The Sun. — London, England, 1860-12-25 00:00:00

- - --- Doors open at half-past 6. Commence at 7 o'clock. 'l4 OYAT_, ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT "- GARDFN.—Under the Management of ➢Liss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison, Sole Lessees. IMPORTANT NOTICE. The Management find it necessary to announce to their Patrons that it will be impossible for a few nights at Christ mas to perform Balfe's eminently successful Opera with the Grand Pantomime. The time in representation and scenic preparation required for a Harlequinade of such magnitude, renders this temporary suspension of the brilliant Opera im perative. Boxes and places will continue to be booked daily at the Box-office tor its reproduction at an early date. On BOXING NIGHT, Dec. 2(1, and during the week. Commence at Seven. O;pler carriages at half-past 11. On WEDNESDAY, Pec. 26, 31r. W. 11 arrison's popular Operetta, 'rim MARRIAGE OF GEORGETTE : Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. 11. Corri. After which, with entirely new Scenery, Machinery, Dresses, and Decorations, a Grand Christmas Pantomine, BLUit; BEARD; or, Harlequin and Freedom in her Island Home. Written by J. V. Bridgman, Esq. ; pro duced by Mr. Edwarl Stirling ; embracing the chief panto mime talent of the day. A perfect galaxy of Mr. P arry Boleno, Mr. Henry Payne, Mr. Clowns ... Ilildyard, and the Lilliputians. Harlequins,....Mr. Milano, Mr. F. Payne. Pantaloons Mr. Barnes, Mr. Tanner. Columbines ....Mme. Bolena, Miss Clara Morgan. Spritss..........The Zelinski Family. f 20 Ladies, Mr. W. 11. Payne, lkfdlle. Lamou- Bana t reux, Mdme. fierron, and Mons.Vandris. • Gorgeous scenery, from the pencils of T. Grieve and Telbin, illustrating the moving events of the year; decorations, by Blamire, on a sca e of magnitude and expenditure without 'parallel ; fairy costumes, by Miss James and Mr. Coombes ; Eastern splendour, processions, marches, &tieing, fun, and frolic, united to magical transformations by Sloman, pro ducing a combination of the grotesque and beautiful, recalling the golden days of pantomime for which Covent Garden stood alone and unapproached. Morning Performances every Wednesday and Saturday, commenc'ng Saturday, Dec. 29, at Two o'clock. Conductor, Mr. Alfred Mellon. Stage Manager, Mr. Ed. Stirling. Acting Manager, Mr. Edward lifurray. ROY A L ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN. Under the Management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison, Sole Lessees. On Wednesday, Dec. 20, MARRIAGE OF GEORGETTE : Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. H, Corrie. To conclude with the Grand Christmas Pantomime, BLUE BEARD ; or, Harle quin and Freedom in her Island Home. Clowns, Messrs. H. Boleno, H. Payne. Hihlyard, and Lilliputians. Harlequins, Messrs. Milano and F. Payne. Pantaloons, Messrs. Barnes and Tanner. Columbines, Mdme. Boleno and Clara Morean. Sprites, the Zelinski Family. Mr. W. H. Payne, Mlle. Lamoureux, &c. Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mallon. Commence at Seyen. T HEA it YA L. fi A Y M.A. KT. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Raekstone. On WEDNESDAY (Boxing, Night) SHE srooPs TO CONQUER. Tony bumpkin, Mr. Buckstone ; Young Mar low, Mr. Howe; Miss Hardcastle, Miss Fanny Stirling (her first appearance here). After which, a new Pantomime, QUEEN LADYBIRD AND TI ER CHILDREN. The Pantemimists by the un rivalled Leelercqs, Herr Cole, and Fanny Wright. Commence at 7, I, OVAL PRINCES S'S THEATRE.- " Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Harris. On TIOXINTG NIGHT ' Dec. VI, ERNESTINE. Messrs. J. Shore: li. - Cathcart, Basil Potter ; 1116sdames Heath, Car lotta Leclercq, Weston, and Murray. R V'' , which. s new Thristmas comical pantomime, entitled of thIeNPN C""B°E or, Harlequin Friday, and the Klne „_, e zarpsbe Islands : in which Monsieur Espinosa and .m( 1 11 • Marie Dumilatre of the principal cantinental theatres, will ap , -e ar. Clown, Mr. A. F. Forrest. ‘ 1)1 "J " { f, NEW THEATRE-ROYAL. sobs Prqprietor and Mannzer, Mr. Beni. Webster. TO - MORROW, AN UGLY CUSTOMER. Messrs. .J L . Tonle, C. Selby, and Wards ; Miss K. Kelly, and Miss E. T iirne. .... A iter which. TILE Ciii.LEEN BAAVN. D. Poneicault, D. Fisher, BillinLrton, Falconer, Ste A znes Robertson, Miss m - - / ; o ens ron. C. J. Smith, Romer. Mrs.iss Chatterley. ',gar, Mrs. Billi ng t on , an d To conclude with a new Burlesqu e E xt BEARD 1 0 11031 A NEIN,- POlNT i annza, entitled BLUE Niesgrm. .T• L. Toole, P. Be:fiord, C. J. Smith; MI S , w ' oo li l i g i a l K . Kelly, Laicllaw, and k. Thorne. Doors open at ha:l-past o—Commenee at 7 Box-ofliee open from 10 till 5. , No charge for booking'. Private boxes, £2 28.; Family Boxes, 41. Orchestra Stalls, ss. •, Balcony, 4s. ; Front Circle Stalls, sc. Pit Stalls, 25.; PAO& 6d. ; Amphitheatre, is ; Gallery, 6 ,f. Acting Manager--Mr. Wm. 13mitI THE:' 'SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING; DECEMBER 25, 1860. THE BRIGHTON ANTI-HOTEL COMPANY (Limited). Capital, D 75,000, in Shares of D 5 each. Deposit Dl per Share. Incorporated under the Common Sense Act, which ex pressly limits the liability of each Shareholder in the degree of his prudence and acuteness. DIRECTORS. NICHOLAS NOBODIE, Esq., Chairman. Thomas Brown, Esq. John Smith, Esq. P. Green, Esq. John Doe, Esq, John Jones, Esq. Richard Roe, Esq. James Robinson, Esq. Auditors-Solicitors—Brokers — Secret ar y . The aforesaid having observed the advertisement of an extraordinary Prospectus bearing a title not unlike the heading of this present, together with the names of he sundry p er sons "unknown to fame , " and seeing that t said Prospectus may in some instances be m istaken by the un wary for ft serious and practical project, have resolved to and do hereby propound a few inquiries which shall be calculated to convince the most credulous of the jocular and delusive nature thereof. 1. Had those persons unknown to fame, whose names occupy the same honourable position as do the names cf our respe c t e d directors, John Do e, Richar d D oe , &c. , at the time of p u blishing the said Prospectus of the " Brighton Hotel Company," possession of, or any sort of legal claim to, land whereon the professed Hotel could be built? 2. Is it possible that business men could be in earnest in -proposing. to carry into effect a project including purchase of land on the sea frontage of central Brighton, and the construction of a building advertised to contain "two hun dred bedrooms, apartments with bed and bath rooms en suite, dining-rooms, coffee-room, salon library (sic), ladies' coffee-room, reading-room, music-room, billiard-room, smo king-room, hot, cold, and vapour baths," with the furniture and appurtenances essential thereto for the sum of £75,000 ? 3. And if the foregoing could be "done for the money," would the freehold tenement found and furnished for the sum of £75,000 --considering that unlike other commercial undertakings operated in by a company cepable of indefinite extension, hotel business is confined at its utmost opportu nity to four walls soon occupied—require for its profitable administration eight directors, one architect, two auditors, solicitors, brokers, and secretary ? 4. On what authority is it stated in aforesaid pro spectus that the ability of the said " Company" " to pay large dividends is fortified by the fact that the Great Western Hotel Company has paid dividends of 25 per cent. per annum out of actual net profits, and that the Euston and Victoria Hotels, and other similar companies, have also paid unusually large dividends ?" Is it not, rather, true that the once published profit of £25 per cent. of the Great Western Hotel was taken on the small private capital, less than £lO,OOO, of the Committee, whilst the enormous investment of Great Western Shareholders' money on the building and furniture was set off at 4 per cent ~ no account being taken of the land, which belonged to the railway company ? Again, that the Easton Hotels were for years in a bankru p t state ? Further, can the speculators concerned in said Prospectus adduce authentic e vidence that any h otel in the United Kingdom conducted by a company no t established by the mmoinus ne hasof railway shareholders no r fed b y a railway ter success ? 5. Even if it co uld be shown that an hotel at a metropo lifted the - lit a n railway terminu s had exemp suitability of a board of directors, &c., for its successful management, would that prove the same with regard to an lace," where, at the besth tel in , the pro the town of a o wate rin g -p a bl e plentitude of business occurs only during 1 en or twelve peeks of the year? D. Finally, though all the rest were granted, what evi dence is there, precedent, professed or presumptive, of the qualiZcations of the "Directors" named in the said pros pectua to exercise efficiently the functions of hotel keepers by means of the money of shareholders ? May they not possibly be more competent as share dealers ? HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. SMITH. NOTICE --The Lessee respectfully informs the Nobility, Patrons, and Supporters of this elegant Theatre, that, "FOR THE FIRST TIME," he will attempt a Grand Pantomime. The greatest care has been taken to produce and make it suitable to tbo taste of children. Every objec tionable matter has been omitted in the Harlequinade, which has always been considered too long and tedious, and the Lessee has studied the tastes of the junior branches of society, for whom, at this season of the year, this par ticular entertainment is produced. There will be Morning Performances of the Pantomime on Saturdays, December 29, January 5 and 12, at Two o'clock precisely. On Wednesday, Boxing-day, December 26th, 1560, and every evening during the week, an original Opera, entitled, QUEEN TOPAZE. Raphael (a Captain) Annibal Barbiano (a Rich Vene- Mr. SANTLEY. tian) FrancatripPa 1 (Gips. Mr. PATEY. Fritellino ****** 1 Mr. TERROTT. Gritti Zeno Mr. BEALE. Loredano (Young Venetian Mr. ST. ALBYN. Manfred Nobles) Mr. BAKER. Bembo Mr. THOMPSON. Topaze (a Gipsy) Countess Filomela Hostess of an Inn Nobles, Ladies, Male and Female Gipsies. The scene is laid at Venice, 1512. After which (the first ever represented at her Majesty's Theatre) will be produced, an entirely New and Original Grand Musical, Magical, and Comical Burlesque Ballet Pantomime, founded on one of the most popular of our Old National Stories, and entitled HARLEQUIN AND TOM THUMB ; OR, MERLIN THE MAGICIAN AND THE GOOD FAIRIES OF THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR. The Scenery, entirely new, under the superintendence of Mr. WILLIAM BEVERLEY. Artists, Mr. CHARLES BREW, Mr. SANDERS, &c., &c., &c. The Overture, Choruses, and the whole of the Music composed by J. H. TULLY. The Libretto by Mr. E. L. BLANCHARD, and the whole produced under the direction of Mr. ROBERT ROXBY, assisted by Mr. R. PHILLIPS. The Panto mimic Physiognomy and Designs for,the Dresses by DYK WYNKYN. The Machinery by Mr. Tucker. The Tricks and Properties by Mr. NEEDHAM, Mr. GLINDON, and Mr. H. ADAMS. The Costumes by Miss DICKINSON and Mons. LAURI. The Harlequinade by the LAURI FAMILY. INTERIOR OF GAFFER THUMB'S COTTAGE. Gaffer Thumb. Mr. Forster. Goody Thumb.. Mrs. Linden. Merlin (the Wizard of the Early Ages, and Professor of Parlour Magic) Mr. Dixon. Hocus Pocus, Popalorom, Shixtum Stixtum, Cockalorum Jig (his Four Familiars) Masters Quick, Pass, Fly, and Begone. om Thumb (" The abridgement of all that is pleasing in man." Engaged especially for Juvenile Patrons) Miss LIMA ROSS. Schoolboys—Masters Hop, Skip, Jump, Trap, Bat, Ball, Chevy, &c., &c. "'f he famous magician Merlin, being once in a dark orest, when he wanted food and rest called at a poor man's cottage. The Good Dame grieved, and shed many tears, because she was so lonely all day_ long, as she and her husband wanted a little child to keep them company. My husband,' quoth she, would be happy if he had but a child no bigger than his thumb,' and so—."—Legend of Thomas Thumb. ROSEWATER LAKE AND FAIRIES. ROMANTIC HAUNT OF THE _ _ Rosalie (Queen of the Fairies) Miss Mason. Fran.ipanni, Musk, Petcheuli, 'Verbena, Heliotrope, Ron doletta, Violet, Moss Rose, Sweetbriar, Eglantine, Car nation, Bergamont Jasmin, Myrtle, Lavender, Eau de Cologne, Scc., ecc. Attendants, Toilet Fairies Mdlles. " And he danced with the young Fairies, whose eves were like diamonds and whose hair was like silver thread, and whose skin was white and smooth like ivory, and they gave him wine made of the sweet sme llin g wild flowers."— The Legend. GAFFER THUMB'S COTTAGE. Tom the Tinker.. " Once he got into a playfellow's bag of cherry stones, and was shaken almost to death for his tricks; and another time he fell into a large batter pudding, and • the pudding was put to boil, but ho kicked about in it so violently that his mother thought some evil spirit was in the pot, so she gave it to the Tinker, when—."—The Legend. FARM YARD AND DISTANT COUNTRY. "Another time his mother tied him to a thistle, whilst she milked the Cow, and the Cow did eat the thistle, but he kicked about so in the Cow's throat that he was soon up again in his mother's apron ; when a g reat Crow ." The Legend. TURRETS AND TERRACE OF GIANT'S CASTLE. Eurlothrnmbo (the Giant) ...... Mr. Feefawfolum. " The Crow dropped him on the .... of the Giant's Castle, viten the Giant swallowed him, but he was soon glad to give him up, and he fell into the sea where —"—The Legend. IBANQUETING HALL IN THE PALACE OF . KING ARTHUR. King Arthur ("He was a goodly King." Minstrel of the Period) Mr. E. St. Albyn. His Cook Nil% Kitchener. Riffs Scullion ii. -n—un.; Knights (his Daughter) ....Miss Highbury Barnes. —4 - "fghts of the Round Table by distinguished repre sentatives of the days of ancient chivalry, and illustrat i" a Long Knight, a Short Knight, a Green Knight, a Dark ji l , .cr,ut, ~„ a Wet Knight, a Baron Knight, a Box ing,KZuzli , &c,, - dr . c. The Discovery! The Recovery ! And 'the CataFitrophe I 4‘ My naTo is Tom Thumb, from the fairies I come. 11 , hen it-ing Arthur shone, this Court was my own. .. In me he deligyea; by hi m I was k n i g hted ; Did y oU ne ver i'' , l' of Sir Thomas Thumb ?" Metrical Legend. Changing to THE CHAMELEON TExpLE OF THE FAIRIES. GRAND MAGICAL MET MORPHOSIS. Harlequin, Mr. J. Lauri. Cola lin b A i Clown, Mr. C. Lauri. ae, Miss Jenny pantaloon Sprites by the eelebrkt,d, Mr. H. Lauri. Lauri. doors open at . NOTlCE.—During I'llo P.Latonlirne Zba• Half-past Six, ermnrr,lnce Ftt, Sev.'ll o'clock. T HEATRE • ROYAL, ,Tru - Lcs3ee, Mr. T. s p i ert sure in a tm:flinch:l g 1 , . NOTICE.—The Lessee has much his Ninth Paittoinime at this national establishment. E„ cars has been beStoivad on it to make it suitable to th e ta :1 0 of his patrons who have honoured the theatre with their presence, and have pronounced the Pantomimes under his management superior to any produced. Great objections have been rands as to the length of the .ornic scenes in pantomime. This has also undergone the necessary Prun ing, and the pantomime will be so arranged as to leave off at Half-past Eleven, that the audience may avail themsels ve a the late Trains. The Lessee, having selected Wednes day morning for eight years for his morning performance, bogs to inform his friends the Pantomime will commence every Wednesday at two o'clock. Re-engagement of Mr. and Mrs. CHARLES MA.T HE WS. On WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 1860, and during the week, her 7da.j,..,:ty's servants will perform a nets Comedy, in two acts. entitled THE ADVENTURES OF A BILLET-DOUX. Principal Characters by Mr. Charles Mathews, Mr. Tilbury, Nirs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews, Miss E. Arden. Miss H. Howard, &c. After which the new Grand Comic Christmas Annual, which, for a considerable time having engrossed the atten tion of every departmept, will be produced on a scale of unprecedented magnitude and magnificence, under. the . title of PETER WILKINS ; or, HARLEQUIN and the FLY ING WOMEN of the LOADSTONE ISLAND. Founded on the most remarkable and beautiful romance in the En glish language, written early in the last century, '" a nd recording the Life and Adventures of Peter Wil kins," a Cornish man, relating particularly his shipwreck near the South Pole, his wonderful passage thr ovii a sub terraneot is cavern into a kind of new world, his there meet ing w ith a Gaurey, or Flying Woman, whose life he pre , serves, snd whom he afterwards married, and-his extra ordinary conveyance to the country of Glumms and Gauries er Men and Women that Fly. Tho new and splendid scenery . by Mr. WILLIAM BEVERLEY (to whom is due the merit of originating and bringing to perfection the present ;state of grand scenic effects now adopted at this sea son of the year by every theatre in the kingdom), assisted by Me ssrs. H. CRAVEN, C. PITT, GOMPERTZ BREW, &c., &c. The Overture and Music composed and arranged by Mr. J. H. TULLY. The Grotesque Burlesqtte Opening invented and written by E. I. BLAN CHAR D, author of the great Drury lane Pantomimes for the last eight years. The whole arranged and produced under the superindence of Mr. ROBERT ROXBY. The 'Masks, personal Appointments, and designs for the Costumes, from the best authorities, by DYKWYNKYN. The Machinery by Mr. F. TUCKER. and Assistants. T 1 4e Tricks, Properties, Changes, and Transformations by Mr. NEEDHAM, assisted by Messrs. H. LANGAN, GLINDON, H. ADAMS, &e. The Costumes by Mr. PALMER and Miss DICKENSON. The Gas Appoint ments by Mr. HINCKLEY. The Dances and Chore • graphic Arrangements by Mr. CORMACK. The Comic Scenes by Messrs. HULINE, CORMACK, R. POWEIt, &c. Programme of the Incidents and Scenery : A TIN MINE IN CORNWALL. Black Ralph (Captain of the Mine) Mr. Glindon. Peter Wilkins (a Miner) The Earl Polwholfoltolderyddel Fitz Arthur Trevanion Mr. Rirower, Constantia (his Daughter) iss Conway. " By 'rre, Pol, and Pen, ye may know the Cornish Men." n." Miners Messrs. Tremor, Tremendus Politticks, Pol trooi, Polytechnick, Pendeve, Pencutay, &c., &c. Feldapur (Chief of the Kobolds or Goblins of the Mine) Mr. Barsby. Little Kobolds or Goblins of the Mine ..Masters Tip, Tap, Top, Tip, Nip, Flip, Grip, &c. How Peter is struck by the hard hands of Black Ralph and the soft eyes of the fair onstantia, d how, after being driven to extremities, he takes a medium course and gets a true communication per raps from the knocking Spirits of the Mine—The Divining Rod—the Magical Mysteries of the Crystal, and the change to ELFIN LAND IN THE CRYSTAL SPHERE I s e iv t i a t r h l g a h n t o s r i t g a i r n l i a g l h S t o ,, n ) g , Nyemoiriphoidsieaa p y u l, e l e r n . j o . f H th . Miss H. Howard. .Mdlles. Attendant Elves GRAND BALLET FANTASTIQUE. Hew Peter, havine , become invisible , finds, though out of sight, he is not out ' Of mind, and how the Elfin warning he receives causes him to change his situation. THE VANION CASTLE, ON THE CORNISII COAST, NEAR THE LAND'S END. Cornish Milk Girl Miss Pollychalk. Baker's Boy Master Treble. Maid Servant.... Miss Allwork. Cornish Fisherman Mr. Pennylot. Jeames (the Head Footman) Black Page Master Bob Ridley, Domestics of the Castle, Messrs Fag, Brag, Lag, Gag, Tag, Rag, and Bobtail. Cornish Wreckers, Messrs. Smash, Crash, Dash, Flash, Splash, Breakup, and Goaway. Jack Robinson (first mate of theAd venturer) Mr. T .Matthews Giles Grogrum (the Pilot) Mr. Sowester Second Mate How Peter runs away and goes to sea, and how the wreckers, having missed a price, receive a quid-pro-quo from Jack Robinson. QUARTER DECK OF THE ADVENTURER. THE LOADSTONE ROCK. By NIGHT. FLIGHT OF THE FLYING ISLANDERS TO THEIR AERIAL_HOME. Great Gathering of the Winged Women at the Trysting Place by the SPREADING BANYAN TREE. Descent of the Glumms and Gauries borne through the air on their beautiful wings, and BRILLIANT TRANSFORMATION. Harlequins—Mr. Cormack and Mr. St. Maine. Columbines—The Misses Gunniss. Pantaleons—Mr. Naylor and Mr. E. R. Martin. Clowns—Mr. Huline and Mr. R. Power, and a little one in by Young Huline. Sprites—By the celebrated Lavater Lee Family. Scene I—EXTERIOR OF A GREENGROCER'S, A PRINTING OFFICE, AND A PUBLIC TAVERN. Cormack, Huline, Naylor, E. Gunniss, and Lavater Lee and Sons. _ _ Cheap Publications—Plum Pudding and Pantomime for ever I—New Edition of Oliver Twist—The Ink-em-Tax —A Prima-facia Case—A new Sheet, just printed—The Head of a Staff well Chased—Clown kicked out of Office— Who's your Hatter—Heavy Swell (of Indignation)— Clown enters into the Hop Trade, and of course does his Duty—Dance, Mr. Huline and his Son, in their Pas de Polichinello, on Stilts—Harlequin well up in the Print ing Business—a Rise in Spirits—Change for the Better— Duty off Wines—Light Wines—The Spirit of Fashion— and as it is the Fashion (Pantomimic) to finish the Scene with Spirit, a Rally will really take place and place before you Scene 2.—A NURSERY C-ROUND AND SCHOOL. St. Maine, R. Power, Martin, Miss Gunniss, and Lavater Lee and Sons. _ _ _ Hop, step, and a jump—What are you at?—Out for an Airing—Bell ringing extraordinary—Clever at School, but you can't lodge here—Beware of Steel Traps and Spring Guns—No end of a distance to Turnham-green—A change in Mile-stones and a fall of Finger posts—A miss as good as a mile—Fine Shooting, in perspective—The New Treaty —French Fruits—Pas des Dames des Hall 6, with Chinese Accompaniment, by the Ladies of the Corps de Ballet— True Blue for ever I—Rather a rise in the School, and a floorer for Clown. Scene 3. FARMHOUSE AND SPORTING COUNTRY. Cormack, Huline, Naylor, E.Gunniss, and Lavater Lee and Sons. " Harvest Home is a glorious day, so jolly let us be I" Old English Harvest Dance by the Ladies cf the Corps de Ballet, and a characteristic Pas de Deux by Mr. Cormack and Miss E. Gunniss—A farmer's life for me I—Clown and Pantaloon in want of employment—Not allowed to be drunk on the premises—Crinoline to its right use—Dog cart early laden with heavy swells—No end of pointers—A fall in game and a rise in turnips—The right man in the right place. Scene 4. EARLY MORNING AND EARLY • CLOSING. St. Maine, Power, Martin, Miss Gunniss, Lavater Lee, and Sons. An Early Breakfast—Have your boots cleaned ?—Early love—Why don't you pay the roan ?—Clown's true polish —Beware of the Police—Alas 1 poor Bobby—The true Young Englands—The present fashion—Clown v. Wright —Harlequin's cab, or wheels within wheels—My noble commander—A few Sandwiches, and Smith's advertising board—Flunkeyism the present fashion—Oh 1 what a Guy—A new mode of dog stealing—A sight at the moon— A heavy cannon, with a heavy " troupe" of Volunteers—A slap at the bull's eye—John Bull and his wife—Always reward true merit. Scene—MlSTY VIEW. _ _ Characters in the dark, but oft a cloudy and rainy morn ing brings forth " A bright and sunny day." REDUCED PRICES AS USUAL. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM. Sore Lessee and Directress, Madame CELESTE. TO-MORROW EVENING (Boxing Night) THE IRISH TUTOR. Dr. O'Toole, Mr. John Drew. - - -- • Alter which, the Lyceum Christmas Comic Extravaganza, rHE VISION OF A ROSE, ITS FADING AT EVE, AND THE MAY-BLOOM OF THE WILD BRIAR. Followed by the comic Drama, entitled HANDY ANDY. Messrs. Campbell, Johnstone, T. Lyon. Forrester, Villiers, Butler, and John Drew; Mrs. J. Rouse, Miss Rudspeth, Miss M. Ternan, and Miss Neville. STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. — Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Was. BATTY. This Evenin‘r, a new Spectacle, entitled TAE LION CONQUEROR; or, The Death Jungle, expressly for the introduction of the Wonders of the - World, " The Groupe of Performing Lions." The Lion Conqueror, Mr. J. Crockett. To be succeeded by Scenes in the Arena, supported by talented Parisian and Brifish Artistes. Concluding, with Batty's Prize Equestian Comic Panto mime, for Good Little Boys and Girls, by T. L. Greenwood, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE WONDERFUL HORSE ; or, Percinet and Groclosa, the Ugly Duchess and the Greedy King, produced with Gorgeous Scenery, by Mr. Cuthbert, new Costumes and _Appointments, and introducing in the covaie scenes Batty's Prize Equestrian Harlequinadi, and the celebrated Old Bob Ridley, and Brandon Ledger. Harlequin Mr. Sylvester. Columbine Miss Hariet Dalton, Pantaloon Mr. G. Perks. Clown Sprites—Messrs. Thorne, Lockhart, and Sons. Doors open at halt-rag ti, performance commence at 7. Box-office open daily from 11 till 4 Stage Manager—Mr. W. WERT. Director of the Arena—Mr. Pearson. HALL. CANTERBURY Open Every Evening . at Seven. GRAND SELECTIONM (First Time) from LA FTGLIA DEL REGIMEN TO (Donizetti), NORMA, SONNAMBULA, and MARTHA. Principal Artistes Miss RUSSELL, Madame MARIA, Miss TYRRELL, Miss WILLIAMS, Mr. HENRY HERBERT, C. W. BERNARD, and Signor TIVOLI. Musical Director.... Mr. F. JONG MiLAN S. The Comic Department compri , es Messrs. J. BL ANCH %RD, A. B. HOLLINGSWORTH, Master BARRY, G. W. PELL, CHARLEY Fox. and E. MARSHALL. The Fine Arts Gallery has been enriched by the addition of the late John Martin's three Grand Pictures—viz., " THE GREAT DAY of HIS WRATH," "THE PLAINS of HEAVEN," and "THE LAST JUDGMENT," on view until 12 o'clock at Night. TILE WEATHER.—Sux OFFICE, Dic. 25, 1860. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 29—highest since noon yesterday. 11—lowest this morning and during the night. The coldest yet. 22—this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.40. WlND—North-Easterly—almost a calm; with fog, and bitterly cold frost. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. CHIB DAY.—Morning, 12h. —m.—Afternoon, —h. —m. ro-moßnow.-Morning, 12h. 19m.—Afternoon, 12h. 43m. The Telegram received at the Foreign-office, as well as by REUTER, at length confirms the news from China via St. Petersburg in all its integrity. We refer to another column for the conditions of the Treaty of Peace, or rather compulsion, for the Chinese would never listen to reason while any chance remained for evasion—even from their own professed compliance. While we may now exult that the haughty bearing of the Tartar-Chinese Govern ment has been brought to its fitting level of abject submission, we cannot but regret that the lives of our confiding officers, beguiled under the sanctity and protection of a flag of truce, have been sacri ficed to the mortified vengeance of a cruel people. But the Chinese are now made to learn their own weakness, and to pay proper homage to what they in their vaunted pride styled us as mere " outside Barbarians." Aye, and in that submission they are made to pay—nothing, indeed, comparable to the extent of their treachery—far less their cruelty—yet still enough to humble them in their own opinion throughout their immensity of space and population, but in the eyes of the civilised world. This is, indeed, a fitting sequel to their assumed superioriy over the rest of the universe. One of the articles stipulates that the treaty of peace, with the humble apology of the Brother of the Sun and Moon, shall be published all over China, so that the people shall know who are the real masters—the barbarians or the Emperor of the Sacred Glance, as the Mandarins have styled the tool of their cunning. The sum of one hundred thousand pounds has been extorted as a poor recompense to the families of those victims to Chinese cruelty. But we can not agree that the Island of Chusan, the very commanding key of the Great River of China should have been given up to the Chinese a second time. True, we have acquired a strip of land or promontory near Hong Kong of more salubrious quality, but that we might have got, and kept Chusan as well. We affect to be generous in our negotiations—but there are times for justice —if not policy, as well as generosity. Had we kept Chusan it would have acted on the fears oft he Chinese, and be the best and cheapest guaran tee for the continuance of peace, for such people are kept on their good behaviour more from love for their own safety than from any respect for their ruler's. We hope the Taku Forts will be retained as an impartial guarantee. The commercial business of the treaty promises well. Universal free trade is to begin at once, and Tien-tsin, the Gravesend of Pekin, is to be opened for commerce. So far so good. We wish it were better. Another Christmas Day ! The world's eighteen hundred-and-sixtieth ! Another of those anniver saries that—year after year in the very depths of each wintry season—came to gladden the hearts of us all, and bring us nearer in thought and feeling to one another—bringing us we might even (at the risk of the reproach of sermonising) venture to add, though it be through the columns of a newspaper, nearer and nearer in thought to Heaven. Gladdening the hearts of Ks all we have said—bringing us all nearer and nearer in feeling to one another, and in thought to wards Heaven ! Can we, however, say it ? Are we justified in writing —with a strict and rigid regard to truth—in words of such comprehensive generalisa tion ? It is true that the conviviality of this most happy season spreads s• far and so wide, sinks so low down in the social Beale, that it penetrates even to the poor pauper inhabitants of our humble work houses. Christmas fare, Christmas cheer even to the grey clad pauper population of the Union ! But to all the population indiscriminately, to all ranks and classes of the community without exception ? THAT unhappily it were, alas ! rash to assort 'with any confidence. For of whom was it that the late Lord MACAULAY spoke almost as with a cry of lamentation—when he bewailed the existence of some who were no better, according to his famous dictum, than " savages in the midst of civilisation and heathens in the midst of Christianity." They are here amongst us to this day, these forgotten pariahs of our social system. They are hid away in the thick of Ibis vast throng of 3,000,000 men, women, and children peopling these wondrous twin cities of London and Westminster. They are close beside us, they are at our very doors; they are there in swarms in the back-slums and rookeries, festering down dark lanes, behind our magnificent squares and gay thoroughfares. It is one of those Two Nations of whom one of our most emiuent states men and administrators—the right hon. gentleman the member for Bucks, the leader of her MAJESTY'S Opposition, has written a brilliant and affecting story—that " ower true tale," that fiction founded upon fact, that enthralling romance based upon an appalling reality, " SYBIL, or the Two NatiOrifi n , Old and hackneyed though the words ere, tfiey can never be reiterated too frequently, these aphoristic words averring that one half of the w)rld does not know how the' other half lives. It is a familiar saying that can never be repeated too often, that can never be uttered or written more appositely than at Christmas time—when One Half, when more than One Half, when the immense majority of the population is in the midst of its holiday enjoyments. For all the while, oven when the hapless paupers in the workhouses are regaling on their Christmas rations of roast beef and plum pudding—all the while, outside the wars of the Union, hid away in overlooked and unfrequented corners, there remains a residue, a miserable minority of the people, even in this happy and thriving country, even in this rich and prosperous capital, who are in no measure what- ever influenced beneficially by the recurrence even of Christmas. Nay, the wretchedness of this low liest minority of all (the very dregs of im- poverishment) is such, is so extreme and utter that the old threadbare axiom might, in their regard, more appropriately run—that the other part of the world knows nothing, not of the way in which their neighbours Jive, but of the way in which they die ! It was the recollection of this simple fact, that awoke the sympathies of an anonymous philanthropist only the other day, the recollection of this undeniable, notorious, and most lamentable fact, that occasional deaths are recorded in England, in LondOn, that occa sional deaths take place here amongst us, deaths caused by actual starvation ! Men, and women, and children, it seemed frightful to this phi lanthropist to remember, are at intervals ab solutely fainting and dying in London, in the midst of plenty, in the midst of luxury, nay, in the midst of a charity that would rejoice to allekiate all their miseries, were only these woes we speak of brought to the knowledge of this sur rounding world of benevolence—a world inactive in these instances, because unconscious of the depth of poverty close at hand requiring instant alleviation ! Clothes, fuel, bread, medical aid, reli gious assistance—all these in these extreme cases — are wholly and entirely wanting. And it was with a view to hunt out these hidden distresses, and to prevent thereby, as far as may be, in every way practicable, the possibility of their recurrence in future that a movement was recently organished by W. D. B.—a movement cordially aided towards its development by the co-operation of many zealous sympathisers—a movement that we do most earnestly trust may date a long and prosperous course of beneficence from this very Christmas Day. It is especially upon this first Christmas Day that has arrived since the period of its original advancement that we are desirous, in a few matter of fact, but deeply heartfelt, words, to commend this kindly scheme pro posed by W. D. B. to the sympathies of the general public and to its powerful and active co-operation. Let it be particularly borne in mind in regard to this new scheme of Charity for the most forlorn and the most destitute that it has claims upon all who hear of it, claims of a very impressive and remarkable character. It is a charitable project, for example, that is to be worked out wholly and solely by Volun teers. It is a chatitablo project of a kind in no way whatever sectarian. It is a charitable scheme that will give succour to those who are at once most in need of it, and are nevertheless the most entirely neglected. Above all, it is a charitable scheme that will expend upon the poor themselves every single farthing that may be contributed to the funds of the association. Knowing this, remembering this —let us now, more particularly upon this holy festival of Christmas, say from our hearts, GOD bless and prosper this scheme of W. D. B. and his numerous sympathisers. Are infidels in England to enjoy the protection of Law ? The question is suggested to us by a recent proceeding in the Rochdale County Court, which, we confess, struck us as about one of the hardest cases of religious intolerance we have seen for some time. The essential facts were these. An artist of the name of SAMUEL MADEN sued his wife's stepfather for £6 35., the estimated value of a pianoforte, which it was alleged the stepfather had wrongfully detained. The defence was that the piano was -the property of Mrs. MADEN's mother, the defendant's wife. The plaintiff, it seems, had but one witness, Mrs. MADEN, or pro bably her evidence would have been so complete that nothing further would be needed: She was not, however, permitted to give it, so that we can form no conception of what the grounds of her claim would be. But, probably she would have proved that her mother had given it to her before she married her stepfather. C. TEMPLE, Esq., the judge, did not, however, see fit to let the plaintiff's witness tell the facts to the jury. The reason for this will appear from the following dialogue be tween the witness and the judge. When Mrs. MADEN stepped into the box, instead of allowing her to be sworn and examined, the defendant's counsel, Mr. STANDRING, commenced questioning her on her religious belief. He asked her whether she believed in a future state of rewards and punishments. She answered in the negative. The judge himself then took up the examination : Judge—You do not believe in any human re sponsibility for telling a lie ? Mrs. Maden—Yes I do. Judge—Except to society ? Mrs. Maden—No. Judge—Do you believe in a God who can punish you for telling a lie ? Mrs. Maden—No. Judge—Then I cannot hear you, and I nonsuit the plaintiff, with costs for the defendant's advocate. If people will insult public opinion in a court of justice they must take the consequence. Now, perhaps, Exeter Hall will applaud such administration of justice—or rather of injustice, and we shall be deemed infidels' friends, infidels ourselves, perhaps, for uttering our protest against such conduct on the part of a judge. But if we mistake not, it is not merely a grave infraction of religious liberty, and a violation of common justice and Christian principle, but if the same principle were carried out in Spain or in Rome, Exeter-hall would be the first to complain. It would get up a deputation to the Foreign Minis ter, and complain that Protestants were excluded from the protection of the courts of justice, because they " insulted the public opinion of the country." Had Mrs. MADEN been guilty of wantonly annoy ing any sect of religionists, by conduct offensive to their feelings, we should have been the last to excuse her. Nothing ought to be re spected more than even the religious Supersti tions of others ; but she merely answered, without bravado, questions she was compelled to answer, she was willing to take the oath and toll her story quietly; and a judge from the bench, because her creed, unfortunately for her, is at variance with that of nearly all of us, declares her guilty of " insult" for simply telling the truth in answer to his own questions. We suppose if she had refused to answer she would have been committed by him for contempt, or insult, of court; if she answers, it is still deemed insult, and punished with denial of justice and costs. What, in the name of common sense, was the poor woman to do ? We say this is a denial of justice. In this indivi dual case, every reader will perceive that the 4 iano did belong to her husband, probably through her. Mr. STANDLING would assuredly not have relied on so outrageous a defence, if he had had a better one. Inexcusable as we think his questions, we cannot think so ill of him as to believe that he would have demeaned himself to put them, had it not been his only hope, and we may be allowed to suppose, also, that he knew something of the temper and religious prejudices of the judge before whom he was to conduct the defence. But it is the general case which is most im portant. Generalise it, and what does it amount to, but denial of justice to infidels in every case in which their obtaining it depends on their own oath. Indeed it might easily happen that an infidel's testimony would he the only one some such Christian as Mr. TEMPLE himself might be able to bring in his own case. What would he then think of being nonsuited and saddled with costs, because his witness happened not to be of the same faith with the judge in regard to what constituted the binding nature of an oath. But the infidel himself, in a thousand cases, might be wronged without the possibility of re dress. He might be robbed with impunity in solitude, since however certainly he might identify the criminal, his oath, if he were willing to take one, would be denounced as an "insult." We do not see even how he could easily in any case prove that his own name had been forged, or that he did not owe money in cases in which receipts are not common, or even prosecute the man who had half killed him by violence. The truth is, that sound principle requires the placing of all evidence before a jury which can be got ; with or without oaths makes little difference; the Jury and the Judge, too, are corn petent to sift its value. It is quite easy from the manner of witnesses, from the results of cross examination, and from accordance or discrepancy with other testimony, to judge of the value of un sworn evidence—and it is for those who have to decide in regard to the fact to have everything before them. Evidence, even, which we cannot altogether or at all believe, may yet afford a clue to better evidence. One thing we hold to be clear —infidels are Englishmen—they pay taxes—they must obey the law, and if the laws will not protect them, it must be made to do so. 4,-j t. - I.mA - A 2 AO 0 wy 4-41 ` 4 7 - • - THE SUN. LONDON, TUESDAY, DEC. 25, 1860. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Alice and Prince Louis of Hesse, walked in the grounds of the Castle this morning, attended by the maids of Honour in Waiting. Prince Louis skated on the ice in the Home Park. The Prince Consort, with the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, and the Prin co of Leiningen, went out shooting, attended by Major-General Seymour and Lieut.-Colonel Rept el. Prince Arthur skated on the ico, attended by Major Elphinstone, R.E. His Excellency the Sardinian Minister has left town on a visit to Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, at Broadlands. Viscountess Stratford de Redcliffe and the Hon. Misses Canning have returned to Grosvenor-square from visiting Lady Margaret Beaumont, at Bywell Hall, New castle-on-Tyne, The Lord Chancellor's Vicarage of Nusson, near Bawtry, Nottinghamshire, has become vacant by the death of the Rev. Wm. Thorp, M.A., of Jesus College, Cam bridge. The benefice is worth £360 a year. CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAY.— Monday, Dec. 24.—Admissions on payment, 10,244 ; ditto by season tickets, 2,175.—T0tal visitors, 12,419. THE GREAT EASTERN.—The required repairs of this vessel, now lying securely and snugly on the beach at Milford Haven, have been commenced, and are vigorously being carried on under the efficient superintendence of Cap tain Jackson, of the firm of Ford and Jackson. They will be completed early in the spring of the ensuing year. THE REPRESENTATION OF ABERDEENSHIRE.— The Aberdeen Free Press says—" There are two candidates, if not both formally, yet to all intents and purposes, in the field. Both Sir A. Bannerman and Mr. Leslie (of Warthill) are organising the machinery for an active canvass of the county, and the address of the former has been issued. Mr. Leslie starts in the Conservative interest, and Sir A. Bannerman comes forward as a Palmerstonian. There has been some talk about the likelihood of one of the brothers of our late member coming forward. As party distinctions are now very much broken down, so proportionately, at least, we should hope, would pressure—particularly of landlords on tenants—be abated. We have, however, just learned with some surprise that a certain noble lord has already issued a circular to his tenantry in this quarter— not, of course, dictating' to them how they should vote, but intimating that he is a Conservative, and that this is a time when there being so much false liberalism abroad every good man and true should rally round the institu tions of the country.' Now, the noble to whom we refer may personally, or in what he deems the interest - of his order, have a very great horror of John Bright. Still, we think, such a use of the influence of his position is a little too strong for these days, and such as make people rather desire to see measures carried calculated to abate the power that can wield it." FlRES.—Yesterday and last night a great many fires occurred in different parts of the metropolis. The most serious was at Mr. Groves's, wheelwright, Abbey street, Bermondsey, whose premins were completely destroyed. THE LAW AND EQUITY COURTS.—Yesterday the offices of the common law courts were closed until Satur day, and with the exception of the Court of Queen s Bench, the courts stand adjourned until the commencement of term. The Court of Queen's Bench will sit to-morrow (Wednesday) to conclude the case, " Stokes v. the Eastern Counties Railway Company," and on its rising will be adjourned until term, which begins on the 11th proximo. The equity courts adjourned on Saturday, and the offices were closed until the 7th January. The courts will not open before them. The Divorce Court has also closed its sittings until term. LONDON AND SOUTFI-WESTERN RAILWAY.--It appears that the directors of this company intend to recom mend to the shareholders that the vacancy caused by the death of the late Mr. LTzielli should be filled up at the ordinary meeting of the company in February next, As 30 days' notice prior to the meeting is required to be given by candidates for the office of director, sb.areholders who may wish to become candidates will have ample time to give the requisite notice prior to the meeting, which it is understood will be held on the 14th of February neat. THE EASTERN FISHERIES.—The parties engaged in the herring fishery off the eastern coast are now " making up" and congratulating themselves on the success which has attended their vigorous labours. It is estimated that tho boats connected with Great Yarmouth have taken 8,000 to 10,000 lasts, or the enormous number of 100,000,000 fish. The sum thus obtained by each boat has been from £4OO to £l,OOO, and all taken above £5OO per boat is regarded as profit. At Lowestoft equally encouraging results have been obtained, the value of the fish caught being estimated at £50,000, one beat alone having taken 1,000,000 fish. The fishermen are paid according to the success which follow their exertions, and some of them will have £3O, £4O, and even £5O, to receive at the hands of their employers. WEIGHING A THEFT.—A citizen missed two pounds of fresh butter, which wa• to be reserved for him self. The maid, however, had not only stolen it, but fas tened the theft ur on the cat, averring, moreover, that she caught her in the act of devouring the last morsel. The wily cit immediately put the kitten into the scales, and found it to weigh but a pound and a half. This city mode of accurate reasoning being quite conclusive, the girl con fessed her crime.—American paper. THE FROST IN BRISTOL.—Th e temperature of the air fell to 17.0 on the 21st, reaching a maximum of 32.33 in the day. On the 22d a wave of warmer air mode rated the frost, and the therroe,meter, four feet above the soil, did not descend lower thay L 274. It remained, how ever, during that day in a n aarly stationary condition, the maximurn not being above 328. On Sunday another start was made, the minimum. attained being again low (19 . 7). The mercury in the barometer has continued to fall. The maximum temperature ; for the week ending the 22d was 42.3 on the 16th, and. the minimum, 17 . 0 on the 21st. How TO BRTNG DOWN RAIN.—Mr. Weeks, of Sandwich, writes as follows to Mr. Rowell, who, at the British Association, suggested the possibility of bringing down rain from the clouds at pleasure :—" I have from very early life been an assiduous experimenter. with electric kites, atmospheric exploring wires, &c. Now I beg to assure you that it has several times hawened that when my kite has been raised immediately under a distended, light, fleecy cloud, at a moderate elevation, a free current of sparks has passed from the apparatus during some 10 or 12 minutes. I h ave su dd en l y f oun d myself bedewed with a descent of fine misty rain ; and, on looking up, have g seen d the cloud upo n w hi c h I was opera ti v in magnitude,"--Zhe Buikkr. s urprisingly reduce I' 7 NI L . , , THE PEACE WITH CHINA. FOREIGN-OFFICE, DEC, 24. The following telegram was received at the Foreign-office, via Trieste, at 7.30 p.m,, from her Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Alexandria dated Dec. 18 : Mr. Loch has arrived, with despatches from China, and leaves this day for Malta. The ratification of the treaty of Tientsin was exchanged, and convention of Pekin signed October 24. The English and French ambassadors took up their residence in the capital, and would remain there till Nov. 9. The French army retired from Pekin on the Ist of November. The English would remain till the ambassadors left. A large force is still to remain at Tientsin till treaty conditions be fulfilled. Principal clauses :—Apology from Emperor for the affair of Peiho last year ; ministers to reside at Pekin; indemnity fixed to be doubled; Tientsin to be opened to trade immediately ; emigration allowed ; Kowloon ceded to British crown ; treaty of Tientsin and convention of Pekin to be put in immediate operation, and to be published through- out the empire. Palaces of Yeun.min-Yuen have been entirely burnt to the ground by British force. Bodies of the prisoners who died in the hands of the Chinese brought in and buried with honours, in the Russian cemetery, on Oct. 17. Captain Brabazon and Abbe Luc beheaded on or about Sept. 21, after the battle of Pah-li-cb ow ; bodies not recovered. Indemnities expected from Chinese for families of deceased. English and French Ministers left Shanghae for Tientsin. Major Anson has arrived charged with despatches 7rom Sir Hope Grant for War-office, and leaves this day. Trieste, December 24, 1860. • (Signed) H. RAVEN. (RETJTER'S TELEGRAMS.) PEKIN, OCT. 31. The treaty of Tientsin was ratified and the con vention signed here on the 24th October, by Lord Elgin and Prince Hung. The same formalities were gone through with Baron Gros on the following day. The indemnity to be paid by the Chinese has been fixed at 8,000,000 taels in all. The following is a summary of the convention : In Article 1 the Emperor regrets the misunder standing at the Taku Forts last year. Art. 2 stipulates that a British Minister shall reside at Pekin. Art. 3 arranges the payment of the indemnity by instalments. Art. 4 opens the port of Tientsin to trade. Art. 5 removes the interdict on emigration. Art. 6 cedes Cowloon to the British Crown. Art. 7 provides for the immediate operation of the treaty of Tientsin. Art. 8 orders the promulgation of the treaty throughout China. Art. 9. stipulates the evacuation of Chusan by the British force. The allied armies are to leave Pekin on the Bth November. It is reported that the Ist Royals, the 87th, the Queen's, the Buffs, and the Marines proceed to England. Lord Elgin resides in Pekin. The Emperor is at Zhehol, in Tartary. Bowlby, de Normann, and Anderson have been buried with great solemnity. Brabazon was beheaded about the 21st of Sep- tember. The Abbe de Luc also met with the same fate. The sum of £lOO,OOO has been exacted for the families of the British officers who have been murdered. The summer palace of the Emperor was burnt by the British on Oct. 18. SHANGHAI, Nov. 8. The insurgents are still levying tribute in various places and are menacing Ningp. NAPLES, DEC. 24 (EVENING). The King has held a reception of the nobility of the Court, which was very numerously attended. An enthusiastic demonstration in favour of his Majesty took place in the evening. The King will leave Naples on Thursday next, after having assisted at the ball of the National Guard. Farini is about to publish the communal law for Naples. The state of the provinces is very satisfactory. The news from Rome is of an alarming character. The Kennard and the Ballcras, which left Naples for the Roman States, were not allowed to land their passengers at Civita Vecchia, the pretext being that 6,000 Garibaldians were on board. Against this Mr. Odo Russell has protested. Lacaita has arrived at Naples. It is said that a decree is in course of prepara tion ordering an extraordinary levy of men between 18 and 55 years of age. GAETA, DEC. 18. An enormous quantity of shells and shot were thrown into Gaeta yesterday by the Sardinians. Some of them fell into the garden of the palace where the King and Queen were dining with the Spanish Ambassador. The bombardment has since slackened, and the damage caused in the town is not considerable. The King has received a letter from the Emperor Napoleon. In this letter the Emperor expresses his sympathy for the King, but tells him that he has carried on the siege long enough for his honour. The King, in his reply, thanked the Emperor, but added that he considered it his duty to persist in the defence. PESTH, DEC. 24. The appointments of the members of the Gover norship Council for Hungary have arrived here from Vienna. Count LadislausKorolyi is appointed Vice-Presi dent of tho Council. Court Councillor Szalay has been appointed Director of the Chancery. The councillors are to enter upon their duties on the 2d of January next, when the present offices of the governorship will be abolished. The circular of Baron von Schmerling ham created a great sensation. BONN, DEC. 24. Judgment has been pronounced in the affair of Mr. Macdonald. The defendants Baddeley, Rapp, Washington, Rochfort Thurston, and Oldfield, were acquitted; Pe rry, Anderson, Cumberland, and Drummond were found guilty, with extenuating circumstances, of having committed an offence against the State- ,eor Moller while in the perforwance of his Procurat official duties. The extenuating circumstances were declared to apply in a less degree in the case of: Perry, wh° was fined 100 thalers, or five weeks' imprisonment in default. The other three were fined 25 thalers each, 0 nine days' imprisonment in default. M. DE 1110.1tNY AND THE ROMAN BAIL WA YS. PARIS, DEC. 24. Speculators, stock-jobbers, and the commercial public generally have been much taken up with occurrences which took place towards the close of the last week and the whole of this, and which have brought the name of M. Mires, the contractor for the Turkish loan, prominently forward. I have refrained from alluding to the subject until noWf from an unwillingness to meddle with the internal affairs of a private firm so long as these affairs did not come in some official or tangible form before the public. As these matters will probably give rise to some inquiry in the approaching session of the Legislative Corps, and as they have been wade the topic of frequent discussion in the Cabinet Councils, and have assumed a Constitutional and legal character, it is impossible to pass them over anY longer in silence. From the different versions that circulate it would appear that M. Pontalba, who is a ell known in Parisian society, had various transactions with M. Mires in the Roman Railways, of which the latter i 3 the director. Those transactions were very ea' tersive, and no doubt promised to be highly advall' tageous to all the parties concerned had they con' tinned to act together throughout. A rupture, however, took place, for what reason or on what grounds I am not so accurately informed ; but the consequence was that a claim was made by M. Mires on M. Pontalba to the amount of 1,500,000 f. or 1,600,000 f., or between £60,000 and £70,000, and an immediate settlement demanded . The justice of the claim was disputed in whole or in part, and M, Pontalba met it by certain charges; which he drew up in due form, and placed in the hands of the Procureur. A summons was issued to M. Mires to appear before the Juge d'lnstruction• The summons was complied with ; he appeared, but declined to answer the questions put to him. The affair having assumed a form other than a mereli private transaction, an attempt was made to settle the difference between the parties, and through, I believe, the instrumentality of M. Periere, 311 ' Mires eithergreatly reduced or withdrew altogether his demand on M. Pontalba. The matter having been formally brought before the law officers of the Crown, it was judged that whatever settlement reef have been come to between the parties, it should not and could not be held to stay proceedings that had already commenced with the Inge d'lnstroe' tion. The affair was brought before the Council O f Ministers on Saturday last, and discussed in pre' Bence of the Emperor, who presided. Some of the Ministers, and two or three legal authoritie s, alleged that no authority could stop the regula r course of justice, and that a private arrangemen t should not act as a bar. No Government in Fraue e hsd so interfered since Napoleon 1., who quashed the decision of a Court in 1810, but the effect on the public mind was such that even he neve r ventured to repeat the usurpation. The Mini' sters who took this view did not pretend to prejudg e the question, but they demanded that out of defer: ence to any private influence the regular course e' law should not be arrested. No decision was cote. to on that occasion. The next day or the day after a person deeply interested for one of the parties hen' it is said, an audience of the Emperor, and let it be understood that if matters were pushed to an es' treme the party attacked would be compelled, self-defence, to make public certain facts will° • would show the participation in these and othe r transactions of certain persons who fill very hig h offices in the State. The question whether the law officers of the Crow n should be ordered to desist from proceeding fait° with the matter has twice or thrice been before th, Cabinet during the present week, and among thos e who demonstrated the illegality of staying pr 4r ceedings on the ground of private arrangemeo t i Messrs. Baroche, Delangle, and Rouher—the fire President of the Council of State, with a seat in rho Cabinet, the second Minister of Justice, and both first-rate lawyers, and the last Minister of Pub lic , Works—are said to be prominent. Another Cabi net Council was held yesterday, but I am unable to state whether any decision was come to. to The person whose beneficent action is said -a be felt in this as well as other matters of the kin is M, de Morny. It is possible that his interven tieo in so many enterprises, great and small, which 10 o 0 out advantage to the projectors, is founded on t R o best motives,—it may be, pure benevolenoe , an desire to promote the happiness of mankind general, and of the French people in partictil,hoef but the fact is that there is hardly anything id vast or two minute for his watchful care. I t like the trunk of the elephant, which can Pie lc pin from the ground or lift a cannon. No one j e e prophet in his own country, and unfortunately, th generation with which M. de Morny's lot is cas t not so deeply convinced as he himself and his 00910; panions are of the sincerity of his benevolence , of the immense advantage of his schemes to the country or to the Imperial Government. If , t Emperor has any doubt on this subject (and 1 " 0 , difficult to suppose he has), he may ask his gin. l3 tars what their opinion is of the influence Wi lle r . the public is led to believe sweeps everything be f° r , it. He may ask the senators what are the whiel le r , ings in the Luxembourg, or the rumours and 01 , 11 , 0 murs heard in the committee-rooms, and on benches under the President's chair, in the aill chambers of the Palace, and in the ve r y Couoe, la, room where the Ministers meet t o deliberafro And let the Prefect be called upon to repeat !lb is brought him by his agents of the remar do current in the workshops of the faubourg. will hear much of that one grasping influence whi itor beats down all others , bef ore which everyone Ole of the things which that influence is used to mote, of the belief that the protection of one i$ i ti , dispensable to the s uccess of ever y project or Flied lation, great or small, legitimate or otherwise, l i p of the astonishment of the public how the EtnPe r° th e naturally strong mind seems to recoil before man who carries almost everything before hi rci ;i f e Several members of the Senate and Legisle got Corps are of opinion that such things shoul d -; any longer go on without an attempt to check O le os and that the authority of the Government an d 's Bad public of the S overe i gn oug ht no t t o be lower s a d public estimati on , even t o sa ti s fy M. de Moro , ' " o f his coterie. They regard the decree of the e 24°1 a olv November as seriously meant, and they are re $ roe to make the experiment. In virtue of that de ,, e t they may in the debate on the Address tre° 4o topics connected not only with foreign but dolo" wl 1 1 yo policy. Domestic policy is comprehensive ehilt to embrace many objects ; and informati on t he probably be asked as to the manner in wili eb oo r interests of the public, in an industrial and CO cial point of view, have been cared for i n 0° o ot recent transactions. The press will, of cours e : o es , be prevented from commenting upon what P t hat, I merely echo the general opinion in saying. soh neither decrees, nor reforms, nor concessions.:, have their due weight with fhe public, so I ( e le 7tlie one fatal influence predominates. Eve n u° otill Restoration, the Sovereign could oNverco me his °Loclo or postpone his private feelings to tbe just deimors tbo . of his people. When the intrigues of the s e , Royalist party—very different, a fter all, fo rt: 4o o now in question—disturbed the legitimate a c . ,.,bert Government, excited the hostility o f the Chad s ot and scandalised the public, Louis XVIII. °Twos! hesitate to remove his own brot her, the 0031 d'Artois, from the command in ch ief of the Nal:Aug° Guard on the requisition of his Minister, the Decases. iil l a The commercial state of has v ea from proved within the last week. bee 9 , France Letters recei nettro; tfa n die provincial markets stat e that there ha L rnsmiiest falling off in the a mount of busine e acted. It is remarked , however, that tb4 las fete e dealers are those who com p lain most. li“.,robe. ifficial Custom return s confirm thiS unfavotie• •tatement. The falling off in the Customs e a r, during the 11 months of the present s;oticP compared with the two preceding years, greater than was anticipated. 4 .‘ 3 ha or tic