The Sun. — London, England, 1866-04-12 00:00:00

-...--- „..i.______ THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Sole Lessee and Manzgar, Mr. linekstonHMENT THIS EVENING, A ROMANTIC ATTA.O Mr. Compton, Mr. W. Farren ; Miss Ada Cavendish. After which, THE FAVOURITE OF FOR rUNE : Messrs. Sothern, Bnckstone, Chippendale, Rogers, Stc. ; Mesdames Chippendale, Saville, Moore, Fitzwilliam, Hill, Lindley,ft. Concluding' with A DAINHTER CO MARRY : Mr. W. Farrell and Kiss Helen Howari. Commence at Seven. ROYAL LYCEUM TEIEATRE, U2der the sole Management of Mr. Fechter. THIS EVENING, SIMPSON AND CO. Masers. S. Emery, C. Horsman ; Mesdames Elsworthy, Henrade, Hors- Man, and E. niter ,shich, T FIE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD. Jr. Fehter ter; Messrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomb, Vezin, J. H . Fitypattic,, D. Evans ; 4esdames Ternan, E sworthy, Lavenu, .I..nd C. Leclercq. Box Office open daily from Eltven till Five. NE W THEATRE—ROYAL ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THROUGH FIRE AND iss Woo WATIE gar R: Messrs. J. L. Toole, H Billiugton ; M and muss Simms. After which, THE WRECK ASHORE : Messrs J. L. Toole, P. BeLii ord. S. uart, Bihingtcr , Ashley Miss Woolgar And Miss H. Simms. To conclude with ND TIME. Messrs. J. L. Toole, B. BEHI iJ. Smith ; Miss A. Seaman, &c. hillips. Eburne. C. Itsole PRINCESS'S THEATRE. s ole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining . . Ti ns Bvf.NING, A. GHOST EN SPITE OF HIMSELF. After which, at a quarter to Eight, THE STREETS OF LON DON. m, , sars. Vining, T. Mead, Li. Murray, Shore , viufers ; Ors. IL Maroon, Miss E. Barnett, and Miss T. Rodgers. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lcssee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, PERFE ,TION. After which will be produced a grand Easter Burlesque, PARIS ; or, Vive Le mpiere : Mes rs. Stoyle, '1 horne,Jameb Mesdames A. Swanborougb, Baynham, Simpson. Johnstone, Ranoe, and Bolt To conclude with DEAF AS A POST : Mr. Belford. ADLER'S WELLS TH.EATRE.- ).7 Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. H. C. Nittioll. THIS EVENING, and during the week. Douglas Jerrold's admired Comedy ot TIME WOttKs WON likAtS : Messrs. T. Swinbourne, Barrett, lie more, Baran),; Miss Ada Dye., and Mrs. Poynter. Concluding with 7th, Bth, 9,11, oth, 11th. 12th Nights of Burnand's Everreen Burlesque of IXION : Misses Lizzie Willoore, Hnds p eth , Fanny Gwytane, Harland, Betty Tracey, and O. Belmore. In active preparation, Dion Boncicault's beautiful Drama pf Commence at Seven . Acting Manager, Mr. NYE CHART. MOSES AND SON'S LONDON HOUSES, 154, 1 55050, 157, Kinories; 83, 84, 85, 86.87, 88, 89, Aldgate 5 04, 507, 508, New Oxford--street; 1,2, 3, Hart-street; 137, 138 Tottenham-court-road ; 288, Euston-road. Country Branch—Bradford. Yorkshire. MOSES AND S 0 N E• respectfully call attention to their large and well assorted stock of JUVENILE CLOTHING. The newest fabrics are combined with the latest and most fashionable designs, aid the best workmanship. E. 310SEs and SON give particular attention to this important branch of their business, and they can with confidence affirm that the prices are such as must satisfy the most cCO:rtomica.L This depart ment is in a, dir3tirtet plat ot the premises, w hich will be hound a great convenience for ladies and children. rrHE " SANDRINGH AM " and " DANISH " - 1 - WRAPPERS (introduced Dy them) are the newest and moat fashionole styles of Overcoats for the season. - ----___ READY-MADE CLOTHING and all ages. all classes CLOTHING for all classes and all ages. U NIFORMS for the ARMY, NAVY, and VOLUNTEER SERVICE. L ADIES' RIDING- HABITS. LIVERIES. THE celebrated " INDISPENSABLE" SUIT, from 30s. H OSIERY and DRAPERY for all classes and all ages. H ATS and CAPS for all classes and all ages. B OOTS and SHOES for all classes and all ages. OUTFITS for all classes, all ages, and all climate. MOSES AND SON'S • Establishments are closed ever( Friday evening at sunset until Saturday evening at sunset, when business is re sumed until 11 o'clock. All articles are marked the lowest prices in plain figures. Any article not appr,ved of will be exalt - Lc td, or the money will be returned. List of Prices with Rules for Self-measurement, Fashion Gard, and our new pamphlet. "The Philosophy of Dress," gratis and post tree. E. MOSES A.ND SON'S LONDON HOUSES, 154, 155, 156, 157, Minories ; 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, Aldgate 506, 507. 503, New Oxford-street; 1. `2,3, hart-street; 137, 138, ► ottenh•xm-court-road ; 283, Euston-road. Country Branch—Bradford, Yorkshire. THE "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. B. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught terrace, Edgware-road, is specially appointed AGEN r to deliver the LATE EDITION of "'THE SUN " at the earliest possible moment after leaving the press. lie is able to deliver copies in Town, the Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparatively early hour the same tvening, way 40 miles by 9 o'clock. THE "SUN" NEW - G. It. GLENIE delivers the LATE EDITION ai Chelsea, 7.40; 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 Uxbridge, 9.20 ; Walford, &45. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published every Evening, by rALEXAIN DER (late 111-WOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendian- 'street, Oxford-street, THE LAST EDITION of " TIIE - SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LA rE6T .NEWS and S2ORTLNG INTELLIGENCS, by 11. W. 11A1tItIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackiriars-road, London, S. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubiie generally. ttaZ he supplies the LATEST EDITIoN " THE SUN" as soon as published —No. 16, Hampstead road, N. W. PORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies the 111 LATEST EDITION of "TIE IC SUN" as soon as pub lisbcd.-4, Bath-strut, City-road, E.C. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TUS Day.—llerning, 11h. 45m.—Afternoon, h. m. Ta - lioenow.-Morning, 12h. 14m.—Afternoon, 12h. 40m. tiU •' • e LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1866 , ----- -... The members of the Reform League have thought right to convene a meeting in support of the Go vernment measure, prior to the tug of war to be commenced this evening. As was to be expected the democratic element predominated, and the senti ments of the principal speakers were somewhat extreme, but the general feeling of the assembly was in favour of the measure, which can hardly be Condemned by any one as dangerously extensive. If we are to have reform at all, we could hardly have it administered more carefully or diminutively, and in this asp ec t one might suppose that the Leag ue, whose President advot ates universal suffrage, would not be very cordiall y d ep o s e de in its favour. The members, however, have the good -- 001 sense to be con tented with a less sweeping change, and the resolu tions upholding the speedy geof the bill were unanimously adopted. The meetin g number of delegates from trade mcluded a societies, so that t there were actually representatives o f h e opinions of the working classes present, some of whom spoke with good sense and ability. One of the principale features of the evening was the presence o f Lord ELCHO to defend himself against the charge of being an enemy to the work ing classes. At first the meeting refused t o hear him, but on M r . III:GILES, M.P. for Lambeth, coming boldly forward and telling them they ought to listen to a man in his own defence, they gave him a fair share of attention. Lord ELcao had rec e i ve d, he said, a letter from Mr. IIowELL, Secretary of the Reform League, enclos ing the copy of a resolution passed by the delegates of the Trades Unions of the Metropolis. The terms of this resolution were as follows That in lio consequence of Lord ELCHO havingc, in his speech in the use of Commons, on Mr. BAINES'S Bill for extending the borough franchise, vilified the people in 0 , mod hhameful manner, this meeting of trades' delegates, representing 70,000 men, declare that they have no confidence in him whatever, and object to his becoming the Chairman of any Com mittee, whether in the House or out of it, affecting the interests of labour." Lord ELCHO is quite able to defend and to plead his _MIL cause, but we must certainly protest against any resolution as the above as an arbitrary interference with the recognised order of things. It is not the business of any class out of doors, whether aristocratic or labouring, to dictate to the House of Commons in matters belong ing to the public business. The members appoint their own committees, the committees select their own chairmen, and the heads of the Reform League might have known enough of the consti tutional arrangements to have prevented the dele gates from assuming an authority which they have no power to exercise. In the interests of the people, too, we should like to see the speakers at a meeting like last night's have a little more regard to practice than to theory. Theoretically we all know it is the educated and wealthy classes who trample on the hard-working, poor man, who only seeks to get his rights without depriving others of theirs ; and practice, we must admit, does often comprise the theory. But practice also shows us that poor men, or more strictly speaking working men, tyrannise over each other as no lord or rich man dare attempt to do at the present day. Practice shows us in timidation among workmen, with all its attendant evils. Professor BEASLEY last night said, "We want a reformed Parliament to cure the grievances of unequal pressure of indirect taxation on the work ing men, who paid 4s. a week out of 20s. wages, the operations of the game laws, the punishment of servants for breach of contract, the excessive expenditure on the army and navy as compared with the education grant, the treatment of the poor in workhouses, and the monopoly of land by large proprietors." But in order that these very desirable social reforms should be carried, it will be necessary for the working classes not to be deluded by words. There is much that lies in their own power. The pressure of indirect taxation is very heavy, no doubt ; but what proportion of a working man's wages goes to pay a heavier tax with which his wife and children have nothing to do—the tax of the public-house ? This is no fault of employers, some of whom endeavour to save their men from taxation by paying their wages on Fri day. But no care or legislation by others will help ' men who will not help themselves, and our artisans and mechanics, while claiming their political rights, will do well to bear in mind the words of the poet— "But let uone cry out for freedom With a loud and fevered breath, While they let a full cup lead 'em Unto slavery and death." The game laws are bad enough in all conscience, but as to punishment for breach of contract by ser vants, the Professor might remember that employ ers are bound to give a certain notice or an equi valent in wages, so that there is no injustice ; and if business relations are to be maintained at all there must be some security on both sides. The excessive expenditure on the army and navy is a grievance which all taxpayers may lament, though it is difficult to relieve it ; but before the work ing classes complain of the deficiency of the education grant, we should like to see them avail themselves a little more readily of the advantages they possess. Any one who has in quired closely into the schooling of workmen's chil dren must know that the great obstacle to their education is not the lack of teachers, but theindiffer ence or opposition of the parents. There are schools enough of all denominations where the rudiments of education are given efficiently for a penny or two a week ; yet in nineteen cases out of twenty where children are untaught it is because the parents will not spare those pennies, do not care about the schooling, or can turn their children's time to account elsewhere. No Parliamentary in terference can cure this. Again, the treatment of the poor in workhouses is a matter quite out of the hands of the upper classes. It rests for the most part with the lower middle ranks, those very ranks that were enfranchised by the first Reform Bill. As a general rule the more education and refinement a man has the more he would shrink from condemn ing a sick pauper to the hardships of the infirmary, and as this is a very important matter, affecting the working classes, we should like them to test the professions of their friends on the point. The Factories Act, and similar measures, have clearly proved that it is by no means certain that ' the most eloquent declaimers against the vices and tyranny of the upper classes are the most ready to sacrifice their own interests to those beneath them. When the profits or convenience of a reformer are involved, then is the time to test his sincerity, and under this test every class, as a class, breaks down in turn. Our working men must not look to a reformed Parliament to work miracles on their be half, of whatever men it is composed. It can do little for them unless they will exercise self-control, judgment, tolerance, and prudence. With these they will be able to neutralise the effect of even faulty legislation. Without them the extension of the suffrage conferred by the measure which seems likely from the general support it is receiving to become law, will be nothing more than a renewal of former disappointments. The labours of the Commission in Jamaica are now nearly over, and it is not surprising, when we consider how long it has sat, that nearly 1,000 wit nesses have been heard, and the inquiry has occupied nearly 50 days. Of course the talk of framing the report will be a very arduous one, and it is said that it may be the middle of May before the final result of their investigations is brought to England. No thing could have exceeded the assiduity of the Com missioners, but it is to be regretted that they have been so precise in drawing lines, and settling what was and was not evidence. Such scruples militate against obtaining the whole truth, and those who carry out such views are very apt to be more eager to refuse evidence than to take it. It was quite out of character that Mr. EYRE should not have been allowed to sum up the evidence and state his conclusions. The Commissioners hear his statements, and declared that h a witness. Mr. EYRE stated that an inquiry wreefus was used only to ly there as was being made into the conduct suppressing the rebellion, engaged in of those and person therein concerned enough • but Mr. MAULE which he was s t he principalcertainly t rue en , made the extraordinary statem ent, that Mr. EYRE was not before the Commission as " a person upon whom any imputation rested, or agains t whom an y charge was ma d e. " C an an ything be more absurd or erroneous than this. No wonder Mr. EYRE re plied that " the tenour of the Royal Commission, and the voice of public opinion, certainly indicate that lam on my trial here. " To this Mr. 11hULE answered that th ey could not guide the proceedings of the Royal Commission upon that assumption. We may well ask then what, in the name of com mon sense and justice, becomes of the oft-repeated argument of Alr. CARDWELL, and of Earl RUSSELL, that it wasabsolutely necessary to suspend Mr. EYRE, because he could not hold authority in VII island while his acts were being investigated. A is quite a contradiction in terms for the Royal Commissioners now to turn round and day that bits. IrE& is only there as a witness. The fact is this Jamaica affair, from first to last, has been a most mismanaged thing, and we find abundant evidence of the haste and imperfections which have attended all the Go vernment arrangements on this subject. How are the Commisoioners to find out the real condition of the island at the time of the outbreak if they refuse to take in evidence the statements of one who must know most of it. A few remarks of Mr. EYRE'S would put them more au courant of events than the hearing of a dozen witnesses who are ignorant, or else exaggerate their accounts. It is very greatly to be regretted that the Royal Commissioners should not have been instructed to make their inquiry as general as possible, and notto go so much by routine, and raise technical objections at every important part of the investigation. Notwithstanding this hindrance sufficient has been shown by Mr. EYRE'S evidence to prove that there was plenty of proof of disaffectiop existing in the island. Of course such is not the same as a few manifestations of violence; but still they are all that can be shown to exist before an outbreak took place. We do not see how, looking to the nature of the voluminous evidence before the Commissioners, they can do otherwise than acquit the authorities of all blame ; and as to the reports that reached England, and were so sedu lously propagated, they were as unfounded as to truth as they were unwarrantably perverted to par ticular purposes. Mr. PEABODY'S reply to her MAJESTY, trans mitted through Earl RUSSELL, is all that can be desired in every respect, and it is most gratifying to find that one so influential in rendering services to to the poorer portion of the community should have received a tribute of esteem and regard which he so truly merits. Mr. PEABODY speaks in fitting terms of the spirit in which he performed his labours : "On the occasion which has attracted your MAJESTY'S attention, of setting apart a portion of my property to ameliorate the condition and augment the comforts of the poor of London, I have been actuated by a deep sense of gratitude to GoD, who has blessed me with prosperity, and of attachment to this great country, where, under your Majesty's benign rule, I have received so much personal kindness, and enjoyed so many years of happiness." This is most suit able language, and we are glad to agree with it, and also to see that one belonging to a Republic can appreciate the advantages of a monarchy when he sees them. He here declares that the whole life of the Queen of ENGLAND has attested that her exalted station in no degree diminishes her sympathy with the humblest of her subjects. This is not flattery, but truth, for the QUEEN has at all times shown her sympathy with her poorer subjects, and besides, generally taking au in terest in their concerns, has on special occasions testified her sense of their sufferings. It must of course be a source of satisfaction to her MAJESTY to witness the noble exertions of so mnnificeat a benefactor as the writer of this letter-, and thus be stowing upon him a mark of her approval, the QUEEN has set an example to her subjects, as well as illustrating her own opinion of his merits. Those rich in this world's goods may well go and do like wise to the extent of their means when they sur vey the good effects of Mr. PEABODY'S liberality, and the humbler classes can recognise that thkir SOVEREIGN is not indifferent to their welfare, nor in sensible to the claims of those who are instru mental in working for their good and alle viating their distress. The concluding paragraph of this letter is welcome in a national sense. It states that the portrait her MAJESTY has graciously bestowed, "I shall value as the most precious heir- Tooin that I can leave in the land of my birth, where, together with the letter which your MAJESTY has addressed to me, it will ever be regarded as an evidence of the kindly feeling of the QUEEN of the United Kingdom towards a citizen of the United States." Her MAJESTY'S letter has afforded general gratification, and was, indeed, an appropriate tri bute to have offered to one who has done so much to benefit his fellow-creatures. Wealth can an swer no higher end, and be converted to no better uses than in helping those who need help, and hence we may regard this unusual cir cumstance of a Royal letter as a memento worthy of the occasion. It is one of the most pleasing attributes of this affair that we have every reason to hope:and expect that its advantages will increase, and that as time goes on, and this brief generation passes away, its successors may still find ample evi- • dence of the fruits of Mr. PEABOBY'S labours. A man can have no better reflection at the close of his life than that he has done his utmost to benefit his fellow-creatures, and the example of this benevolent man may well be emulated by those who are able to follow it, though it may be in a more moderate form and lesser degree. CORRESPONDENCE FRO.NI PARIS. 4.- (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Wednesday Evening. The Moniteur publishes the Prussian despatch of the 26th Jan., 1866, and the Austrian reply to it of the 7th February, but contents itself by so doing, merely remarking that they form the basis of the present serious dispute between Austria and Prus sia. Your readers are so well aware of the contents of these - despatches that it is unnecessary for me to make a summary of them. The Journal des Debats, remarking upon an article of the Gazette de l'Alle magne du Nord confirming the news of the arrest and expulsion of the Prussian General Waldersee, who went to Prague to make a plan of the fortifi cations, and inferring that Austria wishes to conceal her armaments, says, " This is a sophistical inter pretation, for the fortifications of Prague do not date from the last month, but were raised before the Convention of Gastein and the war of the Duchies." Exhibitions of animals are decidedly in vogue. The dogs have had their day, and now it is the turn of the horses. To-morrow the exhibition of French horses is to commence at the Palace of In dustry. It is to last ten days 51,000 f. will be given in prizes. Another artist of note is "gathered to his fathers.' , M. Hippolyte Bellange, who, though not present at battles, is very eminent as a painter of them. He was 66. His paintings have been admired at many exhibitions. In my letter in The Sun of Saturday the word sepulchres was erroneously printed " republics." It was with reference to the sepulchres of the Orleans family in France that General Dumas recently was despatched by the late Queen Amelie. Printers' errors am always venial, although sometimes amazing, but the word " republics" might create some unpleasant sensation, as The Sun is very much read in Paris, and is received at all the Ministerial offices. • The second Scientific Conference for the benefit of the Society of Friends of Science took place yesterday at the Conservatory of Music. The Empress and the great majority of the fashion ables of Paris were present. M. Fremy gave an important and interesting lecture upon oxygen and ozone, illustrating his theory by beautiful and curious experiments in chemistry. An analysis of air by means of phosphorus enchanted the specta tors, and particularly the Empress, who led the im mense applause with which the experiment was greeted. The papers record some curious effects of the storm on Sunday in different Darts of the capital. The lightning struck a tree in the garden of the Tuileries and stripped off the whole of the upper THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 12,2866 portion of its leaves. A few minutes afterwards an immense streak of red fire,' some portions of which were of a zigzag form, was to be seen over the Place de la Bourse. It was accompanied by such a terrible detonation that the performance of the " Famine Benoiton," at the Vaude ville theatre was temporarily interrupted. The ladies screamed and fainted, fearing that the lightning had struck the theatre. At the Church of Notre Dame there was also a panic among the congregation, and the service was also interrupted for some minutes. At the Central Police Post in the Rue de la Banque, which is behind the Church, several police-officers experienced a sensation as if an attempt had been made to knock them down. One of, them says he saw a large ball of fire enter the building by an open window, and pass out at the other "end. At the Chateau des Fleurs, in the Champs Elysees, some lamps were broken. In the Rue de la Papiniere, in the same locality, the light ning set fire to the gas and burnt a heap of wood which was in the yard. A thunderbolt is said to have fallen in the cemetery of Montmartre. Near the Pont des Invalides a vigorous omnibus horsewas instantly struck dead. The most curious incident of this strange storm took place on the d'Orsay Railway between Bourg-la-Reine and Arceuil. The electric fluid struck one of the car riages, rushed entirely through it, broke the door of it into fragments, and emerged at the window oppo site to the door. All the telegraphic wires were much damaged by the storm, but the communica tion is now restored. A very small screw steamer of novel construction has been launched upon the Seine, at St. Denis, as a model of those which 'are to play during the Ex hibition from the new bridge at Bercy to St. Cloud, and which, from their light draught, will be able to navigate the Seine during the summer, a matter of great difficulty, as the Ovate* is so low at that season. The steam engine is such a minute and splendid piece:of machinery as almost to resemble clock work. .These boats, the speed of which is compared to that of the butterfly, are to be called Papillons. They will be fitted up with comfort and elegance. On deck there will be a small compartment for smokers. A new piece, called " La Vipere Blene," the idea of which has arisen out of the excitement by the toy of Pharaoh's serpents, has been read at the theatre of the Palais Royal. It is by Messrs. Henri Roche fort and Pierre Veron. It is said to abound in wit and originality, and to be likely to send home the audience " laughing to their beds." The attention of artists is this week directed to a rich collection of pictures belonging to the Marquis de Valori Rustechelli, of Italian ancestry, but a Frenchman by birth. The collection comprises' some rare specimens by the old Italian masters, particularly remarkable pictures by Correggio and Paul Veronese. There is also a fine Leonardo di Vinci. The dead body of a German lady, of 42, found murdered at Colombes, near Paris, a day or two ago, has been recognised to be that of Fanny Haag, who had apartments to let, very handsomely fur nished, in the Rue Taitbout. She professed to exist by giving lessons in German, but she bore an equivocal reputation. She was reputed to be rich, and is supposed to have had a good deal of money in her pockets. The police have not obtained any clue to the assassins. A Paris paper, which sometimes has important official news, says it has received private accounts from Frankfort, which lead it to the belief that the extraordinary sitting of the Diet, convoked at the instigation of Austria, will induce M. Bismark to recede from provoking the eventualities of war. THE OVERLAND MAIL The Overland Mail from, India, China, and Aus tralia reached London last night. By it we have received our private correspondence, and files of journals to the under-mentioned dates :—Calcutta, March 8 ; Madras, March 14 ; Hong Kong, March 1; Sydney, Feb. 19 ; Melbourne, Feb. 24 ; Auck land, Feb. 7 ; Otago, Feb. 16. The direct advices from India are not much later than those brought by the last Bombay mail, nor do they materially add to the intelligence then received: In Madras, however, telegraphic advices had been ottained from Calcutta up to the 13th of March, and by this means it was known that the Govern ment had received a telegram stating that Cabool was in the possession of Sirdar Azeem Khan, on capitulation by Sirdar Ibrahim Khan. The Hon. Stewart Gordon died of cholera on the Bth of March. The news from China and Japan are not im portant, and may be summarised as follows, from the Overland China Mail of March 1 : The rebel leader K'ang Wang having been killed by a stray shot from the walls of Kia-ying-chow, his followers evacuated that town, and a body of them is reported in the neighbourhood of Ch'ao-chow-fu, which they have ex pressed an intention of attacking. News of their further movements has not been received, but the probability is that they will abandon their proposed course for fear of provoking foreign interference ion), Swatow. From Newchang no further news has been received respecting the dangers which threatened the settlement. Native reports announce that much apprehension prevails at Pekin in consequence of the Nienfi rebels, who are now said to be on the high road to , the capital, no important river intervening between their present position and that city. Moreover, 3,000 Tartars, who were formerly under San-ko-lin-sin's command, are reported to have joined the ranks of the insurgents, who, if this be true, have thus gained en additional element of success. From Hankow there is but little news concerning the rebels. Fires are, however, occasionally seen in different directions at a dis tance of 10 or 12 miles. There are near Hankow 3,000 or 4,000 rebels, and more than 20,000 men of the Imperial garrison, but the mandarins cannot rely upon the loyalty of their soldiers, and so are powerless. The place is crowded by refugees in every stage of destitution and misery. There is nothing from Japan to add to the telegraphic summary already received in anticipation of the present mail. The Melbourne Age of February 23 furnishes the subjoined summary of news : The third series of elections proved equally significant with those previously completed, of the determination of the country to support the Assembly and the Ministry in tho position taken by them in-defence of the privileges of the popular branch of the Legislature. Twenty-two Ministerialists were returned against twelve Opposition members. This gives the Ministers a clear majority of 38, the relative state of the parties being—Ministerialists, 58 ; Opposition, 20. Parliament was opened by commission on the 12th of February. On the following day the Governor formally inaugurated the fifth Parliament of Victoria, and delivered the vice-regal speech. The speech was conciliatory, and well calculated to smooth over the differences between the two houses. The mem bers of the Council, however, adjourned without consi dering it till the following Thursday. On that day the Opposition carried a motion for the appointment of a committee to prepare a reply, which was brought up on the Tuesday following and adopted by a majority of 10. It was anything but respectful to the Governor. The President of the Council, accompanied by the Hon. Messrs. Miller, Hull, Fawkner, and the officers of the house, waited on his Excellency on Feb. 23, to present the ad dress. The President read the document to his Excel lency as passed by the Council. His Excellency responded by simply acknowledging the presentation of the address, and thanking them for the loyal expressions it contained for the person of her Majesty. . The General Assembly of New Zealand was dissolved by proclamation on the 27th of January. On the 28th of January General Chute started southward, and on the fol lowing Wednesday reached Tipoca, a position occupied by the rebels. On the following day he attacked Waikoukou on two sides, and took it ; but the natives, in consequence of the nature of the country, retired without difficulty, and probably little loss. On Monday, the sth, a small force, consisting of part of the 43d Light Infantry, under Capte. Livesay and Horan, and Captain Coi:bett's company of Bush Rangers, went to attack the pah or kainga at Tau tahi, better known as Arawbititaua. Tho place was taken and destrayed, and five natives killed. An important brigade order had been issued by General Chute, order ing all officers at outposts to harass the enemy as much as possible. A day or two ago a certain M. Tuvora, his wife, daughter, and two sons were found dead in their beds at Vienna. In a letter that came to hand after his death, Tuvora says that he and his wife and children had agreed to poison themselves, but the judge who was charged to examine into the affair believes the statement to be false. Four glasses, in which were a few drops of a liquid con taining " cyan-kali" (cyanide of potash), were standing on the dinner-table, but the glass emptied by Tuvora, whose body was found in bed, was on a night-table. It is thought that the unhappy man administered poison to his wife and children, and that when they were dead he went to bed and poisoned himself. Miss Louisa Tuvora, who was but 19 years of age, was considered ono of the handsomest girls in the city. She must have had a terrible attack of tetanus before she died, as her body was curved back wards, so as almost to form a 13Q-circle. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TEL E GRA MS . ) PRUSSIA. ACCOUCHEAIENT OF THE PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA.. POTSDAM, APRIL 12. Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia gave birth to a princess at 6 a.m. to-day. The Crown Prince and Princess had arrived here this morning at 1 a.m. by special train from Berlin. BERLIN, APRIL 12. An official contradiction has been given to the assertion that the Prussian Government will take reprisals on account of the expulsion of Count Wal dersee from Austria. CARLSRUHE, APRIL 12. A prelimibary meeting of Deputies, to consider the Prussian proposal for a German Parliament, was held here yesterday, and was numerously attended by members of all factions of the Chamber. Resolutions were passed approving the proposal of Prussia. CONSTANTINOPLE. CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 4. The commission appointed to examine the basis of the forthcoming Budget has finished its investi gation, and it estimates the deficit at above 1,000,000 purses (about £4,500,000 sterling). It is rumoured in official circles that the result will be the publication of no Budget whatever for the cur rent 12 months. As some partial set-off to this unfavourable incident, it is said that the arrange ments for the publication of the new house-tax, of from 2 to 7 per cent. on the rental, are nearly completed, and that the collection of the impost will begin within the next_few weeks. SPAIN. MADRID, APRIL 12. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day the Minister of Finance, in reply to a question as to whether the concession of the new National Bank was con nected with the future settlement of the certifi cates of the Passive Debt, said that the Govern ment was not compelled to reveal its plans at an inopportune time. FRANCE. PARIS, APRIL 12. The Moniteur of this morning confirms the state ment that the amount required for exemption from military service will be 2,100 f. during the current BOURSE, April 11, Ti closed at the following p 44 per Cents 97 50 Do. end month — 3 per Cents. 67 60 Do. end month 67 424 Credit Mobilier 600 Do. end month Unis — Do. end month — tree o'clock.—The market notations : Bank Shares 3500 Italian Loan 56 45 Do. end month 56 30 Mexican Loan 42 Do. Bonds 285 Spanish Threes Home Debt Deferred - RAILWAYS. Acct. Orleans — ... 818 75 Northern — 1195 Lyons and Mediterranean — ~. 863 75 Southern — 537 50 Cash. Western — ... 610 Eastern — ... 532 50 _ _ Sardinian . Austrian .. - - ... 100 - - - ... 378 75 Lombard — ::: 338 75 _ _.. North of Spain — ... 150 Saragossa — ... 193 75 Ditto to Barcelona — -- ... 86 25 Roman — ... 82 50 WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC NAILS. The Royal Mail Company's steamship Atrato, Capt. J. 11. Jellicoe, arrived at Southampton yes terday afternoon, with the mails in charge of Capt. Norman, RN., naval mail agent. The Atrato left St. Thomas on the 29th ult., and experienced fine weather up to the sth inst., when strong S.S.E. gales set in, accompanied with heavy rains, which continued till the 9th ; subsequently E.S.E. winds and thick weather. She brought 115 passengers, including Capt. Boyle, R.N., Staff- Surgeon-Major Barron, from Jamaica ; Captain Parsons, R.N., from Antigua; Captain Shaw, R.N., and family, from St. Kitts, &c. Jamaica advices are to March 25, at which time the island was reported quiet. The Colonial Stan dard says that the news by the English mail of the passing of the new Jamaica Constitution Act had been received there with much relief. Cordova's Mercantile Intelligencer of the 24th ult. reports that " the transactions of our market have continued quiet and unexcited during the past fortnight, and beyond what is stated in our review there is nothing demanding special remark as regards imported articles. There has been a decline in coffee in con sequence of the unfavourable report from America. From the western parishes of the island large crops of sugar are expected by the planters, the canes looking healthy. Pimento still remains scarce, while the crop of corn continues abundant." Cof fee sold at 535. to 545. for ordinary to good ordi nary. Sales of ordinary quality sugar had been made at 14s. to 15s. ; medium, 17s. ; and fair de scriptions, 19s. to 20s. per 1001 b. Sales of clean East India rice were reported at 18s, 6d. per 100 lb., and 1,000 bags had changed hands on terms not allowed to transpire. There was no available ton age at Kingston. Exchanges on London :—Colo nial Bank. —Purchasing at par for 90 days ; at 1 prem., 60 days ; at 1 prem., 30 days. Selling rates, at 2 prem. for 90 days; at 21 prem. for 60 days; at 3 prem. for 30 days. _ _ At Barbadoes the weather during the fortnight had been most propitious for all agricultural work. All operatives on the estates were in vigorous occu pation with sugar-making, of which no doubt was entertained that there would be manufactured a splen did crop—say over 50,000 hhds., of very superior quality. Produce shipped to date :—Sugar, 4,467 hhds., 332 tierces, 1,670 barrels, 250 bags ; molasses, 1,358 puncheons, 15 hhds. 67 barrels; rum, 1 hhd. Our correspondent at St. Lucia writes as follows on the 26th ult. : " The weather for the past fortnight has been all planters could desire ; the season has not been so dry as it is generally at this season of the year. The second crop of cocoa has fallen far below the average Cotton is coming in slowly at prices much the same as those of last year, notwithstanding the quality is considered better. Satin wood continues all the rage ; besides the regular traders taking on board small lots, a bark had just arrived to take a full cargo of this article. I may with all certainty state that in less than a year almost every tree in the island will have been cut ; it is now coming in but slowly to what it did six months ago. The island abounds with other qualities of wood. Sugaris com ing freely to market; prices run from 10s. to 145., according to quality. In rum there is nothing doing. The health of the island continues good." At Trinidad the weather during the first week of the fortnight had been singularly unfavourable to the operations of the sugar harvest. Heavy rains fell in all parts of the island, but more especially in the Naparimas, where, from the badness of the roads and the want of fuel, a complete stop had been put to the boiling. In the second week the weather, though still unfavourable, showed signs of improvement, and in most places the boiling proceeded, though, of course, slowly and under difficulties. From Grenada we learn that sugar-making was general throughout the island, and the weather, de spite a few nocturnal showers that damped the fuel, had become propitious. The yield of juice was abundant, and the quality of sugar made generally good. The main cocoa picking was drawing to wards a close, and the crop promised to be a large one. Cotton was coming in by little and little, sold in gross to the merchants, who get it ginned before shipping ; but there had been no cultivation of cotton upon the large scale that might have been expected from the ruling prices. Regarding labour, the St. George's Chronicle says : " The lately arrived coolies have settled down among their fellows, and all tho6e people may be said to work well ; indeed on the estates of St. Patrick and St. Andrew the majority of estate labourers are coolies. What becomes of the creoles is a puzzle to ninny. As fast as coolies arrive the negroes appear to withdraw from the estates, and resort to the rais ing of provisions for the markets; the increased de mand for food renders this occupation highly remu nerative. Several valuable estates are in the mar ket, and some others have gone into the possession of The Colonial Company (Limited).' The losses of last year from canes uncut, the extra cost of making sugar, and destruction of live stock have utterly swamped some planters and disgusted others, while those who can afford it grudge a repetition of the outlay." The cholera was still rapidly decreasing at Gua deloupe. The sugar crop was progressing favour ably, and produce was being brought to the shipping ports in large quantities ; and if the weather con tinued fair the crop would be a very fine one, al though the epidemic had sadly crippled the estates. To the Ist of March, for instance, 5,500 casks sugar had been shipped, while at the corresponding period of 1865 there appeared only 1,600 casks exported. The coolies were giving rise to very serious appre hensions. In the months of January and February no less than 13 estates had been set on fire by these labourers, and it appears that as a rule on the slightest disagreement with their employers they seek this means of revenge. At Martinique the crop was expected to turn out well, and to the Ist of March the following exports were made :—Sugar, 5,255,159 kilogrammes (over 1,200 casks); molasses, 14,000 litres; rum, 1,000,879 litres; coffee, 7,079 kilos.; catton, 1,669 kilos.; cocoa, 100,879 kilos.; and logwood, 29,229 kilos. year. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Her Majesty's ships Aboukir, Aurora, Cadmus, Wolverene, Urgent, and Royalist were at Port Royal, Jamaica. The Constance and Buzzard were at Barbadoes. The steam transport Urgent, from Barbadoes, arrived at Jamaica on the 23d March, with 500 rank and file of the 3d West India Regi ment. The Royal Mail Company's steamship Conway was on the Gulf of Mexico route ; the Tamar on the Spanish Main route ; the Tyne at Havannah ; the Wye at Barbadoes ; and the Derwent, Eider, and Solent at St. Thomas. JAMAICA. The Jamaica Commission has adjourned sine die, and it was anticipated that one other sitting would close the proceedings. Mr. Gurney and Mr. Maule are expected to leave by next mail. Mr. Gorrie, one of the counsel of the Jamaica committee, has returned by the Atrato. Mr. Eyre has appeared a second time before the Commission, and put in a large number of docu ments in justification of his policy. An agrarian dispute had occurred at Hartlands, in the vicinity of Spanish Town. The negroes had refused to permit a surveyor to survey their lands, which form the subject of a law suit. The Gover nor sent for troops from Kingston, but the difficulty was amicably arranged. Two negroes, who had been found guilty of the murders of Mr. Hire, at Amity Hall, and Mr. Wal ton, at Morant Bay, during the disturbances, were hanged at Kingston on the 22d March. Provost-Marshal Ramsay, who was arrested on a charge of murder, and dismissed'y the magistrates, was re-arrested at the instance of the Attorney- General and held to bail in the sum of £5OO to answer the charge. On March 19 a fire broke out at Port-au-Prince which, in two days, consumed a great part of the town, including many of the Government buildings and the chief commercial quarter. The loss is immense. Hundreds of families are forced to bivouac on the square in front of the palace, their houses having been destroyed. The Bien Public of the 23d of March appears on a half sheet, as its presses and part of the establishment had beenburnt —BOO houses were destroyed, from the sea side up to the Champ de Mars. The transactions of the market have continued quiet and unexcited during the past fortnight, and beyond what is stated in the review there is nothing demanding special remark as regards imported articles. There has been a decline in coffee in consequence of the unfavourable report from America. From the western parishes of the island large crops of sugar are expected by the planters, the canes looking healthy and prosperous. Pimento still remains very scarce, while the crop of corn con tinues abundant. Rum 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. ; proof, 18 in bond. Sugar—Ordinary, 14s. to 15s. ; medium, 17s. ; fair, 19s. to 20s. per 1001 b. Exchanges on London—Colonial Bank purchasing at pal for 90 days, prem. for 60 days, 1 prem. for 30 days ; selling rates at 2 prem. for 90 days, 2:3- prem. for 60 days, 3 prem. for 30 days. Public Op nion in Germany. The Committee of Thirty-six at Frankfort have had a meeting, in which the publication of the fol lowing declaration was decided on : " 1. There appears menacingly before Germany the danger of a civil war, the interference of foreigners, and the ruin of liberty and public pro sperity. "2. The manner, contrary to law, in which the two great German Powers dispose of the Duchies, freed from Danish domination, as the booty of war, the open plans of violent annexation formed by the Prussian Government, the feebleness of the majority of the other German Governments, and a Federal Constitution which completely excludes the German people from the direction of its destinies, are bring ing on Germany troubles and catastrophes. " 3. Let an energetic protestation, condemning decidedly all civil war in Germany, be the reply to these enterprises winch disturb the peace. Already, in some Prussian towns, and others, voices are loudly raised against the dangers of a fatal Cabinet policy. But if the German people does not wish to assume the complicity in national misfortune, it must show in all places so clearly and so vigorously its opinion and its wish 6, that those who counsel the Crowns, I and who wear them, may have no chance of mis understanding. " 4. A complete transformation of the German Constitution is necessary if we wish to avert for the future the miseries and the dangers of the present Constitution. But every Government, which not respecting the rights of its own country, may pre sent projects of Federal reform, with the intention, perhaps, of acquiring allies in a civil war, would lack, for want of the confidence of its own and the German people, the necessary guarantees for the success of the great work of national union." The New Gazette- of Frankfort learns that this declaration was only adopted after an animated discussion, especially on Article 2. A certain num ber of members wished that in blaming Austria they should throw the great blame of the pre sent dangers on the ambition of the Prussian Go vernment. But others observed that they would thus offend the public sentiment in Prussia. In consequence, Article 2 was only carried by a ma jority, while the others were unanimously adopted. STATE OF TRADE. LEICESTER, April 11.—There is fully an average business doing in hosiery goods, and trade gene rally continues healthy. In the rural districts also business is active. Wools are firm, and prices con tinue high, the demand being steady. In worsted yarns there is no important change, spinners con fining their production to immediate wants. Cotton yarns without material alteration. NOTTINGHAM, 11th.—There is very little altera tion in the lace trade. Business in many branches is quiet. Black silk laces continue a dull sale, and there is very little doing in narrow edgings. There is a little doing in cotton goods, and all departments of the trade will improve as soon as the weather becomes more genial. Silk mechlins are still in fair request. Manufacturers continue to act with caution with respect to the Spanish shawl trade, not know ing what the fashions msy be during the summer. Silk is dull, and prices are easier. Yarns are not much altered in price. In hosiery there is a good business doing. Shipping orders are plentiful, and the home trade is active, all operatives being fully employed. wo tr 1,1 Tar HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, Wednesday. Her Majesty, with their Royal Highnesses Prin cess Helena, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Leopold, attended by the Ladies and Gen tlemen in Waiting, arrived at Osborne yesterday evening at a quarter before seven o'clock from Windsor Castle, having crossed over from Gosport in the royal yacht Alberta. His Excellency the Marquis de Niza has left Brown's Hotel. The Duchess of Cleveland's dancing parties at Cleveland House are fixed to take place on 'Wednesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 9. The Marchioness (Louisa) of Waterford has left Farrance's Hotel for Ford Castle, near Coldstream. The Earl and Countess of Scarborough and family have arrived at 102, Eaton-square, for the season. The Earl and Countess of Strafford and Lady Victoriaßyng have arrived at their residence in St. James's square from Wrotham Park, Hells, for the season. The Countess of Newburgh arrived at her resi dence in Wilton-crescent, from Brighton, on Tuesday. A marriage is arranged between Miss Tenison, only child of Mr. and Lady Louisa Tenison, and the Hon. John Dormer, eldest son of Lord and Lady Dormer. Also between Miss Canning, daughter of Madame de Morne, and Mr. Pope Hennessy, late member for King's County.—The Owl. Mr. Peabody's Reply to Her Majesty. The following letter was transmitted to the Queen, through Earl Russell, in reply to her Majesty's gracious letter to Mr. Peabody : " The Palace Hotel, Buckingham-gate, London, April 3. " Madame,—l feel sensibly my inability to ex press in adequate terms the gratification with which I have read the letter which your Majesty has done me the high honour of transmitting by the hands of Earl Russell. " On the occasion which has attracted your Ma jesty's attention of setting apart a portion of my property to ameliorate the condition and augment the comforts of the poor of London, I have been actuated by a deep sense of gratitude to God, who has blessed me with prosperity, and of attachment to this great country, where, under your Majesty's benign rule, I have received so much personal kind ness, and enjoyed so many years of happiness. " Next to the approval of my own conscience, I shall always prize the assurance which your Ma jesty's letter conveys to me of the approbation of the Queen of England, whose whole life has attested that her exalted station has in no degree diminished her sympathy with the humblest of her subjects. "The portrait which your Majesty is graciously pleased to bestow on me I shall value as the most precious heirloom that I can leave in the land of my birth, where, together with the letter which your Majesty has addressed to me, it will ever be regarded as an evidence of the kindly feeling of the Queen of the United Kingdom towards a citizen of the United States. " I have the honour to be your Majesty's most obedient servant, 6 6 GEORGE PEABODY. " To her Majesty the Queen." Proposed Banquet to Mr. Peabody. TO THE EDITOR. OF THE SUN. SIR, —Every one will have observed with great pleasure that the bankers and merchants are about to invite Mr. Peabody to a public banquet. Would you allow me gently to suggest to these gentlemen that, besides rendering honour that is due to this more than princely benefactor of the poor, they should fulfil the injunction, " Go and do thou likewise." An opportunity of doing so is now offered to them by this company, which has been established to improve the dwellings of the poor in London itself, and has the additional recommendation of holding out the prospect of a fair remuneration to those who assist in the good work. There is an enormous amount of improve ment needed beyond that which can be effected even by Mr. Peabody's munificent gifts, and I cannot be lieve that the merchants and bankers of London will be content that this benevolent stranger should have abso lutely divested himself of an enormous amount of wealth, and not avail themselves of the opportunity of following up the good work he has so well begun. The names of the gentlemen at the helm of this company will, I hope, be a sufficient proof, both to you, sir, and your readers, that though it is wisely put its the form of an ordinary com mercial venture, it is a really bond-fide attempt to do the work it professes to do, and merits the attention and sup port of all parties interested in the subject.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, W. 11. ROBINSON, Secretary. Operatives' house Building Company (limited), 10, J ohn-street, Adelphi, April 11, 1866. Drink and the Drama. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sir, —May I crave a few lines of your valuable space to say a few words on, a subject in which the metropolitan millions take a strong interest, and on which the present Government has been driven to grant a Select Committee ? As the managing director of a " music -hall," or theatre of varieties, which represents one hundred thousand pounds sterling of capital, employs more than three hundred per sons, and is nightly visited by an audience numbering more than three thousand visitors, I am naturally anxious to dis pel an error into which many magistrates have fallen, and into which many honourable members may fall, in common with a large and influential section of the public. The com mon notion with regard to the Alhambra—the establish ment I represent—is that about sixpence is paid on the ave rage by each person for admission at the doors, and that this is followedby an expenditure of about 2s. a head for drink. No more mistaken estimate could possibly be made. Since I have had the place, during a period of fifteen months, with the best possible organisation for the sale and comfort able consumption of drink, my average receipts at the doors for admission have been one shilling a head on my visitors, and my average receipts from the sale of drink, eat ables, and cigars combined, have only reached about sixpence a head. In other words, every person who pays a shilling to enter the Alhambra only expends sixpence in eatables, smoke, and drink in the course of an evening's performance lasting four hours. Ea ster Monday and such days, the holidays on which the " people" are supposed to hold their " orgies," give even a lower average, about fourpence half penny to the shilling. These are facts that deserve to be known for the credit of music-hall audiences. Should the deliberations of the Select Committee end, as I presume they will, in an act of Parliament giving greater freedom of dramatic representation to establishments such as mine, I assure theatrical managers, who have shown a great regard for Shakespeare off the stage, that I shall not dese crate him by performing him before an audience supplied with " refreshments" by waiters at tables, instead pf by orange-women and pot-boys on forms, as at the Lord Chamberlain's theatres. My turn will be served by the permission to represent operas and vaudevilles, in addi tion to the ballets, which now form the staple of my en- 4ertainment. The acts of Parliament regulating, or at tempting to regulate, theatres and music -halls, compel me to spend five thousand pounds a year in maintain ing a mere chorus, when I could get a good comin opera compauy for two-thirds of the money, who would be far more attractive. lam rude enough to regard this as a fine of two thousand pounds a-year imposed by Go vernment on the mode in which I conduct my business• Perhaps in proportion as I improved my entertainmen t, my receipts from the sale of drink, &c., would be diminished , and, if so, who would be injured ? Assuredly neither the British drama nor the public. April 11, 1866. F. STRANGE. THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. —Yesterday after noon, at 1 o'clock, 230 members of the Conservative party assembled at the Marquis of Salisbury's residence, in Arlington-street, Piccadilly. The Earl of Derby was pre sent, and addressed the meeting. The Right Hon. Benja min Disraeli, and the leader of the Conservative party in the House of Commons, was also present. The meeting, which was called by circular, separated about a quarter to 3 o'clock. The subject under consideration was the Go vernment Reform Bill, and the course to be pursued by the lA ConservativesyiroFsinmAthLeufoOTHcoolnsipniugdeLbs._Yesterday pr. debate. Hillier, medical officer of health f or St . P ancras , reporte d to tho vestry that during the p as t mont h t h ere has been only one fatal case of smallpox in the parish, but there were ten cases under the care of the parochial surgeons, and he states the disease is very prevalent in some part s Of the metropolis, and the Smallpox Hospital is quite fit' One day last week a patient was sent from the neighbour hood of Tottenham-court-road to the Smallpox Hospital, and was sent back because there was no room in the hoe: pital. This is another illustration of the need of increased hospital accommodation for the London poor. One small pox hospital with 100 beds for 3,000,000 people is totally insufficient ; besides, the distance of any cne hospital fro Lt parts of London is much greater than any sick poo r ougeb t to travel. Although the existing hospital is only it' s across the boundary of the parish, yet it is a long journey from the southern parts •of the district. What is it, then , from Greenwich, Lewisham, Lambeth, St. George's-in- the East, and other districts ? -