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

T HEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE.-- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. F. B. OIIATTERTON. THIS EVENING, Dec. 12, Lord Lytton's Play of TIE LAD OF„LYONS. Pauline Deschappolles, Miss Helen Faudt ; Claude Melnotte, Mr. Walter Montgomery. To conclude with the Comedy of KATHARINE AND PETRUCHIO. Petruchio, Mr. T. Swinbourne ; Katha rine, Miss Isabel. Adams. Doors open at half-past six ; performances commence at seven o'clock. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Buckstene, THIS EVENINU, A 11.01 K oF :PECULATION. Messrs. C. Ma hews, Chippendale, Kendal, Rogers, Clark. Braid, to.; Mesdames Laws, Wrigut, Sidney. Followed by ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. Mr. Chas. Mathew, 31r. Com, tou, Mr. ogers, ilr Clark, ; Mes dames C Mathews, Hill, Wrignt, Co!inan, Sidney, &C. to conclude with SLIM KI)1.1 EVENTS. Mr. Corn; ton. Commeme at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPIII. role Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. Tills EVENING, at Seven precisely, TILE 13AltONET ABROAD. Siiss Roden. Alter which: at Eight, A SISTER'S PENANCE. bliss .Ratererry, Miss Hughes, Miss Emily Pia ; Mr. Herman ; Messrs. Billiugton, Ashley, J. A. Shaw, Stephensvu, .'.Amrne, and It. Rom, r. Tu conclude with A PAS DE FASCISTATIOg. Miss Furtado, Miss Emily Pitt. Messrs. Eburne, Aslily, Romer, C. J. Smith. -13 OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.— .. lA, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Fcchter. TH is EVENING, BRUTUS AND C.ESAR. Miss eorade. At a Quarfer before 8. the new Drama, in Four Acts, THE LoNci sTraliE, written by Dion Boucicault. The New Scenery by Mr. T. Greive and assistants. Messrs. S Emery, Widlicomb, Fitzpatrick, Dalton, D. Evans, Anderson, INewbound. Stanley. Lomas, Moreland, Andrews, Iteynoids, and J. C. Cowper. To conclude with TWEEDLETON'S TAILCOAT. Acting Manager, Mr. IL Barnett. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Box-office open daily from Ten till Five. ItOYAL STRAND THEATRE. AL Sole Lessee and Manageress, Airs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, NEIGHBOURS. Messrs. Parselle, Belford, and G Murray ; Misses Swanburough, Johnstone, and Hughes. Atter which, will be produced the Grand Burlesque of KENILWORTH : Messrs. Thorne, James, and Fenton; aiesdames Swanborougb, Johnstone, and Raynham. To conclude with BOOTS A'P SWAN. Commence at Seven. it Y s A l L e Less P elt I d N kia C ne E ,e B i. Sm'S, Geo. k v l i E nin A g T RE. T Ills EVENING, nt F. a Drama, in t Acts, founded on the popular tale by Charles Dickens, Esq., entitled BARNA BY It U t,GE, adapted to the stage, and expressly for this Theatre, by Messis. Watts Yhiliil s and Vining. Characters by Airs. John Wood, Miss Augusta Thomson, Mrs. Henry Vining, Dirs. Chas. Horsman, and Miss Katherine Rodgers ; Dlessm S. Calhsem, F. Villiers, J. G. Shore, H. Forrester, Charles Borsman, E. Shepherd, H. Mellon, C. H. Fenton, W. R. Robins Chapman, &c. Act Ist, The Mystery ; 2d, The Re cognit•on; 3d, The Riot,; 4th, Caught at Last. Entirely new Scenery by Mr. le. Lloyds, and Music by Mr. Charles Ball. The Drama produced under the stage direction of Alr. Vining. Fieceded by THE MISTRESS OF THE MILL. Commence at Seven. HOLBORN T4IEATRE ROYAL. Sole rroprietor and Manager, Mr. bef ton Parry. THIS EVENING, FAMILY JARS. Mr. Sefton Parry Miss C. Saunders. After which, Boucicault's drama of FLYING SCUD. Messrs. Neville, Belmore, Blake, Garden,Vollaire ; Mesdames I'. Josephs, C. Saunders, B. Foote. Baym,nd. IIHEATRE ROYAL, ASTLEY'S. Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. 11. C. Nation. LAST FIVE NIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. LAST FOUR NIGHTS of THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN and ATALANTA. NOTICE.—Mr. W. 11. C. NATION respectfully announces that this Theatre must be Closed after the 17th inst. till Boxing Night. Dec. 26, in consequence of the extensive pre parations necessary for the production of one of the Grand Cnristmas pautdmimes for which tnis Theatre has such an enviable reputation. THIS EVENING, the ORIGINAL Dramatic Adaptation of Charles Dickens's latest Work, "Our Mutual Friend," as proiuced by Mr. W. H. C. Nation at the Sadier's Wells Theatre, June 16, 1866, entitled THE GOLDEN LUSTMAN, with New Scenery and Striking Situations. Concluding . with Frank Talfourd's sparkling Burlesque of ATALANTA, with additional Rhyme to suit the Times by W. H. C. Nation ;_ and the celebrated Childri.n Danstuees, Miss FANNY HIGGS and Misses FLORENCE and ANNIE W itIGH I', in their lascinating dance " THE POWER OF LO-VE." Box-oMce open daily from eleven till four. To prevent disappointment seats should be secured in ad vance. No charge tor bills or booking. riIH,E "SUN" NEWSPAPER.— G. It. 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. Ile Is able to deliver copies hi Town, the Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparatively early hour the same evening, say 40 miles by 9 o'clock. Orders by Post punctually attended to. • T " R. "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. GLEN'S delivers tie LAZE Elni'lu.N at Clielse t, 7.40; Kilbu:n, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30; Uxbridge, 0.210; Walford, 8.45. .!,rnE LATEST EDITION of' " THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubic nvnerally, that he supplies the LATILST EDITIoN of 9 1111i1 SUN" as soon as published 16, IlauipsLead -3! cI,N.W. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LA PEST iNIEW6 and S.:!GaTINLIr INTELLIGh.NtAii, by H. W. I.lA.ltittti, Newspaper Agent, 4, Illacktriars-road, London, S. QPORTING.—JOIIN ROBERTS supplies the LATEST EDITION of " rii t S U "as soon as pub ished.-4, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. iiHE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" aupplied, as soon as published every Evening, by ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old t:avendisti-street, Oxtord-street. F°R TE L P OLTIC And SPORTINHG CELLIIGENCE seer the Late L Edition street, he T Sun" at Mr. Blak e ' s, Queen's Head, Windsor- LATEST INTELL IGENCE. _ Samuel . SSIITEI, late of C helse no ,v the white hurt, Acton, Middlesex, begil , f.() finform & h's friend s an d seneighbours that the Latest I.,ation of "Th e S un " can be en at his house as above. WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. 4h. 56a1.—Afternoon, sh. 14m. T H IS DAL—Morni n g, TS-MORRO W.-M ming, 511. 36m.—Afternoon, sh . 58m. ... P i uliqf.eirgg LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 12, 1866. The Measures which the Prussians have thought fit to adopt . in Hanover are indeed well calculated to excite indignation among all lookers-on, and even among those who hear of their doings from a dis tance. Count BISMARCK seems to have a special grudge against . this kingdom, and to be exercising his ingenuity to devise most desperate remedies for the evils he thinks are existing. A more irritating course of policy it would be difficult to pursue than that which is now current there, and yet who can say that matters may not soon become worse in that quarter. Great haste has been made ti get the new officials sworn in, and all possible measures adopted to frustrate the efforts of those who were inimical to Prussian rule. A decree was issued signed by the King of PRUSSIA and BISMARCK, which seems very complete in its way, and so far as it goes to be really perfect in the way of oppression and injustice. The Governor is empowered to suspend from office any official of the provinces in his administration whenever he shall deem such a measure for the interest of the KING'S service. He is also desired to avail himself of this privilege in the case of all such " functionaries " in whose unreserved co-operation he cannot depend. This is very rigorous, because it is easy to perceive how a very little stretch of power can make almost all come under the category here put down. In fact if that decree continues to be the law it will not Le sur prising if nearly all of the old regime are re moved, and others substituted for them who are favourable to the cause of Prussia. We have no doubt that this is the real object of the affair, and we may, therefore, form a pretty correct estimate of the good sense and right feeling of those who f r amed it. Substitutes are t o be provid e d f or those who are thus removed from their places, and all such offenders are to be duly reported to the KING, in order that he may decide upon what steps to tak e , and give his opinion as to their dismissal from the Step by step we are led on from contemplating the first small offence until Ave see the catastrophe in . the ruin of these unhappy officials who presume to remember a different state of things. public service. If this be called a happy or prosperous condition the meaning of the words has changed, and we must also consider that a fresh interpretation has been put upon the term unity, for the aspect of affairs is far more like strife and discord. At any , ~.~~rll time and under any circumstances it would have bctu extiemely difficult to have effected a change like: that which they now purpose making in those States: recently annexed to Prussia, but care and conside— ration might have worked wonders. In place of these, however, we meet with nothing but hard and ,harsh decrees, and perfect contempt for the feelings of others, which it is perfectly revolting to witness. That the Government thus forced upon the people against their consent, and in spite of their protests, can be a strong and a permanent one we do not for a moment imagine ; but it may, notwithstand ing, be successful for the time being, and has long enough to do a great deal of irreparable injury to the cause of freedom, Stern as are the rules laid down about the offending civil functionaries in llanover, they are nothing com pared to those relating to the military ones. The Governor is told to send these immediately to the fortress of Minden, so that they may be tried by martial law. Also those are to be sent to the for tress who are guilty of insulting military persons, and they are to be confined there until the state of the country be definitely settled. The Governor is moreover to be held personally responsible for the " prompt and immediate execution of these com mands." Such a course of procedure cannot but be extremely obnoxious to all concerned, and it certainly realises the truth of the prophecies which some made concerning the hardships that must inevitably ensue from Prussian rule. It is a wretched foundation upon which to form the new Government thus to excite the of the in habitants by the exercise of these stringent mea sures. The Hungarian Diet still pursues its labours, but very little progress seems to be making so far as we can judge as yet of the proceedings taking place there. Yesterday the Committee brought for ward their draught -of an address, in reply to the Royal Rescript, and it seems to be couched in most expressive language, and to con tain some home-truths which it would be well for those in high places to consider. It calls attention to the great dangers which are now arising from disunion at home and complications abroad, and urges upon the EMPEROR the " immediate, complete, and unconditional re-establishment of the constitu tional state of things." The reason alleged for this is that any further delay in the adoption of this course might probably tend to render an agree ment between Austria and Hungary impossible. Such a conjunction is not impossible, though it may as yet be improbable ; but, at any rate, it is not difficult to see the justice of these arguments. It is a sign of the good intentions of those who have prepared this address that they are calm and col lected in their demeanour, and use no vehement language in giving utterance to their views and sentiments. They state all they desire in plain terms, and do not offend the prejudices of any one by their words, as too often happens in the case of those who are excited or interested in the cause they ad vocate. This address promises to consider the ques tion of common affairs so soon as the Diet shall have been empowered to adopt resolutions that have the force of law. So far this seems fair enough, as is the intimation that they only wait until the Com mittee of Sixty-seven shall have brought forward their report. All persons who are now so unfortu nate as to be under sentences for political offences are entreated for in this address that an amnesty may be accorded to them, and we think that such would be a wise and a generous thing for the EMPEROR to do. We do not yet despair of Hun gary emerging from the cloud she now lies under, and eventually proving as great a source of strength to Austria as she has lately been the reverse ; nor do we think that the EMPEROR will be so mistaken as to forget that conciliation often gains far more than force, and that the wisest policy is to insure the goodwill of all whom he rules over. We have of late years very often discussed and considered the principles of our British Constitution, and various plans for strengthening and amending the ancient and time-worn structure have been de bated in Parliament, in the press, and on the plat form. A very original proposition to this effect has just been brought under our notice, which com mends itself to the attention of the reader, not only by the new and vigorous policy which it indicates, but by bearing the name of a well-known colonial politician on its title-page.' The Hon. JOSEPH HowE,of Newßru ns wick, has oftendistinguished him self by the ability, good sense, and practical experience which he has brought to bear upon some of the difficult and complex questions arising between the mother country and the colonies. He has always been remarkable for his strong attachment to Eng land and the English institutions, and so far from sharing in the theories of Professor GOLDWIN SMITH and others, he would draw the bonds of union sbeyl s aat;d e still closer, so t h at all the vast dominions of the British Crsow of n should form one g rea t commun i ty, p indeed laud by an d d i ff w er a e te n r c , es bu o t f usnoiiltead by and climate, speak ing the same language, obeying the same laws, and cherishing the same liberty. He does not see why the I speaking colonies, provided they gil'OsClal self-government, and allowed : r o e s i t: d li m stzE t n o the full regulation of their internal and domestic a ff a i r s, should not be proud to continue linked to iht they would the great free mona r chy, from whi chthe o y m o e r n i ; i d n e a n n y y sprung. M H r. OWE does n o t for a m the full right of co l o nies t o break away and set up for themse l ve s, and would not dit from them if they demanded it. But h e d oes not believe t t o ha d t o , if so f . airl T y haendcokni:ideltyiotnr, ho says, y h o l wish says, is founded on our daily experience that it is our interest to keep together. The parental relation, so ofte n referred to as illustrating the policy that should be pursued towards our dependencies, guarding them when young, but leaving them when of full age to start for themselves, does not, in his opinion, illustrate the case. " The idea to be cultivated should be rather that of a partnership which may last for centuries, and need not terminate at all, so long as it is mutually advantageous." Haying started from the premises that it is the interest of both England and her colonies to keep together, gaining strength and riches from the union, Mr. HOWE proceeds to consider in what man ner the whole empire can be best defended from attack, or, in his own words, " can be so organised and strengthened as to command peace or be impregnable in war." Since the year 1855 the question of national defence has constantly occupied the attention of thoughtful men. France, Russia, and the United States grow with our growth, and loom up before the mind of every thoughtful British subject as standing menaces, warning them to prepare for any eventuality." To this list he thinks we may add Prussia, formidable not so much from her actual strength as from her influence in the United States, where the immigra tion of Germans has been as extensive as that of Irishmen, and where the German element is there fore h strongly tet in le of prominent. thee At r imean war, Mr. HOWE re minds us, a very distinguished person said th a t our free institutions were upon their trial, and he very * " The Organisation of the Empire," by the li en Joseph Howe. Stanford, Charing-cross. I ensibly adds the commentary that what was really I on its trial was the mode in which we organised the physical force of the empire, which 'proved, as all know - , to be sadly defective. Mr. HOWE says that, combined with France, we found it hard to bring Rn asia to terms. What, then, would be our position we Te France and Russia united against us ? This proposition must be considered with some reserve, as, without the slightest disparagement of French military skill and courage, we may remember that an alliance of armies, with the natural drawbacks of divided authority and national jealousies for precedence and distinction, is always a questionable good. We may consider also that the English Government of that day carried on the war into which they drifted, rather than boldly entered, in a half-hearted, uncertain fashion, very different, we may reasonably presume, from the manner . in which any Administration would direct affairs were the safety and integrity of the empire really at stake. Nevertheless, it is not unreasonable to examine, as Mr. HOWE does, into the strength and character of the forces which might be brought against us. Russia, with her wide extent of territory, and her 74 millions of people, would be a formidable foe. France, " with a powerful navy and a naval reserve, fostered with politic liberality on the banks Quartier, in the Rue St. Placide, was alone in the apartment when a man knocked at the door, and rushed in when it was opened. There was it is supposed a struggle, for she ran into the kitchen. The assassin took up a knife, with which he stabbed her in the back of the neck, and the knife entered the breast. Death must have been almost instan taneous. The assassin locked the door on leaving and took away the key. Jealousy, not robbery, is supposed to have been the motive for the crime, for no property was taken away. The occurrence is still shrouded in mystery. The concierge of the house noticed that a man in a white hat went up stairs in the evening at the time Madame Quartier was out, but did not pay any attention to the cir cumstance, as several lodgers in the house wear white hats. The numb.A. of em'grants who embarked at Havre for the United States during the month of November was 1,513, viz., 1,466 for New York, 7 for New Orleans, and 40 for La Plata. The cotton factory of Roubaix, the largest fac tory of the kind in France, has been nearly destroyed by fire. The flames reached another factory oppo site, which was also destroyed. An immense num ber of workmen have been thrown out of employ. The Emperor, who " has a hand open as day for immediately on becoming ac quainted cia m u el e g d c with y ,the disastrous occurrence, sent 5,000 f. to assist the sufferers. He did the same for the artists of the little theatre which took fire the other day. The damage to the factory at Roubaix is estimated at no less than 3 ,000,000 f. The journals continue to give particulars mere or (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) and coasts of Newfoundland," is still more so, since one single will controls her vast resources with secrecy and directness which are impossible with ourselves. Our alliance with France is at this time cordial; but Mr. HOWE islooking for ward beyond this generation to the time when the sovereignty of France must be in other, and perhaps less sagacious, hands. The United States he holds to be (Air chief com mercial rival and our least pliable friend ; and they would also, in his opinion, prove our most dangerous antagonist. The advantage in numbers is already on their side, while 20 years hence, he adds, they would be more disproportionate. There is another side to the question which Mr. HOME over looks, and which is, that it is more than doubtful whether the S:ates of America will be " United" 20 years hence. It is highly probable that we may then have two or more separate republics, kingdoms, presidencies, or whatever title may be selected. There is, in fact,already one nation of the Northern States, one of the Southern, one of the Western, and we do not find in them the elements of unity and cohesion. The Union, the Constitution, which we were told during the war it was the great object of the Northern people to preserve, has since proved to be a very visionary sentiment. The very men who were most vehement in urging on the war, in fighting for " an idea," have since proved that they cared in fact very little about it. If it was the aim and end, as we heard of old of every loyal Northerner, to preserve the national Union un broken, how is it that we see them unwilling to profit by their own success ? They fought for four years to keep the South in the Union, and when they had won they turn round and say the South is out of the Union and cannot come in. Supposing it possible, though it is scarcely so to be reckoned, that the Radicals of the North should keep the Southern States in political subjection during this generation, no increase of population, no extent of territory will atone for the element of weakness introduced into the American forces. So far from co-operating heartily with the North in case of a foreign war, the South will absorb a share of the strength and vigilance of the Government, to prevent their combining with the foe. It is, how less accurate as to the nature of the plan proposed by the commission on the re-organisation of the army. According to one of them the annual con- tingent of the army will comprise all the young men who have no legal exemptions and no in firmities ; the number will amount to 160,000. This contingent will be thus divided :-1. The active army on the peace footing ; 2.The reserve. These two categories united will form an active army in time of war. They will each include an nually 80,000 men. The duration of service will be six years as well in the active army as in the reserve. M. Barbey, the commissioner from New York to the Great Exhibition, has arrived in Paris. A letter from New York received here says that great ac tivity prevails in arranging the products which will be sent from the United States. Moliere's " Tartuffe," translated into Flemish, is now being played at Ghent and Brussels with great success. A tremendous south-easter prevailed off Boulogne yesterday evening, when. the South-Eastern Com pany's steamer Prince Ernest from Folkestone at tempted to enter the port. The steamer struck upon the western jetty, but the passengers were safely landed. An account has been received from Berlin of the death in that city of General Pfuel in his 85th year. In 1815 he was commander of the city of Paris, and in 1848 First Minister and Minister of War. The Marquis Scipione Bargali, who was for a long time Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni potentiary of the Grand Duke of Tuscany to the Pope, has just died at Rome. The prison of Gex, in the department of the Ain, has thrown open its doors, from the rare circum stance that it has no prisoners. Such an event has not occurred there for more than forty years. I have visited the romantic little town of Gex, and a word or two respecting it may not be out of place. It is situated on the Jornant, at the foot of the Jura mountains. It was formerly a free town like Frank fort-on-the-Maine, but it was subjected to three invasions, and was ceded to France in 1601. Under the first Empire it was in the department of the Leman, but now it is a chief town of the Ain. The population is nearly 3,000. Gex is but a short dis tance from Ferney, where Voltaire lived from 1758 to 1778. Voltaire's bedroom at Ferney is often visited by travellers. That and the ante-room still possess some old-fashioned furniture which he used. There is also the mausoleum which was des tined to receive the heart of Voltaire. On it are the inscriptions made by M. de Villette :—" His spirit is everywhere, but his heart is here." " My ever, possible that a happier state of things may pre vail in America, and that, even anticipating the division of the country into separate nations, the division may leave the rivals good friends and allies, in which case they might combine against us. At any rate it is not unlikely that in the event of a general war Russia and America might effect an alliance against Great Britain, which their fleets would render formidable. manes fial consolation as my heart is in the midst of you." The room also contains portraits of Vol taire's chimney sweeper and his washerwoman, and also portraits of actors and celebrated historical characters. Voltaire's bed is still in good preser vation. Mr. HowE, having thus examined iuto the danger, pzoceeds to suggest a very practical and effectual remedy, by means of which the British empire would be, humanly speaking, secure from all attacks. What this scheme is, and how it is to be carried into effect, we propose to consider at an early opportunity. Railway and Other Companies. GROSVENOR AND WEST-END RAILWAY TER MINUS HOTEL. An extraordinery general meeting of this com pany was held yesterday at the Hotel, Pimlico— Major Murray in the chair. The CHAIRMAN said the shareholders bad only been called together to confirm and adopt a resolu tion affecting the regulations of the company, which he then moved, and which was to the effect that the company might from time to time increase the capi tal by the issue of new shares to such amount as might be thought expedient, and issue such new s hares as one or several classes, and attach to the whole or any of them such guaranteed or preferen tial dividend as the company might determine, and that these resolutions be adopted to the exclusion of regulation No. 25 of the articles of the association. This having been put to the meeting was carried unanimously. A second extraordinary general meeting of the company was then held, for the purpose of submit- tiny to the shareholders resolutions enabling the directors to increase the capital of the company. The CHAIRMAN said they would require £lO,OOO to pay off debentures. The sum of £5,000 which was due by the company they were not pressed for, as an arrangement had been agreed to which would enable them to meet it. They were paying 5 per cent. interest on the debentures, which would become due in three years, by which time he hoped to see the company in a very satisfac tory position. He wished to raise the £lO,OOO on preference shares. He thought that when all their accessories came into play the company would be in a first-rate position. They had £40,050 in deben tures at 7 per cent., and a mortgage of £30,000, making a total of £70,050. The company were now paying 5 per cent. upon the mortgage debt. They commenced the half-year by paying 10 per cent., but in a few weeks the rate went down to 5 per cent. The debentures falling due at intervals of three, five, and seven years would be duly met. He then moved a series of resolutions to the effect that the capital of the company be increased by 2100,000, in 20,000 shares of £5 each, as perpetual 8 per cent. preference shares, in priority to the 12,000 shares of £lO each, into which the nominal share capital of £120,000 was divided, and that if in any year the profits applicable for dividend should be insufficient to pay the full dividend of £8 per cent. then the deficiency should be paid out of the profits of any subsequent year. The CHAIUMAN stated that the share capital was increased by £30,000 at the request of the general meeting, £90,000 being the original capital. All they received on the 8 per cent. preferential shares would go to cancel an equal amount of the 7 per cent. debentures. The directors would like to have a working capital of some £4,000 or £5,000. In a short tilde all the northern railways would be run ning close to the hotel, and first-class shops would be built around them, while the metropolitan rail ways would bring the hotel in connexion with nearly all parts of the city as well as the Houses of Par liament. 'The resolutions were carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman and directors terminated the proceedings. Yesterday the mechanics employed on the iron frigate Hercules, 12, 1,200 horse power, building at Chatham, commenced fitting the fourth tier of 6-inch Plates along the broadsides of that vessel, to be followed by a tier of plates eight inches in thickness, The inner plating of the armour- plated fore and aft bulkheads, protecting the ship's central battery, has been commenced, prepa ratory plates. The llercules is to be constructed with in to fixing the ti m b er b ac ki n g for the armour dented sides, similar to the Pallas and Research, to enable her battery guns to be fired ahead and astern in a line with the vessel's keel, in addition to which she will be provided with one or more guns at her bow. THE SUN, LONLON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 12, 1806. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. ADDRESS OF THE HUNGARIAN DIET. PESTI', Dec. 12. The following is a more complete summary of the draft of the address which will be discussed on Sa turday next in the Lower House of the Hungarian Diet. The address states that the last Royal Rescript has not been able to allay the apprehensions enter tained by Hungary, notwithstanding the pro►nises and the acknowledgments of the national rights contained therein, since the request of the Diet for an immediate re-establishment of the constitution has not been complied with. The address requests the Emperor not to render a satisfactory reconciliation impossible by postpon ing the re-establishment of the legal basis of public affairs, and continues as follows : " There are situations in the life of nations which can never be maintained without danger. Such is the case when the internal affairs of a nation have been un settled for a long period. Always dangerous such a position of things is in thepresent day particularly perilous, when we are threatened by great European questions calculated to produce serious complications. Our own affairs, and those of the empire generally, are not so completely set in order that we could calmly meet all the emergencies that might arise, foreign complications might reach us by some un foreseen incident." The address requests his Majesty to grant means and opportunities to the Diet for effecting a satis factory compromise. " Before all," it continues, "it is necessary to that end that the Constitution of Hungary should be re-established." We ask this in the interest of our own country, ok your Majesty, of the dynasty, and of the whole empire. Our demands are justified by the funda mental laws which form the basis of the mutual legal relations between us and the Imperial dynasty. That portion of the Royal Rescript which refers to the common affairs of Austria and Hungary, and,to the draft of the committee of fifteen, can only be discussed when the Diet is in a position to consider the whole constitutional scheme, and to pass resolu tions in reference thereto. The Address again re quests that those persons upon whoin sentences have been passed, or who are exiled, for political offences, shall be amnestied. The fulfilment of these requests can alone satisfy the Hungarian nation, and give hope for the arrangtnent of a suc cessful compromise." In conclusion, the address requests his Majesty not to delay the fulfilment of these demands, and states that the Diet has learned with great satisfac tion from the Royal Rescript that the Emperor intends to introduce in his other provinces also the principle of Ministerial responsibility. ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. ( Via Queenstown.) NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (Morning.) The financial report of Secretary M'Culloch will show the deficiency in the Treasury for the year ending December, 1865, was $619,000,000. Six months after that time there was an excess of receipts over expenditure of $38,000,000, and the public debt has been reduced $200,000,000 during the last 12 months. Advices received here from Mexico to the 25th ult. state that the Emperor Maximilian's luggage had arrived at Vera Cruz. Maximilian remaine d at Orizaba, but exercised no official functions. The Imperial garrison at Zulapa had surrendered to the Liberals. Letters received at Washington assert that Bazaine anticipated no trouble from Sheridan's visit. Reports had reached New York to the 28th ult. of Sedgwick's occupation of Matamoras, and that Maximilian left Vera Cruz for Havannah. Both re ports have since been denied. Sedgwick advised the Government on the 27th of his reported occupation of Matamoras, whereupon General Grant telegraphed to General Sheridan to depose Sedgwick if the report was verified, disavow ing endorsement by the United States. Washington despatches state that the Federal Government are perfectly satisfied of Napoleon's intention to remove his troops from Mexico. M. de Montholon has furnished the United States Cabinet with the names of 20 transports about to sail from France to bring home the French troops by the end of December. Gen. Sherman was to leave Havannah on the 25th ult. for Mexico. It is believed in Canada that the recent news of a projected Fenian rising in Ireland will have a bad effect upon the condemned Fenians. No decision has as yet been delivered regarding a new trial of the condemned. SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 12. The Hamburg American Company's steamer Allemannia, Captain Trautman, sails at noon for New York with a full complement of cabin and steerage passengers, and a large cargo, including French jewellery from Havre, value 92,305 francs. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Tuesday Evening. The Marquis de Banneville, the newly-appointed Ambassador for France to the Helvetic Confedera .. tion, presented his letters and credentials to M. Knusel, the President of the Confederation, on Friday last. In doing so, the Marquis made a speech, in the course of which ho expressed " the constant and unalterable friendship of the Emperor to Switzerland." I - fe proceeded to say :—" Placed by the public right of Europe beyond the vicissi tudes which have modified the international con dition of several neighbouring States, Switzerland increases daily in her internal prosperity, without having any fear for her independence, and thus she has the right to be jealous of the advantages secured to her by her respected neutrality, because she knows and practises the duties attached to it." In conclusion, the Marquis said it was the desire of the Emperor to develope more and more the rela tions of good neighbourhood. M. Kunsel, in the name of the Federal Council, expressed sincere thanks for the sentiments of con stant and unalterable friendship professed by the Emperor, and proceeded to say :—" The Swiss Confederation proclaims spontaneously and under the shield of the public right of Europe, the prin ciple of strict neutrality. Consequently, it avoids any interference with the questions agitated in Europe which modify the territorial limits of countries. But it expects in return that no State will think of making any attack against its auto nomy, its independence, and its interests." After bearing testimony to the efforts of the last ambassa dor, M. Turbot, to increase the cordial relations between the two countries, the President, in con clusion said—" As there exists on both sides the best intentions to consolidate still more the good ' understanding now existing between the two States, the t hNt F ,ti e ht d ho e is : e a a l i nfteewntdi Council oany ssdwtohielesl whole eh o o t rle c e l a o oli u tf3 b et t dh e. f or an instant who were at R ome will be again on"FFrench troops terr ' tory. The frigate Gomer, armed as a transport, is on the way to Toulon with the 85th Regiment of the Line. The 69th Regiment had left Rome, and the frigates Mogador and Labrador, the Seine and the Intrepide, are at sea with orders to bring back the rest of the troops. Thus the long-agitated point of the occupation of Rome by French soldiers may be considered as solved. The artists of Paris have lent their aid to the project of founding a Conservatoire at Rouen, to be called the Institute Boieldieu. Rossini recently wrote a letter to M. Malliot, of Rouen, one o f the chief promoters of the institution, in which he ex pressed his desire to contribute " to the success of a musical Conservatory in the country of my friend Boieldieu." In spite of the political agitation which has reigned in Italy she seems determined to maintain her repu tation as the " land of song." • In the capital at the present time there are no less• than six theatres where operas are played—the Theatre National, the Theatre Neuf, the Theatre Rossini, the Pergola, the Theatre Rossini, and the Pagliano. At Milan, a new theatre is in course of construction, for opera and comedy. A private individual, Signor F. Pagnoni, intends to defray the whole cost of the building, which is i❑ the Rue Solferino. There has been another murder in Paris. A ser vant girl of 22, iu the service of Madame David FRANCE. PARIS, Dec. 12. The Moniteur of this morning publishes the plan for the re-organisation of the French army, the principal features of which d o no t diff er f rom th e details on the subject already given by the Paris journals. The Moniteur also publishes advices from the city of Mexico to the 9th ult., which state that the Emperor Maximilian was still at Orizaba, and that nothing had transpired to show what his ulterior in tentions might be. " The con:entration of our troops," adds the Moniteur, " is being effected with out the occurrence of any important incident." The Constitutionnel of to-day contradicts the statement that the Custom-house officials at Vera Cruz had refused to submit to the control of the agents of the French Government. BOURSE, Dec. 11.—Though the market is not very buoyant, quotations have improved. French Threes are doing at 69f. 55c ,or Tic. higher. Ita lian Fives are at 56f. 20c. Credit Mobilier Shares are 2f. 59c. higher--at 581 f. 25c. The same ad vance is obtained on Spanish Mobilier and Credit Foncier Shares. Comptoir d'Escoinpte have im proved if. 25c.—at 876 f. 25c. The General Otto man Debt have again advanced / per cent., transac tions now taking place at 33f. 75c. The last quo tations are as follows :-- t} per Cents 97 60 Du. end month 3 per Cents. 69 65 Do. end mouth 69 671 Credit Mobilier Do. end month Credit Fonder — Do. end month 1380 RAIL' Bank Shares 3625 Italian Loan 56 50 Do. end month 56 55 Mexican Loan — Do. Bonds Spanish Threes Home Debt Deferred WAYS. For Account. Orleans Northern ll9O Lyons and Mediterranean 9OO -! Southern 583 75 Western 533 75 Eastern ~. Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain — SaragosE a 135 Ditto to Barcelona — Itoraau,, , 70 LITERATURE. • DIE EDINBURGH (No. 254).--" Kaye's History of the Sepoy War" introduces us to a subject that has always in it something worthy of notice. We fully concur in the opinion here expressed that the mutiny of 1857-8 was not owing to the faults of civil government, and that its causes might be traced to the ferocity and insubordination of the pampered soldiery, who were trusted too much, and not the insurrection of an oppressed people. Here is the point 'at issue between the author and the critic, and considerable ability is displayed in the compilation of the mistaken theories met with in this volume, which, distinguished as it is for great clearness, is likely to mislead the judgment of the uninitiated. The conclusion come to is that it is " far less hazardous to trust the population than to lean on the broken reed of a native soldiery." Sir John Lawrence has directly expressed similar opinions, and we commend this excellent article to the notice of all who are interested in the mainte nance of our Indian Empire, and who would become better acquainted with its requirements. The case is well put in this passage :—" What we deprecate is a course of conduct which at once feeds the mili tary spirit in a proportion of the population needlessly large, and compels us to drain the labour market of England, of the young men whom its industries can very ill spare, in order to keep in check a large native force which India 'would be better without." " Varieties of History and Art" affords us a pleasing insight into a French work, with the untranslatable title of " Causeries d'un Curieux." A most unfavourable opinion is ex pressed of Photography by this " Curieux." He says that it is the " antipodes of art, it is the slave of an instrument, and has all the defects of one ; if photography was dear no one would Submit to it, for it makes uglier than nature ; it has been popu larised by cheapness." For light and amusing inci dent, as well as for on dits and reminiscences of History and Art, this paper will be found most acceptable, and, while it will entertain the general reader, it also presents a feast for the studious and well-read. "International Coinage" is au admir able article, which eminently merits the attention of the commercial circles, and we wish there was a better chance of its suggestions being favourably received by the influential in the monetary world. After stating that a comprehensive change must b e a lasting one to justify the inconvenience it would inevitably occasion a t first, it is said that whenever the British Government is sufficiently enlightened, and also sufficiently supported, to attempt these changes referred to, "we trust that a modifiJation of our coinage would not only bring us into closer relations with the monetary systems of the Continent, but would also establish our own coinage and enumera tion on the basis of the decimal system." There is great force in these arguments, as also in those that follow further on respecting the advantages that must follow upon the means of exchange being rendered more simple and universal, and thus changing in conformity with the progressive signs of the age. It will be fortunate for the people of this country, and a great advantage to those of other nations, when the truths here set forth are univer sally recognised. As it is unanswerably put here, " Whatever the difficulties may be, it is not impos sible for the common interest of mankind to sur mount them, and no common interest is more obvious than that of establishing a similarity or identity between these different representations of value, which may be described as the very language of trade ; for, to use the words of Landgrave Philip of Hesse at the beginning of the 16th century "Had all mon but a simple creed, Faithful to God and just in deed, One weight, oho m6asure, coin, and gold, 9. l %vere better for all an hundredfold." Napoleon's " Julius Cre3ar" engages attention in an elaborate paper. It is said that a great merit of this work is the " gracJulness and simple dignity with which our author, so highly placed, has descended into the arena of ordinary literature." However, the greatest pleasure has been to go over again the " enchanted classical ground" which the work occu pies, and in the best company, that of the original authorities to whom the references allude. Hence it is a relief, after gazing on " the last con vulsions of Republican France through the violet medium. of Napoleon the Third, or the demo cratic rose-colour of Arnold, to return to our ancient guides," who, whatever their own pre judices, represent the scenes to us free from what could not have " the tendency to work 'up pictures for the eyes of another generation, brought up in theories derived from the extended experience of a world twenty centuries older." " Felix Holt, the Radical," will attract the atten tion of the class of novel readers which now-a-days indeed is legion, and perhaps the first sentence met with may be considered almost a sufficient criticism in itself, so expressive and appropriate is its word ing. " Felix Holt" has some of the defects of ordi nary novels, but ordinary novels have none of the merits of Felix Holt. Another good definition of the superiority of this author's description is found in this passage—" Less original thinkers identify their ruined characters by some trite saying, but George Eliot always denotes the intellectual or moral differences of the dullest or most common place of mankind by some little idiosyncracy of language or of thought." " Strauss, Ronan, and Ecce Homo," brings before our notice a carefully written article on a subject that most especially calls for care and caution in its treatment. Great praise is accorded to the work " Ecce Homo," by which the author has, it is said, produced great effect, kindling faith afresh in many a wavering soul, and addressing himself to as great a subject as one can employ—" man's noblest energies, the preservation or renewal of the faith of God." It is no matter of surprise that strictures are passed upon these authors whose names first appear in this title, and it is truly said that they dogmatise. " Strongly as both of them would repudiate the charge, we are sorry to be obliged to fix upon M. Renan as well as upon Herr Strauss this odious imputation of degeneration ; for while the very point is, whether Jesus was a superhuman personage or not, both of these writers lay it down as the first postulate in their argument that no superhuman hypothesis is admis sible, their argument therefore becomes neither more nor less than a vicious circle ; the Gospels are un- trustworthy, because they record miracles, and no miracles are credible because the books that record them are untrustworthy." " Froude's Reign of Elizabeth" is a very interesting notice of Mr. Froude's brilliant work. It seems that a too lenient judgment is passed by the historian upon some of the questionable acts of this great Queen, and we certainly do not require such " weak and unreason ing tenderness " nor " generosity" either in her conduct, but prefer to accept the definitions here met with of " hypocrisy and hardness of heart." Apart from these matters of difference, there is always abundance to adaiire in Mr. Froude's writ- ings, and these volumes, it is emphatically observed, " will afford an intellectual treat to every class of readers ; the curtain has dropped upon a stirring act, and we await with deep interest its rising upon another." " Antique Gems" is an attractive name at any rate, and conjures up dazzling visions before the mind of the reader, who may be wearied with wandering through the mazes of politics, or bewll - by the conflicting clahns of literary disputants. There is much to interest in the description here met with, and many may derive profit and pleasure from the study of this sketch of olden marvels. Few subjects are more interesting in their way than those connected with the arts of ancient days, more especially in Greece and Rome. " The Military Growth of Prussia" i 3 an admirable article, to which we shall refer at a future period. he Dublin Review. Nos. XIII. and XIV. Burns, Lambert, and Co., 17, Portman-street. A considerable portion of these two numbers of the Dublin is occupied in the.discussion of theologi cal and controversial topics. These, though very suitable to the pages of a review of standard cha racter, do not come within the range of newspaper criticism. If we turn to the literary articles we find, in the thirteenth number, an able review of the Imperial history of Julius Csar. The critic does not agree with the illustrious narrator in his estimate of the great Roman, although he adihits him to have been far superior to bis contemporaries in many points, such as in his clemency, a virtue almost unknown among the ancients. Another in teresting question very fully treated is that of the preponderance of heathen studies in classical educa tion. The Editor of the Review does not commit himself to either side of the discussion, but allows free inquiry into the merits and demerits of the question. The vexed question of the Jamaica re bellion and its suppression is resuscitated in a lengthy article, which we can hardly think fair to Mr. Eyre. We need hardly recapitulate the argu ments, which are those we have all heard so often; neither need we add that the danger and violence of the actual outbreak at Morant Bay, and the peri lous position of the handful of white residents in the colony, are altogether ignored, since this is invari ably the case with the assailants. " Origen at Caesarea" is an essay which will at once attract the reader of classical tastes and studies. In conclud ing a highly interesting paper the writer oberves "He died at Tyrd in 253 or 234. The cities where he taught are now mere names. Alexandria is a modern Turkish town, Caesarea is a heap of broken columns and ruined piers, Athens is the capital of a pitiful nation of mongrel Hellenes, Bostia and Petra are tombs in the deserts of Arabia." Ba t . the record of his wor k s s till li ves, and the wr iter. draws a lesson from it. "In another region of the world," he says, " and in cities with names that are different, yet with histories as grand as be longed to the cities of the East, unbelief seems to be bringing back a condition of min d to encounter which the Catholic writer will have to put himself into the circumstances of those ancient giants who met and overthrew scientific Paganism in the second and third centuries. Faith, and what is faith, and why men must believe, occupied Clement and Origen. The same questions are oc cupying the thoughts of our own day; and many a hint may be gathered, and many a suggestive argu ment started, to those who will take the Alexan drian stand-point, and look at faith as it is looked at in the polemical works of the great Alexandrian school." The Westminster Review. No. LX. Triibner and Co. The current number of the Westminster contains many interesting articles. 64 The English and their Origin" is a paper for the ethnological, since it examines closely into all the records of our race. The writer inclines to the Teutonic side of the con troversy respecting our English affinities, being influenced, perhaps, somewhat by the well-known intellectual tendencies of the Westminster in h is desire to prove his countrymen akin to the gre at German freethinkers. His essay i s we ll worth reading by all who are interested in the study of race, which is, certainly, a department of philosophy in which there is more than we as yet know, or perhaps dream of. " The Abbe Lamennais on Dante" is a criticism which pays a cordial tribute to the labours of the accomplished commentator. The last lines of his pen were devoted to the illustration of the great trilogy .of Dante, and we read his magnificent introduction with mixed feel ings of regret and satisfaction—of satisfaction that he lived to do so much, of regret that he was not permitted to finish the work which he had so n early carried to perfection." But although his commen tary remains unfinished, it everywhere bears the marks of a master's hand, and undoubtedly forms one of the most eloquent, just, and profound crit cisms ever written upon th e " Di v i na C omme die' Our North American colonies, curiously enough+ form the subject of two distinct articles, not referring, however, to the same pro vinces. The first is on " The Canadian Confederation and the Reciprocity Treaty," a n . d , gives a full and intere s ti ng account o f t h e rapi d development of the colonial trade and commerce. The writer, however, is scarcely fair in representing the feeling and language current in this country towards the Canadians. Individuals may ha ve misrepresented the public sentiment, but whenever the interests of Canada or her sister colonies are really at stake the ready sympathy and goodwill of the mother country is i nvar i a bl y man if es t e d With promptitude and unanimity. On a recent occasio n the declaration of a Minister of the Crown that if Canada were imperilled she would be supported, II necJz,sary, by the whole power of the Empire, via? received with general satisfaction and approval. The other article is on " Our North Pacific Colo nies," and refers, we need hardly say, to Van' couver's Island and British Columbia. 'Thanks t° the gold discoveries, the3e provinces have of 15 t ° years attracted a good share of attention even front their flourishing neighbours, and we have no doubt they have a great career before them. t , The Deg —his Intelligence" is a readable paper, foundel Mr. Jesse's work on the animal. Of late it h as been the fashion to - decry man's most faithful com panion, and to exaggerate the terrors of hydro phobia to an extraordinary extent. This essay ill % perhaps serve to recall some rea d ers to a better appreciation of what the dog really is, and to duce them to put a little less ready faith in those marvellous " penny-a-lining" r ep or t s w hich start le old ladies in dull seasons. A well-written paper the Forest of Fontainebleau is the last in t " - number. TEMPLE BAR MAGAziNE.—During the course ° I the New Year (1867), now fast approaching, this popular monthly, which has already in mall re spects greatly improved • since it passed into t ue hands of Mr. Bentley, the Queen's Publisher ill Ordinary, will be rendered still more attractive 1)i means of two or three very noticeable new features no"' active and immediate preparation. Two fresh serial stories; among other contributions,will be introduced to the reader s (),. Temple Bar, one of them by Mrs. Edwards, the autho ress of "Archie Lovell," the other byMr. Le F ar m, the stit h° ; . among other popular works, of " Uncle Silas"- --31r . 0 Edwards' story to be begun in January, Mr. Le Fanu' S February. By a vexatious oversight the o ther day, ill r- t gard to the notice which appeared in these columns l' l)° : ie the current number of Temple Bar for December- 0 ' "7„ 0 balance account, should have been "How the bal arj . ;, came out;' Old Cecilia, "Ad Ceciliam ;" and The 1. " Allies, " The Two Alices." NEW MUSIC. --qpr As Christmas comes round the music publish ° are perhaps as busy as any in producing attraet i l pieces to suit the festive season. Messrs. Ceek s, ,,, ° ,, New Burlington-street, have . ju s t issued " 1 ", - , "Rosabella Valse," " The Tullochgorum Quadril le, a telling song by Wrighton, entitled " The Wish ing Cap," and one clever instrumental piece, " V. "' sr .; le Reine," by Brindley Richards. Messrs. B° ° ' se : have published no less than 14 new songs and Pie ce ; " showing their determination to furnish t ry b e h l a Christmas quota—the principal pieces being' Express Quadrilles," by Coote ; " The Cuelc °°. 'l Note Valse," by Blamphin ; " The Billet P° ll-, , and " Kissingen Romances," by George F° rb° " The Marie Valse ;" a spirited martial manza, by Madame Oury ; " The Aust ria ' Hymn," by the brilliant composer W. 1 ' 1111 1 1 : " Birds of the Forest Valse," by T. Bonnay ; a F", triotic hymn " Italy," by Brizzi ; and the followil3; songs—" Secrets," " Second Love," " Only a i'„'eby of Hair," and " Riding through the Broom , Claribel ; and " Sweet, Sweet," one of 11.13 613 : a . Liebhart's songs, by Allen. They are all g i , ° D ., compositions, and can be safely recommended. 'wo Bennett's (of Bishopsgatc-street) latest issue ~JYO:S pretty ballads, entitled " Shadows," and " re) Song," and Mr. Charles Jeffreys (of Soho-sclu has published Miss Poole's ballad " Ganging t vg ` the Fair," written and composed by Percy 11°- ney Atkinson. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.-.—The great difficulty e; perienced in selecting suitable articles fo r p resee,,, will be entirely obviated by visiting Parkin s and Gett tb y extensive show-rooms, where may be seen by f largest stock in Europe of articles of excellent taste and workmanship, at very moderate prices, comprising P°l.ll albums, writing cases, dressing cases, dressing bag'', spatch boxes, onvelol.e cases andblotting books, cardte6raY'' work boxes, glove and trinket boxes, inkstands, desks' stationery cabinets, purses, pocket bo oks, pencil eease cigar cases, reticules, opera glasses, scent cases, bottles, electro-gilt andelegantly mounted articles. 130)11 Prayer-books, and Church Services, in every variety ns type and binding. A new depart ment for indoor gartne... of all kinds—bagatelle and billiard tables, all sizes ; cal boxes, ST.; in fact, an e ndless variety o f articles to suit every taste and purpose. . Parkins and Gotto, 24 25, Oxford-street, W. h a ;; valu( T 1 Yest € gold. ati naa 121 bard °. 121 ;. alt erat at 7 0a 4ti d Il Atli ar e st E b ta n 1 ,41 4 c ; :4, a very li tate s. 16 ; C °tat/ 111; Bus; o~ra q epre, kr t A 43 11 t,. o. 4 b° (.1 1; It Ir A k 1),e.44111, of ii ha s 1 t on 38 4 been Ac ' l ay t ther e 1 i Per rent aceoi ° leer a wed 24 Der Cc Pre va Co ns( to 33_, siv e a th 4 Are: