The Sun. — London, England, 1858-05-03 00:00:00

MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SlSTER.—Persons desirous of petitioxing Parliament in favour of Lord Bury's Bill, for legalising Mar riage with a Deceased Wife's Sister, may be supplied with Forms ready for Signature, in accordance with the regula tions of the House of Co mmons, together with all necessary directions for-the free transmission of the Petitions, on ap plication, by post or otherwise, to JOSEPH. STANSBURY, M.A., HONORARY SECRETARY, Marriage Law Reform Association 26, Parliament - street, Westminster.l ITER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.— IL TROYATORE. TITIENS, ALBONI. TO-MORROW (T I esda TR y, VAT O May 4),RE. will be revived L Leonora, Madlle, Titiens; Azucena, Madame Alboni (her fi r st, appearance this season) ; Manrico, Signor Giuglini ; Fer rondo, Signor Violeta ; and II Conte di Luna, Signor Aldi gh ieri To conclude with the new Ballet Diverti i.sement, by M. *Massot, entitled FLEUR DES CHAMPS. The principal puts by Madlles. Pocchini and Annetta. The Opera will commence at 8 o'clock. Thursday, May 6 (Extra Night), IL TROVATORE. And the. new Ballet, FLEUR DES CHAMPS. A—limited number of boxes hats been reserved to the pub lie, price Ile. and 31s. 6d. each, which may be had at the Box.oBlce at the Theatre. THEATRIC ROYL, HAYMARKET. .Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with HUGE{ ADO ABOUT NOTHING. After which a Classical Extravaganza, entitled PLUTO AND PROSERPINE. Followed by JACK'S RETURN FROM CANTON. „Concluding with MY HUSBAND'S GHOST. Oreixeetra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) ,First Price. 9. d. Second price. s. d Drees 13',,metit ................ 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upper Bo 'es •• •-••-• ••• 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 6 0 - A • 2 Pit .•• ••• ... pit Gallery ........ . ......... 1 0 Gallery 1 0 0 0 ROY .AL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, will be presented MUSIC HATH CHARMS. After which KING LEAR. King Lear, Mr. C. Kean. To conclude with the new farce, entitled SAMUEL IN SEARCH OF HIMSELF. T HEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING will be presented the drama of THE POOR STROLLERS, in which Madame Celeste, Mr B. Webster, Paul Bedford, and Mr. Wright will perform. After which, a new operatic spectacle, THE CALIPH OF BAGDAD. The characters by Mr. Rolfe, Paul Bedford, J. Bland, and Misses Roden, Keeley, and Arden. TRAND THE ATRE. —Lessee and Directress, ki Miss S wanborough. —This Evening will be presented the COUNTRY SQUIRE, supported by Messrs. Emery, Belford, Charles, F. Seymour, Meagreson, Misses M. Oliver, M. Ternan, Portman, and Messrs. Selby. After which, the new burlesque of FRA DIAVOLO ; or, The Beauty and the Brigands. Fra D,avolo, Miss Swan borough ; Beppo, Mr. C. Young. Followed by a new Farce, YOUR LIIttf,NESS, ONE %WILLING. ,Messrs. Charles Young, Ray, and MiS3 M. Teenan. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminste r-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING. —The folio of of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of S,l4stions from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, &c., viz. : —Miss Russell, Mrs. Baitsey, Miss Brugell, Miss Ray, Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montague, Mrs. Lawrence, and MTS. Anderson ; Herr F. Jonghmans Mr. Henshaw, S. Jones, J. Barker , W . Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Mime, Mr. Badzey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Cozens, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Bernard ; Messrs. T. Maclagan, W. T. Critchfield, John G. Forde, and E. Mack [ley. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, dre., until twelve o'clock. Mr. AUGUSTUS BRAHAM will appear every Evening. Mr. WOODHOUSE (by permission of Ch irles Kean, Esq. ) will have the honour of introducing, every evening, his highly successful Performance on the new REGULATION DRUM. THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, MAY 2. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 57—highest since noon yesterday. 46—lowest this morning and during the night, 52—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29.39—rising. WIND, Noi therly, fresh and cold, with showery weather. It rained heavily in the morning ; heavy hail shower about two in the afternoon, and occasional showers for the rest of the evening. MAT 3. 51—highest since noon yesterday. 45—lowest this morning and during the night. 52 —this day at noon. Beßoitirritu e 29.53—5ti1l rising. WIND, North-Easterly; moderate, with fine cold wea• ther. HIGH WATER, A.T LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY —Morn., 44 min. aft. 4—Even., 1 min aft. 5 Toafonsow—Morn., 20 min. aft. s —Even., 40 min. aft. 5 ik ,03;* 1 lita o "- LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 3, 1858. of State, as suggested by the GOvernment, is far better than that of President, which does not carry with it the same weight or dignity. Notice has been given of many amendments respecting the number, mode of appointment, 1 tenure of office, and functions of the contemplated I Council. The chief questions are, whether there are not to be more than twelve, or any number varying between twelve and eighteen ; whe ther they are to be entirely nominated by the Crown, or partly by election ; whether they are to hold office dum se bene gesserunt. like the Judges, or merely " during pleasure, or to go out at certain intervals, with the chance of reappointment, or re-election ! And whether they are to exercise the preliminary patronage, or that it is to be disposed of by competitive examinations. These are the main points to be decided. We only wish that those which are best calculated to promote the interests both of England and India m ay be adopted ; and we say of the rival leaders, as they did in the olden time, "May the best man win." On Wednesday Lord Bum's Bill to legalise marriage with the sister of a deceased wife, will be again before the House of Commons, on the motion for its second reading. The first reading of a bill with so few clauses, and of so simple a character, especially after a fair discussion, is nearly equivalent, as an expression of opinion, to the second reading ; but on this occasion, what has occurred since the introduction of the bill has made it doubly necessary that the bill should be so supported as to insure its being carried through the House of Lords this session. The case of BROOK v. 13noox, on which Vice- Chancellor Sir JOHN STUART had not given his judgment when we last wrote, is now decided, for the present at least. The Vice-Chancellor has given his judgment, which concurs with that of Mr. Justice CRESSWELL. We need net re-state the details of this particular case ; the effect of the judgment is what our readers are chiefly con cerned to know. It is this :—A marriage of Eng lish subjects, if contracted between a widower and the sister of his deceased wife, although solem nised, as at Altona in Denmark, in a country where such marriage is lawful, is nevertheless ❑ull and void, and the offspring, if any, are ille gitimate. The disability of an Englishman to marry his deceased wife's sister in his own coun try is construed to be a psrsonal one ; hence it follows him whithersoever he goes ; and, what is worse, the same incapacity attaches to his children through succeeding generations ! Unless he bercoms naturalised in some other country where such marriages are lawful, and that is in most eountries, he cannot get rid of his disability. He may live any number of years in a foreign land, he may emigrate with his wife's family to any of our colonies, and her sister may be almost the only person he could reasonably think of as a wife after her death, but it would make no difference. Two judges, whose decision, unless reversed by appeal or by legislation, is law, have stripped him of the liberty permitted him on this point, both by the law of GOD, as revealed to the Jews, and by the law of nature. We do not complain of the judges. They have doubtless decided in accordance with their con scientious views of the law as it stands, nor shall we now enter on the grounds of our difference in opinion from such very high authorities ; our present object is legislation. We have, indeed, the strongest hope that the House of Lords will, on appeal, reverse that decision. But, first, there are the known " glorious uncertainties of the law ;" next, the cruel consequences which have been inflicted by the decision itself on thousands of innocent persons. It may not be known that the Marriage Law Amendment Society has a register, the names of the parties being, of course, given in strict confidence, of not less than three thousand cases of the marriages in question. They comprise all classes, from day labourers to persons high in station. Indeed, a noble Duke, in a dignified office in her MAJESTY'S present Government, is the offspring of one of these marriages, and its legitimation was the well-understood object of the Act of Lord LYNDHURST, in 1835, by which all Englishmen were, as is now decided, wholly de prived of the right we now seek for them. Nume rous as the ascertained cases are, they must, how ever, be exceeded by those which are unknown. The facility of evasion through the difference be tween the names of the brother and sister-in-law ; the temptation to evade a law which is resented as a flagrant invasion of a natural and scriptural right ; and the readiness with which persons may interpret, in a non-natural, or rather non-legal sense, the declaration required before mar riage, all combine to induce many, in the humbler walks of life especially, to marry with little concern about unrighteous human laws, being quite satisfied with the approval of their GOD and their own consciences. The remaining resolutions respecting the Government of India will be brought forward this evening. We trust that the House of Com mons will act fairly and impartially under the circumstances, and, casting party considerations aside, will strive to render the contemplated legislation the best, both for Great Britain and India, that can be hoped for. It is not a subject that should be dealt with in a factious manner. If ever there was a topic requiring the most complete fair play, the total absence of every party feeling, it is the one now before Parliament. The welfare, happiness, and prosperity of one hundred and fifty millions of our fellow subjects hang in the balance. The almost miraculous resources of that gigantic empire only require proper development to astonish even the most sanguine calculators. It is scarcely too much to anticipate that even before the present generation has passed away the revenue of India may equal, or possibly exceed, that of Great Britain, and that it may be derived from perfectly unobjectionable sources. Surely, then, on a question of such magnitude, no petty considerations should be permitted to intervene. It ought not to be made the battle field on which to decide whether Lord DEREY, Lord PALMER STON, or Lord JOHN RUSSELL, is to be placed at the head of her MAJESTY'S Government. The latter nobleman deserves great credit for the course he pursued in divesting it of a party character ; and although the Palmerstonian journals have bowled forth their disappointment in a variety of keys at the responsibility being transferred from the Ministry to the House of Commons, we scarcely think that the veteran Viscount will irretrievably damage his character by adopting the advice of his reckless organs. The first question to be decided is the title by which the Minister responsible for the administra tion of affairs in India is to be designated. Is lie to be Secretary of State, or merely President of the Council It is said that " the rose by any ether name will smell as sweet ;" and it would seem that when the functions to be discharged, and the responsibility to be sustained, are identical, the mere title is of comparatively trivial importance. The real point at issue 1 5 whether on any change of office between an actual Secretary of State, and the head of the Ludlam department, the seat in Parliament should bet vacated, and a new election rendered impera tive. Now, it is quite right that a person accept ing office for the first time as a Cabinet Minister, should appeal to his constituents for their ap prove' of his conduct. But when he has already received that approval, when his position as an influential Member of the Cabinet ha :4 b e en recognised and sanctioned, it is a. mere work of supererogation to require additional evid ence when he is merely transferred from one situation .rank. The only effect can be to another of equal to delay and embarrass the Government, and give an excuse for procrastination, when it might be -of • the greatest importance to proceed with the greatest despatch. On every ground, therefore, the appointment of a Secretary What then is the legal position of the thousands who have married thus, and of their altogether innocent children ?"—That the fathers and mo thers are living in concubinage, and that the chil dren are illegitimate ! The fathers might to-mor row send their wives (for such they are) out of their houses, and be under no more legal respon sibility for them and their children, than if the former were women without character, and the latter their offspring! Thousands of perfectly virtuous women, affectionate wives, and the chil dren of happy and honoured homes, have been in one hour legally branded with the disgrace appro priata to the most degrading of the vices ! We can have no fear that many, or perhaps even any instances of such conduct will occur. It is the fact that the marriages in question are generally contracted from the highest motives and with the soundest judgment ; but is it to be tolerated that such should be the position of a noble-minded woman, and her helpless children, and that sue h should be the powers given by law to the man who has married her ? Is the latter to be able to tell her, should he prove unworthy to bear the name of man,—" you are but m y m i stress !" and is the former to have no reply but " I am at y our mercy?" And for what is the nation to he covered with cases of legal injustice of this kind? What great social evil is to be warded off by it ? What greater wrong is to be averted by the perpetration of this wrong, so great in a itself t There is literally no end whatever to be attained, but that of inflicting the heaviest social penalties on those who are willing to obey the laws of GOD, but who refuse to be bound by the Popish canons of the Church of England. That is all, literally aq. With many other relics of Popery the Church of England retains the degrees of consanguinity and affinity established by the Church of Rome. In 1835 the cases in which marriages were voidable by ecclesiastical law under the prohibition in question, were so numerous, one of them, too, being in the peerage, that Lord LYNDHURST intro- 1 dated a bill to legalise the existing marriages, ,I and to legalise in future all of a similar kind if not annultedlyithin two years. This, in all con liecanc:o,ll7B. but, the to the church and LrnDit Bishops of th e d a y d e m an d e d —and Lord lIREIT found himself obliged'to • THE SUN, LONDO yield—that the price of declaring unimpeachable all the existing marriages, should be their entire prohibition in future ! By the recent interpreta tion of this act thousands of persons are now in a worse position, in one more urgently requiring legislative interposition than were those in whose behalf Lord LYNDHURST'S act was passed. The marriages of the latter were voidable by suit in an Ecclesiastical Court during the lifetime of both parties ; but, as few persons would wish or care to interfere for such an odious purpose, practically the marriages then were safe. By the late decision, however, the numerous marriages cele brated in contravention of the act of 1835 are declared to be now null and void, and not merely voidable. If there was need of legislation in Lord LYNDHURST'S time, much more is there now. The pecuniary consequences of the decision are not to be forgotten. BROOK v. Brtoork was, in fact, a case raised on a pecuniary basis. BROOK'S son by his second wife died intestate. The deci sion declares him to be an illegitimate son, and as an illegitimate child can have no heirs, all his share under his father's will goes to the Crown. If the father and husband in case of one of the marriages in question dies intestate, the wife and children inherit nothing—not even the beds they have lain on. One is a stranger, the others are illegitimate ! If the property be willed to the mother and children in the mother's maiden name, which alone they have a right to bear, still all the property pays 10 per cent. legacy duty, instead of nothing for the widow, and 1 per cent. for the children. Such are the revolting consequences of the present legal interpretation of the unnatural Act of 1835. But we must take higher grounds than even these unrighteous social and pecuniary results. We ask,—what right has any earthly authority to step in and deliberately put asunder those whom GOD has joined together The great majority of Chris tiana hold that the marriages in question have the divine sanction ; the unions have been formed in that belief ; nature and revelation are quite at one on the point. And who, we indignantly ask, are the men who shall dare to pronounce thousands of virtuous persons, whom GOD regards as man and wife, not to be so ? It is not in their competency to do it Legislators, legislating in behalf of Popery, Mahomedanism, or even of the Church of England, may torture by civil punishments those who will not bow the knee to the dogmas of their pet establishment ; they may embody their super stitious canons in the nation's laws, and enforce them by the secular arm, but they cannot subvert right and wrong, or abolish the least of the laws of GOD. The thousands of persons now married in defiance of Lord LYNDHURST'S Act are " joined together by Gon," and the legislation which de clares their marriage null, and leaves each party at liberty to marry whom he or she will, is nothing more nor less than a monstrous piece of immorality and profanity. /t must be repealed. For 3,250,0001. the drainage of London can be completely and perfectly reorganised. It his now been distinctly intimated that for so much, and no more, this good can really be effected. It has been thus intimated to the House of Commons by the Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire, not only into the drainage of the metropolis, but into the whole Sewage Question of the United Kingdom. The preliminary report has at length been laid upon the table of the House of Commons by the Commissioners. And there, unmistakeably upon that report, the fact already particularised makesits appearance—the fact of this most satisfac tory intimation that for three nail/ions and one quartor (for actually 74,0001. less than the estimated defici ency upon this next year's expenditure, according to the first rough draft of Mr. DISRA.ELI'S Financial Statement), we can secure the perfect drainage of this vast capital ! AM what, let us ask, is implied by the perfect drainage of London I The purification of the Thames. The embank ment of that once more beautiful and salubrious river. The construction of advanced terraces on either side—on the Surrey side and the Mid dlesex side, all the way up from the Pool to Chelsea Reach —so that the world-famous metropolis of the greatest maritime power this world has ever witnessed may no longer be ap proached, by water, through localities the most squalid and dilapidated! Localities rendering the Silent Highway the foul and unsightly back entrance to the Imperial twin cities of London and West minster. mag nificeutlyadorned and beautified. Remembering hat wo are not talking of an idle day dream, but of an actual reality, that may be any day undertaken and rapidly completed by means of an expendi ture of no more than 3,250,0001., we cannot but hail with satisfaction the production of the report announcing these gratifying particulars to the House of Commons, the preliminary report but just now laid upon the table of the House, and authenticated with the signatures of the eight Royal Commissioners. L &TEST NEWS. Supposing this sum of 3,250,0001. to have been expended as proposed by the Royal Commis sioners. Supposing the sewage of the capital to have been deodorised in proper eovered. reservoirs —the precipitated matter pumped into the coun try as manure, or to the sea as refuse, and the puri fied water alone allowed to run off into the river current. Supposifig the Thames to have been re stored to a river, at once sightly and noble by the building up of these projected double lines of embankments—having advanced terraces, both for carriage ways and for the convenience of foot-passengers. Supposing all this to have been actually accomplished—and the Commissioners positively assert that for no more than three mil lions and one-quarter sterling it can, whenever we please, be accomplished—How much is there not inevitably then accomplished in the way of subordinate and subsidiary metropolitan improve ments ? It would follow, then, inevitably, that one of the very grandest of all the glorious public buildings in England would be opened up to view by a broad and direct approach from the river-- meaning, of course, no other edifice than Sir CiLRISTOPKER WREN'S architectural master piece, St. Paul's Cathedral. Again, both the ancient and modern architectural glo ries of Westminster would be in every re spect more imposingly and appropriately situated —the old Abbey, the old Hall, the new and no less stately Palace of the Legislature. Simulta neously, tio, the bridges of the metropolis would be in a manner brought more distinctly within the scope of general regard and appreciation. Some of these bridges, remember, being among the chef d'atimes among the pontine wonders of Chrissndom—the Thames having at once the noblest of all iron bridges, that of South wark, of all suspension bridges, that of Hungerford, and of all granite bridges, ' that of Waterloo, the last-mentioned being an object among others of CANOVA'S espe cial admiration. As at present these and the other superb structures crossing the river Thames are, and must c mrtinue t) be entirely so to speak in the background. They can only be viewed in a general way from the river itself as from one another. It has been S 3 in a great measure with the majestic structure of London Bridge ever since the date of its inauguration. It will be so in like manner with the new Gothic bridge now in course of construction at Westminster. The projected embankments will remove all this seclusion from public view of the bridges over the Thames. It ! will bring all their hidden beauties to light con ! spicuously. But beyond these and similar con• siderations, there is the paramount consideration of all, that by the river traversing this great city, bisecting it, winding through its dense and ever increasing population, being effectually purified , Ly the. very. same arraugolllolltS by which. it 'N, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 3, 185 S. THE MAGAZINES. Blackwood. —The third article on "Food and Drink" contains some curious statistics respecting the nature and properties of various kinds of food, and their adaptability to different constitutions and climates. The writer, in treating of M. St. Hilaire's theory of the suitability of the " viaude de cheval" for human food, tells an amusing anecdote. A Frenchman was one day remonstrating against the contempt expressed by Englishmen for French beef, which he for his part did not find inferior to the beef of England. "I have been two times in England," he said, "but I nevare found the bif so superieur to ours. I find it vary convenient that they bring it you on leetle pieces of stick for onepenny, but I do not find the bif superieur." " Gaod heavens, sir !" replied the Englishman, 'you have been eating cat's-meat." The writer contends that it is a wholesome and palateable food, but we very much question whether many will be inclined to follow the Frenchman's example. The comparative quantities of food consumed by differ ent races or under different circumstances will attract the curious. The increase in the degree of atmospherical heat is generally supposed to dimi nish the quantity of food consumed ; but this asser tion is contradicted by the statements of Barrow, in his Travels in Southern Africa, who tells us that the Hottentots are the greatest gluttons on the face of the earth. " Ten Hottentots ate a middling sized ox in three days ; an , 1 three Bosjestnans had a sheep given them about five in the evening, which was entirely consumed before noon of the following day. They continued to eat all night, without sleep and without intermission, till they finished the whole animal." The objections against attempting to reduce the myriads of varying indi vidual peculiarities to a few rules, or systems, are just and sensible. " What Will He Da With It ?” brings before us this month its more pleasing per sonages ; the ill-fated Jasper Losely does not appear, but we are favoured with the presence of the refined and intellectual Darrell. In the course of the narrative he gains upon the attention by the deep feeling expreised more in his actions than his words, and the interview with his young kinsman Lionel is very affecting. On the eve of a change in his plans, he considers himself bound to disclose some portion of the past to his young relative. The tale which was told was indeed a sad one ; his life was a mistake from the commencement—a dark shadow rested on his path from youth onwards, which, deepening at its meridian, suddenly dimmed the splendour of his public career, and darkened the brightness of his home for ever. Darrell's re appearance in Loudon society was the source of much excitement and interest. All watched what party he would join, which cause he would espouse; for although be had been absent from the metro polis so long, his fame had remained behind him, and kept his memory verdant in the minds of the generation he had so adorned, and which had handed down his triumphs to its successor!. This visit to the house is an interesting one, and is thus de scribed : " Once he was Been in the arena of his old triumph., on the benches devoted to strangers distinguished by the Speaker's order. There, recognised by the old members, eagerly gazed at by t•.e younger, Guy Darrel listened calmly, throughout a long field night, to voices that mu-t have roused from forgotten graves, kindling and glorious memories ; voices of those—veterans now—by whose side he had once struggled for some cause which he had then, in the necessary exaggeration et all honest enthusiasm, identified with a nation's lifeblood. Voices, too, of the old antagonists, over wirise routed arrangements he had marched triumphant amidst applauses that the next day rang again throughout England from side to side. Hark, the very man with whom, in the old battle days, he had beea the most habitually pitied, is speaking now His tones are embarrassed—his argument confused. Does he know who listens yonder? Old members think so—smile, whisper sack other, and glance significantly where Darrell sits." An article on the "Antiquities of Kertch" traces the exploits and achievements of which it has been the scene. A paper entitl-3d. " 0 )ileg,es ani Celi bacy" takes a very just and sensible view- of a ques tion of some social impor!auce, awl the varous branches of the subject are discussed in a straight forward and practical manner, which recommend it to the notice of university reformers and legislators. The sixth and seventh chanters of Captain Burton's interesting narrative, "Two Months' Experience in East Africa," brings it to a conclusion." "The Poorbeah Mutiny" is continued from the February number, and gives a spirited account of the out break and its supprassioe. A lengthened history of the fate of the 55:h Native Infantry is given, as showing the way in which mutineers were treated in the Puiljauh. In speaking of the stern military justice exacted from the traitors, the writer sap, with truth, that " when the excitement shall have subsided, and such acts have become history, some men, perhaps, will read of them with horror as deeds of ruthl-se cruelty, unworthy of a Chrislian people. But no one who Ic.ts passed through them,, whatever be his tempera ment, will suer regard them otherwise than as acts of stern ne;;essity - for the safety of those who were still alive. Either their lives or ours was the sad alternative: Mercy at such a moment would have been mistaken for weakness or fear, and all would have been lost. it was in this spirit that stern justice was dtalt to the rebels ; there was nothing of barsh,unfeeling cruel ty, much less ought approach ing to revenge, that prompted to the firm uncompro mising course adopted at Lahore and Peshawur, under that master-spirit who at Rawul Pindee saved the whole Punjaub." An article, en titled " Italy —of the arts, the cradle, and the grave," will attract the lovers of art. It is written in a somewhat high-flown and grandiloquent style, but the subject is a fair excuse for enthusiasm ; and the criticism on the early schools of Byzantine and Roman art display a familiarity with the different characteristics of the rival styles. A paper on " Oude" tells us in a lively and agreeable manner of their claims to our veneration and respect. " Nineveh looks like au old fellow when you go to the British Museum and gaz3 upon his disinterred rem tins; but the people of the winged bulls were but mushrooms compared t• the Hindus." The conduct and character of these descendants of antiquity do not, however, keep up the romance. They do not adopt the motto, "Noblesse oblige," but their age reminds us f acibly of a more homely proverb. This article concludes a number in which there is perhaps more instruc tion than entertainment. Dublin. —" Gerald Fitzgerald" presents more attraction for the, reader, in this month's numb er , he has left the gloomy place in which be had first found a refuge, and has joined a company of stroll ing players. ".Marietta," the girl he had before seen, is a very interesting character, and is possessed of f ee l in gs and ideas not in accordance with her po sition. The last chapters are exciting in incident, and vivid in description. The scene in the Tuscan police court merits attention. "Recent Historical Revelations," is an article of considerable interest. It enforces the necessly of giving the greatest pos sible publicity to original documents and corres pondences," They will gradually become a neces sityofcivilised nations, they lay bare the sources of history ; they are the life-blood of historical science —they unravel the true nature of men and their deeds ; they greatly facilitate the future labours of the historian, whilst they satisfy the doubts and hesitations of the public." Further on some very interesting details are given of four remarkable episodes in Italian History, " The Sicilian Ves pers," the "Rise of Rienzi," the "Sack of Rome by the troops of Charles the Fifth,"and the " Insurrec tion of Masaniello." It is observed that the reader of history can now obtain a clearer insight into these events, and form a more correct judgm-nt of their cause and effects, asmanyerrors and exaggera tions b ave been removed from their reco rd , .. The s tory of "Life and death in Tipperary," is concluded. It is written with great power, but its incidents are very sombre in their nature, and the sequel is meat melancholy. The sad fate of "Nelly "is a warn ing to those who attempt more than is desirable, and trust too much to their own exertion, instead of following the safe path of duty, and leaving the result to Providence. The elder Dillon furnishes an instance of what blind prejudice and ungovern able rage will produce. " Competi ive Examina tions" contain some judicious remarks on a sub ject lately much dwelt upon. After citing the vari ous argurnen's on both sides, the writer gives the the opinion of the author of " Latter Day Pam phlets." " Who are available to your offices in Downing-str, et ? all the gifted souls who are born to you in this generation. These are appeintA by the true eternal divine right, which will never be come obsolete, to be your governors and adminis trators, and precisely as you employ the-n, or neglect to employ th m, will your state be f woured of Heaven or disfavoured." A paper is devoted to the cm;4ideration of " Trinity College, Dublin," in which it is said that this university stands in muLl greater need of the influence of public opinion .htn either Oxford, or Cambridge. Some verses on the subject of " The Battle," by Jonathan Freke Slicgsby, are a welcome introduction-in the midst, of grave reflections on various mat' ers. The follow ing lines are decrip'ive of the s illneE , s that reigns on the eve of the fight : BEFORE THE BATTLE. "The pall of the night falleth down on the plain Where the weary hosts lie 'till the coming of day, And death-like their *sleep, till the trumpet again Shall wake them to muster in haste for the fray. "No sound, save the challenge at int ervals g iven, No light, save the watch-fires that fitfully burn, And the silence of earth and the darkness of heaven But prelude war's thunders and lightnings at morn. " But hearts in that silence are voiceful in prayer, And souls find a light in the gloom of that sky ; While ministrant angels aro watching to bear The cry of each suppliant spirit on high. "And dear ones at home, thro' the dark, stilly night., Keep vigil of prayer in the soldier's abode ; And the plea lings of hearts, though far-severed, unite With the warrior's prayer at the throne of their God!' Fraser. —That universal enemy the east wind, which has been anathematised by proverbs and prose writers, and which requires the poetic imagi nation of Mr. Kingsley to discover its merits, is attacked with some of its own malignity in the opening paper of Fraser. The pic ture which is sketched of the remorseless and übiquitous tormentor, the infallibility of its victory over stoicism and resignation, and the hope less .state of the sufferer, is amusingly drawn. When the writer diverges from real to metaphorical hurricanes he is not so successful. A lengthened criticism of the tragedy of " Oulita, the Serf," by the talented author of " Friends in Council," fol lows. The account of the work which it gives, and the scenes extracted, will scud m sny readers to the original volume, if the author's high and de srved reputation has not already done so. An essay on " Our Indian Mutinies : our Past and Fmure in Religion and Colonisation," treats of a subject which, in spite of the thrilling sympathy it awakened some months since, the historical fame of our great soldiers, and the excite ment of a politi ca l quest i on, i s fast b ecom i ng wearisome to readers of Magazines and Quarterlies. This article, like another at the close of the num ber, is the production of an Anglo-Indian, and may therefore be entitled to some share of att ntiou, though scarcely laying claim to novelty. Burger and the translations of his famous " Lenore" are reviewed in an interesting paper. It is somewhat curious, in examining the different speci mens, to notice how few verses possess any intrinsic merit, even when they faithfully represent the meaning of the original. They cannot even claim the questionable compliment paid to Pope's "Iliad." A professional painter continues his criticisms on the Taste of the day, and attacks ie this, his third paper, the architecture of our houses. Any one who has noticed the smart gentility of the buildings in our pretty suburbs, where thare is so much space for the development of taste and design, will coincide with his strictures on English residences. We are afraid that some time must elapse before much improvement will be visible in this respect. " Squire Bolton's Transgression" is continued with some degree of interest, though not with any vivid origin elity or excitement. Oar English stiffness and want of contimntal ease and friendli ness to strangers, is the subject of a severe c-nisure, ridiculing people who live on the same floors of the same house and pass each other half-a-dozen times a day, yet cannot say "Good morning," because they have not been introduced. Tee nature and habits of Gulls are described at length in an ornithological paper, one of that series on Natural History which has been continuing for some time. It will interest the naturalist, though, like most of its predecessors, it is somewhat too lengthy and elaborate for the general reader. " Passports and Turnpikes" are classed together by a Grumbler, who has certainly on this occasion some rational cause for complaint. These two very unnecessary evils may well try the patience of a nation less proverbially discontented than , eir own. " The Ancient Name of the Island of Mersey" is the title of a somewhat unattractive paper : and an article with the curious title of " B arthorel , y" reviews a work published some time since, which is one of those volumes of local interest which have rec ntly become the fashion. There are some poe tical contributions of no great merit. We must not omit to mention an imitation of the manner of Spenser, by the veteran Leigh Hunt, which will affordmuch pleasure to the thoughtful and cultivat d reader. It contains fine imagery, and reveals the elements of real poetry. This agreeable paper concludes a number of more than average interee. native languages," and on " Lord Dal housie's administration." This magazine, how ever, never restricts itself to a limited range of subjects ; it treats of the home questions of the day connected with the two services, of the principles of military campaigns, of the treat ment of naval matters by those in authority, and, in addition to those foreign subjects which we have previously mentioned, it transports us to the Celestial Empire, to Aden and the disputed island of Perim, giving us an account of the Egyp tian revolivion of 1798, and a description of the Party Politics of the United Sta•es during the last three years. I❑ addition to all this varied and com prehensive in elligence, we meet with the "Editor's Portfolio," containing all sorts of useful scraps of news and criticism, literary notices, a full list of promotions and appointments, and of the stations Of the army, navy, and militia. It is, therefore, evident that all readers who are in any way in terested in the naval and military defences of our country will find the information, the statistics, the criticisms they require in this serial, while those who do not feel any particular interest in the details of sails and swords may yet derive both pleasure and profit from consulting the pages of this sensible and ably written serial. Colburn's New Monthly Magazine.—" Public Works in Egypt" is the title of the first paper that meets the reader of the New Mon sly. The various plans and speculations which the dry and unpro mising districts of Upper Egypt have given rise to are recorded at length, and those who have turned their attention to this subject will find the article repay perusal. The author of " Ashley" contri butes one of his usual tales, animated in style and lift like in character, but strikingly improbable, and invariably tinged with the horrible. Tile frightful series of crimes, accidents, and awful occurrences which have appeared in his catalogue of stories would fill a Chamber of Horrors far more alarming than Madame Tussaud's. lo the present instance the catastrophe is merely the death of a gentleman in a boat race, which will not there tore startle the reader more than usual. We regret the more to see this writer eacouraging that morbid love of the horrible which is only too common, because the stories are of a superior tone, and evi deuce some degree of ability. M r . Froude's third and fourth volumes of the " History of England " receive a lengthened criticism which is not devoid of interest. An autobiographical tale i.s commenced, under the singular title of " Hans Ernst Mitter kamp," giving a view of Germ in life and character. An article on the " Fall of the Monarchy in J uly" is founded on M. Granier de Cassagnac's recent work. • It is remarked that English historians seldom write contemporary history, but con sider it necessary for the leaders in the strife to have passed away, and for the calm retrospec ion of posterity to have taken the place of the animtted discu sions of the day. Our continental neighbours are of a different opinion ; " journal histories" appear every day, in which a judicial appreciation is taken of events hardly yet consummated, and ef the characters of public men still it, the full vigour of political ex istence." " A Sad Story," relates a melancholy episode in a doctor's experience. " A Missionary in Texas," relates the leci- , situdes and hardships encountered by the Abbe Domtnech. It is an in teresting paper, inteispersel with numerous ex tracts. Tue recent memorials of Shelley come under notice iu a brief paper. An amusing sketch by Heherden Milford, is entitled, " Northern Lights," and is followed by a picture of railway literature abroad. "Shottery, a post's day-dream," transports us to the days of Shakspeare and Anne Hathaway, and draws a glowing picture of "The future Lord of Fame," wooing the village maiden. The idea of the great dramatist discovering all the qualities of the fair creations of his fancy in the simple cottager, is a new and happy one. We subjoin a few verses. " Lovely shapes and fair prefigured In her form's symmetric guise, And the light of lives celestial Gleaming in her gen le eyes. Fawn-like Imogen affrighted In the haggard cave's recess: Pale Miranda shifting covert Glances from the shifting chess : Tender Juliet from her casement Bending as some rose of June ; When like Jessica's her blushes Glowed beneath the silver moon : Pensive Viola dissembling Passions nought bat pride commands : Wanton Cressida coquetting . 'Mid the din of hurtling brands Lost Marina 'mid the billows Lolled in dead maternal arms : Lorn Helena as a pilgrim Veiling all her idle charms : Patient Desdemona sadly Sighing for her tawny lord : Frolic Lady Percy buckling With a jest her hero's sword : Meek Ophelia 'add the willow Dazed in virgin faith forlorn: Fitful Rosalind all Ruth-like Rustling through the rippled corn : Sad Cordella crooning softly Ditties for her dying sire : And brave Joan of Arc appearing Radiant 'mid the ruthless fire : And sweet Perilita with blossoms Purpling in her lily hand : And voluptuous Cleopatra Gliding o'er the golden sand : Dainty Ariel recumbent 'Neath the foxglove's freckled bell : And Titania still enamoured By the fay's puissant spell : Wondering Beatrice embowered In the thicket's woven shade : Dreaming Silvia at twilight Startled by a serenade." The account of " A Visit to Iceland, in the Sum mer of 1857," by Mr. Bushby, gives an entertain inr descrip - ion of the peculiarities of that desolate region. The statistics of the Eruptions of Mount Hecla will interev. the curious. The earliest known eruption took place in 1104, and since then there have been no less than seventeen, the last iu 1846, some of them being of frightful violence. Bentley's Miscellany. —This serial maintains its lively character, and attempts with it s usua l success to entertain the superficial reader, or to amuse the leisure hour of one wearied with graver subjects. The number before us is above the ave rage ; it has several articles of sense and substance. The usual anticipatory criticism of the Exhibition of the Royal Academy for this year opens it, and gives an interesting summary of the prominent pictures. The continuation of the story of " Rush ing headlong into marriage;" appears under the title of "Three hundred a-year," and continues the catalogue of the misfortunes of the imprudent and extravagant Captain Courtenay and his wife. There is a great deal of truth in the details of domestic mismanagement and lavish expenditure, and many who lament the smallness of their income would do well to regulate their appearance by their posses sions. Monkshood's new book notes are devoted to Sir Arch. Alison's recent volatile. " Our Country Quarters," is the title of an amusing story of love affairs and pic-nics, pleasantly told. We are sorry not to be able to commend Mr. Thornbury's Napo leon ba lads as we should wish to do. He has displayed so much ability in some of his former woks, both prose and verse, that he has now a character to maintain. Guizot's memoirs are the subject of an interesting paper, which enables the yea ter to comprehend the sc .pe and character of the volumes. " Giimpses of Harem Life" will at tract the admirers of Oriental life and manners. The view given of Eastern domestic life is more en tertaining than attractive. Thanatos Athanatos is continued in its rambling strain, now mournful, now discursive, now eccentric, interspersed with anecdotes and quotations. A paper on Bageneil Dawison will very probably be the first introduc tion of many readers to that notability. He is a new actor, who " has carried the whole of Ger many away before him, and is universally allowed. to be the fin& st performer the century has pas. duced." Very pr o b a bly, accor -li ng t o d ramatic and artistic custom, he will give English audiences an opportunity of judging of his powers. He is of Polish origin, and his parents were very poor. By degrees he has educated himself, and by the force of perseverance and talent has struggled into fame. A criticism on recent poetry treats of the respec tive merits of Wilberforce, Thernbury, and. Blanchard. The continuation of Mr. Dudley Cos tello's elaborate romance brings the number to a conclusion. Tait.—This magazine always yields us the ex• pectation of meeting something of a refreshing and pleasant character, and the present number does not at all disappoint us. " The Memoirs of Bee thoven" are concluded, and afford much interest ing information respecting his private life and public works. We learn that he left a voluminous collection of vocal compositions, masses, operas, and oratorios, amounting to 300 pieces, and that his personal appearance was not good, being short, of a compact muscular figure, with a head out of proportion and too large for the rest of his body. His features, however, were strongly marked and, intelligent, and his face expressive. One peculi arity he had which is rather confounding in its nature—that of not being able to dance in time. Had this been the case during only the latter part of his existence, it might reasonably have been at iributed to his deafness ; but as it distinguished him while young, and a devoted follower of Terpsi chore, it cannot be accounted for ; but it must ever be regarded as a curious anomaly that a great and perfect composer, the lea , ler of orchestras and di rector of musicians, "could not dance in time." The series of articles, entitled " Woman and Womanhood," gives us this month, one on "Spin sterho.4" in which there is much that is whole some in tone and amusing in style. Few will dis pute the truth of the following remarks : An intelligent man wants both a companion and a house keeper ; an unintellectual man simply wants a house keeper, and finds his companion in her ; but it stands to reason, that, if we have neither good housekeepers, nor in tellectually trained women, neither intellectual nor unin• tellectual men can Be mated satisfactorily to themselves. Very young men don't seek for either housekeeper or intellect. A pretty face pleases—they fall in love— propose—marry, fancying they can live on twopence per hour, or some sum equally small; weekly bills prove the fallacy of the supposition ; debt and duns form an unplea• sant episode in married life ; the lady does not know how to mend the matter—for her spinsterhood was passed in unproductive idleness, and she now reaps its curse. Spinsters have a fatal notion that useful occupation may be deferred until they are married. As well might the can didate for university honours begin to study when called up for examination. It may be, and it is, a very simple thing to learn the s i m pl e detail f housekeeping. but it s not at all an easy or a s i m pl e thi ng to undo the habitsP i of a lifetime, and learn how to order, and regulate, and control a household. All this must be the consequence of experi• enca, and if the gaining of it be commenced on the wedding day, there will in all probability be a weary scene of disorder and mismanagement in the household of the young wife. which will not tend to raise her in the estimation of the hus band, if he be indeed a man whose esteem is worth gaining. And if he besot such, his disorderly and reckless habits will suit well with her own, and she will find out sooner or later, that she has made a grand i,take, and had far better have qualified herself for making a good wife, and thus have gained a better husband, or have remained in the ob jectionable and yet preferable state of " old maidism.." The author concludes his excellent essay with a few words on the various causes of " Oldmaidism," and says : Man's heartlessness and perfidy—man's fickleness and instability of purpose —man's desertion and cruelty may, and does, cause misery to thousands, and force the lot of singleness on them. Women of England marhave to thank themselves for very much of the disappointment which falls to their share ; but they are not exclusively to blame, and pro bably this might, may be fullyproved if we were to deal as truly with man and mankind as with woman and womankind. A discussion on "The Banks and the Law of Eng land and Scotland" is worthy of close attention. It handles plain facts in a plain wa3s and places the spirit of speculators in awkward juxtaposition with the principle of integrity. It treats of the working of hanks very impartially, and constitutes a valuable treatise on the important subject. There is a pl•?Asant bit of gossip on " The Streets and Street Nuisances," which meets the absurd topic now so much dilated on in the shape of "Organ Grinding" with well-merited expostulation and ridicule. The writer says— It is nothing new to confess to an attachment to " Ur, streets ;" men of catholic feeling have always been fond Of them—their sights, their incidents, their humour, their pathos the latter not unfrequent to quick eyes, what• ever may be said of English reserve. I am, myself, an inveterate " mooner" when abroad, and have, in doors, such an inclination to look out-o'-window, as seriously interferes with my aherwise industrious habit.. w I think, indeed, I must be a born street-enjoyer, for I hail , never been able to work myself up to any of those heights of indignation about street nuisances to which others so naturally reach. Ido not wish to be uncharitable ; but I, should be inclined to suspect a great smeller-out and putter down of street-nuisances for a selfish man. Ile concludes thus— I should be glad to see passed, in that Parliament of Good Nature of which we are all members with more or less of property qualification, an Act of vary stringent powers to powers to put down a most real and dangerous street nuisance —namely, the reckless strewing of footpaths and public places with pieces of orange peel. I am totally at a loss to understand how any one can be guilty of this cruel carelessness. A ccidents frequently occur from it, and are duly reported ; yet it continues. So great is the dead passe n which I am abroad, hut I have to remove somebody's weight of stupidity and selfishness in the world. Not aday (.range peel from the pavement, and sometimes from stairs to boat places, &c., where it is exceedingly dangerous. do not complain o the labour ; I do not ask for a salary ; I do not even ask for the honorary dignity of Orange Peel Dispeller in Ordinary to the Public; but I should. like to see a higher tone of virtue prevail in regard to orange peel. If he who would make a pun would pick a pocket, I canzot but conceive that he who would strew orange peel on pavements would drop sparks on bedclothes, and there you have all the fires in the metropolis accounted for at once. Brethren, let us see to our orange peel. i do n s„y, preserve it an d se ll i t to the grocer s f„,.. cee 4 t , I do not say, treasure it up in yob pockets, like Dr. Johnson. But I do say, throw l" into gutters, down gully-holes, or disused areas ; and above all, never drop it on door-steps. Lay no flattering unction to your souls in this matter. Do not say, if you see in the pipers that a father cf a poor family fell down on Friday e and broke his thigh, in Great Russell-street, and died of concussion of the brain, that, because you dropped your o range peel on Tuesday, an d on th e Ed gware - roa d , that you are f,ee in this matter. Consider the example. Rea ( ' Paley on general Consequences (nor. and P. Phil., b. Is c 8.) You share the guilt ; there is some fraction which , if settled, would denote your proportion of it. Therefore , throw no more orange peel about—let this bathe commence' m eat of a new life t o y ou i n re l at i on to sma ll t hi ngs a ffect' isle the welfare of oth ers . Sh ut d oors w hi c h are inten ds(' to be shut. Direct letters plainly. Give as little trouble. as you can. Do not we ar crea ki ng b oo t s S o m uck f.. 06 Colburn's United Service.—Many readers will, doubtless, be plcasA w:tit a sketch of the care , ,r of the distinguished indivldual, who has recently ar rived on our shores to represent the Majesty France. Mar,hal Relissier is well known to the Engliih army, from luxing f light with the allied forces on the Crimean battle-liclds. It is observe I that i.n him "Iva receive tho represent t tive of a friend and an ally," and we ard willitig tp believe that, in selecJog him, as so many of •he French journals a,sert, tln Enperor ha 4 esp , ciatly had in view the re-csrablislimen t of a f r i en dl y 11 , derstandiug between the two co u:itr i es. Another paper, on a subject connected with our continental neighbours, is entitled "The French Conscription," which system, it tells us, is as well adapted to the spirit and constitution of the country, as our own method is to the different character and social ma chinery of England. There are many exceptions to the demands of conscription which, in some rxtigite its severity. As a m •ter of coo, se we met with se' oral articles on topics o,nnect, d with Indian gov ernmen t an d Indian life. Among View are papers on "Sir Joseph Thackwell and the S.klis," ou " The Acquirement of the BOMBAY AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS The Peninsular and Oriental Company have received following despatch from Marseilles this (Monday) morning : " The steam-ship Valetta, with the Bombay and Australian mails, arrived at Marseilles at 10 a.m. yesterday. " The mails left for London at noon." IbIARSEILLE3, APRIL 3). The packet briug3 letters from Naples up to the date of the 27th. Mr. Lyons has addressed a note to the Neapoli tan Government, claiming an indemnity for the English engineers of the Cagliari, on account of having been kept in prison for nearly a year. The English Government, it is said, fires the amount of this indemnity at 4,0001. The Court of Appeal is this week to decide the question whether the Cagliari ought to be declared a lawful prize. The armaments continue in the Neapolitan arsenals. The committee of the Diet of Frankfort presented its report on the Danish question at the sitting of the 29th ult. The Diet has decided that each re presentative shall apply to his Government for fresh instructions. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY. The Moniteur publishes the following report to the Emperor " Sire--The decree of the let of March, 1852, rendered on the proposal of the Keeper of the Seals, has esta blished the right of retirement for magistrates who have attained a certain age. That decree has since been ap plied to the higher officials in the Ministry of Finance, and the motives which inspired its extension seemed to command a similar step as regards Government func tionaries who require their fell moral energy and all their physical activity to respond to the manifold duties of their position. "A fixed period of age does not, however, seem quite suited to all these funtionaries. Thus, the Prefects, whose great experience is turned to account by the Government, might, without inconvenience, remain in office till 65 years of age. "The retirement of Sub-Prefects and Secretaries- General might take place ac 62 years of age. "As regards the Councillors of Prefecture, whose oc cupation is more sedentary, it would appear advisable to put them on the same footing as the members of the Imperial Civil Courts and Tribunals of inferior jurisdic tion who have a right to retire at 70. ," Government officials being liable to removal, I do not think it necessary to propose to your Majesty to de cide the question of principle by an Imperial decree. I will simply ask your Majesty's permission to replace the Prefects, Sub Prefects, Secretaries- General, and Councillors of Prefecture, who shall have attained the respective ages above-men tioned. Tula measure, applied without distinc tion, would have the advantage of assuring the perform ance of the publ,c service without hurting the honourable susceptibilities of any one. " I am, with the most profound respect, Sire, " Your Majesty's very obedient, most devoted " And very fai , .hfol servant and subject, " ESPINASSE, " Minister of the Interior and of General Security. " Approved, s' NAPOLEON." The Corps Legialatif has, after a great deal of desultory talk to no purpose whatever, voted the budget by a majority of 2Kagainst 3. Although the Patrie said., that the Government was resolved not to yield an inch in regard to the 180 millions bill, it is still rumoured that in order to humour the Corps Legislatif it has con sented to wrike off 10 millions. This reduction, considering that the enormous expenditure in Parisian improvements is to be spread over ten years, will not have any great influence upon the prezent financial situation. The following telegraphic despatch has been re ceived here : HAMBURG, April 30.—The French, English, and Russian representatives ha .e, by a common accord, called OR the Diet to take into serious consideration the Danish propositions so as to terminate the ex;sting difference auncably. FRANKFORT, April 30.—The commission of the duchies presented its report yesterday to the Diet. That body will proceed in about three weeks to a vote on this report. BOURSE, May 1. —The following were the closing quotations _ 41 per Cents 93 20 Do. end month — 3 per Cent. ..... 69 20 Do. end month 69 15 Credit Fonder Belgian 44 Pied.montese (5) ...... , 9O/ Roman 9O Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt 33 -FOR CASE. Bank Sh trea Credit Mobilier 670 -- Do. Account 675 RAILWAY S. - Orleans Northern New Ditto Lyon and Alediteran. 802 i New Ditto 765 Geneva Midi Western 6lO Strasburg Grand Central — S 3 rdinian Austrian PIEDMONT. The Chamber of Deputies voted the Deforesta'Bill on Thursday by a majority of 100 to 42. The amendments proposed by the rat were rejected. Art 3, with a modification ratifying the admissio❑ of the Jury, was adopted. MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S 2.122 TR. It will b 3 seen by an advertisement that the Marriage Law Association is prepared to forward petitions drawn up in the form required by the House of Carnmons to any parties who may wish for such aid. The association suggests the follow ing brief petition, which individuals can, of course, modify as they please : To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom in Parliament assemble]. The humble petition of She wetb, That in the judgment of your petitioners, there is uothiog inconsistent with religion, morality, or rightly constituted social feelings, in the marriage of a man with the sister of his deceased wife ; and, conse quently, . Tnat the prohibition of such marriages is an unwar ranted and mitchievou restriction on the liberty, and interference with the happiness of the peopla of this kinidom. They theref,,re pray your honourable Huse to concur in the Passing , of an act to make lawful, retrospectively ai a ell as for the future, such marriages. lIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Mal ame Alboni makes her first appearance to morrow evening as Azucena, in conjunction with M adlle • Titiens as Leonora, in "Il Trovatore." We anticip ate a r i c h opera ti c treat, and shall wel come the justly popular Alboni to her scene of olden triu tp l is with cordial greeting. Her racy and gushing style of singing is almays attractive to earA that are not acutely trained in Apollo's classics, as well as to the fastidious and exacting critic ; and her addition to the operatic company forms an important feature of the season. A new hallo-, entitled "Fleur des Champs," em braces the enchanting and illusive materials u-m. illy Pressed into the service of Terpsichore.. Madlle. I'occhini is the ethereal heroine, and _richly deserves all the plaudits bestowed by tho , e who become enthusiastic over " twinkling feet" and " impossible" attitudes. Her dancing is of a [lost improving and fascinating school, J"Ywis in abandon, free in action, and vivid in ex pression. " Flour des Champs" will doubtless prove as iucct . ssful as its beautiful tableaux, fine scenery, and exquisite artistic representatives en title it to be. Herr Charles Oberaiir's morning concert will take I place on Saturday next; i.t Willis's Rooms, and the pro gramme i q of a very at ractive character. Tee vocalists include kadarne Ferrari Miss Stabach, and Signor 1 Ferrari, while the instrumentalists on piauo, harp, violin, violoncello, and concertina, embrace names of popular celebrity, prorni•ing altogether a recherche entertaihttitat. " fr 4 ft, be Al O( A