The Sun. — London, England, 1866-12-19 00:00:00

111011 \VATEII AT LONDON MUDGE. IRIS DAY. — M6rning, 11h. 36m.—Afternoon, h. m. To-Moratow.-Morning, 12h. sm. —Afternoon,- 12:1. 32w. TII EATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE.- -A- 5°1(3 Lessee and Manager, Mr. F. B. CHATTERTON. - THIS EVENING, FAUST. Mr. Phelps; Messrs. E. Phelps, W. Harris on. and Johnstone ; Mrs. Hermann Vt.zin, Miss Poole, and Mrs. 11. Vaudenhoff. To conclude with the Comedy of KATIIARINE AND PETRUCHIO. I'etruchio, Mr. T. Swinbourne ; Katha rine, Miss Isabel Adams. . Doors open at half-past six; performances commence at s wen o'clock. lIE A TRE ROYAL, HAYMARKE'r, ole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Buckstone, TIE'S EVENING, A GAME OF EPECCLATION. Me , ,r,. C. 311 thews, Chippendale, Kendal. Rogers, Clark, Braid &c. ; Mesdames Fitzwiili un, Laws. IVrigiit, Sidney. To be followed by Tli CO LICAL C9UNT v SS. Mr. And Mrs C. Mathews. Alta* which, BOX AND COX. Mr Buckstonc. To conclude with FISH OU T OF WATER. Mr. Compton Commence at Seven. MIL WTI-IERN. On BOXING NIGHT, in a New Comedy, "A LES.-:;ON FOR LIFE," by Tom Ileymayket Theatre. 11EATH,E ROYAL ADELPIII. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, a t Seven precisely , THE BALONEf ABROAD. Miss Rodeii, Alter which. at Eight, A .SISTER'S PENANCE. Miss Hate Terry, miss liughes, Mies Emily Pitt; 3fr. 'Lerman V.zin ; Messrs. Biliington, Ashley, J. A. Shaw, Stephenson, :.I;burne, a:.d It. Itom.r. To conclude with A PAS DE FASCINATION. Miss F ur t a do. Miss Emily Pitt. M n essrs. urne, Ashly, Homer, C. J. Smith. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. New Itanaaement—Boxing Night MR. AND MRS. CHARLES MATHEWS. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. For the Benefit of Mr. T. Roberts, Acting Manager. THIS EVENING, BARNABY RUDGE. Mrs. J. Wood, Miss A Thomson ; Mr. J. G. whore, Ste. Followed by a CONCER I'. Mr. Weiss, Mr. G. Perren, Mr. Bertleman, Mr. I% K. Hall, and Miss Louisa Pyne ; and THE BEGGARS OPERA. Mr. W. 11. Harrison; Miss Rebecca Isaacs (Mrs. Thomas itoberts;. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE, dole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, NEIGHBOURS. Messrs. Parselle, Belford, and G Murray ; Misses Swanborough, Johnstone, and Hughes. After which, will be produced the Grand Burlesque of KENILWORTH : Messrs. 'I borne, Jamer, and Fenton; ➢iesdames Swanborough, Johnstone, and Raynham. To conclude with BOOTS AT THE SWAN. Commence at Seven. ITOLBORN . THEATRE ROYAL. JL o 1 e troprietor and Manager, Mr. t•ef ton Parry. Tit iS EVENING, a new Farce, MY TURN NEXT. Mr. Delmore, Miss Foote, Miss Lennox. After which, Boucicault's drama of FLYING SCUD. Messrs. Neville, Belmore, Blake. Garden,Vollaire ; Mesdames F. Josephs, C. Saunders, B. Foote, Raym nd. r IrIIEATRE ROYAL, ASTLEY'S. 1. Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. 11. C. Nation. On BOXING NIGHT, Dec. 26, 1866, and every evening until further notice, a Grand Christmas Pantomime (on a scale of splendour never before attempted at this Theatre), entitled 1111611-A-BYE BABY, ON THE TREE TOP; Or, Harlequin Fortunio, Princess Olive Branch, King Flog. of Frog Island, and the Magic Toys of Lowther Arcadia. Box-office open daily from eleven till four. ril H E "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. It. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught terrace, Edgware-road, is specially appointed AGl:l4l.' to d.liver the LATE EDITION of " THEW SUN " at the earliest possible moment after leaving the press. Tie 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 4U miles by 9 o'clock. Orders by Post punctually attended to. THE E ~S UN" NEWSPAPER.- G. It. G LENIN delivers the LATE EDITION at Litelse 7.40 ; Kilbu:n, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 ; Uxbridge, 0.20 ; d, 8.4.5. THE LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to Inform his friends, and the pubiic ftvuerally, that he supplies the LATEST EDITION 01 . ..ME SUN " as soon as published —No. 16, Hampstead road ,N.W. THE LAST EDITION of " TIIE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LrkfEST INEWS and SI'ORTING INTELLIGENCE, by 11. W. Newspaper Agent, 4, Illacklriars-roan, London, S. QPORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies. the kj LA Fr.ST ELMTION of " SUN" as suou as pub islx,d.-1, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. VIIE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " A. supplied, as soon as published every Evening, by ALEXANDEIt (late ISKOOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Caveuaisti- street, Oxtord-street. FOR THE LATEST POLITICALand SPORTING INTELLIUENCE see the Late Edition " The Sun" at Mr. Blake's, Queen's Head, Windsor street, Uxbridge. LATEST INTELLIGENCE.— Samuel sAirri), late of Chelse no.v of the White hart, Acton, Middleiux, begs to litiOrfrl h's friends and nei,4libutirs that the Latest Edition of "The Sun" can be seen at his house as above. ilit Snit LONDON, TYEDNESDAY, DEC. 19, 1866. The good people of Berlin seem to have their hands pretty full just now with one thing and another. The KING and the Ministers are busy in feting the KING and the Prince of 5 Ax0 ,,.. , and the Chamber of Deputies are working hard to get through their labour in order that they may clos e on the 22d. The Budget in its entirety, as amend e d , was finally adopted yesterday, and this is the first time the Budget has been publicly discussed a n d voted by the Chamber. Previous to its adoption Count BItz,MARCK declared that although the Budget in its present form might be looked upon as a virtual rejection of the Government's demands, yet that they would consent to accept it rather than (by exceeding the limits prescribed by the Budget) to appear as if they were not respecting the rights of the house regarding its control over the Budget. This sounds very fine, but we should not be very much surprised if it turn out in the long run that the Ministerial endeavour, upon which so much stress was laid, turns out a failure, and that they begin their old game again. At any rate it is a significant thing that Count BISMARCK should have had to apologise, as it were, to the Chamber, and promise to respect their decisions when contrary to his own plans; it shows that the arrogant Minister thinks it necessary and expedient to take heed to his ways, instead of braving their opinion, as he has hitherto dune. As we expected, the eclat with which the war surrounded him has now disappeared, and left him in a state of complete uncertainty as to how he can manage matters, so as not to exhibit him self to the world in the mortifying position of being at war with his own Parliament just as he claims to hold supremacy over all North Germany. It is said that the state of BISMARCK'S health is such that he will hold interviews with as few people as possible ; and it may be so, but it is not the less a fortuitous circumstance, since he must be greatly puzzled to get through some of his conversations with the fOreiga representatives and others at this awkward juncture. By a Governmental order thirty young Hano verians have been arrested at Hamburg, where they went to embark for New York, hi order to escape serving in the Prussian army. S urely this a direct contradiction to the stittetnents of those who per sist in declaring that it will be a lasting benefit and signal blessing to Germany to have these changes effected by the Prussian Government. What can be more arbitrary than such a decree as this referred to, and where can we, where dare we, look for pro gress and prosperity when such tyranny rules the day' It has coma to something, indeed, if the subjects of the King of PRUSSIA are not free to come and go ; they arc, indeed, instead of advancing towards a higher state of freedom, becoming assimilated to the condition of serfs and slaves. To make a powerful army under his command, and to drain the resources of all the States accorded to his dominions for this purpose, seems to be the one object of King WILLIAM'S policy; and to farther this end he and his Ministers wake all secondary and subseryieut. If this be German unity it is a new reading of the term, and one that the wise will not admire nor the independent respect, as the interpreters will find to their cost. A more complete system of trickery and deceit was never witnessed than that now ex hibited in Prussia, and yet forsooth it has found its admirers and upholders in many quarters, but the end of the work is not yet plainly visible. The return of ithe Registrar-General, for the week ending last Saturday, is on the w hole very favourable. The mortality was less by 80 than the average number, so that the public health is in a satisfactory condition. We have its y;:t had no ex treme cold, and the milder weather spares many who succumb to the stern rule of Kin... Frost. Per haps it is due to the mildness of the season that the epidemic still lingers among us in some parts, show ing itself here and there, mostly among the young, and in low, unhealthy districts. Two deaths from cholera, and twenty-five from diarrhea, occurred in the week, the two first tak ing place at Woolwich and Bethnal-green. " Isolated cases," says the Registrar-General, "still demand the vigilant attention of the authorities," and we trust that the fact of the dreaded disease still showing itself so late in the year will serve to keep up that vigilant watchfulness which is so very apt to sleep as soon as the danger is supposed to be over." The secret of the success of London in controlling an epidemic so fatal on the Continent is believed by the Registrar to be easily explained. " The supply of impure water was at once arrested ; the water engineers grew careful; the sewage was now less inefficient than it had ever been before South London was drained ; the health officers became vigilant ; premonitory diarrhoea was treated ; every case as it occurred was published to the world, and the cholera excreta were destroyed by carbolic acid and other disinfectants." Great credit was, undoubtedly, due to the Mansion-house Committee, whose wisely organised system of relief encouraged the local com mittees to examine personally into the condition of the suffering poor. The liberality of the public subscriptions enabled those gentlemen to relieve promptly and liberally those cases of urgent dis tress which, unattended to, would infallibly have swelled the list of deaths, while the several convalescent institutions set on foot by the benevolence and self-denying exertions of private individuals were so instrumental in saving a great number of lives, and in restoring to sound health many whose enfeebled condition could scarcely have resisted a return to the area of the epidemic. I Englishmen and women are never wanting in sympathy and helpfulness towards their suffering fellows, and, unfortunately, there have of late been continual claims upon their assis tance. In reading the report of the Registrar- General of the deaths throughout England for the week, we can scarcely fail to rememlaer how large a number of lives have been sacrificed in that week who are not recorded in the list before us. The terrible disasters in Yorkshire and Staffordshire, un paralleled as they are in the list of such calamities, call upon all forcibly at this Christmhs season to do whatever lays in their power to mitigate the disaster which they have occasioned. As the Archbishop of York yesterday observed iu his im pressive address to the local meeting, " All that they could do might fail to stanch the tears of the widows and orphans, or reinstate the village he had that day passed through in happiness and enjoyment as it was a few days ago. Still, whatever consolation arose from sympathy of man with man--whatever consolation arose from the knowledge that starva tion had been warded off from the door—such con solation it would be their duty to afford, and he was sure all would be willing and glad to give it." Already the subscriptions have amounted to a con- siderable sum, and they wiil no doubt continue to flow in with liberality. The Prince and Princess of WALES were among the foremost of the subscribers, and her MAJESTY, as was previously stated, has readily helped the funds. No doubt ample provision will be made not only for the immediate distress, but for the provi sion of those aged persons and young children de prived of all means of support by the deaths of their relatives in the mine. There has been much talk of late*years about the deficiencies of our national representation, and almost every class can find advocates for the neglected or insufficiently appreciated claims of its members. Mr. HOWE, of Nova Scotia, in his recent pamphlet* on the Organization of the Empire, brings forward another proposal, and would admit to the English House of Commons representatives from those colonies which have L?gislatures of their own, and where the system of responsible government is in operation. lie would not permit such members to be chosen haph azar d, b u t wou ld h ave t h em ta k en from thei r Cabinets, each self-governing colony one or m ore mem b ers according to its size, population, and general importance. He holds that the millions who are influenced by British legisla tion, and who may at any moment be drawn into a war by the action of the English Parliament, and would therefore allow them to send thither men who m ay fairly be taken as representing the opinions of disputed, anot h er The originality of the majority of the population. aart similarof the thi s proposal h r a_s illo be m e s n s recently disputed, of the Inner r g r e e n m t p l e l I 1 , an, n c claiming to a h g a o v . e I p u r pro d u p o that t e scheme many years question, however, we need not at present enter; merely examining Mr. 110 WE'S arguments from his own point of view. sucham epothloidti'cws,obueld. lie is of opinion that have a beneficial effect upon colonial cause in all broad questions—such tenureasthemaories in of land in Australia, the relations with the New Zealand, the confederation scheme i‘ e in British American provinces—the colonial linist t e h rs e would have to explain their policy to impartial and highly competent judges. "No man," he says, " would come here with a bad case; and, if he did, no wise man would persist in a line of policy which had been patiently reviewed and condemned by the House of Commons in his own presence after a fair discussion, in which he had been heard at large." lle does not think it likely that all the self-govern ing colonies would send these members when they had no special grievance to discuss or policy to re present, but the knowledge that they had the right to send them, not only to discuss local questions, but to take part in the great debates on issues of peace or war, would, he thinks, add a new element of strength and cohesion to the empire. As for the doubts which some entertain respecting the atti tude which these colonial gentlemen would assume on purely British questions Mr. Howl: does not apprehend any needless interference on I their part. Still less does he believe that they would combine and form an embarrassing element in the 'louse of Commons, since they would repre sent such widely various populations, and such different interests, that they would know very little of each other's affairs. They would bring with them accurate information on colonial matters, and supply the House of Commons . t first hand with statistics and facts now only attainable in * " The Organization of tho Empire." By the lion. Joseph Howe. Stanford. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 19, 1866. tedious blue-books. The Crown colonies and foreign dependencies are not included in the scheme, which of course excludes India ; but Mr. HOWE admits that he does not see the way to their repre sentation, neither does he hold it to be so necessary or desirable as in the case of the self-governing States. His second and principal object in admitting the colonial representatives to the English Parliament is to consolidate the whole Empire, with a view to the more efficient protection of the general interests in case of war; or, in his own words, " treating the whole Empire as the British Islands are treated, holding every man liable to serve the QUEEN in war, and making every pound's worth of property responsible for the national defence." At first sight the project, we admit, seems rather a hopeless one ; for it cannot be forgotten that it was this very question of taxation by the mother country which caused the rupture with our early American colo nies ; but there is another side to the question. The taxation, in this instance, would not be forced upon an unwilling people, but would be submitted for the sanction of the local Government and Legisla ture. Also, the tax would be for a definite object, of which they would themselves reap the advantage, since all anxiety on the subject of national defence would be taken from them, and their own represen tatives would have the right of expressing their opinions on the foreign policy of the empire. Thirdly, the people of Great Britain and Ireland would, in fairness, pay a much heavier proportion of the national burdens, and would also contribute a much larger share of the responsibility of man ning the army and navy, and providing for the military and naval reserve. Having secured this organisation and these powers, her MA JESTY'S Government might, in times of peace, be careful to press as lightly as possible on the out lying populations. England has to defend the accumulated treasures of generations upon genera tions, wealth in property of immense value, the focus of free thought and free government through out the world. The colonies, on the other hand, are thinly peopled, and have as yet had neither the time nor the opportunity to gather together stores of countless price. It is but common justice, then, that the mother country should bear the brunt o the outlay, in men and in money, for the genera defence. There are, as Mr. HOWE admits, very great d ficulties to contend against in any such attempt a, organisation ; but he believes that the general in telligence, patriotism, and public spirit of the em pire will ultimately perceive its advantages. " Surely," he exclaims, "if a Russian serf can be got to march from Siberia to the Crimea to defend his empire, the QUEEN'S subjects can be educated to know and feel that it is alike their duty and their interest to march anywhere to defend their own." We confess an apprehension, however, that our colonists look upon themselves less in the light of Queen VICTORIA'S subjects than as Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians, as the case may be, and as such would feel a not unnatural jealousy of the control of the central Power; still the plan offers substantial advantages to the colon ists, which Mr. Hewn recapitulates. In spite of their present efforts to provide for their own protection, they are in fact relying upon the sup- port and protection of England in case of war, and they pay heavily in some cases for their share in their defence. New Zealand and Canada have re cently been at heavy outlay, which comes upon them at a time when their trade and business generally is paralysed by the disturbances demanding that out lay. All this inconvenience would be avoided, while in a pecuniary point of view they would at all times be better off. " Without the protection of the fleets and armies of England they aro all defenceless. Without efficient organisation, they cannot lean upon and strengthen each other, or give the mother country that moral support which in peace makes diplomacy effective, and in war would make the con- test short, sharp, and decisive." The outgoing of labour and capital into the colonies has been, as our author reminds us, somewhat checked by doubts as to their ultimate security,which this organisation would altogether remove. The colonies would be advanced outposts of the central force, and the sturdy independent men who have subdued nature and turned the wilderness into a garden, would be valuable auxiliaries to the English troops. English subjects in every part of the globe have enough to fight for ; they possess advantages of which no other citizens can boast, and which we can hardly believe they would lightly throw aside. What is more, in most instances the question would not be between their allegiance to England aminindepend ence, but between their ties with the mother country, and their subjection by another power. As yet they are not strong enough to stand alone against the attack of disciplined forces, and they offer too tempting a prize to remain unmolested should the strong hand of England be no longer raised to defend their rights. On this question of colonial defences we may suggest that it would be a wise and prudent pre liminary measure, while rival schemes are being debated and discussed, to appoint a commission of able and experienced naval and military officers, associated with a select body of civilians, to examine into the whole subject. Their practical knowledge would enable them to test the utility of the projects suggested, and the chances of success which would attend them. Should they report in favour of any particular plan their opinion would naturally have great weight, and would in any case be most ser- viceable to the Government. " Union is strength," says the old adage, and we would remind Mr. HOWE that his eloquent argu ments, drawn from its application to the Imperial alliance, apply with equal force to that Confedera tion of the British American provinces, to which he is a determined opponent. Men do not, how ever, show most judgment in their own affairs, and we must acknowledge that Mr. HOWE has dealt with the Imperial question in an enlightened, comprehensive, and patriotic spirit. The proposal is in some respects a startling one, but it is founded on good sense and practical knowledge. It deserves at least to be considered and debated both here and in the colonies. Much might depend on the temper in which it was received in the chief colonies, but there are so many unsettled questions respecting the independence and protection that it is possible --- a large and statesmanlike method of settlement might obtain a favourable hearing. At any rate, after the extraordinary theories which some restless spirits have indulged in, who appear to wish to shear England of her glory, her commerce, and her influence, it is refreshing to meet with a writer who so heartily acknowledges the mother country's claims upon the affection and devotion of all her children, far and near, and who is so sensible of the vast mutual advantages to be derived from the con nection. THE DUKE OF EDlNBURGH.—Yesterday his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and a select party shot over portions of the estate of Lord Suffield, at Gunton. Before leaving Norwich on Monday, the Duke, accompanied by the Rev. Canon Heaviside, visited Norwich Cathedral. Dr. Buck, the organist of the cathedral, played the Na tional Anthem on the entry of the august visitor. THE MANCHESTER STATUE TO Mn. COBDEN.— The statue of the late Richard Cobden for the city of Man chester was successfully cast in the bronze yesterday morning at the works of a essrs. Prince and Co., South wark. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FRO3I OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Tuesday Evening. The official part of the Moniteur contains the Convention signed at Paris on the 7th December inst., between France and Italy, for the arrange ment of the Pontifical debt, the particulars of which are well known. His Majesty, the Empress, and the Imperial Prince returned to Paris yesterday afternoon, happily in the best health, and the Imperial flag is again unfurled over the Tuileries. The bulletin of the Moniteur mentions the arrival of the King of Saxony and his son, the heir to the throne, at Berlin. Count de Bismarck and the authorities of the city were at the Berlin station to rifer thc!r respects and homage. A guard of honour, placed at the disposal of Ki ng J o h n , accompanied the King of Prussia, who went to meet the King of Saxony, to the Palace. It is stated from Vienna that a convention for the regulation of the navigation of the Pruth has just been signed at Bucharest by the Plenipotentiaries of Austria, Russia, and Roumania. " The cattle plague increases in severity in Bel gium." The Prefect of the Seine, yesterday, gave a grand dinner at the Hotel de Ville to the members of the Departmental Commission of the Council-General of the Department. The Baroness Haussmann, the wife of the Prefect, did the honours. After dinner Baron Haussmann proposed the toast of the Emperor, Empress, and the Prince Imperial. In doing so the Baron said, " The Em pire is peace. " Such were the words, deeply en graven upon my heart, in which the Emperor upon a solemn occasion characterised beforehand his glorious reign, which seems already to have lasted more than fourteen years, if we were to measure it by the great things which have been accomplished, and to whom God, who protects France, no doubt intends a long future." Baron Hausmann pro ceeded to remark upon the great impetus given to industry since the reign of the Emperor, and the establishment of security and confidence under the protection of a firm and resolute Government. He then referred to the increase of the wishes of the country and the establishment of its credit. When his Majesty was compell xl to resort to arms, what grandeur and moderation was there after victory ! "On the next day, as it were, after a war which might have set all Europe in flames, but to which the powerful mediation of the Emperor put an end, it will be at once a great spectacle and a great lesson for the world to see the pacific strug gles of the Universal Exhibition, to which France invites all nations, where only the works of mind and intelligence will be witnessed. The progress of things in Paris proved that the constant thought of the Emperor was to increase the happiness of his people. The only war which occupied his mind was a war against ignorance, misery, and disease, to promote also intellectual and moral development, and to improve the condition of all classes." The next important passage in Baron Hausmann's speech I translate literally. " The foreigner who comes to visit us next year will see the proof at every step that the French nation, so jealous of its honour that it would sacri fice to defend it its last man and its last franc, that the real signification of the reorganisation of its military power is to be found in an old adage which I request your permission to translate freely in these words—' If victory arms immense battalions, peace is sheltered behind them.' " The Baron then proposed the toast amidst great enthusiasm. His eloquent and patriotic words were often inter rupted,by enthusiastic bursts of enthusiasm. Count de Sartiges, Ambassador from France to the Pontifical Government, who has been absent for some time on leave, has returned to his post at Rome., and M. de Nigra, Minister Plenipoten tiary from Italy to France, who recently left Paris in consequence of the death of his mother, is expected back to this capital to-morrow. The weather has been dull and foggy to-day, but the rain has ceased for the present. The torrents of wet began to cause great anxiety. The Seine is still slightly on the rise. To-day is rather a blank day as far as news and incidents are concerned, and there is nothing worth particular remark in the leading articles of the papers. Journal des Debuts, in reference to the plan for the reorganisation of the army, says :• ".The military spirit is not very flourishing among the English, but this does not prevent them from making a very good appearance on the field of battle. Nor did this fact prevent them, seven or eight years ago, from reconquering India with an insignificant army, numerically speaking. One has only to visit the workshops of London, Manchester, and Birmingham, to be convinced of the extent to which this people carry their human activity." The Golden Fleece Transport. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. The Secretary of the Admiralty presents his com pliments to the Editor, and would be obli ge d if h e would insert the following information in to-mor row's paper : With reference to a report which has reached the Transport-office at Somerset House, and which has also been circulated at Lloyd's, in regard to the Golden Fleece transport, it appears that a piece of paper in a bottle was picked up by a Coast-guard man at Rock End, Isle of Wight, on the 10th Dec., containing these words— " Please send something, for the Golden Fleece has gone down with 100 soldiers and 52 men a t a little past Portreath*." This must be a wicked hoax. The bottle could only have been thrown overboard during the voy age made by the Golden Fleece from Portsmouth to Cork on the 17th day of November. This voyage was accomplished in safety, and the men landed at Cork on the 21st November. The Golden Fleece has since then embarked a regiment with more than 700 men, women, and children, and sailed from Cork on the 24th Novem ber direct to China. She could not have been near Portreath, which is on the north-west coast of Cornwall, on her voyage to China, except inten tionally, and must in such case have been seen and spoken by many vessels. Admiralty, December 18. * This word not plainly written. PRESENTS FOP. ABYSSINIA.—The Alexandria cor respondent of the Levant Herald, writing on the 26th ult., says : —" A party of mechanics arrived by the last South ampton mail, en route fur Abyssinia, with presents for King Theodore. These last are said to consist of gunboring machinery, Enfield rifles, and other trifles of a like nature The men have a three years' contract, and proceed to Mae sowah in the despatch boat Victoria, and are in the charge of Colonel Merryweather, commandant and political agent at Aden." LETTON HALL, AND OTHER TALES. By Mark Lemon. 3 vols.— " Welcome as the ideal Christmas, to which he is so loyal, Mr. Mark Lemon comes forth again with three volumes of the pleasantest reading—with a book, in fact, which should go a long way to produce the cheerfulness and good feeling which we assign to the fes tival season. The story of 'Leyton Hall' is an extremely good one, extremely well told, and the shorter tales are all exceedingly good and of a very effective charactei. There is not one of them that is not cheery and pleasant, though there is quite enough of a graver interest about them to make them welcome to the regular novel reader. We com mend 'Luton Hall' most beartily."—lllustrated New. The practice of making presents at Christmas having now become so universal, Messis. Parkins and Gotto have been induced this season to collect in their spacious show-rooms by far the largest assortment of articles in England, especially adapted for Christmas pre sents, at extremely moderato prices, comprising portrait albums, travelling writing cases, dressing cases, dressing bags, despatch boxes, envelope cases, and blotting books, card trays, work bones, glove and trinket boxes, inkstands, desks, stationery cabinets, purses, pocket books, pencil cases, cigar cases, reticules, opera glasses, scent cases, smelling bottles, ormolu and elegantly muunted orna mental articles for the drawing-room, library, &c. ; bibles, prayer-books, and Church services in every variety of type and binding ; in fact, an endless variety of articles to suit every taste, purpose, and pocket. A new department for billiard tables, bagatelle-tables, in-door croquet, and an immense variety of other winter games ; musical boxes, &c.' Parkins sud (lotto, 21 and 25, Oaford-street, W. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) THE HEALTH OF COUNT BISMARCK BERLIN, Dec. 19 Count Bismarck, in compliance with the wishes of his physician, has entrusted Herr von Savigny with the presidency of the Ministerial conferences now being held in this city upon the constitution of the North German Confederation, and Herr von Shiele with the reception of the members of the diplomatic body. FRANCE AND AUSTRIA. PARIS, Dec. 19. The Monitear of this morning confirms the hitch ligence that the ratifications of the Franco-Austrian treaty of commerce were exchanged yesterday a. Vienna. lIUNGARY. PESTII, Dec. 19 The Government has granted permission to the Hungarian exile, Herr von Howath, to return to Hungary. The committee of 67 on the affairs common to Hungary and Austria held their first sitting yester day. Deputies only are allowed to be present at the conferences. CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. SUEZ, Dec. 16. The Golconda arrived at 9 a.m. to-day (due on the 18th). OUTWARD MAIL OF NOV. 27-DEC. 3. The Delhi left Suez for Bombay at 6 a.m. on the 13th inst. AMERICA. SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 19 The Hamburg and American Company's steamer Germania, from New York, on the Bth inst., has arrived with 116 passengers for this port, Havre, and Hamburg, 55 sacks of mails for England, $163,500 for London, $395,131 for France, and $2,000 for Hamburg. Throughout the passage she experienced heavy westerly gales. On the 15th the wind shifted to west south-west, and the sea rose to a tremendous height, sweeping the Germania's deck. The wheel-house and both the wheels were carried away and washed overboard, two of the quarter-boats were smashed, and several of the crew seriously in jured, but no lives lost. The skylights were broken, and much water poured into the ship's cabins. FRANCE. BOURSE, Dec. 18, Two o'clock.—The London telegram is posted up with an advance of Here also the market has improved on French Stocks, Railways, and Italian Stock, though a marked contrast is exhibited by Mobilier securities. The French Credit Mobilier Shares have fallen 36f. 25c., and are now at 517 fr. 50c. Spanish Mobilier are below 300 f.--at 297 f. 50c., with a loss of 7f. 50c. Comptoir cl'Escompte are likewise heavy, at 843 f. 75c., with a decline of 7f. 50c. French Threes, on the contrary, are very firm, and after touching 69f., are at 68f. 95c., with an advance of sc. Italian Fives are in great request, and quoted at 57f. 25c.-15c. higher. Railway Shares are gene rally firm, with a fractional rise, though Aus trian lose 2fr. 50.—at 401 f. 25c. Lombard are weak at 376 f. 25c., with a further fall of 7f. 50c. Three o'cock.—Credit Mobilier have further re lapsed, but Credit Foncier shares have been very firm, with an advance. Last quotations are as fol lows 4-} per Cents 97 80 Du• end month — Bank Sharps 3600 - Italian Loan 57 Do. end month 57 l Mexican Loan — - Do. Bonds — - Spanish Threes - Home Debt - Deferred 3 per Cents. Do. end month 6B 921 Credit Mobilier 510 Do. end month 510 Credit Fonder — Do. end month 1390 For Account, Orleans Northern 1193 75 Lyons and Mediterranean 895 Southern 5Bl 25 Western 562 50 Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard 378 75 North of Spain ll5 Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona — Roman . — Naval and Military Intelligence. In accordance with an order received from the Admiralty the hands employed on the ironclad ships under construction at Chatham Dockyard are to discontinue working extra time, the amount placed at the disposal of the Admiralty for the pay ment of artificers' wages not allowing of increased sums being paid for additional work in the ship building department of the yard. Surveys have been made, on the part of the Ad miralty, of the vacant piece of griund near the eu trance gates of Chatham dockyard, on which it is recommended that a suitable dining hall and other buildings should be erected for the accommodation of the mechanics who, under the existing regulations, are precluded from leaving the dockyard during the dinner hour. The importance of affording the neces sary accommodation for the hands has been brought under the notice of the Admiralty officially in the course of the last few days, and from the reports which have been made to the Board on the subject there would appear to be every probability of the proposal being carried into effect. It is stated that the Admiralty have it in contem plation to convert the first of the series of forts now in course of completion on the Portland Breakwater into an hospital, to be used for the sick in the naval and military forces that may be from time to time stationed at Portland. A healthier spot could not have been selected. The South Fort of the Break water is situate about a quarter of a mile from the mainland, and is nearly surrounded by the sea. All refuse from the hospital will be carried away by the tide, which runs at the base of the fort rapidly into the Channel both in spring and neap tides. The boys on board the Boscawen training ship, which was rectntly removed from Southampton to Port land, have never been in a more healthy condition than since the ship has been stationed at the last named place, where they have the benefit of pureair, while there is every facility for the boys to be put through their various exercises within the harbour, which covers an area of about four square miles. Three courts-martial were held at Plymouth on Monday and Tuesday, on board the Royal Adelaide, on three privates of the Royal Marines, belonging to the armour plated screw steamship Lord Clyde, 24, Capt. Roderick Dew, C. 8., flag of Rear-Admiral F. Warden, C.B. The Court consisted of Capt. Napier, president; Capt. Purvis, Capt. Somerset, Capt. Foley, and Capt. Tremlett. The first prisoner, Jas. Arnett, gunner, was charged with having made away with necessaries, and misappropriated mess money— £l.6s. Having borne a good character lie was sen tenced to 12 months' hard labour in Lewes prison. The second trial was that of Dewey Exton, belonging to the 12th Company Artillery, for striking Bombardier Coyle in the execution of his duty. By the evidence it appeared that when the Lord Clyde was in dock at Devonport, prisoner and Coyle were members of the same working party. Prisoner was absent 35 minutes, and on his return, finding that the bom bardier had reported him, he struck him several times with his fists and knocked him down between two guns. Prisoner was sentenced to receive 48 lashes on board the Lord Clyde and be imprisoned for 18 months at Lewes. These trials occupied all Monday. Yesterday the Court reassembled for the purpose of trying James Patterson, Light Infantry, forstriking Sergt.-Major Staite, his superior officer, in the execution of his duty. It appeared that on Dec. 8 inst. the Lord Clyde was in dock in Devon port, and the prisoner was one of a working party under the command of Serst. Sidebottom, wlao Bent him to the armourer of the ship for some files. The armourer was absent for a few minutes, and while waiting for him - the prisoner sat down on a chest. Sagt.-Major Staite then came up, and asked him if he was on guard. The prisoner said "No ; he was waiting for some files." The sergeant-major then ordered the prisoner on the after-deck. When he got on the main-deck he struck the sergeant three or four times. When the sergeant returned from reporting the case the prisoner struck him again. In defence he admitted having struck the sergeant, but said the sergeant " spoke to him in an insulting and irritating manner before a lot of dockyard men," and he " struck the sergeant while in a passion." He now expressed his regret. Prisoner was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. The First-Lieut. of Marines, C. Cervante, on duty on board the Lord Clyde, stated that prisoner had borne an exemplary character all the time he was on board the ship, about two years, during which his name had not I)cen enteral in the defaulter's b,uk. The following appointments were made yesterday at the Admiralty :—Lieut. Thos. James to the Bel lerophon ; Lieut. the Hon. Edward Dawson to the Terrible ; Lieut. Robert C. Jolliffe to the Lord Clyde ; Wm. L. Dodds, master, to the Doris ; C. Aylen, assist. -paymaster, to the - Victor, as secre tary's clerk; Wm. K. Marriott, assist.-paymaster, to the Dauntless; Chas. Harvey, clerk, to the Vic tory, as supernumerary; and Wm. B. Clark, assist. clerk, to the Royal Adelaide, as supernumerary. THE " TIMES " OA PEEL'S BILLS, - The Times for many years excluded from its columns the communications of able and sagacious men who, being before the times, foresaw and pre dicted enormous evils which Peel's Bills must inevi tably inflict on this nation. Well, now that the Bank of Charter Act of 1864—the matured wisdom of Peel and Overstone —has failed for the third time, the limes finds that the subject can no longer be ignored or trifled with, and is inviting attention to it. But do not let the English people begin to beat their wooden idol, the Times. So long as the people cannot understand, and will not try to learn the Currency Question, why should they expect the limes to throw away its space and time ? As long, for example, as a body like the Manchester Cham ber of Commerce, claiming the confidence of and respect of the mercantile classes, ventures to put forth a memorial to Government on the Bank Charter Act " produced," as the Times justly ob serves, " with so little deliberation and knowledge as scarcely to merit attention," can it be expected that public writers will enter heartily into any at tempt to obtain a reformation ? But it is with the Times at present, and not with the public that we wish to deal. " The accusation," says the Times, "brought against the Bank Charter Act is not that it failed to secure the convertibility of the Bank note." We say that had the Bank Charter Act not been sus pended in 1847, 1857, and 1866 the converti bility of the Bank Note would not have been secured. Before the susp ens i on i n 1847, and again in 1857 and 1866 the bullion in the Issue Department was so rapidly decaying that had the Act been allowed to go on the £15,000,000 of notes issued against securities would have remained in the hands of the public without any gold or silver to meet them. The Bank of England would have stopped payment, as has been the case with many of the. Banking Com panies, with ample securities, but with no cash in hand. But the Times goes on to say that the accusa tion brought against the Bank Act is that " a collateral result hoped for by some of its projec tors—the prevention of panics —has not been achieved." " Some of its projectors !" Sir Robert Peel himself declared when he brought in the Bill that "one of its principal objects was to prevent such panics as had occurred in 1825, 1837, and 1839, and to preserve 113 from commercial depression and ruin." has this "principal object" been attained ? We say with all England that it has not. " The Act, indeed," says the Times, "is charged with the creation of panic." Yes it is. "It was the belief of Sir Robert Peel," says M. Chevalier, " that the Bill would render crises more rare. On the contrary, they have become more frequent and severe. They have become so by Act of Parlia ment." How has the Bank Charter Act created panics ? By the enactment which obliges the Bank to be come the storehouse of Gold for all the world. The Bill forces the Bank to give out its Notes or a cer tain weight of gold, at all times. Thus, when gold flows in, paper money is issued in excess. And it may be observed that the issue of paper money is more rapid in its effects, and tends far more to in flate the currency than the coinage of a like amount of gold or silver bullion into money. When Paper Money is thus forced into circula . tion, the currency is inflated, discounts decline, and speculation is forced on the country. If any one wants to see the details of this process, let him exa mine the evidence respecting the Scotch Banking Companies which failed in 1857. He will then see how the Banking Companies being " full of money," having a part that is of an inflated currency at command, tempted young and enterprising mer chants into speculation, almost against their will. The Bank Charter Act has, more than any other cause, thus created. Commercial Immo- rality. Then after this inflation, m ith high prices and every kind of speculation, Gold is withdrawn rapidly from the Bank. The circulation is contracted. Dis counts rise. The prices of commodities and securi- ties fall. Every one wishes to sell, no one has money to buy. Alarm seizes all trades and merchants. Panic ensues, as the Act directs. With a good deal of the reasoning of the 7 Imes in opposition to his correspondents we agree. Our great complaint is not that the Act limits the circu lation, and that more trade wants m)re currency. But we complain that the Paper Currency is widely inflated at one time, and unduly contracted at another. We say that experience has shown that Bank Notes act very differently from Gold money. That an amount of Paper Money put into circulation will tend much more to inflate the circulation, raise prices and encourage speculation, than the same amount of bullion coined into Sovereigns would do. Bank Notes, on the Currency of Commerce, effect more than Gold coins can. They circulate mere freely from place to place, and effect a greater number of transfers of com modities. With such opinions we think it waste of time to try to patch up so rotten a system as that established by Peel's Bill of 1819 and 1844. We fight for gold at its market price in National Paper Money.—Derbyshire Courier. ASTLEY'S THEATRE.—Mr. Thos. Morton, of the Canterbury Hall, took his first benefit here on Monday last. The house was not so full as we could have wished to have seen it, but this was perhaps owing to the prices of admission being doubled. The performance commenced with " The Wandering Minstrel," in which Mr. Robson played the part of Jem Baggs, and reminded us very much of his late lamented father. He introduced the song of " Villikins and his Dinah," which met with a tremendous encore. Miss Jenny Bruce played Herbert Carol, and sang a song charmingly. The musical farce of " The Water man" followed, in which Mr. St. Albyu played Tom Tug capitally, and sang the songs of "The Bay of Biscay" and "The Jolly Young Waterman." Miss Everard was the Wilhelmina, and introduced a song. Mrs. Caulfield played Mrs. Bundle; Mr. Stephens, Mr. Bundle ; and Mr. Atkins, Robin. Towards the conclusion of the farce Harry Kelley and all the crack watormen of the Thames made their appearance. After which came a musical terpsichorean melange, in which Green sang " I will stand by my friend," and met with three encores. Miss Tyroll sang an aria from "II Trovatore," which was rapturously applauded. The infant Miriam played a fantasia on the pianoforte. The Messrs. D'Auban and Wardes gave their celebrated comic quartette. The Spanish dancers appeared in ono of their national dances, as did also the Hungarian dancers. The brothers and sister Karalfi, Sextilian, C. Stanley, Sylvester, and Professor Peterson with his jolly dogs, wound up this miscellaneous entertainment. The performance concluded with the burlesque of "Atalanta," which was supported by the Astley's company, and the audience departed, haying passed a most enjoyable oyening. CHI - HER MAJESTY, &c. OSB 0 RNE, Tuesday. The Queen went out yesterday afternoon with Princess Beatrice, and her Majesty Walked and rode in the grounds this morning with Princess Louise. Prince and Princess Christian walked out this morning. Prince Leopold and Prince Beatrice also went out. -0- The Duke of Norfolk has arrived at the Hotel Bristol, Paris, from the south of France, on his way to England. The Earl aucl Countess of Enniskillen and LadY Middleton have arrived at Florence Court, Fermanagh. The coming of age of Viscount Cole will be celebrated at the family estates in Ireland. The Right Ron. Sir John Pakington returned to his official residence at the Admiralty yesterday fro'' , - Westwood, Worcestershire, where the right hon. baronet had been entertaining a shooting party. We have to announce the death of Mr. Oswald, who died on Monday last at Cannes. The premature de mise of Mr. Oswald will place a large circle of friends of the deceased in mourning. Mr. Oswald was the half brother of Sir Frederick Johnstone, Bart., and first cousin of the Earl Craven. Ile was son of Mr. Oswald and Lady Louisa Oswald, of Auchencruive. Mrs. Henderson, of Rolle Manor, has recently purchased the old town-hall at Romsey, and, in a spirit Of highly commendable benevolence, is about erecting there an hospital for the poor of the district, among whom sliG Li deservedly esteemed. Mr. Keon's "Dion and the Sybils." - We are glad to see that the merits of this bril liant and scholarly Romance of the First Century of the Christian Epoch are beginning to be recog nised both in Ireland and beyond the Atlantic. The Dublin Freeman's Journal says of it:— The style—if indeed style be worth considering, whe re so much of what is more excellent commands our attention —well, the style is, as any one may imagine, that of the practised writer, easy, flowing, natural—now earnest, now picturesque— tender or inspiring by turns. There is ne effort, no straining after sensation or effect, though Ps sages of singular beauty and warm in the eloquence of the heart everywhere abound. We cannot, however, con ceive why the writer should have identified DionysiOt the Areopagite, with St. Denis, and made him first Bishop of Paris. He surely was perfectly well aware of the verdict of history on the subject. Be this, however, as it may, the episode in which Dion is introduced as undertaking to establish philosophy's first grandest truth in presence of Augustus and ,his brilliant court has struck us as particularly noble. One page especially, that in which Augustus himself proposes the questions to bo dis cussed, reminded us of a page of Cicero, so calm was it, so clear, so overflowing with light, so dignified, so beautiful. We do not profess to have analysed the reasoning of Dion, we do not pronounce on its logical force or form have, however, read it over more than once carefully and attentively, and felt that it was for the time " a gr and philosophy" grandly told. The Evening Post says of it:—Few will read this book without being fascinated. It is a tale of singular interest and singular genius. It must not bo classed with the ordi nary novels of the day. It has nothing in common wit h them—no likeness; nor shadow of likeness. It differ! from them essentially in feature, and in form, and in spirit —it rises above them immeasurably superior. It i 5 original in design, as a work of genius ever is. T he supernatural and natural it employs with equal fear lessness and freedom—blends together the divine and human startlingly sometimes, though over reveren" tially—and almost compels us to feel that a work so bold, so brilliant, so strange, yet interesting, still baffles, if it do not defy, the ordinary rules of criticism. The period to which it refers is the first century—the age of Augustus --an age then glowing as autumn sunset in rich and 'Va ried glories—oh ! more, infinitely more—an age for eve r consecrated by the revelation of religion and the presence on earth of its Divine Founder ! The story itself is ex' ceedingly simple, and to that very simplicity is indebted for much of its exquisite beauty. It is one that ad dresses itself to the heart's purest and most sacred affections, and one from whose perusal we ri se not only delighted, but, as it were, inspired with the spirit of some higher and brighter ex" istence. in the courso of the narrative we ara in: troduced to all the most distinguished and the most noble of the Roman world of that distinguished period ; s till the characters in whi c h th e c hi e f i n t eres t centres are few ja numbsr, and almost all i mag i nar y. Th ey aro ev identlY creations of a spirit its e lf p ure , generous , no bl e , but stil l more purified and ennobl e d by re li g i on ' s di v i ne st iurla ences. They are forms, all of th e p ures t, mos t generous affection—of loving tr u thf u l ness , o f f ervent en th us i a sm for the good and beautiful. Indeed, a s in gu l ar p ur ity of WO and sentiment, blended w ith a h appy f ervour o f imagiea tion and of feeling, s eem t o us t o const it u t e t h e distinguish ing feature, and with it the distinguishing charm of these beautiful volumes, and cannot fail to recommend them t° the homes and spheres where purity and innocence ar e most highly prized. The Evening Freeman remarks :—We hail the appearance of this work, however, on other and higher grounds than its merits as a work of philosophy or of fiction. It is a wor k evidently whose first idea was inspired by religion —it is an offering, a homage, every page, every line, to religion. It is a work consecrated to religion in religion's own purest spiri t ' The character of a religious work is indeed studiouslY avoided. It is so best, perhaps, as in its present form it m a y find its way to hearts and spheres that would be other wise closed against it. Would we had other works Of t he same high aim and tone! With works of the kind in ev er y haad, the diffusion of infidel literature would soon b e arrested, and religion once again enthroned in light in every heart. We cannot conclude this brief notice without Con gratulating Mr. Keen on the production of a work ealeu lated to serve the cause of truth and virtue, whilst it cal l ; not fail to make more generally known his genius an d acquirements. The New _York, Albion of a recent date remarking of the same work :—Mr. Keon writes like a scholar who ` thoroughly conversant with th a t of w hi c h h e writes, an ho possesses a talent which many scholars lack, and whic h , stands him in good stead as a romancer—the talent eL telling a story in a graphic manner —of making his rea der realise his scenes and cha rac t ers; puttirg en rapport, in short, with the life and movement of hi s book. The period of history which he has selected was as terrible in its way as the days which Pre ceded and led to that great convulsion which we call the French Revolution—a period of the highest civilisation wedded to the lowest, the most atrocious vices—an eP c)e u whose besotted and desperate rulers lived as thong r they anticipated the mot o f th e F renc h Ki n g, us the deluge." The hero of Mr. Keon's ro mance; is a young R o m an gen tl eman , w h ose f am ily esta te have been confiscated on account of the part taken 11 his father in one of the many civil wars of the time-- which, it matters not—and who makes a journei t .: Rome to endeavour t 3 recover them, accompanied 1 1 mother and sister, the last of whom plays an importae part in the story, through the machinations of Sekt ntis ' who becomes enamoured of her, and who causes her to D e . abducted from her family. The plot, which is too fot r " sate to be unfolded here, is full of incident, containing several breathless situations, as the play bills say—w i t situations, however, are not in the least melo- dram though certainly very exciting. Such is the rove ho of the Roman soldiers at the com menc ement of t a tale, and the skill which Paulus, the hero, shows 3 . 8 13 rlg swordsuum ; and, better still, the exhibition of his d s re . in training the dreadful Sejan horse, in the amphithest f The character of Paulus is cleverly drawn, as are rae st i.i ° o the subordinate actors in this wild drama, especially t , royal ones—the present and future Emperors of Rem o ( Augustus, Tiberius, and Sejanus. Mr. Keon's pictures; Roman court and camp life are vivid enough, and as as is, rate, we presume, as is desirable in such a romance a s vo which, take it altogether, is one of the most spirited have read for many a day. PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—On Boxing Night "133r naby Budge" will be performed, when Mr. George 1 - 1°I r; who is expressly engaged for the character, will plaY fur Miggs for the first time. The F a i r y Extra,vaganzaill- „r J. R. niche, entitled " Tho I nv i s ibl e P r i nce ," will fe" ° ' , to enable Mrs. John Wood to appear before a Londe' , P ° lie as a burlesque actress, a style of acting in which sije r said to have been very successful in America. Mr . Ge° l e Honey and Miss Au gus t a Th omson w ill also act " t be t same extravaganza, and Miss Fanny Heywood, dalig h of Mdtne. Heyw o od, will m a ke her first appear a nce i n London as the Princess. Entirely new scenery 106 be ij e d painted by Mr. F. Ll o yds, a nd with its costumes .ace. dances the burlesque will present the aspect of a new Pic L' International, the French daily L on don jou rn % has been sold by private contract to Mr. M. May er, who now sole proprietor of the said journal. et Miss Russell, having entirely recovered from indisposition, will reappear at Tho Oxford on 3- I ° 3d ? r , next, the 24th inst., in a now selection, by Milliard, ePa titled "Les Dragons do Vallars," which will b e p rodacc for the first time iu this country. We understand the forthcoming entertainnient3,Y the Canterbury Hall is written by W. S. Vandervell, o is entitled " Our Christmas Box," and from which wil l 1 , introduced "Les Owbres Fantasques." When we rec° A lect the clever sketches this gentleman wrote for the Gb° l Illusion, which was exhibited at this establishment, N" have no fear for the success of this Christmas noYoltP It , ,] alth„ eepted Lo an i made, t Acct d ay, tl aeti ve : 12 i, S 1 5 ; P etijus The accoi facili Ti Eno Ti Thu) th e s Lear At are s gage At flticn Nc th e ~ York P enn Pond to th note Inst., "T illstan