inconsistency of men in exacting from the other sex a fidelity which they are by no means prepared to reciprocate. In the third act we find the Captain suffering severely from his wound, and receiving the most humane attentions from a novice Scour de Charite, for whom he conceives a romantic passion. The sister lifts her dark veil, and to big arnezement reveals the familiar features of Louise de la Motte, the only woman whom he had ever truly loved. It is now Louise's turn to play at reprisals, and she does so in brilliant style. But ultimately all comes right. The two sets of lovers agree, and matrimony, which always means happiness (on the stage), is the delightful dertiny of all the characters in this pictty little drama. The principal part, Captain de la Rousse, was admirably sustained by Mr. C. Dillon. He pourtrayed the gallant,. loving, careless cavalier to the life. Mrs. C. Dillon and Mrs Mellon have parts that suit to a nicety, and the result is a very fascinating and graceful performance, and Mr. Shore acquitted himself with much ability. On the fall of the curtain the applause was embus'. astic, amidst which there were loud calls for the author. In a few momeuts Leigh Huut was led for ward by Mr. Dillon, and the venerable poet was received in a man ner wel befitting one who has been so long associated with the national literature. The house was crowded, every seat being occupied previous to the rising of the curtain.