The Sun. — London, England, 1866-12-26 00:00:00

BEN'TLEY'S MISCELLANY for JANUARY contains:-Old Court. A Novel. By W. Harrison Ainsworth-The German Almanacs for 156 , -Too Strange for Fiction, not too Strange to be true-The Juggler of Fifty Years Ago-Thrown Away-Journal of an Aide-de- Camp-Briars and Thorns, &c., &c. Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. TIIEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE.— Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. F. B. CliarrnaToN. Special Morning Performances of the Grand Pantomime on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. 27, 28, and 29, 1866; and un every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday during the math of January. Children and schools at reduced prices to the following parts of the Theatre: — First circle, dress circle, and stalls. THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY), Dec. 26, her Ma jesty's servants will perform the Comedietta, A DAY AI'TER THE WEDDING: Messrs. Sinclair, Harcourt, J. Johnstone, Miss Isabel Adams , and Mrs. Hodson. After which will be produced the Drury-lano Christmas Annual, entitled NUMB ER NIP; or, Harleq o uin and the Gnome-King of the Giant Mountain, written by E. L. Blanchard, with gorg eous and fairy-like scenery, designed and painted by Mr. William Beverley. Gro tesque masks and costumes, invented and illustrated by Dykwynkyn. Fanciful ballot, arranged by Mr. John Cormack, with pop ular and characteristic music, se lected and composed by Mr. J. 11. Tully. Characters in the opening by Miss Lydia Thompson, Miss E. Bodenham, Miss Hudspeth, Miss Cardouni, Miss Sey mour, Miss L. Wilmot, Miss E. Brougham, Madlle. Peril= Stussey, Mrs. H. Vandenhoff, &c. ; Mr. Tom Matthews, Mr. C. Seyton,.Mr. F. Barsby, Mr. Fitzjames, Mr. J. Ro bins, Mr. E. Clifton, and Master Percy Roselle. The liar lequinado includes the services of those popular pantomi nihilists, Harry Bolono and Mr. C. Lauri, clowns ; Mr. W. A. Barnes and Mr. J. Morris, pantaloons ' • Mr. J. Cormack and Mr. S. Saville, harlequins; Madame Bo leno and Madlle. Adele Marion, columbines. The smallest drummer in the world, the Infant Vokins. An Irish Jig, byMisther Paddy' Son. The Devil's Chapeau; 'by Majilton the Grotesque. A new Troupe of French Dancers, 16 in number. The whole produced under, the direction of Mr. Edward Stir ling. The Boys of the Royal Military Asyluni, with their Band, will attend the Morning Performance of the Grand Christmas Pantomime on Monday, Dec. 31.—Prices : Pri vate boxes, 1,2, 3,4, and 5 guineas; stalls, 7s. ; dress circle, ss. ; first circle, 4s. ; balcony seats, 35.; pit, 2s. ; lower gallery, I©. , upper gallery, 6d. Box-officeopen from ten till five daily. Doors open at half-past six, commence at seven. ' -• ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Fechter. THIS EVENING, ROUGE ET NOIR. Maurice D'Arbel (a Gambler), Mr. Pechter ; Messrs. Emery, Evans, Moreland, Fitzpatrictc, Dalton. Reynolds, Lom, s, Newbound, Andrews, Anderson, Vivian, Bennett. and Edward Price; Miss Ilea rade, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss Grattan, and Miss Carlotta Leclercq. Preceded by THE TWO POLTS. Mr. H. Widdicomb. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Sole Lemma and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, BARNABY RUDGE. Miss A Thom. son, Mrs. Henry Vining, Mrs. Charles Horsman, and Misi Katharine Rogers ; Messrs. S. Calhaem, F. Villiers. J. G. Shore, C. Horsman, and Mr. George Honey. To conclude with the INVISIBLE PRINCE. MR. S 0 T HERN.-THIS EVENING (BOXING-NIGHT), in a New Comedy, "A LESSON FOE LIFE," by Tom Taylor, Heymarket Theatre. \HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Buckstone, THIS EVENING, A MERE CHILD. Messrs. Howe, Gordon, White, &c.; Mesdames Chippendale, Fitzwilliam, Laws, Powell, &c. Alter which, A. LESSON FOR LIFE. Messrs. F.othern, Chippendale, Compton, Howe, Kendal, Gordon, Rogers, Braid, Vincent, to ; Mesdames Chippendale, Moore, Wright, ac. Followed by JENNY LIND AT LAST. Miss lone Burke ; Mr. W. Farren. &a. To conclude with a GRAND BALLET DIVERTISSE MENT. 31cille. Sophia. Commence at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Bole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, Dee. 26, at Seven, A SISTER'S Pi.;ANCE. Miss Kate Terry, Miss Hughes, Miss Emily Pitt; Messrs. H. Vezin, Blllington, Ashley, Eburne, Remo', and Stephenson. To conclude with the New Grand Burlesque of THE MOUNTAIN DHU; or, THE KNIGHT, THE LADY, AND THE LAKE. Messrs. J. L. Toole (his first appear ance since his provincial tour), Paul Bedford, Ashley, K. }tomer, and C. J. Smith ; Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Miss leurtAdo, Miss Hughes, Miss Emily Pitt, ,Sze. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE, New Management—Boxing Night MR. AND MRS. CHARLES MATHEWS. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, NEIGHBOURS. Messrs. l'areelle, Belford, and G Murray ; misses Swanborough, Johnstone, and Hughes. After which, will be produoed a Grand Burlesque, entitled GUY FAWK itiS : Mes.rs. tborne, Jame-, Robson, and Fenton; Mesdames Swanborough, Raynham, Johnstone, Hughes, Newton, /to. To conclude with BOOTS AT 1 SWAN. Commence at Seven. The whole of Count BISMARCK'S speech upon the subject of the reunion of Schleswig-HolstiJin with Prussia is now before us, and it is one emi nently characteristic of him in all its attributes. There is the old story of the right of Prussia, and the injuries inflicted upon her by unworthy allies and insidious enemies. We hear a great deal of the intervention of France, and of the necessity which existed for the Government of Berlin to con- HOLBORN TIIEATRE ROYAI Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. setton Parry. TIES EVENING, a new Farce, MY TURN NEXT. Mr. Belmore, Aliso Foote, his Lennox. After which, Boucicault'a drama of FLYING SCUD. Messrs. Neville, Belaiore, Blake. Garden,Vollaire ; Mesdames F. Josephs, C. Satuuten. B. Foote, Baym nd. 'orm to the desire expressed by that Power, bui THEATRE ROYAL, ASTLEY'S. Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. H. C. Nation. we soon come to a passage which is one quite worthy of the Prussian Minister. He says that On BOXING NIGHT, and every evening during the week, the performances will commence ,at Seven o'clock with a Comic Drama, entitled DELICATE GROUND. Concluding with, at a quarter to 8, the Great NATION-AL Pantomime, written by Charles 31il.ward, and entitled HUsil-A-BYE, BABY, UPON THE TREE TOP. In the Grand Burlesque Opentia, 'Misses Caroline Parkes, Nel ly Nisbett, Pully Ma , sball, Fanny Gwynne, Nelly Burton, Fanny Howard, Lizzie Kelsey, Mrs. Caulfield; 3les,rs. Atkins, W. H. Stevens, Arthur Milano, 3liss Bessie Sim monde, Premier Danseuse ; and the favourite Children Datiseuses, Misses Fanny Higgs, Florence and Annie Wright, will appear. The Hariequinade will include—Clown, the Urig,inal. Little Itowella; Pantaloon, Mr. Beckinguaw; Har,equin, Mr. Honeywood; Harlequin (k la Whatteau), Miss Ester Austin (from Paris); Columbines Misses Gros venor and Simmonds. The truly magni&ent Scenery painted by 31efo..rs. Julan Hicks, 11. r. Hall, and numerous assis tants. The Dances, including an entirely novel and charac teristic Ballet of Ladybirds, arranged by Mr. Milano. W. 11. C. Nation begs to announce that MORN ING PERFORMANCES of this, the best Children's Panto mime in London, will be given every MONDAY, WEDNES DAY, and SATURDAY, being the only Morning Perform ances on the Surrey side of the water. First Morning Per formance on Saturday, Dec. 29, at Two o'clock. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. No charge what ever for bills or booking. It wil! be absolu:ely mass try, to prevente. disa ppointment, that seats should be secured In adv..ne although they will carry out their promise respecting the North Schleawigera, " they will so act that the votes taken from the people, the issue of which is to be the basis of future action, shall be the indubitable expression of the uninfluenced and de. finitive will of those voting." If the Prussian Go. vernment were really sincere in their professions they would take no care at all about the matter, but Let things take their chance, and so arrive at a righ understanding of what the North• Schleswigers really desire and demand ; but how could they sanction a course that was straightforward, or how could Count BISMARCK aid them in such a task The House of Representatives is still busily at work, and still pursues unhesitatingly the course chalked out for it by its leaders. The accounts which we receive by the City of Paris show that the Radicals are by no means inclined to lower their tone, On the 12th inst. the bill for regulating the elective franchise was brought under discussion and debated very earnestly. Mr. COWAN'S amendment, striking out the word " male," was the point at issue, and Mr. BROWN, of Missouri, argued strongly in its favour, maintaining that suffrage should be universal, without regard to race, colour, or sex. This, however, proved a little too much for the domi nant party itself, and the strong-minded women of America have to wait a little longer for their politi cal " rights." A Mr. Dixon then offered a very sens ible amendment to the bill, providing that ability to read and write should be necessary to qualify any person to vote who has not hitherto voted in the district ; but this was also rejected, since the Radicals knew that it would decimate their new electors. So that it is the deliberate opinion of Congress, as it is of a section of the English House of Commons, that a totally illiterate man is fully competent to form an opinion on - the difficult and intricate questions of tational policy and domestic administration. Mr. DixoN's amendment was, as we have said, rejected, though the debate was adjourned till the following day. An amendment was then passed providing for the punishment of persons giving or receiving bribes a stipulation which would, if literally carried out, press heavily enough upon all parties in America ! After a few verbal amendments the bill was carried by 32 to 15, and we have now to see what Columbia thinks of the new organisation of her electors. A day or two before unanimous consent was asked in the House of Representatives for the in troduction of resolutions assigning to the loyal States the right to tax national banks in view of State claims fur war:expenses, calling for informa tion as to the withdrawal of the national currency, and declaring that the constitutional amendment is the most conciliatory offer that the rebel States could expect, and that the theory of universal amnesty ought to be discouraged by every patriot. All these resolutions are more or less aimed at the itielGo vernment,ty but the constituti ona l amen d men t so re and persistently advocated by some fails to find favou r w i t h the Southern Legislatures. North Carolina has rejected it in both branches—in the Lower House by 98 to 10, and in the Senate by 44 to 1 ! Nothing could be more conclusive, and the figures show that the Carolina spirit of the old days has not altogether passed away. The Georgia Legislature has adopted a reso l ution to appoint cer tain commissioners to visit Washington, in order to THE “sUN ,, NEWSPAPER._ G. K. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught. terrace, Edgware-road, is specially appointed AGEN to cl , liver the LATE EDITION of "TOE " at the eariiest possible moment after leaving the press. lie is able to deliver copies in Town, the Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparatively early hour the same evening, say 40 miles by 9 o'clock. Orders by Post punctually attended to. THE "SUN" NEWSPAPER. - G. R. GLENIE delivers the LATE EDITION a Chelsea., 7.40; Kilburn, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 Uxbridge, 9.20; %Pafford, 8.45. 11HE LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN." J. 110LIIES begs to inform his friends, and the pubilc lenerally, that he supplies the LATEST EDITION of oTIIE SUN " as soon as published —No. 16, Ilampstead road, N.W. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LA I'EST NEWS and S2OKTING INTELLIGENCE, by It. W. HA KILLS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blacklriars-road, Loudon, S. QPORTING.—JOIIN ROBERTS supplies the _ LATEST EDITION of "TUN SUN" u Bowl as pub 16lied.---1, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. FOR THE LATEST POLITICAL and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE see the Late Edition of " The Sun" at Mr. Blake's, Queen's Head, Windsor s treet, Uxbridge. LATEST INTELLIGENCE.- Samuel SHIT LT, late of Chelsea, now of the White :fart, Acton. Middlesex, begs to inform hie friends and neighbours that the Latest Edition of "The Sun" can be aeon at his house as above. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied, as soon as published every Evening, by ALICT.ANDEIt (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 2 4 , Old Cavandish-street, Oxford-street. OLBURN'S NEW MON THLY MAGAZINE Prussian Government has given its meaning in a n C for JANUARY contains :—British America—The Heir of ' / 4 Nestleby. A. Mys t er ious 'tale of New Year's Eve—About elaborate draft," in which we learn that the Con — Lad y N eed' e and Captain Pen Christine - Beautiful Thoughts—The Spirit's Prophecy—Continental Christmas Legends—ldalia, &c., &c. Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. federacy will include the whole of North and Cen tral Germany down to the Maine, which territory comprises nearly thirty millions of Germans. It is expected, or at any rate declared that it is expected, that a " truly uniform Federal legislation will regulate all important relations of public life, and thus found a full community of civil and political interests." Whatever might be the effect of their scheme, if it were carried out in its integrity, we do not see the least chance of its promoters reaping the extraordinary success from it on which they seem to calculate, because the evil influence of Prussia is sure to predominate to a great extent, and to militate against the prosperous work ing of the plan. How can there be uniformity where one Power has so much the ascendancy in small as well as in great matters, and how can there be an identity of sentiment when all the lesser Powers feel that their interests are sacrificed to those of the ruling authorities ? It seems quite a farce for people to persist in talking of the great advantages to be gained by these schemes now afloat in Germany, when they must see, if they took the trouble to inquire into the matter, that there will be only one voice that will speak to any pur pose, and only one mind that will influence any im portant things, and that these predominating things will belong to Prussia. True enough, as we go on to survey the details of the scheme before us, we come to this significant passage—" The general direction of the Confe deracy can devolve only on the Crown of Prussia, and also that, foremost of all, the military force of the whole North Germanic Confederacy, by land and sea, is to be uniformly and vigorously organised under the direction of Prussia." Surely this speaks so that he who runs may read as to the meaning of the matter, and assures us as plainly as words can speak that we are on the eve of witnessing a species of absolutism introduced into the Government of Gertaany. Really one gets out of patience with the everlasting iteration of the same thing. The total land force of the Confederacy is to be formed into one uniform army under the chief command of the King of PRUSSIA, and the navies of the German Ocean and the Baltic are to form a uniform naval force under the chief command of Prussia ; in order to secure these desirable ends it is determined that the most strenuous efforts should be made, and we find that the Federal Constitution is to contain provisions by which the implicit obedience to be paid to the orders of the commander-in-chief should be received. This is exactly what we expected would be the end of all these machinations from the outset, and it seems incredible that those who have had so many ample opportunities of wit nessing the course pursued by Prussia throughout these affairs should be so bewildered as to think the worse the better cause. It is a sad illustration of the way in which people are taken in by success, but it shows a very in different state of the tone of public sentiment for such a man as BISMARCK to be applauded, and for such schemes as those he propounds to be admired and approved of. We see nothing of a lasting nature in this vaunted plan of German unity, but a gigantic scheme for Prussia to monopolise power in every State with which she intermeddles, and so it will eventually prove, or the future will belie the past. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY.—Marning, sh. 6m.—Afternoon, sh. 30m. To-noßßow.-Mornin g , sh. 55m.—Afternoon, 6h. 18ir. 1 I it ov'el LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26, 1866. The sittings which t N ortherrnan Confederacy held in Berlin seem likely to throw some light upon the complicated subject, and therefore most readers will look with interest to the chronicles of their doings. It appears that their projects are more ex tensive than it was at first supposed they would be ; but we are not surprised to hear this, because it is very often the policy of Count BISMARCK to keep a good deal in the background until he has a chance of getting his own way ; and then he divulges his long-cherished secrets. The work of the re present atives of the Governments who are now united in the task of forming the North German Confederation seems to be to deli berate on the sketch of the Imperial Government to he laid before the North Germanic Parliament. The =II I THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 26, 1866. persons as yet unsuspected of any complicity in Mr, LINCOLN'S assassination ; but we have already hac specimens of the unreliable nature of such ac cusations. The Fenian prisoners are reported to have been surrendered to the Home Government by the Ca nadian authorities, who are probably glad to be rid of the troublesome charge. Fenianism seems to be subsiding. The Colonial Government has acted very wiselyin reprieving the criminals, since to have made them martyrs would have been impolitic with regard to the Americans, as well as to that turbu lent American-Irish element which is likely to be troublesome to more governments than one. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Tuesday Evening. To-day, Christmas-day, although not kept in Paris as in London by the gathering of happy families, perhaps separated for a year, but it is still considered as a great and joyous event. It has, however, more of a religious than a social character. The churches were filled at a very early hour in the morning, and they have been more or less crowded during the day. The weather has been very fine, and the fog, which had prevailed in abundance for a week, cleared off about mid-day. The streets of every quarter of Paris have been literally crammed with all sorts and conditions of people in their holi day attire, and with joyous and contented coun tenances. Although, as I say, Christmas is treated in Paris more as a religious than a social fete, yet every year it more and more resembles an English Christmas so far as attention to creature comforts is concerned. I went to the Halles Centrales yester day, and some of the markets, and I can assure you that the show of meat, poultry and game was enor mow. Leadenhall and liewgate markets can no longer claim pre-eminence in this respect. As to the quality of the meat, the beef exhibited is really quite equal to the " roast beef of old England," and some of the shops of the butchers are filied as abun dantly as those of London. There is a butcher's shop in the Faubourg St. Honore, close to the Rue de l'Oratoire, where enough meat has been exhibited to feed a tolerably large town. The taste displayed in the decoration of the exteriorof the shop shows a love of ornament perhaps never dreamt of by Eng lish butchers. There are wreaths of holly and mistletoe and an inscription in English wishing " A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." This shop is patronised by the English who inhabit this part of Paris, to whom roast beef and plum pudding are indispensable on this day. Nor have they now any cause for supposing that they have to regret the deprivation of being without London beef. A proof that French beef. is now properly estimated by the English is to be found in the fact that within a short time large quantities of oxen have been exported from France for the London market. Much poultry, too, has been sent from France to London this Christmas time, more than in any former year. As to the display of poultry in the shops it has not been so great or abundant as in London. Some of the poultry dealers here, however, beat the Londoners in one respect—price. At a poultry shop in the Faubourg Montmartre yesterday I saw a turkey stuffed with truffles marked at no less a figure than 140 francs. All poultry is dearer in Paris just now than in London. Indeed, provisions of all kinds are dearer than was perhaps ever remembered. The price of bread rose a short time ago, and meat has risen at least a penny a pound within a fortnight. Good butter is two francs a pound. Judging from the noise and singing heard in the streets of Paris during the small hours of this morn ing Christmas Eve was generally well observed. This Reveillon, according to French writers, is of great antiquity. During the first centuries of the middle age it was observed by all classes. In the present day it is marked by hospitality and abun dant almsgiving. The Gauls, we are told, got up dramatic spectacles upon the occasion, and even in the churches there were representations of the in fant Jesus in his manger, of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, the sheep, the ox, and the ass. The actors in these spectacles imitated the braying of the ass, the bleating of the sheep, and the lowing of cattle. When midnight struck there was an imita tion of the crowing of the cock, and some one cried out, Natus est Christus. The ass brayed and was supposed to say in Latin, " Übinarn Where? The sheep bleated, and replied " Bethlehem." Then came the lowingof the oxen, and a voice said Eamus —Let us go and see. In the 17th century, Mont maur, a celebrated gastronomist, said, " The beat two days of the year are Christmas and Easter. Christmas, because you breakfast at midnight, and Easter, because it is the day most distant for the approaching Lent. In reference to the strange news from Cherbourg which I mentioned yesterday, the;Vigie de Cher bourg says : " The Government of Washington, after its struggle with the South, finding that its arsenals were encumbered with hastily built vessels, more or less defective, decided upon selling them. The Minister of France, in the United States, having learnt that some pretended agents of Juarez were n treaty for the purchase of some iron-clad mcni- tors, wrote to his Government to send a few iron armed ships to disarm them, should they dare to present themselves in the Mexican waters." The Siecle, in reference to the Speech of M. Bis marck, relative to the annexation of the Duchies, says : " In whatever way the sense of the speech may be tortured, it is difficult not to discover in it the expression of the desire felt by the whole of Ger many to remain upon terms of peace and friendship with France. The conduct of Prussia during re cent events may be judged with severity, it may even be appreciated in the least flattering manner as regards the feeling which we all entertain of the influence which Prussian aggrandisment may have in deteriorating the power of France ; but one con- ass3ertain upon what terms Congress would allow a cc , mplete restoration of the Southern States. In the present aspect of affairs the true answer to the returned would probably be none at all ; but before the Session is over affairs may have assrimed a different aspect. At any rate ii is well to put the extreme party to the test, and to. force them to commit themselves one way or the other in the public estimation. The scheme for :providing the Southern States with civil govern ments has been introduced into the House of Representatives, and it deserves some attention, for it has evidently been prepared with care and deliberation as a comprehensive measure. The Southern States are to be erected into tem porary and territorial Governments, the executive power to be vested in Governors having the veto power. There is to be the regular machinery of government, but the old difficulty of excluding every one who has held any office, civil or military, or borne arms against the Federal Government, from either voting or being voted for, will render this bill as unpopular as any other. Mr. STEVENS has also introduced a bill to re-establish civil govern ment in North Carolina, evidently intending it to apply also to the other excluded States. We have not yet the particulars of this measure, but it is said to be more statesmanlike than the usual Radical schemes; and although it was introduced in a quiet manner, it is currently believed to be intended as the general " platform " of the leading Radicals. When it comes on again the whole question of restoration will be most probably re-opened. Great lawlessness is said to prevail in Missouri, and the laws are enforced in several counties under military auspices. This is unfortunate, and proves what disastrous consequences must result from the disturbed and unsettled condition in which the Southern States are being kept. SURRATT, who has been at length secured, will, i is said, implicate in his evidence seve elusion must be arrived at. Should we prepare to make war against Prussia, or would it not be pre ferable to accept faithfully accomplished facts, and maintain with New Germany the relations of peace and good neighbourhood ?" The Courrier de la Meuse, a paper published at Maestricht, states that the cattle plague has broken out with great severity at Hassum, in Prussia, on the route from Goch to Afferden (Limbourg). On Friday last it was deemed necessary to kill 21 head of oxen affected with the disease. The authorities have adopted stringent measures to prevent the spread of the disease. A fresh augmentation had been noted in the number of bovine typhus. During one week there had been 7,705 cases. There has been a tremendous explosion of gas at Versailles, but happily no personal injury has been sustained. The explosion was heard at a distance of several miles. The gasometer contained about 18,000 metres of gas. The loss of gas is estimated at the value of 6,000 f., and the injury done to the works amounts to no less than 200,000 f. The steam engine was blown to pieces, and stones and portions of columns were hurled to a considerable distance. The water from the broken reservoir in undated the works, and the rats rushed out by thousands to seek refuge elsewhere. The gas set fire to a building in the vicinity. The great financial authority, the Semaine Financiere, thus appreciates the Budget of M. Fould :—" The impression arising from reading this important document is two-fold; it excites admira tion at the fecundity of the resources of France, and a sentiment of painful surprise at the laborious efforts which it is necessary to make to keep our ex penses upon a level with those splendid and inde fatigable resources. With such elastic resources as ours, with resources increasing to the extent of 45 millions from year to another, and which, according to the views of the Minister of Finance, will exceed by 40 millions the expectations of the Budget of 1867, which could not be done by Governments like those of England and the United States, accus tomed to assist by skilful and comprehensive mea sures, to advance the progress of the riches of their country." The Oaks Colliery Explosion. DEATH OF ANbTHER OF THE SUFFERERS. BARNSLEY, Tuesday Afternoon. Yesterday and to-day the No. 2 shaft continued to emit quantities of choke-damp at intervals. After being clear for a few minutes, and whilst some of the engineers were examining it, some of those on the ground adjoining heard the rumbling noise from the No. 2 shaft which generally precedes the explo sion. Those on the pit-bank immediately left, and some said they believed it was the noise caused by the falling of something at the bottom. But those whose ears have become familiar with the peculiar sound considered that an explosion had taken place, but had in a great measure been stifled. What ever may have been the cause, a man has been placed to watch the top both night and day. The experi ment about to be made of taking the gas out of the pit by means of a pipe is being looked forward to with considerable interest by our colliery proprie tors. A similar experiment was made a few years since at a colliery near Wakefield, when the gas was brought to the top and there burnt. That colliery, however, was not so large or so deep as the Oaks. That there is a vast quantity of gas in the pit can not be doubted, as, in addition to what may be ex pected from the usual sources, there is the feeder, which has hitherto made sufficient to supply the lamps in the engine plane, pouring out its volumes. To-day a number of men were busily employed in putting up placards within a radius of 150 yards of the pit, with the words " Smoking strictly pro hibited," and "No lights whatever allowed." This is in connection with the attempt to be made to draw the gas with a pipe, as there is every reason to believe it will spread, and, of course, would easily ignite. Every precaution is being taken to prevent accidents, and no one is allowed to go near to the pit bank. Yesterday evening another of the men who were brought out alive on the occasion of the pit explosion expired, after suffering greatly from the burns received. His name was Charles Walmsley, and from the first no hopes were enter tained of his recovery. There are now Tour left alive, and of these two are in a fair way of recovery, whilst the other two are in a doubtful state. To-day the widows and children were well taken care of by the Miners' Association, being provided with ample materials for a good and substantial dinner, &c. The special report as to the state of the mine says that on Monday there were 90 yards of spoil in the furnace shaft, and 80 of water. This evening the engineers in charge report that the spoil in No. 1 shaft and the furnace shafi had subsided very little since the previous day. They found no water in No. 1 shaft. A meeting of engineers is to be held to-morrow morning at the colliery, to arrange for the resolu tion of Monday being carried out. Measures for the relief of the widows and orphans are being adopted. The Miners' Association, in order to enable the sufferers to spend as comfortable a Christmas as possible, have distributed 41b. of meat to each widow, and I.lb. to each child. Yesterday afternoon a tea meeting for the widows and orphans was served up in the Reform Chapel, Hoyle Mill, by the donations of several friends. Annual Report of the Scotch Iron Trade, (From 7'hornburn's Glasgow Trade Circular.) The developments—morally, materially, socially, and commercially—of the year 1866 have been perhaps more wonderful than those of any year in the history of the world. In the United Kingdom, more particularly in the southern portion of Great Britain, we have experienced the disastrous effects arising from the reckless development of the joint-stock system, applied so indiscriminately to all branches of enterprise. With reference to our banking and monetary system, it cannot have escaped observation that whilst a national bank in Paris so managed that its rate of interest fluctuated between three and five per cent., giving an average of three and three-quarters per cent. for the year, a similar institution in Threadneedle-street, London, has so managed that the rate for money has ranged between three and a half and ten per cent., averaging for the year seven per cent. The famine in Ireland having destroyed the bread monopoly in the United Kingdom, it may reasonably be hoped that the panic and crisis of 1866 will give the death blow to banking monopoly. On the continent of Europe a rotten and bolstered up political system has fallen to pieces during the progress of a seven days' war. In Ireland, and among the vilest section' of the people o 1 a few of the American States, under the name of Fenianism, the doctrine of robbery ha s b een p romu l ga t e d i n a manner hitherto unheard of. This year would have beeti ever -memorable had there been no other achievement than the laying of the cable across the Atlantic, by means of which direct telegraphic communication has been accomplished between this coun try and San Francisco, thus extending over nearly one third of the circumference of the globe. The success of this undertaking has, however, had no effect in alleviating the prevailing depression arising from the adverse circum stances indicated above. Therefore, it is scarcely to be wondered at that our national industry has not escaped those unfavourable in fluences. It is, however, gratifying to remark that the iron trade has suffered in a less degree than perhaps any other branch. According to the fronmasters' returns, just made, the quantity of pig iron produced this year in Scotland was 994,000 tons, showing the striking decrease of 142,000 tons as compared with last year. The deliveries per railways, the shipments foreign and coastwise, combined with the local consumption, wore 1,136,000 tons, and show a falling off, when compared with the preceding year, of 136,000 tons. As certified by the committee appointed by the trade the stock of pig iron is now 510,000 tons, thus exhibiting the marked decrease of 142,000 tons as contrasted with 1865. During tho year the price has fluctuated from 82s.— the highest point reached in April—to 515., the lowest to which it fell, in May, averaging 60s. 6d. per ton, against 595. 9d. per ton last year. The malleable ironworks, the foundries, and the ship building yards, have felt the languor of the depressing influences which generally prevail. Taking into consideration the steady annual accumula tion of the wealth and resources of the British empire, there is reason to hope for a considerable improvement in the iron trade in the coming year. _LUCKY YOUNG LADIES. —The prize of £6,000 at the lato drawing of tho City of Paris Bonds was gained by the Diddles. Bonnaire, daughters of the supeed)tondent of tho forage store for cayairy at A.yeanea. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE, (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) same with the Vesta and Fleetwing. The Fleetwing, when eight days out, encountered a heavy southerly gale. The sea boarded her at 9 p.m., and carried away her jibboom, and washed six men overboard, including two quartermasters— all of whom were lost. This caused a deficiency of hands on board, and to that and her loss of canvass is attributed her losing the race. The Fleetwing was commanded by Capt. Thomas, of the packet ship New York. The Fleetwing is a beautiful spe cimen of marine architecture. The Henrietta is exceedingly smart looking, and spreads a large quantity of canvass. She will re main in Cowes roads open to public view until Saturday, as also will the other two yachts. The Henrietta leaves on Monday for Havre, where she will lay up for the winter, preparing for the Cher bourg races. A grand banquet will be given to the yachts at Cowes on Monday next. The Vesta was boarded by Pilot Webb at 8.50 p.m last night 10 miles west south-west of the Needles, as he supposed, but owing to the misty weather he mistook the St. Catherine light for the Needles, and thereby caused the Vesta to be last instead of second in the race, as she would other wise have made the Needles at 9.50 p.m. instead of 12.40 a.m., Wednesday. The Vesta met with no accident, and did not lose a rope. The Vesta's greatest run in one day was 277, and her least 165 miles. According to :arrangements between the owners of the three xachts before leaving New York, the winning yacht is open to accept a challenge from any vessel belonging to any yacht club in the world for any sum to sail to the Azores and back, and which Mr. Bennett, jun., the owner of the Henrietta is ready to accept. RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 25, Evening. The following medical bulletin has been published here to-day : "Prince Gortschakoff's health, which was lately such as to afford serious ground for alarm, is now much more satisfactory, and all danger has passed away." BELGIUM. BRUSSELS, Dec. 25. The Moniteur Belge of this morning says :—" In consequence of the spread of the cattle plague in Holland more rigorous measures have become neces sary for the repression of fraud on the frontiers of Eastern Flanders, and several other communes have, therefore, been placed under the provisions of the law of 7th February, 1866." AMERICA. PER THE CITY OF PARIS. NEW YORK, Dec. 15. A bill introduced into the House, proposing that the Secretary of the Treasury sell two millions of gold weekly on certain conditions, was eliciting considerable discussion at Washington. General Butler's seat in Congress is to be con tested by the Democratic candidate who was defeated at the last election. A large number of distilleries in New York city had been seized by the Government for alleged evasions of the revenue laws. The Welland Canal has been officially closed for be winter season. Cyrus W. Field was at Washington, arranging with the Government about matters connected with the Atlantic cable. By way of San Francisco a few details of Mexican news have been received. Letters from - Mazatlan and Guaymas give no later news. A number of Liberal troops had occupied Coloma. They were said to be 3,000 strong. The report of the death of General Placido Vega was unfounded. He was with Juarez at Chihuahua. An Acapulco letter, dated Dec. 4, from General Montenegro to the Mexican Imperial consul at San Francisco, states that there is no truth in the report that the Imperialists intended to evacuate that place, and says that no official account has been received there of the capture of Coloma. The Imperial General Oronoz still occupied part of the State of Oajaca, and at Tehuantepec the Imperial Colonel Toledo defeated a body of Liberals who went from Oajaca to attack him. Per contra, pas sengers by the Panama steamer report a fleet of French vessels in the harbour of Acapulco, one of which had a large number of troops on board, and report that the French would evacuate the place in a few days. The French commander had attempted to levy contributions on the town of Acapulco and the property of the Pacific Steamship Company, but the arrival of the United States steamerstopped the proceedings. It was also said at Coloma that the French were defeated near Tehuantepec, three hundred of whom reached the coast and sent to Mazatlan for relief. THE ATLANTIC YACHT RACE. HURST CASTLE, Dec. 25. The yacht Henrietta passed Hurst Castle at 4 p.m. for Cowes. COWES, Dec. 25. The Henrietta arrived off here at 5.40 p.m. Neither of the other yachts is in sight. COWES, Dec. 26. The Fleetwing arrived at 2 a.m., and the Vesta at 3.30 a.m. to-day. Great excitement prevails here in consequence of this race, and all the yachts arriving so closely together. The three vessels are lying off the Royal Yacht Squadron Club House, by the members of which club the yachtmen have been most cor. dially received, especially those belonging to the Henrietta. Hundreds of boats with visitors are sailing round the yachts. The winning yacht, the Henrietta, with Mr. Bennett, jun., the owner, on board, is commanded by Captain Samuels, formerly of the clipper ship Dreadnought. With the exception of the Dread nought the Henrietta made the quickest passage on record. She had no accident, and did not lose a rope, and made the entire passage from New York to Cowes on one tack ; her greatest run in one day was 280 miles, her least 113—and that was on the 19th inst., when she laid to in a heavy storm. The Henrietta averaged throughout the passage 218 miles a day. On the 12th inst., the day of starting, the Hen rietta passed the Vesta at 6 p.m., and was com pelled to shift her course to shake the Vesta off. Heavy squalls, snow and sleet ; the 13th, squally ; the 14th, moderate breeze ; the 15th, cloudy, heavy with hail and snow, and squally; the 16th, heavy northerly winds ; the 17th, north easterly winds with heavy squalls ; the 18th and 19th, heavy cross seas ; the 20th, strong westerly winds ; the 21st, heavy swells ; the 22d, southerly wind, cloudy; the 23d, smooth seas ; the 24th, weather threatening squally ; the 25th, brisk south westerly winds. The Henrietta parted company with the other yachts 24 hours after starting, and saw nothing of them afterwards till their arrival at Cowes. The AUSTRIA. A Vienna letter in the Presse contains the sub joined I find in the New Free Press, one of the most important and best informed journals in Aus tria, a communication from Prague which cannot fail to attract attention. It gives the summary of a letter from a person in a high positiun, well ac quainted with what is taking Place in the chief Go _ vernment regions of Vienna, to another personage of great influence. After having shown the immi nence of the fall of Count de Belcredi, Minister of State, the writer goes on to say :—' The journey of Prince de Metternich to Vienna took place on the express invitation of Baron de Beust, who wished to confide to him the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. M. de Beust not only offered his own resignation, but recommended that it should be accepted. In view of the tendencies of Austria to form friendly rela tions with France and Italy, and of the prospect of an alliance of those Powers against Prussia and Russia, Prince de . Metternich seemed the person most fitted for the difficult post of Foreign Affairs. France would look upon his appointment as a com pliment paid to her, while Italy would consider it as a pledge of sincere friendship on the part of Austria, as even before the battle of Sadowa the Prince recommended the cession of Venetia. He is also known to be in favour of an alliance between Austria and Italy, which he would strengthen by a family union. Ile is supposed to be acquainted with the plans of the Emperor Napoleon, and to be especially well versed in the Eastern question. The conditions placed by the Prince to his accepta tion of the Ministry are however still a secret. All that is known is that he makes a conditio sine qua non a complete accord with Hungary, to which country he is disposed to make the largest conces sions. Should he accept the office, Baron de Beust will probably become Minister of State or Austrian ambassador at Paris. The above is in substance the contents of the letter, although I cannot say whether those revelations are well founded. In any case they would have a certain appearance of veracity if the statement is true that the Prince will not return to Paris for the New Year's Day receptions, and that his departure from Vienna is postponed inde finitely." FRANCE. A Berlin letter endeavours to refute the rumours according to which the new Constitution of the Confederation of the North is to provide also for the event of a Union with the Southern States. The writer affirms that Prussia does not dream at pre sent of extending its dominion south of the Maine. The sole question will be to establish on new bases the mode of distributing the revenues of the Zollverein, of which the States of the South continue to form part. The letter adds, how ever :—" If these, or some among them, should desire to take the negotiations for this purpose as a starting point for ulterior conferences respecting the common defence, it is probable that Prussia would not repel them ; but, once more, there is not and cannot be any question as to the entrance of the South German States into the Confederation of the North. The reasons assigned some time since have not lost their validity. It cannot be for the interest of Prussia to weaken the dominant position she holds in that body in increasing its individual elements by the entrance into it of the States of the South." A letter from Florence, in the Debats, has the following :—" When two months ago I wrote to you that after the departure of the French from Rome in all probability nothing particular would happen, I must confess I did not expect to be so thoroughly correct. The fact is, that nothing is doing, absolutely nothing, and the calm is such that it seems as if it might be prolonged to all eternity. However, this must only be trusted to a certain ex tent. M. Tonello and his mission are hardly spoken of. People say that by the side of his negotiation a secret semi-official one is progressing which willpre pare the real solution. What is clear; in any case, is that the country is tranquil and that the passions, if they exist, are singularly kept down. The Official Gazette has published a letter from the bishops residing at Rome to the President of the Council, and the reply of Baron Ricasoli. This answer deserves to be noticed. It is a clear and lucid exposition of the motives which animate the Government. I may add that it appears a sin cere one ; the Baron has evidently either written or dedicated this epistle, and put into into it his real thought, for it does not consist of mere Ministerial phraseology. His idea is to solve by the most com plete liberty the long-standing difficulties between Church and State. This attempt, madA in Italy herself, there where the Church had fixed her centre of empire, there where the Roman right was created which has furnished the best arms to the State, is a daring effort, so bold, that one hesitates to pre dict its success, although, down to the present time, everything seems to indicate its possibility." The Alabama's Story Told by her Com. mander. According to the Galveston (Texas) Bulletin, Capt. Semmes has been lecturing in Galveston on the subject of the Alabama's career during the late civil war. Mr. Semmes, who had been introduced by the chairman as "that distinguished hero and pa triot," said—Lecturing is not my art. lam not ac customed to the lecture-room. Othello's occupation is gone. I do not propose to touch any political sub ' ject.—l propose to speak of the history of the Ala bama as viewed in the light of history and American precedents. I propose to show to you that she was not a pirate, a privateer, or a buccaneer, but the re cognised ship, wearing the colours of a State, by the laws of nations. On the land an enemy might overrun a country without destroying private pro perty. Destroying private property on land is for bidden. Not so on the sea. The destruction of commerce in ancient times was a slow process. The war between the Confederate and the United States was the first between maritime Powers since the in troduction of steam. The Alabama had warrant for what she did both in the laws of nations and of the United States. She was built abroad. The United States has made the British origin of the Alabama a constant source of complaint. She was built by the Lairds. The United States Government en deavoured to contract with this same firm to build ships for them. (Alr. Semmes here read extracts from Mr. Laird's speech in the House of Commons, already published and well known.) From this speech it appears that before they undertook to build the Alabama, the United States Government bad been iu treaty with the Messrs. Laird to build gun boats and monitors. We offered better terms—hence the Alabama became a Confederate ship instead of a Federal vessel. She left England as a merchant vessel. Her Confederate commission was read, and her proper flag unfurled on the high seas, where the Confederate had as much authority as the Federal Government. It is the commission a Sovereign puts on board a vessel, that makes her a personification of the Sovereign. Even if a ship be built iu a neutral territory she is purged of that wrong as soon as she is commissioned. If the Ala bama was built in violation of the neutrality laws, that was a question between the United States and England. From the moment the Confederates were recognised as belligerents they had a full right to make war in every particular. The United States acknowledged this in the first months of the war. In support of this proposition the speaker quoted " Vattel, third book," and argued that if the United States could buy ships the Confederate States could do the same. The speaker then quoted Justice Grier's decision in the prize cases, reported in " Second Black Reports," laying great stress on the passage, "it is not necessary that the State should be recognised." Mr. Semmes entered largely into the history of the South Arderican States, claiming that their cruisers captured prizes and car ried them into American ports. In illustration of the fact that the Confederate States were recognised and entitled to all the sovereign rights of war, Generals Grant and Sherman treated Generals Lee and Johnson as generals of an army. The speaker concluded thus :—The Alabama was not a new construction, save that she was a steam-vessel. Dr. Franklin and his compesrs constructed a good many Alabamas in their day. What our sires did their sons may do. In other generations the his tory of the North will be the history of the South. By the philosophy of history I am willing to be judged. If the philosophy of history embalms the struggles of the colonial States, so will it embalm the struggles of the Confederate States. If it re cords approvingly the exploits of the Surprise and the Revenge, so will it record the exploits of the Alabama, ‘„. • 4 1./0 Z 1: ,4' ha: HER MAJESTY, &c. The ladies and gentlemen in waiting were in at tendance. The Rev. George Prothero, rector of Whipping ham, Mrs. Prothero, and their family, had the hon our of being invited, and also the Rev. R. Duck worth. The Queen, Prince and Princess Christian, Prin cess Louise, and Prince Arthur, attended serviec at \Vhippingham Church this morning, where the Rev. G. Prothero and the Rev. R. Duckworth offi ciated, and administered the Sacrament of the Holy Communion. Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice also at ;ended Divine service at Whippingham to-day. Christmas Festivities at Sandringham. SANDRINGIIAM, Christmas Day. Yesterday thegood old custom of making presents, which has been established during his royal high ness's ownership of the estate, was observed. In the morning .the children of the schools were marched up to "Park House, where they received the annual gifts of clothing. Each boy was presented with a tweed jacket and a blue cap, and each girl with S red cloak and a hat. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon all the cottagers, labourers, carpenters, bricklayers, gardeners, &c., employed on the estate, residing in the parishes of Sandringham, Babingley, West New ton, Wolferton, and Dessingham assembled in the park, near the royal stables, the centre of attrac tion being the coach house, round the sides of which were ranged tables groaning under the weight of sixty-two stones nine pounds of the primest joints of beef, all cut up and ticketed, and ranged accord ing to parishes. Soon after four o'clock the Royal party returned from an excellent day's shooting at Houghton, and the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, attended by Gen. Knollys and Lieut.- Colonel Keppel, entered the carriage-house, which was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and im mediately after the presentation commenced. The beef was distributed according to the number in family, in the proportion of 21b. each for the man and woman, and 11b. each for the children. Each widow received 41b. of beef. The total number of families that received meat was 169, representing 616 persons. Mr. E. Beck, agent, and Mr. Car michael, head gardener, handed over the beef to the recipients one by one, as they were called by name, each paying their obeisance to his Royal Highness. This morning the Sandringham choristers marched from the school-house to the terrace about one o'clock, and sang some pretty Christmas anthems. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, attended by Viscountess Walden, General Knollys, Lieut.-Colonel Keppel, Lieut. Haig, &c., were present at Divine service in the pretty little church in thepark, which had been most tastefully decorated with holly and evergreens. The Rev.:W. Lake Onslow, M.A., officiated and preached. This afternoon all the school children, in their new cloaks and jackets„ were marched up to Sandring ham house to pay their obeisance to the Royal family. The passing by was witnessed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princes Albert Victor and George, and the Duke of Edinburgh. Each child received a Christmas bun, and then dispersed to their homes. Christmas-day in Windsor Forest. RE-OPENING OF THE ROYAL CHAPEL Yesterday morning at eleven o'clock the Royal Chapel near Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park was re-opened for Divine service. The new edifice, the chancel of which was consecrated some time back by the Bishop of Oxford, has been erected in the early English style of architecture by the Com missioners of Woods and Forests, designed by Messrs. Salvin and Teulon, the architects, the works having been superintended by Mr. Morris. The exterior of the chapel is composed of Princes Risborough stone, with Bath stone facings, and the west end is pro vided with a belfry furnished with a couple of bells. Inside the appearance of the chapel is very pretty. The plan includes a nave, an aisle, chancel, and transept, while the open pointed oak roof is carried partly by the north wall and some finely carved stone pillars, separating the nave from the south aisle. In the chancel is a fine memorial window to the memory of the late Duchess of Kent. The subjects of the memorial include the principal-events in the life of the Saviour, and at the bottom of the window the arms of the duchess and her husband are em blazoned, separated from the chancel by an oaken handrail. On its south side is the royal closet, which has a stone screen dividing it from the end of the aisle. The pew is furnished with chairs covered with crimson velvet, and the closet, which is intended for the use of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, when residing at the Royal Lodge has a separate entrance at the east end of the build ing. The floor of the chancel is laid with encaustic tiles, and the pulpit, lectern, and pews, are of carved oak. About 200 sittings are provided for the con gregation, which consists of the families of members of the Court and the employes on the Crown estate of Windsor Park. Yesterday being Christmas-day the walls and arches were tastefully decorated with holly and laurel, many of the wreaths and garlands having been placed in their position by Lady Emily SeY mour and others of the congregation. The opening service was conducted by the Rev. St. John Blunt, assisted by the Rev. T. E. Harwood, the former gentleman preaching the sermon. Windsor itself was visited by a number of stran gers, who made pilgrimages to the castle and park. The Hull Advertiser states that Lord Londes borough has announced to his tenants that on and after the Ist of January, 1867, he will allow the whole of his tenantry on the Londesborough estate to kill hares And rabbits upon their respective farms. GENTEEL POVERTY.—None but they who have themselves been poor gentry—gentry so poor as not to know how to raise a shilling— can understand the peculiar bitterness of the trials which such poverty produces. The poverty of the normal poor does not approach it ; or , rather, the pangs arising from such poverty are altogether of a different sort. To be hungry and have no food, to be cold and have no fuel, to be threatened with distraint for one's few chairs and tables, and with the loss of the roof over one's head—all these miseries, which, if they do ne t positively reach, are so frequently near to reaching th e normal poor, are, no doubt, the severest of the trials to which humanity is subjected. They threaten life --e r, if not life, then liberty—reducing the abject one to a c hoice between captivity and starvation. By hook or crook, the poor gentleman or poor lady —let the one or the other be ever so poor—does not often come to the last extremity of the workhouse. There are such cases, but they 51.° exceptional. Mrs. Crawley, through all her suffering s ' had never yet found her cupboard to be absolutely bale' or the bread-pan to be actually empty. But there ar ° pangs to which, at the time, starvation itself would se cill to bo preferable. The angry eyes of unpaid tradesmen' savage with an anger which ono knows to be justifiabl° ; the taunt of the poor servant who wants her wages ; the gradual relinquishment of habits which the soft nurture of earlier, kinder years had made second nature t b° wan cheeks of the wife, whose malady demands Wil l° the rags of the husband whose outward occupations de mand decency; the neglected children, who aro learn not to be the children of gentlefolk ; and, worse than all' the alms and doles of half-generous friends, the waning pride, the pride that will not wane, the growing doubt whether it be not bettor to bow the head and acknow ledge to all the world that nothing of the pride of statio n is left—that the band is open to receive and ready to touch the cap, that the fall from the upper to the lower level has been accomplished—these are the pangs of . poverty which drive the Crawleys of the world t o the frequent entertaining of that idea of the bare bodkin.-- " The Last Chronicle of Boner —No. 4. .13s OSBORNE, Dec. 25. The Queen distributed Christmas gifts yester day afternoon to the labourers on the Osborne Estate: and their wives, who assembled at four o'clock. Soon after four the Queen, accompanied by Prince and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, Princess Beatrice, and Prince Henry of Prussia, entered the servants' ball, where the gifts were laid out. Her Majesty then, assisted by the Royal Family, distributed the presents. Arg en Allstri 13 razil Do. Do. Do. . r . Juzzetto Do. Do. D,; Dhiliai Do. Colour Cuba,banisl n o . uatiub 'quad( Do . l no, Do Do # laDo ( ro e i io , and Stai Sha] i to AIIL Dui! Marl Gen, pant 3 Der Do t per New Do, Anna Do, Do each, , Do. Joank Dit Do. Do. Do. D o . Do. Do.