The Sun. — London, England, 1860-05-14 00:00:00

BENSON'S WATCHES " Perfectly of mechanism."—Morning Post. Gold Silver 2to 50 guineas. Send 2 stamps for Benson's Illustrated Pamphlet, descr7p tivc of every construction of watch now made, with their prices. Watches sent to all parts of the kingdom free by post, or to India and the Colonies for ss. extra. 33 and 31, Ludgate-hill, London, E.C. Established 1749. THEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Bukstone. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE FAMILY SEC E I'. Messrs. Chippendale, Howe, W. Farren, Villiers, Buckstone, Mrs. B. White, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Wilkins, and Miss Amy Salgwick. Fo•lo , .yed by the Farce, entitled THE RIFLE, AND HOW TO USE IT. Messrs. Buckstone, Compton, Rogers, Airs. B. IS'hite, Mrs. Wilkins, and Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam. After which, a new fairy romance, THE PILGRIM OF LOVE. RO YA L PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Lessee, Mr. A. Harris. THIS EVENING, OTHELLO. Mr. Phelps. T.) conclude with the extrava2loaza of THE SYLPHIDE. Miss C. Lcclercq, Miss Louise Keeley, Miss Helen Howard, Miss Rose Leclercq, Mr. Shore, Mr. Saker, and Mr. Frank Matthews, Commence at 7. OY AL LYCEUM THEATRE.- OPERA CO3IIQUE. 1.1) Under the management of M. LAURENT, Sen. THIS ICVENING, LA PORTE OVERTE OU FERMEE, Comedie, in One Act ; Madame Blainville, M. Dubary. After which, LECHALET ; Madame Latouche, 31. Castel Mary, M. Wrydach. To be followed by LE MA RIAGE AUX LANTERNES, Opera Bouffe ; Madame Salm son, Madame Dalis, Madame Seguin, M. Geoffroy. To con clude with MADAME BERTRAND ET MLLE. RATON, Vaudeville, in One Act; Madame Firman, Madame Blain vine, 31. Richard. Commence at eight o'clock, ADELPHI, NEW THEATRE-ROYAL. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. Re-appearance of Mr. and Mrs. A. I%9.9:an—Third week of the populae American Actress, Miss Julia Daly. 1115 EVENING (first time), ITS AN ILL WIND . ~ OWS NOBODY GOOD. Messrs. Alfred Wigan, JJ. /. ,ole, Stuart, Billington, C. J. Smith, Ward, Mrs. A. Wigan, and Miss 11. Simms.. After which, OUR FEMALE AMERICAN COUSIN. Messrs. Stuart, C. Selby, Billington, Eburne, Miss Julia Daly, K. Kelly, Laidlaw, and Mrs. Chatterley. Box-office open from 10 till 5. Private boxes, 42 28. ; Family Boxes, IL Orchestra Stalls, ss. • Balcony, 4s. ; Front Circle Stalls, Se . • Pit Stalls, 20.; Pit, is. ed. ; Amphitheatre, is ; Gallery, 6d: Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith. ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, King-street, St. James's. Lessee, Mr. T. B. Chatter ten. Directress, Miss Wyndham. The nearest Theatre to Chelsea, Pimlico, and Westminster, the Park being open to carriages and foot passengers all hours of the night. THIS EVENING the performances will commence with a new and original comedy, entitled A FRIEND IN NEED. F. Robinson, C. Young, &c. To be foliowzd by DIDO. After which, A CHANGE OF SYSTEM. Reduced Prices—Gallery, &I; Pit, is. The Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past six ; perform eine commences at 7. A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.— Proprietor ➢ir. WM. BATTY. Iliandger, ➢lr. EDWIN HUGHES. The GREAT MILITARY SPECTACLE nightly increases In popularity and attraction. The brilliant and unequalled Scenes in the Arena, now rendered the most complete and ex traordinary ever witnessed, by the engagement of the cele brated " DELAVANTI TROUPE " and the wonder of the world " LITTLE MENONI," arc received with reiterated approbation and enthusiasm. On MONDAY, MAY 14, 1860, and during the Week, To commence with the Great Military Spectacle, in Four Acts, entitled " Tim HISTORY OF .X FLAG," splendid Scenery and Appointments, &c., The Novelties in the Cirque introducing the following eminent Artistes—Mdlles. Maria, De Berg, Monet, Devereux, m cs sr,... H. Williams, Fernando, Watson, Delavanti Troupe, and I.lttle Menoni. TI K. magnificent Chan idlers manufactured by Messrs. De tries and Sons, Houndsditch. Dom s open at half-past 0, performance commence at 7. Box -office open daily from 11 till 4. Stage Manager—Mr. W. NVEsT. CONCERTS.- CANTERBURY HALL TI EIS EVENING. C. H. GOUNOD'S OPERA, FAUST. First Time in this Country. Faust Mr. Henry Herbert. Mephistopheles Mr. C. Bernard. Siobel Mrs. Anderson. Marguerite Conductor Mr. Jonghmans. And selections from Dinorah, Trovatore, Macbeth, and numerous other • Entertainments. Balcony, Is, Hall. fid. Comic Vocalists —Messrs. George Ho !son (the Irish Come dian and Mimic), and W. T. Critchfield. The AFRICAN OPERA T I{OI7PE, their first appearance since 1552, consisting of ELEVEN STAR PERFORMERS, who will give the whole of their inimitable entertainment every evening. The gallery is open from 5 till 11 on Sunday Evening. THE WEATHER.---SuN OFFICE, MAY 13, 1360. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. C9—highest since noon yesterday. 54—lowest this morning and during the night. 67—this day at noon. BARONIETER-29.72. WIND - Westerly ; moderate, with fine weather, but cloudy. It rained heavily in the night. MAT 14. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHIM 67—highest since noon yesterday. 52—lowest this morning and during the night. 57—this day at noon. - • - ROMEIMR-29.93. WIND North-Westerly; light, with dull, rainy weather. It was fine in the morning, but has now set in fur wet. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts DAL—Morning, Bh. 41m.—Afternoon, 9h. 15m. o-mounow.-Morning, 9h. 48m.—Afternoon, 10h. 20m. ~1, , 3,., A - - i'_• , --' -: .i', , ,'...-;'-z ), -- - • , t a 4. I , Z . :z.lr -.: . ''.. y • N, 44: , _ 44r„ , -..; tr •' ( • '' - br o lf , \‘‘ - hi i.; t• . . ' .;;,;, 70 .1r... • t- - `~ iH' THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 14, 1860. THE SUN. LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 14, 1860. It needs but the last drop to brim over the cup of indignation. It requires but the last straw, says the adage, to break the back of the camel. And for the " last straw" we have now Mr. GLADSTONE'S proposition, for this evening, to abolish the postal privilege hitherto accorded to newspapers—and for the " camel's back," the Patience of the House of Commons: Heretofore, during the past three months of this singular Parliamentary session, the popular branch of the Legislature could hardly have shown itself in every particular more obliging or complaisant. The Opposition has never once proved either implacable or ungenerous. It has not once afforded Ministerialists the oppor tunity of raising anew the old, old cry that we had come to be so heartily sick of hearing blatently roared forth perpetually upon all occasions, good, bad, or indifferent, from the " leathern lungs" of the Whig Ministers' supporters on the back benches, namely, that of stigmatising their confronting antagonists as a Factious Opposition. There has been every provo cation certainly—diplomatic, financial, and legis lative. There has been the Treaty—there has been the Budget—there has been the Reform Bill; each and all of these more or less obnoxious to the vast majority of the population. Yet, Treaty—Budget —Reform Bill, have all been allowed to pass through their various stages of Parliamentary de velopment without hitherto one really vigorous effort in the way of retarding their progress or thrusting them back (ignominiously rejected) upon the Administration. Step by step they have been permitted to advance towards completion. And it is a curious circumstance in the midst of these reiterated concessions of amiability towards the Cabinet, that whenever there has, upon rare occa sions, been any disposition whatever on the part of the House of Commons to hesitate about swallowing whole and entire any one of the Ministerial nos trums proffered to it as tonic medicines in every respect beneficial to the Constitution r. GLADSTONE, as the mouthpiece of the Ministry, has raved against these momentary qualms of hesi tation like one demented. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is fast becoming among our statesmen what Marshal MASSENA was among NAPOLEON'S Paladins—the "Spoilt Child of Victory." But the spoilt child of victory, who•was the prototype, we all kno,v got, however, far more seriously damaged by defeat at last in the Peninsula. And the Spain of his administrative emulator nowadays seriously threatens to reveal itself before the close of the pre sent session, and to marr materially, if it should fail altogether, to engulph his once dominant re putation. Tonight, in truth, the Cimucellor of the Exelle- quer administers the extreme test to the patience of the Commons House of Parliament. It is but a drop of water after the outpouring of a cataract. It is but the addition of a single straw or a soli tary feather to the tons upon tons-load with which he has hitherto during the last quarter been weigh ing down the consciense of the Legislature. But we believe that here once more the wisdom of the old proverbs will in truth be vividly verified—the last drop brimming over the cup the last straw breaking the back already plainly enough typified. Among all the various wanton and uncalled-for remissions of duties that have ever been proposed to the House of Commons in a year of enormous deficit—commend us, as incompar ably the most extravagant, to the one about to be coolly submitted to the consideration of the Douse this very evening, by a Financier combining the speculative rashness of a JOHN LAW with the over weaning self-reliance of a WILLIAM PATTER SON. Here is an impost, in point of fact — that no one in the three kingdoms has for one instant complained of—that brought last year into the revenue a round sum of £150,000. With the payment of that amount into the Trea sury the journals of the United Kingdom volun tarily burthened themselves. It was the result of a tax the contribution of which to the national income by the newspapers was purely optional. It suited the convenience of the newspapers, and the comfort of the subscribers to newspapers, to pay it. It has tended hitherto, quite obviously, to the faci litation of the transmission of news throughout the population, to the diffusion of knowledge, to the circulation of general intelligence. The abro gation of this voluntarily contributed tax can do no one any possible good—must, inevitably, do a great many a vast deal of injury, subjecting hundreds of thousands of individuals to incalculable annoyance. It will at the same time wantonly strike off another source of supply to the revenue. Compared with the £70,000,000 of our current expenditure, of course, this mere total of £150,000 for the last twelvemonth is insigni ficant. But every little makes a mickle— and more than ever is " every little" a matter of real importance to a state, whether that state be great or small, during a period which is notoriously and avowedly a period of a very considerable and in creasing deficit. The only concievable reason to be advanced for the introdUction of this prepos terous scheme of Mr. GLADSTONE'S in regard to the transmission of newspapers through the Post upon a plan, undreamt of before now, and one that will infallibly prove altogether impracticable and inoperative—is that it may tend to relieve from a certain degree of anxiety and trouble a particular class of officials at St. Martin's-le- Grand. This, remember, at the very time when the Post-office is doing what it was never intended, what it is never desirable that it should do— namely, contributing a clear surplus of more than £1,000,000 sterling to the revenue over and above the actual amount of its expenditure. Here is the root, here is the core of the whole folly of this last bran new financial crotchet of our wonder-working Chancellor of the Exchequer. The surplus of the Post-office as a matter of principle, and as a matter of course, before being drained off into the national treasury, ought to be applied, so far as may be in any way practicable, to the development and im provement of the Post-office itself, as one of the most important and invaluable of our great adminis trative institutions—as one of the most conspicuous and easily recognisable agents of modern civilisa tion. So long as the Post-office establishment admits of improvement—admits of development—so long ought its own surplus revenue to be applied in extending and perfecting its operation. Remembering what the Post-office is, or rather is intended to be—it is simply ridiculous that we should allow its officials to shirk labour and evade responsibility at the very time when it can pour (over and above its own annual expenses) a clear surplus within the year of over one million sterling into the exchequer. We cannot for an instant allow ourselves seriously to believe that the House of Commons will tolerate such an exemplar of fatuity as the eccentric project which Mr. GLADSTONE is about this evening to submit to its consideration. With mingled hope and fear all Englishmen are watching the expedition of GARIBALDI. The French journalists, who, we would hope, represent of necessity the selfish perplexities of the Tuileries, not the sympathies of their countrymen, feel con strained to object to the brave General's attempt ; but here men of all parties, Whigs, Tories, or Ra dicals, even Peace•at-any-price men, earnestly pray Heaven to prosper GARIBALDI. All Englishmen are yet burning with indignation at a system which imprisoned and kept from trial two of their countrymen till one of them nearly lost his reason ; and they know that this system, far from having been bettered, has become worse since the accession of the young Monarch. And Sicily, they know, has not less reason than Naples to loathe the cruel and illegal Government of the young Bourbon. The island has even a worse reputation with the Bourbons than the mainland. Its inhabitants, as islanders, and inhabitants of a mountainous country, are naturally lovers of liberty; the commingling of races—old Sikels, Greeks, Carthagenians, Normans, Italians, even Saracens —seems also to tend to the love of civil free dom. Be the causes what they may, Sicily has again and again risen for her liberties ; while Eng land from, the use she made of the Island in the wars of NAPOLEON, acquired a spe€ial interest in it which has not yet died away. Indeed we ought to have taken guarantees for the continuance of its constitutional rights. liar struggles for freedom, and for union with the King of SARDINIA, with that object in 1848 we can all remember. The islanders, for a time, freed them selves from the tyranny of King FERDINAND, who, however, had at that time treacherously put himself forward as a defender of Italian liberties. The perfidious wretch, however, soon dropped the mask, and immediately set about the reconquest of Sicily. In this he was successful, by the help of that disgrace to the Republic from which they came, Swiss mercenaries, under the command of General FILANGIERI ; these cutthroats filled the island with pillage, massacre, and cruelties of every kind. Once more the Bourbon extin guished liberty in Mood. It is not to be denied, however, that, for the cruel tool of the cruelest of tyrants, FILANGIERI governed well. He at last became bearable to the Sicilians, and for that very reason, it seems, unbearable to the Neapolitan tyrant. He was removed, and after his removal the police, with the soldiery at their back, appear to have become the tormentors of the islanders—torment and good government be ing apparently synonymous terms in the voca bulary of the Neapolitan Bourbons. Hence the present rising. The people could endure no longer. They do not appear to have had any dis tinguished leader, at least we have seen no mention of one yet ; the rising seems to have been one of maddened despair, so much so, that it is even thought it was intentionally provoked to give tie troops the opportunity of pillage, and the KING the pleasure of numberless patriot executions. If so, those _ who provoked the insurrection did not calculate on so obstinate a resistance. ' Notwithstanding all the accounts from Naples, and the conflicting, though often desponding ac counts from Turin ; the patriots appear up to the present time to have kept possession of the moun tainous interior of the island, and the troops al though reinforced have not been able to venture far from the towns on the coast and the fleet. The coast only is the King's, the interior belongs to the patriots. It is in this state of things that we read of GARIBALDI'S departure. At the moment we are writing no one knows for certain his plans. He is reported to have landed 1,000 troops at Marsala, a small town at the westernmost angle of the island. It was long doubted whether he would not land in Calabria, where the people, like the Sici lians, are good hands at insurrection, and so create a diversion ; it seems, however, now more likely that he will render direct aid to the Sicilians if he can succeed in escaping the Neapolitan fleet. Of this the gallant General did not seem to have much doubt. Indeed, he is reported to have pro posed, if requisite, not to let them escape him, but to board them, if they did not know better than to molest him Probably the Neapolitan admi rals will prefer not to match their broad sides with the revolvers and cutlasses of GARIBALDI. The King of SARDINIA'S ships are also said to have orders to intercept the General, but we may presume that there are such things as verbal as well as written orders, and that it is quite possible for the Sardinian Admirals, and every sailor under them, not to see vessels understood to be GARIBALDI'S—to take them at least for other vessels, or to sail just in some other direction. The King of SARDINIA is indeed in a difficult position. His French suzerain lord does not will that he should be King of Italy, or even of more of Italy; while his subjects are all enthusiastic for GARIBALDI and Italy. Probably the King could not prevent his departure without risking more than his popularity—it might have shaken his power itself. It was requisite to keep the troops to their barracks to prevent them going on board GARIBALDI'S vessels, and all classes, notwithstand ing the embarkation was conducted as privately as possible, and for that reason extended over five miles of the coast, contrived to muster in great numbers, and to show their ardour for the Sicilian cause. The King of SARDINIA is at present in amicable diplomatic relations with the young brute of Naples, and must act towards him as if he were a respectable king ; then France is hostile to Sicilian liberty, especially if it involve increase of Sardinian power ; and, again, a French army is at Rome, and a French general has taken the command of the Papal army. VICTOR EMMANUEL must therefore behave himself carefully. His sym pathies are undoubted, but he cannot afford to show them. If Sicily join the free Northern Kingdom of Italy it must be, as with the Romagna and the Duchies, her own act. May she succeed in a struggle against such tremendous diplomatic and military odds. We have much pleasure in directing attention to a very able article from the Derbyshire Courier, entitled " Paper Currency in India," in another column, which will go far to convince the Bul lionists of their illusive fancy as to the soundness of PEEL'S Bills of 1819 and 1844. Why, those precious bills broke down over and over again, and in their downfall spread ruin and shame over the land. But still they persist, even against hope, in backing up a theory which invariably breaks down in practice. And why? Because the B unionists trade and profit on the misfortunes of their hard•work in g countrymen. No matter say they—one man's loss is another man's gain. But the wonder is how our public men—our commercial men, can shut their eyes to the gross deception practised on the nation for the exclusive benefit of a scheming few. We remember when Mr. WILSON said that with a paper currency we might bury twenty millions of gold in the bowels of the earth, or in the vaults of the Bank, and so save the constant loss of wear and tear incidental to daily circulation. Why not have a national Bank-note of small denominations even to half a sovereign for the benefit of the poorer classes of our labourers. There can be no panic or run upon a national note. It would be receiv able for taxes and every species or debts. Besides, the nation would pocket the profit deriv able from its use, instead of the discounts going weekly to swell the rest, or profit of the Bank of England. Our Chancellors of the Exchequer may be clever men in scheming out Budgets for the year amid much bewilderment and perplexity; but why do they not grapple with the giant incubus that bears down national enterprise and paralyses commercial credit ? Small notes made Scotland prosperous and independent. Why should not England prosper by the same medium ? It is idle to talk about the difficulty of grappling with the debt due to the Bank of Eng land. To boggle about paying off fourteen mil lions, when we raised six times as much to carry on the Russian war—aye, and lost it into the bargain ! Verily, we seem to copy the example of the improvident man, who squanders his all and borrows more—thus living " From age to age in everlasting debt." It is a positive disgrace to our boasted financiers, who seem only ambitious to make the day and the journey alike, without making any providence for the future. If we had a well founded paper currency we could dispense with gold except for payment to square the, balance of account—and when the foreigner came to buy our gold let him have it at the market value, cheap or dear, according to supply or demand. But now he comes and robs us of it, for he does not pay its pro per value but obtains it at the fixed price accord ing to the standard of the Bank of England— which Bank has often been compelled to stop pay ment in gold because of its exit to the continent ! There never was such accursed fatuity in a commer cial country ! When will the men who guide us open their.eyes before they lead us to the precipice P They really seem to be unaware of the tendency of their actions. For what are cheques and bills of exchange but notes of a larger or smaller denomination. There is more business carried on by their agency than by all the gold and silver on the face of the earth. And yet they will not see the folly of their ways, but still persist is heedless obstinacy. Our Derbyshire friend puts the question very clearly, and, after pointing out some of the evils engendered in Mr. WILSON'S scheme, observes— " But Mr. Wilson has other arguments in favour of a paper currency. It not only, he says, economises capital,' but (1) it reduces the expense of the mint, (2) it saves the wear and tear of coin, (3) it affords greater facilities for the public, especially its transmission from place to place, and (4) 'these advantages are experienced to the greatest extent when coin, as in India, is nearly exclusively of silver, and therefore of great bulk in pro portion to its value.' The practical conclusion to which Mr. Wilson arrives is to recommend the issue of bank-notes for 10s., £l, £2, £5, £lO, and £3O. Sir C. Wood approves of this suggestion. Observe how com pletely the bullionist party in this recommendation falsify their own principles. Pitt sanctioned the issue of small notes, for and £2, in Great Britain. Peel and Overstono conspired to deprive gncland of these mall note, and tried unsuccessfully, to deprive Scotland also of them. But Mr. 'Wilson and Sir C. 'W( od, as they want to develop() the resources of India, and to raise taxes, recommend small notes of 10s. and upwards." And again, " they are quite right in advocating a paper currency for India, and, indeed, if they wish to economise coin,' and give the other advantages on which Mr. WILSON dilates, to recommend notes of one rupee, which would be pre-eminently suited to the daily wants' of the Indian population, among many of whom a rupee is a week's wages. But they are quite wrong, and we trust the country and Parliament will let them know that they are quite wrong, in proposing to introduce panics as well as Paper Currency; but they accom pany their boon by the introduction of the prin ciples of PEEL'S iniquitous Bills, which princi ples will do nothing but harm. These principles will operate in India as they do in England. The Paper Currency, with all the enormous amount of Bills, Cheques, and Hoondies (the bills issued by the native money-changers, or shroffs), will be based on silver—as in England our Paper Currency and Paper Credit is based on Gold. Whenever this Silver is withdrawn for hoarding or exportation, the paper currency will be contracted, the paper credit system will collapse, and there will be a Monetary Crisis. A monetary crisis in India means the reign of famine, starvation, and death among 200 millions of natives." Let Mr. GLAD STONE ponder over this, and look next year in the face like a man resolved to conquer diffieulties, and so benefit his country. _, ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. The first seasonal representation of Mozart's mas terpiece, " Il Don Giovanni," with the alterations of M. Jules Alary, took place on Saturday night. The announcement of Grisi for her grand part of Donna Anna was doomed to prove premature ; the gifted lady being, as was stated in a bill circulated in the theatre, "suffering from such severe indisposition as to be quite unable to sing" that evening. Madame Rudersdorff, it was added, would take her place ; and she did so accordingly. An apology was also offered, and the indulgence of the audience was claimed for Signor Gardoni, who was suffering from a sore throat, but who nevertheless performed the part of Don Ottavio very much to the general satisfaction. The chief novelty of the evening was Mdlle. Rosa Csillag in the. part of Donna Elvira ; the next was the first appearance of Madame Penco this season in the part of Zerlina. Signor Mario was, as before, the hero of the opera. The part of Masetto was filled by Signor Polonini, and that of Il Commendatore by Signor Tagliafico. Signor Ronconi was the Leporello of the piece, and gave it quite an individuality apart from that of the libretto, so full of tact and humour was the per formance. It will be seen therefore that, notwith standing the abatements adverted to, the east was an unusually strong one, and that this noble work of art did not suffer for the lack of consummate artiste s. Mdlle. Csillag showed herself a complete mistress of the style of Mozart. "Ah ! the mi dice," and the " Mi tradi quell'alma," being splendidly sung. Her acting too was of the first order. Madame Rudersdorff's Donna Anna must not go without notice, although as an impromptu perform ance it might claim to do so, when substituting so great an artist as Grisi, in a character so long iden tified with her. She was frequently applauded, and extorted unexpected honours from the auditory. Madame Penco's Zerlina was an intelligent con ception of the rustic coquette. She sang the soprano part of " La ci darem" with much spirit, and was archly agreeable in " Batti, batti " and " Vcdrai carino." Her singing was, as a whole, unexceptionably perfect, Gardoni, despite the apology made for his sudden attack of laryngitis, sang the part of Ottavio with sweetness, omitting some of the more taxing pas sages. The house was filled, and the audience in the best of humours, although the unavoidable ab sence of Grisi cast a cloud over the performance. The band was perfection, and the wondrous con ception of Mozart capitally sustained by chorus and instruments in every detail. VOCAL .ASSOCIA77ON. It is expected that a very brilliant concert will take place on Wednesday evening, May 16th, at St. James's Hall. The Vocal Association have often before delighted the public, and on this occa sion there will be the additional attraction of many artists of eminence from her Majesty's Theatre. The lovers of good music should therefoie avail themselves of this favourable opportunity for in dulging themselves, which they will be enabled to do at a more moderate cost than at the operas. Mr. Benedict's name as the conductor is a sure guarantee of success, inasmuch as he never countenances inefficient performances. The singers are Mdlle. Maria Brunetti, and Mdlle. Vaned. Signor Mongini, Signor Everardi and Signor Sebastiano Ronconi. Also, there will perform on the pianoforte Mr. J. F. Barnett, who will make his third appearance since his return from Ger many. Madame Catherine Goldberg Strossi, prima donna from La Scala, Milan, and Miss Stabbach, are also mentioned ; and thus it will be seen that the programme furnishes a fair prospect of ex cellence, and it is to be hoped that many will be pleased with the superior entertainment thus pro vided for them by the enterprise of the directors. DEATH OF SIR CHARLES BARRY. It is with sincere regret that we have to an nounce the death of this eminent architect, which took place very suddenly a little before midnight on Saturday night last at his residence near Clapham common. This bereavement falls in the most un expected manner on the family, as up to within two or three hours of his lamented deceased Sir Charles continued in the enjoyment of as sound health as often falls to the lot of men who are approaching their 70th year. On Friday he was at the New Palace, Westminster, and transacted business as usual, and on Saturday so little did any change betoken his approaching dissolution that he ap peared even better than usual and passed the greater part of the day at the Crystal Palace. Between eight and nine in the evening, however, he was seized with a fit of what appeared to be paralysis, the worst symptoms of which progressed with such fatal rapidity that in little more than two hours Sir Charles had ceased to exist. Sir Charles was born in Westminster in 1795, and was a Royal Academi cian and a Fellow of the chief architectural institu tions in England and Europe. THE SOUTII OF IRELAND ROUTE.—The Flora has made another rapid passage, having left Cumberland Basin, Bristol, at 8.15 en Tuesday last, taking with her the London papers of the same evening, (supplied by Mr. Hayward, of Corn-street), a large general cargo,. and about 50 passengers, who were landed at Cork Quay at five o'clock on Wednesday evening. —London to Cork, via Bristol (the Cork _Herald, 10th May) : We are indebted to Capt. Poole, of the steam-ship Flora, for a copy of The Sun, published in London on Tuesday evening, and which we received 15 hours in advance of the regular mail. Last week the Flora made the quickest run ever made between the two ports, viz., 16 hours 40 minutes.—Bristol Ifereuty. The Empress of the French, who is known to take a great interest in Spanish politics, at the evening re ception at the Tuileries lately, held a very warm discussion with the Spanish Ambassador. Persons near say her Ma jesty was reproving the Spanish Government for what she thought too much severity towards Ortega and his com panions. At last, the Empress called the Emperor to his opinion. His Majesty said he could no t suppor t h er v i ews, and bowed politely to his Excellency of Spain.—Court Journal. The Russian Ambassador at Paris, Count Kisse leff, will leave his post this summer, and travel in Germany. —Court Journal. The first fete given at Buckingham Palace after the return of the Court from the Isle of Wight will be a concert on the Ist of June. It will be very unlike the last, as there will be some great choral effect s , an d a l arge num ber of efficient choristers will be engaged. The works to be performed, we believe, will be remarkably nove l, an d the concert will be essentially, if not exclusively, English, both as regards the performers and the music.—Court Journal. We believe th^t the arrangements respecting the re-organisation of the Indian army will be officially made public in a fewldays,land theta military commission will be appointed to settle the details of the amalgamation.—Army and Navy Gazette. The commission upon the transport of troops, and the establishment of qmok communication between the military posts and dockyards has resumed its sittings. —Army and Navy Gazette. The following appointments to divisional com mands in India have been made :—Maj or -G enera l Cunyng hame, C. 8., to Scinde, vice Brigadier Hale, transferred to Poona, on the assumption of the chief command at Bombay by Sir Hugh Rose; Major-General Spencer to Mysore, vice Sir John Inglis. Major-General Windham is coming home, on six months' leave of absence.—. Army and Navy Gazette. No day has yet been fixed for the great Volun teer review in Hyde-park by her Majesty, but we believe it will take place about the latter end of June or the early part of July.—Army and _Navy Gazette. THUNDERSTORM.—On Friday afternoon a very heavy thunderstorm broke over the north-east coast. At Ryhope, near Sunderland, two stacks of wheat were de stroyed by the lightning. The fine showers that have been falling in the counties of Durham and Noithumberland since Tuesday have produced an almost magical effect upon the pastures and the face of the country, the air being ex ceedingly mild and warm. The weather took a stride last week from bleak wintry winds to summer heat. The food prospects have vastly improved since Tuesday, and hay and o.her fodder for cattle, which was at famine price 10 days ago, were coming down rapidly in Newcastle market en Saturday. THE LORDS AND TIIE PAPER DUTIES BILL.--A requisition to the Mayor is being signed at Birmingham requesting him to convene a town's meeting to consider the course proposed to be adopted by the Hosse of Lords with respect to the Paper Duties Bill, and their expressed determ nation to continue a tax which tho Crown and the Commons have agreed to repeal. Telegraphic communication between Southamp ton and the Isle of Wight was temporarily suspended a few days ago through some person opening the iron post of the Electric Telegraph Company, upon the beach of Hurst Castle, and stealing several feet of the wire. A reward of £lO has boon offered for the discovery and conviction of the offender. TUE COMPANIES BILL.—A bill for consolidating and amending the law relating to trading companies, which has passed the House of Lords, is now before the House of Commons. The bill fills 120 pages. It arranges the law of companies chiefly under these heads :-1, their constitu • Lion; 2, the capital and shares; 3, the management and administration; 4, members and their liability; 5, winding up. THE REV. JAMES BONWELL.—Yesterday morn ing, in consequence of statements which have appeared in the public journals that Mr. Bonwell had re-commenced his ministerial duties at St. Philip's, Stepney, a consider able number of persons were attracted to the church. The majority of persons present were young men and ,girls, all the regular members of the congregation having appa rently left. The service was semi-choral. Mr. Bonwell conducted it, and afterwards preached from the 13th chap ter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, 4th verse. Since the inquest was held on the child of Elizabeth Yorath, of which Mr. Bonwell is. alleged to have been the father, the rev. gentleman has abstained from doing duty in his church, and the bishop appointed another clergyman to officiate penclocte lite. Mr. Bonwell has now determined to take the pastoral care of his parish until his case is d :- cided upon. ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGERS.—In company with a few blank swans, wild ducks, pied crows, &c., which have arrived in Liverpool by the Lightnin ,, and Great Britain, from Melbourne, a case of some of the principal snakes of Australia has been received by Mr. Edward Wilson, for presentation to the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park. They have been placed there in the society's splendid col lection of serpents, having arrived in first-rate health and condition, and are interesting as the first Australian snakes ever introduced into England.—Austrelian anti Xett) 'Lea's id Gazette. GREAT PEDESTRIAN FEAT.—We understand that Mr. Charles Nalby, of London, a celebrated pedestrian, has born matched for a b e t of:000V) walk 1,500 miles in I,OOQ hours. The feat is to take place in a short time, either at Nottingham, perby z Clie4or4eld, or Slieflield,—Dfrby ./,e.portp., • _TIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A brilliant auditory came together on Saturday at her Majesty's Theatre to witness the debut of two artists new to the operatic world, the one Mdlle. Maria Brunetti, in the interesting role of Gilda, the hapless daughter of Rigoletto, the other Signor Sebastiano Ronconi, in the part of the court jester. The aria d'intrata of the Duke, " Questa o quella," set Signor Mongini at home with his audience, and the following scene which brings Rigoletto prominently forward, satisfied them that Sebastian Ronconi inherits the histrionic talent of the family. The court ball was illustrated by the admirable dancing of Mdlle. Pocchini, whose fascinating pas were immensely applauded, and two of the more striking choregraphic efflrts vehemently encored. The length of this diver tissement caused the drop-curtain to fall at the close of the scene, thereby finishing the first act, and thus adding a fourth to the opera. The second act ac cordingly opened with the house of Rigoletto; and, after Signor Ronconi had earned applause in the fine tragic recitative and interview with Sparafucile (Signor Vialetti), wherein he hires that ruffian to assassinate the Duke, the new ivinza donna, Mdlle. Brunetti, burst upon the admiring audience, bring ing with her that irresistible " letter of introduc tion," a charming and intellectual countenance, a stately and graceful figure, luxuriant fair hair—a fresh, youthful, and transparent complexion. In the words of Coleridge, there she " Stood a lady fair to see, And beautiful exceedingly," To say that the sternest of musical critics can be insensible to such advantages as Mdlle. Brunetti possesses, would be to deny him the admiration for beauty as addressing the eye, in proportion to his perception of beauty as impressing the mind through the kindred sense of hearing. But on this point also—despite the fact that a first appear ance is not a fair criterion of an artist's talent—we were soon agreeably assured. Mdlle. Brunetti, in the fine and trying scene with her father, showed to much advantage. Her voice is a pure, fresh, and pleasing soprano, flexible, sweet, and sympathetic. The lovely duo " Veglia o donna," Rigoletto and Gilda, was immensely received ; and her sur prise when the Duke interrupts her rhapsody at the point of her declaration of love for the stranger who has met her at her devotions, was worthy of an experienced actress, in voice and gesture. The aria, " Caro noate it mio cor," was sung with finished taste, and its bravura passages with clear and flexible facility; its close, as well as that of the preceding " addio" with Mongini, being followed by a call and a recal, and the former with a shower of bouquets. The triumph of Mongini came with "La donna a mobile," which raised a furore, the great tenore robusto pouring forth the passage " muto d'acoento"fortissimo and electrifying the house. The song was encored, sung completely through, and Mongini once more recalled. The quartett, "Bella figlia, dell 'Amore," the Duke, Madalena (Madame Lemaire), Rigoletto, and Gilda, went most accurately and effectively. The barbarous death of Gilda, the song, e dentro, of the escaped Duke, and the discovery of the body of the fair Gilda in Sparufacile's sack, with the crown ing " Maledizione" of the horrorstruck Rigoletto, brought down the curtain. Again did the leading singers walk across, and the success of Mdlle. Maria Brunetti on her first appearance was a fait accompli. We await with some interest the ap pearance of this elegant cantatrice in other music than Verdi's, convinced she is an acquisition to the powerful corps of her Majesty's Theatre. MARINE INSURANCE CONPANIES. Although three marine insurance companies have lately been introduced, it has been known for some time past that a new one, with powerful provincial support, was in course of formation. The prospec tus has been issued, and the undertaking, which is to unite the interests of London, Liverpool, and Manchester, is to be called the Thames and Mersey. Marine Insurance Company. The proposed capi tal is £2,000,000, in shares of £2O each, on which £2 will be called immediately, and an additional £2 after the lapse of six months. The direction is re markable, and perhaps unprecedented, for the num ber and aggregate wealth of the firms represented, comprising 33 names, of whom 11 belong to London, 12 to Liverpool, and 10 to Manchester. Thus a board is to be constituted at each of the three great centres of commerce, " so as to afford in each loca lity the same facilities for the immediate transaction of business on a large scale, and to secure, by ex tending the basis of average, a corresponding in crease of stability and profit." Whether the annual growth of insurance business is such as to call fo:• another company, or whether any success that rimy attend the Thames and Mersey will be mainly by a proportionate diminution of the transactions of its competitors, is a question for the various share holders ; but it appears certain that, in the present instance, the directors will be able to control, even from their own firms, an amount of business sufficient for any ordinary company. They esti mate, however, in their prospectus, that the field of marine insurance is extending at the rate of at least 15 millions sterling per annum, and conse quently it is quite possible for the new interest to be created without damage to the old ones. It may, indeed, prove to the advantage of the latter, since it is desirable that any fresh concern to be called into existence should be with a capital and on a scale such as must totally preclude the future con coction of an endless number of smaller schemes that might otherwise be got up, not for the legiti mate satisf?.ction of large trading communities, but merely for the purpose of the share-market. —Times. ITAYIIARKET.—MR, BENEFIT. —Mr. George Turpin, whose courteous and obliging conduct has won him so many friends among the visitors to the 111:y -market Theatre,will take his annual benefit on Wednesday next. A new comedy, by the author of "Box and Cox," is among the ontixtainments announced for the occasion. We trust that the "benefit" will be, by the aid of his nu•- merous friends, something more tb,a33„ 4 nierely nominal 9219. LATEST NEW► 7. LANDING OF GARIBALDI. The following telegrams were received at Mr. Reuter's office : VIENNA, MAY 14. It is stated in financial quarters, on reliable in formation, that part of Garibaldi's expedition dis embarked at Marsala on the 11th inst. from two vessels. The Royal ships were obliged to cease firing during two hours, being, it is asserted, prevented by English steamers. The firing could not be re sumed until the English officers had returned from the shore to their vessels. The volunteers who had landed were fighting with the Royal troops at the moment of the mail's departure. (OFFICIAL.) NAPLES, MAY 13, 9.3 P.M. The firing of the two Neapolitan frigates off Marsala has killed several of the Fillibusters. As regards the two vessels in which they had arrived, the Lombard was sunk and the Piedmont has been captured. The royal troops marched on to meet those who had disembarked, PARIS, MAY 14. The Constitutionnel publishes an article, signed by M. Grandguillot, which says :—" The reply of Count Cavour to M. Thouvenel proves that Pied mont as well as France energetically blames the audacious attempt of Garibaldi. If the expedition of Garibaldi is contrary to the interests of Pied mont, it nevertheless responded to the sentiment of a part of the people of whom Garibaldi is the hero. Piedmont could not constrain the man who repre sents so large a popular force. Such an act would raise a dangerous reaction in Italy." If the enterprise of Garibaldi is censured by Europe, the state of things in the Two Sicilies is se critical that the success of- the enterprise would astonish no one. Without foreseeing the issue of the expedition, we cannot admit the supposition that it may lead to an European conflagration. The Constitutionnel, speaking of the reports that England wishes to possess Sicily, says :—lt would be no more easy for England to take Sicily than for Russia to occupy Constantinople. M. Grandguillot recals that France and England have always acted in concord as regards Neapolitan policy. No one ought, therefore, to suppose that to-day they oppose one another. M. Grandguillot concludes as follows :—We still hope that the Neapolitan question will not be un ravelled by revolution, but in case it should it is only by union and not by antagonism and rivalry that the great Powers, particularly France and England, could meet its dangers. PARIS, MAY 13. The lifoniteur de la Flotte of to-day says : "It is announced that the Mediterranean squa dron had received orders to re-enter Toulon in order to set out again on a more distant mission, respect ing which no particulars are known. We may, how ever, be permitted to suppose that if not destined for the coasts of Sicily, the squadron would cruise in the Levant, where agitations both political and religious have recently arisen, which at no distant period may necessitate the interference of the Western Powers." The Paine of this evening says—" The rumours of Russian military movements in the southern pro vinces of the empire are entirely false. The number of troops in those provinces does not exceed 50,000. They have made no forward movement, neither is there any sign of unusual activity." PARIS, MAY 12. The Patrie of this evening contains news from Genoa to the 11th inst., stating that Colonel Medici, the friend of Garibaldi, was forwarding the prepara tions for a second expedition, of which the colonel would take the command, and for taking part in which 6,000 volunteers have already been enrolled. All the arms have been purchased of the manufac turers. Great excitement prevails at Genoa and Lombardy, from which quarters almost all the volunteers have come. It is asserted, however, that the energetic diplomatic representations made to Piedmont would decide the Government to pre vent the departure of a second expedition. The Patrie adds that the Neapolitan Government is in a position to resist all attacks. The Opinione Nationale believes that General Garibaldi would disembark near Terracina on the frontier between the Neapolitan and Papal States. Another version in the same journal affirms Calabria to be the place of disembarkation. MARSEILLES, MAY 13. A letter from Talamon, written by one of Gari baldi's officers, says : " The number of men who embarked at Genea was 1,100. Double that number of volunteers pre sented themselves, but it was found impossible to receive them on board the steamers. " The expedition is commanded by Garibaldi and Bixio. The volunteers were feted by the in habitants, who soon dispersed." The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia has arrived here in a Russian frigate, and will, it is asserted, leave this evening for Paris. MARSEIELES, MAY 12. Letters from Naples give a formal denial to the reported protest of the consuls at Messina. ROME, VIA MARSEILLES, TUESDAY. Gen. Lamoriciere continues to concentrate the Papal troops at Gubbio. It is asserted that Gen. Allegrino, the command ing officer at Ancona, has been reduced to the non effective. The King of Naples has subscribed one million scudi to the Roman loan. TOULOUSE, MAY 12. The Spanish Princes slept here last night, and continue their journey to Paris today. TURIN, MAT 12. Various rumours are current respecting General Garibaldi's expedition. A few disembarkations are said to have taken place on the coasts of the Ro magna and near Montalto. The cruising in the roads of Malta and the Straits of Messina is very active. Vessels of war are seen, at intervals of about 30 miles, off the coasts of Sicily. The mem bers of the Chamber of Deputies have assembled in committees for the examination of the treaty of Savoy and Nice. Sardinian Rente is quoted at 821 for money, and 82 for account. The journals publish a proclame.tian of Garibaldi to the Italians. In this proclamation Garibaldi milts upon the in habitants of the Marches, Umbria, and Sabina and the Neapolitans to revolt, in order to divide the forces of the enemy. Another proclamation, addressed to the Romans, recalls the insurrection of 1849, and urges th• Romans to act like their brethren who fell iri de fending Rome. The French Government has fc r warded to the Sardinian Government a quantity of muskets and ammunition and about 400 cannon, the greater part of which are for marine service. No news has been received of the expeditions. GENOA, MAY 12. According to advices from Naples to the 9th inst. the Court, the Government, and the people were in a state of great agitation. Vessels with troops had left Naples. Several battalions were returning from the frontier. Notes of the banks of Palermo and Messixa had ceased to circulate at Naples. ST. PETERSBURG, MAY 14. The principal members of the diplomatic corps, excepting the Minister for Turkey, were a few days ago convoked by Prince Gortschakoff, , who declared to them that the position of the Christians in Turkey had become so intolerable, that Russia is on the point of addressing strong representations to the Porte in favour of them, and hopes to obtain the support of the other powers. It is asserted that that the journey of M. de Budberg to Paris, where he will replace Count Kisseleff as ambassador of Russia, has brought about an understanding between France and Russia in reference to Asia Minor, where the agitation is continually increasing. "SIMLA, APRIL 22. Lord Clyde will return to England by the first steamer in June from Calcutta." " APRIL 24. " THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO SIR C. WOOD. " I shall leave Simla for Calcutta on the 7th of May." "A disturbance at Peshawur respecting taxes, but founded on a misapprehension, has been greatly exaggerated by the newspapers. All is quiet, and the people satisfied." EXPEDITION OF GARIBALDI. A letter from Turin, dated May 10, says : The expedition of Garibaldi to Southern Italy is so great an event, and likely to lead to such unfore seen and startling results, that I think I should ill acquit myself of my task were I to omit to send you a diary of all the rumours circulating about me on the subject. It is now confidently asserted that the two steamers upon which he embarked convey a force of 1,400 picked young men. They are armed with excellent revolvers and short cutlasses for board ing purposes. They took, it is stated, forcible pos session of the Lombardo and Piedmonte, the latter a screw steamer. They left Genoa on the night of Saturday last, the sth. The commotion throughout these free parts of Italy is indescribable. I wrote from Parma that several parties of young adven turers had started for Genoa; more than 100 had followed that destination during my short stay in that town, and I have seen their letters from Genoa announcing their instant departure. A rush to the various ports of the Mediterranean has equally been observed in most cities. There is a rumour afloat that some of the sharers in this daring enterprise had preceded their com mander, and these, it is asserted, had already been able to effect a landing in Sicily. The very spot is mentioned; some lonely bay on the coast between Marsala and Girgenti. You must under stand, however, that I can make myself no security for the correctness of the report. Garibaldi, in his private letters, expresses great regret that he was obliged to leave without paying his respects to the King. It would have been im possible to:conceal his design from the King, and he did not wish to put his resolution to the test of the winning manners of that Victor Emmanuel whose earnest entreaty had already the power to dissuade him from another of his bold schemes—the invasion of the Marches a few months ago. His professions of devotion and attachment to the King are both warm and cordial, and he inveighs against his pusil lanimous Ministers in no measured terms. There are men about me who think all his indignation is put on, and that there is a collusion between the pro jector of the expedition and those who affect to con demn and take apparent measures to thwart it : but such people, I believe, only betray their igno rance of Garibaldi's character, and were not pro bably present at the sitting in the Chamber at the time of the famous Garibaldi interpellation on the subject of Nice. Cavour wounded the brave Niz zard incurably there. Whatever may be the real views of the Sardinian Government as to the opportuneness of the under taking, they neither could nor would attempt to put a stop to the gathering of men and means in its aid. The whole population swarming under the Turin porticoes is busy with one only topic. There is an earnestness and gravity about this Turinese crowd which proves infallibly catching to strangers, You see but little here of Italian gesticulation ; you her nowhere the din of loud incessant Italian gabble. The look is one of dismay and perplexity; an un easy boding of ill is to be read inmost countenances Yet " the man can rely on all that audacity and luck can achieve. Was he not despaired of in the fearful straits in which he had put himself, less than a twelvemonth ago, at Varese ? Had he more than a handful of men with him at Velletri ? And did he not drive the father of this very Bourbon to an igno minious flight—a flight which, but for the pressing of the besieging French force around Rome, would never have stopped except under the cannon of the Neapolitan forts. Nry, was not King Ferdinand within an inch of falling into the adventurer's hands, and gracing with his presence a triumph which might have given altogether a different turn to the disastrous vicissitudes of 1849 ? The shunning of the Neapolitan cruisers, the landing on the coast of either of the Two Sicilies, the breathing of a new heart into those Sicilian insurgents, the spreading of an ungovernable alarm among those dastardly Royal butchers, the destinies of southern and of all Italy hang on the cast of a die. Is not the deliver ance of one-half of Italy little short of a miracle ? and is there a limit to the might of a wonder-work ing Providence ?" Such are the remarks that rise uppermost wherever two or three are gathered together to discuss the one event of the day. We shall not be long ere the first tidings set our minds comparatively at rest. I must add, for my part, that the Sardinian Go- • vernment sent out the fast screw frigate Maria Adelaide, under the orders of Admiral Persano, it ; is said, in pursuit of the expedition, a very ticklish t, and dangerous mission for the brave patriot Admi • ral. The Government here entertains serious appre - hensions that Garibaldi's intention was to lane I either on the southernmost Tuscan or the Roma: coast, between Piombino and Civita Vecchia, ant hence, striking across the country, to raise th, population of Umbria, who are awaiting him ; then : to beat up the quarters of that crusading hero, M, Lamoriciere, in the Marches, and finally attack the Abruzzi on the Tronto frontier. It is supposei that this was Garibaldi's original plan, and this , perhaps, led to the report, which I yesterda; r gave, that the steamers had been seen off Telamor e or Orbetello, near Piombino. To-day the report ;, equally premature I think, is that Garibaldi ha s landed at, or near, Terracina. What the Frenc General Goyon and the Emperor Napoleon woult I think of an attack upon the Pope it is not easy t( foretell, nor to what extent the Piedmontese Go- • vernment would be held by France answerable for ' the deed and made to pay for it. The Cavour Cabinet, at any rate, are in almost feverish anxiety about it. What is quite certain is, that if the French of Rome would only look on without inter fering, neither Lamoriciere nor King Francis 11. would hold out long against Garibaldi and the prestige of his name. The die is cast. These Gari- • bali difficulties, and the differences with France about the frontier (not of Nice, where the Emperor Napoleon puts forth no unreasonable demands, but on the side of Savoy, where he insists upon the Alpine crest, while the Sardinian negotiators con tend for the Fort Esseillon on the western slope of Mont Cenis,) are said to have raised dissensions among the members of this Cabinet, not unlikely to legd to a Ministerial crisis, General Fanti, the .i,,,,;~ War finless faction •It is succee( withstl Were ( preten landin ment I fact. editioi the so from t in invi his ex sent, which, of the flirtati Boon r modem proche de la I Models Goveri tion, one dc M. Ca be allc tional the ex hindra broke precip: Geer and gt threat to Pio curren betwe4 tive to inform should faces c Commnl Dover politai thems Box very a Three; The TI A. a Corn with