The Sun. — London, England, 1846-09-01 00:00:00

4 1 9 cut i x weel' 1 0 ° ° ; r illies u f iu lieu JO S' p soN , the Lora !ogre° MAGAVANE DAV. • 131..4 C WOOD'S MAGAZINE. 11...0 7 .a :oh fittinge ob u t n could have been selected as a and appropriate commencement of i ee wood, just at this particular period, than the ntical one which opens the number for September the-s' Mexico and its Territory." We have perused esuaiele with the closest attention, and have de v d from that perusal more than mere satisfaction aa d more s n i n than mere entertainment. It is a per `At_luas, condensed, and yet detailed narrative of the , s r r Y — political, social, and geographical—of that e r r e _ n did portion of the Western Hemisphere, which tends northwards to the river Columbia, and southwards it s to Yucatan. From the succinctness of Whillnanner the paper might be termed an epitome, meree from the copiousness of the matter contained it must be regarded as something more than a e i t sloe eeP °me- In consequence of the recent invae t r _ut the. Mexican territories by the army of the „cued States, arid particularly in consequence of the enereditabl th e e and disgraceful character of that invasion, rte, e 8 of every civilised and thinking being are di tt_ Led to that quarter of the globe. A paper descrip blevoci therefore, of this country will be welcomed as a by thousands, especially if it contain in itself aanevidenee of its authenticity and accuracy. Such p e 'P e r is the one which we have mentioned as the uninary contribution in this month's Blackwood. like. writer has manifestly taken no superficial view riot • his subject; he penetrates to the core, and yet does afro altogether discard the husk as superfluous. He ra et rds us a lively conception of the national cha in and political constitution of the Mexicans, and p i ,,,,g so (or we mi g ht even say for the express tri e r t ': sc of doing so better), depicts the little eccen of \e es ,and Peculiarities visible upon the superficies -eexican society, just as a botanist illustrates or properties of vegetation by the delineation ee' f a le af, or estim a t es th e fruit by dissecting the eo e Yi s a nt petals of the blossom. From the first dis lieery of terra firma by Colombo, and the invasion of re et l ie° bY Hernan Cortez, down to the last procla , a nd 134 issued by Paredes, the history of this beautiful e °Pulent, but unfortunate and ill-cultivated region tae u r°w ded with vicissitudes and coloured with ro iiii,Z• On the appearance of Cortez the primitive thro 'tants were populously and peacefully distributed e mn a gh its forests and over its prairies, large d lai_4Perous cities studded its shores and nestled ins ts itdv4acti se clusion—proportionally, however, with the dl e d nee ment of the Spaniards the population dwin • down to comparative insignificance, the debauch eries ino e ,,, eQ usequent upon the lawlessness of warfare .etatee the doomed race with fatal diseases Pestilence and the sword devastated the soil and deci tre, Its inhabitants ; the entire aspect of the coun ese'entas far as its indwellers were concerned, under form a i eomplete and startling transformation. Where al ) the blithesome and active aboriginals in the woodlands, their Spanish conquerors, one „ 11 g only for money and ease, plied the mattock th e —e raent, and slumbered in slothful abandonment se ne xt- Cane wigwams were demolished, and ; MPttleus palaces erected in their stead ; the spot el h . Wa s ser w e 'eb three or f our h un d re d individual temples clustered together over so many different idols, of bricks,aduauy beaten down into a shapeless mound str ii and on the summit of that solemn and in tit etive ruin a Catholic church erected. Gifted by na are with a fruitful soil, a delicious climate, inProfusion of mines, rich with the purest silver, and frui t 31e Places mingled with the rarest gold, its sear a go succulent an d fl avo r o us, its spices neither Ivor ee noprecious, plentiful in cochineal and silk tionirla, and bee s - wax an d th e lik e va l ua bl e produc est4. M exico has presented every facility for the • tshment of a magnificent and prosperous empire. 2etrcertheless, the natural indolence of its European h av l e rs, and the sluggishness of their descendants, c nullified all these extraordinary capacities for natio na l derive dominion and opulence. The Mexicans glass sufficient gratification in drinking glass after ea ',`, 4 of their favourite pulque ; they find sufficient po tl;Pation in the faro-table and the vicissitudes of littl elle ; they derive sufficient excitement from a psoe professional or amateur brigandage. With such aatiei Ple no vast or stable government could ever be tgated. T urn i ng f rom t h e d egen erate popula eof this remarkable country, let us glance with writer of the article at the aptitude of that coun- Lr Y for higher and nobler things. ser ? b f the geographical position of Mexico we tran e the following description : a Wash e d on the east by the gu lf wh i ch b ears i ts dre. and o n t h e west b y t h e P ac ifi c , it th us posse s s e s eet izecess to two oceans, and by them to the most n°llolll.ent regions of the globe. On the sosth it can dread „ rival in the struggling state of Guatemala. But the • t ate is the true frontier en which the battle of its ex ,llto is to be fought, if fought at all, for beyond that ter`tll.er stretch the United States. The extent of its n ort ',."ly startles European conceptions, extending in wes u latitude from fifteen to forty-two degrees, and in tw en tl° figitude from eighty-seven to one hundred and or e It 3' five dgrees. s ,on a eneral lcula "o ntains about a million surface g and a half of square ca miles, th ough , c about seven times the dim ens i ons of France. Yet, thus approaching the equator, the climate of -exico is in general highly favourable to Ulla and to the Kduets of the temperate zone: the incomparably larger Portion of its surface being a succession of table-lands or !legated plains, where, with the sun of the tr o pi c s blaz :ll,Z almost v ertically, the evenings are ref res hi ng ly cool, breeze is felt from the mountains of the ocean, and - " e days arc scarcely hotter than those of Europe." ,With such a luxurious, opulent, fruitful and territory ßt gantic within reach of the Republic, the Government of the United States will scarcely be altffieiently self-deriving to aggrandize its own terri ,Ties by the acquisition of so much accessible wealth. ei Nn this particular the writer in Blackwood saga s observes, that e ,, " Jonathan, who thinks himself born to lay hold of i et Y scrap of the globe by which he can turn one cent g o j r hiro, looks, of course, on the whole shore of the 'tees --t mines, and mountains—as his own. I ei, himself from all scruples on the subject by the ob „48 co nvenience of the conception. Le e ? I ° spct on the earth,' says one of those noigh f It % Y e l l : r ums, will be more desirable than the soil o 0 11; 11 '°r a residence, whenever it is in possession of with the government and laws which they carry te s them wh erever t h ey go . The march of time is not 4 . re nt ce rtain than that this will be, and probably at no 4i a d Ire se r`ao, on this showing, the man of ' government . and 4 g e ,Procceds to ' sink, burn, and destroy,' in the . ah o r t -a l. cause of humanity,' edifies the native by grape Ploi all o a 'Polishes him with the cutlass. In those s e u x r: Pris o - ; ° ' free and enlightened' people, our only 1 14 - . 4 that diplomacy itself takes the trouble of offering M s w t.: l3°l° gY Whatever. The comparative powers ofreu w-thie and attack settle the conscience of the affair in at :N. The seizure is easy, and therefore why should i heater de made? The riflemen of Kentucky an the plitipli;tzesrsof Virginia, the squatters of Ohio and the proper of Massachusets, all see the affair in tlir g e ; a nd why should the philosopher or theepphilapn 11::::041:tti'ethe man of justice or the man of religion, be the ene d to on subjects so much more easily settled . by of twelve-pounders? The right of making in Mexico has not yet found a single defender . but r oar a streets; not a single ground of defence but in the ai eh r °f the rabble; not a single plea but in the conve tsZe of the possession. Even the American journals to , - „girell up their old half•savage rant of universal 4 1: 1e at• Every drop of blood shed in a war of aggres ii,lo sure to be avenged." • " 18 is, we fear, too accurate a portraiture of er ieancupidity and republican lawlessness. The h of the United States has ti? tened citizen emulated" himself to be the monarch of all re s s its trial creation so long and so inces leutlY that he appears_ to have almost deluded e4self into a credence of his own vain-glory. He le , therefore, like the . bygone ..s legitimatists, look Po n the Mexican soi! c as arce hi ly "by Divine right ;" dread much patriotic a o‘ `, L it assuredly he can • pnism in a land peopled_ by such indolent bi p eds of ' .43 se depicted hereafter. The writer is speaking tho inhabitants of Vera Cruz : reee V 'era Cruz is as sad as a du n g eon, as silent as a Ne u e tst orY , and as sickly as a hosp i t al. The senoras, a tp, of perfectly Spanish-visaged, black-eyed, and very s ei rottish beauties, sit all day drooping in their bal k-I:se like doves upon the housetops, perhaps lo n g in g 1 4ourrieane, an earthquake, or anything which may ter .ik 11 1 5 the monotony of their existence. The sound gar, totter, a passing footstep, nay, the whine of a ener g a _ se i i t ' i etsi a whole street in motion, and there is ag la,"` i ng of mantillas, and a general rush to the windows. he ha s men bear their calamity better; the senor, when u 111: (1 ce a cigar between his sallow lips, has made the s u nP 11111T mind for the day. Whether he stands in the e '. o r sits in the shade—whether he . wakesor sleeps, el gar serves him for all the exercise of his animal 4ftetions." betw et e e cnimenting upon the squabbles .which arose Crel" the Spanish settlers in Mexico and the eies silt; the writer proceeds as follows ; and in the Ch an d, be it observed, are condensed the various that ges which have illustrated the political history of I);Avast empire : lnether race soon rose, the children of Spaniards e clatCa tiv b e women the Mestizos. They, too, were un etexd oitetZ 'row all employments. The revolt of the United ma ss probably have applied the torch ton nf this the two °` co mbustible matter but for tho jealousy Cr eole ces ' despised the As the men of Old Spaii Thus the rete e ' ne t 2e Creole despised the Mestizo. uoth, Spain remained guarded by the jealousies of izt tut a new period was at hand. The infamous t ° ae te e f Spain by Napoleon, in 1808, roused both races do abhorrence of the French name, and a determina tione. se parate themselves from a kingdom which could 3ain :: e oli n :: e red only as a French province. Dre se -s Y Prevailed ; the Creoles demanded a national Ag , the Spanish troops and employes a royal tee ei tli v ra ent- In the midst of their disputes a powerful 11 , 1 1de t c a leared. The Mestizos and Indians united 'this."lnt) priest, Hidalgo, and overran the country. oe rzi —carmen brou g ht t h e d is putants to a sense of their Prie s t" ; they c o ll ecte d troo p s , we re beaten by the bold so ber i i rallied f or another field, beat hi m , took him ye e n. the battle, and put him to death. 1114wm,:" tile spirit of revolt had now become p o p ular, Otller priest, Morellos, was found to head another TIIE -S U N Insurreetion. His talents and intrepidity swept all be fore him for a period, and the independence of Mexico' was declared by a national assembly' in November 1813. But Morellos was finally unfortunate, was at tael“Al by the Spanish gerv , _ral Colleja, who seems to have been a man of military genius, was taken prisoner and shot. The old Spaniards were once more masters, and Apodaca, a man of intelligence and conduct, was sent from Spain as viceroy. " But sudden tumults broke out in Spain itself. The Constitution of 1820' was proclaimed, the parties in Mexico followed the example, and a constitution strongly tending to democracy was proposed. It pro duced a total dissolution of the alliance between the Creoles and the Old Spaniards, the former demanding a Government virtually independent, the latter adhering to Spain. In the confusion, Iturbide, a young Creole of an ancient family, and of large possessions, pushed his way into power, and, to the astonishment of all Western Republicanism, in 1822 proclaimed himself Augustin the First, Emperor of Mexico. " But he instantly committed the capital fault of qua relling with his Congress. By a rash policy he dissolved the assembly and appointed another, composed of his adherents. But Cromwell's boldness required Crom well's abilities to sustain it. The army had been the actual givers of the throne, and what they had given they regarded themselves as having the right to resume. The generals revolted against Iturbide, overthrew him, pro claimed a new constitution, ar.d sent him to travel in Europe on a pension ! " The constitution thus formed (October, 1824) was republican, and took for its model that of the United States. Its two assemblies are a Senate and a House of ' Representatives. The Senate consisting of two members for each state ; the Representatives, of two for every eighty thousand inhabitants. All must be natives, and have landed property to the amount of eight thousand dollars, or some trade or profession which brings in ten thousand dollara annually. The Congress sits every year from the Ist of January to the middle of April. The senators holding their seats for four years, gene rally ; the representatives for two. The executive is vested in a president and vice-president, both elected by the state Legislatures for four years. The ages of the several functionaries are curiously fixed. The repre sentative must have attained the age of twenty-five, the senator of thirty, and the high officers of state thirty. five.* The whole territory forms one Federal Republic, go verned by one Executive,' a marked distinction between Mexico and its model ; the several states of the Ame rican Union retaining to themselves many of the privi leges which, in the Mexican, belong to the Government of the capital." . Intimately associated with the modern portion of this eventful and instructive history is the name of a very remarkable and gifted man—a man still alive, and towards whom the eyes of his fellow-countrymen are now turned, in anxiety and hope, imagining, as a large part of them do, that under his guidance they can alone find the salvation of their common country. We need scarcely observe that we here allude to —SANTA ANNA ! In some particulars Santa Anna bears no small resemblance to Bolivar—in others his position and character are analogous to those of Es partero. As a colonel in the Mexican service, Santa Anna first emerged from obscurity in 1823, when marching against Iturbide, on the return of the latter frotn banishment, he intrigued with the forces of the ex-Emperor, and caused them to desert to his own standard, leaving the luckless Iturbide utterly de fenceless. For that act he gained considerable credit. Again, in 1829, Santa Anna vanquished, partially by force, but principally by diplomacy, a powerful Spanish armament, under the direction of Bar rados. He was thereupon regarded as the saviour of Mexico, and retired to his enormous estates in the vicinity of Vera Cruz, amidst the grate ful acclamations of his fellow-countrymen. In 1841 he was again summoned from his seclusion by the popular voice, and having advanced upon the capital, removed the obnoxious President Bustamente from authority. In consequence of this achievement, Santa Anna was raised to supreme power in the state, and continued for some time to govern it in the capa city of a dictator. An enemy, however, unexpectedly arose in Texas, and, aided by the forces of the United States, hurled Santa Anna from office. Then the belligerent Texas was proclaimed "Independent," and shortly afterwards its "Annexation" to the United States displayed the perfidiousness and cupi dity of the latter republic. It was, as almost every body is doubtless aware, in consequence of the Mexi cans pronouncing this annexation to be a breach of the treaty, that the Americans have recently invaded Mexico. Of the integrity of the motives of Brother Jonathan who can entertain the shadow of a doubt, after a candid consideration of the foregoing statements ? The intelligence conveyed to this country towards the conclusion of last week by the steam-ship Hi bernia confirms the impression already produced by preceding occurrences. America has proposed a treaty of peace on condition of the annexation of California. Texas went first—California seems des tined to follow.—Mexico appears doomed to be broken up by piecemeal annexation until its gigantic territories are merged into the already gigantic terri tories of the United States. Some fortunate and un expected interposition of a superior power can alone'pre serve Mexico from this unenviable destiny. The writer of the article in our Edinburgh favourite has suggested these reflections by the very nature of his clever and honest production. By a bird's-eye view of the ter ritories and character of the Mexicans he has afforded the reader the cullings of information, and he has given him food for serious meditation upon the con dition of a vast principality in this globe. Mexico has already proved itself the Western Poland by its heroes and its misfortunes : may it not bear out the resemblance by its dismemberment! We have de voted so much space and attention to this important and interesting subject, that we have allowed our selves no opportunity of doing more than individualise a few of the other contributions. The magazine, according to its honourable usage, is neither deficient in variety, elegance, pleasantry, nor instructiveness. Its character for keen and yet graceful criticism is well sustained by a second letter on " English Hexame ters." An unequal but fascinating poem upon a " Summer Day," by Thomas Aird, scatters quite a bloom of verse through several pages. " Alge ria," and " Cabrera," are useful and agreeable es says upon a remarkable man and a glorious country. " How I became a yeoman," is a tale facetiously told, and " How to build a house and live in it," a disser tation facetiously conceived. " The Gentleman Com moner" is brought to a conclusion, and " Hydro pathy" affords a very readable and gossiping termi nation to an admirable number of this admirable periodical. D 0, - . • - titled - "Temptation and Atonement." Although it is generally difficult to predicate with accuracy from the commencement of such a production, we cannot but anticipate, from the liveliness of the first chapters, a very pleasant and amusing fiction. Mrs. Gore has a marvellous facility both of imagination and descrip tion. "Rings and Posies" is a delightful paper of antiquarian and bibliographic lore; it is daintily and neatly arranged in the form of a miniature disserta tion. " Love's Seasons," but for the halting of the four lines at the end of each stanza, would be a charm ing bijou. The most important paper in the whole number is one written by our old favourite, Thomas De Quincey, respecting the " System of the Heavens, as revealed by Lord Rosse's Telescope." It should be read, or rather devoured, by every one ; and it will be. We have long thought upon the false science of Scripture just as De Quincey declares himself to think, in a note appended to this contribution : we have long thought, as he here beautifully expresses it, that "to have uttered the truths of astronomy, geology, &c., at the era of new-born Christianity was not only below the purposes of a religion, but would have been against them." The reasons subjoined for thii opinion are sensible to the very uttermost. "It was impossible," says De Quincey, "for any messen ger from God to have descended into the com munication of truth merely scientific, or economic, or worldly. First, because it would hive degraded his 'mission by lowering it to the base level of a collusion with human curiosity, or with petty and transitory interests. Secondly, because it would have ruined his mission : he that in those days should have proclaimed the true theory of the solar system and the heavenly forces, would have been shut up at once, as a lunatic likely to become dan gerous. And, thirdly, because to apply the light of revelation for the benefit of a merely human science, is to assault capitally the scheme of God's discipline and training for man." That is plain, honest logic. All the babble that has ever been uttered about Joshua commanding the sun to stand still, and about the creation of the world in six days, is the veriest trash that was ever conceived. Revelation was too vast and sublime and eternal to be degraded into the mere horn-book of any earthly science. Thomas De Quincey has afforded us the deepest pleasure in giving voice to ideas which have long lived in our own imaginings. The " Feast of Poets for September, 1846," though of no inferior merit,,does not contain as usual any single fragment sufficiently admirable to deserve a distinct quotation. "Der Ratiber," from Uhland, is the most delicately pencilled. With a variety of copious and elaborate literary notices Tait this month has, if possible, more than its average ability. BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY. What Charles Dickens is to the Cockneyisms of " London Life" that is Albert Smith to those of " Pa risian Life." His conclusion of "Mr. Ledbury's Adven tures" in the present number is full of broadly hu mourous but most truthful sketches of life in the " Quartier Latin." His description of the dinner " Chez Viot" (in our student days Flicoteau was the patronized of the Paris students) is as minutely graphic as an interior by Teniers. Dr. W. C. Taylor brings down the history of the Albigenses and the Troubadours to the time of the defeat of Raymond VII., and the destruction of the Albigenses by the establishment of the Inquisition in Toulon, where the renegade Bishop Folquet prac tised a system of cruelty and plunder, dooming men to torture as heretics because they were suspected of being suspicious, until science faded from the land and literature disappeared; but, as Dr. Taylor justly observes, " a remnant of the reformed religion sur vived in the mountains of Cevennes until Louis XIV. completed the destruction which Louis IX. had com menced. The war of the Camisards was the com pletion of the war against the Albigenses." The history of that most iniquitous war, of the intrigues which led to it, of the manner in which the superstitious fears of that drivelling old bigot Louis XIV. were worked upon by the sanctified demirep Madame de Maintenon and the designing Jesuit Pere la Chaise, has yet to be written. No living author is so fitted to do justice to this theme as Dr. W. C. Taylor, and we beseech him to set about it straight. Under the title of " Shots from an old six-pounder," we have some agreeable re miniscenses by an old soldier of the Great Marlow military school in its infancy (1808). The next paper, " Travels and Travellers in Italy," should be studied by everyone who travels, not only in Italy but in any other country, and who wishes to derive the greatest pos sible amount of benefit from his travels. The fol lowing observations on the ignorance and presumption of certain modern tourists are not more severe than just --- " There is no country that has not suffered under the injustice of ignorance ; none that has not been wronged and insulted with a levity that,•between man and man, fear of consequences renders impossible. But the un generous, the presumptuous, and the reckless know that they may calumniate a whole people with impunity— alas! with success and advantage. This is a war in which the b attic is pre-eminently to the weak. The un e-alcUlating levity of a sprightly woman, or the discom-, posed habits of a self-indulging one, or the martifi cations of a vain one, have sent streams of gall flowing through all the hidden channels of society, and added to the difficulties` which the masculine• vices of lust of power;of glory, or of blood, are continually raising up in the way of tnpse who sacrifice their own peace to the peace of the world. While people think it lawful and expedient to publish their ' impressions' of a country, of which they do in fact know nothing, and which they are, nine times out of ten, incapable of judging ; while these ' impressions' are almost always communicated by the most impressionable, consequently the least reflect ing, part of society ; while conscience is not even con sulted about the truth, this evil will continue, and will increase ; till, at length, the public will turn round upon its pleasant deceivers, and will ask for more trust worthy guides." This paper is from the pen of Mrs. Austin. The Doctor's story is continued in the present chapter of Brien O'Linn, and then follows " An In dian Tragedy," by Agnes Lascelles, which would not be un worthy the pen of Cooper. "The Flaneur in Paris" continues his agreeable sketches of Parisian life, while Alfred Crowquil gives us an amusing peep at society in London. The illustrations to the present number are " Mr. Ledbury in an awkward predicament," by Leech, and a portrait of Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish novelist, accompanied by a memoir. " Scenes of Italian Life," "Doncaster," by the author of " Gaming, Gaming: Houses, and Gamesters," and " Military Punishments of the Romans," by Everard Clive, are all well written articles. The number concludes with a personal narrative by Mr. C. Kean, of the unfortunate attack upon Hell' s Pah, in New Zealand, in 1845, in which Lieutenant Philpotts and Captain Grant were killed, and our troops defeated with considerable loss. FRASER'S MAGAZINE. In an article on National Education, which may perhaps be considered as the manifesto of the more enlightened portion of the Conservative party, it is candidly admitted that it would be impossible to de fer longer the consideration of this subject, in com parison with which all others must be considered as unimportant. The writer also admits that the oppo sition to the plans proposed by the two preceding Governments was ill-judged and bigoted, and agrees with Dr. Ilook as to the necessity of the State undertaking to establish a system of education, and as to thenecessity of mutual concessions being made by the Church and by the Dissenting bodies ; but he does not approve of the purely secular State education proposed by Dr. Hook, and albeit he would give up the Church Catechism, and consent not to use the Bible as a school-book, he insists upon the Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer being taught in the schools. He admits that the teaching the Creed would exclude the Unitarians, but thinks that a matter of no importance, because they are a small body, exhibiting in this a little of the old Tory leaven, which concedes a right, not because as a matter of principle it is proper to do so, but because those to whom the concession is made are strong enough to wrest by force that which may be refused to their entreaties. He, moreover, forgets, that the Roman Catholics will probably protest against the use of the Church of England version of the Ten Commandments. It is, however, gratifying to find that the Conserva tives are now disposed to consider this question rather as a national than as a party one. The other articles of this number, with the exception of a smartly written sketch of Mr. T. S. Duncombe, among the contemporaiv orators, are of a purely literary cha racter. The first, entitled " The Life of a Strolling Player," is an interesting sketch (interspersed with original letters) of the career of John Cunningham, the actor and pastoral poet, whose sweet song, " Kate of Aberdeen," will live as long as the English lan • guage shall last. Poor fellow ! he was the greater part of his life a strolling player, and seems to have made friends wherever he went. In justice to the me mory of a true-hearted man, we cannot omit giving the following letter from Digges, the actor and manager of the Edinburgh Theatre, to poor Cunningham. Digges must have been one of nature's own gentlemen, for he knew how to confer a favour with delicacy on a man of genius, so as not to wound his sensitive feelings : " So much for business," he writes from Edinburgh in August, 1762 ; " and now for your affairs. I am very sincerely concerned at the disappointment you met in London. I hope Dr. Hawkesworth will prove a sincere friend. However, permit me to beg you will not be chagrined, let what will happen. Mrs. Digges and my self shall think ourselves really happy if you will imagine yourself related to us, and come and stay with us as long as you please here. I have great want of a companionable man like yourself. I have suffered much sorrow and misfortune in this odd world, and, there , fore, can easily imagine what you must suffer under the ,oppressions you are daily exposed to. The life you lead must be a life of anxiety. This invitation is not the result of whim or a start of fancy ; we have talked about you many and many evenings, and, at last, I am set down to conjure you to write me word whether you TAIT'S MAGAZINE. After an interval of a month we are delighted to perceive the criticisms of George Gilfillan resumed. There is an earnestness about his manner most plea sant in a time which partakes somewhat overmuch of literary frigidity. Even where, to the thinking of most individuals, there would be the least opportunity for rising into enthusiasm, his ardent emotions are kindled into a flame of words ; and he here, for ex ample, presents us with many fervid sentences of eulogium and censure upon the character and writings of "James Montgomery." We cannot but conceive that the introduction to the paper affords us a very sorry and painful spectacle—a man of un doubted and elevated intellect, like the bard of Shef fiel3, standing forward (in accordance with the an nouncement of a placard) upon a platform in a Scottish city " to address a meeting on the subject of Moravian missions"—mouthing there by the hour to the gaping curiosity of a very scanty and unselect audi ence, and winding up his oration by long quotations from his own poetry ! There is something degrading in all this ; it evinces a mean and morbid appetite for the most vulgar description of fame ; it is peddling for popularity. Well may the writer inquire in astonishment, " Is this progress of his (Montgo mery's) altogether a proper, a poet's progress ? Would Milton, or Cowper, or Wordsworth have sub mitted to it ?" Was it worthy the author of the " Pelican Island," " Greenland," the " World before the Flood," the " West Indies," the " Wanderer in Switzerland," or those solemn and thrilling " Verses from the Grave ?" We cannot think of this hunger ing after the very meanest kind of mob adulation in an old man, of so much purity and elevation of thought, without a feeling of sorrow and astonishment. James Montgomery has never written any continuous or sustained poem capable of perpetuating his name, but among his fugitive verses there are many that cannot well be forgotten, or that the world will willingly let (lie : his lines, breathed, as it were, from the grave, and his " Stanzas at Midnight," for instance. If his ideas are ever quaint or contorted, James Montgo mery is, even then, if possible, more plaintive than ever. Take, as a specimen, those verses upon Autumn —beautiful verses, which, like a pet fragment of music, has been transformed into a spirit "haunting,' as Bulwer has exquisitely said, " the halls and gal leries of our memory:"— " Sweet Sabbath of the year! While evening lights decay, Thq parting steps methinks I hear Steal from the world away. " Amid thy silent bowers, 'Tis sad, but sweet, to dwell; Where falling leaves and dropping flowers Around me breathe farewell." Again, what can be more quaint and yet more eminently mournful than the following comparison in the same poem ? " A deep and crimson streak Thy dying leaves disclose; - As on Consumption's waning cheek 'Mid ruin blooms the rose." James Montgomery has a mind too gifted and a soul too sensitive to derive any real or permanent satisfaction from the triumphs of a vagrant lecturer. Let him remember this, and henceforth shun such asperities. That most indefatigable writer Mrs. Gore, not contented with producing nine volumes of ordinarily-sized novels during the past season, a Christmas story in December, a book of sketches, an effort at poetical celebrity, et cetera, actually begins another romance in the present number of Tait, en- * There have been some subsequent changes in these matters. TUESDAY EVENIN are at present ,in Northampton. I haie friendships ' halves, or in a mean way conferred. lam very open to you, but my intention i.; what you would thoroughly esteem me for could you see its. basis. " A dependence in London," the generous Digges continues, " may be precarious. You shall have money to bring you to me, and shall command what you want to make your appearance as decent as it ought to be. Now if you have that solid understanding I think you posSessed of, you will accept what I offer, with as much frankness as my offer is made. I live much at home. I have prepared a snug bed-chamber under my' roof for you, and we will live like friends and philosophers together. D— strolling! leave it off. Come to me di rectly. I don't want you to play, for our company is full ; but, for God's sake, take time, and look about you before you go up to London. A man is always re spected in this mean world just according to the credit he seems to have with his tailor. Now I have, in my life time, been out of my tailor's good graces, and so may you be, or any honest fellow, without shame or scandal. Look you, my good and grave sir, do net hesitate, but take a friend's advice whose heart beats to serve ycu. Write to me by next post ; not a letter of thanks, but a plain declaration that I shall see you. We arc at my old house at the bottom of the Canongate, which I have taken for a year ; there we will sit down and alter plays and amuse ourselves, as well as we can. " No negat;ve, but write to your assured friend, " W. DIG GES. " Mrs. Digges' kind compliments to you. I will send a small tail directly to bring you by return of post." Honour to the memory of high-minded, true-hearted, generous W. Digges. This is followed by an Essay on old Montaigne, which is very pleasant reading. We have also two stories of French romance —one, "The Pretty Old Woman of Vevay," a legend of the Revo lution," ' and the other the " Ecrivain Public," a ro mance of the present day, both of which we commend to the attention of those industrious gentlemen, the " Drarnatisers:" the first would furnish materials for a stirring melodrama, the second for a domestic drama of " intense interest." The papers on the Shet landers are continued, and M. A. 'l'itmarsh concludes his proposals for a continuation of Ivanhoe, addressed to Alexandre Dumas. This paper is full of rich humour, and shows up the gross impudence and grosser ignorance of the French historical novellists (historical ut /ucus a non lucendo) in the most amus ing manner. Colonel Mitchell, the prince of bores, proses away after his wont concerning the campaigns of Napoleon, l proving, of course, that he, Colonel Mitchell, is an infinitely greater General than Napo leon, and that if the. Austrians had but been blessed with the presence of Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell at head-quarters, every one of Napoleon's victories would have been defeats. We cannot conclude our notice without mentioning " A Glance at Prague during the Feast of St. Nepomuk." It is a delight fully graphic account of a fine old town, which is not known to our English tourists so well as it deserves to be known. SMUGGLING AT SHEERNESS.—On Friday afternoon about half-past two P.M., as Edward Sargent and Alfred Bell, two of the coast-guard officers, were en the look-out off the Lampnell, they descried a boat with two men in her, which, on boarding, they found to be the Blossom, belong ing to RochFster, and, on searching, they discovered several gallons of rum in stone and glass bottles under the cabin deck, which they seized. Anxious for the attendance of their superior officer, Sargent was left in care of the boat and men, whilst Bell went to Sheerness to fetch the tide surveyor, Mr. George Batten. Availing themselves of this opportunity, the two men attacked Sargent, and one of them held him whilst the other commenced breaking the bottles and throwing them overboard. A struggle ensued, but, before the return of Bell and Mr. Batten, they had. succeeded in getting rid of the whole of the seizure, saying it should not be known to whom it belonged. The revenue officers then procured the assistance of a constable, and the prisoners were safely lodged in the lock- up house at Sheerness, and the boat taken to the Custom-house. On Saturday morning the prisoners were brought before the mayor and magistrates at the Guildhall, Rochester, when they gave their names John Thackray and George M'Mullen. On the application of Mr. Buckett, the Controller of Customs at the port of Rochester, the prisoners were remanded for further exami nation. The prisoners are labouring men belonging to Up church. EXTENSIVE FlRE.—About one o'clock this morning, an alarming and extensive fire broke out in the Patent Saw Mills of Messrs. James Taylor and Brothers, No. 5, Main street, Anderston. An alarm was instantly given, and the West of England and Anderston fire-engine were soon on the spot. They were speedily followed by the Glasgow Fire Brigade. The fire (owing to the combustible nature of the materials) spread with great rapidity, and presented an alarming appearance, the whole of the adjacent buildings and streets being brilliantly lighted up, while the reflection in the sky was seen at a great distance, and the means of col lecting an immense crowd of onlookers. At three o'clock the fire (which was confined to the range of buildings in which it originated) was completely extinguished. The amount of property destroyed must be considerable ; but the proprietors, we understand are insured.—Glasgow Sat. Pap. ALARMING FIRE AT SMITHFIELD BARS.— Last night, between eleven and twelve, a fire broke out in the premises occupied by the London Hat Company, No. 16, West Smithfield Bars, adjoining the extensive building be longing to Mr. Edgington, the rick-cloth and tarpauling manufacturer. The fire, commenced in the front shop, in which a I , rge stock of hats were deposited. Owing to the combustible nature of the goods a very few minutes elapsed before the flames had obtained possession of the shop and its contents. The upper portion of the building was occupied by numerous families, and the smoke being so dense, the parties had great difficulty in effecting a retreat from the place. As it was, three or four children were taken from the top of the house by a sergeant of the City police. The firemen; as usual, exerted themselves vigorously, and the flames were got under soon after midnight, but. the damage done was considerable. WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET, AUG. 28.—The arrivals of grain during the past week have been rather small, con trary winds have disappointed vessels from entering the Humber, consequently the show of new wheat to-day is ex. tremely small, the little offered is sure to Lind ready sales, and fetches full prices. Old is slow of sale; holders, how ever, evince no disposition to give way, and prices remain the same as before. Barley nominal. For new there is an active inquiry. The value of oats and shelling is advanced. Beans are Is. per quarter higher; other articles remain the same as last quoted. THE PORTION OF A FEMALE FOUND IN THE THAMES OFF GREENWICIL—There is every reason to believe, from circumstances that have come to the knowledge of the police, that the legs and trunk of the female recently found off Greenwich, are the remains of one of the sufferers by the accident at Hungerford-market steam-boat pier on Easter Sunday last. EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.—The fourth general meet ing of the Evangelical Alliance was held yesterday evening in Exeter-hall. The hall and galleries were completely filled, and also the platform. At a quarter past six o'clock, on the motion of Sir C. E. Smith, which was seconded by Dr. Alder, Thomas Farmer, Esq., was called to preside, and who stated that the great object of those meetings was to extend the knowledge of the principles and the proceedings of the Evan gelical Alliance, to ensure a larger amount of Christian sympathy, as well as to afford to friends who came from America and the continent of Europe the opportunity to ex press those sentiments by which they all professed to be associated. The meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev. Thomas Mortimer, the Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, of Bangor, United States, P. D. Hady, Esq., of Dublin, &c. The re solutions were adopted, recommending that the first Lord's day in each year should be observed by the members and friends of the Alliance throughout the world as a season.for concert in prayer on behalf of the objects of the Alliance; that orthodox Christians of all sects should exercise Christian charity towards each other, pledging themselves in their controversies to avoid all rash or groundless insinuations, and to maintain the meekness and gentleness of Christians by speaking the truth only in love. EAST INDIA. HOUSE NOTICES.—The following notices were yesterday issued from the East India House :—" By the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, Whitehall, August 28.—Upon a motion made this day to their Lord ships for a peremptory order requiring the Judges of the Supreme Court of Justice of Van Diemen's Land to appear to the appeal of Sidney Stephen, from Van Diemen's Land, their Lordships are pleased peremptorily to order that the respondents do enter an appearance within six weeks from the date hereof, otherwise their Lordships will proceed to hear the said appeal ex-parte. Upon a motion made' this day to their Lordships for a peremptory order requiring Sir Edward John Gambia, Knt., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Madras, and the Hon. Sir William Westbrook Barton, Knt., one of her Majesty's Justices, to appear to the appeal of James Minchin, Esq., of Madras, their Lordships are pleased peremptorily to orer that the said respondents do enter an appearance to the said appeal within six weeks from the date hereof, otherwise their Lordships will proceed to hear the said appeal ex-parte.—C. C. GEEVILLE." ASCENT AND DESCENT OF THE GREAT NASSAU BA-LLOON.—Yesterday evening, a little before seven o'clock, Mr. Charles Green, together with a party of ladies and gen tlemen, amounting in all to twelve, ascended in the Great Nassau Balloon, from Cremorne Gardens, Chelsea, and after a very pleasant voyage of rather more than forty minutes, safely descended in Pregast-green, a short distance from Norwood. Mr. Green returned to Cremorne Gardens about eleven o'clock, and announced the result of his very pleasant voyage. DERBY ELECTION.—The Tories are starting Sir Digby Mackworth against Mr. Strutt, who has addressed the con stituencv, calling on them for a renewal of their confidence. A YORKSHIRE " PROTECTIONIST GATHERING." — A large and influential gathering of Protectionists in the East-Riding of Yorkshire is said to be in contemplation during the Parliamentary recess, at which Lord George Ben tinck, the Marquis of Granby, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Hudson, and other leaders will be present.— Yorhshireman. ENGAGEMENT OF MR. MACREADY AT THE SURREY THEATRE.—The spirited lady who conducts this favourite place of amusement, Mrs. Frances Davidge, has engaged for a few nights that eminent tragedian, Mr. Macready, who n, 2,8 ; Glover, will, it is expected , co mmence his duties next week. MERCHANT SEAMENS ORPHAN A SYLUM.—The half yearly election of child ren into this as y l um took place yes terday, at the Lond on Tavern, Bisho p s gate - street. Henry 24 three 2,011 r. Nelson, Esq., took the c hair, when th e election of six boys and three girls wa o'clock, when th e result was stated to be as follows : South, 1 , 6 87 ; Minton, 828 : Nichols, 1,127 ; and Griffin, 1,731 vot es. T he report was 1,7 proceeded 6 s 2 with, ;h, and terminatedßo bso then read, which sta ted that, from t he low state of the 11, Edwards. 2,7 f u nds the committee w ere p reclude d from electing on the p resen t occasion more tha n six bo ys and three girls, although there was room for man y more inm ates. The committee 68Watson,v 1,965 ; Sout felt grateful for the munificent gift of 3331. 6s. Bd., from Mrs. Somes, widow of the late Joseph Somes, Esq., once a vice-president of the society. They also acknowledged the gift of 1001. from the Honourable Corporation of Trinity House, and 50/. from the Honourable East India Company. At the annual dinner held at the London Tavern, (the Right Hon. Lord Ellenborough in the chair), a sum of 9001. was collected in subscriptions. A further sum of 531. 33. Bd. was collected, after a sermon, at the St. Mark's Church, Ken nington, by The report con cluded by a vote of thanks to the treasurer and honorary officers of the society, and to the ladies' committee. The the Rev. S. Bridges, M.A. adoption of the report was followed by a vote of thanks to the chairman, when the meeting separated. LAMENTABLE CATASTROPHE IN THE CHANNEL. — Information of a most melancholy nature has reached us. The steam-ship Hibernia, which arrived on Friday from America, while on her passage up the channel, in a dense fog, ran down a small vessel. We regret to state that three or four of her crew, together with her captain, were drowned, though the steamer's boats were lowered, and every effort was made to save the unfortunate men. No authentic particulars have come into our possession.—Liverpool 411 ton. SEPTEM BER 1848„ 1 : - -• COURT CIRCULAR. 1 The Queen and Prince Albert drove out in a carriage on ;Sunday afternoon. • Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince_ Alfred, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, .and the Princess Helena, took airings in the pleasure grounds of Osborne House on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday morning her Majesty and her Royal Consort took their usual early walk. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, arrived at Osborne House at half-past one o'clock yesterday on a visit to the Queen. In attendance on the Queen Dowager and the Princess of Prussia were the Viscountess Barrington, Countess Haack, Earl Howe, the Earl of Denbigh, and Count Puckler. Lord Adolphus Fitzelarence also attended the illustrious party. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness crossed from Gosport in the Fairy, and landed at Osborne Pier. A dejeuner was served to the august party at Osborne House soon after the arrival of her Majesty's illustrious visitors. The Bi,hop of Oxford left Osborne house yesterday. Iler Majesty the Queen Dowager and her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, took leave of the Queen and Prince Albert in the afternoon, and re-embarked on their return to town, attended by their respective suites. The royal children took their accustomed exercise yeterdcy on the sea-beach. The Hon. Miss Kerr, Maid of Honour in Waiting to her INl,jesty, arrived at Osborne House yesterday after noon, having crossed to the Isle of Wight in the Lighten ing steam-packet. The Queen Dowager, and the Princess of Prussia, attended by the Viscountess Barrington, the Countess Haack, the Earl Howe, the Earl of Denbigh, Count Puckler, and Lord Adolphus Fitzelarence, left Marl. borough House at nine o'clock yesterday morning for the terminus of the South-Western Railway, at Nine Elms, and took their departure by a special train for Gosport. Her Majesty and her Royal Highness and suite returned to Marlborough House at ten minutes be fore eight o'clock yesterday evening, having travelled from Gosport by a special train. Mr. John Thornton, Deputy Chairman of the Stamps and Taxes, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Mr. Kay Shuttleworth had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home-office. The Milbank Prison Commission held a meeting yesterday at the Penitentiary. Dispaches were received yesterday at the Colonial office from the Governor of the Mauritius. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial-office for the Governor of New South Wales, and also for the Governor of Van Dieman's Land. --- THE RIVER PLATE. FALMOITTrI, Arc. 30.—Her Majesty's packet Express, Lieutenant Herrick, came in this afternoon with the Brazil mails, - haititigi left Rio Janeiro on the Ist of July, Bahia the 12th, and Pernambuco the 20th. She brings on freight about 40,0001. in diamonds and gold, and several passengers. The Express left at Rio her Majesty's ships Crescent, Grecian, Peterel, and Renira, the last awaiting the arrival of the Seagull packet from England to take her mails to the River Plate. Mr. Hamilton, the British Minister, had quite re covered from his late attack. This vessel brings no more recent intelligence than was brought by the America. Business continued limited as regarded imports, which was, in part, attri butable to the holidays ; but the primary cause of the prevalent dulness was the fact of the market being superabundantly supplied with almost every description of goods. Discounts continued without change, and the wants of the market were fairly met. The exchange at Rio when the packet left was at 27d., but accounts three days later had been received at Bahia, previous to her leaving that port, which quoted 271. Freights at Rio were as follows: —Antwerp, 305. ; Channel, 355. to 405.; London, 455.; Trieste, 325. tO-10s.; United States, 50c. to 60c. The Express spoke on the 24th inst., in lat. 46 14 N., long. 16 22 W., her Majesty's ship Orestes, from the Mediterranean, and parted company on the 29th, off the Lizard. Spoke on the 26th, in lat. 47 23 N., long. 14 26 W., the barque Pearl, from London for Montreal; and signalised, on the 28th, in lat. 48 30 N., long. 10 20 \V., the barque Atlas, outward bound. The Emilia from Liverpool, and Thorwalsden, from London, arrived at Rio, June 30. MONTE VIDEO, MAY 30.—0 n the 23d instant Mr. Ouseley formally presented his credentials to this Go vernment, as Minister Plenipotentiary on a special mis 'ion to the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay. Mr. Ouseley delivered the following speech, wherein the views with which England and France entered upon the intervention are declared to remain unchanged:— " I have the honour to present to your Excellency the credentials which the Queen, my august Sovereign, has been pleased to Entrust to me, accrediting me as her Ma jesty's Minister Plenipotentiary on a special mission to the Oriental Republic. In fulfilling this gratifying duty I am directed to assure your Excellency of the esteem and regard of her Majesty, and of the hearty wishes en tertained by the Queen for the welfare and prosperity of the Republic of the Uruguay. "On arriving at this capital I had the honour of de claring, conjointly with the envoy of France, the object of the joint mission, in these terms:—' The object of this mission is pointed out by the treaties of 1828 and 1840; that is to say, the complete and absolute independence of the State of the Uruguay. But to render this inde pendence real, neither the Argentine troops, nor squa dron, nor other controlling influence, can be permitted to remain in the country; but the Oriental people must be left at perfect liberty to elect the chief to preside over their destinies, in the mode pointed out by their constitutional laws.' " Further, that no desire of exclusive advantage, no wish for undue influence, nor the remotest idea of terri torial acquisition, actuated the Governments of England and France. The restoration of peace and the security of the independence of the Oriental Republic were the objects of the plenipotentiaries. Those views remain unchanged. " A resort, by constitutional means, to free election for the highest office of this Republic, or a return to that state of peace essential to the welfare of all the states of La Plata, that would at once render the pre sence of the representatives, and the employment of the forces of the intervention unnecessary, is still unhap pily prevented by the continued invasion and occupation of the interior by a foreign army. " Much as I deplore this state of things, to it I am indebted for the honour of being charged with a mission to the Government of the Oriental Republic, and of presenting my letters of credence to your Excellency." The reply of President Soarez was studiedly meagre, finding nothing whatever for congratulation in the affair, except as regarded Mr. Ouseley personally, who at least has won general confidence by his honourable sin cerity of conduct. BLit words alone will neither raise the siege, nor ac complish any of the ends of the special mission. In their face Rosas is " as unbelieving as a Jew;" they are rather his security that, after all, it will not come to blows. And while, perhaps, recently awed, and struck with savage wonder at the exhibition of so much forbearance, allied with boundless power, he safely raises his laugh, and hurls his ribald decree at the moral mediators. The appearance of a few thousand European troops, comprising cavalry soldiers and artillery, to co-operate with the national army here, would almost instanta neously effect this country's independence; without them the struggle may last for years. JUNE 2.—lntelligence of an important victory gained six days ago by General Rivera, at Las Vivoras, over a division of the invading army, commanded by Montoro, reached town this morning by a vessel from La Colonia. A bulletin was published early, containing the follow ing particulars, communicated in a letter from the Com mander-in-Chief to the Minister of War. The ringing of merry bells which ensued, and the joy felt in every heart and pictured in every countenance, had long been strangers to Monte Video. Itiera's genius for stratagems is proverbial. During this brief campaign we have already seen him putting one into practice. Even on the very night of his disem barking, by means of which he employed the enemy for some time in cannonading a place that they found, on entering, to contain nothing but a few fires and rockets, he succeeded in rescuing GOO poor people whom Mon toro had impounded in Las Vivoras. That which he has just executed has been perfectly successful. According to an intercepted letter from Montoro to Oribe, Rivera was shut up on the coast, " hermetically sealed," with nothini , to depend on but his boats and their" gringos." Montoro' had, for days, been lying be fore him, watching his every motion, and quite ready to pounce on him. On the 27th, Rivera made feint of pre paring to evacuate Las Vacas ; called in his advanced posts, and towards nightfal, ordered some of the small craft to get under weigh and sail out of the port. Mon toro, on receiving this intelligence, went tranquilly to bed ; but, before many hours, he had, poor man, lost everything, including his flinger de campana, and only escaped himself with his life and shirt. Private letters from Colonia, and communications from the British vessels of war stationed there, corrobo rate the extent of the defeat. The country, from Las Vacas to Colonia, is now entirely free. The following is his dispatch : GLORY TO THE REPUBLIC ! General Quarters, Las Vivoras, May 28, 1846. I have to inform your Excellency, for the satisfaction of the Government and the public, that on the night of the 27th the brave division under my immediate com mand obtained a complete victory over a division of the enemy's force, in number 1,100 men, of the three arms, commanded by Montoro. For upwards of ten days the enemy had lain in front of us, his lino extending from Curupi to the village of Las Vivoras, where the said chief resided, surround by a small battalion of infantry and six pieces of artillery. Having obtained an exact knowledge of his position, and placing the'utmost confidence in the zeal and courage of my soldiers, I conceived, and, in conjunction with my officers, arranged the plan of a rapid and decisive attack on his advanced posts, to terminate on his very intrench ments and guns at Las Vivoras. At half-past 6 o'clock in the evening orders were given, and at 8 our column was in motion. Colonel Baez was directed to lead on the attack in our front, with the spi rited battalion of Vascos and 2d Lancers, under the com mand of Espihosa, protected by Colonel Lebandera's Ist battalion, and the piece of artillery commanded by Cap tain Heley. Our left was composed of a company of dragoon &a dores, Miranda's escort picket, and the Guias picket under Paunero, and was under the orders of Commander Mora. In this order, about 9 o'clock, the advanced guard of the enemy was encountered. The Vascos, rushing on them, drove them in on the reserve, and without halting, then again were driven back on the main body, which consisted of about 300 men, commanded by Jose Mari Caballero. — After some resistance, the whole took to flight, aban doning their horses, and throwing down their arms. Nothing impeded the rapid march of our column, which at once threw itself upon Las Vivoras, and then Colonel Baez, with his Vascos, obtained a complete triumph for the Republic. Regardless of all resistance, and despis ing the heavy discharge of musketry and. grape shot, they wect in and bayoneted the artillerymen at their guns. _ _ At 12 o'clock the rout was complete in all directions, and everything belonging to the enemy had fallen into our hands. It is 8 o'clock in the morning. We have already col lected 80 prisoners, 2,000 horses, 6 pieces of splendid artillery, with abundant munitions, 2,000 stand of arms, and an immensity of materials besides. On our side we have had no other loss than one man killed, an officer wounded, and another bruised, all be longing to the Vasco battalion. This, most excellent Sir, is the result of the second operation of my division since our re•embarkation at Colonia ; add to which, the important position of Las Vacas, garrisoned and fortified with 17 pieces of artil lery, :including those now taken. Within it are more than a thousand souls, of families rescued by us, a por tion of whom were driven from their homes, and cooped up in Las Vivoras, like a herd of beasts, by their bar barous oppressors. I strongly recommend to the consideration of the Go vernment the officers, troops, &c. FRUCTUOSO RIVERA. It is hoped that Rivera's success may at length secure a hearty co-opration on the part of the Intervention; for by that combination alone can the independence of this state be really secured, or matters brought to a happy or honourable issue for foreign interests. JUNE 4.—To-day the joy-bells of Monte Video are celebrating another victory obtained by the army of the Republic over a detachment of the invading army. Ga ribaldi sallied out from Salto on :the 20th ult. with 150 men of the Italian Legion, and 200 cavalry; and, at four leagues' distance from the town, fought the parties of Lamas and Verrara, in number from 500 to 600. After a brisk fight the Italians were left masters of the field and of the enemy's materiel, including all his horses—the most important acquisition in this warfare. The dispersed bodies fled across the Arapey, in the di rection of Rio Grande; and Colonel Centurion pro ceeded in the same direction on the 24th, with a strong cavalry force, with which ho will interrupt Oribe's com munication with that province. The note addressed by the Plenipotentiaries to the Government of Buenos Ayres, on the 14th of May la“, is ealeniait;d ci4ar----a; . I ToTrirTZFilitiiiiitA 1 most cunning weapon—falscheod. To vilify the Intervention, to throw ridicule on its agents, to fix the odium of pirates and incendiaries on our naval officers—this is his great aim, for he thereby at once works on the passions of his countrymen and plays on the credulity of people at a distance. And what meang so powerful for its accomplishment as his furious tirades, first thrust on the Minister, to acquire a face of truth, as diplomatic communications, and after wards disseminated far and wide in the columns of his newspapers. Henceforth, no communication will be ad mitted which has not in view the pacification cf the Plate, a necessary preliminary to which is the evacuation of this territory by the Argentine troops. JUNE 6.—The French war steamer ChimCre, arrived yesterday morning from Toulon. She brings accounts of the ill successes of M. Saratea, Rosas's agent at Paris, in his application to have Baron Deffaudis recalled from his mission. From Rio Janeiro we have London papers, with re ports of the speeches in the 'louse of Commons on the 23.! of March. It is a matter of wonder here by what means the British Government expects to effect the independence of this state in the absence of an adequate expedition from Europe. AMERICAN AFFAIRS. NEW YORE, AUG. ]3.—Peact , is now the word in the United States. The President has dispatched a mis sionary to .Mexico. lie is, it way be presumed, a demi orricial, but without any power—a kind of pulse-feeler, and sent for the purpose of ascertaining, through some confidential c h anne l , h ow a Minister or a Commission would be received and treated. It is raid, but there is some doubt on the subject, that this Government has re ceived from one of its Consuls an assurance that Mexico, in his opinion, would readily make satisfactory arrange ments on the subjects of boundary and the American claims, and that for a quid pro quo she would transfer California. Now, au impression has been made on the American people, that this suggestion by the Consul is authorised by the Mexican Government. This Ido not believe. I have no doubt that the Mexicans desire a peace, and would willingly make sacrifices to obtain it ; but they have not authorised any agent or public functionary so to say. You will find in the American journals a message of the President to Congress, asking an appropriation of two millions of dollars to be placed under his control to enable him to negotiate a peace, and also the pro ceedings of the Senate thereon. The Whig members, generally, were opposed to permitting him to expend this sum of money at his discretion. Several of them avowed their want of confidence. In the House a Bill was reported, and an amendment to it was offered and adopted, declaring that in no part of the territory which might be acquired by the contemplated negotiation should slavery ever be tolerated. Thus amended, it passed the Ilouse ; but the amendment prevented a large portion of the south from supporting the Bill, and pro bably was the cause of its defeat in the Senate, to the great mortification and disappointment of the President and his Cabinet. It is said to be now in contemplation to send out to Mexico a commission consisting of three distinguished individuals. This is done with a view of controlling Mr. Slidell. who is proposed as one of them, and who is of a warm temperament, and by no means a favourite with the Mexican Government or people. Whether, after the defeat of the President's 2,000,000 dollar scheme, he will consider it his duty to send a commission, is somewhat problematical. Accord. ing to his opinion, nothing could be effected without the money ; with it any and everything. lam informed by a gentleman who has an opportunity of knowing, that the army in and about the city of Mexico are paid daily, and that a neglect or incapacity to pay them would dis band them. In my last letter I stated that Paredes was about to take command of the army. All recent accounts tend to prove that he dares not leave the city; that if he does an immediate revolution is inevitable. But it cannot be supposed that a Government thus hampered on all sides, and at war with a nation far more powerful, can long sustain itself. That this war in the United States is extremely un popular, and daily growing more so, is certain. But, in addition to the war clamours, we have the tariff and the sub-treasury, both of which are unpopular measures, and well calculated to excite the people against the Administration, and all it does, right or wrong. In times of great popular excitement the masses combine. and each pours out his grievance. Although opposite as the poles, yet they unite in denouncing those who have done them a wrong, real or imaginary. Already a large quantity of goods are deposited in public store, there to remain until the Ist otDecember, when they will be entered under the new tariff law. I have referred to this subject in a former letter, in which I expressed an opinion that many of the shipments to this country would prove most disastrous adventures. I re main of the same opinion, especially if the actual cost is correctly given. Thousands of dollars will be entered fraudulently, that is to say, invoiced 10 or 15 per cent. below the cost ; and as the duty is ad valorem on such entries, that amount will not pay duty, and consequently the fair and honest dealer can stand no chance with the fraudulent merchant. Congress have adjourned in a very bad humour with the Pre.Adent. The passage of the Tariff, the Sub- Treasury, and certain other Bills has given great dis satisfaction. The veto of the River and Harbour Bill, and the Bill to pay certain claims for spoliation by the French prior to 1800, have added greatly to the excite ment which seems to pervade the whole country. Ia the approaching political contest everything will be swallowed up in the Tariff question. That party have taken as their watchword—Repeal, Repeal ; and it will not be used without effect. The President was authorised to issue and procure money for 10,000,000, or any part thereof, of six per cent. stock ; or 10,000,000, or any part thereof, of Trea sury notes, provided that the amount of money thus obtained shall not exceed, in the whole amount, 10,000,000 dol. As yet no money has been borrowed on stock, nor any Treasury notes issued. Out-door financiers predict that by the Ist of November the Go vernment will be embarrassed for the want of money. The money market at present is calm, an d i t eau be procured, on satisfactory security, at a reason a bl e rate of interest. Confidence, however, is shaken. There is every prospect—l may say, certainty-- o f more than average crop of bread stuffs. The demand for flour for shipment is limited, at a fraction less than 4 dolls. per barrel, say 3 94-100 to 4 dolls. The potato crop, in several parts of the country, will suffer from the prevalent disease, but not sufficiently to affect the market value of bread stuffs. VICTORIA THEATRE. Osbaldiston, the spirited lessee of this theatre, added last night another interesting drama to the many he has already brought out this season, for the entertainment of the playgoers on this side of the water. The drama is founded on Mr. G. W. M. Reynolds's celebrated weekly work, " The Mysteries of London," and is en titled Markham and Greenwood; or the Brothers' Career. The piece, which depicts many of the scenes and vices incident to London life in all its waled grades, was evi dently successful. It is just of that cast which suits a Surrey audience, and was applauded to the echo by the guts. The evening's entertainments were concluded by the burletta of Fayre Rosamonde, and Dominique the Deserter; or, the Gentleman in Black. The Rouse was crowded in every part. HALL OF ROME. POSES PLASTIQUES. There was last evening a grand rehearsal of several new roses Plastiques or moving Tableaux Vivans, by twenty-eight male and female artistes, under the super intendence of Mr. Tumour, at this establishment. These new groups are exceedingly graceful, and reflect great credit on the taste of Mr. Tumour, by whom many of them were designed. The Hall was crowded to excess. THE BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL. SATIIRDAY.—The ball at the Theatre last night was satisfactory as regarded the attendance, which was very numerous and brilliant. To form a spacious arena for dancing, the whole pit was boarded over, so as to be level with the stage. Entrances were contrived through the boxes, by flights of steps on either side and in the middle. The dress boxes constituted a comfortable place of repose for the dancers. The upper boxes and gallery were filled by the visitors who came merely to look on. An or chestra was somewhat clumsily constructed in the former for the musicians, who were sadly incommoded for the want of some barrier to protect them from the encroach ments of curious gazers. The popular Jullien was there, but only a very small number of those faces, so familiar to Londoners, which ordinarily are recognised in his orchestra de bal. Nothing, indeed, could have been more execrable than the music, which was out of time and tune the whole evening. Instead of Koenig, who had been ex pected, we had a performer on the cornet-a-piston who generally came in too late, and when, by accident, he came in time, was sure to play out of tune. After so magnificent a festival, this shabby arrangement of the ball music was the object of unanimous animadversion. Jullien is unrivalled in his way, but he must have his band, or his energy goes for nothing ; twenty Julliens cannot turn scrapers into fiddlers. Besides which, the authorities had Oven the public to understand that Jullien and his band were to preside. In other respects the ball was badly managed ; out of twenty-three dances there were thirteen quadrilles, which gave the whole a most dreary aspect. Nevertheless, there were as many visitors, active and passive, as the theatre could well contain ; and among them we noticed Lord Wrot tesley, the President of the festival ; Lord Sandys, and other distinguished persons. The dancing was kept up till the morning had far advanced. Mendelssohn left yesterday for London by the seven o'clock train. Moscheles, and most of the principal artists engaged at the festival, followed soon after. The town has lost one half its life and bustle. There is no official account of the results of the meeting yet pub lished, and information in that quarter is very difficult to be obtained, those who are in a condition to afford it being so very mysterious and inscrutable, that it is im possible, without an importunity beneath the dignity of the press, to extort any thing from them. The general management of the festival would admit of animadversion in more than one respect, had we leisure and inclination to make it. The want of rehearsals at the miscellaneous concerts was painfully felt. The want of accommodation for the members of the London press was a mark of inattention that sorts not well with the Birmingham re putation for hospitality to strangers. The gross receipts of the festival amount to upwards of 11,5001. The expenses have been enormous, including a large sum for the decoration of the Music Hall; still there is nearly 5,000/. left for the General Hospital. Since 1834 such a profitable festival has not been known in Birmingham, and it is the more gratifying from the fact that a very mediocre result was anticipated. Mendelssohn's .Elijah was the grand cause of excitement, and the preparatory notices of the London journals helped not a little to raise it. SUNDAY.—Last night the festival may be said to have terminated with the grand concert given at the Theatre, which was crowded to suffocation. The concert was pre ceded by a comedy sustained by the company. Among the artists engaged was Madame Grisi, who had re covered from her indisposition, and sang divinely; she was encored in a duet with Signor Mario from the Donna del Lay o, and in the air, " Non fu sogno," from Lombardi. Signor Mario was similarly complimented, in Alari's cavatina, introduced into Don Gregorio, and substituted the serenade from Don Pasquale, the first notes of which were received with a burst of animated recognition. Signor Mario also sang the " Adelaida" of Beethoven in such expressive and passionate style as would hare satisfied the composer himself—nothing could have been more charming. Be side these, encores were awarded to the clever Misses Williams, in Macfarren's "Merry Gipsies ;" to John Parry, in two of his humourous extravaganzas ; and to F. Lablache, in the Tarantella, which ho sang capitally. Moreover, Mr. Hayward and M. Benedict played a duet, for violin and piano, in brilliant style, and the latter accompanied all the vocal music in his usually able manner, on a pianoforte of Erard, to which that very pleasing and ingenious invention, the " JEoliam attachment," gave double zest and piquancy. The band, led by Mr. A. Mellon, from London, played two over tures of Weber and Beethoven with great spirit, and the concert passed off with the utmost eclat. It was an effective climax to the week's festivities. DANGEROUS FRACAS ON A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE.— On Saturday evening, when the 6.30 A.M. mixed train from Bristol was between Steventon and Didcot stations, on the Great Western Railway, a quarrel arose between Temple, the engine driver, and Poole, the stoker. A. fight ensued on the engine, and if both had fallen off the consequences must have been dreadful, as the train was going at the rate of nearly thirty miles an hour, and there was no possibility of the guards getting to the engine to stop it, the high third class carriage being between them ; nor were they aware of the fight until Temple, finding himself worsted, stopped the engine, to endeavour to throw Poole off, when the guards alighted, and succeeded in obtaining a cession of hostilities until their arrival at Dideot, when they were reported to Mr. Bishop, the superintendent, who gave them into custody of the guards of the fast train, and conveyed them to Pad dington, where their conduct will be investigated by the directors. Their places were supplied by others at Didcot, and the train reached Paddington in safety. Both men have very irritable tempers. ANOTHER FIRE IN ESSEX.—On Saturday morning, between one and two o'clock, a fire broke out at North Ockenden, on the premises of William Eve, Esq., of Ocken den-hall, in consequence of the heating of a stack of clover. The fire was speedily communicated to four other stacks, all of which burnt with fury fur three hours before assistance could be procured, when two engines belonging to the Board of Ordnance arrived from Purtleet, closely followed by one from Romford. By great exertions the fire was confined to the five stacks, although fourteen large corn stacks were so closely adjoining the burning masses, as barely to allow room for a carriage to pass between them. The property is for nately insured. DANGEROUS BUILDINGS IN ST. JOHN'S -LANE, SMITH FIELD.—In consequence of the dilapidated and dangerous state of several houses in the narrow part of St. Joh n ' s -l a ne, Smith field, the authorities have considered it necess ar y to stop the thoroughfare; in the meantime the premises have been shored up for the safety of the public (the occupiers having a ll vacated) and every precaution taken to prevent accident. THE SURRENDER OF KOTE KINGRA.—The follow ing letter of thanks to the Artillery officers serving in the capture of this fort was sent. by Brigadier Smith to Lieut.- Colonel Wood :—" Camp Kangra, May 3, 1846.—Sir,—.The surrender of the fort having allowed the return to their re gimental duties of the 4th Artillery officers, who have been acting as assistant-field engineers, have: to return you my thanks for the aid you readily afforded, and to mention my sense of the valuable and zealous exertions of Lieutenants Wheelright, Holland, Tulloh, and Machell, brought to my notice by Major Napier.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, EDWARD SMITH, Brigadier, Chief Engineer. —To Lieutenant-Colonel Wood Commanding Artillery Forces, Kota liangra." A GENEVESE TRAVELLER. Times. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY. Sir Tatton Sykes, who at first showed unfavourable symptoms, came strongly into favour as the afternoon ad vanced, and, although nominally at the same price as The Traverser, left off the better favourite. The Traverser was backed in two or three places at 6 to 1, and lago, Fancy Boy, Grimston, and Brocardo at 9 and 1U to 1, leaving ofo: steady at the odds quoted. Pyrrhus the First and Mov.nt Callan were declared not to start; and such liberal odds were laid against Dolo that we may fairly look upon him as o u t of the race. The field appears likely to bt a small one . We give the last quotations : LEAMINGTON STAKES. 4 to 1 agat Mr. Mostyn's Camera Obscura—taken. 10 to 1 agst Sir J. Gerard's Pantaaa—taken Mongrel quite friendless. ST. LEGER. 6 to 1 agst Mr. W. Scott's Sir Tatton Sykes—taken 6to 1 agst Mr. O'Brien's The Traverser —t, and aft. off. 9 to 1 agst General Shubrick's Brocardo--taken 9 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Fancy Boy 10 to 1 agst Col. Anson's lago—takes, 10 to 1 agst Mr. O'Brien's Grinistco—taken 17 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Poraton 18 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Free Lance 20 to 1 agst Lord E. Russell's Sting—takea 40 to 1 agst Mr. Nunn's Joanna colt 66 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Dolo 500 even between Grimston and lago 600 to 500 on Traverser agst Fancy Boy—laid twice. GREAT YORRSiiiRK 8 to 1 agst Mr. Wormald's quadruped—tak en 8 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Bravisatmo—tak en. 10 to 1 agst Mr. L. Fox's June--taken. AQUATICS. DEPTFORD REGATTA. The boat race at Deptford yesterday possessed a feature of novelty, affording " those of the olden time" an opportunity of exhibiting, to the exclusion of the watermen of a modern date. The race was, as usual with below-bridge wagers, in five heats, with six competitors, and the assemblage immense. The multitude of all grades, who had heard the " old ones" talk of their training, condition, lasting powers, and other requisites, flocking to the locus in quo to ascertain whether the combatants were half as good as they affected to be, or whether the " light of other days had faded." There was, however, but little fault to find, the race being quite as well contested as could reasonably have been expected, and afford ing considerably more amusement than wagers amongst those with youth in their favour generally do. First Heat. Upper Watergate. Jeremiah Johnson, aged 62 (Dark blue 1. James Wall, aged 56 (Li g h t blue 2 Archibald Fowles, aged 57 years The distance was from Upper Watergate, twice round, each extending the whole river front of the town, from the creek's mouth to the Queen's Yard. It was a very good start, and for a few strokes the " ancients" certainly must have laboured under the iinßes• sion that they were " Coombeses," and no abatement; but they soon, found out their mistake, and dropped into a very sober pace. Dark blue then took the lead, kept it, and won by two lengths. Second heat. Lower Watergate. James Richards, aged 61 . (Pink 1 William Hasnel, aged 51 .. John Rumbole, aged 68 (Red 0 They got away tidily, kept together for some distance, when the winner put on a scientific spurt, and went about though three u lengths esso ie ahead. ill - u T a other t h u e redf fellowuu two. observed)kept el os in d u together,evcon versation. ls Third Heat. Light blue A little less mettle and a little more applause, then a dozen strokes rapidly, and a " crab." After this the winner showed gallantly in front; won by four lengths. Fourth Heat. Dark blue 1 I Light blue A very good race, the whole of the party having got " second wind." The contest was close throughout, and won by a length only. Final Heat. Dark blue 1 I Light blue A capital start, and at a very good pace. Won by two lengths only. NEW CATIIOLIc COLLEGE IN ScoTLANT). — Th e Scot tish Guard:6n states that the estate of Del both , about three miles to the east of Glasgow, comprising upw ards of seventy imperial acres, has been purchased for the purpose of ea*. Wishing a Roman Catholic College. 0 Aga f ger f° 4 h. lig " IX °' 'TO W I ho