The Sun. — London, England, 1865-12-30 00:00:00

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. (Opera Company, Limited.) THIS EVENING (Saturday), Mr. Charles Deffelll's new opera, in one act, CHRISTMAS EVE. Madame F. Lancia, Madame E. Heywood; Mr. A. Cook, and Mr. I) Miranda. Conductor, Mr. Alfred Mellon. ter which. at 8, the grand comic , spectacular,ND THE a nd ope- M ratic Christ mas Pantomime, entitled ALADDIN A WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Flying Palace. (See other advertisements). Commence at 7 o'clock. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.- Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, the Farce ot TIUSBANDS, BEWARE. Mr. G. Belmore, Miss Haziewood. &C. Alter which, the Pantomime.LlTTLE KING PIPPIN ; or, Harlequin Fortunatus and the Magic Purse and Wishing Cap. Messrs. G. 13elmore, 11. Drayton, G. Weston. Master Percy itoselli ; Misses 13 azlewood, A. Thomson E. Falconer, E'antomimists, Messrs. H. Boleno. C. Lauri Cormack, Saville, Miss rdorgan, and Madame Bolen°. Commence at 7. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.— Sole Lessee and Mansgar, Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, BROTHER SAM Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Compton; Mesdames Nelly Moore. Snowden, &c. To be followed by ORPHEUS IN THE HAYMARKET. Messrs. W. Farren, Fisher, Bartleman, Weathersby, dco. ; Mesdames Keeley, Snowden, Moore, Lindley, Woolgar, Howard, Wright, Coleman. Lovell, Prevot, &c. To conclude with SHOCKING EVENTS. Mr. Compton. Commence at Seven. R OYAL LYCEUM T EIEATRE.- Under the sole Management of Mr. Fechter. THIS EVENING, THE ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGER. Mr. H. Widdicomb. After which, THE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD. Mr. Fechter; Messrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomb, Vezin, J. H. Fitzpatrick, D. Evans ; Alesdames Ternan, Elsworthy, Layenu, and C. Leclercq. - - Box Office open daily from Eleven till Five. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL ADELPHL Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, at Seven, a new farce called BEHIND TIME. Messrs. J. L. Toole, H. Phillips, Eburne. C. J. Smith; Miss A. Seaman, &c. After which, at 8, RIP VAN WINKLE. Rip (his 101st appearance), Mr. Jefferson, supported by Messrs. Billiaagton, P. Bedford , R Phillips, Felix Rogtrs, Ashley, Eburne, C. J. Smith; Mrs. Billingtor, &o. To conclude with THE STEEPLECHASE. Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Ashley ; Miss K. Kelly, &o. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, QUIET LODGINGS. After which, at a quarter to Eight, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND. Characters by Messrs. Vining, T. Mel ville, T. Mead, D. Murray, 8. Calhaem. F. Villiers, J. G. Shore, G. Murray, H. Mellon, C. Seyton, R. Cathcart; Miss L. Moore and Miss Katherine Rodgers. RROYAL S 1 RAND THEATRE. Bole Lessee and Manageress. Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING. at Seven. NOTHING VENTURE NOTHING WIN. After which will be produced a new Opera Burlesque, L'APRICAINE ; or, The Queen of the Cannibal Messrs. Stogie, James, Thorne; Mesdames Swanborough, Raynbam, Johnstone, &c. To conclude with MRS. GREEN'S SNUG BUSINESS. GRATIS AND POST FREE. E. MOSES and SONS' FASHIONABLE ALMANAC for 1865, Lief of Prices, with Fashion-card for the present eason. MOSES AND S 0 N ~• 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, and the beat workmanship. E. MOSES 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 economical. This depart ment is in a distinct plat of the premises, which will be found a great convenience for ladies and children. MOSES AND SON • respectfully invite public attention to their large and well-assorted WINTER STOCK. MOSES AND SON'S E• and "DANISH " WRAPPER (Introduced by them) is the newest and most fashionsble style of Overcoats for the season. EMOSES AND SON'S • READY-MADE and BESPOKE CLOTHING for all classes and all ages. •E MOSES AND SON'S • CEL EBRATED " INDISPEN SABLE" SUIT, from 30s. E MOSES AND SON'S . HOSIERY and DRAPERY, for all classes and all ages. 1 MOSES AND SON'S X.:A • HATS AND CAPS, for all classes and all ages. MOSES AND SON'S E• BoO'J'S and SHOES, for all classes and all ages. MOSES AND SON'S E• OUTFI VS, for all classes, all ages, and all climates. MOSES AND SON'S E • LONDON HOUSES, 154, 155, 156, 157, Minories ; 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, Aldgate ; 506, 507, 508, New Oxford--street; 1,2, 3, Hart-street; 137, 138, Tottenham-court-road ; 288. Euston-road. Also, Bradford, Yorkshire. MOSES AND SON'S • Establishments are closed every 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 nut approved of will be exchanged, or the money returned. List of Prices with Rules for Self-measurement, Fashion Card, and our new pamphlet, •' The Philosophy of Dress," gratis and post tree. lIIHE LAST EDITION OF " THE SUN," ...IL Containing the Latest STORTlisi INTELLIGEAC 6, Dan be had Every Evening of (I. R. GLEN LE, NEWS AGENT, Leo. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. 11IIE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " A supplied, as soon as published every Evening, by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendisti- street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LATEST NEWS and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, by H. W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blacklriars-road, London, S. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubiio generally, that he supplies the LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" as soon as published —No. 16, Hampstead road, N. Y. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. This DAY.—Morning, h. m.—Afternoon, 12h. 22m. To - Monnow.-Morning, 12h. 50m.—Afternoon, .Ih. 20m. 4- 4 "4 O SP"'"% ' LONDON, SATURDAY, DEC. 30, 1865. The year which is just passing away has been in many respects an eventful and also a sorrowful one, and the retrospect of its annals is not a pleasing task. If we begin by taking a glance at foreign affairs, there is little or nothing of a cheering aspect to contemplate. The great struggle which for some time waged • between the States of North America has been brought to a termination, and one which can afford no satisfaction to those who have care fully studied the course of events. It is true, that In some respects matters have not been so disastrous as some feared after the disastrous collapse of the Confederates, and that slavery is at an end, but this great change has not been brought about in a man ner likely to prove beneficial to those immediately concerned. All who appreciate courage and con stancy regretted the unfortunate result of the strenuous efforts made by the Confederates, and lamented the mistakes which they made. A want of unity characterised the proceedings of the Southerners for so►ne time before the final crash came, and the hesitation of DAVIS was another mis fortune, since its effect was to throw him into the power of his enemies. The assassination of LIN COLN was an event which filled the civilised world with horror, and the dastardly attempt made by a particular section to palm the crime on the Sou thern PRESIDENT and his allies met with de served reprobation, and soon shared the fate it deserved by dropping out of notice. The new PRESIDENT has appeared to great advan tage lately, and agreeably surprised many who feared for the consequences when he so unexpectedly acceded to power. By his judicious bearing he has toned down many of the asperities unhappily so rife among his supporters, and by his consistent firm ness he has assured to the Southerners some expec tation of finally emerging from their fiery ordeal under better auspices than at one time seemed possible. Amid much to deplore that was discredit able not only to the rules of war among civilised nations, but dishonourable to human nature itself in the course pursued by the Federals during the prosecution of the war, it is so far satisfactory and encouraging to find that theman highest in authority in the United States has determination enough to follow the policy he thinks right undeterred by the selfish objections raised by some, and the noisy vituperation of others. The great Republic of the Western World has signally failed in impressing mankind with the excellence or endurance of its principles, and if it would retrieve in some degree the character that has suffered so considerably, it must be by the exercise of moderation. Well may the words of the Prophet be applied to the tur bulent and distracted politicians beyond the Atlantic—" In returning and rest shall ye be saved in quietness, and confidence shall be your strength." The changed position of the leading men in the United States since we last took a summary of the passing year may well furnish a lesson as to the mutability of human greatness, and the transitory nature of ambitious dreams. President LiNcoLw, who had been moving heaven and earth to be re elected, had just succeeded in his efforts ; but for what a brief space he enjoyed the proud position he so dearly cherished ! JEFFERSON DAVIS, then at the head of a powerful community, has been for the greater part of this year languishing in a prison, while those who led the armies of the Confederacy to the field, and carried destruction to the Federal vessels at sea, have been scattered far and wide. For ever memorable in the history of the world must be this episode of the civil war in the United States of America ; and it has also been notable in proving to us all here that Republicanism is a sorry foun dation to rest upon. How many times and oft have the ardent admirers of Democracy laboured to impress upon their hearers the vast superiority of American institutions over our own, and how com plete a refutation to their impassioned orations has been furnished by the circumstances of the recent struggle. We have witnessed a want of faith in all established institutions, a mercenary grasping for power when vital interests were at stake, and an almost universal disregard for those principles which should be held superior to advantage or success. The upholders of the Union have shown us they can fight, and can persevere in their determination to conquer at all hazards and all risks, but they have shown us far more con spicuously that they rank the consummation of their particular views far beyond the claims of justice or respect for truth. They have much to learn before they can emulate those whom they despise across the Atlantic. So far as this country has been concerned Earl RUSSELL'S policy re specting America has been most unsatisfactory. It inflicted serious injuries upon a large portion of our population, it caused serious losses to our merchants, and it has several times nearly caused a rupture between the Government of Washington and our own. Had he adopted a bolder attitude at the outeet, and refused to recog nise the blockade, the consequences would have been very different to the world in general, and in all probability the next generation would be spared the renewal of the contest, which cannot be called really terminated. In Europe there is nothing reassuring to point to, and the course pursued by the German Powers has been even worse than we anticipated last year. The Prussians have set the rules of common sense at defiance in their frantic efforts to grasp their prize. After going to war to dispute the claims of the King of DENMARK, and forcing him to relinquish his possessions, they now declare upon the highest legal authority that he was the rightful owner of the Duchies, and that he has renounced his claims in favour of the German Sovereigns. The Duchies themselves and the lesser States have met with a fitting retribution in the utter con tempt and indifference with which they have been treated by those whom they suffered to delude them at the outset of the affair. Here, again, we may meet with an illustration of the harm occa sioned by our disastrous foreign policy. Had our Foreign Office acted with discrimination and firm ness last year, this year would not have witnessed the disgraceful issue of the Schleswig-Holstein affair. The Emperor of AUSTRIA is in the midst of an arduous investigation respecting the settlement of the constitution, but unfortunately we cannot place much reliance upon his promises, and at any time he may alter his present tone for one more arbitrary and exclusive. The Emperor NAPOLEON has got into difficulties respecting Mexico, and as yet we have no intimation of the course he will pursue ; but we may confidently expect that his excellent judgment will not allow him to compromise his hitherto almost undis turbed success or permit the interests of France to suffer. A serious loss has been sustained in the councils of Europe by the recent death of the King of the BELGIANS. King LEOPOLD has long been most instrumental in checking, the encroachments of absolutism on the one hand, and moderating the extremes of revolu tionary tactics on the other. He was a great paci ficator ; and before the close of the year upon which we are now about to enter we may have great cause to deplore his loss. Here in England the great Reaper has been very busy among the ranks of distinguished men. In art, literature, and politics some have been snatched away whose places can never be filled again so well or so worthily. The most notable among oar losses was he who but lately was in terred in Westminster Abbey, amid a nation's regret and homage. Lord PALMERSTON was a man who could ill be spared at any time from the councils of State, but he has left us at last when perhaps he was as much needed as ever. There is no one so well qualified as he was among our public men to counsel the SOVEREIGN, direct the Cabinet, lead the House, and inspire confidence among the com munity. Ile had long experience, and he possessed a great knowledge of the English people. His successors are manifestly wanting in this latter respect. By the strict rules of party Lord RUSSELL is a better statesmen, and Mr. GLADSTONE hasmore greater orator, but abilities and unquestionably a neither_separately nor combined will they replace Lord PALMERSTON in the direction of affairs or the management of Parliamentary business, They are too exclusive, and rely too much upon their own convictions. The late PREMIER had tact enough to recognise the claims of others, and never unduly asserted his own right to interfere. The only in stance in which the new Government has displayed any unusual signs of energy has been in the unfor tunate Jamaica business, and it has been, in deed, a most inauspicious commencement. It is significant also, inasmuch as it shows that there is a tendency to lean to the views of a particular party, and to make the claims of justice subservient to the bidding for political support. Mr. COBDEN has also passed away during this year, and in his peculiar position he was like Lord PALMER ; STON, without an equal. The distinguished Car ' dinal WISEMAN, the President of the Royal Academy, the author of " Sam Slick," DAVID ROBERTS, Sir JOSEPH PAXTON, Sir CHAS. CROMPTON, Lord W I LLOUGHBYD'ERESBY (the Hereditary Grand Chamberlain), and the fourth Duke of NORTHUM BERLAND, are all numbered on the scroll of the de , p ar ted. The material prosperity of the country has r SUN; LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 30, ISe. been greatly affected by the disastrous cattle plague, whose consequences are likely to be more severely felt as time goes on, and the effect of the fearful havoc among our herds and flocks is more fully realised. Taken altogether, however, the people of England have much to rejoice at, and great cause to thank the Giver of all good gifts for the benefits and blessings He has showered upon them. Recent events in Europe and America only afford us additional proof of the vast advantages which accrue from the form of Government under which we live, and we can aspire to no better issue to our labours than to hand down to posterity the Constitution of our forefathers. The Liberal party at Tiverton have been making an active demonstration on behalf of their late member, the Hon. G. DENMAN, a gentleman who is very likely to be again their representative when the assembling of Parliament shall have rendered a new election possible. The listener to the animated discourses on Thursday evening might, if he were of a moralising turn, have reflected on the transitory nature of the most extended popularity, for even in Tiverton itself, which half England only knows through its long association with him, the name or the memory of Lord PALMERSTON, found little place among the eager anticipations of the future, and the discussions of individual policy and party tactics. The presentation of a handsome testimonial to Mr. DENMAN occupied the earlier part of the day, but in the evening a public dinner was given in the Athenmum, which was largely attended, and at which the great question of Reform was fully dis cussed. Mr. COLERIDGE and Mr. ACLAND were the chief speakers, and their speeches were both liberal and constitutional, neither defending the anomalies of our present representative system, nor seeking to throw away all the hard-won advantages of former days for the abject copy of a mere theore tical constitution, which has been foundin practice to secure less individualfreedom than our own. Radicals and men of extreme opinions like Mr. BRIGHT are very fond of talking about history. They refer con tinually to particular events or certain enactments, and assume altogether the monopoly of our national records. They appear loth to believe that any one has read the history of England but themselves, but the fact is that they have only read half of it, or at least only choose to remember the half which suits their theories. They fail to observe the great end to which all our patriots and reformers directed their attention—the balance of political power between the different classes of the kingdom. To attain this end, all ranks fought in their turn, conscious that national liberty was never secure while its guardian ship was restricted to one class alone. For this the Barons wrested the great Charter from the reluc tant KING, for this HAMPDEN organised the opposi tion to the ship money, for this men of the last generation carried the Reform Bill. Party feeling and personal advantage, mixed up of course largely with purer motives, and the popular champions of every age were probably as unwilling to surrender their own power or influence as their opponents were to abandon their vested interests. But at any ' rate they were determined that another class should not have the preponderance. and by carrying out this determination they did good service to the country. The thoughtful men of every age, more especially of the great struggle of the seventeenth century, perceived the dangers of unlimited power in the hands of any party, and to restrain its exer cise several enactments were provided which forbade the prolonged prorogation of Parliaments, and limited their existence. The great principle of national representation lies at the root of all public liberty, and it has always been assumed by our law makers that the Parliament represented the feel ings of the country, and even in its present imperfect state it is undoubtedly the great security for public justice and individual freedom. Still there is a growing feeling in the community that the people are not fairly represented, and such a sentiment no Government can afford to dis regard. To provoke an opposition between the Parliament and the people, to produce dis affection and want of confidence towards the great connecting link between the people and their rulers, would be a very serious and dangerous thing. Even if such a state of mind led to no outward acts of violence or rebellion, its effects would be far more dangerous to the national welfare than even a wholesale and ill - considered change. But unless the great principles of the Constitution are carefully borne in mind, and are acted upon as far as possible, the desired end will not be attained. It is not national representation when any one class, be it high or low, is suffered to override all others. It is no security for good government that ignorance and clamour should be able to silence experience and intelligence. America may be represented by a Radical assembly, but England in her present state will certainly not be satisfied with such expo nents of her policy. The same principle, which is the only security for trade, must be carried out in politics, free competition. Monopoly is alike the deadliest enemy of the merchant and of the nation. We must have men of every opinion, of every party, to represent the interests and views of the various ranks, and we should gain nothing in the way of representation if we substituted the Utopia of the extreme Reformers for the present Par liament. Mr. BRIGHT, in his anathemas against the Lords, is just as intolerant as any obsti nate Tory of the old school in his prejudices against the working men. To have a genuine English Parliament, we must have a political balance of power, and suffer no one class or party to override and silence all others, or there will be an end of that progress which constitutes genuine Reform. The two speakers at Tiverton apparently shared these convictions, for they expressed themselves warmly in favour of a Reform Bill which should be so framed as to admit the intelligence and inde pendence now unrepresented in whatever class it may be found. Mr. ACLAND confessed that he held certain crotchets, among which he classed his belief that those men who were intrusted by their fellows with the management of unions or societies should have a right to the franchise, and also that those men who had shown their prudence and self-denial by investing in assurance societies or benefit clubs should be included. Mr. ACLAND argued justly enough that a mere money limit to the franchise was unjust and unsatisfactory, and that better tests were applied by some of w has ish e s c the so-called fancy franchiees. The lodger fran chiseto y he a intelligent verful classes m ses o o n f t a h n e y oo o m ne who _ munity fairly represented ; but, strange to say, it has met with little favour from reformers in general. There is a great objection in some quarters to these fancy franchises,: but unless we admit some of them we shall never get our varied and com plex social life fairly represented. The great aim of all Reform should be to bring the E ng li s h House of Commons nearer to that ideal described by PITT, whose words Mr. ACLAND very appro priately quoted—" An assembly freely elected, be tween whom and the mass of the people there is the closest union and the most perfect sympathy." To attain this end party jealousies and personal prejudices must be laid aside, and all must unite to ' frame a measure which shall reflect the wishes of no one class or faction, but truly and fairly 'represent L A TEST IN . TELLIGENCE Mr. Horsman, M.P., on our Domestic Policy. the great body of the people. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) Englishmen of all ranks, creeds, and professions feel a common interest in the grand old Minster which is associated with every phase of our eventful history. It is consequently not surprising that the celebration of the 800th anniversary of its founda tion on Thursday attracted large numbers to the venerable edifice, especially when that celebration, was accompanied by the recital of the exquisite strains which the various composers whose names are connected with the Abbey have left to us, and when the address appropriate to the occasion was delivered by one of the most eloquent preachers, as he is one of the most tolerant and enlightened thinkers, of the English Church. Those who are acquainted with the variety - and extent of Dr. STANLEY'S historical knowledge may easily imagine the vivid life with which he clothed the dead forms of the past, and more especially of that Saxon King whose simple and earnest piety gave us the great Abbey. The preacher pointed out the singu lar coincidence of the Saxon EDWARD having lected the majestic architecture of the Normans for his great wdrk, significant, in fact, of the approach ing change of dynasty which he did not live to see. His great work accomplished, and the dedication of the magnificent pile which he had raised to the honour of his CREATOR over, the weary Monarch laid down the cares of State and slept in his newly finished Abbey. EDWARD the Confessor was the first of the long line of illustrious English men who have since reposed under its shadow. His claim to interment here, said Dr. STANLEY, was not founded on his rank or achievements, but on his simple faith and guileless piety. His virtues were within the reach of every man, woman, and child in every age. The last hours of the Confessor were troubled with fears of the coming future of his country, and yet the hopes in which the Abbey was founded have been more than fulfilled. Throughout all changes it has kept its hold on the affections of the people. "It has been the refuge in life and death of princes who had no other place to lay their heads ; its walls embrace memorials from every rank and profession in life, sovereigns and statesmen divided in all but death and the hope of a common resurrection." Yet throughout all the changes and vicissitudes the fixed intention with which the pile was dedicated to the worship of God has known no fluctuation. " Break this thread and the whole building becomes an unmeaning labyrinth, a cold artificial Valhalla, a lifeless museum. But in all times, in sorrow and in joy, in difficulty and in triumph, GOD, the consoler and the giver, has been sought in prayer and praise." Is the Cattle Plague Small-Pox. (From the Lancet.) The attention of our readers is directed to a most important communication on the cattle plague in this day's impression of The Lancet. The report of Dr. Murchison's dissections of the diseased cattle, which appeared in The Lancet as long ago as Aug. 26, showed clearly that the rinderpest was not the pathological equivalent of human typhoid fever, and we believe we are correct in stating that this opinion has been confirmed by every subsequent observer. From Dr. Murchison's present communication, however, it is obvious that there exists a very strong analogy, if not absolute identity, between rinder pest and small-pox. The arguments by which this view is supported deserve serious consideration. It appears that in all cases of cattle plague there is an eruption on the skin, sometimes papular and pus tular, like that of variola ; at other times con sisting of flattened vesicles like those of cow-pox. The two diseases also resemble one another in their general symptoms and anatomical lesions, in their period of incubation and duration, and in their extreme contagiousness and capability of propa gation by inoculation. There are even some grounds for believing that rinderpest may com municate cow-pox to the human subject, and the reason why this accident has not happened oftener may be due, as Pr. Murchison suggests, to the fact that most of the inhabitants of this country are pro tected by vaccination. It also appears that the phy sicians who so carefully described the cattle plague in the last century constantly alluded to the erup tion, comparing it to that of small-pox. If the view now referred to be correct, it is impossible to over estimate its importance. A remedy is at once placed in our hands for arresting the progress of the cattle plague, which has already come to be regarded as a great national calamity. We prevent the fatal form of small-pox in the human subject by inducing a mild form of the disease through vaccination. If rinderpest be a severe form of small pox in cattle, why may it not also be prevented by inducing in cattle the mild form of the disease, or ordinary cow pox? This we know can be done by inoculating them with vaccine lymph, or with the matter of human small pox. No time ought to be lost in adopting Dr. Murchison's suggestion, to ascertain whether cattle, after such inoculations, be proof against the rinder pest. In the meantime valuable information might be obtained from members of our profession practis ing in those parts of the country where ordinary cow pox is known to prevail. Many remarkable in stances have been recorded where individual cattle or entireherds have escaped in the midst of surround ing pestilence. Can it be shown this exemption has been due to their having suffered previously from the cow pox? It seems, however, that the ordinary cow pox has for some years been dying out in this country, so that it has been difficult to obtain fresh lymph direct from the cow, and thus the cattle of this country are probably less protected than formerly against the variola in a severe form. If this be so, there is no reason why vaccination should not be prac tised as commonly among cattle as among men. The above investigations have been carried out in con nection with the experimental inquiries instituted at the instance of the medical committee of the Cattle Plague Commission. Their former recommendation as to the arrest of traffic in cattle is now being ur . gently pressed on the Government by the farmers at large; and if the views enunciated by Dr. Murchison should prove correct, the value of the service of the Royal Commission will be of the highest national importance. EXETER HALL.—The last Christmas performance of the " Messiah" will be given by the National Choral Society on Wednesday next. The principal singers will be Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Lucy Franklein (whew first appearance at the performance of the "Messiah" on the 20th gave so much satisfaction), and the new tenor, Mr. Leigh Wilson. Conductor, Mr. G. W. Martin. On this occasion a large portion of the hall will bo set apart for 3s. ticket-holders. IMPORTANT DOCUMENT FOUND.—The Ports mouth (N. H.) Journal says that a lady now residing at Cape Elizabeth, in the vicinity of Portland, two or three years' since, purchased at auction, in Portsmouth an old mahogany chair, with an old cloth cushioned seat, tacked round with brass nails. The price paid was fifty cents. After taking it home she undertook the repair of the cushion, and opening it discovered some papers, with the whole value of which the public has not been made ac quainted. It is said that an important will of one of the Earl of Derby's family was there brought to light, which sent a large estate to different heirs from those who have inherited it. Information, it is said, was sent to England, and a special messenger was sent out, who gave the lady a large reward—how much it is not known, but as she was enabled to invest fifty thousand dollars in Government stock , : last year, it is thought that she made a profitable business in her chair speculation. The name of the lady is Mrs. Mayberry. On Christmas-day the dining-room of Hautevill . e House, Guernsey, was crowded with the poor children who were the invited guests, and with many of the residents and strangers, to whom M. Victor Hugo on these occasions opens his house. A substantial and ele gant luncheon was laid there ; cakes, pastry, fruits, and wino were at the same time handed round to the children and to the other persons present, a sort of fraternal com munion between the rich and the poor which was delight ful to witness. After this collation the children were con ducted to tho billiard-room, where, spread upon the table, was a large quantity of warm and useful clothing for the girls and boys, to whom it was distributed. AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE HECLA. • (Via Liverpool.) NEW YORK, DEc. 17. The Mississippi Legislature has passed over the Governor's veto to the bill suspending all the State laws for the collection of debts until Jan. 1, 1868, in consequence of the impoverished condition of the State. The resolution of the Alabama Legislature rati fying the anti-slavery amendment declares that it does not confer on the Federal Congress the power to legislate on the political status of freedmen. In consequence of the refusal of the Tennessee Legislature to admit negro testimony in the courts, the freedmen's agent has given orders for all cases concerning negroes to be heard specially before the Freedmen's Court. The Hecla takes out $190,416 in specie. MEXICO. Advices from Matamora,s to the 19th inst. state that Escobedo captured and held Monterey for some time, but wasfinally driven out bytwoFrench divisions. He subsequently repulsed an attack made by one French division. SPAIN. MADRID, DEC. 30. Senor Arrazola will, in the name of the Moderate Opposition, propose an amendment to the address of the Senate referring to the Holy See. FRANCE. PARIS, DEC. 30. Prince Napoleon and the Princess Clotilde re ceived yesterday the Ambassadors of Spain and Turkey, and the Ministers of Brazils, Mecklenburg- Schwerin, and Peru. Official intelligence received here from Algiers announces that Colonel Colomb has driven the Algerian insurgents far into the Desert. Not a single French soldier had been wounded. Perfect tranquillity prevailed from Tunis to the frontier of Morocco. WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 30. The Royal Mail Company's steamship Seine, with the above mails, has arrived here. She brings 71 passengers, $1,459,408 in specie, and 1,900 packages of cargo, consisting chiefly of cigars, in digo, and bark. Since the 18th inst. the Seine has encountered very bad weather. The principal news from Jamaica is a bill of the Government to alter and amend the constitution of the country. There was a fierce fight over it in the House of Assembly, but it was ultimately passed by a large majority. A new bill regulating places of public worship has been drawn up with the aid of the principal Dissenting ministers and presented in the Council. It was more liberal than the former bill, but not satisfactory to all parties. Sixty-five rebels were at Morant Bay awaiting their trial. Major-General O'Connor had made a tour through the island, and had everywhere been cor dially received. The Maroons have been hospitably and liberally treated in their progress through the country. The Jamaica Guardian disagreed with Governor Eyre that the island was unsettled and on the verge of a volcano, ready to burst into fury. The Valparaiso dates by this mail are to the 18th. There was little or no change in the affairs between Spain and Chili, the latter Power appearing deter mined to resist the Spanish demands to the utmost. The English merchants suffered heavily through the blockade of the principal ports. The Callao dates are to the 28th. The new Pre sident of Peru, General Canseco, had been deposed, and General Prado declared supreme dictator of the Republic. It is expected that General Prado will place the Government in the hands of General Castello on his return to the country. In the Republic of Columbia all was quiet. General Mosquera had been unanimously elected President. News from Carthagena says that the election of Mosquera as President of the country promises an epoch of peace. The all-absorbing topic on the coast and in the interior was the projected railroad to connect the river Magdalena with the Atlantic seaboard at Carthagena, for which work a concession had been granted to an English house with a guarantee of 7 per cent. from the Government, and a donation in perpetuity of large tracts of Government lands. It was believed that this work, if carried out, would greatly benefit the country, and by developing the many elements of wealth and commerce now lying dormant for means of transportation render the railroad very profitable to the projectors. The annual dinner given by the commanding offi cer of the Stroud Volunteer Corps took place on Thursday night, when there was a large gathering, who were attracted principally to hear the Right Hon. E. Horsman, M.P. for the borough, who at tended to distribute some prizes which he had offered. Mr. HORSMAN, in responding for the toast of the donors of prizes, said, after some local allusions— I always take pride to myself that I was one of the first to originate and promote and encourage in • every way the volunteer system. (Cheers.) We all remember the public feeling by which the volun teer movement was called forth. We remember the apprehensions which existed in many men's winds, and we remember that in many others who felt no apprehension still there was a feeling of regret that the voice of England in the councils of Europe, upon which the tranquillity of the world depended, was insignificant and uninfluential abroad, be cause we were known to be weak and vulnerable' at home. Now we must remember that the real battles of Europe are fought not by armies on the battle-field, but in the cabinets of ministers. It is the diplomatist that is the advanced guard of armies. It is only when the diplomatist retires from the field, foiled and vanquished, that the military are called in to the banquet of death, to accomplish by brute force, by bloodshed, by carnage that which in an enlightened age, in an age of Chris tianity, ought to be accomplished in a purer and more peaceful spirit. (Cheers.) You all remember that memorable day when the Queen reviewed her volunteer army in Hyde-park—that day on which she was enabled to tell the nation that a quarter of a million of the stoutest of her subjects had enrolled themselves for the defence of their native soil; from that day England had assumed a new attitude in the councils of Europe. (Hear, hear.) Courtesies and civilities were substituted for threats and me naces; professions of peace instantly took the place of preparations for war ; and now we know that from that day the peace of England—that her power, that her influence, her peace-preserving power—has been multiplied to an extent that no one would have thought to have been possible. We do not now rush into war to redress grievances which are generally only aggravated by war ; but we have created, we have fostered, we have upheld, a public opinion in Europe which makes wars more difficult, which makes tyranny and injustice less profitable ; and it is the strength and position which we have exhibited to Europe which has made that change, and secured that England should still be the refuge of the unfor tunate, the asylum of every political exile—that she should be at home the refuge of all who are fleeing from tyranny and injustice, while abroad she is the bold assertor of the principles of truth and freedom —the bold denunciator of that injustice and that aggression which was rampant in Europe many years ago, but which the moral influence of England, backed by her material strength, has made now as dangerous for despots as it used to be unfortu nate for England. (Cheers.) Well, gentlemen, that has been the result of the volunteer move ment, of which the people are very apt to lose sight, but which we should all bear in mind ; because I hold that the volunteer movement has been the greatest instrument for the preservation of the peace of Europe. (Hear, hear.) So far from being a war like movement, I hold it to have been a peaceful and a Christian movement ; and so far from the minis ters of peace standing aloof from that movement, I honour them when I see them coming forward on these occasions. (Cheers.) And, gentlemen, well may we congratulate ourselves now that a new era has arisen. The old era has gone, but a new era has come in. We are standing to-night in a posi tion of peace and prosperity, which, I think, we all of us feel to be perfectly unexampled. I remember no time, through a long public life, in which the commercial classes in England were so prosperous as now. I remember no time when our legislation was so sound, when our laws were better adminis tered, when our people were more loyal, when our institutions were more popular, and when all classes in England, from the highest to the lowest, were more linked together in one bond of brother hood. (Cheers.) And, gentlemen, lam happy to say that as far as human foresight can tell I see no reason to fear that those blessings may not be continued to us in the year to come. One domestic event has taken place on which much comment has been made. I have spoken just now of a domestic and private loss, but there has departed from amongst us an English minister who had been minister of Englandfor a longer period than any other man—who for more than half a cen tury had been mixed up with all the important changes which have taken place in Europe during that period, and who in one form or another had a greater share in European transactions for fifty-five years than ever before fell to the lot of an English statesman. He has bequeathed to us, after five years of such political peace and such national pros perity as was hardly interrupted by a single cloud —he has bequeathed to us that peace and prosperity which we now enjoy. There have been some people foolish enough to say, and others weak enough to believe, that with the departure of that Minister there might be a departure from that condition of peace and tranquillity and undisturbance which we have latterly enjoyed.; and there are some who have thought, and some who have believed, that in place of a policy of tranquillity we might now be suddenly embarked into an age of strife and agitation. Well, now, I do not believe anything of the kind is likely, and I will tell you the reason—because they who predicate such a change show that they have little studied either the history or the character of Eng land. Lord Palmerston has bequeathed to us the condition in which we now stand, but he has also bequeathed to us the secret of that condition. What was the secret of Lord Palmerston's popularity and power? It was that he studied the English character —(hear,hear)—that he saw, that he understood, and that he rightly read English opinions and English desires--(hear, hear)—and reading and understand. ing them he made it his first duty to give effect to them, and that, rely upon it, is the sole con dition upon which any minister in this country can ever hold power. The days are gone by when the death of one King and the succession of another could change the laws of the land. The days are gone by when the fall of one minister and the elevation of another could change the policy of a nation. A minister in these days can hold power on one condition only, and that is that he is the servant and not the master of the people. (Cheers.) England now is a self-govern ing country ; and it is because England is a self governing country, and moved by the opinions of the people, that we are peaceful, that we are pros perous, and that we are contented and loyal. (Cheers.) Although at one period or another of our history accidental circumstances could raise to temporary importance some minister, or party, or individual, still, John Bull, who is a sleepy and good-natured man and will take all that very quietly as long as such a state of things is innocuous, yet if ever the time should arrive again as it did long ago, when an English minister should be so blind as not to read the feelings of the people, or so imprudent as not to regard them, we may rely upon it that any such minister would have much more to dread from the nation than the nation to dread from him. Therefore we may congratulate ourselves that we are entering upon a new year under the most favour able auspices ; and I trust that when we meet to gether at our next anniversary—and 1 hope we shall all be allowed to meet together again—we shall find that the promise which beams on us to-day, having brought forth the fruit which we hope and pray for, that we shall still be able to feel gratitude for our blessings as a commercial nation, and pride in its political position as the freest nation in Europe; and appreciating and valuing our national institu tions and determined to uphold and perpetuate them, that we shall allow them to be appreciated only by a reverential hand, that we shall guard them from being defaced by the rusts of time or destroyed by the outbreaks of revolution. (Loud and protracted cheering.) Chappuis' registered whist-marker, for long or short, is now ready. Fancy card, is. the pair ; leather, 3s. 6d.; fancy wood, ss. 6d. Wholesale and retail of P. E. Chappuis, the registree, 69, Fleet-street, and of all - wholesale and retail booksellers, stationers, a n d f ancy dealers. is pronounced the best marker out. Tort Clunk TIER MAJESTY• OSBOLNE, Dec. 29. Her Majesty and her Royal Highness Princess Louise drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by Lady Churchill. Earl and Countess Cowley had the honour of dining with her Majesty and the Royal Family yesterday evening, and left Osborne for London this morning. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE—This day. LONDON, Dec. 30.—Wind this day at noon—South- Westerly; moderate breeze, and fine weather, but rather cloudy. CARDIFF, Dec. 29.—Wind S.W.—Sailed—Frankfort, screw steamer, for Charente. KINGROAD, Dec. 28.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Mary Fry, from Calcutta. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 29.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrived— Boyne, from London fcr Colombo. FOWEY, Dec. 28.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Jane and Ann, from Smyrna. SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 29.—Sailed—Seine, steamer, for St. Thomas. LBY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] GRAVESEND, Saturday Morning. Arrived, Dec. 30 Sir George Napier, from Rouen ; Probate for Charente. LDEAL, Saturday Morning. No arrivals. We are informed that the Earl of Cork is to be the Earl of Bessborough's successor as Master of the Buck hounds. The Convocation of the prelates and clergy of the province of Canterbury was yesterday discharged in the Chapter-house of St. Paul's Cathedral Church, by the Vicar-General, Dr. Travers T wiss, under a commission from his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. Pri mate of all England, and Metropolitan, and prorogued to St. Paul's Cathedral Church, pursuant to the Royal writ, to Friday, the 2nd of February next (1866). FEMALE SCHOOL OF ART, QUEEN'S-SQUARE. --The new sculpture gallery to the above school, under the patronage of the Queen and Princess of Wales, will be opened on Wednesday, January 3. W. T. M. Torrens, Esq., M.P. for Finsbury, Stewart Mill, Esq., M.P. for Westminster, T. Hughes, Esq., M.P. for Lambeth, and Tom Taylor, Esq., with other celebrities, have consented to speak in the cause of art education. MEDALS AND DECORATIONS IN THE NAVY.—On Monday the new act will come into operation as to the property of deceased officers and men in tho Royal Navy and Marines. Among the provisions is one to prevent medals and decorations being claimed by creditors. NEW ACT ON NAVAL PAY AND PENSIONS.—On Monday next the new act to regulate the pay and pensions in the Royal Navy and Marines will take effect. There is a provision declaring that any assignment of a pension or pay, after the commencement of the act, shall bo " void." THE MARYLEBONE MURDER.—A notice has been issued under the authority of Sir Richard Mayne, offering a reward of £5O for the apprehension of R. Jones, the man who is charged with the murder of John Flana gan, at 17, Nightingale-street, Lisson-grove, St. Maryle bone. Jones is represented as a man of st. 7in. in height, with a fair freckled complexion, a large, red rose, brown hair and whiskers. He is an irishman, a native of the county of Munster. When last seen he wore a pilot jacket, cord trousers, and cloth cap. He is 46 years of age. Metropolitan Gossip. " Whatever may be said of Lord Russell as a politician," said an old Whig of quality, the other day, " even the Tories cannot deny that he is a true Christian ; for he returns them nothing but good for evil." Patronage has indeed been flowing steadily towards the Carlton of late. Lord Cowley gets the Garter; Mr. Julian Fane is made Secretary of the Embassy ; Mr. Russell Gurney is named Commis sioner to Jamaica ; and the brother of Mr. Fre mantle, the late Tory candidate for Bristol, though possessed by marriage of a large private fortune, is put over the heads of all the working clergy of London as rector of the valuable parish of St. Mary's, Mary lebone. And the only thanks our magnanimous Pre mier receives for his painsis incessant abuse from the Opposition press ; and the withdrawal in sulky seces sion from his Government of the more opulent and stiff-necked of the party. The Duke of Wellington led the way by compelling his Duchess to resign her office of Mistress of the Robes ; his brother-in law, Sir Robert Peel, followed suit a few weeks after, declining the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster ; and we have the Earl of St. Germans assigning indisposition as a reason for resigning the Gold Stick. For the moment the most important of the Tory appointments is that of the Recorder of London ; not so much because of the exceeding vehemence of his party predilections, but for a reason far more weighty in its possible conse quences. The best thing Mr. Russell Gurney can do, in short, is to leave his wig and gown at home. Common sense, uncommon energy, and more than common tact and temper are the qualities that are wanted in the Commissioners of Inquiry. Their business is to inquire anyhow and everyhow on their own responsibility, and not according to any as signed or assignable rule, into all that has been happening of late in Jamaica. " Who is to be Mistress of the Robes ?"—that is the question : the addlepate of fashion is fevered with the momentous doubt contingent there on. It must be a duchess, that's quite clear. Since the great Sarah of Marlborough was Groom of the Stole to Queen Anne (for the office is of the epicene gender), it has been one of our poli tical principles not to allow any one of less degree to carry the Key of the Wardrobe. Fate has been rather unkind to the order of late, and the Whigs just now are short of duchesses. The princely homes of Devonshire, Bedford, Norfolk, Leinster, Portland, and St. Albans are presided over by no female grace. The choice, consequently, lies within a narrow circle ; and if the party tradition of the ruling families be observed, the honour must devolve either upon the Duchess of Sutherland or her Grace of Cleveland, for it would hardly do to nominate the wife of the First Lord of the Admiralty or of the Privy Seal.—Manchester Guardian of this day. RECENT WILLS AND BEQUESTS. (From the Illustrated London News) The will of Capt. John Sykes, R.N., of Bolso ver-street, Portland-place, was proved in London on the 2d inst., and the personalty sworn under £40,000. The acting executors and trustees are Thos. Stilwell and John G. Stilwell, Esq. To each is left a legacy of £2OO. The will is dated May 14, 1862, and a codicil Nov., 1864. The testator died on Oct. 23, 1865. Very liberal bequests are made to his two faithful servants, Charlotte and Eliza Saunders, who have lived for many years with himself and wife, leaving to them his house and fur niture, with the plate and all other things about the premises, together with the sum of £2,200 Three per Cents., and also some house property, free of succession and legacy duty. He has left legacies to several of his friends. The residue of his property he bequeaths to the children of his nieces as therein particularly described. There are the following charitable bequests, free of duty :—To the Naval Benevolent Institution, £2OO ; the Dreadnought, the Sailors' Home (Wells-street), Sailors' Orphans' . School (Hampstead), Naval School (New-cross), Naval School (Richmond) for Daughters of Naval Officers, London University Hospital, Free Hospi tal (Gray's Inn-road), St. Mary's Hospital (Pad dington), Consumption Hospital (Brompton), St. Marylebone Almshouses, District Visiting Society (Marylebone), each £lOO ; to the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, Convalescent Hospital (Walton on-Thames), and the Soup Kitchen, Bath-place, Marylebone, each £5O ; to the Rector of Trinity district, £2OO, to lay out the interest annually in the purchase of bread, to be designated " Sykes's Bread Charity," and distributed to the poor every Christmas. The will of Major-Gen. Hamilton Vetch, of her Majesty's Bengal Army, who died at Dacca, in the East Indies, in June last, was proved in London on the 28th ult., by the executors and trustees, Lieut.- Col. Thomas Brodie, the Rev. Francis R. Traill, M.A., William Dunlop, Esq., and the testator's sister, Agnes Vetch Graham, wife of Thos. Graham, Esq. _ The personalty in England waszworn under £25,000. The will is dated January, 1865, and a codicil in May last. He bequeathed to each of his executors a legacy of £lOO, and has left legacies to his brothers, sisters, nieces, and to a few other parties. The residue of his propeity in England he leaves amongst his three children equally. His estates in Bengal he leaves as follows :—One-half to his son Hamilton, one-fourth to his son Robert, and the remaining fourth to his daughter Agnes Vetch Graham. NEW EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH ROUTE.—Senator Morgan has introduced into the Senate a bill to incorporate the International Telegraph Company to establish a tele graph line between New York and the West Indies. If this means the Bermudas, and the bill should pass and the cable be successfully laid, it may be the first link in a line between the United States and Europe, as any one who examines the map can see that the new world can be reached by three or more short links of cable by that route. They can extend first to the Bermudas, and thence to the westernmost of the Azores, and thence to the coast of Europe. We suppose that the coral reefs and other irregularities of the ocean bed off the southern coast of America may be considered as offering obstructions to this route; but if they can be overcome, this line bide fair to be in operation sooner than that by our immensely long cable from the coast of Ireland to Newfoundland. DISCOURAGING TO REBEL BONDHOLDERS.—Near the close of the rebellion an act of the rebel Legislature of Virginia ordered the investmeut of all funds held in trust for orphans and minor children in rebel States bonds. Governor Pierpont in his late message refers elaborately to this subject, and insists upon it that the orphans and those minor children substantially defrauded of their means of living shall not be the losers. He argues that such an act would be contrary to both justice and law; and rebel bonds were unrecognised and unknown to any of the laud as a valuable consideration or as legal funds. Conse" quently such an investment should be considered void, and those who made such disposal of trust funds in their ban should be held responsible as though such investment 1 101 not been made. BRAGG'S PROPERTY CONFISCATED.—In the ens ° of the United States v. the Greenwood plantation Pr o: perty of Braxton Bragg, the granted delay having ex pired and no defence being filed, the Court ordered, on ' motion of the district attorney, that all persons inte rested pr operty in said property be considered in default, and the be condemned and sold for the benefit of the 'Unite States. LADVERTISEMENT.I—HoIIoway ' s Pills.—These pills are better for strengthening a debilitated constitution than 1 other medicine in the world. Persons of a nerv ous of body, and all who are suffering from weak digest' ve organs, or whose health has become deranged by id affections, disordered stomach, or liver complaints, sitni.ll. lose no time in giving these admirable pills a fair tit° Coughs, colds, asthma, or shortness of bre ath are 31)10 within the range of the sanative powers of this rem arka medicine. The cures effected by these pills are not sun ficial nor temporary, but complete and permanent. are as mild as they are efficacious, and may b e given W confidence to delicato females and young children. vian draw H. .J Th casth Lond Tb again garde Arne] ports expo] Cont abou As Exeb to cic objec Cons for t INN India] Do Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Axistri Brazil Do. Do J Do. Bueno Do] Do. Colom Cuba, Danisl Do. Do. Danub. Do Squad( Do., Egypti Do., Do .1 Do I Greek Do.: Do. Do. . Guaten Do.£ Do. 1 Italian Do. . Do. 3 Do S Do 5 3itexica Do. . no 6 Do F hiontev Moorisl New a Do 2 Do D Do L Do. 6 y Doff Peruvia Do. Do S, Do 3 Do 4i Portugt Do 3 Do. .A Russian Do 41 Do 4-/ Do 3 Do 5 Do 5 Sardinil Do A Spanish Ditto Do N Do A Do P. Do A , Spanish Do A , Swedisi Do. 4 Turkish Do AI Doh Do Al Do £1 Do. 1 , Do 6: Do A( Do XJ Do 6 Do 5: Do Sc Do A( Do £1 Do. 4 Venenu .Austrist Belgian, Dutch Do. 4 French Italian 5 Conso Do. PROC --In col Says the 61 miles The can of the bi the who Which 2: the cour Whole rc tlifßculti4 and app . THE corrected e titutionl r espectiv F( Pennsyll Feb. 3 kinnesoi Wiscons 4 Pril 5 ; laampshi Carolina' Y In mucl TI limit Fa matii yeste sinki even are Cent Pape Bt very price Darn Turt per ( little Grea Midi 155., Th man( with( Lafit do n Con` Slid J 13 per ' Do. 3 per New ; New ! Do. gin no. Do Each( Bank