The Sun. — London, England, 1870-12-24 00:00:00

-- E] MOSES-and SON supply every description o f 1' • clothing, ready-made, or made to measure, for all ages, all occasions, and all classes ; also Hosiery and Drapery, Hats and Caps, Boots and Shoes, and complete outfits for all climates. All Goods marked in Plain Figures. Any tide ezoluntged 11 not worn or injured. List of Prices, with Rules for Bell-measure, Patterns, and Fashion-sheet, gratis and post-free. E. id 05IN and SON'S listabbahraents are closed every Friday evening at sunset till Saturday evening at sunset, when busi ass is resumed until Eleven o'clock. Tho following aro the only addresses of E. MOSES and SON LONDON. enTINES of MINORTES and AIDGATE. L ',V OXFORD-STREET, OORNER OF lIART-ST&RBT. Cu,,NER of TOTTENHAM-00URT-ROAD and EUSTON-ROAD. 001:7XIST BILL2IC.R. RADFORD. YOUNSHIIIIL FARMIDGE AND COOPER, MANUFACTURING STATIONERS, 192, FLEET -STIMET (OORNN a OF CHANCERY-LANE), LONDON (E.O ), THE PUBLIC SUPPLIED AT WHOLESALE PRICES, AND JAURIAGE PAID to the COUNTRY ON ORDERS OVER 20s Per ream. ad. Fine Cream Laid Note; a cheap paper..... Superfine Cream Laid Note; much approved ...... ......—... 4 0 Superfine Thick Cream Laid Note ;especially recommended 5 Extra Superfine Double Thick Cream Laid Vote 7 0 Straw Paper, " Patent:" adapted for rapid writing g Large Commercial Note Papers lie., 4e. 58., and 6 0 Foolscap Papers, blue or cream.-.....-10s. Bd., I2e. 6d„ and 14 6 Outsides Foolscap Letter Paper for scribbling plain, 45.; ruled ditto, 4 6 Tinted Lined Note ....- .......... live quires for is. 64., or 8 6 New Vellum Wove "Club House" ote, live quires for 2s. 64. Superfine Cream or Blue Enveloped, x s 84, 58 6c1., it 68 6cl . • Large Bluc Wove Commercial Envelopes, 4e ..... porl,ooo Cheap Buff Colour, for circulars, etc., COLOUR BTASIPIN(I (Belief) re:II:rood to la. per 100. Polished steel dies sunk by the host artists in the trade at about half the prices charged by the retail houses. An ILLVITE ATM CATALOGUE, containing full descrip ton, with prices of Account Books, Copying Presses, Inkstands, litationery, Cabinets, Postage scales, Despatch. Boxes, Travelling Writing Cases. Desk& post free. Established 1841 - 1 T. JAMES'S THEATRE.—Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. JOHN WOOD. LAST WEEK FERNANDE. This Evening at 7.45 great play, FERNANDE, Messrs. Farren, Leeson, Lin Rayne, Murray, and L. Brough ; Mrs. Hermann Vezin, Miss Larkin, Miss Fannie tirough, Miss Turner, and Mrs. John Wood.—Doors open at 6.30. At 7, TO OBLIGE BENSON, by Tom Taylor, Esq. Messrs. Harry Car, Grainger, Mervin ; Misses Marian Inch and H. Everard. At 7.45, FERNANDE. At 10.30, CHRISTMAS EVE, by C. S. Cheltnman, Esq. Messrs. Harry Cox, Dan Leeson, and Lion , 4 Brough. On Boxing Night the Great Burlesque, 803 - BASTE'S FURIOSO,—Box-office 11 to 6. No fees. OPERA. COMIQUE, 29) Strand.—Lessees 11. Leslie, C. Steele, W. Nc.ton.—This most beautiful Theatre in London will re-open for the English Dramatic Season on Monday, December 26, at popular prices, from 6d. to 7s. 6d. OPERA. COMIQUE.-Mr. G. F. ROWE will make his re-appearance in London in a new and striking Drama, founded on Charles Dickens's celebrated novel " Our Mutual Friend." OPERA COMIQUE.—FOUND DROWNED, or ouit MUTUAL FRIEND. Supported by Messrs. s. Emery, John Nelson, W. M'lntyre, Charles Warner (hy permis sion of W. 11. Liston, Esq.), Edwin Stanley, Granville, and Bell ; Mesdames Ernstone, . Patti Josephs, Holston, Manders, Tilly Earl, and Ali:43 Rose Lisle. J*l qjg ret ,_ ,B, LONDON, SATURDAN, DECEMBER 24, 1870. CHRISTMAS comes this year with - a more than usual impressiveness. Even the caricaturists are awed into a recognition of the fact, and with pencils the every touch of which is bathetic rather than gro tesque, purtray the terrible contrasts presented to view both out of doors and within doors, among the beleaguered and investing belligerents. Among ourselves we have happily been spared, during 1870, any direct participation in those horrors and agon:ps of war which have devastated a MOSES and :',OA'S NV INTER OVERCOATS, 19s, to £5. BOY'S OVERCOAIS, 7s. 6d. to 452. MOSES and. SON bed . to remind the public • that the cheapness of an article depends entirely on its nut qty. and they venture to sly that their prices will compare favourably with those of any other no tse in Englund. MU; KS aiid SON'S _EJ • OXFORD CO 3 ,17 e. to 60a. CA.MBIUDOE COATS, 19a. to 50a. KERTCH JA,OKitITS, 15s. to 425. SUTHERLAND JA.OKETS, 19s. (id. to 50s. BUSINESS SUITS, 28s. to GOs. EAIOSES and SON'S easy and accurate sys t e m . of self-measure enables them to execute orders by post with the guarantee of a faultless II V O3ES and SON'S FROCK CO kTS, 245. to 635. 'DRESS COATS, 255. to 60s. ORNING TROUSERS, lls. Gd. to 21s. D RESS TROUSERS, 128. 6d. to 266. IVIOURNING SUITS, 288. to £5. MOSES and SON invit3 special attention tli• to their large stock of GEN ILEMEN'S DRESSIIIO ROBES, at 18s. to 20 Guineas ; the assortment is unequalled for variety of materials and designs, and neatness and elegance of finish. TMOSES and SON'S T 0 B OYS' CLOTHING : KNICKERBOCKER SUD S, Os. 6d. to 40s. ETON SUITS, 15s. to 40s. BR: GHTON SUITS; 18s. to 48s. DRESS SUITS, 253. to 635. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.- sole Lessee end Manager, Y. B. Chatterton.—Morning Performances every Wednesdaand Saturday, until Saturday, February 26th MONDAY, , inclusive.—On December 26, will be produced the Drury Lane Grand Comic , CHRISTMAS A.NNUA4 written by B. L. Blanchard, entitled the DRAGON OF WANTLEY t and Harlequin Old Mother Shipton ! with Now and Characteristic Scenery by William Beverly, whose personal services are now exclusively devoted to illustrating the produc tions of this Theatre. The general action of the Pantomime arranged by, and the whole produced under, the direction of Mr. Edward Stirling. Characters in the opening by Messrs. Fred. Yokes, H. Moreland, Charles Steyne, Fawdon Yokes, H. Naylor, Seymour, Firth, Meade, Webbe rF. Wright, Master Russsll ; Misses Victoria Vqkes , Jessie •okes, Rosina Yokes, Harriet loveney, M. A. basquerville , A. Hamilton, Hall, Florence Harvey, De Grey, Ross, T:mbrell, Elphinstone, Har court, Lee, Leslie, Mills, White, Burpitt, Rivers, Russell, Hastings. The Harlequinade will include tle3e popular Pan tomimists, forming a Double Company, F. Evans, and W. H. Harvey, Clowns ; Paul Herring and J. Mor is, Pantaloons ; W. Fawdon Vokes and Stonette, Harlequins ; the Misses Rosina and Jessie Vokes, Columbines ; Miss Lizzie Grosvenor, Har lequins. B. Slawman, Imitator of Birds, do. Mr. H. Collard, the Pocket Sims Reeves. Master Dude, thq Chickaleary Boy. E. D. Lyon, the Short Footman. Lawscat and Garton, the French Pierrots. Master H. Rawlings, and Clos Danger. La Petrie, the Baby Telocipedist. The Masks Costumes from Designs by Vandyke Brown. The Music Composed and Selected by Mr. W. C. Levey. The Dances and Action of the Ballet, and the general business of the Children's Scenes, Invented and Arranged by Mr. John Cormack. The Comic Scenes and Tricks, Bre., arranged by Mr. John Cormack and Messrs. Evans and Harvey. Doors open at Half-put Six ; oommence at Seven. Box-offiee open from Ten till Five daily. Private Boxes, 1,2, 3,4, and 5 Guineas. Stalls, 7s. Dress Circle, ss. First Circle, 48. Balcony, hs. Ilk 2s. lower Gallery, ls. Upper Gallery, 6d. THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY ; or, Harlequin Old Mother Shipton, will be produced on MONDAY, December 96, and positively withdrawn on Saturday, February 26. Places can be secured from the first until the last date. MORNING PERFORMANCES every WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY • therefore to prevent disappointment, an early application for seats is respectfully requested. Box-office open from Ten till Five daIIy.—THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE. fVfORNING PERFORMANCES of the Grand 1-1- Pantomime, entitled the DRAGON OF WANTLEY, every Wednesday and Saturday. Children and Schools at re duced prices to the following parts of the Theatre ;—First Circle, Dress Circle, and Stalls. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily. - THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE. ?THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKEZ-Thirty j_ first Night of a NEW FAIRY COMEDY. EVENING (SATURDAY) at Seven, the WOLF AND THE LAMB. Messrs. Chippendale, Howe, W. Gordon, Madame E. Fitzwilllam ; after which, at a quarter to .ffight o'clock, a new Fairy Comedy, in Three Acts, entitled THE PALACE OF TRUTH. Characters by Mr. Bnckstone, Messrs. Kendal, Evergl, Clark, Rogers, Braid, Mesdames Robertson, Chippendale, C. Hill, Fanny Wright, and Fanny Gwynn°. After which UNCLE'S WILL— Mr. Kendal and Miss Robertson. Concluding with FAMILY TARS. Box sttce open daily from 10 till 5. ADELPIII THEATRE ROYAL—SoIe Pro prietor, Mr. BENJAMIN WEBSTER. ; Managers, Mr. B. Winona and Mr. B. B. CHATTERTON.—BOXING NIGHT, Monday, December 26, a new Drama, in One Act, entitled SMOKE. Mrs. Billington, Miss Furtado, Mr. Ashley, Mr. H. Stephenson, and Mr. Billington. After which, a new Balladic Burlesque, written by Mr. H. B. Farnie—THE MISTLETOE BOUGH ; or, LORD LOVEL, LADY NANCY, or THE MILK WHITE STEED. New Scenery, Costumes, Music, &c. Mrs. A. Mellon, Miss Elise Holt, Mademoiselle Debreaux, Mdlle. Camilla Dubois, Miss Bella Moore, Miss Cellew, Mi. Brittain Wright, Mr. Odell, and Mr. John Rouse. And THE MILLINER'S HOLIDAY. Box-office open daily from Ten till Five. OYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lesiee and Manageress, Mrs. SWANBOROUGH. This livening, at 7, ON AND OFF, LIVING AT EASE. Messrs. Crouch, Turner ; Mesdames Ada Swanborough, E. Buf ton, and F. Hughes. C(EUR-DE-LION, Messrs. Terry, Poulton, Fenton, and Turner ; Mesdames Amy Sheridan, E. Button, Sgntley, Lee, Goodall, dtc. V A UDEVILLE THEATRE, STRAND._ Lessees--Messrs. 11. J. Montague, D. James, and T. Thorne. THIS EVENING, at 7 CHISELLINCI, Mr. David James ; after which TWO ROSES (175th night), by James Albery. Conclude with ELIZABETH. Supported by Messrs. H. J. Montague , David James. and T. Thorne, &c. ; Mesdames AmyFawsitt, A. Newton, and Nelly Power, &c. tHE SUN, LONDON, SATITRDA/, DECEMBER 24, 1870. million homes alike in France and in Germany. Modern notions are become so intimately knit to gether, that it has been simply impossible for closely allied and neighbouring neutrals to pass the ordeal of simply observing the progress of this appallinp' . campaign, in any way scatheless. - 'What England could do in the way of mitigating the anguish o! th) sufferers in the great conflict she has clone, eagerly and spontaneously. But while affording our *assistance to the sick and wounded, in kind, in food!and drugs and clothing and ' tender ministrations, she has suffered larselit, through this deplorable war, from the lots of friends and relatives, whether Germans or Frenchmen. There have been, altogether apart from this Franco ' Prussian war, however, other, and some of them. peculiarly dire calamities which we have had occa sion to endure in this annus mirabilis of 1870 in our capacity as Englishmen. A. catastrophe like the all but instantaneous foundering in a gale of wind of the huge ironclad turret ship The Captain was in itssif " a heavy blow and great discourage ment." A. succession of astoundilig railway accidents startled the community again only within these last, few weeks by their deplorable destructiveness. Among the individual losses which the nation has had to lament within the lasttwelve month, by the abrupt disappearance from the world, of one of those exceptionally great men, who are the truest benefactors of the people and the delight of their own immediate contemporaries—there has been inscribed upon the ample obituary of 1870 the loved and honoured name of the most widely popular author of his age, the greatest of all our English humorists. The recollection of that one loss is enough of itself to revive more poignantly than ever a multitude of affecting and beautiful associations. The genius of CHARLES DICKENS was more intimately allied than that of any other writer who ever adorned our literature with the whole spirit of this kindly season of Christmastide. :And it was eminently characteristic of the great author that his philanthropy was prac tical and not simply theoretical or imaginative. A seasonable reminiscence of this is recalled to mind opportunely enough by his American publisherin the course of a memorial paper issued in one of the mis cellaneous annuals, the incident being simply this, that while the author of the " Christmas Carol " was one day breasting his ;way about nightfall through a pitiless storm of snow and sleet in one of the deserted streets of one of the great cities of the United States, upon the occasion of his last visit to America, the companion with whom he was silently fighting his way through the storm suddenly lost sight of him, was in terror for a moment that he lad sunk exhausted on the snow, and was being fast sleeted and snowed out of• recognition, until gladdened by the sound of the cheery voice calling to him at soma distance from the opposite side of the broad thoroughfare, whither the great novelist had rushed upon the instant to aid a blind man who had. just fallen, and vas in precisely that predicament. A seasonable recollec tion, we repeat, in regard to one who often and often enforced so persuasively lessons of beneficence among his fellow mortals at many a returning Christmas. TOPICS OF THE DAY. re r rard to the export of arms calculated to offend the dignity of a natural ally. SPECIAL RESERVE FORCE, The Secretary of War has ordered alterations to I be made in the Special Reserve Force Circular which w:is issued last Augus!:. These declare that an cer is to apply to the Assistant Adjutant-General of the district instead of to the War Office When he wishes to be attached to a regiment of cavalry, infantry, or infantry militia. Officers of the Royal Artillery and Engineers will be specially appointed for the purpose of conducting examinations of officers under one system, to be uniform in its character. Com m:lnding officers of Artillery and Engineer Corps are desired to notify to the Adjutant-General at the Horse Guards the ' names of those officers who are prepared to be examined for certifi cates of proficiency, so that the examination may be arranged in districts. Officers of volunteers will not be allowed to earn the special capitation allowance ,of 20s. or 30s. when they hold a commission in the militia. Officers of volunteers who have held commis sions as field officers and captains in the regular forces may' be returned in the list of proficients without examination, the rank which the officer held in the regular forces being stated against his name in the return. Officers of volunteers holding certificates of proficiency will be allowed to have the letter " P." placed after their names in the army list. PRlNcEss's THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee, Ben jamin Webster. Managers, B. Webster and F. B. Chat terton.—THlS EVENING will be - performed A CHRISTMAS CA ROL ; or Past, Present and Future, dramatised with the esftecial sanction of the late Charles Dickens, by Mr. Edward St aiug. ' After which will be produced an entirely new grand sp, etacular extravaganza, entitled LITTLE GIS BLAS ; and LE,w he Played the Spanish D(Dence. Written by H. B. !ramie. TI: e music selected and arranged by Frank Musgrave ; the ballet, groupings, &0., by J. Milano ; the new and magnificent scenery by Mr. F. Lloyds and assistants; the costumes designed after drawings by Gustave Dora. To conclude with HE'S A LUNATIC. Mr. J. Clayton.—Box Office open from Ten till Five. IZOYA_LT Y THEATRE, DEAN-STREET, 80H0. Crowded Houses. Brilliant Success of It. Reece's Genuine Burlesque " Whittington, Junior, and his Sensation Cat," pro duced with New and Gorgeous Scenery, Superb Costumes, Choice Music, Characteristic Dances, and Splendid Appoint ments. Every Evening, at 7.30, WEALTH. At 9.20, the New Grend Burlesque WHITTINGTON, JUNIOR, AND HIS SENSATION CAT. Concluding with THE RENDEZVOUS. Box Office open from Eleven till Five. No Fees for Bookihg. ASTLEY'S.—Lessee and Manager, Mr. JOHN BAUM.—On Boxing Night, Dec. 28th, first time, Grand Comic Original Christmas Pantomime, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TITTLEMOUSE, and the seven Dancing Princesses ; or, Deedle Deedle Dumplin and the Silver Frog. A STLEY'S MORNING PERFORMANCES 'IL EVERY WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY, at Two. Children Half-price to Stalls, Dress Circle, and Boxes. No charge for booking. Box-office open from 11 to 4. ROYAL POLYTECHNIC.—NoveI and bona fide character of the CHRISTUAS HOLIDAY ENTERTAIN- If ENTS. PROFESSOR PEPPER on THE WAR and the Destructive Implements used thereat ! MR. GEORGE GROSSMITH, Jun., gives the prettiest Fairy Tale, entitled THE YELLOW DWARF, every Evening ; and Mr. SUCHET CHAMPION the same in the Mornings, with Vocal Illustrations. EN( AGENIENT of the Original Warlock, Mr. J. BEAUMONT, for THE WORLD OF MAGIC, and his Curious Slack Rope Automaton.—Entertainment by Mr. E. D. DAV lES, Premier Ventriloquist, entitled THE FUNNIEST OF FUNNY FOLKS. ADAME BOUSFIELD'S GREOIAN STA TUARY in White Marble.—The PRAEGER FAMILY. — New Ghost Entertainment. —A Machine-made Watch, and Christmas and Christmas Customs, by J. L. KING, Esq., at the ROYAL POLYTECHNIC. Admission to the whole One Shilling. E GYPTIA.N HALL, PICOA.DILLY. Commencing MONDAY. November 28 livery day at 2.80 and 8 p.m. POOLE and YOUNG, Um Proprietors and Exhibitors at the Overland Moll, by Telbin and Grieve, Albert Smith's Egyptian Hall Panoramas, beg to announce a now subfelt— THE PRESENT WAR pet - wean the French and Prussians. Haoh Picture (xi SOO square feet of canvas, and painted by England's greatest scenic artists. THE NATIONAL MUSIC. TEE FINEST QUARTETTE IN EUROPE. POLE AND YOUNG, THE EGYPTIAN HALL ONLY. Wit WAR.—roolat AND YOUNG'S P.A.NORADIA, EGYPTIAN ELLI/s. Plices to Poole and Young's Panorama of the War, Se., IL, la. MADAME 'I USSAUD'S EXHIBITION, Baker street.—On view Portrait Models of the ex-Emperor and Empress of the French, and Prince Imperial. Also, Marshal 13azaine, Marshal Canrobert, General Trochu, &c., &o. &a.— Admission, ls. : Children under Ten Years of age, &I. Extra Room, exl. extra. Open from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. MADAME TUSSA UIYS EXHIBITION, Baker street —On view Portrait Models of the King and Crown Prince of Prussia, Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern. Also Count von Bismarck and Count von Moltke.—Admission Is. ; children under ten years of age, 6d. Extra rooms, 6d. extra. — Open from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. r 0 HN OSN F.; LL and CO.'S CII ERRY TOOTH PASTE Is greatly superior to any tooth powder; eyes the teeth a pearl whitenose., protects the enamel from e+ een,y, and Imparts a planattat fratrrnnee to the trroath. Price la dd. [tad Bnli Wharf, rl.l, Upper Thamea-atreet, London. NOTHING IkEPOBBI.ISLL. AGUA AMA RELLA restores the Hnman Hair to its oristilie hue. no matter at what age. JNO. GOSNBI.I. and CO. have at length, with the aid of one of the most eminent Chemists, succeeded in perfecting this wonder ful liquid. It Is now offered to the public+ in a more concentrated form, and at a lower price. Sold in bottles, 3s each; also 65., 7a. 6d., and ins. each, includ ing brush. lied Bull Wharf, Angel-passage, 93, Upper Thames-street, Lon ton, £.O. ANY GENTLEMAN requiring the comforts of a HOME in a respectable and cheerful family, where there are no other lodgers, to board or not with the family, as required, may hear of the same by applying to A. L., Mr. Hawkins, Post Office, Liverpool-road, Barnsbury, N. B AY OF • HAVANA. AND INIA.T.VNZAS RAILROAD. LOANS of £250,000, 1861 ; and £400,000, 1865. The Committee of Bondholders of the above Loans have directed that Certificates shall be issued to represent the un paid Coupons falling due on the 10th and 15th inst. Messrs. J. Henry Schroder and Co. will issue Certificates on and after the 3rd January next, in exchange for the Ooupons, which must be left Three clear Days frr Examination. 145, Leadenhall-street, London, 23rd December, 1870. THEATRES, AND AMUSEMENTS. MYMAIIKET—The Wolf and the Lamb. The Palace of Truth. Uncle's Will. Family Jars. VauDzvlLLE—Chiselling. Two Roses. Elizabeth, or the Invisible Armada. STRAND-011 and Off. Lion. Living at Ease. Cceur-de. Sr, JAMES'S—To Oblige Benson. Fernande. Bombastes Furioso. OLY3tPxo—Poppleton's Predicament. Nell and (Bur lesque) Paul and Virginia. ROYALTY Wealth, and Whittington Junior and his Sensation Cat. GAIETY—A Christmas Story. Alladin 11. HOLBORN—The Married Bachelor. The Odds. Jezabel. PRINCE OF WALES'S. Queen Stork. Ours. Locked In. POLYTECHNIC—Professor Pepper's War Lecture. After- noon and Evening. - PRINCE6S'S—A Christmas Carol. Little Gil Bias. He's a Lunatic. SADLER'S WELLS—Farce. Sinbad the Sailor. SURREY—Farce. My Son Jack. EGYPTIAN HALL—Poole and Young's Panorama of the Franco- Prussian War. AMPIIITIIEATIIE AND CIRCUS (Holborn)—Scenes In the Arena. ST. JAMES'S HALL.—Christy Minstrels. Every evening. PALAIS RoYAL—Professor Faber's 'calking Machine. ALHAMBRA—Promenade Concert. MADAME TUSSAUD'S (Baker-street) —From 10 a.m. till 10 p.m. ls.; extra rooms, 643. THE CONFERENCE. The preliminaries of the Conference which is to arrange a foregone conclusion are progressing satis factorily. The meeting will probably take place about the middle -of January, and it is lißely that the French Government will send a representative, either somebody from Paris or M. T niers. The latter may probably be the chosen one. He is the most respectable diplomatist connected with the Republican Govern ment, and it, moreover, appears that M. Gambetta would be glad to find a job for him. • He is suspected of favouring the knot of deputies who are agitating for the convocation of a national assembly; and it is al . , least certain that he is an Orleanist rather than a Republican. Ho regards the Count of Paris as his lawful sovereign, and owns but a hale allegiance to the one and indivisible mistres , . Smiding him to a Conference which is to do nothing that has not been already done would at any rate keep him out of harm's way. THE NEW AMERICAN MINISTER. General Schenck, who has accepted the post of Minister ot the United States in England, has an ex cellent reputation. He fought gallantly as a soldier during the civil war. As a diplomatist he successfully negotiated several treaties in the States of South America, and became very popular with the peoples among whom 119 dwelt. As a politician, though not holding a very high rank, he is a goof speaker, a respectable thinker, and his character is unblemished. The Daily News . says ot him :—" During the debates which► have occurred at Washington concerning the action of England, no word has been reported from Mr. Schenck which could be interpreted as in the slightest degree hostile to this country; and we have reason to believe that he will come among us with a friendly feeling, which, we need not say, will be heartily reciprocated." Altogether the choice, after so many failures, must be considered exceptionally good. THE IMPERIALIST S CREME. The letter of the French staff captain to the Ind& penclance Belge, stating that he had been " sounded " by an Imperialist agent bearing as his cre dentials an autograph letter of the Emperor, leaves no doubt of Napoleon's intentions if a fair opportunity present itself. It is said that several agents are employed to travel through Germany and visit the imprisoned French officers—one missionary of this kind being particularly active. He has seen a good deal of secret service under the Empire. His business is first to make overtures, promising high favour to the officers who will join the Imperialist scheme, and then; if the reception b 3 favourable, to shew the letter. In the case of the staff captain he shewed it to the wrong man, and so " the cat comes out of the bag," The remarkable thing is that these agents go about \ hero they like without opposition in a country where e very French man is regarded as a spy. ENGLAND AND GERMANY. Karl Blind, while disclaiming all sympathy with Prussian Royal policy, considers that Earl Russell is har,lly just to Germany. The German writer. assures the English statesman that when he demands that this free country should be protected from attack, his words find a responsive echo among those who, from long years of exile, find in England a second home. But he considers that Earl Russell is repeating with respect to Germany the same fault he committed with respect to America. Is he now intent on weakening the bonds of amity between England and Germany as he formerly weakenep ,them between England and America ? Karl Blind complains of Earl Russell's comparison of the revival of the Luxemburg question to the unscrupulous act of the Czar. I.uxemburg, in the estimation of Ger man patriots, never belonged to the King of Hol land. Luxemburg was an integral part of the German Empire, and subsequently of the Confede ration, as much as Prussia herself, or as Baden or Bavaria. The tortuous ways of the Prussian Government do not alter the fixed standpoint of German national right. A statesman of enlarged views ought to see in the reunion of a German proL •vince to the Fatherland a pledge for the mitinten ance of peace. Karl Blind takes the opportunity of reproaching Lord Russell for employing language in CASUALTIES IN THE MERCANTILE MARINE. Mr. Henry Jeula, the experienced . statistician of our maritime disasters, calls attention to the enor mous increase in collisions reported in Lloyd's List during the first six months of 1870, as compared. with the average of five years. This increase is altogether out of pro portion with the increase of our ships or the development of our maritime commerce. In 1866 the statistical committee of• Lloyd's commenced its labours, and there were 1,506 registered steam vessels, exclusive of river steamers, in the United Kingdom. In 1869, the last year available for comparison, there were 1,725, or an increase of only 14.54 per cent., while steamers in collision had increased during the first half-year of 1870 over the same period of 1866 by 60.87 per cent. and over the average of five years by 37'04 per cent. Mr. Jeula fears that a proportionate increas3 will be observable during the rest of the year. He calls upon our practical seamen to answer the question how far the progress of mechanical science, improve ment in the art of navigation, or any other circum stances, justify the reduction of 31 per cent. in sailing vessels, and more than 40 per cent. in steamers in the number of hands per hundred tons for the entire tonnage of British vessels ? The rapid increase of the number of collisions seems certainly to indi cate defective seamanship. STOPPING TRAINS. A new continuous break, capable of slopping a train in half a minute, is to he introduced upon the London and North Western Railway. This decision is the result of the late accidents, and is one which ought to be universally adopted. The imp , ssibility of stopping trains in a short time is one of the most fruitful causes of accidents; and if any improvement in this direction can be effected there ought to be no delay about it. Many disasters, even which no speed in pulling up the train could avert, might result in less serious consequences if a quick stoppage were possible. THE LONDON SCHOOL BOARD. It will doubtless be gratifying to ladies in general to know that their sisters of the London Board, Miss Garrett and Miss Davies, behaved most generously towards the male S9X at the meeting held a day or two since to fix the salaries of the necessary officials: They both voted with Professor Huxley, who thought it would be false economy to offer a gentleman secretary a small sum annually, as remuneration for his services. It may be added that the working-man's candidate, Mr. Lucraft, took ex ception to the secretary's salary being so high as or even £BOO per annum. It was his opinion that the best of secretaries could be secured for £5OO. THE NECESSARIES OP YOUTH. Those English fathers who usually about this time of year are called upon to pay most unwelcome debts incurred by their SOBS, will be wise if they study the case heard at Newcastle on Thursday, in which the defence against a debt of £l5 was made on the ground that the son was an infant when the alleged liability was contracted. The youth, it was stated, was now , verging upon manhood, and was entitled, when he arrived at that happy period of his existence, to a large fortune. In 18G9 he was paying his addresses to a young lady, Miss Maggie Cranston, whom he had since married. During the courtship, however, he thought he ought to make his sweetheart some presents, and, contrary to his father's wishes, he ordered from a jeweller a watch and earrings, the amount for which came to £l5. The young man's father repudiated the debt on three grounds : that the lad was then only nineteen—a minor, in fact; that he had no income of his own; and that the articles were not necessaries. The judge, to whom we cannot give too much credit for discrimination, decided in the matter : that the de fendant was under age at the time of purchase, and that therefore he could only be held answerable for necessaries. • He should pronounce the watch and its appendages as " necessaries," but the earrings could not be estimated as such. THE WEATHER AND THE PAVEMENTS. For our own safety, as well as for that of others, it may bo prudent to remember, at this present icy season, that an ancient law, still in force, requires every householder, to see all snow and ice removed from the pave ment in front of his house whenever either presents an appearance there. As there is no imme diate prospect of a thaw, there is no doubt the authorities will be justified in enforcing the regula tion mast vigorously, if any of us fail to he on the alert, broom and scraper in hand, every morning. . FRENCII OPINION OF ENGLISH HOMES. High Opinions are usually. entertained of English homes; but a French points out what great deficiencies yet remain to be filled up. The same feature of English life has struck her every- NV here, with rich and poor, anl that is the incapacity of Englishwomen in what French womett consider the first duties of life— knowing how to work, cut out, mend, sew, knit, Wash, cook; and look nice, and make all around them look nice, oven with the smallest means. It makes her sad to see the English children and girls go about with no sense of shame in rags, when a few minutes' care might improve their appearance. The wives and mothers care a. great deal, notwithstanding, for fine clothes and smart dressing. They buy new clothes as soon as they get the money, but never take any care of those they have by them. The French lady wishes that some of these thoughtless beings could see many a French blouse, old and fade 1, but neatly patched and tidily repaired by the active fingers of the menageres of the Continent. English women are also most deficient in the art of cookery ; most French ladies know more about it than the professed cocks do in this country. She regrets that English women cannot add to their merits by boirg clever with their fingers and tidy in their habits. She cannot tell whether the evil lies in the want of early training at home or of useful classes at school, but she thinks clever and influential women could fi Id plenty to do in remedying the defects that exist among their countrt•women. THE GY➢INAST HASSAN. At the Exhibitionßooms in Oxford-street, London, may now be witnessed an extraordinary exhibition. The new can. tidate 'or public favour in the gymnastic t .11'N14, plylat V Mi - '• 4 " HER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Dec. 23. Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by her Iloya . Highness Princess Beatrice, .and attended by the Hon Flora Macdonald, drove out yesterday afternoon. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise, drove ou this morning. Prince Leopold also went out. Colonel Tomline's workmen at Ipswich have made another appeal to Mr. Lowe to sanction the coining of 2,000 shillings in the ➢lint for them. Mr. Justico Lawson and Lord Monk sat on Tues day in the offices of the Commissioners of Irish Church Temporalities to hear appeals, one or two of which were successful. Mr. Archer Samuels preferred a claim for compensation for loss sustained by the passing of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners' Bill, which inter fered with his exclusive privilege to practise in the Ecclesiastical Court. The commissioners held that on the true construction of the 30th section they could not allow the claim. • BRAVERY REWARDED.—Mr. Macgregor (Rob Roy), one of the members of the London School Board for the Greenwich Division,. presided at the distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Greenwich Proprietary School, on Wednesday. These proceedings having been con cluded, Mr. Macgregor, addressing a numerous audience of the parents and friends of the pupils, said he had a very gratifying duty to perform, that of presenting a prize for great bravery of conduct on the part of a youth then pre sent, but who was not a pupil of that school. In the month of August last, when in Cornwall, he read an ac count in the Times of the act of bravery he was about to relate of a child eight years and a half old, who had gone out in boat by himself at Falinouth, and was tumbling about with one oar, when his screams were heard by Andiew Young, a boy fifteen years of age. The latter was at the time in an apple tree. He at once got down, scrambled over a wall, jumped into the sea, and suc ceeded in rescuing the child from drowning. He inquired into the oase, and the Royal Humane Society had awarded to Andrew Young its bronze medal, at the same time asking him (Mr. Macgregor) to award it to him in the most public manner possible. The lad being in London at present, he had brought him to Greenwich that night to present him with a medal which not the richest man in England could purchase, and which would commemorate throughout his.life an act of determined pluck he hoped all English lads would endeavour to imitate. Andrew Young was then called upon the platform, and having had the medal attached to his jacket was received with loud applause by the audience. line is a performing monkey.of a remarkable deve loi ment, who surpasses . any human gymnast in ag lity. He• ascends the pole, takes the seat pre pn red for him, assumes the balancing-rod in his for Aegs, or hands, and executes several dances on his hi;:d ones, with a dexterity, confidence and se:ise of tune which are truly surprising. His best pci.:ormance- consists in jumping on a single pole through several hoops. Hascan was caught in the W, st of Africa when he was two years old, and is now abut nine. He stands between, four and five feet high, nml is very muscular. Mr. von Hale has spent several bows a day for six years in training this wonderful animal, and has met with great success in the undertaking. Hassan lives principally on soups, eg„ s, rice, 'anl fruits. He evinces great affection, and is generally very tractable. His deVelopment shows that he wants for nothing. THE GERMAN CONFEDERATION. The Prussian journals seem to be making up their minds to a rejection in the Bavarian Parliament of rho treaty admitting Bavaria to the new German Confederation. At least an adverse vote is considered exceedingly probable. The Berlin and Cologne press affect to treat the prospect lightly, but there can be no doubt that much wrath prevails. For the Bavarians to reject the treaty as infringing too much upon their sovereign's rights, whilst the - German National Liberals complain that it • leaves Bavaria too many privileges, is certainly an awkward con tingency. The party of unity say that it is neces sary for the small states to give up their indepen dence, but the ruling powers, at any rats, do not like to give it up. It is even suspected, perhaps wrongly, that the Bavarian Go vernment is secretly promoting the rejection of the treaty; it is at any rate certain that the Munich rulers most unwillingly agreed to enter the Con federation. SYMPATHY WITH THE POPE. There are never wanting in England displays of sympathy for the losing side, and the case of the Pope is not likely to prove an exception to the rule. Accordingly, a' meeting has been held at Chel sea, at which the conduct of the Italian Government was severely con lemned, and a strong feeling of sympathy for Pius IX. under his misfor tunes was expressed. Resolutions were passed declaring " the usurpation of the States of the Church by the Government of King Victor Emmanuel, begun in 1859, and consummated in 1870, by treachery, calumny, bribery, corruption, cowardly murder, and massacre, is a sacrilegious crime and a flagrant violation of justice and inter national law, and the . conduct of King Victor Emmanuel and his Ministers therein deserves to be regarded with horror and execration by all Chris tendom." The promoters of this resolution, it will be seen, did not measure their expressions. If words broke bones there would be little chance of the Icing's triumphal entry into Rome. It might. be thought that little remained to be said, but two or three other resolutions of a similar tone were passed. THE SITUATION IN ROME. A. correspondent in ' Rome, writing on the 17th, says that the situation becomes daPy more critical and more perplexing. The King's visit is constantly postponed, the fact being that he is resolved not to .enter Rome, if he can avoid it, while the Pope is at the Vatican, and the Pope intends to remain there, and yield only to force. The Corps Diplomatique have protested against the violation of the Palace on the Bth, and the daily insulting de monstrations against the Pope made by the agents of Mazzini and the rioters of Rome. The Catholics say that the social state ' of the city is 'most unsatisfactory. Every night assassinations take place. Eight murders and nine / teen robberies occurred within three days. Crime is rapidly on the increase The Pope's adherents among the noblesse refuse to accept any invitations, the ladies wear mourning, and consequently trade is extremely dull. The general discontent is heightened by incessant rain, which leaves the streets ankle deep in mud. The public murmurs are loud, and uneasiness is felt as to the continuance of anything like tranquillity. Victor Emmanuel has sent another letter to the Pope, which the latter refused to receive. ADVANCED CIVILISATION. It may often do us good to reflect how vastly inferior we are in a great many important respects to our friends the Chinese. Particularly is their superiority manifest in matters of business. Their proficiency in swindling would astonish the natives of anv European country, and yet we can boast of some fair adepts ourselves. Their operations, too, take a much wider range ; for it appears that amongst other strange varieties of buying and selling it is not uncommon for a man to sell his own life. Inexplicable as it may appear, the practice exists. If there be any necessity for sending a person prema turely into the other world; a Chinaman can always be found ready to undergo the operation for a pro per consideration. It appears that of the sixteen persons who have been executed for the Tien-thin massacre, ten had no connection whatever with the offence. Their relatives received 500 taels for their " services," and they were buried with all the consideration due to distinguished martyrs. It is not a pleasant business—for us, we mean. An atrocious massacre of Europeans was perpetrated on the 21st of June, and four months afterwards sixteen persrns were executed, of whom six had °lily a small share in the offence, and ten no share at all, but were bought, and afterwards interred with such honours as altogether to keep out of sight the offence for which they were hypothetically punished. THE RIGHT HON. S. H. WALPOLE, M. ON THE VOLUNTEERS. The eleventh annual regimental dinner of the 30th Middlesex Rifles took place at Ealing, on Thursday night. The Right Hon. S. H. Walpole, M.P., presided. In proposing the toast, " Success to the Volunteer Movement," the right honourable gentleman referred to the present organisation of the Volunteer system now in operation in Germany. He had heard it argued on marl occasions, during the last autumn, that there was some thing in the system at present in operation in Englan d which required a great change ; and he had even heard it recommended that England should adopt a system similar to that which they saw so successful, in one point of view, on the Continent of Europe ; but he was sure there was no necessity to have an armed population in England ; and if that were to be accom plished, he believed it would rather tend to the insecurity of peace than otherwise. He was convinced in his own mind that the compulsory existence of an armed poPula" tion would lead peOple to consider their own wills, instead of abiding by public laws and international treaties. THE DEFENCE OF ENGLAND. The annual distribution of prizes to the First War wickshire Rifle Volunteers, took place on Thursday night in the Town Hall, Birmingham. Mr. P. H. Muntz, M.P., presided. Among the prizes was the Elkington challenge shield, which has now been won three successive years by the battalion. In the course of his speech Air. Muntz said he was a man of peace. He detested war , and looked upon it as one of the greatest curses that could fall upon any country. ge quite agreed • with those honourable men who de nounced war, and would have us in no case increase our defences. He agreed with them, except in the last few words. The day might come—but it would not come in our time—when there would be a real Christianity instead of a sham Christianity; and when we should feel the horrors of murdering one another, and should live in peace and enjoy all the blessings that God has given us. But in the meantime we had to take care of ourselves. He thought those who had watched the state of our forces and had paid attention to the horrible calamities on the Continent within the past few months ; would feel that it was necessary that Ave should take some means that would prevent the possibility of our happy little island being overrun by any foreign enemy. Of all the armed forces he could imagine there was no force he knew of more constitutional or more economical than the English Rifle Volunteers. They were economical, because they paid their own expenses, and that was what he should have to find fault with, because he believed that volun teers had not only a right to moral support, but also to pecuniary support. There was no reason to suppose that out of the 180,000 volunteers in the country there would not be 150,000 forthcoming ready to defend their coun try, but while they were ready to do so, they could not be made use of for despotic or revolutionary pur poses. Therefore, he said, we had that which was according to the constitution of England the only consti tutional force. He did not know whether all his friends were aware that, according to the Bill of Rights, the Crown had no power to keep more than 10,000 men as a standing army in time of peace, and every year in Parlia ment there had to be told a great falsehood ; for it had to be declared that her Majesty was at war, and required so many troops. The sooner that humbug was done away with the better. Supposing there were an attempt at an invasion now, and that yesterday notice had come that London, Devonport, Cornwall, or Cork, if they liked, was to be attacked. Supposing, he said, such a thing to happen, he should like to know whether it would be right to have all these young men drilling, marching out, and out all night, bivouaced with out knapsacks, without blankets, with no proper place for their arms, and with no commissariat ; so that in the course of 24 hours, they would only be fit for the hospital. That was the practical question that he wanted to bring before the public. He had treated of it before, both on that platform and in Parliament, and he should not forget to bring it forward a gain. He had a horror of shams, and Volunteers were either something or nothing ; if they were something, then let them be fairly treated ; and if they were nothing, then let them be disbanded. Let them be prepared for bivouac, or if not, let the whole thing be done away with. At the outbreak of the present war he had prophesied that within six months the Prussians would be within ten miles of Paris, and there were many mon who would bear him out that he had made that statement. He knew that there was system amongst the Prussians, and that there was organi sation ; but still the system would be unsuited to this country, although it was thought by many that we should adopt their system. He did not believe it would be practicable if possible. Lord Elcho wanted us in this country to have the ballot and a conscription, and thought that every • man should be called out, but the ballot was actually in operation now, because the Crown had power to call out 200,000 men, and if that was not sufficient 200,000 more, and so on, until the whole nation was under arms. In case of an invasion , there would be plenty of men, and all we wanted was discipline and proper trainin , so that they could all work together. He believed, however, that there was less chance of an invasion now than there had been for the last twenty years. Why is a newspaper like an army ? Because it has leaders, columns, and reviews. Mr. R. N. Philips, M.P., presided on Thursday night at the annual distribution of prizes to the students attending the Manchester School of Arts. He referred to the large grant of public money given to South Kensing ton Museum, and maintained that a portion of it ought to be allotted to the encouragement of the art of design ing in the manufacturing districts. DEMAND FOR AN INCREASE OF WAGES BY THF• COLLIERS IN THE WIGAN DISTRICT. —The colliers in the Wigan district have now decided to go in for another increase in their wages, as they do not consider that they have risen in proportion to the advance that has taken place in the price of coal ;. and at a meeting of delegates it has been resolved to direct the executive committee of the Amalgamated Society to solicit the masters for an mice of 10 per cent. as early as possible. WILLS AND BEQUESTS.—The will of Lady S. E. Lawrence was proved in the London Court under V,000; the will of Sir H. Berney under 28,000; the will of Christopher Wilson, Esq., under £250,000 ; the will of Mrs. Caroline Lucas Rennie, of Southwick-crescent, Hyde Park, and Wateringbury, Kent, dated December 1, 1864, was proved, on November 8 last, under £30,00 0 . She has bequeathed to the Royal Naval School, New cross, a legacy of £soo.—lllustrated London News. THE IRISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—The Trish Academy of Music had its annual meeting on ThursdaY , the Duke of Leinster presiding. Mr. Hercules Macdon nell read the report of the committee, which expressed satisfaction that at length the Government had consented to give a grant of £l5O. a year to the society. Its contina ance would depend upon the progress made by the Academy. The committee had entered into an agree ment for the purchase of a house in Westland-row for £2,000.. and expected to be more liberally supported by the public. TOLERATION IN IRELAND. Lord Desalt has written to the Times to say that there is at present LI parish in the most civilised part of Ireland where all edn: cation'has been ruthlessly put down with the strong hallo lEs lordship writes : My national school, which bn existed and done inestimable good for upwards of fifty years, has suddenly been closed by the bishop and priests of the Roman Catholic faith, and some sixty srnal l children are thus cut off from all means of education - Like all schools under the National Board, no religion was taught except at stated times, and the schoolmaster WA always been a Roman Catholic. The only cause of offence I can discover is that I, the patron (my grandfather builb, the school-house, and we have always kept it in repair and paid half the master's salary), am a Protestant. THE CRISIS IN AUSTRIA.—News from Vienna states that the Emperor has gone to join the Empress at Meran, and the appointment of a new Ministry has COIL" sequently been indefinitely postponed. A report was 131 circulation that the clerical party in the Tyrol would talc° advantage of the Emperor's presence at Meran to make another attack on the Constitution, but this is clerde° - A. semi-Official organ ' declares all such alarOgs to be unfounded, and maintains that an ant i. Liberal conspiracy of the' kind would have no chance of success. Count Beust, who has been very reserved on the Ministerial question, professes to be willing to suPPe rt any practicable combination which the Constitutionalis ts may propose. His own position has been greatly ire proved by the recent reply to the manifestation of the Czech leaders which has found universal favour with th press, both in Vienna and the provinces. EMIGRATION TO CANADA.—A pamphlet has ben published by the Government of Quebec, giving inforraw tion to intending emigrants to that province. It fur nishes interesting particulars concerning the climate, the roil, and its productions education, commer ce, manufac tures, &c. In the opening pages 'Mr. Archarnbault, the of Commissioner, calls attention to the various r esources the country, to the solidity of its political ins titutions, ar ? , the material prosperity of the people, adding that the lint , - that binds the colony to the British Crown, far Emil being a. burden, is a warrant of protection and seouritY? The pamphlet further sets forth that great progress le , being made in opening up the country for settlerne!, l % eight rail Way lines being in course of construction,. whit e e , in a short time, the great Intercolonial Railway will "„ completed, when Canada will hav e communication 1.10 the sea-board all the year round, without necessitating , „,,, at present, the passing of g oods in bond through t'. iTnited States. The manufacturing ind us t r i es o f the Po o vince, more especially those connected with the Ua mines, together with the timber trade, are stated to making rapid progress , and, al together, the condition.lei, the British America n p rovin ce is represented as. be' exceedingly prosperous. SPE( LATE! THE An officia Versailles, from °coup] Was selecte in return fa having dest returned to nem,ap Houfleur yi At Havr THE G No addit from Arnie Accordit force at I The numb in place of An orde from wan carrying a their hoes At Chal forced in of the Arr Three o bee❑ seize( fugal of th the Prussi The Ali GREAT An off General nouncing North, th, The U until six t Pont Noy We lea' after a kJ an infant The lat the enen Evreux. The la 2 on the p.m; 3 1 of Origrk considera the army A telIN Saxony, day, say the Saxo brigades. hosts wei evening, 48th brit At sei commen French engaged Drancy, takbn 133 mans ha Mesnil, Until tiny anc fire beg except i fell in threatel fort bat Excel engage( pnlsed, The losl and sho Hem th© for cold. In tl are beil The has b( propos membi Defeni A d says t 1 state ceed t The neverl quent Cot Genei that in ev( chanr No i that Artic Prusi BLG Thi THE EUROPEAN WAR. The SUN is Published Every Morning at EIGHT r O'CLOCK, with SOME HOURS' LATER NEWS than any other paper. This edition will always contain the LATEST NEWS of the WAR, and of all other events. HE Treat reign throe Th of th him how, elevr Aust urge the Treo and the 1 then obje