The Sun. — London, England, 1865-01-05 00:00:00

that everything intended to be represented on the stage should be first sent to the Lord Chamberlain: Mr Frederick Strange, proprieto r o f th e Alh am b r a The Act was a salutary Act, it was pays yi to pro- Palace, Leicester-square, was summone d b e f ore WTI- . vi de for the safety of the public, and to insure good ma nners and decorum on the stage. There were no Tyrwhitt, at the Marlborough-street Police-court, such powers in the Justices Act, an 1 tin license they for "that on the 27th o f December, at a certain place had power to grant for music and dancing did not of public resort called the Royal Alhambra Palace, cover entertainments of the stage. Their licence Leicester-square, he did un l aw f u lly have and keep the . only sanctioned such dancing as was indulged in by said house and place of public resort for the . public the visitors ; it did not allow stage dancing or without authority performance of stage plays by dancing with scenes. He contended that the two virtue of Letters Patent from her Majesty or any Acts, that of the 25th of George 111. and the sth of her predecessors, and without licence from the and 6th of Victoria, ought to be read together. The Lord Chamberlain of her Majes t y' s Household for Acts were introduced for the purpose of regulating the time being." d • m places where the idle and disorde r ly congrega t e d, Mr Besley, instructed by Mr Roberts, p appeare support of the summons; and Mr Poland, instructed and where robberies were lik e ly t o t a k e ace, and the defendants. for the further purpose of preventing anything in by Mr Lawrence, appeared for . . . ous to morality or decorum from being repre- Mr Besley said he appeared on behalf of the plain- . J tiff, the proceedings being, in fact, instituted by a r e n ted on the stage. He was satisfied the Court would find that what was re p resen t e d a t th e Alham number of lessees of licensed theatres, among whom the name of a ballet w as a stage ra under re Mr Mapleson, of Her Majesty's Theatre ; the b we repre- Opera Company, of Covent-garden ; Messrs. Fal- sentation within the meaning of the Act. He had toner and Chatterton , of Drury - lane ;Mr Fechter, no doubt that g re at expense ha d been incurred in of the Lyceum ; Mr Webster, of the Adelphi ; Mr presenting the ballet before the public, but he was Buckstone, of the Haymarket ; Mr E. T. Smith, of satisfied that the ballet as there represented was as Astley's ; and Mr Horace Wigan, of the Olympic, capable of being written as an opera. An opera upon whose information the present summons was might be played only from stage directions, but then taken out. The proceeding against Mr Strange was those stage directions would indicate to the Lord instituted by no personal feeling against that gentle- Chamberlain whether anything improper was likely man, it was taken simply for the purpose of enforc- to be represented, and would thus enable him to ing the provisions of an Act of Parliament 6 and 7 stop the performance, or, if necessary, to have the Vic.,entituled an Act for the Regulating of Theatres. place closed. The second section of that Act enacted that it Mr Poland—Would you have the story of a ballet should not be lawful for any person to keep any written ? house or place of public resort in Great Britain for Mr. Besley did not see any impossibility in the matter. There was the ballet of " Esnieralda," and the public performance of st age p l ays w i t h ou t Letters Patent from the Cro wn or li cence f rom th e no one could doubt of that being a stage play within the meaning of the act. As far as the penalty was Lord Chamberlain or from th e J ust i ces o f th e Peace therein provided, and th a t every p erso n concerned, he was content to leave that matter in the hands of the magistrate. At th e same ti m e h e offending against this ena c t men t s h ou ld be liable to would say, if Mr. Strange would consent to with such place of resort was k ep t open. I t was agreed a penalty not exceedin g £2O f or every d ay on w hi c h draw the ballet now r ep r ese n ti ng a t th e Alh am b ra , between the solicitors on both sides thatiin order to he should be conte n t w ith a nom i na l p ena lty. raise the real issue certain points should be ad- Mr. Horace Wigan, lessee of the Royal Olympic miffed. It was admitted by the defendant, "that he Theatre, said,--On Tuesday, the 27th ult., I went kept a house of public resort withing the meaning of to the Alhambra Palace. There was a regular pay the act, and that it was necessary there should be a place, and the basement was fitted up like a theatre, license from the Lord Chamberlain if any matter with this difference, that there were tables about. was presented there which came within the meaning The place was lit by gas chandeliers, the same as of the definition clause in the act of Parliament as any other London theatre. There .was an orchestra to what constitutes a stage play." It was further —a very full one, and there were footlights to the admitted that the defendant possessed a music and stage. It appeared to have the usual stage appurte dancing licence, granted by the Justices under the nances—wings, flys; dropi, &c. There was a set 25th George 11. By the second section of the 6th piece, with cascades, and rocks, and real water, and and 7th Vic., the question was raised whether cer- zigzag steps among the rocks. There were several taro performances at the Alhambra did not come ladies present—about 60 or 70. They were perform within the meaning of the act, and were in fact ing a ballet and wore the usual ballet dress, and had stage plays. The definition of " stage play" was wands, palm branches, or bull-iushes, and performed that it should be taken to include every tragedy, the well-known ballet called " The Dagger Dance." comedy, farce, opera, burletta, interlude, melo- They went through the pantomime of attack and drama, pantomime, or other entertainment of the defence and putting to death an imaginary enemy, stage, or any part thereof. Before producing evi- who appeared to be on the floor. (Laughter.) There dente it would be his duty to call attention to the was no chief dancer. What I have described was in state of the law, and the various enactments that the first scene, but was not the first scene. Any had been passed. The Lord Chamberlain licenced thing that represents acting without words is panto stage plays for the metropolis. In the country stage mime. A ballet may exist without dancing, but can play licences were granted at special sessions, and not without pantomine. Only two kinds of ballet music and dancing licences were granted in the same are known to me—ballet divertisseinent and ballet of way ; they were signed, sealed, and read by the action. A ballet of action is a ballet in which a story clerk. It would be , important to notice that fact, is told, a ballet divertissement is one in which no for if it were contended that the music licence fable is narrated, but a mixture of pantomime and granted under another act of Paaliament justified dancing, in which incidents are represented by the defendant in his proceedings, his reply was that pantomime. If you were to call upon me to dance the provisions of the act under which music and ' the Cachuca I could very well do it even here, but dancing licenses were granted were perfectly con- if I did so it would be no ballet, but if I did it on sistent with the later acts of Victoria. the stage it would be a ballet. In the ballet at the Mr Tyrwhitt—You say that a music and dancing Alhambra the dancers formed themselves into ranks. licence does not enable the defendant to act plays. There was only one scene. It was divided into three Mr. Besley—The defendant could not legally different and distinct portions. Ballets of action do give stage play representations without leave of the not always consist of one scene, but ballets diver- Lord Chamberlain. The powers given to the Lord tigsements do. I have had some experience in putting Chamberlin to license plays were intended to insure ballets on the stage ; the ballet-master gives instruc the safety of the public, and the observance of 1 tion. A ballet is usually composed. Ballets are rules which should have for their object the observ- I composed by other persons than ballet-masters. The ante of good manners and decorum during such re- ballets of " Masaniello" and " Gissella" were writ presentations. He would first state what the Royal ten. I could put any ballet into writing. I could Alhambra Palace was. It was a building on the east by reading a ballet realise in my mind what I saw. side of Leicester-square ;it had been erected some By Mr. Poland—l could put the ballet I saw into writing. I think I could put the first set of quadrilles into writing. time, and was now un d er th e managemen t o f th e t Mr. Tymhitt—lt would be a set of stage di r ectio n s, defendant, Mr. Strange, the sole proprietor. The telling the dancers how they were to proceed ? building was one of no mean pretence ; inside it was 3fr. Wigan—Exactly so. highly decorated, so as to be consistent with drama- Mr. Poland—Suppose the "Lancers" and "Sir Roger de tic representations. The stage in size was little in- Coverley" were danced in fancy dresses on the stage of the ferior to that of Drury-lane. In front was the or- Alhambra, what would you call it ? chestra, and a space like the grand yard in the Mr. Wigan—A theatrical entertainment. time of Elizabeth, where persons could sit down at I N l i r r . .. i Polr an d —_l If in plain thst clothes ? table and take refreshment, drinking and smoking Mr. Poland—lf if evening adfeessa,c,ceisories. just as used to be the case at the Blackfriars Thea- Mr. Wigan—Yes ; I should then call its stage entertain tre, with the exception that in the olden time the pit ment. My definition of a stage entertainment is something was open to all the winds of 'Heaven. There was no represented in a theatre, and which cannot be represented pit at the Alhambra, the area appeared to be divided without the accessories of the stage. I would not call private into three sections for admission, in each of which a theatricals a stage representation. different price was asked, and it was in those places Mr. Poland—You said the dancers went through the the public could sit at tables and smoke and drink. pantomime of attack a n d d e f ence . W as t h at t h e case ; or did they merely advance and retreat ? From each corner there was a range of 12 columns, M r . Wigan—They flourished daggers. Some advanced which supported a cornice, and between the columns and some retreated. They all hadthe same kind of weapons. was a splendid chandelier. There were two rows of The dance is a very well-known dance. Others can give a boxes, which, howeve r , h e b e li eve d , were te r med b al- better description of the ballet than I can. All the ladies T i s e a re w not was not T l h e e h y o n k l e d p n t o t itme call_ l t l o a the e n m tl u e si m c a . n l h V hat canies. This w o u ld g i ve a t enera l id ea o f t h e ow audience part of the Alhambra. It w ould not be lug to a lady in a dance a pantomime. If you g indicate any necessary to notice the refreshment counters placed thing it is a pantomime. The're are pantomimists who aro round the building. There was no open uncovered not dancers. I should call a contortionist a tumbler. floor where the public could dance, as at the Casinos. Mr. Poland—What ! though he don't tumble ? There was a stage, with proscenium, footlights, side Mr. Wigan—He does tumble. Some call themselves , scenes, drops, and everything necessary. to stage contortionists, some sprites, and some gymnasts. I should representation. There w e re a l so fli es for the ur not call that an entertainment of the style which may be P pe ae rf ee o s rm ao ed wit t h h ou t t h accesso h ri . es. The first and foremost pose of winding up and l e tti ng d own scenery. There was also a drop curtain mad e o f d amask lights, r t y o. was A pantom t i r n e ie ,w ie a h w m e e ll ant -kn t o h m e m sc e e n n t e e ly rt , a c in u m rt e ai n n t , and adorned With gold stars ; the back of the stage in which there is a story or legend acted by men and was provided with the appearance of rock and women. Words are spoken in some of the pantomimes, - water. He believed there was a real cascade ; in but el that has only of late years been permitted. Had the fact, there was everything to tempt the public to go 1 haevenh e o e r n P fi a n n e t d aloo A n done so in former days they would n s o soon as dialogue h begins pantomime to the Alhambra. Mr. Besley here proceeded to 1 ends. There were read from the Theatrical Observer an elaborate There was a premiere da men na on e t an e d stal e e at a the A d lh to am h b e ra. account of the decorations and performance at the I superior person to the rest, as they made arcades ppeare for her to Alhambra. There was a ballet, with 50 or 60 1 walk under. They were not all dressed alike. The chief dancers. It was asserted there was no pantomime' dancer was dress e d as an ord i nary ballet dancer. It was a or anything in the nature of a p an t om i me ; what I stage play. I should say "Sir Roger de Coverley," or any dance th on the stage was a stage p l ay. I n what I should was represented being a ballet di ver ti ssement, such as term had been extensively introduced l a t e l y i nto operas. and takeepreit f t re he a r h e m w en er ts e taabnldes persons seats for p ersons t o s it The question to decide was this—were s uc h per f or- labout. Th ere were di;isions between were a thetab b le le e a t to to m move minces of the nature of a pantomime or stage play? . prices. I saw no traps used, but there might have been He contended that no ballet could be performed 1 trap doors on the stage. The scene remained unchanged. not without, the aid of pantomime. The ballet dancer It was a drop curtain, but a curtain well known among theatricals. The curtain is called a tableau curtain, similar required to be taught pantomimic action, for with- to one used by Mr. Charles Kean at o ut such action it would be impossible to convey draws up in festoo ns . A b a ll et of actionth i e s Princess' re sents,edand w hat was intended to the audience. The ballet was a certain number of dancers representi ng characters. pre by Re-exami an art which must be acquired under professors. ned by Mr. B es l ey —l di d not see one of the . s when I was at the Alhambra, The word " ballet" did not occur in the since.interprets- one Most of but I have seen tion clause, but there were the words, ~ stage , plays • • imaginary killing.the dancers were taking part in the of Lord Kenyon in or parts thereof." The decision Mr. John M‘Lean, comedian—l have been five years in the case of " Gallena v. Laberie," was in favour of th e pro f ess i on, and am acquainted w ith a ll sorts of enter his argument that performances having the charac- tainments on the stage. I went with Mr. Wigan to the ter of stage representations must be licensed by the Alhambra. I saw the grand di ver ti ssement, b ut I had seen L ord Chamberlain. The learned gent leman here the other divertissement the night b e f ore . I t was more simple in its general character. Both were ballets divertis quoted Lord Kenyon's opinion at length, also the _, , tissements. Feelings and wishe s were express e d b y act i ons , ‘Queen v. Sandy De v ~ D e Begn es v• Annisteu , 7 by the performers. That is what I und ers t an d b y panto and " n o — - , , --, appellant v. C o l s on, respondent. efer " mime, though there may be a ballet without d anc i ng . I The latter c ase r ' red to certain performances at wrote a description of the ballet at the Alhambra. I un- Margate where twoderstand by pantomime something opposed to speech. Perwms were enabled to repre- sent about 14 different characte Mr. Tyrwhitt—The merit of mimic acting consists i n Mr. Tyrwhitt—Th ey called . it I think. expressing meanings without words. a duologue, Mr. M‘Lean—Yes; I recognized the grand divertissement Mr. Besley—The i per ormers personated a variety d as being a reproduction of the ballet scene from the panto of characters, one of them IN • as a briefless barrister. m i me o f Drury-lane Theatre last year. I recognized not My learned friend Mr. Poland appeared in the ac- only the general arrangement bnt the music as well. I did tion that was tried. • not recognise the Dagger Dance. The scene was different, Mr Poland—But not in that character. (fall of real water and rock built up at the Laughter.) but there was a Mr. Besley—lt was decided in that easeth t if back. The ladies were theatrically clad, and provided with pantomime occurred the performances, beino. that 1 - wands.(Mr. M‘Lean read his description of the ballet.) The minutes in its eensed, were illegal. Pantomime was older 11 - grand divertissement occupied about 33 than rters of an hour. per tragedy or comedy. . formance, or it might have been three-qua prepared with one set scene. All ballets di v e r tissements are Mr. Tyrwhitt—l suspect you will ha ve to consult By Mr. Poland—There were no daggers at Drury-lane. the Shade of Thespis to decide that. The scene was similar in its arrangements. The rocks Mr. Besley only relied on the authority of books, were built up, and the ladies came down a winding path the legends in which told us that pantomimes and w . ay. I have seen similar scenes. The same kind of dress miracle plays, in which the performers did not speak is seen in all ballets. There were different principal but only represented the incidents by gestures, were were e gr rs. groups The principal dancer has her own solo. There en the first performances. Pantomime existed from tertainment, in u th it e ballet. I should call it a dramatic the earliest times, and was performed at Courts by renting statues a dirffWeenstenthit d something. I think repre entertainment.„ ng• That is called a " draw persons under the protection of the Sovereigns and ing-room the highest nobles. Pantomimes were, therefore, Mr. Poland —S ome years re representin g m the statu e of G eorge Canning, the statesman, he had quoted had passe d, and w h en t h e word pan - call tha g t ? House of Parliament —what would you tomime was omitted in the Act. The word was, Mr. 31`Lean—I should not call that an e h ow ever, put into the next statute, the object of the the sta g e. If representing a group I shoutlert call in of it an Statute being to give the Lord Chamberlain despotic tasoinni e_n_t of the stage ; num b ers would. make a difference. authority over all such places, to give I h him authority uld not call anythi ng a representation without speaking or actio n . of th e stage to make rules for their guidance, and to close the Mr. Vincent Rourke, of Drury-lane Theatre, actor—i places if necessary. The statute further required have been 20 years in the profession, and am acquainted Theatrical Representations. suiN, toNnoN, THUUSDAY EVENING, JANUARY' 5, 1865. with the different entertainments of the stage. I went to see the 9 o'clock divertissement at the Alhambra. I saw what I considered to be a ballet. I agree with what has been said by the last two witnesses. Feelings and wishes were represented by pantomime. The attendant nymphs danced round the superior one and formed groups. I did not see the dagger dance. Mr. H. B. Donne, inspector of theatres and examiner of stage plays in the Lord Chamberlain's-office, said—l have been to the Alhambra. I saw the whole of the 11 o'clock performance. I saw no difference between it and the ordi nary ballet. I did not ]mow that there were two kinds of ballet till informed by Mr. Wigan. I agree that there can not be ballet without pantomime, but that there can be a ballet without dancing. There was pantomime in it. The Lord Chamberlain exercises power over ballets when there is occasion to do so. I know of an alteration being made in one ballet after its first representation ; after it had been performed some nights, unless the place was licensed, it would not be under his lordship's jurisdiction. By Mr. Poland—l consider there is a story in the ballet at the Alhambra. I cannot tell you the story in the I never could under — stand a ballet in my life. There were 40 or 50 persons on the stage, and apparently two kinds of dresses. I think a story was acted. There was an engagement, some resistance, then some expressions of triumph, and at the end a reconciliation by the principal dancers. There was no individual character. I should call it pantomime, accompanied by dancing. Copies of ballets with the plots are not sent to the Lord Chamberlain. If he found anything wrong in a ballet he would interfere. Re-examined by Mr. Besley—l do not think the ballet could have been represented at the Mansion-house, unless the Mansion-house was fitted up like the Alhambra Palace. I should call it a stage performance. Mr. Besley—Other witnesses were to have been in at tendance, but they do not seem to be here. Mr. Oscar Byrne, Mr. Morelli, Mr. Bolen, Mr. Milano, and others were called, but did not answer. Mr. Besley—l have no doubt that, owing to the morning performances, the persons called are absent. That, how ever, is my case. Mr. Poland said no case had been made out against his client. He contended that the music and dancing licence, under the 25th of George 111. justified the performance. But it was said the plaintiff had gone beyond his licence and had infringed the provisions of the Theatre Act, 67 Viet., chap. 68. He would venture to submit that the plaintiff had in no way violated any Act of Parliament. The act 10 George 11. was passed in consequence of the immoralities and indecencies of the English stage. The Legislature wished to put a stop to such performances, and to place all parties under the control of the Lord Chamberlain or the licensing ma gistrates. Afterwards the 25th George 11. was passed, ap plicable to London and Westminster, and for the purpose of enabling Mr. Strange and other proprietors to give public performances—to give music and dancing entertainments and amusements of the kind. Mr. Strange had given such entertainments. He had provided music and dancing for the public as he was licensed to do. Had ho gone beyond that he must have procured a licence from the Lord Chamberlain. His learned friend had asserted that music licences were only intended to enable young gentle men to go to casinos, but he differed from him on that point. The object of the Act of Parliament was to put all places of public entertainment where music and dancing oc curred under the supervision of the Middlesex magistrates, He could, if necessary, prove that such a license was granted to Mr. E. T. Smith when he had the Alhambra — and now one of his prosecutors—and that the license was granted on the understanding that the Alhambra was not to be turned into a casino, such as the Argyll-rooms and similar places. The Alhambra was, then,' a place for public dancing and music ; and the public were to pay for the enjoyment of the entertainment. It was said there was a stage and the performances took place on it. But at Exeter-hall, or St. James's-hall there was also a stage called a platform. There was a similar platform at the Alhambra, but called a stage, for the purpose of this prosecution. It had been stated that the plaintiff had no right to have scenes ; but why not ? If the proprietor gave music and dancing to the public, why was he not to be allowed to decorate the back scenes according to his notions of taste ? But nothing of this sort could affect the question whether the performances were stage performances or not. The cir cumstance of there being backgrounds and scenes and lights was immaterial, as they were only accessories. The principal amusements were music and dancing—that was all. How could they be considered to be stage plays, or anything of that kind ? If so, where was the line to be drawn ? It had been asserted that a statue was lawful, but the representation of a group was a theatrical repre sentation. Were the theatrical gentlemen who entertained this view of the case to go about and say that the repre sentation of Jim Crow, or Black Sal and Dusty Bob were stage representations. If- such absurdities were counte nanced the next thing would be that Punch and Judy would be deemed a theatrical representation, because there were a stage, wings, and curtain. If this prosecution succeeded, they would soon find that little things would be picked out against every place where there was singing, and the police courts of London would soon be called upon to deal with such assumed violations of the law. It had been asserted that the duets at the Alhambra and the dancing where the performers advanced and retreated, a kind of attack and defence, were stage-plays. Why, they were clearly nothing more:than a story represented by gesture. Was ever suchuon sense talked in a court of justice as to call that a stage-play? He could not see any difference in a person going to a place to dance or to see dancing where the performers were paid and where there were footlights and a curtain. Mr. Wigan had evidently confounded entertainments on the stage with en tertainments off the stage. The position of Mr. Strange was this—he had a licence to sell refreshments, and he had a licence for music and dancing. The public could go into Le Alhambra, have refreshment, and smoke if they pleased: Nothing against public morality had been alleged against the place, and nothing improper could be alleged or intro duced, for the proprietor was under the vigilant inspection of the police, who if they saw anything objectionable would report it to the licensing magistrates. Mr. E. T. Smith, when proprietor, did exactly the same thing. He was now the proprietor of a theatre, and he joined with others to say to Mr. Strange—" We will bring the provisions of a penal act against you so as to put a stop to your enter tainment. We will not compete with you fairly by giving Le public better seats and better performances at our theatres, but we will put your amusements down by the strong hand of an act of Parliament." If the construction contended for was put upon the Act 7 Vic., then a ballet girl performing a part in a stage-play would be liable to be _ _ prosecuted and to be fined 101. a day for acting a part in a stage-play. Section 12 would throw light on the act. Every new play or new part of a play was to be sent to the Lord Chamberlain. Mr. Donne, however, stated that a ballet with a plot and incidents and a story, though not always a very intelligible one, were not always sent to the Lord Chamberlain. It was obvious why it was not neces sary to send a copy of a ballet to the Lord Chamberlain any more than it was necessary to send a copy of a dance or of tumbling feats. The interpretation clause enumerated those productions which were to be regarded as stage plays. All these had plots and stories, and, consequently, were stage plays. The prosecutors could not, however, rely on any of the definitions, so they brought forward the words and " other stage entertainments, or any part thereof." There was no mention of a ballet in the statute, and the reason was that a ballet had so vague a story that it would be ridiculous to call it a stage play. If Mr. Wigan's defini tion of a ballet was correct, then it was not a ballet that was exhibited at the Alhambra. The learned gentleman here quoted from the " Penny Cycloptudia" the definition of the varieties of ballet. Now it was understood that where certain things were defined in an Act of Parliament, that if other things, ejusdem generis, were not named, they were not included in the act. Mr. Tyrwhitt said specific things of the same kind were included. Mr Poland would take the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani mals Act. There the cow, heifer, and ox were named, but not the bull. It was held, therefore, that the bull did not come within the operation of the act. The report of the cases of " Sandman and Breach, 3, Cook's Reports, 46 ; and "Payne," 3, Carrington Reports, bore out this view. It was, therefore, improper to strain an act of Parliament of a penal character, and it would be :straining the act to call the performance at the Alhambra a stage play. He felt strongly in this matter, because this was the first attempt to turn a penal statute against persons, who endeavoured to provide the public with suitable amusement. It was necessary to make a stand. A penal Act of Parliament ought to be construed strictly, and recollecting that the governing words in the act were " a stage play," he would respectfully contend that Mr. Strange had infringed no act of Parliament. Mr Tyrwhitt—you say Mr. Strange is protected by the 25th George IL Mr Poland did not mean to say that :Mr. Strange could infringe the law, whatever might be the view he took of his licence. He contended, however, that no infringement had taken place, and he was entitled therefore for the sum mons to be dismissed. lie had witnesses, but he was con tent to take the case the witnesses on the other side had attempted to make out. Mr. Tyrwhitt said on such an indefinite matter different views could be entertained by different parties. He would not venture to express an opinion now, but he would say that it would be very much better if parties would make a case for the Superior Courts. It was certain that a magis trate's decision would satisfy nobody, for it was not to be supposed that parties so deeply interested in the question at issue would be content with a decision in a police court. He was ready to give a decision, believing that the matter could not stop in a police court, to enable the parties to take the question to a Superior Court, and get the deci sion of the judges. He did not suppose there was any im mediate hurry for his decision. lie would look over the carefully, andthenapprise both evevidence e sides a w nd hen ca h se e s w i a n s prepared redwita his judgment. THE PITMAN AND THE GUN.---A pitman, who had not been in Newcastle for a year or two, was lately standing near the northern entrance to the High Level Bridge, when off went the time-gun, and back fell our hero in a fright. " What's that ? " he exclaimed, on recovering from the roar. " Oh," was the quiet answer, "it's only the gun striking one." "Maw sang !" said he, "but aw wadn't like to be here when it's striking twelve !" Naval and Military Intelligence. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, as Field- Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, held a levee yesterday afternoon at the Horse Guards. The levee was numerously attended, nearly 200 officers being present. Major-General Hutchinson retired yesterday from the command of the forces in the western district, and was suc ceeded by Major-General Viscount Templeton, who for a short time will reside with the Naval Commander-in-Chief at Devonport, Admiral Sir Chas. H. Fremantle, K.C.B. It is understood that the official residence of the military cora -1 mander at Mount Wise will undergo considerable altera tion and repair. His aide-de-camp is Si Wm. Fairfax. Gen. Hutchinson retires from Plymouth with the respect and esteem of all those who have been brought into com munication with him. For the present he will reside in the North of Devon, near Bideford. Yesterday the Chatham battalion of Royal Marines Light Infantry were marched several miles into the open country, under the command of Lieut.-Col. W. F. Foote. There are still 120 military officers above the rank of captain holding the Waterloo medal. Of these 18 are gene rals, 22 lieutenant-generals, 24 major-generals, 19 colonels, 24 lieutenant-colonels, and 13 majors. Three or four years since the number of officers wearing this medal (above the rank of captain) was 150. In order to provide accommodation for the new machinery which on the occasion of the visit of the Board of Admiralty to Chatham dockyard they directed to be introduced in the ropemaking department of that establishment, the whole of the upper portion of the range of buildings hitherto used as hemp stores has been converted and fitted for the re ception of the spinning-jennies and other machines in tended to be henceforth used. The principal building oc cupies a space of some 250 ft. in length by 60ft. in breadth, and in the internal fitments which it is now receiving care has been taken to adapt it to the purpose for which it is intended. On this floor will be erected 48 spinning-jennies for preparing the hemp, the whole of which have been sup plied, and are now being fitted by Messrs. Fairbairn and Co., of Leeds. In order to provide the extra space required for these machines, a portion.of the building used as stores for the tarred yarn has been taken in, by which an addi tional clear space of 50ft. in length is obtained. The ope rations to be performed in this building requiring all the light it is possible to obtain, the whole of the old windows have been removed and replaced by windows of large size, while a skylight constructed with self-regulating ventila tors and louvres has been made to traverse the entire building. The floor throughout has been renewed and strengthened so as to bear the additional weight it is in tended to carry. The shafting for driving the new ma chinery will come through the present spinning-room, which will be connected with the new factory by means of a couple of girder-bridges, allowing, at the same time, a communication with the upper spinning-floor of the ropery. The whole of the alterations and buildings have been expe ditiously made by Messrs. Foord and Sons, the contractors to the Admiralty, under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Rivers, the head of the works' department at Chatham dockyard. Nearly the whole of the machinery intended to be placed on the new building has been received at the dock yard, and a staff of engineers' workmen are busily engaged in fitting up the several machines in their assigned places. Some weeks will be necessarily employed in this undertak ing before the new department is in satisfactory working order. The question of employing female labour for this description of work is still under consideration, and, from the advantages likely to result from its adoption, it is be lieved that the Lords of the Admiralty will decide on making the experiment, under proper regulations—the first of the kind ever attempted at either of the Royal dockyards. Vice-Admiral Sir M. Seymour, G.C.8., Naval Comman der-in-Chief at Portsmouth, yesterday morning embarked from the dockyard on board the steam-tender Sprightly, Commander George Allen, and proceeded out to Spithead, where he officially inspected the 20-gun screw corvette Highflyer, Capt. T. Pasley, which had steamed out of the harbour the• previous day to Spithead anchorage on the completion of her outfit for foreign service. To-day the Highflyer's machinery will be tested by the officials of the port over the trial ground in Stokes Bay, when, if the ship passes through the trial successfully, the Highflyer will be reported as ready for sea. The Urgent iron:screw troopship, Capt.lS. H. Henderson, has again been placed in dock at Portsmouth, to examine into and repair some at present unknown, but yet impor tant defect existing either in the screw seating if the line of the ship's shafting. The Urgent was taken out of Ports mouth harbour on Tuesday, in another attempt to prove her machinery, but the trial again failed, owing to the de fect to which we have alluded. The Octavio, screw frigate, 3,161 tons, 500-horse pow( remains in the old ship-fitting basin of Portsmouth dock. yard receiving the few - remainingifinishing touches to her rig and outfit for commission at the hands of the dockyard officials. The Octavia is one of three frigates selected by the Admiralty some five years ago to ascertain the most efficient and economical form of marine engines. The two other frigates 'selected were the Arethusa, 3,141 tons, and the Constance, of 3,213 tons, all three of the vessels having been built from the designs of Sir W. Symonds, when sur veyor of the navy. The most eminent of the engineering firms in the country were invited by the Admiralty to enter into competition in the design and manufacture of the three sets of engines, without any restrictions being laid upon them as to price, and under these liberal conditions Messrs Penn undertook to manufacture the engines for, the Arethusa, Messrs. Maudslay those for the Octavia,, and Messrs. Randolph and Elder those of the Constance. The chief features of difference in the engines manufactured by the firms named for- this special purpose are as follows: Messrs. Penn. supplied their engines with two cylinders of large diameter: 4e3Ors. Maudslay supplied their engines with: three cylinders each, while Messrs. Randolph and Elder gave their engines six cylinders. There. has been naturally great interest felt in knowing the results which would be obtained from trials between the three vessels, but, strange to say, those trials have not yet taken place, although the Octavia made her trial trip over the measured mile in Stokes Bay solfar back as the Nov. 20, 1861. It is not that the Admiralty have displayed a total want of in terest in the after fate of the three vessels, but the interest displayed was not sustained. Thus, more than three valu able years have been allowed to slip past, and nothing has yet been done in the second and most important part of a scheme that was liberally and wisely planned in the outset. Certainly all three ships are now being - prepared for com mission, and the trials may even yet take place, but, if so, the data that will now be obtained will not be of one-half the value they would have had three years since. The Octavia„ on her trial, at Portsmouth, was at light draught of water, 18ft. forward and 20ft, 10in. aft, and attained a mean speed of 12.251 knots. - Her engines are fitted with surface condensers, s uperheaters, and have three cylinders to each engine, with mainstays, patent slide arrange ment, without eccentrics. The cylinders are placed side by side, with a three-throw crank shaft immediately in front. Nearly opposite the two outer cylinders is placed the condenser, with its horizontal air pump. To cut off the steam at an early part of the piston stroke, and as close to the cylinder as possible,- the ordinary expansion valve is rejected and the slide valve is adapted for that ,purpose. By a particular- arrange ment the position of the eccentric is at the same time shifted so as to allow of the stream being cut off at the moment required. This latter is also used for starting and reversing gear, and consists of a train of spur wheels, mounted on a moveable frame, for communicating the mo tion from the spur wheel on the main crank shaft to a spur wheel on the crank or eccentric shaft for working the sides. The frame can be raised or lowered to permit the eccentric shaft to revolve to the required extent ; and as the opening of the ordinary slide valve for the admission of the steam becoinee very much reduced when the lap is proportioned for cutting off the steam at an early part of the stroke, a new descriptiOn Orslide Valve; is introduced, having addi tional facings, so as to obtain the requisite amount of steam opening without increasing the area of the eduction open ings. The shut-off valve supplies the place of the ordi narythrottle valves, and is worked by a lever from the starting platform, to regulate .the admission of steam, or shut it off as required. • On the trial of the ship in Nov., 1861, steam was cut off at one-third stroke. By the em ployment of three cylinders, with their cranks placed at an angle of 120 deg. with each other, it is sought 'to render the motion uniform. By the cranks turning in rotation one after the other, and each having. its apportioned one third of the cirele,a continuous pressure- is given and the weight of the shaft on the bearings is neutralised. There have been instances of vessels in. America fitted with three and four cranks, and these are said to always have broken down, but that i s cer t a i n l y no su ffi c i en t reason for break ing down the eng i nes of either M essrs . M a udslay in the Octavia, or Mess rs . R an d o l p h an d Elder in the Constance. On the contra r y, j u d g i ng from the trials of the engines in both ships which h ave a l rea d y t a ken place, we have every reason to believe that any further and protracted trials of theory. Tehngieinroens in sc t r h e e w se ste tw a o m s s l i i i i i p p s A w c o l u in h i li e b s, e 2 n o to , st c sa ap ti t s . fa E ct . W. Vansittart, assist e d b y t h e s t eam -t ugs M e d usa , C on fi ance , and Scotia, went yesterday from Plymouth Sound into Hamoaze, where she was placed at moorings off Keyham steamyard, preparatory to going into No. 3 dock. The lighter Tortoise, H. Hoskings, master, left Plymouth on Tuesday with stores for Liverpool and Pembroke. The sailing frigate Indefatigable, 50, at Devonport, will be towed by the paddlewheel steamvessel Medusa to Liver pool. The following appointments were made yesterday at the Admiralty : — Staff Commander John Stokes to the Britan nia; Jmes Fraser, assist.-surg., to the Rattlesnake, for dis posal ; and W. Grant, acting assist.-surg., to the Meander. [ A DTERTISEMENTd—HoIIoway's Ointment and Pills.— Bad legs, bad breasts, ulcers, abscesses, wounds, and sores of all kinds may be thoroughly healed by the application of this Ointment to the parts affected after they have been duly fomented with warm water. The discharge should not be checked at once, but rather encouraged,:for any sudden check must of course be always dangerous. Na ture is the noblest of physicians, and must not opposed, but seconded ; all sores are fora time the safety valves of the constitution, and should not be closed or healed until they resume a healthier character. Under the action of this powerful Ointment, together with the Pills, the de praved humours of the body will be quickly removed. France in 1864. - - 4.- Several of the Paris journals publish articles on the past year and the incidents which characterised its course. Some express regret that France had not placed herself more prominently forward, par ticularly in the Danish question ; whilst others are of opinion that the Emperor acted with great pru dence in holding apart from a quarrel which did not immediately interest France. One of the most complete reviews of the year, as also one of the most favourable to the French Government, appears in the France, which praises all .that the Emperor has done during the last 12 months. Referring to the political state of Europe at the commencement of 1864, our contemporary says : The great idea of a European congress had passed away like a dream. Poland was still in arms, vanquished, but not cast down; Italy was silently agitating ; Hungary and Venetia were also moved by the emotion of patriotism and revolutionary excitations ; Germany was approaching the crisis to which the war with Denmark, the rivalties of the great confederate powers, and the progress of democratic ideas have irresistibly led her; lastly, on the banks of the Danube the slightest spark might have set fire to all the combustible elements of the Eastern question, which was slumbering, but not extinct. What was wanting for a universal conflagration to burst forth from all those germs of conflict ? A word or a sign from France would have been sufficient. Tha revolution, by all its organs and by every means of seduction, was exciting her to act. It was making the most energetic efforts to precipitate the imperial policy into that terrible struggle of revolted na tionalities in which conflict it saw the realisation of its hopes and secret designs. The empire resisted that revolu tionary tendency, and preferred the quiet glory of a peace maker to the sanguinary renown of a conqueror. And in the midst of the passions which were endeavouring to hnrry it away, it gave a remarkable example of prudence and forethought by taking part in the great foreign ques tions only for, the purpose of solving them pacifically. Such is one of the important results of the year which has just ended. Instead of war let loose it gave us a consoli dated peace. Peace has manifestly become the policy of France; it has for inevitable result disarmament, reduc tion of the military expenses which are ruining all States, and the application of the public revenues to the produc tive works by which the wealth, prosperity, and civilisa tion of nations are developed. After pointing out how great an influence such forbearance must give France in all great European questions, the writer points especially to two acts of the Emperor as worthy of admiration—the Conven tion of April 10, which founded the throne of Mexico, and that of September 15 concerning the position of Italy. The article then goes on to say : The foundation of the Mexican Empire has proved that France, exempt from all personal ambition, was abandoning those distant expeditions which, if they satisfy honour and the national glory, contribute rarely to the public prosperity compensations proportioned to the enormous sacrifices they involve. Thus the year, marked at its commencement by sad prospects of war, is terminat ing in the most happy conditions of pacification. Released from all outward anxiety, France may concentrate all her forces and attention on her internal situation. Peace abroad is liberty at home. War alone could stay the progress of her institutions and the extension of her public liberties. The revolution being reduced to impuissance and war im possible, France cannot remain inferior in political and social progress to so many nations which surround her. In presence of the great feats accomplished by French arms, when France is menaced by no other power, and herself menaces none, the military phase of the Empire may be considered as terminated. Its liberal career commenced with the decree of Nov. 24, and everything justifies the belief that it will be as brilliant, as complete, as that of which the object was to re-establish order at home and the dignity and prestige of France abroad. Referring then to the situation of France at home during the year, the writer remarks : As at the commencement of the year the Empire was menaced with the terrible eventualities of war, so was it threatened after thelast elections with Parliamentary agitations calculated to place in peril the principle on which it is based. Vain apprehensions ! The liberty of discussion has become enlarged, debates have brilliantly re-echoed in the Legislative Assemblies ; and the linperial Government, far from being weakened by them, has come forth strengthened by tai that it had accorded to tho free control of public opinion. We have often said that only bad governments can fear liberty of speech ; wise govern ments, friendly to progress and devoted to the interests of the wholnnation, derive from it a force and an authority which are better than all restricted laws ; namely, those of confidence and public feeling. At present it is necessary to advance boldly in that liberal path. To the iniprove ments already realised fresh ones.must be added ; and the progress accomplished mast be the forerunner of further reforms. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS TIMES.—Lord Grey has republished his " Essay on Parliamentary Reform," with the addition of two chapters, in the first of which he treats of the rival Reform Bills of 1859 and 1860, while the second contains his own suggestions for another Reform Bill. It is due to to Grey to say that the son 01 11w Minister to whom we. owe the Reform Act of 1832 has discussed the question of an amendment o: his father's measure with candour and fairness, and displayed great ingenuity and fertility of resource in the suggestions he has made. In treating such a subject it / would be unreasonable to expect any very striking novelty of criticism, but this is amply com pensated by the proposal of most startlin ,, innova tions. Lord Grey thinks very highly of the Reform . A.Ct of 1832, but he admits that it, contains some serious defects. In the first place, by abolishing a number of Treasury boroughs and greatly popular ising the system of representation, it has, he thinks, materially. weakened the power of the Executive Govermnent in the House of Commons, and has so far placed an obstacle in the way of the efficient working of our Constitution, which contemplates that the Legislature should act under the control of the Executive. By abolishing a great number of nomination boroughs the Reform Bill has also, he thinks, diminished the facilities for bringing into Parliament young men of talent but of moderate re sources, and finding seats for able and meritorious statesmen who may either be deficient in electioneer ing ability or have incurred a temporary unpopu larity in the discharge of their duty. The . Reform Act has not put an end to corruption, and it has not diffused political rights as widely as might be desired. The object of a Reform Bill, Lord Grey thinks, should be to provide for the better government of the nation and the welfare of the people at large, not to gratify a love of change, nor to conform to abstract ideas. He prefers the Bill of 1859 to the Bill of 1860. , The former he thinks more complicated, but also more logical ; the second more simple, but less consistent. 'The effect of both would have been, he thinks, to prepare the way for further changes ; to recognise the prin ciples of Democracy, which would be sure to develope themselves as time goes on. He sees in the very moderation of these bills a source of danger. It is the nature of Democracy to establish itself by degrees, and the possession of political power is not of itself an advantage to the possessors, but only so far as it contributes to secure the objects of good Government. Having thus criticised his predecessors with much justice, though, perhaps, not with tho rough completeness, Lord Grey proceeds to give his neighbours the opportunity of subjecting himself to a similar ordeal. He is in favour of a sweeping measure, the main principles of which shall be en tirely in a Democratic direction. He would equalise the borough and county franchise, sweep away small boroughs as an indefensible anomaly, and re- I distribute the constituencies, if not into absolutely equal electoral districts, at any rate into aggregates I approaching to equality. He does not propose to lower the borough franchise, and certainly, if his view be correct, that in boroughs in which the Small Tenements Act has been adopted any person who rents a single room for 2s. 4d. a week is, with out payment of rates and taxes, without continuous residence in the sane house, provided he have re sided in the borough for a year, entitled to vote as a ten-pound householder, there seems very little rea son for lowering the franchise in this direction, unless on principles which would go the whole length of universal suffrage. This being the outline of his measure, Lord Grey sets himself to work to correct the obvious tendency of the provisions we have mentioned. He sees considerable evil in the abolition of small boroughs—an evil which his re distribution of the constituencies will of course greatly aggravate—and he "proceeds to remedy this evil by providing for the representation of minorities and giving facilities for the introduction into Par liament of men whose merit is more solid than popu lar. The first expedient is the cumulative vote— that is, the giving each voter as many votes as there are seats to be filled up, and allowing him either to spread those votes by giving each to a different candi‘ date, or to consolidate them by giving them all to one, in Which case They would count in his favour, not as now, for one vote, but for as many votes as there are seats to be filled up. He proposes to in crease the number of constituencies which are not of a local character, to augment the representation of the Universities, and to give to persons engaged in particular trades, either as capitalists or labourers, the power of returning a member, forming them into a sort of guild for the purpose. He would allow the House of Commons to elect 15 members for life by cumulative vote, no vacancy to be filled up till three occur. These provisions seem meant to correct the evils occasioned by the abolition of small boroughs. In order to strengthen the Government, he proposes that the House should have the power of electing for the session some 30 or 40 members, not by cumula tive votes, but by majority, so that the stronger party would gain for that very reason an increase of strength, and he would abolish the law requiring re-electron 'on vacating office. He proposes, not very consistently with this object, to extend the qualifica tion of revenue officers for voting. He is opposed to the ballot, he seems to look favourably on voting papers, and is inclined to lean to a plan of double election, by which a limited number of electors, say twenty, may be empowered to elect some person to vote for them, thus abdicating the franchise they possess, and putting on record in the most authentic manner their own unfitness for its exercise. This is the outline of Lord Grey's plan, It occurs to us to ask, in the first place, why on his own -showing Lord Grey should desire to have any Reform Bill at all. He does not pretend to say that the pre- sent state of things' fails to provide, according to his own requirement, for the good government of the nation or the welfare of the people at large. We nowhere find him expressing any confidence that the changes he proposes would make things really much better. There are serious defects, tie says ; the cry for Reform may revive ' • even now an active minority is at work, and it is wise to make alterations which may, correct these defects While it is yet time. This looks very likethat love of change and idle search after abstract perfection which Lord Grey himself denounces. We must _ _ refer him to his own principles, and then the question will be, does the present system work well, and will any system that is likely to be adopted work better? It appears to us that there is a con- fusion in this matter between means and ends. There is the demand of a not very influential minority for a reduced franchise and redistribution of seats. Lord Grey proposes to comply with this demand. But these things are not asked for their own sake, but with the view of extending Demo cratic influence and giving greater power to mere numbers as opposed to intelligence and property. This is the very thing which Lord Grey sets him self to counteract, and he believes that those who demand Reform will be satisfied with a measure so framed as to take away in detail the very concession which it purports to give in gross. We think very differently. If the Democratic party in England are weak and unimportant, there is no need to concede a Reform Bill in order to conciliate them. If they are strong and powerful, they will not be conciliated by a Reform Bill carefully framed so as to appear to comply with their wishes in form, and to elude them in substance. The power that is able to compel a bill is able to compel a bill in accordance with its wishes. The agitators for Reform know what they want, and will either have it or will not be satisfied. It is also apparent that Lord Grey's Conservative safeguards are calculated not so much to correct the evils of the existing system as that great aggravation of them which his own creation of new electoral districts and the reduction of the county franchise would tend to create. The first division of mea- sures consists of expedient's for preventing the natural result of electoral districts—the omnipo- tence of the majority. The second is for the pur pose of correcting the increased weakness of the Government, sure to arise from the same cause. Is it worth while to let loose so much evil in order to see if we can control it—to instal a majority in absolute power, in order to see whether, bit by bit we can filch it away ? Has Lord Grey considered whether the result of introducing such a measure as he proposes would not be the adoption of the con cessions, and the omission of the safeguards with which he seeks to counterbalance them ? Has he considered, even if the measure should pass, how long the powerful majority would tolerate impedi ments expressly placed in its way, and submit to restraints which may be almost termed self-imposed? Is it possible to go back to the feudal ages, to re animate and invest with new power the narrow and exclusive spirit of Guilds and Trade Corporations? Would the House of Commons, elected by the people, long tolerate among themselves the pre sence of members for life, or members for the Ses- sion, claiming equality, if not superior, but having no such origin ? By what arts would these prizes be obtained? What openings for the corruption of members would they not create, what factions, what heartburnings, what intrigues ! Is it worth while to overthrow so much that has stood the test of experience in order to try whether we cannot invent something which will work almost as well as what we have now ? Let it be proved that the ad mission of the working classes to the suffrage . and the equal or nearly equal distribution of electoral power will be a substantial improvement to our Go vernment, and the thin° , will, no doubt, be done. But let tis not do what ' lie believe to- be wrong merely because it is asked for, and because we imagine that we are able by a number of subtle de vices altogether to neutralise and destroy the effect of our own concessions. PosT.--The events of the past month have wrought so marked a change in the complexion of affairs in America that it may not be out of place to ascertain as nearly as posSible what- have been the losses and gains of each of the belligerents,• and to determine how far they are likely to affect the duration or the issue of the war. Hostilities have been carried on in the, American States on so extensive a scale, the number of independent armies employed in different regions has been so large, and the fortune. of the combatants has been so various, that it is- scarcely possible for a spec tator W . , appreciate at their, proper value the successes or the defeats which . almost every week the journalist is called upon to chronicle. If the subjugation of Virginia were the sole object which the..Northern.Government had in view, we Might content ourselves with watching the movements of the vast army Which for some 'months past has been encamped on the banks of the James River ; or if the occupation of Tennessee or of GeOrgia was the end which the North alone sought to attain, we, might confine ourselves to following the operations of the armies of Thomas Or of Sherman. But, in stead of one, it is a large number of States which the Federal Government seek to coerce into subjec tion:; and he who would form a conjecture regarding the issue of the war must not only regard the results of each particular cainPaign, but must . estimate their relatiVe bearing upon each other. It also happens that, from the number of the armies which the belligerents have sent into the field, and from the variety of places in which active hostilities are simultaneously carried on; we are inclined to under rate, or even to lose sight of, operations which,,if they stood alone, would completely engross our at tention. There are few, for example, even of those, who have carefully watched the progress of the war during the . past th re e months, who are possibly aware that an. exp e dition has been projected with a view to the seizure of a port on the coast of North Carolina which b ears comparison with that which left the 'shores of Bulgaria in the autumn of 1 . 85i for the invasion o f the Crimea. That expedition has actually sailed, and, if we are - to trust: the in formation brought by the last mail, has been com pelled to abando n its object. The fleet which under the command of Admiral Porter set sail for Wil mington as soon as Sherman's arrival at Savannah had been ascertained, was composed of 65 vessels of war and 85 transports, and conveyed an army of upwards of 20,000 men. The allied fleets on leaving Varna in September, 1 8 54 ; consisted of 63 sail of the line and war steamers, and close on 200 trans ports, and conveyed an army of 53,000 men. The naval force in both was numerically about the same, though the army destined for Sebastopol was more than double that despatched to.Wihning ton. The circumstance is worthy of notice, how ever, as illustrating the comparative imattention with which we have learned to regard the isolated operations of which the great war now waged in America is composed. Yet on the success or failure of these combined operations must ultimately de pend the issue of the war. It is now admitted - on all hands that the removal of Hood's army from Georgia, thereby uncovering the approaches to Sa vannah, was a 'mistake. After the defeat of Bragg at Chattanooga a twelvemonth 'since, and the vir tual occupation of the greater portion of Tennessee by the Federal troops, the invasion of Georgia was determined on, and many months were expended by the Goveniment at Washington in preparations for an attack on Atlanta. The possession of this town, it, was supposed, would enable the North to inter cept the line of communication between the Caroli nas and the Western States, and by establishing a formidable position in the heart of the Confederacy, to paralyse the efforts of the scattered armies of the Southern Republic. Atlanta fell, but the prize was found to be almost worthless. Separated by a long and comparatively undefended line of country from the source of his suppli es Sh erman f oun d th a t, with out inflicting any damage on his opponents, he was compelled to maintain a hu g e army under difficul ties which might at any moment become insuperable. It was open to him to retire into Tennessee, or to penetrate still further into Georgia ; in the former case having no foe to dread, in the latter being com pelled to cope with any force which the Confede rates might be enabled to employ against him. While placed in this position the Confederate Government resolved on the rash expedition of despatching into Tennessee the army which had evacuated Atlanta, and which - might by its mere presence in Georgia have deterred Sherman from advancing still farther from his base of operations. It is not difficult to un derstand the motives which induced' them to take this step ; but the result' proved that they under rated the abilities of the general to whom they were opposed, and the„ strength of the force which he had left behind hfin for the defence of Tennes see. Relieved from all apprehensions of danger in his immediate front, Sherman abandoned At lanta and marched without opposition a cross Georgia to the sea coast; whilst Hood, after having compelled the Federal army in Tennessee to retire upon Nashville, was in his turn defeated and forced . to retire beyond the point at which he first encoun tered resistance in his previous advance. However brilliant the advance of Sherman through Georgia has been, it is needless to say that he has gained no substantial advantage by the mere abandonment of a town which he was at great pains to take, and the substitution of a sea for a land base. A strip of lan& on the coast of Georgia is now in the possession of the Federal troops, whilst every other portion of the State is in the hands of the Confederates. It may be, however, that the possession of this strip of land will enable him to secure advantages which will more than compensate him for the loss of At lanta—and this brings us to consider the probabi lity of Savannah being captured, and made the starting point of future expeditions into Georgia and South Carolina. Seven -days have elapsed since Sherman's arrival before the fortifications of that town, and it is a significant fact that no at tempt has been made to carry it by assault. The delay has probably been occasioned by a desire on the part of the general to obtain the assistance of Admiral Dahlgren's fleet—but, nevertheless, it be tokens a want of confidence in his army to achieve unaided the capture of the city. We now learn that it is at least doubtful whether the fleet will be able to co-operate with the land forces, and, if so, Gen. Sherman's task has become even more difficult than it was on his arrival, as during the interval the Confederate Government have not neglected to re inforce the garrison. The railroad connecting Charleston with Savannah is perfectly unimpeded from the former town to the point , where it crosses the Savannah River, a few miles above the besieged city ; and it is needless to say that the Confederates have availed themselves of it to despatch all the troops at their disposal to the assistance of the garrison. The fate of the beleaguered town cannot, therefore, be con sidered, as the Federals would have us suppose, as sealed, and, until it falls, the march of Sherman through Georgia will be unproductive of results. If, however, Savannah should be taken, the Federal General would unquestionably secure an excellent base of operations for an advance eastwards on Charleston, northwards on Augusta, or westwards on the towns in Georgia which he left on his right flank when traversing the State. The failure of the; expedition against Wilmington may enable the Con -1 federates to despatch a portion of its garrison to Savannah, and for the present, at least, the inten tion of simultaneously attacking both towns will probably be abandoned by'the Federal Government. On the whole, therefore, the strategic position of the belligerents in the South is not so unfavourable to the Confederates as many were at first inclined to suppose. As regards Hood, he has only lost the ground which he previously gained ; and the latest official accounts show that he inflicted upon 10 adversary no less damage than he suffered himself. His advance into Tennessee was, however, unques tionably a failure, for, besides weakening his armYr he afforded Sherman the opportunity of putting i ll extreme jeopardy the strategically important tool of Savannah. COUNTRY MARKETS. ..... 11ULL.-TUESDAY. At our market to-day there was a large show of Englis h wheat, which sold at an advance of is per qr. The de,t mand was principally upon. dry qualities. Foreign whe t ' was also is per qr. dearer—the demand being con fi ne d tl i line reds and finest Baltic white. All f ee di ng corn s olu readily at the full prices of last week. Malti ng barley sole slow sale. NEWCAS TLE-ON-TYNE.--T UESDAY. There was a moderate supply of wheat from the grower!, and coast, and a small arrival from abroad. The traderuled firm, but not so brisk as on Saturday. The businr s P done was at an advance of 6d to is on the rates of DI Tuesday. Barley was held more firmly, but the demao being extremely limited little was done. Grinding. soil sold more readily at late rates. Malt was dull. Beans so.„i peas were unchanged. Oatmeal offered at about previ° terms. Flour was the turn dearer. The averages - were wheat, 31s 5d ; oats, 19s 10d per qr. LYNN.-T UESDAY. New wheat ; 41s to 42s ; new red, 37s to 39s ; old whi, 41s to 42s ; old red, 39s to 40s per 36 stone. Barley malting, 32s to 345; secondary, 30s ; ordinary, 26s to per qr. Oats, 20s to 22s per 24 stone. Beans, large, to 34s ; small , 34S to 36s per 38 stone. MARKET HARBOROUGH.-TUESDAY. New white wheat, 40s to 44s ; new red, 38s to 42s per' stone. Barley, fine, 34s ; other kinds, 25s to 30s per! Oats, late prices were maintained. Beans and peas r ( ' also very firm. MELTON MOWBRAY.-TUESDAY. White wheat, 41s to 458 ;. red, 38s to 43s per 3640 Barley for malting, 30s to 33s per qr ; feed, 26s to 295 stone. The supply of other article s was li m i te d , and t rates unaithged. ' COAL MARI • s. d. Bowers West Hartley 18 0 Hastings Hartley lB 0 [SET, JAN. 4. Walls End Byron ;„ 21 Walls. End Riddell ,„* 21 WallS End Helton „, 23 Hartlepool ' 2? , Heugh Hall Kelloe East Hartlepool .... , 2 - 2 South Kelloe 4, 88; sold, 30. lolywal Main lB 0. Howard's W. Hartley 18' 0 Laiabert's W:Hattley 18 0 Walker Prithrose l5 9 West Hit-Hoy Wylam lB 0 Ship ztt marke Foreign Mail Packet List. ' Australia and New Zealand, via South a mpt on Jac. I , S Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. ". Brazil and Cape Verds, by British prin.. et F,b. Ditto, by British packet Jau• " 0. Cape of Good Hope, As cens i on , an d St . H e l ena F China, Penang, and Singapore, via Son. hampton Jan Ditto, via Marseilles • • Jan. I ' . Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Sorifhtunpton ' an. 1 1 ' India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton..., Jan. 1° „ . Ditto, via Mar s eilles • ... Jan. l' India (Bombay), via Southampton.. ....... • Jan. is Ditto, via VarseilleS Jan. Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseil e+. Jan. ", Newfoundland Jan. Poring 1 Ditto, by private ship to Li5b0n........ . ' . United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet Jan. America, by British packet Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp tcn Ditto, via Cork ....... ••• ..... ••••• Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry.. Jan. West Ccast of Africa, Madeira, and Tcneriffe,.....Jau• West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico Jan. The 4oniteur publiShes decrees making 11 ; promotion to the rank of Commander in the Legio s Honour ; one •to that -•of officer, two nomination` knights, and granting 112 military medals. ,1 BIRTH AT THE .DIDCOT JUNC TION RAllfi JUNCTION.—On TueSday morning no small aill ol of excitement was occasioned at the Didcot Junction ft' i y way Station amon g th e p assengers o f a h eav ily l a d e n t r ' i g there and the officials. of the company. The narrow g': o Parliamentary train, which left Paddingt o n at 8 5 y arrived at Didcot soon after 10 o'clock, and, accordid' the regulations, it stopped there to allow of the passing t the express.. Among th e p assengers was a respectal)o attired young woman, who s h or tly a ft er th e arr i va l of e train was taken ill. Her real condition was not aseertaii, and she was only removed from a third-class carriage the conwartment of a second-class. In a few miuuteS,,, cause of illness became more apparent, and she was fr oi removed in a chair to the. porter's room, where was a fire. A medical gentleman was sent for and also a fell; nurse from the village of Didcot, but before the arriOo 1 either the young woman had given birth to a very child. Every .attention was shown to the unforl o9 ‘, young woman, and as soon as arrangements could-be ' ll ' 4 d she and th e c hild were remove d t o th e - Junction Hotel , estimable landlady; - Mrg: GileS, rendering every assist' o o and showing the utmost kindness. The mother and c are both doing well. Births. BIRT.—On the 2d inst., Mrs. Harry Birt, Woodford, daughter. - 1,10 4 CUMMING. , --On the 3d inst., at R a i nier ' s F arm, re us.- 4 , Kent, the . wife of IsTieltelsen Cumming, Esq., of a 4 ` .0 . 1 1 STILWELL.—On the 4th inst., a t . S ou thfield s, W an ds'` the wife of Henry Stillwell, Esq., of a son. Marriages. ' fni J BRADNEY—ROUTH.-.-On the 341 inst., at Tylehurst, ,i Brachley, Esq., ,14th IlussarS, to Mary Frances, daughter of the Rev. J. W. Routh, rector of Tylel ,l Berks. GREEN—HUSKISSON.—On the 3d inst., at St. Luke's, CI tenham, Samuel Green, Esq., M.A., of the Inner ~, and of Beaufort House, Cheltenham, to V I YI Julia, daughter of J. W. Huskisson, Esq., into of Ceylon Civil Service. Deaths. DUFA.Y.—On the 2d iust., at Paris, Reno Dufay, V 44 ' 17, Graeochurch-street, London, aged 52. FARIL—On the 2d inst., at Iford, near Chxistchurebi Dale Farr, Esq., aged 93. GunnNos.—On the 3d inst., su dd en l y, at t h e Vie .to the Rev. Robert Gibbings, vicar of Radley, Berks• j oi NEWBERRY.—On the 3d inst., at Clapham-es°, NowbeiTy, Esq., aged 84. tf el PIGOTT.—On the 4th i ns t ., at 4, Upper Grcisven°l.- George G. W. W. Pigott, Esq., aged 68. SELLERS. —On the 4th inst., at Bayswater, Georg° Sellers, Esq., aged 45. TEMPEST.-011 the 2d inst., at Boswolili 114 Rue"' Charles Tempest, aged 20. London: Pa :fed and Published byWILL:riAMAN° I 4O $, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tug 57 JIT ogee , t orti Strand, in the Precinct of the Saroy. , in the Co Middlesex.—Thursday. January & llial .1) EMEMI -rklu not! FOR Y ~,1 11 114 oele !RICNCR bra BE It is Piire, M Sold in Botti the Agents in 8, GREA' 4, Observe the L t‘URNIT tile kingdom, 9,00ds at sego 'l'ergYmen ar onodisplayc 'rY article " 1 811 are ret Cc are publi equalled ROI m' - able env, teastead s , •POst-tre e on coTapicte eatir P :ale •-- • A. Six An E A 'Per A. Tw bridge, l 'nitether wit of valnable in "Ws, or be M..% and gent Chichester, B Wells, Oxtort Intnster Wel _St. Alban's, ` Wrexham, a: Lritn..• . - Load CORBETT PURIST TISH Incorporate Accumul Annual POLICIE freni the 25t Agencies an London, • T HE C of ' I 110 VAL— . 2(1 Jan., 186 on at their ] their late of By London, T HE Temp , NOTICE tOOKS of the oth ine pre': aratory W NOTICE id EETINI; Society wil London, or Twelve o'cl of the Soc celving the Society up in the roon 11. P., who, eect ion in and for ger The Dire 21th of Jun ATLA: In c'nein tonda of lagned to t of 4 per ce Place at tl l aiorten-str on 'r clßely. Th Four per above day, London w dollar Bon fOr every 1 Office, No. next, in a( all interes On pay presence o Offito!, SRI des late des la Um bet roo-us, Pr] roomq, a 9 !!)orti. w,tl 'ions ani volt;*(4 11114 ()Toi t‘l,,,k "ILiodern 0 8t fa sh tign °f bit:ere - 1 1 ndeLle (3 „,,ti the p, ( ‘ 4 %and Private theuinr C' bEF bEF DEF i Y itidia. 11)E1 1--)E1 J. They h of the J LacticE at 3s . 18. Oct., GE 2,000 600 2,000 The I luost H witho neck, for 51 produ shim] on 11 P' i rA B &c. liolb A tonic Moo RIO art i pur and 4, 1£