The Sun. — London, England, 1866-04-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 11, 1866. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. Hardly any' one at the present day openly d ec l ares himself against Reform, the most rigid Conserva tives admit the necessity of " a well-considered measure ;" but when it comes to a question o f detail, when theory has to be put into practice, there is an immediate transformation. Harlequin's wand is nothing to it. The theories are still advo cated loudly and loftily, but the reduction of the franchise, the addition or removal of a single borough, the bare admission that the voter needs some more effectual protection than he at present possesses, at once bring down the tem- Trature of the enthusiasts to freezing-point. he obstacles which they perceive are insuperable, the dan ger* which they foresee are worse than those Austria and Prussia are still hard at work in provoking each other, and in patching up the quar rel in a temporary style, only to renew it at the earliest opportunity. The Austrian reply of the Olbl, was moaerate in some respects, belt It UICI riot suit the fancies of the Prussian Minister. Pro bably the chief cause of offence was, that the Note demanded that the Prussian armaments should be discontinued, or else it was said that Austria would appeal to the Federal Diet. It was said at one time that the Prussian Cabinet had replied to this com munication in a favourable manner, but that report has now been contradicted ; and we learn that, although no official com munication has been received, it is because that the Prussian Government have decided upon the nature of their reply, and that its tenour is not of a favourable character. Herr Von BISMARCK, indeed, does not agree in the sentiments expressed by the Austrian State, as to the perfect good-will and friendly disposition of the Austrians. Prussia, it is affirmed, has only adopted the necessary mea sures for self-defence, and will not "strike unless stricken." It can be no matter of surprise to any one that Count BISMARCK declines to allow the in terference of the Bund, because he has always indig nantly repelled such a notion. It is really astonish ing to what lengths this wily politican can go ; he is always ready with a reply to any demand, and thus he is going to assert that the Minister President will soon announce that Prussia is not bound by Article 11 of the Act of Confederation. As for the notion everywhere prevalent that the Emperor of Russia was about to mediate between the German Powers, it is shown to be erroneous. General Von RICHTER did not go to Berlin to present the letter to the King of PRUSSIA, and hence he could not have effected anything in the way of entreaty and explanation. The CZAR, it is now said, has only requested the Sovereigns of Austria and Prussia to inform him why " they are making such great preparations " for war. General Von RICIITER of course saw for himself the truth of these reports concerning the extensive preparations of Austria, and he said that he was annoyed at the ignorance of the Prussian Minister President on such a subject. It is said that Count BISMARCK has sent out non official agents, and the information they send him suits his purpose, indeed he has been, it is asserted, greatly misinf ormed,while his agents have themselves been sometimes " tricked" in their turn. Time produces many changes in the same individual, and certainly King WILLIAM is no exception to the rule. He has altered greatly both in practice and profes sion from what he was some time back. Many years ago a deputation from Frankfort waited upon him to offer the Imperial Crown to him, and he re fused in the most positive manner to go to war with his fellow -Sovereigns. " I could not resolve," he said, to place myself at the head of a Prussian army,in order to sub j u g ate a German countr y or pr ovince." Certa inl y his MAJESTY has seen fit to der a o b f a y since n ex in then, a w l h t c e r hn he in spite of all Schleswig-Holstein Duchies, is 0 has opinions entertained the y c notionconsiderably course. It is efforts made to dissuad e uttered against the unconstitutionalm and all the protests stated by some of the Berlin journals that Prussia certain not to accede to the demands of Austria that she should disarm, which no doubt is true, and of course the consternation in certain quarters may be conceived. The merchants of Berlin will to-day address ful t s o et t t h l e em K e i n n t rr, of pres ent hope that a a t n a wh th ic e h • difficulty expresses ata present existi ng between Austria and Prussia, may be come to. This shows the extremities to which the affair has proceeded. If war should be the result of all these squabbles the Government will not find themselves supported as they did in the case of the late war, because the people of Prussia will naturally ask for what end they are to be draggA into collision with their neighbours, and what it is they are fighting (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Tuesday Evening. The telegraph having brought the news that Prussia Las submitted its project for the reform of the Confederation to the Diet, and the Note of Prussia in reply to that of Austria being in the pos session of the Public, there is, for to-day at least, a cessation in the warlike news respecting Germany. The news from Italy is that Victor Emmanuel, in imitation of the Government of France, preserves a position of neutrality in regard to the dispute be tween Austria and Prussia. For the present, at all events, there is no confirmation of the rumour in dustriously spread a few days ago, that Italy and Prussia were about to sign a treaty of alliance, hav ing for object material defence and assistance should eventualities in regard to Germany render it de sirable. _ _ ----- M. Boillot, the editor of the scientific departmen of the Moniteur, gives a very interesting account in that paper this morning of the thunderstorm on Sunday night, and completely confirms my impres sion that it was of an extraordinary, if not unpre cedented character. In his description of it he says, that the storm broke forth suddenly in Paris about eight o'clock in the evening, after a warm, but not overpowering day. The flashes of lightning suc ceeded each other after half a minute, a minute, and at the utmost, two minutes interval. The thunder claps were loud, and denoted that the clouds were very low. There was a lapse of a second and a half between the perception of the lightning and the noise of the thunder. This gives a distance of only 510 metres of the stormy clouds from the earth. Thus the thunder fell several times in Paris. At ten minutes past nine the flashes of lightning succeeded each other at intervals of three seconds, and at a quarter past nine eight seconds were countedbetween the lightning and the noise of the thunder. The storm, therefore, appeared to be receding ; but at two minutes to 9 two seconds of interval only sepa rated the electric light and the clap of thunder ; the meteor, therefore, becoming nearer. It was therefore supposed that several storms were crossing each other. At 10 minutes past nine the thunder came from the west and north-west, giving a con tinuous light, diminished only occasionally by the clouds. From 21 minutes past nine the average time between the noise of the thunder and the lightning had increased to 7 seconds. It was clear that the phenomena was passing away. Neverthe less, towards 25 minutes past nine, there were only 4 seconds of interval. With the sky covered with clouds and an abundant rain, lightning traversed the sky from the zenith to the west, spreading a white light to within about a thousand yards of the surface of the earth. The storm was nearly over:about 11, but the rain fell in great abundance. It did not cease till half-an-hour after midnight. The storm created great alarm everywhere. It was of a character very rarely seen. The march of music in Paris may in a certain degree be estimated by the increase in the manu facture of pianos. In 1817 the number of pianos made in Paris was 187, occupying about 3,000 workmen, and the produce of their sale was 12 million of francs, one million of which sum was for the amount of exportation. Iu 1865 the value of the instruments made in Paris and sold to foreign countries was eight millions of francs. M. Perrin retires from the direction of the Opera, and is to be succeeded by M. Nestor Roqueplan, the musical and dramatic writer of the Constitutionnel. M. Roqueplan was director of the Opera from 1847 to 1854. A widow lady, named Hainfroy, has just died at St. :Aquilin-de-Pacy, in the Department of the Eure, who was born on the 31st October, 1765. She was consequently aged 100 years five months and three days. Castex, the man condemned to death for the murder of a child at St. Denis, under revolting cir cumstances, which were stated at the time, was executed on Monday morning. The prisoner was quite prostrate. Ile made no confession. The storm on Sunday night seemed to have frightened even the leaders of scenes of death, for it is many years since such a small number of spectators as serabled in the Rue de la Roquette on an occasion of the kind. I informed you some time ago that there would be a suspension of the sittings of the Congress on the Danubian Principalities. The statement now is that the Conference will not reassemble until the people of Roumania shall have elected the new Chamber of Representatives. A recent official announcement, that the Emperor had devoted a sum of 80,000 f. from his private purse for improvements in the Dombes, requires a little explanation. Tle Dombes is a vast territory between La Bresse and the Lyonnais. A portion of it is arid, and the other part marshy and sterile. The monks of La Trappe have undertaken to im prove it and make the land fertile and productive. In the Dombes was once a vast capital named Trevoux, and in the middle age it was a fortified town. In the time of Julius Caesar it Was occupied by the Seguisiani and the Ainbuni. In 1560 the Principality was restored to the house of Montpen sier, which was wrested from the Constable of Bour bon in the year 1527 by Francis the First. The Parliament of Dombes was suppressed in 1775. As to the Trappists these monks were formerly beggars. The Trappists were originally a community professing mortification. They made fasting a virtue, and taught the doctrine that men should ever be thinking of death. Their greeting when they met each other inTdhuseytrnyoravn, and utility, a pply themselves to works was Brother, we must,die." and they have changed their salutation to " Brother, we must work," Hence their determination to ler- USES.— TOPLI S and ROBERTS ' -- have numerous furnished and unfurnished TOWN, Suburban, and Country RESIDENCES to LET or SELL. Par,iculiw. upon application forwarded for two stamps, upon stating requirements and rentaL Offices, 2f Conduit street, Regent-*treet, and South Kensington, facing the Museum. QOUTII KENSINGTON, HYDE-PARK, Queen's. and Rutland Gates, Queen's -gate and Peters ham Terraces, Queen's -gate, Cornwall, Princes and Beaufort Sardens, Elvaston-place, Cromwell-Told, Onslow and Thurloe Squares, Boltcns, &c. Messrs TOPLIS and ROBERTS have it E SI OEN CES to SELL and LET in these and surroundmg localities. Offices, 2, Conduit-street, Regent-street, and South Kensington, lacing the Museum. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Sole Lessee and Mangger, Mr. Backstone. I: GIS EVENING, A ROMANTIC ATTACHMENT Mr. Compton, Mr. W. Farren : Miss Ada Cavendish. A f ter which. T HE FAVOU tall: Or' FO lt rUN E m Messrs. c o hern, Buckitone, Chippendal e . Rogers, ,k.a. e,,larnes Chippeud de, Saville, Moore, Fitzwilliam, UHL Lindley, Acc. Concluding with A DAC.; UTE it £0 MA.RItY : Mr. W. Farren and Ri.,s Li den Ilowarl. Commence at Seven. ROYAL LYCEUM_ TEIEATRE.- Under the sole Management LA Mr. Fechter. THIS EVENING, SIMPSON AND CO. Masers. S. Emery, C. Horsman ; 3lesdarnes Elsworthy, Henrade, Hors man, and E. Boyce• After s.hich, THE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD 4lr. Etehter ; Messrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomt), Vezin,. .1. H. Fitzpatric!,, 1). Evans ; alesdames Tetuan, E.sworthy Lavenu, and C. Leclercq. Box Office open daily from Eleven till Five. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS .. I .:VENING, THROUGH FIRE AND WATER: Messrs. J. L. Toole, R Phillips, Billington ; Nliss Woolgar and Miss H. Simms. After which, THE WRECK ASHORE : Messrs J. L. Toole. P. Bedford. Stuart, Billingtor, Ashley ; Miss Woolgar Yi d Hiss 11. Simms. To conalude with LEIIIND TIME. essrs. J. L. Toole, 'R. Ihillips, Eburne. C. J. Smith ; Miss A. Seaman, Seaman, dr.c. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, A GHOST IN SPIT OF EiIIISZLF. E Alter which, at a quarter to E i g ht, TUE STREETS OF LO.), DON. Messrs. Vining, T. Mead, V. Murray, Shore, Villiers; Mrs. H. )Larson, lifiss E. Barnett, and Miss K. Rodgers. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. bwanborough. THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, PERFE After which will be produced a grand Eas'er Burlesque, PARIS ; or, Vive Le trxpiere : Mesrs.tStoyle, I horne, James 3lesdames a. Swanborougb, Raynham, Jimpson. Johnstone, Ranoe, and Molt To conclude with DEAF AS A POST : Mr. Belford. Qi IDLER'S WELLS THEATRE.- Under the L'ole Management of Mr. W. H. C. Nation. THIS EVENING, and during the week. Douglas Jerrold's admired Comedy of TIME Wuftli , WONDERS: Messrs. T. Swinbourne, Barrett, Beimore, Bareby; Miss Ada DYa and Mrs. Poynter. Concluding with 7th, Bth. 9:h, oth, 11th. 12 th Nights of F. C. Burnand's Ever-green burlaque of IXION : Misses Lizzie Wilimore, Hudspeth, Tracey, and G. Belmore. F an ny Gwynne, Har land, Hetty In active preparation, Dion Boucicault's beautiful Drama, Of 1)01'. Commence at S,ven. Act i ng Manager, lr. NYE CHART, ------- THE ~SUN" NEWSPAPER. — G. S. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught terrace Edgware-road, is speci all y a pp ointed AGiN kto deliver ' the . ' LATE EDITION of "THE SUN " at the earliest possible moment after Sleavinuburbs g , a th nd ine press. He ls able the many parts of to deliver copies in Town, the Country at a comparatively early hour the same evening, say 45 miles by 9 o'clock. "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- U. R. GLENIE delivers tbe LATE EDITION at Chelsea, 7.40 ;lbu:n, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 ; Uxbridge, 9.20 ; Walford, 8.45. TCIE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as publishe d ever y Evening, by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish- street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as suon as Published, containing all the LATEST NEWS and SNAITING- INTELLIGENCE, by IL W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackiriars-road, London, S. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubic generally, that he supplies the LATEST EDITION of 1114'. SUN" as soon as published —No. 16, Hampstead road, N.W. QPORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies t he LA I, Ba TES th-s T E Dtreet, C rrios of -road "T , ilt , : SUN" as soon as pub cd. —ity E.C. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. n _lrnnainz. 10h. 32m.—Afternoon, 1111. 12m. 'l' J-Monnow.-31orning, 11b. 43m. A I ternoon, e t i o .4„ • LONDON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1866, The momentous day for which politicians of all ranks and parties have looked so long is now rapidly approaching, and endless are the conjec tures, the surmises, the threats, the promises, the persuasions, which are actively passing to and fro. 'The meeting of the Government supporters, which was yesterday held at Earl RUSSELL'S official resi dence, passed off as might have been expected with tolerable unanimity. Mr. LAING and Mr. EDWARD JAMES, it is said, resolutely opposed the Minis terial measure, but Mr. BOUVERIE has been gained over and has promised the Govern ment his support. The general feeling of the meeting was favourable to the prospects of the Administration ; the adhesion of the Irish Catholic members and of the Scotch Dissenters was promised by Mr. COGAN and Mr. BAXTER, and so far Earl RUSSELL had reason to be satisfied. In fact the Ministers have now been forced by circumstances to adopt a more resolute tone. The unsatisfactory manner in which their future course was referred to at the opening of the session has given place to more prompt and vigorous language. Lord RUSSELL yesterday assured his supporters that the Government intends to lay their Redistribution Bill speedily upon the table, and that they bind themselves to stand or fall by it, as they do by the Franchise Bill. He considers it just and right for the same Parliament to pass the two measures, and th e refore the Redistribution Bill i s to l ie introduced immediately after the second reading of the Fran chise Bill, that they should be discussed in connec tion, and that the Government pledge themselves to stand or fall by them both alike. By this means we may regard this Franchise Bill as a first part of the Reform Bill rather than as the measure itself, and it is evident that the position of the Ministry is materially strengthened by the change. The doubt and hesitation which they manifested at the opening of the session gave their adversaries, whether open enemies or pretended friends, the very opportu nity they wanted, and enabled those who really wanted no Reform at all to complain that they had not got enough! There are in any case difficulties enough in the a y of any Ministry that really at tempts to carry a substantial measure of Reform. Long as it has been Promised, Reform, when it draws near, is never very welcome to many mem ranks themselves, if rigidly bers ; and the Liberal examined, would show a good manywho, however on strong their intellectual convictions the subject, would secretly be very glad to have Reform post poned for the consideration of the next generation and the next cen tur y . Such half- hearted friends fulfil the familiar old couplet— " An open foe may prove a curse, But a pretended friend is worse." for. which require removal ; the prospects of success are so scanty that it is not worth while to disturb the existing order of things. In fact, it was this system carried on year after year that has secured so long a period of inaction. Lord PALMERSTON was no reformer himself—indeed he never professed to be ; and, as head of the Liberal party, he did not feel bound to do what the Liberal party were not really in earnest about. Lord PALMERSTON was too shrewd and keensighted to be mis led by hustings speeches or declamations at public assemblies ; he had seen and heard too much of such things in his fifty years' political experience. Ile knew very well that so long as the agitators had a grievance to talk about they would be very well satisfied, and, for his part, he did not believe very much in the neces sity for a change. But the accession of Earl RUSSELL to power has altered the aspect of affairs. In spite of his very unsatisfactory conduct of late years , in s p ite of his famous advice to " Rest and be thankful," in spite of his unfair treatment of Lord DERBY'S Reform Bill, and subsequent inaction when in office, the name of Jo lIN RUSSELL is popularly associated with Parlimentary Reform, and no sooner was he at the head of the Cabinet was " Now we shall have th a n the general cry Reform." It would be impossible for the RUSSELL Government to exist a single session without re deeming the pledge made by so many- successive Administrations. There is no excuse or plea of any sort for delay. The second member of the Cabinet, the Leader of the House of Commons, is known to be a genuine and earnest Reformer. No one doubts the sincerity of Mr. GL-A.DSTONE'S convictions, even though there may be little enough in the bill which it is his duty to lay before the Commons to excite any en thusiasm. Left to carry out his own wishes, we have no doubt that Mr. GLAD STONE would have framed a larger, more compre hensive, more statesmanlike measure, a mea sure which should set this vexed question at rest for this generation, and leave the public and the Parliament free to turn their attention to questions of internal policy, not concentrating all their forces on the consideration of the mere form of government itself. But he has thought, with reason, that it was better to bring in such a bill as they could carry than to let the matter wait another year. The extension of the Franchise offered by the pre sent measure is at least the admission of a prin ciple ; it recognises the grievance of which some millions of intelligent and respectable men have to complain. It is partial, no doubt, and limited in its action ; it only recognises a money qualification, and it still excludes a very wide circle ; but it does admit a considerable addition to the number of our constituencies, and permits lodgers the right to vote. It might, no doubt, be better, but it is capable of improvement in committee, and as its timidity is its chief fault the friends of moderate counsels should uphold it. Let the Bill and the Government both have a fair chance, and not be condemned untried. There is nothing in this Bill which will have to be retracted by any Govern ment ; let it therefore be proceeded with, and let us see how far the Cabinet are prepared to fulfil their übsequent pledges. These are queries which it will be very difficult to answer, and perhaps the real question at issue is whether or not the services of Count BISMARCK are to be retained by the KING. If his MAJESTY be so imprudent as to keep this crafty and dangerous statesman as his chief adviser, it may yet turn out that a storm of dis content will arise too powerful for them to withstand, and the ex-favourite of the - people, now their terror and aversion, may have to make an ignominious retreat from the position he is un worthy of and the power he has so greatly abused. The next intelligence that we receive will doubtless inform us of the opinion entertained by the Austrian Cabinet of the Prussian reply to their last commu nication, and a great deal will depend upon that. It is quite impossible that the two Governments can go on like this much longer. Fond as they are of sending forth despatches and issuing Circular Notes, an end must come to them in time, and in all probability a few more days will find them arrive at a definite conclusion. One of the greatest obstacles in the way of a peaceful solution of the difficulty lies in the fact that the demands of Prussia are so exorbitant, and that she encroaches so greatly. At every fresh dis turbance Herr VON BISMARCK continues to put in some fresh claim, or to make a new request of one kind or another, so that Austria has virtually to decide whether she will give up more and more, or whether she had better really raise herself and go to war. It is quite certain that if peace be now the ruling spirit of the hour, it cannot be one of long duration, for affairs have proceeded to such a length that Prussia will have far too much power. Of late there have been many signs and tokens to show that Austria is getting tired of the arbitrary course of her ally, and the lesser States have made many protests, which, though unproductive of effect, still shows the feeling that works beneath. All this mere talk of Federal Reform by Count BIS3IARCK really bears reference to the increase of power by Prussia ; and, let the propositions be what they may at the outset, it is quite certain that, in the end, the lion's share will be taken by the Berlin Cabinet. Nothing can put a stop to the aggressive policy of the Prussian Government but a bold resistance, carried out in a spirited manner. tilise the bombes. Their austerities have been modi fied, and all reasonable indulgences are now allowed among them. Notre Dame de la Trappe was founded in 1140 by Rotron, Count de Perche, under very strict and self-denying regulations. They were, however, much modified in 1662 by the cele brated Abbe de Rance, who loved Madame de Montbazon, and at her death he renounced the world and gave all his property to La Trappe, to which monastery he retired. He made the Order the most rigorous of all Monastic Orders. It was at the town of Trevoux, just mentioned, that one of the most ancient newspapers of France, the Journal de Trevoux, was established. The Trappist Fathers are very hospitable, and many illustrious individuals have been received at their convent. James 11. of England and his Queen took refuge there several times. In the convent there is still a picture representing the exiled Monarch eat ing at the table with the reverend fathers, the Mar shal de Bellefort, and the Duke of Berwick. Charles X., when Count d'Artois, spent several days there. Bossuet and the celebrated St. Simon have also been visitors there. Chateaubriand has been there very often. The official part of the Moniteur to-day contains several decrees, but they are only of local interest. The temperature has been very much lower since the storm of Sunday. To-day the weather has been quite cold again. The following anecdote is related as authentic : A young man of good family received from his father 3,000 f. to buy a substitute, should he be drawn for a soldier at the late conscription. He, however, drew a lucky number, and was exempt from the service. The father asked him for the money back. The son sent the old gentleman the following letter—" Dear Father, as I drew a good number, and did not want to buy a man, I have bought a woman for my wife.—Your respectful son." On reading the letter the father said, " Poor boy, he has not even purchased a property. lie has only the interest of it." MR. CHARLES DICKENS'S READINGS -.10-- "Doctor Marigold" and "Bob Sawyer." Having, most unluckily for ourselves, been pre eluded from the luxury of making one of the im mense audience that last night crowded the huge area of St. James's llall to listen to the Readings of our Great Novelist, we are at least happily enabled to transfer to our columns the following graphic descriptions of what took place there, as recounted by the faithful pens of the representatives of two of our morning contemporaries : If the spacious area of St. James's Hall, says the Daily Telegraph, seen as it was last evening, densely thronged by an extremely fashionable and earnestly attentive assemblage, had not completely satisfied any curious inquirer as to the extent of popularity enjoyed by Mr. Charles Dickens as a reader as well as a writer, there would have been no possibility of forming an erroneous conclusion on seeing an equally large crowd without, anxi ously desirous of admission, and compelled re luctantly to postpone a gratification to which they had evidently looked forward most eagerly. Fa miliar as the graphic power with which Mr. Chas. Dickens embodies his own creations must have be come to a large proportion of the dwellers in the metropolis, all who have previously enjoyed the plea sure of hearing him, hasten to take advantage of every fresh announcement of his appearance at the reading-desk, and with' the addition of those thousands emulous of participating in the same privilege, it is sufficiently obvious that a much larger space could be thickly occupied on every occasion than the voice of the speaker could easily fill. 'Under these circumstances, it will be good news to proclaim that a renewed opportunity is now given of sharing in one of the most intellectual and thoroughly enjoyable evenings which the capital affords ; but it is already evident that the only course left for our eminent novelist to avoid the infliction of bitter disappointment on a legion of his admirers will be the frequent repetition of his delightful readings at as brief intervals as pos sible. Last night Mr. Charles Dickens read for the first time in London that charming story of " Dr. Marigold," which formed the introduction to the last Christmas number of " All the Year Round." The breathless attention with which every incident in the narrative was followed, the strong feeling of reality which was produced, the vivid impression of each personage described in the printed page coming forth into positive existence, forcibly attested the marvellous dramatic power of the reciter. The form in which Mr. Dickens thus gives his works to the public is indeed that of a re citation rather than a reading, for the eye never refers to the book, and the constant change in the expression of voice and feature comes in valuable aid of the effect produced by the keen humour and touching pathos of the story. The " Cheap Jack" is actually seen in his cart as he tempts his rustic auditors with wares of small price and high value, and the political "Cheap Jack," who makes as many promises with equal recklessness of fulfil ment, stands forth substantially to view. The pathetic scene with " Little Sophy," the struggle between the wish to conceal and the inability to repress the emotions as the child death smitten with fever expires in the father's arms as he is uttering the laugh-creating jokes of his craft went thoroughly home to the hearts of the auditors, and might be cited as a marked proof of the real his trionic genius possessed by the gifted novelist. The giant, with a great deal too much in him for his joints and his mind, must have been visibly present to all within hearing of that voice which so com pletely realised a notion of his prominent peculiari ties, and the poor deaf and dumb girl, brought by the warm-hearted Doctor Marigold for a dozen pair of braces, and educatedbyhimwith so much thought ful care and tender affection as his adopted daughter, became a delightful reality, which no auditor would have dared to disprove whilst under the influence of such potent illusion. In hiS double capacity of author and interpreter Mr. Charles Dickens exercised a triumphant sway over the feel ings of his audience, and in the rounds of applause which followed his departure from the platform might be traced an emphatic expression of gratitude as well as of sincere admiration. " Mr. Bob Saw yer's Party," from Pickwick, was given as the se cond portion of the Readings, and formed a sub stantial addition to the enjoyment of the evening. On Tuesday week Mr. Charles Dickens will repeat " Dr. Marigold," and add the famous Trial from the pages of " Pickwick," an intimation which, to a large class of expectant auditors, should come like the news of the reward being claimed for the dis covery of a new pleasure. The Morning Advertiser says the great novelist has revived his public readings ; and last night gave the first of a series in the large hall at this establish ment, which we need hardly say was crammed to suffocation. The floor of the hall was nearly occu pied with stalls ; and the balconies and areas were made reserved seats. The selection was made from " Dr. Marigold's Pr escriptions," as exemplified in the Christmas volume ; and " Bob Sawyer's Evening Party," from the immortal novel of " Pickwick." Dr. Marigold pierces through the town, the Court, and the Legis lature with his homely satire; and Mr. Dickens' sense of humour is not only at the command of his pen, but of his voice, his gesture, and his elocution. He is wonderfully graphic, and suggests his charac ters and their extraordinary peculiarities with a power that certainly no other person possesses. " Bob Sawyer's Party" is full of extraordinary characters and events, as we all know, and Mr. Dickens invests it with a life and vitality that are most effective. This great satirist and novelist of the age was received with the utmost enthusiasm, and everybody seemed rejoiced to see him in such vigorous health, and with such a perfect command of his wonderful powers, not only of conception, but of execution. The next reading will take place on the 24th inst. A TRAIN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. —Daring a storm on Sunday evening the electric fluid struck a train which was travelling on the Orsay railway in France, and tra versing one of the carriages, shivered into fragments one of the doors and broke the glass of the other, passing out without further damage. _ _ . LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) ROME. ROME, APRIL 10 (Evening). The official Giornale di Roma of to-day energe tically protest a against some assertions contained in a letter from Rome to the French journal Le Monde. It declares the critical remarks made in that letter against the fidelity of the functionaries employed by the Roman Government to be entirely unfounded, and stigmatises as calumny and slander the statements in the same letter referring to the Roman nobility, " who," says the official journal, " are, with very few exceptions, faithful to the tem poral power of the Pope, and will bequeath noble examples of devotion to their descendants." SPAIN. MADRID, APRIL 10 (Evening). The treaty of peace and amity concluded between Spain and China has been laid before the Congress. It is stated that General Sersundi has been nomi nated Captain-General of Cuba, replacing General Dulce, who has resigned that post. AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. VIENNA, APRIL 11. The Presse of to-day publishes a telegram stating that the Prussian reply to the last Austrian note (rives a decisive refusal to the Austrian demand that • Prussia should withdraw the order for the mobili sation of her troops. FRANCE. THE FRENCH SENATE. PARIS, APRIL 11. The Senate has adopted the previous question upon the petition for a modification of the consti tution relative to the right of petition. BOURSE, April 9, Three p'elock.—The market closed at the following quotations :- 4 per Cents 97 50 ' Do. end month — 3 per Cents. 67 50 Do. end month 67 40 Credit Mobilier Do. end month Unis — Do. end month — Bank Shares 3500 Italian Loan 56 50 Do. end month 56 50 Mexican Loan 42 75 Do. Bonds 286 25 Spanish Threes Home Debt — Deferred 'AYB. Cash. Orleans Northern Lyons and Mediterranean Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona Roman Acct. ---- - - ... 825 - -.-- ..,, 1105 - - - ... 862 50 - - ... 545 - - - ~. 536 - - - ::: 102 50 - ... 385 - - - 390 - - - 150 - - - 197 50 87 50 82 - ANERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE GERMANIA. ( Via Southampton.) NEW YORK, MARCH 31 (Morning.) President Johnson, in addressing the Jersey delegation, who came to offer him their supports said that in the position he occupied he needed ens couragement from those desiring to maintain the first original principles of the Federal Government ; that his line of policy was unmistakeable, and that he had advanced too far in life to make any retrograde movement. In the House of Representatives Mr. Stevens asked leave to introduce a constitutional amend- meat, empowering Congress to impose an export duty upon cotton. The permission was refused. The Democrats and Republicans continue actively canvassing throughout Connecticut. Great im portance is attached to the issue of the election which takes place on Monday. The result of the action of the Jessey Legislature upon the election of a Senator in Mr. Stocktons place is anxiously awaited. Mr. Stephens has tele graphed to the President of the Jessey Senate to " hurry up " the election of a Radical Senator ; he preferred a Copperhead to a Conservative Re publican. To-day the Fenian leaders have cautioned all Fenian public speakers against making in public any further allusion to the plans and policy of the Fenian organisation. The early arrival of Stephens is anticipated here. Despatches from Toronto assert that orders have been issued for disbanding the entire Volunteer 'orce. Earl Grosvenor, M.P., and his Reform BE Amendment. 4.- The following letter from Earl Grosvenor was read amidst loud expressions of disapprobation at a crowded and enthusiastic Reform meeting held on Monday at Chester : " Sir, --I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter inviting me, on the part of the committee of the Chester branch of the National Reform Union, to attend a meet ing to support the Government Reform Bill. The com mittee are aware of the course I have thought it my duty to take in moving a resolution on the second reading of the bill, and they will therefore understand that on this account I am unable to accept their invitation. We are anxious to early a bill that, complete in all its parts an moderate in its provisions, will be for some time at least a settlement of the question. The returns relative to the state of the representation lately laid before the house re quire furthor consideration from the country, for they show that with regard to tho representation of the working classes a far different state of things than was supposed exists, and that, inasmuch as those who are provident and intelligent can, owing to the increasing rate of wages (and the higher rentals of houses, obtain tho £l.O, qualification, the rate of increase of voters of this class is progressing at a quicker rate than the population—a most satisfactory state of things and one full of hope for the future, but not one which now calls for incomplete and hasty legislation. I may not perhaps expect the approval of your association of the course I intend to take, supported, as I believe I am, by tho common sense of a vast number of my countrymen ; but I will ask them at all events to give me credit for the sincerity of my convictions on this most important sub ject, and for the honesty of my motives.—l have to remain sir, your obedient servant,, " Calveley, Tarporley, March 29, 18G6." " GROSVENOR MARKETS.—This Day. MARK-LANE. Fresh up to our market to-day the arrivals of home grown wheat were moderate, and in poor condition. The few dry samples on offer changed hands at full prices, but for damp qualities the trade was slow, at late rates. I `The market was moderately supplied with foreign wheat. The amount of business transacted was moderate, at late quotations. Floating cargoes of grain moved off slowly, at late rates. The market was fairly supplied with barley, The trade was dull, and prices were ls. to 2s. per quarter lower than on Tuesday last. Malt sold slowly, at the prices of Monday. The supply of oats on sales was moderate. The trade was slow, yet Monday's currency was sup ported. Beans and peas were dull, at Monday's quotations. There was a moderate demand for flour, at late rates. SHIP ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour. English and Scotch 330 90 830 20 750 —"lrish Foreign 2,120 3890 2,050 190 sks. bls. COMPARATIVE QUANTITIES AND PRICES OP GRAIN. For the week ending April For the corresponding week 7, 1866. last year. Qrs. Aver. Qrs. Aver. Wheat 50,006 —44 s 9d Wheat 75,137-39s 8d Barley 22,901-370 2d Barley 31,291-29 s 5d Oats WHITECHAPEL. The supply of meat on sale is moderate. The trade is slow at the following prices Beef, from 3s 6d to 5s Od; mutton, 4s 8d to 5s 6d ; veal, 5s ed to 6s Od; and pork, 48 Od to 5s 4d per Blbs by the carcase. BOROUGH HOP. The supply of hops on sale is moderate for the time o year. Who trade is quiet, at late rates, THE REFORM BILL. --4&•.--- Yesterday the long-expected meeting of the sup porters of Government was held at the official re sidence of Lord Russell, and the final explanations were made preparatory to the coming debate. As the meeting was private, in the sense that reporters were not present, any account of it must be necessarily imperfect, and we do not profess to give even a sum mary of the proceedings. But the most important feature was, of course, the speech of Lord Russell, which contained several points worthy of notice. It is needless to say that complete unanimity prevailed. Those members who have made up their minds to vote for Lord Grosvenor's Amendment would of course for the most part stay away, or listen in silence to the statements of the Premier. Lord Russell spoke about an hour with temper and judgment, and we have no reason to complain of the announcement he made on the part of the Ministry, since they are the best proof that the criticisms of ourselves and others on the conduct of the Government were founded on reason, and have not failed of their effect. Lord Russell, of course, repeated the determination of the Government to stand or fall by the vote of the house on the second reading of the bill now before it. If this, however, had been all, there would have been little interest in the meeting. It would have revealed nothing that was not known before, and given no assurance which was not possessed by mem bers and the country before the Easter recess. The attitude of the Liberal opponents of piecemeal Re form has, however, produced from Lord Russell a declaration on the subject of the redistribution of seats, which marks a considerable advance in Minis terial opinion. Lord Russell now states that the Government will speedily lay their bill for redistri bution on the table of the House of Commons, and that they bind themselves to stand or fall by it as absolutely as by the Franchise Bill. He also states that in his opinion it is just and expedient that the same Parliament which passes the Franchise Bill should also pass the bill for the Redistribution of Seats. Those who will carry back their recollec tions to the utterances of Mr. Gladstone at an earlier period of the session will be able to appre ciate the change which the remonstrances of the Liberal party and of the chief organs of indepen dent opinion in the press have produced in the counsels of Ministers. We do not say too much when we describe the language used a few weeks since as ominous of a most unjust and unconstitu tional manner of dealing with this question. It was plainly suggested before Parliament met that the lowering of the franchise was an expedient for the election of a new House of Commons, which should deal with the redistribution of seats in a manner not to be expected from a house constituted like the present. When the interest and curiosity of the country were at their height, Mr. Gladstone in a marked manner refused to pledge himself in any way concerning a redistribution of seats. Such a measure might, or might not, be introduced ; but it had, according to the Ministerial exponent, no con nexion with the Franchise Bill, which was a scheme complete and perfect of itself. The impression which the declarations of the leader of the House and his chief ally produced on all who heard them was that a naked bill for the lowering of the fran chise was intended by Government, and that this measure, with all its demoralising consequences in certain boroughs, was not to be supplemented by another, unless there should be some demand for it at some future time. Having regard to Mr. Glad stone's well-known opinions concerning small boroughs, there was reason to believe that, as far as he was concerned, there was no intention of going further; but at the same time it was not difficult to foresee that the scandals which the new system would create, the corruption which it would increase in a number of the agricultural boroughs, and the anomalies which it would render more intolerable, must Soonlead to a strong agitation, and a long and bitter conflict between the reinforced boroughs and the other constituencies. We have now, however, a very different Ministerial programme. It is con cluded that there shall be a Bill for Redistribution brought in immediately after the second reading ; that the Franchise Bill shall be discussed in con nexion with it ; that the Miniitry will bind diem selves to proceed with this very bill, and no other ; that it shall be introduced to the present Parlia ment ; and that they will stand or fall according to its success. Why, we may ask, could they not have said all this before, and why could they have not gone further and made up their minds to unite the whole in one satisfactory measure ? Having con ceded so much, the Government might well go a little further. They might lay their Bill for Redis tribution before the House at once, and not call upon their supporters to take a leap in the dark by voting for a measure the principle of which can only be judged by something which is still withheld. The speech of Lord Russell, we are informed, was well received. Mr. Bouverie promised to vote for the second reading. Mr. Laing and Mr. E. James, however, persisted in their opposition. These gen tlemen, whose objections were, of course, not well received by such a meeting, may, we presume, be expected to support Lord Grosvenor's amendment. Mr. Baxter and Mr. Cogan, on behalf of the Scotch and Irish members, expressed themselves satisfied with the postponement of the bills for their respec tive portions of the United Kingdom, on the pro mise of Lord Russell that these shall form parts of the Government scheme. Nothing more remains to be said or done before the debate begins. The opi nions of almost every member are now known, and the speeches will be rather the manifestoes of those who utter them than compositions intended to per suade the listeners and determine the result of the id THE AUTOGRAPHIC MIRROR ripens and improves with time rather than deteriorates. When first started, it was expected that it must only too speedily run the length of its tether. Since which time, on the contrary, it has advanced very considerably in excellence. The new series, that is the current series, every one recognises as a manifest improve ment upon its predecessors. And every now and then, of this new series, we obtain a number of really exceptional merit—such an one, for example, as No. 41 just now issued. In it there are com pacted together a dozen specimens of handwriting —the handwriting of twelve distinct persons cele brated in one way or another, by genius, by birth, by virtue, by valour—the Queen's mother, and the mother of the late King Louis Philippe, and .that King's eldest son, the late Duke of Orleans—Bos suet, the Bishop of Meaux, and Fenelon, the Archbishop of Cambrai—Marshal Turenne and the Great Duke of Marlborough—Alexander Pope and Lawrence Sterne--James Boswell, Sir Joshua Rey nolds, and Dr. Johnson, to say nothing of a copy of Sir Joshua's likeness of himself, and of a fac simile of his original sketch of his Figu:e of Faith in the Great West Window of the Chapel of New College, Oxford. Twelve autographs in a number published for sixpence clearly, according to Cocker, a halfpenny each autograph—with the two drawings and the letter-press thrown in ! DEATH OF DR. BABINGTON, F.R.S.—Dr. Ben- jamin Guy Babington, F.R.S., the eminent London, physician, died on Sunday at his town house, in George street, Hanover-street. He was born in 1794, and edu cated at the Charterhouse. After passing through Halley bury, he entered the Madras medical service in 1812, but retired from it in 1819, and studied at the University of Cambridge, whore he graduated M.D. in 1830. In 1831 Dr. Babington was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. He was attached to Guy's Hospital, and was physician to Charter-house, to the Deaf .and Dumb Asy lum, and to the Margate Infirmary ; consulting physician to the German Hospital, to the City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Cbest, to the New Equitable Assurance Company, and to the English and Scottish Law and Clergy Mutual Assurance Company. Dr. Babington has been for many years a fellow of the Royal Society, and is known as the author of a " Gyclopeedia of Anatomy and Physiolgy," and of various papers in the " Medico-Chhurgical Society's Transactions," as editor of Feuchtersleben's "Medical Psychology" (published for the Sydenham Society), and as translator of " Ihe Epidemics of the Middle Ages." THE HONDURAS MAIL. SERVICE.—III conse quence of the West India and Pacific Steamship Company having given notice to terminate their contract, the Post office has issued a notice that henceforth letters for Hon duras ‘vill be forwarded by private ship unless specially marked via Jamaica, in which case they will be forwarded by the mail packet to that island and there left for convey - =CO tc) BtliZO by the , tint opportunity. ,gt , Mao. (.6 ,t 4 DI gq HER MAJESTY• WINDSOR CASTLE, Tuesday. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness Princess Helena and her Grand Ducal Highness Princess Leiuingen, drove in the grounds this morning. ller Majesty, with Princess llelena, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, Prince Leopold, and Princess Leiningen, left Windsor Castle to-day at three o'clock for Osborne. The suit consisted of the Countess of Caledon, Lady Augusta Stanley, the Hon. Caroline Caven dish, Lieut.-General Hon. C. Grey, Major-General Hon. A. N. Hood (Equerry in Waiting), Lieut. Stirling, Mr. Sahl, and the Master of the Household. The Countess of Caledon has succeeded Lady Waterpark as Lady in Waiting, and the Hon. Caroline Cavendish succeeds as Maid of Honour. Departure of hei Majesty for Osborne. Yesterday afternoon her Majesty, with their Royal Highnesses Princesses Helena, Louise, and Beatrice, Prince Leopold, and Princess Leiningen, attended by Lieutenant-General Grey, Major- General Hood, Sir J. Cowell, the Countess of Caledon, the Hon. Miss Cavendish, &c., left Wind sor Castle shortly after three o'clock for Osborne. The royal train was furnished by the directors of the South-Western Railway. It consisted of seven carriages, including the two fine state saloons, well appointed throughout, and provided with the elec trical system of communication between each compartment and the guards' vans, invented by Mr. Preece, and adopted by the company. Her Majesty left the terminus precisely at three o'clock, the Royal standard being lowered from the Castle keep as the special train passed over the rail way bridge across the Thames. The Royal train arrived at the Royal Clarence Victualling-yard at half-past five. The royal party was received by Vice-Admiral Sir T. Pasley, Bart., Commander-in-chief of the port ; Major- General Sir Geo. Buller, K.C.8., commanding the south-western district ; Captain Superintendent Shadwell, C. 8., &c., and embarked on board the royal yacht Alberta, which immediately left the harbour for Osborne, accompanied by the tender Elfin, Master-Commander Balliston, with the royal retinue and equipage. The Marquis and Marchioness of Bristol left their residence in St. James's-square on Monday for Paris for a few weeks. The Earl and Countess of Wilton have arrived at their residence in Grosvenor-square for the season. The Countess of Fingall died on Saturday at Brighton. Her ladyship was in her 71st year. The de ceased countess was the only daughter of Mr. Elias Cor bally, of Corbalton-hall, county Meath. By her husband the countess leaves a numerous family of six sons and two daughters. Viscount Hamilton, M.P., and Lord Claud Hamilton, M.P., arrived in town yesterday from Cannes to resume their duties in Parliament. Lord and Lady Skelmersdale and family have arrived at 11, Princes-gate, for two months. Lord Stanley of Alderley and Hon. Miss Stanley arrived at their residence in Dover-street, Piccadilly, last evening from Alderley-park, Cheshire. Lady Charlotte Schreiber's ball will take place on Wednesday, the 2nd of May, instead of the 18th inst. Sir John and Lady Lister Kaye have arrived at their new residence, 17, Cromwell-road, South Kensing ton, for the season. General and Mrs. Wood have arrived at the Alexandra Hotel, Hyde-park-corner, from Littleton, Chertsey. HEALTH OF THE METROPOLIS• -~-- (Front the Registrar-General's Weekly Report.) In the week that ended on Saturday, April 7, the births registered in London and 12 other large towns of the United Kingdom were 4,419 ; the deaths re- gifstered 3,506. The annual rate of mortality was 30 per 1,000 persons living. In London the births of 1,175 boys and 1,099 girls, in all 2,274 children, were registered in the week. In the corresponding weeks of 10 years 1856- 65 the average number, corrected for increase of population, was 2,072. The deaths registered in London during the week were 1,574. It was the 14th week of the year, and "the average number of deaths for that week is, with a correction for increase of population, 1,471. The deaths in the present return exceed by 103 the esti mated number. Zymotic diseases proved fatal to 345 persons ; 36 deaths occurred from smallpox, 71 from measles, 21 from scarlatina, 8 from diphtheria, and 51 from typhus. One hundred and ninety-six persons died from phthisis, 176 from bronchitis, 77 from pneumonia. A labourer, aged 69, died on the Ist April at 8, Chapman-road, Hackney, from cholera (48 hours). A cabinetmaker, aged 54, died on the 27th March at 3, Stacey-street, St. Giles's, from phthisis, accele rated by want of proper food. A porter, aged 54, died on the 28th March at 9, Eagle-street, Holborn, of injuries from a fall in the street by stepping on a woman's crinoline. The following four deaths were registered in the week as having been caused by carriage accidents A cabman, aged 72, died on the 22d March at the Royal Free Hospital from inflammation of the brain, after an injury to his hand by a van. The son of a lighterman, aged 2, died on the 29th March at 165, High-street, Shadwell, having been run over by a railway van. A jeweller, aged 39, died on the 31st March at Poplar Hospital, from " Manslaughter" (it has been omitted to be mentioned in this return that the death was caused by the collision of two omnibuses). Awidow aged 75 years died on the 28th of March at Chairing-cross Hospital from shock to the system, occasioned by her having been run over l in Long-acre. The annual rate of mortality last week was 21 per 1,000 in London, 28 in Edinburgh, and 21 is Dublin ; 32 in Bristol, 32 in Birmingham, 42 in Liverpool, 35 in Manchester, 44 in Salford, 33 in Sheffield, 35 in Leeds, 26 in Hull, 25 in NeWCalitle.- npon-Tyne, and 33 in Glasgow. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.573 in• The barometrical reading increased from 29.26 in• on Monday to 29.89 in. on Friday. The mean teal" perature of the air in the weekwas 42.4 deg., which is 2.7 deg. below the average of the same week 111 50 years (as determined by Mr. Glaisher). Th e highest day temperature was 54.6 deg. on Friday, the lowest night temperature wos 34.2 deg. on ThursdaY. The entire range of temperature in the week was/ therefore, 20.4 deg. The difference between the mean due-point temperature was 3.8 deg. Th ° mean degree of the humidity of the air was 87, com plete saturation being represented by 100. Rai n fell to the amount of 0.62 in. The direction of the wind was variable. NEW CENSUS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.-A HOW 4 ‘ day" census of the City of London is to be taken this week, for which purpose some of the census paper ° were issued from the offices of the ward clerks on Saturday' and the remainder were to be sent out yesterday. These pg pers set forth that at the last census, taken in 1861, the pePT l a tion comprised only those who slept within the City , 3D' consequently, foll very far short of the real daily PeP ti l a tion occupied in the vast commercial transactions of the world's centre of commerce. It is now proposed to inel tici , e . all persons engaged or employed i n the transaction a tu" commercial, monetary, p ro f ess i ona l, an d trading conc erti° of the city. The ele c t ora l re t urns r ecently presented t° Parliament show that the estimated population of the eil a is now only 104,908, reckoned upon the same basis as th e census of 1861 ; w hil e th A gross estimated rental of to City property is £2,303,633. There are in the City 1113i° 619 blocks of houses let out as offices, &c., only the or i g it lf lessees of which are on the rate - book ;so that the actin population cannot bo riscertained by any other real at ' e s than by a house-to-house visitation, or by obtaining return such as aro now asked for in the " clay" census. iza lit GIFT TO KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. - M r. f the Greek merchant, has just presented to the committee ()._ King's College Hospital, through Dr. Priestley, the rou'l a fi c ent sum of £ 6 , 000 , for the purpose of establis hin g a sli.u.to for poor sick children in that institution. The ward is 40 be called the " Pantia Ralli" ward, in me mor y of the ' /tr. Fantle, Ralli the father of the generous donor