The Sun. — London, England, 1866-01-01 00:00:00

. - 4.54-4Wo "FEOUSES.--Alessrs. TOPLIS and ROBERTS have numerous furnished and unfurnished TOWN, suburban, and Country RESIDENCES to To r LE SELL exact p a rticulars forwarded for th ree stamps, upon sng requirements and rental. Offices, Ongondu, Regent street, and South Riensington, lacthe Museum. QOUTH KENSIN GTON, HYDE-PARK, Queen's, and Rutland Gates. Queen's -gate and Peters ham Terraces, Queen's -gate, Cornwall, and Princes Gardens, Ei va ston. place, Cromwell-road, Onslow and Thurloe Squares, Tioltons. dm. Messrs TOPLIS and ROBE ItTS have RE sI DEN CES to SELL and LET in these and surroundirg local ities. Offices, 2, Conduit-street, R egen t-street, and gionth K e nsington, facing the Museum. ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GAR DEN. (Opera Company, Limited.) THIS EVENING (Monday), Mr. Ch-rles D.fftlll's new opera, in one act, CHRISTMAS Cook , M 1 0 . Lancia, Madame E. Htywood; Mr. A. Cook, and Mr. D Miranda. Conductor, Mr. Alire Mellon. After which. at 8, the grand comic, st,edactilar, and ope rttio Owls' mas Pan entitled A AN!) THE WON L LDERFUAMPomime, ; or, Harkquin LADulN and the Flying Palace. (Sec other advertisements,. Commence at 7 o'clock. THE ATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.- Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and le. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, the Farce of HUSBANDS, BEWARE. Mr. G. Belmore, Miss Hazlewood, Atter which, the Pantomime, LITTLE KING PIPPIN; or, Harlequin Fortunatus and the Magic Purse and Wishing Cap. Messrs. G. Belmore, H. Drayton, G. Weston. Master Percy Rosen' ; Misses Hazlewood, A. Thomson, E. Falconer, 41; Pantomimists, Messrs. H. Boleno. C. Lauri, Cormacir, Saville, Miss Morgan, and Madame Boleno. Commence at 7. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Sole Lessee and Blansger, Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, BROTHER SAM : Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Compton; Mesdames Belly Moo: e. Snowden, kn. To be followed by ORPHEUS IN THE HAYMARKET. Messrs. W. Farren, Fisher, Bartleman, Weathersby, ; Mesdames Keeley, Snowden, Moore, Lindley, Woolgar, Howard, Wright, Coleman, Lovell, Prevot, To conclude with SHOCKING EVENTS. Mr. Com,iton. Commence at Seven. ROY AL LYCEUM T EIEATRE.- Under the sole Management of Mr. Pechter. THIS EVENING, THE ILLUSTRIOUS ,STRANGER. Mr. B. Widdicomb. Alter which, THE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD. Mr. Fechter; Messrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomb, Vezin, J. H. Fitzpatrimr, 1). Evans ; inesdamesTernan, Elaworthy, Lavenu, and C. Leclercq. Box Office open daily from Eleven till Five. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL ADELPHI, Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, at seven, a new farce called bEHIND TIM s.. Messrs. J. L. Toole, IL fuillips, Eburne, C. J. Smith: Miss A. seaman, &c. After which, at 8, RIP VAN WINKLE. Rip (his 107 st appearance), Mr. Jefferson, supported by Messrs. Billington, P. Bedford, It Phillips, _Felix Rogas, Ashley, Iburne, C. J. Smith; Mrs. Billingtor, &c. To conclude with THE STEEPLECHASE. Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Ashley; Miss K. Kelly, &c. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager. Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, QUIET LODGINGS. After which, at a quarter to Eight, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND. Lharaeters by Messrs. Vining, T. Mel ville, T. Mead, D. Murray, S. Cathaem, F. Villiers, J. G. Shore, G. Murray, 11. Mellon, C. Seyten, R. Cathcart; Miss L. Moore and Miss Katherine Rodgers. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Sirs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING. at Seven. NOTHING VENTURE NOTHING WLY. After which will be produced a new Opera Burlesque, L'AFRICAINE; or, The Queen of the Cannibil Islan is. Messrs. Stoyle, James, Thorne; Mesdames Swanborough, Eaynham, Johnstone, &o. To conclude with TURN HIM OUT. THE LAST EDITION OF 44 THE SUN," Containing the Latest St'ORTING INTELJLICTEI‘C Own be had Every Evening of G. R. GL IsNIL, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied, as soon as published every Eveniniz, by W. ALEXANDER (lite BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 24, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the WEST NEWS and SPORTING 114TELLIGEINCE, by H. W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blacktriars-road, London, S. I. LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubilo generally. that he supplies the LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN" as soon as published —No. 16, Hampstead road, N.W. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY.--Morning, lh. 41m.—Aftemoon, 2h. 8m To-Monalow.-Morning, —h. Om.—Afternoon, —h. Om. LONDON, MONDAY, JAIV UARY 1, 1866. The Asia brings us intelligence from the United States to the 21st inclusive, so that we are kept almost au courant with events in New York. The wise and conciliatory policy of the PRESIDENT is evidently accepted by the great body of the people, and the Radicals, who at the first meeting of Con gress appeared to carry all before them, have been since compelled to abate their pretensions. Mr. SUMNER, indeed, seems as if he would be satisfied with nothing less than converting the Southern States into a Hayti on a larger scale, but happily his sentiments are not endorsed by any considerable or influential party in the Senate of which he is a member. The PRESIDENT has sent a Message to the Senate, accompanied by the Reports of General GRANT and CARL. SCHURZ upon the present condi tion of the South. General GRANT expresses him self satisfied with the aspect of affairs, and he be lieves that thinking men in the South have accepted the situation in goodfaith, and regard slavery or se cession as finally disposed of by the issue of the war. He recommends that small garrisons of white men should remain in the interior where the freedmen are numerous, being evidently of opinion that it is desirable to have some check upon them as well as upon the white population. The freedman says the General is not yet disabused of the idea that he has the right to live without care or provision for the future, which encourages him to idleness and induces him to muster in camps and cities. To counteract this, and so provide the negro with assistance and advice, as well as the legal protection which the law affords, General GRANT approves of the maintenance of the Freedmen's Bureau in a modified form, partially incorporated with the mili tary department. This would be a wise and consti tutional mode of dealing with the matter, and it is quite evident that the freedmen —unused to think or act for themselves—greatly need a coun sellor and friend. Every man who wishes them well must agree that it is abso lutely imperative they should be made to understand the necessity of working for their own living. It is cruel kindness for the professional abolitionists to delude them with theories about the rights of man, and to encourage them in the belief, which many of them hold, that the estates of the South will be parcelled out among them, so that each man may live upon the produce of his own bit of land, indifferent to the necessities or anxieties of all beyond. Even this life, however, proves too troublesome for the African when he is once free to indulge his inherent indolence, The slaves have hitherto been forced to work ; they have therefore t h e advantage of previous discipline and habit, which should surely be turned to account now, and must render the task of providing for themselves less irksome and more hopeful. The New Eng landers themselves will, we apprehend, soon get tired of maintaining some millions of blacks in idle ness, and the S ou th will b e physically incapable of bearing the burden alone, as Puritan charity would wish, seeing that the whites themselves are in many parts in a state of semi-starvation. Mr. JOHNSON, in the Message which accompanied this Report to the Senate, declared that the rebellion Suppressed, and that the people of the South were showing more willingness to obey the laws of the Federal Government than could have been anti cipated. Sectional animosity is, he asserts, rapidly merging into a better spirit, and he expresses his conviction that national representation, connected with a proper system of taxation, will result in the harmonious restoration of the relation of the States to the Union, This Message appeal mod era t e and temperate enough to satisfy all reasorLable men, and one would think that the con fident assertion of the PRESIDENT, founded on. the reports of Northern men who have actually visited the South to judge for themselves, could hardly be otherwise than acceptable. To the malig nity of political hatred and fanatical intolerance, however, such a statement was actually unwelcome, and Mr. SUMNER openly denounced the President's Message as resembling the " whitewashing" Message of FRANKLIN PIERCE in reference to Kansas. The intemperate speaker Was upon this called to account by several Senators; but the next day he resumed the attack, declared the PRESIDENT was attempting to whitewash the South, and read extracts from letters which represented the Southerners to be strongly disloyal and constantly ill-treating the freed men. Fortunately for America, however, Mr. SUMNER is not at the head of affairs. The Mexican question is still threatening, and resolutions have been introduced into the House of Representatives, declaring that the States ought never to recognise any Government imposed on the American Continent by European arms. The French Ambassador is at New York, having determined, it is said, not to return to Washington till he has received instructions from the EMPEROR. The Mexican problem is one of the many Gordian knots which 1866 has to untie ; but at least it is a hopeful augury for the new year that slavery is now officially abolished, the requisite number of States haying ratified the constitutional amendment. . The public will look with interest to the news lately received from Jamaica, and certainly the in telligence it imparts serves to confirm the opinions we have all along entertained of the conduct of the Governor, and the state of affairs in the island. The Jamaica Guardian has furnished some details concerning GORDON, which will be perused with in terest by many, and speak volumes as to the nature of the man. It is truly stated that many people in England do not know much of the " real character and antecedents" of GORDON, and therefore some particulars are published for the benefit of the Anti slavery party in England ; and, furthermore, it is declared that if these statements are called in ques tion they can easily be proved, and many more particulars can be forthcoming. As for attaining the result desired concerning the Anti-slavery Society, and the members of the faction in general, it is hardly likely that the chronicle of GORDON'S doings here furnished will be successful, for there are some beings so infatuated that they will listen to nothing that is contrary to their own views ; but let the public in general pay especial heed to the summary of the career of a man who has become so notorious. The Guardian states that GORDON'S whole conduct proved him to be most inimical to the Governor and the authorities in general, and by his acts and words he did much to excite and arouse the blacks, and render them discontented with their condition. His words were to this effect, " that the Governor, the magistrates, and the clergy had written lies to the QUEEN about them, the peasantry of Jamaica ; that the planters did not treat the people fairly ; that they, the people, would have to make a second Hayti of Jamaica ; that the planters and authorities hated them now, but that then they would hate them far more." A man who made use of these expressions was just the one most likely to foment and strife among any community unfortunate enough to contain him ; and it is quite inconsistent for people to get up at public meetings and declaim about the wrongs of the negroes and the cruelty of the authorities, while they are all the time keeping back facts either wilfully or through ignorance which materially alter the state of things. It is stated that it is a " gross fiction" to state that the Maroons were Jet loose to do as they would. The truth is, that many of the rebels took refuge in the mountains, in woods, and fastnesses, where the soldiers could not possibly penetrate, and therefore the Maroons were ordered to scour these places and bring to trial those they found there. Of course some resisted and were shot down ; but that does not mean that they were empowered to shoot down all whom they wished without any let or hindrance. The Guardian also confirms the remark made here by some discerning people here, that had prompt measures not been adopted serious results might have followed. " That severity may have been mercy to the other districts in the island, for as we were then situated with only a handful of troops, and no good volunteer organisation, the greater part of the respectable people and their pro perty throughout the country might have been de stroyed had not the authorities acted with prompti tude, determination, and severity." A writer on this subject the other day very truly remarked that had the Indian Mutiny been dealt with with the " energy and bravery manifested in Jamaica by Governor EYRE we should have escaped the horrors of Cawnpore and Lucknow, and extreme and sudden cases of murderous outbreak require unusual prompt and determined coercion." The fazt is, all these sympathisers, in their frenzied excitement, choose to overlook the danger of the white population of Jamaica. Governor EYRE was there to protect them, and not to serve the interests and play into the hands of a bigoted and vindictive sect. A very good illustration of the incorrectness which characterises the faction has been furnished by the able writer of the article on Governor EYRE in the British Army and Navy Review. He says, truly, that " Exeter Hall has rung its changes with a vengeance" upon the construction of the court martial which sat on GORDON. We have heard repeatedly of the cruelty and inconsistency of handing over the accused to the tender mercies of "three this ischarg e three youths," '• three striplings," beardlessrge boys." The wise men who pre ferred forgot or did not know that a "lieutenant an d commander in the Royal Navy is an officer of both service and reputation, and that a man may be head." So an ensign w ith grey hairs on his much for th e presumpt i on o f t h ose w h o spoke, and th e f o l ly de clarations. The two o f thnoasvealwhooffibooerslievewdere theoomanders, and as to the ensign, the writer of the article referred to asserts that he is able to speak personally of him, and he has " worn her MAJESTY'S uniform for very many years, and is a man whose judgment is in every way to be relied upon." How many among the readers of the speeches de livered at Exeter Hall and elsewhere have had sufficient knowledge of the matter to - be cognisant of the errors then made by the indignant speakers ? The fact is, that many persons have been judging of a matter which they did not well under stand, and of which they are hardly competent to form an opinion. As the Jamaica Guardian impres sively states, " It is utterly impossible for men in England or in the Northern States of America, where are so much intelligence, and physical and moral force to fall back upon, in the suppression of a rebellion to judge of what should be done in Jamaica under the circumstances." When people wish to be impartial in their decisions they should take everything into consideration, and endeavour, as far as possible, to put themselves into the position of those whom they are judging before they decide upon the propriety of this or that course. All that nacho tto of an important characta tends to confirm the impressions previously enter tained of the disaffection in the Island. A message from the Governor was laid before the Legislative Council, which contained an extract from a com munication from Colonel WHITFIELD, who commanded the western division of the Jamaica forces. It affords the Legislature a further proof, as it correctly states, that the Governor had " good ground" for asserting in his opening address that " a mighty danger threatened the land." In this letter Colonel WHITFIELD says, " I quite agree with you in thinking that a seditious and disloyal spirit per vades the entire island, and that in all probability the negroes would rise if it were not for the presence of the military." He goes on to state that he be lieves communications are made between the dis affected in different parishes, and that about one half of the negroes seem contented and happy, but the remainder " seem as if they would take much pleasure in cutting our throats." The police-force the Colonel thinks is very inefficient, and requires attention. The bill for amending the political constitution of the country has excited great interest, and been carried by a large majority, notwithstanding a fierce fight was made over it in the House of Assembly. It is just as well that it should have been passed, for the adoption of stringent measures is rendered absolutely necessary by the late outbreak, and also in consequence of the bad feeling displayed in so many places. The Chamber is to be dis solved every seven years, but, under the circum stances of the case, perhaps five years' tenure might be sufficient, and would prove more effica cious in the end. The bill provides for the punish ment of offences committed six months after martial law, and this is intended to keep turbu lent spirits in check ; and notwithstanding the vehement opposition made by certain hon. gen tlemen in the Elouse of Assembly, we have no doubt that there are many good grounds for the proposition. Temporising with dangers is not the way to meet them, and a vacillating course is sure to prove eventually a disastrous one. The revenue returns for the last quarter of the year are eminently satisfactory. They afford con tinued proof of the buoyancy of the national resources, and show repeated evidence of the elas ticity with which the revenue recovers itself after every reduction. The two chief items in which there is a deficiency, as compared with last year, are of course those in-which the principal restrictions were made in the last budget—the tea duties and the in come-tax. The fire-insurance duty shows the pro priety of the reduction which was so long strenu ously, and it seemed hopelessly, advocated. The in crease in the insurances compensate for the reduction of the duty. Mr. GLADSTONE calculated the total loss on the year at £3,800,000, but there seems good reason to believe that the result will be con siderably less. The vast increase in the consump tion of tea not only tends to benefit the revenue, but proves how great a hardship was the heavy tax upon the luxury of the poor, so long kept at a war rate by successive Governments. The increase on the excise during the last quarter alone amounts to £llO,OOO on the Post-office, a constantly improving source of profit to the revenue, to £40,000, on Stamps to £150,000. Altogether the prospects of the country are highly encouraging, and it is probable that when the financial year is completed the statistics will be even more favour able than at present, as the next quarter is likely to be considerably better than the present. As we are already through three-fourths of the year, and so far within the Chancellor of the Exchequer's esti mate, we shall have no reason to complain if it should even show us a greater deficiency. The New Restaurant at Ludgate. On Saturday evening Messrs. Spiers and Pond, the contractors for the refreshment departments on the Metropolitan and the London, Chatham, and Dover Railways, invited a select party of gentle men to inspect and inaugurate the opening of their new restaurant at the Ludgate Station. Amongst the gentlemen present were Sir Cusack Roney, Professor Pepper, A. Nimmo, Esq., E. P. Hingston, Esq., H. R. Foster, Esq., respresenting the Messrs. Allsopp ; Mayhew, Esq., H. Friswell, and the leading members of the London press. The com pany first assembled at the Victoria Station, and there examined the new refreshment saloon about to be opened to the public, which certainly is one of the grandest apartments ever devoted to the comfort of railway passengers. The furniture is all of polished walnut wood highly ornamented, and the settees luxuriantly covered with Genoa velvet. A splendid Turkey carpet adds to the comfort of the apartment, and the facilities for rapidly supplying the orders of travellers are remarkable. From this elegant room, Messrs. Spiers and Pond, by a special train, conveyed their company to the new restau rant at Ludgate, and whatever the surprise and admiration excited by " the Victoria," " the Ludgate " fairly and completely astonished every gentleman who had the good fortune to be present. But a few weeks ago " the Ludgate" restaurant was au ordinary railway arch, but by the energy of the enterprising contractors it has become a perfect model of elegance, convenience, and luxury. The splendid decorations are in the best taste, the furniture is of the same costly description as at Vic toria, and the parquet flooring is one of those sur prising specimens of English skill and ingenuity which have rendered the firm of Jackson and Graham, of Oxford-street, so eminent. The great curiosity, however, of the restaurant is the large silver grill, by which from 40 to 50 chops can be con veniently cooked at once. The cooking apparatus for this singular and peculiar article has been fur nished by the Messrs. Jeakes, of Great Russell street, but the ornamentation of the whole has been carried out under the direction of Mr. Crace. The cost of the grill apparatus has been over £l,OOO, and the length of time consumed in completing the ar rangements something extraordinary. However, the idea has been fully accomplished, and now all who patronise the Messrs. Spiers and Pond will have an opportunity of seeing whav energy, skill, and money can effect. With a view of showing the capabilities of the establishment, and testing the silver grill, the contractors invited the company to a diner-Chemin de-Fer, the first ever given in England, and a more elegant and recherche entertainment has never been given in the metropolis. Sir Cusack Roney pro posed the health of Messrs. Spiers and Pond, and Mr. 11. It. Foster that of Mr. Jeakes. Both of the toasts were drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. The company separated, expressing their best wishes for the success and prosperity of the spirited con tractors. The Dramatic and Musical Almanacfor 1866. This excellent almanac, for which we are in debted to Mr. J. W. Anson, the Secretary of the Royal Dramatic College and Treasurer of the Royal Adelphi Theatre, has just made its appearance ; and, on the present occasion, it will be found to contain a more than ordinary quantity of useful and highly entertaining information. To the theatrical profession it must be of the greatest utility, as it contains the names of the proprietors of every theatre in England, and other matters of peculiar value to all those seeking engagements. The profits arising from the sale of this attractive little volume are devoted to the Royal Dramatic College, there fore it ought to be in the pocket of every lady and gentleman belonging to the dramatic profession. Mrs. Longworth-Yelverton has commenced an action for libel against the proprietors of the Glasgow North British Daily Mail, on account of an article which appeared in their paper commenting favourably on the verdict in Longworth v. Saturday Review. A similar action will be brought on the same grounds against the Pall Mall Gazdk. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (RELTTER'S TELEGRAMS.) ITALY. FLORENCE, DEC. 31 (Evening). Count Hompesch, the new Bavarian Minister, and the members of the Corps Diplomatique, were received in public audience to-day by the King. To-morrow hit Majesty will receive the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. OUTWARD AMERICAN MAIL. QUEENSTOWN, DEC. 31. The Royal mail steamship Scotia arrived here to-day (Sunday), at 7 p.m. She embarked the mails, passengers, and latest telegrams, and. pro ceeded at midnight. All well. She experienced a terrific gale. FRANCE. PARIS, JAN. 1. Yesterday the Austrian Ambassador, Prince Met ternich, on behalf of his Sovereign, presented to the Emperor, for the Prince Imperial, the Order of St. Stephen of Hungary. At the ceremony of the presentation Prince Metternich said his Austrian Majesty was desirous that the heir to the French Throne should early learn the sincere interest which he felt, and would never cease to feel, for his Im perial Highness. The Emperor, in thanking Prince Metternich for this act of the Emperor of Austria, replied that he was deeply touched, and added that the Prince Imperial would always preserve that high mark of solicitude on the part of a Sovereign to whom his father had vowed sincere friendship. Generals d'Alleville and Vinoy have been ap pointed Senators. BOURSE, Dec. 30, Two o'clock.—The market again opened on depreciated rates. Three per Cents. have been done below 68f., but have since recovered, the monthly operation of the reponsc des primes having been accomplished as follows :—For Rents 3 per Cent., 68f. 02ic. ; Italian Fives, 65f. 35c. ; Credit Fonder, 1,327 f. 50c.; Credit Mobilier, 813 f. 75c. ; Spanish Mobilier, 467 f. 70c. ; Northern, 1,135 f. ; Lyons, 846 f. 25c. ; Lombard, 4331. 75c. ; Austrian, 428 f. 75c. ; and Immobiliere, 538 f. 75c. Three per Cents. are now quoted at 68f. 7ic., showing an advance on yesterday of sc. Italian Fives have a decline of sc.—at 65f. 40c. Credit Alobilier Shares are lf. 25c. lower—at 815 f. Little variation in the Railway Department ; Austrian Shares have regained 2f. 50c. Three o'clock.—The market has improved, and left off as follows : por Cents 9B Ero: end month — Roman — Ottoman Fives 42 35 Mexican Loan — Do. Bonds — Russian — Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt — Deferred 3 per Cents. 6B 15 Do. end month 6B 15 Credit Mobilier Bl7 50 Do. end month 823 75 Bank Shares 3715 Crodit Foncier 1325 Italian Loan 65 35 Do. and month 65 22i Cash. Amt. ~.. ... 842 50 ... ... 1135 ~.. ... 847 50 ~.. ... 571 25 Orleans Northern . Lyons and Mediterranean. Southern ~ Western Eastern ... Sardinian Austrian ~ Lombard.. North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona Roman -- '-' • •• - - ... 522 50 - - 220 - - - 436 25 - 435 - - - ... 172 50 - - ... 218 75 - 101 25 - - 158 75 The Cotton Crop at the South. • A recent circular from an English house, well known in she cotton trade, and conspicuous for many years by their trustworthy statistics of cotton—the Messrs. Neill Brothers -gives us some very interesting data on this important topic. The different partners have traversed carefully, since the war, the various portions of the cotton-growing States --:one taking the Atlantic States, another Tennessee and Northern Alabama and Mississippi, and a third Ar kansas, Louisiana, Red River, and Texas. Widely conflicting estimates of the Southern stocks of cotton have been confidently put forward since the sur render of the rebel armies, some running as high as 5,000,000 bales and others as low as 500,000. The most favorite figures, and those which it was understood the Treasury Department had sanctioned, from investigations made for revenue purposes, being 1,500,000 bales of all kinds, old and new. The Messrs. Neill, how ever, have arrived at the conclusion that the supply will count up from 2,000,000 to 2,100,000 bales, of which they estimate the old stocks at 1,650,000 bales, and the growth of this year at 400,000; and it appears by the data they furnish that more than half of the entire quantity, viz., _ . 1,090,624 bales, have already been sent to market. This fact alone seems to justify their estimate, that the total will not fall short of 2,000,000 bales, however much it may exceed it. The history of the war may, in a measure, be traced in the facts which their business report discloses. Thus, while the aggregate figures represent about half a crop of the years preceding the war, the Carolinas, in Messrs. Neill's estimate, only stand for 110,000 bales, or about one-fifth of an old crop. This is doubtless explained by the fact that the groat ports from which cotton was shipped during the war, through the blockade, were Charleston and Wilming ton, which thus drained those States. The great State of Georgia was hermetically sealed, and the bulk of the crops of 1861 and 1862 would have been found there by General Sherman, had it not been for the home manufacture, for which Georgia has long been distinguished among Southern States, and which attained to considerable importance dur ing the war. Notwithstanding the quantity of cotton that must have been thus used up, this State, in connection with Florida, stands in the present estimate for 330,000, or about half an old crop. Alabama suffered less than any other Southern State, except Texas, and had it not been for Wilson's great raid, nearly a whole crop would have been found. And oven after allowing 150,000 bales for the destruction thus effected the State is estimated to yield 420,000 bales, of which 220,000 have already been delivered at Mobile. The extensive region drained by the Mississippi suffered much more severely, the presence of contending armies having been felt ever since the summer of 1862, much cotton having been destroyed to prevent it falling into the hands of our armies, or confiscated by them, and long since forwarded North. The total receipts of old and new cotton at New Orleans are estimated at 700,000 bales (or only about one-third of a former crop,) of which 431,000 have already bean deli vered. It is pleasant to turn to a State from which we have to chronicle no falling off. The crop of Texas varied for a few years before the war from 150,000 to 250,000 bales, and the supply of the present season is estimated at 190,000, or about an average of former crops, notwith standing the fact that large quantities of cotton were ex ported for the last two years of the war via Matamoras. This satisfactory supply is accounted for by a large plant ing the present season—more than half of it being new cotton—and the yield would have been considerably larger• still but for the depredations, not of the rebel or Union army, but of the "army worm," the most destructive " guerilla " known to the cotton crop. From another quarter the report is very satisfactory. Memphis had become an important cotton centre only a few years before the war—her receipts amounting in one season to as much as 400,000 bales, to the surprise and jealousy of many of the older markets. But large as these figures are, the present estimate (320,000 bales for Ten nessee and the neighbouring counties), is not greatly behind them. This is confirmed also by the fact that 206,000 bales have already been delivered. Nearly one-half of the total esti mate (or 150,000 bales), is put down as new cotton, and this is the most encouraging feature in the whole case, as nearly the whole must be the product of free labor—that entire district having been within the Union lines for the past two years. This large supply of cotton will be an important wind fall for Mr. M'Culloch. At the former average weight of the bales, 460 pounds, the total weight of 2,100,000 would be 960,000,000 pounds, upon which the revenue tax of two cents per pound will amount to $19,320,000 —an excess of $5,520,000 upon the sum which 1,500,000 bales (which is understood to have been the Secretary's estimate) would have produced. Another important consideration is the effect of so large a stock and so large an exportable surplus of cotton upon the money market and the exchanges. At present, our speculators, aided by the currency inflation, are " carry ing " enormous stocks of cotton. 1,100,000 bales have already been delivered at the ports and northern and western towns, and it will not, to those who know the trade, seem unreasonable to presume that half of what remains in the interior has already been bought from the planters, and paid Or by Northern capital. No wonder that money has become scarce and dear, for the whole estimated supply, at present prices, is worth 400,000,000, and of this the proportion exported thus far is only about one-sixth. Let the stocks of cotton and grain be moved forward more rapidly by the holders coming on the market, and we should hear no more of advancing rates for gold on account of the demand for export, or of declining prices of our Government funds.— New York Times. 'AYE. MAGAZINE DAY. BLACKWOOD.—" Sir Brook Fossbrooko" is con- --- firmed at some length, and the odious Colonel Sewell is very busy with his machinations, and the reader can hardly help being irritated by the man ner in which people fall into the traps laid for them by the designing villain. Mrs. Sewell is likewise a provoking character ; and instead of controverting her husband's plots, she consents to carry out schemes she knows to be wicked and malevolent ones. The mania for gambling which possesses the Colonel is very ably de scribed, and we also meet with some effective scenes in which those who are unwise and unfortunate enough to become his dupes rue the day they met him. The philo sophical reader will find plenty to occupy him in a long article called "J. S. Mill on Belief in the External World." Mr. Mill has criticised at length Sir W. Hamil ton's works on philosophy, and the writer of this paper sides with the latter gentleman, observing, in conclusion, "We have selected to be totally wrong, with Sir W. Hamilton, rather than exchange our real world of matter and motion, of substance and force, for permanent possi bilities of sensation attached to nothing at all—for mere thoughts of sensations—a dreary and bewildering idealism can be no distinct idea of mind if we give up all distinct idea of matter." " Switzerland in Summer and Autumn" is an interesting account of mountain travelling, which is well worthy of notice. Those who have hitherto consi dered Alpine travelling as almost exclusively confined to the English twill bo surprised to hear that the "fashionable world of Paris has admitted the Alps among the pursuits of gentlemen." Some pleasing descriptions are given of the varieties of mountain scenery, such as the setting in of spring among the Alps in May and winter in September, slowly descending the mountains in views of frost and snow ; but while this process was completed among the higher Alps there was lovely weather (like the Indian summer of America) upon the lake of Geneva in October, and many of the vines were still bending with their clusters of grapes. " Cornelius O'Dowd upon Men and Women and other Things in General" still continues to bring before us many of the most important incidents of the day, and the old style is kept of mingled satire and pleasantry. " The Man at the Wheel" is a very good definitinn of the present state of things concerning the Administration, and it is said that the comments passed upon public affairs, and the hints given by rival factions to the Premier and his friends just now, may be regarded as " speaking to the man at the wheel with a vengeance." " Memoirs of the Confederate War s ' are continued, and is as interesting as ever in its animated descriptions and re capitulation of most memorable events. " The Parliament of Salisbury Plain" is a smart sketch in verse, which sets forth the " bold bright idea" which has struck the writer respecting the new Reform Bill. " The late Bing of the Belgians" is mentioned in terms of great respect in the last article here met with, and it is truly stated that there is only one other man in Europa whose death could give rise to greater anxieties than that of the old King who has just diod at Laeken. " The Life and Letters of Frederick W. Robertson, M.A.," furnish the theme of a most interesting article, which is sure to bo welcomed by many. It is well said of him here, that " the Essayists and Reviewers" may claim him if they please, but no un prejudiced person who reads his biography will arrive at any other conclusion than that he was an humble and firm believer, a Christian man, if ever Christian . man and teacher has appeared among us in m o d ern times. FRASER.—Fraser opens the new year with brighter and clearer type, which relieves the den sity of the closely-printed columns ; but when we come to consider the letterpress itself the improve ment is not so evident. The number is decidedly heavy, and we hope is not to be taken as a sample of Fraser in 1866. It opens with a survey of the political situation, in which the policy and prospects of the Govern ment aro brought under consideration. The writer begins by admitting that " the best accredited political prophets have confidently announced that Lord Russell's Govern ment will not survive Easter ;" and he then proceeds to examine the individual and collective merits of the mem bers of the new Cabinet. To judge from his account we have all the talents, all the ministerial virtues to rule over us, and it is only wonderful that there should be any doubt of such a Government retaining office, especially as, ac cording to our essayist, there is no single opponent who can hope to compete with any of them. Truly, when we lay aside the rose-coloured spectacles through which we have been looking, it does occur to us that these political saints and heroes have held office for a good many years already, without achieving much more for their countrymen than can be done by letting them alone, while their foreign policy has, to use the mildest phrase, not been very satisfactory. The writer of this article is no reformer, and is evidently very sorry that any such awkward measure should be wanted, having evidently considerable misgiving as to its effect on the Administration. Ho feels, too, a little uneasi ness respecting the Jamaica question, and hopes that it is not an evil augury that a division on the Jamaica Bill of 1839 caused the resignation of Lord Melbourne. " The Queen of the West" is the title of a paper on those Western States of America which, between the rival claims of North and South, have been hitherto less thought of than their national importance deserves. We have also a graphic account of the ravages of the cholera in Malta in the year 1837 from notes by an eye-witness. The depress ing and degrading effects of fear were strongly evidence." in the island, and of course tended to augment the misery of the danger of the time. "From London to Rio de Janeiro" is the continuation of some letters which appeared last month. " How we Retook Dewangiri" is a page from the history of the Bhootan war, whose concluding para graphs deserve to bo read and pondered by every Anglo- Indian statesman. The interesting story' of " Gilbert Rugge" is brought to a conclusion. It belongs to the old school of novels, which depend on the actor rather than on the scene painter, and in which the incidents are subor dinate to the development of character. It deserves to obtain a prominent place on the shelves of those novel readers who have no taste.for the Newgate Calendar. CORNHILL.—The numerous readers who for some time past have dwelt with interest upon the story of "Wives and Daughters" will be shocked and distressed to find in this instalment that they can never read its conclusion The lay has made a sudden stand, The harp escaped the minstrel's hand." An appropriate note by the editor is affixed to the last lines by the authoress here given to us, and it will be with a sad and solemn interest that many eyes will dwell upon it. It is truly said, " What promised to be the crowning work of a life is a memorial of death. A few days later, and it would have been a triumphal column, crowned with a capital of festal leaves and flowers; now it is another sort of column—one of those sad, white pillars which stand broken in the churchyard." As such it must be left, but its memory will long flourish in the recollec tion of its readers, who will gladly "add their mite of praise in memory of a long delight." Mrs. Gaskell has long been a favourite among novel readers, and she has always had something good to teach by her works, and something which led upward and onward in the race of life. It is gratifying to meet with the tribute here paid to her memory. Mrs. Gaskell was gifted with some of the choicest faculties bestowed upon mankind; these grew into greater strength, and ripened into greater beauty, in the decline of her days; and she has gifted us with some of the truest and purest works of fiction in the language ; and she was herself what her works show her to have been —" a wise, good woman." "Recollections of Waterloo," by a surviving veteran, contain some passages well worthy of perusal, and we are transported back to the stormy scenes of an earlier generation as we peruse the ani mated descriptions here given to us. Curiously enough the next subject we meet with in the contents of this maga zine is entitled, "The Second Funeral of Napoleon." Already we seem far removed from that day when the ashes of France's greatest ruler were laid to rest in French soil, and many may be glad to refresh their memories con cerning the time, but it may be observed en passant that the tone adopted in this description is a little too flippant, con sidering the grandeur and solemnity of the scene under consideration. "Armadale" is still occupied with the won derful Miss Gwilt, and at last she starts for London, and, as usual, entraps some one, for young Allan Armadale is follish enough to travel with her, thus giving the tongues of the gossips occasion to wag. "An Australian's Im pressions of England," "Ancient Fenians and Fenian Lite rature,' and "American Humour," and other articles well worthy of consideration in their respective styles. " Thoughts in Italy about Christmas" is also a paper most appropriate at the present season. TEMPLE BAR. —" Archie Lovell" is the name of a new story that promises to prove entertaining. In the first chapter we meet with an apt description of a" Vampire Brood," a set of folks who make it their business to go abroad spreading evil reports, and are continually cutting honest throats by whis pers in their discourse. "Archie" herself, for such is the incongruous name given to a girl, seems naturally well disposed, but spoilt by education and bad management. Her father is a wretched sort of man, a perfect illustration of the world's unsuccessful men. " T rontlemouth" is a charming little sketch of a remote little seaport, which cannot fail to please the reader. " Jamaica " is an article on that vexed question, by a late Postmaster-General of the Island. It is written quietly enough, for the most part, but the writer is imbued with the perverse notions of the faction already so well known to the public, and therefore his opinions of the island aro more or less characterised by a tone of bitterness. It is very unwise at this time for any writer to use such language as this. "Should the day come, as it may, when the black race is dominant in Jamaica, the whites and coloured people a feeble unprotected minority." "Land at Last" is continued, and the unfortunate Lord Caterham closes his ill-starred career. He leaves a letter for Geoffrey Ludlow which throws light on some mysteries. An article on " Frederick William Robertson " is interest ing, and appropriately concludes with his own words in speaking of his contemplation of hereafter— " Deep repose in that still country, where the mystery of this strange life is valued, and the most feverish heart lays down its head at last." "In Lodgings at linightsbridge" is the first part of an exciting and interesting tale, which promises to be very eventful. " Through Sussex " is another of those pleasing sketches of fair English couaties, before met with in the pages of this magazine, and is a very agreeable sub ject of perusal. " Cor Cordium "is the title of some well written stanzas on the poet Shelley, and the thoughts which are inspired by the contemplation of the spot where his heart is buried. IMACMILLAN'S MAGAZINE.—The first thing to greet the reader of Macmillan's Magazine is the commencement of a story by Mrs. Norton. Be ginning with the year, it introduces us to its hero, " Old Sir Douglas" in the autumn of his days. A retrospect of his career occupies the principal por tion of theie first chapters, and shows us not only old Sir Douglas's present perplexities, but his past sorrows, and the strange and fitful training which has made young Ken neth Ross so grievous a care and burden to his indulgent uncle. The story is painful enough in its earlier chapters, though the.style, easy, graceful, and natural, is such as we are accustomed to from one whose pen is always sure to charm. Mr. Thomas Hughes gives us his views of "Peace on Earth" as it affects America. His article shows too much of the partisan to be altogether welcome to those who can still feel sympathy for the fruitless struggle of a brave people for their independence, and who cannot be persuaded by the ultimate event that the aboltion of sla very had anything to do with the origin of the war. "Re cent Novel Writing" is the title of a somewhat severe criticism upon the fictions of the day, though there is cer tainly room for improvement in subject, style, and charac ter, so far as most of the sensational novels of the'day are concerned. Nevertheless, summing up the general char acter and tendency of works of imagination, the critic arrives at the conclusion that even the poorest and • most extravagant novels are likely to do some good in this too material and work-a-day age. "Is it not a good thing," he asks, "that the energetic and quick-witted man of business, and not only he, but his wife, sons, and daughters, should be taught that there are things which mere practical energy cannot accom plish, and which no amount of money can buy—spiritual powers—faculties of observation, imagination, memory, description, which he is forced to confess are of a higher order than his own, depths of a passion which he has never fathomed, heights of ambition beside which his own schemes ,of money getting look poor and vulgar ? Now there are many novels which teach all this to him and his, and there are few so absolutely worthless as not to furnish him with some small portion of the lesson." " Cradock Nowell" is continued with interest, though the extravagance of its style somewhat mars the effects of its vivid pictures. A thoughtful essay, on " Nature and 1 Prayer," deals with a subject that has been lately much discussed. Mr. Davies enters into it with a calmness and reverence entirely free from any intolerance or impa tience of those who differ from him. In answer to the argument urged by some against the use of national prayer, that the course of natural laws is so fixed that no human wishes can affect it, he says forcibly that it proves too much. "If a philosopher says to me, Bow can you think that by your prayers you can divert universal na ture from its preordained course ? I think I reply ra tionally by asking, How can I suppose that by any acts of mine, any more than by my prayers, I can alter the unalterable.' " If the assertion "Itis of no use to pray against the cattle disease or the cholera be based upon the fact that effect follows cause with unvarying uni formity the same reason would lead us on to the further assertion, It is of no use to do anything against the cattle disease or the cholera.' " The Rev. Henry Jones gives us an article on a subject with which he is evi dently conversant, " Working Men: Some of their Ways and Wants." It is a very interesting paper, and it is to be hoped that the writer's earnest advocacy of the much-needed reform in St. James's, Westmin ster, will bring a little public attention to bear upon the point. In the midst of this' populous dis trict, said to be the most populous for its size in London, is a network of courts, a rookery of evils. Some of the inhabitants proposed to cut through the centre of this net work by a new street, lined with houses suitable for decent working people, letting in fresh air to the unwholesome courts and alleys, and an equally invigorating current of life and traffic through the thieves' corners and evil lounging places. Some of the smaller householders, however, ob jected to the three-halfpanny rate' necessary for the carry ing out of the improvement, and the rookery remains un disturbed. The writer's remarks on the various tempta tions to drink among the overworked residents of such close unhealthy localities are very just. Among the re maining papersisian essay on "Parliamentary Reform" by Lord Hobart, in which he favours the somewhat visionary and impractical scheme of Mr. Hare. THE ST. JAMES'S MAGAZINE.—The fortunes of the two fair heroines of Miss Braddon's new novel are coming to a crisis. Lady Cecil has already become the wife of the boisterous barrister, while Florence Crawford is weaving trouble for herself by her wilful determination to accept the homage of the wealthy but savage and uncultivated Mr. Lobyer. A new prima donna appears in the shape of Mrs. Champer downe, who, it appears, is the divinity of the painter's dreams. Paul Feval's romance, "Working in the Dark," is rapidly approaching its conclusion, and already the mys tery begins to be unravelled. " The Villake D.:.ctor," by the author of " Shirley Hall Asylum," is also continued, and there are other tales which finish in the number, so the novel-reader will have no lack of entertainment. The second part of "Masters and Servants" give us some amusing anecdotes of an eminent legal dignitary. "Cigars from Elsinore" is an episode of the late Danish war, and relates the awkward predicament into which a too credu lous Englishman was enticed by the smiles of a fair Dane. " Her Majesty's Mint" is the title of an interesting paper, giving us a minute account of the manufacture of the cur rent coin. It is remarked that during the last ten years no halfcrowns or fourpenny pieces have been struck, proba bly from the reason of their inconvenience in case of the adoption of a decimal coinage. We have in a paper of a different character a comparison between the lives and works of the two great poets who have dared , " The secrets of the abyss to spy. And pass the glancing bounds of Place and Time." Further on we find the first part of an historical essay on the State Trials during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and the Stuarts, including, of course, those of Essex and Raleigh, besides some account of the careers of the two legal celebrities of the State prosecutions of those days, Coke and Bacon. The second part of an account of "Jamaica cf To-day" does not enter into the vexed ques tions attending the recent outbreak, but gives an interest ing picture of that beautiful and fertile but sadly neglected colony. A vivid picture of the wasted gifts of nature is drawn in a few lines, as follows :—" With every local ad vantage provisions are dear in Jamaica, and particularly so in Kingston and its neighbourhood. Any one attempting to break through established sloth would meet with no mercy. With magnificent pasturage, dessicated milk from America, and salt butter from Cork, are alone used as a general rule, for fresh butter costs about 4s. per pound, and milk is equally expensive. With abundance of fine poultry, eggs are not unfrequently 2d. a piece. The coasts of the island are the resort of excellent fish of many varie ties, and yet that imported from America is the staple. With herds of swine feeding on the purifying orange, and the hog plums which drop at their feet, unknown salt pork is imported. The island abounds in natural condiments of the choicest description, and yet tables are supplied with the inferior pickled gherkins of New York. In other re spects the same dependence on America is conspicuous." It is to be hoped the late terrible crisis may be the introduc tion to a better state of things by inaugurating a complete change in the situation of affairs. THE ARGOSY. No. ll.—The second part of the Argosy gives us no reason to apprehend a diminu tion of its popularty. " Griffith Gaunt" proceeds vigorously with all Mr. Reade's accustomed anima tion of style. The fair heroine, Catherine Peyton, finds herself in rather an awkward predicament, but, how ever, she rises boldly to the occasion, and starts on a peril ous adventure, whose issue we shall learn in the next part. Matthew Browne contributes a quaint and original paper " OnWatching for the next Thing," in which he expresses an immeasurable horror for the total cessation of anything. There should always, he holds, be a successor, a next thing, with no interlude between, somewhat a fatiguing thought in this work-a-day world, wherein interludes and, pauses are brief and rare enough. "A journey Re journeyed" is brought to a temporary conclusion, and the traveller's vivid pictures of the clear Alpine heights are completed. A lively paper on " The Bourgeois of Paris" initiates us into some of the mysteries of middle class life in the gay and brilliant capital. Mrs. Oliphant gives us a pleasant little story called " The Hidden Tresure," and Christina Rosetti a bit of poetical prose from Fairyland, not without its human moral. " New Year's Day at Windsor, 1327," carries us back to the fun and freedom of a middle ago festival, while the ambassador's description of his gorgeous life in Venice comes in in singular contrast to the rough good humour of the English Court. THE VICTORIA MAGAZINE. —A brief memorial of that gifted and lamented lady who has a double claim to literary recollection as the daughter of an ever fresh and delightful songster, and herself a poetess of no mean order, finds an appropriate place in the earliest pages of the Victoria. It concludes very suitably with a selection from her own graceful and high-souled verses. The second book of Professor Laboulaye's . somewhat weighty though learned treatise on "The Civil and Politi cal Status of the Female Sex, from the Time of the Romans until the Present Day," proceeds slowly along. It still treats of the woman's position, rights, and privileges among the earlier Germans, and contains a good deal of curious and erudite information. Tho three tales now going on in this magazine are as yet incomplete. It is a pity that magazine writers do not allow their pens to move a little more rapidly, and bring their heroes and heroines' agonies and raptures to a more speedy crisis. " Turned Out" is the title of an article which very seasonably bids us re member the hardships inflicted on the poorer classes who are turned out . to make room for the inexorable progress of the iron horse —not only the pauper, and the struggling ranks just above pauperism, are affected, but thousands who have a definite trade and regular employment in hp - their own locality, which of course they are likely to lose by a forcedimmigration. The paper concludes with the brief but emphatic statement that " the courts of law have just decided that weekly tenants, though ejected from houses where they were carrying on a trade or business, were not entitled to any compensation." Such a grievance is surely practical enough to attract the attention and in voke the assistance of some of our Parliamentary philan thropists. tonal DEA ertabr , 4, HER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Dec. 30. Her Majesty the Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, accompanied by the Princess Louise. The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Hohen zollern, Infanta of Portugal, arrived yesterday on a visit to her Majesty, attended by Countess Renaud and Baron de Branchitsch. The Princess Helena and Prince Arthur, attended by Lady Churchill, the Hon. Major-General Hood, and Major Elphinstone, drove down to East Cowes to meet the Prince and Princess, who crossed over in the royal yacht Alberta, from Southampton, and accompanied them to Osborne, where they were received by the Queen. The Prince and Princess dined with her Majesty and the royal family in the evening. DEC. 31. The Queen and Princess Helena, with the Here ditary Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern, drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by Major-General the Hon. A. Hood. In the evening the Hereditary Prince and Princess, and Prince and Princess Leiningen, dined with her Majesty and the royal family. The ladies and gentlemen in attendance had the honour of joining the royal circle after dinner. Her Majesty, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, and Prince Arthur attended Divine service at Whippingham Church this morning, where the Rev. G. Prothero officiated. PRESENT FROM THE QUEEN TO HER GRANDSON. Her Majesty has just presented to her royal grandson, Prince Victor, a splendid baptismal gift. This work of art has been nearly two years in hand ; it was intended to have been presented on the first anniversary of the young princes birth—the 10th of March last—but the great amount of artistic labour required for the completion caused the presentation to be delayed until now. The work consists of a statuette of the late Prince Consort in silver, and stands 3 feet 2i inches in height. His royal high ness is in a standing position with gilt armour, copied from the figure upon the tomb of the Earl of Warwick in Warwick Cathedral. He is represented as Christian in the " Pilgrim's Progress," and around the plinth on which the figure stands is the verse from Timothy, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Behind the figure, and resting upon the stump of an oak, is the helmet of Christian.. The shield of the prince rests against the stem, and near the tree are the white lilies of purity, which are usually intro duced into the Pilgrim. Immediately beneath the plinth, and in front of the entablature of the pedes tal, is the inscription :—" Given to Albert Victor Christian Edward, on the occasion of his baptism, by Victoria R., his grandmother and godmother, in memory of Albert, his beloved grandfather." In the panel below, and over the royal arms is the verse—. My Rose of Love with tears I laid in earth, • My Lily ! Purity, hath soared to Heaven ; But faith still lives, and sees in this new birth How both once more to cheer my soul are given. On the panel on the side, over the Queen and Prince Consort's arms, is the verse— Fight the good fight He fought, and still, like him, Cherish the flowers of Purity and Love ; So shall He, when y earthly joys grow dim, First greet them in cur Saviour's home above. On a third panel, and over the arms of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is the verse— Walk as He walked, in faith and righteousness; Strive as He strove, the weak and poor to aid. Seek not thyself but other men to bless ; So win, like him, a wreath that will not fade. Beneath the front panel, over the figures "1864," are inscribed in large size letters the prince's names, Albert Victor Christian Edward : and in an oblong panel, " Born January the Bth, baptised March 10th." Looking to the front of the work a figure of Hope stands at the right side, cue of Faith on the left; and behind, or in the third niche, is a group of Charity, each of oxydised silver. At the side of each figure and group there are lilies in enamel. Upon the frieze over the figure of Faith are the works, " Walked as he walked—in Faith," the last word being inscribed beneath the figure. In the same manner, in connection with the figure of Hope, are the words, " Strive as he strove in—Hope ;" and over the group of Charity, also in enamel, are the words, "Think as he thought in—Charity." Over Faith there is a lily of purity ; over Hope the water lily, having appropriate reference to the baptism of the young prince; and over the group of Charity, and resting upon the top of the niche, there is the lily of the valley. The front panel contains in the centre the royal arms of England, surmounted by the erown. Theleft side, as you look at the panel, has the arms of the late Prince Consort, and at the other side the arms of the Prince of Wales. The mottoes of each shield are thrown into flowing ribbons. The entire treatment of this group is in a fanciful and allegorical style. Just beneath the royal shield is a white lily bending down over a broken rose, with, upon the background (of the rose) the word " Frog more." To the right of the Prince of Wales's• shield there is a figure of an infant boy looking up at a full-blown rose, which stands erect upon a perfect stem, with beside it a white lily, and imme diately over the baby figures a bunch of snowdrops, emblematic of youth or spring. The entire group is enriched by the rose, thistle, and shamrock, taste fully introduced to form a background. The ebony (or black) moulding points to the death of the prince, and the white stars symbolise the heaven in which the Prince Consort now dwells. The arms of the Queen in one shield, dexter ; and in a second shield, sinister, are the arms of the late prince. The panel is filled as the front one with a tasteful arrangement of the rose, thistle, and shamrock. The remaining panel is filled in the same manner, but with, dexter, the Prince of Wales's arms, and those of Denmark sinister. The design throughout is medimval in character, and as a work of art re flects the highest credit upon Mr. E. H. Corbould, by whom it was designed. The figures have been beautifully modelled by Mr. W. Theed, and the work has been executed in the highest style of art by Messrs. Elkington and Co. Additional and melancholy interest is imparted to the work front the circumstance of the inscriptions having been written by the Queen herself, who has watched with mingled feelings of joy and sadness the progress to wards completion of this interesting .gift to her grandson, The verses were written by Mrs. Pro thero, the wife of the rector at W hippingham, near Osborne, in the Ise of Wight.— Observer. The Special Commission to inquire into the re cent occurrences in Jamaica has been completed bi the appointment of Mr. John Blossett Mauls, the Recorder of Leeds. Mr. Roundell will be the secretary to the com mission, and Colonel Walpole secretary to Sir Henry Storks. Mr. Russell Gurney will go out by the mail steamer which leaves Southampton to-morrow, and will we believe, be accompanied, if possible, by Mr. Mauls. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES.—The following additional post-offices will be open on and after the Ist of January, 1866, for the receipt of proposals for the insurance of lives or the purchase of Government annuities, under the Act 27 and 28 Vict., cap. 43 ; and for the receipt of the premiums becoming duo to the Postman' ter-General, from time to time, under contracts for the in surance of lives or the purchase of Government annuities, and for the payment of any sums which shall become par able by the Postmaster-General, under the said contracts —Fenny. Stratford (Bletchley Station), Matlock Bridge (Matlock Bath), Narberth, Neston (Chester), Newcastle Emlyn (Carmarthen), Olney (NewportPagnell), Penmaen mawr (Conway), Pudsey (Leeds), Pwlheli, Sedgefield (Ferry-hill), Shipley (Leeds), Shipston-on-Stour, Sid mouth, Sittingbourne, Staveley (Chesterfield), Stilto (Peterborough), Towyn (Shrewsbury), and Wavertne (Liverpool). THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 18t6,