The Sun. — London, England, 1865-03-29 00:00:00

THE LONDON AND SOUTH AFRICAN STEAM-SIIIP COMPANY (Limited). Capital £150,000, in 6,000 shares of £25 each. £1 to be paid on application for shares, and £4 on allotment. Further calls will be made at moderate intervals. DIRECTORS. J. R. Thomson, Esq. (Messrs. J. R Thomson and Co., London, Cape Town, and Algoa Bay), Chairman of the London and South African Bank. John Hay, Esq., Shipowner, Sunderland and London. IL Maynard, Esq. (Messrs. Maynard Brothers, London and Port Elizabeth). Henry Ellis, Esq. (Messrs. Henry Ellis and Sons), 17, Gracechurch-street. Joseph Levick, Esq. (Messrs. LeTicks and Sherman, Lon don and Cape Town). Arthur Pardew, Esq., Shipowner, Plymouth and London. _ BANKERS. Messrs. Glyn, Mills ' Currie, and Co., 6 7 , Lombard - street. London and South African Bank for the Colonies. SOLICITORS. Messrs. Ellis, Parker, and Clarke, St. Michael's-alley, Cornhill. Bnoluns—Messrs. P. Cazenove and Co., 52, Thread needle-street. SHIP BROKERS. Messrs. Henry Ellis and Sons, 17, Grazechurch-street. Offices-17, Gracechurch-street. This Company has been formed for the purpose of sup plying a want long existing among merchants in London, trading with the Cape of Good Hope, for direct and regular steam communication from London. In order to show the profitable character of the busi ness to be transacted by such a line of steamers, it is only necessary to point to the extraordinary results ob tained by the Union Company for their line from South ampton to the Cape. It is intended for these steamers to call either at Fal mouth or Plymouth for tho embarkation and delivery of mails and passengers. There is a very large and remunerative passenger traffic. The exports and imports of the colony are yearly increasing, and the preference shown for steam carriage over the sailing lines is becoming greater, as merchants recognise that the saving in time, interest of money, and insurance more than repay the additional freight obtained by steamships. A fleet of steamers has already been secured under favourable circumstances, and at a moderate price. They aro new, of full power, and of high class, and it is confi dently expected that with them the Company will be able to complete the passage from London to Cape Town in about 30 days. The steamers will be transferred to the Company at cost price, and there will be no promotion money. Two-thirds of the capital have already been subscribed and the share-list will consequently remain open for a short period only. THE LONDON AND SOUTH AFRICAN STEAM-SHIP COMPANY (Limited). To the Directors. Gentlemen,—llaying paid to your Bankeis the sum of , I request that you will allot me shares of £2Y each in the above-named Company, and:l authorise you to insert u y name on the Register of Members for thesame, or any less numbar of share so allotted ; and I agree to accept such shares, or any less number, to 1 ay the £4 further on allutment, and to sign the Articles of Association if, and when, required to do so. Name in fu11.... Address Description Date Usual signature ••••••• THEATRE -ROYAL, DRURY-LANE, Blanagers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, a New Farce, GOING TO T GE DOGS. After which, AS YOU LIKE IT. Messrs. James Ander son, Walter Montgomery, Waiter Lacy. Sinclair, Rayner ; Miss Rose Leclercq and Miss Helen Faucit. THEATR E-R OYA L, HAYMARKET. Lessee. Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. Mr. Chippen ale, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Gordon, tc. ; Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Miss Hill, Miss Lovell, dm After which, a New Sensation, THE WOMAN IN MAUVE : Messrs. SoLhern, Compton, Howe, Farren, Braid, White, Weathersby, Butler, dac, Mesdames Stuart, Lovell, Buckstone, Sze. And EASY SHAVING. Mies Louise Keeley, Miss F. 'Wright ; fileszrs. Clark, Gordon, Rogers, &o. To commence at 7. - - 7, 4 T EW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.-- 9 tsole Yroprletor and Managvor, /dr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS. Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Billington, Miss K. Kelly, and Mrs. Billington. Atter which, THE LOVE CHASE. Wildrake (his origi nal character), Mr. B. Webster. Messrs. Billington, Ashley, Stephenson. Widow Green ,11th tince),"Mrs. Stirling; Con stance (11th time), Miss Henrietta Simms; Lydia (her lull appearance), Miss Sophia Young. To conclude with THE STEEPLECHASE; or, In the Pigskin. Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford ; Miss K. Kelly. Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Sole Management of Mr. feechter. -- THIS EVENING, THE ROADSIDE INN. Robert Ma caire, Mr. Emery, Bertrand, air. H. Widdicomb ; Messrs. C. Horsman, Fitzpatrick, Moreland, Garden, Raymond, Collett; Miss E. Lavenu and Miss Elsworthy. To be followed by THE STRANGER. The Stranger, Mr. Ryder; Mrs. Haller, Mdlle. Beatrice; Messrs. Widdi comb, C. Horsman, Fitzpatrick, ll'lntyre, Garden, Raymond ; Miss M. Remade, E. Lavenu, and Mrs. C. Horsman. Doors open at Half-past Six. The Box-office open daily from Elev. n till Five. IYCEUM THEATRE.-MR. FECIITER'S reappearance will take place on Easter Monday, on which occasion he will perform, for the first time at this theatre, a new character. BuCYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vininf,T. THIS EVENING, a new Farce, by Ur, David Fisher, entitled HEART-STRINGS AND FIDDLE-STRINGS. Atter which, ARHAH NA POGUE : Messrs. Dion Bouci cault, J. Brougham, H. Vande.nll,4l, D. Fisher, D. Murray; Mrs. Boucicault and Miss M. Oliver. To conclude with AN AMPLE APOLOGY. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at 7, CROSS PURPOSES: Mr. Par odic; Misa Palmer. After which, the great Comic Drama. MILKY WHITE. Messrs. Craven, Stoyle, Jame,: ; Miss Swanborongh. To conclude vah MAZEPPA. Messrs. Fenton, James ; Mesdames itaynham:'Simpson, Johnstone, &c. raIIIE LAST EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLWENtE, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLItNIE, Naws AGEXT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published every Evening by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 2.1, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied as soon as Published. containing all the LATEST NEWS and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, by 11. W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Bladdriars-road, London, S. " A SUN PORTRAIT." On MONDAY next, the 3d of April, a copy of the Miniature Photograph, already announced, entitled ~ A Sun Portrait," (being an all but microscopic facsimile of the front page of The Sun newspaper of MONDAY, the 2d of January, 1865), will be presented GRATIS to every purchaser of The I..un of that evening —namely, of Monday Evening Next. The PHOTOGRAPHIC CURIOSITY thus announced as immediately forthcoming, is produced by means of an entirely new application of the Art of Photography. Price of the paper (with Supplement and Photo graph), 4d. ; stamped, by post, sd. *** Non-Purchasers of the Newspaper can obtain Card copies of THE SUN PHOTOGRAH ready for framing either at THE SUN Office, 112, Strand, or at any Photographic Publishers in the United Kingdom. Price 6d. ; by post, 7d. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY.—Morning, 3h. 20m.—Afternoon, 3h. 42m. To-Monnow.-Morning, 4h. sm.—Afternoon, 4h. 30m. OVltt et...L-10PN -nu. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1865. We have not had long to . wait for additional news from America, and although the date of the intelli gence brought by the City of Baltimore is only one day later than that of the Canada, it is full of inte rest and not without its significance in its military and political aspect. The most striking feature is the message of President DAVIS to the Confederate Congress, which is remarkable for its undi m i n i s h ed spirit and the high tone which he assumes in speak ing of the prospects of his country. More energetic legislation is, he says, required by the condition of affairs, and he recommends the modification of the Militia law and the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. The latter measure, indeed, he considers to be indispensable to the successful prosecution of the war. It will, of course, make a vast difference in his position, and in that of General LEE. It Will greatly strengthen their hands, and will remove those obstacles which prejudice, selfishness, and discussion have hitherto put in their way. It will empower them to impress any number of men they may require, to enlist the negroes, and take other active and vigorous steps. The great wants in the Southern councils ever since the unfortu nate moment when General SHER3IAN entered Georgia have been promptitude and vigour. Unhappily just at that crisis there was disaffection in the Senate and discontent among the people. Those selfish interests which can never be wholly exterminated asserted themselves among the people, and paralysed the efforts of their truly patriotic readers. The Peace Conference did great good by arousing once more the old feeling of unity and de termination throughout the Confederate States. The people, whatever their malcontent, could not submit tamely to the humiliating terms offered by the North, who dictated the terms of a conqueror without a conqueror's right. On the subject of this Conference we learn something from the Southern President's Message. It appears that the Confede rate Commissioners proposed to get over LINCOLN'S objection to treat with the Richmond Government by a military convention between the two principal Generals. LinteouT did not at first accede to this, but after a time General ORD, commanding the army of the James, asked for an interview with General LONGS'TREET, and told him that LEE would be granted an interview if he had the requisite authority. LEE therefore wrote to GRANT on the 2d of March, proposing a conference on the subject of the suspension of hostilities. But the Northern General refused, on the ground of not having any such authority. No choice, therefore, says DAvis, remains to the people of the Confederacy, but to fight out the contest to the last. " They can have little love for Union who supposes it possible they would ever consent to purchase, at the cost of de gradation and slavery, permission to live in a country garrisoned by their own negroes, and governed by officers sent by the conqueror to rule over them." Not less strong is his language of encouragement, provided the people respond to his call. He does not, indeed, attempt to deny that the crisis is urgent, and with the frank and straight forward candour with which he has always dealt with his people, he admits that Richmond is now in greater danger than it has been throughout the war. But he adds, " Though the country is in danger, calamities will be averted and triumph secured by fortitude, courage, constancy, and endurance." Men and money are both required for the success ful conduct of the war ; both exist in the country, and both should, therefore, be forthcoming for the cause. With regard to the financial embarrassments which still continue to be felt, he hopes that Congress will devise measures for making coin within the Confederacy available for supplying the army. Two million dollars in coin Will, it is said, supply the Carolina armies during the remainder of the year. With the monetary difficulty thus disposed of, and the scarcity of men provided for by the enlistment of the negroes, the two great hindrances to the Con federate leaders will be satisfactorily removed. In contrast to the Message of President DAVIS to the Confederate Congress, we have the brief ac count of a speech made by President LINCOLN to a crowd at Washington, in which he declared his be lief that the end of the war was at hand, that the South was reduced to the last extremity, and that if the slaves would fight for their masters it would be an argument in favour of slavery. Mr. LINCOLN'S opinions appear to have undergone a rapid change between the 4th and 17th of March. The desponding tone of his address on his re-inauguration as President was most remark able, and he expressly asserted that no man could foresee the end of the war. But, in a fortnight, all is changed. The Confederacy is at its last gasp, the negroes will not fight, and the war is coming to an immediate conclusion. We suspect that the North, so far from having nearly gained their object, is in a more critical position than ever. Should the Southern people respond to DAVIS'S appeal, as they no doubt will, LEE will be free to act with a vigour and a concentration of purpose which he has never been able to command before, while the wide range of his authority will enable him to be virtual Dictator. It is evident that some important movement is in contemplation, for unusual activity was prevailing in both armies, and so remarkable was the move ment among LEE'S troops that the army of the Po tomac was under arms for two days. It was thought that the Confederates had ruined some of the Fede ral works, and an attack was expected but whether there was any reason for this supposition beyond mere conjecture is not stated. The Richmond papers suspended publication on the 16th, owing to the absence of their workpeople upon military service. They might possibly have been engaged in the re moval of property previous to the evacuation of the city, or they may have been summoned to take part in other business. It is quite manifest that LEE has some serious movement in contemplation, and pos sibly its result may affect the destiny of the war. SHERMAN is said to be moving on Goldsborough, having now open communication with Wilmington. He has completely desolated the eastern portion of Southern Carolina, burning everything before him after the humane fashion of Federal warfare. It is noticeable that the Federal Government is said to contemplate the withdrawal of twenty-five thou sand marines from the navy for land service. This does not look as if the Northern ranks were very well suppliedwith recruits. The Confederate General FORREST has arrived at Macon, Georgia, with 15,000 cavalry, so that we may expect he will soon appear upon the scene of action. JOHNSTON is concentrat ing his forces at Raleigh, where SHER3IAN may look for serious resistance. Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina_a central position of importance, round which the railways radiate in various direc tions. It is not likely that JOHNSTON may make a stand there, and offer a vigorous opposition to the invader's further progress. The last mail told us of th e d amage wantonly inflicted by the Federals in flooding the ba n k s o f the James River Canal. They h a d since to suffer a similar misfortune themselves by the sudden breaking up of the ice on the Susquehanna, famous for its poetical associations. Some millions of dollars' worth of property has been destroyed, a n d the petroleum works in Pennsylvania have suffered greatly. The next mail, which may be expected within a few days, may very likely bring us important intel ligence; but, as matters at present stand, the friends of the South have no cause for despair, nor the partisans of the North for exultation. It is probable that the very reverses which the South has suffered may be the means of its salvation, since they have aroused its latent energies. DAVIS and LEE are leaders worthy of a free and determined people, and the rumoured resignation of the former has its rise, no doubt, in the wishes of Northern allies. He is not the man to abandon his post in danger, and all wise and patriotic Southerners must desire to retain him at the head of the Confederacy. Affairs in Prussia are approaching a crisis, and the Government Will soon be put upon their mettle to carry out their eheri4heci vzhemea and to make a stand against their vehement and vigorous oppo nents. Times are indeed changed since we hailed in Prussia the triumph of constitutionalism, spread ing its beneficial influence at home, and presenting an example that foreign nations admired and emu lated. The debate on the Budget sufficiently shows the state to which things have come, and indeed it may be safely and surely predicted that we shall soon hear of a crash somewhere. People will not go on for ever tamely submitting to their liberties being outraged and their rights trampled upon ; and even the lethargic Prussians must be roused by the un scrupulous conduct of their Government if a change does not take place very shortly in the tactics of Herr BISMARS and his coadjutors. It has come to something when the Ministers openly declare that they refuse to resign whatever happens, and set the assembled Chamberi at defiance. General VON ROON'S speech is quite a masterpiece in its way, and aptly represents the policy of Ministers at present. It deserves an attentive consideration, and may be studied with advantage by all those who wish to in form themselves concerning the prospects of the future. The General's tone was insulting in the extreme, and the numerous dissentient remarks that interrupted his discourse plainly showed that the patience of his audience was severely tried. He began by attempting to bully the Chamber by de claring that they were endeavouring to make a political question out of what should be a military and technical affair. Having laid down this premise, he drew a conclusion very convenient to the Government, but very ob noxious to the Chamber. He went on to affirm that the constitutional rights of the Crown were being assailed, and that it was a monstrous thing to propose to vote the taxes annually. "You want to add to your power at the cost of the Crown ; gentlemen, this will never be suffered." (Loud cries and tumult.) Those who have sneered at the prophecies of good judges will now see their mis take in persisting in the belief that matters would right themselves in Berlin, and that the storm would blow over without the power of the Crown or the places of the Ministers being sacrificed. Such an indication of feeling as was exhibited during this debate can not be mistaken, and it is quite impos sible for the present feeling to be continued without it creating a struggle for supremacy that may assume fearful proportions, and, indeed, convulse the whole state of the social atmosphere. The General's remarks about the Ministers would be amusing, if the occasion that called them forth were true. He boldly declared that they were told to resign, but declined to do so. " Our seats, believe me, are no easy chairs ; we should take your advice to-morrow could we hope to see the vacancies filled up by competent successors." This is, certainly, one way of getting out of the difficulty, and the ingenuity of these place-mongers must be admired by all crafty and inveterate statesmen who put office before everything. It is really refreshing to notice that when the General went on to declare that the King placed confidence in them, a voice called out, " The country places no confidence in you." But what mattered it to the sublime devo tion and fervent loyalty of the speaker and his friends, whether or not the ignorant men who listened to him approved of his policy or not. It was, indeed, perfectly plain that his mind was made up, and that the pleasure or displeasure of the Cham bers and the country was a matter of perfect in difference. Really it would almost seem as if the Government had made up their minds to provoke the Assembly into doing or saying something that might furnish pretext for summary proceedings. As for dissolving the House, the General said that party organisation was too strong for them as yet. This is clearly a contradiction in terms, be cause the object of a dissolution should be to ascer tain what are the sentiments of the country, and what party is preferred to represent the interests of the nation. We are informed by the plain-spoken orator what will be done if a better feeling is not manifested by the Chambers. Sensation and uproar very naturally followed the announcement of the pro posed policy to break through the organisation of party, and get at the people themselves. The people are not very likely to profit much by the intervention of the Government. As for the final threat of adapting the result of the elections to the interests of the country, it is - only what has been all along surmised by very competent judges, and the Gene ral's much vaunted ultimatum fell very flat on his auditors. Perhaps the only words of truth that fell from the lips of this audacious and arrogant speaker were those with which he wound up, when he sai d that, " for the Government it was no longer a ques tion of right but of existence." There was a method in the seeming madness of this daring and defiant address, and the meaning of the enigmatical pro ceedings of Ministers will doubtless soon be disclosed. Herr WicHow very properly animadverted upon the extraordinary conduct of the officials. He told them that there was a NEMESIS in history, and that if a rupture was brought about by Govern ment they would have to pay the penalty one day. He also very truly stated the exact posture of affairs, by reminding the House that the Ministers had caused the confusion of thingi from which they were now suffering, by spending money not appro priated by the House, and hence the desire that had been expressed to vote the taxes annually arose from the idea that the interests of the country were being sacrificed. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, M. Gounod's " Faust e Margherita," There are none so deaf as those who will not hear is, however, an adage, the truth of which can not; be gainsaid, and assuredly Herr vow BISMARK and his friends is an ample verification of it. Loud cheers greeted the spirited assertion of Herr WRCHOW, that menaces would not terrify them— " It is we who have taken our stand on the rock of right, and depend upon it you will find us in the breach whenever the constitutional rights of the country are imperilled." It will, indeed, 15e a pity if the people of Prussia suffer themselves to be intimidated by the grasping conduct of unprincipled statesmen, and thus lose their prestige among the nations of Europe. A heavy responsibility now rests upon the representa tives who have to hold the rights of the people against powers and principalities in the face of overwhelming obstacles. The good wishes of all lovers of freedom will go with them to their arduous endeavour, and if they succeed will indeed rejoice. One of the moderate party also spoke out with much warmth, and thus displayed the feeling of the House. Dr. &IBA'S earnest words must have struck terror to the minds of the Ministers, and the best proof was that General BONN felt obliged to explain some of his language. It was not so easy, however, to give an answer to this query,—General BONN' speaks lightly of the House and of its exist ence, but is the Cabinet formed of more durable material than the country ? Such a state of things as has been indicated by this debate cannot last without a momentous turn being given to affairs, and hence all eyes will turn with expectancy to Berlin, and watch anxiously for intelligence from that quarter. It may not be long before the wrongs of Denmark are avenged in the misery and confu eevnedn t now, o w b e , n s i o d n e e t d h , a t t h w e is p r etvhf beginning n P n r Prussia, i a e , f an th d e traced in the dissensions and strife that are shaking to their foundotions the time-honoured institutions of the land. The new season at Covent Garden commenced last evening under the happiest auspices. Yesterday having been the Third Court held by her Majesty in person, at Buckingham Palace—the third since the lamented commencement of her Majesty's widow hood—early though the present date in the London season is as yet, the house last night presented alto gether a most brilliant appearance. In spite of the weather, the attendance was very considerable. But, turning from the audience to the entertainment, that also was in many ways remakable. The perform ance set down by Mr. Gye for the First Night, pre sented a combination of attractions. There were two debuts to begin with—a soprano and a contralto —Mdlle. Berini, from Milan, and Mdlle. Honore, from Moscow. And both of these debilts weri suc cessful. Again, as the hero of the night, of the First Night of the Season, there was that yet King of Tenors, Signor Mario—still King amongst them all when he happens to be in good voice, as he did most happily prove to be last evening. To crown all, the opera selected for the inaugural night of the season, was that most popular among all modern operas, Gounod's Faust e Mar gherita. Incomparably, notoriously—the most popu lar. Not the greatest work by any means, of course, neither the grandest, nor yet the loveliest of the world's lyrical masterpieces ; but, beyond all doubt of it, among modern operas, we repeat, the most popular ! And for that—matter:claiming for it, as we have but just now intimated quite frankly, and also not very surprisingly claiming for it, as we do, no exceptional pre-eminence, or priority, or precedence among works of art, many of them holding far loftier rank as chefs d'ceuvres among musical compositions—who can wonder, in deed, at the exceeding popularity of the Faust of M. Gounod ! To begin with—the theme selected by him is so matchlessly attractive ! Meaning, of course, not in any way the mere libretto of Messrs. Carre and Barbier—a libretto much of a piece with the general run of produc tions of that proverbially feeble class —but meaning rather by " the theme " of the opera, the ideal Faust of Goethe, the ideal Faust-and- Margaret of the Teutonic Shakspere. Even through the hazy verses of Carre and Barbier, the luminous and haunting Drama of the great German Poet is clearly discernible ! Thanks, this, of course, to the vivifying genius which somehow appears to be more or less peculiar to all great musical com posers, for inasmuch as it enables them—when supplied with no more than the veriest dry bones of a libretto—to create a soul under the ribs of death ! As with the rest of them, so is it here with M. Gounod in regard to this five act lyrical drama of Faust e Margherita. For— thanks, we repeat, exclusively to himself in thus having wedded his lovely music, if not to immortal words, at any rate to the immortal idea of Goethe—What Five Acts they are ! What Five Acts in the mere picturesque distribution of the various incidents in this tale of love and terror, in this wonderful shadowing forth of the passionate and the beautiful ! In immediate evidence of which, observe the mere symmetry and completeness of effect produced by the distribution of the incidents in these Five acts of Gounod's Opera 1 The Student's Chamber constituting the framework of the first act, an act rendered enthralling by the apparition of Mephistopheles, by the transformation of Faust, by the dream-picture of Margaret at her Spinning Wheel. The Market Place being the region given up to the occurrences of the second act with all its fluctuating throngs of soldiers, citizens, students, maidens, matrons, children, old men—touched to its completing beauty and its crowning interest by the first meeting of Faust and Mar garet. The Garden Scene—the exquisite garden scene—forming the back-ground, as it were for the filling in of the picture presented to view by the core, the heart, the central passion of the whole drama—the pretty coquetries of Gretchen, and the warm-blooded wooing of her by the demon-haunted student ! Act the Fourth running out the tangled thread of their destinies to a more tragiehl issue— Outside the Church first of all—afterwards Inside the Church— within view of the very sanctuary. Finally, and in a manner perfecting this wonderfully picturesque and symmetrical adaptation to a lyrical form of Goethe's marvellous dramatic poem, for the Fifth Act we have The Prison Interior—the granite walls of the dungeon melting away at the very close, reveal ing the apotheosis, as one might say, of Margherita, or rather the spectacle of her soul being borne heavenwards through the starlit empyrean upon the wings of angels, after the famous picture of the death of St. Catherine ! It is by means of the arrange ment thus symmetrically of his materials, but above all by the embedding those materials—the frail text of his libretto that is—in the amber of his music, that M. Gounod has won for his Faust its amazing popularity. And in regard to the general excel lence of the music of the opera, it must be allowed to be at the very least somewhat significant that every fresh prima donna ambitions as one of her most cherished aspirations the achievement of a triumph in Margherita ! While, among the roles of Mario, the representation by him of Faust is admit tedly one of the very noblest of his impersonations. As we have said, moreover, last night was one of his lucky nights—in other words, the great tenor was throughout the eveni ng i n rea ll y sp l en did voice, singing just as nearly a s p oss ibl e t o per fection. The impression produced by Madlle. Berini's Margherita, although it awakened no en thusiasm, gave very complete and thorough satis faction to one of the most fastidious audiences in the world. Madlle. Honore's success upon her first ap pearance as Siebel, it should be added, was quite as genuine and in its way also quite as unmistakeable. In the absence of M. Faure—now unhappily for London opera-goers, detained in Paris by his pro fessional engagements—we had the best of all possible substitutes for him as Mephistopheles in Signor Attri, who—speaking thus, of course, not by any means in dispraise, but, on the contrary, applying the words as a very panegyric—we would say sang and acted throughout diabolically ! Signor Gra ziani being still the Valentine, Madame Anese the Marta, and Signor Tagliafico the Wagner, they ',sustained their reputations last evening simply as a mere matter of course. The noble Orchestra of the Royal Italian, and the equally noble choruses, marshalledas they still are respectively bythe baton of M. Costa, in their turn also sustained their reputations. Listening to the Chorus of Old Men in the Second Act, Nei di di riposo, who can ever fail to recognise the ineffable touch of genius —not of talent merely, but of true genius—in that quavering, subtle, senile masterpiece 1 The glo rious, massive pomp of the great choral chaunt, Deponiam it brando pealed forth as magnificently as ever on the return of Valentine. As to the delicious, gyrating, haunting melody of the Waltz in the fourth scene of the second act — to the choria3 of dancers Come la brezza—it never went with a more resistless swing than last night— that exquisite melody, the echoing of which towards the close of the fifth act we regard as the truest and loveliest touch of genius in the whole opera! Namely, in the dungeon scene, where the dying Margherita, while she is besought in an agony of remorseful tenderness by Faust to fly with him from her im prisonment, herself the while recalls dreamingly, hesitatingly to mind, the occasion of their first meeting in the market-place—her soft lamenting reverie as she sings, being, as it were, coiled round and twined about by the haunting accompaniment of that lovely long-remembered waltz ! It is impos sible to listen to it unmoved. It is a thought, a fancy, an emotion, marked with the recognizable sign manual of genius I Merely thinking of it now —it is as if we kissed the maestro's hand in the remembrance! At the conclusion of the opera (some time after midnight !) the National Anthem was given, according to annual custom upon the Opening Night, but (this not according to custom) simply in full Chorus, that is, without any solo whatever. A more auspiciouil opening night alto gether could hardly have been desired. It gives noble promise for the whole season, and fills us, above all, wit high hope b regard to the xlfricainel THE .SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 29, 1865. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. 1 recommends the inhabitants to prepare for an attack and has ordered non-combatants to leave. Southern journals admit that Sheridan's raid has (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE. QUEENSTOWN, March 28. The Inman steamship City of Baltimore, from New York on the 18th inst., arrived at Queenstown at 11.40 p.m. to-day, with 197 passengers, and $31,000 and £1,500 in specie. She landed 18 pas sengers, and proceeded at 11.50 p.m. All well. NEW YORK, March 18, Morning. President Davis has addressed a message to the Confederate Congress, dated the 15th, in which he says :—" Events have so materially affected the state of the country as to evince the necessity of further and more energetic legislation than that of November last. The country is environed with perils, which it is our duty to calmly contemplate ; and thus alone can the measures necessary to avert the threatened calamity be wisely devised and effi ciently enforced. Richmond is now threatened and in greater danger than heretofore during the war. Though the country is in danger, calamities will be averted and triumph secured by fortitude, courage, constancy, and endurance." The Presi dent urges the necessity of legislation to modify the militia law, and recommends the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act as almost indispensable to the successful conduct of the war. " With the prompt adoption of the measures recommended, and with the co-operation of the Congress and people in the execution of the laws and the defence of the coun try, the South may enter upon the coming campaign with cheerful confidence in the result. Lincoln will accept only abject and unconditional submission." President Davis proceeds to state that at the peace conference at Fortress Monroe the Confederate Commissioners proposed to avoid Lincoln's objec tion to treat with the Confederate Government, by a military convention of the commanding generals of both armies. President Lincoln, not accepting the suggestion, was afterwards requested to recon sider his conclusion upon the subject of the suspen sion of hostilities, which he agreed to do, but said after mature consideration he had determined it could not be done. Subsequently Gen. Ord, com manding the army of the James, requested an in terview with Gen. Longstreet. Gen. Ord informed Gen. Longstreet of the possibility of arriving at a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties by means of a military convention. Lee would be granted an interview on the subject if he had authority to act. Lee, in consequence, wrote to Grant on March 2 proposing a conference on the subject, stating that he was vested with the requisite authority to accede to the proposal for a conference, his power being only military. Gen. Ord meant that an interview would not be refused on any subject on which Gen. Grant could act. "No choice remains, then," con tinues the President, " but to continue the contest to its final issue. The people of the Confederacy can have but little love for him who supposes it pos sible they would ever consent to purchase, at the cost of degradation and slavery, permission to live in a country garrisoned by their own negroes, and governed by officers sent by the conqueror to rule over them." The President's Message announces that the commissioners and officers report that, with $2,000,000 in coin the armies of Virginia and North Carolina can be supplied for the remainder of the year. The measures adopted to raise the revenue, though liberal, being clearly inadequate to meet the arrears of debt and the current expendi ture, some degree of embarrassment in the manage ment of the finances must continue to be felt. Men and supplies are needed to carry on the war suc cessfully. Both are within the country sufficient to allow success. Sacrifices are still needed in prompt and resolute devotion, and men and money fox the achievement of independence. President Davis urges the prOmptest legislation for the replenishment of the Treasury and the mo dification of the impressment law necessary for the purchase of supplies. He recommends Congress to devise measures for making coin within the Confederacy, available for suoplying the army. A steamer from Wilmington has reached Fayette ville, and announced that Sherman returning met a gunboat 20 miles below Fayetteville ascending the river. Johnston is reported to be concentrating at Raleigh, where it is supposed that Sherman will meet with his first serious resistance. The Herald asserts that Sherman will move from Fayetteville on Goldsboro. Sherman's recent casualties are estimated at 1,000 killed, wounded, and missing, and that of the Confederates at 1,200 men. Sherman has 3,000 prisoners, and 4,000 white refugees. Sherman has completely desolated the eastern portion of South Carolina, burning everything be fore him. Vast quantities of ammunition and artillery have been discovered at Charleston. Sheridan reports on the 15th from the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railway, that he crossed the South Anna, after destroying the James River Canal as far east as Grockland, and marched by the Virginia Central Railroad, at Talle vine, destroying 15 miles, as far as Beaver Dam Station. He also destroyed a bridge over the South Alma River. The Confederates lost three guns dur ing an unsuccessful attempt to prevent him from burning the Central Railroad Bridge over the South Anna. Sheridan is reported to be moving on White House. Unusual activity prevails in Lee's and Grant's armies. An important movement is expected. The New York Times believes that the Confede rates have some design upon the centre of Grant's lines near the Appomattox. The New York Herald says rumours are current that President Davis has resigned. President Lin coln has delivered a speech, in which he said—" We must now see the bottom of the enemy's resources. They will stand out as long as they can draw upon the last branch of their resources. lam rejoiced to see the end so near." Mr. Biglow has been appointed Minister Pleni potentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to France. The New York journals generally confirm the report of President Lincoln having offered the, French mission to Mr. James Gordon Bennett. The Jersey Senate has rejected the constitutional amendment. The New York Times states that the Government is determined to withdraw- from the navy 25,000 marines for land service. A great freshet has occurred on the Susquehannah River in Pennsylvania. Frightful destruction of property has been caused ; bridges, railroads, dwell ings, storehouses and barns being swept by tho flood. The City of Harrisburg and Oil City are submerged. Great suffering prevails among private individuals. It is is estimated that the damage done amounts to some millions of dollars. Money easy—Gold, 1651. Exchange on Lon don, 133 k. Stocks tending downwards. New York Centrals, 105} ; Illinois, 1071 ; Five-Twenty U. S. Bonds, 108-1. Cotton very dull ; Middling upland, 58c. Flour, wheat, corn, and provisions, declining. Coffee very dull. Sugar, molasses, and petroleum dull. Crude petrolum, 32c. ; refined, 55c. ARRIVAL OF TIIE BELGIAN. (Via Greencastle.) NEW YORK, MARCH 19, 1 a.m. General Grant telegraphs the following extracts from the Richmond papers : The Confederate Congress has adjourned. The James River Canal is being repaired. Vigorous efforts are being made at Richmond to organise coloured troops. Mobile despatches of the 14th inst. state that the city was strongly menaced ; 21 of the enemy's vessels were in sight. Great activity prevailed among the enemy in. the Lower Day. Maury been very destructive. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. MARCH 18, 11 r.m. Money easy. Gold, 165 k. Exchange on London, 183 k. Stocks slightly firmer. New York Central, 1061 ; Illinois, 107 ; Erie, 65i. Five-Twenty U.S. Bonds, 1081. Cotton dull. Middling upland, 58. Flour heavy. Wheat dull. Corn slightly firmer. Provisions declining. Coffee quiet. Sugar, mo lasses, and petroleum dull. Crude, 36 ; refined, 55i. FRANCE, PARIS, MARcn 29. The Marquis do la Lavalette, senator, has been appointed the Minister of the Interior, in place of M. Bondet, whose resignation has been accepted. M. Bondet has been created a senator. The Corriere delle Marche announces the arrest at Vallone, near Smigaglia, of 18 bandits in a house where they used to conceal themselves. Most of them had already been condemned for various crimes. " A duel," says the Epoque, " between M. do R— and M. N—, deputies of the same department, is the subject of the conversation in the salle des conferences of the Legislative Body. The adver saries exchanged two shots, fortunately without effect." " The Frankfort Chamber of Commerce," says the France, " unanimously resolved, in its sitting of the 25th, to propose to the Senate Baron Charles de Rothschild to represent that city in the commission of inquiry on the bank question ordered by the French Government," An unpublished volume of poetry by Camoens, the Portuguese poet, author of the Lusiad, has just been discovered at Columbra by M. Justin Hauthe rot, a French savant. The Union de l' Ouest has received a warning similar to that communicated to the Monde for its recent publication of the alleged conversation be tween the Pope and the French Ambassador at Rome concerning the Convention of the 15th Sept, The Berlin journals announce the death in that city of M. Kiss, the eminent sculptor, the author of the well-known group of the " Amazon struggling with a Tiger." BOURSE, March 28.—The market is very firm, and almost all the principal Securities have an up ward tendency. Threes, for the Account, are now at 67f. 55c. Italian Loan 64f. 95c. Mobilier have been done at 876 f. 25c. Railway Shares partake of the general buoyancy of the market, and many of them have improved considerably. The market closed as follows : 41 per Cents 66 Do. end month — Italian Loan '6s Do. and month 64 85 Ditto Threes 42 25 New Mexican Russian B9 Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt Deferred STAYS. 3 per Cents. 67 55 Do. end month 67 45 Credit Mobilier 876 25 Do. end month 872 50 Bank Shares 3520 Crsdit Fonder 1295 Roman s • 74 BAIL' Cash. Acct. Orleans Northern 1045 1046 75 Lyons and Mediterranean 983 75 ... 983 75 Southern 5BB 75 587 50 Western 560 560 Eastern Sardinian 3Ol 25 Austrian Lombard 543 75 545 North of Spain 302 50 305 Saragossa 376 25 378 75 Ditto to Barcelona „• ITALY. The Turin correspondent of the Nazione of Flo rence gives the following account of the debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the 23d inst., relative to the asserted existence of secret articles appended to the Franco-Italian Convention of Sept. 15 last : General della Marmora spoke as follows : " I really do not know whether I was most sur prised or grieved to see that such reports have be come current these few days past as those re ferred to by Signor Massari, and that the journals have published the same, some through thought lessness, others through party-feeling, and, lastly, others from an evident intention to injure our national interests. lam still more grieved to see the arguments and examples by which they have endeavoured to strengthen these re ports, and which examples have nothing to do with the subject in question, but are calculated to injure all and every one. In a word, I can assure the House, and would even answer with my head—but I will answer for it by something that is far dearer to me than my head, viz., my honour and my re putation, that there is no secret treaty, and that there exists not the shadow of an idea that can possibly have any relation to this pretended secret treaty. I will say more—l believe, and am con vinced, there has never been and never will be, any one who would think of mooting such a question." Signor Visconti-Venosta then addressed the House : " The Chamber will understand," he said, "by what feelings I am animated in addressing it. When I read in the papers the note (Mazzini's) in which my name is mentioned, I did not deem it worthy of a reply. The Ministry to which I be longed are accused of having desired the cession of their country to a foreign Power. Public opinion has already judged the matter. I believe, and has already seen clearly that in these pretended revela tions there is no further truth than is contained in the credulity of those who have placed faith therein. Had it not been for yesterday's interpellation, I should have continued silent, because, among the feelings by which a man's conduct may be guided, may be very justifiably comprised also contempt. It is the duty of Government, I am aware, to contra dict any report, however absurd, when it is calcu lated to afford a pretext to disorder. But lam not in office ; and when I hear I am accused of com plicity in an act according to which a portion of my native land is to be made over to foreigners, I can not help wishing that such an accusation had been less ridiculous, so that it might have been more worthy of denial." The Late Cardinal Wiseman, TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sir,—May I request ydu to be so kind as to insert the enclosed in your next number.—Yours truly, - H. E. MANNING. Wednesday 28, 1865. As literary executors of his Eminence the late Cardinal Wiseman, we are engaged in collecting materials for the compilation of a full and authentic biography. For this purpose it is necessary that we should request of his Eminence's friends and correspondents to assist us by contributing whatsoever will throw light upon his life. We would therefore beg them kindly to forward to us any thing they ray be able to contribute under the following heads : 1. Manuscripts. 2. Letters. 3. Information as to facts, dates, or any marked events which may have occurred in their relations with his Eminence. As the originals may bo of value we would only ask for copies carefully made, or we would engage to return what soever may be entrusted to us on that condition. 11. E. MANNING. WILLIAM THOMPSON. ABOLITION OF OXFORD TESTS.—Mr. Goschen's bill proposes that no person shall be required, upon taking any academical degree, to subscribe any formulary of faith, or to make any declaration or take any oath concerning his religious faith or profession. But such degree is not, as such, to constitute any qualification for holding an office heretofore always held by a member of the united Church of England and Ireland, and for which such degree has heretofore constituted ono of the qualifications, until the person concerned subscribes a declaration that he is a bona fide member of the church as now by law established. SOUTH AMERICAN BEEF.—At a meeting of the Commissioners of Sewers, held yesterday, Dr. Letheby, the medical officer of health, in answer to a ques tion put by one of the members of the court, in respect to the qualities of the dried beef which is being brought from South America and sold in London as food, said he had carefully examined the dried beef, and found that all the fat it contained was rancid ; that with regard to the lean portion of the meat he had eaten some of it himself, and he considered it was perfectly `wholesome and fit for human food. I ' 7 E-' sir HER MAJESTY, WINDSOR CASTLE, March 28. Her Majesty, with his Majesty the King of the Belgians, and Princess Helena and Princess Louise, left the Castle this morning at 20 minutes before 12, for London. Her Majesty drove to the station of the Great Western Railway in Windsor, and proceeded 11 special train to Paddington. The suite in attendance were the Countess of Gainsborough, Lady Augusta Stanley, Genera l Count de Moerkerke (in attendance on the King the Belgians), Lord Alfred Paget, and Colonel th° Hon. A. Hardinge. Prince Alfred, attended by Major Cowell, left Windsor by an earlier train. Her Majesty honoured Mr. Frith with a visit at his studio, to see his picture of the Marriage of th ° Prince of Wales. Her Majesty left London at six o'clock, accom panied by Princess Louise. The King of the Belgians remained at Bucking' ham Palace. Princess Helena, attended, by Lady Carolin° Barrington and Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge , honoured the Olympic Theatro with her presenc e in the evening. The Queen's Court• The Queen held a third court at Buckinglia ni palace yesterday afternoon. Her Majesty, accompanied by his Majesty th e King of the Belgians, and their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and Princess Louise, left Windsor shortly before noon, and arrived at Buckingham Palace at a quarter past one. The Prince of Wales, escorted by a detachment of the Royal Horse Guards, and attended by Earl Spencer, Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, Lieut.-Col. KepPel , and the Hon. R. Meade, arrived at the garden en trance of the palace a few minutes before 3 o'clock. Prince Alfred arrived, attended by Major Cowell' Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms was on duty at th e court, under the - command of the Standard Bearer (Major Harmar), Lieut.-Col. William M'Call, the Clerk of the Cheque and Adjutant, and Captai n Philips, the sub-officer, were present with the corps. The Royal Body Guard of the Yeomen of th e Guard was on duty under command of Col. 0. r• Bourke, the exon in waiting. Lieut.-Col. Cooke, the ensign, was also present with the corps. A guard of honour of the Coldstream Guards was mounted in the court of the palace. Her Majesty, accompanied by the King of t he Belgians, the Prince of Wales, Princess Helena an d Princess Louise, and Prince Alfred, entered th e White Drawing-room shortly after three 9'clock. In attendance upon her Majesty were the Duchess of Wellington (Mistress of the Robes), and t h° usual officers of the household. s 5 Her Majesty the Queen wore a black silk L— e with train trimmed with crape and jet, and a gal Queen of Scots cap, with long veil, the cap or 11 3; mented with a fringe of diamonds. Her Majes t y wore a necklace and brooch of opals and diamonds' Ribaud and Star of the Garter, the Victoria al l Albert Order, and the Order of Louise of Prussia . ' The Princess Helena wore a dress of white gr e c i nadine over glace silk, ruches of grenadine and bows of white satin ribbon ; train of rich white reP Headdress, snowdrops, feathers and veil; onyx, and gold ornaments ; Victoria and Albert Order. Princess Louise wore a similar dress and solar ornaments. a A number of distinguished persons had the hone° of receiving invitations to attend the Court. The Prince and Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales presided yesterday at I ,` meeting of the council of the Duchy of Corn wall ' held at Marlborough-house. There were present :—Lord Portman, Lor d Warden of the Stannaries ; Sir William Dunba r ' Keeper of the Privy Seal ; Sir William John Alex" ander, Attorney-General ; Colonel the Hon. Si i Charles Beaumont Phipps, Receiver-General ; and Lieut.-General Knollys, Comptroller of the House' hold of his Royal Highness. Mr Bateman, the Secretary, attended as Clerk the Council. • of The Prince of Wales visited the pheasant* 5 Mr. Baker, in the King's-road, Chelsea, a few dl since. Mr. Shephard has had the honour of subinitt il4 his new rifle to the Prince of Wales. The Rev. R. Machray, of Sidney College, 110 interview with the Right Hon. Edward CardweP yesterday, at the Colonial-office. t lio Despatches were received yesterday a" Colonial-office from the Governors of Nova Se c " . New Brunswick, and Prince Edward's Island. ces o Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and 1 3 D n th io of Wales will entertain a distinguished party at dipper evening at Marlborough House. Ure a The Princess's Theatre was last evening 11 0° of with the presence of his Royal Highness the PrinOa Wales and Prince Alfred, attended by Colonel lelV el Lieutenant Haigh. Smote Her ,Royal :Highness Princess Helena and t bo honoured the Olympic Theatre last evening, to witnesB performance of Settling Day." 11 0 His Excellency the Turkish Ambassador at issued invitations for a grand dinner on Monday fo r eign the Turkish Embassy in Bryanston-square, to the f cll. ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. The Marquis and Marchioness of Hastings liaBl arrived at St. George's Hotel. alt er The Earl and Countess of Coventry, the P oW a Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Marquis Conyne lain, v sl :slcr large party were to assemble yesterday in Grimston ci-eO.. near Tadcaster, on a visit to Lord and Lady 14°P borough. to The Earl of Dudley is expected to arrive ill shortly from his tour in Egypt. _ 1 .„ (1 . Wl° The Earl de Grey's dinner party this eVeli-u-'eco been postponed in consequence of his lordship havins '- invited to join the dinner party at Marlborough 110 115 :; i d Baroness De Clifford arrived in town Yes Le for the season from the family seat in Leicestershir e ' 00 Lady Wodehouse is expected in town duri 4 t lio recess in order to pass a short time with her naotber, Countess of Clare. Lord Huntingfield has left the St. Gec'folo Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzherbert have also le ft the 0` establishment. Mr. and Lady Virginia Sandars have arrive thoir residence in Eaton-square for tho season• a of L'AmemNE.----The copyright for El:4 1311 a 11 Meyerbeor's posthumous opera has boon purchase Messrs. Chappell and Boosey for £4,000. _ - The Prince of Wales's Visit to thb DII/jlill Exhibition• TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—The Prince will meet with a right r° reception here. itoi;t ll Having travelled so often by Holyhead, DlP„,oren, Highness might take Bristol or Milford. -"coli, where the royal yacht could await him, an cl '„,of - N oyed by half a dozen of our fastest screw OW; the war, arrive at Kingston in a manne r befittt like heir of the greatest empire of the wor ld, and 11- t an ordinary passenger. vaP i The Ballast Office will place their Stear n 160 0 Alexandra, or the Dublin and Kingston Smogs Packet Company their new Irish built Ya c , oi to Liffey, to convey the Royal party up the the Custom-house. , 00 0' No doubt the citizens of Bristol and the ; , c o tants of the principality will g i ve the cheering reception. TAR O' affimmtasaramswismahannmemem ennom l" . f Set Church," (says s the A " gen w menu,: )31isaetcitiuoa,'; Y'S CONFESSION. By the author 0 a . me author. The story is cleverly told, and i° , ti r o vial. There are some scenes of great rover',.:rasu sympathies of the reader are engaged for all con— Stu the 11/3 s et the conflict. The interest of tho story lies fail to reff to any vfo°rrnis.;"olell'ai:bril otrlb-'°" delineation of character. It can scarcely f ga :;ordinA— ' with thoughtful interest. It is very far abor° tlrar run of novels, and deserves to find a longer coaled to ephemeral works of fiction. tiati plet • for T] ing recei char, Bevel crew hata: save , a b , guar steal relies zeal( Belo) seed risks dutii in re was of a strai the were tram mon the ;. disti and and dred trust ing are c CHA Earl T 1 ance limit the c capit brok best T 1 etch TI of I close bark Two soil✓ open T 1 has 1 in s' Moly Cred by si wall, East build dock accoi build mane stan , an a the the also Thi; 186 , am( £2l 2e. tele 50c