The Sun. — London, England, 1866-01-19 00:00:00

•••••••••••.r....1....- OUSES.-Messrs. TOPICS an d ROBERTS have numerous furnished and unfurnished r TOWN, üburban, and Country RESIDENCES o pen stating exact LET o SELL. P a rticulars forwarded for t hree stamps, up requirements and rental. Oftices, 2, t he utre t , Regent street, and South Kensington, lacing Musem. down all attempts at free expression and liberal proceedings. A festival was aiinounced as intended to take place on the banks of the Rhine, and no untoward motives actuated those who planned it, but they merely sought to do honour to the "much-abused Prussian representatives." This, however, was quite enough to set the Govern ment in a rage, and forthwith the most extraor dinary steps were taken to put clown the scheme, and insult, as far as possible, those who presumed to think of it. The particulars of these transactions are, of course, still fresh in the minds of our readers, but the President did right to call the attention of the Chambers to this lamentable event, which showed how far the authorities were from recognising their true position and the rights of the community. Putting down, by "armed force," an innocuous attempt made on the part of the citizens of a free country to testify their respect for men who had faithfully served their interests, and done service to their fellow-countrymen, was indeed a strange and rare occurrence. Very emphatic was that passage in which Mr. Glow referred to the disputes arising out of the illegally arraigned organisation of the army, and also at the unwarrantable manner in which the financial affairs are conducted. Notwithstanding that in 1862 in the Royal decree a promise was made to the effect that legislation and administration " should be conducted upon Liberal principles, the political part of the legislation has been brought to an entire standstill." Such is a true picture of the state of affairs in Prussia at present, and earnest well-wishers to their country still look in vain for the appearance of any laws respecting Ministerial re sponsibility and other matters, without the settle ment of which the carrying on of the administra tion and legislation of the country in a satisfactory manner is impossible. If any remnant of respect for the good opinion of others yet lingered in the minds of the rulers of Prussia they would be ashamed to hear themselves spoken of, and their acts described, as they were done in this clear and comprehensive speech. " The Administration of the State is altogether devoid of Liberal principles, proof of which is afforded by the measures taken against Liberal newspapers, associations, and meet ings ; against Liberal officials and citizens." In point of fact, ever since he took office, Herr VON BISMARCK has carried on a crusade against free institutions, and all the established usages of con stitutional States. Success has so far attended his efforts, but so long as any public spirit survives in Prussia, his mean purposes and mischievous designs cannot fail to be recognised and denounced by the independent men who represent their country in the Legislature. More hard work remains for the Berlin statesman ; and bold and unscrupulous as he is, even he must recognise the magnitude of his task, when he finds the President of the Chamber of Deputies declaring, in his inaugu ral address, that all authority not based upon the sworn public rights of the State is " wrong and immoral." If the KING and his zealous agent, in remodelling the Constitution, thought they had, by this time, pretty well crushed out all hope of liberty, or, at any rate, put down any expecta tion that might be entertained of preserv ing national rights, they will find themselves mistaken, when they dwell upon the manner in which the Session has commenced. There seems no reason to expect a speedy fulfilment of the hopes expressed by the President, at the conclusion of his speech, that Prussia may fulfil her German mission and develope a liberal cause, before she "is over taken by a turn perhaps favourable to freedom in the present constitutional crisis in Austria, and be fore it becomes altogether too late." The present epoch, with its significant occurrences in Prus sia, affords a very favourable chance to Austria, ii she only knows how to take advantage of it QOUTII KENSIN GT ON, HYDE-PARK, Queen's, and Rutland Gates, Queen's -m ate and Peters ham Terr aces, Queen's -gate, Cornwall, and Princes Gardens, Elvaston-place, Cromwell-road, Onslow and Thurloe Squares, Boltons. &c. Messrs TOPLI4 and ROBE KTS have RE 3I- D.ENCES to SELL and LET, in these and surrounding localities. Offices, 2, Conduit-street, R ege nt-street, and ;South K e nsington, facing the Museum. LIFEB OAT SERVI C ES. —1) wring the storms of the past year the National lifebast Institution, by its Lifeboats and other means, contributed to the sayin,f, of :07 persons from Afferent wrteks on our coasts. The Insti tution also expended.l:2l,3:4 In the same periA on its life boat et tablishme.ds, in addition to granthig £4,950 for le wards for saving life and exer:iising- the lifeboats. The Committee of the Institution earnestly APPEAL to the public for ASSISTANCE to enable them to meet the continued hetyy dcrnauds cu the Institution's 150 lifeboat stations. Contributions are received by the London and country bankers ; and by the Secretary, Richard Lewis, 1:16q., at the institution, 14, John-street, Adelphi, London. ATLANTIC AND WAY GREAT WESTERN RAIL. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that, in conformity with the terms on which the FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS of the PENNSYLVANIA SECTION of this Railroad were issued, the following, viz.:- Eighty Bonds of 81,000 each, numbered respectively 9, 20, 25, 63, 65, 66, 75, 76, 175, 249, 264, 290, 304, 306, 315, 325, 332, 348, 365, .367, 392, 409, 422, 425, 463, 473, 488, 489, 515, 532, 680, 735, 796, 880, 881, 911, 912, 981, 991, 1021, 1087, 1104, 1126, 1150, 1158, 1161, 1187, 1198, 1199, 1242, 1251, 1264, 1265, 1266, 1297, 1351, 1374, 1375, 1386, 1422, 1430, 1461, 1493, 1504, 1518, 1552, 1570, 1592, 1593, 1596, 1597, 1658, 1659, 1660, 1742, 1750, 1773, 1868, 1931, 1964 ; Twenty-four Bends of $5OO each, numbered respec tiiely— 2011, 2041, 2053, 2055, 2067, 2074, 2079, 2096, 2116, 2170, 2220, 2269, 2273, 2326, 2336, 2367, 2385, 2390, 2449, 2453, 2469, 2524, 2558, 2583 ; Eighty Bonds of $lOO each, numbered respectively— 2665, 2666, 2674, 2687, 2739, 2762, 2775, 2781, 2813, 2855, 2912, 2913, 2929, 2958, 2973, 2982, 2983, 2984, 2995, 2996, 3054, 3065, 3066, 3084, 3085, 3166, 3201, 3230, 3231, 3246, 3282, 3283, 3293, 3295, 3347, 3353, 3389, 3422, 3489, 3509, 3513, 3519, 3604, 3607, 3608, 3621, 3661, 3676, 3695, 3709, 3710, 3803, 3886, 3903, 3917, 3986, 4017, 4032, 4051, 4063, 4081, 4098, 4118, 4289, 4290, 4311, 4330, 4361, 4383, 4388, 4412, 4414, 4445, 4444, 4449, 4457, 4532, 4536, 4561, 4572, were this day drawn by the undersigned Public Notary. Notice is also Given, that such of the aforesaid Bonds as have been issued in London will be paid off at the rate of £225 for every $lOOO Bond, £ll2 10s. for every $5OO, and £22 10s. for every $lOO Bond, on presentation at th e Com pany's Office, 5, Westminster-chambers, Victoria-street, Westminster, on or after 2d April next, in addition to the Coupon due on that day, after which all interest will cease. London, January 18, 1866. W. GRAIN, Notary Public. ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT• GARDEN. (Opera Company, Limited.) THIS EVENING (FRIDAY), Mr. Charles 'Deffelli's new opera, in one act, WIRISTMA.S EVE. Madame F. Lancia, Madame E. litywood; Mr. A. Cook, and Mr. D. Miranda. Conductor, Mr. Alfred Mellon. After which. at 8, the grand comic, syectacular, and ope ratio Chris' mas Pairomime, entitled ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Flying Palace. (See other advertisements). Commence at 7 o'clock. THE ATR E ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.- T 3lanagers, 3lessrs. E. Falconer and k'. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, the Farce of HUSBANDS, BEWARE. Mr. G. Delmore, Miss Hazlewood. &c. After 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 itoselli ; Misses Bazlewood, A. Thomson, E. Falconer, do. Pantomimists, Messrs. H. Bolen. C. Lauri, Cormack, Saville, Miss Morgan, and Madame Boleno. Commence at 7, THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Sole Lessee and 3lantger, Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, BROTHER SAM Messrs. Sothern Backstone, Compton; Mesdames kielly Moore, Snowden To be followed by ORPHEUS IN THE HATMARK ET. Messrs. W. Farren, Fisher, Bartleman, Weaihersby, Sze. ; Mesdames Keeley, Snowden, Moore, Lindley, Woolgar, Howard, Wright, Coleman, Lovell, Prevot, &c. To conclude with MY HUSBAND'S GHOST. Commence at Seven. ROYAL LYCEUM T LIEATRE.- Under the sole Management of Mr. Feelter. THIS EVENING, THE ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGER. Mr. H. Widdicomb. Alter which, THE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD. Mr. Ft-Alter; Messrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomb, Vezin, J. H. Fitzpatric,, 1). Evans; liesdamesTernan, E.sworthy, Lavenu, and C. Leclercq. Box Office open daily from Eleven till Five. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL ADELPIII. sole Propriotor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. EVENING. at Seven, a new farce called PIPKIN'S RUSTIC REP tIEAT. Messrs J. L. Toole and P. Beutord, . Alter which, at 8, RIP VAN WINKLE. Rip (his 118th appearance), Mr. Jefferson, supported by Messrs. Millington, P. Bedford, It Phillips, I , elix ItogLra, Ashley, t. burne, C. J. ,Smith; Mrs. Biltingtcr, &c. To conclude with LEIMD TIME. Messrs. J L. Toole, R. Eburue, C. J. Smith ; Miss A. beams'', &c. linf 1 Tr AT PP TNC. FS 'S THEATRE Sole Lessee an Manager, Geo. ning. frixr; ro • -1 „ n+ terms with Hungary by granting freedom and popu THIS NVENING, QUIET LODGINGS. Atter whi h, at a quarter to Eight, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND. ( haracters by Misers. Vining, T. Mel ville, T. Mead, D. Murray, S. Calhaem, F. Villiers, J. G. Shore, (4. Murray, B. Melton, C. Seyton, R. Cathcart; Miss L. Moore and Miss Katherine Rodgers. lar rights, she may step into the place which Prussia has forfeited through the misconduct of her rulers, and take the lead in the march of German politics. No one will be surprised, however, if this opportu. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. twanborough. nity be lost, as the two great German Powers appear to be quite infatuated when it comes to the point when a decision must be made between advancing the cause of freedom or following a course of abso lutism which is more consistent with old feudal times than with the present advanced times. THIS EVENING. at 7 (11th time), NELLIE'S TRIAL — §. Messrs. raraelle, Belford, Price bliase3 Swanborough and Ranoe. After which will be ptoduced a new opera Ilurlesque, L'AFRICAINE; or, The Queen of the Cannibal Islan Messrs. Stoyle, James, Thorne ; Mesdames Swanborough, gaynham, Johnstone, &o. To conclude with TURN HIM OUT. iIIHE LAST EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing the Latest STORTING INTELLIUE Cd, oan be had Every Evening of G. H. GLEN NEWB AGENT, t'Po. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. The Wise Men of the East appear to have found themselves involved in a very serious difficulty, and it will be a little amusement to the unbusiness-like folks who reside west of Temple Bar to see how they will extricate themselves from it. Our present generation of Councillors and sages of the City proper have manifested for some time past a deter mination to contradict the old belief that citizens of London were absolutely indifferent to anything beyond the list of market prices and the state of the funds. If they cannot exactly modernise the achievement of that CAESAR who found Rome brick and left it marble, they will certainly be able to say that the City of the next generation will be very different from that of the last. What with the invasion of railway lines, the new streets, and the City share of the great embankment, there will certainly be a very great alteration in the aspect of that busy focus of London life. But, sad to relate, in the midst of the energetic improvements of the day, there is one of the most important undertakings which has come to a deadlock. Citizens are rich enough, and sufficiently accustomed to venerable President GRABOW has certainly made the most abuses to be prepared for a good deal, but a differ of his opportunity, and lost no time inlaying before ence of two hundred thousand pounds between the the Chamber of Deputies the exact state of affairs, Parliamentary estimate and th e con t rac t ors ' t en d ers and the peculiar nature of the work which i s before proved a little too much even for the equanimity of it. Whether anything defimite comes of this sessio n a Common Council Committee. This difference, it or not, it is at any rate satisfactory to find this pro_ must be remembered, was not between half and testmade, and something like a determined opposition three-quarters of a million, but between £53,000 inaugurated to the plans and purposes of the Ministry. and £249,700 ! Such is the startling fact which Herr GRABOW'S speech is an h on our to hi m — i t is was yesterday announced at the meeting of the worthy of better times, and a more prosperous con- Common Council, when the report of the Improve dition of politics than at present. Besides being ad- ment C • ommittee relative to the Holborn Valley vantageous to the Chambers, and of service to the Viaduct was read by the Town Clerk. The Cora nation to whom it was imm e di a t e ly a dd r ess e d, it may mittee reported th at t h ey had already acqu i red the fairly be said that this di scourse i s o f i n t eres t an d principal pa r t of the property on the south side of importance to foreign cou n t r i es, f or it sets forth-in Holborn Valley, and that a good deal of the ground an explicit manner the dangers and difficulties had been cleared. Of course it was then necessary which beset the path of the Deputies. Very to decide upon a tender for the actual construction forcible is the comment made by Herr GRABOW of the viaduct, and the committee having applied upon the unfair and unconstitutional manner in to twelve of the first contractors of the day had re matters were conducted last y ear . Th e ce i ve d s i x answers. The Parliamentary estimate, which „ g l oom y picture" spreadout was . ind ee d a melanch o ly as we have said, was £53,000 ; but the horror and • ht and at the close of the session the prosp ec t s be- amazement of the Committee may be imagined sight, When " at a time and in aplace where all when, on examining the tenders they found the came darker, impossible," the House was ac- lowest to be for £239,507, contradiction was the cused of injuring the country by refusing to grant £lO,OOO mo re . There was evidently something very rejecti n g bills. A striking instance wrong somewhere, though supplies, and by inflicted upon the right cause in the estimate or the tenders was not ' • of the injuries thus easily discover the President, when he able. They accordinglyappointed • was ably set forth by a special committee reminded the House of the manner in to get them out of the difficulty, but the labour which th© "reactionary press took up the of SISYPHUS was abo u t equa ll y hopeful. We have redounded to the all of the diffi cu l ty of " mamgb subject. In fact nothing more heard both ends discredit of the Government than the latitude which meet," and probably most of us have experienced was extended t o th ose ca l umn iators who decried it on a large or small s ca l e , b u t to effect a junction the character of the Diet, and denounced its mem- between £50,000 and a quarter of a million might bers in the most unwarrantable manner and after puzzle Mr. a —LADSTONE himself. Accordingly, as the most u nscrupulou s f as hi on . the case was desperate, and " ph ys i c i ans were in Abundant proofs were furnished of the arbitrary vain," a special authority was consulted, and plans, intentions of the authorities, and of the desperate estimates, papers„and tenders were 'aid in despair style in which they n l o wat to thkgril MIT ? with Cu tleatio that h e 111 % things, and to put before Arx, TIHE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published every Eveninf:, by W. ALEXANDER, (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 24, Old Cavendish-greet, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as non as Published, containing all the LATEST NEWS and SPORTING I.NTELLIGENCE, by H. W. II KRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackfriars-roan, London, S. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J. 1101.21E8 begs to inform his friends, and the public ETIIIIIIPt he supplies the LATEST E fl " I ( ; i t s l e a gl - N.V. soon as published —No. 16, amp HIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY.—Morning, 3h. 44m.-- To- Afternoon, 4h. in M onnow. - Morning, 4h. 20 m. ---After noon , 4h. 40m ~~ s ta/ pia_ Sum LONDON, FRIDAY, JAN. 19, 1866. .+- THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 19, 1866. would discover what was the matter and prescribe the remedy-. Mr. CUBITT, on examination, made a discovery which, it appears to the uninitiated, might have been made before—that " the works on which the estimates for Parliament were founded , were dissimilar from those on which the estimates were made as put in for the contracts." Still he was obliged to take into consideration the shortness of the time allowed for the construction, and a good margin for risks to account for the discrepancy. Mr. Cußin gave it as his opinion that a viaduct 75 feet wide could be executed for £llO,OOO, rea sonable time being allowed for its completion, and that if it were 80 feet wide the increased expense need only be about £6,000. He examined the plans of Mr. JONES, the City Architect, and Mr. HarwooD, the Surveyor of the Commissioners of Sewers, and gave his opinion in favour of the latter as being the simpler and less costly of the two. Mr. C (MITT advised that the committee should ob tain plans and specifications for the viaduct without recurring to transverse arches, and to apply for ten ders without pledging themselves to the lowest. Mr. HAYWOOD'S dignity, however, appears to have been affronted by this suggestion, and he declined to " prepare plans under the Consulting Engineer's advice." He asked, however, for permission to carry out the structural designs of the viaduct on his own sole account and responsibility, at a cost of £llO,OOO, or £130,000 less than the lowest of the tenders. At first sight this appears extremely moderate ; but the extraordinary part of the business is, that Mr. HAYWOOD was engaged by the Common Council Committee in the first stages of the Holborn Valley Improvement Works, and, according to Mr. Deputy FRY, "he greatly assisted in the preparation of the plan and in carry ing the bill through Parliament." How then is it that Mr. HAYWOOD'S tender is more than double the original computation? The City Architect's esti mate is for £lBO,OOO, or more than three times the Parliamentary estimate. Added to the other per plexities of the matter, Mr. Havw oOD and Mr. JO NES are not brethren in arms, though they are rivals in renown, and cannot work together, even to make up a report. When asked to consult together they each came un with a separate report, and the battle in fact seems to be between these two, and although the original feeling was in favour of Mr. JONES, Mr. HAYWOOD'S supporters yesterday proved victorious, and it was decided that the committee should arrange with Mr. HAYWOOD for the construction of the viaduct. So far Holborn-hill has certainly proved the Hill Difficulty to the would-be improvers. If this: is to be the manner in which City improvements are to be carried on the prospects of the new street from Blackfriars to the Mansion House are not encourag ing. The citizens were bent upon carrying it out themselves, but, according to sample, we may expect to walk down it in the year 1900 ! We heartily ap prove of the prevailing desire that works of this kind should be carried out in a manner creditable to the City, and in keeping with the engineering capacities of the day. But, as yet, the efforts to accomplish the Holborn Valley Improvement quickly have rather over-reached themselves, and between Council, Committee, and Special Committee, with plan estimate, specification and contract, and tender, the much pitied cab and dray horses of the City are not the only ones that trip and stumble in achieving the ascent of Holborn-hill. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Thursday Evening. General Prim is not caught yet, but, on the con tary, he has effected what it was said was impos sible—he and his followers have crossed the Guadiana, and have been able to reach Zalamea, a small village near the frontiers of Portugal, at the 4.1." ~,n llnfn;rba itrh;nli Collfirnfl, from Andalusia. The Moniteur publishes a notice to intending French exhibitors at the Great Exhibition, in which it is stated that some portions of the Palace will be ready to receive products from and after the 15th June next. In the absence of any real information in regard to the insurrection in Spain, I may state that according to a letter from Madrid, the committee of the Senate appointed to report on the demand for bringing General Prim to trial on the charge of sedition has decided that it will first be requisite to have a conference with the Ministers upon the sub ject. Three opinions were prevalent amongst the committee. Some of the members of it propose that Prim should be summoned before a Council of War. Other members say it will be better to have him tried by the Senate, of which body he is a member also. General Pavia, on the other hand, demands that General Prim should be tried by a Council of War, but says there is no need of any permission from the Senate for this purpose, as the law is the same for all mili tary men, no matter what their rank or station. Reports are published of another trial for murder and robbery. It took place before the Court of Assize of the Alpes Maritimes. The accused is a farm labourer named Icard, 24 years of age. The crime is alleged to have been committed on the 21st of March last year, in the environs of Nice. The prisoner on that day broke into the house of an old man and his wife, named Gastaud, during their ab sence, and stole from a drawer one hundred and sixty francs in gold. Just as he was about to leave the house, however, he was met in the passage by the old lady on her return. The prisoner drew a dagger from his coat and stabbed her with it about the head until she died. Suspicion having fallen upon the prisoner, a search was made at his lodgings, where a coat and trousers, stained with blood, were found. When the police put some questions to the prisoner, he at once admitted that he was guilty, and, indeed, told them where he had hidden the weapon. Blood was found upon it. The prisoner's counsel argued that he was insane. The plea prevailed to a certain extent, for the jury found the prisoner guilty, but with " extenuating circumstances," and he was sentenced to hard labour for life. A duel has taken place between M. Henri Roche fort and Prince Achille Oarat. The seconds of M. Rochefort were M. Taxile Delord, a newspaper writer, and M. Plumbete, manager of the Theatre du Palais Royal. The seconds of the Prince were M. Jerome Napoleon Patterson and M. Antonio de Ezpelata. The challenge was given by the Prince in consequence of an article in the Figaro throwing ridicule upon some letters written by him, which were produced in a recent horse-case concerning Mdlle. Cova Pearl. The duel was with swords. A mutually vigorous attack took place. M. Rochefort wounded the Prince in the breast, and the latter also gave a slight wound to M. Rochefort upon the hip. Upon this the seconds interfered, and thus the matter ended. It is stated that a broker in the Rue de la Made leine has made a discovery which will form an epoch in the history of the fine arts. This discovery is no less than this :---Among his dirty old pictures he has found a painting of the Virgin, the undoubted work of Correggio. Amateurs are of opinion that the painting embodies in a high degree the qualities of that great master. The Siecle to-day draws a curious contrast between the English Government and that of Spain. It says— ,, The most grave fact of the day is the placing in a state of siege the city and county of Dublin. That an oscillating and threatened Go vernment like that of Isabella 11. should adopt at the first alarm exceptional measures is not sur prising, but that the Cabinet of St. James's, in a constitutional country, should resolve to proclaim a state of seige, gives reason to suppose that the situation of Ireland is alarming." 'Mc Monitor of this eyening states that in spite of the differences which at first prevailed among the committee the Senate gave, almost unanimously, authority to proceed against General Prim on the charge of sedition. The only other news of the day is that Madame Goupy, daughter of M. Baroche, Minister of Justice, died this morning after a short illness. The mild weather still continues. To-day it has been like May. In my garden, near Paris, the honeysuckle and rose trees are budding. The apricot trees look as if it were April. The Inventors' Institute. THE ATLANTIC CABLE FAILURE. On Thursday evening the council of this institution held an important meeting at 4, St. Martin's-place, Trafalgar square. C. W. Siemens, Esq., C.E., F.R.S.,epresided. The occasion was marked by Captain J. H. Selwyn, R.N., reading an interesting paper on "Submarine Telegraphy." Captain SELWYN exhibited a model of his paying-out drum. It consists of a cylinder which on the large scale would be made of iron plate, like an iron ship, its dimen sions being something like 50 feet in diaraeter, and 60 feet in length. On this hollow cylinder or drum the telegraph cable would be wound, and the dimensions would be such that the drum would float, when loaded with the cable, somewhat less than half immersed. The axis of the drum would be mounted in a framing towed by a steamer, and each end of the drum would be fitted with paddle floats capable of being reefed towards or from the axis. By this arrangement, on the drum being drawn forward by the steamer, the water acting on its floats would cause the drum to revolve, and thereby pay out by unwinding the cable from its revolving surface. By properly arranging the paddle floats, the speed of revolution, and thereby of paying -out, could be adjusted to that of the towing vessel. Captain Selwyn states that the latest device of man to span the liquid barrier nature has set between the conti nents, as far, at least, as his intelligence is concerned, to pass his thoughts through or under with lightning speed that element over which his body can only as yet pass comparatively slowly—this device, the submarine tele graphic wire, has as yet proved more difficult to esta blish with certainty of success, and the failures to do so have been more costly than in the case of any other en gineering problem that has as yet tasked the resources of this age of invention and discovery. It is, however, fortu nately the case that the last thing an English engineer ever does is to confess himself beaten by nature. So long as there is money these is hope—is his reading of the sea man's phrase " Never say die while there's a shot in the locker." But, also, the first thing the engineer does, or should do, is to study the causes of failure. Rather should he proclaim them aloud, though to have failed be to man reproach, than seek to conceal incompetence under the plea of impossibilities. lie regretted that the history of deep-sea telegraphy was almost entirely one of failure. The public wanted to hear the history of the "hitches" in the successfully laid-out cables that only succeeded in ab sorbing shareholders' capital. The first idea of a submarine telegraph, Capt. Selwyn proceeded to state, seemed to have been simply an insulated copper wire. There were com bined the two essentials--a conductor of moderate size, and an insulator, whose function was simply to confine the electricity to that particular character. So far as these conditions were fulfilled, the communication was as per fectly provided for as in any subsequent structure by the most "eminent contractors." But, unfortunately, in cross ing the narrow seas where this first cable was laid sources of mechanical injury were inevitably present, for which no allowance had been made in the construction. It was not sufficient that the water should be kept out or the electricity be kept in, if these conditions could be secured only when nothing but water was in contact with the deli cate thread. He drew the conclusion that light strong cables are to be chosen in preference to the most elaborate admixture of iron wire and hemp. For mixing these longi tudinal fibres of flax must be used, crusted in with a sub stance which must not be an insulator, although it should be waterproof or nearly so, but which, above all, should be as unpalatable as may be to the inhabitants of the ocean depths. Spirals, whether of iron or steel-wire or hemp, whether in the conductor or the exterior sheathing, are by all means to be avoided. They will prove to be nothing but a dead loss of time and a shameful waste of material. He next considered the constitution of the insulator. There is no reason to believe that the gum hitherto most in favour—gutta percha - has ever contributed by its failure to the want of success in deep sea telegraphic com munication which we all deplore. But neither its advo cates, nor those of India-rubber, can justly be surprised if advances in chemical science place us in possession of sub stances of better quality for our purpose at a more reason able price that we should prefer them, notwithstanding some of those vested interests which the progress of our age is so constantly over-riding. He saw not the smallest reason to doubt that the paraffin compound of Mr. Mackin tosh is such a substance, and he could not but anticipate its extended employment both for subterranean and sub marine lines wherever its valuable qualities and low price became as Well known to the world as they are to the few who have hitherto made it their business to inquire into the subject. The most extraordinary property of this com pound derived from the paraffin, which it largely contains, is the extreme lowness of its j ‘ nductive capacity, joined to power. ibis, it Is wee xiavutia., stcram.n.: directly the speed of the transmission of signals, though he was not disposed to attach so much weight to this speed as it is usual to do, believing that a proper code of signals may be made almost indefinitely to increase the rate at which ordinary messages can be sent. The model for this may be found in " Marryat's" or the "Navy Signal-book," in the use of either of which any one of ordinary capacity may speedily become an adept. He advocated the laying of all telegraph cables, light or heavy, from floating cylin ders, which are to carry (in some cases) the entire, or in others at least half, the cable, and to be towed by steamers. But there still remains a not unimportant part of the sub ject for consideration. Having made the best possible cable, and having chosen the ,best method of laying it out, what, he asked, more could be done to ensure its safe deposition and greatest durability ? That the route be carefully selected. He thought that any one who put copper cables and iron shore ends together in salt water would be sadly disappointed if he looked for even ordinary durability in the iron. He did not doubt the possibility of recovering a properly-made cable by grappling in any depth of an oozy bottom. On the contrary, he believed that the Atlantic cable was hooked, and could have been brought to the surface. But this operation, said Captain Selwyn in conclusion, becomes more simple and easy when, in stead of 2,000, we have only 200 fathoms to deal with, and he had no hesitation in saying that across the greater part of the Atlantic such shallow water may be even where it has not yet been found, and that when we are bold enough to abandon coasting voyages in telegraphy, we shall find our difficulties disappear as we face them—just as did those of the immortal Columbus when, despising the clamours of a self-satisfied clique, he sailed forth into the broad Atlantic, and was rewarded by the discovery of a new world. The first mistake iu submarine tele graphy was the putting light deep sea cables to do shallow water work. The last has been to put heavy ropes to do the work for which, in the meat depths, only light ones could possibly be fitly employed. That these errors might be avoided by being exposed, and that thus true progress might be made, was his earnest wish and sole motive in reading his paper. The gallant captain sat down amid much applause. The members were then invited to give their respective opinions. Mr. VARLE; jun., suggested that trials of short lengths of cable should be made, so as to ascertain the most ad vantageous construction. Mr. TAYLOR made some observations on Capt. Selwyn's floating drums. Mr. JOHN Imney inquired 'whether the usual metallic protective coating eould not be suppressed altogether, giving all the strength to tho conductor and insulator. He also asked whether there could be any practical objection to a cable but little heavier than water. Mr. JEFFRIES, F.R.S., observed upon the inefficiency of break apparatus used for the Atlantic cables, and s uggested the employment of arrangements of greater delicacy. Mr. VARLET, sen., expressed his approval of light cables made without metallic protecting wires. Professor M'GAULEY observed on the necessity of always providing for recovery of the cable in case of fracture, and suggested the employment of four satellite steamers, so that there should always be apair sustaining a rope transversely to the cable several miles behind the paying-out vessel. In cases of fracture, these steamers, by moving apart, would raise the cable, so that it could be recovered. Mr. JOHN 3PINTOSH strongly supported the construction of cables without metallic protection, and stated that many successful pieces of cable had been made—small, smooth, and strengthened by flax or silk fibres. Mr. ROBERTS made some remarks on the testing of cables. The CHAIRMAN gave a general summary of the discussion, and expressed his conviction that some sort of protecting material was necessary to submarine cables, though he could by no means approve of the ordinary iron sheathing. Iron sheathing would be always subject to magnetic influence, and might thus prejudice the conduction. For tensible strength and protecting qualities ho considered hemp one of the best materials, provided it was impregnated with some preservative substance. Votes of thanks to Capt. Selwyn for his excellent paper and to the chairman closed the proceedings. A contemporary says The public will learn with satisfaction that the immediate apprehension of Mr. Layard's retirement from the Foreign-office has passed. Forcible as the motives must have been which induced him to tender his resignation, and at the same time to de cline the proffered distinction of a summons to the Privy Council, he has set aside his own wish in view of the aid which he can still render to the business of the country in the active session now approaching. Mr. Layard has thus added one more to the number of those statesmen whom we have already mentioned as waiving personal conside rations in the earnest desire to support Lord Russell's Government, and to promote the united action 91 the Li beral party." LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) THE MILITARY REVOLT IN SPAIN, MADRID, JAN. 18. Official despatches announce that the insurgents passed the night of the 17th at Berlanga. It was believed they would pass through Slerana to-day, in order to enter Portugal at Jerez de los Caballeros. The sergeants who attempted to get up a mutiny of the Alcala Regiment and release the convicts were shot here this morning. Tranquillity prevails at Madrid and throughout Spain. FRANCE. PARIS, JAN. 19. Professor Wurtz has been appointed doyen 0: the Paris Faculty of Medicine. The Moniteur of to-day :—" On the 1 - 7th inst. General Prim passed the night at Berlanga, on the frontier of Andalusia. It is not known if he will attempt to penetrate into Andalusia or cross over into Portugal." BOURSE, Jan. 18.—Two o'clock.•—The market was buoyant, and closed at the following quota tions:— 4 per Cents 9B 30 Do. end month — 3 per Cents. 6B 75 Do. end month 6B 70 Credit Mobilier Do. end month Bank Shares 3665 Credit Fonder — Italian Loan 62 10 Do. end month 62 25 Roman - Ottoman Fives 4O 25 Mexican Loan - Do. Bonds Russian Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt Deferred Acct. 850 ... 1110 - 856 25 ... 552 50 """ ---"' • e• - - ... 530 - - - ... 412 50 - - ... 423.75 - - ... 182 50 - - ... 156 25 RAILWAYS. Cash. Orleans Northern Lyons and Mediterranean Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona Roman AMERICA. (REUTER'S EXPRESS.) (Per City of Washington.) NEW YORK, Jan. 6 (Noon). Southern advises are very meagre. The fears lately so generally entertained at the South of a negro insurrection seem to have nearly subsided, and it is now believed that no formidable conspiracy of that character has existed. Of the numerous disturbances that occurred during the holi days none were believed to have resulted from other than local causes. At New Orleans a severe fight took place between some white stevedores and a party of some 600 negroes, the latter having attempted to drive the steve dores from their work. The police finally dispersed the mob, and arrested some 20 of the negroes, when quiet was restored. Arkansas advices show that great lawlessness prevails throughout that State, highway robberies being of com mon occurrence. The negroes were suffering greatly from sickness and destitution, notwithstanding the exertions of the Freedmen's Bureau, which was vigorously directed to their relief. Quite an excitement was produced recently in a Mobile theatre by a Federal military commander ordering the orchestra to play " Yankee Doodle." The audience hissed the tune, while the soldiery applauded it. Quietness was finally restored, and the play went on. Governor Worth, the new Executive of North Carolina on the 30th ult. issued an address to the people of that State, congratulating them on the termination of the Provisional Government. Ile says that having been vanquished by the national armies they have submitted, as becomes a brave people, and he does not believe that one North Carolinian is unworthy of the confidence reposed in them by the President. Captain Raphael Semmes will soon be put upon trial' and probably convicted, though it is said that his subse quent pardon is certain. Governor Fairchild, of Wisconsin, in his inaugural ad dress, declares that, although the war has for ever decided the question of the right of secession, yet "not until Jef ferson Davis shall have been tried, convicted, and hung for treason, and the fact that treason is a crime which can not be committed with impunity fully demonstrated, will the American people be content." The Governor advo cates the payment of the national debt, and the granting of full political and civil rights to the negro. Governor Cony, of Maine, in his message, states that Maine furnished during the late war over 71,000 men, or Luau a iouiu or her LULaI population, 01 which num ber 8,446 perished on the field of battle and in hospitals. The State expenditure during the war was about 14 mil lion dollars. The Governor suggests that the privilege of the elective franchise should be extended throughout the country to all, irrespective of colour, but that an educa tional qualification should be required. Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, in his valedictory, address says the admission of the Southern States should depend on the following conditions : —A guarantee of equal civil rights to coloured persons; also the right to vote ; the abrogation of the ordinance of secession ; the repudiation of the rebel war debt ; and the ratification of the Anti slavery Amendment. General Palmer, Federal military commander in Ken tucky, recently addressed about four thousand freedmen at Louisville, congratulating them on the abolition of slavery throughout the country, and prophesying for them a happy future and an early recognition of all their civil and political rights by the people of the South. General Palmer paid a warm tribute to the kindness generally shown by Kentuckians towards their late slaves. The State Republican Convention of New Hampshire recently adopted a resolution, endorsing President John son's, and pledging him support in his efforts to restore harmony and mutual trust between the different sections of the Union. Another resolution adopted denounced the establishment of Maximilian's empire in Mexico as " a standing insult to our power, and a menace to Republican institutions in America." Mr. Secretary M'Culloch's statement for the month of December, 1865, shows the total amount of the National debt, less the cash in the Treasury, to be two thousand seven hundred and sixteen millions of dollars. Both Houses of Congress re-assembled yesterday. In the Senate, Mr. Sumner, of Massachusetts, presented a pe tition from negroes of Alabama and Mississippi, asking the privilege of voting. Mr. Sumner also presented a petition from negroes of Colorado, protesting against the recogni tion of that State on account of radical injustice alleged to be (lone to the coloured race by the provisions of its newly adopted constitution. Mr. Chanler, of Michigan, presented a protest of citizens of his State against a renewal of the Canadian Reciprocity Treaty. Mr. Sumner presented a petition from citizens of Boston claiming indemnity from the British Government for da mages sustained by the depredations of the Alabama. A proposed constitutional amendment, prohibiting the payment by public monies of any claims for emancipated slaves, was referred to the Judiciary Committee. In the House of Representatives, a bill proposing that American vessels that took foreign registers during the war shall be prevented from renewing American charters was refused. Mr. Spalding, of Ohio, spoke at length upon the Presi sident's Message. Ho announced his belief in the sincerity and wisdom of the President, but thought his removal of the provisional governors without the consent of Congress rather an undue assumption of power. There has just been issued from the Public Printing Bureau the Message of the President heretofore trans mitted to the Senate in response to a resolution asking for information on the subject of a decree of the so-called Emperor of Mexico of 3d Oct. last. A copy of this decree has already been published, and Mr. Romero, the Mexican Minister, in calling the attention of Secretary Seward to it and other papers in October last says—ln the usurper's proclamation of the 2d inst. the Duke supposes, contrary to the fact, that the Constitutional President of the Mexican Republic had abandoned the national territory, and from this false hypothesis he concludes that the de fenders of independence, whom he calls " bandits," in obedience to orders received from the French, have no leader. It is nothing new for the usurper to call these patriots who sustain the cause of Mexico " bandits," nor is it new to him to treat them as such, with a severity that would be called excessive if applied to criminals of tho lowest order. He showed the same determination in his proclamation of the 3d of November last. Now, Maximilian wishes to regulate this established system of assassination, by a decree issued on the 3d inst., creating the most informal military tribunals, extending their jurisdiction to every person in the country armed without license from his so-called Government, regardless of the numbers and character of the party he belongs to In this decree, exclusively tyrannical, he condemns to death every armed man who is not a French soldier or a traitor, and even those who will proffer information which may aid the defenders of their country, and sanctions se vere penalties for the mere act of concealing a patriot or circulating alarming news ; and it has been carried out by his French directors, who have been, by the system of court martial, sending to the scaffold the captive patriots called guerrillas, and even military officers of the National Army who could not be called so. This extraordinary se verity is in open contravention to the studied mild pro mises made in the first proclamation on landing at Vera Cruz, dated May 23, 1864, &c., &C. Mr. Emu°, in another letter to Secretary Seward, dated Nov. 20, says :—This barbarous and bloody decree, the most cruel ever yet seen, has already begun to be exe cuted. It is now my painful duty to inform you that on the 13th of October last the Generals Ortega and Salazar, and Colonels Diaz, Paracho, Villa, Gomez, Perez, Milecua, and Villanos, five lieut.-colonels, eight commandants, and a number of subordinate officers, were surprised and taken prisoners by the French forces in the town of Santa Anna, Amatian, State of Michoacan, as appears from the official despatch sent to the usurper, of which I inclose a copy in French. Those generals and colonels belonged to the re gular army of the Republic, were officers of education and profession, and have fought for the independence of their country from the time the French first landed in Mexico. These distinguished Mexicans were executed in accord ance with the abovenamed bloody decree of the usurper of Mexico. I have information, of the truth of which there unhappily is no doubt, that the two generals and four colonels were barbarously sacrificed, in flagrant violation of the laws of war and every principle of justice. It further appears from the documents that, on October 28, Charge d'Affaires Corwin informed Mr. Seward that it had been reported at the City of Mexico for the three preceding days, and generally believed, that on the 21st of that month Generals Ortega and Salazar, and the four colonels, were shot at Uruquan, but that no official report of the execution had been published. Mr. Corwin also refers to the first article of the decree, show ing that all those belonging to the armies fighting for the Republican Government will be shot if taken prisoners by the Imperial troops. Mr. Seward, on the 3d of November, addressed a letter to our Minister at Paris, saying :—" I am directed by the President to request you to ask the serious attention of the French Government to the military proceedings in Mexico, by which native Mexicans taken captives while adhering in war to their own Republican Government, aro denied rights which the law of nations invariably accords to pri soners of war; and on 28th of the same month Mr. Seward addressed another letter to Mr. Bigelow, saying : " With reference to my despatch of the 3d inst. it is now my painful duty to acquaint you that information has been received from the Minister of the Republican Government of Mexico accredited to this Government, to the effect that the sanguinary policy referred to in the above-named despatch has actually been inaugurated by the execution of several distinguished officers of the Liberal forces, who had been surprised and captured by the Impeiialists in the town of Santa Anna, Amatian, namely, Generals Ortega and Salszar, and Colonels Diaz, Poracho, Villa, Gomez, Perez, Milecua, and Villanos, five lieutenant colonels, eight commanders, and a number of subordinate officers. It devolves upon me to instruct you again to call the serious attention of the Imperial Government to the subject, and to inform M. Drouyn de L'Huys that these reports have been received with the utmost concern by the United States. If, upon investigation, they should prove, as there is there is too strong ground for believing that they aro well founded, we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt, that so far as the Government of France is concerned, it can never countenance proceedings which are so repugnant to the sentiments of modern civilisation and the instincts of humanity. Mr. Bigelow, under date of Paris, Nov. 30, 1865, writes to Mr. Seward as follows : Sir,—He (M. Drouyn de L'Huys) hero referred to the representation I had made in regard to the shooting of the Mexican prisoners taken in war, and, also, to the case of Madame De Yturbido. " Why," he said, "do you not go to President Juarez? We are not the Government of Mexico, and you do us too much honour to treat us as such. We had to go to Mexico with an army to secure certain important interests, but we are not responsible for Maxi milian or his Government. He is as accountable to you, as any other Government, if he violates its right, and you have the same remedies these that we had." Mr. Seward, under date of Dec. 10, informs Mr. Romero that the latter's despatch and its accompaniments, for which he tenders his thanks, have received the considera tion to which they were justly entitled by this Govern ment. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Money abundant. Gold, 143. Exchange on London, 1551; on Paris 3 62-1. Stocks dull—New York Central, 96 ; Illinois, 131 i ; Erio, 96*; Five-twenty Bonds, 104 Cotton firm, but active—middling upland, 52c. Flour dull. Wheat quiet. Corn slightly firmer. Provisions a limited demand. Coffee quiet. Sugar firm, but active. Molasses held firmly. Petroleum, a limited demand—crude, 37ic. ; refined, 59c. to 61c. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. s.—Cotton dull—middling upland, 50e. Sales of the week, 15,000 bales. Stock, 181,000 bales. ARRIVAL OF THE SAXON. SOUTHAMPTON, Jan. 19. The Saxon, just arrived here, spoke the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's ship Rhone, for Lisbon, Brazils, on the 13th inst., 50 miles south-west of Vigo. She had suffered much in a heavy gale, and lost all her boats on the port side, and appeared to be going slow. ARRIVAL OF TIIE PERUVIAN. (Via Greencastle.) NEW YORK, Jan. 6 (Evening). The City of London arrived at Halifax to-day short o. coal. Money abundant ; gold, 142. Exchanall .7, London, 1511, rails, op°. Stocks dull ; New York Centrals, 95i ; Illinois, 130 ; Erie, 94k. Five-twenty Bonds, 104 i. Petro leum, crude, 38 ; refined, 59. SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday. The North German Lloyd's steamship New York sailed to-day for New York, with the usual mails, 72 cabin pas sengers, and a large cargo, including French jewellery to the value of £5,500. FRIDAY. Tho Hamburg and American Company's steamship Saxonia, from New York on the 6th inst., has arrived, with 50 bags of mails, 89 passengers for this port, Ham burg, and Havre, $116,309 in specie for England, $212,724 for France, and $BOO for Hamburg. Nows anticipated. BANK OF FRANCE. PARIS, JAN. 18. The following is the return of the Bank of France for the week ending to-day, together with the cor responding figures of the previous account : DEBTOR. Jan. 18. fr. c. Capital of the Bank 1 82,500,000 Profits in addition to capital (Art. 8, Law, June 9, 1857) 7,044,776 02 7,044,776 02 Reserve of the Bank and its branches Reserve in landed pro perty 4,000,000 Notes in circulation ... 9 70,736,975 Banknotes to order and receipts payable at sight Treasury account cur rent creditor Current accounts, Paris 136,033,195 79 159,447,607 13 Do. branch banks Dividends payable 4,469,584 75 6,518,613 75 Discounts and sundry interests Rediscounted the last - 0 six months 2,074,992 92 2,0i4,992 92 surplus of receipts not distributed Sundries Jan. 11. 182,500,000 - 22,105,750 14 22,105,750 14 4,000,000 - 954,402,575 - 7,758,618 43 7,809,951 76 Total CREDITOR. Jan. 18. Jan. 11. Cash in hand and in fr. c. fr. c. Branch banks Commercial bills over due Commercial bills dis counted, not yet duo 380,746,508 06 384,304,116 68 Do. branch banks 362,227,137 357,501,753 Advances on deposit of bullion Do. branch banks Do. on French Public Securities Do. by branch banks Do. on railway shares 7,216,700 - 7,479,300 - 8,619,000 - 8,106,000 - 12,658,400 - 12,738,400 - 7,443,000 - 7,608,200 - 31,037,900 - 31,262,000 - 20,877,080 - 20,905,280 - and debentures . 1). branch banks.... Do. on Credit Foneier Bonds Do. branches Do. to the State (Con vention, June 10, 1857) 60,000,000 Government Stock re- 648,700 - 658,400 - 466,700 - 477,550 - 60,000,000 - serve Do. disposable Rentes Immobalisees 12,980,750 14 12,980,750 14 36,449,737 91 36,449,737 91 (Law, June 9, 1857) 109,000,000 100,000,000 Hotel and furniture of the Bank and landed property branches Expenses of manage ment 33,164 95 25,669 40 Sundries 8,382,613 - 8,379,013 - Total 1,449,311,634 42 1,456,031,261 GO Certified by the Senator-Governor of the Bank of France. (Signed) ItOULAND. SUICIDE OF AD3IMAL PAIIEJA.—The Patrie says: —" The death of Admiral Pareja is to-day offici ally confirmed. The sad event occurred on board his flag ship the steam frigate the Ville de Madrid. An exaggerated sentiment of military honour led this bravo and worthy officer to destroy himself. It is stated that upon learning that the Chilian corvette Esmeralda had captured the Spanish schooner Cavadonga, he was seized with a de spondency which nothing could remove. In vain the offi cers of his staff pointed out to him that the loss was insig nificant —that the Spanish vessel carried only two guns while the Chilian corvette had 18, that, moreover, the Ca vadonga had been surprised—nothing could calm him. He believed himself to be dishonoured and ruined. Admiral Pareja was in the prime of life. He was bravo, intelligent, well-informed, and when two years ago as Minister of Marine he ascended the tribune ho astonished the Chamber with his brilliant and lofty eloquence." 4 012/9 u r t -..- 114 ILEE, MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Thursday. Her Majesty, accompanied by their Royal High nesses Princess Helena, Princess Beatrice, and his Serene Highness Prince Christian of Schleswig- Holstein, drove out yesterday afternoon in a car riage and four. Princess Leiningen and Princess Hermann of Hohenlohe dined with her Majesty in the evening. The Dowager Duchess of Athole has succeeded Lady Churchill as lady in waiting. - TIIE PRINCESS OF LEININGEN.—IIer Serene High ness the Princess of Leinin,gen:was yesterday after noon delivered of a son and heir, at Osborne, Isle of Wight. The gratifying news was shortly afterwards received by the Prince of Leiningen (captain of her Majesty's yacht), at present in town. We are informed that the princess and infant are both doing favourably. The Prince of Leiningen intends to leave St. James's Palace by the early train this morning for Southampton, on his way to Osborne. The Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne have been entertaining a large circle of friends at Bowood, Wilts. On Tuesday night a ball was given to the tenantry and others, at Bowood, to celebrate the coming of age of the Earl of Kerry. The distinguished guests staying at the house participated in the festivities for a few hours. Earl and Countess Russell and family returned to town yesterday, from Pembroke Lodge, for the season. The Earl and Countess of Hopetoun have ar rived at Long's Hotel. Lord Dahneny, grandson of the Earl of Rose bery, and son of the Duchess of Cleveland, left town yes terday to join Christchurch, Oxford. Lady Stanley of Alderley and the Hon. Miss Stanley have arrived at the family residence in Dover street, for the season. The Right Hon. Sir Charles Wood, M.P., and Lady Mary Wood and Miss Wood have arrived at their residence in Belgrave-square, for the season. National Choral Society. On Wednesday this Society performed Men delssohn's great oratorio " Elijah ;" and, as this was announced to be the last time this season the unrivalled composition could be given, the audience was larger and more enthusiastic than usually is the case. The soloists on this occasion were not those who usually take part in Mr. Martin's glorious concerts, and therefore an air of new ness was imparted to the performance. The principal soprano was Mdlle. Ida Gillies ; and we have the greatest pleasure of congratulating her on the very favourable impression her efforts produced. Her singing was marked with fervour, taste, and great expression, the higher notes in her register came out with the greatest brilliancy, and at the termination of the oratorio Mdlle. Gillies was set down as one of the vocal favourites of the Hall. Madame Elwood Andrea was the contralto, and again we have the pleasing duty of awarding praise. Mdme. Andrea sang the music allotted to the part with the most reverential correctness, and such a circumstance never fails to draw forth the greatest applause from the critical audience that invariably fills the hall on the performance of an oratorio. Miss Lucy Franklein sang her portion of the music with faultless accuracy, and again fully justified the high opinion it has been our duty to pronounce on this talented young lady's musical ability. Mr. Leigh Wilson advances further forward every evening he appears, and although " Elijah" does not give the greatest scope for the tenor, there was enough for Mr. Wilson to elicit unbounded applause. His delivery of the solo, " Then shall the righteous," fairly enraptured the audience. Mr. Thomas, Who had been announced for the important bass part of " Elijah," was, unfortunately, unable to appear, and Mr. Winn at the last moment undertook the part for him. He acquitted himself under the circumstances with the greatest ability, and well deserved the applause his efforts called forth. The chorus and orchestra were all that could be desired, and the whole performance did the utmost credit to the talented founder of the society, Mr. G. W. Martin. Society of Arts. At the ordinary meeting of this society yesterday °veil- ing —Mr. Webst er i n th e c h a i r—a paper on " Automatic Telegraphy" was read by Mr. A. Bain. In the early days of electric telegraphy, before any practical application of it had been made, Mr. Bain was known as the inventor and patentee of several kinds of instruments by which messages might be transmitted by electricity, but the instrument specially known as his is an automatic application of the telegraph invented in America by Professor Morse. In the Morse instrument, which has been more generally used than any other, the signals are made by dots and lines on a long strip of paper. The dots and lines are grouped together in different positions, so that each group may in dicate a letter of the alphabet, as many as four combined dots and lines being required to form some of the letters. In transmitting a message the operator, with a very simple instrument called a key, rapidly makes and breaks the electric current, by which means continuous marks are made by the action of an electro-magnet on a moving strip of paper at the receiving station ; those marks being long or short according to the time that the finger of the trans mitting clerk presses down the key. In this manner, by great practice, groups of marks signifying letters can be transmitted with the rapidity of 25 words a minute, or quicker than a rapid penman can write. In Mr. Bain's automatic system the groups of dots and lines are punched on a strip of thick paper, which is run rapidly over a metal wheel, the electric connection being made by a metal style, which presses on the perforated message, and the current is transmitted each time the style comes in contact with the wheel through the punched holes. He also applies electro-chemical agency for making the marks instead of an electro magnet, a blue line or dot being printed on the paper each time metallic contact is made. In this manner very great rapidity of transmission is attainable ; and Mr. Bain stated that 20,000 words an hour can be thus sent from London to the furthest part of England. The opera tion of punching, however, occupies more time than the transmission by the key, but the advantages are that, when once prepared, the same message may be sent without fur ther trouble through any number of instruments, and ac curacy may be ensured. In Mr. Bain's paper yesterday evening he explained in detail some recent improvements he had made in this mode of transmission, especially a plan for receiving the same message at branch stations, when required, by causing the electric current to make a short detour from the main line, and return to it again. He did not, however, mention that the plan had been practically tried, and it may be doubted whether, at a distance from the voltaic battery, the wire could be sufficiently charged with electricity to enable it to make such a detour available for telegraphic purposes. It may be observed that the Electric Telegraph Company, soon after their establishment, purchased this invention from Mr. Bain for a large sum of money ; but they have brought it into use only in excep tional cases. It has been stated, indeed, that Mr. Bain was indebted to an accident for the large sum he obtained for the invention, for that when exhibiting it to the directors of the company one of the fans of the instrument broke, and the cylinder with the chemically prepared paper whirled round with great velocity ; but even at that rate the signals were perceptibie, and it was supposed that the speed of transmission with such an instrument would be almost unlimited. Mr. RONALDS expressed disappointment that Mr. Bain had not exhibited some instruments to illustrate his new arrangement, and mentioned several improvements that had been made in telegraphic instruments by which a rate of transmission nearly equal to that of Mr. Bain's is attained without the necessity of preparing the message by punching. He alluded particularly to an autographic instrument and to a recent improvement of Professor Wheatstone's, by which as many as 120 words in a minute may be trans mitted. Capt. SELWIN adverted to the question of the mainte nance of electrical communication by a better system than that of supporting the wires on poles, which had within the last week proved so great a failure. He said the tele graph companies had been driven to adopt the present plan by the defects of insulation in underground wires, caused by the decay of the gutta percha with which they were covered; but a new insulating material had been re cently invented which would overcome that difficulty. That substance, he stated, is paraffin mixed with gutty percha and vulcanised. It had been proved to be an ex cellent insulator, to be almost indestructible by ordinary chemical agents, and more capable of bearing heat than gutta percha. Mr. WEBSTER adverted to the great services which Mr. Bain had rendered to electric telegraphy at its commence ment, and proposed the thanks of tho society to him fo his paper. The meeting then adjourned. TIIE LIFEBOAT FATALITY AT GoRLESTON.—UP to yesterday no further bodies had been recovered. The weather "has completely moderated off the east coast. Telegraphic communication with the metropolis has also been re-established. , 1 I Poi I I I Bar I D D Vela D Aus BelE Prei Dut, Con 1)