The Sun. — London, England, 1859-05-24 00:00:00

HOUSEHOLD WORDS.—Messrs. BRADBURY and EVANS beg to state that4their connection with HOUSEHOLD WORDS will cease from and after the 28th inst., and that on Saturday, the 2d July they will commence •new Weekly Illustrated Periodical, to be called "ONCE A WEEK." - - - All communications for the Editor to be addressed to No. 11, Bouverie-street, London, E.C. RYAL PRINCESS'S THE ATRE. Under the afanazement of Mr. Charles Kean THIS EVENING will be presented ShaksPeare's historical play of KING HENRY V. King Henry V., Mr. C. Kean ; Chorus, Mrs. C. Kean. THEAT RE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. TIIIS EVENING, THE HONEYMOON. Juliana, Miss Amy Scafwick. Followed by LEND ME FIVE SHILLINGS. After which, a new Classical Extravaganza, entitled ZLECTRA IN A NEW ELECTR'IC LIGHT. Messrs Compton, Braid, Clark, Mrs. Wilkins, Misses Fanny Wright, a Weekes, and Louisa Leclercq. Commence at 7. NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHI Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. Reappearance of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan. THIS EVENING the performances will commence with ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS. Messrs. J. L. Toole, Chas. !Selby, Billincr,ton ; Misses Keeley, Arden, and Laidlaw, and Mrs. Billington. Followed by (seventh time), by Tom Taylor, Esq., THE HOUSE ? or, THE HOME? Mr. Alfred Wit.,ran, C, Selby, Billincrton ; Mrs. Alfred Wigan, Miss H. Simms. Miss Laid- saw. After which, THE DEVIL ON TW O STICKS. Mr. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Misses Woolgar , Keeley, Arden, and sate Kelly. Acting slaniger—Mr. Wm. Smith. Doors open at a quarter-past six—Commence at seven. Box Office open from 10 to 5 --no charge for booking. No fees to servants permitted. A registry kept of all articles found. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough THIS EV ENING will be produced a new Comedietta, by Jr. M. Morton, Esq., entitled WHICH OF THE TWO ? supported by the company. Atter which, THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE. To conclude with VANDYKE BROWN. Mr. J. Clark. Commence at 7o'clock. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Westminster-road. Lessee and Manager Mr. William Cooke. Unparalleled and Continued Success of INANHOE. Overflowing Houses Nightly. THIS EVENING, the performances will commence with a new grand spectacle, founded on Sir Walter Scott's popular work, entitled IVANHOE ; or, The Lists of Ashby, intro ducing among the vast resources of this great Hippodramatic Temple,Tounaaments, Processions, Banners, Combats, Tilts, Victories, and Achievements in extraordinary magnificence. Ivanhoe, Mr. R. Phillips ; Isaac of York, Mr. Jas. Holloway; Richard of England, Mr. Herbert ; Robin Hood, Mr. Wm. Cooke, jun. ; Rebecca, Miss Bathurst ; Lady Rowena, Miss Dowton. After which, the matchless and unrivalled SCENES IN THE CIRCLE, introducing Mr. John Henry Cooke, the greatest rider in the world, and the whole of Mr. W. Cooke's family, being the only instance on record of such a domestic concentration of unequalled male and female talent. To conclude with the Farce of KILL OR CURE. The preparations for Whitsuntide are on an extensive scale already Stage Manager, Mr. K. Phillips Dress Circle, 4s. ; Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 28, ; Gallery, Is. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Private Boxes, £4 4s, £2 2s, and £1 ls. To commence at 7 ; Carriages at 11. CANTERBURY HALL AND FINE ARTS GALLERY, Westminster-road.---Open at Seven. EVERY EVENING during the week will appear THE DELEPIERRE FAMILY, aonsisting of three Juvenile Violinists, viz., Jules, Juliette, and Julia Delepierre, aged, respectively, FOUR, SIX, and FIGHT years. _ . The perfect execution by these Lilliputian Artistes of some of the most difficult and brilliant Solos, Duets, and Trios ever written for the violin, has excited mingled wonder and admi ration in Continental Musical Circles, and drawn forth enthu siastic tributes of praise from the Public Journals of France and Belgium. They will perform EVERY EVENING, at NINE and ELEVEN o'clock, in addition to the usual Entertainments. THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, MAY 24. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 6.s—highest since noon yesterday. s.s—lowest this morning and during the night. 15—this day at noon. BAROMETER--29 . 98, falling. WIND, North-Easterly; light, with very fine weather. The battle of Montebello is the first move in a war which it may take years to settle. Austria has but little cause to rejoice in her tardy move ment. It is true that there were but a compara tively small number of troops engaged on either side : about 15,000 Austrians, and, probably, an equal number of French and Sardinians. The fight was, however, a severe one—lasting some five or six hours—arid served to test the valour and endurance of the troops engaged on both sides. If " the first blow be half the battle," the Franco- Sardinian army have ample cause to rejoice at a ♦ictory which must inspirit their own men, while it will depress their opponents, and deprive them of the prestige which they had hoped to obtain. The Austrians have been compelled to retreat with the loss, as we are told by their opponents, of two thousand men killed and wounded, while that of the adversary was but a fourth of that number. The former, however, announce that their loss was probably about the same as the French. Credat ludceus. They left two hundred prisoners in the hands of the victorious party, and it is seldom that a retreating army escapes with so little bloodshed as the triumphaxt one. Besides, they have only given their statement on guess work. The word "probably " proves that they had no certainty, or, indeed, reasonable grounds, for forming an opinion. The statement was merely to encourage their own men, who would otherwise be depressed at the extent of their loss so far exceeding that of the enemy. The effect of the first conflict in Italy will be very considerable. The disaffected States will no longer be deterred from expressing their opinions from the fear of Austrian interference. The German Potentate will have quite enough to do to take care of his own dominions. It is, therefore, more than probable that Parma and Modena will follow the example of Tuscany, and fraternise with those whom they believe to be associated for the libera tion of Italy. Indeed, should it be otherwise, w e can scarcely believe, notwithstanding the official note just published in the Honiteur, that their neu frailty would be very strictly observed if any strategetical advantages were to be obtained by its violation. It is clear that such would be the case ; and if the Austrians have already retreated from the Piedmentese territory, the temptation of turning their flank would be too great for any general who fancied that the mantle of NAPOLEON I. had been transferred to his own shoulders. The death of King FERDINAND of Napl es may also exercise considerable effect on Italian affairs. Bad as he was it is more than suspected that there will be but little improvement under their new SOVEREIGN, and the opportunity of a change of succession may be taken advantage of by the malcontents, and their " name is legion." Indeed, it could hardly be otherwise, considering the trials and misery,the violated oaths and broken promises to which they have been subjected for a series of years. The French, too, are masters of the sea—so long, at least, as England maintains her neutrality—and can easily excite the Neapolitans to a revolution. Induced that could easily have been effected years a go; when the outrageous insults of the deceased Sovereign compelled the suspension of diplomatic relations by France and England. It was only the belief that Austria woulitsend her bayonets to the rescue, in overwhelmi ng f orce, that Prevented a patriotic x icing at the time. But now that she has quite enc , ugh to do on her own account, and can no loi !ger afford to render undue assistance to maintain despotic systems, the day if retri bution 'may arrive sooner than has been ant icipated. Indeed, it may be looked for at any time ; and although Naples, like Tuscan: f, is beyond the pale where the allies could carry c ,n the war with advantage to themselves, the moral effects of such revolutions must produce great changes in all the Italian States, including those under the Papal domination. But the Austrians, although decisively defeated in their two first contests, are by no means con quered. They occupy very strong positions, and have powerful fortresses which would be dangerous to pass while they remained in their hands, and their reduction would be a -work of time and difficulty which Loris NAPOLEON would scarcely wish to encounter. The French, therefore, having the sea at their command, may feel disposed to carry the war into the enemy's country by means of ship ping, or possibly to enter Lombardy on the west, provided they continue to respect the neutrality of the minor Duchies, which we certainly do not believe will long be the case. There is already a French corps at Leghorn, and that under the command of a Prince of the blood, which seems to indicate a movement by sea. When, however, the interests of Austria are so closely engaged in the maintenance of the neutrality of Central Italy, it is scarcely probable that the allies will long continue to respect that neutrality, or avoid a movement which would give them great strategical advantages, so long as petty States only were concerned. The only thing that could suspend their movements would be the interference of Prussia and the German Confedera- tion, and that will scarcely occur so long as the war is restricted to Italy. Indeed, such an event would be an excuse for Russia, who could thus avenge her quarrel with Austria, and that in the most decisive manner. Without affecting the gift of prophecy, Louis liosstau, seven months ago, uttered a distinct pre diction. Speaking at Glasgow, on the 19th of November, 1858, he said—" In any war in which France will stand on one side and Austria on the other, France has but to advance to the frontiers of any of the nationalities oppressed by Austria and say, Here lam to help you, rise and throw off the yoke of Austria,' wad they will hail the invitation with enthusiasm." A little more -than half a year has elapsed—and, lo ! the ex-Governor of Hungary, speaking in the City of London, on the 21st of this present month of May, 1859, can point to the fulfil ment of his prediction ! He can remind us that we have but just now seen realised, in Italy,' the incident marked out in that bold anticipation. "As the Frence advance," he cries out exultingly, "you may see in them new Deucalions, raising up an armed foe to Austria from every stone." It is not, however, in her southern heel alone that Austria is vulnerable. Scanning the whole of the proportions of that giant Despotism, KOSSUTH—turning his keen glance towards the eastern frontier, which has the repute of being the European buckler of defence against Muscovite encroachment—observes "Now, imagine Russia [not France this time, but Russia] desiring to strike an ambitious blow anywhere. Will Austria be a barrier to her ? Was she ever a barrier at any single moment of the past ? Why, Russia need only to say, as the Czar ALEXANDER instructed Admiral TSITSAKOFF to say if he found Austria playing fast and loose, Ye seventeen millions, rise against the oppressor of your nationality—here I am to help you ;' and they will rise, and where will Austria be ?" Russia, indeed, has but to give th signal for revolt to Gallicia and Transyl vania, as France has recently sounded the war note of preparation for Lombardy and Venice, and the movement of insurrection will spread from the Bug to the Adriatic, from the western borders of Podolia to the eastern boundaries of Switzerland. "Is that a barrier 9" asks the ex-Governor of Hungary deri • sively—adding, " Why, it is a high road inviting ambition to an easy march." Thanks to the out spoken voice of this great Tribune of the Hunga rians, we are again hearing some wholesome truths about Austria, about the treaties of 1815, about the Holy, or, as it ought more accurately to be termed, the Unholy Alliance, in which those disgraceful, but by this time for the most part utterly exploded and contemned treaties, originated. "It is woful to remember," said KOSSUTII, with an indignation in the justice of which BYRON himself would have entirely concurred, " it is woful to remember that the sovereigns who, on pretence of asserting the liber ties of Europe, enticed the nations to shed their blood in streams for nearly a full quarter of a cen tury, and to waste away the prosperity of genera tions for the preservation of dynasties, at last requited the deluded nations, at the Congress of Vienna, by selling and bartering them like cattle, and by treating Europe like an allodial farm." Yet these are the treaties by right of which Austria claims her ill-gotten dominion upon the plea of their inviolability ! "In violable treaties, indeed !" exclaims KOSSUTH. " Why, my lord, the forty-four years that have since passed have cribbled those treaties like a sieve. The Bourbons, whom they restored to the throne of France, have vanished, and the Bonapartes, whom they proscribed, are restored. Two changes—the transformation of Switzerland from a confederation of States into a confederated State, and the independence of Bel gium—have been accomplished in spite of those treaties, to the profit of liberty ; but for the rest, the distinctive feature of the cribbling process through which those treaties have passed is this, that every poor plant of freedom which they had spared has been uprooted by the unsparing hand of depotism. From the Republic of Cracow, poor rem nant of Poland, swallowed by Austria, down to the freedom of the press, guaranteed to Germany, but reduced to such a condition that in the native land of Guttenburg not one poor square yard of soil is left to set a free press upon—everything that was not of evil in those inviolable treaties has been trampled down of to the profit of despotism." And those v the inviolable treaties were accomplished," the orator reminds the people of this country " wurrou'r ENGLAND ONCE SHAKING HER. MIGHTY TRIDENT TO FORBID IT!" And now having thus, during the lapse of those forty-four years past, connived at the extinction of the last fragment of Poland, the Republic of Cra cow, at the change into a confederated state of the confederated States of Switzerland, at the disinte,,ra tion of Belgium from Holland, at the substitution upon the throne of France of the Imperial Bona partes in lieu of the Royal Bourbons —now, after having complacently agreed thus, without one murmur of objection, to these world-famous and his torical violations of those so-called inviolable treaties—shall England now, forsooth, at the be hest of Austria, draw the sword under any emer gency, for the maintenance of the sanctity of those rotten parchments, torn and blotted, with their seals rased or broken, with their characters blurred or obliterated—washed over with the blood of buried thousands, and blackened with the smoke of forgotten cannonades 9 England, however, has happily decid e d already for once and for all, the course to be followed out by her undeviatingly, while France and Sardinia arc striving upon the plains of Lombardy to w in the great battle of Italian Independence. That course has been marked out during the late elec tions unmistakeably by the various constituencies. That course will be maintained to the last by the patriotic unanimity of the British House of Com mons. It is the simple and straightforward course indicated by the policy of honest neutrality and strict non-intervention—leaving the belligerents, to themselves to fight it out as they are now, entireiT to the close uninterruptedly. KOSSUTH avows frankly that he looks to the result with implicit confidence. And for arriving at this satisfactory conclusion as to the future he certainly gives reasons sufficiently cogent and numerous. Beginning at tile beginning of the source of any doubt at all in the matter, he ob serves—" It is said that the EmTeror of the French cannot be actuated by any other than ambitious views ; that he means conquest," and so forth. Whereupon observes KOSSUTH, emphatically, de liberately—" What May be the special motives which induced the present ruler of France to engage in this war I do not pretend to know, but I know what cannot be his interest, and therefore cannot be in his intentions. It cannot be in his interest to enter on the career of a conqueror, be cause that would be positive ruin to him, as it was the ruin of NAPOLEON I. It was the irreverent disregard of the sentiment of nationality which sent NAPOLEON I. to die a fettered eagle on the scorching rocks of St. Helena ; it is the same irreverent disregard of the sentiment of na tionality that will shatter to atoms the tottering throne of perfidious Austria. And verily it does strike me that NAPOLEON 111. is not the man to repeat the fault by which NAPOLEON I. fell. By doing good to the oppressed nationalities," added KOSSUTH, " he may win great moral advantage ; by doing them harm he could not earn anything but ruin for himself." Immediately afterwards, ima sgining to himself, for the sake of argument, a most hopeful conjecture—" Suppose," said KOSSUTH— " I give it you as a supposition—suppose that the logical development of the present war should offer to my own nation, not an incitement to hazardous desultory riots—these I should sternly advise hsr to avoid—but should offer her such a chance as would, with reasonable prospects, place her inde pendence within the reach of her own determina tion, would you advise her to reject the chance be. cause, under the mysterious dispensation of PRO VIDENCE, it would have come to her from a BONA PARTE Why," he replied, " she would be a fool to reject it !" Hungary, once emancipated thus through French intervention, the Hungarians, he added, would be at once too strong in themselves, and too remote from France, ever to allow their native land to degenerate into a French department. As to any danger in this way to Italy and the Italians, KOSSUTH observes in regard to the latter that, " thanks to the assistance of France," they can now organise and arm their nation, and break asunder at last the iron rod of Austria—adding " Let them be wise enough to take ' advantage of the occasion ; and, having had assistance in getting delivered from the foe, if they should not know how to secure their future independence from the friend, they would not deserve to be free." The words thus uttered by the great Hungarian leader are thrilling at once with the trumpet tones of Warning and Encourage ment. May they resound through the ranks of the Italian patriots now in arms under the banners of France and Sardinia for the vindication of their independence ! May they in the fulness of time find an echo at last at the hearths—in the hearts — of ten million expectant Hungarians. As the partizan champion, organ, and advocate of whatever coalition Cabinet may in the chapter of accidents emerge from the Opposition, the Times, as a matter of course, has hitherto made out the result of the recent Appeal to the Country, as entirely adverse to the existing Government. It has done this, we say, as a matter of course: It predicted, before the general election commenced, that the verdict of the constituencies would be condemna tory of the Administration. Its credit as a prophet was consequently at stake. Its interest in every way was to prove, if possible, that it had been in every respect justified in its predic tions. Therefore it has, until to-day, made the very worst . of the returns so far as they concern the Government. Therefore, on the other hand, it has made the very best of the returns so far as they affect the Opposition. Altogether these returns number 655, instead of 654, representatives, from England, Ireland, Scot land, Wales, and Berwick-upon-Tweed. But the discrepancy caused by the additional number is seen at a glance to result from the circumstance of there being a double return for the borough of Aylesbury. Dividing these 655 members into two Parties—a very bold thing, indeed, to attempt under existing circumstances—the Times, even the Times, is compelled to award no more than 353 to the (so-called —for the nonce) Libe rals, and actually no less than 302 to the side of the Conservatives. This balance shows, says the Times, a clear majority for the former of fifty one ! Fifty-one be it, then : but now comes the question immediately thereupon—While the 302 Conservatives are marshalled distinctly under the banner of the present Leader of the House of Commons, the Chancellor of her MAJESTY'S Ex chequer—under whose banner, think you, can be led forward compactly or loosely, or in any way what ever together, the 353 Liberal representatives con fronting them on the side of the Opposition ? Under the standard of Lord PALMERSTON ? Hardly—the noble viscount's late Secretary for Ireland would scarcely march now under that standard, to say nothing of independent spirits like the hon. ,and learned gentleman the member for Sheffield ! `Under the standard of Lord JOHN RUSSELL ? Hardly under that standard either—if there be any truth, as there is undoubtedly, in Lord JOHN'S own philosophic remark, " It is the habit of Party in England to ask the alliance of a man of genius, but to follow the guidance of a man of cha racter." For of.. late years, as a leader of party, the political character of the noble lord the member for the City has, during the last few years, been deplorably damaged. Was not his nearly six years tenure of power reprobated by his former colleague, the ex-Chancellor BROUGHAM, as a period during which the affairs of the nation were administered with—what ? "with feebleness, inca pacity, vacillation, and imbecility !" A Cabinet in which " measures were feebly proposed, tremu lously supported, and weakly abandoned !" The country wants no revival of that lamentable and effete administration. It desires not to see installed once more in Downing-street a mere Cabinet of Cousins—GßEYS, ELLIOTS, and RUSSELLS. It has not quite- forgotten yet how Lord JOHN'S political character as a leader of party has been grievously affected by such incidents as those of his diplomatic mission to Vienna, followed soon afterwards by his au i r th p a e t n b i dasntdooin the e n a t of the ies of responsibilities thec of office in conti ffic i ct e . Hence—from the consequent decline in his influence as a leader of party—Lord JOHN has found himself for some time past'doomed to a seat below the gang way on the side of the Opposition. To whom, then, will those 353 Liberals look as to their commander in-chief —if neither to Lord Join ltusslit,r, nor to Lord PALMERSTON ? Certainly they might as well look for guidance to Mr. BRIGHT, or to Mr. IIoRsmAN, as to either of those noble lords, under existing circumstances. It is simply preposterous, therefore, to talk of a clear majority of 51 to an Op position thus disunited by internal dissensions and by the rivalry existing between its principal leaders. If those 353 could be marched together in a com pact body uthler . anS - leader at all—Lord PALMER STON, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, or any one else—then indeed it might be said with reason that the clear majority was a majority of fifty-one. But certainly not otherwise. Certainly not while there are several distinct parties and several distinct chiefs—while there is but one party, but one supreme chief on the side of the reigning Government, namely, Mr. DISRAELI and the 302 Conservatives. Besides—it is simply an extravagance to assert that there can be this clear majority against Ministers of 51 in 655—when it is undeniable that there was merely a clear majority of 39 in 626 in the last Parliament, while at the same time it is admitted distinctly by the Times that in the new Parliament there is a clear gain, as compared to the former House, of 26 seats to the Derbyites, amounting to 52 upon a division ! How there could possibly be a majority (as admitted by the Times) of 52 for Ministers in the new House of 655—at the same time that there was a majority 39 for the Opposition in the last house of 626—and yet, according to the Times, there is still, in spite of that gain of 26 seats (or 52 upon a division) for Ministers, with a clear gain in all for the Opposition of 51 in the new Parliament of 655, passes all reasonable comprehension. It is simply an outrage to common sense. It is a dis tinct and glaring defiance of the simplest rules of arithmetic. COCKER proves beyond a doubt that the deduction of the Times is simply an impossibility. The wish is father to the thought, and therefore the thought is boldly asserted. But the next divi sion will be sufficient to show that 39 is less than 52—supposing any one still to remain incredulous. THE LONDON GLEE AND MADRIGAL UNION: The fifth and last concert of the present series was given by this union, at the Hanover-square Rooms, yesterday, with great success. Many old glees and madrigals were revived on this occasion, and several that had been especial favourites at the former concerts were repeated. Dr. Call cott's beautiful glee, " With sighs, sweet rose," was admirably sung by four members of the union, and Luca Marengio's madrigal, " Lady, see," was ren dered with great effect. The music expresses the meaning of the words with singular power. A four-part song, by R. S. Pearsall, " Why with toil thy life consuming," was graceful and flowing. One of the curiosities of the concert was the introduction of an ancient round, the composer of which is unknown. It belongs to the thirteenth century, and begins, " Summer is icmncn in, loudly sings mem ;" but it is more to be regarded as a musical curiosity than from any intrinsic merit. Sir Henry Bishop's glee, "The Fisherman's good night," was so well sung that an unani mous encore greeted its conclusion. Another favourite was Hatton's spirited part song for male voices, " The hunt is up." Mr. Oliphant, the honorary secretary, who prefaced each performance with a few remarks, in formed the audience that it was not many years since this accomplished composer found it necessary to disguise his plain English surname under a Polish appellation. Sir henry Bishop's concerted piece, " Though he be now a grey, grey friar," though not at all easy for concert per formances of this character, was very well sung. Several other glees and madrigals, mostly from old composers, concluded the performances. Mr. T. Oliphant interspersed the performances with notices and references to the compo sitions of the great madrigalian writers, and entertained the audience by his humorous remarks. In conclusion, he rendered a well-deserved tribute to the labours of the London Glee and Madrigal Union, and expressed a hope, which was no doubt shared by the audience, that it might not be the last occasion on which they met for this pur pose. LORDS-LIEUTENANT OF CO UNTIES. TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE SLTN. SIR,—In these warlike times, when such a serious responsibility devolves on the Lords• Lieutenant of counties, the question I would ask is, whether the Crown is worthily represented in that department of the State or not ? Nov, according to the improved regulations with regard to civil and military appointments, no person is allowed to enter either of those services whose character will not bear the strictest investigation ; but if the nation is to derive the full benefit to be derived from these wise and good arrangements, they must b© carried out with the greatest regard to impartiality, and even Lords-Lieutenant should not form an exception to the general rule. But, that they do so, I can vouch for at least in one instance, being unfortunately acquainted with a Lord-Lieutenant who is my debtor to the amount of £30,000, under circumstances of a nature any thing but creditable. This is no glaring tale. My trustees have held for some years a judgment for the above debt, and I have on several occasions been obliged to sue the aforesaid NOBLE delinquent on dishonoured bills. Yet the patronage of a county is vested in this man, whose actions would disqualify him from holding a commission in the army, or a clerkship in a Government office. I would again ask, is this Lord-Lieutenant, who, shielding himself by his rank, sets the judgment of a Court of Law at defiance, a fit and proper person to represent our much beloved Sovereign, and be called upon in a time of emergency, as he now is, to nominate officers to the militia and volunteer regiments about to be enrolled ? Doubtless the proper authorities (whoever they arc) and the public in general may not be cognisant of the facts here stated ; but, feeling it to be my duty to call their earnest atten tion to the anomalous existing evil, I hope you will be good enough to insert this letter in your paper, which will much oblige, sir, your most obedient servant, C. C. B. Exaer, May, 1859. SIR CHARLES JAMBS NA PIER ON VOLUNTEER RIFLR CORPS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—Perhaps you may find room in your columns for the enclosed extract from a country paper, being the opinion of the late General Sir Charles James Napier on Volunteer Rifle Corps. London, May 21. IV. B. P. " With regard to your volunteer corps, I think each should consist of from one to four companies, each company consisting of 100 men, with a captain and two lieutenants ; and I advise you to let each man carry two small cartridge boxes, made to slide on a girdle round the waist, so that one may be carried before and one behind, each holding 30 rounds of ammunition ; thus the weight would be di vided, and, consequently, more easily carried. " Get sonic old soldier for your adjutant, to teach you, not a long course of drill, but just seven things, viz.:— " 1. To face right and left by word of command. "2. To march in lino and in column. "3. To • extend and close files as light infantry, with supports.' -To'exchange front in extended and in close order. ".5. To relieve the skirmishers. "6. To form solid squares and 'rallying squares.' " 7. To form an advanced guard. "These seven things are all that you require; do not let any one persuade you to learn more. " Let your practice at a target be constant. Also habi tuate your corps to take long marches of from 15 to 20 miles, with arms and ammunition on; and alsoin running, or what is called 'double -quick time.' These must be arrived at by gradually increasing from small distances. No single man, much less a body of men, can make these exertions with out training. • Also subscribe for premiums to those who are the best shots. Do not be exclusive in forming your corps; take your g amekeepers as ysur comrades, and any of your labourers that will enrol themselves. A gentleman will find no braver or better comrades than among his own immediate neighbours and tenants. Should you require to throw up a breastwork, they will be more handy with the spades and pickays than yourselves." ." May the wisdom and genius of Charles Napier preside over all our preparations , and may his heroic spirit animate: all hearts ! and then—to use his own glowing words—' f the occasion should arise, the second edition of Waterloo will, if pos sible, be greater than the first.'" The Duchess of Norfolk and family have left the Queen's llotel, Upper Norwood, for town. The Earl and Countess of Westmoreland and Lady Rose nue have arrived in Cavendish-square from Apthorp Park for the season. The Earl and Countess of Abergavenny are ex pected in town to-day from Tunbridge-wells for the season. The Earl and Countess of Erroll have left town for Slaines Castle, Aberdeenshire, for the funeral of their infant daughter. The noble earl and countess will not re turn to London this season. Lord and Lady Rivers arrived in town yesterday from their seat in Doi etshire for the season. _ _ The first positive news that Venice was blockaded was received from Captain Kresting, of the Norwegian brig Alma, which waysnot permttted to r un into the Lido. The French, after hiving examined the vessel's papers, sent her to 'Neste. It is rumoured at Trieste that six English ships of the line have entered the Adriatic, LATEST NEWS. THE WAR. IN ITALY. The following telegrt ans have been received at Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, MAY 24. The Moniteur of this n corning publishes the fol- lowing telegram : ALESSANDRIA, May 23, .evening.—Yesterday the Emperor attended mass in the Cathedral. His Majesty everywhere reci;ives testimonies of the public sympathy. llis Majesty enjoys perfect health. General Forey's report approximately estimates the number of French killed and wounded at from COO to 700, and the force of the enemy at from 15,000 to 18,000 men ; but if the account of some of the prisoners is to be b elieved, the Austrians Teally greatly exceeded that It-umber. LEGHORN, MAY 21. Prince Napoleon has arrived here, and was re ceived with enthusiastic acclamations. The town Will be illuminated this evening. TURIN, MAY 23. Yesterday the enemy appeared in great force at Palestro with the object of obstructing the march of a reconnoitring party, which had taken the direction of the Sesia by order of the King of Sardinia. The enemy's artillery was, however, silenced in every part. The Austrians have shot an entire family of eight persons in whose house Austrian guns had been found. The French have occupied Casteggio, where they are fortifying themselves. Yesterday Prince Napoleon took his departure for Leghorn. The official Piedniontese Gazette states that the Emperor had left this morning for Voghera. The same journal also announces the death of the King of ' Naples, which happened yesterday at 1.30. Naples is quiet. VIENNA, MAY 23. At noon on the 21st inst. about 15,000 of the Franco-Sardinian army attacked our troops, num bering .3,000, at Vercelli. Our men retreated, fight ing, to Orfengo. At this place two other Austrian brigades hurried to the rescue and threatened the enemy's flank, which retired across the Sesia to the western side of the river. (Official Bulletin.) PARIS, MAY 23. The Paine says that at the battle of Montebello, the troops engaged on the side of the allies con sisted of 5,000 French only and one Sardinian cavalry regiment. The Austrian force was com posed of picked men of the infantry regiments, the Croat regiments, and the Tyrolese Chasseurs. A private letter says that among the Austrian pri soners are one wounded colonel and 20 wounded privates. BERNE, MAY 23. Messages from Coire state that 30,000 Austrians are about to be concentrated in the Vorarlberg. A message from Mogadino, published by the Bund, states that Garibaldi's corps has arrived at Sesto Calende from Arona. A Paris letter, in the Independance of Brussels, publishes some general prescriptions agreed to by the Emperor of the French and the King of Sar dinia, and which are to have the effect of general orders :—" Every evening, at nightfall, the King and the commandants of the different corps d'armee are to send to the Emperor a succinct account, con taining the number of men under arms in each army, the important facts which have taken place during the day, and every intelligence that has been received of the movements of the enemy. Every day, half an hour before sunrise, the troops will get under arms as though they were about to be attacked, and after daylight, when it shall be certain that the enemy is not making any offen sive movement, the troops will return to their bivouacs. At that hour the King and the comman dants of corps d'armee are to state to the Emperor what they may know of the position of the enemy. The commandants of corps d'arnzee are to pay the strictest attention that the officers have not with them any useless baggage. it is forbidden to any one to have a large tent. The officers are always to seek accommodation in the houses near their troops. If the troops have to encamp for several days at a distance from any habitation, tents will be supplied to them frrom their head-quarters. Every officer must himself carry his cloak across his shoulders, and a case in which he can have one day's provisions. The Emperor has decided that during the continuance of operations the infantry shall only carry with them the kepi, great coat, jacket, and trousers, two pairs of shoe, one on and the other in the knapsack, and the small tent. The other clothing of the men is to be packed up and sent immediately to the depot of the corps, which is to be established at Genoa. It will be the same with the half blanket, except for the Zouaves and the Algerian Tirailleurs, who will retain it as well as the small cloak. The hat is suppressed and re placed by the kepi, during the whole campaign, even for general officers. The prescriptions for the infantry are not applicable to the Imperial Guard as far as regards the shako and the hair cap. The half blankets are also to be retained until further orders, in consequence of the bad weather." A letter from Casale of the 19th, in the Debats, says :—" I will not speak to you of the movements of troops on the railway ; they are incessant. The locomotives go as slowly as street cabs hired by the hour. I passed one train of 48 carriages crammed full of soldiers. The Sardinian army is concentrating on the left, and is massing its divisions; the French army occupies the centre and the right. The supreme direction of the operations belongs to the Emperor Napoleon. The railway from Alessandria to Casale, which passes by the side of San Salvador, touches the theatre of the war. The Po is not far off—here and there a line of poplars indicates it. At intervals views of the villages on the left bank occupied by the enemy can be obtained. If we did not know the Austrians were there, we should divine it by the aspect of the country. The rifles of the Tyrolean riflemen of the Austrian army carry far, and the men aim well. Our chasseurs de Vin cinnes reply to them, and God knows that they are impatient to come to close quarters with the white coats. Valenza is on the right, on the bank of the Po. Some firing goes on between ORC side of the river and the other, but at a great distance. A first experiment with the rifled cannon has been made, and has been terrible ; a battery of four guns fired from a distance of 2,700 metres against a house occupied by the Tyroleans, and at the thirtieth shot the house fell down. By means of a glass the Austrians could be seen flying across the country. Cannon are about to be directed against a high belfry of a church which the Austrians use as an observatory of our advanced posts—the unlucky belfry will not be standing long. As we approach Casale the spectacle becomes heartrending. The country is everywhere beautiful, but there is no one to get in the c:ops ; the re are neither farmers, nor peasants, nor shephe rds, not a living soul in the plain in which the vine is spreading its gr een branches, and in w hich the wheat is wavin g , Farms are abandoned —villas deserted; goats no longer graze in lanes or cows in meadows. F rom the empty houses the furniture and even the doors and windows have been carried away ; rows of large mulberry trees ha ve been cut down at two or three feet from the soil, and are lying on the ' r ound ; an d the trunks and branch es serve as .. chevaux de frise. The scene is one of desolation in the midst of all the fertility and all the smiles o f spring ! Three divisions of the Sardinian army with cavalry and artillery occupy Casale—in the streets there are more soldiers than civilians. At three steps from the railway station is a bastion on which are cannon pointed towards the country ; and the casements are near the garden of a café. On leaving the station there is an immense square surrounded with trees which reaches to the entrance of the town. This square was entirely occupied with artillery caissons and waggons ranged in admirable order before batteries of campaigning pieces. Under sheds near at hand were horses feeding, and hundreds of two-wheel carts were being filled with loaves of bread taken from the waiting rooms of the station, which have been transformed into storehouses. How many loaves there were in those rooms! They were piled up as high as the ceiling. In a corner of the square were pontoon men, in linen jackets, exercising themselves in constructing temporary bridges ; light dragoons were to be seen bringing in forage ; and entire companies were sleeping on straw. I visited the cathedral, which is very old and decrepid, but ofiwhich one corner has been repaired; it was occupied by a battalion of bersaglieri. Straw was spread on the floor ; havresacks and cartridge boxes were suspended to the pillars ; and fires were lighted outside. Three other churches were transformed into barracks, and in one of them were 200 horses. Another church, quite new, and not of a good style of architecture, was free. But unfortunately the beadle was at breakfast, and I had to abandon the pleasure of seeing it. I visited the library of the town. It is a long room paved in mosaic, with the ceiling ornamented with frescoes. It contains high book-shelves filled with folios. The contrast between the silence it pre sented, and the hubbub which has preyailed for the last week was very striking. In a corner, at a table covered with large volumes, an old man was seated ; he was bald, of placid features, and appeared absorbed in taking notes from a book open before him. I glanced at the work and read at the top of the page, 'Epistolm Adriani Episcopi." Happy man! wbo could occupy himself with the letters of Adrian at three leagues from the Croats ! How profound the solitude near so many cannons ! I hare an astonishing fact to relate—it has not rained to-day ! Another fact still more astonishing —there has been sunshine ! Does the sky mean this to be the signal of an offensive movement ? Be certain that when this movement may be com menced it will be vigorously carried on. Yesterday Prince Napoleon went on to Alessandria, to see the Emperor, and it is rumoured that he is about to go to Florence. The Emperor has visited Valenza and Tortona. The King Victor Emmanuel accompanied by four officers paid a visit to his Imperial Majesty this morning." A letter from Alessandria of the 19th says : "The Emperor in his excursions is accompanied by very few persons. He goes on horseback in the undress of a general, and nothing escapes his notice on the road. His Majesty everywhere meets with the warmest welcome from the people of the coun try. In the small villages through which he passes the people run out of their houses and salute him with loud acclamations. His escort, which has been hitherto furnished by the gendarmerie, is now composed of the Cent-gardes, a detachment of that force having arrived by land from France." Another letter from Valenza of the 18th, in the Salut Public of Lyons, says :—" I was yesterday at a café with the officers of the 30th at the gate of the 'Albergo, when a loud cry of Vice l'Empereur!' arose. It was the Emperor, who had arrived unex pectedly on horseback, in a general's uniform, with a kepi, and escorted by only a few officers. In a few minutes the whole population was on foot, the streets were decked with flags, and drums were beaten to collect the troops. His Majesty proceeded slowly by the street which leads to an eminence from which the naked eye can see the vast plains of the Po and the Lomellina. The position being within reach of cannon was not without danger. I had the honour cf approaching the Emperor, who, bending down on his horse's neck, asked me if I were French. I replied that I was a journalist who had ventured to the advanced posts. He smiled and questioned me on the positions of the Austrians. I showed him detachments of their troops on the banks of the river, the village Frescha rolo, and in the horizon Mortara, their headquarters. His Majesty, by means of his glass, could see an Austrian soldier on the watch in the belfry of the church of Frescharolo, and even distinguish the hour by the clock. On the left is the railway bridge, of which the enemy has blown up two arches, and which he guards with 200 or 300 men. The schakos of sentinels on the banks of the river could be distinguished here and there. The Emperor then conversed with some of the Italians. His Majesty speaks pure Tuscan, and with a facility which surprised his hearers. After an inspection, which lasted about 20 minutes, the Emperor turned to leave. As he did so, the troops who were drawn up in line waved their shakos on their bayonets, and cried out a thousand times, Vive l'Empereur !' An old Italian patriot, who had been in exile since 1849, approached and cried out, with tears streaming down his face, Viva Napo leone, it Salvatore della Italia!' The Emperor seemed affected, and saluted him kindly. At that moment the Emperor's eye met mine, and in the emotion of the moment I ventured to hold out my hand. His Majesty deigned with a smile to grasp it. This is an incident which I shall never forget as long as I live. The Emperor then left by the gate of Alessandria." A letter from Serra vale of the 18th, in the Pays, from a person accompanying the French troops on the road :from Genoa to Alessandria, says : " During three days we have been wading in mud, and I have been wet through by rain. To-day, however, on leaving the mountain the rain ceased, and immediately joy overspread our faces ; and when the sun shone out joyous songs were sung. In truth, there is nothing more ,melancholy than the route over the mountain—no air, no perspect tive, no horizon—on the right, on the left, under foot and overhead, everywhere rock—always rock. Our first evening, passed at Bolzanesto, was very gay. Some of our Zouaves were lodged in a barn which the inhabitants had converted into a theatre for a strolling company ; and there still remained a stage, a curtain, scenery, and footlights. Nothing was wanting but the actors; but our men considered the opportunity too favourable not to give the inhabitants a specimen of their talents. Immediately splendid bills were stuck up in the village, announcing a performance for the benefit of the poor ; and the same was likewise made known by beat of drum in the village, accompanied by the customary declaration that it was to be by permission of the mayor.' In the evening the theatre was crowded, and the performances were charmingly varied —namely, a vaudeville, a pan tomime, a ballet, and singing. From the manner in which the inhabitants of Bolzanesto applauded, they must have been delighted. For my own part, I laughed until tears fell from my oyes at the ballet, which was executed by a dozen Zouaves, who were attired like the dancing girls of the opera. In the course of the ballet were a gavotte and a pas com posed by the dancing-master of the regiment, and the finale was so grotesque as to be impossible to describe." A letter frOm Marseilles, of the 20th, states : " Superior officers belonging to the old army of Hungary are daily passing through this place on their way to Italy. I may especially mention General Kiss, who left this evening in the steamer Capitole. General Kiss had a Sardinian passport. General Klapka, who had a Swiss passport, went some days before, as did also General Pertzel and Colonel Betklen, with French passports. Colonel Jhasy has just arrived, and will leave by the first boat for the same destination. From Monday next the boats of the Messageries Imperiales Will leave for Genoa daily." The Piedmontese Gazette publishes the 40th and 41st bulletins. The former has been anticipated by telegraph, and from the latter we learn the follow ing further particulars concerning the action at Montebello. The Austrians commenced operations at 11 a.m. of the 20th by attacking Casteggio and Montebello, occupied by Piedmontese cavalry. Marshal Baraguay d'Hilliers immediately caused General Foy to advance with his division, and after a hand-to-hand fight of six hours, the Austrians were repulsed, and Montebello re-occupied by the allies, whence it would seem that the Austrians were com pletely foiled in their attack upon Casteggio, while they succeeded for a while in driving the Pied montee out of Montebello. Colonel Morelli, who commanded the Piedmontese light cavalry, was mortally wounded. The bulletin concludes with stating that on the same day, at 4 a.m., the Em peror of the French had gone to Casale, and having returned to Alessandria at 8, had proceeded to pay a second visit to the field of Marengo, his first visit having been completely marred by the heavy rain which fell all day. A letter from Vienna of the 17th, in the Independence of B russe l s , says: —"ln speaking of the inactivity o f th e A us t r i an army , your Paris correspondent s p ea k s o f th ree plans of campaign which are said to have been discussed here—one drawn out by the Emperor in person, the second by Baron de Hess, and the third by Marshal Giulay. That of Baron de Hess is de clared to have been rejected, and that of Marshal Giulay adopted. Allow me to correct this statement. Whatever part the Emperor may have taken in matters connected with the war, I have reason to doubt that his Majesty has, in the midst of the other numerous affairs which he has had to attend to, occupied himself with a plan of campaign. The Emperor presided at a council of war at which were present, among others, Generals de Hess, Grunne, and Schlitter, and a plan of campaign was discussed, when Baron de Hess mentioned that Colonel Baron Khun knew the whole country perfectly, having been engaged constantly in the campaigns of 1848 and 1849 under Marshal Radetsky. Baron Khun was immediately sent for, and the summons which he received was so pressing that he had not even time to put himself in full uniform. Scarcely had he entered the room where the council was sitting, when the Emperor asked him his opinion of the plan under discussion. After having examined it, Col. Khun requested permission to submit to his Majesty a plan which he had himself drawn up during his leisure moments, and the Emperor having consented, the colonel went to fetch it, and, after having been discussed by the council, it was adopted. It is therefore on this plan, and not on that of Mar shal Giulay, that the campaign, the operations of which have been impeded by the weather was opened. On leaving the:council, Baron Khun started for Italy as head of the, staff of the Austrian army. Count Schlik, the commander-in-chief of the 4th army, quartered in Gallicia, arrived here the day before yesterday, and had an audience of the Emperor, to whom he made a very satisfactory report as to the state of things in that country and in Poland, particularly as regards the rumours of the move ments of Russian troops towards the frontiers of Gallicia. The Archduke Francis Charles leaves to•morrow for Prague to visit the Emperor Ferdi nand and the Empress Maria Anna. Prince de Metternich received the day before yesterday a visit from the Grand Duke of Tuscany." The Military Gazette of Vienna publishes an article on the probabie movements of the Austrian troops, which is curious, as showing how their intentions have been already modified by events. It says :—" The Austrian troops established at Santhia have by order of Marshal Giulay made reconnaisances on Biella and Ivrea, *ithout meeti n g with any resistance. As soon as the object of these movements had been attained the detachments returned to Santhia. Another and stronger body marched by Desana on Trino, and after pushing patrols as far as Crescentino and Cassana, joined the army at Santhia. Vercelli is being put in a state of defence, and the position of the Austrian army is such that it commands the most fertile country on the left bank of the Po—can make re quisitions for everything of which it stands in need —and has the power of threatening such points of the Po as are the least protected by the enemy. In the state in which things now are, it appears that they have an intention of maintaining them selves in that well-chosen position, and to there resist to the last extremity. According to letters which havebeen intercepted, the enemy has strongly occupied Valenza, and concentrated his principal forces in the triangle formed by Casale, Alessandria , and Tortona. Valenza is in all cases the most important point, and it will be doubtless defended with the same obstinacy that the Austrians will show in defending Vercelli and the line of the Sesia. The first battle cannot be decisive, whether the Austrians be conquerors or be obliged to retire behind the Ticino and even further. A decisive battle for the Austrians can only be a victory in the plains of Alessandria, which would have for conse quence the siege of that place ; while for our enemies it would be the gaining a grand battle on the Mincio, and driving us back into Mantua. Ales sandria would decide the possession of the upper basin of the Po, Mantua that of the lower one ; this is what the history of the war has proved. Things will go on more slowly than has been imagined, Germany has plenty of time to choose the moment when she will interfere." A letter in the Augsburg Gazette, from the " head-quarters" of Marshal Giulay, at Mortara, also written some days back, is also curious for the same reason as that given above :—" Th e French army has taken up a position between Alessandria and Casale, in which it cannot be at tacked. The manoeuvres to draw it from that position have not succeeded, because it has a double base- - the two fortresses. To attack the French in that position would have caused heavy loss and not have produced any decisive result. We must, therefore, wait until the allied army advances and en le t of aves its strong position. The offensive the thatAus h tri a a t n tle troopswas offered,toTorthounta provedtheyrefused the to the enemy Austrian and m army, itself inthe richest remain r i strongovince position,of the enemy. The Austrian army chal lenge.ni ei i i t e s s t p Ther does not think of abandoning that province, as the entrenchments and the tetes de pont which it has made clearly prove. The numerical force of .the armies is about equal, and the Austrians will not commit the fault of the Russians—waste their forces in one or two engagements. War will be differently conducted, and the last reserves will have the last word. The Austrian army in pall estimatedni Venice, 12,000 to 200,000 men, di s tributed in the 4 is moo f w e ing manner t : - 0 I A S :10c0o0n; L a , 7,ooo egn a ; g O F , Ferrara' Mantua, 4,000 ; V erona, 6,000 ; Peschiera, 2,000; Piacenza, 5,000 ; B resc i a, M i lan, Bermage, Cre mona, and other places of that district, 20,000 to 25,000. Besides these, within the last few der 20,000 men have been concentrated round Piacenza, and about 5,000 at Pavia. The sick and non' effective amount to 20,000." A battalion of Hungarian volunteers, 20 0 strong, arrived at Vienna on the 19th, an d were received with the most enthusiastic cheers by th e people. The Piedmontese Gazette of the 21st contains . 14 declaration announcing that the principles of Mari time law agreed upon at the Congress of Paris on the 16th of April, 1856, are recognised by Sardi▪ nia during the present war, and that " although the acts of violence and rapine of every kind exerc is▪ ed by the Austrian army on the Piedmontese terr itory might give Sardinia the right of exercising repr isals and retaliation," the frigate Novara shall b e re spected ; Austrian subjects living in Piedmont tag continue to stay there so long as their conduct does not give rise to complaint; and lastly, Austrian sub jects may enter Piedmont on obtaining special per mission from the King's Government. M. Tccchio, Royal Commissioner Extraordieari for the provinces of Vercelli and Novara, has issued a notice, dated the 20th inst., ordering all Royal functionaries who had abandoned Vercelli on account of the invasion. to return to their posts ; it concludes with stating that the railway and tele graphic wires frGm Turin to Vercelli have been completely repaired, and are in full operation. The Modena Messenger contains the following: —" Our Government lately applied to that of Sar dinia, requesting t o be informed whether or not Sardinia accepted the responsibility of the invasion and usurpation of the territories of Este, Mas sa, Carrara, and Montignoso, effected by S ardin i an and troops. On receiving an affir mative sod answer, our august Sovereign immediately addres ~ 1. v ~t, i ettp , 9e . . ;: ? ' ' ' • . . ' ii ,'- - -. & I T . 7 51 . ..,t, - N ''.:, , 1.,:, : ;, - 7 ~,,..,:-., , ' ....... - ihr... ~..5.,•: , ' . - -7, ~,,,, ' 4 'lo f t , . , . -,i , 6-• •:--- ... .: _ r ttilisilk• a'o.. -- 2. i',o,:' o* - ...., 41 1::.,, :' bfi Th 4lll4,(alv7S", %tr!',.. o6 '••• .. n° • ~ .."1 11. 0 ,,,. ....... , .----..„. THE .UN. TUESDAY, MAY 24, . 1859. THE sUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 24, i 859.