The Sun. — London, England, 1867-01-02 00:00:00

rT'HEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, A DAY At TER THE WEDDING To conclude w,th the Pantomime 1' UMBER NIP; or, Harlequin and the Gncme. Kir g of the Giant M ,, untain. Mese ames Lydia Thompson. Hudspeth, Bodenham, Seymour, Curdonni, ~nd 11. Vandenhoff ; Messrs. Tom Matthews, Bar,by, Clifton, Robins, Se) ton, and Master Percy Roselle; Messrs. koleno, Savi lc, Lauri. Cormack, Barnes, and Morris ; Madame Bolen° and Mdlle. Marion. Commence at Seven. THEATRE ROYAL, lIAYMARKET, Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Buckstone, TIITS EVENIN( 3 , A MERE CHILD. Messrs. Bowe, Gordon, White, to.; Mesdamts Chippendale, Fitzwilliam, Laws, Poweil, &c. After which. A LESSON FOR LIFE. Messrs. Fothern, Cht-pendale, Compton, llowo, Kendal, Gordon, Ewers, Braid. Clarke:Vincent, &c.; Mesdames Chippendale, Moore, Wright, ite. _ _ _ Followed by JENNY LIND AT LAST. Miss lone Btu ke ; Ai r. W. Farr en, &c To conclude with a GRAND BALLET DIVERTISSE MENT. 31c1:1e. Sophia. Commence at Seven. OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.- JA Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. lechter. • • THIS EVENING. ROUGE ET NOIR. Maurice D'Arbel (a Gambler), Mr. Pechter ; Messrs. Emery, Evans, Moreland, Fitzpatrick. Dalton. Reynolds, Lom,s, Newbound, Andrews, Anderson, Vivian, Bennett. and Edward Prue; Miss Hen rade, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss Grattan, and Miss Carlotta Lecicrcq. Prmde 1 by THE TWO POLTS. Mr. H. Widdicomb. 110YAL PRINCESS'S TIIEATRE. Sole Lessee and ManaLfer. Mr. (leo. Vininz. THIS EVENING, BMISABY BUDGE. Miss A Thom son. Mrs. Henry Vining, Mrs. Charles Holman, and Miss Katharine Rogers; Messrs. S. Calhaem, F. Villiers. J. G. Shore, C. Horsman, and Mr. George Honey, To conclude with the IN VISIBLE PRINCE. YAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. New Management. Sole Lessee, Mr. B. Webster ; Manager, Mr. H. Wigan. THIS EVENING, LONDON ASSURANCE. Messrs. Horace Wigan, H. Neville, U. Vincent, Addison, D. Murray, and Mr. Charles Mathews ; Miss Miiiy Palmer, Miss E. Far/en, and Mrs. Charles Mathe, s. After whi h, the successful Burlesque of FAUST AND 3IA.R.GUERETE. Mesdames E. Farren, Sheridan, and Stephens ; Messrs. G. Vincent, W. H. Eburne, D. Murray, dr.c. Doors open at half-past Six; commence at Seven. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, NEIGHBOURS. Dlessrs. Parselle, Belford, and G Murray ; 31isse6 swanborough, Johnstone, and flugucs. At; er which, will be produced a Grand Burlesque, entitled GUY FAWKES : Messrs. '1 hoine, Jamer, Robson, and Fenton.; Mesdames Swanborough, haynham, Johnstone, Hughes, ,Newton, To coneWle wi:h BOOTS AT THE SWAN. Commence at Seven. poLßonii THEATRE ROYAL. rroprietor And Manager, Mr. : , ef ton Parry. THIS EVENING, a nex Farce, MY TURN NEXT. Mr. _Delmore, Miss Foote, miss Lennox. After which, Boucicault's drama of FLYING SCUD. Messrs. Neville, Belmore, Blake. Garden,Vollaire ; Mesdames F. Josephs, C. Saunders, B. Foote, Itaym. nd. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPIII. ole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, Jan. 1, at Seven, A SISTER'S PENASCI.:. Miss Kate Terry, 31158 Hughes, Miss Emily ri,t; Messrs. 11. Vezia,Langton, Ashley, Etirne, a.id tepheuson. To coLclude aith the New Grand Burlesque of THE MOON FAIN DIIU; or, THE KNIGHT, 'I.IIE LADY, AND 'I HE LAKE. Messrs. J. L. Tole (his 7th appear ance rice his provincial tour), P-Aul Bedford, Ashley, It. liorner, and C. J. Smith ; Mrs. Alfred Mellon, Miss _Furtado, Miss Hughes, Miss Emily Pitt, ac. THEATRE ROYAL, ASTLEY'S. Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. 11. C. Nation. The Great Nation-al Pantomime unanimously pronounced by the Press and Public to be a gigantic success. THIS EVENING, and during the week, the elegant Comedy, DELICATE GROUND. Messrs. Fernandez and Richardson, Miss Louise Laidlaw. After which, the Great Nation-al Pantomime of HUSH- A-BYE, BABY, UPON THE TREE TOP. The gor geous and artistic Scenery, including the Grove of Gohien Palms, Ladybird's Bower on the Emerald Stream, Frog Island, and the Kingdom of Lowther Arcadia, painted by Mr. J ulian Hicks and assistants. The quaint Dance of the Toy Soldiers and the fascinating Ballet of Ladybirds arranged by Mr. Milano. All the popu lar Airs of the day, including " Champagne Charlie," " Mousetrap Man," " Costermonger Joe," " The Galloping Snob of Rotten Row," "Johnny Comes Marching Home," "flunkey Dorum," "`York, Boys, Work." Misses Caro line Parkes, Melly Nisbett, Marshall, Gwynne, Burton, Howard, Kelsey, the favourite Children Danseuses (Misses Fanny Higgs, F. and A. Wright), Mrs. Caulfield ; Messrs. Atkins, Stevens, Arthur, and Milano will appear. The Original Little Rowena is specially engaged as Clown ; Miss Austin (from Paris), Misses Grosvenor and Sim monds, Columbines. THE BEST PANTOMIME in LONDON at LIEATRKOYAL ASTL KY'S.—Special MOWN d PERFuItMANCSS on SA'I CIRDAY, at Two o'Ciock. Carriages can be ordered at halt-past tour. No charge for bills or booking. To prevent disappointment book early. Prices for children —balcony, is 6d ; boxes, Is. ; pit, 6d. (11 HE "SUN" NEWSPAPER. — G. R. GLENIE, Sporting Library, 4, Connaught , teci dee, Ed4ware-ruad, is t‘pecially appointed to cl.liver the LATE of '• r SUN "at the earliest possible moment atter leaving the press. tie is able to deliver copies in Town, tile Suburbs, and in many parts ul the Country at a comparatively early hour the same Luning, say 40 miles by 9 o'clock. Orders by I'ost punctually attended to. mill E "SUN" NEWSPAPER.- G. K. GLENIE delivers the LATE EDITION a Ciielset, 7.40 ; Kilburn, 8; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30 Uxbridge, 9.20 ; Wallord, 8.45. IIIE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied as soon as Published, containing all the LA LEST NEWS and SI'ORTING INTELLIGENCE, by W. lllltittS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blacktriars-road, London, S. QPORTING.—JOHN ROBERTS supplies the k7l . LATEST EDITION of " SUN" as soon as pub jailed. —4, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. 11HE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN' .jL supplied, as soou as published every Evening, b] ALFXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 24 Old cav2 , idish-street, Oxford-street. FOR THE LATEST POLITICAL and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE see the Late Edition et " The Sun" at Mr. Blake's. Queen's Ileac', Wintisor street, Cxbri,l7,e. LATEST INTELLIGENCE.— Sa:nuel SMITH, late of Chelse., now of the Whlte Marc, Acton, Middlesex, begs to ii.forin his friends and neighbours that the Latest Edition of "The Sun" can be seen at his house as above. 'THE LATEST EDITION of "TILE SUN." J. HOLMES begs to inform his friends, and the pubile lenerally. that he supplies tho LATEST EDITII/N 01 q.r EIF 61.1 N " as soon as published —No. 16, 11.mpstead road, N. W. L A • TE S T INTELLIGENCE.- •• t) SAM SMITH," late of " The Mail Coach," Shepherd's Bush, now of the White Hart, Acton, Viddlesex. betxs to inform his friends and neighbours that the LATEST 14:DI I'ION of " SUS" can be seen at his house as above. HIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. rtes DAY.-31orDing, 11h. 4G:u.—Afternoon, h. m. 'To-lloußow.-ll'mmitig, Oh. 15-IL—Afternoon, OIL 39m. - 4% LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 2, 1867. The new-year's reception at the Tuileries aim ays attracts a considerable share of attention, and this time will not be an exception to the rule, although nothing occurred of a very particular nature. To the Diplomatic Body he addressed some expressive words, remarking that the opening of the new year afforded an opportunity for the expression of his wishes as to the stability of thrones and the pros perity of nations. "I hope," he added, that "we are entering upon a new era of peace and concilia tion, and that the Universal Exhibition will contribute towards calming passions, and drawing closer the general interests." We may regard these observations of the EMPEROR as carrying out in a great degree the idea of the writer who thought that words were meant to con ceal our thoughts, because we cannot suppose that the Emperor NAPOLEON can really think that this new year opens in a calm or a satisfactory man- ncr. After thanking the Diplomatic Body for their congratulations, and begging them to convey to their Governments the assurance of his friendship the EMPEROR addressed the Archbishop of Paris in emphatic terms of confidence and respect. He de clared that when he saw at the head of the Paris clergy a prelate who was. so deeply devoted to the interests of religion, and also to the welfare of the State, he said to himself that HEAVEN would hear his prayers. " These prayers are for France a blessing, and for me a new source of consola tion and hope." At any rate, it is satisfac tory to know that the aspect of things in Paris is so ftr in a peaceful state, and order and conciliation are the prevailing elements. Whatever differences of opinion may prevail in various quarters as to the merits of the Emperor NAroLos, and the success of this or that political scheme which he undertakes, no one can deny that he is distinguished for great dexterity in reconciling separate interests, and combining apparently ad verse influences to work together in carrying out• his own ends. Under his excellent management wa do not hear of those vexatious contretemps which were always taking place under his predecessors, and causing so much injury to the prosperity of France, and the progress of the people. We may expect that many mistakes will be made in consequence of the somewhat ex clusive character of his Government, and it is certain that there are grave errors in his policy in keeping up the restrictions of an earlier period so per sisently, but we may at all events rest assured that under his vigorous rule there will be no fear for the eventual safety of the Empire he rules, and that he will not suffer its character to be impaired or its honour assailed with impunity. When the long-looked-for Atlantic Telegraph was completed, one of the common remarks made was that it would tend very much to promote a good understanding between this country and America. Such will no doubt prove to be the case, since the intervening distance has often much to do with national jealousies and misunderstandings. It is difficult even when both sides speak the same language for the dwellers two or three thousand miles apart to be completely en rapport with each other, and little political disputes or temporary agitations assume needlessly formidable pro portions when told a month later as im portant items of news. The great rapidity with which the mails now carry intelligence backwards and forwards has had probably much to do with removing some of that mutual prejudice which for merly existed between Englishmen and Americans; and now that the wonder-working wires can carry on, if need be, a conversation between Queen VICTORIA and President JOHNSON, between Lord STANLEY and Mr. SEWARD, between JOHN BRIGHT and THADDEUS STEVENS, there is less reason to apprehend serious political or national misunder standings. The similarity of language has been cited by Lord STANLEY as one of the reasons why Englishmen and Americans are so ready to take offence at one another's sharp sayings, but there are also great advantages conferred by it in the way of promoting cordiality and goodwill. The pleasant excitement which has been going on at Cowes dur ing the last week has been rendered more agreeable and satisfactory by the fact that the congratulations and the compliments were exchanged iu the same language, and the cordial welcome of the Isle of Wight to its distinguished visitors was spoken in their own tongue. The ocean yacht race has been an interesting and spirited affair, which Englishmen, and more particu larly yachtsmen, have watched with scarcely less at tention than the New Yorkers themselves. Royalty itself has condescended to manifest an unusual degree of interest in the beautiful vessels which have winged their way across the broad Atlantic, and her MAJESTY has emerged from her usual retirement to wave her congratulations to the victor, who, Republican though he be, was no doubt highly gratified. The grand banquet, without which no thing important can be done in England, was given on Saturday in the old quarters of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and was worthy of the occasion. Taste and ingenuity had been taxed to the utmost to give the yachtsmen and their friends a true English greeting, and the traditional reputation of the English Yacht Club itself was not forgotten. Sir JOHN SIMEON, M.P., took the chair, and was surrounded by a goodly company of English and Americans. The customary toasts were given with all due honours, followed by some animated and characteristic speeches on the relations between the two countries and the naval achievements of both sides. Mr. JEROME, one of the American visitors, gave an amusing account of the manner in which the yacht race was made up. The naval candidates were at dinner, when two of them ar ranged it, and one as if to outdo the other said, " Let us make it from Sandyhook to Cowes." " That suits mc" was the answer. " Let us sail in the stormy month of December." This proposition was also agreed to. Then a third member of the company asked if they would let his yacht join the match. They willingly agreed on Mr. JEROME'S authority, as they thought her decidedly the slowest boat. Yet that gentleman was Captain BENNETT, and that yacht the Henrietta. It has been said that good navigation had quite as much to do with her success as the speed of the vessel, and that it was owing to a mistake in the course that one of her rivals did not outstrip her. At any rate the candi dates were very fairly matched, and American yachts men have good reason to be proud of the speci mens they have sent among us. Mr. JEROME said very justly that the more friendly competition in matters of sport and science there was between England and America far less fear would there be of their politicians drawing them asunder. The science of navigation in every degree, whether fol lowed professionally or for sport, exercises a peculiar fascination over all branches of the Anglo-Saxon race, and the mutual tastes and interest afford a pleasant and profitable meeting ground for English men and Americans. The more the two nations mix together in a friendly spirit of rivalry and goodwill the more will the rust of ill-founded prejudices and jealous mistrust be rubbed off, and the better will both parties learn to make allowance for each other's characteristic failings, and to appreciate and admire the sterling qualities which both possess. Englishmen grave and earnest may enjoy that sparkling American humour with which LOWELL and SAM SLICK have made them familiar, and of which Mr. FISKE gave them an animated specimen the other evening. Americans may learn that Eng lish moroseness and exclusiveness exist more in name than in reality, and that the mother country is ready not only to give a hearty welcome to her children from the other side of the Atlantic, but .is eager to show her cordial pleasure in their successes and achievements. In naval architecture especially there is a noble race open before them, and one in which the characteristic energy of the Ameri cans has been already displayed. They have sent us over a specimen of their Monitors, and now they show us in their three beautiful yachts that they are no less successful in building vessels of a lighter description. Our Admiralty may take the hint with advantage, and while there are many things in which our transatlantic kinsfolk may learn from the experience and ability of the old country, it would be a very desirable thing for our naval lords and boards to try if they could not carry into our English navy a little of the "go a-head" spirit characteristic of Columbia. Yesterday a banquet took place in the Town-hall, Oxford, to celebrate the opening of the New Year, according to the custom of the Oxford Lodge of the Order of Friends. Mr. NEATE was the only re presentative of the city, as Mr. CARDWELL is in Italy. He made an interesting speech, in which he alluded to the present perplexed state of public affairs. The advanced party, as it might be called, was the only one to speak out just now, and stated that what it desired was resi lential manhood suf frage. Mr. NEATE declared that he might say, with out' ca mmittin,g himself too far in that direction, "that if Mr. GLADSTONE wonld propose a measure for establiVling manhood suffrage, and Mr. CARDWELL supported it, he, too, •would be ready to vote for it." The hon. member then proceeded to vindicate the House of Commons from the aspersions which had of late been cast upon it, and said, very truly, that it had been treated at recent meetings in a way which it -did not deserve. He used to think that an honour Fuld been conferred upon him when he was made a member of Parliament ; but of late the House had been spoken of in the " presence of large assemblages of Englishmen in a manner which, if justified, would warrant him in asking them what they had seen about him which made them think him worthy of being placed in so disreputable a body." The same suggestion may often have occurred to those who read the inflated language in which Mr. BRIGHT and his friends assail the House of which they are members ; and it may well be asked, then, why do they remain in a place of which they pre tend to be ashamed. Mr. NEATE spoke very sen sibly of the various meetings which had lately taken place, and of the tendencies which might lead the speakers to go too far and forget the difference be. tween argument and intimidation, and the distinc tion between assemblages gathered together for purposes of discussion and mere demonstrations of numerical force. He further added that he was quite sure the Liberal party generally would not support the idea of a tumultuous assemblage in the metropolis for the purpose of carrying out a political object. We are glad that the hon. mem ber should speak so decidedly, and we hope that his example will be followed by many others, be cause it is important that order and peace should be preserved, and that serious consequences to life and property should be averted. Nothing will excuse those who may allow party - feeling and prejudice to carry them beyond the limits of prudence, and to excite the passions of those who are not restrained by education and thought. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS. (FROX OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) PARIS, Tuesday Evening. New Year's-day in Paris is the great day of the year. It is anticipated eagerly by all, and some previous weeks are occupied in preparing works of art, industry, and taste. Paris has surpassed her self now. The display in the shops is marvellous and beautiful. The Sun could not contain a list of these wonders of skill and industry. They include every article that is beautiful, luxurious, and useful. In addition to the display in the regular shops there are miles of temporary wooden shops on the Boule vards for wares and merchandise of more humble character. It would be more easy to say what is not sold at these than to describe the multifarious "unconsidered trifles" which may be there obtained. For many days past waggon loads of wares have been on sale at the Halle and elsewhere, The day has not been very favourable for a walk about Paris, as the streets are deplorably muddy ; but Parisians will go out when there is anything to be seen, and so the thoroughfares have been crammed to repletion, and the shops besieged. On this day everybody goes to see everybody, or sends his card, or present, or both, so the streets are overwhelmed and the Post-office inundated with complimentary messages. So enormous is the number of letters just now that there is great delay in their trans- mission. On this eventful day all classes and conditions greet each other with the wish for a happy new year —/a bonne annee—and the amount.of embracing and shaking of hands is something enormous. Time was when bonbons were given for the sake of the sweet artistical confections of which they consisted. The Parisians have changed all that, and it is the beautiful box which contains them that is now coveted. The well-known house of Siraudin, whose successor is M. Reinhard, has this year set a costly example in this respect. What do think of 1,000 f., or £4O, for a bonbons box. That amount is nothing compared with the sum given by those who have taste and cash. This may be understood when it is stated that some of the boxes are enriched with gold and diamonds, or rubies or amethysts, or other precious glittering trifles of that sort. The house of Siraudin might be mistaken just now for a fairy palace. It is full of gaudy wonders. At the door are two dolls, or rather statutes, dressed gorgeously, and wearing in their hair real.diamonds and other precious stones, to say nothing of their diamond necklaces and other ornaments. One of these figures is emble matical of the city of Paris. On the dress are embroidered the arms of the city. The other lady is supposed to represent the Great Exhibition of 1867. Her forehead sparkles with a diadem of diamonds, and there is no lack of pearls and gold on the dress. I have said that it would be difficult to particu larise the various objects of art and industry, but I must make mention of the dolls, for they form a special feature of the productions of the day. Dolls are to be had from lf. up to £l,OOO or £2,000 sterling. History is called into requisition as mo dels for their costumes. Thus there are dolls repre senting the dresses of the Queens of France from remote ages, and imitations of the costumes of vari ous ladies of eminence. Literature, for instance, is represented by a doll dressed after the manner of that adopted by Madame de Sevigne. I should not omit to mention that the favourite toy is the needle-gun. The ear is saluted in all directions by the popping of these guns, and the shrill cry of "the real needle gun for 21fr." It was the custom of the Romans on New-year's Day to go into the woods and gather a branch of palm tree, which is always green, and offer it as a gift of lasting friendship, and as the homage to con cord and a sign of peace. King Tatius, it is re corded, accepted from his people such a modest tribute borrowed from the time of the Goddess Strenua. These branches of palm were soon called strenxu, a word which in modern times has been corrupted to etrenones (New Year's gifts.) In Brittany many curious customs, derived from the Druids, are still kept up. In some of the vil lages the boys and youug men assemble at day break with branches of the pine or oak, and visi the principal inhabitants to wish them a happy New Year, and, of course, receive a little gratuity. They all shout out as they go in procession the word " Eguinane," which, in the dialect of Brittany, sig nifies the period for the germination of corn. The farmers parade about with a cart, drawn by six oxen, which are decorated with ribands and agri cultural devices. Apropos of the bonbons, which are so deeply interwoven with the ceremonies of this day, a visit to the house of M. Reinhard will convince the most sceptical that their manufacture, and that of the adjuncts to them, is an art requiring study and taste. Their infinite variety is marvellous, and equally wonderful is their flavour and the skill dis played in the form and variety of the bonbonniere or box which contains them. There are some so ex pensive and so beautiful as scarcely to be within the reach of any one but a millionaire. Siraudin, the predecessor of the present proprietor, was addicted to literature. He was a writer of vaudevilles, and it is said that when the house was first opened his sweetmeats were enveloped with poetical devices. But great strides in luxury, skill, and expense have been made since that time. There was a Cabinet Council yesterday at the Tuileries, at which the Emperor presided. The Vienna Gazette publishes a letter from the Emperor of Austria, by which he approves of the project of military reorganisation presented by the Minister of 'War, with the reserve that there shall be a constitutional discussion upon it. The Emperor at the same time allows some modifications in the present law for the recruitment of the army. The following are the most important modifications pro posed :--The length of service is to be six years in the army, and six years in the army of reserve three in the first and three in the second class. Exoneration from service is not admitted. The definitive arrangement of the system of resentment is reserved. The Imperial letter also reserves the determination and legal execution of the principle in virtue of which the military forces of the empire are to be increased by the establishment of one universal levy destined for the defence of the Empire to an extent required by the exigencies of the times. The Moniteur has received letters from Massowah which state that Mr. Cameron, English consul, Mr. Rassam, and their companions in misfortune, have again been placed in irons by order of the Emperor Theodore. The cause of the fresh perse cutions is not known. Monseigneur Landriot, Bishop of Rochelle, has been appointed to the archbishopric of Rheims, vacant by the death of Monseigneur Gousset. The following interesting letter from Roue is dated December 26 :—" Yesterday Pius the Ninth, encircled by his Court, the Diplomatic Body, and a crowd of the piously-disposed, officiated solemnly at St. Peter's. The serenity whi c h h e pre serves, and which, during recent times, he has kept more than they who surround him, has had the most salutary influence. It has restored the confidence of many cardinals and bishops who fear nothing less than the renewal of the scenes of 1848 and 1849. His Holiness takes his usual ex cursion every day, sometimes without the walls and occasionally within the city. Ho does not give any orders to double either his escort or the posts of the quarters which he traverses. H e o ft en goes on foot, and th e people always exhibit their veneration for him. The day before yesterday the Trans teverins cheered him with enthusiasm on learning that he had just given from his pence about 15,000 f. to necessitous families on the occasion of Christmas, and that he has set apart a sum which is large, con sidering the state of his finances, for the archmolo gical researches at Ostie and in Rome, a labour whieh, it is said, will give employment to seven or eight hundred workmen. One of the chief motives with which the mind of the Pope is occupied is the celebration of the 18th secular anniversary of St. Peter and the solemn canonisation of a number of saints, which is about to take place. The Pope himself directs the preparations for these grand ceremonies with astonishing activity. The per sonally invited to them the Italian Bishops who had taken refuge in Rome when they went the other day to take leave of him previous to returning to their dioceses. There is every reason to believe that the Italian Government will not throw any obstacle in the way of the pilgrimage of ths Bishops. It seems likely that M. Tonello will prolong his stay in Rome. He has left his hotel and has installed himself at the Palace del Gallo. The Pontifical Government has adopted measures to insure tran quillity. The police system has been improved, and its number reinforced, and the army has taken up its winter quarters. About 6,000 men are concen trated at Rome." AUSTEIA AND PRUSSIA. TO THE EDITO R OF THE SUN. SIR,—As we have now wellnigh reached the end of Mr. 1866, which has all to nothing been the most remarkable year since the ever-memorable year of the battle of 'Water loo, 1815, just half a century ago, as far as regards the resettlement of European rights and boundaries, and as you, like myself, in the war of last summer, now happily at an end, between Austria and Prussia, sympathised far more with the former than with the latter Power, permit me to address a few lines on poor, unhappy Hanover, so shamefully grasped hold of by Prussia, and which was for 123 years part and parcel of the dominions of Great Britain —i.e., from the death of Queen Anne, on August 1, 1714, and the accession of George, Elector (as they were then called, for Hanover WAS not converted into a kingdom until after the close of the old French war in 1815) of Hanover, by the title of George the First of England, until the death of his late majesty King William IV., when, by the accession of her present Majesty, Queen Victoria, to the English throne by reason of the Salique Law prevailin g in Hanover, that country was for ever separated from this country. The odious, unpopular, but, as I opine, much belied and calumniated, Duke of Cumberland became at once the popular King of Hanover, and in more senses than ono the separation of England from her continental dominions was looked upon and was indeed a blessing; and six years afterwards, in the summer of 1813, the ci dim:at hated Duke of Cumberland visited this country under his new title of king of Hanover; it was marvellous how very much the old party feeling of the "good old days" of 1831 and 1832 had died out, and we at once saw him visiting and receiving at his residence at St. James's Palace many illustrious noble lords and statesmen, with whom he had been for many and many a long year at variance with in the strongest sense of the word. So naturally forgiving is human nature, and so willing in general are people to let bygones be bygones, King Ernest reigned nearly 143- years—i.e., from June 20, 1837, the day of the death of Wm. IV., until his decease on 17th Nov. 1851, when he was succeeded by his only son and child, George V., the present ex -King of Hanover, who reigned from the above-named date until the period of his abdica tion last summer. Now, it has ever been admitted on all hands that a more benevolent, amiable, and loveable in dividual never breathed than the ex-King of Hanover. But as I deeply sympathise with him in the loss of his Throne, I wish to draw your attention to a few historical facts during the last 70 years relating to Hanover, by which it would appear she was doomed to lose her power during the present nineteenth century. It is well known to all readers of history that the late Princess Charlotte, the only issue of the late Prince and Princess of Wales, afterwards George IV., and Caroline, was born January 7th, 1796 (just 70 years ago) and this most disgraceful union, which had ever been a most wretched and unhappy one from its very onset, was 'virtually dissolved in little more than three months after the birth of this virtuous, interesting, amiable, and deeply lamented princess, inlsinuch as the Prince and Princess of Wales separated at the end of April, in the above -named year. All hopes of future issue from the Prince and Princess of Wales being thus at an end the English nation looked forward to the Princess Charlotte as their future Queen, and when, 20 years later, she became the wife of the late King of the Belgians, it was supposed we should have had a long and illustrious line of kings from this happy union. Had the Princess Charlotte or her child lived, we must have lost our Hanoverian dominions, by rea son of the Salique Law above referred to. It must have been ever a loss to Hanover losing the English Crown. On the 6th of November, 1817, the Princess Charlotte and her infant were consigned to the tomb, and thus all the glorious expectations which had been so fondly cherished only a short year and a half before were at once dashed to the ground, and the kin of the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV., completely extinguished. So far, it appeared, we had a chance of retaining Hanover, for there were at that time no fewer than three unmarried dukes, who might then be supposed (and who did actually shortly after wards enter into matrimony) to become mar ried men and give birth to male heirs to the British Crown, in which case Hanover would not have been separated, as she afterwards was, from the British dominions. The en tire contrary, however, proved to be the fact. From the two unions celebrated at Kew on the 11th of July, 1818, viz., the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, afterwards William IV., and Queen Adelaide, and the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the parents of our present Queen, sprang daughters only. Queen Adelaide's two daughters, Elizabeth and Charlotte, both died in their infancy; but, nevertheless : had either of them lived, Hanover must have been separated from England and Ireland. One daughter only was the issue of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, our present most gracious Majesty, and thus for wellnigh thirty years has Hanover ceased to b e part and parcel of th e B ritish territor i es. And now, in descendants of the P r i ncess Sophia, Duc h ess Dowager and less than thirty ye ars , H anover has passed away fro the Electress of Hanover, it is to bo feared, for over. Thus end as I sot out, with saying it seemed as though Hanover w May she Geeorergffaantedfamtoffylodseurihnegr t p h o e w n e fn r e a te n e d nt p h ass from the recover her power as a separate century.aw kingdom, and may the amiable and afflicted King George be restored to his throne, is, sir, I believe y our earnest wish an d d es i re, as it is that of your correspondent, A LOVER OF HISTORICAL DATES AND FACTS. THE VICTORIA CROSS.—WAR-OFFICE, Jan. I. Her Majesty has been pleased to signify her intention to confer this high distinction on the undermentioned pri vate soldier, whose claim to the same has been submitted for her Majesty's approval, for his courageous conduct in Canada, as recorded against his name, viz.:—Private Timothy O'Hea, Ist Battalion, The Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade. For his courageous conduct on the occa sion of a fire which occurred in a railway car, containing ammunition, between Quebec and Montreal, on 9th of June last. The sergeant in charge of the escort states that, when at Danville Station, on the Grand Trunk Railway, the alarm was given that the car was on ,fire ; it was immediately disconnected, and, whilst considering what was best to bo done, Private O'Hea took the keys from his hand, rushed to the car, opened it, and called out for water and a ladder. It is stated that it was due to his example that the fire was Suppressed. LATEST INTEL.LIGE_NLI. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) SPAIN. MADRID, Jan. 1. A Royal decree has been issued removing the tax of 10 centimes imposed upon the railway dividends, and appointing a commission to examine what other assistance can be given to the companies, in order to determine the bases of a bill to be submitted to Congress. ITALY AND TURKEY. FLORENCE, Jan. 2. It is stated that the Italian Government has re commended the Porte to grant the evacuation of the fortresses demanded by Servia. BOMBAY MAIL. MALTA, Jan. 1. The Tanjore left at 2 a.m., and the Ceylon at 7 a.m. to-day. The former may be expected at Marseilles on the 3d, and the latter at Southampton on the 10th inst. OUTWARD MAIL OF DEC. 12-18. The Rangoon left for Bombay, December 28, one p.m. GIBRALTAR, Jan. 1. The Syria from Southampton, Dec. 27, arrived this morning and leaves at one p.m. for Alexandria. All well. Experienced good weather. CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIAN MAILS. SuEz, Dec. 31. The Bengal arrived at 8 p.m. to-day (due Jan. 3). The Nyanza, from Southampton, Dec. 20, arrived on the 29th, at one a.m., and left at two p.m. for Alexandria. The Delta, from Marseilles, Dec. 28, arrived on the 30th, at seven p.m., and left at midnight for Alexandria. THE NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION AT THE TUILERIES. SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON. PARIS, Jan. 1. At the reception held to-day at the Tuileries the Emperor addressed the following speech to the Diplomatic Body : " The opening of the New Year furnishes me an opportunity of expressing my wishes for the stabi lity of thrones and the prosperity of naticns. I hope that we are entering upon a new era of peace and conciliation, and that the Universal Exhibition will contribute towards calming passions and draw ing closer the general interests." His Majesty thanked the Diplomatic Body for their congratulations, and begged them to convey to their respective Governments the expression of his sentiments and friendship. The Emperor, addressing the Archbishop of Paris, said : " When I see at the head of the Paris clergy a prelate so deeply devoted to the interests of religion as well as to those of the State—one who everywhere supports by his words and actions the great prin ciples of faith, charity, and conciliation, I say to myself Heaven will bear his prayers. These prayers are for France a blessing, and for me a new source of consolation and hope." This being New Year's Day, no business has been done on the Bourse. SPEECH OF KING VICTOR EAIMANUEL. _ FLORENCE, Jan. 1. At a reception given to-day by King Victor Em manuel to a deputation from the Italian Parliament his Majesty thanked the Senators and Deputies for the sentiments of perfect devotedness which they expressed in their own name and in the name of the country. The King said— " The new year reminds Italians that they have now secured the independence of their country, and with it an improvement in the civil administration, and increased public prosperity. During the period of peace, upon which we are entering, we shall not cease to devote our attention to the army. The army is not only necessary for the preservation of that independence which it so greatly contributed to acquire, but is in itself a solid guarantee for internal security, and an element of moral unity and of that training which renders disciplined nations strong, and capable of accomplishing great deeds." M. Victor Hugo's Bounty. (From the Star of Guernsey.) M. Victor Hugo, on Thursday last made, at his residence, Hauteville House, his Christmas distri bution of clothing to the poor children of all coun tries and religious denominations, whom he weekly receives at his house to dinner—about 40 in num ber. The interesting ceremony took place in the presence of a large concourse of ladies and gentle men, amongst whom were many members of the first families of the island. The children, having partaken of an abundant luncheon, were conducted into one of the drawing rooms, where, on a table, was spread out a liberal supply of useful clothing for children of both sexes. The distribution of these articles having been com pleted, M. Victor Hugo addressed the crowded assemblage to the following effect " Ladies and Gentlemen, —You are aware of the object of this little meeting. It is what, for want of a better term, I call the festival of poor little children. I desire to speak of it in the humblest terms, and with this feeling I would borrow the simplicity of ono of these little ones who now hear me. To do good to poor children, as far as lam able, is the object that 1 have now in view, Believe me, there is no merit in the act, and what I say I sincerely mean. There is no merit in doing for the poor what we can, for what we can do it is a duty to do. Do you know anything more sad than the sufferings of children ? When we suffer--we who are men—we suffer justly, we endure nothing but what we deserve ; but chil dren are innocent ; and suffering innocence, is it not the saddest thing in nature? Here Providence en trusts us with a portion of its own functions. God says to man—l confide to thee the child. And he does not confide to us our own children alone—for it is simply natural that we should have care for them—and the brute obeys this law of nature better sometimes than man himself. God entrusts us with all the child that suffer. T o b e the father, the mother of poor children —this is our highest mission. To have towards them the parental feeling is to have a fraternal feeling towards humanity." M. Victor Hugo expressed a hope that the de plorable term " ragged " would soon disappear from the beautiful and noble English language, and also that there would be no longer a ragged class. He then dwelt on the fact that cholera had not attacked one of the children thus fed in London. Nothing, he thought, could speak more forcibly in favour of the institution, and he left the result to the consideration of those who now beard him, con cluding in the following terms :—" Here, ladies and gentlemen, here is my excuse for describing to you what takes place here. This is what justifies the publicity given to the dinner. It is that from this humble origin there arises a considerable amelio ration in the condition of suffering innocence. To relieve children—to train them into men—such is our duty. I will add but one word more. There are two ways of building churches. They may be built of stones—they may be built of flesh and bone. The poor whom you have succoured are a church that you have built from whence prayer and grati tude ascend to God." At the conclusion of this address, the children, followed by the spectators, adjourned to another drawing-room, where they found a splendid Christ mas tree covered with toys, which were distributed among the happy objects of M. Victor itugo's bounty. In an adjoining room a handsome collation was provided for the visitors, who departed highly de lighted with their visit to Ilauteville House, and with the courteous reception they had_met with. THE MAGAZINES. BLACKWOOD.—This popular serial opens for the new year with a very promising list of contents. The first article is entitled " Our Naval Defences," and is well worthy of its theme, and we shall take an early opportunity of referring to it more parti cularly. We meet with the conclusion of the com plicated tale of "Nina Balatka : The Story of a Maiden of Prague." It is written in an impressive style, and some of its last passages are very effectively described. An in teresting sketch is that of " Sir William Parker, the Admi ral of the Fleet," laid, however, in a quiet churchyard, where his modest funeral took place, and "a great sailor, of a great school, was borne to his long rest, the famed officer of Englaad's navy, and a famed leader of her squad rons." A brief account is given of his eventful career, and it is truly said that this, the last of Nelson's captains, has left to our Royal Navy a pattern to be long cherished and emulated. " Women and Children in America" does not present us with a very flourishing picture of the health of the women across the Atlantic. "Brownlows" is the com mencement of a new story, which bids fair to be a very entertaining ono by and bye. It is written in a lively manner, and some of the descriptions are very good. The political article is called, " Who are the Reformers ? and What do they Want ?" It is mainly directed to the criti cism of the more violent advocates of a change in our Par liamentary representation ; and, in conclusion, an opinion is expressed that the Government will disappoint its rivals by dealing with the Reform and other questions, as to win "for themselves the gratitude and respect of all who honour the laws and rightly value the Constitution." FRASER.—Regina begins the year with a long but somewhat tedious table of contents. We have an other paper on the Cromwellian Settlement of Ire land, 'written with fairness to both sides. The writer denounces the Cromwellian Settlement, as bearing in a special manner the odious character of violence and injustice ; but ho adds that it should be con sidered with a reference to the circumstances and character of the time, rather than from any present standing point. Another article of a solid, though somewhat weighty, character, is an essay on "Parliamentary Reform, Labour, and Capital," subjects which are amply discussed in their mutual relations. "A Day's Fishing in the Bush" is an animated sketch, not, as its name would imply, of sport in the Antipodes, but in the northern parts of Ireland. A criticism on Conington's " tEneid " will interest the scholar, who may also find pleasure in two .well-written papers on " Athens and Pentelicus" and, in their modern aspects, " The Influence of Arabic Philosophy in Mediaeval Europe," the latter being the substance of a lecture deli vered by Earl Stanhope at the Royal Institution. The subject is an extensive one, for in these days we can but dimly realise the influence of the Arabs in the schools of philosophy and medicine. It is pleasant to welcome our friend A. K. H. B. among the contributors to Fraser, though his essay, " Among South-Western Cathedrals," is rather a discursive account of a pleasant ramble than a characteristic "essay." The story of " The Marstons" is continued ; and there are other papers of more or less merit. TEMPLE BAR.--" Lady Adelaide's Oath" is con tinued, and becomes very exciting indeed in this instalment. It is evidently now fast approaching a conclusion, and we shall, doubtless, have some eventful passages before we finish it. The long career of guilt which has distinguished Lord Vane, and the deceit of Lady Adelaide, will then find their re tribution. "Servant Girls' Sybils" is a well-written paper on the subject of gipsies and fortune-tellers. The author of "Archie Lovell" contributes a sad sketch, called " Bertie Griffiths," to this number, and, as it refers to the recent events in Germany, it may probably engage extra attention from many readers. We find a conclusiokt to the interesting adventures called "Adrift in the Antarctic Ocean ;" it will be sure to attract the notice of those who like spirited descriptions. " Straight Across Dartmoor" is an account of that dreary region, which is given in a lively style. "Among the Old Masters" is an interesting paper, which contains some comments worthy of notice. " The Highlands of Venetia" refers to a place that just now is uppermost in one's thoughts, and all will agree in the wish expressed in the concluding passage of the sketch, that " Venice, the beautiful City of the Sea," so long disconsolate and in mourning, may now be destined to a bright and joyous future. MACMILLAN'S.—Lord Hobart opens Macmillan with a tribute to the genius of Richard Cobden as "an international man." The advantages of peace are no doubt far more widely appreciated than formerly ; but if his lordship could succeed in his wishes and destroy all national individual spirit and feeling, he would find that he had got rid of a good deal that was valuable to the world as well as some things that were dangerous. Major Nostt continues his very setsible paper on the organisation of our army, and suggests many practical improvements, especially with regard to the militia. Francis Palgrave, late Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, contributes a criticism on Mr. Conington's trans lation of Virgil's " tEneid," and takes the opportunity for analysing the rival merits of the different metres as expo nents of Virgil's verse. Another article, bearing the name of "Palgrave" (though not by the same writer), tells us of the impressions gained by a visit to Egypt in the hot sea son. " A Day on the Water" takes us pleasantly up and down old Father Thames, and " The Flower Girl of Sicyon" is a gracefully told and touching little sketch of love, faith, and fickleness. Henry Kingsley's vigorous and original, though singular and extravagant, story of " Sil coto of Silcotes" is continued with unabated interest, and in this number makes rapid progress. VICTORIA.—AII questions relating to " -Woman's Rights," as viewed from a political and professional point of view, are amply discussed, in this number, which has also some tales, poems, and miscellaneous arti cles, after the accepted fashion of magazines. BEARKE TS. 7 This day. MARK LANE. There was very little English wheat received fresh up to our market to-day. The trade, howeever, was far from active, yet late rates were supported. In all descriptions of foreign wheat the transactions were on a limited scale. Fine Russian qualities were disposed of at full prices, and the value of other sorts was unaltered. Floating cargoes of grain were quiet, but prices ruled tirm. Very little business was passing in barley. Fine malt ing parcels were held at full quotations ; Whilst grinding and distilling sorts commanded late currencies. Malt was dull, but not cheaper. In oats, sales progressed slowly, on former terms. Beaus dull, and iu peas next to nothing doing. Flour firm iu price, with a moderate demand. SHIP ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour. English and Scotch 180 90 1,150 30 560 Irish Foreign 15,460 25,940 —21,09 U sacks 7,92 COMPAR ATIVE QUANTITIES AND riticEs OP GRAINO brls. For the weeklB66. ending D ec . , F or the corresponding week 29, last ye ar . Q rs. A ver. Qrs. Aver. Wheat 57,445-60s Od Wheat ....... 72,309-46 s 11d Barley 53,467--44 s Od Barley ......... 80,285-32 s 6d Oats 7,170-2U 3d Oats B OOUGH HOP. There has bee n a fairß average business passing in hops, and late quotations are well supported. WHITECHAPL. The supplies o f meat aro mode ate. The trade is firm, at full prices. Beef Per 81b. by the carcase. ......... 38 tssOd 1 Veal Mutton ... 3s 4 Od d to o 5s Od 1 Pork THE JOINT-,STOCK COAL CO3IPANY (LIMITED). — Chief Office-49, Fleet-street, E.C. West End Office 157, Great Portland -street, W. 13ecember 31, 1866. The Second Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Joint- Stock Coal Company (Limited) was held at Radley's Hotel, Blackfriars, on Monday, December 31, 1866—J. W. Oram, Esq., in the chair. The following resolution was moved, seconded, and carried :—" That a dividend of 1 per cent. per annum and a bonus of 4 per cent. per annum be paid to the Shareholders on the amount paid called up on their shares, and that a bonus of 4 per cent. per annum be distributed amongst the coal-consuming shareholders in proportion to the amount of their purchases; and that such dividend and bonus be payable on and after the 31st of January, 1867." A vote of thanks to the chairman, direc tors, and manager terminated the proceedings. The divi dend will be payable on and after „the 31st of January, 1867, at the Chief Office of the Company, 49, Fleet street, E.C. REVOLTING SCENE AT AN EXECUTION. --'Tie St. Vincent Witness reports the recent execution of a woman named Mary Jones, for murder. When the chaplain who attended the wretched woman to the scaffold had bidden her farewell, he drew back. She also quickly drew back, but the movement could scarcely have been perceived, for the order was given, the drop fell, and the culprit was seen standing unharmed on the platform—her eyes from the beginning were very imperfectly bandaged. Looking down, she drew back further from the trap, and her arms being free she re moved the piece of muslin with which her eyes were covered. From this time she appeared to dread the trap, having seen the danger, and she could not be induced to go forward• The provost marshal then summoned the turnkeys, who, with the hangman, were constrained to use force to get her on to the trap door. The instinct of self-preservation seemed to nerve her with strength, and a scuffle ensued on the platform of the gallows for ten minutes, when she was ultimately tripped up, and she fell heavily on one of the large side beams of the gallows, and rolled on the scaffold, where she lay motionless. She was then pushed over on the trap-door, which was pulled, and she fell through head foremost. She never made a struggle or movement after she was thrown down, and many persons supposed 4At , life was extinct before she fell through the drop. _ 17 4 mut 4 ..;,.~ ~s, ~_- iiER MAJESTY, &c. OSBORNE, Jan. 1 The Queen walked in the grounds yesterday afternoon, attended by the Dowager Duchcss of Athole ; and her - Majesty and Princess Louise walked and rode on ponies this morning. Prince and Princess Christian went out walking. THE ROYAL PARTY AT HOLKITAM. I.IOLKHAm, Tuesday. The arrival of the members of the Royal family at Holkham yesterday evening was marked by the advent of winter, snow having commenced falling after the arrival of their Royal Highnesies, and continued to fall during the night. The Prince and Princess of Wales a:id Prince Albert Victor occupy the magnificent state apart ments, a suite of apartments contiguous being set apart for the Duke of Edinburgh. The Royal dinner party last evening included their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Walls and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, the Marquis of Huntly, the Earl and Countess of Kimberley, the Earl and Countess of Dunmore, Viscount and Viscountess Powerscourt, Lord and Lady Staf ford, Lord and Lady Suffield, Lord and Lady Rendlesham. Sir Archibald and Lady Mar garet Macdonald, the Hon. E. and Mrs. Russell, the Hon. E. and Mrs. Coke, the Hon. H. Harbord, the lion. T. De Grey, M.P., the Hon. Col. Coke, Miss Whitbread, Col. Stephenson, Capt. Stephen son, Mr. Powell, Major Grey, Viscountess Walden, the Hon. E. Yorke, and the members of Lord Lei cester's family. The Royal and distinguished party have this morn ing commenced shooting, and from the rapidity of the firing some excellent sport must be afforded. The Royal visit is not expected to terminate till Friday or Saturday. SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN THE PUBLIC THOROUGH‘ PARES.—Yesterday morning John Hennessy, a porter at the wharves in Upper and Lower Thames-streets, was endeavouring to pass with a heavy case between two waggons, when ho was jammed between them, and was with some difficulty released, in an insensible condition, and removed to the hospital.—On Monday evening, as a railway van was passing along Euston-road one of the ropes that secured a number of empty packing-cases, piled to a great height, gave way, and a man named Rings, who was seated ou one of the cases, was thrown, with part of the load, to the ground. Before the unfortu nate man could be moved out of the way, a light cart passed over his body, inflicting serious internal injuries, in addition to a fractured arm sustained by the fall. The same afternoon, Henry Fisher, aged 6 years, fell in the roadway in Blackman-street, Borough, and an empty rail way van passed over the upper part of his person, inflict ing such injuries that his life is despaired of. WHAT DEAR FRIENDS !—The Universal German Gazette describes in the following curious terms the meeting of the King of Prussia and the King of Saxony at Gross beeren :—" The Royal train stopped at the right side of a platform arranged for the occasion. King William walked quickly to meet King John, and said to him, ' Welcome, brother-in-law!' The latter, holding his plumed hat in one hand, and with the other straight down his side in quite a military attitude, said, with a serious and deeply-moved air to the King, 'Your Majesty, I '—King William did not allow hint to finish, but, taking him by both hands, drew him near, exclaiming, No ceremony, brother-in-law !' and kissed him on both chocks. They afterwards entered the Royal carriage arm-in -arm, followed by the Prince Royal, Albert, who, with a profound bow, kissed the hand of the King of Prussia." THE ASSOCIATIONS OF PUTNEY CHURCH.—WO are now in Putney Reach, a splendid stretch of water, used for boat races ever since boat races were held on the Thames. Putney Church has seen many a one, and more than one strange thing besides. It is a quiet looking, well-kept, country church, to which you would never give credit as to the place of warlike assemblages. Yet such it was, for, in the Commonwealth time, Fairfax and the officers of the Parliamentary army held council here, and on the Sabbath too. After the discussions fiery Hugh Peters held forth from the pulpit,- and all the while the Parliamentary forces lay in the neighbourhood other ministers pronounced encouraging and godly discourses for the benefit of the men of war. Put yourself back two hundred years, and you may well conceive how the loud and strident voice of Peters came through the church windows over the calm water here in some of his burning exhortations to "servo the Lord even unto slaying with the arm of flesh." The sentries of the King's army were within hearing, on the other side of the river. The whole neighbourhood recalls the great contest, and is the scene of one of the most clumsy of the King's many blunders in generalship—one of his false steps of the most faialkind, into which he appears to have been led by headstrong ad visers and self-willed partisans. There remains a look of antiquity about the place which mightily aids the concep tion of the passing sentries as, armed with pike or arque bus, they passed and repassed before the church. There ie the tower whore the King's own banner flouted him in the face, and his subjects bore arms for his destruction. The water runs unchanged and beautiful as of old, the long ranges of osier beds shake their grey lance in the sunlight , and it is not long ago since I saw the azure kingfisher start like a flash of sapphire-hued fire from the bank, and in" stantly vanish in the maze of weeds. Peters exhorted hie hearers to be zealous unto slaying, but there had been slaying of another sort here a generation before. Take what the parish books tell us. In 1625 occur the following entries in the registers of account :—" Paid the carpenter for a barrow to carry the people that died of the sickness to church to bury them, ss. - Paid to Commynge for hiS charges going to London to get two women to come up t° keep the sicke, the people being all sike, 2s. 6d. T o the warders 'watchers by the doors of infected houses), for helping to bury the dead, 4s. Gd." On Putney Heath Wt' fought the innocuous duel between Pitt and Mr. TierneYt 111. P., of Southwark, and of alltimu.s on a Sunday alter': noon ; in the saute place came off the famous duel betwee' Canning and Castlereagh. Fancy Earl Russell and ldr' Disraeli coming hero to fight a duel nowadays ! One of the old Diarists commends, as " pretty," the extreme Wei" turnity of Thames watermen, from whom it is difficult to get anything like a full and fair answer to a question . That brown-faced man who sculled past us just now, biting a straw between his teeth, scarcely vouchsafed a reply t ° my inquiry as to the state of the tide, and thus maintain ° their ancient repute by perpetually meditating how t ° evade an answer entirely or put it in tho briefest or leas / satisfactory terms. - -Illaentillan's Magazine. HORSE RACING ON THE CONTINENT.—As a p roof of the increasing popularity of racing on the Cow tiuent, it may be mentioned that the amount of stake° contested for in France, Belgium, and Baden amounts t ° rather over 2,852,0001., or about £114,000. The Frenc h Jockey Club have this year made-an - increase of .E 3,1 40 t ° the added stakes, in addition to what they gave last ye 3 d which amount is principally given towards the Paris ati Chantilly meetings. In Belgium, from the above O il may be deducted £9,800, which is the sum total of sta]t e° and added money in that country. At Baden the stake s for the three days' racing amounts to £5,200. Count d e Lagrange heads the list of winners this year, but accounts show a diminution of nearly £5,000 from last year, and M. Delaware treads closely on the count;i4 heels, as he was fortunate enough to win the Fren e . Derby with a very moderate horse, viz., Florentine. 141 stable altogether was in great force during the seaso n. Baron Finot, although with two exceptions he has entire l l j confined himself to steeplechasing, now ranks a g °° , third ; showing a considerable increase on his last yoir 0 score. Major Fridolin shows a slight decrease this season; but the stable have, however, nothing to complain °; M. Lunel, thanks to the victories of Etuile-Fila,nte Baden, shows a very excellent return, being more al% double his last year's amount. M. Penh]. is about tl' t same as last year, with a very satisfactory account. 31 Lupin, Aumont, and Schickler all show a decrease e„ last year. Those most conspicuous as having made °, greatest addition are Viscount Tal on an d B ar on '3 ll6rissem, the former particularly having had a very g °° o year. In the Midi, or South of France, Baron do Ne° lo and Viscount de Chemelier show an increase. In Belg ic Viscount Buisseret is at the head of the list of winn e having won about the same amount as last year. 1 1 °14 followed by Baron Woelmont, who has increased return's, and also much improved his stud. At Chant?ii; M. Fiersheim and F-Kent have been tolerably succes 9l l o The Jormer's stud has paid very well, and the horses ' particularly adapted for weight carriers for g entil e , riders , ' races. 11. Gibson, trainer a t Ch an till y , h a s very good year, and great credit is duo to him for the 01M 1 if nor in which he brought out Prince Regent (a cas t ,., from M. Schickler's stable), with whi c h he won nine r' l° ::t The a lost valuable race of the season ou the Contin' o a viz., Um Grand Prix de Paris, was won by the pn b ,oo Beaufort's Ceylon, and it was indeed gratifying to se`' iil g hearty reception the Duke received on his horse retur ti o ol to the weighing enclosure. The principal Contin e t is steepleet'lase, viz., the Grand Handicap SteeplecLul,. s° l o 3 Dieppe, ',was won by Mr. Somers's The Rogue, vitae'' o tiO just come over from England, and these were the 0 01 00' races of itoportance which were won by English LoeotO Count Danivierre's and M. Voisin's racing establiebn°, 104 have been sold during the past season, but a new st il t ; l,it' been formed by Captain Barron, who has engage€ l . , it man as his trainer, taking the stables formerly eccuP l ' J. Boldricky Poet. DO dei pa: api the de' bee CXE ,ala gra any or e yon cols sent men Red 248 Cen For€ unitx k, tc Pass Scrii AI 5-20 Shan Briti insta and proz East tern, East( land prc;vi 12i at 19 India Ba varial Ott% 'ails. 16 16 ; Peuin Tele g Credi an act Uny, North previo quotat Chi♦ Arnalg t 5} 6 ; Groat 1 Marko 21 3 ; 3 i I; I Lis; S West France! Whral Grenyil 13 5 140 Cara C Kitchen 18 ; Grp St. Ives 3 Per C( Do. A 3 per C( New 3 I Now 2 Do. 5 Annuiti Do. I', Do (I; Lxvile(p D 0.... D 0.... Bank of END 1,1d1rtu7.9 Ditto Do. 5 Do. 4 Do. C, Do. E. Do. 5 Do. 5J Do. DI Do 13 _ 1)0 u; Argent - it Austrian Brazilian Do. 4} 1), Do Ac B ienos Do. Do .e 1( D J i - f; °Lillian 6 Do. 3 I Do. 6I Do. Cilombia (Juba, 6 I Danish 3 Do. 5 p Danr.biau Ac Equatior Do., PI Do Def P:gyptian Do., Se Do .£l.O Do .4),6 Do. Go' G s,ek 5 Acc 0. Co l G uitecnal, It , :ian 5 no. Ac ( Do. Mal 51-ixiettr, 3 Uo. Acc 1 o p u 6 oori sh 1 bo 3 ye ri E SUN, LONLON, WEDNESDAY EVENIAG, JANUARY 2, 1867