The Sun. — London, England, 1859-09-09 00:00:00

THEATRE-kOYAL, HAYMARKET Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING the performances will oonmenoe with JULLOWE'EN. Witt THE CONTESTED ELECTION, After which, OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF KM, And A. DAUGHTER TO MARRY. Commence at 7. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Lessee and Directress, Miss Swauborough THIS EVENING, THE GOOSE WITH THE GOLDEN EGGS. And TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. After which, TRYLSTG IT ON. Followed by THE VERY LATEST EDITION OF THE LADY OF LYONS. Commence at 7 o'clock. CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS. - EVERY EVENING.—The Music of Verdi's Opera of MACBETH (now first mad. public in England at these Con certs), the extraorainary Violin Performances of the cele brated Infant DELEPIERRE FAMILY, and the usual Vocal Concert. Comic Vocalists -Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come dian and Mimic), W. T. Critchfield, and E. W. Mackney. Several interesting Pictures are added to the Fine Arts Gallery. The suite of have been re-decorated and beautified, and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant sights of the metropolis. THE WEATHER.—SIIN OFFICE, SEPTEMBER 9. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 70—highest since noon yesterday. 65—Lowest this morning and during the night. 68—this day at noon. _ . • BA.RomETEI-29.9 0 . W. ; light, with fine weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAT,—Morning, 12h. 4m.—Afternoon, 12h. 31m. To-Moil.R4w-Morning, 12h. 15m.—Afternoon, lh. The only solution—the EMPEROR says so, to al' intents and purposes, as plainly as possible, in to day's Moniteur—the only solution of the Italian Difficulty yet left is IP A.R ! So be it. Rather that — than any Peace that is nothing better than a cruel, hollow, irritating mockery. The seed-germ of evil in the precipitate and bewildering agreement entered into at Villafranca has at length budded, and flowered, and borne fruit—that seed-germ being the reserva tion to Austria of Venetia! The retention of Venetia by the House of Hapsburg—baulked the realisation of the daydream of " Italy free from the Alps to the Adriatic." So long as the abhorred foreigners still held possession of Venice and the Quadilateral, Italy could not be pro nounced Free from the Alps to the Adriatic. The chains were struck off from her, it was true, in Lombardy, by the sword of the conqueror of Magenta and Solferino. But the accursed manacles were still to be retained in Venetia. And the perpetuation of the iron bond there was made yet worse by the very condition accompanying it— namely, the restoration of the Grand Dukes as an essential preliminary. " The Arch Dukes," says the Imperial announcement in the Moniteur of this morning [and so far there is a satisfaction in the reading of that explicit avowal]—" The Arch dukes will not be re-established by foreign forces. BUT—[here come the bitter dregs at the bottom of the honeyed cup]—BUT that por tion of the treaty of Villafranca not having been carried out, Austria will find herself freed from all engagements taken in favour of Venetia !" Meaning the " concessions on a large scale to Venetia" promised by Austria, but requir ing as a condition, sine qua non, the return of the Archdukes. So that to put the matter plainly — The Archdukes not being restored to their principalities, Venetia is to be abandoned, utterly and unconditionally to the tender mercies of the Austrian despotism ! If we could typify anything so disastrous, or in its way so monstrous, as this utter abandonment of Venetia to Austria, at the very moment when Austria is sullen and infuriated by being herself ignominiously bereft of Lombardy, after being defeated from the very beginning to the very end of the late Cam paign—if we could symbolise any such Dread Calamity by a straw or a drop of water, it is surely the straw that will break the back of the Camel (the Truce of Villafranca), it is the last drop that will brim over the cup of Italian Indignation. No wonder that even the Illoniteur comes to the conclusion that such an arrangement thus interrupted " will lead to fresh misfortunes !" The Imperial deduction, then, is, that " War would be the only way to resolve the difficulty. BUT,'' adds the Moniteur again, " BUT Italy must be aware that one Power alone in Europe :makes war for an idea, and that is France, and France has accomplished her mission." An Idea—lf the abandonment of Venetia to Austria, upon the understanding that the Archdukes could not be restored anyhow, was the Napoleonian Idea at Villafranca, it was certainly not a very bright one ! Happily for Italy, however—auspiciously yet for her Future —Lombardy is really free—Sardinia is heartened by her past triumphs in the battle field and the Council Chamber—Central Italy is calm, resolute, unanimous, and prepared—and there, at the central point in the Roman peninsula, at head of his Italian legions, with his hand upon his sword, stands the heroic GARIBALDI. Mr. BRIGHT'S " last" is very much indeed in the style of Mr. DODGSON'S harangues in that whimsical politico-dramatic squib, called " The Contested Election," now being performed to crowded houses, night after night, by her MAJESTY'S servants in the little theatre in the Haymarket. Only the honourable member lacks altogether in his manner . the gay, airy, sparkling vivacity and animation of that CHARLES SURFACE of the modern stage, our inimitable CHARLES MATHEWS. Mr. BRIGHT'S physiqiie, we should say, would better suit him to the heavy line of business. There is a vast deal, however, of the imperturbable effrontery—not "brazen," it is too gentlemanly for that, rather it should be termed the lacquered effrontery—of Attor ney DODGSON, of Flamborough, in the text of that great political sermon which will be found reported at full length in another part of our im pression of this evening ! An election sermon — alternately dripping with unction and flaring with the and brimstone—delivered by Friend BRIGHT to a congregation of some three thousand souls, as purpose of hearing it, down sem bled for the exp r ess in that a ppropriate conventicle at H u dd ers fi e ld. It r eally seems almost lik e an elaborated joke of a fl avour the most coarsely ironical, that *wonderful " resolution " which was pm _ posed by Mr. BRIGHT last evening d own at Huddersfield:—" That in the opinion of this meeting the great question of Parliamentary Reform, involving a more faithful representation of the people, greater purity of election, a wiser and im ore economical expenditure of public money, and an' administration of national affairs more consistent with national interests, demands the immediate. zttention of the Legislature, and ought not to be politroned beyond the first opportunity for a satisfacte .ry settlement !" Observe—Mr. BRIGHT actually m toyed that resolution in the presence of Mr. E. A. LEATHAM, and in the hearing of a very considerabi le number of the free and independent and immat =late and unpurchaseable electors of Hudderdiel. r/.. It is very much, indeed, like Mr. DODGSON. It bears a wonderful resemblance, all --.: this, to Flamborough. Mr. Bl!tIGICT must really think we have very short memories, or no memo. ries at all. Otherwise he would hardly, e should conceive, select that particular place, that particu lar occasion, and that particular auditory, in which, at which, and before which to talk thus meally-mouthed about the sore need there is for " greater purity of election" [0 ye gods and little fishes !] Recommending so strenuously at the same time " a wiser and more economical expenditure of public money" judiciously avoiding, however, any such advice in regard to the distribution of private money, particularly in times of electioneer ing. Remembering what has so very recently been brought to light by the sudden juxtaposition of the flint and steel of LEATHAM and Elections--this really is, to our mind, about the eoolest thing well imaginable. Before Mr. BRIGHT rose last evening to propose his amazing resolution, another very important preliminary resolution had been proposed and seconded, and passed with acclamation. It ran as follows : " That this meeting regards the election of Mr. E. A. LEATHAM as a most valuable accession to the ranks of the Liberal members of the House of Com- mons ; recognises with satisfaction the accordance of Mr. Leatham's political opinions with those of the great majority of Ms constituents ; rejoices with him on the successful termination of the arduous conflict through which he has honourably and triumphantly passed, and hereby assures him of its confidence:and support." Why, this is just precisely the sort of thing Mr. Ton TAYLOR puts into the mouths of his Green Lions and his Blue Lambs down at Flamborough. Mr. ROGERS as the tapster, and Mr. BUCKSTONE as the butcher, have made us familiar with them as household words. They are precisely the sentiments expressed alternately (and sometimes together) by fat Mr. BRAID between his whiskers, and by that delightful little Mr. CLARK, who enforces his sentiments by the perk of his head, by the stiffness and tight ness of his stock, and by the very flourish of his coat tails. Reading these resolutions, passed so cordially last night by the "free and indepen dent," and, we will repeat, the immaculate and unpurchaseable electors of Huddersfield, we seem to be listening over again by the side of Mr. COMPTON as Honeybun, first of all to the hopes and aspirations of the Blue Lambs and Green Lions, and then to the enlightened senti ments and opinions of the rival deputatations of Flamborough. What a pity, while they were about it last night, down at Huddersfield, what an exceed ing pity—quite an oversight it was—that they did not congratulate Mr. LEATHAM in the plural upon his triumphal passage through the recent contests I Perhaps they felt instinctively (the ingenious framers of these resolutions) that pos sibly the least said about the latest contest (the one in Election Committee) the better How ever, as (both literally and figuratively) the singular congratulation addressed to Mr. LEATHAM in the preliminary resolution above quoted, acts as a gentle reminder of yet more recent occurrences, we may be allowed to indulge ourselves and our readers with a few agreeable apropos remi niscences. To which end we cannot possibly do better than quote as follows the epitome of one of the most sparkling episodes in the history of the late General Election, as narrated in the pages of Black wood. Maga, is speaking of " some of the cases in which bribery wasproved against theLiberals,"though the members were allowed to retain their seats by the incomprehensible, and incongruous, and utterly inconsistent decision of the committees, and the writer thus proceeds— " First on this list, as on the former one, comes a brother-in-law of Mr. BRIGHT Mr. E. A. LEATHAM, brother of the ejected. member for Wakefield, and sitting himself for Huddersfield. Bribery here took rather a comical form—much of it being done by giving overprices for pigs, and by making anti•temperance presents of barrels of beer ! The decision of the com mittee was as follows That it was proved to your committee that GEORGE MOXON and JOHN CHAP MAN were bribed to vote for EDWARD ALDHAM LEATHAM by JABEZ WELLS, by the payment of £lO more than the market value of some pigs. That JOSEPH CROSSLEY had been bribed by one EDWARD FRITH to vote at the last election, under a promise that part of his house would be used as a committee-room. That GODFREY HUDSON, a publican, had been bribed by JABEZ WELLS for a like purpose. That HENRY PARTRIDGE had been bribed by JOHN WILSON for a like purpose. That Jos. HoBBISON has beer bribed for the like purpose. That AQUILA PRIEST ibT had been bTibed with half a barrel of beer. That there was no evidence that such acts of bribery had taken place with the knowledge of E. A. LEATHAM,' and therefore that he was duly elected.' After the elections Mr. BRIGHT, in the fulness of his heart, boasted that he would now walk into the House of Commons with a brother-in-law on each arm. He little thought how soon one of these relations was to be walked out of the house in a very summary and humiliating way ; and how the other, though escaping ejection, must ever be ridiculous to th• risible and offensive to the moral faculties of the house on account of the barrels of beer and the corrupt traffic in the unclean animal' to which he owed his election." About the other gentleman, the other Mr. LEATHAM, the other brother-in-law of Mr. BRIGHT. Well, we all know pretty well about that ! In case any should have forgotten it in any, the smallest, particular, thus quoth the in exorable Maga— " Foremost on the list (the first list already alluded to) is the Wakefield petition, charg ing Mr. BRIGHT'S brother-in-law, Mr. W. H. LEATHAM, with having unlawfully obtained the seat by means of bribery. Here the committee beg the hon. gentleman to inform them whether it is the case that £llOO have been spent in securing his return, and make inquiries as to who were the fortu nate recipients of this liberal' disbursement. To which the brother-in-law of the immaculate Mr. BRIGHT replied that he had paid Mr. WAIN WRIGHT (his agent), two cheques—one for £2OO, and the other for £500: in addition, the expenses accounted for to the auditor were upwards of .D 100; and he believed there were some small accounts still unsettled.' As to how the money had gone was a very painful branch of the inquiry ; and the stanchest old Tory could hardly have helped com• miserating this ' advanced Liberall in his humiliat ing dilemma. On the famous 10th of June Mr. W. H. LEATHAM could not constrain him self to give a silent vote against the Ministry. A Reformer so illustriously connected as he, and specially deputed to second his brother-in law in his crusade against aristocratic influence and corruption, he must tell the house why he con dcmed the Ministry. As a new member,' he said, he felt the grave responsibility of the vote he was called upon to give. But he was sent to Parliament on one question—that of political re form ; and on the ground of that question he must vote against the Government. They failed in their measure of reform, and he believed the forty-shil ling freeholders would never forget the insult put upon them,' Here, which that measur e then, was a special champion of refoizvt-sme ! , 41 - • • "ti," ; ;;, stet_ . A , p orses;.. • 4"-fr AtidaniOlfr • piton' , D1ED .!,;47\,',,,,,.1-nin2.° THE SUN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1859. f• . v .,.. ~.•.-~ THE STN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, SrPTEMTIER 9, 1859. whose deputed mission it was to free the con stituencies from the bribes, and the country from the rule, of the corrupt Conservatives. But very uncom fortable does he look now, though seated in the sofest of easy-chairs, and those who look on begin to understand why he should be so eager a cham pion of the borough freemen, those being notoriously the class of all others most accessible to bribes. Wakefield is one of the borough created by the Re form Bill of 1832, and Mr. LEATHAM is a political puritan of the most advanced' school—a relative and chosen lieutenant of Mr. BRIGHT'S ; yet what do we find proved of this reform borough and reform champion ? The evidence adduced before the commit tee clearly established the prevalence of the most dis graceful corruption on the part of the Liberal mem ber, the tariff of bribery ranging from LlO to £3O for a vote, according to the hour of the day and the aspect of the poll. And the committee found and declared ' That it was proved to them that THOMAS BEAU MONT has been bribed by the payment of £lO ; that JOHN JACKSON has been bribed by the payment of £3O ; that JOHN COUSINS has been bribed by the payment of £25; and the GEORGE SENIOR has been bribed by the payment of £3O; And their unanimous decision is, That WILLIAM HENRY LEATHAM was by his agents guilty of bribery at the last election for the borough of Wakefield ;' that therefore he is not duly elected to serve in the present Parliament ; and that the last election for the said borough is a void election." So much for W. H. So much—as we have seen—for E. A. Yet it is absolutely for the cele bration of the triumph of Mr. E. A. LEATHAM, and for the celebration of that triumph in the name of purity of election, that three thousand people assembled last evening to hear Mr. BRIGHT pro. pose that remarkable resolution at Huddersfield. After this, it would be preposterous to say that there is any exaggeration whatever, of over colouring, or caricature, either in Boz's Eatanswill or in ToM TAYLOR'S Flamborough. The Strike and the Lock-out, the Central Associ ation of Master Builders, and the Anti-Strike Committee, are all in full play at this moment ; but the position of matters is somewhat altered. The trades' unions who have combined and centralised their action through the Conference are labouring very energetically, and enlisting the aid of artisans' unions all over the country. Two of their leaders, Messrs. POTTER and GRAY, were absent on a finan cial tour at Glasgow when the last meeting of dele gates was held ; but a bricklayer, of the name of NOBLE, supplied the eloquence and political economy requisite to elicit cheers and guide the judgment of those assembled. His strongest point seemed to be, that, even if the great merchants of the City did render aid to the builders, yet that many of them would have to go into the Gazette ; and his auditors seem to have been intelligent enough to believe that, if masters were ruined, men would be likely to find more work ! It was de clared that the men were " firmer now than on the day when the strike and lock-out began ;" that the 3s. dividend (for a fortnight) had given the greatest satisfaction ; and if they could but get a sum like that added to the contributions of the unions, they could hold out ten weeks longer. Such, according to their leading speakers, is the position of the union now. They will be able to fight on till the short days and winter lessen employment from na tural causes, it they can but get is. 6d. per week from contributions ; the success of the strike de pends, therefore, upon ls. 6d. per week. But there will be, after next Monday, a new trial for the men. The masters will then open their yards to all who will accept the declaration, and a large number of the non-unionists have avowed that in the declaration itself they see nothing objectionable. We think them, as we have already stated, in the main, perfectly right. The declaration is simply a declaration of perfect liberty for both master and man. It releases the former from the necessity of regulating his proceedings by the dictates of a mas ter outside his yard; it releases the man from the tyranny of a Union which, in the majority of cases, he blindly obeys, and would much rather not obey. Whether any considerable number will make the required declaration remains to be seen. The non society men are now suffering heavy losses and trials for the sins of the society men ; but even they, too, do not like the printed declaration with number and counterfoil. They wish to make it a " shop rule" between the foreman and the man, when the fore man engages the latter, and they think this will be sufficient. It is repugnant to the feelings of that better class of men which sees through and hates the tyranny of the Unions, to have, as it were, a sort of master's special badge affixed to them. The masters, however, think that by conceding this, they would place the foremen in a position incom patible with the discharge of their duties between master and man. At present, therefore, the masters have changed nothing, and receded from nothing. Declaration, number, counterfoil—all—are to be the test next Monday. Is this wise ? We have repeatedly acknow ledged that the unionists drove the masters into an assertion of freedom for themselves and their men, as the basis of recommencing business. In this we think the masters were fully justified. Men under the orders of an organisation exterior to the master's yard could not offer to their master their unrestricted abilities ; and masters would have to consider, not the capacities and interests of the men merely, but the arbitrary whims and caprices of ignorant and conceited secretaries and committees of unions. The authority of these despots must anyhow be crushed. No respectable man would employ his capital under such enslaving conditions. But it is quite another thing to insist on a mode of doing, what at best is unpleasant, in the most un pleasant manner. We admit the - value of decision in a mutiny, but in a dispute between free men and free masters conciliation has its advantages. Even the _natural pride—self-respect, we should rather say—of both parties, of men as well as of masters, ought to be consulted. It ought hardly to be ex pected that the masters should give way in nothing. Some graceful concession simultaneously with opening their yards, strikes us as most desir able; and if not too late, we should even now urge it on the attention of the masters. It should be surely their object to place them selves in the fairest position, both with the non society men and the public—we may add, with the thousands who groan under the tyranny of the unions—next Monday. By a vote of the Anti-Strike Committee on Wednesday it was agreed to suggest the renunciation of the nine hours' movement on the part of the men, and of the declaration on the part of the masters, since neither had been approved by the public. We cannot think this would be sufficient to satisfy the masters. They have put their finger, now, on the cause of the evil—the unwarrantable interference of Benefit Unions with trade ; and that evil they are wisely determined, so far as they are concerned, to annihilate. It seems to us that masters should say to men—" On one point we are determined, we will not employ a man who takes his orders re specting the mode of doing his work, the number of arprentices, or the kind of men we shall employ; the wages he shall accept, or refuse ; or anything relating to work and its remuneration, from any body of men whatsoever. Show us any way most pleasant to yourselves which shall attain these objects, and we shall be happy to adopt it* We will have none but perfectly free agents in our employ, and we have no wish to make men free by what seems to them like a badge of slavery ; let the men devise their own certificate of freedom, only let it be a sufficient one." Would not such a tone as this have been more attractive ? Would it not have placed the wrong heads more obviously in the wrong ? And could it have been difficult to alter the form of the declaration into one, not exacted from the man by the master, but offered by the man to the master, just as he would offer a certificate of character ? A master might as reasonably re quire evidence that the man is a free-man as that he is sober, reliable, and skilful. It is notorious that some persons of standing, members of Parlia ment amongst them, have censured the declaration. But what have they censured ? It cannot be, that each master and man shall be perfectly free in their dealings with each other—it cannot be the sub stance of the declaration—it must have struck them, as it strikes most of us, that no Englishman would like to be " numbered and ticketed" as it is com plained is done by the present declaration. It re minds us all of tickets-of-leave; and we don't like it. The comparison may be very unjust. Nothing of the kind may be intended ; but, if so, why shrink from removing the appearance of evil ? It is un worthy of those who insist on the substance to be pertinacious also about the form. We do not think the masters will do either themselves or the non society men justice if they do not modify their plan before next Monday. We can indeed see no reason whatever why a simple statement on the part of the latter, that they have been, and are now non-society men should not be sufficient. Those who have never committed an offence do not like to be asked for a promise that they never will. THE GREAT EASTERN. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) WHITSTABLE, SEPT. 9. The Great Eastern got under way at 9.15 a.m. Wind fresh. MARGATE, FRIDAY, 11 A.m. The Great Eastern is steaming grandly past Margate. Distance eight miles from shore. NORE LIGHT, THURSDAY, SEPT. 8. After her first short run the Great Eastern re mained at her anchor off Purfleet for the rest of the night, and slowly resumed her progress down the river at a quarter to 9 o'clock this morning. Her stoppage at Purfleet was a sad disappoint ment to many thousands who had been collecting at Gravesend all day in the firm belief that she could or would stop nowhere else. Her slight detention at Blackwall Point, however, prevented this, and it became absolutely necessary from the state of the tide to bring up at once at Long Reach. The distinguished arrival threw Purfleet into a state of uncommon excitement. Every one within moderate reach of it by road or rail hurried to the little village till it was thronged to the water's edge. Gravesend, also, seemed most unwilling to yield up its share in the great occasion without an effort, and before long crowded boats steered round and round the ship, the passengers cheering them selves till they were hoarse again, while the bands played " See the Conquering Hero comes," " Rule Britannia," and all sort of musical welcomes. For the rest of the evening there was a constant repeti tion of such visits. Not a vessel passed that did not turn up hands to cheer, while many, as they came down the river, dressed in flags from stem to stem. It was not until night had fallen that the Great Ship was fairly left alone, and began swing ing round to her anchor with the rising tide. The night was a little puffy, and seemed inclined to become more so, but the wind fell as the moon rose, and the weather eventually settled down into a , dead calm. It took upwards of an hour for the tide to turn the ship fully round, and at low water, as she lay across the river for a short time in turn ' 0 , ir she might almost be said to have stopped - the navigation with her colossal bulk. During the night she swung twice again, and by daylight wa s lying with her head fair for the resumption of her course down the river. It seems almost incredible that a ship of such a size could have swung in any part of the Thames, but only nautical men can ap preciate the fact of her doing so in a strong tide way with a single 6-ton anchor, which was crossed and recrossed no less than three times without the chain fouling it or the anchor being disturbed in its hold. At about half-past 8 this morning the vessel was again underway. The Marquis of Stafford had joined during the night, having travelled all the wav from Scotland to witness the Great Ship's first efforts. Lord Alfred Paget also came on board be fore starting. One turn a little below Long Reach required to be carefully rounded, but with the depth of the water and greater breadth of the river this pwa-asssianco.coimt,palilsiltitelde w hr i i t g h , c w om hi p e a h ra w ti a x a - e ci e u a i s t e e . a J a u fe st w a i f i t e e n r she was sailing uo, appeared frightened at the sight and, altering r her ea t Eastern, cours n course, stooda and w o f almostatsli within acrossgino an vessel,the ac path of the G e of being run down. As the ves selpdueoaplllye r o G u f r n a g couldass a l e p h p e camer o c distinguishedhn eeda nearer e G r r a a n N- d e s e nearer n d along tmultitudesthe t h e shore. air their cheers, and the river was covered with boats of every shape and size crowded with people, all with shoutipg or waving hats and handkerchiefs. There was something almost affecting in the spontaneous enthusiasm and delight with which all seemed to hail the release of the noble ship from her long thraldom in the river. No matter whether it was a Hamburgh or Rotterdam steamer with half foreigners on board, or a fishing smack with a couple of men in the bows, none seemed too high or too low to do her honour, and her voyage down the river was one continued scene of vociferous welcome. Off Gravesend and in front of the thronging piers and terraces were several large troopships with de tachments on board for India. The crews were in the shrouds of these ; the soldiers, grouped in pic turesque masses, stood on deck. From all, the Great Ship got a welcome which was worth a long journey to see, and which, triumphant as may be her recep tion in the States, is never likely to be surpassed, nor often equalled. With the parting cheers still floating across the Niter Gravesend was left be hind, and the two tugs ahead began to go at greater speed as the Lower Hope was passed. Soon the water began to change its tint from dirty black to muddy green, the cool air came fresher across the reaches, and those on board rejoiced at last at the long wished-for approach of sea water. The tran sition was marked in the usual disagreeable manner by the boilers " priming," as it is termed, and throwing showers of muddy water from the steam pipes over all the deck. This unpleasant inaugura tion, however, was soon over as sea water was fairly gained, and preparations were made for cast ing off the tugs and leaving the Great Eastern for once and for all upon her own resources. The change, as may 132 readily imagined, made no difference, the wanderer thus cast adrift being better able to take care of herself than any vessel that has ever yet floated or the world seen. Still, as the event marked the commencement of what we believe will be a long and triumphant career, and one which will inaugurate a new era in ocean steam ships and ocean navigation, it deserved to be marked. The tugs were cast off at the Chapman's Head, at the top of Sea Reach, the passengers with the ship's band being assembled aft and the crew forward. :The Natio na l A nt h em was p l aye d as th e smoky auxt!taries left her head to her own control —the passengers cheering from one end of the ves. ea s v w ci no a mg r m pp e lei d rmf i oe n ln. t nit o .e t d h rr e thh s ue h si r r o t u an d ie. ids arduous f uo o gu r . ss sN\ were e l a , rr e N ( v i. t i eo i t l goe t ,t h ua e rfi c tle r r etwh h duty under the most difficult circumstance in a way that commanded the admiration of the most expe• rienced pilots on board. As soon as the vessel was left to herself an increased amount of speed was got on her. This was done, not in the least with a view of testing her power, but literally only to give her good steerage way and move her engines easily. Throughout the whole course down the river the paddle engines had never been moved at. a greater speed than from four to six revolutions per minute, and the screw at from twelve to eighteen. In fact, neither engine was moved till it became actually necessary to assist the tugs. Yesterday, however, when our valuable little aids, which had realised the fable of the Mouse and the Lion, and freed the Great Eastern from all her river toils, were cast adrift at Chapman's-Head, more speed was put upon the vessel, and in 10 minutes she set at rest for ever all doubt as to her being the fastest vessel beyond comparison in the world. It has already been stated that the proper sea-going trim of the Great Eastern is a little over four feet down by the stern. Instead of this she is at present six inches down by the head, while_her whole draught of water is too light to allow the proper immersion to her paddle floats, and no less than four feet of her screw-blades are out of the water. Anyone at all acquainted with steamships Will see that an attempt at real speed under such cir cumstances was out of the question. Yet even in this trim enough was done to show the marvellous power which this vessel will possess when fully ready for sea. At sea the Great Eastern is intended to work at 251 b. of steam, the paddles going 14 revolutions and the screw 53. To-day the pressure of steam was under 171 b., the paddles never actu ally reached nine revolutions, and the screw only 27. Yet even when not employing two-thirds of her power, and in the worst trim against a strong tide, she ran from the Lower Hope point to the Nore lightship, a distance of 15 statute miles, in two minutes under the hour. Calculating from this data, it will be found that working to her ordinary sea-going power will give her, even in her present trim, an average of from 18 to 19 miles an hour. During the time that the vessel was going at this speed of 13 knots, or 15 miles, the engines worked with an ease that, when their size and power are considered, was perfectly astounding. So still was the ship on deck while going at this speed, that a pail of water that stood on one of the paddle-boxes did not show the slightest symptoms of vibration ; and, as far as could be gathered from outward objects, one might much easier have imagined one's-self writing in a Parisian salon than in the state cabin of the Great Eastern flying down to the Nore. -One thing connected with the vessel is as remarkable as her other characteristics. Even when going 13 knots an hour there was ail utter absence of " swell" in her wake—even less, as far as could be judged from the deck, than is made by the ordinary penny steamers, and not one-half as much as was thrown up by our own tugs. The Nore light was reached at half-past twelve o'clock to-day, and the anchor let go in 8 fathoms, with 45 fathoms from the hawse-hole. Before an choring the vessel was put about, and went com pletely round under steam in less than three-quar ters of a mile. In a few minutes afterwards Ad miral Harvey came alongside in his yacht, dipping his ensign as he approached, as every single vessel, man of war or merchantman, which has yet met the Great Eastern, has hitherto done. In an hour afterwards the ship was surrounded by yachts and sailing boats of all kinds. During the run down from Gravesend the fixing of Mr. Langley's steer ing apparatus was completed, and worked to per fection. Captain Comstock was, on the previous day, at his post on the bridge, directing the steer ing by the signal indicator. Captain Harrison and the pilot were on the starboard paddlebox, and Mr. Scott Russell directed the engines. Mr. Campbell, the indefatigable managing director, as usual, was everywhere. Among the passengers who started with the vessel were Mr. Fen, jun., Mr. H. Ingram, M.P., Sir It. W. Carden, Mr. Appold, Mr, Oakford, Mr. Hotbs, Mr. Ayrton, M.P., Mr. Smith (the originator of the screw propeller), Mr. John Dillon, Sir John Burke, and two of the ablest of the company's officers—Mr. Leverson, the soli citor, and Mr. John Yates, the secretary. It is arranged that the Great Eastern is to leave her present moorings at seven o'clock to-morrow and steam away easily to sea. It is probable, if the weather permits, that she may swing at the Forehead to adjust compasses, but Mr. Gray has already effected so much towards rectifying their slight deviation that it is scarcely necessary for the run round to Portland. As matters are arranged at present, it is expected that the Great Eastern will enter Portland harbour between seven and eight o'clock on Saturday morning. NAVAL PREPARATIONS 1N FRANCE. The. Paris correspondent of the Independance Beige says, that the French government have re solved to construct twenty casemated vessels instead of ten, as was at first contemplated. Of the first order for ten vessels six have been completed. Al though the sheeting of these war vessels is not less than ten centimetres in thickness, they are on the whole very light. The government, being appre hensive that the Imperial Foundries could not sup ply the whole of these vessels, have given an order to the proprietors of the Creusot foundries for `the manufacture of some. Fifty large steam transports, each capable of containing 3,000 men, will be finished in a short time. Preparations for defence are being made along the whole coast. Besides the casemated batteries, of which the Neuvelliste of Rouen has recently spoken, the forts on the Medi terranean and the ocean, which have been aban doned for a long time past, are being rearmed. The forts of St. Malo are also taking in new ord nance. THE LAST NEIP GUN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—ln your impression of Tuesday last (in the Military and Naval Intelligence) my name has been used in reference to a gun which has been constructed at Woolwich, and as the information therein con tained is calculated to produce an erroneous im pression, I crave, though most reluctantly, your kind insertion of this letter. The paragraph alluded to was evidently written by one either unacquainted with my views, or in fluenced by no friendly feeling towards me, for the exaggerated statement which I am reported to have made in reference to range is totally untrue. The statement as to a charge of 161 b. of powder is also most incorrect, for probably 21b. will be the maxi mum used. I shall-withhold all further observation, believ ing that the trial of the gun will best demonstrate the value of the suggestions which I have taken the liberty to make to the War-office. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Limehouse, Sept. 8. ALFRED JEFFERY. The Duchess of Sutherland has left. Trentham, to join the duke and family at Dunrobin Castle, N.B. The Earl Granville left town yesterday for Bal moral, to relieve Sir G. Grey as the Minister in attendance upon her Majesty. The Earl and Countess of Chesterfield have lately been receiving a large party at Brethby Hall, including the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and Lady Edith Somerset, the Marchioness (Maria) of Ailesbury, Viscount Clifden, Lord Sidney Osborne, Lord Wm. Powlett, Hon. Henry Forester, Sir Joseph Hawley, &p. The Countess of Yarborough and Lady Sophia Pelham have arrived in Arlington-street from the Isle of Wight, on their way to Brocklesby Hall, Lincolnshire. The noble earl is yachting, and will not return to Brock lesby until the close of the month. his lordship, we are glad to hear, is in the enjoyment of improved health. The Countess Dowager of Carnwath is among the recent arrivals at Tunbridge Wells. Viscount Clifden has gone on a visit to Lord aid Lady Blantyre, at Erskine House, N. 8.. The marriage of Lady Theodora Proby, daughter of the Earl of Carysfort, and sister of Lady Claud Hamil ton, with Mr. W. Baillie, second on of Mr. Evan and Lady Georgiana Baillie, is to take place to-morrow at Putney. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.—The marriage of Mr. Fremantle, eldest son of the Right Hon. Sir Thos. Fre mantle, Bart., with Lady Augusta Scott, second daughter of the late, and sister of the present, Earl of Eldon, took place yesterday at St. Peter's Church, Pimlico. The ser vice was performed by the Hon. and Very Rev, the Dean of York, uncle of the bride. The bridesmaids were the three Ladies Scott, the younger sisters of the bride, and the three Misses Fremantle. The wedding breakfast was given at the family residence in Hamilton-place, and in the afternoon the happy pair left for Swanbourne, Sir Thos. Fremantle's seat in Buckinghamshire. The Courrier de Bayonne publishes a letter from Lord Howden, addressed to the editor of that journal, offer ing a portrait of Napoleon I. for a proposed museum at Bayonne. TAYLOR'S CRESCENT HOTEL, FILEY.—The fol lowing distinguished visitors are at present staying at the above hotel :—The Dowager Countess of Meath, Hon. John Brabazon, Hon. Richard Brabazon, Lord and Lady Taun ton, Hon. Miss Labouchere, Hon. Miss A. Labouchere, Hon. Miss M. B. Labouchere, Sir Walter and Lady Riddell, Hon. Caroline Cavendish, Miss Heyriott, Hon. Mrs. Steuart, Captain Steuart, Sir Charles Hastings, Lady Hastings, Lady Clifton and party, Sir George Beaumont, Lady Beaumont and family, Alfred Beaumont, Esq., Mrs. Beaumont and family. ;PM REPRESENTATION OF SELKIRKSIIIRE.--The non. William Napier, who at the late election intimated his in tention to offer himself as a candidate for this county at the first vacancy thereafter, addressed a meeting of the electors of the county on Friday evening. Mr. Napier ex pressed himself as of moderate liberal . principles, but guarded against his being expected to go along with either the Radical or Whig party. Mr. Murray, of Philiphaugh, is also a prospective candidate for the county on more ad vanced Liberal principl es . 'nip, DUCHESS OF PARMA AND lIER FAMILY.— In speaking of a recent tour which he made in Switzerland, M. Fiorentino, a writer in the Constitutionnel, states that he happened to take passage on board the same steamer with the Duehe,;s of Parma and her young family, whom he thus describes :--" Scarcely had we taken our places on the deck when we noticed at the other end of the seat a lady surrounded by a group of merry laughing children. She wore a straw hat without either ribbons or feathers, and a morning dress of extreme simplicity. It is impossible to imagine sweeter or more pleasing features, or more tillable manners. That lady was the Duchess of Parma, on her way from Genoa to Friburg with her children and several attendants. The young Duke Robert, who appeared to be nine or ten years of age, con templated the lake and mountains with a thoughtful air. His younger brother treated him with great deference, and I observed that he touched his hat whenever he spoke to him. The young princesses had a most pleasing air ofgen tleness and good nature. The youngest, a very pretty and lively child, amused herself by carrying her doll up an d down the deck, and went every now and then to whisper some great secret to her governess. Her brothers and sis ters, part of the time, crowded round a juggler, admiring his dexterity, and purchasing a few trifles from him. T.‘ LATEST NEWb. The following telegrams bare been received at Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, SEPT. 9. The 3loniteur of this morning publishes a long article, explaining the reasons which caused the Emperor to conclude peace, of which the following is a summary : " The Emperor of Austria had promised to grant concessions on a large scale to Venetia, but requir ing as a condition, sine qua non, the return of the Archdukes. (L'Empereur d'Autriche avait promis des larges concessions pour Venitie, mais exi geant comme condition, sine qua non, le retour des Archiducs.) The Emperor Napoleon accepted these conditions. (L'Empereur Napoleon accepta.) It is easy to conceive that, if after the conclusion of the peace, the destinies of Italy had been entrusted to men who had more at heart the future of their common fatherland than little partial successes, the aim of their endeavours would have been to deve lope and not to obstruct the consequences of the treaty of Villafranca, and then Venetia would have been placed in the same position as Luxembourg with Holland. (II est facile a comprendre que si apres la pail les destieees de l'ltalie eussent ete confiees a des hommes plus preoccupes de l'avenir de leur partie commune que de petits succes partiels, le but de leurs efforts, devait etre de developper et non d'entraver les consequences du traits de Villafranca et la Venitie devait etre mise dans la memo position comme Luxembourg avec la Hollande.) The Arch dukes will not be re-established by foreign forces , but that portion of the treaty of Villafranca not having been carried out, Austria will find herself freed from all engagements taken in favour of Venetia. (Les Archiducs ne seront pas retablis par des forces strangers, mais cette paitie du traits de Villafranca n'etant pas executee, l'Autriche se trouverait deliee de toutes engagements pris en favour de la Venitie.) Instead of a policy of re conciliation and peace, a policy of defiance and hatred will be seen to reappear, which will entail fresh misfortunes. (Au lieu d'une politique decon ciliation et de pail, on verra renaitre une politique de defiance et de haine, qui amenera de nouveaux malhears.) Much, it would appear, is expected from a congress, which we hail with all our wishes ; but we strongly doubt that the congress would obtain - better conditions for Italy. (On semble beaucoup esperer d'un congres, nous l'appelons de tous nos vceux, mais nous doutons fort, que le congres obtient de meilleurs conditions pour l'ltalie.) It would not be right to ask from a great Power important concessions without offering equitable compensations. (II ne serait pas juste de demande a une grande puissance d'importantes concessions, sans lui offrir des compensations equitables.) War would be the only way to resolve the difficulty, but Italy must be aware that one power alone in Europe makes war for an idea, and that is France, and France has accomplished her mission. (La guerre serait le seul moyen, mais l'ltalie doit savoir qu'une settle puissance en Europe fait la guerre pour une idee—c'est la France, et la France a accompli sa tache.) The Moniteur contains also the following mes sage : " Tangiers, Sept. 6. The Emperor of Morocco is dead. Sidi Mohammed has been pro claimed Emperor at:Fez and in Mequinez. Tran quillity prevails at Tangiers. The Moniteur further publishes the usual monthly returns of the Bank of France, which shows the following results as compared with the August account : INCREASED. Cash ___ 16,750,000 DECREASED. Bills discounted not yet due 22,500,000 Advances 7,333,333 Bank notes 3,333,333 Current accounts No alteration in the Treasury balance. PARIS, SEPT. 9. The Prince Napoleon quitted Paris yesterday for Auvergne, from whence he will proceed to Switzer land; it is supposed that his journey has reference to the intended interview between the Emperors of France and Austria at the Castle of Arenenberg. The statement that the English Cabinet had made proposals to the Governments of France and Austria for the holding of a Congress, is not cor rect. M. de la Gueronniere has left for St. Sauveur, accompanied by M. Drousart, his principal clerk ; the aim of this journey is the intended reform of the law of the press in a more liberal manner. TURIN, SEPT. 8. The Council of the different districts has officially proclaimed to the inhabitants of Turin that the Tuscan deputies had presented a deed of annexa tion to the Government. BOLOGNA, SEPT. 7. The assembly has unanimously adopted the fol lowing proposition :—" We declare that the people of the Romagna desire annexation to the constitu tional kingdom of Sardinia under the sceptre of King Victor Emmanuel." The city was illumi nated and universal joy and order prevailed. PARMA, SEPT. 7. The assembly was opened to-day with great solemnity. After the religious ceremonies at the cathedral were concluded, the deputies proceeded to the palace amidst the cheers of a numerous assembly of the people and the National Guird. The Dictator Farini addressed the assembly, reviewing the history of the rule of the Bourbons in the Duchies, and terminated his speech amid cries of " Vive Victor Emmanual " The city was in fete. THE AUSTRALIAN MAIL. ALEXANDRIA. The Northam got clear off Reef at three a.m. on the 25th August and arrived at Suez at 5.30 p.m. on the 28th with all the mails and passengers — damage not so serious as reported. She started for Bombay at five p.m. on the 31st. The Simla (from Calcutta) and Ottawa (from Bombay) arrived at Aden the 28th August and the Ist September respectively. TUSCANY. - - The . following is the text of the proclamation published by the Tuscan Government on the occa sion of the answer from the King of Sardinia : " Tuscans ! King Victor Emmanuel has acceded to our wishes, and, strengthened by the rights with which he is thereby invested , he will plead our cause before Europe. Thanks to this great act, Tuscany again becomes an Italian land ; with out any vestige of foreign dominion. After so many ages of division and discord, the provinces of the Peninsula spontaneously unite under the magnanimous defender of Italian independence. The brave inhabitants of the Subalpine valleys, the enfranchised brethren of Lombardy stretch out their hand to Tuscany, and all proclaim themselves sons of the same country. Our old literary re nown is joined to the military force of Piedmont : every Italian race adds its treasures to the commo n patrimony. That is not a provincial vassalage, it is the real constitution of the nation. Let us re joice at having lived long enough to be present at this sublime spectacle of concord, and to gather its first fruits. Let _us persevere in our efforts, and orepare ourselves for every trial in order to secuL he triumph of so just and glorious a cause! Florence, Sept. 4th, 1859. "B. Ricasoli, C. Ridol fi, E. Poggi, R. Busacca, V. Salvagnoli, P. de Cavero, C. Bianchi." rhe mayor of Florence likewise issued the follow ing proclamationon en the same occasion. " The wish , s of Tuscany have been listened V ic t or Emmanuel accepts our offer to be g overn to ed )y his constitutional sceptre. in order to form a : ,trong kingdom which may for ever secure Itallls fills indepenJence. This happy intelligence, which fi o ur s ouls with joy, is a great event in the • h i story of our country. It assures us that we may so.on obtain nai the su reme boon to which we aspire.tional After un the on, p anxiety and the fea rs of the past, our hearts can at length give themselves uP to J oy. Lovely Florence shall to-morrow celebrate by a splendid illumination the day on which ne w andindissoluble bonds unite her to the other cities of the Subalpine kingdom. " F. BARTOLOMMII• " Florence, Sept. 5, 1859. The Government of Tuscany has decreed that two modals shall be struck, one commemorating the vote of the Tuscan Assembly proclaiming the down fall of the house of Lorraine, and the other th vote e declaring that Tuscany wishes to form part of the Subalpine kingdom. ROMAGNA. The following is the text of the motion presented the to the Assembly of Romagna on the 3d, and adoption of which has already been annou nced by telegraph Considering that the people of Romagna, after having in former centuries lived under their own statutes and laws, and, in the beginning of the present century, formed part of a civil kingdom' were in 1815 placed under the temporal Govern ment of the Pope against their will; considering that that Government, while it did not revive the old privileges, destroyed the good ins it tests of je the Italian kingdom, and afflicted its cts bY its bad administration, well known to Europe ; considering that from that moment the history of these provinces become a painful succe s sion cif re - volutions and reactions, so that at length excep tional measures and the state of siege b ec ame tb t e ordinary rule of Government ; considering tha this produced serious evils, not only by destroy ing public prosperity, but also by overthrowing the moral sense of the people, with incessant dan ger to the tranquillity of Italy and Europe ; on sidering that every attempt at reform Was v ain ,' that th, prayers of the people remain ed unheard, as well as the advice of the potentates of Eu rope, and that the promises made were nev her er kept ; considering that the said Govern ment been found to be incompatible with Italian na tionality, with civil equality and political librty; c onsidering that it was not even able to defend the lives and property of its subjects; consider ing that it abdicated its sovereignty de facto, giving up its noblest prerogatives into the hands of Au s- 1 trian generals, who for many y e ars held th e iv - 1 and military Government of these provinces in their hands, and conducted it ill ; considering that, it cannot support itself by its own strength, but only by foreign or mercenary armies , a nd has there fore become incompatible with public tranquillity and permanent order; lastly, considering that the temporal Government of the Pope is substantiallY and historically distinct from the spiritual Guverli:, ment of the Church, which these populations will always respect ; we, representatives of the people of Romagna, convoked in general assembly, and calling God to witness as to the rectitude of our intentions, declare :—That the people of Romagn a refuse to live any longer under the temporal swill of the Pontiff." (Signed)—Professors Alessandrini and zoli• Counts Bentivoglio, Gamberini, Malvezzi, Masi; Mosti-Estense, and Rasponi, Dr. Bilancioni, and Marquis Varano. FRANCE. PARIS, THURSDAT . BOURSE, Sept. 7.—The market continues in the same dull state, with transactions very restricted . Threes, after having been done at 69f. 5c., declined to 68f. 90c. Mobilier varied from 815 f. to 812 f. 50c. ; Austrian, 551 f. 25c. to 550 f.; Lombard, 556 f. 25c. to 555 f. ; Orleans, 1,372 f. 50c. to 1,370f 0 . f. ; Lyons, 873 f. 7 5 c. to 872 f. 50c. ; Southern, 51 to 507 f. 50c. The following were the last quota- tions :- 41 per Cents. .... 95 10 I Credit Fonder 670 •-• Do. end month .. 95 40 Belgian 4t 3 per Cents. 69 Piedmontese (5) B6 - - ..g Do. end month.... 69 :5 Roman B6 7,,, 5 u Bank Shares 2780 Austrian Credit Mobilier .. 815 Spanish Threes Do. Account RAILWAYS. Cash. Orleans Northern 925 _ _ A c count. •• 1370 ---:, 922 °`' 610 4 .. _ New ditto - - 812 50 .. 5O Lyons and Mediterranean 872 50 .. 872 -- Geneva 530 .. Southern Western 575 .. 4 .'„i u -, 60 Eastern Sardiniaa Austrian Lombard .. ... Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 121 0 . 2 ; r l l O . 25f 7 ; c.; three months, paper, 24f. 97tc.; money, 4f. r SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 4th have arrived' The Count de Lugena (Marshal O'Donnell) had re: ceived the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold from the King of the Belgians. One of the Per nals publishes a letter from Tangiers which state: that a dissension had arisen between the S p y and English vice-consuls, in consequence of th e former having summoned before him for some rea son a Spanish sailor who had engaged himself °II board an English ship, and on the man's refusal to appear had had him arrested and lodged in prix ° l/ * The English vice-consul, thinking this a viela t f il a of the privileges of the English flag, had deroalla. the releaso of the sailor, but had not obtained He had therefore presented a formal protest, WI: sent a report on the 'natter to his Government, and had even, it is said, demanded a wa r steamer front Gibraltar. TURKEY. The Constantinople journals mention an accident was very nearly occurring to the Sultan. The Levant Herald gives th e following accoun t of the matter : " A circumstance occurred in the entrance to the harbour, two afternoons ago, which deserves mhene tion in the most reprehensive terms. About t acrossre p.m. his Majesty the Sultan was being towed , ih his state caique from the palace at Dolraaßat.chde to the old Seraglio, when, as the caique had gaine about the centre of the Golden Horn, a steam -tug was observed head out of the harbour in the direc that tion of Seraglio Point. Thou g h it was evident the Imperial caique could not be unperceived by til e t/ ca ptain of the tug, who was o n the bridge, th s teamer bore on steadi l y towards it. The im peri al c rew in consequence plied their oars with unusual vigour, and were shooting acro ss out of the steamer 0 e Th her track, when the l atter was observed to chang cours e, and still m ake head-on for the caique. e Imperial cox swain called out, but in vain, till his Majesty himself, in well-grounded alarm, rose u p and joined in the warning cry. Even this, how' arently; have been unavailingt .haa ever , would app not the crew of the caique managed by a franti c effort to shoot her close to the shore, out of all but iit..hoaguueisi db?latihffilyeetdp‘s,,ootinhetxe.nplabNnooraelvio, the directly wilful reach of the pursuing tug, whi ch onfffso are o r this n e p possible— captain hers s iVaryb pierpgeerirot shsceoruoturhstee captain of the , tug, the General Pelissier, delibe ia,tely perpetrated a most wanton a ct of insulting bravado, or he committed a drunken freak, which w hi was he ba re ly a s had e l e ss criminal ' • and, c the side of the alternative be the fact, he mer its severest punishment the Sup reme Consular Court can inflict. Though he sailed m ost unworthily under an English flag, we rejoice to learn that the fOlow is not an Englishman, but an lonian." It The German Journal of Frankfort says :--" is well known that the French Cabinet has pro posed to Austria to endeavour to arrive at a . solu• ton of the Italian question, by convokin, in th e room of the present constituent assemblies, other bodies e lected by a different mode, and under gua rantees which would allow no doubts to exist as to their r ight of speaking in the name of the cutl. The C a binet of Vienna has, it is said, accepted thia Proposition." t 11 ThThiefbait Vol] , knd T 1 V et. , to II I Q tleeli Z 'etit Ti Btl, 6 ,„ Atr to a coot li rEtz The, ) ct/. 1 Chap ch e4 lli eni