The Sun. — London, England, 1866-04-09 00:00:00

O USES.—Messrs. TOPLIS said ROBERTS have numerous furnished and unfurnished TOWN, 'uburban, and Country RESIDENCES to LET or SEL L. Pardculars upon, application forwarded for two stamps, upon stating requirements and rentAL Offices, 2, Conduit street, Regent- .t rees, and South Kensington, facing the Museum. OUT KENSINGTON, HYDE-PARK, Queen'S, and Rutland Gates, Queen's -gate and Peters ham Terraces, Queen's -gate, Cornwall, Princes and Beanfort teal -dens, Elvastonlace, Cromwell-road, OnsloW and Thurloe squares, Boltons, Sic. Messrs TOPLIS and ROBE WI'S have .v.; I DEN CES to SELL and LET in these and surrounding localities. Offices, 2, Conduit-street, Regent-street, and giouth Kensington, I acing the Museum. pRACTICA L GEOLOGY.— KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON.—Professor TEN NANT, F.G.S,, will commence a COURSE of LECTURES O 1 FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 13, at 9 o'clock, having especial reference to the application of GEOLOGY to - i NGIN ERRING, MINING, ARCHITECTURE, and AGNIC UT, T DICE. The Lectures will be continued on e ach succeeding Wed nesday and Friday at the stone hour. Fee—Xt rrincts. al. 6d. R. W. J p.n., i THEATRE ROYAL, 11AYMAIIKET.— sole Lessee and Manrger, Ur. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, A. 110 M AN IIC A. VT ACIISIENT : Mr. Compton, Mr. W. Farren ; Alias Ada Cavendish. After which, T HE FAVOU KITE Ole FOlt r. uNE : Messrs. Sothern, BuelcAtone, Chippendale, Rogers, Ate. ; Mesdames Chippendale, Saville, Moore, Fitzwilliam, Hill, Lindley, (to. Concluding with A DALTdraTER, TO MARRY : Mr. W Farrell and bliss Helen Howard. Commence at Seven. OYAL LYCEUM T EIEATRE.— E, Under the sole Management of Mr. Fechter. l ug EVENING, SIMPSON AND CO. Messrs. S. Emery, C. II orsman ; Mesdames Elsworthy, Henrade, Hors man, and E.: Boyce. Aster which, THE MASTER OF RAVENSWOOD. Mr. Fechter; Messrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomb, Vezin, J, n. Fitzpatrick, D. Evans ; Mesdames Ternan, E.sworthy, Laveau, and C. Leclercq. Box Office open daily from Eleven till Five. NENV THEAT RE-ROYAL ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor aud-2 - .l2ager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THROUGH FIRE AND WATER: 2,lessrs. J. L. Toole, R Phillips, Billington ; Miss Woolgar And Miss H. Simms. After which, THE WRECK ASHORE : Messrs. J. L. Toole. P. Becliord. Stuart, Billingtcr, Ashley; Miss Woolgar And Miss 11. Simms. To conclude with BEHIND TIME. Messrs. J. L. Toole, R. Eburne, C. J. Smith ; Miss A. Seaman, &c. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, A GHOST IN SPITE OF lIDISELF. After which, at a quarter to Eight, THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs. Vining. T. Mead, D. Murray, Shore, Vilifiers ; Mrs. 11. Marson, Miss E. Barnett, and Miss K. Rodgers. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, PERM .TION. After which will be produced a grand Easter Burlesque, PARIS or, Five Lempiere : Messrs. Stoyle, Ihorne,Jame. : Mesdames A. Swanborough, Raynham, Simpson. Johnstone, Ranoe, and Holt. To conclude with DEAF AS A POST : Mr. Belford. SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE.- Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. I. C. Nation. THIS EVENING, an d during the week, D o uglas Jerrold's admired Comedy of TIME WO It Ks WONDERS : Messr Dyas s. T. Swinbourne, Barrett, Be lmore, Barsby; Miss Ada and Mrs. Poynter. Concluding with 7th , B th , o,h, " oth, 11th. 12 th Nights of F. C. Burnand's Ever-green Burlesque of itarla INION : Misses Lizzie Lizzie W i ll m ore, Iludspeth , Fanny GWynne,nd, Tracey, and G. Belmore. In active preparation, Dion Boucicault's beautiful Drama Of DO r Commence at Sven. Acting Manager, Mr. NYE CHART. THE "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. R. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught terrace, Edgware-road, is specially appointed AGEN r to d e liver the LATE horrioN of "THE SUN " at the earliest possible moment after leaving the press. Ile is able to deliver copies in Town, the Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparatively early hour the same Lvening, say 40 miles by 9 o'clock. THE "SUN" NEWSPAPER. - G. R. GLENIE delivers the LATE EDITION al Chelsea, 7.40 ; Kilbu:n, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 Uxbridge, 9.20 ; Walford, 8.45. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published every Evening, by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " TIIE SUN " supplied as soon as Published. containing all the LATEST NEWS an.l SI'ORTING INTELLIGENCE, by H. W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, 131ackiriars-road, London, S. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubic generally, that. he supplies the LATEST EDITIoN 01 l'oTcr,ll:lV7 nublished —No. 16, llampstead- PORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies the K. 77: LATEST EDI MN of "THtG SUN" as soon as pub lished.-4, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins :DAY. —Morning, I 53m.—Afternoon, Bh. 32m, Ta-Moßßow.-Morning, 9h. 14m.—Afternoon, 9h. 55m. t , .. , ,u, ; LONDON, 2110-YDAY, APRIL 9, 1866. ..____,p. The Prussian Ambassador at Vienna, Baron Von WERTHER, has presented to Count MENSDORFF the reply of the Prussian Government to the Austrian Note of the 31st. In this communication, Count BISMARCK states that there is no satisfactory ex planation given concerning the Austrian armaments, and, indeed, that they admit of none. So far this is a very unpromising commencement, and he goes on to say that they cannot be accounted for by any question of" internal policy," and that they give rise to great difficulties between the two States. If Austria had in reality believed she was threa ened by Prussia, she had no reason to ac after this fashion, because she could have appealed to Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. This argument does very well to serve as a contra diction to Austria, but every one knows that very little respect is paid in Berlin circles to the prin ciples of the Constitution. It is all very fine to say that it provides for the disagreement which may arise between members of the Confederation ; but was it not it only the other day that Herr Bis mAlICK expressed a wish to see a Reform in the Con stitution, in order that the lesser States might be able to side with Prussia in the event of a struggle impending. The armaments of Prussia are caused by the attitude of Austria, which has created the present difficulty between the two States, is another of Herr BISMARCK'S oracular remarks. How absurd this is when we know that the position position of the two States has been as awkward as possible for some time past, and that the armaments of Austria were the effect, not the cause, of the confusion. Prussia repudiates the accusations of Austria, and has no intention of attacking that power. We learn from the Note, but perhaps it may be intended to let things come to such a pass that Austria may be compelled to strike the first blow in self-defence and preservation of power. As for the personal friendship said to be felt by the King of PRUSSIA for the Emperor of AUSTRIA that is not of much account if they are to Commence hostilities, but it sounds well t o dilate upon it in a despatch of State, and, therefore, great stress is laid upon it in • this Finally Herr Von BISM ARCK d eclares that it instance. `will be on the part of Austria to prove by „ her course of action her friendship for Prussia." We presume from this that it is meant that concessions are to b e made to the supreme will of Prussia, and that her arbitrary demands are to be complied with forth with, if peace is to be preserved. It is not easy to perceive any other mode by which this much talked-of friendship can be shown. Meanwhile there are no visible signs or tokens of relaxation in the military arrangements. The semi official Norddeutsche E.s2:tung states that the '• situa tion" has not changed, and that the armaments are still going on. Many contradictory reports are circulated, but the prevailing impression is that the Prussian offer of mediation came too late, which very probably may prove to be the case. General RICHTER will soon leave Vienna for St. Petersburg with an autograph letter from the EIIPERop v t o the Cz.A, in reply to his commuuica- tion. The journals of yesterday in Vienna all ex press irritation at the tone of Prussia in replying to the Austrian Note, which is not at all to be won dered at, when we reflect upon its purport, and the haughty terms in which it is couched, and the want of concession that is evident from its style. The i journals call upon the G overnment to appeal to the Federal Diet in order to settle the questions at issue. It is also rumoured that a dispatch has been sent off to Count KAROLYI, the Austrian representative at Berlin, in answer to the last Note of llerr von BISMARCK. It is stated that, in this communication, Austria reiterates the demand that was contained in the Note of the :31st tilt., and ex presses a hope that Prussia will give explanations respecting the meaning of her warlike preparations as unreserved as those Austria has given concerning .e " pretended concentration of her troops." If this assertion be correct, it is not likely that affairs will assume a more amicable appearance, and in all probability such may be the contents of the reply, for it is not likely that, having gone so far, the Vienna Cabinet would relax in their efforts, and allow the Prussians to carry the day against them. Herr Von BISMARCK will find it more difficult to reply to this Note than the other, and no doubt his answer will be the crisis of the affair. In Paris the chances of the approaching war form the chief topic of conversation in all circles, chances that seem more than ever likely to become certain ties in consequence of the reply of Count BISMARCK. The Crown Prince of DENMARK is in Paris at present, and is being paid great attention to by the Court of the Tuileries. Another significant circumstance connected with this affair is that Marshal NIEL, who commands one of the great military divisions of France, has been in Paris for some days incognito, and has had several interviews with the EMPEROR. The conclusion drawn from this is that, iu the event of war break ing out between Austria and Prussia, Marshal NIEL would have the command of a " corps of observa tion," that would be formed on the Rhine. No doubt this is true enough, and notwithstanding the ap parent indifference of the French Government to the affair, it is quite certain that France will not long remain inactive should hos tilities really ensue between the German Powers. Prussia would certainly rue the day yhen she was led away by the ill-advised policy of Herr von BIS MARCK to make war with her former ally, for she will be opening the door to others to enter in and assert their claims, real or imaginary; and it is far easier to keep peace than to make it, especially under such a complicaticn of circumstances as those now surrounding the States of Germany. Among ,he other rumours prevalent it is stated that Count WALDERSER has been arrested at the Prague railway station upon suspicion of being a Prussian spy, and that in his pocket-book was found a plan of the fortifications of Prague. This certainly looks as if the Berlin Government were in expectation of speedy hostilities. The Africa, from llalifax and Boston, brings us intelligence from New York to the 29th ult. The PRESIDENT has fulfilled the general expectation by vetoing the Civil Rights Bill. Having once thrown down the gauntlet to his quondam allies he is not the man to hesitate or flinch from the conflict. He was willing to temporise, to act quietly and mode rately, to avoid open collision so long as it was pos sible, but ever since the opening of the session in Congress it has become quite evident that he must either submit unconditionally to the dictation of THADDEUS STEVENS and his party or strike out for hiyn.Flf ;n n. totally opposite direction. Great ques tions of grave national importance pressed for settlement, and it was impossible to go on longer without deciding whether the vast Southern States were to be treated like a conquered country, kept in subjection under the iron heel of military govern ment, or ruled wisely and justly in accordance with the fundamental doctrines of the American Constitution. The transition state of the negroes, too, imperatively demanded attention. Their ex citable imaginations had been influenced by political agitators, with visions of equality and influence which to their minds signified chiefly living without working. A party com posed of those who had always earnestly ad vocated the cause of the negro in the days of his slavery and oppression, and also of those who for their own ends desired to make political capital out of his rights and wishes, were ready to propose the wildest and most impracticable schemes for his benefit, without any regard to the claims of the white population to consideration, or to the ultimate effect of their propositions upon the negroes themselves. The immense majority of the Republicans in Congress gave to the ex ponents of these theories an importance they would hardly have secured out of doors, and before very long questions of vital importance were thrust upon the PRESIDENT for decision. The manner in which he accepted the position and unmistakeably declared his determination of ruling a free people in accordance with the principles of free government all over the world excited, as we know, the warmest demonstrations of popular approval, and for the time startled his opponents into comparative silence. They have now, how ever, returned to the charge, and the Civil Rights Bill has given the PRESIDENT another opportunity of asserting his independence. The terms of his Mes sage to the Senate are straightforward and decisive, while at the same time his arguments are incon trovertible. lie carries the war into the enemy's camp, asking them plainly how far it is consistent to make all the excepted classes ciiizens of the United States, while eleven States are wholly excluded from the representation. " Can it reasonably be sup posed," he asks, " that your millions of negroes, who have just emerged from slavery, possess the neces sary qualifications entitling them to all the privileges of citizenship, while intelligent foreigners undergo five y ears ' probation beore becoming citizens?" To such an answer rea sonable men can hardly, one would think, give any reply but one. Let th e negroes at least be subjected to the same probation as intelligent white men would be in a similar case, and do not let the hatred of slavery lead men to believe that slaves are necessarily better, wiser, more prudent, more trustworthy, more disinterested than other men, simply because they are, or have been, slaves! Mr. JOHNSON shows the Senate that the bill, in stead of encouraging real equality between the races, is in reality in favour of the black against the white man, and he also points out the extreme danger of centralisin g the Government. Th e bill, he says, assumes powers which, if acquiesced limitede in, would destroy the Federative s y stem Powers, and would be another str ide toward s th e C oncentration of the legislative not c eased to wavitrenrlnnhmei by the politi ca l ex : perceive th e real tendency excitement hasre tc n oo t if; n the hr c :f mme t nhoimisv moment, , n b g fl P ai e n o i r ld w e l t e l od e in the national G y of the course which they are so eagerly ~ Pursuing, Moreover, the bill would no doubt, as M r. jon o although he tend has defend to resuscitate r e b e lli on °e :: e , asendN h he openly declares hisresolve and protect the civil rights of the put the Presidential veto up on thi s uncalled-for and mischieyous measure. It is tho ug ht t h e Senate will freedmen,tb sl thus, THE SON, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 9, 1866, carry it. in spite . of him, but the House of Represen tatives, is expected to throw it out, so that either the temper of the Radicals is moderating, or they are bee , iming sensible of the public feeling against them. Affairs in the South are going on safely and quietly. General LEE, in his evidence before the Reconstruction Committee, declared that there was no sentiment of hostility to the Federal Government in Virginia. The people, he said, were disappointed and saddened, but had accepted their fate. It re mains for the Congress to decide whether they shall profit by this quietude to rebuild the prosperity of the Union, or degrade and insult the Southern people until they irritate them into a fresh revolu tion. CORRESPONDENCE FROg PARIS. (nzom OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) P Anis, Sunday Evening. The Bois de Boulogne, capacious as it is, could hardly contain the mass of visitors and troops as sembled yesterday for the Review. The weather was magnificent ;so was the spectacle. The troops consisted of the brigade of Light Cavalry and Artil lery of the Imperial Guard, commanded by General du Bavail and General de Rochebouet, and the division of Cavalry of the First Corps d'Armee, commanded by General of Division de Noue. These troops, under the general command of General Fevay, were formed in the following order :—First Regiment of the Line, Guides, and Chasseurs of the Guard, 2d Regiment of the Line, 6th Regiment of Hussars, and Ist Regiment of Chasseurs, 3d of the Line, Ist and 4th Regiment of Lancers, 4th Regiment of the Line, Ist and 2d Regiment of Dragoons (the former Regiment from Versailles), sth Regiment of the Line, mounted and horse artil lery of the Imperial Guard. The Emperor, accom panied by the young Imperial Prince and the Prince of Denmark, was received by Marshal Canrobert, Commandant of the First Corps d'Armee, and Mar shal Regnaud de St. Jean d'Angely, Commandant of the Imperial Guard. His Majesty was accom panied by a brilliant staff, among whom were General Prince de la Moskowa, General Fleury, Grand Equerry, General of Division Rollin, Adju tant-General of the Palace, and General Kaufman, first aide-de-camp to the Prince Royal of Den mark. The Emperor having at his right the Prince Royal of Denmark, and on his left the Imperial Prince, reviewed in succession the whole line of troops. His Majesty then rode to the centre, where he was joined by the Empress, and distributed various honorary rewards. The troops then defiled in beautiful order, and his Majesty expressed his great gratification at the bearing and general appearance of the troops, and at the manner in which the whole of the evolutions were executed. Their Majesties were received with the utmost enthusiasm at their arrival and departure. Indeed the cheers were so hearty and so general that they could be heard in Paris. The political position to-day is to be described by the word—nothing. The Siccle facetiously de scribes the communications between Austria and Prussia by saying that Austria defends her arma ments on the ground that Prussia had armed, and Prussia says she increases her army because Austria has done so. William the First entertains the same friendly sentiments for Francis Joseph as Francis Joseph feels for William. There is another instance of a second marriage of the same persons. At the town of Barceul, in the department of the Nord, an old soldier, named Joseph Philippi, has been again married to his wife, Marie Rose Deflandre. They are both 84 years old, and have been married 60 years. The second marriage took place in the presence of 74 children or grandchildren. During the wedding repast the mayor of the town suddenly presented himself and announced to the lively old bridegroom, who is decorated with the St. Helena medal, that the Em peror meant to bestow a life pension upon him, and that in the meantime he had sent him a present, which would partly pay the expenses of the wedding breakfast. It was a very merry assemblage before, but the news added to the gaiety, and served to give fresh vivacity to the dance in which the newly married pair afterwards indulged. Such is the popularity of the " Africaine" that 100 representations produced a receipt of 1,050,000 f. The fees of the author, fixed at 500 f. per night, amounted to 50,000 f. Among the many admirable regulations for the benefit of the poor in Paris is one compelling the manager of a theatre to se apart a certain portion of the profits for their bene fit, which is distributed in the arrondissement in which the theatre is situated. Thus out of the total sum no less than 96,000 f. have been paid to the poor. Madame Meyerbeer has written to the manager of the Opera to thank him for the excellent manner in which the music of her late husband's Opera has been executed. A scene which produced a great sensation among those who witnessed it has taken place at the ginger bread fair at the Place du Trove. At a show where two young girls were dancing an old woman sud denly rushed up the steps, and throwing her arms round the neck of one of them, sobbed and exclaimed "Ah ! Rosalie, have I then found you!" The young girl, stupified and excited, recognised her mother. The story is soon told. Six years ago the girl committed a fault and left her home in the country, near Montreuil, to hide her shame. The mother wanted t 3 take Rosalie away with her at once, but she said she would not abandon her com rades till the fair was over, as they wanted her assistance. She will, however, then return home with her mother to the family where, it is said, forgiveness and domestic happiness await her. Since the principle of the liberty of theatres has been established several new ones have been con structed. Next week a new theatre, called the Theatres des Nouveantes, will be opened in the Faubourg Montmartre. The drama of inaugura tion is entitled Madame de Sommerive. A very good company has been engaged. A young lady, beautiful and accomplished, and, perhaps what is better, very rich, Mademoiselle Boys, has just been married to Count Julien de La Rochejaquelain, son of the Senator of that name The Bishop of Poitiers officiated. The bride, who has only just left the Convent, has a marriage por tion of 250,000 f. per annum, and the Count also possesses a large fortune. The family is one of the most ancient in France. An exceedingly clever, dashing, and impudent young Swiss swindler is under examination before the Tribunal of Correctional Police, charged with obtaining the hand and fortune of a young lady, still a minor, by false pretences. The prisoner, who called himself the Baron de Taponier Plancey, is in fact the son of a working man, and so far from being an aristocrat, as he pretends, he has, in fact, been a groom at the Hippodrome and also a cabman and something more in the low scale of occupation. The young lady's mother gave her a marriage por tion of 300,000 f. on the strength of the Baron's as sertion that his father would bestow upon him on the wedding day 250,000 f. There was a long exa mination of the prisoner yesterday, and the further hearing of the case was postponed till to-morrow (Monday). I will give you all further particulars of this extraordinary fraud when all the circum stances shall have transpired. THE MINISTERIAL ABORTlON.—Speaking of the Reform Bill, " Cato" writes iu the Times of to-day m v e i r t y l t wittilyud eof c — o u " n A e i f l t s e , r a f n t i e u r l e l u a n n t x i i n u s u s dieoesebs,and ration, w e a i t h e i r n g a probabilities—after maturing their plans with a secrecy truly portentous—the Ministry have at length con cocted a measure, which, I will venture to say, that any ono of thorn, were ho sololy responsible for it, would be ashamed to own. Ire all know that a sudden fright, or other accident, to the parent will sometimes occasion dejiarmity in the efpring. Some dreadful apparition must surely have visited Earl Russell to have occasioned the produc tion of this one-legged abortion. It is quite certain that nature never intended anything of the kind. ACREAGE OF COMMONS AND OPEN SPACES NEAR LONDON.—There are 38,458 acres of these kinds of land within the twenty-five miles radius, and 13,301 acres within that of fifteen miles. In the home counties the ap pointment is as follows :—Fifteen miles radius—Essex, 3,740 acres ; Hertford, 477 acres ; Kent, 1,568 acres ; Middlesex, 2,213 acres ; Surrey, 2,295 acres. Twenty-five miles radius—Berks, 2 acres; Buckingham, 1,022 acres; Essex, 5.798 acres: Hertford, 3,912 acres; Kent, 2,601 acres; ALiddlosex, 2,069; acres; surrey, 22,357 scree. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. BRUSSELS, APRIL 9. The Independance Beige of to-day affirms that the Duke of Coburg has communicated directly to the King of Prussia letters of a conciliatory cha racter, which he had received from Count Mens dorff. The same paper states positively that after a cor respondence between the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia the former Sovereign sent General Richter to Vienna to call upon Austria to disarm. Austria, it is said, will probably make her disarmanent conditional upon Prussia's also disarming. It is believed that the intervention of Russia, though it may not lead to any settlement of the difficulty, will nevertheless prevent for some time any further complication. PRUSSIA. - BERLIN, APRIL 9. It is reported that Count Bismarck intends to pro pose the convocation of a German Parliament. HUNGARY. PESTH, APRIL 9. The Hoetilap, the organ of Baron Eotvos, pub lishes an article stating that the conflict between Austria and Prussia offers to Hungary a favourable opportunity of carrying out the scheme of con stitutional reform giving Hungary and Austria separate administrations. CHINA. HONG KONG, FEB. 27. Kan Wang, the leader of the Myenfei, was shot from the walls of Krayinchow. His followers are reported to be in the neighbour hood of Chow-chow-foo. FRANCE. BOURSE, April 6, Three :o'clock. —The market closed at the following quotations :- 4-1 per Cents 97 Do. end month — 3 per Cents. 67 70 Do. end mouth 67 GO Credit Mobilier 622 50 Do. end month Unis — Do. end month — Orleans Bank Shares 3530 Italian Loan 56 60 Do. end month 56 70 Mexican Loan = Do. Bonds 287 50 Spanish Threes Home Debt Deferred - WAYS. - Cash. Acct. - 865 75 1127 50 - ... 877 50 - 516 23 Northern Lyons and Mediterranean Southern Western Eastern Sardinian , Austrian Lombard ... 535 - 107 50 - ... 380 - 398 75 157 50 200 - North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona Eonlan - - ::: 88 75 --- -- ~. 83 75 LITERATURE. Sam Slick's American Rumour. One vol., pp. 337. Hurst and Blackett. As the thirty-second volume of The Standard Library published by the Messrs. Hurst and Blackett, we have here the cream of a good many Yankee jokes collected together. The cheeriest book it is book far worthier than George Colman's own of being dubbed " Broad Grins." Sam Slick's goosequill always had the knack somehow of tickling us with its feather end into laughter. And although that delightful humorist appears here in no more pretentious character than that of editor or adapter, lie appears th us so entirety con amore, so completely at his ease, so thoroughly unbending himself to the task he takes in hand, that he has his will with us thoroughly and throughout. Going avowedly in search of fun, he "strikes ile," in a manner, everywhere! Hear him describe the Courtship of Josh Beanpole, of Johnny Beedle, of Billy Warwick ! Hear him tell the veracious histories of Colonel Crockett's adventures, now with a Buffalo, now with a Grizzly Bear, now with the Swallows ! Hear his record of A Tight Race Considerin'—of a Coon Hunt, and of a Horse Swap ! And then tell us afterwards if you wern't fit to die of laughing ! The book under notice is an infallible remedy for the meagrims, for the blue-devils, for that atra care so fond of perching on the crupper behind us at odd moments during our race through life. " Laugh and grow fat," says the proverb. Remembering the which wise saying, and thoroughly appreciating its accuracy, we frankly warn from these pages all those who may be undergoing a course of Banting ! DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.—" Not Wisely, but Too Well" is continued, and this is an exciting instalment. Kate actually meditates the rash step of meeting Dan, but James Stanley opportunely en counters her at the railway station, and persuades her to give up her venture. The character of Kate is well described in its recklessness, and yet with its instructive respect for good. " Number Five Brooke-street" is also continued, and a lively repre sentation is given of the charade—acting. Mrs. Lepel is as usual the heroine of the scene, and some sparkling repartees are indulged in. " All in the Dark" is as complicated as ever, and the reader will find plenty of scope for his divining powers as he dwells on its mysterious annals. " Glastonbury Abbey, the Rise and Influence of English Monach ism," is proceeded with in another interesting part. These sketches present us with a very fair notion of the comprehensive subject they discuss, and the glory of Glastonbury Abbey is well described in this part. " She was the cradle of the great spirits of the time," we are told, and Ethelwold and Dunstan, reared in her cloisters, went out as the pioneers of their age, and before Dunstan departed from the scene of his labours, monastic influence had greatly increased. " It was no longer suppliant and obscure; it was becoming prominent and impe rious; no longer a simple phase of ascetic life, but a rapidly-increasing power." " Garrick "is continued in a fourth part, and we meet with a great variety of information of a theatrical kind in these enter taining chronicles. " A Charing-cross Cigar" is the title of some lively verses. An article on the Fenian Conspiracy in America gives an account of that mistaken venture, and concludes with some wise reflections as to the future, in which it is said that " after the Young Ireland failure of 1848 there was a rapid development of practical effort, and a substantial advance in prosperity, and now that probably the last of the series of plots, generated by long years of false agitation, has become matter of history, it may be expected that every reasonable man and lover of his country will foresee the practical progress possible within his own lifetime to the fostering of delusions which can only provide perils for his children." BENTLEY'S MISCELLANY. —Th e exciting historical romance of the editor, " The Constable de Bour bon," continues with unabated spirit. Fiction in deed occupies a prominent position in this maga zine this month, for we have besides fresh instal ments of two domestic tales, " Thrown Away" and " Briars and Thorns," both modern love stories, and the opening chapters of " The heiress of Avening Abbey." Francis Jacox contributes one of his discursive essays on Parson Adams, taken as a " representative man," and two readable papers on " Roman London" and the Olden Time." 4 4 Naval Worthies of COLB UR N'S NEW MONT lILY. —Th 0 situation of affairs in Mexico, not the least embarrassing and critical of the many diplomatic imbroglios of the day, is the first subject discussed in this number. The question is fully considered in its various aspects in the paper before us; and )lexican life, in another form, is presented to the reader in the in teresting but painful story of "Lilian's Inheritance." A is not difficult to guess Mr. TreTeinOU ' § unhappy secret; but the next chapter will probably have some startling revelations. Francis Jacox reappears in this part in a discourse about Wordsworth's " Intellectual all-in-all." The romance of " Idalia" is continued, its stately heroine being now in the hopeless depths of a Neapolitan dungeon. There are also essays on " Sir Jeffrey Hudson," on Italy and its ancient remains, and Egypt and the Isthmus of Suez. ONCE A WEEK.—" Once a Week" has started on a new career with every promise of brilliant success. Tale and sketch, and saying and legend enliven its pages with more than usual spirit, and the style and character of its contents are full of variety and animation. There are novels running on from number to number after the fashionable manner, and also stories whose authors, believing brevity to be the soul of wit, give us introduction, crisis and denouement, all within the compass of a few pages. Pleasant are such easy tales to the casual reader, who does not make novel reading the serious busi ness of his day, and who is apt, to mix Chap. XXXIII. of one romance with Part. XLVII. of another, and to confuse the hero of one fiction with the villain of another, if he ventures on taking in more than one magazine. The contents of " Once a Week" are not all romance, though they may all fairly be classed under the head of light reading, and what with the clear type, the plentiful illustra tions, and the liveliness of the general tone and style, " Once a Week"i must decidedly be classed among our most attractive serials. LONDON SOCIETY.—As usual, there are several subjects of interest in this periodical. " Much Ado about Nothing" is a romantic tale, which pre sents us with some entertaining sketches. "Patty's Revenge " is continued in a second part, and is a powerfully written tale ; the character of the heroine is well described, and she forms a strange contrast to her vacillating lover. " The Romance of an Evening Party" is not a very probable but a perfectly possible narrative, which illustrates the folly of jumping at conclusions. "Up and Down the London Streets" presents us with a good deal of instructive and interesting information, and famous London town is hardly recognisable in its antiquated appearance of generations back. " Paris before Easter" furnishes us with some very curious sketches and strange modes of showing off the fashions of the day. The figures are most comical. " Four Hours in London" contains an account of the adventures of a Frenchman, who was not at all satisfied with the reception he met with, nor with the fare provided for him. " The Merchant Princes of England" has for subject this time " The Barings of London." The Two Brides" is an effective sketch, well illustrated. The " Inter-University Athletic Games," and " Notes in Rome, Artistic and Social," are among the other articles met with in this num ber, and " The Crochetters" is a lively sketch in verse, which is written in a characteristic style. GOOD WORDS.—Mr. Oliphant's story of " Ma donna Mary" is continued with interest. Poor Mrs. Achtealony's troubles are evidently not half over, and her prospects of a peaceful home for her self and her boys is as remote as ever. " A Day with the Out-Patients of an Hospital" gives us a glimpse or two of the world of suffering that goes on outside Pie walls of infirmaries and dispensaries. "A Night with the Ramsgate Lifeboat," by the Rev. J. Gilmore, is a thrilling narrative of perilous ad venture and heroic daring. It cannot fail to excite the deepest interest. " Our Common Faith," by Professor Plumptre, is the first of a series of papers dealing with those grand cardinal points of religion on which all Christians must unite alike. " Peggy Melville's Triumph" is a story complete in the num ber, and among the remaining papers are " A Plea for Criminal Boys," by William Gilbert, and "A Sabbath Visit to the Jews' Synagogue." THE FLORAL WORLD. No. 4. New Series. Groombridge.—Here is a monthly manual for the botanical and amateur gardener, who may learn how to design his flower beds, to cultivate his grapes, to manage his grass lawns, to obtain the best varieties of asters, and acquire a good deal more information in the sixpenny number before us. THE INTELLECTUAL OBSERVER. No. 41. Groom bridge.—This is a valuable miscellany of scientific information, in •xhich recent discoveries are chroni cled as well as older questions , discussed. The opening paper on " The Musk Rats as Builders and Miners" is full of interesting zoological knowledge. THE ENGLISH MECHANIC Part 12. Vol. 2. Office, 147, Fleet-street.----This useful serial is described as " a record of mechanicle invention, scientific and industrial progress, civil and me chanical engineering, and architecture, and it fulfils its promise in the extent and variety of its contents. The illustrations are numerous and very good, and it is published at so low a rate as to put it within the reach of every working man. THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE.—A well-written pe riodical, less adapted for general reading than " Good Words," but very praiseworthy and readable for those more of the editor's way of thinking. Several of the papers are of more than average merit, and there are also some good verses. THE BOY'S OWN MAGAZINE—THE BOY'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE ( BEET ON). —These two pleasant little periodicals are well adapted to pass away a holiday afternoon pleasantly and harmlessly. NEW MUSIC. Brinsley Richard's Warblings at Eve—words by Henry Farnie (Cocks and Co.)—The Jolly Old Friends' Quadrille, composed by Louis Desanges (Cocks and Co.)—The Awfully Good Polka, also composed by Desanges (do,) " A x-Iraas-awfully good," a Polka with pace in it—The Musical Box, by Immanuel Liebich (do.)—make a cluster of dance and song music that cannot but prove accept able as additions to the stores of many a Canter bury. Mozart's Requiem Mass, edited by W. II Birch (Boosey and Co.) in vocal score, with accompani ment for Organ, Harmonium, or Pianoforte, and with English words adapted--is a marvellous shilling's worth. The Old Songs of Ireland, arranged and adapted by Arthur O'Brien (Boosey and Co.), is a still more marvellous three shillings' worth, including within it as the collection does full fifty famous—some of them world famous--songs and ballads : Aileen Aroon, Cushla Macree, Kate Kearney, Savourneen Deelish, and the like. Twenty Popular Songs of Scotland (Boosey and Co.) comprise among them such renowned effu sions as Auld Robin Gray, Ye Banks and• Braes, We're a' Noddin, and Roy's Wife of Aldivallach. Twenty of Moore's Irish Melodies (Boosey and Co.) give us—among the choicest pickings—The Young May Moon, Fly Not Yet, The Minstrel Boy, and the Last Rose of Summer. Mozart's Twelfth Mass (in G) and Rossini's Stabat Mater, each published in vocal score, price one shilling, edited by W. H. Birch (Boosey), ought to command a wide circulation, together with the Requiem Mass already particularised as issued from the press by Messrs. Boosey and Co. in this wonderful series of cheap yet elegant musi cal publications of the highest genius, the admitted masterpieces of the world's greatest composers. Il Ritorno, a duet for Soprano and Contralto, the poetry by Alfred Maggioui, the music by Fabio Campana (Boosey and Co.)—Ko Ko Ri Ko, a Chinese Polka by C. H. R. Marriott (Boosey and (:o.)—ln the Moonlight Long Ago, words by George Cooper, set to music by J. R. Thomas (Boosey and Co.)—Merry Christmas Quadrille, by Marriott (Buosey and Co.) The Song of the Holly, words by L. M. Thornton, music by W. F. Taylor (Do.) The Showman, a song com posed by J. L. Hatton. (Do.) yield variety enough to suit any and every taste. Or, if not—. from the same publishers come other effusions calcu lated to do so, such effusions as Claribel's adapta tion to music of the song of The Life Boat, written by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, or, better still, Balfe's setting to music of the Poet Laureate's lullaby What does Little Birdie Say? a charming ditty ! Mr. Percy Honey Atkinson, the popular com poser of "Hey, ho, my bonnie lad," has just pub lished a very charming ballad, "My heart is over weary, dear," and a humorous Irish song, by Mrs. Edward Thomas, " The secret yez trusted to me." Besides the foregoing we have also from the same popular musical publishers (Boosey and Co.)— Blumenthal's Out ou Non ?—A Collection of Sanc tusses, Kyrie Eleisons, and Doxologies, edited, com piled, and arranged by W. H. Birch—l-Warren's Catechism of the .Harmonium, a little pocket volume, published at a shilling—Miss Amelia Edwardes's song, I thought to be your Bride, set to music by Jacques Blumenthal—The 104th Psalm, transcribed for the pianoforte by George Forbes—Claribel's sacred song (words by Ada Cambridge) In all time of our Tribulation— Kuhe's Fantasia on the popular Songs of Claribel— Frank Musgrave's transformation into a waltz, into an airy sprightly waltz, of Claribel's charming ditty, Come back to Erin—and J. R. Thomas's Love Song Ah I never dream my love can change, composed for and sung by Leigh Wilson, the popular vocalist. Another piece of Dance Music, entitled The Ethardo Valse, arranged by E. C. Cooke, junior (Hopwood and Crew), deserves a word of notice here, being in celebration of La Montana Espiral, the melody being played daily at the Crystal Palace during Ethardo's remarkable performance. The D sfrauchisement of Government Workmen. On Saturday eveniag last a crowded public meet ing, chiefly composed of the clerks, foremen, and operatives employed at Woolwich Arsenal, was held at the Burrage-road School-room, Plumstead, to take into consideration the 16th clause of the new Reform Bill, which provides for the disfranchise ment of persons in the employ of Government. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. R. Jolly. Mr. M'Cubery, a foreman at the Royal Arsenal, pro posed the following resolution : "That in the opinion of this meeting the proposal now before Parliament to deprive the Government employes of their political rights is quite in opposition to the spirit of the Franchise Bill, and, if adopted, will inflict a most undeserved reproach upon a body of men who have ever evinced a thorough independ ence in the exercise of the franchise ; and this meet ing trusts that the House of Commons will cause to be withdrawn the 16th clause of the Reform Bill, and that the measure - as then amended will become law." After many years' experience in Government service he had never yet seen any attempt to put on the screw, and did not believe that any of the authorities at the Royal Arsenal or Dockyard would dream of doing so. No doubt the immediate cause of this clause being inserted was the Devonport affair ; but why should a large body of honest and intelligent men be made political slaves in conse quence of the foolish conduct of an election agent, or of the Admiralty ? It was a most odious clause, and if passed all persons in the employ of the Go vernment, who had hitherto exercised the fran chise, at all events, as independently as the men employed by private firms, would be poli tically branded. Mr. Syer seconded the resolu tion. Slark and Mr. Baxter Langley supported the resolution, which was unanimously adopted. Mr. Barber moved and Mr. C. Jolly seconded the adoption of a petition to the House of Com mons, based upon the previous resolutions. Mr. Hughes, solicitor, and local agent of the Conserva tive members for West Kent at the last election, suggested that those members—Lord Holmesdale and Mr. Dyke—be requested to oppose the clause in committee. They would no doubt vote against the second reading of the bill ; but if it got into committee, he believed they would oppose the clause. For his own part, he would rather the bill should not pass at all than that this clause should pass. (Cheers, and cries of " No, no.") Mr. Barber's resolution was then unanimously adopted, and also a resolution in accordance with the suggestion of Mr. Hughes. Mr. Barrat moved and Mr. Graham seconded a resolution that the petition be forwarded to Alderman Salomons, M.P., for presentation. The resolution was unanimously adopted. The Chairman suggested that a deputation from the Government workmen of various towns should wait upon Mr. Gladstone. He believed Mr. Gladstone was a true friend to the working classes, and would alter his opinon on this question if it was properly laid be fore him. THE RIGHT HON. LORD HOUGHTON, D.C.L., has been appointed President of the Art Union of London, in place of the Right Hon. Lord Monteagle, deceased. THE SECOND VOLUME OF THE " HISTORY OF Julius 02ESAR," by the Emperor Napoleon the Third, may be expected in the latter part of the present month. it will be devoted to the history of Caesar's wars in Gaul, which is understood to have been for many years a favourite subject with the Emperor, and it will be ren dered more valuable by the extensive excavations and ex plorations of all kinds which have been made on the sites of Caesar's exploits by the orders of the Emperor. The latter is said to have paid great personal attention to this volume in its progress through the press, which accounts for the delay in its publication. It will be illustrated with numerous maps and plans. FATAL COLLISION AT SEA.—A man named Martin Markman has been picked up near Poole on a plank, after being in the water several hours. He states that he be longed to the Elise, Send, from New York to Bermerhaven, with a cargo of tobacco, sugar, cheese, and copper, and that at 1 p.m. of April 2 his vessel was run into, four miles off Portland, by a screw steamer with one funnel and two masts, which was proceeding up channel. The Elise was struck on the port side, and went down immediately with all the rest of the crew, consisting of the master, his wife, first mate, carpenter, three seamen, and a boy. Th e steamer did not stop to reader assistance, Burial of the Dead. The following lines, from the 88th edition of " The Christian Year," will be read with especial interest, now that their truly Christian author (the Rev. John Keble) is himself laid in the grave : Who says, +he wan autumnal sun Beams with too faint a smile To light up nature's face again ? And, though the year be on the wane, With thoughts of spring the heart beguile ? Waft him, thou soft September breeze, And gently lay him down Within some circling woodland wall, Where bright leaves reddening ore they fall, Wave gaily o'er the waters brown. And let some graceful arch be there With wreathdd mullions proud, With burnished ivy for its screen, And moss that grows as freshly green As though beneath an April cloid. Who says the widows' heart must break, The childless mother sink?, A kinder, truer voice I hear, Which e'en beside that mournful bier Whenever parents' eyes would hopeless shrink, Bids weep no more-0 heart bereft, How strange, to thee, that sound! A widow o'er her only son, • Feeling more bitterly alone For friends that press officious round. Yet is the voice of comfort heard, For Christ hath touched the bier — The bearers wait with wondering eye, The swelling bosom dares not sigh, But all is still 'twist hope and fear. E'en such an awful soothing calm We sometimes see alight On Christian mourners, while they wait, In silence, by some churchyard gate, Their summons to the holy rite. And such the tones of love, which break The stillness of that hour. Quelling t'embitter'd spirits strife " The Resurrection and the Life Am I ; believe and die no more." Unchang'd that voice—and though not yot The dead sit up and speak, Answering its call ; we gladlier rest Our darlings on earth's quiet breast, And our hearts feel they must not break. Far better they should sleep awhile Within the church's shade, Nor wake, until new heaven, new earth, Meet for their new immortal birth, For their abiding-place be made. Then wander back to life and lean On our frail love once more. 'Tis sweet, as year by year we lose Friona out of sight, in faith to muse How grows in Paradise our store. Then pass, ye mourners, cheerly on Through prayer unto the tomb ; Still, as ye watch life's falling leaf, Gathering from every loss and grief, Hope of new spring and endless home. Then cheerly to your work again, With hearts new braised and set To run, untired, love's blessed race, As meet for those who face to face Over the graye their Lord have met. . r . Art ; ft ine Ci 4. - • )1 , 41 LI HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, Sunday. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon in a carriage and four, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena, Princess Louise, and her Grand Ducal Highness the Princess Leiningen. The Queen, their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, Princess Beatrice, and her Grand Ducal Highness the Princess Leiningen, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in "Waiting, attended Divine service this morning in the private chapel. The Rev. D. Moore, Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen, preached the sermon. The Duke of Somerset had an audience of the Queen. The Palestine Exploration Fund. TO THE EDITOR or THE SUN. SIR,--I received a fifth report from Capt. C. W. Wilson, Royal Engineers, in charge of the first expedition of the as sociation, dated Nablus (Shechem), March 17th, 1866, of which the following is the substance. Topography—The positions of Nazareth, Zerin, Lejjun, Beisan,•Jenin, and Nablus, have been fixed astronomically and a one-inch sketch made of the eastern portion of the Plain of Esdraelon and Valley of Jezreel down to Beisan ; a reconnaissance sketch of the road from Jenin to Nablus; sketches of Beisan and Sdbustiyeh on a scale of six inches to a mile ; a chain survey of the summit of Gerizim, on the 1-500th scale ; and a sketch of Ebal and Gerizim, with the valley between, which is now in progress. A base line has been chained for this, so that the distance between the two mountains will be obtained with the greatest accuracy. Archa3ology, Excavations, &c.—At Zerin (Jezreel) some small excavations were made near the large square building in tie village, but without result. In and around the village are more than 300 cisterns or subterranean granaries for corn ; a number of these were visited at various points in the hope that some remainsof the old town mightbe found in them, but neither there nor in the large accumulation of rubbish round thevillage could any foundationsor remains be seen of sufficient importance to justify the commence ment of excavations on a large scale. The examination of the mound is quite practicable, but would require much time and money. Lejjun, Taanuk, and other places around, were visited, and notes made on their ruins. At Beisan plan was made of the Theatre; two rock-hewn tombs and several sarcophagi were found Whilst there a visit was made to Sukkat—the name seems to be applied to the dis trict as well as to a small Tell, on which are some incon siderable ruins—there is no very marked feature, such as would answer to the expression " Valley of Succoth ;" the district is rich and well watered, and was, when visited, occupied by over 200 tents of Sukr Bedouin, who are now at war with the Adouan. The river being unfordable, the fighting was confined to an exchange of Arab abuse and a few long shots across the river ; some four or five being been killed. Excavations were carried on simultaneously at Sebustiyeh and Gerizim ; at the ;former some excava tions were made at the Church of St. John and two of the temples. A plan was made of the church, and of the grotto, which seems to be of masonry of a much older date than the church. There are six loculi iu two tiers of three each, and small pigeon holes are left at the ends for visi tors to look in—the loculi are wholly of masonry. The northern side and N.W. tower are of older date than the Crusades ; possibly early Saracenic ; in the latter there is a peculiarly arched passage. The church is on the cite of an old city gate, from which the " street columns" started and ran round the hill eastwards. The old city was easily traced ; plans were made of the temples, they are covered with rubbish from ten to twelve feet deep, to remove which with Arab labour would take some three or four months. On Gerizim the foundations of Justinian Church within the castle were opened out ; in many places but one or two courses of stone are left ; the church is octagonal, on eastern side an apse, on five sides small chapels, on one a door, the eighth side too much destroyed to make out, probably sixth chapel ; there was an inner octagon, and the buildings without the chapels must have been a miniature " dome of the rock." A few Roman coins were found. The southern portion of the crest has been excavated in several places, but no trace of any largo foundations found. In an enclosure about four feet from the Holy Rock of the Samaritans a great number of human remains were dug up, but nothing to tell their age or nationality, and the place was immediately filled in and covered up again; the Amran says they are the bodies of priests anointed with consecrated oil, but they more pro bably have been bodies purposely buried there to defile the temple, or rudely thrown in and covered up in time of war. An excavation was made at the " twelve stones," which appear to form a portion of a massive foundation of unhewn stone. Mr. De Saulcy is quite right about the name of Luzah being applied to the ruins near the place where the Samaritans camp for the Passover, they are not of any great extent. By far the most important remains are on the southern slope of the peak, where a portion of the city wall can still be seen and the divisions of many of the houses. Whatever its name or date, there was certainly at one time a large town surrounding the platform on which the Well and castle now stand. Photographs had been taken as follows : View of Fountain and two views of Town of Nazareth. Cliff behind Maronite Convent. View of Zerain, with Mount Gilboa. Two general views of ruins at Beisan. Old Roman bridge and Theatre, Beisan. The views of Church of St. John, Sebustiyeh. General view and Street of the Columns, Sebustiyeh. Ruins on Mount Gerizim from south. Sacred Rock of the Samaritans. Interior of Castle, with Ebal in the distance. The twelve stones aad west wall of castle. View of ruins of Mount Ebal. Supposed scene of assembly of twelve tribes under Joshua. Geology.—The only peculiarity noticed was the con struction of Jebel Duhy (Little Hermon), which is com posed of a conglomerate of trap fragments, flints, and por tions of hard limestone, the highest point where the well stands is entirely of basalt, as it is also an isolated conical shaped hill. Tel Ajal, lying between Endur ad Nein, and these appear to have been the centres of eruption for the basalt which covers the country as far as Beisan. It was proposed to leave Nablus on the 10th, unless pre vented by the rainy weather, as Captain Wilson was anxious to get plans of those mosques in the town which have been Christian churches. Some trouble had been experienced from incivility and attempts to rob on the part of the people. The governor of the city had, how ever, been very civil and given every assistance. On leaving Nablus it was intended to go to Tubas, and thence, if matters could be arranged with the Bedouin, by Wady Ferrah to Jisr Damieh, with a view to check Lynch's astronomical observations, and sketch a portion of the Jordan, at the same time fixing the positionof Wady Zerka; then return by Yaun to Awertab, where tradition places Awertah to Seilun and Bethel, thence by Tibneh to Kefr Saba, and probably to Cesarea and Athilt. Wages of exca vators are high, from 2s. to 2s. 6d. per day, and it takes at least five men to do the work of an English navy. * * I am, Sir, yours, &c., GEORGE GROVE, Hon. Secretary. Sydenham, April 7, 1866. THE PRINCE OF WALES shook hands the other day most cordially with M. Guizot and several other dis tinguished French gentlemen at the French Queen's fune ral. COUNT DE MONTALEMBERT, M. Cochin, M. Vitel, and the Abbe Deguerry, have written to the journals to declare that they do not belong to the society lately formed to produce a new translation of the Bible. THE NORTHUMBERLAND.—A large number of shipwrights were employed at Woolwich Dockyard during the whole of yesterday in the construction of several large camels, or pontoons, to be used for another attempt to launch the iron-clad steamship Northumerland, at Mill wall, on Monday next. About 300 workmen are now con stantly employed in making preparations at the building slip for the renewed attempt. The midship logs on the building slip have been taken out, and the ways greased. and certain alterations have been determined on, which, it is hoped, will, with the assistance of the very high tide expected, result in success. With regard to metals, the Mining Journal states as follows :—" Although there has not been any great amount of activity in the metal market during the past week, yet the prospects for the future ap pear to be much brighter, and there may be now rea sonably entertained anticipations of a more satisfac tory state of the metal trade arising erelong. The state of political affairs between Prussia and Austria seems now to hold out some hopes of a peaceful settlement, and this is much to be desired, as, notwithstand ing that we bould not sympathise much with either of the contending parties, all such contests must necessarily interfere considerably with the progress of commercial operations in the direction of those countries which might be engaged in war ; besides the uncertainty as to how such a war might termi nate, and what changes might result therefrom- Orders from America are coming in more freely, and there is now good gronnd to hope that our com mercial relations with the United States will soon be much more active than they have been of late. It was hoped that ere this we should have seen an other decline in the Bank rate of discount, and we trust that this will be realised at no distant date, as an easy money market is of considerable importance to the metal trade, being the means of render in g great facilities in the carrying out of many impor taut transactions in metals.