The Sun. — London, England, 1866-03-24 00:00:00

THE A TRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE - Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, Sir Edward Lytton Ftulwer's Play of RICHELIEU. Mr. Phelps ; Messrs. 11. Marston, Raynor, E. Phelps, Arlntyre, Bleagreson ; Mrs. Herman Vezin, Miss E. Falconer, &.. Fo lowed by a Ballet Divertissement: Miss Clara Morgan, atm Concluding with THE BEGGAR'S OPERA.. Mr. W. Harrison, Mr. H. Drayton ; Misses A. Thomson, Poole, to. Commence at 7. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.- Sole Lessee and Mansger, Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, Tiff E OVERLAND ROUTE: Messrs. Buckstone, Compton, Chippendale. W. Farren, Rogers, Gor don, Braid, Clark. Weathersby, White, Coe, so.; Mesdames Snowdon, Hill, Wright, Coleman, Moore, Sc. After which (for the last week but one), ORPHEUS IN" THE lIA IMAts K ET. Messrs. W. Farren, Fisher, Ba• tie man, Wesihersby, Ito ; Mesdames Keeley, Snowden, Moore, Lindley, IVoolgar, lioward, Wright, Coleman, Lovell, Pre vut, &c. • - Commence at Seven. ROYAL LYCEUM TREATIIE. Under the sole Management of Mr. Fechter. THIS EVENING, THE ILLUSTRIOUS STRANGER Mr. If. Widdicomb. Alter which, TIIE MASTER in OF RAVENSWOOD. Fecter; , Emery, 'Widdicornh, Vez, J. H. Fit h zpatric:,, D. Messrs. Jordan Evans ; uesdames Ternan, Eusworthy, Lavenu, and C. Leclercq. Box Office open daily from Eleven till Five. No performance during Passion Week. NEW THEATRE -ROYAL ADELPHL Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. TINS EVENING. at 7, a new farce called PIPKIN'S RUSTIC RE rItEA.T. Messrs. J. L. Toole and P. Bedford. r. b ß ur il n li e, ngdo : il j A ft er which, at 8, RIP VAN WINKLE. Rip (his 172 d appearai ne), Mr. Je fferson, supported by M e. Bedford, It Phillips, Felix Rogas, Ashley, h 1 e e yBB, ks Smith; Mrs. Biiiin g t c r , &c. To conclude with LEHIND TIME. Messrs. J. L. Toole, R. Ph illips, Eburne. C. J. Smith ; Miss A. Seaman, &c. 11OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, , Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, A GHOST IN SPITE OF HIM- After which, at a quarter to Eight, TIIE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs. Vining, T. Mead, 1). Murray, Shore, Viliiero; Mrs. 11. Mallon, Miss E. Barnett, and Miss K. Rodgers. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, a new and origi• nal Comedy, THE FLY,A.ND THE WEB. Messrs. Par acne and Price; Misses Swanborough and Raynham. After which the Grand Burlesque, IVANHOE. Messrs. Stoyle, 'Thorne, Jame, Fenton : Uesdames Swanborougb, Raynham, Simpson. Johnstone, and Hughes. To conclude with LENDING A HAND. Messrs. Belford Turner; Misses Simpson and Hughes. MOSES AND SON'S • LONDON HOUSES, 154, 155, 156, 157, Minories ; 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, Aldgate ; 506, 507, 508, New Oxford--street; 1,2, 3, Hart-street; 137, 138, Tottenham-court-road ; 288, Euston-road. Country Branch—Bradford, Yorkshire. MOSES AND S 0 N E• respectfully call attention to their large and well assorted stock of JUVENILE CLOTHING. The newest fabrics are combined with the latest and most fashionable designs, and the best workmanship. E. MOSES and SON give particular attention to this important branch of their business, and they can with confidence affirm that the prices are such as must satisfy the most economical. This depart ment is in a distinct pert of the premises, which will be /uund a great convenience tor ladies and children. ItE" SANDRINGHAM " and " DANISH " . WRAPPERS Itrod need oy them are the newest and most fashionsb:e styles of Overcoats for the season. R EADY-MADE CLOTHING for all classes and all ages. BESPOKE CLOTHING for all classes and all ages. UNIFORMS for the ARMY, NAVY, and VOLUNTEER SERVICE. L ADIES' RIDING HABITS. LIVERIES. T HE celebrated "INDISPENSABLE" SUIT, from 30s. 110SIERY and DRAPERY for all classes and all ages. H ATS and CAPS for all classes and all ages. B OOTS and SHOES for all classes and all ages OUTFITS for all classes, all ages, and all MOSES AND SON'S 4. Establishments are closed every Friday evening at sunset until baturday evening at sunset, when business Is re sumed until 11 o'clock. All articles arc marked the lowest prices in plain figures. Any article not approved of will be exchanged, or the money will be returned. of Prices with Rules for Self-measurement, Fashion Card, and our new pamphlet, "The rhilosophy of Dress," gratis and post free. MOSES AND SON'S • LONDON 1101.18E3, 154, 155, 156, 157, Mtnories ; 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, Aldgate ; 500, 507, 508, New Oxford-street ; 1. 2,3, Hart-street ; ]37, 138, Tottenham-court-road ; !:83, Euston-road. Country Branch—Bradford, Yorkshire. THE "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. R. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught terrace, Edgware-road, is specially appointed AGEN T to deliver the LATE EDITION of " THE SUN" at the earliest possible moment after leaving the press. He is able to deliver copies in Town, the Suburbs, and in many parts of the Country at a comparatively early hour the same evening, Bay 40 miles by 9 o'clock. THE ."SUN" :NEWSPAPER.- G. It. GLENIE delivers the LATE EDITION at Chelsea, 7.40 ; Kiibuna, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 ; Uxbridge, 9.20 ; Watford, 8.45. THE LATEST EDITION of « THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published every Eveninv, by vr.-ALEAANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LATEST NEWS and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, by 11. W. IIAttRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blacidriars-road, London, S. THE LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN." .1. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the public generally, that he supplies the LATEST EDITIuN 01 " I'IIE SUN" as soon as published —No. 16, Hampstead road, N.W. PORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies the LATKST EDITION of "Tlfli SUN" as soon as pub- Bath-strt et, City-road, E.C. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. T DAY.—Monaimg, 7h. 34 rn.—Aftemoon, Bh. 101 n T 0-Mon.Row.-11@rning, Bh. 50m.—Afternoon, Oh. 34m, ''~ ~ ~~1~ „Sun, LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1866. Of all the confusions worse confounded that ever distracted a Ministry, or perplexed a Parliament, this Reform Bill of Earl RUSSELL'S seems to bear the palm. It would puzzle any really disinterested independent member to decide what course to adopt in order to further the interests of Reform. At any rate it would appear as if the Government had been forced to come forward in some degree, and to be more explicit as to their intentions. Mr. GL AbsTONE last night, in moving that the house at its ri sing do adjourn until the 9th of April, observed that in consequence of the many amendments that had b een moved, the Government had decided t o - l ay on the table of the house the bills respeoti u a the franchise in Scotland and Ireland, and also ti iut referring to the redistribution of seats. So far this to the point, but the right l io n. gentleman at the sax" time declared that he could not state too distinctly to toe . 1.1. misunder stood, ,as they were desirous above all thin g s not obe under stood, that their i ntention in layingl bu ll on the table was confined, at the present tim e, to the obj , 2et of giving information to the House, and that they proposed to proceed with the b in relating to the franchise in England and Wal es in the manner they announced, and with that bill exclusively until its fate was decided. This seems to be rather begging the question, because it does not put the case in a different light after all, so far as removing the objection of dealing with one part of the question at a time. It cer tainly shows that the Ministers have proceeded fur ther in making their plans than some supposed ; and this is satisfactory, because it would be quite inconsistent for a Government to treat a great national question like this in a disingenuous manner. But while we give them credit for desiring to get a deform Bill through the House, we Intuit oherve that the Ministers have been ill-advised, or are themselves mistaken in thus doling out their pro positions. The only correct course to pursue in such a. matter is to i tit the House at once in possession of all the particu o l f a t rs he re h l o ti u n s g e to the measure, and to take the sense upon its merits in a definite manner. As it is, the framers of these instalmen ts of Parliamentar y Re form seem likely to find themselves in the position of the old man in the story who tried to suit all tastes, and ended by causing a general destruction of himself and his belongings. Earl GRosvENon, inquired if the members were to have time to co-a sider the other bills, and declared that he could not consent to the second reading of the bill for the reduction of the franchise until the House had time to consider the other bills, which were all intimately connected with that one, neither did he think that the house would consent to the course proposed by ' her MAJESTY'S Government. Three days certainly will not be very long for hon. members to settle upon the merits of the ques tions put before them ; and, after all, the bills are only to remain in their present form as theories during the present Session, and not to become law under any circumstances. The Government must now be able fully to appreciate the unwise course which they have pursued, and we are not surprised that Mr. GLADSTONE, under the irritation and annoyance of the affair, for the first time this ses sion lost that control over his temper which he has hitherto so successfully maintained since his accession to the leadership of the House. It would be paying the right hon. gentleman a very poor compliment to suppose that he was the proposer of this policy of instalmentary Reforms, which seems likely to shipwreck the Administra tion, and no doubt his vexation was increased by the perception of how far his acts had been from his words. No one who knew the nature of his discourses upon this topic during the last few years would ever have imagined that the right hon. gentleman would ever have lent his powerful aid to meddle and muddle a great ques tion so completely. Mr. GLADSTONE tried to make an effective appeal to his party last night by intimating that Earl GROSVENOR'S amendment implied a want of confidence. We do not see this at all ; and the notion of a factious spirit of opposition actuating the mover of it is quite put aside by the fact that he belongs to the Minis terial side of the House. But such considerations ought not to be entered into in the discussion of this important matter ; and it would never do if those who ordinarily supplit a Government are to be told that they must do so blindfold now that most material interests are at stake. Mr. DISRAELI made one of his telling speeches in a brief form. He said it was proverbial that to " change your line in the face of an enemy was always a very perilous operation, and also that the Government asked the Rouse to take a leap in the dark." After declaring that the plan of putting bills on the table and not proceeding with them was trifling with the House, the right hon. gentle man said, very truly, that there seemed great incon sistency and wavering about the Ministry, and, as always happens, timidity and precipitation are nearly allied. It would have been well for tue credit of the Government and the success of their measure had they at an earlier period acted on the principle foreshadowed in Mr. DISRAELI'S concluding sen ter.ce,—" If I might presume to offer any advice to the Government, which their numerous Cabinet Councils, so hurriedly called, show they are in want of, I would say this—that a Government which has to deal with a great question in the House of Com mons, and wishes to treat it successfully, should, above all things, treat the House of Commons with frankness." As the Ministers have made one change in their plans they may make another, and perhaps after the Easter recess we may hear that the other bills are to be considered this session ; but if the Government adhere to the course indicated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last night the amendment of Earl GROSVENOR is certain to be carried. It is very desirable that the houso and the country should know for certain that the Government has not been so dilatory in the preparation of their measure of Reform in the Cabinet as they have been niggardly in presenting it to Parliament ; but it will disappoint those . who wished this decided step to be taken to know that the completion of the scheme depends upon the continuance of the Government in office, and rests in the uncertainty of the futuro. fif le, and is in fact only a lodgment of borrowed in honey. The necessary amount is raised at a high in iterest, and deposited in due form, so that, instead of being in any way a guarantee of the stability of: the company, it is in reality another obstacle to the completion of the line, because it entails the payment of a high rate of interest upon it. Almost all the schemes now, said Lord REDESDALE, are contractors' schemes, got up by a contractor, an engineer, a lawyer, and a Parlia mentary agent ; the money is found by the emi r tractor, and there is little or no subscription of any kind. An instance of the manner in which these schemes are got up was given by the noble lord, in the case of a contractor's line, in which the con tractor made a certain number of persons in his employ shareholders, and called a meeting, at which he announced that the line was completed, that it would no doubt be profitable, and that he engaged to work it for five years, and guarantee the share holders five per cent. for their money. He got this widely reported, and in consequence raised the value of the shares, and produced the other effects the contractor wanted by obtaining credit for his capital ; so that he could get money on very fair terms, while, whether the line paid at all or no, was a matter of no moment to him after his gua rantee expired. One great evil attending this mischievous system is the vast and unnecessary expense to which the regular existing railway com panies are put, in being forced to buy up these easily got-up scheMes. A couple of years ago the secretary of one of the principal lines stated before a Parliamentary committee that no fewer than 161 schemes affecting his company had been promoted that year, and of these the company had been obliged to oppose 60. The same gentle man gave full details of a contractor's scheme, which was begun in reality with no company at all ; it was only after parties concerned had obtained the bill and the line was started that they had to find the subscribers. Railway property is increasing so much in extent and importance that it is becoming one of the regular forms of investment ; and Lord REDESDALE pointed out to their lordships how seriously trust and other moneys so in vested might be affected by these bubble companies. There was considerable danger, he said, to the general security of railway property, and it was important that it should be placed on a solid foundation. His suggestion towards bringing about a better state of things was that the deposits should be made really available for the construction of railways. This proposal was made by the com mittee of the Commons, but from the strong opposi tion which the recommendation encountered it was put aside. We must, however, bear in mind that the railway interest is so very strong in the Lower House that questions affecting the management of the lines are not always judged or discussed impartially. Lord RRDESDALE proposed to submit certain alto rations in the standing orders to their lordships after the recess, so that both Houses and the public might have time to consider the subject. The general feeling of the House was strongly in favour of some alteration, and we hope the matter will receive very careful inquiry. It is a common com plaint that railways are multiplying too fast, and that the advantages which the public might derive from a more moderate extension are counter The rapid extension of our railway lines in almost every part of the kingdom is a matter of common remark, and there arc a good many points connected with it which are fairly open to inquiry. While the public advantages derived from the increased faci- lity of communication and traffic are very great, it does not by any means follow that there may not be less disinterested motives for promulgating some of the new schemes. A railway line has always an especial attraction to the speculative, and it offers an opportunity to those whose ambition exceeds their capital, but it is necessary the credit system should not be carried too far, as there are many evils a ,ending the construction of a line whose directors and shareholders may be all found under one roof, and whole capital only exists on paper. The public are not likely to be well served under such circum stances, , and very often the object to be attained is to force an existing company to buy up the new line rather than to get it in good working order. Lord REDESDALE last evening brought the whole subject of the financial arrangements for the construction of railways before the House of Lords, and ho condemned the excessive extension of the credit system with just severity. Parliament had, it was thought, taken due precau tions to secure bona Ale schemes, but, as is often the case, speculators have easily found means to evade their provisions. Lord REDESDALE reminded the House that in the early days of railways capital was easily acquired, and up to 1845 and 1846, the time of the railway mania, it was still easy of ac cess. " Since then," said his lordship, " the prac tice had been going from bad to worse, without the required capital being obtained before the bills were passed. At last it had come to such a pitch that he felt bound to call the attention of the House to it, for, unless some change were effected, they would bring everything connected with railways into the greatest possible difficulty." At first railway com panies were always started with a subscription con tract, which was often a large part of the necessary funds, and up to 1817 or so those subscription con tracts were realities, but the railway mania brought speculation to such an extravagant height that many of the contracts became fraudulent. So great was the discredit brought upon the whole system at this time that subscription contracts were no l onger held of any value as a a company. depo sit of 8 per After er discussionof the estimated cost of such deposit not to be in Parliament some for the security of the line was ordered, withdrawn except under a bond on the completion of the railway, or unless one-half of the capital of the line was expended on it. But even these pre cautions have proved ineffectual to guard against the devices of enterprising speculators. The de posit hail in toy many instances ceacd to be bona THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 24, 1866. __-,0-_- Painted by John Phillip, R.A. THE ROYAL HERALDIC ALBUM Published by Dean and Son, Ludgate Hill. A magnificent volume, entitled The Royal Heraldic Album, has already, we find, been issued from the press by the Messrs. Dean and Son, of Ludgate-hill—the publishers, among other works, of Debrett's Peerage, and Baronetage, and Knightage. A ponderous and costly tome it is, too, this Royal Heraldic Album. A veritable edition de luxe, clad externally in a gorgeous bevilled binding, richly emblazoned, and internally illuminated with great splendour in the opening pages, at least, in the leaves that is immediately following the explana tory letterpress conveying to the reader's appre hension, in a very distinct way, indeed, all the more important rudiments of the science of heraldry this letterpress, moreover, being illustrated in its turn with a profusion of appropriate woodcuts. Half-a-dozen leaves of the album, in fact, are illuminated in the manner we have described—half-a-dozen, including among them the exquisite title-page. The five coats-of-arms thus displayed to view in all the radiance of gilding and rainbow dyes, are those of the Sovereign, of the Prince of Wales, of the Earl of Clarendon, of the Earl of Derby, and of the late Viscount Palmerston. These five being given thus simply as specimens. The rest of the volume, con sisting of blank leaves, with (in each) a " mount" —something after the fashion of the carte-de visite albums, only of a quarto-size instead of being like the carte-de-visites simply in minia ture. The Heraldic Album is thus arranged, or " appointed," of course, after this fashion, so as to enable the amateur illuminator to insert at pleasure in the after pages of the volume, card by card, other coats-of-arms, accordingly as those other coats of arms are selected and completed. The idea which suggested to thepublishers of" Debrett," the issuing from the press of this very beautiful volume, is in some measure akin to that which a few weeks since prompted our own suggestion in the columns of The Sun, that the ladies of England having a taste, and having also leisure for these elegant avocations, should, in preference to the mere collection of postage-stamps and monograms, open to themselves a new source at once of amuse ment and instruction, by undertaking the illumina tion, page by page, of the heraldic designs adorning just such a popular Peerage as that of Debrett's. It is akin, we say, the idea of this Heraldic Album, to the thought that prompted our own suggestion— but it is no more than akin to it. It is, in other words, not the thought itself, much less the actual anticipation or realisation of our suggestion. 'The Royal Heral dic Album is too costly a work to come within the category of what we ourselves proposed. It is a volume too magnificent, and yet, at the same time, too incomplete, too much of a mere selection, to fall within the reach of ordinary purchasers. What we proposed, and what we would still urge upon the consideration of those in any way inte rested in the study of heraldry on the one hand, and of illumination upon the other, is the em bellishment or emblazonment by the hands of ama teur illuminators of either an ordinary copy of such a work as Debrett's Peerage, published at seven and sixpence ; or better still, perhaps, of an exceptional edition of the same work, printed upon thicker paper (for the purpose of illumination), say at half a guinea ; or, best of all, perhaps, as render ing such a work permanent instead of merely fugi tive in its character—an edition of Debrett contain ing within it the family crests, and coats-of-arms, and supporters of the various noble houses numbered up in the Peerage, simply with their titles attached and the dates of their original ennoblement. Such an edition of the Peerage, without in any way interfering with a costly publication like the one here immediately under notice, would, or we are very much mistaken, open up a new branch of elegant industry—superseding the mere collection and arrangement of postage stamps and mono grams, effecting this change by awa.kening a prefer ence for the superior graces and beauties of heraldic illumination. MAYALL'S LIFE-SIZS PHOTOGRAPHS, Photographic Portraits the full size of life have, no doubt, often before now been produced. But they have certainly never been produced with such brilliant success—as works at once of Art and Nature—as by Mr. Mayall's New Solar Camera Pr o - cess, a process the results of which are not only life size, but life-like. From a negative not larger in its dimensions than one inch square there can be produced—nay, for that matter, there have been produced (what are now actually on view at Mr. Mayall's establishment in Regent-street) a series of Eight different sized photographic portraits, each larger than its predecessor—beginning (this wonderful series) with a portrait exactly the size of the one inch square negative, and so on, larger and larger by regular gradations, up to the full-size of life, up to the eighth and last in this magical series, to a portrait the veritable alter ego of the individual represented. The series here referred to as being now on view at Mr. Mayan's Photographic Gallery, 224-226, Regent-street, gives us in this marvellous way eight distinct shadowings forth of the noble head of the Poet Laureate. The original process for magnifying minute negatives by means of enormous reflectors and condensers, was contrived some years ago in Belgium by Monckhoven, but to Mr. Mayall we are indebted for the adaptation of that original process to this latest improvement of all in the photographic art, the one called by him the process of the New Solar Camera. The enlarged portraits thus produced are no longer than what enlarged photographic portraits used to be until this new process was hit upon._ namely, coarser and coarser in proportion to the larger and larger size to which the original negative was expanded by the huge reflectors and condenser employed. Now—thanks to Mr. Mayall's admirable process—the largest size of all, namely, the life-sized portrait, (saving only in the noticeable difference of size) is simply identical in appearance with the one-inch-square imprint taken from the original negative. It marks a triumph—this new Solar- Camera Process—in the general advancement and development of the Photographic Art, upon the successful accomplishment of which Mr. Mayall may very well be congratulated. THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN 1860. ) At Mr. McLean's new Gallery, 7, llaymarket, there is now on view Mr. Phillip's masterly painting of The House of Commons in 1860, a picture that many will remember to have seen three years ago, namely, in 1863, on the walls of the Royal Academy. Hardly ever, even for a few minutes at a time, could it be seen there during that season's Royal Academy Exhibition to anything at all like advantage. And this simply because of its popu larity, because of its very attractiveness. It was the show picture of the year, the one about which the visitors to the gallery of the Royal Academy collected in crowds, so that not one of them could contrive to see it beyond just a little bit at a time. Insomuch was this literally the case, that we hardly seemed to have seen it at all until wejiad the satisfac tion of examining it at our leisure where it now is, namely' in the inner room at No. 7 in the Hay market. And a masterpiece the picture is in its way, not only as a work of art, but as a vivid repre sentation of the age we live in. "The very age and body of the time, its form and pressure," are there pourtrayed in the " counterfeit presentments" of the leading rulers of the epoch. Lord Palmerston, it may be remembered, is represented by Mr. Philip in his picture as addressing the House of Commons on a Wednesday morning's debate during the ses sion of 1860. Mr. Speaker (the Right Hon. Evelyn Denison) occupies the central position in the back ground—seated there wigged and robed i n his peen chair of authority. At his right hand there stands, noticeably equipped in sword and bag-wig, and silk stockings, the Sergeant-at- Arms, Lord Charles Russell. Seated at the table, in front of these, are the three clerks of the House—Mr. Ley, Mr. May, and Sir Denis Le Marchant. On the spec tator's left hand (to the Speaker's right) are the oc- balanced by the annoyance and obstruction of quite unnecessary and useless move- It will be a useful check upon excessive speculation to insist upon some better guarantee for the stability of newly-formed companies, while the additional security which the estblished lines will acquire from the removal of the present drain upon their resources by reckless and interested competition will put the whole ques tion of railway property on a more satisfactory merits. footing. The Meeting of Liberal Members. ----- The following is the circular which has been issued by Earl Russell convening a meeting of Liberal members : Lord Russell requests the favour of your attend ance at a meeting at 10, Downing-street, on Tuesday April 10, at ono p.m., on matters of great importance. Thursday, March 22, 1866. The Mystery of Stodare's Sphinx Explained If we unveil the " Mystery" which Colonel Sto dare has been exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall for some time, we trust, says the Reader, that we shall not incur the displeasure either of the inventor of " The Sphinx" or of those who intend paying it a visit. The Sphinx, be it known, is the object of a patent, as indeed everything is now-a-days. The specification, which has just been made public, gives us the required iliformation. In Colonel Stodare's L exhibition, as almost every one knows, a head ap pears on what seems to be an ordinary three-legged table, which stands in the centre of the stage. To all appearances the head is an independent member, which makes a speech, and answers questions, quite as well as many an " independent member" in " another place." The secret lies in the table, which, instead of being open underneath, is occupied by two mirrors extending from the two back legs and meeting at the front leg. Now if a spectator is ignorant of the existence of a mirror, he has no means of distinguishing reflected from real objects, unless they appear in unnatural positions. It is a law in optics that the reflected imago of an object appears as far behind the mirror as the object re flected is in front of it. It is obvious that by a proper arrangement of duplicate pictures of that part of the scene hidden by the table a reflection of those duplicates may be caused to appear in the mirrors underneath the table, and thus lead the spectator to imagine that he sees beyond the table, whereas all the time he is looking at a reflected image of the back scene. The triangular space enclosed by the glasses serves to contain the legs and body of the Sphinx, whose head appears on the top of the table. The principle, it will be seen, is somewhat similar to that of Eidos Aeides, a clever illusion shown at Her Majesty's Theatre last year, which consisted in rendering an object alternately visible and invisible by placing a sheet of plain glass in front of it, and disposing a facsimile of the scene at the back at a suitable angle at the wing. When the duplicate scene was strongly illuminated, the stage-lights being lowered, it was reflected in the glass, which acted for a time as a mirror, and the object disap peared. When the lights on the false scene were turned down, the stage lights being allowed to pre dominate, the object became visible again. We may add that Colonel Stodare's patent was not granted, the application having been successfully opposed by the proprietors of " Proteus," another of the ingenious optical delusions in fashion just now. SALE OF PRINCE NAPOLEON'S HOTEL.—The sale of Prince Napoleon's Hotel in the Avenue Montaigne, Paris, took place on Wednesday. The total produce of the sale was £46,004. NARIIOIV ESCAPE OF PRINCE MURAT.—Prince Murat, colonel in the Guides, had a narrow escape a few days back while descending the Champs Elysees in a phaeton which he was himself driving. The horse took fright, and, becoming uncontrollable, dashed the vehicle against a tree. Both shafts were broken by the shock, but the prince escaped unhurt. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF COPYTIOLDS.—The Copy hold Commission state in their report for 1865 that in that year they completed 88 enfranchisements in clerical manors, 48 in collegiate manors, and 903 in lay manors. Since 1841 the Commission Lave completed 6,610 enfranchisements and commutations, the consideration consisting of £972,368 for payments in full, rent-charges amounting to £8,158, and 1,388 acres of land. Operations continue under the Universities and Colleges Estates Acts of 1858 and 1860, and the Commission have authorised in all 254 sales, 97 purchases, 38 enfranchisement; 18 exchanges, 29 applies tione for raising money, end 2 transfers of trust. LA TEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) AMERICA. (Arrival of the North American, via Greencastle, NEW YORK, MARCH 10 (Evening] SPAIN. CADIZ, MARCH 23, Evening. FRANCE. BOURSE, March 23, Three o'clock.—The marke closed at the following quotations : 4/ per Cents 97 30 Do. and month — 3 per Cents. 6B 55 Do. end month 6B 42i Credit Mobilier 672 50 Do. end month 673 75 Bank Shares 3600 Credit Foncier — Italian Loan GO 90 Do. end month 6O 95 BAIL' Roman ............ Ottoman Fives.,,.,, Mexican Loan ...... 48 50 Do. 80nd5..,.. 303 25 Russian..,.,.. Austrian ............ Spanish Threes ... Home Debt ......... Deferred ............ rAYB. Cash. Orleans , Northern , Acct. ... 875 - - ... 1125 - - ... 887 50 Lyons and Mediterranean Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona Roman ........ - - ... 555 - ... 540 - - ... 125 - - - ... 396 25 - - ... 406 25 - - ... 221 25 1 .05 - THE WAR IN THE BRAZILS. RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 24. Advices have been received here from Buenos Ayres of the 15th and Monte Video to the 16th inst. The news from the seat of war is anything but satisfactory, and proves beyond contradiction, not only the audacity of the Paraguayans, but, what is much more serious, the most extraordinary want of vigilance on the part of the vanguard (corn , posed entirely of Argentine troops under General Hornos) of the allied army at the Passo de la Patria. It is now ascertained that Paraguayan forces have been continually crossing and recrossing the Parana, without any attempt being made to determine their number, object, or the position occupied ; consequently, no surprise can be felt at the unfortunate consequences brought upon them selves by those whose duty it was to be on the alert. On the 31st of January a Paraguayan column, said to have been composed of 3,000 picked men, who had crossed the Parana without exciting the atten tion of, or, perhaps, unknown to the Argentine forces, attacked the latter at eleven o'clock in the morning at San Cosine. They were finally driven back by the Argentines, who fought very bravely, although not before they had made sad havoc among their officers and men, and carried away, it is said, two Argentine colours. TLe loss of the Paraguayans is not known, as they carried away all their wounded and withdrew in the best order. The Argentines are said to have lost 390 officers and men killed and wounded ; 189 wounded were in the hospitals at Corrientes. Among the killed are Colonel Serrano and Major Marquez. Among the severely wounded are one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, and a major. The Paraguayans appear to have picked off the offi cers, as, comparatively speaking, the number of casualties amongst them is very large. One most extraordinary fact in this affair is that the Argentines spent all their ammunition long before the action was brought to an end with the bayonet, and as the Paraguayans retreated into the wood they could not be pursued by troops without cartridges. When the engagement was over not even the officers had a charge left in their revolvers. Much blame has been attributed to General Mitre for leaving the position of Passo de la Patria so unprotected, and for refusing to reinforce it with a division of Brazilians as proposed by General 0 orio. Admiral Viscount Samandare left Buenos Ayres on the Bth inst. for Corrientes to take command of the fleet. He also has been severely censured for delaying his departure, as for some time past there has been sufficient water in the rivers for naval operations. The fleet now consists of four ironclads, one frigate, six corvettes, nine gunboats, four small ditto, one schooner, and four floating batteries. Intelligence may therefore be shortly expected of some decisive combined movement by the army and navy. The draft of the statutes of the International Emigration Society has been read before a general meeting of the members and unanimously approved. They are preceded by the following preamble, which clearly establishes the principles of the associa- on " Considering that the prosperity of Brazil de pends upon the development of free labour and the influx of foreign capital and foreign workmen, and that to replace slave labour abundance of free labour is necessary, and consequently a current and spon taneous emigration. " Considering that the want of information and direction is severely felt by the immigrant on arri val at our seaports, and that it is urgently necessary to protect him when he arrives and while ho remains. " Considering that, in addition to this assistance, the moral interests of immigration in general should be protected by securing the future of the immi grant, and guaranteeing his religious and personal liberty. " Considering that some of the laws of the coun try are opposed to these objects, among which are —those which establish a distinction between the native and the neutralised citizen ; those which do not recognise ; the perfect validity of civil marriage without ecclesiastical intervention ; those which limit perfect religious liberty and equality ; and those which have contracts of service impossible for their severity. " Considering that these laws require revision. " Considering that so important a reform re quires discussion, and that the country be con vinced of its necessity. " Considering that so arduous and difficult a task exceeds the power of any single individual and claims powerful social co-operation. " Considering, moreover, that great results may be obtained by the spirit of association and by popu lar discussion. " Considering, finally, that good service might be done by studying, discussing, and promoting the above-named practical questions. "Many Brazilians and foreigners have resolved on forming the International Emigration Society," &c. The directors of the association are seven in num ber, of which four are foreigners and three Brazi lians. One of these latter is Mr. Savarcs Bastos a member of the Chamber of Deputies, well known for his advanced liberal opinions. The third iron -clad, the Rio de Janeiro, built in Rio dockyard; was launched a few days Sine?. The Chambers will open on the 4th of March, when some financial measures of importance will be brought forward. SALAMANDRINE DRESSES.—The fabled salaman der, which was reported to live in fire, has suggested the idea to Messrs. Samuel, Brothers, of Ludgate-street, of ma nufacturing incombustible articles of attire for smiths, iron-puddlers, glass-blowers, and others carrying on their operations in the presence of fire. The result is partly accomplished by the incorporation of asbestos, commonly known as mineral wool, and partly by itnprogna.tion with incombustible cllernical salts.—Tho Grocer. Money abundant. Gold declined this morning to 1291, but rallied since, and closed at 132. Exchange on London, 143 ; on Paris, 395. Stocks dull. New York Centrals, 92 ; Illinois, 1154 ; Erie, 824 ; 5-20 Bonds, 1031. Cotton dull. Middling Upland, 42. Flour declining. Wheat and corn dull. Provisions declining. Coffee dull. Sugar heavy. Molasses quiet. Petroleum dull ; crude, 2q ; refined, 44. The Mail steamers from the Spanish Antilles has arrived here. Advices from Cuba announce that the inhabitants were about to open a patriotic subscription to assist the Government in the war against Chili. cupants of the Treasury bench—on the Spectator's right (to the Speaker's left) are the occupants of the front bench of the Opposition. Conspicuously placed in the foreground, among the ranks of the Government, notebook in hand, is seated Sir George Cornewall Lewis. Confronting him, hardly less conspicuously placed, is the Right Hon. Gentleman the Leader of her Majesty's Opposition. Grouped around Lord Palmerston—who, as we have said, is in the act of addressing the house—are the late Pre mier's chief colleagues, including among them Earl Russell (Lord John, as he was then), Mr Gladstone, Sir George Grey, Mr. Villiers, and Sir Charles Wood, now Lord Halifax. Behind them are Mr. Cardwell and Sir Roundell Palmer. Further back is Mr. Milner Gibson. Below the Gallery, standing side by side, are Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright. Next to Mr. Disraeli, ranged on the front opposition bench in due sequence, are Lord Stanley, General Peel, and Sir Bulwer Lytton. Near them are standing Sir Hugh Cairns and Sir John Pakington. On the back benches, among others, are Mr. Walpole, Mr. Henley, and Lord John Manners. The management of the whole picture is a masterpiece of ingenuity. The painting of it in all its minute technical details is exquisite as a piece of artistic manipulation. Its chief historical value and importance, how ever, consist in the extraordinary accuracy of the portraitures of the great leaders of party in the middle of this nineteenth century, here in England, such men as Lord Palmerston and Mr. Disraeli, as Lord Russell and Lord Stanley, as Mr. Gladstone and Sir Bulwer Lytton, the first and foremost among the law-makers and administrators of Eng land during the reign of Victoria. When engraved —and the engraving, by the way, is now being exe cuted in the highest style of art by Mr. Barlow— the picture will be as popular, we feel certain, as any work of art of a political character that has ever been produced. The Fenian Excitement in Canada. MONTREAL, Friday, March 9. The call for 10,000 men of the Canadian militia for active duty, made late on Wednesday evening, was enthusiastic ally responded to, and early on Thursday morning news was received from all parts of the country that their quotas were ready for active service at a moment's notice. There seems to be no doubt that three or four times the number could be had at a day's notice. The whole volunteer force of this city paraded last even ing. Strong guards were posted at all the armouries, and patrols kept moving through the city all night. Every preparation is being made to guard against any Fenian. surprise. TORONTO, C.W., March 9. Tho Globe of to-clay has a report that the plot of the Fenians is for a body of them to cross into Canada to take part in the public procession of St. Patrick's Day, who will disturb the peace and distract attention whilo armed Fenian bands will make raids on the border. Volunteers in companies and squads are rallying from all the back towns for the defence of the frontier. Over 2,000 volunteers arrived here to-night, and were billeted on the citizens. It is estimated that 30,000 troops are now armed and ready to march if an invasion takes place. A full supply of ammunition has been issued to the troops, and the railway trains made up and ready to move them at a moment's notice to any point of attack. Many reports are current, and one pretty generally cir culated is that Parliament will be called to assemble imme diately, and that the writ of Habeas Corpus will be sus pended and martial-law proclaimed before the 17th March. The Government has taken possession of the Montreal Telegraph line. The Globe calls upon President Johnson to interfere. Ii says : " The people of Canada are abundantly able to give the ruffians a warm reception, but it is a poor repayment to the Canadian Government for its action during the rebel lion in the Southern States to be now compelled to spend money and blood in resisting outrages planned in the States of the neighbouring Republic." The city papers this morning contain two columns of special despatches from all parts of Canada, giving news of military preparations, from which it appears that every town and city is turning out in full strength. Troops were arriving all last night from the interior towns, and were billeted on the citizens. Ten of them were billeted upon the alleged Head Centre Murphy. As fast as the troops arrive they are organised into bat talions. They are to be drilled five hours per day. To-day there was a turn out en masse of the citizens, to make a demonstration of strength. Volunteers get 25c. and rations per day. The Orange Watchman of to-day says that the Penians of this city will walk on St. Patrick's day, armed with pikes and revolvers, and it calls upon the mayor to prevent their walking. It is believed that the influence of peace-loving Catholics will restrain the more violent men, and that the processions will be abandoned. The Watchman also asserts that Bishop Lynch has de- Oared his intention of leaving Canada to avoid the danger and responsibility of a battle which may occur on the Irish national day. OTTAWA, March 9. Parliament has been called to meet on the tOth of April. Nova Scotia and New Brunsivick will immediately accede to a confederation with the Canadian Provinces, and a com mon tariff will be enacted, to include Newfoundland, and perhaps Prince Edward's Island. Large reinforcements will be sent out from England im mediately on the opening of navigation of meet the threat ened Fenian inroads. English gunboats have been ordered to the fishing grounds, in viow of the abrogation of the Reciprocity Treaty. The Government buildings, and all the banks in Ottawa, have been placed under military guard at night. There has been a most enthusiastic response throughout Canada to the call for Volunteers, and 10,000 men are already march ing towards the frontier. Arrangements have been entered into for reciprocal free trade between Canada and the British West Indies, and a direct mail line from Montreal thither is to be immediately established. TORONTO, March 9, 8 p.m. News from the frontier indicate no cause for the extra ordinary movement, but the military authorities and the whole party approve the action of the Government in pre paring for an emergency. Many assert that this hubbub is got up for political reasons, to unite the opposition fac tions to a sense of their danger, so that the annexationists may be silenced, and confederation carried next month in Parliament. THE FENIAN MEETING IN NEW YORK. At the great Fenian meeting in New York, M. J. Meaney was introduced by the chairman. He said the question now was. Is it Ireland or Canada—O'Mahony or or Roberts ?—(Cries of " O'Mahony ," " Ireland for Ire land, and Canada for Canada.") Ho was not one of those who believed the longest way round was the shortest way home. (Applause.) The Habeas Corpus Act was suspended in Ireland. Did they know what it meant—that every man arrested on suspicion was kept 12 months in prison. (Groans.) That was an evil to be wiped out. But there was another. Those men arrested will be discharged in March, 1867, but there are men in Pentonville Prison— men who perilled all for you—men of Ireland—men who have toiled for you, and to-night, three thousand miles beyond the Atlantic, tho men lie in the cold cells looking for the day of liberation at your hands. (They'll have it.) Will you realise their hopes ? Will you stand and prove their sufferings have not been sufferings for an ungrateful people. (Yes.) He knew what the Habeas Corpus was. •He was arrested, and for eleven months he was in gaol. Ile knew the indig nities to which patriots were subjected. He knew what they had to feel—they were associated with felons. Think of that ! (Cheers.) Will you allow that to continue ? (No, no.) How is that negative of yours to be fulfilled? It is by putting down your greenbacks for green bonds—that the green flag should float again over Old Erin. (Yes, yes.) I bind you to that. (Yes.) I want to organise a system of dealing—that you refuse to deal with your grocer, your butcher, or baker except they prove to you that they are bondholders of the Irish Re public. (Great cheering.) A Voice—You'll see ono in my window to-morrow. Another Voice—Yes, and one in mine. (Continued cheering.) I am speaking to men who are strong in the cause ; but I have before me women—God bless them—l have women, the truest patriots in all countries; and the more depressed a country is—the more subservient men are—the stronger are the women in the hope of country and freedom. Hurrah for the men who kept Limerick wall ! But hurrah for the women, the bravest of all ! The speaker concluded amid great applause. TIIE WIGAN MunnEn.—Last night it was officially rQported that the watch so anxiously sought for in con nection with the Wigan murder had been found. On the night when it was committed, Thomas Grime, of Cllorley (now a convict in Dartmoor Prison), was absent from home. Next morning he had a watch, which he had not previously, and which hcafterwards pawned. His brother redeemed it, wore it for some time, and then sold it. When the canal was searched, and a description of the watch was published, he then repurchased it, found it cor responded with the missing one, and gave it to the police. The relatives of the murdered man have since identified it. An habeas corpus has been applied for, and Grime will bo brought before the magistrates as soon-as possible. MISSING SIIIP.—The Rose (Stephens) sailed from Newcastle, New South Wales, on the 31st of July, for Shanghai, and lie 4 not since been heard of. din let - Ciftetihri. HER MAJESTY• BUCKINGHAM PALACE, March 23. The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High nesses Princess Helena and Princess Louise, went out this morning in a carriage and four, and visited the studio of Sir Edwin Landseer at St. John's wood. Her Majesty, with their Royal Highnesses, drove out in the afternoon, and honoured Baron Maro chetti with a visit at his studio. Her Majesty aferwards visited the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland, at Stafford-house. In attendance upon her Majesty were the Mar chioness of Ely, Major-General F. H. Seymour, and Colonel li. Ponsonby. Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, arrived at the Palace this morning from Greenwich Park. His Royal Highness returned in the afternoon. The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Prince Alfred, visited Baron Marochetti's studio yesterday. The Prince of Wales went to the House of Lords. The Queen's Court. The Queen held a Court at Buckingham Palace yesterday afternoon. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Countess de Grey (Lady of the Bedchamber to the Princess), the Hon. Mrs. F. Stonor (Bedchamber Woman in Waiting to the Princess), Earl Spencer (Groom of the Stole), Lord Alfred Hervey (Lord of the Bedchamber in Waiting to the Prince), Lord Harris (Chamberlain to the Princess), Lieut.-General Knollys (Comptroller and Treasurer of the Prince's Household), Mr. C. L. Wood (Groom of the Bedchamber in Waiting to the Prince), and Lieutenant-Colonel Keppel (Equerry iu Waiting to the Prince), arrived at the garden entrance to the Palace shortly before three o'clock. His Royal Highness Prince Alfred was present at the Court, attended by the Hon. Eliot Yorke and Lieutenant Haig. His Royal Highness Prince Arthur arrived at the Palace from Greenwich Park, attended by Major Elphinstone. Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cam bridge arrived from St. James's Palace, attended by the Lady C. Cust and Colonel H. Purves. Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms was on duty at the Court, under the command of Major Harmar, the Stan dard-bearer. THE PRINCE IMPERIAL. A writer in the Patnie, alluding to the education of the Prince Imperial, says :—" The hours of the Prince Imperial are fully occupied, and his studies well combined in a hygienic point of view with exer cises of the body. Under the direction of M. Mon nier, his tutor, the young Prince shows great apti tude for classical studies, history, and geography. He speaks English fluently, having learnt it when still young from an English attendant who has always been with him. Although at present his Highness has not commenced the regular study of drawing and music, he shows a decided taste for both. The Prince having received a few indications from M. Capeaux, the sculptor, amuses himself with modelling simple subjects which show con siderable taste. Amongst them are three especially which have surprised those who have seen them. The first is a statuette of a lancer on horseback, and the other two busts of the Emperor and of M. Monnier. The young Prince has rapidly made himself familiar with all kinds of gymnastic exercises under the in struction of M. Foucart ; and his equerry, M. Ba chon, has some difficulty iu restraining his ardour for equitation. His Highness takes his lessons at the Alma stables, where his horses are kept. But he prefers above everything military rnanceuvres and the management of arms, so that his greatest happiness is when once a week a sergeant of the lit Regiment of the Grenadiers of the Guard, in which, all the world knows, he himself is a corporal, con ducts into the reserved garden of the Tuileries a company of children of that corps for drill. The Prince places himself at the right of the first rank, the effective of the troop being often augmented by the presence in the ranks of some young friends of his Highness, among whom may be mentioned the sons of Dr. Conneau, tho Duke de Persigny, Gene rals Fleury and Espinasse, and of M. de Bourgoing, the Emperor's equerry. For several years therrince has been present by the Emperor's side at the prin cipal military reviews. During the fetes of the past winter his Highness appeared several times for a few hours in the saloons, when his grace and perfect ease were much remarked. We may add that since the return of the Court from Compiegne in December last the Prince dines with their Ma jesties. His religious instruction is confided to the Abbe Deguerry, cure of the Madeleine, who is soon to prepare him for his first communion. We have thus sketched hastily the occupation of this c hild, who is growing up, under the enlightened and vigilant tutelage of the Emperor, in contact with the various classes of the nation. Immediately after his birth a most touching institution was created , that of the Prince Imperial's O r ph anag e, w hich secures to its young pupils a thorough training and all necessary care. At a later period an institution not less generous in its conception was founded , that of the Society of the Prince Imperial for lend ing money to workmen, which has come efficaciously in aid of the laborious classes. Thus, from his nected with institutions of benevolence." tenderest years, the Prince has had his name con' A Street Murder. An ex-M.P., in a letter to the Times, says : Your obituary of to-day contains a sad though brief announcement, that Dr. Spurgin expired on the 20th inst., " after a painful illness and acute suffering, brought on by injuries he received from thieves in Bishopsgate-street, in September last." Permit me to intimate to your readers a little more fully and distinctly the facts referred to, as I had them from the sufferer's own lips a few weeks age. In September last, about 9 or 10 p.m., Dr. Spurgin —a most amiable and accomplished man—had re turned from visiting a patient at Wanstead, and had got only a few hundred yards from the Great Eastern Railway, on foot, when he was suddenly (to use Ins own expression) "butted" by a man, who threw himself head foremost at Dr. Spurgin, striking hire on the chin and breast, and falling on him as Dr. Spurgin fell. The ruffian, placing his knee on th e pit of the stomach, snatched at a gold chain and valuable gold watch, and, waving them hurriedly to some one behind, rose and commenced running in an opposite direction. After lying stunned for a moment, Dr. Spurgin rose and attempted to follow the garotter, whom he still had in sight , when a man suddenly appeared at the c orner et an alley, and exclaimed, " Halloo ! What's the a b ~ matter ?" " Why," gasped Dr. Spurgin, 4 t h man has just stolen my watch !" oh, has be ? was the reply, and in an instant the unfortunate gentleman was tripped up and fell prostrate on the flags, sustaining a second time serious injuri es ' Both miscreants got off scotfree ; there was n° policeman near or in sight, no one to lend a help ing hand till it was too late, and the result you announced to-day. Dr. Spurgin was at th e moment of the outrage in robust health; but lvas thenceforth prostrate, and his death, lamented by.. his family and a large number of patients and friends, is a fearful illustration of the inse curity of human life in the metropolis. HOUSE OF LORDS.—On Thursday their lordship passed the Caithness Railway Bill, which was ordered to be reported with amendments. In the case of the Bridport, Lymc, and South Coast Railway (op posed) Bill the standing orders were dispensed with, as they were also iu the case of the London, Chat ham, and Dover Railway (new lines), subject to the terms for new streets in London and new road in Margate. • ( disc Ban roy 2 8 t 1 for